Beehive Feeding Device and Method

Abstract

A fondant feeding method and device for beekeeping. The method and apparatus comprising a raised platform having at least one through hole. The raised platform is placed atop the uppermost box in a standard hive body and fondant is placed above the through hole. Optional mesh within the through hole prevents the fondant from sagging. The platform and fondant are surrounded by an enclosing structure and topped with an inner and outer cover such that the device and food are housed within the hive body and protected from the elements. Bees may cluster freely beneath the chamber created by the raised platform to feed and generate heat. The platform shields the cluster from dripping condensation while simultaneously promoting a fondant consistency that is ideal for feeding.

Claims

1. A fondant feeding device for beekeeping, the device comprising: a raised platform comprising a horizontal face having a thickness, the raised platform further comprising elevating elements that project substantially away from said horizontal face thereby creating a chamber beneath said horizontal face having a height that accommodates the movement and formation of a bee cluster; and at least one through hole penetrating the thickness of the horizontal face; wherein said raised platform is placed on top of the uppermost beehive box and enclosed within a hive tower; and wherein the raised platform and the at least one through hole are capable of supporting a quantity of fondant.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a mesh that covers, or forms an integral part of, the at least one through hole, wherein the mesh is sized such that it is large enough to allow a bee to access the fondant but small enough to maintain the strength required to support the weight of said fondant.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one through hole is substantially centered on the horizontal face of the raised platform.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said elevating elements project substantially away from the horizontal face of the raised platform in a manner that allows heat and moisture to escape the chamber.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the horizontal face of the raised platform covers between 37 to 80 percent of the surface area of the beehive box immediately beneath it.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the chamber ranges from a nominal 0.25-2 inches in height.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one through hole ranges from a nominal 1.5-6 inches in breadth.

8. A method for fondant feeding bees, the method comprising: Placing a raised platform having at least on through hole on the uppermost beehive box of a hive tower; Placing a desired quantity of fondant on the raised platform, wherein said fondant is substantially centered on the at least one through hole; Placing and enclosing structure around the raised platform; Placing an inner cover above the enclosing structure; and Placing an outer cover above the inner cover to enclose the fondant and raised platform within the hive tower.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a mesh material covers or forms an integral part of the at least one through hole.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the fondant is left in its original packaging such that only fondant in direct contact with the horizontals face is exposed to air.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the standard components of a beehive using the common mountain camp method of feeding;

[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a beehive wherein the present invention is placed atop the frames within the hive tower and the fondant has been shown to the side to illustrate the placement of the through hole;

[0026] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the platform placed on top of a set of frames in a hive box;

[0027] FIG. 3B is a side view of a hive box with a platform placed on the frames and further having a container of fondant placed on said platform;

[0028] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention illustrating fondant on the platform stored within its scored cardboard packaging and surrounded by the enclosing structure.

REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

[0029] 5 Standard beehive configuration/Hive Tower [0030] 10 Bottom Board [0031] 20 Hive Box, Super, or Deep Hive Body [0032] 25 Frame [0033] 30 Paper [0034] 35 Sugar/Fondant [0035] 40 Inner Cover [0036] 45 Outer Cover [0037] 55 Raised Platform [0038] 60 Horizontal Face of Raised Platform [0039] 65 Elevating Elements/Feet/Supporting Structures [0040] 70 Through Hole/Void [0041] 75 Mesh [0042] 80 Enclosing Structure [0043] 85 Cardboard Packaging [0044] 90 Bee Cluster [0045] S Spacing Around the Platform [0046] D Diameter of the Through Hole or Breadth of Void where Through Hole is Non-circular [0047] H Platform Height

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a winter beehive configuration wherein the raised platform 55 is substantially centered on the frames 25 set within the uppermost box 20 or super on the hive tower 5. The raised platform 55 is supported by two or more elevating elements, feet, or supporting structures (hereinafter “feet”) 65 such that the horizontal face 60 of the platform 55 remains substantially level. Inventor contemplates the use of two feet 65 that extend the length of two opposing sides of the raised platform 55 as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B and 4. This configuration creates a chamber beneath the raised platform 55 and provides insulation and shelter from air currents on two sides of the feeding area and a ventilation means on the remaining sides of that area. It should be recognized that two or more feet 65 or similar support means may be configured to raise the horizontal feed board 60 and create the required platform height H and chamber beneath the horizontal face 60. These feet 65 may, but need not, extend the entire length of a side of the raised platform 55.

[0049] The raised platform 55 has a through hole or void 70 that extends through the full depth of the horizontal face 60 as depicted in FIG. 2, 3A, and 3B. Fondant 35 is placed over this void 70 and is supported by the remaining surface of the horizontal face 60 of the raised platform 55 or mesh 75 as described more fully below. While the ideal diameter (D) (or breadth, where the void is non-circular) is approximately three inches, this distance D may range from at least 1½ inches to a maximum of 6 inches. Any distance D less than 1½ inches will not provide a large enough surface area for the bees to feed. A distance D larger than 6 inches may result in sagging fondant 35 during warmer temperatures and may drip onto the bee cluster 90.

[0050] An enclosing structure 80 is securely stacked on the box 20 beneath it, surrounding the raised platform 55 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. This enclosing structure 80 provides the depth required to enclose the fondant 35 within the hive tower 5. The enclosing structure 80 should be of a depth that can accommodate the height of the desired amount of fondant 35 being placed on the raised platform 55. Inventor contemplates the use of a standard open-ended deep hive body as shown in FIG. 2; however, any enclosing structure 80 may be used, provided that it is of a size and shape that is consistent with those boxes 20 stacked beneath it. A standard open-ended deep hive body is approximately 9⅝ inches deep and can accommodate one half of a standard carton of fondant 35. It should be recognized that a deeper enclosing structure 80 may be constructed to house a larger quantity of fondant 35 if desired.

[0051] Fondant 35 sitting within the enclosing structure 80 may be kept in its original plastic covering in order to prevent desiccation of the feed. Heat and moisture generated by the hive keeps the exposed surface of the fondant 35 moist and of a consistency that is easy for the bees to feed on. Excess heat and moisture escapes through the open area beneath the raised platform 55 where it rises and condenses on the walls of the enclosing structure 80 and inner cover 40. While some humidity will escape the hive tower 5 through the standard notched openings on the inner cover 40, the cardboard packaging 85 may be placed on top of the fondant 35 to absorb additional moisture, if desired. Any condensation dripping off the underside of the inner cover 40 will fall on and be absorbed by this cardboard packaging 85. The top of the cardboard packaging 85 may also be scored as shown in FIG. 4, such that it can be easily opened to view the level of fondant 35 inside. This minimizes disturbance to the cluster 90 and heat loss within the hive.

[0052] Ideally, the feet 65 are sized such that the horizontal face 60 of the raised platform 55 is positioned at a platform height H of approximately % of an inch above the top of the frames 25 as shown in FIG. 3B. This platform height H can range from approximately ¼ inch to 2 inches. This range gives the bees sufficient space to cluster and feed while preventing condensation buildup beneath the raised platform 55 which may drip and wet the bees beneath. A height H greater than 2 inches may encourage the bees to construct combs which may impede access to the fondant 35.

[0053] Referring again to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, the void 70 may be optionally fitted with a mesh 75, hardware cloth, or similar material that can support weight of any fondant 35 having a surface area at its base that is less than that of the void 70. This material is also helpful in preventing the fondant 35 from sagging into the space beneath the raised platform 55 when temperatures increase. The mesh 75 or similar material must be of a size that allows the bees to pass through it to access the fondant 35 above.

[0054] The surface area of the horizontal face 60 must be large enough to accommodate the desired quantity of fondant 35 and should distribute the weight of that fondant 35 across the frames 25 in the box 20 beneath it to avoid warpage of those supporting frames 25. While the raised platform 55 should be configured to evenly distribute the weight of the fondant 35 across the frames 25, the frames 25 should not be entirely covered by the raised platform 55.

[0055] As previously discussed, heat and condensation within the hive structure rises and collects on the uppermost inner surfaces and walls of the hive tower 5. In standard hive construction. this moisture often drips on the bees, lowering their core temperature and killing them. By leaving a portion of the frames 25 uncovered, the heat and condensation within the frames 25 can escape around the raised platform 55 where it will rise and collect on the walls of the enclosing structure 80 and the inner cover 40 now positioned well above the fondant 35. Because the fondant 35 covers the void 70 and because the bees cluster for warmth and food beneath the surface area of the raised platform 55, the colony is protected from any dripping moisture above. The raised platform 55 therefore provides the appropriate depth for clustering and sheltering while simultaneously offering access to the fondant 35. This method and device therefore provides the cluster 90 with consistent access to food and warmth while solving the “wet bee” issue.

[0056] The raised platform 55 is placed such that the feet 65 are oriented substantially ninety degrees from the parallel placement of the frames 25 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B and 4; however, it should be recognized that the raised platform 55 may be placed on the frames in any position. If the feet 65 are placed parallel to the frames 25 such that only a few frames bear the weight of the raised platform 55 and fondant 35, the uneven distribution of weight may cause flexing or warpage of those frames 25 carrying the load.

[0057] Referring again to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, the surface area of the horizontal face 60 will ideally range from 37-80% of the surface area of the box 20 beneath it. This range provides sufficient surface area for heat and moisture within the frames 25 to escape through the spaced areas S while still providing sufficient surface area to shelter an average sized winter cluster 90. Referring to FIG. 3A, the raised platform 55 is preferably centered on the frame 25 tops such that the spacing S surrounding the platform 55 is substantially uniform; however, as noted above, the raised platform 55 may be placed in any position on the frames 25 and may take any shape provided that the enclosing structure 80 fully encloses the raised platform 55 and fondant 35. The inner cover 40 and outer cover 45 help to seal the hive tower 5.

[0058] Standard ten frame beehive boxes (commonly known as Langstroth boxes) have interior dimensions that are generally 18⅜ inches long by 14¾ inches wide. For standard ten frame beehive boxes, the inventor contemplates the use of a rectangular raised platform 55 that is a nominal 16 inches long by a nominal 13 inches wide. This size and shape provides the preferred surface area and weight distribution to support the fondant 35; however, non-rectangular shapes may also be used. It should be noted that other frame configurations and sizes are commonly used, such as 8 frame and 5 frame beehive boxes. As previously noted, the surface area of the horizontal face 60 will ideally range from 37-80% of the surface area of the top of the box 20 holding the frames 25 regardless of the specific hive tower size and frame configuration used.

[0059] The feet 65, horizontal face 60 of the raised platform 55, and enclosing structure 80 may be made of wood, plastic or any similarly suitable material. The mesh 75 may be constructed from metal, plastic, fabric, wood or any appropriately durable material.

[0060] While the above description contains many specifics, these should be considered exemplifications of one or more embodiments rather than limitations on the scope of the invention. As previously discussed, many variations are possible and the scope of the invention should not be restricted by the examples illustrated herein.