GB1302613A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1302613 Treating plants R L WARE 19 Feb 1970 8031/70 Heading A1E [Also in Division B8] Apparatus for continuously moving plants e.g. in a greenhouse comprises a pair of hollow upright members 1, 101 which support two pairs of rotatable guide wheels 6, 106 and 7, 107 for flexible endless conveyors 5, 105 on which are hingedly mounted plant-holding trays 13 by means of brackets 108 and arms 114. The conveyors are driven by a drive means 9 through a shaft 11. A bank of illuminating tubes 31, mounted between members 1, 101, provide illumination for the plants, the tubes being connected through sockets 32 to the mains through ballasts 41 positioned in the members 1, 101, each tube 31 being connected between the first side i.e. on input or output side of a ballast 41 at one of the upright members and the second side of another ballast at the other upright member. If desired segments of the bank of illuminating tubes may be selectively energised to provide varying illumination, and in order to overcome excessive heating of the greenhouse interior an exhaust fan 54 draws air through openings 153 adjacent the tube ends, to an exhaust conduit 56 which may be connected to the air circulating system of a building. Selective irrigation of the trays is possible by means of nozzles on a header which is actuated when a tray is in its lowermost position. The members 1, 101 support enclosure members 21, 121 and a top member 22 while members 23, 24 are connected to members 21, 121. Inner surfaces of the support members 1, 101, may be reflecting surfaces while at least one of the outer enclosure members may be transparent.