A multi-stage modular system for raising arthropods.

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arthropod rearing device, comprising modules (100), each of which is made up of a multi-tier block of a plurality of overlapping lateral trays (10) joined by non-removable spacers defining at least one lateral slot between each of the lateral trays (10); and means for moving the modules (100), comprising a support that directly interacts with the bottom of the modules (100) without the need for an intervening pallet, the modules forming a multi-tier assembly without moving parts and which cannot be disassembled without being destroyed. The device further comprises a shelf for storing the arthropod rearing modules, and a device for temporarily carrying out at least one rearing process, and the installation further comprises means for emptying the monolithic multi-tier module (100) by tilting the assembly without separating the layers of the modules (100).

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to the field of mass rearing of arthropods, particularly insects for the purpose of producing food for animals or humans. 【0002】 Insects have several characteristics suitable for use in animal feed. Insects actually have a high protein content and are rich in other beneficial nutrients such as fats, minerals, and vitamins. The protein concentration of insect-based feed for animals varies between 55% and 75%. Insects are valuable feed sources for livestock because of their high feed conversion rate. Insects are a natural component of the diet of animals such as carnivorous fish (for example, insects can supply 70% of the food required by carp) and poultry. Furthermore, these products have a balanced nutritional profile to meet human food needs. 【0003】 From such a background, in an industrial facility organized in complementary spaces specialized for the processes of hatching, rearing, collecting mature animals, and extracting target compounds, the automated mass production of food by rearing arthropods, particularly insects, has been developed. Such industrial sites must be optimized to provide the highest health guarantees and ensure appropriate climatic conditions for optimal and reproducible larval growth in all seasons. 【Background Art】 【0004】 To set up such a production site, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020253176 discloses an insect larval rearing system comprising a container for insect larval feed and rearing modules configured to handle multiple trays of larvae and to supply feed to the trays. The feed is supplied from the container to each rearing module. The container comprises a tray handling system arranged to receive trays or stacks of trays at loading and unloading points and to move the trays or stacks of trays, and a feed supply system configured to repeatedly supply feed received from outside the container to each tray. The stacks of trays are the bottom trays of a stack of interlocking trays or racks, and may have wheels or casters at the bottom of the trays. The tray handling system may consist of ball transfer units and / or rollers. The tray handling system may include guide rails. The rearing modules may be arranged so that trays or stacks of trays can be inserted into and removed from the tray handling system using a forklift, rollers or casters or other form of transfer system. 【0005】 This solution is designed for larval production intended for supplying an adjacent bird farm. Production takes place in a sheet metal building, which is a container enclosing stacks of trays that can be removed from this building container by a forklift. Processing cannot be done while the stacks of trays are inside the container. The container must be opened, other stacks of trays obstructing access must be moved, the stacks of trays must be removed from the container on a conveyor belt, and then transported through external space to another building. This solution is not suitable for larval rearing that requires multiple operations within the same building without passing through external space. 【0006】 Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-0491810 describes an insect rearing box having a rectangular enclosure shape with an open top. The insect rearing box has a central inner bottom surface that slopes downward. The boxes are stacked. A hole is provided in the center of the bottom surface of the insect rearing box, penetrating both the inner and outer bottom surfaces. 【0007】 This concave shape is unsuitable because it concentrates the larvae and nutrients in the center, making it impossible to homogenize rearing conditions across the entire available surface. 【0008】 Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 110178797 describes an insect rearing apparatus using at least two rearing boxes and multiple pallets consisting of metal frames. A movable flap is provided with a hinge, allowing the flap to be opened. 【0009】 This device consists of a collection of parts made from different materials, and the connecting parts are not suitable for intensive use. In fact, this system is not very robust against repeated handling, and there is a risk that the moving parts will lock up and the breeding box will become difficult to open. 【0010】 International Publication No. 2014 / 171684 relates to a multi-tiered box assembly for growth and storage, the objective of which is to provide a multi-tiered box assembly for growth and storage that allows various types of organisms to make maximum use of the limited space in which they grow. 【0011】 British Patent Application Publication No. 1109015 describes a one-piece container comprising a base portion formed from foamed plastic and having walls rising thereon, the base portion having a convex upper surface and integral reinforcing ribs formed on its lower surface. The container may have the shape of an open box with means for easy stacking, and sufficient strength is ensured by providing thickened rectangular prisms which can support similar containers when stacked on top of each other and can form spaced legs used when the container is standing on a flat surface. 【0012】 This solution is unsatisfactory because handling individual trays is cumbersome and time-consuming, and it involves far more handling operations compared to the number of operations required to manage multi-tier modules. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve] 【0013】 Generally, conventional solutions involve a large number of handling operations, automated industrial production that leads to movement from one device to another, and are not fully suited for 24 / 7 use because they require the equipment to remain stationary during the rearing stage without unnecessarily cluttering the air-conditioned space where various equipment items are located. [Means for solving the problem] 【0014】 To improve upon the problems of the prior art, the present invention relates, in its most commonly accepted embodiment, to an arthropod rearing apparatus as described in claim 1, a rearing module intended for such apparatus as described in the independent claim relating to a rearing module, and a rearing method as described in the corresponding independent claim. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0015】 The present invention will be better understood by reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating non-limiting embodiments. [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the breeding module. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a central cross-sectional view of the breeding module. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the tray before assembling the breeding module. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a side view of the breeding module. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a central cross-sectional view of the breeding module arranged on the rack. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a central cross-sectional view of the breeding module on the support of the shuttle. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a central cross-sectional view of the breeding module arranged on the belt conveyor. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a schematic view of the breeding module at the start to the empty state. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows a schematic view of the breeding module in an intermediate empty state. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows a schematic view of the breeding module in the empty state. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows a schematic view of the breeding module in the filled state. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows a schematic view of the breeding cycle. 【Mode for Carrying Out the Invention】 【0016】 The industrial production of feed derived from the breeding of arthropods and, in the examples described in a non-limiting way, insects, is carried out in a substantially automated device intended to create the optimal conditions that allow a large number of passages from eggs, egg capsules, the evolutionary stage of newly born larvae to larvae (or grubs, pupae), nymphs, wingless insects, and adults. 【0017】 Typically, these devices each consist of a building that includes shelves for storing breeding modules filled with inoculated breeding media in a climate suitable for breeding, and handling facilities for temporary processing. The aim is to optimize space by providing a storage zone and a processing zone, as well as transfer means remaining within the same building between the storage zone and the processing zone, and to perform all the processing required for breeding within the same building to avoid moving outside the building as much as possible. For this purpose, the present invention proposes a multi-stage module designed for optimized cultivation of larvae and occasional movement to processing facilities within the same building. 【0018】 The present invention aims to optimize mass production by simplifying handling in order to save time, increase production volume, enable the use of reliable and economical devices, and ensure hygienic conditions that reduce the risk of infection and pathogen generation. 【0019】 <Production cycle> Unlike most prior art industrial production solutions that operate linearly, the device according to the present invention operates in a closed cycle, particularly in relation to the circulation of the breeding module. All processes from filling the breeding module with larvae-inoculated breeding media until the mature insects are recovered and the breeding module is reintroduced into the breeding circuit are carried out within a closed loop, following a cycle of several days (usually 6 to 20 days), without the need for movement outside the building or movement from the outside. 【0020】 This cycle is executed without movement outside the processing location and consists of the following series of steps. - A storage step of placing a breeding module filled with larvae-inoculated breeding media on the shelves of a breeding location in a controlled atmosphere (an atmosphere controlled with respect to temperature, humidity, controlled light, chemical and / or biological composition); - A transfer step to the processing facilities; - An emptying step of the breeding module to recover the breeding media and insects by tilting the breeding module; - A step of washing and rinsing the emptied breeding module; - Steps include injecting the culture medium into the culture module, - A step of inoculating newborns or young larvae before they grow up, - The breeding module will be recycled permanently (except in cases of occasional damage), and the storage steps described above will be resumed. 【0021】 Therefore, the efficiency of the installation is conditioned in particular by the following: - The configuration of the breeding module, - Operating modes of some handling and transfer equipment. In this building, contrary to the teachings of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020253176, the multi-stage modules are stored in storage racks and retrieved from there by an internal transfer system between the storage racks and one of the processing equipment items. 【0022】 <Growth Steps> Optionally, this cycle can be divided into a pre-growth step and a subsequent hatching step. 【0023】 During the pre-growth step, the rearing module (100) is loaded with a first rearing medium suitable for young larvae, and neonatal larvae are inoculated into it. When these young larvae reach a predetermined standard size, the rearing module is emptied, the young larvae are collected, and they are inoculated into a new rearing module that has been pre-loaded with a new rearing medium suitable for this second maturation stage. 【0024】 <Animal Rearing Module> To optimize both storage space and handling equipment, the breeding module according to the present invention has a multi-tiered configuration that allows for storage on racks and handling in a single, rigid, one-piece block structure with no moving parts, eliminating the need for pallets or additional support for movement. 【0025】 In the sense of this patent, “integrated structure” means a rigid assembly having inseparable parts except by intentional disassembly, where there is no possibility of handling any part separately (except in the case of disassembly or destruction), and therefore there are no moving parts, forming a single block that can be handled as a whole. Certainly, the use of moving parts can lead to problems with the rigidity of the system and may result in a risk of locking. 【0026】 In the non-limiting example described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, the module has six tiers (1 to 6). Each tier has a curved lateral base (10) surrounded by a border consisting of grooves (15). Consecutive tiers are separated by spacers (20). The cross-section of the module is typically 1200 × 1000 mm, and the height of the perimeter (15) is 160 mm. The components are manufactured by injection molding of plastic. 【0027】 Thus, the module consists of trays of multi-tiered, integrally structured blocks arranged alternately, with the vertical edges of these trays having a predetermined height, for example, 160 mm. There is a gap between the cross-section defined by these vertical edges and the bottom surface of the next tray, with a gap of, for example, 172 mm. This configuration allows these heights to be minimized without compromise. - In the case of a tray ○ Volume of substrates that can be accommodated, ○ No overflow during displacement. No larvae are leaking out. - Due to the gaps between trays, ○ Air circulation, ○ Introduction of substrate injection pipes, ○ Introduction of a downhill slope for larval inoculation. 【0028】 This module is formed from an assembly of securely connected parts, without using any moving parts, to provide excellent rigidity to withstand repetitive handling operations in automated equipment. 【0029】 The periphery (15) has grooves to reinforce the rigidity and strength of the module when a load is applied, and to reduce the weight of the module. The bottom of the tray (10) also has reinforcing ribs to reinforce the rearing module. 【0030】 The bottom (10) has a curved shape with a hemispherical central zone (11) having a circular cross-section with a diameter of 600 mm, and a central height of 50 mm. The bottom (10) is filled with a culture medium (13). The convex shape of this central zone (11) limits deflection, allows for better distribution of the material accumulated on the tray (10), and expands the deflection tolerance (to allow the attachment (30) to pass under the bottom tray in the stack of trays during storage / retrieval). 【0031】 The rearing tray is assembled to form a single module consisting of six trays by forcibly fitting spacers (20) placed at the corners between two consecutive trays (10) with a gap of 172 mm between them. The components are connected only by four spacers, and the entire perimeter does not support each other. 【0032】 The module cannot be disassembled without intentional manipulation. In the non-exclusive examples described, the spacers are forcibly sandwiched between the trays in an irreversible manner. 【0033】 The spacer (20) is configured to provide a laterally elongated hole between two consecutive trays, having a height of 0.5 to 2 times the height of the periphery (15), for example, a laterally elongated hole with a height of 172 mm between two consecutive trays (10) of the module, thereby ensuring good air circulation and enabling the injection of contents to empty the module and the filling as described below. 【0034】 <Handling of Modules> Figures 5 to 7 show the handling modes of the module. The bottom of the module rests on a rack in a climate-controlled space having supports (41, 42) (e.g., rails) supported on both sides of the protruding zone (11). These rails (41, 42) are spaced apart to allow the passage of supports (43) located beneath the bottom of the rearing module without an intermediate pallet, ensuring the removal or insertion of the module into the rack. The spacing of these rails is also determined to ensure stability when the rearing module (100) is stored in a climate-controlled space. This spacing must be greater than 1 / 3 of the width of the lower transverse tray (10) and less than the width of the lower transverse tray (10). The supports (43) extend a vertically moving attachment of the guide shuttle, ensuring the module is moved onto the conveyor and positioned there. Multiple shuttles and attachments allow all modules to be moved onto the conveyor, which then moves the modules between various mounting stations and rearing stations. The width of the conveyor corresponds to the width of the rack rails (41, 42). 【0035】 <Empty the breeding module> Figures 8 to 10 illustrate the process of emptying the module after the insects have matured. The module (100) consists of a frame (50) and a tray (51) and is loaded onto an empty device item that is fixed and operated by rotating around a horizontal axis. While stored on the shelf and during transport, the module (100) is positioned vertically and the tray is horizontal. To unload the culture medium and larvae, the module is tilted at a rotation angle of 120° to 150°, preferably 130° to 140°, so that the contents of the tray are poured onto the ramp (51) by gravity through an elongated hole formed between the periphery (15) and the adjacent tray by a spacer (20). Optionally, multiple modules can also be emptied simultaneously. 【0036】 <Filling the breeding module> Figure 11 shows the filling process for the module (100). This is carried out by a system of ramps (61) for pouring culture medium onto trays (60), and / or a similar system of ramps for pouring young larvae onto trays (60). The system is positioned between a waiting position where the ramps are separated from the module (100) and a filling position where the ramps (60) are introduced into the module (100) from between trays (10) and pass through an elongated hole released by spacers between consecutive trays. In the embodiment described, the ramp system (61) is stationary, and the culture module (100) is moved using a shifting device to allow filling. Optionally, multiple filling modules (100) can be filled simultaneously by a system of multiple ramps (61), for example, three sets of six ramps (61). 【0037】 The injection process involves filling empty modules (100) with culture medium from the culture medium preparation zone. The injection line simultaneously fills three juxtaposed modules (100) with a controlled amount and / or composition of culture medium. The injection line consists of 18 metering pumps that inject the contents into the ramp (60). 【0038】 Inoculation consists of accumulating the insect dosage on trays (10) of a multi-stage module (100). These dosages are partially transported to the trays (10) by gravity, and compressed air is blown onto them to discharge the dosages into the rearing module, preventing material from accumulating at the bottom of the inoculation slope. 【0039】 The rearing modules are moved laterally via a shifting device (a conveyor on rails) that transports three modules (100) that make up a group. This shifting device moves along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the handling circulation path, allowing each tray of the rearing module (100) to be brought under its rearing medium injection nozzle (60), and then under its larval inoculation nozzle. These nozzles are positioned above each tray (10) of the module (100) and thus enter the module (100). The shift device is shifted to the injection start position. The position sensor transmits information as soon as the rearing module has moved sufficiently (i.e., as soon as the tray (10) of module (100) begins to enter under the injection nozzle). Module (100) is moved during the injection sequence to distribute the rearing medium within the rearing module (from the injection start position to the injection end position). Once inoculation is complete, module (100) is returned to the non-shifted position. This method allows for the proper distribution of the culture medium to all trays (10) of the module (100). 【0040】 <Characteristics of processing by equipment> The apparatus according to the present invention enables the execution of processing cycles applied to each module or group of modules by temporary output according to a predetermined sequence of storage and breeding racks, as shown in the sequence in Figure 12. 【0041】 The main processes are described below. The essence of this cycle is to store rearing modules in racks installed in a climate-controlled space (step 110). Upstream, as previously mentioned, mature rearing modules (100) are emptied by a tilting device (step 120) and washed if necessary (step 130). The thus prepared empty rearing modules (100) are then subjected to a step of inoculation (150) of newly hatched larvae or larvae that have reached a standard size (160), following a step of injecting rearing medium (140). These young larvae injected in step (160) are from either the hatching stage or the sieving step (170). The sieving itself is supplied by a hopper that receives the contents poured into the tilting device during the step of emptying the rearing modules extracted from the racks (120). 【0042】 Furthermore, prior to each new processing, the rearing modules extracted from the rack by a group of three rearing modules are subject to quality control (180) by weighing, measurement of temperature or other rearing parameters, visual inspection (190), and / or optical control by cameras and an automated image interpretation system. 【0043】 In the step of emptying and transferring the contents of a breeding module (100) to waste (200), it is directed towards a non-conforming discharge zone consisting of a dedicated tilting device. 【0044】 Weighing on the shuttle and optionally measuring temperature (Step 180): At the exit of each group, weigh the modules on the shuttle and measure the temperature under each tray of each rearing module. The mass of the group is compared to the threshold mass. If the mass of the group is less than the threshold, the group is considered compliant and is sent to the handling and circulation path as intended. If it is greater than the threshold, the group is considered uncompliant and is sent to the inspection zone. Temperature can be a complementary indicator to mass to confirm compliance. 【0045】 Weighing of rearing modules at the entrance to the handling circulation path: Upon arrival at the handling circulation path, each group is weighed on a weighing table, module by module (100). This weighing of rearing modules (100) allows for more accurate conformity verification than weighing on the shuttle. For each module (100), the measured mass is compared to a threshold mass. If the mass is less than the threshold, the module is considered conforming. Otherwise, the module is considered unconforming and sent to the unconformity discharge zone, where its contents may be destroyed. 【0046】 Non-conforming discharge zone (step 200): The non-conforming branch is used to destroy the contents of breeding modules declared as non-conforming. These breeding modules are emptied by tilting them using a tilting device, the operation of which is described above. The contents are emptied, discharged, and crushed. 【0047】 Triple tilting device (step 120): When a group arrives in front of a suitable tilting device, the suitable tilting device returns the entire group by performing several tilting movements, for example, three consecutive tilting movements, to collect its contents, and then comes to a stop after being completely emptied. The module (100) is then sent to the injection / inoculation station. 【0048】 Weighing at the exit of the handling circulation path: At the exit of the handling circulation path, modules (100) are weighed one by one again. 【0049】 Outlet of the handling circulation route: Module (100) is sent to the storage facility. 【0050】 Operator compliance check: The operator checks groups of organisms detected as unsuitable by the shuttle after their measured mass exceeds a threshold to determine their subsequent treatment. This difference may actually be due to growth abnormalities. The operator verifies the growth status of each tray in the rearing module (100) visually and palpatingly.

Claims

[Claim 1] A breeding apparatus for arthropods, - A multi-tiered rearing module (100), each comprising multiple horizontal trays (10) stacked on top of each other, joined together by spacers that define at least one elongated horizontal hole between each of the horizontal trays (10), - A means for moving the breeding module (100), comprising a support part (43) positioned below the bottom of the breeding module (100) without the use of a pallet, Equipped with, - Each of the aforementioned breeding modules forms a multi-stage assembly with a one-piece structure that has no movable parts. - The breeding apparatus further comprises a shelf for storing the breeding module of arthropods, and equipment for temporarily performing at least one breeding process, - An arthropod rearing apparatus, wherein the shelves have parallel support sections (41, 42) spaced apart, the spacing being greater than one-third of the width of the lower horizontal tray (10) at the bottom of the plurality of horizontal trays (10) stacked in each rearing module, and smaller than the width of the lower horizontal tray (10). [Claim 2] The arthropod rearing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal tray (10) has a curved central zone (11), and the shelf has the parallel support parts (41, 42) with a spacing between them between the diameter of the central zone (11) and the width of the lower horizontal tray (10). [Claim 3] The rearing module (100) comprises a support portion (43) located below the bottom of the rearing module, The arthropod rearing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the parallel support sections (41, 42) are composed of rails (41, 42), the rails (41, 42) are arranged at intervals that allow the support section (43) to pass through, and the rearing module can be removed or inserted into the shelf without an intermediate pallet. [Claim 4] The arthropod rearing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the support portion (43) is positioned between the parallel support portions (41, 42) to extend a movable attachment that moves vertically along the guide shuttle, thereby ensuring that the rearing module (100) moves onto the conveyor and is positioned on the conveyor. [Claim 5] The arthropod rearing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for filling the rearing module (100) by supplying a rearing medium and / or larvae through a set of ducts into each of the trays (10) of the multi-stage rearing module (100). [Claim 6] The arthropod rearing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for emptying the multi-stage rearing module (100), which has an integrated structure, by tilting the assembly without separating the multi-stage rearing module (100) which is arranged vertically. [Claim 7] A method for raising arthropods in the arthropod rearing apparatus described in Claim 1, - The integrated multi-stage rearing module (100) has multiple horizontal trays, which are joined together by spacers that define at least one elongated horizontal hole between each of the horizontal trays, and the steps include accumulating rearing medium on each tray of the rearing module, - The step of inoculating the culture medium by injecting arthropods in their early growth stage, - A step of temporarily displacing the rearing module (100) in a closed loop without disassembling it, by means of a displacement means consisting of a support that directly interacts with the bottom of the rearing module, without interposing a pallet between the shelf capable of storing the rearing module (100) of the arthropod and an apparatus item for performing at least one rearing process, Equipped with, Before each new processing, the process includes a step of controlling the quality of the contents of the breeding module (100) extracted from the shelf, A method for raising arthropods, wherein during the quality control step, any rearing module (100) whose contents are unsuitable is directed towards a discharge zone which includes a dedicated inclined device for an emptying step (120) and a transfer to waste step (200). [Claim 8] The method for raising arthropods according to claim 7, wherein the step of filling the rearing module (100) is to insert a ramp (61) supplied by a weighing system into the elongated hole of the rearing module (100) to deposit the rearing medium and / or arthropods in the early growth stage into the tray. [Claim 9] A method for raising arthropods according to claim 7, comprising the step of emptying the rearing module (100) by tilting the rearing module in order to ensure that the contents of the tray are poured into a collection means.

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