AU2007249144B2 - An apparatus and method of transferring a plant growing container between a rack and a conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for safely transferring a plant growing tray between a rack and conveyor. The apparatus provides a plurality of arms and shafts that in their respective retracted positions provide unrestricted 5 access. The use of conveyor portions that correspond to the width of each plant growing rack allows users to access the space between adjacent racks without having to clamber over permanent fixtures. The configuration of the apparatus ensures that the trays are securely supported at all time in the transferral process. to F0g Fig 4 Fig5

Description

13705AU ORIGINAL Complete Specification Applicant: Holla-Fresh Pty Ltd Title: An apparatus and method of transferring a plant growing container between a rack and a conveyor Address for Service: 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 me/us: 2 An apparatus and method of transferring a plant growing container between a rack and a conveyor FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the movement of plant growing containers in 5 a controlled environment and in particular relates to transferring a container between a rack system used for growing plants and a conveyor used for transporting the plant growing containers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Growing plants in a controlled environment, such as a glasshouse, using 10 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 usually isolated from the outside environment. Due to 15 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 any space wastage. To further minimise costs the apparatus are semi-automated or fully automated to reduce the number of workers required. Typically the plant growing containers are transferred between a growing area 20 and an operations area, where such activities as planting, harvesting and spraying are undertaken. This means that the workers can be located in one area and are not required to move throughout the growing area. This has several advantages including increased time efficiency and a reduction in the potential risk of pest and disease transferral. 25 Typically, a conveyor system is used to transfer the plants between racks located in the growing area and operations area. The problem with the use of conveyor belts is that they reduce access within the growing area. There are also the problems associated with safely transferring the containers between the rack and the conveyer without damaging either the plant or the container.

3 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, It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide for an apparatus for transferring a plant growing container between a rack and a conveyor. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed an apparatus for transferring a plant growing container between a longitudinal rack upon which said container extends perpendicularly and is adapted to be moved under controlled conditions from one end of the rack to the other, and a conveyor disposed a short 10 distance from said rack on at least one end thereof, said conveyor extending substantially parallel with said container, said apparatus including: at least one movable arm associated with said longitudinal rack, said arm including a surface substantially aligned with an upper surface of the rack to facilitate transfer of said container onto said arm, said arm being moveable between retracted and 15 extended positions such that in the extended position the container is moved by said arm from the end of the rack to an extended position above the conveyor ; and at least one support shaft associated with the conveyor which is vertically moveable between retracted and extended positions such that in the extended position, said support shaft having a terminal engagement member is adapted to engage the 20 container when said arm is in the extended position; and wherein, in combination, the arm and shaft are able to move the plant growing container between the rack and the conveyor. Preferably the rack is moveable in a back and forth motion and includes a plurality of pivotable toggles for engaging each container when moving forwardly and 25 disengaging each container when moving rearwardly to thereby move containers along the rack, said arm also including at least one of said pivotable toggles for engaging and moving a container when the arm is moved from its retracted to its extended position. In preference each toggle is configured to pivot between a first position in 30 which the container is engaged and a second position in which the container is disengaged.

4 Preferably there are two spaced apart extendible arms at the end of the rack configured to move in unison to move each container to the extended position. More preferably each plant growing container includes a base portion supported above the upper surface of the rack, a channel adapted to contain a plant 5 growing media and an upper portion adapted to support a plurality of plants. More preferably the conveyor comprises a plurality of spaced apart rollers that act to convey the plant growing container perpendicularly away from the rack. Most preferably the shaft terminal engagement member is disposed below the rollers of the conveyer when in the retracted position. 10 In a further form of the invention there is proposed a method of transferring a plant growing container between a longitudinal rack upon which said container extends perpendicularly and is adapted to be moved under controlled conditions from end of the rack to the other, and a conveyor disposed a short distance from said rack on at least one end thereof, said conveyor extending substantially parallel with said 15 container, said method including the steps of: providing at least one moveable arm associated with said longitudinal rack, said arm including a surface that is substantially aligned with an upper surface of said rack to facilitate transfer of the container from the rack onto the arm, said arm being moveable between retracted and extended positions such that in the extended 20 position the container is moved by said arm from the end of the rack to an extended position above the conveyor; providing at least one support shaft associated with the conveyor which is vertically moveable between retracted and extended positions such that in the extended position, said support shaft having a terminal engagement member is adapted to 25 engage the container when said arm is in the extended position; operating the at least one arm such that the plant growing container is demounted from the rack onto the upper surface of the arm and moved to the extended position above the conveyor; operating the at least one support shaft to move from the retracted to the extended 30 position such that the terminal engagement member is moved to a position to receive said container; operating the at least one support shaft to move from the extended to the retracted 5 position such that the container is supported above and moveable by operation of the conveyor. Preferably the method includes the further step of: operating the at least one arm after the container has been received by the terminal 5 engagement member to return to its retracted position, In preference the method includes the further step of operating the conveyor to move the container away from the rack after the at least one support shaft moves back to its retracted position, In preference said steps are repeated for multiple containers. 10 Preferably the rack is moveable in a back and forth motion and includes a plurality of pivotable toggles for engaging each container when moving forwardly and disengaging each container when moving rearwardly to thereby move containers along the rack, said arm also including at least one of said pivotable toggles for engaging and moving a container when the arm is moved from its retracted to its 15 extended position. In preference each toggle is configured to pivot between a first position in which the container is engaged and a second position in which the container is disengaged. in preference there are two spaced apart extendible arms at the end of the rack configured to move in unison to move each container to the extended position. 20 Preferably the shaft terminal engagement member is disposed below the rollers of the conveyer when in the retracted position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together 25 with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rack including movable arms of the present invention; 5a Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rack of Figure 1 illustrating movement of the movable arms; 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; 5 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rack of Figure 1 illustrating the conveyor and the engagement member of the shaft; 6 Figure 5 is a perspective view of the conveyor of Figure 4 illustrating movement of the shaft; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the conveyor of Figure 4 illustrating movement of a plant growing container along the conveyor; and 5 Figure 7 is a top view of the conveyor of Figure 4 illustrating movement of a plant growing container along the conveyor. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other 10 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 15 illustrated, demonstrating by way of example one arrangement in which the principles of the present invention may be employed. The apparatus 10, as illustrated in the figures, includes a plurality of arms 12 and shafts 14 which are used, in combination, to move a plant growing tray 16 between a rack 18 and conveyor 20. As illustrated in Figure 1, the rack 18 includes a frame 22 which is configured 20 to support a plurality of longitudinally extending struts 24. The frame 22 is retained in a position 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 a longitudinally extending U-shaped member 28 which is configured to move backwards and forwards in a longitudinal direction within the strut. It is 25 envisaged that the U-shaped member 28 is moved using a pneumatic drive apparatus (not shown) however the reader should appreciate that any drive mechanism could be used. The U-shaped member 28 includes a plurality of biased, cam-shaped, toggles 30 which are adapted to pivot around respective rods 32. In their rest position the toggles 30 are at an angle between 45*-75* from the horizontal. 30 The toggles 30 are prevented from rotating to an angle greater than 750 for the horizontal by the base of the toggle coming into contact with the base of U-shaped 7 member 28. In use the horizontal movement of the U-shaped member 28, in combination with toggles 30, provides a mechanism for moving a plant growing tray 16 from one end of the rack 18 to the other end. Although Figure 1 illustrates only one plant growing tray 16 the reader should appreciate that each rack 18 can 5 accommodate a plurality of plant growing trays 16 as illustrated by the broken lines 34. As plants grow they require greater space, accordingly the space between the toggles 30 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 20cm 10 whilst the space between adjacent toggles at the opposite end can be in the order of 35cm. 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 adjacent trays and thereby provide a propulsion mechanism for the trays. 15 As further illustrated in Figure 1 the arm 12 is retained within a support member 36 which includes guides 38. The arm 12 is adapted to be moved along a substantially horizontal plane by way of drive means 40. It is envisaged that the drive means 40 is a pneumatic ram however the invention is not limited to this type of mechanism. As illustrated in Figure 2 the drive means 40 is used to move the arm 20 between an extended position, as illustrated by the broken lines, and a retracted position wherein the terminal end of the arm 12 is withdrawn into support member 36. The arm 12 includes a single toggle 30 which is configured to pivot around rod 32 in the direction of arrow 42. The toggle 30 is biased and in its rest position is at approximately 550 from the horizontal. The toggle 30 is prevented from rotating to an 25 angle greater than 550 by the base of the toggle coming into contact with the base of the arm 12. This means that in use as the arm 12 is driven forward into an extended position the toggle 30, which is in an upright position, engages the underside of tray 16. In contrast when the arm is being withdrawn the toggle 30 pivots downwardly in the direction of arrow 42 thereby disengaging from the tray 16. 30 As illustrated in Figure 3 the plant growing tray 16 includes a base 44, sides 46 and a top 48 which includes apertures 50 through which plants can be suspended. The base 44 includes an outwardly extending ridge 52 which is adapted to engage toggle 30. The base 44, sides 46 and top 48 define a conduit through 8 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 to ensure that one end of the plant growing tray 16 is higher than the other. It is envisaged that this angle of the transverse line will be between 5 1* and 5*. The frame 18 further includes channels (not shown) that transport nutrient to, and away from, the plant growing trays 16. The opposing ends 54 and 56 of a single plant growing tray 16 are illustrated in Figure 3 to illustrate how the nutrient solution is transported therethrough. End 56, which is configured to be at the highest point of the tray 16, includes a trough 58 into which a nutrient solution is deposited. 10 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 54, 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 that the solution will drain into a channel to thereby allow for the recycling of the solution. 15 As illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 the conveyor 20 includes parallel rails 60, rollers 62 and posts 64. The post 64 is configured to house the shaft 14 when in a retracted position as illustrated in Figure 4. The shaft 14 includes an engagement member 66, at its terminal end, which is adapted to support the plant growing tray 16. As illustrated in Figure 5, the shaft 14 is adapted to move in a vertical plane in the 20 direction of arrow 68. The shaft 14 is configured to move between a fully retracted position wherein the engagement member 66 is below rollers 62 and a fully extended position wherein the engagement member 66 is adjacent to arm 12 when the arm is likewise in the fully extended position. It is envisaged that the shaft 14 will be moved using a pneumatic device however the invention is not limited to the use of such 25 apparatus. In use, and when a plant growing tray 16 is being dismounted from the rack 18 onto the conveyor 20, the U-shaped member 28 moves the tray 16 to the end 70 of the rack 18 as illustrated in Figure 6. In this position toggle 30 of arm 12 engages ridge 52 on base 44. The arm 12 is then driven forward into an extended position, as 30 illustrated by the broken lines in Figure 6. Due to the configuration of the pivotable toggles 30 the movement of the arm 12 means that the plant growing tray 16 is disengaged from the rack 18 and is carried by the arm to a position vertically above the conveyor 20. The shaft 14 is then moved in an upward direction such that the 9 engagement member 66 engages the plant growing tray 16. The shaft 14 continues to move until it reaches a fully extended position wherein the plant growing tray 16 is supported by engagement members 66. In this way the shaft 14 disengages the tray 16 from the arm 12. The arm 12 is then moved into a fully retracted position and the 5 shaft is operated to lower the tray 16 onto rollers 62 of the conveyor 20. The shaft 14 continues to move until it reaches a fully retracted position wherein the engagement member 66 is disengaged from the tray 16 which is then able to move freely along conveyor 20 in the direction of arrow 72. The conveyor 20 extends across the entire width of each of a particular rack 10 18. Where two or more racks are located side by side each conveyor which corresponds to a single rack is separated from adjacent conveyors, as illustrated in Figure 7. In this way users can safely access the space between adjacent racks without having to navigate their way over permanent fixtures. It is envisaged that walkways are located between adjacent racks to allow for access in the event of 15 maintenance and repairs. As further illustrated in Figure 7 the end of the parallel rails 60 include guides 74 which ensure that the tray 16 is positioned in the centre of the conveyor 20 as the tray moves in the direction of arrow 72. As the skilled addressee would appreciate, if the tray 16 is not in the centre the end 76 of the tray 16 could potentially come into contact with the end 78 of the rail 60 thereby causing the tray 20 16 to jam or to be impelled off the conveyor 20 onto the ground. As a first tray 16 is moved along the conveyor 20 to a different location the process of dismounting subsequent tray 16 can be undertaken. The reader will appreciated that in operation sequential trays 16 are moved by the U-shaped member 28 into a position where the arm 12 is able to engage it. The arm 12 then 25 carries the tray 16 to a position where the engagement member 66 of the shaft 14 is able to capture to the tray 12. The arm 12 is then withdrawn which allow the shaft 14 to be lowered to a position where the tray 16 rest upon the conveyor. The conveyor can then be activated and the tray moved to a position removed from the rack 18. This process is then repeated to dismount subsequent trays. 30 As the reader would appreciate, to mount the trays 16 onto the rack 18 the process is simply reversed. It is envisaged that there will be conveyors 20 located at either end of the rack 18 wherein the trays can be loaded onto the rack at one end 10 and unloaded from the other end. The apparatus 10 can be fully automated so that the trays are automatically brought to a handling table. The skilled addressee will now appreciate the many advantages of the present invention which provides an apparatus for safely transferring a plant growing 5 tray between a rack and conveyor. The apparatus provides a plurality of arms 12 and shafts 14 that in their respective retracted positions provide unrestricted access. The use of conveyor portions that correspond to the width of each plant growing rack allows users to access the space between adjacent racks without having to clamber over permanent fixtures. The configuration of the apparatus ensures that the trays 10 are securely supported at all time in the transferral process. 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 15 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 claims, except where the context requires otherwise due to express 20 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 (17)

1. An apparatus for transferring a plant growing container between a longitudinal rack upon which said container extends perpendicularly and is adapted to be moved under controlled conditions from one end of the rack to the other, and 5 a conveyor disposed a short distance from said rack on at least one end thereof, said conveyor extending substantially parallel with said container, said apparatus including: at least one movable arm associated with said longitudinal rack, said arm including a surface substantially aligned with an upper surface of the rack to 10 facilitate transfer of said container onto said arm, said arm being moveable between retracted and extended positions such that in the extended position the container is moved by said arm from the end of the rack to an extended position above the conveyor; and at least one support shaft associated with the conveyor which is vertically 15 moveable between retracted and extended positions such that in the extended position, said support shaft having a terminal engagement member is adapted to engage the container when said arm is in the extended position; and wherein, in combination, the arm and shaft are able to move the plant growing 20 container between the rack and the conveyor.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the rack is moveable in a back and forth motion and includesa plurality of pivotable toggles for engaging each container when moving forwardly and disengaging each container when moving rearwardly to thereby move containers along the rack, said arm also 25 including at least one of said pivotable toggles for engaging and moving a container when the arm is moved from its retracted to its extended position.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein each toggle is configured to pivot between a first position in which the container is engaged and a second position in which the container is disengaged. 30

4. An apparatus as in any one of the above claims wherein there are two spaced apart extendible arms at the end of the rack configured to move in unison to move each container to the extended position. 12

5. An apparatus as in any one of the above claims wherein each plant growing container includes a base portion supported above the upper surface of the rack, a channel adapted to contain a plant growing media and an upper portion adapted to support a plurality of plants. 5

6. An apparatus as in any one of the above claims wherein the conveyor comprises a plurality of spaced apart rollers that act to convey the plant growing container perpendicularly away from the rack,

7. An apparatus as in claim 6 wherein the shaft terminal engagement member is disposed below the rollers of the conveyer when in the retracted position. 10

8. A method of transferring a plant growing container between a longitudinal rack upon which said container extends perpendicularly and is adapted to be moved under controlled conditions from end of the rack to the other, and a conveyor disposed a short distance from said rack on at least one end thereof, said conveyor extending substantially parallel with said container, 15 said method including the steps of: providing at least one moveable arm associated with said longitudinal rack, said arm including a surface that is substantially aligned with an upper surface of said rack to facilitate transfer of the container from the rack onto the arm, said arm being moveable between retracted and extended positions 20 such that in the extended position the container is moved by said arm from the end of the rack to an extended position above the conveyor; providing at least one support shaft associated with the conveyor which is vertically moveable between retracted and extended positions such that in the extended position, said support shaft having a terminal engagement member 25 is adapted to engage the container when said arm is in the extended position; operating the at least one arm such that the plant growing container is demounted from the rack onto the upper surface of the arm and moved to the extended position above the conveyor; operating the at least one support shaft to move from the retracted to the 30 extended position such that the terminal engagement member is moved to a position to receive said container; operating the at least one support shaft to move from the extended to the 13 retracted position such that the container is supported above and moveable by operation of the conveyor.

9. A method according to claim 8 including the further step of: operating the at least one arm after the container has been received by the 5 terminal engagement member to return to its retracted position.

10. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9 including the further step of operating the conveyor to move the container away from the rack after the at least one support shaft moves back to its retracted position,

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said steps are repeated for multiple 10 containers.

12. A method according to any one of claims 8-11 wherein the rack is moveable in a back and forth motion and includes a plurality of pivotable toggles for engaging each container when moving forwardly and disengaging each container when moving rearwardly to thereby move containers along the rack, 15 said arm also including at least one of said pivotable toggles for engaging and moving a container when the arm is moved from its retracted to its extended position.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein each toggle is configured to pivot between a first position in which the container is engaged and a second 20 position in which the container is disengaged.

14. A method according to any one claims 8-13 wherein there are two spaced apart extendible arms at the end of the rack configured to move in unison to move each container to the extended position.

15. A method according to any one of claims 8-14 wherein the shaft terminal 25 engagement member is disposed below the rollers of the conveyer when in the retracted position.

16. An apparatus for transferring a plant growing container between a rack and a conveyor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. 13a

17. A method of transferring a plant growing container between a rack and a conveyor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.