Improvements in Artificial Nest Eggs, applicable also for Disinfecting purposes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1897-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Artificial Nest Eggs, applicable also for Disinfecting
purposes.
I, ARTHUR FREDERICK REGINALD DOBBIE (minor) Naturalist of 13, East
Hermitage Place, Leith, MidLothian, Scotland. 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 relates to improvements in artificial nest eggs, applicable also
for disinfecting purposes.
In accordance with my improvements I render the egg unbreakable by making
it of stamped out steel, or equivalent metal; or of celluloid, xylonite, pulp-ware
from paper or other unbreakable material, and a further improvement consists
in forming the egg with small perforations for the purpose of sprinkling the
nest with disinfectant powder as the egg is turned about in the nest by the bird...
The eggs may be perforated all over or only on the end portions as may be found
most desirable.
Also in connection with the said perforated unbreakable egg I may provide it
with a screwed or other stopper or flap or cover for the insertion of liquid on a
sponge or other absorbent, to hold a. liquid disinfectant.
A further improvement consists in forming the improved unbreakable egg in
two parts, socketed together to facilitate the insertion of the disinfectant material
and especially to facilitate the inserting of a sponge or other absorbent.
The one part may consist of a cap piece which is socketed over the other part
of the egg; or the two halves may be screwed together, or may be hinged trans-
versely or longitudinally the one half fitting over the other to keep the two halves
securely together. Or the two halves may be flanged together or secured in
any other convenient manner.
My said unbreakable egg may be enamelled and coloured white or other colour
and it may be made suitable for birds of all kinds.
My said improved egg instead of being used in the nest may be suspended in any
convenient manner when it is desired to be used simply as a disinfectant.
The accompanying sheet of drawings illustrates a few methods of carrying out
my invention Fig. 1 representing a metal egg the two halves A of which are
socketed together and permanently secured by soldering, brazing or otherwise.
Fig. 2 represents a similar egg partly perforated and socketed together but not
permanently secured so as to permit of the insertion of a disinfectant, the two
halves being held together by pressure.
Fig. 3 shews an egg having the two halves screwed together.
Figs. 4 and 5 are modifications of the construction of the socket portion described
with regard to Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 6 shews the method of securing the two halves of an egg together when
constructed of celluloid, xylonite or other similar material. B being a band of
similar material to that of which the egg is constructed placed around the adjoin-
ing edges of the two halves at the inside of the egg and solutioned or otherwise
secured thereto.

page_text: Fig. 7 shews the two halves of an egg hinged transversely and
Fig. 8 the two halves hinged longitudinally.
Fig. 9 represents an egg constructed after the manner shewn in Figs. 1 and 2
having a hook C or other similar means for retaining a sponge for liquid dis-
infectant therein, provided at the upper end with a tail c by which the egg can be
suspended when required.
The flaps or covers before referred to are secured in the same or similar manner
to the methods shewn for securing the two halves together and may be situated at
the end as indicated in dotted lines fig. 3 or in any other convenient position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The unbreakable nest egg constructed of metal celluloid or other like un-
breakable material, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the
accompanying drawings.
2. The unbreakable nest egg constructed of metal, celluloid or other like un-
breakable material, provided entirely or partly with perforations whereby a dis-
infectant can be sprinkled or diffused in the nest, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
3. The unbreakable nest egg constructed of metal, celluloid or other like un-
breakable material, made in two portions, socketed, screwed, hinged, flanged or
otherwise removably secured together, to facilitate the insertion of a powdered
disinfectant or an absorbent for liquid disinfectant, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
4. The unbreakable nest egg constructed of metal, celluloid or other like un-
breakable material, provided with a screwed, socketed or other stopper, flap or
cover, to facilitate the insertion of a powdered disinfectant or an absorbent for
liquid disinfectant, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the
accompanying drawings.―
Dated this 20th day of October 1897