US20060090813A1 - Device, assembly and method for filling a container with substrate - Google Patents
Device, assembly and method for filling a container with substrate Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060090813A1 US20060090813A1 US11/248,600 US24860005A US2006090813A1 US 20060090813 A1 US20060090813 A1 US 20060090813A1 US 24860005 A US24860005 A US 24860005A US 2006090813 A1 US2006090813 A1 US 2006090813A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- containers
- substrate
- conveyor
- cuttings
- introduction station
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
- A01G9/08—Devices for filling-up flower-pots or pots for seedlings; Devices for setting plants or seeds in pots
- A01G9/081—Devices for filling-up pots
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
- A01G9/08—Devices for filling-up flower-pots or pots for seedlings; Devices for setting plants or seeds in pots
- A01G9/083—Devices for setting plants in pots
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
- A01G9/08—Devices for filling-up flower-pots or pots for seedlings; Devices for setting plants or seeds in pots
- A01G9/088—Handling or transferring pots
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a device for filing a container with substrate.
- a device for filing a container with substrate is disclosed in NL 8702850 A.
- a device is described for filling a plant pot with substrate and then making a hole in the soil introduced in this way.
- the conveyor used for this purpose will operate intermittently both for depositing the material into the pot and for making the opening.
- the first aim of the present invention is to provide uniform filling of the containers.
- an assembly comprising a device for filling containers with substrate, comprising a conveyor for accommodating and moving containers past various stations, said stations comprise a substrate introduction station for filling said containers with a substrate, wherein the outlet of said substrate introduction station is above said conveyor, wherein said conveyor comprises a linear conveyor, as well as containers, wherein said conveyor is embodied to rotate containers during said linear movement.
- the conveyor comprises two spaced apart belts.
- the conveyor will not be affected when soil is spilt.
- the belts are preferably elastic and are able to adapt to the prevailing conditions.
- the distance between the belts is adjustable. By moving the belts closer together and further apart pots or other containers of different sizes can be processed without too many problems with the device according to the invention. Such an adjustment can be made by hand or by means of a motor and does not require the need for separate parts which can get lost.
- the adjustment of the belts is such that the two of these can be moved with respect to the original centre line, so that this centre line is retained as axis. As a result it is not necessary to make changes in the positioning of the various stations.
- the station for introducing substrate can be embodied to introduce soil or to introduce bark or any other substrate.
- the station for drilling can be constructed in any way known in the state of the art. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment this consists of a crank mechanism to which a reciprocating drill is connected.
- the device is, provided with a conveyor for cuttings that is installed at the substrate introduction station and is provided with a engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings embodied to move linearly and synchronously with said linear conveyor and wherein said engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings and said linear conveyor can move towards one another. That is to say a cutting or other plant is positioned in the container at the same time as or before filling. According to a preferred embodiment such a cutting or other plant is gradually moved into the container from above while engaged, whilst filling with substrate also takes place at the same time. If sufficient material has been deposited into the container, the engagement between the cutting or other plant and the engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings will be released. In this way pots can be continuously filled with both soil and a plant, a drilling station and subsequent station for positioning cuttings being superfluous. This furthermore has the advantage that no compaction of the substrate takes place during drilling.
- both the container and the cutting are rotated as they move towards one another.
- the invention also relates to an assembly comprising a device for filling containers with substrate, comprising a conveyor for accommodating and moving containers past various stations, said stations comprise a substrate introduction station for filling said containers with a substrate, wherein the outlet of said substrate introduction station is above said conveyor, wherein said conveyor comprises a linear conveyor as well as said containers, wherein the length of said outlet in the direction of movement of said conveyor is at least twice the size of said container.
- the invention also relates to a method for introducing a cultivation substrate into a container, comprising separating said containers from a stack of containers, transporting the series of containers thus obtained, filling said containers with substrate and making an opening for receiving a plant during transport, wherein said transport comprises a continuous rectilinear movement.
- the containers can comprise pots or trays. Trays are understood to be rectangular containers, which may or may not be provided with internal divisions for accommodating different plants.
- FIG. 1 shows, diagrammatically, a plan view of the device according to the present invention, where specific parts have been omitted for clarity;
- FIG. 2 shows a cross-section along the line II-II when filling with potting compost
- FIG. 3 shows a cross-section along the line III-III
- FIG. 4 shows a cross-section along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1 , where the possibility for adjustment of the belts is shown;
- FIG. 5 shows a variant of the substrate filling station 9 in side view
- FIG. 6 shows a variant of the present invention in side view
- FIG. 7 shows, diagrammatically, various stages in introducing a plant into a container according to the variant in FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 1 an embodiment of the device according to the present invention is indicated in its entirety by 1 .
- This consists of a station 2 for storing and then individualizing pots 30 .
- conveyor 3 which consists of two belts 4 , 5 located some distance apart.
- the belts are preferably square or rectangular, wherein the side thereof facing the container is somewhat oblique with respect to the vertical in order to provide as large as possible a contact surface with the edge of the container.
- the various features will be made to suit the construction of the raised rim of the pot and the part immediately beneath this.
- the pots 30 are provided with a protruding rim 29 that bears on the belts 4 and 5 , respectively.
- the centre line between the belts 4 and 5 is indicated by axis 16 .
- Station 9 is a filling station.
- Station 10 is a drilling station, whilst station 11 is a cutting introduction station. Details of the stations are shown in the further figures. The details of station 9 are given in FIG. 2 .
- This consists of a feed conveyor 6 that ends in a bunker 8 filled with soil 18 .
- the discharge of feed conveyor 6 is indicated by 12 and emerges above the pots 30 .
- the substrate introduced can, for example, be potting compost.
- a drilling station is indicated by 10 . Details of this can be seen in FIG. 3 .
- the drilling station consists of a drill 31 with a crankshaft 32 with arm 33 connected to a drilling rod 34 .
- the crankshaft 32 turns the drill 34 executes a reciprocating movement in the direction of the arrow 35 , as a result of which openings are pressed into substrate 18 provided in pots 30 .
- This opening is indicated by 36 .
- a cutting 40 can then be placed in such an opening, as is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 . Holes can be drilled rapidly with such a drilling device.
- the belts are routed round and driven at the end of the device 1 .
- motors 22 with reduction gearing 23 by means of which belts 4 and 5 , respectively, are driven and routed round in a manner that is not shown in more detail.
- Motors 22 are mounted via supports 21 and sliders 24 fixed thereto such that they can move on the frame 20 of the device. A movement in the direction of arrow 26 is possible with the sliders. This movement is achieved by means of a system 25 that engages on threading in sliders 24 that is not shown.
- System 25 can be driven with crank handle 27 .
- Vibrator rods that engage on the side wall of the container 30 and which are made to vibrate with an eccentric construction are indicated by 61 .
- the construction is such that by operating handle 27 the two sliders 24 move towards one another or away from one another so that axis 16 always remains in the middle between the belts 4 , 5 .
- a corresponding construction which may or may not be provided with motors 22 , at the other end of the belts 4 , 5 , that is to say at station 2 .
- FIG. 5 An alternative for station 9 is shown in FIG. 5 . This is used in particular if loose material, such as bark material that has been shredded, has to be placed in containers.
- the outlet of feed conveyor 12 emerges at an auxiliary conveyor belt 15 that emerges in a shaking trough 13 . Shaking movement of trough 13 is effected by motor 14 .
- a pot can be filled along a path.
- several pots are filled at the same time during continuous movement of the conveyor, that is to say non-intermittent movement.
- a high production rate can be achieved.
- Any material spilt between the pots can be recycled.
- FIGS. 6 and 7 A variant of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . As far as possible, corresponding parts have been provided with the same reference numerals.
- the pot is driven with two belts 4 and 5 .
- the pot is no longer suspended by the rim on the belt but is restrained at a lower level by belts 4 and 5 .
- the speed of movement of the belts 4 and 5 differs, as a result of which the pot executes a rotary movement. This can be achieved in that the belts 4 and 5 move in the same direction but at different speed, in that one of the belts 4 or 5 is stationary, or in that the belts 4 and 5 move in different directions at different speeds.
- the outflow opening of filler funnel 44 used in this embodiment is indicated by 60 and extends to close to the rim of the pot 30 .
- the cutting insertion station which is directly above the filling station, is indicated by 41 .
- This cutting insertion station consists of an engaging, moving and positioning member 42 for cuttings.
- This member 42 is mounted on a plate 65 , which is stationary.
- Belts 45 and 46 or other transport members are fitted above this plate, which belts move in the same way as the belts 4 and 5 , that is to say by this means a rotary conveying movement is applied in the same way to disc 47 that is joined to shaft 48 of the engaging, moving and positioning member 42 for cuttings and thus protrudes through a slot 66 in plate 65 .
- Slot 66 extends over an appreciable length, for example a length that is equal to the length of five pots.
- a clamp 49 is fitted that consists of clamping parts 50 and 51 which can be moved towards one another in the direction of arrows 52 and can be moved apart again.
- the various features are constructed such that a plant 53 with roots 54 can be picked up between them.
- what can be achieved as a result of clamping is that the leaves of the plant 53 are compressed.
- Shaft 48 is provided with a pivot 55 about which clamp 49 is able to move in the direction of arrow 56 .
- FIGS. 6 and 7 functions as follows:
- step e the plant has been placed in such a stable manner that support with an engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings is no longer needed and this is tilted out of the way in the direction of arrow 56 according to FIG. 7 e and is no longer effective.
- a particularly compact device can be obtained using this variant according to FIGS. 6 and 7 .
- the various stations can be constructed in the most diverse ways, whilst further stations can be added.
- the engaging, moving and positioning member 42 for cuttings can be constructed differently. Both the type and the location of grasping can differ. This applies, inter alia, if plant plugs are used, where the plug can be grasped. It is also possible to grasp a root ball or the stem of the plant.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
- Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
- Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
- Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
Abstract
Device and method for introducing substrate into containers such as pots or trays. The containers are transported in accordance with an essentially rectilinear path, wherein said containers are suspended between two belts located some distance apart. By varying the distance between the belts the size of the containers can be varied. The substrate introduced can be either potting compost or bark and the like. Furthermore, an opening can be made in the substrate introduced for placing cuttings. In an alternative the cutting or other plant is placed before/during filling, whilst the container and cutting rotate.
Description
- The present invention relates to a device for filing a container with substrate.
- A device for filing a container with substrate is disclosed in NL 8702850 A. In this publication a device is described for filling a plant pot with substrate and then making a hole in the soil introduced in this way.
- With this device a large amount of soil is introduced into the container with the aid of a filler funnel in a step during transport. Downstream thereof an opening is made with the aid of a punch.
- The conveyor used for this purpose will operate intermittently both for depositing the material into the pot and for making the opening.
- The first aim of the present invention is to provide uniform filling of the containers.
- According to a first aspect this aim is realised with an assembly comprising a device for filling containers with substrate, comprising a conveyor for accommodating and moving containers past various stations, said stations comprise a substrate introduction station for filling said containers with a substrate, wherein the outlet of said substrate introduction station is above said conveyor, wherein said conveyor comprises a linear conveyor, as well as containers, wherein said conveyor is embodied to rotate containers during said linear movement.
- According to a particular embodiment of the invention the conveyor comprises two spaced apart belts.
- As a result of the use of belts between which the containers, such as pots or trays, can be accommodated, functioning of the conveyor will not be affected when soil is spilt. The belts are preferably elastic and are able to adapt to the prevailing conditions. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the distance between the belts is adjustable. By moving the belts closer together and further apart pots or other containers of different sizes can be processed without too many problems with the device according to the invention. Such an adjustment can be made by hand or by means of a motor and does not require the need for separate parts which can get lost.
- According to an advantageous embodiment the adjustment of the belts is such that the two of these can be moved with respect to the original centre line, so that this centre line is retained as axis. As a result it is not necessary to make changes in the positioning of the various stations.
- Apart from the station described above for introducing substrate, it is possible to install the stations for drilling openings and/or placing plants or cuttings.
- The station for introducing substrate can be embodied to introduce soil or to introduce bark or any other substrate.
- The station for drilling can be constructed in any way known in the state of the art. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment this consists of a crank mechanism to which a reciprocating drill is connected.
- The introduction of cuttings or other plants can be made in the opening drilled in this way.
- According to a further aspect of the invention the device is, provided with a conveyor for cuttings that is installed at the substrate introduction station and is provided with a engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings embodied to move linearly and synchronously with said linear conveyor and wherein said engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings and said linear conveyor can move towards one another. That is to say a cutting or other plant is positioned in the container at the same time as or before filling. According to a preferred embodiment such a cutting or other plant is gradually moved into the container from above while engaged, whilst filling with substrate also takes place at the same time. If sufficient material has been deposited into the container, the engagement between the cutting or other plant and the engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings will be released. In this way pots can be continuously filled with both soil and a plant, a drilling station and subsequent station for positioning cuttings being superfluous. This furthermore has the advantage that no compaction of the substrate takes place during drilling.
- According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention both the container and the cutting are rotated as they move towards one another. By this means it can be ensured that all-round filling of the pot with substrate takes place. As a result uniform distribution of substrate in the pot can be ensured. Furthermore, this has the advantage that covering of (the leaves of) the plant by substrate is prevented, which can be disadvantageous for the further development of the plant.
- According to a further aspect the invention also relates to an assembly comprising a device for filling containers with substrate, comprising a conveyor for accommodating and moving containers past various stations, said stations comprise a substrate introduction station for filling said containers with a substrate, wherein the outlet of said substrate introduction station is above said conveyor, wherein said conveyor comprises a linear conveyor as well as said containers, wherein the length of said outlet in the direction of movement of said conveyor is at least twice the size of said container. With this construction it is possible to provide continuous filling of the containers, that is to say it is not necessary to stop the conveyor at the filling station. As a result positioning errors are avoided and the throughput speed can be appreciably increased. Spilt material can be recycled in a simple manner and still used for filling. This continuous movement is preferably combined with continuous movement for the introduction of the cuttings (with or without plug) or other plant in the container during filling.
- The invention also relates to a method for introducing a cultivation substrate into a container, comprising separating said containers from a stack of containers, transporting the series of containers thus obtained, filling said containers with substrate and making an opening for receiving a plant during transport, wherein said transport comprises a continuous rectilinear movement. As a result of the belts, containers that have an outwardly protruding rim can be supported under the latter by the belts. If the containers become obstructed, slip may be possible and substantial mechanical damage is not produced immediately.
- The containers can comprise pots or trays. Trays are understood to be rectangular containers, which may or may not be provided with internal divisions for accommodating different plants.
- The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an illustrative embodiment shown in the drawing. In the drawing:
-
FIG. 1 shows, diagrammatically, a plan view of the device according to the present invention, where specific parts have been omitted for clarity; -
FIG. 2 shows a cross-section along the line II-II when filling with potting compost; -
FIG. 3 shows a cross-section along the line III-III; -
FIG. 4 shows a cross-section along the line IV-IV inFIG. 1 , where the possibility for adjustment of the belts is shown; -
FIG. 5 shows a variant of the substrate filling station 9 in side view; -
FIG. 6 shows a variant of the present invention in side view; and -
FIG. 7 shows, diagrammatically, various stages in introducing a plant into a container according to the variant inFIG. 6 . - In
FIG. 1 an embodiment of the device according to the present invention is indicated in its entirety by 1. This consists of astation 2 for storing and then individualizingpots 30. These are fed toconveyor 3 according to the invention, which consists of twobelts - As can be seen from
FIG. 2 et seq., thepots 30 are provided with aprotruding rim 29 that bears on thebelts belts axis 16. - There are stations 9-11 along the
conveyor 3. Station 9 is a filling station.Station 10 is a drilling station, whilststation 11 is a cutting introduction station. Details of the stations are shown in the further figures. The details of station 9 are given inFIG. 2 . This consists of afeed conveyor 6 that ends in abunker 8 filled withsoil 18. There is areturn conveyor 17 to return spilt soil tobunker 8. The discharge offeed conveyor 6 is indicated by 12 and emerges above thepots 30. There can optionally be a vibrating device, which is not shown, beneath thepots 30 to vibrate the substrate introduced. The substrate introduced can, for example, be potting compost. - A drilling station is indicated by 10. Details of this can be seen in
FIG. 3 . The drilling station consists of adrill 31 with acrankshaft 32 witharm 33 connected to adrilling rod 34. When thecrankshaft 32 turns thedrill 34 executes a reciprocating movement in the direction of thearrow 35, as a result of which openings are pressed intosubstrate 18 provided inpots 30. This opening is indicated by 36. A cutting 40 can then be placed in such an opening, as is shown diagrammatically inFIG. 1 . Holes can be drilled rapidly with such a drilling device. - It can be seen from
FIG. 4 that the belts are routed round and driven at the end of thedevice 1. For this purpose there aremotors 22 with reduction gearing 23 by means of whichbelts Motors 22 are mounted viasupports 21 andsliders 24 fixed thereto such that they can move on theframe 20 of the device. A movement in the direction ofarrow 26 is possible with the sliders. This movement is achieved by means of asystem 25 that engages on threading insliders 24 that is not shown.System 25 can be driven with crank handle 27. Vibrator rods that engage on the side wall of thecontainer 30 and which are made to vibrate with an eccentric construction are indicated by 61. - With this arrangement the construction is such that by operating
handle 27 the twosliders 24 move towards one another or away from one another so thataxis 16 always remains in the middle between thebelts motors 22, at the other end of thebelts station 2. - Apart from the facility for lateral adjustment of the
belts belts - An alternative for station 9 is shown in
FIG. 5 . This is used in particular if loose material, such as bark material that has been shredded, has to be placed in containers. The outlet offeed conveyor 12 emerges at anauxiliary conveyor belt 15 that emerges in a shakingtrough 13. Shaking movement oftrough 13 is effected bymotor 14. - By means of the present invention a pot can be filled along a path. With this arrangement several pots are filled at the same time during continuous movement of the conveyor, that is to say non-intermittent movement. As a result a high production rate can be achieved. Any material spilt between the pots can be recycled.
- By means of the present invention it is possible to accommodate the containers between the belts in contact with one another, without gaps in the longitudinal direction. As a result, little material will be lost when introducing substrate. After all, recycling of material results in a deterioration of the quality of the substrate.
- A variant of the invention is shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7 . As far as possible, corresponding parts have been provided with the same reference numerals. - In this case as well there is a filling station 9, but it is no longer necessary to use a
drilling station 10 and downstreamcutting insertion station 12. These are now integrated in the filling station 9. The various features are shown diagrammatically inFIG. 7 , while structural details can be seen fromFIG. 6 . - In the manner described above the pot is driven with two
belts belts belts belts belts belts - As a result of the rotary movement, good filling of soil material in the pots can be obtained. The outflow opening of
filler funnel 44 used in this embodiment is indicated by 60 and extends to close to the rim of thepot 30. - As can be seen from the figures, the cutting insertion station, which is directly above the filling station, is indicated by 41. This cutting insertion station consists of an engaging, moving and positioning
member 42 for cuttings. Thismember 42 is mounted on aplate 65, which is stationary.Belts belts disc 47 that is joined toshaft 48 of the engaging, moving and positioningmember 42 for cuttings and thus protrudes through aslot 66 inplate 65.Slot 66 extends over an appreciable length, for example a length that is equal to the length of five pots. At the end of shaft 48 aclamp 49 is fitted that consists of clampingparts arrows 52 and can be moved apart again. The various features are constructed such that aplant 53 withroots 54 can be picked up between them. In addition, what can be achieved as a result of clamping is that the leaves of theplant 53 are compressed. The various actions, of course, take place without damage and it will be understood that the plant can be engaged in many other ways known in the state of the art.Shaft 48 is provided with apivot 55 about which clamp 49 is able to move in the direction of arrow 56. - The variant in
FIGS. 6 and 7 functions as follows: - An empty pot is placed in front of the
outlet 60 in that this is linearly transported with some rotation by thebelts outlet 60. At the same time, as can be seen fromFIG. 7 a, the cuttinginsertion station 41 and more particularly the engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings thereof, is provided with aplant 30. A rotary movement and linear movement are also applied to this in the manner described above, which movements are completely synchronous with the movement ofcontainer 30. - It can be seen from
FIG. 7 b that after a first fill of thepot 30 withsubstrate plant 53 and more particularly theroots 54 thereof are lowered onto this bottom layer. Further soil is then added while both thecontainer 30 and the plant turn synchronously during steps 7 b-d. This is always effected from the side, so that no soil can get onto the leaves of the plant. In step e the plant has been placed in such a stable manner that support with an engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings is no longer needed and this is tilted out of the way in the direction of arrow 56 according toFIG. 7 e and is no longer effective. - With this variant if a larger pot, that is to say a pot of larger diameter, has to be filled only one of the belts, and preferably
belt 4, is moved, as a result of which the position with respect to theoutlet 60 remains unchanged. - Using this variant it is possible to place bulky plants in an attractive manner in a pot continuously while simultaneously filling with soil. As a result the length of the device can be shortened and appreciable saving in manpower can be achieved. The speed of rotation of the container and plant, respectively, can be restricted. In the case of a
single outlet 60, it is in principle necessary only that the container executes a complete revolution. The vibratory means described above can also be present in order to compact the soil to some extent and position it correctly. It is also possible to use outlets opposite one another. - A particularly compact device can be obtained using this variant according to
FIGS. 6 and 7 . - After reading the above variants will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art. The various stations can be constructed in the most diverse ways, whilst further stations can be added. The engaging, moving and positioning
member 42 for cuttings can be constructed differently. Both the type and the location of grasping can differ. This applies, inter alia, if plant plugs are used, where the plug can be grasped. It is also possible to grasp a root ball or the stem of the plant. These and further modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (25)
1-24. (canceled)
25. An assembly for filling containers with substrate, comprising a conveyor for accommodating and moving containers past various stations, wherein at least one of said stations is a substrate introduction station for filling said containers with a substrate, wherein the outlet of said substrate introduction station is above said conveyor, wherein said conveyor is a linear conveyor embodied to rotate said containers during linear movement.
26. The assembly according to claim 25 , wherein said conveyor comprises two spaced apart driven belts for accommodating said containers between them.
27. The assembly according to claim 26 , wherein the distance between said belts is adjustable in order to accommodate containers of different size.
28. The assembly according to claim 25 , further comprising a drilling station for making an opening for receiving a plant in said substrate placed in said container.
29. The assembly according to claim 25 , further comprising a cutting introduction station for introducing a cutting into said substrate placed in said container.
30. The assembly according to claim 29 , wherein said cutting introduction station comprises a conveyor for cuttings adjacent to the substrate introduction station, wherein said conveyor for cuttings has an engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings to move linearly and synchronously with said linear conveyor and, wherein said engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings and said linear conveyor can move towards one another.
31. The assembly according to claim 30 , wherein said engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings is embodied to execute a rotary movement that is synchronous with the rotation applied to the container by said linear conveyor.
32. The assembly according to claim 28 , wherein said substrate introduction station and said drilling station are arranged in line one after the other along said linear conveyor.
33. The assembly according to claim 25 , wherein a vibrating device for containers is arranged at the location of said substrate introduction station.
34. A device for filling containers with substrate and placing a plant in said containers, comprising a linear conveyor for accommodating and moving containers past various stations, wherein at least one of said stations is a substrate introduction station for filling said containers with substrate, wherein the outlet of said substrate introduction station is above said conveyor along with a cutting introduction station, wherein said cutting introduction station comprises a conveyor for cuttings and is further provided with an engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings embodied to move linearly and synchronously with said linear conveyor and wherein said engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings and said linear conveyor can move towards one another.
35. The device according to claim 34 , wherein said conveyor comprises two spaced apart driven belts for accommodating said containers between them.
36. The device according to claim 34 , wherein said cutting introduction station is arranged above and/or next to said substrate introduction station.
37. A device for filling containers with substrate, comprising a conveyor for accommodating and moving containers past various stations, wherein at least one of said stations is a substrate introduction station for filling said containers with a substrate, wherein the outlet of said substrate introduction station is above said conveyor, wherein said conveyor is a linear conveyor, wherein the length of said outlet in the direction of movement of said conveyor is at least twice the size of said container.
38. The device according to claim 37 , wherein said conveyor comprises two spaced apart driven belts for accommodating said containers between them.
39. The device according to claim 38 , wherein the distance between said belts is adjustable in order to accommodate containers of different size.
40. The device according to claim 37 , further comprising a drilling station for making an opening for receiving a plant in said substrate placed in said container.
41. The device according to claim 37 , further comprising a cutting introduction station for introducing a cutting into said substrate placed in said container.
42. The device according to claim 37 , wherein said cutting introduction station comprises a conveyor for cuttings adjacent to the substrate introduction station, wherein said conveyor for cuttings has an engaging moving and positioning member for cuttings to move linearly and synchronously with said linear conveyor and, wherein said engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings and said linear conveyor can move towards one another.
43. A method for introducing a cultivation substrate into a container, comprising the steps of:
a) individualizing containers from a stack of containers;
b) transporting the series of containers thus obtained; and
c) filling said containers with substrate and making an opening in said filled container for receiving a plant during transport, wherein said transport is a continuous rectilinear movement, and wherein the dispensing of cultivation substrate is carried out continuously.
44. The method according to claim 43 , wherein said containers comprise pots.
45. The method according to claim 43 , wherein said containers comprise trays.
46. The method according to claim 43 , wherein said transport comprises grasping said containers at the side when moving the containers.
47. The method according to claim 43 , wherein a plant is placed in said containers before and/or when filling said containers.
48. The method according to claim 47 , wherein said containers and said plants are rotated during filling.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL1027232 | 2004-10-13 | ||
NL1027232A NL1027232C2 (en) | 2004-10-13 | 2004-10-13 | Assembly and method for filling a container with substrate. |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060090813A1 true US20060090813A1 (en) | 2006-05-04 |
Family
ID=34974464
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/248,600 Abandoned US20060090813A1 (en) | 2004-10-13 | 2005-10-12 | Device, assembly and method for filling a container with substrate |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060090813A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1647180B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE395819T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602005006927D1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1647180T3 (en) |
NL (1) | NL1027232C2 (en) |
Cited By (7)
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NL2004855C2 (en) * | 2010-06-08 | 2011-12-12 | Flier Systems B V | POT FILLING MACHINE FOR PREPARING A PLANT HOLDER WITH GROUND AND METHOD. |
CN102511331A (en) * | 2012-01-01 | 2012-06-27 | 洛阳易通电气科技有限公司 | Feeding recovery method for tobacco seedling breeding and feeding recovery all-in-one machine |
CN103493698A (en) * | 2013-09-17 | 2014-01-08 | 北京工业大学 | Device achieving soil covering through flowerpot rotation |
CN109601192A (en) * | 2018-12-11 | 2019-04-12 | 浙江博仁工贸有限公司 | Full-automatic potting fills basin machine |
CN110972766A (en) * | 2019-11-12 | 2020-04-10 | 黑龙江省农业机械工程科学研究院齐齐哈尔农业机械化研究所 | Soil collecting device of flowerpot soil filling machine |
US20200229354A1 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2020-07-23 | Visser 's-Gravendeel Holding B.V. | Plant holder, system therefor and method for processing thereof |
US11877550B1 (en) * | 2021-09-02 | 2024-01-23 | Mitchell Ellis Products, Inc. | Portable bale breaker and potting apparatus |
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NL2000367C2 (en) * | 2006-12-11 | 2009-11-17 | Solvent | Crop roots placing method for plant pot, involves placing funnel-shaped part over plant pot, and inserting crop roots into pot by gripping jaws, where gripping jaws are activated by grasp arm |
NL2000898C2 (en) * | 2007-10-03 | 2009-04-06 | William Van Der Burg | Device for placing a crop in a pot. |
EP2710886B1 (en) * | 2012-09-20 | 2015-09-02 | Frank Peter Johan Strijbos | A method to position a number of pots holding ornamental plants on a bed for nursery cultivation of the plants and a system for applying the method |
CN102939814A (en) * | 2012-10-17 | 2013-02-27 | 余继琅 | Sowing streamline apparatus |
NL2012519C2 (en) * | 2013-10-01 | 2015-04-07 | Ideaal B V | INSTALLATION DEVICE AND INSTALLATION CAR FOR RECORDING AND SETTING OUT OF A PRODUCT. |
TWI603671B (en) * | 2016-09-06 | 2017-11-01 | 三好農業股份有限公司 | Automated equipment for potting a plant with use of a flexible substrate in sheet form |
Citations (2)
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US4020881A (en) * | 1970-12-22 | 1977-05-03 | Gunther Nothen | Automatic filling of flower pots |
US20030196373A1 (en) * | 2001-10-11 | 2003-10-23 | Ellis C. Mitchell | Potting machines and methods |
Family Cites Families (6)
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FR2583951A1 (en) * | 1985-07-01 | 1987-01-02 | Brunel Frederic | Automatic device for sowing vegetable or flower seeds in cellular trays |
NL8702850A (en) * | 1987-11-27 | 1989-06-16 | Terra International V O F | Plant pot-filling system - pours earth round temporarily-inserted core |
FR2661069B2 (en) * | 1989-04-24 | 1992-07-10 | Ferrand Claude | DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC PLACEMENT AND POSITIONING OF PLANTS. |
DE9211099U1 (en) * | 1992-01-11 | 1992-10-29 | Mayer KG Apparate und Maschinenbau, 7920 Heidenheim | Device for transporting and placing potted plants |
NL1014346C2 (en) * | 2000-02-10 | 2001-08-13 | Visser S Gravendeel Holding | Device for applying loose material to flower pots. |
NL1018278C2 (en) * | 2001-06-13 | 2002-12-16 | Hazendonk Techniek B V Ab | Planting device, for cuttings, uses vibrating or shaking channels to sort cuttings into individual cuttings |
-
2004
- 2004-10-13 NL NL1027232A patent/NL1027232C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2005
- 2005-10-12 EP EP05109486A patent/EP1647180B1/en active Active
- 2005-10-12 DK DK05109486T patent/DK1647180T3/en active
- 2005-10-12 US US11/248,600 patent/US20060090813A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-10-12 AT AT05109486T patent/ATE395819T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-10-12 DE DE602005006927T patent/DE602005006927D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4020881A (en) * | 1970-12-22 | 1977-05-03 | Gunther Nothen | Automatic filling of flower pots |
US20030196373A1 (en) * | 2001-10-11 | 2003-10-23 | Ellis C. Mitchell | Potting machines and methods |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL2004855C2 (en) * | 2010-06-08 | 2011-12-12 | Flier Systems B V | POT FILLING MACHINE FOR PREPARING A PLANT HOLDER WITH GROUND AND METHOD. |
CN102511331A (en) * | 2012-01-01 | 2012-06-27 | 洛阳易通电气科技有限公司 | Feeding recovery method for tobacco seedling breeding and feeding recovery all-in-one machine |
CN103493698A (en) * | 2013-09-17 | 2014-01-08 | 北京工业大学 | Device achieving soil covering through flowerpot rotation |
US20200229354A1 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2020-07-23 | Visser 's-Gravendeel Holding B.V. | Plant holder, system therefor and method for processing thereof |
US11871708B2 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2024-01-16 | Viscon Group Holding B.V. | Plant holder, system therefor and method for processing thereof |
CN109601192A (en) * | 2018-12-11 | 2019-04-12 | 浙江博仁工贸有限公司 | Full-automatic potting fills basin machine |
CN110972766A (en) * | 2019-11-12 | 2020-04-10 | 黑龙江省农业机械工程科学研究院齐齐哈尔农业机械化研究所 | Soil collecting device of flowerpot soil filling machine |
US11877550B1 (en) * | 2021-09-02 | 2024-01-23 | Mitchell Ellis Products, Inc. | Portable bale breaker and potting apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1647180A2 (en) | 2006-04-19 |
EP1647180A3 (en) | 2006-08-16 |
NL1027232C2 (en) | 2006-04-19 |
ATE395819T1 (en) | 2008-06-15 |
EP1647180B1 (en) | 2008-05-21 |
DE602005006927D1 (en) | 2008-07-03 |
DK1647180T3 (en) | 2008-09-08 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |