Apparatus for continuous high speed loading of chicks into handling trays

摘要

An apparatus for continuous high speed loading of chicks into handling trays positioned therebelow which includes two conveyors positioned above one another. The upper conveyor carries chicks thereon divided into a plurality of rows such as three or four rows and the lower conveyor carries trays adapted to receive a given number of chicks within each tray such as one hundred count per tray. The lower conveyor periodically advances each tray one station to move through a first and second loading station located immediately beneath the end of the continuously moving chick supply conveyor. A deflector assembly is positioned adjacent the output end of the chick conveyor which includes a plurality of diverters each associated with one of the rows of chicks being carried upon the chick conveyor for guiding thereof into the handling tray therebelow positioned in either the first or second tray loading position. A counter is included for determining the number of chicks being loaded. The controller is operative to move the individual diverters sequentially between two diverter positions with one position allowing the chicks to be loaded in the tray in the first tray position and the second diverter positioned allowing chicks to be loaded in the tray located in the second tray position. Full operative control of the diverter position based upon the information received from the counters is supplied to the controller for monitoring operation of the system.