Method for unloading and transferring eggs

Abstract

Improved method and means are disclosed for transferring eggs from transportation trays to a row conveyor which feeds the eggs to washers or breakers or other devices. A single operator transfers loaded trays of eggs from stacks of trays to a transfer position. At the transfer position, the operator may inspect the trays and remove undergrade eggs and replace them with acceptable eggs. An egg transfer means then carries the eggs to an egg row conveyor. During the transfer, the egg spacing is adjusted if necessary from the tray spacing to the conveyor spacing. After the egg transfer, the transfer means returns to the pick-up point and proceeds through another cycle. Alternatively the transfer means may be set to await a signal from the operator before proceeding with another transfer cycle. During the transfer, the operator inspects the top trays at the pick-up position to clear them of untransferred eggs and to remove soiled trays, and then the operator places additional filled trays on the tops of the stacks of emptied trays for the next cycle. The emptied trays are stacked at the transfer position and the operator periodically removes the stacks and places them in a conveniently positioned carton or onto a removal conveyor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.