Abstract: An egg grasp device is provided. Such a device includes a body and a plurality of elongated members extending from the body. The elongated members are interlaced to form a sheath capable of retaining an egg. The sheath has a distal end and a proximal end at which the elongated members are operably engaged with the body. The elongated members cooperate to define an opening at the distal end through which an egg is received when the elongated members engage and deflect about an egg such that the egg is seated within the sheath. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of product handling systems facilitate transfer of individual product items from incoming bulk form into dedicated trays for inspection, sorting, selection, and packaging. Inspection may comprise interrogation of product items within a tray by electromagnetic (e.g., optical, hyperspectral) or other (e.g., physical, acoustic, gas sensing, etc.) techniques. Prior to packaging, product items disposed within the tray may be stored in a movable carousel responsible for controlling environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, illumination, ambient gases, product-to-product interactions, and/or others. Movement of product items from a carousel's transfer station to an outside staging position may be accomplished using robots and/or conveyor belts. Embodiments may allow rapid, low-cost consumer selection of specific individual product items based upon their accompanying metadata (e.g., source, identifier), in combination with the results of inspection (e.g., visual appearance).

Abstract: An egg transfer module is provided. Such a device includes an egg securing device configured to grasp an egg. A free-moving ejector is associated with the egg securing device and configured to freely move in relation thereto. An abutment is provided in spaced relationship to the egg securing device. The free-moving ejector is configured to interact with the abutment to cause movement of the free-moving ejector with respect to the egg securing device, thereby displacing the egg from the egg securing device. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An egg grasp device is provided. Such a device includes a body and a plurality of elongated members extending from the body. The elongated members are interlaced to form a sheath capable of retaining an egg. The sheath has a distal end and a proximal end at which the elongated members are operably engaged with the body. The elongated members cooperate to define an opening at the distal end through which an egg is received when the elongated members engage and deflect about an egg such that the egg is seated within the sheath. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An egg transfer system is provided. Such a system includes a first securing arrangement configured to engage and deflect about an egg such that the egg is capable of being seated within the first securing arrangement. A second securing arrangement is opposingly positioned with respect to the first securing arrangement, the second securing arrangement being configured to engage and deflect about an egg such that the egg is capable of being seated within the second securing arrangement. The first and second securing arrangements are configured to interact through relative movement with respect to one another, such interaction thereby causing an egg to be transferred therebetween. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An egg lifting device is provided. Such a device includes a body and a securing arrangement extending from the body. The securing arrangement is configured to engage and deflect about an egg such that the egg is seated within the securing arrangement for lifting thereof. A plurality of egg lifting devices is arranged on an egg removal system such that multiple eggs are capable of being removed from an egg flat. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An egg processing system is provided. Such a system includes a reference platform defining a plurality of reference openings therethrough. Each reference opening is adapted to receive an avian egg therein from an underside of the reference platform. A plurality of egg holders are provided for supporting eggs, each egg holder being configured to lift an egg toward a respective reference opening. A plurality of egg orienting accommodations extends from the underside of the reference platform. Each egg orienting accommodation is associated with a respective reference opening such that as an egg moves toward the reference platform it interacts with the egg orienting accommodation to orient the egg. An associated system, device and method are also provided.

Abstract: An egg candling device according to the present invention includes at least an egg input and alignment unit for installing trays with eggs to be tested taken out from an incubator on a transporting means. An egg candling unit determines goodness or badness of eggs to be tested in the tray transported from the egg input and alignment unit, and specifies defective eggs. A disposal unit picks up the eggs determined as defective eggs in the egg candling unit. The egg candling unit includes light sources arranged above, a lift unit for lifting up the eggs to be tested installed below the tray and causing the eggs under test to contact the light source. A determining unit determines the goodness or badness of the eggs illuminated by the light source. A notification means specifies the position of the egg determined as a defective egg by the determining unit, and notifies the position to a disposal unit.

Abstract: An egg lifting device is provided. Such a device includes a body and a securing arrangement extending from the body. The securing arrangement is configured to engage and deflect about an egg such that the egg is seated within the securing arrangement for lifting thereof. A plurality of egg lifting devices are arranged on an egg removal system such that multiple eggs are capable of being removed from an egg flat. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided that automatically determine whether or not eggs designated for removal from an egg carrier have been removed by an egg removal apparatus. Light is emitted along a path above and across an egg carrier as an egg picker moves to pick up an egg. The length of time that the light path is blocked when the egg picker is moved is measured and used to determine whether or not the egg has been removed from the carrier. Another apparatus and method is provided for detecting a malfunctioning egg picker. A detection device detects a number of eggs in the egg carrier. A control device monitors the egg picker and the detection device. The control device calculates the number of eggs in the egg carrier for determining when the number of eggs varies a predetermined amount from an egg count number for the egg carrier.

Abstract: Egg lifting apparatus are provided that include a vacuum housing having first and second passageways, a venturi assembly in fluid communication with the first and second passageways, and a flexible cup secured to the vacuum housing, wherein the flexible cup has an interior that is in fluid communication with the vacuum housing second passageway. The venturi assembly produces subatmospheric pressure within the second passageway upon the flow of air through the first passageway. The flexible cup is configured to engage and retain an egg in seated relation therewith when subatmospheric pressure is provided within the flexible cup interior via the vacuum housing second passageway.