Abstract:
The invention relates to a control unit for an egg conveyor belt, comprising a conveyor belt drive mechanically coupled with the conveyor belt and designed to drive the egg conveyor belt at one of at least two different speeds and an image recording unit to record an image section of the conveyor belt. An evaluation unit is coupled by means of signal technology to the image recording unit. A counting unit is designed to count all eggs detected in one image recording of the image recording unit on the image segment of the conveyor belt as stocking density, which is coupled by means of signal technology to an evaluation unit and to the conveyor belt drive, whereby the speed of the conveyor belt drive in dependence of the stocking density is controlled.
Abstract:
This invention relates to gripper head for unstacking a stack of trays, each tray provided with a relief of pockets with edge portions and loaded with eggs, the gripper head provided with a holder frame,—having included therein a matrix of suction heads connected with an air suction system, the suction heads, during pickup, transfer and deposition of one tray, being placed on the eggs and engaging them with suction,—having connected therewith at least two oppositely arranged grippers for engaging, simultaneously with the eggs, the tray at corresponding sides during pickup, transfer and deposition of the tray, and—having at least a mast piece which extends perpendicularly with respect to the matrix and is connected with at least an arm for displacing the gripper head between a pickup location and a delivery location, wherein the gripper head furthermore comprises a carrier unit which is connected through at least one spacer with the holder frame in a carrying manner, movably in at least three degrees of freedom. Several of such tiers can be provided.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a control unit for an egg conveyor belt, comprising a conveyor belt drive mechanically coupled with the conveyor belt and designed to drive the egg conveyor belt at one of at least two different speeds and an image recording unit to record an image section of the conveyor belt. An evaluation unit is coupled by means of signal technology to the image recording unit. A counting unit is designed to count all eggs detected in one image recording of the image recording unit on the image segment of the conveyor belt as stocking density, which is coupled by means of signal technology to an evaluation unit and to the conveyor belt drive, whereby the speed of the conveyor belt drive in dependence of the stocking density is controlled.
Abstract:
An egg chain gripper actuating device for use with an egg transfer device. The device comprises an egg conveyor with parallel egg chains movable in a transport direction, each chain supporting egg grippers each adapted to support an egg, which grippers can individually be actuated.The device further comprises an egg receiving unit with a receiving area for receiving eggs released by the egg grippers.The device further comprises one group of one or more actuators for each egg chain, which actuators are designed for selectively actuating passing egg grippers.Multiple support frames are provided, each supporting one or more groups of actuators, of which at least one frame is adjustable parallel to the transport direction and relative to another frame, such that the position of the actuators of the one or more groups supported by the frame can be adjusted relative to the position of the one of more actuators of the one or more groups supported by the other frame.
Abstract:
A transfer system for providing faster and increased volume processing of eggs having an overhead positioned egg conveyor. A rotating brush wheel positioned underneath the conveyor receives eggs and includes a first and second pluralities of bristles having, respectively, lesser and greater stiffness. An egg receiving reservoir exhibits a receiving lane positioned underneath and in alignment with the brush wheel for receiving and redirecting the eggs in a lane dedicated fashion to a subsequent egg handling operation. A plurality of spool bars are arranged in parallel extending and spaced apart fashion and defining a number of individual egg conveying lanes and each further include first and second spool bar portions secured in end-to-end fashion to establish an overall dimension. First and second drive supports are arranged at opposite ends of the spool bar portions, a third drive support arranged within the egg transfer mechanism and supporting opposing and intermediate engaging ends of each pair of spool bar portions. The intermediate drive support prevents sagging of the intermediate ends of the spool bar portions.
Abstract:
A conveyor and associated method for shock-sensitive products and the like, includes a conveyor member having at least one individual compartment for receiving a product therein, as well as upward and downward conveyor sections. An upper conveyor deflector deflects the conveyor member from the upward to the downward section. The compartment includes a first support surface configured for supporting the product in the upwardly directed conveyor section, as well as a second support surface configured for supporting the product in a downwardly directed conveyor section. The compartment also includes a bottom surface that supports the product during movement of the conveyor member over the upper conveyor deflector. The bottom surface has a curved shape, so that when passing over the upper deflector, the product deposited in the compartment is guided smoothly and gently along the bottom surface from the first support surface to the second support surface, such that critically damaging shock forces to the product are avoided.
Abstract:
A conveying device for conveying substantially round objects, such as eggs or fruit.The conveyor device has a roller conveyor with an endless transport element and successive rows of one or more rollers An object receiving space for receiving an object is delimited by two successive rollers. The roller conveyor has a discharge end where said objects are discharged by falling from said roller conveyor.The conveyor device furthermore has a second conveyor with an endless element and successive rows of one or more object holders, each object holder having an opening allowing to receive an object thereinThe second conveyor has a receiving end which is positioned in line with the discharge end of the roller conveyor so as to receive objects discharged by falling from the roller conveyor in the object holders of the second conveyor.
Abstract:
A conveying and orienting system for handling eggs including a main conveyor for supporting thereupon a plurality of eggs and for segregating the same into individual file lines prior to delivery to a spool bar conveyor for subsequent egg handling operations. One or more return conveyors are positioned alongside the main conveyor and communicate with the main conveyor at first and second end locations. A control mechanism independently adjusts a travel speed of at least one of the main and return conveyors, this in order to redirect, along the return conveyors for reintroduction onto upstream locations of the main conveyor, a plurality of eggs which exceed of the present handling capabilities of the individual segregating lanes and spool bar.
Abstract:
An end of arm tool that is capable of handling fragile items such as eggs that are packaged in containers (e.g., egg cartons) that require special handling is provided. The end of arm tool comprises vacuum cup assemblies to grip the top surfaces of the packages, clamp fingers to clamp the edges of the packages, and optionally a pusher assembly to release the packages from the clamp fingers. In addition, a method of loading packages into cases using the end of arm tool apparatus of the present invention is provided. A gripper may be provided to place divider sheets between packages in the cases.
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.