Description:FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: “Earthworm Cultivation And Maintenance Device For Vermicompost Technology”
2. Applicant:
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
1. MARWADI UNIVERSITY
2. Mr. Hirendrasinh Ajitsinh Padhiyar
3. Dr. Nitin Kumar Singh
4. Dr. Viralkumar Bhikhalal Mandaliya Indian

MARWADI UNIVERSITY, Rajkot-Morbi Highway, At Gauridad, Rajkot – 360003, Gujarat, India
(M) 9879740982
shreedattalawconsultancy@gmail.com
Chothani18preeti@gmail.com

3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to the agriculture sector. The present invention relates to vermicompost technology. More specifically, the present invention relates to Earthworm Cultivation and Maintenance Device for Vermicompost Technology.
Background of the Invention:

Vermicompost technology uses tiny organism called Earthworm to feed upon the organic material like cow dung, grass, leaves, etc. The excreta of this organism are known as vermicompost. Vermicompost has a positive influence on the physical and chemical structure of soil by improving the stability of soil aggregates, as well as water retention, bulk density and porosity, and soil thermal dynamics. Vermicompost is one of the most favourable non-chemical plant nutritional sources. Vermicompost technology is regarded as an economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound technology that utilizes earthworms for the bioconversion of organic materials into highly beneficial organic fertilizer the vermicompost.
The cultivation and maintenance of earthworm for vermicompost technology is very crucial component. The conventional and modern approach for cultivation of earthworm is documented. The vermicompost unit or earthworm cultivation device of various size, shape and utility is available. Digital controller and IoT (Internet of Things) based computer or internet enabled devices is also available. The existing cultivation device or method needs certain steps of processing or utilization of specific sensors which became their limitation or drawbacks as it became a lengthy or costly process.
CN109526886 discloses earthworm cultivation unit that cultivate and separate earthworm using culture begs. The earthworms are grown in culture beg. Once the culture medium is exhausted in culture beg, culture beg is compressed, taken away from the guide channel, and transferred to another frame/rod referred as the horizontal cross bar. At the horizontal cross bar, culture medium pre-filled culture beg is hunged. As begs have a hole on the peripheral surface, it became an escape hole for movement of earthworm from previous culture beg to a fresh culture beg. Once all the earthworm moved to fresh culture beg, it transferred to the guide channel as mentioned earlier. The cycle of movement of earthworm was continued. This requires a labor work to transfer the culture beg from guiding channel to horizontal cross bar, and vis-a-vis. There is also chance of loss of earthworm, those are not able to travel from previous to next hanging culture beg.
KR1020200071279 discloses conventional earthworm casting producing apparatus that separates earthworm based on heating treatment using heating coils/elements. The earthworm casting producing apparatus comprised of four parts: a feed introducing unit, a heating unit, a growth unit having a hole at a bottom surface, and last a collection/drain unit. The heating unit composed of a power source, a microcomputer, a display, and a heating coil / element. This heating unit is surrounded to a growth unit. It is known that the growth of earthworm stops at 32 °C or higher, and it starts to search cool places. Once earthworm exhausted with medium, heating unit is heated to 35 to 40° C, and the earthworm moved to the drain collection unit.
CN111468383 discloses automatic earthworm excrement collecting device that separates earthworm by the application of electric current using electrode plate. The device comprised of two major boxes: first box was an earthworm excrement collecting box, and another box was an earthworm sorting box. The first box has a cube shape, having electrode plates and humidity sensors. While another box has partition plates having large and small holes, and electrode plates were arranged at the partition plates. Once earthworm exhausted the medium in first box, to separate the earthworms, an electric current is applied using electrode plate, earthworm moved to another box. In another box, earthworms of large, medium and small sizes are separated and collected using electric current.
IN2188/MUM/2012 discloses time saving pedal operated vermicompost sieving machine, comprised of Main frame, Rotary drum and sieve, Shaft and bearing, Feeding section, Collection unit, Disposal tray, Power transmission assembly, Perforated screen etc. Large quantity of earthworm is separated using vermicompost sieving machine.
IN202231071386 discloses a smart digital vermicompost micro nutrient quality prediction device. It is IoT based digital micro nutrient quality prediction device. It comprised of the soil nutrient sensor configured to detect soil moisture, electrical conductivity, temperature, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and pH elements at the same time. It provided with user display unit on a laptop, desktop, smartphone, and tablet. This IoT based device have not provided a method for separation of earthworm.
IN202341026140 discloses automatic vermicompost processing system. It comprised of the watering system, mixing system and IoT monitoring and controlling system. The combinations of sensor readings, sprinkler systems, and mixing systems have maintained the ideal circumstances for the worm's survival. This IoT based device also have not provided a method for separation of earthworm.
The existing technology uses manual transfer, mechanical sieving machine, heating elements or application of electric current to separate the earthworm from the vermicompost which is labour intensive and may lead to physiological disturbance of earthworm.
Hence, the present invention overcomes the existing drawbacks by designing a device for cultivation and maintenance of earthworm which uses less human intervention and no sensor or IoT instrument is required to maintain the device.

Object of the Invention:
The main objective of the present invention is to develop earthworm cultivation and maintenance device for vermicompost technology.

Another objective of the present invention is to separate the earthworm without any physiological disturbance from vermicompost without aid of manual transfer, mechanical sieving machine, heating elements or application of electric current.

Yer another objective of the present invention is to develop a device having only two chambers that realize continuous nurture and care of earthworm.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to articulate a device without aid of sensor or IoT instrument.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to cultivate and maintain earthworm with less human intervention and without loss of any earthworm.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to design an economic, efficient, robust, and reduced labour-intensive device that can be affordable and manageable easily by all age groups.

Summary of the Invention:
The present invention provides a mechanism for construction and working operation of earthworm cultivation and maintenance device for vermicompost technology. This device is composed of two chambers separated by two plates, embodied with lid for aeration, temperature and light control.
The cultivation and maintenance of earthworm is performed with less human intervention. No manual transfer, mechanical sieving machine, heating elements or application of electric current is required to separate the earthworm. Also, no sensor or IoT instrument is required to maintain the device. Hence, the present invention separates earthworm from the vermicompost without any physiological disturbance and without aid of specific sensor or equipment.
Brief description of Drawings:
Figure 1 shows a top view, front view, side view of Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device for vermicompost technology.
Figure 2 shows a top and bottom view of Lid used in Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device for vermicompost technology.
Figure 3 shows a top and side view of Separating plates: Plate-1 and Plate-2 used in Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device for vermicompost technology.
Nomenclature Referred for
1 Chamber-1
2 Chamber-2
3 Plate-1
4 Plate-2
5 Vent
6 Drainage valve
7 Legs
8 Lid
9 Perforation
10 Hinges
11 Switch
12 LED light bulb
13 Hole

Detailed Description of the Invention:
The following description relates to a particular manifestation of the present invention. The present invention is an Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device for vermicompost technology.
The present device is composed of two chambers. One chamber is used for cultivation of earthworm and another for collection of raw material for vermicompost. Two chambers are created by two Separating Plates. These plates are flexible and inserted at middle of two chambers. Plate-1 (3) is flat without any holes, while Plate-2 (4) is flat having hole (13) of specific size at specific distance. The lid (8) is equipped with perforation (9) for aeration and strip of LED light bulbs (12).
The behaviour of earthworm suggests that they continuously feed and feces, move away from light, live and breed at temperature between 15 - 30 ?. Once cultivation of earthworm in first chamber is completed and exhausted with raw material, addition of water is stopped, strip of LED light bulbs (12) is lighted On, and the Plate-1 (3) is removed. This situation, creates depletion of water and raw material, light in a chamber, increase in temperature in a chamber, made earthworm to search for place to harbour and nurture themselves. The Plate-2 (4) having hole of specific size at specific distance become the window for the movement of earthworm to another chamber. Another chamber is pre-filled with optimum raw material and water, closed with lid having LED light bulbs (12) Off mode, become the ready place for shelter of earthworm. Once all the earthworm moves to another chamber, the Plate-1 (3) is inserted back to its position, vermicompost can be taken from the chamber and started to fill with raw materials. It realizes continuous rearing of earthworm. The present invention provides an easy separation of earthworm from the vermicompost without any physiological disturbance and without aid of specific sensor or equipment. The following describes the construction of Device.
Main embodiment of the present invention an Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device for vermicompost technology comprising of:
a) Chamber-1 (1);
b) Chamber-2 (2);
c) Plate-1 (3);
d) Plate-2 (4);
e) Vent (5);
f) Drainage valve (6);
g) Legs (7);
h) Lid (8);
i) Perforation (9);
j) Hinges (10) allow the opening and closing of lid (8);
k) Switch (11);
l) Strip of LED light bulb (12); and
m) Hole (13).
Another embodiment of the present invention the said vent (5) of 1 cm diameter near to upper edge of device for aeration and ventilation and distance between each vent (5) is 2 cm.
Another embodiment of the present invention the height of front and back legs (7) is 2.01 cm.
Another embodiment of the present invention said the lid (8) is having the linings of perforation (9) of 0.80 cm diameter evenly graved on entire lid (8); the distance between each perforation (9) is 1.20 cm; the distance between perforation (9) at the edge and edge of lid (8) is 0.85 cm.

Another embodiment of the present invention the each part of lid (8) has switch (11) connected with line of electric wire with 3-pin Electric Plug.
Another embodiment of the present invention the distance between two hinges (10) is 32.33 cm.
Another embodiment of the present invention a method of operation of Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device comprising of:
a) Initially 1 kilogram earthworm is grown with 10 kilogram raw material and supplied with water, strip of LED light bulb (12) is kept switched Off in Chamber-1 (1), once the raw material is exhausted in Chamber-1 (1) within 15 days, addition of water is stopped, strip of LED light bulbs (12) is lighted On, and the Plate-1 (3) is removed which creates depletion of water and raw material, strip of LED light bulbs (12) creates light and increase the temperature in a chamber, which made earthworm to search for place to harbor and nurture themselves;
b) Plate-2 (4) having hole (13) of specific size at specific distance become the window for movement of earthworm to another chamber within 24 hours; another chamber is pre-filled with optimum raw material and water, closed with lid (8) having strip of LED light bulbs (12) Off mode, become the ready place for shelter of earthworm; and
c) Once all the earthworm moves to another chamber, the Plate-1 (3) is inserted back its place, and vermicompost is taken and started to fill with raw materials with continuous rearing of earthworm.

Figure 1 shows a top view, front view, side view of Device. The dimension of present device in L x W x H is 49.5 x 31.5 x 25 cm3. The top view of Device shows two chambers: Chamber-1 (1) and Chamber-2 (2). These chambers are separated by Separating Plates: Plate-1 (3) and Plate-2 (4). Front view of Device shows that linings of vent (5) of 1 cm diameter near to upper edge of Device for aeration and ventilation in the Device. The distance of vent (5) from upper edge of Device is 1 cm. Distance between this each vent (5) is 2 cm. Front view of Device shows drainage valve (6) positioned in each chamber at below edge of Device. Front view of Device shows legs (7) of Device. The height of front and back legs (7) is 2.01 cm. Top view of Device shows Lid (8) used in Device.

Figure 2 shows a top and bottom view of Lid (8) used in Device. The top view depicts the linings of perforation of 0.80 cm diameter (9) evenly graved on entire lid (8) for aeration and ventilation of the Device. The distance between each perforation (5) is 1.20 cm. The distance between perforation (9) at the edge and edge of lid (8) is 0.85 cm. The lid (8) is joined to the upper edge of the Device by two hinges (10). These hinges (10) allow the opening and closing of lid (8) on the Device. The distance between two hinges (10) is 32.33 cm. Each part of lid (8) has switch (11) connected with line of electric wire with 3-pin Electric Plug. The bottom view of lid (8) shows the strip of LED light bulb (12). The strip of LED light bulb (12) is 30 cm long, having 450 lux light intensity. This strip of LED light bulb (12) is positioned near to side edge of lid (8). The distance between side edge of lid (8) and the strip of LED light bulb (12) is 1.95 cm.

Figure 3 shows a top and side view of Separating plates: Plate-1 (3) and Plate-2 (4). The dimension of both Separating plates in L x W x H is 28.5 x 23 x 0.6 cm3. Plate-1 (3) is flat without any holes, while Plate-2 (4) is flat having holes (13) of specific size at specific distance. The diameter of each hole (13) is 1.5 cm. The distance between each hole (13) is 1.5 cm. The distance between hole (13) at the side edge and side edge of plate is 1.5 cm. The distance between hole (13) at the top edge and top edge of plate is 4.5 cm. The distance between hole (13) at the bottom edge and bottom edge of plate is 3 cm.

The foregoing description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto.

Example
The Chamber-1 (1) is filled with 1 kg amount of earthworm (Eisenia fetida) and 10 kg amount of raw material. When earthworms are grown on raw material, it is supplied with water, and strip of LED light bulb (12) is kept switched Off. Earthworms have taken 15 days period to exhaust the raw material. Once raw material is exhausted water supply is stopped, strip of LED light bulbs (12) is lighted On, and the Plate-1 (3) is removed. Because of depletion of water, increase in light and temperature in a chamber, earthworm started to move Chamber-2 (2) via the Plate-2 (4) which is having hole (13) of specific size at specific distance. Chamber-2 (2) is kept pre-filled with optimum raw material and water, closed with lid having LED light bulbs (12) Off mode. All the earthworms moved to Chamber-2 (2) within 24 hours period and is readily acclimatized to new environment. Plate-1 (3) is inserted back to its position and vermicompost is collected from Chamber-1 (1) and kept ready pre-filled with raw material for cycling of earthworm from Chamber-2 (2) to Chamber-1 (1). It is to separate earthworm from vermicompost without any physiological disturbance. , Claims:We claim,
1. An Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device for vermicompost technology comprising of:
a) Chamber-1 (1);
b) Chamber-2 (2);
c) Plate-1 (3);
d) Plate-2 (4);
e) Vent (5);
f) Drainage valve (6);
g) Legs (7);
h) Lid (8);
i) Perforation (9);
j) Hinges (10) allow the opening and closing of lid (8);
k) Switch (11);
l) Strip of LED light bulb (12); and
m) Hole (13).

2. The Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vent (5) of 1 cm diameter near to upper edge of device for aeration and ventilation and distance between each vent (5) is 2 cm.

3. The Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein height of front and back legs (7) is 2.01 cm.

4. The Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid (8) is having the linings of perforation (9) of 0.80 cm diameter evenly graved on entire lid (8); the distance between each perforation (9) is 1.20 cm; the distance between perforation (9) at the edge and edge of lid (8) is 0.85 cm.

5. The Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each part of lid (8) has switch (11) connected with line of electric wire with 3-pin Electric Plug.
6. The Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device as claimed in claim 1, wherein distance between two hinges (10) is 32.33 cm.
7. A method of operation of Earthworm cultivation and maintenance device comprising of:
a) Initially 1 kilogram earthworm is grown with 10 kilogram raw material and supplied with water, strip of LED light bulb (12) is kept switched Off in Chamber-1 (1), once the raw material is exhausted in Chamber-1 (1) within 15 days, addition of water is stopped, strip of LED light bulbs (12) is lighted On, and the Plate-1 (3) is removed which creates depletion of water and raw material, strip of LED light bulbs (12) creates light and increase the temperature in a chamber, which made earthworm to search for place to harbor and nurture themselves;
b) Plate-2 (4) having hole (13) of specific size at specific distance become the window for movement of earthworm to another chamber within 24 hours; another chamber is pre-filled with optimum raw material and water, closed with lid (8) having strip of LED light bulbs (12) Off mode, become the ready place for shelter of earthworm; and
c) Once all the earthworm moves to another chamber, the Plate-1 (3) is inserted back its place, and vermicompost is taken and started to fill with raw materials with continuous rearing of earthworm.

Dated 28th July, 2023

Chothani Pritibahen Bipinbhai
Reg. No.: IN/PA-3148
For and on behalf of the applicant