DE102021117196A1 - Honeycomb frame for a beehive and beehive - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a honeycomb frame (50) for a beehive, having a frame section (51, 52) with an upper section, a lower section and at least two lateral sections. The honeycomb frame (50) has at least one support section (53), preferably two or more support sections, in particular three support sections, on the lower section and has at least one contact section (55) on at least one of the other sections, so that the honeycomb frame is standing in a beehive can be stored. The invention also relates to a beehive with such a honeycomb frame.

Description

The invention relates to a honeycomb frame for a beehive according to the preamble of claim 1 and a beehive. Bee hives, also known colloquially as hives or hives, are used by beekeepers to keep swarms of bees in controllable conditions. In this way, honey and wax can be taken from the hives according to need and availability.

Such beehives are usually essentially cuboid housings with a removable cover and an internal frame arranged at the upper edge of the housing. The honeycomb frames are hung on this frame. In order to remove the honeycomb frames with the honey chambers, a beekeeper can open the housing cover and then remove the honeycombs from the hive.

However, such classic designs of beehives have some disadvantages. On the one hand, the combs filled with honey have to be removed from the top of the hive. On the one hand, this limits the beekeeper's access options and places fundamental demands on the working height for the beekeeper. Especially with several beehives or bee frames that are arranged one above the other, access to the individual combs, for example to the brood area that is usually stored further down for inspection, is not possible without a beekeeper removing the lid and frames and other objects arranged above . As a result, the beehives and the individual frames are also directly limited in size, since they would otherwise be too heavy.

As a further consequence of this, with known bee hives it is therefore only possible with difficulty to provide the bees with a dwelling which would correspond to a natural structure and at the same time to enable easy access to all honeycomb frames. Such a natural structure involves a separation of the brood area and the honey depot of the bee hive. In order to expose the swarm of bees to as little stress as possible, it is desirable if the swarm of bees is not affected when the honey is removed. However, it is common practice to remove the combs completely from the hives and keep the bees away from the beekeeper using smoke or other passivating methods. An inspection of the combs in the brood area can only be carried out in the usual and most common beehives by removing the combs, which means a massive disturbance of the bee swarm.

It is an object of the invention to provide a honeycomb frame which allows improved access to the honeycomb.

The object is achieved with a honeycomb frame according to independent claim 1.

A beehive has a housing with a housing base and a plurality of side walls, a cover and at least one honeycomb frame. The honeycomb frame is arranged in the beehive. The beehive also has a holding device which is designed to hold the at least one honeycomb frame in such a way that the honeycomb frame is mounted without contact and in particular disengaged from the housing in the beehive.

This means that the honeycomb frame has no contact with the housing and in particular no contact with the side walls during the intended use. This makes it possible for the housing, for example a frame of the housing, to be designed to be movable relative to the honeycomb frame. The housing can essentially be displaced relative to the internal structure, that is to say in particular to the carrying device for the honeycomb frames. It can thus be achieved that the honeycomb frame does not have to be removed from the beehive in order to gain an insight into the honeycomb, in contrast to what is customary in beehives of the prior art. Rather, it is possible according to the invention for the housing or a part of the housing to be designed to be removable without the honeycomb frame or frames having to be removed. This can facilitate access to the honeycomb frames.

A honeycomb frame according to the present invention for a beehive has a frame section with an upper section, a lower section and at least two side sections. The honeycomb frame also has at least one support section, preferably two or more support sections, in particular three support sections, on the lower section, and a contact section is provided on at least one of the other sections of the honeycomb frame. In particular, at least one contact section can be formed on the upper section or on one of the lateral sections.

In at least one advantageous embodiment, the honeycomb frames are designed in such a way that they can be arranged standing in a beehive. In this case, the honeycomb frame can only be installed on one surface, for example a base of the holding device or a receiving means. It is also conceivable that the at least one honeycomb frame is accommodated in a guide on at least one of its sides.

Furthermore, the frame can have a double guide, on a lower side and on an upper side. The guide can resemble a tongue and groove principle, for example. For this purpose, for example, the tongue can be formed on the outside of the honeycomb frame and the corresponding groove can be provided in the holding device, or vice versa.

It is also conceivable that the honeycomb frame rests on the holding device only on one side, in particular on an underside, and rests on the holding device only at one or a few contact points in a lateral or upper area of the honeycomb frame. A contact surface between the honeycomb frame and the beehive or holding device can thus be reduced or minimized. In this way, damping of vibrations in the honeycomb caused by the so-called bee dance and bee flapping of wings can be reduced. This can improve communication within the hive, which in turn can have a positive effect on the efficiency and development of the swarm.

In alternative embodiments, it is also conceivable that a contact section is not provided. In this case, a lower guide is provided, which allows the honeycomb frame to be mounted in a sufficiently stable manner, again without excessive damping of oscillations and vibrations in the honeycomb frame.

In an advantageous development, the holding device of the beehive has at least one receiving means for receiving at least one honeycomb frame. Such a receiving means contains at least one receiving section, which is formed along a receiving direction for receiving a honeycomb frame. The honeycomb frame has an engagement means which, when used as intended, is mounted in engagement with the at least one receiving section of the receiving means, the honeycomb frame being designed to be movable in at least one transverse direction relative to the receiving means. Advantageously, the holding device has at least two receiving means for the lower guide and the upper receiving means of the honeycomb frame which is mounted in an upright position.

Such storage can enable the honeycomb frames to be removed from the beehive without the honeycomb frames having to be removed from the beehive in a vertical upward direction. In addition, the working height of the beekeeper can vary less in this way, since neither the frames nor the frames have to be lifted up. In addition, it can be made possible in this way that the honeycomb frames of a plurality of beehives and in particular frames are accessible, even if these are arranged one above the other, without having to fundamentally change the arrangement of the beehives or frames. This can make handling the beehives easier.

In a development of the invention, the honeycomb frame has a starting strip. The starting strip of the comb frame makes it easier for the bees to attach the rest of the comb. In this way, a beekeeper can specify where the bees should start building, which makes it easier to handle the comb. Without such a starting strip, the bees would start building the comb at any, possibly even at different, points of a honeycomb frame.

The starting strip usually has wax, in particular beeswax. Advantageously, the entire initial strip consists of beeswax. In alternative versions, however, the starting strip can also have wood or plastic or consist of wood or plastic. In this way, the honeycomb frame can be reused immediately after the honey has been harvested, without having to make a new wax leader. Other materials and mixtures of materials are also possible.

The frame section of the honeycomb frame can advantageously be formed in one piece. In this way, increased durability and stability as well as simplified production of the honeycomb frame can be achieved.

The honeycomb frame can be sawn out of a plate, punched out, milled out or cut out, for example by means of a laser. Of course, other common methods for manufacturing the frame are also conceivable. It is also possible to press the frame into the desired shape from wood, scrap wood or other suitable materials. In addition, it is conceivable for materials other than wood to be used for the honeycomb frame, for example plastic or plastic-wood mixtures.

The at least one support section and/or the at least one contact section of the honeycomb frame can be formed integrally with the frame section and in particular with the Production of the frame are provided directly with. The at least one support section and/or the at least one contact section can therefore be formed in one piece with the honeycomb frame. This can simplify the production of the honeycomb frames and reduce the number of components, which can reduce complexity.

In special embodiments, the honeycomb frame can have a frame section which has at least one access opening. The access opening can in particular be dimensioned and shaped in such a way that one or more bees can get through the opening. Furthermore, the access opening can be suitable in particular for the access of a stick chisel or other tools. In this way, handling of the honeycomb frames and removal of the honeycomb frames from the beehive can be simplified.

A beehive according to the invention has a housing with a housing base and a plurality of side walls, a cover and at least one honeycomb frame which is arranged in the beehive. The beehive also has a frame receptacle which is designed to accommodate the support section and the contact section in such a way that the honeycomb frame is mounted in the beehive in an upright position. The frame receptacle can be, for example, a receiving means with a guide for one or more receiving sections and a receiving section for one or more contact sections.

The use of vertically supported honeycomb frames allows the construction costs for beehives and honeycomb frames to be reduced and their construction can be reduced in complexity.

In some embodiments, the hive may have a substantially octagonal shape. In this way, a more natural environment for the bees, for example similar to the inside of a tree trunk, can be created. In addition, the hexagonal shape allows better ventilation, especially in the corners of the beehive. In this way, unwanted moisture build-up in the beehive can be reduced.

In addition, other polygonal shapes of the beehive are also conceivable, for example a hexagonal shape.

In order to make the best possible use of the inner volume of the beehive in beehives shaped in this way, honeycomb frames with different sizes, in particular with different lengths, can be provided.

In preferred embodiments, the holding device for the beehive can have an upper receiving area and a lower receiving area, which are formed in a vertical sequence in the holding device, and the receiving areas each have a receiving means for receiving at least one honeycomb frame.

For this purpose, the receiving means can have a first receiving section and a second receiving section. The first receiving section can be a lower receiving section into which the support section of the honeycomb frame can be inserted. For this purpose, a guide can be provided in the receiving section. The second accommodating portion may be an upper accommodating portion or a side accommodating portion into which the abutment portion of the honeycomb frame can be inserted. In order to prevent the honeycomb frame, which is mounted in an upright position, from tilting, it is advantageous if the contact section has an abutment on both sides of the honeycomb frame on the side of the second receiving section.

In further embodiments of the beehive, an intermediate level is formed between the upper and the lower receiving area, the intermediate level having a plurality of through-openings. The intermediate level can in particular be formed by a further receiving means. Such a receiving means accordingly has at least one guide both on the upper side and at least one receiving opening on the underside.

Such an intermediate level with through holes can allow the bees an easier transition between the lower receiving area, which is usually the brood area of the colony, and the upper receiving area, which is usually the honey depot of the colony. It goes without saying that the upper and the lower receiving area can be separated from one another, for example by introducing a grid through which only bees that have been selected for their size—in particular not a king bee, or no bees at all—can pass through. In this way, a beekeeper can regulate the areas in which the bees expand their honeycomb.

According to at least one further embodiment of the present invention, the housing base of the beehive is designed to be movable relative to the holding device. This means that the bottom of the housing of the beehive can be arranged in the beehive without a fixed connection to the holding device.

In further embodiments, the cover can be designed to be movable relative to the holding device. This means the hive cover can be removed or removed without having to move the fixtures or the combs. This can improve access to the combs.

In particular, the cover can also be designed to be movable relative to the housing or to a frame of the housing, or the frame of the housing can be designed to be movable relative to the cover. A frame of the housing can in particular be a support frame which traces at least the vertical edges of the beehive and to which the side walls are attached or by which the side walls are supported.

At least one embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the cover and the bottom of the beehive are not coupled to one another. This means that the cover or the base can be removed from the holding device or displaced relative to it independently of the base or the cover. In this way it can be made possible that part of the beehive is accessible or part of the holding device can be uncovered, while another part of the beehive or the holding device is not accessible. For example, the cover of the beehive can be arranged above the holding device, while the floor, optionally with the side walls, can be lowered, whereby the upper part of the holding device can be exposed.

A movable housing base can make it possible for the swarm of bees to experience less disruption. This is particularly because the bee brood in natural environments are usually formed by the bees in combs and comb areas near an entrance hole of the bee hive, while the honey-filled combs are usually formed above the combs filled with the brood.

Advantageously, the holding device can have a plurality of receiving areas, in particular an upper receiving area and a lower receiving area. The receiving areas can be formed in a vertical sequence in the holding device. In addition, the receiving areas can each have a receiving means for receiving at least one honeycomb frame. By providing at least two vertically staggered receiving areas, the honeycomb frames can be arranged in a manner that more closely matches a natural structure of a bee hive. In this way, access to the honeycombs, usually upper ones, that hold the honey can be made possible in the area of the upper receiving area, without having to disturb the lower receiving area, in which the bee larvae are usually found. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receiving areas are designed in such a way that at least one honeycomb frame, advantageously a plurality of honeycomb frames, is mounted upright in the receiving area.

Advantageously, the beehive is designed in such a way that a barrier that is impermeable to the bees can also be introduced between the upper and lower receiving area. For example, this can be a grid with a sufficiently small mesh size that bees cannot cross it. It is also conceivable that a barrier, for example a grid, is installed permanently at this point, which is dimensioned in such a way that worker bees can pass through, but not a queen bee. In this way it can be achieved that the honeycomb frames arranged behind the grid can only be used as a honey depot, but not as a breeding area for the bee hive for the bees.

In further advantageous configurations, at least one side wall of the beehive can have a plurality of segments. In particular, at least one upper segment and at least one lower segment can be arranged vertically one above the other. Particularly advantageously, the upper segment can be arranged at a height at which the upper receiving area of the beehive is located. The lower segment can advantageously be formed at a height at which the lower receiving area is located. A segment can advantageously have a width that corresponds to the width of the side wall. The height of the segments or at least the lower or the upper segment can correspond to the height of a honeycomb frame or be slightly higher than a honeycomb frame, such that a honeycomb frame can be removed from the beehive when the segment is removed.

Furthermore advantageously, the upper segment and the lower segment can be designed to be movable relative to one another.

It can thus be made possible for the honeycomb to be accessed by only having to remove part of a side wall of the housing. This allows a reduction in the disturbance of the bee swarm.

It is alternatively conceivable that the housing of the beehive has, for example, an upper and lower segment and extends around the entire beehive. Such a segment would correspond to a cuboid without a top or bottom. Such segments who which, as already mentioned, is often referred to as the frame of a beehive.

The beehive can furthermore have a carrying device extending in a vertical direction. The beehive and/or the cover and/or the housing and/or the holding device can be designed to be displaceable along a main extension direction of the carrying device. Such a carrying device can be a stand, for example. The carrying device can also be a mast.

Such a carrying device can allow the hive to be placed at a predetermined height and still allow access, for example by adjusting the height of the position of the hive by the beekeeper when access is required.

The height of the entire beehive or, in advantageous embodiments, only part of the beehive can be adjustable. An adjustable part of the beehive can be, for example, the bottom of the beehive with the side walls. Thus, the hive can be arranged at a predetermined height. In order to gain access to the combs in the hive, the floor with the side walls can be lowered a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance can, for example, correspond to the height of a honeycomb frame, but it can also be a different height. In particular, the adjustment can be made possible step by step or, particularly advantageously, continuously, so that the floor with the side walls can be brought into any position between a completely closed and a completely open position.

It can be particularly advantageous for the beehive to have an entry hole that is self-closing when the bottom of the beehive is lowered. In this way, the bees in the hive cannot leave the hive through the entrance hole when the hive is open.

In advantageous embodiments of the present invention, copper can be provided at various points with which the bees come into contact. In this way, the bees can transport traces or microparticles of copper into the hive. This can help reduce pest infestation.

In further advantageous developments, one or more sensors can also be provided inside or on the outside of the beehive. This sensor system can be designed to measure various parameters. These parameters can be, for example: temperature inside and/or outside, humidity inside and/or outside, air pressure, wind speed, duration and/or intensity of sunshine, flight activity of the bees, weight of the hive or one or more combs, a frequency of the swarm of bees and the like.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the shape, in particular the outer shape, of the beehive is not limited to a specific shape, for example a rectangular cross section. The hive can also be polygonal, in particular octagonal or hexagonal, or round, without deviating from the idea of the invention. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the beehive has an essentially octagonal cross section. This can contribute to better ventilation inside the hive, especially in edge and corner areas. In this way, a regulation of the humidity and thus the entire climate in the beehive can be supported. Depending on the particular shape of the hive, honeycomb frames can be provided which are sized and shaped to match the chosen shape of the hive.

Furthermore, in some advantageous developments, an approach surface for the bees can be enlarged. This can be done, for example, by providing an increase in surface area in the area of the entry hole. Such an increase in surface area can take place, for example, by means of a bulge, in particular a hemispherical or semi-ellipsoidal bulge around the entry hole. For this purpose, the bulge has a through opening corresponding to the entry hole. In particularly advantageous developments, a plurality of such bulges with a varying surface area and/or with a varying size of the through-hole can be provided, which can be attached to the beehive alternately, ie removably. In this way, the size of the entry hole and the entry surface can be selected to suit the ambient conditions, such as cold or heat.

The beehive can be designed in such a way that an adapter piece with a corresponding bore is used as an attachment to the entry hole, which adapter piece can be introduced into an opening in the beehive that is suitable for receiving the adapter piece. This can be done, for example, by screwing it into a thread provided for this purpose or in some other way.

In this way, in addition to a standard entry point, entry points that vary depending on the season or the climate can be made possible to be provided. The size of the entrance hole can also be adapted to the size of the bees or their natural preferences. For example, a heat insert could have a particularly large opening, while a cold insert could have a particularly small opening.

In further developments of such an entry hole attachment, a copper coil can be provided inside the attachment in such a way that bees crawling into the beehive come into contact with the copper coil. This can make it possible for a bacterial load inside the bee hive to be reduced. Copper has an anti-bacterial effect. Through contact with the copper coil, the smallest pieces of copper can stick to the legs of the bees and are transported by them into the hive. In particular, the addition of copper can help to reduce infestation by Varoa mites.

• 1 a) bis d) eine Schnittansicht einer Bienenbeute gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung a) in geschlossenem Zustand, b) mit geöffnetem Deckel, c) mit geöffnetem Deckel und teilentfernten Seitenwänden und d) mit geöffnetem Deckel und vollständig entfernten Seitenwänden;
• 2 a) bis c) eine seitliche Ansicht einer Bienenbeute gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung a) in geschlossenem Zustand, b) in teilweise geöffnetem Zustand und c) in vollständig geöffnetem Zustand in verschiedenen vertikalen Positionen;
• 3 eine Seitenansicht eines Wabenrahmens gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 4 eine Seitenansicht eines Wabenrahmens gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 5 a) bis b) eine Haltevorrichtung einer Bienenbeute gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung a) in perspektivischer Ansicht und b) in Frontalansicht;
• 6 a) bis b) eine Haltevorrichtung einer Bienenbeute mit Wabenrahmen gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung a) in Frontalansicht und b) um 90° rotiert in Schnittansicht;
• 7 eine Detailansicht eines Einflugloches mit einem Adapter gemäß einer Ausführungsform.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the drawings, in which identical or functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference symbols. It shows:

• 1 a) until i.e ) a sectional view of a beehive according to a first embodiment of the invention a) in the closed state, b) with the lid open, c) with the lid open and side walls partially removed and d) with the lid open and side walls completely removed;
• 2 a) until c ) a side view of a beehive according to a further embodiment of the invention a) in the closed state, b) in the partially opened state and c) in the fully opened state in different vertical positions;
• 3 a side view of a honeycomb frame according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 4 a side view of a honeycomb frame according to a further embodiment of the invention;
• 5 a) to b) a holding device of a beehive according to an embodiment of the invention a) in a perspective view and b) in a frontal view;
• 6 a) to b) a holding device of a beehive with a honeycomb frame according to an embodiment of the invention a) in a front view and b) rotated by 90° in a sectional view;
• 7 a detailed view of an entry hole with an adapter according to an embodiment.

1a) shows a sectional view of a beehive 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The beehive 1 has a housing 10 . The housing has side walls 11 which are formed laterally on the beehive 1. In the embodiment shown, the side walls 11 have an upper wall segment 15 and a lower wall segment 16 . Furthermore, the housing 1 has a housing bottom 14 . The bottom of the housing 14 simultaneously represents the bearing surface of the beehive 1 on a floor 2, for example the earth, or an appropriately selected base.

A holding device 20 is provided inside the beehive 1 . The holding device 20 has a central carrier element 25, with receiving means 60 extending in a basically radial direction, ie directed outwards from the carrier element 25, as with reference to FIG 5 and 6 is explained in more detail. The receiving means 60 are designed in such a way that two receiving areas, an upper receiving area 22 and a lower receiving area 23, are formed. A plurality of honeycomb frames 50 are arranged in each of the receiving areas 22, 23, as also with reference to FIG 4 and 5 is explained in more detail. The carrier element 25 extends in the vertical direction from a base 21. The base 21 is arranged on the housing bottom 14. According to the invention, the honeycomb frames are stored upright in the receiving areas 22, 23.

A cover 12 is arranged above the carrying device 20, which covers the beehive 1 and closes the housing 10 at the top.

1b) shows the bee hive 1a) , wherein the cover 12 is opened or removed from the housing. This allows access from above to the holding device 20 or to components that may be arranged under the cover 12 .

1c ) shows the bee hive 1 b) with partially removed side wall. The upper wall segment 15, or also the upper frame, is removed from the housing 10 separately from the lower wall segment 16. The height of the upper wall segment 15 corresponds to the height of the upper receiving area 22. As a result, the upper receiving area 22 and the honeycomb frame arranged therein are accessible, while the lower receiving area 23 is still bordered by the lower wall segment 16.

In this position of the beehive, a bee barrier can advantageously be arranged between the upper receiving area 22 and the lower receiving area 23 if the upper receiving area 22 is to be accessed. So a danger for a beekeeper or for the person seeking access from the bees can be reduced.

1d ) shows the bee hive 1c ) with the side wall 11 completely removed. This means that the upper and lower wall segments 15, 16 of the housing 10 are removed. The housing base 14, on which the holding device 20 rests, remains in its position on the base 2. The reference sign h1 in 1 indicates a first approach height for the bees to the hive and the height of the entrance hole 13. The entrance hole 13, in 1 not shown, is in preferred embodiments of the invention in a closed position of the beehive at the level of the lower receiving area 23.

2 Figure 12 shows another embodiment of a beehive 1 according to the present invention. In this case, the same reference symbols designate the same or similar components and their description is not repeated in the following. Unlike the embodiment described above, the beehive 1 in 2 shown embodiment, a housing 10a, which is not segmented, so has no upper and lower wall segment, which are provided separately from each other removable. Rather, the housing 10a can be formed in one piece or with elements that are firmly connected to one another.

The beehive 1 is designed in such a way that a carrying device 40 extends through the housing 10a, the holding device 20 and the cover 12.

By suitably selecting the height of the carrying device 40, the beehive 1 or the entrance hole 13 can be arranged at a particularly preferred approach height for the bees. The carrying device 40 essentially has a stand 42 , here in the form of a mast, and a base 41 . The base 41 is arranged under the ground or under the floor 2 . In this way, the base 42 can serve as a ground anchor or give the stand 42 the necessary stability. The base can also be inserted deeper into the floor 2 with the help of a foundation. This can be done depending on the length of the carrying device 40 and the size or weight of the bee hive 1 . In alternative versions, the base can also have a base that rests on the floor.

The carrying device 40 can have a visible height between 2 m and 4 m, preferably between 2.5 m and 3.5 m, in particular between 3.2 m and 3.4 m. The length of the visible part of the carrying device 40, ie the height of the carrying device 40 measured from the floor 2 to a tip of the carrying device 40, is referred to as the visible height. With such a design, the approach height of the bees, and correspondingly a height h3 of the entry hole 13 of the bee hive 1, above the floor 2 at a height of between 2m and 3m, preferably between 2.3m and 2.8m, in particular between 2.5m and be 2.7m. Of course, other heights are also conceivable and realizable.

2a) 12 shows the beehive 1 of this embodiment in the standard position, ie in the position in which the beehive is usually arranged without any work having to be carried out on it or other influences requiring the position to be shifted. So the default position of the hive is the position in which the bees approach the hive 1 during normal use. In the embodiment shown, this is the position at a predetermined height near the tip of the carrying device 40. The entry hole 13 is located at the predetermined approach height h3.

2 B) shows the beehive 1 2a) in the first lowered position. For this purpose, the entire beehive 1 is shifted vertically along the carrying device 40 in the direction of the floor 2 . The height of the first lowered position can be a predetermined height or can be set individually, in particular by continuously adjusting the height of the beehive. In addition, the housing 10a is lowered into a first working position. The first working position is a position in which part of the interior of the beehive 1 is exposed, in particular an upper receiving area 22. In this position, access to the honeycombs filled with honey, also referred to as honey depot, is made possible. The beehive 1 can thus be adjusted as a whole in a vertical direction and, in addition, the housing 10a of the beehive 1 can be displaced relative to the inner space.

2c ) shows the beehive 1 2 B) in a fully open state. The housing 10a is lowered into a second working position. The second working position is a position in which the entire interior of the beehive 1 is exposed, in particular the upper receiving area 22 and the lower receiving area 23.

One advantage of this embodiment is that the beehive can be arranged at an approach height that is improved and preferred for the bees. Furthermore, easy access to the receiving areas 22, 23 is made possible. This can allow a larger group of people to work on the beehive 1 or the bees. The side elements or frames do not have to be laboriously removed from the beehive.

It goes without saying that the housing 1 can advantageously also be arranged and locked in any position between the closed and the open position. It is also conceivable that the housing is designed so that it can be lowered completely to the floor.

3 shows a honeycomb frame 50. The honeycomb frame 50 has a frame section 51. The frame section 52 essentially forms a rectangle and forms the actual honeycomb frame. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of bearing sections 53, here three bearing sections, are formed on a lower section of the honeycomb frame 50. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of contact sections 55, here three contact sections 55, are formed on an upper section of the honeycomb frame 50.

The support sections 53 and the contact sections 55 are formed in one piece with the honeycomb frame 50 and the frame section 51, respectively. The support and contact sections are essentially designed here as projections in a vertical direction of extension of the honeycomb frame 50 . Support section 53 and contact section 5 can also be attached to the honeycomb frame as individual components. In addition, the material of these sections 53, 55 can differ from the material of the honeycomb frame.

At the vertically extending portions of the honeycomb frame 50, that is, at the portions that connect a lower part of the honeycomb frame 50 to the upper part of the honeycomb frame 50, an engagement hole 59 is formed. The engagement hole 59 may allow a tool to engage the honeycomb frame 50 without damaging the honeycomb. In this way, a honeycomb frame possibly adhering to the beehive can be loosened in a simplified manner and removed from the beehive.

The embodiment of the honeycomb frame shown also has a starting strip 56 in an upper area of the honeycomb frame 50 . A starting strip 56 is a section that the bees can use as a starting point for building the honeycomb. The starting strip 56 can be formed from wax, for example. By using an initial strip 56, the likelihood that the bees will start building the comb at the initial strip 56 can be increased. Otherwise, the bees may start building at another portion of the honeycomb frame 50, such as a side portion or the bottom portion, which may make it difficult to harvest the honey or reduce the stability of the honeycomb.

The leader strip 56 may also comprise wood or other material. In particular, the starting strip can also have plastic or consist of plastic. For example, the initial strip can be a mixture of wood and plastic, in particular a mixture with a mixing ratio of 60% wood and 40% plastic.

Advantageously, the outer surface of the starting strip 56 is then coated with wax or a wax-like substance.

An initial strip 56 can be produced, for example, by pouring liquid wax into a so-called center wall press and pressing it into shape with a template, for example a silicone template, and cooling it in this mold and thus hardening it. The cooled wax can then be fixed in one piece as a middle wall in a honeycomb frame. In most cases, however, only part of the middle wall pressed in this way is used and fastened to the honeycomb frame 50 as the starting strip 56 . How regarding 4 As can be seen, conventional honeycomb frames 50 have a wire 57 for fastening and stabilizing the honeycomb. The center wall or leader 56 is then placed on the wire 57 and a current is applied to the wire 57 . The wire 57 locally heats the wax so that it flows around the wire 57 . By interrupting the power supply through the wire 57, this cools down, as does the wax and the starting strip is attached to the honeycomb frame 50.

The wire 57 can, as in 4 shown, pass through the honeycomb frame in a substantially vertical direction. In alternative embodiments, the wire 57 can also run through the honeycomb frame transversely, that is to say in a substantially horizontal direction.

Alternatively, the starting strip 56 can also be printed in a plastic printer or a so-called 3D printer. Material mixtures as described above or mixtures other than those mentioned above can be used.

In the 3 However, the embodiment of the honeycomb frame 50 shown does not require a wire. According to the invention, the honeycomb frame 50 can have a thickness of less than 1 cm, preferably less than 7 mm, in particular a thickness of 4 mm. For attaching the beginning strip fens 56 on the honeycomb frame, therefore, the honeycomb frame itself can be placed in the center wall press. For this purpose, in turn, a corresponding mold, for example a silicone mold, can be provided in the center wall press, which mold has the contours of the honeycomb frame. The pattern for the starting strip 56 can also be provided in this form. To attach the starter strip 56, the center wall press loaded with the honeycomb frame 50 is then filled with the desired amount of wax and is closed as described above. The wax adheres to the honeycomb frame 50 material. In this way, a simple attachment of the starting strip 56 or an entire middle wall to the honeycomb frame 50 can be made possible without wire and complicated current supply.

In the 4 The embodiment shown of a honeycomb frame 50 according to the present invention basically represents a honeycomb frame as is known from the prior art. As a honeycomb frame section, this has a peripheral strip 52 which essentially forms a rectangle in the region of the honeycomb to be formed later.

An upper part and a lower part of the bar 52 form the long side of the rectangular frame and a right and a left part form the short sides of the frame. The aspect ratios of the sides are variable to one another in the honeycomb frame 50 according to the invention. However, the long sides are usually longer than the short sides. According to the invention, a contact section 55 is formed in an upper area in the vertical direction. A support portion 53 is formed in a lower region in the vertical direction. The contact sections 55 and the support sections 53 are designed as part of an adapter piece fastened to the honeycomb frame. The shape of the support section 53 or the number of projections defining the support surfaces can, as in the embodiment according to FIG 3 vary. In addition, the contact sections and support sections can also be designed as individual components without being connected to one another by means of an adapter.

It is preferred according to the invention that the number of contact points between the honeycomb frame 50 and the holding device 20 is minimized and the actual bearing surface of the bearing and bearing sections 53 and 55 is also minimized. In this way, vibration damping in the honeycomb can be reduced, which can improve communication between the bee colony.

The starting strip 56 can also extend through the strip 52 of the honeycomb frame 50 . In this way, the leader strip 56 can be held firmly within the honeycomb frame.

The starting strip 56 can also be formed as part of the strip 52 of the honeycomb frame 50 . For example, the strip 52 or at least the upper part of the strip 52 can be designed with a section that tapers in the direction of the honeycomb area, ie an interior of the honeycomb frame 50 , and which can act as a starting strip 56 . Shapes other than just a tapering shape are also conceivable.

5a) shows a holding device 20 according to an embodiment of the invention in a perspective view. The holding device 20 has the base 21 and the support element 25 extending from the base 21 in the vertical direction. The cover 12 of the beehive 1 is arranged on an upper area of the carrier element 25 . In the embodiment shown, the cover 12 is firmly connected to the holding device 20 . In alternative embodiments, the cover 12 can be designed to be detachable from the holding device or can also be designed integrally, that is to say in one piece, with the holding device or be firmly connected to it.

In the embodiment shown, the cover 12 is designed like a roof in such a way that it protrudes over the outer contours of the housing of the beehive. In this way, improved protection against the ingress of water, for example when it rains, can be made possible. This can be particularly advantageous when the hive is open. Other types of lids are conceivable, which are flat, for example, without an overhang or are designed in some other suitable way. The shape of the cover can in particular be adapted or modeled on the outer shape of the beehive.

5b) shows the holding device 20 from 5a) in side view. with 5b) it should be made clear once again that the receiving areas 22 , 23 are spanned by the receiving means 60 . The view in 5b) is such that the view is in the direction of the intended direction of extension of the honeycomb frame. A honeycomb frame 50 arranged in each receiving area 22, 23 is indicated as an example.

How out 5b) can be seen, a first receiving means 60 is formed below the cover 12 on the carrier element 25 . The receiving means 60 extends outwards in the radial direction, starting from the carrier element 25 , and forms a shape that essentially corresponds to the outer contour of the bee hive 1 . The shape of the hive in the embodiment shown according to 5 is a regular octagon. Form can analogously also be a hexagon, a rectangle or any other desired shape. The spatial area spanned under this upper, first receiving means 60 forms the upper, first receiving area 22 . The receiving means 60 has a plurality of receiving openings 62 . The receiving openings 62 extend in a longitudinal direction parallel or essentially parallel along an underside of the receiving means 60. The receiving openings 62 are designed in such a way that a contact section 55 of a honeycomb frame 50 can be received and stored or at least attached therein, as also in 5b) is shown.

A further receiving means 60 is formed as an intermediate level between the base 21 and the upper receiving means 60 . The receiving means 60 essentially have the same dimensions and geometric configurations.

The vertical spacing of the receiving means 60 is selected in such a way that a honeycomb frame can be received in the upper receiving area 22 between the upper and the further receiving means 60 . Analogously, the distance between the further receiving means 60 and the base 21 is such that a honeycomb frame 50 can be received. The area below the further receiving means 60 correspondingly forms the lower receiving area 23.

The further receiving means 60 also has a guide 61 for receiving a honeycomb frame 50. The guide 61 corresponds to the spatial extension of the receiving openings 62. The arrangement and design of the receiving openings 62 and the guide 61 is such that a honeycomb frame 50 with the Support sections 53 can be inserted into the guide 61 and with at least one contact section 55 into the receiving opening 62. In this way, the honeycomb frame 50 can be stored in an upright position without it being able to tip over. If the honeycomb frame 50 were to tilt, one of the contact sections 55 would come into contact with the edge region of the receiving opening 62 and find an abutment there on which the honeycomb frame 50 can be supported.

A guide 61 and the corresponding receiving opening 62 therefore run essentially parallel. Of course, in other embodiments, the shape and size of the receiving means 60 can also vary, in particular they can also differ from one another. As in 5a) it can also be seen that the guides 61 have different lengths. In the embodiment shown, this is due to the fact that the beehive has an octagonal shape, so that honeycomb frames of different sizes are provided for better utilization of the available volume. This is regarding 6 described again in more detail.

The size of the receiving means 60 or the holding device 20 as a whole is selected such that the holding device 20 can be arranged in a housing of a bee hive 1, in particular without honeycomb frames 50 arranged therein being in contact or engaging with the housing of the bee hive 1.

6 shows the holding device 20 from 5 equipped with honeycomb frame, the view of the 6a) 90° compared to the view of 5b) is rotated. The honeycomb frames introduced into the holding device 20 can therefore be seen in a plan view. In the view of 6a) five frames can be seen in the upper and lower recording areas 22, 23. For the sake of illustration, these are referred to as honeycomb frames 50, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d in the lower area 23. The view of 6b) corresponds to the view of 5b) and is thus at 90° relative to the view in 6a) rotates. As can be seen, the honeycomb frames 50, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d are arranged parallel to one another. The honeycomb frames 50, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d differ from one another only in their width, as shown in FIG 6a) is evident. In this way, the inner volume of the beehive 1 can be better used if the beehive 1 has a shape other than a cuboid, in particular a hexagonal, an octagonal or an irregular shape.

As further due to the partial sectional view in 6b) As can be seen, an opening is provided throughout the holding device 20, ie in the base 21 and the carrier element 25, and the cover 12. For this purpose, a cavity 24 is formed in the carrier element 25 . This cavity 24 is designed such that in particular a carrying device 40 according to the embodiment described above 3 . can be included. This enables the beehive or the holding device 20 to be positioned vertically along the carrying device, as also previously described. A seal around the opening or around the cavity 24 is advantageously provided at least on the cover. In this way, penetration of moisture into the interior can be prevented or at least reduced.

A means for adjusting the position (not shown here) can also be provided in the cavity 24, for example a cable pull or another chain or cable system that can be adjusted manually or electrically. Crank operation or motor operation can be provided for this purpose or a combination thereof. In addition, it is conceivable for the height to be controlled with the aid of a remote control. This remote control can also take place by means of a data or other communication connection. For this purpose, the hive can be designed with suitable communication and control means.

7 shows a detailed view of an entry hole 13 with an entry hole adapter 70 according to an embodiment of the bee hive 1 . The entry hole adapter 70 has an entry opening 72 . The entrance hole adapter 70 is arranged in the entrance hole 13 of the housing 10, 10a of the beehive 1 such that the entrance opening 72 of the entrance hole adapter 70 and the entrance hole 13 in the housing 10, 10a are substantially coaxial. The entrance hole adapter 70 has a dome-shaped projection 76 on a side facing away from the housing 10, 10a. In particular, the projection 76 can simulate a hemisphere. However, other shapes are also possible.

The housing 10, 10a may be formed with a thread provided in the entry hole 13. The entry hole adapter 70 can also be provided with a counter-thread that is compatible with the thread formed in the entry hole 13 . In this way, the entry hole adapter 70 can be easily introduced into the entry hole 13 and reversibly locked. It is also possible for the entry hole adapter 70 to be attached to the beehive in some other way, for example by being pressed in, plugged in, screwed tight using separate screws, or in a similar way.

Depending on various parameters such as season, weather, type of bee, etc., in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the entrance hole adapter 70 can be designed to be reversible and exchangeable for other entrance hole adapters. Other entry hole adapters 70 can vary in terms of size, flattening, size of the entry opening and other parameters. For example, if the outside temperature is higher, a larger entry opening 72 would be selected. In this way, there can be an improved exchange of air between the interior of the hive and the environment. At low temperatures, for example in winter, an entry hole adapter 70 with a smaller entry opening 72 can be provided, so that the exchange of air with the environment is reduced.

In addition, a smaller entry opening allows the bees to better defend the hive. It should be noted that the bees usually do not fly into the entry opening. Rather, the bees would usually land outside of the entry hole 13, for example on the projection 76 provided, and then crawl through the entry opening. An enlarged projection 76, through a corresponding design of the entry hole adapter 70, can thus make it easier for the bees to approach, which in turn can increase the efficiency of the bees or the bee colony.

In addition, a copper coil 74 can be provided in the entry hole adapter 70, as in the embodiment in FIG 7 shown. The copper coil 74 can be formed on a side of the entrance hole adapter 70 facing the interior of the bee hive 1 , in particular as a winding that partially covers the inner diameter of the entrance hole adapter 70 . In this way, bees can be allowed to come into direct contact with the copper coil 74 .

Reference List

1

bee hive

10, 10a

Housing

11

side walls

12

lid

13

entry hole

14

caseback

15

upper wall segment

16

lower wall segment

20

holding device

21

Base

22

recording area

23

recording area

25

carrier element

40

carrying device

41

base

42

stand

50

honeycomb frame

51

frame section

52

strip

53

support section

54

carrier

55

investment section

56

initial strip

57

wire

59

access opening

60

means of recording

61

guide

62

recording section

70

entry hole adapter

72

entry opening

74

copper coil

76

head Start

Claims (10)

Honeycomb frame (50) for a beehive, having a frame section (51, 52) with an upper section, a lower section and at least two lateral sections, characterized in that the honeycomb frame (50) has at least one support section (53), preferably has two or more support sections, in particular three support sections, and has at least one contact section (55) on at least one of the other sections. Honeycomb frame (50) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the honeycomb frame (50) has a starting strip (56). Honeycomb frame (56) according to claim 2 , characterized in that the starting strip (56) comprises wax. Honeycomb frame (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame section (51) of the honeycomb frame (50) is constructed in one piece. Honeycomb frame (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one support section (53) and/or the at least one bearing section (55) is formed in one piece with the honeycomb frame (50). Honeycomb frame (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame section (51) has at least one access opening (59). Beehive (1) having a housing (10, 10a) with a housing base (14) and a plurality of side walls (11), a cover (12) and at least one honeycomb frame (50) according to one of Claims 1 until 6 which is arranged in the beehive (1), characterized in that the beehive (1) also has a frame receptacle (60, 61, 62) which is used to accommodate the at least one support section (53) and the at least one contact section (55 ) is designed in such a way that the honeycomb frame (50) is mounted standing in the beehive (1). Bee hive (1) according to claim 7 , characterized in that the beehive (1) has a substantially hexagonal shape. Bee hive (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device (20) has an upper receiving area (22) and a lower receiving area (23) which are formed in vertical succession in the holding device (20) and the receiving areas (22, 23) each have a frame receptacle (60, 61, 62) for receiving at least one honeycomb frame (50). Bee hive according to one of Claims 7 until 9 , characterized in that between the upper (22) and the lower receiving area (23) an intermediate level (60) is formed, wherein the intermediate level (60) has a plurality of through openings.

Images