NL2020433B1 - Product holder assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Product holder assembly for a mobile cultivation of crops such as plants and potted plants, along at least one path in a hall, which 5 assembly comprises: — a product holder that is formed predominantly flat for supporting the plants, — supporting means arranged at the product holder to allow the product holder to be supported at a location along the path, 10 — engagement means arranged at the product holder to allow the product holder to be hold by a carrier and to be transported through the hall along a path in a manner that may or may not be automated, and — an aerating system arranged at the product holder to generate a flow of air into a space above the product holder of the product holder 15 assembly for a mobile cultivation of crops such as plants and potted plants.

Description

Patent center

Θ 2020433

(2?) Application number: 2020433 (22) Application submitted: 13 February 2018

Int. CL:

A01G 9/14 (2018.01) A01G 9/24 (2018.01) A01G 31/04 (2018.01) A01G 31/02 (2018.01) A01G 9/18 (2018.01)

0 Application registered: 0 Patent holder (s): August 20, 2019 LOGIQS B.V. in Maasdijk. 0 Request published: - 0 Inventor (s): Gerrit Johannes van Staalduinen in Maasdijk. 0 Patent granted: August 20, 2019 0 Authorized representative: 0 Patent issued: ir. W.J.J.M. Kempes in Hilversum. August 21, 2019

Ξ) Product holder assembly

57) Product holder assembly for a mobile cultivation of crops such as plants and potted plants, along at least one path in a hall, which assembly comprises:

- a product holder that is formed predominantly flat for supporting the plants,

- supporting means arranged at the product holder to allow the product holder to be supported at a location along the path,

- engagement means arranged at the product holder to allow the product holder to be hold by a carrier and to be transported through the hall along a path in a manner that may or may not be automated, and

- an aerating system arranged at the product holder to generate a flow of air into a space above the product holder of the product holder assembly for a mobile cultivation of crops such as plants and potted plants.

NL B1 2020433

This patent has been granted regardless of the attached result of the research into the state of the art and written opinion. The patent corresponds to the documents originally submitted.

Product holder assembly

The present invention relates to a product holder assembly for a mobile cultivation of crops such as plants and potted plants, along at least one path in a hall, which assembly comprises:

- a product holder that is formed predominantly flat for supporting the plants,

- supporting means arranged at the product holder to allow the product holder to be supported at a location along the path,

- engagement means arranged at the product holder to allow the product holder to be hold by a carrier and to be transported through the hall along a path in a manner that may or may not be automated.

Such a product holder assembly is known in the art and it is used for cultivation of crops and plants, typically in halls and in particular in breeding halls and green houses. During the process of cultivation, a variety of product holder assemblies are moved due to logistic optimization of the growth of plants in other product holder assemblies locating in the hall. Because some of the product holder assemblies are carrying plants which are ready for sales and transport to a market outside the hall, while other product holder assemblies are carrying plants which are just in the first phase of growing up. The cultivation of crops and plants takes place in mass production and therefor, grid systems are arranged to set as much plants relative to each other as possible.

In this field of expertise, the mobile cultivation of plants is associated with cultivation of plants in a hall in which the plants need to be transported a few times during the process of cultivation or growing until the plants may leave the hall for example for sales or for delivery to a customer. In such cultivation conditions, transport of the plants is to be alternated with stays of the plants which usually takes much longer than the time needed for transport. The mobile cultivation may alternatively be called moving cultivation, revolving cultivation, or rotating cultivation.

It is a problem of such a mobile cultivation that the plants suffer, during a relative longer stay in the hall, from conditions which are not ideal for the growth of the plants. The growth of plants depends, amoung others, on the quality of air around the plants, such as around the roots and around the leafs of the plants. For example, the humidity of air may influence the growth of bacteria at the plants causing a bad condition for the process of growing. In mobile cultivation systems in the state of the art, a solution for this problem is still not recognized. All in all, the growing process of the plants present on a product holder assembly in the hall for mobile cultivation is difficult to manage from a logistic point of view.

It is an object of the invention to alleviate this problem.

To this end, a product holder assembly according to the preamble is characterized in that an aerating system is arranged at the product holder, including the aerating system:

- an inlet means for connecting the aerating system with an external aerating supply arranged along the path for supplying a flow of air,

- a discharge means to allow the flow of air flowing towards a space above the product holder in which space the plants are to be located, and

- a passage extending from the inlet means to the discharge means for guiding air from the aerating supply towards the space above the product holder.

In this way, a flow of air may be generated into the space above the product holder of the product holder for a mobile cultivation of crops such as plants and potted plants. The flow of air generated may flow along the plants to provide a favorite climate to the plants for growing. Since the flow of air is generated via the air duct system, air properties of the flow of air along the plants is substantially similar to all the plants hold by the grid system.

Because of that, all the plants hold by the grid system are exposed to substantial similar growing conditions so that the speed of growing or the plants may be controlled. Besides, a constant flow of air, substantially distributed over the product holder assembly or even over a series or product holder assembling locating in the hall, is achieved to draw upward so as to prevent horizontal air streams in the hall which are experienced as wind. Moreover, the absence of horizontal air streams causes the plants to grow substantially upright rather than inclined or slightly inclined.

According to another embodiment, the product holder assembly is arranged to be positioned in a first vertical position relative to the path, in which first vertical position the inlet means is released from the external aerating supply, and the product holder assembly is arranged to be positioned in a second vertical postion relative to the path, the product holder assembly in the second vertical position being lower than the product holder assembly in the first vertical postion, in which second vertical position the inlet means is in connection with the external aerating supply so as to cause a fluid communication between the external aerating supply to the space above the assembly via the inlet means, the passage, and the discharge means when the product holder assembly is lowered by the carrier from the first vertical position to a second vertical position.

In this way, the product holder assembly becomes connectable to the external air supply system at any location in the hall at which the further air duct system provides the second connection means. The connection can be made by operation of the carrier when the carrier carrying the product holder assembly at its first vertical position relative to the path, lowers the product holder assembly from the first vertical position to the second vertical position achieving a fluid communication from the external aerating supply to the space above the assembly for causing a constant flow of air, substantially distributed over the product holder assembly or even over a series or product holder assemblies locating in the hall.

According to a favorite embodiment, the product holder is having a bottom and an upstanding circumferential wall extending from the bottom,

- a first space extends from the bottom of the product holder along the wall to allow a medium or substrate for roots of the plants to receive nutriments and / or support from,

- a grid system is arranged to be placed on the product holder to cover the first space in the product holder and to separate the first space from a second space adjacent to the grid system at a side of the grid system facing away from the first space , the grid system is arranged for holding a variety of separate plants, the roots of which to reach for the first space and the leafs or which to reach for the second space, in which the grid system is arranged to operate in conjunction with the aerating system comprising an air duct system at least formed by the passageway, wherein the air duct system is connectable with the aerating supply including an external air supply system to cause an overpressure in the air duct system relative to the second space, and regarding the grid system is adapted to direct a flow or air from the grid system into the second space along the plants.

In this way, a flow of air may be generated into the second space so as to flow along the plants based on the overpressure present in the air duct system. Since the flow of air is generated by the air duct system, which is arranged to be operated in conjunction with the grid system, air properties of the flow of air along the plants is substantially similar to all the plants hold by the grid system. Because of that, all the plants hold by the grid system are exposed to substantial similar growing conditions so that the speed of growing or the plants may be controlled.

According to another embodiment, the grid system is formed by a plate including a variety of first apertures, each of which being arranged for holding at least one plant, the variety of first apertures form a predetermined pattern of first apertures spaced apart according to predetermined distances.

Mutual distances of plants are calculated to achieve optimal growth of the plants at a minimum of costs, taking in account scarcely available room for cultivation, especially in a metropolis environment. To allow the plants locating at the product holder assembly according to the optimal growth condition, the first aperatures allow a flow of air towards the second space at least along the stem of the plant present in the grid system.

According to another embodiment, the air duct system is arranged in the first space of the product holder assembly.

In this way, a flow of air may be generated from the air supply system through the air duct system through the first space towards the second space causing the flow of air to interact with the climate present in the first space, such as an exchange of temperature, so as to achieve an optimal condition for the flow of air in the second space perfectly matching with the condition for the leafs of the plants.

According to another embodiment, the air duct system is locating on the bottom side of the first space.

In this way, the entire area in which the roots of the plants are reaching out is capable of being in fluid communication or the air supply system.

According to another embodiment, the air duct system is arranged on the side of the grid system facing the first space.

In this way, the air duct system present in the first space is easy to release from the product holder assembly and thus for example cleaning of the air duct system becomes easy as well.

According to another embodiment, the air duct system comprises a series of first outlet opening forming the discharge means arranged at lateral sides so as directly to the flow of air sideways along the side of the grid system facing the first space.

In this way, some air is capable of directly interacting with the roots of the plants locating in the first space.

According to another embodiment, the air duct system is arranged at the side of the grid system facing the second space and following the air duct system comprises a series of second outlet opening forming the discharge means arranged at lateral sides so as to direct the flow of air sideways along the side of the grid system facing the first space.

In this way, the air duct system present in the second space is easy to release from the product holder assembly and thus for example cleaning of the air duct system becomes easy as well.

According to another embodiment, the plate of the grid system comprises a variety of second apertures, each of which are arranged for passage of the flow of air guided by the air duct system.

In this way, the flow of air generated by the air supply system may be distributed above the grid system so as to cause a further flow of air flowing substantially transverse, such as, when the grid system is positioned in horizontal position, vertical or upward from the grid system in a constant composition causing an environment or climate which is constantly distributed and stable for the growing process of the plants or at least the leafs of the plants.

According to another embodiment, the air duct system is fixed to the side of the grid system facing away from the second space, the air duct system comprises a series of third outlet opening forming the discharge means arranged at top sides at locations corresponding to the second apertures arranged in the grid system so as to direct the flow or air upward through the grid system towards and into the second space.

In this way, the air duct system is easy to release from the product holder assembly and thus for example cleaning of the air duct system becomes easy as well.

According to another embodiment, the air duct system extends between the grid system and a further grid system arranged at the side of the grid system facing away from the second space, the further grid system is formed by a further plate including a multiple of further apertures corresponding to the first apertures, each of which being arranged for holding at least one plant.

In this way, the further grid system is positioned in the first space. As such, the air duct system is formed by means of the plate and the further plate, both of which allow simple releasing and cleaning thereof.

According to another embodiment, the air duct system is equipped with first connection means formed by the inlet means to cooperate with second connection means of the air supply system arranged along the path along which the product holder assembly has been moved.

In this way, the product holder assembly becomes connectable to the external air supply system at any location in the hall at which the further air duct system provides the second connection means.

According to another embodiment, the first connection means formed by at least one extending tube arranged to connect with the second connection means formed by a series of sealings protrudable by the least one tube when placed at a predetermined location along the path.

In this way, the air duct system is capable of being set in fluid communication with the further duct system including the external air supply system so as to provide a flow of air into the second space relative to the product holder assembly. As soon as the product holder assembly is positioned along the path at a predetermined location in which the first connection means is aligned with the second connection means, it may be lowered down while the air duct system is connected to the further air duct system by the downwardly extending tube penetrating a corresponding sealing of the second connection means provoking an immediate plug-in to the further air duct system for causing a flow of air towards the second space.

According to another embodiment, the grid system is a plate of metal and a side of the plate arranged to face the second space is polished, or considering the grid system is a plate which is a side of the grid system arranged to face the second space coated with a reflective layer.

In this way, light radiated on the leafs of the plants reaching out in the second space, is at least partly reflectable towards the leafs so that the speed of growing or the plants may increase.

According to another embodiment, the air supply system comprises an air supply controller to adjust the overpressure to be generated to either increase or decrease the speed of the flow or air along the plants hold by the grid system.

In this way, the condition of the plants hold by the grid system or the corresponding product holder assembly may be controlled. For example in case the plants hold by the grid system is behind schedule relative to other plants hold by another grid system present in the green house, the condition of the plants may be means of adjusting the flow of air caused by the air supply system .

Finally, the present invention relates to product holder assembly system to be arranged in a hall for cultivation of plants, including an aerating system, and a controller to control the aerating system to distribute a flow of air to the product holder assembly according to any of the preceding claims, the first connection means the aerating system or the product holder assembly is arranged to cooperate with the second connection means or an external aerating supply arranged along the path along which the product holder assembly has been moved.

In this way, the product holder assembly system becomes connectable to each of the product holder assemblies arranged along the path at any location.

The present invention will now be illustrated with reference to the drawing where

FIG. the shows a cross sectional view of the product holder assembly in a first embodiment according to the invention including an air duct system;

FIG. lb shows a top view of the product holder assembly in a first edition according to the invention including an air duct system;

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the product holder assembly in a second embodiment according to the invention including an air duct system;

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the product holder assembly in a third embodiment according to the invention including an air duct system;

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the product holder assembly in a fourth edition according to the invention including an air duct system;

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the product holder assembly in a fifth edition according to the invention including an air duct system;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the product holder including an air duct system according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the product holder including an air duct system according to the invention, the product holder being in a first position relative to an air supply system;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the product holder including an air duct system according to the invention, the product holder being in a second position relative to the air supply system;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the product holder assembly including an aerating system according to the invention, the product holder being in a first position relative to an aerating supply system;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the product holder assembly including an aerating system according to the invention, the product holder being in a second position relative to an aerating supply system;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the product holder assembly including an aerating system according to the invention, the product holder being in a first position relative to an aerating supply system; and

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the product holder assembly including an aerating system according to the invention, the product holder being in a second position relative to an aerating supply system.

FIG. 1Ά shows a first embodiment of the product holder assembly 1 according to the invention. The product holder assembly 1 is arranged to provide cultivation of crops and plants 30, typically in halls and in particular in breeding halls and green houses. During the process of cultivation, some of a variety of product holder assemblies sometimes need to be moved along a predetermined path 6 in the hall, mostly because of logistic optimization in conduction with other product holder assemblies locating in the hall. Some of the product holder assemblies are carrying plants which are ready for sales and transport to a market outside the hall, while other product holder assemblies are carrying plants which are just in the first phase of growing up.

According to the invention, the assembly 1 is equipped with an aerating system including an air duct system 800. The air duct system 800 is arranged to provide or allow a climate in the second space which is favored for the plant or the leafs of the plant being present in the second space. The climate in the second space may be determined by a flow of air generated by an air supply system 900. In this example, the air supply system 900 is arranged externally from the product holder assembly 1 or spaced apart from the product holder assembly 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, the product holder assembly 1 carries the air duct system 800 which is connectable with the air supply system 900. The air supply system 900 is formed in this example by a piping system, in this example formed by pipes 901, 902 arranged along the path 6. At each position the product holder assembly 1 is postioned, the air duct system 800 is connectable with the air supply system 900 via at least one of the pipes 901, 902.

Referring to FIG. 7, the product holder assembly 1 is located in a first vertical position relative to the path 6 and / or the air supply system 900. The product holder assembly 1 being in this first position, is not connected with the air supply system 900 and is , in other words, not in fluid communication therewith. The product holder assembly being in its first vertical position is typically a position in which it allows transport or conveyance along the path 6 from one location in the hall to a second location in hall.

When the product holder assembly 1 has arrived at a location in the hall in which it needs to be stored, or at least to be temporarily stored, for example to allow a further growing of the plants carried by said product holder assembly 1, the product holder assembly 1 needs to be lowered down to a second vertical position shown in Figs. 8. At the same time the product holder assembly 1 is lowered down, first connection means 850 of the air duct system 800 protruding downward, are arranged to penetrate into the air supply system 900, specifically at the second connection means 950, link coupling the air duct system 800 with the air supply system 900 to cause a fluid communication between both the air duct system 800 and the air supply system 900.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the product holder assembly 1 is provided with a product holder 100, having a bottom 110 and an upstanding circumferential wall 120 extending from the bottom 110. A first space 101 extending from the bottom 110 or the product holder 100 along the wall 120 to allow a medium 190 or substrate 190 for roots 31 of the plants 30 to receive nutriments and / or support from. A grid system 500 is arranged to be placed on the product holder 100 to cover the first space 101 in the product holder 100 and to separate the first space 101 from a second space 102 adjacent to the grid system 500 at a side 502 of the grid system 500 facing away from the first space 101. The grid system 500 is arranged for holding a various or separate plants 30, the roots 31 or which to reach for the first space 101 and the leafs 32 or which to reach for the second space 102 .

According to the invention, the grid system 500 is arranged to operate in conjunction with an air duct system 800. The air duct system 800 is connectable with an external air supply system 900 to cause an overpressure in the air duct system 800 relative to the second space 102. The grid system 500 is adapted to direct a flow of air from the grid system 500 into the second space 102 along the plants 30. According to the invention, a flow of air is achieved which flows into the second space, away from the 500 grid system in a direction which is substantially transverse to the 500 grid system, rather the surface or the side 502 or the 500 grid system facing away from the first space 101. In this way, a suitable climate or environment in which at least the leafs 32 of the plants 30 are locating, can be achieved.

At the start of the cultivation of one plant 30, the plant 30 is hold or a kind of fixed at first apertures 551 locating in the grid system 500. The grid system 500 is formed by a plate comprising a plurality of said first apertures 551, each of which being arranged for holding at least one plant 30. Fig. IB shows the various or first apertures 551 forming a predetermined first pattern 561 or first apertures 551 spaced apart according to predetermined distances. In such an arrangement, the roots 31 of the plant 30 reach for the first space 101 in which a medium or substrate is located. The medium may be water including nutriments to be received and / or transported by the roots 31 of the plants 30. The medium may be steel wool which provide a child or support for the roots 31 to rest upon. The steel wool may be rock wool, coconut or fibers or coconut, or peat. The medium may be a suitable combination therof as well.

FIG. 1A shows an example according to the air duct system 800 is arranged in the first space 101 of the product holder assembly 1. A flow of air generated from the air supply system 900 flows through the air duct system 800 towards the second space 102 due to immediate contact of the flow of air with the leafs of the plant reaching out in the second space so as to obtain direct control on the climate or environment in which the leafs of the plants are locating.

In this example, the grid system 500 comprises various or second apertures 552, each of which being arranged for passage of the flow of air guided by the air duct system 800.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the air duct system 800 is provided with first outlet opening 851, forming dicharge means 85, capable of discharging air supplied in the first space 101 in a lateral direction or parallel to the surface of the grid system 500, and referring now to FIG. 4, the air duct system 800 is provided with second outlet opening 852, forming dicharge means 85, capable of discharging supplied air in the second space 102 in a lateral direction or parallel to the surface of the grid system 500, the air duct system 800 according to FIG. 1 is provided with third outlet opening 853, forming dicharge means 85, capable of discharging supplied air in the second space 102 via the second apertures 552 arranged in the grid system 500 or in the plate named. As a matter of fact, in this example, said second apertures 552 coincide with the third outlet opening 853 of the air duct system 800.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the product holder assembly 1 according to the invention. The air duct system 800 is arranged in the first space 101 or the product holder assembly 1. Specifically, the air duct system 800 is locating at the bottom side 110 or the first space 101. In this example, the air duct system 800 according to FIG. 2 is provided with fourth outlet opening 854, forming dicharge means 85, capable of discharging supplied air in the first space 101 towards the second space 102 via the first apertures 551 arranged in the grid system 500 or in the plate named.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the product holder assembly according to the invention. The air duct system 800 extends between the grid system 500 and a further grid system 570 arranged at the side 501 or the grid system 500 facing away from the second space 102. The further grid system 570 is formed by a further plate including a multiple of further apertures corresponding to the first apertures 551, each of which being arranged for holding at least one plant. In this example, the grid system 500 and the further grid system 570 enclose a space which is in fluid communication with the air supply system 900 so as to allow a flow of air into the second space 102 having a flow direction which is substantially transverse to the grid system 500 causing a constant flow from the grid system 500.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth edition of the product holder assembly according to the invention. The air duct system 800 is arranged at the side 502 or the grid system 500 facing the second space 102. The air duct system 800 comprises a series of second outlet opening 852 arranged at lateral sides so as to directly flow or air sideways along the side 502 of the grid system 500 facing the first space 101.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth edition of the product holder assembly according to the invention. The air duct system 800 comprises a series of first outlet opening 851 arranged at lateral sides so as directly to the flow of air sideways along the side 501 of the grid system 500 facing the first space 101. The flow of air discharged in the first space 101 is capable of flowing through the series or first outlet opening 851 along the stem of the plants.

FIG. 6 shows the product holder assembly 1 including an air duct system 800 situated above an air supply system 900. The air duct system 800 is equipped with first connection means 850, formed by inlet means 80, to cooperate with second connection means 950 of the air supply system 900 arranged along the path 6 along which the product holder assembly 1 has been moved. As a result, the air duct system 800 is connectable with the air supply system 900. As described, the air supply system 900 is formed in this example by a piping system, in this example formed by pipes 901, 902 arranged along the path 6 At each position the product holder assembly 1 is postioned, the air duct system 800 is connectable with the air supply system 900 via at least one of the pipes 901, 902. As described, the first connection means 850 of the air duct system 800. protruding downward, are arranged to penetrate into the air supply system 900 called coupling the air duct system 800 with the air supply system 900 to cause a fluid communication between both the air duct system 800 and the air supply system 900. To allow the first connection means 850 to penetrate into the air supply system 900, the second connection means 950 may be closure means 950 such as valves, which seal the air supply system 900 in absence of a first connection means, and which allow an opening of the a ir supply system 900 when the first connection means 850 actuates or opens the closure means 950.

FIG. 9 shows a product holder assembly 1 according to the invention for a revolving cultivation of plants 30 along the least one path 6 in a hall. The assembly 1 is provided with the product holder 100 that is formed predominantly flat for supporting the plants 30, the product holder 100 having a bottom 110. The assembly 1 is provided with supporting means 5 attached to the bottom or a lateral side of the product holder 100 to allow the product holder 100 to be supported at a location along the path 6. A person skilled in the art would understand that the assembly 1 is provided with supporting means formed by the bottom which is capable of being supported on posts arranged along the path 6 in a leveled position.

The assembly 1 is provided with engagement means 4 arranged at the bottom 110 or a lateral side 120 of the product holder 100 to allow the product holder 100 to be hold and transported by a carrier or a vehicle (not shown) through the hall along a path 6 in a manner that may or may not be automated.

FIG. 9 shows the assembly 1 in its first vertical position, in which first vertical position the assembly is carried by means of the vehicle capable of carrying the assembly 1 at its engagement means 4, such as the bottom 110. In this first vertical position, the supporting means of the assembly 1 are higher than a basis or a guiding system 50 such as a railway forming the path 6 arranged in the hall, to allow the assembly 1 to be moved through the hall along the path 6.

The assembly 1 is according to the invention provided with an aerating system 8 arranged at the product holder 100. The aerating system 8 comprises the air duct system 800 formed by an inlet means 80 for connecting the aerating system 8 with an external aerating supply 9, 90 arranged along the path 6 for supplying a flow of air. The aerating system 8 comprises a discharge means 85 to allow the flow of air flowing towards a space above the bottom 110 of the product holder 100 in which the plants are located. The aerating system 8 comprises a passageway 82 extending from the inlet means 80 to the discharge means 85 for guiding air from the aerating supply 80 towards the space above the product holder 100.

FIG. 10 shows the assembly 1 in its second vertical position, in which second vertical position the assembly 1 is put down by the vehicle capable of carrying the assembly 1. In this second vertical position, the supporting means 5 are resting on the guiding system 50 arranged in the hall, to allow the assembly 1 to be postioned at a predetermined location in the hall.

The aerating system 8 of the assembly 1 being in its second vertical position is connected or in fluid communication with the external aerating supply 9 arranged along the path 6 for supplying a flow of air. First connection means 80 formed by the inlet means 80 of the aerating system 8 is in connection with second connection means 90 of the external aerating supply 9 arranged along the path 6 for supplying a flow of air towards a discharge means 85 of the aerating system 8 to allow the flow of air flowing towards a space above the bottom 110 or the product holder 100 in which the plants are to be located.

In an embodiment, the external aerating supply 9 is accommodated in the guiding system 50 arranged in the hall to save material by accommodating an air supplying function and an supporting function within one means. In such an embodiment, the first connection means 80 formed by the inlet means 80 of the aerating system 8, provides the supporting function of the supporting means 5, 80, ie the product holder assembly 1 may rest on the guiding system 50 arranged in the hall by means of the first connection means 80. Similarly, the second connection means 90 or the external aerating supply 9, allows the supporting means 5, 80 or the product holder assembly 1 to rest on the second connection means 90 or the guiding system 50 arranged in the hal1 by means.

FIG. 11 shows basically a variant of the structure of the product holder assembly as depicted in FIG. 9, in which the assembly 1 is in its first vertical position moved through the hall along the path 6. The product holder assembly 1 according to Fig. 9 is constructed by one bottom 110 on which U-shaped channels for holding plants are extending transverse to longitudinal directions of the guide system 50 or the external aerating supply 9. The U-shaped channels are resting on the bottom and are spaced apart and extending substiantially parallel to each other.

FIG. 12 shows the same variant of the structure of the product holder assembly depicted in Figs. 11, however, the assembly 1 is in its second vertical position after being set down in the hall along the path 6. The assembly 1 in its second verical position is connected to or in fluid communication with the external aerating supply 9. In this second vertical postion, ducts or passageways 82 extend parallel to and between the U-shaped channels for guiding the flow of air being stowed away from the bottom of the assembly 1 alongs the plants.

The above example serves for illustrative purposes only. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that various modifications are possible without leaving the scope of the claims.

Claims (17)

Conclusions Product holder assembly (1) for mobile cultivation of crops such as plants (30) and potted plants (30), along at least one path (6) in a hall, which assembly (1) comprises: - a product holder (100) that is substantially flat for supporting the plants, - a support means (5) arranged on the product holder (100) to allow the product holder (100) to be supported at a location along the path (6), - an engaging means (4) arranged on the product holder (100) to allow the product holder (100) to be held by a carrier and to be transported through the hall along a path (6) in a manner that does or cannot be automated, wherein an aeration system (8) is arranged on the product holder (100), the aeration system (8) comprising the following: - an inlet means (80) for connecting the aeration system (8) to an external aeration supply (9) which is arranged along the path (6) for supplying an air flow, - a discharge means (85) for allowing the air flow to flow to a space above the product holder (100), in which space the plants are to be located, and - a passage (82) extending from the inlet means (80) to the discharge means (85) for guiding air from the aeration supply (9) to the space above the product holder (100). A product holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the product holder assembly (1) is arranged to be positioned in a first vertical position relative to the pad (6), in which first vertical position the inlet means (80) is separate from the external aeration supply ( 9), and wherein the product holder assembly (1) is arranged to be positioned in a second vertical position relative to the pad (6), the product holder assembly (1) in the second vertical position being lower than the product holder assembly (1) in the first vertical position, in which second vertical position the inlet means (80) is in communication with the external aeration supply (9) so as to cause fluid communication between the external aeration supply (9) to the space above the assembly (1) via the inlet means (80), passage (82) and discharge means (85) if the product holder assembly (1) is lowered by the carrier from the first vertical the position to a second vertical position. The product holder assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the product holder (100) has a bottom (110) and an upstanding circumferential wall (120) extending from the bottom (110), wherein: - a first space (101) extending from the bottom (110) of the product holder (100) along the wall (120) to allow a medium or substrate for roots (31) of the plants (30) to feed foods and / or receive or support it, - a grid system (500) adapted to be placed on the product holder (100) to cover the first space (101) in the product holder (100) and to separate the first space (101) from a second space (102) ) adjacent to the grid system (500) on a side (502) of the grid system (500) facing away from the first space (101), the grid system (500) being adapted to hold a plurality of individual plants (30) whose roots (31) extend into the first space (101) and whose leaves (32) extend into the second space (102), the grid system (500) being adapted to work in conjunction with the aeration system (8) comprising an air-guiding system (800) formed at least through the passage (82), the air-guiding system (800) being connectable to the aeration supply (9) which comprises an external air supply system (900) about an overpressure in the air-guiding system (800) to cause relative to the tw the space (102), and wherein the grid system (500) is adapted to direct an air flow from the grid system (500) along the plants (30) into the second space (102). Product holder assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the grid system (500) is formed by a plate comprising a plurality of first openings (551), each of which is adapted to hold at least one plant, the plurality of first openings (551) ) form a predetermined pattern (561) of first openings (551) spaced according to predetermined distances. Product holder assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air guiding system (800) is arranged in the first space (101) of the product holder assembly (1). The product holder assembly of claim 5, wherein the air guiding system (800) is located on the bottom side (110) of the first space (101). The product holder assembly of claim 5, wherein the air guidance system (800) is arranged on the side (501) of the grid system (500) facing the first space (101). The product holder assembly of claim 6, wherein the air guide system (800) comprises a series of first outlet openings (851) which form the discharge means (85) arranged on laterally directed sides so as to allow the air flow to the side along the side (501) of the grid system (500) facing the first space (101). The product holder assembly of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the air guidance system (800) is arranged on a side (502) of the grid system (500) facing the second space (102) and wherein the air guidance system (800) series of second outlet openings (852) which form the discharge means (85) arranged on laterally directed sides so as to allow the air flow to the side along the side (502) of the grid system (500) facing the first space ( 101). The product holder assembly according to claim 4, wherein the plate of the grid system (500) comprises a plurality of second openings (552), each of which is adapted for passage of the air flow guided by the air guide system (800). The product holder assembly according to claim 10, wherein the air guide system (800) is mounted on the side (501) of the grid system remote from the second space (102), the air guide system (800) comprising a series of third outlet openings (853) forming the discharge means (85) arranged on tops at locations corresponding to the second openings (552) arranged in the grid system (500) so as to allow the air flow up through the grid system (500) to and into the second space ( 102). The product holder assembly of claim 10, wherein the air guiding system (800) extends between the grid system (500) and a further grid system (570) arranged on the side (501) of the grid system (500) that of the second space (102) ) is turned away, the further grid system (570) being formed by a further plate comprising a plurality of further openings corresponding to the first openings (551), each of which is adapted to hold at least one plant. A product holder assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the air guidance system (800) is provided with a first connecting means (850) formed by the inlet means (80) to cooperate with a second connecting means (950) of the air supply system (900 ) arranged along the path (6) along which the product holder assembly (1) is to be moved. The product container assembly of claim 13, wherein the first connecting means (850) is formed by at least one extending tube adapted to connect to the second connecting means (950) formed by a series of seals that are pierceable through the at least one tube if placed at a predetermined location along the path (6). A product holder assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grid system (500) is a plate of metal and wherein one side of the plate adapted to face the second space (102) is polished, or wherein the grid system (500) is a plate which, on one side of the grid system (500) which is adapted to face the second space (102), is coated with a reflective layer. A product holder assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the air supply system (900) comprises an air supply control to adjust the overpressure to be generated to control the speed of the air flow along the plants (30) held by the grid system ( 500), 10 to increase or decrease. 17. Product holder assembly system to be arranged in a plant breeding hall, which product holder assembly system comprises: an aeration system and a control to control the aeration system to Distributing an air flow over the product holder assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first connecting means of the aeration system of the product holder assembly is adapted to cooperate with a second connecting means of an external aeration supply arranged along the path along which the product holder assembly is to be moved to become. 1/6 FIG. 1B 2/6