A beekeeping apparatus includes a bottom side having an arcuate groove defined therein, the arcuate groove being sized and dimensioned to correspond to the rim of a repository; and a top side including a recessed area defined therein, the recessed area being sized and dimensioned to correspond to a beekeeping frame, and a plurality of generally rectangular openings defined through the recessed area, the rectangular openings each being sized and dimensioned to receive and retain a portion of a beekeeping frame, and collectively being sized and dimensioned to receive and retain portions of different sizes of beekeeping frames.

The present invention relates to a rational hive structure (1) comprising a nest comb box (2) delimiting a brood chamber for bees; a top cover (4) located in an upper portion of the hive structure to close an upper access to the hive structure; a lower closure element (5) located in a lower portion of the hive structure to close a bottom access to the hive structure; and a plurality of comb frames (6) in the form of substantially flat bodies extending in a main plane. Each comb frame includes peripheral element or bars (7) delimiting an inner comb area (8), wherein the inner comb area (8) has an overall dimension of at least 15 dm.sup.2.

The present invention relates to a rational hive structure (1) comprising a nest comb box (2) delimiting a brood chamber for bees; a top cover (4) located in an upper portion of the hive structure to close an upper access to the hive structure; a lower closure element (5) located in a lower portion of the hive structure to close a bottom access to the hive structure; and a plurality of comb frames (6) in the form of substantially flat bodies extending in a main plane. Each comb frame includes peripheral element or bars (7) delimiting an inner comb area (8), wherein the inner comb area (8) has an overall dimension of at least 15 dm.sup.2.

Disclosed is a honeycomb cassette for bee comb honey, the honeycomb cassette comprising a base comprising wood-based material and having a bottom wall and one or more sidewalls extending from the bottom wall and defining a cavity, wherein the one or more sidewalls comprise two or more extending wall portions having a height in the range of 4-8 mm, and a flat lid comprising wood-based material and being adapted to fit between the extending wall portions to cover the cavity. Disclosed is also the base, and a beehive comprising a plurality of the bases.

A frame for a beehive includes: a pair of opposite frame sidewalls extending across a width dimension of the frame, the frame having a length dimension extending between the opposite frame sidewalls; and a plurality of fixed first sections and a plurality of movable second sections laterally stacked between the frame sidewalls and configured for supporting a honeycomb. The first and second sections are oriented parallel with the frame sidewalls and alternately arranged along the length of the frame. Further, the second sections are laterally slidable relative to the first sections between an open position for release of honey from the honeycomb and a closed position for storage of honey.

A frame for a beehive includes: a pair of opposite frame sidewalls extending across a width dimension of the frame, the frame having a length dimension extending between the opposite frame sidewalls; and a plurality of fixed first sections and a plurality of movable second sections laterally stacked between the frame sidewalls and configured for supporting a honeycomb. The first and second sections are oriented parallel with the frame sidewalls and alternately arranged along the length of the frame. Further, the second sections are laterally slidable relative to the first sections between an open position for release of honey from the honeycomb and a closed position for storage of honey.

A beehive according to this disclosure includes a plurality of modular sections that are configured to be positioned adjacent to one another in a manner that enables simplified, even automated, extraction of honey. Such a beehive may include, or even consist essentially of, a plurality of interchangeable rings, or plates, that are configured to be stacked relative to one another in an assembled relationship, and to be secured together in the assembled relationship. In some embodiments, a beehive may consist of a plurality of rings and a mechanism for securing the rings in an assembled relationship (e.g., tie rods, etc.).

A beehive according to this disclosure includes a plurality of modular sections that are configured to be positioned adjacent to one another in a manner that enables simplified, even automated, extraction of honey. Such a beehive may include, or even consist essentially of, a plurality of interchangeable rings, or plates, that are configured to be stacked relative to one another in an assembled relationship, and to be secured together in the assembled relationship. In some embodiments, a beehive may consist of a plurality of rings and a mechanism for securing the rings in an assembled relationship (e.g., tie rods, etc.).

An automatic unit for one or several beehives for commercial or recreational beekeeping including honey production and pollination services comprises: (a) a plurality of bee frames (honeycomb, brood frames and other bee frames) releasably mounted within at least one hive chamber; (b) a mechanism for removing the bee frames from the hive chamber and inserting the bee frames thereinto; (c) an automated honey harvesting arrangement; (d) an arrangement for monitoring bees conditions, analyzing obtained data and reporting results to a user; and (e) an arrangement for feeding bees, pest and climate control. The mechanism for removing and inserting the bee frames comprises a frame loader linearly displaceable along at least one hive chamber.

An automatic unit for one or several beehives for commercial or recreational beekeeping including honey production and pollination services comprises: (a) a plurality of bee frames (honeycomb, brood frames and other bee frames) releasably mounted within at least one hive chamber; (b) a mechanism for removing the bee frames from the hive chamber and inserting the bee frames thereinto; (c) an automated honey harvesting arrangement; (d) an arrangement for monitoring bees conditions, analyzing obtained data and reporting results to a user; and (e) an arrangement for feeding bees, pest and climate control. The mechanism for removing and inserting the bee frames comprises a frame loader linearly displaceable along at least one hive chamber.