Washing eggs

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for washing eggs, wherein the eggs are conveyed by an endless roller conveyor in conveying direction T, wherein the roller conveyor is transmissive to a washing fluid, wherein the roller conveyor passes said apparatus, and wherein, all eggs are sprayed, by a washing fluid sprayer, with a washing fluid with substantially the same composition for all passing eggs, wherein the washing fluid sprayer comprises at least two sprayer units arranged above the conveyor in conveying direction, wherein a well-defined flow of washing fluid is set against the conveying direction onto the eggs, namely via the said at least first unit, and then, after collection and supply of said washing fluid of the said well-defined flow, to the at least second unit onto eggs following in upstream direction. With such an apparatus, a well-settable and controllable fluid flow is obtained.

1 . An apparatus for washing eggs, wherein the apparatus is provided with:
 an endless roller conveyor, which extends in a conveying direction and which, in use, conveys the eggs in the conveying direction;   at least two sprayer units, arranged above the roller conveyor, in succession, viewed in the conveying direction, each provided with a fluid supply opening for, in use, supplying washing fluid to the respective sprayer unit,   
     wherein the roller conveyor is transmissive to washing fluid, wherein, under each sprayer unit, a washing fluid collector corresponding therewith is arranged, wherein each washing fluid collector is provided with a discharge opening, wherein, apart from the washing fluid collector farthest upstream, the discharge opening of each washing fluid collector is in fluid communication with the fluid supply opening of a sprayer unit which, viewed in the conveying direction, is directly upstream of the sprayer unit corresponding with the respective washing fluid collector. 
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for washing eggs, wherein the eggs are conveyed with an endless roller conveyor in conveying direction T, wherein the roller conveyor is transmissive to a washing fluid, wherein the roller conveyor passes the said apparatus, and wherein all eggs are sprayed by a washing fluid sprayer with washing fluid with substantially the same composition for all passing eggs,
 characterized in that   the washing fluid sprayer comprises at least two sprayer units provided above the conveyor in the conveying direction, wherein a well-defined flow of washing fluid is set against the conveying direction onto the eggs, namely via the said at least first unit, and then, after collection and supply of said washing fluid of the said well-defined flow, to the at least second unit onto eggs following in upstream direction.   
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the fluid supply opening of the sprayer unit farthest downstream, viewed in conveying direction, is connected to a source of fresh washing fluid. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the apparatus comprises n sprayer units, n being a natural number greater than 2, wherein by sprayer unit k washing fluid is reused substantially coming from the downstream sprayer unit (k+1). 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein in each fluid communication between a discharge opening and a sprayer unit a washing fluid pump is arranged. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the fluid supply opening of the sprayer unit farthest downstream, viewed in conveying direction, is connected to a source of fresh washing fluid. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the apparatus comprises n sprayer units, n being a natural number greater than 2, wherein by sprayer unit k washing fluid is reused substantially coming from the downstream sprayer unit (k+1).