Egg processing apparatus and method for redistributing eggs

Abstract

An egg processing apparatus comprising: - an endless supply conveyor (2), for example, a supply belt or rod conveyor, providing a horizontal upper surface for supporting eggs; - a roller conveyor (3) configured for receiving eggs from the supply conveyor (2); - opposing egg guide walls (8, 9) extending over the upper surface of the supply conveyor (2), wherein the guide walls (8, 9) define a converging egg receiving space (G) when viewed in the egg transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor (2); and - a horizontal egg distribution plate (10) extending laterally over the upper surface of the supply conveyor (2) downstream of the converging egg receiving space, wherein the egg distribution plate (10) is configured for laterally distributing eggs received from the supply conveyor (2). The present invention also provides a method for redistributing eggs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an egg processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In known egg processing systems, eggs (especially poultry / chicken eggs) are conveyed, for example, via a battery cage conveying system to, for example, a packaging device. There, the eggs are conveyed to the packaging device via an endless conveyor in a state where several eggs are juxtaposed, and are placed into the package via a carrier device. The number of eggs juxtaposed on the conveyor corresponds to the number of compartments in each package. Known roller conveyors have rollers with varying diameters (also called diabolo-shaped rollers). The eggs are located in nests between two rollers at the location where the diameter is smallest in each case. An example of an egg processing apparatus is described in WO2021 / 045613, which provides a packaging device that provides a more reliable positioning of the eggs with their tips down than previous known packaging devices.

[0003] The endless conveyor of known machines is configured to supply eggs in a random transverse arrangement (viewed in the respective transport direction) towards the downstream roller conveyor of the machine via an egg buffer plate. The disadvantage is that since the roller conveyor receives those eggs in the resulting random transverse arrangement / order, the eggs are not always evenly distributed (transversely), which can cause inefficient further processing of the eggs, for example, in the case of subsequent egg packaging operations or the like, i.e., it may interfere with machine efficiency and throughput.

[0004] JP2012-116624 discloses an egg aligning device capable of aligning chicken eggs at equal intervals. It includes a transport section for transporting chicken eggs in the X direction, a curved buffer strip for buffering the chicken eggs while distributing them in the width direction of the transport section, a guide section adjacent to the downstream side of the buffer strip for guiding the chicken eggs to be set at equal intervals in the width direction of the transport section 1, and an aligning / partitioning section for aligning the chicken eggs E at intervals equal to the intervals guided by the guide section. A disadvantage of the disclosed system is that the reliability of each device is relatively low, for example, in increasing high throughput or processing speed.

[0005] JPH045410U discloses a linear buffer plate for buffering eggs on a roller conveyor. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The present invention aims to alleviate or solve the problems mentioned above. In particular, the present invention aims to provide an improved egg processing apparatus that can process eggs reliably and efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present invention, this is achieved by the features of the independent claim.

[0008] Advantageously, according to one aspect of the present invention, an egg processing apparatus, - An endless feed conveyor providing a horizontal top surface for supporting eggs, for example, a feed belt or rod conveyor, - A roller conveyor configured to receive eggs from a supply conveyor, - Opposing egg guide walls extending over the upper surface of the supply conveyor, wherein the guide walls define a converging egg receiving space when viewed in the direction of egg transport of the supply conveyor, - An egg processing apparatus is provided, which includes a horizontal egg distribution plate extending laterally on the upper surface of a supply conveyor downstream of a converging egg receiving space, the horizontal egg distribution plate being configured to laterally distribute eggs received from the supply conveyor.

[0009] In this way, the egg distribution plate can achieve improved apparatus operation, enabling relatively controlled lateral (i.e., transverse) distribution of eggs before they are received by the roller conveyor. Therefore, the possibility of empty egg receiving nests in any downstream section of the roller conveyor and apparatus can be avoided or at least significantly reduced. In addition, a relatively high egg processing throughput can be obtained in this manner.

[0010] Aspects of the present invention provide a method for processing eggs, including the use of an egg processing apparatus according to the present invention. Advantageously, eggs are transported on the upper surface of an endless feed conveyor and through their respective converging egg receiving spaces along opposing egg guide walls, where they are received by an egg distribution plate and dispersed laterally, and then the eggs are transported by the feed conveyor to a roller conveyor.

[0011] In this way, the advantages mentioned above can be achieved. The basic idea of ​​the present invention is to significantly narrow the flow of eggs initially supported on a supply conveyor, and then the flow is dispersed and expanded (i.e., laterally / transversely) before being received by a roller conveyor (whose rollers extend particularly transversely to the egg transport direction of the supply conveyor). It has also been found that a relatively simple horizontal plate can be configured to provide relatively uniform lateral egg distribution. The same applies to an upstream guide wall that provides a converging egg receiving space. In this way, for example, the present invention can be implemented in a relatively simple manner in known systems (e.g., egg packaging systems or egg sorting systems).

[0012] Furthermore, aspects of the present invention provide, for example, a method for redistributing eggs used in the above-described aspects, wherein a flow of eggs is transported in the transport direction on an endless supply conveyor, the flow of eggs converges into a relatively narrow flow, and the narrow flow of eggs is then expanded before the eggs are transported to a roller conveyor for further transport. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] Furthermore, this method allows for efficient egg processing.

[0014] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] Non-limiting examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a non-limiting example of the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] A top view of a non-limiting example of the present invention is shown. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows the details. [Figure 4A] A top view of an alternative example of an egg dispensing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 4B] A top view of an alternative example of an egg dispensing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 4C] A top view of an alternative example of an egg dispensing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 4D] A top view of an alternative example of an egg dispensing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 4E] A top view of an alternative example of an egg dispensing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 4F] A top view of an alternative example of an egg dispensing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 4G] A top view of an alternative example of an egg dispensing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] In this application, similar or corresponding features are indicated by similar or corresponding reference numerals.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an egg processing machine, for example, a packaging device / machine 1 for packaging eggs. The device can be substantially similar to the machine disclosed in WO2021 / 045613, the content of which is considered to be incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0019] In particular, the processing machine 1 has an endless supply conveyor 2 (which can also be called an accumulator), for example, a supply belt 2 (or alternatively an endless rod conveyor). The machine is preferably configured such that, as viewed in the transport direction of the eggs, at the end of the roller conveyor 3, the eggs are transferred (e.g., dropped) from the roller conveyor 3 and collected by a carrier device 4 (which is known per se). The carrier device 4 can be configured to transport the eggs downward and then place them in one of the packages 5 (e.g., egg trays). The package 5 can be fed by a packaging conveyor (e.g., a packaging belt) 6 to a position below the carrier device 4. The packaging conveyor can transport the filled package 5 to a discharge conveyor (not shown), which then removes the filled package 5.

[0020] In particular, the egg processing apparatus includes an endless supply conveyor 2 that provides a horizontal upper surface for supporting the eggs, and the aforementioned roller conveyor 3 configured to receive the eggs from the supply conveyor 2. The apparatus can include a packaging conveyor configured to supply, for example, at a position below the back side of the roller conveyor 3, the package 5 into which the eggs are filled and to remove the filled package.

[0021] The upper surface of the supply conveyor 2 is preferably configured to allow eggs to move freely laterally on the supply conveyor 2 (this is the case when the supply conveyor is, for example, a conveyor belt or rod conveyor, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art).

[0022] Furthermore, the apparatus optionally includes a carrier device 4 positioned beneath the underside of the endless roller conveyor 3, wherein the carrier device 4 is provided transversely to the transport direction and comprises a plurality of single-row, juxtaposed egg carriers that, during operation, collect eggs transported to the carrier device by the roller conveyor 3 in the transport direction at a first relatively high position, move them downward toward the packaging conveyor 6, and then, at a second relatively low position, place them in packages supplied by the packaging conveyor.

[0023] The roller conveyor 3 can be configured in various ways. For example, the roller conveyor 3 may have an endlessly continuous, spaced-apart interconnected roller, each having a longitudinal direction oriented transversely to the transport direction of the conveyor track of the roller conveyor, and the roller is, for example, a diabolo-shaped roller, which includes a profile of a first (relatively wide) section and a second relatively narrow section in the longitudinal direction (the second section being narrower than the first section), and the second section is configured to transport eggs during transport (providing each egg receiving nest), and the endlessly continuous rollers of the roller conveyor are, for example, wound around at least one transport roller on the back side of the roller conveyor 3.

[0024] The roller conveyor 3 is preferably associated with a plurality of egg inlet lanes (ports) that can be defined between each inlet guide 15 extending over a short distance above the downstream end of the egg supply conveyor 2. In particular, the number of egg inlet lanes / ports corresponds to the number of rows of egg receiving nests defined by the rollers of the roller conveyor, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art (for example, in this non-limiting example, six egg input lanes defined by spaced-out inlet guides 15 are shown for supplying eggs to a corresponding six rows of egg receiving nests provided by the roller conveyor 3).

[0025] Advantageously, the apparatus 1 includes opposing (vertical) egg guide walls 8, 9 extending over the upper surface of the supply conveyor 2, the guide walls 8, 9 defining a converging egg receiving space G when viewed in the egg transport direction X of the supply conveyor 2. For example, the guide walls 8, 9 can be elongated egg guide plates or strips extending along the upper surface of the egg supply conveyor 2 to converge the flow of eggs entering between their plates / strips. The length of each converging egg receiving space G, measured along the longitudinal centerline Z, can be, for example, at least about 0.5 m, or in the range of, for example, 0.5 to 5 m, or different lengths as understood by those skilled in the art. In this way, the supplied eggs can be reliably and smoothly converged in a relatively large egg receiving space G.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, in the upstream section of the supply conveyor 2, the opposing egg guide surfaces of the two guide walls 8 and 9 can be substantially the same as the width of the egg transport upper surface of the supply conveyor 2, for example, and can be spaced apart by a first distance W1 (i.e., providing the width of the upstream egg input of the converging egg receiving space G). In the downstream section, the opposing egg guide surfaces of the two guide walls 8 and 9 can be spaced apart by a second distance W2 that is significantly smaller than the first distance (the second distance W2 provides the width of the egg exit of the converging egg receiving space G). As a result, it is preferable that the egg receiving space G converges from the first distance W1 to the second distance W2, and the width of the egg receiving space G gradually converges. For example, the ratio W2:W1 of the second distance to the first distance can be at most about 1:2, for example at most about 1:3 (for example at most about 1:4, or less).

[0027] In particular, downstream of the exit of the converging egg-receiving space G, there is a branching egg-receiving space H bounded laterally by side walls 12 and 13, in which the egg flow branches during operation and is received by the downstream roller conveyor 3 (an optional inlet guide 15 is located between the distal sections of the lateral guide walls 12 and 13; see Figure 2). The downstream width of the branching egg-receiving space (which can be approximately the same as the width of the rollers of the egg-receiving roller conveyor 3), i.e., the distance between side walls 12 and 13 at or near each egg transfer position to the roller conveyor 3, is indicated by arrow W3 in Figure 2. This third distance W3 can be, for example, smaller than the first distance W1 with respect to the converging egg-receiving space G and significantly larger than the second distance W2 (i.e., the width of the egg exit of the converging egg-receiving space G). The ratio W2:W3 between the second distance W2 and the latter third distance W3 can be, for example, approximately 1:2 at most, or approximately 1:3 at most.

[0028] It will be understood that each of the guide walls 8 and 9, as seen in the top view, can be partially or completely curved or straight (see Figure 2). The height of the guide walls 8 and 9 is preferably sufficient to contact the eggs being transported between them by the supply conveyor 2 during operation. Optionally, the device 1 may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the arrangement of the guide walls 8 and 9, for example, to change the distance W2 between the distal sections of the guide walls (to set the width of the downstream end of the converging egg receiving space G).

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the guide walls 8 and 9 are curved and have opposing convex (egg-guiding) sides (see Figure 2). In this way, improved egg distribution can be achieved, and in particular, it has been found to provide an improved increase in inter-egg pressure on the supply conveyor 2 between the guide walls 8 and 9 (for example, if eggs accumulate between their side walls 8 and 9 during operation). For example, the opposing curved sections of the guide walls 8 and 9 can be spaced apart from the egg exit of the converging egg receiving space G (optionally, there may be substantially parallel sections of the opposing guide walls 8 and 9 extending between the exit and the curved guide wall sections). Similarly, the opposing guide walls may have opposing converging straight sections upstream of each curved guide wall section (see Figure 2).

[0030] Furthermore, the (flat) horizontal egg distribution plate 10 is positioned above the supply conveyor 2, and the distribution plate 10 extends laterally over the upper surface of the supply conveyor 2 (i.e., the plate 10 bridges the supply conveyor 2), and is, for example, in contact with the supply conveyor 2 or at a relatively short distance (e.g., about 1-2 mm) from the supply conveyor 2. Preferably, the egg distribution plate 10 is relatively thin (e.g., has a thickness of less than 5 mm). The horizontal upper surface of the distribution plate 10 preferably extends at a vertical level up to 1 cm above the vertical level of the horizontal upper surface of the supply conveyor 2, more preferably up to 5 mm above the vertical level of the horizontal upper surface of the supply conveyor 2. During operation, the distribution plate 10 locally interrupts the mechanical contact between the incoming egg flow and the supply conveyor 2 passing beneath the distribution plate 10. As a result, the incoming eggs push against each other on the distribution plate 10 towards the downstream portion of the distribution plate 10, and can return to the supply conveyor 2 for further transport (especially to the downstream roller conveyor).

[0031] The distribution plate 10 can be made of, for example, rigid plastic, steel, or the same. Preferably, the distribution plate 10 has a smooth upper egg guide surface. Also preferably, the bottom surface of the distribution plate 10 (facing the upper surface of the egg supply conveyor 3) is a smooth, low-friction surface.

[0032] The distribution plate 10 is positioned downstream of the converging egg receiving space G, for example, at a relatively short distance R from it, to receive the concentrated egg flow during operation. For example, this short distance can be up to 20 cm, and in particular up to 10 cm (e.g., about 8 cm). Additional opposing egg guide walls 12, 13 can be provided along the upper surface of the supply conveyor 2, extending from the lateral side of the egg steam outlet of the converging egg receiving space G to the lateral side of the distribution plate 10 (see Figure 3), to prevent eggs from falling out from the lateral side of the supply conveyor 2 (and from the distribution plate 10).

[0033] Advantageously, the egg distribution plate 10 is configured to distribute the eggs received from the supply conveyor 2 laterally (i.e., to branch the concentrated egg steam in a transverse direction during operation). This is shown in more detail in Figure 3, where arrow CS indicates the incoming concentrated egg flow and arrow DS indicates the laterally dispersed (branched) egg flow.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment (see Figure 3), the egg distribution plate 10 includes a first (central) section D (when viewed along the transport direction X of the supply conveyor) for receiving eggs from the downstream end (outlet) of the converging egg receiving space G, and at least two second sections S (in this case, two second sections S) located adjacent to the downstream end of the converging egg receiving space transversely when viewed along the transport direction X of the supply conveyor. The (central) first section D of the distribution plate 10 is preferably longer than each of the second sections S of the distribution plate 10, measured parallel to the transport direction X of the supply conveyor 2. For example, the distribution plate 10 preferably includes a central, relatively longer first section D positioned between two shorter second sections S. In this way, it has been found that good results can be achieved.

[0035] Further examples of egg distribution plates having a longer central section compared to the lateral sections are shown in 4A–4F (see below). Figure 4G shows another example of egg distribution plate 710 that does not have a longer central section.

[0036] Furthermore, the egg distribution plate 10 preferably has a mirror-symmetric shape with respect to the center line of the plate when viewed from above (the center line preferably coincides with the center line Z of the converging egg receiving space G when viewed from above; see Figure 2).

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the egg distribution plate 10 preferably includes a convex upstream edge 10a having an upper section 10t that is centrally located (and opposed to) the downstream section (i.e., the egg outlet) of the converging egg receiving space G as viewed from above.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, the egg distribution plate 10 preferably includes a convex downstream edge 10b having an upper section 10u that is centrally located relative to the downstream section of the converging egg receiving space when viewed from above. As shown in the drawings, the convex upper sections 10t and 10u of the edge spread apart from each other (when viewed from above), with the upper section 10t of the upstream edge projecting toward the exit of the egg receiving space and the upper section 10u of the downstream edge projecting toward the downstream roller conveyor 3.

[0039] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the upper section 10t of the upstream edge of the egg distribution plate 10 has a first curvature (as seen in the top view). The upper section 10u of the downstream edge of the egg distribution plate 10 may have a second curvature (as seen in the top view), and it has been found that the first curvature is greater / higher than the second curvature, which results in particularly good egg dispersion (branching) results. Alternatively (for example, as shown in Figures 4C and 4E), the convex edge section or edge of the distribution plate may be a pointed section (i.e., no curvature).

[0040] In particular, according to a preferred embodiment, the upstream edge 10a of the egg distribution plate 10 may include two concave lateral sections 10s and a convex central section 10t, the concave lateral sections 10s and the central section 10t being preferably curved. As shown in Figure 3, the curvature of the lateral sections 10s is preferably (significantly) smaller than the curvature of the central section 10t.

[0041] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the downstream edge 10b of the egg distribution plate 10 may include two lateral sections 10w and a convex central section 10u, each of the lateral sections of the downstream edge 10b including an angle α greater than zero degrees with respect to a vertical plane Y extending perpendicular to the egg transport direction X of the supply conveyor 2, such that the angle α is, for example, in the range of about 1 to 30 degrees, particularly about 5 to 20 degrees.

[0042] During operation, the distribution plate 10 locally interrupts mechanical contact between the incoming egg flow and the supply conveyor 2 passing beneath the distribution plate 10. As a result, the incoming eggs can push against each other on the distribution plate 10 toward the downstream portion of the distribution plate 10 and return to the supply conveyor 2 for further transport.

[0043] In particular, during operation, the flow of eggs is transported on the upper surface of the endless supply conveyor 2 and along opposing egg guide walls 8 and 9, passing through their respective converging egg receiving spaces G (which converge the flow). The laterally converged eggs are received by the egg distribution plate 10 (as a converged flow CS) and dispersed laterally, and then the eggs (as a laterally expanded flow DS) are transported by the supply conveyor 2 to the roller conveyor 3, and, for example, filled into packages 5 by a downstream packaging conveyor, depending on the configuration of the processing system.

[0044] In particular, the operation can involve a method for redistributing eggs, where the egg flow is transported in the transport direction X by the endless supply conveyor 2, and the egg flow first converges into a relatively narrow flow CS (into the egg receiving space G), and the narrow flow CS of eggs is then expanded before the eggs are transported to the roller conveyor 3 for further transport. During operation, the narrowed / converged egg flow CS provided from the converging egg receiving space G can first encounter the upstream edge 10a of the distribution plate 10, specifically the central portion 10t of that edge 10a. Eggs temporarily buffered along the upstream plate edge 10a on the supply conveyor 2 are eventually pushed onto the horizontal distribution plate 10 by further incoming eggs. It has been found that each egg flow can branch evenly (laterally) as it passes over the distribution plate 10 and be delivered back to the supply conveyor 2 as a relatively evenly spread egg flow DS. As a result, reliable system operation and relatively high trough put can be achieved.

[0045] As mentioned above, preferred shapes for the egg distribution plate are shown in Figures 1-3. Figure 4A shows an alternative shape that can be applied. In this case, the distribution plate 110 has a straight upstream edge and a curved downstream edge, and the curvature of the edges is relatively small.

[0046] Figure 4B shows an alternative shape that is similar to the shape shown in Figure 4A, but has a distribution plate 210 with a curved downstream edge that provides a central convex portion with relatively high curvature.

[0047] Figure 4C shows an alternative shape in which the distribution plate 310 has a straight upstream edge and a convex, pointed (triangular) downstream edge.

[0048] Figure 4D shows an alternative shape in which the distribution plate 410 has a convex, curved upstream edge and a convex, curved downstream edge, with substantially the same curvature at both edges.

[0049] Figure 4E shows an alternative shape in which the distribution plate 510 has a pointed triangular upstream edge and a curved downstream edge.

[0050] Figure 4F shows an alternative shape similar to the example shown in Figure 3, but with a downstream edge of higher curvature.

[0051] Figure 4G shows an alternative shape in which the distribution plate 710 has a straight upstream edge and a straight downstream edge.

[0052] In this specification, the present invention is described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the essence of the invention. For the purpose of clarity and concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or distinct embodiments, but alternative embodiments having all or some combinations of the features described in these distinct embodiments are also conceivable.

[0053] In the claims, any reference numerals enclosed in parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims. The word “comprising” does not preclude the existence of other features or steps other than those listed in the claims. Furthermore, the words “a” and “an” are used to mean “at least one,” not “only one,” and do not exclude plurals. The mere fact that certain measures are listed in different claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be used to one's advantage.

[0054] For example, the term "substantially horizontal" should be interpreted broadly, as a substantially horizontal direction can be either perfectly horizontal or involve a small angle with the horizontal plane (e.g., about 30 degrees). This also applies to substantially horizontal surfaces (which may be slightly inclined surfaces).

[0055] Furthermore, in this application, egg processing is performed specifically on unfertilized eggs. In other words, egg E is a dead (non-living) egg, and they do not contain any embryos.

[0056] It will be understood that the device may include one or more driving means, such as one or more motors, to drive at least each of the supply conveyors 2 (and other conveyors 3, 6, if available).

[0057] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the egg processing device 1 may include a support frame F (see Figure 1) for supporting or holding various components of the machine, for example, a frame supported by wheels W, which facilitates positioning the machine on the floor of a poultry farm.

[0058] Furthermore, while the described example shows a packaging machine for filling egg trays with eggs, it will be clear that the present invention can also be applied to different types of egg processing machines, such as egg sorting systems and / or similar.

[0059] Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the apparatus may include, for example, a control unit C ( schematically shown in Figure 2), such as a computer, processor, or the like, for controlling the operation of various components of the system in order to control or set the speed of one or more conveyor sections (such as a supply conveyor 2 and, for example, a roller conveyor 3).

[0060] Preferably, the apparatus includes one or more sensors 20, 21 ( schematically shown in Figure 2) for detecting the egg flow passing through the converging egg receiving space G during operation. Such sensors 20 can be, for example, mounted on or integrated with the lateral guide walls 8, 9 and can be configured to detect the pressure on each guide wall 8, 9 (i.e., the egg flow induction pressure) and / or to detect the deflection of each guide wall 8, 9 (if each guide or guide wall is capable of deflecting under the egg flow pressure during operation).

[0061] In addition or alternatively, an optical sensor 21, for example, a camera positioned to optically detect the passing egg flow, can be provided, which is positioned to detect, for example, a region at the exit of the converging egg receiving space G and / or just upstream thereof.

[0062] During operation, the sensor results from one or more such egg flow sensors 20, 21 can be processed by the control unit C, for example, so that the speed of the supply conveyor 2 is controlled based on the sensor detection results. In this way, if it is determined based on the respective sensor detection results that a relatively small amount of eggs are present at or near the egg outlet of the converging egg receiving space G, the supply conveyor speed can be increased relative to the conveyor speed set (by the control unit C). Similarly, if it is determined based on the respective sensor detection results that a relatively large amount of eggs are present in the converging egg receiving space G, for example near its egg outlet (e.g., egg congestion), the supply conveyor speed can be decreased relative to the conveyor speed set (by the control unit C).

Claims

1. An egg processing device, - An endless supply conveyor (2) providing a horizontal upper surface for supporting eggs, for example, a supply belt or rod conveyor, - A roller conveyor (3) configured to receive eggs from the supply conveyor (2), - Opposing egg guide walls (8, 9) extending over the upper surface of the supply conveyor (2), wherein the guide walls (8, 9) define a converging egg receiving space (G) when viewed in the egg transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor (2), An egg processing apparatus comprising: a horizontal egg distribution plate (10) extending laterally on the upper surface of the supply conveyor (2) downstream of the converging egg receiving space, wherein the egg distribution plate (10) is configured to laterally distribute eggs received from the supply conveyor (2).

2. The egg processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the length of the converging egg receiving space (G), measured along the longitudinal center line (Z), is at least about 0.5 m, or for example, in the range of 0.5 to 5 m.

3. The egg receiving space (G) converges from a first distance (W1) to a second distance (W2), and the ratio W2:W1 of the second distance to the first distance is at most about 1:2, as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. The egg processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ratio W2:W1 of the second distance to the first distance is at most about 1:3, for example, at most about 1:4, or less.

5. An egg processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the egg distribution plate is configured such that, during operation, the converged egg stream (CS) provided from the converging egg receiving space (G) first encounters the upstream edge (10a) of the distribution plate (10), and each of the egg streams branches laterally as it passes over the distribution plate (10) and is delivered back to the supply conveyor (2).

6. An egg processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the egg dispensing plate (10) includes a first section (D) for receiving eggs from a converging egg receiving space (G) and positioned opposite the downstream end of the converging egg receiving space, and at least one second section (S) positioned adjacent to the transverse direction of the downstream end of the converging egg receiving space when viewed along the transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor, wherein the first section (D) of the dispensing plate (10) is longer than each of the second sections (S) of the dispensing plate (10) as measured parallel to the transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor (2).

7. The egg processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the egg distribution plate (10) preferably includes a convex upstream edge (10a) having an upper section that is centrally located relative to the downstream section of the converging egg receiving space when viewed from above.

8. The egg processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the egg distribution plate (10) preferably includes a convex downstream edge (10b) having an upper section that is centrally located relative to the downstream section of the converging egg receiving space when viewed from above.

9. The egg processing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the upper section of the upstream edge of the egg dispensing plate (10) has a first curvature, and the upper section of the downstream edge of the egg dispensing plate (10) has a second curvature, and the first curvature is greater than the second curvature.

10. The egg processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the upstream edge (10a) of the egg dispensing plate (10) includes two concave lateral sections and a convex central section.

11. The egg processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the concave lateral section of the upstream edge (10a) of the egg dispensing plate and the convex central section of the upstream edge (10a) of the egg dispensing plate are curved.

12. The egg processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the curvature of the lateral section of the upstream edge (10a) of the egg dispensing plate is smaller than the curvature of the central section of the upstream edge (10a) of the egg dispensing plate.

13. The egg processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the downstream edge (10b) of the egg dispensing plate (10) includes two lateral sections and a convex central section.

14. The egg processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each of the lateral sections of the downstream edge (10b) includes an angle (α) greater than zero degrees with respect to a vertical plane (Y) extending perpendicular to the egg transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor (2), and the angle is, for example, in the range of about 1 to 30 degrees, particularly about 5 to 20 degrees.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the roller conveyor has an endless series of spaced-apart interconnected rollers, each having a longitudinal direction oriented transversely to the transport direction of the conveyor track of the roller conveyor, the rollers include a profile of a first (relatively wide) section and a second (relatively narrow) section in the longitudinal direction, the second section being configured to transport eggs during transport, and the endless series of rollers of the roller conveyor preferably winds around at least one transport roller on the back side of the roller conveyor (3).

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising a packaging conveyor configured to supply, for example, packages (5) filled with eggs to a position below the back side of the roller conveyor (3).

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, comprising a carrier device (4) positioned below the underside of the endless roller conveyor (3), provided transversely to the transport direction, and comprising a plurality of single-row, juxtaposed egg carriers, which, during operation, collect eggs transported to the carrier device by the roller conveyor in the transport direction at a first relatively high position, move them downward in the direction of the packaging conveyor, and then, at a second relatively low position, place them in a package supplied by the packaging conveyor.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the opposing egg guide walls (8, 9) are curved and have opposing convex egg guide surfaces.

19. Egg processing apparatus, for example, the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, - An endless supply conveyor (2) providing a horizontal upper surface for supporting eggs, for example, a supply belt or rod conveyor, - A roller conveyor (3) configured to receive eggs from the supply conveyor (2), - Opposing egg guide walls (8, 9) extending over the upper surface of the supply conveyor (2), wherein the guide walls (8, 9) define a converging egg receiving space (G) when viewed in the egg transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor (2), - Downstream of the converging egg receiving space, there is a horizontal egg distribution plate (10) extending laterally on the upper surface of the supply conveyor (2), wherein the egg distribution plate (10) is configured to laterally distribute the eggs received from the supply conveyor (2), The length of the converging egg-receiving space (G), measured along the longitudinal centerline (Z), is at least about 0.5 m, or for example, in the range of 0.5 to 5 m. An egg processing device wherein the egg receiving space (G) converges from a first distance (W1) to a second distance (W2), and the ratio W2:W1 of the second distance to the first distance is at most about 1:

2.

20. Egg processing apparatus, for example, the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, - An endless supply conveyor (2) providing a horizontal upper surface for supporting eggs, for example, a supply belt or rod conveyor, - A roller conveyor (3) configured to receive eggs from the supply conveyor (2), - Opposing egg guide walls (8, 9) extending over the upper surface of the supply conveyor (2), wherein the guide walls (8, 9) define a converging egg receiving space (G) when viewed in the egg transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor (2), - Downstream of the converging egg receiving space, there is a horizontal egg distribution plate (10) extending laterally on the upper surface of the supply conveyor (2), wherein the egg distribution plate (10) is configured to laterally distribute the eggs received from the supply conveyor (2), An egg processing apparatus wherein the egg dispensing plate (10) includes a central section (D) positioned between two second sections (S), the length of which is greater than the length of each of the two second sections (S) as measured in the transport direction (X) of the endless supply conveyor (2).

21. A method for processing eggs, comprising using an egg processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein eggs are transported on the upper surface of an endless supply conveyor (2) and along opposing egg guide walls (8, 9) through respective converging egg receiving spaces (G), the eggs are received by an egg distribution plate (10) and dispersed laterally, and the eggs are then transported by the supply conveyor (2) to a roller conveyor (3) and filled into packages (5) by, for example, a downstream packaging conveyor.

22. A method for distributing eggs, for example, the method according to claim 21, wherein a flow of eggs is transported on an endless supply conveyor (2) in a transport direction (X), the flow of eggs converges into a relatively narrow flow, and the narrow flow of eggs is then expanded before the eggs are transported to a roller conveyor (3) for further transport.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the flow of eggs converges in an egg receiving space (G) that converges from a first distance (W1) to a second distance (W2), and the ratio of the second distance to the first distance W2:W1 is at most about 1:

2.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the egg flow branches laterally as it passes over the distribution plate (10).

25. For example, the method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, comprising detecting the flow of eggs by one or more sensors (20, 21) and controlling the speed of the endless supply conveyor (2) based on the detection result of the egg flow detection.

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