LONG-TERM RESIN-BASED INSECT PRESERVATION FOR ACADEMIC AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES

Abstract

This invention provides a resin-based insect preservation method that maintains the specimen’s original color, structure, and morphological details within a clear resin block. The preservation technique is suited for educational, decorative, and recreational applications, offering a durable and accessible display of insects for academic and general use. This method addresses the limitations of traditional preservation methods by providing a lasting, low-maintenance solution.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to biological specimen preservation, focusing on a resin-based technique designed to preserve insects for long-term use in academic, research, and recreational contexts. The method utilizes optically clear resin to maintain the specimen's structural integrity, color, and morphological details, offering a durable alternative to traditional insect preservation methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Insect preservation is vital for studies in entomology, ecology, and educational settings. Traditional preservation methods, such as storing specimens in alcohol or drying, have significant limitations. Alcohol-based preservation can lead to discoloration and hardening of specimens, requiring periodic solvent replacement. Dry preservation, while common, may cause fragile insects to lose body parts or degrade over time. Additionally, these methods expose the specimens to risks of breakage, contamination, and pest infestation, compromising the quality and longevity of the collection. To address these issues, this invention employs a resin-based method for insect preservation, which encapsulates insects in optically clear resin. This approach offers long-lasting preservation of morphological details, making the specimens suitable for field identification, educational demonstrations, and as decorative or educational items, such as paperweights or keychains. The resin encapsulation not only preserves the insects but also protects them from physical damage, moisture, and air, ensuring a high-quality and durable display.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The invention provides a resin-based preservation method for insects, utilizing clear epoxy or polyester resin to encapsulate the specimens. This method preserves the insect's original color, structure, and morphological details while preventing decomposition. The preservation process involves embedding the insect in resin within silicone molds of various shapes, allowing for customizable applications such as educational tools, paperweights, and other decorative items. By creating a sealed, transparent casing around the insect, this method maintains the specimen's integrity over extended periods and requires minimal maintenance, making it ideal for academic institutions, museums, and hobbyists.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: ILLUSTRATES THE MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THE PRESERVATION PROCESS, INCLUDING THE INSECT SPECIMENS, RESIN, HARDENER, AND SILICONE MOLDS.
FIGURE 2: DEPICTS THE INITIAL EMBEDDING OF THE INSECT IN THE RESIN LAYER, HIGHLIGHTING THE GRADUAL LAYERING PROCESS FOR OPTIMAL PRESERVATION.
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a"," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The long-term insect preservation technique described in this invention employs a resin encapsulation process designed to preserve insects effectively and maintain their original appearance for extended periods. The materials required for this process include insect specimens, ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, resin and hardener, silicone molds, and basic tools like forceps, protective gloves, and a disposable mixing stick. In the initial preparation stage, insect specimens are disinfected by submerging them in ethanol for 5 to 10 minutes to remove bacteria and prevent decay. After disinfection, the insects are air-dried to remove excess moisture, ensuring that they are ready for encapsulation in resin.
To begin the encapsulation, a mixture of resin and hardener is prepared in a 3:1 ratio and stirred gently to minimize air bubbles. A thin layer of the resin mixture is poured into the silicone mold, creating a base layer. Once this layer begins to thicken, the insect specimen is placed carefully on it, positioned to display morphological details for optimal viewing. The insect is then gently pressed to secure its orientation, allowing its underside to be embedded in the resin layer. After waiting for the base layer to thicken, a second batch of resin is poured slowly over the insect to cover it completely. This ensures that the entire specimen is encapsulated within the resin, protected from environmental exposure.
The curing process requires a minimum of 24 hours for the resin to harden fully within the mold, though waiting up to three days may improve the finish. Once cured, the hardened resin block, containing the preserved insect, is gently removed from the silicone mold, revealing a clear, durable display of the specimen. The result is an insect preserved in a transparent block, protected from moisture, air, and physical damage. This resin-preservation technique provides a durable, portable, and visually accessible method for insect preservation that enhances longevity and maintains specimen quality without the need for solvent maintenance or risk of degradation.
, Claims:1. A resin-based method for preserving insect specimens, comprising embedding insects in optically clear resin to maintain their original color, structure, and morphological details.
2. The preservation method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the resin encapsulation protects the specimen from air, moisture, and physical damage, ensuring durability for long-term display or study.
3. The preservation method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein insects are pre-treated with ethanol or isopropyl alcohol for disinfection prior to resin embedding, preventing bacterial contamination.
4. The preservation method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein silicone molds of various shapes are used to create customizable displays of preserved insects for educational, decorative, or recreational purposes.
5. A process for preparing preserved insect specimens as claimed in Claim 1, involving layering of resin and hardener mixtures to encapsulate the specimen fully, ensuring optimal preservation.
6. The resin-embedded insect products as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the preserved specimens can be used as portable reference tools, educational aids, paperweights, keychains, and other decorative items.

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