Abstract: An object pick-up, transfer and placement apparatus which does not employ a source of negative pressure. A flexible bellows is connected to an egg interface. The flexible bellows defines a collapsible interior chamber and a through-bore at its top in communication with a source of gas at atmospheric or greater pressure via a valve assembly including a valve. The flexible bellows is collapsed when the apparatus is made to contact a target object, and the valve is closed, preventing gas from entering the collapsible interior chamber. When the apparatus is used to remove the object from a bottom support the flexible bellows expands, causing static reduced pressure in the collapsible interior chamber relative to the local atmospheric pressure, securing the object to the object interface. When the object is over a desired destination, the valve opens, allowing entry of air to the collapsible interior chamber, and release of the egg from the egg interface.

Abstract: An object pick-up, transfer and placement apparatus which does not employ a source of negative pressure. A flexible bellow defines a collapsible interior chamber and a top through-bore in communication with atmospheric or greater pressure via a valve. The bellow collapses when contacting an object, and the valve is closed, preventing air from entering the interior chamber. When the apparatus is used to lift the object, the bellow expands, causing reduced pressure in the interior chamber, securing the object to the apparatus. To release the object, the valve is opened, allowing entry of air to the interior chamber, and release of the object. This invention prevents contamination on egg shell surfaces to become air-born and cross-contaminate the entire egg pack, equipment surfaces, floors and other facility surfaces which in turn creates a hazardous working environment.

Abstract: An object pick-up, transfer and placement apparatus which does not employ a source of negative pressure. A flexible bellow defines a collapsible interior chamber and a top through-bore in communication with atmospheric or greater pressure via a valve. The bellow collapses when contacting an object, and the valve is closed, preventing air from entering the interior chamber. When the apparatus is used to lift the object, the bellow expands, causing reduced pressure in the interior chamber, securing the object to the apparatus. To release the object, the valve is opened, allowing entry of air to the interior chamber, and release of the object. This invention prevents contamination on egg shell surfaces to become air-born and cross-contaminate the entire egg pack, equipment surfaces, floors and other facility surfaces which in turn creates a hazardous working environment.

Abstract: A protective face guard apparatus includes a transparent shield, head strap and temperature measuring mechanism. The shield has top, side and bottom edges, and the head strap is connected with the shield. Preferably, the shield has an arcuate configuration. The temperature measuring mechanism includes a temperature indicator that is connected with the shield or head strap such that when the face guard is worn on the head of an individual and the temperature measuring mechanism measures a temperature of the individual, the indicator displays an indication of the temperature. Preferably, the head strap includes a flexible portion having a generally semicircular or circular configuration.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated egg injection machine includes a sealed frame structure with a pair of in line parallel tracks through an injection section and a transfer section in series. An injection assembly includes a plurality of injectors gripped in a support plate to simultaneously inject vaccine into the same injection region irrespective of egg height and orientation. Fluid delivery systems meter prescribed vaccine dosages to the injecting needles with reduced turbulence, friction, heat and residence time to increase the delivered titer to the injected eggs. A transfer assembly lifts the injected eggs by causing a reduced pressure around the injection hole while maintaining the injection hole at atmospheric pressure. The injection assembly is sprayed with a sanitizing solution at the same time that the injected eggs are moved from the injection section to the transfer section.

Abstract: A chicken or fowl grow out facility utilizes a ventilated floor assembly including a ventilated floor through which liquid and gas can flow, but which retains manure deposited thereon, and a closed bottom floor plenum underneath the ventilated floor, which includes a liquid and vapor barrier covering the ground surface. Blowers in an attic plenum can discharge warm air through hanging pleated conduit tubes into the floor plenum to provide heat through the ventilated floor. A plurality of indirect evaporative coolers and associated air blowers in the facility walls force outside air, cooled or uncooled, into the growth facility, and create higher pressure in the growth facility than the pressure in the floor plenum. Vacuum blowers associated with the floor plenum cause the flow of air and air-borne contaminates through the floor and exhaust same from the plenum to outside the facility which dries manure on the floor and reduces ammonia formation and pathogen growth.

Abstract: A chicken or poultry grow out facility utilizes a ventilated floor assembly including a ventilated floor through which liquid and gas can flow, but which retains manure and other solids deposited thereon, and a bottom air plenum underneath the ventilated floor which is vented to the poultry growth chamber. A liquid and vapor barrier sheet preferably covers the ground surface underneath the floor assembly which together insulate the high temperature of the grow-out facility from the heat sink effect of the lower temperature ground. Conventional tunnel ventilation of the chicken or poultry house through the ends of the house creates a negative pressure inside the growth chamber and air plenum relative to the outside environment. As a result of this tunnel ventilation and negative pressure, moisture in the manure evaporates into the air in the growth chamber and into the bottom air plenum to effectively dry the manure retained on the floor and reduce ammonia formation and bacteria growth.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated egg injection machine includes a sealed frame structure with a pair of in line parallel tracks through an injection section and a transfer section in series. An injection assembly includes a plurality of injectors gripped in a support plate to simultaneously inject vaccine into the same injection region irrespective of egg height and orientation. Fluid delivery systems meter prescribed vaccine dosages to the injecting needles with reduced turbulence, friction, heat and residence time to increase the delivered titer to the injected eggs. A transfer assembly lifts the injected eggs by causing a reduced pressure around the injection hole while maintaining the injection hole at atmospheric pressure. The injection assembly is sprayed with a sanitizing solution at the same time that the injected eggs are moved from the injection section to the transfer section.

Abstract: An in-ovo egg injection machine has a transversely or laterally movable supporting structure which is mounted beneath and adjacent the injector assembly and enables the operator to move egg trays into and out of the injection area from the side of the machine. The supporting structure includes two longitudinally extending opposed support rails that are mounted on a movable member so that the longitudinal support rails are spaced from one another at a set distance to define a support cradle. The movable member is supported on two transversely extending guide rails that are approximately twice the width of the injection area in length so as to allow the support cradle to be moved, preferably by hand, to an injection position directly under the injector assembly and then, by moving the support cradle in a lateral direction on the guide rails, to a loading/unloading position horizontally spaced from the injection area.

Abstract: An in-ovo egg injection machine generates and transmits vibration to an incubating egg tray to align the egg axes prior to injection. The mechanism can be used independently of the in-ovo egg injection machine and is suitable for use with an egg candling machine. With the eggs positioned on the incubating tray and held by egg tray posts with their large ends facing upward for the purposes of incubation, vibration is applied to the tray. The vibration allows the eggs to ‘float’ in their restricted locations in the egg tray. Since the eggs are naturally bottom-heavy, the heaviest portion of each egg moves down as the tray is vibrated. The eggs therefore self-align their axes into an orientation corresponding with the established vertical axes of the injectors, respectively, with no contact with the eggs being required.

Abstract: A chicken or fowl grow out facility utilizes a ventilated floor assembly including a ventilated floor through which liquid and gas can flow, but which retains manure and other solids deposited thereon, and a bottom floor plenum underneath the ventilated floor. A liquid and vapor barrier sheet preferably covers the ground surface underneath the floor assembly which together insulate the high temperature of the grow-out facility from the heat sink effect of the lower temperature ground. Conventional tunnel ventilation of the chicken house through the ends of the house creates a negative pressure inside the house relative to the outside environment which is vented to the floor assembly plenum. As a result of this tunnel ventilation and negative pressure, moisture in the manure from urine and otherwise evaporates into the air in the growth chamber and floor assembly plenum to effectively keep dry the manure retained on the floor and reduce ammonia formation and pathogen growth.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated egg injection machine includes a sealed frame structure with a pair of in line parallel tracks through an injection section and a transfer section in series. An injection assembly includes a plurality of injectors gripped in a support plate to simultaneously inject vaccine into the same injection region irrespective of egg height and orientation. Fluid delivery systems meter prescribed vaccine dosages to the injecting needles with reduced turbulence, friction, heat and residence time to increase the delivered titer to the injected eggs. A transfer assembly lifts the injected eggs by causing a reduced pressure around the injection hole while maintaining the injection hole at atmospheric pressure. The injection assembly is sprayed with a sanitizing solution at the same time that the injected eggs are moved from the injection section to the transfer section.

Abstract: An in-ovo egg injection machine has a transversely or laterally movable supporting structure which is mounted beneath and adjacent the injector assembly and enables the operator to move egg trays into and out of the injection area from the side of the machine. The supporting structure includes two longitudinally extending opposed support rails that are mounted on a movable member so that the longitudinal support rails are spaced from one another at a set distance to define a support cradle. The movable member is supported on two transversely extending guide rails that are approximately twice the width of the injection area in length so as to allow the support cradle to be moved, preferably by hand, to an injection position directly under the injector assembly and then, by moving the support cradle in a lateral direction on the guide rails, to a loading/unloading position horizontally spaced from the injection area.

Abstract: An improved needle design is cut diagonally from two sides to form a sharpened cutting edge, rather than a point. The needle has an external diameter and wall thickness sufficient to provide the rigidity necessary to punch the egg shell while the sharpened edge provides a sharp cutting edge able to sever the underlying membrane cleanly and penetrate an embryo if necessary. The needle's penetrating edge design prevents needle tip fold-over and the resulting formation of a hook which can lead to cross-contamination of eggs and shortened needle life.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated egg injection machine includes a sealed frame structure with a pair of in line parallel tracks through an injection section and a transfer section in series. An injection assembly includes a plurality of injectors gripped in a support plate to simultaneously inject vaccine into the same injection region irrespective of egg height and orientation. Fluid delivery systems meter prescribed vaccine dosages to the injecting needles with reduced turbulence, friction, heat and residence time to increase the delivered titer to the injected eggs. A transfer assembly lifts the injected eggs by causing a reduced pressure around the injection hole while maintaining the injection hole at atmospheric pressure. The injection assembly is sprayed with a sanitizing solution at the same time that the injected eggs are moved from the injection section to the transfer section.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated egg injection machine includes a sealed frame structure with a pair of in line parallel tracks through an injection section and a transfer section in series. An injection assembly includes a plurality of injectors gripped in a support plate to simultaneously inject vaccine into the same injection region irrespective of egg height and orientation. Fluid delivery systems meter prescribed vaccine dosages to the injecting needles with reduced turbulence, friction, heat and residence time to increase the delivered titer to the injected eggs. A transfer assembly lifts the injected eggs by causing a reduced pressure around the injection hole while maintaining the injection hole at atmospheric pressure. The injection assembly is sprayed with a sanitizing solution at the same time that the injected eggs are moved from the injection section to the transfer section.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated egg injection machine includes a sealed frame structure with a pair of in line parallel tracks through an injection section and a transfer section in series. An injection assembly includes a plurality of injectors gripped in a support plate to simultaneously inject vaccine into the same injection region irrespective of egg height and orientation. Fluid delivery systems meter prescribed vaccine dosages to the injecting needles with reduced turbulence, friction, heat and residence time to increase the delivered titer to the injected eggs. A transfer assembly lifts the injected eggs by causing a reduced pressure around the injection hole while maintaining the injection hole at atmospheric pressure. The injection assembly is sprayed with a sanitizing solution at the same time that the injected eggs are moved from the injection section to the transfer section.

Abstract: A vaccine spraying apparatus for vaccinating day-old chicks that includes a vaccine container with an agitation mechanism for mixing vaccine and diluent through controlled agitation. Vaccine is drawn from the container by a volumetric pump and dispensed through a plurality of spray nozzles mounted over a conveyor. Chicks contained in trays are moved along the conveyor to pass under the spray nozzles. The volume and orientation of the vaccine spray is controlled by a digital micro-control unit receiving data from a tracking device adjacent the conveyor that senses the position and speed of the trays.

Abstract: An injection apparatus for injecting eggs of varying sizes and different orientations in an incubating tray that includes a substantially horizontal support plate with vertical openings therethrough, and vertical injectors resting in the openings and able to slide therein with respect to the plate such that the injectors can move vertically in the openings while remaining engaged with the support plate so as to maintain their vertical orientation throughout an injection sequence. For each opening, an expandable ring is positioned in the plate and pneumatically expanded to tighten around its respective injector after the injector has adjusted vertically in its respective opening to the height of an associated egg in order to maintain the injectors in their vertical orientation for injection of their associated eggs.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated egg injection machine includes a sealed frame structure with a pair of in line parallel tracks through an injection section and a transfer section in series. An injection assembly over one parallel track includes a plurality of injectors gripped in a support plate to simultaneously inject vaccine into the same injection region irrespective of egg height and orientation. Fluid delivery systems meter prescribed vaccine dosages to the injecting needles with reduced turbulence, friction, heat and residence time to increase the delivered titer to the injected eggs. A transfer assembly includes a plurality of transfer suction cups which lift the injected eggs by causing a reduced pressure in a ring around the injection hole while maintaining the injection hole at atmospheric pressure, thus avoiding negative pressure in the egg. Once the eggs are lifted, the plate and suction cups move horizontally across the machine over to the other parallel track to deposit the injected eggs.