WO2008063053A1

WO2008063053A1 - Device and method for filling a substrate container such as pots or trays

Info

Publication number: WO2008063053A1
Application number: PCT/NL2007/000290
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cornelis Frans Taco Visser
Original assignee: Visser's-Gravendeel Holding B.V.
Priority date: 2006-11-23
Filing date: 2007-11-23
Publication date: 2008-05-29
Also published as: EP2088849A1; NL1033475C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for filling substrate containers such as pots or trays, wherein modules for placing, filling and discharging the substrate cntainers can be connected to the frame (2) along the conveyor track (3), wherein at least one first module is placed along the first part and at least one second module is placed along the second part. The invention further relates to a filling unit (30) which can be placed as module in a device for filling substrate containers, comprising a template holder (31) bearing-mounted around a centre point and having recesses (32) for a plurality of templates (70) and a supply container (35) for substrate bearing-mounted around the centre point and movable relative to the template holder and over the template holder, wherein the supply container is coupled to a drive for performing a reciprocal movement.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PILLING A SUBSTRATE CONTAINER SUCH AS POTS OR TRAYS

The invention relates to a device for filling substrate containers such as pots or trays, and to a method for filling. The invention also relates to a filling unit which can be applied in the device. It is known to fill pots with a pourable material, in particular growing substrate such as potting soil, wherein the pots are processed in a line by means of successively placed modules. The line extends in a lengthwise direction, wherein the pots or the tray with pots are displaced between the diverse modules. One or more operations are performed in the modules. This usually takes place intermittently, i.e. the trays or pots are accelerated or stopped. One of the modules for processing the substrate container herein forms the bottleneck because it has the lowest processing capacity of this line. The slowest module determines the processing speed of the whole line.

In addition, there are different types of substrate container, pots of different sizes as well as trays of different dimensions. It is a known problem that one line is suitable for one type of pot or one type of tray. Significant intervention is required by the operator to convert a line to a pot or tray of another size. The object of the invention is a better correspondence to each other of the different modules of the known device. A particular object of the invention is to reduce the area required for the device on a production floor. This and other objectives are achieved according to the invention by means of a device which comprises a frame, and wherein an endlqss conveyor track is arranged on the frame. The endless conveyor track is provided with support surfaces for supporting one of the substrate containers or a holder or template for substrate containers. The support surfaces can be formed by a conveyor track, an endless chain, belt or band, by separate surfaces carried by the conveyor track or by separate holders connected successively to the conveyor track. The conveyor track consists of an array of successive supporting surfaces carried along the disposed modules during movement of the track.

One or a number of trays, one or more pots or other substrate containers can be placed on the support surface.

The conveyor track preferably has at least a first part which is preferably straight. In addition, the conveyor track is embodied with at least a second part which is guided around a centre point. It is hereby possible to make the conveyor track endless. The same support surfaces are used repeatedly. The conveyor track circulates. It is hereby possible to dispense with a long straight continuous line requiring a large area in a production hall.

Preferably placed along/over/on/adjacently of the conveyor track are modules with which substrate containers can be placed on the conveyor track, in particular on the support surfaces, whereby the placed substrate containers can be filled and whereby the substrate containers can be discharged after filling. There may be even more modules present. In an embodiment one module can be adapted to perform multiple tasks. In an embodiment the module is a unit or integral unit of the frame .

The modules are preferably connectable to the frame and/or can be positioned relative to the frame. The modules can be easily interchangeable or can be adjustable. Substrate containers of different dimensions can hereby be handled.

A particularly advantageous embodiment ensures that at least one module is placed along the first part and at least a second module is placed along the second part. This saves space. The part of the conveyor track guided around a centre point, particularly when this is a reversing point at which for instance a 180° rotation takes place, is in this way used in effective manner, thereby resulting in a further space-saving. It is not known from the prior art to provide a conveyor track having at least a partially straight part with a module in the curved part for the purpose of performing a process on the substrate containers. Nor are the modules used in a line according to the prior art suitable for application in a curved part of the conveyor track. The second part of the conveyor track is also used in effective manner by placing one module along this part. The conveyor track preferably has two 180 arcuate degree parts. Modules are preferably applied in both second parts .

The radius of the circular arc travelled by the conveyor track in the second part is more than 30 cm, in particular more than 50 cm. A circular arc is hereby obtained of at least 1 m, in particular more than 1.58 m.

According to a further embodiment, the second module is at least provided with one processing means for performing a process relating to filling of the substrate container, wherein this processing means is bearing-mounted around the centre point. A processing means is hereby obtained which can follow the same path of movement as the path followed by the conveyor track and the associated support surfaces. The processing means can partially follow the path. During this following the processing means can pour substrate into the containers.

The processing means is preferably placed above a conveyor track. The substrate containers placed with the opening upward on the support surfaces are hereby accessible, and a processing can take place on the top side.

In a particular embodiment the processing means is movable in at least temporary synchronization with the conveyor track. Owing to the synchronous movement the processing means can co-displace with the conveyor track, and so with the support surfaces, in substantially the whole curvature around the centre point which the conveyor track makes. A following movement of the conveyor track is particularly performed here through an angle of at least 90", in particular more than 160 ° .

A processing means is hereby also obtained which can rotate around its axis, the centre point, whereby this same processing means can be reused repeatedly to perform a determined process. The processing means can maintain a continuous speed here, this speed being equal to the speed of the conveyor track. The rotating movement of the processing means prevents the processing means following the conveyor track in jolting manner, which can result in accelerated wear of the device.

The frame is preferably provided with a drive means for the conveyor track. The synchronously movable processing means is preferably coupled to the drive means. The synchronization can hereby be maintained even when the conveyor track changes speed or during startup of the line. A coupling takes place particularly of the guide means of the conveyor track around the centre point and the processing means bearing-mounted around the centre point. In a particular embodiment the processing means comprises a rotatable disc provided with recesses which substantially correspond to the supporting surfaces of the conveyor track. The recesses are used particularly for placing of templates therein. The templates have recesses corresponding with the substrate containers placed preferably in accordance with a fixed pattern on the support surfaces. One or more support surfaces with one or more substrate containers can then be followed using one or more templates.

It is particularly recommended that the processing means is coupled to a drive means for performing a reciprocal movement of this processing means along the conveyor track. The process is performed each time substantially at the same location by constantly repeating the movement.

It is recommended that the conveyor track and support surfaces coupled to the conveyor track are coupled to one drive arranged on the frame. The conveyor track and all support surfaces can hereby be moved using one drive, this drive then being set in accordance with the capacity of the module with the lowest capacity.

This is in particular a drive for the conveyor track which is adapted to drive the conveyor track continuously or intermittently. In an embodiment the conveyor track is moved at a continuous speed during operation. Buffering, temporary storage or accumulation of the substrate containers will hereby not be possible. Repeatedly accelerating and slowing the substrate containers is hereby precluded. Such a continuous driving is also made possible by the processing means of the second module coupled to the conveyor track. It is precisely because of this co-displacement, in particular around the same centre point around which the conveyor track is guided, that a more continuous processing is possible without moving the substrate containers intermittently each time. This is particularly advantageous in the case of a process requiring more time, such as filling/pouring. In the prior art filling lines the filling machine is often the bottleneck.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the second module is a filling unit for filling a substrate container with substrate, and the filling unit comprises a supply container which can be filled with substrate and a dispensing means for guiding the substrate from the supply into the substrate container. It is particularly advantageous according to the invention to perform filling of the substrate containers in the curved path of the conveyor track. By following the substrate containers/supporting surfaces in the curvature around the centre point with a processing means suitable for this purpose the filling of the substrate container can take place over a longer path than is known from the prior art, while the substrate containers herein perform a continuous movement, this in contrast to the prior art wherein it is necessary to position the substrate container substantially at a stationary location during the filling. It is the positioning of the filling unit in the second part which enables the continuous movement of the conveyor track.

It is particularly advantageous if the supply container is movable relative to the dispensing means. It hereby becomes possible to adapt the dispensing means to the movement of the substrate containers which have to be filled, while the supply container performs another movement.

The dispensing means is preferably formed by a template holder with templates. The templates, preferably provided with recesses corresponding to the mouth of a substrate container which can be placed on the support surfaces, can be used as guide means for guiding the substrate into the mouth of the substrate containers.

In addition, the use of a template is favourable in enabling rapid modification of the device to substrate containers of different dimensions. The template can be replaced in the template holder and can be adapted to the substrate containers to be placed on the support surfaces . It is a further advantage here that the filling unit comprises a template holder which is placed between conveyor track and supply container and connected in bearing-mounted manner around the centre point to the frame, and which is provided with recesses in which the templates with the openings for the substrate containers can be received.

The template holder preferably moves in synchronization with the conveyor track. While the support surfaces with the substrate containers thereon are guided around the centre point, the template placed in the template holder follows this same movement around this centre point. The template holder can hereby move in synchronization with the substrate containers, which can then be filled. In a preferred embodiment the template holder is substantially a flat disc which is provided with an upright peripheral edge, wherein the recesses for the templates to be placed are arranged in the disc. The openings for the templates substantially correspond to the respective support surfaces for the substrate containers. Template and top side of the disc form a surface .

It is particularly advantageous to provide the disc close to the centre point with recesses for discharging and collecting substrate. The substrate is placed on the disc and can herein drop through the openings in the templates into the mouths of the substrate containers. It is possible to work with excess substrate. A part of the substrate can herein be lost, and can be discharged via the openings arranged close to the centre point.

In another embodiment a brush module is positioned following the filling module, preferably also in the second part of the line according to the invention. The brush module is adapted to collect and feed back substrate to the filling module. This prevents loss of substrate .

In a particular embodiment one or more brushes are arranged close to a downstream end of the filling module, in particular downstream of the supply container for substrate. The brushes can be particularly placed downstream of the location where the substrate container is moved away from the template. These brushes are adapted to sweep substrate from the disc, and particularly to carry substrate to the centre of the disc. The substrate not carried into the substrate containers is moved to the centre of the disc. This substrate will be fed back to a position upstream of the supply container. This fed-back substrate can be reused. Such a direct feedback without a new collection step etc., results in the possibility of the substrate being reused without structural deterioration. The middle part of the disc is now closed. The substrate is collected close to the centre.

The brush module placed downstream of the filling module in the second part of the conveyor track is preferably a movable module which is driven by a motor and oriented radially of the template table and which is adapted to carry substrate which has escaped from the filling module to a centre point of the template table. The brush module is optionally placed upstream of a pressing module which presses the substrate into the trays/pots. The brush module can be adapted to move over the table and over the templates.

In a further particular embodiment the dispensing means of the filling module, in particular the supply container for substrate, is provided with a mouth. This is situated close to the upstream side. Substrate, in particular the substrate to be reused which is present on the disc, can hereby be carried into the supply container for substrate. Brushes oriented particularly toward the centre and towards the outer periphery of the disc are particularly arranged around the mouth. These guide the substrate that is present into the mouth. The substrate is guided into the supply container by the relative movement of the disc and the supply container of the filling module.

In an embodiment a partition can be arranged in the supply container which divides the supply container into two parts. A first part close to the upstream side of the container is adapted to receive reused substrate, particularly via the mouth. The second part is adapted to receive ^Afresh' substrate from a large supply.

In an embodiment a drilling module is positioned in the second part of the line, particularly close to or on the same part as that on which the filling module is active, for the purpose of drilling a hole in the substrate arranged in the pot, pots or trays. The drilling is here performed particularly through the opening in the template. Drilled substrate can hereby be easily collected and discharged, thereby minimizing fouling of the workplace and optimizing reuse.

The drilling module can perform one, two or more operations. The operations are performed downstream of the supply container or the substrate dispensing means. The drilling module preferably comprises a pressing module. This is practically always used. The module presses the substrate resting on the pot/tray into the mouth of the pot/tray. The pressing module preferably has pressing parts corresponding with the templates. The pressing parts can be guided through the template openings. Pressing the substrate prevents substrate being lost. When the pots/trays are moved relative to the filling module, particularly relative to the disc with template openings, substrate which has not been pressed could be pushed off the pot and be lost. This is now prevented. The same module can also perform the drilling operation. Both operations preferably take place in the second part, i.e. the curved part of the conveyor track for performing operations on the tray/pot.

It is a further advantage that the supply container is connected in bearing-mounted manner to the frame around the same centre point and is coupled to a drive adapted to perform a reciprocating movement. The supply container here preferably retains substantially the same position and moves reciprocally at this position. The advancing template is here preferably followed for a short time in each case. During this following substrate can be introduced through the template into the substrate containers. The following then stops and the supply container moves to the next arriving template having thereunder a subsequent support surface on which substrate containers are arranged. The supply container hereby moves over the substrate containers relative to the continuous flow on the support surfaces, and the substrate is here pushed partially into the mouths of the substrate containers. The degree of filling of the substrate containers can hereby be determined, and a favourable compaction of the substrate in the substrate containers can be obtained. The supply container is preferably a pie-shaped receptacle. The pie-shaped receptacle can follow the reciprocal movement along a part of the curved path of the conveyor track. In a preferred embodiment the filling unit is provided with a drive means. This can be a separate drive means. The drive means can for instance comprise pressing protrusions corresponding with the template. In an embodiment beams are arranged substantially transversely of the direction of movement in the supply container, these beams being placed in the vicinity of the template holder. During the movement over the template holder, wherein the supply container moves relative to the template holder, these beams move over the recesses arranged in the template, wherein these beams function as pressing elements.

It is a particular advantage when the endless conveyor track is formed by a chain or belt, and that the supporting surfaces are arranged on holders coupled to the chain. The holders can be provided with hooks which can be hooked into the belt. The holders are arranged at regular mutual distance. The holders can be removable from the belt. The holders have the same surfaces in each case. The holders can be provided with a pattern holder for placing the substrate containers in a fixed pattern on the supporting surfaces. Because an endless conveyor track is used, the holders are used repeatedly. The holders are here fed back in effective manner to a starting position of the device. A space- saving is hereby also obtained.

The invention also relates to a device for processing pots or trays comprising a chain, wherein holders can be arranged on the chain. The holder can support two or more pots. The holders can be connected to the chain. They can be suspended from the chain. The holder can be provided with specific support means adapted to support pots of a determined size. A device is hereby obtained wherein the convenience of use is increased because the device can be converted more quickly for use in combination with pots or trays of another dimension. By replacing the specific support means a number of pots of another size can be supported by the holder mounted on the chain and be processed in the line. Because a plurality of pots can be supported by one holder with the specific support means, the gap in the line between the respective pots to be processed decreases, thereby increasing capacity. The pots can be arranged closer to each other in the line. There is also a specific support means for trays. The trays are brought to a determined height by the support means. The trays, which are often less high than the pots, can hereby be processed in the same line/device as the higher pots. The height of the pots corresponds with the top side of the supported tray. This considerably limits modification of the line by the user.

The invention also relates to a filling unit. The filling unit can be placed as module in a device for filling substrate containers such as pots and trays. The filling unit comprises a template holder bearing-mounted around a centre point and having recesses for a plurality of templates and a supply container for the substrate bearing-mounted around the centre point and movable relative to the template holder and over the template holder. A filling unit is hereby obtained which operates in an arcuate part of the conveyor track device in which a module is placed. The supply container here preferably performs a reciprocal movement in that it is coupled to such a drive. The template holder with templates is adapted to follow the continuously moving substrate containers ordered in a fixed pattern, wherein the template is placed fitting onto the mouths of the substrate containers. The substrate can then be arranged through the openings into the mouths of the substrate containers, in particular under the influence of gravity. The supply container is moved repeatedly over these openings, wherein the supply container makes a following movement as well as a movement opposed to the direction of movement of the substrate containers.

The invention also relates to a method for filling pots or trays with a substrate. The method provides substrate containers such as pots or trays. Also provided are a number of modules, such as a filling unit, which are adapted to perform an operation relating to the filling. The substrate is carried into the substrate containers by filling thereof. The substrate containers are herein supported and transported. The filling unit fills the substrate containers. The filled substrate containers are then discharged. According to the invention the filling of the substrate containers takes place during transport. A more effective method is hereby obtained wherein the moving substrate containers are filled. This results in a time-saving.

At least a part of the filling unit further performs a reciprocal movement along the direction of transport. The substrate container can hereby be followed temporarily in each case, and the filling unit can then be moved in one stroke to the next arriving substrate container. The repetitive movement is substantially aligned with the direction of movement of the transported substrate container, and in substantially opposite direction thereto.

The method according to the invention comprises of transporting the substrate containers along a path which preferably comprises a first part that is substantially linear and a second part that is a curved path, preferably around a centre point. A method can hereby be obtained wherein the line for performing the different operations of filling the substrate containers can be embodied along an endless conveyor track. According to a further embodiment, at least one operation of the method for filling takes place in the arcuate path, and one operation in the elongate linear part. This is preferably the filling. The endless conveyor track preferably makes a continuous movement. An intermittent movement is also possible.

During filling a part of the filling unit preferably co-displaces with the transported substrate containers. The substrate containers do not as a result have to be stopped. In another embodiment the conveyor track is moved intermittently and preferably stopped during filling.

The co-displacing part is preferably a template. Using the template the filling device can be easily modified to other sizes of mouths of the substrate containers.

The device can further be provided with numerous modules for performing further processes, such as a denesting module. This module is preferably situated in the first part of the conveyor track. Stacks of optionally manually fed trays or pots are hereby denested and placed on the empty support surfaces to be co-displaced with the conveyor track. The device can further comprise a dosing module. This module is preferably placed downstream of the denesting module. This module doses a desired number of pots, optionally in two steps, up to a maximum of a number of pots, in particular six, per support surface into the template holders lying on the support surface. In order to enable this to be done accurately, the relevant template holder is lifted by means of a lifting module from the support surface so that the opening of the template holder already encloses the underside of the pots to be dosed. This lifting is particularly advantageous.

The device or method can further comprise the ejector module for ejecting the trays or pots that have meanwhile been filled and/or processed. The ejector module can position the trays/pots on a discharge conveyor. The ejector module is preferably placed in a second curved part of the conveyor track. The filling module is placed in the first curved part.

The invention will be further explained on the basis of the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to the skilled person that different embodiments of the invention are possible. The invention is described on the basis of measures. Any combination of measures can serve as basis for a divisional application. These may be measures of which the advantages are explicitly or implicitly stated, as well as measures which are not mentioned. In the drawings: figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment ; figure 2 shows a perspective view of a partly cutaway first embodiment; figure 3 shows a detail as according to III in figure 2; figure 4 shows a detail of a holder and conveyor track according to the first embodiment; figure 5 shows a detail of the holder according to a first embodiment; and figure 6 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a filling module.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device 1 which can be applied as a line for filling substrate containers such as pots or trays with a substrate such as soil. A device according to the invention comprises a frame 2. Mounted on the frame is a conveyor track 3 which in the shown embodiment can be driven as according to arrow 4. Conveyor track 3 comprises a belt 5 which is guided around two toothed wheels 6 bearing mounted around a shaft connected to frame 2. Shaft 7 forms the centre point of the movement of conveyor track 3 at the reversing point that has formed around disc 6.

Device 1 according to figure 1 has an endless belt/chain 5 which has two substantially straight parts 10, 11 and two reversing points 12, 13 around respective shafts 8 and 7. Chain 5 is supported by a frame part and guided in a determined path. The path can take different forms. The dimensions of the path are such that during an arcuate route of the path at least several pots or trays can be situated in the arc. The arcuate route, here a 180 degree turn, can also be less than 180 degrees, for instance 150, 120, 90 or 45 degrees.

Holders 16 are coupled to belt/chain 5. Holders 16 are hooked to the belt by means of pins 54 arranged in bushes of this belt 5. Holders 16 are coupled on one side to the chain, for instance by means of a hooking connection wherein one hook, two hooks 54 or more hooks of the holder are received in an opening of the chain. Other connections to belt/chain 5 are also possible. This is preferably a releasable connection. The holders can be replaced. Holders of different dimensions can be used. The holders can be mounted in series on the chain, in each case with small gaps between successive holders. During movement of belt 5 by means of a drive 17 the holders will be advanced as according to arrow 4. Holders 16 are herein guided along a frame part 18, whereby holders 16 have a vertical surface 19 and a horizontal surface 15. A support surface 14 for substrate containers can be formed on horizontal surface 15. The holders have a size such that they can support a number of pots 60. Use is preferably made here of a support means 14 arranged on the horizontal part 15 of the holder. The support means can be adapted to support pots of different dimensions. The support means can for instance comprise recesses of a determined diameter. The pots can be placed in the respective recesses. Owing to the recess the pot is supported better and is less likely to tip over, in particular when chain 5 is driven intermittently.

When the user wishes to use pots of another diameter, not the holders but the support means are replaced by support means adapted to support the pots with the different second size. This replacement can be performed very rapidly. This results in a considerable saving.

The method of supporting the pots with the support means is based on the templates 40 of filling means 30 which will be described hereinbelow. Because one holder can support a plurality of pots, the pots can be placed closer together in the line, thereby obtaining an increased capacity.

The support means is also adapted such that the upper edge of the pots standing on the holder, irrespective of the height of the pot, is positioned in each case at roughly the same height relative to the frame. The height at which a pot is supported by the support means is adapted to the relevant pot. It is hereby possible to perform an operation which takes place at a determined height, without having to reset the device each time, by replacing the support means adapted to the height of the pot.

When trays instead of pots must be placed in the device according to this first embodiment, the user can replace the support means with a support means for a tray. This support means will particularly form a support surface for the tray. The support means is particularly adapted to support the trays in each case at substantially the same height. The height of the support means is adapted to the height of the tray.

For the height of the first support means O₁ adapted to support a first type of pot with a height p_lf and for a second support means with height O₂ for the second part with height p₂ it is the case that

O₁ + P₁ = O₂ + p₂ = C

It is also the case for the height of the tray t_x and the height of the associated tray support means o_t that

o_t + t_λ = C

C is here the working height of a determined module above support surface 15 of the holder. Figure 1 further shows schematically a module 20 adapted to place substrate containers on support surface 14 of a holder 16. Use can be made here of a template in which the substrate containers are placed. Module 20 can also be adapted to place a tray on support surface 14. As according to arrows 4 belt 5 then carries holder 16 to module 21 which can be adapted to place pots on the tray.

The tray with pots is subsequently carried further in the direction of reversing point 12 where filling unit 30 is situated. This will be discussed in more detail below.

Holder 16 with the substrate containers arranged thereon is carried under disc 31. Disc 31 is provided with recesses 32 in which templates can be placed. Disc 31 is a template holder. The template can be placed in recesses 32 and suitable placing means and/or enclosing means are present for this purpose. Different templates can be used. These templates have recesses with a size corresponding to that of the mouths of the substrate containers.

Figure 5 shows a separate template 70 which can be accommodated in a recess 32. A holder 71 is also shown. The holder is provided with support means 72. The support means has square or rectangular recesses into which substrate containers such as pots 73 can be placed. Support means 72 has eight locations. Pots 43 are placed into the eight locations by module 20 or by module 21. The mouth of pot 74 is open and is directed upward. This mouth can be filled with substrate such as soil.

Template 70 has eight recesses 76. The size of recesses 76 corresponds to the size of mouth 74 of each pot 73. When template 70 is positioned above holder 71, mouths 74 connect to the underside of the template and mouths 74 can be filled with a substrate via openings 76. It is possible here, when holder 71 is guided such that mouth 74 presses against the underside of template 70, that no substrate is lost by falling between template and pot. This is what happens in filling unit 30.

Template 70 and support means 72 are adapted to each other. Support means 72 is also adapted to the pots. When a user selects a pot, the associated support means is used for support on holder 71, and an associated template 70 is selected. It is possible that only four pots can be placed on a holder 71. In another embodiment however, more than eight pots can be placed on the holder, partially in the support means. Is noted that the example of figure 5 is not optimized in respect of pot density. Figure 1 shows a more optimal example.

Disc 31 rotates as according to arrow 4. The axis of rotation is shaft 8, the same shaft around which belt 5 of the conveyor track is guided. In addition, disc 31 is connected to the drive for belt 5. The disc and conveyor track 5 will hereby move synchronously.

Each time a holder 16 reaches the part 12 of the endless conveyor track, it is positioned under a recess 32. The recesses 46 of template 40 arranged in recess 32 fit precisely onto the mouths 44 of the respective pots 43. Templates 40 are held in recesses 32 of disc 31 by clamps 53. The skilled person will be able to apply diverse embodiments.

Because the movements of disc 31 and belt 5 are linked, the movement can then be performed synchronously, and template 40 will remain positioned more or less directly above the mouths of the pots during the 180^° rotation of conveyor track 5. Template holder 31 is a part of filling unit 30. It forms a processing means according to the invention. This processing must co-displaces with the movement of the conveyor track. Filling unit 30 further comprises a supply container 35 which has substantially a pie shape and which is positioned on top of template holder 31. Template holder 31 is provided with an upright flanged edge 34.

The pie-shaped supply container 35 can be filled with substrate such as soil. The soil is situated between the upright walls. The underside of the upright walls can be provided with brush elements which during a relative movement of template holder 31 and supply container 35 ensure that the substrate is spread in only small measure over the top surface of template holder 31.

Supply container 35 is coupled via an arm 36 to a second drive 37. Second drive 37 performs a repetitive movement, whereby arm 36 causes supply container 35 to perform a reciprocal movement as according to arrow 38 through a determined degree of arc. This degree of arc can for instance be 90°.

Template holder 31 is thus guided under supply container 35 and the supply container co-displaces temporarily with the template holder, and then in opposite direction to the template holder.

When supply container 35 has been filled with substrate and templates 40 are arranged in openings 32 of template holder 31, substrate can drop through openings 46 of template 40 into the mouths 44 of pots 43.

In the shown embodiment supply container 35 is provided with a radial beam 39 situated directly above the upper surface of template holder 31. During the movement of the supply container as according to arrow 38 this beam 39 will serve as pressing beam. A pressing means 52 is further shown situated downstream of supply container 35. The pressing means is preferably also placed in the arcuate route. It presses the substrate lying in the template into the substrate container so that, when template holder 31 and the holder separate, no substrate drops adjacently of the substrate container. The advantage is that the substrate container and the surrounding area remain clean. By placing the pressing means in the arcuate route it can preferably co-displace around the axis with the transported pots/trays. The pressing means presses through the recesses of the template. After the processing by the filling unit the substrate container filled with substrate is guided further to module 24 which is adapted to place a plant in the substrate. After the potting the conveyor track will move the pots further in the direction of module 25 which is adapted to engage and discharge pots 43. Modules 24,25 are shown schematically in figure 2.

Template holder 31 is further provided with recesses 59 through which substrate which has fallen out of supply container 35 can be discharged and collected under template holder 31 in a collector intended for the purpose (not shown) .

Holder 16 is adapted to support trays, but also a number of separate pots. A device 1 is hereby obtained which is able to support trays as well as a number of pots. Device 1 according to the invention can be readily converted by replacing the templates 42 of holders 41 being used by another template and by replacing template 40 in template holder 31 by another template 40 formed in accordance with the mouths 44 of the pots or trays.

Following the processing in module 24 and the discharge using module 25, no tray or pot is any longer present on the support surface. This can be moved back via the other outer to the position close to module 20. The filling line according to figure 1 can be placed in a small production area. The line is compact. Because the line processing takes place in the turning circle of the line, there is a considerable saving in surface area. The filling unit can be modified rapidly to different trays/holders through the use of templates. The replacement of the templates is possible in simple manner.

Through the use of holders 16 individual platforms are formed for a number of pots or for a tray or for a tray with pots. This divides the line into units which are easy to handle. In addition, the template is adapted to such a size.

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of filling module 99 which is positioned in the second part, i.e. the arcuate part of the conveyor track. A supply container 100 is used similar to that of the first embodiment and can perform a reciprocal movement controlled by means of cylinder 101. Supply container 100 can slide over disc 102. Disc 102 is provided with openings 103 in which templates can be placed. The templates have recesses corresponding with trays or pots to be filled. In the situation of use disc 102 moves as according to arrow

104 around centre 105. Supply container 100 has a mouth 106 on the upstream side. Mouth 106 is formed on the underside of supply container 100. Arranged on either side of the mouth are components which have a brushing function. Brushes 107,108 flank the mouth. Brush 107 sweeps substrate lying on disc 102 from a position close to the centre

105 in the direction of the mouth during the movement of disc 102 as according to arrow 104. Conversely, brush 108 sweeps substrate inward into mouth 106 from a position close to an upright edge of the disc close to the peripheral edge of the disc. The substrate can lie on the disc because it is not used as filling for the substrate container to be filled. Via the mouth the substrate is fed back into the supply container and thus reused. There is no specific transport or collection of the substrate. The structure of the substrate remains more or less unaffected.

In one embodiment a special brush is present, particularly downstream of the filling module, which sweeps substrate situated outside supply container 100 and on disc 102 to an inner side, i.e. toward the centre 104 of the disc. The residual substrate does not hereby enter the template openings. After the pots/trays have been rotated clear, i.e. at the moment that the conveyor track moves away from disc 102 and leaves the second arcuate part, the residual substrate could fall through the template openings onto the floor. This is prevented with the brush. The residual substrate is reused.

Although the invention has been described on the basis of the exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to the skilled person that the invention can be embodied in other exemplary embodiments. The invention is limited only by the appended claims. In addition, it will be apparent to the skilled person that the description of the device and method shown in the embodiments refers to multiple advantages, explicitly or implicitly, and that each of these aspects could be suitable for its own patent protection.

Claims

1. Device for filling substrate containers such as pots or trays, comprising a frame and an endless conveyor track which is arranged on the frame and provided with support surfaces for supporting one or more substrate containers, wherein the conveyor track has at least a first part which is substantially straight and at least a second part which is guided around a centre point, wherein modules for placing, filling and discharging the substrate containers can be connected to the frame along the conveyor track, wherein at least one first module is placed along the first part and at least one second module is placed along the second part.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second module comprises at least one processing means which is bearing-mounted around the centre point.

3. Device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processing means is placed above the conveyor track.

4. Device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the processing means is movable in synchronization with the conveyor track.

5. Device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the conveyor track has a drive means arranged on the frame, and wherein the processing means is coupled to this drive means.

6. Device as claimed in any of the claims 2-5, wherein the processing means is a rotatable disc provided with recesses which substantially correspond to the supporting surfaces of the conveyor track.

7. Device as claimed in any of the claims 2-6, wherein the processing means is provided with templates which can be placed in the recesses.

8. Device as claimed in any of the claims 2-5, wherein the processing means is coupled to a drive means for performing a reciprocal movement of this processing means along the conveyor track.

9. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-8, wherein the conveyor track and all support surfaces are coupled to a drive arranged on the frame.

10. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drive for the conveyor track is adapted to perform a substantially continuous driving of the conveyor track.

11. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-10, wherein the second module is a filling unit for filling the substrate container with substrate, comprising a supply container which can be filled with substrate and a dispensing means for guiding substrate from the supply into the substrate container.

12. Device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the supply container is movable relative to the dispensing means.

13. Device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the dispensing means is formed by a template holder with templates .

14. Device as claimed in any of the claims 11-13, wherein the filling unit comprises a template holder which is placed between conveyor track and supply container and connected in bearing-mounted manner around the centre point to the frame, and which is provided with recesses in which templates with openings for the substrate containers can be received, wherein the template holder is movable in synchronization with the conveyor track.

15. Device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the template holder comprises a substantially flat disc provided with an upright peripheral edge.

16. Device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the disc is provided close to the centre point with recesses for discharging and collecting substrate.

17. Device as claimed in any of the claims 11-16, wherein the supply container is connected in bearing- mounted manner to the frame around the centre point and is coupled to a drive adapted to perform a reciprocating movement of the supply container along the conveyor track.

18. Device as claimed in any of the claims 11-17, wherein the supply container is pie-shaped.

19. Device as claimed in any of the claims 11-18, wherein the filling unit comprises a pressing means.

20. Device as claimed in any of the claims 11-19, wherein the filling unit comprises one or more beams which are arranged in the supply container substantially transversely of the direction of movement and which are arranged close to the template holder.

21. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-20, wherein the conveyor track is formed by a chain and the supporting surfaces are arranged on holders which can be coupled to the chain.

22. Filling unit which can be placed as module in a device for filling substrate containers such as pots and trays, comprising a template holder bearing-mounted around a centre point and having recesses for a plurality of templates and a supply container for substrate bearing-mounted around the centre point and movable relative to the template holder and over the template holder, wherein the supply container is coupled to a drive for performing a reciprocal movement.

23. Method for filling pots or trays with a substrate, comprising of providing substrate containers such as pots or trays and providing substrate, supporting and transporting the substrate containers, filling the substrate containers with substrate with a filling unit and discharging the filled substrate containers, wherein the substrate containers are transported during the filling while the filling unit performs a reciprocal movement along the direction of transport.

24. Method as claimed in claim 23, wherein a part of the filling unit moves synchronously with the transported substrate containers.

25. Method as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the filling unit moves around a centre point.

26. Method as claimed in claim 23, wherein during filling a template is placed over a number of substrate containers, wherein openings in the template correspond to the several substrate containers, wherein the template co-displaces with the substrate containers during the filling.

27. Device for processing substrate containers such as pots or trays, comprising a frame and an endless conveyor track which is arranged on the frame and provided with support surfaces for supporting one or more substrate containers, wherein a holder can be coupled to the conveyor track, preferably to a chain, on which holder a support means can be placed which forms the support surface for at least a number of pots.