Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting eggs with injection liquid includes arranging a plurality of eggs in an egg tray, moving the egg-filled tray to an injection station, injecting liquid into the eggs by effecting relative movement between the tray and a plurality of injection needles such that a needle pierces each egg and by forcing injection liquid through each needle into the respective egg, heat-sealing the injection hole in each egg by effecting relative movement between the tray and a plurality of heating devices which apply sufficient heat at the location of the injection hole in each egg to solidify albumin at the hole, applying a coating of liquid hardenable sealing material to the exterior of each egg shell at the location of the injection hole by effecting relative movement between the tray and a source of the sealing material.

Abstract: Eggs are automatically inoculated with an antibiotic solution by a machine which heat-sterilizes a portion of the shell with a hot shoe, drives a square ended needle through the sterilized portion, injects the solution through the needle, withdraws the needle, heat-coagulates a portion of the egg albumin at the hole with the hot shoe and heat-sterilizes the needle before inoculating the next egg.