Patent ID: 7718423

Claim:
An incubator for observation by microscope comprising: an upwardly water tank unit including a container-accommodating portion in which a specimen container is placed removably at the central portion thereof and a water reservoir disposed around the container-accommodating portion; a lid for covering the upper end of the unit; a heater for heating the specimen container and the unit; and a means for supplying gas into an incubation space defined by the unit and the lid; wherein: each of the unit and the lid have, at the central portion thereof, a light ray transmitting portion for transmitting light rays upwardly or downwardly therethrough; the heater is of a plate type heating the container from the bottom thereof, and the heater is also provided with a light ray transmitting portion at the position corresponding to those provided on the unit and the lid; the heater has a laminate comprising upper and lower plates and a heating element interposed therebetween, a top plate disposed above the upper plate with a space from the upper plate, and a frame for supporting the laminate and the top plate; and the top plate is isolated from the upper plate of the laminate and no surface of the top plate directly contacts any surface of the upper plate.