US4356920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for grading and further processing eggs
Assignee: Staalkat BV
•
Filing: 1980-11-13
•
Granted: 1982-11-02
•
Expires: 2000-11-13
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for weight grading and further processing eggs. After being weighed, the eggs are supplied to a conveyor for the transportation of the weighed eggs to a plurality of buffers, such as belts arranged in a refrigerated space, each said buffer being adapted to receive eggs of a given weight class, and from which the eggs can be discharged in the unpacked state when needed.
Inventors
- 👤 Jelle VAN DER Schoot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:45
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B23/00; B65B23/02; B65B23/06; A; A01; A01K; A01K43/00; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of weight grading and further processing unpackaged eggs comprising supplying eggs to a weighing station, weighing a plurality of eggs simultaneously at the weighing station to determine the weight class to which each egg belongs, transferring the weighed eggs from the weighing station to a conveyor which transports and discharges the eggs in unpackaged condition, according to their weight class, to a plurality of storage belts, each belt receiving eggs of a given weight class, storing the unpackaged eggs on the storage belts, and subsequently discharging eggs of a given weight class from the respective belt, on demand, to a packaging machine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of weight grading and further processing unpackaged eggs comprising supplying eggs to a weighing station, weighing a plurality of eggs simultaneously at the weighing station to determine the weight class to which each egg belongs, transferring the weighed eggs from the weighing station to a conveyor which transports and discharges the eggs in unpackaged condition, according to their weight class, to a plurality of storage belts, each belt receiving eggs of a given weight class, storing the unpackaged eggs on the storage belts, and subsequently discharging eggs of a given weight class from the respective belt, on demand, to a packaging machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the storage belts are located in a refrigerated space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for weight grading and further processing unpackaged eggs comprising an egg supplying belt, an accumulation belt for receiving the eggs from the supplying belt, a weighing device for receiving the eggs from the accumulation belt and for weighing a plurality of eggs simultaneously to determine the weight class to which each egg belongs, a looped elevator conveyor having a plurality of egg holders each of which is adapted to receive one egg from the weighing device, a plurality of storage belts each designated to receive eggs of a given weight class, and means for discharging each egg from its holder to one of said storage belts in accordance with the weight class of that egg, and means for selectively discharging eggs from each storage belt to a packaging machine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for weight grading and further processing unpackaged eggs comprising an egg supplying belt, an accumulation belt for receiving the eggs from the supplying belt, a weighing device for receiving the eggs from the accumulation belt and for weighing a plurality of eggs simultaneously to determine the weight class to which each egg belongs, a looped elevator conveyor having a plurality of egg holders each of which is adapted to receive one egg from the weighing device, a plurality of storage belts each designated to receive eggs of a given weight class, and means for discharging each egg from its holder to one of said storage belts in accordance with the weight class of that egg, and means for selectively discharging eggs from each storage belt to a packaging machine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the storage belts are located in a refrigerated space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 including an egg accumulator assembly between said elevator conveyor and said plurality of storage belts, said accumulator assembly including means for operating said storage belts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the storage belts are movable in both longitudinal directions and wherein there is an egg discharge means at both ends of the storage belts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said egg discharge means includes an elevator common to all of said storage belts.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-01 | 1986-05-03 | 1986-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-01 | 1990-05-03 | 1990-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-01 | 1994-05-03 | 1994-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |