March 29, 1938. W. C.

WYLAND 2,112,259
EGG GRADING MACHINE BY WEIGHT
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EGG GRADING MACHINE BY WEIGHT
Filed Oct. 24, 1934 4. Sheets-Sheet 2

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March 29, 1938. W. C. WYLAND 2,112,259
EGG GRADING MACHINE BY WEIGHT
Filed Oct. 24, 1934 4. Sheets-Sheet 3

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 Patented Mar. 29, 1938 2,112,259

UNITED STATES2,112,259PATENT OFFICE

EGG GRADING MACHINEBY WEIGHT.
william Chester wyland, San Gabriel, Calif., as
signor to J. W. Wyland & Sons, Los Angeles,
Calif., a corporation of California, .
Application october 24, 1934, serial No. 749,766
18 claims. (CLbefore
209-121)
being engaged by the feeding slat of the
My invention relates to a type of machine in
which eggs are graded, sorted and separated into grading part of the machine. This feature of my
bins for packing automatically in accordance invention reduces the impact of the egg against
with the weight of the egg. My invention may the bridging piece, reduces the distance the egg
must be lowered at this point and also reduces 5
be considered as an improvement or further de
velopment of the patent to J. W. Wyland, Egg the initial velocity of the egg onto the weighing
sizing machine by weight, No. 1,728,463, Septem runway and eliminates the impact of the egg .
against the feeding slats of the weighing cont
ber 17, 1929, in which the control of the device. veyor. These features all reduce the danger of
for dumping the eggs was electrically controlled. egg breakage and effect a more gentle handling of 10.
0. The present machine involves improvements in the eggs at the point of transference. The new
the feeding or transfer of the eggs from a feeding arrangement also provides for a more uniform
mechanism to the weighing, part of the machine, presentation of the eggs to the weighing scale
Over the above mentioned patent. resulting in faster and more accurate weighing of
My invention is also an improvement over the the eggs. 5
15 patent for Egg sizing machine by weight, John Another improvement resides in employing
W. Wyland, Patent Number 1954,164, dated what may be termed overhead type of pushers for
April 10, 1934, this latter patent involving the the eggs on the weighing runway in contra-dis
control of the dumping device by mechanical ac tinction to pushing slats which feed the eggs from
tion of the weighing scale. . the bridging piece onto the weighing runway 20
The present machine also involves improve
20 ments in the transfer of eggs from a roller con and in which the latter travel upwardly on the
veyor to the egg grading machine by weight, dis bridging
A
piece.
further feature of the
-
present type of over
closed in my patent application Serial Number head feed is in employing an endless chain with
693,608, filed October 14, 1933, Egg candling and pusher slats shaped to engage the eggs, this being 25
25 sizing machine, patented February 16, 1937, No. synchronized with the roller feed conveyor where
2,070,980. by the eggs have a time of free rolling on the
The present machine diverges from the previ
ous Wyland patents in a number of features, one weighing runway before being engaged by these
of the improved features being the device for pusher A
slats.
secondary feature of the transfer feeding 30.
30 transferring eggs from a roller feed conveyor mechanism lies in using a resilient center por
onto the weighing part of the machine and sub tion of two forward bridging pieces, the purpose
stantially directly onto the weighing runway,
and this involves what may be termed an over of which is to absorb the slight impact of the eggs
against the bridging piece through the flexure
head type of feed or pushers for the eggs when of a spring and also to reduce the gap between 35
traveling on the weighing runway. the bridging piece to less than the least diameter
The present machine, also involves a consider of the feed rolls, this being due to the partial clo
able improvement in the device for diverting the sure of the gap under the spring action. -
eggs from the weighing runway after having Another feature of my invention resides in the
caused a depression of a scale weighing beam. concave feed roller itself in passing the bridging 40
40 My present invention, as to the first named fea piece causing a depression or retraction of the
ture of the transfer of eggs has for an object to spring giving sufficient room for the feed roll at
reduce the distance of drop or downward roll of the end of its travel to move downwardly and
an egg at the end of the infeed roller conveyor thus follow a lower path to the infeeding end of
at its place of transference to the weighing and the conveyor. This spring is adjusted as to 45
5 grading part of the machine. 1S strength, so that the weight of the egg will de
One of the main features of my invention as press the center portion allowing the egg to rest
to the transference of eggs involves a construc
tion employing a bridging piece on which the on four points comprised of two fixed projecting
eggs are partly supported between the roller in points at the side of a forward bridge, and two
50 feed conveyor and the weighing runway where
projecting points on a rearward bridge. This 50
by when an egg at its time of transfer rolls slight four point support in conjunction with the pres
ly ahead of the concave feed roll onto the bridg sure exerted on the egg by the concaved feed roll
ing piece, and this is shoved by the same feed roll tends to cause and maintain a proper position
Onto the Weighing runway, thus is given an im of the egg with its long axis transverse to the
55 petus whereby it rolls by gravity on such runway
direction of movement thereby causing the egg 55
 2 - a,112,259
to roll uniformly and in a straight direction on
the weighing tracks, thus promoting an increased lodging at the discharging end of the belt at the
end of the slot I employ angular deflectors which
speed and accuracy in the weighing portion of thrust the egg of one side of the transferring
the machine. - . 1v
Another main important feature of my inven belt before it reaches the downwardly moving
tion relating to the operation of the weighing portion
bin.
of the belt at the end of the slot in the
mechanism for the eggs has a point of distinction My invention is illustrated in connection A.with
from the prior patents mentioned in that the the accompanying drawings, in which:
roller of the roller feed for eggs in discharging Fig. 1 is a plan of the machine taken in the
10 an egg also pushes the egg onto the fixed track
of the weighing runway on which it rolls down direction of the arrow f on Fig. 2. 0.
wardly by gravity, and the weight is then trans of Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2-2
Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows.
ferred to the tracks on the scale; and this
without the egg being engaged by one of the
is done Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3
5 pusher slats on the endless pusher of the weighing of Fig.
Figs. 1 and 2 in the direction pf the arrows.
4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4 s
machine.
Another object and feature of my invention in of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows showing
connection with the Weighing mechanism is in
a portion of the weighing scale and part of the
reducing the amount of the drop of the egg electrical connections. . . . . . . .
Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5
20 from the weighing-runway to the storage bins. of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows showing
Further, in substantially requiring the eggs to a portion of the dumping track and distributing
be removed from the weighing runway by en belt with part of the electrical connections.
gaging a moving belt which transfers each egg Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation taken in
on being dumped from the dump track. ; the direction of the arrow showing a portion
25 Another important distinction is that th of the drive mechanism. v
dumping portion of the track operates on a pivot Fig. 7, is: an enlargement of a portion of Fig. 2
parallel to the weighing. runway and thus the adjacent the transfer position of the feeding
eggs are dumped laterally instead of in a longi conveyor, the first scale and the first section
tuidinal direction of movement. This compre of the dump track, certain of the parts being in
ond rail arranged to move downwardly, and also dicated diagrammatically.
hends having one rail of track fixed and the sec
Fig. 8 is a partial plan taken in the direction
to assure that the eggs are fed to the moving de of the arrow
positing belt, a laterally and downwardly curvedconveyor.
8 of Fig. 7, omitting the feeding
Switching track is utilized to engage. each egg Referring, first to the general construction of
35 when it is dumped to a distributing belt. . Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the feed portion of the machine
Another object and feature of the present in is designated generally by the numeral ff, this
vention resides in the construction of the weigh having a series of feed rolls 2 which move in the
ing runway with a depression located beyond direction of the arrow f3. The eggs are trans
each Section of dumping track so... that an egg ferred at the transfer point 4 to the main por
40comes to rest in this depression and is then tion 5 of the egg grading machine. This emi 40
moved by a pusher up an inclined section of ploys a weighing runway 6 in the form of a
the main runway and then released by gravity series of tracks divided into stationary rail sec
down an inclined section to a weighing scale.
- Thus, the eggs are, uninfluenced by the pusher tions it, movable track sections, 8 mounted on
scales 18, dumping track sections fs having a
45 slats. While on the weighing scale.
As regards the control of the dumping track fixed rail 20, and a tilting rail 2, and switching
or diverting rails 22. The eggs when dumped
by the weighing scale having a track thereon, are discharged onto distributing belt type of con
this is somewhat similar to Patent No. 1728,463 veyors designated by the assembly numeral 23,
above mentioned, in principle, but differs in con from which they are discharged into the storage
struction and omits a bridging piece between the bin or compartment 24. Thus, by the above
end of the scale and the section of the dumping mentioned general construction, the eggs are
track. Moreover, the single movable dumping fed by the roller conveyor 2, are transferred
rail is returned to its position for transferring at the position 4 onto the fixed track f T, rolled
eggs by means of a retraction spring and is theni. by gravity onto the track of the scale f',
held by a trigger. This trigger is electrically re and then by sufficient weight, cause the opera
leased through a current initiated by the weigh tion of the dumping rail 2 to discharge the
ing scale when depressed by an egg passing there eggs onto the distributing belt 23 and thus dis
over. A spring gives the movable rail a slight charging into the bins 24.
downward movement prior to an egg resting The particular set-up of framing, or the like,
thereon so that the trigger cannot again latch for the machine is immaterial, but for the feed
the rail in its initial position. The rail is then
ing portion I show a frame having side men
depressed by the weight of an egg which slides. bers 25 and 2s, and a table 27 on which the rolls
laterally onto the transfer belt.
Another detailed feature relates to having an or spools 2 may travel should it be desired to
Overlap in the fixed portion of the weighing run rotate the eggs. This roller conveyor has chains
way track and a resilient extension of the track 28 on opposite sides in which the rollers are jour
On the Weighing scale. These are so arranged naled, these rollers being formed with a con
that the weight of the egg is gradually transferred tracted central neck, thus being somewhat spool
from the fixed track to the track on the
without an impact on the scale. , .
scale shaped. The chains operate over sprockets 29
and 3. The framing structure for the feeding
70 - Another feature of my invention relates to the mechanism is attached to the frame 3 having
transfer belt depositing the eggs onto the surface the weighing scales and track assembly and also
of the bins substantially on the same level or having the storage bins and distributing belts
plane, the belt operating in a slot in the sur mounted therein. This frame utilizes longitud
75 face of the bin, and in order to prevent eggs nal beams 32 and 33, cross walls 34, 35 and an 5
 2,112,259 3
end wall 36. The floor 37 forms the bottom of When energized, retracts the armature On the
the bins on which the eggs are discharged. end of the trigger, thus releasing the arm 56 to
The transfer mechanism at the transfer por- . tilt downwardly when an egg rests on the rails .
tion of the machine utilizes a tongue 40- having a 20 and 2; but as the trigger is released prior to
5 slot and screw connection 4 to the table 27 over an egg resting on these rails, a leaf spring 72 at
which the spools carrying the eggs pass. This tached to the under side of the beam 32 gives an
tongue has a pair of prongs 42 with a recess 43 initial downward movement of the tilting rail
therebetween at its outer end. A bridging piece 2 and prevents a relatching of the trigger and
44 has a pair of projecting knubs 45 and is resil relatching of the arm 56. The arm 56 therefore,
iently mounted on a leaf spring 46 which is at in effect, operates between the two springs 72 0
tached at 47 to a cross wall 34. (Note Figs. 1, 7 and 66. (Note Fig. 5.) The trigger is reset
and 8.) There are a pair of supporting shoul by a spring 62'.
ders 48 fixedly secured to the cross wall 34 one on The construction of the scale and the elec
each side of the bridging piece 44 and the Spring trical connections for energizing the magnet are.
46. illustrated in connection with Figs. 4 and 5. 15
In the action of transferring the eggs which The weighing scale 8 is mounted on a scale
are each supported on two adjacent rolls or beam 75 which is illustrated as pivoted at 76
spools, as the spools pass downwardly at the Substantially below the side beam 32 on bracket
end of the tongue 40, the egg has a downward Secured to this beam. A counter-weight 78 is
movement or roll and engages on the bridging mounted on threads 79 of the scale beam and 20
piece 44, and this being resiliently mounted, may may be adjusted and locked in place by the lock
give slightly under the impact of the egg and nut 80. A pendulum weight 8 is suspended by
thus reduces the danger of the egg breaking. an arm 82 from the scale beam. The electrical
Should the clearance between the end of the connections comprise a mercury cup 85 sup
5 ported by an insulated bracket section 86 de
tongue and the bridging piece be insufficient for pending 25
the downward passage of a spool, the spool en a pin 87from the beam 33 and the beam 75 has
forming a constant contact with the
gages a spring 46 and thrusts this towards the
cross wall. 34. The roll which immediately fol mercury in the cup. A terminal 88 is connected
lows the egg gives the egg a thrust onto the fixed to the mercury in the cup and from this there is
track 7 of the weighing runway f6. Immediate an electric lead 89, one end of which is con 30
ly before this thrust takes place, the egg is Sup nected to one end of the electro-magnet winding
ported on the two prongs 42 and either the knubs coil. The electric circuit through the scale beam
45 of the bridging piece which is resiliently 85 employs an angularly bent pin 90 which dips
mounted, or the two shoulders 48. Thus the into a mercury cup 9 with a plug 93 supported
egg is supported at four points and is straight On a bracket 92 connected to the beam 32. The
ened by the feeding roll so that its long axis is bracket is insulated but has a terminal 94 in an
directly transverse to the weighing track or run electric circuit with the mercury in the cup and
way 6. When the egg moves out of contact with from this terminal there is a lead 95 which con
the prongs 42 it either has contact with the knubs nects with a source of power 96 and employs a
45 or the shoulders 48 and thus rolls Without a continuing lead 97 to the other end of the Inag 40
side twisting on the fixed track f of the weighing net coil. A condenser 98 is connected by leads
runWay. 99 and 100 to the opposite leads 89 and 95. Thus,
The transfer of the eggs gradually from the When an egg tilts the scale downwardly, it causes
fixed track section 7 to the track section 8 on the finger 90 to contact with the mercury in the
the weighing scale f8 is arranged by having the cup 9 and thus establishes a current which 45
track supported on a fixed. Support 50 on the energizes the magnet 70, and as above described,
scale and having resilient projecting ends 5 even should the scale beam swing upwardly and
which are located between the rails of the track de-energize the magnet before the egg passes
7. Moreover, the fixed track 7 has a slightly onto the track section 9 having the fixed rail
50 steeper slope than the movable track 8 so that and the tilting rail 2, the arm 56 cannot become 50
the eggs roll by gravity onto the scale and arelatched,
discharged at the discharge end 52 of the movThe egg is dumped and discharged by the
following mechanism. When the tilting rail 2
able track 8 onto the dumping section 9. This
tilts downwardly the end of the egg thus tilts
dumping section is arranged by having the fixed
55 down and at the same time the switching or
rail 20 preferably supported on a metal strip 55 55
diverting rail 22 which is curved transversely
secured to the under edge of the longitudinal
from the fixed rail 20 around the end of the
beams 32 and 33 and by having the tilting rail
2 mounted on a supporting arm 56 which is tilting rail 2f brings the lower end of the egg into
pivoted at 57 to a bracket 58 attached to a side contact with the transfer belt 23. This transfer
O plate 59 depending from the beam 32. The re belt Operates over pulleys 5 and dos. The 60
leasing trigger assembly 60 utilizes a bracket 6 pulley fos has its axle 07 adjustably mounted
secured to the plate 59 and employs a trigger 62 in a journal Slot 8 in a bracket 09 connected
pivoted at 63 to this bracket. This trigger has: to a block So attached to the under side of the
a notch 64 to engage the end of the arm 56 and floor 3 of the bin 24. (Note Figs. 3 and 5.) The
has a wedge-shaped tip surface 65. A retraction other pulley 06 is secured to a shaft f, such
spring 66 connects between the arm 56 and the shaft being journaled in brackets 2 secured to
bracket 6 and provides the main force for a block 3 located below the floor 3. Thus
elevating the tilting rail 2 into its latched posi the upper run 4 of the transfer belt which
tion. However, a spring 66 secured to the under Operates in the direction of the arrow 5 car
side of the beam 32 is engaged by the arm 56 ries the eggs in a transverse direction of the
when it tilts downwardly, and after the egg is weighing track. When these eggs are dumped
released, gives an initial upward impulse to the
arm 56. they are slightly retarded by a curtain 6 sus
The trigger is released by an electro-magnet 0 pended from a bracket 7 on the beam 33, which
illustrated as mounted on the plate 59, which beam has cut-out Sections 8 to allow the eggs
 4 2,112,259
when dumped to pass through such cut-out Sec the movement of the belt 23 as it passes from
tions. above the floor 27 at its upper run to its lower
An egg which is too light to actuate the first run below the floor.
weighing scale and hence is carried by rolling by A series of individual bins is provided by uti
5 gravity on the dumping truck section 9 on the izing fixed short partition Sections 60 located
rails 2 and 20 and the fixed rail 20, rolls into between each pair of transfer belts, and to
a retarding or depressed section 2 of the track these fixed sections there are movable partition
formed by the fixed rails 20 and 20. These sections 6 pivoted at 62 and having a con
rails have a slight depression illustrated in Figs.
tact end 63 engaging the upper surface of the
O 2 and 7. floor 37. These partition sections 6 thus pro
A pusher feeder 25 then comes into action vide a space and if desired, the movable: sec
on an egg but not until the egg is passed over tion of the partition may be pressed sideways
the first scale 8' and the dumping track Section Over the deflecting plates 55 and the upper run
9. This pusher feeder employs two endless of the transfer belts 23. This movable section
chains 26, each passing over a Sprocket 2 atof the partition is to provide accommodation for
one end and 28 at the other end. These sprock
an increased delivery of eggs by any one of the
ets are mounted on shafts 29 journaled in a transfer belts 23 and to provide for enlarging
frame structure f30 which may be of any Suit Or decreasing the size of any individual bin.
able character and is mounted on the side beams
The drive mechanism for the various moving
20 32 and 33. Extending between the two chains parts of the machine is as follows, having refer
there are pusher slats 3, each of which em ence to FigS. particularly 1 and 6, such drive
ploys preferably a wood strip 32 and a curved mechanism being designated by the general as
metal plate or pusher strip 33 depending there Sembly numeral 70. This employs an electric
from so that as the lower run of the endless motor 7 which operates a drive pulley T2
25 chains, operates in the direction of the arrow which, by means of a belt 73, actuates a main
134, (note Figs. 2 and 7), the egg retarded in
retarding track section 2 is engaged by a push pulley
76 which
74. This pulley is mounted on a shaft
is journaled preferably in the feed por
er slat. This egg is then pushed upwardly on a tion of the machine and for the sake of con
hump track section 40 until it reaches the apex venience, to the side members 25 of such machine.
30 4, (note Fig. 7), when the egg rolls by gravity The driving sprocket wheels 30 of the spool con
3.
downwardly on the fixed track section 42 which Weyor are mounted on a shaft fill suitably jour
is the equivalent of the sloping fixed track Sec naled in the sides 25 of the feeding portion of
tion 7, from which it rolls by gravity onto the the machine, and on this shaft and on the por
wire tracks mounted on the second weighing Scale tion outside of the sides 25 there is a sprocket
assembly designated by the assembly numeral 43. wheel 78. An idler sprocket wheel 79 is mount 3.
(Note Fig. 1), and if this egg is of sufficient ed on a stub shaft 80 connected to one of the
weight to actuate the scale it is dumped by the sides
second dumping track section designated by the and a 25 of the feeding portion of the machine
Sprocket chain operates over a drive sprock
assembly numeral 44 of Fig. 1, and is carried et 82 on the shaft 6 or connected to the pulley
40 sidewise by a second transfer belt. It is obvious 74. This chain continues and actuates a 4.
that I may employ as many scales and tilting and Sprocket wheel 83 on one of the shafts f 29 of
discharging track Sections as are necessary to the pusher feeder 25 and thus actuates the end
secure the desired number of grades or Sortings less chain 26 of this feeder. The direction of
of eggs in accordance with their weight, but the rotation of the various pulleys and sprockets, the
use of two of these in the drawings is sufficient Sprocket chain, and the chain of the pusher 4.
to illustrate the principle of construction and feeder is indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6. The
Operation. Speed of translation of the spool conveyor and
Eggs which are too light to operate any of the pusher slat Conveyor is so regulated that the
the Scales and thus form the last Series of eggs pusher slats of the pusher conveyor 25 move
50 to be graded are pushed by a pusher slat along at a higher rate of Speed than the individual
the fixed track section 45 which extends beyond Spools but the speed is so regulated and the
the second tilting track 44, and this employs pusher slats so positioned that the eggs will be
fixed rails 46 and f47. The rail 46 has a later delivered by the roller conveyor and roll down
ally and downwardly curved section 48, the Wardly by gravity over the first scale, and the
end extending downwardly towards the last first tilting track lodged in the first retarding
transfer belt 23 and the fixed rail. 47 terminat Or depressed section 2 of the track before the
ing at 49 sufficiently spaced from the curved pusher slat engages such retarded egg, and also
rail 48 to permit the egg to tilt downwardly into the Speed of the endless chain pusher mechanism
contact with the last transfer belt and thus to 25 must be such that an egg in rolling by
60 be moved sideways. gravity on the track approaching a scale plat
In connection with the transfer belts I em form and over the tracks of a scale will roll
ploy guard strips 50 and f 5, each preferably ahead of a slat.
being formed of Wood slats somewhat triangular In the operation of the machine, in dumping
in Section as shown in Fig. 2 and secured to eggs the arm 56 which supports the tilting rail
65 the floor 37 of the bins 24. Adjacent the dis 2 may be considered as operating between the
charge end of each transfer belt there is a de Springs 2 and 66. When a weighing scale is
flector plate 55, each plate being attached as depressed by an egg which is of the proper
indicated at 56 (note Figs. 1 and 3), to a metal Weight to cause its action, the trigger is released
attaching plate 5 secured to the floor 3. as above described, the spring 72 gives an initial
70 These deflecting plates thus extend over the up downward impulse to the arm 56 and the tilting
per run of each transfer belt 23 and have a di rail 2, thus positively moving the arm 56 so that
verting edge 58 which thrusts the eggs sideways on return of the trigger under the influence of
and thus off the belt at the end of its run. This its return Spring 62', such arm 56 cannot be
prevents lodging of the eggs at the end 59 of come latched. When an egg is received at the
75 the slot formed in the floor 3 to accommodate tilting Section of the track composed of the rails
f
 3,112,259 5
laterally together with a transfer conveyor lo
20, and 2, the tilting rail will swing downwardly. cated
and thus transfer an egg to the transfer belt the fixed below the portion of the runway having
23, but in this downward movement of the arm dumping sideways and tilting rails to transfer an egg On
56 it engages a spring 66' which, as soon as the . from the axis of the runway.
5. In an egg grading machine, the combina
egg is free of the rail 2, gives an initial upward tion
movement to the arm 56 which is continued by of a runway for eggs, a weighing scale form
the spring 66 until the arm becomes latched by ing part of the runway, said runway having a
laterally tiltable section tiltable on a pintle lo
the trigger 62.
It sometimes occurs that two eggs following in cated parallel to the axis of the runway, means
to positively retain said section of the runway in 10
10 succession, cause an actuation of the same scale, egg transferring position for an egg to roll there
and that therefore, if the tilting rail after dumpover, means actuated by the scale to release the
ing the first egg, becomes latched, the Second eggsaid retaining means whereby the tiltable sec
will be carried over to a further grading device tion of the runway may tilt laterally, a transfer
when it should have been discharged by the first conveyor located below the tiltable section of 5
5 device. I therefore preferably have the loading
end of the tilting rail. 2 overlap the discharge the runway at a position to engage an end por
end of the movable rail 8 as indicated at 2'; tion of an egg when the runway is tilted before
thus the second egg engages the tilting rail be the other end of the egg leaves the said runway
fore this has time to become latched and allows and thus gradually shift the egg from the run 20
20 a depression of this rail due to the weight of Way to the said conveyor.
6. In an egg grading machine, the combina
the egg. It will be understood that the Second tion of a runway for eggs having a track with a
egg has caused the automatic release of the trig pair of rails, one of said rails being fixed and
ger by the electro-magnet 70, but this trigger the other downwardly tiltable on a pivot axis
has not had sufficient time to return to its latch parallel to the fixed rail, means to normally retain 25
25 ing position. However, if the second egg is un the fixed rail in egg transferring position, re
der weight, and does not actuate the scale, the leasing means for the said retaining means
trigger only reacts to the impulse of the first whereby the tiltable rail may tilt downwardly
or leading egg of the two and has sufficient time and a switching rail positioned to engage an egg
to latch the tilting rail before the second or un on the downward tilting of the tiltable rail to 30
30 derweight egg reaches such tilting rail, in which divert the egg laterally.
case such underweight egg is carried over to a 7. In an egg grading machine, a fixed track
further grading part of the machine for lighter having a pair of spaced rails with a downward
(eggS. slope for rolling of eggs by gravity with their 35
Various changes may be made in the details long axes transverse to the track, a weighing
of construction without departing from the spiritscale having a movable track with a pair of
or scope of the invention as defined in the ap rails thereon, said scale track being in axial
pended claims. alignment with the fixed track and having a
I1. claim: downward slope for rolling of eggs by gravity,
In an egg grading machine, a longitudinally. the slope of the scale track being slightly less 40
40 extending runway for eggs, said runway having than the slope of the fixed track, the rails of
in one Section a weighing scale with a portion of the scale track and of the fixed track overlap
the runway thereon having a downward inclina ping whereby the weight of an egg is gradually
tion for eggs to roll by gravity rectilineally over
the said scale, another section of the runway transferred from the fixed track to the scale 45
45
track, a tilting track having a fixed rail and a
adjacent the end of the scale being downwardly tilting
tiltable in a lateral direction as to the axis of rail, an arm supporting the tilting rail
having a pivot parallel to the said latter fixed
the runway, means to retain the downwardly tilt rail, a latching restraining means to retain the
able section of the runway in its egg transferring tilting
position, means controlled by the actuation of the rail in egg transferring position, the said 50
scale due to the weight of an egg thereon to re tilting track being located adjacent the lower end
lease the tilting section for dumping an egg, the of the scale track to receive eggs from the Scale,
weight of the egg when on the tilting section a control means operated by the depression of the
causing such section to discharge an egg later scale due to the weight of the egg to release the
ally as to the axial direction of the runway. restraining means for the tilting rail, the tilting 55
55 2. In an egg grading machine as claimed in rail being movable downwardly by the Weight
claim 1, a transfer conveyor positioned below of an egg and a spring means to return the said
the tilting section of the runway and engaging arm and the tilting rail to normal position to be
an egg when the tilting section tilts downwardly engaged by the said restraining means.
before the egg completely leaves said tilting sec 8. In an egg grading machine, an egg weighing 60
60 tion, to remove an egg sideways from the runway. scale having a downwardly sloping track mounted
3. In an egg grading machine, the combina thereon, a tilting track having two rails, at least
tion of a runway for eggs having a track with one of said rails being depressible, an arm con
a pair of rails, one of said rails being fixed and nected to the depressible rail and having a pivot
the other downwardly tiltable, means to normally parallel to the axis of the tilting track, a movable
latch the tiltable rail to form with the fixed rail trigger to normally engage said arm and restrain.
a track for conveying eggs thereover, a control the arm and the tilting rail from movement, elec-.
means actuated by the weight of an egg to release trical means controlled by the depression of the
the tilting rail of the track whereby such rail scale due to an egg thereon to release the said
may tilt downwardly due to the weight of the egg trigger, a spring means engaging the said arm. 70
70 to discharge an egg laterally having reference to to give an initial movement to the said arm and
the axis of the run Way. tilting rail to prevent reengagement of the trig
4. In an egg grading machine as claimed in: ger, a returning spring connected to the arm
claim 3, a switching or diverging rail positioned yieldable due to the weight of an egg on the tilt
to engage an egg when the tilting rail is tilted ing rail on the dumping of an egg, the said Spring 75
5 downwardly and thus positively force said egg
 6 2,112,259
returning the said arm into latching relation ing rail and positioned to engage an egg on the
with the trigger. r
9. An egg grading machine comprising in com downward movement of the tilting rail and to
positively feed the egg laterally from the runs
bination, a feeding conveyor having an endless Way.
chain with egg supporting spools thereon, an egg 15. In an egg grading machine, the combina
receiving track having a fixed section with a tion of a track having a pair of rails, one rail
downward slope, a resiliently mounted bridging being fixed the other rail being tiltable, the tilt
structure positioned to be engaged by an egg in able rail being connected to a pivot parallel to
transfer from a spool to the fixed track, a mov the track, means to normally latch the tiltable
10 able weighing scale having a scale track thereon rail in a fixed position for transference of eggs
to receive eggs rolling by gravity from the fixed on both the tracks, means to release the latch 10
track, a tilting track having a pair of rails, one for
of Said rails being depressible, a restraining an aendless downward movement of the tilting rail, and
belt having its upper run moving
means to normally hold the depressible rail in ele transversely of the track, the upper run being
5 wated position for transferring eggs thereover, a positioned to engage an egg on tilting of a tilt
releasing means for the said restraining means
controlled by the scale when depressed due to ing rail and to positively feed the egg transverse
ly from the track.
the weight of an egg on the scale, a transverse 16. In an egg grading machine, a bin having
ly movable transfer conveyor positioned to re a floor with a slot, an endless belt having its up
20 ceive an egg when tilted downwardly by the de per run closely contiguous to the upper surface
pression of the tilting rail and means to return of the fioor and having a reverse turn at its dis 20
the tilting rail to its normal position after the charge end at the slot, the upper portion of the
transverse movement of an egg on the transfer belt at the slot being substantially level with the
conveyor. y -
25
floor, a deflector plate secured to the floor and
10. An egg grading machine as claimed in extending over the slot and part of the upper
claim 9, a retarding track section located at the run of the belt, whereby eggs carried by the belt
end of the tilting rail section to retard an egg, on engaging the deflector plate are positively dis
a pushing conveyor having means to engage an charged from the belt prior to the eggs reaching
egg located at the retarding section and move an the slot at the reverse turn of the belt, a parti
30 egg longitudinally thereover, a section of track tion structure having a pivoted section with a 30
having a downwardly and laterally extending free end resting on the floor of the bin, the sec
switching or diverting rail and a second transfer tion between the pivot and the free end being
conveyor located to receive eggs diverted by the adapted to move transversely over the upper run
said switching rail. - of the belt and over the deflector plate.
35 11. In an egg grading machine, the combina 17. In an egg grading machine, a fixed track
tion of a runway for eggs having a track, with with a pair of spaced rails having a downward
parallel rails, one rail being fixed and the other slope for rolling eggs by gravity, a movable
rail being tiltable, the tiltable rail being piv weighing scale having a rigid track thereon with
oted on a pivot parallel to the axis of the track, resilient ends extending in longitudinal align
40 means to normally latch the tiltable rail in a ment with the fixed track and having a down 40
stationary position, a control means to release ward slope for the rolling of eggs thereover by
the latch for downward tilting of the tiltable gravity, the fixed track and the resilient ends of
rail and a diverting means to positively engage the track of the scale overlapping and the resil
an egg rolling on the runway and discharge such ient ends being between the rails of the fixed
45 egg laterally. track whereby eggs, are gradually transferred
12. In an egg grading machine as claimed in from the ends of the fixed track to the resilient
claim 11, the diverting means including a divert
ing rail having one end located adjacent the fixed ends of the track on the scale. . .
18. In an egg grading machine, a fixed track
rail, said diverting rail passing transversely having a pair of spaced rails with a downward
50 across the track below the level of the track and slope for rolling of eggs by gravity with their
beyond the end of the tilting rail. long axes transverse to the track, a movable 50
13. In an egg grading machine as claimed in weighing scale having a rigid track with a pair
claim 11, the diverting means including a di of rails thereon having resilient ends, said Scale
verting rail having one end located adjacent the track being in axial alignment with a fixed track
55 fixed rail, said diverting rail passing transversely and having a downward slope for rolling of eggs
across the track below the level of the track and by gravity, the slope of the scale track being
beyond the end of the tilting rail, and a trans slightly less than the fixed track, the rails of
versely moving belt conveyor having its upper the fixed track and the resilient ends of the
run positioned to engage an egg on the tilting of rails of the scale track overlapping and the re
60 the tiltable rail.
14. In an egg grading machine as claimed in silient
track
ends being between the rails of the fixed
whereby the weight of an egg is gradually 60
claim 11, a transversely moving belt conveyor transferred from the fixed to the Scale track.
having its upper run positioned below the tilt WILLIAM CHESTER, WYLAND.