GB2074433A

GB2074433A - Seedling trays

Info

Publication number: GB2074433A
Application number: GB8013686A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Trondex Ltd
Current assignee: Trondex Ltd
Priority date: 1980-04-25
Filing date: 1980-04-25
Publication date: 1981-11-04
Also published as: GB2074433B

Abstract

A tray for seedlings or plant pots comprises a plurality of apertures 1 extending from the upper surface 3 of the tray, and means are provided on the upper surface, for example sloping channels 8 to direct water applied thereto into the channels. The apertures preferably have walls inwardly tapering to an open bottom, with channels formed 11 in the bottom surface 5 of the tray to perm it watering of the apertures from below. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Seedling trays This invention relates to seedling trays.

Such trays are known which have a plurality of apertures extending completely through the tray into which apertures a growing medium is placed, compacted and seeded. The apertures taper from the top surface of the tray to permit easy removal of the medium and seedling by pushing the medium from beneath.

The present invention provides an improved tray having apertures adapted to receive and support expansible growing pellets orto receive and support plant pots for transportation and storage.

The upper surface of the tray of the invention is preferably provided with means for directing water from the upper surface into the apertures. Such means preferably comprises sloping channels formed in the upper tray surface. Alternatively the said means may comprise protruberances, for example of pyramid shape extending upwardly from the upper surface.

Preferably the bottom surface ofthetray has channels to permit watering of the pellets from beneath, for example using capillary matting.

A seedling tray in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the tray one half showing a view from above and the other half showing a view from below, Figure 2 is a section taken along line A-A of Figure land Figure 3 is a section taken along line B-B of Figure 1.

The illustrated tray is integrally moulded from suitable material such as expanded polystyrene and comprises a plurality of through-holes or apertures 1 which have a taper extending from a larger opening 2 on the top surface 3 to a smaller opening 4 on the bottom surface 5 of the tray. Although the apertures 1 are shown as of circular cross-section, they may have any desired cross-sectional shape.

The apertures 1 are designed to receive an expansible pellet 6 such as is currently manufactured under the trade name "Jiffy". Such a pellet is made of peat mixed with other constituents, such as lime and trace elements, and is arranged to expand when water is added to it. Expansion of the pellet is controlled and the peat kept in a desired shape by an expanding net surrounding the pellet. Such pellets 6 can be located in their unexpanded states in the apertures 2 and located, as shown in broken lines in Figure 2 and 3, in such a manner as to be supported by the side wall 7 of each aperture. Thus, the tray can be used for propogating seedlings by inserting pellets in the respective apertures, planting seeds in the pellet and watering the pellets which then expand to fill the aperture 2.

Watering of the pellets is normally achieved by placing the tray on a bench beneath a spray of water.

However, the pellets 6 may be watered from beneath by placing the tray on capillary matting (not shown) in which case the bottom surface 6A of the pellet 6 is substantially co-planar with the bottom surface 5 of the tray.

The tray, with the expanded pellets, can be easily transported and when the seedlings are ready to be removed, the expanded pellet including its seeding can readily be pushed from its associated aperture for transplanting.

In order to facilitate watering, the top surface is provided with channels 8 which conveniently are diagonally orientated, each channel 8 extending between two diagonally adjacent apertures 1. As best shown in Figure 3, each channel has a substantially semicircular cross-section and slopes downwardly from a point 9 intermediate its ends so that water sprayed on to the upper surface 3 of the tray is directed by the channels 8 into the apertures 1, thus reducing the possibility of water collecting on the top surface of the tray.

Preferably, and as shown, the lower surface 5 of the tray is provided with channels 11 which assist in watering from beneath, such as by capillary matting.

As shown, the channels 11 extend parallel to the sides of the tray between longitudinally and transversely adjacent apertures 1, but they may be differently orientated.

It will be appreciated that the above-described tray provides a convenient and readily produced support for the "Jiffy" pellets and permit easy and efficient overhead watering, the water being directed to the apertures 1 by the channels 8. Furthermore, the tray can also be used for the transport of conventional plant pots which fit into the apertures 1. It is considered that in using the above-described tray it may not be necessary to support the pellets 6 in a surrounding net, since the pellets 6 may expand to the shape of the apertures 1 in the absence of such net.

Many modifications are possible. For example, the orientation of the channels 8 can be chosen to suit particular needs and may, for example, be parallel to the sides of the tray. Furthermore, the crosssectional shape of the channels 8 and 11 may be chosen as desired.

Although the tray is illustrated with channels 8 for directing the water into the apertures 2, other means for directing the water may be used. For example, raised positions, or protruberances, for example of pyramid shape, may be provided between the apertures, to prevent water collecting on the top surface and to direct it to the apertures. The channels 8 are however presently preferred since they do not add to the overall depth of the tray and do not affect the ease of stacking of the trays.

1. A tray for seedlings or plant pots which comprises a body member formed with a plurality of apertures therein, each extending from the upper surface of the tray to a hole in the bottom of the tray, for receiving growing medium or plant pot therein,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Seedling trays This invention relates to seedling trays. Such trays are known which have a plurality of apertures extending completely through the tray into which apertures a growing medium is placed, compacted and seeded. The apertures taper from the top surface of the tray to permit easy removal of the medium and seedling by pushing the medium from beneath. The present invention provides an improved tray having apertures adapted to receive and support expansible growing pellets orto receive and support plant pots for transportation and storage. The upper surface of the tray of the invention is preferably provided with means for directing water from the upper surface into the apertures. Such means preferably comprises sloping channels formed in the upper tray surface. Alternatively the said means may comprise protruberances, for example of pyramid shape extending upwardly from the upper surface. Preferably the bottom surface ofthetray has channels to permit watering of the pellets from beneath, for example using capillary matting. A seedling tray in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the tray one half showing a view from above and the other half showing a view from below, Figure 2 is a section taken along line A-A of Figure land Figure 3 is a section taken along line B-B of Figure 1. The illustrated tray is integrally moulded from suitable material such as expanded polystyrene and comprises a plurality of through-holes or apertures 1 which have a taper extending from a larger opening 2 on the top surface 3 to a smaller opening 4 on the bottom surface 5 of the tray. Although the apertures 1 are shown as of circular cross-section, they may have any desired cross-sectional shape. The apertures 1 are designed to receive an expansible pellet 6 such as is currently manufactured under the trade name "Jiffy". Such a pellet is made of peat mixed with other constituents, such as lime and trace elements, and is arranged to expand when water is added to it. Expansion of the pellet is controlled and the peat kept in a desired shape by an expanding net surrounding the pellet. Such pellets 6 can be located in their unexpanded states in the apertures 2 and located, as shown in broken lines in Figure 2 and 3, in such a manner as to be supported by the side wall 7 of each aperture. Thus, the tray can be used for propogating seedlings by inserting pellets in the respective apertures, planting seeds in the pellet and watering the pellets which then expand to fill the aperture 2. Watering of the pellets is normally achieved by placing the tray on a bench beneath a spray of water. However, the pellets 6 may be watered from beneath by placing the tray on capillary matting (not shown) in which case the bottom surface 6A of the pellet 6 is substantially co-planar with the bottom surface 5 of the tray. The tray, with the expanded pellets, can be easily transported and when the seedlings are ready to be removed, the expanded pellet including its seeding can readily be pushed from its associated aperture for transplanting. In order to facilitate watering, the top surface is provided with channels 8 which conveniently are diagonally orientated, each channel 8 extending between two diagonally adjacent apertures 1. As best shown in Figure 3, each channel has a substantially semicircular cross-section and slopes downwardly from a point 9 intermediate its ends so that water sprayed on to the upper surface 3 of the tray is directed by the channels 8 into the apertures 1, thus reducing the possibility of water collecting on the top surface of the tray. Preferably, and as shown, the lower surface 5 of the tray is provided with channels 11 which assist in watering from beneath, such as by capillary matting. As shown, the channels 11 extend parallel to the sides of the tray between longitudinally and transversely adjacent apertures 1, but they may be differently orientated. It will be appreciated that the above-described tray provides a convenient and readily produced support for the "Jiffy" pellets and permit easy and efficient overhead watering, the water being directed to the apertures 1 by the channels 8. Furthermore, the tray can also be used for the transport of conventional plant pots which fit into the apertures 1. It is considered that in using the above-described tray it may not be necessary to support the pellets 6 in a surrounding net, since the pellets 6 may expand to the shape of the apertures 1 in the absence of such net. Many modifications are possible. For example, the orientation of the channels 8 can be chosen to suit particular needs and may, for example, be parallel to the sides of the tray. Furthermore, the crosssectional shape of the channels 8 and 11 may be chosen as desired. Although the tray is illustrated with channels 8 for directing the water into the apertures 2, other means for directing the water may be used. For example, raised positions, or protruberances, for example of pyramid shape, may be provided between the apertures, to prevent water collecting on the top surface and to direct it to the apertures. The channels 8 are however presently preferred since they do not add to the overall depth of the tray and do not affect the ease of stacking of the trays. CLAIMS

1. A tray for seedlings or plant pots which comprises a body member formed with a plurality of apertures therein, each extending from the upper surface of the tray to a hole in the bottom of the tray, for receiving growing medium or plant pot therein, wherein the upper surface of the tray includes means for directing water applied thereto into the apertures.

2. Atray according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the tray comprises a plurality of channels which slope into the apertures.

3. A tray according to claim 2, wherein atthe upper surfaces of the tray the apertures are circular and the channels are radially disposed.

4. A tray according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the tray comprises protuberances upstanding from the surface and arranged to direct water incident thereon into the apertures.

5. A tray according to claim 1, 2,3 or 4, wherein each aperture tapers inwardly from the upper surface of the tray.

6. A tray according to claim 5, wherein the apertures have an open bottom.

7. A tray according to any preceding claim which also includes channels in the bottom surface thereof to permit watering of the apertures from beneath.

8. A tray according to any preceding claim which is a rigid one-piece plastics moulding.

9. A tray according to claim 8, which is made of expanded polystyrene.

10. A tray according to claim 5, wherein each aperature is arranged to receive therein an expansible growing pellet supported in the aperture by engagement with the side walls of the aperture.

11. A tray for seedlings or plant pots, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.