TRANSFER MACHINE AND USE THEREOF IN A POULTRY HOUSE FOR TRANSFERRING INCUBATED EGGS TO A FLOOR THEREOF

Abstract

The transfer machine comprises an input and output system (8) for inserting trays filled with incubated eggs into the transfer machine and for removing the emptied trays therefrom and a transfer system (9) for transferring the eggs from the trays to the floor of the poultry house. The transfer system (9) comprises a set of egg pickup members (28) mounted on a first sub-frame (30). The first sub-frame (30) is mounted on a second sub-frame (31) such that it can move up and down, the second sub-frame mounted on the frame (5) of the machine such that it can move back and forth between a first position, wherein the set of egg pickup members (28) is above the filled trays that have been inserted, and a second position, wherein the set of egg pickup members (28) is above the floor of the poultry house.

Claims

1. A transfer machine for transferring, in a poultry house, incubated eggs (2) from trays (3) filled with the incubated eggs to a floor (1) of said poultry house, which transfer machine comprises: a frame (5) that rests on a transport system (6) to drive over the floor (1) of the poultry house; an input and output system (8) for inserting the trays (3) filled with the incubated eggs (2) into the transfer machine and for removing the emptied trays (3) therefrom; and, a transfer system (9) for transferring the eggs (2) from the trays (3) that have been inserted into the transfer machine to the floor (1) of the poultry house; which transfer system (9) comprises a set of egg pickup members (28) mounted on a first sub-frame (30) which is mounted at least up and down movably on said frame (5) between an uppermost position and a lowermost position for placing the incubated eggs (2) on the floor (1) of the poultry house by means of the egg pickup members (28), wherein said first sub-frame (30) is mounted up and down movably on a second sub-frame (31), in that said second sub-frame (31) is mounted back and forth movably on said frame (5) between a first position, wherein the set of egg pickup members (28) is situated above the filled trays (3) that have been inserted, and a second position, wherein the set of egg pickup members (28) is situated above the floor (1) of the poultry house and can move up and down between said uppermost and lowermost positions, and in that at least one guide (33, 34) is provided on said second sub-frame (31) for guiding said first sub-frame (30) up and down along this guide (33, 34).

2. The transfer machine according to claim 1 wherein at least one further guide (41) is provided on said frame (5), which further guide, in said second position of said second sub-frame (31), connects to said guide (33, 34) thereof to further guide said first sub-frame (30) up and down into a lowermost position of said first sub-frame (30), wherein said egg pickup members (28) are in their lowermost position above said floor (1).

3. The transfer machine according to claim 2, wherein said guide (33, 34) comprises a first (33) and a second guide (34), and said further guide (41) comprises a third (41) and a fourth guide (41), wherein said third (41) guide, in said second position of said second sub-frame (31), connects to said first guide (33) thereof, and said fourth guide (41) connects to said second guide (34).

4. The transfer machine according to claim 3, wherein said third (33) and fourth guide (34) are on opposite sides of the transfer machine.

5. The transfer machine according to claim 3, wherein said first (33), second (34), third (41) and fourth guides (41) each comprise a rail which preferably extends substantially vertically, wherein said first sub-frame (30) is preferably provided with wheels (32) to move up and down along said rails.

6. The transfer machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one guide (40) is provided on said frame (5) for guiding said second sub-frame (31) back and forth along this guide (40), preferably substantially horizontally.

7. The transfer machine according to claim 1, characterised in that wherein said input and output system (8) comprises a first transport mechanism (10) which is configured to move the trays (3) filled with the incubated eggs in a first direction (11) to insert these trays (3) into the transfer machine and which is further configured to move the emptied trays (3) also in said first direction (11) to remove these trays (3) from the first transport mechanism (10).

8. The transfer machine according to claim 7, wherein said first transport mechanism (10) is configured to position two trays (3) filled with incubated eggs under said egg pickup members (28) and in that said transfer system (9) is configured to empty these two trays (3) simultaneously.

9. The transfer machine according to claim 7, wherein said input and output system (8) comprises a second transport mechanism (13) which extends under said first transport mechanism (10), and a turning system (15) for receiving the emptied trays (3) that have been removed from the first transport mechanism (10) and for conveying these emptied trays to the second transport mechanism (13).

10. The transfer machine according to claim 9, wherein said turning system (15) is configured to receive the emptied trays (3) one by one and to convey them one by one to the second transport mechanism (13).

11. The transfer machine according to claim 10, wherein said turning system (15) comprises a third transport mechanism (15) which is mounted in a tilting manner between a first and a second tilting position on said frame (5), wherein, in the first tilting position, the third transport mechanism (15) extends in the extension of said first transport mechanism (10) to receive the emptied trays (3) and wherein, in the second tilting position, the third transport mechanism (15) is tilted obliquely towards the second transport mechanism (13) to convey the emptied trays (3) which have been received by the third transport mechanism (15) to the second transport mechanism (13).

12. The transfer machine according to claim 9, wherein said second transport mechanism (13) is configured to move the emptied trays (3) in a second direction (19), which is opposite to said first direction (11), wherein the transfer machine has, on one side, an insertion opening (21) for inserting the trays (3) filled with the incubated eggs into the transfer machine and, on the same side, a removal opening (22) for removing the emptied trays (3) from the transfer machine.

13. The transfer machine according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a motor (7) to drive said transport system (6) for driving the transfer machine through the poultry house.

14. (canceled)

Description

[0035] Further particularities and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the transfer machine according to the invention. This description is only given as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of protection as determined by the claims. The reference numerals given in the description relate to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0036] FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a transfer machine according to the invention, with a number of parts omitted, including the side walls and the rear wall of the machine;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the most important parts of the machine according to FIG. 1, with the egg pickup members located above the trays filled with eggs;

[0038] FIG. 3 is the same view as FIG. 2, but the egg pickup members are lowered onto the eggs and pick them up by suction;

[0039] FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 3, but the egg pickup members including the eggs picked up therewith are displaced upwards and the emptied trays are discharged laterally;

[0040] FIG. 5 is the same view as FIG. 4, but the emptied trays are discharged further and a new full tray is inserted into the machine;

[0041] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the most important parts of the machine according to FIG. 1, with the egg pickup members located above the trays filled with eggs;

[0042] FIG. 7 is the same view as FIG. 6, but the egg pickup members are lowered onto the eggs and pick them up by suction;

[0043] FIG. 8 is the same view as FIG. 7, but the egg pickup members including the eggs picked up therewith have been moved upwards;

[0044] FIG. 9 is the same view as FIG. 8, but the egg pickup members including the eggs picked up therewith are moved to the front of the machine;

[0045] FIG. 10 is the same view as FIG. 9, but the egg pickup members with the eggs picked up therewith have been moved to the underside of the machine and the eggs are placed in the litter on the floor of the poultry house; and

[0046] FIG. 11 is the same view as FIG. 10, but the egg pickup members have placed the eggs on the floor and are moving again to the upper side of the machine.

[0047] The invention generally relates to a transfer machine for transferring, in a poultry house, incubated eggs 2 from trays 3 filled with the incubated eggs to a floor 1 of said poultry house. The eggs 2 can be of different types of poultry, in particular chickens. The floor 1 is covered with a layer of litter 4 at least on the space/strip where the eggs 2 are laid in order to prevent damage to the eggs during placement and, where necessary, to provide a degree of insulation for the eggs.

[0048] The figures schematically show a possible embodiment of the machine according to the invention, in different positions and with a number of parts omitted.

[0049] The machine shown in the figures comprises a frame 5 that rests on a transport system in order to drive over the floor 1 of the poultry house. The transport system comprises a number of wheels 6, of which the two rear ones are each driven by an electric motor 7. The machine can be steered with the two front wheels.

[0050] An input and output system 8 is mounted on the frame 5 of the machine for inserting the trays 3 filled with the incubated eggs 2 into the transfer machine and for removing the emptied trays 3 therefrom again. Furthermore, a transfer system 9 is mounted on the frame 5 of the machine for transferring the eggs from the trays 3 inserted into the transfer machine to the floor 1 of the poultry house.

[0051] The input and output system 8 comprises a first transport mechanism 10, with a first transport belt, which is configured to move the trays 3 filled with the incubated eggs in a first direction, shown by arrow 11 in FIG. 2, to feed these trays 3 into the transfer machine and which is further configured to move the emptied trays 3 also in said first direction, shown by arrow 11, to remove these trays 3 from the first transport mechanism 10. The first transport belt is formed by two endless belts 12, which support the trays 3 under their longitudinal edges.

[0052] The input and output system 8 further comprises a second transport mechanism 13, with a second transport belt, which extends under the first transport mechanism 10, the second transport belt being once again formed by two endless belts 14, which support the trays 3 under their longitudinal edges, and a turning system 15 for receiving the emptied trays 3 that have been removed from the first transport mechanism 10 and for conveying these emptied trays to the second transport mechanism 13. The turning system 15 being configured to receive the emptied trays 3 one by one and to convey them one by one to the second transport mechanism 13.

[0053] The turning system 15 is formed by a third transport mechanism 15 that is mounted on the frame 5 so as to tilt about an axis 16 between a first and a second tilting position. In the first tilting position, shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the third transport mechanism 15 extends in the extension of said first transport mechanism 10 to receive the emptied trays 3. In the second tilting position, shown in FIG. 5, the third transport mechanism 15 is tilted obliquely towards the second transport mechanism 13 to convey the emptied trays 3 that have been received by the third transport mechanism to the second transport mechanism 13.

[0054] The third transport mechanism 13 comprises a framework 17 on which wheels 18 are provided on two opposite sides, over which wheels the trays 3 can roll with their longitudinal edges. In the first tilting position, the framework 17 slopes down to the outside of the transfer machine so that the tray 3 located on this framework 17 rolls under the influence of gravity to the outside of the machine. In the second tilting position, the framework 17 slopes down to the inside of the transfer machine in such a way that the tray 3 located on this framework 17 rolls under the influence of gravity back to the inside of the machine, more specifically to the transport belt of the second transport mechanism 13. This second transport mechanism 13 then transports the tray 3 back, as shown by arrow 19 in FIG. 2, to the other side of the transfer machine.

[0055] The second transport mechanism 13 is in fact configured to move the emptied trays 3 in a second direction, indicated by arrow 19, which is opposite to the first direction, indicated by arrow 11. The transfer machine has, on one side, namely on the left side as viewed in FIGS. 2 to 5, a feed opening 21 for inserting the trays 3 filled with the incubated eggs into the transfer machine. The feed opening 21 leads out, more particularly, onto the transport belt of the first transport mechanism 10 so that the full trays 3 can easily be placed manually thereon. On the same side, i.e. likewise on the left side, the transfer machine has a removal opening 22 for removing the emptied trays 3 from the transfer machine. This removal opening 22 is located under the feed opening 21, at the level of the second transport mechanism 13, in such a way that the emptied trays 3 are automatically transported to the removel opening 22 by the second transport mechanism 13. The trays 3 protrude preferably over a short distance from the transfer machine in such a way that they can be easily picked up and removed. At the feed opening 21 and the removel opening 22, a detachable attachment 23 is preferably fitted to the side of the transfer machine. This attachment provides, on the one hand, additional guidance to facilitate the insertion of the full trays 3 and, on the other hand, provides additional support for the trays 3 coming out of the transfer machine so that they can protrude further out of the machine and can therefore be removed more easily and quickly.

[0056] The attachment 23 offers the advantage that the machine can be made narrower. On the other side of the machine, the framework 17 of the turning mechanism 15 can also be partially retracted and extended, with the turning mechanism protruding out of the side of the machine in the extended position shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. This retractable turning mechanism 15 thus also allows the machine to be made narrower.

[0057] The operation of the input and output system 8 becomes clearly apparent from the successive positions shown in FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0058] In FIG. 2, two full trays 3 have been inserted into the machine by the first transport system 10 in the direction of the arrow 11. The first tray 3 is stopped in this case by a pneumatically operated stop 24 while the second tray 3 strikes the first. Both belts 12 of the first transport system 10 have a smooth upper side such that they can continue to rotate under the trays 3 when the trays 3 are stopped.

[0059] In FIG. 3, the eggs 2 are picked from the trays 3 by means of the transfer system 9, after which the emptied trays 3, as shown in FIG. 4, are transferred by the first transport mechanism 10, via the turning system 15, to the second transport mechanism 13. For this purpose, the stop 24 is retracted so that both trays 3 are further transported by the first transport mechanism 10. When the first tray 3 arrives on the turning system 15 sloping down to the outside, it automatically continues to roll outside until it reaches a fixed stop 25. The second tray 3 is stopped in time by a stop 26, which is extended from bottom to top, in such a way that this second tray 3 does not impede the turning of the first tray, as indicated in FIG. 5. The tilting of the turning system 15 causes the first tray to automatically roll onto the second transport mechanism 15, which transports the first tray to the other side of the machine, more specifically to the removal opening 22. The first tray is stopped by a fixed stop 27 in the attachment 23, and the belts 14 of the second transport mechanism 13 again have a smooth upper side such that they can continue to rotate in order to convey a second tray from the turning mechanism 15 onto the second transport mechanism 13. Two trays can thus be stored on the second transport mechanism 13 before they have to be removed by the operator. Because the trays are automatically conveyed from the first 10 to the second transport mechanism 13, an operator himself/herself can already place new full trays on the first transport system 10 during this conveying. When the transfer system 9 removes the eggs from the trays, the operator can remove the empty trays from the second transport mechanism 13. This allows the operator to work continuously, allowing him/her to achieve a maximum transfer capacity.

[0060] The transfer system 9 itself comprises a set of egg pickup members 28 which are preferably formed by suction cups which can suck in the eggs by means of a vacuum created by a vacuum pump 29. When the eggs are sucked in, the suction cups are preferably drawn together in such a way that, when the eggs are transferred to the litter 4, they can expand again to press the eggs into the litter 4.

[0061] The egg pickup members 28 are mounted on a first sub-frame 30, which is mounted on a second sub-frame 31 such that it can be moved up and down. For this purpose, the first sub-frame 30 is provided at both ends with two wheels 32 respectively located in a first 33 and in a second guide 34 provided on the second sub-frame 31. The first 33 and the second guide 34 are preferably formed by a U-shaped rail. The first 33 and the second guide 34 are sufficiently long for the egg pickup members 28 to be lowered by means of the first sub-frame 30 onto the eggs in the trays on the first transport mechanism 10. The up-and-down movement of the first sub-frame 30 is carried out by means of an electric motor 35 which drives an axle 36 with pulleys 37 supported on the second sub-frame. The belts 38, which are rolled up and down on these pulleys 37 by rotation of the axle 36, are fastened to the sub-frame 30 in order to raise and lower the latter.

[0062] In turn, the second sub-frame 31 is also provided at both ends with two wheels 39. These wheels 39 are each located in a guide 40 which is provided on one side of the transfer machine. Via the guides 40, which are formed in particular by substantially horizontal rails, the second sub-frame 31 can move back and forth on the frame 5 in the machine, more specifically between a first position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 to 8, in which the set of egg pickup members 28 are located above the first transport mechanism 10, and a second position, shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, in which the set of egg pickup members 28 are located above the floor 1 of the poultry house and can move up and down between a bottom position, just above the floor as shown in FIG. 10, and a top position, shown in FIG. 9. In order to move the second sub-frame 31 back and forth, an electric motor 43 is provided on the frame 5 and drives an axle 44 supported on the frame 5. On the axle 44, two toothed pulleys are provided for an endless belt 45 which extends horizontally between the toothed pulley and a pulley 46 at the rear of the machine. The second sub-frame 31 is fastened to one side of the belt 45 in such a way that it can be pulled back and forth by means of the electric motor 43.

[0063] Both in the first position and in the second position of the second sub-frame 31, the vertical belts 38, which can be rolled up and down by the electric motor 35, ensure that the first sub-frame 30, on which the egg pickup members 28 are mounted, can be moved up and down. In the second position of the second sub-frame 31, the first sub-frame 30 can be moved over a relatively large distance, namely from its uppermost position to its lowermost position. This large displacement could be achieved by making the first 33 and second guide 34 provided on the second sub-frame 31 sufficiently long, but these rails would then have to be provided to the side of the input and output system 8 so as not to interfere with the operation thereof. In the transfer machine as shown in the figures, the large vertical displacement of the first sub-frame 30 is made possible by providing further guides 41 on the frame 5 which, like the first 33 and the second guide 34, are formed by vertical rails. In the second position of the second sub-frame 31, shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, these further guides 41, which are provided on the frame 5, connect to the first 33 and the second guide 34, which are provided on the second sub-frame 31, in order to further guide the first sub-frame 30 up and down into its bottom position, in which the egg pickup members 28 are in their bottom position above the floor.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 10, when the vacuum is removed from the egg pickup members 28, the eggs are slightly pressed by these egg pickup members 28 into the litter 4, as a result of which the eggs remain largely upright. A sensor 42 is preferably provided on the machine and is used to measure the level of the litter bed. Depending on this level, the level to which the egg pickup members 28 have to be lowered is then determined in order to be able to press the eggs optimally into the litter 4.

[0065] The operation of the transfer system 9 is clearly shown by the successive positions shown in FIGS. 6 to 11.

[0066] In FIG. 6, the second sub-frame 31 is in its first position, and the first sub-frame 30 in its uppermost position, above the first transport mechanism 10 with the trays 3 filled with eggs 2 thereon.

[0067] In FIG. 7, the first sub-frame 30 has been lowered above the eggs by means of the electric motor 35 and the eggs 2 have been sucked in by means of the egg pickup members 28.

[0068] In FIG. 8, the first sub-frame 30 has been pulled back up to its uppermost position by means of the electric motor 35.

[0069] In FIG. 9, the second sub-frame 31 has been pulled to its second position by means of the electric motor 43, with the egg pickup members 28 located above the floor of the poultry house instead of above the first transport mechanism 10. During this displacement, the distance between the rows of eggs is preferably increased in such a way that the eggs are at a greater distance from each other in the litter 4 than in the trays 3.

[0070] In FIG. 10, the first sub-frame 30 has been lowered by the electric motor 35 to a constant level above the litter 4 as determined by means of the sensor 42. The vacuum is then removed from the egg pickup members 28 in such a way that they push the eggs into the litter 4 with a constant force due to their spring action.

[0071] In FIG. 11, the first sub-frame 30 is then pulled up again by means of the electric motor 35.

[0072] It will be clear from the above description that it is possible to make various modifications to the machine described as an example without going beyond the scope of protection of the enclosed claims.