Abstract: The present invention provides measurement of avian embryo movement in intact eggs by: directing light into and through at least one intact avian egg, with light of sufficient intensity and duration to stimulate embryo movement, whereby portions of the light exit the at least one intact avian egg; sensing instantaneous intensities of the portions of the light exiting each of the eggs, and; determining a ratio of, range of sensed light intensities (I.sub.R) to average sensed light intensities (I.sub.A), for each of the eggs. The ratio of I.sub.R :I.sub.A is a measure of avian embryo movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing and further processing eggs. According to the invention the eggs upon being supplied are first tested automatically for such major damage as open breaks and/or such dirt as blood stains. Further, each egg is scanned with a beam of light directed at the egg shell and the size of the aperture in the shell or any dirt is measured by a multiple transducer, viz. by counting the number of bright and dark pixels, respectively, and thus establishing the size of the damage or dirt, whereafter through comparison with set values it is automatically determined in what category of damage or contamination the egg in question is to be classified. The invention also relates to apparatus for carrying out this method.

Abstract: The automatic sorter ovoscope of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a light box (6) arranged under a candling head (1) which is provided with at least one suction cup (9) intended to take by suction eggs, one by one, and which is provided with vacuum means and with light sensitive means, while a device for controlling the vacuum means allows to apply by suction each suction cup to an egg to be candled and to appreciate its transparency as a function of the light intensity coming from the light box (6) and reaching the light sensitive means, the control device being servo-controlled by the signal from said light sensitive means so that the suction cup may retain by suction the egg when the signal from the light sensitive means indicates that a predetermined transparency of the egg is exceeded.

Abstract: A candling method for detecting anomalies in translucent material (10) e.g. parasites in fish fillets, comprises directing an illumination beam (Io) of light through the material. It has been discovered that improved results in terms of more reliable detection of anomalies, and the ability to locate such anomalies in thicker samples than has previously been possible, can be obtained by using a beam with a radius no greater than 1 mm and preferably no greater than 0.5 mm. For still better results the beam radius can be reduced to a value no greater than 0.1 mm, and even down to 0.05 mm.

Abstract: A machine for candling articles, such as hatching-eggs, fed on a so-called hatching frame on which the eggs are disposed in juxtaposed rows, which machine comprises a plurality of light measuring systems each including a light source and a sensor. The light measuring systems are arranged in such an array that the articles to be each measured as they rest on the hatching-frame are shielded relative to each other by adjacent articles.

Abstract: An egg inspecting apparatus utilizes the light reception signals of 575 m.mu., 590 m.mu., and 620 m.mu. obtained from the light beams passed through an egg to be inspected, in such a manner the light reception signal of 575 m.mu. is calibrated by basing on the light reception signal 590 m.mu. and is compared with a blood-containing egg level to select blood-containing eggs, and the light reception signal of 620 m.mu. is compared with an addled egg level to select addled eggs.

Abstract: A detection system for automatically detecting a first light transmissive substance in a second and different light transmissive substance. An optical system is arranged for alternately producing light beam flashes of light having a first wavelength and light having a second wavelength to the input of an opto-electric detector. A volume containing the first and the second substance can be selectively positioned at the output side of said optical means in front of the opto-electric detector. The opto-electric detector delivers its electrical signals corresponding to the light beam flashes received thereby, to a electrical detecting arrangement. The electrical detecting arrangement comprises first means for producing a first voltage proportional to the ratio between light transmitted through the volume under inspection at the first wavelength and light transmitted through the volume under inspection at the second wavelength, and second means for producing a second voltage indicative of a threshold level.

Abstract: An egg inspecting apparatus operating to apply different lights necessary for detecting blood-containing eggs, addled or turbid eggs and eggs affected with bacteria to an egg to be inspected, to subject lights from the egg to photo-electric conversion to obtain electrical signals, and to detect the levels of these electrical signals so as to determine whether or not the egg is inferior or defective.