GROWING TRAY SYSTEM, METHOD AND FARMING SYSTEM

Abstract

A farming system, method and a growing tray system for propagating, growing and harvesting a crop, the growing tray system including an espalier frame defining a growing volume, being mounted to a base and configured to be movable with respect to the base between a substantially horizontal plane growing position and an open position.

Claims

1. A growing tray system for propagating, growing and harvesting a crop, the growing tray system comprising: an espalier frame means defining a growing volume, being mounted to a base and configured to be movable with respect to the base between a substantially horizontal plane growing position and an open position.

2. A growing tray system according to claim 1, wherein the espalier frame means is hingedly mounted along one edge to the base.

3. A growing tray system according to claim 1, wherein the espalier frame means comprises, a plurality of upright members connected at the lower end and connected at the upper end by a plurality of horizontal bars.

4. A growing tray system according to claim 1, wherein the espalier frame means comprises: a number of interchangeable sections extending in a first direction and arranged side-by-side in a second direction to provide a corresponding number of parallel growing rows.

5. A growing tray system according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises: an irrigation layer.

6. A growing tray system according to claim 1, wherein a sheet is provided over the base.

7. A growing tray system according to claim 1, comprising: a canopy arranged on top of the espalier frame.

8. A method of propagating, growing and harvesting a crop using a tray system according to an espalier frame means defining a growing volume, being mounted to a base and configured to be movable with respect to the base between a substantially horizontal plane growing position and an open position, the method comprising: planting a plant proximal to a mounted edge of the espalier frame, with roots arranged within the base of the tray system, and stems and foliage arranged on the espalier frame; and training a main stem of the plant to grow from the mounted edge of the espalier frame along a growing row.

9. A method according to claim 8, comprising: supporting the main stem of the plant by upper horizontal bars of the espalier frame means.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein foliage of the plant is arranged substantially above the espalier frame.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein a crop is arranged to hang substantially below the upper horizontal bars of the espalier frame.

12. A method according to claim 8, training the main stem of a plant to follow a curvy linear path to a second growing row, adjacent to a first growing row.

13. A method according to claim 8, comprising: moving the espalier frame means to the open position and carrying out one or more manual, semi-automated, or automated processes.

14. A system for propagating, growing and harvesting a crop in combination with a tray system, the system according to claim 1, comprising: one or more tray systems according to claim 1; one or more growing locations for accommodating the one or more trays and providing services; and one or more workstations for carrying out one or more manual, semi-automated, or automated processes.

15. A system according to claim 14, comprising: one or more load handling devices.

Description

[0060] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are used for like features, and in which:

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a growth tray system comprising a horizontal espalier frame means and a base where the frame means is in an open position;

[0062] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a growth tray system comprising a horizontal espalier frame means and a base where the frame means is in an open position, with sheets covering the base;

[0063] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a growth tray system comprising a horizontal espalier frame means and a base where the frame means is in a growing position;

[0064] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a growth tray system comprising a horizontal espalier frame means and a base, with a fruiting plant growing along a row, where the frame means is in a growing position;

[0065] FIGS. 5a and 5b shows a z-x view of a growth tray system comprising a horizontal espalier frame means and a base, with a fruiting plant growing along a row having foliage substantially above the espalier frame and fruit handing substantially below the upper horizontal bars where the frame means is in a growing position;

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a z-x planar view of a growth tray system comprising a horizontal espalier frame means and a base, with a fruiting plant growing along a row having foliage substantially above the espalier frame and fruit hanging substantially below the upper horizontal bars where the frame means is in an open position;

[0067] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a growth tray system comprising a horizontal espalier frame means and a base, with a fruiting plants growing along rows having foliage substantially above the espalier frame and fruit handing substantially below the upper horizontal bars where the frame means is in an open position and the base covers are removed;

[0068] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a growth tray system comprising a horizontal espalier frame means and a base, with a fruiting plants growing along rows having foliage substantially above the espalier frame and fruit handing substantially below the upper horizontal bars where the frame means is in an open position;

[0069] FIG. 9 shows a top down view of a growth tray system with a fruiting plants growing along each of the x-direction rows and the espalier frame in the growing position;

[0070] FIG. 10 shows a top down view of a growth tray system with a fruiting plant growing along a first x-direction row and being trained in a curvy linear path to a second x-direction row;

[0071] FIG. 11 growth tray system with a fruiting plant having been trained around in a curvy linear path to a occupy additional rows, where one part of the plant is more mature than a second part of the plant which is less well established;

[0072] FIG. 12 shows a top down view of a growth tray system with three fruiting plants each trained to grow along two adjacent x-direction rows;

[0073] FIG. 13 shows a top down view of a growth tray system with two fruiting plants each trained to grow along three adjacent x-direction rows;

[0074] FIG. 14 shows a top down view of a growth tray system with two fruiting plants, a first plant occupying two adjacent x-direction rows, and a second plant occupying 4 adjacent x-direction rows;

[0075] FIG. 15 shows a top down view of a growth tray system with two fruiting plants, a first plant occupying five adjacent x-direction rows, and a second plant a single x-direction rows;

[0076] FIG. 16 shows a top down view of a growth tray system with a single fruiting plant following a serpentine path occupying all the entire espalier frame;

[0077] FIG. 17 shows a top down view of a growth tray system with a single fruiting plant following an alternative path occupying all the entire espalier frame;

[0078] FIG. 18 shows an open tray system with two fruiting plants, where for each of the plants a first branch follows a serpentine path and a second branch occupies a single row; and

[0079] FIG. 19 shows a growing tray system with a canopy covering the foliage of the plants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0080] The present invention may form part of a larger system. It will be appreciated that the system, methods and devices described herein are exemplary only, and other combinations and configurations of the apparatus and equipment described are anticipated by the inventors of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the invention described here.

[0081] FIGS. 1-3 show a growth tray system 100 comprising an espalier frame 110 and a base 120. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the base is divided into a number of sections 130. As shown in FIG. 2, the sections 130 are covered with a light barrier, cover or sheet 123. In FIGS. 1 and 2 the tray system 100 is shown in an open position, and in FIG. 3 the tray system 100 is shown in a growing position. As shown, the espalier frame 110 is in a substantially horizontal plane when in the growing position, and the espalier frame 110 is at an inclined angle relative to the base 120 when open. The espalier frame 110 is moveable relative to the base 120.

[0082] Considering the espalier frame 110 in the growing position, the espalier frame 110 comprises a plurality of upright members connected at the lower end and connected at the upper end by a plurality of horizontal bars. The frame provides a regularly repeating structure extending in two-dimensions for supporting a plant. The horizontal bars form a grid-like pattern to cover the available surface area of the tray system 100.

[0083] The espalier frame 110 is attached to the base 120 by a series of mounts 121 located along one edge of the base 120. The frame 110 extends from the attachment points or mounts 121 to the opposite or distal edge of the tray system 100 in the x-direction. A mount 121 is provided for each section 130 of frame in the y-direction. In the open position, where the frame is rotated from the horizontal plane about the attachment point or hinge 121 along one side of the tray system 100. The frame 110 may be held in the open position by a pneumatic arm 122.

[0084] As can be seen in FIGS. 4-19, in use, a fruiting plant 10 may be supported on the frame. The root system 14 sits in the base 120 of the tray, and the shoot system is supported by the frame 110. Typically, the foliage 11 sits substantially above the espalier frame 110 and fruit 12 hangs substantially below the upper horizontal bars. In FIGS. 7 and 12 the sheets 123 are not present in the drawing and the roots 14 of the plant may be seen, arranged in the sections 130 of the tray system.

[0085] Naturally, foliage tends to have an upward growth habit against gravity and towards the sky above, and fruit 12 tends to hang downward due to its weight. When the plant 10 is supported by a horizontal frame the separation of plant parts will typically occur naturally as can be seen in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 6.

[0086] FIGS. 6-8 show the frame in an open position. In this position, the fruit 12 hanging below the upper end of the frame is easily accessible from underneath the frame 110. It will be appreciated that the upright members of the frame are not connected across rows at the lower end, to allow easy access to the fruit 12 along the row. This may be advantageous particularly when using an semi- or fully-automated harvesting device. However, while some connections may be provide across the frame on the lower end of the uprights for structural stability of the frame, typically these will be more spaced out and fewer compared with the horizontal bars on the upper end of the uprights. Further, when the sheets 123 are removed, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to carry out cultivation processes on the roots whilst the plant 10 remains supported in the tray system 100.

[0087] It will be appreciated that in order for the tray system 100 to move between open and horizontal or growing positions, the main stem 13 or trunk of the plant 10 should be located proximal to the hinge point 121 to limit the amount of strain and stretch necessary to move the espalier frame 110, and the stem 13 will need to be flexible and supple enough to be bent. For some crops with stiff root structures, it may be necessary to train the root sideways. For some crops the root and stem systems may be arranged or the tray system 100 modified to provide torsional movement when opening the espalier frame 110, in order to minimise any damage to the plant. For another crops there may be a combination of torsional and bending of the main stem when opening the frame.

[0088] The espalier frame 110 helps to keep the plants 10 growing in an orderly and controlled fashion. This may be maintained by carrying out pruning and other cultivation processes. As can be seen in FIGS. 7-9, six individual plants 10 are growing on the tray system, each extending in its own section 130 of the base, and the shoot system with foliage 11 and fruit 12 extending from the hinge to the distal side of the frame along an x-direction row of the frame 110 corresponding to the respective base section 130. In this way, the roots 14 of separate plants 10 are prevented from becoming entangled. At the end of the row, the main stem 13 has been cut so that the terminal bud does not cause the stem 13, branch or trunk to grow longer, and side branches extend from the main stem 13 within the growing volume of the row. In this way, the number of plants 10 arranged in the tray is maximised.

[0089] It will be appreciated that some plants are more effective or commercially economical when they are allowed to grow longer branches or vines than a single tray system row allows. As shown in FIG. 10, a single plant 10 has grown from the hinged edge to the final grid cell in its initial row 130a. In this case, rather than cutting the terminal bud of the main stem 13, the stem 13 is trained into the adjacent row 130b or section of the espalier frame 110, following a curvy linear path to continue growing from the distal side of the tray and return to the hinged edge. FIG. 11 shows an older plant 10 compared with FIG. 10, where the first four rows of the tray 100 are supporting a mature part of the plan 10, and the last two rows of the tray 100 are supporting a less well established part of the plant 10. In this way, longer branches or vines may be grown using the tray system.

[0090] FIGS. 12-18 show various configurations of larger plants 10 arranged in the growing tray system. It will be appreciated that, if allowed, as plants grow longer/larger they will occupy a larger number of frame grid spaces, and therefore fewer plants 10 per tray can be accommodated. In order to continue making maximum use of the tray space available, frame rows or sections may be modular and interchangeable. In this way, until more growing length is required, plants may be arranged next to each other. When a plant 10 reaches the end of a row, the plants may be spaced apart, using additional bases 120 as necessary, and placing an empty espalier frame 110 and base section 130 next to the growing plant that can be expanded onto. It will be appreciated, that the roots 14 in the base section 130 may be moved together with the shoot system and corresponding espalier frame section 110. As can be seen in FIG. 18, the sectioned aspect of the base 120 helps to ensure that the roots 14 are kept orderly and plants 10 can be moved within the tray system 100 without having issues of roots being entangled with neighbouring plants. For example, a barrier such as an upright divider may be positioned between base sections 130. This approach can continue until a single plant covers an entire tray system.

[0091] FIG. 19 shows a tray system with a plant, where a canopy 140 is positioned over the foliage of the plant. The canopy has an open frame to allow light through to the plant. The canopy may take any form, such as a net or cage. The canopy is used in order to limit the upward growth of the plant and keep the plant orderly.

[0092] It will be appreciated that slow growing plants such as fruit trees may take years before covering an entire tray, whereas fast growing plants may cover an entire tray more quickly.

[0093] It will be appreciated that, the growing tray system, method and farming system described herein provides an increased density and more efficient facility. Accordingly, the facility provides an efficient and cost effective use of land.

[0094] It will be appreciated that, advantageously, the tray arrangement is relatively simple in design, with minimal interaction or connectivity required. Accordingly, the growing facility may be relatively cheap, straight-forward and quick to construct. It may be possible to construct the facility within existing buildings, or within multi-function buildings.

[0095] It will be appreciated that the load handling of trays between locations may provide improvements in automation, and environmental control.

[0096] It will be appreciated that the irrigation, lighting and sensing allow for customisation of the localised environment for specific trays.

[0097] Advantageously, the system readily supports full automation of all routine production or cultivation tasks as the load handling devices provide conveyance through workstations; and workstation could be automated or robotic.

[0098] The farming system described above with reference to the figures allows control of the growing environment and thus reduces the risk of microbiological contamination. In addition, the modular nature of the system allows for efficient use of space and ready scalability. The length, width and height of the tray system, and number of tray systems within the farming system can be chosen to fit the available space and processes in place.

[0099] Accordingly crop yields and economics may be improved, and the environmental impact is minimised.

[0100] Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features referred to herein, and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

[0101] It will be appreciated that the organisation of the plants in rows on the espalier frame makes it possible to implement improved automation of harvesting, as fruit will tend to be separate from foliage and will tend to be in expected and consistent locations relative to the structures.

[0102] It will be appreciated, that the tray system and workstations can be proportioned to be ergonomically advantageous for users. Accordingly, users may be able to work more comfortably, more consistently and more efficiently.

[0103] It will be appreciated that a farming system, method and devices can be designed for a particular application using various combinations of devices and arrangements described above. It will be appreciated that the features described hereinabove may all be used together in a single system. In other embodiments of the invention, some of the features may be omitted. The features may be used in any compatible arrangement. Many variations and modifications not explicitly described above are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0104] In this document, in some instances the terms crop and fruit may have been used interchangeably and intended to mean the same thing. The term fruit is not intended to limit the disclosure to any particular type of fruit or even type of crop. The crop may be a part of a plant which is not a fruit.

[0105] In this document, the term load handling device may be considered to be a tray handling device. The load handling device is a type of MHE or material handling equipment.

[0106] In this document, the language movement relative to a gap is intended to include movement within the gap, e.g. sliding along the gap, as well as movement into or out of a gap.

[0107] In this document, the language movement in the n-direction (and related wording), where n is one of x, y and z, is intended to mean movement substantially along or parallel to the n-axis, in either direction (i.e. towards the positive end of the n-axis or towards the negative end of the n-axis).

[0108] In this document, the word connect and its derivatives are intended to include the possibilities of direct and indirection connection. For example, x is connected to y is intended to include the possibility that x is directly connected to y, with no intervening components, and the possibility that x is indirectly connected to y, with one or more intervening components. Where a direct connection is intended, the words directly connected, direct connection or similar will be used. Similarly, the word support and its derivatives are intended to include the possibilities of direct and indirect contact. For example, x supports y is intended to include the possibility that x directly supports and directly contacts y, with no intervening components, and the possibility that x indirectly supports y, with one or more intervening components contacting x and/or y.

[0109] In this document, the word comprise and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than an exclusive meaning. For example, x comprises y is intended to include the possibilities that x includes one and only one y, multiple y's, or one or more y's and one or more other elements. Where an exclusive meaning is intended, the language x is composed of y will be used, meaning that x includes only y and nothing else.