Live insects transport device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for use in large-scale industrial insect farming. More in particular, the invention relates to an insects transport device for transporting live insects from a first location to a predetermined second location, the insects transport device comprising a gas guiding unit, a gas discharge member and a feeder arrangement, wherein the insects transport device is configured to receive live insects such as freshly hatched neonate larvae, for example of black soldier fly, or mites, wherein the live insects are directly taken up in a laminar flow of gas after exiting the feeder arrangement in a free fall under influence of gravitation such that the live insects do not contact any surface of the insects transport device, and while in said gas are transported to a predetermined location in the insects transport device. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the device in industrial insect farming, such as large-scale farming of black soldier flies or mites. The invention also relates to a method of dosing live insects, wherein for example live insects are dosed which are essentially of the same age (e.g. within an age difference of 1 second-5 minutes), such as freshly hatched neonate larvae. In addition, the invention relates to a single dose of neonate larvae obtained with the method, wherein larvae have a small larvae-to-larvae age difference within the single dose.

Claims

1. An insects transport device (1, 100) comprising: a gas guiding unit (12, 112, 112′) comprising a distal end (15) and a proximal end (121″), and at least one longitudinal gas guiding member (12′, 12″) comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end of the gas guiding member is arranged at the distal end of the gas guiding unit and wherein the proximal end of the gas guiding member is directed toward the proximal end of the gas guiding unit, wherein the at least one gas guiding member further comprises a smooth top surface extending from the distal end to the proximal end of the gas guiding member, the top surface comprising a live insect larvae receiving portion between the distal end and proximal end of the at least one gas guiding member; a first gas discharge member located at the distal end of the gas guiding unit and being configured to connect to a source of gas (200), wherein the first gas discharge member is further configured to provide a first laminar flow of gas over the top surface of the at least one gas guiding member from the distal end to the proximal end thereof during operation of the transport device; and wherein the transport device further comprises a feeder arrangement (127) located above the live insect larvae receiving portion of the top surface of the fluid guiding unit, wherein the feeder arrangement is configured to receive at least one reservoir (128) for releasing live insect larvae above the live insect larvae receiving portion, wherein the insects transport device (1, 100) further comprises a casing (5, 105) covering the gas guiding unit (12, 112, 112′) and the feeder arrangement (127).

2. The insects transport device (1, 100) according to claim 1, wherein the first gas discharge member is further configured to provide a continuously flowing first laminar flow of gas over the top surface of the at least one gas guiding member from the distal end to the proximal end thereof during operation of the transport device.

3. The insects transport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the feeder arrangement (127) is configured to receive at least one reservoir (128, 128′, 128a, 128a′) for releasing live insects by gravity-driven free fall through gas medium present in the insect transport device, above the insects receiving portion, and therewith in the first laminar flow of gas, such that during operation of the insects transport device insects freely flow from the reservoir to and into and with the first laminar flow of gas without contacting a surface of the gas guiding member(s).

4. The insects transport device (1, 100) according to any one of the claims 1-3, wherein the at least one gas guiding member (12′, 12″) has a length in the longitudinal direction of between 30 cm and 400 cm, preferably between 40 cm and 200 cm, more preferably between 50 cm and 150 cm, most preferably about 65 cm to 120 cm.

5. The insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-4, wherein said transport device comprises at most one longitudinal gas guiding member (12′, 12″).

6. The insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-4, wherein said transport device comprises at least two imbricatedly coupled longitudinal gas guiding members (12′, 12″), the gas guiding members being imbricatedly coupled with a coupler (18, 18′) located at the proximal end (121′) of a first gas guiding member and the distal end (122′) of a second gas guiding member.

7. The insects transport device according to claim 6, wherein the coupler imbricatedly coupling the at least two gas guiding members is provided with a further gas discharge member (20, 114′) comprising a connector configured to connect each further gas discharge member to a source of gas, and wherein the further gas discharge member(s) is/are configured to reinforce from below the first laminar flow of gas over the top surface of the at least one gas guiding member from the distal end to the proximal end of the gas guiding unit during operation of the transport device.

8. The insects transport device according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the gas is air.

9. The insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-8, wherein the source of gas comprises a compressor (14′) providing compressed gas.

10. The insects transport device according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the source of gas comprises a pump for driving gas through the gas discharge member.

11. The insects transport device according to any of claims 1-10, wherein the gas is temperature-controlled gas and/or wherein the gas is a relative humidity-controlled gas.

12. The insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-11, wherein the feeder arrangement is configured to receive at least one reservoir (128) for live insects such as live insects and live insect larvae at a predetermined distance above said live insects receiving portion of the top surface of the at least one gas guiding member.

13. The insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-12, wherein at least the smooth top surface of the at least one gas guiding member is made of any of stainless steel, aluminum, a polymer such as polypropylene and polyethylene, a polymer blend, or a combination thereof.

14. The insects transport device according to any of claims 1-13, wherein the casing (5, 105) is provided with a thermally insulated top wall and side walls.

15. The insects transport device according to any of claims 1-14, further comprising a live insect discharge member (11) comprising a flat surface with a first end and a second end, the discharge member coupled with its first end to the proximal end of the gas guiding unit (12).

16. The insects transport device according to claim 15, further comprising a live insects counting device (8) for counting live insects in the first laminar flow exiting the insect transport device at the proximal end of the live insect discharge unit.

17. The insects transport device according to claim 16, wherein the counting device is a high-speed camera (8).

18. The insects transport device according to any of claims 1-17, wherein the reservoir (128) for live insects is an insect egg collection interface or an insect egg holder or wherein the reservoir (128a) for live insects is a live insect cage provided with a perforated bottom floor such as a mesh, sieve, plate with through holes.

19. The insects transport device according to any of claims 1-18, wherein the feeder arrangement is configured to receive between 2 and 250 reservoirs, preferably between 10 and 100, more preferably about 32 or about 64 reservoirs for releasing live insect larvae or live insects above the live insects receiving portion.

20. The insects transport device according to any of claims 1-19, wherein the insects transport device is arranged to transport live black soldier fly neonate larvae, for example within 2 seconds-5 minutes post-hatching, or is arranged to transport live mites.

21. The insect transport device according to any of claims 1-20, wherein the feeder arrangement is configured to receive the at least one reservoir in a predetermined orientation relative to the direction of the path for the first laminar flow of gas, such that a major surface of the reservoir(s) is oriented perpendicular to the direction of said first laminar flow of gas, or such that a major surface of the reservoir(s) is oriented parallel to the direction of said first laminar flow of gas.

22. The insect transport device according to any of claims 1-21, wherein the casing (5, 105) comprises a side wall (4) at the distal end (15) of the gas guiding unit (12, 12′), which side wall (4) is a openable side wall (4), such as a door provided with a handle (4′) and a pivot (4″).

23. The insects transport device according to any of claims 1-22, wherein the live insects receiving portion further comprises convex side walls (113′, 113″) located along longitudinal sides of the at least one longitudinal gas guiding member (12′, 12″, 12′″), wherein each convex side wall (113′, 113″) has a top side and a bottom side and a smooth convex surface (115) arranged between the top and bottom side, the bottom side being connected to a longitudinal side of the at least one gas guiding member (12′, 12″, 12′″), and wherein the top side of each convex side wall (113′, 113″) is provided with a second gas discharge member (131, 131′) comprising a connector configured to connect the second gas discharge member (131, 131′) to a source of gas for providing a second laminar flow of gas over the surface (115) of the convex side wall (113′, 113″) from the top side thereof to the at least one gas guiding member (12′, 12″, 12′″) during operation of the insect larvae transport device (100).

24. The insects transport device according to any of claims 1-22, wherein the live insects receiving portion further comprises flat side walls (113′, 113″) with a flat surface, located along longitudinal sides of the at least one longitudinal gas guiding member (12′, 12″, 12′″), wherein each flat side wall (113′, 113″) has a top side and a bottom side and a smooth flat surface (115) arranged between the top and bottom side, the bottom side being connected to a longitudinal side of the at least one gas guiding member (12′, 12″, 12′″), and wherein the top side of each flat side wall (113′, 113″) is provided with a second gas discharge member (131, 131′) comprising a connector configured to connect the second gas discharge member (131, 131′) to a source of gas for providing a second laminar flow of gas over the surface (115) of the flat side wall (113′, 113″) from the top side thereof to the at least one gas guiding member (12′, 12″, 12′″) during operation of the insect larvae transport device (100).

25. The insects transport device according to claim 23 or 24, further comprising a cover member (132) extending along and above the at least one gas guiding member (12′, 12″, 12′″) at a clearance distance (C) with respect thereto.

26. The insects transport device according to claim 25, wherein the cover member (132) comprises a plurality of cover side walls (134), wherein each cover side wall (134) extends in upward and longitudinal/lengthwise direction along one of the side walls (113′, 113″).

27. The insects transport device according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the cover member (132) further comprises a sloped roof (133).

28. The insects transport device 100 according to any one of the claims 23-27, comprising flat side walls (113′, 113″) or arched convex side walls (113′, 113″) arranged along the gas guiding unit (112) and air slits (607a) and (607b) arranged along the top side of the flat side walls (113′, 113″) or the top side of the arched convex side walls (113′, 113″).

29. The insects transport device according to any of claims 1-28, when dependent on claim 8 or 9, wherein the casing (5, 105) covering the gas guiding unit (112) and the feeder arrangement (127) comprises a top wall (2) and side walls (3, 3a, 4, 4A, 7) defining a closed inner volume (V) in which the at least one reservoir (128, 128′, 128a, 128a′) is arranged, and wherein the insects transport device (1, 100) comprises an air feed channel (5a) comprising tube (401) and connector (403) connected to the top wall (2) through opening (402), further comprising gas temperature controller and absolute air humidity control unit (404), configured to provide air of a controllable and desired temperature and/or controllable and desired relative humidity to the inner volume (V) of the casing (5, 105).

30. The insects transport device according to claim 29, wherein the casing (5, 105) further comprises a secondary top wall (2a) arranged below the top wall (2) at a wall distance (Dw) therefrom defining a cavity space (135) between the top wall (2) and the secondary top wall (2a), wherein the secondary top wall (2a) further comprises one or more slits (136) fluidly connecting the cavity space (135) and the inner volume (V) of the casing (5).

31. The insects transport device according to any one of claims 1-30, wherein the inner side of top wall (2) or, if present, the inner side of secondary top wall (2a) is provided with a light source (405) and/or a heater (405) positioned above the feeder arrangement (127), such that reservoirs (128a, 128′) positioned in the feeder arrangement (127) are irradiable with light by the light source (405) from above the reservoirs and/or heatable with the heater (405) from above the reservoirs (128a, 128a′) during operation of the insects transport device (1, 100).

32. The insects transport device according to any one of claims 1-31, wherein the live insect discharge member (11, 11′, 11a) comprises a throat portion (137) arranged between the first end (10′) and the second end (10″) of the live insect discharge member (11, 11′, 11a), wherein a discharge channel (139) extends between the first end (10′) and the second end (10″) and comprises a constricted channel portion (140) at the throat portion (137), and wherein the throat portion (137) is provided with a slit shaped through hole (138) laterally extending through the throat portion (137).

33. The insects transport device according to claim 32, wherein the constricted channel portion (140) comprises a rectangular cross section.

34. The insects transport device according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the slit shaped through hole (138) has a length of at least 90% percent of a width of the constricted channel portion (140) in a direction of the slit shaped through hole (138).

35. The insects transport device according to any one of claims 32-33, wherein the slit shaped through hole (138) comprises a chamfered or rounded downstream inner edge (141).

36. The insects transport device according to any one of claims 32-35, wherein the second end (10″) of the live insect discharge member (11, 11′, 11a) is provided with an air amplifier unit (142, 142′) which is configured to inject further air (A.sub.f) into the second end (10″), or wherein the second end (10″) of the live insect discharge member (11, 11′, 11a) is provided with a tube (11b) connected at the proximal end of the tube (11b) to the second end (10″) of the live insect discharge member (11, 11′, 11a) and connected at the distal end of the tube (11b) to an air amplifier unit (142, 142′) which is configured to inject further air (A.sub.f) into the distal end of the tube (11b).

37. The insects transport device according to any one of the claims 1-36, wherein the second end (10″) of the live insect discharge member (11, 11′, 11a) is in fluid connection with a cyclone separation system (148) comprising a main cyclone chamber (149) having a top chamber part (150) and a conical shaped bottom chamber part (151), wherein the top chamber part (150) is connected to one or more intake channels (152) each of which is arranged for fluid connection to the second end (10″) of the live insect discharge member (11, 11′, 11a) of an insects transport device (1, 100), and wherein the bottom chamber part (151) is connected to a discharge nozzle (153) comprising a discharge end (153′) having a main discharge conduit for discharging live insects from the cyclone separation system (148), and wherein the discharge end (153′) comprises an air injection member (154) for connection to a secondary air source (155) and wherein the air injection member (154) is configured to inject air back into the discharge nozzle (153).

38. The insects transport device according to claim 37, wherein the cyclone separation system (148) comprises a further counting device (158) arranged next to the discharge nozzle (153) for counting the number of live insects being discharged therefrom.

39. The insects transport device according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the cyclone separation system (148) comprises a top portion (148′) of the cyclone separation system comprising openable slats (311) with pivots (312) and slat operation driver unit (313) for moving the slats (311) from an open state to a closed state and vice versa.

40. Method for transporting live insects such as live neonate insect larvae or live mites comprising the steps of: providing an ovisite (128, 128′) comprising insect eggs or providing a cage (128a, 128a′) with a bottom floor (32a) with openings (33a) and comprising mites; providing an insects transport device (1, 100) of any one of the claims 1-37; providing a laminar flow of air in the insects transport device; placing said ovisite or said cage in the feeder arrangement (127) of said insects transport device; providing a temperature-controlled and relative air humidity controlled air current over and along the ovisites perpendicular to the laminar flow of air according to any one of the claims 29-39, or providing light and/or heat from a direction above the mite cage opposite to the bottom floor side of the cage according to any one of the claims 31-39, and transport live neonate insect larvae upon hatching of said larvae in the ovisite, or transport live mites upon escape of the cage through the bottom floor openings driven by the light and/or heat, by taking up the neonate insect larvae or the mites in the first laminar flow of air.

41. Use of the insects transport device of any one of the claims 1-39 for dosing live insects such as neonate insect larvae or live mites, wherein live neonate insect larvae or live mites transported by said insects transport device are collected at the proximal end of the gas guiding unit comprised by the insects transport device or at the second end of the insect discharge member comprised by the insects transport device, in a first receptacle for a period of time until a predetermined number of live neonate insect larvae or live mites passed said proximal end of the gas guiding unit or said second end of the insect discharge member, such that a dose of live neonate insect larvae or a dose of live mites is provided.

42. Use according to claim 41, wherein the predetermined number of live neonate insect larvae or live mites is established by a counting device for counting live insects in the first laminar flow exiting the insects transport device.

43. Method according to claim 38 or use according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the insect larvae are black soldier fly larvae, for example between 2 seconds and 20 minutes post-hatching, preferably 10 seconds-15 minutes post-hatching, more preferably 30 seconds-7 minutes post-hatching.

44. Method according to claim 40 or 43 or use according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the air in the first laminar flow is temperature controlled air at a temperature of between 22° C. and 30° C., such as 26° C.-30° C.

45. Method according to any one of the claim 40, 43 or 44 or use according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the air in the first laminar flow is relative-humidity controlled air with a relative humidity of between 45%-65% such as about 55%.

46. Method according to any one of the claim 40 or 43-45 or use according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the air in the first laminar flow has a speed of larger than 1 m/sec, preferably between 10 m/sec and 70 m/sec.

47. Method according to any one of the claim 40 or 43-46 or use according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the air in the first laminar flow has a pressure at the location of the gas discharge member of between 10 bar and 0.8 bar.

48. Method according to any one of the claim 40 or 43-47 or use according to claim 41 or 42 when dependent on any one of claims 29-39, wherein the air provided by the air feed channel (5a) is temperature controlled air at a temperature of between 25° C. and 35° C., such as 26° C.-30° C.

49. Method according to any one of the claim 40 or 43-48 or use according to claim 41 or 42 when dependent on any one of claims 29-39, wherein the air provided by the air feed channel (5a) is relative-humidity controlled air with a relative humidity of between 75% and 95%, preferably 45%-65% such as about 85%.

50. A single dose of insects obtained with or obtainable with the method of any one of the claims 40, 43-49.

51. The single dose of insects according to claim 50, wherein the insects are living black soldier fly neonate larvae, preferably with any larvae-to-larvae age difference post-hatching of less than 2 hours, when the individual insects in the single dose are considered, such as between 6 seconds and 12 minutes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0127] FIG. 1 displays an overview of an embodiment of the invention, showing an insects transport device 1. The insects transport device is tilted relative to the horizontal over an angle α (alpha). Further, an insect discharge member 11 is indicated, provided with a camera 8 and a lamp 9.

[0128] FIG. 2 displays an overview of an insects transport device 1 of the invention comprising a thermally insulated casing 5 and a gas guiding unit 12 that provides a smooth longitudinal path for a laminar flow of gas, and further displays the distal end 15 of the gas guiding unit which receives the gas discharge members 20, 20′ through an opening 17 in the casing 5.

[0129] FIG. 3 displays a detailed side view of an insects transport device 1 of the invention where the proximal end of the gas guiding unit 12′ ends and where the insect discharge member (See also 11 in FIG. 2) is located and coupled to said proximal end.

[0130] FIG. 4 displays an inside view of an insects transport device of the invention. Shown are longitudinal gas transport members 12′, 12″ which are connected imbricatedly at positions 21, 22 and 21′, 22′. Where two consecutive gas transport members are coupled imbricatedly, a gas discharge member (See 20, 20′ in FIGS. 2 and 114′, 114″, 114′″ in FIG. 5) is positioned at the location where said gas transport members overlap, said gas discharge member provided with openings 23, 23′ for discharging gas.

[0131] FIG. 5 displays an overview of another embodiment of the invention, showing an insects transport device 100 comprising a live insects receiving portion that is built up by a gas guiding unit 112 comprising side walls 113 tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the gas guiding members. The insects transport device of the embodiment comprises a thermally insulated casing 105, said casing having a top side 102 optionally made at least in part from a transparent material 125 such as a plate made of glass.

[0132] FIG. 6 displays a part of a live insects receiving portion of an insects transport device 100 of the invention, the live insects receiving portion being built up by a gas guiding unit 112′ comprising side walls 113′ and 113″ tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the gas guiding members. Further displayed are the proximal end 121″ of the live insects guiding unit 112′ and the further gas discharge members 131 and 131′ located at the top side of the side walls, and the feeder arrangement 127 located above the live insects receiving portion of the top surface of the gas guiding unit.

[0133] FIG. 7 displays a view of an insects transport device 100 of the invention along the longitudinal gas guiding units in the direction towards the first gas discharge member located at opening 117. Consecutive gas guiding units are connected imbricatedly and at positions where the gas guiding units overlap imbricatedly further gas discharge members are located for reinforcing the first laminar flow of gas. The live insects receiving portion is shown and is built up by a gas guiding unit 112′ comprising side walls 113′ and 113″ tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the gas guiding members. Further displayed are the distal end of the live insects guiding unit and the further gas discharge members 131′ and 131 located at the top side of the side walls 113″ and 131′, respectively.

[0134] FIG. 8 depicts an insects transport device 100 comprising a gas guiding unit 112 and arched convex side walls 113′, 113″ arranged there along according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0135] FIG. 9 depicts an insects transport device 100 comprising a cover member 132 arranged over and along a gas guiding unit 112 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cover member 132 extends along and above the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ at a clearance distance C with respect thereto.

[0136] FIG. 10 shows a thermally insulated casing 5 of an insects transport device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the insects transport device comprising a reservoir 128, the reservoir being an ovisite;

[0137] FIG. 11 shows a three dimensional view of a live insect discharge member 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0138] FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view of a live insect discharge member 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0139] FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of an insects transport device 100 further provided with a cyclone separation system 148 connected to the live insect discharge member 11, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0140] FIG. 14A shows a top view of the cyclone separation system 148, comprised by the insects transport device of the invention, showing laminar slats that are openable under control of a control unit;

[0141] FIG. 14B shows a perspective top/side view of the cyclone separation system 148, comprised by the insects transport device of the invention, showing laminar slats in the top portion 148′ of the system 148;

[0142] FIG. 14C shows a side view of part of the cyclone separation system 148;

[0143] FIG. 15A shows a reservoir 128a, consisting of a cage for live insects such as mite, the cage comprising side walls and a bottom floor comprising openings for passage of live insects;

[0144] FIG. 15B displays an inside view of an insects transport device of the invention. Shown are longitudinal gas transport members 12′, 12″ which are connected imbricatedly at positions 21, 22 and 21′, 22′. Where two consecutive gas transport members are coupled imbricatedly, a gas discharge member (See 20, 20′ in FIGS. 2 and 114′, 114″, 114′″ in FIG. 5) is positioned at the location where said gas transport members overlap, said gas discharge member provided with openings 23, 23′ for discharging gas. The insects transport device comprises a reservoir 128a, the reservoir being a cage for live insects, the cage comprising side walls and a bottom floor comprising openings for passage of live insects.

[0145] FIG. 15C and FIG. 15D show a thermally insulated casing 5 of an insects transport device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the insects transport device comprising a reservoir 128a, the reservoir being a cage for live insects, the cage comprising side walls and a bottom floor comprising openings for passage of live insects, the casing comprising a secondary top wall 2a defining a volume 135; FIG. 16A displays an insect discharge member 11a coupled to a tube 11b, the tube 11b connected to an air amplifier unit 142′;

[0146] FIG. 16B displays a cross-sectional side view of the insect discharge member 11a connected to tube 11b;

[0147] FIG. 16C shows a cross-sectional side view of air amplifier unit 142′ fluidly connected to tube 11b, which is connected at its proximal end to the insect discharge member 11a as displayed in FIG. 16B;

[0148] FIG. 16D shows a schematic view of an insects transport device 100 further provided with a cyclone separation system 148 fluidly connected to the live insect discharge member 11a via tubing 11b and air amplifier unit 142′, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0149] FIG. 17A displays an exploded view of an insects transport device 1, 100, showing the side walls and top wall of the casing 5, 105, said side walls and top wall provided with a layer of thermally insulating material 301-305, wherein the side wall 4 is an openable door 4;

[0150] FIG. 17B displays an insects transport device 1, 100 provided with casing 5, 105, wherein said casing comprises thermally insulated side walls and a thermally insulated top wall. For clarity the front side wall 4 is not shown; and

[0151] FIG. 17C displays an insects transport device 1, 100 provided with casing 5, 105, wherein said casing comprises thermally insulated side walls and a thermally insulated top wall, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0152] FIG. 18 depicts an insects transport device 100 comprising a gas guiding unit 112 and flat side walls 113′, 113″ arranged there along according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0153] FIG. 19 depicts an insects transport device 100 comprising a cover member 132 arranged over and along a gas guiding unit 112, further comprising a gas guiding unit 112 and flat side walls 113′, 113″ arranged there along and air slits 607a and 607b arranged along the top side of the flat side walls, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0154] FIG. 20A shows a schematic view of an insects transport device 100 further provided with a cyclone separation system 148 connected to the live insect discharge member 11, according to an embodiment of the present invention. An air amplifier 142′ is connected with the live insect discharge member 11 proximate to the proximal end 121″ of the gas guiding unit 112;

[0155] FIG. 20B and the exploded view of part of FIG. 20B, FIG. 20C, show a schematic view of an insects transport device 100 further provided with a cyclone separation system 148 connected to the live insect discharge member 11, according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Now, an air amplifier 142′ is connected with a tube 11b, the tube 11b connected to an insect discharge member 11′, 11, 11a, therewith physically separating the air amplifier 142′ from the insect discharge member 11′, 11, 11a with the tube 11b;

[0156] FIG. 21 shows a thermally insulated casing 5 of an insects transport device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the insects transport device 100 comprising a reservoir 128, 128′, the reservoir being an ovisite;

[0157] FIG. 22 displays an insect discharge member 11a coupled to a tube 11b, the tube 11b connected to an air amplifier unit 142′ comprising a driver (a fan) 803, an air inlet for air 802, a sensor 801 for sensing air humidity and temperature;

[0158] FIG. 23 shows a schematic view of an insects transport device 100 further provided with a cyclone separation system 148 connected to the live insect discharge member 11, according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the opening 707 in top chamber part 150 of the cyclone separation system 148 is substantially at the same height, relative to the horizontal, as the proximal end 121″ of gas guiding unit 112. The cyclone separation system 148 is further optionally provided with sensor 700 for sensing air humidity and temperature of air inside the cyclone separation system 148, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and wherein the air amplifier 142′ and the insect discharge member 11, 11′, 11a of FIG. 20 and FIG. 22 are incorporated in the connection between the insects transport device 100 and the cyclone separation system 148, therewith forming a fluid connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0159] Referring to FIG. 1, an overview of an embodiment of the invention is provided, showing a live insects transport device 1. Optionally, the insects transport device is positioned inside an air-conditioned volume 900 such as a climate room 900 for controlling air temperature and/or for controlling air humidity. The live insects transport device is optionally tilted relative to the horizontal over an angle α (alpha). Further, an insect discharge member 11 is indicated, provided with a camera 8 and a lamp 9 at the proximal end 10 of the live insect discharge member 11, which is coupled at its distal end 10′ to the opening in the side wall 7 of casing 5, at the proximal end 26 of the live insect transport device 1. The camera 8 is a high-speed imager able to detect, image and store images at the speed required for counting and dosing larvae exiting the live insect transport device through the opening of the live insect discharge member located at proximal end 10. Other measurements like determination of lipid content by application of near infra red spectroscopy, could also be performed, for example. The live insects transport device is coupled to a frame 16, amongst others for the purpose of tilting the transport device over said angle α (alpha). Positioning the transport device 1 over said angle prevents larvae from contaminating the lamp 9, positioned in the proximity of the opening of the live insect discharge member 11. The live insects transport device comprises a gas guiding unit 12 comprising upright side walls 13. The transport device further comprises a casing 5 covering, for example a thermally insulated casing 5, the gas guiding unit and the feeder arrangement (not shown), the casing comprising a top wall 2, side walls 3, 4, 4A, 7. Optionally, the side walls and the top wall are provided with a layer of thermally insulating material, such that the casing is thermally insulating the interior of the insects transport device defined by the side walls and top wall of the casing and by the gas guiding member(s). At the distal end 6 of the live insects transport device 1, the distal end 15 of the gas guiding unit 12 is located. Here, a first gas discharge member (not shown) is located, being configured to connect to a source of gas 200. The source of gas comprises a pump or a compressor 14′, and the gas is provided to the live insects transport device via tubing or pipes 14, connecting the source of gas to gas discharge members. In an embodiment, side wall 4 is an openable door for providing access to the interior of the insect transport device, from the exterior side. For example, loading the insect transport device 1 with one or more reservoirs 128 is through the opened door 4. Door 4 is provided with a grip 4′ and a pivot 4″.

[0160] Now referring to FIG. 2, a drawing is displayed providing an overview of a live insects transport device 1 of the invention comprising a thermally insulated casing 5 and a gas guiding unit 12 that provides a smooth longitudinal path for a laminar flow of gas, and further displays the distal end 15 of the gas guiding unit which receives the gas discharge members 20, 20′ through an opening 17 in the casing 5. The gas discharge members 20, 20′ are coupled to a source of gas (not shown) with tubing 19 and 19′, said tubing coupled to the gas discharge members with couplers 18, 18′. The live insects transport device is further provided with a live insects discharge member 11. The side wall 4 of the casing 5 is an openable door 4 provided with a grip 4′ and a pivot 4″, for providing access to the interior of the insects transport device, for example for delivery of a reservoir or for removal of an empty reservoir after operation of the insects transport device. The top wall and side wall of the casing 5 are for example thermally insulated walls, provided with a layer of thermally insulating material, such that the volume defined by the casing and the gas guiding unit(s) inside the insects transport device is thermally insulated.

[0161] Now referring to FIG. 3, a drawing is displayed providing a detailed side view of an insects transport device 1 where the proximal end 26 of the gas guiding unit 12′ ends and where the insect discharge member (See also 11 in FIG. 2) is located and coupled to said proximal end with the distal end portion 10′ of the live insects discharge member. The live insects discharge member has a funnel-like shape, configured to provide a narrowed stream of flowing live insects in the flow of gas exiting the insects transport device. Narrowing the stream of live insects provides the benefit of a smaller cross section of the flow of gas comprising the live insects, in support of counting, sorting and/or dosing the insects. The gas guiding member comprises upright side walls 13′. The live insect receiving zone is provided by the smooth top surface of the gas guiding member 12′.

[0162] Now referring to FIG. 4, a drawing is displayed providing an inside view of an insects transport device. Shown are longitudinal gas transport members 12′, 12″ which are connected imbricatedly at positions 21, 22 and 21′, 22′. Where two consecutive gas transport members are coupled imbricatedly, a gas discharge member (not shown; See 20, 20′ in FIGS. 2 and 114′, 114″, 114′″ in FIG. 5) is positioned at the location where said gas transport members overlap, said gas discharge member provided with openings 23, 23′ for discharging gas. In this embodiment, the live insects receiving portion is provided by the smooth top surface of four imbricatedly coupled gas guiding units, two of which are indicated with 12′ and 12″. The transport device has straight upright walls 13′. The laminar flow of gas is in the direction of the arrows, flowing to the proximal end 21″ of the proximal gas guiding member 12′. The feeder arrangement (see 127 in FIG. 6) here received a frame 30, 30′, encompassing a reservoir 128 for releasing live insects above the live insects receiving portion provided by the smooth top surface of the gas guiding unit.

[0163] Now referring to FIG. 5, a drawing is displayed providing an overview of another embodiment, showing an insects transport device 100 comprising a live insects receiving portion that is built up by a gas guiding unit 112 comprising side walls 113 tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the gas guiding members. The insects transport device of the embodiment comprises a casing 105, said casing comprising thermally insulated side walls 103, 104 and a top side 102, the top side made at least in part from a transparent material 125 such as a plate made of glass, a transparent polymer or polymer blend, etc. The insects transport device 100 is provided with a live insects discharge member 111, coupled to the transport device at its distal end 110′ at an opening 107 located at the proximal end 126 of the transport device, the live insects discharge member further comprising a proximal end where the laminar flow of gas comprising live insects exits the discharge member. The insects transport device is provided on a frame 106, 116. Gas discharge members 114′, 114″ and 114′″ are coupled to a gas source via tubing 114, the gas source comprising a compressor unit 124 comprising a pressure control unit 140. Gas discharge members 114′, 114″ and 114′″ are configured to provide a flow of gas for reinforcing the laminar flow of gas discharged into the insects transport member at the distal end of the gas guiding unit.

[0164] Now referring to FIG. 6, a drawing is displayed providing a view on part of a live insects receiving portion of an insects transport device 100, the live insects receiving portion being built up by a gas guiding unit 112′ comprising side walls 113′ and 113″ tilted at an obtuse angle (13 (beta)) relative to the top surface of the gas guiding members. Further displayed are the proximal end 121″ of the live insects guiding unit 112′ and the further gas discharge members 131 and 131′ located at the top side of the side walls, and the feeder arrangement 127 located above the live insects receiving portion of the top surface of the gas guiding unit. A first laminar flow of gas, such as a laminar flow of air, is provided in the direction of the arrows c towards the direction of the location of the proximal end 121″ of the live insects guiding unit 112′. A further laminar flow of gas, yet at a lower pressure and/or at a lower velocity in m.sup.3/sec, than the pressure and/or velocity of the gas in the first laminar flow, is provided in the direction of the arrows a and b, provided by the gas discharge members 131′ and 131, respectively, wherein gas is discharged through openings 129′ and 129, respectively. The feeder arrangement 127 received frames, encompassing a reservoir 128, 128′ for releasing live insects above the live insects receiving portion provided by the smooth top surface of the gas guiding unit.

[0165] Now referring to FIG. 7, a drawing is displayed providing a view of an insects transport device 100 along the longitudinal gas guiding units in the direction towards the first gas discharge member located at opening 117 in the side wall 4, 106 of the transport device 100. Consecutive gas guiding units are connected imbricatedly and at positions where the gas guiding units overlap imbricatedly further gas discharge members are located for reinforcing the first laminar flow of gas. The live insects receiving portion is shown and is built up by a gas guiding unit 112 comprising side walls 113′ and 113″, e.g. flat side walls 113′, 113″, tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the gas guiding members. Further displayed are the distal end of the live insects guiding unit and the further gas discharge members 131′ and 131 located at the top side of the side walls 113″ and 131′, respectively. The gas discharge members located at positions where consecutive gas guiding members imbricatedly overlap, i.e. positions 121′, 122′ (i.e. overlap between the proximal end 121′ of a first gas guiding member and the distal end 122′ of a consecutive gas guiding member) and 121, 122 (i.e. overlap between the proximal end 121 of the second gas guiding member and the distal end 122 of a consecutive third gas guiding member), are provided with openings 123′, 123 for providing the first laminar flow of gas in the direction of the arrows c. Further gas discharge members 131′ and 131 are provided with openings 129′ and 129, for releasing gas such that a laminar flow of gas over the surface of tilted side walls 113″ and 113′ is provided in the direction of the arrows, perpendicular to the direction of the first laminar flow of gas. Gas discharge members are coupled to a source of gas such as compressed air or a driver for driving air through the gas discharge members such as a pump or a fan, via tubing or pipes 114, the source of gas optionally comprising a control unit 124 for example for controlling the gas pressure at entrance of the live insect transport device and/or for controlling the velocity of the gas provided for the building up of the first and further laminar flows of gas.

[0166] FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 of an insect transport device 100, wherein the live insects receiving portion further comprises convex side walls 113′, 113″, i.e. two opposing convex side walls 113′, 113″, located along longitudinal sides of the at least one longitudinal gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″, e.g. three longitudinal gas guiding members 12′, 12″, 12′″, wherein each convex side wall 113′, 113″ has a top side and a bottom side, and a smooth convex surface 115 arranged and extending there between, and wherein the bottom side is connected to a longitudinal side of the at least one longitudinal gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″. As further depicted, the top side of each convex side wall 113′, 113″ is provided with a second gas discharge member 131, 131′ comprising a connector configured to connect the second gas discharge member 131, 131′ to a source of gas for providing a second laminar flow of gas over the surface 115 of the convex side wall 113′, 113″ from the top side thereof to the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ during operation of the insect transport device.

[0167] In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, in the embodiment of FIG. 8 each side wall 113′, 113″ is a convex side wall 113, 113″ having a top side provided with a second gas discharge member 131, 131′ comprising openings 129, 129′ for discharging a gas, e.g. air, such that the second laminar flow of gas follows the convex surface 115 toward the at least one longitudinal gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″.

[0168] The convex side walls 113′, 113″ exhibit the advantageous effect in that when gas such as air flows over the convex side walls 113′, 113″ toward the top surface of the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″, the speed of gas is maintained to a higher degree compared to gas flowing over flat side walls 113′, 113″ as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7.

[0169] For example, when a gas such as air is discharged from the second gas discharge members 131, 131′ at a speed of 4 m/sec over flat side walls 113′, 113″ as depicted in FIG. 7, then the air may approach the top surface of the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ at a speed of about 2 m/s. On the other hand, for convex side walls 113′, 113″ as shown in FIG. 8, in order to reach 2 m/s air speed at the top surface of the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″, then air may be discharged from the second gas discharge members 131, 131′ at a lower speed of e.g. 3 m/s.

[0170] In a further example, in case air is discharged from the second gas discharge members 131, 131′ at a speed of about 1.2 m/sec, then the air may approach the top surface of the gas guiding members at a speed of about 0.4 m/sec, which is sufficient to maintain suspension of live insects in the first laminar flow of gas, e.g. air, over the top surface of the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12″.

[0171] Therefore, gas flowing over the convex side walls 113′, 113″ maintains its speed to a much higher degree and a such less gas needs to be discharged by the second gas discharge members 131, 131′ for facilitating laminar flow over the top surface of the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ for transport of the live insects.

[0172] As the convex side walls 113′, 113″ allow for lower speeds of air being discharged from the second gas discharge members 131, 131′ with minimal loss of momentum, the discharged air has less impact on e.g. environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, humidity) surrounding the reservoirs comprising the live insects. For example, when a thermally insulated casing 5 is provided covering the gas guiding unit 112 and the feeder arrangement as mentioned above, then the convex side walls 113′, 113″ allow air to be discharged toward the top surface of the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ with reduced impact on environmental conditions on the inner side of the casing 5.

[0173] It is further noted that when a gas such as air flows over the convex side walls 113′, 113″, then the gas tends to closely follow and “stick” to the convex side walls 113′, 113″ in substantially laminar fashion so that turbulence is kept to a minimum. As a result, laminar flow over the convex side walls 113′, 113″ reduces the amount of conditioned air being disturbed or pulled away from the at least one reservoir 128, 128′ (see FIG. 6) and as such the laminar flow over the convex side walls 113′, 113″ reduces the amount of conditioned air being disturbed or pulled away from insect eggs contained in the at least one reservoir 128, 128′.

[0174] In an embodiment, the convex side walls 113′, 113″ engage the top surface of the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ at an angle (13) between 45 and 60°, such that (laminar) air flowing over the convex side walls 113′, 113″ causes minimum disturbance of conditioned air around insect eggs contained in the at least one reservoir 128, 128′.

[0175] For example, relative humidity of air at 1 bar around the insect eggs or around live insects such as mites may be 80-85% at a temperature of 28° C. to 35° C.+/−0.5° C. The second gas discharge members 131, 131′ may then discharge a gas, e.g. air, at 1 bar at a temperature of 20° C. to 30° C. and with relative humidity of 40%-55%, e.g. 45%. As the discharged air flows in substantially laminar fashion over the convex side walls 113′, 113″ in a temperature controlled manner, condensation is prevented. Condensation of water vapor inside the casing 5 at any surface of the interior of the insects transport device is further prevented due to the provision of thermally insulated side walls and top wall of the casing. The inventors established that during operation of the insects transport device provided with air feed channel 5A, part of humid ‘climate’ air fed to the device by feed channel 5A, stays in the cabinet and part of the humid climate air is taken up by the laminar air flow. The volume of the humid climate air is about 20%-40% of the volume of the air building up the laminar air flow and therewith the climate air having a higher humidity than the ‘transport’ air in the laminar air flow, is sufficiently diluted in the less humid transport air, such that condensation of water vapor is prevented, for example inside the insects transport device and also when the transport air comprising a fraction of the climate air cools down to e.g. ambient temperature of 18° C.-23° C. upon exiting the insects transport device, and entering tubing, etc.

[0176] FIG. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and in FIG. 8 of an insect transport device 100, wherein the further gas discharge members 131 and 131′ located at the top side of the side walls in the embodiment of FIG. 7 are now replaced by gas discharge members 600a and 600b, comprising elongated slits 607a and 607b respectively, for discharging gas, e.g. temperature and absolute humidity controlled air, in directions 129′ over the flat surface of flat side walls 113′, 113″ (optionally, the side walls 113′, 113″ are convex side walls similar to the side walls 113′, 113″ of FIG. 8). Gas discharge members 600a and 600b are connected to tubing or pipes 601a and 601b, respectively, jointly connected to driver 603 such as a fan 603, which driver 603 drives ambient air through tubing or pipes 601a and 601b towards slits 607a and 607b. The air driven by fan 603 is temperature controlled air and absolute humidity or relative humidity controlled air. Temperature and humidity is controlled with sensor 602. The air temperature and air humidity is kept within temperature boundaries and within humidity boundaries suitable for keeping insect alive which are transported through the insect transport device 100 and cyclone separation system 148. Preferably, with regard to this embodiment, the gas guiding unit 112 has a smaller width in the direction of side walls 113′, 113″ compared to said with for the gas guiding unit in the embodiments outlined in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, preferably about 25% to smaller than 100% of said width, such as about half the width (8 cm-24 cm). The gas guiding unit 112 with a relatively smaller width provides the benefit of the requirement for less air for keeping insects airborne when travelling through the insect transport device without touching any inner surfaces of e.g. walls, tubes, etc. Similarly, the provision of the flat surface of the flat side walls 113′, 113″ also provides the benefit of the requirement for less air for keeping insects airborne when travelling through the insect transport device without touching any inner surfaces of e.g. walls, tubes, etc. Application of flat side walls 113′, 113″ with a flat surface provide the benefit that the decrease of the air velocity in the air flow from the top side of the flat side walls towards the gas guiding unit 112 is less, compared to the decrease of the air velocity in the air flow from the top side of the side walls towards the gas guiding unit 112 when the side walls 113′, 113″ are convex side walls with a convex surface. Applying flat side walls requires a lower initial air velocity at the top side of the side walls in order to maintain a sufficiently high air velocity at the side in proximity with the gas guiding unit 112. In addition, controlling and keeping constant the air velocity of air flowing over the surface of flat side walls 113′, 113″ is less demanding and more easily established compared to controlling air velocity of air flowing over a convex side wall surface.

[0177] FIG. 9 depicts an insect transport device 100 comprising an elongated cover member 132 arranged over and along a gas guiding unit 112. Further, thermally insulating material 301-303 in the side walls of casing 5 are provided for aiding in avoiding condensation of water inside the insects transport device during operation, when temperature drops in the air surrounding the insects transport device may occur.

[0178] In the embodiment shown, the insects transport device 100 may be considered to be the same as the one shown in FIG. 8 but wherein a cover member 132 is provided that extends above and along the gas guiding unit 112 at a clearance distance “C”, thus wherein the cover member 132 extends along and above the at least one gas guiding members 12′, 12″, 12′″ at a clearance distance “C” with respect thereto. The clearance distance “C” is sufficiently large to allow the first laminar flow of air with live insects, e.g. larvae or live mites, to flow freely over the top surface of each of the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ extending underneath the cover member 132.

[0179] The cover member 132 prevents that the first laminar flow over the gas guiding unit 112, i.e. the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″, drags too much conditioned air toward the exit of the insects transport device 100 at a proximal end thereof. In case too much air is being dragged along with the first laminar flow, then this would produce too much turbulence at the exit because of the limited flow capacity there through causing air being lifted upward at the proximal end of the live insect larvae transport device 100.

[0180] Therefore, the cover member 132 maintains homogenous distribution of conditioned air around the insect eggs or live mites in the at least one reservoir 128, 128′, 128a, 128a′ by minimizing the amount of conditioned air being dragged away and/or downward therefrom along with the first laminar flow over the gas guiding unit 112.

[0181] In an embodiment, the cover member 132 has a height such that it extends and remains underneath the at least one reservoir 128, 128′, 128a, 128a′ so that conditioned air around the insect eggs or around the mites is prevented from being dragged with the first laminar flow over the gas guiding unit 112.

[0182] In another embodiment, the cover member 132 may further comprise a sloped roof 133 to prevent that live insects collect on the cover member 132 when dropping from the at least one reservoir 128, 128′, 128a, 128a′ onto the cover member 132, thereby ensuring that the live insects reach the first laminar flow of gas over the gas guiding unit 112.

[0183] In a further embodiment, the cover member 132 comprises a plurality of cover side walls 134, e.g. oppositely arranged cover side walls 134, wherein each cover side wall 134 extends in upward and longitudinal/lengthwise direction along one of the flat or convex side walls 113′, 113″ to further reduce any suction or dragging of conditioned air by the first laminar air flowing over the gas guiding unit 112. Note that lowest edges of each cover side wall 134 are arranged above the gas guiding member 112 at the aforementioned clearance distance C. In a further embodiment, the cover member 132 comprises a bottom side (not visible in FIG. 9) which may be an open or a closed bottom side. In case the bottom side is closed, then the bottom side extends along and above the gas guiding unit 112 at the aforementioned clearance distance C.

[0184] In an exemplary embodiment, the cover member 132 has a width w.sub.c which may be substantially the same as a width W.sub.g of the gas guiding unit 112. Since the cover member 132 is arranged above the gas guiding unit 112 at the clearance distance C, a slit “S” is provided between the cover member 132 and each of the flat or convex side walls 113′, 113″. These slits S still allow discharged air from the second gas discharge members 131, 131′ to flow in laminar fashion over the flat or convex side walls 113′, 113″ and pass through these slits S toward each of the at least one gas guiding members 12′, 12″, 12″.

[0185] In an exemplary embodiment, the cover member 132 may have a height between 10 cm to 20 cm, e.g. 20 cm, and a width W.sub.c of 3 cm to 7 cm, e.g. 5 cm.

[0186] FIG. 19 displays an embodiment of an insects transport device 100 with a similar set-up as the insects transport device 100 depicted in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, wherein in FIG. 19 the further gas discharge members 131 and 131′ located at the top side of the side walls in the embodiment of FIG. 7 are now replaced by gas discharge members 600a and 600b, comprising elongated slits 607a and 607b respectively, for discharging gas, e.g. temperature and absolute humidity controlled air, in directions 129′ over the flat surface of flat side walls 113′, 113″, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 18 (optionally, the side walls 113′, 113″ are convex side walls similar to the side walls 113′, 113″ of FIG. 8). Again, by driving air over the flat surface, which air has preferably controlled and set temperature and humidity, and in addition by controlling the air velocity by fan 603, with the insects transport device 100 displayed in FIGS. 18 and 19 it is now possible to better keep insects such as neonate black soldier fly larvae alive during their time of flight starting at the ovisite from which they hatch and ending in a crate 156 comprising larvae feed at a suitable humidity and temperature favorable for development of the living insects.

[0187] As mentioned earlier, the at least one reservoir 128, 128′, 128a, 128a′ comprising live insects, e.g. insect eggs or mites, are to be maintained at a controlled and predetermined temperature and relative air humidity to stimulate and facilitate optimal hatching or optimal disposal of mites through the through holes in the bottom floor of the mite cage 128a, 128a′, such that optimal release of live insects from the at least one reservoir 128, 128′, 128a, 128a′ into the live insect receiving portion is achieved.

[0188] To provide optimal temperature and relative humidity condition, FIG. 10 shows a casing 5 of an insects transport device 100 according to an embodiment. In the depicted embodiment, the insects transport device 100 comprises a thermally insulated casing 5 covering the gas guiding unit 112 in the inners side of the casing 5, the flat or convex side walls 113′, 113″, and the feeder arrangement 127 in which the at least one reservoirs 128, 128′, 128a, 128a′ are received. The casing 5 comprises a thermally insulated top wall 2 and thermally insulated side walls 3, 3a, 4, 4A, 7 defining the inner side, and in particular a closed inner space or volume “V” in which the temperature is controllable as well as the relative humidity to provide an environment for the at least one reservoir 128, 128′, 128a, 128a′ to stimulate and facilitate optimal hatching or to stimulate and facilitate optimal migration of mites through openings in the bottom floor of cages 128a, 128a′. In order to provide air of a particular temperature and/or relative humidity, the insects transport device 100 further comprises an air feed channel 5a, comprising tube 401 and connector 403 connected to the top wall 2 via opening 402 of the casing 5 for providing air of a desired temperature and/or relative humidity, under control of temperature control unit and relative air humidity control unit 404, to the inner side of the casing 5 and in particular to the inner volume V.

[0189] In an embodiment, the casing 5 may be provided with a secondary top wall 2a arranged below the top wall 2 at wall distance D.sub.w therefrom such that a cavity space 135 is defined between the top wall 2 and secondary top wall 2a. The secondary top wall 2a further comprises one or more slits 136 such that air from the air feed conduit 5a entering the cavity/buffer space 135 is able to flow toward the inner volume V. That is, the one or more slits 136 fluidly connect the cavity/buffer space 135 and the inner volume V of the casing 5. The one or more slits 136 provided in the secondary top wall 2a allow air, e.g. temperature and/or humidity controlled air, to be provided to the inner volume V in distributed fashion so as to minimize turbulence in the inner volume. Therefore, the cavity space 135 in conjunction with the one or more slits 136 allow air from the air feed conduit 5a to enter the inner volume V with maximum homogeneity. The casing 5 is provided with thermally insulating top wall and side walls.

[0190] In an embodiment, the one or more slits 136 are arranged in longitudinal fashion, i.e. in a lengthwise direction “L” as depicted, thereby providing conditioned air in homogenous fashion along the gas guiding unit 112. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more slits 136 extends along 70% to 90%, e.g. 80%, of a length of the first laminar flow of gas, e.g. air, over the top surface of the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12″. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one more slits 136 has a length between 50 cm to 100 cm, e.g. 60 cm, 65 cm, 70 cm. In a further exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more slits 136 has a width of about 3 cm to 6 cm, e.g. 4 cm or 5 cm, to further facilitate homogenous distribution of conditioned air entering the inner volume V of the thermally insulated casing 5.

[0191] In an advantageous embodiment, the one or more slits 136 extend above the at least one reservoir 128, 128′, 128a, 128a′ containing the live insects, e.g. insect eggs or live mites, for which conditioned air is to be provided for optimized hatching, or optimized migration downward in the mite cage 128a, 128a′.

[0192] In another embodiment, each of the one or more slits 136 comprises a plurality of perforations covering 40% to 60%, e.g. 50%, of a surface area of the slit 136. In further embodiments each of the perforations is a substantially circular perforation having a diameter of about 4, 5, or 6 mm for example. In an embodiment, the secondary top wall 2a with the one or more slits 136 is arranged above the at least one reservoir 128, 128′ at a height of 5 cm to 15 cm, e.g. 10 cm to provide the conditioned air to the at least one reservoir 128. 128′.

[0193] As mentioned earlier, the insects transport device 100 may comprise a live insects counting device 8, e.g. a camera, for counting live insects in the first laminar flow exiting the insects transport device 100 at the proximal end of the live insect discharge member 11 as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2. In one embodiment, the live insects discharge member 11 may be a funnel shaped discharge member 11, e.g. having a rectangular cross section, configured to provide a narrow stream of gas for accurate counting of the live insects exiting the insects transport device 100.

[0194] To further improve upon the accuracy and reliability of counting live insects exiting the insects transport device 100, further embodiments of the live insects discharge member 11 as discussed earlier are conceivable. For example, FIG. 11 shows a three dimensional view of a live insect discharge member 11 and FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view of the live insect discharge member 11.

[0195] In the depicted embodiments, the live insect discharge member 11 may comprise a throat portion 137 arranged between the distal end 10′, i.e. the first end, and a proximal end 10″, i.e. the second end, of the live insect discharge member 11. That it, a discharge channel 139 of the live insect discharge member 11 extends between the distal end 10′ and proximal end 10″ thereof and comprises a constricted or choked channel portion 140 at the throat portion 137. Here, the distal/first end 10′ is configured for connection to the insects transport device 100 such that live insects exiting the insects transport device 100 can travel through the discharge channel 139 by entering at the distal/first end 10′ and exiting from the proximal/second end 10″.

[0196] As shown, the throat portion 137 is provided with a through hole 138, e.g. shaped as a (elongated) slit 138, laterally/sideways extending through the throat portion 137. The through hole/slit 138 allows the counting device 3, e.g. a camera, to be arranged next to the slit shaped through hole 138 and have a field of view into the discharge channel 139, in particular the constricted channel portion 140, for counting the number of live insects passing through the live insect discharge member 11 as they exit the insects transport device 100.

[0197] The advantage of having the slit shaped through hole 138 at the constricted channel portion 140 is that a pressure drop in the constricted channel portion 140 will develop according to the Venturi effect or Venturi principle. That is, the constricted channel portion 140 induces a Venturi effect allowing outside air “A” to be drawn/sucked into the constricted channel portion 140 via the slit shaped through hole 138 when an air stream carrying live insects flows through the discharge channel 139. As a result, suction at the slit shaped through hole 138 allows live insects to be counted by the counting device 3 whilst preventing that live insects escape the live insect discharge member 11 via the slit shaped through hole 138.

[0198] For improved operation of the counting device 8, e.g. a camera, a light source such as a lamp 9 may be provided as mentioned earlier with reference to FIG. 1A, 1B. To improve operation of the counting device 8, FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a light source 9 such as an elongated lamp arranged next to and extending along the slit shaped through hole 138 on an opposite side of the live insect discharge member 11 with respect to the counting device 8. In particular, the counting device 8 is arranged on a first side S.sub.1 whereas the light source 9 is arranged on an opposing second side S.sub.2 of the live insect discharge member 11. Light from the light source 9 is able to pass through the slit shaped through hole 138 and reach the counting device 8. The constricted channel portion 140 then prevents live insects escaping through the slit shaped through hole 138 by virtue of the suction effect explained above when an air stream carrying live insects passes through the discharge channel 139.

[0199] Note that suction at the slit shaped through hole 138 allows the counting device 3 to be arranged on both sides S.sub.1, S.sub.2, e.g. above or below, the live insect discharge channel 11 and the light source 9 may then be arranged below or above the live insect discharge channel 11 respectively. In any case, the constricted channel portion 140 prevents live insects escaping via the slit shaped through hole 138 on both sides S.sub.1, S.sub.2 of the live insect discharge member 11. Since live insects cannot escape through the slit shaped through hole 138, contamination of the counting device 8 and/or light source 9 is eliminated, allowing the counting device 8 and light source 9 to be placed on either side S.sub.1, S.sub.2 of the live insect discharge member 11 whilst still allowing accurate counting of the number of live insects exiting the insects transport device 100.

[0200] FIG. 21 displays a casing 5 of an insects transport device 100 according to an embodiment similar to the embodiment outlined in FIG. 10, with the difference that similar to the embodiments in FIGS. 18-20, wherein the further gas discharge members 131 and 131′ located at the top side of the side walls in the embodiment of FIG. 7 and FIG. 11 are now replaced by gas discharge members 600a and 600b, comprising elongated slits 607a and 607b respectively, for discharging gas, e.g. temperature and absolute humidity controlled air, in directions 608 over the convex surface of convex side walls 113′, 113″ or over the flat surface of flat side walls 113′, 113″. Gas discharge members 600a and 600b are connected to tubing or pipes 601a and 601b, respectively, jointly connected to driver 603 (See FIG. 18 and FIG. 20) such as a fan 603, which driver 603 drives ambient air through tubing or pipes 601a and 601b towards slits 607a and 607b. The air driven by fan 603 is temperature controlled air and absolute humidity or relative humidity controlled air. Temperature and humidity is controlled with sensor 602. The air temperature and air humidity is kept within temperature boundaries and within humidity boundaries suitable for keeping insect alive which are transported through the insect transport device 100 and cyclone separation system 148.

[0201] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in an embodiment the constricted channel portion 140 comprises a rectangular cross section, which allows a relatively narrow and elongated air stream of live insect to pass through the constricted channel portion 140 so that the counting device 8 is able to count the number of live insects much more accurately with a minimal number of uncounted live insects, which could have been be blocked by another live insect in the field of view of the counting device 8.

[0202] To obtain a most optimal field of view into the constricted channel portion 140, an embodiment is provided wherein the slit shaped through hole 138 has a length of at least 90% percent of a width of the constricted channel portion 140 in the lateral direction of the slit shaped through hole 138. This embodiment minimizes the number of live insects that could potentially bypass the field of view of the counting device 8.

[0203] In an embodiment, the slit shaped through hole 138 comprises a chamfered or rounded downstream inner edge 141, i.e. extending in the lengthwise direction of the slit shaped through hole 138 on a downstream side thereof, thereby reducing turbulence and maintaining laminar flow within the constricted channel portion 140 when air A is being drawn into the constricted channel portion 140 in the direction of air flowing from the first end 10′ to the second end 10″.

[0204] The live insect discharge member 11 with the slit shaped through hole 138 enabling a field of view into the constricted channel portion 140 allows for an extremely useful counting device 8 which is able to accurately count the number of live insects exiting the insects transport device 100. In particular, because accurate counting of live insects is now possible by means of the live insect discharge member 11, information on hatch and development characteristics of live insects in the insects transport device 100 can be deduced. For example, by counting the number live insects passing the live insect discharge member 11 it is possible to deduce what the effects are of temperature and/or relative humidity on live insects (e.g. insect eggs, mature mites) and their hatch time (e.g. when eggs of for example black soldier flies are present in ovisites 128, 128′) or their migration time (e.g. when mites are present in the reservoir(s) 128a, 128a′) in the at least one reservoir 128, 128a. Therefore, the live insect discharge member 11 and counting device 8 allow for gaining further information on live insect hatching characteristics or live insect migration characteristics.

[0205] Although the constricted channel portion 140 prevents live insect escaping though the slit shaped through bore 138, an outgoing air stream A.sub.o with live insects exiting the live insect discharge member 11 at its proximal/second end 10″ is generally slower than an incoming air stream A.sub.i entering the distal/first end 10′. To compensate for this loss of speed, an embodiment is provided wherein the proximal/second end 10″ of the live insect discharge member 11 is provided with an air amplifier unit 142 which is configured to inject further air A.sub.f into the second end 10″ of the live insect discharge member 11. This ensures that an outgoing air stream A.sub.o with live insects has sufficient speed and momentum to flow to other parts of the insects transport device, such as a cyclone separation system 148, connected to the second end 10″ of the live insect discharge member 11.

[0206] In an exemplary embodiment, the air amplifier unit 142 comprises a circumferential chamber 143 fluidly coupled to an air feed connection 144 for connection to an air feed allowing further air A.sub.f to be injected into the proximal second end 10″ of the live insect discharge member 11, and wherein one or more air amplifier outlets 145 are circumferentially arranged in an inner wall 147 of the second end 10″ of the live insect discharge member 11 and wherein the one or more air amplifier outlets 145 are fluidly connected to the circumferential chamber 143. In this embodiment, the one or more air amplifier outlets 145 allow for an even injection of the further air A.sub.f into the second end 10″ such that turbulence is minimised. In an exemplary embodiment, a single air amplifier outlet 145 may be provided in the form of a circumferential slit in the inner wall 147 fluidly coupled to the circumferential chamber 143, allowing for even injecting of further A.sub.f.

[0207] As mentioned above, the air amplifier unit 142 allows for an outgoing air stream A.sub.o with live insects which has sufficient speed and momentum to flow to other parts of a system, such as a cyclone separator 148, connected to the second end 10″ of the live insect discharge member 11.

[0208] FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view of such a cyclone separation system 148 connected to one or more insects transport devices 100 according to an embodiment. In the embodiment shown, the transport device 100 comprises the live insect discharge member 11 described earlier, e.g. comprising the throat portion 137 with the slit shaped through hole 138 and the constricted channel portion 140 to prevent live insects escaping there through by virtue of the Venturi effect. A counting device 8 may be provided next to the slit shaped through hole 138, possibly with a light source 9 such as a lamp on an opposite side of the throat portion 137. The slit shaped through hole 138 allows the counting device 8 to have a field of view into the constricted channel portion 140 for counting live insects passing through the live insect discharge member 11. The light source 9 is able to provide additional illumination through the slit shaped through hole 138.

[0209] As depicted, a cyclone separation system 148 is connected to one or more insects transport devices 100 to separate live insects from an outgoing air stream A.sub.o of each live insect discharge member 11. The cyclone separation system 148 comprises a main cyclone chamber 149 having a top chamber part 150 and a conical shaped bottom chamber part 151, wherein the top chamber part 150 is connected to one or more intake channels 152 each of which is arranged for connection to a primary air source providing an air stream comprising live insects. Here, the air stream provided by the primary air source is an outgoing air stream A.sub.o of a live insect discharge member 11 as described above. Therefore, each of the one or more intake channels 152 is arranged for connection to an insects transport device 100 of the one or more insects larvae transport devices 100.

[0210] Note that only one insects larvae transport device 100 is depicted for clarity purposes and the skilled person will understand the each of the depicted first ends 10′ of the live insect discharge members 11 is connected to an insects transport device 100.

[0211] The bottom chamber part 151 of the cyclone separation system 148 is connected to a discharge nozzle 153 comprising a discharge end 153′ having a main discharge conduit (not shown) for discharging the live insects from the cyclone separation system 148. The discharge end 153′ comprises an air injection member 154 for connection to a secondary air source 155 and wherein the air injection member 154 is configured to inject air back into the discharge nozzle 153. Injecting air back into the discharge nozzle 153 stops the discharge of live insects.

[0212] In an advantageous embodiment, the air injection member 154 is configured for intermittent air injection back into the discharge nozzle 153.

[0213] Each of the one or more insects transport devices 100 provides an outgoing air stream A.sub.o with live insects passing through a live insect discharge member 11 toward the cyclone separation system 148, which subsequently discharges separated live insects in batch wise fashion by intermitted operation of the air injection member 154. When desired, the cyclone separation system 148, discharges separated live insects in continuous fashion by continuous operation of the air injection member 154.

[0214] As the skilled person will understand, in operation the one or more intake channels 152 carrying the outgoing air streams A.sub.o induce a main vortex in the top chamber part 150 allowing centrifugal separation of the live insects from the combined outgoing air streams A.sub.o in the top chamber part 150. The separated live insects follow a conical inner wall of the bottom chamber part 151 toward the discharge nozzle 153. Due to the conical shaped bottom chamber part 151, an ascending inner vortex of “clean” air is generated that exits the top chamber part 150 through an air exit EA arrange thereon.

[0215] Discharged live insects may be collected in a container 156 arranged underneath the discharge nozzle 153 and wherein the container 156 is movable by means of a conveyor system 157. For example, such container is a crate provided with feed substrate for live insects such as insect larvae, such as for example neonate larvae of black soldier fly. For example, in case the container 156 contains a desired number of live insects, then the air injection member 154 may be activated to inject air back into the discharge nozzle 153 as a result of which discharge of live insects is temporarily stopped. As the discharge of live insects has stopped, the container 156 may be replaced with another container, and once the other container has been correctly positioned, the air injection member 154 may be deactivated to resume discharge of separated live insects from the cyclone separation system 148. This way, accurate, controllable and constant dosing of for example live adult insects such as live mites is made possible.

[0216] In an embodiment, the cyclone separation system 148 may comprise a further counting device 158, e.g. a further camera, arranged next to the discharge nozzle 153 for counting the number of live insects being discharged therefrom. Activation and deactivation of the air injection member 154 may be controlled based on the counted number of live insects being discharged. Optionally, a further light source 159 may be provided to improve illumination conditions for the further counting device 158.

[0217] As further shown, the second end 10″ of each live insect discharge member 11 may be provided with an air amplifier unit 142 to boost the outgoing air stream A.sub.o such that it attains sufficient speed and momentum.

[0218] Advantageously, a plurality of insects transport devices 100 are connected to a corresponding number of intake channels 152 so that the cyclone separation system 148 may operate continuously without interruption to the flow of live insects entering the cyclone separation system 148. In this way the cyclone separation system 148 can be scaled up to achieve batch wise discharge of any desired number of live insects. Note that the top chamber part 150 may be connected to an auxiliary intake channel 160 configured to provide a “pilot” air stream into the top chamber part 150 to further optimize centrifugal separation of the live insects entering the main cyclone body 149.

[0219] These embodiments of insects transport devices of the invention are all suitable for transportation of live neonate larvae of the black soldier fly, which larvae have a body diameter of between 1 mm and 4 mm and a body length which ranges between 5 mm and 12 mm. In addition, these embodiments of insects transport devices of the invention are all suitable for transportation of live insects such as mites.

[0220] While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, it is contemplated that alternatives, modifications, permutations and equivalents thereof will become apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the specification and upon study of the drawings. The invention is not limited in any way to the illustrated embodiments. Changes can be made without departing from the scope which is defined by the appended claims.

[0221] FIG. 20A shows a cross sectional view of such a cyclone separation system 148 connected to one or more insects transport devices 100 according to an embodiment similar to the embodiment outlined in FIG. 13. In the embodiment of FIG. 20A, the insect transport device 100 comprises the gas discharge members 600a and 600b, comprising elongated slits 607a and 607b respectively, for discharging gas, e.g. temperature and absolute humidity controlled air, in directions 129′ over the flat surface of flat side walls 113′, 113″, (although said surface can also be a convex surface of convex side walls 113′, 113″), similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19. Again, by driving air over the flat surface, which air has preferably controlled and set temperature and humidity, and in addition by controlling the air velocity by fan 603, with the insects transport device 100 displayed in FIGS. 18 and 19 it is now possible to better keep insects such as neonate black soldier fly larvae alive during their time of flight starting at the ovisite from which they hatch and ending in a crate 156 comprising larvae feed at a suitable humidity and temperature favorable for development of the living insects. The air amplifier unit 142′ of each of the insects transport device 100 now comprised by the cyclone separation system 148 is in this embodiment connected through connectors 706 to a tube or a pipe 705, which tubes or pipes 705 are connected to a driver such as a fan through connector 704 provided with an air temperature control unit 703 and absolute air humidity control unit 703, for controlling the temperature and air humidity of the (ambient) air 701 driven by fan 702 through pipes 705 towards air amplifiers 142′. This way, temperature and air humidity of the air applied for amplifying the air stream blown from the direction of the insects transport device 100 towards the cyclone top chamber part 150 and comprising living insects such as neonate larvae, is kept within temperature boundaries and absolute air humidity boundaries favourable for keeping transported insects alive, and at the same time keeping these insects from touching walls or inner sides of tubes, etc., and preventing insects from sticking to sides of inner pipes, tubes, cyclone chambers, etc. Preferably, the cyclone separation system 148 and the cyclone separation system 148 comprising one or more insects transport devices 100 and the insects transport devices 100 are kept in an air-conditioned room 900. Preferably in the air-conditioned room 900, air temperature and air absolute humidity are such that when this air is provided by fan 702 and/or fan 603 inside the cyclone separation system 148 at an air velocity suitable for transporting living larvae and for keeping the larvae alive and air born, the air temperature and the air humidity contribute to the health of the insects and aids in keeping the insects alive during transport, counting and dosing.

[0222] An embodiment is the cyclone separation system 148 according to the invention and/or the insects transport device 100 of the invention, wherein the system and/or the device, preferably both, is/are encompassed by an air-conditioned volume 900 such as a climate room 900, and wherein preferably both temperature and air humidity are controlled in said air-conditioned volume 900, wherein preferably temperature controlled air is kept at a temperature of between 25° C. and 36° C., such as 26° C.-35° C. or 27° C.-34° C. and/or wherein optionally specific-humidity controlled air with a specific humidity at 1 atm. is kept at between 0.014 kg/kg and 0.026 kg/kg, preferably 0.015 kg/kg-0.025 kg/kg, more preferably 0.016 kg/kg-0.024 kg/kg inside the air-conditioned volume 900.

[0223] FIG. 20B shows a schematic view of a cyclone separation system 148 further provided with a plurality of insects transport devices 100 fluidly connected to the live insect discharge member 11, 11′, 11a via tubing 11b and air amplifier unit 142′, according to an embodiment of the present invention. This way, the air amplifier unit 142′ is brought in close proximity with the connector 707 for connecting insects transport device 100 to the cyclone chamber 150 (See also FIG. 23), and this way, the live insect discharge member 11, 11′, 11a and the air amplifier 142′ are separated from each other by tubing 11b. With the air amplifier 142′ positioned downstream relative to the position of the air amplifier in the embodiment of FIG. 20A (i.e. the amplifier is positioned in close proximity with the live insect discharge member 11, 11′, 11a, closer to the proximal end 121″ of the gas guiding unit 112 of the insects transport devices 100), the air velocity and/or the air pressure is improvingly controllable and is improvingly kept at constant values.

[0224] FIG. 20C shows an excerpt (blown-up view) of part of the embodiment displayed in FIG. 20B. Shown are the relative positions of the air amplifiers 142′ and the live insect discharge members 11, 11′, 11a, connected with tubing 11b. The air amplifiers 142′ are each connected with tubes 705, connected with a fan 702 and/or fan 603 through connectors 706.

[0225] Turning to FIG. 14A, the top view of the cyclone separation system 148 now provided with an air exit 9K, is shown, the cyclone separation system comprised by the insects transport device of the invention, wherein the top view of the air exit 9K shows laminar slats 311 that are openable under control of a control unit 313. The slats are pivotally connected to upper portion 148′ of the cyclone separation system, through pivots 312. Operating the slats 311 provides the possibility to adjust and for example temporarily increase the air pressure inside the cyclone separation system independently of the contribution to the air pressure by the transport air entering the cyclone separation system from the live insects discharge member, by partly or wholly shutting the laminar slats. FIG. 14B shows a perspective top/side view of the cyclone separation system 148 with the air exit 9K, comprised by the insects transport device of the invention, showing laminar slats in the top portion 148′ of the system 148 and FIG. 14C shows a side view of part of the cyclone separation system 148 with the optional air exit 9K. By providing the cyclone separation system with these laminar slats, the operation of the insects transport device in so far the laminar flow of air is considered, is independent of the operation of the insects transport device in so far the batch wise dosing of live insects by use of the cyclone separation system is considered. Thus, air pressure and air flow velocity with regard to the laminar air flow inside the casing 5, 105, is controllable and adjustable without influencing the live insects dosing operation of the cyclone separation system part of the insects transport device.

[0226] The live insects device of the invention provides for efficient and accurate and constant dosing of live insects such as insect eggs, embryo, neonate larvae, larvae, prepupae, pupae, imago, adult insect, for example fly neonate larvae such as black soldier fly larvae 1 second-1 day of age, preferably 10 seconds-2 hours of age, or for example imago such as mites. For applying the insects transport device 1, 100 for counting, dosing such as batch wise dosing, of e.g. imago such as mites, a reservoir 128a adapted to the delivery of such mites to the laminar air flow, is provided. FIG. 15A shows a reservoir 128a, consisting of a cage 128a for live insects such as mite, the cage 128a comprising side walls 31a-31d and a bottom floor 32a comprising openings 33a for passage of live insects. The openings in the bottom floor 32a of the cage 128a are typically provides as through holes 33a, slits 33a, a mesh 33a, a sieve 33a, etc., wherein the openings have dimensions suitable for passage of live insects at the desired stage and age of their development, such as adult mites. FIG. 15B displays an inside view of an insects transport device 1, 100 of the invention. Shown are longitudinal gas transport members 12′, 12″ which are connected imbricatedly at positions 21, 22 and 21′, 22′. Where two consecutive gas transport members are coupled imbricatedly, a gas discharge member (See 20, 20′ in FIGS. 2 and 114′, 114″, 114′″ in FIG. 5) is positioned at the location where said gas transport members overlap, said gas discharge member provided with openings 23, 23′ for discharging gas. The insects transport device 1, 100 comprises a reservoir 128a, i.e. a cage 128a for keeping mites, the cage 128a comprising side walls 31a-31d and a bottom floor 32a comprising openings 33a for passage of live insects. The cage 128a is supported by support member 30a, i.e. a frame 30a for receiving the cage 128a. A further frame, 30a′ for receiving a further cage (reservoir) 128a′ is also displayed. FIG. 15C and FIG. 15D show a thermally insulated casing 5 with side walls 3, 3a and with top wall 2, of a(n) (live) insects transport device 100 according to two embodiments of the present invention, the insects transport device comprising a reservoir 128a, the reservoir being a cage 128a for live insects, such as imago, such as mites, the cage 128a, 128a′ comprising side walls 31a-d and a bottom floor 32a comprising openings 33a for passage of live insects, the casing 5 comprising a secondary top wall 2a defining a volume 135. FIG. 15C displays an embodiment of the insects transport device 100 of the invention, wherein the live insects receiving portion further comprises convex side walls 113′, 113″ located along longitudinal sides of the at least one longitudinal gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ (see also FIG. 8), wherein each convex side wall 113′, 113″ has a top side and a bottom side and a smooth convex surface 115 arranged between the top and bottom side, the bottom side being connected to a longitudinal side of the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″. FIG. 15D displays an embodiment of the insects transport device 100 of the invention, wherein the live insects receiving portion comprises flat and straight side walls 113′, 113″ located along longitudinal sides of the at least one longitudinal gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ (see also FIG. 7), wherein flat side wall 113′, 113″ has a top side and a bottom side and a smooth surface 115 arranged between the top and bottom side, the bottom side being connected to a longitudinal side of the at least one gas guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″. In FIG. 15D, the live insects receiving portion is shown and is built up by a gas guiding unit 112 comprising side walls 113′ and 113″, e.g. flat side walls 113′, 113″, tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the gas guiding members.

[0227] FIG. 16A displays an insect discharge member 11a coupled to a tube 11b, the tube 11b connected to an air amplifier unit 142′. FIG. 16B displays a cross-sectional side view of the insect discharge member 11a connected to tube 11b displayed in FIG. 16A. FIG. 16C shows a cross-sectional side view of air amplifier unit 142′ displayed in FIG. 16A, fluidly connected to tube 11b, which is connected at its proximal end to the insect discharge member 11a as displayed in FIG. 16B. FIG. 16D shows a schematic view of an insects transport device 100 further provided with a cyclone separation system 148 fluidly connected to the live insect discharge member 11a via tubing 11b and air amplifier unit 142′, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0228] FIG. 22 shows an insect discharge member 11a coupled to a tube 11b, the tube 11b connected to an air amplifier unit 142′, similar to the insects discharge member 11a as outlined in FIG. 16A, though with the additional driver 803 such as a fan 803, for driving gas such as ambient air 802 towards connector 144′ which connects the fan with air amplifier 142′. Sensor 801 senses and/or controls the temperature and air humidity of the air 802 driven by driver 803 towards the air amplifier 142′ and into the cyclone separation system 148.

[0229] Similar to the cyclone separation system 148 of the embodiment displayed in FIG. 16D, FIG. 23 shows a schematic view of a cyclone separation system 148 further provided with an insects transport device 100 fluidly connected to the live insect discharge member 11a via tubing 11b and air amplifier unit 142′, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 23 differs from the embodiment in FIG. 16D in that the cyclone portion encompassing top cyclone chamber 150 comprising connector 707 for connecting insects transport device 100 to the cyclone chamber 150 which is at the same height, relative to the horizontal, as the proximal end 121″ of the gas guiding unit 112. Herewith, living insects such as mites and black soldier fly larvae are transported through essentially horizontally oriented tubing or pipes, preferably rigid pipes from the insects transport device 100 portion to and into upper cyclone chamber 150 of the cyclone separation system 148. This way, the risk and chance for insects hitting internal side walls of tubing, pipes, etc. is further lowered. Moreover, with straight tubing and pipes, risk for air turbulence inside the tubing and pipes is reduced or even absent such that air borne transported living insects are prevented from being blocked, blown to inner walls, accumulation in certain spots of the system, etc.

[0230] FIG. 17A displays an exploded view of an insects transport device 1, 100, showing the side walls 3, 4, 4A, 7 and top wall 2 of the casing 5, 105, said side walls 3, 4, 4A, 7 and top wall 2a provided with a layer 303, 302, 304, 301, 305 of thermally insulating material respectively, wherein the side wall 4 is an openable door 4 provided with a knob or grip 4′ and pivots 4″. FIG. 17B displays an insects transport device 1, 100 provided with casing 5, 105, wherein said casing comprises thermally insulated side walls 3, 4, 4A, 7 and an thermally insulated top wall 2. For clarity the front side wall 4 is not shown. For side walls 3, 3a and 7 and for top wall 2, the layers of thermally insulating material 301, 303 and 305 are visualized. The feeder arrangement inside the casing is visible, as well as the cover member 132 inside the casing. In the top wall 2 of the casing, through hole 402 is visualized, together with connector 403, which is part of the air feed channel 5a (see FIG. 10 and FIGS. 15C and D). FIG. 17C displays an insects transport device 1, 100 provided with casing 5, 105, wherein said casing comprises thermally insulated side walls 2, 3, 3a, 4, 4A and a thermally insulated top wall 2, according to an embodiment of the invention. Side wall 4 is an openable door 4 provided with a grip 4′ and pivots 4″. The top wall 2 of the casing comprised by the insects transport device comprises opening 402 for receiving the connector portion 403 of the air feed channel 5a.