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 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 conveyor assembly is provided herein. The egg conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor extending in a first conveyor direction on a first height level, a second conveyor extending in a second conveyor direction perpendicular to the first height level. A transfer device adapted to transfer eggs from the first to the second conveyor includes an array of egg retainers. The egg retainers include pockets having a receiving opening at an upper end thereof to receive the eggs from above from the first conveyor, and are adapted to release the eggs at a lower end to drop the eggs in egg retainers of the second conveyor. The transfer device is movable in the first conveyor direction and in the second conveyor direction in a plane on a height level between the first height level and second height level.

Abstract: An egg conveyor assembly comprises a first conveyor (1) extending in a first conveyor direction (X) on a first height level, a second conveyor (2) extending in a second conveyor direction (Y) perpendicular to the first height level. A transfer device (3) adapted to transfer eggs (50) from the first conveyor (1) to the second conveyor (2) comprises an array of egg retainers (6). The egg retainers (6) of the transfer device (3) comprise pockets having a receiving opening at an upper end thereof to receive the eggs (50) from above from the first conveyor (1), and are adapted to release the eggs at a lower end to drop the eggs (50) in egg retainers (21) of the second conveyor (2). The transfer device (3) is movable in the first conveyor direction (X) and in the second conveyor direction (Y) in a plane on a height level between the first height level and second height level.

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 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.