Patent Application
20170181413
The present invention relates to an egg incubator, and more particularly, to an egg incubator with a highly controlled and maintained environment conducive to high production of hatched eggs.
Incubation of eggs is popular with poultry hobbyists and hobby farmers. Typically, up to fifty eggs are incubated at one time in a table top incubator. Prior art examples of such incubators are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,148,773; Des. 381,432; 5,690,055; 7,618,808; Des. 637,292; 7,966,972 and 7,950,350.
Such incubators require set up of a thermometer viewable within the incubator in an attempt to estimate the temperature of the eggs. Next the heating element needs to be turned on and regulated for a duration until an ideal temperature is reached and maintainable at that temperature over the duration of the incubation period. Temperature fluctuations are greatly undesirable during hatching. Incubating eggs with live embryos also produce their own heat later during their incubation period. The greater numbers of eggs in the incubator means more heat is generated by the eggs themselves all of which must be taken into consideration in moderating the temperature within the incubator. Humidity control is also crucial so that the eggs do not dry out during their incubation period which might range between 14 and 37 days depending upon the species of eggs that are being incubated, Chickens take 21 days of incubation for a typical hatch. Fresh air with oxygen is also critical to the hatching process as to not suffocate the growing embryos.
Incubators of the prior art of the table top type are often bulky. They may be of a cylindrical shape and often quite tall. They are not easily collapsed for easy space saving shipping and storage. They may generally operate on 120 volts. Exposed heating and fan components within the incubator may be very hot if touched as to burn a person operating the incubator.
There is a need for an egg incubator that will offer a highly controlled and maintained environment conducive to high production of hatched eggs. The observation of the temperature and humidity should be readily viewable. The temperature within the incubator should be taken from the top of the eggs. The regulation of the temperature, once set to desired degrees, should be automatic. The temperature and air flow should he even throughout the interior of the incubator. The addition of water to add humidity should be simple without fully opening the incubator and subjecting the eggs to a significant temperature fluctuation. The incubator should be collapsible to a compact size for storage or shipping. The heating element and the fan should not get excessively hot as to burn the operator if accidently touched.
An insulated egg incubator having a base pan with a bottom into which eggs are placed for incubation until hatching. Water channels are evenly disbursed in the bottom of the base pan for adding water and humidity to the incubator. A plastic molded screen is located in the base pan above the water channels to support the eggs. A top lid of a smaller dimension than the base pan is provided for completely nesting upside down into the base pan for shipping of the incubator. A window is in the top lid for viewing within the incubator. An insulated heater with a plastic fan assembly is mounted to the inside of the top lid. A digital control unit is mounted in the top lid with a rectifier connected to and controlling the on-off modes of the heater and the fan. A thermistor is provided inside the top lid and connected to the control unit placeable on the eggs for displaying the temperature within the incubator at the top of the eggs and inputting temperature readings to the control unit for operation of the heater. A humidity sensor is located inside the top lid and connected to the control unit for displaying the humidity within the incubator. A power cord with a plug is provided for connection and supply of electrical power to the control unit.
A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it will offer a highly controlled and maintained environment conducive to high production of hatched eggs.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the temperature and humidity is readily viewable when near the incubator.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the temperature within the incubator is taken and monitored from the top of the eggs.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that, after the desired temperature is set, the temperature is maintained constant within 1.75° Fahrenheit (F) of the temperature set point.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that temperature and air flow is even throughout the interior of the incubator.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that adding water to add humidity is simple without fully opening the incubator and subjecting the eggs to a significant temperature fluctuation.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the incubator is collapsible to a compact size for storage and shipping.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the heating element and the fan should will not get excessively hot as to burn the operator if accidently touched,
Referring to
The incubator 20 is shipped and may be stored in a box 10 in a very compact condition (
The lid 30 has small vent holes 32 therethrough and large vent holes 34 suitably fit with plugs 36 which are not needed in the early stages of incubation, The lid 30 has two plastic windows 38 for viewing of the interior of the incubator 20 during operation. A recess 42 is in the lid 30 for flush mounting of the control unit 50 with fasteners 80. Outer flange 42 cooperates with base pan 130 lid ledge 152 to easily align lid 30 with base pan 130 for a sealed arrangement during operation and for nesting for compact storage or shipping. Handles 44 are provided for lifting the lid 30 off of the base pan 130. A cord recess 46 is provided is provided in case the operator wishes to add an electric egg turner into the incubator 20.
Base pan 130 has a bottom 132 with a series of small vent holes 134 to cooperate with the lid vent holes 32 and 34 as to provide ventilation and oxygen to the incubating eggs 15. Six water channels 136 are evenly located in bottom 132 and evenly distributed and space across the entire bottom 132 of the base pan 130. These channels 136 are unique in that they may be filled with water 138 from the front side of the incubator 20 by simply lifting lid 30 slightly and moving it backwards a very short span to expose the channels 136 without completely removing the lid 30 from the base pan 130. A turkey baster works well for adding water 138. This arrangement assures that there is not a substantial temperature loss in the incubator 20 when filling the water channels 136.
The base pan 130 also has a screen ledge 140 for supporting plastic molded screen 150 along with bottom portions 132. The plastic screen advantageously has no sharp edges to cut the operator or the hatched chicks, is easily cleanable, as in a dish washer, and will not harbor bacteria. The lid ledge 152 is provided to provide support for the outer flange 42 of the lid 30 while the rim secures the lid 30 properly in place.
Air vents 32 and 134 allow air to pass through the incubator 20. Large air vents 34 maybe have plugs 36 removed late in the incubation when the embryos are producing heat. Water 138 is located in water channels 136 to provide humidity to the interior of the incubator 20 to assure that the eggs 15 do not dry out.
Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to a best mode embodiment thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the forgoing and various other changes, omissions, and additions in the form and detail thereof may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention of the claims below.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14540149 | Nov 2014 | US |
| Child | 15459123 | US |
