NL2020153B1 - Live insects transport device - Google Patents
Live insects transport device Download PDFInfo
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- NL2020153B1 NL2020153B1 NL2020153A NL2020153A NL2020153B1 NL 2020153 B1 NL2020153 B1 NL 2020153B1 NL 2020153 A NL2020153 A NL 2020153A NL 2020153 A NL2020153 A NL 2020153A NL 2020153 B1 NL2020153 B1 NL 2020153B1
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- fluid
- transport device
- live
- live insects
- insect
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- 241000238631 Hexapoda Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 457
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 326
- 241000709785 Hermetia illucens Species 0.000 claims abstract description 21
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- 238000009313 farming Methods 0.000 abstract description 23
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- 238000009318 large scale farming Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
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- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 description 2
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- 241000254109 Tenebrio molitor Species 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K67/00—Rearing or breeding animals, not otherwise provided for; New or modified breeds of animals
- A01K67/033—Rearing or breeding invertebrates; New breeds of invertebrates
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for use in large-scale industrial insect farming. More in particular, the invention relates to a live insects transport device for transporting live insects from a first location to a predetermined second location, the live insects transport device comprising a fluid guiding unit, a fluid discharge member and a feeder arrangement, wherein the live insects transport device is configured to receive live insects such as freshly hatched neonate larvae, for example of black soldier fly, wherein the live insects are taken up in a laminar flow of fluid and while in said fluid are transported to a predetermined location in the live insects transport device. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the device in ndustrial insect farming, such as large-scale farming of black soldier flies, and the invention relates to a method of dosing live insects, wherein preferably live insects are doses which are essentially of the same age, such as freshly hatched neonate larvae.
Description
LIVE INSECTS TRANSPORT DEVICE
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for use in large-scale industrial insect farming. More inparticular, the invention relates to a live insects transport device for transporting live insectsfrom a first location to a predetermined second location, the live insects transport devicecomprising a fluid guiding unit, a fluid discharge member and a feeder arrangement, whereinthe live insects transport device is configured to receive live insects such as freshly hatchedneonate larvae, for example of black soldier fly, wherein the live insects are taken up in alaminar flow of fluid and while in said fluid are transported to a predetermined location in thelive insects transport device. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the device inindustrial insect farming, such as large-scale farming of black soldier flies, and the inventionrelates to a method of dosing live insects, wherein preferably live insects are doses which areessentially of the same age, such as freshly hatched neonate larvae.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Insects are considered one of the most promising means for protein and for organic residualrecovery. Prominent examples of species proposed for the indicated applications include theblack soldier fly {Hermetia illucens), the house fly {Musca domestica), and the mealworm{Tenebrio molitor L.).
Methods improving the efficiency of insect farming relating to improvements in farmingcolonies of insects having essentially the same age are particularly valuable for large scaleproduction. This, because of the batch wise nature of the insect farming steps that should beperformed in order to be able to arrive at an economically viable scale. Since aiming for large-scale insect farming is a desired industrial activity that involves live animals, synchronizationof the age of insects in a colony, which are then essentially in the same stage of the insect lifecycle, would contribute to efficient use of farming facilities and would aid in achievingpredictable production volumes. Furthermore, synchronization and steering of the age ofbatches of insect colonies which are in subsequent insect stages would further contribute toefficient use of farming facilities. However, methods and means for efficaciously and beneficially interfering in the life cycle of insects forming a colony, such that within the colonythe insects essentially have the same age to the benefit of industrial-scale insect farming, are atpresent not available in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a first goal of the present invention to take away the above mentioned disadvantages, or atleast to provide a useful alternative to the state of the art.
It is an object of the current invention to provide a means for automated andefficient transport of live insects such as live neonate larvae, preferably directly after the insectshatched.
It is an object of the current invention to provide a means for automated andefficient transport of live insects such as live neonate larvae, wherein the automated transportmeans does not do harm to the live insects and does not injure or even kill the live insects duringtransportation or thereafter as a result of the transportation with said means for transport of liveinsects.
It is another or alternative object to provide a means for automated and efficienttransport of live insects such as live neonate larvae from the location where the insects hatch toa location where the live insects are countable and preferably dosable and/or analyzable withregard to the age of the live insects transported by using the means for automated and efficienttransport of live insects.
Furthermore, it is yet another or alternative object to transport live insects withoutimposing any harm to said insects and to transport live insects efficaciously from a first locationto a predetermined second location, with minimal losses of insects by fall-out duringtransportation.
At least one of the above objectives is achieved by a live insects transport devicefor transporting live insects from a first location to a predetermined second location, the liveinsects transport device comprising a fluid guiding unit, a first fluid discharge member and afeeder arrangement, wherein the live insects transport device is configured to receive liveinsects such as live freshly hatched neonate larvae, for example of black soldier fly, whereinthe live insects are taken up in a laminar flow of fluid and while in said fluid are transported toa predetermined location in the live insects transport device.
The objective of keeping transported insects viable, alive and uninjured during transportation by the live insects transport device of the invention, or thereafter as aconsequence of the transportation by said live insects transport device of the invention, isachieved by applying the live insects transport device, according to the invention. That is tosay, amongst other defining tests, the inventor established that live insects transported by thelive insects transport device of the invention are equally viable as live insects not transportedby the live insects transport device of the invention and otherwise being treated equally. Nosigns of any injury or increased number of death insects due to subjecting live insects totransportation by the live insects transport device of the invention was indicated, whencompared to similar live insects not subjected to the transportation by using the live insectstransport device of the invention. Tests were performed with freshly hatched neonate larvae ofblack soldier fly.
As said, the live insects transport device of the invention transports live insects to apredetermined location when in operation. At such predetermined location in the live insectstransport device, a tunable outflow of live insects is provided for, with regard to the number oflive insects exiting the live insect transport device per time unit, e.g. per second or per minute,and/or with regard to the number of live insects exiting the live insects transport device pervolume of fluid in the laminar flow of fluid, according to the invention. Herewith, the liveinsects transport device of the invention provides for a means to deliver live insects per timeunit and/or per volume in a manner that such transported live insects are for examplesubsequently countable after exiting the device of the invention and/or are dosable by forexample receiving an amount of live insects in a receptacle for a certain period of time in whichthe live insect transport device of the invention is in operation, and/or receiving the amount oflive insects in a certain volume of fluid in the laminar flow of fluid exiting the device of theinvention when in operation, according to the invention.
The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments andwith reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims.The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size ofsome of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. Thedimensions and the relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions topractice of the invention.
Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in theclaims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describinga sequential or chronological order. The terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention can operate in other sequences thandescribed or illustrated herein.
Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and theclaims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions.The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodimentsof the invention described herein can operate in other orientations than described or illustratedherein.
The embodiments of the invention described herein can operate in combination andcooperation, unless specified otherwise.
Furthermore, the various embodiments, although referred to as “preferred” or “e.g.” or“for example” or “in particular” are to be construed as exemplary manners in which theinvention may be implemented rather than as limiting the scope of the invention.
The term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restrictedto the elements or steps listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It needs tobe interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or componentsas referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps or components, or groups thereof Thus, the scope of the expression “a devicecomprising A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B,rather with respect to the present invention, the only enumerated components of the device areA and B, and further the claim should be interpreted as including equivalents of thosecomponents. A first aspect of the current invention relates to a live insects transport devicecomprising: a fluid guiding unit comprising a distal end and a proximal end, and at least onelongitudinal fluid guiding member comprising a distal end and a proximal end, whereinthe distal end of the fluid guiding member is arranged at the distal end of the fluidguiding unit and wherein the proximal end of the fluid guiding member is directedtoward the proximal end of the fluid guiding unit, wherein the at least one fluid guiding member further comprises a smooth topsurface extending from the distal end to the proximal end of the fluid guiding member,the top surface comprising a live insects receiving portion between the distal end andproximal end of the at least one fluid guiding member, and wherein the fluid guidingmember is tilted at an angle a relative to the horizontal; a first fluid discharge member located at the distal end of the fluid guiding unitand being configured to connect to a source of fluid, wherein the first fluid dischargemember is further configured to provide a first laminar flow of fluid over the top surfaceof the at least one fluid guiding member from the distal end to the proximal end thereofduring operation of the transport device; and wherein the transport device furthercomprises a feeder arrangement located above the live insects receiving portion of the topsurface of the fluid guiding unit, wherein the feeder arrangement is configuredto receive at least one reservoir for releasing live insects above the live insectsreceiving portion.
When in operation, the live insect transport device of the invention provides atunable supply of live insects in the laminar flow of fluid at a predetermined location in the liveinsects transport device, such as for example at the downstream location of the laminar flow offluid, i.e. the proximal end of the fluid guiding member. As described, this way, a stream oflive insects in a laminar flow of fluid is provided that is for example suitable for subsequentlyfeeding for example a live insect analysis arrangement, according to the invention, upon exitingof the live insects from the device of the invention. Typically, a live insect analysis arrangementis an imaging device comprising analysis software, which is capable of imaging live insectsexiting the life insects transport device of the invention and passing through an imaging zone,and capable of providing instant feedback on for example the size and/or shape and/or colorand/or weight of the transported live insects. This provides a manner of sorting and/or dosinglive insects transported by the transport device of the invention. For example, transported liveinsects are collected in a receptacle when a certain predetermined cut-off for a parameter valuesuch as volume, size, etc., is determined, and transported live insects are not collected forexample for further farming, when said certain predetermined cut-off for a parameter value isnot reached or exceeded, as the case may be, according to the invention. For example, sortinglive insects based on a predetermined size, or average size with a certain size tolerance, or sizewindow, improves the synchronization of insect age within a colony consisting of insectshaving such predetermined size, etc., according to the invention. Use of the live insects transportdevice of the invention thus contributes to improved farming performance by contributing toestablishment of insect colonies comprising insects with less difference in age than what isobtainable when applying current methods of (small scale) insect farming.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein the at least one fluid guiding member has a length in the longitudinal direction of between 10 cm and 200 cm, preferably between 20 cm and 140 cm, more preferably between25 cm and 120 cm, most preferably about 25 cm to 50 cm.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein said transport device comprises at most one longitudinal fluid guiding member.
Large scale insect farming implying an industrial scale providing for an output of forexample insect derived proteins, amino-acids, oil, lipids, fat, etc., which is economicallyfeasible, is supported by the use of the live insects transport device of the invention, said devicehaving certain minimal dimensions relating to minimal turnover of transported live insects. Ithas been established by the current inventors that a live insect transport device comprising afluid guiding member with a length in the longitudinal direction of between 10 cm and 200 cm,such as about 100 cm to 150 cm or such as about 60 cm to 80 cm provides for the top surfacecomprising a live insects receiving portion between the distal end and proximal end of the atleast one fluid guiding member, wherein said live insects receiving portion has a size suitablefor receiving an amount of live insects in the fluid of the laminar flow, which is sufficient andenough fortransporting numbers of live insects suitable for fanning of the insects at the desiredlarge scale, according to the invention.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein said transport device comprises at least two imbricatedly coupled longitudinalfluid guiding members, the fluid guiding members being imbricatedly coupled with a couplerlocated at the proximal end of a first fluid guiding member and the distal end of a second fluidguiding member. Preferred is a live insects transport device comprising between two to sixlongitudinal fluid guiding members, more preferred the live insects transport device comprisesbetween three to four longitudinal fluid guiding members, according to the invention. The liveinsects transport device comprising for example three longitudinal fluid guiding membersencompasses a live insects receiving portion spanning a length of between about 75 cm and 800cm, according to the invention, such as between about 120 cm and 200 cm. With such a size ofthe live insects receiving portion, space for positioning up to about 800 reservoirs for releasinglive insects above said live insects receiving portion in the feeder arrangement is available, forexample in two rows of about 400 reservoirs, each. For example, about a hundred reservoirs orabout 128 reservoirs are positioned in the feeder arrangement, in two rows of fifty or 64reservoirs or in a single row of reservoirs. Preferred is a live insects receiving portion spanninga length of between about 90 cm and 160 cm, according to the invention, which providessufficient space for positioning up to between about 34 reservoirs and 68 reservoirs for releasinglive insects above said live insects receiving portion in the feeder arrangement, for example in two rows of about 34 reservoirs, each, or in a single row of 34 reservoirs or 68 reservoirs,according to the invention. These numbers of reservoirs are configured to contain numbers oflive insects for release in the live insects receiving portion of the live insects transport deviceof the invention, which are sufficiently high as to provide for a stream of transported live insectsduring a sufficiently long period of time, e.g. 1 hour to 4 days, preferably 3 hours to 3 days,more preferably between 12 hours and 60 hours, most preferably between 16 hours and 48hours, in order to support large scale insect farming. For example, according to the invention,30 to 70 reservoirs are positioned in the feeder arrangement of the live insect transport deviceof the invention, for example for a period of releasing live insects into the laminar flow of fluidduring about 48 hours, when operating the transport device, according to the invention.Typically, for example a reservoir containing insect eggs contains between about 10.000 and500.000 eggs, i.e. live insects, preferably between about 30.000 and 100.000 eggs. Methodsimproving the efficiency of egg collection from insects such as black soldier fly in a reservoirsuitably for application in the live insect transportation device of the invention are particularlyvaluable for large scale production because the enormous quantity, delicacy, small size andstickiness of eggs. Therefore, it is beneficial to collect insect eggs in a specific location sincethis simplifies collection operations and allows for efficient subsequent handlings, i.e. hatchingwhile positioned above the live insects receiving section of the transport device of the invention.In the event that the location is a device designed to collect eggs, it will henceforth be referredto as an “ovisite” throughout this application. A preferred reservoir for positioning in the feederarrangement of the live insect transport device of the invention is an ovisite of between about15 cm and 60 cm (width) times between about 10 cm and 40 cm (height) times between about0,6 cm and 2,4 cm (depth), such as an ovisite of about 30 cm (width) times about 20 cm (height)times about 1,2 cm (depth). A preferred ovisite for use in the live insects transport device of theinvention when in operation, is an ovisite with honeycomb architecture comprising hexagonalopenings, such as a cardboard honeycomb according to the invention. Such cardboardhoneycomb comprises sufficient and enough space for bearing a number of live insects, i.e.insect eggs, which is sufficiently high to be able to release a suitable quantity of live insectsinto the laminar flow of fluid in the live insects transport device.
With a number of reservoirs of between 25 and 100, such as between 34 and 68, or suchas about 32 or 64 reservoirs, the reservoirs being honeycombs such as polymer or cardboardhoneycombs comprising insect eggs, such as those from black soldier fly, the live insecttransport device of the invention is operable for 1 to 3 days, preferably about 2 days, with regardto the number of live insects, here freshly hatched neonate larvae such as those from black soldier fly, exiting the transport device and becoming available for subsequent required stepsof insect farming, i.e. culturing in a suitable substrate, according to the invention. For example,the reservoirs applied in the live insect transport device of the invention are reservoirs such ashoneycombs, which are typically ovisites of about 2 cm x 22 cm x 33 cm, that have been locatedin an adult insect cage comprising about 1.000 to 30.000 gravid female insects, such as about4.000 gravid insects, such as black soldier flies, for a period of between 12 hours and 72 hourssuch as for about 24-48 hours, such that those numbers of gravid insects have laid eggs for thisindicated period of time. These ovisites filled with insect eggs comprise numbers of live insectsenough for releasing sufficient hatched neonate larvae into the live insect receiving section andthen into the laminar flow of fluid of the live insect transport device of the invention while inoperation, according to the invention. For example, said 32 to 64 ovisites then encompass byestimation between 320.000 eggs and 3.2 million eggs, typically about 1.5 million eggs such asthose from black soldier flies for example having an egg to egg age difference of two days orless.
One of the various benefits provided with the live insects transport device of theinvention is the possibility to collect neonate larvae of insects which larvae have a narrowwindow of difference in age. “Narrow” in the context of this synchronization of age of a batchof live insects is to be understood as a maximum age difference between live insects in a batchof live insects transported by the live insect transport device of the invention of at most 2 hours,and typically less than 1 hour, such as for example between 5 minutes and 45 minutes. A “batch”is here defined as a number of live insects that has been transported with the live insectstransport device of the invention and that are isolated from the laminar flow of fluid after exitingof the transported live insects out of the transport device of the invention, the number oftransported live insects in a batch being defined by the time period of collecting transportedlive insects and/or the number of transported live insects retrieved from a certain volume offluid exiting the transport device. Typically, a batch of transported live insects is collected in areceptacle positioned downstream from the laminar flow of fluid exiting the live insectstransport device of the invention. Typically, according to the invention, a batch of transportedlive insects, such as freshly hatched neonate larvae, such as black soldier fly larvae, exited thelive insects transport device of the invention, encompasses between 3.000 live insects and300.000 live insects, preferably between 5.000 and 100.000 live insects, such as about 40.000neonate larvae, e.g. of black soldier fly, according to the invention. It is thus due to the currentinvention that batches are provided of sufficiently high numbers of transported live insects,such as freshly hatched neonate larvae, such as black soldier fly larvae, wherein the individual live insects in a batch have a synchronized age that is tunable with a predetermined range. Forexample, a batch of transported live insects is obtainable that encompasses about 50.000 liveinsects having an age difference of less than one hour, or that encompasses about 150.000 liveinsects having an age difference of between 5 minutes and 30 minutes, according to theinvention.
It is one of the many benefits achieved with the live insect transport devices of theinvention that the transport device is particularly suitable for transportation of live neonatelarvae of the black soldier fly, which larvae have a body diameter of between 1 mm and 4 mmand a body length which ranges between 5 mm and 12 mm. A further benefit provided by the live insects transport device of the invention is thepossibility to automate the preparing of batches of transported live insects having asynchronized age within a predetermined time window of for example between 2 minutes and4 hours, such that for a time period of for example two days the transport device of the inventiondelivers amounts of transported live insects enough for, for example, providing between 2 and15 batches of live insects per hour, each batch encompassing for example between 1.000 and600.000 live insects, such as about 400.000 live insects or about 80.000 live insects, e.g. neonatelarvae, the transported live insects in each batch having a maximum age difference of less than3 hours, such as for example between 3 minutes and 2 hours, or between 6 minutes and 1 hour,according to the invention. These production volumes with regard to the number of batches, theamount of live insect per batch and the synchronized age of live insects in each batch, aresuitable for insect farming at a scale required for profitably running a business. That is to say,by applying the live insects transport device of the invention, the number of output batchescomprising the indicated numbers of live insects at an insect age within the relatively smallwindow of ages, i.e. batches of live insects with selected numbers of insects having asynchronized age within a predetermined time window, is sufficient and suitable for running aninsect farm in a manner that fanning equipment has a run time higher than run times that wouldbe reachable without application of the live insect transport device of the invention. It is due tothe inventors that now a transport device has become available that makes it possible to providea predetermined number of colonies of live insects per time unit, e.g. per day, of apredetermined colony size in numbers of live insects, and of an average age within apredetermined time window, such that insect rearing equipment and insect breeding equipmentused for fanning of subsequent stages of the insect life cycle are better used with regard to theirrun time, preferably optimally used for insect farming during a prolonged period of run time,according to the invention. Thus, according to the invention, the life insect transport device of the invention provides the opportunity to optimize or improve the efficiency of sequentiallyusing rearing and breeding equipment for farming insects, with less or minimal down time, i.e.idle time, for each specific farming equipment which would be due to for example non-availability of a following colony at the right stage in the insect life cycle at the moment theequipment for farming such colony in such stage becomes idle.
Current practice of small scale insect farming encompasses placement of an ovisitecomprising insect eggs with an age difference of for example 2-3 days, for two-three days abovea tray comprising feed for the hatched neonate larvae, which fall on top of the feed once hatched.It is clear that this approach comes with the drawback, now solved by application of the liveinsects transport device of the invention, as here above outlined, that neonate larvae have anage difference of as large as 2-3 days, compared to the minutes to hours age difference nowobtainable with the transport device of the invention, while still being able to provide the samenumbers of larvae per batch.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein the coupler imbricatedly coupling the at least two fluid guiding members isprovided with a further fluid discharge member comprising a connector configured to connecteach further fluid discharge member to a source of fluid, and wherein the further fluid dischargemember(s) is/are configured to reinforce from below the first laminar flow of fluid over the topsurface of the at least one fluid guiding member from the distal end to the proximal end of thefluid guiding unit during operation of the transport device. This way, performance of the liveinsect transport device of the invention is further increased, since the further fluid dischargemembers are positioned such that fluid exiting the fluid discharge members at an adjusted andregulated speed and pressure adds to the laminar flow of fluid passing over the imbricatedlycoupled fluid guiding members. The pressure at which the further fluid provided by the furtherfluid discharge members is released into the laminar flow of fluid is fine-tuned and adjusted inrelation to the length of the flow path of the laminar flow of fluid between from the first fluiddischarge member to the subsequent further fluid discharge member. It is appreciated that thelonger the path between two subsequent flow discharge members, the higher the pressure atwhich the further fluid is provided through the further fluid discharge member(s), according tothe invention. An advantage of providing the live insect transport device with the at least onefurther fluid discharge member, is that the laminar flow of fluid is more constant with regard tothe velocity of the volume elements of fluid in the laminar flow, and is more constant withregard to the direction of the laminar flow of fluid from the distal end of the fluid guiding unitto the proximal end of the fluid guiding unit, according to the invention. Providing further fluid discharge member(s) at the indicated location in the transport device of the invention forexample contributes to preventing live insects which are taken up by the laminar flow of fluidfrom bumping to the top surface of the fluid guiding units, or even sticking to said top surface,due to gravitation force. Providing further sources of fluid along the flow path of the laminarflow of fluid at least partly eliminates the effect of gravity on the live insects taken up by thefluid in the laminar flow. Thus, losses due to live insects released from the laminar flow of fluidalong the path from the distal end of the fluid guiding member to the proximal end of said fluidguiding member is at least reduced, if not prevented according to the invention.
Furthermore, by application of further fluid discharge members along the path of thelaminar flow of fluid, for reinforcing said laminar flow of fluid, a lower flow, that is to say aflow at lower pressure and/or at lower fluid velocity, is sufficient along the full length of theflow path in the live insect transport device, when compared to applying a single fluid dischargemember at the distal end of the fluid guiding member. Applying such a lower flow by theapplication of multiple fluid discharge members avoids the occurrence of turbulence in the airsurrounding the laminar flow of fluid at least to some extent. Turbulence increases withincreasing fluid velocity and/or increasing air pressure, thus applying lower velocity and/orlower air pressure is beneficial to the efficiency of transporting live insects such as neonatelarvae in the laminar flow of fluid, preventing the insects from being transferred to undesireddirections due to turbulence. Applying the additional fluid discharge members at the locationsof imbricated consecutive fluid guiding members thus provides a way to boost the laminar flowof fluid, such that the air pressure and/or air velocity is reduced, which provides bettercontrollable transport of the neonate larvae in the laminar flow of fluid, e.g. air.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice further comprising a casing covering the fluid guiding unit and the feeder arrangement.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice further comprising a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature at the innerside of the casing and/or further comprising a unit for controlling relative air humidity at theinner side of the casing.
The live insects transport device of the invention provided with a casing provides forseveral further benefits with regard to efficiency of providing numbers of live insects within acertain time frame and having a certain minimal difference in age, according to the invention.The casing encloses for example the feeder arrangement and fluid guiding member in a mannerthat effectively a closed inner space is provided having openings for receiving the first andoptionally further fluid discharge members and an opening at the proximal end of the fluid guiding member providing an exit for transported live insects, according to the invention. Insuch a closed inner space, temperature is controllable, such as automatically controllable at aselected temperature or selected temperature range. This way, reservoirs comprising live insectssuch as eggs, for example of black soldier fly, are maintainable at a controlled andpredetermined temperature for stimulating optimal hatching. The same holds true forcontrollability of relative air humidity inside the cased live insect transport device, accordingto the invention. Typically, for optimal release of live insects from the reservoirs into the liveinsect receiving portion of the transport device of the invention, the temperature inside the casedlive insect transport device of the invention is for example between 21 °C and 27°C, preferablyabout 26°C, when for example ovisites comprising eggs of black soldier fly are applied in thefeeder arrangement, when the transport device is operating, according to the invention.Typically, for optimal release of live insects from the reservoirs into the live insect receivingportion of the transport device of the invention, the relative air humidity inside the cased liveinsect transport device of the invention is for example between 45% and 95%, preferably about60% to 85%, when for example ovisites comprising eggs of black soldier fly are applied in thefeeder arrangement, when the transport device is operating, according to the invention.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein the fluid is a gas. It is preferred that the fluid is a gas selected from gases suchas air, ambient air, conditioned air with regard to temperature and/or relative humidity and/orenrichment of one or more gases with regard to the naturally occurring ratio and/or depletionsuch as partial depletion of one or more gases such as ammonia, methane, nitric oxides, withregard to the naturally occurring ratio and content, and/or addition of other gases than thenaturally occurring gases of air, a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, optionally the gas ishumidified and/or temperature controlled air. Since insects commonly thrive well in ambientair, the application of ambient air, or just air, used in the first laminar flow is preferred,according to the invention. Of course, application of a liquid such as water, e.g. tap water orwater comprising nutrients, is suitable as well, for the laminar flow of fluid in the live insecttransport device of the invention, although a gas is preferred according to the invention. Liveinsects have a higher survival time in a gas such as ambient air, when compared to when thefluid is for example water. Furthermore, temperature control of a fluid which is a gas such asambient air is less energy consuming than temperature control of a same volume of a liquidsuch as water in the laminar flow of fluid. Further benefits of applying a gas such as air for thelaminar flow of fluid in the live insect transport device of the invention, over applying a liquidsuch as water, is that applying a liquid to transport live insects implies the necessity to use filters once the live insects such as neonate larvae, e.g. of black soldier fly, exited the transport device.The requirement to use filters results in increased steps in processing live insects, coming withan increased demand on time, labour and financial resources, and with an increased risk forsystem failures such as by clogging of filters, to name a few drawbacks relating to theapplication of a liquid, not apparent when using a gas such as air in the laminar flow of fluid,according to the invention.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein the gas is air. Furthermore, from a cost perspective, use of air as the fluid in thelaminar flow of fluid is beneficial, especially for the insect farming at industrial scale, accordingto the invention. Preferably, according to the invention, the fluid in the laminar flow when thelive insect transport device is in operation is temperature controlled air. Relative air humiditycontrolled air is also preferred. Taking up live insects released from reservoirs above the liveinsect receiving zone of the live insect transport device of the invention in the laminar flow offluid wherein the fluid is air, preferably temperature controlled air and/or relative air humiditycontrolled air provides a measure to further contribute to maintaining the transported liveinsects in good health, and uninjured, according to the invention, since temperature and relativehumidity of the gas surrounding the live insects once being transported in the laminar flow offluid, are optimizable to the parameter values most suitable for preservation of health of theinsects.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein the source of fluid comprises a compressor providing compressed fluid.Preferably, the compressed fluid is compressed gas, preferably compressed air, according to theinvention. In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention,wherein the source of fluid comprises a pump, for driving fluid through the fluid dischargemember. Preferably, the source of fluid comprises a pump such as a blower, for driving fluidthrough the fluid discharge member of the live insect transport device of the invention, whereinthe fluid preferably is air, according to the invention. A compressor and/or a pump provides the benefit of being able to controllable supplyingthe insect transport device of the invention with fluid at a pressure and at a volume of fluid perminute that contributes to the wellbeing of the live insects once taken up in the fluid of thelaminar flow. That is to say, by selecting the optimal pressure and by selecting the optimal flowrate of fluid discharged from the first and optionally further fluid discharge members, forexample a laminar flow of fluid is provided such that live insects obtain the same or similarvelocity in meter per second as the fluid surrounding the insects once taken up in the laminar flow of fluid, according to the invention. Then, since fluid is not passing along the live insectsin the laminar flow of fluid, unwanted effects of fluid flowing along insects is at least reducedand eliminated at best. For example, drying out of the live insects in the laminar flow of fluidis reduced or prevented, when the live insects move through the live insects transport device atthe same or similar speed as the surrounding fluid. For example, cooling of live insects beingtransported by fluid passing insects is reduced or prevented as well by optimizing the pressureand fluid velocity with for example a pump or with a compressor such as an air compressor.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is a devicewherein the fluid is temperature-controlled fluid and/or wherein the fluid is a relative humidity-controlled gas. Typically, the compressor or pump provides a fluid such as air which isdischarged by the first and optionally further fluid discharge member(s) at a speed of between1 m/sec and 100 m/sec, such as between 5 m/sec and 40 m/sec, preferably about 10-30 m/secsuch as about 25 m/sec, according to the invention, such that a laminar flow of fluid is providedin the live insects transport device of the invention, having fluid flowing at the same or similarvelocity. Typically, the compressor or pump provides an amount of fluid such as air at a volumeof 10 nrVhour to 320 m3/ hour, preferably about 20 m3/ hour to 60 m3/ hour, driven through thefirst and further fluid discharge members such that a laminar flow of fluid is provided havingthe same or similar flow rate of 1 m3/ hour to 30 m3/ hour, preferably about 5 m3/ hour to 15m3/ hour, according to the invention. In one embodiment, the live insect transport device of theinvention comprises a compressor or pump configured to provide an amount of fluid such asair at a volume of 2,5 m’/hour to 1000 m3/ hour, preferably about 5 m3/ hour to 500 m3/ hour,more preferably of 10 nfVhour to 320 m7 hour, most preferably of about 20 m3/ hour to 60 m3/hour, driven through the first and further fluid discharge members such that a laminar flow offluid is provided having the same or similar flow rate of 0,2 m3/ hour to 70 m3/ hour, preferablyabout 0,5 m3/ hour to 50 m3/ hour, more preferably of 1 m3/ hour to 30 m3/ hour, most preferablyof about 5 m7 hour to 15 m3/ hour, according to the invention. These flow velocities and theseflow rates are preferred since they contribute to optimally keeping the transported live insectsin the live insects transport device of the invention in good condition, according to theinvention.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein the feeder arrangement is configured to receive at least one reservoir for liveinsects at a predetermined distance above said live insects receiving portion of the top surfaceof the at least one fluid guiding member. Preferably, said predetermined distance between the at least one reservoir and the live insects receiving portion is between 3 cm and 35 cm, such asbetween 5 cm and 20 cm, preferably about 4 cm or about 6-9 cm, according to the invention.
Optimization of the distance between the reservoir and the insects receiving portioncontributes to the efficiency of the process of taking insects up in the laminar flow of fluid inthe live insects transport device of the invention. Optimization in this regard is providing thereservoir at a height above the laminar flow of fluid such that most if not all of the live insectsreleased from the reservoir are taken up by the laminar flow of fluid, with minimal or no lossesof live insects due to for example turbulent air streams, etc.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein at least the smooth top surface of the at least one fluid guiding member is madeof any of stainless steel, aluminum, a polymer such as polypropylene and polyethylene, apolymer blend, or a combination thereof. A smooth top surface in the context of the inventionrefers to the top surface of the fluid guiding members being free of ridges, protrusions, recesses,etc., wherein the top surface is for example preferably polished or the like in order to providefor a surface which minimally hampers the laminar flow of fluid through the live insectstransport device of the invention. The inventors found that a surface that is smooth does notprevent neonate larvae such as those from black soldier fly from sticking to such surface. Thatis to say, blowing a stream of air along the polished and smooth surface of e.g. a metal such asaluminum or stainless steel, with e.g. neonate larvae on top of said smooth surface, was notefficient and efficacious in transporting said larvae along the surface, according to testsperformed by the inventors. Therefore, the inventors found that it is beneficial to keep the liveinsects airborne in the laminar flow of fluid in the live insect transport device of the invention.Thus, a polished and smooth top surface of the fluid guiding unit aids the unhampered laminarflow of e.g. air, and further contributes to the ease of cleaning the transport device of theinvention.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein the tilt angle a is between 0° and 45°. Preferably, the tilt angle a is between 10°and 30°. Tilting the live insects transport device of the invention is in support of controlling thenumbers of transported live insects exiting the transport device of the invention. For example,operating a high speed camera at the proximal end of the fluid guiding unit for, for example,counting the number of exiting transported live insects, is aided by providing a tilted transportdevice of the invention at an angle as indicated, such as 15° to 25° or about 20°. Tilting thetransport device of the invention this way provides for the possibility to position a camera above the exiting live insects while also being able to position a lamp required for proper operation ofthe camera below the location where live insects exit the transport device of the invention, witha reduced risk or even without the risk for exiting transported live insects contaminating thelamp surface, according to the invention.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice further comprising a live insect discharge member comprising a flat surface with a firstend and a second end, the discharge member coupled with its first end to the proximal end ofthe fluid guiding unit. Providing the live insect transport device of the invention with such liveinsect discharge member has the benefit of providing the possibility to improve on directing thetransported live insects while exiting the transport device. For example, such a live insectdischarge member is a funnel ending at the proximal end with a smaller cross section than thecross section of the opening of the live insect transport device of the invention at the locationof the proximal end of the fluid guiding member, according to the invention.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is saidlive insects transport device further comprising a live insects counting device for counting liveinsects in the first laminar flow exiting the live insect transport device at the proximal end ofthe live insect discharge unit. Preferably the counting device is an electronic device such as acamera for counting live insects in the first laminar flow exiting the live insect transport deviceat the proximal end of the live insect discharge unit.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is thelive insects transport device wherein the counting device is a high-speed camera. Preferred is ahigh-speed camera such as a 9 kHz camera although various other high speed cameras havingan imaging speed of between 2 kHz and 25 kHz are equally applicable. One of the manyadvantages of the live insect transport device of the invention is the provision of a relativelynarrow stream of fluid comprising the transported live insects such as neonate larvae exitingthe transport device via a funnel-shaped live insects discharge member, such that for examplethe live insects can be imaged and monitored in a relatively small surface area comprising arelatively high number of live insects per unit volume or unit area. For example, now a camerawith a relatively smaller width is still applicable for imaging purposes, compared to a camerawith a broader width, required to image live insects passing the camera while exiting the liveinsects transport device of the invention in a relatively broad and non-funneled laminar flow offluid. Cost saving is then one of the advantages of the invention.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein the reservoir for live insects is an insect egg collection interface or an insect egg holder, i.e. an ovisite. According to the invention, a live insects transport device comprises asthe reservoir for live insects an ovisite such as a honey comb.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein the feeder arrangement is configured to receive between 2 and 250 reservoirs,preferably between 10 and 100, more preferably about 32 or about 64 reservoirs for releasinglive insects above the live insects receiving portion.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention isarranged to transport any one or more of insect larvae, insect eggs, insect prepupae and insectpupae. Preferably, the live insects transport device according to the invention is arranged totransport any one or more of insect larvae, insect eggs, insect prepupae and insect pupae,wherein the insect larvae, insect eggs, insect prepupae and insect pupae are live insect larvae,live insect eggs, live insect prepupae and live insect pupae. Preferably the live insectstransported by the live insects transport device of the invention are live insect larvae of blacksoldier fly, more preferably live neonate larvae of black soldier fly, according to the invention.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention isarranged to transport live insects.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention isarranged to transport live neonate insect larvae. hi one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention isarranged to transport live black soldier flies.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein the feeder arrangement is configured to receive the at least one reservoir in apredetermined orientation relative to the direction of the path for the first laminar flow of fluid,such that a major surface of the reservoir(s) is oriented perpendicular to the direction of saidfirst laminar flow of fluid. Positioning reservoirs which have a major surface this waycontributes to avoiding occurrence of any turbulence at the location of the reservoirs, at thelocation of the live insect receiving portion, therein between, and alongside the laminar flow offluid. It will be appreciated that limiting any disturbing influence of turbulent air around liveinsects on their way from the reservoir to the live insects receiving portion, and while taken upand transported by the laminar flow of fluid, contributes to increasing the efficiency of thetransport with regard to the numbers of successfully transported live insects by the live insecttransport device of the invention, while in operation.
In one embodiment, the live insects transport device according to the invention is adevice wherein the live insects receiving portion further comprises side walls located along longitudinal sides of the at least one longitudinal fluid guiding member, the side walls beingtilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the at least one fluid guiding member,wherein each side wall having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side being connectedto a longitudinal side of the at least one longitudinal fluid guiding member, and a smooth surfacearranged between the bottom side and the top side, andwherein the top side of each side wall is provided with at least a second fluid discharge member,each second fluid discharge member being located at the top side of each side wall andcomprising a connector configured to connect the second fluid discharge member to a sourceof fluid, for providing a second laminar flow of fluid over the surface of the side walls from thetop side of the side walls to the path of the first laminar flow of fluid during operation of thetransport device, and wherein the second laminar flow of fluid is oriented perpendicular to thefirst laminar flow of fluid.
Providing the live insects transport device of the invention with a live insects receivingportion further comprising the indicated side walls contributes to improved capacity of thetransport device of the invention when the duration of operation at constant supply of a certainnumber of transported live insects exiting the transport device is taken into account, and/orwhen the numbers of live insects exiting the transport device per time unit is taken into account.With such side walls tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the at least one fluidguiding member, the capacity of the feeder arrangement is enlarged while the laminar flow offluid is kept at the same size and volume and flow rate, according to the invention. The secondlaminar flow of fluid, preferably air, is directed perpendicular to the direction of the first laminarflow of fluid, and the flow rate and/or the pressure at which the fluid exits the second fluiddischarge member for building up the second laminar flow of fluid, is/are lower than those forthe first laminar flow of fluid running from the distal end of the fluid guiding member to theproximal end thereof, according to the invention. These differences in flow rate and/or fluidpressure contribute to the reduction or even to the avoidance of undesired turbulence anywherein the proximity of live insects, such as inside the cases live insects transport device of theinvention. A second aspect of the current invention relates to a method for transporting live neonate insectlarvae comprising the steps of: - providing an ovisite comprising insect eggs; - providing a live insect transport device of any one of the claims 1-26; - providing a laminar flow of air in the transport device; - placing said ovisite in a feeder arrangement of said transport device; and - transport live neonate insect larvae upon hatching of said larvae in the ovisite by takingup the neonate insect larvae in the first laminar flow of air. A third aspect of the current invention relates to the use of the live insect transport deviceof the invention for dosing live neonate insect larvae, wherein live neonate insect larvaetransported by said transport device are collected at the proximal end of the fluid guiding unitcomprised by the transport device or at the second end of the insect discharge membercomprised by the transport device, in a first receptacle for a period of time until a predeterminednumber of live neonate insect larvae passed said proximal end of the fluid guiding unit or saidsecond end of the insect discharge member, such that a dose of live neonate insect larvae isprovided.
In one embodiment, use of the live insect transport device according to of the invention,is the use of the device wherein the predetermined number of live neonate insect larvae isestablished by a counting device for counting live insects in the first laminar flow exiting thelive insect transport device.
In one embodiment, the method according to the invention or the use according to theinvention, are applied with black soldier flies.
In one embodiment, the method according to the invention or the use according to theinvention are applied with air in the first laminar flow which is temperature controlled air at atemperature of between 22°C and 30°C. Preferred is a temperature of about 25°C to 28°C.
In one embodiment, the method according to the invention or the use according to theinvention, are applied with the air in the first laminar flow being relative-humidity controlledair with a relative humidity of between 40% and 90%, such as about 60% to 75%.
In one embodiment, the method according to the invention or the use according to theinvention are applied with the air in the first laminar flow having a speed of between 10 m/secand 70 m/sec.
In one embodiment, the method according to the invention or the use according to theinvention are applied with the air in the first laminar flow having a pressure at the location ofthe fluid discharge member of between 10 bar and 0,8 bar.
DEFINITIONS
The term “live” has its regular scientific meaning and here refers to an organism that is in ahealthy condition and that has a normal average life expectation.
The term “transport” has its regular scientific meaning and here refers to taking an item,here in the context of the invention an insect such as live neonate insect larvae, from a firstlocation to a second location with the help of a transportation means, here a fluid such as a gas.
The term “air” has its regular scientific meaning and here refers to the air surroundingthe earth at ground level.
The term “ambient” has its regular scientific meaning and here refers to that what issurrounding something. Ambient air thus refers to the air surrounding the live insects transportdevice, according to the invention.
The term “insect” has its regular scientific meaning and here refers to all stages of aninsect, e.g. pupae, adult insect, neonate larvae, larvae, prepupae.
The term “high-speed” has its regular scientific meaning and here refers to a speed ofacquiring images of at least 30 per second to 20.000 per second such as about 15.000 imagesper second. For example high-speed imaging is imaging with exposures of less than 1/1.000second or frame rates in excess of 250 frames per second in the context of the invention.
The term “longitudinal” has its regular scientific meaning and here refers to the directionrunning from the distal end of the fluid guiding units and the distal fluid guiding members inthe direction of the proximal end of the fluid guiding units and the proximal fluid guidingmembers, of the live insect transport device of the invention.
The term “imbricatedly” or “imbricated” has its regular scientific meaning and hererefers to the arrangement of essentially planar bodies such that they stack in a consistent fashion.
The term “casing” has its regular scientific meaning and here refers to an enclosureenclosing here (most of) the parts and components of the live insects transport device of theinvention.
The term “reservoir” has its regular scientific meaning and here refers to a receptacle,e.g. a container, a tray, a funnel, a sieve, a cup, etc., such as an ovisite, with at least an openside for allowing live insects exiting the reservoir and subsequently moving in the direction ofthe live insect receiving portion between the distal end and proximal end of the at least one fluidguiding member of the live insect transport device of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 displays an overview of an embodiment of the invention, showing a live insectstransport device 1. The live insects transport device is tilted relative to the horizontal over an angle a. Further, an insect discharge member 11 is indicated, provided with a camera 8 and alamp 9.
Figure 2 displays an overview of a live insects transport device 1 of the inventioncomprising a casing 5 and a fluid guiding unit 12 that provides a smooth longitudinal path fora laminar flow of fluid, and further displays the distal end 15 of the fluid guiding unit whichreceives the fluid discharge members 20, 20’ through an opening 17 in the casing 5.
Figure 3 displays a detailed side view of a live insects transport device 1 of the inventionwhere the proximal end of the fluid guiding unit 12’ ends and where the insect dischargemember (See also 11 in Figure 2) is located and coupled to said proximal end.
Figure 4 displays an inside view of a live insects transport device of the invention.Shown are longitudinal fluid transport members 12’, 12” which are connected imbricatedly atpositions 21, 22 and 21’, 22’. Where two consecutive fluid transport members are coupledimbricatedly, a fluid discharge member (See 20, 20’ in Figure 2 and 114’, 114”, 114’” inFigure 5) is positioned at the location where said fluid transport members overlap, said fluiddischarge member provided with openings 23, 23’ for discharging fluid.
Figure 5 displays an overview of another embodiment of the invention, showing a liveinsects transport device 100 comprising a live insects receiving portion that is built up by a fluidguiding unit 112 comprising side walls 113 tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surfaceof the fluid guiding members. The live insects transport device of the embodiment comprises acasing 105, said casing having a top side 102 made at least in part from a transparent material125 such as a plate made of glass.
Figure 6 displays a part of a live insects receiving portion of a live insects transportdevice 100 of the invention, the live insects receiving portion being built up by a fluid guidingunit 112’ comprising side walls 113’and 113” tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surfaceof the fluid guiding members. Further displayed are the proximal end 121” of the live insectsguiding unit 112’ and the further fluid discharge members 131 and 131’ located at the top sideof the side walls, and the feeder arrangement 127 located above the live insects receivingportion of the top surface of the fluid guiding unit.
Figure 7 displays a view of a live insects transport device 100 of the invention along thelongitudinal fluid guiding units in the direction towards the first fluid discharge member locatedat opening 117. Consecutive fluid guiding units are connected imbricatedly and at positionswhere the fluid guiding units overlap imbricatedly further fluid discharge members are locatedfor reinforcing the first laminar flow of fluid. The live insects receiving portion is shown and isbuilt up by a fluid guiding unit 112 comprising side walls 113’ and 113” tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the fluid guiding members. Further displayed are the distalend of the live insects guiding unit and the further fluid discharge members 13 Γ and 131 locatedat the top side of the side walls 113” and 13 Γ, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figure 1, an overview of an embodiment of the invention is provided, showing alive insects transport device 1. The live insects transport device is tilted relative to the horizontalover an angle a. Further, an insect discharge member 11 is indicated, provided with a camera8 and a lamp 9 at the proximal end 10 of the live insect discharge member 11, which is coupledat its distal end 10’ to the opening in the side wall 7 of casing 5, at the proximal end 26 of thelive insect transport device 1. The camera 8 is a high-speed imager able to detect, image andstore images at the speed required for counting and dosing larvae exiting the live insect transportdevice through the opening of the live insect discharge member located at proximal end 10.Other measurements like determination of lipid content by application of near infra redspectroscopy, could also be performed, for example. The live insects transport device is coupledto a frame 16, amongst others for the purpose of tilting the transport device over said angle a.Positioning the transport device 1 over said angle prevents larvae from contaminating the lamp9, positioned in the proximity of the opening of the live insect discharge member 11. The liveinsects transport device comprises a fluid guiding unit 12 comprising upright side walls 13. Thetransport device further comprises a casing 5 covering the fluid guiding unit and the feederarrangement (not shown), the casing comprising a top wall 2, side walls 3, 4, 7. At the distalend 6 of the live insects transport device 1, the distal end 15 of the fluid guiding unit 12 islocated. Here, a first fluid discharge member (not shown) is located, being configured toconnect to a source of fluid 200. The source of fluid comprises a pump or a compressor 14’,and the fluid is provided to the live insects transport device via tubing or pipes 14, connectingthe source of fluid to fluid discharge members.
Now referring to Figure 2, a drawing is displayed providing an overview of a live insectstransport device 1 of the invention comprising a casing 5 and a fluid guiding unit 12 thatprovides a smooth longitudinal path for a laminar flow of fluid, and further displays the distalend 15 of the fluid guiding unit which receives the fluid discharge members 20, 20’ through anopening 17 in the casing 5. The fluid discharge members 20, 20’ are coupled to a source of fluid(not shown) with tubing 19 and 19’, said tubing coupled to the fluid discharge members with couplers 18, 18’. The live insects transport device is further provided with a live insectsdischarge member 11.
Now referring to Figure 3, a drawing is displayed providing a detailed side view of alive insects transport device 1 of the invention where the proximal end 26 of the fluid guidingunit 12’ ends and where the insect discharge member (See also 11 in Figure 2) is located andcoupled to said proximal end with the distal end portion 10’ of the live insects dischargemember. The live insects discharge member has a funnel-like shape according to the invention,configured to provide a narrowed stream of flowing live insects in the flow of fluid exiting thelive insects transport device. Narrowing the stream of live insects provides the benefit of asmaller cross section of the flow of fluid comprising the live insects, in support of counting,sorting and/or dosing the insects. The fluid guiding member comprises upright side walls 13’.The live insect receiving zone is provided by the smooth top surface of the fluid guidingmember 12’.
Now referring to Figure 4, a drawing is displayed providing an inside view of a liveinsects transport device of the invention. Shown are longitudinal fluid transport members 12’,12” which are connected imbricatedly at positions 21, 22 and 21’, 22’. Where two consecutivefluid transport members are coupled imbricatedly, a fluid discharge member (not shown; See20, 20’ in Figure 2 and 114’, 114”, 114’” in Figure 5) is positioned at the location where saidfluid transport members overlap, said fluid discharge member provided with openings 23, 23’for discharging fluid. In this embodiment, the live insects receiving portion is provided by thesmooth top surface of four imbricatedly coupled fluid guiding units, two of which are indicatedwith 12’ and 12”. The transport device has straight upright walls 13’. The laminar flow of fluidis in the direction of the arrows, flowing to the proximal end 21” of the proximal fluid guidingmember 12’. The feeder arrangement (see 127 in Figure 6) here received a frame 30, 30’,encompassing a reservoir 128 for releasing live insects above the live insects receiving portionprovided by the smooth top surface of the fluid guiding unit.
Now referring to Figure 5, a drawing is displayed providing an overview of anotherembodiment, showing a live insects transport device 100 of the invention comprising a liveinsects receiving portion that is built up by a fluid guiding unit 112 comprising side walls 113tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the fluid guiding members. The live insectstransport device of the embodiment comprises a casing 105, said casing comprising side walls103, 104 and a top side 102, the top side made at least in part from a transparent material 125such as a plate made of glass, a transparent polymer or polymer blend, etc. The live insectstransport device 100 is provided with a live insects discharge member 111, coupled to the transport device at its distal end 110’ at an opening 107 located at the proximal end 126 of thetransport device, the live insects discharge member further comprising a proximal end wherethe laminar flow of fluid comprising live insects exits the discharge member. The live insecttransport device is provided on a frame 106, 116. Fluid discharge members 114’, 114” and114’” are coupled to a fluid source via tubing 114, the fluid source comprising a compressorunit 124 comprising a pressure control unit 140. Fluid discharge members 114’, 114” and114’” are configured to provide a flow of fluid for reinforcing the laminar flow of fluiddischarged into the live insects transport member at the distal end of the fluid guiding unit.
Now referring to Figure 6, a drawing is displayed providing a view on part of a liveinsects receiving portion of a live insects transport device 100 of the invention, the live insectsreceiving portion being built up by a fluid guiding unit 112’ comprising side walls 113’ and113” tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the fluid guiding members. Furtherdisplayed are the proximal end 121” of the live insects guiding unit 112’ and the further fluiddischarge members 131 and 131’ located at the top side of the side walls, and the feederarrangement 127 located above the live insects receiving portion of the top surface of the fluidguiding unit. A first laminar flow of fluid, such as a laminar flow of air, is provided in thedirection of the arrows c towards the direction of the location of the proximal end 121” of thelive insects guiding unit 112’. A further laminar flow of fluid, yet at a lower pressure and/or ata lower velocity in m3/sec, than the pressure and/or velocity of the fluid in the first laminarflow, is provided in the direction of the arrows a and b, provided by the fluid discharge members13 Γ and 131, respectively, wherein fluid is discharged through openings 129’ and 129,respectively. The feeder arrangement 127 received frames, encompassing a reservoir 128, 128’for releasing live insects above the live insects receiving portion provided by the smooth topsurface of the fluid guiding unit.
Now referring to Figure 7, a drawing is displayed providing a view of a live insectstransport device 100 of the invention along the longitudinal fluid guiding units in the directiontowards the first fluid discharge member located at opening 117 in the side wall 106 of thetransport device. Consecutive fluid guiding units are connected imbricatedly and at positionswhere the fluid guiding units overlap imbricatedly further fluid discharge members are locatedfor reinforcing the first laminar flow of fluid. The live insects receiving portion is shown and isbuilt up by a fluid guiding unit 112 comprising side walls 113’ and 113” tilted at an obtuseangle relative to the top surface of the fluid guiding members. Further displayed are the distalend of the live insects guiding unit and the further fluid discharge members 131’ and 131 locatedat the top side of the side walls 113” and 131’, respectively. The fluid discharge members located at positions where consecutive fluid guiding members imbricatedly overlap, i.e.positions 121’, 122’ (i.e. overlap between the proximal end 121’ of a first fluid guiding memberand the distal end 122’ of a consecutive fluid guiding member) and 121, 122 (i.e. overlapbetween the proximal end 121 of the second fluid guiding member and the distal end 122 of aconsecutive third fluid guiding member), are provided with openings 123’, 123 for providingthe first laminar flow of fluid in the direction of the arrows c. Further fluid discharge members131’ and 131 are provided with openings 129’ and 129, for releasing fluid such that a laminarflow of fluid over the surface of tilted side walls 113” and 113’ is provided in the direction ofthe arrows, perpendicular to the direction of the first laminar flow of fluid. Fluid dischargemembers are coupled to a source of fluid such as compressed air or a driver for driving airthrough the fluid discharge members such as a pump or a fan, via tubing or pipes 114, the sourceof fluid optionally comprising a control unit 124 for example for controlling the fluid pressureat entrance of the live insect transport device and/or for controlling the velocity of the fluidprovided for the build up of the first and further laminar flows of fluid.
These embodiments of live insect transport devices of the invention are all suitable fortransportation of live neonate larvae of the black soldier fly, which larvae have a body diameterof between 1 mm and 4 mm and a body length which ranges between 5 mm and 12 mm.
While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, it iscontemplated that alternatives, modifications, permutations and equivalents thereof willbecome apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the specification and uponstudy of the drawings. The invention is not limited in any way to the illustrated embodiments.Changes can be made without departing from the scope which is defined by the appendedclaims.
Claims (29)
1. Live insects transport device comprising: a fluid guiding unit comprising a distal end and a proximal end, and at least onelongitudinal fluid guiding member comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein thedistal end of the fluid guiding member is arranged at the distal end of the fluid guiding unit andwherein the proximal end of the fluid guiding member is directed toward the proximal end ofthe fluid guiding unit, wherein the at least one fluid guiding member further comprises a smooth top surfaceextending from the distal end to the proximal end of the fluid guiding member, the top surfacecomprising a live insects receiving portion between the distal end and proximal end of the atleast one fluid guiding member, and wherein the fluid guiding member is tilted at an angle(alpha) relative to the horizontal; a first fluid discharge member located at the distal end of the fluid guiding unit andbeing configured to connect to a source of fluid, wherein the fluid is a gas, and wherein the firstfluid discharge member is further configured to provide a first laminar flow of fluid over thetop surface of the at least one fluid guiding member from the distal end to the proximal endthereof during operation of the transport device; and wherein the transport device furthercomprises a feeder arrangement located above the live insects receiving portion of the top surfaceof the fluid guiding unit, wherein the feeder arrangement is configured to receive at least onereservoir for releasing live insects above the live insects receiving portion, wherein the reservoirfor live insects is an insect egg collection interface or an insect egg holder, and wherein the live insects transport device is arranged to transport live insects, the live insects transport device further comprising a live insects counting device forcounting live insects in the first laminar flow exiting the live insect transport device at theproximal end of the live insect discharge unit.
2. Live insects transport device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid guidingmember has a length in the longitudinal direction of between 10 cm and 200 cm, preferablybetween 20 cm and 140 cm, more preferably between 25 cm and 120 cm, most preferably about25 cm to 50 cm.
3. Live insects transport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said transport devicecomprises at most one longitudinal fluid guiding member.
4. Live insects transport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said transport devicecomprises at least two imbricatedly coupled longitudinal fluid guiding members, the fluidguiding members being imbricatedly coupled with a coupler located at the proximal end of afirst fluid guiding member and the distal end of a second fluid guiding member.
5. Live insects transport device according to claim 4, wherein the coupler imbricatedly couplingthe at least two fluid guiding members is provided with a further fluid discharge membercomprising a connector configured to connect each further fluid discharge member to a sourceof fluid, and wherein the further fluid discharge member(s) is/are configured to reinforce frombelow the first laminar flow of fluid over the top surface of the at least one fluid guiding memberfrom the distal end to the proximal end of the fluid guiding unit during operation of the transportdevice.
6. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein said transportdevice further comprises a casing covering the fluid guiding unit and the feeder arrangement.
7. Live insects transport device according to claim 6, further comprising a temperature controlunit for controlling the temperature at the inner side of the casing and/or further comprising aunit for controlling relative air humidity at the inner side of the casing.
8. Live insects transport device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-7, wherein thegas is air.
9. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-8, wherein the source ofgas comprises a compressor providing compressed gas.
10. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-8, wherein the source ofgas comprises a pump, for driving gas through the fluid discharge member.
11. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-10, wherein the gas istemperature-controlled gas and/or wherein the gas is a relative humidity-controlled gas.
12. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-12, wherein the feederarrangement is configured to receive at least one reservoir for live insects at a predetermineddistance above said live insects receiving portion of the top surface of the at least one fluidguiding member.
13. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-12, wherein at least thesmooth top surface of the at least one fluid guiding member is made of any of stainless steel,aluminum, a polymer such as polypropylene and polyethylene, a polymer blend, or acombination thereof.
14. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-13, wherein the tilt angle(a) is between 0° and 45°.
15. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-14, further comprising alive insect discharge member comprising a flat surface with a first end and a second end, thedischarge member coupled with its first end to the proximal end of the fluid guiding unit.
16. Live insects transport device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-15, whereinthe counting device is a high-speed camera.
17. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-16, wherein the feederarrangement is configured to receive between 2 and 250 reservoirs, preferably between 10 and100, more preferably about 32 or about 64 reservoirs for releasing live insects above the liveinsects receiving portion.
18. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-17, wherein the liveinsects transport device is arranged to transport live neonate insect larvae.
19. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-18, wherein the liveinsects transport device is arranged to transport live black soldier fly neonates.
20. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-19, wherein the feederarrangement is configured to receive the at least one reservoir in a predetermined orientationrelative to the direction of the path for the first laminar flow of fluid, such that a major surfaceof the reservOir(s) is oriented perpendi cular to the direction of said first laminar flow of fluid.
21. Live insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-20, wherein the liveinsects receiving portion further comprises side walls located along longitudinal sides of the atleast one longitudinal fluid guiding member, the side walls being tilted at an obtuse anglerelative to the top surface of the at least one fluid guiding member, wherein each side wall having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side being connectedto a longitudinal side of the at least one longitudinal fluid guiding member, and a smooth surfacearranged between the bottom side and the top side, and wherein the top side of each side wall is provided with at least a second fluid dischargemember, each second fluid discharge member being located at the top side of each side walland comprising a connector configured to connect the second fluid discharge member to asource of fluid, for providing a second laminar flow of fluid over the surface of the side wallsfrom the top side of the side walls to the path of the first laminar flow of fluid during operationof the transport device, and wherein the second laminar flow of fluid is oriented perpendicularto the first laminar flow of fluid.
22. Method for transporting live neonate insect larvae comprising the steps of: - providing an ovisite comprising insect eggs; - providing a live insect transport device of any one of the claims 1-21; - providing a laminar flow of air in the transport device; - placing said ovisite in a feeder arrangement of said transport device; and - transport live neonate insect larvae upon hatching of said larvae in the ovisite by takingup the neonate insect larvae in the first laminar flow of air.
23. Use of the live insect transport device of any one of the claims 1-21 for dosing live neonateinsect larvae, wherein live neonate insect larvae transported by said transport device arecollected at the proximal end of the fluid guiding unit comprised by the transport device or atthe second end of the insect discharge member comprised by the transport device, in a firstreceptacle for a period of time until a predetermined number of live neonate insect larvae passedsaid proximal end of the fluid guiding unit or said second end of the insect discharge member,such that a dose of live neonate insect larvae is provided.
24. Use according to claim 23, wherein the predetermined number of live neonate insect larvaeis established by a counting device for counting live insects in the first laminar flow exiting thelive insect transport device.
25. Method according to claim 22 or use according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the insect is blacksoldier fly.
26. Method according to claim 22 or 25 or use according to any one of the claims 23 or 25,wherein the air in the first laminar flow is temperature controlled air at a temperature of between22°C and 30°C.
27. Method according to any one of the claims 22, 25 or 26 or use according to any one of theclaims 23-26, wherein the air in the first laminar flow is relative-humidity controlled air with arelative humidity of between 40% and 90%.
28. Method according to any one of the claims 22 or 25-27 or use according to any one of theclaims 23-27, wherein the air in the first laminar flow has a speed of between 10 m/sec and 70m/sec.
29. Method according to any one of the claims 22 or 25-28 or use according to any one of theclaims 23-28, wherein the air in the first laminar flow has a pressure at the location of the fluiddischarge member of between 10 bar and 0,8 bar.
Priority Applications (15)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2020153A NL2020153B1 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2017-12-22 | Live insects transport device |
| RU2020123916A RU2020123916A (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | DEVICE FOR MOVING LIVE INSECTS |
| CA3086326A CA3086326A1 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | Live insects transport device |
| CN201880082943.XA CN111787793B (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | Living insect transporter |
| JP2020555006A JP7373257B2 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | live insect transport device |
| US16/954,534 US11464204B2 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | Live insects transport device |
| AU2018391526A AU2018391526A1 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | Live insects transport device |
| KR1020207021103A KR20200113194A (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | Live insect transport device |
| ES18842585T ES2910124T3 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | Live Insect Transport Device |
| DK18842585.4T DK3726975T3 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | TRANSPORT DEVICE FOR LIVING INSECTS |
| MA051318A MA51318A (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | LIVE INSECT TRANSPORT DEVICE |
| PCT/NL2018/050867 WO2019125162A1 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | Live insects transport device |
| EP18842585.4A EP3726975B1 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | Live insects transport device |
| PL18842585T PL3726975T3 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2018-12-21 | Live insects transport device |
| IL275581A IL275581A (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2020-06-22 | Live insects transport device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2020153A NL2020153B1 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2017-12-22 | Live insects transport device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NL2020153B1 true NL2020153B1 (en) | 2019-07-04 |
Family
ID=61224472
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2020153A NL2020153B1 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2017-12-22 | Live insects transport device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| NL (1) | NL2020153B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11985960B2 (en) | 2019-06-06 | 2024-05-21 | Protix B.V. | Live insects transport device |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3223237A (en) * | 1962-01-18 | 1965-12-14 | Jr Edgar B Harrod | Slot type separator |
| US3893420A (en) * | 1972-09-26 | 1975-07-08 | Sergei Vasilievich Andreev | Method for mass scale reproduction of parasitic insects |
| US5927004A (en) * | 1996-10-25 | 1999-07-27 | Stocker; Russell | Beneficial insect compositions and method of making same |
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Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3223237A (en) * | 1962-01-18 | 1965-12-14 | Jr Edgar B Harrod | Slot type separator |
| US3893420A (en) * | 1972-09-26 | 1975-07-08 | Sergei Vasilievich Andreev | Method for mass scale reproduction of parasitic insects |
| US5927004A (en) * | 1996-10-25 | 1999-07-27 | Stocker; Russell | Beneficial insect compositions and method of making same |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11985960B2 (en) | 2019-06-06 | 2024-05-21 | Protix B.V. | Live insects transport device |
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