Horticultural Tray Support System

Abstract

The horticultural tray support system includes a plurality of horticultural trays, each of the plurality of horticultural trays defining a plurality of growing cells. The stand includes a plurality of vertical supports spaced apart along a length of the stand. The horizontal support extends along the length of the stand between at least two of the plurality of vertical supports. The stand is configured to support the plurality of horticultural trays above a surface in which the plurality of vertical supports are located.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a PCT international application, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 502,811, filed October 15, 2021. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. [Technical Field]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a horticultural tray support system having a stand configured to support a horticultural tray above the ground.

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

[0004] Horticultural trays are widely used for growing plants, flowers, vegetables, and the like. While existing trays are suitable for their intended uses, they are in need of improvement. The present disclosure advantageously provides an improved horticultural tray support system that facilitates irrigation, enhances root pruning, improves soil health, and enhances the overall health of plants, flowers, and the like. The present disclosure provides many additional advantages, as described in detail herein and as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This section provides a general overview of the disclosure and is not an exhaustive disclosure of its entire scope or all of its features.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a horticultural tray support system having a plurality of horticultural trays, each of which defines a plurality of growing cells. The stand has a plurality of vertical supports spaced apart along the length of the stand. A horizontal support extends along the length of the stand between at least two of the plurality of vertical supports. The stand is configured to support the plurality of horticultural trays above a surface on which the plurality of vertical supports are located.

[0007] The present disclosure further provides a horticultural tray support system having a plurality of horticultural trays, each of which defines a plurality of growing cells with gaps therebetween. The stand has a plurality of vertical supports evenly spaced apart along the length of the stand. First and second horizontal supports extend parallel along the entire length of the stand between at least two of the plurality of vertical supports. The first and second horizontal supports are spaced apart such that, when the plurality of horticultural trays are positioned in the stand, the first horizontal support is positioned in a first of the gaps and the second horizontal support is positioned in a second of the gaps. The stand is configured to support the plurality of horticultural trays above a surface on which the plurality of vertical supports are positioned.

[0008] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes of selected embodiments only, and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a horticultural tray support system according to the present disclosure, the system including a stand and a plurality of horticultural trays, each having six growing cells.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the stand and horticultural tray of FIG.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one horticultural tray of the system of FIG.

[0013] 4 is another perspective view of one horticultural tray of the system of FIG. 1. FIG.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stand of the system of FIG.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the stand of the system of FIG.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the cooperation between one horticultural tray and a stand of the system of FIG.

[0017] FIG. 8 shows in more detail the cooperation between one of the horticultural trays and the stand of the system of FIG.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a side view of a horticultural tray support system according to the present disclosure, the system including a stand and a plurality of horticultural trays, each having eight growing cells.

[0019] FIG. 10 is an end view of FIG.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a horticultural tray support system according to the present disclosure having a plurality of stands arranged adjacent to one another and a plurality of horticultural trays each having eight cells abutting one another.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG.

[0022] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

[0023] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] 1 and 2, the present disclosure is directed to an improved horticultural tray support system 10. The system 10 generally includes a plurality of horticultural trays 20 and a stand 110 configured to support the plurality of horticultural trays 20 above any suitable surface 500 (see, e.g., Figures 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12), such as the ground or the floor of a building, such as a greenhouse. The horticultural trays 20 are configured to cooperate with the stand 110, as described in detail herein.

[0025] The horticultural trays 20 may all be identical or may have a variety of shapes and sizes. Each tray 20 includes a plurality of growth cells 22. Each growth cell 22 is a container extending from the upper surface 24 to the lower surface 26 of the tray. In the lower surface 26, each growth cell 22 defines one or more openings 28 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 4). Each growth cell 22 may have any suitable shape and size. In the illustrated embodiment, each growth cell 22 includes a plurality of adjacent cylindrical surfaces. Each cylindrical surface is generally concave relative to the axial center of the growth cell 22. Each tray 20 may include any suitable number of growth cells 22. For example, as shown in at least FIGS. 1-4 and 8, each tray 20 includes six growth cells 22. The six growth cells 22 are arranged in two rows of three, with three growth cells 22 arranged along the tray length L and two growth cells 22 arranged along the tray width W.

[0026] Each horticultural tray 20 has an edge 40 extending around the top surface 24. With particular reference to Figures 3, 4, 7, and 8, each tray 20 defines gaps immediately below the edge 40 between adjacent growing cells 22. For example, tray 20 defines a first gap 50 and a second gap 52. As described further herein, gaps 50, 52 are sized and shaped to accommodate portions of stand 110, facilitating cooperation between tray 20 and stand 110.

[0027] Tray 20 may be any suitable horticultural tray, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,477,781, entitled "Plant Tray," issued by the USPTO on November 19, 2019, and filed on October 18, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Figures 9-12 illustrate another embodiment of a horticultural tray 20 substantially identical to the tray shown in Figures 1-4, 7, and 8, but having eight growing cells 22 arranged in two rows, with four cells 22 arranged along tray length L and two growing cells 22 arranged along tray width W. Any other horticultural tray suitable for cooperation with stand 110 may also be included in system 10.

[0028] The stand 110 will now be further described. With particular reference to Figures 5 and 6, the stand 110 has a plurality of vertical supports 112 evenly spaced along the stand length L of the stand 110. Each vertical support 112 is identical or substantially identical, and therefore, a description of one vertical support 112 generally applies to the other vertical supports 112.

[0029] Each vertical support 112 has a first side 114 and a second side 116. The first and second sides 114, 116 extend vertically to a crossbar 120. The crossbar 120 extends horizontally along the width W of the stand 110. The first and second sides 114, 116 extend substantially vertically along the stand height H of the stand 110.

[0030] At the lower end of each of the first and second sides 114, 116, opposite the crossbar 120, is a leg 130. Each leg 130 extends inward toward the center of the stand 110, generally parallel to the crossbar 120. The legs 130 are configured to support the stand 110 upright on any suitable surface 500.

[0031] Additionally, stand 110 includes at least one upper horizontal support member, such as first upper horizontal support member 140 and second upper horizontal support member 142. Each of first and second upper horizontal support members 140, 142 extends perpendicular to crossbar 120. First and second upper horizontal support members 140, 142 may extend continuously throughout stand length L, or each may be configured as a plurality of individual support members aligned in a row along stand length L.

[0032] When the tray 20 is arranged as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (examples), where the tray length L is perpendicular to the stand length L and the tray width W is perpendicular to the stand width W, the vertical supports 112 are spaced apart along the stand length L to accommodate one of the horticultural trays 20 between the two vertical supports 112. The first and second upper horizontal support members 140, 142 are spaced apart along the stand width W to accommodate one growing cell 22 between them. Thus, when the tray 20 is positioned above the stand 110, the first upper horizontal support member 140 is positioned in the first gap 50 of the tray 20, and the second upper horizontal support member 142 is positioned in the second gap 52 of the tray 20 to securely support the tray 20 on the stand 110 (see, for example, FIGS. 7 and 8). The plurality of cells 22 of the tray 20 are arranged in a straight line along the stand length L.

[0033] The stand 110 further includes a first side bar 152 and a second side bar 154. The first and second side bars 152, 154 each extend substantially parallel to the first and second upper horizontal support members 140 along the stand length L. The first side bar 152 connects each vertical support member 112 at its first side 114. The second side bar 154 connects each vertical support member 112 at its second side 116. The first and second side bars 152, 154 may extend continuously along the stand length L, or each may be a plurality of individual rods or members extending along the stand length L.

[0034] The stand 110 advantageously supports a plurality of growing cells 22 above ground 500 and provides a gap between the underside 26 of each cell 22 and the ground 500. This gap advantageously provides an air gap that facilitates root pruning and helps prevent disease of the variety being grown. The gap also provides forklift pickup below the first and second sides 114, 116.

[0035] 9-12, the horticultural tray support system 10 is shown having larger horticultural trays 20, each having eight growth cells 22. To accommodate the additional number of growth cells 22, the stand 110 has a third upper horizontal support member 144 (see FIG. 11) that extends along the stand length L and is positioned within the third gaps 54 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) between the growth cells 22. Thus, with the larger tray 20 positioned on the stand 110, the first and second upper horizontal support members 140, 142 are spaced apart to accommodate a single row of growth cells 22 extending along the stand length L, and the second and third upper horizontal support members 142, 144 are spaced apart to accommodate a single row of growth cells 22 extending along the stand length L.

[0036] The system 10 includes a plurality of stands 110 arranged side by side such that the trays 20 supported by adjacent stands 110 abut one another. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, three stands 110 are arranged side by side. Specifically, a first stand 110A is adjacent to a second stand 110B. The second stand 110B is adjacent to a third stand 110C. Thus, the second stand 110B is located between the first stand 110A and the third stand 110C. The tray 20A supported by the first stand 110A abuts directly against the tray 20B supported by the second stand 110B such that the first edge 40A of the first tray 20A abuts directly against the second edge 40B of the second tray 20B. The second edge 40B of the second tray 20B also directly abuts the third edge 40C of the third tray 20C. As a result, there are no gaps between the trays 20A, 20B, and 20C, which promotes full growth of the growing varieties. Furthermore, watering is more efficient because nearly all water falls onto the trays 20A, 20B, and 20C and is directed toward the plants instead of potentially falling through the gaps between the trays. Because the edges 40 of the trays 20 in each stand also abut directly against each other, this advantage is realized for each stand 110. Furthermore, this advantage is realized regardless of the size of the trays 20 (e.g., trays 20 having six cells 22, eight cells 22, or any other suitable number of cells). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure also provides many additional advantages.

[0037] 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 or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but may be interchangeable where applicable and may be used in selected embodiments even if not specifically shown or described. The same can also be modified in many ways. Such variations are not to be considered departures from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0038] Exemplary embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth as examples of particular 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 specific details are not required, that the exemplary embodiments can be embodied in many different forms, and that none of these should be construed as limiting 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.

[0039] 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" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having" are non-exclusive and thus disclose the presence of certain features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and acts described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order described or illustrated, unless expressly identified as such an order of performance. It will also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0040] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to," intervening elements or layers may not be present. Other words used to describe relationships between elements should be construed in a similar manner (e.g., "directly between" for "between," "directly adjacent" for "adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0041] Although terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. As used herein, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply sequence or order unless clearly indicated by context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0042] Spatially relative terms such as "inner," "outer," "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," and "upper" are used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were turned over, elements shown as "beneath" or "below" other elements or features would be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of "above" and "below." The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

Claims

1. A horticultural tray support system having a plurality of horticultural trays and a stand, each of the plurality of horticultural trays defining a plurality of growing cells; The stand is a plurality of vertical supports spaced along the length of said stand; a horizontal support extending along the length of the stand between at least two of the plurality of vertical supports; and The stand is configured to support the plurality of horticultural trays above a surface on which the plurality of vertical supports are disposed; Each of the plurality of vertical supports comprises: two spaced apart and perpendicularly extending sides; and The plurality of gardening trays and the stand include: an outer edge of each of the plurality of horticultural trays is configured to extend beyond the side of the vertical support such that the plurality of horticultural trays abut adjacent horticultural trays of adjacent stands; Horticultural tray support system.

2. Each of the plurality of vertical supports further comprises: a crossbar connecting the two sides; 10. The horticultural tray support system of claim 1, comprising:

3. The two sides are: inwardly extending legs each configured to support the plurality of vertical supports on the surface; 3. The horticultural tray support system of claim 2, comprising:

4. The plurality of vertical supports include: evenly spaced along the length of the stand; 10. The horticultural tray support system of claim 1.

5. wherein the plurality of vertical supports are evenly spaced with a spacing configured to accommodate only one of the plurality of horticultural trays between two of the plurality of vertical supports, with the length of one of the plurality of horticultural trays being arranged to extend perpendicular to the length of the stand.

5. The horticultural tray support system of claim 4.

6. The horizontal support portion is extending from a first cross bar of a first vertical support of the plurality of vertical supports to a second cross bar of a second vertical support of the plurality of vertical supports; 10. The horticultural tray support system of claim 1.

7. the horizontal support is a first horizontal support, and the horticultural tray support system further comprises a second horizontal support; Both the first horizontal support portion and the second horizontal support portion are extending parallel along the entire length of the stand; Both the first horizontal support portion and the second horizontal support portion are extending perpendicular to each of the plurality of vertical supports; 10. The horticultural tray support system of claim 1.

8. Both the first horizontal support portion and the second horizontal support portion are contacting all of the plurality of vertical supports; 10. The horticultural tray support system of claim 1.

9. The first horizontal support portion and the second horizontal support portion are spaced apart along a width of the stand extending perpendicular to a length of the stand to accommodate only one growth cell of the plurality of growth cells therebetween; 9. The horticultural tray support system of claim 8.

10. The first horizontal support portion and the second horizontal support portion are wherein the first horizontal support and the second horizontal support are spaced apart such that when the plurality of horticultural trays are arranged in the plurality of horticultural trays, each of the first horizontal support and the second horizontal support is between two different ones of the plurality of growing cells.

9. The horticultural tray support system of claim 8.

11. each of the plurality of growth cells having six of the growth cells arranged in two rows of three or eight of the growth cells arranged in two rows of four; 10. The horticultural tray support system of claim 1.

12. The stand further comprises: a first side bar extending along the length of the stand across all of the plurality of vertical supports, and a second side bar extending along the length of the stand across all of the plurality of vertical supports; 10. The horticultural tray support system of claim 1.

13. The stand is configured to support the plurality of horticultural trays so that they directly abut one another; 10. The horticultural tray support system of claim 1.

14. A horticultural tray support system having a plurality of horticultural trays and a stand, Each of the plurality of horticultural trays comprises: defining a plurality of growth cells having gaps therebetween; The stand is a plurality of vertical supports evenly spaced along the length of said stand; first and second horizontal supports extending parallel along the entire length of the stand between at least two of the plurality of vertical supports, the first and second horizontal supports being spaced apart such that when the plurality of horticultural trays are positioned on the stand, the first horizontal support is positioned in a first one of the gaps and the second horizontal support is positioned in a second one of the gaps; and the stand is configured to support the plurality of horticultural trays above a plane on which the plurality of vertical supports are located; Each of the plurality of vertical supports comprises: two spaced apart and perpendicularly extending sides; and The plurality of gardening trays and the stand include: an outer edge of each of the plurality of horticultural trays is configured to extend beyond the side of the vertical support such that the plurality of horticultural trays abut adjacent horticultural trays of adjacent stands; Horticultural tray support system.

15. Each of the plurality of vertical supports comprises: Further, a crossbar connecting the two sides.

15. The horticultural tray support system of claim 14.

16. The two sides are: each having an inwardly extending leg configured to support the plurality of vertical supports above the surface; 16. The horticultural tray support system of claim 15.

17. The plurality of vertical supports include: one of the plurality of horticultural trays arranged to extend perpendicular to the length of the stand, and evenly spaced apart at intervals configured to accommodate only one of the plurality of horticultural trays between two of the plurality of vertical supports having the length of the horticultural tray; 15. The horticultural tray support system of claim 14.

18. Both the first horizontal support portion and the second horizontal support portion are contacting all of the plurality of vertical supports; 15. The horticultural tray support system of claim 14.

19. The stand is a support for the plurality of horticultural trays configured to directly abut one another; 15. The horticultural tray support system of claim 14.

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