Tray for Raising Insect Larva

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/029,434 filed Nov. 12, 1996.

Some of the problems of insect rearing are explained in U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,625.

A tray suitable for raising insect larva is made from reinforced thermoset composite material. The design has four sides dropped more than fifty percent of the total height. This provides sufficient ventilation to maintain a specified temperature for air circulation thus to satisfy the developing process of the larva. The structure of the trays provides for stacking, ventilation control and strength for heavy loads of stacked trays. The smooth surface and designed radii provide for ease of cleaning required in a sanitary operation.

The reinforced thermoset composite material used in the tray construction is resistant to attack from cleaning solutions and disinfectants. There are no seams or sharp corners to trap material placed in the tray. The dimensions are constant which allows for correct ventilation and load bearing characteristics.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tray for stacking, ventilation control and strength for heavy loads.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved insect larva tray.

Another object of the invention is to provide an insect larva tray that can be stacked in other trays.

Another object of the invention is to provide an insect tray that provides ventilation to maintain a specified temperature for air circulation between the sides of the stacked trays.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tray that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and simple and efficient to use.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions and minor details of construction without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tray for raising insect larva showing the four open sides for ventilation.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the tray for raising insect larva.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the tray.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional side view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end view of the tray.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional side view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary bottom view of a corner of the tray showing the interlocking stacking structure of the tray.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary end view of several trays in interlocking stacked position as the trays would be used to raise insect larva.

Now with more particular reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 8 show tray 10 for insect rearing made up of bottom 12, first side 14, second side 15, first end 16 and second end 17, all integrally attached together.

Sides 14,15 are integrally attached to ends 16,17 thereby forming four corners 26. Each side 14,15 and lock ends 16,17 has flat intermediate flat top edge and arcuate corner part 30. Each corner 26 has generally flat top side surface 24 and second inclined portion 22 extending upwardly to flat upper portion 24. Second inclined portion 22 extends upwardly at about 30 degrees. Thickened bead 32 extends entirely around the top surface of the side parts, end parts and the corner parts providing reinforcement to sides 14,15, ends 16,17 and corners 26 and distribute concentrated forces that may compose on sides 14,15 and ends 16,17. Flat top surfaces 24 of corner parts 26 that are disposed in a first plane above a second plane of flat side surfaces 23 providing ventilation space 25 above side surfaces 28. The next tray 10 is stacked on top of this tray 10 at a distance from bottom 12 about half the distance from top surface 24 to the bottom of the tray above. Spaced ribs 32 are integrally attached to corner parts 26 and to thickened ribs 32. Ribs 32 provide structural strength for supported stacked trays.

The foregoing specification sets forth the invention in its preferred, practical forms but the structure shown is capable of modification within a range of equivalents without departing from the invention which is to be understood is broadly novel as is commensurate with the appended claims.