Seedling transfer arrangement
AssigneeWilliam Hi-Tech International Pty. Ltd.
InventorGeoffrey A. Williames
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for use in transplanting seedlings between propagation containers. More particularly the apparatus of this invention is intended to enable the transfer of seedlings from a chain of connected cells in which the seedlings have been grown for a period of time to a larger cell chain or other container. The apparatus includes a means to move said cells along a first and second predetermined path, and a first and second plant delivery path extending transversely to said first and second predetermined path. The apparatus includes a means lift seedlings from cells on said first path and to deliver them to cells moving along said second path into a prepared planting position.
Claims11
Apparatus for moving a plant or seedling having upstanding foliage from one container having an upper edge and conveyed along a first predetermined path to a prepared planting position in a second container that is moved along a second predetermined path, said apparatus comprising a first plant delivery path extending transversely from said first predetermined path at a level at or above said upper edge of said one container, second plant delivery path extending from said first plant delivery path to a position adjacent said second predetermined path to deliver a plant or seedling to said prepared planting position in said second container, a first guide chute movable to an extended position at least partially across the first predetermined path above said one container to form an extension of said first plant delivery path at least partially across said one container, said first guide chute having a forward end arranged to lift plant foliage as the first guide chute moves to said extended position, said guide chute also being retractable from said extended position, ejection means for moving the plant or seedling upwardly out of a container on said first predetermined path into said extension of said first plant delivery path, first movement means for moving the plant or seedling along said first plant delivery path into said second plant delivery path, and second movement means for moving said plant or seedling along said second plant delivery path into said prepared planting position.
Apparatus for moving a plant or seedling from one container having an upper edge and conveyed along a first predetermined path to a prepared planting position in a second container that is moved along a second predetermined path, said apparatus comprising a first plant delivery path extending transversely from said first predetermined path at a level at or above said upper edge of said one container, and a second plant delivery path extending from said first plant delivery path to a position adjacent said second predetermined path to deliver a plant or seedling to said prepared planting position in said second container, a first guide chute movable to an extended position arranged at least partially across the first predetermined path above said one container to form an extension of said first plant delivery path at least partially across said one container, said guide chute also being retractable from said extended position, ejection means for moving the plant or seedling upward out of said container into said extension of said first plant delivery path, first movement means for moving the plant or seedling along said first plant delivery path into said second plant delivery path, second movement means for moving said plant or seedling along said second plant delivery path into said prepared planting position, and a second guide chute forming at least part of said second delivery path, said second guide chute having one or more openings along its length enabling a plant or seedling to be introduced laterally into said second guide chute and to enable a said plant or seedling to be removed laterally from said second guide chute.
Apparatus for moving a plant or seedling from one container having an upper edge and conveyed along a first predetermined path to a prepared planting position in a second container that is moved along a second predetermined path, said apparatus comprising a first plant delivery path extending transversely from said first predetermined path at a level at or above that of said upper edge of said one container, a second plant delivery path extending from said first plant delivery path to a position adjacent said second predetermined path to delivery a plant or seedling to said prepared planting position in said second container, a first guide chute movable to an extended position arranged at least partially across the first predetermined path above said one container to form an extension of said first plant delivery path at least partially across said one container, said guide chute also being retractable from said extended position, ejection means for moving the plant or seedling upwardly out of said container into said extension of said first plant delivery path, first movement means for moving the plant or seedling along said first plant delivery path into said second plant delivery path, second movement means for moving said plant or seedling along said second plant delivery path into said prepared planting position, and sensing means for scanning a zone above said one container over a portion of said first predetermined path to sense the presence and selected characteristics of a seedling or plant within said scanning zone, said first guide chute having spaced walls adjacent said sensing means defining said scanning zone of said sensing means and isolating a given seedling or plant being scanned from adjacent seedlings or plants.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.