Abstract: An egg counter for counting eggs conveyed on an egg collection conveyor, includes first and second light emitting element arrays, a light receiving element array between the first and second light emitting element arrays, and a controller for processing light reflected from the respective eggs and received by the light receiving element array. The arrangement is such that light emitted from the light emitting elements of the arrays is reflected from the surface of the egg passing just under the light receiving element array, and received by the light receiving element array. The controller measures the light intensity of the reflected light, detects the peak value of the light intensity, and counts the egg on the basis of the two peak values of the light intensity with respect to that of the light emitted by the light emitting element arrays.

Abstract: An egg counter for counting eggs transferred by an egg collection conveyor has an infrared light receiving element row, a first infrared light emitting element row placed at one side section of the infrared light receiving element row, a second infrared ray emitting element row placed at the other side section of the infrared light receiving element row, and a control means for processing reflection infrared light received by the infrared light receiving element row. The infrared light emitting element rows and the infrared light receiving element row are placed such that infrared light emitted from each of the first and second infrared light emitting element rows is reflected at the surface of an egg passing directly below the infrared light receiving element row and then the reflected infrared light is received by the infrared light receiving element row.