Sensing Egg Weight And Controlling Separating Means In Accordance Therewith Patents (Class 209/513)
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Patent number: 10640333Abstract: An egg lifting device is provided. Such a device includes a body and a securing arrangement extending from the body. The securing arrangement is configured to engage and deflect about an egg such that the egg is seated within the securing arrangement for lifting thereof. A plurality of egg lifting devices is arranged on an egg removal system such that multiple eggs are capable of being removed from an egg flat. Associated systems and methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Zoetis Services LLCInventor: William Dongwook Suh
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Patent number: 8820519Abstract: A egg belt comprises a belt extending in a conveying direction for conveying eggs in the conveying direction. The belt is provided with a plurality of openings, each being triangular in shape.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Big Dutchman International GmbHInventor: Günter Möller
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Patent number: 8168897Abstract: A conveyor for shock-sensitive products includes a conveyor member with at least one intermediate storage region adapted to receive a predetermined number of the products placed thereon when the conveyor is a static condition for temporary intermediate storage. A force measuring member determines the weight force of the products in the intermediate storage region. A control member, adapted to increase and decrease the rate of feed of the shock-sensitive products in the conveyor member, processes the weight force detected by the force measuring member as an input parameter, and increases or reduces the rate of feed of the products toward and away from the intermediate storage region as a function of the weight force.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Big Dutchman International GmbHInventor: Heinz Südkamp
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Patent number: 7926664Abstract: An apparatus for transferring products such as eggs from a first conveyor to a second conveyor. During transfer products with certain properties which have been previously detected are allowed to fall into a gap between the conveyors. The transfer uses a rotatable cylinder with radially extending grippers having an open position and a closed position. When a gripper does not grip a product it falls into a gap between the conveyors. Other products are gripped and transferred to the second conveyor. A method for transferring products from a first conveyor to a second conveyor wherein products having certain properties are removed and caused to fall down into a gap between the first and second conveyors. A detected signal upstream from the gap to control positioning of grippers to either transfer products to the second conveyor or allow them to fall into a gap between the two conveyors.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: FPS Food Processing Systems B.V.Inventor: Hendrikus Louis Stephanus De Vlaam
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Publication number: 20080217216Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for removing undesirable products, for instance eggs or fruits, from a stream of products which are fed in at least one single row on well-defined positions of an endless feed conveyor, for instance lying on rollers of a roller conveyor, and which are transferred in conveying direction to and onto at least one single row of an endless follow-on conveyor which is placed at virtually the same height in alignment with said feed conveyor, wherein the transfer of each product is carried out by a product transfer element which, upon transfer, takes up a transfer position between and in alignment with the two said rows, wherein the said undesirable products are removed from the stream of products at the end of said feed conveyor, wherein the product transfer element is energized and is removed from the transfer position, wherein the product transfer element takes up the transfer position only during transfer of the products from the feed conveyor to and onto the follow-on conveyType: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2006Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: FPS FOOD PROCESSING SYSTEMS B.V.Inventor: Hendrikus Louis Stephanus De Vlaam
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Patent number: 7057119Abstract: A device and method for weighing eggs. The egg weighing apparatus includes a movable stem that supports an egg weighing platform. The stem is attached to a measuring device that is electronically and mechanically driven for precise measurement of an egg. The present invention uses a damper or alternatively, uses a tuned dynamic vibration absorber to yield precise measurement of an egg.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Michigan Scientific Corp.Inventors: Hugh W. Larsen, Douglas A. Kane, Robert J. Washnock
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Patent number: 6637599Abstract: A device for monitoring the normal operation of weighing instruments (X1, X2, and X3) for chicken eggs used in a weight grading apparatus A for chicken eggs has a judging device 12 for monitoring the normal and abnormal operation of the weighing instruments (X1, X2, and X3) depending on whether or not the weight detected by the weighing instruments (X1, X2, and X3) indicates a predetermined state, as well as a display 13 for outputting a result of judgement by the judging device 12.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha NaberuInventor: Kunio Nambu
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Publication number: 20020014444Abstract: An apparatus for classifying a plurality of poultry eggs includes means for detecting the opacities of the eggs, means for detecting the temperatures of the eggs, and means for classifying the eggs using the opacities and the temperatures of the eggs. A method for classifying poultry eggs includes measuring the opacities of the eggs, measuring the temperatures of the eggs, and classifying the eggs as a function of the opacities and the temperatures of the eggs.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Inventor: John H. Hebrank
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Patent number: 5168977Abstract: A method and apparatus for releasing articles from holders mounted on a conveyor travelling at varying speeds, the varying ballistic trajectory of the released articles being automatically compensated for, depending on the speed of the conveyor, by shifting the discharge locations of the article holders. One or more adjacent ones of the releasing members for each delivery station, arranged side by side in the direction of travel of the conveyor, are fixed against movement in the direction of movement of the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1991Date of Patent: December 8, 1992Assignee: FPS Food Processing Systems B.V.Inventors: Henk van Essen, Telle van der Schoot
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Patent number: 5160019Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier for articles such as fruits, eggs, comprising a frame, two gripper members each having a free end in which an opening is provided for receiving an article between the free ends, the free ends of the gripper being movable relative to each other in such a way that an article can be received between the ends and subsequently released therefrom, wherein one of the gripper members consists of two parts and the two parts are mounted under a spring load on one and the same shaft for pivotal movement relative to each other. The axis of the shaft on which the pivoting gripper member is mounted for pivotal movement, is parallel to the direction of travel of a conveyor, for instance a chain, to which the shaft is connected. The other gripper member is fixedly connected to the conveyor, for instance a chain part. The invention further relates to a conveying apparatus comprising such a carrier.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Staalkat B.V.Inventor: Leonardus J. Temming
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Patent number: 5022532Abstract: The invention is embodied as a unit for grading produce and comprises a transporting device having parallel belts and receptacles which open downwardly and in which produce is arranged, and a weighing station comprising a weighing wheel driven in rotation by a gear motor and a section of which projects into the receptacles so as to carry the produce as it passes through the weighing station. The weighing wheel and the gear motor are supported by a device for weighing the produce. The unit also includes a grading station comprising several stations for ejecting the produce from the transporting device into a device for removing the produce as a function of the weight of the produce.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1989Date of Patent: June 11, 1991Assignee: Xeda InternationalInventor: Carmelo D'Urso
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Patent number: 4776465Abstract: An apparatus for transferring eggs continuously conveyed in spaced-apart, aligned relationship by a conveyor to a receiving station at which eggs are packaged according to their individual physical characteristics. A frame on which solenoid-actuated plungers are mounted is disposed adjacent the conveyor at the receiving station for releasing eggs having the same physical characteristics from the conveyor in a predetermined sequence at the receiving station. The frame is movable with respect to the receiving station according to the speed of the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1985Date of Patent: October 11, 1988Assignee: Diamond Automations, Inc.Inventors: John C. McEvoy, George N. Bliss, Leslie P. Thomas
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Patent number: 4775051Abstract: An apparatus for sorting and removing undesirable objects from a feed belt conveyor which passes an inspection station, while downstream of the inspection station there is arranged a "trapdoor" and subsequently a discharge conveyor. The undesirable objects can be discharged through the trapdoor, which undesirable objects can be defined as such upstream of the trapdoor by human or automatic detection. The location of the objects in question can for instance be defined by a "tracking" memory (shift register) and remains known at least as far as the trapdoor. In an apparatus more particularly adapted for processing vulnerable objects, such as eggs, the feed belt conveyor and the discharge belt conveyor are substantially aligned, there being arranged at least adjacent the trapdoor disposed between the belts, a turnstile, a chain having carriers (FIG. 2) or the like.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1987Date of Patent: October 4, 1988Assignee: Staalkat B.V.Inventor: Jelle van der Schoot
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Patent number: 4765124Abstract: An egg sorting and packing device comprising means for measuring the weights of eggs supplied, means for storing a plurality of egg weights measured by the measuring means, means for selecting eggs to be combined such that the total weight of eggs per one pack falls within a predetermined weight range by properly selecting and combining the eggs without being restricted by the weight-based class divisions, and means for packing the eggs selected by the selecting means.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1987Date of Patent: August 23, 1988Assignee: Nambu Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yuzo Nakamura
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Patent number: 4708250Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting vulnerable products such as eggs, along successive stations and handling the same therein, each product at the beginning of the handling cycle being received separately in a container that is freely moveable in at least one direction during a part of the handling cycle, and being removed therefrom after the handling cycle. The container may be open at the top, narrowing towards the bottom, e.g. according to a truncated cone, and further comprising a foot extending perpendicularly to the container axis, the outer circumference of the foot being at least equal to the outer circumference of the upper edge of the container.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1983Date of Patent: November 24, 1987Assignee: Staalkat B.V.Inventor: Jelle van der Schoot
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Patent number: 4569444Abstract: An apparatus for transferring eggs continuously conveyed in spaced-apart, aligned relationship by a conveyor to a receiving station at which eggs are packaged according to their individual physical characteristics. A frame on which solenoid-actuated plungers are mounted is disposed adjacent the conveyor at the receiving station for releasing eggs having the same physical characteristics from the conveyor in a predetermined sequence at the receiving station. The frame is movable with respect to the receiving station according to the speed of the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1982Date of Patent: February 11, 1986Assignee: Diamond Automations, Inc.Inventors: John C. McEvoy, George N. Bliss, Leslie P. Thomas
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Patent number: 4519494Abstract: An egg handling system for an egg grader in which eggs carried by a conveyor in spaced-apart, aligned pairs are released at a receiving station into at least one rotating resilient cylinder for transfer to an egg packer. A support member is disposed below the rotating cylinder for guiding eggs delivered to the cylinder downwardly and away from the cylinder to the egg packer.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1982Date of Patent: May 28, 1985Assignee: Diamond Automations, Inc.Inventors: John C. McEvoy, Leslie P. Thomas
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Patent number: 4519505Abstract: A method and apparatus for advancing eggs from a candling station through a plurality of weighing stations in an egg grading apparatus. The eggs are received from the candling station by elongated guide members and are advanced continuously on the guide members through the weighing stations by advancing bars disposed vertically above the guide members. After weighing, the eggs are advanced to a plurality of holding stations disposed in alignment with and downstream of the guide members and weighing stations. Pairs of eggs are lifted from the holding stations and horizontally adjacent pick-up locations by a rotatable and reciprocal lifting mechanism which rotates about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide members so as to facilitate engagement and vertically upward lifting of the eggs during upward rotational movement thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1982Date of Patent: May 28, 1985Assignee: Diamond Automations, Inc.Inventor: Leslie P. Thomas
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Patent number: 4505373Abstract: An egg transfer system suitable for advancing eggs in an egg grader from a candling station to a weighing station at which the eggs are each deposited and individually weighed. The grade of each individual egg is recorded after which the eggs are advanced to a lifting apparatus adapted to rotatably lift and transfer the eggs to a conveying conveyor for delivery to predetermined packers disposed downstream thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1982Date of Patent: March 19, 1985Assignee: Diamond Automations, Inc.Inventor: Leslie P. Thomas
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Patent number: 4478302Abstract: A device for weighing eggs is disclosed which is usable with a two element egg supporting conveyor and is particularly usable for the weighing of eggs while they are moving through a conveying system. The present invention actually places the eggs upon two rail members which are positively secured with respect to a high speed weighing means such as an electronic weighing means to very quickly determine the proper grade. The egg weighing device includes a delivery ramp for lifting the egg out of the egg receiving recess defined by the supporting members of the conveying configuration. The delivery ramp actually delivers the egg through a descending ramp section to the weighing platform. This weighing platform is positively secured with respect to the electronic weighing device to facilitate a high speed determination of the weight of the egg while the egg is traveling over the weighing platform.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1982Date of Patent: October 23, 1984Assignee: Otto Niederer Sons, Inc.Inventors: Thomas O. Niederer, Lee H. Niederer
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Patent number: 4356920Abstract: Method and apparatus for weight grading and further processing eggs. After being weighed, the eggs are supplied to a conveyor for the transportation of the weighed eggs to a plurality of buffers, such as belts arranged in a refrigerated space, each said buffer being adapted to receive eggs of a given weight class, and from which the eggs can be discharged in the unpacked state when needed.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1980Date of Patent: November 2, 1982Assignee: Staalkat B.V.Inventor: Jelle van der Schoot