Egg handling system

An egg transfer mechanism, comprising:

• a plurality of spool bars arranged in parallel extending and spaced apart fashion and defining a number of individual egg conveying lanes;
• each of said spool bars further comprising at least first and second spool bar portions secured in end-to-end fashion to establish an overall dimension;
• and
• first and second drive supports arranged at opposite ends of said spool bar portions, a third drive support arranged within the egg transfer mechanism and supporting opposing and intermediate engaging ends of each pair of spool bar portions;
• said intermediate drive support preventing sagging of said intermediate extending and rotating connecting spool bar portions.

An egg transfer system, comprising:

• an overhead conveyor;
• at least one rotating brush wheel located underneath said conveyor for receiving and redirecting each of a plurality of eggs transported along said conveyor;
• and
• an egg receiving reservoir comprising a plurality of extending lanes having first widened ends positioned underneath and in alignment with designated locations associated with said rotating brush wheels and for receiving the eggs within selected lanes with minimal egg breakage or migration to adjoining lanes.

A transfer system for providing faster and increased volume processing of eggs, said transfer system comprising:

• an inlet end for receiving a volume of unprocessed eggs and an outlet reservoir in communication with an egg packer through which is conveyed the eggs after processing;
• an egg transfer subassembly arranged along at least one intermediate location of said system and including a plurality of spool bars arranged in parallel and widthwise extending and spaced apart fashion so as to define a number of individual egg conveying lanes, each of said spool bars including first and second spool bar portions secured in end-to-end fashion to establish an overall dimension with first and second drive supports arranged at opposite ends of said spool bar portions, a third drive support arranged at opposing and intermediate engaging ends of each pair of spool bar portions, said intermediate drive support preventing sagging of said intermediate extending and rotating connecting spool bar portions;
• an overhead positioned egg conveyor interfacing with an outlet of said egg transfer subassembly, a plurality of solenoid actuated release plungers arranged along an underside surface of said overhead conveyor and exhibiting a first on center spacing;
• a plurality of individual egg carrying baskets conveyed along the underside of said overhead conveyor in spaced proximity to said plungers and which are offset relative to said plungers such that said baskets exhibit a second smaller on center spacing;
• a controller for interfacing with said solenoids and, upon said baskets advancing to a specified location, causing said plunger to actuate said basket to an open position and to release the eggs according to a desired drop trajectory;
• a pair of parallel spaced apart and opposing rotated brush wheels positioned underneath said overhead conveyor for receiving eggs released from said baskets, said brush wheels each including a plurality of spaced apart inner bristle tufts having a first stiffness, a pair of opposite and outermost bristle tufts exhibiting a greater stiffness;
• and
• an egg receiving reservoir exhibiting a plurality of receiving lanes positioned underneath and in alignment with said brush wheels and including widened and outwardly tapered ends for receiving and redirecting the eggs in a lane dedicated and non-migrating fashion for conveying along a narrowed communicating location of each lane leading to a subsequent egg packaging operation.