Incubator Apparatus

The invention relates to a breeding and hatching apparatus (also known as an incubator for the brooding of eggs of any type to the hatching stage).

Incubator apparatus of various types and designs are known. The basic purpose of the present invention is to brood highly sensitive egg material with extremely precise temperature and air humidity in order to exceed the results of natural brooding. It is an important factor that the conditions in the entire brooding chamber are maintained, namely that temperature deviations are 0.3.degree. or less. A further characteristic is to prevent the dust which accumulates during the hatching stage of the animals or fowl from being distributed throughout the entire apparatus. All known apparatus have disadvantages in this regard.

The desired purposes are inventively attained by a breeding and hatching apparatus (incubator) having a substantially rectangular or square housing, in which one or more brooding trays are arranged therein one above the other at equal or adjustable distances from each other. It is preferable that one or more fans with heating sources be arranged such that the air path to all directions is approximately of the same size. Also the air must preferably be forcably guided so that same circulates around the egg material at an even speed, amount and temperature. This is achieved vertically or horizontally depending on the brooding chamber height and size. Horizontal air flow is preferable in brooding chambers under 40 cm. in height, since here the thermal lift is not yet as active and for that reason temperature differences would not occur. At greater heights, the fan or fans are preferably arranged centrally on top and the air is drawn automatically on both sides in equal sized channels downwardly in order to flow evenly upwardly through the egg trays equipped with gas-permeable bottom walls. During the hatching phase or stage of the animals or fowl, fine dust mixed with small hairs become prevalent. In order for these not to be distributed throughout the entire apparatus, a filter is arranged on the suction side of the fans. The filters simultaneously effect a small underpressure in the space between the filter and fan. Connections for humidification and for fresh air lead into the space. Further connections are provided on the pressure side of the fan or fans to positively enhance the air humidification process, namely at water temperatures of below 50.degree. C. over 80% air humidity, at approximately 37.8.degree. C. air temperature is achieved. Through the preferable circulation of fresh air in the region between the filter and the fan, an even distribution of fresh air occurs and also during cooling phases an evenly cool air flow occurs. The construction of the brooding and hatching trays with gas-permeable bottom walls are substantially known. Also it is possible to arrange the trays so that they can be tipped each to the left or right, this tipping being done manually or by a motor. Tipping and turning of the eggs is needed in order to prevent a sticking of the embryos to the inside surface of the eggs.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail hereinbelow in connection with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional front view of a breeding and rearing apparatus with a vertical air circulation;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AB in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of said breeding and rearing apparatus taken along the line CD in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line EF in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a breeding and hatching apparatus with a horizontal air circulation system and horizontally lying trays;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional front view of the same embodiment according to FIG. 5 with a tiltably supported tray system;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line GH in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along the line IJ in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hatching tray.

The breeding and hatching apparatus, also known as an incubator apparatus, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 has rectangular housings closed off on one side thereof by means of a door 1. The inside of the housing is divided off or compartmentalized by crosswalls or partitions 2 to form precise and uniform sized large side channels 3 for air circulation. Centrally and at the same distance from the side channels there are mounted one or more fans 4 with heating resistors. The fans circulate the warmed air. Portions of the partition walls 5 are sloped to enhance the flow of air around corners and the like.

The side channels 3 are, depending on whether the air is guided vertically or horizontally, open at the bottom or are provided with lateral air openings 6 through which the warmed air is evenly guided into a brooding chamber 7.

Plural trays 8 for eggs or the like are movably arranged as, for example, by tilting as shown in FIG. 6 in the brooding chamber 7. The bottom walls of the trays 8 and the support frames 9 are gas-permeable. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 the bottom walls can, as shown in FIG. 7, also be non gas-permeable, since the horizontal air circulation pattern accomplishes the desired objective. This is particularly advantageous during the hatching process of the animals or fowl.

A dust filter 10 is arranged in the brooding chamber 7 depending on the air circulation characteristics and whether the fan 4 is arranged on the top or on the backside, in front of or on the suction side of the fan.

Humidification of the apparatus occurs through an evaporator cup 11 and/or through a heatable water tank 12. The water tank 12 has air circulated thereto through channels 16 inside the housing. The channels 16 extend to the suction side and pressure side of the fans 4. In this manner a desired air humidity corresponding with the water temperature is achieved.

FIG. 9 illustrates a hatching tray, which is laterally elevated and is compartmentalized by transparent crosswalls 20. The tray has sidewalls 18 and an air permeable bottom wall 19. Opposite ends of the transparent crosswalls 20 are received in upright slots 21 in the sidewalls 18. A front wall of the tray extending parallel to the crosswalls 20 can also be transparent. The hatched animals or fowl remain in this manner separate from one another.