Abstract Fish egg sorting apparatus for separating small eggs from larger eggs comprising a water and egg compartment and a rotated disc partially immersed in the water in the compartment, the disc having a series of tapered holes extending from front to rear faces adjacent the disc periphery. The smaller diameter areas of the tapered holes are capable of holding small eggs in wedged positions therein. Pressurized air streams blow larger eggs out of the holes into a compartment, and blow small eggs out of wedged positions into another compartment. The disc is provided with an annular series of small holes extending through the disc located radially between the axis and periphery of the disc for passage of water from the water and egg compartment to maintain a predetermined level in the compartment. The invention may be embodied in sorting apparatus which separates dead eggs from live eggs before pressurized air is directed against live eggs for separating small eggs from larger eggs by this invention.
Fish egg sorting apparatus for separating small eggs from larger eggs comprising a. a rotated disc provided with a series of tapered holes which extend through the disc from its front to rear faces adjacent the peripheral surface, the smaller diameter areas of the tapered holes being capable of holding small eggs in wedged positions therein, b. air jet openings in the holes located between the hole entrance and its smaller diameter area for receiving pressurized air for blowing larger eggs out of the hole, and c. an air jet directed against the disc for blowing out small eggs wedged in the holes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
Fish egg sorting apparatus for separating small eggs from larger eggs comprising a. a rotated disc provided with a series of tapered holes which extend through the disc from its front to rear faces adjacent the peripheral surface, the smaller diameter areas of the tapered holes being capable of holding small eggs in wedged positions therein, b. air jet openings in the holes located between the hole entrance and its smaller diameter area for receiving pressurized air for blowing larger eggs out of the hole, and c. an air jet directed against the disc for blowing out small eggs wedged in the holes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
Fish egg sorting apparatus defined by claim 1, which includes a water and egg compartment open at its top in which the disc is partially submerged, and in which the rotated disc is provided with small holes extending through the disc in an annular series located radially between the axis and periphery of the disc for passage of water from the water and egg compartment above a predetermined water level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Fish egg sorting apparatus defined by claim 1, in which the holes in the disc are conical in shape, with their largest diameter opening flush with the front surface of the disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Fish egg sorting apparatus defined by claim 1, in which the tapered holes are double holes having adjacent apexes and an air opening between them.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Fish egg sorting apparatus defined by claim 1, which includes means for separating dead eggs from live eggs located relatively to the disc to perform the separation before pressurized air is directed against live eggs for separating small eggs from larger eggs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
Fish egg sorting apparatus defined by claim 5, in which the means for separating dead eggs from live eggs comprises a light source directed against a dead egg in a tapered hole and a photoelectric cell located to receive light reflected by the dead egg, said cell having a light receiving surface generally parallel to the tapered wall of the hole between the dead egg and the cell.