Vertical farming facility with movable secondary planting walls

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vertical farming facility (20) with a planting section (P) and a working section (W), wherein the planting section (P) comprises a plurality of primary planting walls for cultivating plants (21) therein, wherein the primary planting walls provide a first planting area, wherein the working section (W) comprises a plurality of secondary planting walls (P2) for cultivating plants (21) therein, wherein the secondary planting walls (P2) provide a second planting area, wherein the secondary planting walls (P2) are movable from the working section (W) into the planting section (P).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title

[0003] Vertical farming facility with movable secondary planting walls

[0004] Background

[0005] The present invention relates to a system for transporting a robot head in a vertical farming facility, wherein plants can be cultivated. Traditionally, plants are grown by farmers by way of field cultivation. For this purpose, specific atmospheric conditions are indispensable for successful cultivation. In particular, the soil must be rich in humus and hence provide sufficient amounts of nutrients. Furthermore, the soil as well as the ambient air must provide enough humidity so as to promote plant growth. Moreover, adequate radiation must be ensured. In addition and importantly, plant cultivation is inextricably linked to a provision of sufficient acreage.

[0006] The global population and therefore the demand for sufficient food is increasing incessantly. At the same time - among others due to anthropogenic industrial emissions and other human interferences in the natural planetary systems over the course of globalization - the climate is subject to long-term changes, especially to unfavorable changes from the standpoint of plant cultivation: Heat waves and water scarcity, but also a lack of soil nutrients as a consequence of monocultural farming et cetera are some of the challenging phenomena and examples for the deterioration of cultivation conditions that farmers are currently faced with and most likely will be confronted with on a regular basis in the future. According to scientific disclosures the adverse agricultural conditions will subsist and the challenging phenomena will occur even more frequently, when steady, predictable and controllable cultivation conditions are actually required for optimal agricultural outputs.

[0007] One approach in solving this problem can be found in the so-called inhouse or vertical farming technologies of growing crops in vertically stacked layers arranged inside buildings, containers or the like. This technology incorporates controlled-environment agriculture in order to optimize plant growth and to increase crop yield and goes along with a smaller cropland. Furthermore, vertical farming enables a decrease of human interference in the cultivation process due to automatization which increases the overall performance since machines don’t need sleep or vacation and are not affected by sentiment fluctuations and thus are much less prone to errors. Automatization is expected to increase over time along with developments in machine learning and artificial intelligence. Also, vertical farming goes hand in hand with thebenefit of reducing transportation efforts since the cultivation can be carried out in urban territories, close to consumers, thereby rendering pollutive and costly shipments superfluous. However, a current drawback of this approach is that vertical farming is associated with a tremendous energy consumption compared to classical field cultivation due to the fact that lighting, climate control and nutrients must be provided entirely by technical means. Consequently, vertical farming can only be a solution to the afore-mentioned challenges when energy consumption and costs are reduced and degree of automation as well as crop yield are increased significantly.

[0008] Furthermore, vertical farming is usually or at least often practiced within containers. However, a container provides limited volume and therefore limited planting area. A limited planting area in turn constitutes a limitation in the yield of a single container.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an optimized vertical farming facility that addresses at least some of the above-mentioned challenges and drawbacks.

[0011] The object of the present invention is achieved by a vertical farming facility with a planting section and a working section,

[0012] wherein the planting section comprises a plurality of primary planting walls for cultivating plants therein, wherein the primary planting walls provide a first planting area, wherein the working section comprises a plurality of secondary planting walls for cultivating plants therein, wherein the secondary planting walls provide a second planting area, wherein the secondary planting walls are movable from the working section into the planting section.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible to increase a total planting area within a vertical farming facility, the vertical farming facility being usually or at least often configured as a container. Conventionally, such containers comprise a planting section and a working section. The planting section comprises (primary) planting walls for cultivating plants therein and / or thereon. The working section on the other hand usually comprises a nursery station that normally includes at least a table, bench or the like, the nursery station being used for instance for processing plants, storing tools for the container etc. In other words, traditionally, the working section remains unused or too little used for the cultivation of plants which reduces the maximally possible yield of a container. According to the invention, it is advantageously possible to use the working section for planting and cultivating further plants in the container and thereby increasing plant output of a given container. Due to the movable configuration of the secondary planting walls from the working section into the plantingsection space can be generated for, for instance, staff that can enter the container, for instance for cleaning, repairing or maintenance purposes. The secondary planting walls can be particularly moved between the primary planting walls so that working is possible in the working section. The vertical farming facility can be configured such that the secondary planting walls can be moved back from the planting section into the working section, once cultivation starts, restarts or continues. Consequently, all in all, a vertical farming facility with an advantageously variable total planting area arises. The total planting area can correspond to the first planting area or to the sum of the first and second planting area.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the secondary planting walls are foldable. The secondary planting walls can comprise multiple - for instance two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten - secondary wall sections, the secondary wall sections being movably, especially, pivotably, connected to each other. In other words, each secondary wall section can be moved relative to an adjacent secondary wall section. In such a configuration, an advantageous folding of the secondary planting walls can be carried out. As a result of the folding, much less space can be occupied or taken by the folded secondary planting walls and space for working can be created in the working section. The secondary planting walls can be loosely connected to the vertical farming facility, for instance by simply erecting or deploying or putting them on a facility floor. As such, the secondary planting walls can be put or set on secondary feet that can either comprise plane surfaces or rollers. The secondary planting walls can be advantageously moved on rollers within the vertical farming facility, that is without much force or work. However, the secondary planting walls can also be mechanically connected to the vertical farming facility - for instance directly or indirectly to a facility wall, a facility ceiling or a facility floor. It is conceivable that the secondary planting walls are not only movable into the planting section but also (laterally) within the working section, for instance towards a facility wall in the working section. The secondary planting walls, especially each secondary wall section, can comprise covering materials on either side of the corresponding wall and / or wall section. The covering materials can be made of a foam or another flexible material that is sufficiently soft for easily inserting plants and / or plant receptacles therein but at the same time sufficiently firm and / or solid for fixing the plants and / or plant receptacles in their respective position and orientation when inserted.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each primary planting wall is movable along a corresponding primary guide, wherein each secondary planting wall is movable along a corresponding secondary guide. A primary guide and a secondary guide can be configured as rails, particularly as rails in the facility floor. Alternatively and / or in addition, the rails can be arranged in the facility ceiling, for instance similar to curtain tracks in households. It is also conceivable that each primary planting and secondary planting wall is respectively movable along multiple guides, for instance two or three rails respectively. Guidancealong multiple guides can increase stability of the walls during motion as well as stability when the walls are steady / stationary. Furthermore, some or all primary and / or secondary planting walls can be movable along beams or bars that are arranged at the facility ceiling. It is thereby advantageously possible to form distance and / or free space between a lower edge or lower end of the walls on the one hand and the facility floor on the other hand. Said distance can make it possible for other beams or elements to be moved underneath the planting walls.

[0016] Preferably, the primary guides and the secondary guides are straight or at least comprise respectively a straight portion, wherein preferably all primary guides and all secondary guides are arranged parallel to each other. Preferably, the primary guides are parallel to the primary planting walls. Analogously, preferably, the secondary guides are parallel to the secondary planting walls. Preferably, the primary guides, the secondary guides, the primary planting walls and the secondary planting walls are parallel to each other. It is conceivable that the primary guides and the secondary guides are parallel and / or perpendicular to a facility wall. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the primary guides are all on a same first height in the facility and the secondary guides are all on a same second height in the facility, the first height being different than the second height. For instance, the primary guides can be arranged in the facility ceiling, whereas the secondary guides can be arranged in the facility floor or vice versa. Due to different heights of the primary guides and the secondary guides, collisions of the primary planting walls with the secondary planting walls can be avoided or their risk of collision can be at least reduced.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each secondary guide is, at least partially, arranged between two primary guides, wherein the secondary guides are arranged in the planting section and in the working section. The vertical farming facility can comprise, for instance, eight secondary planting walls and eight corresponding secondary guides. In such a configuration the facility can comprise at least nine primary planting walls and nine corresponding primary guides. Preferably, the primary guides and the secondary guides are arranged alternately. Analogously, the primary planting walls and the secondary planting walls can be arranged alternately. In other words, by means of an alternating arrangement, the secondary planting walls can be distributed evenly or uniformly inside the vertical farming facility and between the primary planting walls.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the secondary guides are shorter than the primary guides. Preferably, the feature or attribute short refers to a dimension or length of the secondary guides parallel to two opposing lateral walls of the facility and / or to a dimension or length along a direction that extends from an entrance of the facility on a first end face to an opposing second end face of the facility. Analogously, it is conceivable that the secondaryplanting walls are shorter than the primary planting walls, the feature short referring to the same said dimension or length of the secondary guides. Preferably, a maximum length of the secondary planting walls corresponds to a length of the working section. In other words, the secondary planting walls can extend along the entire working section, which results in a maximum possible yield of the facility.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vertical farming facility comprises an actuator or robot for gripping and / or manipulating plants and / or plant receptacles, especially for inserting and / or harvesting plants and / or plant receptacles, wherein the actuator or robot is configured to transport plants and / or plant receptacles to or away from the secondary planting walls. The actuator can hold, grip, transport, insert / transplant, remove / harvest plants and / or plant receptacles. In other words, the actuator can manipulate plants and / or plant receptacles, especially in interaction with the secondary planting walls but also with the primary planting walls. The actuator can be configured to move particularly underneath the primary and secondary planting walls as well as between the primary and secondary planting walls. Preferably, the vertical farming facility comprises a primary lighting system for lighting the primary planting walls and a secondary lighting system for lighting the secondary planting walls, wherein the secondary lighting system is controllable separately from the primary lighting system. Preferably, both the primary and secondary lighting system comprise respectively a multitude and / or arrangement of controllable LEDs. The secondary lighting system, particularly its LEDs, can be switched on, controlled in its power and composition of different wavelengths and switched off independently of the primary lighting system.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the secondary lighting system is foldable and / or pivotable, especially in the direction of or against a facility ceiling. Preferably, the primary lighting system is foldable and / or pivotable as well. By pivoting the secondary lighting system (and / or the primary lighting system) respectively from an operating position to a nonoperating position, it is advantageously possible to increase space within the container for a variety of purposes. The possibility of moving the lighting systems into a non-operating position can be especially beneficial when planting walls need to be moved, for instance when other plants need to be implanted into the planting walls or the container or parts thereof need to be cleaned or repaired or maintenance needs to be carried out. Furthermore, providing more space through pivoting the lighting systems can avoid collisions inside the container, especially collisions with movable components of the container such as planting walls. By increasing the overall space inside the container through pivoting of the lighting systems and by avoiding collisions it is advantageously possible to reduce costs due to possible accidents that henceforward can be avoided. It is conceivable that the lighting systems, at least in the non-operating position, can be arranged fully or partially in a recess that is formed inthe container ceiling. This way, motion of the planting walls is not obstructed, impeded or otherwise complicated.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second planting area of the secondary planting walls is smaller than the first planting area of the primary planting walls.

[0022] Preferably, the vertical farming facility comprises in the working section cultivation compartments for cultivating plants therein and / or a nursery station. The nursery station can be used as a harvesting station. A cultivation compartment within the meaning of the present invention is a clearly defined section, domain or volume within the vertical farming facility. All cultivation compartments can be the same in size, cross section and material. However, it is also conceivable that different cultivation compartments have different sizes, cross sections and materials. Preferably, a compartment is accessible from at least one side of the facility or container. Moreover, preferably, a cultivation compartment is covered or materially limited on at least two sides, for instance by means of lateral walls, a compartment ceiling, a compartment bottom, a compartment back wall or any combination thereof. The material limitation, that is the lateral walls, the compartment ceiling, the compartment bottom and the compartment back wall can comprise respectively perforations or recesses for the provision of mass and energy to the corresponding cultivation compartment or for the fluidic and / or electri-cal / electronic connection of the cultivation compartments. Furthermore, the multiple cultivation compartments can be respectively one-piece elements and connected to each other mechanically by means of connecting elements. Alternatively or additionally, some or all cultivation compartments can be formed as a single piece element, that is monolithically. It is conceivable that the cultivation compartments are made of a metal, especially a light metal such as aluminum. It is also conceivable that the cultivation compartments are made of an alloy or a polymer / plastic. The advantage of plastic compartments is easy cleanability, little weight and few costs. The cultivation compartments can comprise respectively a light source and a nutrient source. As a light source, an LED is preferable, particularly a controllable LED. It is also conceivable that each cultivation compartment comprises an arrangement and / or a system of multiple light sources. Furthermore, a nutrient source within the meaning of the invention can be a supply pipe or a technical system with multiple supply pipes, wherein the system provides to the respective cultivation compartment water or a water solution with nutrients therein for the growth of plants. Preferably, the cultivation compartments are translation-ally movable, for instance parallel to a first facility wall. It is thereby advantageously possible to move the cultivation compartments for transplanting and harvesting purposes close to a robot or actuator and consequently to save motion / energy for the operation of the robot or actuator that fills and empties the cultivation compartments with plants and / or plant receptacles. The movability of the cultivation compartments is also advantageous as temporaryspace can be created for staff when the robot needs maintenance or the container in general needs cleaning etc. The cultivation compartments are preferably box-shaped and comprise an opening with an opening area. Each cultivation compartment can comprise a seedling tray for the cultivation of plants therein. The seedling trays can have a rectangular shape. Furthermore, the seedling trays can comprise a tray material. Preferably, the tray material is a foam. Apertures can be formed in the tray material, wherein plants and / or plants receptacles can be transplanted into and / or harvested from. Plant receptacles can be arranged in the seedling trays also without a foam or another tray material for positioning and mechanically stabilizing the plant receptacles with plants therein. Moreover, the vertical farming facility can be configured such that nutrients are supplied to the seedling trays manually, for instance from a liquid reservoir, for example using a lever. However, the nutrients can also be provided automatically to the seedling trays by means of one or multiple pipes. A seedling tray can be loosely placed into the cultivation compartment and / or connected to the cultivation compartment for a higher stability. The seedling trays can be moved from their respective cultivation compartments to the nursery station within the container - especially after the plants are ripe, that is when the plants are to be harvested - by means of the robot. Seedling trays provide the advantage of cultivating plants therein just the same way as in traditional agriculture, meaning that plants can be placed / inserted inside the trays, so to speak, vertically. As a result, the plants can be exposed directly to a light source arranged right above them. Consequently, in seedling trays within cultivation compartments, traditional cultivation conditions from agriculture can be easily emulated. The nursery / harvesting station can comprise shelves and / or box-shaped harvesting compartments. The harvesting compartments can be the same as cultivation compartments, especially in their size and material. This way, manufacturing costs of both types of compartments can be decreased due to a higher number of total quantity produced. The cultivation compartments connected to a first facility wall and the harvesting compartments connected to a second facility wall can both extend towards an internal volume of the facility or container. Between the cultivation compartments and the harvesting compartments, a corridor can be formed. The corridor allows for easy accessibility of the container or its internal volume while using - by means of the cultivation and harvesting compartments - much space in the working section for cultivation and harvesting of plants and / or plant receptacles. The corridor preferably allows for easy accessibility for any kind of maintenance and cleaning purposes.

[0023] These and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. The description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.Brief description of the drawings

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates schematically a first embodiment of a vertical farming facility according to the present invention in a perspective view.

[0025] Figure 2 illustrates schematically the first embodiment shown in figure 1 in a top view.

[0026] Figure 3 illustrates schematically the first embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2 in a front view.

[0027] Figure 4 illustrates schematically a second embodiment of a vertical farming facility according to the present invention in a perspective view.

[0028] Figure 5 illustrates schematically a third embodiment of a vertical farming facility according to the present invention in a top view.

[0029] Figure 6 illustrates schematically a robot head holding a plant receptacle with a plant therein in a side view.

[0030] Detailed description

[0031] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes.

[0032] Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun, e.g. “a”, “an”, “the”, this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

[0033] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described and / or illustrated herein. In figure 1 , a first embodiment of a vertical farming facility 20 according to the present invention is illustrated schematically in a perspective view. The vertical farming facility 20 according to figure 1 is configured as a container 20, wherein a part of the container 20 is not shown.The vertical farming facility 20 comprises a planting section P and a working section W. The planting section P comprises multiple primary planting walls for cultivating plants 2’ therein and / or thereon. The primary planting walls are not shown in figure 1. The primary planting walls are arranged parallel to each other. An actuator 1 or robot 1 can transplant the plants 2’ and / or plant receptacles 2 into the primary planting walls. Traditionally, planting, cultivation and harvesting takes place in the planting section P. For a high yield of ripe plants 2’, the use of a maximum planting area within the container 20 is preferable. Therefore, although it is not visible in figure 1, usually the planting section P is relatively large / long with respect to the working section W.

[0034] The planting area provided by the primary planting walls is limited. Therefore, the planting area can be enhanced by creating new planting areas, for instance in the working section W. The working section W usually comprises a nursery station and / or a harvesting station 28, wherein harvested plants 2’ can be stored and processed. The nursery station and the harvesting station 28 can be identical, that is the nursery station can be used as a harvesting station 28. The working section W uses space within the container 20 that otherwise could be used for the planting and cultivation of plants 2’. Therefore, according to the first embodiment in figure 1, the container 20 comprises a plurality of secondary planting walls P2 for cultivating plants 2’ therein. For simplification purposes, only one secondary planting wall P2 is explicitly hinted to in figure 1. The primary planting walls provide a first planting area and the secondary planting walls P2 provide a second planting area. Furthermore, the secondary planting walls P2 are movable from the working section W into the planting section P and back from the planting section P into the working section W along corresponding secondary guides. By means of the inventive secondary planting walls P2 that are additional planting walls (in addition to the primary planting walls), the total planting area as well as the yield of the container 20 can be increased as compared with a container 20, wherein plants 2’ are only cultivated in the planting section P.

[0035] The cultivation compartments C as shown in figure 1 are box-shaped and arranged one on another in three stacks. In total, the container 20 according to the first embodiment comprises 18 cultivation compartments C that provide planting area in addition to the planting area provided by the primary planting walls and secondary planting walls P2. The cultivation compartments C are configured as one block and unmovably connected to a first facility wall 22 by means of a common connecting means M.

[0036] The cultivation compartments C are arranged next to a front side F of the container 20. Each cultivation compartment C comprises an opening with a corresponding opening area, the openings and opening areas facing away from the front side F of the container 20. Due to the perspective view shown in figure 1 , the openings cannot be seen. Likewise, due to theperspective illustrated in figure 1, plants 2’ and plant receptacles 2 that are being cultivated in the cultivation compartments C cannot be seen in figure 1; they are arranged inside the cultivation compartments C. Each cultivation compartment C comprises five walls. In other words, the cultivation compartments C are closed apart from the location in which the respective opening is arranged.

[0037] Furthermore, the cultivation compartments C and the secondary planting wall P2 that is shown in figure 1 are arranged in the vicinity of the robot / actuator 1. The actuator 1 faces the openings and as a result, the cultivation compartments C can be filled and emptied easily and quickly, thereby saving time and energy. Due to the proximity of the actuator 1 to the secondary planting wall P2, transplanting into and harvesting from the secondary planting wall P2 can be performed also easily and quickly, thereby saving again time and energy. All in all, by using the working section W for the cultivation of plants 2’ within cultivation compartments C and on / in the secondary planting walls P2, additional planting area can be created and the plant yield of the container 20 increased.

[0038] Between a lowest part of the block (of cultivation compartments C) and a facility floor 24, a distance D is formed which can be more easily seen in figure 3. The distance D helps the actuator 1 move easily and without collisions underneath the cultivation compartments C. Each cultivation compartment C comprises a light source and a nutrient source, both not being visible in the figures. The light sources used in the shown figures are controllable LEDs. As a nutrient, a water solution is used.

[0039] The common connecting means M is schematically shown as a box-shaped element and provides mechanical connection of the block (of cultivation compartments C) to the first facility wall 22. Furthermore, the common connecting means M provides electrical / electronical as well as fluidic connection to the cultivation compartments C, that is to the light sources and nutrient sources.

[0040] Figure 2 illustrates schematically the first embodiment shown in figure 1 in a top view. The secondary planting wall P2 comprises multiple secondary wall sections P2’. Between each two adjacent secondary wall sections P2’ a hinge, joint or articulation is arranged. The hinge, joint or articulation connects the two adjacent secondary wall sections P2’ mechanically with each other such that they can be moved relatively with respect to each other. In other words, each secondary wall section P2’ can be pivoted relative to its adjacent secondary planting wall section P2’. In yet other words, the secondary planting walls P2 are foldable.

[0041] For illustration purposes, the secondary planting wall P2 as shown in the figures 1 and 2 is partially arranged in the working section W and partially arranged in the planting section P. In other words, at the point of time in which the vertical farming facility is shown in the figures 1and 2, the second planting wall P2 extends over the boundary B between the working section W and the planting section P. The boundary B is illustrated by the dashed line in figure 2. It is clear from figure 2 that by extending the planting area from only within the planting section P into the working section W by installing addition planting walls in the working section (that is the secondary planting walls P2), the total planting area of the container 20 is increased and therefore the plant yield per container 20 can also be increased. Also, the total planting area is variable.

[0042] Figure 3 illustrates schematically the first embodiment from the figure 1 and 2 in a front view. Figure 3 can be taken that the vertical farming facility 20 comprises a second facility wall 26 that is arranged parallel to and opposite of the first facility wall 22. As will be shown and described hereinafter, a harvesting station 28 can be arranged at the second facility wall 26 for temporary storage of harvested plants 2’. The harvested plants 2’ can stem from primary planting walls, secondary planting walls P2 and also from cultivation compartments C.

[0043] Figure 4 illustrates schematically a second embodiment of a vertical farming facility 20 according to the present invention in a perspective view. In the second embodiment as shown in figure 4, the secondary planting wall P2 is arranged almost entirely within the planting section P and only a small portion of the secondary planting wall P2 is arranged within the working section W. In other words, the secondary planting wall P2 has been moved from the planting section P out and into the working section W for illustration purposes. In alternative words: the secondary planting wall P2 has been moved from the working section W almost entirely into the planting section P.

[0044] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment (shown in the figures 1, 2 and 3) particularly in that the second embodiment comprises an additional harvesting station 28 and in that the cultivation compartments C are arranged in a different manner than in the first embodiment.

[0045] The harvesting station 28 serves for temporary storage of harvested plants 2’ and / or plant receptacles 2, particularly after harvesting. For that purpose, the actuator 1 can transport plants 2’ and / or plant receptacles 2 - especially in seedling trays but also individually without seedling trays - from the cultivation compartments C and / or the primary planting walls as well as secondary planting walls P2 and place them onto shelves 28’ of the harvesting station 28. Six shelves 28’ are connected to the second facility wall 26. They are arranged horizontally, that is parallel to the facility floor 24.

[0046] The second embodiment of the invention shown in figure 4 comprises also eighteen cultivation compartments C. However, they are arranged in a different manner. While the first embodiment comprises three stacks of cultivation compartments C with six cultivationcompartments C per stack, the second embodiment comprises six stacks of cultivation compartments C with three cultivation compartments C per stack. As a result, the second embodiment comprises a flatter arrangement of cultivation compartments C. Furthermore, the openings of the cultivation compartments C according to the second embodiment are facing an internal volume of the container 20 and the harvesting station 28. In other words, opening areas of the openings of the cultivation compartments C are arranged parallel to the first facility wall 22 and the second facility wall 26 and perpendicular to the front side F of the container 20. The common connecting means M is still connected to the first facility wall 22, as easily visible in figure 5, wherein a third embodiment of the invention shown. However, the common connecting means M shown in the figures 4 and 5 have the same configuration.

[0047] A third embodiment of a vertical farming facility 20 according to the present invention is illustrated schematically in a top view in figure 5. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment (shown in figure 4) in that the harvesting station 28 comprises harvesting compartments 28”. The third embodiment does not comprise any shelves 28’. However, the harvesting station 28 can comprise a combination of shelves 28’ and harvesting compartments 28”. The harvesting compartments 28” are configured like the cultivation compartments C. Both compartment types C, 28” are box-shaped with one opening respectively. Opening areas of the harvesting compartments 28’ and opening areas of the cultivation compartments C face each other and are parallel to each other. The harvesting compartments 28” provide plenty of storage space as they extend strongly into an internal volume of the container 20 and towards the cultivation compartments C. Due to the proximity between the harvesting compartments 28’ and the cultivation compartments C, the actuator / robot 1 can energy-effi-ciently and quickly transport plants 2’ and / or plant receptacles 2 with plants 2’ therein from the cultivation compartments C and the secondary planting walls P2 to the harvesting compartments 28’.

[0048] Between the cultivation compartments C and the harvesting compartments 28” a corridor is formed. The corridor is represented by a dashed line in figure 5 and provides access to the container 20 for staff for cleaning and maintenance purposes and the like.

[0049] Figure 6 illustrates schematically a robot head T holding a plant receptacle 2 with a plant 2’ therein in a side view. The plant 2’ and the plant receptacle 2 are shown schematically and only as an example. The plant 2’ is arranged in a largely elongated plant receptacle 2. The plant receptacle 2 comprises a base element 2” that is made of polyethylene but it is conceivable to employ other plastics or a biodegradable material as raw material for the production of the plant receptacle 2. The base element 2” forms a cavity 2’” at an inward direction of the base element 2” wherein - along with the plant 2’ - a potting compost can be filled. The plant 2’ is protruding at least partly beyond a head section 2”” of the plant receptacle 2.Furthermore, the plant receptacle 2 comprises recesses one of which is visible in figure 6. By means of recesses material can be saved and hence also weight and costs. Most importantly, recesses enable advantageously the provision of water or a water solution that comprises nutrients to the plant 2’ and the potting compost. Moreover, a circumferential rim 9 is formed at a higher end of the plant receptacle 2. The rim 9 extends outwardly from all sides of the base element 2” and is protruding the base element 2”.

[0050] The robot head T in figure 6 is shown in a release position, meaning that a first gripping element 3 and a second gripping element 4 are spaced apart from one another in a direction parallel to the dotted dash line shown in figure 6. The first gripping element 3 is movably configured and serves as an upper gripping element, whereas the second gripping element 4 is non-movable and acts as a bottom gripping element. The wording release position refers in other words to the circumstance that the rim 9 is not clamped between two first lateral holding arms 3’ of the first gripping element 3 and two second lateral holding arms 4’ of the second gripping element 4. A gap is rather formed between the head section 2”” and the two first lateral holding arms 3’ while the second lateral holding arms 4’ support the rim 9 at two opposing sides of the plant receptacle 2, the second lateral holding arms 4’ each supporting a rim portion 9’. The rim portion 9 can be clamped by moving the two first lateral holding arms 3’ towards the two second lateral holding arms 4’.List of reference signs

[0051] 1 Actuator, robot

[0052] 1’ Robot head

[0053] 2 Plant receptacle

[0054] 2’ Plant

[0055] 2” Base element

[0056] 2”’ Cavity

[0057] 2”” Head section

[0058] 3 First gripping element

[0059] 3’ First lateral holding arm

[0060] 4 Second gripping element

[0061] 4’ Second lateral holding arm

[0062] 9 Circumferential rim

[0063] 9’ Rim portion

[0064] 20 Vertical farming facility, container

[0065] 22 First facility wall

[0066] 24 Facility floor

[0067] 26 Second facility wall

[0068] 28 Harvesting station

[0069] 28’ Shelf

[0070] 28” Harvesting compartment

[0071] B Boundary between working section and planting section C Cultivation compartment

[0072] D Distance

[0073] F Front side of the container

[0074] M Common connecting means

[0075] P Planting section

[0076] P2 Secondary planting wall

[0077] P2’ Secondary wall sections

[0078] W Working section

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS1. Vertical farming facility (20) with a planting section (P) and a working section (W), wherein the planting section (P) comprises a plurality of primary planting walls for cultivating plants (2’) therein, wherein the primary planting walls provide a first planting area,characterized in that the working section (W) comprises a plurality of secondary planting walls (P2) for cultivating plants (2’) therein, wherein the secondary planting walls (P2) provide a second planting area, wherein the secondary planting walls (P2) are movable from the working section (W) into the planting section (P).

2. Vertical farming facility (20) according to claim 1, wherein the secondary planting walls (P2) are foldable.

3. Vertical farming facility (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each primary planting wall is movable along a corresponding primary guide, wherein each secondary planting wall is movable along a corresponding secondary guide.

4. Vertical farming facility (20) according to claim 3, wherein the primary guides and the secondary guides are straight or at least comprise respectively a straight portion, wherein preferably all primary guides and all secondary guides are arranged parallel to each other.

5. Vertical farming facility (20) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each secondary guide is, at least partially, arranged between two primary guides, wherein the secondary guides are arranged in the planting section (P) and in the working section (W).

6. Vertical farming facility (20) according to any one of the claims 3 to 5, wherein the secondary guides are shorter than the primary guides.

7. Vertical farming facility (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical farming facility (20) comprises an actuator (1) or robot (1) for gripping and / or manipulating plants (2’) and / or plant receptacles (2), especially for inserting and / or harvesting plants (2’) and / or plant receptacles (2), wherein the actuator (1) or robot (1) is configured to transport plants (2’) and / or plant receptacles (2) to or away from the secondary planting walls (P2).

8. Vertical farming facility (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical farming facility (20) comprises a primary lighting system for lighting the primary planting walls and a secondary lighting system for lighting the secondary planting walls (P2), wherein the secondary lighting system is controllable separately from the primary lighting system.

9. Vertical farming facility (20) according to claim 8, wherein the secondary lighting system is foldable and / or pivotable, especially in the direction of or against a facility ceiling (23).

10. Vertical farming facility (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second planting area of the secondary planting walls is smaller than the first planting area of the primary planting walls.

11. Vertical farming facility (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical farming facility (20) comprises in the working section (W) cultivation compartments (C) for cultivating plants (2’) therein and / or a nursery station.

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