Mosquito classification, sorting, and sterilization
AssigneeSenecio Ltd.
InventorsHanan LEPEK, Tamir NAVE, Hasdi MATARASSO
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of applying an operation to an individually separated and immobile insect comprises directing a mass of insects onto a permeable surface, and applying a pressure gradient through the permeable surface to apply suction of the insects down into the surface, to immobilize the insects. The operation, whether it be counting, classification, sorting or sterilization, is then carried out on the immobilized insects.
Claims31
A method of immobilizing and applying an operation to insects, comprising:
- obtaining insects;
- directing said insects to a first side of a permeable surface;
- applying a pressure gradient across said permeable surface, to provide a pressure which is lower at a second side of said surface than at said first side, said pressure gradient thereby being effected as a pull of said insects to said permeable surface to immobilize said insects on said permeable surface;
- conveying said insects on said permeable surface under continuing application of said pressure gradient;
- and
- carrying out said operation on said immobilized insects.
(canceled)
9-14. (canceled)
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21-26. (canceled)
A method of applying an operation to an immobile insect comprising:
- directing a mass of insects to a collecting surface;
- applying a first pressure gradient across said collecting surface to allow individual insects to separate from said mass but not to fly away;
- applying a second pressure gradient, said second pressure gradient being higher than said first pressure gradient, to said insects to immobilize said insects;
- conveying said insects on said permeable surface;
- and
- carrying out said operation on said separated and immobilized insects.
(canceled)
Apparatus for carrying out an operation on insects, comprising:
- a permeable surface for receiving said insects;
- a pressure source for applying a pressure gradient across said permeable surface;
- a pressure source controller for controlling said pressure gradient between a first level at which said insects on said permeable surface are able to walk but unable to fly and a second level being higher than said first level, in which said insects are immobilized;
- and
- an operating station for carrying out an operation on said insects while immobilized.
32-34. (canceled)
37-39. (canceled)
A method of immobilizing and applying an operation to insects, comprising:
- obtaining insects via a duct;
- directing said insects to a first side of a permeable surface using a first pressure source;
- applying a pressure gradient through said permeable surface using a second pressure source, such that pressure of the pressure gradient is lower at a second side of said surface than at said first side, thereby to immobilize said insects on said permeable surface;
- conveying said insects on said permeable surface;
- and
- carrying out said operation on said immobilized insects.
Apparatus for immobilizing and applying an operation to insects, comprising:
- a permeable surface, the permeable surface being located on a conveyor;
- a pressure source configured to apply a pressure gradient through said permeable surface to be lower at a second side of said permeable surface than at said first side, thereby to immobilize said insects on said permeable surface, wherein the immobilized insects are conveyed on said permeable surface to a location for carrying out of said operation.
Apparatus for applying an operation to an immobile insect comprising:
- a permeable collecting surface for collecting insects thereon;
- a first pressure source configured to apply a first pressure gradient across said collecting surface to immobilize said insects;
- the permeable collecting surface being part of a conveyor for conveying said insects on said permeable surface to a location for carrying out said operation on said insects.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.