Egg handling system

US8387775B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Diamond Automations, Inc. · US
• FPS Food Processing Systems, B.V. · NL

Inventors

• Matthew T. Mckeown · Lapeer, US
• Carl Gene Cooper · Garden City, US
• Kyle Dewayne Becker · Westland, US
• Wayne William Kelley · Canton, US
• Richard Schneider · Linsburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 8, 2009
• Grant date: Mar 5, 2013
• Expiry date: Jul 26, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G2207/42
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A transfer system for providing faster and increased volume processing of eggs having an overhead positioned egg conveyor. A rotating brush wheel positioned underneath the conveyor receives eggs and includes a first and second pluralities of bristles having, respectively, lesser and greater stiffness. An egg receiving reservoir exhibits a receiving lane positioned underneath and in alignment with the brush wheel for receiving and redirecting the eggs in a lane dedicated fashion to a subsequent egg handling operation. A plurality of spool bars are arranged in parallel extending and spaced apart fashion and defining a number of individual egg conveying lanes and each further include first and second spool bar portions secured in end-to-end fashion to establish an overall dimension. First and second drive supports are arranged at opposite ends of the spool bar portions, a third drive support arranged within the egg transfer mechanism and supporting opposing and intermediate engaging ends of each pair of spool bar portions. The intermediate drive support prevents sagging of the intermediate ends of the spool bar portions.