Embrex, Inc.

Phillip N Strayer

Edward W Gross

Sean Bryan

In ovo injection apparatus include an egg carrier configured to hold a plurality of eggs and to provide external access to the eggs, a plurality of injection devices positioned above the carrier, and an egg support assembly positioned beneath the carrier that is configured to support each egg in the carrier during contact therewith by a respective injection device. The egg support assembly includes a frame, a plate having an array of openings attached to the frame, and a plurality of pedestals removably secured within a respective one of the openings. The egg support assembly is operatively associated with the plurality of injection devices such that each pedestal moves upwardly through a respective opening in the carrier to support an egg as a respective injection device makes contact with the egg.

Methods and apparatus for supporting eggs during in ovo injection

An egg transfer apparatus is configured to distribute eggs substantially evenly with reduced breakage on a moving conveyor. The egg transfer apparatus includes a conveyor having opposite first and second ends, a pair of elongated members that extend along the direction of travel of the conveyor between the conveyor first and second ends, and a plurality of spaced-apart, diverging guides positioned downstream from the elongated members. Each elongated member includes opposite first and second end portions. The first end portions of the elongated members are in generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship, and the second end portions have an arcuate configuration and converge to define an opening therebetween through which eggs on the conveyor are conveyed. The diverging guides are positioned downstream from the opening and cause the eggs passing through the opening to be generally evenly distributed at the conveyor second end.

Egg transfer apparatus with converging-diverging guides that facilitate even distribution of eggs on a moving conveyor

An egg transfer apparatus is configured to distribute eggs substantially evenly with reduced breakage on a moving conveyor. The egg transfer apparatus includes a conveyor having opposite first and second ends and a plurality of elongated, flexible guides extending between the conveyor first and second ends in adjacent, spaced apart relationship with each other. The guides define a plurality of channels that are configured to evenly distribute eggs placed on the conveyor. The guides are elevated above the conveyor by an amount that decreases in a direction towards the conveyor second end. In addition, the guides converge toward the conveyor second end.

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Apex, NC, United States of America

Phillip N Strayer