A tray for the breeding of plants and suitable for automatized replanting

Abstract

The present disclosure refers to the breeding of plants for subsequent replanting, in particular for cooperating with means which provide the automatic planting of seedlings. The solution of the present disclosure involves an enhanced tray (10), which may be further controllable by automatic means when compared to prior art solutions. The tray (10) comprises a plurality of cups (11) arranged through n rows (r) and m columns (m), n and m being higher than 1, each cup (11) being suitable to have a plant provided therein and thereby the tray (10) being suitable to host n × m plants, wherein the bottom (12) of each of the cups (11) is open, each cup (11) thereby being bottomless. Open spaces (13) are provided between columns (c), so as to allow that mechanical means, such as a fork, engage with the tray and may move the tray (10) horizontally and vertically.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] A TRAY FOR THE BREEDING OF PLANTS AND SUITABLE FOR AUTOMATIZED REPLANTING

[0003] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] The present disclosure refers to the breeding of plants for subsequent replanting, in particular for cooperating with means which provide an automatized planting of seedlings.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] Automatic and semi-automatic means in agriculture and forestry has been developed throughout the decades, with ever-evolving associated mechanical and electronic means.

[0007] Still, and especially in forestry, the planting of seedlings is typically made through manual work, by a worker who digs a hole, places the seedling in it, and covers the hole, covering the root area of the seedling. This is a quite cumbersome and time-consuming process.

[0008] Recently, mechanical and electronic / robotic developments have been used to address this problem, namely by using trays in which the seedlings are provided, and from which the automatic means obtain each seedling for replanting.

[0009] Trays for the provision of plants, especially seedlings, are extensively known in the art, being a common practice to grow plants for subsequent planting in a cup which is part of a tray. The tray may have a rectangular format, with a certain number of rows and a certain number of columns.

[0010] Solutions which combine these elements are known, namely a solution in which a tray with cups with an open bottom, in which the plants rest, is used. A controllable base plate for this tray is also used, and the pulling of the base plate from below the tray leaves the respective cup without a supporting base. If a hole is provided below, the corresponding plant may be led into the planting site automatically or semi-automatically, directly or through additional means. This is an enhanced solution as regards most known in the art. Still, the number of seedlings to be replanted by a single machine is limited to a horizontal area that one or more such trays cover, thus hindering more compact solutions.

[0011] The solution of the present disclosure involves an enhanced tray, which may be further engageable and, thus, controllable by automatic means. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0012] The present disclosure comprises a tray for the breeding of plants and suitable for automatized replanting.

[0013] The tray comprises a plurality of cups arranged through n rows and m columns, n and m being higher than 1, each cup being suitable to have a plant provided therein and thereby the tray being suitable to host n x m plants, wherein the bottom of each of the cups is open, each cup thereby being bottomless, wherein, side walls of each two cups adjacently provided along a row, for each row, are spaced apart, thereby forming an open space throughout each two columns, the tray being made of a plastic material trough a thermoforming process.

[0014] By the provision of an open space throughout each two columns, the tray allows that automatic moving means securely engage in such open spaces, thus allowing the automatic movement of the tray. Through such open spaces, the tray may be moved horizontally, to discharge - and subsequently replant - the plants provided in each row in a discharge section, or vertically to, upon discharging of all the plants in a tray, store the tray such that another tray may be moved horizontally towards a discharge section of a machine.

[0015] The present disclosure may further comprise the use of the tray of the present disclosure such that a plant, optionally a seedling, is provided within each of the cups, each of the plants falling through the open bottom of the respective cup when no base is provided below the respective cup and thereby the tray.

[0016] The present disclosure may further comprise a tray system for the breeding of plants and suitable for automatized replanting, the system comprising the tray of the present disclosure and a bottom plate, the bottom plate providing support for the tray such that, when the bottom plate is removed from below the tray, each plant provided within each cup falls through the open bottom.

[0017] DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0018] Figure 1 - a perspective view of a first embodiment of a tray (10) according to the present disclosure. Cups (11) are provided along columns and lines. The bottom of each of the cups (11) is open (12), each cup thereby being bottomless. Furthermore, open spaces (13) formed between each two cups (11) adjacently and arranged along a row are viewable. In addition, inner projections (15) are represented. The extension of the side flanges (19) along the side of the tray (10) is represented.

[0019] Figure 2 - a front view of the tray of figure 1, such that the m columns (c) are viewable. Ten columns are provided in such tray (10). Each cup (11) is suitable to have a plant provided therein. The bottom of each of the cups (11) is open (12), each cup thereby being bottomless. Furthermore, the open spaces (13) formed between each two cups (11) adjacently arranged along a row are viewable. Thus, between each two columns (c) an open section (14) is provided, along the whole tray (10). In addition, inner projections (15) are represented. The inner projections (15) projecting into the inner open spaces (13) from each side wall (16) of a column (c), such that the inner projections (15) of two adjacently provided side walls (16) are aligned. Such alignment is particularly viewable in the right-side open space (13). The two inner projections (15) extend into the inner space, the open space (13), in a same width. As can be seen, only two open spaces (13) have inner projections (15). The provision of inner projections (15) in the open spaces (13) could lead to unwanted incompatibilities with the forks of engaging mechanical means (not shown). Moreover, the upper and side flanges are represented. A back view would correspond to a mirroring of such front view. The two external walls (17) aligned with the columns are represented.

[0020] Figure 3 - a top view of the tray (10) of Figures 1 and 2, such that the n rows (r) and m columns (c) are viewable. The n rows do not have open spaces (13) formed between them, i.e., they are not spaced apart, only the columns (c) are. The two external walls (17) aligned with the columns (c) and the two external walls (17) aligned with the rows (r) are represented.

[0021] Figure 4 - a cross-section view of the tray (10) along lines A:A of Figure 2, such that the cross section of cups (11) along a column (c) is shown.

[0022] Figure 5 - a front view of a second embodiment of a tray (10) according to the present disclosure, such that the m columns (c) are viewable. Ten columns (c) are provided in such tray (10). Each cup being suitable to have a plant provided therein. The bottom of each of the cups (11) is open (12), each cup thereby being bottomless. Furthermore, the open spaces (13) formed between each two cups (11) adjacently arranged along a row are viewable. Thus, between each two columns (c) an open section (14e, 14ne) is provided, along the whole tray (10). In addition, inner projections (15) are represented. The inner projections (15) projecting into the inner open spaces (13e, 13ne) from each side wall (16) of a column (c), such that the inner projections (15) of two adjacently provided side walls (16) are aligned. Such alignment is particularly viewable in the right-side open space (13e, 13ne), in which an imaginary dashed line is represented. The two inner projections (15) extend into the inner space, the open space (13e, 13ne), in a same width, approaching such imaginary line. Two further imaginary lines are represented, in an extended open space (13e) / section (14e) and in another non-extended open space (13ne) / section (14e). As can be seen, only three open spaces (13e, 13ne), all consisting of non-extended open spaces (13ne), have inner projections (15). The provision of inner projections (15) in the extended open spaces (13e) could lead to unwanted incompatibilities with the forks of engaging mechanical means (not shown). Moreover, the upper and side flanges are represented. A back view would correspond to a mirroring of such front view. The two external walls (17) aligned with the columns (c) are represented.

[0023] Figure 6 - side view of the tray (10) of Figure 5. The extension of the upper (18) and side flanges (19) along the side of the tray (10) are represented. As can be seen, no open spaces (13) are provided between cups (11) which are adjacently arranged along a same column.

[0024] Figure 7 - top view of the tray (10) of Figures 5 and 6, such that the n rows (r) and m columns (c) are viewable. The n rows do not have open spaces (13) formed between them, i.e., they are not spaced apart, only the columns (c) are. The two external walls (17) aligned with the columns (c) and the two external walls (17) aligned with the rows (r) are represented.

[0025] Figure 8 - a perspective view of a system according to the present disclosure, comprising the tray (10) of figure 1, such tray (10) being engageable with a bottom plate (20) which has projecting lips (21) which, when slid along the inner projections (15), engage with the tray (10).

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The tray (10) of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of cups (11) arranged through n rows (r) and m columns (c), n and m being higher than 1, each cup (11) being suitable to have a plant provided therein and thereby the tray (10) being suitable to host n x m plants.

[0028] By having 10 columns (c), the tray (10) of Figures 1-3 has 9 open spaces (13) formed between the columns (c).

[0029] Moreover, the tray (10) has a height, which is viewable in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 contains a front view and Figure 2 has a side view. The tray (10) shown in Figures 1 and 3 has two open spaces (13) which are higher than the remaining open spaces (13), thereby forming extended open spaces (13e) in height of the tray (10). The extension of these two extended open spaces (13e) is, thus, higher in height than the extension of the remaining open spaces (13). The extension of open spaces (13) throughout the whole tray (10), along a column (c), forms extended open sections (14e). Moreover, each tray (10) has external wall (17). The external wall (17) defines the external side bounds of the tray (10). The external wall (17) of the tray (10) thus also correspond to side wall (16) of the cups (11) which are provided along the sides of the tray (10). The sides of the tray (10), which are defined by the external wall (17), are represented in Figures 1-3.

[0030] In Figure 1, an external wall (17) is viewable, such external wall (17) defining the front view of the tray (10). In Figure 2, an external wall (17) is also viewable, such external wall (17) defining the side view of the tray (10). In Figure 3, the four external wall (17) are viewable, from the top view.

[0031] Figure 3 presents a top view of tray (10) according to the present disclosure in which, in the figure, rows (r) are arranged horizontally and columns (c) are arranged vertically. The tray (10) of figure 3 comprises 50 cups (11), distributed through 10 columns (c) and 5 rows (r).

[0032] Each tray (10) may have n x m individual cups (11), each cup (11) being suitable to contain a living plant, n corresponding to a row (r) of cups (11) provided in the tray (10), and being equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and / or m corresponding to a column (c) of cups (11) provided in the tray (10), and being equal to 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20. Each tray (10) may specifically have 5 x 10 individual cups (11), 50 cups (11).

[0033] The side wall (16) of each two cups (11) adjacently provided along a row (r), for each row (r), are separated by an open space (13), and each two cups (11) adjacently provided along a column (c), for each column (c), may be provided such that share a same side wall (16). Thus, no open spaces (13) are provided between cups (11) provided along a same column (c). This condition may alternatively be described as cups (11) provided along a same column (c) sharing a side wall (16), while cups (11) provided along a same row (r) having individual side wall (16). This provision allows that engaging elements, such as those provided in a mechanical moving fork, engage with the open spaces (13), and thus allow to move the tray (10) horizontally and vertically.

[0034] The tray (10) may be such that n is higher than 2 and m is higher than 5, two of the open spaces (13) formed between two columns (c) being higher than the remaining open spaces (13), thereby forming extended open spaces (13e) in height of the tray (10). This provision provides that engaging elements, such as those provided in a mechanical moving fork, engage with the open spaces (13) throughout the extension of a whole column (c), and thus allow to move the tray (10) horizontally and vertically in a more secure manner. Although not defining the main concept of the present disclosure, an example of mechanical means which may engage with and move the tray (10) of the present disclosure are subsequently described.

[0035] The mechanical means may be referred to as comprising tray (10) discharge driving means, which drive the tray (10) from a first position towards a position in which the plants provided in the cups (11) are discharged, through the open bottom (12), to subsequent planting. The mechanical means may be referred to as comprising tray (10) storage driving means, which drive the tray (10) from the position in which the plants provided in the cups (11) are discharged, towards a position in which the tray (10) is stored. The tray (10) discharge driving means may move the tray (10) horizontally, while the tray (10) storage driving means may move the tray (10) vertically.

[0036] The tray (10) discharge driving means may be configured to move a tray (10) along a platform, such movement defining a tray (10) discharge movement and direction, and the tray (10) storage driving means may be configured to, once a tray (10) has been discharged from the contained living plants, move the respective tray (10) along a storage direction which at least has a component substantially perpendicular to the platform, optionally the storage direction being perpendicular, and the tray (10) discharge movement, defining a storage movement and direction.

[0037] The tray (10) storage driving means may further move a tray (10) in an inverse storage movement and in an inverse discharge movement.

[0038] These mechanical means may comprise tray (10) engaging means, the tray (10) engaging means engaging with a tray (10) in one or more points. As previously referred, the tray (10) engaging means may comprise or specifically consist of a fork which engages along the open spaces (13) formed between columns (c) of the tray (10).

[0039] Further possible details of the tray (10) are subsequently described.

[0040] A side flange (19) may be provided along the external side wall (16) of the tray (10), such side flange (19) crossing the extended open spaces (13e) and not the remaining open spaces (13). While crossing the extended open spaces (13e) and not the remaining open spaces (13), the side flange (19) allows that a fork which engages with the extended open spaces (13e) has a second and further engagement with the tray (10), in particular when the fork comprises a section which extends perpendicularly to the teeth of the fork.

[0041] Thus, the fork engages with the open spaces (13) formed in a column (c) and touches the side flange (19). In addition, the perpendicular section extends beyond the side flange (19) in height, into the extended section, and thereby providing an additional engagement between the fork and the tray (10).

[0042] The side wall (16) between each two columns (c) may further comprise inner projections (15), such inner projections (15) projecting into the inner space such that the inner projections (15) of two adjacently provided side wall (16) are aligned. The inner sections may provide an alignment with corresponding alignment projections provided in a base support in which the tray (10) rests. The alignment projections may consist of parallelepipedal projections which protrude from such base support and which engage with the inner projections (15) of the tray (10), thus providing said alignment. The base support may consist of the support plate of the tray (10) system of the present disclosure.

[0043] The inner projections (15) may have a parallelepipedal form projecting into the open space (13).

[0044] The space within cups (11) to provide a plant may have a parallelepipedal, prismatic or cylindrical form.

[0045] The plastic material may comprise or consist of PP, PS or PET.

[0046] Moreover, the tray (10) may further comprise an upper flange (18), the upper flange (18) extending laterally from the upper edge of the external side wall (16) of the tray (10).

[0047] The tray (10) may consist of a single piece.

[0048] As regards the use of the present disclosure, it may comprise driving the tray (10) from a first position towards a position in which the plants provided in the cups (11) are discharged, through the open bottom (12), to subsequent planting, and / or driving the tray (10) from the position in which the plants provided in the cups (11) are discharged, towards a position in which the tray (10) is stored, the discharge movement being horizontal and the storage movement being vertical. As regards the tray (10) system of the present disclosure, the bottom plate (20) may have a base panel and a perpendicularly or transversally projecting lip (21), the tray (10) engaging with the bottom plate (20) through the engaging of external side wall (16) with the projecting lip (21).

[0049] The living plant may consist of a tree, in particular a small tree, a sapling.

[0050] As will be clear to one skilled in the art, the present disclosure should not be limited to the embodiments described herein, and a number of changes are possible which remain within the terms of the present disclosure.

[0051] Of course, the preferred embodiments shown above are combinable, in the different possible forms, being herein avoided the repetition all such combinations.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tray (10) for the breeding of plants and suitable for automatized replanting, the tray (10) comprising a plurality of cups (11) arranged through n rows (r) and m columns (c), n and m being higher than 1, each cup (11) being suitable to have a plant provided therein and thereby the tray (10) being suitable to host n x m plants, wherein the bottom of each of the cups (11) is open, each cup (11) thereby being bottomless, wherein, side wall (16) of each two cups (11) adjacently provided along a row (r), for each row (r), are spaced apart, thereby forming an open space (13) throughout each two columns (c), the tray (10) being made of a plastic material trough a thermoforming process.

2. A tray (10) according to the previous claim wherein the side wall (16) of each two cups (11) adjacently provided along a row (r), for each row (r), are separated by an open space (13), and each two cups (11) adjacently provided along a column (c), for each column (c), are provided such that share a same side wall (16).

3. A tray (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein n is higher than 2 and m is higher than 5, two of the open spaces (13) formed between two columns (c) being higher than the remaining open spaces (13), thereby forming extended open spaces (13e) in height of the tray (10).

4. A tray (10) according to the previous claim wherein a side flange (19) is provided along the external side wall (16) of the tray (10), such side flange (19) crossing the extended open spaces (13e) and not the remaining open spaces (13).

5. A tray (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the side wall (16) between each two columns (c) comprise inner projections (15), such inner projections (15) projecting into the inner space such that the inner projections (15) of two adjacently provided side wall (16) are aligned.

6. A tray (10) according to the previous claim wherein the inner projections (15) have a parallelepipedal form projecting into the open space (13).

7. A tray (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the space within cups (11) to provide a plant has a parallelepipedal, prismatic or cylindrical form.

8. A tray (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the plastic material is PP, PS orPET.

9. A tray (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein it further comprises an upper flange (18), the upper flange (18) extending laterally from the upper edge of the external side wall (16) of the tray (10).

10. A tray (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein it consists of a single piece.

11. Use of the tray (10) of any of the preceding claims wherein a plant, optionally a seedling, is provided within each of the cups (11), each of the plants falling through the open bottom (12) of the respective cup (11) when no base is provided below the respective cup (11) and thereby the tray (10).

12. Use according to the previous claim wherein it comprises driving the tray (10) from a first position towards a position in which the plants provided in the cups (11) are discharged, through the open bottom (12), to subsequent planting, and / or driving the tray (10) from the position in which the plants provided in the cups (11) are discharged, towards a position in which the tray (10) is stored, the discharge movement being horizontal and the storage movement being vertical.

13. A tray (10) system for the breeding of plants and suitable for automatized replanting, the system comprising the tray (10) of any of the preceding claims and a bottom plate (20), the bottom plate (20) providing support for the tray (10) such that, when the bottom plate (20) is removed from below the tray (10), each plant provided within each cup (11) falls through the open bottom (12).

14. A tray (10) system according to the previous claim wherein the bottom plate (20) has a base panel and a perpendicularly or transversally projecting lip (21), the tray (10) engaging with the bottom plate (20) through the engaging of external side wall (16) with the projecting lip (21).

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