NL2008573C2 - SYSTEM FOR GROWING PLANT MATERIAL. - Google Patents

Description

SYSTEM FOR GROWING PLANT MATERIAL

The present invention relates to a system for growing plant material. Many systems are known. The 5 known systems all fall short when it comes to a high degree of automation.

The present invention has for its object to provide a further improvement with regard to a further increase in the degree of automation to be achieved. In addition, goals resulting therefrom can be achieved, such as temperature control, humidity control, watering, preventing the spread of germs, and promoting growth of the plant material in general.

To this end, according to the present invention, a system is provided that is distinguished by the combination of measures of at least one holder with at least one bottom and side walls, which define a space for receiving therein the plant material and optionally a substrate; a storage with at least one carrier for selectively accommodating the container; and at least one conveyor for moving the container to and from the storage carrier. The container can be transported with the plant material therein with the aid of the conveyor and thus the desired degree of automation can be achieved, because in this way the container can be placed in the storage with the conveyor for a longer or longer period of time and can also be taken out again .

The present invention can be implemented in many preferred embodiments, some of which are defined in the dependent claims, to which the present invention is by no means limited.

In a possible embodiment, the system according to the invention has the properties that the holder comprises a lid with a side facing the space and an outward facing side. The plant material can thus be transported in the holder and be protected from germs for at least a time in storage by means of the cover.

This can be further optimized by creating a degree of overpressure in the container relative to its environment, for example in that the storage comprises a compressed air line system with at least one connection for a quick coupling and the container the quick coupling. The coupling of the quick coupling and the connection is preferably effected simultaneously with placement of the holder by the conveyor in the storage or on or on the carrier. The system can otherwise be placed entirely in a cabin, which can also be kept under an overpressure with respect to its environment. Pressure in the container will then preferably be higher than that in the cabin to maintain an overpressure in the container relative to its environment, and thus to keep a flow of air, gas or otherwise from the container going. With an overpressure in the container relative to its immediate environment, the penetration of germs can be prevented and / or germs in the container can be expelled therefrom. Pesticides in supplied air flows can serve to ward off germs, fungi, rot and other controllable phenomena. When such a compressed air line system is at least connectable to a source of CO2 gas or other nutrients and / or pesticides, it is possible to administer additional nutrients and / or pesticides to the plant material via an air flow or a flow of CO2.

3

An embodiment with a cover for the holder and a compressed air line system can further have the feature that on the side facing the space, the cover comprises a line to be connected at least to the quick coupling with at least two outflow openings spread along the line. Compressed air supplied can thus be spread evenly over the interior of the container. In an embodiment where CO2 or other nutrients or pesticides are or are added to the compressed air 10, plants (or other plant material) are administered more evenly than when a single blow-in opening for the compressed air is provided (which, incidentally, is not excluded as a possible embodiment of the compressed air). invention). In addition or as an alternative, it is possible for a single pipe-less container to be provided on the cover and the container or cover to be connected at least two locations to the periphery thereof with the compressed-air line system for direct pressure along the interior of the holder.

In a possible embodiment, the system according to the invention has the properties that the carrier comprises at least one basin, the storage comprises at least one water supply and a water drain to and from the basin and the container in or at the bottom thereof at least one passage includes for passage of water from or to the tank. Water or any other liquid, whether or not with additional nutrients therein, can thus be carried to the interior of the container. It is also possible to add pesticides to prevent germs, fungi, rot and other controllable phenomena to the water. In an embodiment with a cover egg this does not have to be removed, and the threshold for germs remains, also during watering. The water level in the trough is preferably always so high that the passage remains completely submerged in water, so that no pathogens can penetrate there and into the interior of the container.

It may be advantageous here to provide a level control for adjusting a height of a water level in the tank. Thereby the functionality of an ebb-flood system can be provided, where a level of water in the interior of the container can be selectively increased or decreased via the passage (s) of or in the container in or at the bottom thereof. At a high level, substrate in the container in which plants grow can be saturated, and at a low level, water can be added to the roots and, moreover, the temperature thereof can also be influenced. It has been found that cooling of the roots of plants has a favorable effect on the development of plants, which can be controlled well with a level control. It is preferable if the water in the container at the lowest level thereof still completely closes the passage (s) in or near the bottom of the container. Any level between the low and high levels is also possible.

In a practical embodiment, the level control system can be designed with an at least height-adjustable overflow to the water drain. This is an elegant design and good, reliable and robust design.

In an embodiment with at least one water-containing container and a passage in the container, it may be advantageous if the container comprises uprights under the container or the container comprises feet, in order to keep the passage free for passage of water from or to the container .

In a possible embodiment, the system according to the invention has the properties that the carrier comprises an upstanding side along at least one edge thereof and the holder comprises a flange along or at least one edge of the side wall opposite the bottom. The flange thereby offers a possibility of engagement for the conveyor to engage the holder and to move it over the upright side. In this case, it can be favorable if the conveyor comprises an engagement which is adapted to act selectively on the flange and to lift the holder over the edge. In this case, it can be favorable if the flange comprises a flange and the engagement comprises a rod to be moved under the flange and behind the flange. As an alternative, fingers or teeth can be used to engage the holder at the said location. A rod has the advantage that it can be longer than the side of the holder with the flange and the flange. A chain drive can thus engage the rod at opposite ends of the rod and by moving the rod upwards against the flange, the holder can be taken along with the rod to be lifted. The holder can thus be moved over the upright side of the holder.

In a possible embodiment, the system according to the invention has the properties that the storage comprises at least two carriers arranged opposite each other and the conveyor is movable between them. In addition or as an alternative, the system according to the invention can have the feature that the storage comprises at least two carriers arranged above one another in a cabinet arrangement, the conveyor being movable along at least one side thereof. A very efficient use of space can thus be realized with one of the two measures, which is further increased in an embodiment with both measures.

In a possible embodiment, the system according to the invention has the properties that the conveyor 6 connects to at least one of a supply and a discharge for delivery, respectively. discharge of the container to or of storage. This allows a further improvement of the degree of automation to be achieved.

In a possible embodiment, the system according to the invention, with both the supply and the discharge, has the properties that an assembly of the conveyor, the supply and the discharge defines a substantially closed movement path for displacement of the holder. The origin and the final destination of the holder can thus be brought together, which leads to a very efficient use of space. Plant material can be planted in the holder at the place of origin of the holder (s), for which people or robots can be deployed. At the place of destination plants can be taken out of the holder, again automated by humans or with robots, to transfer the plants to a tray for several plants and / or pots for individual plants and / or other discharge possibilities.

In an embodiment with at least one of a feed and a drain, the system may further comprise: a processing station opposite the at least one of the feed and the drain for processing the plant material with respect to the plant material. 25 holder. A planting station can be arranged on the supply side and on the discharge side, plants can be transferred to other types of elements such as trays, pots and so on.

In an embodiment with the supply and discharge in a substantially closed motion path and the processing station, the system can further have the property that the processing station is located along the motion path. Holders can be taken from their path of movement 7 to the processing station so that the supply and discharge do not have to stop when the holder arrives at a processing station. In such an embodiment, the system can further have the property that the processing station has a side track with respect to the supply or resp. defines the drain. This means that the side-track itself can contain means of transport.

In a possible embodiment, the system according to the invention has the characteristics of a control 10 for at least the conveyor. The control can thus make the movements and movements of the holder run in a controlled manner. Even embodiments are conceivable in which the control can determine the position of each holder, for example with bar codes or RFID sensors, to take the correct holder from the storage, and / or to place a certain holder in an available free place in the storage. . It is also possible to keep track of a memory where the holder is, for example in storage, in order to achieve such an objective.

The present invention will be further elucidated below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawing. Reference numbers will be used for identical and similar components, elements and aspects, regardless of whether they belong to different embodiments. The embodiments shown in the drawings are in no way to be construed as limiting the present invention. These are merely examples of possible embodiments within the scope of the present invention, as defined in, in particular, single independent main claim No. 1.

In the drawing: 8

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in the direction of arrow II in FIG.

1; FIG. 3 schematically a detail of the system according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 another aspect of the system according to the present invention in more detail;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a part of the system 10 according to the present invention, according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 6, 7 and 8 show part of the operation of the system according to the present invention in various states;

FIG. 9 shows a partially cut-away view of a holder in a storage container shaped like water;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a conveyor for or in a system according to the present invention; FIG. 11 shows a part of the conveyor of FIG. 10 in more detail;

FIG. 12 shows a lift mechanism for the part of the conveyor of FIG. 10 shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 and 14 show the operation of the conveyor when picking up or putting away containers; and

FIG. 15-17 show views in various states of a mechanism for picking up or putting away containers in or out of storage.

Fig. 1 shows a system 1 according to the present invention. The system 1 comprises a storage 2 for storing containers 3 with plant material therein, such as seed to be grown into young plants. For this purpose, the optimum conditions are created in the storage in the 9 embodiment shown here per individual holder. Around the storage 2 a wall can be arranged with locks or doors for admitting a conveyor 4. A supply 5 extends to an end point of the freedom of movement of the conveyor 4, and a discharge 6 extends from another end point of the freedom of movement of the conveyor 4. Containers 3 supplied over the supply 5 can be picked up by the conveyor 4, which can then enter the storage 2.

To the left and right of the path of movement of the conveyor 4, racks 6 are placed with shelf-shaped or box-shaped carriers in order to be able to selectively place containers 3 on or in them.

The conveyor 4 is displaceable along a guide 7, which extends between end points outside the storage 2, with which the movement space of the conveyor 4 connects to the end of the supply 5 and the beginning of the discharge 6. The guide 7 is in fig. 2 is shown in the embodiment of a rail.

Back in Fig. 1, processing stations 8 are arranged in a transition area between the supply 5 and the discharge 6.

Employees can be arranged at the processing stations 8, who can process the plant material in the holders 3, or another automated processing takes place there. For example, the containers 3 can be filled with vegetable material in one of the processing stations 8 or vegetable material can be taken out of the containers there.

Fig. 2 shows that the storage 2 comprises a frame 9, which bears a covering 10, as well as one of the two racks with shelves or trays arranged in the storage 2, about which further information follows below.

10

In Fig. 2 only one of the two rack boxes 11 is shown and the rack box arranged opposite it, on the other side with respect to the rail 7, has been omitted for the sake of clarity of the figure.

The storage 2 comprises a compressed air line system 12, which is shown schematically in itself in FIG. The compressed air line system 12 extends along carriers or trays of the rack box 11. The compressed air line system 12 comprises connections 14 to which (hereinafter described) quick coupling can be connected as part of holders 3, as soon as a tray 3 is mounted on a carrier or in a the storage bin is set using the conveyor 4.

Fig. 4 shows that the compressed air line system 12 extends along bins 13 of the storage 2, which bins 13 are an embodiment of carriers. The bins have raised edges to contain water. The trays 13 are also shown in FIG. The raised edges are designated with reference number 15. The holders comprise passages 16 or 20 holes in or near the bottom of the holders 3. Water in the trays 13 can flow into the holders 3, or precisely therefrom, through the passages 16 or holes.

When a container 3 is placed in one of the trays 13 by the conveyor 4, a connection is created to the compressed air line system 12 of Fig. 3, so that the interior of the containers 3 can be kept at overpressure with respect to the environment. In an embodiment in which the lining 10 or skin of the storage 2 forms a sufficient seal, the space in the storage 2 can also be kept at an overpressure with respect to its environment.

The rack box 11 further comprises, as shown in Fig. 4, a level control for adjusting a height 11 of a water level in the tank 13. This level control embraces, inter alia, height-adjustable overflows 17 for draining water from the boxes 13 when the water level is higher than a set position of the height-adjustable overflow 17. This is also shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 also shows that a water supply 18 is provided, with which water only needs to be fed into the upper trays 13 forming the carriers. Water can flow downwards alternately to the left and right to a bottom of the bins 13 up to a water drain 19 which connects to a reservoir tube 20. Water can be circulated in the reservoir tube 20 because the water supply 18 is connected to the reservoir tube 20. It is noted that this water system for keeping the carriers shaped as bins can be filled or can be replaced by a hose or pipe on the conveyor, precisely because it must nevertheless be considered capable of holding any container on or in the carriers. to reach, and there will also be able to fill the box-shaped carrier with water with the water hose or pipe as required.

Figs. 6-8 show how the position of the overflows 17 can determine the water level in each of the containers 13 and thus, via the passages 16, also in the interior of the containers 3. When, from the situation As shown in FIG. 6, the overflow 17 is raised, the water level in the relevant container 13 can rise, and thereby also in the interior of the container 3. In the condition shown in FIG. 6, the water level is so low that really only cooling of plant roots 30 is achieved, where there is hardly any wetting of a substrate. In the state of FIG. 7, the substrate can also be moistened, while in the even higher state of FIG. 8, complete saturation of the substrate (not shown) in the holder 3 can be achieved.

Fig. 9 schematically shows how a holder 3 can cooperate with the compressed air line system 12. For this purpose, a cover 19 is provided on the holder 3, with above it, for example, a light source for providing adequate light to the plant in the interior of the plant. holder 3. Under the cover 19 a line 20 is arranged, which is in open connection with the compressed air line system 12. To the compressed air supplied with the compressed air line system, for instance CO2 or any pesticide can be added to provide a nutrient for the plant material inside the container 3. By allowing CO2 or pesticide to flow from plants into container 3 from 15 different points, all plants in the interior of container 3 can optimally benefit from this nutrient or pesticide (the use of which can be corrected through good distribution). minimized). The conduit 20 can be arranged on the inside of the side walls 21 of the container 3 or on the underside of the lid 19. It may be preferable to arrange the conduit 20 on the underside of the lid 19, because access to the plant material in the interior of the holder 3 remains optimal when the cover is removed from the holder 3. Since both options are possible (conduit 20 against inner wall of container 3 or under cover 19), it has been left open how the quick coupling of the container 3 establishes an open connection with the compressed air duct system 12, but this is well within the normal of those skilled in the art, so that further description of the quick coupling is omitted here.

13

In Fig. 10, the conveyor 4 is shown in more detail and per se. The conveyor 4 comprises a frame 22, which can be moved over rail 7 in Fig. 10 in the direction of double arrow A. Arranged in the frame 22 is a gripper 23 which is movable up and down in the direction of double arrow B. The gripper 23 is movable up and down in the direction of double arrow B in the manner shown in fig. know with a cable frame. Two cables are mutually attached to each other with a coupling piece 24. A first end of the gripper 23 is attached to a first cable 25, while the other end of the gripper 23 is attached to the second cable 26. The cables 25.26 are wrapped in separate closed loops around turning wheels 27, wherein at least one of the turning wheels 27 is connected to a drive motor (not shown). By driving the respective turning wheel 27 with the aid of the motor (not shown), both cables 25, 26 start to move the gripper 23 up and down in the direction of double arrow B.

The gripper is shown in more detail in FIG. The gripper 23 comprises a number of chains 28, which are wrapped in circumferential loops about reversing wheels. Attached to the chains 28 are rods 29, which can move around with the chains 28 in the loop defined by each of the chains 28. Preferably, each chain 28 can be driven separately, perhaps with a single motor and a suitable transmission to each of the individual chains 28. The rods 29 serve to grip a holder and to take it out of a tray 13 at the position described below. manner to be described. The reverse movement 30 is of course also possible.

In Fig. 13 the gripper 23 is shown in side view, as well as a number of holders 3. From the positioning shown in Fig. 13, the gripper 23 is moved in the direction of 14 one of the holders 3 in the direction of arrow C, after to the desired height.

Each holder 3 has a flange 30 and a flange 31 at an angle with respect to the flange 30. The chains 28 of the gripper 23 are driven such that rods 29 end up in the space defined by the flange 30 and the flange 31. By further upward movement of the rods 29, the holder 3 can be lifted and pulled over the edges 15 of the trays 13. Upon reaching a fully received position of the holder 3 in the gripper 23, a second rod reaches a feeler arm 32, which is thereby pressed away. This puts the motor out of operation. Alternatively, a transmission between the motor and the chains 28 can be deactivated if the feeler arm 32 is touched by the second rod 29. The restoring of a holder 3 to the storage takes place in reverse order, which is made possible by the space defined by the flange 30 and the flange 31. Pulling or pushing with the rod 29 in this space makes no difference. The above-described sequence of engaging a holder 3 with a rod in the space defined by the flange 30 and the flange 31, removing a holder from a bin 13 of the storage and receiving the bin 13 in the gripper 23 is shown in the sequence of Figures 15-17. The sensor arm 32 is also shown in more detail here, which is connected to a switch to switch off the motor or to disable the transmission between the motor and the chains.

In the foregoing a specific embodiment of a system according to the present invention has been described, as also shown in the accompanying figures. However, the invention is not limited in itself to any of the specific embodiments, since the invention is defined in the appended claim, in particular the single main claim No. 1.

In the foregoing, reference has always been made to an ebb and flow system, which can be controlled with a supply and controllable overflows. It is noted here that the conveyor to be designed as a robot can be or be equipped with a hose or other (water) conduit to fill storage containers designed as required. Sensors can then, for example, be or be applied to measure the water level in the bin (s) and to control the robot to add water in a relevant bin. The configuration according to FIG. 5 expired.

In connection therewith, a control and other sensors can be or can be provided, for instance to measure CO 2 in a container and to increase or decrease the supply thereof via the pressure line system as required, and water level sensors can be placed in the tank (s) (carriers) ) or have been placed in the holder (s).

Temperature sensors can provide a control with measured temperatures, on the basis of which the water level can be adjusted, for instance to cool only the roots with a low water level in the container (s) or precisely to completely soak the container or at least substrate therein. with water, for which purpose moisture meters in connection with the substrate can also be contained in the container. Thus, it appears that embodiments of the present invention can contain all possible and conceivable sensors and controls without deviating from the scope of protection for the present invention, and that also applies to all kinds of possible and conceivable properties, elements and components, insofar as these are excluded in the definition of the scope of protection according to the appended 16 claims and in fact only the appended main claim.

Claims (21)

A system for growing plant material, comprising: 5. at least one holder with at least one bottom and side walls, which define a space for receiving therein the plant material and optionally a substrate; - a storage with at least one carrier for selectively accommodating the container; and 10. at least one conveyor for moving the container to and from the storage carrier. The system of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a lid with a space-facing side and an outward-facing side. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage comprises a compressed air line system with at least one connection for a quick coupling and the holder the quick coupling. 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the compressed air line system is at least connectable to a source of CO2 gas. The system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the compressed air line system is at least connectable to a source of pesticides. The system according to at least claims 2 and 3, wherein on the side facing the space, the cover comprises a pipe to be connected at least to the quick coupling with at least two outflow openings spread along the pipe. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier comprises at least one basin, the storage comprises at least one water supply and a water drain to and from the basin and the container in or at the bottom thereof comprises at least one passage for passage of water from or to the tank. 8. The system according to claim 7, further comprising a level control for setting a height of a water level in the basin. The system of claim 8, wherein the level control comprises at least one height-adjustable overflow to the water drain. 10. The system according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the bin comprises uprights under the holder or the holder comprises feet, to keep the passage free for water to be let from or to the bin. 11. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier comprises an upstanding side along at least one edge thereof and the holder comprises a flange along or at least one edge of the side wall opposite the bottom. 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the conveyor comprises an engagement, which is adapted to act selectively on the flange and to lift the holder over the side. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the flange comprises a flange and the engagement comprises a rod to be moved below the flange and behind the flange, at least one finger or at least one tooth. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage comprises at least two carriers arranged opposite each other and the conveyor is movable between them. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage comprises at least two carriers arranged one above the other in a cabinet arrangement, the conveyor being movable along at least one side thereof. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor connects to at least one of a supply and a discharge for delivery, respectively. discharge of the container to or of storage. 17. The system according to claim 16 with both the supply and the discharge, wherein an assembly of the conveyor, the supply and the discharge defines a substantially closed movement path for displacement of the holder. 18. The system according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising: a processing station opposite the at least one of the supply and the discharge relative to the storage for processing the container with respect to the plant material. The system of claims 17 and 18, wherein the processing station is located along the motion path. 20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the processing station has a side track with respect to the supply, resp. defines the drain. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control for at least the conveyor. 25