Work handling

• US 20040200146A1
• Filed: 12/18/2003
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cropdesign N.V. (BASF SE)
• Original Assignee: Cropdesign N.V. (BASF SE)
• Inventors: Dillen, Willy, Leyns, Frederik
• Granted Patent: US 7,506,472 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/65
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/143 Equipment for handling produce in greenhouses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor

Abstract

Apparatus suitable for use in conjunction with a container in which one or more plants is growing and having associated with it a device for receiving an enquiry signal and automatically responding by transmitting an unique identifier signal the apparatus comprising

(a) transporter means by which a container may be supported for moving the container,

(b) means for transmitting the enquiry signal,

(c) means for recording the identifier signal as a digital output and

(d) computer means to which the digital output is supplied for storage of the data in prescribed format in a database for manipulation to afford comparison of data related to the container.

Claims

1. Apparatus suitable for use in conjunction with a container in which one or more plants is growing and having associated with it a device for receiving an enquiry signal and automatically responding by transmitting an unique identifier signal the apparatus comprising

a) transporter means by which a container may be supported for moving the container,

b) means for transmitting the enquiry signal,

c) means for recording the identifier signal as a digital output and

d) computer means to which the digital output is supplied for storage of the data in prescribed format in a database for manipulation to afford comparison of data related to the container.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the transporter means comprises a plurality of co-extensive storage transporters each providing support for a row of several containers, the storage transporters being disposed adjacent one another to support rows of containers in a horizontally disposed array and to cooperate with transfer conveyor means adjacent an end portion of each storage transporter.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means for transmitting the enquiry signal comprises a plurality of transmitters located in the transporter means and each transmitting an unique enquiry signal.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the computer means is organised to enable identification of the location of the container by reference to the enquiry and identifier signals and to information about the location of the transmitters.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 comprising means for operating a storage transporter to move the row of containers supported on that storage transporter towards a first transfer station at which an endmost container of the row is transferred to the transfer conveyor means, and means for moving the storage transporter to move the row of containers supported on that storage transporter away from a second transfer station.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 comprising means for operating the transfer conveyor to move the container supported on it to a second transfer station or to a workstation.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4, 5 and 6 wherein the means for operating a storage transporter and the means for operating the conveyor means are actuated in response to data contained in the database so as to move the container from one location to another.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a workstation at which an operation is performed on the plant or plants in the container.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 comprising means for performing an operation automatically on the plant or plants presented at the workstation.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the means for performing an operation automatically on the plant or plants presented at the workstation is selected from the group consisting of means for sorting of plants according to specified characteristics, harvesting, imaging, packaging, photographing and pruning.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein transmission of the identifier signal of the container presented at the workstation actuates the means for performing the operation.

12. Apparatus according to claim 9 comprising camera means for performing said operation by obtaining one or more digital images of the plant or plants in the container present at the work station.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the workstation comprises a work support mounted for rotation when a container is supported thereon and the images are obtained.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 comprising algorithm means for transposing the digital images into a form in which selected criteria of the plant or plants in the container may be evaluated.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container contains a single plant.

16. Apparatus according to claim 8 also comprising means for recording that the operation has been performed and supplying the record in digital format to the computer database.

17. Apparatus according to claim 8 comprising a conveyor on which a container is transported towards the workstation and means for urging the container from the conveyor into position at the workstation.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 comprising a conveyor on which a container may be carried away from the workstation and means for urging the container from the workstation onto this conveyor.

22. The use of apparatus according to claim 1 in a greenhouse for the breeding of plants.

19. A method for relocating a container in which one or more plants is growing within a group of such containers in accordance with desired criteria comprising supporting the containers with transporter means comprising a plurality of storage transporters each providing support for a row of several containers in a horizontally disposed array, and a transfer conveyor, there being means for operating each storage transporter to move the row of containers supported on that transporter towards a first transfer station at which an endmost container of the row may be transferred to the transfer conveyor means, the method comprising associating with each container a device which, in response to receipt of an enquiry signal automatically transmits an unique identifier signal, emitting enquiry signals from known locations and recording the enquiry and identifier signals as digital output in a database in prescribed format to identify the location of the container.

20. A method for imaging and recording characteristics of a plant presented at an operating station comprising associating with the plant a device for receiving an enquiry signal and automatically responding thereto by transmitting an unique identifier signal, passing the container automatically to a workstation at which there is located means for transmitting the enquiry signal, causing the identifier signal to actuate means for imaging the plant and transferring the identifier signal and digital image information as digital output to a database for recording in prescribed format for manipulation according to desired characteristics.

21. A container charged with a medium for growing a plant, a single plant rooted in the medium and a transponder supported in or on the container.

23. In a greenhouse in which plants are processed by automated devices, the use of transponders for identification of the plants.

24. In a greenhouse according to claim 23, use of software systems that link the unique identification key of the transponder tag to information generated by the automation devices.

25. In a greenhouse according to claim 23 or 24 the use of transponders to identify the location of a plant.

26. In a greenhouse according to claim 25 the use of information provided by transponders to execute preprogrammed automated operations on the plants.