CA1275966C - Egg-transporting apparatus - Google Patents
Egg-transporting apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1275966C CA1275966C CA000529125A CA529125A CA1275966C CA 1275966 C CA1275966 C CA 1275966C CA 000529125 A CA000529125 A CA 000529125A CA 529125 A CA529125 A CA 529125A CA 1275966 C CA1275966 C CA 1275966C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- arrangement
- frame
- driven member
- conveyor
- elements
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Landscapes
- Chain Conveyers (AREA)
- Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
- Framework For Endless Conveyors (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
An apparatus for conveying eggs includes a conveyor chain and a frame which forms a guide track for supporting the conveyor chain. The guide track is in the form of a channel which is in the form of a channel which is formed in the frame. The guide track has a guide rail formed on each side wall of the channel.
The conveyor chain is formed with projections which extend into the undercuts formed on either side of the guide rails to interlock with the guide rails to prevent lateral removal of the chain from the guide track.
An apparatus for conveying eggs includes a conveyor chain and a frame which forms a guide track for supporting the conveyor chain. The guide track is in the form of a channel which is in the form of a channel which is formed in the frame. The guide track has a guide rail formed on each side wall of the channel.
The conveyor chain is formed with projections which extend into the undercuts formed on either side of the guide rails to interlock with the guide rails to prevent lateral removal of the chain from the guide track.
Description
This invention relates to an apparatus ~or conveying eggs. In particulars, this invention relates to an improved guiderail structure Eor guiding a conveyor in the ~orm o~ a chain along a predetermined path~
An eag transporting apparatus o~ the type to which the present invention relates is described in my co-pending ~anadian Patent Application Serial No~ 513,579 filed July 11, 198~. In this prior application, there is described an apparatus for receiving eggs, transporting the eggs along a predetermined path and discharging the eggs at a required discharge point. This mechanism permits the eggs to be transported with a minimum of disturbance to the egqs.
The apparatus oE this prior application inclucles individual egg receptacles which are in the Eorm oE frames which are pivotally carried on a conveyor which is in the form of a chain~ The receptacles may be proportioned to accommodate one or two eggs~ The eggs rest on the receptacles and are securely held by the receptacles. The receptacles are generally in the form of metal or plastic frame~ The mechanism also includes a deflector for deflecting the receptacles as they are transported along the conveyor so as to tilt the receptacles to discharcle the eggs from the receptacles. The mechanism also makes provision for reduction in the effective speed of the conveyor at the point where the receptacles are to be unloaded~ The receptacles are arranged to travel relatively 510wly in the discharge area, thus ensuring a gentle release of the eggs.
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The present invention provides an improved conveyor for use in an egg-transporting apparatus of the type described above.
The improved conveyor serves to permit the appara-tus to be used in applications where the conveyor is required to Eollow a tortuous path such as in an egg-sorting or egg-washing installation.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an arrangement for removing eggs from laying houses disposed at different levels, comprising a first conveyor at each level, said first conveyors extending by the respective laying houses so as to collect eggs from the same, and each of said first conveyors having a discharge end; and a seccnd conveyor for transpor-ting eggs away from the respective levels, said second conveyor having an egg receiving section which extends by sald discharge ends, and said second conveyor including an endless driven member defining an endless path, and a plurality of egg carriers mounted on said driven member Eor movement along said path and each including a frame-like element for cradling eggs, each oE said frame-like elements being substantially rectangular and including a pair oE spaced, essentially parallel longitudinal frame components and a pair of spaced, essentially parallel transverse frame components connecting the respective longitudinal frame components to one another, and said second conveyor being designed so that said frame-like elements are substantially horizontal in said receiving section.
An eag transporting apparatus o~ the type to which the present invention relates is described in my co-pending ~anadian Patent Application Serial No~ 513,579 filed July 11, 198~. In this prior application, there is described an apparatus for receiving eggs, transporting the eggs along a predetermined path and discharging the eggs at a required discharge point. This mechanism permits the eggs to be transported with a minimum of disturbance to the egqs.
The apparatus oE this prior application inclucles individual egg receptacles which are in the Eorm oE frames which are pivotally carried on a conveyor which is in the form of a chain~ The receptacles may be proportioned to accommodate one or two eggs~ The eggs rest on the receptacles and are securely held by the receptacles. The receptacles are generally in the form of metal or plastic frame~ The mechanism also includes a deflector for deflecting the receptacles as they are transported along the conveyor so as to tilt the receptacles to discharcle the eggs from the receptacles. The mechanism also makes provision for reduction in the effective speed of the conveyor at the point where the receptacles are to be unloaded~ The receptacles are arranged to travel relatively 510wly in the discharge area, thus ensuring a gentle release of the eggs.
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The present invention provides an improved conveyor for use in an egg-transporting apparatus of the type described above.
The improved conveyor serves to permit the appara-tus to be used in applications where the conveyor is required to Eollow a tortuous path such as in an egg-sorting or egg-washing installation.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an arrangement for removing eggs from laying houses disposed at different levels, comprising a first conveyor at each level, said first conveyors extending by the respective laying houses so as to collect eggs from the same, and each of said first conveyors having a discharge end; and a seccnd conveyor for transpor-ting eggs away from the respective levels, said second conveyor having an egg receiving section which extends by sald discharge ends, and said second conveyor including an endless driven member defining an endless path, and a plurality of egg carriers mounted on said driven member Eor movement along said path and each including a frame-like element for cradling eggs, each oE said frame-like elements being substantially rectangular and including a pair oE spaced, essentially parallel longitudinal frame components and a pair of spaced, essentially parallel transverse frame components connecting the respective longitudinal frame components to one another, and said second conveyor being designed so that said frame-like elements are substantially horizontal in said receiving section.
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The invention will be more c].early understood after reference to ~he :Followinq detailed speci~ication read in conjunction with the drawings wherein;
Fi~ure ] is a partially sectioned side view of a portion of a conveyor assembly constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, Fiqure 2 is a sectional side view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 3, Figure 3 is a dia~ram illustrating a conveyor assembly arranqed to follow a predetermined torchuous path~
Witn reference to Figures l and 3 of the drawin~s, the reference numeral 23 refers generally to a frame or carrier element constructsd in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The frame or carrier element 23 comprises a body of plastic material or the like in which two channels or recesses 24 are formed. Undercuts 25 and 26 are formed on opposite side walls of the channels 24 to provide a pair of :lon~itudinally extending guide rails 40 formed therebatween~ A
conveyor in the form of a chain 4 is mounted for movement along the channels 24. The conveyor has conveyor link elements 42 which are proportioned to project into the undercuts 25 and 26 on opposite sides of the rails 40 which serve to retain the chain in the channels 24 as the chain is driven longitudinally along the channels 24.
Selected links of the chain have elongated support pins 21 prolectin~ laterally there~rom. A sleeve 20 is pivotally ':
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mounted on each pin 21 and a locking ring 27 is located in a groove formed at the outer end of the pin 21 to retain the sleeve 20 on the pin 2l. A lever 10 in the form of a heavy metal plate is mounted on the sleeve 20 and hangs perpendicularly downwardly therefrom. An egg carryin0 frame 5 of ~he type described in prior application Serial No. 513,579 is mounted at the lower end of each lever arm 10 by means of mounting screws 28 and 29~
The sleeve 20 is made from a low Eriction corrosion resistent material such as a plastic or the like. In the embodiment illustrated in Fi~ures 1 and 2 of the drawings, two channels 24 are formed in the body of the carrier 23. It will, however, be apparent that the forward and return runs oE the channel can be Eormed in two or more separate and distinct carrier elements 23. In addition, while the forward and return runs are illustrated as being arranged in a spaced parallel relationship, this is not essential to the operation of the present invention.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, a motor 30 has an ` output drive shaft connected to a sprocket 31 which drivingly engages the chain 4 in a conventional manner~
: While the chain which has been illustrated in the drawings is in the form of a conventional "0all" chain having chain links which project outwardly from the spacer rollers so as to provide a generally ~-shaped cross-section, chains having different cross-sections may also be used~ If a different cross-section of chain is used, the cross-sectional profile of the recessed channels 24 will be modified accordingly to provide appropriate undercuts for retaining the chain.
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7~ 66 In Figure 1 of the drawinqs, the longitudinal centre line X-X is lllustrated. It will be apparent that because the carrier element 23 is made from a synthetic material such as a plastic material, it is possible -to bend it along its lonqitudinal axis X-X to achieve a curve guide path -Eor the chain. If the material from which the carrier 23 is formed is not sufficiently malleable, the carrier can be cut or notched at points a:Long its length to facilitate the bending of the carrier to the required curvature.
Figure 3 of the drawings diagrammatically illustrates a carrier element 23 which has been shaped and formed to provide a curved guide path along which the chain is free to travel. It will be understood that when it is necessary for the chain to extend around a curve which requires lateral deflection of the chain, the chain which is used must have a su~Eicient degree oE lateral fle~ibility to permit it to freely follow the curvature of the guide track.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the assembly of the present invention permits the egg carrier frames which are transported by the chain to be transported to widely spaced points, thus permitting this form of apparatus to be used as an apparatus Eor transportinq eggs in a variety of different egq-handling mechanisms.
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The invention will be more c].early understood after reference to ~he :Followinq detailed speci~ication read in conjunction with the drawings wherein;
Fi~ure ] is a partially sectioned side view of a portion of a conveyor assembly constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, Fiqure 2 is a sectional side view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 3, Figure 3 is a dia~ram illustrating a conveyor assembly arranqed to follow a predetermined torchuous path~
Witn reference to Figures l and 3 of the drawin~s, the reference numeral 23 refers generally to a frame or carrier element constructsd in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The frame or carrier element 23 comprises a body of plastic material or the like in which two channels or recesses 24 are formed. Undercuts 25 and 26 are formed on opposite side walls of the channels 24 to provide a pair of :lon~itudinally extending guide rails 40 formed therebatween~ A
conveyor in the form of a chain 4 is mounted for movement along the channels 24. The conveyor has conveyor link elements 42 which are proportioned to project into the undercuts 25 and 26 on opposite sides of the rails 40 which serve to retain the chain in the channels 24 as the chain is driven longitudinally along the channels 24.
Selected links of the chain have elongated support pins 21 prolectin~ laterally there~rom. A sleeve 20 is pivotally ':
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~75~
mounted on each pin 21 and a locking ring 27 is located in a groove formed at the outer end of the pin 21 to retain the sleeve 20 on the pin 2l. A lever 10 in the form of a heavy metal plate is mounted on the sleeve 20 and hangs perpendicularly downwardly therefrom. An egg carryin0 frame 5 of ~he type described in prior application Serial No. 513,579 is mounted at the lower end of each lever arm 10 by means of mounting screws 28 and 29~
The sleeve 20 is made from a low Eriction corrosion resistent material such as a plastic or the like. In the embodiment illustrated in Fi~ures 1 and 2 of the drawings, two channels 24 are formed in the body of the carrier 23. It will, however, be apparent that the forward and return runs oE the channel can be Eormed in two or more separate and distinct carrier elements 23. In addition, while the forward and return runs are illustrated as being arranged in a spaced parallel relationship, this is not essential to the operation of the present invention.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, a motor 30 has an ` output drive shaft connected to a sprocket 31 which drivingly engages the chain 4 in a conventional manner~
: While the chain which has been illustrated in the drawings is in the form of a conventional "0all" chain having chain links which project outwardly from the spacer rollers so as to provide a generally ~-shaped cross-section, chains having different cross-sections may also be used~ If a different cross-section of chain is used, the cross-sectional profile of the recessed channels 24 will be modified accordingly to provide appropriate undercuts for retaining the chain.
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7~ 66 In Figure 1 of the drawinqs, the longitudinal centre line X-X is lllustrated. It will be apparent that because the carrier element 23 is made from a synthetic material such as a plastic material, it is possible -to bend it along its lonqitudinal axis X-X to achieve a curve guide path -Eor the chain. If the material from which the carrier 23 is formed is not sufficiently malleable, the carrier can be cut or notched at points a:Long its length to facilitate the bending of the carrier to the required curvature.
Figure 3 of the drawings diagrammatically illustrates a carrier element 23 which has been shaped and formed to provide a curved guide path along which the chain is free to travel. It will be understood that when it is necessary for the chain to extend around a curve which requires lateral deflection of the chain, the chain which is used must have a su~Eicient degree oE lateral fle~ibility to permit it to freely follow the curvature of the guide track.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the assembly of the present invention permits the egg carrier frames which are transported by the chain to be transported to widely spaced points, thus permitting this form of apparatus to be used as an apparatus Eor transportinq eggs in a variety of different egq-handling mechanisms.
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Claims (26)
1. An arrangement for removing eggs from laying houses disposed at different levels, comprising a first conveyor at each level, said first conveyors extending by the respective laying houses so as to collect eggs from the same, and each of said first conveyors having a discharge end; and a second conveyor for transporting eggs away from the respective levels, said second conveyor having an egg receiving section which extends by said discharge ends, and said second conveyor including an endless driven member defining an endless path, and a plurality of egg carriers mounted on said driven member for movement along said path and each including a frame-like element for cradling eggs, each of said frame-like elements being substantially rectangular and including a pair of spaced, essentially parallel longitudinal frame components and a pair of spaced, essentially parallel transverse frame components connecting the respective longitudinal frame components to one another, and said second conveyor being designed so that said frame-like elements are substantially horizontal in said receiving section.
2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said frame-like elements are pivotally mounted on said driven member.
3. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein each of said carriers further comprises a supporting arm which is connected with said driven member and carries the respective frame-like element.
4. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein each of said arms is essentially perpendicular to the respective frame-like element.
5. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein said frame-like elements are rigid with the respective arms and said arms are pivotally mounted on said driven member.
6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said driven member comprises a chain.
7. The arrangement of claim 1, comprising drive means for said driven member; and wherein said drive means is designed to advance said driven member in a direction such that said carriers move downwards in said receiving section.
8. The arrangement of claim 1, said second conveyor having an egg discharging section, and said frame-like elements being pivotally mounted on said driven member; and further comprising tilting means at said discharging section arranged to cause tilting of said frame-like elements.
9. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein said tilting means is designed to cause tilting of said frame-like elements through an angle of approximately 90°.
10. The arrangement of claim 8, each of said carriers further comprising a supporting arm which is pivotally connected with said driven member and carries the respective frame-like element; and wherein said tilting means comprises an abutment projecting into the path of said arms.
11. The arrangement of claim 10, wherein said abutment comprises a slide plate.
12. The arrangement of claim 8, further comprising deflecting means for changing the direction of travel of said driven member, said tilting means being disposed in the region of said deflecting means.
13. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein said deflecting means comprises a system of rotary elements.
14. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said frame-like elements consist at least in part of a synthetic resin.
15. The arrangement of claim 1, each of said discharge ends having a predetermined width; and wherein each of said frame-like elements has a predetermined length which approximates said predetermined width.
16. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a guide for said second conveyor, said guide being provided with at least one groove which receives said driven member.
17. The arrangement of claim 16, wherein said groove has a cross-sectional outline similar to the cross-sectional outline of said driven member.
18. The arrangement of claim 17, wherein said driven member has projecting portions and said groove has recessed portions which receive said projecting portions.
19. The arrangement of claim 16, wherein said guide is elongated and has at least one bend as considered in a longitudinal direction thereof.
20. The arrangement of claim 16, wherein said guide consists at least in part of a synthetic resin.
21. The arrangement of claim 1, said driven member including a plurality of pivot pins; and wherein each of said carriers further comprises a supporting arm which carries the respective frame-like element, and a sleeve mounted on the respective supporting arm and rotatably receiving one of said pivot pins.
22. The arrangement of claim 21, wherein each of said supporting arms comprises a heavy metal plate.
23. The arrangement of claim 21, wherein each of said sleeves consists at least in part of corrosion-resistant antifriction material.
24 The arrangement of claim 23, wherein each of said pivot pins consists at least in part of corrosion-resistant material.
25. An arrangement for removing eggs from laying houses disposed at different levels, comprising a first conveyor at each level, said first conveyors extending by the respective laying houses so as to collect eggs from the same and each of said first conveyors having a discharge end; and a second conveyor for transporting eggs away from the respective levels, said second conveyor having an egg receiving section which extends by said discharge ends, and said second conveyor including an endless driven member defining an endless path, and a plurality of egg carriers mounted on said driven member for movement along said path, each of said carriers comprising a supporting arm which is freely pivotable on said driven member and a frame-like element rigid with, and essentially perpendicular to, the respective arm, and each of said frame-like elements being substantially rectangular and including a pair of spaced, essentially parallel longitudinal frame components and a pair of spaced, essentially parallel transverse frame components connecting the respective longitudinal frame components to one another, said carriers being designed in such a manner that said frame-like elements are continuously urged towards horizontal positions.
26. The arrangement of claim 25, further comprising a guide for said second conveyor, said guide being provided with at least one groove which receives said driven member.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP3640816.6 | 1986-11-28 | ||
| DE3640816A DE3640816C1 (en) | 1985-07-17 | 1986-11-28 | Egg transport device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1275966C true CA1275966C (en) | 1990-11-06 |
Family
ID=6315081
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000529125A Expired - Lifetime CA1275966C (en) | 1986-11-28 | 1987-02-05 | Egg-transporting apparatus |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS63143109A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1275966C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113443342A (en) * | 2021-07-02 | 2021-09-28 | 长春新希望饲料有限公司 | Egg conveying line capable of being flexibly bent |
-
1987
- 1987-02-05 CA CA000529125A patent/CA1275966C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-03-31 JP JP7653687A patent/JPS63143109A/en active Pending
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113443342A (en) * | 2021-07-02 | 2021-09-28 | 长春新希望饲料有限公司 | Egg conveying line capable of being flexibly bent |
| CN113443342B (en) * | 2021-07-02 | 2023-05-23 | 长春新希望饲料有限公司 | Egg conveying line capable of being flexibly bent |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS63143109A (en) | 1988-06-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |