Egg tray for supporting eggs in an incubation chamber

Abstract

Egg tray (1) for supporting eggs in an incubation chamber, the egg tray comprising a first grid (10) extending in a bottom plane (P), the first grid comprising one or more adjacent rows with slanted ribs extending from one side of the row to the other to form a plurality of adjacent openings (13), wherein an opening (13) defines an egg accommodation, wherein the ribs are configured for contacting an egg at a middle part (14) of the ribs between two rib ends in order to support an egg in the egg accommodation.

Claims

1. An egg tray for supporting eggs in an incubation chamber, the egg tray comprising: a first grid extending in a bottom plane (P), the first grid comprising one or more adjacent rows with ribs which are slanted and extend from one side of the row to the other side of the row to form a plurality of adjacent openings, wherein an opening defines an egg accommodation, wherein the ribs are configured for contacting an egg at a contact area of the ribs between two rib ends in order to support an egg in the egg accommodation.

2. The egg tray according to claim 1, wherein every other opening in a row defines an egg accommodation.

3. The egg tray according to claim 1, wherein the ribs are substantially straight.

4. The egg tray according to claim 1, wherein the openings are defined by three ribs and the openings have a substantially triangular shape, when projected in the bottom plane (P).

5. The egg tray according to claim 1, wherein the egg tray further comprises a second grid, attached to the first grid, wherein the second grid is adapted to provide additional support to eggs when the tray is tilted.

6. The egg tray according to claim 5, wherein the second grid is spaced in a direction perpendicular to the bottom plane (P) with respect to the first grid such that the second grid provides support to eggs when the tray is tilted.

7. The egg tray according to claim 5, wherein the openings of the second grid have a different shape with respect to the openings of the first grid.

8. The egg tray according to claim 5, wherein the openings of the second grid are aligned with the egg accommodations to co-define these.

9. The egg tray according to claim 5, wherein the second grid comprises openings which have a substantially hexagonal shape, when projected in the bottom plane (P).

10. The egg tray according to claim 5, wherein the first grid and the second grid are connected by connection members that extend between the first grid and the second grid and are configured to define a grid spacing (D2) between the first grid and the second grid, wherein the grid distance is defined in a plane perpendicular to the bottom plane (P).

11. The egg tray according to claim 5, wherein the grid spacing (D2) is configured such that the second grid prevents an egg from tilting out of the egg accommodation associated with the egg.

12. The egg tray according to claim 5, wherein an opening of the first grid has an inscribed circle, with an inner diameter ID1, an opening of the second grid has an inscribed circle, with an inner diameter ID2, and wherein the ratio between ID1 and ID2 is between 0.4 to 0.6, and wherein the ratio between ID1 and the grid spacing D2 is between 0.7 to 1.7.

13. The egg tray according to claim 5, wherein the egg tray is adapted to receive smaller eggs and larger eggs in the egg accommodations, wherein a first distance (D1) between the first grid and a thickest part of a larger egg is larger than a grid spacing (D2) between the first grid and the second grid, wherein the first distance and the grid distance are defined in a plane perpendicular to the bottom plane (P).

14. The egg tray according to claim 5, wherein the grid spacing (D2) is between 10 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 15 mm and 20 mm.

15. The egg tray according to claim 5, wherein the inner diameter ID1 is between 20 to 24 mm and the inner diameter ID2 is between 37 to 47 mm.

16. The egg tray according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the ribs comprises a recess that extends between contact faces of the contact area.

17. The egg tray according to claim 16, wherein the recess is configured such the egg is free-standing with respect to the rib.

18. The egg tray according to claim 16, wherein the recess extends between two opposite contact faces of the contact area, and wherein in use an egg contacts both contact faces.

19. The egg tray according to claim 1, wherein the egg tray is adapted to only contact the eggs via the ribs.

20.-23. (canceled)

24. A method for incubating a plurality of eggs, the method comprising the steps of: placing the eggs in a tray, according to claim 1, tilting the tray with respect to a horizontal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts.

[0042] FIG. 1 schematically shows a top view of an egg tray according to an embodiment;

[0043] FIG. 2 schematically shows a top view of an egg tray according to an alternative embodiment;

[0044] FIG. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the egg tray of FIG. 2;

[0045] FIG. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of a detail of the egg tray of FIGS. 2-3;

[0046] FIG. 5 schematically shows a side view in cross section of the egg tray of FIGS. 2-4;

[0047] FIG. 6 schematically shows a detail as indicated in FIG. 2 in a cross-sectional side view;

[0048] FIG. 7 shows in top view a detail of the tray of FIG. 2; and

[0049] FIG. 8 shows a top view of an egg tray according to a further alternative embodiment.

[0050] The figures are meant for illustrative purposes only, and do not serve as restriction of the scope or the protection as laid down by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be explained in the following description of some embodiments thereof. In the description, reference is made to the attached figures.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a top view of an egg tray 1 according to an embodiment. The egg tray comprises a first grid 10 surrounded by a frame 12. The first grid 10 comprises rows 11 of slanted ribs 15, which extend from one side 11a to an other side 11b of the rows 11. The ribs 15 are straight and extend between two rib ends 16, in between which a middle part 14 is provided. Three ribs 15, connected at their rib ends 16, together define an opening 13. Every other opening 13 in a row 11 defines an egg accommodation 17. For illustration purpose, a few of the egg accommodations 17 are filled with an egg 40. The first grid 10 extends substantially planar in a bottom plane P, extending in first and second directions X, Y. In use, each egg accommodation may receive an egg (not shown), which is supported by three middle parts 14 of three ribs 15 that surround an opening 13. The tray is intended for use in an incubation chamber which is not shown. This is clear from the large openings that enable to impose a desired climate provided by the incubation chamber onto the interior of the egg tray 1, more specifically onto the egg accommodations 17. The tray 1 comprises a row 31 as a filling piece. This filling piece enables to adjust the dimension of the tray 1 to an industry standard tray.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a top view of an egg tray 101 according to an alternative embodiment. The egg tray 101 comprises a first grid 10 and a second grid 20. The first grid 10 comprises triangle-shaped openings 13 and the second grid 20 comprises openings 23 which are typically hexagonally shaped, apart from pentagonal shaped ones adjacent to the edge of the second grid 20. The openings 13, 23 of both grids 10, 20 are aligned so as to together define egg accommodations 17. For illustration purpose, a few of the egg accommodations 17 are filled with an egg 40. In use, one or more eggs 40 are received in egg accommodation spaces 17. A dashed line indicated with VI marks the cross-sectional image of FIG. 6. In use, the openings 13 in the first grid 10 determine the vertical positioning of an egg, while the openings 23 in the second grid 20 provide additional support when tilting the tray 101, in order to prevent the eggs from falling out of the tray 101.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the egg tray 101 of FIG. 2. It is shown that the egg tray 101 comprises two grids 10, 20 extending in first and second directions X, Y, which are spaced apart in a third, vertical direction Z. The first grid 10 comprises triangles whereas the second grid 20 comprises hexagons. Connections members 30 connect the first and second grids 10, 20 at a number of discrete positions. The connection members 30 extend vertical and are provided at each point where the rib ends 16 of the first grid 10 come together.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a detailed image of a part of the egg tray 101. The first grid 10 comprises openings 13 defined by three ribs 15. At the middle parts 14 of the ribs 15 of the first grid 10, recesses 18 are provided, which serve to support an egg and keep the egg in place. The recess 18 is described in more detail referring to FIG. 7. The second grid 20 is connected to the first grid 10 using vertical connections 30, which extend from vertices 26 at the corners of the hexagonal openings 23 in the second grid 20 to the points where the rib ends 16 of the first grid 10 come together. In this way, at each egg accommodation the parts of the first and second grid 10, 20 surrounding the triangular opening 13 and the hexagonal opening 23 are connected by three vertical connections 30. This allows for a stable egg tray 101 which can withstand the weight of the eggs. At the middle parts of the ribs 15 of the second grid 10, a cut out 32 is provided. The cut out 32 facilitates tilting of an egg within the accommodation 17. At the same time, the cut out 32 assures a good contact area for an egg, that is not sharp, or harmful in any other way to the egg.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a perspective side view of the egg tray 101. The first grid 10 and second grid 20 are separated by a grid spacing D2, a distance which is bridged by the vertical connection members 30. The egg tray 101 is largely open to allow air to flow through freely and enable good ventilation for the eggs when in use.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional image of a part of FIG. 2, as indicated therein by the dashed line marked with VI. The egg tray 101 is placed in an incubation chamber 2, and accommodates a large egg 40. As the grid spacing D2 is defined between the first grid 10 and the second grid 20, the first distance D1 is defined between the first grid 10 and the thickest part 41 of the large egg 40. In this way, a large egg 40 may fit in the egg tray 101 even when the thickest part 41 is slightly larger than the width of the hexagonal opening 23.

[0058] FIG. 7 shows a single accommodation 17 of the egg tray 101 of FIG. 2. The opening 13 of the first grid 10 has an inscribed circle 42, with an inner diameter ID1. The opening 23 of the second grid 20 has an inscribed circle 43, with an inner diameter ID2. The ratio between ID1 and ID2 is between 0.4 to 0.6. The ratio between ID1 and the grid spacing D2 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is between 0.7 to 1.7. the inner diameter ID1 is between 20 to 24 mm and the inner diameter ID2 is between 37 to 47 mm. 16.

[0059] The middle parts 14 of the ribs 15 of the first grid 10 comprise a recess 18. The contact faces 44a, 44b are configured for supporting an egg. The recess 18 is configured such the egg is free-standing with respect to the rib 15. The recess 18 extends between two opposite contact faces 44a, 44b of the contact area 33.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows a top view of an egg tray 101 according to a further alternative embodiment. The egg tray 101 comprises the first grid 10 and the second grid 20. The first grid 10 comprises triangle-shaped openings 13 and the second grid 20 comprises openings 23 which are hexagonally shaped. For illustration purpose, a few of the egg accommodations 17 are filled with an egg 40. The tray 101 differs with the tray in FIG. 2 in that the opposite sides of the tray 101 are provided with reinforcing ribs 45, 46. The reinforcing ribs 45, 46 are arranged such that the second grid 20 continuous to extend towards the sides with the hexagonal shaped openings 23 or grid cell. The filling piece 31 therefore is in effect reinforced by the reinforcing ribs 45, 46.

[0061] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that alternative and equivalent embodiments of the invention can be conceived and reduced to practice. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.