WO2023166326A1

WO2023166326A1 - Shelf moving apparatus preferably for plant cultures and the moving method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2023166326A1
Application number: PCT/HU2023/050007
Authority: WO
Inventors: József SOÓS
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-03-02
Filing date: 2023-02-27
Publication date: 2023-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2024-09-02
Also published as: HUP2200068A1

Abstract

Shelf moving apparatus preferably for plant cultures comprising a plurality of holding units (20, 30, 40, 50) arranged side-by-side, shelves (3) held by said holding units (20, 30, 40, 50) with a predetermined height above each other and trays on the shelves (3) that can be used for plant cultivation, wherein each of said holding units (20, 30, 40, 50) comprises a centrally arranged pair of oppositely located vertical support columns (21, 31, 41, 51), and the shelves (3) are held by said support columns (21, 31, 41, 51) by means of respective horizontal pivoted shafts and can be turned around these shafts, at the sides of the holding units (21, 30, 40, 50) vertical guiding slats (22, 32, 42, 52) are arranged and coupled to end regions of said shelves (3) by means of respective pivotal connections, and also comprises respective elevators (6) with three stable positions connected to at least one of the slats (22, 32, 42, 52) in each holding unit (20, 30, 40, 50) for simultaneously turning said shelves (3) around their horizonal axes, and in each turned position one of the ends of the shelves falls in the extension of a shelf of the adjacent holding unit being turned in the same way, and said trays are constituted by respecting rolling carriages (2) provided with rollers that are supported on and being guided by the shelves (3) holding them, and respective motors (5) are arranged on the shelves (3) which are in driving connection with the rolling carriage (2) on the associated shelf (3), and the apparatus comprises at least four of said holding units (20, 30, 40 50) arranged beside each other, wherein among the shelves of each holding unit at least one shelf is empty, and the apparatus comprises a control unit (1) controlling said motors (5) and said elevators (6) according to an appropriate program.

Description

Shelf moving apparatus preferably for plant cultures and the moving method thereof

The invention relates to a shelf moving apparatus preferably for plant cultures in which a plurality of holding units is arranged side-by-side, and as shelves held the holding units with a predetermined height above each other and there are trays on the shelves that can be used for plant cultivation.

The invention relates also to a shelf moving method using the apparatus which can be used for gentle plant cultivation.

In case of cultivating low height plants the most important objective lies in increasing the effectivity of human labour and in the simplification of certain plant caring processes. In the following we will deal with known solutions that concern the cultivation and growing of agaric or champignon mushrooms, but these principles are equally apply to the cultivation of other types of mushrooms or of strawberry or similar plants.

One of the most important objectives for the harvesting workers is the provision of the best conditions, namely that the operation can be carried out in standing position from a tray that has a comfortable height and where the illumination is good. From these requirements it is understandable that the tray should be brought in front of the subjects and not the workers must carry out the harvesting work in the small or highly located cultivation sites.

In connection with mushroom cultivation almost all processes could be automated and only the plucking of mushroom heads requires manual work. In the practice this means that the wages represent 40 to 45 % of all costs, and most of such costs occur at harvesting. With the currently used techniques a well-trained harvester can collect 25-26kg mushroom in an hour.

In large scale mushroom cultivation, the Dutch method is the most widespread one in the whole world. Here agaric mushroom is produced under sterile circumstances. Mushrooms develop in 2-3 phases, u naturally plucking is required before and between such phases. In a growing cycle 28 to 32 kg mushroom grows in an 1 m² area. The soil in which mushroom is grown is arranged in 6 to 8 trays on associated shelves one above the other. Between the shelves a sufficient vertical distance should be provided in order that the subjects can see the whole area during harvesting works, and this requirement limits the depth of the shelves. For the plucking work from a eight between 2 - 4 m an appropriate stand is required which renders the operations more difficult to be carried out. The distance between the rows must be defined to provide space for the stands. During harvesting the worker must elect the mushrooms with acceptable head size, it twists it during a light pressure then removes it from the shelf and uses a sharp knife to cut the end of the stem and puts the mushroom directly into the box in which it will be delivered. On mushroom head every touch can cause an injury, therefore one must reduce the number of touches. The cut ends of the stems are collected in a bowl that cannot be used for mushroom growth because they can cause infections. The workers must carry several empty and filled boxes besides the bowl for the cut ends, and this can happen even on stands being 3 to 4 m high. The so harvested mushrooms must be brought to the packaging site as soon as possible.

There are so-called chest cultivation systems, wherein chest are place on the top of each other and mushroom are grown in that way. The chests are transported to the harvesting place by trolleys where harvesting takes place under comparatively good circumstances during walking beside the chests. The drawback of that method is the increased need of transportation, the danger of infection is high, and the steps must be carried out even if the amount of harvestable mushrooms is small. This method has not become a widespread one.

Naturally there are single-level mushroom cultivation plants wherein the harvesting does not cause problem, but in such cases the size of the buildings must be substantially greater and about the half of the useful area can be chosen as cultivation area.

A solution using trays in described in US 2004/0836445 Al that suggests the use of a clever tray insert but cannot solve the increase of the space demand and to the simplification of moving trays from the higher levels.

In Ep 3097764 Bl the harvesting operation is brought between the shelves so that its height is adjustable and uses a rolling stand. Here the working conditions are difficult because of the tight space and a greater shelf distance must be used for the access to the trays, whereby the space utilization is smaller.

An easier harvesting is suggested in US 8267261 B2, wherein the shelves can be pulled out in lateral direction and can also be turned. Such solutions are applicable primarily at the sites of direct sale. Here the pulling out of the shelves and the adjustment of their inclined position should be done by hand, and the system cannot be used if the stands are higher than about 2 to 3 m.

An interesting solution is suggested in US 2020/0163285 Al in which the cultivation site is arranged directly above the sales location, and when the plant get rip for harvest, then trough opening in the ceiling the whole apparatus is sunken to the sales location. This solution is not appropriate for large-scale use.

In addition to the problems reported in connection with harvesting thee is a need for the intermittent watering of the trays, and there is also the problem that in a holding apparatus the climate in e.g., 5-6 m height is rather different from the climate in the lower levels, and it would be preferred if all trays have identical climates and could spend time in an average height during the growth period.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus capable of cultivation which has a good utilization of the available space and can ensure optimum harvesting conditions by transporting the trays to a harvesting place and from them back to the apparatus, that enables easy tray movement and the appropriate and simple watering.

The object of the method is to provide an automated tray movement during which the trays move through all shelves of the apparatus in subsequent cycles, then can be transported to a harvesting place and returned to the apparatus. During their movement, a sprinkling apparatus can be arranged on any of the shelves that can ensure the required need of watering.

According to the invention a shelf moving apparatus has been provided which can be used preferably for plant cultures and the apparatus that comprises a plurality of holding units arranged side-by-side, shelves held by the holding units with a predetermined height above each other and trays on the shelves that can be used for plant cultivation, wherein according to the invention each of the holding units comprises a centrally arranged pair of oppositely located vertical support columns, and the shelves are held by the support columns by means of respective horizontal pivoted shafts and can be turned around these shafts to a certain degree in both directions, at the sides of the holding units vertical guiding slats are arranged and coupled to end regions of the shelves by means of respective pivotal connections, and also comprises respective elevators with three stable positions connected to at least one of the slats in each holding unit for simultaneously turning the shelves around their horizonal axes, and the height between the shelves and the width of the shelves are dimensioned so that in each turned position one of their ends falls in the extension of a shelf of the adjacent holding unit being turned in the same way, and in case of a first turned direction the shelves of the adjacent holding unit lying one level higher will get into the extension of said shelves, and in the second opposite turned direction the shelves of the adjacent holding unit being by one level lower will become in the extension of said shelves, and in the central horizontal position of the elevators the shelves of the adjacent holding units on the same level will be in the extension of each other, and the trays are constituted by respecting rolling carriages provided with rollers that are supported on and being guided by the shelves that hold them, and respective motors are arranged on the shelves which are in driving connection with the rolling carriage on the associated shelf, and the apparatus comprises at least four of the holding units arranged beside each other, wherein among the shelves of each holding unit at least one shelf is empty, and the apparatus comprises a control unit controlling the motors (5) and the elevators according to an appropriate program.

For the sake of movement of the rolling carriages to the harvesting place in the line of the lowest shelves of the holding units a guiding path is provided equipped with carriage moving means, and the guiding path leads to a harvesting place where works required for the cultivation of plants can be carried out.

The space utilization improves if the size of the rolling carriages is such that their width is between 3 and 12m, depth 1.2 to 1.6 m and height between 15 and 30 cm.

It is referred if the vertical height between the shelves is between 300 and 800 mm.

It is further preferred if in each of the holding units the number of the shelves is between 5 and 20.

The efficiency will become improved when on the harvesting place there is room for at least one to four of the rolling carriages.

The rolling carriages comprise preferably soil required for mushroom growth and the apparatus is designed for the cultivation of mushrooms.

With the invention a method has also been provided for moving the rolling carriages in the apparatus that comprises four holding units which comprises the steps of dividing the four holding units into two adjacent groups, wherein in initial state all lower shelves are empty, and all other shelves hold a respective rolling carriage; bringing in a first series of steps the shelves of the first group simultaneously and alternatingly in one and the second turned positions wherein adjacent shelves get into the extension of each other, and moving the rolling carriages to the adjacent empty shelves till in the two lowest shelves a pair of the rolling carriages will be present, and turning the shelves into horizontal position and moving the lowest rolling carriages to the harvesting place; then bringing the shelves in the first group in a second series of steps alternatingly into the two turned positions, and moving the rolling carriages in downward direction to the empty shelves when such shelves get into the extension of an adjacent shelf as long as in the lowermost shelves there will be again two of the rolling carriages, turning the shelves into horizontal position and moving the two rolling carriages from the lowermost shelves to the harvesting place; then moving in a third series of steps in the horizontal position of the shelves the rolling carriages in the second group to the empty shelves of the first group on the same level, and turning the shelves in the second group in identical manner and alternatingly to the two turned positions, and moving the rolling carriages in upward direction where in the extension of a shelf there is an empty place as long as in the second group the lowest shelves will be empty and then adjusting the shelves into horizontal position and moving from the harvesting place two rolling carriages to the lowest empty shelves in the second group; and turning in a fourth series of steps the shelves in the second group in an alternating way into the two turned positions, and moving the carriages where in the line of a shelf in upward direction an empty shelf is present to these empty shelves, and turning the shelves into horizontal position when in the second group the two lowest shelves will be empty, and moving the further two carriages in the harvesting place to the two empty shelves of the second group; then turning in a fifth series of steps the shelves in the second group alternatingly into the two turned positions, and moving the rolling carriages into the empty shelves in upward direction where in the line of the shelves an empty shelf is found, and turning the shelves in both groups into horizontal position by the end of this series of steps when all of the lowest shelves in both groups will be empty, whereby the initial state is reached; wherein the roles of the first and second groups can be interchanged.

In case the operations at the harvesting place last longer than respective empty shelves are available for receiving the rolling carriages, then the next series of steps are delayed as long as the operations get completed. In a referred application the aforementioned steps are caried out in certain time intervals without bringing the rolling carriages to the harvesting place, and between two subsequent initial states moving all rolling carriages from their initial positions through all shelves, and during such movements performing an operation at the place of at least one of the shelves that concerns a required technological act preferably a sprinkling.

In a preferable embodiment the shelves are moved in such a way that the respective rolling carriages spend substantially identical times in the respective levels.

The solution according to the invention provides better space utilization numbers and in addition to this the conditions during the harvesting operations are improved.

The invention will now be described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof in which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing:

Fig 1 shows the general layout of the apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows the simplified perspective view of the two support stands;

Fig. 3 shows the view of a rolling carriage;

Fig. 4 is a sketch showing an inclined position of the shelves;

Fig. 5 is a sketch showing the other inclined position of the shelves;

Fig. 6 shows the first series of phase-positions visualizing the method;

Fig. 7 is a similar second series of phase-positions; and

Fig. 8 is a similar third series of phase-positions.

Fig. 1 shows the general layout of apparatus 10 made according to the invention. For the sake of better understanding the structure of the apparatus 10 has been shown only up to the required details. The apparatus 10 comprises four identical holding units 20, 30, 40 and 50 placed beside each-other, and in the middle of each holding units respective pairs of support columns 21, 31, 40 and 51 are provided, and at their two lateral-ends respective pairs of guiding slats 22, 23, 32, 33,42, 43 and 52, 53 can be found, and from these pairs the drawing shows only the frontal ones as the rear slats are covered.

On the support columns 20, 30, 40 and 50 respective n-1 number of rolling carriages 2 and number n shelves 3 are arranged wherein the shelves 3 are designed to hold a respective carriage 2. In the exemplary embodiment n= 11. From these numbers it follows that in the initial state shown in Fig. 1 in each of the holding units 20, 30, 40 and 50 the is an empty shelf V on which there is no carriage. In case of a completely filled apparatus the total number of the rolling carriages 2 is 4 x (11-1) = 40, and the number of the empty shelves V is the same as the number of the units i.e., it is 4.

Because the internal structure of the four holding units 20, 30, 4 and 50 is the same, such structures will be explained with reference to Figs. 2 to 5.

Fig. 2 shows the simplified perspective view of the holding units 2 and 30 as arranged beside each other, which in the exemplary case comprise respective four pieces of the shelves. The shelves each have U-shaped profiled being open from above, and they are held at their central portions so that they can be pivoted around respective horizontal axes. In Fig. 2 support columns 21a, 21b and 31a, 31b can be seen, and respective horizontal bores 7 are provided in these support columns through which respective shafts are pivotally positioned (not shown in the drawing) which are fixed to the bottom of the associate one of the shelves 3. In all shelves 3 in a holding unit both end portions are pivotally connected to an associated guiding slat, and Fig. 2 shows only guiding slats 32a and 23b. To the bottom of these guiding slats respective controlled hydraulic elevators 6 with three fixed positions are connected. In Fig. 2 the shelves 3 were shown in their middle position when their plane is horizontal. At a side of each shelves respective motors 5 are arranged which have respective driving elements 4 being either a gear or friction gear that slightly project into the interior of the associated shelf 3. In case more driving elements 4 are used ten they are interconnected by a belt or a bend. On each shelf 3 the associated motor 5 has an own control connected to a central control unit (not shown in the drawing) that controls them according to individual commands as will be explained later. Depending on such control the rolling carriages 2 placed on these shelves will be moved to the left or right or will be braked at their end position or fixed. In Fig. 2 it is not shown that respective position sensors are arranged on the shelves 3 functioning according to optical or other principles which indicate the actual position on the carriage 2 thereon including the reaching of the left or right end position.

Fig. 3 shows the perspective view of a rolling carriage 2 which is open from above and defines a rectangular inner space having a predetermined height and provided at its both sides a plurality of roller shafts 8 on which respective rollers are journalled that enable the movement of the rolling carriages 2 along the actual supporting shelves 3. On the frontal side of the rolling carriages 2 in the height corresponding to the height of the driving elements 4 shown in Fig. 2 a guiding rail 9 is provided that can be a rack bar if the driving element 4 is a gear or it can be a planar or special profile that firs to the profile of the driving element 4 and which can be riven by friction in both directions. The size of the rolling carriage 2 shown in Fig. 3 depend on the intended use and the proportions can be rather different from those shown.

Reference is made now to Figs. 4 and 5 in which the holding units 20 and 30 are shown only schematically as need for understanding their functions. In Fig. 4 the elevators 6 are in the low position and then all shelves take a from left to right a downwardly inclined position. This is enabled by their central pivotal support and the also pivotal connection at their respective sides with the associated guiding slats 23a, 33a. It can be observed in Fig. 4 that the width of the shelves 3, the vertical distance between the shelves above each other and the degree of inclination have been designed in a specific way. The shelves of the left holding unit 20 will take a position in this downward to the right state that the height of their right ends will be just in the height of the elevated left ends of the adjacent shelves of the holding unit 30 in the row under them, namely the ends of the shelves will take a vertical displacement which is just the half of the vertical height distance between the respective shelves. In this position the rolling carriages 2 placed on the left holding unit 20 can simply roll to the shelves of the adjacent right holding unit 30 by one row under them if an appropriate rolling command is sent to all the concerned carriages and there are empty positions on these right shelves. Because the adjacent shelves get into the extension of each other, the rolling carriages 2 on them can be rolled not only left to the right in downward direction to arrive to a shelf by one row below, but they can also be moved from right to left and then they climb up to the upper row of the left holding unit 20.

In Fig. 6 the elevators 6 are in their high positions and now the right ends of the shelves will take a raised state, and the shelves of the right holding unit 30 in the respective upper rows will get into the extension of the shelves of the left holding unit 20 by one row under them. Depending on the direction of the movement of the rolling carriages they can move by one row above or under them.

It is characteristic to the apparatus shown that the shelves in the respective holding units can take one of three positions, they can be horizonal or inclined downward either to the right or left directions. In horizonal state the shelves of the adjacent holding units are in the same height, and in the two inclined states connections are provided with the adjacent shelves by one row above or under them. It is important to note that each of the shelves have their respective associated individual movement control, but in every holding unit the position of all shelves can be adjusted only together. Important to note that the control unit 1 shown schematically in Fig. 1 ensures the coordinated control of all motors 5 and the elevators 6 according to the cycles described later.

To the harvesting positions shown in the drawing a guiding path 11 leads that can be a rail or other guiding surface, and along the guiding path 11 similar driving elements 4 and motors 5 can be arranged as those in the respective shelves, and they have the task of moving the rolling carriages 2 in either direction along the guiding path 11. For the sake of better visualization these moving elements have not been shown in the drawing. The movement of the rolling carriages along the guiding path 11 can be made also in other ways, e.g., by human aid or with pulling ropes, because along a horizontal path the carriages can be rolled easily.

The operation of the apparatus according to the invention will be explained in connection with an embodiment that comprises four holding units where each of them has five shelves through the phase diagrams of a full cycle as shown in Figs 6 to 8. The described logic for moving the shelves can be used for identical holding units that have any number of shelves, however the use of the holding units shown in Fig. 1 tat have ten shelves each is preferred.

Reference is made first to phase diagrams al to a6 which show how one can arrive from the initial state shown in the phase al for the appearance of two rolling carriages 2 at the harvesting place being close to the apparatus so that there different working operations can be carried out.

The conditions of moving the shelves of the respecting holding units include that all shelves of the adjacent holding units 20 and 30 that constitute a first group moves at the same time, and all shelves in the first group takes the same actual state out of their three possible states. The same conditions are true for the other two holding units 30 and 40 that constitute the second group, but the movement of their shelves can be different from the uniform movement of the first group with the two holding units 20 and 30.

In the sketches the position of the shelves left empty which do not contain any rolling carriage when the state of subsequent inclination has been reached, and in the other shelves a schematic rolling carriage was indicated. Phase al shows the initial state, in which in the lowermost level all shelves are empty, and on all the other shelves there is a respecting rolling carriage. In tis way the apparatus has altogether 20 shelves and 16 rolling carriages that are designed and controlled as described earlier.

In the next phase a2 all shelves of the first group are inclined so that their right ends take the low position and the rolling carriages are not yet moved. In phase a3 the shelves do not move, but the rolling carriage in the second level of the holding unit20 will move to the lowest level of the adjacent holding unit 30, whereby in the holding unit 20 two empty shelves will be provided.

In phase a4 the shelves in the first group take the other inclined position, their right ends are higher than their left ends. By that phase the rolling carriages present in the second and third floor of the second holding unit 30 will get into the extension of the previously mentioned two empty shelves, and in the next phase a5 these two carriages roll to the left direction and will get one level lower. In phase a6 the shelves of the first group take horizontal position and it can be observed that in the lowermost level there are respective rolling carriages that can be easily rolled out along the path 11 to the harvesting position where there is sufficient place for four carriages.

In the second phase b of the operations there are two carriages in the harvesting position as in phase bl the two carriages are rolled there. This movement is controlled by the moving means not shown in the drawing. In phase bl in the two groups there will be altogether six empty places, because in addition to the four empty places the position of these two rolling carriages will also become empty. In the phases b further two carriages are moved to the lowest shelves in order that they can also be moved from there to the harvesting position. In phase b2 the shelves of the first group are inclined so that their right end become lower. Then the three shelves of the left holding unit 20 i.e., from the second to fourth shelves will be in the same line of the three lower empty positions of the right holding unit 30, and in the next phase b3 these three carriages move to the adjacent empty places and arrive in one level lower level then they were before the recent inclination.

In phase b4 the shelves in the first group will incline so that their right ends get into the low position, and there remains only a single carriage in the left uppermost level. In the phase b5 from the four shelves which are in the extension of each other four car- riages will roll to the previously empty four lower shelves of the left holding unit 20. In phase b6 the shelves of the first group are turned to horizontal position, and then respective carriages arrive to the lowest shelves of both holding units 20, 30.

In phase c shown in Fig. 7 four rolling carriages are in the harvesting position. This is realized that in phase cl from the two lowest shelves two rolling carriages move to the harvesting position, and by then all places in the right holding unit 30 of the first group will become empty. Beside and in the same line of these four empty places there are the four upper shelves of the left holding unit 40 of the second group. During the period when the workers or robots are busy in the harvesting place with the required operations, the shelves with the carriages thereon of the two groups should be re-arrang- ed so tat four empty places will become available in the apparatus for receiving the carriage to be returned.

In phase c2 from the left holding unit 40 of the second group four carriages will move to the four empty upper shelves of the holding unit 30, whereby all shelves of the holding unit 40 of the second group will become empty. Now in phase c3 the carriages present in the four upper shelves of the right holding unit 50 of the second group will roll to the upper four shelves of the fur upper shelves of the left holding unit 40 of the second group, and then all shelves in the right holding unit 50 of the second group will become empty. In phase c4 the right ends of all shelves in the second group will get raised and the shelves in the left holding unit 40 will get into the extension of the lines of the shelves with one level higher in the adjacent holding unit 50. In phase c5 three carriages will roll to the right and upwards to the previously empty shelves. In phase c6 the shelves in the second group will turn over and their right ends move to the low position and other shelves will get into the extension of each other. In phase c7 the carriage in the third upper shelf of the right holding unit 50 of the second group rolls upward to the left, and as a result, respective pairs of carriages will be at the two upper shelves of both holding units 40, 50 of the second group. In phase c8 the shelves in the second group take the horizontal position, and in the second group the three lower shelves become empty, whereby places will get released for the receipt of the carriages in the harvesting position which will be shown in phases dl to d6.

In phase dl two out of the four carriages in the harvesting position are rolled back to the free lower shelves of the holding units 40, 50 of the second group. It is noted that in Fig. 7 the return movement of the rear paid of carriages were shown because for the sake of better visualization in was not shown that in the harvesting place several rolling carriages can be placed beside each other (i.e., normal to the plane of the drawing), therefore the now returned pair of rolling carriages can be the same as those rolled to that place first and where the required jobs have been completed. The increase of the carriage positions at the harvesting place might require the use of rail changers. When such use causes problems the here indicated single-track solution can also be used.

In phase d2 the right ends of the shelves in the second group are raised. In phase d3 (shown in Fig. 8) the carriage in the lowest shelf of the left holding unit 40 is rolled upward to the second shelf of the adjacent holding unit 50, whereby the lowest three helves of the holding unit 40 has become empty. In phase d4 the shelves in the second group get turned to the oppositely inclined position. In phase d5 the to lower carriages in the right holding unit 50 roll upward and left to the adjacent holding unit 40, whereby the respective carriages will take the four upper shelves and leaving the three lower shelves in the holding unit 50 empty. In phase d6 the shelves in the second group are turned to horizontal position. By this phase the carriages which were earlier in the two harvesting positions will take place in the second group and sufficient places have become free for receiving the two carriages still at the harvesting place and for returning to the initial state. This process is illustrated in phases el to e6.

In phase el the two carriages in the harvesting place are rolled back to the apparatus to occupy the two lowest shelves in the second group. In phase e2 the right ends of all shelves in the second group are raised, whereby the carriages in the two lower shelves of the left holding unit 40 will get into the line of the second and third level of the adjacent holding unit 50 where the shelves are empty. In phase e3 these carriages are rolled upward and to the right to these higher empty shelves of the adjacent holding unit 50. In phase e4 all shelves of the second group are turned over to the opposite inclined position where the right ends are lower. Then the carriage on the lowest shelf of the right holding unit 50 get in the line of the second shelf from below of the left holding unit 40. In phase e5 the carriage on the lowest shelf in the holding unit 50 will roll to the left and upward to the second shelf of the left holding unit 40. Finally in the last phase e6 the shelves of the second group ae turned to the horizontal position, whereby the initial state is obtained. If the respective phases are analyzed, first from the left first group the carriages are gradually lowered to arrive at the two lowest empty places. The lowering took place by the alternating turning of the shelves whereby either the shelves with one level higher or one level lower arrived in the extension of each other enabling thereby the rolling of the carriages to the neighboring holding unit. As the number of the empty shelves has increased by the rolling of the carriages to the harvesting place, gradually more and more carriages could be moved simultaneously to the adjacent unit. By the time all the four carriages have been moved to the harvesting place the process continued between the two adjacent groups and during the process all of the carriages have been moved out from their initial shelves, and finally in the lower part of the second group empty shelves were created, and in the meantime in the first group the two lower shelves have become empty. When the carriages are rolled to the harvesting position, the carriages move from the left to the right, and when the carriages are returned from the harvesting position then the movement takes place from right to left. The essence of the movement that by every turning or inclination and depending on the sense of the turning the empty shelves of a holding unit will get into the extension of the lower or upper level of the adjacent holding unit that enable the re-arrangement of the shelves. This process will not change if the number of the shelves is increased in the holding units. In such cases the apparatus can hold much more shelves than illustrated.

It should be noted that the time demand of the completion of the described steps is different, but it is sufficiently short, since the turning of the shelves can take place within a few second only, although tis depends on the size of the shelves and their empty weight, but this can happen in any case shorter than 10 seconds. In the reality a turning time of 3 seconds can be realized. The rolling of the carriages is also quick, and its time demand depends on the size of the shelves, on their loads and the properties and design of the motors and drives. The speed of the movement is typically 3 m/s. If the width (length) of the carriages is 6 m, then the movement of a carriage requires at least 20 seconds. If 10 shelves are used in each holding units, then the full process comprises 60 phases, but from them carriage movement takes place only in the half i.e., in 30 phases, as in the other phases there is only shelf turning which can be calculated as 5 seconds each, then the total duration of a cycle will be 30 x 20 + 30 x 5 = 750 seconds, i.e., 12.5 minutes. In many applications longer time is required in view of the time demand of the technology processes or operations at the harvesting place.

Let us note furthermore, that in the example shown four carriages were brought to the harvesting place, but it can happen that in an application less space is available for the work, and the harvesting place can receive only two carriages.

There is a different but frequently occurring task lies in that the carriages do not have to bring to any harvesting place, but they should be fully moved, namely when a carriage arrives to the lowest shelf of the first group, it should be moved immediately to an empty lower shelf of the other group and thereby the full cycle can be carried out. An example for such an application can be if at a position that corresponds to a shelf sprinkle head are arranged, then in a cycle the soil placed in the other carriages or a mushroom plantation can be watered in this way. A further reason for the need of movement if the shelves should be kept in an average height, then by using a movement cycle or dividing the cycle to several sub-cycles then the shelves will be about the same time at all heights. In view of such requirement the full cycle time will not be determined primarily by the so-called technical cycle time, which can be as short as 12.5 minutes indicated by the previous example, but the time required to the harvesting of a carriage, or the time needed for a given operation (sprinkle time or resting at a given height).

In the knowledge of the associated technology the control unit of the apparatus can be programmed, whereby the controls associated with the required movement cycles will be defined. The control includes the turning of the shelves of the holding units and the movement of the carriages on their shelves.

A most preferred field of use of the apparatus according to the invention is thought to be the growing of mushrooms on the respective shelves, and in such cases the size of the shelves can be a width of 3 to 7.5 m or even 12 m, a depth of 1.2 to 1.6 m and a height of 15 to 30 cm. The vertical distance between the shelves should be between 350 to 800 mm, preferably 300 to 450 mm, and in a carriage the distance between the respective roller pairs should be between 40 and 60 cm, whereby a carriage is held by 10 to 15 pairs of rollers.

If we consider the place demand of the apparatus then in case of a carriage width of 6m, the full length is between 25 - 28 m, and by using a level height of 400 mm and considering the height of the lowest shelf, the full height will be 11 x 400 = 4400 mm and the depth around 1.8 m.

In such an area which is 40 x 1,6 x 6 that is 384 m² useful area one can grow e.g. agaric or champignon mushrooms, and this represents an at least double utilization of the available area not to mention the ease what is provided by the comfortable and efficient mode of carrying out the required technological steps, because the harvesting occurs in ideal places under favorable conditions, and the other required technological steps including watering, exchange of the soil and the movement of the shelves will be simpler, faster and more efficient. The invention is not limited to applications at mushroom cultivation shown only as an example, since it can be used in other planting types and its utilization in other branches of the industry is also possible.

Claims

Claims:

1. Shelf moving apparatus preferably for plant cultures comprising a plurality of holding units (20, 30, 40, 50) arranged side-by-side, shelves (3) held by said holding units (20, 30, 40, 50) with a predetermined height above each other and trays on the shelves (3) that can be used for plant cultivation, characterized in that each of said holding units (20, 30, 40, 50) comprises a centrally arranged pair of oppositely located vertical support columns (21, 31, 41, 51), and the shelves (3) are held by said support columns (21, 31, 41,

51) by means of respective horizontal pivoted shafts and can be turned around these shafts to a certain degree in both directions, at the sides of the holding units (21, 30, 40, 50) vertical guiding slats (22, 32, 42, 52) are arranged and coupled to end regions of said shelves (3) by means of respective pivotal connections, and also comprises respective elevators (6) with three stable positions connected to at least one of the slats (22, 32, 42,

52) in each holding unit (20, 30, 40, 50) for simultaneously turning said shelves (3) around their horizonal axes, and said height between the shelves (3) and the width of the shelves (3) are dimensioned so that in each turned position one of their ends falls in the extension of a shelf of the adjacent holding unit being turned in the same way, and in case of a first turned direction the shelves of the adjacent holding unit lying by one level higher will get into the extension of said shelves, and in the second opposite turned direction the shelves of the adjacent holding unit being by one level lower will become in the extension of said shelves, and in the central horizontal position of the elevators (6) the shelves (3) of the adjacent holding units on the same level will be in the extension of each other, and said trays are constituted by respecting rolling carriages (2) provided with rollers that are supported on and being guided by the shelves (3) holding them, and respective motors (5) are arranged on the shelves (3) which are in driving connection with the rolling carriage (2) on the associated shelf (3), and the apparatus comprises at least four of said holding units (20, 30, 40 50) arranged beside each other, wherein among the shelves of each holding unit at least one shelf is empty, and the apparatus comprises a control unit (1) controlling said motors (5) and said elevators (6) according to an appropriate program.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the line of the lowest shelves of the holding units (20, 30, 40, 50) a guiding path (11) is provided equipped with carriage moving means, the guiding path (11) leads to a harvesting place where works required for the cultivation of plants can be carried out.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the size dimensions of the rolling carriages (2) are: their width lies between 3 and 12m, depth between 1.2 to 1.6 m and height between 15 and 30 cm.

4. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said vertical height between the shelves (3) is between 300 and 800 mm.

5. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein in each of said holding units (20, 30, 40, 50) the number of the shelves (3) is between 5 and 20.

6. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein on said harvesting place there is room for at least one to four of said rolling carriages (2).

7. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said rolling carriages (2) comprise soil required for mushroom growth and the apparatus is designed for the cultivation of mushrooms.

8. A method for moving the rolling carriages (2) in the apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 that comprises four holding units (20, 30, 40, 50), characterized by the steps of dividing said four holding units (20, 30, 40, 50) into two adjacent groups, wherein in initial state all lower shelves are empty, and all other shelves (3) hold a respective rolling carriage (2), bringing in a first series of steps (a l...a6) the shelves (3) of the first group in identical ways and alternatingly in one and the second turned positions wherein adjacent shelves get into the extension of each other, and moving the rolling carriages where a shelf is empty to the adjacent empty shelves till in the two lowest shelves a pair of the rolling carriages will be present, and turning the shelves into horizontal position and moving the lowest rolling carriages to the harvesting place; then bringing the shelves in the first group in a second series of steps (bl...b6) alternatingly into the two turned positions, and moving the rolling carriages in downward direction to the empty shelves when such shelves get into the extension of an adjacent shelf as long as in the lowermost shelves there will be again two of the rolling carriages, turning the shelves into horizontal position and moving the two rolling carriages from the lowermost shelves to the harvesting place; then moving in a third series of steps (cl...c8) in the horizontal position of the shelves the rolling carriages in the second group to the empty shelves of the first group on the same level, and turning the shelves in the second group in identical manner and alternatingly to the two turned positions, and moving the rolling carriages in upward direction where in the extension of a shelf there is an empty place as long as in the second group the lowest shelves will be empty and then adjusting the shelves into horizontal position and moving from the harvesting place two rolling carriages to the lowest empty shelves in the second group; and turning in a fourth serial of steps (dl...d6) the shelves in the second group in an alternating way into the two turned positions, and moving the carriages where in the line of a shelf in upward direction an empty shelf is present to these empty shelves, and turning the shelves into horizontal position when in the second group the two lowest shelves will be empty, and moving the further two carriages in the harvesting place to the two empty shelves of the second group; then turning in a fifth series of steps (el...e6) the shelves in the second group alternatingly into the two turned positions, and moving the rolling carriages into the empty shelves in upward direction where in the line of the shelves an empty shelf is found, and turning the shelves in both groups into horizontal position by the end of this series of steps when all of the lowest shelves in both groups will be empty, whereby the initial state is reached; wherein the roles of the first and second groups can be interchanged.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein in case the operations at the harvesting place last longer than respective empty shelves are available for receiving the rolling carriages, then delaying the next series of steps as long as said operations get completed.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein said steps are caried out in certain time intervals without bringing the rolling carriages to the harvesting place, and between two subsequent initial states moving all rolling carriages (2) from their initial positions through all shelves (3), and during such movements performing an operation at the place of at least one of the shelves (3) that concerns a required technological act, preferably a sprinkling.

11. The method as claimed in claims 10, wherein the shelves are moved in such a way that the respective rolling carriages (2) spend substantially identical times in the respective levels.