GB2084103A - Conveyor for eggs - Google Patents

Abstract

An egg conveyor has a parallel pair of endless loose-link chains (10, 11) movable along a guide channel (12) with opposed stub pairs (13, 14) welded to the chains and tubular egg supporting members (15) rotatable on the stub pairs. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Conveyors This invention reiates to conveyors.

The invention is primarily concerned with the problem of conveying eggs between a hen battery station to a grading and packing station which do not exist on a common path suitable for the employment of a straight conveyor.

A conveyor according to the invention comprises a parallel spaced pair of endless loose link chains movable along a channel and having opposed stub pairs joined to the chains with egg-supporting members each carried on a stub pair arranged so that stubs and members lie transverse to the line of movement of the chains.

Conveyors according to the invention are advantageous in that they can follow a non-linear path and, if necessary, a path which is inclined up to a maximum of about 18 , whilst safely coneying eggs.

The egg-supporting members are preferably co-axial with the stubs and of a plastics tubular material which may be selected for size, surface texture, resilience, optimised for the duty of conveying eggs.

The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an explanatory perspective sketch; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of a conveyor according to the invention.

In Figure 2 there is provided a parallel spaced pair of endless loose-link chains 10, 11. The pair of chains are movable along a channel 12. Opposed stub pairs 13, 14 of metal rod are welded to respective chain links, the welds being marked 13a and 14a repspectively. Each stub pair 13, 14 carries a tubular egg-supporting member 15 of plastics material. The stubs and egg-supporting members lie transverse to the line of movement of the chains and each opposed pair of stubs and their egg-supporting member are co-axial. The chains are seen to have horizontal links alternating with vertical links which are in sliding contact with the channel with the stubs attached diametrically across the horizontal links and attached across the uppermost arc of the vertical links whereby alternate egg-supporting members are at differing levels.

The members 15 may have freedom to rotate on the stubs 13, 14. Wall members 17 are provided to prevent eggs 18 falling sideways from the conveyor.

The channel 12 has wall parts 12a and recessed parts 1 2b to guide the conveyor. The chains engage a pair of driving sprockets at one end of the conveyor and a pair of idler sprockets at the other end.

The channel 12 will generally be non-linear as it follows a path from a hen battery station at one elevation to an egg grading and packing station at laterally displaced elevation. This path typically involves both inclines and corners. At the corners one ofthe chains 10 or 11 compresses whilst the other retains tension. This means that the members 15 do not remain exactly parallel but eggs being transported on the conveyor readily accommodate this.

Figure 2 only shows the egg-conveying pass of the chain. The return pass takes place below the conveying pass.

Figure 1 shows a part of one chain 10, stubs 13 and 14, welds 13a and members 15. The dimension "d" typically 12 mm. Arrow 19 indicates the line of movement of the chain 10.

The uses of stubs and egg-supporting members connected in the manner shown above not only allows gentle conveyance of eggs but also makes maintenance and manufacture of the conveyor more simple and less costly. Functional changes to the conveyor can also be made.

Chains, other than of the type shown, can be used.

For example, thicker-linked chains or more ovalised link chains could find use. Similarly chain links each defining two apertures (double-D) could be used if it were desired to have a conveyor in which the stubs and supporting members did not alternate in level.

Whilst the present invention is directed to egg conveyance and the special problems arising therein, it is possible that the invention may have application to the conveyance of articles other than eggs.

1. A conveyor, such as for eggs, comprising a parallel spaced pair of endless loose-link chains (10, 11) movable along a channel (12) and having opposed stub pairs (13, 14) joined to the chains with egg supporting members (15) each carried on a stub pair arranged so that stubs and members lie transverse to the line of the movement of the chains.

2. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 in which the supporting members are tubes rotatable on the stubs.

3. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 or 2 having wall members (17) to prevent eggs on the supporting members falling over the ends of the supporting members.

4. A conveyor as claimed in any preceding claim in which the chains each have horizontal links alternating with vertical links which are in sliding contact with said channel with the stubs attached diametrically across the horizontal links and attached across the uppermost arc of the vertical links whereby alternate egg supporting members are at differing levels.

5. A conveyor for eggs substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

6. A hen battery station at one elevation and a hen grading station at another and laterally displaced elevation including a conveyor according to any preceding claim between the stations traversing both inclines and corners.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Conveyors This invention reiates to conveyors. The invention is primarily concerned with the problem of conveying eggs between a hen battery station to a grading and packing station which do not exist on a common path suitable for the employment of a straight conveyor. A conveyor according to the invention comprises a parallel spaced pair of endless loose link chains movable along a channel and having opposed stub pairs joined to the chains with egg-supporting members each carried on a stub pair arranged so that stubs and members lie transverse to the line of movement of the chains. Conveyors according to the invention are advantageous in that they can follow a non-linear path and, if necessary, a path which is inclined up to a maximum of about 18 , whilst safely coneying eggs. The egg-supporting members are preferably co-axial with the stubs and of a plastics tubular material which may be selected for size, surface texture, resilience, optimised for the duty of conveying eggs. The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an explanatory perspective sketch; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of a conveyor according to the invention. In Figure 2 there is provided a parallel spaced pair of endless loose-link chains 10, 11. The pair of chains are movable along a channel 12. Opposed stub pairs 13, 14 of metal rod are welded to respective chain links, the welds being marked 13a and 14a repspectively. Each stub pair 13, 14 carries a tubular egg-supporting member 15 of plastics material. The stubs and egg-supporting members lie transverse to the line of movement of the chains and each opposed pair of stubs and their egg-supporting member are co-axial. The chains are seen to have horizontal links alternating with vertical links which are in sliding contact with the channel with the stubs attached diametrically across the horizontal links and attached across the uppermost arc of the vertical links whereby alternate egg-supporting members are at differing levels. The members 15 may have freedom to rotate on the stubs 13, 14. Wall members 17 are provided to prevent eggs 18 falling sideways from the conveyor. The channel 12 has wall parts 12a and recessed parts 1 2b to guide the conveyor. The chains engage a pair of driving sprockets at one end of the conveyor and a pair of idler sprockets at the other end. The channel 12 will generally be non-linear as it follows a path from a hen battery station at one elevation to an egg grading and packing station at laterally displaced elevation. This path typically involves both inclines and corners. At the corners one ofthe chains 10 or 11 compresses whilst the other retains tension. This means that the members 15 do not remain exactly parallel but eggs being transported on the conveyor readily accommodate this. Figure 2 only shows the egg-conveying pass of the chain. The return pass takes place below the conveying pass. Figure 1 shows a part of one chain 10, stubs 13 and 14, welds 13a and members 15. The dimension "d" typically 12 mm. Arrow 19 indicates the line of movement of the chain 10. The uses of stubs and egg-supporting members connected in the manner shown above not only allows gentle conveyance of eggs but also makes maintenance and manufacture of the conveyor more simple and less costly. Functional changes to the conveyor can also be made. Chains, other than of the type shown, can be used. For example, thicker-linked chains or more ovalised link chains could find use. Similarly chain links each defining two apertures (double-D) could be used if it were desired to have a conveyor in which the stubs and supporting members did not alternate in level. Whilst the present invention is directed to egg conveyance and the special problems arising therein, it is possible that the invention may have application to the conveyance of articles other than eggs. CLAIMS

1. A conveyor, such as for eggs, comprising a parallel spaced pair of endless loose-link chains (10, 11) movable along a channel (12) and having opposed stub pairs (13, 14) joined to the chains with egg supporting members (15) each carried on a stub pair arranged so that stubs and members lie transverse to the line of the movement of the chains.

2. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 in which the supporting members are tubes rotatable on the stubs.

3. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 or 2 having wall members (17) to prevent eggs on the supporting members falling over the ends of the supporting members.

4. A conveyor as claimed in any preceding claim in which the chains each have horizontal links alternating with vertical links which are in sliding contact with said channel with the stubs attached diametrically across the horizontal links and attached across the uppermost arc of the vertical links whereby alternate egg supporting members are at differing levels.

5. A conveyor for eggs substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

6. A hen battery station at one elevation and a hen grading station at another and laterally displaced elevation including a conveyor according to any preceding claim between the stations traversing both inclines and corners.