Patent Description:
Various mechanical egg processing systems are used to process avian eggs within a poultry hatchery facility. Such mechanical egg processing systems may include, for example, a transfer system for transferring eggs from a tray associated with a setter incubator (commonly referred to as a "flat") to a container associated with a hatcher incubator (commonly referred to as a "hatching basket"). In other instances, an example of such mechanical egg processing systems may include an egg removal system for removing certain eggs from the flats. In the case of egg removal systems, it is common practice to remove non-live eggs from live eggs to increase available incubator space, to reduce the risk of contamination, and to save vaccine costs related to in ovo inoculations.

Conventionally, eggs designated as non-live are removed by hand or via an automated egg removal device. Automated egg removal devices may conventionally employ suction-type lifting devices as disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, or <CIT>.

However, such suction-type lifting devices may typically employ vacuum systems that require additional mechanisms and power requirements to function. Furthermore, such suction-type lifting devices may be difficult to maintain and clean, particularly after engaging an egg that explodes due to bacterial build-up within the egg. Additionally, the polymer-based suction cup may become deformed about the lip area after continuous use, thereby affecting the suction and lifting ability of the lifting device. In addition, the suction-type lifting devices do not straighten eggs oriented at an angle in the egg flat.

Other egg lifting devices are known from <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and from <CIT>.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an egg lifting device and associated system capable of lifting eggs in a simplified manner while also improving the ease of maintenance of such a device, and further providing the additional function of straightening eggs oriented off-axis. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide an associated method that would simplify and facilitate improved lifting of eggs.

The above and other needs are met by aspects of the present disclosure which, according to one aspect, provides an egg lifting device as defined in independent claim <NUM>.

The securing arrangement is configured to engage and deflect about an egg such that the egg is seated within the securing arrangement for lifting thereof. According to one aspect, the securing arrangement includes a plurality of resilient members cooperating to form an open-ended arrangement through which the egg is capable of being received.

Another aspect provides an egg removal system as defined in claim <NUM>, having a frame and a head operably engaged with the frame and configured to ascend and descend. A plurality of egg lifting devices is operably engaged with the head. Each egg lifting device has a securing arrangement configured to engage and deflect about an egg such that an egg is seated within the respective lifting device for lifting thereof. According to one aspect, each egg lifting device has a body with the securing arrangement extending therefrom.

Yet another aspect provides a method of removing eggs from an egg container as defined in independent method claim <NUM>. The method comprises descending an egg lifting device to interact with an egg. The method further comprises contacting a securing arrangement of the egg lifting device with the egg. The method further comprises seating the egg within the securing arrangement by deflecting the securing arrangement about the egg. The method further comprises ascending the lifting device so as to lift the egg from an egg flat. According to one aspect, the method further comprises releasing the egg from the securing arrangement by actuating a release device.

Still another aspect provides an egg transport system as defined in claim <NUM>, having a track system with a drive assembly. The egg transport system further includes a plurality of egg lifting devices operably engaged with the drive assembly for moving the egg lifting devices along the track system. Each egg lifting device has a securing arrangement configured to engage and deflect about an egg such that an egg is seated within the respective lifting device for lifting and transporting thereof.

Thus, various aspects of the present disclosure provide advantages, as otherwise detailed herein.

Having thus described various embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:.

Various aspects of the present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all aspects of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.

The present disclosure is directed to devices, systems and methods for lifting eggs. According to some aspects, the present disclosure provides vacuum-less/suction-less means for lifting eggs. The terms vacuum-less/suction-less refer to the lack of vacuum or suction needed to interact with an egg in order to lift said egg. Instead, aspects of the present disclosure provide physical engagement means for securing and lifting an egg. Such vacuum-less/suction-less aspects of the present disclosure provide many advantages, including simplifying the means for lifting eggs, improving ease of maintenance, and improving reliability.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate automated egg processing systems. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate egg removal systems <NUM>. According to the particular aspect shown in <FIG>, the egg removal system <NUM> is capable of removing and/or transferring eggs. Aspects of the present disclosure, however, are not limited to the illustrated egg removal system <NUM> of <FIG>. Aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented on any system or apparatus in which lifting of eggs is desired. For example, aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented on an egg transfer system (<FIG>) used to transfer eggs from a setter incubator tray (a so-called "egg flat") to a hatch incubator tray (a so-called "hatching basket").

As shown in <FIG>, the egg removal system <NUM> may be particularly adapted for removing eggs positioned within an egg flat <NUM> (<FIG>), which includes a plurality of receptacles for individually receiving and maintaining eggs in a generally vertical orientation. Examples of suitable commercial flats include, but are not limited to, a "CHICKMASTER <NUM>" flat, a "JAMESWAY <NUM>" flat and a "JAMESWAY <NUM>" flat (in each case, the number indicates the number of eggs carried by the flat). Using the egg removal system <NUM>, all or selected eggs may be removed from the egg flat when positioned below an egg remover head <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the egg removal system <NUM> may include a frame <NUM> and a conveyor assembly <NUM> provided to move egg flats in an automated manner through the egg removal system <NUM> to a removal position. The conveyor assembly <NUM> may include a guide rail system configured to receive and guide egg flats to the removal position. The conveyor assembly <NUM> may further include appropriate stop elements, sensors, belts, endless loops, motors, etc. for proper indexing and positioning of egg flats within the egg removal system <NUM>. In some instances, egg flats may be manually advanced through the egg removal system <NUM>.

Eggs entering the egg removal system <NUM> via egg flats may have varying classification characteristics. For example, egg flats may include eggs that are classifiable based on viability, pathogen content, genetic analysis, or combinations thereof. As such, eggs are passed through an egg classifier system to generate a classification for each egg contained in an egg flat. Such eggs may be classified as viable or non-viable (i.e., those eggs not containing a viable embryo according to the egg classifier system), wherein the non-viable eggs may be further subclassified as, for example, infertile, rotten, or dead eggs. Exemplary egg classifier systems may be capable of classifying the eggs by using, for example, candling techniques (opacity, infrared, NIR, etc.), assaying techniques, or other known and suitable classification methods, processes, or techniques. After classification, the eggs may be removed accordingly from the egg flat using the egg removal system <NUM> according to the identified classification, such as, for example, removing non-viable eggs from the egg flat.

As shown in <FIG>, the egg removal system <NUM> may include the egg remover head <NUM> coupled to the frame <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the egg remover head <NUM> may include a plurality of egg lifting devices <NUM> capable of selectively or non-selectively removing eggs from the egg flat <NUM>. In some instances, the egg remover head <NUM> may include a stationary plate <NUM> to which the egg lifting devices <NUM> are secured, coupled, or otherwise engaged, as shown in <FIG>. According to some aspects, the stationary plate <NUM> may define a plurality of holes for receiving the egg lifting devices <NUM>. In some instances, the egg lifting devices <NUM> may be selectively or individually controlled. That is, the egg lifting devices <NUM> may be selectively deployed such that interaction thereof with respective eggs may be selectively controlled. For example, the egg lifting device <NUM> may be configured to selectively engaging respective eggs such that only those eggs identified as a first subset (e.g., as live or viable) of eggs are contacted for removal or transfer from the egg flat. In such instances, a second subset (e.g., non-live or non-viable) of eggs may remain in the egg flat for further processing without contact from any of the egg lifting devices <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the conveyor assembly <NUM> may transport eggs stored in the egg flat past the egg classifier system so that each egg passes therethrough such that data (egg classification status) may be generated for each egg. The data collected by the egg classifier system may be provided to a controller for processing and storing data associated with each egg. The controller may then be capable of generating a selectable removal signal to send to the egg lifting devices <NUM> so that individual egg lifting devices <NUM> (or subsets of egg lifting devices <NUM>) are separately and individually deployed at various positions according to the classification status for each egg based on the data collected by the egg classifier system.

In other instances, the egg processing apparatus <NUM> may include the egg remover head <NUM> coupled to the frame <NUM> and configured to move vertically for interacting with eggs contained within an egg flat <NUM> when in a removal position beneath the egg remover head <NUM>. The egg remover head <NUM> may be pneumatically or electrically driven to move vertically for facilitating interaction with eggs in the egg flat. In some instances, the egg processing head <NUM> may be lowered and raised pneumatically using a transfer cylinder (not shown) in fluid communication with a pneumatic system, as known by those of skill in the art. In some instances, the egg remover head <NUM> may be capable of lateral or horizontal movement outside the conveyor assembly <NUM> and/or the removal position. In other instances, the egg remover head <NUM> may be capable of arcuate movement using, for example, a servo motor <NUM> (<FIG>). In such instances where the egg remover head <NUM> is movable, the egg lifting devices <NUM> may be fixed to the egg remover head <NUM> such that the egg lifting devices <NUM> are not individually or separately deployed for engaging the eggs. Instead, all eggs in the egg flat would be engaged by the various egg lifting devices <NUM> moved by the egg remover head <NUM>. However, when the egg lifting devices <NUM> are individually or selectively controlled, the egg remover head <NUM> may still be capable of movement for various reasons, including transporting the eggs removed from the egg flat to some other location.

Referring now to <FIG>, the egg removal system <NUM> may be configured to engage or contact eggs for removal thereof from the egg flat using an egg lifting device <NUM>. According to some aspects, as also shown in <FIG>, the egg lifting device <NUM> may include a body <NUM> and a securing arrangement <NUM>. In some instances, the securing arrangement <NUM> may extend from the body <NUM>, wherein the body <NUM> acts as a stem from which the securing arrangement <NUM> projects. The body <NUM> may be of unitary construction with the securing arrangement <NUM>, while in other instances the body <NUM> may be discrete from the securing arrangement <NUM>.

The securing arrangement <NUM> may be configured to secure an egg to the egg lifting device <NUM> using physical contact and interaction such that the egg may be lifted or removed from the egg flat. In this regard, the securing arrangement <NUM> may act in a suction-less or vacuum-less manner for lifting eggs. The securing arrangement <NUM> may be capable of deflecting about the egg as the securing arrangement <NUM> advances or descends upon the egg such that the egg becomes seated within or otherwise secured to the securing arrangement. In this regard, the securing arrangement may be formed of deflecting means or deflective members capable of deflecting about the egg and along the contours thereof, wherein the egg may be secured within the securing arrangement without mechanical actuation of the deflecting means or deflective members to grasp the egg. In some instances, the securing arrangement <NUM> may be open-ended so as to facilitate deflection of the securing arrangement <NUM> about the egg.

The securing arrangement <NUM> may be of unitary construction, while in some instances it may be formed of discrete components cooperating to form the securing arrangement <NUM>. According to some aspects, the securing arrangement <NUM> may be formed of a pliant, flexible or resilient material so as to allow the securing arrangement <NUM> to deflect about the egg when coming into contact therewith. In this manner, the securing arrangement <NUM> may remain in frictional contact with the egg at various points thereon in a resistive or interference fit manner that allows the egg to be lifted from the egg flat. The securing arrangement <NUM> may be constructed from various materials that exhibit such deflective, elastic, or resilient qualities, such as, for example, resilient materials, elastic materials, super-elastic materials, and shape memory materials. In some instances, the securing arrangement may be constructed of metal (e.g., stainless steel or nitinol) or polymer components, or combinations thereof. Initial engagement with an egg may be based on the natural elasticity or memory tension of the securing arrangement <NUM>. In this regard, after initial engagement with the egg, the securing arrangement <NUM> holds the egg, and therefore does not require constant mechanical tension to hold the egg.

The securing arrangement <NUM> may have various shapes, forms, or structures that permit the securing arrangement <NUM> to lift an egg using physical contact and engagement therewith as the means for lifting the egg. According to one particular aspect, the securing arrangement <NUM> may be formed from a plurality of resilient members <NUM> extending from the body <NUM>. The resilient members <NUM> may cooperate to form an open-ended arrangement that allows an end of the egg to be easily received within the securing arrangement <NUM>. In some instances, the resilient members <NUM> may be in the form of wire loops forming a pliant wire structure in which to seat or secure the egg. Regardless of the form the securing arrangement <NUM> takes, the egg lifting device <NUM> may be capable of lifting the egg from the egg flat by means of physical contact and without suction. In some instances, the various resilient members <NUM> may be integrally formed, while in other instances the resilient members <NUM> may be discrete components. The resilient members <NUM> may be capable of bending elastically to accommodate eggs of varying size. In this regards, the securing arrangement <NUM> may provide automatic and passive gripping means. The resilient members <NUM> may follow the contour of the egg to grip the egg as the resilient members are advanced on the egg.

According to some aspects, the egg lifting device <NUM> may include an actuator <NUM> capable of raising/ascending and lowering/descending the securing arrangement <NUM>. In some instances, the actuator <NUM> may be a linear actuator such as, for example, a pneumatically controlled cylinder. In instances where the egg lifting devices <NUM> are selectively controlled, each actuator <NUM> may be capable of receiving a signal indicating the egg classification status of respective eggs in the egg flat <NUM> such that the actuators <NUM> may be selectively actuated, thereby facilitating engagement or contact of certain select egg lifting devices <NUM> with respective eggs. By selectively actuating the actuators <NUM>, interaction of components of the egg lifting device <NUM> with non-live or otherwise undesirable eggs may be advantageously avoided.

According to some aspects, as shown in <FIG>, the egg lifting device <NUM> may include a release device <NUM> configured to release the egg from the egg lifting device <NUM>. In some instances, the release device <NUM> may include a release member <NUM> capable of contacting the egg to force the egg out of engagement with the egg lifting device <NUM>. The release member <NUM> may include a shaft or rod <NUM> and a flange <NUM>, wherein the flange <NUM> contacts the egg for release. While the contact portion of the release device <NUM> is illustrated as a flange, it will be understood that the contact portion (i.e., the portion physically contacting the egg to apply force thereto) may be of various shapes, sizes and configurations, such as, for example, a spring <NUM> (<FIG>). Further, the contact portion may be formed of resilient material that lessens the impact forces of the release device <NUM> against the egg. In some instances, the egg to be lifted may include a hole at the end thereof due to previous egg processing procedures (e.g., punching a hole in an egg with a needle or punch such that a treatment substance may be injected into the egg). As such, the contact portion of the release device <NUM> may be configured such that the contact points thereof against the egg may be outside the hole, such as, for example, in circumferential manner. Further, in order to prevent impact at or near the hole, the contact portion may have a concave surface facing the egg, wherein the outer rim of the contact portion contacts the egg to limit cracking thereof by limiting the forces applied at or near the hole.

In some instances, the release member <NUM> may be biased using a biasing member. A release actuator may be provided to actuate the release member <NUM> to push the egg from the securing arrangement <NUM>. For example, the release member <NUM> may be spring loaded, which may be actuated by the release actuator. According to some aspects, the release actuator may be pneumatically operated. The force applied by the release device <NUM> on the egg causes the egg to move downward, thereby deflecting the resilient members <NUM> outwardly such that the egg may be released from the securing arrangement <NUM>.

In some instances, the securing arrangement <NUM> may be constructed of shape-memory materials in which the release mechanism for releasing eggs from the egg lifting device <NUM> may be accomplished by providing an electrical current or a temperature change to the securing arrangement <NUM> such that the egg is released according to a memory release protocol.

In some instances, as shown in <FIG>, an egg support assembly <NUM> may be provided for raising the eggs from the egg flat such that the securing arrangement <NUM> is capable of fully securing the eggs therein, without obstruction from the egg flat <NUM>. The egg flat <NUM> may typically be open-ended such that each egg receptacle <NUM> includes a hole through which the egg may be raised from underneath. In this regard, the eggs may be raised from underneath the egg flat by the egg support assembly <NUM>, while the egg lifting devices <NUM> lift and remove the eggs from above the egg flat. That is, the egg support assembly <NUM> may operate and be positioned beneath the egg flat, while the egg lifting devices <NUM> operate and are positioned above the egg flats. In this manner, the egg support assembly <NUM> provides support to the eggs such that the securing arrangement <NUM> may be advanced about the eggs for securing thereof. According to some aspects, the egg support assembly <NUM> may include a plurality of pedestals <NUM> for individually raising the eggs from each respective egg receptacle <NUM>. In this manner, the eggs may be raised separately with respect to one another.

In operation, as shown in <FIG>, an egg flat <NUM> containing eggs <NUM> may be conveyed to the removal position beneath the egg remover head <NUM>. In some instances, the egg remover head <NUM> may be capable of processing multiple egg flats <NUM> at a time.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary sequence for removing an egg <NUM> from a receptacle <NUM> of an egg flat <NUM> using an egg lifting device <NUM> and then releasing the egg <NUM> therefrom. As shown, the egg lifting device <NUM> begins at a fully raised, retracted or ascended position. The egg lifting device <NUM> may then advance or descend to engage the egg <NUM> at which point the securing arrangement <NUM> contacts the egg and begins to deflect. The securing arrangement <NUM> may be further advanced to a fully descended position until the egg <NUM> is fully seated therein or secured thereto for removal. The egg lifting device <NUM> may then be raised, retracted or otherwise ascended so as to remove the egg <NUM> from the receptacle <NUM>. Thereafter, the release member <NUM> of the release device <NUM> may be actuated to contact the egg <NUM>, thereby pushing the egg <NUM> out of engagement with the securing arrangement <NUM>. The released egg <NUM> may then be captured or transported accordingly.

Furthermore, as shown in <FIG>, the egg lifting device <NUM> may advantageously facilitate straightening of eggs when received therein. That is, eggs oriented off-axis within the egg flat may be straightened due to the forces exerted on the egg by the securing arrangement <NUM> when engaging the egg. In contrast, as shown in <FIG>, prior art suction-type devices maintain the orientation of the egg as positioned within the egg flat. It may be desirable to straighten or vertically align eggs automatically using the egg lifting device <NUM> for further processing of such eggs. For example, the eggs may be returned to an egg flat for injection of the eggs with a treatment substance in which case it may be desirable to have the eggs vertically aligned along the longitudinal axis of the egg within the egg flat.

<FIG> illustrates a manual egg remover device <NUM>. In this instance, the body <NUM> may be formed as a plate <NUM> in which the securing arrangements <NUM> are coupled thereto. The manual egg remover device <NUM> may have a handle <NUM> for an operator to hold the device <NUM>. The release devices <NUM> may be coupled to a connector <NUM> configured to move toward and away from the plate <NUM> such that the release devices <NUM> may interact with the eggs <NUM> for releasing the eggs therefrom.

<FIG> illustrate the manner in which an egg <NUM> may be gently released into a hatching basket positioned on an egg transfer system <NUM>. As shown, a first plate <NUM> may be configured to move relative to a second plate <NUM> such that when the first plate <NUM> moves toward the second plate <NUM>, the stationary release device <NUM> interacts with the egg <NUM> to push the egg <NUM> out of the securing arrangement <NUM>. In this regard the head <NUM> may be lowered such that the egg <NUM> is slightly contacting or almost contacting the hatching basket, so as to limit the distance the egg <NUM> may travel to contact the hatching basket. Subsequently, the first plate <NUM>, having the lifting devices <NUM> coupled thereto, may ascend proximate to the second plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the stationary release device <NUM> may remain in a fixed position, thereby contacting the egg and forcing the egg <NUM> out of the securing arrangement <NUM> and into the hatching basket.

<FIG> illustrate various aspects of an egg transport system <NUM> capable of implementing the egg lifting devices <NUM> along a track system <NUM>. The egg transport system <NUM> may facilitate adaptable and/or customized processing to meet various egg processing needs. In this regard, the egg lifting devices <NUM> as adapted to the egg transport system <NUM> may perform any number of functions, including, for example, acting as conveyor, egg flat, egg removers, locators, or storage. To that end, the egg lifting devices <NUM> may remove typical design/process constraints caused by egg flat type and handling, thereby decreasing design complexity and associated cost. In some instances, each egg lifting device <NUM> may allow each egg to be picked up once from the egg flat in the beginning of processing and remain riding until the drop-off at the final destination, such as the hatching basket.

Still in some instances, the egg lifting devices <NUM> as implemented in the egg transport system <NUM> may be used to store or hold eggs in an incubator, whether a setter or hatcher incubator. In this regard, the egg transport system <NUM> may direct eggs within the incubators where the eggs remain in the egg lifting devices <NUM> and are stored for incubation. This may eliminate the need for carts/trolleys that are currently used to move egg flats / hatching baskets in and out of the incubators. Additionally, each egg may be carried by an egg lifting device <NUM> to a cooler room until moving to the incubators. The egg transport system <NUM> may be configured to allow for tilting of the eggs within the incubators. Further, the egg transport system <NUM> may be configured to circulate eggs within the incubators to assist with even heat distribution.

Once loaded onto the egg transport system <NUM>, the eggs may be carried by the egg lifting devices <NUM> to various processing stations or modules, such as, for example, egg identification, egg removal, egg injection, egg sampling, egg holding, egg heating, egg cleaning or sanitizing, egg stacking, egg sorting, egg backfilling, egg arranging (according to egg flats), egg transfer, egg sealing, or any other egg processing.

In some instances, the egg lifting devices <NUM> may be capable of tilting the egg to present the egg for injection at a target site. For instance, the eggs may be tilted by the egg lifting devices <NUM> such that the air cell is presented for injection.

As shown in <FIG>, each egg lifting device <NUM> may include a tracking identifier <NUM>, such as a barcode or RFID tag for tracking each egg lifting device <NUM> and respective egg carried thereby. Such a feature may allow for manual intervention at any time on demand for a specific egg lifting device <NUM> and egg. Thus, each egg may be accurately tracked through the process and data related thereto collected along the way for data processing and analysis.

According to one aspect, as shown in <FIG>, the egg transport system <NUM> may include the track system <NUM> having a plurality of tracks <NUM> forming a multiple-lane system. The tracks <NUM> may be varied or narrowed with respect to one another as needed for processing. For example, the tracks <NUM> may be narrowed to correspond with an egg flat <NUM> such that eggs may be removed from the egg flat <NUM>. Additionally, the egg lifting devices <NUM> may be staggered with respect to one another across the tracks <NUM> so as to correspond with the egg receptacles <NUM> of the egg flat <NUM>. As such, the egg transport system <NUM> may be easily adapted to remove eggs from any egg flat type.

<FIG> illustrates the use of an egg support assembly <NUM> to lift or raise the eggs <NUM> from the egg flat <NUM> such that the securing arrangements <NUM> are able to secure the eggs <NUM> thereto, as previously described herein.

According to some aspects, the egg transport system <NUM> may include a drive assembly <NUM> for moving the egg lifting devices <NUM> along the track system <NUM>. Each egg lifting device <NUM> may be coupled to the drive assembly <NUM> to facilitate movement of the eggs throughout the egg transport system <NUM>. The drive assembly <NUM> may include any actuators, means or mechanism for moving the egg lifting devices along the track system <NUM> and individual tracks <NUM> thereof. For example, the drive assembly <NUM> may include comprises any of a chain, belt, magnetic drive assembly, linear drive assembly or other drive functional means.

<FIG> illustrates a sampling process in which the egg lifting device <NUM> carries an egg <NUM> to a sampling station having a processing device <NUM> capable of extracting a sample from the egg <NUM>. As shown, the egg <NUM> may be carried to the processing device <NUM>, wherein the pedestal <NUM> of the egg support assembly <NUM> is moved to support the egg <NUM> during the sample extraction process. Subsequently, the processing device <NUM> extends within the egg lifting device <NUM> in a co-axial manner and pierces the egg so as to enter the egg for extracting a sample. With the sample extracted, the egg lifting device <NUM> may be transported away for further processing or holding. An assay plate/tray or sample receiving medium <NUM> may be moved beneath the processing device <NUM> to receive the sample, for example, in an assay well <NUM>.

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the egg lifting device <NUM> may include one or more sample receiving segments for receiving a sample from the egg <NUM> carried thereby, as shown in <FIG>. For example, the body <NUM> may be engaged with the track <NUM>, wherein the body <NUM> defines a receptacle <NUM> for receiving a sample. In some instances, a disposable well <NUM> may be provided. Still in other instances, a sample receiving medium <NUM>, such as filter paper, may be provided on the egg lifting device <NUM> for receiving a sample from the egg <NUM> carried thereby. In this regard, rather than using multiple large assay trays, the egg lifting devices <NUM> may be used as an individual assay tray. To that end, the processing device <NUM> may extract a sample from the egg <NUM> and then deposit the sample onto the egg lifting device <NUM> such that each egg lifting device <NUM> carries a sample from the egg it holds. Thereafter, the egg lifting devices <NUM> may be moved to an assay station for assay processing steps (heating, denature, reagent dispense, etc.) and/or incubation. In this regard, no separate egg holding/assay station may be needed, and associated physical movement, control, and communication may be eliminated. In other instances, the sample carried by the egg lifting device <NUM> may be directly processed separately from the egg with respect to the assay, wherein, for example, a collimated lens is used to focus heat from a heat lamp onto each sample. Cooling of the sample may be implemented in a similar fashion directed toward the sample itself.

In some instances, the egg transport system <NUM> may be configured to sort eggs according to an identified characteristic determined for each egg. For example, each egg may be identified according to gender as being male, female, or unknown and sorted accordingly. As shown in <FIG>, each track <NUM> may include a plurality of branches for directing eggs <NUM> along varying routes according to an identified characteristic such as gender. The tracking identifier <NUM> may be used to determine which branch each egg <NUM> should follow. That is, after the egg <NUM> is determined to have a characteristic it is tracked through the system <NUM> with such information. As shown in <FIG>, the egg lifting devices <NUM> and respective eggs <NUM> may be routed to a first branch <NUM> for female-identified eggs, a second branch <NUM> for male-identified eggs, or a third branch <NUM> for unknown eggs (male/female not determined) for appropriate processing. As shown in <FIG>, the first branch <NUM> of each track <NUM> may transport the female eggs to a first processing station <NUM> (e.g., egg injection station), while the second branch <NUM> of each track <NUM> may transport the male-identified eggs to a second processing station <NUM> (e.g., egg injection station). In some instances, unknown eggs may be re-routed through the system for additional analysis in determining the characteristic of interest.

Claim 1:
An egg lifting device (<NUM>), comprising:
a body (<NUM>);
a securing arrangement (<NUM>) extending from the body (<NUM>), the securing arrangement (<NUM>) being formed of deflecting means or deflective members which deflect about the egg and along the contours thereof as the securing arrangement (<NUM>) advances or descends onto the egg, wherein the egg is secured within the securing arrangement (<NUM>) without mechanical actuation of the deflecting means or deflective members to grasp the egg for lifting thereof, the securing arrangement (<NUM>) being formed of a plurality of resilient members (<NUM>) cooperating to form an open-ended arrangement through which the egg is capable of being received;
characterized in that each resilient member (<NUM>) is formed of a shape-memory material or a super-elastic material, arranged and cooperating to form the open-ended arrangement through which the egg is capable of being received, and further wherein the resilient members (<NUM>) comprise at least three wire loops forming a pliant wire structure in which to seat or secure the egg.