Improvements in Germinating Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Germinating Apparatus.
I, HERMANN STOCK, of 54, Bahnstrasse, Wittenberg-on-the-Elbe, Germany,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention has for its object to provide an apparatus whereby the germi-
nating capabilities possessed by barley, wheat, and other grain and seeds may be
ascertained.
An apparatus constructed according to my invention is illustrated in the
annexed drawings, and for convenience of description I will proceed to describe my
invention with reference to such drawings in which
Figure 1 represents said apparatus in sectional elevation, and Figure 2 in cross
section (the section being taken on the line X X Figure 1).
In the drawings, A is a liquid container or tank which is heated by a lamp
or other flame. B is the germinating chamber, attached to the lid C of the tank A,
such lid being provided with a central opening a. Covering the opening a is the
dome D, in which is inserted the thermometer E reaching into the heating liquid
in A. The germinating chamber B is constructed of porous clay in order that the
humidity of the tank A may penetrate to the grain; and its floor is, in the example
illustrated, divided into five spaces, each containing an equal number of cavities,
for the reception of seeds. The central hole b through which the thermometer
passes sufficiently large to allow the steam or humidity of the tank A to pass up
into the chamber B. The chamber B is held up to the cover C by the pins c and
locking caps d. The edge of the opening a is flanged upwards to prevent the
moisture condensed in the dome D from finding its way into B, and the cover C
and dome B are provided with holes e and for the entry of dry air and exit of
steam. On the upper part of the tank A are provided pins i, i, which upon the
cover c being put on, enter the oblique slots k, k, in the same, so that by turning the
lid or cover to the left or right, the lid and with it the germinating chamber B will
be raised or lowered upon the tank A. The dome D should be formed of blue
tinted glass in order to prevent the entry of the rays of light which are injurious
to growth.
In operation, the seeds to be examined, after having been steeped in a
steeping and heating glass containing water at 15° to 20° centigrade for 12 to
16 hours, the water is poured off and the seeds placed singly by means of tweezers,
into the cavities of the floor of the germinating chamber, which has been
attached to the lid c. As soon as all the cavities are provided with seeds-and it
may here be noted that each of the five spaces into which the floor is divided may
contain a different variety of seed-the cover C with the germinating chamber B
is placed on the tank A, which has been filled to a certain height with liquid
heated to 15° centigrade, and by turning the cover C upon the pins i, i, the
germinating chamber is adjusted so that its bottom just rests upon the surface of
the liquid in A, which state may be ascertained through the hole b. The
germinating chamber is then closed by the dome D, and the thermometer E is
inserted. The lamp or other burner under the tank A is then lighted, and by
increasing or diminishing the flame the production of heat in A is regulated so that
the liquid therein is maintained at the desired temperature. When the level of
liquid in the tank A falls and the bottom of the chamber B becomes dry, the
chamber is again lowered into the liquid, by revolving the cover C upon the pins ii,
so that it may absorb more humidity, and, vice versa, should the germinating
chamber be too damp it is raised out of the liquid by revolving the cover in the
D 021

page_text: After
reverse direction. By means of the heat developed in the apparatus, a circulation
of air is set up, cool dry air entering at e and after mingling with the steam or
humidity of the tank A passes out of the apparatus at in the dome D.
treatment for the space of 24 hours, development of the germ in, say barley, takes
place, and after another 24 hours treatment there will be a sprout of about 2 inches
in length, if there has been sufficient heat developed in the apparatus.
By removing the glass dome D access is easily had to the interior of the apparatus
for the purpose of ascertaining how many grains have sprouted.
One of the advantages of the apparatus above described is the possibility of
exactly regulating the humidity of the germinating chamber bottom and the heat
within the germinating chamber itself.
It may be here stated that although I have described the germinating chamber B
and the cover C as attached to one another, and that the regulation of the humidity
of the chamber is effected by revolving the cover C, the cover C may be fixed,
and the chamber B capable of being revolved therein for this purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature, of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In a germinating apparatus wherein a germinating chamber formed of porous
clay or similar material is used, the arrangement of such chamber so that it can be
raised or lowered in such a manner that it may according to requirements be
immersed to a lesser or greater extent or for a longer or shorter period in
a heated liquid bath, while the apparatus remains closed; also the provision in
such a germinating apparatus of apertures at different levels whereby a current
of air is caused to pass through such apparatus for the purpose of effecting the
regulation of the degree of humidity present in the apparatus independently
of the regulation of the degree of heat present therein, and for the introduction of
the required amount of oxygen to the seeds during the germination; all
substantially as and for the purposes described with reference to the drawings
hereto annexed.
Dated this 16th day of November 1892.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.