Egg Orienter and Laser Marking for Packer Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for laser marking eggs at high speeds during grading processes face challenges such as non-uniform egg surface dryness, dust interference, and limited marking accuracy, leading to inconsistent and unreliable markings, which are not suitable for repacking and consumer visibility.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a laser marking system into an egg packing apparatus, where eggs are oriented and marked after being placed in packages, allowing for precise positioning and increased marking time, reducing dust interference, and ensuring visible markings upon package opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If eggs are laser marked at high speed during grading process, then productivity is improved, but marking precision deteriorates due to non-uniform surface dryness, dust interference, and limited positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by orienting eggs to a specific position within packages before the laser marking operation. The egg orienter adjusts egg positions so that they are properly aligned and stationary before marking begins, ensuring optimal surface conditions and positioning accuracy. This pre-positioning allows the laser marking to be performed with higher precision while maintaining productivity, as the eggs are already in the correct orientation when the laser beam is applied.
2Productivity
If eggs are laser marked during high-speed grading, then throughput is maintained, but marking reliability deteriorates due to dust creation and non-uniform moisture content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by separating the laser marking operation from the high-speed grading process. Eggs are graded and packaged first, then oriented and marked in a dedicated marking station where dust interference is minimized and environmental conditions are controlled. This extraction of the marking function from the grading line allows for reliable, consistent markings without compromising overall throughput, as the marking is performed in a controlled environment rather than during high-speed grading.
3Productivity
If eggs are marked before packaging, then marking speed can be increased, but marking visibility deteriorates because markings may be obscured or not visible upon package opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by orienting eggs within packages to a specific position before the laser marking operation. This pre-positioning ensures that the markings are applied on egg surfaces that will be visible when the package is opened. The egg orienter adjusts egg positions so that the marked area faces outward or is in a visible location, guaranteeing that consumers can see the expiration dates and other marked information without having to manipulate or open the package to find the markings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly improves marking quality and reliability, allowing for clear, legible, and consistent markings on a larger percentage of eggs, enhancing consumer visibility and reducing waste by enabling accurate tracking and redirection of eggs.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source and one or more optical steering elements configured and arranged to direct laser energy from the laser source so as to laser mark information on a surface of one or more of the eggs
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for processing packages of eggs on a conveyor is disclosed which comprises an egg orienter configured and arranged with respect to the conveyor so as to adjust a position of one or more of the eggs in each of the packages so that each of the eggs in a given package assumes a particular orientation within that package. In some embodiments, the egg orienter may be located between an egg loading section and a package closing section of an egg packer. In addition, in some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a laser source and one or more optical steering elements configured and arranged to direct laser energy from the laser source so as to laser mark information on a surface of one or more of the eggs while the eggs are in a package disposed on the conveyor and in said particular orientation. Further, in some embodiments, the egg orienter may be further configured and arranged to adjust the position of the one or more eggs in each of the packages so that a long axis of each egg in a given package is tilted toward the back of the package so as to be at least slightly offset from vertical and/or so that so that long axes of all of the eggs in each row of eggs in the package form approximate right angles with respect to a line intercepting bottoms of receptacles holding the eggs in such a row.