GB510794A - Improvements in or relating to machines for opening eggs and collecting the contentsthereof - Google Patents

Abstract

510,794. Opening eggs. HOLTOM, Ltd., E., and WALL, W. H. Feb. 7, 1938, No. 3818. [Class 28 (ii)] In a machine for opening eggs, the eggs are conveyed in succession, in open seats, on an intermittently operating conveyer 16 to the opening- devices, the egg-contents passing through the seats whilst the shells remain on the conveyer until subsequently discharged. The conveyer 16 is driven from a motor-driven shaft 24, through Geneva mechanism 30 and gearing, and comprises side chains 17, 18, carrying spaced transverse spindles 40 which form the open seats for the eggs. Each spindle 40 is waisted at 42, to cause the eggs to take up central positions on the conveyer, and is carried by pins 48, 50, projecting from side blocks 44, 46, engaging axial holes in the spindle. The pin 50 is axially slidable in its block, whereby the spindle 40 is readily removable from the conveyer, a spring 52, normally retaining the pin 50 in its locking position. A pinion 55 meshes with a rack 56 so that the spindles are revolved to assist the eggs in becoming centralized, which action is further assisted by guides 132, 133, 136, 137. The opening-devices comprise a U-shaped abutment 60 which is lowered on to the egg, and a cracking-mechanism consisting of knives 92, 94, carried on bell-cranks 64, 65, which are geared together and mounted on an arm 70 fulcrumed at 88 and actuated to rise and fall by a roller 90 engaged by a cam 76. The bellcrank 65 has an extension with a roller 86 at its end which bears upon a cam 74 so that the knives 92, 94, are raised by the cam 76, through an opening 96 in a plate 98, situated under the upper run of the conveyer 16, strike the egg, penetrate the shell and are separated by the cam 74 to split the egg and allow the contents to run through the opening 96 into one of the cups 138 on a transverse conveyer 140. The abutment 60 is mounted on a cam-operated arm 108 and is adjustable, as regards its effective height, by a nut member 110 comprising a rotary setting-member having, at its lower side, a collar 211 and a helical cam member 112. The member 110 is screwed on an extension of a square sectioned bar 102 carrying the holder 60 and slidable in a bearing block 104. A compression spring 118 is arranged between a collar 120 on the bar 102, and a bracket 116 carried by the block 104. A second helical cam member 114 is fixed to the bracket 116, so that rotation of the member 110 raises or lowers the abutment 60. A detent 128 snaps into vertical notches in the collar 211 and holds the abutment in its adjusted position. A pin 222 fixes the collar 211 on the setting-member and acts as a stop. Sufficient clearance is provided between the index 126 and the detent 128 to provide for the rising and falling of the setting- member. One or more wipers 142 contact with the spindles 40, e.g., two wipers at the underside of the conveyer at, or near, the charging end of the machine, and a third wiper at the other end of the conveyer. Collecting trays 144 are associated with each wiper. The plate 98 may be provided, for candleing purposes, with an aperture in front of the egg-opening position, a lamp being arranged below the aperture and a shade above the upper run of the conveyer. The eggs may be fed to the opening means in transverse rows.