Piston Insect Dispenser With Airflow for Gentle Metered Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for dispensing chilled insects, such as using an auger conveyor, result in high damage and mortality rates due to inaccurate metering and crushing, leading to low throughput and inconsistent dispensing.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a piston within a dispensing container that includes an air movement system to dispense insects, combined with a piston and air stream to minimize crushing and enhance dispensing accuracy, along with optional revival systems to transition insects from a sedated state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an auger conveyor is used to dispense chilled insects, then the insects can be transported from the container, but the insects are crushed between the screw blade and the tube wall resulting in high damage and mortality rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing throughputVSAvoidinsect damage and mortality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical auger conveyor system with a pneumatic system that uses pressurized gas to propel insects through a tube. This substitution eliminates the crushing problem caused by mechanical contact between the screw blade and tube wall, while maintaining efficient transport capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a pneumatic dispensing mechanism where pressurized gas is introduced into the container to move chilled insects through a dispensing tube. This pneumatic approach allows for gentle yet effective transport without the mechanical crushing issues of auger conveyors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If an auger conveyor is used to dispense insects, then insects can be moved from the container, but accurate metering of dispensing cannot be achieved resulting in inconsistent dispensing rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing rateVSAvoiddispensing metering accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects the position of the piston and the dispensing rate is adjusted accordingly. This closed-loop control system ensures accurate metering and consistent dispensing rates by continuously monitoring and adjusting the pneumatic pressure and piston movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention controls dispensing accuracy by precisely adjusting pneumatic pressure parameters and piston movement parameters. By controlling the pressure differential and flow rate, the system achieves consistent and accurate metering of insect dispensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If chilled insects are packed densely to increase packing density, then transportation efficiency is improved, but the insects require sedation which adds complexity to the dispensing system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacking densityVSAvoidsedation and revival system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single pneumatic dispensing system that can handle both sedated chilled insects and potentially revived insects. The same pneumatic mechanism that dispenses chilled insects can also be used to deliver revival agents, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary sedation of insects before packing and maintains them in this state throughout storage and transport. The dispensing system is designed to work with pre-sedated insects, and revival can be performed as a preliminary action before release, streamlining the overall process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The system achieves reduced insect damage and mortality, improves dispensing accuracy, and allows for controlled release rates, enhancing operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an air movement system configured to cause an air stream to flow across the second opening to remove, from the dispensing container, portions of the plurality of adult insects that are presented at the second opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir stream flow: Aerodynamic Heating

Implementation Method 2

longitudinal movement of the piston through the interior volume and toward the second opening dispenses a portion of the plurality of adult insects from the dispensing container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12501886B2Insect storage and dispensing systems

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

Insect storage and dispensing system are described. An example system may include a dispensing container including at least one wall defining an interior volume for retaining a plurality of adult insects. The system may also include a piston that extends through a first opening of the dispensing container so as to expose a top face of the piston to the interior volume. Longitudinal movement of the piston toward a second opening of the dispensing container may dispense a portion of the plurality of insects from the dispensing container when the plurality of insects is retained in the dispensing container.