EGG PACKING MACHINE

• US 3,741,368 A
• Filed: 03/11/1971
• Issued: 06/26/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Big Dutchman Cyclone Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Harvey Z. Burkholder
• Inventors: Burkholder, Harvey Z.
• Primary Examiner(s): Aegerter, Richard E.
• Application Number:
  US05/123,430
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 198/30,37,232,32
• US Class Current: 198/418.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 23/06 Arranging, feeding, or orientating the eggs to be packed; Removing eggs from trays or cartons

Abstract

An improved egg packing apparatus orienting eggs into columns and rows so that a carton can be packed by vacuum lifting the eggs positioned with the pointed end downward. To insure that each row is filled as it advances into the machine, a vacuum switch is actuated when vacuum builds up due to the closing of openings to the atmosphere by the presence of an egg on a springbiased hinged platform positioned in each column adjacent to an accumulating table which is delivering the eggs to the apparatus. Also, a gate otherwise blocking the egg on the platform is camactuated out of the way when the filled row is advanced by engaging rollers.

Claims

1. In an egg-packing machine comprising an accumulating table having an exit end, means for forming columns of eggs at said exit end, means for advancing said columns one row at a time, and means for controlling said advancing means so that the latter is operative only when each row is filled, the improvement comprising including in said controlling means a source of vacuum;

means for connecting said source to a point in line with each said column at said exit end, said point being open to the atmosphere; and

means for closing said point from the atmosphere when an egg has been delivered in said column from said exit end.

2. The improved egg-packing machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said closing means includes means for receiving an egg, said receiving means being hingedly mounted with respect to said point;

means for biasing said receiving means above and away from said point; and

said connecting means includes a vacuum hose open at one end so as to define said point.

3. The improved egg-packing machine as defined in claim 2, wherein said receiving means includes a platform and means for closing said open end when said platform is pivoted against the action of said biasing means.

4. The improved egg-packing machine as defined in claim 3, wherein said open end closing means includes a felt backing attached to the bottom of said platform.

5. The improved egg-packing machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said controlling means further includes, as an improvement thereof, means for preventing eggs from prematurely moving beyond the delivered position which causes said closing means to be actuated.

6. The improved egg-packing machine as defined in claim 5, wherein said advancing means includes a plurality of rollers each adjacent pair of which deFines one of said rows, and said preventing means includes a gate and means for mounting said gate so as to prevent the delivered egg from moving into position between two of said rollers.

7. The improved egg-packing machine as defined in claim 6, wherein said mounting means includes a lever and means on said lever for biasing said gate in the preventing position;

and further including means for rotating said gate out of the path of the delivered egg while said rollers are simultaneously advanced one row.

8. The improved egg-packing machine as defined in claim 7, wherein said rotating means includes a rocker shaft and a cam, and means connecting said shaft to said cam, said lever being mounted on said shaft.