Process and apparatus for the automatic examination of eggs for cracks or places of fracture in their shell

US4161366A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Battelle Institute e.V. · DE

Inventors

• Johannes Bol · Heppenheim, DE
• Hans Freund · Schweinfurt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 14, 1977
• Grant date: Jul 17, 1979
• Expiry date: Feb 14, 1997

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N21/88
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A process and apparatus are disclosed for the automatic examination of eggs for cracks or fractured surface areas in their shells. The process includes the steps of directing light from at least one light source onto the egg, and detecting and measuring the intensity of the light emanating from the egg. Cracks or fractured surface areas in the egg shell will allow a greater intensity of light to emanate from the egg. Such relatively higher intensity is measured to determine if a crack or fracture exists. The apparatus consists of at least one light source, a device for rotating the egg, apparatus for moving the light beam over the surface of the egg shell, and a device for detecting the intensity level of the light emanating from the egg.