US3592001A - Automatic egg carton and flat filling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An egg-orienting and packing apparatus, including (a) an egg delivery mechanism for delivering a row of eggs moving longitudinally by rolling; (b) an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders of such dimension that a single rolling egg may fit alone between a pair of cylinders, and at its downstream end a pair of springlike arms for pivoting each egg with its blunt end downstream; and (c) a transition section, normal to and at the downstream end of the orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating concave spools, and, at its downstream end, a longitudinal track, for alignment and delivery of the oriented rolling eggs; and (d) an egg row assembling and loading section having (i) a series of rockable track segments extending from the end of the transition section track and controlled to rock a series, starting with the farthest segment, to drop an equal number of eggs into (ii) a series of holding chutes of equal number under the segments, (iii) means to drop the number of eggs, immediately after the last and nearest segment is rocked, into a container having a row of cells of equal number, and (iv) means to remove said row and advance another row into receiving position under the series of holding pockets.

Description

United States Patent Elmer Gross 412 S. See Gwun, Mount Prospect, [11. 60056;

Arthur Schmitz, 1015 Arthur Ave., Park Ridge, 111. 60068; John 11. llribar, 4615 N. Newland Ave., llanvood Heights, 111. 60656 [21] Appl. No. 880,291

[22] Filed Nov. 26, 1969 [45] Patented July 13, I971 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 519,503, Jan. 10, 1966, now abandoned.

[72] Inventors [54] AUTOMATIC EGG CARTON AND FLAT FILLING Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Attorney Rummler & Snow ABSTRACT: An egg-orienting and packing apparatus, including (a) an egg delivery mechanism for delivering a row of eggs moving longitudinally by rolling; (b) an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders of such dimension that a single rolling egg may fit alone between a pair of cylinders, and at its downstream end a pair of springlike arms for pivoting each eg with its blunt end downstream; and (c) a transition section, normal to and at the downstream end of the orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating concave spools, and, at its downstream end, a longitudinal track, for alignment and delivery of the oriented rolling eggs; and (d) an egg row assembling and loading section having (i) a series of rockable track segments extending from the end of the transition section track and controlled to rock a series, starting with the farthest segment, to drop an equal number of eggs into (ii) a series of holding chutes of equal number under the segments, (iii) means to drop the number of eggs, immediately after the last and nearest segment is rocked, into a container having a row of cells of equal number, and (iv) means to remove said row and advance another row into receiving position under the series of holding pockets.

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EL MER GROSS ARTHUR SCHM/TZ JOHN H. HR/BAR PATENTED JUL 1 3 l9?! SHEET 9 BF 9 w mmvw mom m m R 7 N 0 A 1 5 2 H k w 5 H H R w H E M m w new a R 0 R v1 Q9 m9 9% B IIIQ 0 Ex mm\ m% I m3 Q3 Q? mm\ 33 l km; v L \Q. vow Q vow vow qmQ SN mQ mQ emu m@ \k w@ 'l 8m 6w mom Gm 8m 6w 8m 6m mm\ P N K kw H H wQ MQ m @m h RN 6m H AUTOMATIC EGG CARTON AND FLAT FILLING MACHINE The present invention is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 519,503, filed .Ian. 10, I966, now abandoned Elmer Gross and Arthur Schmitz, Inventors.

The present invention has for its principal object provision of improved packaging apparatus adapted for loading containers with articles such as shell eggs and the like.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved orientor adapted to control the attitude of a succession of like-shaped articles having dissimilarly shaped ends to the end that article handling by automatic packaging means is facilitated.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide in a mechanism for loading solid articles into containers, means adapted to translocate a plurality of articles simultaneously at each filling operation to a container whereby container loading is achieved with successive groups of articles.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in such mechanism for loading improved means for assembling groups of articles in rows for successive row transfer to a container.

An additional object of the present invention is the provision in said mechanism for loading containers of a novel mechanism for discharging successive assembled rows of articles to container-receiving stations.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved control or indexing mechanism for advancing containers in a downstream direction to bring successive container stations for filling to a fixed article delivery station.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide in an apparatus for loading a succession of rows of assembled articles improved means for synchronizing the arrangement of a container for reception of a succession of such rows, said last means actuated for container conditioning by the last article in each row.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and appended claims, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein the same reference character or numeral refers to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of our preferred form of invention.

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the egg delivery, orienting and transition sections of our invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of F IG. 2 showing the downstream end of the egg delivery section.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a detail of the egg delivery section endless belt.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2 showing the upstream end of the orienting section.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view taken within the circle marked FIG. 7 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the downstream end of the orienting section and the endless belt for delivery of the eggs from the orienting section to the transition section.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIG. 2 showing a detail of the transition roller.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 3 showing the downstream end of the transition section with parts broken away to show the delivery pads which direct the eggs to the packing section.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 1 showing one of the packing members.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line l-I4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is an elevational view taken substantially on the line 15-15 ofFIG.1.

FIG. 16 is an elevational view taken on the line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation showing eggs being shifted from the dumping section into a flat and showing how the flats are moved along the carton conveyor.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the chain and belt drives for the orienting section and the transition section.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the downstream end of the egg-assembling and loading section and the means to operate the track segments.

FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of two of the rockable tracks and illustrating one of the solenoid locks.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of one type eg carton for holding one dozen eggs.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of one type of flat for holding 30 eggs.

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the movement of the eggs from the egg delivery to the orienting section and to the transition section.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the downstream end of the dumping section.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the dumping section looking in a direction opposite to that of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a circuit diagram.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the form of the invention which is illustrated iii the accompanying drawings is an egg-packing apparatus 31 which is adapted to load shell eggs into containers. The apparatus is shown in its entirety in FIG. 1. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to apparatus for handling eggs as it is applicable to handling of other articles as well, eggs being exemplary. The illustrated apparatus may be considered as comprising four sections, as follows: an egg-orienting section 32, a transition section 33 disposed at the downstream end of the eggorienting section 32 and arranged normally thereto, an egg row-assembling and loading section 34 mounted in receiving alignment with the transition section 33 and adapted for loading containers managed on the fourth or container-handling section 35.

Reference is now had to the orienting section 32 which may be arranged in article receiving association with an egg delivery mechanism 40 which is disposed upstream of and normal to the orienting section. The egg delivery section comprises a pair of parallel elongated vertical panels or body members 36 and 37 and are supported on a pair of legs not shown. As illustrated in FIG. I, the panel 36 may not extend as high as panel 37, and defines a retaining wall over which eggs are translocated from a supply source (not shown) over a flat bed which is not shown.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the eggs are delivered into the top course of an endless conveyor 43 arranged for movement of the eggs downstream in a longitudinal path between the panels 36 and 37. The conveying or upper course of the conveyor 43 is shown as disposed horizontally and adapted for article motivation toward the right which is downstream with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2.

To furnish a satisfactory bed to receive and support eggs, conveyor 43 is an endless web which may be fabricated from a wire mesh which comprises, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of elongated wire strands 44 which extend transversely of the path of movement of said conveyor. At their opposite ends, said wire strands are bent into the form of hooks 45, the hooks of each strand projecting upstream and being interlaced with the hooks of the wire strands which are disposed next adjacent in an upstream direction.

For motivation of the conveyor 43, a pair of transversely extending parallel shafts 46 (only one shown) are mounted in a horizontal plane in spaced apart downstream-upstream relationship transversely of the panels 36 and 37 in which said shafts are joumaled in driving association with said conveyor 43. The motor shaft 46 of a motor 47 is directly connected to a pair of sprocket wheels 48, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the notches or sprockets of said wheels being spaced apart and proportioned for accommodation of the strands 41 1 which engage in said sprocket whereby the conveyor 43 will be driven as the sprocket 48 rotates. The idler sprocket wheels and shaft (not shown) are located at the upstream end of the conveyor 44.

The egg-orienting section 32 is an elongated conveyor structure which is arranged at the downstream end of the egg delivery mechanism 40 in a plane normal to the plane of the egg delivery section. The orienting section comprises a pair of elongated parallel vertical body sides 49 and 50 which are transversely spaced apart from each other. The upstream end of panels 49 and 50 are anchored to the panels 36 and 37 at the downstream ends of panels 36 and 37 respectively and are supported to provide a unitary framework or body structure. A pair of transversely spaced apart legs 61 are constructed and arranged to support the side panels 49 and 50. An endless conveyor 62 is mounted between the panels 49 and 50 and extends at right angles to conveyor 43 with the upstream end of which said conveyor 62 is arranged in receiving alignment.

The conveyor 62 has a pair of transversely spaced apart endless sprocket chains 52 and 53 (see FIG. 18) which are arranged in driving association with opposite pairs of sprocket wheels 54. A pair of shafts 55 and 56 which are disposed in downstream-upstream relationship have opposed portions journaled in opposite end portions of the panels 49 and 50 with one pair of said sprocket wheels constrained for rotation with each of said last-mentioned shafts. As illustrated in FIG. 9, upwardly extending support arms 57 and 53 are arranged in pairs disposed inwardly of panels 19 and 50 with said pairs of arms being spaced longitudinally of the conveyor chains 52 and 53. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the lower end portion of each arm 57 is secured to the chain 52 and the lower end portion of each arm 58 is secured to the chain 53 whereby said arms 57 and 58 are constrained for movement with the chains 52 and 53. The arms 57 and 56 of each pair support a conveyor roller 59 which is a cylinder and defines the carrying surface of conveyor 62. Each roller is journaled between its respective arms 57 and 58 by pin means 66.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, a table or fiat 63 which extends longitudinally of the conveyor 62is rigidly supported between the side panels 49 and 50. The upper surface of table or flat 63 is mounted for engagement by those of rollers 59 which define the upper course of their conveyor whereby said rollers will rotate as the conveyor 62 is motivated. The rollers 59 are pro portioned and spaced from each other a distance such that each pair thereof supports a single egg 73. Furthermore, the spacing of the side panels 49 and 50 is such that only a single egg arranged with opposite ends aligned transversely of said last panels may occupy the space between a pair of adjacent rollers 59.

By reason of the foregoing construction, eggs can be delivered from the downstream end of the upper course of conveyor 43 to the upstream end of the upper course of the conveyor 62 via three spring arms, 36a and 36b, mounted at one end to the inner downstream end of wall 36, and the third spring arm 37a is mounted to the downstream end of wall 37.

The spring arm 36a moves the eggs on the conveyor 43 towards the anchored end of spring arm 370 or towards wall 37. But since the conveyor is moving the egg will contact the curvature of the inner wall of arm 37a and the egg will be deposited on conveyor 62 and with the aid of spring arms 36b and 37a, the egg will be transported between a pair of rollers 59 and moved downstream on conveyor 62.

As illustrated best in FIG. I3, the conveyor 62 is motivated by motor 39, the torque of which, in the illustrated embodiment, is transmitted by a sprocket chain 65 to a sprocket wheel 66 which is carried on an outer extension 67 of the downstream end shaft 55 heretofore defined. The upstream end shaft 55 is an idler.

As illustrated in FIG. 23, eggs 73 will undergo orientation by having their tapered ends 74 caused to move into abutment with the nearest of the side panels 49 and 50 as such eggs are moved downstream on conveyor 62. That is to say, by reason of the factors inherent in the structure of the orienting section 32, each egg, the tapered end of which faces the side panel 49 when delivered to the conveyor 62, will be deposited against said last-mentioned side panel as such egg is moved downstream. On the other hand, each egg, the tapered end of which faces the side panel 50 when it is deposited on the conveyor 62, will be caused to move into engagement with the side panel 50 as such egg is moved downstream. Accordingly, as each egg approaches the downstream end of the conveyor 62, its tapered end will be in abutment with one of said lastmentioned side panels, its broad end 75 being disposed medially of the walls 49 and 50 as illustrated in FIG. 23.

As illustrated in FIGS. I and 2, a pair of forwardly and inwardly projecting curved springlike arms 76 and 77 whose upstream ends are rigidly secured to downstream end portions of the panels 49 and 50, respectively, are disposed in a horizontal plane which is slightly above the conveyor 62. The downstream end portions 78 and 79 of said arms 76 and 77 are offset toward each other and define therebetween a space which is proportioned to preclude passage therethrough of eggs broadside.

As each egg 73 moves downstream, its tapered end 74 will engage a shoulder formed by the previously described connection of the upstream end of an adjacent arm 76 and 77 and its associated panels 49 and 50. Such engagement will impede lineal downstream movement of such tapered end but not of the broad egg end 75 which will be forced by conveyor movement to pivot about its abutment. As a consequence, the broad side of each egg will move downstream faster than its tapered end resulting in egg orientation in which broad egg ends will be disposed downstream of their tapered ends. In such oriented attitude eggs will enter the gap or throat between the curved arm portions 78 and 79 and will be carried therebetween by the conveyor 62 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

As each egg reaches the downstream end of the conveyor 62, it will be guided over such end by a pair of opposed guide members 82 with the cross bars 80 extending therebetween and part thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 8, said guide members are arranged on opposite portions of the shaft 55 between the sprockets 54 and conveyor chains 52 and 53 though disposed adjacent thereto and constrained for rotation therewith. As illustrated in FIG. 8, each of said guide members 82 is a substantially triangular plate with blunted corners 82, The having plates 80 spanning between each member 82 on all sides. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and h, the guide members 82 are arranged in a manner such that as they rotate, successive rollers 59 will engage successively presented plates 30. These plates 80 are proportioned so that, as they rotate, they will project outwardly beyond the outer surfaces presented by the rollers 59 at the distal downstream end and where the rollers rotate about sprocket 54, whereby to support the successive eggs to augment movement thereof off the end of the conveyor 62 to the belt 83.

A pair of spaced guide plates 81 and 81a define therebetween a directed path each of which is positioned on an angle. The plates extend outwardly from the downstream end of the conveyor 62 into delivery alignment with the belt 83. It is noted the lower end of the downstream portion of plate 810 almost contacts the downstream end of the upper course of the belt (see FIG. 2) whereby the eggs will roll off into the upstream end of conveyor 92.

The endless belt 83 has a flat upper surface and is toothed on the under surface, and extends medially forward of the downstream end of the conveyor 62 and slightly therebelow, but in the same general horizontal plane. The belt rotates on idler sprockets 33a and driver sprocket 83b, which is driven by shaft 330 and sprocket 33d and, in turn, by chain 832 and sprocket 63] on shaft 55 (see FIG. 18). The belt 83 is also immediately adjacent the upstream end of conveyor 92.

At the downstream end of the upper belt 83, an elongated nylon plate 85 is anchored to panel 91, against which the eggs may abut if they have not already shifted on conveyor 92, and directs them to the transition section 33.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 18, the conveyor 92 comprises a pair of endless sprocket chains 93 and 94 disposed between panel assemblies 90 and 91 in parallel relationship and extending longitudinally thereof. SAid chains 93 and 94 are adapted to be driven about opposed pairs of idler sprocket wheels 95 and drive sprocket 96 (see FIG. 18). As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 8 and 10, the concave spools or rollers of conveyor 92 are arranged transversely and spaced apart longitudinally thereof. Arms 98, which are arranged in pairs, are disposed transversely and spaced longitudinally of conveyor 92. An arm of each pair projects upwardly from chains 93 and 94 respectively to rotatably support one end of each of the rollers 97 by a shaft 99 carried in the outer end portion of such arm 98, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The rollers 97 are bone-shaped or fashioned with a circumferential concavity and spaced each from the other thereof to provide therebetween pockets for carrying successive eggs in the medial portion of the conveyor 92 substantially midway between the panel assemblies 90 and 91, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The foregoing arrangement and construction provides rol lers 97 having circular ends the diameter of which is larger than the diameter of any other section of such rollers.

For motivating the conveyor 92, the shaft 100 may have an extension 101, as illustrated in FIG. 18. On the outer end of extension 101 there is mounted a bevel gear 102 which is constrained for rotation with the shaft 100 and accordingly with the sprockets 96. The torque of the conveyor 62 is transmitted from gear 102 through bevel gear 102a and shaft 103 to a sprocket wheel 104 and chain 1040 to sprocket wheel l04b which is constrained for rotation with the distal end of shaft 55.

In order to help settle the eggs after leaving the belt 83, the transition conveyor 92 is provided with a rotating spool 112 which is inserted in an area between the courses of chains 93 and 94 and closely adjacent the upper course of the conveyor 92. The spool is fixed on shaft 112a journaled in the side panels 90 and 91. The spool is driven by a motor contained in housing l12b (see FIG. 1). The motor drives the spool in a counterclockwise direction. The ends of the spool 112 are provided with a rubberlike member 112c extending above the periphery of the spool body and are designed to contact the eggs as they pass thereover. The spool is positioned adjacent the upstream end of the conveyor 92 (see FIG. 2).

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the nylon bridging member 114 comprises a pair of oppositely extending side portions 116 and 117 which, in section transversely of the conveyor, present a broad V-shaped configuration arranged in a generally downstream downwardly sloping attitude along which eggs will successively move to the right with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 partially under gravitational force by reason of the slope of said bridging member and partially under the torque imparted thereto by the shifting of the egg off the downstream end of the transition section to the bridging member 114. The portions 117 and 118 are anchored to the panel assemblies 90 and 91 to which said arms may be rigidly secured.

A track 120 which defines a path for eggs downstream of the bridging member is substantially narrower than the conveyor 92. As illustrated in FIG. 1, said track 120 comprises seven aligned segments 121 and 125-130, inclusive, the most upstream segment 121 of which is fixed and is shown to the right of FIG. 3. The latter is disposed adjacent the downstream end of the bridging member 114 with which it is arranged in receiving alignment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the track segment 121 is rigidly supported by a pair of legs 122 and to the base 115.

In cross section, each segment of track 120 presents the same profile as the others, such being as shown in FIGS. 3, 11, 24 and 25. FIG. 12 is a cross section of track segment 121.

There it is seen that the track segments have a pair of parallel side flanges 240 and 241 which extend from upstream to downstream. Covering the tops of each of said flanges is a guide member 124 which may be of elastomer fabrication over which eggs will move along said track. The guide members 124 preferably have a coefficient of friction sufficient to hold successive normally moving eggs 73 centered with respect to said track. While each of said track segments is a channel member like the others thereof, only the upstream track segment 12] is supported as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 12.

The six other track segments 125-130, inclusive, are rockably supported downstream of the fixed track segment 12] in end to end relationship as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 24 and 25. Since all the segments 125-130, inclusive, are identical, FIG. 24 shows enlarged segments of three of them. They are rockably connected along one side thereof on an elongated pivot pin 131, the opposite end portions of which are carried in the upper end portions of a pair of longitudinally spaced apart standards or legs 132, only one of which is seen in FIGS. 24 and 25 and the medial portions of which are carried in the upper end portions of standards or legs 133. The standards or legs 132 and 133 are projected upwardly from a downstream end portion of the base to hold said pin 131 above said base extended in upstream-downstream direction with a slight downward downstream inclination calculated to augment the rolling of eggs 73 sufficiently, if need be, to carry them to the most downstream of the track segments. A pair of journal members 134 which are connected to each of the track segments 125-130 along one of its sides in spaced apart relationship longitudinally of its track segment rockably connect each of the rockable track segments 125-130 to the pivot pin 131. Normally, the rockable track segments are disposed in align ment in track forming attitude adapted to provide a path across the track from the downstream end of segment 121 to the downstream end of segment 130. For such purpose, medially of the opposite upstream and downstream ends of each track segment -130 the inner end of an outwardly projected counter weight or counter balancing arm 135 is secured to the rockably mounted side of such track segment.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, an upright wall or mount 136 is secured to the downstream end portion of the base 115. Mount 136 extends parallel to the path defined by track segments 125-130, inclusive, and provides means for supporting a plurality of brackets 137 from each of which there is projected outwardly toward a corresponding counterbalancing arm of rockable track segments 125-129, inclusive, a spring biased latch or locking member 138. No latch is required for the track segment for a reason which will be appreciated from the description hereinafter ensuing.

Each of the counter weights or counter balancing arms associated with track segments 125-129 has an extension 139, the outer end portion of which is adapted for engagement below its latch 138 whereby the track segments 125-129 may be maintained from rocking and in egg transmittal alignment with each other. The latches 138 are adapted for retraction in controlled sequence by electrical means which hereinafter will be described whereby successive track segments 125-129, inclusive, can be rocked.

Although each egg which normally leaves the downstream end of the track segment 121 is oriented in a manner such that it could, except for the construction hereinafter to be described, roll successively across track segments 125-129 to the most downstream segment 130 thereof, only every sixth egg, or what shall be considered the first of a group of an exemplary plurality of six eggs, will reach said track segment 130. After the first egg of such group rolls downstream from the track 121, it will successively pass over the track segments 125-129, inclusive, which, by reason of being latch locked in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 20, 24 and 25, will not then be able to rock out of normal track alignment. However, as such last-mentioned egg rolls down the track segment 130, its weight will cause the normally unheld track segment 130 to rock counterclockwise when considered with respect to FIG. 24.

The housing of a switch mechanism 140 is supported on the base 115 below each of the track segments 125-130, inclusive. The illustrated relationship of said track segments and switch housing 14111 will be appreciated by referring to FIG. 11 in which an exemplary track segment 1129 together with associated structures is shown, it being observed that, except to the extent herein noted to the contrary, the construction of each of the other track segments 125, 126, 127, 128 and 130 and its associated components may be substantially the same as that of said track segment 129.

As illustrated in FIG. 26, a switch arm 141 is projected upwardly from each switch housing 1410 to a position adjoining or in abutment with each of the track segments 125-430, inclusive. Each switch arm 1411 when depressed will cause circuit means, to be hereinafter described, to become energized by reason of which an adjoining track section may become conditioned in a manner to be described hereinafter. When the switch arm 141 associated with the track segment 1311 is depressed because of rocking thereof about pivot pin 131 due to the weight of an egg, a circuit mechanism is energized by reason of which latch 133 connected with the track segment 129, that is, the track segment next adjoining the track segment 130 upstream, will be caused to retract into bracket 137 to condition said track segment 129 for rocking.

As the track segment 1311 rocks under the weight of an egg, in addition to motivating its associated switch arm 14], its angular inclination will cause the egg responsible for the rocking thereof to slide therefrom into a slide or chute M2 which is arranged in receiving alignment with the track segment 1311. Said slide or chute M2 slopes downwardly as it extends outwardly from its associated track segment 130. A like slide or chute 1412 is associated with each of the other track segments 125129, inclusive, each of said slides or chutes having substantially the same angular disposition and being of substantially the same construction, said chutes differing from one another only in that they are arranged in upstreamdownstream relationship corresponding to the relationship of their associated track segments and thereby form a row parallel to track 120.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, an elongated sloping or angularly disposed tie plate 143 extends in an upstream-downstream direction and provides a rigid mount for the slides or chutes M2, the inclination of which is determined by the slope of the plate 143. The mount or plate M3 is rigidly secured at its opposite ends to a pair of legs or gusset members 1% only one of which is in evidence in FIG. 24 and which rigidly connect said slides or chutes to base 115.

When a following egg reaches the segment 129, the associated latch 138 of which has been retracted, said track segment will rock counterclockwise with respect to FIGS. 11 and 24 causing the egg thereon to slide into its associated slide or chute 142. Moreover, as the track segment 129 is rocked under the weight of the egg disposed thereon it will depress its associated switch arm 141 to cause retraction of latch 138 associated with the track segment 128, by means which will hereafter be described, to condition said last-mentioned seg' ment for rocking. Upon such last occurrence, an egg advancing over the track 1211 now will be able to depress or rock the unlatched track segment 128. In a like manner, the latch 138 associated with the tracks 127, 126 and 125 will be successively released to permit associated track segments to be rocked to deliver eggs into associated chutes or slides M2. After delivery of an egg from the most upstream track segment 1125 to its slide or chute upstream-downstream a row of eggs has been delivered to respective slides or chutes from which such row of eggs will be simultaneously released for deposit in a container in a manner which will hereinafter be described.

To hold the eggs in the chutes M2 until all thereof have been filled, a rockable retainer mechanism 1415 is provided. The retainer mechanism comprises a bracket which has a medial part or mount section 1416 which extends longitudinally of and parallel to track 1121). From the opposite ends of mount section 1416 a pair of arms 147 project inwardly toward track 120. The mount section 146 has secured thereto a plurality of curved shields 1 18 which are disposed in upstreamdownstream alignment and each of which corresponds to or is associated with one of the slides or chutes M2 in a manner illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, whereby eggs, deposited in said chutes 142 in the manner hereinbefore described, will be precluded from slipping out of such chutes as the downstream ends thereof will be blocked.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the arms 1417 of the retainer 145 are pivotally connected as at 149 to a fixed part which, as in the present embodiment, may be the legs or gussets 144. By reason of such pivotal connections, the retainer MS can be rocked upwardly carrying therewith the shields 148 to unblock the lower or downstream openings of the chutes 142 thereby simultaneously allowing a row of eggs theretofore deposited in said chutes to slip therefrom.

For rocking said retainer, a rotatable elongated block 150 is disposed adjacent to and in operable engagement with an extension or arm 151 of the arm 147, as illustrated in FIG. 19. The block is proportioned and arranged in a manner such that it is adapted to cause the retainer 145 to swing upwardly only when all chutes are filled. A counterweight 152 which may be fashioned with the retainer 145 as illustrated in FIGS. 241 and 25, which biases said retainer in a direction opposing the block 150 operation thereof, facilitates retainer return to egg retaining condition. In this regard, it is appreciated that the apparatus is arranged and reciprocated in a manner such that immediately upon release of eggs from the chutes 1412, the retainer is returned to egg-retaining position to enable said chutes immediately successively to be filled again.

An electric motor 153 which is intermittently set into action operates block 150 each time the chute or slide 142 associated with the track segment 125 becomes filled. Said motor is provided with a shaft 158 to which the block is axially secured to rotate the block. On one side of said block, adjacent the upper end as shown in FIG. 19, a link arm 156 is pivotally secured offset from the long axis of the block of a machine screw 156a. The free end is pivotally secured to the free end of arm 151 by a machine screw 156b through an elongated slot 151a whereby rotation of the block will raise and lower the retainer M5 about pivot pin l51b.

A lug 157 is mounted on the upper end of the block 15 (as seen in FIG. 19) on the side opposite the link arm 156 and extends outwardly toward the motor 153, whereby rotation of I the block 1511 will cause lug 157 to rotate and contact either switch arm 2% or 213 as will presently be described.

In FIG. 19, a fragmentary portion of the output shaft 158 of the reducer 158a is shown, said shaft projecting upstream through the plate 157 in which said shaft is journaled. The block 150 is constrained for rotation with said shaft by any suitable means mounting said block on the upstream end portion of said shaft.

As illustrated in F IG. 1, the conveyor support or framework generally designated 159 and defining the container-handling section 35 is disposed transversely of the packer 31 and therebelow. The container handling section 35 forms no part of this invention. Its purpose is to feed cartons to the conveyor 162. Same framework 159 is supported at its opposite ends by legs 1611, as illustrated in FlG. ll, the legs 1611 being proportioned to support a container conveyor 162 at a level below the loading section 34. The bed of the conveyor comprises a series of elongated, wide, inverted, U-shaped members 162a placed side-by-side in spaced relationship to each other, as seen partially in FIGS. 13 and 141. The members 162a are held in position by two pairs of transverse rods 162b each pair located adjacent each end of the members 1620, Le, upstream and downstream. The legs 1162c of the said members 1620 are provided with aligned apertures of a size slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the rod M212 whereby the rod 1162b is tion. The lower end of the vertically extending rods 1624 are rotatively secured to the free ends of rods 162b in an appropriate block 162' while the upper ends extend through apertures in the top wall portion 165 of the sidewalls 165a. The top walls 165 have downwardly extending skirts 165!) containing opposed slots 165C through which the distal ends of rods 162b are inserted. Thus the rods l62b are held against forward or rearward movement by the sidewalls of the slots 165C.

The upper ends of rods 162d are provided with knobs 162e for raising and lowering the bed 1620. The distance the bed is moved upwardly is determined by the short rods 162f which are fixed adjacent one edge to the under face of the knobs 162e. The lower ends of the rods 162feither ride on the walls 165 or seat in apertures 165d. When the lower ends of rods 162f ride on the walls 165, the bed 162a is raised to accommodate egg flats 164 (see FIG. 22) because the height thereof is less than the height of the egg cartons 163 (see FIG. 21), which required the bed to be lower to make an easier and safer method for receiving eggs from the packer. The container conveyor 162 for the cartons may be fashioned from a pair of spaced endless chains and are adapted to move containers such as egg cartons 163 illustrated in FIG. 21 and egg flats 164 such as illustrated in FIG. 22 into receiving relationship with the slides or chutes 142 from which eggs will slide into such containers upon elevation of the retainer 145 in a manner aforesaid.

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided intermittently to hold containers in egg-receiving position relative to the chutes 142 for loading. Such means is an indexing mechanism 262 by reason of operation of which successive container stations will be carried to egg-receiving position. Such conditioning, in the present embodiment of the invention, results from operation of an indexing conveyor characterized by a pair of parallel endless conveyor chains 175 and 176 which define a path the direction of which is the same as that path defined by the container bed 162a. To support the chains 175 and 176, a pair of upstream and downstream shafts 239 and 178 are journaled at their opposite ends in portions of the sidewalls 165a, said shafts 239 and 178 being projected in parallel relationship between the conveyor 162 to which said shafts extend transversely, as illustrated in FIG. 14. A pair of downstream sprockets wheels 179 which are constrained for rotation with the shaft 239 are disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor 162 and support the upstream ends of the sprocket chains 175 and 176. A pair of sprocket wheels 180 which are constrained for rotation with the shaft 178 are disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor 162a and support the downstream end of the sprocket chains 175 and 176. The indexing mechanism 262 is intermittently driven by an electric indexing motor 177 which is suitably supported on the framework, said motor 177 being shown in the drawings only schematically in FIGS. 16 and 26. Motor 177 also is connected to shaft 178 to drive the sprocket wheels 180.

The indexing conveyor chains 175 and 176 are spaced apart from each other a distance which is beyond the width of the containers 163 and 164 which apparatus 31 is adapted to handle. Said chains are adapted to have connected thereto a plurality of pairs of abutment members or rods 181, each being aligned with each other transversely of the container bed 162, and the rods 181 being spaced from an adjacent pair longitu dinally. The rods are mounted on the chains 175 and 176 and extend across the container path whereby each rod is adapted to engage the downstream face ofa container (see FIG. 14).

The indexing conveyor is disposed along one sidewall or panel 165a ofthe container conveyor 162a. The upstream end portion of the conveyor 162a comprises the container receiving end onto which containers are loaded. The movement of the chains 175- 176 will advance such container downstream, that is to the left with respect to FIG. 1. The downstream faces of regularly arranged successive containers will engage successive rods which are spaced to accommodate the containers, as aforesaid. Accordingly, movement of the containers upstream of the most downstream pair of rods 181 will be controlled by the indexing mechanism 262.

As illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, the typical containers which the illustrated embodiment of the invention are adapted to fill may have cavities, cells or pockets, arranged in row with one cell or pocket in each row corresponding to and adapted for disposition in receiving alignment with a slide or chute 142. Apparatus 31 is reciprocated in a manner such that while one container row is being loaded, the container will be held in a stationary position. After a row of container cells is filled, the container will be advance downstream to bring the next successive cell row into alignment with the chutes or slides 142.

The device is adapted not only to fill successive uniformly spaced rows but also successive rows, the spacing between adjacent of which may vary. For example, in FIG. 22, there is seen a container comprising an egg-holding flat 164 with five rows, the first of which as six cells, 1640, 164b, 164e, 164d, 1642, and 164]. EAch of the rows has an equal plurality of cavities, cells or pockets 183 only some of which have been numbered in FIG. 22, there being six cells per row in the present illustration with each row spaced equally from the other thereof. Accordingly, to advance each container 164 downstream a row at a time the indexing mechanism 262 is required to cause successive movements of the chains 175 and 176 for equal distances to condition successive of the rows of a container 164 for egg reception. However, the device 31 is also adapted for filling successive carton containers 163 having pairs of article-receiving rows 163a and 163b each of which has six cavities, cells or pockets 184. In addition, each container 163, unlike a container 164, has a closable cover 163c which will be open during filling of the cells 184. Accordingly, the indexing mechanism is required to advance a carton 163 one distance between its rows 163a and 163b and a different or larger distance for moving into egg reception condition a row 163a of an ensuing container.

The exemplary form of the invention is adapted for filling containers having two sets of egg-receiving station variations. One set of such variations is provided by successive containers 164 and the other set by successive containers 163. To fill containers 164, that is, to advance the chains 175, 176 for row by row filling of each container 164 and also for filling the first row of each container after the last row of a succeeding container, the index mechanism takes over. The index mechanism 262 includes a circular plate 181 having a pair of outwardly extending spaced arms 185' and 185" on one side and, five arms 185a, 185b, 185e, 185d, and 185e. The plate 181 is driven by a motor 177, the plate 181 being proportioned and arranged to intermittently operably engage the switch arm 187 to cause the chain conveyor to intermittently stop with successive rows of successive containers 163 conditioned for egg reception with chutes 142. The switch arm 186, which is also adapted to cause the indexing mechanism to stop intermittently, is disposed in the path of another group of five arms 185a, 185b, 185e, 185d, and 185e, arranged in spaced relation on the side of plate 181 opposite that of arms 185' and 185". They are proportioned for operable engagement with and arranged or spaced according to requirements for filling of a succession of containers 164.

Once the chute or slide 142 associated with the track segment has been filled, essentially two things occur, namely, the retainer is rocked, as heretofore described, to release a row of eggs to a cellular row over which said slides or chutes 142 are superposed in delivery alignment, and, thereafter, the container comprising such cellular row is caused to advance to bring a succeeding unfilled cellular row into receiving alignment with the slide or chutes 142. The means by which the foregoing sequence is achieved will be appreciated by reference to FIG. 26 in which electrical circuitry controlling the sequence is shown.

As illustrated, six switches 141a, 141b, l4lc, 141d, 141e, and 141], are employed in the exemplary embodiment. Each of the switches is associated with one of the switch arms 141 by which such switch is actuated. The arrangement is such that the switch l41b is associated with the track segment 129, the switch 141c is associated with track segment 128, the

switch MM is associated with the track segment 127, the switch 1411s is associated with the track segment 126 and the switch 141f is associated with the track segment 125. Each of the switches 14l1a-14l1fis single pole and normally in circuit open condition against one of its contacts 188. The opposite contact 189 of each of the first five of said switches, 141a- 141e, inclusive, is in a circuit which controls one of the latches 138, the arrangement being such that when the switch 141a is closed against or in contact with its contact 189, it will establish a circuit whereby the latch 138 associated with track section 129 may be retracted. Similarly, when the contact 189 associated with the switch 141b is closed, it will cause retraction of the latch 1138 associated with track segment 128, and so forth, whereby each of the switches controls the latch associated with the track segment next adjoining and upstream of the track segment by which said switch is operated. That is to say, while the switch 141a is operated upon rocking of the track section 1311, switch 1 11a controls the latch associated with the track segment 129. Additionally, while the switch l41b is actuated upon operation or rocking of the track segment 129, when said switch 1411b is actuated, it controls the retraction of the latch 138 associated with the track segment 128 and so on through the switch 141e, the operation of which is controlled by the attitude of track segment 126, said switch 1141c itself controlling the latch connected with the track segment 125.

Although the switch 141]" is motivated by rocking track section 125, said last switch does not control a latch 138. Instead, when switch Mllf closes against its contact 189 from the position shown in FIG. 26, it closes a circuit which causes energization of the block motor 153 and sets into motion a cycle by reason of which the eggs are delivered to a container and the containers, after being loaded, are advanced to the next egg-receiving position.

The switches 1410-1411", inclusive, are connected in a common circuit adapted for energization from a conventional 115 volt AC power source generally designated 190, the current of which may be modified in a combination transformerpower regulating supply generally designated 191 and having a low voltage DC output. The details of the transformer-power regulating supply 191 are not intended as limiting upon the present invention as any suitable equivalent mechanism to provide a low voltage DC source for successive control of the latches 138 will suffice. Therefore, further description of the details of construction of said transformer-power regulating supply 191 is omitted except for the transistor 253 and resistance at the right side of the supply 191 which will hereinafter be explained. The transformer-power regulating supply is connected in series to the circuit which controls the latches 138 by circuit wire 192.

The circuit wire 192 is electrically connected to each of the first five terminals 189 (that is, each of the terminals 189 ex cept that terminal associated with the switch 141a) through a pair of resistors 193 and 194 which are connected in series with each other. As illustrated in FIG. 26, the switches 1410- 141f, inclusive, are connected to a ground wire 195 by a plurality of circuit elements 196, respectively. Moreover, each of the contacts 188, except for the first thereof, that is to say, each of said contacts associated with each of the switches 141b-141f, inclusive, is connected to the circuit wire 192 through a relay 197, a diode 198 and a silicon-controlled rectifier 199, all of which are connected in series, with each associated diode and rectifier being arranged in a manner such that current can only flow through its associated relay 297 from the contact 188 toward the circuit wire 192. The contact 188 which is associated with the switch 1411a is isolated from any electrical structure except to the extent that it is connected to the ground wire 195 through the switch 1410 as illustrated to the left in FIG. 26. Associated resistors 193 and 194 of each pair are connected to each other at a terminal 200. Each of said terminal contacts is connected by a circuit wire 202 to the cathode 201 of an adjoining silicon-controlled rectifier 199 in a manner such that the resistances 193 and 194 connected to contact 189 associated with the switch 1 11a are connected to the rectifier which is connected in series with contact 188 associated with the switch M11); contact 200 associated with the resistors 193 and 19 1 which are connected to contact 189 of the switch 141!) is connected to the cathode 201 of the rectifier 199 associated with contact 188 which is associated with the switch 141a and so on, the terminal contact 200 associated with the resistors 193 and 194! which are connected to contact 189 of switch 1 11c being connected to the cathode 2'01 associated with contact 188 of the switch 141].

One side of resistors 195a is tapped in each line below the diodes 198 and is connected at the other side to circuit wire 250. The line 250 is connected to the normally open contact 217 of switch 215 which switch is in the line connected to the transistor 253 in the safety circuit.

When the circuit is conditioned as in FIG. 26, the apparatus 31 is in a phase of its operative cycle in which the chutes or slides 142 are empty and no segment of the track is depressed. In such condition, no current will flow in either the circuit of motor 153, the circuit of motor 177 hereafter to be described in detail or the circuit of switches 141a-141lf because contact 188 associated with the switch 141a is a dead terminal and current reaching that contact has no place to go, and furthermore, contact !88 associated with each of the other switches Mb-1411f, inclusive, cannot serve for the passage of current because the cathodes of their associated rectifiers are cold.

To energize contact 189 associated with the switch Mlf, it is required first that the track segment 1311 be rocked. ln practice, in the illustrated embodiment, it will rock under the weight of the lead or most downstream egg of a group of six thereof which reaches said track segment 1311. Thereupon the switch 141a will be actuated to close the circuit between circuit wire 196 connected to said last-mentioned switch and its contact 189 thereby providing for current to flow from ground 203 through the ground wire 195 through said last-mentioned contact 189 to the therewith associated contact 201] and therefrom through the wire to the cathode 201 of rectifier 199 associated with the switch M111. This will permit current to flow through the wire 196 associated with the switch 141b through the therewith associated contact 188 and its connected relay 197 from which current will fiow to the circuit wire 192 through the therewith connected diode 198 and rectifier 199. Upon energization of the last-mentioned relay 197, a solenoid 2114 inoperative association with said lastmentioned relay 197 will be energized by the direct current to cause retraction of the latch 138 associated with track section 129.

Upon such retraction, the second egg of a group of six thereof when crossing the track section 129 will cause it to tip under egg weight thereby moving the switch 1141b from its contact with its contact 188 into contact with its contact 189. By that time, of course, the article which had heretofore caused the track section to rock will have fallen therefrom into its associated chute or slide 1 12; and the track segment 130will assume its normal position thereby allowing its switch 181a, which is spring biased to normal contact with its contact 188, to return to said last-mentioned terminal 188.

Once the switch Mlb has been urged to engage its contact 189, the current which now no longer will be able to flow into the circuit through the switch 1 11a because it has returned to its contact 188, will flow through the circuit wire 196 associated with the switch 1 31b through its contact 189 and to the contact 2118 connected to said last-mentioned contact 189 from the cathode of rectifier 199, which is associated with relay 197 whose contact 188 serves for the switch 1610, will become energized. Thereupon, current will flow from ground 203 through the ground wire through the switch 14510 through said last-mentioned relay to actuate a solenoid 204 which is adapted upon energization to retract the latch associated with track segment 128. The operation successively repeats itself in a like manner with the latches 1358 of each track segment being released in upstream succession by reason of energization of its solenoid 204 which results when the appropriate of switches 141b-141e of its next adjoining downstream track segment is rocked in its turn from its normal position of engagement with its contact 188 to position of engagement with its contact 189. Restated, rocking of a track segment under the weight of an egg to be packaged, actuates a switch which closes a circuit to a solenoid 204 which operates a latch which holds the next upstream track segment from tilting. Accordingly, in sequence, the track segments are permitted to rock commencing with the most downstream thereof whereby the chutes or slides 142 are filled in upstream succession beginning with the most downstream thereof.

After retraction of the latch 138 connected with the track segment 125, an egg will be able to rock such last-mentioned track segment thereby to close the switch 141 f against its contact 189. Upon such occurrence, a circuit through the block motor 153 is established, said motor being connected to a transformer 205 adapted to be energized by a conventional 115 volt AC source designated 206. Once the circuit to the motor 153 is closed, the block 150 is caused to rotate. As soon as the egg on track segment 125 drops off said last-mentioned track segment, however, the switch 141f under its normal biasing opens by returning to contact with its contact 188. However, means are provided which thereafter permit the block 150 to complete its cycle.

Rotation of the block 150 causes its arm 157 to move into and out of switch-operating engagement with a switch-actuating arm 208 extending from the housing of a single pole double throw switch 209 which is secured to a mounting plate 210. Upon motivation of the arm 208, the switch 209 is moved from its normal open position into engagement with a contact 212 to close the circuit to motor 153 after the switch 141]" assumes its normal position against its contact 188. The parts are constructed and proportioned in a manner such that the circuit of motor 153 will remain closed for a sufficiently long period to permit the block 150 to complete one cycle, whereafter the switch 209 will return to its normal position to open the circuit to the motor 153.

During the revolution of the shaft 158 which occurs during a single cycle of the motor 153, the arm 157 subsequently operably engages a switch arm 213, as illustrated in FIG. 26. The switch arm 213 controls a switch 214. The switch 214 is a normally open switch, as illustrated in FIG, 26; and upon actuation of the arm 213, said switch 214 will be urged into engagement with a terminal 215 to close the circuit to the indexing motor 117, the opposite poles of which are connected to terminals 216 and 217 through which said motor 177 is energized from any conventional source in a manner which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

A selector switch 219 is in electrical communication with the circuit of motor 177 by means of a circuit wire 218. The selector switch 219 is manually controlled by a machine operator through manual means 219a shown diagrammatically in FIG. 26 to cause the switch 219 to close against a selection of terminals 220 or 221. Operably connected to the terminal 220 is a normally closed switch 222 and operably connected to the terminal 221 is a normally closed switch 223. Accordingly, if the selector switch 219 is conditioned for engagement with the terminal 220, the holding circuit for the indexing motor 177 will be established through the switch 222', whereas, if the selector switch 219 is conditioned against the terminal 221, the holding circuit for the last-mentioned motor will be established through the switch 223, independently of the condition of the switch 214.

While the switches 222 and 223 are normally closed, from time to time they are opened in a manner which will hereinafter become apparent. Accordingly, if the switch 214 is open, the motor 177 will not operate either when such switches 222 and 223 are open, or when the manually operated selector switch 219 is open. However, upon closing of the switch 214, the operation of the last motor will be instigated regardless of the condition of the switches 222, 223 and 219.

The manner in which such arrangement is efiective in controlling the operation of the indexing conveyor is as follows: Assume the selector switch 219 conditioned against its terminal 220 with the terminal 222 open by reason of operable engagement of an arm 185 with switch arm 186. Inasmuch as the circuit of motor 177 is then open, the conveyor chains 175-476 will not move and containers therefore will be in static position. This static position is the filling position for such containers. Upon rotation of the shaft 158, however, at the end of the filling cycle, the arm 157 will cause the switch 214 to close against the terminal 215 establishing or closing the circuit of the indexing motor 177 whereupon the chains 175176 will move sufficiently to disengage or liberate the switch arm 186 and accordingly permit the switch 222 to close. Upon such closure, the motor circuit for the indexing motor 177 is established through the switch 222 and the indexing conveyor will continue to operate notwithstanding the fact that the switch 214 may now have moved to its normal position by reason of disengagement of the arm 157 with the arm 213. The indexing conveyor will continue its motion until one of the arms 185 which is in the path of the switch arm 186 again engages the switch 186 to cause opening of the switch 222 and accordingly of the circuit of the indexing motor 177 whereupon the indexing conveyor will stop. The spacing of the arms 185, etc., which engage the switch arm 186, is such that the switch 222 will be caused to open at each successive container position adapted for the reception of eggs.

It is appreciated that while the switch arm 187 simultaneously may be engaged by the group of lugs 185 in the path of that arm, as long as the switch 219 is conditioned against the terminal 220 no effect on the control of the indexing motor can be exercised through the switch 223 associated with arm 187. To control the indexing motor through the switch 223, the selector switch 219 will require conditioning to the terminal 221. When the latter occurs and the switch 223 is in open condition, the indexing conveyor will not be moved because no circuit to the indexing motor is closed if the switch 214 is also in open condition. It is appreciated that the switch 223 will be held in open position by means of operable engagement of an arm 185, etc., with its associated switch arm 187. Accordingly, thereafter, when the shaft 158 rotates to cause engagement of the switch 214 with the terminal 215, the

indexing motor 177 will drive the indexing conveyor to disengage switch arm 187 permitting closing of the switch 223 and consequently energizing of the indexing motor 177 even though the switch 214 may then be opened. It is apparent that as long as the selector switch 219 is conditioned against the terminal 221, the condition of switch 222 operable by its associated switch arm 186 will have no effect on controlling the indexing conveyor. Moreover, it is appreciated that the spacing of lugs 185 which are in a path of the switch arm 187 will control the distance that the indexing conveyor will travel between lugs 185.

Accordingly, it is appreciated that a plurality of sets of indexing arrangements can be provided to be operated off the same indexing motor and by employing a selector switch, desired indexing sequences can be effectuated. Thereby, containers having article-receiving stations with varying successive spacings can be employed in connection with a single apparatus 31.

Recapitulating the operation of the illustrated invention in successive narrative for facilitating appreciation of the invention, attention is invited to the fact that at the commencement of a cycle of operation, the foremost article of a group thereof in a path over the track will advance to the track segment 130 over successive track segments -129, inclusively, all of the latter of which are then held in locked or track forming position by corresponding latches 138. The track segment 130, however, which is not locked, as it has no latch 138, is constructed in a manner such that under article weight, it will rock about its axis toward one side of the path defined by the track 120 to thereby dump such article into an associated chute or slide 142 which is disposed below and to one side of, and in article-receiving relationship with the track segment 130. As the track segment 11% rocks under the weight of its article, it closes switch llllla to energize a circuit to cause retraction of the latch 113% associated with the track segment 129. After the track segment HEM) has released its article, its balance arrangement will cause it to become conditioned in track forming alignment once again.

However, because the tracl; segment i129 has now been released, it will be able to rock under the weight of the next article to dump or gravity feed such last article toward one side to an associated slide or chute M2. Thereafter, track segment 129 will rock back to its original or track defining position because of its balance. Because the previous track segment 130 has now moved to its normal track-forming position, the circuit responsible for the retraction of the latch H38 associated with the track segment H29 will have become deenergized, and therefore, when the track segment H29 assumes its normal track-forming attitude subsequent to article discharge, it will once again become locked in track-forming condition by reason of engagement of its arm extension H39 with the associated latch llllti. When the track segment 1129 rocks under the weight of the article which it has discharged, it closes a switch Mllb which energizes an adjacent circuit to cause retraction of the latch llflti connected with the track segment 1l2b.

Upon such occurrence, the traclt segment 1128 is now free to rock under the weight of an advancing article and, of course, it will discharge such article which reaches such last-mentioned segment by rocking to one side, the discharge being toward associate chute M2. Simultaneously with its rocking, the section 1123 will cause switch 1141110 to close to energize the circuit which controls the retraction of the latch of the track segment 127. And so on, the operation continues in upstream succession whereby an article is discharged from successive upstream position of the rockable track segments until, of course, the last article of the group is being discharged from track segment R25 whereupon the switch Mllf momentarily will close against its associated terminal use prior to return of said last switch to its normal position in which said segment 125 will be reloclted.

When the switch ll illlf momentarily closes, two separate cycles of the mechanism according to this invention are set up circuitwise. First it momentarily energizes the motor 153 to initiate rotation of the block 1150 and its shaft 115%. The block 150 which carries arm ll57 actuates switch arm 269% to close a switch 209 against the terminal 2ll2 to cause the motor circuit to remain closed for an interval adequate to cause the shaft 115% and said cam to complete one rotation or cycle notwithstanding the fact that the switch Mlf has by then returned to normal position. Because of the angular disposition of the retainer, mechanism M5 is varied so that articles liberated thereby from chutes M2 will slide into a row of cells of a container theretofore advanced to filling position and held in such position during filling.

Subsequently, while the shaft i5?! is rotating through its single cycle, the arm 157 will operate the switch arm 2B3 to close the switch 2M to momentarily energize the circuit to the indexing motor 1177 to cause the chain conveyor (175-176) to move. The switch arm 2% is proportioned and located in a manner such that it will not be actuated by lug 1157 until arti cles have been released by the retainer mechanism from the chutes or slides M2 into a receiving row in a container disposed in article-receiving position. Upon motivation of the indexing motor, an appropriate switch of the switches 222 and 223 is closed to permit continued chain conveyor (1175-1176) drive notwithstanding the condition of the switch 2M which is only momentarily held. When the chain conveyor has ad vanced to carry the next ensuing container station to filling position, the appropriate switch of the indexing switches 187 will open, in the manner aforedescribed, to stop the indexing conveyor.

A safety microswitch Eltllll (see lFlGS. M and as is mounted on the top wall HM of the carton delivery section and contacts 1W1 and 302 are mounted in the main line 11%. The switch llti arm 303 is a rod extending in the path of the cartons or flats, the free end terminating just below the path of the cartons. Thus, when the free end of the arm 303 is not in contact with a carton, the entire electrical system will be shut off. inversely, the circuit is normally operative when arm 303 rides on top of cartons of flats.

Should anything occur during the operation of the equipment, a manual switch 400 is provided on the machine for the operator to open to completely shut down the equipment. THis might occur when an egg accidentally breaks or for any other reason to quickly stop the operation of the apparatus.

We claim:

ll. An egg-orienting and transition apparatus for receiving eggs one by one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, and delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row, which comprises:

an egg delivery mechanism including means for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a single rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means is located at the downstream end of the egg-orienting section and is so dimensioned and proportioned that an egg arriving at the end of the conveyor with its tape red end touching either of said side panels will be pivoted such that its blunt end first passes through, into a transition section including conveying means at the downstream end of the orienting section extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, said pivoting means including a. a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels, each of said arms having an inwardly extending curve at the downstream ends of the arms and extending toward each other, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and would pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms, and

b. opposed guide members, the members each being substantially a triangular plate with blunted ends and having plates secured to and extending between each sidewall of the triangular plates, and in which the plates of said guide members engage the eggs in successive rolling cylinders in successive plates as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, and an endless belt at the downstream end of the orienting conveyor and above the transition conveyor to receive the eggs from the guide means and deliver them to the transition section.

2. An egg-orienting and transition apparatus for receiving eggs one by one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, and delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row, which comprises:

an egg delivery mechanism including means for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a single rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means is located at the downstream end of the egg-orienting section and dimensioned and proportioned so that an egg arriving at the end of the conveyor with its tapered end touching either of said side panels will be pivoted such that its blunt end first passes through, into a transition section including conveying means at the downstream end of the orienting section extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section,

the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed rotating members each being substantially a triangular plate with blunt comers and a plate anchored to and extending between each of the side edges of the plate, the guide members engage successive eggs between the rolling cylinders as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, and an endless belt at the downstream end of the orienting conveyor to deliver the eggs from the orienting section conveyor to the transition section conveyor.

3. An egg-orienting and transition apparatus of claim 2 in which the transition section includes an endless conveyor extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, having a number of rotating spools, and at the downstream of a fixed track segment.

4. The egg'orienting and transition apparatus of claim 3, in which the pivoting means includes a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels and curved inwardly towards each other at the downstream ends of the arms, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and would pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms.

5. The egg-orienting and transition apparatus of claim 4, in which the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed guide members, the members each being substantially a triangular plate having its corners blunted and having a plate secured to and extending to each side, and in which the guide members engage successive eggs as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, and an endless belt extending between the downstream end of the orienting conveyor and the upstream end of the transition conveyor to transfer the eggs from one said conveyor to the other said conveyor.

6. An egg-packing apparatus for receiving oriented eggs in a row, one by one, collecting a plurality of eggs blunt side up in holding chutes and depositing the plurality of eggs at once into a row of an equal plurality of egg cells in an egg carton, such that all eggs in the row are deposited blunt side up, which comprises a track section consisting of a plurality of rockable track segments, each but the most downstream of which is held in place by a releasable latch, said track segments each being about as long as the width of an egg cell, such that an oriented egg passing over an unlatched track segment will rock the segment and fall lengthwise, blunt side up, downward; into a holding chute of a holding apparatus having an equal plurality of holding chutes in a row, each directly beneath a track segment, each holding chute being dimensioned to hold a single means to provide an egg carton under the holding apparatus, said carton having a row of an equal plurality of egg cells directly under said holding apparatus;

means to release the latches of the track segments, each latch being activated by the dropping of an egg by the next downstream track segment; and

means to drop the plurality of eggs at once from said holding apparatus into a row of egg cells in an egg carton thereunder, activated by the dropping of an egg by the most upstream track segment.

7. The egg-packing apparatus of claim 6, in which each track segment has a counter balancing arm and, except for the most downstream segment, an extension the outer end portion of which is adapted for engagement with the respective latch, whereby each track segment is rocked back into its original position after an egg has fallen through the segment into the chute below and, except for the most downstream segment, engages its respective latch.

8. The egg-packing apparatus of claim 6, in which each track segment is provided with a switch activated by the rocking of the segment by an egg falling through to release the latch of the next upstream track segment and, in the case of the most upstream track segment, to activate the means to drop the eggs from the holding apparatus.

9. The egg-packing apparatus of claim 6, in which each of said holding chutes is provided with a rockable retainer including a curved shield to block the end of the chute to passage of an egg, all of said retainers being rockable in unison, by said means to drop the eggs at once from said holding apparatus, to unblock the chutes.

10. The egg-packing apparatus of claim 6, in which there is provided a container handling section beneath the track section and holding apparatus which includes a conveyor movable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of said track section, and means to advance a row of egg cells of an egg carton directly beneath said holding chutes of the holding apparatus, said last means being intermittently activated by the dropping of the eggs from the chutes into the row of egg cells.

11. An egg-orienting and packing apparatus for receiving eggs, one-by-one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row to a packing station, dropping the eggs blunt side up one-by-one into a plurality of holding chutes, and depositing the plurality of eggs at once from the holding chutes into a row of egg cells of an egg carton, which includes an egg delivery mechanism including means for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a single rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means is located at the downstream end of the egg-orienting section and is so dimensioned and proportioned that an egg arriving at the end of the conveyor with its tapered end touching either of said side panels will be pivoted such that its blunt end first passes through, into a transition section including conveying means at the downstream end of the orienting section and extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, including means for delivery of eggs in an oriented row to a track section consisting of a plurality of rockable track segments, each but the most downstream of which is held in place by a releasable latch, said track segments each being about as long as the width of an egg cell, such that an oriented egg passing over an unlatched track segment will rock the segment and fall lengthwise, blunt side up, downward; into a holding chute of holding apparatus having an equal plurality of holding chutes in a row, each directly beneath a track segment, each holding chute being dimensioned to hold a single 88;

means to provide an egg carton under the holding apparatus, said carton having a row of an equal plurality of egg cells directly under said holding apparatus;

means to release the latches of the track segments, each latch being activated by the dropping of an egg by the next downstream track segment; and

means to drop the plurality of eggs at once from said holding apparatus into a row of egg cells in an egg carton thereunder, activated by the dropping of an egg by the most upstream track segment.

12. The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which the pivoting means includes a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels and said arms being curved inwardly towards each other at the downstream ends of the arms, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and would pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms.

13. The egg-orienting and packing apparatusol claim lll, in which the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed guide members, the members being substantially a triangular plate having their pointed ends blunted and plates extending between and secured to the edges of said sidewalls, and in which the guide members engage successive rolling eggs as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, an endless belt, the upper course of which is positioned between the downstream end of the orienting conveyor and the upstream end of the transition conveyor, whereby to deliver the eggs from the orienting conveyor to the transition conveyor, and means adjacent the upstream end of the transition conveyor to settle the eggs in said conveyor.

14. The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim [1, in which the transition section includes an endless conveyor, extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, having a number of rotating concave spools, and at the downstream end a fixed track segment.

15. The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim ill, in which each track segment has a counter balancing arm and, except for the most downstream segment, an extension the outer end portion of which is adapted for engagement with the respective latch, whereby each track segment is rocked back into its original position after an egg has fallen through the segment into the chute below and, except for the most downstream segment, engages its respective latch.

16. The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which each track segment is provided with a switch activated by the rocking of the segment by an egg falling through to release the latch of the next upstream track segment and, in the case of the most upstream track segment, to activate the means to drop the eggs from the holding apparatus.

117, The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which each of said holding chutes is provided with a rockable retainer including a curved shield to block the end of the chute to passage of an egg, all of said retainers being rockable in unison, by said means to drop the eggs at once from said holding apparatus, to unblock the chutes.

18. The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which there is provided a container-handling section beneath the track section and holding apparatus which includes a conveyor movable in a horizontal direction extending transverse to thedirection of said track section, and means to advance a row of egg cells of an egg carton directly beneath said holding chutes of the holding apparatus, said last means being intermittently activated by the dropping of the eggs from the chutes into the row of egg cells.

19. An egg-orienting and packing apparatus for receiving eggs, one-by-one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row to a packing station, dropping the eggs blunt side up one-by-one into a plurality of holding chutes, and depositing the plurality of eggs at once from the holding chutes into a row of egg cells of an egg carton, which includes an egg delivery mechanism comprising an endless conveyor of interlaced wire strands for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a single rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means includes a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels, said arms being curved towards each other at the downstream ends, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, and in which the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed guide members, the members each being substantially a triangular plate having the corners cut off and plates secured to and extending between each edge of the sidewalls, and in which the guide members engage successive rolling eggs as the cy lnders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and be guided by said members as they are pivoted and pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms and arcuate plates onto the upper course of an endless belt, whereby the eggs are delivered to a transition section including an endless conveyor, extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, having a number of concave spools, and at the downstream end a fixed track segment leading to a track section consisting of a plurality of rockable track segments, each but the most downstream of which is held in place by a releasable latch, said track segments each being about as long as the width of an egg cell, such that an oriented egg passing over an unlatched track segment will rock the segment and fall lengthwise, blunt side up, downward; a holding apparatus having an equal plurality of holding chutes in a row, each directly beneath a track segment, each holding chute being dimensioned to hold a single g;

means to provide an egg carton under the holding apparatus, said carton having a row of an equal plurality of egg cells directly under said holding apparatus;

means to release the latches of the track segments, each latch being activated by the dropping of an egg by the next downstream track segment; and

means to drop the plurality of eggs at once from said holding apparatus into a row of egg cells in an egg carton thereunder, activated by the dropping of an egg by the most upstream track segment.

20. The device according to claim 19 wherein rotary means are provided in the upstream end of the transition conveyor and positioned immediately adjacent the upper course of the spools of the transition conveyor whereby to assist in settling the eggs between the pair of spools as they are transferred thereto by the endless belt

Claims (20)

1. An egg-orienting and transition apparatus for receiving eggs one by one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, and delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row, which comprises: an egg delivery mechanism including means for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a single rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means is located at the downstream end of the egg-orienting section and is so dimensioned and proportioned that an egg arriving at the end of the conveyor with its tapered end touching either of said side panels will be pivoted such that its blunt end first passes through, into a transition section including conveying means at the downstream end of the orienting section extendinG transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, said pivoting means including a. a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels, each of said arms having an inwardly extending curve at the downstream ends of the arms and extending toward each other, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and would pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms, and b. opposed guide members, the members each being substantially a triangular plate with blunted ends and having plates secured to and extending between each sidewall of the triangular plates, and in which the plates of said guide members engage the eggs in successive rolling cylinders in successive plates as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, and an endless belt at the downstream end of the orienting conveyor and above the transition conveyor to receive the eggs from the guide means and deliver them to the transition section.

2. An egg-orienting and transition apparatus for receiving eggs one by one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, and delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row, which comprises: an egg delivery mechanism including means for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a single rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means is located at the downstream end of the egg-orienting section and dimensioned and proportioned so that an egg arriving at the end of the conveyor with its tapered end touching either of said side panels will be pivoted such that its blunt end first passes through, into a transition section including conveying means at the downstream end of the orienting section extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed rotating members each being substantially a triangular plate with blunt corners and a plate anchored to and extending between each of the side edges of the plate, the guide members engage successive eggs between the rolling cylinders as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, and an endless belt at the downstream end of the orienting conveyor to deliver the eggs from the orienting section conveyor to the transition section conveyor.

3. An egg-orienting and transition apparatus of claim 2 in which the transition section includes an endless conveyor extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, having a number of rotating spools, and at the downstream of a fixed track segment.

4. The egg-orienting and transition apparatus of claim 3, in which the pivoting means includes a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels and curved inwardly towards each other at the downstream ends of the arms, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and would pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms.

5. The egg-orienting and transition apparatus of claim 4, in which the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed guide members, the members each being substantially a triangular plate having its corners blunted and having a plate secured to and extending to each side, and in which the guide members engage successive eggs as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, and an endless belt extending between the downstream end of the orienting conveyor and the upstream end of the transition conveyor to transfer the eggs from one said conveyor to the other said conveyor.

6. An egg-packing apparatus for receiving oriented eggs in a row, one by one, collecting a plurality of eggs blunt side up in holding chutes and depositing the plurality of eggs at once into a row of an equal plurality of egg cells in an egg carton, such that all eggs in the row are deposited blunt side up, which comprises a track section consisting of a plurality of rockable track segments, each but the most downstream of which is held in place by a releasable latch, said track segments each being about as long as the width of an egg cell, such that an oriented egg passing over an unlatched track segment will rock the segment and fall lengthwise, blunt side up, downward; into a holding chute of a holding apparatus having an equal plurality of holding chutes in a row, each directly beneath a track segment, each holding chute being dimensioned to hold a single egg; means to provide an egg carton under the holding apparatus, said carton having a row of an equal plurality of egg cells directly under said holding apparatus; means to release the latches of the track segments, each latch being activated by the dropping of an egg by the next downstream track segment; and means to drop the plurality of eggs at once from said holding apparatus into a row of egg cells in an egg carton thereunder, activated by the dropping of an egg by the most upstream track segment.

7. The egg-packing apparatus of claim 6, in which each track segment has a counter balancing arm and, except for the most downstream segment, an extension the outer end portion of which is adapted for engagement with the respective latch, whereby each track segment is rocked back into its original position after an egg has fallen through the segment into the chute below and, except for the most downstream segment, engages its respective latch.

8. The egg-packing apparatus of claim 6, in which each track segment is provided with a switch activated by the rocking of the segment by an egg falling through to release the latch of the next upstream track segment and, in the case of the most upstream track segment, to activate the means to drop the eggs from the holding apparatus.

9. The egg-packing apparatus of claim 6, in which each of said holding chutes is provided with a rockable retainer including a curved shield to block the end of the chute to passage of an egg, all of said retainers being rockable in unison, by said means to drop the eggs at once from said holding apparatus, to unblock the chutes.

10. The egg-packing apparatus of claim 6, in which there is provided a container handling section beneath the track section and holding apparatus which includes a conveyor movable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of said track section, and means to advance a row of egg cells of an egg carton directly beneath said holding chutes of the holding apparatus, said last means being intermittently activated by the dropping of the eggs from the chutes into the row of egg cells.

11. An egg-orienting and packing apparatus for receiving eggs, one-by-one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row to a packing station, dropping the eggs blunt side up one-by-one into a plurality of holding chutes, and depositing the plurality of eggs at once from the holding chutes into a row of egg cells of an egg carton, which includes an egg delivery mechanism including means for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a singlE rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means is located at the downstream end of the egg-orienting section and is so dimensioned and proportioned that an egg arriving at the end of the conveyor with its tapered end touching either of said side panels will be pivoted such that its blunt end first passes through, into a transition section including conveying means at the downstream end of the orienting section and extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, including means for delivery of eggs in an oriented row to a track section consisting of a plurality of rockable track segments, each but the most downstream of which is held in place by a releasable latch, said track segments each being about as long as the width of an egg cell, such that an oriented egg passing over an unlatched track segment will rock the segment and fall lengthwise, blunt side up, downward; into a holding chute of a holding apparatus having an equal plurality of holding chutes in a row, each directly beneath a track segment, each holding chute being dimensioned to hold a single egg; means to provide an egg carton under the holding apparatus, said carton having a row of an equal plurality of egg cells directly under said holding apparatus; means to release the latches of the track segments, each latch being activated by the dropping of an egg by the next downstream track segment; and means to drop the plurality of eggs at once from said holding apparatus into a row of egg cells in an egg carton thereunder, activated by the dropping of an egg by the most upstream track segment.

12. The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which the pivoting means includes a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels and said arms being curved inwardly towards each other at the downstream ends of the arms, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and would pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms.

13. The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed guide members, the members being substantially a triangular plate having their pointed ends blunted and plates extending between and secured to the edges of said sidewalls, and in which the guide members engage successive rolling eggs as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, an endless belt, the upper course of which is positioned between the downstream end of the orienting conveyor and the upstream end of the transition conveyor, whereby to deliver the eggs from the orienting conveyor to the transition conveyor, and means adjacent the upstream end of the transition conveyor to settle the eggs in said conveyor.

14. The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which the transition section includes an endless conveyor, extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, having a number of rotating concave spools, and at the downstream end a fixed track segment.

15. The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which each track segment has a counter balancing arm and, except for the most downstream segment, an extension the outer end portion of which is adapted for engagement with the respective latch, whereby each track segment is rocked back into its original position after an egg has fallen through the segment into the chute below and, except for the most downstream segment, engages its respective latch.

16. The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which each track segment is provided with a switch activated by the rocking of the segment by an egg falling through to release the latch of the next upstream track segment and, in the case of the moSt upstream track segment, to activate the means to drop the eggs from the holding apparatus.

17. The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which each of said holding chutes is provided with a rockable retainer including a curved shield to block the end of the chute to passage of an egg, all of said retainers being rockable in unison, by said means to drop the eggs at once from said holding apparatus, to unblock the chutes.

18. The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which there is provided a container-handling section beneath the track section and holding apparatus which includes a conveyor movable in a horizontal direction extending transverse to the direction of said track section, and means to advance a row of egg cells of an egg carton directly beneath said holding chutes of the holding apparatus, said last means being intermittently activated by the dropping of the eggs from the chutes into the row of egg cells.

19. An egg-orienting and packing apparatus for receiving eggs, one-by-one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row to a packing station, dropping the eggs blunt side up one-by-one into a plurality of holding chutes, and depositing the plurality of eggs at once from the holding chutes into a row of egg cells of an egg carton, which includes an egg delivery mechanism comprising an endless conveyor of interlaced wire strands for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a single rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means includes a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels, said arms being curved towards each other at the downstream ends, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, and in which the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed guide members, the members each being substantially a triangular plate having the corners cut off and plates secured to and extending between each edge of the sidewalls, and in which the guide members engage successive rolling eggs as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and be guided by said members as they are pivoted and pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms and arcuate plates onto the upper course of an endless belt, whereby the eggs are delivered to a transition section including an endless conveyor, extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, having a number of concave spools, and at the downstream end a fixed track segment leading to a track section consisting of a plurality of rockable track segments, each but the most downstream of which is held in place by a releasable latch, said track segments each being about as long as the width of an egg cell, such that an oriented egg passing over an unlatched track segment will rock the segment and fall lengthwise, blunt side up, downward; a holding apparatus having an equal plurality of holding chutes in a row, each directly beneath a track segment, each holding chute being dimensioned to hold a single egg; means to provide an egg carton under the holding apparatus, said carton having a row of an equal plurality of egg cells directly under said holding apparatus; means to release the latches of the track segments, each latch being activated by the dropping of an egg by the next downstream track segment; and means to drop the plurality of eggs at once from said holding apparatus into a row of egg cells in an egg carton thereunder, activated By the dropping of an egg by the most upstream track segment.

20. The device according to claim 19 wherein rotary means are provided in the upstream end of the transition conveyor and positioned immediately adjacent the upper course of the spools of the transition conveyor whereby to assist in settling the eggs between the pair of spools as they are transferred thereto by the endless belt.

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