WO2015040551A1

WO2015040551A1 - Hydroponic growing system, apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2015040551A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/064585
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan COOTE
Original assignee: H2O-Ganics Limited
Priority date: 2013-09-18
Filing date: 2014-09-17
Publication date: 2015-03-26
Also published as: GB201316537D0; GB2518361A

Abstract

Hydroponic growing systems do not utilise space efficiently. The present invention overcomes this by providing a gondola (100) for an aerial conveyor that may be rotated relative to the aerial conveyor (500) such that each plant present within hydroponic growing trays (300) on the conveyor (500) may be exposed to substantially uniform lighting.

Description

HYDROPONIC GROWING SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD

The present invention relates generally to the growing of plants by hydroponic means and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in aerial conveyor systems carrying gondolas loaded with trays of hydroponic plants.

The environment within a greenhouse may be closely monitored and controlled. In particular, the temperature and humidity may be kept within a narrow range to best favour the healthy growth of plants therein. Greenhouses lend themselves in particular to the growing of plants hydroponically, and more particularly to the growing of herbs, salad, watercress and brassicas. In addition, plants grown within a greenhouse and/or hydroponically may be done so without the use of herbicides and/or pesticides, and in some jurisdictions may be referred to as organic agriculture. Conventional greenhouses are designed not only to hold plants, but also to provide access to the plants by gardeners. Space within the greenhouse is not utilised efficiently. In addition, while sophisticated systems are often employed to provide feed and water to the plants, they are generally inefficient and result in a significant amount of the feed and water being wasted.

One approach to solving the aforementioned problems is disclosed in WO2010097562A1, in which an apparatus for the cultivation of plants is disclosed. The apparatus comprising: a track assembly; a plurality of support assemblies mounted to the track assembly so as to be moveable therealong; each support assembly comprising a receptacle for one or more plants, wherein the receptacle is removable from the apparatus. However, there exist shortcomings in this arrangement that prevent it from efficiently using the space available to it, in view of the limited amount and direction of incident sunlight for growing plants. These shortcomings are addressed by the present invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gondola for an aerial conveyor, the gondola comprising: a support frame, configured to carry at least one hydroponic growing tray thereon; and a connector, configured to couple the support frame to an aerial conveyor, the connector configured to allow, in use, rotation of the support frame about a vertical axis relative to the aerial conveyor.

In this way, the gondola may be rotated relative to the aerial conveyor such that each plant present within the at least one hydroponic growing tray may be exposed to substantially uniform lighting.

The gondola may be any form of structure for suspension from an aerial conveyor.

The aerial conveyor may be a ropeway conveyor, aerial ropeway, aerial lift, gondola lift, cable transport system, aerial tram and/or any other form of aerial conveyor using any known mechanism for imparting motion to a gondola, such as a rope, cable and/or chain. The aerial conveyor may comprise a track and a propulsion cord. The propulsion cord may be a rope, chain, cable, nylon cord, and/or other known type of cord. In one particular embodiment the aerial conveyor may comprise a track and a nylon cord parallel to the track. The track may be a tube, pipe or similar arrangement. In particular, the track may comprise a guide, through which the nylon cord may be arranged to pass. The nylon cord may be driven by a motor, such that the cord moves relative to the track. The nylon cord may be driven at a speed of between approximately 2ms^-1 and 5ms^-1, in particular between approximately 3ms^-1 and 4ms^-1, more particularly approximately 3.7ms^-1. The nylon cord may be driven by at least one motor, for instance between 2 and 20 motors, in particular, between 6 and 18 motors more particularly 8 or 16 motors. Each motor may have an output of between approximately 75W and 6,000W, in particular between approximately 150W and 750W, more particularly approximately 375W. The track may be between approximately 50m and 2,000m in length, for instance between approximately 500m and 1,800m, in particular between approximately 800m and 1,600m in length, more particularly approximately 800m, 1,000m, 1,400m or 1,600m in length.

The connector may be a permanent connector, such that the support frame is permanently coupled to the aerial conveyor; however, in preferred embodiments, the connecter may be a detachable connector, for detachably coupling the support frame to the aerial conveyor. The connector may be a hook, clamp or clip. In one embodiment, the aerial conveyor may comprise a series of hooks permanently coupled thereto. Each gondola may comprise an eye bracket that may be in the form of a closed loop. For instance, the eye bracket may have a substantially ring-like shape, or D-shape (i.e. the shape of a roman letter 'D' sans serif. The eye bracket may be configured to engage with the hooks of the aerial conveyor, such that each gondola may be suspended from one of the hooks. The eye bracket may be connected to the support frame via a central support that includes a bearing, for instance a thrust bearing.

The support frame may comprise a substantially cylindrical frame portion coupled to the connector, and at least one tray supporting member disposed on the cylindrical frame portion per hydroponic growing tray to be carried on the support frame. In this way, rotation of the support frame about a vertical axis relative to the aerial conveyor may be achieved substantially without any part of the support frame projecting out of an initial footprint of the support frame; that is, a profile of the support frame projected onto a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis.

The support frame may be between approximately 50cm and 1m in width, in particular between approximately 70cm and 90cm in width, more particularly approximately 84cm in width. The support frame may be between approximately 50cm and 3m in height, for instance, between approximately 1.5m and 2.9m in height, in particular between approximately 2m and 2.8m in height, more particularly approximately 2.675m in height.

The support frame may comprise more than one tray supporting member per hydroponic growing tray to be carried on the support frame. In this way, each tray may be supported in a stable position.

The support frame and/or the frame portion may be rotationally symmetric about the substantially vertical axis, in use, through the connector.

The support frame and/or the frame portion may have 2-fold rotational symmetry about a substantially vertical axis, in use, through the connector.

The support frame may be configured to carry more than one hydroponic growing tray thereon.

The support frame may be configured to carry at least one stack of hydroponic growing trays.

The support frame may be configured to carry a first hydroponic growing tray (or stack of hydroponic growing trays) on a first side of the support frame and a second (stack of) hydroponic growing tray(s) on a second side of the support frame. For instance, the support frame may be configured to carry 1, 2, 3 or 4 stacks of hydroponic growing trays.

Each stack of trays may comprise between approximately 3 and 12 trays, in particular between approximately 5 and 10 trays, more particularly 7 trays.

The gondola may further comprise at least one hydroponic growing tray for holding plants to be grown hydroponically. For instance, the gondola may comprise between approximately 1 and 24 trays, in particular between approximately 5 and 20 trays, more particularly 14 trays.

Each hydroponic growing tray may comprise a tray base having a substantially horizontal base portion and a perimeter wall. In this way, the hydroponic growing tray may be configured to hold water therein.

Each hydroponic growing tray may comprise at least one internal divider that may be configured to isolate a first region within the tray from a second region within the tray. In this way fluid may be held adjacent at least one plant to be grown hydroponically within the tray. The tray may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 internal dividers. Each internal divider may be configured to isolate a first region from a plurality of second regions.

At least one internal divider is provided with a passage therethrough for fluid communication between the first region and the second region(s). In this way, fluid levels may equalise between regions. In particular, fluid may scour a path between regions to efficiently convey fluid between plants to be grown hydroponically.

The passage may be provided adjacent the base portion of the tray. In this way, nutrients that have precipitated out of the fluid may be moved between regions by the fluid flow. For instance, this may be due to a scouring effect of the fluid.

Each hydroponic growing tray may comprise a tray lid, the tray lid provided with at least one hole therein. The hole may be an access hole, that may be for allowing fluid, water and/or nutrients to pass into the tray. There may be only one access hole. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one hole may be a plant hole configured to hold a single plant to be grown hydroponically. Specifically, the plant hole may be for receiving a stem of a plant therethrough. There may be a single plant hole or a plurality of plant holes. Each plant hole may be configured to hold a single plant or a plurality of plants. Alternatively or additionally, each plant hole may be configured to hold a punnet of plants. In this way, the layout of plant holes may be chosen to suit a particular plant type. The plant hole may be of any shape. For instance, the plant hole may be shaped to accommodate a particular plant. The plant hole may be shaped to facilitate insertion or removal of a plant. The hole may be drilled or cut out. The hole may be a slot, it may be round, it may be square, or it may be any other shape.

The tray may be substantially rectangular in from; however, in preferred embodiments, the tray may be substantially trapezoidal in form. Other shapes for the tray are contemplated.

The tray comprises a corrugated plastics material, such as twinwall plastic and/or corriboard, for instance Polyflute (RTM), Coroplast (RTM), IntePro (RTM), Proplex (RTM), Correx (RTM), Twinplast (RTM), Corriflute (RTM) or Corflute (RTM). The tray may be die cut and welded and/or glued together.

The tray base may comprise an exit hole configured to allow fluid to exit the tray. In this way, stale water can be removed from the tray.

The tray may further comprise a tube disposed with its axis substantially vertically within the exit hole such that fluid may only exit the tray when a fluid level within the tray is above some predefined height. In this way, plants to be grown hydroponically within the tray may be maintained with a sufficient fluid supply.

The tray may further comprise a grommet and/or washer disposed within the exit hole, configured to grip the tube. In this way, fluid may be prevented from unintentionally leaking from the tray.

The axial position of the tube within the exit hole may be variable such that the predefined height above which fluid may exit the tray through the tube is variable. In this way, the amount of fluid retained within the tray may be variable.

The tray may be configured such that fluid deposited at a predefined location on the tray lid may flow through each of the first and second regions before exiting the tray via the exit hole. In particular, it may flow through all regions before exiting the tray. The access hole may be located at the predefined location.

The tray may be configured such that the exit hole is located substantially below the predefined location, in use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conveyor system comprising an aerial conveyor and at least one gondola according to the first aspect.

The conveyor system may comprise more than one gondola. For instance, the conveyor system may comprise between approximately 10 and 1,500 gondolas, for instance between approximately 400 and 1,000 gondolas, in particular, between approximately 450 and 960 gondolas, more particularly approximately 476 or 952 gondolas.

The conveyor system may further comprise a growing room in which the aerial conveyor is located. The growing room may be a greenhouse and/or glasshouse. The growing room may be any pre-existing indoor space. The growing room may be constructed substantially from multilayer polycarbonate, which may be between approximately 5cm and 15 cm thick, in particular approximately 10cm thick. In this way, sunlight may be diffused to prevent scorching of the plants on the gondola(s). The growing room may be provided with a cooling system, for instance a ventilation system; in this way, the growing room may be kept cool during the summer. The growing room may be provided with a heating system; in this way, the growing room may be kept warm during the winter. In particular, the temperature within the room may be held above 10 degrees centigrade. The heating and/or cooling system may be a heat pump, for instance a ground source heat pump. In one embodiment, the growing room may be approximately 200m long, approximately 26m wide and approximately 13m tall; however, any other size of room is contemplated.

The conveyor system may further comprise a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the support frame of each gondola about a vertical axis relative to the aerial conveyor.

The rotation mechanism may comprise an arm arranged to contact the support frame of each gondola as the aerial convey moves the gondola past the arm.

The arm may be a hook. Alternatively, the rotation mechanism may comprise a motor and an engagement mechanism that may be provided on the gondola, on the aerial conveyor and/or adjacent the aerial conveyor.

The rotation mechanism may be configured to rotate the support frame through an angle of up to approximately 360 degrees, in particular approximately 180 degrees, more particularly approximately 90 degrees relative to the aerial conveyor.

The aerial conveyor may comprise a track and a propulsion cord, and is arranged such that the track may trace out a closed-loop pathway. The closed-loop pathway may be in three-dimensions. In this way, the aerial conveyor may be shaped to fit within any size and/or shape of building without wasting valuable growing space. In particular, the aerial convey may include slopes of up to approximately 70 degrees, in particular approximately 65 degrees, more particularly approximately 60 degrees.

The pathway may be substantially polygonal in form. The pathway may have a form substantially that of a non-convex polygon and/or a concave polygon. That is, the pathway may have interior angels that are greater than 180 degrees.

The conveyor system may further comprise a second aerial conveyor arranged such that the track traces out a second closed-loop pathway in three dimensions that substantially interweaves a first pathway of the first aerial conveyor.

The second aerial conveyor may be configured to convey gondolas in a sense opposite that of the first aerial conveyor. The term 'sense' is intended to describe either substantially clockwise or anti-clockwise motion; that is, the rotational direction of the gondolas around the aerial conveyor.

The first and second pathways may have the form substantially of a double helix.

The conveyor system may further comprise a ground conveyor arranged substantially below the aerial conveyor. The conveyor system may be configured to permit transfer of gondolas between the aerial conveyor and the ground conveyor during operation of the aerial conveyor and/or the ground conveyor; that is, while the aerial conveyor and/or the ground conveyor is moving gondolas.

The ground conveyor may be a belt conveyor and/or conveyor belt, and may be configured to support each gondola on a substantially horizontal surface. The ground conveyor may be located at a first end of the growing room in which the aerial conveyor is located.

The aerial conveyor may be routed lower over the ground conveyor to reduce clearance. The aerial conveyor may comprise a mechanism for detaching the gondola. For instance, a hook coupling the gondola to the aerial conveyor may be swung out of engagement. The ground conveyor may move the gondola sideways; that is, out of the path of aerial conveyor. Similarly, the aerial conveyor may comprise a mechanism for attaching the gondola. The mechanism for attaching the gondola may be the mechanism for detaching the gondola operated in reverse.

The ground conveyor and/or the aerial conveyor may comprises a portion that is height adjustable such that gondolas may be selectively raised and/or lowered for transfer between the ground conveyor and the aerial conveyor.

The conveyor system may comprise at least one feeding station, configured to provide plants in each gondola with fluid. The fluid may comprise water and/or nutrients. There may be 1 feeding station, or a plurality of feeding stations, for instance 2, 3, 4 or more feeding stations.

The feeding station may be configured to deposit fluid at a predefined location on an upper tray in a first stack of trays received on the gondola.

Alternatively, according to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a hydroponic growing tray as described above.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of growing plants hydroponically, comprising: providing the conveyor system of the second aspect; and moving the gondola(s) in a first direction along the aerial conveyor.

Seedlings may be placed in a growing on area between approximately 1 and 10 days after germination, in particular, between approximately 2 and 5 days. The seedlings may be grown in the growing on area for between approximately 3 and 7 days, up to a maximum of 20 days. The growing on area need not be provided with natural light. The seedlings may be transferred to the gondola from the growing on area. The seedlings may be transferred to the gondola once they are mature, for instance after approximately 6-10 days after propagation. They may be transferred to a hydroponic growing tray whilst in the growing on area.

Plants may be placed in hydroponic growing trays. The hydroponic growing trays may be placed on the support frame of the gondola. The gondola may be exposed to sunlight between approximately 7 hours and approximately 18 hours per day. The gondola may be moved on the aerial conveyor between approximately 7 hours and approximately 24 hours per day, in particular, between approximately 12 hours and approximately 21 hours per day, more particularly approximately 18 hours per day.

The location of the growing tray on the gondola may be changed at a frequency of between approximately 1 day and approximately 2 weeks, in particular between approximately 4 days and approximately 10 days, more particularly approximately 1 week. Food, for instance leaves, may be harvested from the mature plants at a frequency of between approximately 7 days and approximately 28 days, in particular between approximately 12 days and approximately 20 days. More particularly, food, for instance leaves, may be harvested from the mature plants after approximately 12 days, 24 days and 36 days on the conveyor. Food, for instance leaves, may be harvested from the mature plants at most between approximately 2 and 20 times, in particular approximately 3 times. The method may include at least one sacrificial harvest, being the final harvest, after which the plant may be disposed of. Between approximately 10 and 60 per cent of the plants may be harvested each week.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gondola according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a tray lid according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tray insert for insertion into the tray of figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side plan view of the tray inset of figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a tray base of the tray of figure 2.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a blank suitable for forming into a first and a second divider comprised within the tray insert of figure 3.

Figure 7 is a side plan view of a first and a second divider formed from the blank of figure 6.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a blank suitable for forming into a third and a fourth divider comprised within the tray insert of figure 3.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a conveyor system according to the present invention.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a conveyor system according to the present invention.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a conveyor system according to the present invention.

The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term 'comprising', used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression 'a device comprising means A and B' should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

Reference throughout this specification to 'an embodiment' or 'an aspect' means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases 'in one embodiment', 'in an embodiment', or 'in an aspect' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term 'at least one' may mean only one in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gondola 100 according to the present invention. The gondola 100 comprises a support frame 110 having a substantially cylindrical shape with its central axis vertical. The support frame 110 comprises an upper structural ring 120 and a lower structural ring 130. Each

structural ring

120, 130 is substantially circular, and constructed from a substantially rigid material, such as metal. The upper and lower

structural rings

120, 130 are arranged in parallel planes with their centres coaxial, and are connected together by circumferential support arms 140. The support arms 140 may be constructed from a substantially rigid material, such as metal; however, alternatively, they may be constructed from substantially inextensible cables, such that the lower structural ring 130 is suspended substantially beneath the upper structural ring 120 by the support arms 140.

At an upper end of the support frame 110 is a connector 150. The specific mechanism by which the connector may couple the support frame 110 to an aerial conveyor is not shown, for the purpose of clarity. However, the connector 150 is configured to allow, in use, rotation of the support frame 110 about the central axis of the support frame 110 relative to the aerial conveyor. Rotation may be permitted by a bearing arrangement. For instance the bearing arrangement may comprise a rotary bearing, in particular a thrust bearing. In particular, the connector may have an outer sleeve that couples to the support frame 110 that is configured to be rotatable around a central spindle, which is non-rotatably attachable to the aerial conveyor.

The connector 150 is connected to the support frame via six transverse members 160. Each transverse member is connected at a first end to the connector 150 and at an opposing end to a circumferential support arm 140. A central support arm 170 extends from the connector 150 along the central axis. The transverse members 160 and the central support arm 170 may be constructed from a substantially rigid material, such as metal; however, alternatively, they may be constructed from substantially inextensible cables.

The central support arm 170 supports a central part of a series of five central tray supporting members 200. Each central tray supporting member 200 is elongate in form, and is coupled at each end to a circumferential support arm 140, such that each central tray supporting member 200 extends across a diameter of the support frame 110. The central tray supporting members 200 are arranged in a stack, one above the other.

Circumferential tray supporting members 210, also having an elongate form, extend between adjacent circumferential support arms 140 and are connected at each end thereto. The circumferential tray supporting members 210 are arranged in two stacks of five, one above the other, such that each circumferential tray supporting member 210 is arranged in a substantially horizontal plane with a circumferential tray supporting member 210 from the other stack and a central tray supporting member 200. In an alternative embodiment, the circumferential tray supporting members 210 are arranged in two stacks of seven.

Each

tray supporting member

200, 210 comprises a substantially horizontal tray support surface 220, for receiving a tray thereon, and a substantially vertical retaining wall 230, for preventing movement of a tray across the substantially horizontal tray supporting surface 220. The central tray supporting members 200 comprise two substantially horizontal tray supporting surfaces 220, and a single retaining wall 230 disposed between. In an alternative embodiment, the each

tray support member

200, 210 may comprise a substantially horizontal tray support surface 220 and a retaining bar or rail for preventing movement of a tray across the substantially horizontal tray supporting surface 220; however, this is not shown, for the purpose of clarity.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a tray 300 according to the present invention. The tray 300 has a substantially trapezoidal shape; that is, having four sides, with a first pair of opposing sides being parallel, and a second pair of opposing sides being angled toward each other. In particular, the tray has a shape of an isosceles trapezoid; that is, with the second pair of opposing sides being of the same length.

The tray 300 comprises a tray base 310 and a lid 320. The lid 320 comprises fifteen plant holes 330 therein, each plant hole 330 configured to hold a single plant to be grown hydroponically. However, other numbers and arrangements of plant holes are envisaged. The lid 320 also comprises an access hole 340 at a predefined location on the tray lid 320 for allowing fluid access into the interior of the tray.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tray insert 350 for insertion into the tray 300. Figure 4 is a side plan view of the tray inset 350. The tray insert 350 comprises a first divider 360, a second divider 370, a third divider 380 and a fourth divider 390. The dividers 360-390 are arranged in a lattice arrangement such that the dividers divide the tray into nine regions. A fluid capture element 400 is located on the tray insert 350 such that, when inserted into the tray 300, fluid entering through the access hole 340 in the lid 320 falls onto the fluid capture element 400. Fluid on the fluid capture element 400 flows into a first region bounded by the first 360, third 380 and fourth 390 dividers.

The first 360 and second 370 dividers comprise first fluid-flow holes 410 along a lower edge, such that fluid may flow through. In particular, fluid within the first region may flow through one of the first fluid-flow holes 410 into a second region bounded by the first 360, second 370, third 380 and fourth 390 dividers. Fluid may then flow from the second region into a third region bounded by the second 370, third 380 and fourth 390 dividers.

The third 380 and fourth 390 dividers also comprise a second fluid-flow hole 420 at respective ends opposite the fluid capture element 400. In this way, fluid may flow from the third region into fourth and fifth regions, respectively bounded by the second 370 and third 380 dividers, and the second 370 and fourth 390 dividers.

Fluid may flow from the fourth and fifth regions through the first fluid-flow holes 410 into sixth and seventh regions, respectively, the sixth region being bounded by the first 360, second 370 and third 380 dividers, and the seventh region being bounded by the first 360, second 370 and fourth 390 dividers. Fluid may flow from the sixth and seventh regions through the first fluid-flow holes 410 into eighth and ninth regions, respectively, the eighth region being bounded by the first 360 and third 380 dividers, and the ninth region being bounded by the first 360 and fourth 390 dividers.

The fluid may then pass into an exit region 430 directly beneath the fluid capture element 400.

A structural reinforcement surface 435 is provided connecting the first 360 and second 370 dividers, such that relative motion between the first 360 and second 370 dividers is minimised.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the tray base 310. The tray base 310 comprises a substantially horizontal base portion 440 and a perimeter wall 450. An exit hole 460 is located in the base portion 440 at a location below the exit region 430. In this way, fluid may leave the tray 300 after having passed through all nine regions within the tray 300. The exit hole 460 is located substantially directly underneath the access hole 340. In this way, fluid exiting one tray 300 may fall directly onto the access hole 340 of a tray below.

A tube 470 is disposed with its axis substantially vertically within the exit hole 460 such that fluid may only exit the tray 300 when a fluid level within the tray is above some predefined height. A grommet is disposed within the exit hole 460 and grips the tube 470.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a blank suitable for forming into a first 360 and a second 370 divider comprised within the tray insert 350. The blank includes slots 480 such that the first 360 and second 370 dividers may interlock with the third 380 and fourth 390 dividers. The blank may be folded along the dashed lines shown in the figures for use in the tray insert 350.

Figure 7 is a side plan view of the blank in figure 6 having been folded along the dashed lines in that figure.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a blank suitable for forming into the third 380 and fourth 390 dividers comprised within the tray insert 350. This blank also includes slots 490 arranged such that they may engage with the slots 480 of the first blank in order for the first 360 and second 370 dividers to interlock with the third 380 and fourth 390 dividers. This blank may be folded along the dashed lines shown in the figures for use in the tray insert 350.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a conveyor system according to the present invention. Only one gondola 100 (and not trays 300) has been shown, for the sake of clarity. The conveyor system includes a growing room 700, which may be a greenhouse. The growing room 700 has a substantially horizontal floor, substantially vertical walls, and a sloping roof. In particular, the end walls are the shape of a right trapezoid; that is, trapezoidal and with two internal angles of ninety degrees. The side walls, ceiling and floor are substantially rectangular.

The conveyor system also includes a first aerial conveyor 500. The track of the aerial conveyor traces out a path for the gondola 100 to move along. A gondola 100 may start at point A in the figure and move along the aerial conveyor 500 to the left, spiralling upwards around the internal perimeter of the growing room 700 until it reaches point B. The gondola 100 may then move horizontally (to the right in the figure) along the highest region within the growing room 700 to point C. The gondola 100 may then move down, adjacent an end wall of the growing room 700 from point C back to point A.

The conveyor system is also provided with a ground conveyor 800 onto which the gondola 100 may be deposited by the aerial conveyor 500, such that a gondola 100 may be automatically moved away from the aerial conveyor 500 for the purpose of harvesting or planting out, etc.

Figure 10 shows an alternative arrangement within the growing room 700, in which a second aerial conveyor 600 is provided. In this arrangement, the gondola 100 may move from point D (above the ground conveyor 800) at the back of the growing room 700, spiralling up around the internal perimeter of the growing room until it reaches point E, located on the back wall of the growing room 700, and spaced from the ceiling of the growing room 700. From point E, the gondola may continue to spiral up into the centre of the growing room 700 until it arrives at a highest point in its path at point F, adjacent an end wall of the growing room 700. From point F, the gondola is moved down towards the back wall of the growing room 700 to point G, from where it moves at floor level substantially horizontally along the back wall, returning to point D.

Figure 11 is a further alternative arrangement within the growing room 700, in which the first aerial conveyor 500 and the second aerial conveyor 600 are disposed such that gondolas on one aerial conveyor do not interfere with gondolas 100 on the other aerial conveyor. That is, the first 500 and second 600 aerial conveyors are spaced apart sufficiently to allow gondolas 100 to move on each aerial conveyor in an unimpeded manner.

Claims

A gondola for an aerial conveyor, the gondola comprising:

a support frame, configured to carry at least one hydroponic growing tray thereon; and

a connector, configured to couple the support frame to an aerial conveyor, the connector configured to allow, in use, rotation of the support frame about a substantially vertical axis relative to the aerial conveyor.
The gondola of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises a substantially cylindrical frame portion coupled to the connector, and at least one tray supporting member disposed on the cylindrical frame portion per hydroponic growing tray to be carried on the support frame.
The gondola of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the gondola further comprises at least one hydroponic growing tray for holding plants to be grown hydroponically, each hydroponic growing tray comprising a tray base having a substantially horizontal base portion and a perimeter wall, and each hydroponic growing tray comprising at least one internal divider configured to isolate a first region within the tray from a second region within the tray, wherein the at least one internal divider is provided with a passage therethrough for fluid communication between the first region and the second region.
The gondola of claim 3, wherein each hydroponic growing tray comprises a tray lid, the tray lid provided with at least one plant hole therein, the plant hole configured to hold a single plant to be grown hydroponically.
The gondola of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the tray base comprises an exit hole configured to allow fluid to exit the tray.
The gondola of claim 5, wherein the tray is configured such that fluid deposited at a predefined location on the tray lid will flow through each of the first and second regions before exiting the tray via the exit hole.
The gondola of claim 6, wherein the tray is configured such that the exit hole is located substantially below the predefined location, in use.
A conveyor system comprising an aerial conveyor and at least one gondola according to any preceding claim.
The conveyor system of claim 8, further comprising a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the support frame of each gondola about a vertical axis relative to the aerial conveyor.
The conveyor system of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the aerial conveyor comprises a track and a propulsion cord, and is arranged such that the track traces out a closed-loop pathway in three-dimensions.
The conveyor system of any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising a ground conveyor arranged substantially below the aerial conveyor, the conveyor system configured to permit transfer of gondolas between the aerial conveyor and the ground conveyor during operation of the aerial conveyor.
The conveyor system of claim 11, wherein the ground conveyor and/or the aerial conveyor comprises a portion that is height adjustable such that gondolas may be selectively raised and/or lowered for transfer between the ground conveyor and the aerial conveyor.
The conveyor system of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the conveyor system comprises at least one feeding station, configured to provide plants in each gondola with fluid.
The conveyor system of claim 13, wherein the feeding station is configured to deposit fluid at a predefined location on an upper tray in a first stack of trays received on the gondola.
A method of growing plants hydroponically, comprising:

providing a conveyor system according to any one of claims 8 to 14; and

moving the gondola in a first direction along the aerial conveyor.