Abstract: A packaging device (1) for packaging substantially round articles into a dimpled package (100) having an array of pockets to receive the round articles. The packaging device comprising a supply conveyor (2) for the articles and a package conveyor (15) located below the supply conveyor for conveying the packages. A filling buffer (4) is located between the supply conveyor and the package conveyor having multiple sub-buffers (5). The device furthermore comprises a collector (8) for receiving articles from the buffer, and a setter (12) wherein, in use, the setter reciprocates between an upper position to a lower position, wherein in the upper position the articles can be received from the collector and in the lower position the articles can be discharged into the pockets of the package.

Abstract: A gripping device for gripping an egg tray (3A) having a dimpled structure includes a gripping unit (4) that is movable up and down to engage and grip the egg tray (3A) and move it. The gripping unit comprises (4) at least a pair of opposite grip ping members (42A, 42B) which are movable in opposite directions, substantially transverse to the up and down movement of the unit (4), from a retracted position to an advanced position to grip a dimple (31) of the egg tray (3A), and from the advanced position to the retracted position to release the dimple. Each gripping member (42A, 42B) of said pair has a separate pressure operated actuator (46) operatively connected to it. The actuator (46), upon pressurization, moves the corresponding gripping member (42A, 42B) from the retracted position to the advanced position.

Abstract: A packaging device (1) for packaging substantially round articles into a dimpled package (100) having an array of pockets to receive the round articles. The packaging device comprising a supply conveyor (2) for the articles and a package conveyor (15) located below the supply conveyor for conveying the packages. A filling buffer (4) is located between the supply conveyor and the package conveyor having multiple sub-buffers (5). The device furthermore comprises a collector (8) for receiving articles from the buffer, and a setter (12) wherein, in use, the setter reciprocates between an upper position to a lower position, wherein in the upper position the articles can be received from the collector and in the lower position the articles can be discharged into the pockets of the package.

Abstract: A gripping device for gripping an egg tray (3A) having a dimpled structure includes a gripping unit (4) that is movable up and down to engage and grip the egg tray (3A) and move it. The gripping unit comprises (4) at least a pair of opposite grip ping members (42A, 42B) which are movable in opposite directions, substantially transverse to the up and down movement of the unit (4), from a retracted position to an advanced position to grip a dimple (31) of the egg tray (3A), and from the advanced position to the retracted position to release the dimple. Each gripping member (42A, 42B) of said pair has a separate pressure operated actuator (46) operatively connected to it. The actuator (46), upon pressurization, moves the corresponding gripping member (42A, 42B) from the retracted position to the advanced position.

Abstract: An egg sorting and packaging method and assembly, wherein eggs are placed on an endless egg conveyor (2) by means of an egg supply device (3). The eggs are selectively moved from the endless egg conveyor into packaging lines (6a-6c), in which packaging lines the eggs are packed into egg packages. Eggs which are not released into one of the packaging lines remain on the endless egg conveyor and are recycled to pass by the packaging lines again in order to be released into one of the packaging lines.

Abstract: An egg sorting and packaging assembly comprising an endless egg conveyor, an egg supply device for supplying and moving eggs onto the endless egg conveyor, and one or more packaging lines associated with the endless egg conveyor. The one or more packaging lines are configured and arranged to receive eggs from the endless egg conveyor. The egg supply device is adapted and arranged to remove eggs from the supply device that would have to be placed on a position on the endless egg conveyor that is already occupied by an egg that could not be received in a packaging line, and leads the removed egg back to an egg supply line.

Abstract: An egg sorting and packaging assembly comprising an endless egg conveyor, an egg supply device for supplying and moving eggs onto the endless egg conveyor, and one or more packaging lines associated with the endless egg conveyor. The one or more packaging lines are configured and arranged to receive eggs from the endless egg conveyor. The egg supply device is adapted and arranged to remove eggs from the supply device that would have to be placed on a position on the endless egg conveyor that is already occupied by an egg that could not be received in a packaging line, and leads the removed egg back to an egg supply line.

Abstract: An egg orientation device is provided to position eggs downwards or upwards in egg retainers. The device includes a stationary lane with a support plate. The support plate includes a central zone and two lateral zones. The device also includes a pusher movable along the stationary lane and configured to push an egg over the support plate and around its longitudinal axis. The egg retainer is also movable in the beneath the support plate of the stationary lane in a synchronized manner with the pusher. A drop opening is provided in the support plate. The drop opening enables eggs to fall through such that they are positioned downwards or upwards in the egg retainer positioned beneath the drop opening. The drop opening is either located in the central zone or in the lateral zone.

Abstract: An egg sorting and packaging method and assembly, wherein eggs are placed on an endless egg conveyor (2) by means of an egg supply device (3). The eggs are selectively moved from the endless egg conveyor into packaging lines (6a-6c), in which packaging lines the eggs are packed into egg packages. Eggs which are not released into one of the packaging lines remain on the endless egg conveyor and are recycled to pass by the packaging lines again in order to be released into one of the packaging lines.

Abstract: An egg orientation device is adapted to put eggs (10, 10?) point down or point up in egg retainers (6). The egg orientation device comprises a stationary lane having a support plate (2) comprising a central zone (3) and two lateral zones (4). The device furthermore comprises a pusher (20) movable in a conveying direction along the lane and adapted to push an egg such that it rolls over the support plate around its longitudinal axis. An egg retainer is movable in the conveying direction beneath the support plate of the lane in a synchronised manner with the pusher. At least one drop opening (5, 7A, 7B) is provided in the support plate, which allows eggs to fall through and drop point down or point up in the egg retainer that is positioned underneath the drop opening. The drop opening is located in the central zone or in at least one of the lateral zones for dropping the eggs in the egg retainer point up and point down respectively.

Abstract: An egg chain gripper actuating device for use with an egg transfer device. The device has an egg conveyor with parallel egg chains movable in a transport direction, each chain supporting egg grippers, which can be individually actuated. The device further comprises an egg receiving unit with a receiving area for receiving eggs released by the egg grippers, and one group of one or more actuators for each egg chain for selectively actuating passing egg grippers. Multiple support frames are provided, each supporting one or more groups of actuators. At least one frame is adjustable parallel to the transport direction and relative to another frame, such that the position of the actuators of the one or more groups supported by the frame can be adjusted relative to the position of the one of more actuators of the one or more groups supported by the other frame.

Abstract: An egg chain gripper actuating device for use with an egg transfer device. The device has an egg conveyor with parallel egg chains movable in a transport direction, each chain supporting egg grippers, which can be individually actuated. The device further comprises an egg receiving unit with a receiving area for receiving eggs released by the egg grippers, and one group of one or more actuators for each egg chain for selectively actuating passing egg grippers. Multiple support frames are provided, each supporting one or more groups of actuators. At least one frame is adjustable parallel to the transport direction and relative to another frame, such that the position of the actuators of the one or more groups supported by the frame can be adjusted relative to the position of the one of more actuators of the one or more groups supported by the other frame.

Abstract: An egg chain gripper actuating device for use with an egg transfer device. The device has an egg conveyor with parallel egg chains movable in a transport direction, each chain supporting egg grippers, which can be individually actuated. The device further comprises an egg receiving unit with a receiving area for receiving eggs released by the egg grippers, and one group of one or more actuators for each egg chain for selectively actuating passing egg grippers. Multiple support frames are provided, each supporting one or more groups of actuators. At least one frame is adjustable parallel to the transport direction and relative to another frame, such that the position of the actuators of the one or more groups supported by the frame can be adjusted relative to the position of the one of more actuators of the one or more groups supported by the other frame.

Abstract: An egg chain gripper actuating device for use with an egg transfer device. The device comprises an egg conveyor with parallel egg chains movable in a transport direction, each chain supporting egg grippers each adapted to support an egg, which grippers can individually be actuated. The device further comprises an egg receiving unit with a receiving area for receiving eggs released by the egg grippers. The device further comprises one group of one or more actuators for each egg chain, which actuators are designed for selectively actuating passing egg grippers. Multiple support frames are provided, each supporting one or more groups of actuators, of which at least one frame is adjustable parallel to the transport direction and relative to another frame, such that the position of the actuators of the one or more groups supported by the frame can be adjusted relative to the position of the one of more actuators of the one or more groups supported by the other frame.

Abstract: A conveying device for conveying eggs comprises an endless conveyor provided with rollers extending transversely to the direction of conveyance. The rollers are arranged in pairs, and each pair of rollers forms an receiving space, in which an egg is accommodated in such a way that the egg rests on both rollers. The conveying device furthermore comprises a transfer device provided with a plurality of pick-up elements for picking up the eggs from a tray and placing the eggs on the conveyor. The pick-up elements on the transfer device can be moved from a first position in which they are positioned at a distance from each other corresponding to the distance between the individual eggs on the tray, viewed in the direction of conveyance, and a second position corresponding to the centre-to-centre distance between two receiving spaces.

Abstract: A conveying device for conveying eggs comprises an endless conveyor provided with rollers extending transversely to the direction of conveyance. The rollers are arranged in pairs, and each pair of rollers forms an receiving space, in which an egg is accommodated in such a way that the egg rests on both rollers. The conveying device furthermore comprises a transfer device provided with a plurality of pick-up elements for picking up the eggs from a tray and placing the eggs on the conveyor. The pick-up elements on the transfer device can be moved from a first position in which they are positioned at a distance from each other corresponding to the distance between the individual eggs on the tray, viewed in the direction of conveyance, and a second position corresponding to the centre-to-centre distance between two receiving spaces.