Egg Hatching Container With Color-Contrast Base for Larvae Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The mass-rearing of insect larvae is time and labor intensive due to the need for manual separation of hatched larvae from egg hatching debris, which involves significant human effort and time.

Innovation Solution

A fluid-tight container with a base divided into two sections of different colors, where the hatched larvae are attracted to the darker section due to their instinct to hide, combined with light, vibration, and temperature control to encourage larvae to separate from debris, reducing the need for manual separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual separation of hatched larvae from egg hatching debris is performed, then separation precision is improved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation precisionVSAvoidlabor intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the self-service principle by utilizing the natural instinct of hatched larvae to hide in dark areas. The container is divided into light and dark sections, allowing larvae to automatically separate from debris and migrate to the dark section without human intervention, thus achieving both high separation precision and reduced labor intensity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes color changes by creating distinct light and dark sections in the container. The dark section attracts hatched larvae through their photophobic instinct, enabling automatic separation from egg debris based on light-dark preference, which resolves the contradiction between separation precision and labor requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Manufacturing precision

If manual plucking of larvae from debris is performed, then separation quality is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation qualityVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service separation where hatched larvae automatically migrate to the dark section based on their natural behavior, eliminating the need for manual plucking operations. This reduces time consumption while maintaining high separation quality through the inherent instinctual behavior of the larvae

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The container is pre-configured with distinct light and dark sections before egg hatching. This preliminary arrangement creates the conditions for automatic separation to occur naturally after hatching, eliminating the need for subsequent manual separation operations and reducing time consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated separation methods are implemented, then labor requirements are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabor requirementsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves automated separation by leveraging the natural photophobic instinct of larvae rather than implementing complex mechanical or electronic systems. The simple light-dark section division enables automatic migration and separation, reducing labor requirements while keeping device complexity minimal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes optical properties (light and dark sections) rather than complex mechanical structures to achieve separation. This approach reduces labor requirements while maintaining simplicity in device design, as the separation mechanism is based on natural biological responses to light-dark contrasts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method automates the separation process, reducing labor and time by utilizing the natural instincts of larvae to move away from light and vibrations, allowing them to self-separate from debris, thus streamlining the larvae collection process.

Implementation Method 1

the color of the second portion is adapted to attract hatched insect larvae so that the hatched larvae move to the second portion and separate themselves from the egg debris located in the recess and in the first portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhototaxis:

Data Source

PatentEP3930452B1Egg hatching and larvae separation device and method
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 VERILY LIFE SCIENCES LLC
  • EP3930452B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3930452B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3930452B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device including a fluid-tight container, wherein the fluid-tight container includes a base having a first portion and a second portion; at least one wall enclosing the base and coupled to the base to form a fluid-tight seal; wherein the first portion of the base comprises a first color and defines a recess; and wherein the second portion of the base comprises a second color darker than the first color.