Year: 1897

page_text: Figs. 3 and 4 full size drawings of lever and heat regulator.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
The incubator consists of a comparatively shallow box, standing upon legs, the
floor of which has a central opening a, a for the entrance of air and heat, the latter
being supplied by a suitable lamp L placed underneath having a perforated zinc
chimney. M with two small holes n placed opposite each other so as to gauge the
height of the flame. From the central opening a, a, a chimney or flue a¹ ascends and
around its upper end is arranged a circular tank b for water. The box has a
perforated zinc false floor higher than the bottom of the box slanting downwards
towards the centre where it ends about one inch from the chimney and is raised half
an inch. A perforated zinc barrier d' separates it from the chimney and the space, d,
between is loosely filled with cotton wool. The false floor is circularly ribbed to
prevent the eggs rolling and is covered with some material on which they lie. A
series of air holes, x, x, are bored round the sides to admit air under the false
floor.
The false floor is raised on narrow boards passing from the corners and sides
towards the centre. The box is divided into four compartments by perforated zinc
walls passing from corners towards the centre. There is a hole k in front for the
thermometer. The box has a hinged lid, consisting of an outer frame E, E, enclosing
a plate of tin F, F, which has a central opening C for the escape of superflous heat.
A jointed lever o carrying a valve cap c is arranged diagonally so that the valve
covers the opening, and the jointed end is at one corner. The lever rests on the
conical point of the adjusting screw S, a piece of glass or delf ware kil intervening.
This screw has a stellate head S' and works in a box U. This box passes through a
hole in the lid and is fixed below to the heat regulator, Fig. 3, the whole being fixed
to the under surface of the lid by a frame P.
The heat regulator consists of two circular discs of very thin brass having two
shallow circular undulations Fig. 4, and each having a small cap; one having a small
hole for introducing a few drops of ether which is afterwards hermetically sealed..
The incubator acts as follows:-The water tank being filled and the lamp lit, the
heat passes through the flue and over the water to the eggs, conveying to them heat
and moisture; air being supplied through the false bottom and also through the flue.
The heated ether expands its metallic case and so raises the valve through the
adjusting screw, the heat being regulated by it to the proper temperature by turning
the screw to the right or left.

page_text: I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise
details of construction herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings, but that I hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as
fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. The improved incubator as herein before described and illustrated.
2. The perforated false floor with ventilating holes for air.
3. Division of the incubator into compartments.
4. Chimney or flue arranged with circular water tank.
5. Heat regulating apparatus consisting of a metallic ether case with arrangement
of adjusting screw and lever, all as herein substantially as described and illustrated.
This 10th
Ր T
1007
GEO. WHYTE.