GB2025193A - Potting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A potting machine for potting plants in pots comprises a conveyor belt (1) for delivering compost from a hopper (8) to the bottom of an elevator (12). The elevator (12) lifts the compost and delivers it onto an upper conveyor belt (18) from which it is diverted by ploughs (36) into selected chutes (39). Pots are held beneath the chutes (39) to receive the compost delivered. Any compost on the belt (18) which is not receive in a pot falls back into the hopper (8) and is recycled. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Potting machine The present invention reiates to a potting machine, for example, for use in potting plants and the like in plant pots.

Potting machines are known which comprise a feed conveyor belt arranged to convey soil, compost or the like to an elevator. The elevator lifts the soil or compost and delivers itto a discharge outlet. The plant pots to be filled are arranged on a rotatable table mounted above the conveyor belt. The table is rotated in stepwise manner to bring the pots in turn beneath the discharge outlet of the elevator. The pots are thus filled with the soil or compost. Each filled pot is then moved by the table to a position beneath a drilling head and a bore is drilled in the soil into which a plant is inserted by hand.

The known machines have the disadvantage that surplus soil or compost falling from the discharge outlet of the elevator may cause blockages at the inlet to the elevator. In addition, as the plants are inserted into a bore in the soil or compost there is a tendency for the roots of the plant to be pushed "uphill" and this can stunt the growth or otherwise adversely effect the health of the plant. Furthermore, the amount of soil or compost fed to each pot can only be coarsely adjusted by adjusting the relative speeds of the feed conveyor belt and the elevator.

The known machines also have the disadvantage that, as the filled pots have to be moved under a fixed drilling head, the maximum size of the pots which can be filled and of the plants which can be potted by the known machine is limited and the known machines cannot be used for potting trees or other open ground plants.

The present invention seeks to provide a potting machine in which the disadvantages of the known potting machines are minimized. Particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a potting machine in which the risk of blockages from surplus soil or compost are minimized.

According to the present invention there is provided a potting machine comprising conveying means arranged to convey soil or compost around a closed circuit, the conveying means comprising a plurality of conveyors each arranged to deliver soil or compost to the succeeding conveyor in the direction of movement of the soil or compost around the closed circuit, wherein one of the conveyors is arranged to convey the soil or compost to one or more working positions.

It will be seen that as a closed circuit is provided for the soil or compost any surplus is recycled so that the risk of blockages is minimized.

In a presently preferred embodiment, the conveying means comprises a feed conveyor, an elevator succeeding the feed conveyor, and a further conveyor succeeding the elevator, the further conveyor being arranged to convey the soil or compost to one or more working positions and any surplus soil or compost back to the feed conveyor.

Preferably, diverting means are provided at selected working positions to divert soil or compost to one or more discharge outlets. A pot, bag, trough or the like would be positioned at the discharge outlet, either manually or mechanically, to be filled with the soil or compost. Thus, it can be ensured that the roots of plants potted by the machine are correctly positioned for optimum growth. In an embodiment, said further conveyor comprises a conveyor belt and the or each diverting means comprises a plough extending in a plane substantially at right angles to the surface of the conveyor belt. One edge of the plough contacts the surface of the conveyor belt.

Preferably the angle between the plane of the plough and the direction of movement of said conveyor belt is adjustable. In addition said one edge may be resiliently biased into contact with surface of the conveyor belt.

By varying the angle between the plough and the direction of movement of the conveyor belt it is possible to adjust the quantity of soil or compost diverted thereby. The quantity and rate of soil or compost diverted can also be controlled by varying the speeds of the feed conveyor, the elevator and the conveyor belt. In this way, an accurate control of the quantity and rate of the soil or compost diverted by the plough can be achieved.

The or each plough is preferably arranged to divert soil or compost into an associated substantially vertically arranged chute defining said discharge outlet at its lower end. The soil or compost thus falls through the chute under gravity. Preferably, means are associated with the or each chute to control the fall of soil or composttherethrough. For example, a baffle can be hingedly mounted within the chute for varying the rate at which the soil or compost can fall therethrough and/or for varying the direction in which the soil or compost is delivered from the discharge outlet.

It will be seen that both the quantity of soil or compost diverted to each chute and the rate of delivery or soil or compost to the discharge outlet can be controlled. It is therefore possible to supply predetermined quantities of soil or compost to containers positioned beneath the discharge outlet. In addition, the moveable baffle can be used to direct the soil or compost into a container positioned to one side of the discharge outlet so that there is no restriction on the height of the plants which can be potted using the machine.

The machine can be used with mechanical handling systems for the containers to fill each container with a predetermined quantity of soil or compost. In this case, the baffle within the chute can be arranged to shut off the discharge of soil or compost periodically to coincide with the removable of one container and the positioning of the next. Alternatively, or additionallythe mechanical handling system may be arranged to position each container beneath the discharge outlet for a predetermined time.

The baffle within the chute also enables the cross-sectional area of the stream of soil or compost being discharged to be controlled to be less than the cross-sectional area of the container being filled thereby so that the soil or compost is directed into the container.

When the machine is used to pot plants, a plant pot with a plant held therein is positioned relative to the discharge outlet at a working position to receive a predetermined quantity of soil or compost. By potting the plants in this manner it is ensured that the roots thereof are substantially downhill.

Preferably, a plurality of working positions are spaced along at least one side of the conveyor belt.

The chutes are arranged adjacent said one side of the belt. As the pots or other containers to be filled are positioned beneath the chutes, or to one side of the chutes, to the side of the conveyor belt there is no height restriction and trees and other open ground plants can be potted using the machine.

A machine of the invention can easily be provided with a conveyor belt of increased length with an increased number of working positions. Accordingly, the throughput of soil or compost which can be handled by the machine can be increased and the number of containers which can be filled thereby can be correspondingly increased. This is in contrast to the known machines which only have a single discharge outlet and are therefore only capable of filling a predetermined number of containers.

An embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows a side elevation, partly in section, of a potting machine of the present invention; FIGURE 2 shows a top plan view of the potting machine of Figure 1; and FIGURE 3 shows an end elevation of the potting machine taken in the direction of arrow A of Figure 1.

The potting machine illustrated in the drawings comprises a lower feed conveyor having an endless conveyor belt 1 arranged substantially horizontally and guided around spiral rollers 2 which are arranged to keep the belt 1 centred on the rollers 2 and which help to clean the underside of the belt 1.

Each spiral roller 2 is supported by a respective bearing 3 and adjustment of the belt tension is made possible by way of a threaded rod 4. The arrangement of the rollers 2, the bearings 3 and the rod 4 is known and will not be further described herein.

The upper working run of the conveyor belt 1 is arranged to slide over and be supported by a support plate 5 which is spaced from and fixed to a main frame 6 of the machine by way of brackets 7.

A hopper 8 which has a substantially truncated V-shaped cross section and is open at its top and base is supported on the frame 6 by way of frame members 9 such that its open base is spaced just above the upper working run of the conveyor belt 1.

At its inlet end the height of the hopper 8 is progressively reduced to provide an inlet 10 for soil or compost. It will be seen that, in the embodiment illustrated, the length of the hopper 8 including the inlet section 10 is substantially equal to the length of the working run of the conveyor belt 1. However, if required, the inlet section 10 can be dispensed with, or the working run of the conveyor belt 1 can be extended such that soil or compost can be deposited directly onto the conveyor belt 1.

A sheet 11 of wire mesh is stretched across the open top of the hopper 8.

The feed conveyor belt 1 is circumgyrated in the clockwise direction as seen in Figure 1 by way of drive means which are described in further detail hereinbelowto feed soil or compost to the inlet end of an elevator 12.

In known manner the elevator 12, which is inclined at an angle to the vertical, comprises a pair of spaced endless drive chains 16 each guided around a respective upper and lower sprocket wheel 13. Each of the lower sprocket wheels 13 is fixed on a lower rotatable drive shaft 14, whilst both the upper sprocket wheels 13 are fixed on an upper rotatable shaft 15. A plurality of slats 17 of substantially L-shaped cross section are bolted to the chains 16.

The slats 17, which are generally made of angle iron, are arranged so that they travel in the anticlockwise direction as seen in Figure 1 they liftthe soil or compost up the elevator 12. The elevator 12 is arranged to deposit soil or compost onto a top endless conveyor belt 18 which is arranged above the hopper 8 and extends substantially horizontally. The upper conveyor belt 18 is arranged to be guided, in a similar manner to lower conveyor belt 1, about spiral rollers 19 which are supported by bearings 20.

Adjustment of the tension of the conveyor belt 18 may be made by way of a threaded rod 21. The upper working run of the conveyor belt 18 is arranged to slide over and be supported by a support plate 22 spaced above and supported by a frame member 6' of the machine by way of brackets 23.

The machine is driven by an electric motor 24 which is coupled byway of a gearbox 25 and a coupling 26 to the drive shaft 14 of the elevator 12. The coupling 26 is arranged to rotate the drive shaft 14 and hence the elevator 12 in the anticlockwise direction as seen in Figure 1. The drive shaft 14 carries a drive disc 27 to which a drive rod 28 is attached. The drive rod 28 carries a pawl 29 arranged to engage with the teeth of a ratchet wheel 30. This ratchet wheel 30 is fixed on a shaft 31 which also carries the roller2 at the outlet end of the lower conveyor belt 1.

It will thus be seen that on rotation of the drive shaft 14 of the elevator 12 the conveyor belt 1 is circumgyrated in a stepwise manner in the clockwise direction as seen in Figure 1. As can be seen most clearly in Figure 1, the drive disc 27 is provided with three alternative positions for the attachment of the rod 28 that the relative speed of the elevator 12 and the lower conveyor belt 1 may be adjusted as required.

The upper shaft 15 of the elevator 12 carries a pulley 32 which is connected by way of vee belts 33 to a pulley 34 mounted on a shaft 35 supporting the roller 19 at the inlet end of the upper conveyor belt 18. It will thus be appreciated that upon rotation of the upper shaft 15 of the elevator the upper conveyor belt 18 will be circumgyrated in the anticlockwise direction as shown in Figure 1. As the drive for the upper conveyor belt 18 is taken directly from the elevator 12 the upper conveyor belt 18 travels at a speed which is set relative to that of the elevator. Of course, the relative speeds of the conveyor belt 18 and elevator 12 can be adjusted as required.

Soil or compost is removed from the top conveyor belt 18 at selected working positions. Each working position is defined by a substantially vertically extending chute 39 arranged adjacent a longitudinal extending side of the upper run of the conveyor belt 18. Each chute 39 is substantially U-shaped in cross-section and its open side is adjacent the side of the conveyor belt 18. An elongated vertical bore 38 is formed at each end of the open side of the chute 39.

A soil diverting device which, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises an adjustable plough 36, is associated with selected one of the chutes 39.

Each plough 36 comprises a substantially rectangular plate arranged substantially vertical so that the plane thereof is at right angles to the surface of the upper run of the conveyor belt 18. The plough 36 is carried on a support 37, for example an angle iron, which carries a post 40 at its end remote from the plough 36. This post 40 is mounted in one of the bores 38 of the selected chute 39 so that the plough 36 is hingedly mounted with respect to that chute 39.

A bar 41 provided with a plurality of holes 43 along its length has a post 42 at one end thereof. The post 42 of the bar 41 is mounted in the other bore 38 of the chute 39 so that the bar 41 is pivotable with respect to the chute 39. The support 37 of the plough 36 carries a projection 44 which is engaged in a selected one of the holes 43 of the bar 41 to thereby hold the plough 36 at a selected angle relative to the direction of movement of the upper conveyor belt 18.

The lower edge of the plough 36 is arranged to extend along the surface of the conveyor belt 18 in contact therewith. If required, spring means (not shown) may be provided to resiliently bias the lower edge of the plough 36 into contact with the surface of the belt 18.

It will thus be appreciated that each plough 36 will act to divert soil or compost on the surface of the conveyor belt 18 into its associated chute 39. The angle of the or each plough 36 relative to the longitudinal direction of movement of the belt 18 can be varied as required. It will be appreciated that adjustment of this angle varies the amount of soil or compost diverted into the chute 39 by the associated plough 36. Furthermore, the rate of soil or compost delivered to each chute 39 can be controlled by suitable adjustment of the speeds of the conveyor belts 1 and 18 and of the elevator 12. In addition, the rate of soil or compost delivered to each chute 39 can be adjusted by varying the length of the plough 36 mounted on the chute 39.

In the embodiment illustrated, the plough 36 spaced the furthest from the inlet end of the conveyor belt 18 is of sufficient length to extend completely across the conveyor belt 18. Accordingly, if no other plough is provided all of the compost on the belt 18 will be directed into its associated chute 39.

As can be seen most clearly from Figure 1, each chute 39 extends substantially vertically so that soil or compost can be delivered under gravity to the base of the chute. Each chute 39 has a substantially constant cross section and a baffle plate 45 is hing edly mounted on one end wall of the chute 39 so that it can be positioned in a selected inclined position.

The width of the baffle plate 45 is substantially equal to the width of the chute 39. It will be seen that the base of the chute 39 and the baffle plate 45 define a discharge outlet 46 the size of which can be selected as required. In addition, the baffle plate 45 can be mounted on either of the two end walls of the chute 39 in accordance with the requirements of an operator. The baffle plate 45 can be arranged to direct soil or compost into a container positioned beneath the chute 39 orto one side of the chute 39.

In use of the machine shown in the drawings the speeds of the conveyor belt 1, the elevator 12 and the conveyor belt 18 are chosen as required. Ploughs 36 of selected length are mounted at selected chutes 39 and the angle of each plough 36 relative to the longitudinal direction of movement of the belt 18 is set. The angle and direction of inclination of each baffle plate 45 within the chutes 39 is adjusted as required. Soil or compost is then placed into the hopper 8 and/or deposited directly onto the conveyor belt 1. The soil or compost will be deposited onto the conveyor belt 1 and delivered thereby to the inlet of the elevator 12. The soil or compost is then delivered by the elevator 12 to the inlet end of the upper conveyor belt 18. Predetermined quantities of soil or compost will then be diverted by each plough 36 to its associated chute 39.The soil or compost falls under gravity through the chute 39 and is delivered at the discharge outlet 46.

Plant pots, bags, troughs and the like to be filled with soil or compost are positioned by operators beneath or to the side of selected discharge outlets 46. If a pot or the like is not positioned to receive soil or compost from any outlet 46 the soil or compost falls into the hopper 8 and is recycled. Similarly, any soil or compost which is not diverted to a chute 39 will travel to the outlet end of the conveyor belt 18 from whence it will fall into the hopper 8. Preferably, when potting plants, a pot is held to receive the soil or compost, a plant being held within the pot. The soil or compost then fills the pot covering the roots of the plant. Alternatively, the pots can be filled to a predetermined level with soil or compost before the plant is placed in the pot so that the continuing fall of soil or compost covers the roots of the plant. Using either method, most of the roots of the plant are thus pushed "downhill" by the soil falling on them. When the pot has been filled it is removed from the discharge outlet.

It will be appreciated that, as the chutes 39 are arranged to the sides of the conveyor belt 18, there is no restriction on the height of the plants which can be potted by the machine. Where a tree or other tall plant is to be potted the baffle plate 45 is arranged to direct the soil or compost to the side of the chute.

The sheet 11 of the wire mesh provided overthe top of the hopper 8 can be used to provide a working platform forthe operators. The mesh allows the compost from the upper conveyor belt 18 to be returned to the hopper but prevents pots, plants or other objects falling into the hopper.

The machine of the invention can be adjusted so that predetermined quantities of soil or compost are delivered to each chute 39 at predetermined rates.

The machine is therefore suitable for use with mechanical handling systems for the pots to be filled and even for the plants. For example, it is possible to mechanically position each pot at a first working position to receive a predetermined quantity of soil or compost, to remove the pot and insert the plant, and then to position the pot either at a second position or at the first position to receive a further quantity of soil or compost.

As the or each plough 36 has its lower edge in contact with the surface of the conveyor belt 18 it performs a scraping action which keeps the surface of the conveyor belt 18 clean and therefore minimizes mechanical problems.

If required, the hopper 8 may be omitted and the soil or compost may be deposited onto the lower conveyor belt 1 by any suitable means, for example, from a barrow. Alternatively, a movable barrier (not shown) may be provided within the hopper 8 to control the quantity and/or rate of soil or compost deposited onto the conveyor belt 1.

The length of the working run of the upper conveyor belt 18 may be chosen as required to give the desired number of working positions. These working positions may be spaced along one or both sides of the conveyor belt 18. In some applications, it may be expedient to provide a working position at the discharge end of the conveyor belt either alone or in conjunction with other working positions along the sides thereof.

Claims (12)

1. A potting machine comprising conveying means arranged to convey soil or compost around a closed circuit, the conveying means comprising a plurality of conveyors each arranged to deliver soil or compost to the succeeding conveyor in the direction of movement of the soil or compost around the closed circuit, wherein one of the conveyors is arranged to convey the soil or compost to one or more working positions.

2. A potting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveying means comprises a feed conveyor, an elevator succeeding the feed conveyor, and a further conveyor succeeding the elevator, the further conveyor being arranged to convey the soil or compost to one or more working positions and any surplus soil or compost back to the feed conveyor.

3. A potting machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein diverting means are provided at selected working positions to divert soil or compost to one or more discharge outlets.

4. A potting machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said further conveyor comprises a conveyor belt and the or each diverting means comprises a plough extending in a plane substantially at right angles to the surface of said conveyor belt.

5. A potting machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein one edge of the plough contacts the surface of the conveyor belt.

6. A potting machine as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the angle between the plane of the plough and the direction of movement of the conveyor belt is adjustable.

7. A potting machine as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6, wherein a substantially vertically arranged chute is arranged at each working position, one of said discharge outlets being defined atthe lower end of each chute.

8. A potting machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein means are associated with each chute for controlling the fall of soil or compost through the chute.

9. A potting machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein said controlling means associated with each chute is a baffle plate hingedly mounted within the chute.

10. A potting machine as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein said further conveyor comprises a conveyor belt and said chutes are arranged adjacent at least one side of the conveyor belt, and wherein the or each diverting means comprises a plough in the form of a plate hingedly mounted on the associated chute, the plane of the plough being arranged substantially at right angles to the surface of the conveyor belt.

11. A potting machine as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising mechanical handling means arranged to position containers at the or at selected ones of the working positions to receive soil or compost.

12. A potting machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.