GB2107239A

GB2107239A - Preparing compost beds

Info

Publication number: GB2107239A
Application number: GB08131057A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Robert Burrow Deakin
Original assignee: HAYMES FARM PRODUCE Ltd
Current assignee: HAYMES FARM PRODUCE Ltd
Priority date: 1981-10-14
Filing date: 1981-10-14
Publication date: 1983-04-27

Abstract

A method for preparing a compost bed, particularly for growing mushrooms, comprises delivering a charge of compost into a first area 12 of an elongate compression chamber 10, applying a transverse compressive force to the compost within said first area, by means of a vertically movable member 18, so as to form a compressed block of compost, displacing the block of compost longitudinally of the compression chamber from said first area 12 thereof into a second area 22 thereof and applying a longitudinal compressive force to the compost in said second area by means of a ram 15 and repeating the steps with successive charges of compost delivered into the compression chamber so as to build up an elongate block of highly compressed compost. The end of the chamber 10 may be closed by a removable wall to permit formation of discrete blocks therein. Alternatively, a continuous compost bed may be extruded from the end of the chamber 10 which in this case is open. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to the preparation of compost beds The invention relates to the preparation of compost beds, and in particular to the preparation of beds suitable for growing mushrooms.

Commercially produced mushrooms are normally grown on beds of compost, which may be from about seven to nine inches in depth, the upper surface of the compost being covered with a 12 inch thick casing layer, usually of peat and calcium carbonate. In the conventional process for producing such compost beds, the compost is initially loaded into rectangular boxes which may be, for example, seven feet long, four feet wide and seven to nine inches in depth. The boxes are filled with a mound of compost to a height of perhaps two to two and a half feet and the mound is then pressed level by means of an hydraulic ram actuating a large platen which extends over substantially the whole surface area of each box.

Due to the unevenness of the original fill of compost, and the difficulty of applying sufficient pressure over so large an area, the resulting upper surface of the compost is often very uneven. Consequently, when the abovementioned layer of peat and limestone is applied to the surface of the compost, the depth of the layer tends to vary from the optimum depth of 1 2 inches by as much as 2 to 4 of an inch.

It is found that achievement of a uniform growth of mushroom mycelium through the peat and limestone layer depends on the layer being of constant thickness. However, due to the abovementioned variation in depth, it is very common for there to be uneven mushroom growth and consequently loss of potential crop. Furthermore, the production of mushrooms in compost is directly related to the density of the compost and, using the conventional method described above, it is difficult to compress the compost to the maximum possible density.

The present invention sets out to provide a method and apparatus for preparing a compost bed which may overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages. Although the method and apparatus are particularly applicable to the preparation of a compost bed for growing mushrooms, it will be appreciated that such beds may also have other horticultural uses.

According to the invention a method of preparing a compost bed comprises delivering a charge of compost into a first area of an elongate compression chamber, applying a transverse compressive force to the compost within said first area so as to form a compressed block of compost, displacing the block of compost longitudinally of the compression chamber, from said first area thereof into a second area thereof, applying a longitudinal compressive force to the compost in said second area, and repeating the steps with successive charges of compost delivered into the compression chamber.

The method according to the invention therefore produces, in the second area of the compression chamber, a compressed block of compost the shape of which may be determined by the internal shape of the compression chamber. Thus, if the compression chamber is rectangular in cross-section the longitudinal compression of the compost within the chamber will produce a rectangular elongate block of highly compressed compost, the upper surface of which is level and is therefore eminently suitable for the even application of the above-mentioned 12 inch layer of peat and limestone.

Each charge of compost may comprise a number of smaller amounts of compost which are delivered to said first area of the compression chamber in succession, a transverse compressive force also being applied to the compost in said first area between said successive amounts of compost. In effect, therefore, the successive amounts of compost are "tamped down" in the compression chamber so that the first area of the compression chamber may be completely filled before the longitudinal compressive force is applied to the compost to displace it into the second area of the compression chamber.

The compost may be restrained against longitudinal movement when in said second area of the compression chamber so as to increase the longitudinal compressive force applied thereto.

The compressed charges of compost may be retained in the second area of the compression chamber until a desired total quantity of compressed compost is reached, whereafter the block of compressed compost is removed from the compression chamber. For example, the compost may be urged by the longitudinal compressive force against a transverse wall bounding the second area of the compression chamber. Said wall may be displaceable or removable to permit removal of the compressed block of compost longitudinally from the compression chamber after a desired number of compressive cycles.

Alternatively the compressed compost may be continuously displaced from the compression chamber as it is compressed in the second area thereof. Thus, the compost may be restrained against longitudinal movement when in said second area of the compression chamber by being urged by the longitudinal compressive force against a restricted outlet from the compression chamber, whereby the compost is compressed as it is forced through said outlet. For example, the outlet may comprise a gap between parallel rollers or between a roller and a fixed surface.

The invention includes within its scope apparatus for preparing a compost bed comprising an elongate compression chamber having first and second areas, means for delivering a charge of compost into the first area, means for applying a transverse compressive force to the compost within said first area so as to form a compressed block of compost, means for displacing the block of compost longitudinally of the compression chamber, from said first area thereof into a second area thereof, and means for applying a longitudinal compressive force to the compost in said second area.

Preferably the compression chamber is substantially rectangular in cross-section. The means for delivering a charge of compost into the first part of the compression chamber may comprise an open-topped hopper the lower end of which communicates with an inlet opening into said first area of the compression chamber.

The means for applying a transverse compressive force to the compost may comprise a movable platen which is moved by power means transversely of an opening in a wall, preferably an upper wall, of the compression chamber.

The means for displacing the block of compost from the first area to the second area of the compression chamber, and for applying the longitudinal compressive force to the compost, may comprise a piston disposed within the compression chamber so as to extend across substantially the whole area of cross-section thereof, power means being provided for moving the piston longitudinally of the compression chamber.

In each case the power means preferably comprise one or more fluid-energised rams.

The following is a more detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of apparatus for forming a compost bed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic vertical section through the apparatus showing the loading of a charge of compost, and Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2 showing the apparatus in a condition where the longitudinal compressive force is about to be applied.

The apparatus comprises an elongate compression chamber 10, the generally rectangular cross-section of which corresponds to the required cross-sectional shape of the compost bed to be formed. The compression chamber 10 is formed in its upper wall with an elongate aperture 11 which extends across the entire width of the compression chamber and opens into a first area 12 of the compression chamber.

Disposed within the compression chamber to one side of the first area 12 is a rectangular piston 13 which is slideable longitudinally of the compression chamber and is mounted on the end of the piston rod 14 of an hydraulic ram 1 5, the cylinder 1 6 of which is mounted on the end of the compression chamber so as to extend axially thereof.

The aperture 11 in the upper wall of the compression chamber is disposed at the lower end of a downwardly tapered hopper 1 7. An elongate loading head 1 8 of dimensions equal to the dimensions of the aperture 11 extends across and within the hopper 17, and the opposite ends of the head 1 8 are slideable up and down in vertical guides 1 9 mounted on the side walls of the hopper 17. The loading head 18 is moved up and down by hydraulic rams 20 mounted vertically at opposite sides of the hopper 17. The loading head 18 may pass through the aperture 11 so as to compress compost within the area 12 of the compression chamber.

In use, the loading head 1 8 is raised to the loading position shown in Figure 2, by retraction of the rams 20, so that compost 21 loaded into the hopper 1 7 falls into the first area 12 of the compression chamber. Quantities of compost fed successively into the area 12 are tamped downwardly by downward vertical movement of the loading head 1 8 at intervals until the area 12 is filled with a compressed block of compost.

Normally, four or five tamping movements of the loading head will be sufficient. When this stage is reached the loading head 18 is locked in the position shown in Figure 3 where it closes the aperture 11.

The ram 1 5 is then extended from the position shown in Figure 2 so as to displace the block of compost from the area 1 2 and move it longitudinally into a second area 22 of the compression chamber. The block of compost is also compressed longitudinally during this longitudinal movement. The loading process is then repeated to form a second block of compost in the first area 1 2 which second block is then displaced longitudinally by the ram 1 5. Eventually the first block of compost will reach the closed end (not shown) of the area 22 of the compression chamber. Subsequent operation of the ram 1 6 will continue to compress the compost longitudinally in the compression chamber, the process being repeated until the required density of compost is achieved.

The closed end of the compression chamber is in the form of a displaceable or removable end wall, and when the required density of compost is achieved the end wall is removed or displaced so that continued operation of the ram 1 6 discharges the block of compost from the compression chamber. The block of compost will have a crosssection corresponding to the cross-section of the compression chamber and will have a flat upper surface suitable for the even application of a 17 inch casing layer of peat and limstone. If required the block of compost may be spawned, wrapped in polyethene and sold to mushroom growers ready for use.

The apparatus enables the compost to be compressed to any required density and densities approaching 60 pounds per cubic foot are attainable.

Instead of separate blocks of compressed compost being formed by the apparatus, the apparatus may be arranged to deliver virtually continuous beds of compost. In such an arrangement the closed end wall of the compression chamber may be replaced by a pair of spaced compression rollers, or by a roller disposed opposite a fixed surface so that as the ram 1 6 is extended compost is extruded longitudinally through the gap provided. The extruded compost may pass on to a nylon net which is winched along a shelf, giving a long uninterrupted bed of compost which is particularly suitable for mechanical harvesting of mushrooms.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a compost bed comprising delivering a charge of compost into a first area of an elongate compression chamber, applying a transverse compressive force to the compost within said first area so as to form a compressed block of compost, displacing the block of compost longitudinally of the compression chamber, from said first area thereof into a second area thereof, applying a longitudinal compressive force to the compost in said second area, and repeating the steps with successive charges of compost delivered into the compression chamber.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the compression chamber is rectangular in crosssection.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each charge of compost comprises a number of smaller amounts of compost which are delivered to said first area of the compressive chamber in succession, a transverse compressive force also being applied to the compost in said first area between said successive amounts of compost.

4. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the compost is restrained against longitudinal movement when in said second area of the compression chamber so as to increase the longitudinal compressive force applied thereto.

5. A method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the compressed charges of compost are retained in the second area of the compression chamber until a desired total quantity of compressed compost is reached, whereafter the block of compressed compost is removed from the compression chamber.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the compost is urged by the longitudinal compressive force against a transverse wall bounding the second area of the compression chamber.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said wall is displaceabie or removable to permit removal of the compressed block of compost longitudinally from the compression chamber after a desired number of compressive cycles.

8. A method according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the compressed compost is continuously displaced from the compression chamber as it is compressed in the second area thereof.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the compost is restrained against longitudinal movement when in said second area of the compression chamber by being urged by the longitudinal compressive force against a restricted outlet from the compression chamber, whereby the compost is compressed as it is forced through said outlet.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the outlet comprises a gap between parallel rollers or between a roller and a fixed surface.

1 Apparatus for preparing a compost bed comprising an elongate compression chamber having first and second areas, means for delivering a charge of compost into the first area, means for applying a transverse compressive force to the compost within said first area so as to form a compressed block of compost, means for displacing the block of compost longitudinally of the compression chamber, from said first area thereof into a second area thereof, and means for applying a longitudinal compressive force to the compost in said second area.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the compression chamber is substantially rectangular in cross-section.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the means for delivering a charge of compost into the first part of the compression chamber comprise an open-topped hopper the lower end of which communicates with an inlet opening into said first area of the compression chamber.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the means for applying a transverse compressive force to the compost comprise a movable platen which is moved by power means transverseiy of an opening in a wall of the compression chamber.

1 5. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the means for displacing the block of compost from the first area to the second area of the compression chamber, and for applying the longitudinal compressive force to the compost, comprise a piston disposed within the compression chamber so as to extend across substantially the whole area of cross-section thereof, power means being provided for moving the piston longitudinally of the compression chamber.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the power means comprise one or more fluidenergised rams.

1 7. A method of preparing a compost bed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 8. Apparatus for preparing a compost bed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.