SEPARATOR DEVICE FOR SEPARATING DEBRIS FROM NEWLY HATCHED CHICKS

摘要

A separator device includes conveyor loop (300) extending in a conveyance direction (310), and including interlocking conveyor sections (320) each extending perpendicularly to the conveyance direction (310) and defining a width of the conveyor loop (300). The conveyor sections (320) interlock to form a substantially continuous planar surface (330), at least through a conveyance zone (340), and each conveyor section (320) defines perforations (350) extending therethrough. A suction hood (400) opposite the conveyance zone (340) and spaced apart from the planar surface (330), is arranged to impart a suction to the conveyance zone (340). A plenum (600) is disposed within the conveyor loop (300) and has a plenum outlet (610) disposed adjacent to the inner surface (360) of the conveyor loop (300) within the conveyance zone (340). The plenum (600) is arranged to cooperate with the conveyor loop (300) to direct air drawn by the suction through the perforations (350) of the conveyor sections (320) from the plenum outlet (610) to be substantially evenly distributed across the width of the conveyor loop (300).