ANIMALS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/627,355, filed on 7 February 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth below.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to cooling systems and methods. More particularly, the various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for cooling a plurality of containerized animals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The growth of the world’s population is increasing the demand for sustainable food sources and waste management. The average American male consumes 100 grams of protein per day, while a meat-based diet takes twice as much energy to produce as a vegetarian diet. Consumption of meat is expected to increase by nearly 9% by 2030 in many high-income countries and by 50% in China per capita. This prompts the search for alternative protein sources both as feed for livestock and for human consumption. Meanwhile, about 26% of the food produced for human consumption in the United States is wasted and left to rot in landfills. The waste generation rate in the US has increased by 50% in the last 30 years, resulting in a need for a management system for food waste. Insects, such as black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), have been proposed as a replacement for fish meal in animal diets. On average, BSFL contain 42% protein and 35% fat, making them a suitable feed for livestock and fish (they can also be eaten by humans). BSFL devour decomposing waste. For example, a recycling bin with 100,000 larvae per square meter can process 15 kg per square meter of food waste per day. Thus, recycling with BSFL can reduce the amount of food left to rot in landfills. Unlike ordinary house flies, BSFL are not disease vectors and can nearly eliminate the presence of pest insects in refuse, improving hygiene.

[0004] To improve bioconversion with the black soldier fly, it is important to optimize the conditions for their growth. One of the limiting factors of larvae growth in conventional systems is the depth of the layer of larvae in a container due to a buildup of ammonia from the defecation of larvae and lack of oxygen in the compressed substrate underneath the larvae. The build-up of ammonia leads to suffocation of the larvae. The current maximum depth of the layer of larvae is approximately six inches. Increasing this depth will allow for more efficient space usage. One conventional system for improving larvae growth is the use of a rotating larvae feeder, which consists of a drum that rotates about its central axis and has a conical end for larvae self-harvesting. The rotation of the drum cycles the larvae allowing a thicker layer of larvae to breathe. This system, however, has several disadvantages, including a large number of moving parts resulting in high maintenance costs.

[0005] Another problem with conventional systems is that they result in overheating of the larvae, which leads to larvae death. Heat generation and regulation by insects is well- documented, but the cause of heat generation by fly larvae remains unknown. Black soldier fly larvae have been observed to die of overheating when raised in conventional systems. There are no detailed studies on heat generation by black soldier fly larvae, but blowfly larvae are known to generate heat and thermoregulate by moving around when feeding on carcasses. They have been observed to raise the temperature of their aggregation far above ambient then lower it to an optimal temperature by exchanging heat with the environment. How larvae generate heat, whether they can regulate their temperature in the wild, and how to best cool them remains unknown. One possibility is that BSFL are able to thermoregulate when feeding on food waste in the wild; however, when they are raised in insulated, densely packed plastic bins, they are unable to cool off sufficiently quickly or escape confinement to find more comfortable temperatures, and rapidly overheat and die. Larvae do not typically survive in ambient conditions at 36°C or above, and there is some evidence that individual larvae can withstand slightly higher temperatures.

[0006] One conventional method of cooling larvae is to air condition an entire warehouse in which the larvae containers are housed. But this method is both cost inefficient and does not sufficiently cool the larvae. This is because the conditioned air may impact a top layer of the larvae, but it does not pass through the container and contact larvae beneath the top layer. Thus, this conventional method does nothing to address the overheating that occurs deep into the larvae layer. [0007] Therefore, there is a desire for improved systems and methods for cooling larvae to facilitate growth. Various embodiments of the present invention address this desire.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention relates to systems and method for facilitating growth of a plurality of animals. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides system comprising a first container and a fluid source. The first container can comprise one or more exterior walls defining an interior volume. The interior volume can contain a plurality of living animals. The fluid source can be configured to generate a flow of a fluid through the interior volume, such that the fluid contacts and cools the plurality of living animals.

[0009] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the fluid source can comprise at least one fan and the fluid can be air.

[0010] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the fluid source can comprise a plurality of fans and the fluid can be air.

[0011] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the first container can comprise a fluid inlet configured to receive a fluid and a fluid outlet configured to eject the fluid.

[0012] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the one or more exterior walls can define an exterior surface of the container, the fluid inlet can be positioned about a bottom portion of the exterior surface of the container, and the fluid outlet can be positioned about a top portion of the exterior surface of the container.

[0013] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the system can further comprise a channel providing fluid communication between the fluid source and the first container.

[0014] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the channel can further comprise a first end connected fluid source and a second end connected to the fluid inlet

[0015] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the channel can comprise a first end connected to the fluid source and a second end connected to the fluid outlet.

[0016] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the first container can comprise a plurality of perforations. The plurality of perforations can define a fluid inlet and/or a fluid outlet.

[0017] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the plurality of perforations can be positioned about a bottom exterior wall of the container. [0018] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, each perforation in the plurality of perforations can be sized to prevent the plurality of living animals from passing through the perforation.

[0019] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the plurality of living animals can comprise at least two species of animals.

[0020] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the plurality of living animals can comprise one or more species of insects.

[0021] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the plurality of living animals comprises a plurality of one or more species of insect larvae.

[0022] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the plurality of living animals can comprise a plurality of black soldier fly larvae.

[0023] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the fluid source can generate a continuous flow of the fluid through the first container.

[0024] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the fluid source can generate a pulsed flow of fluid through the first container.

[0025] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the system can further comprise a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the interior volume of the first container.

[0026] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the system can further comprise a controller configured to monitor a temperature within the interior volume and initiate the flow of the fluid through the first container when the temperature increases above a predetermined threshold.

[0027] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the system can further comprise a controller configured to monitor a temperature within the interior volume and terminate the flow of the fluid through the first container when the temperature decreases below a predetermined threshold.

[0028] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the system can further comprise a second container comprising one or more exterior walls defining an interior volume. The interior volume can contain a second plurality of living animals. The fluid source can be further configured to generate a flow of a fluid through the interior volume of the second container, such that the fluid contacts and cools the second plurality of living animals

[0029] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the second container can comprise a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. [0030] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the system can further comprise a second channel having a first end connected to the fluid outlet of the first container and a second end connected to the fluid inlet of the second container.

[0031] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the system can further comprise a channel having a first end connected to the fluid source and a second end connected to the fluid inlet of the second container.

[0032] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method. The method comprises: providing a first container comprising one or more exterior walls defining an interior volume; placing a first plurality of living animals in the interior volume; and generating, with a fluid source, a flow of a fluid through the interior volume, such that the fluid contacts and cools the plurality of living animals.

[0033] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the generating a flow of fluid can cause the fluid to flow through a channel providing fluid communication between the fluid source and the first container.

[0034] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the generating a flow of fluid can generate a continuous flow of the fluid through the first container.

[0035] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the generating a flow of fluid can generate a pulsed flow of fluid through the first container.

[0036] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the method can further comprise measuring, with a temperature sensor, a temperature within the interior volume of the first container.

[0037] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the method can further comprise monitoring, with a controller, a temperature within the interior volume and initiating, with the controller, the flow of the fluid through the first container when the temperature increases above a predetermined threshold.

[0038] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, monitoring, with a controller, a temperature within the interior volume and terminating, with the controller, the flow of the fluid through the first container when the temperature decreases below a predetermined threshold.

[0039] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the method can further comprise: providing a second container comprising one or more exterior walls defining an interior volume, the interior volume containing a second plurality of living animals, wherein the generating a flow of fluid further generates a flow of a fluid through the interior volume of the second container, such that the fluid contacts and cools the second plurality of living animals.

[0040] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the generating the flow of fluid can cause the fluid to flow through a second channel having a first end connected to the fluid outlet of the first container and a second end connected to the fluid inlet of the second container.

[0041] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the generating the flow of fluid can cause the fluid to flow through a second channel having a first end connected to the fluid source and a second end connected to the fluid inlet of the second container.

[0042] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of cooling a plurality of living animals. The method comprises providing an animal harvesting system comprising: a first container comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and exterior surface surrounding an interior volume, the fluid inlet positioned about a bottom portion of the exterior surface, the fluid outlet positioned about a top portion of the exterior surface; a first channel comprising a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the fluid inlet; and a fluid source connected to the second end of the first channel. The method further comprises: placing a first plurality of living animals in the interior volume of the container; and generating, with the fluid source, a flow of a fluid from the fluid source, through the channel, through the fluid inlet, through the interior volume, and through the fluid outlet, such that the fluid contacts and cools the plurality of living animals.

[0043] These and other aspects of the present invention are described in the Detailed Description of the Invention below and the accompanying figures. Other aspects and features of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the following description of specific, exemplary embodiments of the present invention in concert with the figures. While features of the present invention may be discussed relative to certain embodiments and figures, all embodiments of the present invention can include one or more of the features discussed herein. Further, while one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used with the various embodiments of the invention discussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments may be discussed below as device, system, or method embodiments, it is to be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The following Detailed Description of the Invention is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments, but the subject matter is not limited to the specific elements and instrumentalities disclosed.

[0045] Figure 1 provides a system for facilitating growth of a plurality of animals, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figures 2A and 2B provide pictures of an exemplary system for facilitating growth of a plurality of black soldier fly larvae when used for 9 and 14 days, respectively, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 3 provides a system for facilitating growth of a plurality of animals, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 4 provides a system for facilitating growth of a plurality of animals, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the present invention, various illustrative embodiments are explained below. To simplify and clarify explanation, the invention is described below as applied to systems and methods for cooling black soldier fly larvae. One skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the invention is not so limited. Instead, as those skilled in the art would understand, the various embodiments of the present invention also find application in other areas, including, but not limited to, systems and methods for facilitating the growth of many different types of animals.

[0050] The components, steps, and materials described hereinafter as making up various elements of the invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable components, steps, and materials that would perform the same or similar functions as the components, steps, and materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other components, steps, and materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, similar components or steps that are developed after development of the invention. [0051] As shown in Figure 1, various embodiments of the present invention improve the cooling of larvae within a container 105 by passing a fluid through the container 105. Many different fluids can be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid is air, such as ambient air. The fluid can enter the container 105 through a fluid inlet 110, flow through an interior volume 120 where the fluid contacts the larvae contained therein, and then exit the container 105 through a fluid outlet 115. When the fluid contacts the larvae, heat from the larvae is transferred to the fluid and later exits the container 105, thus cooling the larvae.

[0052] The container 105 can be many different containers or bins known in the art. The container can be many different shapes and made of many different materials. In some embodiments, the container 105 is a cylindrically shaped plastic bin. The interior volume 120 of the container 105 can be defined by a plurality of exterior walls.

[0053] The fluid inlet 110 and fluid outlet 115 can be many different shapes and configurations. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the fluid inlet 110 and fluid outlet 115 can comprise a plurality of perforations or a porous material. The perforations/pores can be sized to prevent the plurality of animals from passing through the perforations/pores and exiting the interior volume 120 of the container 105. The fluid inlet and outlet provide fluid communication between the interior volume and the exterior of the container 105. Fluid enters the interior volume via the fluid inlet, and fluid exits the interior volume via the fluid outlet. In some embodiments, the fluid outlet 115 is positioned above the larvae and the fluid inlet 110 is positioned below the larvae. In some embodiments, the fluid outlet 115 is positioned below the larvae, and the fluid inlet 110 is positioned below the larvae. In some embodiments, one or both of the fluid inlet 110 and fluid outlet 115 are positioned about a side exterior wall of the container 105 and a location adjacent to the black larvae. Some embodiments can also include multiple fluid inlets 110 and/or multiple fluid outlets 115.

[0054] Although various embodiments can be used with BSFL, the invention is not so limited. Rather, the invention can be used with many different species of animals, including species of insects, and species of insect larvae. Additionally, the present invention is not limited to use with a single animal species at any given time. Rather, in some embodiments, multiple species of animals (e.g., insects or insect larvae) can be located within the container 105 simultaneously. [0055] As shown in Fig. 3, the system can further comprise a fluid source 315. The fluid source can be configured to generate the flow of a fluid through the container 305 320. The fluid source 315 can be many different fluid sources known in the art, including but not limited to a fan, a pump, and the like. In some embodiments, multiple fluid sources can e used to generate flow of fluid through the containers. As shown in Fig. 3, the fluid source can provide fluid to the fluid inlet 306 via a channel 316. In this embodiment, the fluid source generates a fluid flow in a direction from the fluid source 315, through at least a portion of the channel 316, into the fluid inlet 306 321, through the interior volume 310 325, and out of the fluid outlet 307 322. Such a configuration can be described as a forced draft system in which the fluid source causes fluid to move through the container 305 320 by pushing fluid through the container 305 320, i.e., causing a positive pressure in the container 305 320 as compared to the exterior of the system.

[0056] Alternatively, although not shown in Fig. 3, the fluid source can be connected to the fluid outlet 307 322 of the container 305 320. In this configuration, fluid can flow from an area exterior to the container 305 320, in through the fluid inlet 306 321, through the interior volume 310 325, out through the fluid outlet 306 322, through at least a portion of a channel, and to the fluid source. Such a configuration can be described as an induced draft system in which the fluid source causes fluid to move through the container 305 320 by pulling fluid through the container 305 320, i.e., causing a negative pressure in the container 305 320 as compared to the exterior of the system.

[0057] In some embodiments, multiple fluid sources can be used and connected to the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet. For example, the system could comprise one or more fluid sources connected to the fluid inlet (with or without a channel) and/or one or more fluid sources connected to the fluid outlet (with or without a channel). In a configuration with a first fluid source connected to the fluid inlet and a second fluid source connected to the fluid outlet, the fluid can flow through container as a result of either a positive or negative pressure in the container as compared to the exterior of the container, depending on the respective operating powers of the first and second fluid sources.

[0058] The fluid source(s) can generate many different fluid flow patterns. For example, in some embodiments, the fluid source(s) can generate a continuous flow of fluid through the container. In some embodiments, the fluid source(s) can generate a pulsed flow of fluid through the container. [0059] In some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, the system can further comprise a controller 330. The controller 330 can be many different types of controllers known in the art. For example, the controller 330 can comprise one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform different functions. For example, the controller 330 can be used to control the fluid source 315, thus controlling the flow of fluid through the container 305 320.

[0060] As also shown in Fig. 3, the system can comprise a temperature sensor 335. The temperature sensor can be many different temperature sensors known in the art, including, but not limited to, a thermocouple, an infrared sensor, and the like. The temperature sensor can monitor a temperature inside the interior volume of the container. The system can comprise multiple temperature sensors to monitor temperature at various locations within the interior volume. In some embodiments, the controller 330 can be configured to adjust the flow of fluid through the container based on the temperatures determined by the one or more temperature sensors. For example, the controller 330 can turn on or increase the fluid flow rate through the container when the temperature is above a predetermined threshold. The controller 330 can turn off or decrease the fluid flow rate through the container when the temperature is below a predetermined threshold. Accordingly, the temperature within the interior volume can be adjusted to achieve optimal growing conditions.

[0061] As also shown in Figs 3-4, in some embodiments, the system can include multiple containers 305 320. The containers can contain the same or different species of animals. Fluid can flow through the containers in a parallel manner and/or a serial manner. For example, the containers shown in Fig. 3 are arranged such that fluid flows through the containers in a parallel manner, i.e., different portions of the fluid flow through the first container 305 than through the second container 320. The containers shown in Fig. 4 are arranged such that fluid flow through the containers in both a serial manner and a parallel manner, i.e., one portion of the fluid flows through containers 405 and 410 and a different portion of the fluid flows through containers 415 and 420. The multiple containers can be positioned in many different orientations. For example, in Fig. 3, the multiple containers are positioned horizontally. The containers can also be positioned vertically. As shown in Fig. 4, the multiple containers can be positioned both horizontally and vertically. [0062] Figures 2A and 2B provide pictures of an exemplary system for facilitating growth of a plurality of black soldier fly larvae. Figure 2A shows the system after 9 days of use, and Figure 2B shows the system after 14 days of use. As shown, the growth of larvae increased substantially between day 9 and day 14, as shown by the larvae level in the container between the two pictures.

[0063] It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.

[0064] Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

[0065] Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. Instead, it is intended that the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.