Abstract: Preparation of chicken embryo allantoic fluids for animal health requires opening the eggshell by cutting, drilling or punching methods. Laser cutting and drilling is used as an alternative to known processes. Both CO.sub.2 and Nd:YAG lasers are employed. A focused CO.sub.2 laser beam at a power of 200 watts in conjunction with an X-Y motion table produced 25 mm diameter "clean-cuts" in eggshells with a cutting time of 0.5 seconds per egg. The material removal mechanism was vaporization. When an axicon/lens combination is used with a CO.sub.2 laser, the cutting time was further reduced to 0.2 seconds per egg and the mechanism of material removal is changed from vaporization to decomposition of the eggshell into fine powders. Small holes, typical diameters of 0.5 mm to 1 mm are generated in the eggshell using the pulsed Nd:YAG laser.

Abstract: A hopper apparatus of a type intended for dispensing granular or powdery materials into a conveying system. A container associated with the hopper apparatus has a pair of tapering walls with a discharge opening therebetween. A conveyor loading chamber below the discharge opening and adjacent one of the container walls is in communication with a conveying system. A screen is pivotally mounted to and extends along one of the tapering walls. The screen also overlies the conveyor loading chamber to prevent foreign matter from entering the conveyor. A projection connected to the screen lies slightly in the path of movement of the conveyor to thereby vibrate the screen. A plate mechanism disposed between the discharge opening and the conveyor loading chamber is spaced sufficiently from the wall and screen to allow the powdery or granular matter to pss by, but close enough to the wall such that it will trap larger foreign objects and hold such foreign objects out of the main flow path.

Abstract: Feed distributing apparatus of the type including conveying means which supplies feed to a feeding trough. The feeding trough is of one piece construction and includes an elongated bottom wall, a first substantially upright wall connected to one side of the bottom wall, a second substantially upright wall connected to the other side of the bottom wall and an intermediate wall connected to the bottom wall and extending substantially upwardly between the sides of the bottom wall. A conveyor is disposed between the intermediate wall and one of the upright walls. Openings are disposed in the intermediate wall for allowing feed to pass from the conveyor structure, through the openings and to the trough.