Abstract: A procedure and apparatus is provided for the examination of eggs to determine the presence of cracks or holes in the egg shell through the examination of the resiliency of the shell. This procedure and apparatus are characterized by the subjection of the egg to an examination cycle which consists in exercising intermittent pressure on at least a section of the egg shell by a movably mounted probe to create a series of in principle elastic deformations, where each subsequent deformation in the series is caused by the shell's action on the probe as a reaction to the immediately preceding deformation.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for delivering articles to and discharging articles from a conveyor with differing motion characteristics. The conveyor comprises holders adapted to receive, deliver or handle articles from one or a plurality of supply devices adjacent to the conveyor, where each time only the part thereof which adjoins the supply device(s) stands still temporarily. One or more supply devices is or are arranged near one run of the conveyor, and one or more discharging or transferring mechanisms is or are disposed near the other run, the two runs of the conveyor following different motion characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for transferring objects from a first conveyor to a second conveyor which is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the first conveyor, the objects being transferred in parallel relationship to themselves. The first conveyor travels at a higher speed than the second conveyor. The transfer may be effected by means of one or more transfer members adapted to make an oblique movement in such a way that the component of velocity in the direction of travel of the first conveyor is approximately the same as the speed of the first conveyor and the component of velocity in the direction of travel of the second conveyor is approximately the same as the speed of the second conveyor.

Abstract: An egg spreading track comprising a carrying surface forming part of one or more endless belts, baffles dividing at least a part of the width of said carrying surface into a plurality of discharge tracks extending along at least a part of the length of said carrying surface, as well as at least one cross member arranged directly above said carrying surface. At least two side baffles converging in the direction of movement of said carrying surface are provided above said carrying surface, upstream of said cross member; said converging side baffles adjacent said cross member pass into side baffles diverging mutually in the direction of movement of said carrying surface.

Abstract: A method of transporting slaughter animals, in particular poultry, during slaughtering, from a conveyor having suspension hooks to a packaging device, a dissecting device or a similar device. The slaughter animals are transferred from the suspension hooks to a buffer conveyor wherein the slaughter animals are buffered in oriented array. From the buffer conveyor, they are transferred in oriented array to a gripper device of the packaging device or the like.