Insect breeding box

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rearing box for raising insects from the egg to pupal stage. The insect rearing box (1) comprises side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) and top and bottom covers (4a, 4b) detachably connected to the side walls to form an insect rearing chamber (6). The box (1) further comprises a plurality of bars (5) disposed inside the rearing chamber (6) and arranged transversely to the top and bottom covers (4a, 4b), the bars (5) having upper and lower ends (5', 5'') adjacent to the top and bottom covers (4a, 4b), respectively, and the lower ends (5') of the bars (5) are free ends. The rearing box (1) is suitable for industrial production of insect pupae, preferably an automated production process, which increases the production rate, quality, and uniformity of the pupae.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a breeding box for raising insect larvae from eggs to the pupal stage (pupae of butterflies).

[0002] The object of the present invention is to provide a breeding box for an automated production process for enhancing the pupation rate, quality, and uniformity of the insects reared in this box, preferably for the industrial production of insect pupae, by synchronizing the insect population reared in this box.

[0003] A further object of the present invention is to provide a disposable insect breeding box that can be mass-produced at low cost and is convenient for storage and transportation.

Background Art

[0004] There are many types of larval breeding modules, and their configurations depend on the type of larvae to be reared and the use of the larvae.

[0005] Conventional larval breeding techniques consist of a paper bag coated with paraffin containing eggs and food for the larvae hatched from these eggs. However, such bags have the disadvantage that their correct operation is critically affected by their thickness. Thus, if the bag is too thick, the food will ooze out excessively, while if the thickness is insufficient, the food will dry out and deteriorate.

[0006] As a result, cups coated with paraffin containing food and larvae have also been used for a long time. Subsequently, plastic cups have also been used for the same purpose. Regardless of the type of container used, such larval breeding systems have the drawback that when removing the larvae from the inside of the container, it must be done manually one by one, which means a huge amount of labor and a long time are required.

[0007] Therefore, such a larval rearing system was not commercially practical and lacked economic competitiveness. Furthermore, it was extremely difficult to control the humidity in the rearing container, which led to the growth of fungi and bacteria that hindered the proper functioning of the rearing system.

[0008] Spanish Patent ES-2,107,176 T3 (validation of European Patent EP-0,676,918) describes a larval rearing system mainly based on a high-density process and a rearing unit for insects from eggs to pupae. Specifically, the insect rearing unit has a larval space located below the food space and above the excrement space. The larval space includes a plurality of surfaces arranged perpendicular to the food space and the excrement space. These vertical surfaces form the adhesion surfaces for the insects. However, this rearing system has the drawback that the food space is exposed to high humidity for a long time. When exposed to such high humidity, the food space becomes an environment very suitable for the growth of fungi and nutrients, and as a result, it infects the insects, causing contamination and deterioration of the insects.

[0009] Spanish Patent Publication ES-2,232,308 A1 describes a rearing box for rearing larvae, which includes a rearing unit with a plurality of vertical rearing walls for larvae, a food tray horizontally arranged to close the upper part of the rearing unit, and an excrement tray horizontally arranged to close the lower part of the rearing unit. The rearing walls are composed of rectangular frames that hold the nets for the larvae to move to find food. Since the larvae may interfere with each other, they do not have growing places of the same size, and therefore the larvae may not grow evenly. Since the larvae are grouped in separate areas, it is difficult to collect them after the rearing process is completed.

[0010] Therefore, conventional insect rearing modules have complex rearing cases, where the larvae are unevenly distributed on the support that holds the food or feed, and since the larvae constantly move from one side of the feeding surface to the other, the volume of the rearing case is not optimized such that the larval density within the case is maximized, and thus, the distribution of the larvae within the rearing case is not controlled. This means that not all larvae have equal access to the food, i.e., not all larvae are properly fed. Consequently, production is not carried out with the desired uniformity and quality, and many pupae have to be discarded in the final quality control process.

[0011] On the other hand, the use of larvae as living biofactories for the expression of recombinant proteins is also known. For example, WO 2017 / 046415 describes means and methods for optimizing the industrial production of recombinant proteins in insect pupae.

[0012] In any case, there is an increasing demand for the mass production of high-quality and uniform insect pupae for industrial purposes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention is defined in the appended independent claims and fully addresses the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an insect rearing box that enables the mass production of high-quality and uniform pupae, which is specially configured for use as part of an automated pupa production process.

[0014] The box comprises side walls that integrally form a rearing chamber for the pupae to grow, and an upper cover and a bottom cover that are attachable to the side walls. The upper cover and the bottom cover are removably coupled to the side walls. For example, the upper cover and the bottom cover are configured to be press-fitted into the side walls, and as a result, they are removable by simply pulling away from the side walls by hand or with a robotic arm, for example, for inspection purposes.

[0015] Preferably, the box is in the shape of a rectangular prism such that the side walls, top cover, and bottom cover are substantially flat rectangles. There are two parallel large side walls and two parallel small walls. The top cover and the bottom cover each have a flat main surface on the inside.

[0016] According to the present invention, a panel having a plurality of bars is incorporated in the box, which is arranged inside the breeding chamber and in a direction crossing the top cover and the bottom cover. Preferably, the bars are linear and are arranged perpendicular to the top cover and the bottom cover.

[0017] Each bar has a free end at least on the upper end side or the lower end side of the bar, or at both ends of the bar.

[0018] The dimensions of the bars are set such that their upper and lower ends are adjacent to or close to the flat main surfaces inside the top cover and the bottom cover, respectively. The bars are arranged so that each bar maintains an appropriate distance from the surrounding bars in order to individualize small groups of larvae. This can be achieved, for example, by arranging the bars in a matrix or a similar distribution.

[0019] When using the breeding box, insect eggs are placed on the entire inner surface of the bottom cover, and the inner surface of the top cover is filled with food or feed for the larvae. When the eggs hatch, the larvae use the bars as ascending paths and move from the bottom cover towards the feed on the top cover. When the larvae reach the upper end of the bar where the feed is placed, they stay there and continue to eat the feed until they become pupae. In this way, when the growth process is completed, all the pupae are arranged on the same plane, facilitating subsequent processes such as collecting and gathering the fibers from the silkworms.

[0020] In the breeding box of the present invention, unlike the prior art breeding module (where many larvae gather in a specific area and eat all the food there, but do not gather much in other areas), a small number of larvae are grouped in separate areas of the upper cover, so that sufficient food is ensured for all larvae throughout the breeding process. As a result, high-quality, simultaneous, and uniform pupae can be produced, and pupae with uniform size, weight, and general characteristics can be produced.

[0021] Since the bars are uniformly distributed throughout the volume of the breeding chamber, the larvae are evenly distributed, and as a result, the capacity of the breeding chamber is optimized. It is expected that up to 200 larvae can be reared under optimal conditions by using the breeding box.

[0022] Therefore, the bars divide the larvae into small groups so as not to interfere with other adjacent larvae.

[0023] At least two large side walls are provided with ventilation windows covered with mesh so that air circulates properly throughout the breeding chamber. Therefore, the larvae in the breeding chamber are equally exposed to an environment where humidity and temperature are controlled, avoiding the growth of fungi.

[0024] Several options are possible as the form for supporting the bars inside the box. In a preferred embodiment, the bars are embodied as panels, and in the box, such a set of panels is arranged and incorporated inside the breeding chamber. The panels are parallel to each other and are configured to be easily attached to or removed from the box, for example, when assembling the box before use, when disassembling and discarding the box, or when checking the pupae during rearing.

[0025] Each panel has a stem extending in the transverse direction, preferably perpendicular to the bars, and the stem connects a plurality of bars at the center or the upper part of the panel.

[0026] Since the insect rearing box is considered a one-time disposable product, all the box components, namely the side walls, top cover, and bottom cover, panels, and bars, are made of a suitable plastic material.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the side walls are integrally formed as a unitary body by injection molding a plastic material. This unitary body is substantially planar, the four side walls are rectangular, linearly arranged side by side, and folding lines or deformation lines are formed between each pair of adjacent walls. Thus, the box is assembled by folding the walls at a 90° angle along the folding lines and engaging the free edges.

[0028] The advantages of the present invention are summarized below.

[0029] · Control the distribution of larvae in the rearing chamber, optimize the number of insects in the rearing chamber to increase the production rate, and enable continuous access to food so that growth is uniform and optimal. · The larvae in the rearing chamber are equally exposed to a controlled humidity and temperature environment, thereby avoiding the growth of fungi and enhancing the quality of the pupae. · The rearing box can be handled using robots in an automated manufacturing process. · The rearing box enables low-cost mass production and is also convenient for storage and transportation. · All parts of the box can be stacked until before installation, and the rearing boxes can also be stacked, so they can be stored better.

[0030] Since the rearing box is a one-time disposable device, cleaning and disinfection operations are avoided, and a significant reduction in labor costs is possible.

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

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[0033] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a breeding box (1) according to the present invention, comprising two parallel large side walls (2a, 2b), two parallel small side walls (3a, 3b), and upper and bottom covers (4a, 4b) removably coupled to these four side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b). The upper and bottom covers (4a, 4b) and the side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) are substantially flat and together form a rectangular prism, defining a breeding room (6) for insects inside.

[0034] The two large side walls (2a, 2b) each have ventilation windows (7a, 7b) covered with meshes (8a, 8b) of appropriate pore sizes. The pore sizes are such that they ensure the circulation of light and ventilation flow of the correct intensity inside the breeding chamber (6) for the proper growth of the pupae, while at the same time preventing the small newly hatched larvae from escaping. Alternatively, the small side walls (3a, 3b) are also provided with ventilation windows (not shown) covered with similar meshes.

[0035] As better shown in FIG. 2, the upper cover and the bottom cover (4a, 4b) are in the shape of trays, and these covers (4a, 4b) are each provided with skirts (9a, 9b) extending along their four sides and protruding laterally. The upper cover (4a) and the bottom cover (4b) each have a flat main surface (18a, 18b) on the inside. During the use of the box (1), the surface of the upper cover (4a) is filled with food or feed (19) for the larvae. The food or feed is usually adhered to the surface (18a) as a gel.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper cover and the bottom cover (4a, 4b) are configured such that the covers (4a, 4b) are press-fitted into the side walls of the box (1) so that they can be removed simply by pulling in a direction away from the side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b), that is, their shapes and dimensions are determined to be press-fitted. This feature is convenient when using a robot to remove the covers for purposes such as making the box without a cover (as shown in FIG. 2), that is, for purposes such as immersing the box in a bath in an open state to remove silk from the pupae.

[0037] This press-fittable feature can be better observed in FIGS. 4 and 5, and is obtained by shaping and sizing the inner sides of the four sides of the skirts (9a, 9b) to match the outer peripheral shapes and dimensions of the four side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b). The covers (4a, 4b) are configured to be stackable so that they can be stored in a space-saving manner. Therefore, due to the presence of the skirts (9a, 9b), it is also possible to partially place one cover inside another cover.

[0038] When the upper cover and the bottom cover (4a, 4b) are joined to the side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b), a part of the skirt (9a, 9b) contacts and overlaps with the side walls, the covers (4a, 4b) impart rigidity to the box (1), and each continuous set of side walls is positioned at 90° relative to each other. As a result, deformation of the box during use can be avoided.

[0039] The box (1) is provided with a plurality of bars (5) arranged in the breeding chamber (6). These bars (5) have upper and lower free ends (5', 5''), and the upper and lower free ends are adjacent to, that is, in the vicinity of, the main surfaces (18a, 18b) of the upper cover (4a) and the bottom cover (4b) respectively, so that the larvae can climb from the bottom cover (4b) onto the bar (5) and reach the food inside the upper cover from the upper end (5'').

[0040] The bars (5) are linear and parallel to each other, and are arranged perpendicular to the upper cover and the bottom cover (4a, 4b). Preferably, the bars (5) are flat and have a rough surface as a foothold to facilitate the larvae to climb on the bars (5).

[0041] In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bars (5) are provided as a group on a panel (10) that can be removed from the box. Therefore, a plurality of panels (10) arranged inside the breeding chamber (6) are incorporated into the box (1). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, each panel (10) forms a plane and is parallel to each other, and constitutes a plurality of bars (5) extending vertically from the stem (11). The stem (11) extends in a direction transverse to the bars (5) and connects the bars (5) at the center of the panel (5).

[0042] Preferably, the thickness of the bar (5) gradually decreases from the stem (11) towards the free ends (5', 5'').

[0043] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, each panel has two comb-like configurations. Also, in FIG. 4, it should be noted that the lengths of all the bars are the same, and all the upper ends (5’) and lower ends are on the same plane, and the lower ends are also on the same plane. The dimensions of the box and the bars are set such that the distance between the upper end (5’’) of the bar and the main surface (18a) of the upper cover (4a) is suitable for the larvae to reach the food from the upper end (5’’). Similarly, the dimensions of the box and the bars are set such that the distance between the lower end (5’) of the bar and the main surface (18b) of the bottom cover (4b) is suitable for the larvae to reach the bar.

[0044] The panel (10) extends longitudinally within the box (1), that is, the panel is parallel to the large side walls (2a, 2b) and parallel to the windows (7a, 7b). Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the bars are arranged in a matrix in the plan view. With this configuration, as clearly shown by FIG. 4 and as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6, a plurality of channels directly connected to the windows (7a, 7b) are defined to cross the panel (10), thereby improving the ventilation of the breeding chamber (6).

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, on the two short side walls (3a, 3b), guides (12) arranged vertically are integrally formed facing each other. Each panel (10) has a tongue portion (13) at its end, and the tongue portion (13) of each panel is inserted into the respective guide (12) and can slide up and down. Thereby, the panel (10) can be easily assembled at a predetermined position of the box (1) or taken out, for example, for pupa inspection.

[0046] Regarding the box manufacturing process, the box (1) is made of a suitable plastic material. That is, the side walls, the top cover, the bottom cover, and the panel are manufactured from a plastic material such as polypropylene. In particular, the side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) are rectangular and integrally formed by injection molding of the plastic material as a foldable substantially planar unitary body portion (14) as shown in FIG. 8. In the unitary body portion (14), the walls are arranged linearly, and each pair of adjacent walls is connected by a fold line (15) consisting of, for example, a groove, and the thickness of the unitary body portion is reduced at the groove portion. Similarly, the meshes (8a, 8b) are preferably integrally formed with the unitary body portion in the injection molding process.

[0047] By configuring the side walls as the unitary body portion (14) as described above, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, the storage space can be reduced by stacking a plurality of the bodies, and the transportation can be facilitated.

[0048] Furthermore, on the two free sides (16) of the walls (2a, 3b) at both ends in the linear arrangement, cooperating fixing means (17, 17') for assembling the box (1) are provided, and the walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) are bent at 90° along the fold line (15), and the cooperating fixing means (17, 17') are engaged as shown in, for example, FIG. 2. The fixing means can be configured, for example, as a hook that engages with the opening by elastic deformation.

[0049] Alternatively, in the embodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10, a stem (11) extending laterally with respect to the bar is arranged at the upper part of the panel, and by connecting the upper end portions of the bars, only the lower end portion (5'') is a free end. Also in this embodiment, the panel is planar, includes a plurality of bars (5) parallel to each other, the bars (5) gradually become thinner from the stem (11) toward the lower free end (5'), and its surface is rough.

[0050] When the lower part of the panel (10) is provided with a free end (5'') as shown in Fig. 10, there is an advantage that larvae can more easily reach the panel and start climbing. Also, since there are more gaps in the central part of the box, the ventilation of the breeding room (6) is further improved. Furthermore, the debris dropped by the larvae accumulates not in the central part of the panel but on the bottom cover far from the insects. Thereby, the possibility that the larvae are contaminated by fungi can be suppressed. Since most of the debris is in the bottom cover, it is also useful when cleaning the breeding box.

[0051] Furthermore, in the panels (10) of Figs. 9 and 10, the edge (20) of the stem (11) is sharp.

Claims

**Claim 1** An insect breeding box (1) comprising side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) and an upper cover and a bottom cover (4a, 4b) detachably coupled to the side walls to form a breeding chamber (6), wherein the insect breeding box (1) further comprises two or more panels (10) that are parallel to each other and disposed inside the breeding chamber (6), wherein the panel (10) is removable from the box, wherein the panel (10) is disposed inside the breeding chamber (6) and has a plurality of bars (5) disposed in a direction transverse to the upper cover and the bottom cover (4a, 4b), and the bars (5) have upper and lower ends (5', 5'') adjacent to the upper cover and the bottom cover (4a, 4b) respectively, wherein the upper end (5') or the lower end (5'') of the bar (5) is a free end, and the insect breeding box (1) has two pairs of opposing side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b), and the two opposing walls are covered by meshes (8a, 8b) and have ventilation windows (7a, 7b) substantially parallel to the panel (10), An insect breeding box in which a plurality of ventilation paths directly connected to the ventilation windows (7a, 7b) are defined to cross the panel (10). **Claim 2** The insect breeding box (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bars (5) are linear and parallel to each other, and the bars (5) are disposed perpendicular to the upper cover and the bottom cover (4a, 4b). **Claim 3** Each panel is substantially planar and has a stem (11), the bars (5) extend vertically from the stem (11), the stem (11) extends in a direction transverse to the bars (5), the bars are connected at the central portion of the panel (10) with the upper and lower ends (5', 5'') of the bars as free ends, or the bars are connected above the panel (10) with the lower ends (5', 5'') of the bars as free ends, the insect breeding box according to claim 1. **Claim 4** The insect breeding box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insect breeding box (1) is a right prism having two pairs of opposing side walls, and the upper cover and the bottom cover (4a, 4b) are substantially flat and parallel to each other. **Claim 5** The upper cover and the bottom cover (4a, 4b) are configured to be press-fitted into the side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b), and are removable from the side walls by pulling in a direction away from the side walls. The insect breeding box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) are rectangular, and are integrally formed as a substantially flat and foldable unitary main body (14) by injection molding a plastic material. The side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) are linearly arranged in the unitary main body (14), and each pair of adjacent side walls is connected by a fold line (15). Fixing means (17, 17') that cooperate by folding the side walls at 90° along the fold line (15) are provided on each free side (16, 16') of the side walls located at both ends among the linearly arranged side walls (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b). The fixing means (17, 17') are engageable. The insect breeding box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The mesh (8a, 8b) is further integrally formed in the unitary main body (14) by the same injection molding process. The insect breeding box (1) according to claim 6.

8. The stem (11) is arranged above the panel (10), and the stem (11) has a sharp edge (20). The insect breeding box (1) according to claim 3.

9. Two opposing walls have vertically arranged guides (12), and each panel (10) has a tongue (13) configured to be slidable on the guide at its end. Each panel is insertable into two opposing guides (13). The insect breeding box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The bar (5) is flat, and the thickness of the bar (5) gradually decreases from the stem (11) towards the free ends (5', 5''). The insect breeding box (1) according to claim 3.

11. The bar (5) has a rough surface. The insect breeding box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The panel (10), the upper cover, and the bottom cover (4a, 4b) are made of a plastic material. The insect breeding box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The insect breeding box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the bars (5) are arranged in a matrix in a plan view of the breeding room (6).

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