WO2023148073A1

WO2023148073A1 - Systems and methods for disinfection during incubation and hatching period

Info

Publication number: WO2023148073A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/051879
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jack TIEBERG; Tina LOESEKANN; Aaron Benjamin STEPHAN; Marc Andre De Samber; Remy Cyrille Broersma; Marinus Johannes DE JONG
Original assignee: Signify Holding B.V.
Priority date: 2022-02-02
Filing date: 2023-01-26
Publication date: 2023-08-10

Abstract

Provided herein are systems and methods for disinfecting eggs and hatched chicks during an incubation and hatching period. The system includes a body having an interior cavity and a plurality of trays disposed in the interior cavity for receiving one or more eggs. The system includes a plurality of light sources positioned to irradiate the eggs for a first time period of the incubation and hatching period and an ionizer to expose the eggs to a first level of ions for a second time period of the incubation and hatching time period, and expose the eggs to a second level of ions for a third time period of the incubation and hatching period. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of light sources and the ionizer to control a level of negative ions and/or positive ions within the interior cavity.

Description

Systems and methods for disinfection during incubation and hatching period

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to providing disinfection systems and methods during an incubation and hatching period.

BACKGROUND

In poultry, the microbial communities inhabiting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and skin microbiome of the chicken are essential for the gut homeostasis, the host metabolism and affect the animals' physiology and health. The initial colonization of the GI tract can occur naturally from the moment of hatching and/or prior to hatching by passing of microorganisms through the pores of the eggshell. The GI tract of poultry can be colonized after hatch by exogenous bacteria. After hatch, the GI tract supports a complex microbiome consisting primarily of anaerobic bacteria. As the poultry grow the diversity of the microbiome increases before hitting a stable but dynamic state. Poultry can have a shorter GI tract and fast digestion time which leads to a diverse microbiome that is different from other food animals. The interactions between the microbiome and the avian host have drastic effects on poultry nutrition and health; and are therefore of great importance to poultry production.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods described herein relate to disinfection provided during an incubation and hatching period, for example, to eggs and hatched chicks, to void the eggs (e.g., eggshells) and hatched chicks of potentially harmful pathogens and bacteria during the incubation period and inoculate the hatched chicks after hatching with microbiota. In embodiments, the systems described here can provide disinfection to eggshells before and during incubation, followed by disinfection of hatched chicks. The disinfection can be provided through use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation (e.g., ultraviolet C radiation) and/or ionization including different ranges of ion count of positive ions and negative ions. In embodiments, levels of disinfection can be provided or achieved due to the presence of photosensitizers in, for example, an egg shell, forming a radical that can have disinfecting properties. In some embodiments, exogenous photo catalysts (e.g., titanium dioxide (TiCh)) can be added to the egg shell, for example, by coating or spraying the exogenous photo catalysts on the egg shell. The UV radiation and ionization can eliminate or reduce the potentially harmful bacteria the eggs and/or hatched chicks are exposed to during the incubation and hatching period. After hatching, the systems described herein can provide microbiota (e.g., healthy gut microbiota) through spray, aerosol, feed and/or litter to inoculate the hatched chicks.

The system can include an incubation and hatching structure having a plurality of trays, a plurality of light sources, an ionizer and a controller to control the output of the light sources, the ionizer and the operation of the trays. Multiple eggs can be provided at each of the plurality of trays disposed at different levels within the incubation and hatching structure. The light sources can provide UV radiation to the eggs during a first period of an incubation and hatching period. In embodiments, the ionizer can expose recently hatched eggs within the incubation and hatching period to different ion counts (e.g., positive ions, negative ions) based in part on a time value associated with the incubation and hatching period and/or a measured level of the ion count within the incubation and hatching structure. The incubation and hatching structure can further include a sprayer, feeder or mixer to provide microbiota to the hatched eggs, for example, during a fourth or last period of the incubation and hatching period.

In some embodiments, the system can include or correspond to an on-farm hatching system. For example, the system can include or be disposed within a facility (e.g., chicken house) and trays can be provided within the interior of the facility with eggs disposed on the respective trays. The facility can include a plurality of light sources to provide UV radiation to the eggs during different periods of an incubation and hatching period. In some embodiments, the trays including the eggs can be brought into or disposed within the facility to counter possible late infection during transportation and introduction of the eggs into the facility (e.g., chicken house). The facility can include an ionizer and the ionizer can expose recently hatched eggs within the facility to different ion counts (e.g., positive ions, negative ions) based in part on a time value associated with the incubation and hatching period and/or a measured level of the ion count within the facility. In some embodiments, the facility can further include a sprayer, feeder or mixer to provide microbiota to the hatched eggs, for example, during a fourth or last period of the incubation and hatching period.

The incubation and hatching structure can include a plurality of sensors communicatively coupled with the controller to monitor various parameters within the incubation and hatching structure. The controller can generate and transmit command signals to one or more of the light sources, ionizer, tray actuators, sprayer, feeder, and/or mixer to modify various parameters within the incubation and hatching structure. The systems and methods can produce chicks that have an increased resistance to pathogenic bacteria that they may encounter at a farm and during transport to lead to a reduced or lower early mortality rate. The improved microbial gut composition affects stress tolerance, immune response, and productive performance throughout the chicken’s life, and manipulation thereof can potentially provide benefits to the host.

At least one aspect is a system is provided for disinfecting eggs and hatched chicks during an incubation and hatching period is provided. The system can include a body having an interior cavity, a plurality of trays disposed in the interior cavity for receiving one or more eggs, and a plurality of light sources positioned to irradiate the one or more eggs for a first time period of an incubation and hatching period using ultraviolet radiation. The system includes an ionizer coupled to a surface of a tray of the plurality of trays to expose the one or more eggs to a first level of negative ions and a first level of positive ions for a second time period of the incubation and hatching time period, and expose the one or more eggs to a second level of negative ions and a second level of positive ions for a third time period of the incubation and hatching period. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of light sources and the ionizer. The controller provides light signals to the plurality of light sources to control a level of the UV radiation within the interior cavity. The controller provides ion signals to the ionizer to control a level of the negative ions or the positive ions within the interior cavity.

In embodiments, the system includes a plurality of baskets to hold one or more chicks after hatch. The one or more eggs can hatch during the third time period to form the one or more chicks. The ionizer can be positioned to expose the one or more chicks to the second level of negative ions and the second level of positive ions during the third time period of the incubation and hatching period. The system can include a fan coupled to the surface of the tray to distribute the negative ions and the positive ions provided by the ionizer to the plurality of trays.

In embodiments, the system can include an ion sensor to determine an ion count corresponding to the negative ions and the positive ions provided by the ionizer. The ion sensor is communicatively coupled to the controller. The controller can modify the level of the negative ions or the positive ions provided by the ionizer responsive to the ion count detected by the ion sensor. The system can include a humidity sensor communicatively coupled to the controller. The humidity sensor can monitor a level of humidity in the interior cavity of the body and transmit a humidity signal to the controller indicating the level of humidity in the interior cavity of the body. The system can include a temperature sensor communicatively coupled to the controller. The temperature sensor can monitor a temperature in the interior cavity of the body and transmit a temperature signal to the controller indicating the temperature in the interior cavity of the body.

In embodiments, the ionizer can expose the one or more eggs to the first level of negative ions and the first level of positive ions corresponding to a first range or ion count. The first range of ion count can correspond to a range of 25k ions/cc to 1000k ions/cc per polarity. The ionizer can expose the one or more eggs to the second level of negative ions and the second level of positive ions corresponding to a second range of ion count. The second range of ion count can correspond to a range of Ik ions/cc to 50k ions/cc per polarity. In embodiments, the system can include at least one of: a feeder to provide microbiota to the one or more chicks during a fourth time period of the incubation and hatching process, a sprayer to provide microbiota to the one or more chicks via a spray delivery or aerosol delivery during the fourth time period of the incubation and hatching process, or a mixer to provide microbiota to the one or more chicks via a litter source during the fourth time period of the incubation and hatching process.

In embodiments, the system can include a plurality of tray actuators and each of the plurality of tray actuators can be coupled to at least one tray of the plurality of trays. Each of the plurality of tray actuators can be configured to rotate the at least one tray of the plurality of trays responsive to a rotation signal from the controller. The system can include a camera disposed within the interior cavity of the body to monitor the one or more eggs or the one or more chicks or a motion sensor disposed within the interior cavity of the body to detect motion from the one or more eggs or the one or more chicks. The camera and the motion sensor can be communicatively coupled to the controller.

In at least one aspect, a method for disinfecting eggs and hatched chicks is provided. The method can include irradiating, by a plurality of light sources, one or more eggs for a first time period of an incubation and hatching process using ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The method can include exposing, via an ionizer, the one or more eggs to a first level of negative ions and a first level of positive ions for a second time period of the incubation and hatching time period. The method can include exposing, via the ionizer, the one or more eggs to a second level of negative ions and a second level of positive ions for a third time period of the incubation and hatching process. In embodiments, the one or more eggs can hatch during the third time period to form one or more chicks. The method can include providing microbiota to the one or more chicks during a fourth time period of the incubation and hatching process to inoculate the one or more chicks.

In embodiments, the method can include exposing, via the ionizer, the one or more eggs to the first level of negative ions and the first level of positive ions corresponds to an ion count range of 25k ions/cc to 1000k ions/cc per polarity. The method can include exposing, via the ionizer, the one or more eggs to the second level of negative ions and the second level of positive ions corresponds to an ion count range of Ik ions/cc to 50k ions/cc per polarity. The method can include providing the microbiota to the one or more chicks through at least one of: a sprayer, a feeder or a mixer.

These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detail below. The foregoing information and the following detailed description include illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations, and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects and implementations. The drawings provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and implementations, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. For purposes of clarity, not every component can be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 A is a schematic diagram depicting a system for disinfection during an incubation and hatching period, according to an illustrative implementation;

Fig. IB is a schematic diagram of a controller for an incubation and hatching system, according to an illustrative implementation;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram depicting a system for disinfection during an incubation and hatching period having a plurality of light sources, according to an illustrative implementation;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the incubation and hatching system illustrating an ionizer and fan provided within the incubation and hatching system, according to an illustrative implementation;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the incubation and hatching system illustrating the plurality of light sources, the ionizer, the fan and tray actuators to modify a position of the plurality of trays within the incubation and hatching system, according to an illustrative implementation;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the incubation and hatching system illustrating the plurality of trays including baskets to hold hatched chicks at different levels within the incubation and hatching system, according to an illustrative implementation;

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a basket of the incubation and hatching system having an ionizer and a fan to expose the hatched chicks to a determined ion count within the incubation and hatching system, according to an illustrative implementation;

Fig. 7A is a flow diagram of an example method of disinfecting eggs and hatched chicks during an incubation and hatching period, according to an illustrative implementation; and

Fig. 7B is a flow diagram of an example method of disinfecting eggs and hatched chicks during an incubation and hatching period, according to an illustrative implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and implementations of providing disinfection during an incubation and hatching period, for example, to disinfect eggs and hatched chicks and provide inoculation to the hatched chicks. The various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below can be implemented in any of numerous ways.

Systems and methods described herein relate to disinfection during an incubation and hatching period. An incubation and hatching system can include a plurality of trays to receive eggs and hold hatched chicks, a plurality of light sources to irradiate the eggs with UV radiation and an ionizer to expose the eggs and hatched chicks with varying levels of ion counts, including positive ions and negative ions, to eliminate or reduce potentially harmful pathogens and bacteria within the incubation and hatching system. The incubation and hatching system can include a controller communicatively coupled to the light sources, ionizer, tray actuators and one or more sensors to monitor parameters within the incubation and hatching system and modify the parameters (e.g., UV radiation, ion count, temperature, humidity, tray position, etc.) within the incubation and hatching system. The incubation and hatching system can include a sprayer, feeder or mixer to provide microbiota to the hatched chicks. The hatched chicks can be born with a healthy initial microbiota resulting in improved defense against pathogens, therefore improved production and welfare throughout the chicken’s life.

The incubation and hatching system can provide the UV radiation, ionization and microbiota at different stages or time periods of an overall incubation and hatching period corresponding to the total time frame from the eggs being received at least one tray though to the hatched eggs being provided microbiota. During a first time period of the incubation and hatching period (e.g., days 1-12) or prior to the first time period, the light sources can provide UV radiation to the eggs that are disposed on different trays positioned at different regions within the incubation and hatching system. The controller can provide light signals to indicate or control a level of UV radiation provided to the eggs by the light sources. In embodiments, the controller can control the light sources to provide disinfection of both fertile eggs and incubator prior to the start of the incubation period. The sanitation of the eggs using the UV radiation can occur for determine time periods selected based in part on the type of UV source and/or an output of the UV source. In some embodiments, the incubation and hatching system can provide disinfection using the ionizer and/or one or more photosensitizers, for example, photosensitizers related to UV-generated radicals.

During a second time period of the incubation and hatching period, the ionizer can provide a first level of positive ions and a first level of negative ions to the eggs and throughout an interior cavity of the incubation and hatching system. A fan can be coupled to the ionizer or positioned adjacent to the ionizer to control distribution of the ions throughout the interior cavity of the incubation and hatching system. In embodiments, the ionizer can expose the eggs to high negative and positive ion counts (e.g., ranging from 25k ions/cc to 1000k ions/cc per polarity) during the second time period (e.g., days 13-18) of the incubation and hatching period to continuously sanitize the incubator interior and the eggshell surface of the eggs. In some embodiments, a hatching sensor (e.g., camera, microphone, combination of a camera and microphone) can be included within the incubation and hatching structure to monitor and detect when an egg hatches or is about to hatch. For example, the hatching sensor can monitor one or more eggs to detect or define the moment of hatching (e.g., based on movement prior to hatching, during hatching) and/or detect a first hatching of a first egg of a plurality of eggs disposed within the incubation and hatching structure during the same time period. The detection of the hatching can be used to modify a level of the ion counts and/or light exposure within the interior cavity.

During a third time period of the incubation and hatching period, the ionizer can provide a second level of positive ions and a second level of negative ions to the eggs and throughout the interior cavity of the incubation and hatching system. The second level of ions can be different from the first level and selected based at least on an age of the eggs and/or a time value associated with the incubation and hatching period. The controller can provide ion signals to indicate or control the level of ions (e.g., positive ions, negative ions) and/or a direction, speed or angle of the fan to control distribution of the ions throughout the interior cavity of the incubation and hatching system. In embodiments, the eggs may hatch during the third time period and the ionizer and fan can provide ions to the hatched chicks disposed on different trays of the incubation and hatching system. In embodiments, the ionizer can expose the eggs to low negative and positive ion counts (e.g., ranging from Ik ions/cc up to 50k ions/cc) during the third time period (e.g., days 19-2) of the incubation and hatching period to keep up a determined level or satisfactory level of sanitation without harming the eggs and/or freshly hatched chicks that hatch during the third time period.

During a fourth time period of the incubation and hatching period, microbiota can be provided to the hatched chicks through at least one of a sprayer, feeder or mixer. For example, the sprayer can provide microbiota to the hatched chicks via a spray or aerosol delivery. The feeder can provide microbiota to the hatched chicks through a feed disposed within the incubation and hatching system. The mixer can mix microbiota within a litter provided to the hatched chicks within the incubation and hatching system. The controller can provide various signals to the sprayer, feeder, and/or mixer to control or modify a level or timing of the microbiota provided to the hatched chicks.

The incubation and hatching system can include a plurality of sensors communicatively coupled with the controller to monitor various parameters within the incubation and hatching structure. The sensors can include, but are not limited to, ion sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, motion sensors and/or cameras to monitor the parameters within the incubation and hatching system and the conditions of the eggs and/or hatched chicks. The controller can receive signals from one or more of the sensors and generate command signals to the light sources, the ionizer, tray actuators, sprayer, feeder, and/or mixer to modify various parameters within the incubation and hatching structure. The controller can continually monitor and/or modify parameters within the incubation and hatching system based in part on detected conditions of the eggs and/or hatched chicks. Thus, the systems and methods can produce chicks that have an increased resistance to pathogenic bacteria that they may encounter at a farm and during transport to lead to a reduced or lower early mortality rate. The improved microbial gut composition affects stress tolerance, immune response, and productive performance throughout the chicken’s life, and manipulation thereof can potentially provide benefits to the host.

Referring now to FIGs. 1 A-1B, an incubation and hatching system 100 (referred to herein as “system”) for disinfecting during an incubation and hatching period is depicted. The system 100 includes a body 102 having an interior cavity 104. The system further includes a plurality of trays 110 disposed at different levels 122 within the interior cavity 104, a plurality of light sources 120, one or more ionizers 130 (FIG. IB), and one or more sensors 140 (FIG. IB) to monitor different conditions and parameters (e.g., temperature, humidity, ion count, etc.) within the system 100.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 A, the body 102 has a generally rectangular cuboid shape, however it should be appreciated that the system 100 and body 102 can be formed in other shapes, dimensions or sizes based at least in part on a particular application of the system 100 and/or the shapes, dimensions or sizes of one or more components or features of the system 100 and body 102. The body 102 can include a first sidewall 106 and a second sidewall 108. The first sidewall 106 and the second sidewall 108 can be generally parallel to each other in the rectangular cuboid shape. The first and second sidewalls 106 and 108 are connected to and orthogonal to a top wall 113 (e.g., top surface, upper surface) and a bottom wall 112 (e.g., bottom surface, lower surface). The top wall 113 and the bottom wall 112 can be parallel to each other in the rectangular cuboid shape. The system 100 and body 102 include a front door 114 (e.g., front wall, front surface) and a back wall 116 (e.g., back surface). It should be appreciated that FIG. 1 A illustrates an open view of the system 100 having the front door open 114 and thus, the front door 114 is shown with a dashed line to indicate the area the front door 114 is positioned and would cover in a figure showing the front door 114 closed. The back wall 116 can define a hollow interior cavity 104 of the body 102 with the first and second sidewalls 106, 108 and the top and bottom walls 110, 112. In embodiments, the back wall 116 can define a hollow interior cavity 104 of the body 102 with the first and second sidewalls 106, 108 and the top and bottom walls 110, 112, for example, when the front door 114 of the body 102 is open.

The front door 114 can be coupled to at least one of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 108, the top wall 113, or the bottom wall 112 through one or more fasteners, connectors, screws, or other forms of coupling devices. In embodiments, the front door 114 can be hingedly coupled (e.g., hinges, door hinges) to at least one of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 108, the top wall 113, or the bottom wall 112 to enable or provide access to the interior cavity 104 of the body 102, for example, by opening the front door 114. In embodiments, the front door 114 can operate to seal, close or isolate the interior cavity 104 of the body 102 from an environment (e.g., outside environment) surrounding the body 102 for example, by shutting or closing the front door 114. In embodiments, the front door 114 can include or is made from transparent material and/or includes a window portion to enable or allow a user to view the interior cavity 104 when the front door 114 is closed. In some embodiments, the front door 114 can completely shut and/or seal the interior cavity 104. The front door 114 can be formed of a or include a one-way window such that a user can view the interior cavity 104 from the outside (e.g., outside the interior cavity 104), while light from outside the interior cavity 104 does not enter the interior cavity 104 through the window. The body 102 can include or is made from material to shield the inside of the system 100 and eggs 124 disposed on one or more trays 110 within the interior cavity 104 from radiation, including light, that is present outside of the system 100.

In embodiments, the body 102 can include material that is highly reflective of UV light. For example, the interior cavity 104 (e.g., chamber), portions of or all of the interior surfaces of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 106 and 108, the top wall 113, bottom wall 112, back wall 116, and front door 114 can include or be formed from material that is reflective of UV light, such as but not limited to, aluminum or aluminum metal. In some embodiments, the outer surfaces of the body 102, the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 106 and 108, the top wall 113, bottom wall 112, back wall 116, and front door 114 can include or be formed from protective material, such as but not limited to, stainless steel or similar materials.

In embodiments, various types of optical devices or means can be used to create an even light exposure or targeted light exposure to the eggs 124 and/or chicks 502 or to increase a level of the light exposure to the eggs 124 and/or chicks 502. For example, in some embodiments, reflective elements (e.g., reflective materials, reflective devices) and/or refractive elements (e.g., refractive materials, refractive devices) can be coupled to or disposed on portions of the interior surfaces of the interior cavity 104 (e.g., interior surfaces of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 106 and 108, the top wall 113, bottom wall 112, back wall 116, and front door 114) to increase the level of the light exposure to the eggs 124 and/or chicks 502 by reflecting light or refracting light from one or more of the light sources 120. In embodiments, the trays 110 can be transmissive for UV light and/or ions to increase the level of the light exposure to the eggs 124 and/or chicks 502 and/or provide a more even or targeted light exposure to the eggs 124 and/or chicks 502. For example, the trays 120 can include or be formed from a mesh material or the trays 120 can include or be formed from UV transmissive material, such as but not limited to, fused glass or quartz. In embodiments, the body 102, interior cavity 104, the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 106 and 108, the top wall 113, bottom wall 112, back wall 116, and front door 114 can be electrically grounded, for example, for ionization disinfection efficiency. In some embodiments, the body 102, interior cavity 104, the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 106 and 108, the top wall 113, bottom wall 112, back wall 116, and front door 114 can include or be formed from materials having a neutral triboelectric point such that a charge on a surface of the respective component may not repel or absorb air charges.

The plurality of trays 110 (e.g., holding members) are disposed at and coupled to different levels 122 within the interior cavity 104 to receive or hold one or more eggs 124. The levels 122 can include surfaces coupled to or mounted to the one or more surfaces of the interior cavity 104 of the body 102. In embodiments, a surface, end surface or end portion of a level 122 can be coupled to one or more surfaces of the first and second sidewalls 106, 108 and/or back wall 116 to mount the respective level 122 to the interior cavity 104 of the body 102. The trays 110 can be coupled to a surface (e.g., top surface) of a respective level 122 to mount the respective tray 110 to the respective level 122. For example, in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 A, a first tray 110 is positioned at a first level 122a, a second tray 110 is positioned at a second level 122b, a third tray 110 is positioned at a third level 122c, a fourth tray 110 is positioned at a fourth level 122n within the interior cavity 104. Although FIG 1 A shows four trays 110 and four levels 122, it should be appreciated that the number of trays 110 and/or number of levels 122 can vary and be less than or greater than the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 A. For example, the system 100 can include less than four trays 110 (e.g., single tray 110, two or more trays 110) or more than four trays 110 based at least in part on a particular application of the system 100 and/or the shapes, dimensions or sizes of one or more components or features of the system 100 and body 102. The system 100 can include less than four levels 122 (e.g., single level 122, two or more levels 122) or more than four levels 122 based at least in part on a particular application of the system 100 and/or the shapes, dimensions or sizes of one or more components or features of the system 100 and body 102. In some embodiments, a single level 122 may include two or more trays 110 (e.g., with an opening or break between the different trays 110 disposed at the same level 122).

The trays 110 are configured to receive and stably hold one or more eggs 124. In embodiments, the trays 110 can include slots, holes, cups or formations configured to receive and hold an egg 124. The trays 110 can be coupled to (e.g., mounted, connected) to one or more surfaces of the levels 122 through one or more tray actuators 111. In embodiments, the tray actuators 111 can be configured to move, position, change an angle, rotate or otherwise modify a position of a tray 110 with respect to the body 102 and the interior cavity 104. In embodiments, the tray actuators 111 can include a rotatable axle and is configured to or operative to move the tray 110 with respect to the body 102. The tray actuator 111 may continuously or periodically move a tray 110 having one or more eggs 124 disposed thereon. The tray actuator 111 may move a tray 110 in response to a signal (e.g., rotational signal) from a controller (e.g., controller 154 of FIG. IB) of the system 100. In embodiments, the tray actuator 111 can rotate a tray 110 between a horizontal position and angled positions in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. The angled positions may correspond to angles measured from the horizontal, and may range between 0° and a maximum angle (e.g., 15°, 30°, 40°). The maximum angle is generally selected such that even when the tray is rotated to the maximum angle, any eggs 124 disposed on the tray 110 are not dislodged from their slots, holes, cup or receiving portion.

The eggs 124 can be of any avian species, including, but not limited to chicken eggs, turkey eggs, and the like. Reptilian and other species' eggs may also be used. The trays 110 can rotate or tilt to various angles in response to the tray actuators 111 to simulate the movement the egg would encounter in nature, for example as the egg 124 is laid upon by a hen or subject to other environmental conditions.

The light sources 120 (e.g., light emitting elements, light emitting diodes) can be coupled to one or more surfaces of the interior cavity 104 to irradiate, provide lighting and/or radiation (e.g., ultraviolet (UV), ultraviolet C (UVC)) to the eggs 124 disposed on the trays 110. In embodiments, the light sources 120 can be coupled to (e.g., mounted to, connected to, embedded within) one or more of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 108, the back wall 116, the front door 114, the top wall 113 and/or the bottom wall 112. In some embodiments, the light sources 120 can be coupled to the first sidewall 106 and the second sidewall 108 with the light sources 120 positioned proximate to or adjacent to multiple levels 122 within the interior cavity 104 to irradiate eggs 124 disposed on the plurality of trays 110 at the plurality of levels 122. In embodiments, the light sources 120 can include, but are not limited to, narrow or broadband TL lamps, light emitting diodes (LEDs), excimer lamps, lighting fixtures, luminaires, and/or devices capable of generating light and/or optical signals.

In some embodiments, the light sources 120 can be disposed on one or both surfaces of each level 122 and/or tray 110. In one embodiment, the light sources 120 can be disposed only on an underside of each level 122 and/or tray 110. In another embodiment, the light sources 120 can be disposed only on an upper surface of each level 122 and/or tray 110. The light sources 120 can be positioned within the interior cavity 104 to provide a high lighting intensity to each egg 124 disposed in the trays 110. The positioning of the light sources 120 can be selected such that each egg 124 and/or tray 110 (e.g., middle portion of tray 110) is within a determined distance (e.g., minimum distance) from at least one light source 120 within the interior cavity 104. In embodiments, the light sources 120 can be positioned and disposed such that light emitted by the light sources 120 can reach all or substantially all surfaces of each egg 124 disposed within the interior cavity 104. For example, the eggs 124 can be disposed on the trays 120 and the light sources 120 positioned such that the eggs 124 can receive light emitted by the light sources 120 from all sides of the respective egg 124. In embodiments, reflective elements (e.g., reflective material) and/or refractive elements (e.g., refractive material) can be used to increase a level of exposure to the light emitted by the light sources 120 and/or to more uniformly provide the light to different sides of the eggs 124. For example, reflective elements and/or refractive elements can be disposed or coupled to interior surfaces of the interior cavity 104 (e.g., interior surfaces of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 106 and 108, the top wall 113, bottom wall 112, back wall 116, and front door 114) to reflect or refract light and more evenly distribute the light within the interior cavity 104. In some embodiments, the trays 120 can be formed from or include UV transmissive material to more evenly distribute the light within the interior cavity 104 to increase a level of exposure to the light emitted by the light sources 120 and/or to more uniformly provide the light to different sides of the eggs 124.

In embodiments, the light sources 120 are electrically connected to an electrical power source 150 (show in FIG. IB). In embodiments, the light sources 120 are electrically connected to one another and to the electrical power source 150. In embodiments, the plurality of light sources 120 are light emitting diode (LED) elements that receive an AC voltage and/or AC current waveform at their terminals for activation, for example, from the power source 150.

The light sources 120 can emit light with wavelengths in a range from 100 nm to 450 nm, for example, to provide UV radiation (e.g., far UVC, UVC, UVB, UVA) and/or violet light. In embodiments, the light sources 120 can emit light over varying wavelength ranges to provide different types of UV radiation and/or violet wavelength. In embodiments, the light sources 120 can emit light with wavelengths in a range from 315 nm to 400 nm to provide UVA radiation. In embodiments, the light sources 120 can emit light with wavelengths in a range from 280 nm to 315 nm to provide UVB radiation. In embodiments, the light sources 120 can emit light with wavelengths in a range from 100 nm to 280 nm to provide UVC radiation. In embodiments, the light sources 120 can emit light with wavelengths in a range from 400 nm to 450 nm to provide violet light.

The ionizer 130 can be positioned within the interior cavity 104 to provide and distribute positive ions and/or negative ions within the interior cavity 104 to set, modify or change an ion count or air molecule properties within the interior cavity 104 (e.g., FIG.3). In embodiments, the ionizer 130 can use a voltage to ionize (e.g., electrically charge) air molecules (e.g., air ions) within the interior cavity 104, for example, by releasing positive ions, negative ions or a combination of positive ions and negative ions within the interior cavity 104 and thus exposing eggs 124 disposed on the trays 110 to the released positive ions, negative ions or the combination of positive ions and negative ions within the interior cavity 104. The ionizer 130 can be configured to or operative to release and expose the eggs 124 to different ion counts and varying levels of ion counts based in part on a time period associated with the incubation and hatching period, a sensed ion count within the interior cavity 104, an ion signal from the controller 154 (shown in FIG. IB) and/or a condition of one or more eggs 124 (e.g., hatched, close to hatching, time within the interior cavity 104). The ionizer 130 can change or modify a level of the positive ions and/or negative ions released to modify, influence or change an ion count within the interior cavity 104 responsive to a detected ion count from an ion sensor (shown in FIG. IB). In some embodiments, the ionizer 130 can continuously change or modify a level of the positive ions and/or negative ions released to modify, influence or change an ion count within the interior cavity 104 responsive to a detected ion count from an ion sensor (shown in FIG. IB).

The ionizer 130 can expose the eggs 124 within the interior cavity 104 to a first level (e.g., 25k ions/cc to 1000k ions/cc per polarity) of positive ions and negative ions for a determined time period (e.g., days 13-18) of an incubation and hatching period to sanitize a surface of the eggshells of the eggs 124 and the interior cavity 104. The ionizer 130 can expose the eggs 124 within the interior cavity 104 to a second level (e.g., Ik ions/cc to 50k ions/cc per polarity) of positive ions and negative ions for a determined time period (e.g., days 19-21) of an incubation and hatching period to sanitize a surface of the eggshells of the eggs 124 and the interior cavity 104. In embodiments, the ionizer 130 can expose hatched chicks (e.g., newly hatched eggs 124) within the interior cavity 104 to a second level (e.g., Ik ions/cc to 50k ions/cc per polarity) of positive ions and negative ions for a determined time period (e.g., days 19-21) of an incubation and hatching period to sanitize the hatched chicks and the interior cavity 104. The fan 132 can include a device or apparatus having one or more blades to create a current of air or air flow within the interior cavity 104 (e.g., FIG. 3). The fan 132 can be positioned to distribute the ions (e.g., positive ions, negative ions) released by the ionizer 130 in one or more directions and throughout the interior cavity 104. For example, the fan 132 can be positioned or angled to distribute the distribute the ions released by the ionizer 130 such that each of the eggs 124, trays 110 and/or hatched chicks within the interior cavity 104 are exposed to a determined level of released ions or such that the ions are evenly or uniformly distributed throughout the interior cavity 104. The fan 132 can be coupled to the ionizer 130, mounted adjacent to (e.g., proximate to) the ionizer 130, positioned within a determined distance from the ionizer 130, and/or coupled to the same or a common surface of a level 122 or tray 110 that the ionizer 130 is coupled to or mounted.

In embodiments, multiple ionizers 130 or two or more ionizers 130 can be disposed within the interior cavity 104. In such embodiments, two or more fans 132 can be positioned within the interior cavity 104 to distribute the ions released by the multiple ionizers 130 in one or more directions and throughout the interior cavity 104. In some embodiments, at least one fan 132 can be coupled to or positioned within a determined distance of each of the multiple ionizers 130. In embodiments, multiple or two or more fans 132 can be positioned within the interior cavity 104 to distribute the ions released by the ionizer 130 in one or more directions and throughout the interior cavity 104. In some embodiments, at least one fan 132 can be positioned proximate to each level 122 to distribute the ions released by the ionizer 130 to the eggs 124 or hatched chicks being held on the respective level 122. The number of fans 132 disposed within the system 100 can vary (e.g., one fan, two or more fans) and be selected based at least in part on a shape and/or size of the body 102 and interior cavity 104, the number of eggs 124 and/or hatched chicks, and/or the number of ionizers 130 within the interior cavity 104.

The sensors 140 can be disposed within the interior cavity 104 to monitor, sense and/or detect one or more conditions and/or parameters associated with the eggs 124, hatched chicks, the system 100, the interior cavity 104 and/or the environment within the interior cavity 104 (e.g., FIG. 3). The sensors 140 can be coupled to (e.g., mounted to, connected to, attached, embedded within) one or more of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 108, the back wall 116, the front door 114, the top wall 113 and/or the bottom wall 112 (e.g., any surface within the interior cavity 104). In embodiments, the sensors 140 can be coupled to one or more surfaces of the trays 110 (e.g., each tray, a single tray, bottom surface of a tray, top surface of a tray) and/or one or more surfaces of the levels 122 (e.g., each level, a single level, bottom surface of a level, top surface of a level). The sensors 140 can be positioned within the interior cavity 104 based at least in part of the type of sensor 140 (e.g., ion, temperature, humidity, motion, light, sound), a number of trays 110 and/or levels 122 within the interior cavity 104, an/d or a shape and size of the body 102 and the interior cavity 104.

In some embodiments, the sensors 140 can be positioned proximate to or adjacent to multiple trays 110 and levels 122 within the interior cavity 104 to monitor, detect and sensor conditions and parameters associated with the eggs 124 and/or hatched chicks disposed on the plurality of trays 110 at the plurality of levels 122 and/or the environment around the eggs 124 and/or hatched chicks. The sensors 140 can include, but are not limited to, an ion sensor 140, a temperature sensor 140, a humidity sensor 140, a motion sensor 140, a light sensor 140 and a sound sensor 140 (e.g., FIG. 3). The controller 154 may include, be communicatively and/or be electrically coupled to the sensors 140 disposed within the interior cavity 104. The sensors 140 can generate and provide the controller 154 with information on current environmental conditions including, but not limited to, ion count, temperature, humidity, a light level, detected sounds and/or motion within the interior cavity 104.

In embodiments, the system 100 can include one or more baskets 118 for newly hatched chicks that hatch during the incubation and hatching period. The baskets 118 can include a container to hold, group or organize one or more chicks. The baskets 118 can include a box, vessel, crate or bin used to hold one or more chicks. In embodiments, the baskets 118 can be disposed, positioned or coupled to a surface of one or more levels 122 within the interior cavity 104. In some embodiments, the baskets 118 can be coupled or connected to a top surface (e.g., first surface) of a level 122 to hold or contain a chick (e.g., hatched chick) within the incubation and hatching system 100. The size and shape of the baskets 118 can vary and be selected based at least in part on the size and shape of a particular level, a number of chicks and/or the size and shape of the interior cavity 104.

Referring now to FIG. IB, a controller 154 of the incubation and hatching system 100 is depicted illustrating the connections between the controller 154, sensors 140 and different components of the system 100. The controller 154 can be communicatively and/or electrically coupled to the light sources 120, ionizer 130, the fan 132, tray actuators 111, a camera 134, a mixer 135, a feeder 136, a sprayer 137, a photosensitizer 138, sensors 140, a power source 150 and a user interface 160. The controller 154 can include a processor 156 and a storage device 158. The controller 154 can include an electronic device, computing device and/or computing system for monitoring one or more conditions and/or parameters within the interior cavity 104 and associated with one or more eggs 124 and/or one or more chicks provided within the interior cavity 104. The controller 154 can be communicatively and/or electrically coupled with one or more components of the system 100 and/or one or more sensors 140 to monitor and/or modify one or more conditions and/or parameters within the interior cavity 104 during an incubation and hatching period. The controller 154 can include circuitry to perform or implement the methods 700 and 750 discussed herein with respect to FIGs. 7A-7B.

The controller 154 can include electronic components, such as microprocessors (e.g., processor 156), storage and memory that store computer program instructions in a computer readable storage medium (e.g., non-transitory computer readable medium). Many of the features described in this specification can be implemented as processes that are specified as a set of program instructions encoded on a computer readable storage medium. When these program instructions are executed by one or more processors, they cause the processors to perform various operation indicated in the program instructions. Examples of program instructions or computer code include machine code, such as is produced by a compiler, and files including higher-level code that are executed by a computer, an electronic component, or a microprocessor using an interpreter. Through suitable programming, processor 156 can provide various functionality for the controller 154, including any of the functionality described herein as being performed by the controller 154 to implement methods 700 and 750 discussed above with respect to FIGs. 7A-7B.

Storage device 158 can include a database and/or memory for storing and retrieving position data, commands and/or instructions for the controller 154, sensors 140, and/or one or more components of the system 100. The storage device 158 can include a volatile memory (e.g., RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., one or more hard disk drives (HDDs) or other magnetic or optical storage media, one or more solid state drives (SSDs) such as a flash drive or other solid state storage media, one or more hybrid magnetic and solid state drives, and/or one or more virtual storage volumes, such as a cloud storage, or a combination of such physical storage volumes and virtual storage volumes or arrays thereof).

The controller 154 can generate and transmit signals 170 (e.g., control signals, command signals) to the different components of the system 100. In some embodiments, the controller 154 can store the signals 170 in the storage device 158. The signals 170 can include, but are not limited to, light signals 170 to indicate a light setting or modify a light setting, an ion signal 170 to indicate an ion count or modify an ion count, a humidity signal 170 to indicate a humidity setting or modify a humidity setting, a temperature signal 170 to indicate a temperature setting or modify a temperature setting, and/or a rotation signal 170 to indicate a position setting or modify a position setting associated with a tray 110 or basket 118, and/or a sound signal 170 to indicate a position setting or modify a position setting associated with a sound sensor 140. The signals 170 can include a data structure, command and/or instruction that identifies a setting or output for the receiving device to change its respective setting or output to match.

The controller 154 can be communicatively and/or electrically coupled to the sensors 140 positioned in the interior cavity 104 and providing the controller 154 with information on current environmental conditions including light level, ion count, temperature, humidity, sound and/or a position of a tray 110 or basket 118. The sensors 140 can include, but are not limited to, an ion sensor 140, a temperature sensor 140, a humidity sensor 140, a motion sensor 140, a light sensor 140 and a sound sensor 140. The system 100 can include one or more of each of the ion sensor 140, the temperature sensor 140, the humidity sensor 140, the motion sensor 140, and the sound sensor 140. In embodiments, the sound sensor 140 can include, but is not limited to, a microphone or a device for detecting sound and/or recording sound (e.g., sound waves). In embodiments, the sound sensor 140 can capture the sounds of pre-hatching movement or peeping, sounds during a hatching event and/or after hatching, such as the movement of a recently hatched chick. The sensors 140 can be coupled to, connected to or mounted on to different surfaces of the interior cavity 104 or system 100 to monitor the environmental conditions the eggs 124 and chicks (e.g., chicks 502 of FIG. 5) are exposed to, conditions of the components of the system 100 and conditions of the interior cavity 104.

In some embodiments, the controller 154 can include a timing device or clock to control the system 100 and different components according to a pre-determined schedule. The controller 154 can operate the system 100 and components on a periodic basis (e.g., by repeating an activation pattern, transmitting signals each day), at determined intervals, or on another time-varying basis (e.g., by activating the components according to different patterns on each day of the incubation and hatching period).

The controller 154 can be electrically and communicative coupled to a power source 150 to receive power and/or monitor the power provided to the system 100. The power source 150 can include an electrical power source or a battery. The power source 150 can provide electrical power to the system 100 and the different components of the system 100. The system can include a user interface 160 including an input device, output device or combination of an input device and output device to enable a user to interact with the system 100 and the controller 154. In embodiments, the user interface 160 can include a communication device or a graphical user interface to enable a user to interact with the system 100 and the controller 154 to provide settings (e.g., temperature, time values, humidity levels, ion count, tray positions), modify settings and/or other forms communication between the system 100 and a user.

In embodiments, the user interface 160 can include an input device. The input device can include any device (or devices) via which a user (e.g., administrator, control device, surface node 110) can provide signals to the controller 154 and the controller 154 can interpret the signals as indicative of particular user requests or information (e.g., settings, conditions, parameters). The input device can include any or all of a receiver, transceiver, dial, button, switch, keypad, microphone, sensors (e.g., a motion sensor, GPS sensor, LEO sensor, etc.), and so on. In embodiments, the user interface 160 can include an output device. The output device can include any device via which the controller 154 can provide information to a user. For example, the output device can include a transmitter, transceiver, display to display data (e.g., position data) generated by the controller 154. The display (e.g., water-proof display) can incorporate various image generation technologies, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) including organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), projection system, cathode ray tube (CRT), or the like, together with supporting electronics (e.g., digital-to-analog or analog-to-digital converters, signal processors, or the like). The output device can be provided in addition to or instead of a display. Examples include indicator lights, speakers, tactile “display” devices, and so on.

In some embodiments, the system can include a humidifier 172 positioned in the interior cavity 104 or as a component of the system 100 to control and/or modify a level of humidity in the interior cavity 104. In embodiments, the humidifier 172 can be coupled to or mounted to at least one surface of the interior cavity 104. The humidifier 172 can include a tubing element that can modify (e.g., increase, decrease) the humidity level within the interior cavity 104. The humidifier 172 can include a water input port for receiving water. In this manner, the humidity within the interior cavity 104 can be controlled to provide any relative humidity from 0% humidity to 100% humidity, such that the humidity with the interior cavity 104 is pre-determined. In some embodiments, the humidifier can operate as a dehumidifier to control and maintain humidity within the pre-determined range and/or to modify the humidity within the interior cavity 104. In some embodiments, the humidity level can be used to determine appropriate conditions for hatching and/or a desired level for ionization disinfection. For example, in one embodiment, the humidity level can be used as a compromise between conditions for hatching and the requirements for appropriate or best level for ionization disinfection. The controller 154 can be communicatively coupled to the humidifier 172 and the dehumidifier 172 to provide signals 110 to set a humidity level within the interior cavity 104 and/or change the humidity level within the interior cavity 104.

In some embodiments, the system 100 can include a heater 174. The heater 174 can be coupled to, embedded within and/or mounted to a surface of the interior cavity 104 to maintain and/or modify a temperature within the interior cavity 104. The controller 154 can be communicatively coupled to the heater 174 to provide signals 110 to set a temperature level within the interior cavity 104 and/or change the temperature level within the interior cavity 104.

The system 100 can include a camera 134. In some embodiments, the camera 134 can include or correspond to a motion detection device to detect movement or motion within the interior cavity 104 and/or on trays 110 and/or basket 118. For example, the camera 134 can detect motion corresponding to an egg hatching and/or a chick moving within the interior cavity 104. The camera 134 can include a device to recording visual images in the form of photographs, film and/or video signals and/or streaming a live feed (e.g., real-time active feed) of within the interior cavity 104. The controller 154 can be communicatively coupled to the camera 134 to monitor the conditions within the interior cavity 104, detect motion within the interior cavity 104 and/or to change or modify a position of the camera 134.

The system 100 can include a mixer 135. The mixer 135 can include a mixing device to mix microbiota (e.g., fecal microbiota) with a first feed or initial feed the newly hatched chicks 502 are provided or have access to after hatching in the system 100. The mixer 135 can include a rotatable blade or rotatable portion disposed within the mixer 135 and one or more openings to receive the microbiota and feed. In some embodiments, the mixer 135 can include any form of mixing device or mixing system to combine products, food, mixtures and/or other forms of materials. In embodiment, the microbiota can be freeze dried and provided into the mixer 135 with a feed for the chicks 502 and the mixer 135 can stir, mix or otherwise combine the microbiota and feed. In some embodiments, the mixer 135 can distribute the combined microbiota and feed to an area the chicks 502 are held in after hatching. In some embodiments, the mixer 135 can mix the microbiota with an initial litter source that is placed or distributed in an area the chicks 502 are contained. In some embodiments, the system can include a first mixer 135 to mix microbiota with a first feed or initial feed for the newly hatched chicks 502 and a second mixer 135 to mix the microbiota with an initial litter source that is placed or distributed in an area the chicks 502 are contained.

The system 100 can include a feeder 136. The feeder 136 can include a device for providing or distributing food for the chicks 502. The feeder 136 can include a plastic feeder or metal feeder. The feeder 136 can include a container having a holding portion to hold and maintain the feed and one or more access portions to provide access to the chicks 502 to receive the feed or dispense the feed to the chicks 502. The holding portion of the feed can include an orifice to receive the feed. The feeder 136 can be formed in a variety of different shapes and sizes based in part on the properties of the system 100 and/or a number of chicks 502 to be fed. In some embodiments, the feeder 136 can be coupled to the mixer 135 to receive the combined microbiota and feed and provide access to the combined microbiota and feed to the chicks 502.

The system 100 can include a sprayer 137. The sprayer 137 can include a device configured to or operable to spay a liquid, materials, products, feed, and/or litter. In some embodiments, the sprayer 137 can include an aerosol device to distribute the product in an aerosol form the chicks 502. The sprayer 137 can include a spray gun, fluid tank, sprayer pump, and a pressure regulator to regulate the speed and/or rate at which the product is dispensed. The sprayer 137 can include a holding portion to hold or maintain a product to be dispensed and at least one nozzle portion or outlet to dispense the product. The sprayer 137 can vary in size and shape based in part on the properties of the system 100 and/or a number of chicks 502. The sprayer 137 can be configured to spray or aerosol the microbiota to an area containing or holding the chicks 502. In some embodiments, the sprayer 137 can be coupled to the mixer 135 and/or the feeder 136 to receive the microbiota.

The system 100 can include a photosensitizer 138. In some embodiments, the photosensitizer 138 (or multiple photosensitizers) can be coupled to one or more surfaces of the interior cavity 104 to irradiate, provide lighting and/or radiation to the eggs 124 disposed on the trays 110.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a diagram 200 illustrating a plurality of light sources 120 positioned within the interior cavity 104 of the system 100 to provide light 204 and irradiate one or more eggs 124 and/or chicks within the interior cavity 104. The light sources 120 can be positioned to provide ultraviolet light 204 (e.g., UVC radiation) and irradiate the eggs 124 disposed on the trays 110 within the interior cavity 104. In one embodiment, the light sources 120 can provide light 204 having a wavelength in a range from 100 nm to 400 nm (e.g., UV radiation, UVC radiation). In embodiments, the light sources 120 can include a light device, a luminaire, lamp, light fixture, and/or an electric light unit for generating and transmitting light signals. In some embodiments, one or more photosensitizers 138 or one or more ionizers 130 can be positioned within the interior cavity 104 of the system 100 to irradiate the one or more eggs 124 and/or chicks within the interior cavity 104.

The light sources 120 can disinfect the eggs 124 and the surfaces of the interior cavity 104 prior to the start of the incubation and hatching period and/or during a first time period of the incubation and hatching period. In embodiments, the light sources 120 can provide UV irradiation prior to the start of the incubation and hatching period and/or during a first time period of the incubation and hatching period to disinfect the eggs 124 and the surfaces of the interior cavity 104. The UV light 204 can destroy or reduce a level of harmful pathogens and bacteria in the interior cavity 104 and/or on the eggs 124. The light sources 120 can be positioned and arranged within the interior cavity 104 such that eggs 124 and/or chicks 502 disposed on the plurality of trays 110 and/or baskets 118 can receive a determined level of light 204 (e.g., minimum level) and/or UV radiation. In one embodiment, the light sources 120 can be positioned and arranged within the interior cavity 104 such that multiple surfaces of each of the eggs 124 and/or chicks 502 disposed on the plurality of trays 110 and/or baskets 118 receive a determined level of light 204 (e.g., minimum level) and/or UV radiation. For example, one or more light sources 120 can be coupled to or embedded within the first sidewall 106 and the second sidewall 108 at each level 122 and adjacent to each tray 110 or basket 118 to provide light 204 to the respective level 122. The light sources 120 can be positioned at different angles or provide light 204 at different angles to provide light 204 and UV to all areas of the different levels 122 of the interior cavity 104. In one embodiment, the light sources 120 can evenly or uniformly provide light 204 to each level 122 such that each egg 124 receives a similar to the same level of light.

The light sources 124 are communicatively and/or electrically coupled to the controller 154 to receive light signals 170 to activate and turn on the light sources 120. The controller 154 can provide light signals 170 to set the output of the light sources 120 and modify an output of the light sources 120. In embodiments, the controller 154 can generate a lighting schedule and control the light sources 120 and the output of the light sources 120 according to the lighting schedule. As indicated above, the controller 154 can activate the light sources 120 prior to the start of the incubation and hatching period and/or during a first time period of the incubation and hatching period. The first time period of the incubation and hatching period can vary based in on the number of eggs 124, properties of the system 100 (e.g., number of trays 110, size of interior cavity 104), and/or properties of the light sources 120. In embodiments, the controller 154 can determine and set the length of the first time period based in part on the number of eggs 124, properties of the system 100, and/or properties of the light sources 120. In embodiments, a user or administrator can provide or set a length (e.g., a number of days, a number of hours, specific time frame) of the first time period through a user interface 160 of the system 100 that is communicatively coupled to the controller 154. The controller 154 can set the length of the first time period responsive to the provide input. In one embodiment, the first time period can include a time prior to the eggs 124 and/or chicks being placed in the interior cavity 104 and/or days 1-12 of an incubation and hatching period (e.g., day 1 being the time the eggs 124 and/or chicks are placed in the interior cavity 104). The dosage of light provided to the eggs 124 and/or chicks 502 can vary based at least in part on a location or position of the respective eggs 124 and/or chick 502 on a tray 110, a location or position within the interior cavity 102, and/or a distance from one or more light sources 120. In some embodiments, the dosage of light provided to the eggs 124 and/or chicks 502 can be based in part on a type of pathogen (e.g., common pathogens, detected pathogens) that is to be reduced or eliminated using the UV radiation. In some embodiments, after hatching, the dosage of light can be modified to a threshold level (e.g., threshold limit values) based in part of thresholds for hazardous UV radiation exposure for chicks 502.

In some embodiments, the controller 154 can activate the ionizer 130 and/or a photosensitizer to disinfect the eggs 124 and the surfaces of the interior cavity 104 prior to the start of the incubation and hatching period and/or during a first time period of the incubation and hatching period. In some embodiments, the controller 154 can control the light sources 120 in combination with the ionizer 130 and/or a photosensitizer to disinfect the eggs 124 and the surfaces of the interior cavity 104 prior to the start of the incubation and hatching period and/or during a first time period of the incubation and hatching period.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a diagram 300 illustrating an ionizer 130 is positioned within the interior cavity 104 of the system 100 to expose the one or more eggs 124 and/or chicks within the interior cavity 104 to varying levels of positive ions 302 and/or negative ions 302. The system 100 is shown in FIG. 3 with the light sources 120 not shown to aid in illustrating the ionizer 130, however it should be appreciated that the system 100 can include both the plurality of light sources 120 and the ionizer 130 and/or multiple ionizers 130. The ionizer 130 can generate positive ions 302, negative ions 302 or a combination of positive ions 302 and negative ions 302 to distribute within the interior cavity 104 to sanitize the eggs 124, chicks and/or the surfaces of the interior cavity 104. In embodiments, the controller 154 can activate and turn-on the ionizer 130 after the light sources 120 have disinfected the eggs 124 and the interior cavity 104 and during a second time period of the incubation and hatching period. The level or amount of ions 302 can vary and be selected based at least on a time period of the incubation and hatching period, a condition of the one or more eggs 124 and/or chicks, and/or the size and shape of the interior cavity 104. In embodiments, the ionizer 130 can generate a first level of positive ions 302 and negative ions 302 during a second time period (e.g., days 13-18) of the incubation and hatching period to continuously sanitize the interior cavity 104, the eggshell surface of the eggs and/or the chicks. In one embodiment, the first level of position ions 302 and the first level of negative ions 302 generated during the first time period can include a range from 25k ions/cc to 1000k ions/cc per polarity. In embodiments, the ionizer 130 can generate a second level of positive ions 302 and negative ions 302 during a third time period (e.g., days 19-21) of the incubation and hatching period to continuously sanitize the interior cavity 104, the eggshell surface of the eggs and/or the chicks. In one embodiment, the second level of position ions 302 and the second level of negative ions 302 generated during the second time period can include a range from Ik ions/cc to 50k ions/cc per polarity.

The ionizer 130 can include or be coupled to a fan 132 to aid in distributing the ions 302 throughout the interior cavity 104. The fan 132 can be positioned to generate an air flow that causes the ions 302 from the ionizer 130 to be distributed to each of the trays 110 and levels 122 within the interior cavity 104. The fan 132 and/or ionizer 130 can be movable (e.g., rotate, tilt, change an angle) to change a position of the fan 132 and/or ionizer 130 and/or change a direction of the flow of ions. In embodiments, the fan 132 and/or ionizer 130 can receive a control signal from the controller 154 indicating a position, instructing the fan 132 and/or ionizer 130 and/or a direction for the flow of ions 302. The fan 132 and/or ionizer 130 can distribute the ions 302 such that each egg 124 and/or chick within the interior cavity receives a determined ion count (e.g., level of sanitation)

In some embodiments, the system 100 can include two or more or multiple ionizers 130 and/or two or more fans 132. For example, the system 100 can include an ionizer 130 and fan 132 coupled to or disposed on a surface of each of the levels 122 and/or trays 110 within the interior cavity 104. In embodiments, each of the ionizers 130 can generate the same level or amount of positive ions 302 and/or negative ions 302. In some embodiments, one or more of the ionizers 130 can generate a different level or amount of positive ions 302 and/or negative ions 302 from at least one other ionizer 130 within the interior cavity 104.

An ion sensor 140 can be coupled to at least one surface within the interior cavity 104 to monitor the ion count within the interior cavity 104 and communicate the ion count to the controller 154. The ion sensor 140 can be communicatively coupled with the controller 154 to enable the controller 154 to monitor the ion count within the interior cavity 104 and/or modify the level or amount of positive ions and/or negative ions generated by the ionizer 130. The ion sensor 140 can be coupled a surface (e.g., bottom surface, top surface) of a tray 110 and/or level 122. The ion sensor 140 can be coupled to a surface of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 108, the top wall 113, the bottom wall 112, the front wall 114 and/or back wall 116 of the interior cavity 104. In some embodiments, two or more ion sensors 140 can be disposed within the interior cavity 104. For example, an ion sensor 140 may be disposed at each level 122 and proximate to each tray 110 to monitor the ion count at the respective level 122. The controller 154 is communicatively coupled to the ion sensor 140 to monitor the ion count and generate ion signals 170 to set or modify an output of the ionizer 130 responsive to the information received from the ion sensor 140. The controller 154 can use the ion sensor 140 to continually monitor the ion count within the interior cavity 104 and make changes to the environment within the interior cavity 104 based in part on the detected ion count, a condition of one or more eggs 124 and/or one or more chicks 502 within the interior cavity 104.

A temperature sensor 140 can be coupled to at least one surface within the interior cavity 104 to monitor the temperature within the interior cavity 104 and communicate the temperature to the controller 154. The temperature sensor 140 can be communicatively coupled with the controller 154 to enable the controller 154 to monitor the temperature within the interior cavity 104 and/or modify the temperature (e.g., using the heater 174). The temperature sensor 140 can be coupled a surface (e.g., bottom surface, top surface) of a tray 110 and/or level 122. The temperature sensor 140 can be coupled to a surface of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 108, the top wall 113, the bottom wall 112, the front wall 114 and/or back wall 116 of the interior cavity 104. In some embodiments, two or more temperature sensors 140 can be disposed within the interior cavity 104. For example, a temperature sensor 140 may be disposed at each level 122 and proximate to each tray 110 to monitor the temperature at the respective level 122. A humidity sensor 140 can be coupled to at least one surface within the interior cavity 104 to monitor the humidity within the interior cavity 104 and communicate the humidity to the controller 154. The humidity sensor 140 can be communicatively coupled with the controller 154 to enable the controller 154 to monitor the humidity within the interior cavity 104 and/or modify the humidity (e.g., using the humidifier 172). The humidity sensor 140 can be coupled a surface (e.g., bottom surface, top surface) of a tray 110 and/or level 122. The humidity sensor 140 can be coupled to a surface of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 108, the top wall 113, the bottom wall 112, the front wall 114 and/or back wall 116 of the interior cavity 104. In some embodiments, two or more humidity sensors 140 can be disposed within the interior cavity 104. For example, a humidity sensor 140 may be disposed at each level 122 and proximate to each tray 110 to monitor the humidity at the respective level 122.

In some embodiments, a motion sensor 140 can be coupled to at least one surface within the interior cavity 104 to monitor motion within the interior cavity 104 and communicate the detected motion to the controller 154. The motion sensor 140 can be communicatively coupled with the controller 154 to enable the controller 154 to monitor any motion within the interior cavity 104 and/or modify a position of the motion sensor 140. The motion sensor 140 can be coupled a surface (e.g., bottom surface, top surface) of a tray 110 and/or level 122. The motion sensor 140 can be coupled to a surface of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 108, the top wall 113, the bottom wall 112, the front wall 114 and/or back wall 116 of the interior cavity 104. In some embodiments, two or more motion sensors 140 can be disposed within the interior cavity 104. For example, a motion sensor 140 may be disposed at each level 122 and proximate to each tray 110 to monitor any motion at the respective level 122.

In some embodiments, a sound sensor 140 can be coupled to at least one surface within the interior cavity 104 to monitor sound within the interior cavity 104 and communicate the detected sound to the controller 154. The sound sensor 140 can be communicatively coupled with the controller 154 to enable the controller 154 to monitor any sound within the interior cavity 104 and/or modify a position of the sound sensor 140. The sound sensor 140 can be coupled to a surface (e.g., bottom surface, top surface) of a tray 110 and/or level 122. The sound sensor 140 can be coupled to a surface of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 108, the top wall 113, the bottom wall 112, the front wall 114 and/or back wall 116 of the interior cavity 104. In some embodiments, two or more sound sensors 140 can be disposed within the interior cavity 104. For example, a sound sensor 140 may be disposed at each level 122 and proximate to each tray 110 to monitor sounds at the respective level 122.

In some embodiments, a light sensor 140 can be coupled to at least one surface within the interior cavity 104 to monitor a light level within the interior cavity 104 and communicate the detected light level to the controller 154. The light sensor 140 can be communicatively coupled with the controller 154 to enable the controller 154 to monitor light levels within the interior cavity 104 and/or modify a position of the light sensor 140. The light sensor 140 can be coupled to a surface (e.g., bottom surface, top surface) of a tray 110 and/or level 122. The light sensor 140 can be coupled to a surface of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 108, the top wall 113, the bottom wall 112, the front wall 114 and/or back wall 116 of the interior cavity 104. In some embodiments, two or more light sensors 140 can be disposed within the interior cavity 104. For example, a light sensor 140 may be disposed at each level 122 and proximate to each tray 110 to monitor a light level at the respective level 122.

In some embodiments, a camera 134 can be coupled to at least one surface within the interior cavity 104 to monitor the interior cavity 104. The camera 134 can be communicatively coupled with the controller 154 to enable the controller 154 to monitor any motion within the interior cavity 104, conditions within the interior cavity 104 and/or modify a position of the camera 134. The camera 134 can be coupled a surface (e.g., bottom surface, top surface) of a tray 110 and/or level 122. The camera 134 can be coupled to a surface of the first sidewall 106, the second sidewall 108, the top wall 113, the bottom wall 112, the front wall 114 and/or back wall 116 of the interior cavity 104. In some embodiments, two or more cameras 134 can be disposed within the interior cavity 104. For example, a camera 134 may be disposed at each level 122 and proximate to each tray 110 to monitor activity at the respective level 122.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a diagram 400 illustrates a tray actuator 111 coupled to each of the trays 110. The trays 110 (and baskets 118) can include a tray actuator 111 to rotate, move, or otherwise change a position of the respective tray 110. Each of the tray actuator 111 can be coupled (e.g., physically, mechanically) to at least one surface (e.g., bottom surface) of a tray 110. The tray actuator 111 can change a position of the tray 110 with respect to a position of one or more light sources 120, ionizer 130 and/or fan 132 within the interior cavity 104. The tray actuator 111 can move the tray 110 (e.g., move the tray 110 along a surface of the level 122), tilt the tray 110 to change an angle of tray 110 with respect to a light source 120, ionizer 130 and/or fan 132, and/or rotate the tray 110. The tray actuators 111 can be electrically and/or communicatively coupled to the controller 154 to receive a signal from the controller 154 indicating a position (e.g., angle, tilt) of the tray 110 and/or instructing the tray actuator 111 to modify the position of the tray 110. For example, the trays 110 can be rotatable about an axis 402 and the tray actuator 111 can rotate the tray 110 to cause the tray 110 to tilt in response to a control signal from the controller 154 and received by the tray actuator 111. In embodiments, the controller 154 can control the operation of the tray actuator 111 and the position of the tray 110 according to a determined schedule. For example, the controller 154 can change a position of a tray 110 using the tray actuator 111 based in part on a lighting schedule, disinfection schedule, a condition of the eggs 124, a condition of the chicks and/or a length the eggs 124 and/or chicks have been in the interior cavity 104. The schedule can indicate a position, angle, and/or of a tray 110 based in part on a time length the eggs 124 and/or chicks 502 have been within the interior cavity 104. In embodiments, the schedule can indicate a position and/or angle of a tray 110 based in part on a time period of the incubation and hatching period. For example, the schedule can indicate to change the position of a tray 110 when the incubation and hatching period transitions from the first time period to the second time period, from the second time period to the third time period and/or the third time period to the fourth time period. In embodiments, the controller 154 can assign or set different positions and/or angles for the different time periods of the trays 110 during the incubation and hatching period or the controller 154 can assign or the same position and/or angle for the trays 110 during the different time periods of the incubation and hatching period.

The system 100 can include a user interface 160. The user interface 160 can be coupled to, attached to or embedded within at least one surface of the body 102. The user interface 160 can include an input device, output device or combination of an input device and output device to enable a user to interact with the system 100 and the controller 154. The user interface 160 can include a communication device or a graphical user interface to enable a user to provide settings (e.g., temperature, time values, humidity levels, ion count, tray positions) for the system and/or modify settings of the system 100. The user interface 160 can include a receiver, transceiver, dial, button, switch, keypad, microphone, and/or sensors. The user interface 160 can include transmitter, transceiver, display to display data (e.g., position data) generated by the controller 154.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a diagram 500 is provided illustrating chicks 502 within baskets 118 of the system 100. In embodiments, the eggs 124 can hatch during the incubation and hatching period and one or more of the trays 110 can be replaced with a basket 118 and/or the basket 118 can be disposed on or coupled to a tray 110 within the interior cavity 104. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the chicks 502 are positioned in baskets 118 in the interior cavity 104 of the system 100. The chicks 502 can correspond to newly hatched chicks 502 hatched during the incubation and hatching period. In some embodiments, the eggs 124 can hatch during the third time period (e.g., days 19-21) of the incubation and hatching period.

The baskets 118 can include containers to hold the chicks 502 during the incubation and hatching period. The baskets 118 can be coupled to a surface of a respective level 122 within the interior cavity 104. In embodiments, the baskets 118 can be coupled to a first or top surface of a respective level 122 within the interior cavity 104. The interior cavity 104 can include a combination of one or more trays 110 and one or more baskets 118. For example, the trays 110 and baskets 118 can be removable such that after the eggs 124 hatch, one or more trays 110 can be removed and replaced with a basket 118 to hold the chicks 502.

The baskets 118 can include bottom surfaces and/or sidewalls with openings, holes or orifices (e.g., wire basket) to enable the chicks 502 to be exposed to light from the light sources 120 and/or ions from the ionizer 130 and the fan 132. The baskets 118 may have an open top (e.g., not top surface or boundary) or may include a top portion having openings, holes or orifices. In embodiments, the baskets 118 can be coupled to the tray actuators 111 such that each basket 118 when it is installed in the interior cavity 104 is mechanically coupled to a tray actuator 111. The tray actuator 111 can move, tilt, rotate or otherwise change a position of the respective basket 118.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a diagram 600 of a basket 118 is provided illustrating one embodiment with a first ionizer 130 and a first fan 132 coupled to a first side surface 602 of the basket and a second ionizer 130 and a second fan 132 coupled to a second side surface 604 of the basket 118. Although FIG. 6, illustrates a basket 118 with two ionizers 130, it should be appreciated the number of ionizers 130 and fans 132 within the interior cavity 104 can vary and the positioning of the ionizers 130 and fans 132 can vary. In embodiments, the basket 118 can include a single ionizer 130 and single fan 132 or more than two ionizers 130 and more the two fans 132. In some embodiments, the ionizer 130 is coupled to a surface of the interior cavity 104 and the baskets 118 are positioned to expose the chicks 502 to the ions 302 generated by the ionizer 130. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the ionizers 130 and the fan 132 can expose the chicks 502 to positive ions 302 and/or negative ions 302 to sanitize the environment around the chicks and an outer surface (e.g., feathers, down) of the chicks 502. Referring now to FIG. 7A, a flow diagram of a method 700 for disinfecting eggs and hatched chicks during an incubation and hatching period is provided. In brief overview, the method 700 can include irradiating eggs (702), exposing the eggs to a first level of ions (704), exposing the eggs to a second level of ions (706), exposing chicks to the second level of ions (708) and providing microbiota to the chicks (710).

At operation 702, and in embodiments, one or more eggs 124 can be irradiated with UV radiation. One or more eggs 124 can be placed on one or more trays 110 within the interior cavity 104 of a system 100. The trays 110 are disposed at multiple levels 122 within the interior cavity and a plurality of light sources 120 are coupled to surfaces of the interior cavity 104 to provide light and irradiate the eggs 124 with UV radiation. The light sources 120 can be positioned such that each of the eggs 124 and multiple surfaces of the eggshells are exposed to UV radiation during an incubation and hatching period. The controller 154 can generate and provide light signals 170 to the light sources 120 to disinfect the surfaces of the interior cavity 104, the trays 110 and the eggs 124 disposed on the trays 110. The controller 154 can activate and turn on the light sources 120 prior to the start of the incubation and hatching period to disinfect the surfaces of the interior cavity 104 and the trays 110 prior the eggs 124 being disposed in the interior cavity 104.

The controller 154 can activate the light sources 120 as the eggs 124 are disposed in the hatching chamber and during a first time period (e.g., days 1-12) of the incubation and hatching period to disinfect the surfaces of the interior cavity 104, the trays 110 and the eggs 124 disposed on the trays 110. In some embodiments, the controller 154 can activate an ionizer 130 or a photosensitizer to disinfect the surfaces of the interior cavity 104, the trays 110 and the eggs 124 disposed on the trays 110 prior to the start of the incubation and hatching period and/or during a first time period of the incubation and hatching period.

The light signals 170 can include a command or instruction identifying a level of UV or an output of the light sources 120 and a time period to provide the light. The light signals 170 can include a determined lighting schedule identifying different levels of UV radiation or different levels of output of the light sources 120 with the different values associated with a different time period during the lighting schedule. For example, the lights signals can indicate a first level of UV radiation during a first time frame and a second level of the UV radiation during a second time frame as indicated in the lighting schedule. In some embodiments, the controller 154 can transmit light signals 170 to change or modify an output of one or more light sources 120. Each of the lights sources 120 can provide the same level of UV radiation. In some embodiments, one or more lights sources 120 can provide a different level of UV radiation from at least one other light source 120 in the interior cavity 104.

At operation 704, and in embodiments, one or more eggs 124 can be exposed to a first level of ions. An ionizer 130 can expose the one or more eggs 130 to a first level of negative ions and a first level of positive ions for a second time period of the incubation and hatching time period. In embodiments, the first level of positive ions and the first level of negative ions can range from 25k ions/cc to 1000k ion/cc per polarity. A fan 132 can be coupled to or be part of the ionizer 130 to generate an air flow and distribute the ions throughout the interior cavity 104 and to expose the eggs 124 on the trays 110 to the ions. In embodiments, the controller 154 can activate and turn on the ionizer 130 and fan 132 at the start of the second time period of the incubation and hatching period to expose the eggs 124 and the interior cavity 104 to the ions. The controller 154 can continue to activate the ionizer 130 and fan 132 during the second time period (e.g., days 13-18) of the incubation and hatching period to expose the eggs 124 and the interior cavity 104 to the ions and continually sanitize the surfaces of the interior cavity 104 and the eggshells.

The controller 154 can transmit an ion signal 170 to the ionizer 130 identifying the first level of the negative ions and the second level of the positive ions. In some embodiments, the controller 154 can transmit ion signals 170 to modify or change an output of the ionizer 130 during the first time period. The ion signal can include a command or instruction identifying an output of the ionizer 130, an ion count, a level of positive ions and/or a level of negative ions.

At operation 706, and in embodiments, one or more eggs 124 can be exposed to a second level of ions. The ionizer 130 can expose the one or more eggs 130 to a second level of negative ions and a second level of positive ions for a third time period (e.g., days 19-21) of the incubation and hatching time period. In embodiments, the second level of positive ions and the second level of negative ions can range from Ik ions/cc to 50k ion/cc per polarity.

The fan 132 can be coupled to or part of the ionizer 130 to generate an air flow and distribute the ions throughout the interior cavity 104 and to expose the eggs 124 on the trays 110 to the ions. In embodiments, the controller 154 can activate and turn on the ionizer 130 and fan 132 at the start of the third time period of the incubation and hatching period to expose the eggs 124 and the interior cavity 104 to the ions. The controller 154 can, at the start of the third time period, modify the level or output of the ionizer 130 to change the output from the first level to the second level. For example, the controller 154 can transmit an ion signal 170 to the ionizer 130 identifying the second level of the negative ions and the second level of the positive ions. In embodiments, the controller 154 can transmit ion signals 170 to modify or change an output of the ionizer 130 during the third time period. The controller 154 can continue to activate the ionizer 130 and fan 132 during the third time period (e.g., days 19-21) of the incubation and hatching period to expose the eggs 124 and the interior cavity 104 to the ions and continually sanitize the surfaces of the interior cavity 104 and the eggshells. In embodiments, one or more of the eggs 124 may hatch during the third time period and the resulting hatched chicks can be provided on baskets 118 within the interior cavity 104. The interior cavity 104 may contain eggs 124 and hatched chicks 502 as the eggs 124 may hatch at different times during the third time period. It should be appreciated that the irradiation using UV light and exposure can be complementary methods, for example, used together to disinfect eggs 124 and chicks 502. For example, the plurality of light sources 120 and the ionizer 130 can operate (e.g., be active) at the same time or during the same time periods of the incubation and hatching period to disinfect the eggs 124 and/or chicks 502. In embodiments, the irradiation using UV light can be performed independently of the exposure of ions. For example, the eggs 124 and/or chicks 502 can be disinfected using UV light radiation without exposure to ions. In some embodiments, the exposure of ions to disinfect eggs 124 and chicks 502 can be performed without UV light irradiation.

At operation 708, and in embodiments, one or more chicks 502 can be exposed to the second level of ions. The ionizer 130 can expose the one or more chicks 504 to the second level of negative ions and the second level of positive ions during the third time period (e.g., days 19-21) of the incubation and hatching time period. The fan 132 can be coupled to or part of the ionizer 130 to generate an air flow and distribute the ions throughout the interior cavity 104 and to expose the chicks 502 in the baskets 118 to the ions. In embodiments, the controller 154 can activate the ionizer 130 and fan 132 to expose the chicks 502 and the interior cavity 104 to the ions to sanitize the environment around the chicks 502. The controller 154 can transmit an ion signal 170 to the ionizer 130 identifying the second level of the negative ions and the second level of the positive ions. In embodiments, the controller 154 can transmit ion signals 170 to modify or change an output of the ionizer 130 during the third time period, for example, responsive to the eggs 124 hatching in the interior cavity 104. The controller 154 can continue to activate the ionizer 130 and fan 132 during the third time period (e.g., days 19-21) of the incubation and hatching period to expose the chicks 502 and the interior cavity 104 to the ions and continually sanitize the surfaces of the interior cavity 104 and the chicks 502. At operation 710, and in embodiments, microbiota can be provided to the chicks 502. The microbiota can be provided to the one or more chicks 502 during a fourth time period of the incubation and hatching process to inoculate the one or more chicks 502. In embodiments, the microbiota (e.g., fecal microbiota) is freeze dried and mixed with an initial or fist feed the chicks 502 have access to or are provided after hatching. The system 100 can include a feeder 136 that provides the feed to the chicks 502 and can mix the microbiota with the feed during the first time period to provide the mixed feed to the chicks 502. The controller 154 can be communicatively coupled to the feeder 136 and instruct the feeder 136 to mix the microbiota with the feed during the fourth time period and to dispense the mixed feed to the chicks 502.

In embodiments, the system 100 can include a sprayer 137 to provide the microbiota to the chicks 502 through a spray or aerosol. For example, the controller 154 can be communicatively coupled to the sprayer 137 and instruct the sprayer to dispense the microbiota with the feed during the fourth time period via a spray technique or aerosol technique to the chicks 502. In embodiments, the system 100 can include a mixer 135 to mix the microbiota (e.g., fecal microbiota) into an initial litter source and dispense the mixed litter source to the environment that the chicks 502 are being held or contained. The controller 154 can be communicatively coupled to the mixer 135 to instruct the mixer to the mix the microbiota with the litter source and to instruct the mixer 135 to dispense the mixed litter source to the environment that the chicks 502 are being held or contained during the fourth time period. In some embodiments, the mixed litter source including the microbiota can be provided to the chicks 502 after the incubation and hatching period, for example, during placement at a farm location.

Referring now to FIG. 7B, a flow diagram of a method 750 for disinfecting eggs and hatched chicks during an incubation and hatching period is provided. In brief overview, the method 750 can include irradiating eggs (702), monitoring during operations 702-708 of FIG. 7A (752), receiving sensor signals (754), modifying parameters (756), transmitting signals commands (758), applying the modified parameters (760) and continuing to monitor during operations 702-708 of FIG. 7A (762).

At operation 702 and in embodiments, one or more eggs 124 can be irradiated with UV radiation as described above with respect to operation 702 of method 700. At operation 752, and in embodiments, the controller 154 can monitor the conditions within the interior cavity 104 and the condition of the one or more eggs 124 and/or one or more chicks 502 during operations 702-708 of FIG. 7A using the sensors 140 disposed in the interior cavity 104. The controller 154 can monitor various parameters and conditions within the interior cavity 104 using the ion sensor 140, temperature sensor 140, humidity sensor 140, the motion sensor 140, the light sensor 140 and the sound sensor 140. For example, the controller 154 can be electrically and/or communicatively coupled to the ion sensor 140, temperature sensor 140, humidity sensor 140, the motion sensor 140, the light sensor 140 and the sound sensor 140 to receive status updates, detection of different events (e.g., egg hatches based on motion, ion count below a threshold, etc.) and/or various conditions associated with the system 100, the interior cavity 104 and/or the environment the eggs 124 and chicks 502 are in.

At operation 754, and in embodiments, the controller 154 can receive a sensor signal from at least one sensor 140. In embodiments, the sensors 140 can transmit updates to the controller 154 at determined intervals (e.g., per hour, per day, every 30 minutes), in response to a detected event (e.g., value below or above a threshold, eggs hatch, power failure), in response to a request from the controller 154 or randomly. For example, the controller 154 can generate a schedule and transmit the schedule to the sensors 140 instructing each sensor 140 a time frame or interval for the respective sensor 140 to provide updates and/or readings to the controller 154. The schedule provided to the sensors 140 can be different for each sensor 140 or different from at least one other sensor 140. In some embodiments, the schedule provided to the sensors 140 can be the same for each sensor 140.

In embodiments, the sensors 140 can transmit and provide updates and/or readings to the controller 154 in response to detecting a reading is below or greater than a threshold or responsive to detecting an event associated with an egg 124, a chick 504 or within the interior cavity 104. For example, the controller 154 can determine and set different thresholds when a warning or alert should be generated. The thresholds can be used to indicate a potential event or condition within the interior cavity 104 or associated with an egg 124 or chick 502. The thresholds can include, but are not limited to, an ion count threshold, a temperature threshold, a humidity threshold, a light threshold, a sound threshold (e.g., sound anomaly threshold indicating a hatching event). In response to detecting or determining a reading is below or greater than a threshold, the respective sensor 140 can transmit a signal to the controller 154 to alert the controller 54 of the detecting reading or detected event.

At operation 756, and in embodiments, the controller 154 can determine to modify a parameter or condition within the interior cavity 104 based in part on the received sensor signal. The controller 154 can determine to modify or change an ion count or output of the ionizer 130 in response to signal from the ion sensor 140. In embodiments, the controller 154 can increase the level of positive ions, negative ions or a combination of positive ions and negative ions. In embodiments, the controller 154 can decrease the level of positive ions, negative ions or a combination of positive ions and negative ions. The controller 154 can determine to modify or change a speed or direction of a fan 132 in response to signal from the ion sensor 140, for example, to modify the ion count at a particular level 122 within the interior cavity 104.

The controller 154 can determine to increase or decrease a temperature within the interior cavity 104 in response to a signal from the temperature sensor 140. In embodiments, the controller 154 can determine to increase or decrease a humidity level within the interior cavity 104 in response to a signal from the humidity sensor 140. In embodiments, the controller 154 can determine to increase or decrease a light level within the interior cavity 104 in response to a signal from the light sensor 140. In embodiments, the controller 154 can determine to increase or decrease at least one parameter within the interior cavity 104 in response to a signal from the sound sensor 140 indicating a sound anomaly, such as for a pre-hatch event or hatching event. The controller 154 can determine to change a position of a tray 110 or backet 118 based in part on a detected condition of an egg 124, chick 502 or level 122 within the interior cavity 104. For example, the controller 154 can receive an ion signal, temperature signal, a light signal, and/or a sound signal and determine to tilt a tray 110 such that the eggs 124 disposed on the tray 110 receive light and/or ions at a different angle to change (e.g., increase, decrease) a level of exposure to the light or ions. Changing the position of the tray 110 or backet 118 can include, but is not limited to, rotation, titling, or moving the tray 110 or basket 118 through a tray actuator 111.

At operation 758, and in embodiments, the controller 154 can transmit a signal 170 to at least one component of the system 100 to modify a parameter. The controller 154 can generate a signal 170 that includes a command or instruction to modify a condition or parameter within the interior cavity 104. The signals 170 can cause the receiving component (e.g., light sources 120, ionizer 130, fan 132, tray actuator 111) to modify a current level to the level indicated in the signal 170. The signals 170 can include, but are not limited to, a light signal 170 to modify an output of the light sources 120, an ion signal 170 to modify the output of the ionizer 130 and/or operation of the fan 132, a humidity signal 170 to modify a humidity level within the interior cavity 104, a temperature signal 170 to modify a temperature level within the interior cavity 104, a rotation signal 170 to modify a position of a tray 110 or basket 118, and/or a sound signal 170 to change a position of a sound sensor 140, for example, in response to a detected hatching event. The signals 170 can include the new parameter or output (e.g., light setting, temperature setting, ion count, humidity setting, position setting, sound sensor position to confirm hatching event) for the respective component of the system 100.

At operation 760, and in embodiments, the receiving component of the system 100 can execute the command in the signal 170 to apply the new parameter or condition. For example, the light sources 120 can receive a light signal 170 and change (e.g., increase, decrease) the output to the level indicated in the light signal 170. The ionizer 130 can receive an ion signal 170 and change (e.g., increase, decrease) the output to the level or ion count indicated in the ion signal 170. The fan 132 can receive an ion signal 170 and change a speed or direction of an air flow generated by the fan 132 to the speed or direction indicated in the ion signal 170. A tray actuator 111 can receive a rotation signal 170 and change (e.g., tilt, rotate, move) a position of a tray 110 or basket 118 to the position and/or angle indicated in the rotation signal 170. A sound sensor 140 can receive the sound signal and change its position (e.g., tilt, rotate, move) to better position to monitor a possible hatching event.

At operation 762, and in embodiments, the controller 154 can continue to monitor the operations 702-708 of FIG. 7A to determine if any additional changes should be made. The controller 154 can continuously monitor, using the various sensors 140, the conditions and parameters of the environment within the interior cavity, associated with the different components of the system 100 and/or of the eggs 124 and/or chicks disposed within the interior cavity 104. The method 750 can return to operation 752 to continue monitoring during the incubation and hatching period.

It will be appreciated that controller 154 is illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. Computer systems used in connection with the present disclosure can have other capabilities not specifically described here. Further, while controller 154 is described with reference to particular blocks, it is to be understood that these blocks are defined for convenience of description and are not intended to imply a particular physical arrangement of component parts. For instance, different blocks can be located in the same facility, in the same server rack, or on the same motherboard. Further, the blocks need not correspond to physically distinct components. Blocks can be configured to perform various operations, e.g., by programming a processor or providing appropriate control circuitry, and various blocks might or might not be reconfigurable depending on how the initial configuration is obtained. Implementations of the present disclosure can be realized in a variety of apparatus including electronic devices implemented using any combination of circuitry and software. Having now described some illustrative implementations, it is apparent that the foregoing is illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example. In particular, although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, those acts and those elements can be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed in connection with one implementation are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other implementations or implementations.

The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit and/or the processor) the one or more processes described herein.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine- readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” “comprising” “having” “containing” “involving” “characterized by” “characterized in that” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, equivalents thereof, and additional items, as well as alternate implementations consisting of the items listed thereafter exclusively. In one implementation, the systems and methods described herein consist of one, each combination of more than one, or all of the described elements, acts, or components.

Any references to implementations or elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular can also embrace implementations including a plurality of these elements, and any references in plural to any implementation or element or act herein can also embrace implementations including only a single element. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements to single or plural configurations. References to any act or element being based on any information, act or element can include implementations where the act or element is based at least in part on any information, act, or element.

Any implementation disclosed herein can be combined with any other implementation or embodiment, and references to “an implementation,” “some implementations,” “one implementation” or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation can be included in at least one implementation or embodiment. Such terms as used herein are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Any implementation can be combined with any other implementation, inclusively or exclusively, in any manner consistent with the aspects and implementations disclosed herein.

Where technical features in the drawings, detailed description or any claim are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have been included to increase the intelligibility of the drawings, detailed description, and claims. Accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effect on the scope of any claim elements.

Systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the characteristics thereof. References to “approximately,” “about” “substantially” or other terms of degree include variations of +/-10% from the given measurement, unit, or range unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Coupled elements can be electrically, mechanically, or physically coupled with one another directly or with intervening elements. Scope of the systems and methods described herein is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are embraced therein.

The term “coupled” and variations thereof includes the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly with or to each other, with the two members coupled with each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled with each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

References to “or” can be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” can indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. A reference to “at least one of ‘A’ and ‘B’” can include only ‘A’, only ‘B’, as well as both ‘A’ and ‘B’. Such references used in conjunction with “comprising” or other open terminology can include additional items.

Modifications of described elements and acts such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations can occur without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed can be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions can also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the disclosed elements and operations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. The orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system (100) for disinfecting eggs (124) and hatched chicks (502) during an incubation and hatching period, the system (100) comprising: a body (102) having an interior cavity (104); a plurality of trays (110) disposed in the interior cavity (104) for receiving one or more eggs (124); a plurality of light sources (120) positioned to irradiate the one or more eggs (124) for a first time period of an incubation and hatching period using ultraviolet (UV) radiation; an ionizer (130) coupled to a surface of a tray (110) of the plurality of trays (110) to sanitize the interior cavity (104) and the one or more eggs (124) using varying levels of negative ions and positive ions during a second time period of the incubation and hatching period and a third time period of the incubation and hatching period; and a controller (154) communicatively coupled to the plurality of light sources (120) and the ionizer (130), wherein the controller (154) provides light signals (170) to the plurality of light sources (120) to control a level of the UV radiation within the interior cavity (102) during the first time period of the incubation and hatching period; wherein the controller (154) provides ion signals (170) to the ionizer (130) during the second time period of the incubation and hatching period to control the ionizer (130) to provide a first level of negative ions and a first level of positive ions to the one or more eggs (124) and the interior cavity (104); and wherein the controller (154) provides ion signals (170) to the ionizer (130) during the third time period of the incubation and hatching period to control the ionizer (130) to provide a second level of negative ions and a second level of positive ions to the one or more eggs (124) and the interior cavity (104).

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of baskets (118) to hold one or more chicks (502) after hatch, wherein the one or more eggs (124) hatch during the third time period to form the one or more chicks (502), and wherein the ionizer (130) is positioned to expose the one or more chicks (502) to the second level of negative ions and the second level of positive ions during the third time period of the incubation and hatching period.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fan (132) coupled to the surface of the tray (110) to distribute the negative ions and the positive ions provided by the ionizer (130) to the plurality of trays (110).

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an ion sensor (140) to determine an ion count corresponding to the negative ions and the positive ions provided by the ionizer (130), wherein the ion sensor (140) is communicatively coupled to the controller (154), and wherein the controller (154) modifies the level of the negative ions or the positive ions provided by the ionizer (130) responsive to the ion count detected by the ion sensor (140).

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a humidity sensor (140) communicatively coupled to the controller (154), wherein the humidity sensor (140) monitors a level of humidity in the interior cavity (104) of the body (102) and transmits a humidity signal to the controller (154) indicating the level of humidity in the interior cavity (104) of the body (102).

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor (140) communicatively coupled to the controller (154), wherein the temperature sensor (140) monitors a temperature in the interior cavity (104) of the body (102) and transmits a temperature signal to the controller (154) indicating the temperature in the interior cavity (104) of the body (102).

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the ionizer (130) exposes the one or more eggs (124) to the first level of negative ions and the first level of positive ions corresponding to a first range or ion count, wherein the first range of ion count corresponds to a range of 25k ions/cc to 1000k ions/cc per polarity.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the ionizer (130) exposes the one or more eggs (124) to the second level of negative ions and the second level of positive ions corresponding to a second range of ion count, wherein the second range of ion count corresponds to a range of Ik ions/cc to 50k ions/cc per polarity.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one of: a feeder (136) to provide microbiota to the one or more chicks (502) during a fourth time period of the incubation and hatching process, a sprayer (137) to provide microbiota to the one or more chicks (502) via a spray delivery or aerosol delivery during the fourth time period of the incubation and hatching process, or a mixer (135) to provide microbiota to the one or more chicks (502) via a litter source during the fourth time period of the incubation and hatching process.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tray actuators (111), each of the plurality of tray actuators (111) coupled to at least one tray (110) of the plurality of trays (110), wherein each of the plurality of tray actuators (111) are configured to rotate the at least one tray (110) of the plurality of trays (110) responsive to a rotation signal (170) from the controller (154).

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a camera (134) disposed within the interior cavity (104) of the body (102) to monitor the one or more eggs (124) or the one or more chicks (502) or a motion sensor (140) disposed within the interior cavity (104) of the body (102) to detect motion from the one or more eggs (124) or the one or more chicks (502), wherein the camera (134) and the motion sensor (140) are communicatively coupled to the controller.

12. A method for disinfecting eggs (124) and hatched chicks (502), the method comprising: irradiating, by a plurality of light sources (120), one or more eggs (124) for a first time period of an incubation and hatching process using ultraviolet (UV) radiation; exposing, via an ionizer (130), the one or more eggs to a first level of negative ions and a first level of positive ions for a second time period of the incubation and hatching period to sanitize the interior cavity (104) and the one or more eggs (124) using the first level of negative ions and the first level of positive ions; exposing, via the ionizer (130), the one or more eggs (124) to a second level of negative ions and a second level of positive ions for a third time period of the incubation and hatching process to sanitize the interior cavity (104) and the one or more eggs (124) using the second level of negative ions and the second level of positive ions, wherein the one or more eggs (124) hatch during the third time period to form one or more chicks (502) and the one or more chicks (502) are sanitized using the second level of negative ions and the second level of positive ions; and providing microbiota to the one or more chicks (502) during a fourth time period of the incubation and hatching process to inoculate the one or more chicks (502).

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising exposing, via the ionizer (130), the one or more eggs (124) to the first level of negative ions and the first level of positive ions corresponds to an ion count range of 25k ions/cc to 1000k ions/cc per polarity.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising exposing, via the ionizer (130), the one or more eggs (124) to the second level of negative ions and the second level of positive ions corresponds to an ion count range of Ik ions/cc to 50k ions/cc per polarity.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing the microbiota to the one or more chicks (502) through at least one of: a sprayer (137), a feeder (136) or a mixer (135).