breeding equipment

Abstract

To provide a technology effective for easily collecting creatures such as insects in a breeding apparatus for breeding the creatures.SOLUTION: A breeding apparatus 1 for creatures C comprises: a body frame 20 that forms a breeding space 20a for the creatures C; a resting member 40 provided in the breeding space 20a of the body frame 20; a separation member 50 that mutually moves with respect to the resting member 40 in a state of holding a gap to separate the creature C from the resting member 40 by interfering with the creature C resting on the resting member 40; and a gas header part 71 of a gas jetting mechanism that can jet gas toward the resting member 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a breeding device for breeding living things such as insects. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below describes a cricket rearing device. In this rearing device, a container containing absorbent cotton soaked in water is provided inside the rearing case to provide water to the crickets, and egg-laying, hatching, and rearing all take place inside the rearing case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-191834 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the rearing device described in Patent Document 1, when rolled-up newspapers are used to form a concealing environment, crickets can be collected by separating the crickets that are on the surface or inside of the newspapers from the newspapers. In this case, the worker needs to unfold the rolled-up newspapers one by one and separate the crickets from the unfolded newspapers, which can cause the problem that the work of collecting crickets is time-consuming.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an effective technique for easily collecting organisms in a breeding device for breeding organisms such as insects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is A breeding device for living organisms, a main body frame that forms a breeding space for the living organism; a stop member provided in the rearing space of the main body frame; A separating member that moves relative to the stop member with a gap therebetween to interfere with the organism that is stopped on the stop member and separates the organism from the stop member; a gas injection mechanism capable of injecting gas toward the stop member; Equipped with picture, the gas injection mechanism has a gas header section provided on the separating member so as to extend along a plate thickness direction of the stop member, and the gas header section has a plurality of gas injection ports arranged in the plate thickness direction. Rearing equipment, is located. Another aspect of the present invention is A breeding device for living organisms, a main body frame that forms a breeding space for the living organism; a stop member provided in the rearing space of the main body frame; A separating member that moves relative to the stop member with a gap therebetween to interfere with the organism that is stopped on the stop member and separates the organism from the stop member; a gas injection mechanism capable of injecting gas toward the stop member; Equipped with the gas injection mechanism has a gas header section provided on the main body frame so as to extend along a plate thickness direction of the stop member, and the gas header section has a plurality of gas injection ports arranged in the plate thickness direction; is located. A further aspect of the present invention is A breeding device for living organisms, a main body frame that forms a breeding space for the living organism; a stop member provided in the rearing space of the main body frame; A separating member that moves relative to the stop member with a gap therebetween to interfere with the organism that is stopped on the stop member and separates the organism from the stop member; a gas injection mechanism capable of injecting gas toward the stop member; Equipped with the gas injection mechanism injects a hypoxic gas, a pure carbon dioxide gas, or a pure nitrogen gas as the gas; is located. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the rearing device of the above aspect, living organisms are reared in a rearing space formed in the main body frame. The separating member is configured to move relative to a retaining member provided in the rearing space of the main body frame with a gap therebetween. Therefore, after rearing of the living organisms is completed, the separating member can be moved relative to the retaining member so that the separating member interferes with the living organisms that are resting on the retaining member and separates the living organisms from the retaining member.

[0008] The gas injection mechanism is configured to be able to inject gas toward the permeating member. Living organisms generally have a tendency to dislike being exposed to gas flows. By utilizing this behavior and injecting gas from the gas injection mechanism, the living organisms permeating the permeating member will dislike the gas flow and try to move from their current position. This makes it possible to prevent the living organisms permeating the permeating member from remaining in their current position. Using the separating member and the gas injection mechanism in combination increases the effectiveness of separating the living organisms from the permeating member, making it easier to collect the living organisms.

[0009] As described above, according to the above-described aspect, it is possible to provide a technique that is effective for easily collecting living organisms in a breeding device for breeding living organisms such as insects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rearing device of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rearing apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] IV-IV line cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a retaining member and a separating member of the rearing apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part of the gas header of the gas injection mechanism of the rearing apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rearing apparatus of FIG. 1, showing how gas is injected during rearing when the separating member is in the raised position. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a state in which gas is ejected when the separating member is lowered in the rearing apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state in which the organisms are collected after the separating member has been lowered in the rearing apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state of the rearing apparatus of FIG. 1 during the raising operation of the separating member. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a state in which gas is sprayed during rearing in the rearing apparatus of the second embodiment when the separating member is in the raised position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state of the rearing apparatus of FIG. 11 during the descending operation of the separating member. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a part of the gas header of the gas injection mechanism in the rearing apparatus of the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a part of the gas header of the gas injection mechanism in the rearing apparatus of embodiment 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, a specific structure of the rearing device, which is one embodiment of the above aspect, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the first direction, which is the vertical direction of the rearing device, is indicated by arrow X, the second direction, which is the horizontal direction of the rearing device, is indicated by arrow Y, and the third direction, which is the horizontal direction of the rearing device and is perpendicular to the second direction, is indicated by arrow Z.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) 1. What to keep The organisms to be reared in the rearing device are, for example, small organisms such as arthropods. The organisms to be reared are, for example, organisms used for food, feed, research, etc. For example, insects such as crickets, locusts, grasshoppers, etc. can be reared. In particular, the organisms to be reared are arthropods that undergo incomplete metamorphosis, in which larvae directly metamorphose into adults, and incomplete metamorphosis larvae are more preferable. In this example, among insects, cricket and locust larvae of the order Orthoptera are described as suitable examples of organisms to be reared. However, adults (emerged incomplete metamorphosis arthropods) may also be reared. Furthermore, the rearing device may rear organisms from eggs or after they have hatched.

[0014] 2. Basic configuration of the breeding device As shown in Fig. 1, the rearing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment is used to rear a living organism C to be reared. In Fig. 1, a cricket, a type of insect, is shown as an example of the living organism C. The rearing apparatus 1 basically comprises a base 10, a main body frame 20, a belt conveyor 30, a stop member 40, a separating member 50, a power transmission mechanism 60, and a gas injection mechanism 70.

[0015] The base 10 constitutes the bottom of the breeding apparatus 1 in the first direction X. The base 10 is placed on an installation surface for the breeding apparatus 1.

[0016] The main body frame 20 includes a first frame 21 and a second frame 22 each having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first frame 21 and the second frame 22 each form a rearing space 20a for the living organism C. That is, the main body frame 20 has two partitioned rearing spaces 20a. Each rearing space 20a is appropriately set to an environment suitable for the growth of the living organism C. Note that the main body frame 20 may be configured so that the number of rearing spaces 20a is one or three or more, as needed.

[0017] The first frame 21 and the second frame 22 are fixed adjacent to each other above the base 10. The first frame 21 and the second frame 22 may be configured to have walls surrounding the top and sides of the rearing space 20a, or may be configured as frame members without walls. The shapes of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22 are not limited to rectangular parallelepiped shapes and may be any shape, such as cylindrical or conical. Furthermore, although the rearing space 20a of the first frame 21 and the rearing space 20a of the second frame 22 are separate spaces separated from each other, they may instead be the same unseparated space.

[0018] The belt conveyor 30 is attached to the base 10. The belt conveyor 30 includes a pair of rollers 31, 31, an endless belt 32 wound around the pair of rollers 31, 31, and a motor 33 that drives one of the rollers 31.

[0019] The belt 32 can move continuously by driving one of the rollers 31 with a motor 33. The belt 32 is disposed across the rearing space 20a of the first frame 21 and the rearing space 20a of the second frame 22. Therefore, the upper surface of the belt 32 forms the bottom surface of the rearing space 20a of each of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22.

[0020] The belt conveyor 30 is configured such that the belt 32 moves continuously when one of the rollers 31 is driven by the motor 33. Here, the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 30 refers to the moving direction of the belt 32. The motor 33 and the rollers 31, 31 may be rotatable in only one direction or in both directions. In other words, when the motor 33 is rotatable in only one direction, the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 30 is from right to left in FIG. 1. When the motor 33 is rotatable in both directions, the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 30 is both a first conveying direction Z1 from right to left in FIG. 1 and a second conveying direction (opposite to the first conveying direction Z1) from left to right in FIG. 1.

[0021] The belt conveyor 30 transports at least one of the organisms C to be reared, exoskeletons of the organisms C, food, moisture, and dust. For example, the belt conveyor 30 can be used to transport organisms C in the early stages of growth or eggs of organisms C from the outside into each of the rearing spaces 20a of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22. The organisms C reared in the rearing space 20a require food and moisture. Therefore, the belt conveyor 30 can be used to supply food and moisture to the rearing space 20a from the outside. During the rearing of the organisms C, exoskeletons of the organisms, remaining food, and dead organisms C accumulate at the bottom of the rearing space 20a. Therefore, the belt conveyor 30 can be used to discharge these from the bottom of the rearing space 20a to the outside.

[0022] After the organisms C in the rearing space 20a have grown and are no longer being reared, it is necessary to discharge the organisms C from the rearing space 20a to the outside. Therefore, the belt conveyor 30 can be used to transport the grown organisms C located at the bottom of the rearing space 20a (on the upper surface of the belt 32) to the outside of the rearing space 20a. In other words, the belt conveyor 30 can be used to collect the grown organisms C.

[0023] Although not specifically shown, it is preferable that in the breeding device 1, a collection case for collecting the grown organisms C is provided at the end of the belt conveyor 30, and a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the belt conveyor 30 is provided, for example, below the belt conveyor 30.

[0024] 3. Internal structure of the breeding device 1 to 5, the stop members 40 and the separating members 50 are provided in each rearing space 20a of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22 of the rearing apparatus 1. In this example, a case is illustrated in which twelve stop members 40 and one separating member 50 are provided in each rearing space 20a. The numbers of the stop members 40 and the separating members 50 can be changed as needed.

[0025] The stop members 40 are provided in each rearing space 20a so as to extend in the first direction X. The stop members 40 allow the rearing target organisms C to remain on their surfaces. The stop members 40 are fixed to the upper end portions of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22. The stop members 40 are arranged so that their lower ends are slightly spaced apart from the upper surface of the belt 32 of the belt conveyor 30. In other words, the belt 32 does not come into contact with the stop members 40 as it moves. However, the gap between the belt conveyor 30 and the lower end of the stop members 40 is set to a value that allows organisms present on the belt conveyor 30 to move onto the stop members 40. The gap is preferably set appropriately to a value within a range of, for example, 30 mm or less.

[0026] The stop members 40 are arranged opposite to other stop members 40 in the second direction Y, with the second direction Y being the plate thickness direction. The stop members 40 may be formed in a flat plate shape or in a corrugated shape. In this example, the stop members 40 are formed in a flat plate shape.

[0027] The material of the stop member 40 is not particularly limited, but examples include metals such as iron and aluminum, resin, wood, and paper. The stop member 40 preferably has a mesh structure with numerous through-holes formed over its entire surface to provide a foothold for the organism C. For example, the stop member 40 can be formed from punched metal or wire mesh. In this case, the stop member 40 can have a plate thickness of 1 to 5 mm and through-holes with a diameter of approximately 1 mm and a pitch of approximately 2 mm. The spacing between two adjacent stop members 40 can be set to a value within a range of 10 to 30 mm, for example.

[0028] The separating member 50 is used when collecting the organisms C after their rearing has ended. The separating member 50 is intended to interfere with the organisms C that are resting on the stop member 40 and separate the organisms C from the stop member 40. The separating member 50 is configured to move up and down in the first direction X between an elevated position P1 and a lowered position P2, with a gap G (see FIGS. 3 and 5) on both sides in the second direction Y separated from the stop member 40. In other words, the separating member 50 is a movable member relative to the stop member 40, which is a fixed member. The material of the separating member 50 is not particularly limited, but examples include metals such as iron and aluminum, resins, and wood.

[0029] The separating member 50 is a flat member extending horizontally with its thickness direction aligned in the first direction X. The separating member 50 has a slit 51 through which the stop member 40 can be inserted. That is, the slit 51 is formed to have a slit thickness slightly greater than the thickness of the stop member 40 in the second direction Y and a slit width slightly greater than the width of the stop member 40 in the third direction Z. This forms the gap G between the outer surface of the stop member 40 and the inner wall surface of the slit 51. As a result, the separating member 50 is guided by the stop member 40 and is movable in the first direction X between a raised position P1 corresponding to the upper end of the stop member 40 and a lowered position P2 corresponding to the lower end of the stop member 40.

[0030] The downward movement of the separating member 50 from the raised position P1 toward the lowered position P2 relative to the stopping member 40 allows the living organisms C that are resting on the stopping member 40 to fall onto the upper surface of the belt 32. When the separating member 50 reaches the lowered position P2, the area on the stopping member 40 where the living organisms C can rest becomes very small, so most of the living organisms C move to the upper surface of the belt 32.

[0031] In this example, the gap G between the stopping member 40 and the separating member 50 is set to a dimension smaller than a threshold value that indicates a high possibility of trapping the organism C to be collected when the separating member 50 descends. In other words, the dimension of the gap G in the second direction Y is set to a value smaller than the solid size of the organism C in order to restrict the organism C from moving from the lower surface side to the upper surface side of the separating member 50 during collection.

[0032] 4. Drive mechanism for separating member The breeding apparatus 1 includes a power transmission mechanism 60 that is a drive mechanism for the separating member 50. The power transmission mechanism 60 has a function of raising and lowering the separating member 50 in a first direction X. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power transmission mechanism 60 includes a motor 61, a first pulley 62, a belt 63, two second pulleys 64, and two sliding screws 65. The power transmission mechanism 60 is configured to use the driving force of the motor 61 as a drive source to raise and lower the separating member 50 in the first direction X.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first pulley 62 rotates around the motor shaft of the motor 61. A belt 63 is looped around the first pulley 62 and two second pulleys 64. Therefore, the rotation of the first pulley 62 is transmitted to the two second pulleys 64 via the belt 63, and the two second pulleys 64 are rotated. Although not specifically shown, the sliding screw 65 is composed of a screw shaft extending in the first direction X and a nut threadedly engaged with the screw shaft. The screw shaft is connected to each second pulley 64 so as to be coaxial with the rotation axis of the second pulley 64, and the nut is fixed to the separating member 50. Therefore, the sliding screw 65 functions as a converter that converts the rotational motion of the second pulley 64 into linear motion of the separating member 50 in the first direction X.

[0034] When the first pulley 62 is rotated in one direction (hereinafter referred to as "forward rotation") under the control of the motor 61, the second pulley 64 also rotates forward in the same direction. This allows the separating member 50 to be lowered via the sliding screw 65. On the other hand, when the first pulley 62 is rotated in the reverse direction (hereinafter referred to as "reverse rotation") under the control of the motor 61, the second pulley 64 also rotates reversely in the same direction. This allows the separating member 50 to be raised via the sliding screw 65. Note that instead of the sliding screw 65, a ball screw configured with a ball interposed between a screw shaft and a nut can also be used.

[0035] 5.Gas injection mechanism structure The gas injection mechanism 70 is configured to be able to inject gas toward the stop member 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the gas injection mechanism 70 includes a gas header unit 71 attached to the underside of each of the separating members 50 at both ends in the second direction Y. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, each gas header unit 71 is attached to the plate of the stop member 40. Thickness The pipes extend along the second direction Y, which is the direction of the flow.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the gas header unit 71 is connected to a gas supply source 73 via a gas supply unit 72. Gas from the gas supply source 73 is supplied to the gas header unit 71 via the gas supply unit 72 according to its gas pressure. Examples of the gas supply source 73 include a blower, a gas pump, and a gas cylinder. The gas header unit 71 has one end closed and the other end open, and the gas supply unit 72 is connected only to the other end. Therefore, the gas supplied from the gas supply unit 72 to the gas header unit 71 flows through the piping of the gas header unit 71 in only one direction from the other end. In this example, air is used as the gas sprayed toward the stop member 40.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, the gas header unit 71 has multiple gas injection ports 71a arranged in the second direction Y. The multiple gas injection ports 71a are configured as circular openings of the same shape. Preferably, all of the multiple gas injection ports 71a are arranged so that they open toward the gap between two adjacent stop members 40. This allows the gas injected from the gas injection ports 71a of the gas header unit 71 to directly act on the organisms C that are stopped on the stop members 40 without significantly reducing the gas flow rate. Furthermore, by using multiple gas injection ports 71a, the gas injected from each gas injection port 71a can instantly apply a strong gas flow to the organisms C with pinpoint accuracy. This makes it easier to separate the organisms C from the stop members 40 compared to when weak gas is injected over a wide area.

[0038] 6.Gas injection conditions Gas may be injected continuously or intermittently for a certain period of time from the gas injection port 71a of the gas header 71. Intermittent gas injection stimulates the organisms C that are resting on the retaining member 40, making it easier for them to escape from the retaining member 40. Furthermore, the greater the flow rate of the gas injected from the gas injection port 71a is set, the greater the effect of stimulating the organisms C that are resting on the retaining member 40.

[0039] 7.Gas injection temperature The gas injected from the gas injection port 71a of the gas header 71 may be room temperature gas, or low temperature gas that is lower in temperature than room temperature gas, or high temperature gas that is higher in temperature than room temperature gas. The use of high temperature gas or low temperature gas stimulates the organisms C that are perched on the perching member 40, making it easier for them to escape from the perching member 40. For more effective purposes, it is preferable to set the temperature of the high temperature gas to a temperature higher than the normal assumed body temperature of the organisms C, or the temperature of the low temperature gas to a temperature lower than the assumed body temperature.

[0040] Gas can also be used to set the rearing space 20a of each of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22 to an environment suitable for rearing the organisms C. For example, the gas injection temperature may be controlled so that the temperature of the rearing space 20a falls within an appropriate temperature range, or gas may be injected under humidity conditions such that the humidity of the rearing space 20a falls within an appropriate humidity range.

[0041] 8. Types of gas Air is preferably used as the gas injected from the gas injection port 71a of the gas header 71. In this case, outside air can be used without preparing a dedicated gas. However, the type of gas is not limited to air; any suitable gas can be used as needed. For example, it is preferable to use a low-oxygen gas with an oxygen concentration lower than that of atmospheric air, pure carbon dioxide gas, or pure nitrogen gas. Examples of low-oxygen gases that can be used include carbon dioxide gas, which is primarily composed of carbon dioxide, and inert nitrogen gas. Pure carbon dioxide gas refers to a high-purity gas that contains almost no impurities other than carbon dioxide. Pure nitrogen gas refers to a high-purity gas that contains almost no impurities other than nitrogen. By using a low-oxygen gas, the organisms C can be put into a state of suspended animation due to oxygen deficiency by being injected at the organisms C that are resting on the retaining member 40, which is effective in easily causing the organisms C to fall off the retaining member 40. This effect can also be achieved when using pure carbon dioxide gas or pure nitrogen gas.

[0042] 9. Operation of the breeding apparatus The operation of the rearing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 7 to Fig. 10. In the initial state, as shown in Fig. 1, the separating member 50 is placed at a raised position P1 in each of the rearing spaces 20a of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22 by the power transmission mechanism 60. In this initial state, the living organisms C to be reared are reared in each of the rearing spaces 20a of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7, the gas injection mechanism 70 is activated during rearing when the separating member 50 is in the raised position P1 in the rearing apparatus 2. At this time, gas is injected toward the stopping member 40 from the multiple gas injection ports 71a of the gas header unit 71 until immediately before collection of the organisms C begins. Gas can be injected continuously or intermittently through each gas injection port 71a. This gas injection can prevent the organisms C from attempting to climb to the top of the stopping member 40 through the gap G (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

[0044] When the organism C grows and reaches the collection stage, as shown in Fig. 8, the motor 61 is controlled so that both the first pulley 62 and the second pulley 64 rotate forward. This causes the threaded shaft of the sliding screw 65 to rotate forward in the same direction as the second pulley 64. As a result, the separating member 50, together with the nut of the sliding screw 65, descends along the stop member 40 from the raised position P1 to the lowered position P2.

[0045] While the separating member 50 is descending from the raised position P1 to the lowered position P2, the gas injection mechanism 70 is operated to inject gas from the gas injection ports 71a of each gas header section 71 toward the stopping member 40. In other words, gas is constantly injected toward the stopping member 40 while the separating member 50 is being lowered. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the gas injection mechanism 70 continues to operate and inject gas even after the separating member 50 has reached the lowered position P2 and completed its descent.

[0046] In this example, the gas injection mechanism 70 operates to inject gas toward the stopping member 40 during rearing when the separating member 50 is at the raised position P1, during descent of the separating member 50 from the raised position P1 toward the lowered position P2, and also after the separating member 50 has reached the lowered position and completed its descent. Note that the gas injection mechanism 70 can be operated at at least one of the times (timings) during rearing, descent, and after the completion of descent, as needed.

[0047] As the separating member 50 descends from the raised position P1 to the lowered position, the organisms C resting on the stop member 40 are physically pushed down by interference with the separating member 50 and fall onto the upper surface of the belt 32 of the belt conveyor 30. At this time, the gas injected from the gas injection port 71a of each gas header section 71 can prevent the organisms C from moving from the lower surface side of the separating member 50 through the gap G to the upper surface side of the separating member 50.

[0048] As described above, in this example, the gap G is set to a dimension smaller than the threshold value, so that the movement of the organism C from the lower surface side to the upper surface side of the separating member 50 during collection can be restricted. On the other hand, since the individual size of the organism C during breeding is smaller than the individual size during collection, the organism C may climb through the gap G to the top of the stopping member 40, particularly during breeding. Therefore, by using a structure that injects gas toward the stopping member 40 as in this example, the organism C can be prevented from climbing through the gap G to the top of the stopping member 40 during breeding.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8 , the lowered position P2 of the separating member 50 is set so that it does not descend to the bottom end of the stop member 40. That is, the stop member 40 has a bottom region 41 that is located below the separating member 50 when the separating member 50 is in the lowered position P2. The reason for providing the bottom region 41 is to minimize the risk of the organisms C perched on the stop member 40 being crushed by the separating member 50. By providing the bottom region 41, it is not necessary to attach a dedicated component to the separating member 50 to prevent the organisms C from being crushed. This is effective in simplifying the structure of the separating member 50 and reducing the labor required to attach the dedicated component. On the other hand, the size of the bottom region 41 must be minimized to prevent the organisms C from becoming trapped therein. For this reason, it is preferable to set the height dimension of the bottom region 41 in the first direction X to a value small enough to prevent the organisms C from being crushed by the separating member 50.

[0050] However, if the bottom region 41 where the organisms C can stay remains on the stop member 40 when the separating member 50 is in the lowered position P2, there is a risk that the organisms C will remain on the bottom region 41 of the stop member 40 even after the separating member 50 has descended. Therefore, the gas injection mechanism 70 continues to inject gas toward the bottom region 41 of the stop member 40 even after the separating member 50 has reached the lowered position P2. This prevents the organisms C from being crushed by the separating member 50, while allowing the organisms C that have stayed on the bottom region 41, which is a small region at the bottom end of the stop member 40, to fall to the upper surface of the belt 32. Furthermore, by continuing to inject gas by the gas injection mechanism 70 when the separating member 50 is in the lowered position P2, the organisms C that have once fallen to the upper surface of the belt 32 can be prevented from attempting to climb back up to the bottom region 41 of the stop member 40.

[0051] When collecting the organisms C, the belt conveyor 30 is driven so that the upper surface of the belt 32 moves in the first transport direction Z1. As a result, the organisms C present on the upper surface of the belt 32 are transported to the outside from the rearing spaces 20a of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22. For example, an operator collects the transported organisms C. Of course, the transported organisms C may be collected in a collection container (not shown) installed outside.

[0052] Once collection of the organism C is complete, the motor 61 is controlled so that both the first pulley 62 and the second pulley 64 rotate in the reverse direction, as shown in FIG. 10. This causes the screw shaft of the sliding screw 65 to rotate in the reverse direction, in the same direction as the second pulley 64. As a result, the separating member 50, together with the nut of the sliding screw 65, rises from the lowered position P2 to the raised position P1 along the stop member 40. In other words, the separating member 50 returns to the raised position P1 after collection of the organism C is completed. Thereafter, the organism C to be reared is again carried into the rearing spaces 20a of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22 and reared. Then, rearing and collection of the organism C are repeated using the same procedure as described above.

[0053] According to the above-described first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0054] In the breeding device 1 of the first embodiment, organisms C are raised in the breeding space 20a formed in the main body frame 20. The separating member 50 is configured to move up and down while being separated by a gap G from a stopping member 40 provided in the breeding space 20a of the main body frame 20. Therefore, after breeding of the organisms C is completed and the organisms C have grown, the separating member 50 can be moved relative to the stopping member 40, causing the separating member 50 to interfere with the organisms C that are stopped on the stopping member 40, thereby separating the organisms C from the stopping member 40.

[0055] The gas injection mechanism 70 is configured to be able to inject gas toward the stopping member 40. The general behavior of organisms C is that they tend to dislike being exposed to a gas flow. By utilizing this behavior and injecting gas from the gas injection mechanism 70, organisms C that are perched on the stopping member 40 will dislike being exposed to the gas flow and will try to move from their current position. This makes it possible to prevent organisms C that are perched on the stopping member 40 from staying in their current position. Using the separating member 50 and the gas injection mechanism 70 together increases the effectiveness of separating organisms C from the stopping member 40, making it easier to collect organisms C. Furthermore, using only the separating member 50 without the gas injection mechanism 70 is more effective in collecting organisms C without damaging them.

[0056] Therefore, according to the above-described first embodiment, it is possible to provide a technique that is effective for easily collecting the living organisms C in the breeding apparatus 1 for breeding the living organisms C.

[0057] Hereinafter, other embodiments related to the above-described embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the other embodiments, the same elements as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same elements will be omitted.

[0058] (Embodiment 2) As shown in FIG. 11, the rearing apparatus 2 of the second embodiment differs from the rearing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment only in the configuration of the gas injection mechanism 70.

[0059] In the rearing apparatus 1 of embodiment 1, the gas header section 71 is attached to the separating member 50, whereas in the rearing apparatus 2 of embodiment 2, the gas header section 71 is attached to the main body frame 20. The gas header section 71 includes two first gas header sections 71A attached to the upper part of the inner wall surface of each of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22, and two second gas header sections 71B attached to the lower end part of each of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22.

[0060] The two first gas header sections 71A are arranged at the same height as each other, and the two second gas header sections 71B are arranged at the same height as each other. In addition, the second gas header sections 71B are arranged lower in the first direction X than the first gas header sections 71A.

[0061] The first gas header section 71A extends in the second direction Y at a position slightly lower than the separating member 50 at the raised position P1. In contrast, the second gas header section 71B extends in the second direction Y at a position slightly lower than the separating member 50 at the lowered position P1.

[0062] The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 11, the gas injection mechanism 70 is activated during rearing when the separating member 50 is in the raised position P1 in the rearing apparatus 2. At this time, gas is injected toward the stopping member 40 from the multiple gas injection ports 71a of the first gas header section 71A until immediately before collection of the organisms C begins. Gas injection can be performed continuously or intermittently through each gas injection port 71a. This gas injection can prevent the organisms C from attempting to climb to the top of the stopping member 40 through the gap G (see FIGS. 3 and 5). After that, once the separating member 50 has started to descend, this gas injection can be stopped as needed.

[0064] 12, when the separating member 50 reaches the lowered position P2 during collection of the organisms C, gas is then injected from the gas injection port 71a of the second gas header portion 71B toward the stopping member 40. This gas injection allows the organisms C that have stopped in the bottom region 41, which is a small region at the lower end of the stopping member 40, to fall onto the upper surface of the belt 32.

[0065] In this example, the gas injection mechanism 70 operates to inject gas toward the stopping member 40 both during rearing when the separating member 50 is at the raised position P1 and after the separating member 50 has reached the lowered position P2 and has completed its descent. Note that, if necessary, the gas injection mechanism 70 may be operated only at either the rearing time or the completion of the descent.

[0066] According to the above-described second embodiment, a structure in which the gas header unit 71 is attached to each of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22 can be realized.

[0067] In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0068] As a modification example particularly related to embodiment 2, a structure in which at least one of the two first gas header sections 71A is omitted in each of the first frame 21 and the second frame 22, or a structure in which at least one of the two second gas header sections 71B is omitted can also be adopted.

[0069] (Embodiment 3) As shown in FIG. 13, the rearing apparatus 3 of the third embodiment differs from the rearing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment in the connection structure between the gas header unit 71 and the gas supply unit 72 of the gas injection mechanism .

[0070] In the gas injection mechanism 70 of the rearing apparatus 3, the gas header 71 has both open ends, each of which is connected to a gas supply unit 72. Therefore, the gas supplied from the gas supply unit 72 to the gas header 71 is introduced into the piping of the gas header 71 from both end sides and flows in opposite directions within the piping.

[0071] The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0072] According to the above-mentioned embodiment 3, it is possible to prevent imbalance in the flow rate of gas injected from the multiple gas injection ports 71a of the gas header section 71, compared to the case in which gas flows in only one direction within the piping of the gas header section 71, as in embodiment 1.

[0073] In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0074] If necessary, the structure of the gas header unit 71 of embodiment 3 can also be applied to the structure of the gas header unit 71 of embodiment 2. That is, at least one of the first gas header unit 71A and the second gas header unit 71B of embodiment 2 can be modified so that the gas supplied from the gas supply unit 72 is introduced into the piping of the gas header unit from both end sides.

[0075] (Embodiment 4) As shown in FIG. 14, the rearing apparatus 4 of the fourth embodiment differs from the rearing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the gas header section 71 of the gas injection mechanism .

[0076] In the gas injection mechanism 70 of the rearing apparatus 4, the gas injection port 71a of the gas header part 71 is configured as a slit opening extending with the second direction Y as the width direction.

[0077] The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0078] According to the above-described embodiment 4, gas can be injected toward the retaining member 40 from a wider area in the second direction Y through the gas injection ports 71a of the gas header unit 71, compared to embodiment 1. Note that when the gas injection ports 71a are slit openings, the flow velocity of the injected gas is lowered and the force is weakened compared to embodiment 1. Therefore, in order to efficiently separate the organisms C from the retaining member 40, it is preferable to increase the gas flow rate supplied to the gas header unit 71 compared to embodiment 1.

[0079] In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0080] If necessary, the structure of gas header unit 71 of embodiment 4 can also be applied to the structure of gas header unit 71 of embodiment 2. That is, the multiple gas injection ports 71a of at least one of first gas header unit 71A and second gas header unit 71B of embodiment 2 can be changed to one slit opening.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and various applications and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the following embodiments can be implemented by applying the above-described embodiments.

[0082] In the above embodiment, an example was given of the case where the separating member 50 is a movable member that moves relative to the stop member 40, which is a fixed member. However, instead, the separating member 50 can be a fixed member and the stop member 40 can be a movable member relative to the separating member 50.

[0083] In the above embodiment, an example has been given of the case where the separating member 50 moves up and down in the vertical direction (first direction X) in which the stop member 40 extends, but the direction in which the separating member 50 moves is determined depending on its relationship with the stop member 40 and is not limited to the vertical direction. For example, a structure in which the separating member 50 moves in the horizontal direction relative to the stop member 40 extending horizontally, or a structure in which the separating member 50 moves in the oblique direction relative to the stop member 40 extending at an angle relative to the horizontal direction, can be employed.

[0084] In the above embodiment, an example was given of a case where the gas header section 71 of the gas injection mechanism 70 is provided on either the separating member 50 or the main body frame 20, but instead, a structure in which the gas header section 71 is provided on both the separating member 50 and the main body frame 20 can also be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1, 2, 3, 4: rearing device, 20: main body frame, 20a: rearing space, 21: first frame (main body frame), 22: second frame (main body frame), 40: stopping member, 41: bottom region, 50: separating member, 70: gas injection mechanism, 71: gas header section, 71a: gas injection port, 71A: first gas header section (gas header section), 71B: second gas header section (gas header section), C: living organism, P1: raised position, P2: lowered position, G: gap, X: first direction (vertical direction), Y: second direction (board width direction)

Claims

1. A breeding device for living organisms, a main body frame that forms a breeding space for the living organism; a stop member provided in the rearing space of the main body frame; A separating member that moves relative to the stop member with a gap therebetween to interfere with the organism that is stopped on the stop member and separates the organism from the stop member; a gas injection mechanism capable of injecting gas toward the stop member; Equipped with The gas injection mechanism has a gas header section provided on the separating member so as to extend along the plate thickness direction of the retaining member, and the gas header section has a plurality of gas injection ports arranged in the plate thickness direction.

2. A living organism breeding device, a main body frame that forms a breeding space for the living organism; a stop member provided in the rearing space of the main body frame; A separating member that moves relative to the stop member with a gap therebetween to interfere with the organism that is stopped on the stop member and separates the organism from the stop member; a gas injection mechanism capable of injecting gas toward the stop member; Equipped with The gas injection mechanism has a gas header section that is attached to the main frame so as to extend along the thickness direction of the stop member, and the gas header section has a plurality of gas injection ports arranged in the thickness direction.

3. A breeding device for living organisms, comprising: a main body frame that forms a breeding space for the living organism; a stop member provided in the rearing space of the main body frame; A separating member that moves relative to the stop member with a gap therebetween to interfere with the organism that is stopped on the stop member and separates the organism from the stop member; a gas injection mechanism capable of injecting gas toward the stop member; Equipped with The gas injection mechanism injects hypoxic gas, pure carbon dioxide gas, or pure nitrogen gas as the gas.

4. The stop member is a flat plate-shaped member extending in the vertical direction, the separating member is configured to be movable up and down between an elevated position and a lowered position with the gap between the separating member and the stop member, The rearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gas injection mechanism injects the gas toward the stop member during rearing when the separating member is in the raised position.

5. The stop member is a flat plate-shaped member extending in the vertical direction, the separating member is configured to be movable up and down between an elevated position and a lowered position with the gap between the separating member and the stop member, The rearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gas injection mechanism injects the gas toward the stop member when the separating member descends from the raised position to the lowered position.

6. the stop member has a bottom region located below the separating member when the separating member is in the lowered position; The rearing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the gas injection mechanism injects the gas toward the bottom region of the stop member when the separating member is in the lowered position.

7. The rearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas injection mechanism injects a high-temperature gas or a low-temperature gas as the gas.

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