Method and System for Protecting Apiaries by Means of Thermal and Moisture Membranes

Abstract

A method and system for protecting apiaries by means of thermal and moisture membranes. The invention being comprised of one-piece, rigid, yet foldable, modular units. Said thermal and moisture membranes being configured in such a manner as to keep a hive dry, insulate a hive in cold climates and reflect radiant heat back into a hive. Conversely, said membrane also moderating heat in the summer by reflecting thermal radiation. The membranes also minimizing the growth of pathogens and bacteria within a hive. An object of the invention being to promote the health of anthophila broods therein.

Claims

1. A folding apiary, comprising: a.) cube-shaped modules with bottom wall, sidewall and top wall, the walls being assembleable to define an interior compartment and being disassembleable to lie flat; b.) rigidizing structure incorporated with the sidewall to render the assembled container self supporting, and wherein each wall defines an inner surface; c.) a first moisture barrier fixedly connected to the exterior of the sidewall; d.) a second radiant energy reflective layer defining one of the inner surfaces; d.) a third air trapping thermal insulation gap there between sidewall and reflective layer.

2. The folding apiary of claim 1 wherein the moisture barrier is comprised of a PVC-type material.

3. The moisture barrier of claim 2 being fixedly connected to the sidewall by means of an adhesive.

4. The radiant energy reflective layer of claim 1 comprised of a plastic-like material having a bottom wall, sidewall and top wall, the walls being assembleable to define and interior compartment and being disassembleable to lie flat.

5. The folding apiary of claim 1 having at least two side wall interiors with notches perpendicular to side wall's longitudinal axis and configured to receive brood chamber frames.

6. The folding apiary of claim 1 having at least one exterior side wall with a rectangular, handle portion, parallel to side wall's longitudinal axis and configured to receive a users hand.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a folded assembly embodiment the invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a section view of a folded assembly embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 shows a side view of an single, unfolded member embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an single, unfolded member embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 5 shows a closeup sectional view of a corner of a folded assembly embodiment.

[0018] Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0019] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a folded assembly embodiment the invention comprised of a plurality of cube-shaped panels made of a rigid material such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal and the like and being formed from planar, brood chamber wall 3. Each said brood chamber wall 3 having to top and bottom member and allowed to stack on top of one another with base 5. In addition, each brood chamber may have a handle 2 and a cover 1 thereon.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a section view of a folded assembly embodiment of the invention with brood chamber walls 3 configured to receive a plurality of honeycomb frames 7 therein.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a single, unfolded member embodiment of the invention. The figure showing brood chamber wall 3 being rectangular-shaped, planar member having a raised rail with slots adapted to receive said honeycomb frames 7 therein.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an single, unfolded member embodiment of the invention with rectangular-shaped handles 2 thereon.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a closeup, sectional view of a corner of a folded assembly embodiment having brood chamber walls with moisture barrier 11 comprised of PVC-type material such as, but not limited to, Sarnafil and the like being affixed to said substrates by adhesives. An inner portion of said substrates having an insulation 9 comprised of a material such as, but not limited to, Refletix and the like with air gap 8 thereinbetween.

[0025] It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.