Egg measuring device

Abstract

A measurement device (1) for eggs comprises a sensor (2) for measuring the state of an egg (E) and a fixing part (3) that has either elastic force or holding force. The fixing part (3) is attached to the egg (E) together with the sensor (2) and maintains a condition in which the sensor (2) is in contact with the egg (E). One end part and the other end part of the fixing part (3) are attached to a supporting part (4) in such a manner that the fixing part (3) made of a band-shaped elastic member is wrapped around the egg (E) together with the sensor (2). The sensor (2) is brought to a state in which same is sandwiched between the egg (E) and the fixing part (3). In this state, the egg (E) accommodated on an accommodation stand (TS) in an incubator is measured by the sensor (2) over time.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an egg measuring device, and more particularly to an egg measuring device that measures the condition of eggs contained in an incubator. [Background technology]

[0002] Unhatched eggs to be used for the production of chicks or vaccines are incubated in an environment with a specified temperature, humidity, etc. Before incubation, the eggs are inspected to determine the activity of the embryo inside the egg, i.e., to determine whether the egg is alive or dead. As such an inspection device, for example, a device for identifying live eggs proposed in JP-A-2005-532046 (Patent Document 1) is known. With this device, unhatched eggs placed on a tray are removed from an incubator, and then the eggs are placed on a conveyor and subjected to a specified measurement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2005-532046 [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-255431 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Inside the incubator, the temperature, humidity, wind, etc. are kept at an atmosphere suitable for incubation. For this reason, it is not preferable to expose unhatched eggs to the outside of the incubator for a long period of time in order to check whether the eggs are alive or dead. Therefore, the present inventors came up with the idea of ​​measuring the condition of unhatched eggs without removing them from the incubator.

[0005] In incubators, an operation called egg turning is performed to prevent the embryos in the eggs from adhering to the eggshell (for example, JP 2013-255431 A (Patent Document 2)). Specifically, at regular intervals, the tray on which the eggs are placed in the incubator is swung from a state tilted to one side to a state tilted to the other. Up until now, no egg measuring device has been thought of that can respond to such movements of eggs before they hatch.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an egg measuring device that can measure the condition of eggs before they hatch over time, even inside an incubator where egg turning operations are performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The egg measuring device according to the present invention comprises: Egg turning is performed at regular intervals Inside the incubator Tray The condition of the eggs stored in Tray The egg measuring device measures eggs over time while the eggs are housed in a container, and includes a sensor and a fixing portion. Tray The fixed part is attached to the egg together with the sensor, and the condition of the egg is measured. Even when the tray is tilted The sensor has either an elastic force or a gripping force that keeps the sensor in contact with the egg. The sensor and the egg are biased toward each other by the fixing portion while the sensor is Tray The condition of the eggs contained in the container is monitored over time. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the egg measuring device of the present invention, the sensor measures the condition of the eggs contained in the incubator over time while the fixing part keeps one of the sensor and the eggs biased toward the other. This allows eggs to be properly measured even in an incubator that performs egg turning.

[0009] 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 description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing, in outline, an egg measuring device for measuring the condition of eggs contained in an incubator over time, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the egg measuring device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an egg measuring device according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the egg measuring device shown in FIG. 3 in the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating an outline of an egg measuring device according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an egg measuring device according to a third modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an egg measuring device according to a fourth modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an egg measuring device according to a fifth modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the egg measuring device shown in FIG. 8 in the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an egg measuring device according to a sixth modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. An egg measuring device 1 according to this embodiment that measures over time the condition of eggs E housed in an incubator will be described. In the egg measuring device 1, the condition of pre-hatched eggs E placed on a tray T (housing seat TS) is measured while they are placed on the tray T (housing seat TS). Here, as an example, the eggshell temperature of the eggs E is measured by a sensor 2 (temperature sensor). In the egg measuring device 1, the condition of the eggs E placed on trays T arranged in multiple layers is individually measured within a casing (not shown) that maintains an atmosphere suitable for incubation.

[0012] The tray T is provided with a plurality of holding seats TS arranged two-dimensionally. Each holding seat TS is formed with a frame portion S1 for supporting the egg from the side in accordance with the shape of the egg E, and a plurality of protrusions S2 for supporting the egg E from below, so that the egg E is supported (held) from the side and below (see FIG. 6). Inside the incubator, the egg E is held in a predetermined holding seat TS so that the long axis of the egg E is approximately vertical.

[0013] The egg measuring device 1 comprises a sensor 2, a fixing part 3, and a support part 4. Here, the sensor 2 is a temperature sensor that measures the eggshell temperature of the egg E. The sensor 2 is attached in a manner that makes contact with the egg E. The sensor 2 is arranged so that a temperature measuring part (not shown) that measures the temperature faces the eggshell. The sensor 2 makes contact with the egg E via an inclusion (not shown) made of a resin such as silicon. The inclusion may have high thermal conductivity and be deformable along the shape of the outer surface of the eggshell. One sensor 2 is arranged for each egg E. A plurality of sensors 2 may be arranged for each egg E. The sensor 2 is arranged around the girth of the egg E. A signal related to the temperature of the egg E, for example, is sent from a wiring 5 connected to the sensor 2.

[0014] The fixing part 3 fixes the sensor 2 to the egg E. The fixing part 3 is formed from a deformable material. The fixing part 3 is mainly composed of an elastic member. The fixing part 3 is preferably, for example, a belt-shaped member like a stretchable rubber band. The fixing part 3 formed from the belt-shaped member has one end and the other end. The fixing part 3 is positioned so as to hold the egg E.

[0015] One end of the fixed part 3 is attached to the support part 4 to be placed in the adjacent storage seat TS, and the other end of the fixed part 3 is attached to the support part 4 in a manner that wraps the fixed part 3 together with the sensor 2 around the egg E, thereby maintaining a state in which the sensor 2 is placed between the egg E held by the support part 4 and the fixed part 3. The sensor 2 is urged by the fixed part 3 toward the shell of the egg E to be measured with a certain pressure (urging force) and comes into contact with the egg shell. In addition, a urging force is applied by the fixed part 3 toward the support part 4, and the egg E comes into contact with the support part 4 with a certain pressure (urging force). The fixed part 3 is placed without directly engaging with the tray T.

[0016] The support part 4 is disposed in a receiving seat TS located adjacent to the receiving seat TS in which the egg E is received. The support part 4 holds the egg E. The support part 4 may be, for example, in the form of a block. One end and the other end of the fixing part 3 are attached to the support part 4. The support part 4 has a function of maintaining the position of the egg E in a constant position. The egg measuring device 1 is configured as described above.

[0017] Next, we will explain an example of a measurement method using the above-mentioned egg measuring device 1 to measure the condition of eggs E contained in an incubator over time (continuously or intermittently) while they are contained in the incubator.

[0018] First, when starting incubation, one end and the other end of the fixing part 3 are attached to the support part 4 outside the incubator in such a manner that the fixing part 3 is wrapped around the egg E together with the sensor 2. The sensor 2 is sandwiched between the egg E and the fixing part 3. Next, the egg E on which the sensor 2 is placed is placed on a predetermined tray T (see Figure 1) in the incubator. At this time, the support part 4 is placed in a storage seat TS adjacent to the storage seat TS in which the egg E is stored. Next, the condition of the egg E stored in the incubator is measured over time (continuously or intermittently) by the sensor 2 inside the incubator.

[0019] In the incubator, the positional relationship between the sensor 2 and the egg E is kept constant even if the tray T is rocked together with the eggs E with the egg turning operation inside the casing which is kept in an atmosphere suitable for incubation. That is, when incubation begins, the egg turning operation is performed at regular intervals, and even if the tray T is tilted, the elastic force of the fixing part 3 keeps the sensor 2 in contact with the shell of the egg E with a constant pressure (biasing force). In this embodiment, by providing the fixing part 3 for the egg turning operation of the incubator, the temperature measuring part of the sensor 2 is kept in contact with the shell of the egg E even if the egg E contained in the container seat TS moves with the egg turning operation.

[0020] The information obtained by the sensor 2 is used to control the environment within the incubator or to understand the condition of the eggs E.

[0021] In the above-mentioned egg measuring device 1, the condition of the egg E is measured over time (continuously or intermittently) while maintaining the sensor 2 in contact with the egg E, which is placed in a designated placement seat of a tray in an incubator with the long axis of the egg E approximately vertical.

[0022] As the sensor 2, for example, a temperature sensor that measures an eggshell temperature is applied. As the fixing part 3, for example, a fixing part 3 formed from a belt-shaped member having elasticity is used. By attaching one end and the other end of the fixing part 3 to the support part 4 in a manner that the fixing part 3 is wrapped around the egg E together with the sensor 2, the sensor 2 is held in a state sandwiched between the egg E and the fixing part 3. As a result, even if the tray T is rocked together with the egg E with the egg turning operation in the incubator, the positional relationship between the sensor 2 and the egg E is kept constant. As a result, the sensor 2 can appropriately measure the condition of the egg E over time (continuously or intermittently).

[0023] The state of the egg can be measured, for example, as the internal state of the egg (the state of the embryo or the state of the embryo being alive or dead, etc.). Information from the sensor 2 is converted into an electrical signal and sent, for example, to an identification unit. The identification unit analyzes the electrical signal sent from the sensor 2 to determine the internal state of the egg, for example, the activity state of the embryo or the state of the embryo being alive or dead, etc.

[0024] The identification unit compares the eggshell temperature measured by sensor 2 with a threshold value for that temperature. For example, the threshold value is the set temperature (37.8°C) inside the incubator. If the measured eggshell temperature is higher than the threshold value, the identification unit determines that the embryo is alive. It is known that from the 12th or 13th day after the start of incubation, the embryo generates heat, causing the eggshell temperature to rise.

[0025] On the other hand, in the case of unfertilized eggs, rotten eggs, and aborted embryos, the eggs are kept warm in the incubator at a temperature roughly equivalent to the temperature inside the incubator, but when the unfertilized eggs are taken out of the incubator, their temperature drops to the outside air temperature.

[0026] In an incubator, the positional relationship between the egg seat and the eggs E changes in response to the shaking of the seat (tray) as the eggs turn. For this reason, the idea of ​​measuring the condition of eggs as described above has not previously been considered in an incubator. In contrast, with the egg measuring device described above, the fixing part 3 keeps the sensor 2 in contact with the egg E, making it possible to appropriately measure the condition of the egg E over time (continuously or intermittently).

[0027] As described above, the fixing part 3 is formed of, for example, a band-shaped member having elasticity like a rubber band, so that the sensor 2 is sandwiched between the egg E and the fixing part 3 and maintained in contact with the egg E. This makes it possible to maintain the sensor 2 in contact with a predetermined position on the shell of the egg E in accordance with eggs E of various shapes and sizes.

[0028] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. A modified example of an egg measuring device will be described. The same members as those in egg measuring device 1 shown in Fig. 1 and the like are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated unless necessary.

[0029] (Variation 1) 3 and 4, egg measuring device 1 according to variant example 1 differs from egg measuring device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that sensor 2 is disposed between egg E and support part 4. Sensor 2 is sandwiched between egg E and support part 4, and one end and the other end of fixing part 3 are attached to support part 4 in a manner that fixing part 3 is wrapped around the egg. Therefore, egg E is biased with a constant pressure (biasing force) toward sensor 2 disposed between support part 4 and egg E, so that it comes into contact with sensor 2, and the state in which sensor 2 is in contact with egg E is maintained.

[0030] That is, while in the embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2), the sensor 2 is biased toward the egg E, in the first modification, the egg E is biased toward the sensor 2. This allows the sensor 2 to measure the condition of the egg E over time (continuously or intermittently) while in a state in which the sensor 2 is in contact with the shell of the egg E.

[0031] (Variation 2) As shown in Figure 5, the egg measuring device 1 according to the second modification differs from the egg measuring device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 in that, in this case, four eggs E are held by the fixing part 3 together with the sensor 2 for one support part 4. Here, the support part 4 is set to a size that can be accommodated in one accommodation seat TS.

[0032] The sensors 2 are held in contact with the four eggs E by the fixing parts 3 on one support part 4. In this state, the condition of each egg E can be measured over time (continuously or intermittently) by the sensors 2.

[0033] (Variation 3) As shown in Figure 6, egg measuring device 1 according to modified example 3 differs from egg measuring device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 in that it does not include a support part, and fixing part 3 is attached to a holding seat TS (tray T) instead of the support part. The holding seat TS is provided with a frame part S1 that supports an egg E from the side, and a protrusion part S2 that supports an egg E from below.

[0034] One end and the other end of the fixing part 3 are attached to the storage seat TS in such a manner that the fixing part 3 is wrapped around the egg E together with the sensor 2. The fixing part 3 urges the egg E together with the sensor 2 toward the tray T with a constant pressure (urging force). This causes the sensor 2 to be held in a state sandwiched between the egg E and the fixing part 3. In this state, the sensor 2 can measure the condition of the egg E over time (continuously or intermittently).

[0035] (Variation 4) As shown in Figure 7, the egg measuring device 1 of variant example 4 differs from the egg measuring device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 in that it does not have a support part, the fixing part 3 is attached to the storage seat TS (tray T) instead of the support part, and the sensor 2 is positioned on the storage seat TS.

[0036] By attaching one end and the other end of the fixing part 3 to the holding seat TS in a manner that the fixing part 3 is wrapped around the egg E, the egg E is urged with a certain pressure (urging force) toward the sensor 2 arranged on the holding seat TS. This keeps the egg E in contact with the sensor 2 via the intervening object. In this state, the condition of the egg E can be measured over time (continuously or intermittently) by the sensor 2.

[0037] (Variation 5) As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the egg measuring device 1 of variant example 5 differs from the egg measuring device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 in that it does not have a support part and an elastic annular member 3a is used as the fixing part 3.

[0038] By attaching the annular member 3a together with the sensor 2 around the egg E, the sensor 2 is biased with a constant pressure (biasing force) and is maintained in a state sandwiched between the egg E and the fixing part 3. In this state, the condition of the egg E can be measured over time (continuously or intermittently) by the sensor 2.

[0039] (Variation 6) As shown in Figure 10, the egg measuring device 1 of variant example 6 differs from the egg measuring device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 in that it does not have a support part, and instead uses a clamping member 3b having a gripping force for gripping an egg E as the fixing part 3.

[0040] The sandwiching member 3b may be any member capable of sandwiching the eggs E from two or more directions. For example, an openable and closable tong-like or clip-like member may be used as the sandwiching member 3b. The gripping force may be, for example, the elastic force of a spring or the like. The sandwiching member 3b is disposed without directly engaging with the tray T.

[0041] By sandwiching the egg E together with the sensor 2 with the sandwiching member 3b, the sensor 2 is biased with a constant pressure (biasing force) toward the egg E, and the sensor 2 is maintained in contact with the shell of the egg E. In this state, the condition of the egg E can be measured over time (continuously or intermittently) by the sensor 2.

[0042] (Other variations) As the fixing part 3, a spring may be used instead of a rubber band as long as it is a member having elasticity. For example, a coil spring having a relatively small diameter may be used. Furthermore, as the fixing part 3, the fixing part 3 may be entirely made of a member having elasticity, or only a part of the fixing part 3 may be made of a member having elasticity. Furthermore, the fixing part 3 may be made of various materials such as resin, metal, and the like.

[0043] The one end and the other end of the fixing part 3 may be both attachable, or only one of them may be attachable. Alternatively, both the one end and the other end may be fixed to the support part 4 or the receiving seat TS, and the sensor 2 may be attached together with the egg E by deforming the fixing part 3 itself.

[0044] As the sensor 2, in addition to a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the egg E, for example, a sound sensor that measures the sound of the eggshell, a vibration sensor that measures eggshell vibration, or an acceleration sensor that measures eggshell vibration can be applied. A buffer material may be provided between the sensor 2 and the egg E. As long as the sensor 2 can be brought into contact with the eggshell of the egg E to be measured with a certain pressure, the sensor 2 does not need to be sandwiched between the egg E and other members (fixing part 3, support part 4, tray T, etc.).

[0045] The support part 4 may house wiring 5 extending from the sensor 2 inside the support part 4. Also, an electronic circuit or a battery may be housed inside the support part 4. Furthermore, the data acquired by the sensor 2 (information about the eggs E) may be wirelessly transmitted to the outside of the incubator and received externally.

[0046] The egg measuring devices described in the embodiments can be combined in various ways as required.

[0047] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. The present invention is not limited to the above-described scope, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0048] The embodiment includes the following aspects. (Appendix 1) An egg measuring device that measures eggs contained in an incubator over time while the eggs are contained in the incubator, A sensor for measuring the egg; A support member is disposed on another storage seat adjacent to the one storage seat for storing the eggs, and supports the eggs stored in the one storage seat; a belt-shaped fixing portion having one end and the other end, having elasticity, and being wound around the egg, the one end being attached to the support member, and the other end being attached to the support member, thereby holding the sensor and the egg on the support member; An egg measuring device comprising:

[0049] (Appendix 2) 2. An egg measuring device according to claim 1, The sensor is disposed between the fixed part and the egg.

[0050] (Appendix 3) 2. An egg measuring device according to claim 1, The sensor is disposed between the egg and the support member.

[0051] (Appendix 4) An egg measuring device that measures eggs contained in an incubator over time while the eggs are contained in the incubator, A sensor for measuring the egg; a belt-shaped fixing part having one end and the other end, having elasticity, and being wrapped around the egg, the one end being attached to a first housing seat in which the egg is housed, and the other end being attached to the first housing seat, thereby holding the sensor and the egg in the first housing seat; An egg measuring device comprising:

[0052] (Appendix 5) 1. An egg measuring device according to claim 4, comprising: The sensor is disposed between the egg and the stationary part.

[0053] (Appendix 6) 1. An egg measuring device according to claim 4, comprising: The sensor is disposed in the one of the receiving seats.

[0054] (Appendix 7) An egg measuring device that measures eggs contained in an incubator over time while the eggs are contained in the incubator, A sensor for measuring the egg; a ring-shaped member having elasticity, which is attached to the egg together with the sensor and maintains the sensor in contact with the egg; An egg measuring device comprising:

[0055] (Appendix 8) An egg measuring device that measures eggs contained in an incubator over time while the eggs are contained in the incubator, A sensor for measuring the egg; a clamping member having a gripping force, which is disposed so as to clamp the egg together with the sensor and maintains the sensor in contact with the egg; An egg measuring device comprising:

[0056] (Appendix 9) A method for measuring a state of eggs contained in an incubator, the method comprising: measuring the state of the eggs contained in the incubator over time using a sensor; A method for measuring an egg, in which, with the egg contained in a storage seat for containing the egg, one of the sensor and the egg is biased toward the other by a fixing part, while the condition of the egg is measured over time by the sensor.

[0057] (Appendix 10) The method for measuring eggs according to claim 9, The fixing portion is a band-shaped member having one end and the other end and having elasticity.

[0058] (Appendix 11) The method for measuring eggs according to claim 10, A support member for supporting the eggs accommodated in the first accommodation seat is arranged in another accommodation seat located adjacent to the first accommodation seat; The measurement is performed by wrapping the belt-shaped member together with the sensor around the egg, attaching one end of the belt-shaped member to the support member, and attaching the other end of the belt-shaped member to the support member, with the sensor and the egg held by the support member.

[0059] (Appendix 12) The method for measuring eggs according to claim 10 or 11, The measurement is taken with the sensor positioned between the strip and the egg.

[0060] (Appendix 13) The method for measuring eggs according to claim 11, The measurements are taken with the sensor positioned between the support member and the egg.

[0061] (Appendix 14) The method for measuring eggs according to claim 10, The measurement is performed by wrapping the belt-shaped member together with the sensor around the egg, supporting one end of the belt-shaped member on the first storage seat, and supporting the other end of the belt-shaped member on the first storage seat, thereby biasing the sensor, which is positioned between the belt-shaped member and the egg, and the egg toward the first storage seat.

[0062] (Appendix 15) The method for measuring eggs according to claim 10, The measurement is performed by attaching one end of the belt-shaped member to the first storage seat and the other end of the belt-shaped member to the first storage seat in a manner that the belt-shaped member is wrapped around the egg, thereby biasing the egg toward the sensor positioned on the first storage seat.

[0063] (Appendix 16) The method for measuring eggs according to claim 9, As the fixing portion, an annular member having elasticity is used, The measurement is performed with the annular member attached around the egg together with the sensor, with the sensor sandwiched between the annular member and the egg.

[0064] (Appendix 17) The method for measuring eggs according to claim 9, As the fixing portion, a clamping member having a gripping force for clamping the egg is used, The measurement is performed with the egg and the sensor sandwiched between the sandwiching member.

[0065] (Appendix 18) A method for measuring eggs according to any one of claims 9 to 17, The sensors measure at least one of the temperature of the egg, the sound of the egg, the vibration of the eggshell, and the acceleration associated with the vibration of the eggshell. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is effectively used in an egg measuring device that measures the condition of eggs contained in an incubator over time using a sensor while the eggs are contained in the incubator. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 Egg measuring device, 2 sensor, 3 fixing part, 3a annular member, 3b clamping member, 4 support part, 5 wiring, T tray, TS receiving seat, S1 frame part, S2 protrusion part, E egg.

Claims

[Claim 1] An egg measuring device for measuring the condition of eggs stored in a tray in an incubator that turns eggs at regular intervals over time while the eggs are stored in the tray, comprising: a sensor for measuring a state of the eggs contained in the tray; a fixing part having either elasticity or gripping force, the fixing part being attached to the egg together with the sensor and configured to keep the sensor in contact with the egg even when the tray is tilted; Equipped with An egg measuring device that measures the condition of the eggs contained in the tray over time using the sensor while maintaining one of the sensor and the eggs in a biased state toward the other using the fixing part.

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