An egg conveyor assembly comprises a first conveyor (1) extending in a first conveyor direction (X) on a first height level, a second conveyor (2) extending in a second conveyor direction (Y) perpendicular to the first height level. A transfer device (3) adapted to transfer eggs (50) from the first conveyor (1) to the second conveyor (2) comprises an array of egg retainers (6). The egg retainers (6) of the transfer device (3) comprise pockets having a receiving opening at an upper end thereof to receive the eggs (50) from above from the first conveyor (1), and are adapted to release the eggs at a lower end to drop the eggs (50) in egg retainers (21) of the second conveyor (2). The transfer device (3) is movable in the first conveyor direction (X) and in the second conveyor direction (Y) in a plane on a height level between the first height level and second height level.

An egg orientation device is provided to position eggs downwards or upwards in egg retainers. The device includes a stationary lane with a support plate. The support plate includes a central zone and two lateral zones. The device also includes a pusher movable along the stationary lane and configured to push an egg over the support plate and around its longitudinal axis. The egg retainer is also movable in the beneath the support plate of the stationary lane in a synchronized manner with the pusher. A drop opening is provided in the support plate. The drop opening enables eggs to fall through such that they are positioned downwards or upwards in the egg retainer positioned beneath the drop opening. The drop opening is either located in the central zone or in the lateral zone.

An endless egg conveyor includes an endless element running around a set of rotational wheels and a drive unit defining a conveying direction of the conveyor. The conveyor has an upper run and a lower run and head sections Where the direction of movement of the endless element between the upper run and the lower run is reversed. The conveyor furthermore includes at least one lane of egg retaining pockets coupled to the endless element, moving in the conveying direction. Each of the retaining pockets has a central axis and an tipper receiving opening to receive an egg with a longitudinal axis of the egg generally aligned with said central axis. The retaining pockets are each coupled to the endless element by a bearing structure allowing rotation of the retaining pocket around a rotational axis extending parallel to the rotational axes of said rotational wheels, allowing the retaining pockets to remain in an upright position in every position in the lane. Adjacent retaining pockets of different lanes define a pocket row, wherein, the conveyor comprises carrying elements that carry the pockets of one row. The bearing structure of each pocket row comprises a support arm on either lateral side of the conveyor. The support arm is positioned upright with respect to the circulating endless element and rigidly connected thereto. The bearing structure of said pocket row comprises at least one spindle rigidly connected to the carrying element which pivotally connects the carrying element to the support arms.

A tray supply device that reduces effort and burden involved in an operation is provided. The present tray supply device includes a tray storage unit, a detection unit, and a distribution unit. The tray storage unit is provided so as to correspond to one of a plurality of accommodation units that cause eggs to be accommodated in trays. The detection unit detects the amount of the trays stored in each tray storage unit. The distribution unit distributes empty trays to each tray storage unit in accordance with a detection result of the detection unit. An orientation change unit is further included, which changes the orientation of the trays so that the trays are accommodable in each tray storage unit.

A tray supply device that reduces effort and burden involved in an operation is provided. The present tray supply device includes a tray storage unit, a detection unit, and a distribution unit. The tray storage unit is provided so as to correspond to one of a plurality of accommodation units that cause eggs to be accommodated in trays. The detection unit detects the amount of the trays stored in each tray storage unit. The distribution unit distributes empty trays to each tray storage unit in accordance with a detection result of the detection unit. An orientation change unit is further included, which changes the orientation of the trays so that the trays are accommodable in each tray storage unit.

A device for reorientation of eggs deposited in the hollow open cells of a tray. The device is intended to reorientate at least one egg from said tray along a substantially vertical axis. The device includes at least one reorientation element capable of moving between a low position and a high position with respect to the cell containing the egg to be reorientated. The reorientation element includes a lower seat on which the upright rods are fixed, the upper ends of said rods being able to spread out with respect to each other on contact with the egg to be re-orientated, the upright rods being intended to interpose themselves between the cell and the egg, in the high position, so as to damp and guide a movement of the egg under the effect of its weight to a substantially vertical position.

A device for reorientation of eggs deposited in the hollow open cells of a tray. The device is intended to reorientate at least one egg from said tray along a substantially vertical axis. The device includes at least one reorientation element capable of moving between a low position and a high position with respect to the cell containing the egg to be reorientated. The reorientation element includes a lower seat on which the upright rods are fixed, the upper ends of said rods being able to spread out with respect to each other on contact with the egg to be re-orientated, the upright rods being intended to interpose themselves between the cell and the egg, in the high position, so as to damp and guide a movement of the egg under the effect of its weight to a substantially vertical position.

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.

Methods and systems for transitioning packages objects, such as eggs, from a packer into an infeed system providing a buffer such that the packer may operate independently of the subsequent system, such as an egg marking system. Systems and methods of stabilizing packed objects, such as eggs, as they move from the packer to a marking system includes logic to suspend operation of the delivery conveyor or system.