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 a live insects transport device for transporting live insects from a first location to a predetermined second location, the live insects transport device comprising a fluid guiding unit, a fluid discharge member and a feeder arrangement, wherein the live insects transport device is configured to receive live insects such as freshly hatched neonate larvae, for example of black soldier fly, wherein the live insects are taken up in a laminar flow of fluid and while in said fluid are transported to a predetermined location in the live 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, and the invention relates to a method of dosing live insects, wherein preferably live insects are doses which are essentially of the same age, such as freshly hatched neonate larvae.

Claims

1. A live insect larvae transport device comprising: a fluid guiding unit comprising a distal end and a proximal end, and at least one longitudinal fluid guiding member comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end of the fluid guiding member is arranged at the distal end of the fluid guiding unit and wherein the proximal end of the fluid guiding member is directed toward the proximal end of the fluid guiding unit, wherein the at least one fluid guiding member further comprises a smooth top surface extending from the distal end to the proximal end of the fluid guiding member, the top surface comprising a live insect larvae receiving portion between the distal end and proximal end of the at least one fluid guiding member, and wherein the fluid guiding member is tilted at an angle (α) relative to the horizontal; a first fluid discharge member located at the distal end of the fluid guiding unit and being configured to connect to a source of fluid, wherein the first fluid discharge member is further configured to provide a relative humidity-controlled first laminar flow of gas over the top surface of the at least one fluid 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 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 for hatching live insect larvae at a predetermined distance above the live insects receiving portion of the top surface and releasing hatched live insect larvae from the at least one reservoir above the live insect larvae receiving portion into the relative humidity-controlled first laminar flow of gas, wherein the live insect larvae transport device further comprises a casing covering the fluid guiding unit and wherein the feeder arrangement further comprises a unit for controlling relative air humidity at the inner side of the casing.

2. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid guiding member has a length in the longitudinal direction of between 10 cm and 200 cm, preferably between 20 cm and 140 cm, more preferably between 25 cm and 120 cm, most preferably about 25 cm to 50 cm.

3. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 1, wherein said transport device comprises at least two imbricatedly coupled longitudinal fluid guiding members, the fluid guiding members being imbricatedly coupled with a coupler located at the proximal end of a first fluid guiding member and the distal end of a second fluid guiding member.

4. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 3, wherein the coupler imbricatedly coupling the at least two fluid guiding members is provided with a further fluid discharge member comprising a connector configured to connect each further fluid discharge member to a source of gas, and wherein the further fluid 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 fluid guiding member from the distal end to the proximal end of the fluid guiding unit during operation of the transport device.

5. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 4, wherein the source of gas comprises a compressor providing compressed gas and/or a pump for driving gas through the fluid discharge member.

6. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 1, wherein the gas is temperature-controlled gas.

7. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 1, wherein the tilt angle (α) is between 0° and 45°.

8. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a live insect discharge member comprising a flat surface with a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the proximal end of the fluid guiding unit.

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

10. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir for live insects is an insect egg collection interface or an insect egg holder.

11. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 1, wherein the feeder arrangement is configured to receive between 2 and 250 reservoirs for releasing live insect larvae above the live insects receiving portion and/or 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.

12. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 1, wherein the live insects receiving portion further comprises side walls located along longitudinal sides of the at least one longitudinal fluid guiding member, the side walls being tilted at an obtuse angle (β) relative to the top surface of the at least one fluid guiding member, wherein each side wall having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side being connected to a longitudinal side of the at least one longitudinal fluid guiding member, and a smooth surface arranged between the bottom side and the top side, and wherein the top side of each side wall is provided with at least a second fluid discharge member, each second fluid discharge member being located at the top side of each side wall and comprising a connector configured to connect the second fluid discharge member to a source of gas, for providing a second laminar flow of gas over the surface of the side walls from the top side of the side walls to the path of the first laminar flow of gas during operation of the transport device, and wherein the second laminar flow of gas is oriented perpendicular to the first laminar flow of gas; or wherein the live insects receiving portion further comprises convex side walls located along longitudinal sides of the at least one longitudinal fluid guiding member, wherein each convex side wall has a top side and a bottom side and a smooth convex surface arranged between the top and bottom side, the bottom side being connected to a longitudinal side of the at least one fluid guiding member, and wherein the top side of each convex side wall is provided with a second fluid discharge member comprising a connector configured to connect the second fluid discharge member to a source of gas for providing a second laminar flow of gas over the surface of the convex side wall from the top side thereof to the at least one fluid guiding member during operation of the live insect larvae transport device.

13. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 12, further comprising a cover member extending along and above the at least one fluid guiding member at a clearance distance (C) with respect thereto, wherein the cover member preferably comprises a plurality of cover side walls, wherein each cover side wall extends in upward and longitudinal/lengthwise direction along one of the convex side walls, and/or wherein the cover member further comprises a sloped roof.

14. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 1, wherein the casing covering the fluid guiding unit and the feeder arrangement comprises a top wall and side walls defining a closed inner volume in which the at least one reservoir is arranged, and wherein the live insect larvae transport device comprises an air feed channel connected to the top wall configured to provide air of a desired temperature and/or relative humidity to the inner volume of the casing, and wherein the casing preferably further comprises a secondary top wall arranged below the top wall at a distance therefrom defining a cavity space between the top wall and the secondary top wall, wherein the secondary top wall further comprises one or more slits fluidly connecting the cavity space and the inner volume of the casing.

15. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 1, wherein the live insect discharge member comprises a throat portion arranged between the first end and the second end of the live insect discharge member, wherein a discharge channel extends between the first end and the second end and comprises a constricted channel portion at the throat portion, and wherein the throat portion is provided with a slit shaped through hole laterally extending through the throat portion, and wherein the constricted channel portion preferably comprises a rectangular cross section.

16. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 15, wherein the slit shaped through hole has a length of at least 90% percent of a width of the constricted channel portion in a direction of the slit shaped through hole, and wherein the slit shaped through hole preferably comprises a chamfered or rounded downstream inner edge.

17. The live insect larvae transport device according to claim 15, wherein the second end of the live insect discharge member is provided with an air amplifier unit which is configured to inject further air into the second end.

18. A combination of a cyclone separation system and one or more live insect larvae transport devices according to claim 1, wherein the cyclone separation system comprises a main cyclone chamber having a top chamber part and a conical shaped bottom chamber part, wherein the top chamber part is connected to one or more intake channels each of which is arranged for connection to a live insect larvae transport device of the one or more live insect larvae transport devices, and wherein the bottom chamber part is connected to a discharge nozzle comprising a discharge end having a main discharge conduit for discharging live insects from the cyclone separation system, and wherein the discharge end comprises an air injection member for connection to a secondary air source and wherein the air injection member is configured to inject air back into the discharge nozzle.

19. The combination according to claim 18, wherein the cyclone separation system comprises a further counting device arranged next to the discharge nozzle for counting the number of live insects being discharged therefrom.

20. A method for transporting live neonate insect larvae comprising the steps of: providing an ovisite comprising insect eggs; providing a live insect larvae transport device according to claim 1; providing a laminar flow of air in the transport device; placing said ovisite in a feeder arrangement of said transport device; and transporting live neonate insect larvae upon hatching of said larvae in the ovisite and dropping down therefrom into the first laminar flow of air.

21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the insect is black soldier fly.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the air in the first laminar flow is temperature controlled air at a temperature of between 22° C. and 30° C. and/or is relative-humidity controlled air with a relative humidity of between 40% and 90%, and/or the air in the first laminar flow has a speed of between 10 m/sec and 70 m/sec and/or has a pressure at the location of the fluid discharge member of between 10 bar and 0.8 bar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

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

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

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

(6) FIG. 6 displays a part of a live insects receiving portion of a live insects transport device 100 of the invention, the live insects receiving portion being built up by a fluid guiding unit 112′ comprising side walls 113′ and 113″ tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the fluid guiding members. Further displayed are the proximal end 121″ of the live insects guiding unit 112′ and the further fluid 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 fluid guiding unit.

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

(8) FIG. 8 depicts a live insect larvae transport device 100 comprising a fluid guiding unit 112 and arched convex side walls 113′, 113″ arranged there along according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 9 depicts a live insect larvae transport device 100 comprising a cover member 132 arranged over and along a fluid guiding unit 112 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 10 shows a casing 5 of a live insect larvae transport device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

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

(12) FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view of a live insect discharge member 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention; and wherein

(13) FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of a combination of a cyclone separation system 148 and one or more live insect larvae transport devices 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(14) Referring to FIG. 1, an overview of an embodiment of the invention is provided, showing a live insects transport device 1. The live insects transport device is tilted relative to the horizontal over an angle α. 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. 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 fluid guiding unit 12 comprising upright side walls 13. The transport device further comprises a casing 5 covering the fluid guiding unit and the feeder arrangement (not shown), the casing comprising a top wall 2, side walls 3, 4, 7. At the distal end 6 of the live insects transport device 1, the distal end 15 of the fluid guiding unit 12 is located. Here, a first fluid discharge member (not shown) is located, being configured to connect to a source of fluid 200. The source of fluid comprises a pump or a compressor 14′, and the fluid is provided to the live insects transport device via tubing or pipes 14, connecting the source of fluid to fluid discharge members.

(15) Now referring to FIG. 2, a drawing is displayed providing an overview of a live insects transport device 1 of the invention comprising a casing 5 and a fluid guiding unit 12 that provides a smooth longitudinal path for a laminar flow of fluid, and further displays the distal end 15 of the fluid guiding unit which receives the fluid discharge members 20, 20′ through an opening 17 in the casing 5. The fluid discharge members 20, 20′ are coupled to a source of fluid (not shown) with tubing 19 and 19′, said tubing coupled to the fluid discharge members with couplers 18, 18′. The live insects transport device is further provided with a live insects discharge member 11.

(16) Now referring to FIG. 3, a drawing is displayed providing a detailed side view of a live insects transport device 1 of the invention where the proximal end 26 of the fluid 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 according to the invention, configured to provide a narrowed stream of flowing live insects in the flow of fluid exiting the live insects transport device. Narrowing the stream of live insects provides the benefit of a smaller cross section of the flow of fluid comprising the live insects, in support of counting, sorting and/or dosing the insects. The fluid guiding member comprises upright side walls 13′. The live insect receiving zone is provided by the smooth top surface of the fluid guiding member 12′.

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

(18) Now referring to FIG. 5, a drawing is displayed providing an overview of another embodiment, showing a live insects transport device 100 of the invention comprising a live insects receiving portion that is built up by a fluid guiding unit 112 comprising side walls 113 tilted at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface of the fluid guiding members. The live insects transport device of the embodiment comprises a casing 105, said casing comprising 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 live 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 fluid comprising live insects exits the discharge member. The live insect transport device is provided on a frame 106, 116. Fluid discharge members 114′, 114″ and 114′″ are coupled to a fluid source via tubing 114, the fluid source comprising a compressor unit 124 comprising a pressure control unit 140. Fluid discharge members 114′, 114″ and 114′″ are configured to provide a flow of fluid for reinforcing the laminar flow of fluid discharged into the live insects transport member at the distal end of the fluid guiding unit.

(19) Now referring to FIG. 6, a drawing is displayed providing a view on part of a live insects receiving portion of a live insects transport device 100 of the invention, the live insects receiving portion being built up by a fluid guiding unit 112′ comprising side walls 113′ and 113″ tilted at an obtuse angle (β) relative to the top surface of the fluid guiding members. Further displayed are the proximal end 121″ of the live insects guiding unit 112′ and the further fluid 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 fluid guiding unit. A first laminar flow of fluid, 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 fluid, yet at a lower pressure and/or at a lower velocity in m.sup.3/sec, than the pressure and/or velocity of the fluid in the first laminar flow, is provided in the direction of the arrows a and b, provided by the fluid discharge members 131′ and 131, respectively, wherein fluid 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 fluid guiding unit.

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

(21) FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 of a live insect larvae 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 fluid guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″, e.g. three longitudinal fluid 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 fluid guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″. As further depicted, the top side of each convex side wall 113′, 113″ is provided with a second fluid discharge member 131, 131′ comprising a connector configured to connect the second fluid 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 fluid guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ during operation of the live insect larvae transport device.

(22) 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 fluid 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 fluid guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″.

(23) 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 fluid 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.

(24) For example, when a gas such as air is discharged from the second fluid 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 fluid 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 fluid guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″, then air may be discharged from the second fluid discharge members 131, 131′ at a lower speed of e.g. 3 m/s.

(25) In a further example, in case air is discharged from the second fluid discharge members 131, 131′ at a speed of about 1.2 m/sec, then the air may approach the top surface of the fluid 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 fluid guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″.

(26) 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 fluid discharge members 131, 131′ for facilitating laminar flow over the top surface of the at least one fluid guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ for transport of the live insects.

(27) As the convex side walls 113′, 113″ allow for lower speeds of air being discharged from the second fluid 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 casing 5 is provided covering the fluid 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 fluid guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ with reduced impact on environmental conditions on the inner side of the casing 5.

(28) 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′.

(29) In an embodiment, the convex side walls 113′, 113″ engage the top surface of the at least one fluid guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ at an angle (β) 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′.

(30) For example, relative humidity of air at 1 bar around the insect eggs may be 80-85% at a temperature of 28° C. to 35° C.+/−0.5° C. The second fluid 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.

(31) FIG. 9 depicts a live insect larvae transport device 100 comprising an elongated cover member 132 arranged over and along a fluid guiding unit 112 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(32) In the embodiment shown, the live insect larvae 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 fluid guiding unit 112 at a clearance distance “C”, thus wherein the cover member 132 extends along and above the at least one fluid 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, to flow freely over the top surface of each of the at least one fluid guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″ extending underneath the cover member 132.

(33) The cover member 132 prevents that the first laminar flow over the fluid guiding unit 112, i.e. the at least one fluid guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″, drags too much conditioned air toward the exit of the live insect larvae 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.

(34) Therefore, the cover member 132 maintains homogenous distribution of conditioned air around the insect eggs in the at least one reservoir 128, 128′ by minimizing the amount of conditioned air being dragged away and/or downward therefrom along with the first laminar flow over the fluid guiding unit 112.

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

(36) 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′ onto the cover member 132, thereby ensuring that the live insects reach the first laminar flow of gas over the fluid guiding unit 112.

(37) 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 convex side walls 113′,113″ to further reduce any suction or dragging of conditioned air by the first laminar air flowing over the fluid guiding unit 112. Note that lowest edges of each cover side wall 134 are arranged above the fluid 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 fluid guiding unit 112 at the aforementioned clearance distance C.

(38) 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 fluid guiding unit 112. Since the cover member 132 is arranged above the fluid guiding unit 112 at the clearance distance C, a slit “S” is provided between the cover member 132 and each of the convex side walls 113′, 113″. These slits S still allow discharged air from the second fluid discharge members 131, 131′ to flow in laminar fashion over the convex side walls 113′, 113″ and pass through these slits S toward each of the at least one fluid guiding members 12′, 12″, 12′″.

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

(40) As mentioned earlier, the at least one reservoir 128, 128′ comprising live insects, e.g. insect eggs, are to be maintained at a controlled and predetermined temperature and relative air humidity to stimulate and facilitate optimal hatching such that optimal release of live insects from the at least one reservoir 128, 128′ reservoirs into the live insect receiving portion is achieved.

(41) To provide optimal temperature and relative humidity condition, FIG. 10 shows a casing 5 of a live insect larvae transport device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the a live insect larvae transport device 100 comprises a casing 5 covering the fluid 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′ are received. The casing 5 comprises a top wall 2 and side walls 3, 4, 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′ to stimulate and facilitate optimal hatching. In order to provide air of a particular temperature and/or relative humidity, the live insect larvae transport device 100 further comprises an air feed channel 5a connected to the top wall 2 of the casing 5 for providing air of a desired temperature and/or relative humidity to the inner side of the casing 5 and in particular to the inner volume V.

(42) 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.

(43) 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 fluid 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 fluid guiding member 12′, 12″, 12′″. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one more slits 136 has a length between 50 to 100 cm, e.g. 60, 65, 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 casing 5.

(44) In an advantageous embodiment, the one or more slits 136 extend above the at least one reservoir 128, 128′ containing the live insects, e.g. insect eggs, for which conditioned air is to be provided for optimized hatching.

(45) 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.

(46) 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 to 15 cm, e.g. 10 cm to provide the conditioned air to the at least one reservoir 128. 128′.

(47) As mentioned earlier, the live insect larvae transport device 100 according to the present invention may comprise a live insects counting device 8, e.g. a camera, for counting live insects in the first laminar flow exiting the live insect larvae 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 fluid for accurate counting of the live insects exiting the live insect larvae transport device 100.

(48) To further improve upon the accuracy and reliability of counting live insects exiting the live insect larvae 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 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(49) 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 live insect larvae transport device 100 such that live insects exiting the 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″.

(50) 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 live insect larvae transport device 100.

(51) 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.

(52) 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.

(53) 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 though 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 live insect larvae transport device 100.

(54) 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.

(55) 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.

(56) 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″.

(57) 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 live insect larvae 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 live insect larvae 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) and their hatch time in the at least one reservoir 128. Therefore, the live insect discharge member 11 and counting device 8 allow for gaining further information on live insect hatching characteristics.

(58) Although the constricted channel portion 140 prevents live insect escaping though the slit shaped though 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 a system, such as a cyclone separation system, connected to the second end 10″ of the live insect discharge member 11.

(59) 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.

(60) 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, connected to the second end 10″ of the live insect discharge member 11.

(61) FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view of such a cyclone separation system 148 connected to one or more live insect larvae transport devices 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 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.

(62) As depicted, a cyclone separation system 148 is connected to one or more live insect larvae 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 a live insect larvae transport device 100 of the one or more live insect larvae transport devices 100.

(63) Note that only one live insect 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 a live insect larvae transport device 100.

(64) The bottom chamber part 151 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.

(65) In an advantageous embodiment, the air injection member 154 is configured for intermittent air injection back into the discharge nozzle 153.

(66) Each of the one or more live insect larvae 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.

(67) 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 E.sub.A arrange thereon.

(68) 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, 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.

(69) 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.

(70) 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.

(71) Advantageously, a plurality of live insect larvae 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.

(72) These embodiments of live insect 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.

(73) 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.