Method and apparatus of distinguishing between live and dead poultry eggs
AssigneeEmbrex, Inc.
InventorJohn H. Hebrank
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is an apparatus for using infrared radiation to distinguish between live and dead poultry eggs. The apparatus comprises a plurality of infrared sensors, means for moving a fixed array of eggs to a predetermined aligned position with respect to the infrared sensors. The apparatus records the infrared radiation emitted by each egg in the array, and calculates a threshold temperature from the individual temperatures for which 70 percent of the eggs measured in the fixed array are cooler. The apparatus includes means for removing dead eggs from the fixed array which are identified as having temperatures more than one degree Fahrenheit cooler than the threshold temperature.
Claims7
An apparatus for using infrared radiation to distinguish between live and dead poultry eggs, and comprising:
- a plurality of infrared radiation sensors;
- means for moving a fixed array of eggs to a predetermined aligned position with respect to the infrared sensor;
- means for recording the infrared radiation emitted by each egg in the fixed array;
- means for calculating a threshold temperature from the individual temperatures for which 70 percent of the eggs measured in the fixed array are cooled;
- and
- means for removing dead eggs from the fixed array which are identified as having temperatures more than one degree Fahrenheit cooler than the threshold temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.