AU2007249143A1

AU2007249143A1 - An apparatus for moving plant growing containers inside an enclosure

Info

Publication number: AU2007249143A1
Application number: AU2007249143A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Lines
Original assignee: HOLLA FRESH Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Grow Systems Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-12-22
Filing date: 2007-12-20
Publication date: 2008-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-20
Also published as: AU2007249143B2

Description

13708AU

ORIGINAL

Complete Specification Applicant: Title: inside an enclosure Address for Service: Holla-Fresh Pty Ltd An apparatus for moving plant growing containers LESICAR PERRIN, 49 Wright Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to melus: SAn apparatus for moving plant growing containers inside an enclosure

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the movement of plant growing containers in Cc an enclosure such as a controlled environment glasshouse.

S 5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Growing plants in a controlled environment, such as a glasshouse, using hydroponics is becoming increasingly popular. This is due to many reasons including that it provides a system which is able to be modified to provide optimal growing conditions for the particular plant being grown.

In typical large scale commercial operations the plants are grown in a glasshouse which is isolated from the outside environment. Due to construction costs it is necessary to optimise the use of the space within the glasshouse and accordingly many systems have automated movement apparatus which minimises space wastage.

To further minimise costs the number of workers are reduced by either fully or semiautomating the apparatus.

Control systems have been devised that move a box of plants along a rack system in a fixed spatial arrangement. Other system move trays using a rack and pinion type driving mechanism. The problem with this type of driving mechanism is that it has a slow response time and there is a significant amount of wear which results in increased repair and maintenance costs.

Another difficulty with current systems is that as plants grow they require more space. Therefore the plants can become overcrowded which can result in reduced vigour or deformities. If the room required for growth is compensated for, then young seedlings can be spaced too widely which results in less efficient use of space.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems or provide the public with a useful alternative.

2 It is a further object of the present invention to provide for an apparatus for Smoving plant growing containers inside an enclosure that maximises space usage.

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,i It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a driving means with greater response time and reduced wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed an apparatus for moving plant growing containers inside an enclosure, including: i a rack adapted to accommodate a plurality of plant growing containers; and a movable support member adapted to be moved by a driving means along a plane adjacent to an upper surface of the rack, the movable support member including a plurality of biased pivotable toggles which are adapted to move between a first position wherein the toggles are adapted to engage and move the plant growing containers and a second position wherein the movable support members are able to move independent of the plant growing containers.

Preferably the apparatus includes at least two parallel support members.

In preference the parallel support members are configured to move in unison.

Preferably the driving means is a pneumatic ram.

In preference each of the support members includes at least one pneumatic ram.

More preferably the toggles are adapted to pivot around a rod which engages the support member.

Preferably the distance between adjacent toggles differs along the length of the support member.

In preference the distance between adjacent toggles at one end of the rack is greater than the distance between adjacent toggles at the opposite end of the rack.

3 Preferably the plant growing container is a longitudinally extending enclosed tray includes a base portion having at least one outwardly projecting ridge, a channel adapted to contain a plant growing media and an upper portion adapted to support a plurality of plants.

In preference the toggle is adapted to engage the outwardly projecting ridge.

More preferably the plant growing media is a nutrient solution.

SIn yet a further form of the invention there is proposed a method for moving iN plant growing containers inside an enclosure, including the steps of: 1. providing an apparatus having a rack adapted to accommodate a plurality of plant growing containers and a movable support member adapted to be moved by a driving means along a plane adjacent to an upper surface of the rack, the movable support member including a plurality of biased pivotable toggles that are adapted to move between a first position wherein the toggles are adapted to engage and move the plant growing container and a second position wherein the movable support members are able to move independent of the plant growing containers; 2. operating the driving means such that the movable support member is moved to a location wherein a toggle engages a first plant growing container; 3. further operating the driving means such that the movable support member is moved in a first direction wherein the first plant growing container is moved along the rack; 4. operating the driving means such that the movable support member is moved in a second direction whereby the toggle pivots into the second position wherein the movable support member is able to move independent of the plant growing container; 5. operating the driving means such that the movable support member is moved to a location whereby the toggle pivots into the first position wherein it engages a second plant growing container; and 6. repeating steps 3 to 5 to move sequential plant growing containers.

4 Preferably the spacing between adjacent toggles increases along the length of Sthe support member such the distance between adjacent plant growing containers is

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increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings, ,I Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rack including movable U-shaped support members of the present invention; Figure 2 is side view of the support member of Figure 1 illustrating movement of the toggles; Figure 3 is a perspective view of opposite ends of the plant growing container of Figure 1 illustrating the outwardly projecting ridges on the base; Figure 4a is a side view of the of the support member of Figure 1 illustrating the toggles in a rest position; Figure 4b is a side view of the of the support member of Figure 1 illustrating the toggles in a first position; and Figure 4c is a side view of the support member of Figure 1 illustrating the toggles in a second position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description, an apparatus 10 is Sillustrated, demonstrating by way of example one arrangement in which the principles of the present invention may be employed. The apparatus 10, as illustrated in Figures 1, includes a U-shaped support member 12 having a plurality of biased, cam-shaped, toggles 14 which are used to move a plant growing tray 16 along a plant growing bay or rack 18.

The rack 18 includes a frame 22 which is configured to support a plurality of longitudinally extending U-shaped struts 24. The frame 22 is retained in a position N, above the ground by legs 26 to reduce pest infestation and ensure air circulation around the plant growing containers 16. The struts 24 are configured to each house the longitudinally extending support members 12 which are configured to move backwards and forwards along a horizontal plane, in a longitudinally extending direction, within the U-shaped strut 24.

The support members 12 are moved using a pneumatic ram apparatus (not shown). The advantage with using a pneumatic diving mechanism is that it is more responsive and has less of a tendency to breakdown compared with rack and pinion type devices. The reduction in time required to mount and dismount trays onto the plant growing rack and a reduction in potential downtime due to mechanical breakdown increasing the profitability of the apparatus over currently available systems. Current systems use a single rack and pinion type driving mechanism to drive all the support members. In contrast it is envisaged that each of the support members 12 of the present invention will include at least one separate pneumatic ram apparatus. All of the ram apparatus corresponding to a single bay or rack 18 are linked in parallel to ensure that all of the support members 12 are operated in unison.

This means that the force required to move the trays 16 is spread over a plurality of units which assists in minimising wear and tear. Furthermore, if one pneumatic ram does break down, the trays 16 are still able to be moved by way of the other parallel links rams. Although pneumatic rams are discussed the reader should however appreciate that any drive mechanism could be used.

6 The apparatus may further include movable arms 28 having pneumatic rams d 30 which are configured to mount and dismount the tray 16 from the rack 18.

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Although Figure 1 illustrates only one plant growing tray 16 the reader should appreciate that each rack 18 can accommodate a plurality of plant growing trays 16 as illustrated by the broken lines 32.

The biased, cam-shaped, toggles 14 are adapted to pivot around respective rods 34 in the direction of arrow 36 as illustrated in Figure 2. Rods 34 are held in place by bolts 38. In their rest position the toggles 14 are at an angle between approximately 45'-75' from the horizontal with the upper portion 40 of the toggle 14 extend above the top 42 of support member 12. The toggles 14 are prevented from rotating to an angle greater than approximately 750 for the horizontal, by the lower portion 44 of the toggle 14 coming into contact with the base 46 of support member 12. In use the horizontal movement of the support member 12, in combination with toggles 14, provides a mechanism for moving the plant growing trays 16 from one end of the rack 18 to the other end.

As illustrated in Figure 3 the plant growing tray 16 includes a base 48, sides and a top 52 which includes apertures 54 through which plants can be suspended.

The base 48 includes an outwardly extending ridge 56 which is adapted to engage toggle 14. The base 48, sides 50 and top 52 defines a conduit through which a nutrient solution can pass. To assist in the flow of nutrient solution through the plant growing tray 16 the frame 22 is constructed at an angle from the horizontal along a transverse line. This ensures that one end of the plant growing tray 16 is higher than the other. It is envisaged that the angle of the transverse line will be between 10 and The frame 18 further includes channels (not shown) which transport nutrient to, and away from, the plant growing trays 16. The opposing ends 58 and 60 of a single plant growing tray 16 are illustrated in Figure 3 to demonstrate how the nutrient solution is transported therethrough. End 60 which is configured to be at the highest point of the tray 16, includes a trough 62 into which a nutrient solution is deposited.

The solution can be deposited by way of a pipe (not shown) which is located on the edge of the rack 18. The opposing end 58, which is configured to be at the lowest point of the tray 16, is open to allow for the drainage of the solution. It is envisaged

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,I that the solution will drain into a channel to thereby allow for the recycling of the solution.

In use, as illustrated in Figures 4a to 4c, the movement of the support member 12, in conjunction with toggles 14, acts to move plant growing tray 16. Figure 4a illustrates the biased toggles 14 in a rest position wherein the upper portion 40 of the toggle 14 extend above the top 42 of support member 12.

As the support member 12 moves forward in the direction of arrow 64, as illustrated in Figure 4b, the upper portion 40 of toggle 14 contacts grove 66 between N leading and trailing ridges 56. This causes the toggle 14 to pivot around rod 34 in the direction of arrow 68 until a point at which the lower portion 44 of the toggle 14 comes into contact with the base 46 of the support member 12. This contact prevents further pivoting of the toggle 14 and in effect results in the plant growing tray 16 being constrained to the forward movement of the support member 12 by way of the upper portion 40 of toggle 14. As the reader will appreciate, further movement of the support member 12, in the direction of arrow 64, results in the plant growing tray 16 being propelled forward.

Figure 4c illustrates the rearward movement of the support member 12 in the direction of arrow 70. Due to the configuration of toggle 14, as the support member 12 moves rearwardly, the upper portion 40 comes into contact with the trailing ridge 56. Because there is nothing constraining the toggle 14 the contact with the trailing ridge causes it to pivot in the direction of arrow 72 thereby disengaging from groove 66. The support member 12 moves it the direction of arrow 70 until the toggle 14 engages the groove 66 of a rearwardly adjacent tray 16. The direction of movement is then reversed and the support member 12 once again moves in the direction of arrow 64 as illustrated in Figure 4b. This cyclic forward and rearward movement results in the trays 16 being moved from one end of the rack 18 to the other.

As plants grow they require greater space, accordingly the space between the toggles 14 can vary from one end of the rack 18 to the other. For instance, the space between adjacent toggles at the beginning of the rack can be in the order of whilst the space between adjacent toggles at the opposite end can be in the order of 8 This spacing ensures that the plants have sufficient room for growth. The skilled addressee would appreciate that by changing the spacing along the length of the rack by small increments the toggles will still be able to engage grooves 66 in N adjacent trays and thereby provide a propulsion mechanism for the trays.

The skilled addressee will now appreciate the many advantages of the present invention. The invention provides an apparatus for automatically moving plant growing trays along a rack. The reader will appreciate that the spacing of the trays can be changed as the plants travel along the rack to provide more room as the plants grow. Furthermore, the time required to mount and dismount trays onto the plant growing rack and the potential downtime due to mechanical breakdown are both reduced with the use of pneumatic rams. As can be appreciated this increases the profitability of the apparatus over currently available systems.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

In the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for moving plant growing containers inside an enclosure, ,I including: a rack adapted to accommodate a plurality of plant growing containers; and ¢€3 a movable support member adapted to be moved by a driving means along a plane adjacent to an upper surface of the rack, the movable support member including a plurality of biased pivotable toggles which are adapted to move Sbetween a first position wherein the toggles are adapted to engage and move the plant growing containers and a second position wherein the movable support members are able to move without engaging the plant growing containers.

2. An apparatus for moving plant growing containers as in claim 1 further including at least two parallel support members.

3. An apparatus for moving plant growing containers as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the parallel support members are configured to move in unison.

4. An apparatus for moving plant growing containers as in any one of the above claims wherein the driving means is a pneumatic ram.

An apparatus for moving plant growing containers as in claim 4 wherein each of the support members includes at least one pneumatic ram.

6. An apparatus for moving plant growing containers as in any one of the above claims wherein the toggles are adapted to pivot around a rod which engages the support member.

7. An apparatus for moving plant growing containers as in any one of the above claims wherein the spatial separation between adjacent toggles differs along the length of the support member.

8. An apparatus for moving plant growing containers as in claim 7 wherein the spatial separation between adjacent toggles at one end of the rack is greater O O than the spatial separation between adjacent toggles at the opposite end of the Srack. N

9. An apparatus for moving plant growing containers as in any one of the above claims wherein the plant growing container is a longitudinally extending enclosed tray including a base portion having at least one outwardly projecting ridge, a channel adapted to contain a plant growing media and an upper N portion adapted to support a plurality of plants.

An apparatus for moving plant growing containers as in claim 9 wherein the toggle is adapted to engage the outwardly projecting ridge.

11. An apparatus for moving plant growing containers as in claim 9 wherein the plant growing media is a nutrient solution.

12. A method for moving plant growing containers inside an enclosure, including the steps of: providing an apparatus having a rack adapted to accommodate a plurality of plant growing containers and a movable support member adapted to be moved by a driving means along a plane adjacent to an upper surface of the rack, the movable support member including a plurality of biased pivotable toggles that are adapted to move between a first position wherein the toggles are adapted to engage and move the plant growing container and a second position wherein the movable support members are able to move independent of the plant growing containers; operating the driving means such that the movable support member is moved to a location wherein a toggle engages a first plant growing container; further operating the driving means such that the movable support member is moved in a first direction wherein the first plant growing container is moved along the rack; operating the driving means such that the movable support member is moved in a second direction whereby the toggle pivots into the second position wherein the movable support member is able to move independent of the plant growing container; <11 operating the driving means such that the movable support member is moved to a location whereby the toggle pivots into the first position wherein it engages a second plant growing container; and repeating steps to move sequential plant growing containers.

13. A method for moving plant growing containers inside an enclosure as in claim 12 wherein the spacing between adjacent toggles increases along the length of N, the support member such the distance between adjacent plant growing containers is increased. 0',