EP2560882B1 - Apparatus and method for feeding eggs to a packaging unit - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for feeding eggs to a packaging unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2560882B1 EP2560882B1 EP11716669.4A EP11716669A EP2560882B1 EP 2560882 B1 EP2560882 B1 EP 2560882B1 EP 11716669 A EP11716669 A EP 11716669A EP 2560882 B1 EP2560882 B1 EP 2560882B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- egg
- eggs
- packaging
- funnel
- packaging unit
- 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.)
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Links
- 235000013601 eggs Nutrition 0.000 title claims description 96
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 title claims description 42
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 8
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 125000004122 cyclic group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000035611 feeding Effects 0.000 claims 3
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 244000144977 poultry Species 0.000 description 3
- 241000220225 Malus Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000021016 apples Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000000991 chicken egg Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000012447 hatching Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000750 progressive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002459 sustained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B23/00—Packaging fragile or shock-sensitive articles other than bottles; Unpacking eggs
- B65B23/02—Packaging or unpacking eggs
- B65B23/06—Arranging, feeding, or orientating the eggs to be packed; Removing eggs from trays or cartons
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
- B65B39/007—Guides or funnels for introducing articles into containers or wrappers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/10—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for feeding eggs to a packaging unit.
- EP512651 describes an apparatus whereby eggs are fed and conveyed in such manner that in an end step the eggs are transferred from a substantially horizontal feed conveyor, such as a roller conveyor, into a packaging unit, for example, a tray.
- a substantially horizontal feed conveyor such as a roller conveyor
- a packaging unit for example, a tray.
- Such a machine is known in this field of technology as a farmpacker, an apt denotation for an apparatus that feeds newly laid eggs from the poultry houses to a packing station where these eggs are collected and packaged for further handling at a different location than these poultry houses. While the function to be executed seems simple and quite manageable, there are circumstances which are difficult to control and for which various solutions have hitherto been applied.
- the eggs which come from the poultry houses and are collected usually comprise an enormous variety of eggs, for example, though not exclusively, large and small, and ranging from wholly intact to heavily damaged.
- the handling of such eggs should be very careful, but on the other hand there are typically huge numbers involved and it will be attempted to attain a highest possible processing capacity with such machines.
- An essential aspect involved is the rate of processing.
- stop moments need to be set in the egg supply at various 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 set to guide the eggs from the feed conveyor in downward direction in a manner as controlled as possible.
- the eggs, sliding down with their pointed end leading, are thereby guided in substantially downward direction between fixedly mounted guides on one side and on the other side a hand-shaped guide moving along (to pack the eggs with the pointed end facing down).
- a slidingly guided and moving egg is stopped for a few moments in the downward movement.
- the subsequent release follows a short vertical fall path from a clamped position into such a nest of a stationary tray, which nest is situated substantially in line under said position of standstill.
- US2855740A discloses a machine for loading articles into cartons, wherein the articles are transferred by a rotary loading wheel.
- US2834169A discloses an apparatus for depositing articles into receptacles, including collecting applies in pockets, lifting the apples from the pockets causing them to move down respective shutes, and gravitating the apples down via sub-chutes an shifting action into trays.
- the transfer unit in the apparatus comprises for the at least one row a corresponding one feed funnel for transferring, which includes, in succession, receiving, guiding, and releasing, one egg, wherein during the uninterrupted movement and transfer in substantially downward direction the center of gravity of the egg moves uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed which is substantially equal to the horizontal speed of the packaging units.
- the eggs are guided to a point just above the packaging unit so that possible breakage will be prevented.
- the fixed part comprises one guide rod in a substantially vertical plane, with a preselected angle with respect to a horizontal plane; that the at least one guide rod continues to just above the packaging unit; that the moving part as a movement guide comprises two substantially symmetrical halves which make up a substantially concavely curved material piece and which during use, in guiding the egg in downward direction, jointly partly include, at least carry, the egg to a point near the packaging unit, and are arranged, while doing so, to move along with the egg in both downward and forward direction; that the movement guide is connected through a connecting piece with an endless transfer conveyor which is driven and which follows a cyclic movement whereby one of the consecutively fed next eggs is transferred; that the movement guide forms a terminal end of a substantially elongate hinge bracket, having at the other terminal end a freely rotating small wheel, wherein the connecting piece follows a first closed curve track and wherein the small wheel, as a cam follower, follows
- each packaging unit is provided with at least one row of receiving nests arranged next to each other, wherein the eggs are fed in at least one row by successive holders at mutually fixed intermediate distances, wherein the packaging units are fed uninterruptedly, wherein at least one feed funnel is used to successively receive the eggs from the holders, displace them, and deliver them to the packaging units supplied, wherein a center of gravity of each egg, during displacement through the funnel, moves uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed which is substantially equal to a horizontal speed of a packaging unit receiving the egg.
- FIGURE 1 the eggs are fed with a feed conveyor 1.
- a feed conveyor Such a conveyor is described extensively in NL1036717 which document is hereby considered as an inserted reference.
- the eggs are disposed on holders 3, multiple juxtaposed rows of which are utilized in this exemplary embodiment.
- the eggs are fed in a conveying direction T to a transfer unit 2 which transfers the eggs from the feed conveyor 1 into a packaging unit 7.
- the eggs when disposed on the holders 3, each have their pointed end oriented downwards, as described in NL1036717 .
- FIGURE 2 there is represented in detail a schematic and cutaway side elevation of mainly the transfer unit 2. Again, it is indicated how with holders 3 of a feed conveyor the products, in particular eggs, are fed in a conveying direction T. In a known manner, the holders 3 are connected with an endless chain. In FIGURE 2 there is furthermore indicated an intermediate distance or pitch distance d of this feed conveyor 1. At the downstream end of the conveyor 1 there is a return wheel with a drive shaft 20 for guiding the holders 3 following a direction C. Thus, the holders are returned; for the holders 3 to return, they pass through a bend so that the eggs (with their pointed ends facing down) disposed on the holders 3 are likewise moved headlong.
- a movement guide 61 is moved along so that such an egg at that moment has a position between a holder 3 and such a movement guide 61.
- a guide rod 5 which in this exemplary embodiment of the apparatus has a fixed position.
- This rod 5 makes an angle ⁇ with a horizontal plane. Slightly clamped between these two parts 5, 61, which make up a funnel 4, the egg, sliding over the rod 5, is transferred to a packaging unit, more particularly nest 71 of a tray 7. As represented in FIGURE 2 , this tray 7 is simultaneously displaced in the conveying direction T. After the transfer, the egg is received in the nest 71 of the tray 7 with its pointed end oriented downwards.
- the funnels are chosen such 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, these are still guided well. This means that the dimensions substantially correspond to trays of a narrowest possible size.
- the movement guide comprises two substantially symmetrical halves which make up a substantially concavely curved material piece and which jointly, in guiding the egg in downward direction, partly carry the egg to a point near the packaging unit while moving along with the egg in both downward and forward direction.
- the two halves are fixed on the frame with slightly increasing intermediate distances.
- the eggs are then received in the funnel, they are each guided by the same fixedly mounted rod on one side, but on the other side by the halves secured on the frame in slightly spaced-apart relation. Owing to this spaced-apart arrangement, also the center of gravity of the egg will be displaced slightly off centre, and slightly next to the guiding line of the rod, in the downward direction mentioned.
- the eggs are conducted in a highly suitable manner to a point right near a packaging unit.
- corresponding matching frames may be mounted for that purpose.
- simple snap systems may be used to replace the frames rapidly.
- FIGURE 2 and further also in FIGURE 3 , it is represented in detail in what manner it is rendered possible for the movement guides to follow the path of guiding an egg downwards.
- the movement guides 61 as part of and being one of the terminal ends of a hinge element or hinge bracket 64, are connected hingedly about a hinge pivot, with connecting pieces 62, which are fixedly connected with the links of an endless transfer conveyor 63, for example, a chain, which is guided in a first curve track 66.
- a cam follower 65 is arranged, for example, in the form of a freely rotating small wheel, which follows a second curve track 67.
- the two curve tracks 66, 67 are so implemented that during the downward movement the movement guides 61 will moreover follow the proper rotation to guide an egg downwards as gradually as possible and to transfer it to a nest 71 of a tray 7.
- the tray 7 will follow a continuous traveling movement in the conveying direction T while an egg at the same time follows a downward and forward movement, likewise in the conveying direction T again, so that a very gradual and smooth transfer will be carried out.
- a first pattern with rows in the conveying direction 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-shaped appearance on both longitudinal sides parallel to the conveying direction.
- one of the two frames as shown in FIGURE 1 is mounted on the frame over the above-mentioned distance in the intended direction.
- an extra set of rods are mounted to allow the eggs presented alternately in these positions to be guided in a suitable manner.
- a second pattern has similarly displaced columns, also has a comb-shaped appearance, but with the same columns.
- the odd columns have n nests or packaging positions
- the even columns have (n-1) positions, with n being a natural number, n ⁇ 2.
- FIGURE 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a transfer unit 103.
- the unit 103 shown in Fig. 4 differs from the unit 3 shown in FIGURES 1-3 in that each feed funnel 104 is composed of two oppositely arranged moving parts 161a, 161b, at least, oppositely arranged during the downward conveyance of an egg carried along by those parts 161a, 161b.
- Each moving funnel part 161a, 161b may comprise, for example, a substantially concavely curved material piece, which during conveyance of the egg in downward direction, partly carries the egg to a point near the packaging unit, while moving along with the egg in both downward and forward direction.
- Each moving funnel part 161a, 161b in this example is coupled to an associated endless conveyor 163a, 163b (for example, chains), to follow an endless path closed upon itself. More particularly, each of the moving funnel parts 161a, 161b periodically follows a first (obliquely downward) path section with the funnel parts 161a, 161b situated near each other (having concave sides opposite each other) to form the egg-carrying funnel 104.
- the present transfer unit 103 is so implemented that the funnel parts 161a, 161b periodically follow second (obliquely upward) path sections, with the funnel parts moved apart, to reach an initial position again.
- the funnel parts are returned to a funnel-constituting initial position (near the feed conveyor), to receive an egg again.
- the transfer unit 103 is so configured that centers of gravity of the eggs carried by the funnels 104 move uninterruptedly with a 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.
- the moving funnel parts 161a, 161b can follow a slightly obliquely downward path to bring an egg down.
- Each of the funnel parts 161a, 161b may be connected with one of the terminal ends of a hinge element or hinge bracket, hingedly about a hinge pivot, with connecting pieces which are fixedly connected with the links of a respective endless transfer conveyor 163a, 163b (which can be guided in a respective first curve track).
- each of the funnel parts 161a, 161b may be coupled to a cam follower, for example, a freely rotating small wheel, which follows a second curve track. The first and second curve track may then be so configured that the funnel 104 composed of the parts 161a, 161b during the downward movement transfers an egg as gradually as possible to a nest of a tray 7.
- the feed conveyor 101 shown is a roller conveyor known per se. Near the downstream end of the feed conveyor 101 a schematically shown egg orienting apparatus may be provided, to turn the eggs each to a position in which the respective pointed end of the egg is directed downwards.
- a schematically shown egg orienting apparatus may be provided, to turn the eggs each to a position in which the respective pointed end of the egg is directed downwards.
- Such an apparatus 140 is known per se from EP0512585 , which publication is understood to be wholly incorporated into the present application by reference.
- the feed conveyor may, for example, be configured in the same manner as the feed conveyor 1 shown in FIGS. 1-3 , or in a different manner.
- a guide structure 150 may 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 an upstream part of the transfer unit 3.
- the guide structure 150 may be implemented in different manners, and comprise, for example, a funnel, guide plates and/or the like, which will be clear to those skilled in the art.
- the eggs when being supplied by the feed conveyor may already be oriented with the pointed end down.
- each egg may be brought to such an orientation just before being taken over by the transfer unit, or while being brought onto the transfer unit. Turning may be carried out, for example, in the same manner as carried out by the apparatus described in EP0512585 .
- the feed conveyor described in EP0512585 may be used, which is provided with rotating rollers to convey the eggs.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
- Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
- Supply Of Fluid Materials To The Packaging Location (AREA)
- Intermediate Stations On Conveyors (AREA)
- Feeding Of Articles To Conveyors (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to an apparatus for feeding eggs to a packaging unit.
-
EP512651 - The eggs which come from the poultry houses and are collected, usually comprise an enormous variety of eggs, for example, though not exclusively, large and small, and ranging from wholly intact to heavily damaged. On the one hand the handling of such eggs should be very careful, but on the other hand there are typically huge numbers involved and it will be attempted to attain a highest possible processing capacity with such machines. An essential aspect involved is the rate of processing. As can be seen in the above-mentioned apparatus, stop moments need to be set in the egg supply at various 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 set to guide the eggs from the feed conveyor in downward direction in a manner as controlled as possible.
- The eggs, sliding down with their pointed end leading, are thereby guided in substantially downward direction between fixedly mounted guides on one side and on the other side a hand-shaped guide moving along (to pack the eggs with the pointed end facing down). Immediately prior to release to a packaging location or nest in such a packaging unit, such a slidingly guided and moving egg is stopped for a few moments in the downward movement. The subsequent release follows a short vertical fall path from a clamped position into such a nest of a stationary tray, which nest is situated substantially in line under said position of standstill.
- These stop moments, and associated acceleration and deceleration, determine to a considerable extent the limitation of this processing capacity.
-
US2855740A discloses a machine for loading articles into cartons, wherein the articles are transferred by a rotary loading wheel. -
US2834169A discloses an apparatus for depositing articles into receptacles, including collecting applies in pockets, lifting the apples from the pockets causing them to move down respective shutes, and gravitating the apples down via sub-chutes an shifting action into trays. - According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus that is characterized by the features of
claim 1. - In order to further accelerate and streamline packing, the transfer unit in the apparatus according to the invention comprises for the at least one row a corresponding one feed funnel for transferring, which includes, in succession, receiving, guiding, and releasing, one egg, wherein during the uninterrupted movement and transfer in substantially downward direction the center of gravity of the egg moves uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed which is substantially equal to the horizontal speed of the packaging units.
- What is achieved with such a transfer unit, to great advantage, is not only that the eggs are carefully guided to their transport position in the packaging unit, but also that the start-stop moments in the egg flow are thereby obviated and a smooth ongoing flow of eggs, and hence of packing, is obtained.
- Moreover, in this manner, with mutually matching progressive traveling paths, to great advantage, a continuously ongoing process of filling is sustained, so that a high filling and packing capacity is obtained.
- Suitably, with a fixedly mounted rod the eggs are guided to a point just above the packaging unit so that possible breakage will be prevented.
- Further exemplary embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention have the feature,
that for the at least one row the fixed part comprises one guide rod in a substantially vertical plane, with a preselected angle with respect to a horizontal plane;
that the at least one guide rod continues to just above the packaging unit;
that the moving part as a movement guide comprises two substantially symmetrical halves which make up a substantially concavely curved material piece and which during use, in guiding the egg in downward direction, jointly partly include, at least carry, the egg to a point near the packaging unit, and are arranged, while doing so, to move along with the egg in both downward and forward direction;
that the movement guide is connected through a connecting piece with an endless transfer conveyor which is driven and which follows a cyclic movement whereby one of the consecutively fed next eggs is transferred; that the movement guide forms a terminal end of a substantially elongate hinge bracket, having at the other terminal end a freely rotating small wheel, wherein the connecting piece follows a first closed curve track and wherein the small wheel, as a cam follower, follows a second curve track. - Further, the invention provides a method which is characterized by the features of
claim 7. With this method, the above-mentioned advantages can be achieved. The method for feeding eggs to packaging units, utilizing an apparatus according to the invention, is characterized in that each packaging unit is provided with at least one row of receiving nests arranged next to each other, wherein the eggs are fed in at least one row by successive holders at mutually fixed intermediate distances, wherein the packaging units are fed uninterruptedly, wherein at least one feed funnel is used to successively receive the eggs from the holders, displace them, and deliver them to the packaging units supplied, wherein a center of gravity of each egg, during displacement through the funnel, moves uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed which is substantially equal to a horizontal speed of a packaging unit receiving the egg. - Hereinbelow, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to a drawing, in which
-
FIGURE 1 presents 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 schematically a few main elements of the transfer unit are represented, -
FIGURE 3 represents a similar view toFIGURE 2 , in which in addition to the elements shown, the drive is shown in a schematic manner.
In the different FIGURES the same parts, designations, or components have the same reference numerals; and -
FIGURE 4 is a schematic drawing of an alternative embodiment of the transfer unit. - The same or corresponding features in this application are designated with the same or corresponding reference characters.
- In
FIGURE 1 the eggs are fed with afeed conveyor 1. Such a conveyor is described extensively inNL1036717 holders 3, multiple juxtaposed rows of which are utilized in this exemplary embodiment. With theseholders 3, the eggs are fed in a conveying direction T to atransfer unit 2 which transfers the eggs from thefeed conveyor 1 into apackaging unit 7. In particular, the eggs, when disposed on theholders 3, each have their pointed end oriented downwards, as described inNL1036717 - In
FIGURE 2 there is represented in detail a schematic and cutaway side elevation of mainly thetransfer unit 2. Again, it is indicated how withholders 3 of a feed conveyor the products, in particular eggs, are fed in a conveying direction T. In a known manner, theholders 3 are connected with an endless chain. InFIGURE 2 there is furthermore indicated an intermediate distance or pitch distance d of thisfeed conveyor 1. At the downstream end of theconveyor 1 there is a return wheel with adrive shaft 20 for guiding theholders 3 following a direction C. Thus, the holders are returned; for theholders 3 to return, they pass through a bend so that the eggs (with their pointed ends facing down) disposed on theholders 3 are likewise moved headlong. - To guide this movement of the eggs (each having its pointed end facing down), at the same time a
movement guide 61 is moved along so that such an egg at that moment has a position between aholder 3 and such amovement guide 61. Once theholders 3 are being returned via the return wheel, the egg during the downward movement will remain guided on one side by themovement guide 61 and on the other side be supported and guided by aguide rod 5, which in this exemplary embodiment of the apparatus has a fixed position. Thisrod 5 makes an angle α with a horizontal plane. Slightly clamped between these twoparts funnel 4, the egg, sliding over therod 5, is transferred to a packaging unit, more particularly nest 71 of atray 7. As represented inFIGURE 2 , thistray 7 is simultaneously displaced in the conveying direction T. After the transfer, the egg is received in thenest 71 of thetray 7 with its pointed end oriented downwards. - To those skilled in the art it will be clear that given a suitably chosen drive at the same forward speed of the
funnel 4 and of thetray 7 the eggs will end up in anest 71 only with a minor downward speed at the very last moment just above thetray 7. - It is noted that dimensions of the funnels are chosen such 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, these are still guided well. This means that the dimensions substantially correspond to trays of a narrowest possible size.
- In a further variant of the apparatus according to the invention, the movement guide comprises two substantially symmetrical halves which make up a substantially concavely curved material piece and which jointly, in guiding the egg in downward direction, partly carry the egg to a point near the packaging unit while moving along with the egg in both downward and forward direction. An advantage of this is that it allows filling of trays with dimensions that deviate slightly in the width direction, that is, larger dimensions. More particularly, the following two variants are used.
- In a first variant, calculated from the movement guides in the middle, the two halves are fixed on the frame with slightly increasing intermediate distances. As soon as the eggs are then received in the funnel, they are each guided by the same fixedly mounted rod on one side, but on the other side by the halves secured on the frame in slightly spaced-apart relation. Owing to this spaced-apart arrangement, also the center of gravity of the egg will be displaced slightly off centre, and slightly next to the guiding line of the rod, in the downward direction mentioned.
- Also with such a slightly asymmetrical positioning of the parts with respect to such an egg, the eggs are conducted in a highly suitable manner to a point right near a packaging unit. To make the same apparatus suitable for multiple sizes of packaging units, corresponding matching frames may be mounted for that purpose. To those skilled in the art it will be clear that simple snap systems may be used to replace the frames rapidly.
- In a second variant, on the frame, a possibility of adjusting the halves positioned more off center is used. In this way, it is also simply and rapidly possible to switch to a different size of packaging unit during the processing of the eggs.
- In
FIGURE 2 , and further also inFIGURE 3 , it is represented in detail in what manner it is rendered possible for the movement guides to follow the path of guiding an egg downwards. The movement guides 61, as part of and being one of the terminal ends of a hinge element orhinge bracket 64, are connected hingedly about a hinge pivot, with connectingpieces 62, which are fixedly connected with the links of anendless transfer conveyor 63, for example, a chain, which is guided in afirst curve track 66. At the other terminal end of thehinge bracket 64, and therefore on the other side of the hinge pivot, acam follower 65 is arranged, for example, in the form of a freely rotating small wheel, which follows asecond curve track 67.
The two curve tracks 66, 67 are so implemented that during the downward movement the movement guides 61 will moreover follow the proper rotation to guide an egg downwards as gradually as possible and to transfer it to anest 71 of atray 7. As mentioned earlier, thetray 7 will follow a continuous traveling movement in the conveying direction T while an egg at the same time follows a downward and forward movement, likewise in the conveying direction T again, so that a very gradual and smooth transfer will be carried out. - To those skilled in the art it will be clear that these curve tracks 66, 67 are arranged in housings on both sides of the apparatus.
- In a still further application, besides the rectangular patterns which are generally used for shell eggs, also patterns utilized in trays for hatching eggs may be processed. The two patterns which are used there in a large number of cases, besides the earlier-mentioned rectangular ones, can be characterized as follows.
- In a first pattern, with rows in the conveying direction 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-shaped appearance on both longitudinal sides parallel to the conveying direction. In order for such patterns to be processed, one of the two frames as shown in
FIGURE 1 is mounted on the frame over the above-mentioned distance in the intended direction. Furthermore, an extra set of rods are mounted to allow the eggs presented alternately in these positions to be guided in a suitable manner. - A second pattern has similarly displaced columns, also has a comb-shaped appearance, but with the same columns. In other words, the odd columns have n nests or packaging positions, and the even columns have (n-1) positions, with n being a natural number, n ≥ 2.
- To fill such trays with eggs, the following features, or a combination thereof, will be applied:
- a matching pattern of tracks and holders on the feed conveyor
- extra feed funnels in the transfer unit, with frames arranged both for the even and for the odd columns, and where, if necessary, a set of frames takes up laterally staggered positions; accordingly, an extra set of curve tracks will be arranged.
-
FIGURE 4 shows an alternative embodiment of atransfer unit 103. Theunit 103 shown inFig. 4 differs from theunit 3 shown inFIGURES 1-3 in that eachfeed funnel 104 is composed of two oppositely arranged movingparts parts - Each moving
funnel part funnel part endless conveyor funnel parts funnel parts funnel 104. Further, thepresent transfer unit 103 is so implemented that thefunnel parts - In this case, too, the
transfer unit 103 is so configured that centers of gravity of the eggs carried by thefunnels 104 move uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed which is substantially equal to a horizontal speed of apackaging unit 7 receiving the egg, in particular a respective horizontal speed of the packaging conveyor. - As in the embodiment shown in
FIGURES 1 and2 , the movingfunnel parts FIG. 4 ) can follow a slightly obliquely downward path to bring an egg down. Each of thefunnel parts endless transfer conveyor funnel parts funnel 104 composed of theparts tray 7. - Referring to
FIGURE 4 , it is noted that thefeed conveyor 101 shown is a roller conveyor known per se. Near the downstream end of the feed conveyor 101 a schematically shown egg orienting apparatus may be provided, to turn the eggs each to a position in which the respective pointed end of the egg is directed downwards. Such anapparatus 140 is known per se fromEP0512585 , which publication is understood to be wholly incorporated into the present application by reference. In addition, the feed conveyor may, for example, be configured in the same manner as thefeed conveyor 1 shown inFIGS. 1-3 , or in a different manner. As further shown in the drawing, for example, aguide structure 150 may be provided between the feed conveyor and thetransfer unit 3. Theguide structure 150 is arranged to receive the eggs supplied by the feed conveyor and to transfer them to an upstream part of thetransfer unit 3. Theguide structure 150 may be implemented in different manners, and comprise, for example, a funnel, guide plates and/or the like, which will be clear to those skilled in the art. - To those skilled in the art it will be clear that further variants are possible as far as parts, combinations of parts, or suitable material choice are concerned, which are all understood to be encompassed within the scope of protection of the appended claims.
- Thus, the eggs when being supplied by the feed conveyor may already be oriented with the pointed end down. In addition, each egg may be brought to such an orientation just before being taken over by the transfer unit, or while being brought onto the transfer unit. Turning may be carried out, for example, in the same manner as carried out by the apparatus described in
EP0512585 . Thus, also, for example, the feed conveyor described inEP0512585 may be used, which is provided with rotating rollers to convey the eggs. -
- 1
- feed conveyor
- 2
- transfer unit
- 20
- drive shaft
- 3
- holder
- 4
- feed funnel
- 5
- stationary part, guide rod
- 6
- moving part
- 61
- concave material piece, movement guide
- 62
- connecting piece
- 63
- transfer conveyor, chain
- 64
- hinge bracket
- 65
- cam follower
- 66
- first curve track
- 67
- second curve track
- 7
- packaging unit
- 71
- nests
- 8
- feed funnel frame
- T
- conveying direction
- d
- intermediate distance, pitch
- C
- direction of movement feed conveyor
- α
- angle of guide rod
- V
- direction of displacement of packaging unit
- P
- product, egg
Claims (9)
- Apparatus for feeding eggs (P) to a packaging unit (7) having at least one row of receiving nests arranged next to each other, comprising,- a feed conveyor (1) for feeding eggs at least in one row, wherein the eggs (P) are fed in a substantially horizontal track and are placed in successive holders (3) at mutually fixed intermediate distances,- a transfer unit (2) for taking over an egg from a said holder and delivering a such egg into a packaging unit, wherein the transfer unit (2) for the at least one row correspondingly comprises one feed funnel for transferring, which includes in succession receiving, guiding, and delivering, one egg (P), characterized in that
successively packaging units are fed uninterruptedly in a substantially horizontal track which is disposed substantially parallel to and at a predetermined height under said at least one row,
and characterized by- a packaging conveyor for uninterruptedly conveying said packaging units (7) in a substantially horizontal plane passing under said transfer unit, wherein during the uninterrupted movement and transfer in both downward and forward direction the center of gravity of the egg moves uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed which is substantially equal to the horizontal speed of said packaging units.
wherein
each said feed funnel (4) comprises a fixed part (5) and at least one moving part (6), in particular a movement guide,
wherein the at least one moving funnel part (6) comprises a substantially concavely curved material piece which in guiding the egg in downward direction partly includes, for example carries or supports, the egg to a point near the packaging unit, while moving along with the egg in both downward and forward direction. - An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed part (5) comprises one guide rod in a substantially vertical plane, with a preselected angle with respect to a horizontal plane.
- An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one guide rod during use continues to a point just above the packaging unit.
- An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the moving part, as a movement guide, comprises two substantially symmetrical halves which make up a substantially concavely curved material piece, wherein said halves are arranged, in guiding the egg in downward direction, to jointly partly hold, at least carry or support, the egg to a point near the packaging unit, and to move along with the egg in both downward and forward direction.
- An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the movement guide is connected through a connecting piece with an endless transfer conveyor which is driven during use, and which is arranged, in particular, to follow a cyclic movement. - An apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the movement guide forms a first terminal end of a substantially elongate hinge bracket, being provided at the other terminal end with a freely rotating small wheel, wherein the connecting piece during use follows a first closed curve track and wherein the small wheel, as a cam follower, follows a second curve track.
- A method for feedings eggs (P) to packaging units, utilizing an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each packaging unit (7) is provided with at least one row of receiving nests arranged next to each other, wherein the eggs (P) are fed in at least one row by successive holders (3) at mutually fixed intermediate distances, wherein at least one feed funnel (4) is used to successively receive the eggs (P) from the holders, displace them, and deliver them to the packaging units supplied, characterised in that said packaging units are fed uninterruptedly, wherein said feed funnel (4) successively receives the eggs (P) from the holders, displaces them, and delivers them to the packaging units such that a center of gravity of each egg moves uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed which is substantially equal to a horizontal speed of a packaging unit receiving the egg.
- A method according to claim 7, wherein each feed funnel is periodically composed and comprises at least one funnel part moving along an endless track, which track part, in particular from an initial position for reception of an egg, is moved along a first portion of the endless track to transfer a received egg.
- A method according to claim 8, wherein each feed funnel is composed from a funnel part moving along an endless track and a stationary part, wherein the moving part is in particular periodically moved away from the stationary part to return to an initial position.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP11716669.4A EP2560882B1 (en) | 2010-04-16 | 2011-04-15 | Apparatus and method for feeding eggs to a packaging unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP10004055 | 2010-04-16 | ||
PCT/NL2011/050257 WO2011129698A1 (en) | 2010-04-16 | 2011-04-15 | Apparatus and method for supplying eggs, for example, an apparatus and method for filling trays |
EP11716669.4A EP2560882B1 (en) | 2010-04-16 | 2011-04-15 | Apparatus and method for feeding eggs to a packaging unit |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2560882A1 EP2560882A1 (en) | 2013-02-27 |
EP2560882B1 true EP2560882B1 (en) | 2016-03-23 |
Family
ID=44120773
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP11716669.4A Active EP2560882B1 (en) | 2010-04-16 | 2011-04-15 | Apparatus and method for feeding eggs to a packaging unit |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2560882B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5893608B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102939246B (en) |
BR (1) | BR112012026526B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2799672C (en) |
DK (1) | DK2560882T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2566779T3 (en) |
MX (1) | MX338251B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011129698A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5633027B2 (en) * | 2013-03-22 | 2014-12-03 | 株式会社ナベル | Drop assist mechanism, filling system, and filling method |
EP3362385B1 (en) | 2015-10-15 | 2020-04-22 | Moba Group B.V. | Apparatus for receiving and transporting a stream of eggs |
JP6616700B2 (en) * | 2016-01-29 | 2019-12-04 | テーブルマーク株式会社 | Food aligning machine with sauce and method for aligning food with sauce |
DE102017113418A1 (en) * | 2017-06-19 | 2018-12-20 | Gerd Bergmeier | Egg alignment station for aligning eggs and device for transporting and packaging eggs |
EP3867160A2 (en) * | 2018-10-16 | 2021-08-25 | Moba Group B.V. | Conveyor for products such as eggs |
NL2023787B1 (en) * | 2019-09-06 | 2021-05-17 | Hedipack Tech Beheer B V | Packing device for packing eggs |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2834169A (en) * | 1954-05-06 | 1958-05-13 | Clifton Grant Dev Corp | Apparatus for depositing articles into receptacles |
US2855740A (en) * | 1956-12-07 | 1958-10-14 | New England Tomato Company | Machine for loading articles into cartons |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5818292B2 (en) * | 1980-03-29 | 1983-04-12 | 友末 弘 | A device that arranges chicken eggs in a straight line. |
US4332123A (en) * | 1980-06-23 | 1982-06-01 | The Mead Corporation | Packaging machine and method |
JPS5873515A (en) * | 1981-10-23 | 1983-05-02 | キソ−工業株式会社 | Packer for egg |
JPH0643211B2 (en) * | 1985-06-15 | 1994-06-08 | 株式会社南部電機製作所 | Egg transfer device in automatic egg washing and sorting device |
NL9100785A (en) | 1991-05-07 | 1992-12-01 | Food Processing Systems | DEVICE FOR TAKING-IN, CASE-TRANSPORTING AND DELIVERING OBJECTS SUCH AS EGGS. |
NL9100786A (en) | 1991-05-07 | 1992-12-01 | Food Processing Systems | EIR DIRECTIONAL. |
NL1036717C2 (en) | 2009-03-17 | 2010-09-20 | Hedipack Technology Ct B V | TRANSPORTATION DEVICE FOR EGGS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING EGGS. |
CN101570251B (en) * | 2009-05-31 | 2011-05-25 | 陈文凯 | Automatic tray mounting machine for egg products |
-
2011
- 2011-04-15 BR BR112012026526-1A patent/BR112012026526B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2011-04-15 CA CA2799672A patent/CA2799672C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-04-15 WO PCT/NL2011/050257 patent/WO2011129698A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-04-15 EP EP11716669.4A patent/EP2560882B1/en active Active
- 2011-04-15 DK DK11716669.4T patent/DK2560882T3/en active
- 2011-04-15 ES ES11716669.4T patent/ES2566779T3/en active Active
- 2011-04-15 CN CN201180029831.6A patent/CN102939246B/en active Active
- 2011-04-15 JP JP2013504847A patent/JP5893608B2/en active Active
- 2011-04-15 MX MX2012011933A patent/MX338251B/en active IP Right Grant
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2834169A (en) * | 1954-05-06 | 1958-05-13 | Clifton Grant Dev Corp | Apparatus for depositing articles into receptacles |
US2855740A (en) * | 1956-12-07 | 1958-10-14 | New England Tomato Company | Machine for loading articles into cartons |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BR112012026526B1 (en) | 2019-07-30 |
ES2566779T3 (en) | 2016-04-15 |
JP5893608B2 (en) | 2016-03-23 |
MX338251B (en) | 2016-04-11 |
CN102939246B (en) | 2016-03-02 |
JP2013527824A (en) | 2013-07-04 |
EP2560882A1 (en) | 2013-02-27 |
CA2799672A1 (en) | 2011-10-20 |
CA2799672C (en) | 2017-08-29 |
WO2011129698A1 (en) | 2011-10-20 |
BR112012026526A2 (en) | 2017-10-31 |
CN102939246A (en) | 2013-02-20 |
MX2012011933A (en) | 2013-01-28 |
DK2560882T3 (en) | 2016-04-11 |
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