Crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold

Abstract

The present invention relates to a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10), wherein the scaffold (10) comprises at least two levels of operating platforms (12), wherein the at least two levels are adjusted to different heights, and wherein each operating platform is accessible via stairs (16) and / or ladders (18).

Description

[0001] Crop Harvesting and Maintaining Scaffold

[0002] D e s c r i p t i o n

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold to facilitate work on crops in vertical growth structures.

[0005] Background

[0006] Vertical farming is a modern agricultural practice that involves growing crops under controlled environments in vertical or gradually stacked layers rather than on traditional horizontal fields. Likewise, in greenhouses crops can be grown in vertical or gradually stacked layers. This innovative approach aims to maximize the use of limited space in urban environments and address some of the challenges associated with conventional farming, such as land scarcity, weather dependence, and transportation costs.

[0007] The key components and features of vertical farming comprise indoor vertical growth structure, and a year-round crop production.

[0008] Advantages of Vertical Farming include but not limited to, increased crop yield per unit of land area, reduced dependency on fertile land and the ability to convert non-arable spaces into productive farmland, sustainable use of resources like water and energy, less reliance on harmful chemicals and pesticides shorter supply chains, promoting local food production and distribution, and / or potential to grow high-value and specialty crops.

[0009] Challenges of Vertical Farming include but not limited to high initial investment and operational costs and access to crops and the crop cell in vertical growth structures

[0010] Technical Problem

[0011] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a new apparatus for harvesting and maintaining of crops which grow in vertical or gradually stacked structures in an effective manner.

[0012] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a new apparatus for maintenance of the vertical or gradually stacked structures in an effective manner.

[0013] These and other problems are solved by the embodiments set forth in the independent claims herein. The dependent claims disclose preferred embodiments.

[0014] Brief description of the figures

[0015] Figure 1 shows schematically a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) or a set thereof comprising multiple operating platforms (12), a belt conveyer system (24) and stairs (16). The two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) are arranged to fit a crop cell in between (see Fig. 1 IB).

[0016] Fig. 1 A-D are schemes of a set of two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds from diagonally sideways (Fig. 1 A), rear side (Fig. IB) and top view (Fig. ID).

[0017] Fig l.C shows schematically a sideview of a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold comprising multiple operating platforms, a conveyer system (10) and stairs.

[0018] Figure 2 shows schematically a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) or a set thereof comprising multiple operating platforms (12) and ladder (16) in diagonally sideview (Fig. 2A) and sideview (Fig. 2B). Figure 3 shows schematically the operating platform (12) and a working platform (14) on a single level.

[0019] Fig. 3 A-B are sideview and Fig. 3 C-D are diagonally top view.

[0020] In Fig 3B and Fig 3D the working platform (14) is vertically adjusted to a different height compared to the operating platform (12) to facilitate access to crops which are grown at the different height.

[0021] Figure 4 shows schematically a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) comprising multiple operating platforms (12), vertical conveyer systems (26) which are typically lifts, and ladders (18).

[0022] Figure 5 shows schematically a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) comprising multiple operating platforms (12), vertical conveyer systems (26) which are typically lifts, stairs (16) and the system to secure the workers comprising the overhang brackets (30) attached to the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold and the suspended security system (32) attached to the overhang brackets (30).

[0023] Figure 6 shows schematically a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10, Fig. 6A) comprising at least two pairwise aligned castors (20, Fig. 6B) and wherein the castors being configured for mobility on a rail system (22, Fig. 6C).

[0024] Figure 7 shows schematically a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) comprising multiple operating platforms (12), stairs (16) and stationary systems (28).

[0025] Figure 8 shows schematically a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) comprising multiple operating platforms (12), ladders (18), vertical conveyer system (26) and stationary systems (28).

[0026] Figure 9 shows schematically a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) comprising a vertical conveyer system (26) and ladders (18), wherein the height of the operating platforms (12) and / or working platforms (14) are configured to leave room for the worker (38) and where the height of the operating platforms (12) and / or working platforms (14) are configured to facilitate access to a crop cell (36). Figure 10 shows a set of two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) which are attached to each other and wherein the height of the operating platform (12) is distinct different on each of the one crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10), and wherein the set of two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) is moveable by the pairwaise aligned castors (20).

[0027] Figure 11 shows schematically a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) and a crop cell (36) which are moveable relative to each other.

[0028] Fig. 11A shows schematically a crop cell (36) in between the set of the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) of Fig. 10.

[0029] Fig. 11B shows schematically a crop cell (36) in between the set of the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) of Fig. 1.

[0030] Fig. 11C shows schematically a crop cell (36) in between the set of the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) of Fig. 5.

[0031] Figure 12 shows crop cells (36) in a vertical growing system wherein multiple crops cells (36) are aligned in two rows which rows are separated by a centre aisle. The crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) is placed in the centre aisle to harvest respective crop cells (36A, 36B) subsequently.

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Before the invention is described in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular component parts of the devices described or process steps of the methods described, as such devices and methods may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purposes of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include singular and / or plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is moreover to be understood that, in case parameter ranges are given which are delimited by numeric values, the ranges are deemed to include these limitation values. It is further to be understood that embodiments disclosed herein are not meant to be understood as individual embodiments which would not relate to one another. Features discussed with one embodiment are meant to be disclosed also in connection with other embodiments shown herein. If, in one case, a specific feature is not disclosed with one embodiment, but with another, the skilled person would understand that does not necessarily mean that said feature is not meant to be disclosed with said another embodiment. The skilled person would understand that it is the gist of this application to disclose said feature also for the other embodiment, but that just for purposes of clarity and to keep the specification in a manageable volume this has not been done.

[0034] According to a first aspect of the invention, a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) comprises at least two levels of operating platforms (12), wherein the at least two levels are adjusted to different heights, and wherein each operating platform at different heights is accessible via stairs and / or ladders.

[0035] As used herein, the term crop shall refer to a plant such as strawberry or lettuce which plants are grown in large quantities for a specific purpose such as food, feed, flowers, fibre or fuel.

[0036] Practices for maintaining crops comprise but are not limited to planting, removing, weeding, mowing, caring, controlling pest and diseases, and pruning.

[0037] Harvesting is the process of gathering either the crop or a part thereof which is grown for the specific purpose. In case the crop would be a strawberry, the aggregate fruits are collected, not the plant. In case the crop would be a lettuce, the plant is harvest.

[0038] In one embodiment, the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold comprises at least two levels of operating platforms on different heights and / or an additional working platform on the operating platform which is configured to accommodate workers and / or harvesting the crop at the certain height of the crop cell where the crops grow, and / or wherein the operating platform and / or the working platform is configured to be vertically and / or horizontally adjustable.

[0039] A crop cell is a special apparatus suited for growing crops typically outside of their natural environment. Further, the crop cell is suited to cultivate crops in rows or other systematic arrangements whereby the rows or other systematic arrangements may be vertically arranged or gradually stacked.

[0040] It is therefore advantageous that a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold is arranged for adjusting the operating platform vertically and horizontally relatively to the rows or other systematic arrangements of a crop cell. In case that the crop cell is vertically arranged, typically in a vertical farming, the operating platform is at least vertically adjustable. In case that the crop cell is gradually stacked, which means that rows or other systematic arrangements are horizontally and vertically arranged, typically an inverted V-shape, it is advantageous that the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold is arranged to adjust the operating and / or working platform horizontally and vertically to match the inverted V-shape of the rows or other systematic arrangements of a crop cell.

[0041] The adjustment of the level of the operating and / or working platform may be done manually or motor driven, e.g., by a lifting tool.

[0042] In one embodiment, the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold comprises at least two pairwise aligned castors, wherein the at least two pairwise aligned castors may be further configured for mobility on a rail system.

[0043] The crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold and the crop cell are moveable relative to each other. It is therefore advantageous to the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold to comprise castors. Further, a rail system may further facilitate easy movement of the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold.

[0044] In one embodiment, the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold comprises a conveyer system for hauling out the harvested crops and / or a conveyer system for hauling in supply material and / or a stationary system for storing supply material, and wherein the conveyer system may comprise conveyer belts and / or vertical conveyer which are typically lifts.

[0045] As used herein, the term conveyer system shall refer to an apparatus suited for transporting material from a first location to a second location. A conveyer system allows for quick and efficient transport of various materials and is customizable. Typically, conveyer system types are belt conveyer, (accordion) roller conveyers or vertical conveyer (lifts). Different conveyer system types may be combined to further increase customizability (e.g., Fig. 1 and Fig. 4).

[0046] The stationary system may typically be a shelf to store typical harvest utensils and / or tray stocks (e.g., Fig. 7).

[0047] As used herein, the term hauling out shall refer to the procedure of placing a material such as the crop or at least a part thereof as the harvest on the conveyer system at the first location and translocate the material to a second location. At the second location, the material may be checked and / or packed for further transport typically to the supermarket.

[0048] It is advantageous to the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold to comprise a conveyer system so that the material at the first location, the operating platform or working platform, is semi-automatically or automatically hauled out from the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold to a second location to decrease the steps in which the harvested material is touched, especially when the harvested material is prone to damages. Typical damages of the harvested material may be pressure points or cracks in the peel which likely will result in oxidation or pest infection at respective pressure points or cracks in the peel.

[0049] Further, pressure points and other damages of harvested material are generally assessed for evaluation of the harvested material quality. The better the quality is, the better will be the market price. By using a conveyer system, the harvested material may be of better quality.

[0050] It is advantageous for the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold to comprise a conveyer system which allows hauling in material and / or a stationary system to store material at the operating and / or working platform. Typically, material which may be needed to be hauled in or stored closely are packaging in which the harvested material may be collected. For maintenance purposes the material which may be needed to be hauled in or be stored closely are essential tools

[0051] In one embodiment, the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold comprises an overhang bracket with an attached suspended security system for securing workers on the operating platform. It is advantageous for the crop workers to have easy und non-limited access to the crops in the crop cell. Therefore, the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold may lack protective rails. However, if the level of the operating and / or working platform exceeds a certain height at which a danger of falling for the worker may occur, and no protective rail may hinder the worker of falling, the worker may be secured in a suspended security system. The suspended security system is attached to an overhang bracket which is further attached to the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (e.g., Fig. 5). This allows the worker to maintain and harvest the crop from the crop cell safely and non-limited.

[0052] According to another aspect of the invention, a set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds are configured to be in opposition to each other, and / or may be configured to leave space for a crop cell in between both crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds.

[0053] In one embodiment, the set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds are interconnected to form a single unit, wherein interconnection may detachable or nondetachable.

[0054] According to another aspect of the invention, a set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds are configured to be in opposition to each other, and / or may be configured to leave space for a crop cell in between both crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds, whereby the crop harvesting and maintain scaffolds are interconnected to form a single unit, wherein interconnection may be detachable or nondetachable, and wherein the operation platforms (12) of the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) in opposition to each other are each at a distinct different level.

[0055] The arrangement of distinct different levels on each opposing side of the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold is particularly advantageous for use in the following method to harvest and / or maintain vertically or gradually stacked grown crops.

[0056] In another aspect of the invention, a method to harvest and / or maintaining vertically or gradually stacked grown crops using a set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds are configured to be in opposition to each other, and / or may be configured to leave space for a crop cell in between both crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds, whereby the crop harvesting and maintain scaffolds are interconnected to form a single unit, wherein interconnection may be detachable or nondetachable, and wherein the operation platforms (12) of the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) in opposition to each other are each at a distinct different level, comprises the steps: a. placing the crop cell (36) in between the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) or placing the set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) so that the crop cell (36) is located in between the set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10), b. harvest and / or maintain the crops from the first crop cell (36) on each side of a crop cell (36), whereby crops on each side of a crop cell (36) are each harvested and / or maintained from an operating (12) and / or working platform (14) at the different level, c. removing the crop cell (36) in between the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) or removing the set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) so that the crop cell (36) is not located in between the set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10), d. move the set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) to a second location or move a second crop cell (36) in between the set of crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10), e. repeat steps a-d until each location is harvested and / or maintained, f. turn the crop harvesting and / or maintaining scaffold (10) horizontally 180 degrees, g. repeat steps a-f for harvesting and or maintaining the crops at the crop cells (36) from the respective different height on the opposite site of the crop cell (36) according to steps a-e.

[0057] Typically, the multiple crop cells are be arranged in two rows which rows are essentially parallel, wherein two corresponding crop cells (Fig. 12, 36A and 36B) from each row are directly opposite at a location, and wherein the crop cell rows are separated by a centre aisle (Fig. 12) which is configured to leave space for a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold.

[0058] The placement of the crop cell is arranged essentially in parallel and in the centre between the two sides of the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold as described above (Fig. 11 A). This allows the worker to access from each operating platform and / or working platform in opposition to each other to the crops in the crop cell which are also each on opposite sides of the crop cell.

[0059] This arrangement of the crop cells allows for an efficient workflow facilitating the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold. At each location (Fig. 12) of the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold, two crop cells originated from each side of the crop cell rows may be harvested sequentially. The crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds moves to a second location and harvesting or maintaining is done for the other two crop cells at the second location.

[0060] Reference signs

[0061] 10 crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold

[0062] 12 operating platform

[0063] 14 working platform 16 stair

[0064] 18 ladder

[0065] 20 pairwise aligned castors

[0066] 22 rail system

[0067] 24 belt conveyer system 26 vertical conveyer system

[0068] 28 stationary system

[0069] 30 overhang bracket

[0070] 32 suspended security system

[0071] 34 protective rails 36 crop cell

[0072] 38 worker

Claims

CLAIMS1. A crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10), wherein the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) comprises at least two levels of operating platforms (12), wherein the at least two levels are adjusted to different heights, and wherein each operating platform (12) at different heights is accessible via stairs(16) and / or ladders (18).

2. The crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least two levels of operating platforms (12) on different heights and / or an additional working platform (14) on the operating platform (12) are configured to accommodate workers (38) and / or harvesting the crop at the certain height of the crop cell (36) where the crops grow, and / or wherein the operating platform (12) and / or the working platform (14) is configured to be vertically and / or horizontally adjustable.

3. The crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) according to claim 1, wherein the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) comprises at least two pairwise aligned castors (20).

4. The at least two pairwise aligned castors (20) according to claim 3, wherein the at least two pairwise aligned castors (20) being configured for mobility on a rail system (22).

5. The crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) according to claim 1, wherein the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) comprises a conveyer system (24, 26) for hauling out the harvested crops and / or a conveyer system (24, 26, 28) for hauling in supply material and / or a stationary system for storing supply material.

6. The conveyer system (24, 26, 28) according to claim 5, wherein the conveyer system comprises belt conveyer (24), conveyer belts (24) and / or vertical conveyer (26).

7. The crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) according to claim 1, wherein the operating platform (12) comprise an overhang bracket (30) with an attached suspended security system (32) for securing workers on the operating platform (12).

8. A set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10), wherein both crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) are a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) are configured to be in opposition to each other, and / or wherein the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds are configured to leave space for a crop cell in between both crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds.

9. The set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) according to claim 8, wherein the at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) are interconnected to form a single unit, and / or wherein interconnection is detachable or nondetachable.

10. A set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) according to claims 8 and 9, wherein the at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) are configured to be in opposition to each other, and wherein the operation platforms (12) of the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) in opposition to each other are each at a distinct different level.

1. A method to harvest and / or maintain vertically or gradually stacked grown crops using the set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) according to claim 10, wherein the levels of the at least two operating platforms (12) are different on each crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) in opposition to each other, and wherein the vertically grown crops grow on opposite sides of a crop cell, wherein the crop cell (36) and the at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) are relatively movable to each other, the method comprising the steps: a. placing a crop cell (36) in between a crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) or placing a set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) so that the crop cell (36) is located in between the set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10), b. harvest and / or maintain the crops from the first crop cell (36) on each side of a crop cell (36), whereby crops on each side of a crop cell (36) are each harvested and / or maintained from an operating (12) and / or working platform (14) at the different level, c. removing the crop cell (36) in between the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) or removing the set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) so that the crop cell (36) is not located in between the set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10), d. move the set of at least two crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10) to a second location or move a second crop cell (36) in between the set of crop harvesting and maintaining scaffolds (10), e. repeat steps a-d until each location is harvested and / or maintained,f. turn the crop harvesting and maintaining scaffold (10) horizontally 180 degrees, g. repeat steps a-f for harvesting and / or maintaining the crops at the crop cells (36) from the respective different height on the opposite site of the crop cell (36) according to steps a-e.

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