Methods and apparatus for selectively processing eggs having identified characteristics

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for processing eggs based upon a characteristic such as gender are provided. Material is extracted from each of a plurality of live eggs, the extracted material is assayed to identify eggs having the characteristic, and then eggs identified as having the characteristic are processed accordingly.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of processing avian eggs having an identified characteristic, comprising:
 automatically conveying a plurality of eggs to a classifier;   identifying live avian eggs among the eggs using the classifier,   automatically extracting material from the eggs identified as live eggs using a sampling apparatus;   transferring the extracted material from the sampling apparatus to an assaying station; and   assaying the material extracted from each live avian egg using the assaying station to identify eggs having a characteristic.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of selectively processing eggs identified as having the characteristic. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein automatically extracting material from the eggs identified as live eggs comprises extracting material selected from the group consisting of amnion, shell, tissue, membrane and blood. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein transferring the extracted material from the sampling apparatus to an assaying station further comprises:
 automatically positioning a sample template proximate to the sampling apparatus to receive the extracted material therefrom;   automatically dispensing the extracted material from the sampling apparatus onto the sample template; and   transferring the sample template to the assaying station.   
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein automatically dispensing the extracted material from the sampling apparatus onto the sample template further comprises automatically dispensing the extracted material from the sampling apparatus onto a sample tray. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein automatically dispensing the extracted material from the sampling apparatus onto the sample tray further comprises automatically dispensing the extracted material from the sampling apparatus into respective sample receptacles of the sample tray. 
     
     
         7 . An egg processing system, comprising:
 a conveyor system configured to convey a plurality of eggs;   a classifier configured to identify live avian eggs among the eggs being conveyed;   a sampling apparatus configured to extract material from the eggs identified as live avian eggs by the classifier;   an assaying station in communication with the sampling apparatus and configured to assay the material extracted from each live avian egg so as to identify eggs having a characteristic.   
     
     
         8 . The egg processing system of  claim 7 , further comprising a treatment station configured to treat selected live avian eggs based upon the identified characteristic. 
     
     
         9 . The egg processing system of  claim 7 , further comprising a sorting station configured to sort the live avian eggs based upon the identified characteristic. 
     
     
         10 . The egg processing system of  claim 7 , wherein the sampling apparatus is further configured to deposit the extracted material onto a sample template. 
     
     
         11 . The egg processing system of  claim 10 , wherein the sample template comprises a sample tray having a plurality of sample receptacles. 
     
     
         12 . The egg processing system of  claim 7 , further comprising a sample tray handling system configured to position a sample template proximate to the sampling apparatus for receiving the extracted material therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . The egg processing system according to  claim 12 , wherein the sample tray handling system is further configured to transfer the sample template to the assaying station. 
     
     
         14 . The egg processing system according to  claim 12 , wherein the sample tray handling system is further configured to receive a plurality of discrete sample templates for processing.