US3817215A

US3817215A - Egg incubating tray with rack and carrier

Info

Publication number: US3817215A
Application number: US00360846A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Levin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-05-16
Filing date: 1973-05-16
Publication date: 1974-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-18
Also published as: BE814794A; GB1444398A; FR2229349A1; AR201309A1; HU172159B; CA1021210A; PL91639B1; FR2229349B3

Abstract

An egg incubating tray having egg cells arranged in a diagonal manner so that 48 cells are located on each tray. Each cell is surrounded by six upwardly disposed, tapered projections. These projections are positioned to hold the eggs and separate one egg from another and also to act as shock absorbers so that the eggs are less subject to breakage. There are also four smaller tablike projections which are horizontally disposed and extend inwardly from the sides of each egg cell. Each of these projections has a smooth convexly cornered leading edge so that there are no sharp edges extending inwardly toward the egg. The carrier consists of a rectangular metal frame having a bottom made of a group of longitudinally disposed thin, wire-like members and including two cross braces which provide for the least amount of material to obstruct the free flow of gas throughout the trays. The rack on which the carrier is placed consists of a metal rack having an end which is shaped to accomodate the carrier of this invention and includes the normal end members bent over so that they do not interfere with the present carrier and the addition of an L-shaped extending member so as to properly hold the carrier in position.

Description

[ June 18,1974

[57] ABSTRACT Anegg incubating tray having egg cells arranged in a diagonal manner so, that 48 cellsare located CARRIER United States Patent [191 Levin [541 not; INCUBATING TRAY WITH RACK AND on each tray. Each cell is surrounded by six upwardly disposed,

tapered projections. These projections are positioned in another and also to act as shock absorbers so that the eggs are y disposed ch egg cell.

onvexly corsharp edges carrier con provide for the least amount of material to obstruct the free flow of gas throughout the trays. The rack on which the carrier is placed consists of a metal rack having an end which is shaped to accomodate the carrier of this invention and includes the normal end members bent over so that they do not interfere with the present carrier and the addition of an L-shaped extending member so as to properly hold the carrier in position.

h Mm t h m ,w ma a h m .meb vm a S c mw ffl W f.mt mdw ui nd mm m c mbm wf m n am OS mrr r b b a m. f m Pa ta s k mmh to hold the eggs and separate one egg fro less subject to breakage. There are also four smaller tab-like projections which are horizontall and extend inwardly from the sides of ea Each of these projections has a smooth c nered leading edge so that there, are no extending inwardly toward the egg. The

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PATENTEDJum m4 sumac! 4 FIG. 2

Pl ik:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to egg incubating and particularly to an egg incubating tray, the carrier on which a group of them are positioned and the rack on which the carrier is placed in the incubator.

In the art of egg incubation the principal desire has been to provide incubation equipment that will result in the maximum amount of hatched eggs, that is, the least amount of eggs that break during incubation and also the maximum amount of eggs that can be positioned in theincubator. There have been many attempts to place more and more eggs in the incubator and at the same time prevent the breakage of eggs during incubation. However, at the present time thetray that can hold the most eggs can only hold 36 eggs in a square box-type pattern, as 'shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,147,738, Thelig. This box-like pattern is extremely limiting and also does not adequately overcome the breakage problem. Firstly, there are only four projections surrounding each egg. The projections,because of the layout of the egg cells, form a square-like pattern. This does not conform to the general round shape of the egg, and can presentproblems during incubation. Moreimportantly, the horizontally disposedprojections surrounding each egg, that is, projections 45 in Thelig, are concavely rounded. This provides two rather sharp points at each end of the projection. These points will dig in and .canbreak the eggs. The concavity must be exactly the same shape as the curvature of the egg for these projections towork, and since in the usual case, the egg will be slightly different in shape than the concavity, the two points will act as spears andtend to rupture the egg.

" Thus, an egg incubating tray having the properprojections to support and cradle the egg is most important.

Also, the carrier for the tray shouldprovide for the proper circulation of gases through and around the egg trays and the racks'on which the egg trays are posi tioned in the incubator should be constructed in such a manner that it can accomodate the present size egg trays.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide egg trays having sufficient egg cellsto receive 48 eggs per tray in no more space than the present 36 egg per tray devices. Also, it would be desirable if there were sufficient projections surroundingthe eggs so that the proper cradeling and shock absorbing effects were provided to prevent breakage of the eggs.

' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION that three trays will interfit to form the same diagonal pattern of egg cells across the barrier. The three trays will appear to be one continuous tray with the same large egg holding capacity throughout. A carrier is also provided to hold three interfitting trays. The carrieris constructed to provide the maximum gas circulation.

and consists of a metal frame and a group of thin wirelike strands which serve as the base of the carrier. The carrier then fits on a rack which consists of a novel construction whereby a conventional rack has the end members bent away and an extension added on so that the carrier will fit completely on the rack.

The object of this invention is then to provide incubation egg trays having a maximum amount of egg cells for a set size, that is 48 egg cells instead of 36. It is a further object to provide an incubating egg tray having shock absorbing means for holding and cradeling the eggs so that there is the least possible amount of breakage.

' It is a further object to provide an interfitting arrangement for the egg trays so that three egg trays will form a continuous interlockingegg tray.

"A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel carrier which permits the maximum circulation of gases around three interfitting egg trays.

A'still further object of the invention is to provide a rack by altering a conventional rack to accomodate the carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a prospective view of an egg tray.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of an egg tray. FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom plan view of an egg tray.

FIG. 3a illustrates a single egg cell. FIG. 4 illustrates a stacking arrangement of the egg trays.

FIG. 7 illustrates a carrier and rack and shows their interfitting arrangement.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION cells are provided in the space that normally holds 36. 7

Thus, an egg tray is provided with substantially increased egg holding capacity. The structure inclues eight rows of cells. Each row is offset by half the width of an egg cell from the cells in the adjacent row. In other words, taking the row shown on the extreme left in FIG. 2, the cells in that row are offset by half the width of a cell from those in the row immediately to its right. The same pattern exists in all eightrows of the cells. This permits cells to be provided without one egg contacting another. The eggs will be positioned as shown in FIG. 6 so that the greater circumference on one egg will not interfere with the greater circumference of the egg adjacent to it in the next row. For example, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 2, the egg positioned in the top left cell will not interfere with the egg positioned in the cell immediately to the right of it in the adjacent row, even though both of these eggs extend over a straight line which divides one row from the next. If they were notin this offset arrangement the eggs would interfere with each other and would break during incubation. Each of the 48 egg cells has six verticalprojections surrounding it. Four of these projections 4, are positioned at an angle of about 30 and are isoceles triangles in shape and tapered so that the base 6 is much thicker than the tip 7 to provide for flexibility thereby providing shock absorbing'qualities. When an egg is placed into a cell these projections have to flex so as not to injure the egg. The same shock absorption has to take place if a tray is moved during incubation. The tips of the'projections are also rounded to avoid sharp points. There are also two more of these projections which are positioned between egg cells in the same row. Therefore, in a nonnal egg cell there will be six projections surrounding the cell positioned so as to form a circle and properly support the egg. All six of these projections also act to support eggs in adjacent cells. Therefore each of these projections 4 and 5 act to support two eggs. This is, of course, not true with respect to the projections on the outer periphery, that is, projections 9 and 10. However other than this dual support function, these act in exactly the same manner as the other projections. Eight of these projections on the other periphery 12, are also structured in exactly the same manner except that, instead of being positioned as the other projections, they are cantilevered over the side of the tray for reasons that will be described here inafter.

The tray itself is moulded or otherwise formed out of plastic or other strong material so that it comprises one integral section of material. There are two longitudinal struts l5 and 16 as shown in the bottom view, FIG. 3, which support'the structure. These are interconnected by seven lateral struts 18. Each of these lateral struts connects struts l5 and 16 together. Struts 18 are positioned sothat they define the rows of egg cells. Ribs 20 are then positioned between egg cells in the same row to interconnect struts 18. It will be noted that as shown by FIG. 3, rectangular open areas are formed by these struts and ribs. These areas correspond with the egg cells and thereby provide for free flow of gases throughout the incubation chamber. It is also noted that for the egg cells on each of the end rows, that is, theextreme left and the extreme right rows, 22 and 24, in FIG. 3, instead of a continuous strut there are short struts which are somewhat arching in configuration fourth row joins strut 18. This provides for a strength ening of the projection 34.

Projections

32 and 34 are also positioned so that their leading

edges

36 and 38 respectively are the same distance from the center of the egg cell, that is, the radius of the center of the egg cell to leading edge 36 is the same as the distance to leading edge 38. This is true even though projection 36 are longer than projections 38. The shape of these leading edges is quite important. Each of them has a flat central section 40 and two curved radii 42. (See FIG. 3a). This prevents any sharp edges fron contacting the egg. It is also important that all four projections extend a finite distance from the sides and are shaped like tabs to provide the requisite amount of flexibility. If they were not flexible they might rupture the shell of an egg as it was dropped or placed into its egg cell. Thus, these four projections act not only to hold the eggs but also as shock absorbers to prevent the rupture of the egg when it is placed into the cell. Along this line, it will be appreciated that when the eggs are placed in the cells, they are invariably dropped a short distance in the cell. Thus, it is quite important to have this shock absorbing quality aforementioned.

There are four areas in the egg tray that are filled with plastic to provide strength for the tray. These areas are 44, 46, 48 and 50. There are also four large tubular supports 52 which extend vertically from the egg tray. These supports are cylindrical and taper slightly from a wider base to a slightly smaller flat tip 54, and are hollow to provide the least weight. They are positioned so that one each are in the second row from the left and the second row from the right as shown in FIG. 2, and one each are in the third row from the left and the third row from th right as shown in FIG. 2.

Underneath each of these supports is a small recess 56 and also a short strut adjacent to the opening 58 to reinforce the areas surrounding the supports. The supports are provided so that, as shown in FIG. '4, the egg comprised of two

short members

26 and 27 which are at about an angle of 30 with respect to struts 18 and a straight strut parallel to 18, 28. This latter strut 28 has a reinforcing section 30 to strengthen it. These struts form a jagged structure so that one tray can interfit with the next as shown in FIG. 5, and as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Projections 4 are positioned on struts l8, and projections 12 are positioned in the cantilevered manner aforementioned, on struts l5 and 16.

To further support the eggs four horizontal projections are positioned around each egg cell. These consist of projections 32 which extend from ribs 20 and projecthe rib 20 between the first and second cells in the trays can be stacked on each other. When they are thus stacked, the tips 54 fit into the recesses 56 so as to provide for a secure stacking arrangement. It will be appreciated that the length of supports 52 is such'that they are longer than the maximum length of the eggs, as shown by dotted lines 53 so that they do not permit the eggs in one tray to contact and possibly rupture the" eggs in the next tray.

One of the more significant features of these supports as aforementioned, is their placement. By placing two of the supports in the second rows and two in the third rows from the edges, the weight of the eggs and trays is distributed so that there is no sagging of the center of a tray. Such sagging could possibly result in the bottom of one tray contacting the eggs on the tray below. It is noted that by placing the supports in the second and third rows, the weight will be evenly balanced throughout each tray.

As previously discussed the two jagged edges 29 and 31 of the egg tray are designed so that the one egg tray can interfit with the next to form a continuous egg tray. This is especially important for conserving space. In this interfitting arrangement, as shown more clearly in FIG. 5, the egg cells in one tray, tray 60, the lower tray in FIG. 5, interfit with the cells in 61 so that the same diagonal pattern of cells is continuous between egg trays. While the vertical projections 4 and 5 at the edges of each tray do not actually support the eggs in the adjacent trays, they do contact each other to provide increased support and strength to the tray and also so that the least amount of space is used. It will be appreciated that as shown in FIG. 5, struts 27 contact each other and struts 28 form almost a substantially straight line between the two trays. This also strangthens the trays and also leads to a substantial reduction in space. In fact, the construction is such that there is almost no lost space.

Three trays of eggs are interfitted as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and then placed on a carrier 62 as shown in FIG. 6. Carrier 62 comprises a rectangular frame 64 preferably made of metal or other strong material; The

frame consists of two longitudinal L-shaped

members

66 and 68 which interconnect by means of two short L-shaped

members

69 and 70 to form a rectangular configuration. Two short flat bracing members 72 are positioned between the horizontal sections of

members

66 and 68 to further hold them together. These members curve slightly upwardly at their ends 74 to overlap the horizontal sections of

channels

66 and 68. There are also a group of thin cylindrical wire-like members 76, 78 and which act to provide further support for the egg trays when the egg trays are positioned in the carrier. These members are eight in number, six of them (76) being positioned proximate the center of the carrier and two 78 and 80 being positioned

proximate members

66 and 68. This will leave the entire bottom of the carrier substantially open so that there can be a free flow of gases around the egg trays during incubation.

There is also a handle 82 which is substantially rectangular in shape and being slightly bent outwardly to provide for easy grasping. It includes an L-shaped section 84 which is attached to the tray, a vertical member 86 extending therefrom and a C-shaped grasping section 88 connected to a vertical member 86. The other side of the handle includes an L-shaped member 89 connected to member 89 and also to grasping section 88 and including a section of metal 92 connected thereto.

It will be appreciated that, as formerly mentioned, projections 12 are positioned in a cantilever manner so that, as shown in FIG. 6, the tray or especially

straight edges

45 and 47 of the tray will contact the

inner surfaces

65 and 67 of the carrier. Cantilever projections 12 will then extend so that they rest on top edge 63and e 61- of

members

66 and 68 and do 'not take up space in the inside of the carrier itself. This conserves the available space so that the maximum amount of egg cells can be provided in the trays. The carrier will then fit into a rack 94 also shown in FIG. 7. Rack 94 includes two L-shaped

longitudinal members

96 and 98 and a single L-shaped bracing member 100 which interconnect the two

members

96 and 98 at one end thereof. This member 100 includes two extending

sections

102 and 104 to which

members

96 and 98 are connected by welding or other suitable fastening means. The other end of the rack includes a horizontally disposed flat member 108 which connects the horizontal parts of

members

96 and 98 together and is fastened thereto by welding or other suitable fastening means. Two upright members 110 and 111 are fastened to the outside of

members

96 and 98. These upright members are planer and each has a projecting

triangular tab

112 and 113 with a

bolt

114 and 115 respectively extending therefrom. There is also an L-shaped member 116 having a flat portion 118 which is fastened by rivets or other suitable fastening means to member 108. The vertically extending portion 120 of member 116 extends outwardly beyond the outer edge 109 of section 108. Vertical section 120 then projects upwardly at a distance from the outer edge 109 of section 108.

The conventional racks have

sections

112 and 113 bent inwardly and do not have member 116 and therefore cannot accomodate the carrier and trays shown herein. However, the rack shown herein solves this problem. i

It will be appreciated that the trays, carrier and rack disclosed herein will fit within the normal incubator and therefore will provide for incubation of substantially more eggs than cannow be accomplished.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described it will be appreciated that many modifications thereon may be made by one skilled in the art which falls within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An egg tray comprising a plurality of parallel struts a plurality of ribs interconnecting said struts to define a plurality of parallel rows of egg cells, said ribs being positioned between said struts to longitudinally offset the cells in one row by half the distance between the ribs from the egg cells in the proximate row six tapered vertically disposed projections mounted around said egg cells on said struts and said ribs to aid in supporting an egg and act as a shock absorber for the egg, and

four horizontally disposed tab-like projections mounted on said cells and extending inwardly from said struts and said ribs to support the egg, said projections having smooth straight leading edges with convexly rounded corners at the ends of the leading edges, whereby the'shape of these projections avoids pointed structures from contacting the egg placed in the egg cells.

2. The egg tray of claim 1 wherein there are eight parallel rows of egg cells with six cells in each row.

3. The egg tray of claim 2 wherein four of said tapered vertically disposed projections are mounted two on each of two proximate struts and at an angle with respect to each other and to the axis of each strut and wherein the other two tapered vertically disposed projections are mounted on said ribs parallel to the axis of said ribs, said vertically disposed projections forming a circular array and adapted to support a single egg, each of said projections adapted to aid in supporting two different eggs in adjacent egg cells, said vertically disposed projections mounted on the struts adapted to support eggs in egg cells in proximate rows and each of said vertically disposed projections mounted on said ribs adapted tosupport eggs in adjacent cells in the same row.

4. The egg tray of claim 3 wherein two-of said rows are positioned adjacent two edges of said tray, said edges being indented proximate to the location of said ribs and at an angle corresponding to the angle at which said vertically disposed projections are mounted, said other two edges of said egg tray being straight.

5. The egg tray of claim 4 including four vertically disposed cylindrical supports two of which are mounted in two rows proximate the: two rows which are positioned on the rows proximate rows in the center of the tray, said supports are tapered and disposed along the straight edges of said tray.

6. The egg tray of claim wherein said indentations permit trays to interfit without significant loss of space.

7. The egg tray of claim 6 wherein circular cells are provided in said tray to receive the tops of said supports so that said trays can be stacked on each other.

8. The egg tray of claim 7 wherein two of said horizontally disposed projections extend from said ribs and two extend from said struts, all the projections having leading edges and two side edges to provide flexibility,

the leading edges being disposed the same radial disdisposed parallel to said londitudinal members and connecting said laterally disposed members so that the rectangular area is unobstructed to permit the free flow of gas around said trays during incubation of eggs therein.

11. A rack for a carrier which is adapted to hold egg trays comprising two longitudinally disposed L-shaped support members having first and second ends a laterally disposed end member interconnecting first ends of said longitudinally disposed members a laterally disposed flat support member interconnecting said second ends of said longitudinally disposed members, and

an L-shaped stop member having two flat perpendicular sections, a first section connected to said laterally disposed flat support member and a second section extending upwardly therefrom and away from said laterally disposed flat member.

12. The rack of claim 11, including two upright members fastened to the second ends of the two longitudinally disposed L-shaped support members, each of said upright members having a projecting tab which is perpendicular to the member, each of said tabs extending away from the other.

- UNITED STATES PA'IENI OI'TICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,8 l7L2l5 Dated June '12 1074 Inventor(s) in It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 51 "inclues" should read includes-.

Column 3, line 6 "isoceles" should read -isosceles-.

Column 3, line 25, "other" should read -outer.

Column 4, line 7, after "projection" "36" should read 32-.

Column 4, line 11, after "edges" "from" should read from Column 5, line 6 "strangth-" should read -strength.

Column 5, line 12, "FIG. 6" should read -FIG. 7

Column 5, line 39; "89" should read 70 Column 5, line 64, "planer" should read -p1anar.-.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer. Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 uscoMM-Dc 60876-P69 U.$ GOVER'NMENT FRINT'NG DFFICE: 9.5 (Iv-366 33,

Claims

1. An egg tray comprising a plurality of parallel struts a plurality of ribs interconneCting said struts to define a plurality of parallel rows of egg cells, said ribs being positioned between said struts to longitudinally offset the cells in one row by half the distance between the ribs from the egg cells in the proximate row six tapered vertically disposed projections mounted around said egg cells on said struts and said ribs to aid in supporting an egg and act as a shock absorber for the egg, and four horizontally disposed tab-like projections mounted on said cells and extending inwardly from said struts and said ribs to support the egg, said projections having smooth straight leading edges with convexly rounded corners at the ends of the leading edges, whereby the shape of these projections avoids pointed structures from contacting the egg placed in the egg cells.

3. The egg tray of claim 2 wherein four of said tapered vertically disposed projections are mounted two on each of two proximate struts and at an angle with respect to each other and to the axis of each strut and wherein the other two tapered vertically disposed projections are mounted on said ribs parallel to the axis of said ribs, said vertically disposed projections forming a circular array and adapted to support a single egg, each of said projections adapted to aid in supporting two different eggs in adjacent egg cells, said vertically disposed projections mounted on the struts adapted to support eggs in egg cells in proximate rows and each of said vertically disposed projections mounted on said ribs adapted to support eggs in adjacent cells in the same row.

4. The egg tray of claim 3 wherein two of said rows are positioned adjacent two edges of said tray, said edges being indented proximate to the location of said ribs and at an angle corresponding to the angle at which said vertically disposed projections are mounted, said other two edges of said egg tray being straight.

5. The egg tray of claim 4 including four vertically disposed cylindrical supports two of which are mounted in two rows proximate the two rows which are positioned on the rows proximate rows in the center of the tray, said supports are tapered and disposed along the straight edges of said tray.

6. The egg tray of claim 5 wherein said indentations permit trays to interfit without significant loss of space.

8. The egg tray of claim 7 wherein two of said horizontally disposed projections extend from said ribs and two extend from said struts, all the projections having leading edges and two side edges to provide flexibility, the leading edges being disposed the same radial distance from the center of an egg cell.

9. The egg tray of claim 8 wherein a vertically disposed projection is cantileverly disposed over said straight edge of said tray.

10. A carrier adapted to hold three egg trays comprising two L-shaped longitudinally disposed members two L-shaped laterally disposed members interconnecting said longitudinally disposed members to define a rectangular area connecting struts interconnecting said longitudinally disposed members, and a plurality of thin wire-like ribs being longitudinally disposed parallel to said londitudinal members and connecting said laterally disposed members so that the rectangular area is unobstructed to permit the free flow of gas around said trays during incubation of eggs therein.

11. A rack for a carrier which is adapted to hold egg trays comprising two longitudinally disposed L-shaped support members having first and second ends a laterally disposed end member interconnecting first ends of said longitudinally disposed members a laterally disposed flat support member interconnecting said second ends of said longitudinally disposed members, and an L-Shaped stop member having two flat perpendicular sections, a first section connected to said laterally disposed flat support member and a second section extending upwardly therefrom and away from said laterally disposed flat member.