DE102019122887A1 - Method and device for growing and treating plants in an air-conditioned plant growing device - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and device for growing and treating plants in an air-conditioned plant cultivation device (1), in which a number of plant trays (12, 12a) equipped with plants (13) from at least one longitudinal conveyor (9, 10) in an approximate cycle of an operating area (2), starting along a growth area (3), can be conveyed back to the operating area (2), several longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) being arranged in the plant cultivation device (1) so that the plant trays (12, 12a) can be conveyed takes place in that at the outlet end of the longitudinal conveyor (9) conveying in one direction (16) a transfer unit (30) is arranged which removes the plant tray (12, 12a) from the one longitudinal conveyor (9) conveying in one direction and places it on a longitudinal conveyor (10) conveying in the opposite direction, which conveys the plant tray (12, 12a) back to the operating area (2).

Description

The subject of the invention is a method and a device for growing and treating plants in an air-conditioned plant growing device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a method and a device operating according to the method is for example the subject matter of FIG DE 103 43 804 A1 known. The cited document describes a method and a device for treating vegetable plants, a plurality of hanging plant trays being arranged on a longitudinal conveyor conveying in a closed circuit, which are guided past different treatment stations and thus form a closed circuit, with the Plants arranged in the plant trays have only a slight growth with a correspondingly small fruiting body and a root formation, while at the end of the circulation the plants are harvested in a ready-to-harvest state in the service area.

The known method is therefore used for growing and treating plants which, after completion of the cycle, can be removed from the control unit and / or harvested there in a ready-to-harvest state.

Such plants are z. B. Vegetables, mushrooms, berries or pome fruits, aromatic plants and the like.

However, the disadvantage of the known method is the need to use hanging plant trays, which are conveyed hanging in series on a zigzag longitudinal conveyor. In addition to the high machine outlay associated with the operation and maintenance of a single, zigzag longitudinal conveyor, there is the further disadvantage that there is only a low harvest yield because there is always only one strand of plant pots in the said cycle can be promoted. A multi-strand design of longitudinal conveyors cannot be found in this publication.

The EP 3 338 537 A1 describes a method for growing and treating plants that are arranged in plant trays, the plant trays being provided with a self-contained nutrient system with nutrient solution and a longitudinal conveyor arranged in the plant cultivation device only serves to transport the individual plant trays arranged in groups from one Position to another position. There is no circulatory system. This has the disadvantage that the plant trays have to be placed and removed from opposite ends of the device, and a large amount of space is therefore required for such a plant cultivation device. An automatic run is not intended and possible.

With the subject of US 10 034 435 B2 Another plant growing device has become known in which the plant trays are arranged in a stationary shelf system in the interior of a container. There is no longitudinal conveyor. For this reason, a large amount of space is required for the container of the plant cultivation device, and the interior area that can be walked on harbors the risk that the climate necessary for the growth of the plants cannot be guaranteed. Rather, there is a risk that people who enter the growth area will introduce germs and pests into the growth area in an undesired manner, which can be associated with the risk of failure in the crop yield.

The invention is therefore based on the DE 103 43 804 A1 the object is to develop a method and a device for carrying out the method in such a way that a high production output is given in a very small space and that the risk of contamination of the plants arranged in the plant trays is excluded.

To achieve the object set, a method is characterized by the features of independent claim 1.

A device designed according to the method is the subject of independent claim 4.

A preferred feature of the invention is therefore that the method provides that several, parallel conveying longitudinal conveyors are arranged in the plant cultivation device, which has the advantage that the plant trays are no longer arranged in series on a longitudinal conveyor one behind the other. Rather, there are several parallel conveying longitudinal conveyors, so that the production output is significantly increased because the plant trays are conveyed through the plant cultivation device in several mutually independent conveying lines.

The term “parallel conveying longitudinal conveyor” can mean that the longitudinal conveyors are parallel to one another with their longitudinal axes in each case in a vertical and horizontal axis. However, the invention is not restricted to this. It can also be provided that the longitudinal conveyors assume an angle not equal to zero both in the horizontal plane and in the vertical planes. It is particularly preferred if the longitudinal conveyors are designed to be inclined in a horizontal plane. The resulting wedge-shaped conveying channels will be discussed later.

Finally, it can also be provided that the longitudinal conveyors run fan-shaped in one or all horizontal planes, which means that the longitudinal conveyors emanating from the operating unit occupy a greater vertical mutual distance than their vertical distances in the transfer area.

In a kinematic reversal of this embodiment, it is possible to keep the horizontal distances between the longitudinal conveyors in the operating area small, so that they extend into the transfer area with larger horizontal distances in a fan shape.

The term “parallel longitudinal conveyor” is therefore to be interpreted broadly in the sense of the above exemplary embodiments.

In all the exemplary embodiments, it is preferred if the plant trays are manually loaded and removed in a front operating area which is arranged outside the actual plant cultivation device. The entirety of the longitudinal conveyors is designed in principle as a clocked flow rack that conveys the plants through an air-conditioned growth area in two opposite directions, with a climatically separated transfer area with at least one transfer unit located at the outlet end of the individual longitudinal conveyors, where the growth area ends which ensures a fully automatic transfer and return of the plant trays to the longitudinal conveyor, which is driven in the opposite direction, towards the operating area. Each plant tray is therefore conveyed through the growth area once in the forward direction and once in the backward direction. This results in a compact structure and small dimensions of a plant cultivation device with a high harvest yield.

In another embodiment, it can be provided that the transfer area is not climatically separated from the growth area. They then form an air-conditioned unit.

In addition, the invention does not depend on the feeding and removal of the plant shells in the front operating area being carried out purely manually. In another embodiment, the task and / or removal of the plant trays can be carried out in an automated manner. A loading of the operating area with a robot can also be provided.

It is particularly advantageous that the device works with a total of two, but preferably three, zones that are climatically separated from one another, namely a front operating area which is arranged outside the plant cultivation device, an air-conditioned, exposed and humidified central growth area with the longitudinal conveyors arranged there and one of them Separate transfer area in which the at least one transfer unit according to the invention is arranged, which transfers the plant trays arriving in the forward direction to a longitudinal conveyor operating in the opposite direction, which conveys the plant trays back to the front operating area.

The longitudinal conveyors arranged in the growth area are therefore completely enclosed and thus ensure an optimal growth climate, with suitable exposure units being provided in the growth area, which are preferably each arranged on the underside of the longitudinal conveyor. Furthermore, an optimal supply of a nutrient solution to the plant shells is guaranteed. With the given technical teaching, an optimized harvest yield is achieved, because in a very small space, preferably in a container, there are a large number of longitudinal conveyors, preferably arranged in columns and rows, with each conveying channel consisting of a first longitudinal conveyor extending from the front operating area its outlet area facing the transfer area, at least one transfer unit located there removes the plant trays from the first longitudinal conveyor and transfers them to another longitudinal conveyor driven in the opposite direction, which in turn conveys the respective plant tray with the plants planted there through the growth area in the direction of the operating area, so that there is an approximate circulatory system with several conveyor lines of longitudinal conveyors.

A preferred size of a plant tray is given as 60 x 40 cm, and the plant trays are sprinkled with a suitable nutrient solution in the growth area, the nutrient solution preferably only reaching the plant tray, but not on the plants arranged in the plant trays. All types of plants can be grown, preferably also from plant trays equipped with seeds, seedlings / saplings or plants. The device can also be used, for example, to grow garden cress seeds directly into finished plants (without the intermediate step of externally grown seedlings).
The term “seed” means a tissue structure of the seed plants that serves to spread. The term “seedling” means one that emerged from a seed by germination from the embryo young plant. The term “seedling” means a young plant grown in a special bed or container

According to the subject matter of claim 2, it is preferred if the longitudinal conveyors are driven cyclically and the plant trays are conveyed through the growth area by approximately a feed length which corresponds to the length of a plant tray in the conveying direction. If one assumes as a preferred example that twelve plant trays arranged one behind the other, each with a broad side corresponding to a conveying length of 40 cm, are arranged on a longitudinal conveyor, the total length of a plant cultivation device used for this is about 550 cm to 600 cm, which is the length of a normal freight container. If one further assumes as a preferred example that six longitudinal conveyors are arranged side by side in a horizontal plane, the result is a preferred width in the range between 400 cm to 450 cm for such a container.

This makes it possible for the first time to design such a method and a plant cultivation device working according to the method as a mobile container that can be set up in shops, supermarkets or presentation areas so that the customers of such shops are able to have one in the service area of one automatic control to open the released flaps in order to remove and harvest a plant presented there together with the plant tray.

In this way it is possible for the first time - similar to the automatic baking stations in self-service shops - that an automatic plant cultivation device is available that can be operated directly by the customers of a shop.

It is particularly advantageous that the increasing growth height of the plants arranged in the plant trays can be optimized starting from the operating area in the direction of the transfer area by now opening the respective conveying channel, which is each formed by the longitudinal conveyor conveying in the forward and backward directions can be wedge-shaped in the vertical direction. It is preferred if - in relation to the flow channel - the height of the respective conveying channel from the operating area to the transfer area widens in a wedge shape in order to avoid that the increasing height of the plant developing in the growth area collides with the longitudinal conveyor above. This also applies analogously to the return channel, which, starting from the transfer area, can widen in height in the direction of the operating area.

Another preferred embodiment provides that the longitudinal conveyors arranged in the growth area are passively driven. This means that the longitudinal conveyors are not assigned their own drive. The longitudinal conveyors preferably work with conventional conveying means, preferably with a round belt or other means known per se, such as. B. a conveyor chain, a toothed belt or other funding.
This ensures that there are no motors or other drive means in the growth area itself that could interfere with the growth of the plants by leaking oil, hydraulic fluid or other contamination.

In this embodiment, it is also preferred if the drive of the individual longitudinal conveyors takes place in the transfer area separated from the growth area.

There are various embodiments for the arrangement of drive units in the transfer area, all of which are intended to be encompassed by the inventive concept of the present invention.

In a first embodiment it is provided that the at least one transfer unit arranged in the transfer area carries out the intermittent feed for one longitudinal conveyor in each case.

In a preferred embodiment, the transfer unit therefore has a coupling unit which is driven to be movable in the Z-direction (conveying direction of the longitudinal conveyor) and is able to be coupled to the drive shaft of the respective longitudinal conveyor in order to feed this one longitudinal conveyor by one cycle to drive.

1. 1. Die Umsetzeinheit dient zur Umsetzung der von den einzelnen Längsförderern in den Umsetzbereich geförderten Pflanzenschalen auf einen anderen Längsförderer, der die Pflanzenschale wieder in Richtung auf den Bedienbereich fördert.
   • Dabei ist es nicht notwendig, dass die Umsetzeinheit die Pflanzenschale in genau den gleichen Förderkanal einsetzt, mit dem die Pflanzenschale in den Bedienbereich gefördert wurde. Es kann jeder andere Förderkanal verwendet werden.
   • Die Umsetzung der Pflanzenschale mit der darauf angeordneten, halb ausgebildeten Pflanze oder Frucht kann in Abhängigkeit von einer automatischen Steuerung erfolgen, die z. B. den Wachstumsstatus der Pflanze, die sich entwickelnde Frucht oder den sich entwickelnden Fruchtkörper und andere Merkmale erkennt, um automatisch zu entscheiden, ob die Pflanzenschale im Förderkanal noch verbleiben soll oder in einen anderen Förderkanal verbracht wird, der die Pflanzenschale bevorzugt taktweise - jedoch mit einem anderen Vorschubtakt als benachbarte Förderkanäle - wieder dem Bedienbereich zuführt.
   • Als Beispiel wird hier eine Pflanzenzucht-Vorrichtung zur Zucht von Salatpflanzen genannt, wobei man davon ausgeht, dass als Wuchszeit zwischen dem Einsetzen des Setzlings, der im Bedienbereich in eine Pflanzenschale eingesetzt wird und dem Ernten einer voll ausgebildeten Salatpflanze, z.B. 24 Tage vergehen.
   • Damit wird ein Takt der Pflanzenschalen von insgesamt 24 Tagen vorgeschlagen, wobei am 24. Tag die vollständig ausgewachsene Pflanze von einer Bedienperson am Bedienbereich entnommen werden kann.
2. 2. Die Umsetzeinheit führt in einer bevorzugten Ausgestaltung auch den taktweise Antrieb jeweils eines von der zentralen Steuerung ausgewählten Längsförderers aus, wobei in einer bevorzugten Ausgestaltung davon ausgegangen wird, dass die Umsetzeinheit mit einer Vielzahl von im Umsetzbereich ankommenden Längsförderern gekoppelt werden kann, um
   • - in Abhängigkeit von einer automatischen Steuerung - mit einem einzigen Längsförderer gekoppelt zu werden, um diesen Längsförderer um einen bestimmten Taktabstand in Förderrichtung anzutreiben. Nach Entkoppelung der in der Umsetzeinheit angeordneten Kupplungseinheit kann die Umsetzeinheit auf die Antriebswelle eines anderen Längsförderers aufgesetzt werden, um diesen ebenfalls um einen Taktabstand in Förderrichtung anzutreiben. Die klimatechnische Trennung zwischen dem kuppelbaren Antrieb der Umsetzeinheit und dem Längsförderer kann dadurch erfolgen, dass der umsetzseitige Kupplungsantrieb in einer luftdichten Manschette angeordnet ist, die abgedichtet auf die Antriebskupplung des Längsförderers aufgesetzt werden kann. Es handelt sich dabei um eine abgedichtete Kopplung, wie sie bei Handschuhkästen für die Behandlung von giftigen oder kontaminierten Gegenständen verwendet werden.

The transfer unit thus takes on two different tasks:

1. 1. The transfer unit is used to transfer the plant trays conveyed by the individual longitudinal conveyors into the transfer area to another longitudinal conveyor, which conveys the plant tray again in the direction of the operating area.
   • It is not necessary for the transfer unit to insert the plant tray into exactly the same conveying channel with which the plant tray was conveyed into the operating area. Any other conveyor channel can be used.
   • The implementation of the plant tray with the semi-formed plant or fruit arranged thereon can be carried out as a function of an automatic control system which z. B. recognizes the growth status of the plant, the developing fruit or the developing fruiting body and other characteristics to automatically decide whether the plant tray should remain in the conveyor channel or be moved into another conveyor channel, which preferably feeds the plant tray back to the operating area in cycles - but with a different feed cycle than adjacent conveyor channels.
   • A plant growing device for growing lettuce plants is mentioned here as an example, whereby it is assumed that the growing time between the onset of the seedling, which is placed in a plant tray in the operating area and the harvest of a fully developed lettuce plant, elapses, for example, 24 days.
   • A cycle of the plant trays of a total of 24 days is thus proposed, with the fully grown plant being able to be removed by an operator at the operating area on the 24th day.
2. 2. In a preferred embodiment, the relocating unit also carries out the cyclical drive of one longitudinal conveyor selected by the central controller, whereby in a preferred embodiment it is assumed that the relocating unit can be coupled to a large number of longitudinal conveyors arriving in the relocating area
   • - depending on an automatic control - to be coupled with a single longitudinal conveyor in order to drive this longitudinal conveyor by a certain cycle distance in the conveying direction. After the coupling unit arranged in the relocating unit has been decoupled, the relocating unit can be placed on the drive shaft of another longitudinal conveyor in order to also drive it by one cycle interval in the conveying direction. The climatic separation between the couplable drive of the transfer unit and the longitudinal conveyor can be achieved in that the transfer-side coupling drive is arranged in an airtight sleeve which can be placed on the drive coupling of the longitudinal conveyor in a sealed manner. It is a sealed coupling such as that used in glove boxes for handling poisonous or contaminated objects.

This results in a particularly favorable construction for a device of the type mentioned at the outset, because all longitudinal conveyors are preferably assigned only a single (convertible) couplable conveyor drive, which is preferably integrated in the converting unit.

In another embodiment, instead of the transfer unit operating in the X and Y directions, separate drive units are also provided, which are either in constant engagement with the longitudinal conveyors arranged in the transfer area or which can be coupled to one or more longitudinal conveyors as required are.

Another alternative embodiment provides that the single relocating unit, which is driven in the X and Y directions, is replaced by a plurality of relocating units of the same type, which are fixed between the outlet end of one longitudinal conveyor and the inlet end of the other longitudinal conveyor and each as one in vertically facing, approximately U-shaped conveyor unit are formed. These can be lifting conveyors (lifts).

In this embodiment, the respective transfer unit is designed as a mechanical conveyor connection for two longitudinal conveyors that are assigned to one another.

The automatic control also has the further task of controlling the exposure and nutrient conditions in the growth area.

Especially when rearing sensitive plants, such as B. saffron, mushrooms, berries or lettuce must be varied during a very long growth phase, the exposure conditions by z. B. uses more or less red light with suitable LED lighting arrangements and supplies more or less nutrients to the plant pots.

Gassing can also take place in the growth area without the risk of the gas used escaping from the device, because the growth area can preferably be hermetically sealed from the transfer area and the operating area.

Another advantage of the hermetic separation of the three areas mentioned is that in the event of errors and the necessary troubleshooting in the drive system, the growth area is not impaired, because in a preferred embodiment the relocation area can be accessed through its own access door without an operator entering the relocation area Growth area enters.

The invention is also not dependent on the longitudinal conveyors conveying in the forward and backward directions being aligned parallel to one another. In a preferred embodiment, it is sufficient that the longitudinal conveyors conveying in one direction are parallel to one another and that those in the opposite direction conveying longitudinal conveyor are also aligned parallel to each other.

In principle, every longitudinal conveyor can have a gradient greater than or equal to 0 degrees in the conveying direction, provided that no mechanical collisions (e.g. insertion opening for plant trays) are to be expected. The longitudinal conveyors of one conveying direction can, however, assume a different angle of inclination compared to the longitudinal conveyors of the other conveying direction. This depends on the requirements of the plants to be grown and on the growth conditions.

The prior art according to DE 103 43 804 A1 The approximate circuit described, which is formed by a single conveyor chain of a longitudinal conveyor, is changed within the scope of the present invention in such a way that the plant trays are conveyed in the manner of a back and forth transport from the operating area in the direction of the transfer area and vice versa from the transfer area Operating area to be promoted. After they are moved in a preferred embodiment by the transfer unit from a lower level of a longitudinal conveyor arranged there to an upper level of another longitudinal conveyor conveying in the direction of the operating area, one can also speak of a U-shaped transport of the plant trays, whereby in the transfer area of a conversion from a lower level to an upper level or vice versa in the form of a lying "U" is assumed. One U-leg of the lying "U" starts at a longitudinal conveyor, the base leg forms the lifting path and the other U-leg starts at the other longitudinal conveyor. The conveying direction is preferably vertical from bottom to top. In another embodiment, however, the conveying direction can also be directed from an upper longitudinal conveyor to a longitudinal conveyor lying below.

With a preferred dimension of a plant tray of 600 x 400 x 50 mm, the plant tray is transported along the 400 mm side. The conveying channel formed in each case from two superimposed longitudinal conveyors can, however, have different dimensions. B. a channel with 600 x 400 cm, another channel with 400 x 300 cm or 300 x 200 format can have.

It is preferred if the longitudinal conveyors each have a gradient greater than or equal to zero percent in the conveying direction. This also results in increasing channel heights within a channel in the conveying direction, which takes into account the growth of the plants during transport (there and back).

In addition, the invention does not depend on the relocation unit being designed to be isolated from the growth area. In another embodiment it can be provided that the partitioning between the transfer unit and the growth area is omitted.

In the following, the advantages and features of the invention are given briefly in several preferred exemplary embodiments:

Brief description of the plant areas

Operating area (manual, optionally automated)

• - Supply / disposal using plant trays (standard formats, e.g. 600 x 400 mm) as a loading aid
• - Plant bowl forms a watertight tub with adjustable maximum fill level (Removal of excess volume through overflow opening)
• - Dispensing of plant trays with "plant seedlings"
• - Removal of finished plant products
• - Optional inclination of the ready-to-use product for emptying the nutrient solution.
• - Operating elements: lamp and illuminated button (display of empty spaces for refilling, readiness for acceptance of finished products)
• - Decoupled, asynchronous removal and refilling process
• - Individual or multiple feeding of plant trays possible
• - Access to the growth area via flaps / doors / windows
• - Expansion option also automatic removal and refilling

Growth area (passively automated)

• - Pass-through system with start and end of pass on the same side (front-end) ("U-shaped transport")
• - Passive conveying elements with a slope / incline for the continuous transport of the plant trays (e.g. round belt / toothed belt / roller conveyor, etc.)
• - Conveying channels with the lowest channel height at the beginning and the highest channel height at the end, increasing channel height in the direction of transport
• - Optimal adjustment / arrangement of the flow channels to minimize height ( Alternating low and high channel heights on top of each other - wedge-shaped Z finishing scheme)
• - Complete enclosure and creation of optimal growth conditions for plant products (light, temperature, humidity, nutrient supply, CO2 supply, etc.)
• - Circulatory system for the supply of nutrients
• - Drip protection with channels between the longitudinal conveyors
• - Channel division into flexible growth zones possible
• - Channels with different lead times possible
• - Timed transport carried out through the transfer area (can be parameterized in terms of time)

Transfer area (preferably fully automated)

• - Automatic area within protective fence with access door and emergency stop switch-off
• - Functionally, the transfer area carries out a transfer from one longitudinal conveyor to another longitudinal conveyor
• - Optional automatic opening and closing of the growth area on the transfer area side
• - Multi-axis system (X- / Y- / Z-axis) with a load handling device for moving plant trays into the return channel (pick-up, relocation, delivery)
• - Load handling device for positioning at the end of the channel, for automatically picking up a plant tray, for relocating it to the delivery channel and for delivering the plant trays into the return channel
• - Drive unit with temporary power transmission for cycling (transport) the passive conveying elements in the growth area

Technical unit separated from the growth area

• - Admission of the air conditioning technology
• - nutrient technology
• - Control technology for the relocation area (software-based system control and operation)

Brief description of the transfer area

with detailing of the preferred relocating unit (multi-axis system)

Components and preferred example for the construction of the transfer unit

• - Multi-axis system (X- / Y- / Z-axis)
• - Movement along the channel gaps (X-axis - travel movement)
• - Stiffened base frame roughly the width of a duct gap
• - Suspension of the base frame on the ceiling (e.g. via slide with guide rail) and on the rear (C-profile with pressure rollers on both sides) of the transfer area
• - Energy supply via conductor lines or energy chains
• - Travel movement, for example, via a fixed belt along the travel axis, which is guided by a drive that moves with it
• - Sensor technology for positioning (e.g. reflection marks on the channel construction of the growth area)
• - Buffers at both ends of the route
• - The floor of the transfer area zone is completely free (hanging construction)
• - Movement along the channel planes (Y-axis - lifting movement)
• - Double guide rail on the base frame for a slide-guided mounting of the load handling device (LAM)
• - Energy supply via conductor lines or energy chains
• - Lifting movement, for example via a fixed belt along the lifting axis, which is guided by a traveling drive (if possible with a worm gear)
• - Sensor technology for positioning (e.g. reflection marks on the channel construction of the growth area)
• - Buffers at the top and bottom
• - Load handling equipment (Z-axis - plant tray pick-up / release)
• - Accommodation of the conveyor, the drive unit (for the conveyor of the LAM and a passive conveyor of the growth area), the required sensors and a drip guard
• - Plant tray transport via belt conveyor (analogous to the growth area) with separate drive
• - Feed unit for the conveyor drive for the passive growth area (in the starting position towards the transfer area retracted - extending takes place in the direction of the growth area)
• - Conveyor drive for the passive growth area for temporary coupling (e.g. claw coupling) to the transfer area-side axis of a passive longitudinal conveyor there
• - Software control of the multi-axis system
• - Optional unit for opening and closing the growth area when storing and removing plant trays

Procedure for receiving a plant tray from the growth area onto the transfer unit

• - The prerequisite for a repositioning process is that the last place in the return channel (removal place) is free
• - Positioning of the base frame via the travel drive behind the channel gap to be approached (X position)
• - Positioning of the LAM via the linear actuator at the height of the channel level to be approached (Y position)
• - Both movements can be carried out individually or in combination
• - Opening the growth area if the growth area and the transfer area are not enclosed together
• - Check the occupancy on the conveyor in the growth area
• - Extending the feed unit for the longitudinal conveyor drive to build up the power transmission to the axis of the passive longitudinal conveyor on the transfer area side
• - Activation of the drive for the longitudinal conveyor in the growth area together with the drive of the conveyor on the LAM in the direction of the transfer area
• - As a result, synchronous conveying movement of all plant trays on the driven conveyor from the growth area towards the transfer area (on the transfer area side, the first plant tray is at the front, then the second, etc.)
• - Due to a slightly higher conveying speed of the belt conveyor on the LAM, the first plant tray is conveyed to the LAM faster than the second plant tray and all subsequent ones on the longitudinal conveyor; A gap is thus created between the first and the second plant bowl
• - As soon as the first plant tray has left the longitudinal conveyor, the longitudinal conveyor drive stops and the feed unit returns to its starting position. The power transmission is canceled.
• - The second plant bowl is now in the former place of the first plant bowl; all other plant trays have also been transported by about one plant tray dimension in the direction of the transfer area
• - If the plant tray is completely on the LAM conveyor, the growth area is closed if the growth area and the transfer area are not enclosed together
• - The conveyor on the LAM continues to transport the first plant tray until the plant tray has reached an end stop on the LAM.
• - This completes the acceptance of a plant tray from the growth area onto the transfer unit

Process for the delivery of a plant tray from the transfer unit into the growth area

• - Positioning of the base frame via the travel drive behind the channel gap to be approached (X position)
• - Positioning of the LAM via the linear actuator at the height of the channel level to be approached (Y position)
• - Both movements can be carried out individually or in combination
• - Opening the growth area if the growth area and transfer area are not enclosed together
• - Check the occupancy on the conveyor of the growth area
• - Activation of the drive on the LAM in the direction of the growth area
• - This means that the plant trays are only transported on the LAM until the plant tray has reached the conveyor of the growth area.
• - Extending the feed unit for the longitudinal conveyor drive to build up the power transmission to the axis of the passive longitudinal conveyor on the transfer area side
• - Activation of the drive for the longitudinal conveyor together with the drive of the conveyor on the LAM in the direction of the growth area
• - As a result, synchronous conveying movement of all plant trays on the driven conveyor of the growth area in the direction of the operating area (on the transfer area side is the first plant tray, then the second, etc.)
• - Due to a slightly higher conveying speed of the belt conveyor on the LAM, the plant tray is conveyed faster on the LAM than the first plant tray and all subsequent ones on the longitudinal conveyor; a gap between the first and the plant bowl on the LAM is closed
• - The transport with the longitudinal and LAM conveyor is continued until the plant tray is completely on the longitudinal conveyor
• - Closing the growth area if the growth area and the transfer area are not enclosed together
• - The first plant bowl is now in the former place of the second plant bowl; all other plant trays have also been transported by approximately one plant tray dimension towards the transfer area
• - A plant tray that was previously in the penultimate place is conveyed to the tilted removal area and, due to the additional inclination, is largely emptied of the nutrient solution
• - This completes the transfer of a plant tray from the transfer unit to the growth area

The subject matter of the present invention results not only from the subject matter of the individual patent claims, but also from the combination of the individual patent claims with one another.

All information and features disclosed in the documents, including the summary, in particular the spatial configuration shown in the drawings, could be claimed as being essential to the invention, insofar as they are new, individually or in combination, compared to the prior art. The use of the terms “essential” or “according to the invention” or “essential to the invention” is subjective and does not imply that the features named in this way must necessarily be part of one or more patent claims.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to drawings showing only one embodiment. Further features and advantages of the invention that are essential to the invention emerge from the drawings and their description.

• 1: perspektivische Ansicht der Pflanzenzucht-Vorrichtung bei entfernten Begrenzungswänden
• 2: die perspektivische Ansicht einer bevorzugten Pflanzenschale mit dort angeordneten Pflanzen
• 3: Ansicht auf den Bedienbereich
• 4: Längsschnitt durch die Pflanzenzucht-Vorrichtung entlang des Schnittes D-D in 1
• 5a: Querschnitt durch die Pflanzenzucht-Vorrichtung in Richtung des Schnittes B-B in 1
• 5b: die Darstellung eines einzelnen Förderkanals im Umsetzbereich
• 6: die perspektivische Darstellung einer Umsetzeinheit
• 7: Schnitt gemäß der Linie C-C in 6
• 8: schematisiert der Taktantrieb der Pflanzenschalen in der Pflanzenzucht-Vorrichtung
• 9: ein Takt-Vorschub-Zeitdiagramm beim Transport der Pflanzenschalen
• 10: Längsschnitt durch die Pflanzenzucht-Vorrichtung ähnlich dem Schnitt nach 4 zur Verdeutlichung der keilförmigen Z-Anordnung der Längsförderer

Show it:

• 1 : Perspective view of the plant cultivation device with the boundary walls removed
• 2 : the perspective view of a preferred plant tray with plants arranged there
• 3rd : View of the operating area
• 4th : Longitudinal section through the plant cultivation device along section DD in 1
• 5a : Cross section through the plant cultivation device in the direction of the section BB in 1
• 5b : the representation of a single conveyor channel in the transfer area
• 6th : the perspective view of a transfer unit
• 7th : Section along the line CC in 6th
• 8th : schematizes the clock drive of the plant trays in the plant cultivation device
• 9 : a cycle-feed-time diagram during the transport of the plant trays
• 10 : Longitudinal section through the plant growing device similar to the section after 4th to illustrate the wedge-shaped Z-arrangement of the longitudinal conveyor

The 1 shows a plant cultivation device with the delimitation walls removed 1 according to the invention, wherein according to 5a a matrix-like arrangement of individual longitudinal conveyors 9 , 10 is provided, the rows and columns in the space between vertical channel uprights 19th are arranged.

The operating area 2 consists of a number of preferably hermetically sealed front flaps 22nd , 23 . When opening the respective flap 23 can be a plant bowl 12th with at least one seedling arranged therein on a longitudinal conveyor conveying in the forward direction 9 be put on.

Conversely, at least one fully developed plant can open a flap used for removal 22nd from the backward conveying longitudinal conveyor 10 from a removal point inclined in the conveying direction 26th (please refer 4th ) can be removed.

The longitudinal conveyors assigned to one another in pairs 9 , 10 accordingly each form a conveying channel 11 who according to 1 from the operating area 2 from wedge-shaped towards the rear transfer area 4th opens. This is also from the 4th and 10 refer to

Because of this wedge shape, for example, according to the 4th and 10 the increasing growth of plants 13th in the plant bowl 12th Can be taken into account without the risk of damaging the respective plant 13th with the underside of the upper longitudinal conveyor 10 collided.

The 4th shows - in accordance with 1 - That a total of three conveying channels arranged vertically one above the other 11 , 11 ', 11 "are provided, each conveying channel 11 , 11 ', 11 "from two vertically stacked and oppositely driven longitudinal conveyors 9 , 10 consists. Because of the same, matrix-like arrangement, the longitudinal conveyors of the other conveyor channels are labeled 9 ', 9 "and 10' and 10" because the same reference numerals are used for the same parts.

The 1 also shows that on one side of the plant growing device 1 a technology box is arranged in which one or more air conditioning units, one or more nutrient units 7th with liquid nutrients and preferably a control cabinet 8th are arranged.

Via a side, rear access door 53 is the rear transfer area 4th accessible. The 2 shows as a preferred embodiment a plant tray with the dimensions 400 x 600 x 50 mm, in the interior of which a suitable substrate 14th is arranged in which the plants 13th reach in. The substrate does not have to be a mixture of soil and aggregates. It is also possible in the sense of a hydroponic culture to use a liquid substrate.

In the walls of the plant bowl 12th there are overflow openings at a certain height above the floor 15th arranged to prevent undue accumulation of nutrient solution in the plant tray 12th to avoid.

As an example, it is indicated that the plant bowl is in the direction of its narrower broad side in the direction of the arrow 16 from the respective longitudinal conveyors 9 , 9 ', 9 "in the direction of the transfer area 4th is transported and in the opposite direction, namely in the direction of the arrow 17th from the longitudinal conveyors 10 , 10 ', 10 "in the direction of the operating area 2 is promoted.

The 3rd shows a view in the direction of AA 1 on the operating area 2 where it can be seen that the operators 5 on a pedestal 24 and each time a flap serving the task is opened 23 the respective plant bowl 12th , 12a with at least one seedling planted there on the longitudinal conveyor driven in the forward direction 9 put on. When closing the flap 23 is therefore the operating area 2 Hermetically sealed from the growth area 3rd sealed off.

The 3rd shows that in the transverse direction a total of six channel gaps 20a-20f are arranged in rows in the horizontal direction, which together with the conveying channels arranged one above the other in the vertical direction 11 , 11 ', 11 "form a matrix-like structure of the plant cultivation device, as best shown in the 1 can be found. Accordingly, in the three superimposed horizontal planes 6th Adjacent conveyor channels 11a-11f, 11a'-11f 'and 11a "-11f" are arranged.

Accordingly, they show 4th and 10 a view in the direction DD in 1 where it can be seen that the longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 each between the bottom canal uprights 19th are arranged and the respective longitudinal conveyor assigned to one another 9 , 10 ; 9 ', 10'; 9 ", 10" form a wedge in the direction of the transfer area 4th opening conveyor channel 11 , 11 ', 11 "to form the increasing growth of the plants when promoting in the direction of the arrow 16 in the direction of the transfer area 4th balance.

This also applies to the longitudinal conveyor 10 , which are also in connection with the longitudinal conveyors above 9 wedge-shaped widening conveying channels form, thus increasing the growth of the plants 13th from the transfer area 4th starting in the direction of the arrow 17th in the direction of the operating area 2 balance.

The removal of the harvest-ready plants in the operating area 2 takes place in that at the outlet end of the respective longitudinal conveyor 10 an inclined removal point 26th is provided on which the plant trays 12th with at least one fully developed harvest-ready plant 13th arrive to so due to the inclination of the removal area 26th to ensure that any excess nutrient solution from the plant bowl 12th drains and in not shown collecting devices on the bottom side of the plant growing device 1 is collected and promoted in the circuit of the wetting system.

It is only shown schematically that in a preferred embodiment, each of the longitudinal conveyors 9 , 10 with two parallel drive belts 27 is working. A single drive belt can also be used 27 be provided, wherein the one or more drive belts are preferably designed as elastic cord belts.

In other embodiments, instead of a cord-shaped drive belt, a toothed belt, a chain or other known longitudinal conveying means can also be used.

Due to the arrangement of vertically stacked conveyor channels 11 , 11 ', 11 "ensures that the upper longitudinal conveyor lying in the channel planes 21a, 21b; 21a', 21b ';21a", 21b "can drain the nutrient solution from an upper longitudinal conveyor in the direction of a longitudinal conveyor below. There are drip trays on the longitudinal conveyor 59 which prevent the nutrient solution that drips off from wetting the plants from the longitudinal conveyors running underneath.

The 4th also shows that the respective end of a longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 shortly before the transfer area 4th ends (see also 9 ) and there is the possibility of using a transfer unit arranged there 30th the feed drive for the longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 to execute. The transfer unit 30th consists essentially of one in the X and Y directions (arrow directions 31 , 32 ) displaceably driven load handling equipment 29 , on top of which the respective plant bowls 12th , 12a can be funded.

To establish a drive connection between the load handling device 29 and the respective drive shafts 25th the longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 is in the load handling device 29 one in the Z direction (direction of arrow 33 ) movably arranged coupling unit 40 provided (see 7th ).

Accordingly, the transfer unit leads 30th perform two different functional tasks, namely moving the plant pots 12th in different conveying channels 11 , 11 ', 11 ", the conveyor channels 11 , 11 ', 11 "can be one above the other or next to one another.

In addition, the transfer unit leads 30th the clock drive of the longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 out. For the purpose of removing a plant tray 12th from the longitudinal conveyor conveying in the forward direction 9 provides the load suspension device 29 a non-rotatable coupling with the drive shaft 25th via the coupling unit 40 with the coupling unit 56 on the longitudinal conveyor. By a rotary drive in the load handling device 29 becomes a longitudinal conveyor each time 9 , 10 driven in conveying direction. This creates a plant bowl 12th on the top of the lifting device 29 promoted.

This double function makes the structural design of the transfer unit 30th particularly simple, reduces the need for repairs on the longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 and increases the operational safety of the entire device.

The 5a shows a section along the line BB in FIG 1 through the growth area 3rd , being off 5a the type and arrangement of the conveyor channels arranged in rows and columns 11 , 11 ', 11 "is shown.

It is also shown schematically that the transfer unit 30th one on the lower longitudinal conveyor 9 attached plant bowl 12th in the transfer area 4th for example in the direction of the arrow 18th onto a longitudinal conveyor used for backward conveyance 10 can implement.

It is only shown here that this is for longitudinal conveyors lying vertically one above the other 9 , 10 applies.

However, the invention is not restricted to this. It can also be provided that a plant tray 12th in a channel gap 20d on a longitudinal conveyor arranged there 9 to any other longitudinal conveyor 10 in any other channel column 20th and channel level 21 can be implemented. In this way the transfer unit gives 30th complete freedom to move the plant trays 12th by any longitudinal conveyor 9 to any other longitudinal conveyor 10 can be implemented.

The choice of the respective conveying channel depends on the plant growth, the presence of pests and other parameters that determine growth, such as light requirements, heat or fumigation requirements and the like, so that, for example, a plant bowl can be implemented 12th into a longitudinal conveyor used for backward transport 10 can be done in such a way that this longitudinal conveyor 10 the residence time, the exposure time, the supply of nutrients, the control of plant diseases and the like are given in a special way.

5b shows an end view from the direction of the transfer area onto the ends of the longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 that end shortly before the transfer area or - in another version - in the transfer area 4th protrude where it can be seen that the plant bowl 12th on laterally arranged drive belts 27 of the longitudinal conveyor rests frictionally that a cheek profile 58 for the horizontal guidance of the plant trays 12th is available.
The cheek profile on both sides 58 carries the drip tray 59 ( 5b) . The drive shaft 25th of the longitudinal conveyor is non-rotatable with a coupling unit 56 connected, in the type to be described later with one in the load suspension device 29 arranged coupling unit 40 can be brought into a rotationally fixed drive connection.

It is also shown that on the underside of the drip tray 59 of the respective longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 suitable LED lighting units 60 are arranged, the light rays 64 towards the plant bowls arranged underneath 12th with the plants arranged in it 13th send out. The illuminance, light color and direction of illumination are specified individually for each conveyor channel by the automatic control.

The LED lighting units 60 can thus also change the spectral color of the emitted light.

Out 5b It also shows that in the area of the vertical canal uprights 19th a suitable supply of nutrients 61 is provided for example in the form of drip nozzles, so that the nutrient solution in the top of the plant tray 12th directly onto the substrate 14th can be abandoned without the plant 13th to wet itself.

The 6th shows further details of the transfer unit 30th , in which the load suspension device 29 essentially as one in the X and Y directions (arrow directions 31 , 32 ) over slide 65 , 66 displaceably driven load handling device 29 is trained.

The vertical base frame 36 is in an upper slide 65 recorded on which the lifting drive 37 together with the drive belt 38 for the shift in the Y-axis (direction of arrow 32 ) is arranged.

The shift in the X direction (direction of the arrow 31 ) takes place in that the upper slide 65 with a horizontal drive belt 55 is coupled to a stationary drive 39 is attached.

The drive 39 is thus with the upper horizontal guide support 34 connected.

The displacement of the vertical base frame 36 on the foot side takes place through a sliding engagement on a fixed rear lower horizontal guide 35 .

The load suspension device 29 is with the help of supports 43 on vertically movable slide 66 attack, in the vertical base frame 36 slidably suspended and has a top on which a plant bowl as an example 12th sits on.

It is a number of belt drives 42 present, which are arranged parallel to one another and which are supported by an in 7th illustrated drive motor 57 are driven. By driving the belt drive 42 thus becomes the plant bowl in the directions of the arrows 33 (Z-direction) from the top of the load handler 29 conveyed away or on top of the load suspension device 29 promoted.

In 6th is also the drive belt 38 shown for the linear actuator in the Y direction.

In this way, the load handling device 29 Can be freely moved in the X and Y directions along the 6-column and 3-row matrix structure of the conveyor channels 11 , 11 ', 11 ", and those in the load handling device 29 arranged coupling unit 40 can be used with any coupling unit 56 of the respective longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 be coupled at any point.

Thus, the load handling device 29 according to 5a any longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 Approach any point of the matrix structure and couple with it in a rotationally fixed manner in order to drive it by a certain length feed in the displacement direction.

The 7th shows as an example a section along the line CC in 6th where it can be seen that the plant bowl 12th with their underside on the belt drives 42 sits frictionally. It can also be seen that the displacement of the coupling unit 40 in the direction of the arrow 33 (Z-direction) takes place in that in the load handling device 29 a linear unit 48 is arranged, which essentially consists of a drive motor 48 the linear unit and the drive motor 47 for the coupling unit, which after coupling to the coupling unit 56 a passive longitudinal conveyor drives it in the conveying direction.

The non-rotatable coupling of the coupling unit on the load handler side 40 with the coupling unit 56 on the longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 takes place in that on the linear unit 48 a front compensating coupling 46 there is a certain amount of play for the drive coupling 44 forms that over a spring 45 with the compensating coupling 46 is connected and its coupling cone 52 in the direction of the arrow 33 with the associated coupling unit 56 of the longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 is positively connectable.

There is a drive motor on the linear unit 47 arranged, which the drive coupling 44 drives rotating in the direction of its longitudinal extension, so when coupling the drive coupling 44 with the coupling unit on the longitudinal conveyor side 56 the longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 to drive a certain conveyor line.

The bottom surface of the plant bowl 12th lies in the area of a wing 51 frictionally engaged on the top of the belt drive 42 on.

The 8th shows schematically an example of the U- mentioned in the introduction to the description shaped promotion of the plant pods 12th in a preferred cycle operation.

Starting from the outer operating area 2 becomes when the flap is opened 23 a plant bowl 12th on the longitudinal conveyor 9 put on and in pace 50 in the direction of the arrow 16 promoted. There are a number of plant trays lying one behind the other on the longitudinal conveyor 12th arranged. Every plant bowl 12th is symbolically represented by an arrow.

As soon as the plant bowl 12th on the respective longitudinal conveyor 9 reaches the rear end of the longitudinal conveyor, the transfer unit 30th put into operation and conveys in the direction of the arrow 31 , 32 the plant bowl 12th on the top of the lifting device 29 and then into any conveyor channel above or next to it of another longitudinal conveyor 10 who have favourited the plant bowl in the direction of the arrow 17th in the direction of the operating area 2 in push cycle 50 is promoted. It is assumed that on the longitudinal conveyor conveying in the reverse direction 10 there is a free space. The exact type of funding is shown in the general description.

The 9 shows a schematic, greatly abbreviated representation of a path-time diagram, where it can be seen that a clocked feed is provided and when one of the tasks is opened 62 serving flap 23 a plant bowl filled with the seedling 12th on the longitudinal conveyor 9 is given up in the overrun cycle 50 up to the position 63 is driven displaceably.

To the position 63 closes a rest period 54 on, which is shown greatly abbreviated and schematized in the embodiment shown. During the entire conveying and resting time, there is appropriate ventilation, lighting, supply with nutrient solution or other treatment of the respective plant bowl 12th instead of. After the end of the idle time at position 63 ', there is a further push cycle 50', which does not necessarily have to be the same as the initial push cycle, as is necessary for the solution 50 . The conveyance takes place up to position 63 ", which is followed by a rest period 54 '. The length of the rest period 54 may differ from the length of the rest period 54 '.

After the rest time 54 'has ended, there is another push cycle 50 ″ from position 63' to position 63 ″ ″. This is followed by a further rest time 54 ″.

The entire process, that is, the promotion in the forward and backward direction can, for. B. take a period of 24 to 48 hours or even several days and is based on 9 continues in the manner shown.

In relation to the cultivation of a lettuce plant from a seedling, from the task to reaching the transfer unit 30th estimate a total of 11 push cycles and 12 rest periods with a cumulative duration of 12 days. Then the transfer from the flow to the return channel takes place and then another 12 rest periods and 11 push cycles with a cumulative duration of 12 days as well. Then there would be the plant bowl 12th with the finished plant product on the removal area 26th

The 9 shows only schematically the promotion of a plant tray 12th in described push cycles 50 , 50 ', 50 "until the transfer area is reached 4th . This is followed by reverse conveyance with the longitudinal conveyor 10 in the direction of the operating area 2 . This promotion runs at the same or similar intervals as in 9 for forward conveyance was shown.

The push cycles 50 and rest periods 54 with regard to the forward conveyance, however, can of the push strokes 50 and the rest periods 54 differ with regard to the backward conveyance.

The 10 shows in a preferred embodiment the Z-arrangement of the longitudinal conveyor 9 , 10 ; 9 ', 10' and 9 ", 10" in a section through the growth area 3rd .

The growth area 3rd is closed between a roof line 67 and a floor line 71 . It is from the operating area shown on the left 2 and the transfer area shown on the right 4th Cut. In the interior of the growth area 3rd are longitudinal conveyors assigned to one another in a vertical plane 9 , 10 ; 9 ', 10' and 9 ", 10" are arranged, the right inlet or outlet end 70 in front of the transfer area 4th in the area in front of a partition 69 ends. The distance 74 between the top of the respective longitudinal conveyor 9 , 9 ', 9 "and the associated longitudinal conveyor 10 , 10 ', 10 "is preferably 0.10 cm. The longitudinal conveyors are with respect to a horizontal line 68 in opposite directions by preferably an angle of inclination 73 inclined by about 1.2 degrees. The canal height 75 between the longitudinal conveyors at the operating area 2 is preferably 0.55 cm. The canal height 76 between the longitudinal conveyors at the transfer area 4th is preferably 0.35 cm.

The total height 77 the plant growing device 1 in this exemplary embodiment is 280 cm with a total length 72 of 480 cm.

List of reference symbols

1

Plant growing device

2

Operating area

3

Growth area

4th

Transfer area

5

Operator

6th

Air conditioning unit

7th

Nutrient aggregate

8th

switch cabinet

9

Longitudinal conveyor (forward)

10

Longitudinal conveyor (backwards)

11

Conveyor belt 11 ', 11 "

12th

Plant bowl 12a

13th

plant

14th

Substrate

15th

Overflow opening

16

Arrow direction (forward)

17th

Direction of arrow (backwards)

18th

Direction of arrow

19th

Sewer

20th

Channel column a, b-g

21

Channel level a, b

22nd

Flap (removal)

23

Flap (task)

24

Pedestal

25th

Drive shaft (from 9 , 10 )

26th

Removal point

27

Drive belt for traction drive

28

free

29

Load handling equipment

30th

Transfer unit

31

X direction (carriage)

32

Y direction (stroke direction)

33

Z-direction (coupling device)

34

upper horizontal guide post

35

Horizontal guide on the back

36

Base frame

37

Lifting drive (Y-axis)

38

Drive belt for lifting drive

39

Travel drive (X-axis)

40

Coupling unit (at 29 )

41

vertical guide support

42

Belt drive (for 40 )

43

support

44

Drive coupling (on 29 )

45

Spring (for 44 )

46

Compensating coupling

47

Drive motor (for 40 )

48

Linear unit (for feed of 40 )

49

Pulley

50

Thrust cycle

51

Wing

52

Coupling cone

53

Side access door (from 4th )

54

rest time

55

Drive belt for traction drive

56

Coupling unit on the matching channel conveyor

57

Drive (for conveyor on 29 )

58

Cheek profile

59

Drip tray with drain on both sides

60

LED lighting unit

61

Nutrient supply

62

Task (from 12th )

63

Position (in 3rd )

64

Light beam (from 60 )

65

Slide (horizontal)

66

Slide (vertical)

67

Roofline

68

horizontal

69

partition wall

70

Expiring (from 9 , 10 )

71

Bottom line

72

overall length

73

Inclination angle

74

distance

75

height

76

height

77

Total height

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 10343804 A1 [0002, 0008, 0042]
• EP 3338537 A1 [0006]
• US 10034435 B2 [0007]

Claims (18)

Method for growing and treating plants in an air-conditioned plant cultivation device (1), in which a number of plant trays (12, 12a) equipped with plants (13), in particular with seeds, seedlings or saplings, are supported by at least one longitudinal conveyor (9, 10 ) are conveyed in an approximate circuit from an operating area (2), starting along a growth area (3), back to the operating area (2), characterized in that a plurality of longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) are arranged in the plant cultivation device (1), that The plant trays (12, 12a) are conveyed in that a transfer unit (30) is arranged at the outlet end of the longitudinal conveyor (9) conveying in one direction (16), which transfers the plant trays (12, 12a) from one to the other Direction (16) removes conveying longitudinal conveyor (9) and transfers it to a longitudinal conveyor (10) conveying in the opposite direction (17), which conveys the plant tray (12, 12a) back to the operating area (2). Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) are cyclically driven and each convey the plant trays (12, 12a) by approximately a conveying length corresponding to the shorter length of the plant trays (12, 12a) in the pushing cycle (50). Procedure according to Claim 2 , characterized in that rest periods (54) are arranged between the cyclical conveyance of the plant trays (12, 12a). Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd , characterized in that the longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) are driven independently of one another. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that only one longitudinal conveyor (9, 10) is driven alternately. Device for growing and treating plants in an air-conditioned plant cultivation device (1), in which a number of plant trays (12, 12a) equipped with plants (13) from at least one longitudinal conveyor (9, 10) in an approximate circuit of an operating area (2) starting along a growth area (3) are conveyed back to the operating area (2), characterized in that a plurality of longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) are arranged in the plant cultivation device (1) so that the plant trays (12, 12a ) is carried out in that a transfer unit (30) is arranged at the outlet end of the longitudinal conveyor (9) conveying in one direction (16), which transfers the plant tray (12, 12a) from the one longitudinal conveyor (9) conveying in one direction (16) ) removes and transfers to a longitudinal conveyor (10) conveying in the opposite direction (17) which conveys the plant tray (12, 12a) back to the operating area (2). Device according to Claim 6 to carry out the procedure according to at least one of the Claims 1 to 3rd , characterized in that the longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) driven in opposite directions each form a conveyor channel (11, 11 ', 11 ") which widens in a wedge shape from the operating area (2) to the transfer area (4). Device according to Claim 6 or 7th , characterized in that at least the longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) of one conveying direction are parallel to one another. Device according to one of the Claims 6 to 8th , characterized in that the longitudinal conveyor (9, 10) in each case has a gradient greater than or equal to 0% in the conveying direction and that this also results in increasing channel heights (75) within a channel in the conveying direction, which increases the growth of the plants during the transport and back). Device according to one of the Claims 6 to 9 , characterized in that the transfer unit (30) arranged at the outlet end (70) of the longitudinal conveyor (9) conveying in the forward direction or at the inlet end of the longitudinal conveyor (10) conveying in the reverse direction is used as a load receiving means (31, 32) driven in the X, Y direction ( 29) is formed. Device according to Claim 10 , characterized in that the load handling device (29) is designed as an XY slide and / or as an articulated arm robot. Device according to one of the Claims 6 to 9 , characterized in that the transfer unit is arranged as a fixed between the outlet end of one longitudinal conveyor (9) and the inlet end of the other longitudinal conveyor (10) and is designed as an approximately U-shaped conveyor unit pointing in the vertical direction. Device according to one of the Claims 6 to 12th , characterized in that the transfer unit (30) arranged at the outlet end (70) of the longitudinal conveyor (9) conveying in the forward direction or at the inlet end of the longitudinal conveyor (10) conveying in the reverse direction is a permanently assigned conveyor connection - hereinafter also referred to as load handling means - in each case two longitudinal conveyors (9 and 10) is formed. Device according to one of the Claims 6 to 13th , characterized in that the Longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) are passively driven and that at least one longitudinal conveyor (9, 10) is driven by a coupling unit (40) on the load handling device (29) in the transfer area (4), which is displaceably driven in the Z direction (33). Device according to one of the Claims 6 to 14th , characterized in that the operating unit (2) is sealed off from the growth area (3) and that the growth area (3) is sealed off from the transfer area (4). Device according to one of the Claims 6 to 15th , characterized in that the control unit (2) has access to the growth area (3) via flaps (22, 23) which can be opened and closed. Device according to one of the Claims 6 to 16 , characterized in that the longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) are arranged in columns and rows in the manner of a matrix Device according to one of the Claims 6 to 17th , characterized in that it is arranged in a mobile container.

Images