A transfer device for transferring eggs from a conveyor belt to egg packaging, the transfer device includes a frame with at least one mounting plate of a mounting element, on which mounting plate a plurality of suction lifting elements that can be connected to a suction apparatus are mounted. The suction lifting elements are mounted on the mounting plate so as to be movable in the plane of the mounting plate by motorized or hydraulic means between a suction position and a release position.

An egg transfer module is provided. Such a device includes an egg securing device configured to grasp an egg. A free-moving ejector is associated with the egg securing device and configured to freely move in relation thereto. An abutment is provided in spaced relationship to the egg securing device. The free-moving ejector is configured to interact with the abutment to cause movement of the free-moving ejector with respect to the egg securing device, thereby displacing the egg from the egg securing device. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

An egg transfer module is provided. Such a device includes an egg securing device configured to grasp an egg. A free-moving ejector is associated with the egg securing device and configured to freely move in relation thereto. An abutment is provided in spaced relationship to the egg securing device. The free-moving ejector is configured to interact with the abutment to cause movement of the free-moving ejector with respect to the egg securing device, thereby displacing the egg from the egg securing device. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

The invention relates to an individual egg transport device, characterized in that it includes: an upper cup provided to receive an egg, a base provided to ensure a stable position of the egg when the individual device is placed on a conveyor belt, a gripping element allowing a gripping member to grasp the individual device in order to transport it from a first location to a second location. The invention also proposes a gripping member, a filling facility and a filling method using the individual egg transport device.

The invention relates to an individual egg transport device, characterized in that it includes: an upper cup provided to receive an egg, a base provided to ensure a stable position of the egg when the individual device is placed on a conveyor belt, a gripping element allowing a gripping member to grasp the individual device in order to transport it from a first location to a second location. The invention also proposes a gripping member, a filling facility and a filling method using the individual egg transport device.

An egg-orienting station for an apparatus for transporting eggs and packaging them in egg packs has a plurality of tracks, which are arranged parallel to one another in the conveying direction, and a transfer region for transferring the eggs to a conveyor belt. An adjustment device is arranged upstream of the transfer region, the adjustment device being used to insert the eggs, optionally by way of the bottom or of the top of said eggs, in egg holders of the first conveyor belt.

An egg-orienting station for an apparatus for transporting eggs and packaging them in egg packs has a plurality of tracks, which are arranged parallel to one another in the conveying direction, and a transfer region for transferring the eggs to a conveyor belt. An adjustment device is arranged upstream of the transfer region, the adjustment device being used to insert the eggs, optionally by way of the bottom or of the top of said eggs, in egg holders of the first conveyor belt.

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.

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.

The invention relates to a so-called stabilization method, consisting of completing the filling of traveling egg trays. In each of the successive trays, eggs taken from an available egg reservoir are deposited in empty locations. This reservoir is made up of egg receiving cells that are movable along rows of cells in series. Depending on a filling state of the tray being treated identifying the distribution of the empty locations relative to the full locations, the reservoir is automatically configured in a configuration of egg-bearing cells complementary to said filling state of the tray in progress, so as to next transfer eggs between the reservoir and the tray in progress by correspondence between empty locations and full locations in the tray and the presence or absence of an egg-bearing cell in the reservoir.