Device and method for storage transportation and release of fragile insects and other fragile items

Abstract

A fragile substance storage transportation and release device comprises a frame for inserting cartridges to hold the fragile substance; a propulsion unit for propelling the fragile substance out of successive cartridges, cartridge by cartridge; and an opening mechanism for opening each cartridge one by one in coordination with a propulsion mechanism. The device is useful for distribution of fragile insects such as mosquitoes and there is a mechanism for automatic collection of insects from pupae.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fragile insect storage device for storage of insects, the insects being fragile insects, the device comprising:
 an open region;   at least one storage cartridge at an end of said open region, the storage cartridge being positioned such that air flow across said open region takes emerging insects towards said at least one storage cartridge;   at least one sensor located at a passageway connecting said open region to said at least one storage container, the at least one sensor located to identify at least one member of the group comprising movement and positioning of insects in respect of said at least one storage cartridge.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said airflow is constant. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said airflow provides a gradually decreasing temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said fragile insects are live insects. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one storage cartridge is configured to be disconnected when full. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said at least one storage cartridge is configured to be loaded into a release system. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said at least one storage cartridge is adjustable in size. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one storage cartridge comprises telescoping walls. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising at least one hatching compartment, the hatching compartment comprising at least one pupa emergence or hatching element. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one pupa emergence or hatching element comprises liquid containers respectively for holding pupae in water. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one pupa emergence or hatching element respectively comprises a drain opening for draining said water after emergence from said pupae. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said fragile insects are flies or mosquitoes. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor comprises an IR sensor or a laser sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of sensors are located at a plurality of insect passages respectively. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one storage cartridge comprises a plurality of storage cartridges, each storage cartridge connected via a respective passageway to said open region. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising a controllable port for said emerging insects to pass into said storage area. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , comprising a counter to count a number of insects entering said port. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said counter is configured to control said port to reroute said insects once a predetermined number of insects has been counted. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the counter is configured to control a number of insects in the respective cartridge. 
     
     
         21 . A fragile insect storage method for storage of insects, the insects being fragile insects, comprising:
 moving air across an open region, the open region extending from at least one insect egg hatching or pupa emergence compartment towards at least one storage cartridge at an end of said open region, such that air flow due to said moving across said open region takes emerging insects towards said at least one storage cartridge; and   at a passageway connecting said open region to said at least one storage container, identifying movement or positioning of insects in respect of said at least one storage cartridge.   
     
     
         22 . A fragile insect storage device for storage of insects, the insects being fragile insects, comprising:
 at least one storage cartridge;   a port being positioned such that air flow across said port takes insects towards into said at least one storage cartridge through said port;   at least one sensor associated with said port, the at least one sensor located to detect and count presence of insects passing though said port, said sensor being connected such that said count controls said port.   
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one cartridge has a release opening, the release opening being openable to release said insects, the release port being aligned with a blower to blow insects out through said release opening.