CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTING AND INOCULATING PUPAE

Abstract

The invention refers to a container (1) that can be used for storing, transporting and for inoculating silk-free pupae. The container (1) comprises a tray (2) having a substantially flat surface (5) and a plurality of wells (4) formed on the surface (5), wherein each well (4) configured for accommodating a pupa (8). The container (1) also comprises a lid (3) having a plurality of openings (6), wherein the tray (2) and the lid (3) are configured to be coupled to each other, such as the lid (3) is placed on the flat surface (5), at least partially, closing the wells (4). The wells (4) and the openings (6) are arranged, such as when the tray (2) and the lid (3) are 10 coupled together, each well (4) is accessible through an opening (6). The container is stackable for an optimum and cost-efficient secure transportation.

Description

FIELD AND OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers in general to containers for storing and transporting living insects.

An object of the invention is to provide a multi-purpose container that can be used for storing, transporting and for inoculating insects, especially silk-free pupae, preferably for the automatized industrial production of recombinant proteins from infected insect pupae.

The container object of the invention is stackable for an optimum, cost-efficient and secure transportation, ensuring at the same time that the pupae are exposed to a proper environment in terms of temperature and humidity during storage and transportation.

Additionally, the container object of the invention is disposable and can be manufactured in large numbers at low cost.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to use larvae as living biofactories for the expression of recombinant proteins, for example for producing: vaccines, therapeutic molecules or diagnostic reagents.

For example, the PCT publication WO 2017/046415 describes means and methods to optimize the industrial production of recombinant proteins in insect pupae. In the method described in this PCT publication, insect larvae are massively grown in rearing modules until they are transformed in a pupa covered by a silk cocoon. The pupae are subjected to a silk removal process by immersing or spraying the cocoons with a dissolving solution, after which the silk-free pupae are washed to remove traces of the dissolving solution.

After drying the pupae, the silk-free pupae are ready to be inoculated with a recombinant virus vector, or to be stored refrigerated (e.g. at 4° C.) for later use. Typically, the pupae are package and shipped (refrigerated) to an industrial production laboratory, where they are inoculated (infected) to obtain a purified recombinant protein from infected pupae after an incubation period.

For inoculating the pupae, the pupae are arranged in a matrix or array of alveolus, and a robot provided with one or more needles inject a predefined amount of solution containing a virus vector into each pupa, and since the pupae are arranged in a matrix or array, programming of the robot is simple.

The processes of transportation and storage of the pupae before and after inoculation with the vector is complex since they are a fragile living organism and their stock piling may affect their viability or their productivity as living bioreactors. In the previous state of the art, the insect pupae were allocated manually in a re-usable plastic matrix. This methodology is time consuming and cannot be atomatized. Additionally, the use of re-usable plastic matrixes may cause cross contaminations when different vectors are used to produce different products in the same inoculation machine.

For the optimization of industrial production of recombinant proteins in an automatized process, efficient transportation and handling of the pupae are essential parts of the process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined in the attached independent claim, and satisfactorily solves the shortcomings of the prior art, by providing a container that is stackable and that can be used for storing, transporting and for inoculating pupae in a fully automatized process avoiding manual handling of the same.

Therefore, an aspect of the invention refers to a container for transporting and inoculating pupae, that comprises a tray having a substantially flat surface and a plurality of wells formed on the surface, wherein each well is configured for accommodating a pupa. The container also includes a lid for closing at least partially, the wells, wherein the tray and the lid are configured to be coupled to each other, in such a way that the lid is placed on the flat surface of the tray retaining the pupae enclosed in the wells.

The lid as a plurality of openings arranged in correspondence with the positions of the wells, so when the lid and the tray are coupled together, the openings are individually placed over the wells and each well is accessible through an opening. The openings are smaller, in terms of area, than the wells, thus, a silk-free pupa received in a well cannot pass through the opening, that is, the pupa is retained inside the well where it is placed.

The wells and openings are distributed in a regular arrangement, preferably the wells and the openings are distributed in columns and rows configuring an orthogonal matrix.

Furthermore, the tray and the lid are provided with interlocking means to securely retain the tray and the lid engaged during all stages of the process, namely: storage, transportation, inoculation and incubation. Preferably, the interlocking means are integrally formed in the tray and the lid and are configured to mechanically engage tray and lid, in such a manner that the lid overlaps with the flat surface of the tray.

The container is configured to be stackable so two or more containers can be stacked on top of each other, forming a pile of containers, that in turn are packaged in a common container, preferably a refrigerated container. This stackable feature of the containers is very convenient for optimizing the use of a space for storing and shipping the containers.

Two or more containers can be stacked by inserting a top part of a container from below at least partially in the tray of another container. Preferably, the tray is formed by a base defining the flat surface and having four sides and a lateral wall transversally projecting from the base, and extending along the four sides of the base.

Similarly, the lid has a base having four sides and a lateral wall transversally projecting from the base and extending along the four sides of the base. The tray and the lid are configured such as when they are coupled, their bases and lateral walls, at least partially, overlap.

Preferably, the tray and the lid have frusto-pyramidal configuration in order to facilitate stacking two containers, by inserting a top part of a container from below at least partially in the tray of another container.

An air chamber is formed between each pair of consecutive stacked containers to fluidly communicate the wells of the same tray. Additionally, the containers are configured to define ventilation passageways between stacked trays, communicating the air chambers with the exterior environment, so all the wells are fluidly communicated with the exterior environment for proper ventilation, for example inside a controlled environment in terms of temperature and humidity suitable for preserving the pupae in optimum conditions.

These ventilation passageways are formed as overlapping ventilation openings formed in the bases of the lid and tray of each container, so when a lid and tray are coupled, these ventilation openings overlap allowing air to flow through the air chambers and the exterior.

Additionally, ventilation passageways are also provided laterally at the stacked containers, in the form of a cavity or separation between the lateral walls of each pair of stacked containers.

In a preferred embodiment, the container incorporates an information code having information for tracking the container and/or for inoculating the pupae. This information code is an electronically, electromagnetically or optically readable code, that can be read by an inoculation robot. Preferably, the container has a Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) tag containing the information code.

Therefore, the container is compatible with an inoculation robot because there is no need to manually introduce in the robot instructions data for inoculating the pupae.

The invention also refers to a set of stacked containers as the one described above, wherein ventilation passageways are formed laterally between any two consecutive stacked containers, and ventilation passageways that communicate the air chambers are formed by a pair of consecutive stacked containers.

The invention also refers to a temperature and/or humidity controlled package comprising two of more the above-described containers stacked together and placed inside the package, wherein preservation air inside the package reaches each papa through the ventilation passageways.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are henceforth described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1—shows a perspective view from above of a preferred embodiment of the container of the invention, wherein the tray an lid are shown uncoupled.

FIG. 2—shows a perspective view from below of the same embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3—shows a perspective view from below of the lid.

FIG. 4—shows a top plan view of the tray.

FIG. 5—shows a top plan view of the lid and tray coupled together.

FIG. 6—shows a cross-sectional elevational view taken at plane A-A in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7—shows a cross-sectional elevational view along plane B-B in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8—shows a perspective view of the tray and lid coupled together.

FIG. 9—shows a front elevational view of the tray and lid coupled together.

FIG. 10—shows a cross-sectional elevational view of several stacked containers, and an enlarged detail of the containers wherein the air circulation between stacked containers is indicated by arrows.

FIG. 11—shows a perspective view of a container in use while it is placed at a compatible baculovirus vector inoculation robot.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a container (1) according to the invention comprises a tray (2) and a lid (3) that can be coupled to each other for storing and transporting pupae. The tray (2) has flat surface (5) and a plurality of wells (4) formed on the surface (5) wherein each well (4) is configured for receiving and retaining a pupa.

The lid (3) has a flat surface (7) with a plurality of openings (6) that are arranged in correspondence with the position of the wells (4) in the tray, so when the tray (2) and the lid (3) are coupled together, the lid (3) partially close the wells (4) enclosing the pupae, and each well (4) is accessible through an opening (6), as shown for instance in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, preferably the wells (4) and the openings (6) are distributed in columns and rows configuring an orthogonal matrix.

The internal shape of each well (4) is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 10. More specifically, each well (4) is an elongated receptacle with generally a frusto-pyramidal configuration, having: a concave bottom surface, an inclined lateral surface and an open upper base. This internal shape of each well (4) has the advantage that a pupa (8) is retained in a fixed position relative to the corresponding opening (6) right over the well (4), through which a needle would be inserted during the inoculation process, thereby preventing any undesired displacement of the pupa (8) while the needle penetrates a pupa.

The tray (2) has a rectangular base (11) defining the flat surface (5) where the wells (4) are formed, and four lateral walls (12a,12b,12c,12d) respectively at each of the four sides of the base (11), and projecting transversally from the base (11). Similarly, the lid (3) has a rectangular base (21) and four lateral walls (13a,13b,13c,13d) projecting transversally respectively from each of the four sides of the base (21).

Both, the tray (2) and the lid (3) have frusto-pyramidal configuration, shaped and dimensioned to the coupled together as shown for example in FIGS. 6 and 7, so when they are coupled, the bases (5,21) and lateral walls (12a,13a,12b,13b,12c,13c,12d,13d) overlap.

In order to securely retain the tray and lid engaged during storage and transportation, the tray (2) and the lid (3) are provided with co-operating interlocking means (9,10) located at the lateral walls (12a,13a,12b,13b, 12c, 13c, 12d, 13d) of the tray (2) and the lid (3). In this preferred embodiment, the interlocking means are configured as male (9) and female (10) snap-fitting members of complementary shape, that are integrally formed respectively with the tray (2) and the lid (3) and provided nearby the four corners of the container (1). For coupling the tray and the lid, these male (9) and female (10) snap-fitting members are pressed together, until the male member (9) engages with the female member (10).

As represented in FIG. 10, the container (1) is configured to be stackable by inserting a top part of a container in the tray of another container.

An air chamber (18) is formed between each pair of consecutive stacked containers (1) fluidly communicated the wells (4) of the same tray (1). The containers (1) are additionally configured to define ventilation passageways (17) between stacked containers (1) as shown in FIG. 10, wherein the ventilation passageways (17) fluidly communicate the air chambers (18) with the exterior environment, so each well (4) is fluidly communicated with the exterior environment through the ventilation passageways (17).

Additionally, additional ventilation passageways comprises overlapping ventilation openings (16,16′) formed in the lid (3) and the tray (2) of the container when a lid and tray are coupled.

Furthermore, the container (1) is provided with an information code containing data and instructions for tracking the pupae incorporated into the container and/or for inoculating the pupae. This code is an electronically, electromagnetically or optically readable code. Preferably, the code is stored in a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag (14) attached to the tray (3), for example glued within a recess (15) formed in the tray (3), and closed by the lid (3), so that the tag (14) is readable through the lid (3). The code preferably include information like: pupae expiration date, inoculation data, tracking number.

The tray and/or the lid include reinforcing means to structurally reinforce the tray and/or the lid respectively. These reinforcement means comprise at least one channel or groove (19,19′) at the base (11) of the tray (2), and at least one channel or groove (20,20′) at the base (21) of the lid (3). The grooves (19,19′, 20, 20′) are recessed respectively from base (11) of the tray (2) and the base (21) of the lid (2), and they extend transversally to the tray and lid, and are arranged such as when the tray and the lid are coupled, the grooves (20,20′) of the lid (3) are received inside the grooves (19,19′) of the tray (2) as shown in FIG. 7.

Reinforcing grooves (21,22) are also formed at the lateral walls (12a,13a,12b,13b,12c,13c,12d,13d) of the tray (2) and the lid (3).

In a preferred embodiment, the tray (2) and the lid (3) are conventionally obtained by thermoforming respective sheet of suitable plastic material.

FIG. 11 shows a container (1) in use while it is placed at a compatible robot (24) for inoculating the pupae inside the container with a baculovirus vector (1). The inoculation robot (24) includes an inoculation unit (23) that it is displaceable to specific locations according to the matrix distribution of the holes above the pupae, to be inoculated by means of a needle (not shown) installed at the inoculation unit (23). The inoculation unit is connected with a precision pump dispensing the desired volume of the baculovirus vector into the pupae.

The inoculation robot (24) additionally incorporates a reading unit (25) adapted for reading an information code provided in the container (1), in this case a (RFID) tag, so that, the information contained in the code such as: pupae expiration date, inoculation instructions data, and/or container tracking number, is loaded at the inoculation robot (24).

Claims

1. A container for transporting and inoculating pupae, comprising: a tray having a substantially flat surface and a plurality of wells formed on the surface, each well of the plurality of wells configured for accommodating a pupa, anda lid having a plurality of openings,wherein the tray and the lid are configured to be coupled to each other, wherein when the lid is placed on the flat surface, at least partially, closing the plurality of wells,wherein the plurality of wells and the plurality of openings are arranged, when the tray and the lid are coupled together, each well is accessible through an opening, andwherein the tray and the lid are provided with interlocking means to mechanically retain the tray and lid engaged.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is configured as a stackable container in such a way that two or more containers are stackable on top of each other, by inserting a top part of the container from below at least partially in the tray of another container, and wherein an air chamber is formed between each pair of consecutive stacked containers, wherein the plurality of wells of the same container are in fluid communication.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the container is further configured to define ventilation passageways between stacked containers, and wherein the ventilation passageways fluidly are in fluid communication with the air chambers and an exterior environment, wherein each well is in fluid communication with the exterior environment through the ventilation passageways.

4. ContainerThe container according to claim 3, wherein the ventilation passageways comprise overlapping ventilation openings formed in the lid and the tray of the container and/or wherein the ventilation passageways are formed laterally between the stacked containers.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the tray and the lid have a frusto-pyramidal configuration, and wherein the tray has a base defining the flat surface and having four sides and lateral walls transversally projecting from the base and extending along the four sides of the base, and wherein the lid has a base having four sides and a-lateral walls transversally projecting from the base and extending along the four sides of the base, and wherein when the tray and the lid are coupled, their bases and lateral walls overlap.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of wells and the plurality of openings are distributed in columns and rows configuring an orthogonal matrix.

7. The container according to claim 1, provided with an information code having information for tracking the container ad/or for inoculating the pupae.

8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the information code is an electronically, electromagnetically or optically readable code.

9. The container according to claim 7, further comprising a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag containing the information code.

10. The container according to claim 1, wherein each well is elongated and has generally a frusto-pyramidal configuration with a concave bottom surface.

11. The container according to claim 1, wherein the tray and/or the lid include reinforcing means to structurally reinforce the tray and/or the lid respectively.

12. The container according to claim 5, wherein the interlocking means are provided at the lateral walls of the tray and the lid, and they are configured as male and female snap-fitting members.

13. The container according to claim 1, wherein the tray and the lid have been obtained by thermoforming a plastic sheet.

14. The container according to claim 11, wherein the reinforcing means comprises at least one groove at a base of the tray and at least one groove at a base of the lid, wherein the at least one groove is recessed respectively from the base of the tray and the base of the lid, and wherein the least one groove extends transversally to the tray and lid, and they are arranged to overlap when the tray and the lid are coupled.

15. A set of stacked containers comprising the stacked containers as claimed in claim 2, wherein ventilation passageways are formed laterally between each pair of consecutive stacked containers, and wherein the ventilation passageways are formed by fluid communication of air chambers formed by each pair of consecutive stacked containers.