A packaging device (1) for packaging substantially round articles into a dimpled package (100) having an array of pockets to receive the round articles. The packaging device comprising a supply conveyor (2) for the articles and a package conveyor (15) located below the supply conveyor for conveying the packages. A filling buffer (4) is located between the supply conveyor and the package conveyor having multiple sub-buffers (5). The device furthermore comprises a collector (8) for receiving articles from the buffer, and a setter (12) wherein, in use, the setter reciprocates between an upper position to a lower position, wherein in the upper position the articles can be received from the collector and in the lower position the articles can be discharged into the pockets of the package. The collector comprises a plurality of collector rows, wherein the collector is configured and arranged to move each one of the plurality of collector rows back and forth underneath the filling buffer to a position under any one of the sub-buffers for receiving articles from the lowest row thereof, and to move back and forth with filled pockets to a position above the setter to discharge the articles into the setter.

An egg sorting and packaging method and assembly, wherein eggs are placed on an endless egg conveyor (2) by means of an egg supply device (3). The eggs are selectively moved from the endless egg conveyor into packaging lines (6a-6c), in which packaging lines the eggs are packed into egg packages. Eggs which are not released into one of the packaging lines remain on the endless egg conveyor and are recycled to pass by the packaging lines again in order to be released into one of the packaging lines.

An egg sorting and packaging method and assembly, wherein eggs are placed on an endless egg conveyor (2) by means of an egg supply device (3). The eggs are selectively moved from the endless egg conveyor into packaging lines (6a-6c), in which packaging lines the eggs are packed into egg packages. Eggs which are not released into one of the packaging lines remain on the endless egg conveyor and are recycled to pass by the packaging lines again in order to be released into one of the packaging lines.

An egg sorting and packaging assembly comprising an endless egg conveyor, an egg supply device for supplying and moving eggs onto the endless egg conveyor, and one or more packaging lines associated with the endless egg conveyor. The one or more packaging lines are configured and arranged to receive eggs from the endless egg conveyor. The egg supply device is adapted and arranged to remove eggs from the supply device that would have to be placed on a position on the endless egg conveyor that is already occupied by an egg that could not be received in a packaging line, and leads the removed egg back to an egg supply line.

An egg sorting and packaging assembly comprising an endless egg conveyor, an egg supply device for supplying and moving eggs onto the endless egg conveyor, and one or more packaging lines associated with the endless egg conveyor. The one or more packaging lines are configured and arranged to receive eggs from the endless egg conveyor. The egg supply device is adapted and arranged to remove eggs from the supply device that would have to be placed on a position on the endless egg conveyor that is already occupied by an egg that could not be received in a packaging line, and leads the removed egg back to an egg supply line.

An egg sorting and packaging assembly comprising an endless egg conveyor, an egg supply device for supplying and moving eggs onto the endless egg conveyor, and one or more packaging lines associated with the endless egg conveyor. The one or more packaging lines are configured and arranged to receive eggs from the endless egg conveyor. The egg supply device is adapted and arranged to remove eggs from the supply device that would have to be placed on a position on the endless egg conveyor that is already occupied by an egg that could not be received in a packaging line, and leads the removed egg back to an egg supply line.

An egg sorting and packaging assembly comprising an endless egg conveyor, an egg supply device for supplying and moving eggs onto the endless egg conveyor, and one or more packaging lines associated with the endless egg conveyor. The one or more packaging lines are configured and arranged to receive eggs from the endless egg conveyor. The egg supply device is adapted and arranged to remove eggs from the supply device that would have to be placed on a position on the endless egg conveyor that is already occupied by an egg that could not be received in a packaging line, and leads the removed egg back to an egg supply line.

An egg processing system is provided. Such a system includes a reference platform defining a plurality of reference openings therethrough. Each reference opening is adapted to receive an avian egg therein from an underside of the reference platform. A plurality of egg holders are provided for supporting eggs, each egg holder being configured to lift an egg toward a respective reference opening. A plurality of egg orienting accommodations extends from the underside of the reference platform. Each egg orienting accommodation is associated with a respective reference opening such that as an egg moves toward the reference platform it interacts with the egg orienting accommodation to orient the egg. An associated system, device and method are also provided.

An egg processing system is provided. Such a system includes a reference platform defining a plurality of reference openings therethrough. Each reference opening is adapted to receive an avian egg therein from an underside of the reference platform. A plurality of egg holders are provided for supporting eggs, each egg holder being configured to lift an egg toward a respective reference opening. A plurality of egg orienting accommodations extends from the underside of the reference platform. Each egg orienting accommodation is associated with a respective reference opening such that as an egg moves toward the reference platform it interacts with the egg orienting accommodation to orient the egg. An associated system, device and method are also provided.

An apparatus to identify upside-down eggs of a batch of eggs includes a heating module configured to expose an air cell in each egg of the batch of eggs to a radiation flux. The apparatus also includes an imaging module with a thermal camera configured to capture thermal images of the batch of eggs when the eggs are not exposed to the radiation flux. The apparatus further includes an analyzer module configured to detect the presence of a heated zone in the air cell of each egg from the thermal images and identify upside-down eggs based on the presence of the heated zone. A method to identify upside-down eggs from a batch of eggs includes heating the batch of eggs with a radiation source, such as an infrared source, so as to generate a hot zone inside an air cell of each egg without significantly heating the rest of the eggs. Thermal images of the eggs are captured while the eggs are not exposed to the radiation source, analyzed to detect the presence of the hot zone and to identify the upside down eggs.