Patent ID: 11882817
Assignee: PROTIX B.V.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC A  B | IPC A  B

Claim 8:
9. 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 second row of air outlets extending parallel to the first row of air outlets within the internal volume;
a row of air inlets located between the first and second rows of air outlets, and extending parallel thereto, and spaced apart from the first and second rows 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 row of air inlets;
at least one second stack of crates arranged in a space between the second row of air outlets and the row of air inlets;
a conduit extending from each of the plurality of air inlets between the first and second stack of crates, said conduit comprising a plurality of conduit openings configured to align with inlet openings of the plurality of crates in each stack; and

at least one track extending in the first direction with the climate chamber, said track comprising a first wall and a second wall, and a channel defined there between;
(iv) positioning at least one stack of crates on said track 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.