An Appliance for Turning the Eggs in Incubators.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 14th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 23rd Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Appliance for Turning the Eggs in Incubators.
I, ARTHUR LANE Field Cottage Uplands Stroud, Gloucestershire Agent do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A piece of wire netting (the size of the mesh may vary, but is preferably about
half the thickness of the eggs to be hatched) is fastened all over one face of a frame
the shape of which may vary, but is preferably square, the size varying according to
the number of eggs it is required to be used for. Two at least of these frames, thus
fitted up, and similar, are required for any incubator however small.
They are used as follows-
One frame is placed, with the wire netting side downwards, on a table and the
eggs are then placed on the wire netting. This done, the other frame is placed, with
the netting side upwards, on the top, the netting resting on the eggs, the two frames
are then brought as close together as the eggs between them will allow without
breaking, and there fastened together by set screws, string-ties or other such means.
The Scantling of the two frames must not be of such a size that when the frames are
brought together they touch one another, they must approach one another, but not
quite touch, or the eggs will not be held firmly. The frames may now be held in any
position and the eggs will not shift. These two frames, which we may now designate
The Turner." thus filled with eggs are now placed in the egg chamber of the
incubator. When the time comes for turning the eggs, lift out the Turner and replace
it, but the side that was downwards, put upwards. The whole parcel of eggs is thus
turned at once and each one has altered its place in the egg chamber.
Data : L
ARTHUR LANE.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Appliance for Turning the Eggs in Incubators.
I ARTHUR LANE Field Cottage Uplands Stroud Gloucestershire Agent, 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 :-
My Invention has reference to the turning of the eggs in Incubators, which is
essential to successful hatching, by the appliance described as follows:-
A piece of wire netting (the size of the mesh may vary, but is preferably
about half the thickness of the eggs to be hatched) is fastened all over one face
of a frame. The shape of this frame may vary, being determined by the Incubator
with which it is to be used. The size of this frame will vary according to the
number of eggs it is required to be used for. Two at least of these frames, thus
fitted up, and similar are required for any Incubator-however small.
Figures 1 and la are representations of the pair of frames.
They are used thus-One frame is placed with the wire netting side downwards
on a table and the eggs are then placed on the wire netting. This done the other
frame is placed, the wire netting side upwards, on the top, the netting resting on the
eggs. The two frames are then brought as close together as the eggs between them
will allow without breaking, and then fastened together by means of set screws, tape
or string ties or other such means.
Figure 2 shows how the apparatus will now appear the method of fastening the
frames together not being shown. The scantling of the frames must not be of such a
size that when the frames are fastened together they touch or the eggs will not be
held firmly. They must be as shown in figure 3, which is in section. The frames

page_text: may now be held in any position and the eggs will not shift. These two frames,
which we may now designate the Turner, thus filled with eggs, are now placed in the
egg chamber of the Incubator. When the time comes for turning the eggs, lift out
the Turner and replace it, but, the side that was downwards put upwards. The whole
parcel of eggs is thus turned at once. As the heat in Incubators is generally not
quite of the same degree all over the area of the egg chamber it is desirable not only
to turn the eggs over, but, also to put them in another part of the chamber. My
Invention particularly adapts itself to this requirement, as I will explain. By simply
reversing the Turner the eggs occupy a different position. But further, and this more
particularly for large Incubators.-Instead of making one Turner of a size to fit the
whole area of the egg chamber, make as many Turners as desirable of a size inter-
changeable, but altogether equal to the whole area of the egg chamber. Then when
the eggs are turned, instead of putting each Turner down in the same place from
which it was taken put it in another place and the desired object is attained.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of any said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood
I do not confine myself to the precise details here described, as the same may be varied
without departing from the spirit of my Invention. But I claim
1. The securing a quantity of eggs between two wire nettings such as would
admit of a perfect circulation of the heated air through the meshes and around the
eggs, and which quantity of eggs can be all taken out of their place in the egg
chamber at one time and put in again at one time but on the reversed side and
without disturbing the eggs individually, substantially as described.
2. The method here described of changing the position of the eggs in the egg
chamber so as to bring them successively under the influence of the various degrees of
heat prevailing in different parts of the egg chamber.
Dated this Twelfth day of September 1889.
ARTHUR LANE.