Automatic egg carton and flat filling machine

Claim 2

An egg-orienting and transition apparatus for receiving eggs one by one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, and delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row, which comprises: an egg delivery mechanism including means for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a single rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means is located at the downstream end of the egg-orienting section and is so dimensioned and proportioned that an egg arriving at the end of the conveyor with its tapered end touching either of said side panels will be pivoted such that its blunt end first passes through, into a transition section including conveying means at the downstream end of the orienting section extendinG transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, said pivoting means including a. a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels, each of said arms having an inwardly extending curve at the downstream ends of the arms and extending toward each other, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and would pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms, and b. opposed guide members, the members each being substantially a triangular plate with blunted ends and having plates secured to and extending between each sidewall of the triangular plates, and in which the plates of said guide members engage the eggs in successive rolling cylinders in successive plates as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, and an endless belt at the downstream end of the orienting conveyor and above the transition conveyor to receive the eggs from the guide means and deliver them to the transition section.

Claim 3

An egg-orienting and transition apparatus for receiving eggs one by one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, and delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row, which comprises: an egg delivery mechanism including means for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a single rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means is located at the downstream end of the egg-orienting section and dimensioned and proportioned so that an egg arriving at the end of the conveyor with its tapered end touching either of said side panels will be pivoted such that its blunt end first passes through, into a transition section including conveying means at the downstream end of the orienting section extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed rotating members each being substantially a triangular plate with blunt corners and a plate anchored to and extending between each of the side edges of the plate, the guide members engage successive eggs between the rolling cylinders as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, and an endless belt at the downstream end of the orienting conveyor to deliver the eggs from the orienting section conveyor to the transition section conveyor.

Claim 4

An egg-orienting and transition apparatus for receiving eggs one by one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, and delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row, which comprises: an egg delivery mechanism including means for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a single rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means is located at the downstream end of the egg-orienting section and dimensioned and proportioned so that an egg arriving at the end of the conveyor with its tapered end touching either of said side panels will be pivoted such that its blunt end first passes through, into a transition section including conveying means at the downstream end of the orienting section extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed rotating members each being substantially a triangular plate with blunt corners and a plate anchored to and extending between each of the side edges of the plate, the guide members engage successive eggs between the rolling cylinders as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, and an endless belt at the downstream end of the orienting conveyor to deliver the eggs from the orienting section conveyor to the transition section conveyor.

Claim 5

An egg-orienting and transition apparatus of claim 2 in which the transition section includes an endless conveyor extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, having a number of rotating spools, and at the downstream of a fixed track segment.

Claim 6

The egg-orienting and transition apparatus of claim 3, in which the pivoting means includes a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels and curved inwardly towards each other at the downstream ends of the arms, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and would pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms.

Claim 7

The egg-orienting and transition apparatus of claim 4, in which the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed guide members, the members each being substantially a triangular plate having its corners blunted and having a plate secured to and extending to each side, and in which the guide members engage successive eggs as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, and an endless belt extending between the downstream end of the orienting conveyor and the upstream end of the transition conveyor to transfer the eggs from one said conveyor to the other said conveyor.

Claim 8

An egg-packing apparatus for receiving oriented eggs in a row, one by one, collecting a plurality of eggs blunt side up in holding chutes and depositing the plurality of eggs at once into a row of an equal plurality of egg cells in an egg carton, such that all eggs in the row are deposited blunt side up, which comprises a track section consisting of a plurality of rockable track segments, each but the most downstream of which is held in place by a releasable latch, said track segments each being about as long as the width of an egg cell, such that an oriented egg passing over an unlatched track segment will rock the segment and fall lengthwise, blunt side up, downward; into a holding chute of a holding apparatus having an equal plurality of holding chutes in a row, each directly beneath a track segment, each holding chute being dimensioned to hold a single egg; means to provide an egg carton under the holding apparatus, said carton having a row of an equal plurality of egg cells directly under said holding apparatus; means to release the latches of the track segments, each latch being activated by the dropping of an egg by the next downstream track segment; and means to drop the plurality of eggs at once from said holding apparatus into a row of egg cells in an egg carton thereunder, activated by the dropping of an egg by the most upstream track segment.

Claim 9

An egg-packing apparatus for receiving oriented eggs in a row, one by one, collecting a plurality of eggs blunt side up in holding chutes and depositing the plurality of eggs at once into a row of an equal plurality of egg cells in an egg carton, such that all eggs in the row are deposited blunt side up, which comprises a track section consisting of a plurality of rockable track segments, each but the most downstream of which is held in place by a releasable latch, said track segments each being about as long as the width of an egg cell, such that an oriented egg passing over an unlatched track segment will rock the segment and fall lengthwise, blunt side up, downward; into a holding chute of a holding apparatus having an equal plurality of holding chutes in a row, each directly beneath a track segment, each holding chute being dimensioned to hold a single egg; means to provide an egg carton under the holding apparatus, said carton having a row of an equal plurality of egg cells directly under said holding apparatus; means to release the latches of the track segments, each latch being activated by the dropping of an egg by the next downstream track segment; and means to drop the plurality of eggs at once from said holding apparatus into a row of egg cells in an egg carton thereunder, activated by the dropping of an egg by the most upstream track segment.

Claim 10

The egg-packing apparatus of claim 6, in which each track segment has a counter balancing arm and, except for the most downstream segment, an extension the outer end portion of which is adapted for engagement with the respective latch, whereby each track segment is rocked back into its original position after an egg has fallen through the segment into the chute below and, except for the most downstream segment, engages its respective latch.

Claim 11

The egg-packing apparatus of claim 6, in which each track segment is provided with a switch activated by the rocking of the segment by an egg falling through to release the latch of the next upstream track segment and, in the case of the most upstream track segment, to activate the means to drop the eggs from the holding apparatus.

Claim 12

The egg-packing apparatus of claim 6, in which each of said holding chutes is provided with a rockable retainer including a curved shield to block the end of the chute to passage of an egg, all of said retainers being rockable in unison, by said means to drop the eggs at once from said holding apparatus, to unblock the chutes.

Claim 13

The egg-packing apparatus of claim 6, in which there is provided a container handling section beneath the track section and holding apparatus which includes a conveyor movable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of said track section, and means to advance a row of egg cells of an egg carton directly beneath said holding chutes of the holding apparatus, said last means being intermittently activated by the dropping of the eggs from the chutes into the row of egg cells.

Claim 14

An egg-orienting and packing apparatus for receiving eggs, one-by-one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row to a packing station, dropping the eggs blunt side up one-by-one into a plurality of holding chutes, and depositing the plurality of eggs at once from the holding chutes into a row of egg cells of an egg carton, which includes an egg delivery mechanism including means for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a singlE rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means is located at the downstream end of the egg-orienting section and is so dimensioned and proportioned that an egg arriving at the end of the conveyor with its tapered end touching either of said side panels will be pivoted such that its blunt end first passes through, into a transition section including conveying means at the downstream end of the orienting section and extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, including means for delivery of eggs in an oriented row to a track section consisting of a plurality of rockable track segments, each but the most downstream of which is held in place by a releasable latch, said track segments each being about as long as the width of an egg cell, such that an oriented egg passing over an unlatched track segment will rock the segment and fall lengthwise, blunt side up, downward; into a holding chute of a holding apparatus having an equal plurality of holding chutes in a row, each directly beneath a track segment, each holding chute being dimensioned to hold a single egg; means to provide an egg carton under the holding apparatus, said carton having a row of an equal plurality of egg cells directly under said holding apparatus; means to release the latches of the track segments, each latch being activated by the dropping of an egg by the next downstream track segment; and means to drop the plurality of eggs at once from said holding apparatus into a row of egg cells in an egg carton thereunder, activated by the dropping of an egg by the most upstream track segment.

Claim 15

An egg-orienting and packing apparatus for receiving eggs, one-by-one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row to a packing station, dropping the eggs blunt side up one-by-one into a plurality of holding chutes, and depositing the plurality of eggs at once from the holding chutes into a row of egg cells of an egg carton, which includes an egg delivery mechanism including means for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a singlE rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means is located at the downstream end of the egg-orienting section and is so dimensioned and proportioned that an egg arriving at the end of the conveyor with its tapered end touching either of said side panels will be pivoted such that its blunt end first passes through, into a transition section including conveying means at the downstream end of the orienting section and extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, including means for delivery of eggs in an oriented row to a track section consisting of a plurality of rockable track segments, each but the most downstream of which is held in place by a releasable latch, said track segments each being about as long as the width of an egg cell, such that an oriented egg passing over an unlatched track segment will rock the segment and fall lengthwise, blunt side up, downward; into a holding chute of a holding apparatus having an equal plurality of holding chutes in a row, each directly beneath a track segment, each holding chute being dimensioned to hold a single egg; means to provide an egg carton under the holding apparatus, said carton having a row of an equal plurality of egg cells directly under said holding apparatus; means to release the latches of the track segments, each latch being activated by the dropping of an egg by the next downstream track segment; and means to drop the plurality of eggs at once from said holding apparatus into a row of egg cells in an egg carton thereunder, activated by the dropping of an egg by the most upstream track segment.

Claim 16

The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which the pivoting means includes a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels and said arms being curved inwardly towards each other at the downstream ends of the arms, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and would pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms.

Claim 17

The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed guide members, the members being substantially a triangular plate having their pointed ends blunted and plates extending between and secured to the edges of said sidewalls, and in which the guide members engage successive rolling eggs as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, an endless belt, the upper course of which is positioned between the downstream end of the orienting conveyor and the upstream end of the transition conveyor, whereby to deliver the eggs from the orienting conveyor to the transition conveyor, and means adjacent the upstream end of the transition conveyor to settle the eggs in said conveyor.

Claim 18

The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which the transition section includes an endless conveyor, extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, having a number of rotating concave spools, and at the downstream end a fixed track segment.

Claim 19

The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which each track segment has a counter balancing arm and, except for the most downstream segment, an extension the outer end portion of which is adapted for engagement with the respective latch, whereby each track segment is rocked back into its original position after an egg has fallen through the segment into the chute below and, except for the most downstream segment, engages its respective latch.

Claim 20

The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which each track segment is provided with a switch activated by the rocking of the segment by an egg falling through to release the latch of the next upstream track segment and, in the case of the moSt upstream track segment, to activate the means to drop the eggs from the holding apparatus.

Claim 21

The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which each of said holding chutes is provided with a rockable retainer including a curved shield to block the end of the chute to passage of an egg, all of said retainers being rockable in unison, by said means to drop the eggs at once from said holding apparatus, to unblock the chutes.

Claim 22

The egg-orienting and packing apparatus of claim 11, in which there is provided a container-handling section beneath the track section and holding apparatus which includes a conveyor movable in a horizontal direction extending transverse to the direction of said track section, and means to advance a row of egg cells of an egg carton directly beneath said holding chutes of the holding apparatus, said last means being intermittently activated by the dropping of the eggs from the chutes into the row of egg cells.

Claim 23

An egg-orienting and packing apparatus for receiving eggs, one-by-one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row to a packing station, dropping the eggs blunt side up one-by-one into a plurality of holding chutes, and depositing the plurality of eggs at once from the holding chutes into a row of egg cells of an egg carton, which includes an egg delivery mechanism comprising an endless conveyor of interlaced wire strands for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a single rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means includes a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels, said arms being curved towards each other at the downstream ends, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, and in which the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed guide members, the members each being substantially a triangular plate having the corners cut off and plates secured to and extending between each edge of the sidewalls, and in which the guide members engage successive rolling eggs as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and be guided by said members as they are pivoted and pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms and arcuate plates onto the upper course of an endless belt, whereby the eggs are delivered to a transition section including an endless conveyor, extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, having a number of concave spools, and at the downstream end a fixed track segment leading to a track section consisting of a plurality of rockable track segments, each but the most downstream of which is held in place by a releasable latch, said track segments each being about as long as the width of an egg cell, such that an oriented egg passing over an unlatched track segment will rock the segment and fall lengthwise, blunt side up, downward; a holding apparatus having an equal plurality of holding chutes in a row, each directly beneath a track segment, each holding chute being dimensioned to hold a single egg; means to provide an egg carton under the holding apparatus, said carton having a row of an equal plurality of egg cells directly under said holding apparatus; means to release the latches of the track segments, each latch being activated by the dropping of an egg by the next downstream track segment; and means to drop the plurality of eggs at once from said holding apparatus into a row of egg cells in an egg carton thereunder, activated By the dropping of an egg by the most upstream track segment.

Claim 24

An egg-orienting and packing apparatus for receiving eggs, one-by-one, orienting them such that their tapered ends point in one direction, delivering the eggs seriatim in a rolling, oriented row to a packing station, dropping the eggs blunt side up one-by-one into a plurality of holding chutes, and depositing the plurality of eggs at once from the holding chutes into a row of egg cells of an egg carton, which includes an egg delivery mechanism comprising an endless conveyor of interlaced wire strands for delivery of eggs one by one to the upstream end of an egg-orienting section having an endless conveyor of rotating cylinders, two side panels and a pivoting means, wherein said rotating cylinders and side panels are so dimensioned and positioned that a single rolling egg only may fit between a pair of rollers, and wherein the pivoting means includes a pair of springlike arms having upstream ends rigidly secured to the downstream ends of the side panels, said arms being curved towards each other at the downstream ends, and in which the springlike arms are proportioned to preclude passage of an egg broadside, and in which the pivoting means includes a pair of opposed guide members, the members each being substantially a triangular plate having the corners cut off and plates secured to and extending between each edge of the sidewalls, and in which the guide members engage successive rolling eggs as the cylinders reach the end of the upper course and revolve about the guide members to start the lower course of the conveyor, whereby an egg arriving at the pivoting means would be pivoted about the upstream end of an arm touching its tapered end and be guided by said members as they are pivoted and pass blunt-side first between the pair of arms and arcuate plates onto the upper course of an endless belt, whereby the eggs are delivered to a transition section including an endless conveyor, extending transverse to the conveyor of the orienting section, having a number of concave spools, and at the downstream end a fixed track segment leading to a track section consisting of a plurality of rockable track segments, each but the most downstream of which is held in place by a releasable latch, said track segments each being about as long as the width of an egg cell, such that an oriented egg passing over an unlatched track segment will rock the segment and fall lengthwise, blunt side up, downward; a holding apparatus having an equal plurality of holding chutes in a row, each directly beneath a track segment, each holding chute being dimensioned to hold a single egg; means to provide an egg carton under the holding apparatus, said carton having a row of an equal plurality of egg cells directly under said holding apparatus; means to release the latches of the track segments, each latch being activated by the dropping of an egg by the next downstream track segment; and means to drop the plurality of eggs at once from said holding apparatus into a row of egg cells in an egg carton thereunder, activated By the dropping of an egg by the most upstream track segment.

Claim 25

The device according to claim 19 wherein rotary means are provided in the upstream end of the transition conveyor and positioned immediately adjacent the upper course of the spools of the transition conveyor whereby to assist in settling the eggs between the pair of spools as they are transferred thereto by the endless belt.