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Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 25 July 1934, Page 13

An ingenious egg grader suitable for use by producers or in stores was demonstrated by Mr P. B. Stevens at last evening’s meeting of the Wools ton branch of the New Zealand Poultry Producers’ Federation. The grader, which was invented and has been patented by Mr Stevens, was said by him to be able to deal with thirty or forty eggs a minute. The action is simple, consisting of a runway’ over a piece of glass under which is a strong electric light bulb. The egg stops over the light to be “candled” for blemishes and then is moved on to sensitive scales which, when pressed down by the egg, make contact and light up a small bulb working off a dry battery. This bulb can be set to light up at any specified weight. The figure used in last evening’s demonstration was 2oz, anything under that weight failing to affect the bulb. From the scales the eggs are placed in two runways, one for those of the correct weight or over and the other for those under the weight. Blemished eggs, of course, are not tested further after exposure by “candling.” The whole apparatus is compact and power for the “candling” bulb can be supplied through flex attached to an electric light socket.