System for automatically cultivating crops in a greenhouse

A method of cultivating crops comprising the steps of:

• providing a first means for conveying seedlings in a first predetermined path to allow the seedlings to be treated under a first set of controlled growing conditions;
• providing a second conveying means;
• transferring seedlings from the first conveying means to the second conveying means;
• conveying seedlings on the second conveying means in a second predetermined path to allow the seedlings to be treated under a second set of controlled growing conditions;
• providing a diverting means and effecting transfer of the seedlings from the first conveying means to the second conveying means automatically through the diverting means;
• and
• reconfiguring at least one of the first and second conveying means to facilitate at least one of a) the transfer of seedlings from the first conveying means to the diverting means and b) the transfer of seedlings from the diverting means to the second conveying means,
• wherein the one of the first and second conveying means has a first and a second cooperating conveying section and further including the step of providing an extensible conveying section, capable of being situated selectively in extended and retracted positions, on the first cooperating conveying section and reconfiguring the one of the first and second conveying means by placing the extensible conveying section in its extended state to place a part of the extensible section in close proximity to the diverting means.

A method of transferring articles such as seedlings to and from a conveying structure, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of article conveying sections cooperatively defining a surface for conveying articles continuously in an endless path,
• there being one conveying section with an input/output end and a second conveying section,
• said first and second conveying sections being positionable in an operative position wherein articles from the input/output end of the first conveying section can be transferred to and from the first conveying section;
• and
• relatively moving the first and second conveying sections out of their operative position to thereby interrupt the continuous conveying path and expose the input/output end of the first conveying section to allow an operator to stand in the path of conveying articles on the first conveying section for facilitated transfer of articles to and from the end of the first conveying section.