JP2019013207A - Fiber forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fiber forming method capable of collecting pure silk yarn derived from bagworm easily and simply in few steps from bagworm; and to provide a fiber forming device for executing the fiber forming method.SOLUTION: In a device for forming silk yarn from bagworm including a container for storing bagworm, and an inlet/outlet port for taking in and out bagworm into/from the container, the container is constituted so that a width 305 of the maximum short axis cross section 302 in the internal space becomes the range of 1.2 times or more and less than 3.1 times to the maximum barrel width of stored bagworm.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for collecting silkworms derived from moths belonging to the family Minophoridae, that is, silkworms (hereinafter, often referred to as “yarning device” in this specification), and purity using the yarn collecting device. The present invention relates to a method for picking silkworms derived from a high worm.

  Threads and mammalian hairs that make up insect wings have been used as clothing for clothing since ancient times. In particular, silk thread derived from silkworm (Bombyx mori) silkworm (referred to as “silk silk silk” in this specification) is excellent in moisture absorption and moisture retention and heat retention, and has a unique luster and smoothness. Because of its soft touch, it is still prized as a high-quality natural material.

  However, there are animal fibers in nature that have properties comparable to or better than silkworm silk. In recent years, in order to utilize animal fibers having such excellent characteristics as a new natural material, search and research have been advanced.

  One of the attentions is spider-derived yarn (often referred to as “spider yarn” in this specification). Spider silk has flexibility and stretchability and high elasticity that is 5 to 6 times that of polystyrene, and is expected as a medical material such as surgical sutures and a special material such as disaster prevention rope and protective clothing. (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2). However, spider silk has a problem that it cannot be mass-produced because it is difficult to cultivate spiders in large quantities or to collect a large amount of spider silk, and the production cost is high. At present, this problem is attempted to be solved by causing silkworms and Escherichia coli to produce spider silk using gene recombination technology (Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2). However, since silkworms and Escherichia coli used for spider silk production are genetically recombinants, they can be raised and cultured only in facilities equipped with predetermined facilities, and there is a problem that the burden of maintenance is large. Moreover, the spider silk protein expressed in Escherichia coli is in a liquid state, so it needs to be converted into a fiber, and there is a problem that the number of steps increases accordingly. Furthermore, spider silk spited by genetically modified silkworms is only a few percent of silkworm silk at this stage, and it cannot be obtained as 100% spider silk that can fully utilize the characteristics of spider silk. There's a problem.

  By the way, there is an insect called basket worm, alias “bag worm”. A common bug is a general term for a moth larva belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Psychidae), usually in a spindle-shaped or cylindrical nest (Bag nest) (Fig. 1A) in which leaf pieces and branch pieces are entangled with threads. It is known to live with the nest during the entire larval stage, such as moving with the nest even when lurking and eating. In winter, the sight of the worm's nest hanging on the branch of a fallen tree has become a familiar insect for many years.

  This silkworm-derived yarn (often referred to herein as “Minomugi silk”) has mechanically superior characteristics than silkworm silk and spider silk. For example, the Eumeta minuscula silkworm silk thread is 3.5 times the silkworm silk thread and 2.5 times the silkworm spider silkworm (Nephila clavata), which is extremely strong in terms of elastic modulus (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 3). . In addition, the cross-sectional area of single fiber of silkworm silk thread is only about 1/7 that of single fiber of silkworm silk thread, so it is possible to produce a thin and light cloth with a fine and smooth texture. . In addition, the wormworm silk has a luster and glossiness equivalent to or higher than that of silkworm silk.

  In terms of breeding, the caterpillar has an advantage over silkworms. For example, silkworms are in principle mulberry (a species belonging to the genus Morus, including, for example, M. bombycis, M. alba, and M. Ihou). For feeding, the breeding area and breeding time depend on the mulberry leaf supply area and the mulberry leaf opening period. On the other hand, caterpillars are edible, have low specificity for the feed leaves, and many types can feed on the leaves of various tree species. Therefore, it is easy to obtain feed leaves, and the breeding area is not selected. Also, depending on the type, the leaves of evergreen trees can be used as feed leaves, so unlike the deciduous tree mulberry, feed leaves can be supplied throughout the year. In addition, the bugs are smaller in size than silkworms, so the breeding space is less than or equal to that of silkworms, and mass breeding is easy. Therefore, breeding costs can be significantly reduced compared to silkworms.

  In terms of productivity, the caterpillar has an advantage over silkworms. For example, silkworms spun in large quantities only at the time of pupling, and pups are performed at the same time for all larvae. For this reason, there is a problem that the harvesting time overlaps and the labor period is concentrated. On the other hand, caterpillars repeatedly spun during nesting and movement throughout the larval stage. Therefore, there is an advantage that the labor period can be dispersed by artificially adjusting the yarn picking time. Minorworm silk can be directly collected from wild-type caterpillars, and does not require preparation or maintenance of genetically modified organisms unlike spider silk production.

  As described above, the caterpillar silk thread has characteristics superior to those of conventional animal fibers and has many advantages in production, and thus can be a very promising new natural material.

  However, several major problems must be solved in order to put the silkworm silk into practical use. One of the problems is derived from the characteristics of the nest that is the source of the caterpillar silk. Leaf pieces, branch pieces, and the like always adhere to the surface of the nest of nest beetle, and it is necessary to completely remove these contaminants in order to commercialize the beetle silk thread. However, the removal work requires enormous labor and cost, resulting in high production costs. In addition, it is difficult to completely remove contaminants using existing technology. In addition to the small amount of leaflets mixed in the final product, the silk thread is dyed light brown with the pigment derived from contaminants. It will be something.

  Therefore, in order to put the wormworm silk into practical use as a new biological material, it was necessary to develop a method for easily and easily producing pure wormworm silk that does not contain impurities.

WO2012 / 165477

Shigeyoshi Osaki, 2002, Journal of the Textile Society of Japan (Fiber and Industry), 58: 74-78 Kuwana Y, et al., 2014, PLoS One, DOI: 10.1371 / journal.pone.0105325 Gosline J. M. et al., 1999, 202, 3295-3303

  The present invention develops and provides a yarn collection method capable of easily and conveniently collecting pure wormworm silk from a worm, with a few steps, and a yarn collection device for executing the yarn collection method. is there.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor, in the process of conducting various studies, when a worm was inserted into a tube having a predetermined inner diameter, the worm was spun in the tube, and the spun silk thread was threaded. We have found the fact that it is in the shape of a ball (often referred to herein as “silk lump”). Usually, to prevent falling from a branch or the like, the worms spout the thread that becomes a leg hook in a zigzag shape (arrow head) as shown in FIG. 1C and move while hooking the claw on the thread (arrow). The caterpillar keeps spitting out the thread that becomes a leg hook even in the tube, but in the tube having a predetermined diameter, the thread cannot be attached to the wall surface, which may result in a silk thread mass. This silk lump is composed of pure silkworm silk that does not contain any impurities such as leaf pieces and branch pieces, and a considerable amount can be obtained. Moreover, since the silk lump does not adhere to the inner wall of the tube, it does not require a peeling step or the like, and can be easily recovered simply by inverting the tube. The present invention is based on the above new findings and provides the following.

(1) An apparatus for picking silk thread from a caterpillar, comprising a container for accommodating a caterpillar, and an inlet / outlet for taking the caterpillar into and out of the container, wherein the container has a cross section of the maximum short axis in its internal space. The said apparatus comprised so that the width | variety may become in the range of 1.2 times or more and less than 3.1 times with respect to the maximum trunk width of the caterpillar to accommodate.
(2) The container has a discharge hole at the bottom, and the discharge hole is longer than the maximum width of the dung beetle accommodated in the minimum width, and the maximum width is shorter than the maximum width of the headworm accommodated in the container. The apparatus according to (1), configured as described above.
(3) The apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the container is configured such that the major axis of the internal space has a gradient of 60 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane.
(4) The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the shape of the internal space of the container is tubular, spherical, elliptical, or a combination thereof.
(5) The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein a shape of a short-axis cross section in the internal space of the container is a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or a combination thereof.
(6) The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the inner wall of the container is a smooth surface.
(7) The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein a material constituting the inside of the container is an artificial material.
(8) The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the container includes an enclosure that can enclose a caterpillar.
(9) A method for picking silk thread from a caterpillar, and a housing process for housing a living caterpillar that does not hold a nest in the container of the device according to any one of (1) to (8); The above-mentioned method comprising a yarn discharging step of discharging silk yarn into a container and a recovery step of recovering the silk yarn from the container.
(10) The method according to (8), further comprising: an enclosing step for enclosing a worm in a container after the accommodating step and before the yarn discharging step; and a releasing step for releasing the encapsulation after the yarn discharging step and before the collecting step ( The method according to 9).
(11) The method according to (9) or (10), wherein the caterpillar is aged.
(12) A method for producing a silkworm lump of a caterpillar, wherein a live minomushi that does not hold a nest is contained in the container of the device according to any one of (1) to (8), and the caterpillar in the container The said manufacturing method including the yarn discharging process which sprinkles a silk thread to make a silk thread lump, and the collection | recovery process which collect | recovers a silk lump from a container.
(13) The method according to (12), further including: an enclosing step of enclosing a worm in a container after the accommodating step and before the yarn discharging step; and a releasing step of releasing the encapsulation after the yarn discharging step and before the collecting step. Production method.
(14) The production method according to (12) or (13), wherein the caterpillar is aged.

  According to the yarn picking apparatus of the present invention, the yarn picking method of the present invention can be realized.

  According to the yarn collecting method of the present invention, a pure silk thread derived from a caterpillar can be collected from the caterpillar easily, simply, and with fewer steps. In particular, the yarn collection method of the present invention can recover the silk thread spun in the apparatus in a silk thread lump state.

A: It is an external view of the nest of a giant worm (Oomino moth). B: It is a figure which shows the inside of a nest when the nest of a giant rotifer is cut open in the major axis direction and divided into two. The insect in the center is the larva of the giant moth, that is, the giant worm. C: It is a figure which shows the spitting action at the time of the movement of the giant caterpillar. It can be seen that the caterpillar is moving while spitting silk thread (arrowhead), and that the claw is hanging on the spun silk thread (arrow). It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of a shape of the container internal space in the yarn collection apparatus of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the largest short-axis cross section (302) of the internal space of the container in the yarn collection apparatus of this invention, and its width | variety (305-307). It is a figure which shows the condition and the result which are picking up the silkworm silk thread using the yarn collection apparatus of this invention. A is an example when a caterpillar is accommodated in the yarn picking apparatus of the present invention. B shows a caterpillar that forms a silk thread lump while discharging in a container. C shows the silk lump and caterpillar collected from the container. In the figure, the arrow indicates a silk thread mass. It is a result which shows the effect of the discharge hole in the container of the yarn collection apparatus of this invention. A and B are the results when verified with a container having a discharge hole, and C and D are verified with a container without a control discharge hole. A and C show the state of the silk thread mass in the container, and B and D show the silk thread mass recovered from the container. It is a figure which shows the formation result of the width | variety of the largest short-axis cross section in the container internal space of the yarn picking apparatus of this invention, and a silk thread lump. A is the result of using a container with a maximum short-axis cross-section of 9 mm for a caterpillar with a maximum trunk width of 7 mm, and B is the maximum of the interior space for a caterpillar with a maximum trunk width of 7 mm. This is the result when a container having a short-axis cross section of 120 mm is used. The arrow indicated by A indicates a silk thread mass formed in the container. It is a figure which shows the gradient experiment of the container in the yarn collection apparatus of this invention. In the figure, each numerical value indicates the gradient angle of the container.

1. Yarn picking device 1-1. Outline | summary The 1st aspect of this invention is an apparatus (yarn collecting apparatus) which takes a silk thread from a worm. The yarn collection device of the present invention can collect pure wormworm silk that is easily and easily not contaminated with impurities from wormworms.

1-2. Definitions The following terms frequently used in this specification are defined as follows.
As described above, the term “Morbug” is a general term for moth larvae belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Psychidae). Minoridae moths are distributed all over the world, but all the larvae (minor insects) use the silk thread that spun themselves to spell natural materials such as leaf pieces and branch pieces throughout the larval stage, and live in the nest that holds them. doing. The nest is a bag that can wrap the whole body, and has a spindle shape, a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, or the like. Caterpillars are usually lurking in this nest, always acting with the nest during feeding and movement, and hatching is also carried out in principle in the nest.

  The worm that is used in the present specification is a larva of a moth belonging to the family Minophoridae and can be of any kind, age, and sex as long as it is a species that produces the nest. For example, the mosquitoes include: Acanthopsyche, Anatolopsyche, Bacotia, Bambalina, Canephora, Chalioides, Dahlica, Diplodoma, Eumeta, Eumasia, Kozhantshikovia, Mahasena, Nipponopsyche, Paranarychia, Proutia, Psyche, Pteroma, Siederia, Soptia, Siberia And the like, but the species of worms used in the present specification may be a species belonging to any genus. Specific examples of the type of Minoh include Oumenoga (Eumeta japonica), Chaminoga (Eumeta minuscula), and Shibaminoga (Nipponopsyche fuscescens). The age of the larvae may be any age from the initial age to the final age. However, for the purpose of obtaining a thicker and longer caterpillar silk thread, a larger caterpillar is preferable. For example, if it is the same species, the instar larva is preferable, and if it is male and female, a large female is preferable. Larger species are preferred in the family Minoga. Therefore, Ominoga and Chaminoga are preferred species as the worm used in the present invention.

  In the present specification, the term “silk thread” refers to an insect-derived thread, which is a protein-made thread that insect larvae and adults spun for the purpose of nesting, migration, fixation, hunting, food capture, and the like. In the present specification, when it is simply described as silk thread, it means wormworm silk thread unless otherwise specified.

  In the present specification, the term “wormworm” refers to a silkworm derived from caterpillar.

1-3. Configuration The yarn collection device of the present invention includes a container and a loading / unloading hole. Moreover, you may provide the fixing | fixed part and the enclosure part as needed.

  In the present specification, the “container” is a container for accommodating a caterpillar and includes an internal space. One container may be provided for one yarn picking device, but a plurality of containers may be provided.

  In this specification, “accommodating” means putting the whole worm on the inside of the container.

  The “internal space (of the container)” refers to a space for accommodating a caterpillar provided inside the container. The stored caterpillar performs spitting behavior in this internal space. The shape of the internal space is not particularly limited as long as it satisfies the conditions described below and does not give an excessive load such as significantly restricting the movement of the caterpillar. For example, a tubular shape, a spherical shape, an elliptical spherical shape, or a combination thereof may be used. Tubular or elliptical spheres are preferred. In the case of a tube, the short-axis cross-section (201) as shown in FIG. 2A is substantially the same in the inner parallel tubular shape, and the short-axis cross-section (201) as shown in FIG. 2B gradually decreases toward the end. It may be a cone shape or a combination thereof as shown in FIG. 2C. In the case of a tubular shape, the shape of the short-axis cross section may be any of a circle, an ellipse, a polygon (including a quadrangle, a hexagon, etc.), or a combination thereof. Moreover, the tubular overall shape is not particularly limited. For example, it may be any one of a linear shape such as a test tube, a curved shape such as an arc, and a combination of a straight line and a curved line such as a J shape or a U shape shown in FIG. 2D.

  The internal space of the container is configured such that the width of the maximum short-axis cross section is within a predetermined range.

  In the present specification, the “short axis cross section” refers to a cross section including a short axis perpendicular to the long axis of the internal space. The “maximum short axis cross section” refers to a cross section having the largest area among the short axis cross sections of the internal space. For example, when the internal space is an elliptical sphere (300) such as a spheroid shown in FIG. 3A, the short-axis cross section (302) orthogonal to the center of the long axis (301) corresponds to the maximum short-axis cross section. When the internal space is spherical (303) shown in FIG. 3B, the short-axis cross section (302) orthogonal to the center of the long axis (301), that is, the surface including the diameter corresponds to the maximum short-axis cross section. Furthermore, if the internal space is the parallel prism shape (304) shown in FIG. 3C, any short-axis cross section (302) orthogonal to the long axis (301) is the maximum short-axis cross section.

  In the present specification, “the width of the maximum short-axis cross section” refers to all the widths in the surface constituting the maximum short-axis cross section. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the diameter (305) is obtained when the shape of the maximum short-axis cross section is a circle, and when the shape of the maximum short-axis cross section is a square as shown in FIG. ) Or a diagonal line (307) corresponds to the width.

  The above-mentioned “within the predetermined range” of the width of the maximum short axis section is 1.2 times to less than 3.1 times, preferably 1.3 times to 2.5 times (1.3 times to 2.5 times) the maximum trunk width of the caterpillar to be accommodated. It is a range. The "wormworm body width" is a width in a cross section including a minor axis perpendicular to the major axis from the head end portion to the tail end portion of the caterpillar, and the "maximum trunk width of the caterpillar" is, The biggest one. As a general rule, the maximum width of the beetle individual before storage in the container, preferably immediately before storage. Since this width varies depending on the type, age (growth stage), sex, and individual difference of the beetle, it may be appropriately determined according to the beetle to be used. In general, if the type and age of the caterpillar used in the yarn picking apparatus of the present invention are clear, the numerical value can be specified to some extent. For example, in the case of the long-lasting caterpillar, the maximum torso width is in the range of 9.0 mm ± 2.0 mm (7.0 mm to 11.0 mm), preferably in the range of 9.0 mm ± 1.5 mm (7.5 mm to 10.5 mm). . In the case of Chaminoga's old-aged caterpillar, the maximum trunk width is in the range of 7.0 mm ± 2.0 mm (5.0 mm to 9.0 mm) on average, preferably in the range of 7.0 mm ± 1.5 mm (5.5 mm to 8.5 mm) on average. . Therefore, when using the long-lasting caterpillar of the long-tailed moth in the yarn picking apparatus of the present invention, the width of the maximum short axis cross section of the inner space in the container is 8.4 mm or more and less than 34.1 mm (≈ 7.0 mm x 1.2 times or more 11.0 mm x Less than 3.1 times), or 9.1 mm to 27.5 mm (≈ 7.0 mm x 1.3 times to 11.0 mm x 2.5 times), preferably 9.0 mm to less than 32.6 mm (≒ 7.5 mm x 1.2 times to 10.5 mm x less than 3.1 times), Alternatively, it may be within a range of 9.8 mm to 26.3 mm (≈7.5 mm × 1.3 times to 10.5 mm × 2.5 times). For example, when the maximum short-axis cross-sectional shape is the above-described square, the minimum side length may be 9.0 mm or more, and the maximum diagonal line length may be 27.5 mm or less.

  On the other hand, the length of the long axis of the internal space is not particularly limited as long as it is longer than the total length of the caterpillar to be accommodated. Lower limit is 1.5 times, 2.0 times, 2.5 times, 3.0 times, 3.0 times, 3.5 times, 4.0 times or more than the length of the caterpillar so that the caterpillar can move with a certain degree of freedom in the internal space 4.5 times or more, or 5.0 times or more. The upper limit is not limited, but usually 20 times or less, 15 times or less, 14 times or less, 13 times or less, 12 times or less, 11 times or less, 10 times or less, 9 times or less, 8 times or less, 7 times or less, or 6 Less than double is enough.

  The material constituting the inside of the container is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that cannot be easily destroyed or perforated. Any of natural materials, artificial materials, and combinations thereof may be used. Natural materials include metals (including alloys), minerals (including stones and sand), animal-derived materials (including bones, teeth, fangs, horns, shells, scales, and horns), plant-derived materials (wood, (Including bamboo, shells and paper). Examples of the artificial material include synthetic resin (including plastic), ceramic (including enamel), glass, and carbon fiber. Artificial materials are preferred in terms of material costs and manufacturing costs.

  The inner wall of the container, that is, the wall surface inside the container is preferably a smooth surface. This is because if the wall surface has many irregularities, the worms stored in the container may not be able to obtain the desired silk thread mass by escaping from the irregular parts or attaching the spun silk thread to the wall surface. The smooth surface may be based on the material itself inside the container, or may be generated by applying a paint to the surface of the material inside the container. For example, in the case of metal, glass, plastic, etc., the material itself is finished to a smooth surface by processing. Moreover, even if it is a raw material which is difficult to finish smooth surfaces like a woody material or a fiber, smoothness can be provided by coat | covering the surface with coating materials, such as a varnish.

  Examples of the container include a test tube and a conical tube.

  In the present specification, the “in / out hole” is a hole for taking in and out the worms into and out of the container. There may be one inlet / outlet per container, but a plurality of inlets / outlets may be provided. For example, the case where a container is U-shaped and the entrance / exit hole was provided in the both ends is mentioned. In the case where a plurality of inlet / outlet holes are provided, the holes for feeding the wormworm and the holes for taking out may be common or different. The width of the access hole must be larger than the maximum body width of the caterpillar accommodated in the container. Usually, it is in the range of 1.2 times or more and less than 3.1 times the maximum body width of the caterpillar. The shape of the inlet / outlet hole is not particularly limited as long as it is a shape corresponding to the shape of the container. A circle or an ellipse close to a circle (substantially circular) is preferred.

  The container can be provided with a discharge hole. The “discharge hole” in the container is a hole for discharging feces excreted by the caterpillar housed in the container to the outside of the container. Although the purpose of the discharge hole is to discharge feces out of the container in principle, the same effect can be obtained if the larvae cannot re-contact with the feces, so the feces are not necessarily discharged from the container. Also good. In general, when an active stink bug performing feeding behavior is used in the yarn picking apparatus of the present invention, it is often defeased in a container. When the feces remain in the container, the worms start to entangle the yarn with the feces as a nest material, and thus the collected silk lump is covered with the feces and a pure silk lump cannot be obtained. Therefore, in the case of using an active worm, it is preferable that the container has a discharge hole.

  The discharge hole is arranged at the bottom of the container so that feces excreted in the container are naturally discharged by gravity. “Bottom” refers to the lowest position inside the container. At this time, it is preferable that the inside of the container is configured so as to converge toward the discharge hole, specifically, so that water put in the container is completely drained from the discharge hole. The shape of the hole is not particularly limited. It may be round, oval, polygonal (including quadrangle, hexagonal, etc.), or a combination thereof, but the purpose of the discharge hole is to discharge feces, In view of the ease of drilling, a circular shape or an elliptical shape (substantially circular) is preferable. As for the size of the discharge hole, the minimum width of the hole may be longer than the maximum width of feces excreted by the caterpillar accommodated in the container. On the other hand, the maximum width of the hole is set to be shorter than the maximum width of the head of the worm that is accommodated in the container in order to prevent escape of the worm. The width of the discharge hole varies depending on the type of the beetle, age (growth stage), sex, and individual differences. Therefore, what is necessary is just to determine the width | variety of a discharge hole suitably according to the caterpillar to be used. In general, if the type and age of the caterpillars used in the yarn picking apparatus of the present invention are clear, their numerical values can be specified to some extent. For example, in the case of the long-lasting caterpillar, the maximum fecal width is in the range of 3.0mm ± 0.5mm (2.5mm to 3.5mm), and the maximum head width is in the range of 5.5mm ± 1.0mm (4.5mm). ~ 6.5mm). In addition, in the case of Chaminoga's indigenous caterpillar, the maximum width of feces is in the range of 2.5mm ± 0.5mm on average (2.0mm to 3.0mm), and the maximum width of head is in the range of 4.5mm ± 1.0mm on average (3.5 mm to 5.5 mm). Usually 1.2 times or more, 1.3 times or more, or 1.4 times or more of the maximum fecal width, preferably 1.5 times or more, 1.6 times or more, 1.7 times or more, 1.8 times or more, 1.9 times or more, or 2.0 times or more, and the head 0.9 times or less and 0.8 times or less, preferably 0.7 times or less and 0.6 times or less of the maximum part width.

  The external shape of the container is not particularly limited. The external shape may be completely different from the internal space, or may be a shape according to the internal space. As an example in which the external shape is completely different from the internal space, there is a case where the external shape is a quadrangular prism and the internal space is stored in the cylindrical shape. In general, the shape may conform to the internal space.

  In the yarn collecting device, the angle of the container is not particularly limited. For example, the major axis of the internal space of the container may be horizontal or perpendicular (90 degrees) to the horizontal plane. However, in consideration of the installation space of the yarn collecting device, the ease of managing the caterpillars, the ease of discharging feces, or the escape of the caterpillars from the container, the angle of the container in the yarn collecting device is such that the major axis of the internal space is horizontal. It is preferable that it is comprised so that it may have a gradient of 60 to 90 degrees, 70 to 90 degrees, 80 to 90 degrees, or 85 to 90 degrees. 90 degrees is most preferred.

  The container may be configured so that the caterpillar can be enclosed in the internal space as necessary so that the accommodated caterpillar does not escape from the entrance / exit hole and escape. In this specification, “encapsulation” means confinement in the internal space of a container. However, the internal space is only in a vented state and is not sealed and contained. In order to be able to enclose, among the holes provided in the container, the enclosing portion may be installed in a hole having a width greater than the maximum width of the head of the caterpillar. Since a hole that is necessarily larger than the maximum width of the head of the caterpillar in the container is an entry / exit hole in principle, it can be sealed by installing an enclosure in the entry / exit hole.

  In the present specification, the “encapsulating portion” refers to a portion that makes the width of the hole having a width equal to or larger than the maximum width of the head of the caterpillar shorter than the maximum width of the head of the caterpillar or closes the hole. Specifically, a lid is mentioned, for example. The shape of the lid is not particularly limited as long as the conditions for the enclosure are satisfied. Various shapes of lids such as screw caps and rubber plugs can be used. The lid may have a hole. In addition, you may make it the variable type which can make the width | variety of an entrance / exit hole arbitrarily shorter than the head width of a headworm.

  In the present specification, the “fixing portion” is a portion that fixes the container of the yarn picking apparatus. If the container can be self-supported and can maintain a necessary gradient or the like, the fixing unit is not necessary, and thus is a selective component in the yarn picking apparatus. The shape and size of the fixed part are not particularly limited. Moreover, the fixing | fixed part may be comprised so that a some container can be fixed. As a specific example of the fixing portion, when the container is a test tube, a test tube stand or the like can be given.

2. Threading method 2-1. Outline The second aspect of the present invention is a yarn picking method. The yarn picking method of the present invention is a method for obtaining a pure caterpillar silk thread from a caterpillar using the yarn collecting device of the first aspect. According to the silk thread method of the present invention, it is possible to easily and easily pick a silkworm silk thread in a pure silk lump state.

2-2. Method The yarn picking method of the present invention includes an accommodation step, a yarn discharging step, and a recovery step as essential steps, and an encapsulation step and a release step as selection steps. Hereinafter, each step will be described.

(1) Accommodating process The "accommodating process" is a process of accommodating the caterpillars in the container of the first embodiment of the yarn collection device.
The caterpillar used in this step is a living individual that does not retain its nest. Usually, the bugs act with the nest, so they can be taken out of the nest and used. The caterpillar used in the present invention may be an individual in an active period for feeding or an individual in a dormant period. However, dormant individuals must be placed under active conditions.

  As used herein, the term “activity condition” refers to a condition under which a caterpillar can perform activities involving daily movements such as movement and feeding. Conditions include air temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, light and darkness, oxygen content, etc., and the most important condition in the present invention is air temperature. Insects are temperature-reducing animals, so their activities stop and go to sleep as the temperature drops. Therefore, a preferable lower limit of the temperature among the activity conditions in the present invention is a temperature at which the caterpillar does not go to sleep. Although the specific temperature varies depending on the type, it is generally 10 ° C. or higher, preferably 12 ° C. or higher, more preferably 13 ° C. or higher, still more preferably 14 ° C. or higher, and even more preferably 15 ° C. or higher. On the other hand, the upper limit of the temperature is the upper limit of the temperature at which the caterpillar can survive. Generally, it may be 40 ° C. or lower, preferably 35 ° C. or lower, more preferably 30 ° C. or lower, further preferably 27 ° C. or lower, and more preferably 25 ° C. or lower. For example, the atmospheric pressure, humidity, light and dark, oxygen concentration, and the like may be the same as the conditions in the flat area of the temperate region. For example, the atmospheric pressure is around 1 atm, the humidity is 30 to 70%, the light and dark are in the range of 6 to 18 hours of light conditions in 24 hours, and the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere is in the range of 15 to 25%.

  Further, the caterpillar used in the present invention may be an individual collected in the field, or may be an artificially reared individual, but each is preferably an individual that is not starved, and a sufficient amount of food before use It is more preferable to give an individual. If the individual to be spit is not starved, a well-fed worm will follow the linear road for 1 hour to 4 days, 3 hours to 3 days, or 6 hours to 2 days under active conditions. Continue to spit while moving.

  The accommodation is performed through an inlet / outlet provided in a container of the yarn picking apparatus. Since the caterpillars removed from the nest are exposed to a stress environment, it is preferable that the accommodation be performed promptly after the caterpillars are removed from the nest. At that time, do not put a load on the caterpillar, or try to minimize. The load here is an excessive load other than stress, and refers to, for example, a contact load that picks up or rolls a caterpillar, or a temperature load that is exposed to low or high temperatures.

  As a rule, a single bug is placed in one container.

(2) Encapsulation process The “encapsulation process” is a process of encapsulating a caterpillar in a container. This step is performed after the storing step and before the yarn discharging step described later. This step is a selection step, and can be executed when the yarn-taking apparatus according to the first aspect includes an enclosure. The purpose of this step is to prevent the caterpillar housed in the container in the housing step from escaping from the container.

  This process is a process that is a premise of the cancellation process described later, and is usually executed as a set together with the cancellation process. However, the enclosing step may be performed alone.

  Encapsulation is achieved by closing the entrance / exit hole with the enclosing portion. What is necessary is just to perform the method of enclosure according to the structure of the provided enclosure part. For example, when the enclosing portion is a screw cap, a container cap corresponding to the entrance / exit hole may be screwed with the screw cap to close the cap.

(3) Threading process The “threading process” is a process in which silkworms are spun into a caterpillar in a container. This step is the most important step in producing the caterpillar silk in the present invention. However, it is only necessary to install the yarn picking device under active conditions, and no other special work is required. If the caterpillar is accommodated in the container, the caterpillar continues to spit itself in the container, and the sprung silkworm silk thread naturally forms a silk thread mass. There is no particular limitation on the time of this step, that is, the time for threading the worm. This may be done until a silk thread mass is formed in the container. It may be performed for 6 hours or more, 12 hours or more, 18 hours or more, 24 hours or more, 48 hours or more, or 72 hours or more. The upper limit may be until the caterpillar stops spitting, but is usually 168 hours or less, 150 hours or less, 144 hours or less, 120 hours or less, 100 hours or less, or 96 hours or less.

(4) Release process The "release process" is a process of releasing the encapsulation. This step is performed after the yarn discharging step and before the recovery step described later. This step is a selection step on the premise that the enclosing step has been executed, and can be executed when the yarn-taking apparatus according to the first aspect includes an enclosing portion. The purpose of this step is to make it easier to collect from the container the silk lump that has been generated in the container due to the discharge of the caterpillar in the yarn discharging process.

  “Release” means to release the encapsulation. That is, in this method, it means releasing the entrance / exit from the enclosing portion. For example, if the enclosing portion is a screw cap, the cap may be removed from the container.

  Since the entrance / exit hole is opened by this step, the silk thread mass generated in the container can be easily recovered in the recovery step described later.

(5) Recovery process The “recovery process” is a process of recovering from a container. In principle, the silk thread is collected from the entrance and exit holes. However, you may collect | recover from the hole provided in the discharge hole or the enclosure part using tweezers. Since the silk thread produced in the container is in the form of a silk lump and is usually smaller than the width of the entry / exit hole, when collecting it from the entry / exit hole, it should be easily collected simply by pointing the entry / exit hole downward. Can do. At this time, if necessary, tweezers or a scraping bar may be used. The caterpillar housed in the container in the housing process may be collected together with the silk thread in this process. Reusable. Therefore, if necessary, it can be stored in the container and discharged again. However, it is preferable to use the worm that has been once used in the present method after it has been collected and fed, since it continues to spoil in a fasted state and is exhausted.

3. Silk Lump Production Method 3-1. Outline | summary The 3rd aspect of this invention is a silk lump manufacturing method. According to the production method of the present invention, it is possible to produce a silk thread lump composed of wormworm silk thread using the yarn collection device of the first aspect. According to the production method of the present invention, it is possible to easily and easily produce a silk thread mass composed of pure wormworm silk thread.

3-2. Method The production method of the present invention includes an accommodation step, a yarn discharging step, and a recovery step as essential steps, and an encapsulation step and a release step as selection steps. About the detail of these processes, it applies to each process in the yarn collection method as described in a 2nd aspect. Therefore, detailed description of each process is omitted.

<Example 1: Manufacture of silk lump with a yarn collecting device (1)>
(the purpose)
It is verified that a silk lump composed of pure wormworm silk that does not contain impurities can be easily and easily collected using the yarn collection device of the present invention.

(Method)
For the caterpillar, we used the larvae of Ominoga collected in the field in November. The maximum torso width of each individual was in the range of 9.0 mm to 10.0 mm and the total length of 30.0 mm to 32.0 mm.

  A 10 mL polypropylene conical tube (IWAKI) was used for the container of the yarn collecting device. The width (inner diameter) of the maximum short-axis cross section in the internal space of this container is 14.5 mm and the length is 97.0 mm. In this case, the tube opening corresponds to the container entrance / exit. A test tube stand was used as the fixed part.

  After taking out the bug from the nest using scissors, it was immediately stored in the container of the yarn collecting device (FIG. 4A). Subsequently, in order to prevent escape of caterpillars, a lid made by rolling Saran Wrap (registered trademark) (Asahi KASEI) was packed into the tube opening as an enclosure. It was left as it was at 25 ° C.

(result)
As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the caterpillars formed silk thread masses (arrows) in all the tubes after 12 hours. FIG. 4C shows a silk lump (arrow) and a caterpillar (arrowhead) removed from the tube 120 hours after storage. It was possible to obtain a silk lump consisting of pure white silkworm silk that was pure white and contained no impurities.

<Example 2: Manufacture of silk thread mass using a yarn collecting device (2)>
(the purpose)
It is verified that a silk thread lump containing no contaminants can be collected from an active minnow beetle using the yarn collecting device of the present invention provided with a discharge hole.

(Method and result)
For the caterpillars, 10 sub- to late-instar larvae of Chaminoga collected outdoors in June were used. The maximum torso width of each individual was in the range of 6.0 mm to 8.0 mm and the total length of 24.0 mm to 30.0 mm.

  A 10 mL pipetter tip (Eppendorf) made of polypropylene was used as a container of the yarn-taking apparatus for verification. The width (diameter) of the maximum short axis section in the internal space of this container is 13.5 mm. In the case of a pipettor chip, the pipetter connection port corresponds to the container entrance / exit. On the other hand, the bottom of the tube (tip tip) was cut to form a discharge hole with a diameter of 3.5 mm. A 10 mL glass round-bottom tube (As one) without a discharge hole was used as a container in a control yarn collection device. A test tube stand was used as a fixed part.

  After being taken out of the nest using scissors, five caterpillars were immediately housed in the containers of the verification and control yarn collection devices. Subsequently, in order to prevent escape of caterpillars, the opening was covered with a polyethylene film and fastened with a rubber band so as not to loosen, thereby sealing the inlet / outlet holes of each container. However, it was not sealed and the air permeability in the container was ensured. It was allowed to stand at 25 ° C. for 72 hours. The caterpillar excreted feces in all the containers, but the feces were discharged naturally outside the container in the container (FIG. 5A) provided with the discharge hole of the verification yarn-collecting device. As in Example 1, it was possible to obtain a silk lump composed of pure whiteworm silk that was pure white and contained no impurities. On the other hand, in the control yarn collection device, the feces remain in the container without being discharged, and thus, as shown in FIG. 5C, the worms often entangle the feces with the spun silk thread. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5D, all of the collected silk lump was soiled with feces. Therefore, it was suggested that it is preferable to use a container provided with a discharge hole when the active periodworm is used in the yarn collection device of the present invention. Further, it has been clarified that by using the silk thread device of the present invention, it is possible to easily and easily produce and collect a silk lump made of pure wormworm regardless of the kind of worm.

<Example 3: Relationship between inner diameter of container of yarn collecting device and formation of silk lump>
(the purpose)
The relationship between the ratio of the maximum short-axis cross-section width in the container internal space of the yarn-collecting device to the maximum trunk width of the caterpillar to be accommodated and the formation of the silk lump will be verified.

(Method)
The caterpillar larvae of 30 mm in length and 7 mm in maximum body width collected in June were used as the caterpillars.

  The width (diameter) of the maximum short-axis cross section of the container internal space in the yarn picking device is 9 mm (2.5 mL polypropylene pipettor tip, φ9 mm × height 115 mm: Eppendorf), 12.0 mm (6 mL glass test tube, φ12 mm × Height 75mm: As one), 15.0mm (15mL glass test tube, φ15mm × height 85mm: As one), 22.0mm (50mL glass test tube, φ22mm × height 200mm: As one), 30.0 mm (50 mL polypropylene conical tube, φ30 mm × height 118 mm: As one), 120 mm (cylindrical plastic container with polyethylene lid), φ120 mm × height 60 mm).

  The basic yarn collection method was in accordance with Examples 1 and 2.

(result)
When the width of the maximum short axis cross-section of the inner space of the container is 9 mm to 15 mm with respect to the worm that has a maximum body width of 7 mm, the worms formed silk thread masses in the container (FIG. 6A). However, when the width of the maximum short-axis cross-section was 22.0 mm or more, which is more than 3 times the maximum body width, it started to sprinkle actively on the inner wall of the container, probably because of the high degree of freedom in the container. Therefore, as a result, the formation rate of the silk thread mass significantly decreased (not shown). Furthermore, when the width of the maximum short axis cross-section became 120 mmn, no silk lump was formed at all, and the silkworm spun out randomly while attaching the wormworm silk to the inner wall of the container (FIG. 6B). From this result, if the width of the maximum short-axis cross section of the container inner space becomes excessively larger than the maximum body width of the caterpillar, a silk lump will not be formed. It has been found that a range of 1.2 times to less than 3.1 times, preferably 1.3 times to 2.5 times the body width is appropriate.

<Example 4: Relationship between container gradient and silk lump formation in a yarn collection device>
(the purpose)
The relationship between the gradient of the container of the yarn collecting device and the internal space thereof and the formation of the silk lump is verified.

(Method)
For the caterpillar, the last-instar larvae of Chaminoga collected outdoors in June were used. All individuals had a maximum torso width of about 24 mm and a total length of about 7 mm.

  As in Example 1, a 10 mL polypropylene pipetter tip (Eppendorf) was used for the container of the yarn collecting device. A hole having a diameter of 3.5 mm was formed as a discharge hole at the bottom of each tube. Two 10 tubes each were installed in a test tube stand so as to have 5 gradient angles (0 °, 25 °, 45 °, 60 °, 90 °) with respect to the horizontal plane (FIG. 7).

  The basic yarn collection method was in accordance with Examples 1 and 2. As the encapsulating part, the caterpillar was introduced into the container, and then the tube opening, which is an inlet / outlet hole, was covered with a polyethylene film and fastened with a rubber band so as not to be loosened. After the injection, it was observed for 3 days under active conditions.

(result)
As a result, the caterpillars formed almost spherical silk clumps in the tube at any gradient angle. From this result, it has been clarified that the gradient angle of the container has no particular influence when the silkworm lump of the worm is formed with the yarn collecting device of the present invention.

Claims (14)

A device for picking silk thread from a caterpillar,
A container for accommodating a caterpillar, and an inlet / outlet for taking the caterpillar into and out of the container,
The said apparatus is comprised so that the width | variety of the largest short-axis cross section in the internal space may be in the range of 1.2 times or more and less than 3.1 times with respect to the largest trunk width of the caterpillar to accommodate. The container has a discharge hole at the bottom, and the discharge hole is configured so that the minimum width is longer than the maximum width of the dung beetle and the maximum width is shorter than the maximum width of the dung beetle head. Being
The apparatus of claim 1.   The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is configured such that the major axis of the internal space has a gradient of 60 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane.   The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shape of the internal space of the container is tubular, spherical, elliptical spherical, or a combination thereof.   The apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4 whose shape of the short-axis cross section in the interior space of the said container is circular, an ellipse, a polygon, or those combination.   The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner wall of the container is a smooth surface.   The apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-6 whose material which comprises the said container inside is an artificial material.   The apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-7 provided with the enclosure part which can enclose the caterpillar in the said container. A method for picking silk thread from a caterpillar,
A housing step of housing a living caterpillar that does not hold a nest in the container of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The method comprising: a yarn discharging step of causing a caterpillar to spun in a container; and a recovery step of recovering the silk thread from the container. The claim 9 according to claim 8, further comprising a sealing step of sealing a caterpillar in a container after the accommodation step and before the yarn discharging step, and a releasing step of releasing the sealing after the yarn discharging step and before the recovery step. The method described.   The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the caterpillar is aged. A method for producing a silkworm lump
A housing step of housing a living caterpillar that does not hold a nest in the container of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The manufacturing method comprising: a yarn discharging step for producing a silk lump by spitting silk thread into a worm in a container; and a collecting step for collecting the silk lump from the container. The manufacturing method according to claim 12, further comprising: an enclosing step for enclosing a worm in a container after the accommodating step and before the yarn discharging step; and a releasing step for releasing the encapsulation after the yarn discharging step and before the collecting step.   The production method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the caterpillar is aged.

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