WO2023153948A1

WO2023153948A1 - Container set for breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects and use of the container set

Info

Publication number: WO2023153948A1
Application number: PCT/PL2023/050007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Damian JÓZEFIAK; Krzysztof Dudek; Rafał Przybylski
Original assignee: Hipromine S.A.
Priority date: 2022-02-10
Filing date: 2023-02-06
Publication date: 2023-08-17
Also published as: PL440358A1

Abstract

The object of the invention is a container set (1) for the breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects and use of the container set (1) as closed structure. The container set (1) comprises, on at least one inner wall of the container, a multi-tier rack (3) of breeding surfaces in the form of shelves and/or autonomous conveyor belts, and/or receptacles, connected to a feed tank (4), preferably by a dosing pump (5), preferably automatic, preferably with the use of feeders (6), preferably wired, wherein it has an entrance opening (7) and is equipped with a power supply system (8) and the following, powered by this system: lighting lamps (9), a heating system (10) and/or a ventilation and air-conditioning and/or heating and cooling system (11), a control system (12) and preferably an irrigation system (13), respectively, wherein the rack (3) has from 1 to 30 tiers (14) of breeding surfaces, preferably between 5 and 15 tiers ( 14), wherein the multiplied tiers (14) are at intervals from 15cm to 100cm, and the container (2) has at least one settling connector (15) for connecting it detachably to a semi-trailer (16) constituting the mobile element of the set (1), and also has at least two spacer supports (17) constituting legs (17') of the container (2) directed towards the ground on which the container (2) is at least temporarily seated when not being relocated, and wherein the container (2) has at least one inwardly concave recess (21), preferably located in at least one surface thereof, wherein in the recess (21), preferably flush with the remaining surface of the container (2), at least one of the following elements is mounted: the feed tank (4), the dosing pump (5), the feeders (6), the power supply system (8), the heating system (10), the ventilation and air-conditioning system (11), the control system (12), the irrigation system (13), the platform (22) for the entrance opening (7).

Description

Container set for breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects and use of the container set

TECHNICAL FIELD

An object of the invention is a container set for breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects and use of the container set as an closed structure for breeding insects and processing organic material, especially farm waste and by-products from vegetable and fruit processing as well as for producing natural fertiliser.

STATE OF ART

In recent years industrial breeding of insects has been indicated as an environmentally sustainable alternative for production of protein and fat for feed purposes, among others, in livestock and companion animal nutrition and for general food purposes (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2012 Assessing the potential of insects as food and feed in assuring food security. Summary report. Technical consultation meeting 23-25 January, FAO, Rome, Italy).

A group of insects with particular potential as a source of protein for feed and food purposes are larvae of beetles (Coleoptera) from the darkling family (Tenebrionidae) and larvae of Hymenoptera (Diptera). Species cultured on a semi-industrial and industrial scale include: lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), yellow mealworm beetle (1'enebrio molitor), superworm (Zophobas mor io), confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum), red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), black flour beetle (Tribolium madens) and other darkling species, as well as flies from species belonging to the genus Hermetia (Hermetia illucens), and house fly (Musca domestica). All the species mentioned above feed in the substrate during their larval growth stage.

Insect rearing technologies currently used are based on drawer or self-supporting systems that use small surface area receptacles with a few centimetres layer of rearing substrate of 1cm to 5cm thickness, as described, for example, in publication WO2014171829A1. Normally, plastic receptacles or transport boxes placed on pallets, as described in publication WO/2016/166471, are used for breeding. Another solution are the racking systems described in publication WO/2018/029597. All of these systems, however, are only direct living and feeding areas for insects intended for fattening. Insects, as ectothermic animals, are very much dependent on environmental conditions, especially optimum ambient temperature and humidity. In order to ensure optimum conditions for breeding, rack or box systems are placed in production halls or breeding rooms that allow stable environmental conditions to be maintained. This, however, raises some problems in terms of the need to have a proper infrastructure in the form of real estate along with access to utilities, especially electricity in order to fatten the insects. This limits the use of insects as a locally produced source of protein for livestock animals because not all farms have buildings that can be adapted for insect production or there are administrative and legal restrictions that do not allow such additional buildings to be built. A chamber structure for breeding crawling insects, comprising a drum, a shuffling device and a feeding device, is known from publication WO2018169398A1. The drum includes at least one wall, that defines the interior of the drum, for storing insects, and the shuffling device is located at least partially inside the drum. There is a delivery device configured to deliver nutrients to the interior of the drum. The chamber structure also has a cooling device having a circuit with a coolant that is, by means of the flow of coolant in this circuit, configured to remove heat from the interior of the drum. The solution can be configured as a system for on-site production of protein, i.e. insect larvae, as animal feed, and relates to a method for breeding crawling insects that includes a step of cooling the insects inside the drum with the cooling device. The device as described can be mounted in a pre-defined container space, but such a container construction does not ensure that the process can run fully automatically and requires a qualified operators, it also has an inconveniences related to the difficulty of keeping thermal stabilisation of the process and lack of mobility of the culture during the insect rearing process. The well-known chamber structure essentially solves another, technical problem, that is, dissipation of heat when the breeding process is conducted in the drum.

Patent application PL413197, on the other hand, describes a container device for drying manure, in particular poultry manure, which has a loading hopper equipped with a counter-rotating auger and, above each belt conveyor of the set, a scarifier for agitating and crushing the manure, additionally in the front wall of the container there is located a wind turbine with a power generator connected to batteries, for the energy self-sufficiency of the device. This known method for drying manure, especially poultry manure, consists in that, after the manure has been evenly distributed on the belt conveyors of the set, the container with manure is placed in front of an exhaust fan for used air from the breeding building, at a distance that does not interfere with the operation of the exhaust fan, at the same time the used air is introduced onto the evenly distributed manure on the belt conveyors of the set and drives the rotor of the wind turbine into motion, and the generated electrical energy is accumulated in batteries and the manu_re is agitated and crushed on the belt conveyors of the set by means of scarifiers. The presented container device and the method for handling organic material reveal only the possibility of using the container device in the surroundings of farm buildings, and also reveal the possibility of using, at the same time, elements that allow the device to be powered by a wind turbine driven by air pushed from the farm building by fans. The device, however, does not run the process fully automatically, in its operation and energy generation the device is dependent on the operation of the wind turbine in the breeding building, and it cannot be relocated during the insect rearing process.

This is analogous to the solution as disclosed in patent application PL416812, which describes a plant-growing container consisting of a cooling chamber on the base of which seedling receptacles are placed, and lighting lamps are located at the top of the container to heat the room, and cameras and sensors to monitor the operation. The container is also equipped with a replaceable control cassette comprising fans, a water tank with a valve, a CO2 gas cylinder, an electrical connection and an electronic control panel that manages the culture.

In turn, a container bioreactor for composting of organic materials is known from the publication of utility model PL69324Y1, which consists of a perforated bottom with an aeration system consisting of a compressor and pipes, container side walls and a lid to which heat exchangers are mounted, connected to a pump and an external heat receiver. The lid has two guides mounted on the sides, and the container side walls are connected to the bottom and to the lid by means of steel latches.

By analogy, but with considerable automation and adaptation of breeding, this time also plant raising, to optimal thermal and biological conditions, a system and a method for generating high- yield plant production in any environment is known from publication W02014005156A2. The system includes a container, a cultivation station and a monitoring system. The cultivation station includes vertical racks, a lighting system, an irrigation system, an air conditioning system and a ventilation system. The monitoring system monitors all other systems in the cultivation station, as well as the environment in the container, providing the data and alerts in real time to the user, so the intervention is possible when parameters deviate from the desired standard.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

However, the above-mentioned known solutions do not reveal a container set suitable for breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects, nor they reveal the possibility of using the container set for breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects, as well as its use for the bio-utilisation of organic waste and/or by-products of the agricultural and food industry by breeding insects on site, preferably with simultaneous production of natural fertiliser, suitable for breeding and/or rearing in a continuous manner, without having to be interrupted when the container is relocated, which is an aim of the solution according to the invention. Another aim is, in principle, to obtain the construction of a mobile container set which can be transported on roads, including public roads, and which therefore meet the specified standards for transport on such roads, with no special permits, and which can be placed anywhere for the duration of the rearing process with no need to obtain any permits or other administrative decisions. The aim for the container set is to provide optimum environmental conditions for insect living and for being energy self-sufficient. Finally, the aim is to provide such the container set which may be relocated, also during breeding period, especially when the environmental conditions in an initially chosen location are unfavourable, for example, the food source for insects, preferably in the form of organic waste, is present in different location. A preferable further aim, in addition to those previously indicated, is also the possibility of providing uninterrupted, unattended breeding and fattening of insects, while still having the mobility and energy self-sufficiency features of the container set.

The essence of the invention is therefore the container set for the breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects, comprising, on at least one inner wall of the container, a multi-tier rack of breeding surfaces in the form of shelves and/or autonomous conveyor belts, and/or receptacles, connected to the feed tank, preferably by a dosing pump, preferably automatic, preferably with the use of feeders, preferably wired. The container has an entrance opening and is equipped with a power supply system and the following, powered by this system: lighting lamps, a heating and/or ventilation and air-conditioning system, and/or a heating and cooling system, a control system and preferably an irrigation system, respectively. The invention in respect of the container set is characterised in that the rack has from 1 to 30 tiers of breeding surfaces, preferably between 5 and 15 tiers, the multiplied tiers being at intervals from 15cm to 100cm, and the container has at least one settling connector for connecting it detachably to a semi-trailer constituting the mobile element of the set, and also has at least two spacer supports constituting legs of the container directed towards the ground on which the container is at least temporarily and alternately seated when not being relocated. The container set also has at least one inwardly concave recess, preferably located in at least one surface thereof, wherein in the recess, preferably flush with the remaining surface of the container, at least one of the following elements is mounted: the feed tank, the dosing pump, the feeders, the power supply system, the heating system, the ventilation and air-conditioning system, the control system, the irrigation system, the platform for the entrance opening. Preferably, the container of the container set is an isothermal, preferably hermetic container, preferably with an insulating layer.

Preferably, in the container set, the entrance opening of the container is a gate, preferably in the form of a double rear door of the container.

Preferably, the container of the container set has a side door, preferably as an additional entrance opening.

In the preferable container of the container set, the feed tank and or the feed dosing pump are located outside the container, wherein the feed tank is preferably replaceable.

Preferably, the container of the container set is equipped with a screen, preferably perforated.

In the preferable container set, the screen is a vibratory screen.

In the preferable container set, the screen has replaceable screens with different mesh sizes each, preferably allowing insects/insect larvae to be separated from the substrate.

In the preferable container set, the screen is fitted either inside the container or on its outer wall or under the floor, and if it is inside the container, it has an outlet to the outside.

In the preferable container set, the power supply system is an electrical system that is batterybased, generator-based or mixed.

In the preferable container set, the power supply system is a photovoltaic, electric, gas, liquid fuel or mixed system.

In the preferable container set, photovoltaic panels are located on the roof of the container and/or on at least one of its side walls, having preferably a variable angle of inclination.

The preferable container set is equipped with a heater and/or a cooler to which at least one temperature sensor and at least one humidity sensor are connected via an industrial automation system, more preferably it is equipped with a flow-through heating and cooling system and/or a floor heating and cooling system.

The preferable container set has a spare air-conditioning and/or heating system.

The preferable container set is adapted for the breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects of selected families of beetles (Coleoptera), darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae), hymenopterans (Diptera), more preferably for the following: lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), yellow mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor), superworm (Zophobas mori ), confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum), red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), black flour beetle (Tribolium madens), insects of the genus Hermetia, most preferably for the species Hermetia illucens and house fly (Musca domestica). All the species mentioned above feed in the substrate during their larval growth stage.

The invention also relates to use of the container set according to the invention, for the breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects of selected families of beetles (Coleoptera), darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae), hymenopterans (Diptera), more preferably for the following: lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diasperinus), yellow mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor), superworm (Zophobas morio), confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum), red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), black flour beetle (Tribolium madens), insects of the genus Hermetia, most preferably for the species Hermetia illucens, and house fly (Musca domestica).

In the preferable use of the container set during the breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects, both the stationary location of the container set and the relocation of the container set are allowed, without detriment to the culture and at the same time without altering the thermal-environmental conditions present inside the container.

In the preferable use of the container set according to the invention, the breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects by means of the container set (1) is conducted for the bio-utilisation of organic waste and/or by-products of the agricultural and food industry, preferably by bio-utilisation of waste organic substances from agricultural farms, agricultural farming and animal breeding, waste or by-products from vegetable and fruit processing.

In the preferable use of the container set, the breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects by means of the container set is conducted for the production of natural fertiliser, preferably by breeding and/or rearing insects and/or larval forms of insects on organic waste substances from agricultural farms, agricultural farming and animal breeding and/or waste from vegetable and fruit processing, and/or by-products from the agricultural and food industry.

The invention also relates to use of the container set according to the invention for the bioutilisation of organic waste and/or by-products of the agricultural and food industry, in particular by bio-utilisation of organic waste substances from agricultural farms, agricultural farming and animal breeding, waste and/or by-products from vegetable and fruit processing.

The invention also relates to use of the container set according to the invention, for the production of a natural fertiliser in the form of frass from insects by breeding and/or rearing insects and/or larval forms of insects selected from the family of beetles (Coleoptera), darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae), hymenopterans (Diptera), preferably by breeding and/or rearing insects and/or larval forms of insects by means of organic waste substances from agricultural farms, agricultural farming and animal breeding, and waste and/or by-products from vegetable and fruit processing.

In the preferable uses of the container set, breeding and/or rearing relates to larval forms of insects and is conducted during the stage of larval growth of insects when they are feed in the organic substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The advantage of the solution according to the invention is that it can be use, without detriment to its inventiveness, with other specific solutions, all those that constitute complementary solutions adapted to the process of breeding and/or rearing of insects. These complementary and recognised, and already successfully operating solutions include first and foremost the previous proprietary solutions described in international applications, e.g. WO/2021/235957 and PCT/PL2021/050052, which address the issue of homeostasis provided during the breeding of insects using heating and cooling systems and the multi-tier process line described in WO/2018/029597.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

The invention is shown in examples presented in a drawing, where

Fig. 1 shows the container set in its first embodiment before disconnection, in a side view;

Fig. 2 shows the container in its first embodiment placed temporarily on its legs, in a perspective view;

Fig. 3 shows a close-up view of the container in its first embodiment with elements of the set mounted in recesses;

Fig. 4 shows the interior of the container with breeding taking place on breeding surfaces of a rack;

Fig. 5 shows the container in its second embodiment placed temporarily on its legs, in a perspective view;

Fig. 6 shows the container in its third embodiment placed temporarily on its legs, in a perspective view.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following examples are included only to illustrate the invention and to explain its particular aspects, not to limit it, and should not be equated with the entire scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. EXAMPLES

Example 1

An exemplary container set 1 comprises, on at least one inner wall of the container 2, a multi-tier rack 3 comprising breeding surfaces in the form of shelves, preferably profiled in the shape of a trough, and/or autonomous conveyor belts and/or receptacles, connected to a feed tank 4, through an automatic dosing pump 5 by means of wired feeders 6. It has an entrance opening 7 and is equipped with a power supply system 8 and the following, supplied by this system: lighting lamps 9, a heating system 10 and/or ventilation and air-conditioning system 11 that this time is a heating and cooling system, a control system 12 and an irrigation system 13, respectively. The rack 3 can have from 1 to 30 tiers 14 of breeding surfaces, with multiplied tiers 14 located at intervals from 15 cm to 100 cm, this time it has seven tiers 14 spaced at 30 cm intervals, in this embodiment constituting autonomous conveyor belts, a separate one for each rack tier. The container 2 has at least one settling connector 15, this time exactly one, centrally located in the plane of the floor and operable from the outside, intended to connect it detachably to a semi-trailer 16 constituting the mobile element of the container set 1, and it also has at least two spacer supports 17 constituting legs 17' of the container 2 extendable towards the ground, on which the container 2 is at least temporarily and alternately seated for the period of breeding and/or rearing, and for the period of relocation the legs 17' are raised up, or folded and retracted, this time exactly four legs 17' are evenly distributed on the comers of the container for better stabilisation thereof. The legs of the container can be permanently fixed or attachable to the container.

The container 2 is an isothermal, airtight container with an insulating layer. The entrance opening 7 is a gate in the form of a double rear door 7' of the container 2. The container 2 also has a side door 7" as an additional entrance opening 7. The feed tank 4 and the dosing pump 5 are located outside the container 2, where the feed tank 4 is replaceable. The container 2 is equipped with a perforated screen 18. The screen 18 is a vibratory screen. The screen 18 has replaceable screens with different mesh sizes each, with the mesh size depending on the type of breeding and/or rearing, more specifically on the average size of the insects/larvae of a given insect species. The screen 18 is fixed in the interior of the container 2, with an outlet to its outside.

The power supply system 8 is a battery system or an external power supply system. Alternatively, the power supply system 8 is a photovoltaic system. The container set 1 is equipped with a heater 10’ and/or a cooler 11 ’ to which at least one temperature sensor 19 and at least one humidity sensor 20 are connected via an industrial automation system, this time two of each sensor, one outside and one inside the container 2. It also has a spare air-conditioning system 11 and a spare heating system 10. Photovoltaic panels are located on the roof of the container 2 and have a variable angle of inclination.

The container 2 has at least one inwardly concave recess 21, located in at least one surface thereof, this time it has one recess 21 located in the front wall, opposite to the entrance opening 7, that is behind the tractor provided to the semi-trailer 16, wherein in the recess 21 , flush with the remaining surface of the container 2, at least one of the following elements is mounted: the feed tank 4, the dosing pump 5, the feeders 6, the power supply system 8, the heating system 10, the ventilation and air-conditioning system 11, the control system 12, the irrigation system 13, a platform 22 for the entrance opening 7, all already mentioned except the platform 22 for the entrance opening 7.

The exemplary use of the container set 1 as indicated above is for rearing insects and/or larval forms, wherein in this embodiment the culture is related to the rearing of insects and larval forms of Hermetia illucens. The container was of an external size of 242 by 270 by 1350 cm, the inserted rack 3 was 1000 cm long and the width of the belts was 140 cm. For comparison, a similar culture was carried out on an identical rack set up in a container left stationary for the entire period of growth of the insects. In both cultures, which were run independently in a stationary container set and a relocated container set, respectively, the same temperature and humidity were maintained, an identical feed mixture was used and fed in identical amounts and at the same time intervals. The rearing was carried out at 28°C with 50% humidity. The larvae were fed ad libitum with fruit and vegetable pulp thickened to 35% water content with wheat bran. The insects were reared from the L2/L3 larval stage to the L5 stage, over a period of eight days.

Both cultures, in the relocated breeding container and the stationary control culture, conducted in both the stationary and relocated containers, started with an initially identical number of larvae at the same breeding stage.

During the breeding in the breeding container, both the stationary location of the container 2 of the container set 1 and the relocation of the container set 1 were allowed, without detriment to the culture and at the same time without altering the thermal-environmental conditions present inside the container 2. In fact, two relocations of the container set 1 were made from the start of breeding to its completion, which occurred without any break in breeding and rearing, both of them due to a significant change in the weather conditions surrounding the set, as breeding was carried out in the spring-summer period, and the initial location of the set, as well as the second location resulted in an unfavourable energy balance, once due to too much sunlight and once due to too much wind, which could result in the long term into energy instability or the consumption of too much energy in order to ensure constant conditions for breeding. The third placement, i.e. after two short relocations during the course of breeding, proved to be optimal, as confirmed by the final energy balance for the entire process.

The obtained values of insect growth parameters from the respective groups were statistically processed according to SAS Institute standards. 1994. SAS User’s Guide: Statistics. SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA. The results are presented in Table 1 and represent the values of: BWG (Body Weight Gain); FI (Food Intake); FCR (Food Conversion Ratio).

Table 1. Results of Hermetia illucens rearing: growth experiment for stationary and relocated cultures conducted in the container set according to the invention.

The experiment showed that both cultures, in the relocated breeding container and the stationary control culture, produce the same results.

Despite the relocation of the container set 1 with live insects, stable temperature and humidity conditions were maintained inside the container 2 and sufficient air circulation was maintained during both the placement and transport of the container set 1. The compact construction of the entire container 2, preferably owing to the insertion of the aforementioned elements into the concave recess 21, leads to the container set 1 being immediately ready to be relocated (by simply lifting the legs 17') because, due to the insertion of the elements into the recess 21, timeconsuming and labour-intensive disassembly and reassembly is not required. The breeding carried out in the relocated container set 1 showed the same productivity and survivability of insects compared to the insects bred under control stationary conditions.

Example 2

The culture in a breeding container and the control culture were conducted as in the first example, with the following modifications.

The container set 1 comprised a rack 3, with ten tiers 14 of breeding surfaces, with multiplied tiers 14 located at 20cm intervals. The rack 3 with the tiers 14 was a multi-tier line consistent with the process line described in publication WO/2018/029597. The container set 1 has four settling connectors 15, operated from the outside, located at the comers in the plane of the floor, intended to connect it detachably to a semi-trailer 16 constituting the mobile element of the container set 1. The breeding container 2 has four spacer supports 17 constituting legs 17' of the container 2 extendable towards the ground, on which the container 2 is seated when not being relocated. A screen 18 is mounted on the outer wall of the container 2. A power supply system 8 is a generator-based system. Alternatively, the power supply system 8 is an electrical system, connected to the mains power supply. The power source for the power supply system 8 can also be photovoltaic panels which are located on the side wall of the container 2 and do not have a variable angle of inclination. The power supply system 8 can have one or more power sources. The container 2 has at least one inwardly concave recess 21, in this embodiment in total three recesses 21 located in its three surfaces, in the front wall as before, but also in the side wall and in the floor, wherein the one in the floor is intended for a platform 22 for an entrance opening 7, i.e. stairs.

During the breeding of insects, without interrupting it, the container set 1 with live insects was relocated five times and, due to the unique construction of the container set 1, all systems supporting the homeostasis of environmental conditions were activated and supervised via a central control also during the relocation, so that stable temperature and humidity conditions were maintained and sufficient air circulation was also maintained, both during the placement and transport of the container set. The compact construction of the entire container 2 through its profiled concave recesses 21 with elements inserted therein leads to the container set 1 being immediately ready to be relocated and not requiring time-consuming and labour-intensive disassembly and reassembly. The container set constructed in this way meets the requirements for easy transport on the roads due to its compactness and is therefore regarded as a normal container.

The results obtained for the relocated culture were similar to those indicated in Table 1. The container set 1 ensures the homeostasis of the breeding environment during the placement of the breeding container 2 at a given location as well as during its relocation, as the relocated cultures conducted in the relocated container set 1 show the same productivity and survivability of insects Hermetia illucens compared to the insects bred under control stationary conditions.

Example 3

As in the first example with the following modifications. A) The container set 1 comprised a rack 3 with five tiers 14 spaced at 45cm intervals. The rack 3 with the tiers 14 was a multi-tier line consistent with the process line described in publication WO/2018/029597. The container set 1 has six settling connectors 15, operated from the outside, symmetrically located at the comers and in the half -length of the container 2, intended to connect it detachably to a semi-trailer 16 constituting the mobile element of the container set 1. The container set 1 has eight spacer supports 17. A screen 18 is mounted under the floor of the container 2. The power supply system 8 is a generator-based system. Preferably, the power supply system 8 is a gas-based system. This time, it does not have a spare air-conditioning system or a spare heating system.

The container 8 has two inwardly concave recesses 21 , located in its two surfaces, wherein in the recesses 21, flush with the remaining surface of the container, all of the following elements are mounted: feed tank 4, dosing pump 5, feeders 6, the power supply system 8, heating system 1.0, a ventilation and air-conditioning system 11, a control system 12, an irrigation system 13, a platform 22 for an entrance opening 7. During the breeding of insects, without interrupting it, the container set 1 with live insects have been relocated ten times. Because of the unique construction of the container set 1, all systems supporting the homeostasis of environmental conditions were activated and supervised via a central control also during the relocation, so that stable temperature and humidity conditions were maintained and sufficient air circulation was maintained as well, both during the placement and transport of the container set 1 with bred insects. The container set 1 ensured homeostasis of the breeding environment as the cultures of Hermetia illucens conducted in the relocated container set show the same productivity and survivability of insects Hermetia illucens compared to insects Hermetia illucens bred under control stationary conditions.

B) A culture was conducted in the container as in point A) except that it was conducted for the purpose of bio-utilisation of organic waste from agricultural farms and waste and/or by-products from fruit and vegetable processing, and the organic substances used was derived from pomace from fruit and vegetable juice production (a by-product of processing or juice production); agricultural and food waste such as mushroom beds and mushroom waste, potatoes, potato pulp, potato peelings, potato starch (by-products of the potato industry); maize and maize silage, maize starch (by-products of maize processing); fruit and vegetable pulps (by-products of the food industry, i.e. pomace or pulp obtained from e.g. carrots, beets, apples, currants, pears); waste from biogas plants, i.e. post-production biomass from biogas plants; waste from fodder beet; various bran and meal, e.g. wheat bran, rye bran, post-extraction soya meal, post-extraction rapeseed meal. The container set 1 ensured homeostasis and stability of the breeding environment, and at the same time it provided the possibility to carry out on-site bio-utilisation of the bio-organic waste administered to insects, preferably carried out with the simultaneous production of natural fertiliser.

C) A culture was conducted in a container as in point A) except that the culture was conducted for producing on site of natural fertiliser. During the breeding of insects, frass, i.e. a natural fertiliser made from insects, was produced which has a wide range of applications: in professional agricultural, pomiculture, vegetable production as well as in lawns and for ornamental plants in recreational gardening. The addition of the natural fertiliser produced in this way allows for a slow, natural release of nutrients ensuring their efficient use by the plants. The obtained natural fertiliser can then also be processed into organic fertiliser or be incorporated into complex fertiliser mixtures.

The container set 1 ensured homeostasis and stability of the insect breeding environment and at the same time provided the possibility to produce frass at any location where the container is placed, preferably at the location of its collection or its direct use of the fertiliser. The fertiliser production process can be preferably conducted with the simultaneous management of waste organic substances, e.g. organic waste, and the production of insects for further use, e.g. at the location of ultimate collection of fertiliser and/or insects. The method of producing the fertiliser at the location of its collection not only provides a natural fertiliser with a wide range of applications, but also shortens the supply chain and therefore it is economical and ecologically preferable solution.

In its particularly preferable use, the container set 1 can therefore be used both for the bioutilisation of organic waste, and the production of insects (containing valuable proteins, fats and chitin) and simultaneously for the production of natural fertiliser.

LIST OF REFERENCES:

1 container set

2 container

3 rack

4 feed tank

5 dosing pump

6 wired feeder

7 entrance opening

7’ double door

7” side door

8 power supply system

9 lighting lamp

10 heating system

10’ heater heating and cooling system / ventilation and air-conditioning system ’ cooler control system irrigation system tier of breeding surface settling connector semi-trailer spacer support ’ leg screen temperature sensor humidity sensor recess platform

Claims

1. A container set comprising, at least on one inner wall of the container, a multi -tier rack of breeding surfaces in the form of shelves and/or autonomous conveyor belts, and/or receptacles, connected to a feed tank, preferably by a dosing pump, preferably automatic dosing pump, preferably with the use of feeders, preferably wired feeders, wherein it has an entrance opening and is equipped with a power supply system and the following, powered by this system: lighting lamps, a heating and/or ventilation and air-conditioning system, and/or a heating and cooling system, a control system and preferably an irrigation system, respectively, characterised in that the rack (3) has from 1 to 30 tiers (14) of breeding surfaces, preferably between 5 and 15 tiers (14), wherein the multiplied tiers (14) are at intervals from 15cm to 100cm, and the container (2) has a settling connector (15) for connecting it detachably to a semi-trailer (16) constituting the mobile element of the set (1), and it also has at least two spacer supports (17) constituting legs (17") of the container (2) directed towards the ground on which the container (2) is seated when not being relocated, and in that the container (2) has at least one inwardly concave recess (21), preferably located in at least one surface thereof, wherein in the recess (21), preferably flush with the remaining surface of the container (2), at least one of the following elements is mounted: the feed tank (4), the dosing pump (5), the feeders (6), the power supply system (8), the heating system (10), the ventilation and air-conditioning system (11), the control system (12), the irrigation system (13), a platform (22) for the entrance opening (7).

2. The container set according to claim 1, characterised in that the container (2) is an isothermal, preferably airtight container, preferably with an insulating layer.

3. The container set according to claims 1-2, characterised in that the entrance opening (7) is a gate, preferably in the form of a double rear door (7') of the container (2).

4. The container set according to claims 1-3, characterised in that the container (2) also has a side door (7”), preferably as an additional entrance opening (7).

5. The container set according to claims 1 -4, characterised in that the feed tank (4) and the dosing pump (5) are located outside the container (2), the feed tank (4) is preferably replaceable.

6. The container set according to claims 1-5, characterised in that the container (2) is equipped with a screen (18), preferably perforated.

7. The container set according to claim 6, characterised in that the screen (18) is a vibratory screen.

8. The container set according to claims 6-7, characterised in that the screen (18) has replaceable screens with different mesh sizes each.

9. The container set according to claims 6-8, characterised in that the screen (18) is fitted either inside the container (2) or on its outer wall, or under the floor, and when it is inside the container (2), it has an outlet to the outside thereof.

10. The container set according to claim 1, characterised in that the power supply system (8) is an electrical system that is battery-based, generator-based or mixed.

11. The container set according to claim 1 or 10, characterised in that the power supply system (8) is a photovoltaic or gas-based, or liquid fuel-based or mixed system.

12. The container set according to claim 1 or 10-11, characterised in that photovoltaic panels are located on the roof of the container (2) and/or on its side wall, having preferably a variable angle of inclination.

13. The container set according to claims 1-12, characterised in that it is equipped with a heater (10’) and/or a cooler (11 ’) to which at least one temperature sensor (19) and at least one humidity sensor (20) are connected via an industrial automation system.

14. The container set according to claims 1-13, characterised in that it has a spare air- conditioning (11) and/or heating (10) system.

15. The container set according to claims 1-14, characterised in that it is adapted for the breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects selected from the families of beetles (Coleoptera), darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae), hymenopterans (Diptera), more preferably insects selected from the families of beetles (Coleoptera), darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae), hymenopterans (Diptera), more preferably for the following insects: lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), yellow mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor), superworm (Zophobas mor io) confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum), red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), black flour beetle (Tribolium maclens), insects of the genus Hermetia, most preferably for the species Hermetia illucens, and house fly (Musca domes tica).

16. Use of the container set as defined in claims 1 to 15 for the breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects selected from the families of beetles (Coleoptera), darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae), hymenopterans (Diptera).

17. The use according to claim 16, characterised in that the breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects relate to insects selected from the families of beetles (Coleoptera), darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae), hymenopterans (Diptera), more preferably for the following insects: lesser mealworm (Mphitobius diaperinus), yellow mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor), superworm (Zophobas mori ), confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusurri), red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), black flour beetle (Tribolium madens), insects of the genus Hermetia, most preferably for the species Hermetia illucens, and house fly (Musca domestica).

18. The use according to any one of claims 16-17, characterised in that during the breeding and/or rearing of insects, both the stationary location of the container (2) of the container set (1) and the relocation of the container set (1) are allowed, without detriment to the culture and at the same time without altering the thermal-environmental conditions present inside the container (2).

19. The use according to claims 16-18, characterised in that the breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects by means of the container set (1) is conducted for the bioutilisation of organic waste and/or by-products from the agricultural and food industry.

20. The use according to claim 19, characterised in that the bio-utilisation of organic waste relates to waste organic substances from agricultural farms, agricultural farming and animal breeding and waste and/or by-products from vegetable and fruit processing.

21. The use according to claims 16-18, characterised in that the breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects by means of the container set (1) is conducted for the production of natural fertiliser.

22. The use of the container set according to claim 21, characterised in that the production of natural fertiliser is conducted on organic waste substances from agricultural farms, agricultural farming and animal breeding and/or waste from vegetable and fruit processing, and/or by-products from the agricultural and food industry.

23. The use of the container set as defined in claims 1 to 15 for the bio-utilisation of organic waste and/or by-products from the agricultural and food industry.

24. The use of the container set according to claim 23, characterised in that the bioutilisation of organic waste relates to waste organic substances from agricultural farms, agricultural farming and animal breeding and waste and/or by-products from vegetable and fruit processing.

25. The use of the container set as defined in claims 1 to 15 for the production of natural fertiliser in the form of frass from insects by breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects selected from the families of beetles (Coleoptera), darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae), hymenopterans (Diptera).

26. The use of the container set according to claim 25, characterised in that the production of natural fertiliser in the form of frass from insects is conducted by breeding and/or rearing of insects and/or larval forms of insects by means of organic waste substances from agricultural farms, agricultural and animal husbandry, and waste and/or by-products from vegetable and fruit processing.