Automated growing systems

#The present disclosure relates to automated systems for growing plants, and related apparatus and methods.

#There are industry and product standard practices for growing plants. Building on original manual practices, growing techniques have been advanced, automated, improved, and tailored to some extent for each crop. With automated technology becoming more and more common in the cultivation industry, many different designs are emerging. However, current facilities typically implement standard or non-optimized automated technology, and can lead to inefficient production and redundant components.

#There is a need for improved systems for growing crops, or at least alternatives.

#The following figures set forth embodiments in which like reference numerals denote like parts. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures.

#FIG. 1 shows an automated growing system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

#FIGS. 1A and 1B show expanded views of areas A and B in FIG. 1.

#The following describes example automated systems for growing plants, and related apparatus and methods.

#For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the examples described herein. The examples may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the examples described. The description is not to be considered as limited to the scope of the examples described herein.

#FIG. 1 shows an automated growing system 10 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The growing system provides all essential growing mechanisms from micropropogation stage to harvest with minimal human interaction. The plants are on production lines of the growing system for most of the growth cycle, as discussed below. The growing system 10 may be installed in a structure for growing plants such as a greenhouse. In some embodiments, the structure is part of a secure and licensed facility for growing cannabis, for example. In some embodiments, the structure comprises a structure as disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/815,131 filed Mar. 7, 2019 and PCT Patent Application No. PCT/CA2020/050302 filed Mar. 6, 2020, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. In some embodiments, the structure has a first end farther from the equator and a second end closer to the equator.