Egg processing system and method for processing eggs

Abstract

An egg processing system comprising a conveying structure (1) configured to support eggs (E) along a conveying direction T, said conveying structure comprising at least two adjacent sections (1a, 1b, 1c) separated by at least one slit (2), wherein one (1b) of said at least two sections (1a, 1b, 1c) is part of an egg metering device (5) and wherein said system comprises cleaning means (1a, 1c) for cleaning said slit (2). The invention also provides an innovative method for processing eggs.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an egg processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Egg processing systems including an egg weighing device are known from the prior art. In the known systems, the egg weighing device is installed on an egg transporting track and measures the weight of the egg carrying track section each time an egg passes through the egg carrying track section. A drawback of the known arrangement is the accumulation of contaminants (e.g. sticky egg liquid) in the vicinity / at the weighing device transporting section, which may be passed by one or more of the eggs to be processed. As a result, it may be difficult to obtain the desired accurate egg weighing value. It is known to manually clean the entire egg transporting track after a period of operation, but it has been found that this does not always solve the egg weighing problem and that such cleaning operations may result in undesirable long system downtimes.

[0003] Korean Registration No. KR20-0357183 and Chinese Registered Utility Model No. CN202799874 relate to an egg grading machine system with an egg weighing bridge. Chinese Registered Utility Model No. CN104396798 discloses a rolling egg weighing device comprising an oblique guide rail, a horizontal guide rail, a weighing bracket, at least one weighing sensor, and a plurality of weighing delivery rods. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention aims to solve the problems mentioned above, in particular to provide an improved and reliable egg processing system in which a relatively large number of eggs can be accurately measured (especially weighed) and long system uptime can be obtained. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to the invention, this is achieved by the features of claim 1.

[0006] Advantageously, there is provided an egg processing system comprising a transport structure configured to support eggs along a transport direction T, the transport structure comprising at least two neighbouring sections separated by at least one slit, one of the at least two sections being part of an egg metering device, the system comprising cleaning means for cleaning the slit.

[0007] In this way, it has been found that dirt or other contaminants accumulated in the slit (e.g. carried by passing eggs) can be efficiently removed by the dedicated cleaning means. As a result, reliable operation of the egg weighing device can be achieved and therefore accurate measurement results (of egg weight) can be obtained. Moreover, long system downtimes can be avoided or reduced. The (dedicated) cleaning means is preferably configured to clean only the slit, without cleaning other system components (e.g. without cleaning the top surface of the transport structure section in the vicinity of the cleaning).

[0008] In particular, the basic idea of ​​the invention is that an egg-supporting conveying section of an egg-metering device can be mechanically separated from an adjacent (e.g. upstream) egg conveying section by a relatively small slit, allowing a metering operation independent of the adjacent conveying section. By providing a dedicated slit cleaning means which is operated or active during a dedicated, relatively short slit cleaning step (preferably when no eggs pass through said slit), accumulation of dirt in said slit can be prevented or at least significantly reduced. As a result, a good mechanical separation between the metering conveying section and the adjacent egg conveying section can be maintained and thus accurate weight measurements can be performed during a relatively long overall system operating time.

[0009] Good results can be achieved when at least one of the at least two sections is arranged to be movable relative to the adjacent section, such that each of the sections can be moved to act as a cleaning means during a cleaning mode of the system, and the system is configured to prevent movement of the movable cleaning section during a normal egg processing mode of the system. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning means comprises a cleaning device configured to move in and out of the slit during a cleaning mode of the system. In particular, in this way cleaning can be achieved mechanically, thereby providing a reliable and rapid unclog of the slit.

[0010] The invention also provides a method according to the features of claim 10.

[0011] The method may, for example, utilize a system according to the invention, and guiding a number of eggs on a carrier structure configured to support eggs in a conveying direction along at least two adjacent sections separated by at least one slit, where one of the at least two sections is part of an egg metering device, the egg metering device performing an egg metering operation when the respective section of the carrier structure carries eggs; a slit washing step including activating a washing means to wash the slit after, for example, a number of eggs have passed through the slit. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0012] In this way, the advantages mentioned above can be achieved.

[0013] In the following, the invention will be explained with reference to the drawings showing non-limiting examples. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically a perspective view of a first embodiment of an egg processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the example of FIG. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a top view of the example of FIG. 1, where the cleaning means is in a first position. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is similar to FIG. 3A and shows the cleaning means in a second position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows detail Q of FIG. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is similar to FIG. 2 and shows a second embodiment of an egg processing system. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of the second embodiment with the cleaning means in a first position. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C illustrates a top view of the second embodiment with the cleaning means in a second position. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is similar to FIG. 2 and shows a third embodiment of an egg processing system. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B shows the third embodiment after rotation of the cleaning means. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A, similar to FIG. 2, shows a fourth embodiment of the egg processing system in an egg processing state. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B shows the fourth embodiment during the slit washing step. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A shows a bottom view of the fifth embodiment of the egg processing system. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B shows the fifth embodiment with the slit cleaning means in operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Similar or corresponding features are indicated herein by similar or corresponding reference numerals.

[0016] Figures 1 to 4 show an example of an egg processing system comprising a transport structure 1 configured to support (and guide) eggs E along a transport direction T (which may be substantially or mainly parallel to a horizontal direction X).

[0017] Such an egg conveying structure 1 can be configured in various ways. According to one example, the conveying structure can comprise at least two adjacent sections, for example a first section 1a and a downstream second section 1b, separated by a respective slit 2 (i.e. a gap, in particular an air gap). The second section 1b of the at least two sections can be part of (or can provide) an egg metering device 5. For example, the egg metering device 5 can support or be integrated with the respective section 1b.

[0018] For example, the system may include a transport means similar to the egg weighing device used in Moba's Forta GT100 system, as shown at www.youtube.com / watch?v=vdof3XgpCzM.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the conveying structure may comprise at least three adjacent sections, e.g. a first section 1a, a second (middle) section 1b and a downstream third section 1c, separated by respective slits 2, where the middle (second) section 1b may be part of (or may provide) an egg metering device 5. Optionally, one or more fourth sections 1d further downstream of the conveying structure 1d may be provided. Also, optionally, one or more fifth sections further upstream of the conveying structure 1e may be provided.

[0020] Each of the adjacent sections 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1e of the transport structure can be configured in various ways. In particular, the adjacent sections 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1e can be configured to transport and guide eggs E along a respective transport direction T. According to one embodiment, said transport can be performed by gravity (i.e. without conveyors or drive mechanisms) such that the rolling eggs E pass through a weighing device 5, where they roll (freely and / or guided) from a first vertical level on the support surfaces / edges 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 4e of the adjacent sections 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1e to a second vertical level lower than the first vertical level (see FIG. 1 ). Each of the adjacent sections 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1e of the transport structure may for example be configured or shaped as an egg guide providing an upper guide surface / edge for directly supporting and guiding an egg E along the transport direction T, towards and along (and preferably away from) the weighing device 5. Thus, during use, an egg E may be transferred from one of the sections (seen along the transport direction) to the adjacent other (seen along the transport direction).

[0021] For example, at least one section 1b and 1e of the transport structure can be a downwardly inclined section providing an individual inclined egg guide path that includes an angle β with the horizontal plane (XY) greater than zero, for example an angle β in the range of 0 to 30 degrees. The transport section 1b, which is part of the egg metering apparatus 5, can for example define an individual local horizontal egg transport path (see Figures 1 and 2), although this is not required as it could also be an inclined path.

[0022] Similarly, one or more sections 1c and 1d (if present) of the transport structure located downstream of second section 1b may, but need not, provide individual horizontal egg support surfaces.

[0023] Optionally, the transport structure comprises additional egg guide members (not shown) running along the transport direction T in order to define a certain egg travel speed along the downwardly inclined track sections 1e and 1b (to avoid the downwardly rolling egg's travel speed from continually increasing due to gravity). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, such additional egg guide members may extend in the path of the downwardly rolling egg E, such guide members guiding the downwardly rolling egg E at a certain (e.g. constant or predetermined) speed along the support sections 1e and 1b. Preferably, an array of additional spaced apart egg guide members is provided on the inclined support sections 1e and 1b in order to guide a plurality of eggs E at a distance from one another.

[0024] For example, each of the conveying sections 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1e may comprise two parallel, spaced apart, egg support guides 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e defining an egg guide track along the conveying direction T, where the slit 2 is defined between opposite ends (in particular opposite butt ends) of opposite guides 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e of respective adjacent sections 1a, 1b, 1c. Each of the parallel support guides may for example be an elongated plate or strip or bar or guide rail, e.g. made of steel or of a different material. The two parallel egg support guides of the transport section may, for example, define spaced apart parallel upper (i.e. upwardly facing) egg guide edges 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 4e arranged to directly support and guide an egg E (which preferably rolls on these guide edges 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 4e during operation) along the track in the transport direction T. The movement of the egg along the track defined by the transport structure 1 may include a rolling movement of the egg E on the outer track and / or a sliding movement of the egg E. During such movement, the egg E may directly contact a generally stationary guide surface (i.e., the relevant part of the transport structure 1 does not move along the transport direction T to move the egg in that direction T). When implementing the additional guide members which travel at a speed along the downwardly sloping track sections, the eggs (particularly those downstream thereof) may also be contacted by such guide member or members while moving along each of the track sections or sections.

[0025] One or more of the conveying sections 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1e may also be configured differently, for example by being provided with an elongated egg guide channel or penetration configured to directly support and guide the rolling and / or sliding eggs E along the conveying direction.

[0026] In particular, a slit 2 between two adjacent sections 1a, 1b and 1c may mechanically separate said sections 1a, 1b and 1c such that a weighing device 5 can weigh the second section 1b as well as any eggs E carried or conveyed on said second section 1b. For example, a width W (measured along the conveying direction T) of the slit 2 may be smaller than a width or diameter of an egg E to be conveyed, wherein said slit width W is for example at least 1 mm, for example in the range of 1 to 30 mm, preferably in the range of 1 to 8 mm.

[0027] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, such weighing devices 5 can be configured in various ways, for example with pressure sensors or load cells or scales connected to or integrated into the respective egg weighing and conveying sections 1b, as mentioned above. According to one example, the weight of an egg E carried on / by the second section 1b of the conveying structure 1 may result in a (small) vertical downward displacement of said second section 1b, which is sensed by the weighing device 5 and for example countered (for example via a spring force). The vertical displacement associated with such weighing is typically significantly smaller than said slit width W, for example a vertical weighing displacement smaller than 1 mm. After such weighing, the second section 1b of the conveying structure can return in the upward direction Z to its initial position (the return movement is for example performed by the weighing device 5), i.e. after the weighed egg E has rolled off of said second section, for example onto a subsequent third section 1c (if any) of the conveying structure 1. The weighing device 5 may be configured to generate a weighing result or signal, such as an electrical or electronic or optical signal, providing a respective measurement result (therefore indicating the weight or mass of an egg E passing or having passed through said respective conveying section 1b, as will be clear to a person skilled in the art), wherein the signal may be processed by a controller or processing means (not shown), such as an egg grading or sorting means.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the conveying structure 1 is configured so that a large number of eggs E can be guided one after the other along the weighing device 5, such that the weighing device 5 is able to provide individual detection results for each of the eggs E.

[0029] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the slit 2 extending between the second conveying section 1b and each adjacent conveying section 1a and 1c can be contaminated, e.g. at least partially filled / clogged, by contamination K. Such contamination may prevent proper operation of the metering device 5, since there may be a mechanical coupling between the two (or three) conveying sections 1a, 1b (1a, 1b and 1c).

[0030] Advantageously, the system comprises cleaning means 1a and 1c for cleaning the aforementioned slit 2 (preferably only the slit 2, without cleaning, for example, the egg-bearing surfaces of the conveying sections 1a, 1b and 1c). The cleaning means 1a is preferably operable (for example by a dedicated cleaning means controller 7) to remove clogging material K from the slit 2, or at least to destroy such material K (the cleaning means may also be called clogging removal means). In this way, problems with soiling / clogging of the slit can be solved or at least significantly alleviated, allowing proper operation of the metering device 5. The cleaning means can be configured in various ways.

[0031] At least one 1a, 1c of the at least two adjacent egg conveying sections 1a, 1b and 1c can for example be movably arranged relative to the adjacent section 1b, so that the movable individual sections 1a and 1c can be displaced to act as the cleaning means (particularly during a cleaning mode of the system). Preferably, the system is configured to prevent the movement of the movable cleaning sections 1a and 1c (i.e. to hold them in their individual egg guiding positions relative to the second adjacent conveying section 1b) during a normal egg processing mode of the system. For example, both the upstream section 1a and the downstream section 1c of the conveying structure can act as slit cleaning sections movably arranged relative to the intermediate metering section 1b for unclogging the corresponding slit 2. Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate metering section 1b can be movably arranged relative to the adjacent conveying sections 1a and 1c (see Figures 5A, 5B and 5C) to provide slit cleaning.

[0032] The movable slit cleaning sections 1a and 1c are preferably movable over a relatively large distance with respect to the adjacent conveying section 1b, for example between an initial position (see FIG. 3A) in which the slit 2 is defined between the adjacent conveying section 1b and a second position (see FIG. 3B) in which the slit 2 is significantly widened (for example at least twice, preferably at least five times) with respect to its initial operating width W or the slit is no longer present. The movement of one or more movable conveying sections is indicated by arrows R in the drawings. According to one embodiment, the movable cleaning sections 1a and 1c or each of the movable cleaning sections 1a and 1c is movable over a distance of more than 1 mm, for example at least 1 cm, during the cleaning mode of the system. For example, the egg guides 3a and 3c of the movable cleaning sections 1a and 1c may be substantially aligned with the corresponding egg guide 3b of the adjacent transport section 1b when the movable cleaning sections are in their initial positions (providing a substantially continuous egg transport path), and wherein the egg guides 3a and 3c of the movable cleaning sections 1a and 1c are misaligned with the corresponding egg guide 3b of the adjacent transport section 1b when the movable cleaning sections 1a and 1c are moved to their second (slit unclogging) positions.

[0033] The movement of the or each of the movable slit cleaning sections 1a and 1c can be a substantially horizontal movement / translation movement, for example a horizontal movement in a direction Y transverse to a general egg conveying direction T (and a respective first horizontal direction X) (see Figs. 1-4). For example, the movable cleaning sections 1a and 1c can be movably held or guided by respective guide elements 8 (schematically depicted). According to one embodiment, the movement can include a repetitive and / or oscillatory movement of the movable slit cleaning sections 1a and 1c between a first position and a second position to improve the slit cleaning result. Alternatively, a single movement motion of the cleaning sections 1a and 1c back and forth from the first position to the second position may be sufficient to provide good slit clogging removal.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the system may comprise one or more actuators 9 configured to move one or more cleaning sections 1a and 1c of the transport structure from a first (initial) position to a second position, e.g., and vice versa, relative to the adjacent section 1b of the transport structure. The or each actuator 9 may comprise, e.g., electric, hydraulic and / or pneumatic actuation means, motors, piston / cylinder type actuators, electromagnetic actuators, servos, etc., as will be appreciated by the skilled person, e.g., depending on the type of movement (translational and / or rotational).

[0035] According to one embodiment, the system may comprise a cleaning mode controller 7 (schematically shown in FIG. 1) configured to provide a slit cleaning mode of the system during which the cleaning means 1a and 1c are operated to clean one or more slits 2.

[0036] For example, the cleaning mode controller 7 may be configured to control the egg processing system to stop the supply of eggs E to the transport structure 1 and then (by the controller 7) one actuator 9, or each actuator 9, is controlled to move each of the cleaning sections 1a and 1c between respective first and second positions to unclog each of the adjacent slits 2.

[0037] Similarly, the cleaning mode controller 7 may be configured to control the system to terminate the cleaning mode after a cleaning period by controlling one or more actuators to move one or more cleaning sections 1a and 1c to one or more initial positions, after which the system resumes supplying eggs E to the transport structure 1.

[0038] Alternatively, the cleaning mode controller 7 may preferably be configured to synchronize the cleaning mode with the egg transport time interval (or egg position on the trajectory), in particular with the time interval of an egg passing through each said slit 2, e.g. such that the slit cleaning mode is only active if no egg E passes through the slit 2, and slit cleaning is not applied if an egg E passes through the slit 2. In this way, slit cleaning can be achieved without stopping the supply of eggs E to the transport structure 1.

[0039] Alternatively, the cleaning mode controller 7 may preferably be configured to automatically initiate the cleaning mode, for example, when the controller determines that the system is idle and / or when the controller determines that eggs have not been fed towards slit 2 for a period of time (e.g. between batches of eggs to be processed). In that case, the cleaning mode controller 7 may be configured to stop the cleaning mode, for example, when the controller determines that the system is no longer idle and / or when the controller determines that eggs are again being fed towards slit 2.

[0040] The cleaning mode controller 7 can be or comprise an electronic unit, microcontroller, computer, hardware and / or software, etc. The controller 7 can be configured to communicate with the actuators 9 to control the actuator operation (and corresponding cleaning section status) in various manners, for example via wired or wireless control signal paths (not shown), as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0041] Optionally, the cleaning mode controller 7 can be configured to periodically initiate the slit cleaning mode and, optionally, the cleaning mode controller 7 can be configured to initiate the slit cleaning mode after a predetermined number of eggs E have passed through the weighing section 1b of the transport structure (for that purpose the controller 7 can e.g. be configured to communicate with a weighing device 5 for counting the passage of eggs E or can e.g. be configured to communicate with a dedicated egg passage counter (not shown) located along the track).

[0042] For example, the cleaning mode controller 7 can also be configured to start the slit cleaning mode immediately after one egg E (of the plurality of eggs conveyed by the system in the conveying direction T) has passed through the slit 2 or the respective metering section 1b. Similarly, the cleaning mode controller 7 can be configured to stop the cleaning mode in time, in particular before a next egg E (of the plurality of eggs conveyed in the conveying direction T) arrives at its slit 2, to prevent the cleaning mode from still being active when the next egg E passes through the slit 2.

[0043] In particular, during operation, multiple eggs E may pass through the slit 2 one after the other at intervals, so that the eggs E are individually weighted and for a time interval, no eggs E may be present above the slit 2, during which time the cleaning mode may be active (i.e. activated by the controller 7).

[0044] According to one embodiment, the cleaning mode is performed for a relatively short period of time, for example during which the movable cleaning sections 1a and 1c may be moved between an initial position and a second (e.g., widening slit) position a limited number of times, for example only once.

[0045] Optionally, the system may include one or more slit clogging sensors (not shown), e.g. optical sensors, arranged to detect slit clogging K. In that case, the cleaning mode controller 7 may be configured to initiate the cleaning mode based on the detection result of the slit clogging sensor (e.g. when the sensor detects that a certain threshold amount of dirt K is present in the slit 2).

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, which may include the use of one or more of the embodiments described above, there is provided a method for the treatment of eggs E, the method comprising: guiding a number of eggs on a transport structure 1 configured to support eggs E in a transport direction T along at least two adjacent sections 1a, 1b and 1c separated by at least one slit 2, where one of said at least two sections 1b is part of an egg weighing device 5, whereby said egg weighing device 5 performs an egg metering operation when said respective section 1b of said transport structure carries eggs E; A slit cleaning step, which includes activating cleaning means 1a and 1c to clean the slit 2 after a number of eggs E have passed through the slit 2. Includes.

[0047] As derived from the above, guiding of an egg may for example involve the egg rolling along a track provided by the adjacent sections of the carrier structure.

[0048] For example, the start and end of the slit cleaning process can be initiated by the above-mentioned cleaning mode controller 7. Also, preferably, during operation of the cleaning means 1a and 1c, the transport of eggs E on the adjacent section of the transport structure 1 is stopped (so that the slit cleaning can be performed safely, avoiding collision of eggs with the moving slit cleaning section of the transport structure).

[0049] The slit cleaning step preferably comprises moving at least one section 1a and 1c of the at least two sections 1a, 1b and 1c of the transport structure 1 relative to the adjacent section 1b of the transport structure 1, so that slit clogging material K (if present) can be broken or removed and the slit 2 can thus remain open allowing proper operation of the egg metering device 5 (associated with said transport section 1b).

[0050] The slit cleaning step is preferably performed quickly, for example within a minute or within a few seconds (e.g. within 10 seconds, within 5 seconds, within 1 second) so that downtime of the system can be minimized. As one example, the cleaning step can be performed each time an egg E passes through the slit 2, or each time a specific, predefined number of eggs E pass through the slit 2).

[0051] Figures 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate an embodiment which differs from the example of Figures 1-4 in that the metering section 101b of the transport structure is movably arranged between an initial egg guiding state (as shown in Figures 5A and 5B) for guiding and metering the passing eggs E, and a second (slit cleaning, i.e. soil breaking) position as shown in Figure 5C. The metering section 101b can be arranged, for example, between two stationary egg guides 101a and 101c of the transport structure and can define individual slits 102.

[0052] For example, the movable metering section 101b may be movably held or guided by respective guide elements 108 (shown diagrammatically) and connected to or equipped with an actuator 109 for moving the metering section 101b during a slit cleaning operation. As mentioned above, according to a preferred embodiment, the movement may involve repetitive and / or oscillatory movement of the movable transport (and metering) section 101b, or a single movement motion.

[0053] 5A, 5B and 5C, the movement of the metering section 101b is directed transversely to the conveying direction T (substantially horizontally as indicated by arrow R).

[0054] In an alternative embodiment, the movable metering section 101b may be movable substantially vertically, preferably by an individual actuator, in order to unclog one adjacent slit or adjacent slits 102. In that case, the unclog movement is preferably such that the slit 102 is significantly widened, e.g. at least twice, preferably at least five times, with respect to its initial (operating) width W, or such that the slit 102 is substantially no longer present. In other words, the transport structure 101b which is part of the egg metering device 5 or the transport structure 101b associated with the egg metering device 5 may be vertically movable over a relatively short (maximum) egg metering distance, e.g. less than 1 mm, during a normal egg processing mode of the system, where said section 101b is moved over a (significantly) larger vertical distance than the (maximum) egg metering distance during a slit unclog step.

[0055] The operation shown in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C can be substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, with the differences including maintaining the adjacent upstream and downstream conveying sections 101a and 101c stationary during the slit cleaning (i.e., unclog) mode, and moving the metering section 101b from an initial position to a second position (and vice versa) to unclog or clean the intermediate slit 102.

[0056] Alternatively or additionally, the slit cleaning movement of the movable slit cleaning sections 201a and 201c can be a rotational movement, for example a rotational movement around a rotation axis 215 extending transversely to the conveying direction T (see Figs. 6A and 6B). According to one embodiment, a metering section 201b of a conveying structure associated with a metering device 205, one or two rotating conveying sections 201a, 201c and, optionally, further upstream and / or downstream conveying sections 201d and 201e (similar embodiments as described above) can be provided. During egg processing, each rotating conveying section 201a and 201c can be held in an initial position for conveying eggs along the intermediate slit 202 and via the respective (upper) egg guide edge to (and from) the metering section 201b. During the cleaning mode of the system, the rotary conveying sections 201a and 201c or each of the rotary conveying sections 201a and 201c may be rotated (e.g., in a single rotational direction, as indicated by arrow R') to increase the slit width or to temporarily eliminate the presence of a slit to allow for clogging removal.

[0057] In one example, the rotary cleaning sections 201a and 201c can have an angular (e.g., square or triangular or polygonal) shape when viewed in side view, such that the outer contours of the rotary conveying sections 201a and 201c can provide a plurality of egg support edges 204a1, 204a2 and 204a3 that can be aligned in turn with the egg support edges of the metering section 201b for transferring eggs thereto (and therefrom). For example, in the case of a triangular shape, a rotation of 120 degrees or more (during the cleaning mode of the system) can provide slit unclogging, while the rotation also includes replacing a first egg guide edge 204a1 of the cleaning section (initially aligned with the egg support edge of the metering section) with a second egg guide edge 204a2 of the cleaning section (taking over the egg transfer function from the first egg guide edge).

[0058] 7A and 7B show an example which differs from the embodiment of FIG. 6 in that each cleaning section 301a and 301c is an elongated section which is pivotal or swivable back and forth in opposite directions or rotations R″ about a (horizontal) pivot axis 315. FIG. 7A shows an initial view of the system in which the egg supporting edges of the pivotable cleaning sections 301a and 301c are substantially aligned with the egg supporting edges of an intermediate egg weighing section 301b (with individual weighing devices 305) of the system. 7A and 7B show egg processing conditions during a slit cleaning mode, where the cleaning sections 301a and 301c have been pivoted away from the middle section 301b to their respective second positions to unclog adjacent slits 302. In this case, pivoting the cleaning sections 301a and 301c through a relatively small angle (e.g., less than 45 degrees) may be sufficient to provide good slit cleaning.

[0059] Alternatively or additionally, according to one embodiment, good results can be achieved if the cleaning means comprises one or more dedicated cleaning devices 410 (see, for example, Figures 8A and 8B) configured to enter and exit the slit 402 during a cleaning mode of the system. Such cleaning devices 410 can comprise clogging elimination elements, for example plates or spike-like elements, arranged to enter the slit 402 between the butt ends of adjacent conveying sections 401a and 401b (and 401b and 401c, respectively) during a system cleaning mode. The cleaning devices 410 can be associated with one or more actuators 409 (schematically illustrated) for achieving the clogging elimination movement of the device. The movement of the cleaning devices 410 can include horizontal translation, vertical translation, rotation, or a combination of such movements. For example, the cleaning device 410 can be held in a suspended position above the egg transport path, above and / or next to the transport structure, so that it can be moved into the slits 402 by the respective actuators 409 during the slit unclog process. A limited number of cleaning movements of the unclog device 410, e.g. only one, can be sufficient to provide efficient unclog.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, for example, a dedicated cleaning device may comprise, for example, one or more spray means or nozzles configured to clean the slit 2 with a fluid spray or fluid jet, in particular configured to direct such a fluid towards or into the slit 2 (preferably without directing the fluid towards other system parts). The fluid may for example be water or air. In this way, the fluid may be used as a slit unclogger.

[0061] Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited by the described embodiments. It is clear that the present invention defined in the claims can be achieved in various ways. Reference signs used in this disclosure should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0062] It will be clear that the slit unclogging movement of the conveying structure section or the unclogging device can include different types of movement in various directions, for example a combination of both translational and rotational or pivotal movements. According to one embodiment (not shown), the conveying structure section rotating on a rotating or pivoting axis (providing the slit cleaning section) can rotate about a vertical axis of rotation or about an axis of rotation extending at an angle to the horizontal and vertical planes.

[0063] Additionally, the present invention can, but need not be, practiced for the treatment of avian eggs, such as unfertilized (non-viable) eggs.

[0064] Subsequent sections of the transport structure can be disposed substantially parallel or at different orientations relative to one another, and one or more of the sections of the transport structure can, but need not, define respective linear (e.g., substantially horizontal) transport paths.

[0065] The movement of the transport section can include various types of movements, such as repetitive motion, oscillation, rotation, translation, movement in a single direction or in different directions, and / or combinations of such movements and different movements.

[0066] Also, for example, at least one section 1b and 1e of the conveying structure can be a downwardly inclined section, providing a respective inclined egg guide path (towards the slit), e.g., comprising an angle β with the horizontal plane (XY) greater than 0, e.g., an angle β in the range of 0 to 30 degrees. Alternatively, the section providing the egg guide path towards the slit can be a section that is not upwardly inclined, or a horizontal section.

Claims

1. 1. An egg processing system comprising a conveying structure (1) configured to support eggs (E) along a conveying direction T, said conveying structure comprising at least two adjacent sections (1 a, 1 b, 1 c) separated by at least one slit (2), wherein one (1 b) of said at least two sections (1 a, 1 b, 1 c) is part of an egg metering device (5), and wherein the system comprises cleaning means (1 a, 1 c) for cleaning said slit (2).

2. 2. An egg processing system according to claim 1, wherein at least one (1a) of the at least two sections (1a, 1b) is arranged to be movable relative to the adjacent section (1b) so that each section (1a) can be moved to act as the cleaning means during a cleaning mode of the system, and wherein the system is configured to prevent movement of the movable cleaning section (1a) during a normal egg processing mode of the system.

3. 3. An egg processing system according to claim 2, wherein the movable cleaning section (1a) is movable over a distance of more than 1 mm, such as a distance of at least 1 cm, during a cleaning mode of the system.

4. 4. An egg processing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the section (1 b) that is part of the egg metering device (5) is vertically movable over an egg metering distance during a normal egg processing mode of the system, and wherein the movable cleaning sections (1 a, 1 b, 1 c) are movable over a distance that is greater than the egg metering distance during the cleaning mode of the system.

5. 4. An egg processing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the system is configured to move the cleaning section (1 a) of the transport structure from a first position to a second position relative to the adjacent section (1 b) of the transport structure.

6. 3. An egg processing system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a cleaning mode controller (7) configured to provide a slit cleaning mode of the system during which the cleaning means (1a; 410) are activated to clean the slits (2).

7. 3. An egg processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the two sections (1 a) of the transport structure is an inclined section, wherein the section (1 b) which is part of an egg metering device (5) preferably defines an individual local horizontal egg path section.

8. 3. An egg processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the adjacent sections (1 a, 1 b) of the transport structure comprises two parallel egg support guides (3) defining an egg guide track along the transport direction T, and wherein the slit (2) is defined between two opposing edges of the opposing guides (3) of the two adjacent sections (1 a, 1 b).

9. 3. An egg processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning means comprises a cleaning device (410) configured to move in and out of the slit (2) during a cleaning mode of the system.

10. A method for processing eggs, for example, using the system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: Guiding a number of eggs on a carrier structure (1) configured to support eggs (E) in a conveying direction T along at least two adjacent sections (1a, 1b) separated by at least one slit (2), wherein one of the at least two sections (1b) is part of an egg metering device (5), and the egg metering device (5) performs an egg metering operation when each of the sections (1b) of the carrier structure carries eggs (E); a slit cleaning step, which includes operating cleaning means (1a, 1c) to clean the slit (2) after a large number of eggs (E) have passed through the slit (2). The method comprising:

11. 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the transport of eggs (E) over the adjacent sections of the transport structure (1) is stopped while the cleaning means (1a, 1c) are operating.

12. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the cleaning means is activated after one egg (E) of the series of eggs has passed through the slit (2), and wherein the cleaning means is paused before a subsequent egg (E) of the series of eggs passes through the slit (2).

13. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the slit cleaning step comprises moving at least one (1a, 1c) of the at least two sections (1a, 1b, 1c) of the transport structure (1) relative to the adjacent section (1b, 1c) of the transport structure (1).

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one (1a, 1c) of the at least two sections (1a, 1b, 1c) of the carrier structure (1) is repeatedly moved relative to the adjacent section (1b) of the carrier structure (1).

15. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein at least one (1a, 1c) of the at least two sections (1a, 1b, 1c) of the transport structure (1) is moved only once during the slit cleaning step, for example from a first position to a second position and back.

16. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the slit cleaning step is carried out quickly, preferably within 1 minute, more preferably within 5 seconds, after which guiding of eggs on the transport structure is resumed.

17. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the cleaning step includes moving a cleaning device (410) in and out of the slit (2).

18. 1. An egg processing system comprising a conveying structure (1) adapted to support eggs (E) along a conveying direction T, said conveying structure comprising at least two adjacent sections (1 a, 1 b, 1 c) separated by at least one slit (2), wherein one (1 b) of said at least two sections (1 a, 1 b, 1 c) is part of an egg metering device (5), said system comprising cleaning means (1 a, 1 c) for cleaning said slit (2), where: at least one (1a) of the at least two sections (1a, 1b) is arranged to be movable relative to the adjacent section (1b), such that each section (1a) can be moved to act as the cleaning means during a cleaning mode of the system, wherein the system is configured to prevent movement of the movable cleaning section (1a) during a normal egg processing mode of the system; and / or The cleaning means comprises a cleaning device (410) configured to move in and out of the slit (2) during a cleaning mode of the system. The egg processing system.

Images