US 11,596,115 B2 · Plant cultivation apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for cultivating plants, including mushrooms, is provided that includes at least one tilt-able plant cultivation module coupled to at least one horizontal support unit by at least one hydraulic unit. The at least one horizontal support unit is coupled to a vertical support unit. The tilt-able plant cultivation module further includes a frame and a plant cultivation tray. The frame of the tilt-able plant cultivation module and the at least one horizontal support unit is coupled manually, hydraulically, or pneumatically. The tilt-able plant cultivation module tilts at a desirable angle which facilitates and makes the plant harvesting process more convenient for a worker without affecting the under cultivated plants. The worker is enabled to look closer to the tilt-able plant cultivation module that in turn allows the worker to select plants to be harvested.

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Drawings

Claims11

Dependent claims

An apparatus for cultivating fungi comprising:

a plurality of tilt-able plant cultivation modules each having a module inner edge and a module outer edge in which fungi are configured to be cultivated;
a plurality of horizontal support units consisting of one or more cantilevered horizontal beams, the horizontal support unit coupled to a vertical support unit, each of the one or more cantilevered horizontal beams having a length between a proximal end and a distal end relative to the vertical support, each of said plurality of horizontal support units coupled to one of said plurality of tilt-able plant cultivation module by a pivot near the distal end;
and
a plurality of drive units, wherein a first end of each of said plurality of drive units is coupled to one of said plurality of horizontal support units between the proximal end and the pivot, and a second end of each of said plurality of drive units is coupled to one of said plurality of tilt-able plant cultivation modules;
wherein each of the plurality of tilt-able plant cultivation modules can be independently tilted at an angle from 45° to 85° around the pivot by its respective drive unit only in a direction to lower the module outer edge below the horizontal support unit and to move the module inner edge away from the vertical support unit such that the fungi are tilted to a non-horizontal angle towards a worker as each of the plurality of tilt-able plant cultivation modules is tilted.

2 more elements

An apparatus for cultivating fungi, comprising:

at least one vertical support unit;
a horizontal support unit consisting of one or more cantilevered horizontal beams coupled to the at least one vertical support unit, each of the one or more cantilevered horizontal beams having a length between a proximal end and a distal end relative to the vertical support;
a first tilt-able plant cultivation module having a module inner edge and a module outer edge, and in which fungi are configured to be cultivated, the first tilt-able plant cultivation module coupled, at least partially, with the horizontal support unit by a pivot near the distal end;
and
at least one drive unit, wherein a first end of the at least one drive unit is coupled to the horizontal support unit between the proximal end and the pivot, and a second end of the at least one drive unit is coupled with the first tilt-able plant cultivation module;
wherein the first tilt-able plant cultivation module can be tilted around the pivot by the at least one drive unit only in a direction to lower the module outer edge below the horizontal support unit and to move the module inner edge away from the vertical support unit such that the fungi being cultivated are tilted to a non-horizontal angle towards a worker as the first tilt-able plant cultivation module is tilted;
a second tilt-able plant cultivation module coupled, at least partially, with the horizontal support unit or a second horizontal support unit,
wherein said the first tilt-able plant cultivation module can be tilted independent of the second tilt-able plant cultivation module.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description2,437 words

Summary1,050 words

#This application claims priority benefit of European Application No. 18160306.9 filed on Mar. 6, 2018; European Application No. 18185546.1 filed in Europe on Jul. 25, 2018; and European Application No. 18200784.9 filed on Oct. 16, 2018; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

#The present invention concerns a process and an apparatus for cultivating plants and/or fungi, preferably mushrooms, wherein a tilt-able plant cultivation module is used. Preferably, the tilt-able plant cultivation module is hydraulically operated for enabling the worker to easily harvest the cultivated plants.

#Mushroom farming is a flourishing business worldwide which also provides employment to many workers. However, harvesting mushrooms is a cumbersome task for workers involved in traditional ways of cultivating mushrooms.

Brief description of the drawings5 figures

#The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments; however, they are helpful in illustrating objects, features and advantages of the present invention because the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates the side view of the given invention according to an embodiment of the invention.

#FIG. 2 illustrates the other side view of the given invention according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description1,260 words

#Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

#References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

#For the sake of the present invention, the word ‘plant’ is defined as any type of plant or fungi, including mushrooms.

Facts

Application

16/294,243Filed 6 Mar 2019

Priority

EP 181603066 Mar 2018

Published

US 2019/0200543 A14 Jul 2019

Granted

7 Mar 2023

Term ends

16 Jun 2039

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 102 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification3 codes

A01G 18/70
Cultivation of mushrooms: harvesting
A01G 18/62
Cultivation rooms; Equipment therefor: racks; Trays
A01G
Horticulture

Timeline

6 Mar 2018Priority claimedEP 18160306
6 Mar 2019Application filedUS 16/294,243
13 Mar 2019Assigned to Eurochampignon Bvbaassignment of assignor's interest
4 Jul 2019PublishedUS 2019/0200543 A1
15 Feb 2023Assigned to Muzzroomchange of name
7 Mar 2023GrantedUS 11,596,115 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
16 Jun 2039Term endsEstimated, includes 102 days of adjustment

Plant cultivation apparatus

Life of this patent

Plant cultivation apparatus

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims11

Description2,437 words

Drawings

Classification3 codes

Life of this patent

Description2,437 words