| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090000554 | Methods and apparatus for delivering multiple substances in ovo - In ovo injection methods and apparatus are provided wherein multiple substances, particularly incompatible substances such as oil-based and aqueous-based substances, can be injected without reducing efficacy of the substances and without requiring complex mechanical injection devices. Injection of multiple substances may occur simultaneously or sequentially. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090004047 | Air Supply Apparatus - In an air sterilization system that includes a UV kill chamber for sterilizing air that is to be supplied to users, the effectiveness of killing or neutralizing pathogens is increased by including not only a UV light source of a certain intensity but also including a particle filter and providing short duration high intensity UV radiation. In the case of a user specific system that includes a face mask to supply air to a specific user, exhaled air from the face mask may be sterilized as well, either by using the same kill chamber or by using a separate kill chamber. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090078205 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING WHETHER EGGS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM AN EGG CARRIER - Methods and apparatus are provided that automatically determine whether or not eggs designated for removal from an egg carrier have been removed by an egg removal apparatus. Light is emitted along a path above and across an egg carrier. An egg picker is moved from a first location overlying the carrier to a second location in contacting relationship with an egg in the carrier and back towards the first location, and is configured to engage the egg when in the second location and remove the egg from the carrier when moved from the second location towards the first location. The length of time that the light path is blocked when the egg picker is moved from the first location to the second location and back towards the first location is measured. A signal that indicates whether or not the egg has been removed from the carrier based on the length of time the light path is blocked is generated. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090091742 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CANDLING EGGS VIA EMBRYO HEARTBEAT DETECTION - An apparatus for candling eggs includes a waterproof housing having a free end, a light source configured to emit light from the housing free end and illuminate an egg positioned adjacent to the housing free end, and a photodetector that generates an output signal corresponding to intensity of light from the light source leaving the egg. The photodetector is shielded from external light and from direct light from the light source. The light source and photodetector are disposed within the waterproof housing, and a replaceable bumper is removably secured to the housing free end. The bumper is configured to engage an egg in contacting relation therewith, and to shield the photodetector from external light and from direct light from the light source. A processor processes output signals from the photodetector to identify cyclical variations in light intensity and/or non-cyclical variations in light intensity. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090091743 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CANDLING EGGS VIA EMBRYO HEARTBEAT DETECTION - An apparatus for candling eggs includes a waterproof housing having a free end, a light source configured to emit visible light from the housing free end and illuminate an egg positioned adjacent to the housing free end, and a photodetector that generates an output signal corresponding to intensity of light from the light source leaving the egg. The photodetector is shielded from external light and from direct light from the light source. The light source and photodetector are disposed within the waterproof housing, and a replaceable bumper is removably secured to the housing free end. The bumper is configured to engage an egg in contacting relation therewith, and to shield the photodetector from external light and from direct light from the light source. A processor processes output signals from the photodetector to identify cyclical variations in light intensity and/or non-cyclical variations in light intensity. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090099968 | MUSIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS - Music is blanket transmitted to each customer's computer-based user station. Customers preselect from a list of available music in advance using an interactive screen selector, and pay only for music that they choose to have recorded for unlimited playback. An antipiracy “ID tag” is woven into the recorded music so that any illegal copies therefrom may be traced to the purchase transaction. Music is transmitted on a fixed schedule or through an active scheduling process that monitors music requests from all or a subset of satellite receivers and adjust scheduling according to demand for various CD's. In those instances where transmission interruptions result in data loss, the system downloads the next transmission of the requested CD and uses both transmissions to produce a “good copy”. In conjunction to the blanket transmission, an automated CD manufacturing facility may be provided to manufacture CD's and distribute them by ground transportation. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090291096 | Methods and Apparatus for Selectively Processing Eggs Having Identified Characteristics - 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. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090314691 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE PERFORMANCE OF AUTOMATED EGG REMOVAL - Methods and apparatus are provided that automatically determine whether or not eggs designated for removal from an egg carrier have been removed by an egg removal apparatus. Light is emitted along a path above and across an egg carrier as an egg picker moves to pick up an egg. The length of time that the light path is blocked when the egg picker is moved is measured and used to determine whether or not the egg has been removed from the carrier. Another apparatus and method is provided for detecting a malfunctioning egg picker. A detection device detects a number of eggs in the egg carrier. A control device monitors the egg picker and the detection device. The control device calculates the number of eggs in the egg carrier for determining when the number of eggs varies a predetermined amount from an egg count number for the egg carrier. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100002225 | Methods and Apparatus for Maintaining Effective Operation of Apparatus for Candling Avian Eggs - Egg candling methods and apparatus are provided wherein the optical path between a light source and light detector is monitored for obscuring debris and/or malfunctions. A method of candling eggs includes illuminating an egg with light from a light source; receiving light passing through the egg at a light detector; generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at the light detector for the egg; and analyzing the output signal to determine whether the optical path between the light source and light detector has been altered. In response to determining that a respective optical path has been altered, the light source and/or light detector is cleaned and/or inspected for malfunctions. Cleaning the light source and/or light detector may include wiping a surface of the light source and/or light detector and/or spraying a surface of the light source and/or light detector with a fluid. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100080110 | High Capacity Digital Data Storage By Transmission of Radiant Energy Through Arrays of Small Diameter Holes - A method and apparatus for reading a storage medium is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of emitters configured to emit a radiant energy at a predetermined optical wavelength, a plurality of detectors configured to detect the radiant energy at the predetermined optical wavelength, and a storage medium holder configured to hold the storage medium between the plurality of emitters and the plurality of detectors. A first detector is configured to detect radiant energy which is emitted by a first emitter through data holes of a first track of the storage medium, and a second detector is configured to detect radiant energy which is emitted by a second emitter through data holes of a second track of the storage medium. | 04-01-2010 |
