Device, assembly and method for filling a container with substrate

Abstract

Device and method for introducing substrate into containers such as pots or trays. The containers are transported in accordance with an essentially rectilinear path, wherein said containers are suspended between two belts located some distance apart. By varying the distance between the belts the size of the containers can be varied. The substrate introduced can be either potting compost or bark and the like. Furthermore, an opening can be made in the substrate introduced for placing cuttings. In an alternative the cutting or other plant is placed before/during filling, whilst the container and cutting rotate.

1 - 24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . An assembly for filling containers with substrate, comprising a conveyor for accommodating and moving containers past various stations, wherein at least one of said stations is a substrate introduction station for filling said containers with a substrate, wherein the outlet of said substrate introduction station is above said conveyor, wherein said conveyor is a linear conveyor embodied to rotate said containers during linear movement.  
   
   
       26 . The assembly according to  claim 25 , wherein said conveyor comprises two spaced apart driven belts for accommodating said containers between them.  
   
   
       27 . The assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein the distance between said belts is adjustable in order to accommodate containers of different size.  
   
   
       28 . The assembly according to  claim 25 , further comprising a drilling station for making an opening for receiving a plant in said substrate placed in said container.  
   
   
       29 . The assembly according to  claim 25 , further comprising a cutting introduction station for introducing a cutting into said substrate placed in said container.  
   
   
       30 . The assembly according to  claim 29 , wherein said cutting introduction station comprises a conveyor for cuttings adjacent to the substrate introduction station, wherein said conveyor for cuttings has an engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings to move linearly and synchronously with said linear conveyor and, wherein said engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings and said linear conveyor can move towards one another.  
   
   
       31 . The assembly according to  claim 30 , wherein said engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings is embodied to execute a rotary movement that is synchronous with the rotation applied to the container by said linear conveyor.  
   
   
       32 . The assembly according to  claim 28 , wherein said substrate introduction station and said drilling station are arranged in line one after the other along said linear conveyor.  
   
   
       33 . The assembly according to  claim 25 , wherein a vibrating device for containers is arranged at the location of said substrate introduction station.  
   
   
       34 . A device for filling containers with substrate and placing a plant in said containers, comprising a linear conveyor for accommodating and moving containers past various stations, wherein at least one of said stations is a substrate introduction station for filling said containers with substrate, wherein the outlet of said substrate introduction station is above said conveyor along with a cutting introduction station, wherein said cutting introduction station comprises a conveyor for cuttings and is further provided with an engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings embodied to move linearly and synchronously with said linear conveyor and wherein said engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings and said linear conveyor can move towards one another.  
   
   
       35 . The device according to  claim 34 , wherein said conveyor comprises two spaced apart driven belts for accommodating said containers between them.  
   
   
       36 . The device according to  claim 34 , wherein said cutting introduction station is arranged above and/or next to said substrate introduction station.  
   
   
       37 . A device for filling containers with substrate, comprising a conveyor for accommodating and moving containers past various stations, wherein at least one of said stations is a substrate introduction station for filling said containers with a substrate, wherein the outlet of said substrate introduction station is above said conveyor, wherein said conveyor is a linear conveyor, wherein the length of said outlet in the direction of movement of said conveyor is at least twice the size of said container.  
   
   
       38 . The device according to  claim 37 , wherein said conveyor comprises two spaced apart driven belts for accommodating said containers between them.  
   
   
       39 . The device according to  claim 38 , wherein the distance between said belts is adjustable in order to accommodate containers of different size.  
   
   
       40 . The device according to  claim 37 , further comprising a drilling station for making an opening for receiving a plant in said substrate placed in said container.  
   
   
       41 . The device according to  claim 37 , further comprising a cutting introduction station for introducing a cutting into said substrate placed in said container.  
   
   
       42 . The device according to  claim 37 , wherein said cutting introduction station comprises a conveyor for cuttings adjacent to the substrate introduction station, wherein said conveyor for cuttings has an engaging moving and positioning member for cuttings to move linearly and synchronously with said linear conveyor and, wherein said engaging, moving and positioning member for cuttings and said linear conveyor can move towards one another.  
   
   
       43 . A method for introducing a cultivation substrate into a container, comprising the steps of: 
 a) individualizing containers from a stack of containers;    b) transporting the series of containers thus obtained; and    c) filling said containers with substrate and making an opening in said filled container for receiving a plant during transport, wherein said transport is a continuous rectilinear movement, and wherein the dispensing of cultivation substrate is carried out continuously.    
   
   
       44 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein said containers comprise pots.  
   
   
       45 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein said containers comprise trays.  
   
   
       46 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein said transport comprises grasping said containers at the side when moving the containers.  
   
   
       47 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein a plant is placed in said containers before and/or when filling said containers.  
   
   
       48 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein said containers and said plants are rotated during filling.