System for producing insects with water supply

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for producing insects by rearing them in production trays (2) in a production building, the system comprising an array of stacks (3) of production trays (2), the stacks being placed on the floor (4) of the production building, a water supply system (5) for supplying water to each of the trays (2) of each of the stacks (3) via side windows (10) provided in the production trays, the spraying system comprising a movable column (6) on which watering nozzles (7) are arranged vertically so as to match up with the side windows (10), which nozzles are in fluid communication with a hose (8) that can be connected to a water source.

Description

Insect production system with water supply TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for producing insects by rearing them in production tanks, comprising an alignment of stacks of production tanks and a water supply system for supplying water to each of the tanks in each of the stacks through side windows provided on the tanks. STATE OF PRIOR ART

[0002] Various approaches exist for implementing large-scale insect farming. The first methods were entirely manual, tedious, and had low productivity rates. Gradually, the technical sophistication of the equipment used made it possible to reduce human intervention in the process and increase productivity. Today, numerous systems with various technological equipment exist.

[0003] To produce large quantities of insects or larvae, insect farms or factories are set up. A farm, for example, includes one or more storage locations for placing a plurality of stacks of bins. One or more additional devices may be provided, for example, to ventilate the site, add watering doses, or other purposes.

[0004] After their growth, the larvae or insects may undergo one or more stages of transformation into a food product. For example, a dehydration phase is planned so that the resulting food product is easy to preserve and handle.

[0005] During the growth phase of the larvae or insects, a water supply is required. This supply is provided either at pre-established time intervals or as needed. Various watering systems have been designed for this purpose.

[0006] For example, document WO2020246876 describes an insect breeding device comprising at least one insect cage, a reservoir for containing drinking water or a tap for supplying the drinking water, a first pipe connected to the tap for receiving the drinking water, wherein the pipe enters the insect cage through a first opening. A nozzle is coupled to the first pipe, positioned inside the insect cage and configured to deliver the drinking water inside the insect cage.

[0007] Document US20130319334 describes a larval rearing system comprising a plurality of culture trays arranged in at least one stack of trays, each stack comprising several levels of trays, each tray comprising an open-top basin adapted to receive larvae and larval food, a distribution system adapted to automatically distribute larval food to individually selected culture trays, and a water distribution system adapted to automatically distribute water to the culture trays.

[0008] It is observed that known water distribution systems for insect rearing are fixed. These systems are suitable for small production facilities, with a limited number of stacks of trays. For large facilities, the equipment required over large areas results in excessive installation costs. The installations are also bulky, with risks of leaks. Finally, if there are too many nozzles, the water pressure and flow rate required to supply all the nozzles remains out of reach for most buildings, or requires the addition of complex and expensive tanks and pump systems.

[0009] Certain mobile devices for water distribution are also known. For example, document KR20100051297 describes an irrigation device for maintaining a regular and uniform flow without reducing water pressure by moving a pipe and a nozzle. The system is mounted on rails and has multiple nozzles arranged horizontally. This device is limited to ground-level watering.

[0010] To overcome these various drawbacks, the invention provides various technical means. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0011] First of all, a first objective of the invention consists of providing a system for producing insects in tanks making it possible to provide a water supply to the tanks in a simple, reliable manner, at moderate cost.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a system for producing insects in tanks which makes it possible to provide a water supply at the tanks on a large-scale production site whose ground surface has irregularities.

[0013] To this end, the invention provides a system for producing insects by breeding in production tanks arranged in a production building, in which production materials are arranged, comprising: i) an alignment of stacks of production tanks, the stacks being placed on the floor of the production building and each of the production tanks comprising a side window giving access to the interior of the tank; ii) a water supply system for supplying water to each of the tanks of each of the stacks via the side windows; said water supply system comprising: ll) at least one movable column on which are arranged a plurality of nozzles arranged vertically in correspondence with the side windows and in fluid communication with a pipe connectable to a water supply source;iv) a translation guide arranged parallel to the alignment of stacks of bins and ensuring movement of the column along the alignment at a constant lateral distance from the stacks; v) a motor, coupled to the mobile column, ensuring movement of the column along the alignment of the stacks.;

[0014] This system allows for the supply of water to a large number of production tanks. It allows for quick and easy adaptation to the number of stacks and tanks used. It avoids the need for a fixed supply system with complex piping with a water outlet for each tank on the production site.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, the translation guide comprises an upper rail arranged at a height greater than that of the stacks of bins, the movable column being suspended from said upper rail, the motorization comprising a motor arranged at the end of the upper rail and driving a belt or a cable arranged along the upper rail and cooperating with the movable column.

[0016] Advantageously, the movable column comprises at least one position sensor for detecting the vertical position of the side windows of the bins and at least one actuator to adjust the position of the sprinkler nozzles with respect to the detected vertical position of the windows.

[0017] Depending on the more or less uniform quality of the building's ground surface, the lower tray of each stack may be at a different height, depending on the irregularities of the ground. Furthermore, the vertical position of all the side windows of a stack is directly dependent on the vertical position of the lower tray of this stack. On uneven ground, the side windows of the different stacks in an alignment may therefore be at different heights. If this variation in height is not taken into account, and if the nozzles of the mobile column are at a constant vertical position over the entire length of the column, the nozzles may sometimes be misaligned with respect to the windows of certain stacks of trays. The water inlet intended to flow towards the inside of the trays is then blocked by the side wall of the trays, the water is diverted and flows along the outside of the trays to the ground.Not only are the tanks not supplied with water, but the ground of the production site is flooded by the diverted water.

[0018] To avoid this double disadvantage, the position sensor and the actuator allow the vertical position of the nozzles to be adjusted at each stack in order to take into account irregularities in the ground causing variations in the height of the base of the stacks and therefore of all the side windows of the bins. Thus, the nozzles are perfectly aligned with the side windows of the bins over the entire alignment path. After each movement of the mobile column to a new stack, a vertical position detection is carried out, and the position of the nozzles is adjusted as needed.

[0019] According to another advantageous embodiment, the guide comprises a lower rail placed on the ground in the vicinity of the alignment of stacks of bins, the column being mounted movably on said lower rail.

[0020] The lower rail is configured to be at the same height as the stack of bins located directly in front of the rail, following the irregularities of the ground. With the movable column moving on the rail, a self-adjusting arrangement in height is obtained. If the height of the ground varies, that of the rail varies similarly according to the irregularities of the ground, providing self-adjustment of the height of the nozzles opposite the side windows. The water supply to the bins is thus always ensured and the risks of flooding of the ground are controlled.

[0021] Advantageously, the motorization comprises a motor, arranged on the movable column and coupled to drive wheels of the column on the lower rail.

[0022] Alternatively, the translation guide also comprises an upper rail, the motorization comprises a motor arranged at the end of the upper rail and driving a belt or a cable arranged along the upper rail and cooperating with the movable column, a slider separating the movable column into two parts mounted to slide relative to each other.

[0023] The slider allows for a column with adjustable height depending on the irregularities of the ground. The two parts of the column slide on top of each other or are mounted telescopically to allow such adjustment. The upper part of the column remains at a constant height along the upper rail, which itself remains at a constant height throughout its length. The vertical position of the lower part of the column varies along the length of the length depending on the height of the ground and the lower rail placed on the ground and according to the deformations of the ground. The watering nozzles are arranged on the lower part of the column. Their vertical position therefore varies according to the vertical position of the lower part of the column. The water supply to the tanks is thus always ensured and the risks of flooding of the ground are controlled.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the number of nozzles corresponds at least to the number of trays in a stack serving as a reference stack.

[0025] Also advantageously, the pipe is subdivided into sections each having a sliding bracket mounted on the top rail.

[0026] This feature allows the pipe to be configured in a sort of accordion that can be easily deployed depending on the position of the mobile column along the alignment of the stacks of bins. This prevents the pipe from simply being placed on the ground, thus presenting a risk of obstruction and a risk of trapping.

[0027] Advantageously, the process is used to produce beetles, most preferably tenebrio, and even more preferably tenebrio molitor. These types of insects are particularly well-suited to this type of process. They also have high nutritional qualities, including a high protein content.

[0028] Advantageously, the insects produced are in the larval stage. This is the growth stage that allows for high protein levels while maintaining relatively short production cycles. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0029] All the details of the embodiment are given in the following description, supplemented by figures 1 to 7, presented solely for non-limiting example purposes, and in which: - figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an insect production system comprising a water supply system with a movable column; -figure 2 shows the insect production system of figure 1 in rear view; -Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the water supply system showing an example of correct positioning of the watering nozzles opposite the side windows of the tanks; -figure 4 shows an example of the construction of a mobile column mounted on a rail; -figure 5 shows an example of the construction of a mobile column with variable height in order to adjust to variations in the flatness of the ground at the production site; -figure 6 shows an example of stacking two identical bins with the side windows accessible; -Figure 7 shows an example of the layout of a production building, with at least one alignment of stacks of bins arranged side by side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION DEFINITIONS

[0030] By "production materials" we mean food with eggs, or food with larvae, or food with breeding insects, depending on the cycle and production methods.

[0031] By "reference stack" is meant a stack of standard bins whose characteristics, in particular height, number of bins and vertical positioning of the side windows of the bins, are established based on production to be carried out in a dedicated production building.

[0032] The term "translation guide" means an arrangement of elements enabling a mobile column to be moved along an alignment of stacks of bins while maintaining a pre-established fixed distance between the mobile column and each of the stacks. The translation guide also prevents the mobile column from being deflected laterally during its successive movements along an alignment, for example due to irregularities in the ground surface or obstacles on the ground or at height.

[0033] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a system 1 for producing insects by rearing using production tanks 2. The tanks 2 are used to hold the production materials needed to rear the insects. The larvae and / or insects remain in the tanks for a time corresponding to the growth cycle desired by the breeder. For example, food, eggs and / or larvae are placed in them. Once the production cycle is complete, the tanks are transported to a processing site, emptied of their contents, and the larvae and / or insects are recovered. The tanks can then be washed and reused for a subsequent production cycle.

[0034] Depending on the case, a stack 3 may comprise between five and twenty tanks, or even more if necessary and if the installation allows it. Each tank 2 comprises at least one side window 10, allowing at least one fluid communication between the exterior and the interior of the tank. Advantageously, the windows extend over a portion of the length and height of the side wall on which it is provided. The side windows 10 have several functions including that of allowing ventilation of the contents of the tanks, and that of allowing a certain quantity of water to be added either as needed or at predetermined intervals.

[0035] During a breeding cycle, the tanks 2 are arranged in stacks 3 arranged in a production building. To optimize production, the stacks 3 of tanks 2 are arranged to form parallel alignments 17, spaced apart to form corridors 18. Once placed in alignments, the lower tank of each of the stacks rests on the floor of the production building. An alignment 17 preferably comprises stacks with an identical number of tanks, with windows arranged in a similar manner on all the stacks in the alignment. The use of identical tanks for all the stacks in an alignment facilitates this uniform and regular arrangement along the alignment. Figure 7 shows an example of the layout of a production building. An example of an alignment 17 of stacks 3 of tanks 2 arranged side by side is seen. In this figure, only the end stacks are shown.

[0036] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the production system 1 comprises a water supply system 5 for supplying water to each of the tanks 2 of each of the stacks 3. As mentioned previously, to access the interior of the tanks, the side windows 10 of the tanks are used.

[0037] The water supply system is designed to deliver to each tank the amount of water required to ensure a breeding cycle. Distribution cycles are preferably planned at intervals established according to the breeding in progress. Sensors can also be provided to adapt the water supply according to the conditions in the tanks and / or in the building in general.

[0038] The supply is designed to distribute the water stack by stack, successively. This progressive and localized distribution at the level of a stack is implemented by one (or more) mobile column 6, designed to move in the corridors 18 formed between the alignments 17 of stacks 3.

[0039] The movable column 6 is provided with a series of watering nozzles 7, arranged vertically. The vertical arrangement of the nozzles 7 is provided so as to correspond with the vertical arrangement of the side windows 10 of a reference stack.

[0040] The nozzles 7 of the mobile column 6 are supplied with water by a pipe 8 connectable to a water supply source of the building. In the example illustrated, the pipe 8 is suspended in sections from an upper rail 12 running above a corridor 18. Sliding supports 13 allow the pipe to be supported while ensuring mobility along the rail. Alternatively, the pipe can be stored on a reel which unwinds the necessary length depending on the movement of the column along the corridor 18.

[0041] A motor 11 ensures the movement of the mobile column 6 along the corridor where it is installed. Depending on the configuration, the motor can be arranged directly on the column, or remote. In the latter case, the water supply system then provides a means of transmission by chain or belt or other, to which the column is connected.

[0042] The mobile column moves along an alignment of stacks of bins to successively feed several aligned stacks. The column moves step by step, and stops at each new stack, with the nozzles aligned with the side windows of the bins, to proceed to supply water to this new stack. The quantity of water distributed to each stack is measured according to the number of tanks in the stack and the quantity of water prescribed for each tank. After supplying a stack with the planned quantity of water, the column is moved to the next stack, and so on, until the end of the stack alignment. The longitudinal alignment of the mobile column in front of each stack with respect to the side windows can be managed either by a displacement counter located at the motorization, or a detector placed on the column which detects the presence of the side windows or a stop mark, provided on the ground or on each stack in the alignment.

[0043] To ensure that the mobile column travels parallel to the alignment of piles, a translation guide is arranged along the corridor 18. The column follows this guide during its movements, either in contactless mode, for example by visual or magnetic detection of the guide, or by contact. In the latter case, several embodiments are possible. VARIANT WITH MOVABLE COLUMN SUSPENDED FROM AN TOP RAIL

[0044] First of all, according to an exemplary embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the translation guide comprises an upper rail 12 arranged at a height greater than that of the stacks 3 of bins 2. The rail 12 has a dual function, namely lateral guidance and transmission. For this purpose, the movable column 6 is suspended from the upper rail 12. The motorization 11 comprises a motor arranged at the end of the upper rail which drives a belt or a cable arranged along the upper rail. The movable column is connected to the belt or cable and can follow its movement along the rail. The rail follows a pre-established trajectory and provides the lateral guidance required to be at the correct distance from the stacks of bins.

[0045] As previously stated, it is common for the ground of large buildings to be irregular, with areas whose height can fluctuate by several mm, or even a few cm. The upper rail is straight and therefore in a constant vertical position over the entire length of the rail. Conversely, the vertical position of the different piles placed on different areas of the ground along a line of piles is likely to vary along the length. The vertical position of the side windows 10 varies in the same way. There is thus a significant risk that the nozzles 7 of the mobile column are not in the correct vertical position for certain piles in the line.

[0046] In this exemplary embodiment, the risk of poor relative vertical positioning is managed by the fact that the mobile column 6 comprises at least one position sensor for detect the vertical position of the side windows 10 of the bins. At each stop in front of a stack of bins, the sensor detects the vertical position of at least one window or a reference provided for this purpose. If a vertical alignment deviation between the nozzles and the windows is detected, at least one actuator makes it possible to adjust the position of the watering nozzles 7 with respect to the detected vertical position of the windows. The adjustment can be implemented at the nozzles, or at the column level, depending on the case. VARIANT WITH MOBILE COLUMN ROLLING ON A RAIL ON THE FLOOR

[0047] To solve the problem of vertical alignment of the nozzles with the windows in a simple, reliable and inexpensive way, another embodiment is provided. The guide comprises a lower rail 9, placed on the ground 4 in the vicinity of the alignment of stacks 3 of bins 2, the column 6 being movably mounted on said lower rail 9.

[0048] The lower rail is configured to be at the same height as the stack of bins located directly in front of the rail. With the movable column moving along the rail, a self-adjusting height arrangement is achieved. If the floor height varies, the rail height varies similarly according to the unevenness of the floor, providing self-adjustment of the nozzle height opposite the side windows. This ensures that the water supply to the bins is always ensured and the risk of ground flooding is controlled.

[0049] In this example, the motorization comprises a motor, arranged on the movable column and coupled to drive wheels of the column on the lower rail.

[0050] Alternatively, the drive system also comprises an upper rail 12, at a height greater than that of the stacks of bins. In this variant, the motorization can be offset from the column, and comprises a motor arranged at the end of the upper rail and driving a belt or a cable arranged along the upper rail and cooperating with the movable column. As illustrated in Figure 5, to allow the movable column to move between two rails (the lower rail 9 and the upper rail 12) whose spacing varies along the path, a slider 14 separates the movable column 6 into two parts 15 and 16 mounted to slide relative to each other. The upper part 15 follows the upper rail 12 and remains in a constant vertical position. The lower part 16, placed on the lower rail 9, follows the irregularities of the ground.The watering nozzles 7 are arranged on the lower part 16 of the movable column, so that they remain automatically aligned with the windows 10 of the stacks of bins. Reference numbers used in the figures

Claims

CLAIMS 1. System (1) for producing insects by breeding in production tanks (2) arranged in a production building, in which production materials are arranged, comprising: i) an alignment (17) of stacks (3) of production tanks (2), the stacks (3) being placed on the floor (4) of the production building and each of the production tanks (2) comprising a side window (10) giving access to the interior of the tank; ii) a water supply system (5) for supplying water to each of the tanks (2) of each of the stacks (3) via the side windows (10); said water supply system (5) comprising: ll) at least one movable column (6) on which are arranged a plurality of nozzles (7) arranged vertically in correspondence with the side windows (10) and in fluid communication with a pipe (8) connectable to a water supply source;iv) a translation guide arranged parallel to the alignment of stacks (3) of bins (2) and ensuring a movement of the column (6) along the alignment (17) at a constant lateral distance from the stacks (3); v) a motorization (11), coupled to the movable column (6), ensuring the movement of the column along the alignment (17) of the stacks (3).; 2. Insect production system (1) according to claim 1, in which the translation guide comprises an upper rail (12) arranged at a height greater than that of the stacks (3) of trays (2), the movable column (6) being suspended from said upper rail (12), the motorization (11) comprising a motor arranged at the end of the upper rail and driving a belt or a cable arranged along the upper rail and cooperating with the movable column (6).

3. Insect production system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the mobile column (6) comprises at least one position sensor for detecting the vertical position of the side windows (10) of the tanks and at least one actuator for adjusting the position of the watering nozzles (7) opposite the detected vertical position of the windows.

4. System (1) for producing insects according to claim 1, in which the translation guide comprises a lower rail (9), placed on the ground (4) in the vicinity of the alignment (17) of stacks (3) of bins (2), the column (6) being mounted movably on said lower rail (9).

5. Insect production system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the motorization (11) comprises a motor, arranged on the movable column (6) and coupled to drive wheels of the column on the lower rail.

6. Insect production system (1) according to claim 4, in which the translation guide also comprises an upper rail (12), and in which the motorization (11) comprises a motor arranged at the end of the upper rail and driving a belt or a cable arranged along the upper rail and cooperating with the movable column (6), a slider (14) separating the movable column into two parts (15, 16) mounted to slide relative to each other.

7. Insect production system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of nozzles (7) corresponds at least to the number of trays in a stack (3) serving as a reference stack.

8. An insect production system (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pipe (8) is subdivided into sections each having a sliding support (13) mounted on the upper rail.

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