Apparatus for harvesting egg fluid, and associated method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11085028-B2
Application number	US-201916535556-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 8, 2019
Priority date	Jan 26, 2015
Publication date	Aug 10, 2021
Grant date	Aug 10, 2021

Abstract

A harvesting apparatus adapted to harvest egg fluid from an avian egg is provided. Such an apparatus includes a frame. A harvesting assembly is operably engaged with the frame. The harvesting assembly includes a plurality of nozzles configured to remove egg fluid from an egg. The nozzles are configured to rotate from a vertically off-axis angled position toward a vertical position. A suction assembly is in fluid communication with the nozzles for harvesting egg fluid from an egg. An associated method is also provided.

First claim

That which is claimed:

1. A method of harvesting egg fluid from an avian egg, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of de-capped avian eggs to a harvesting apparatus comprising a harvesting assembly having a plurality of nozzles;
positioning the avian eggs beneath the harvesting assembly such that each de-capped avian egg is positioned beneath a respective nozzle, each nozzle being angled vertically off-axis;
positioning the nozzles within the de-capped avian eggs at an angle vertically off-axis;
rotating the nozzles within the eggs toward a vertical position; and
suctioning egg fluid from the de-capped avian through the nozzles.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the nozzles are angled vertically off-axis at between about 8 degrees and about 12 degrees.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the harvesting assembly comprises a nozzle holder assembly having a plurality of nozzle holders with which the nozzles are operably engaged, the nozzle holders being operably engaged with and freely rotatable with respect to a nozzle holder frame such that the nozzles are capable of corresponding rotation with the nozzle holders.

4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the harvesting assembly includes a stationary guide frame defining a plurality of guideways, and further wherein the nozzle holders each include laterally extending portions projecting from opposing ends thereof and configured to operate in the guideways.

5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein the guideways comprise arcuate grooves configured to facilitate rotational movement of the nozzle holders and nozzles as the nozzle holder assembly descends and ascends.

6. A method according to claim 4 , further comprising an actuator configured to move the nozzle holder assembly vertically so as to facilitate rotation of the nozzle holders and nozzles.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the nozzles each have a cylindrical body defining a plurality of holes through which egg fluid enters an interior of the nozzle during removal of egg fluid from an egg.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein positioning the nozzles within the de-capped avian eggs at an angle vertically off-axis comprises lowering the nozzles to enter the de-capped avian eggs at an angle vertically off-axis.

Assignees

• Zoetis Services Llc

Inventors

• Federowicz Joseph
• Pallay Louis

Classifications

• A01K45/007 Primary

  Injecting or otherwise treating hatching eggs · CPC title

• C12M33/04

  by injection or suction, e.g. using pipettes, syringes, needles (pipettes in general B01L3/02) · CPC title

• C12M21/10

  adapted for the cultivation of avian eggs or in avian eggs, e.g. for vaccine production · CPC title

• C12N7/00 Primary

  Viruses; Bacteriophages; Compositions thereof; Preparation or purification thereof (preparing medicinal viral antigen or antibody compositions, e.g. virus vaccines, A61K39/00) · CPC title

• C12N2760/16052

  relating to complementing cells and packaging systems for producing virus or viral particles · CPC title