GB2619350A

GB2619350A - Apparatus and systems for breeding insects

Info

Publication number: GB2619350A
Application number: GB2208175.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Constant Thomas
Original assignee: Beobia Ltd
Current assignee: Beobia Ltd
Priority date: 2022-06-01
Filing date: 2022-06-01
Publication date: 2023-12-06
Also published as: GB202208175D0

Abstract

Apparatus 10 for breeding insects, such as Darkling beetles 15, comprising: a plurality of breeding trays 12a-e to manage multiple stages of an insect’s lifecycle, including eggs 17 and mealworms 13; means for euthanising fully grown insects, such as by heating or freezing, and means for processing euthanised insects into a foodstuff for human or animal consumption, such as a blender or press to grind the insects into a pellet or kibble 21. There may be a processing chamber 14 with a collection tray 16 and access channels 38a-e between trays which are selectively opened. There is a system with a camera or sensor for measuring the stage of growth or concentration, volume or quantity of insects in each breeding tray.

Description

APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR BREEDING INSECTS

FIELD

The present invention provides aspects and embodiments of apparatus and systems for breeding insects. One such insect that may be bred using aspects and embodiments of the invention is mealworms.

BACKGROUND

Insects have been historically bred as a feed for animals such as parts and livestock. In recent times, there has been an increased prevalence of insects being bred for human consumption due to their high protein content, and other nutritional benefits. Insects are generally easy to bred and can provide a high throughput food source at very little cost. This is highly beneficial as a supplementary food source where food supplies are scarce. Live and preserved insects may be purchased both for pet and human consumption from a variety of stores and online. Purchasing insects from breeders may eliminate the cost efficiencies of breeding for consumption due to the need to cover manufacturing and employment costs.

It is against this background that aspects and embodiments of the present invention have arisen.

SUMMARY

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. The detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended to be given by way of example only.

Disclosed herein is apparatus for breeding insects for human and animal consumption in the form of a single device that can accommodate the full lifecycle of insects including the Darkling beetle. The lifespan of a Darkling beetle is three to six months during which time an adult female can lay several thousand eggs. The eggs hatch into a larva that will grow into a mealworm of up to around 3.5cm over the course of a three-month period. From the point the egg hatches to the mealworm are fully grown, the mealworm will shed its exoskeleton several times. Once fully grown, a mealworm will pupate before a juvenile Darkling beetle emerges approximately two weeks later.

It is intended that aspects and embodiments of the invention may facilitate multiple cycles of insect growth from Darkling beetle to fully grown mealworm. It is also intended that a percentage of fully grown mealworm are harvested and/or processed for human or animal consumption while some fully grown mealworms are allowed to pupate and hatch into juvenile Darkling beetles to continue the cycle.

In one aspect of the invention, apparatus for breeding insects comprises: a plurality of breeding trays configured to manage multiple stages of an insect's lifecycle; means for euthanising fully grown insects; and means for processing euthanised insects into a foodstuff for human or animal consumption.

Insects can provide an excellent source of protein and essential amino acids. Bringing the production of insect foodstuff to the home enables food to be continuously grown in the location that it will be cooked and consumed. Using food waste to feed the insects enables the implantation of a continuous, closed loop system that: i) reduces conventional food waste; ii) allows the production of a consistent and reliable food source.

In one embodiment, the plurality of breeding trays are stacked in a configuration permitting removal of any breeding tray within the stack in isolation from any other of the plurality of breeding trays of the stack.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of breeding trays comprises an access channel between it and another breeding tray positioned directly adjacent thereto, wherein the access channel may be selectively opened and closed.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a processing chamber and a collection tray that is selectively insertable into and removable from the processing chamber.

In one embodiment, the means for euthanising fully grown insects comprise a heating or cooling element configured to respectively raise or cool the temperature of the processing chamber.

In one embodiment, the means for processing euthanised insects comprises a blender, grinder, or press.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises control circuitry configured to control operation of the means for euthanising fully grown insects and means for processing euthanised insects.

In one embodiment, the control circuitry comprises a communications module configured to enable communication between the control circuitry and an external electronics device.

In one embodiment the apparatus further comprises an activation button configured to send an activation to the control circuitry to activate the means for euthanising fully grown insects and/or the means for processing euthanised insects.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of breeding trays comprises a ventilation source configured to input a variable air or gas source into each respective breeding tray.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of breeding trays comprises at least one sensor configured to measure a metric of volume or quantity of insects present within said breeding tray, wherein upon determining that the volume or quantity of insects present within a breeding tray exceeds a predetermined threshold, the access channel between said breeding tray and an adjacent breeding tray is opened.

In one embodiment, upon opening of an access channel between adjacent breeding trays, a stimulant is applied within a breeding tray to attract insects towards the access channel.

In one embodiment, the stimulant comprises: a chemical attractant, colour, vibration, lighting, sound, or insect feed.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a timer circuit configured to operate the means for euthanising fully grown insects for a first duration and to subsequently operate the means for processing euthanised insects for a second duration.

In one embodiment, upon completion of a timer circuit cycle, the communication means is configured to send a push notification to the external computing device to inform a user that the contents of the collection tray have been processed into a foodstuff for human or animal consumption.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system for growing insects, the system comprising at least two devices, each device being configured to grow insects at different stages of an insect lifecycle in a plurality of breeding trays, wherein at least one breeding of tray of a first device is connected by way of a pathway to at least one breeding tray of a second device.

In one embodiment, the system further comprises a camera or sensor in each breeding tray for measuring or determining the stage of growth or the concentration, volume or quantity of insects present in each breeding tray.

In one embodiment, the system further comprises a mobile application hosted on an external computing device, wherein the mobile application is configured to deliver a push notification to the external computing device upon receiving a signal from at least one device that the stage of growth or the concentration, volume or quantity of insects present in a breeding tray has exceed a predetermined threshold.

In one embodiment, the mobile application may comprise at least one command function configured to cause the device to perform at least one action in response to the push notification.

In one embodiment, wherein the at least one action comprises grinding, blending, or pressing of insects.

FIGURES

Aspects and embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of reference to the following figures.

Figure 1 illustrates apparatus for breeding insects in accordance with aspects and embodiments of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates use of apparatus according to aspects and embodiments of the invention for the development and harvesting of mealworms.

Figure 3 illustrates a system architecture of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates an ecosystem according to aspects and embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal," "vertical," "above," "below," "up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as "attached," "affixed," "connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

As illustrated in Figure 1, a device 10 for breeding insects comprises a plurality of breeding trays 12 and a processing chamber 14. The processing chamber 14 is configured to receive a collection tray 16. The processing chamber 16 incorporates means for euthanising and processing mealworms into foodstuff for human or animal consumption. For example, the processing chamber 16 may comprise a heating element that may heat the processing chamber to a temperature at which mealworms therein are euthanised. Conversely, the processing chamber 14 may comprise a cooling element such as an applicator for liquid nitrogen such that the vital functions of mealworms therein cease. Other methods of euthanising mealworms may be adopted. Possible examples include: electrification, gas, or vacuum. The processing chamber 14 may further comprise a blender, grinder, or press, for example, for transforming euthanised mealworms into a form suitable for human or animal consumption.

The plurality of breeding trays 12 may be simply stacked one on top of the other. Alternatively, each of the plurality of breeding trays 12 may be rotatably mounted around a central spine. Alternatively, each of the plurality of breeding trays 12 may be substantially wedge shaped to permit each of the plurality of breeding trays 12 to be independently inserted and extracted. In each case, each of the plurality of breeding trays 12 may be independently removed from and replaced within the stack of breeding trays 12. In essence, each breeding tray 12 may act as a cartridge that may be replaced with another. In one embodiment, a breeding tray 12 may comprise an outer shell having a fixed dimension and an inner container of variable dimension that sits within the outer shell of the breeding tray.

Each of the plurality of breeding trays 12 may provide a selectively openable access channel to each adjacent breeding tray 12. For example, the access channel may be provided in the base of each breeding tray 12 and may be opened and closed by a slidable or tiltable shutter, for example. The shutter may be opened and closed manually or by way of an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuator, for example. The access channel may comprise a single opening or a grid type structure. A ramp may be provided between each adjacent breeding tray 12 to act as a pathway between adjacent breeding trays 12.

The processing chamber 14 may be activated through interaction with a button 18 provided on an external body of the processing chamber 14. Activation of the processing chamber will instigate euthanising of any mealworms within the lowermost breeding tray 12e. Once the initial euthanising process has been completed, the euthanised mealworms are then processed into a foodstuff through blending, grinding, or pressing, for example, and may be passed into the collection tray 16 for collection.

As illustrated in Figure 2, each of the plurality of breeding trays 12 hosts insects at different stages of their lifecycle. A first breeding tray 12a at the top of the device 10 may receive a quantity of mealworms 13 that are allowed to pupate and hatch into juvenile Darkling beetles 15. The juvenile Darkling beetles 15 are than attracted towards an access channel 38a between the first breeding tray 12a and a second breeding tray 12b positioned beneath the first breeding tray 12a. Within the second breeding tray 12b, female Darkling beetles 15 are encouraged to lay eggs 17 that are allowed to hatch into larvae. The larvae, once it has reached a certain stage of development become mealworms 19 and are attracted towards an access channel 38b between the second breeding tray 12b and third breeding tray 12c positioned beneath the second breeding tray 12b. The mealworms 19, once they have reached a certain stage of development, are attracted towards an access channel 38c between the third breeding tray 12c and a fourth breeding tray 12d positioned beneath the third breeding tray 12c. The mealworms 19, once fully grown, are attracted towards an access channel 38d between the fourth breeding tray 12d and a fifth breeding tray 12e. The mealworms 19 may be allowed to pupate in the fourth breeding tray 12e before being moved to the first breeding tray 12a to re-start the lifecycle. Alternatively, the fully grown mealworm may be attracted/relocated into the fifth breeding tray 12e prior to processing in the processing chamber 16. Mealworms in the processing chamber 16 may be ground, blended etc into a pellet or kibble 21, for example..

Reference to attraction of mealworms herein may comprise: chemical attractants, colours, lighting, sound, mealworm feed, for example. This list is given by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting.As illustrated in Figure 3, the device 10 may comprise control circuitry 18 for managing operation of various features of aspects and embodiments of the invention. The control circuitry 18 may comprise non-volatile memory 20 for storing instructions, a communications module 20 for exchanging instructions and data with an external computing device 28, and a controller 22. The controller 22 may be configured to operate one or more electric motors 24, euthanising means 26, processing means 28, a lighting source 30, and a camera 32, for example. The device 10 may also comprise one or more sensors 34 for measuring a volume, quantity, or concentration of insects in a breeding tray 12 or the collection tray 16. In some embodiments, an activation button 36 may be provided on or associated with the device 10. The activation button 36 may be a physical button or a capacitive switch. Alternatively, the activation button 36 may be embodied in a smart phone application. In some embodiments, the processing chamber 14 may be activated automatically upon determination by the controller 22 that a camera 32 or sensor 34 has measured a volume, concentration, or quantity of insects that exceeds an activation threshold. The controller 22 may also activate respective gates or shutters 25 configured to selectively block and allow insects to enter respective access channels 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, 38e. The gates or shutters 25 may be slidable and actuated by respective electric motors. A stimulant may be selectively applied in the region of each access channel 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, 38e to encourage insects to move from one breeding tray 12 to another. Sensors used in embodiments of the disclosure may include: humidity sensors, temperature sensors, load sensors, and optical sensors. For example, a humidity sensor may determine the humidity of each breeding tray 12. If the humidity is determined to be too high, a fan may be activated to circulate the airflow in each breeding tray 12. If the humidity is too low, moisture may be introduced into each breading 12 via a mist spray, for example. An optimum humidity may be 60%. The temperature sensor may determine the temperature of each breeding 12. If the temperature is determined to be too high, a fan may be activated to circulate the airflow in each breeding tray 12. If the temperature is determined to be too low, a heating element may be activated to raise the temperature in each breeding tray 12. An optimum temperature range may be 25-30 degrees Celsius. The load sensor may be positioned in the base of each breeding 12 and configured to provide a weight of meal worms in each breeding tray 12 thus enabling an accurate assessment of yield. The optical sensor may comprise a camera that enables a stream to be displayed on a mobile device via an application.

Interaction with the activation button 36 may cause one or more feature activations of the device 10. In some embodiments, more than one activation (or control) button 36 may be provided. For example, interaction with the activation button 36 may cause insects in the lowermost breeding tray 12 to be processed, i.e., ground, blended, or pressed. Alternatively, interaction with the activation button 36 may cause one or more breeding trays 12 to vibrate thus causing any insect frass to pass through a sieve into the next breeding tray 12, below. This process may be repeated until the insect frass passes into the collection tray 16 where it may be disposed of. In one embodiment, mealworm may be separated from pupae by applying a stimulant to attract the mealworm away from the pupae and into an adjacent breeding tray 12.

Each breeding tray 12 may provide access for air or gas ingress by way of a vent or forced air input port. Furthermore, each breeding tray 12 may provide a heating element or warm air input port and a vibrator that may be activated to separate insects from frass through a sieve. Therefore, the temperature and humidity of each breeding tray 12 may be independently controlled relative to every other breeding tray 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates a processing chamber 14 according to the disclosure. The processing chamber 14 may be split into a plurality of sub-chambers 40, each sub-chamber 40 performing a dedicated function. A first sub-chamber 40a may comprise cooling elements 41, for example first and second cooling coils interconnected and interfaced with a compressor that compresses a refrigerant in the first coil and urges the refrigerant through an expansion valve into the second coil. The first sub-chamber may comprise a container for receiving the mealworm. In use, the first sub-chamber 40a may be cooled to approximately -40 degrees Celsius and the temperature held for in the region of 40 minutes to put the mealworm into a low activity state. A second sub-chamber 40b may comprise heating elements 43, for example a microwave, and a container for receiving and heating frozen mealworm. In use, operation of the microwave euthanises the mealworm in a human manner and dries them ready for direct consumption or further processing. A third sub-chamber 40c may comprise a blender or grinder 45 for converting the dried mealworms into a powder. Each of the first, second and third sub-chambers 40a, 40b, 40c may be interconnected by way of a conveyor belt 42.

Using the smartphone application, various parameters of the device 10 may be monitored and amended remotely. For example, the device 10 may be connected to the Internet of Things and provide notifications via the smartphone application relating to: feed reminders, yield of insects contained in the device, amount of feed stuff that has been harvested, amount of recycled food waste, carbon dioxide offset, for example. Certain parameters may be combined to provide a score which may be used to award badges to the user. Furthermore, the smart phone application may monitor the health of the device 10 and identify to the user if there are any faults or if maintenance or repair is required.

In an ecosystem comprising multiple devices 10, as shown in Figure 4, a modular approach may be taken to growing insects in accordance with required demand. For example, a single device 10 may comprise a stack of breeding trays 12 of variable height. As shown, the stack may comprise n number of breeding trays. In an embodiment where greater throughput is required, two or more devices each comprising n number of trays may be provided and interconnected by a tube, or other connector to permit insects to move from a first breeding tray 12a of a first device 10a to a second breeding tray 12b of a second device 10b. The connector may connect to respective trays at each end thereof by way of a quick release connector forming part of the breeding tray(s) 12 or a port of device 10. The port may be provided with a closable gate or shutter. As above, the closable gate or shutter may be actuated by an electric motor, for example.

It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. The present disclosure does not provide any limitations in terms of dimensions and scale.

While some embodiments described herein include some, but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the disclosure, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by the skilled person. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Thus, while certain embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, and it is intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other implementations, which fall within the true spirit and scope of this disclosure. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the scope of this disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

While various implementations of the disclosure have been described, it will be readily apparent to the skilled person that many more implementations are possible within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus for breeding insects comprising: a plurality of breeding trays configured to manage multiple stages of an insect's lifecycle; means for euthanising fully grown insects; and means for processing euthanised insects into a foodstuff for human or animal consumption.
2. Apparatus for breeding insects according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of breeding trays are stacked in a configuration permitting removal of any breeding tray within the stack in isolation from any other of the plurality of breeding trays of the stack.
3. Apparatus for breeding insects according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of breeding trays comprises an access channel between it and another breeding tray positioned directly adjacent thereto, wherein the access channel may be selectively opened and closed.
4. Apparatus for breeding insects according to any preceding claim further comprising a processing chamber and a collection tray that is selectively insertable into and removable from the processing chamber.
5. Apparatus for breeding insects according to claim 4, wherein the means for euthanising fully grown insects comprise a heating or cooling element configured to respectively raise or cool the temperature of the processing chamber.
6. Apparatus for breeding insects according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the means for processing euthanised insects comprises a blender, grinder, or press.
7. Apparatus for breeding insects according to any preceding claim further comprising control circuitry configured to control operation of the means for euthanising fully grown insects and means for processing euthanised insects.
8. Apparatus for breeding insects according to claim 7, wherein the control circuitry comprises a communications module configured to enable communication between the control circuitry and an external electronics device.
9. Apparatus for breeding insects according to claim 7 further comprising an activation button configured to send an activation to the control circuitry to activate the means for euthanising fully grown insects and/or the means for processing euthanised insects.
10. Apparatus for breeding insects according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of breeding trays comprises a ventilation source configured to input a variable air or gas source into each respective breeding tray.
11. Apparatus for breeding insects according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of breeding trays comprises at least one sensor configured to measure a metric of volume or quantity of insects present within said breeding tray, wherein upon determining that the volume or quantity of insects present within a breeding tray exceeds a predetermined threshold, the access channel between said breeding tray and an adjacent breeding tray is opened.
12. Apparatus for breeding insects according to claim 11, wherein upon opening of an access channel between adjacent breeding trays, a stimulant is applied within a breeding tray to attract insects towards the access channel.
13. Apparatus for breeding insects according to claim 12, wherein the stimulant comprises: a chemical attractant, colour, vibration, lighting, sound, or insect feed.
14. Apparatus for breeding insects according to claim 9, further comprising a timer circuit configured to operate the means for euthanising fully grown insects for a first duration and to subsequently operate the means for processing euthanised insects for a second duration.
15. Apparatus for breeding insects according to claim 14, wherein upon completion of a timer circuit cycle, the communication means is configured to send a push notification to the external computing device to inform a user that the contents of the collection tray have been processed into a foodstuff for human or animal consumption.
16. A system for growing insects, the system comprising at least two devices, each device being configured to grow insects at different stages of an insect lifecycle in a plurality of breeding trays, wherein at least one breeding of tray of a first device is connected by way of a pathway to at least one breeding tray of a second device.
17. A system for growing insects according to claim 16 further comprising a camera or sensor in each breeding tray for measuring or determining the stage of growth or the concentration, volume or quantity of insects present in each breeding tray.
18. A system for growing insects according to claim 17 further comprising a mobile application hosted on an external computing device, wherein the mobile application is configured to deliver a push notification to the external computing device upon receiving a signal from at least one device that the stage of growth or the concentration, volume or quantity of insects present in a breeding tray has exceed a predetermined threshold.
19. A system for growing insects according to claim 18, wherein the mobile application comprises at least one command function configured to cause the device to perform at least one action in response to the push notification.
20. A system for growing insects according to claim 19, wherein the at least one action comprises grinding, blending, or pressing of insects.