Egg management system

Abstract

To reduce the load of a worker in an incubation process for handling a plurality of lots.SOLUTION: An egg incubation management system for managing containers in which eggs in the process of hatching are stored for each lot includes equipment for automatically supplying the containers to the next process, an input part for inputting lot information of the eggs in the process of hatching, and a control device for controlling the equipment on the basis of the lot information. The controller is provided with a lot switching control part for notifying that the container supplied from the equipment is the final container of the present lot and performing prescribed control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Eggs laid at breeding chicken farms are first collected in an egg storage area, then go through a process called pre-warming before being placed in a setter and incubation begins. On the 18th or 19th day after being placed in the setter, the eggs are transferred to a hatcher, and the chicks hatch approximately 21 days after being placed.

[0003] In this incubation process, when eggs are transferred from a setter to a hatcher during incubation, or during other incubation periods, a candling operation is carried out to separate viable eggs from non-viable eggs (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2).

[0004] Before transfer, the eggs are stored in containers called setter trays, and multiple setter trays are placed on, for example, a setter rack within the setter for management. As shown in Figure 30 of Patent Document 2, a method is sometimes used in which multiple lots of eggs are filled into one setter and incubated.

[0005] After transfer, the eggs are stored in a container called a hatcher basket, and multiple hatcher baskets are stacked in a hatcher for management. As with setter trays, multiple lots of eggs may be filled and incubated in one hatcher. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2015-523862 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4858863 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the past, in incubation processes where multiple lots were handled, lot management in the setter or hatcher was done by workers writing notes on paper, etc. As a result, lot management, especially the work involved in switching between lots, was a burden on workers. An object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on workers in an incubation process that handles multiple lots. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The incubation management system of the present invention is an incubation management system that manages containers that hold eggs in the process of hatching by lot, and is equipped with equipment that automatically supplies the containers to the next process, an input unit that inputs lot information for the eggs in the process of hatching, and a control device that controls the equipment based on the lot information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the burden on workers in an incubation process that handles multiple lots can be reduced.

[0010] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an incubation management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a part of the incubation management system of the same embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a part of the incubation management system of the same embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a part of the incubation management system of the same embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a part of the incubation management system of the same embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a part of the incubation management system of the same embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a part of the incubation management system of the same embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The incubation management system 1 of this embodiment manages containers (setter trays 5 or hatcher baskets 7) that house eggs in the process of hatching (hereinafter simply referred to as "eggs") for each lot. The setter trays 5 are used in processes before and after the setter 6. The hatcher baskets 7 are used in processes before and after the hatcher 8. The incubation management system 1 of this embodiment comprises a device 10, an input unit 31, and a control device 4.

[0013] The equipment 10 is used for incubation and automatically supplies the setter trays 5 and hatcher baskets 7 to the next process. The equipment 10 includes, for example, a storage room 11, a setter loader 12, a setter unloader 13, an egg candling machine 14, an egg transfer machine 15, a basket stacker 16, a basket de-stacker 17, a chick separator 18, and a chick processing machine 19.

[0014] The storage facility 11 stores the eggs placed on the setter trays 5. Hatching eggs obtained over a certain period are stored and put into a dormant state, and these dormant eggs are pre-warmed before being put into the incubation process to resume embryo activity.

[0015] The setter loader 12 carries the setter trays 5 into the setter rack 61. The setter rack 61 is a cart that can be moved by casters. The setter rack 61 has multiple shelves on which the setter trays 5 are placed, and an egg turning mechanism that changes the inclination of the shelves to turn the eggs. The setter rack 61 of this embodiment has three rows of shelves in the left and right direction, and each shelf is configured so that the setter trays 5 can be slid onto it from the front side. The setter loader 12 automatically carries the setter trays 5 into one or more shelves of the setter rack 61. The setter rack 61 is carried into the setter 6.

[0016] The setter 6 is an incubation space capable of storing a setter rack 61 loaded with setter trays 5. In the setter 6, the eggs are incubated in a device that heats the eggs to approximately 38°C while turning them. After a predetermined period of time has passed, the setter rack 61 is removed from the setter 6.

[0017] The setter unloader 13 removes the setter tray 5 from the setter rack 61 and supplies it to a first conveying section (not shown) for the next process. The setter unloader 13 automatically carries out the setter tray 5 from one or more shelves of the setter rack 61.

[0018] The egg candling machine 14 inspects the eggs on the setter tray 5. The egg candling machine 14 automatically separates live eggs from non-live eggs and other abnormal eggs, for example by using lighting. The egg candling machine 14 is provided on the first conveying section.

[0019] The egg transfer machine 15 transfers eggs on the setter tray 5 to the hatcher basket 7. The egg transfer machine 15 transfers eggs that have been determined to be "viable" by the egg candling machine 14 by using, for example, a suction cup to hold the eggs from above. The egg transfer machine 15 is provided so as to be movable between the setter tray 5 transported on the first transport unit and the hatcher basket 7 transported on the second transport unit (not shown).

[0020] The basket stacker 16 stacks multiple hatcher baskets 7 on a hatcher cart 81. The hatcher cart 81 is a cart that can be moved using casters. The hatcher cart 81 can hold, for example, 15 hatcher baskets 7 stacked on top of each other on its top surface. A lid is attached to the top of the top hatcher basket 7. The basket stacker 16 is located adjacent to the second transport section, and automatically stacks hatcher baskets 7 on the hatcher cart 81. The hatcher cart 81 is carried into the hatcher 8.

[0021] The hatcher 8 is a device for incubating eggs to hatch chicks, and is an incubation space that can store a hatcher cart 81 loaded with hatcher baskets 7 inside. Chicks hatch from eggs in the hatcher 8. After a predetermined period of time has passed, the hatcher cart 81 is carried out of the hatcher 8.

[0022] The basket de-stager 17 de-stages the hatcher baskets 7 from the hatcher cart 81 and supplies them to a third conveying section (not shown) for the next process. The basket de-stager 17 automatically carries the hatcher baskets 7 out of the hatcher cart 81.

[0023] The chick separator 18 removes chicks from the hatcher baskets 7, which have been separated into individual layers, and separates the chicks from the eggshells. The chick separator 18 is equipped with a mechanism for automatically inverting the hatcher baskets 7, a mechanism for vibrating to separate the chicks from the eggshells, a mechanism for sending the chicks to the next process, and a mechanism for sucking up and collecting the remaining eggshells with a blower fan. The chick separator 18 is installed above the third conveying section.

[0024] The chick processor 19 performs a predetermined process on the chicks. For example, the chick processor 19 may be equipped with a tick counter for counting the chicks. The chick processor 19 may also be equipped with a chick sorting table, which separates the chicks after sorting. The chick processor 19 is provided on the third transport section.

[0025] In this embodiment, an operator terminal 3 is provided. The operator terminal 3 has an input unit 31 and a display unit 32. The input unit 31 inputs lot information and the like by keying or scanning. The input unit 31 inputs egg lot information. The input unit 31 is provided on the setter loader 12 or its periphery, and is input with, for example, lot information linking the setter tray 5 with a lot number. The input unit 31 may also be provided on the basket stacker 16 or its periphery, and is input with, for example, lot information linking the hatcher basket 7 with a lot number. The display unit 32 is composed of a display that displays input contents and lot switching information (described later) on a screen, and a printer that prints them.

[0026] The control device 4 of this embodiment comprises a management unit 41 and a lot switching control unit 42. The control device 4 is composed of a computer having a CPU, memory, an input / output interface, an AD converter, a display device such as a display, etc. The control device 4 performs the function of controlling each part of the incubation management system 1 in addition to the control device 4, by the CPU and peripheral devices working together based on a program stored in the memory.

[0027] The management unit 41 manages lot information. The management unit 41 manages lot information linking the setter tray 5 with the lot number. The management unit 41 also manages lot information linking the hatcher basket 7 with the lot number.

[0028] Based on the lot information managed by the management unit 41, the lot switching control unit 42 notifies that the setter tray 5 or hatcher basket 7 supplied from the equipment 10 is the final setter tray 5 or final hatcher basket 7 of the current lot, and performs the specified control.

[0029] Next, the operation of each device 10 in this incubation management system 1 will be described.

[0030] <Figure 2: From Storage 11 to Setter Loader 12> The incubation management system 1 manages setter trays 5 containing eggs for each lot. The setter loader 12 automatically supplies the setter trays 5 to the setter rack 61, which is the next process. The storage facility 11 and the setter loader 12 are connected by, for example, a transport unit (not shown). Egg lot information is input to input unit 31, and management unit 41 manages setter trays 5 in association with the lot information. Control device 4 controls setter loader 12 based on the lot information.

[0031] When switching between the current lot and the next lot, the lot switching control unit 42 of the control device 4 controls the setter loader 12. Based on the lot information managed by the management unit 41, the lot switching control unit 42 notifies that the setter tray 5 supplied from the setter loader 12 is the final setter tray 5 of the current lot, and performs predetermined control.

[0032] The predetermined control may be, for example, an audible control such as a sound, or a visual control such as a display on the display unit 32 or stopping the movement of the device 10 or the transport unit. Alternatively, the predetermined control may control the setter loader 12 so that the current lot and the next lot are placed on different levels of the setter rack 61. Specifically, when the interior of the setter 6 is partitioned horizontally into three rows, the setter trays 5 of the current lot are placed on the left and middle shelves, and the next lot is not placed on the shelf immediately adjacent to them on the right, and the next setter tray 5 is placed on a level different from the level A1 on which the last setter tray 5 of the current lot is placed, for example, on the level A2 one level above. Furthermore, the predetermined control may control the setter loader 12 so as to leave a space between the current lot and the next lot. Specifically, the next lot is not placed in the stage A2, which is one level above the stage A1 on which the final setter tray 5 of the current lot is placed, but the setter tray 5 of the next lot is placed in the stage A3, which is one level above that. The stage A2 becomes a space. The space may be one stage or multiple stages. The current lot and the next lot may be arranged upside down or separated left and right. Furthermore, the predetermined control may control the setter loader 12 to place an empty tray on the stage A2 that will become the space. Specifically, after placing the final setter tray 5 of the current lot, the setter loader 12 places one or more empty setter trays 5 that do not contain eggs on the shelves of the setter rack 61, and then places the setter trays 5 of the next lot. Furthermore, the predetermined control may be such that a plan is made for determining at what position on the setter rack 61 the setter tray 5 should be placed, based on the lot information, and the setter loader 12 is controlled based on the plan made.

[0033] <Figure 3: Setter 6 to Setter Unloader 13> The incubation management system 1 manages setter trays 5, which contain eggs, for each lot. A setter unloader 13 automatically supplies the setter trays 5 to the next process, an egg candling machine 14. The setter unloader 13 and the egg candling machine 14 are connected by a first conveying section. Egg lot information is input to the input unit 31, and the management unit 41 manages the setter trays 5 by linking them to the lot information. This lot information may be input in advance before the eggs enter the setter 6 (for example, near the setter loader 12), or may be input when the eggs are removed from the setter 6 (for example, near the setter unloader 13). The control device 4 controls the setter unloader 13 based on the lot information.

[0034] When switching between the current lot and the next lot, the lot switching control section 42 of the control device 4 controls the setter unloader 13. Based on the lot information managed by the management section 41, the lot switching control section 42 notifies that the setter tray 5 supplied from the setter unloader 13 is the final setter tray 5 of the current lot, and performs predetermined control.

[0035] The predetermined control may be, for example, an audible control such as a sound, or a visual control such as a display on the display unit 32 or stopping the movement of the device 10 or the transport unit. Alternatively, the specified control may be to control at least one of the setter unloader 13 and the first conveying section so as to leave a specified gap between the setter tray 5 of the current lot and the setter tray 5 of the next lot supplied to the first conveying section. Specifically, after placing the final setter tray 5 of the current lot on the first conveyor, the setter unloader 13 stops operating for a predetermined time, during which time the first conveyor conveys the final setter tray 5 of the current lot downstream of the first conveyor. After that, when the setter unloader 13 starts placing the setter tray 5 of the next lot on the first conveyor, a gap can be created between the setter tray 5 of the current lot and the setter tray 5 of the next lot on the first conveyor. The operation of the setter unloader 13 may be restarted manually. That is, the lot switching control unit 42 controls the setter unloader 13 to stop operation. Thereafter, the operator may be made to visually recognize that there is a gap upstream of the setter tray 5 of the current lot on the first conveying unit, and upon confirming the separation between the lots, the operator may start the operation of the setter unloader 13 by pressing a button, for example. Furthermore, after the setter unloader 13 places the final setter tray 5 of the current lot on the first conveyor, the first conveyor protrudes a stopper (part of the device 10; the same applies below) upstream of the final setter tray 5. When the setter tray 5 of the next lot then arrives upstream of the stopper, the stopper prevents the setter tray 5 of the next lot from being transported. By protruding the stopper for a predetermined time and then releasing it, a gap can be created between the setter tray 5 of the current lot and the setter tray 5 of the next lot on the first conveyor. The stopper may be released manually. That is, the lot switching control unit 42 controls the stopper of the first transport unit to protrude. Thereafter, the operator may visually recognize that there is a gap on the upstream side of the setter tray 5 of the current lot on the first transport unit, and upon confirming the separation between the lots, the operator may release the protrusion of the stopper by pressing a button, for example.

[0036] <Figure 4: Egg candling machine 14> The incubation management system 1 manages the setter trays 5 containing eggs for each lot. The egg candling machine 14 on the first conveying section automatically supplies the setter trays 5 to the next process, the egg transfer machine 15. Both the egg candling machine 14 and the egg transfer machine 15 are provided on the first conveying section. Egg lot information is input to input unit 31, and management unit 41 manages setter trays 5 by linking them to the lot information. This lot information may be input in advance before the eggs enter setter 6 (for example, near setter loader 12), or may be input when the eggs are removed from setter 6 (for example, near setter unloader 13). Control device 4 controls egg candling machine 14 based on the lot information.

[0037] When switching from the current lot to the next lot, lot switching control section 42 of control device 4 controls egg candling machine 14. Based on the lot information managed by management section 41, lot switching control section 42 notifies that the setter tray 5 to be inspected by egg candling machine 14 is the final setter tray 5 of the current lot, and performs the specified control.

[0038] The predetermined control may be, for example, an audible control such as a sound, or a visual control such as a display on the display unit 32 or stopping the movement of the device 10 or the transport unit. Alternatively, the predetermined control may control the egg candling machine 14 to change the inspection level between the current lot and the next lot.

[0039] <Figure 5: Egg Transfer Machine 15> The egg incubation management system 1 manages the setter trays 5 in which the eggs are stored for each lot. The egg transfer machine 15 automatically transfers the eggs from the setter trays 5 to the hatcher baskets 7, which are the next process. In other words, the egg transfer machine 15 automatically supplies the hatcher baskets 7 to the next process. The egg transfer machine 15 is movable between the first conveying section and the second conveying section. Egg lot information is input to the input unit 31, and the management unit 41 manages the setter trays 5 and hatcher baskets 7 by linking them to the lot information. This lot information may be input in advance before the eggs enter the setter 6 (for example, near the setter loader 12), or may be input when the eggs are removed from the setter 6 (for example, near the setter unloader 13). The control device 4 controls the egg transfer machine 15 based on the lot information.

[0040] When switching from the current lot to the next lot, lot switching control section 42 of control device 4 controls egg candling machine 14. Based on the lot information managed by management section 41, lot switching control section 42 notifies egg transfer machine 15 that the setter tray 5 from which eggs are removed is the final setter tray 5 of the current lot, and performs the specified control.

[0041] The predetermined control may be, for example, an audible control such as a sound, or a visual control such as a display on the display unit 32 or stopping the movement of the device 10 or the transport unit. Alternatively, the predetermined control may be to control at least one of the egg transfer machine 15 and the second conveying section so as to provide a predetermined gap between the hatcher baskets 7 of the current lot and the hatcher baskets 7 of the next lot to be supplied to the second conveying section. Specifically, after the egg transfer machine 15 transfers eggs from the final setter tray 5 of the current lot to the hatcher basket 7, it stops operating for a predetermined time, during which time the second conveyor transports the final hatcher basket 7 of the current lot to the downstream side of the second conveyor. Thereafter, when the egg transfer machine 15 starts to transfer eggs from the setter tray 5 of the next lot to the hatcher basket 7, a gap can be created between the hatcher basket 7 of the current lot and the hatcher basket 7 of the next lot on the second conveyor. The operation of the egg transfer machine 15 may be restarted manually. That is, the lot switching control unit 42 controls the egg transfer machine 15 to stop operation. After that, the worker may visually recognize that there is a gap upstream of the hatcher basket 7 of the current lot on the second conveyor, and upon confirming the separation between the lots, the worker may start the operation of the egg transfer machine 15 by pressing a button, for example. Furthermore, after the egg transfer machine 15 transfers eggs from the final setter tray 5 of the current lot to the hatcher basket 7, the second conveyor section protrudes a stopper upstream of that final hatcher basket 7. When the hatcher basket 7 of the next lot subsequently arrives upstream of the stopper, the stopper prevents the hatcher basket 7 of the next lot from being conveyed. By protruding the stopper for a predetermined time and then releasing it, a gap can be created between the hatcher basket 7 of the current lot and the hatcher basket 7 of the next lot on the second conveyor section. The stopper may be released manually. That is, the lot switching control unit 42 controls the stopper of the second transport unit to protrude. Thereafter, the worker may visually recognize that there is a gap on the upstream side of the hatcher basket 7 of the current lot on the second transport unit, and upon confirming the separation between the lots, the worker may release the protrusion of the stopper by pressing a button, for example.

[0042] <Figure 6: Basket stacker 16> The incubation management system 1 manages the hatcher baskets 7 that contain eggs for each lot. The basket stacker 16 automatically supplies the hatcher baskets 7 onto the hatcher carts 81, which are the next process. Egg lot information is input to the input unit 31, and the management unit 41 manages the hatcher baskets 7 by linking them to the lot information. This lot information may be input in advance before the eggs enter the setter 6 (for example, near the setter loader 12), or may be input when the eggs are removed from the setter 6 (for example, near the setter unloader 13). The control device 4 controls the basket stacker 16 based on the lot information.

[0043] When switching between the current lot and the next lot, the lot switching control unit 42 of the control device 4 controls the basket stacker 16. Based on the lot information managed by the management unit 41, the lot switching control unit 42 notifies the basket stacker 16 that the hatcher basket 7 being supplied to the basket stacker 16 is the final hatcher basket 7 of the current lot, and performs predetermined control.

[0044] The predetermined control may be, for example, an audible control such as a sound, or a visual control such as a display on the display unit 32 or stopping the movement of the device 10 or the transport unit. Alternatively, the predetermined control may control the basket stacker 16 so that different hatcher carts 81 are stacked for the current lot and the next lot. Specifically, when hatcher baskets 7 are normally stacked 15 high, if the final hatcher basket 7 of the current lot is stacked on an intermediate level (for example, the 10th level), the next lot is not stacked on top of it, and the next hatcher basket 7 is placed on a hatcher cart 81 different from the hatcher cart 81 on which the final hatcher basket 7 of the current lot is placed. The predetermined control may also control the basket stacker 16 so that an empty basket is placed between the current lot and the next lot. Specifically, one or more empty hatcher baskets 7 that do not contain eggs are placed one level above the last hatcher basket 7 of the current lot, without placing the next lot, and then the hatcher basket 7 of the next lot is placed.

[0045] <Figure 7: Hatcher 8 to basket de-tiering machine 17> The incubation management system 1 manages the hatcher baskets 7 that contain eggs by lot. The basket de-tiering machine 17 automatically supplies the hatcher baskets 7 to the next process, the chick separator 18. The basket de-tiering machine 17 and the chick separator 18 are connected by a third conveying section. The input unit 31 receives input of lot information for eggs or chicks, and the management unit 41 manages the hatcher baskets 7 by linking them to the lot information. This lot information may be input in advance before the eggs or chicks enter the setter 6 (for example, near the setter loader 12), or may be input when the eggs are removed from the setter 6 (for example, near the setter unloader 13), or may be input before the eggs enter the hatcher 8 (for example, near the basket stacker 16). The control device 4 controls the basket de-tierer 17 based on the lot information.

[0046] When switching between the current lot and the next lot, the lot switching control unit 42 of the control device 4 controls the basket de-tiering machine 17. Based on the lot information managed by the management unit 41, the lot switching control unit 42 notifies that the hatcher basket 7 supplied from the basket de-tiering machine 17 is the final hatcher basket 7 of the current lot, and performs predetermined control.

[0047] The predetermined control may be, for example, an audible control such as a sound, or a visual control such as a display on the display unit 32 or stopping the movement of the device 10 or the transport unit. Alternatively, the predetermined control may be to control at least one of the basket de-tiering machine 17 and the third conveying section so as to leave a predetermined gap between the hatcher baskets 7 of the current lot and the hatcher baskets 7 of the next lot supplied to the third conveying section. Specifically, after placing the last hatcher basket 7 of the current lot on the third conveyor, the basket de-stager 17 stops operating for a predetermined time, during which time the third conveyor conveys the last hatcher basket 7 of the current lot to the downstream side of the third conveyor. Thereafter, when the basket de-stager 17 begins to place the hatcher basket 7 of the next lot on the third conveyor, a gap can be created between the hatcher basket 7 of the current lot and the hatcher basket 7 of the next lot on the third conveyor. The operation of the basket de-stager 17 may be restarted manually. That is, the lot switching control unit 42 controls the operation of the basket de-stager 17 to stop. Thereafter, the worker may be made to visually recognize that there is a gap on the upstream side of the hatcher basket 7 of the current lot on the third conveying unit, and the worker who has confirmed the separation between the lots may start the operation of the basket de-stager 17 by pressing a button, for example. Furthermore, after the basket untiering machine 17 places the final hatcher basket 7 of the current lot on the third conveying section, the third conveying section protrudes a stopper upstream of that final hatcher basket 7. When the hatcher basket 7 of the next lot subsequently arrives upstream of the stopper, the stopper prevents the hatcher basket 7 of the next lot from being conveyed. By protruding the stopper for a predetermined time and then releasing it, a gap can be created between the hatcher basket 7 of the current lot and the hatcher basket 7 of the next lot on the third conveying section. The stopper may be released manually. That is, the lot switching control unit 42 controls the stopper of the third transport unit to protrude. Thereafter, the operator may visually recognize that there is a gap on the upstream side of the hatcher basket 7 of the current lot on the third transport unit, and upon confirming the separation between the lots, the operator may release the protrusion of the stopper by pressing a button, for example.

[0048] As described above, the incubation management system 1 of this embodiment is an incubation management system that manages at least one of the setter trays 5 and hatcher baskets 7 in which eggs are stored, for each lot, and is equipped with equipment 10 that automatically supplies the setter trays 5 and hatcher baskets 7 to the next process, an input unit 31 for inputting egg lot information, and a control device 4 that controls the equipment 10 based on the lot information. This automation can reduce the burden on workers in the incubation process who handle multiple lots.

[0049] The control device 4 also includes a lot switching control unit 42 that notifies the device 10 that the setter tray 5 and hatcher basket 7 supplied from the device 10 are the final setter tray 5 and final hatcher basket 7 of the current lot, and performs predetermined control. This makes it possible to prevent eggs from being mixed between lots.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0051] While the above-described embodiment describes mid-hatching eggs from which chicks hatch, the present invention can also be applied to mid-hatching eggs for vaccines. Specifically, the present invention is an egg incubation management system that manages containers containing mid-hatching eggs for vaccines by lot, and includes: equipment that automatically supplies the containers to the next process; an input unit that inputs lot information for the mid-hatching eggs; and a control device that controls the equipment based on the lot information. The control device includes a lot switching control unit that notifies the user that the container supplied from the equipment is the final container of the current lot and performs predetermined control. In the case of mid-hatching eggs for vaccines, the equipment includes, for example, a storage facility, a setter loader, a setter, a setter unloader, an egg candling machine, an egg transfer machine, and an inoculation machine.

[0052] Each transport section may be a conveyor or a combination of a table and a pusher, etc. In the latter case, containers placed on the table are sent downstream by the pusher.

[0053] The worker terminal may be a terminal for inputting and displaying data at a location physically separated from the equipment, or may be a terminal for inputting and displaying data via a network.

[0054] The embodiments disclosed herein are examples and are not intended to be limiting. The present invention is defined not by the scope of the above description but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0055] The present invention can be used in an egg incubation management system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Incubation management system 10…Equipment 11…Storage 12...Setter loader 13...Setter unloader 14...Egg checking machine 15...Egg transfer machine 16...Basket stacker 17...Basket de-tiering machine 18... Chic separator 19...Chick processing machine 3...Worker terminal 31...Input section 32…Display section 4...Control device 41…Management Department 42...Lot switching control unit 5...Setter tray 6...Setter 61...Setter rack 7...Hatcher basket 8…Hatcher 81...Hatcher dolly

Claims

1. An incubation management system that manages containers containing eggs in the process of hatching for each lot, An apparatus for automatically supplying the container to a next process; an input unit for inputting lot information of the in-hatching eggs; and a control device that controls the equipment based on the lot information.

2. The incubation management system according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes a lot switching control unit that notifies the user that the container supplied from the device is the last container of the current lot and performs predetermined control.

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