US4788427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fertilization detection
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-09-04
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Granted: 1988-11-29
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Expires: 2006-09-04
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to improvements in test methods for determining if eggs, seeds or the like are fertile. This is accomplished through the use of thermography equipment which senses a temperature rise characteristic of a fertile egg or seed. The sensing can be visually observed or a thermograph can be made of the observation.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre L. LeRoy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/02; G01N33/08; G01N25/00; G01N25/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of detecting whether an egg is fertilized comprising the steps of providing a thermograph machine having a scanner, disposing an egg in proximity to the thermograph machine, scanning the egg with the scanner, providing a visual indication of any heat pattern from the egg as scanned by the thermograph machine, and comparing the visual indication with a reference heat pattern to determine if the visual indication is characteristic for a fertilized egg.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of detecting whether an egg is fertilized comprising the steps of providing a thermograph machine having a scanner, disposing an egg in proximity to the thermograph machine, scanning the egg with the scanner, providing a visual indication of any heat pattern from the egg as scanned by the thermograph machine, and comparing the visual indication with a reference heat pattern to determine if the visual indication is characteristic for a fertilized egg.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the egg is a poultry egg.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the visual indication is provided on a display screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the visual indication is a thermograph.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a series of eggs are mounted in at least one row on a conveyor belt passing through the view of the scanner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the eggs are poultry eggs in an incubation system, the visual indication being provided on a display screen, and including the step of removing unfertilized eggs from the incubation system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the eggs are arranged in multiple rows.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of detecting if eggs are diseased comprising the steps of providing a thermograph machine having a scanner, disposing an egg in proximity to the thermograph machine, scanning the egg with the scanner, providing a visual indication of any heat pattern from the egg as scanned by the thermograph machine, and comparing the visual indication with a reference heat pattern to determine if the visual indication is characteristic of a diseased egg.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of detecting if eggs are diseased comprising the steps of providing a thermograph machine having a scanner, disposing an egg in proximity to the thermograph machine, scanning the egg with the scanner, providing a visual indication of any heat pattern from the egg as scanned by the thermograph machine, and comparing the visual indication with a reference heat pattern to determine if the visual indication is characteristic of a diseased egg.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2310682A
Cited
US2451577A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-29 | 1992-05-30 | 1992-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-29 | 1996-05-30 | 1996-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-29 | 2000-05-30 | 2000-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |