MODULES OF AN INSECT BREEDING STATION, METHODS AND USE

Description

[0001] In previously known systems, insect larvae are kept in containers of various sizes in insect rearing stations. For this purpose, a plastic box is filled with a defined amount of feed, and the young larvae are then placed on this feed mixture. For the upcoming fattening period, the animals must be kept under climatically controlled conditions for a period of 6-10 days, which is typical for the insect of the genus "hermetia illucens." After the fattening period, these boxes are removed manually or automatically from the area and must then be emptied (tipped out), and the larvae separated from feces and food residue.

[0002] A dry screening system is essential to ensure that the contents of the crates are dry throughout the fattening period. If this is not the case, screening the moist mixture can lead to clogging of the screens or poor cleaning performance. Several difficulties have been identified in the current state of the art: Glues in the crates must be loosened or washed with water. Animals can escape uncontrollably from the crates during fattening, which can lead to disruptions and / or the insects hatching and remaining in the facility. A high proportion of moving components can fail, or minor technical malfunctions can disrupt the entire process. High energy consumption, as each mass must be moved multiple times. A high proportion of manual work, as many areas are not coordinated.

[0003] The prior art according to WO 2020 / 246878 A1 describes systems and methods for rearing invertebrates, in which a plurality of boxes are arranged in a plurality of stacks. FR 3 046 333 B1 relates to a container for insect breeding, the side walls of which flare outwards so that the bottom and a lower part of the container can be inserted through the open top of an identical container. WO 2014 / 171829 A1 describes a method and system for breeding insects using a plurality of individual boxes, at least a part of each box being filled with a substrate containing food stores and immature stages of insects. CN 209 643 626 U relates to equipment for breeding Black Sea sturgeon, in particular a breeding box for Black Sea sturgeon eggs and larvae.

[0004] The object of the invention is to at least partially overcome the disadvantages associated with the prior art. In particular, an improved arrangement and / or simplified storage of insect larvae can be created.

[0005] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the respective dependent claims and the description.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, modules, in particular U-shaped ones, are used to create an arrangement for storing insects, in particular insect larvae, for rearing the same.

[0007] Using the modules, which can be U-shaped in particular and have a base area and two side surfaces, a storage facility in the form of a multi-level shelf-like device for a bioreactor can be constructed. A storage unit, particularly a stationary one, with climate-controllable conditions can be created, which can be expanded as required in height and / or also allows for variable design in width.

[0008] Identically designed modules provide the possibility of a uniform pattern of arrangement that can meet the specific requirements of insect breeding.

[0009] Simple modules can be used to construct such an arrangement, which can achieve an appropriate level of biological safety and effective protection against uncontrolled escape of insects.

[0010] In particular, the modules can be used to arrange the insects on a rigid base that is immobile in its arrangement, particularly during a stage of larval growth.

[0011] The arrangement can comprise a plurality of stackable (e.g., tongue-and-groove) modules, particularly U-shaped modules. The modules can be adjusted in terms of their length.

[0012] The modules can be made of plastic, which can simplify production and / or handling in terms of change and / or weight. Plastic is easy to handle, and the modules can be easily cut to the desired length using simple tools.

[0013] It may be possible to equip an enclosed space, such as a hall, with the modules by adapting the modules to the dimensions of the hall. For this purpose, electrical and / or mechanical connections may be provided only on one side of the module's longitudinal extension (along a side wall of the module), so that the module can be shortened in length from the end that is spaced apart from the end equipped with the connections. A great deal of variability is possible in this way.

[0014] The U-shaped module can have one element of a connecting pair at each of the upper ends of the side walls, in particular in the longitudinal extension over the entire length of the side walls, which can interact with a corresponding element of the connecting pair formed at the bottom of another module in order to create a mechanical engagement between the two modules. The mechanical engagement can be designed in the form of a positive connection, which can be present in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the side wall and / or in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the side wall. A possible positive connection between the modules, which can be realized by the connecting elements, for example in the form of a tongue and groove, enables a stable connection without the need for additional connecting struts or similar elements.

[0015] The (front) access of a U-shaped module has a plate-shaped surface in which at least one opening in the form of a flap opening into the interior of the module is formed for filling the module.

[0016] The (front) access can be closed by a plastic part, which can in particular be welded in. The plastic part can be pierced by two round openings in the upper area. One of these openings can be arranged centrally in the horizontal axis and in the upper third of the vertical axis. This opening can be provided with an inward-opening flap from the inside. For example, a storage and retrieval machine with a discharge head or a pipe can push through the opening and introduce feed / water or insect larvae into the module. A second opening, if present, can be used to admit air into the shaft in a controlled manner if necessary.

[0017] The rear end of the module (outlet) can feature a pneumatically foldable, lockable cover, which can also be made of plastic. During the fattening cycle, the cover can remain folded up, allowing the feed and insect larvae to remain in the module. However, a targeted design of the cover allows exhaust air to continue to flow out unhindered.

[0018] The module can be closed on all sides, and the insect larvae can only exit the module through the exit (at the rear). Should overcrowding or other conditions cause individual insect larvae to escape, they can fall to the bottom and be collected in a container for further processing.

[0019] Each of the modules can have a closed floor, the underside of which can act as a ceiling for another module when the modules are stacked, two opposite side walls, an inlet wall, and an outlet wall. The floor, the ceiling, the two side walls, and the inlet wall tightly surround the space, i.e., without any gaps. Openings can be provided in the inlet wall, which are provided with a closure that opens inwards or is biased outwards so that the larvae cannot escape from the inside through the openings in the inlet wall. The outlet wall can have or consist of an outwards-opening flap, door, closure, or the like. Modules filled with larvae during normal use can usually only be emptied via the outlet wall. Larvae can only escape to the outside via the outlet wall.

[0020] The inventive idea of ​​using stationary modules for the intake of insects and not moving insects back and forth with containers enables improved automation of insect breeding.

[0021] The use of modules to construct stationary rooms or bioreactors in which the insects can be kept makes it possible to set a microclimate for each of the rooms that can meet the needs of the larvae without, for example, having to air-condition a large hall.

[0022] Plastic is preferred as the material for the U-shaped modules, as it offers a low weight with sufficient stability and allows for reuse due to easy cleaning. It may be preferable for the U-shaped module to have a honeycomb structure between two plate-shaped elements for the floor and the two side walls, so that in addition to possible stability, a certain degree of thermal insulation can also be provided in the form of air trapped in the honeycomb.

[0023] To create optimal fattening conditions for the larvae, some or all of the modules can be equipped with underfloor heating, which is specifically designed to meet specific needs. The introduction of heat via the floor is significantly more effective than heating the air and then having to deal with additional drying of the feed. The underfloor heating provided for insect rearing, particularly in modules, can support the invention on its own, but can also be easily combined with the other described embodiments to achieve an advantageous design.

[0024] A predetermined temperature can be set, in particular by means of the underfloor heating. It can also be provided that at least one cooling channel is formed in or on the floor or in or on the side walls, with which the contents in the module or in the space formed by the module can be cooled, in particular if the temperature should rise due to the larvae's own movement and / or due to composting effects.

[0025] Some or all of the modules can have at least one sensor for temperature and / or humidity measurement on the inside of the side walls, the inlet wall, the outlet wall, the top of the floor, and / or the bottom of the floor. A control system can detect a signal from the sensor(s) and determine the temperature and / or humidity. This not only allows climate parameters in the form of temperature and / or humidity to be controlled, but can even be regulated if heating, cooling, humidification, and / or dehumidification devices are activated accordingly. A deviation from the target climate in the form of temperature and / or humidity can be detected by the sensor(s) and counteracted using the aforementioned devices. This can not only lead to optimized yield, but can also achieve increased product quality with minimal fluctuations.

[0026] Instead of supplying heat via underfloor heating, heated air can also be supplied to the room. The supply of cooled air to cool the room temperature is possible, as is the supply of cold water or a refrigerant (which can flow through one or more channels in the floor and / or side walls). Peltier cooling is also possible. The supply of warm air, warm water, cooled air, cooled air, and / or another medium is possible via valves, especially controlled ones.

[0027] After feed has been introduced into the module, the insect larvae can be blown into the possibly heated feed and immediately begin growing. The larvae are raised under climate control for a period of 6-15 days and then actively flushed out with water via the pneumatically lowered end piece of the module's exit. This end piece can be formed by the discharge wall. Afterward, the fattening cycle can be restarted.

[0028] One or more of the following benefits may result: Stationary, modular, adaptable to conditions (e.g., building geometry). Maximum volume yield due to compact design. Heatable (underfloor heating in individual shafts), climate control. Feed and larvae are transported to the fattening site. The fattening site is fixed. No loss due to escape of the larvae (larvae can only migrate in the direction of harvest and are then automatically processed).

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, one or more of the following aspects may be implemented: Insect larvae are housed in a module of variable length. The module is designed as a stackable U-profile with a tongue and groove system (tongue on the shaft walls, groove on the underside of the profile). A hollow chamber profile for the installation of underfloor heating. One side (front) is closed by a glued-in plastic part (3 sides). The lid of one module forms the base of the next module placed on top, and vice versa. The second side (rear) of the module is closed by a pneumatically raised and lowered, foldable attachment. Two metal shells are glued together with a rubber membrane, making them foldable.

Claims

1. Arrangement for storing insects, in particular insect larvae, in rows and / or columns, wherein in particular U-shaped modules are arranged next to one another and / or above one another, wherein a module has an in particular rectangular base surface and two opposite, in particular rectangular, side surfaces extending in a direction from the base surface, and an entry for supplying insect larvae, food and / or water into the module is provided transversely to the side surfaces at the front, and an exit is provided transversely to the side surfaces at the rear, wherein the front entry has a planar surface in which at least one opening for filling the module is formed, characterized in that the opening is a flap which opens into the interior of the module.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the modules are made of plastics material.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the modules, for being stacked and / or arranged next to one another, are designed to engage with one another at the top and the bottom.

4. Arrangement according to claim 3, wherein an element of a mechanical connection is present at the top and a mating element of the mechanical connection is present at the bottom.

5. Arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the engagement, or the element and the mating element, is designed as a tongue-and-groove system, and the element and mating element is a tongue and groove, or vice versa.

6. Arrangement according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the engagement, or the element and the mating element, is arranged at the top and bottom of the side surfaces.

7. Arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the two side surfaces are of the same or different design at the top and / or the two side surfaces are of the same or different design at the bottom.

8. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein some or all of the modules have underfloor heating.

9. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the flap opening the interior of the module is self-closing.

10. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the side surfaces and the entry are designed to be substantially airtight.

11. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the exit has a closure which is pivotable about a connecting line of the side surfaces, preferably downwards towards the rear opening of the module.

12. Arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the closure is pneumatically upwardly foldable.

13. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the bottom surface is at least partially hollow.

14. Method for constructing an arrangement for storing insects, in particular insect larvae, in rows and / or columns, in particular according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein in particular U-shaped modules are provided which are arranged next to one another and / or above one another, wherein a module has an in particular rectangular base surface and two opposite, in particular rectangular, side surfaces extending in a direction from the base surface, and an entry for supplying insect larvae, food and / or water into the module is provided transversely to the side surfaces at the front, and an exit is provided transversely to the side surfaces at the rear, wherein the front entry has a planar surface in which at least one opening for filling the module is formed, and wherein the opening is a flap which opens into the interior of the module.

15. Use of modules for constructing an arrangement for storing insects, in particular insect larvae, in rows and / or columns, in particular according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein a plurality of in particular U-shaped modules are arranged next to one another and / or above one another, wherein a module has an in particular rectangular base surface and two opposite, in particular rectangular, side surfaces extending in a direction from the base surface, and an entry for supplying insect larvae, food and / or water into the module is provided transversely to the side surfaces at the front, and an exit is provided transversely to the side surfaces at the rear, wherein the front entry has a planar surface in which at least one opening for filling the module is formed, and wherein the opening is a flap which opens into the interior of the module.