Abstract: A device for weighing eggs is disclosed which is usable with a two element egg supporting conveyor and is particularly usable for the weighing of eggs while they are moving through a conveying system. The present invention actually places the eggs upon two rail members which are positively secured with respect to a high speed weighing means such as an electronic weighing means to very quickly determine the proper grade. The egg weighing device includes a delivery ramp for lifting the egg out of the egg receiving recess defined by the supporting members of the conveying configuration. The delivery ramp actually delivers the egg through a descending ramp section to the weighing platform. This weighing platform is positively secured with respect to the electronic weighing device to facilitate a high speed determination of the weight of the egg while the egg is traveling over the weighing platform.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for turning a conveyor at a relatively sharp angle within a very narrow longitudinal path. The apparatus includes an egg delivery conveyor positioned above an egg receiving conveyor with apertures in the bottom of the delivery conveyor adapted to allow eggs to pass downward therethrough to be received and maintained in rows on the receiving conveyor. Each aperture may include a ramp member therebelow to guide movement of the egg onto the receiving conveyor. The preferred configuration of the delivery conveyor includes a plurality of primary springs arranged usually in groups of six about a rod which extends laterally across the delivery conveyor. The rod is driven and thereby provides the source of drive for the delivery conveyor. Each primary spring includes a secondary spring secured with respect to the rod for pivotal movement with respect thereto. The bracket connecting the primary and secondary springs includes a cam thereon which follows a track in the delivery conveyor.

Abstract: An egg orientation device is disclosed which is adapted to receive eggs previously arranged along the longitudinal axes thereof and to arrange those eggs with the pointed ends thereof directed as desired. The device includes a conveyor formed by a plurality of egg supports defining egg receiving recesses therebetween each having an open bottom area through which protrudes at selected locations an egg inverter device. The inverter device comprises an abutment member which includes a friction surface thereon wherein the abutment member extends upwardly into the egg receiving recess through the open bottom area thereof to contact the bottom of the shell of an egg located therein to exert a primarily tangentially force upon the shell of the egg for inversion thereof. The egg receiving recesses being preferably approximately one and one half times the length of an average egg.

Abstract: An egg transfer apparatus as disclosed which is adapted to receive eggs from a position thereabove and transport the eggs gently to a location therebelow which includes a carriage plate which is generally vertically movable with respect to a housing. A slide retaining device fixedly secured to the carriage plate defines a slide channel which is adapted to receive therein a slide member which is approximately horizontally movable with respect to the vertically movable carriage plate. A cam arm is rotatably mounted in the housing and a cam roller is secured thereto. A cam follower is fixedly secured with respect to the slide member in a position adjacent the cam roller. Rotation of the cam arm causes engagement of the cam roller and cam follower causing movement of the slide member within the slide channel. With this configuration the vertical movement of the carriage with respect to the housing will cause cyclical horizontal movement of the slide member.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for ordering randomly positioned eggs travelling upon a conveyor into rows. The positioning device includes a plurality of vertically disposed spring abutment members, disposed above the conveyor to contact the eggs as they pass by. The spring abutment members are pivotally mounted for oscillating rotation about an axis perpendicular to the direction of conveyance. The positioning device further includes moving vertical walls, comprising endless belts driven about vertically disposed rollers, whose movement will stop responsive to lateral pressure on the walls caused by egg jams.

Abstract: An egg transfer bar for use in groups arranged in parallel extending rows to form egg carrying conveyors, wherein each bar includes a main shaft, said main shaft defining a plurality of egg receiving locations each including a set of support members which are movably secured to the main shaft or to a carriage member which is, itself secured to the transfer bar, each of said support members within a set of support members being individually and independently pivotally movable with respect to the carriage member or the main shaft, each support member presenting an upwardly facing arcuate surface which is concave in the upwardly facing direction to thereby define the egg receiving locations laterally along the egg transfer bar, with use of the carriage member the egg transfer bar includes a pivot shaft which is secured to the carriage member and provides the point of attachment of each of the support members to the carriage member, each support member being pivotally movable about the pivot shaft or the main sha