Disposable Insect Rearing Container Eliminates Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mass-rearing of insect larvae is labor-intensive and involves contamination risks due to the need for manual handling and cleaning of reusable plastic trays, which can lead to contamination in subsequent uses.
Innovation Solution
A disposable container made from inexpensive materials like thermoplastics or biodegradable materials, featuring a molded cavity with a gas-permeable and transparent design, and posts for structural support, which can be sealed and used once before being discarded, reducing the need for cleaning and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reusable plastic trays are used for mass-rearing insect larvae, then the container can be reused after cleaning and sterilization, but the process becomes labor intensive and creates contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable container principle by using inexpensive, single-use containers made from materials like foam or plastic that can be discarded after one use. This eliminates the need for cleaning and sterilization processes, thereby removing contamination risks associated with reusable trays while maintaining ease of operation through simple fill-and-seal procedures
2Productivity
If reusable plastic trays are cleaned and sterilized, then they can be reused, but the cleaning processes are labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing disposable containers, the patent eliminates the labor-intensive cleaning and sterilization steps entirely. The containers are designed to be used once and then discarded, which streamlines the mass-rearing process and improves productivity by removing a significant time-consuming operation from the workflow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cleaning and sterilization functions from the container lifecycle by transitioning to a disposable system. Instead of reusing containers that require cleaning, the system extracts these maintenance operations entirely and replaces them with simple disposal procedures, thereby improving productivity
3Ease of operation
If disposable containers are used, then manual handling and cleaning are eliminated, but the container material must be inexpensive and suitable for single use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the manufacturing consideration by selecting inexpensive materials such as foam or thin plastic that are economically viable for single-use applications. These materials are chosen specifically because their low cost enables the disposable concept to work, and they can be easily manufactured using conventional processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting materials with specific properties suitable for disposable use - inexpensive, lightweight, and sufficiently durable for one use. The material selection parameters are optimized to balance cost, manufacturability, and functional requirements for the single-use container
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable container for the mass-rearing of insects can include a first layer, a mixture, and a second layer. The first layer can be molded to form a cavity and define an opening to allow the mixture to be positioned in the cavity. A quantity of the mixture can be positioned in the cavity and comprise insect larvae and food for the insect larvae. The second layer can be positioned over the opening and coupled to the first layer to seal the opening. The first layer or the second layer can include a disposable material and the second layer can couple to the first layer to form a disposable container.