Device for rearing insect larvae and method for rearing insect larvae

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for rearing and harvesting insect larvae and a method for rearing and harvesting insect larvae.

[0002] Insect larvae represent a sustainable protein source that can reduce competition for land in existing agricultural systems. Insect larvae can be used to recycle food waste. The insect larvae can be used as feed or food.

[0003] The food industry produces about a quarter of all organic waste generated. Currently, these so-called side streams are collected by waste disposal companies and composted or converted into electricity in fermentation plants. The disadvantages are the associated disposal costs and the energy recovery. Insect larvae enable the conversion of side streams into high-quality animal feed or food.

[0004] The production of insect larvae is traditionally low-tech in low-wage countries. In high-wage countries, labor costs are reduced through automation. To compete with conventional animal feed, the facilities must be scaled up. Factories planned in high-wage countries therefore typically require larger quantities of side streams as input to be economically competitive.

[0005] Conventional production systems typically use individual fertilization trays in which the insect larvae are reared. The fertilization trays can be stacked or otherwise be part of a semi-automated system, allowing for at least partially automated filling and harvesting.

[0006] Conventional production systems for insect larvae are difficult or impossible to scale down economically to allow them to be set up locally at the site of a side stream. Furthermore, conventional production systems often require investment-intensive facilities for post-processing the insect larvae, as they are otherwise impossible to store. Furthermore, conventional production systems often require personnel for container handling. This means that conventional production systems cannot be operated autonomously.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing an improvement to the state of the art.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a device for rearing and harvesting insect larvae, comprising at least one fattening trough, at least one drive means, and at least one support structure, wherein the fattening trough has at least one base and at least one side wall, and the base and the side wall at least partially delimit a fattening trough volume, and wherein the drive means and the at least one fattening trough are operatively connected to one another such that the at least one fattening trough can be rotated from a first position to a second position, such that a content of the fattening trough falls out of the fattening trough in the second position. This allows the insect larvae to be harvested in a simplified, automated manner.

[0009] The rearing and harvesting of insect larvae can encompass all stages of insect larval development, from the eggs to the pupal stage, as well as subsequent processing into feed or another intermediate or final product. In particular, the rearing and harvesting of insect larvae can include fattening the insect larvae from the first or second larval stage onward, as well as harvesting and further processing of the insect larvae into feed or another intermediate or final product.

[0010] The insect larvae can be any species of wingless insect larvae. Preferably, the insect larvae are the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). Black soldier fly larvae have proven particularly robust and fast-growing in a wide variety of substrates. Black soldier fly larvae can be reared over an ambient temperature range of greater than or equal to 20°C to less than or equal to 40°C. Alternatively or additionally, the insect larvae can be the larvae of the flour beetle (Tenebrio molitor) or the larvae of the glossy black grain beetle (Alphitobius diaperimus).

[0011] The at least one fattening trough may be any fattening trough suitable for the rearing and harvesting of insect larvae.

[0012] The floor of the mast trough has a first extension direction, a second extension direction, and a third extension direction. These extension directions are all orthogonal to each other. In other words, any point in space can be described by specifying the coordinates of the point along the three extension directions.

[0013] The first direction of extension can also be referred to as length. The second direction of extension can also be referred to as width. The third direction of extension can also be referred to as height.

[0014] The base can have a rectangular shape in the plane spanned by the length and width. A rectangular shape within the scope of the invention has a length that is greater than a width. The length can be greater than or equal to 150%, or greater than or equal to 200%, or greater than or equal to 300%, or greater than or equal to 500%, or greater than or equal to 1000% greater than the width. A component formed in this way can also be referred to as a rectangular component.

[0015] The floor may have a length of greater than or equal to 4 m, or greater than or equal to 6 m, or greater than or equal to 8 m, or greater than or equal to 12 m. The floor may have a width of greater than or equal to 20 cm, or greater than or equal to 40 cm, or greater than or equal to 60 cm, or greater than or equal to 80 cm, or greater than or equal to 120 cm.

[0016] The base of the mast trough can be a flat component. A flat component within the scope of the invention has a height that is smaller than the length and width. The height can be greater than or equal to 50%, greater than or equal to 75%, greater than or equal to 90%, or greater than or equal to 95% smaller than the length and / or width.

[0017] The base of the mast trough can be a flat component. A flat component within the scope of the invention has a height that is constant across the area spanned by the length and width. A flat component can be a sheet metal.

[0018] The at least one side wall can be designed as a rectangular component and / or as a flat component and / or as a planar component.

[0019] The at least one side wall can be arranged perpendicular to the bottom of the mast trough. The at least one side wall and the bottom of the mast trough can form an angle of less than or equal to 120°, an angle of less than or equal to 105°, an angle of less than or equal to 90°, or an angle of less than or equal to 75°. This can prevent the insect larvae from climbing out of the mast trough.

[0020] The at least one side wall can be connected to the floor. The at least one side wall has a perpendicular component to the floor when the at least one side wall is connected to the floor.

[0021] The floor and the at least one side wall of the mast trough can at least partially delimit the mast trough volume. For this purpose, the mast trough can have at least one opening. The opening can be closable. The opening can be located opposite the floor. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one side wall can have an opening. Alternatively or additionally, the floor can also have an opening.

[0022] The mast tray can have a height of 5 cm or greater, 15 cm or greater, 30 cm or greater, or 50 cm or greater. This can better prevent insect larvae from climbing out of the mast tray. The higher the mast tray and the smaller the angle between the side walls and the floor of the mast tray, the better the ability to prevent insect larvae from climbing out of the mast tray.

[0023] During intended use, the opening of the mast tray can face upward in the first position. This allows the contents of the mast tray to be held within the mast tray and prevent them from falling out. In other words, upward is the direction that, during intended use of the mast tray, is opposite to the force of gravity.

[0024] In the second position, the opening of the mast tray can face downward. This causes the contents of the mast tray to fall out due to the force of gravity. In other words, downward is the direction that, during the intended use of the mast tray, acts in the same direction as the force of gravity.

[0025] The mast trough may have at least three, four, or more than four side walls. The side walls may limit the mast trough volume along the length and width of the floor.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the mast trough can have four side walls, with two side walls defining the mast trough volume along the length of the base, and two side walls defining the mast trough volume along the width of the base. In other words, a mast trough designed in this way is cuboid-shaped. This allows the mast trough to be manufactured particularly easily as a welded component or bent sheet metal part, thus making it particularly cost-effective.

[0027] Alternatively, the mast trough can have a single, continuous side wall running around the floor, which limits the mast trough volume to the sides.

[0028] The second position of the mast trough must be offset from the first position by an angle greater than or equal to 135°, preferably greater than or equal to 180°. The angle specifications can be sign-neutral, absolute values.

[0029] The mast trough can have a length that runs in the same direction as the length of the floor. The mast trough can have a width that runs in the same direction as the width of the floor. The mast trough can have a height that runs in the same direction as the height of the floor. The first extension direction, the second extension direction, and the third extension direction of the mast trough are orthogonal to each other.

[0030] The mast trough has a rotation axis around which it can be rotated from the first position to the second position. The longitudinal axis is the symmetry axis of the mast trough in the direction of its length. This gives the mast trough a particularly low moment of inertia relative to rotations around the rotation axis. In other words, the mast trough can be rotated with a particularly low torque.

[0031] The rotation axis of the mast trough and the longitudinal axis of the mast trough are coaxial. This allows the mast trough to be rotated with an even lower torque.

[0032] The width axis is the axis of symmetry of the mast trough in the direction of the width of the mast trough. According to an embodiment not according to the invention, the axis of rotation of the mast trough can run parallel to the width axis of the mast trough. According to this embodiment, the axis of rotation of the mast trough can run collinear with the width axis of the mast trough. According to this embodiment, the axis of rotation of the mast trough can run coaxial with the width axis of the mast trough.

[0033] The cross-section of the mast trough, which is orthogonal to the length of the mast trough, can be rectangular in shape, at least in sections. Alternatively or additionally, the cross-section of the mast trough, which is orthogonal to the length of the mast trough, can be semicircular in shape, at least in sections.

[0034] The mast tray can be made of wood in sections or entirely. This allows for better control of the humidity of the contents and reduces the risk of mold growth.

[0035] The mast trough can be made of plastic, either partially or entirely. The plastic can be fiber-reinforced plastic. The plastic can be reinforced with glass fibers and / or carbon fibers. The plastic can be any plastic, in particular PP, PA, ABS, PMMA, PU, ​​and PE.

[0036] The mast trough can be designed as an injection-molded or thermoformed component. This allows the mast trough to be manufactured in a single production step, thus reducing manufacturing costs.

[0037] The mast hull can be made partially or entirely of a metallic material. The metallic material can be a steel alloy or an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the metallic material can be any metallic material.

[0038] The mast trough can be designed as a sheet metal part, in particular as a bent sheet metal part formed from a sheet. The mast trough can have a cross-section orthogonal to the length of the mast trough, which can be formed into a semicircle from a sheet metal. This allows for even simpler production of the mast trough.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, the mast trough can be designed as a welded component.

[0040] The mast trough may have at least one receiving dome for receiving the mast trough in the support structure.

[0041] The receiving dome can be arranged on a side wall. The receiving dome can be arranged on a side wall that limits the length of the floor.

[0042] The receiving dome can extend from the side wall away from the mast trough volume. The receiving dome can extend orthogonally outward from the side wall.

[0043] The mounting dome can be welded, glued, riveted, screwed, or otherwise connected to the side wall in a detachable or non-detachable manner. The mounting dome can have a flange, with the flange being connected to the side wall with screws. The screws of the flange can be arranged in a circle around the mounting dome, whereby the rotation axes of the mounting dome and the circle can be identical.

[0044] The receiving dome can be arranged parallel, collinear, or coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the mast trough. Alternatively, the receiving dome can be arranged parallel, collinear, or coaxial with the lateral axis of the mast trough.

[0045] The receiving dome can be designed as a pin, a journal, a shaft or as another cylindrical body.

[0046] The mast trough may have two or more receiving domes. The mast trough may have two receiving domes, each located on the opposite side walls that define the length of the floor. Both receiving domes can be arranged parallel, collinear, or coaxial with the longitudinal axis.

[0047] The mast trough can have at least one reinforcing structure, which can be connected to the floor and / or at least one side wall. A mast trough designed in this way has the advantage of increased stability. In the case of long mast troughs, the reinforcing structure can prevent the mast trough from sagging in the support structure. Furthermore, the stability of the mast trough can be increased when rotating from the first position to the second position.

[0048] The reinforcement structure can be designed as a rectangular component. The reinforcement structure can be designed as a flat component. Alternatively, the reinforcement structure can be designed as a strut, a bar, a round bar, a strip, a T-beam, or a double-T-beam.

[0049] The reinforcement structure can be made partially or entirely of metal and / or plastic. The reinforcement structure can be made of the same materials as the mast trough.

[0050] The reinforcement structure can extend at least partially in the longitudinal direction of the mast trough. Alternatively, the direction of the reinforcement structure can have a parallel component with the longitudinal direction of the mast trough. Alternatively, the reinforcement structure can extend in the width direction of the mast trough. The reinforcement structure can extend at least partially in the longitudinal and width directions of the mast trough. In other words, the reinforcement structure can extend at least partially diagonally along the length and width of the mast trough.

[0051] The reinforcing structure can be welded and / or screwed and / or riveted and / or glued and / or pressed and / or connected in any other way in a detachable or non-detachable manner to the floor and / or the at least one side wall.

[0052] Alternatively, the reinforcing structure may be monolithically connected to the floor and / or the at least one side wall.

[0053] A component that is monolithically connected to another component is made from one piece and, in particular, is connected without any joints.

[0054] The reinforcement structure can be arranged below the bottom of the mast trough. In particular, the reinforcement structure can be arranged below the bottom of the mast trough in such a way that the rotation envelope of the mast trough is not increased by the reinforcement structure. In other words, the reinforcement structure can be arranged below the bottom of the mast trough in such a way that the sum of the height of the mast trough and the height of the reinforcement structure is less than or equal to the width of the mast trough. This allows the mast troughs to be arranged more closely together in vertical rows.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, two or more reinforcement structures can be arranged beneath the base of the mast trough. The reinforcement structures can be arranged parallel to each other. The reinforcement structures can run in the longitudinal direction of the mast trough.

[0056] The reinforcement structure can be arranged in the mast trough volume and divide the mast trough volume into at least a first sub-volume and a second sub-volume. This can increase the stability of the mast trough, particularly during rotation of the mast trough.

[0057] The reinforcement structure can run longitudinally along the mast trough and divide the mast trough volume into two equal sub-volumes, a first sub-volume and a second sub-volume, along the mast trough's length. This allows both sub-volumes to be filled evenly with substrate. The mast trough can have any number of additional reinforcement structures running longitudinally along the mast trough and dividing the mast trough volume into any number of additional sub-volumes along its length. The sub-volumes can all be of equal size.

[0058] The reinforcement structure can run in the width direction of the mast trough and divide the mast trough volume into two equally sized sub-volumes, a first and a second sub-volume, along the width direction of the mast trough. This can increase stability when rotating the mast trough. The mast trough can have any number of additional reinforcement structures that run in the width direction of the mast trough and divide the mast trough volume into any number of additional sub-volumes along the width of the mast trough. The sub-volumes can all be the same size or different sizes.

[0059] The mast trough can have a reinforcement structure running in the longitudinal direction of the mast trough and a reinforcement structure running in the width direction of the mast trough. This allows the mast trough volume to be divided into four rectangular sub-volumes, which can be of equal size. This can further increase the stability of the mast trough during rotation. The mast trough can have any number of reinforcement structures running in the longitudinal direction and any number of reinforcement structures running in the width direction. This allows the mast trough volume to be divided into any number of rectangular sub-volumes.

[0060] The support structure can be designed as a metal construction. In particular, the support structure can be designed as a welded construction. The support structure can have additional connecting elements such as screws, rivets, bolts, or other additional connecting elements.

[0061] The support structure may have at least one front wall and / or a rear wall for accommodating additional components. Additional components may include drive means, receiving devices, ventilation openings, filling openings, or other components.

[0062] The front wall may have a front side and a back side. The back wall may have a front side and a back side. When used as intended, the back side of the front wall is opposite the back side of the back wall.

[0063] The at least one mast trough can be accommodated in the support structure between the front and rear walls. This can increase the stability of the device.

[0064] The at least one mast trough can be accommodated in the support structure between the front wall and the rear wall, such that the rear side of the front wall and the rear side of the rear wall are opposite each other and face the mast trough. In other words, the rear side of the front wall and the rear side of the rear wall face the mast trough when the mast trough is accommodated in the support structure between the front wall and the rear wall.

[0065] The front wall and / or the rear wall can have at least one filling opening through which the at least one mast trough can be filled with substrate and / or insect larvae. The front wall and / or the rear wall can have as many filling openings as mast troughs. The filling openings can be arranged such that one filling opening is assigned to each mast trough. A filling opening is assigned to a mast trough if the mast trough can be filled with substrate and / or insect larvae through this filling opening. The filling opening can be arranged centrally above the mast trough in relation to the width direction.

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, the front wall and / or the rear wall can have twice as many filling openings as mast troughs. The filling openings can be arranged such that two filling openings are assigned to each mast trough. The two filling openings can be spaced apart from one another. The distance between the two filling openings can be smaller, equal to, or greater than the distance between a filling opening and a side wall of a mast trough. The two filling openings can be arranged above the mast trough in relation to the width direction such that the midpoint of the distance between the two filling openings is centrally located above the mast trough.

[0067] The filling opening can have an elliptical or circular cross-section. This allows the mast troughs associated with the filling opening to be filled at lower pressure. Alternatively, the filling opening can have a rectangular or square cross-section.

[0068] The filling opening can have a connecting element for connection to a feed device and / or to a filling device. The connecting element can be arranged on the front side of the front wall and / or on the front side of the rear wall. The connecting element can extend from the front side of the front wall and / or from the front side of the rear wall, in particular extend orthogonally. This allows for simplified connection of a filling device and / or a feed device.

[0069] The connecting element can be designed as a pipe, a hose or a nozzle.

[0070] The filling opening can have a dispensing element for dispensing substrate and / or insect larvae into a fertilizing trough. The dispensing element can be arranged on the rear side of the front wall and / or on the rear side of the rear wall. The dispensing element can extend from the rear side of the front wall and / or from the rear side of the rear wall, in particular extending orthogonally.

[0071] The dispensing element can extend from the rear side of the front wall and / or from the rear side of the rear wall to above the mast trough volume, so that insect larvae and / or substrate can be dispensed from the dispensing element into the associated mast trough when the at least one mast trough is received in the first position between the front wall and the rear wall of the support structure.

[0072] The dispensing element can be designed as a pipe, a hose or a nozzle.

[0073] The connection element and the dispensing element can be configured as a monolithically connected filling element. The filling element can be accommodated in the front wall and / or the rear wall. The filling element can be accommodated centrally in the front wall and / or the rear wall, so that the filling element extends orthogonally to the front and rear sides, in particular extending uniformly, starting from the front wall and / or rear wall.

[0074] The front wall and / or the rear wall may have one ventilation opening for ventilating the mast troughs. The front wall and / or the rear wall may have two or more ventilation openings for ventilating the mast troughs.

[0075] The cross-section of a vent in the front wall can partially or completely overlap the cross-section of an opposite vent in the rear wall. These two vents form a corresponding pair of vents. This allows for a controlled airflow over the mast troughs.

[0076] The device may have a plurality of corresponding pairs of ventilation openings.

[0077] Alternatively, the cross-section of a ventilation opening in the front wall can partially or completely overlap the cross-section of one or more opposite ventilation openings in the rear wall. This allows for simplified manufacturing of the support structure. Alternatively, the cross-section of a ventilation opening in the rear wall can partially or completely overlap the cross-section of one or more opposite ventilation openings in the front wall.

[0078] The ventilation openings of the front wall and / or the rear wall can be arranged above the side walls of a mast trough in the first position when the mast trough is accommodated in the support structure. In other words, the cross-section of the ventilation openings cannot be covered by the mast trough in the first position when the mast trough is accommodated in the support structure. This allows for a continuous airflow over the mast troughs.

[0079] The ventilation opening may have an elliptical, circular, rectangular, or square cross-section. Alternatively, the ventilation opening may have any cross-section.

[0080] Preferably, a plurality of ventilation openings are arranged in the front wall and / or the rear wall. A plurality can be specified based on the number of mast troughs. A plurality can be two or more ventilation openings per mast trough, three or more ventilation openings per mast trough, four or more ventilation openings per mast trough, or five or more ventilation openings per mast trough. This allows for an increased airflow over the mast trough.

[0081] The ventilation opening can have a filter device. The filter device can be arranged in the ventilation opening. The filter device is designed to filter out contaminants and disruptive insects from the ambient air, so that the airflow directed over the fattening trough is free of contaminants and disruptive insects. This can improve the rearing and harvesting of the insect larvae.

[0082] The drive means may comprise an electric motor and / or a transmission. The drive means may comprise a coupling element with which an operative connection, in particular a kinematic operative connection, can be established between the drive means and the mast trough. The coupling element may be designed as a pulley and / or a sprocket and / or other coupling element.

[0083] The drive means can be accommodated in the support structure and / or on the mast trough. The drive means can be accommodated on the support structure in such a way that it can rotate the mast trough directly about the rotation axis. In other words, the drive means can be accommodated on the support structure in such a way that the rotation axis of the electric motor of the drive means is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis of the mast trough. This allows the mast trough to be rotated directly and without a gear between the motor and the mast trough. This allows the device to be manufactured more cost-effectively.

[0084] The electric motor of the drive system can be a permanent magnet electric motor. This allows the mast trough to be held in any angular position without the need for an additional brake.

[0085] In particular, the drive means can comprise a gear mechanism. The gear mechanism can be designed as a worm gear. This allows the mast trough to be rotated from the first position to the second position at a constant and virtually acceleration-free angular velocity. This allows the insect larvae to be harvested particularly gently.

[0086] Particularly preferably, the worm gear can be designed as a self-locking worm gear. This allows the mast trough to be rotated and held in any desired angular position without an additional motor brake.

[0087] The drive means can be designed as a hand crank. This allows the mast trough to be rotated from the first position to the second position without power. This allows the device to be manufactured particularly cost-effectively.

[0088] At least one mast trough can be incorporated into the support structure. This can increase the stability of the device.

[0089] The at least one mast trough can be accommodated in the support structure between the front and rear walls. In particular, all mast troughs can be accommodated in the support structure between the front and rear walls. This increases the stability of the device while simultaneously directing a defined airflow over each mast trough.

[0090] The device can have at least one receiving device, wherein the at least one mast trough can be received in the support structure via the at least one receiving device. This allows the mast trough to be rotated particularly stably.

[0091] The at least one receiving device can be arranged in the front wall and / or the rear wall of the support structure.

[0092] The receiving device can be designed as a cylindrical recess in the front wall and / or the rear wall of the support structure.

[0093] The receiving device can accommodate the mast trough's receiving dome, allowing the mast trough to be accommodated in the support structure. The mast trough can be rotatably accommodated in the receiving device of the support structure by means of the receiving dome.

[0094] The receiving device can have a bearing by means of which the mast trough can be rotatably received in the support structure.

[0095] The receiving dome can protrude through the receiving device when the mast trough is accommodated in the support structure. In other words, the receiving dome can protrude from the rear side of the front wall and / or the rear side of the rear wall through the receiving device in the front wall and / or the rear wall when the mast trough is accommodated in the support structure. A coupling element for kinematically coupling a rotational movement can be arranged on the section of the receiving dome that protrudes through the front wall and / or the rear wall.

[0096] A coupling element can be designed as a pulley, sprocket or other element for the kinematic coupling of a rotational movement.

[0097] The section of the receiving dome that protrudes through the front wall and / or rear wall can be referred to as the free section of the receiving dome.

[0098] Two or more coupling elements can be arranged on the free section of the receiving dome. Two or more coupling elements can be arranged coaxially to the receiving dome at a defined distance from one another on the free section of the receiving dome. In particular, two or more sprockets can be arranged coaxially to the receiving dome at a defined distance from one another on the receiving dome.

[0099] The device can have at least two receiving devices, wherein the at least one mast trough can be received in the support structure via the at least two receiving devices.

[0100] The at least two receiving devices can be arranged in the front wall and / or the rear wall of the support structure.

[0101] In particular, one receiving device can be arranged in the front wall and one in the rear wall, so that the two receiving devices are arranged coaxially and opposite each other, and the mast trough can be accommodated in the support structure between the front and rear walls. This allows the mast trough to be rotated even more controlled and stable.

[0102] The device can have twice as many receiving devices as mast troughs, whereby each mast trough can be received in the support structure via two receiving devices each.

[0103] The electric motor can be arranged on the front wall and / or the rear wall of the support structure in such a way that the electric motor can be directly connected to the free section of the mast trough's receiving dome, allowing the electric motor to rotate the mast trough directly from the first position to the second position. In other words, the rotation axis of the electric motor can be coaxial with the receiving dome.

[0104] Alternatively, the gearing of the drive means can be arranged on the front wall and / or the rear wall of the support structure in such a way that the gearing can be connected to the free section of the receiving dome of the mast trough, so that the electric motor can rotate the mast trough from the first position to the second position via the gearing.

[0105] The support structure can have one or more cantilever racks. The at least one receiving device can be designed as a cantilever arm of a cantilever rack of the support structure. The cantilever racks can each have a plurality of cantilevers.

[0106] The cantilever arms of the cantilever rack have an extension that is greater than or equal to the width of two mast trays. In other words, at least two mast trays can be arranged side by side on the cantilever arms.

[0107] The at least one mast trough can be removably arranged in the support structure. Preferably, the at least one mast trough rests on at least two cantilevers of a cantilever rack of the support structure. Preferably, the mast trough rests with its base on the at least two cantilevers of the cantilever rack of the support structure.

[0108] The device can have two or more feeding trays. This allows the amount of insect larvae to be increased.

[0109] The device can have four or more mast trays, twelve or more mast trays, or eighteen or more mast trays. According to a preferred embodiment, the device can have 24 or more mast trays, or 28 or more mast trays. This allows the amount of insect larvae that can be accommodated in the device to be further increased.

[0110] The mast troughs can all be of the same design or different. For example, the mast troughs in a horizontal row can have a rectangular cross-section orthogonal to the length of the mast trough. The mast troughs in the horizontal row below or above can have a semicircular cross-section orthogonal to the length of the mast trough. Alternatively or additionally, the mast troughs in a horizontal row can have a cross-section orthogonal to the length of the mast trough.

[0111] The device may comprise a displacement device, wherein the displacement device is designed to move the at least one mast trough translationally in the horizontal and / or vertical direction.

[0112] The displacement device can be designed to move the at least one mast trough translationally from a first mast trough position to a second mast trough position in the horizontal and / or vertical direction.

[0113] The traversing device can be connected to the support structure and / or be part of the support structure.

[0114] The traversing device can comprise a first vertically movable, horizontally extending beam and a second vertically movable, horizontally extending beam opposite the first beam. The first beam and the second beam are preferably arranged opposite one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of a mast trough. In other words, the first beam and the second beam are preferably arranged opposite one another such that the mast trough is arranged between the first beam and the second beam, and the first beam is spaced from the second beam in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the mast trough.

[0115] Alternatively, the traversing device can comprise a first horizontally movable, vertically extending beam and a second horizontally movable, vertically extending beam opposite the first beam. The first beam and the second beam are preferably arranged opposite one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of a mast trough. In other words, the first beam and the second beam are preferably arranged opposite one another such that the mast trough is arranged between the first beam and the second beam, and the first beam is spaced from the second beam in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the mast trough.

[0116] The displacement device can comprise one or more displacement means for displacing the first beam and / or the second beam. The displacement means can comprise an electric motor. The electric motor can be designed as a direct drive for the first beam and / or the second beam. Alternatively, the electric motor can drive a chain drive.

[0117] The first beam and the second beam are preferably motion-coupled to each other. In other words, the first beam and the second beam can only be moved vertically and / or horizontally simultaneously. Furthermore, the first beam and the second beam are in the same vertical and / or horizontal position at all times.

[0118] The first beam may have a first carriage that can be moved horizontally and / or vertically along the first beam. The first carriage may have a first tray receiving device.

[0119] The second beam may have a second carriage that can be moved horizontally and / or vertically along the second beam. The second carriage may have a second tray receiving device.

[0120] The first carriage and the second carriage are preferably motion-coupled to each other. In other words, the first carriage and the second carriage can only be moved simultaneously. Furthermore, the first carriage and the second carriage are in the same vertical and / or horizontal position at all times.

[0121] The moving device can be designed as a gantry crane or as a moving device of an automatic high-bay warehouse.

[0122] The displacement device is designed to translate a mast trough from a first trough position to a second trough position. For this purpose, the first carriage and the second carriage and / or the first beam and the second beam can be moved horizontally and / or vertically such that the mast trough is received in the first trough receiving device of the first carriage and in the second trough receiving device of the second carriage.

[0123] The mast trough preferably has a first receiving dome and a second receiving dome.

[0124] The at least one mast trough can preferably be received in the displacement device by means of the receiving dome. The at least one mast trough can preferably be received in the displacement device such that a first receiving dome of the mast trough is received in the first trough receiving device of the first displacement carriage of the displacement device and a second receiving dome of the mast trough is received in the second trough receiving device of the second displacement carriage. A mast trough received in this way in the receiving device can be moved translationally from a first trough position to a second trough position by moving the first and second displacement carriage in the horizontal and / or vertical direction and / or by moving the first and second beams in the horizontal and / or vertical direction.

[0125] When the device is used as intended, the first carriage is moved horizontally and / or vertically such that the first trough receiving device is arranged horizontally at the same location as the first receiving dome of the mast trough and vertically below the first receiving dome of the mast trough. The second carriage is moved horizontally and / or vertically such that the second trough receiving device is arranged horizontally at the same location as the second receiving dome of the mast trough and vertically below the second receiving dome of the mast trough.By moving the first carriage and the second carriage and / or the first beam and the second beam in the vertical direction, the first pan receiving device is brought into engagement with the first receiving dome and the second pan receiving device is brought into engagement with the second receiving dome, so that the mast pan is received in the moving device and is lifted by the cantilever arms of the cantilever rack, so that the mast pan can be moved in the vertical and / or horizontal direction by the moving device.

[0126] A device designed in this way has the advantage that the fattening troughs of the device can be arranged closer together and at the same time can be filled more easily with substrate and / or insect larvae. A device designed in this way also has the advantage that the insect larvae can be harvested more easily and automatically. During fattening, the fattening troughs are located in the cantilever racks and can be arranged there close together, i.e. with a small vertical and / or horizontal distance from one another. For filling with substrate and / or with insect larvae and / or for harvesting the insect larvae, a fattening trough can be moved translationally by means of the displacement device from the first fattening trough position, for example a fattening trough position in the cantilever rack, to a second fattening trough position, for example a fattening trough position outside the cantilever rack.In the second fattening trough position, the filling of the fattening trough with substrate and / or insect larvae and / or the harvesting of the insect larvae can be carried out more easily.

[0127] The at least one drive means can be connected to the displacement device.

[0128] The at least one drive means can be connected to the first carriage and / or to the second carriage and / or arranged in the first carriage and / or in the second carriage. When the mast trough is received in the first trough receiving device of the first carriage and / or in the second trough receiving device of the second carriage, the drive means is operatively connected to the mast trough, so that the mast trough can be rotated from a first position to a second position, so that a content of the mast trough falls out of the mast trough in the second position.

[0129] A device designed in this way has the advantage that a mast tray can be moved both translationally and rotationally. In particular, a mast tray of a device designed in this way can first be moved translationally and then, after the translational movement, rotated. For example, a mast tray for harvesting insect larvae can first be moved translationally from a first tray position to a second tray position. The mast tray can then be rotated from a first position to a second position, so that the insect larvae fall out of the mast tray in the second position.

[0130] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one drive means can be arranged on and / or connected to a separate rotating device. The rotating device is designed to rotate the at least one mast trough from the first position to the second position. The moving device can transfer the at least one mast trough in the second mast trough position to the rotating device.

[0131] At least two or all of the mast troughs can be operatively connected to each other, allowing rotation from the first position to the second position. This allows the mast troughs to be rotated in one device with reduced technical effort.

[0132] The operative connection can be designed as a kinematic operative connection. The kinematic operative connection can be designed as a rotational operative connection.

[0133] The active connection can be achieved via at least one coupling element. The coupling element can be a belt, V-belt, profile belt, chain, or other means for kinematic connection. This allows the mast troughs to be rotated in a single device with even less technical effort.

[0134] At least two or all mast troughs can be arranged in at least one horizontal and / or at least one vertical row. This simplifies the effective connection between the mast troughs.

[0135] A row within the scope of this invention consists of at least two mast troughs which can be arranged next to each other and / or one above the other.

[0136] Two mast troughs in a horizontal and / or vertical row can be arranged directly adjacent to each other. Two mast troughs are considered directly adjacent if there is no further mast trough between them.

[0137] The device can have two or three or four or five or six or seven or more horizontal rows arranged vertically relative to one another, with two or three or four or more mast troughs being arranged in each horizontal row. In other words, the mast troughs can be arranged in a matrix, with the size of the matrix being determined by the number of mast troughs arranged in a horizontal row and a vertical row. This further simplifies the effective connection between the mast troughs.

[0138] According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises two horizontally spaced-apart matrix arrangements of mast troughs. Each matrix arrangement of mast troughs comprises two or three or four or five or six or seven or more horizontal rows arranged vertically relative to one another, wherein the horizontal rows each comprise at least one mast trough, preferably two or three or more directly adjacent mast troughs. A free space is formed between the two horizontally spaced matrix arrangements of mast troughs.

[0139] A matrix arrangement of mast trays can comprise a cantilever rack in which the mast trays are arranged in horizontal rows, vertically spaced from one another. In other words, two or three or more mast trays can be arranged in a horizontal row on at least two cantilevers of the cantilever rack. Vertically spaced from these, two or three or more mast trays can be arranged in a horizontal row on at least two cantilevers of the cantilever rack.

[0140] The displacement device can be configured to translationally move a mast trough from a first mast trough position in the matrix arrangement of mast troughs to a second mast trough position outside the matrix arrangement of mast troughs, preferably in the region of the free space between two matrix arrangements of mast troughs. In the second mast trough position, the displacement device can be configured to rotate the mast trough from the first position to the second position, so that the contents of the mast trough fall out of the mast trough in the second position.

[0141] A device designed in this way has the advantage that the fertilization trays can be arranged more closely together in the matrix arrangement and, at the same time, can be more easily filled with substrate and / or insect larvae. Furthermore, the insect larvae can be harvested more easily and automatically.

[0142] The mast troughs in a horizontal and / or vertical row can each be in a kinematic operative connection with an immediately adjacent mast trough arranged in the same horizontal and / or vertical row.

[0143] The first mast trough in a horizontal and / or vertical row may be kinematically connected to the immediately adjacent mast trough in the same horizontal and / or vertical row.

[0144] The first and last mast troughs arranged in a horizontal and / or vertical row can have one coupling element on the free section of the receiving dome. The remaining mast troughs arranged in the same horizontal and / or vertical row can have two coupling elements on the free section of the receiving dome. The first and last mast troughs of a horizontal and / or vertical row have only one directly adjacent mast trough to one side and / or upwards or downwards.

[0145] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the device can have seven horizontal rows arranged one below the other, with each horizontal row having four mast troughs. This results in an arrangement of four mast troughs in a horizontal row and seven mast troughs in a vertical row. This allows the mast troughs in a horizontal row and / or the mast troughs in a vertical row to be operatively connected to one another particularly easily.

[0146] According to one embodiment, four mast trays can be arranged in a horizontal and / or vertical row in a kinematically operative connection. A kinematically operative connection designed as a rotational operative connection can be configured such that when one mast tray rotates, the remaining mast trays arranged in the same horizontal and / or vertical row are also rotated. This allows all mast trays in a horizontal and / or vertical row to be rotated by the same angle and at the same angular speed. This allows the insect larvae to be harvested evenly.

[0147] At least one drive means can be operatively connected to at least two or all mast troughs arranged in a horizontal row, and / or at least one drive means can be operatively connected to at least two or all mast troughs arranged in a vertical row. This allows all mast troughs to be rotated with a particularly small number of drive means.

[0148] A drive means may be kinematically connected to a first or last mast trough of a horizontal and / or vertical row through a gear or directly through an electric motor and drive this mast trough. This first or last mast trough may be kinematically connected to an immediately adjacent mast trough via a coupling means and drive the immediately adjacent mast trough via the coupling means.

[0149] The coupling means can be guided via a coupling element of the first or the last mast trough and via a coupling element on the immediately adjacent mast trough.

[0150] The device can have one or more guide elements for guiding and tensioning coupling means. A guide element can be arranged on the rear side of the front wall and / or the rear wall, between two immediately adjacent mast troughs. A guide element can be designed as a sprocket, belt guide, or another element suitable for guiding or tensioning a coupling means.

[0151] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, exactly one drive means can be operatively connected to at least two or all mast troughs arranged in a horizontal row, and / or exactly one drive means can be operatively connected to at least two or all mast troughs arranged in a vertical row. This allows all mast troughs to be rotated with an even smaller number of drive means. This allows the device to be manufactured and operated particularly cost-effectively.

[0152] The single drive means can be kinematically connected to a first or last mast trough of a horizontal and / or vertical row through a gear or directly through the electric motor, driving this mast trough. The driven mast trough can, in turn, be kinematically connected to its immediately adjacent mast troughs and drive the immediately adjacent mast troughs. This allows the device to be operated with a reduced number of drive means, making it particularly cost-effective to manufacture and operate.

[0153] An envelope of a rotation of a mast trough can at least partially overlap an envelope of a rotation of a mast trough arranged vertically in a row with this mast trough. This allows a particularly large number of mast troughs to be arranged in one device.

[0154] An envelope curve of a rotation of a mast trough from the first position to the second position can at least partially overlap an envelope curve of a rotation from the first position to the second position of a mast trough arranged vertically in a row with this mast trough. In other words, the vertical distance between two mast troughs arranged directly adjacent in a vertical row can be less than the width of the mast troughs.

[0155] A rotation envelope of a mast trough may tangentially touch a rotation envelope of a mast trough arranged vertically in a row with that mast trough. In other words, the vertical distance between two mast troughs arranged immediately adjacent in a vertical row may correspond to the width of the mast troughs.

[0156] Alternatively, the rotation envelope of a mast tray can be spaced apart from the rotation envelope of a mast tray arranged vertically in a row. In other words, the vertical distance between two mast trays arranged immediately adjacent in a vertical row can be greater than the width of the mast trays. This allows the mast trays arranged vertically in a row to rotate simultaneously. This can accelerate the harvest of insect larvae.

[0157] An envelope of a rotation of the mast trough can be tangential to an envelope of a rotation of a mast trough arranged horizontally in series with this mast trough or can be at a distance from it. In other words, the horizontal AwayThe distance between two directly adjacent mast trays arranged in a horizontal row must be greater than or equal to the width of the mast trays. This allows the mast trays in a horizontal row to be rotated simultaneously from the first position to the second position. This allows for accelerated harvesting of the insect larvae.

[0158] A conveyor system can be arranged beneath the at least one mast tray, such that a content of the at least one mast tray falls out of the at least one mast tray toward the conveyor system when the at least one mast tray is rotated into the second position and / or is in the second position. This allows the at least one mast tray to be automatically emptied, and the insect larvae to be automatically harvested.

[0159] Alternatively or additionally, a conveyor system may be arranged in a free space between two horizontally spaced matrix arrangements of mast troughs, such that a content of the at least one mast trough falls out of the at least one mast trough in the direction of the conveyor system when the at least one mast trough is rotated into the second position and / or is in the second position.

[0160] The conveyor system can be arranged on or in the support structure. In particular, the conveyor system can be connected to the support structure. This prevents relative displacement between the support structure and the conveyor system, allowing the contents of the at least one mast trough to be emptied onto the conveyor system with improved accuracy.

[0161] The conveyor system can be designed as any system suitable for conveying insect larvae and residues. The conveyor system can be designed as a conveyor belt, a roller belt, or a vibrating belt. In particular, the conveyor system can be designed as a partial combination of the aforementioned conveyor systems.

[0162] The device may comprise at least one additional unit, wherein the additional unit is selected from the group consisting of a filling device for insect larvae, a feeding device for substrate, a ventilation device, a temperature control device, a humidity control device, a separation device and a transport container.

[0163] The humidity control device may include at least one humidity sensor. At least one humidity sensor may be configured to measure the humidity of the supplied air. At least one humidity sensor may be configured to measure the humidity of the exhausted air.

[0164] The tempering device may comprise a temperature control device for controlling the temperature in the container.

[0165] The device can comprise a container, wherein the at least one mast trough, the at least one drive means, and the at least one support structure can be arranged in the container. This allows the device to be placed outdoors and is protected from the elements. This allows for a higher degree of self-sufficiency.

[0166] The conveyor belt can be arranged in the container.

[0167] The at least one additional unit can be arranged in the container. In particular, a filling device for insect larvae and / or a feed device for substrate and / or a ventilation device and / or a temperature control device and / or a separation device and / or a transport container can be arranged in the container. This allows the degree of self-sufficiency of the device to be further increased, in particular through an expanded value chain.

[0168] The ventilation system can be installed on top of or next to the container. The ventilation system can be structurally connected to the container in a detachable or non-detachable manner.

[0169] The ventilation system can have an additional temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the supplied air. This allows for improved temperature control within the container.

[0170] The transport container can have a temperature control device for temperature control.

[0171] The container may have any shape suitable for accommodating a device according to the first aspect of the invention. The container may be designed as a 40-foot or 20-foot ISO container.

[0172] According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method for rearing and harvesting insect larvae, the method comprising the following method steps: Providing at least one fattening trough with substrate and insect larvae in the first position; fattening the insect larvae in the at least one fattening trough; and harvesting the insect larvae by rotating the at least one fattening trough from the first position to a second position such that the contents of the at least one fattening trough fall out of the at least one fattening trough in the second position.

[0173] All features previously disclosed for the device are also disclosed for the method.

[0174] The provision of the fattening trough with substrate and insect larvae can be carried out by feeding substrate into the at least one fattening trough in the first position.

[0175] The substrate can be fed into the at least one mast trough using a substrate feed device. The substrate can be fed using the filling opening.

[0176] The substrate can be ground food waste. In particular, the substrate particles can have a diameter of less than or equal to 5 mm, less than or equal to 3 mm, or less than or equal to 1 mm. The size of the substrate particles can be determined by sieving the substrate through a sieve with an appropriate mesh size. The mesh size of a sieve can be determined, for example, using the series of measurements method as described in DIN ISO 9044. The more the substrate is ground, the easier it is for the insect larvae to digest it and the faster the insect larvae can be harvested.

[0177] The substrate preferably has an initial moisture content of less than or equal to 90%, preferably less than or equal to 80% and particularly preferably less than or equal to 70 %.If the moisture content is too high, the mortality of insect larvae in the substrate may increase. Using a substrate with the specified initial moisture content may improve the quality of the insect larvae harvest.

[0178] The initial moisture content of the substrate in the context of the invention is defined as the mass percentage of liquid in the total mass of substrate at the time the substrate is fed to the mast troughs.

[0179] The substrate preferably has a final moisture content of less than or equal to 60%, preferably less than or equal to 50%, and particularly preferably less than or equal to 40%. If the moisture content is too high, the contents of the fattening trough can no longer be separated. Using a substrate with the specified final moisture content can improve the quality of the insect larvae harvest.

[0180] The final moisture content of the substrate in the context of the invention is defined as the mass percentage of liquid in the total mass of substrate at the time of harvesting the insect larvae.

[0181] The provision of the fattening trough with substrate and insect larvae can be carried out by filling at least one fattening trough with insect larvae in the first position.

[0182] The at least one mast tray can be filled using a filling device for insect larvae. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one mast tray can be filled manually.

[0183] The insect larvae can be filled into the at least one fattening trough in all larval stages. Depending on the type of insect larva used, filling at specific larval stages can be advantageous. For the insect larvae of the black soldier fly, filling the at least one fattening trough in the second larval stage has proven advantageous. Typically, a black soldier fly larva reaches the second larval stage three to five days after hatching. A black soldier fly larva typically weighs three to five milligrams when it reaches the second insect stage. Depending on the insect larvae and the substrate used, the person skilled in the art can determine a suitable larval stage for filling the fattening troughs with insect larvae. The determination of the suitable larval stage can depend on the length of time after the larvae have hatched.Alternatively or additionally, the appropriate larval stage can be determined depending on the weight of the larvae.

[0184] The fattening of insect larvae can take place over a defined period of time, the so-called fattening period. The fattening period depends on the type of insect larvae used, the substrate used, the environmental conditions at the location of the device, and the desired nutrient composition of the insect larvae at the time of harvest. For the black soldier fly, a fattening period of 7 to 21 days has proven advantageous in terms of time and energy expenditure relative to the harvest yield. The expert can determine a suitable fattening period based on the above-mentioned influencing parameters.

[0185] The insect larvae can be fattened with a defined supply and removal of air. This allows the moisture content of the substrate to be precisely adjusted. This allows the substrate to be brought from a given starting moisture content to a required final moisture content.

[0186] In particular, the defined supply and removal of air can be carried out in such a way that the substrate moisture content can be reduced during the fattening period from an initial moisture content of greater than or equal to 80% to a final moisture content of less than or equal to 50%.

[0187] The supply and removal of air can be done using a ventilation device.

[0188] The supply and removal of air can exchange the air in a container at a rate of greater than or equal to 26 l / h, preferably greater than or equal to 50 l / h, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 100 l / h, and again preferably greater than or equal to 133 l / h. Such an air exchange rate can prevent the death of the insect larvae. This is because the larvae produce a lot of heat shortly before harvest. If this heat is not dissipated quickly enough, the insect larvae can die and the harvest can be impaired. Furthermore, such an air exchange rate can prevent a so-called "crawl-out" of the insect larvae. If the humidity in the container becomes too high, water can condense on the mast tray. The insect larvae can then climb out of the mast tray due to the surface tension of the condensed water.

[0189] The supply and removal of air can produce an air exchange rate in a container of greater than or equal to 2000 m 3 / h, preferably greater than or equal to 5000 m 3 / h and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 10000 m 3 / h.

[0190] The supply and removal of air can generate an airflow that flows through the ventilation openings of the front wall and / or the rear wall, over the at least one mast trough between the front and rear walls, through the ventilation openings of the rear wall and / or the front wall. This allows the airflow to absorb moisture from the substrate as it flows over the mast troughs. This allows for improved control of the substrate's moisture content.

[0191] The method may comprise the following method step after fattening the insect larvae in the at least one fattening trough and before harvesting the insect larvae by rotating the at least one fattening trough from the first position to the second position so that the contents of the at least one fattening trough fall out of the at least one fattening trough in the second position: Moving the at least one mast trough from a first mast trough position to a second mast trough position.

[0192] The mast trough can be moved by a translational movement of the mast trough. The mast trough can be moved using a displacement device, in particular using a displacement device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0193] A method designed in this way has the advantage that the fattening troughs can be filled more easily with substrate and / or insect larvae and / or that the insect larvae can be harvested more easily.

[0194] The method may comprise the following step: Regulate the temperature in the container at least during the fattening of the insect larvae.

[0195] The temperature in the container can be controlled using a temperature control device.

[0196] The method may comprise the following step: Regulate the humidity in the container at least during the fattening of the insect larvae.

[0197] The humidity in the container can be controlled using a humidity control device.

[0198] The humidity may include the humidity in the container and / or the substrate humidity of the substrate.

[0199] The process may include the following steps after fattening the insect larvae and before harvesting the insect larvae: Resupplying substrate into the at least one fattening trough in a first position; further fattening the insect larvae in the at least one fattening trough.

[0200] This allows for improved utilization of the substrate by the insect larvae. The substrate may begin to rot if the insect larvae do not metabolize it quickly enough and the moisture content of the substrate cannot be reduced quickly enough by airflow. This can be avoided by adding a smaller amount of substrate and continuing to fatten.

[0201] The process can include any number of additional steps of refeeding and further fattening. This allows the utilization of the substrate to be precisely adjusted and improved. Furthermore, the substrate can be prevented from starting to rot, thus achieving more efficient utilization of the substrate.

[0202] Harvesting of insect larvae can take place before the pupal stage, during the pupal stage, or at any other larval stage. Depending on the type of insect larvae used, the substrate used, and the desired nutrient composition of the insect larvae, the expert can determine a suitable harvest time. For the soldier fly, the sixth larval stage has proven advantageous in terms of nutrient composition and required fattening time.

[0203] The rotation of at least one of the mast trays can occur at a constant angular speed. This allows the insect larvae to be harvested particularly gently.

[0204] The process may include the following step after harvesting the insect larvae: Conveying the contents falling out of at least one mast trough to a separation device.

[0205] This makes it easier to automate the harvesting of insect larvae.

[0206] The contents that have fallen out of at least one mast trough can be conveyed using a conveyor system.

[0207] The process may include the following step after harvesting the insect larvae: Separating the contents of at least one fattening trough into one part insect larvae and another part residues.

[0208] This results in a higher degree of purity of the insect larvae. At the same time, it reduces transport costs for further processing.

[0209] Separation can be achieved using a separation device. The separation device can be designed as a sieve, a vibrating sieve, or other means suitable for separating particles of different sizes.

[0210] After separation, the process may include the following process step: Cooling the insect larvae for transport and / or storage.

[0211] Refrigerating insect larvae can also be considered deep-freezing. This allows for improved transport and storage.

[0212] The process may include the following process step after separation or cooling: Filling the insect larvae into a transport container.

[0213] The insect larvae can be tempered, especially cooled, preferably frozen, before and / or during and / or after filling into the transport container. This makes the insect larvae hard enough for storage in a transport container and allows for extended storage.

[0214] The method is carried out using a device according to one of claims 1 to 13.

[0215] Further advantages, details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments.

[0216] In detail: Figure 1: a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device for rearing and harvesting insects in a perspective view. Figure 2: a schematic representation of the first embodiment of a device for rearing and harvesting insects in a perspective view of the front of the rear wall. Figure 3: a schematic representation of the first embodiment of a device for rearing and harvesting insects in a perspective view of the front of the front wall. Figure 4: a schematic representation of the first embodiment of a device for rearing and harvesting insects in a perspective view of the rear of the front wall. Figure 5: a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a device for rearing and harvesting insects in a perspective view.

[0217] In the following description, the same reference numerals designate the same components or the same features, so that a description given in relation to one figure regarding a component also applies to the other figures.

[0218] A first embodiment of a device 10 for rearing and harvesting insect larvae according to Figure 1 has at least one mast trough 20, at least one drive means 30 and at least one support structure 40.

[0219] The illustrated device 10 shows 28 mast troughs 20 in the first position, wherein the mast troughs 20 are arranged in seven horizontal rows, each with four mast troughs 20 arranged in a horizontal row. The seven horizontal rows are arranged vertically to one another, resulting in a matrix structure of four mast troughs 20 in a horizontal row and seven mast troughs 20 in a vertical row.

[0220] The mast troughs 20 are received in the support structure 40 between the front wall 41 and the rear wall 42 of the support structure 40. The rear side 412 of the front wall 41 lies opposite the rear side 422 of the rear wall 42. The mast troughs 20 have receiving domes 23, which are arranged on the side wall delimiting the length of the mast troughs 20 and protrude orthogonally from the side wall of the mast trough volume 21. The receiving domes 23 are received in receiving devices 50 in the front wall 41 and the rear wall 42 of the support structure 40. The receiving domes 23 extend from the rear side 422 of the rear wall 42 through the rear wall 42 so that the free section 24 of the receiving dome 23 protrudes orthogonally from the front side 421 of the rear wall 42.

[0221] The front wall 41 and the rear wall 42 have ventilation openings 44. The ventilation openings 44 are arranged above the side walls of the mast troughs 20.

[0222] The device 10 has seven drive means 30, each of which is kinematically connected to four mast troughs 20 arranged in a horizontal row. The drive means 30 is configured to rotate the mast troughs 20, which are kinematically connected to the drive means 30, about the longitudinal axis of the mast troughs 20 from the first position to the second position. The drive means 30 have electric motors 32 and worm gears 31. The drive means 30 are arranged on the rear wall 42, with the electric motor 32 driving a mast trough 20 via a worm gear 31. The worm gear is connected to the free section 24 of the receiving dome 23 of the mast trough 20.

[0223] The mast troughs 20 have a reinforcement structure 22 arranged at the bottom of the mast troughs 20. The reinforcement structure 22 runs in the longitudinal direction of the mast troughs 20 and has a double-T support profile.

[0224] According to Figure 2The first embodiment of the device 10 has exactly one drive means 30 in a horizontal row of mast troughs 20. The drive means 30 is arranged on the first or last mast trough 20 of a horizontal row. The drive means 30 has a worm gear 31 and an electric motor 32. The worm gear 31 is connected to the free section 24 of the first or last mast trough 20, so that the electric motor 32 can rotate the mast trough 20 from the first position to the second position via the worm gear 31. The first and last mast troughs 20 of a horizontal row have a coupling element 25, which is arranged on the free section 24 of the receiving dome 23. The two middle mast troughs 20 each have two coupling elements 25, which are arranged coaxially to one another on a free section 24 of a receiving dome 23 of a mast trough 20 and spaced from one another.The coupling elements 25 are designed as chain wheels. A guide element 26 for guiding and tensioning the coupling means 51 is arranged between two mast troughs 20 in the horizontal row. The guide element 26 is designed as a tensioning chain wheel. Two immediately adjacent mast troughs 20 are kinematically connected to one another by a coupling means 51. The coupling means 51 connects the two coupling elements 25 of the immediately adjacent mast troughs 20 to one another, so that the rotation of one mast trough 20 from the first position to the second position directly causes the rotation of the immediately adjacent mast trough 20. The coupling means 25 is designed as a chain.

[0225] According to Figure 3The first embodiment of a device 10 for rearing and harvesting insect larvae comprises feeding troughs 20 in the first position with a bottom and four side walls, such that a feeding trough volume 21 is partially defined by the bottom and side walls. The feeding troughs 20 are open at the top, so that when the feeding troughs 20 are rotated from the first position to the second position, a portion of the contents of the feeding troughs 20 falls out of the feeding troughs 20. The feeding troughs 20 have a cuboid shape.

[0226] The mast troughs 20 are received by the receiving devices 50 in the front wall 41 of the support structure 40. The receiving domes 23 of the mast troughs 20 protrude from the rear side 412 of the front wall 41 through the front wall 41 so that the free sections 24 of the receiving domes 23 protrude orthogonally away from the front side 411 of the front wall 41.

[0227] The cross-section of a ventilation opening 44 in the front wall 41 exactly covers the cross-section of an opposite ventilation opening 44 in the rear wall 42, so that a pair of corresponding ventilation openings 44 is formed. Through such a pair of corresponding ventilation openings 44, an air flow can be guided through the ventilation opening 44 in the rear wall 42 via a mast trough 20 between the front wall 41 and the rear wall 42 through the ventilation opening 44 in the front wall 41. The device has a plurality of ventilation openings 44 in the front wall 41 and the rear wall 42 of the support structure 40, with two opposing ventilation openings 44 forming a pair of corresponding ventilation openings 44. The ventilation openings 44 are arranged above the side walls of the mast troughs 20 in the first position, so that an air flow can be guided over the mast troughs 20.

[0228] For each mast trough 20, a filling opening 43 is arranged on the front wall 41 above the side walls of the mast trough 20 in the first position. The filling openings 43 are each arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mast trough 20, so that the filling opening 43 is arranged centrally above the mast trough with respect to the width of the mast trough. The filling opening 43 is designed as a tube and has a connecting element 431 to which a feed device and / or a filling device can be connected. The connecting element 431 protrudes orthogonally from the front side 411 of the front wall 41.

[0229] According to Figure 4The filling opening 43 of the first embodiment of a device 10 for rearing and harvesting insect larvae has a dispensing element 432, which is arranged on the rear side 412 of the front wall 41 and protrudes orthogonally from the rear side 412 of the front wall 41, such that the dispensing element 432 protrudes centrally above the mast trough 20 in the first position relative to the width of the mast trough. Each mast trough 20 is assigned exactly one filling opening 43 and thus exactly one dispensing element 432, such that each mast trough 20 can be supplied with substrate through the respectively assigned filling opening 43 and / or each mast trough 20 can be filled with insect larvae through the respectively assigned filling opening 43. The dispensing element 432 is designed as a tube.

[0230] A second embodiment of a device 10 for rearing and harvesting insect larvae according to Figure 5has a container 110, wherein the support structure 40, the drive means 30 and the mast troughs 20 are arranged in the container 110.

[0231] The device further comprises a conveyor system 60. The conveyor system 60 is arranged below the mast troughs 20 on the support structure 40 and is also arranged in the container 110. The conveyor system 60 is designed as a conveyor belt.

[0232] Furthermore, the device 10 comprises a temperature control device 70, a ventilation device 80, a separation device 90, and two transport containers 100. The separation device 90 and the two transport containers 100 are also arranged in the container 110. The ventilation device 80 and the temperature control device 70 are arranged on the container.

[0233] The ventilation device 80 draws in ambient air and supplies it to the container, so that an air flow is directed through the ventilation openings 44 of the front wall 41, via the mast troughs 20, and through the ventilation openings 44 of the rear wall. The air flow exiting the ventilation openings 44 of the rear wall is discharged from the container 110 again by the ventilation device 80.

[0234] The two transport containers 100 can be tempered by the tempering device 70 in such a way that insect larvae transported into the transport containers 100 are sufficiently cooled for storage, in particular are deep-frozen. List of reference symbols

[0235] 10Device 20Mast trough 21Mast trough volume 22Reinforcing structure 23Receiving dome 24Free section (of the receiving dome) 25Coupling element 26Guide element 30Drive means 31Worm gear 32Electric motor 40Support structure 41Front wall 411Front of the front wall 412Rear of the front wall 42Rear wall 421Front of the rear wall 422Rear of the rear wall 43Filling opening 431Connecting element 432Discharge element 44Ventilation opening 50Receiving device 51Coupling means 60Conveying system 70Temperature control device 80Ventilation device 90Separation device 100Transport container 110Container

Claims

1. Device (10) for rearing and harvesting insect larvae, comprising: - at least one fattening trough (20); - at least one support structure (40); - at least one drive means (30); wherein - the fattening trough (20) has a base and at least one side wall and the base and the side wall delimit a fattening trough volume (21); - the fattening trough (20) has an axis of rotation; - the drive means (30) and the at least one fattening trough (20) are operatively connected to one another, so that the at least one fattening trough (20) can be rotated about the axis of rotation from a first position to a second position, so that a content of the fattening trough (20) falls out of the fattening trough (20) in the second position; - wherein the second position of the fattening trough is offset by an angle of greater than or equal to 135° from the first position; and - the axis of rotation of the fattening trough runs coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the fattening trough.

2. Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one fattening trough (20) is received in the support structure (40).

3. Device (10) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has at least one receiving apparatus (50), the at least one fattening trough (20) being received in the support structure (40) via the at least one receiving apparatus (50).

4. Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has two or more fattening troughs (20).

5. Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has a displacement apparatus, the displacement apparatus being designed to move the at least one fattening trough (20) translationally in the horizontal and / or vertical direction.

6. Device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one drive means (30) is connected to the displacement apparatus and / or is arranged on the displacement apparatus.

7. Device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least two or all fattening troughs (20) are operatively connected to one another, so that rotation from the first position to the second position can take place, the operative connection being designed as a kinematic operative connection.

8. Device (10) according to any of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that at least two or all fattening troughs (20) are arranged in at least one horizontal and / or at least one vertical row.

9. Device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that - at least one drive means (30) is operatively connected to at least two or all fattening troughs (20) arranged in a horizontal row; and / or - at least one drive means (30) is operatively connected to at least two or all fattening troughs (20) arranged in a vertical row.

10. Device (10) according to either of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that an envelope curve of a rotation of a fattening trough (20) at least partially covers an envelope curve of a rotation of a fattening trough (20) arranged vertically in series with this fattening trough (20).

11. Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a conveyor system (60) is arranged under the at least one fattening trough (20), so that a content of the at least one fattening trough (20) falls out of the at least one fattening trough (20) in the direction of the conveyor system (60) when the at least one fattening trough (20) is rotated into the second position and / or is in the second position.

12. Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one additional unit selected from the group consisting of - a filling apparatus for insect larvae; and / or - a feed apparatus for substrate; and / or - a ventilation apparatus (80) and / or; - a temperature control apparatus (70) and / or; - a humidity control apparatus and / or; - a separation apparatus (90) and / or; - a transport container (100).

13. Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims comprising a container (110), wherein the at least one fattening trough (20), the at least one drive means and the at least one support structure (40) are arranged in the container (110).

14. Method for rearing and harvesting insect larvae using a device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 13, comprising the following method steps: - providing at least one fattening trough with substrate and insect larvae in a first position; - fattening the insect larvae in the at least one fattening trough (20); and - harvesting the insect larvae by rotating the at least one fattening trough (20) from the first position to a second position, so that the contents of the at least one fattening trough (20) fall out of the at least one fattening trough (20) in the second position, wherein the second position of the fattening trough is offset at an angle of greater than or equal to 135° from the first position.