Egg transfer apparatus with converging-diverging guides that facilitate even distribution of eggs on a moving conveyor

An egg handling system, comprising:

• an egg positioning apparatus that positions eggs in a predetermined orientation, wherein the egg positioning apparatus comprises a plurality of receptacles for receiving the eggs and a plurality of chutes for directing eggs in single-file order to the receptacles;
• and
• an egg transfer apparatus operably associated with the egg positioning apparatus, the egg transfer apparatus comprising:
• an endless conveyor having opposite first and second ends, wherein the conveyor conveys eggs disposed thereon from the first end to the second end;
• a pair of elongated members extending along the direction of travel of the conveyor between the conveyor first and second ends in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, wherein each member includes opposite first and second end portions, and wherein the second end portions of the elongated members converge to define an opening therebetween through which eggs on the conveyor are conveyed;
• and
• a plurality of spaced-apart, diverging guides positioned downstream from the opening, wherein eggs conveyed through the opening and diverging guides are caused to be generally evenly distributed at the conveyor second end adjacent the chutes.

An egg transfer apparatus, comprising:

• an endless conveyor having opposite first and second ends, wherein the conveyor conveys eggs disposed thereon from the first end to the second end;
• a pair of elongated members extending along the direction of travel of the conveyor between the conveyor first and second ends in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, wherein each member includes opposite first and second end portions, and wherein the second end portions of the elongated members converge to define an opening therebetween through which eggs on the conveyor are conveyed;
• and
• a plurality of spaced-apart, diverging guides positioned downstream from the opening, wherein the elongated members and diverging guides oscillate together along a direction of movement of the conveyor, and wherein eggs conveyed through the opening and diverging guides are caused to be generally evenly distributed at the conveyor second end.

An egg transfer apparatus, comprising:

• an endless conveyor having opposite first and second ends, wherein the conveyor conveys eggs disposed thereon from the first end to the second end;
• a pair of elongated members extending along the direction of travel of the conveyor between the conveyor first and second ends in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, wherein each member includes opposite first and second end portions, and wherein the second end portions of the elongated members have an arcuate configuration and converge to define an opening therebetween through which eggs on the conveyor are conveyed;
• and
• a plurality of spaced-apart, diverging guides positioned downstream from the opening, wherein eggs conveyed through the opening and diverging guides are caused to be generally evenly distributed at the conveyor second end.

An egg transfer apparatus, comprising:

• an endless conveyor having opposite first and second ends, wherein the conveyor conveys eggs disposed thereon from the first end to the second end;
• a pair of elongated members extending along the direction of travel of the conveyor between the conveyor first and second ends in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, wherein each member includes opposite first and second end portions, wherein the first end portions of the elongated members are in generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship, and wherein the second end portions of the elongated members converge to define an opening therebetween through which eggs on the conveyor are conveyed;
• and
• a plurality of spaced-apart, diverging guides positioned downstream from the opening, wherein eggs conveyed through the opening and diverging guides are caused to be generally evenly distributed at the conveyor second end.

An egg transfer apparatus, comprising:

• an endless conveyor having opposite first and second ends, wherein the conveyor conveys eggs disposed thereon from the first end to the second end;
• a pair of elongated members extending along the direction of travel of the conveyor between the conveyor first and second ends in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, wherein each member includes opposite first and second end portions, and wherein the second end portions of the elongated members converge to define an opening therebetween through which eggs on the conveyor are conveyed;
• and
• a plurality of spaced-apart, diverging guides positioned downstream from the opening, wherein the guides have a substantially planar configuration, and wherein eggs conveyed through the opening and diverging guides are caused to be generally evenly distributed at the conveyor second end.

An egg transfer apparatus, comprising:

• an endless conveyor having opposite first and second ends, wherein the conveyor conveys eggs disposed thereon from the first end to the second end;
• a pair of elongated members extending along the direction of travel of the conveyor between the conveyor first and second ends in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, wherein each member includes opposite first and second end portions, and wherein the second end portions of the elongated members converge to define an opening therebetween through which eggs on the conveyor are conveyed;
• a plurality of spaced-apart, diverging guides positioned downstream from the opening, wherein eggs conveyed through the opening and diverging guides are caused to be generally evenly distributed at the conveyor second end;
• and
• a panel overlying the conveyor in face-to-face, spaced-apart relationship therewith, wherein the guides are secured to the panel and extend towards the conveyor from the panel.