Frame with magnetic properties for a beehive

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame (6) for a beehive, comprising several vertical members (60) assembled together and a central plate (61) framed by said vertical members and provided with two opposite faces, the central plate (61) being manufactured by mixing a binder with a magnetic powder, and said central plate being magnetized in a direction transverse to its two opposite faces.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame usable in a beehive for bees, this frame having magnetic properties. State of the art

[0002] A beehive typically consists of a base forming a landing board for the bees, topped by a brood box (the main body of the hive) for the bee colony. This brood box is itself topped by a honey super (the upper box) for honey production. A queen excluder separates the brood box from the honey super to prevent the queen from moving between the two. The hive may have one or more honey supers attached to the brood box. Finally, a roof encloses the entire structure for protection.

[0003] The brood box and each super are filled with vertically inserted frames placed parallel to each other. Each frame has several uprights and a central section framed by the uprights. The central section may contain a sheet of pre-perforated wax in which the bees can build cells, intended to receive pollen and honey. It has also been proposed to make the central section in the form of a plate of food-grade plastic material, this plate being directly perforated. French patent application FR2940594A1 describes a central section composed of a solid support plate, receiving a perforated plate on each of its two faces. Other solutions have, of course, been proposed. US patent US4234985 describes the construction of a frame made of plastic material.

[0004] To protect the bees in the hive from insects and parasites, US patent 5162014 proposes creating a magnetic field inside the hive by placing permanent magnets on each frame inserted into the hive. The permanent magnets are added in the form of strips, each placed on a separate frame member.

[0005] Patent application FR2972898 proposes to apply a magnetic field inside a beehive by adding two magnets on two opposite faces of the beehive body.

[0006] After technical study, it was found that magnetism could have a significant influence on the health of bees by reducing their mortality rate as well as on their productivity in terms of honey.

[0007] However, it turns out that known magnetic solutions do not allow for a uniform magnetic field inside the beehive. (See patent application US5162014) , the resulting magnetic field can be disrupted and is therefore ineffective, and in patent application FR2972898 , It is not uniform inside the hive, being very high around the magnets located outside the hive and very low in the center of the hive.

[0008] The aim of the invention is therefore to offer a solution which makes it possible to obtain the most uniform magnetic induction possible inside the hive, whether at the level of its body or of each super, and having a good level of magnetic induction to optimize the reduction of the mortality rate of the bees and their productivity. Description of the invention

[0009] This goal is achieved by a beehive frame comprising several uprights assembled together and a central plate framed by said uprights and having two opposite faces, the central plate being made from a binder to which a magnetic powder is added and said central plate being magnetized in a direction transverse to its two opposite faces.

[0010] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the frame thus has a magnetization oriented perpendicularly to its plane of insertion in the body or in the super of the hive.

[0011] Depending on a particular embodiment, the magnetic powder is a strontium ferrite powder or a barium ferrite powder.

[0012] According to another particular realization, the magnetic powder is a Neodymium Iron Boron powder.

[0013] The central plate is in the form of a rigid and relatively inflexible element.

[0014] Depending on one particularity, the binder is an elastomer, a thermoplastic polymer and / or a thermosetting polymer.

[0015] According to another particularity, the binder is food-grade polypropylene or food-grade polyamide.

[0016] Depending on one particularity, the binder is a textile such as vegetable cotton and / or cellulose coated with mineral products (for example pigments) mixed with hardening products, such as paraffin.

[0017] Another distinctive feature is that both sides of the plate are honeycomb-patterned.

[0018] Another distinctive feature is that the frame uprights are made of plastic and / or wood.

[0019] Another distinctive feature is that the frame uprights are made of a magnetic plastic-type material.

[0020] According to a particular design, the frame is made in the form of a single piece.

[0021] According to another particular embodiment, the plate is made in the form of a single piece element or by assembling several modules.

[0022] According to one particularity, the magnetic powder is added in a proportion of between 10% and 50% of the total volume.

[0023] The invention also relates to a beehive comprising a body formed of a box in which several frames are placed vertically, the frames being as defined above.

[0024] According to a particular embodiment, the body has several lateral faces and includes a magnetic cylinder head formed of several panels, each assembled on one of its lateral faces.

[0025] The invention also relates to a beehive comprising at least one super formed of a box in which several frames are placed vertically, the frames being as defined above.

[0026] According to a particular embodiment, the sight has several lateral faces and in that it has a magnetic breech formed of several panels each assembled on one of its lateral faces. Brief description of the figures

[0027] Other features and advantages will appear in the detailed description that follows, in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which: There figure 1 shows the exploded view of a beehive's architecture; The Figures 2A and 2B show a frame conforming to the invention, usable in a beehive such as that of the figure 1 , respectively seen in perspective and seen from the front; The figure 3 illustrates a principle of magnetizing a frame according to the invention; The Figures 4A and 4B shows a top view of a beehive, respectively without a magnetic breechblock and with a magnetic breechblock; Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0028] With reference to the figure 1As indicated above, a beehive comprises a base 1 with a landing board 10. The base 1 is surmounted by the hive body 2, itself surmounted by one or more supers 3 (only one super on the figure 1 ) then a roof 4. A grid 5 can be placed between the body 2 and the first super 3 to prevent the queen from escaping.

[0029] As is known, the brood box (2) and each honey super (3) are filled with several vertically inserted frames (6). Each frame (6) allows for the production and storage of honey.

[0030] With reference to the figure 2A and to the figure 2B , a frame 6 is rectangular in shape and comprises several uprights 60 assembled together in a rectangle, and a central part 61 framed by the uprights 60.

[0031] As a general rule, in the hive, each super 3 is intended for pollen and honey and the body 2 of the hive houses the bee brood.

[0032] According to the invention, the central part of the frame 6 is made in the form of a plate 61 comprising magnetic properties.

[0033] Plate 61 has two opposite faces.

[0034] To give it its magnetic properties, the plate is made from an elastomer or plastic material with magnetic properties (magnetic plastic can also be called plasto-magnet), obtained by mixing an elastomer binder, a thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer binder, with a magnetic powder. A cellulose or plant-based cotton binder can also be used, a more environmentally friendly material than plastics. In this latter case, the cellulose or plant-based cotton deposit is coated with mineral products (pigments) and possibly hardening materials such as paraffin to harden and stiffen the entire assembly.

[0035] It would also be possible to use a mixture of several of these binders.

[0036] The binder used is food-grade (specifically, BPA-free) and can be chosen from cellulose, cotton, an elastomer, or a plastic. The elastomeric binder could be, for example, nitrile or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). The thermoplastic binder could be, for example, polypropylene or polyamide such as PA6, PA11, or PA12. Of course, other materials could be considered. Cellulose and cotton are advantageously bio-based.

[0037] The magnetic powder is chosen for example from a strontium ferrite powder (preferred powder because it is stable and neutral), a barium ferrite powder and a Neodymium Iron Boron powder.

[0038] The powder is added to the binder in a proportion that can range, for example, from 10% to 50% of the total volume (binder + powder). Ferrite particles are naturally flat. They can be reoriented by a magnetic field during injection molding to align the particles in the correct plane (they are then said to be anisotropic) or not (they are then isotropic – but the magnetic polarization will be 2 to 3 times less effective). The proportion of magnetic powder can be adjusted to achieve the desired level of magnetic polarization and a good level of magnetic induction between the frames, once they are placed in the hive.

[0039] Plate 61 may have a simple embossing on which bees can build cells (possibly with a layer of wax) for honey production, or directly integrate these cells 610 ( figure 2B), obtained directly during the fabrication of the plate. The cells are then made on the two opposite faces of the plate 61. They are not through-holes.

[0040] Plate 61 can, for example, be manufactured by injection molding or another equivalent method. The initial magnetization of the frame is advantageously carried out during injection molding but can be performed subsequently, and then possibly repeated in case of demagnetization.

[0041] It should be noted that plate 61 can be produced as a single piece (for example, by injection molding) but can also be obtained by assembling several individual elements, these elements being magnetized before or after assembly to form plate 61. Of course, other solutions could be considered for the production of plate 61. When the plate is intended to have cells, the individual elements contain these cells and their assembly makes it possible to obtain the complete cell-filled plate.

[0042] With reference to the figure 3Magnetization can be achieved by placing the entire plate 61, its individual components, or the entire frame 6 between two magnets 7, in order to polarize the magnetic powder particles inside the plate and thus magnetize the plate 61 (magnetic induction B_i). The two magnets must be powerful and can be made of Neodymium Iron Boron. Other magnetization methods could be considered, such as the use of electromagnetic coils. It should be noted that, due to an unfavorable form factor, it might be beneficial to re-magnetize each frame before inserting it into the hive and before each new honey production.

[0043] According to the invention, the plate 61 is magnetized so that its magnetic induction B_i is oriented perpendicularly to its two faces and therefore passes through. It is thus oriented perpendicularly to the plane of insertion of the frame 6 in the hive.

[0044] As illustrated by the figure 4A , when several frames 6 of the type of the invention are juxtaposed in the body 2 and / or in each super 3 of the hive, the frames 6 are positioned so that their respective magnetic inductions B_i add together, forming a total magnetic induction B_tot passing through the body 2 and / or each super 3 from one side to the other.

[0045] According to a particularity illustrated by the figure 4B In order to confine the magnetic induction within the brood box 2 and / or each super 3 of the hive, a magnetic baffle can be added to the hive. This baffle can be composed of several metal panels 8 fixed to the external lateral faces of the brood box 2 and / or the super 3 of the hive (as on the figure 4BThese panels 8 are joined together to close the breech around the magnetic plates 61 present in the body 2. The panels 8 are, for example, sized to completely cover the surface of each lateral face of the hive body 2 and thus encircle it. The same principle can be applied to each new super 3 of the hive.

[0046] Advantageously, the magnetic induction present from one level of the hive to another can be adapted. For example, it would be advantageous to have a total magnetic induction (B_tot) of 5 Gauss through brood box 2 and a stronger total magnetic induction (B_tot) at the level of the super 3, for example, equal to 50 Gauss. Without limitation, the plate 61 can have a thickness between 1 mm and 12 mm, for example, 1 to 3 mm when it belongs to a frame of brood box 2 and 10 mm when it belongs to a frame 6 intended for a super 3.

[0047] The following may be used, but are not limited to: In body 2, frames of 6 each equipped with a smooth or embossed magnetic elastomer plate, with a thickness between 1 and 3 mm, advantageously 1.5 mm, possibly covered with a layer of wax, allowing the bees to build their habitat as they see fit; these frames are not necessarily intended for honey production and may have a lower level of magnetization than that assigned to the super frames; In each super 3, frames of 6 each equipped with a magnetic plastic plate having a greater thickness (for example 10 mm) than that of the magnetic elastomer plates present in the frames of body 2 of the hive; the plates of these frames are advantageously perforated on both sides and are intended for honey production; the plates have a magnetization that can be ten times higher than that of the plates of body 2 of the hive;

[0048] The uprights 60 of the frame 6 can be made of wood or plastic. The plastic material used can also be filled with magnetic powder, in the same proportions or in different proportions than that used for the central plate 61. In the latter case, the frame can be made as a single unit, including the uprights 60 and the central plate 61.

[0049] Frame 6 of the invention is compatible with conventional tools used for honey production and harvesting (hive lifter, centrifuge, etc.). It can be marked on each upright 60 to indicate the direction of magnetization, in order to facilitate installation in the hive and in conventional tools.

[0050] The solution of the invention thus offers numerous advantages, including: It builds upon the previous development of plastic sheets, films, or frames, offering the same advantages, with the added benefit of magnetization; it provides a globally uniform total magnetic field within the hive body and / or each super, and a good level of magnetic induction; it is compatible with existing hives without modification; it is compatible with current solutions used for honey production and harvesting; it is easy to manufacture and install; it can directly integrate the cells used by bees for honey production; and it allows the beekeeper to take advantage of magnetization for various honey harvesting and frame storage tasks.

Claims

1. Hive frame (6) comprising a plurality of bars (60) that are joined together and a central plate (61) framed by said bars and having two opposite sides, characterized in that the central plate (61) is manufactured from a binder to which a magnetic powder is added and in that said central plate is magnetized in a direction transverse to its two opposite sides.

2. Frame according to Claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic powder is a strontium-ferrite powder or a barium-ferrite powder.

3. Frame according to Claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic powder is a neodymium-iron-boron powder.

4. Frame according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the binder is an elastomer, a thermoplastic polymer and / or a thermosetting polymer.

5. Frame according to one of Claims 4, characterized in that the binder is food-grade polypropylene.

6. Frame according to one of Claims 4, characterized in that the binder is food-grade polyamide.

7. Frame according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the binder is a textile such as natural cotton and / or cellulose coated with mineral products mixed with stiffening products.

8. Frame according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the two sides of the plate (61) are honeycombed.

9. Frame according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that its bars (60) are made of plastic and / or wood.

10. Frame according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that its bars (60) are made of the same material as the central plate.

11. Frame according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the frame takes the form of a one-piece element.

12. Frame according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the plate is produced by joining a plurality of modules.

13. Frame according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the magnetic powder is added in a proportion of between 10% and 50% of the total volume.

14. Hive comprising a body (2) formed by an enclosure in which a plurality of frames (6) is placed vertically, characterized in that these frames (6) are such as defined in one of Claims 1 to 13.

15. Hive according to Claim 14, characterized in that the body (2) comprises a plurality of lateral sides and in that it comprises a magnetic yoke formed by a plurality of panels each joined to one of its lateral sides.

16. Hive comprising at least one super (3) formed by an enclosure in which a plurality of frames (6) is placed vertically, characterized in that these frames (6) are such as defined in one of Claims 1 to 13.

17. Hive according to Claim 16, characterized in that the super (3) comprises a plurality of lateral sides and in that it comprises a magnetic yoke formed by a plurality of panels each joined to one of its lateral sides.

Images