US 12,161,074 B2 · Potting apparatus and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a potting apparatus, which includes a drill that is repositionable relative to a pot-driving conveyor such that the potting apparatus may be placed in a first potting configuration or a second potting configuration. In the first potting configuration, the drill is in a first position relative to the pot-driving conveyor such that the apparatus can provide the requisite drilling functionality for potting plant life with smaller vertical profiles. In the second potting configuration, the drill is in a second position relative to the pot-driving conveyor to provide sufficient vertical clearance above the pot-driving conveyor for potting plant life with larger vertical profiles. The potting apparatus may further include a soil delivery system adapted to receive and dispense soil to the pot-driving conveyor and a drive system operatively connected to the pot-driving conveyor.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A potting apparatus comprising:

a first conveyor suitable for receiving a pot thereon;
a soil delivery system including a second conveyor for receiving and dispensing soil, the soil delivery system being positioned relative to the first conveyor such that soil dispensed from the second conveyor is directed onto the first conveyor during operation;
a drill system rotatably hinged to the soil delivery system such that the drill system is operable to pivot between a first position wherein the drill system is disposed in a first vertical plane above the first conveyor and a second position in a second vertical plane wherein the drill system is not disposed above the first conveyor, the drill system having a drill bit that is movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the first conveyor when the drill system is in the first position;
and
a drive system operatively connected to the first conveyor for moving the first conveyor.

2 more elements

A potting apparatus comprising:

a first conveyor suitable for receiving a pot thereon;
a soil delivery system including a second conveyor for receiving and dispensing soil, the soil delivery system being positioned relative to the first conveyor such that soil dispensed from the second conveyor is directed onto the first conveyor during operation;
a drill apparatus including a drill bit, wherein the drill apparatus is slidably secured to a plurality of support shafts such that the drill apparatus is capable of sliding along a longitudinal length of each of the plurality of support shafts, wherein the plurality of support shafts includes at least one support shaft located along a first vertical plane and at least one support shaft located along a second vertical plane positioned rearward of the first vertical plane;
wherein the drill apparatus is rotatably hinged to pivot about the soil delivery system;
a drill drive system operatively connected to the drill apparatus and configured to slidably move the drill apparatus upwardly and downwardly along the longitudinal length of each of the plurality of support shafts;
and
a conveyor drive system operatively connected to the first conveyor for moving the first conveyor.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Potting apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Potting apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20