WO2010103276A1 - Plant frame and method - Google Patents

Plant frame and method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010103276A1
WO2010103276A1 PCT/GB2010/000435 GB2010000435W WO2010103276A1 WO 2010103276 A1 WO2010103276 A1 WO 2010103276A1 GB 2010000435 W GB2010000435 W GB 2010000435W WO 2010103276 A1 WO2010103276 A1 WO 2010103276A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
frame
stacking
plant
cells
frames
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2010/000435
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John Newsome Cooley
Original Assignee
John Newsome Cooley
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by John Newsome Cooley filed Critical John Newsome Cooley
Publication of WO2010103276A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010103276A1/en

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01GHORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G9/00Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
    • A01G9/02Receptacles, e.g. flower-pots or boxes; Glasses for cultivating flowers
    • A01G9/029Receptacles for seedlings
    • A01G9/0295Units comprising two or more connected receptacles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a plant frame, or tray, and a method for propagating plants, and in particular a plant frame that may be nested with or stacked on a similar plant frame.
  • plants may be grown, or propagated, with their roots in any of a number of conventional growing media, such as soil, peat or coir.
  • growing media such as soil, peat or coir.
  • each frame being capable of holding a plurality of plants, such as typically between 20 and 800 plants.
  • the frames are handled by hand and in some cases they are handled by automated machinery.
  • the frames are typically arranged on the ground or on benching or tables.
  • a frame typically comprises an array of cells, each cell being capable of containing compost for propagation of a plant.
  • Plant frames of this type are sometimes termed plant trays.
  • the word frame will be used to include both terms in this document.
  • compost When a plant is grown, compost must be retained around the growing roots of the plant. This can be achieved in several ways. Loose compost may be retained in a container, typically of plastic but other materials are also used, such as card or paper. A system such as an Ellepot (RTM) may be used, in which a volume of compost is held in a (typically cylindrical) membrane of a biodegradable material, such as paper. The membrane is designed temporarily to retain the compost until the plant's root structure is sufficiently developed to retain the compost itself.
  • RTM Ellepot
  • a system such as a "glueplug” may be used, in which compost is mixed with a polymeric binder and formed into a suitable shape for plant propagation, such as a cylindrical shape or a shape corresponding to a container in which the glueplug will be held. The binder then sets the compost into this shape.
  • Other systems include holding compost in a cardboard-like pot, through which roots can grow, and Jiffy (RTM) pots in which compost is held in a net.
  • Compost may therefore either be used as loose compost or retained as a volume of compost in any of a number of known ways.
  • These systems for retaining a volume of compost such as Ellepots (RTM), glueplugs and the like, will be referred to in this document as "soilholders”. Soilholders typically offer some support to the compost but may also need to be supported or held in a separate container during use.
  • each cell may comprise an integral container for receiving loose compost or a soilholder, or the cell may be adapted to receive a separate container for holding loose compost or a soilholder.
  • a perforated air-pruning container is advantageously used.
  • an air-pruning container may be designed to retain loose compost but is sufficiently perforated to encourage air pruning.
  • an air-pruning container may advantageously be used to support the soilholder, but a more extensively perforated, or frame-like, container may be used than would be suitable for loose compost. This is because the soilholder may reduce the tendency for compost to fall out of the perforations in the air-pruning container.
  • a plurality of cells extend downwardly from a substantially planar upper surface, which is horizontal during use of the frame.
  • Each cell conventionally tapers inwardly from an opening in the upper surface to the lower end of the cell.
  • This provides three main advantages. First, it enables the plant frame to be moulded from a plastics material, for example by injection moulding, in which the tapered cell shape assists in removal of the frame from the mould. Second, the tapered cell shape enables the easy lifting of plants and compost from cells when required for transplanting. Third, the tapered cell shape allows nesting of similar frames; when a frame is placed on top of a similar frame having tapered cells, the cells in the upper frame can nest within the cells in the lower frame. When a plurality of frames is nested in this way, the total height of the nested frames is advantageously reduced, for ease of storage or transport and for stability. Summary of Invention
  • the invention provides a plant frame and a method for nesting and stacking plant frames as defined in the appended independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Preferred or advantageous features of the invention are set out in dependent sub-claims.
  • the invention may thus provide a plant frame comprising an array of cells for containing compost for propagating plants, in which the frame can be stacked or nested with a similar frame.
  • the frame can be placed on top of a similar or compatible frame in either of two different orientations, namely a nesting orientation and a stacking orientation.
  • nesting orientation cells in the frame nest within cells in the similar frame.
  • stacking orientation the frame stacks on top of the similar frame, without the cells nesting within cells in the similar frame.
  • the frame may thus provide the advantage that cells in the similar frame may be filled with compost, before the frame is stacked on top of the similar frame. When the frames are stacked, the compost in the similar frame is not significantly disturbed.
  • the compost may be contained in the cells in any conventional manner, preferably in the form of soilholders, but also as loose compost contained directly within the cells (depending on the design of the cells), or in any other way.
  • the cells may be adapted to receive separate containers holding loose compost or soilholders.
  • the frame is rotatable, or translatable, or movable through some combination of rotation and translation, between the nesting and stacking orientations. In a preferred embodiment, however, the frame is rotated through a pre-determined angle between the nesting and stacking orientations.
  • the angle of rotation may depend on the shape of the frame and the shape of the array of cells. For example, it is preferable that the frame, both when nested and stacked, is positioned directly, or vertically, above the similar frame and is not laterally offset from the similar frame. Consequently, if the frame is substantially rectangular (in plan view) then the nesting orientation and the stacking orientation are preferably separated by a rotation of 180°. If the frame is substantially square, then the nesting and stacking orientations may be separated by 90° or 180°.
  • the frame it is not essential for the frame to be positioned directly above the similar frame in both the nesting and stacking orientations.
  • the packing efficiency of a plurality of nested frames is optimised if the frames are not offset from one another.
  • the stability of the stack may be optimised if the frames are not laterally offset from one another.
  • the frame comprises a stacking apparatus which is capable of either nesting with a corresponding stacking apparatus of a similar frame or, in the stacking orientation, enabling frame stacking.
  • the frame may comprise an array of cells extending downwardly from a substantially planar upper surface which is horizontal during use of the frame.
  • the array of cells occupies a central portion of the upper surface and is surrounded by a rim portion of the upper surface, that extends laterally beyond the cells at the edges of the array.
  • the rim may provide a means for handling the frame; for example a user may hold the rim to lift the frame.
  • the rim may also protect and support the cells at the edges of the array.
  • the cells in the array may be spaced from each other by a cell spacing, selected to allow space for growth of a plant in each cell.
  • two or more frames are usually positioned adjacent to each other; for example rectangular frames may be positioned adjacent to each other either in a row of frames or in a rectangular array of frames.
  • two frames are adjacent to each other, they cannot be placed closer to each other than is permitted by the abutment of their rims.
  • Such frames may be termed "endless" or "sideless” frames.
  • the width of the rim of a frame may be half of the width of the upper surface of the frame between two cells in the array, measured in the same direction across the array. In that case, the cell spacing within the array can be maintained between two adjacent frames.
  • One type of conventional frame as illustrated in Figure 12, comprises a rigid skirt, or flange, extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the rim of a frame.
  • the skirt is at least as deep as the cells of the frame so that when a frame is placed on a flat surface, it rests on the lower edge of the skirt.
  • the skirt tapers outwardly towards its lower edge. This is required because when two similar frames nest, the skirt of one must nest within the skirt of the other.
  • a plant frame having a modified skirt is known, which is designed such that when a frame is placed on a similar frame in a nesting orientation the frames nest, and when the frame is moved to a stacking orientation and placed on the similar frame, the frames stack.
  • Two such frames 100, 102 are shown, stacked one on top of the other, in Figure 13.
  • the modified skirt of each frame is in the form of seven supporting legs, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116.
  • the frame is rectangular and has two legs, linked by a cross-beam 118 for rigidity, on one of its ends and both of its sides. The legs are positioned such that when two similar frames are in the same orientation they nest, the legs of each frame being outwardly flared to next over the legs of a similar frame beneath.
  • the upper frame 100 is rotated through 180°, its legs seat on seat portions 120 suitably positioned around the outer edge of the rim of the lower frame 102, so that the frames stack.
  • This frame can be seen as having a modified skirt because it is similar to the frame of Figure 12, which comprises a full skirt, in that the legs of the frame of Figure 13 must flare outwardly in order to permit frame stacking, and therefore interfere when frames are placed next to each other during plant propagation.
  • the modified skirt is an essential feature of the frame, but the presence of the skirt inevitably prevents frames from being placed next to each other sufficiently closely to avoid disadvantageously interrupting the cell spacing between adjacent frames.
  • One object of the invention is to address this problem. It does so by providing a stacking apparatus that is preferably positioned within the array of cells in a frame.
  • the stacking apparatus therefore does not interfere with the ability to position frames next to each other, sufficiently close to each other that the cell spacing within the frames during plant propagation is not disadvantageously interrupted by a significantly greater cell spacing between frames.
  • the cell spacing between frames may be equal to, or less than 1.5 times, the cell spacing within a frame, measured in the same direction.
  • the spacing between cells in adjacent frames may be considered relative to the width of the upper surface of a frame between two cells of the frame. In that case the corresponding distance between two cells at the edges of adjacent frames may advantageously be equal to, or less than 1.5 times, or less than 2, 3 or 4 times the width of the upper surface of the frame between two cells of the frame, measured in the same direction.
  • the stacking apparatus may be positioned within the width of the rim of the upper surface of the frame, as long as the width of the rim is sufficiently small to allow that the cell spacing between frames is equal to, or less than 1.5 times, the cell spacing within the frame, measured in the same direction.
  • the spacing between cells in adjacent frames may also be considered relative to the width of the upper surface of the frame between two cells of the frame, as described above.
  • the stacking apparatus may comprise a stacking abutment spaced beneath an upper surface of the frame (when the frame is in position for use) and a corresponding opening defined in the upper surface of the frame above the stacking abutment. In the nesting orientation, the stacking abutment can thus pass through, or nest in, the corresponding opening defined in the upper surface of the similar frame.
  • the stacking abutment When the frame is in its stacking orientation, the stacking abutment advantageously seats on or cooperates with a seat portion of the similar frame.
  • the seat portion may be a portion of the upper surface of the similar frame or may be a specially-designed seat portion.
  • the seat portion may be reinforced to support the weight of the frame, and of any further frames stacked thereon. Either the seat portion or the abutment may be shaped to provide lateral location of the stacked frame relative to the similar frame beneath.
  • the stacking abutment may extend laterally from a cell of the frame, preferably outwardly from the cell.
  • the stacking abutment may, for example, take the form of one or more supporting ledges, or flanges.
  • the opening in the upper surface of the frame should extend down a side of the cell, to allow nesting of a stacking abutment of a similar frame.
  • the stacking apparatus lies outside the cells of the frame, then it may have little effect on aspects of the design of the cells relating to retaining compost or plants. Consequently, only limited modifications to conventional cell designs, and in particular the design of the interior of the cell, may be required.
  • a convenient form of the stacking abutment may be a beam linking two cells of the frame.
  • the stacking apparatus may be arranged between two diagonally-separated cells in the array.
  • the frame comprises three or more stacking apparatus spaced over an area of the frame to enable stable stacking of two or more frames.
  • the stacking apparatus may be positioned near corners of the frames to enhance stacking stability.
  • stacking apparatus may be distributed around the frame as required to support the loading of stacked frames.
  • the loading may be significant if it is intended to stack a large number of frames loaded with compost.
  • the frame may comprise first and second stacking apparatus positioned such that, when the frame is in the stacking orientation, the first stacking apparatus of the frame overlies but does not nest with the second stacking apparatus of the similar frame beneath.
  • first and second stacking apparatus are symmetrically arranged in the frame, such that when the frame is moved between the nesting and stacking orientations, the first and second stacking apparatus exchange places.
  • the first and second stacking apparatus are at diagonally opposite corners of a rectangular frame, and the nesting and stacking orientations are separated by a 180° rotation.
  • the stacking apparatus may comprise a locating arrangement, or locating means, so that stacked frames are securely positioned relative to each other. A frame stacked on top of another frame may thus be prevented from sliding laterally relative to the frame beneath.
  • a stacking apparatus may comprise a stacking abutment spaced beneath an upper surface of the frame, and a corresponding opening defined in the upper surface of the frame above the stacking abutment, such that in a nesting orientation of the frame the stacking abutment passes through, or nests in, the corresponding opening defined in the upper surface of a similar frame.
  • the nesting procedure may be considered as follows.
  • a first frame may be placed on a flat surface.
  • the stacking abutments of the second frame pass through the corresponding openings defined in the upper surface of the first frame.
  • the openings in the upper surface of the second frame are positioned directly above the openings in the upper surface of the first frame.
  • the stacking abutments of the third frame may pass through the openings in the upper surface of the second frame and also the openings in the upper surface of the first frame.
  • the frames may be designed so that the nesting efficiency of the frames is limited only by interference of the stacking abutments of successive frames.
  • a lower surface of the stacking abutment of the second frame may abut an upper surface of the stacking abutment of the first frame.
  • a lower surface of a stacking abutment of the third frame may abut an upper surface of a stacking abutment of the second frame.
  • the stacking efficiency of the frames may not be related to the overall height of a frame but may be determined by other design factors such as the height of the stacking abutments or the height of other elements of the frame design that may interfere when frames are nested, such as a rim of the upper surface of each frame. It may be noted that a frame must have sufficient structural rigidity for use in plant propagation, and factors such as the depth of the rim and the height of the stacking abutments may be designed to ensure adequate structural strength and rigidity. However, such features may also be designed to permit efficient stacking.
  • the height of the rim and the height of the stacking abutments may be substantially equal.
  • frames according to the invention may have high nesting efficiency.
  • 4, 5 or more frames embodying the invention may be nested such that the nested frames have a total height of less than twice the height of a single frame.
  • Frames should advantageously stack such that there is as little as possible overlap between the vertical height of the frames, so that cells in a first frame may be filled with compost and a second frame stacked on top of the first frame without disturbing the compost in the first frame, or disturbing the compost as little as possible.
  • a further aspect of the invention provides a method of plant propagation.
  • two or more frames each comprise an array of cells for containing compost for propagating plants.
  • the method comprises nesting a frame with a similar frame by placing the frame on top of the similar frame in a nesting orientation, and stacking the frame with the similar frame by moving the frame from the nesting orientation to a stacking orientation and placing the frame on top of the similar frame.
  • a first frame is denested, by lifting the top frame from the plurality of nested frames.
  • Compost is inserted into one or more cells of the first frame, either directly or means of inserting containers or plugs of compost.
  • a second frame is then denested and moved to the stacking orientation, and stacked on top of the first frame.
  • Compost may then be inserted into the cells of the second frame, and the process repeated with further frames.
  • the cells of the first frame and/or the second frame may be filled with compost before the respective frame is denested.
  • This method may conveniently be implemented by hand or by machine, and may advantageously improve efficiency in the handling of frames and loading of frames with compost.
  • frames may be placed next to each other on a substantially flat surface, such that the spacing between cells at the edges of adjacent frames is substantially equal to, or less than 1.5 times or 2, 3 or 4 times, the cell spacing within a frame.
  • the method may be reversed after plant propagation.
  • compost When compost is removed from the frames, they may be moved into their nesting orientation and nested for convenient storage or transport.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of a plant frame according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a partial perspective view, from above, of the front, right-hand corner of the frame of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a partial perspective view from beneath of the corner of the frame in Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a plan view of four cells at a corner of the frame of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view, from beneath, of the cells of Figure 4;
  • Figure 6 is a partial perspective view, from above, of two frames according to the first embodiment stacked on top of one another;
  • Figure 7 is a plan view of the stacked frames of Figure 6;
  • Figure 8 is a partial perspective view, from beneath, of two frames according to the first embodiment nested together;
  • Figure 9 is the partial perspective view of Figure 8, with the upper frame shown in phantom;
  • Figure 10 is a perspective view from above, of three frames according to the first embodiment, the lower two frames being nested together and the upper frame stacked on top of the lower two frames;
  • Figure 11 is an end elevation of the three frames of Figure 10;
  • Figure 12 is a three-quarter view of a first prior art tray.
  • Figure 13 is a three-quarter view of a pair of prior art trays of a second design, stacked together.
  • FIGS 1 to 5 illustrate a frame 2 embodying the invention.
  • the frame comprises a square, 6 by 12, array of cells 8.
  • Each cell extends downwardly from a circular opening defined in a substantially flat upper surface 10 of the frame.
  • Each cell tapers inwardly from the circular opening to a lower end of the cell.
  • An upper end of each cell is formed by a tapered skirt 12 extending downwardly from the upper surface 10.
  • Four ribs 14 extend downwardly from the skirt to a horizontal, generally cruciform base 16 linking the four ribs 14.
  • the skirt, the ribs and the base define a container, or frame, for receiving compost.
  • the container or frame is intended to receive a soilholder of compost or a separate container of compost. Cells for containing loose compost directly would require more extensive, or complete, walls.
  • Two legs 18 extend downwardly from the cruciform base to two foot portions 20 of each cell.
  • a peripheral flange 22 extends downwardly from the substantially rectangular edge of the rim of the upper surface 10 of the frame, in order to increase the rigidity of the frame.
  • the flange is provided with cut-away portions 24 to serve as handles.
  • the rims of the frames in the embodiment are narrow in width. This means that when two frames are positioned next to each other, during plant propagation, the spacing of the plants within frames is similar to the spacing of plants between frames.
  • the frame comprises eight stacking apparatus 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64.
  • An enlarged view of a stacking apparatus is shown in Figures 4 and 5.
  • Each stacking apparatus comprises a beam 32 linking the adjacent foot portions of two adjacent, diagonally-separated cells.
  • the beam is therefore at 45° to an edge of the rectangular frame.
  • a slot or opening 34 is defined through the upper surface 10 of the frame. The slot or opening links the cells that are bridged by the beam, and extends down the sides of the cells to allow nesting of a beam of a similar frame.
  • the tapered cells of the upper frame 4 nest within the tapered cells of the lower frame 6, and the beams 32 of the upper frame pass through the slots or openings 34 of the lower frame, such that the frames nest. Since the beam of each stacking apparatus is positioned close to the foot portions of the cells, the stacking apparatus do not obstruct nesting to the full depth of the cells, such that when two frames are nested, the flange 22 surrounding the rim of the upper frame can rest on the upper surface of the lower frame.
  • the height of a frame is approximately 70mm and the depth of the flange surrounding the upper surface is approximately 10mm.
  • the pitch of nested frames is approximately 10mm, and ten frames can, for example, be nested within a total vertical height of about 160mm.
  • An alternative measure is that seven frames can be nested in 140mm, which is twice the height of a single frame.
  • this close nesting is possible in part because the depth of the beam of each stacking apparatus is equal to or less than the pitch of the stacked frames. Since it may be desirable to maximise the depths of the beams and of the flange surrounding the rim of the tray in order to increase the rigidity of the tray, while maintaining efficient nesting, the depths of the beams io and the flange may be substantially equal.
  • the frame In order to stack a frame on a similar frame in the embodiment, the frame must be rotated through 180° relative to the similar frame. This is illustrated by frame 2 stacked on top of frame 4 in Figures 6, 7, 10 and 11.
  • the frame comprises eight stacking apparatus, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64.
  • the stacking apparatus are distributed so that four stacking apparatus 50, 54, 60, 64 are located at corners of the rectangular frame.
  • the other four stacking apparatus 52, 56, 58, 62 are
  • All of the stacking apparatus are symmetrically disposed about the centre of the frame, such that when the frame is rotated through 180° and placed on top of a similar frame, the stacking apparatus overlie corresponding stacking apparatus on the lower frame.
  • the stacking apparatus are arranged
  • the beams of the stacking apparatus are arranged at 90° to each other, as are the corresponding openings or slots.
  • the beam of each stacking apparatus is perpendicular to the opening or slot of the stacking apparatus in the frame beneath.
  • the beam will therefore not pass through the opening or slot, but instead will seat on the upper surface of the lower frame, bridging the opening or slot.
  • Figure 7 is a plan view of two stacked frames 2, 4.
  • the beams 32 of the stacking apparatus of the upper tray 2 can be seen at right angles to the corresponding beams 80 of the lower frame 4.
  • a flange 66 extends downwardly from each edge of the upper surface of the frame defining the slot or opening of each stacking apparatus. This reinforces the upper surface of the frame during stacking.
  • the lower edge of the beam 32 of each stacking apparatus is positioned slightly above the lower ends of the foot portions 20 of the adjacent cells.
  • the ends of the foot portions 20 at each end of the beam protrude into the cells of the lower frame. This serves mechanically to locate the upper frame on the lower frame and to prevent the upper frame from sliding laterally with respect to the lower frame.
  • the ends of the foot portions of the upper frame may slightly disturb the compost in some of the cells in the lower frame, but the lengths of the ends of the foot portions are advantageously minimised to reduce any such disturbance.
  • the corners 70 at one end of the rectangular rim of the upper surface of each frame are radiused, or rounded, by comparison with the corners 72 at the other end of the rim.
  • Frames having their rounded corners aligned, as in the lower two frames 4 and 6 of Figures 10 and 11 are in their nesting orientation.
  • a frame has its rounded comers aligned with the square corners of the frame beneath, it is in its stacking orientation as seen in frames 2 and 4 of Figures 7, 10 and 11.
  • Any such marking of the orientation of frames may be used, such that a user, or a machine, can easily tell whether two frames are in the same orientation as each other, and so will nest, or are in different orientations, and will stack.
  • the cells of the frames in the embodiments comprise extended legs 18 and foot portions 20.
  • the stacking apparatus may comprise a stacking abutment, or beam, extending from a different portion of the cell, as would be appreciated by the skilled person.

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  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)

Abstract

A plant frame (2) consists of an array of cells (8), each for containing compost for propagating a plant. The frame can be either stacked on or nested with a similar frame. The frame is provided with a stacking apparatus (50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) comprising a stacking abutment (32) spaced beneath an upper surface (10) of the frame, and a corresponding opening (34) defined in the upper surface of the frame above the stacking abutment. When the frame is placed on top of the similar frame in a nesting orientation of the frame relative to the similar frame, the stacking abutment passes through the corresponding opening in the upper surface of the similar frame, and the frames nest with their upper surfaces relatively closely spaced one above the other. When the frame is placed on top of the similar frame in a stacking orientation of the frame relative to the similar frame, the stacking abutment seats on a seat portion of the similar frame, so that the frames stack with their upper surfaces further apart than when they are nested.

Description

Plant Frame and Method
The invention relates to a plant frame, or tray, and a method for propagating plants, and in particular a plant frame that may be nested with or stacked on a similar plant frame.
In commercial plant-propagation systems, plants may be grown, or propagated, with their roots in any of a number of conventional growing media, such as soil, peat or coir. For convenience in this document growing media of all kinds will be referred to by the generic term "compost".
When large numbers of plants are to be propagated, they may be arranged in frames, each frame being capable of holding a plurality of plants, such as typically between 20 and 800 plants. In some cases, the frames are handled by hand and in some cases they are handled by automated machinery. In use, the frames are typically arranged on the ground or on benching or tables. A frame typically comprises an array of cells, each cell being capable of containing compost for propagation of a plant.
Plant frames of this type are sometimes termed plant trays. The word frame will be used to include both terms in this document.
When a plant is grown, compost must be retained around the growing roots of the plant. This can be achieved in several ways. Loose compost may be retained in a container, typically of plastic but other materials are also used, such as card or paper. A system such as an Ellepot (RTM) may be used, in which a volume of compost is held in a (typically cylindrical) membrane of a biodegradable material, such as paper. The membrane is designed temporarily to retain the compost until the plant's root structure is sufficiently developed to retain the compost itself. A system such as a "glueplug" may be used, in which compost is mixed with a polymeric binder and formed into a suitable shape for plant propagation, such as a cylindrical shape or a shape corresponding to a container in which the glueplug will be held. The binder then sets the compost into this shape. Other systems include holding compost in a cardboard-like pot, through which roots can grow, and Jiffy (RTM) pots in which compost is held in a net.
Compost may therefore either be used as loose compost or retained as a volume of compost in any of a number of known ways. These systems for retaining a volume of compost, such as Ellepots (RTM), glueplugs and the like, will be referred to in this document as "soilholders". Soilholders typically offer some support to the compost but may also need to be supported or held in a separate container during use.
In a plant frame, each cell may comprise an integral container for receiving loose compost or a soilholder, or the cell may be adapted to receive a separate container for holding loose compost or a soilholder. In a plant propagation system in which air pruning is desired, a perforated air-pruning container is advantageously used. For loose compost, an air-pruning container may be designed to retain loose compost but is sufficiently perforated to encourage air pruning. Where a soilholder is used, an air-pruning container may advantageously be used to support the soilholder, but a more extensively perforated, or frame-like, container may be used than would be suitable for loose compost. This is because the soilholder may reduce the tendency for compost to fall out of the perforations in the air-pruning container.
In a conventional plant frame, a plurality of cells extend downwardly from a substantially planar upper surface, which is horizontal during use of the frame. Each cell conventionally tapers inwardly from an opening in the upper surface to the lower end of the cell. This provides three main advantages. First, it enables the plant frame to be moulded from a plastics material, for example by injection moulding, in which the tapered cell shape assists in removal of the frame from the mould. Second, the tapered cell shape enables the easy lifting of plants and compost from cells when required for transplanting. Third, the tapered cell shape allows nesting of similar frames; when a frame is placed on top of a similar frame having tapered cells, the cells in the upper frame can nest within the cells in the lower frame. When a plurality of frames is nested in this way, the total height of the nested frames is advantageously reduced, for ease of storage or transport and for stability. Summary of Invention
The invention provides a plant frame and a method for nesting and stacking plant frames as defined in the appended independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Preferred or advantageous features of the invention are set out in dependent sub-claims.
In a first aspect, the invention may thus provide a plant frame comprising an array of cells for containing compost for propagating plants, in which the frame can be stacked or nested with a similar frame. In use, the frame can be placed on top of a similar or compatible frame in either of two different orientations, namely a nesting orientation and a stacking orientation. In the nesting orientation, cells in the frame nest within cells in the similar frame. In the stacking orientation, the frame stacks on top of the similar frame, without the cells nesting within cells in the similar frame.
The frame may thus provide the advantage that cells in the similar frame may be filled with compost, before the frame is stacked on top of the similar frame. When the frames are stacked, the compost in the similar frame is not significantly disturbed.
The compost may be contained in the cells in any conventional manner, preferably in the form of soilholders, but also as loose compost contained directly within the cells (depending on the design of the cells), or in any other way. For example the cells may be adapted to receive separate containers holding loose compost or soilholders.
Advantageously, the frame is rotatable, or translatable, or movable through some combination of rotation and translation, between the nesting and stacking orientations. In a preferred embodiment, however, the frame is rotated through a pre-determined angle between the nesting and stacking orientations.
The angle of rotation may depend on the shape of the frame and the shape of the array of cells. For example, it is preferable that the frame, both when nested and stacked, is positioned directly, or vertically, above the similar frame and is not laterally offset from the similar frame. Consequently, if the frame is substantially rectangular (in plan view) then the nesting orientation and the stacking orientation are preferably separated by a rotation of 180°. If the frame is substantially square, then the nesting and stacking orientations may be separated by 90° or 180°.
It is not essential for the frame to be positioned directly above the similar frame in both the nesting and stacking orientations. However, in the nesting orientation the packing efficiency of a plurality of nested frames is optimised if the frames are not offset from one another. In the stacking orientation, if a large number of frames is stacked, then the stability of the stack may be optimised if the frames are not laterally offset from one another.
Advantageously, the frame comprises a stacking apparatus which is capable of either nesting with a corresponding stacking apparatus of a similar frame or, in the stacking orientation, enabling frame stacking. As described above, in a particular embodiment the frame may comprise an array of cells extending downwardly from a substantially planar upper surface which is horizontal during use of the frame. The array of cells occupies a central portion of the upper surface and is surrounded by a rim portion of the upper surface, that extends laterally beyond the cells at the edges of the array. The rim may provide a means for handling the frame; for example a user may hold the rim to lift the frame. The rim may also protect and support the cells at the edges of the array.
The cells in the array may be spaced from each other by a cell spacing, selected to allow space for growth of a plant in each cell.
In a nursery, two or more frames are usually positioned adjacent to each other; for example rectangular frames may be positioned adjacent to each other either in a row of frames or in a rectangular array of frames. When two frames are adjacent to each other, they cannot be placed closer to each other than is permitted by the abutment of their rims. However, it is advantageous to be able to position two frames sufficiently close to each other that the cell spacing is not significantly changed, or interrupted, between frames. Such frames may be termed "endless" or "sideless" frames. Ideally, for example, the width of the rim of a frame may be half of the width of the upper surface of the frame between two cells in the array, measured in the same direction across the array. In that case, the cell spacing within the array can be maintained between two adjacent frames. This allows the selected cell spacing for plant propagation to be maintained throughout an array of frames, giving each plant the same growing conditions whether it is in the middle of a frame or at the edge of a frame, and achieving optimal packing of plants so as to make good use of space in a nursery or greenhouse.
Even if the ideal of maintaining an even cell spacing throughout an array of frames cannot be achieved, there is advantage in being able to position adjacent frames such that the spacing between cells at the edges of adjacent frames exceeds the array cell spacing by as little as possible.
The desire to minimise any increase in cell spacing between adjacent frames leads to a problem in designing frames that can be nested in a nesting orientation and stacked in a stacking orientation. One type of conventional frame, as illustrated in Figure 12, comprises a rigid skirt, or flange, extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the rim of a frame. The skirt is at least as deep as the cells of the frame so that when a frame is placed on a flat surface, it rests on the lower edge of the skirt. The skirt tapers outwardly towards its lower edge. This is required because when two similar frames nest, the skirt of one must nest within the skirt of the other.
A plant frame having a modified skirt is known, which is designed such that when a frame is placed on a similar frame in a nesting orientation the frames nest, and when the frame is moved to a stacking orientation and placed on the similar frame, the frames stack. Two such frames 100, 102 are shown, stacked one on top of the other, in Figure 13. The modified skirt of each frame is in the form of seven supporting legs, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116. The frame is rectangular and has two legs, linked by a cross-beam 118 for rigidity, on one of its ends and both of its sides. The legs are positioned such that when two similar frames are in the same orientation they nest, the legs of each frame being outwardly flared to next over the legs of a similar frame beneath. When the upper frame 100 is rotated through 180°, its legs seat on seat portions 120 suitably positioned around the outer edge of the rim of the lower frame 102, so that the frames stack.
This frame can be seen as having a modified skirt because it is similar to the frame of Figure 12, which comprises a full skirt, in that the legs of the frame of Figure 13 must flare outwardly in order to permit frame stacking, and therefore interfere when frames are placed next to each other during plant propagation. In other words the modified skirt is an essential feature of the frame, but the presence of the skirt inevitably prevents frames from being placed next to each other sufficiently closely to avoid disadvantageously interrupting the cell spacing between adjacent frames.
One object of the invention is to address this problem. It does so by providing a stacking apparatus that is preferably positioned within the array of cells in a frame. The stacking apparatus therefore does not interfere with the ability to position frames next to each other, sufficiently close to each other that the cell spacing within the frames during plant propagation is not disadvantageously interrupted by a significantly greater cell spacing between frames. Thus, the cell spacing between frames may be equal to, or less than 1.5 times, the cell spacing within a frame, measured in the same direction. Alternatively, the spacing between cells in adjacent frames may be considered relative to the width of the upper surface of a frame between two cells of the frame. In that case the corresponding distance between two cells at the edges of adjacent frames may advantageously be equal to, or less than 1.5 times, or less than 2, 3 or 4 times the width of the upper surface of the frame between two cells of the frame, measured in the same direction.
Alternatively, the stacking apparatus may be positioned within the width of the rim of the upper surface of the frame, as long as the width of the rim is sufficiently small to allow that the cell spacing between frames is equal to, or less than 1.5 times, the cell spacing within the frame, measured in the same direction. Again, the spacing between cells in adjacent frames may also be considered relative to the width of the upper surface of the frame between two cells of the frame, as described above.
The stacking apparatus may comprise a stacking abutment spaced beneath an upper surface of the frame (when the frame is in position for use) and a corresponding opening defined in the upper surface of the frame above the stacking abutment. In the nesting orientation, the stacking abutment can thus pass through, or nest in, the corresponding opening defined in the upper surface of the similar frame.
When the frame is in its stacking orientation, the stacking abutment advantageously seats on or cooperates with a seat portion of the similar frame. The seat portion may be a portion of the upper surface of the similar frame or may be a specially-designed seat portion. The seat portion may be reinforced to support the weight of the frame, and of any further frames stacked thereon. Either the seat portion or the abutment may be shaped to provide lateral location of the stacked frame relative to the similar frame beneath.
The stacking abutment may extend laterally from a cell of the frame, preferably outwardly from the cell. The stacking abutment may, for example, take the form of one or more supporting ledges, or flanges. In this case, the opening in the upper surface of the frame should extend down a side of the cell, to allow nesting of a stacking abutment of a similar frame.
Advantageously, if the stacking apparatus lies outside the cells of the frame, then it may have little effect on aspects of the design of the cells relating to retaining compost or plants. Consequently, only limited modifications to conventional cell designs, and in particular the design of the interior of the cell, may be required.
A convenient form of the stacking abutment may be a beam linking two cells of the frame. Advantageously, where the array of cells is a square or rectangular array, the stacking apparatus may be arranged between two diagonally-separated cells in the array.
Preferably, the frame comprises three or more stacking apparatus spaced over an area of the frame to enable stable stacking of two or more frames. Further, the stacking apparatus may be positioned near corners of the frames to enhance stacking stability.
Depending on the size of the frame, stacking apparatus may be distributed around the frame as required to support the loading of stacked frames. The loading may be significant if it is intended to stack a large number of frames loaded with compost.
Advantageously, the frame may comprise first and second stacking apparatus positioned such that, when the frame is in the stacking orientation, the first stacking apparatus of the frame overlies but does not nest with the second stacking apparatus of the similar frame beneath. This may occur if the first and second stacking apparatus are symmetrically arranged in the frame, such that when the frame is moved between the nesting and stacking orientations, the first and second stacking apparatus exchange places. An example of this is if the first and second stacking apparatus are at diagonally opposite corners of a rectangular frame, and the nesting and stacking orientations are separated by a 180° rotation.
Preferably, the stacking apparatus may comprise a locating arrangement, or locating means, so that stacked frames are securely positioned relative to each other. A frame stacked on top of another frame may thus be prevented from sliding laterally relative to the frame beneath.
A further problem in conventional plant frames concerns the nesting efficiency of frames. A nursery may need to handle thousands of frames and storage of frames is made significantly more convenient if frames nest efficiently, so that a large number of frames nested together occupy the least possible vertical height. In a frame embodying the present invention, a stacking apparatus may comprise a stacking abutment spaced beneath an upper surface of the frame, and a corresponding opening defined in the upper surface of the frame above the stacking abutment, such that in a nesting orientation of the frame the stacking abutment passes through, or nests in, the corresponding opening defined in the upper surface of a similar frame.
It is important to consider not only the nesting of two frames but the nesting of three or more frames. In the frame embodying the present invention as described above, the nesting procedure may be considered as follows. A first frame may be placed on a flat surface. When a second frame is nested with the first frame, the stacking abutments of the second frame pass through the corresponding openings defined in the upper surface of the first frame. When the frames are nested (assuming that the frames are horizontally oriented in their normal position), the openings in the upper surface of the second frame are positioned directly above the openings in the upper surface of the first frame. When a third frame is nested on top of the second frame, the stacking abutments of the third frame may pass through the openings in the upper surface of the second frame and also the openings in the upper surface of the first frame. Preferably, the frames may be designed so that the nesting efficiency of the frames is limited only by interference of the stacking abutments of successive frames. Thus, when the second frame is nested with the first, a lower surface of the stacking abutment of the second frame may abut an upper surface of the stacking abutment of the first frame. Similarly, when the third frame is nested with the second frame, a lower surface of a stacking abutment of the third frame may abut an upper surface of a stacking abutment of the second frame.
Importantly, therefore, the stacking efficiency of the frames may not be related to the overall height of a frame but may be determined by other design factors such as the height of the stacking abutments or the height of other elements of the frame design that may interfere when frames are nested, such as a rim of the upper surface of each frame. It may be noted that a frame must have sufficient structural rigidity for use in plant propagation, and factors such as the depth of the rim and the height of the stacking abutments may be designed to ensure adequate structural strength and rigidity. However, such features may also be designed to permit efficient stacking.
Conveniently, in a preferred embodiment, the height of the rim and the height of the stacking abutments may be substantially equal.
In a preferred embodiment, frames according to the invention may have high nesting efficiency. For example, 4, 5 or more frames embodying the invention may be nested such that the nested frames have a total height of less than twice the height of a single frame.
Similarly, the stacking efficiency of frames is important. Frames should advantageously stack such that there is as little as possible overlap between the vertical height of the frames, so that cells in a first frame may be filled with compost and a second frame stacked on top of the first frame without disturbing the compost in the first frame, or disturbing the compost as little as possible.
A further aspect of the invention provides a method of plant propagation. In the method, two or more frames each comprise an array of cells for containing compost for propagating plants. The method comprises nesting a frame with a similar frame by placing the frame on top of the similar frame in a nesting orientation, and stacking the frame with the similar frame by moving the frame from the nesting orientation to a stacking orientation and placing the frame on top of the similar frame.
This enables a method in which a plurality of similar frames is received, for example at a nursery, nested together for convenience of transport or storage.
A first frame is denested, by lifting the top frame from the plurality of nested frames. Compost is inserted into one or more cells of the first frame, either directly or means of inserting containers or plugs of compost. A second frame is then denested and moved to the stacking orientation, and stacked on top of the first frame. Compost may then be inserted into the cells of the second frame, and the process repeated with further frames. Alternatively, the cells of the first frame and/or the second frame may be filled with compost before the respective frame is denested.
This method may conveniently be implemented by hand or by machine, and may advantageously improve efficiency in the handling of frames and loading of frames with compost.
During plant propagation, frames may be placed next to each other on a substantially flat surface, such that the spacing between cells at the edges of adjacent frames is substantially equal to, or less than 1.5 times or 2, 3 or 4 times, the cell spacing within a frame.
The method may be reversed after plant propagation. When compost is removed from the frames, they may be moved into their nesting orientation and nested for convenient storage or transport.
Description of Specific Embodiments and Best Mode of the Invention Specific embodiments of the invention will be now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a plant frame according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a partial perspective view, from above, of the front, right-hand corner of the frame of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is a partial perspective view from beneath of the corner of the frame in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a plan view of four cells at a corner of the frame of Figure 1 ;
Figure 5 is a perspective view, from beneath, of the cells of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a partial perspective view, from above, of two frames according to the first embodiment stacked on top of one another;
Figure 7 is a plan view of the stacked frames of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a partial perspective view, from beneath, of two frames according to the first embodiment nested together;
Figure 9 is the partial perspective view of Figure 8, with the upper frame shown in phantom;
Figure 10 is a perspective view from above, of three frames according to the first embodiment, the lower two frames being nested together and the upper frame stacked on top of the lower two frames;
Figure 11 is an end elevation of the three frames of Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a three-quarter view of a first prior art tray; and
Figure 13 is a three-quarter view of a pair of prior art trays of a second design, stacked together.
Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a frame 2 embodying the invention. The frame comprises a square, 6 by 12, array of cells 8. Each cell extends downwardly from a circular opening defined in a substantially flat upper surface 10 of the frame. Each cell tapers inwardly from the circular opening to a lower end of the cell. An upper end of each cell is formed by a tapered skirt 12 extending downwardly from the upper surface 10. Four ribs 14 extend downwardly from the skirt to a horizontal, generally cruciform base 16 linking the four ribs 14. The skirt, the ribs and the base define a container, or frame, for receiving compost. In this case, the container or frame is intended to receive a soilholder of compost or a separate container of compost. Cells for containing loose compost directly would require more extensive, or complete, walls. Two legs 18 extend downwardly from the cruciform base to two foot portions 20 of each cell.
A peripheral flange 22 extends downwardly from the substantially rectangular edge of the rim of the upper surface 10 of the frame, in order to increase the rigidity of the frame. The flange is provided with cut-away portions 24 to serve as handles.
The rims of the frames in the embodiment are narrow in width. This means that when two frames are positioned next to each other, during plant propagation, the spacing of the plants within frames is similar to the spacing of plants between frames.
As can be seen in Figure 1 , the frame comprises eight stacking apparatus 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64. An enlarged view of a stacking apparatus is shown in Figures 4 and 5.
Each stacking apparatus comprises a beam 32 linking the adjacent foot portions of two adjacent, diagonally-separated cells. The beam is therefore at 45° to an edge of the rectangular frame. Above the beam, a slot or opening 34 is defined through the upper surface 10 of the frame. The slot or opening links the cells that are bridged by the beam, and extends down the sides of the cells to allow nesting of a beam of a similar frame.
Thus, when two similar frames are placed on top of one another, as shown by frames 4 and 6 in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 , the tapered cells of the upper frame 4 nest within the tapered cells of the lower frame 6, and the beams 32 of the upper frame pass through the slots or openings 34 of the lower frame, such that the frames nest. Since the beam of each stacking apparatus is positioned close to the foot portions of the cells, the stacking apparatus do not obstruct nesting to the full depth of the cells, such that when two frames are nested, the flange 22 surrounding the rim of the upper frame can rest on the upper surface of the lower frame. In the embodiment, the height of a frame is approximately 70mm and the depth of the flange surrounding the upper surface is approximately 10mm. Thus, the pitch of nested frames is approximately 10mm, and ten frames can, for example, be nested within a total vertical height of about 160mm. An alternative measure is that seven frames can be nested in 140mm, which is twice the height of a single frame.
5 In this embodiment, this close nesting is possible in part because the depth of the beam of each stacking apparatus is equal to or less than the pitch of the stacked frames. Since it may be desirable to maximise the depths of the beams and of the flange surrounding the rim of the tray in order to increase the rigidity of the tray, while maintaining efficient nesting, the depths of the beams io and the flange may be substantially equal.
In order to stack a frame on a similar frame in the embodiment, the frame must be rotated through 180° relative to the similar frame. This is illustrated by frame 2 stacked on top of frame 4 in Figures 6, 7, 10 and 11.
I5
As was seen in the plan view in Figure 1 , the frame comprises eight stacking apparatus, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64. The stacking apparatus are distributed so that four stacking apparatus 50, 54, 60, 64 are located at corners of the rectangular frame. The other four stacking apparatus 52, 56, 58, 62 are
20 inwardly spaced from the corners of the frame, to support its central portion when stacked. All of the stacking apparatus are symmetrically disposed about the centre of the frame, such that when the frame is rotated through 180° and placed on top of a similar frame, the stacking apparatus overlie corresponding stacking apparatus on the lower frame. The stacking apparatus are arranged
25 in pairs that are diagonally opposite each other, such as stacking apparatus 50 and 64 and it is therefore essential that when the frame is in the stacking orientation, the pairs of stacking apparatus must stack and not nest. Thus, in each such pair, the beams of the stacking apparatus are arranged at 90° to each other, as are the corresponding openings or slots. Thus, when a frame is
30 rotated through 180°, between its nesting orientation and its stacking orientation, the beam of each stacking apparatus is perpendicular to the opening or slot of the stacking apparatus in the frame beneath. The beam will therefore not pass through the opening or slot, but instead will seat on the upper surface of the lower frame, bridging the opening or slot. Thus, the upper
35 frame stacks on the lower frame, supported by the abutment of the lower edges of the beams of the stacking apparatus with the upper surface of the lower frame.
This can be seen in Figure 7, which is a plan view of two stacked frames 2, 4. The beams 32 of the stacking apparatus of the upper tray 2 can be seen at right angles to the corresponding beams 80 of the lower frame 4.
A flange 66 extends downwardly from each edge of the upper surface of the frame defining the slot or opening of each stacking apparatus. This reinforces the upper surface of the frame during stacking.
As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the lower edge of the beam 32 of each stacking apparatus is positioned slightly above the lower ends of the foot portions 20 of the adjacent cells. Thus, when the lower edge of a beam abuts the upper surface of a lower frame, as seen in Figure 6, the ends of the foot portions 20 at each end of the beam protrude into the cells of the lower frame. This serves mechanically to locate the upper frame on the lower frame and to prevent the upper frame from sliding laterally with respect to the lower frame. When the cells in a frame are filled with compost and a further frame is stacked on top, the ends of the foot portions of the upper frame may slightly disturb the compost in some of the cells in the lower frame, but the lengths of the ends of the foot portions are advantageously minimised to reduce any such disturbance.
In Figures 10 and 11 , three frames are shown, the lower two frames being nested and the upper two frames being stacked. In practice, any practical number of frames can be stacked or nested, as required in the nursery.
As shown in Figure 1 , for example, the corners 70 at one end of the rectangular rim of the upper surface of each frame are radiused, or rounded, by comparison with the corners 72 at the other end of the rim. This conveniently allows a user, or nurseryman, to check visually whether frames are in their nesting or stacking orientation. Frames having their rounded corners aligned, as in the lower two frames 4 and 6 of Figures 10 and 11 , are in their nesting orientation. When a frame has its rounded comers aligned with the square corners of the frame beneath, it is in its stacking orientation as seen in frames 2 and 4 of Figures 7, 10 and 11.
Any such marking of the orientation of frames may be used, such that a user, or a machine, can easily tell whether two frames are in the same orientation as each other, and so will nest, or are in different orientations, and will stack.
The cells of the frames in the embodiments comprise extended legs 18 and foot portions 20. In frames that do not have these components, the stacking apparatus may comprise a stacking abutment, or beam, extending from a different portion of the cell, as would be appreciated by the skilled person.

Claims

Claims
1. A plant frame comprising an array of cells for containing compost for propagating plants, which can be stacked or nested with a similar frame, in which a stacking apparatus comprises a stacking abutment spaced beneath an upper surface of the frame, and a corresponding opening defined in the upper surface of the frame above the stacking abutment, such that in a stacking orientation of the frame the stacking abutment seats on a seat portion of the similar frame, and in a nesting orientation of the frame the stacking abutment passes through, or nests in, the corresponding opening defined in the upper surface of the similar frame.
2. A plant frame according to claim 1 , in which the frame comprises an upper surface which is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the similar frame both when the frame and the similar frame are nested and when they are stacked, and the frame is rotatable and/or translatable between the nesting and stacking orientations.
3. A plant frame according to claim 2, in which the frame is rotatable through a predetermined angle between the nesting and stacking orientations.
4. A plant frame according to claim 3, in which the frame is rectangular or square, and the predetermined angle is 180°.
5. A plant frame according to claim 3, in which the frame is square and the predetermined angle is 90°.
6. A plant frame according to any preceding claim in which the stacking abutment extends outwardly from a cell of the frame.
7. A plant frame according to any preceding claim, in which the stacking abutment comprises a beam linking two cells of the frame.
8. A plant frame according to any preceding claim, in which the array of cells is a square or rectangular array and the stacking apparatus is arranged between two adjacent, diagonally-spaced cells in the array.
9. A plant frame according to any preceding claim, in which the seat portion comprises a part of the upper surface of the frame.
10. A plant frame according to any preceding claim, comprising three or more stacking apparatus spaced over an area of the frame such that, in the stacking orientation, the frame stacks in a stable manner on the similar frame.
11. A plant frame according to any preceding claim, comprising first and second stacking apparatus positioned such that, when the frame is in the stacking orientation, the first stacking apparatus of the frame overlies but does not nest with the second stacking apparatus of the similar frame.
12. A plant frame according to claim 11 , in which the nesting orientation and the stacking orientation are separated by rotation of the frame through a predetermined angle, and the first and second stacking apparatus of the frame are similar to each other but arranged at orientations separated by a different predetermined angle.
13. A plant frame according to claim 12, in which the nesting and stacking orientations are separated by a rotation of 180° and the first and second stacking apparatus are arranged at 90° to each other.
14. A plant frame according to claim 12, in which the nesting and stacking orientations are separated by a rotation of 90° and the first and second stacking apparatus are arranged parallel to each other.
15. A plant frame according to claim 12, in which the nesting and stacking orientations are separated by a rotation of 180° and the first and second stacking apparatus are arranged at 60° to each other.
16. A plant frame according to any preceding claim, which has stacking apparatus positioned near to corners of the frame.
17. A plant frame according to any preceding claim, which can be nested or stacked with a plurality of similar frames.
18. A plant frame according to any preceding claim, in which the cells may contain compost directly, in the form of a soilholder or loose compost, or may be adapted to receive a container containing compost, in the form of a soilholder or loose compost.
19. A plant frame according to any preceding claim, in which the array of cells includes a row of cells spaced from each other by a cell spacing, and in which a cell at an end of the row is spaced from a perimeter of the frame, in the direction of the row of cells, by a distance less than cell spacing.
20. A plant frame according to claim 19, in which the distance between the cell at the end of the row and the perimeter of the frame is approximately half of the cell spacing.
21. A plant frame according to claim 19 or 20, in which the frame can be placed next to a similar frame, such that an inter-frame cell spacing, between a cell at an end of the row of cells of the frame and a cell at an adjacent end of the corresponding row of cells in the similar frame, is less than 2, 3 or 4 times the cell spacing of the row.
22. A plant frame according to claim 21 , in which the inter-frame cell spacing is less than 1.5 times the cell spacing of the row.
23. A plant frame according to claim 21 , in which the inter-frame cell spacing is approximately equal to the cell spacing of the row.
24. A method for nesting and stacking plant frames, each frame having an array of cells for containing compost for propagating plants, in which the frame comprises a stacking apparatus in which a stacking abutment is spaced beneath an upper surface of the frame, and a corresponding opening is defined in the upper surface of the frame above the stacking abutment, the method comprising the steps of; in a stacking orientation of the frame, seating the stacking abutment on 5 a seat portion of a similar frame; and in a nesting orientation of the frame, passing the stacking abutment through the corresponding opening defined in the upper surface of the similar frame. o
25. A method according to claim 24, comprising the step of rotating and/or translating the frame between the nesting orientation and the stacking orientation.
26. A method according to claim 23, in which the frame is rectangular ors square, and comprising the step of rotating the frame through 180° between the nesting orientation and the stacking orientation.
27. A method according to claim 23, in which the frame is square and comprising the step of rotating the frame through 90° between the nesting0 orientation and the stacking orientation.
28. A method according to any of claims 24 to 27, comprising the step of nesting or stacking a plurality of similar plant frames. 5
29. A method according to any of claims 24 to 28, comprising the steps of; receiving a plurality of similar, nested frames; denesting a first one of the frames; inserting compost into one or more cells of the first frame, either by inserting compost directly, in the form of loose compost or a soilholder,o or inserting containers containing compost, in the form of loose compost or a soilholder; denesting a second one of the frames; moving the second frame from the nesting orientation to the stacking orientation; and s stacking the second frame on the first frame.
30. A method according to any claims 24 to 29, in which the array of cells comprises a row of cells spaced by a cell spacing, comprising the step of positioning the frame next to a similar tray such that an inter-frame cell spacing, between a cell at an end of the row of cells of the frame and a cell at an adjacent end of the corresponding row of cells in similar frame, is less than 2, 3 or 4 times, or less than 1.5 times, the cell spacing of the row.
31. A method according to claim 30, in which the inter-frame cell spacing is approximately equal to the cell spacing of the row.
32. A plant frame substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.
33. A method for handling plant frames substantially as described herein, with reference to the drawings.
PCT/GB2010/000435 2009-03-13 2010-03-11 Plant frame and method WO2010103276A1 (en)

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WO2019145699A1 (en) * 2018-01-23 2019-08-01 International Plant Propagation Technology Ltd Plant-growing tray
US11477946B2 (en) 2018-01-23 2022-10-25 International Plant Propagation Technology Ltd Plant-growing tray
GB2570346B (en) * 2018-01-23 2022-12-28 International Plant Propagation Tech Limited Plant-growing tray
WO2020117104A1 (en) * 2018-12-03 2020-06-11 Björkemar Construction & Consulting Bcc Ab Plant carrier
US11785895B2 (en) 2018-12-03 2023-10-17 Björkemar Construction & Consulting Bcc Ab Plant carrier
WO2023009805A1 (en) * 2021-07-29 2023-02-02 Blackmore Company, Inc. Horticulture tray

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