An egg conveyor assembly (1) comprises a first conveyor (4) having a first conveyor direction (X), a second conveyor (5) extending in a second conveyor direction (Y) transverse to the first conveyor direction (X) and a transfer device (6) arranged between the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The transfer device includes a transfer conveyor comprising and endless element (60) and extending in the second conveyor direction (Y). The second conveyor circulates second egg retainers (52) continuously, and the transfer conveyor circulates egg transfer retainers (62) discontinuously, in such that the egg transfer retainers of the transfer device are approximately standing still when receiving eggs from the first conveyor, and such that the egg transfer retainers of the transfer device are moving approximately synchronously with second egg retainers of the second conveyor when dropping the eggs in the second egg retainers of the second conveyor.

An egg conveyor assembly (1) comprises a first conveyor (4) having a first conveyor direction (X), a second conveyor (5) extending in a second conveyor direction (Y) transverse to the first conveyor direction (X) and a transfer device (6) arranged between the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The transfer device includes a transfer conveyor comprising and endless element (60) and extending in the second conveyor direction (Y). The second conveyor circulates second egg retainers (52) continuously, and the transfer conveyor circulates egg transfer retainers (62) discontinuously, in such that the egg transfer retainers of the transfer device are approximately standing still when receiving eggs from the first conveyor, and such that the egg transfer retainers of the transfer device are moving approximately synchronously with second egg retainers of the second conveyor when dropping the eggs in the second egg retainers of the second conveyor.

A system for determining the gender and/or fertility status of avian eggs including a sampling apparatus and an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and detector. In certain embodiments, the transmitter operates in the terahertz range. The sampling apparatus can be coupled to an avian egg. The sampling apparatus includes a vacuum source, a gas collection device, and a membrane that can be positioned in the passageway coupling the vacuum source to the gas collection device. The membrane is capable of capturing volatile organic compounds. The sampling apparatus applies a vacuum from the vacuum source to the gas proximate to the avian egg and directs the gas captured from the vicinity of the egg toward the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is positioned within the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter, generating a spectrum which can be analyzed to determine whether the egg is fertile or infertile, and if fertile, whether the egg is male or female. In an embodiment, the captured volatile organic compounds are transferred to a sample chamber where the captured gas is analyzed.

A system for determining the gender and/or fertility status of avian eggs including a sampling apparatus and an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and detector. In certain embodiments, the transmitter operates in the terahertz range. The sampling apparatus can be coupled to an avian egg. The sampling apparatus includes a vacuum source, a gas collection device, and a membrane that can be positioned in the passageway coupling the vacuum source to the gas collection device. The membrane is capable of capturing volatile organic compounds. The sampling apparatus applies a vacuum from the vacuum source to the gas proximate to the avian egg and directs the gas captured from the vicinity of the egg toward the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is positioned within the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter, generating a spectrum which can be analyzed to determine whether the egg is fertile or infertile, and if fertile, whether the egg is male or female. In an embodiment, the captured volatile organic compounds are transferred to a sample chamber where the captured gas is analyzed.

The present disclosure includes a system and method for providing a reservoir conveyor that provides the linear space needed to increase the capacity of the buffer storage reservoir such that it is compatible with and increases the efficiency of a Grader and packers.

The present disclosure includes a system and method for providing a reservoir conveyor that provides the linear space needed to increase the capacity of the buffer storage reservoir such that it is compatible with and increases the efficiency of a Grader and packers.

Proposed is a technique for performing sexing of a fertilized egg with a high sexing rate at a high speed, based on image data obtained by photographing a contour of the egg. In particular, a fertilized egg sexing method, a fertilized egg sexing apparatus and a program for making a female/male judgment of a fertilized egg according to a contour of the fertilized egg by a computer are proposed. The fertilized egg sexing method includes: extracting the contour based on image data obtained by photographing the fertilized egg at different angles, calculating a short radial from the contour, calculating short radial phase differences corresponding to photographing at the angles, and making a female/male judgment using the short radial phase differences.

Proposed is a technique for performing sexing of a fertilized egg with a high sexing rate at a high speed, based on image data obtained by photographing a contour of the egg. In particular, a fertilized egg sexing method, a fertilized egg sexing apparatus and a program for making a female/male judgment of a fertilized egg according to a contour of the fertilized egg by a computer are proposed. The fertilized egg sexing method includes: extracting the contour based on image data obtained by photographing the fertilized egg at different angles, calculating a short radial from the contour, calculating short radial phase differences corresponding to photographing at the angles, and making a female/male judgment using the short radial phase differences.

Unit for sorting parts moving along a conveyor belt comprising a transfer device (3) which comprises a roller (31) which is rotatably movable above the belt and a plurality of gripping tools (32) at the periphery of the roller which are each capable of selectively removing a part from the belt when the tools are brought into a removal position, each tool comprising a suction cup (321) attached to a tubular support sleeve (322) which is capable of creating a connection between the suction cup and an internal chamber (312) of the roller, said connection being kept at a negative pressure relative to the surrounding air, all of the suction cups which are brought into the removal position being depressurized, each sleeve being mounted so as to be translatably movable along the axis thereof through a wall (311) of the roller, an actuator (34) being designed to selectively control, in the removal position, the movement of the sleeve so that the suction cup engages with the part to be removed.

Unit for sorting parts moving along a conveyor belt comprising a transfer device (3) which comprises a roller (31) which is rotatably movable above the belt and a plurality of gripping tools (32) at the periphery of the roller which are each capable of selectively removing a part from the belt when the tools are brought into a removal position, each tool comprising a suction cup (321) attached to a tubular support sleeve (322) which is capable of creating a connection between the suction cup and an internal chamber (312) of the roller, said connection being kept at a negative pressure relative to the surrounding air, all of the suction cups which are brought into the removal position being depressurized, each sleeve being mounted so as to be translatably movable along the axis thereof through a wall (311) of the roller, an actuator (34) being designed to selectively control, in the removal position, the movement of the sleeve so that the suction cup engages with the part to be removed.