Pot Filling Assembly

Abstract

A pot filler assembly configured to fill pots with soil. The pot filler assembly includes a soil hopper and a soil conveyor configured to transport soil from the hopper toward the pots. A measuring chamber defines an interior volume, the measuring chamber configured to be adjusted to increase or decrease the interior volume. A funnel is disposed below the measuring chamber. The funnel is vertically movable in and out of the pot when the pot is positioned below the funnel. The funnel is configured to direct soil into the pot. A paper distributor is configured to place a sheet of paper between the funnel and the pot. The funnel is vertically movable to push the sheet of paper into the pot to form a paper pocket in the pot. The funnel is configured to direct soil into the paper pocket.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 388,377, filed July 12, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a pot filler assembly for filling pots with soil. [Background technology]

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure, but this background information is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] Filling bags with soil and placing the bags in pots (or other growing containers) to grow plants in the pots can be a very tedious and messy process. For example, measuring a desired amount of soil and then transferring the soil into the pot can result in the soil spilling and sometimes being wasted. Therefore, improved systems, assemblies, and methods for filling bags with soil and placing them in containers would be desirable. The present disclosure advantageously provides improved bag filler and pot assemblies, apparatus, and methods that address various needs in the art and offer numerous advantages, as described in detail herein. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure provides a pot filler assembly configured to fill pots with soil. The pot filler assembly includes: a soil hopper; a soil conveyor configured to transport soil from the hopper toward the pot; a measuring chamber defining an interior volume, the measuring chamber configured to be adjusted to increase or decrease the interior volume; a funnel disposed below the measuring chamber, the funnel vertically movable in and out of the pot when the pot is positioned below the funnel and configured to direct soil into the pot; and a paper distributor configured to place a sheet of paper between the funnel and the pot. The funnel is vertically movable to push the sheet of paper into the pot to form a paper pocket within the pot, the funnel configured to direct soil into the paper pocket.

[0006] The present disclosure further provides a method for filling pots with soil using a pot filler assembly, the method including: discharging soil into an upper hopper of the pot filler assembly with the upper and lower gates of the measuring chamber closed; adjusting the length of the measuring chamber based thereon to accommodate a predetermined amount of soil to be deposited in the pot; opening the upper gate of the measuring chamber and filling the measuring chamber with soil; positioning the pot below the measuring chamber and a funnel of the pot filler assembly; positioning paper over the pot; moving the funnel to press the paper down into the pot so that the paper conforms to the shape of the pot; and opening the lower gate of the measuring chamber to release the soil from the measuring chamber into the funnel and the pot.

[0007] The drawings described herein are intended only to be illustrative of selected embodiments, not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a basin filler assembly according to the present disclosure; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the basin filler assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a side view of the basin filler assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pot filler assembly of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The accompanying drawings illustrate a basin filler assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0010] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] 1-4 illustrate an exemplary pot filler assembly 10 according to the present disclosure. The pot filler assembly 10 includes a soil hopper 12 and a conveyor system 14 extending from the soil hopper 12. Soil to be filled into an exemplary pot 110, or any other suitable pot or container, is deposited into the soil hopper 12. The conveyor system 14 transports the soil from the hopper 12 to the pot 110.

[0012] Proximate the distal end of the conveyor system 14 is a tube 20 positioned to receive the soil dumped into the soil hopper 12. The tube 20 is a measuring chamber configured to be adjustable in length. The length of the tube 20 corresponds to the amount of soil to be added to the basin 110. The tube 20 includes a proximal gate 22 and a distal gate 24, which are located at opposite ends of the tube 20. The gates 22, 24 are openable and closable to allow soil to enter and exit the tube 20.

[0013] Below the tube 20 is an inserter 30, which rests on a sheet of paper 40 being pulled from a paper roll 42. The inserter 30 may be generally configured as a funnel. The paper 40 pulled from the roll 42 is suspended above the pots 110 to be filled and below the inserter 30. A plurality of pots 110 to be filled may be placed on a conveyor 16, which moves the pots 110 to and from a position below the inserter 30 and the tube 20.

[0014] An exemplary process for using the illustrated pot filler assembly 10 to fill a plurality of pots 110 with soil will now be described. Pots 110 to be filled by the pot filler assembly 10 are placed along the conveyor belt 16, which carries the pots 110 to and from a filling position below the inserter 30 and tube 20. The length of the tube 20 is set based on the amount of soil to be added to the pot 110. The assembly 10 includes any suitable arm or other mechanism for varying the length of the tube 20. The tube 20 may have a first portion 26 and a second portion 28, which are telescopically arranged to vary the length of the tube 20. To fill the tube 20, the proximal gate 22 is opened, the distal gate 24 is closed, and soil from the soil hopper 12 is delivered into the tube 20. The proximal gate 22 is then closed.

[0015] Two pinch blocks 44 on either side of the paper 40 pull the paper 40 from the roll 42 to an appropriate length that extends beyond the pot 110 to be filled. The inserter 30 is then actuated to push the paper 40 down into the pot 110 so that it conforms to the shape of the pot 110. The bottom gate 24 is opened to release the soil from the tube 20. The soil is poured into the inserter 30. The inserter 30 pushes the paper 40 down into the pot 110, where it is now seated. After the pot 110 is filled with soil, the knife is actuated to cut the paper 40. The distal gate 24 is closed, and the pinch blocks 44 release their grip and are retracted to their initial reference position in preparation for grabbing additional paper 40 to fill additional pots 110. The inserter 30, which has functioned as a soil funnel, is then removed from the pot 110, which now advantageously has the paper liner 40 filled with soil. The filled pot 110 is carried away from the insertion device 30 by the conveyor 16. Another pot 110 is then carried below the insertion device 30 by the conveyor 16, and the additional pot 110 can be filled with soil in the same manner as described above. The filling operations described throughout this application can be performed in the order described or in any other suitable order.

[0016] The following is an exemplary list of steps of a method according to the present disclosure for filling a plurality of pots 110 with the pot filler assembly of the present disclosure (the steps may be performed in the following order or in any other suitable order): Load soil into the top hopper 12; Close the two gates 22, 24 of the adjustable tube 20; Determine the amount of soil by adjusting the length (e.g., height) of the tube 20 (this is set at the machine setup time for the pot to be filled); Open the top gate 22 to fill the tube 20 with soil; Once filled, close the top gate 22; One of the pots 110 is inserted through the tube 20 and the insert. The paper 40 is moved into position below the soil feeder 30; two pinch blocks 44 on either side of the paper 40 pull the paper 40 to the appropriate length to extend beyond the pot 110; the feeder 30 pushes the paper 40 down into the pot 110 to conform to the shape of the pot 110; the bottom gate 24 is opened to release the soil; the soil is poured into the pot 110 by the feeder 30; once the soil is placed in the pot 110, a knife cuts the paper and the bottom soil gate 24 closes; the paper pinch devices 44 release their grip and retract to their home position, ready to grab more paper 40; the feeder 30, configured as a soil funnel, is then raised back to its original position. The pot 110 now has a paper liner 40 filled with soil, and the conveyor 16 moves on to fill the next pot 110.

[0017] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. Individual elements and features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment and, where appropriate, may be interchangeable and used in selected embodiments even if not specifically shown or described. The same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not considered departures from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0018] The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain details may not be employed, that the exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0019] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and thus specify the presence of listed features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence and addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The steps, processes, and operations of methods described herein are not necessarily to be construed as requiring performance in the particular order discussed, nor are they necessarily to be construed as requiring performance in the particular order presented, unless expressly identified as such. It will also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0020] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged with," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged with, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged with," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. Other terms used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g., "between" vs. "directly between," "adjacent to" vs. "directly adjacent to," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0021] Terms such as "first," "second," "third," and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, but these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used solely to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, and / or section from another region, layer, or section. When used herein, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply any order or sequence unless clearly indicated by context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section described below may refer to a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0022] Spatially relative terms such as "inside," "outside," "below," "bottom," "top," "upper," etc. may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features may be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "bottom" may encompass both an orientation of top and bottom. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Claims

1. 1. A pot filler assembly configured to fill pots with soil, comprising: Soil hopper and a soil conveyor configured to convey soil from the soil hopper toward the basin; a measuring chamber defining an interior volume, the measuring chamber configured to be adjusted to increase or decrease the interior volume; a funnel disposed below the measuring chamber, the funnel being vertically movable in and out of the pot when the pot is positioned below the funnel and configured to direct soil into the pot; a paper dispenser configured to place a sheet of paper between the funnel and the bowl; Equipped with the funnel is vertically movable to push the paper sheet into the pot to form a paper pocket within the pot, the funnel being configured to direct soil into the paper pocket; Pot filling machine assembly.

2. 10. The jar filler assembly of claim 1, wherein the measuring chamber is suspended above the funnel.

3. The jar filler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the funnel is configured as an insertion device.

4. 10. The pot filler assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pot conveyor configured to move multiple pots to and from the funnel.

5. 2. The pot filler assembly of claim 1, wherein said paper distributor comprises a roll of paper mounted below said soil conveyor.

6. 10. The pot filler assembly of claim 1, further comprising an upper gate above the funnel and a lower gate below the funnel, the upper gate and the lower gate configured to be individually actuated to control the distribution of soil into and out of the funnel.

7. 1. A method for filling pots with soil using a pot filler assembly, comprising: dumping soil into the upper hopper of said pot filler assembly with the upper and lower gates of the measuring chamber closed; adjusting the length of the measuring chamber to accommodate a predetermined amount of soil deposited in the pot; opening the top gate of the measuring chamber and filling the measuring chamber with soil; positioning the basin below the measuring chamber and a funnel of the basin filler assembly; positioning paper over said pot; moving the funnel to push the paper down into the pot so that the paper conforms to the shape of the pot; and opening the lower gate of the measuring chamber to release soil from the measuring chamber into the funnel and into the pot; A method comprising:

8. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising filling a number of pots with soil using the pot filler assembly.

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