Bee Vectoring Tray for Consistent Plant Treatment Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insect vectoring technologies for disseminating plant treatment agents using bees are inefficient in ensuring consistent delivery and shelf life, as bees may fly over treatment formulations rather than walk through them, leading to incomplete coverage and premature depletion.
Innovation Solution
A tray system positioned in the exit path of a beehive with a shallow layer of powdered plant treatment formulation and designed obstacles encourages bees to walk through the treatment, ensuring thorough coverage and controlled depletion within the formulation's shelf life, while a removable, moisture-impermeable lid maintains the treatment's efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a shallow layer of powdered plant treatment formulation is provided in the exit path, then bees are encouraged to walk through the treatment ensuring thorough coverage, but the formulation may be depleted too quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the formulation layer (depth of 0.5-5mm, width matching path width, length covering sufficient path distance) and vertical clearance (5-50mm) to optimize both bee contact and depletion rate control. These parameter changes ensure consistent coverage while extending formulation availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical dimension control through specifying the depth of the formulation layer (0.5-5mm) and the vertical clearance above it (5-50mm), creating a three-dimensional treatment zone that encourages bee walking while controlling depletion rate through the vertical space available.
2Ease of operation
If the vertical clearance above the formulation is large enough to accommodate bee passage, then bees can pass through freely, but bees may fly over the treatment rather than walk through it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies an optimal vertical clearance range of 5-50mm above the formulation layer. This parameter control creates sufficient space for bee passage while maintaining a height that discourages flight and encourages walking through the treatment, ensuring consistent coverage.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the formulation layer depth is increased to extend availability, then the treatment remains effective longer, but bees may have difficulty walking through it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies an optimal formulation layer depth range of 0.5-5mm. This parameter control ensures the layer is deep enough to extend formulation availability but shallow enough to allow easy bee movement and walking through the treatment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bee vectoring apparatus includes a tray for positioning in the exit path of a beehive. The tray includes a bottom, a bee entrance end, and a bee exit end. The apparatus includes a tray lid positioned above the bottom, with first and second barrier walls extruding downwardly from the lid. A ceiling extends between bottom ends of the first and second barrier walls.