CA2770817C - Heat loss control entrance for beehive - Google Patents
Heat loss control entrance for beehive Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2770817C CA2770817C CA2770817A CA2770817A CA2770817C CA 2770817 C CA2770817 C CA 2770817C CA 2770817 A CA2770817 A CA 2770817A CA 2770817 A CA2770817 A CA 2770817A CA 2770817 C CA2770817 C CA 2770817C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- entrance
- hive
- aperture
- passage
- access aperture
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K47/00—Beehives
- A01K47/06—Other details of beehives, e.g. ventilating devices, entrances to hives, guards, partitions or bee escapes
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Building Environments (AREA)
Abstract
An entrance for use with a beehive, to control heat loss and hive entrance freeze-up while allowing for the escape of excess moisture and carbon dioxide.
Description
HEAT LOSS CONTROL ENTRANCE FOR BEEHIVE
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to beehives, and specifically to beehive entrance and exit means and beehive insulation and ventilation.
Background of the Invention It is known in the field of beekeeping to provide one or more artificially constructed beehives for honeybee colonies, each hive comprising a matrix of hexagonal cells called honeycomb in which the bees store honey and pollen. Various hive designs are currently in use in the field, with all incorporating some means for the bees to enter and exit the hive. In colder climates where a large opening would be detrimental to the hive colony, one common means is a small hole in the hive housing granting access to the hive interior, configured and sized to allow the passage of bees therethrough. Such hives can accommodate bees in all seasons.
However, there is a recognized problem with wintering honeybees outside in cold climates such as those commonly encountered in Canada. As temperatures drop below -15 degrees Celsius, the hive entrance can freeze over, blocking passage of the bees therethrough.
Also, bees seek to maintain an internal hive temperature of approximately 30 degrees Celsius around the queen bee and any eggs she has laid or developing brood; if the hive entrance freezes over then the hive humidity begins to rise, and moisture condenses on the inner surface of the hive and may begin to drip down on the bees and the internal hive structures such as the honeycomb. As is known in the art, damp bees and hive structures often result in hive colony stress, resulting in weakness, and wet bees that have become chilled need to establish a healthy body temperature and therefore require a relatively dry environment. If bees are cold, they must ingest more honey (carbohydrate) to maintain the desired body temperature, and this results in the bee giving off increased heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide.
- I -A frozen hive entrance negatively impacts colony health in other ways, as well. Worker bees emerge at approximately 21 days into their life cycle. In the summer, worker bees live for approximately 30 to 40 days after emergence. In the fall and winter, worker bees live for approximately 60 to 90 days after emergence. The old or sick bees that are at or near the end of their life cycle will remove debris and excrement produced by the queen and younger worker bees from the hive, for the general health and benefit of the hive colony, and will also remove themselves before death thereby preventing decomposition within the hive and resultant bacteria and mould development. A blocked hive entrance obviously counters this.
In addition, proper ventilation of the hive must be enabled year-round, especially during the winter, to remove moisture and carbon dioxide, and a blocked hive entrance prevents proper ventilation.
This is a known problem that has been plaguing beekeepers for many years.
Solutions have included the introduction of moisture absorbing materials inside the hive, such as wheat straw, peat moss, wood shavings and saw dust, which are placed on a canvas-and-wood frame below the top lid but above the honeycomb frames, However, problems occur when the absorbent material becomes saturated, as the bees must then heat a greater area without proper colony ventilation.
What is needed, therefore, is a means for aiding in the ventilation and air circulation necessary for maintaining a healthy honeybee colony, while at the same time maintaining the necessary interior hive temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels.
Summary of the Invention The present invention therefore seeks to provide an entrance assembly that can be mounted over a hive aperture which helps to prevent freeze-up while allowing both adequate ventilation and internal heat retention.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to beehives, and specifically to beehive entrance and exit means and beehive insulation and ventilation.
Background of the Invention It is known in the field of beekeeping to provide one or more artificially constructed beehives for honeybee colonies, each hive comprising a matrix of hexagonal cells called honeycomb in which the bees store honey and pollen. Various hive designs are currently in use in the field, with all incorporating some means for the bees to enter and exit the hive. In colder climates where a large opening would be detrimental to the hive colony, one common means is a small hole in the hive housing granting access to the hive interior, configured and sized to allow the passage of bees therethrough. Such hives can accommodate bees in all seasons.
However, there is a recognized problem with wintering honeybees outside in cold climates such as those commonly encountered in Canada. As temperatures drop below -15 degrees Celsius, the hive entrance can freeze over, blocking passage of the bees therethrough.
Also, bees seek to maintain an internal hive temperature of approximately 30 degrees Celsius around the queen bee and any eggs she has laid or developing brood; if the hive entrance freezes over then the hive humidity begins to rise, and moisture condenses on the inner surface of the hive and may begin to drip down on the bees and the internal hive structures such as the honeycomb. As is known in the art, damp bees and hive structures often result in hive colony stress, resulting in weakness, and wet bees that have become chilled need to establish a healthy body temperature and therefore require a relatively dry environment. If bees are cold, they must ingest more honey (carbohydrate) to maintain the desired body temperature, and this results in the bee giving off increased heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide.
- I -A frozen hive entrance negatively impacts colony health in other ways, as well. Worker bees emerge at approximately 21 days into their life cycle. In the summer, worker bees live for approximately 30 to 40 days after emergence. In the fall and winter, worker bees live for approximately 60 to 90 days after emergence. The old or sick bees that are at or near the end of their life cycle will remove debris and excrement produced by the queen and younger worker bees from the hive, for the general health and benefit of the hive colony, and will also remove themselves before death thereby preventing decomposition within the hive and resultant bacteria and mould development. A blocked hive entrance obviously counters this.
In addition, proper ventilation of the hive must be enabled year-round, especially during the winter, to remove moisture and carbon dioxide, and a blocked hive entrance prevents proper ventilation.
This is a known problem that has been plaguing beekeepers for many years.
Solutions have included the introduction of moisture absorbing materials inside the hive, such as wheat straw, peat moss, wood shavings and saw dust, which are placed on a canvas-and-wood frame below the top lid but above the honeycomb frames, However, problems occur when the absorbent material becomes saturated, as the bees must then heat a greater area without proper colony ventilation.
What is needed, therefore, is a means for aiding in the ventilation and air circulation necessary for maintaining a healthy honeybee colony, while at the same time maintaining the necessary interior hive temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels.
Summary of the Invention The present invention therefore seeks to provide an entrance assembly that can be mounted over a hive aperture which helps to prevent freeze-up while allowing both adequate ventilation and internal heat retention.
- 2 -According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an entrance for a hive, the hive comprising an interior space defined by a housing, the housing being provided with a hive aperture opening into the interior space, the entrance comprising:
an internal access aperture for positioning on an external surface of the housing over the hive aperture:
an external access aperture spaced from the internal access aperture;
a passage connecting the internal access aperture to the external access aperture; and a heat reflecting surface adjacent the internal access aperture for reflecting a portion of heat received from the interior space back toward the interior space.
In exemplary embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the hive aperture, internal access aperture, passage and external access aperture are configured and sized to allow the passage of bees therethrough. The external access aperture is preferably configured to discharge away from the hive aperture and into the space surrounding the hive. The heat reflecting surface is preferably a portion of the passage, with the heat reflecting surface disposed opposite the hive aperture. Exemplary embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention preferably further comprise a mounting mechanism for mounting the entrance on the hive, wherein the mounting mechanism most preferably comprises a strap for securing the entrance against the external surface of the housing.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an entrance for a hive, the hive comprising an interior space defined by a housing. the housing being provided with a hive aperture opening into the interior space, the entrance comprising:
an inner support wall provided with an opening therethrough, the inner support wall configured to be positionable against an outer surface of the housing such that the opening is positionable over the hive aperture: and an outer member mounted on the inner support wall and comprising a passage having a first end positionable against the opening and a second end discharging to an exterior of the outer member, the passage comprising a heat reflecting surface adjacent the opening to reflect a portion of heat received from the interior space back toward the interior space.
In exemplary embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention, the.
hive aperture, opening, passage, first end and second end are configured and sized to allow the passage of bees therethrough, and the second end is configured to discharge away from the hive aperture and into the space surrounding the hive. The heat reflecting surface is preferably disposed opposite the hive aperture. Exemplary embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention further comprise an external support wall mounted on an external surface of the outer member, and further comprise a mounting mechanism for mounting the entrance on the hive, wherein the mounting mechanism comprises a strap for securing the entrance against the external surface of the housing.
A detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is given in the following. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be construed as being limited to this embodiment.
Brief Description of the Drawings In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary hive entrance according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is an elevation view of the front and side and rear faces of the hive entrance of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hive entrance of Figure 1;
Figure 4a is a side elevation view of a hive with an entrance according to the present invention attached thereto; and -4-.
Figure 4b is a detailed elevation view of an entrance according to the present invention attached to a hive.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiment Turning to Figures 1 to 3, an entrance 10 according to the present invention is illustrated. The entrance comprises an inner support wall 22 and an outer support wall 34, with an insulation block 26 housed the.rebetween. This general configuration is shown in perspective (Figure 1), elevation (Figure 2) and exploded perspective (Figure 3) views.
The inner support wall 22 is composed of 6 inch x 6 inch x 1/4 inch plywood, although it would be obvious to one skilled in the art that other materials and sizes would be adequate and may be required for different sizes and shapes of hive apertures. The inner support wall 22 is provided with an opening 24, which in the illustrated embodiment is a 3 inch hole cut through the centre of the inner support wall 22.
The inner support wall 22 is attached to the insulation block 26, which insulation block 26 is composed of an insulative polystyrene having a size of 6 inch x 6 inch x I
inch. The outer support wall 34 is attached to the opposite side of the insulation block 26, and the outer support wall 34 is composed of 6 inch x 6 inch x 1/4 inch plywood. The three primary components 22, 26, 34 are glued and/or nailed together, although other means would be obvious to one skilled in the art, including manufacturing two or more of the pieces as a unitary structure, such as through an injection moulding process.
As can best be seen in Figure 3, a passage 30 is cut out of the insulation block 26, which passage is intended to allow for movement of bees therethroug,h and ventilation of the hive when the inner support wall 22 is in place and the entrance 10 is secured against an external surface of a hive. The passage 30 comprises an internal end 38 that has a 3 inch diameter semi-circular profile to generally match the shape of the opening 24 in the inner support wall 22, and the passage 30 itself progresses from the internal end 38 toward an aperture 32, the passage being 3 inch x 1/2 inch along its length. When the inner surface wall 22 is in position against the insulation block 26, the inner surface wall 22 provides the final wall defining the finished form of the passage 30 and the aperture 32.
The passage 30 comprises a heat reflecting surface 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat reflecting surface 28 is a portion of the passage 30 itself, specifically a part of the surface of the passage 30 since the insulation block 26 is composed of a material (polystyrene insulation) that can reflect heat. All that is required is that the material of the heat reflecting surface 28 be capable of reflecting heat, and therefore it will be obvious that other known materials could be substituted for polystyrene insulation. Polystyrene is used in the illustrated embodiment because it has a sufficient insulating factor to help prevent freeze-up of the hive aperture. The heat reflecting surface 28 is necessary because it functions to reflect heat back toward the hive interior, as will he discussed below.
Turning now to Figures 4a and 4b, an entrance 10 is shown mounted on a hive 12. The hive 12 comprises a housing 14 defining an interior space 18, and a hive aperture 20 allowing passage through the housing 14. The hive aperture 20 in such hive configurations commonly comprises a grommet or slot.
The entrance 10 is positioned against an external surface 16 of the housing 14, and specifically over the hive aperture 20. The inner support wall 22 is placed against the external surface 16 of the housing 14, such that the opening 24 rests over and against the hive aperture 20. The aperture 32 is then directed sideways, away from the hive aperture 20 and discharging into the space outside of the hive 12, although the aperture 32 could be directed to either side or downwardly. The hive aperture 20, opening 24, passage 30 and aperture 32 are configured and sized to allow the passage of bees therethro ugh.
The entrance 10 is secured to the external surface 16 of the hive 12 by means of a rope or strap 36, but other variant attachment means would be obvious to one skilled in the art. The strap 36 is secured specifically against the outer support wall 34, which accordingly serves to protect the insulation block 26 when strapped in place against the hive 12.
When the entrance 10 is strapped in position against the external surface 16 of the hive 12, the heat reflecting surface 28 faces and is directly opposed to the hive aperture 20. Given this orientation, heat which exits the hive entrance 20 passes through the opening 24 and contacts the heat reflecting surface 28. The heat reflecting surface 28 then reflects back a portion of that heat toward the hive aperture 20 and thence into the hive interior space 18.
However, some of the excess heat previously contained within the interior space 18 can escape through the passage 30, along with undesired moisture and carbon dioxide. Given the insulative properties of the entrance 10, it also helps prevent freeze-up of the aperture 32, enabling an adequate entrance and exit means for the bees.
As can be clearly seen, then, there are numerous advantages provided by the present invention.
In addition to helping to prevent freeze-up of the hive aperture at temperatures below -15 degrees Celsius, the present invention allows the desired air circulation and ventilation, enabling escape of moisture, excess heat and carbon dioxide out of the hive. The present invention therefore helps to keep the colony from becoming stressed. It also allows old and dying, or sick or diseased, bees to evacuate the hive before death. Finally, it keeps extreme atmospheric cold away from the hive aperture, protecting the hive aperture from direct wind, snow or rain exposure, and on warmer days it can enable healthy bees to exit the hive to excrete.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the exemplary embodiment set forth in the foregoing, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the specification as a whole.
an internal access aperture for positioning on an external surface of the housing over the hive aperture:
an external access aperture spaced from the internal access aperture;
a passage connecting the internal access aperture to the external access aperture; and a heat reflecting surface adjacent the internal access aperture for reflecting a portion of heat received from the interior space back toward the interior space.
In exemplary embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the hive aperture, internal access aperture, passage and external access aperture are configured and sized to allow the passage of bees therethrough. The external access aperture is preferably configured to discharge away from the hive aperture and into the space surrounding the hive. The heat reflecting surface is preferably a portion of the passage, with the heat reflecting surface disposed opposite the hive aperture. Exemplary embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention preferably further comprise a mounting mechanism for mounting the entrance on the hive, wherein the mounting mechanism most preferably comprises a strap for securing the entrance against the external surface of the housing.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an entrance for a hive, the hive comprising an interior space defined by a housing. the housing being provided with a hive aperture opening into the interior space, the entrance comprising:
an inner support wall provided with an opening therethrough, the inner support wall configured to be positionable against an outer surface of the housing such that the opening is positionable over the hive aperture: and an outer member mounted on the inner support wall and comprising a passage having a first end positionable against the opening and a second end discharging to an exterior of the outer member, the passage comprising a heat reflecting surface adjacent the opening to reflect a portion of heat received from the interior space back toward the interior space.
In exemplary embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention, the.
hive aperture, opening, passage, first end and second end are configured and sized to allow the passage of bees therethrough, and the second end is configured to discharge away from the hive aperture and into the space surrounding the hive. The heat reflecting surface is preferably disposed opposite the hive aperture. Exemplary embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention further comprise an external support wall mounted on an external surface of the outer member, and further comprise a mounting mechanism for mounting the entrance on the hive, wherein the mounting mechanism comprises a strap for securing the entrance against the external surface of the housing.
A detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is given in the following. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be construed as being limited to this embodiment.
Brief Description of the Drawings In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary hive entrance according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is an elevation view of the front and side and rear faces of the hive entrance of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hive entrance of Figure 1;
Figure 4a is a side elevation view of a hive with an entrance according to the present invention attached thereto; and -4-.
Figure 4b is a detailed elevation view of an entrance according to the present invention attached to a hive.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiment Turning to Figures 1 to 3, an entrance 10 according to the present invention is illustrated. The entrance comprises an inner support wall 22 and an outer support wall 34, with an insulation block 26 housed the.rebetween. This general configuration is shown in perspective (Figure 1), elevation (Figure 2) and exploded perspective (Figure 3) views.
The inner support wall 22 is composed of 6 inch x 6 inch x 1/4 inch plywood, although it would be obvious to one skilled in the art that other materials and sizes would be adequate and may be required for different sizes and shapes of hive apertures. The inner support wall 22 is provided with an opening 24, which in the illustrated embodiment is a 3 inch hole cut through the centre of the inner support wall 22.
The inner support wall 22 is attached to the insulation block 26, which insulation block 26 is composed of an insulative polystyrene having a size of 6 inch x 6 inch x I
inch. The outer support wall 34 is attached to the opposite side of the insulation block 26, and the outer support wall 34 is composed of 6 inch x 6 inch x 1/4 inch plywood. The three primary components 22, 26, 34 are glued and/or nailed together, although other means would be obvious to one skilled in the art, including manufacturing two or more of the pieces as a unitary structure, such as through an injection moulding process.
As can best be seen in Figure 3, a passage 30 is cut out of the insulation block 26, which passage is intended to allow for movement of bees therethroug,h and ventilation of the hive when the inner support wall 22 is in place and the entrance 10 is secured against an external surface of a hive. The passage 30 comprises an internal end 38 that has a 3 inch diameter semi-circular profile to generally match the shape of the opening 24 in the inner support wall 22, and the passage 30 itself progresses from the internal end 38 toward an aperture 32, the passage being 3 inch x 1/2 inch along its length. When the inner surface wall 22 is in position against the insulation block 26, the inner surface wall 22 provides the final wall defining the finished form of the passage 30 and the aperture 32.
The passage 30 comprises a heat reflecting surface 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat reflecting surface 28 is a portion of the passage 30 itself, specifically a part of the surface of the passage 30 since the insulation block 26 is composed of a material (polystyrene insulation) that can reflect heat. All that is required is that the material of the heat reflecting surface 28 be capable of reflecting heat, and therefore it will be obvious that other known materials could be substituted for polystyrene insulation. Polystyrene is used in the illustrated embodiment because it has a sufficient insulating factor to help prevent freeze-up of the hive aperture. The heat reflecting surface 28 is necessary because it functions to reflect heat back toward the hive interior, as will he discussed below.
Turning now to Figures 4a and 4b, an entrance 10 is shown mounted on a hive 12. The hive 12 comprises a housing 14 defining an interior space 18, and a hive aperture 20 allowing passage through the housing 14. The hive aperture 20 in such hive configurations commonly comprises a grommet or slot.
The entrance 10 is positioned against an external surface 16 of the housing 14, and specifically over the hive aperture 20. The inner support wall 22 is placed against the external surface 16 of the housing 14, such that the opening 24 rests over and against the hive aperture 20. The aperture 32 is then directed sideways, away from the hive aperture 20 and discharging into the space outside of the hive 12, although the aperture 32 could be directed to either side or downwardly. The hive aperture 20, opening 24, passage 30 and aperture 32 are configured and sized to allow the passage of bees therethro ugh.
The entrance 10 is secured to the external surface 16 of the hive 12 by means of a rope or strap 36, but other variant attachment means would be obvious to one skilled in the art. The strap 36 is secured specifically against the outer support wall 34, which accordingly serves to protect the insulation block 26 when strapped in place against the hive 12.
When the entrance 10 is strapped in position against the external surface 16 of the hive 12, the heat reflecting surface 28 faces and is directly opposed to the hive aperture 20. Given this orientation, heat which exits the hive entrance 20 passes through the opening 24 and contacts the heat reflecting surface 28. The heat reflecting surface 28 then reflects back a portion of that heat toward the hive aperture 20 and thence into the hive interior space 18.
However, some of the excess heat previously contained within the interior space 18 can escape through the passage 30, along with undesired moisture and carbon dioxide. Given the insulative properties of the entrance 10, it also helps prevent freeze-up of the aperture 32, enabling an adequate entrance and exit means for the bees.
As can be clearly seen, then, there are numerous advantages provided by the present invention.
In addition to helping to prevent freeze-up of the hive aperture at temperatures below -15 degrees Celsius, the present invention allows the desired air circulation and ventilation, enabling escape of moisture, excess heat and carbon dioxide out of the hive. The present invention therefore helps to keep the colony from becoming stressed. It also allows old and dying, or sick or diseased, bees to evacuate the hive before death. Finally, it keeps extreme atmospheric cold away from the hive aperture, protecting the hive aperture from direct wind, snow or rain exposure, and on warmer days it can enable healthy bees to exit the hive to excrete.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the exemplary embodiment set forth in the foregoing, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the specification as a whole.
Claims (20)
1. An entrance for a hive, the hive comprising an interior space defined by a housing, the housing being provided with a hive aperture opening into the interior space, the entrance comprising:
an internal access aperture for positioning on an external surface of the housing over the hive aperture;
an external access aperture spaced from the internal access aperture;
a passage connecting the internal access aperture to the external access aperture; and a heat reflecting surface adjacent the internal access aperture and extending toward the external access aperture for reflecting a portion of heat received from the interior space through the internal access aperture back toward the interior space.
an internal access aperture for positioning on an external surface of the housing over the hive aperture;
an external access aperture spaced from the internal access aperture;
a passage connecting the internal access aperture to the external access aperture; and a heat reflecting surface adjacent the internal access aperture and extending toward the external access aperture for reflecting a portion of heat received from the interior space through the internal access aperture back toward the interior space.
2. The entrance of Claim 1 wherein the internal access aperture is oriented perpendicularly to the external access aperture.
3. The entrance of Claim 1 wherein there is a single passage connecting the internal access aperture to the external access aperture.
4. The entrance of Claim 1 wherein the internal access aperture is formed in a planar inner support wall.
5. The entrance of Claim 4 wherein the passage is formed between the inner support wall and an outer member, and wherein the inner support wall lies flush against a planar portion of the outer member.
6. The entrance of Claim 5 wherein the outer member is made out of a heat reflecting material and the heat reflecting surface is disposed thereon.
7. The entrance of Claim 1 wherein the hive aperture, internal access aperture, passage and external access aperture are configured and sized to allow the passage of bees therethrough.
8. The entrance of Claim 1 wherein the external access aperture is configured to discharge away from the hive aperture and into space surrounding the hive.
9. The entrance of Claim 1 wherein the heat reflecting surface is a portion of the passage, the heat reflecting surface disposed opposite the hive aperture.
10. The entrance of Claim 1 further comprising a mounting mechanism for mounting the entrance on the hive.
11. The entrance of Claim 10 wherein the mounting mechanism comprises a strap for securing the entrance against the external surface of the housing.
12. An entrance for a hive, the hive comprising an interior space defined by a housing, the housing being provided with a hive aperture opening into the interior space, the entrance comprising:
an inner support wall provided with an opening therethrough, the inner support wall configured to be positionable against an outer surface of the housing such that the opening is positionable over the hive aperture; and an outer member mounted on the inner support wall and comprising a passage having a first end positionable against the opening and a second end discharging to an exterior of the outer member, the passage comprising a heat reflecting surface adjacent the opening and extending toward the second end to reflect a portion of heat received from the interior space through the inner support wall opening back toward the interior space.
an inner support wall provided with an opening therethrough, the inner support wall configured to be positionable against an outer surface of the housing such that the opening is positionable over the hive aperture; and an outer member mounted on the inner support wall and comprising a passage having a first end positionable against the opening and a second end discharging to an exterior of the outer member, the passage comprising a heat reflecting surface adjacent the opening and extending toward the second end to reflect a portion of heat received from the interior space through the inner support wall opening back toward the interior space.
13. The entrance of Claim 12 wherein the inner support wall lies flush against the outer member, whereby the passage is formed between the inner support wall and the outer member.
14. The entrance of Claim 12 wherein the outer member is made out of a heat reflecting material and the heat reflecting surface is disposed thereon.
15. The entrance of Claim 12 wherein the hive aperture, opening, passage, first end and second end are configured and sized to allow the passage of bees therethrough.
16. The entrance of Claim 12 wherein the second end is configured to discharge away from the hive aperture and into space surrounding the hive.
17. The entrance of Claim 12 wherein the heat reflecting surface is disposed opposite the hive aperture.
18. The entrance of Claim 12 further comprising an external support wall mounted on an external surface of the outer member.
19. The entrance of Claim 12 further comprising a mounting mechanism for mounting the entrance on the hive.
20. The entrance of Claim 19 wherein the mounting mechanism comprises a strap for securing the entrance against the external surface of the housing.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2770817A CA2770817C (en) | 2012-03-08 | 2012-03-08 | Heat loss control entrance for beehive |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2770817A CA2770817C (en) | 2012-03-08 | 2012-03-08 | Heat loss control entrance for beehive |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2770817A1 CA2770817A1 (en) | 2013-09-08 |
| CA2770817C true CA2770817C (en) | 2015-01-20 |
Family
ID=49152125
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2770817A Expired - Fee Related CA2770817C (en) | 2012-03-08 | 2012-03-08 | Heat loss control entrance for beehive |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2770817C (en) |
-
2012
- 2012-03-08 CA CA2770817A patent/CA2770817C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2770817A1 (en) | 2013-09-08 |
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