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Moba egg grading,
packing and processing machines are packed with technology. Some designs are
worth further investigation as they represent crucial customer value. In this
series of articles, we will be zooming in on these "hidden gems."
What if you could remove dirty and leaking eggs early in the grading process?
This would make it possible to keep dirty eggs on one side of the plant,
reducing egg movement and thereby minimizing the risks of cross-contamination.
Moba has made this possible with the development of the Multi Outlet system.
'How can I ensure that my eggs are safe to eat?' It is the question that is constantly on the mind of egg producers all around the globe. To produce safe, high-quality eggs, the eggs must be handled by clean equipment and in a clean facility. An important aspect to achieve this is that the design of your production facility must have a clear product flow. In the case of an egg grading facility, this means that on one side of the plant, ungraded eggs come in, and on the other side, the perfect graded products come out, and (transport) routes of people, packing materials, pallets, forklifts and conveyors should never pose a risk of bacterial contamination of good products through dirty tools, materials, hands or machine parts.
Especially in configurations with egg washers and dryers, we see a need to remove dirty eggs as soon as possible and return those eggs to the washer for a second washing run. None of the traditional methods have allowed separation at an early stage in the process, meaning that the eggs travel further on the infeed, through the dryer and toward a dedicated packing lane or even the end conveyor of the machine. This means that the eggs are transported in big loops (see the image below).
With this traditional method, many parts of the grader, e.g. rollers, pose risks of transferring bacteria from one egg to the next. That is why it is paramount to remove dirty and leaking eggs as early in the process as possible. Moba has found the solution in the Multi Outlet system, which uses a short loop, even when using a high-capacity Omnia PX700 grader, to enable a clear separation between the wash and rewash section and the clean egg area around the grader.
Orientator
The Multi Outlet system is primarily designed for infeed systems with an integrated washer and dryer, known as the 'split washing/drying configuration.'
Of course, machines without integrated egg washers and dryers are also suitable for this setup in which predetermined eggs (according to the settings of the Egg inspector) are sent to this Multi Outlet for possible further processing steps (think of standalone washers or packing equipment).
The eggs are transported toward the Orientator with Multi Outlet functionality. Then the following steps take place:
1. First, the eggs are transported on a separate roller section and are then subjected to an automated camera inspection that thoroughly checks each egg for leaks and dirt.
2. At this stage, the leaking eggs are directly rejected before they can come into contact with any other surfaces. The leaking eggs drop into a bin and are removed from the machine. The grader can be equipped with an automated system for the collection of these eggs, such as an auger or pump system.
3. The dirty eggs are removed by a series of soft plastic flaps, which handle the eggs gently. These flaps, unlike brushes used to catch eggs, have a hygienic and easy-to-clean surface without crevices where bacteria could multiply.
4. The dirty eggs are then transferred to a conveyor that can be connected to a rewash return conveyor. After the second wash, the eggs return to the Multi Outlet, and once every spot has been cleaned, they can continue on their journey.
5. The eggs that pass the high-quality test of the Multi Outlet are then oriented and transferred to a dry roller section that carries only clean eggs to the downstream egg dryer, UV disinfection unit, crack detection unit and the actual grader.6. After production, the whole section can be cleaned with high-pressure water sprays. Sections two, three, and four can be retracted for easy access. An automated CIP system can also be used to clean and disinfect the two infeed roller sections.
In short: With this method, both leaking and dirty eggs can be separated and removed before touching the next roller section. It is even possible for the Multi Outlet to return the dirty eggs on a conveyor that brings them back to the accumulator to be rewashed. This approach minimizes the area of the machine that could be contaminated by leaking and dirty eggs and makes it possible to make a clear distinction between 'clean' and 'dirty' areas, enhancing food safety.
Next step
The Multi Outlet system removes leaking and dirty eggs as early as possible — but can we increase efficiency by enhancing the egg washing results? Especially as nowadays incoming eggs are often even dirtier due to different cage standards. As Moba is always looking for ways to improve, we designed an innovative solution that ensures the best egg-washing results. In cooperation with Kuhl, Moba has developed the Egg wash extender. By adding this piece of innovative technology to your operation, you can increase the egg washing time by two minutes, which enhances the result of the wash. Keep a close eye on our website as we will share more information about the Egg wash extender in 2023.
Curious about what the Multi Outlet system can do for your operation? Don't hesitate to contact your local Moba sales representative for more information.