Apparatus and method for the receiving/delivering of crop holders

Abstract

Apparatus and method for the receiving/delivering of pot plants. For the receiving of pot plants from a floor, it is proposed to utilize a fork-like construction wherein each fork is provided with conveying elements. These conveying elements consist of one or two worms which protrude slightly beyond the free end of carriers carrying the conveying elements and are configured so as to taper, for example conically, toward the end. This allows rows of pot plants to be received in a secure manner. Attaching preferably two worms, one above the other, positions the pot plants in a particularly stable manner, as a result of which crops having a high centre of gravity can easily be received without the risk of falling over. The apparatus allows the crops to be positioned next to one another or moved closer together during delivery.

1 . An apparatus for the receiving of stationary crop holders, comprising two substantially parallel arms which are fastened to a common carrier and between which a space is delimited for the receiving of a row of crop holders ( 10 ), wherein one of said arms comprises conveying means for the receiving and moving of said crop holders between two arms, said apparatus being configured so as to be displaceable, wherein said conveying means comprise worms having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said arms. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said arms comprises conveying means. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance between two remote worms ( 5 ,  6 ) between the outer boundary of said worms is larger at the free end set apart from said carrier than at the end in proximity to said carrier. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the free end of said worms is configured so as to taper conically. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each arm is provided with two worms. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said worms are, in the use position, attached horizontally one above the other. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said worms are configured so as to be able to rotate in the same direction. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a worm on an arm is able to engage plant holders on either side thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises a carrying plate extending below said conveying means. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said carrying plate ends at a distance from the free ends set apart from the carrier. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said distance is greater than three times the pitch (s) of said worm. 
   
   
       12 . A method for the delivering of parallel rows of pot plants, including the receiving of parallel rows of pot plants between parallel rows of worms, said worms being attached to a displaceable carrier and are rotatable for the displacing of said pot plants therebetween, wherein said worms are rotated for the delivering of said pot plants, said carrier moving at a speed of displacement which differs from the speed of movement of said pot plants enforced by said worms.