EGG STORAGE PLATE

Abstract

The invention relates to an egg storage plate having a base surface, an egg contact surface and at least one outer peripheral surface. The egg contact surface has a track which extends from a high point to a low point, wherein in the direction of the surface normal of the base surface the high point is spaced furthest from the base surface and the low point is spaced least from the base surface. The track runs between the high point and the low point with a continuous gradient. The track has a curvature such that the centerline of the track, in projection onto the base surface, is not radially offset at the high point or is offset by no more than one-half of a track width relative to the low point. The track is substantially convex in cross-section and the track width corresponds to between 80% and 120% of the longitudinal extent of an average egg to be stored.

Claims

1. Egg storage plate having a base surface (02), an egg contact surface (01) and at least one outer peripheral surface (03) extending between the base surface (02) and the egg contact surface (01), characterized in that: the egg contact surface (01) has a track (07) which extends from a high point (08) to a low point (09), the high point (08) being spaced farthest and the low point (09) being spaced least from the base surface (02) in the direction of the surface normal of the base surface (02); the track (07) runs between the high point (08) and the low point (09) with a gradient without points of discontinuity and without reversal points; the track (07) has a curvature such that the centerline (14) of the track (07) in projection onto the base surface (02) is not radially offset at the high point (08) or is offset by no more than half of a track width relative to the low point (09); the track (07) is substantially convex in cross-section and the track width corresponds to between 80% and 120% of the longitudinal extent of an average egg (11) to be stored.

2. Egg storage plate according to claim 1, wherein the track (07) is delimited at its outer edge (13) by the outer peripheral surface and is delimited at its inner edge (12) by an inner peripheral surface extending between the base surface (02) and the egg contact surface (01).

3. Egg storage plate according to claim 2, wherein the inner peripheral surface (03) encloses a central recess (06).

4. Egg storage plate according to claim 3, wherein the inner and outer peripheral surfaces (03, 04) are inclined towards each other so as to enclose a portion of a truncated cone.

5. Egg storage plate according to claim 1, wherein it is formed in one piece out of a ceramic material, in particular of an unglazed ceramic, with titanium dioxide admixed to the ceramic raw material.

6. Egg storage plate according to claim 1, wherein an upper run surface (16) is formed in the vicinity of the high point (08) and a lower run surface (17) is formed in the vicinity of the low point (09), which prevent the eggs (11) that are placed thereupon from leaving the track (07) on their own.

7. Egg storage plate according to claim 1, wherein the gradient between the high point (08) and low point (09) is continuous.

8. Egg storage plate according to claim 1, wherein the track (07) runs along a helical line with a constant negative pitch between the high point (08) and the low point (09).

9. Egg storage plate according to claim 1, wherein the middle line (14) of the track (07) in projection onto the base surface (02) runs in a circular shape.

10. Egg storage plate according to claim 1, wherein the inner edge (12) of the substantially convex-shaped track (07) is always spaced, along its entire length, further away from the base surface (02) than from the outer edge (13) lying parallel opposite it.

11. Egg storage plate according to claim 1, wherein base surface (02) is defined by an inner position line, above which the inner peripheral surface (04) rises, and by an outer positional line, above which the outer peripheral surface (03) rises.

12. Egg storage plate according to claim 1, wherein a cavity that is open towards the base surface (02) is formed between the inner side of the egg contact surface (01) and the peripheral surfaces (03, 04).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Further advantages, details and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, with reference to the drawing. Wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a top view of an egg storage plate with an egg placed on a track;

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the egg storage plate according to FIG. 1, but without the egg on top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an egg storage plate in a top view, whereas FIG. 2 shows a side view. This embodiment is described below with concurrent reference to both figures. The dimension lines and values (in millimeters and degrees, respectively) shown in the figures are only intended to illustrate preferred dimensions and are not to be understood as necessary features. Deviations in the dimensions are possible as long as the functionality is still fulfilled. In particular, a dimensional adjustment is required if the egg storage plate is not to be configured for chicken eggs but, for example, rather for quail eggs.

[0022] In use, the egg storage plate has an egg contact surface 01 located on the top-facing side, a base surface 02 located opposite the egg contact surface 01, and an outer peripheral surface 03 and an inner peripheral surface 04, each of which extending between the egg contact surface 01 and the base surface 02. The base surface 02 is preferably not closed but is formed only in the region of the peripheral surfaces. The peripheral surfaces 03, 04 are inclined in opposite directions, for example at an angle of 80° or 100° to the base surface. The basic shape of the egg storage plate corresponds to a truncated cone with an inner recess 06. In a dimensional adaptation of the egg storage plate, for example, for storage of hen's eggs, the outer diameter is D≈230 mm and the height is H≈42 mm.

[0023] The egg contact surface 01 is predominantly occupied by a track 07 which runs along a helical line from a high point 08 to a low point 09. For clarification, a single egg 11 is shown in FIG. 1 with its longitudinal axis substantially intersecting the low point 09. It can be seen that the narrow end of the egg 11 is directed towards the inside, towards an inner edge 12 of the track 07, whereas the wide end of the egg is directed towards the outside, towards an outer edge 13 of the track. The track 07 has a convex cross-section, with a centerline 14 extending in the gorge of the track 07. The inner edge 12 and the outer edge 13 run parallel to the centerline 14. The centerline 14 runs, for example, with a continuous gradient of δ≈4°. The centerline 14 describes a circular path, for example, with a diameter M≈154 mm, so that there is a radius R≈77 mm between the center of the recess 06 and the centerline 14.

[0024] When viewed along a radius line, the inner edge 12 is formed slightly higher than the outer edge 13, which is to say that the inner edge is always spaced slightly further away from the base surface 02 than from the outer edge. As a result, the narrow end of the placed egg 11 is raised so that the longitudinal axis of the egg 11 is approximately horizontal, regardless of the position of the egg 11 on the track 07.

[0025] There is an elevation 15 between the high point 08 and the low point 09, which elevation compensates for the difference in height between these points. The elevation 15 has two side surfaces facing the track, forming an upper run surface 16 and a lower run surface 17.

[0026] In the design shown, the entire egg storage plate is formed in one piece from sintered ceramic. Titanium dioxide was admixed to the ceramic raw material during the manufacturing process.

[0027] When an egg 11 is placed on the egg storage plate at the high point 08, the gradient of the track 07 causes it to automatically roll to the low point 09 or to a point at which the egg abuts a previously placed egg. In total, depending on the size of the eggs, about 10-12 hen's eggs can be placed on the track 07 with the dimensions mentioned as an example.