Abstract: An apparatus for injecting fluid substances into eggs is disclosed, comprising a plurality of injectors, needles disposed within each of the injectors moveable between a retracted position and an extended injecting position with respect to the injectors, and a bridge assembly for positioning the injectors in alignment with a corresponding plurality of eggs in an egg flat. The injectors rest substantially vertically in openings in a horizontal plate. The openings in the plate are slightly larger than the cross-section of the injectors for permitting the injectors to move vertically within the openings in the plate with respect to the plate. An egg nesting cup is pivotally secured to the lower end of each injector. The injectors are lowered to engage the eggs. When the plate and the injectors are lowered the nesting cups seat against the eggs and the injectors move vertically upward with respect to the plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting fluid substances into eggs is disclosed, comprising a plurality of injectors, needles disposed within each of the injectors moveable between a retracted position and an extended injecting position with respect to the injectors, and a bridge assembly for positioning the injectors in alignment with a corresponding plurality of eggs in an egg flat. The injectors rest substantially vertically in openings in a horizontal plate. The openings in the plate are slightly larger than the cross-section of the injectors for permitting the injectors to move vertically within the openings in the plate with respect to the plate. An egg nesting cup is pivotally secured to the lower end of each injector. The injectors are lowered to engage the eggs. When the plate and the injectors are lowered the nesting cups seat against the eggs and the injectors move vertically upward with respect to the plate.

Abstract: Automation of delivery of newborn avian chicks into grow-out houses is accomplished by use of a delivery vehicle which has a powered telescoping conveyor mounted to this vehicle. The vehicle is positioned at one of the personnel doors of a grow-out house and the conveyor extended into the interior of the building. A moving blower is provided at the discharge end of the telescoping conveyor to distribute the chicks over the floor of a grow-out house in such a manner as to prevent piles of chicks from forming.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting fluid substances into eggs is disclosed, comprising a plurality of injectors, needles disposed within each of the injectors moveable between a retracted position and an extended injecting position with respect to the injectors, and a bridge assembly for positioning the injectors in alignment with a corresponding plurality of eggs in an egg flat. The injectors rest substantially vertically in openings in a horizontal plate. The openings in the plate are slightly larger than the cross-section of the injectors for permitting the injectors to move vertically within the openings in the plate with respect to the plate. An egg nesting cup is pivotally secured to the lower end of each injector. The injectors are lowered to engage the eggs. When the plate and the injectors are lowered the nesting cups seat against the eggs and the injectors move vertically upward with respect to the plate.

Abstract: An egg transfer device having an active rotator assembly and a passive rotator assembly pivoted about a common axis above a support table. An automatic clamping device associated with the active rotator assembly is held in an unlocked or open position to allow the active rotator assembly to be loaded with egg flats. After a hatcher tray for receiving the eggs from the egg flats is disposed on top of the egg flats and the passive rotator is rotated thereover, the two rotator assemblies are rotated together about their common axis 180 degrees to their opposite position on the support table. At the same time the automatic clamping assembly is automatically moved into its locked position, thus firmly gripping the tray of egg flats securely into the active rotator assembly as it is being rotated, and stays in its locked position until the active rotator assembly is swung back separately to its original position, at which time the clamping assembly is automatically unlocked.

Abstract: An egg transfer device having an active rotator assembly and a passive rotator assembly pivoted about a common axis above a support table. An automatic clamping device associated with the active rotator assembly is in an unlocked or open position to allow the active rotator to be loaded with a tray of setter egg flats. A hatcher receiver tray in which the eggs from the setter egg flats are to be transferred is disposed on top of the egg flats and, as well, in the passive rotator once it is rotated into an operative position. The two rotator assemblies are then rotated together as a unit about their common axis 180 degrees to their opposite position on the table support.

Abstract: The foundation-based solar heating system includes a plurality of preformed beams that define a perimeter, the beams being elevated above the earth and receiving a building thereon. The building floor, the beams, and the earth enclosed by the beams define a plenum chamber, and the beams have internal air flow channels therein. One of the beams is south-facing, and carries solar collector means thereon that is connected with the flow channels. Return ducts connect the flow channels on the opposite side of the foundation perimeter to the south-facing beam, and to the solar collector means. The beams are externally insulated, and air flowing through the system heats the plenum chamber and provides a heat source for the building. An air circulating unit assures a flow of circulating air from the plenum chamber through the building, and includes an auxiliary heating element means.

Abstract: A plurality of footing pits are dug, and a preformed footing is placed in each. Each footing has a recess in its bottom covered by a sheet of flexible material, a grout inlet opening leading to the recess, and a plurality of relief ports. Grout is injected into the recess of each footing to seat it in its pit, and then a base plate support is installed thereon and adjusted to a selected height. Preformed beams are then mounted on the base plate supports, to provide a foundation for a building. Energy conservation is achieved by placing an insulating element vertically in each preformed beam, and solar energy collector equipment is mounted on the face of at least one beam. The solar energy collector equipment takes advantage of the location of the beams and their construction from precast concrete, and is of both the passive and active type.

Abstract: Seafood pots made of wire mesh netting are prepared for galvanizing by first passing them through an incineration chamber to burn, melt and loosen foreign material thereon, and then passing them through a high pressure liquid spray to remove residual burned matter and loosened foreign material. The pots are then ready to be passed through the steps of the galvanizing process, which includes dipping the pots into heated preflux before they are dipped into molten zinc. An inverted drying chamber bridges the distance between the preflux tank and the zinc kettle, through which the seafood pots are moved by conveyor means to dry the preflux, with drying heat within the chamber being drawn from the tank and the kettle. The seafood pots are vibrated as they are withdrawn from the molten zinc to effect an even coating of zinc on the wire mesh netting thereof.