Plant husbandry – Bench or elevated bed – hotbed
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-16
2002-07-02
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)
Plant husbandry
Bench or elevated bed, hotbed
C296S020000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06412216
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates primarily to horticulture and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a method of moving a horticultural apparatus in a horticultural environment. The invention also provides a horticultural apparatus per se, a plant cultivating apparatus, an accessory means, a method of plant cultivation and other novel apparatus and methods.
Many plants are grown in greenhouses, at least for some time. However, greenhouses are expensive to build, maintain and run and, accordingly, the use of greenhouse space must be maximised in order to minimise plant unit costs.
The most widely used apparatus in which plants may be grown is a “plant pot” which is generally a circular cross-section plastics container having holes in its base for passage of water from the pot. Plant pots are filled with compost or soil and seeds or seedlings planted therein.
Commercial growers may use machines to fill pots with soil; however such machines are expensive. There are other problems associated with the use of plant pots by commercial growers. For example, the use of individual plant pots for each plant adds to the costs involved in growing plants; the soil/compost contained in the plant pots tends to hold a relatively large amount of moisture and this adds to the overall weight of the plants which may increase the costs involved in transporting the plants; the plant pots restrict the passage of air through the compost/soil in the pots; and the roots of the plants may be damaged when they are removed from their pots. Furthermore, plant pots are placed side-by-side in a staggered arrangement when plants are being grown. To feed the plants, feed pellets are scattered and/or liquid feed is sprayed over the pots. However, since there are gaps between adjacent pots, up to 20% of the feed may be wasted which again adds to costs. Additionally, it is difficult to clean and/or sterilise plants pots and, consequently, plant pots may not be re-used or, if they are, there is a risk that disease may be spread to seeds and/or seedlings that are planted in unsterilised pots.
It is an object of the present invention to address the above described problems.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of moving a first horticultural apparatus which is arranged in a first position in a horticultural environment to a second position, wherein the horticultural environment is such that said first horticultural apparatus cannot be moved from said first position to said second position whilst maintaining said first horticultural apparatus at a first height relative to a second horticultural apparatus, the method comprising adjusting the height of the first horticultural apparatus relative to that of said second horticultural apparatus and using a transportation means to move said first horticultural apparatus to said second position.
Suitably, in the context of this specification, references stating that an apparatus cannot be moved suitably mean that the apparatus is impeded, for example blocked, from the movement referred to.
The method may include adjusting the height by a distance of at least lOOmm, suitably at least 200 mm, preferably at least 300 mm, more preferably at least 350 mm, especially at least 400 mm. Said distance may be less than 1000 mm, suitably less than 900 mm, preferably less than 800 mm, more preferably less than 700 mm, especially less than 600 mm. Said distance is preferably predetermined.
Preferably, said first apparatus is moved along a substantially horizontal plane during movement to said second position. Preferably, said first apparatus moves substantially within a single horizontal place during movement to said second position.
Preferably, said first apparatus is moved substantially parallel to a surface which supports it during movement to said second position.
The method may include adjusting the height of the first apparatus and/or the second apparatus relative to a reference level which may suitably be the ground or other surface on which said first and/or said second apparatus is supported. Preferably, however, the height of the first apparatus is adjusted, preferably with the height of the second apparatus relative to said reference level being kept constant.
Preferably, said first or said second apparatus is arranged under part of the other one of said second or said first apparatus during passage of said first apparatus from said first position to said second position. Preferably, said first apparatus is arranged under part of said second apparatus during said passage.
Preferably, said horticultural environment includes a third horticultural apparatus and preferably said first apparatus cannot be moved from said first position to said second position whilst maintaining said first apparatus at a said first height relative to said third apparatus. Thus, the method preferably includes adjusting the height of the first apparatus relative to that of said third apparatus. The method may include adjusting the height of the first apparatus and/or the third apparatus relative to said reference level. Preferably, however, the height of the first apparatus is adjusted, preferably with the height of the third apparatus relative to said reference level being kept constant.
Preferably, said first apparatus or said third apparatus is arranged under part of the other one of said third or said first apparatus during passage of said first apparatus from said first to said second position.
Preferably, the first apparatus passes under part of the second and third apparatuses during passage from said first to said second position.
Preferably, said horticultural environment includes a plurality of horticultural apparatuses in a first row. Said first row may include said first and second apparatuses. Said first and second apparatuses suitably each have an elongate axis. During movement of said first apparatus, the elongate axis of said first apparatus may move through an angle of at least 30°, preferably at least 60°, more preferably at least 75°, especially at least about 90°. Preferably, prior to movement of said first apparatus, said elongate axes of said first and second apparatuses are substantially parallel. During movement of said first apparatus, the axes may be angled relative to one another.
Preferably, each horticultural apparatus in said first row is substantially the same width and/or length and, more preferably, each is substantially identical to the others.
Preferably, prior to movement of said first apparatus, respective ends of the first and second apparatuses are substantially in line. Preferably, prior to movement of said first apparatus, a first gap is defined between said first and second apparatuses in the direction of extent of said first row. Said first gap may be less than the width of said first and/or said second apparatus. Said gap may have a width which is less than 60%, preferably less than 50%, more preferably less than is 40%, especially less than 30% of the width of said first and/or said second apparatus. Said gap is preferably large enough so that a person can pass between said first and second apparatuses. In some circumstances, however, substantially no gap or a very narrow gap (which may not be large enough for passage of a person between the first and second apparatuses) may be defined.
Said horticultural environment preferably includes a plurality of horticultural apparatuses in a second row which is suitably spaced from said first row. Said second row preferably includes said third apparatus, when provided.
Preferably, each horticultural apparatus in said second row-is substantially the same width and/or length and, more preferably, each is substantially identical to the others.
Preferably, said first and second horticultural apparatus and suitably other horticultural apparatus in said horticultural environment are supported, prior to the movement under the control of the transportation means, on the same support surface which may be the ground, a floor (or the like).
Preferably, said first and second rows exte
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