US843622A - Machine for testing eggs. - Google Patents

Description

No. 843,622. PATENTED lPEB. 12, 1907.

A. I. MOTAGGART.

MACHINE FOR TESTING EGGS..

APPLIoATIoN FILED AUG. 27. 190e.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mlmmwgf PATEINTBD FEB. 12, 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

,kil 4 A. I. MoTAGGART. MACHINE FOR TESTING EGGS.

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APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 27, 1906.

PATENTED PEB. 12, 19o?.

A. I. MOTAGGART. MAGHINB PGR TESTING EGGS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 27, 1906. y

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907. A. I. MOTAGGART: MACHINE POR TESTING EGGS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.Z'7, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

NNQM. l J' UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

ALEXANDER i. MCTAGGART, or oiieAGo; ILLINOIS, .assuntos To FAiR- BANK CAN NING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

-. mAoHlNar-on TEsTme. Eees.

Patented Feb. 12, 1907.

Application led August 27, 1906." Serial No. 832,166.

To a/ZZ whom t may con/cern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER I. MoTAG- GART, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Testing Eggs,.of which the following 1s a specification, reference being'had to the accompanying drawings.

Ilhis invention relates to machines for testing eggs, and has for its objects to provide new and improved devices by which a large number of eggs are moved at' the same time over a light-chamber and to provide means for turning the eggs during their passage over such light-chamber and also at one stage of.

their'forward movement retarding Suchforward movement, so as to upend the eggs more or less, whereby by these various movements a more thorough and complete examination of the eggs may be had than in previousmachines. I accomplish xthese objects by the means illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter described.

That which I believe to be new will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a planview. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, one of the side frames of the machine being broken away near one end. is also shown the means for driving the endless conveyerf-belt and the egg-supporting rollers. Fig. 8 is a detail .showing theconstruction of one of the rolls over which the endless conveyer-belt passes. Fig. 4 is a vertical section at line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail, being a perspective view of a portion of the endless conveyer-belt. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section at line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 isa vertical cross-section at line 7 7 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the several figures of the drawings, in which corresponding parts are indicated by like reference characters, 10 11 indicate two correspondingly-shaped side'piecs constituting the supporting-frame of the Inachine.

12, 13, 14, and 15 indicate rolls located near each corner of the machine and each made fast to a shaft journaled in the side frames 10 and 11, said shafts being indicated, respectively, by 16,17, 18, and 19. 2O 21 indicate similar rolls, each located near the upper part of the machine and each suitably y In dotted lines in this figure-v securedto a shaft j ournaled in the side frames 5 5y 10 and 11, said shafts being indicated, respectively, by 22 and 23. 24 and 25 indicate two other similar rolls located a short distance above the lower-edges of the side frames 10 and 11 and each secured to a shaft .'60

journaled in such side frames, said shafts being indicated, respectively, by 26 and 27.

28 indicates an endless belt which constitutes a conveyer, said belt being of a Width substantially equal to the space between the two side frames 1.0 and-11. This belt is pro. vided at veach edge With a sprocket-chain 29, properly secured to the belt, the links of the chain being adapted to be engaged b sprocketheels secured to the shafts of eac 7o of the rolls before mentioned.; As" shown, this endless conveyer-belt is divided longitudinally into a plurality of spaces or divisions by ribs 30, such ribs being preferably of leather, rubber, or other comparatively soft dinal spaces or divisions on the face of the 8o belt that are formed by these ribs are to be of a width to ada t eggs to lie therein with their ends towar'` such rib's. In Fig. 4 is shownthe arrangement of this endless conveyer-belt around the various rolls, and from p such figure it will be seen that the ribbed face of the belt is brought vagainst the two lower central rolls 24 and '25, and hence those rolls are provided with grooves 31, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, to receive the ribs 30. The n9o other rolls have plain faces," inasmuch as the `smooth or unribbedside of the conveyer-belt 4 bears uponthem. The shaft of each'one of the rolls, heretofore referred to, projects beyond one of the 9 5 side frames-in the. construction show-n the side frame ll-and is provided on such projecting end with a s rocket-wheel, and around such sprocket-W eels passes an endless sprocket-chain 32, the arrangement of loo such chain with respect to the sprocketwheels on the shafts 18, 19, 22, 23, 26, and 27 being clearlyqindicated in Fi 2 in dotted lines, and it is to be understoo vthat it passes around the sprocket-wheels on the shafts 16 :o5

and 17 exact yas is indicated bythe chain'29. (Shown at the left-handleide of the said Fig. 2.) Inasmuch as the main driving-chain 32 'takes exactly the same course as the chain 29 on 1 over a sprocket-wheel 50 on the end of the 'the conveyer-belt the representation of the chain 29 at the left-hand side of Fig. 2 revents the representation of chain 32 by otte;l lines at that end of the machine.

33 indicates a shaft journaled in the frame of the machine near the bottom ofthe machine and about midway of its ends, upon which shaft is secured a gear 34, (best shown .in dotted lines in Fig. 2,) which gear engages and drives the drive-chain 32. As shown, the gear engages that portion of the chain extending between the sprocket-wheels on the projecting ends of the shafts 17 and 19 and also that portion of the chain extending between the sprocket-wheelsv on the projecting ends of the shafts 26 and 27.

35 indicates a pulley on the endof the f shaft 33, which is adapted to be driven by a suitable driving-belt.

36, 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 indicate rollers, each journaled in 'suitable bearings in the side frames 1() and 11, said rollers being located near the upper edge of the said side frames anl in the construction shown over the central portion of the machine. These rollers are parallel with each other and, as best shown in Fig. 1, are each correspondingly cutaway or groovefl and the cut-away or grooved portions arranged opposite to each other, thereby leaving between adjacent rollers a comparatively large opening into which eggs can settle anilbe held so that the light from below will strike a large surface of each egg. These egg-receiving spaces are indicated by 42 and are in line with the longitudinal spaces on the face of the conveyer-belt formed by the ribs 30.

As clearly shown in Fig. 4, the rollers are in dierent horizontal planes, the first roller 36, over which eggs are first passed from the conveyer-belt 28, being the lowest and each of the succeeding rollers being on a slightly higher plane than the preceding roller. The object of thus placing the rollers in different horizontal planes I will explain whendescrlbing the operation of the machine as a whole. A These rollers are not all driven at the same speed, but, on the contrary, the intermediate pair of rollers are driven at a lower rate of speed than are the other two pairs of rollers, such other two pairs of rollers being driven at the same speeds. The shafts of the rollers 36 and 37 project beyond the side frame 11 and upon such projecting ends arev secured sprocket-wheels 43 and 44, res ectively, which are engaged by a sproc etchain 45, that is also en aged and driven bya sprocket-wheel 46 on t e rojecting end of the shaft 22. The two rol ers 40 and 41, located at the opposite side of the central pair .of rollers, also have their shafts equi ped with similar sprocket-wheels, (indicated y47 and l48, respectively,) which sprocket-wheels are driven bya sprocket-chain 49, that passes shaft 23. 51 and 52 indicate sprocketwheels on the projecting ends of the shafts of the intermediate pair of rollers 38 and 39, over which sprocket-wheels passes a sprocketchain 53, t at also passes over a smaller s rocket-wheel 54 on the'same shaft 33 that t e sprocket-wheel 34 is secured upon, and by reason of this ,sprocket-wheel 54 being smaller than any of the other sprocketwheels it is evident that the intermediate pair of rollers 38 and 39 are driven at a less speed than the rollers at eachside thereof, the object of which will be hereinafter explained. The arrangement of these sprocket wheels and chains `employed for driving them is clearly shown by ottedjines in Fig. 2, and from Fig. 1 it will be seen that the sprocket- chains 45, 49, and 53 lie between the sid e frame 11 and main drive-chain 32.

As clearly shown in Fig. 4, the location of tle rolls 24 and 25 near the lower edge ofthe side frames and the running of the endless conveyer-belt beneath these rolls forms a central well or chamber beneath the series of egg-supporting rollers. VVitl` in tl. is well or ch amber thus formed are located two lamps 55, such lamps being preferably electric globes, as indicated. At opposite ends of tle well 'or chamber are affixed suitable inclined reflectors 56, and at one side of tte well or cl amber is located anotlf. er inclined reflector 57. By tlr is arrangement of reflectors tie rays of light will penetrate throu h tlf e openings between tl e egg-supporting ro lers, so tl at tle operators sigi t is not affected by such rays and yet tlre desired e'ect will be produced upon the eggs being examined.

In o eration with tie endless conveyerbelt drlven in tlze direction indicated by tle arrows in Fig. 4 and with the series of rollers 36 to 41, inclusive, being rotated by the sprocket-ch ains, as hereinbefore described, the operator will place upon tle endless conveyer-belt at the receiving end of tie macli ine a large quantity of eggs, such eggs lying between the'ribs 30. Each of tle spaces or divisions between the ribs on tle face of the belt will have a large number of eg s and will be kept continuously supplied wit i eggs by the operator. The forward movement of the conveyer-belt will cause tl e eggs to pass onto the series ofegg-supporting rollers over the central well or chamber, and such eggs will settle into the spaces caused by thefcut-away portions or notches of these rollers. The rollers themselves are fixed rollers-that is, they are journaled in position-and have no other movement tl an the rotary movement imparted to them by the driving mechanism referred to. As before explained and as clearly shown in the drawings, each succeeding roller is in a sli h tly l igl: er plane tll an the preceding one, an by thls arrangement the forward movement of the eggs is somewhat IOO IOS

selves, although such rotation, of course, as-

sists 'in this forward movement. The checking of the forward movement by reason .of the slight upward inclination that the eg have to pass over in moving across the ro ers also affords sufficient time for the inspector to give each egg the necessary examination to determine its quality. Furthermore, the rotation of these rollers rolls the eggs so as to aid in bringing the'eggs to positions for thorough inspection.

I have called attention to the fact that the central pair of rollers 38 and 39 are driven at a less speed than the rollers at each side of them, and the object in thus driving these central rollers at a less speed than the others is to cause the e gs to be more or less upturned and there y enable the inspector to readily determine the character of theairchamber in the eggs. I have found in practice that the eggs upon being .brought to these slower rotating rollers are so turned and the turning of the eggs in this manner affords additional opportunity for a thorough inspection.

By means of my improved machine th eggs to be inspected will be moved forward re ularly and evenly over the light-cl2 amber, wiIl be rotated during a portion of such movement, and will be also turned, as before described, so that their ends point in a different direction from that in which they pointed Wh en they first started moving over the light-chamber, and by reason of these various movements the inspector will be afforded every opportunity for thoroughly examining every egg passin over the machine. After passing over the rol ers the eggs will be again delivered to the endless conveyer-belt,

being deposited thereon between the ribs on i the face of the belt and from such belt will be taken off by hand or delivered as desired.

The dividing-ribs on the face of the belt act to kee the various streams of eggs separated and a so act to properly deliver the eggs to and receive them from the cut-away or re- -cessed portions of thevrollers.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In an egg-testing machine, the combi- I nationwith a light-c amber, of a series of rollers over said chamber adaptedto receive and support e s, al conveyer for delivering eggs to the ro ers, and means for rotating some of the rollers at less speedthan the others, substantially as described. l

3. In an egg-testin macbine, the combination with a series o rollers and a stationary support therefor, of an endless conveyer leading toward under and away from.. said rollers, and means for rotating the rollers, substantially as described. f

nation with a support com rising a pair of side frames, of a series of ro ers journaled in said side frames, an endless conveyer-belt leading towardunder and away'fromsaid rollers, said conveyer-belt forming the ends and bottom of a well or chamber, and means for rotating therollers, substantially as described.

5. In an,egg-testing machine, the combination witha support comprising a pair of side frames, of an endless conveyer-belt extending substantially horizontal at opposite etral portion whereby it forms the ends and bottom of a Well or chamber, and means over such well or chamber adapted to receive eggs 1 from the said conveyer-belt, substantially as described. l

6.` In an egg-testing machine, the' combination with a support comprising a pair of side frames, of an endless conveyer-belt extendin substantially horizontal at opposite ends o the support and depressed at its central portion whereby it forms the ends and bottom of a Well or chamber, and means over said well or chamber adapted to receive and transport eggs from the said conveyer-belt, substantially as described.

7. In an egg-testing machine, the combination with a fixed sup ortin -fraine, of a series of rollers arranged) side y side journaled therein, said rollers; being located in different horizontal planes, and a conveyer for conducting eggs to said rollers, substantially as described. e

8. In an egg-testing machine, the combination with a fixed sup orting-frame, of a series of rollers varran eci) side by side journaled therein, said ro lers being located in diii'erent horizontal planes, means for rotating said rollers, anda conveyer for conducting eggs to the rollers, substantially as described.

9. In anI'egg-testing machine, the combination with a iixed sup orting-frame, of a series of rollers journaledP support eggs placed thereon, said rollers being located in different horizontal planes, means for rotating two adjacent rollersat different speeds, and a conveyer for conducting eggs to t e rollers, substantially as described.

nation with a su porting-framework having a light-chamber fbrmed therein, of a series of rollers journaled over said light-chamber, said rollers being located in different hori- 4. In an egg-testing machine, thecombi ends of the support and depressed at its centherein adapted to' 1Q. In an-egg-testing machine, the combi- IOO IIO

vzo

zontal planes, means for rotating the end rollers at one speed and intermediate rollers at another speed, and a conveyer for conducting eggs to the rollers, substantially| as described.

11. In an egg-testing machine, the combination with a su porting-framework having a light-chamber ormed therein, of a series of rollers journaled over said light-chamber, the axes of said series being in an inclined plane, and a conveyer for conducting eggs to the lower'most. roller, substantially as described.

12. In an egg-testing machine, the combination with a su porting-framework having a light-chamber ormed therein, of a series of rollers journaledover said light-chamber, the axes of said series being in an inclined lane, a conveyer for conducting eggs to the llowermost roller, and means for rotating the rollers, substantially as described. V

13. l'n an egg-testing machine, the combination with a su porting-framework having a light-chamber fined therein, of a series of rollers journaled over said light-chamber, and a conveyer-belt for conducting eggs to the rollers, one face of said conveyer-belt being divided longitudinally into a plurality of spaces, substantially as described.

14. In an egg-testing machine, the combination with a well or chamber and a lighting means therein, of a series of rollers over said well or chamber, said rollers being located in diferent holizontahplanes, and a conveyer for conducting eggs to said rollers, subst-antiallv as described.

15. In an egg-testing machine, the'combination with a Well or chamber and a lighting means therein, `of a series of rollers overv said well or chamber, saidrollers being located in diterent horizontal planes, and a conveyor for conducting eggs to and away from said rollers, said conveyer extending under said ,q rollers, substantially as described.

16. ln an egg-testing machine, the cornbi-v nation with a wellor chamber and a lighting means therein, of a series of rollers over said well `or chamber, said rollers being located in different horizontal planes, means for rotating said rollers, and a eonveyer for conducting eggs to and away from said rollers, said lconveyer extending under said rollers, substantially as described.

17. In an egg-testing machine, thecombination With a well or chamber and a lighting means therein, of a series of rollers over said well or chamber, said rollers being loeated in different horizontal planes, means` for rotating some ofthe rollers at a less speed than the others, and a conveyer for conducting eggsto and away from said rollers, said conveyer extending under said rollers, substantially as a described.

18. In an egg-testing machine, the combination, with a series of. rollers located in different horizontal planes, of a conveyer for conducting eggs to and away from said rollers, said conveyer extending under saidrollers and forming the end vallsiand bottom of a light-chamber, substantially as described.

ALEXANDER I. MTAGGAR'T.

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