Patent Description:
The present invention may find application in the field of breeding arthropods, e.g., insects or insect larvae, for the production of animal protein.

Apparatuses for growing animals and/or plant species using substances or gases derived from the treatment of sludge or wastewater, civil and/or industrial, are known.

Patent Application No. <CIT> describes an apparatus that derives nutrients for the growth of animal species from the treatment of a dirty solution. The apparatus features treatment tanks containing a sandy substrate populated by worms allowing the solution to be filtered by assimilation of contaminants; the cleaned solution is then sent to collection tanks for the growth of algae and fish under hydroponic conditions.

Another example of an apparatus for treating dirty substances for the growth of animal or plant species, is described in U. Patent Application No. <CIT>. The apparatus includes a treatment tank for dirty substances comprising air nozzles to oxidize organic matter in the tank and extract gases subsequently piped into specific containers to promote algae growth. The apparatus includes additional tanks connected to the containers and configured to receive oxygen produced by the algae to promote the growth of fish and shellfish.

A further example of apparatus for growing insect is described in the Chinese Utility Model No. <CIT>, which shows a plurality of sliding drawers which, in an engaging condition with the case, are fixed and stably locked with respect to the case.

A further example of an apparatus for growing insect is described in U. Patent Application No. <CIT>, which shows a rotating case in which a plurality of shelves are hinged to support insect larvae. < INSERT PAGE 1a > Although the solutions described above allow the growth of insects, the Applicant noted that these solutions can be improved in several aspects.

The object of the present invention is therefore to solve at least one of the drawbacks and/or limitations of the preceding solutions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus suitable for enabling efficient and rapid growth of arthropods. It is then an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus having a simple and compact structure, suitable for maximizing the space available for growing arthropods, while maintaining small footprints. A further purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for growing arthropods able to minimize the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere.

A further example of an apparatus for growing insect is described in <CIT>. The apparatus includes a plurality of cells having an elongated shape and an octagonal cross-section. Each cell contains a fermented sawdust substrate in which worms, hatched larvae, and eggs are housed. The cells remain in a working position for an entire cultivation process which lasts approximately <NUM>-<NUM> days; at the end of the cultivation process the cells are turned upside down in a discharge position to allow the hatched larvae and eggs to exit the cells and be separated from the adult insect. After the collection and separation of the insects, the cells are placed back in the working position so that a new substrate and new insects may be inserted inside them.

The cells remain stationary in the working position for <NUM>-<NUM> days and after that are manually rotated by an operator in the discharge position; the cells in the discarghe position are stationary until the substrate together with the hatched larvae and eggs are expelled.

These objects and others, which will appear more from the following description, are substantially achieved by an apparatus and method for growing arthropods according to claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

Several embodiments and some aspects of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying figures provided for illustrative purposes only and therefore not limiting, wherein:.

It should be noted that in the present detailed description corresponding parts illustrated in the various figures are shown with the same numerical references. The figures may illustrate the subject matter of the invention by means of representations that are not to scale; therefore, parts and components illustrated in the figures related to the subject matter of the invention may relate only to schematic representations.

The apparatus, plant, and method described and claimed herein may include/use a control unit suitable for controlling operating conditions performed by the apparatus itself, the plant, and/or controlling method steps.

The control unit may be a single unit or a plurality of distinct control units depending on design choices and operational requirements. By control unit is meant an electronic component which may comprise at least one of: a digital processor (CPU), an analog type circuit, or a combination of one or more digital processors with one or more analog type circuits. The control unit can be "configured" or "programmed" to perform certain steps: this can be accomplished in practice by any means that allows the control unit to be configured or programmed. For example, in the case of a control unit comprises one or more CPUs and one or more memories, one or more programs may be stored in appropriate memory chips connected to the CPU(s); the program(s) contain instructions that, when executed by the CPU(s), program or configure the control unit to perform the operations described in relation to the control unit. Alternatively, if the control unit is or includes analog circuitry, then the circuitry of the control unit may be designed to include circuitry configured, in use, to process electrical signals in such a way as to perform the steps related to the control unit.

Parts of the method described herein can be implemented by means of a data processing unit, or control unit, technically replaceable with one or more electronic processors designed to execute a portion of a software or firmware loaded onto a memory medium. Such software may be written in any known programming language. The electronic processors, if two or more in number, may be interconnected by means of a data connection such that their computational powers is shared; the same electronic processors may thus be installed in even geographically different locations, realizing through the aforementioned data connection a distributed computing environment.

The data processing unit, or control unit, may be a general purpose processor configured to perform one or more parts of the method identified in the present disclosure through the software or firmware, or may be an ASIC or dedicated processor or FPGA specifically programmed to perform at least part of the operations of the method described herein. The memory medium may be non-transitory and may be internal or external to the processor, or control unit, or data processing unit, and may be a memory geographically located remote from the electronic processor. The memory medium may likewise be physically divided into multiple portions, or in cloud form, and the software program or firmware may physically provide for portions stored on geographically divided portions of memory.

The term "actuator" refers to any device suitable for providing a movement on a body, such as upon command from the control unit (receipt by the actuator of a command sent by the control unit). The actuator may be electrical, pneumatic, mechanical (e.g., spring), or other types.

The term "substrate" means an inert material conglomerate comprising one or more bodies made of the following materials: wood, tree bark, plastic (e.g., polypropylene), expanded clay, coconut fiber, rock wool, or zeolite.

The term "arthropods" refers to a type of invertebrates with the body covered by a chitinous cuticle, subdivided into metameric segments, each of which is provided with a pair of legs formed by several movable articles. Said arthropods also have a head having with one or two pairs of antennae with a tactile function; they include crustaceans, myriapods, insects, merostomes, arachnids and pantopods.

An apparatus for growing arthropods, generally referred to as <NUM>, facilitates the growth of insects in the larval state, e.g., belonging to the families of lepidoptera, beetles, or orthoptera, to an adult stage.

As shown in the accompanying figures, the apparatus <NUM> comprises a case <NUM> having a predetermined number of side walls <NUM> delimiting an inner volume for housing at least one cell <NUM> for growing arthropods. The case <NUM> may have a rectangular prismatic shape, although not excluding the possibility of making a case <NUM> having a different shape, for example, prismatic with a square or trapezium shaped base or of cylindrical conformation. In detail, the case <NUM> may comprise a front side wall 2a and a rear side wall 2b facing and parallel to each other: the front wall 2a and the rear wall 2b are connected to each other by means of a first and a second side wall 2c, 2d, also facing and parallel to each other. The front wall 2a is spaced and opposed by the rear wall 2b the first and second side walls 2c, 2d are also spaced and opposed to each other. The case <NUM> further comprises a rear wall 2f having a rectangular profile and from which emerge, from a perimeter edge of the same rear wall 2f, the front wall 2a, the rear wall 2b and the first and second side walls 2c, 2d. The case <NUM> also includes a rectangular-shaped top wall 2e, opposite to the rear wall 2f, configured for upperly occluding the inner volume of the case. In other words, the case is essentially a container perimeterally delimited by the predetermined number of side walls, the top wall, and the bottom wall, defining an inner environment that is hermetically sealed off from an external environment following the engagement of one or more cells <NUM> as subsequently detailed.

The inner volume of case <NUM> may have a volume greater than <NUM><NUM>, optionally greater than <NUM><NUM> depending on the type and quantity of cells housed in the case.

As, for example, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the front wall 2a of the case <NUM> has a plurality of accesses 24a, each configured for allowing the insertion of a respective cell <NUM> into the inner volume of the case <NUM>. The accesses 24a are openings defined on the front wall 2a having a square or rectangular conformation; however, it is not excluded the realization of accesses 24a having a different conformation, such as circular. Dimensionally, each access 24a has a surface footprint comprised between <NUM><NUM> and <NUM><NUM>, optionally comprised between <NUM><NUM> and <NUM><NUM>. It should be noted the accesses 24a are made on the front wall 2a at an upper zone of the case spaced from the rear wall 2f of the case and overlying a lower zone of the case <NUM> close to the rear wall 2f. The accesses 24a are distinct, spaced apart and evenly distributed throughout the upper zone of the case, in number comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, optionally comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Each access 24a of the case, following insertion of a cell, is occluded by a front plate <NUM> carried by the cell <NUM> that can be engaged to the front wall 2a of the case <NUM> to completely separate the inner volume of the case from the external environment. In the accompanying figures, the front plate is, in a non-limiting way, engaged externally to the case <NUM>; however, it is also not excluded the possible to engage the front plate internally to case <NUM>, for example supported by a shelf carried by the rear wall.

The rear wall 2b of the case <NUM> also has a plurality of accesses 24b configured for allowing engagement of the case with a respective cell <NUM>, made opposite to the accesses 24a of the front wall 2a and aligned with a respective access 24a of the front wall 2a according to a direction orthogonal to the front wall 2a and rear wall 2b. The accesses 24b of the rear wall 2b are structurally identical to the accesses 24a of the front wall 2a and configured, in cooperation with the latter, for allowing insertion and removal of the cell from the case <NUM>. Each access 24b of the rear wall 2b, following the insertion of a cell inside the case <NUM>, is occluded by a back plate <NUM> carried by the cell <NUM>, which may be engaged to the rear wall 2b of the case to prevent communication between the volume inside the case and an external environment.

As, for example, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the case <NUM> includes a collection tank <NUM> inferiorly delimited by the rear wall 2f and perimeterally delimited by respective portions of the front wall 2a, rear wall 2b, and side walls 2c, 2d near the rear wall 2f. The collection tank <NUM> is placed at the lower area of the case below each cell and it is configured for containing at least one fluid, e.g., water, having a volume greater than <NUM><NUM>, optionally comprised between <NUM><NUM> and <NUM><NUM>. The collection tank <NUM> is configured to allow solubilization of gas in a fluid, e.g., carbon dioxide, present in the environment inside case <NUM>.

The apparatus may also include a mixing device <NUM> active in the collection tank <NUM> and configured to move the fluid contained in the same collection tank <NUM>. As an example shown in <FIG>, the mixing device <NUM> may include a pump to which a recirculation circuit placed in fluid communication with the collection tank is connected. The pump is configured to move fluid contained within the collection tank <NUM> through the recirculation circuit, allowing proper mixing and solubilization of carbon dioxide within the fluid in the collection tank <NUM>. The apparatus may also include a control unit <NUM> operatively connected to the mixing device <NUM> and configured to control its operation. Specifically, the control unit <NUM> is configured to control an active condition of the mixing device <NUM> wherein it moves the fluid within the collection tank <NUM>, and an inactive condition wherein the same mixing device <NUM> does not operate on the fluid within the collection tank <NUM>, preventing its movement. The apparatus also includes a fluid delivery manifold <NUM>' and a fluid return manifold <NUM>' both defined on and in fluid communication with the collection tank <NUM>, which are respectively configured to allow fluid to be introduced into and withdrawn from the collection tank <NUM>. The mixing device <NUM>, in the activation condition, can also be configured to move fluid in and out of the collection tank <NUM> via the fluid delivery and return manifolds <NUM>', <NUM>'. The transition between the activation and deactivation condition of the mixing device is subject to the determination of a pH value of the fluid within the same collection tank <NUM>, according to the following description.

The apparatus may also include a pH sensor <NUM> active on the collection tank <NUM> and configured to generate a representative pH signal of the fluid present within the same collection tank <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> is operatively connected to the pH sensor <NUM>, configured to receive the signal emitted by the latter and estimate, based on said signal, a pH value of the fluid present in the collection tank <NUM>. The control unit <NUM>, following the determination of a pH value of the fluid in the collection tank <NUM>, is configured to compare said value with a reference value representative of a threshold pH value. The detection of the pH value allows for determining the acidity of the water, and indirectly, the amount of carbon dioxide solubilized in water. The control unit <NUM> is then configured to command the ejection of fluid from collection tank <NUM> once a saturation value coincident with the threshold reference value is reached, beyond which solubilization of carbon dioxide in water would no longer be possible. In fact, carbon dioxide CO<NUM> dissolving in water creates carbonic acid (H<NUM>CO<NUM>), which results in a change in the acidity of the water in collection tank <NUM> (H<NUM>O+CO<NUM> <=>H<NUM>CO<NUM>). In other words, the pH sensor is configured to detect the dissolution of a carbon solute in a water solvent. In the event that the control unit detects that the estimated pH value exceeds the above-mentioned threshold reference value corresponding to a maximum acidity value achievable by the water in the collection tank <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> is configured to command the activation of the pump of the mixing device <NUM> for allowing the movement of water saturated with carbon dioxide, externally to collection tank <NUM> (through the fluid return manifold <NUM>') and control the introduction (through the fluid delivery manifold <NUM>') of water having a neutral pH value between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The apparatus may also include a thermoregulation device <NUM>, such as a heat exchanger, configured to deliver gas into the inner volume of the case <NUM>. As will be better described below, the thermoregulation device <NUM> allows for maintaining a constant temperature in the inner volume of the case by delivering gas at either low temperature (below 20C°) or high temperature (above <NUM>).

The apparatus may also include a gas delivery manifold <NUM> connected to the case <NUM> and configured to allow the introduction of gas, e.g., oxygen, from an external environment or from an oxygenator <NUM> detailed in the following. The apparatus may also include a gas return manifold <NUM> connected to the case <NUM> and configured to allow gas to be ejected in atmosphere from the inner volume of the case <NUM>.

The apparatus may further include one or more light sources <NUM> active within the case, each configured to irradiate each cell of the apparatus and contribute, in cooperation with one or more of the sensors subsequently detailed, to set optimal insect growth conditions. The light sources <NUM> may, for example, include LED lights to prevent undesired localized heating which could cause fire and/or incubation of pathogens within the cells, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. The apparatus may also include a plurality of sensors of different types, suitable for measuring different parameters related to the environment in the inner volume of the case <NUM> for reaching the optimal environmental conditions for growing insect or larval.

The apparatus may also include at least one temperature sensor <NUM> placed in the inner volume of the case and configured to generate a signal representative of a temperature inside the case <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> is connected to the temperature sensor <NUM>, configured to receive the signal emitted by the temperature sensor <NUM> and estimate, based on the same signal, a temperature value in the inner volume of the respective cell <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> is then configured to compare the estimated temperature value with a threshold value comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, and if the estimated value exceeds the threshold value, the control unit <NUM> may be configured for commanding the movement of one or more cells <NUM> around a respective axis of rotation X, for allowing the inlet of an airflow into the compartment of the cell and thus reducing the temperature inside the cell. In addition to or as an alternative to the step of commanding the movement of cell <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to emit an alarm signal to alert an operator to a malfunctioning condition of the apparatus.

The control unit <NUM> is also connected to thermoregulation device <NUM> and if the estimated temperature value is different from the threshold value, it can be configured to control the delivery of cold air (optionally at a temperature below <NUM>) or hot air (optionally at a temperature above <NUM>) into the inner volume of case <NUM>, consequently allowing to maintain the temperature in compartment of the cell <NUM> around <NUM>.

The apparatus may have a plurality of temperature sensors <NUM>, each active in the compartment of each cell <NUM> or in the compartment of a subgroup of cells <NUM> and configured to generate a signal representative of a temperature in the compartment of the cell. The control unit <NUM> is connected to each temperature sensor <NUM> to receive said signal representative of the temperature inside the compartment of the cell and, similarly to the above description, is configured to control the rotation of the cell, generate an alarm signal, and/or control the activation of the thermoregulation device.

The apparatus may also include a gas sensor <NUM> placed in the inner volume of the case and configured to generate a signal representative of at least one of the following parameters:.

The control unit <NUM> is connected to gas sensor <NUM> and is configured to receive the signal emitted by the latter and subsequently estimate a gas value in the inner volume of case <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> is also configured to command the movement of one or more cells <NUM> with respect to case <NUM> if:.

Alternatively, or in addition to the step of commanding the movement of the cells <NUM>, the control unit <NUM>, if detects an amount of oxygen greater than the threshold control parameter (equal to <NUM>% of an air composition present in the inner volume of the case <NUM>), may be configured to command the opening of the gas delivery manifold <NUM> and allow a predetermined amount of oxygen to be introduced into the inner volume of the case, re-establishing an optimal oxygen value. Dually, the control unit <NUM>, if detects an amount of carbon dioxide that is percentually higher than the threshold control parameter (equal to <NUM>% of an air composition present in the inner volume of case <NUM>), is configured to command the opening of gas return manifold <NUM> for allowing a predetermined amount of gas or air to be ejected and reestablishing the presence of an amount of carbon dioxide in a normal range.

Alternatively to having a gas sensor <NUM> operating in the inner volume of the case <NUM>, the apparatus may have a plurality of gas sensors <NUM> active in a respective compartment of a cell <NUM> or in the compartment of a subgroup of cells <NUM>, configured to generate a signal representative of a gas quantity in the compartment of a respective cell. In order to maintain a percentage value of oxygen and carbon dioxide that does not exceed the respective threshold control parameters, the control unit <NUM> is connected to each gas sensor <NUM> and, depending on a value of a gas quantity in the compartment of the case, is configured to command the rotation of the cell to allow the introduction of air from the gas delivery manifold <NUM> and/or command the expulsion of gas from the gas return manifold <NUM>.

The apparatus also includes a gas pressure sensor <NUM> placed in the inner volume of the case <NUM> and configured to generate a signal representative of a pressure inside the case <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> is operatively connected to the pressure sensor <NUM>, configured to receive the signal emitted by the latter and estimate a pressure value in the inner volume of the case <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> is configured to command the introduction or ejection of gas, respectively via gas the delivery manifold <NUM> or the gas return manifold <NUM>, if it detects a pressure value below or above a threshold pressure value comprised between <NUM> bar and <NUM> bar, optionally comprised between <NUM> bar and <NUM> bar.

Alternatively, the apparatus may have a plurality of gas pressure sensors <NUM> active in the compartment of a respective cell <NUM> or in the compartment of a subgroup of cells <NUM>, which operate in a manner entirely analogous to that described above in connection with the gas pressure sensor <NUM> active in the inner volume of case <NUM>.

The apparatus may further include a humidity sensor <NUM> placed in the inner volume of case <NUM> and configured to generate a signal representative of relative humidity in the inner volume of the case. The control unit <NUM> is operationally connected to the humidity sensor <NUM>, is configured to receive the signal emitted by the latter and estimate a relative humidity value. The control unit <NUM> is configured to command the introduction or ejection of gas, respectively via the gas delivery manifold <NUM> or the gas return manifold <NUM>, if said measured pressure values detected by the pressure sensor <NUM> exceed a predetermined relative humidity value, the latter being comprised between <NUM>% and <NUM>%.

As previously mentioned, the case <NUM> is configured to allow house and support a plurality of cells <NUM> for growing arthropods, above the collection tank <NUM>. The cells are equal in number to the accesses 24a and 24b respectively made on the front wall 2a and the rear wall 2b of the case <NUM>. Optionally, a number of cells comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, more optionally comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, may be housed within the case. The cells in the apparatus may all have the same structure and functionality if the apparatus is used to perform the growth of the same species of arthropods. In such a case, the optimal environmental conditions for realizing the breeding of the same species of arthropods are the same, and the need to have cells that are structurally or functionally different from each other does not arise. However, the presence of cells having different structures and functionalities for allowing the user to realize the simultaneous breeding of different arthropod species within respective cells <NUM>.

As shown in the accompanying figures, the cell <NUM> has a hollow body defining a compartment configured to contain a predetermined amount of a substrate, e.g. of the type precedingly described, for arthropod support. From a structural point of view and as for example visible in <FIG> and <FIG>, the hollow body of the cell <NUM> may have an elongated tubular conformation extending along a development direction orthogonal to the front wall 2a and the rear wall 2b of the case, between a first and a second longitudinal end at which it is engaged to the case <NUM>. Optionally, the hollow body has a cylindrical conformation that, in contrast to the use of cells with hollow bodies of prismatic conformation, prevents the settling of substrate or organic waste materials produced by insects, in corner areas from which they are difficult to remove. Note how the hollow body of cell <NUM> is removably engageable to the case <NUM>, effectively allowing a user, to easily extract the same hollow body from the case, for example to perform maintenance or cleaning operations on the latter.

The hollow body has passage openings respectively defined at the first and second longitudinal ends, configured to allow communication between the compartment of the hollow body and an environment outside the cell. The hollow body has a constant cross-sectional area along the development direction, having diameter comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> and a length, measured along the development direction, comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, optionally comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The cell <NUM> may also include a plurality of through holes <NUM> made on the hollow body and configured to place the inner volume of case <NUM> in communication with the compartment of cell <NUM>. The holes are uniformly distributed along a direction substantially parallel to the development direction of cell <NUM>. Dimensionally, each hole <NUM> defines a through-opening greater than <NUM><NUM>, optionally ranging from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>. Depending on the size and passage opening, the holes <NUM> are organized into at least two sets of holes parallel to each other and parallel to the direction of cell development, each comprising the same number of holes. In particular, the holes <NUM> are organized into five sets of holes parallel to each other, configured to allow a gas exchange between the compartment of the cell and the inner volume of the case <NUM>, greater than <NUM><NUM>/s. Note also, as for example shown in <FIG>, how the holes <NUM> are defined at a top portion of the hollow body facing the top wall 2e of the case <NUM>.

As previously mentioned, the cell comprises the front plate <NUM> and the back plate <NUM> respectively engaged at the first and second longitudinal ends of the hollow body in occlusion of the passage openings of the same hollow body. The front plate <NUM> and the back plate <NUM> have a respective blind groove <NUM> suitable for receiving in engagement the hollow body of the cell <NUM>, at which there may be a gasket to prevent leakage of material or liquids that may be present within the same hollow body. The front plate <NUM> and the back plate <NUM> are removably engaged to the case <NUM>, e.g., by screws, respectively in occlusion of the accesses 24a of the front wall 2a and the accesses 24b of the rear wall 2b of the case. The front plate <NUM> and the back plate <NUM> may also have an additional gasket interposed between the same plate and the case to completely isolate the inner volume of the case from the external environment. The cell may have a through opening <NUM> defined on the front plate <NUM> configured to allow communication between the compartment of the hollow body and the external environment (<FIG>). Dimensionally, the through opening <NUM> of front plate <NUM> has a through section greater than <NUM><NUM>, optionally comprised between <NUM><NUM> and <NUM><NUM>.

The cell <NUM> may also have a selector <NUM> carried by the front plate <NUM> and placed near the through opening <NUM>, which is configured to selectively overlap with the through opening <NUM> of the front plate to allow or prevent communication between the compartment of the hollow body and the external environment.

Optionally, in an embodiment not shown in the accompanying figures, the selector <NUM> may have a semicircular conformation and be movable by rotation with respect to the hollow body between a first and second operating position. In the first operating position, the selector is superimposed to the through opening <NUM> of the front plate <NUM> to obstruct its passage, while in the second operating position, the selector <NUM> is offset from the through opening <NUM>, allowing the compartment to communicate with the external environment.

In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the selector <NUM> is a plate having circular conformation, engaged to the front plate <NUM> at a central area of the same plate and movable by rotation about an axis passing through the center of the plate and parallel to the direction of development of the cell <NUM>. Note that the selector <NUM> includes in turn a through opening <NUM> configured to allow communication between the compartment of the hollow body and an environment outside the case <NUM> when superimposed on the through opening <NUM> of front plate <NUM>. The through opening <NUM> of the selector <NUM>, when misaligned from the through opening <NUM> of the front plate <NUM> is configured to prevent access into the compartment of the cell. The through opening <NUM> of the selector <NUM> may be a hole made at a perimeter zone of the plate spaced from the center zone, which has dimensions, and in particular a diameter, at least equal to a diameter of the through opening <NUM> of the front plate <NUM>. Optionally, the through opening <NUM> of the selector <NUM> is dimensionally identical to the through opening <NUM> of the front plate <NUM>, which has a through section greater than <NUM><NUM>, optionally comprised between <NUM><NUM> and <NUM><NUM>.

As will be detailed later, the through openings <NUM>, <NUM> - respectively of the front plate <NUM> and the selector <NUM> - in the first operating position of the selector <NUM> are configured to allow the extraction of the substrate from the hollow body of the cell <NUM>. Indeed, if it is detected that the arthropods (e.g., insects) in the hollow body have reached a predetermined size, e.g., adult size, the selector <NUM> is moved from the second to the first operating position, allowing from outside the case <NUM>, to access the compartment of the hollow body of the cell for extracting substrate from the same cell <NUM>.

The cell <NUM> also has an auxiliary through opening <NUM>' defined on front plate <NUM> and configured to allow communication between the compartment of the hollow body and the external environment. Dimensionally, the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' is identical to the aforementioned through opening <NUM> on the front plate <NUM> and is distinct and spaced apart, optionally angularly offset, from the latter by an angle substantially comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. As, for example, shown in <FIG>, the through opening <NUM> of the front plate <NUM> and the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' are respectively placed inferiorly and superiorly with respect to an ideal centerline plane parallel to the rear wall 2f of the case that longitudinally sections the hollow body of the case. The cell <NUM> also has an auxiliary selector <NUM>' carried by the front plate <NUM> and arranged near the auxiliary through opening <NUM>', configured to selectively allow access to the compartment of the hollow body via the same auxiliary through opening <NUM>'. The auxiliary selector <NUM>' is movable by rotation about an axis parallel to the development direction of the cell <NUM> and configured to selectively occlude the auxiliary through opening <NUM>'. Note that the auxiliary selector <NUM>' is movable with respect to front plate <NUM> independently of the selector <NUM>: the auxiliary selector <NUM>' and the selector <NUM> are thus structurally and functionally independent of each other, allowing both simultaneously and alternatively, access to the compartment of the hollow body of the cell <NUM>.

The auxiliary selector <NUM>' has an auxiliary through opening <NUM>' that allows communication between the compartment of the hollow body and an environment outside the case <NUM> when superimposed on the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' of the front plate <NUM>. The auxiliary through opening <NUM>' is thus configured to prevent access into the compartment of the cell when misaligned with respect to the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' of the front plate <NUM>. The auxiliary through opening <NUM>' of the auxiliary selector <NUM>' may be a hole made at a perimeter area of the auxiliary selector <NUM>', having dimensions, and in particular a diameter at least equal to a diameter of the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' of the front plate <NUM>. In particular, the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' of the auxiliary selector <NUM>' is dimensionally identical to the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' of the front plate <NUM>, which has a cross section greater than <NUM><NUM>, optionally comprised between <NUM><NUM> and <NUM><NUM>.

As will be detailed later, auxiliary through opening <NUM>' and auxiliary through opening <NUM>' of auxiliary selector <NUM>', are configured, when overlapped with each other, to allow substrate or nutrient to be inserted into the compartment of the hollow body of cell <NUM>.

Note the hollow body of the cell <NUM>, in an engagement condition with the case <NUM>, is also rotationally movable with respect to the same case <NUM>, the front plate <NUM> and the back plate <NUM>, for mixing the substrate. The hollow body is movable by rotation about an axis of rotation X passing through the center of the cell <NUM>, thus resulting, under use conditions of the apparatus, orthogonal to the front wall 2a and the rear wall 2b of the case <NUM>. In detail, the hollow case is movable between a first and a second limit position angularly offset from each other by an angle comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, wherein said angular offset corresponds to an internal angle subtended between two straight lines respectively passing through the axis of rotation X of the cell <NUM> and a point of the same cell <NUM> respectively in the first and second limit positions.

The hollow body performs an oscillatory motion about the axis of rotation X between the first and second limit positions at a frequency comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, for mixing the substrate. The rotary and, in particular, oscillatory movement of the hollow body of the cell is advantageous if there is the need to separate organic residues, e.g., feces produced by insects, from the inert material characterizing the substrate. This allows for growing arthropods on a clean substrate, namely a substrate devoid of organic waste at a surface (top) portion. In other words, the clean substrate is defined by the mixed substrate that has any organic wastes accumulated only at a bottom portion of the compartment. For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the apparatus may comprise a plurality of movement assemblies <NUM>, each of which has at least one rotating element <NUM> engaged to the case <NUM> in the inner volume and placed in contact with an outer surface of the hollow body for rotating it. Each movement assembly <NUM> is associated with a respective cell and may have a plurality of rotating elements <NUM> engaged to the case, configured to contact different portions of the outer surface of the hollow body. In particular, each movement assembly <NUM> comprises at least <NUM> rotating elements <NUM> active on the same cell <NUM>. To better understand the relative position between each rotating element <NUM> and the hollow body of a cell, consider the same hollow body of cylindrical conformation inscribed in an ideal prism having a triangular, square or rectangular base, in which the rotating elements <NUM> are positioned at a respective vertex of the ideal prism extending along the development direction of the hollow body. <FIG> shows, for example, a hollow body inscribed in an ideal prism with a square base and a movement assembly <NUM> having four rotating elements <NUM> positioned at a respective vertex of the ideal prism with a square base.

In one embodiment, at least one rotating element <NUM> of each movement assembly <NUM> is motorized and configured to transmit a rotary motion to the respective cell <NUM>. In fact, the movement assembly may include an actuator, such as an electric motor, active on the motorized rotating element <NUM> for rotating it. Each cell <NUM>, associated with a respective movement assembly <NUM>, may be movable independently to the remaining cells. This feature may be advantageous if different environmental conditions occur within the cells, for example caused by an overpopulation of arthropods, thus making it possible to agitate selected cells so as to reestablish optimal environmental conditions for growing insects.

In a further embodiment, the movement assemblies <NUM> arranged within the case are kinematically connected to each other. In such configuration, only one subgroup of the movement assembly has rotating elements <NUM> motorized and their associated actuators or electric motors, consequently allowing for synchronous movement of each cell present within the case <NUM>. However, in a further embodiment, a hybrid configuration between the two described above is also possible, in which a first subgroup of movement assemblies is independently motorized, while a second subgroup is kinematically connected to each other and synchronously move about respective axes X.

The control unit <NUM> may be active in command on each actuator or electric motor active on a motorized rotating element and configured to command, at predetermined time intervals or following the receipt of a command, the execution of a movement cycle of the cell <NUM> where the actuator operates. Each movement cycle has a duration comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> and is executed at regular intervals, in particular the time between one movement cycle and a subsequent movement cycle is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, varying depending on the type of arthropods and the environmental conditions inside the cell.

From a structural point of view, each rotating element <NUM> may have a roller 7a extending along a respective axis Y parallel to an axis of rotation X of rotation of the cell <NUM>. Each roller 7a may have a cylindrical conformation with a diameter comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, and a length equal to the length of the hollow body of cell <NUM> to which said roller 7a is directly in contact.

The apparatus may have a plurality of hoppers <NUM>, each of which is engaged within the compartment of the hollow body of a respective cell <NUM> and configured to receive a predetermined amount of substrate and/or nutrients and discharge them into the hollow body. For example, as shown in <FIG>, each hopper <NUM> is arranged at the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' of the front plate <NUM>, which is configured to receive substrate and nutrients entering the hollow body <NUM> through the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' of the front plate and the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' of the auxiliary selector <NUM>'. From a structural point of view, the hopper has an elongated hollow body extending lengthwise along a direction A parallel to the extension direction of the hollow body of the cell, on which a longitudinal passage <NUM> facing the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' of the front plate <NUM> is defined. The elongated body of the hopper <NUM> has, in cross-section according to a plane orthogonal to the extension direction of the hopper <NUM> itself, a substantially "C", "V" or "U" shape. In other words, the hollow body of the hopper <NUM> is not a cylindrical tubular body having a continuous side wall, but rather has an upper opening 13a extending along the direction A.

The hopper <NUM> is further movable by rotation with respect to the hollow body of the cell <NUM>, about an axis Z substantially parallel to the axis of rotation X of rotation of the hollow body, between a loading position and an unloading position. In particular, in the loading position, the hopper <NUM> has concavity facing a top portion of the hollow body or, in other words, the top opening 13a of the hopper is facing the top wall 2e of the case <NUM>, whereas, in the unloading position, the top opening 13a of the hopper is facing the bottom wall 2f of the case <NUM>, configured to pour substrate and/or nutrients into the compartment of the hollow body.

The apparatus may also include at least one camera <NUM> operating in the compartment of each cell <NUM> to monitor the state of arthropod growth and generate a video signal representative of a scene inside the compartment. The control unit <NUM> is operatively connected to the camera <NUM> and configured to perform a control procedure comprising the steps of:.

In other words, the control procedure allows, by means of the camera <NUM>, to monitor the growth status of arthropods so that they can be ejected if they reach a predetermined growth stage or adult stage. Depending on the type of arthropod breed in the cell, the growth parameter may include at least one of a length or average length of the arthropod, a ratio between a footprint or volume of one or more arthropods and a footprint or volume of the substrate. If, for example, insects are breed in a cell and the growth parameter is the average length of insects in the compartment of the hollow body, the control unit <NUM> is configured to select as a benchmark a predetermined average length value of insects that have already reached an adult stage. Alternatively, if insects are being breed in the cell and a ratio between the footprint or volume of one or more insects and a footprint or volume of the substrate is selected as the growth parameter, the control unit is configured to compare the value given by the ratio of the aforementioned footprints or volumes and a predetermined reference value calculated taking into account the size of insects at an adult stage.

The control procedure, if the estimated arthropod growth values are equal to or greater than the benchmark, also includes a step of ejecting the substrate from a respective cell <NUM> according to the procedures detailed below.

The camera <NUM> can be a thermal camera configured to generate a representative signal of the temperature inside the cell to be sent to the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM>, following the receipt of the temperature signal, is configured to determine a value of the temperature inside the cell and compare it with the predetermined threshold value. If the measured temperature value exceeds a threshold value comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> is configured to command the movement of the cell (e.g., applying an oscillatory motion) for regulating the temperature in the compartment of the cell.

A plant for arthropod (e.g., insect or insect larvae) growth, using the apparatus according to the above description and/or according to the accompanying claims is also described.

The plant may have one or more industrial robots, such as anthropomorphic robots, suitable for interacting with the previously described apparatus, for example, to accomplish the extraction of substrate or arthropods at an adult stage or to accomplish the introduction of substrate or nutrients into a respective compartment of the cells <NUM>. In detail, each robot is configured for communicating with the control unit <NUM> and consequently acting on one or more cells of the apparatus when requested by the control unit <NUM>. Each robot may have a dedicated control unit that can receive signals emitted by the control unit <NUM> of the apparatus and acting accordingly. For example, the control unit of the robot may be configured to receive a command to introduce substrate or nutrients inside the cell and consequently command the robot to move at one or more cells in which nutrients or substrate is to be introduced. The robot can then be configured to engage the auxiliary selector <NUM>' and move it by rotation with respect to the front plate of the cell to align the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' and the auxiliary through opening <NUM>' of the auxiliary selector <NUM>'. Following the rotation of the selector <NUM>, the robot can be configured to insert a cannula into the compartment of the cell, through which nutrients and substrate are introduced in the hopper <NUM>. The control unit of the robot may also be configured to receive an extraction command of arthropods at the adult and of substrate. In such configuration, the control unit of the robot is configured to move the robot at the cell requiring ejection of substrate and arthropods. The robot is then configured to engage the selector <NUM> and move it by rotation with respect to the front plate of the cell to align through opening <NUM> of the front plate and through opening <NUM> of selector <NUM>. Following this operation, the robot can be configured to insert a cannula into the compartment of the cell, through which substrate and arthropods are extracted from the cell for subsequent processing.

The robot can also be configured to engage one or more cells to move them, synchronously or asynchronously, between the first and second limit positions.

As for example shown in <FIG>, the plant may include at least one oxygenator <NUM> configured to generate a predetermined amount of gas, e.g., oxygen, to be fed into the case of the apparatus. The plant includes a fluid delivery line <NUM> that connects the oxygenator with the gas delivery manifold <NUM> of the case to put the oxygenator in communication with the apparatus and allow a fluid containing oxygen to flow through. The oxygenator <NUM> may be an oxygen cylinder or an oxygen generator configured to deliver oxygen in the apparatus and allow an optimal oxygen level to be maintained within the case. In such a configuration, the fluid delivery line <NUM> connects the oxygenator and gas delivery manifold <NUM>. The oxygenator may also include an algae container for housing algae within an aqueous solution. In particular, the algae container can be an algae bioreactor configured to convert into oxygen, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere inside the bioreactor. The algae bioreactor may be a known bioreactor, which includes one or more algae containers configured to generate oxygen. In such configuration, the fluid delivery line <NUM> connects the oxygenator with the fluid delivery manifold <NUM>' defined on the collection tank <NUM>. Through the fluid delivery line, it is then possible to allow the introduction of water into the collection tank of the apparatus having a pH comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>. The plant may also include a fluid return line <NUM> that connects the oxygenator <NUM> with the collection tank <NUM> to allow fluids to flow between the collection tank <NUM> itself and the algae container. In particular, one end of the fluid return line <NUM> connects the oxygenator with the fluid return manifold <NUM>' of the collection tank <NUM> to allow the movement of water having an acidic pH, optionally comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, to the algae bioreactor. In this way, the algae bioreactor itself is configured to take advantage of the solubilized carbon dioxide within the water taken from the collection tank <NUM> of the apparatus to produce oxygen.

The plant <NUM> may also allow the growth of animal species, e.g., insects, and/or plants by exploiting substances or gases obtained from the treatment of sludge or wastewater, civil and/or industrial. In fact, the plant may include a wastewater container <NUM> to perform a treatment of a dirty solution, e.g., sewage, and allow the extraction of gas from the latter. The wastewater container <NUM> performs treatment of the solution in a conventional manner, such as by employing the use of one or more air jet nozzles configured to act directly on the matter to be treated to oxidize it and allow the extraction of gases, such as Carbon Dioxide CO<NUM>, Carbon Monoxide CO, Nitrogen Oxides NOX, Sulfur Oxides SOx, Volatile Carbon Complexes VOC. The plant <NUM> may also include a gas distribution line <NUM> that connects the wastewater container <NUM> with the oxygenator <NUM> to allow the movement of the aforementioned gases extracted from the wastewater into the oxygenator. In such configuration, the algae inside the algae container exploit the gases from the wastewater container to generate oxygen.

The plant may also include a fish breeding tank <NUM> to promote fish breeding in fish farming. Such a fish breeding tank may be of known type and configured to receive oxygen from an environment outside the tank for breeding fish. The plant may also include a gas inlet line <NUM> configured to place the collection tank <NUM> in communication with the fish breeding tank <NUM> itself. In particular, the gas inlet line <NUM> may be configured to allow gas, such as carbon dioxide, to flow from the collection tank <NUM> to the fish breeding tank <NUM>. The plant may also include a fluid inlet line <NUM> that connects the oxygenator <NUM> with the same fish breeding tank <NUM> to allow a flow of fluid containing oxygen to flow through the fish breeding tank <NUM> itself.

The plant may further include a sprout container <NUM> to promote the growth of plant sprouts of a known type, as well as an auxiliary fluid inlet line <NUM> that connects the fish breeding tank <NUM> and the sprout container <NUM> itself to allow gases and/or fluids such as oxygen and water to flow from the fish breeding tank <NUM> to the sprout container <NUM>.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for growing arthropods according to attached claim <NUM>, using the apparatus according to the attached claim <NUM>.

The method includes the steps of arranging a prefixed amount of a substrate and insect larvae within each cell <NUM> for a prefixed growth period, rotating one or more cells <NUM> with respect to the case <NUM> for mixing the substrate, the step of rotating one or more cells <NUM> with respect to the case <NUM> involving swinging the hollow body of each cell <NUM> between a first and a second limit position, and following the predetermined growth period, extracting the substrate contained in one or more cells <NUM> for collecting insects or insect larvae. In particular, the step of arranging a predetermined amount of a substrate and insect larvae within each cell <NUM> may include the substeps of:.

Following the step of inserting substrate and/or nutrients on the hopper <NUM>, the method may include a step of commanding the movement of the hopper <NUM> with respect to the cell <NUM> to pour said nutrients or substrate onto an area of the cell <NUM> below the hopper <NUM>.

During the predetermined growth period, the procedure includes a step of moving one or more cells <NUM> with respect to the case <NUM> for mixing the substrate. Such step may be performed at regular intervals during the predetermined growth period, at decreasing time intervals as the predetermined growth period elapses, or as a result of the detection of an operating condition detected by the control unit <NUM>.

Subsequent to the predetermined growth period, the procedure includes the step of extracting the substrate and the insects or insect larvae by the through opening the front plate <NUM> of one or more cells <NUM>. In particular, the step of extracting substrate and insects may include the substeps of:.

Claim 1:
Apparatus for growing arthropods including:
a case (<NUM>) having a predetermined number of walls delimiting an inner volume,
a plurality of cells (<NUM>) engaged to the case (<NUM>) and housed at least partially in the inner volume, each cell (<NUM>) comprising a hollow body defining a compartment configured for containing a predetermined amount of substrate for supporting arthropods,
wherein at least part of each cell (<NUM>), in an engagement condition with the case (<NUM>) and when said cell (<NUM>) is at least partially housed in the inner volume of the case, is movable by rotation about an axis of rotation (X) with respect to the case (<NUM>) for mixing the substrate,
characterized by the fact that at least the hollow body of each cell (<NUM>) is configured to swing about a respective axis of rotation (X) between a first and a second limit position.