Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring discrete articles at a receiving and packing station from a randomly supplied conveyor having articles with a plurality of characteristics to a take away conveyor having articles with only certain selected characteristics out of the plurality of characteristics. At each receiving and packing station, the articles having the selected characteristics are transferred from the supply conveyor to a collecting device to form therein a completed row of a certain number of articles. An endless transfer conveyor has a plurality of rows of article holders, each of which, at one point in its travel, is positioned to receive a completed row of articles from the collecting device. The collecting device will deliver a complete row of articles only into an empty row of holders in the transfer conveyor. The transfer conveyor then transfers a completed row of articles to containers on a take away conveyor.

Abstract: An egg orienting apparatus for orienting the smaller ends of eggs in a predetermined position. The eggs are supplied to the apparatus on rotating rollers of a roller conveyor. At one of the reversing wheels of the conveyor, lifting members are arranged which enable an egg to be lifted relative to one of a pair of egg carrying rollers. According to the invention, at one of the reversing wheels are arranged consisting of pushing members which can be moved faster than the conveyor. The pushing members are arranged approximately at the level of the reversing wheel. Further, lifting members are arranged which release the egg from one of a pair of rollers, so that the egg is enabled to rotate while being supported by the other carrying roller and the lifting members.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring discrete articles such as eggs or fruit from a conveyor having at least one row of article holders to a receiver having a resilient upwardly facing portion which then carries the articles generally horizontally to a receiving station. The upwardly facing portion has a resilient structure including for example brush bristles or an air bellows.

Abstract: A device for stacking egg-trays comprising a feed conveyor (2) advancing the trays one after the other, a second conveyor (3) for discharging the trays stacked on each other, a transport mechanism (15) operating between the feed and the discharge conveyor having carrying forks for transporting one tray at a time onto a support platform (30) which collects the trays and periodically oscillates through a 90.degree. arc so as to stack the subsequent trays in a staggered relationship. The platform is also capable of a vertical movement from a high position to a low positioin and vice versa for depositing a stack of trays upon the discharge conveyor.