Method and apparatus for selectively injecting poultry eggs

An automated apparatus for selectively injecting avian eggs, comprising:

• classifier means for classifying an egg as suitable for injection or as not suitable for injection;
• signaling means for generating a classification signal that indicates whether an egg is suitable for injection or not suitable for injection, said signaling means operatively connected with said classifier means;
• conveying means for conveying a plurality of eggs in an egg carrier past said classifier means;
• control means for controlling injection of each of said eggs, said control means receiving said classification signal from said signaling means and selectively generating an injection signal based on said classification signal;
• injection means for injecting said avian eggs, operatively connected to said control means;
• wherein said classifier means comprises:
• a light measuring system having a light source positioned on one side of said egg carrier and a light detector positioned on the other side of said egg carrier opposite said light source;
• and
• a switching circuit operatively associated with said light source for cycling the intensity of said light source at a frequency greater than 100 cycles per second.

A method for selectively injecting, in a plurality of avian eggs, eggs suitable for injection, said method comprising:

• (a) conveying a plurality of eggs past classifier means for classifying an egg as suitable for injection or as not suitable for injection;
• (b) generating a classification signal for each of said plurality of eggs indicating whether said each egg is suitable for injection or is not suitable for injection;
• (c) transmitting said classification signal to control means for controlling injection of each of said eggs;
• (d) generating a selective injection signal from said control means based on said classification signal;
• (e) transmitting said selective injection signal to injection means for injecting a substance into avian eggs, so that only those eggs indicated by said classification signal as suitable for injection are injected with said substance.

A method for selectively injecting, in a plurality of avian eggs, eggs suitable for injection, said method comprising:

• (a) conveying a plurality of eggs past classifier means for classifying an egg as suitable for injection or as not suitable for injection;
• (b) generating a classification signal for each of said plurality of eggs indicating whether said each egg is suitable for injection or not suitable for injection, by:
• (i) providing a light source and a light detector in opposite facing relation to one another and configured so that at least one of said plurality of eggs conveyed by said conveying means passes between said light source and said light detector;
• (ii) providing switching means for switching said light source at a frequency greater than 100 cycles per second;
• and
• (iii) detecting light that passes through said egg from said light source with said light detector.
• (c) transmitting said classification signal to control means for controlling injection of each of said eggs;
• (d) generating a selective injection signal from said control means based on said classification signal;
• (e) transmitting said selective injection signal to injection means for injecting a substance into avian eggs, so that only those eggs indicated by said classification signal as suitable for injection are injected with said substance.