Incubation container, rack for said container and method

Abstract

An incubation container (C) for insects, comprising an internal space (V) enclosed by a top wall (1) and an opposing bottom wall (2) arranged for supporting a layer of insects in the internal space (V), and a plurality of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) arranged along a perimeter (P) of the top wall (1) and bottom wall (2), and further comprising a first inlet-outlet port (7) arranged in a first side wall (3) of the plurality of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6), and a second inlet-outlet port (8) arranged in a second side wall (4) of the plurality of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6), wherein the first inlet-outlet port (7) is arranged for connection to a forced air system.

Description

Field of the invention In a first aspect the present invention relates to an incubation container, in particular an incubation container for incubating insects. In a second aspect the present invention relates to a rack for storing one or more incubation containers. In a third aspect the present invention relates to a method for incubating insects using the incubation container and rack ofthe present invention. Background International application WO 2019 / 125164 A1 discloses a tray for use in large-scale industrial insect farming, such as a live insects tray for incubating insects. Furthermore, a rack for holding at least one tray is disclosed. In an embodiment, the tray is shaped as a bottle for incubating (pre)pupae and comprises an internal space limited by walls for housing insects, wherein the walls are impenetrable by an insect, so that insects cannot escape the tray. The top wall ofthe tray is at least partially permeable for gases such as (ambient) air, water vapor, oxygen, ammonia and carbon dioxide. Permeability of the top wall may be achieved by means of a screen, a mesh or a plate provided with perforation, for example. Openings in the permeable top wall may be circular, elliptical or may be shaped as slits. At least one side wall ofthe tray comprises a closable opening in the bottle neck. Furthermore, a rack for storing at least one tray is disclosed, wherein the rack has at least one side with at least one opening for accessing one side wall ofthe at least one tray stored by the rack. Prior art trays and racks for holding these trays mentioned above for incubating insects are placed inside a climate room provided with conditioned airthat is conducive for incubation, wherein the conditioned air typically refers to air having a desired temperature, relative humidity as well as desired levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide within required ranges to achieve optimum incubation characteristics. Each tray in the rack is subjected to the conditioned air and allows the conditioned airto permeate and enterthe tray by virtue ofthe permeable top wall. Depending on HVAC systems used, as well as the quality of insulation and air tightness of the climate room, climate conditions inside the climate room may be inhomogeneous or non-evenly distributed. For example, temperature gradients may be present in the climate room, from the climate system to the wall / door, so that incubation characteristics ofa particulartray may be dependent on its position in the climate room. Sincewarm airgoes up and cold air stays down, trays positioned lower in the rackmay exhibit different incubation periods compared to trays higher in the rack as a result of having different air temperatures at different tray positions. From the above it follows that prior art trays and racks of the type mentioned above may suffer from relatively high incubation variability between trays in case climate conditions are not sufficiently homogeneous inside the climate room, thereby making it difficult to achieve reliable and predictable incubation periods of insects for industrial insect farming, which makes it more difficult to operate. Summary In a first aspect, the present invention seeks to provide an improved incubation container, in particular an incubation container suitable for holding insects. The incubation container of the present invention solves at least in part the aforementioned problems of the prior art by ensuring that the incubation container allows predictable incubation periods with low variability to be achieved. According to the present invention, an incubation container ofthe type mentioned above is provided comprising an internal space enclosed by a top wall and an opposing bottom wall and a plurality of side walls. The bottom wall is arranged for supporting a layer of insects in the internal space. The plurality of side walls are arranged along a perimeter of the top wall and bottom wall. The incubation container further comprises two inlet-outlet ports in the plurality of side walls. In particular, a first inlet-outlet port is arranged in a first side wall and a second inlet-outlet port is arranged in a second side wall. The first inlet-outlet port is arranged for connection to a forced air system. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to an improved rack for storing one or more incubation containers of the invention, wherein the rack allows one or more incubation containers to be accurately positioned in the rack and releasably connected thereto. Furthermore, the rack allows condition airto be provided to each ofthe incubation containers in continuous and consistent fashion. According to the present invention, a rack of the type mentioned above is provided comprising a frame provided with one or more trays each ofwhich is configured to support a bottom wall of an incubation container suitable for supporting insects. The frame comprises a front side and a back side. The front side allows for placing and removing an incubation container on or from a tray ofthe one or more trays. The back side ofthe frame is provided with an air duct arrangement comprising one or more rst inlet-outlet connectors that are fluidly connected to one or more second inlet-outlet connectors of the air duct arrangement. Each of the one or more first inlet-outlet connectors is arranged for connection to a forced air system. Each of the second inlet-outlet connectors is arranged for releasable connection to a first inlet-outlet port of an incubation container. The air duct arrangement facilitates forcing of conditioned air through each incubation container such that predictable incubation periods with low variability are achieved. In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method for incubating insects using incubation containers and the rack ofthe type mentioned above. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing one or more incubation containers ofthe invention; b) providing a rack ofthe invention; c) filling each ofthe one or more incubation containers with insects through a second inlet- outlet port ofthe incubation container being filled; d) placing each ofthe one ormore incubation containers on a tray ofthe rack and releasably connecting the rst inlet-outlet port ofthe incubation container with the second inlet-outlet connector ofthe air duct arrangement; e) forcing conditioned airthrough each ofthe one or more first inlet-outlet connectors (22) ofthe air duct arrangement (21) for a required time interval; and when the time interval terminates, f) removing each ofthe one or more incubation containers from the rack. Brief description of drawings The present invention will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to the attached drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional top view of an incubation container according to an embodiment ofthe present invention; Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional bottom view of an incubation container according to an embodiment ofthe present invention; Figure 3 shows a top view of an incubation container according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional top view of an incubation container wherein a cap is attached to a second inlet-outlet port according to an embodiment ofthe present invention; Figure 5 shows a side view of an incubation container and a first inlet-outlet port according to an embodiment ofthe present invention; Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional top view of a rack storing one or more incubation containers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention; Figure 7 shows a three-dimensional view of an air duct arrangement of a rack according to an embodiment ofthe present invention; Figure 8 shows a three-dimensional view of a back plate of a rack and second inlet-outlet connectors according to an embodiment ofthe present invention; Figure 9 shows a three-dimensional top view of a tray ofa rack according to an embodiment ofthe present invention; Figure 10 shows a top view ofa rack and in particular a cross section ofone or more ducts of an air duct arrangement according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. Detailed description ofembodiments As shown in Figures 1 to 5, a rst aspect ofthe present invention relates to an incubation container C dening an internal space V in which insects / larvae, can be stored. The internal space V is fully enclosed by a top wall 1, an opposing bottom wall 2, and a plurality of side walls 3, 4, 5, 6. The bottom wall 2 is arranged for supporting a layer of insects in the internal space V. The incubation containerC further comprises two inlet-outlet ports 7, 8 arranged in the plurality of side walls 3, 4, 5, 6. In particular, a rst inlet-outlet port 7 is arranged in a first side wall 3 ofthe plurality of side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 and a second inlet-outlet port 8 is arranged in a second side wall 4 of the plurality of side walls 3, 4, 5, 6. The rst inlet-outlet port 7 is arranged for connection to a forced air system, thereby allowing for a consistent conditioned air flow with a desired temperature, relative humidity etc. through the incubation container C, resulting in improved homogeneous climate conditions inside the incubation container C such that predictable incubation periods with lower variability are achieved. As mentioned above, the incubation container C comprises an internal space V enclosed by a top wall 1 and a plurality of side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 arranged along a perimeter P of the top wall 1 and bottom wall 2. Even though the number of side walls equals four as depicted, this number may vary, e.g. 3, 4, 5, 6 side walls are conceivable. In an embodiment, each of the side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 has a substantially rectangular or square shape, but they can have other suitable shape as long as they t together. Further, the plurality of side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 may vary in size. For example, in the figures it is shown that the first side wall 3 may have smaller area than the second side wall 4. Dimensions of the incubation container C can be chosen based on, e.g., the number of (pre)pupae to be stored in the internal space V as well as a desired volume of conditioned air needed inside the incubation container C. Therefore, a length X, a width Y, and height Z of the incubation container C as indicated in the gures can be chosen according to requirements. For clarity and future reference, a lengthwise direction L, a width wise direction W, and a height wise direction H ofthe incubation containerC is identied in the figures. In the embodiments depicted, the first inlet-outlet port 7 and the second inlet-outlet port 8 are circular and define a circular opening in the incubation container C. ln alternative embodiments the first inlet-outlet port 7 and / or the second inlet-outlet port 8 may be square or rectangular. ln other embodiments the first inlet-outlet port 7 and the second inlet-outlet port 8 do not need to have a similar shape. The first inlet-outlet port 7 and the second inlet-outlet port 8 may vary in size, wherein the rst inlet-outlet port 7 can be larger orsmaller than the second inlet-outlet port 8. In one embodiment as depicted, the second inlet-outlet port 8 is larger than the first inlet-outlet port 7. This facilitates access to the internal space V for supplying insects (e.g. (pre)pupae) to the incubation containerC and to empty the incubation container C when needed. For example, emptying the incubation containerC can be done easily by tilting the incubation containerC in an angle that allows all pupae casings to ow toward the inlet-outlet port. By shaking the incubation container C, all pupae casings flow out. This handling is designed for easy automation. Although not shown in the gures, an embodiment is conceivable wherein the first and second inlet-outlet ports 7, 8 are arranged in the same side wall, i.e., wherein the first side wall 3 and the second side wall 4 are the same. ln another embodiment, also not depicted, the first and / or the second inlet-outlet port 7,8 may be arranged in the top wall 1 ofthe incubation container C. The material of the incubation container C can be of any material deemed suitable and it may depend on the type of insects it should hold. The incubation container C can have the same material for each part but also combined materials are conceivable. In an exemplary embodiment, the incubation container C can be made out of a polymer or a metal, or a combination thereof. ln one embodiment, the polymer is a thermoplastic polymer such polypropylene, or a polymer blend such as a plastic. ln another embodiment, the polymer is polyethylene. ln another embodiment the metal is selected from aluminium, stainless steel or a combination thereof. For optimal incubation of (pre)pupae inside the incubation container C, an embodiment is provided wherein the top wall 1, the bottom wall 2, and each side wall ofthe plurality of side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 are opaque. This non-transparent / opaque feature prevents light coming into the incubation containerC and provides a dark internal space V facilitating incubation of (pre)pupae. So in contrast to prior art incubation devices, the incubation containerC provides an internal space V as dark as possible to facilitate incubation. In an embodiment, the incubation container C comprises one or more straight grooves 9 extending in lengthwise direction L ofthe incubation container C, wherein the one or more straight grooves 9 are arranged in the bottom wall 2. The one or more grooves 9 provide structural stability and rigidity, e.g., prevent bending ofthe bottom wall 2. Furthermore, as will be discussed later, the one or more grooves 9 enable alignment of the incubation container C in a rack of the type mentioned above. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more straight grooves 9 may have a trapezoid cross sectional shape as shown in Figure 5. In another embodiment, the cross sectional shape ofthe one or more straight grooves 9 may also be rectangular, square, circular or elliptical. In an embodiment, the top wall 1 of the incubation container C comprises one or more straight ridges 10 extending in lengthwise direction L of the incubation container C as shown in Figures 1 to 5. The function ofthese one or more straight ridges 10 is to provide structural stability and rigidity, e.g. prevent bending ofthe top wall 1.As shown in Figure 5, in an embodiment the one or more straight ridges 10 can have a cross sectional trapezoid shape. ln alternative embodiments, the cross sectional shape of the one or more ridges 10 may be rectangular, square, circular or elliptical. In an advantageous embodiment, the bottom wall 2 comprises one or more straight grooves 9 and wherein the top wall 1 comprises the one or more straight ridges 10, wherein the one or more straight grooves 9 and the one or more straight ridges 10 are equal in number. Furthermore, the one or more straight grooves 9 are aligned with the one or more straight ridges 10 in width wise directionW ofthe incubation container C. The alignment in width wise directionW between the one or more straight grooves 9 and the one or more straight ridges 10 facilitates stacked storage of incubation containers C on top of each other, such that the stack of incubation containers C is sufciently stable. Similar to the aforementioned one or more straight grooves 9 in the bottom wall 2 and the one or more straight ridges 10 in the top wall 1, there is provided an embodiment wherein one or more side walls ofthe plurality of side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 ofthe incubation containerC each comprise one or more side grooves 11 extending in height wise direction H. The one or more side grooves 11 also provide structural stability and rigidity. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more side grooves 11 may be placed in two opposing side walls 4, 6 as shown in Figures 3, wherein the two opposing side walls 4, 6 extend in length wise direction L. However, the number of side grooves 11 and the number of side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 comprising these side grooves 11 may vary according to requirements. The number of side grooves 11 may differ between the plurality of side walls 3, 4, 5, 6. Also, the shape of the one or more side grooves 11 may vary because of requirements. For example, in an embodiment the one or more side grooves 11 can have a trapezoid cross sectional shape. In other embodiments, the cross sectional shape of the one or more side grooves 11 may be rectangular, square, circular or elliptical. In Figure 2 there is shown an embodiment wherein the bottom wall 2 comprises a bottom recess 12 extending along a third side wall 5 ofthe plurality of side walls 3, 4, 5, 6, and wherein the third side wall 5 is arranged opposite the first side wall 3. The bottom recess 12 facilitates manual handling and easy carrying the incubation container C. Furthermore, as will be discussed in more detail hereunder, the bottom recess 12 allows manually pushing or pulling the incubation container C into a rack of the type mentioned above. In a further embodiment, the bottom recess 12 may be placed in width wise directionW along the third side wall 5 as shown in Figure 2, and wherein the bottom recess 12 is sufciently wide to accommodate one or more fingers of a user. According to the present invention, the first inlet-outlet port 7 is arranged in the rst side wall 3 for connection to a forced air system, wherein the forced air system allows consistent conditioned air to be provided through the internal space V of the incubation container C holding insects, such as (pre)pupae. To ensure airtight connection to the forced airsystem there is provided an embodiment wherein the first inlet-outlet port 7 comprises a resilient engagement end 13. This resilient engagement end 13 acts as a resilient seal when the first inlet-outlet port 7 engages a connector ofthe forced air system. In an embodiment, the resilient engagement end 13 comprises a conical circumference 14, which allows the resilient engagement end 13 to align against the forced air system and make a reliable sealed connection therewith. In an exemplary embodiment, the resilient engagement end 13 can be made of a rubber materiel to achieve sufficient resiliency. From Figure 3 it can be seen that the rst inlet-outlet port 7 need not protrude or bulge away from the first side wall 3 but can be arranged in a port recess 15 to reduce the overall outer dimensions ofthe incubation container C, such as an overall length X. In particular, an embodiment is provided wherein the rst side wall 3 comprises a port recess 15 and wherein the rst inlet-outlet port 7 extends from a bottom portion 16 of the port recess 15 to / towards the first side wall 3. The port recess 15 provides space to receive the rst inlet-outlet port 7 and reduces overall dimensions ofthe incubation container C, such as the overall length X. As will be discussed hereunder in relation to the rack of the type mentioned above, the advantage of creating space by the port recess 15 is that the first inlet-outlet port 7 does not excessively protrude or bulge away from the rst side wall 3, thereby saving space in the rack and saving storage space ofthe incubation container C. Referring to Figures 1 and 4, there is shown an embodiment wherein the incubation container C further comprises a cap 17 provided with a gas permeable screen 17a, and wherein the second inlet-outlet port 8 comprises a locking system 8a for releasable attachment of the cap 17 to the second inlet-outlet port 8. In this embodiment, the cap 17 allows air permeable closure of the second inlet-outlet port 8, so that conditioned air entering the incubation containerC via the rst inlet-outlet port 7 exits the incubation containerC through the gas permeable screen 17a. Note that insects, such as (pre)pupae but also closed / emerged adult insects inside the incubation container C, cannot pass through the gas permeable screen 17a. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking system 8a may be a bayonet locking system orthreaded locking system. When the cap 17 is not attached to the second inlet-outlet port 8, an embodiment is provided wherein the top wall 1 comprises a raised portion 18 receivable inside the cap 17. In particular, this embodiment allows for convenient and safe storage ofthe cap 17 when the second inlet-outlet port 8 need not be closed by the cap 17. The raised portion 18 ensures that the cap 17 does not slide away along the top wall 1 and as such the raised portion 18 ensures that the cap 17 remains in place when it is not needed for closing the second inlet-outlet port 8. Therefore, an open state of the second inlet-outlet port 8 can be defined when the cap 17 is detached from the second inlet-outlet port 8, and a closed state of the second inlet-outlet port 8 can be defined when the cap 17 is attached to the second inlet-out port 8. The open state allows the incubation containerC to be filled or emptied. In the closed state the gas permeable screen 17a of the cap 17 allows for air flow of conditioned air through the incubation container C whilst preventing insects from escaping. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), it is conceivable that one or more side walls of the plurality of side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 comprise holding means to safely store the cap 17. Figure 4 depicts an advantageous embodiment wherein the top wall 1 comprises a recessed plateau 1a comprising the raised portion 18 to reduce the overall dimensions of the incubation containerC and avoid protrusion ofthe cap 17. Referring to Figure 3, itwas mentioned above that the second inlet-outlet port 8 allows the incubation container C to be filled or emptied. For emptying the incubation container C efciently, an embodiment is provided wherein the second side wall 4 comprises a first wall section 4a and a second wall section 4b, and wherein the second wall section 4b extends from the second inlet- outlet port 8 towards the first wall section 4a at an angle (] largerthan zero. The second wall section 4b is arranged in angled manner with respect to the rst wall section 4a to smoothly guide insect waste material towards the second inlet-outlet opening 8 such that a minimum of insect waste material is left behind in the incubation container C. In particular, the second wall section 4b allows the incubation container C to be emptied by effectively pouring insect waste material through the second inlet-outlet opening 8, wherein the second wall section 4b smoothly guides the insect waste material towards the second inlet-outlet opening 8. In an exemplary embodiment, the angle d between the rst and second wall section 4a, 4b is smallerthan 60°, or smallerthan 45°, or smaller than 30° to enable optimal guidance of insect waste material to the second inlet-outlet port 8. In an exemplary embodiment, the second wall section 4b is a smooth straight wall section to facilitate guidance of insect waste material. It was mentioned earlierthat the aforementioned cap 17 and the gas permeable screen 17a thereof allows for conditioned air to flow through the incubation container C but prevents insects escaping therefrom. ln similar manner, Figure 5 shows an embodiment wherein the rst inlet-outlet port 7 comprises an internally arranged gas permeable screen 7a which is impermeable for insects, e.g. (pre)pupae and adult insects emerging therefrom. This gas permeable screen 7a of the first inlet-outlet port 7 allows conditioned air to ow through the first inlet-outlet port 7 but prevent insects from escaping the incubation container C. ln one embodiment, the gas permeable screen 7a ofthe first inlet-outlet port 7 is removable so that it can be cleaned or replaced when needed. Referring to Figures 6 to 10, in a second aspect the present invention relates to a rack R for storing one or more incubation containers C ofthe invention described above. In particular, the rack R allows one or more incubation containers C to be accurately positioned in the rack R and releasably connected thereto during incubation of insects, e.g. (pre)pupae. As depicted, the rack R ofthe present invention comprises a frame 19 provided with one or more trays 20 each ofwhich is configured to support a bottom wall 2 of an incubation container C. Figure 6 and 7 show that the frame 19 comprises a front side F for placing and removing an incubation container C onto or from a tray of the one or more trays 20. The frame 19 further comprises a back side B comprising an air duct arrangement 21 comprising one or more first inlet- outlet connectors 22 uidly connected to one of more second inlet-outlet connectors 23 of the air duct arrangement 21. Each of the one or more first inlet-outlet connectors 22 is arranged for connection to a forced air system, and each ofthe second inlet-outlet connectors 23 is arranged for releasable connection to a first inlet-outlet port 7 of an incubation container C. The air duct arrangement 21 arranged at the back side B allows for efficient distribution of conditioned air flow between each of the incubation containers C in the rack R and the forced air system. The rack R of the present invention can vary in size and shape. In an exemplary embodiment as depicted, the rack R has a rectangular or square shape. In an embodiment, the storage capacity of the rack R is defined by one or more columns of one or more incubation containers C. The number of columns and / orthe number of incubation containers C in each column may vary according to requirements. ln Figure 6 there is shown an exemplary embodiment wherein the rack R comprises two columns each which comprises six trays 20 for supporting an incubation container C. In an advantageous embodiment, the rack R may comprise a plurality ofwheels 19a such that the rack R is mobile and can be transported when and as needed. Referring to Figure 7 and 8, an embodiment is provided wherein the air duct arrangement 21 ofthe rack R comprises a back plate 24 mounted to the back side B of the rack R or frame 19, wherein the back plate 24 comprises the one or more second inlet-outlet connectors 23. The air duct arrangement 21 further comprises one or more ducts 25 arranged on the back plate 24 for uidly connecting the one or more rst inlet-outlet connectors 22 and the one or more second inlet- outlet connectors 23. In this embodiment the back plate 24 provides the one or more second-inlet outlet connectors 23 for engagement with the first inlet-outlet port 7 of an incubation containerC as depicted in e.g. Figure 9. The one or more ducts 25 allow conditioned airthrough the one or more first inlet-outlet connectors 22 to be efciency distributed over each of the second inlet-outlet connectors 23. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more ducts 25 may be U-shaped channels mounted on the back plate 24 and covering each ofthe one or more second inlet-outlet connectors 23. From the figures it will be clear that the number of second inlet-outlet connectors 23 may be equal to the number of trays 20 receiving an incubation container C. In an embodiment, the one or more first inlet-outlet connectors 22 may be circular as depicted. ln other embodiments (not shown) the one or more rst inlet-outlet connectors 22 may be elliptical, rectangular, square etc. As mentioned earlier, the present invention seeks to achieve predictable incubation periods and minimize variability thereof between different incubation containers C. To minimize incubation variability between incubation containers C when stored in the rack R, conditioned air flow (e.g. m3 / hour) through each incubation container C should be substantially equal. As depicted in Figure 9 and 10, equal airow through each incubation containerC may be achieved by means of an embodiment wherein all ducts ofthe one or more ducts 25 ofthe air duct arrangement 21 have a combined cross section X1 which is largerthan a combined cross section X2 of all second inlet-outlet connectors ofthe one or more second inlet-outlet connectors 23. This difference in combined cross section causes an over pressure in the one or more ducts 25 and ensures that an equal amount of conditioned air flows through each ofthe one or more second inlet- outlet connectors 23, hence through each incubation container C connected to a corresponding second inlet-outlet connector 23. Referring to Figure 9, positioning an incubation container C on a tray 20 ofthe rack R, and to connect the first inlet-outlet port 7 ofthe incubation containerC to a second inlet-outlet connector 23 can be facilitated by an embodiment wherein each tray of the one or more trays 20 comprises one or more straight tray ridges 26. These one or more tray ridges 26 extend in lengthwise direction L ofthe tray 20 for engagement with the bottom wall 2 of an incubation container C. When placing an incubation containerC on a tray 20, the one or more tray ridges 26 may be utilized to guide the incubation containerC into a required position such that the first inlet-outlet port 7 engages a second inlet-outlet connector 23 in aligned manner. Furthermore, the one or more tray ridges 26 provide structural stability and rigidity to the tray 20 when an incubation container C is placed thereon. In an embodiment, the one or more tray ridges 26 may engage the bottom wall 2 along the perimeter P thereof for aligning the incubation container C. ln yet another embodiment, the one or more tray ridges 26 may congruently engage a corresponding number of one or more straight grooves 9 in the bottom wall 2 of an incubation container C to properly align the first inlet-outlet port 7 thereof with a second inlet-outlet connector 23. As mentioned earlier, the first inlet-outlet port 7 of an incubation containerC should make a leak free connection with a corresponding second inlet-outlet connector 23 ofthe rack R, thereby ensuring that conditioned air with required characteristics consistently flows through the incubation container C. To achieve leak free engagement between the rst inlet-outlet port 7 and the second inlet-outlet connector 23 there is provided an embodiment as shown in Figure 9 wherein each tray of the one or more trays 20 comprises a clamping part 27 at the front side F of the rack R for engagement with an incubation containerC for positioning the incubation containerC in lengthwise direction L along the tray 20. In a particular embodiment, the clamping part 27 is configured to bias the incubation containerC towards the back side B, e.g. the back plate 24, ofthe rack R thereby biasing the first inlet-outlet port 7 against the second inlet-outlet connector 23. Placing an incubation container C on a tray 20 thus involves sliding the incubation containerC toward the back side B ofthe frame 19 until the rst inlet-outlet port 7 engages the corresponding second inlet-outlet connector 23. Subsequently pushing the incubation containerC downwards allows the clamping part 27 to latch along the perimeter P of the bottom wall 2, thereby maintaining pressure between the first inlet outlet port 7 and the corresponding second inlet-outlet connector 23 for obtaining a leak free seal. Referring to gure 2 and 9, in an embodimentthe clamping part 27 of a tray 20 is congured to be received in a bottom recess 12 of an incubation container C as described earlier. So in this embodiment the bottom recess 12 not only facilitates manual handling and placement of the incubation containerC in the rack R, but the bottom recess 12 also receives the clamping part 27 of a tray 20 such that the incubation container C can be biased as explained above for obtaining leak free engagement between the rst inlet-outlet port 7 and the second inlet-outlet connector 23. In another embodiment, the clamping part 27 may be arranged as an upstanding tray wall part 27a configured to clamp against a bottom recess wall 12a of an incubation container C as exemplary depicted in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the incubation container C is held in place when pushed downward and the upstanding tray wall part 27a is received by the bottom recess 12 and engages the bottom recess wall 12a. In an advantageous embodiment, the rst inlet-outlet port 7 comprises the resilient engagement end 13 for engagement with the second inlet-outlet connector 23. The clamping part 27 of a tray 20 then ensures that the rst inlet-outlet port 7 resiliently engages the second inlet- outlet connector 23. As shown in Figure 9, the one or more second inlet-outlet connectors 23 may be arranged as one or more second inlet-outlet openings 23 in the back plate 24, wherein a resilient engagement end 13 of a first inlet-outlet port 7 is configured to engage such a second inlet-outlet opening 23. In an advantageous embodiment, when the resilient engagement end 13 comprises a conical circumference 14, then the conical circumference 14 may adapted to be in part receivable in the second inlet-outlet opening 23. So when the resilient engagement end 13 is biased against the second inlet-outlet opening 23, the conical circumference 14 is in part received in the second inlet- outlet opening 23 and centred thereby for obtaining a leak free connection between the rst inlet- outlet port 7 and the second inlet-outlet opening 23. It will be clear that the clamping part 27 of a tray 20 allows the incubation container C to remain connected to the air duct arrangement 21 via the second inlet-outlet connector 23. The clamping part 27 further prevents the incubation container C sliding off a tray 20 when the rack R would be placed on an unequal surface, for example. In an embodiment, the clamping part 27 may be flexible or resilient and may be able to move when engagement with an incubation containerC is needed. In an embodiment, the clamping part 27 may be made ofthe same material as the tray 20, e.g. wherein the clamping part 27 comprises a bent portion ofthe tray 20. In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method for incubating insects, e.g. by using the incubation containerC and the rack R described in detail above. To that end the method comprises in the order a) to f) the steps of: a) providing one or more incubation containers C ofthe invention as described above; b) providing a rack R ofthe invention as described above; c) filling each ofthe one or more incubation containers C with insects through the second inlet-outlet port 8 ofthe incubation containerC being filled; c) placing each ofthe one or more incubation containers C on a tray 20 of the rack R and bringing the first inlet-outlet port 7 of the incubation container C being placed into releasable connection with a second inlet-outlet connector23 ofthe air duct arrangement 21; e) forcing conditioned airthrough each ofthe one or more first inlet-outlet connectors 22 of the air duct arrangement 21 for a required time interval (e.g. for incubating the prepupae to pupae inside each ofthe one or more incubation containers C); and when the time interval terminates, f) removing each ofthe one or more incubation containers C from the rack R. The method ofthe invention provides conditioned air flow through the air duct arrangement 21 and through each of the one or more incubation containers C. Because each of the one or more incubation containers C receives thesame conditioned air flow, incubation periods between the one or more incubation container C exhibit low variability. As a result, (pre)pupae in each of the incubation containers C will have reached sufficient incubation during the required time interval. In contrast to prior art as identied above, by virtue of conditioned air being forced through each incubation container C, there is no need for tightly controlled atmospheric conditions in the room in which the rack R is positioned. Furthermore, the position of an incubation container C in the rack R has little to no inuence on the incubation period. In an embodiment, the step of c) further comprises the step of closing the second inlet- outlet port 8 of each of the one or more incubation containers C once lled with insects by a releasable cap 17 provided with a gas permeable screen 17a. The step of e) may then comprise forcing the conditioned air through each of the one or more rst inlet-outlet connectors 22 towards each ofthe one or more second inlet-outlet connectors 23. In this step conditioned air is forced from the first inlet-outlet port 7 to the second inlet-outlet port 8 of each incubation container C, wherein conditioned air is able to exit each incubation container C through the gas permeable screen 17a whilst live insects such as (pre)pupae or eclosed / emerged adult insects cannot escape. ln view of the above, the present invention can now be summarized by the following embodiments: Embodiment 1. An incubation container (C) for insects, comprising an internal space (V) enclosed by a top wall (1) and an opposing bottom wall (2) arranged for supporting a layer of insects in the internal space (V), and a plurality of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) arranged along a perimeter (P) ofthe top wall (1) and bottom wall (2), and further comprising a rst inlet-outlet port (7) arranged in a rst side wall (3) of the plurality of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6), and a second inlet-outlet port (8) arranged in a second side wall (4) ofthe plurality of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6), wherein the first inlet-outlet port (7) is arranged for connection to a forced air system. Embodiment 2. The incubation container (C) according to embodiment 1, wherein the top wall (1), the bottom wall (2), and each side wall ofthe plurality of side walls (3,4, 5, 6) are opaque. Embodiment 3. The incubation container (C) according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the bottom wall (2) comprises one or more straight grooves (9) extending in lengthwise direction (L) of the incubation container (C). Embodiment 4. The incubation container (C) according to any ofembodiments 1-3, wherein the top wall (1) comprises one or more straight ridges (10) extending in lengthwise direction (L) of the incubation container (C). Embodiment 5. The incubation container (C) according to embodiment 3 and 4, wherein the one or more straight grooves (9) and the one or more straight ridges (10) are equal in number, and wherein the one or more straight grooves (9) are aligned with the one or more straight ridges (10) in width wise direction (W) ofthe incubation container (C). Embodiment 6. The incubation container (C) according to any ofembodiments 1-5, wherein one or more side walls of the plurality of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) each comprise one or more side grooves (11) extending in height wise direction (H). Embodiment 7. The incubation container (C) according to any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the bottom wall (2) comprises a bottom recess (12) extending along a third side wall (5) of the plurality of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6), and wherein the third side wall (5) is arranged opposite the first side wall (3). Embodiment 8. The incubation container (C) according to any of embodiments 1-7, wherein the first inlet-outlet port (7) comprises a resilient engagement end (13). Embodiment9. The incubation container (C) according to embodiment 8, wherein the resilient engagement end (13) comprises a conical circumference (14). Embodiment 10. The incubation container (C) according to any of embodiments 1-9, wherein the rst side wall (3) comprises a port recess (15) and wherein the first inlet-outlet port (7) extends from a bottom portion (16) ofthe port recess (15) towards the first side wall (3). Embodiment 11. The incubation container (C) according to any of embodiments 1-10, further comprising a cap (17) provided with a gas permeable screen (17a), wherein the second inlet-outlet port (8) comprises a locking system (8a) for releasable attachment of the cap (17) to the second inlet-outlet port (8). Embodiment 12. The incubation container (C) according to embodiment 11, wherein the top wall (1) comprises a raised portion (18) receivable inside the cap (17). Embodiment 13. The incubation container (C) according to any of embodiment 1-12, wherein the second side wall (4) comprises a rst wall section (4a) and a second wall section (4b), wherein the second wall section (4b) extends from the second inlet-outlet port (8) toward the first wall section (4a) at an angle (q) Iargerthan zero. Embodiment 14. The incubation container (C) according to any of embodiment 1-13, wherein the first inlet-outlet port (7) comprises an internally arranged screen (7a) impermeable for insects and adult insects emerging therefrom. Embodiment 15. A rack (R) for storing one or more incubation containers (C), comprising a frame (19) provided with one or more trays (20) each ofwhich is configured to support a bottom wall (2) of an incubation container (C) according to any ofembodiments 1-14; wherein the frame (19) comprises a front side (F) for placing and removing an incubation container (C) onto or from a tray ofthe one or more trays (20); wherein the frame (19) further comprises a back side (B) provided with an air duct arrangement (21) comprising one or more rst inlet-outlet connectors (22) uidly connected to one of more second inlet-outlet connectors (23) of the air duct arrangement (21), wherein each of the one or more rst inlet-outlet connectors (22) is arranged for connection to a forced air system, and wherein each of the second inlet-outlet connectors (23) is arranged for releasable connection to a first inlet-outlet port (7) of an incubation container (C). Embodiment 16. The rack (R) according to embodiment 15, wherein the air duct arrangement (21) comprises a back plate (24) mounted to the back side (B) of the rack (R), wherein the back plate (24) comprises the one or more second inlet-outlet connectors (23), and further comprising one or more ducts (25) arranged on the back plate (24) for uidly connecting the one or more first inlet- outlet connectors (22) and the one or more second inlet-outlet connectors (23). Embodiment 17. The rack (R) according to embodiment 16, wherein a combined cross section (X1) of the one or more ducts (25) is larger than a combined cross section (X2) of the one or more second inlet-outlet connectors (23). Embodiment 18. The rack (R) according to any of embodiments 15-17, wherein each tray of the one or more trays (20) comprises one or more straight tray ridges (26) extending in lengthwise direction (L) ofthe tray (20) for engagement with the bottom wall (2) of an incubation container (C). Embodiment 19. The rack (R) according to any of embodiments 15-18, wherein each tray of the one or more trays (20) comprises a clamping part (27) at the front side (F) of the rack (R) for engagement with an incubation container (C) for positioning the incubation container (C) in lengthwise direction (L) along the tray (20). Embodiment 20. A method of incubating insects, comprising the steps of a) providing one or more incubation containers (C) according to any ofembodiments 1-14; b) providing a rack (R) according to any ofembodiments 15-19; c) filling each ofthe one or more incubation containers (C) with insects through the second inlet-outlet port (8) of the incubation container (C) being filled; d) placing each of the one or more incubation containers (C) on a tray (20) of the rack (R) and releasably connecting the rst inlet-outlet port (7) ofthe incubation container (C) with a second inlet-outlet connector (23) ofthe air duct arrangement (21); e) forcing conditioned airthrough each ofthe one or more first inlet-outlet connectors (22) ofthe air duct arrangement (21) for a required time interval; and when the time interval terminates, f) removing each ofthe one or more incubation containers (C) from the rack (R). Embodiment 21. The method according to embodiment 20, wherein the step of c) further comprises the step of closing the second inlet-outlet port (8) of each ofthe one or more incubation containers (C) once filled with insects by a releasable cap (17) provided with a gas permeable screen (17a); and wherein the step of e) further comprises forcing the conditioned airthrough each ofthe one or more rst inlet-outlet connectors (22) toward each ofthe one or more second inlet-outlet connectors (23).

Claims

1. An incubation container (C) for insects, comprising an internal space (V) enclosed by a top wall (1) and an opposite bottom wall (2) designed to support a layer of insects in the internal space (V), and a multitude of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) installed along a perimeter (P) of the upper wall (1) and bottom wall (2), and further comprising a first inlet-outlet port (7) placed in a first side wall (3) of the multiple of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6), and a second inlet-outlet port (8) fitted in a second sidewall (4) of the multiple of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6), where the first inlet-outlet port (7) is arranged for connection to a forced air system.

2. The incubation container (C) according to claim 1, where the top wall (1), the bottom wall (2), and each sidewall of the multiple of sidewalls (3, 4, 5, 6) are opaque.

3. The incubation container (C) according to claim 1 or 2, where the bottom wall (2) has one or more includes straight grooves (9) that extend lengthwise (L) of the incubation container (C).

4. The incubation container (C) according to one of claims 1-3, where the top wall (1) one or more straight edges (10) that extend in the longitudinal direction (L) of the incubation container (C).

5. The incubation container (C) according to claims 3 and 4, where one or more straight grooves (9) and the one or more straight edges (10) are equal in number, and where the one or more straight edges grooves (9) are aligned with one or more straight edges (10) in the width direction (W) of the incubation container (C).

6. The incubation container (C) according to one of claims 1-5, where one or more side walls of the multiple of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) each contain one or more side grooves (11) which extend in the vertical direction (H).

7. The incubation container (C) according to one of claims 1-6, where the bottom wall (2) a bottom recess (12) includes which extends along a third sidewall (5) of the multiple of side walls (3, 4, 5, 6), and where the third side wall (5) is opposite the first side wall (3) applied 8. The incubation container (C) according to one of claims 1-7, where the first inlet exhaust port (7) includes a spring-loaded gripping end (13).

9. The incubation container (C) according to claim 8, where the resilient attachment end (13) has a conical circumference (14).

10. The incubation container (C) according to one of claims 1-9, where the first sidewall (3) includes a port recess (15) and where the first inlet outlet port (7) extends from a bottom section (16) from the gate recess (15) to the first side wall (3).

11. The incubation container (C) according to one of claims 1-10, further comprising a cap (17) fitted with a gas-permeable screen (17a), where the second intake outlet port (8) a locking system (8a) includes for detachable attachment of the cap (17) to the second inlet exhaust port (8).

12. The incubation container (C) according to claim 11, where the top wall (1) has a raised part (18) includes for inclusion in the cap (17).

13. The incubation container (C) according to one of claims 1-12, where the second side wall (4) comprises a first wall section (4a) and a second wall section (4b), where the second wall section (4b) extends from the second inlet-outlet port (8) to the first wall section (4a) at an angle (d) greater than zero.

14. The incubation container (C) according to one of claims 1-13, where the first inlet exhaust port (7) includes an internally fitted grate (7a) that is impenetrable to insects and adult insects resulting from them.

15. A rack (R) for storing one or more incubation containers (C), comprising a frame (19) equipped with one or more blades (20), each of which is configured to a to support the bottom wall (2) of an incubation container (C) according to one of the conclusions 1- 14; where the frame (19) includes a front (F) for placing and painting a incubation container (C) on or of a leaf of one or more leaves (20); where the frame (19) further comprises a rear (B) equipped with a air duct arrangement (21) comprising one or more first intake-outlet connectors (22) which be fluidly connected to one or more second inlet-outlet connectors (23) of the air duct arrangement (21), where each of the one or more first intake-exhaust connectors (22) is designed for connection to a forced air system, and where each of the second inlet- exhaust connectors (23) are designed for detachable connection to a first intake-exhaust port (7) of an incubation container (C).

16. The rack (R) according to claim 15, where the air duct arrangement (21) has a backplate (24) comprises which is mounted to the back (B) of the rack (R), where the back plate (24) is the one or includes two inlet-outlet connectors (23), and further includes one or more channels (25) mounted on the back plate (24) for fluid bonding of one or more first intake-exhaust connectors (22) and one or more second intake-exhaust connectors (23).

17. The strain (R) according to claim 16, where a combined cross-section (X1) of the one or more channels (25) is larger than a combined cross-section (X2) of the one or multi-second intake-exhaust connectors (23).

18. The strain (R) according to one of claims 15-17, where each sheet of the one or more leaves (20) one or more straight leaf margins (26) which extend along the length (L) of the leaf (20) extends for contact with the bottom wall (2) of an incubation container (C).

19. The strain (R) according to one of claims 15-18, where each sheet of the one or more sheets (20) at the front (F) of the rack (R) include a clamping part (27) for engagement with a incubation container (C) for positioning the incubation container (C) longitudinally (L) along the leaf (20).

20. A method for incubating insects, comprising the steps of a) providing one or more incubation containers (C) according to one of the 1-14; b) providing an allowance (R) pursuant to one of Claims 15-19; c) filling each of the one or more incubation containers (C) with insects via the second inlet-outlet port (8) of the incubation container (C) being filled; d) placing each of the one or more incubation containers (C) on a sheet (20) of the rack (R) and the detachable connection of the first inlet-outlet port (7) of the incubation container (C) with a second inlet-outlet connector (23) of the air duct system (21); e) forcing conditioned air through each of the one or more first inlet exhaust connectors (22) of the air duct assembly (21) for a required time interval; and when the time interval ends, f) removing each of the one or more incubation containers (C) from the rack (R).

21. The method according to conclusion 20, whereby step c) further comprises the step of closing off the second intake-outlet port (8) of each of the one or more incubation containers (C), once filled with insects, through a removable cap (17) fitted with a gas-permeable screen (17a); and where the step of e) further comprises forcing the conditioned air through each of the one or more first inlet exhaust connectors (22) to each of the one or more second intake-exhaust connectors (23).

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