Beehive system, kit and method

A beehive system includes a main hive body with opposed, insulated side walls having access ports formed respectively therein. A vent assembly fits into an access port, and includes a valve case with an outer housing, a coaxial core portion, and plural opposed panels between the outer housing and the core portion, with openings formed between the panels. A pivotally movable valve member includes a core portion and two or more blades attached to and extending outwardly from the core portion. The valve member cooperates with the valve case to regulate air flow through the vent assembly. A bimetallic coil interconnects the valve case and the valve member, and a perforated screen cover is attached to the valve case to allow air flow therethrough. A kit of components usable to retrofit an existing hive, and a method of retrofitting an existing beehive to add a vent thereto, are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in bee hives and beekeeping. More particularly, the present invention relates to a beehive which combines insulated walls and a ventilation assembly which automatically provides ventilation to the hive when needed. The present invention also relates to a kit of components and a method of modifying an existing hive.

Description of the Background Art

The world of bee keeping has not changed greatly in the last 150 or more years. The most popular hive, the Langstroth, was patented in October of 1852. Other styles such as the Topbar and Warre hives are used, but not to the same extent as the Langstroth.

However, our way of agriculture has changed greatly over the same time period, and these changes have caused challenges for the bees and for beekeepers. The present invention addresses some of these issues.

Some farmers in the US use bees for pollination of selected crops, where the bees are temporarily provided, as needed, by traveling bee service companies, and such bee service companies transport hives inside, or on the back of trucks. Many of these traveling commercial hives are not ventilated, and if the trucks are traveling in warm environments, this may be fatal to a high number of bees, such as 50 percent or more.

In addition, if these hives are not closed off during transport to prevent bees from leaving the hive, such bees may be unable to find their way back to the hive entrance while the hive is in motion, and these straggler bees may be lost or killed.

U.S. Pat. No. 395,382 to Crowell (1889) discloses a generic damper which is operated by a bimetallic strip.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,574,768 to Taylor (1951) discloses a temperature-responsive ventilator for beehives, using a bimetallic element to actuate a ventilator slide, housed in a frame that rests on the top edges of the walls of a standard rectangular beehive.

Some insulated beehives are known and commercially available, such as, for example, those sold at the website apimaye-usa.com.

Although the known beehives are useful for their intended purposes, a need still exists in the art for improved beehive designs. In particular, there is a need for an improved hive design which will overcome the difficulties encountered with the known art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention an improved beehive system, kit and method. In particular, it is believed that the combination of insulating walls of the hive, selectively providing ventilation as needed, and optionally, controlling egress of bees from hives during transport will help to increase viability of bees and prolong the life of a hive.

A beehive system according to one aspect of the invention includes an insulated main hive body having a base, side walls and a roof, along with a closeable entrance structure, and a ventilation assembly. Optionally, a removable bee feeder, which fits into the entrance structure, may also be provided.

Each component of the present system provides an improvement to existing beekeeping technologies, yet still is compatible with existing equipment.

The beehive system according to the invention is designed to reduce or eliminate the problem of thermal stress for honey bee colonies used by migratory bee keepers, and to help promote viability of colonies used by bee keepers in cold and hot climates.

In combination with the insulated panel design, and a unique automatic venting system, that may be used to create an even cross flow of air in the hive when needed, the system promotes honey bee health and longevity. The end result is increased bee longevity and a more effective pollinator that is a key element in stabilizing our food supply.

A beehive system according to one illustrative embodiment of the invention includes a main hive body with opposed, insulated side walls, each having an access port formed respectively therein.

A vent assembly fits into one or both of the access ports, and the vent assembly includes a valve case with a cylindrical outer housing, a coaxial core portion, and two or more panels extending between the outer housing and the core portion. The valve case also has openings formed therein between the panels.

The vent assembly also includes a pivotally movable valve member which is operatively attached to the valve case. The valve member cooperates with the valve case to regulate air flow through the vent assembly. The valve member has a core portion and two or more sector-shaped blades attached to, and extending outwardly from the core portion. The number of blades on the valve member corresponds to a number of the openings formed in the valve case, and the blades operate to selectively open or close the openings in the valve case.

A bimetallic coil interconnects the valve case and the valve member to control pivotal movement of the valve member, and a perforated screen cover is attached to the valve case to allow air flow therethrough.

The hive system hereof may, optionally, also include a removable feeder assembly and a closeable gate.

A kit of components usable to retrofit an existing hive, and a method of retrofitting an existing beehive to add a vent thereto, are also contemplated by the present invention.

A beehive system according to a selected illustrative embodiment of the invention includes a main hive body having a floor, four side walls and a removable roof panel, each of the side walls having insulating material therein, wherein two of the side walls disposed opposite one another each have an access port formed respectively therethrough.

The beehive system includes at least one vent assembly configured to fit into one of the access ports, where the vent assembly includes a valve case, and a pivotally movable valve member attached to the valve case by a bimetallic coil disposed therebetween, where the valve member cooperates with the valve case to regulate air flow through the vent assembly.

The valve case has a cylindrical outer housing, a core portion disposed coaxially inside of the housing, and a plurality of sector-shaped panels interconnecting the outer housing and the core portion. A plurality of sector-shaped openings are formed in the valve case between the panels.

The valve member has a central core portion and a plurality of sector-shaped blades attached to and extending radially outwardly from the core portion; where the blades are configured to selectively cover all or part of the openings in the valve case.

The bimetallic coil is interposed between, and interconnects the valve case and the valve member.

The valve assembly also includes a perforated screen cover operatively attached to the valve case, the screen cover configured to allow air flow therethrough.

Each of the side walls of the main hive body may have a laminated insulating structure including a plastic outer wall, a plastic inner wall and an insulating foam board disposed between the inner and outer walls. A roof panel provided at the top of the main hive body may have a similar laminated construction.

The beehive system hereof may additionally include an entrance structure attached to the main hive body, the entrance structure having at least one closeable gate.

Optionally, the beehive system hereof may further include a feeder assembly that nestingly fits into the closeable gate, where the feeder assembly includes a hollow feeder body made in a substantially flattened shape, and configured to firmly fit in the entrance structure with the gate open, the feeder body having a passage formed therethrough to allow bees to pass through the feeder assembly and enter the hive, wherein the feeder body has a closeable outer gate at the entrance to the passage, to allow selective regulation of a flow of bees therethrough;

Where used, the feeder assembly includes a container for holding a liquid bee food, and a dispenser that uses a vacuum that builds up within the container during use, to regulate dispensing of the bee food into a bee feeding tray.

Optionally, the valve assembly is attachable to the main hive body via a bayonet mount, in which a plurality of radially extending flanges are provided on the outer screen cover, the flanges slidably insertable into a plurality of arcuate grooves provided in an outer collar attached to the main hive body.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a kit of components usable to modify a beehive to selectively provide ventilation thereto, the kit including at least one vent assembly configured as described above.

The vent assembly may also include an outer cylindrical collar with bosses having arcuate grooves formed therein. The kit may additionally include a second vent assembly which is substantially identical to the first vent assembly.

The kit according to the invention may further include an entrance structure having at least one closeable gate, where the entrance structure is configured as previously described.

The kit according to the invention may, optionally, also include a feeder assembly that fits nestingly into an opening formed in the entrance structure, where the feeder assembly is configured as previously described.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of retrofitting an existing bee hive can be used to provide ventilation to the hive.

The retrofitting method hereof includes a first step of forming a cylindrical access hole in a first side wall of the bee hive, and a second step of installing a first vent assembly in the access hole formed in the first side wall, where the vent assembly includes a valve case, and a pivotally movable valve member attached to the valve case by a bimetallic coil disposed therebetween. The valve member cooperates with the valve case to regulate air flow through the vent assembly.

The vent assembly is configured as previously described herein.

The method may further include additional steps of forming a second cylindrical access hole in a second side wall of the bee hive opposite the first side wall, and installing a second vent assembly in the access hole formed in the second side wall, the second vent assembly being substantially identical to the first vent assembly.

Optionally, the method according to the invention may further include a step of attaching an entrance structure having a closeable gate to the first side wall, where the entrance structure is configured as previously described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood that only structures and methodology needed for illustrating selected embodiments of the present invention are described herein. Other conventional structures, and those of ancillary and auxiliary components of the system, will be known and understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring now toFIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2C, a complete beehive system is shown generally at20, including an insulated main hive body22having first and second access ports24,26formed in opposite frame-supporting side walls28,30thereof. One or both of the access ports24,26may be optionally provided with a removable, thermostatically controlled vent assembly50. The vent assembly50will be described in further detail below.

The main hive body22includes an upper hive body32with a removable roof panel33, and a lower hive body34including the previously mentioned frame-supporting side walls28,30having the access ports24,26formed respectively therein, along with two additional side walls35,36, and a bottom board38.

As seen in the detail view ofFIG. 2D, each of the frame-supporting side walls28,30has a right-angle groove28gformed in an upper, inside edge thereof facing toward the interior of the hive, in order to support flanges45fprovided on opposite sides of frames45.

FIGS. 2A-2Bare exploded views of the system20, showing individual components of the lower hive body34. The bottom board38is provided with a molded-in screen42, and the lower hive body34may, optionally, include an inspection tray44to selectively permit viewing of the bottom board38. The location of the inspection tray44is shown best inFIG. 2B.

The beehive system20may also include a plurality of removable frames45, which may have a generally conventional configuration. Alternatively, commercially available frames may be used. Each of the frames45is an open structure configured to supportively hold a honeycomb or brood comb (not shown) within the hive main body22.

Each of the side walls26,28,35,36of the main hive body22has a three-part laminated structure.FIG. 2Cis a front detail view of the hive, including an exploded perspective view of a side wall35showing a foam board44disposed between inner and outer panels40,42. The roof panel33may have a similar insulated structure.

The core of the side wall36is provided by the foam board44to increase thermal properties of the hive, helping the bees stay warm in the winter, and reducing overall heat stress on honey bees in the hive during warm seasons, particularly in a situation where the hive is in transport on a truck, where temperature of the truck bed is not regulated. The inner and outer molded panels40,42may each be formed of hemp plastic, or another suitable weather-tolerant plastic. The inner and outer molded panels40,42lock together, creating a cavity therebetween for the foam board44.

Optionally, the system may also include a closeable entrance structure46and a feeder assembly70, where each of these optional components is removably attachable to the main hive body22. The feeder assembly70, where used, may provide extra food and/or water for the bees, as desired.

Entrance Structure

FIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate detail perspective views of the entrance structure46and the feeder assembly70.FIG. 3Bis an exploded perspective view showing some of the internal structure.

The entrance structure46is designed to allow additional accessories to be added to the hive easily. In the depicted embodiment of the system20, the entrance structure46includes a double gated entrance having two independently operable gates48,49, which selectively permit access to, or close off entrance to openings formed in the hive body22on either side or on both sides of the entrance structure. Each of the gates48,49may be separately opened or closed to allow restriction to, or full closure of the hive. The vented gates48,49can be closed to confine the bees for transport, or for whatever other reason is needed.

The entrance structure46includes a frame portion46fwhich extends outwardly from the main hive body22, in order to give guard bees a covered and confined area to guard against invaders. The frame portion46fsurrounds and defines a socket46sconfigured to supportively receive a feeder assembly70or other accessories therein.

One or more entry ports46epare formed at a back wall of the entrance structure46in an area inside of, and surrounded by the frame portion46f, and these entry ports communicate with an opening (not shown) formed through a lower edge portion of the front wall28of the main hive body22, to allow bees to enter and exit the main hive body when the gates48,49are open.

When hinged open, the gates48,49act as drained landing platforms, where parallel vent slots or other openings formed therein are effective to drain any accumulated water therethrough. In the closed position, each of the gates48,49is secured by a latch which may provide an interference fit between the gate and the frame portion46f.

Vent Assembly

The system20hereof includes at least one vent assembly50installed in the first access port24formed in the front frame-supporting wall28of the main hive body22. Optionally, the system may further include a second vent assembly50installed in the second access port26formed in the rear frame-supporting wall30of the main hive body22, where the second vent assembly50is substantially identical to the first vent assembly as described herein.

Using dual vent assemblies provides an advantage, in that both vent assemblies50,50are closed during cold weather, and both vent assemblies also open automatically during warm weather, to provide a route for cross-flow ventilation through the main hive body22.

As shown in the exploded view ofFIG. 4, the vent assembly50includes a cylindrical outer support collar50c, which is affixed to a circular opening formed in the front wall28of the valve body. The outer support collar50cmay be provided with bosses50bhaving arcuate grooves50gformed therein.

The outer support collar50cmay be made as a separate piece, for inclusion in a retrofit kit made for use on conventional beehives, or optionally, if desired, the outer support collar50cmay be molded as an integral part of the front wall28of the main hive body.

The vent assembly50also includes a valve case51which fits coaxially inside of the outer support collar50c. The valve case51includes a cylindrical outer housing51h, a hollow cylindrical socket or core52disposed coaxially inside a central portion of the housing, and a plurality of opposed, wedge or sector-shaped panels such as those shown at53,54, where these panels interconnect the outer housing and the core.

The valve case51also has a plurality of open, wedge or sector-shaped openings such as those shown at55a,55bformed therein between the panels53,54.

The vent assembly50also includes a pivotally movable valve member62that cooperates with the valve case51to regulate air flow through the vent assembly, according to ambient temperature. The valve member62includes a central, cylindrical core portion63and a plurality of wedge or sector-shaped blades such as those shown at64,65extending radially outwardly from the core portion.

The blades64,65of the valve member62generally have a shape resembling an outline shape of a slice taken out of a round pizza, with the tip of the slice removed. This shape may be described as a truncated sector.

It will be noted that the valve member62has a shape resembling a propeller. However, the valve member does not rotate like a propeller. Instead, the valve member62generally moves through only 90 degrees of travel, from a fully closed to a fully open position. When the valve member62reaches the fully open position, the valve member contacts a stop member (not shown) provided inside of the valve case51to hold the valve member62at the fully open position, and prevent further movement thereof past the stop member.

This 90 degree pivotal movement of the valve member62is made possible via the operation of a bimetallic coil56housed in the central core52of the valve case51. The bimetallic coil56operates by expanding or contracting when the temperature changes, and does not require any external power to operate. Bimetallic coils are commercially available, and are used for some thermostats and other commercial applications, but to applicant's knowledge and understanding, bimetallic coils have never been used in beehive vent assemblies, of the type described herein, prior to the present invention.

The valve case51and the valve member62, together with the bimetallic coil56interposed therebetween, cooperate to define a temperature-dependent valve which automatically regulates air flow through the vent assembly50, without requiring a battery or other power source.

In the depicted embodiment of the vent assembly50, the valve case51includes two sector-shaped panels53,54and two sector-shaped openings55a,55bformed between the panels. In addition, the valve member62is shown with two blades64,65. However, in the practice of the present invention, any number of blades between two and ten may be used, and any number of openings between two and ten may be used, so long as the number and dimensions of the blades correspond to the number and dimensions of the openings in the valve case51.

The vent assembly50also includes an external perforated screen cover57with locking flanges58extending radially outwardly thereon, the screen cover configured to allow air flow into or out of the main hive body22. Only one locking flange58is visible inFIG. 4due to the vantage point, but a similar flange is provided on the opposite side of the screen cover57.

An internal screen cover59may, optionally, be additionally provided on the inside of the vent assembly501to further screen air coming into the hive and to prevent bee passage.

As previously noted, the depicted embodiment uses an outer screen cover57having radial flanges58,60thereon to attach the vent assembly50to the arcuate grooves50gprovided on the outer support collar50c.

However, as an alternate mounting method, the outer screen cover57may be made without the radial flanges58, and the exterior of the valve case52may be modified to have male screw threads (not shown) thereon to permit the vent assembly50to be threadably mounted to the outer collar50cor directly to front wall28of the hive body. Other attachment structure known to those in the art may alternatively used to removably attach the vent assembly50to the main hive body22, or to attach the outer screen cover57to the outer collar50c.

As previously noted, in one embodiment hereof, each of the access ports24,26formed in the side walls26,28of the main hive body22may have a separate vent assembly50installed therein, each vent assembly equipped with a bimetallic coil56, so that when the hive becomes warm, both vent assemblies open automatically to provide cross-flow ventilation through the main hive body22, and conversely, when the hive cools down, both vent assemblies close up.

Feeder Assembly

The optional feeder assembly70includes a hollow feeder body72, made in a substantially flattened shape, and configured to firmly fit inside of the socket46sof the gate's frame portion46fon one side of the entrance structure46. The feeder body72has a passage74formed therethrough, to allow bees to pass through the feeder assembly and enter the main hive body22.

The upper surface of the feeder body72has a hollow cylindrical sleeve73formed centrally therein, the sleeve having female threads formed therein to threadably receive a mouth portion of a jar or other food container77.

The feeder assembly72includes a two-part dispenser76, and this dispenser uses vacuum that builds up within the food container77, to slowly and evenly dispense liquid into a bee feeding tray78. Optionally, the feeder body72may also have a small, closeable gate75thereon at the entrance to the passage74, to allow control over the flow of bees therethrough.

Other, optional accessories could be provided to attach to the access ports24,26of the respective frame-supporting side walls28,30, as desired by a beekeeper. As one example, a fondant feeder (not shown) could be made to fit into one or both of the access ports24,26to provide easily accessible food to bees in the hive during winter months, when ventilation is not needed and other food is scarce.

The present invention also contemplates a kit for use in retrofitting existing beehives to add vent assemblies50to such existing beehives. Where used, the kit would include either one or two vent assemblies50as described herein. Optionally, the kit according to the invention could also include the closeable entrance structure46, and if so desired the kit could also include the feeder assembly70.

Referring now toFIGS. 5A-5B, a novel frame according to the invention is shown generally at45. This frame45includes two frame sections45a,45binterconnected by a pivot hinge45h. Each of the frame sections45a,45bmay include a flexible, inwardly-extending tab45ton each vertical side section thereof, as shown, and these tabs cooperate to hold a wax or plastic foundation (not shown) therebetween inside of the frame, and the bees can then use the foundation to create honeycomb or brood comb structures inside of the hive. These tabs may be made of a flexible plastic, such as polypropylene or other flexible plastic, or may be made from a suitable elastomer.

The present invention does not include such foundations, but they are known and commercially available.

A method of retrofitting an existing bee hive to provide ventilation thereto is also contemplated by the present invention.

Referring now toFIG. 6, the method includes a first step of forming a cylindrical access hole in a first side wall of the bee hive. This step is shown at80in the flow chart ofFIG. 6.

The method hereof also includes a second step of installing a first vent assembly in the access hole formed in the first side wall. This step is shown at82inFIG. 6. The first vent assembly may be removably attached to permit later attachment of other, different accessories to the access hole formed in the first side wall.

The first vent assembly may be the vent assembly50as previously described herein. The vent assembly50may or may not include a cylindrical outer collar50c, depending on whether or not the outer screen cover57is removable. However, the first vent assembly should include a valve case51, a pivotally movable valve member62that cooperates with the valve case to selectively restrict or allow air flow through the vent assembly, and a bimetallic coil member interposed between and interconnecting the valve case and the valve member. Preferably, the vent assembly50should also include a foraminous screen cover57operatively attached to the valve case51, the screen cover configured to allow air to flow therethrough.

The method according to the present invention may, optionally, also include a step of forming a cylindrical access hole in a second side wall of the beehive, the second side wall located opposite the first side wall. This step is shown at84in the flowchart ofFIG. 6.

The method hereof also may include another step of installing a second vent assembly in the access hole formed in the second side wall. This step is shown at86inFIG. 6.

The second vent assembly may also be a vent assembly50as described herein.

The method hereof also may, optionally, include an additional step of attaching an entrance structure having a closeable gate to the first side wall. The entrance structure may be the entrance structure46as previously described herein. This step is shown at88inFIG. 6.

Although the present invention has been described herein with respect to a number of specific illustrative embodiments, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate, rather than to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will realize that many modifications of the illustrative embodiment could be made which would be operable. All such modifications, which are within the scope of the claims, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.