Maverick Artificer Prototype question

This is probably a rules as written vs intention case but I’m curious what y’all think. We are a small group of 3 running ice wind dale. I’m playing a maverick artificer just got to level 3 to pick up the subclass and need a little help deciding on something.

my question is, “is max number of prototypes” for the long rest building of them or the max number you can hold forever. Cause say you don’t have a chance to use your prototype for the day, there is nothing saying it crumbles at the end of the day. All we get is that they function as spell scrolls that don’t crumble if you wanna put in your own spell slot to maintain them. We get that the arcane charges refresh on long rest and that they are basically immediately used up when you make your prototype. 

at level 3 your main class feature is essentially you just make a level 1 spell scroll per day which doesn’t sound that crazy compared to some of the artificer subclasses like artillerist that is using their eldrich cannon to do basically a bunch of temp hp or damage as a bonus action (with the same thing if they can turn on their cannon again with just a level 1 spell slot) 

”Imbuing Spells into your Prototypes. When you finish a Long Rest, you can create a prototype if you have Tinker’s Tools in hand. When you reach certain Artificer levels specified in the Artificer Level column of the Arcane Prototypes table, the number of prototypes you can create at the end of a Long Rest increases.”

Since it states the number you CREATE at the end of the a long rest, not the number you can HAVE, I think they should stick around  

I agree that text seems to be ambiguous, but I think it would be deeply overpowered if you can accumulate extra spell slots indefinitely. I'd rule it like the replicated items - they last until you use them up or replace them, but you can't have more than you're allowed to make at the end of the long rest.

Totally fair, and I think that’s how most people would rule it too. Gonna run it by the DM. He will probably say yes considering we might need the help. Since we are a small group it’s hard to face some of the challenges. We got team killed first session lol.