Patent Publication Number: US-2021169051-A1

Title: Egg support and apparatus for handling eggs

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an egg carrier for holding an egg in an egg handling system, wherein the egg carrier comprises an egg accommodation, and an egg clamping system to secure an egg in the egg accommodation space. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     It is known to handle eggs batch wise in a tray like a setter tray. Such a setter tray has an array of egg accommodations. An egg is held in the egg accommodation by gravity in combination with a fixed shape of the accommodation space which suits small and large eggs. As a result an egg can move within the accommodation space to a certain extent. Moving of the eggs especially occurs when the tray is tilted or the eggs are being touched. This means that the exact position of the egg within a tray is not predictable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention seeks to provide a type of egg carrier that holds an egg in a firm and predictable way such that an egg in the carrier can be subject of processes that require a relative high positional accuracy of the egg. 
     As a further object, the present inventions seeks to solve at least partly a disadvantage of known egg carriers. 
     In addition, the present invention seeks to provide an alternative egg carrier. 
     Therefore, the present invention, provides an egg carrier for holding an egg in an egg handling system, wherein the egg carrier comprises;
     an egg accommodation,   an egg clamping system to secure an egg in the egg accommodation space, wherein the egg clamping system is moveable between an egg securing position and an egg release position,   an operating system coupled with the egg clamping system to move the clamping system between the egg securing position and the egg release position, wherein the operating system comprises an operating member that is operable externally from the egg carrier.   

     The egg clamping system having an egg securing position and an egg release position enables to design the egg securing position to meet high positional accuracy requirements regarding the position of the egg. The egg carrier having a clamping system and an operating system enables individual handling of an egg with high positional accuracy. 
     The operating system comprising an operating member that is operable externally from the egg carrier means that the clamping system is driven from outside the egg carrier. The operating system can have one or more operating members. All of these operating members can be operable externally from the egg carrier. The egg accommodation extends in an interior of the egg carrier while the operating system is accessible from an exterior of the egg carrier. 
     Securing an egg may involve clamping an egg, form closed engagement with an egg, force closed engagement with an egg etc., whatever is needed to restraint or immobilize the egg with respect to the egg carrier. 
     The egg carrier can be configured for different requirements. These requirements can involve the need for individual handling of eggs, handling of multiple eggs simultaneously, handling of eggs in a batch or continuous process etc. The egg carrier can be used in any suitable egg handling system. The egg handling system may include trays, conveyers like a belt conveyer, slides, etc. 
     In an embodiment, the egg carrier comprises at least two mutually movable coupled housing members that extend around a central axis of the egg carrier and the egg accommodation. 
     This enables a compact type of construction while still protecting an egg that is conveyed by the egg carrier. 
     In an embodiment of the egg carrier, wherein the operating system is distributed over both the two moveably coupled housing members. This enables integration of the operating member with the moveably housing members and enables to move the two housing members with respect to each other. 
     In an embodiment of the egg carrier, the at least two coupled housing members are mutually rotatable around the central axis. This even more enables a compact type of construction while still protecting an egg that is conveyed by the egg carrier. 
     In an embodiment, the egg carrier comprises an opening for introducing an egg into the egg accommodation space, and one of the housing members comprises a bowl shaped portion opposite the opening. The bowl shaped portion delimits the egg accommodation. In particular, the opening as well delimits the egg accommodation, or in other words, the egg carrier extends mainly at one side of the opening. The bowl-shaped portion has a radius r such that the tip of the egg slides to the centre of bowl shaped portion. This is important since this assures that the egg seeks an upright orientation when securing the egg in accommodation space with respect to the egg carrier. 
     In an embodiment of the egg carrier, the operating system comprises a number of cooperating transmission members, each transmission member coupled with one of the at least two housing members. The operating system comprising a number of cooperating transmission members each transmission member coupled with one of the at least two housing members enables to transform the mutual movement of the two coupled housing members into an egg securing action of the egg clamping system. 
     In particular, the at least two of the number of cooperating transmission members mutually engage to move the egg clamping system under the effect of wedging. This offers the benefit that self-braking capability may be added to the egg clamping system which enables to secure an egg in the egg carrier while the egg carrier is in an idle state. 
     The prestress system and the self-braking capability assure both alone and in combination that the egg securing position of the clamping system can only be released by applying a mutual rotation to the housing members and not by a force directly applied to the egg, like for example by a needle onto the egg shell. 
     In an embodiment of the egg carrier, the at least one of the number of cooperating transmission members is integrally formed with one of the at least two housing members. This even more enables a compact type of construction of the egg carrier. 
     In an embodiment of the egg carrier, the number of cooperating operating members comprises a pair of spaced operating members. This enables to exert a torque to the egg carrier and to mutually move the moveably coupled housing members. This also enables to tilt the entire egg carrier. In particular the pair of spaced operating members are arranged at opposite sides of the egg carrier. One has to distinguish between the operating members and the transmission members. The operating members set the egg clamping system in motion while the transmission members only transform motion from e.g. an angular movement to a linear motion. In particular, one of the pair of spaced operating members is configured to fixedly attach to a tray. The tray can hold a number of egg carriers. 
     In an embodiment of the egg carrier, the number of cooperating operating members comprises a pair of operating members arranged at a side of the egg carrier opposite the egg accommodation space. This results in a more freely accessible egg accommodations wherein an egg can be introduced into our released out from without hindrance. In addition, an egg in the egg accommodation is more freely accessible. 
     In an embodiment of the egg carrier, at least one of the number of cooperating operating members is integrally formed with one of the at least two housing members. This even more enables a compact type of construction of the egg carrier. 
     In an embodiment of the egg carrier, wherein the egg clamping system comprises a number of egg clamping members, in particular three egg clamping members. An egg clamping member can be stationary or moveable as long as the egg clamping system is moveable between an egg clamp securing position and an egg release position. 
     In an embodiment of the egg carrier, each of the number of egg clamping members are moveable between the egg securing position and the egg release position. This facilitates releasing and securing of an egg. 
     In an embodiment of the egg carrier, the number of egg clamping members are arranged symmetrically around the central axis. This arrangement around the central axis of the egg carrier and egg accommodation, offers a predictable position and orientation with respect to the egg carrier of an egg that is secured in the egg accommodation. This axisymmetric arrangement of the number of egg clamping members in combination with the bowl shaped portion assures that the egg seeks and maintains a central position and an upright orientation when securing the egg in accommodation space with respect to the egg carrier. 
     In an embodiment of the egg carrier, wherein the operating system is configured to move all of the number of egg clamping members in an even manner, or in other words in an even and simultaneous manner. This offers an even more predictable position and orientation with respect to the egg carrier of an egg that is secured in the egg accommodation. 
     In an embodiment, the egg carrier comprises a prestress system to prestress the egg clamping system towards the egg clamp position. This offers a robust securing of an egg in the egg accommodation of the egg carrier. In particular, the prestress system forces the two housing members in a predetermined mutual angular position in which position the egg clamping system is in the egg securing position. 
     Therefore, the present invention provides an assembly of a number of interlinked egg carriers as defined above. This enables to hold and/or convey a number of eggs simultaneously in a continuous process or batch process. The number of interlinked egg carriers is in particular between 35 and 45. The interlinked carriers are grouped and can even form a chain. It is however also conceivable that stationary housing members of interlinked egg carriers are formed as one part. 
     In an embodiment of the assembly, the egg carriers are interlinked through at least one of the externally operable operating members. This way, there is no additional member required to link egg carriers. In addition, this enables joint operation of interlinked carriers. 
     Therefore, the present invention provides a tray, comprising a tray interior accommodating an assembly as defined above, wherein operating members are connectable or coupled for joint operation of interlinked egg carriers. The tray and egg carriers are configured such that egg carriers are arranged in a predetermined orientation with respect to the tray. 
     Therefore, the present invention provides an egg processing system comprising an egg holder, like a tray, or an egg conveyor, and an egg carrier as defined above, the egg conveyer configured for in use conveying the egg carrier in a conveying direction, wherein the egg conveyer comprises a first cam profile for contacting the pair of spaced operating members in order to operate the egg clamping system between the egg clamp securing position and the egg release position. In particular, the conveyer comprises a substantially flat conveying surface and the first cam profile is arranged in the substantially flat conveying surface. It will be understood that the first cam profile can be passive, that is stationary, or active, which means that the cam profile can be activated as desired. 
     In an embodiment of the egg processing system, the conveyer comprises a second cam profile for contacting the pair of operating members arranged at opposite sides of the egg carrier in order to tilt the egg carrier around an horizontal axis. In particular, the second cam profile is arranged in a plane transverse with respect to the flat conveying surface. Again, it will be understood that the second cam profile can be passive, that is stationary, or active, which means can be activated as desired. 
     Therefore, the present invention provides a use of an egg processing system as defined above, comprising one or more of the following steps;
     receiving an egg in an accommodation space   position the egg in predetermined sampling position with respect to the egg carrier   securing the egg in the accommodation space, in the predetermined sampling position with respect to the egg carrier,   tilting the egg carrier around an horizontal axis into a tilted position, wherein in particular in the tilted position the longitudinal axis of the egg makes an angle with the vertical of between 20° and 90°, like for example about 45°,   maintaining the egg in the predetermined tilted position during a settling time in particular at least 30 seconds, more particular between 2 and 15 minutes, like for example 10 minutes prior to,   taking an allantoic fluid sample from the egg.
 
In an embodiment, the use comprises operating a plurality of egg carriers simultaneously.
   

     In an embodiment, the use comprises tilting the egg carrier around a horizontal axis to face an opening of the egg accommodation downwards, and in particular releasing an egg clamping system to remove the egg out of the egg accommodation. This facilitates removal of an egg out of the egg accommodation in that the removal is based on gravity. 
    
    
     
       SHORT DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to the attached drawings, in which 
         FIG. 1  shows an first embodiment of an egg carrier according to the invention in perspective view; 
         FIG. 2  shows the egg carrier of  FIG. 1  in top view; 
         FIG. 3  shows the egg carrier of  FIG. 1  in side view; 
         FIG. 4  shows the egg carrier of  FIG. 1  in bottom view; 
         FIG. 5  shows the view of  FIG. 4  with a bottom portion taken away; 
         FIG. 6  shows a portion of an egg conveyer in perspective view; 
         FIG. 7  shows a side view of the egg conveyer of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows a side view of a portion of another embodiment of an egg conveyer; 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an egg conveyer; 
         FIG. 10  shows a second embodiment of an egg carrier according to the invention in perspective view; 
         FIG. 11  shows the egg carrier of  FIG. 10  in side view; 
         FIG. 12  shows the egg carrier of  FIG. 1  in bottom view; 
         FIG. 13  shows a tray in perspective view, supporting an assembly of egg carriers of  FIG. 10 ; and 
         FIG. 14  shows in perspective view an operating station for the tray of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows an egg carrier  1  according to the invention in perspective view. The egg carrier will be described to  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     The egg carrier  1  is configured for holding an individual egg (not shown). Also, the egg carrier is configured to be used in an egg handling system, like an egg conveying system  2  as shown in  FIG. 6-9 . 
     In order to hold an egg, the egg carrier  1  comprises an egg accommodation  3 . The egg accommodation  3  is delimited by an opening  10  and a bowl shaped portion  11 . The opening  10  is arranged opposite the bowl shaped portion  11 . The opening  10  has a generally circular shape for introducing an egg into the egg accommodation  3 . The bowl shaped portion  11  has a cavity  27  to receive a portion of an egg. The cavity  27  has a surface that contacts the egg, which surface has a texture designed to slide the tip of the egg to the deepest point of the cavity  27 . The cavity  27  has a radius r that is greater than the radius of a pointed half of an egg. The cavity  27  has a radius r of about 16 mm. 
     The egg carrier  1  comprising two housing members  7 ,  8 , The two housing members  7 ,  8  extend around a central axis  9  of the egg carrier  1 . The two housing members  7 ,  8  extend around the egg accommodation  1 . The two housing members  7 ,  8  extend continuously around the egg accommodation  1 . The outer housing member  7  has a generally cylindrical shape. The inner housing member  8  extends mainly within the outer housing member  7  as can be best seen in  FIG. 5 . The bowl shaped portion  11  that has a cavity  27  to receive a portion of an egg is part of the inner housing member  8 . The inner housing member  8  is restraint within the outer housing member  8  by a closing plate member  28  as is clear from  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5  where the closing plate member  28  is taken away. The two housing members  7 ,  8  are mutually movable coupled. The two coupled housing members  7 ,  8  are mutually moveable around the central axis. 
     The egg carrier  1  comprises an egg clamping system  4 . The egg clamping system  4  is configured to secure an egg in the egg accommodation  3 . In order to secure an egg in, and to introduce and release an egg in and out the egg accommodation  3 , the egg clamping system  4  is moveable between an egg securing position and an egg release position which is shown in  FIG. 2 . The egg clamping system  4  comprises a number of egg clamping members  14 . The egg clamping member  14  can be flexible, deformable when required to conform the egg clamping member  14  to the shape of an egg. In this case, the egg clamping system  4  has three egg clamping members  14 . Here, the each of the three egg clamping members  14  are moveable between the egg securing position and the egg release position. In order to secure an egg in a predictable way, the three egg clamping members  14  are arranged symmetrically around the central axis  9  of the egg carrier  1 . The three egg clamping members  14  are moveable in a pure radial direction towards and from the central axis  9  in order to move between the egg securing position and the egg release position. 
     The egg carrier  1  comprises an operating system  5 . The operating system  5  is coupled with the egg clamping system  4  to move the egg clamping system  4  between the egg securing position and the egg release position. The operating system  5  is configured to operate the clamping system  4 , or in other words, the clamping system  4  is set in motion through the operating system  5 . The operating system  5  comprises, in this case four, operating members  6   a,    6   b,    6   c,    6   d.  All of these four operating members  6   a,    6   b,    6   c,    6   d  are operable externally from the egg carrier  1 . 
     The operating system  5  is distributed over both the two moveably coupled housing members  7 ,  8 . This means that each of the two moveably coupled housing members  7 ,  8  are provided with at least one of the operating members  6   a,    6   b,    6   c,    6   d.    
     The number of cooperating operating members  6   a,    6   b,    6   c,    6   d  comprises a pair of spaced operating members. Like for example such a pair is operating member  6   a  and  6   b.  The operating member  6   a  and  6   b  are arranged at opposite sides of the egg carrier  1 . The operating member  6   a  and  6   b  are arranged at a side of the egg carrier  1  opposite the egg accommodation  3 . The operating member  6   a  is firmly connect to the outer housing member  7 . The operating member  6   b  is firmly connect to the inner housing member  8 . A torque can be applied to the egg carrier  1  through the pair of operating members  6   a  and  6   b.  The two moveably coupled outer- and inner-housing members will start rotating with respect to each other around the central axis  9  when a torque is applied through the pair of operating members  6   a  and  6   b.    
     One can distinguish another pair of operating member  6   b  and  6   d.  The operating member  6   b  and  6   d  are arranged at opposite sides of the egg carrier  1 . The operating member  6   b  and  6   d  are arranged at a side of the egg carrier  1  opposite the egg accommodation  3 . The operating member  6   b  and  6   d  are firmly connected to the egg carrier  1 , here to the inner housing member  8 . A torque can be applied to the egg carrier  1  through the pair of operating members  6   b  and  6   d.  The entire egg carrier  1  will start to rotate with respect to the horizontal when a torque is applied through the pair of operating members  6   b  and  6   d.  To rotate the egg carrier  1  with respect to the horizontal, also the operating member  6   c  is useful. Operating members  6   b  and  6   c  have hooks  23 . These hooks  23  are aligned and the egg carrier  1  can rotate in a robust way around these aligned hooks  23 . operating members  6   b  and  6   d  also has a hook  24 . These hooks  23 ,  24  can receive a pin  30 , shown in  FIG. 8 , that defines the rotation of the egg carrier  1 . In this case, all of the operating members  6   b ,  6   c  and  6   d  are integrally formed with the inner housing member  8 . 
     The inner housing member  8  has a central body  31  and a continuous annular ring member  32  around the central body. The central body  31  forms the cavity  27 . The egg clamping members  14  and the operating members  6   b,    6   c  and  6   d  protrude from the annular ring member  32 . A respective egg clamping member  14  and a respective operating member  6   b,    6   c  and  6   d  protrude from the annular ring member  32  from about the same position on the annular ring member  32 . Therefore a direct coupling between an egg and an outside support, like a conveyer  2  or a tray as shown in  FIG. 13 , is obtained. This provides a well manageable support of an egg in terms of positional accuracy. In a tilted position of the egg carrier  1  as shown in  FIG. 8 , the operating member  6   d  and the respective clamping member  14  are vertically aligned in order to provide optimal support to an egg in the egg accommodation  3  in case of a vertical load on the egg. 
     The outer housing member  7  comprises an operating member  6   a.  The operating member  6   a  has a cam  26 . The cam  26  is firmly connected with the outer housing member  7 . Here, the operating member  6   a  is integrally formed with the closing plate member  28 . The closing plate member  28  forms a unity with the outer housing member  7 . The cam  26  is arranged at an outer circumference of the outer housing member  7 . The cam  26  is arranged at a side of the egg carrier  1  opposite the egg accommodation  3 . The inner housing member  8  comprises an operating member  6   b.  The operating member  6   b  has a cam  25 . The cam  25  is firmly connected with the inner housing member b. The cam  25  is arranged at an outer circumference of the inner housing member  8 . The cam  25  is arranged at a side of the egg carrier  1  opposite the egg accommodation  3 . The pair of cams  25 ,  26  can be controlled by a cam profile. In other words, the pair of cams  25 ,  26  do in use form a part of a cam mechanism. The control of the pair of cams  25 ,  26  manages in turn the clamping system  4 . 
     The operating system  5  comprises a pair of cooperating transmission members  12 ,  13 . Each transmission member  12 ,  13  is coupled with one of the at least two housing members  7 ,  8 . The transmission member  12  is coupled with the inner housing member and is integrally formed with a clamping member  14 . The transmission member  13  is part of the outer housing member  7 . The transmission member  13  is integrally formed with the outer housing member  7 . The pair of cooperating transmission members  12 ,  13  have bodies that taper in opposite directions along the circumference. Therefore, when the pair of cooperating transmission members  12 ,  13  mutually engage, they move the egg clamping member  14  radially inward towards the central axis  9  under the effect of wedging when the two housing members  7 ,  8  mutually rotate. The clamping member  14  can move back when allowed under spring action. Therefore, the clamping member  14  is supported by a leaf spring  29 . In this case, each respective clamping member  14  is driven through a respective pair of cooperating transmission members  12 ,  13 . Therefore, the operating system  5  that includes the cooperating transmission members  12 ,  13 , is configured to move all of the number of egg clamping members  14  in an even manner. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the egg carrier  1  comprises a prestress system  15 . The prestress system  15  is configured to prestress the egg clamping system  4  towards the egg securing position, which is the default position when the egg carrier is in the idle state. The prestress system  15  engages the two housing members  7 ,  8  to force them in a predetermined mutual angular position. In use, the operating system  5  works opposite the prestress system  15  to force the egg clamping system  4  towards the egg release position. Here, the prestress system  15  is in the form of a torsion spring. The coil of the torsion spring is centrally arranged in the egg carrier  1 . The coil of the torsion spring extends centrally along the central axis  9 . Here, as an example the torsion spring has a spring stiffness between 0.4 and 1 Nmm/°. This way, there is a balance between positional accuracy of the egg in the egg carrier  1  and the gentle care that is required while handling an egg. The prestress system  15  may comprises a number of torsion springs, like three torsion springs. In use, the prestress system  15  exerts an effective torque on the egg carrier  1  of between 100 to 300 Nmm. 
       FIG. 6  shows a portion of an egg conveyer  2  in perspective view.  FIG. 7  shows a side view of the egg conveyer  2  of  FIG. 6 . The egg conveyer  2  forms a part of an egg processing system which system is not described. In use, the egg conveyor  2  moves an egg carrier  1  in a conveying direction  18 . The egg conveyer  2  comprises a first cam profile  19  for contacting the pair of spaced operating members  6   a,    6   b.  The conveyer  2  comprises a substantially flat conveying surface  21 . The first cam profile  19  is arranged in the substantially flat conveying surface  21 . The operating members  6   a,    6   b  are arranged at a side of the egg carrier  1  opposite the egg accommodation  3 . The cam profile  19  contacts the operating members  6   a,    6   b  in order to operate the egg clamping system  4  between the egg securing position and the egg release position. The cam profile  19  contacts the operating members  6   a,    6   b  through the cams  25 ,  26 . Here, the cam profile  19  contacts the operating members  6   a,    6   b  through the cams  25 ,  26  via wheel members  34 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a side view of a different portion of the egg conveyer  2 . The conveyer comprises a second cam profile  20 . The second cam profile  20  is configured for contacting the pair of operating members  6   b,    6   c,    6   d.  The operating members  6   b,    6   c,    6   d  are arranged at opposite sides of the egg carrier  1  in order to tilt the egg carrier  1  around a horizontal axis. The second cam profile  20  is arranged in a plane  22  transverse with respect to the flat conveying surface  21 . 
       FIGS. 6-9  show assemblies  16  of a number of interlinked egg carriers  1  of  FIG. 1-5 . The egg carriers  1  are interlinked through the operating members  6   b,    6   c  and  6   d,  in particular through the hooks  23 ,  24  thereof. 
       FIG. 9  shows tray  17 . The tray comprises a tray interior  33  accommodating an assembly  16  of interlinked egg carriers  1 . The respective operating systems  5  are coupled (not shown) for joint operation of interlinked egg carriers  1 . It is of course conceivable that egg carriers  1  are individually operated in the tray  17 . The trays  17  are moved in a conveyer  2  which is a slide in this case. Of course any other suitable conveyer will suffice, like e.g. a conveyer belt. 
     Referring to all figures, as an example the egg carrier  1  can be used by an egg conveyer  2  in an egg processing system comprising one or more of the following steps;
     receiving an egg in an accommodation space  3 ,   position the egg in a predetermined sampling position with respect to the egg carrier  1 ,   securing an egg in the accommodation space  3 , in the predetermined sampling position with respect to the egg carrier  1 ,   tilting the egg carrier  1  around an horizontal axis into a tilted position, as shown in  FIG. 8 , then   maintaining the egg in the predetermined tilted during a settling time, in particular at least 30 seconds, more particular between 2 and 15 minutes, prior to   taking an allantoic fluid sample from the egg.   

     As an option, the egg processing system comprises the step of tilting the egg carrier  1  around a horizontal axis to face the opening  10  of the egg accommodation  3  downwards, and releasing an egg clamping system  4  to remove the egg out of the egg accommodation  3 . 
     The settling time is at least 5 minutes, in particular between 5 and 15 minutes, like for example 10 minutes. In the tilted position of the egg carrier  1 , the longitudinal axis of the egg in the egg accommodation  3  makes an angle of about 45° with the vertical. 
     A plurality of eggs can be processed or operated simultaneously of individually as desired. This can also differ per process step. For example transport of egg carriers  1  can be simultaneously while the taking of an allantoic fluid sample from the egg is performed individually or in other words subsequent. 
       FIGS. 10-12  show a second embodiment of an egg carrier according to the invention in different views. In general only differences with the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5  are described. The operating members  60   b,    60   c  and  60   d  are firmly connected to the inner housing member  8  of the egg carrier  1 . The operating members  60   b,    60   c  and  60   d  are each configured to slide in a respective socket. To facilitate sliding of an operating members  60   b,    60   c  and  60   d  in a respective socket the operating members  60   b,    60   c  and  60   d  have rounded ends  35 . To be able to assist sliding of an operating members  60   b,    60   c  and  60   d  out of a respective socket, the operating members  60   b ,  60   c  and  60   d  are provided with a through hole  36 . The operating member  60   a  is firmly connected to the outer housing member  7  of the egg carrier  1 . 
       FIG. 13  shows a tray  17  in perspective view, supporting an assembly  16  of egg carriers  1  of  FIG. 10 . The egg carriers  1  are assembled together through the tray  17  to form the assembly  16 . The egg carriers  1  are assembled in the interior  33  of the tray  17 . Therefore, the tray  17  comprises a plurality of sockets  37 . The sockets  37  are configured to receive the operating members  60   b,    60   c  and  60   d  in a sliding manner. The tray  17  secures the inner housing member  8  of the egg carrier  1  while the outer housing member  7  of the egg carrier  1  is free to rotate with respect to the inner housing member  8 . The tray  17  has an open structure to enable access to the operating members  60   a  that is firmly connected to the outer housing member  7  of the egg carrier  1 . The tray  17  thus comprises a tray interior  33  accommodating an assembly  16 , wherein operating members are connectable for joint operation of interlinked egg carriers  1 . 
       FIG. 14  shows in perspective view an operating station  38  for the tray of  FIG. 13 . The operation station  38  has a receiving space  39  for receiving a tray  17  therein in a tray installed position (not shown). In the tray installed position the bottom of the tray  17  faces the operation station  38 . The operating station  38  comprises an operating member  40 . In this case, the operating member  40  is out of sheet material. The operating member  40  comprises a plurality of stops  45 . The plurality of stops  45  matches the plurality of egg carriers  1  of tray  17  to facilitate simultaneous operating of all of the plurality of egg carriers  1  of tray  17  through the operating member  40  of the operating station  38 . The stops  45  are configured to each contact and operate an associated operating member  60   a  of the egg carrier  1 . A stop  45  can have any suitable configuration, like e.g. a slot, a curved surface. A number of openings  46  is formed in the operating member  40 . Here, each stop  45  is formed with a contour of an associated opening  46 . The operating member  40  is moveably arranged with respect to the remainder of the operating station  38  like the base  41  of the operating station  38 . Therefore, the operating station  38  comprises a parallelogram linkage system  41 ,  42  coupled with operating member  40 . The operating member  40  is therefore an articulated platform. The parallelogram linkage system has a number of hinges  41 A- 41 E and a number of link members  42 A- 42 E. One link member  42 A comprises a lever  44 . The lever  44  is aligned with the link member  42 A. The lever  44  is operable from the exterior of the operating station  38 . The parallelogram linkage system is configured such that the movement of the operating member  40  corresponds with a required movement of an operating member  60   a  to operate the associated egg carrier  1  between the egg securing position and the egg release position. 
     The present invention has been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in the drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements are possible, and are included in the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.