BR112012026526B1 - APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING EGGS, FOR EXAMPLE AN APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR FILLING TRAYS - Google Patents

Abstract

apparatus and method for supplying eggs, for example an apparatus and method for filling trays. This invention relates to an egg feeding apparatus for a packaging unit (7) having at least one row of receiving nests disposed close together, comprising - a feed carrier (1) - a transfer unit (2) and - a packaging carrier in which the transfer unit (2) for at least one row correspondingly comprises a feed hopper (4) for transfer, which successively includes receiving, guiding, and distributing a where during continuous movement and substantially downward transfer the center of gravity of the egg continuously moves at a horizontal velocity that is substantially equal to the horizontal velocity of the packaging units (7).

Description

“APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING EGGS, FOR EXAMPLE, AN APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR FILLING TRAYS”

The present invention relates to an apparatus for feeding eggs to a packaging unit.

EP 512651 describes an apparatus where eggs are fed and transported in such a way that in a final step the eggs are transferred from a substantially horizontal feed conveyor, such as a roller conveyor, to a packaging unit, for example, a tray . Such a machine is known in this technology field as a farm packer, a designation suitable for a device that feeds freshly laid eggs from chicken coops at a packing station where these eggs are collected and packaged for additional handling in locations other than farms. While the function to be performed seems simple and well manageable, there are circumstances that are difficult to control and for which several solutions have been applied.

Eggs that come from farms and are collected, usually comprise a huge variety of eggs, for example, although not exclusively, large and small and ranging from totally intact to very damaged. On the one hand, the handling of such eggs must be very careful, but on the other hand there is a typically immense number involved and attempts are made to achieve the greatest possible processing capacity with such machines. An essential aspect involved is the processing fee. As can be seen in the device mentioned above, the interruption times need to be determined in the egg supply at several points. More particularly, when filling the rows of a tray, after each row, a fixed position for a next row of nests needs to be determined to orient the eggs of the feed conveyor in the downward direction in the most controlled manner possible.

The eggs, sliding downwards with their tapered tip forward, are thus substantially oriented in a downward direction between the guides fixedly mounted on one side and on the other hand a hand-shaped guide moving along (to package the eggs with the tip facing down). Immediately before being released to a packaging location or nest in such a packaging unit, such a sliding and mobile oriented egg is stopped for a few moments in the downward motion. The subsequent release follows a short vertical fall path from a position secured to such a nest of a stationary tray, which nest is substantially in line under said standing position.

These stopping moments, and associated acceleration and deceleration, determine to a certain extent the limitation of this processing capacity.

In order to speed up and pack even more, the transfer unit in the

2/9 The apparatus according to the invention comprises at least one row a corresponding feeding funnel for transfer, which includes, in succession, receiving, guiding, and releasing an egg, where during the uninterrupted movement and transfer in the direction substantially descending the egg's center of gravity moves continuously with a horizontal speed that is substantially equal to the horizontal speed of the packaging units.

What is achieved with such a transfer unit, in a very advantageous way, is not only that the eggs are carefully oriented to their transport position in the packaging unit, but also that the moments of starting and stopping in the egg flow are like this eliminated and a smooth and continuous flow of eggs, and thus packaging, is obtained.

In addition, in this way, with progressive paths mutually combined, very advantageously, a continuous filling process is sustained, so that a high filling and packaging capacity is obtained.

Suitably, with a fixedly mounted rod the eggs are oriented to a point just above the packaging unit so that possible breakage is prevented.

The present invention can also be defined as follows:

the apparatus for feeding eggs to a packaging unit, which packaging unit is provided with at least one row of receiving nests arranged close together, the apparatus comprising:

-a feeding conveyor to feed the eggs in at least one row, where the feeding conveyor is arranged to feed the eggs on a substantially horizontal track, where the feeding conveyor is provided with successive fasteners at mutually fixed intermediate distances to keep the eggs;

- a packaging conveyor to feed the packaging units uninterruptedly, with a particular horizontal speed; and

a transfer unit which is arranged to transfer eggs from the retainers to the packaging units fed by the packaging conveyor;

-where the transfer unit is provided with at least one feeding funnel that is arranged to receive, move and distribute the eggs fed by the feed conveyor in a respective at least one row, so that one center of gravity for each egg move uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed that is substantially equal to a horizontal speed of the packaging conveyor.

Additional illustrative modes of the apparatus according to the invention

3/9 has the characteristic that for at least one row the feed hopper comprises a fixed part and at least one movable part;

that for at least one row the fixed part comprises a guide in a substantially vertical plane, with a preselected angle with respect to a horizontal plane;

that the at least one guide rod remains just above the packaging unit;

that for at least one row the at least one moving part comprises a substantially concave curved piece of material which, during use, in the downward orientation of the egg, partially includes, at least support, the egg to a point near the unit of packing, while moving together with the egg in a downward and forward direction;

that the moving part as a movement guide comprises two substantially symmetrical halves that create a piece of curved and substantially concave material and that during use, in the downward orientation of the egg, partially include, at least transport, the egg to a point closest to the packaging unit, and are arranged, while doing so, to move together with the egg in both downward and forward directions;

that the movement guide is connected via a connecting piece to an endless transfer conveyor that is driven and follows a cyclic movement where one of the next consecutively fed eggs is transferred;

that the movement guide forms an end end of a substantially elongated articulated support, having at the other end end a small free-rotating wheel, where the connecting piece follows a first curved closed rail and where the small wheel, as a cam follower , follows a second curved track.

In addition, the invention provides a method that is characterized by the characteristics of claim 12. With that method, the advantages mentioned above can be achieved. The method of feeding eggs to the packaging units, for example, using an apparatus according to the invention, is characterized by the fact that each packaging unit is provided with at least one row of receiving nests arranged close to each other, where the eggs are fed in at least one row by successive retainers at mutually fixed intermediate distances, where the packaging units are fed continuously, where at least one feeding funnel is used to receive the eggs from the retainers successively, move them , and distribute them to the packing units supplied, where a center of gravity of each egg, during displacement through the funnel, moves continuously with a speed

4/9 horizontal which is substantially equal to a horizontal speed of a packaging unit receiving the egg.

Below, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to a drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the transfer unit according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the transfer unit according to the invention in which a few main elements of the transfer unit are schematically represented;

Figure 3 represents a similar view to figure 2, where in addition to the illustrated elements, the driver is illustrated schematically.

In the different figures the same parts, designations or components have the same numerical references; and

Figure 4 is a schematic drawing of an alternative embodiment of the transfer unit.

The same characteristics or corresponding characteristics in that order are designated with the same reference characters or corresponding characters.

In figure 1 the eggs are fed with a feed conveyor 1. Such a conveyor is extensively described in NL1036717, which document is considered as an inserted reference. In this feeding conveyor the eggs are arranged in retainers 3, multiple juxtaposed rows of which are used in this illustrative modality. With these retainers 3, the eggs are fed in a transport direction T to a transfer unit 2 which transfers the eggs from the feed conveyor 1 into a packaging unit 7. In particular, the eggs, when arranged in the retainers 3 , each has its tip oriented downwards, as described in NL1036717.

In figure 2, a schematic side elevation is shown in detail and basically cut out of the transfer unit 2. Again, it is indicated how with the retainers 3 of a feeding conveyor the products, in particular the eggs, are fed in a transport direction T In a known way, the retainers 3 are connected with an endless chain. In addition, an intermediate distance or slope distance d of this feed conveyor 1 is shown in figure 2. At the downstream end of conveyor 1 there is a return wheel with a drive shaft 20 to guide the retainers 3 in a C direction. , the retainers are returned; for the retainers 3 to return, they pass through a fold so that the eggs (with their tips facing downwards) arranged in the retainers 3 are likewise moved with the front part forward.

5/9

To guide this movement of the eggs (each with its tip facing downwards), at the same time a movement guide 61 is moved so that that egg at that moment has a position between a retainer 3 and that movement guide 61. Once that the retainers 3 are being returned through the return wheel, the egg during the downward movement will remain guided on one side by the movement guide 61 and on the other hand it will be supported and guided by a guide rod 5, which, in this illustrative mode of the apparatus , has a fixed position. This rod 5 creates an angle α with a horizontal plane. Slightly pressed between these two parts 5, 61, which create a funnel 4, the egg, sliding over the rod 5, is transferred to a packaging unit, more particularly the nest 71 of a tray 7. As shown in figure 2, this tray 7 is simultaneously moved in the transport direction T. After transfer, the egg is received in nest 71 of tray 7 with its tip facing downwards.

For those skilled in the art, it will be clear that according to a suitably chosen trigger at the same sending speed as funnel 4 and tray 7, the eggs will end up in a nest 71 only with a lower descending speed at the last moment just above tray 7.

It is noted that the dimensions of the funnels are chosen so that any type of chicken egg, from very small to very large, can be processed with the apparatus according to the invention, more particularly, that in the case of substantially large eggs, the they are still well oriented. This means that the dimensions correspond substantially to the narrowest possible trays.

In a further variation of the apparatus according to the invention, the movement guide comprises two substantially symmetrical halves that create a piece of substantially concave curved material and that together, in the downward direction of the egg, partially transport the egg to a point near the packaging unit while moving together with the egg in both the downward and forward directions. An advantage of this is that it allows the filling of trays with dimensions that deviate slightly in the direction of the width, that is, larger dimensions. More particularly, the following two variations are used.

In a first variation, calculated from the movement guides in the middle, the two halves are fixed to the structure with slightly increasing intermediate distances. As soon as the eggs are then received in the funnel, they are each guided by the same rod mounted fixedly on one side, but on the other side by the halves attached to the structure in a slightly spaced relation. Due to this spaced arrangement, the egg's center of gravity will also be shifted slightly out of the center, and slightly close to the stem orientation line, in the mentioned downward direction.

Also with such a slightly asymmetric positioning of the parts with respect to

6/9 such an egg, the eggs are conveyed in a highly suitable manner to a point just near a packaging unit. To make the same apparatus suitable for multiple sizes of packaging units, corresponding combined structures can be assembled for this purpose. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that simple press fit systems can be used to replace structures quickly.

In a second variation, in the structure, a possibility of adjusting the halves positioned more off-center is used. In this way, it is also possible to simply and quickly move to a different size of packaging unit during egg processing.

In figure 2 and in addition also in figure 3, it is shown in detail how it is possible for the movement guides to follow the orientation path of an descending egg. The movement guides 61, as part of and being one of the terminal ends of an articulated element or articulated support 64, are articulated connected around an articulation, with connection pieces 62, which are fixedly connected with the connections of a endless transfer conveyor 63, for example, a chain, which is oriented on a first curved rail 66. At the other end of the articulated support 64, and therefore, on the other side of the articulation, a cam follower 65 is arranged, for example, example, in the form of a small free-rotating wheel, which follows a second curved track 67. The two curved tracks 66, 67 are implemented in such a way that during the downward movement the movement guides 61 will also follow the appropriate rotation to guide a egg down as gradually as possible and to transfer it to a nest 71 of a tray 7. As mentioned earlier, tray 7 will follow a continuous path movement continuous in the direction of transport T while an egg at the same time follows a downward movement and forward, in the same way, in the direction of transport T again, so that a very gradual transfer of smooth is carried out.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these curved rails 66, 67 are arranged in the housings on both sides of the apparatus.

In an additional application, in addition to rectangular patterns that are generally used for egg cartons, patterns used in egg trays can be processed. The two patterns that are used in a large number of cases, in addition to the rectangular ones mentioned above, can be characterized as follows.

In a first pattern, with rows in the direction of transport and columns in the perpendicular direction, all even columns are displaced over a distance of approximately half a nest to one side. Such a pattern has a comb appearance on both longitudinal sides parallel to the direction of transport. In order for such patterns to be processed, one of the two structures as illustrated in figure 1 is assembled

7/9 in the structure through the distance mentioned above in the intended direction. In addition, an additional set of rods is mounted to allow the eggs presented alternately in these positions to be oriented properly.

A second pattern has, in a similar way, the displaced columns, it also has a comb-like appearance, but with the same columns. In other words, even columns have n nests or packing positions, and even columns have (n-1) positions, with n being a natural number, n> 2.

To fill such trays with eggs, the following characteristics, or a combination of them, will be applied:

-a pattern of combining rails and retainers on the feed conveyor

-additional feeding funnels in the transfer unit, with structures arranged for the odd and even columns and where, if necessary, a set of structures occupies the skewed positions laterally; accordingly, an additional set of curved rails will be arranged.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a transfer unit 103. Unit 103 shown in Figure 4 differs from unit 3 shown in Figures 1 to 3 in that each feeding funnel 104 consists of two moving parts disposed in an opposite manner 161a , 161b, at least oppositely arranged during the downward transport of an egg carried by parts 161a, 161b.

Each movable funnel part 161a, 161b can comprise, for example, a piece of substantially concave curved material, which during transport of the egg in the downward direction, partially transports the egg to a point near the packaging unit, while moving together with the egg in both downward and forward directions. Each movable funnel part 161a, 161b in this example is coupled with an associated endless conveyor 163a, 163b (e.g., chains), to follow a closed endless path in itself. More particularly, each of the movable funnel parts 161a, 161b periodically follows a first travel section (obliquely downward) with the funnel parts 161a, 161b located close to each other (having concave sides opposite each other) to form the egg transport funnel 104. In addition, the present transfer unit 103 is implemented in such a way that the funnel parts 161a, 161b periodically follow the second path sections (obliquely upwards) with the funnel parts moved away from each other to reach a starting position again. In particular, the funnel parts are returned to a funnel-starting position (close to the feed conveyor) to receive an egg again.

In this case too, the transfer unit 103 is configured so that it centralizes the gravity of the eggs carried by the hoppers 104 more continuously with a

8/9 horizontal speed which is substantially equal to a horizontal speed of a packaging unit 7 receiving the egg, in particular a respective horizontal speed of the packaging conveyor.

As in the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the funnel moving parts 161a, 161b (from the example shown in figure 4) can follow a slightly oblique downward path to deposit an egg. Each of the funnel parts 161a, 161b can be connected with one of the terminal ends of a hinge element or hinge support, hinged around a hinge, with the connecting parts that are fixedly connected with the hinge connections. a respective endless transfer conveyor 163a, 163b (which can be oriented on a respective first curved rail). In addition, in this illustrative embodiment, each of the funnel parts 161a, 161b can be coupled to a cam follower, for example, a small freely rotating wheel, which follows a second curved track. The first and second curved tracks can then be configured so that the funnel 104 made up of parts 161a, 161b during the downward movement transfers an egg as gradually as possible to a nest in a tray 7.

With reference to figure 4, it is noted that the illustrated feed conveyor 101 is a roller conveyor known per se. Near the downstream end of the feed conveyor 101 a schematically illustrated egg guidance apparatus can be provided to rotate the eggs each to a position where the respective tip of the egg is directed downwards. Such apparatus 140 is known per se from EP0512585, the publication of which is understood to be fully incorporated into the present application by reference. In addition, the feed conveyor can, for example, be configured in the same way as the feed conveyor 1 shown in figures 1 to 3, or differently. As further illustrated in the drawings, for example, a guide structure 150 can be provided between the feed conveyor and the transfer unit 3. The guide structure 150 is arranged to receive the eggs supplied by the feed conveyor and to transfer them to a upstream part of the transfer unit 3. The guide structure 150 can be implemented in different ways, and comprises, for example, a funnel, guide plates and / or the like, which will be clearer for those skilled in the art.

For those skilled in the art it will be clear that additional variations are possible with regard to the choice of parts, combinations of parts or suitable material, which are all understood to fall within the scope of protection of the appended claims.

In this way, when the eggs are supplied by the feed conveyor, they can already be oriented with the tip down. Additionally, each egg can be placed

9/9 in such an orientation just before being transferred by the transfer unit, or while being brought in the transfer unit. The rotation can be carried out, for example, in the same way as carried out by the apparatus described in EP 0512585. Thus, also for example, the feeding conveyor described in EP 0512585 can be used, provided with rotating cylinders to transport the eggs.

Symbol for feed conveyor transfer unit drive shaft retainer feed hopper stationary part, feed rod moving part concave material part, movement guide transfer conveyor connection part, chain articulation support cam follower first curved rail second curved rail packaging unit nests feed hopper structure

T transport direction d intermediate distance, slope

C direction of movement feed conveyor α guide rod angle

V direction of travel of the packaging unit

P product, egg

Claims (3)

1. An apparatus for feeding eggs (P) to a packaging unit (7) having at least one row of receiving nests arranged close together, comprising: 5 -a feeding conveyor (1) to feed the eggs at least in a row, where the eggs (p) are fed on a substantially horizontal track and are placed in successive retainers (3) at intermediary fixed distances; -a transfer unit (2) carrying an egg from said retainer and distributing said egg to a packaging unit, wherein the transfer unit 10 (2) to the at least one row correspondingly comprises a feed hopper for transfer, which includes in succession receiving, guiding and delivering, an egg (P), CHARACTERIZED by the fact that successive packaging units are fed uninterruptedly on a substantially horizontal track which is arranged substantially in parallel with and at a predetermined height under said at least one row; and in what -a packaging conveyor for continuously transporting said packaging units (7) in a substantially horizontal plane under said transfer unit, in which during the continuous movement and transfer in am20 bas downward directions the center of gravity of the The egg moves continuously with a horizontal speed that is substantially equal to the horizontal speed of said packaging units, wherein each said feeding funnel (4) comprises a fixed part (5) and at least one movable part (6), in particular one motion guide, 25 wherein the at least one movable funnel part (6) comprises a piece of substantially concave curved material which in the downward orientation of the egg partially includes, for example, transports or supports, the egg to a point near the packaging unit , while moving together with the egg in both the downward and forward directions 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the fixed part (5) comprises a guide rod in a substantially vertical plane, with a preselected angle with respect to a horizontal plane. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said at least one guide rod during use continues to a point just above the unit 35 packaging. 4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the moving part, as a movement guide, comprises Petition 870190037238, of 04/18/2019, p. 11/13 2/3 two substantially symmetrical halves that create a piece of substantially concave curved material, in which said halves are arranged, in the orientation of the egg in the downward direction, to jointly hold, at least partially transport or support, the egg to a point near the packaging unit, and to move together with the egg in both downward and forward directions. 5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the movement guide is connected via a connection piece with an endless transfer conveyor that is activated during use, and which is arranged, in particularly to follow a cyclical movement. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the movement guide forms a first end end of a substantially elongated articulation support, being provided at the other end end with a small free-rotating wheel, in which the connection during use follows a closed first curved track and the small wheel, like a cam follower, follows a second curved track. 7. Egg feeding method (P) for packaging units using an apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each packaging unit (7) is provided with at least one row of receiving nests arranged beside one on the other, where the eggs (P) are fed in at least one row by successive retainers (3) at mutually fixed intermediate distances, where at least one feeding funnel (4) is used to receive the eggs successively (P) retainers, move them, and distribute them to the supplied packaging units, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said packaging units are fed uninterruptedly, in which said feeding funnel (4) successively receives the eggs (P) from the supports, displacements, and delivers them to the packaging units so that a center of gravity of each egg move uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed that is substantially equal to the horizontal speed of a packaging unit receiving the egg. 8. Method according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that each feeding funnel is periodically composed and comprises at least one part of the funnel moving along an endless track, part of the track which, in particular from a initial position for receiving an egg, it is moved along a first part of the endless track to transfer a received egg. 9. Method according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that each feeding funnel is composed of a funnel part moving along a track without Petition 870190037238, of 04/18/2019, p. 12/13 3/3 end and a stationary part, in which the moving part is in particular periodically moved away from the stationary part to return to a starting position.