Egg Decapping Cutter With Integrated Debris Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated decapping systems for avian eggs produce a debris-filled environment due to the accumulation of egg cap shells and fluids, which complicates the harvesting process and increases system contamination during biologic production.
Innovation Solution
An egg decapping apparatus with a reference plate and a combined cutter and cleaning member that moves across the plate to create an opening in the egg and simultaneously remove debris, ensuring efficient decapping and debris management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a blade is used to cut the egg cap in automated decapping systems, then the egg opening function is achieved, but egg cap shell debris and artifacts accumulate on the blade and in the working environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cutter member and cleaning member into a single integrated decapping device. The cleaning member is positioned adjacent to the cutter member and moves together with it across the reference plate, allowing simultaneous cutting and cleaning operations. This merging eliminates the need for separate cleaning operations and prevents debris accumulation on the blade.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member is positioned to clean the cutter member during or immediately after the cutting action, before the blade completes its full stroke or before debris can accumulate significantly. This preliminary cleaning action prevents debris buildup that would otherwise occur after extended operation.
2Productivity
If mass quantity of eggs are decapped during production run, then productivity is improved, but debris-filled working environment is created
Solution Approach 1:
The decapping device performs self-cleaning through the integrated cleaning member that removes debris from the cutter member during operation. This self-service capability allows the system to maintain cleanliness during high-volume production runs without requiring external cleaning interventions or stopping production.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the cutting and cleaning functions into a single integrated device that processes eggs sequentially, the system maintains high productivity while continuously managing debris removal. The cleaning action occurs during the same operational cycle as the cutting action, preventing debris inundation even during mass decapping operations.
3Extent of automation
If conventional automated decapping systems are used, then egg processing is automated, but system contamination increases due to debris accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cleaning function directly into the automated decapping device, maintaining full automation while eliminating contamination. The cleaning member is actuated automatically as part of the same automated sequence that controls the cutter member, ensuring continuous debris removal without manual intervention or system shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic actuation of the cleaning member based on the position and operation of the cutter member. This feedback mechanism ensures that cleaning occurs at the appropriate moment in the automated sequence, maintaining system cleanliness without requiring external monitoring or manual control.
Data Source
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AI summary
An egg decapping apparatus is provided. Such an apparatus includes a reference plate defining a plurality of reference openings therethrough. Each reference opening is adapted to receive an avian egg therein from a lower side of the reference plate and to stop further upward movement of the avian egg within the reference opening when an upper egg section to be cut extends from the reference opening above the reference plate. A cutter member is positioned above the reference plate. The cutter member is moveable across the reference plate and the reference openings from a precut position to a post cut position for creating an opening in the upper egg section. A cleaning member is moveable with the cutter member across the reference plate. The cleaning member is actuatable at the post cut position so as to remove debris from the upper egg section accumulated on the cutter member. Associated methods are also provided.