APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FEEDING EGGS TO A PACKAGING UNIT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for feeding eggs to a packaging unit.

[0002] EP512651 describes an apparatus whereby eggs are fed and conveyed in such manner that in an end step the eggs are transferred from a substantially horizontal feed conveyor, such as a roller conveyor, into a packaging unit, for example, a tray. Such a machine is known in this field of technology as a farmpacker, an apt denotation for an apparatus that feeds newly laid eggs from the poultry houses to a packing station where these eggs are collected and packaged for further handling at a different location than these poultry houses. While the function to be executed seems simple and quite manageable, there are circumstances which are difficult to control and for which various solutions have hitherto been applied.

[0003] The eggs which come from the poultry houses and are collected, usually comprise an enormous variety of eggs, for example, though not exclusively, large and small, and ranging from wholly intact to heavily damaged. On the one hand the handling of such eggs should be very careful, but on the other hand there are typically huge numbers involved and it will be attempted to attain a highest possible processing capacity with such machines. An essential aspect involved is the rate of processing. As can be seen in the above-mentioned apparatus, stop moments need to be set in the egg supply at various points. More particularly, when filling the rows of a tray, after each row, a fixed position for a next row of nests needs to be set to guide the eggs from the feed conveyor in downward direction in a manner as controlled as possible.

[0004] The eggs, sliding down with their pointed end leading, are thereby guided in substantially downward direction between fixedly mounted guides on one side and on the other side a hand-shaped guide moving along (to pack the eggs with the pointed end facing down). Immediately prior to release to a packaging location or nest in such a packaging unit, such a slidingly guided and moving egg is stopped for a few moments in the downward movement. The subsequent release follows a short vertical fall path from a clamped position into such a nest of a stationary tray, which nest is situated substantially in line under said position of standstill.

[0005] These stop moments, and associated acceleration and deceleration, determine to a considerable extent the limitation of this processing capacity.

[0006] US2855740A discloses a machine for loading articles into cartons, wherein the articles are transferred by a rotary loading wheel.

[0007] US2834169A discloses an apparatus for depositing articles into receptacles, including collecting applies in pockets, lifting the apples from the pockets causing them to move down respective shutes, and gravitating the apples down via sub-chutes an shifting action into trays.

[0008] According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus that is characterized by the features of claim 1.

[0009] In order to further accelerate and streamline packing, the transfer unit in the apparatus according to the invention comprises for the at least one row a corresponding one feed funnel for transferring, which includes, in succession, receiving, guiding, and releasing, one egg, wherein during the uninterrupted movement and transfer in substantially downward direction the center of gravity of the egg moves uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed which is substantially equal to the horizontal speed of the packaging units.

[0010] What is achieved with such a transfer unit, to great advantage, is not only that the eggs are carefully guided to their transport position in the packaging unit, but also that the start-stop moments in the egg flow are thereby obviated and a smooth ongoing flow of eggs, and hence of packing, is obtained.

[0011] Moreover, in this manner, with mutually matching progressive traveling paths, to great advantage, a continuously ongoing process of filling is sustained, so that a high filling and packing capacity is obtained.

[0012] Suitably, with a fixedly mounted rod the eggs are guided to a point just above the packaging unit so that possible breakage will be prevented.

[0013] Further exemplary embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention have the feature,
that for the at least one row the fixed part comprises one guide rod in a substantially vertical plane, with a preselected angle with respect to a horizontal plane;
that the at least one guide rod continues to just above the packaging unit;
that the moving part as a movement guide comprises two substantially symmetrical halves which make up a substantially concavely curved material piece and which during use, in guiding the egg in downward direction, jointly partly include, at least carry, the egg to a point near the packaging unit, and are arranged, while doing so, to move along with the egg in both downward and forward direction;
that the movement guide is connected through a connecting piece with an endless transfer conveyor which is driven and which follows a cyclic movement whereby one of the consecutively fed next eggs is transferred; that the movement guide forms a terminal end of a substantially elongate hinge bracket, having at the other terminal end a freely rotating small wheel, wherein the connecting piece follows a first closed curve track and wherein the small wheel, as a cam follower, follows a second curve track.

[0014] Further, the invention provides a method which is characterized by the features of claim 7. With this method, the above-mentioned advantages can be achieved. The method for feeding eggs to packaging units, utilizing an apparatus according to the invention, is characterized in that each packaging unit is provided with at least one row of receiving nests arranged next to each other, wherein the eggs are fed in at least one row by successive holders at mutually fixed intermediate distances, wherein the packaging units are fed uninterruptedly, wherein at least one feed funnel is used to successively receive the eggs from the holders, displace them, and deliver them to the packaging units supplied, wherein a center of gravity of each egg, during displacement through the funnel, moves uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed which is substantially equal to a horizontal speed of a packaging unit receiving the egg.

[0015] Hereinbelow, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to a drawing, in which

FIGURE 1 presents an isometric view of the transfer unit according to the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the transfer unit according to the invention in which schematically a few main elements of the transfer unit are represented,

FIGURE 3 represents a similar view to FIGURE 2, in which in addition to the elements shown, the drive is shown in a schematic manner.
In the different FIGURES the same parts, designations, or components have the same reference numerals; and

FIGURE 4 is a schematic drawing of an alternative embodiment of the transfer unit.

[0016] The same or corresponding features in this application are designated with the same or corresponding reference characters.

[0017] In FIGURE 1 the eggs are fed with a feed conveyor 1. Such a conveyor is described extensively in NL1036717 which document is hereby considered as an inserted reference. On this feed conveyor the eggs are disposed on holders 3, multiple juxtaposed rows of which are utilized in this exemplary embodiment. With these holders 3, the eggs are fed in a conveying direction T to a transfer unit 2 which transfers the eggs from the feed conveyor 1 into a packaging unit 7. In particular, the eggs, when disposed on the holders 3, each have their pointed end oriented downwards, as described in NL1036717.

[0018] In FIGURE 2 there is represented in detail a schematic and cutaway side elevation of mainly the transfer unit 2. Again, it is indicated how with holders 3 of a feed conveyor the products, in particular eggs, are fed in a conveying direction T. In a known manner, the holders 3 are connected with an endless chain. In FIGURE 2 there is furthermore indicated an intermediate distance or pitch distance d of this feed conveyor 1. At the downstream end of the conveyor 1 there is a return wheel with a drive shaft 20 for guiding the holders 3 following a direction C. Thus, the holders are returned; for the holders 3 to return, they pass through a bend so that the eggs (with their pointed ends facing down) disposed on the holders 3 are likewise moved headlong.

[0019] To guide this movement of the eggs (each having its pointed end facing down), at the same time a movement guide 61 is moved along so that such an egg at that moment has a position between a holder 3 and such a movement guide 61. Once the holders 3 are being returned via the return wheel, the egg during the downward movement will remain guided on one side by the movement guide 61 and on the other side be supported and guided by a guide rod 5, which in this exemplary embodiment of the apparatus has a fixed position. This rod 5 makes an angle α with a horizontal plane. Slightly clamped between these two parts 5, 61, which make up a funnel 4, the egg, sliding over the rod 5, is transferred to a packaging unit, more particularly nest 71 of a tray 7. As represented in FIGURE 2, this tray 7 is simultaneously displaced in the conveying direction T. After the transfer, the egg is received in the nest 71 of the tray 7 with its pointed end oriented downwards.

[0020] To those skilled in the art it will be clear that given a suitably chosen drive at the same forward speed of the funnel 4 and of the tray 7 the eggs will end up in a nest 71 only with a minor downward speed at the very last moment just above the tray 7.

[0021] It is noted that dimensions of the funnels are chosen such that any type of chicken egg, from very small to very large, can be processed with the apparatus according to the invention, more particularly, that in the case of substantially large eggs, these are still guided well. This means that the dimensions substantially correspond to trays of a narrowest possible size.

[0022] In a further variant of the apparatus according to the invention, the movement guide comprises two substantially symmetrical halves which make up a substantially concavely curved material piece and which jointly, in guiding the egg in downward direction, partly carry the egg to a point near the packaging unit while moving along with the egg in both downward and forward direction. An advantage of this is that it allows filling of trays with dimensions that deviate slightly in the width direction, that is, larger dimensions. More particularly, the following two variants are used.

[0023] In a first variant, calculated from the movement guides in the middle, the two halves are fixed on the frame with slightly increasing intermediate distances. As soon as the eggs are then received in the funnel, they are each guided by the same fixedly mounted rod on one side, but on the other side by the halves secured on the frame in slightly spaced-apart relation. Owing to this spaced-apart arrangement, also the center of gravity of the egg will be displaced slightly off centre, and slightly next to the guiding line of the rod, in the downward direction mentioned.

[0024] Also with such a slightly asymmetrical positioning of the parts with respect to such an egg, the eggs are conducted in a highly suitable manner to a point right near a packaging unit. To make the same apparatus suitable for multiple sizes of packaging units, corresponding matching frames may be mounted for that purpose. To those skilled in the art it will be clear that simple snap systems may be used to replace the frames rapidly.

[0025] In a second variant, on the frame, a possibility of adjusting the halves positioned more off center is used. In this way, it is also simply and rapidly possible to switch to a different size of packaging unit during the processing of the eggs.

[0026] In FIGURE 2, and further also in FIGURE 3, it is represented in detail in what manner it is rendered possible for the movement guides to follow the path of guiding an egg downwards. The movement guides 61, as part of and being one of the terminal ends of a hinge element or hinge bracket 64, are connected hingedly about a hinge pivot, with connecting pieces 62, which are fixedly connected with the links of an endless transfer conveyor 63, for example, a chain, which is guided in a first curve track 66. At the other terminal end of the hinge bracket 64, and therefore on the other side of the hinge pivot, a cam follower 65 is arranged, for example, in the form of a freely rotating small wheel, which follows a second curve track 67.
The two curve tracks 66, 67 are so implemented that during the downward movement the movement guides 61 will moreover follow the proper rotation to guide an egg downwards as gradually as possible and to transfer it to a nest 71 of a tray 7. As mentioned earlier, the tray 7 will follow a continuous traveling movement in the conveying direction T while an egg at the same time follows a downward and forward movement, likewise in the conveying direction T again, so that a very gradual and smooth transfer will be carried out.

[0027] To those skilled in the art it will be clear that these curve tracks 66, 67 are arranged in housings on both sides of the apparatus.

[0028] In a still further application, besides the rectangular patterns which are generally used for shell eggs, also patterns utilized in trays for hatching eggs may be processed. The two patterns which are used there in a large number of cases, besides the earlier-mentioned rectangular ones, can be characterized as follows.

[0029] In a first pattern, with rows in the conveying direction and columns in the perpendicular direction, all even columns are displaced over a distance of approximately half a nest to one side. Such a pattern has a comb-shaped appearance on both longitudinal sides parallel to the conveying direction. In order for such patterns to be processed, one of the two frames as shown in FIGURE 1 is mounted on the frame over the above-mentioned distance in the intended direction. Furthermore, an extra set of rods are mounted to allow the eggs presented alternately in these positions to be guided in a suitable manner.

[0030] A second pattern has similarly displaced columns, also has a comb-shaped appearance, but with the same columns. In other words, the odd columns have n nests or packaging positions, and the even columns have (n-1) positions, with n being a natural number, n ≥ 2.

[0031] To fill such trays with eggs, the following features, or a combination thereof, will be applied:

• a matching pattern of tracks and holders on the feed conveyor
• extra feed funnels in the transfer unit, with frames arranged both for the even and for the odd columns, and where, if necessary, a set of frames takes up laterally staggered positions; accordingly, an extra set of curve tracks will be arranged.

[0032] FIGURE 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a transfer unit 103. The unit 103 shown in Fig. 4 differs from the unit 3 shown in FIGURES 1-3 in that each feed funnel 104 is composed of two oppositely arranged moving parts 161a, 161b, at least, oppositely arranged during the downward conveyance of an egg carried along by those parts 161a, 161b.

[0033] Each moving funnel part 161a, 161b may comprise, for example, a substantially concavely curved material piece, which during conveyance of the egg in downward direction, partly carries the egg to a point near the packaging unit, while moving along with the egg in both downward and forward direction. Each moving funnel part 161a, 161b in this example is coupled to an associated endless conveyor 163a, 163b (for example, chains), to follow an endless path closed upon itself. More particularly, each of the moving funnel parts 161a, 161b periodically follows a first (obliquely downward) path section with the funnel parts 161a, 161b situated near each other (having concave sides opposite each other) to form the egg-carrying funnel 104. Further, the present transfer unit 103 is so implemented that the funnel parts 161a, 161b periodically follow second (obliquely upward) path sections, with the funnel parts moved apart, to reach an initial position again. In particular, the funnel parts are returned to a funnel-constituting initial position (near the feed conveyor), to receive an egg again.

[0034] In this case, too, the transfer unit 103 is so configured that centers of gravity of the eggs carried by the funnels 104 move uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed which is substantially equal to a horizontal speed of a packaging unit 7 receiving the egg, in particular a respective horizontal speed of the packaging conveyor.

[0035] As in the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the moving funnel parts 161a, 161b (of the example shown in FIG. 4) can follow a slightly obliquely downward path to bring an egg down. Each of the funnel parts 161a, 161b may be connected with one of the terminal ends of a hinge element or hinge bracket, hingedly about a hinge pivot, with connecting pieces which are fixedly connected with the links of a respective endless transfer conveyor 163a, 163b (which can be guided in a respective first curve track). Also in this exemplary embodiment, each of the funnel parts 161a, 161b may be coupled to a cam follower, for example, a freely rotating small wheel, which follows a second curve track. The first and second curve track may then be so configured that the funnel 104 composed of the parts 161a, 161b during the downward movement transfers an egg as gradually as possible to a nest of a tray 7.

[0036] Referring to FIGURE 4, it is noted that the feed conveyor 101 shown is a roller conveyor known per se. Near the downstream end of the feed conveyor 101 a schematically shown egg orienting apparatus may be provided, to turn the eggs each to a position in which the respective pointed end of the egg is directed downwards. Such an apparatus 140 is known per se from EP0512585, which publication is understood to be wholly incorporated into the present application by reference. In addition, the feed conveyor may, for example, be configured in the same manner as the feed conveyor 1 shown in FIGS. 1-3, or in a different manner. As further shown in the drawing, for example, a guide structure 150 may be provided between the feed conveyor and the transfer unit 3. The guide structure 150 is arranged to receive the eggs supplied by the feed conveyor and to transfer them to an upstream part of the transfer unit 3. The guide structure 150 may be implemented in different manners, and comprise, for example, a funnel, guide plates and/or the like, which will be clear to those skilled in the art.

[0037] To those skilled in the art it will be clear that further variants are possible as far as parts, combinations of parts, or suitable material choice are concerned, which are all understood to be encompassed within the scope of protection of the appended claims.

[0038] Thus, the eggs when being supplied by the feed conveyor may already be oriented with the pointed end down. In addition, each egg may be brought to such an orientation just before being taken over by the transfer unit, or while being brought onto the transfer unit. Turning may be carried out, for example, in the same manner as carried out by the apparatus described in EP0512585. Thus, also, for example, the feed conveyor described in EP0512585 may be used, which is provided with rotating rollers to convey the eggs.

KEY TO SYMBOLS

[0039] 

1

feed conveyor

2

transfer unit

20

drive shaft

3

holder

4

feed funnel

5

stationary part, guide rod

6

moving part

61

concave material piece, movement guide

62

connecting piece

63

transfer conveyor, chain

64

hinge bracket

65

cam follower

66

first curve track

67

second curve track

7

packaging unit

71

nests

8

feed funnel frame

T

conveying direction

d

intermediate distance, pitch

C

direction of movement feed conveyor

α

angle of guide rod

V

direction of displacement of packaging unit

P

product, egg

Claims

1. Apparatus for feeding eggs (P) to a packaging unit (7) having at least one row of receiving nests arranged next to each other, comprising,

- a feed conveyor (1) for feeding eggs at least in one row, wherein the eggs (P) are fed in a substantially horizontal track and are placed in successive holders (3) at mutually fixed intermediate distances,

- a transfer unit (2) for taking over an egg from a said holder and delivering a such egg into a packaging unit, wherein the transfer unit (2) for the at least one row correspondingly comprises one feed funnel for transferring, which includes in succession receiving, guiding, and delivering, one egg (P), characterized in that
successively packaging units are fed uninterruptedly in a substantially horizontal track which is disposed substantially parallel to and at a predetermined height under said at least one row,
and characterized by

- a packaging conveyor for uninterruptedly conveying said packaging units (7) in a substantially horizontal plane passing under said transfer unit, wherein during the uninterrupted movement and transfer in both downward and forward direction the center of gravity of the egg moves uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed which is substantially equal to the horizontal speed of said packaging units.
wherein
each said feed funnel (4) comprises a fixed part (5) and at least one moving part (6), in particular a movement guide,
wherein the at least one moving funnel part (6) comprises a substantially concavely curved material piece which in guiding the egg in downward direction partly includes, for example carries or supports, the egg to a point near the packaging unit, while moving along with the egg in both downward and forward direction.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed part (5) comprises one guide rod in a substantially vertical plane, with a preselected angle with respect to a horizontal plane.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one guide rod during use continues to a point just above the packaging unit.

4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the moving part, as a movement guide, comprises two substantially symmetrical halves which make up a substantially concavely curved material piece, wherein said halves are arranged, in guiding the egg in downward direction, to jointly partly hold, at least carry or support, the egg to a point near the packaging unit, and to move along with the egg in both downward and forward direction.

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the movement guide is connected through a connecting piece with an endless transfer conveyor which is driven during use, and which is arranged, in particular, to follow a cyclic movement.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the movement guide forms a first terminal end of a substantially elongate hinge bracket, being provided at the other terminal end with a freely rotating small wheel, wherein the connecting piece during use follows a first closed curve track and wherein the small wheel, as a cam follower, follows a second curve track.

7. A method for feedings eggs (P) to packaging units, utilizing an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each packaging unit (7) is provided with at least one row of receiving nests arranged next to each other, wherein the eggs (P) are fed in at least one row by successive holders (3) at mutually fixed intermediate distances, wherein at least one feed funnel (4) is used to successively receive the eggs (P) from the holders, displace them, and deliver them to the packaging units supplied, characterised in that said packaging units are fed uninterruptedly, wherein said feed funnel (4) successively receives the eggs (P) from the holders, displaces them, and delivers them to the packaging units such that a center of gravity of each egg moves uninterruptedly with a horizontal speed which is substantially equal to a horizontal speed of a packaging unit receiving the egg.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein each feed funnel is periodically composed and comprises at least one funnel part moving along an endless track, which track part, in particular from an initial position for reception of an egg, is moved along a first portion of the endless track to transfer a received egg.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein each feed funnel is composed from a funnel part moving along an endless track and a stationary part, wherein the moving part is in particular periodically moved away from the stationary part to return to an initial position.

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zum Zuführen von Eiern (P) zu einer Verpackungseinheit (7) mit mindestens einer Reihe von nebeneinander angeordneten Vertiefungen, umfassend:

- einen Zuführförderer (1) zum Zuführen von Eiern in mindestens einer Reihe, wobei die Eier (P) in einer im Wesentlichen horizontalen Bahn zugeführt und in aufeinanderfolgende Halter (3) in festen Zwischenabständen voneinander platziert werden,

- eine Transfereinheit (2), um ein Ei aus einem der Halter zu übernehmen und ein solches Ei in eine Verpackungseinheit zu geben, wobei die Transfereinheit (2) für die mindestens eine Reihe dementsprechend einen Zuführtrichter zur Übertragung umfasst, die nacheinander aus dem Empfangen, Leiten und Abgeben eines Eies (P) besteht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass nacheinander Verpackungseinheiten ununterbrochen in einer im Wesentlichen horizontalen Bahn, die im Wesentlichen parallel zu und in einer vorbestimmten Höhe unter der mindestens einen Reihe angeordnet ist, beschickt werden,

und gekennzeichnet durch

- einen Verpackungsförderer, um die Verpackungseinheiten (7) in einer im Wesentlichen horizontalen Ebene, die unter der Transfereinheit passiert, ununterbrochen zu befördern, wobei während der ununterbrochenen Bewegung und Übertragung in sowohl Abwärts- als auch Vorwärtsrichtung der Schwerpunkt des Eies sich ununterbrochen mit einer horizontalen Geschwindigkeit, die im Wesentlichen gleich der horizontalen Geschwindigkeit der Verpackungseinheiten ist, bewegt,

wobei jeder Zuführtrichter (4) ein ortsfestes Teil (5) und mindestens ein bewegliches Teil (6), insbesondere eine Bewegungsführung, umfasst,
wobei das mindestens eine bewegliche Trichterteil (6) ein im Wesentlichen konkav gebogenes Materialstück umfasst, das beim Führen des Eies in Abwärtsrichtung zu einem Punkt nahe der Verpackungseinheit teilweise z. B. Träger oder Stützen umfasst, während es sich zusammen mit dem Ei in sowohl Abwärts- als auch Vorwärtsrichtung bewegt.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das ortsfeste Teil (5) einen Führungsstab in einer im Wesentlichen vertikalen Ebene umfasst, der einen vorgewählten Winkel zu einer horizontalen Ebene aufweist.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mindestens eine Führungsstab bei Gebrauch sich zu einem Punkt knapp über der Verpackungseinheit bewegt.

4. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das bewegliche Teil, als eine Bewegungsführung, zwei im Wesentlichen symmetrische Hälften umfasst, die ein im Wesentlichen konkav gebogenes Materialstück ergeben, wobei die Hälften angeordnet sind, um das Ei in Abwärtsrichtung zu leiten, das Ei zusammen teilweise zu halten oder es mindestens zu tragen oder zu stützen, das Ei zu einem Punkt nahe der Verpackungseinheit zu befördern und sich zusammen mit dem Ei in sowohl Abwärts- als auch Vorwärtsrichtung zu bewegen.

5. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Bewegungsführung durch ein Verbindungsstück mit einem Endlos-Transferförderer verbunden ist, der bei Gebrauch angetrieben wird und der insbesondere angeordnet ist, einer zyklischen Bewegung zu folgen.

6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Bewegungsführung ein erstes terminales Ende einer im Wesentlichen länglichen Gelenkklammer bildet, die am anderen terminalen Ende mit einem frei drehenden Rädchen bereitgestellt ist, wobei das Verbindungsstück bei Gebrauch einer ersten geschlossenen Kurvenbahn folgt und wobei das Rädchen, als Nockenmitnehmer, einer zweiten Kurvenbahn folgt.

7. Verfahren zum Zuführen von Eiern (P) zu Verpackungseinheiten unter Verwendung einer Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei jede Verpackungseinheit (7) mit mindestens zwei Reihen von nebeneinander angeordneten Aufnahmevertiefungen versehen ist, wobei die Eier (P) in mindestens einer Reihe von aufeinanderfolgenden Haltern (3) in festen Zwischenabständen voneinander zugeführt werden, wobei mindestens ein Zuführtrichter (4) verwendet wird, um die Eier (P) nacheinander von den Haltern aufzunehmen, sie zu verschieben und den bereitgestellten Verpackungseinheiten zuzuführen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verpackungseinheiten ununterbrochen zugeführt werden, wobei der Zuführtrichter (4) nacheinander die Eier (P) von den Haltern aufnimmt, sie verschiebt und den Verpackungseinheiten so zuführt, dass ein Schwerpunkt von jedem Ei sich ununterbrochen mit einer horizontalen Geschwindigkeit bewegt, die im Wesentlichen gleich einer horizontalen Geschwindigkeit einer Verpackungseinheit, die das Ei aufnimmt, ist.

8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, wobei jeder Zuführtrichter periodisch zusammengesetzt wird und mindestens ein Trichterteil umfasst, das sich entlang einer Endlosbahn bewegt, wobei das Bahnteil, insbesondere von einer Ausgangsposition zum Aufnehmen eines Eies, entlang eines ersten Abschnitts der Endlosbahn bewegt wird, um ein aufgenommenes Ei zu übertragen.

9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8, wobei jeder Zuführtrichter aus einem Trichterteil, das sich entlang einer Endlosbahn bewegt, und einem ortsfesten Teil zusammengesetzt ist, wobei das bewegliche Teil insbesondere periodisch weg von dem ortsfesten Teil bewegt wird, um in eine Ausgangsposition zurückzukehren.

Revendications

1. Appareil destiné à approvisionner en oeufs (P) une unité de conditionnement (7) qui présente au moins une rangée de niches de réception agencées les unes à côté des autres, comprenant :

- un transporteur d'approvisionnement (1) destiné à approvisionner les oeufs dans une rangée au moins, dans lequel les oeufs (P) sont approvisionnés dans une voie sensiblement horizontale, et sont placés dans des supports successifs (3) à des distances intermédiaires mutuellement fixes ;

- une unité de transfert (2) destinée à prendre un oeuf à partir d'un dit support et à placer un tel oeuf dans une unité de conditionnement, dans lequel l'unité de transfert (2) de la ou des rangées comprend de manière correspondante un entonnoir d'approvisionnement destiné au transfert, qui comprend, à la suite, la réception, le guidage, et le placement, d'un oeuf (P) ;

caractérisé en ce que :

de manière successive, les unités de conditionnement sont approvisionnées de manière ininterrompue dans une voie sensiblement horizontale qui est disposée sensiblement parallèle et à une hauteur prédéterminée sous ladite ou lesdites rangées ;

et caractérisé par :

- un transporteur de conditionnement destiné à transporter de manière ininterrompue lesdites unités de conditionnement (7) dans un plan sensiblement horizontal qui passe sous ladite unité de transfert, dans lequel, au cours du déplacement et du transfert ininterrompus dans la direction vers le bas et vers l'avant, le centre de la gravité de l'oeuf se déplace de manière ininterrompue avec une vitesse horizontale qui est sensiblement égale à la vitesse horizontale desdites unités de conditionnement ;

dans lequel :

chaque dit entonnoir d'approvisionnement (4) comprend une partie fixe (5) et au moins une partie mobile (6), en particulier un guide de déplacement ;

dans lequel la ou les parties d'entonnoir mobiles (6) comprennent une pièce d'un matériau incurvée de manière sensiblement concave qui, lors du guidage de l'oeuf dans la direction vers le bas comprend en partie, par exemple porte ou supporte, l'oeuf vers un point proche de l'unité de empaquetage, tout en se déplaçant avec l'oeuf dans la direction vers le bas et vers l'avant.

2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la partie fixe (5) comprend une tige de guidage dans un plan sensiblement vertical, qui fait un angle présélectionné par rapport à un plan horizontal.

3. Appareil selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ladite ou lesdites tiges de guidage, en service, se poursuivent jusqu'à un point qui se situe immédiatement au-dessus de l'unité de conditionnement.

4. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que la partie mobile, en tant que guide de déplacement, comprend deux moitiés sensiblement symétriques qui constituent une pièce d'un matériau incurvée de manière sensiblement concave, dans lequel lesdites moitiés sont agencées, en guidant l'oeuf dans la direction vers le bas, de façon à tenir en partie de manière jointive, au moins à porter ou à supporter, l'oeuf vers un point proche de l'unité de conditionnement, et à se déplacer avec l'oeuf dans la direction vers le bas et vers l'avant.

5. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que le guide de déplacement est connecté par l'intermédiaire d'une pièce de connexion à un transporteur de transfert sans fin qui est entraîné, en service, et qui est agencé, en particulier, de façon à suivre un déplacement cyclique.

6. Appareil selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que le guide de déplacement forme une première extrémité terminale d'un support de charnière sensiblement allongée, disposée au niveau de l'autre extrémité terminale avec une petite roue qui tourne librement, dans lequel la pièce de connexion, en service, suit une première voie courbe fermée, et dans lequel la petite roue, en tant que galet de came, suit une seconde voie courbe.

7. Procédé destiné à approvisionner en oeufs (P) des unités de conditionnement, en utilisant un appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel chaque unité de conditionnement (7) est dotée d'une rangée au moins de niches de réception agencées les unes à côté des autres, dans lequel les oeufs (P) sont approvisionnés dans une rangée au moins par des supports successifs (3) à des distances intermédiaires mutuellement fixes, dans lequel un entonnoir d'approvisionnement (4) au moins est utilisé de façon à recevoir de manière successive les oeufs (P) en provenance des supports, à les déplacer, et à les placer dans les unités de conditionnement prévues, caractérisé en ce que lesdites unités de conditionnement sont approvisionnées de manière ininterrompue, dans lequel ledit entonnoir d'approvisionnement (4) reçoit de manière successive les oeufs (P) en provenance des supports, les déplace, et les transmet aux unités de conditionnement de telle sorte que le centre de la gravité de chaque oeuf se déplace de manière ininterrompue avec une vitesse horizontale qui est sensiblement égale à la vitesse horizontale de l'unité de conditionnement qui reçoit l'oeuf.

8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, dans lequel chaque entonnoir d'approvisionnement est composé de manière périodique et comprend au moins une partie d'entonnoir qui se déplace le long d'une voie sans fin, laquelle partie de voie, en particulier à partir d'une position initiale de réception d'un oeuf, est déplacée le long d'une première partie de la voie sans fin de façon à transférer un oeuf reçu.

9. Procédé selon la revendication 8, dans lequel chaque entonnoir d'approvisionnement se compose d'une partie d'entonnoir qui se déplace le long d'une voie sans fin et d'une partie fixe, dans lequel la partie mobile se déplace en particulier de manière périodique en s'éloignant de la partie fixe de façon à retourner vers une position initiale.

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