Patent GB-1395868-A (GB)
Title: Automatic egg classifying machine
IPC: G01G5/04
Filed: 1973-04-16
Abstract: 1395868 Sorting eggs V D SHEPOVALOV A V FEDOROV A G PUZANKOV V A KHMYROV E P DELOKAS I D AGAFONOV E I BATAEV and B S KHABATOV 16 April 1973 18282/73 Heading G1W [Also in Divisions F1 and G3] A device for automatically sorting eggs according to weight comprises a pneumatic weighing device 9, Fig. 2 for producing a pneumatic pressure signal proportional to the weight of an egg, a logic network 11 which produces a pressure signal in outlet 18, 17 or 16 if the egg weight is within range 1, 2 or 3 respectively, outlet chutes 38 1 , 38 2  and 383 for eggs in ranges 1, 2 and 3 respectively, an outlet chute 384 for all other eggs, and actuators 28 1 , 28 2  and 28 3  for tipping eggs from a distribution conveyor 4 in response to signals from outlets 18, 17, 16 applied through signal delay lines 7 1 , 7 2  and 7 3 . The eggs are transferred from input conveyor 1 to the weighing device 9 and then to the distribution conveyor 4 by a mechanism 3. The conveyor 4 comprises a series of holders 30 which may be tipped to discharge an egg by the pins 34 on the fluid operated actuators 281, 282, 28 3  or by a fixed pin 39. Logic network 11 comprises three comparators 12 1 , 12 2 , 123 Figs. 3 and 4 (not shown) which each compare the weight signal from weighing device 9 with a respective reference pressure and produce an output pressure via a pneumatic relay if the weight signal is above their respective reference pressures. Negation elements 13 1 , 13 2  Fig. 5 (not shown) block the pressure signals from comparators 122, 123 respectively if there is an output pressure produced by comparator 12 1 , 12 2  respectively, so that at most one, and possibly none, of the outlets receives a pressure signal. The delay lines 7 1 , 7 2 , 7 3  are controlled by a series of pressure pulses produced in synchronization with the movement of eggs, so that a pulse is produced while each egg is on the weighing device 9. Signal pressure in outlets 18, 17 and 16 are delayed by 1, 2 or 3 pulses respectively by delay lines 7 1 , 7 2 , 7 3  respectively so that a control pressure is provided to the appropriate one of the actuators 281, 282, and 283 respectively as a particular egg approaches the actuator to be tipped into the correct chute 38 1 , 38 2  or 38 3 . Each delay line includes one or more reservoirs 22, a normally closed valve 23, Fig. 6 (not shown) preceeding each reservoir, a normally open valve 21, Fig. 7 (not shown) and a pneumatic relay 19, Fig. 8 (not shown) following each reservoir and a pneumatic switch 26, Fig. 9 (not shown). The valves and the pneumatic switches are controlled by the pressure pulses. Thus, for example, the pressure pulse produced during the weighing of an egg in range 2 opens valve 23 2  and closes valve 21 2 , so that the pressure signal in line 17 fills reservoir 22 2 . At the end of the pulse, valve 23 2  closes and valve 21 2  opens, so that relay 19 2  is tripped by the pressure in reservoir 22 2 . During the next pulse, while the following egg is being weighed, the output pressure from relay 192 is transferred to reservoir 22 3  and at the end of the pulse is allowed to trip relay 19 3 . During the next pulse, switch 262 is operated to allow the output pressure of relay 193 to reach actuator 282 via channel 27 2 . The weighing device comprises a lever 42 obturating a nozzle 43 supplied with pressure fluid via an orifice 50. The lever 42 is supported by the pressure in a chamber acting on two linked diaphragms 46, 47 of different effective diameters. The lever obturates the nozzle 43 until the pressure in the chamber is sufficient to support the weight of the egg.