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US 12,201,097 B2Granted
Climate system and method for rearing invertebrates
AssigneeProtix B.V.
InventorsVincent De Gelder, Maurits Petrus Maria Jansen, Kees Wilhelmus Petrus Aarts, Stefan Bazelmans, Eric Holland Schmitt
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for rearing invertebrates by utilizing a plurality of crates arranged into at least one stack, each crate in the stack defining an airflow path there through from an inlet opening in a first wall to an outlet opening in a second wall opposite the first wall of each crate. The plurality of crates are arranged in a climate controlled chamber.
Claims20
A system for rearing invertebrates, the system comprising:
- a plurality of crates arranged into at least one stack, each crate in the stack defining an airflow path there through from an inlet opening in a first wall to an outlet opening in a second wall opposite the first wall;
- a climate chamber comprising:
- an internal volume enclosed by walls, a floor, and a ceiling;
- a first row of a plurality of air outlets extending in a first direction within the internal volume;
- a first row of a plurality of air inlets located next to the first row of air outlets, and extending parallel thereto, and spaced apart from the first row of air outlets in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction;
- at least one first stack of crates arranged in a space between the first row of air outlets and the first row of air inlets;
- a conduit extending from each of the plurality of air inlets along the first stack of crates, said conduit comprising a plurality of conduit openings configured to align with inlet openings of the plurality of crates in the stack;
- wherein the crates are arranged with the airflow path oriented perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the plurality of air outlets are arranged along a duct and covered by the duct, and wherein the duct is configured to draw air from the climate chamber through the plurality of air outlets via a master outlet in fluid communication with the duct.
5 more elements
A method for rearing invertebrates, the method comprising the steps of:
- (i) providing a plurality of crates, each crate having a first opening in a first wall and a second opening in a second wall opposite the first opening to define a first air flow path between the first and second openings;
- (ii) filling at least a portion of each crate of the plurality of crates with a substrate and a plurality of invertebrates at a first developmental stage;
- (iii) stacking the plurality of crates;
- (iii) providing a climate chamber comprising:
- an internal volume enclosed by walls, a floor, and a ceiling;
- a first row of air outlets extending in a first direction within the internal volume;
- a first row of air inlets located next to the first row of air outlets, and extending parallel thereto, and spaced apart from the first row of air outlets in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction;
- at least one first stack of crates arranged in a space between the first row of air outlets and the first row of air inlets;
- a conduit extending from each of the plurality of air inlets along the first stack of crates, said conduit comprising a plurality of conduit openings configured to align with inlet openings of the plurality of crates in the stack;
- (iv) positioning at least one stack of crates wherein the crates are arranged with the airflow path oriented perpendicular to the first direction and in the second direction;
- (v) applying a pressure differential between the air inlet and the air outlet;
- wherein air is pulled out of the climate chamber via a duct, and wherein the plurality of air outlets are arranged along said duct and covered by the duct, which duct is configured to draw air from the climate chamber through the plurality of air outlets via a master outlet in fluid communication with the duct, and, optionally, wherein air is pushed into the climate chamber via a second conduit which is in fluid communication with the plurality of air inlets and conduits connected thereto, and wherein the second conduit is configured to push air into the climate chamber.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.