Device for routing chicks at the output of a conveyor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (18) for routing chicks at the output of a conveyor for transporting the chicks, the routing device including: - an inlet port (30) comprising an opening for allowing a chick transported by the conveyor to access the routing device; - a first discharge means (31) and a second discharge means (32) each having an inlet and an outlet, the opening of the inlet port (30) opening onto the inlets of the first and second discharge means; - the first discharge means (31) being configured so that, during operation, a chick transported by the conveyor is naturally inserted into the inlet of the first discharge means; - a deflection device (33) configured to send a jet (330), such as a jet of gas or a jet of liquid, onto a chick travelling downstream of the opening of the inlet port (30) in order to deflect this chick towards the inlet of the second discharge means (32), in response to a control signal sent by a central processing unit (U); - the central processing unit (U) being configured to transmit control signals to the deflection device (33) according to at least one identified characteristic of the chick.

Description

Description Title: Device for directing chicks leaving a conveyor Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for directing chicks at the outlet of a conveyor.

[0002] It also relates to an installation and a method for automatically determining the sex of a chick. Prior art

[0003] In the poultry industry, it is common to separate chicks from flocks based on specific characteristics, such as sex, weight, or health. Specifically, chick sexing is an important step in the poultry industry, allowing the distinction of male and female chicks as soon as they hatch.

[0004] Such early differentiation of chicks is necessary to optimize their rearing by adapting management practices to each group of same-sex chicks, which helps to improve the efficiency and profitability of poultry farms.

[0005] It is well known that experienced operators are able to discern subtle details, allowing them to distinguish male chicks from females within the first few hours of the chicks' lives.

[0006] Among the methods for sexing a chick, it is common to observe the feathers on the ends of the wings of a chick, preferably less than one day old, or even two days old, for reliability reasons.

[0007] The sexing of the chick by the wings is in fact linked to a different arrangement of the feathers at the ends of the wings in the female and in the male.

[0008] As illustrated in Figures f (female) and 2 (male), at the tips of a chick's wings, two rows of feathers can be observed, the primary remiges and the primary covert feathers.

[0009] While in males the primary covert feathers are longer, or roughly the same size, as the primary flight feathers, in females the tips of the primary covert feathers are always shorter than the tips of the primary flight feathers.

[0010] This method of determining the sex of a chick is relatively quick and non-invasive.

[0011] However, when it comes to differentiating several thousand chicks per hour, every day, with a small margin of error, as is practiced in Intensive farming of laying hens, these operations can be tedious for qualified operators.

[0012] Furthermore, it is difficult to find enough workers specialized in this field today, which makes this necessary step relatively expensive.

[0013] Methods for automatic sexing of chicks are also known from the state of the art.

[0014] Patent FR 2 892 599 Bf in the name of the present applicant thus discloses an automatic chick sexing system using a camera to acquire images of the wingtips of a chick exposed to blue light and to identify, by analyzing these images, the characteristic arrangements of the feathers of the male or the female.

[0015] To ensure individual control of each chick, they are placed in cups arranged in a line, with their wings held apart by resting them on the edge of their respective cups.

[0016] Although giving good results, the wings being stable and therefore easily imaged, this method of automatic sexing of chicks can still be improved.

[0017] Indeed, this machine is relatively bulky and complex to maintain.

[0018] Furthermore, this machine does not allow high processing rates, which are however sought after today in intensive poultry farming.

[0019] Also known from patent application EP 1 092 347 A1 is a method for determining the sex of a chick in which the chick is made to lose its balance to cause it to voluntarily spread its wings, then at least one wing thus spread is illuminated and said at least one wing thus spread is photographed in order to determine the sex of this chick.

[0020] Chick imbalance can result from various stimuli, such as being encouraged to hop, shaking the chick, or placing the chick near an acoustic shock or heat source, or moving it across a vibrating surface.

[0021] However, and according to the teaching of this document, once the chick's wings are deployed, they physically interact with one or more supports in order to stabilize them in the deployed position during the illumination of their ends and the capture of images.

[0022] This physical interaction with rigid objects occurs while the chick is moving rapidly through the chick sexing device, increasing the risk of potentially fatal injuries to the chick.

[0023] Furthermore, it is found that the process which involves vibrating a conveyor belt on which the chick is transported, in order to cause it to spread its wings, requires high vibration frequencies.

[0024] Therefore, the animal is subjected not only to vibrations throughout its movement on the conveyor belt, but also to high levels of mechanical noise.

[0025] The animal's welfare is seriously affected.

[0026] Furthermore, it has been found in state-of-the-art chick sex determination facilities that once the sex of a chick has been determined or not, the removal of the latter taking this information into account is a particularly complex operation, liable to lead to errors.

[0027] The sorting and disposal systems implemented are also expensive and difficult to handle.

[0028] There is therefore a pressing need for an installation and a method for the automatic determination of the sex of a chick, the original design of which makes it possible to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art set out above. Subject of the invention

[0029] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a device for directing chicks at the outlet of a conveyor, simple in its design and in its operating mode, while being economical, compact and reliable.

[0030] Another object of the present invention is to provide an installation and a method for the automatic determination of the sex of a chick, simple in their design and in their operating mode, making it possible to ensure the well-being of the animal and to preserve its health.

[0031] Another object of the present invention is such an installation and such a method for automatically determining the sex of a chick allowing extremely rapid processing rates, and by way of illustration, greater than 70,000 chicks per hour.

[0032] Another object of the present invention is such an installation and such a method for automatically determining the sex of a chick guaranteeing a highest resolution rate in chick sex determination and increased reliability. Statement of the invention

[0033] To this end, the invention relates to a device for switching chicks at the outlet of a conveyor for transporting the chicks, said switching device comprising: - an entry port comprising an opening to allow access into the switching device of a chick transported by said conveyor, - a first evacuation means and a second evacuation means each having an inlet and an outlet, the opening of the inlet port opening onto said inlets of the first and second evacuation means, - the first evacuation means being configured so that in operation, a chick transported by the conveyor naturally enters the entrance of the first evacuation means, - a deflection device configured to send a jet such as a gas jet or a liquid jet, onto a chick moving downstream of the opening of the inlet port in order to deflect this chick towards the inlet of the second evacuation means, in response to a control signal addressed by a central unit, - said central unit being configured to transmit control signals to the deflection device as a function of at least one identified characteristic of the chick.

[0034] Advantageously, it is observed that with the present device, it is easy to direct a chick towards a given means of evacuation according to one or more parameters identifying this chick such as its sex, the non-determination of its sex, a malformation, or other.

[0035] According to a particular embodiment of this switching device, the first evacuation means has a width at its entrance strictly greater than the width of the entrance of the second evacuation means so that in operation, a chick transported by said conveyor while being placed in the middle or substantially in the middle of the width of the conveyor, naturally enters the entrance of the first evacuation means.

[0036] According to another particular embodiment of this switching device, the outlet of the first evacuation means extends spatially at a point different from the outlet of the second evacuation means to ensure spatial separation of the chicks.

[0037] According to yet another particular embodiment of this switching device, the first evacuation means is a first evacuation slide and the second evacuation means is a second evacuation slide, said first and second slides being for example placed side by side.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the first evacuation means is defined by a removable attached block in the second evacuation means, the block defining a communication path towards the entrance of the second evacuation means.

[0039] This way, when this removable block is removed, there is a single means of evacuation that allows all the chicks to be directed to the same conveyor. This allows the switching device to be integrated into any chick processing installation, and to choose whether or not to use the switching device, for example when the chicks simply need to be counted.

[0040] According to yet another particular embodiment of this switching device, the second evacuation means is common to two conveyors.

[0041] According to yet another particular embodiment of this switching device, the deflection device is configured to emit a jet of pressurized gas.

[0042] According to yet another particular embodiment of this switching device, it comprises a second deflection device configured to send a jet such as a gas jet or a liquid jet onto a chick moving downstream of the opening of the inlet port, the second deflection device being oriented so that the jet thus emitted deflects this chick towards the inlet of the first evacuation means.

[0043] According to yet another particular embodiment of this switching device, it comprises a passage detector for detecting the passage of a chick at a point on the conveyor located at, or downstream of, the entry port, the detection of this passage constituting another identified characteristic of the chick.

[0044] The present invention also relates to an installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick comprising a chick switching device as described above, a conveying system placed upstream of the switching device for transporting chicks along a transport path, the conveying system having a downstream end, the inlet port of the switching device being placed at this end. downstream, and a central unit (U) for transmitting control signals to at least one deflection device depending on the sex of the chick.

[0045] This central unit can send control signals to two separate diversion devices for example.

[0046] According to one aspect of the present installation, the conveying system comprises a belt conveyor comprising a conveyor belt for transporting chicks, this conveyor having a downstream end, the inlet port of the switching device being placed at the downstream end of this conveyor and this conveyor comprising a frame configured so that the conveyor belt is driven in a trough shape to automatically center the chick during its transport.

[0047] According to another aspect of the present installation, it comprises: - at least one device for applying a stimulus to a chick so as to cause the chick to voluntarily spread its wings, - at least one imaging device for capturing one or more images of the chick's wings thus deployed, - the central unit being configured to process the images acquired by said at least one imaging device in order to analyze the configuration of the feathers at the end of at least one of the chick's wings and determine from this configuration whether it is a male or female chick or whether the sex is undetermined.

[0048] According to yet another aspect of the present installation, the device for applying a stimulus to the chick is selected from the group comprising a device for unbalancing a chick and causing it to voluntarily spread its wings, a device for vibrating a conveyor belt of a corresponding belt conveyor, a strobe light source, an inclined conveyor, a device for sending a flow of air onto a chick and combinations of these elements.

[0049] According to yet another aspect of the present installation, the central unit is configured to associate a digital identifier with a chick at the time of capturing this or these images, this identifier being associated at least with said image or images thus captured.

[0050] According to yet another aspect of the present installation, said at least one imaging device is configured to acquire digital images of the chick from a first point of the transport path, at least some of these digital images covering the downstream end of the conveyor system. to ensure monitoring of the chick until it enters the switching device.

[0051] The invention also relates to an installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, comprising: - a belt conveyor comprising a conveyor belt, preferably flexible, under tension for freely transporting said chick, said conveyor belt defining a direction of movement, - a device for unbalancing the chick and causing it to voluntarily spread its wings when moving along at least part of said conveyor belt, - at least one light source to illuminate the chick's wings when they are spread out, - at least one imaging device for capturing one or more images of the chick's wings thus illuminated, - a central unit configured to process the images acquired by said at least one imaging device in order to isolate on at least some of these images the end of at least one of the wings of said chick, analyze the configuration of the feathers at said at least one end and determine from this configuration whether it is a male or female chick or whether the sex is undetermined. According to the invention, said device for unbalancing the chick and causing it to voluntarily spread its wings comprises at least one rotary cam placed under said conveyor belt, each cam being driven in rotation around an axis placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to said direction of movement, said cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with said conveyor belt and thus lift a part of it during this contact.

[0052] Advantageously, the original design of this automatic chick sex determination system ensures free movement of the chick, in a less noisy and less stressful environment, which contributes to its well-being.

[0053] This installation advantageously allows high automatic processing rates typically exceeding 70,000 chicks per hour, or even exceeding 90,000 chicks per hour.

[0054] The expression "freely transporting said chick" means that the latter is transported without constraint, being carried only by the conveyor belt during its movement along the conveyor. Thus, when the chick is balanced, it is generally in contact only with this strip, by means of its legs. Similarly, when the chick spreads its wings under the effect of a stimulus causing its imbalance, there are no external supports, such as ramps placed laterally to the conveyor belt, for these spread wings to rest on.

[0055] Each rotary cam therefore makes it possible to temporarily lift, or even momentarily, a part of the conveyor belt when it comes into contact with it, to form an elevation, advantageously localized, of this conveyor belt, such as a hump or depending on the number and respective positioning of at least two cams, a plate raised relative to the rest of the external surface of the conveyor belt. The configuration of the rest of the surface of the conveyor belt placed at a distance from said at least one rotary cam remains unchanged.

[0056] Of course, depending on the spacing between two adjacent rotating cams, it is possible that the surface of the conveyor belt placed between two areas of this belt in direct contact with these rotating cams is itself raised.

[0057] Advantageously, the inventors found that the formation or disappearance of this or these temporary elevations made it possible to unbalance the chick, causing it to spread its wings. This objective is achieved while ensuring transport without stress for the animal and without danger to its health.

[0058] The stimulus causing the chick's wings to open thus results from an imbalance in the latter caused by a localized change in the configuration of the conveyor belt, and in particular by the generation of an elevation such as a bump or a raised plateau, or even by the disappearance of this elevation. Preferably, the height of this elevation is between f0 mm and 35 mm, preferably between 35 mm and 30 mm, and even more preferably between 17 mm and 25 mm relative to the rest of the external surface of the conveyor belt.

[0059] By varying the number of cams used and their rotation frequency, the chick's wings are kept spread out over a period of time sufficient for illumination and the capture of a plurality of images of the latter.

[0060] According to an embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, each cam comprises at least one active profile zone, said active profile zones coming into contact with said conveyor belt one after the other during the rotation of the corresponding cam when there are several of them, said active profile zone(s) of said cam being shaped to ensure that the latter remains out of contact with this conveyor belt during at least part of its rotation. Advantageously, each active profile zone can also be equipped with ball bearings to reduce friction with said rotating conveyor belt.

[0061] According to another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, each cam comprises at least one rounded active profile zone, such as semi-cylindrical. Preferably, the cam(s) are shaped to lift the conveyor belt portion by a height of between 17 mm and 25 mm. This cam may also comprise two active profile zones, alternately coming into contact with said conveyor belt. For example, the cam may comprise a body containing the axle and the bearings and a cage, this cage comprising a front branch and a rear branch connected to the body by arms, each of these branches having a rounded profile.

[0062] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, it comprises two rotating cams, placed under said conveyor belt while being spaced from each other along the direction of movement defined by said conveyor, each of these cams being driven in rotation about an axis placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to said direction of movement, each cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with said conveyor belt and thus lift a part of it during this contact so as to cause said chick to voluntarily spread its wings when the latter is in said part of the conveyor belt thus lifted.

[0063] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said cams placed under the same conveyor belt being identical, said installation is configured to operate them synchronously in order to lift at the same time time, or even simultaneously, part of the conveyor belt. Alternatively, said installation can still be configured to operate these identical rotating cams, placed under the same conveyor belt, asynchronously.

[0064] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said cams, placed under the same conveyor belt, are different, said installation being configured to operate them synchronously. Alternatively, said installation can be configured to operate these rotating cams asynchronously.

[0065] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, the frame of said belt conveyor is configured so that said conveyor belt is driven in a trough shape to automatically center said chick during its transport. Thus, when the portion of the conveyor belt descends after having been lifted by the cam(s), this portion resumes its trough shape, which makes it possible to recenter the chick on the conveyor belt and to prevent the latter from physically interacting with the edges of the conveyor.

[0066] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said first cam and said second cam are spaced from each other and shaped to move the part of the conveyor belt placed between said cams between a free, or non-contact, trough-shaped configuration and a raised flat, or substantially flat, configuration so that said chick follows at least partially a rectilinear or substantially rectilinear path. These rotating cams can thus be arranged so that the flexible conveyor belt is stretched between them. Advantageously, it has been observed that such a configuration of the portion of conveyor belt placed between the cams ensures optimal acquisition of images of the chick, in particular of the tips of its wings, the chick then moving substantially horizontally, i.e. at a constant, or substantially constant, elevation under the camera(s). It is then observed that the captured images are perfectly clear.

[0067] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, each cam is configured to, during its rotation, lift a part of said conveyor belt and transmitting an impulse to said chick placed on said conveyor belt portion in order to propel the latter into the air above said conveyor belt. In an advantageous embodiment, it is possible to ensure that the chick takes off as little as possible following the lifting of the conveyor belt by the cam(s), or even simply cushions the change in configuration of the conveyor belt with its legs. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it may be sought to ensure that the chick is suspended above the external surface of the conveyor belt. Said rotating cams of the installation are then configured to cause the chick to be lifted above the part of the conveyor belt thus lifted. Here, "sustainment" means that the chick adapts to the variation in height of the conveyor belt thus raised by compensating with its legs and opening its wings to try to balance itself in this constant imbalance. It then gives the impression of moving forward on the conveyor at a substantially constant height, which remains higher than the lowest level of the conveyor belt thus raised.

[0068] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said conveyor is horizontal.

[0069] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said or at least one of the light sources is configured to emit a blue light. Advantageously, said or at least one of the light sources is configured to emit violet light at a wavelength between 380 nm and 420 nm, and even better, violet light at a wavelength centered on 405 nm.

[0070] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, each imaging device is a matrix camera for detecting at least the visible light reflected by said chick when it is illuminated by said at least one light source.

[0071] Preferably, said conveyor comprising two rotating cams and two matrix cameras spaced along said conveyor, the field of vision of a first of said cameras covers a first area of ​​the conveyor belt at least a majority of which is placed downstream of the first rotary cam, the “downstream” position being considered relative to the direction of transport of the chick along said conveyor, and the field of vision of a second camera covers a second zone of the conveyor belt covering or not a part of said first zone of conveyor belt, a portion of said second zone of the conveyor belt thus imaged being placed downstream of the second rotary cam. It is thus possible to carry out individual tracking of each chick until it leaves the conveyor and consequently, to guarantee monitoring of the appropriate treatment of each chick. At least the first camera thus covers a majority of the part of the conveyor belt located between the portions of the conveyor belt in contact with the rotating cams.

[0072] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said conveyor comprises in its output zone, a chick ejection device configured to send the latter towards a first processing conveyor or towards a second processing conveyor separate from the first, depending on the sex of the chick identified during the processing of said images.

[0073] Preferably, the field of vision of the second camera also covers said exit area of ​​said conveyor to ensure individual monitoring of the chick at least until its arrival, or passage, at the ejection device.

[0074] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, it comprises at least two belt conveyors arranged parallel to each other to process several chicks at a time, each conveyor being equipped with one or more rotary cams placed under the conveyor belt of the corresponding conveyor, each cam being driven in rotation about an axis placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to the direction of movement defined by the corresponding conveyor, each cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with the conveyor belt of the corresponding conveyor and thus lift a part of it during this contact.

[0075] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, it comprises n rectilinear belt conveyors arranged in series, n being greater than or equal to 2, the output of each conveyor thus opening onto the entrance of the immediately following conveyor, all of these conveyors defining a transport path, each conveyor comprising one or more rotary cams placed under the conveyor belt of the corresponding conveyor, each cam being driven in rotation about an axis placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to the direction of movement defined by the corresponding conveyor, each cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with the conveyor belt of the corresponding conveyor and thus lift a part of it during this contact, only the conveyor placed furthest downstream, comprising said at least one imaging device and said at least one light source, said conveyor(s) placed upstream of the latter making it possible to prepare said chick for the determination of its sex on the conveyor placed furthest downstream. It is advantageous to note that such a phase of learning of the chick by its passage on one or more so-called learning conveyors, ensures a spontaneous reaction of the chick, and therefore a more rapid deployment of its wings, on the conveyor placed furthest downstream at the critical moment of carrying out the illumination and image capture operations in order to determine its sex.

[0076] The present invention also relates to a method for automatically determining the sex of a chick in which the following steps are carried out: - moving a chick on a belt conveyor comprising a tensioned conveyor belt, said conveyor defining a direction of movement of the chick, - momentarily lifting at least a portion of this conveyor belt on which the chick is transported freely to generate at least one elevation of this conveyor belt such as a bump or a raised plateau relative to the rest of the conveyor belt, in order to unbalance said chick and cause the voluntary deployment of its wings, this elevation comprising at least the portion of the belt with which said chick is directly in contact, - illuminate at least one wing thus deployed of said chick, and - detecting at least part of the light reflected by said at least one wing thus illuminated, - process the images thus acquired in order to isolate on at least some of these images the end of at least one of the wings of said chick, analyze the configuration of the feathers at said at least one end and determine from this configuration whether it is a male or female chick or whether the sex is undetermined.

[0077] Preferably, this conveyor belt is flexible.

[0078] According to one embodiment of this method for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said at least one portion of conveyor belt is lifted by one or more rotary cams placed under said conveyor belt, each cam being driven in rotation about an axis placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to said direction of movement, each cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with said conveyor belt and thus lift a portion thereof during this contact.

[0079] According to another embodiment of this method for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said at least one part of the conveyor belt being lifted by two rotating cams placed under said conveyor belt, the operations of the first cam and the second cam are synchronized. Alternatively, said at least one portion of conveyor belt being lifted by two rotating cams placed under said conveyor belt, the operations of the first cam and the second cam are asynchronous. The cams may or may not be identical.

[0080] According to yet another embodiment of this method for automatically determining the sex of a chick, the chassis of the belt conveyor being configured so that said conveyor belt is driven in a trough shape in order to automatically center said chick during its transport, a part of said conveyor belt is lifted to make it pass from a first configuration called free, in the shape of a trough, to a second configuration called flat or substantially flat, in which said part of the conveyor belt is flat or substantially flat.

[0081] According to yet another embodiment of this method for automatically determining the sex of a chick, the or each part of the conveyor belt thus raised has an elevation of between 8 mm and 16 mm relative to the rest of the external surface of said conveyor belt.

[0082] According to another embodiment of this method for automatically determining the sex of a chick, the rotation frequency of the rotating cam(s) placed under the conveyor belt of a belt conveyor is adjusted. rectilinear, for a given running speed of this conveyor belt in order to obtain maximum spontaneous deployment of the chick's wings. Brief description of the drawings

[0083] Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, given, for explanatory and in no way limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Fig. 1

[0084] [Fig. f] shows views of the wingtip of a female chick; Fig. 2

[0085] [Fig. 2] shows views of the wingtip of a male chick; Fig. 3

[0086] [Fig. 3] is a partial schematic representation of an installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick according to a particular embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4

[0087] [Fig. 4] is another partial view of the automatic chick sexing installation of Fig. 3, the conveyor belt is shown partially to better show the rotating cams; Fig. 5

[0088] [Fig. 5] is a partial, sectional view of only the conveyors of the chick sexing facility of Fig. 3; Fig. 6

[0089] [Fig. 6] is a partial top view of the automatic chick sexing installation of Fig. 3, showing the exit area of ​​this installation, the conveyor belt is partially shown to better show the rotating cams; Fig. 7

[0090] [Fig. 7] is a view of the downstream end of the automatic chick sexing installation of Fig. 3, showing the chick switching and discharge device; Fig. 8

[0091] [Fig. 8] is a partial and enlarged view of the switching device illustrated in Fig. 7; Fig. 9

[0092] [Fig. 9] is a partial and partially exploded view of the portion of the switching device illustrated in Fig. 8; Fig. 10

[0093] [Fig. 10] is a partial top view of the downstream end of the automatic chick sexing installation of Fig. 3, showing the chick switching device. Description of the embodiments

[0094] The drawings and the description below contain, for the most part, elements of a certain character. They may therefore not only serve to better understand the present invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0095] First of all, note that the figures are not to scale.

[0096] Figures 3 to 10 schematically and partially illustrate an installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] This installation comprises several identical processing lines 10 arranged in parallel in order to determine the sex of a plurality of chicks at the same time. The number of these processing lines 10 is not limited. It may, for example, be greater than or equal to 4 or greater than or equal to 6.

[0098] On the other hand, each processing line 10 of this installation comprises several conveyors, for example rectilinear ones, which are arranged in series. These are referred to as successive conveyors. The successive conveyors thus define a direction of movement, or transport axis, of the chicks 11 to evacuation conveyors 12, 13 intended to transport each of the chicks of the same sex, after differentiation and separation of the latter according to their sex. The successive conveyors preferably define the same direction of movement.

[0099] On each processing line 10, a first conveyor 14, called a feed conveyor, can be placed upstream of the line, is configured to allow chicks deposited in bulk at the entrance of this first conveyor 14 to be organized and placed in single file.

[0100] The output of this first conveyor 14 may lead to a second conveyor 15 called a separation conveyor, or a conveyor for placing the chicks in longitudinal or substantially longitudinal queue, or upstream conveyor. Its transport speed is, for example, greater than the transport speed of the first conveyor 14 to ensure spatial separation of the chicks.

[0101] The output of this second conveyor 15 can lead to the input of a third conveyor 16 called “chick training” or chick training. The training conveyor 16 can be rectilinear.

[0102] A single training conveyor 16 is shown here, but the installation could include one or more other conveyors 16 called chick training conveyors in order to reinforce the latter's learning.

[0103] The output of this third conveyor 16 leads to the input of a fourth conveyor 17 called “chick sex identification” or chick sex determination, or acquisition. This fourth conveyor 17 is for example a belt conveyor. It is configured to allow the actual capture of one or more images of at least one deployed wing of each chick transported by this conveyor via at least one imaging device.

[0104] The output of this fourth conveyor 17 can lead to a sorting station 18, called a switching device, or ejection device, for the chicks according to their sex, previously identified by capturing images and processing these images with an appropriate algorithm, with a view to their evacuation to processing stations adapted to the sex of the chick 11.

[0105] Each of these conveyors may be a belt conveyor comprising a flexible conveyor belt under tension. These conveyors are preferably horizontal.

[0106] The frames of the second, third and fourth belt conveyors 15-17 are configured so that their conveyor belt is driven in a trough shape to automatically center a chick during its transport. The chick 11 is free and only carried by its legs when balanced on the corresponding conveyor belt.

[0107] The chick training conveyor 16 may include at least a first device for applying a stimulus to a chick to cause that chick to voluntarily spread its wings.

[0108] The chick sexing conveyor 17 may include at least a second device for applying a stimulus to a chick to cause that chick to voluntarily spread its wings.

[0109] The chick training conveyors 16 and 17 for determining the sex of the chicks form a system for preparing and triggering the deployment of a chick's wings in response to a stimulus.

[0110] The first and second devices for applying a stimulus to the chick are preferably identical.

[0111] The longitudinal or substantially longitudinal queuing conveyor 15, also called the upstream conveyor, may comprise at least a third device for applying a stimulus to a chick in order to cause this chick to voluntarily spread its wings. The third device for applying a stimulus to a chick forms an upstream device for applying a stimulus to the chick.

[0112] The first, second and third devices for applying a stimulus to the chick are preferably identical.

[0113] The upstream conveyor 15 may be a belt conveyor comprising a conveyor belt. It may comprise edges 150 placed on either side of this conveyor belt, which are configured to delimit the passage of a single chick on the conveyor belt. The edges 150 are in this example shaped so that the straight cross-section of the assembly formed by the conveyor belt and the edges has a substantially U- or V-shaped shape.

[0114] In the illustrated example, the conveyors are belt conveyors comprising a conveyor belt and each device for applying a stimulus to the chick is a device for unbalancing the chick and causing it to voluntarily spread its wings is configured to, during operation, momentarily and cadencedly lift at least a portion of the conveyor belt of the corresponding conveyor to generate, at each lifting, at least one elevation such as a bump or a raised plateau, relative to the rest of the conveyor belt.

[0115] More particularly, each device for unbalancing the chick and causing it to voluntarily spread its wings may comprise at least one rotating cam 19 placed under this conveyor belt.

[0116] Each conveyor 17 for determining the sex of the chicks comprises a central unit configured to process the images acquired by said at least one imaging device in order to analyze the configuration of the feathers at the end of at least one of the wings of the chick and determine from this configuration whether it is a male or female chick or whether the sex is undetermined. The central unit can be configured to isolate on at least some of these images the end of at least one of the wings of the chick.

[0117] The third and fourth conveyors 16, 17 each comprise, for example, two rotating cams 19, placed under their conveyor belt 21, in being spaced from each other. These rotary cams 19 are driven in rotation around an axis 20 placed perpendicular to the direction of movement.

[0118] These rotary cams 19 are preferably identical and synchronized at each conveyor 16, 17. Each rotary cam 19 may comprise an active profile zone, for example of a semi-cylindrical shape, the rounded part being turned outwards. The configuration of the active profile zone of the cam ensures periodic contact, here at each revolution, with the conveyor belt 21 of the corresponding conveyor 16, 17.

[0119] Such contacting of the active profile zone of each rotary cam 19 thus makes it possible to temporarily lift a portion of this conveyor belt 21 so as to cause the chick 11 to voluntarily spread its wings, when the latter is on said portion of conveyor belt which is thus lifted.

[0120] This is indeed a temporary lifting of a portion of the conveyor belt 21, this lifting only existing during the time period during which the active profile zone of the rotating cam 19 is in contact with the conveyor belt 21.

[0121] When the active profile zone moves away from the conveyor belt 21, due to the rotation of the corresponding cam 19, the conveyor belt is no longer in contact with the rotating cam and therefore returns to its initial configuration, i.e. in the shape of a trough.

[0122] On each of the third and fourth conveyors 16, 17, the two rotary cams 19 are arranged to raise a portion of the conveyor belt 21, this raising having a straight longitudinal section of substantially trapezoidal shape (ascent, plateau, descent). This raising of a portion of the conveyor belt here has an elevation of between 17 and 25 mm.

[0123] The purpose of the third conveyor 16 is to train the chick to deploy its wings more efficiently and impulsively when they encounter the same elevation on the fourth conveyor 17.

[0124] Advantageously, this ensures spontaneous deployment of the wings of the chick 11 at the time of carrying out the operations of illumination and capturing one or more images in order to determine its sex.

[0125] This installation may comprise light sources 25 which are placed on either side of the conveyor belt and above it to illuminate the wings of the chick thus deployed. These light sources 25 are configured to emit light, for example, violet at a wavelength between 380 nm and 420 nm, and even better, violet light at a wavelength centered at 405 nm.

[0126] This installation may also comprise two matrix cameras 22, 23 placed above a downstream part of this fourth conveyor 17, being spaced from each other along this conveyor. These matrix cameras 22, 23 are part of the imaging device.

[0127] These matrix cameras 22, 23 are arranged so that the field of vision of a first 22 of these cameras covers a first zone of the conveyor belt 21, at least a majority of which is placed downstream of the first rotary cam 19, while the field of vision of the other matrix camera 23 covers a second zone of the conveyor belt 21 placed downstream of this first zone.

[0128] More precisely, this second zone of the conveyor belt 21 thus covered by the field of vision 24 of the second matrix camera 23 comprises both an end of this first zone of conveyor belt imaged by the first matrix camera 22 and a zone of the conveyor belt placed downstream of the second rotary cam 19 so that there is an overlap between these two zones of the conveyor belt 21 imaged.

[0129] In addition, the field of vision of the second matrix camera 23 covers the exit area of ​​the fourth conveyor 17.

[0130] It is thus possible to ensure individual monitoring of each chick 11 from its entry onto the portion of the raised conveyor belt until its exit from the fourth conveyor 17.

[0131] At the exit zone of the fourth conveyor 17, an ejection device 18 may be placed, configured to send the outgoing chick 11 to a first 12 processing conveyor or to a second 13 processing conveyor distinct from the first, depending on the sex of the chick identified after processing of the images acquired by the matrix cameras 22, 23.

[0132] This ejection device here comprises one or more blowers (not shown), or devices for producing a jet of pressurized air, to direct, or steer, a chick 11 towards a pre-established exit path according to its sex.

[0133] Of course, the distance separating the second rotating cam 19 from this ejection device 18 is determined so that the processing algorithm of the images captured of the chick's wings have enough time to identify the sex of this chick 11.

[0134] Tests were carried out with the installation described above in order to demonstrate the good results obtained with it, in determining the sex of a chick 11.

[0135] According to a first embodiment, the rotating cams 19 placed under the conveyor belt 21 of a rectilinear conveyor known as an “image acquisition” conveyor are configured to lift a portion of the corresponding conveyor belt by a maximum height of 33 mm relative to the rest of the external surface of this conveyor belt.

[0136] The rotation speed (revolutions per minute = rpm) of these 19 rotating cams is set at 1800 revolutions per minute. Alternatively, and preferably, the rotation speed of these 19 rotating cams is set at 235 revolutions per minute or 336 revolutions per minute.

[0137] Each of these rotating cams 19 here has a single active profile zone having a semi-cylindrical shape.

[0138] We note advantageously in this mode of implementation, a very low average error rate on the identification of the sex of the chick.

[0139] According to another embodiment, the pair of rotary cams 19 placed under the conveyor belt of a first rectilinear belt conveyor called "chick learning" and the pair of rotary cams 19 placed under the conveyor belt 21 of a second rectilinear belt conveyor called "image acquisition" are identical and configured so that a first of the rotary cams of each pair, placed upstream of the corresponding conveyor, is configured to lift a portion of the corresponding conveyor belt by a height of approximately 25 mm relative to the rest of the external surface of this conveyor belt, while the other cam of the pair, placed downstream, is configured to lift a portion of the corresponding conveyor belt by a height of approximately 33 mm.

[0140] In addition, the rotation speed (revolutions per minute = rpm) of the rotating cams 19 of the so-called “chick learning” conveyor is set at 1500 revolutions per minute while the rotation speed of the rotating cams 19 of the second so-called “image acquisition” conveyor is set at 2400 revolutions per minute. Alternatively, the rotation speed of the rotating cams 19 of the learning conveyor is of the order of 235 revolutions per minute and the rotation speed of the 19 rotating cams of the image acquisition conveyor is of the order of 235 revolutions per minute.

[0141] We also note in this mode of implementation, a very low average error rate on the identification of the sex of the chick.

[0142] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the pair of rotary cams 19 placed under the conveyor belt of a first rectilinear belt conveyor called "chick learning" and the pair of rotary cams 19 placed under the conveyor belt 21 of a second rectilinear belt conveyor called "image acquisition" are identical and configured so that a first of the cams of each pair, placed upstream of the corresponding conveyor, is configured to lift a portion of the corresponding conveyor belt by a height of approximately 25 mm relative to the rest of the external surface of this conveyor belt, while the other cam of the pair, placed downstream, is configured to lift a portion of the corresponding conveyor belt by a height of approximately 17 mm.

[0143] In addition, the rotation speed (revolutions per minute = rpm) of the rotating cams 19 of the first conveyor is set at 1800 revolutions per minute while the rotation speed of the rotating cams 19 of the second conveyor is set at 3000 revolutions per minute.

[0144] Here again, in this method of implementation, we observe a very low average error rate in identifying the sex of the chick.

[0145] It will be noted that the frequency of the rotating cams 19 on the second rectilinear conveyor called the image acquisition conveyor, or the capture of images of the deployed wings, is always higher than the frequency of the rotating cams on the first conveyor called the "learning" conveyor, because the aim is to cause the greatest imbalance in the capture zone of one or more images of the deployed wings of the chick.

[0146] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the pair of rotary cams 19 placed under the conveyor belt of the so-called longitudinal or substantially longitudinal chick queueing belt conveyor is identical to the pairs of rotary cams 19 placed under the conveyor belts of the so-called learning and image acquisition conveyors, and configured so that a first of the cams of each pair, placed upstream of the corresponding conveyor, is configured to lift a portion of the corresponding conveyor belt by a height of approximately 25 mm relative to the rest of the external surface of this conveyor belt, while the other cam of the pair, placed downstream, is configured to lift a portion of the corresponding conveyor belt by a height of approximately 17 mm.

[0147] In addition, the rotation speed (revolutions per minute = rpm) of the 19 rotating cams of the longitudinal queuing conveyor is set at 336 revolutions per minute.

[0148] The conveyors described above may be belt conveyors each comprising a tensioned conveyor belt for freely transporting the chicks. The conveyors described may be linear conveyors. The conveyors described may be rectilinear conveyors.

[0149] Figures 7 to 10 show a switching device of the installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick according to a particular embodiment.

[0150] This switching device is placed at the output of the acquisition conveyor 17. It comprises: - an inlet port 30 comprising an opening to allow access into said switching device of a chick transported by the conveyor belt of the acquisition conveyor 17, this inlet port being intended to be placed at the downstream end of this conveyor, - a first evacuation slide 31 and a second evacuation slide 32 placed side by side, said first and second slides 31, 32 each having an upstream end, the upstream ends of these evacuation slides being intended to be placed at the outlet of the downstream end of this acquisition conveyor 17, - the first slide 31 having a width at its upstream end strictly greater than the width of the upstream end of the second slide 32 so that in operation, a chick transported freely by the acquisition conveyor 17 while being placed in the middle or substantially in the middle of the conveyor belt, naturally engages on the first slide 31 at the outlet of said conveyor, - said inlet port 30 comprising a first deflection device 33 configured to send a jet of gas 330 onto a chick moving at the downstream end of said conveyor in order to deflect this chick towards the upstream end of the second slide 32, in response to a control signal sent by the central unit, - this central unit being configured to emit control signals to the deflection device 33 based on at least one identified characteristic of the chick.

[0151] Evacuation slides are means of evacuation.

[0152] For purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, this characteristic of the chick may be the sex of the chick, the absence of determination of the sex of the chick, or a malformation or handicap of the chick.

[0153] Thus, for example, the first slide 31 may be intended to receive and evacuate female chicks while the second slide 32 is intended to receive and evacuate male chicks.

[0154] The switching device also comprises a second deflection device 34 configured to send a gas jet 340 onto a chick moving downstream of the opening of said inlet port 30, said second deflection device 34 being oriented so that the gas jet 340 thus emitted deflects this chick towards the inlet of the first chute 31. This may be the case when the chick arriving in the switching device is identified as being incorrectly placed on the conveyor belt of the acquisition conveyor 17.

[0155] Advantageously, the second slide 32 is defined by a separating piece 35 added to the first slide 31.

[0156] The first slide 31 may be defined by a removable insert block in the second slide 32, the block defining a communication path 35 to the entrance of the second slide 32.

Claims

Claims

1. A device (18) for switching chicks at the outlet of a conveyor for transporting the chicks, said switching device comprising: - an entry port (30) comprising an opening to allow access into the switching device of a chick transported by said conveyor, - a first discharge means (31) and a second discharge means (32) each having an inlet and an outlet, the opening of the inlet port (30) opening onto said inlets of the first and second discharge means, - the first evacuation means (31) being configured so that in operation, a chick transported by the conveyor naturally enters the entrance of the first evacuation means, - a deflection device (33) configured to send a jet (330), such as a gas jet or a liquid jet, onto a chick moving downstream of the opening of the inlet port (30) in order to deflect this chick towards the inlet of the second evacuation means (32), in response to a control signal addressed by a central unit (U), - said central unit (U) being configured to transmit control signals to the deflection device (33) as a function of at least one identified characteristic of the chick.

2. Switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first discharge means (31) has a width at its entrance strictly greater than the width of the entrance of the second discharge means (32) so that in operation, a chick transported by said conveyor while being placed in the middle or substantially in the middle of the width of the conveyor, naturally enters the entrance of the first discharge means (31).

3. Switching device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outlet of the first discharge means (31) extends spatially at a point different from the outlet of the second discharge means (32) to ensure spatial separation of the chicks.

4. Switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first evacuation means (31) is a first evacuation slide and the second evacuation means (32) is a second evacuation slide, said first and second slides being for example placed side by side.

5. Switching device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second evacuation means (32) is common to two conveyors.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflection device (33) is configured to emit a jet (330) of pressurized gas.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second deflection device (34) configured to send a jet (340), such as a jet of gas or a jet of liquid, onto a chick moving downstream of the opening of the inlet port, the second deflection device (34) being oriented so that the jet (340) thus emitted deflects this chick towards the inlet of the first evacuation means (31).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a passage detector for detecting the passage of a chick at a point on the conveyor located at, or downstream of, the entry port (30), the detection of this passage constituting another identified characteristic of the chick.

9. An installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick comprising a chick switching device (18) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a conveying system placed upstream of the switching device (18) for transporting chicks along a transport path, the conveying system having a downstream end, the inlet port (30) of the switching device (18) being placed at this downstream end, and a central unit (U) for transmitting control signals to at least one diverting device depending on the sex of the chick.

10. Installation according to claim 9, characterized in that the conveying system comprises a belt conveyor comprising a conveyor belt (21) for transporting chicks, this conveyor having a downstream end, the inlet port (30) of the switching device being placed at the level from the downstream end of this conveyor and this conveyor comprising a frame configured so that the conveyor belt is driven in a trough shape to automatically center the chick during its transport.

11. Installation according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one device (19) for applying a stimulus to a chick so as to cause this chick to voluntarily spread its wings, - at least one imaging device (22, 23) for capturing one or more images of the chick's wings thus deployed, - the central unit (U) being configured to process the images acquired by said at least one imaging device in order to analyze the configuration of the feathers at the end of at least one of the chick's wings and determine from this configuration whether it is a male or female chick or whether the sex is undetermined.

12. Installation according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the device for applying a stimulus to the chick is chosen from the group comprising a device for unbalancing a chick and causing it to voluntarily spread its wings, a device for vibrating a conveyor belt of a corresponding belt conveyor, a source of stroboscopic light, an inclined conveyor, a device for sending a flow of air onto a chick and combinations of these elements.

13. Installation according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the central unit is configured to associate a digital identifier with a chick at the time of capturing this or these images, this identifier being associated at least with said image or images thus captured.

14. Installation according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that said at least one imaging device is configured to acquire digital images of the chick from a first point of the transport path, at least some of these digital images covering the downstream end of the conveyor system to ensure tracking of the chick until it enters the switching device.

Images