Article handling method and apparatus

A method and apparatus for transferring discrete articles at a receiving and packing station from a randomly supplied conveyor having articles with a plurality of characteristics to a take away conveyor having articles with only certain selected characteristics out of the plurality of characteristics. At each receiving and packing station, the articles having the selected characteristics are transferred from the supply conveyor to a collecting device to form therein a completed row of a certain number of articles. An endless transfer conveyor has a plurality of rows of article holders, each of which, at one point in its travel, is positioned to receive a completed row of articles from the collecting device. The collecting device will deliver a complete row of articles only into an empty row of holders in the transfer conveyor. The transfer conveyor then transfers a completed row of articles to containers on a take away conveyor. A receiving mechanism may be interposed between the transfer conveyor and the containers to receive and lower articles to the containers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to the handling of discrete articles, and it relates 
in particular to a method and apparatus for handling such articles which 
have only certain selected characteristics, taken from a supply source 
having articles with a wider range of characteristics. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In many different environments, discrete articles having a wide range of 
characteristics are sorted, following which groups of such articles having 
only certain selected characteristics are handled separately. One such 
environment of particular interest is the handling of articles of food 
such as eggs, fruits and vegetables such as apples, oranges, tomatoes, 
kiwis, peppers, etc. Such food articles present particular difficulties 
because of their fragility, coupled with the need to handle such articles 
with an increasingly higher speed. Achieving higher speed is especially 
difficult in the case of relatively fragile articles such a eggs. 
Numerous systems have been known for many years for the automatic handling 
of eggs. In these systems the eggs first pass through preliminary steps 
including washing, inspecting for quality, weighing for size, and possibly 
also, inspecting for color, followed by sorting out of eggs having certain 
selected characteristics such as grade and weight and then packaging same. 
Examples of said systems are shown in prior U.S. patents including 
Scollard U.S. Pat. No. 3,224,579, Reading U.S. Pat. No. 3,342,012, van 
Kettenbrock U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,613 and McEvoy U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,444. 
Notwithstanding the existence of numerous known egg handling systems, the 
need continues to exist for a new and improved article handling method and 
apparatus, particularly for food articles, and especially eggs, which will 
permit increased capacity in the sorting and packaging of such articles. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
system for handling discrete articles such as food articles which system 
has enhanced capabilities relative to previously known arrangements. 
In accordance with the method and apparatus of the present invention, 
articles such as eggs, after being washed, inspected and weighed, are 
randomly supplied to a supply conveyor from which eggs having certain 
selected characteristics, for example a certain grade and size, are 
separated out for packaging at a receiving and packaging station. 
An increased capacity of the overall system can result from an increase in 
the speed and capacity of the supply conveyor. However, such enhancements 
of the supply conveyor are of little value if the receiving and packaging 
station is not equipped to effectively convert such an increase in supply 
conveyor capacity into an increased capacity in the actual packaging of 
the eggs which are sorted out at that station. 
The present invention achieves these goals by providing an improved article 
receiving and packaging station which can receive more articles from a 
supply conveyor and effectively package those articles more rapidly. 
In accordance with the present invention, after articles such as eggs have 
been inspected, cleaned, weighed and supplied randomly to a supply 
conveyor, they pass over improved receiving and packaging stations in 
accordance with the present invention, whereat eggs having selected 
characteristics are separated out and efficiently and effectively handled 
and packaged. 
The supply conveyor itself preferably has a plurality of parallel tracks of 
egg holders, each track being able to release eggs independently of the 
other tracks, and thereby acting essentially like a separate conveyor, 
thereby increasing the capacity of the supply conveyor by a multiple of 
the number of tracks. 
At the packaging and receiving station, in accordance with the present 
invention, eggs having the selected characteristics are transferred from 
the supply conveyor, independently from each other track of the supply 
conveyor, into respective rows of article holders in a collecting device 
which has one row of article holders for each track of the supply 
conveyor. With the characteristics and position of every single egg stored 
in a computer, together with information concerning the availability of 
spaces within every holder of the collecting device, eggs having the 
certain selected characteristics are released into available holders in 
the collecting device until each row of holders is completely filled with 
eggs. 
There is provided beneath the collecting device an endless transfer 
conveyor having a series of rows of article holders moveable along an 
upper run beneath the rows of article holders of the collecting device. 
When the central processor knows that there is a full row of eggs in the 
collecting device and an empty row of holders in the transfer conveyor 
moving therebeneath, the full row of articles is released from the 
collecting device into said row of holders on the transfer conveyor. 
When the rows of article holders on the transfer conveyor move around to 
the lower run thereof, the central processor knows the availability to 
receive a row of eggs either in a container on a take away conveyor 
located therebeneath or, in a different embodiment, in a receiving 
mechanism arranged to receive eggs from the transfer conveyor and lower 
them into a row in a container on the take away conveyor. 
It is a feature of the present invention that the transfer conveyor has a 
capacity exceeding that of the collecting device so that if, for any 
reason, the take away conveyor momentarily cannot receive articles from 
the lower run of the transfer conveyor, those rows of eggs need not be 
released. Owing to the increased capacity of the transfer conveyor, unless 
the backup of the take away conveyor becomes quite substantial, the 
transfer conveyor can continue to receive rows of eggs from the collecting 
device such that the latter can continue receiving articles from the 
supply conveyor, with the result that the supply conveyor can continue its 
movement without an interruption, notwithstanding backups at the take away 
conveyor. In this sense, the transfer conveyor acts as a buffer. 
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transfer conveyer 
is continuously moving and has a series of rows of article holders 
moveable along an upper run beneath the rows of article holders of the 
collecting device. 
It is a feature of this preferred embodiment of the present invention that 
the continuously moveable endless transfer conveyor has a capacity 
exceeding that of the collecting device so that if, for any reason, the 
take away conveyor momentarily cannot receive articles from the lower run 
of the transfer conveyor, those rows of eggs need not be released, but 
instead can continue around the transfer conveyor. Owing to the increased 
capacity of the transfer conveyor, unless the backup of the take away 
conveyor becomes quite substantial, the transfer conveyor can continue to 
receive rows of eggs from the collecting device such that the latter can 
continue receiving articles from the supply conveyor, with the result that 
the supply conveyor can continue its movement without an interruption, 
notwithstanding backups at the take away conveyor. In this sense, the 
transfer conveyor acts as a buffer. 
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the endless 
transfer conveyor moves intermittently, the transfer conveyor being 
mounted on a reciprocating carriage such that the two runs of the transfer 
conveyor may have different motion characteristics, preferably each run 
having a separate drive unit. In one form of this second embodiment of the 
invention, the upper receiving run of the transfer conveyor travels 
intermittently by increments of a number of article holder distances equal 
to the number of supply devices while the lower, discharging run of the 
transfer conveyor travels intermittently by increments of a number of 
article holder distances equal to the number of receiving mechanisms. In 
accordance with a further aspect of this second embodiment of the 
invention, the upper run of the transfer conveyor travels intermittently 
by increments of a number of article holder distances equal to the number 
of actively functioning supply devices (that is, the supply devices need 
not all be active, but may for example stand still, be empty or the like) 
and the lower run of the transfer conveyor travels intermittently by 
increments of a number of article holder distances equal to the number of 
actively functioning receiving mechanisms. 
A further possibility of this second embodiment of the present invention is 
that the upper run of the transfer conveyor travels intermittently by 
increments of a number of article holder distances equal to the number of 
supply devices while the lower run of the transfer conveyor discharges 
articles in a continuous movement. 
A further possibility in the operation of this second embodiment of the 
invention is that the transfer conveyor is arranged to function also as an 
article buffer, i.e., such that the upper run can receive a number of 
articles without the lower run discharging the same number of articles in 
a given period of time. 
In this second embodiment of the invention, the various motion 
characteristics of the two transfer conveyor runs as well as the buffer 
function may be brought about by a carriage mounting reversing rollers, 
the carriage being moveable in a fixed frame. The two conveyor runs may be 
driven by two drive means mounted in the carriage and running parallel to 
the transfer conveyor, each drive means having its own drive shaft mounted 
in the fixed frame, the first of which drives the upper run and the other 
of which drives the lower run, each run thereby being driven in accordance 
with desired driving characteristics. 
The desired driving characteristics can be achieved in a simple manner by 
means of commercially available indexing units, camming mechanisms or 
electromagnetically or mechanically controlled clutches or stepping 
motors. 
The present invention also includes the provision of improved individual 
article holders having a plurality of generally flat inwardly tapering 
surfaces adapted to resiliently receive articles delivered to the holders 
in any direction. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved article transfer method and apparatus for receiving articles from 
a randomly supplied conveyor and effectively delivering articles having 
selected characteristics from the supply conveyor to a take away conveyor. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
receiving and packaging station which includes an endless transfer 
conveyor for receiving articles from a collecting device located between 
itself and a supply conveyor and for delivering articles to containers on 
a take away conveyor, the transfer conveyor having an increased capacity 
so as to act as a buffer to receive more articles from the collecting 
device then it can momentarily deliver to the take away conveyor. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
method for handling articles such as eggs wherein articles having selected 
characteristics are taken from a supply conveyor and effectively and 
efficiently handled for packaging. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved method and apparatus wherein the overall capacity of the article 
handling apparatus is enhanced by increasing the capacity of the supply 
conveyor in cooperation with a receiving and packaging station adapted to 
cooperate with the supply conveyor of increased capacity by receiving 
articles from the respective tracks of the supply conveyor independently 
of each other and efficiently handling same within the receiving and 
packaging station to enhance the speed of packaging of such articles. 
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from 
the detailed description to follow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
There follows a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the 
present invention wherein like numerals represent like elements throughout 
the several views. 
As discussed above, the transfer method and apparatus of the present 
invention has utility for the handling of virtually any kind of article 
wherein articles of numerous characteristics are randomly supplied to a 
supply conveyor and from which articles having only selected 
characteristics are to be taken from that supply conveyor and handled, for 
example packaged, at a given location. 
The present invention is particularly suitable for the handling of food 
articles such as eggs, apples, tomatoes, kiwis, peppers, etc. However, 
since the primary application of the present invention relates to the 
handling of eggs, the preferred embodiment will be described below 
particularly with respect to eggs. However, it is to be understood that 
the present invention is suitable for use with other discrete articles, 
including especially different discrete food articles. 
FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an overall egg handling system of which 
the present invention would form a part. Eggs received from the farms 
undergo a number of preliminary steps including washing, visual inspection 
for defects and color by a procedure known as candling, and individual 
weighing of each egg. Referring to FIG. 2, it is a basic feature of 
systems of this type that upon completion of the preliminary steps, the 
condition of each egg, e.g. the quality, color and weight of each egg, as 
well as its location throughout the remainder of the system, is stored in 
a central processor 2. After the preliminary steps, each individual egg is 
supplied in random fashion to a supply conveyor 5. While the eggs are 
supplied randomly to the supply conveyor 5, information stored in the 
central processor 2 with respect to each individual egg will permit 
subsequent disposition of each individual egg in accordance with 
predetermined parameters. 
With each individual egg thus washed, inspected and weighed, and with all 
relevant information stored in the central processor 2, the eggs then move 
along the supply conveyor 5 to be released and subsequently handled at 
each one of a plurality of receiving and packing stations 6, 6'. . . 6n 
wherein each receiving and packing station handles eggs of certain 
selected characteristics. An egg handling apparatus of this type might 
have as many as twelve different receiving and packing stations. 
FIGS. 3 through 7 illustrate one of these receiving and packing stations 6. 
For example, this particular station might be programmed to receive and 
pack only eggs of Grade A quality and of "large" size. 
To discuss the operation of this receiving and packing station in its most 
general terms, eggs from the preliminary steps arrive at the receiving and 
packing station 6 from the upper left hand portion of FIG. 3 in holders 
16, 17, 18 and 19 of supply conveyor 5, with the eggs on the lower portion 
thereof moving in the direction of arrows 12 from left to right. 
The eggs to be handled at this station 6 are released while passing over a 
collecting device 7, whereby individual eggs fall into individual article 
holders formed within this collecting device 7. Mounted beneath collecting 
device 7 is an endless transfer conveyor 8. In the preferred embodiment of 
the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2-6 this transfer conveyor moves 
continuously, while in a second embodiment, described below, it moves 
intermittently. 
Transfer conveyor 8 has a series of rows of article holders extending 
parallel to the rows of article holders of the collecting device 7. These 
article holders move continuously along the endless path formed by the 
double endless chain 78. The mounting of the rows of article holders in 
transfer conveyor 8 assures that these article holders are maintained in 
an upright condition at all times. Such a conveyor chain mechanism for 
accomplishing this is shown, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,139 to 
Spiegle. Eggs received along the upper run of the transfer conveyor 8 are 
then discharged from the lower run thereof into containers 95 mounted on 
take away conveyor 10; but preferably instead of being dropped directly 
into the containers, the eggs are dropped into rows of article holders in 
a receiving mechanism 9 which then lowers the eggs to the containers 95 to 
reduce the chances of breakage. Of course for articles other than eggs, 
wherein breakage is less of a factor, the receiving mechanism 9 may not be 
as necessary. FIGS. 3 and 4 show different kinds of containers 95. FIG. 3 
shows large containers for commercial customers, while FIG. 4 shows the 
conventional home use twelve pack box. 
The supply conveyor moves in the direction of the arrows 12 so that the 
eggs move over the station 6 from left to right. The conveyor 5 is, of 
course, much longer than as indicated in FIG. 3 since FIG. 3 shows only 
the portion thereof over the station 6 plus the left and right hand ends 
thereof. The supply conveyor 5 includes end pulleys 13 on which are 
mounted drive chains 14. Extending across the width of the conveyor 5 are 
sets of support rods 15 arranged in pairs and each mounting a plurality of 
article holders 16, 17, 18 and 19. All of the article holders 16 are 
arranged in a common plane parallel to the direction of travel of the 
supply conveyor, all of these article holders 16 thereby forming a first 
supply track A. Similarly, all of the holders 17 are arranged in a common 
parallel plane B forming a second track of holders, while holders 18 lie 
in a plane forming a third track C and holders 19 lie in a fourth plane 
forming supply track D. Any given machine may include as many or as few 
tracks as desired. 
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the collecting device 7 includes one row of 
article holders corresponding to each of the tracks A, B, C, D. For the 
track A, device 7 includes a row of article holders 42 (shown also in FIG. 
5) which includes twelve holders, six on each side of a central vertical 
plane through device 7. In FIG. 3, only the left-hand portion of this row 
of holders 42 is shown, the right-hand portion of row 42 being omitted for 
purposes of illustration. However, both the left and right-hand portions 
of row 42, i.e. all twelve holders, are visible in FIG. 5. 
Track A will be described in detail, and with the understanding that tracks 
B, C, and D operate identically thereto. All of the eggs in holders 16 
have been supplied thereto randomly. However, the selected 
characteristics, e.g. the quality and size of each egg in each holder is 
known, this information being stored in the central processor 2 (FIG. 2). 
Accordingly, as the holders 16 of track A pass over the row 42 of 
collecting device 7 of this station 6, eggs will be released which are of 
the selected characteristics, for example Grade A large, being collected 
and packed at this station 6. Those eggs having different characteristics 
will be retained by their respective holders 16 and moved beyond station 6 
to subsequent stations 6'. . . 6n, any or all of which can be constructed 
identically to station 6 as described herein. Central processor 2 stores 
information as to which of the holders in row 42 are empty, so that when a 
match exists, i.e. an egg intended for station 6 and an empty holder in 
row 42, the egg will be released. 
As noted, the collecting device 7 is divided centrally into two halves, 
such that each of the rows 42 through 45 has two end-to-end sets of six 
holders each. These two sets operate independently of each other. Of 
course it follows that the transfer conveyor 8, as described in greater 
detail below, is also divided centrally into two end-to-end sets of 
holders, wherein each set operates independently of the other but in 
cooperation with its set of holders of the collecting device 7 above it. 
Similarly, below each set of holders of the transfer conveyor 8, each set 
has its own receiving mechanism 9 which operates independently of each 
other, but cooperates with its corresponding set of holders of the 
transfer conveyor 8 above it; and of course there is provided below each 
receiving mechanism 9 a corresponding conveyor 10, wherein the two 
conveyors 10 operate independently of the other, each cooperating with its 
corresponding receiving mechanism 9 and set of holders of transfer 
conveyor 8 located above it. 
Thus, in this illustrated embodiment, the station 6 is actually two 
separate stations which may even handle eggs having different 
characteristics from each other, but constructed compactly, side-by-side, 
to save space and reduce costs as compared to two stations totally spaced 
apart from each other in the conventional manner. It is to be understood, 
however, that the advantageous features of the present invention, apart 
from the presently described advantage of compactness, are applicable even 
if each station 6 has only one set of six holders at each stage, i.e., in 
the conventional manner, rather than two compact side-by-side sets. 
Accordingly, in the following discussion of the structure and operation of 
the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the discussion will be 
directed to only one of these two sets, it being understood that the 
discussion applies equally to the other set. 
Release of an individual egg from supply conveyor 5 is described with 
respect to FIGS. 2 and 7. Each of the holder positions in the row 42 have 
associated with it a solenoid 36, one of which is illustrated in FIGS. 2 
and 7. If the central processor 2 knows of a match, i.e. an egg having the 
selected characteristics and an empty egg holder within row 42, the 
solenoid 36 associated with that holder will be activated, i.e. its 
armature moved outwardly (downwardly) such that it will cause release of 
the appropriate egg passing therebeneath. Referring to FIG. 7, an 
activated solenoid will engage a post 25 associated with the holder. As 
the holder 16 moves to the right, the post 25 will slide relatively to the 
left, turning yoke 28 about an axis through post 29, against the action of 
a return spring, wherein gear segment 31 and its meshed gear segment 32 
associated with post 33 turn towards the egg, wherein the holder elements 
30 and 34 separate from each other to release the egg. Meanwhile, spring 
27 will urge the post 25 upwardly, blocking the yoke 28 and hence the 
holder elements 30 and 34 in the open position when receiving a new egg. 
The holder will remain open until a subsequent location along the conveyor 
wherein the holder is ready to receive a new egg, at which time the 
operation of these elements will be reversed so that the holder elements 
30 and 34 will converge to hold a new egg. 
The set of collecting device 7 on the left side of FIG. 3 is shown in 
greater detail in FIGS. 8-10. As shown therein, each of the rows comprise 
six egg holders 55. Referring to FIG. 9, all egg holders of a given row 
are mounted on shafts 56 and 57 which are pivotable, counterclockwise and 
clockwise, respectively, to separate the two portions of each holder 55 
from each other to release an egg. These shafts are mounted on a cam disk 
51 which is operated by a rotary solenoid 50. Referring to FIG. 9, the 
shaft 57 is mounted on a lever 58, the lower end 58' of which moves in a 
slot 59 on the cam disk 51. The pivoting shaft 56 is fixed to a lever 60, 
the lower end 60' of which is received in a slot 61 of the cam disk 51. 
When cam disk 51 is moved counter-clockwise, as shown by arrow 62, under 
the action of solenoid 50, the levers 58 and 60 will cause the appropriate 
movement of pivot shafts 56 and 57 to separate the two halves of their 
respective holders 5 to release the eggs held therein. 
A particularly advantageous feature of the present invention is the new 
types of holders which are utilized in the respective devices and 
conveyors 7, 8 and 9. These new holders are shown in detail in FIGS. 
11-13. As illustrated therein, these holders 55 are formed in two half 
members, each of which members is mounted on a pivot shaft 56 or 57 as 
described above. These members have a plurality of generally flat surfaces 
65, 66, 67 and 68, all of which taper uniformly inwardly and downwardly in 
the shape of an inverted pyramid, as shown by dotted lines 70 towards a 
common converge point 71. Referring to FIG. 13, each half member of each 
holder is separated by a slot 69 which assures that each half member has a 
high degree of resiliency. These holders will be formed of a plastic 
material to further assure a high degree of resiliency. The eight surfaces 
of each holder, arranged in pairs, with a total of four slots (two slots 
69 and two spaces between opposed halves of the holder) touch an egg 
essentially at eight points which all lie on a common circle. 
A particularly advantageous feature of these holders 55 is that each will 
receive eggs or other articles quite gently from any direction. Thus, as 
eggs fall from supply conveyor 5 into the holders 55 of device 7, they are 
moving parallel to the pivot shafts 56 and 57, such that the initial brunt 
of the fall would be absorbed by the two end generally flat tapered 
surfaces 65 or 68. Conversely, as the eggs drop from collecting device 7 
into the holders of transfer conveyor 8, the movement of the eggs is in a 
direction perpendicular to the pivot shafts 56 and 57, meaning that the 
initial brunt of the fall would, in that case, be absorbed by the middle 
generally flat surfaces 66 or 67. The same is true with respect to 
movement of the eggs from the transfer conveyor 8 into the holders of the 
receiving mechanism 9. 
The remainder of the station 6 will be described especially with respect to 
track A, with an understanding that tracks B, C and D (or any additional 
tracks) operate identically thereto. Once any set of six holders in either 
row 42 is complete, and there is an empty set of holders on the transfer 
conveyor 8 positioned therebeneath, the central processor activates the 
solenoid 50 at the end of that set of six holders 42 to release the 
completed row of eggs into the holders of the appropriate set of holders 
on transfer conveyor 8. A "completed" row will generally mean a full row 
of six eggs. However, there may be occasions wherein a "completed" row 
will mean that less than all six article holders of the set contain an 
egg. 
The transfer conveyor 8, as illustrated herein, comprises a pair of 
sidewalls 75 through which is mounted a shaft 76 for end pulleys 77 (the 
end pulleys at the other end of transfer conveyor 8 are not shown). The 
transfer conveyor 8 includes rows 80 of twelve holders 55, said holders 
being mounted on pivot bars 81 and 82 which support these holders. As in 
the case of the holders of the collecting device 7, the article holders in 
each row 80 are divided into two end-to-end sets of six holders each. Each 
pair of rods 81,82 is supported by brackets 83 and extends inwardly where 
the rods terminate at a central bearing block 34. Behind each bracket 83, 
adjacent each side wall, is a release mechanism for each of the rods 81 
and 82, which mechanism may be similar to that shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, 
allowing release of each set of six article holders of the transfer 
conveyor independently of the other set of article holders along that same 
row 80. The brackets 83 engages double endless chains 78 so as to assure 
that the rows of holders 80 remain in the illustrated upright vertical 
orientation at all locations throughout their complete travel along the 
endless path of transfer conveyor 8. A mechanism for accomplishing this is 
shown for example in the Spiegle, U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,139, and since it is 
known per se, it will be not be further illustrated or described herein. 
Once either set of article holders of a row 80 has received a complete row 
of eggs from any of the sets of holders of rows 42 through 45 of 
collecting device 7, it brings that set around to the lower run of the 
endless conveyor 8 for delivery of eggs from that set. 
The illustrated embodiment shows the use of a receiving mechanism 9 for 
receiving the eggs close to the bottom of the lower run of each half of 
transfer conveyor 8 for more gently lowering the eggs into the containers 
95 on conveyor 96. While this mechanism is particularly suitable for 
fragile articles such as eggs, to prevent breakage thereof, it will be 
understood that in many applications, especially for less fragile articles 
such as fruit, the articles may be dropped directly from the lower run of 
transfer conveyor 8 into the containers, thus eliminating the need for 
receiving mechanism 9. Another alternative is to use a receiving mechanism 
9 which receives eggs from the lower run of the transfer conveyor but does 
not lower down to the containers. While such an arrangement still requires 
that the eggs drop a certain distance from the receiving mechanism to the 
containers, it simplifies the step of dropping the eggs from the lower run 
of the transfer conveyor since they would be dropped into a stationary 
receiving mechanism as opposed to being dropped directly from the transfer 
conveyor to the containers. This latter arrangement might be particularly 
useful for handling eggs or other articles at lower capacities. 
FIG. 6 shows a receiving mechanism 9 having a pair of sets of holders 85 
for each half of the transfer conveyor 8. These holders could be identical 
to holders 55 described above. Each set of holders 85 has its holders 
mounted on pivot shafts 86 and 87 which are similar to pivot shafts 56 and 
57, as described above. In one arrangement, there would be two sets of 
holders 85, as illustrated in FIG. 6 for each half of the transfer 
conveyor 8, wherein in FIGS. 3 and 4 only one set is illustrated for 
purposes of clarity. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the ends of 
shafts 86 and 87 for each set of six holders 85 are mounted on brackets 91 
which are fixed to posts 88 which, upon receiving a completed row of eggs 
are lowered downwardly by downward movement of post 88, which is pivotably 
connected to a pivoted bar 89 which in turn has a rod at its end spring 
biased downwardly (not shown) and the position of which is controlled by a 
cam mechanism 90. For each set of six article holders, a solenoid release 
mechanism similar to that shown in FIGS. 8 through 10 would be provided 
(not shown). 
Two sets 85 for each half of the transfer conveyor 8 increases the capacity 
of the receiving and packing station 6 since each of the sets 85 fills a 
different row of compartments within each container 95. For example, 
referring to FIG. 6, the left hand set of holders 85 fills the right hand 
row of compartments of each container 95 while the right hand set 85 fills 
the left hand row of compartments of each container 95. However, if such 
high capacity is not required or is economically unfeasible, the invention 
operates satisfactorily, but at a lesser capacity, by using only one set 
of holders 85 associated with each half of transfer conveyor 8. 
Whether the transfer conveyor 8 delivers directly onto the containers 95 on 
the conveyor 96, or through the intermediary the receiving mechanism 9, it 
is of course necessary for the central processor to know the condition of 
the receiving row, i.e. either of 85 or 95, to assure that the eggs are 
not released from a set of holders 80 of transfer conveyor 8 unless the 
receiving row is empty. Referring to FIG. 2, the condition of each set of 
holders 85 of mechanism 9, as well as the condition of the containers 95 
on the conveyor 96, are known and stored in the central processor 2 so 
that any set 80 will not release its eggs unless the receiving row is 
empty and available to receive such eggs. 
For any number of reasons, either or both receiving rows 85 or 95 might be 
full of eggs, thus, precluding release of eggs from a given set 80. For 
example, conditions downstream from either or both conveyors 96 or any 
other condition in the system as a whole may require that either or both 
conveyors 96 be temporarily stopped. If this occurs, and if a set 80 
cannot deliver eggs into a row 85 or 95, it will retain that row of eggs, 
carrying same back up to the upper run of the transfer conveyor 8, for 
delivery upon the next passage along the lower run, and so on, through one 
or more full revolutions of the transfer conveyor 8. However, since the 
"full" condition of these sets 80 will be known by the central processor 
2, there is no danger that any of the sets of rows 42-45 will deliver a 
row of eggs into a full set 80. If this "backup" situation continues, the 
central processor 2, knowing that either half of holders in rows 42-45 of 
the collecting device 7 are full will not drop eggs from supply conveyor 5 
into that half of collecting device 7. When both halves of collecting 
device 7 are full and unable to drop their eggs because of full sets of 
article holders 80 in both halves of transfer conveyor 80, the eggs 
carried by supply conveyor 5 which cannot be deposited at station 6 can be 
carried to a subsequent stations 6'. . . 6n whereat eggs of the same 
quality and size are being handled. Or alternatively, at some point, of 
course, the supply conveyor 5 itself would probably be slowed down or 
stopped until the backup condition was resolved. It will be noted, 
however, that the receiving and packing stations 6 handles this backup 
situation automatically without allowing any of the eggs to be mishandled 
and hence broken. 
In a preferred embodiment, the capacity of transfer conveyor 8 would be 
twice the capacity of the collecting device 7. Because of this large 
differential in capacity, a backup at either or both of the conveyors 96 
can be substantially absorbed by the sets 80 before the backup causes a 
slowing down of delivery of eggs from corresponding sets of holders of 
collecting device 7 to the transfer conveyor 8. In this sense, each half 
of the transfer conveyor 8 acts as a buffer for minimal or immediate slow 
downs of its respective conveyor 96 without interruption of the collecting 
device 7 or the supply conveyor 5. 
The method of operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention will 
be apparent from the detailed description above of the apparatus and of 
its mode of operation. However, for clarity, the method of operation will 
be briefly summarized herein. 
After preliminary steps, articles such as eggs arrive in the vicinity of 
receiving and packing station 6 with the central processor 2 having stored 
therein complete knowledge as to the characteristics and location of each 
egg arriving at that station. A solenoid 36 is associated with each holder 
within the collecting device 7, in this case there being forty-eight 
solenoids, namely, twenty-four for each of the right and left halves of 
collecting device 7. In each half of collecting device 7 one solenoid 50 
is provided for each of the set of six holders beneath supply conveyor 
tracks A, B, C and D. Each of the tracks A, B, C and D of the supply 
conveyor have a row of holders 16, 17, 18 and 19, respectively, and a row 
of holders within collecting device 7, namely 42, 43, 44 and 45, 
respectively or more specifically, two end-to-end sets of six holders in 
each of these rows 42-45, which sets in each row are operated 
independently one from the other, such that the right and left side of 
collecting device 7 can even handle different grades of eggs at the same 
time. As each egg holder of the supply conveyor 5 passes its respective 
sets in collecting device 7, if the central processor 2 knows of a "match" 
i.e. an egg having the selected characteristics for that half of station 6 
and an opening in a specific holder of its respective set of holders in 
device of 7, that egg is released. Meanwhile, eggs having other 
characteristics not suitable for either half of station 6 will pass by 
station 6. Also, realizing that the eggs are supplied to conveyor 5 
randomly, if a large number of eggs of these selected characteristics for 
either half of station 6 are close together it might occur that an egg 
having the selected characteristics for that half will not be released 
because there may be no "match" since that egg might not arrive over an 
empty holder in its set of holders in its half of collecting device 7 
because there may not have been enough time for the sets of holders in 
device 7 to have released previously received eggs into a set of open 
holders of transfer conveyor 8 therebeneath. This might occur also if its 
set of holders in collecting device 7, even though completed some time 
ago, has been unable to deliver those eggs to the transfer conveyor 8 
because most or all of the sets of holders in its half of transfer 
conveyor 8 are full, due to a backup in the operation of its respective 
take away conveyor 96. If this occurs in both halves of station 6, even 
eggs having the correct selected characteristics will move beyond station 
6. They can either be removed at a subsequent station which handles eggs 
of the same selected characteristics or they will move completely to the 
end of the conveyor where they will be handled separately. 
In any event, given normal operating conditions, once any of the sets of 
six holders in either half of rows 42-45 of collecting device 7 are 
completed, the central processor 2 will once again determine if there is 
an empty set of holders 80 in its half of transfer conveyor 8 passing 
therebeneath. At that moment, the eggs will be released to the said set 80 
of the transfer conveyor 8. In the operation of the illustrated 
embodiment, as the eggs in a set 80 move to the lower run of the transfer 
conveyor 8, the central processor 2 will once again determine if there is 
an empty raised row of holders 85 of its receiving mechanism 9 located 
therebeneath. Thereafter, the central processor 2, knowing that an empty 
container row is positioned therebeneath on conveyor 10 will cause the 
receiving mechanism 9 to move downwardly to containers 95 on its take away 
container 96 to assure that the eggs are delivered from the rows 85 into 
the appropriate compartments of the containers 96. 
FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 illustrate in highly schematic form a second principle 
of operation of the present invention, i.e., a second embodiment thereof. 
Although this embodiment is shown in highly schematic form, it is to be 
understood that all of the structural features of the preferred embodiment 
are applicable herein, except as discussed below. 
Accordingly, all elements which are generally analogous to counterparts in 
the preferred embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals, 
except raised by 100. Elements which are new to the embodiment of FIGS. 14 
through 17 utilize reference numerals above 200. 
This second embodiment illustrates a supply conveyor 105 of the type shown 
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,613 having only two tracks A' and B' having holders 
116 and 117, respectively. Consequently, there is shown therebelow a 
collecting device 107 having only two rows of holders 141 and 142 shown 
receiving eggs E. However, it is to be understood that the second 
embodiment of the invention, as further described below, can also be 
utilized with a supply conveyor 5 and a collecting device 7 as shown in 
FIGS. 2-6. Moreover, the collecting device 107 can have six holders, taken 
in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIGS. 14 and 15, i.e., two 
independently operable sets of six holders, as utilized in the preferred 
embodiment of the invention. 
If the collecting device 107 is of the type having two sets of six holders 
each, end-to-end, as in the preferred embodiment of the invention, each 
set can have its own transfer conveyor 108 positioned therebeneath. 
However, since the transfer conveyors 108 of this second embodiment of the 
invention have totally different motion characteristics from each other, 
as to be described below, the two transfer conveyors cannot be integrated 
with common shafts such as shaft 76 of the preferred embodiment. Rather, 
each would have to be a completely independent structure from the other. 
Beneath the or each transfer conveyor 108, this second embodiment could 
once again duplicate the structures of the first embodiment. More 
specifically, the receiving mechanism 109 beneath each transfer conveyor 
108 can have a single row of six holders 185 which receives the egg from 
the lower run of the transfer conveyor 108 and drops them into egg 
containers 195 on conveyor 110, but does not itself move downwardly to the 
container. In the alternative, this second embodiment can include either 
of the other two alternatives described with respect to the first 
embodiment. That is, either the articles can be dropped directly from the 
lower run of transfer conveyor 108 to the containers or the receiving 
mechanism 109 may be of the type as shown in the preferred embodiment 
wherein the holders receive the articles and then move downwardly to bring 
the articles closer to the containers 195 before releasing them. In the 
alternative, the receiving mechanism 109 under each transfer conveyor 108 
may include a pair of holder rows 185 having the same advantages as 
described in connection with the first embodiment. 
The conveyor 110 and the containers 195 moveable thereon are essentially 
the same as shown in the first embodiment. The egg containers can be the 
larger containers as shown in FIG. 3 or the normal consumer containers as 
shown in FIG. 4. The second embodiment shows a pusher member 201 which is 
optional and which of course can also be used on the first described 
embodiment. 
Referring now specifically to FIGS. 14 through 17, this second embodiment 
differs from the first embodiment primarily in the manner of operation of 
the transfer conveyor 108. Transfer conveyor 108 is equipped with a pair 
of end pulleys 113 at each end thereof connected by a shaft 176 (one of 
which is visible in FIG. 16) extending between a pair of opposed carriage 
side plates 202. The plurality of rows of holders 180 are connected to the 
chain 114 by suitable means for always maintaining the holder row 180 in 
an upright orientation, as discussed above with respect to the first 
embodiment and as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,154. 
The individual holders 155 as shown in the row of holders 180, and for that 
matter also the holders in the collecting device 107 and the receiving 
mechanism 109 may all be made the same as the holders 55 as discussed in 
the first embodiment, including having the release mechanism as shown in 
FIGS. 8 through 10 rather than the particular shape as shown in FIGS. 14 
through 16. 
Each transfer conveyor 108 includes a pair of fixed frame members 203. 
Mounted inwardly thereof is a carriage 202 having opposed side plates. As 
noted above, the shafts and hence the main portions of the transfer 
conveyor 108 are mounted on the side plates of carriage 202. The chain 114 
located at the top of FIG. 16 is engaged with the positive drive pulleys 
204 and 207 which are connected to the frame member 203 at the top of FIG. 
16, the drive pulley 204 connected to the upper run of drive chain 114 and 
the drive pulley 207 connected to the lower run of chain 114. Tension in 
the drive chain is maintained with tensioning rollers 205 and 206 located 
adjacent the drive pulley 204 and tension rollers 208 and 209 located 
adjacent the drive pulley 207. The four tension rollers 205 through 209 
are also mounted on the frame side plate 203 at the top of FIG. 16. 
However, the transfer conveyor pulleys 113 are connected to the side 
plates of carriage 202 but not to the frame side plates 203. Consequently, 
if both of the drive pulleys 204 and 207 are driven with different motion 
characteristics, i.e., a different linear speed is applied to the upper 
run than is applied to the lower run of chain 114, then the carriage 
including the two side plates of carriage 202 and the rows of holders 180 
located therebetween are caused to move in one horizontal direction or the 
other, as shown by the arrow 210 in FIG. 17. Dotted lines in FIGS. 14 and 
15 illustrate the end positions of the transfer conveyor 108 relative to 
the frames 203. 
The principle of operation of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 
through 17 is that the upper run of the transfer conveyor 108 has 
different motion characteristics than the lower run of this transfer 
conveyor, this being accomplished by different independent operations of 
the two separate drive pulleys 204 and 207. For example, if it is desired 
to have the upper run move continuously and the lower run stop 
intermittently to release eggs from the holders located on that run, the 
drive pulley 204 can run continuously while the drive pulley 207 would run 
at a lower speed or stop. To compensate for the varying movements of the 
upper and lower runs, the entire transfer conveyor itself including the 
carriage 202 and the end pulleys 113 would move laterally to the right or 
left, as the case may be. For example, in this illustration, if the upper 
run were moving continuously to the right while the lower run was 
intermittently slowing down or stopping, then obviously the compensation 
for these varying movements would cause the carriage with the pulleys 113 
to move to the left. Conversely, if the lower run of the transfer conveyor 
was continuous, while the upper run stopped intermittently, for example 
for receiving eggs from the collecting device 107 into respective holders 
180, then the carriage 202 and the pulleys 113 would move to the right. 
It will be understood that a virtually unlimited number of variations as 
between the upper and lower runs of the transfer conveyor 108 can be 
accomplished, several of which variations are discussed in the summary of 
the invention above. In each case, varying movement between the two runs 
will be compensated for by appropriate lateral movement of the carriage 
202 and the pulleys 113 connected thereto. 
Although the invention has been described with respect to preferred 
embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is capable of numerous 
modifications and variations, apparent to those skilled in the art, 
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.