Growing systems and methods

Abstract

A growing system is described where plants are grown in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The load handling devices take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit them at stations where goods may be picked out. The containers may be provided with one or more of the following services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensing means, data logging means, growing means, water and nutrients.

1 . A growing container for use in a growing system, the growing system including a plurality of containers arranged in stacks where at least one of the containers is a growing container, wherein the stacks are arranged within a series of uprights forming a framework, and beneath a load handling track grid, in which the system has a series of lights, the lights being deployable from a first position adjacent a growing container in the stacks to a second position above the growing container, such that the light emitted by the lights is evenly distributed across the growing volume of the container, the growing container comprising:
 a tray-like base;   a box-type supporting framework mounted above the tray-like base to form a support for arranging the plurality of growing containers in a self-supported stack; and   a first guide portion positioned along opposing sides at the top of the box-type support structure for guiding the lights between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         2 . A growing container according to  claim 1 , wherein the lights are moved from the first position to the second position along the first guide portion by a mechanism located on the uprights of the framework. 
     
     
         3 . A growing container according to  claim 1 , wherein the box-type framework is:
 fixedly mounted on the tray-like base; or   an integrally formed structure with the tray-like base.   
     
     
         4 . A growing container according to  claim 1 , wherein the emitting surfaces of the lights are disposed towards a growing volume of the container. 
     
     
         5 . A growing container according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 a lid structure formed of a material configured for internal reflection or refraction.   
     
     
         6 . A growing container according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid structure is independently removable. 
     
     
         7 . A growing container according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is formed of material configured for internal reflection or refraction. 
     
     
         8 . A growing container according to  claim 1 , wherein the lights are configured to emit light of a wavelength or range of wavelengths suitable for the cultivation, control or maintenance of living organisms. 
     
     
         9 . A growing container according to  claim 1 , comprising one or more additional services. 
     
     
         10 . A growing container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first guide portion is positioned such that when the growing container is located within a stack within the framework, the first guide portion aligns with a second guide portion of the framework. 
     
     
         11 . A growing container according to  claim 10 , wherein the first guide portion and the second guide portion are joined by a radius portion. 
     
     
         12 . A growing container according to  claim 10 , wherein the lights comprise a panel member disposed within the first and second guide portions and configured to be moveable along the first and second guide portions. 
     
     
         13 . A growing container according to  claim 12 , wherein the panel member is configured to be movable between a position substantially parallel to uprights of the framework and a position substantially perpendicular to the uprights of the framework. 
     
     
         14 . A growing system, comprising:
 a first set of substantially parallel rails or tracks and a second set of substantially parallel rails or tracks extending transverse to the first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern including a plurality of grid spaces;   a plurality of containers arranged in stacks where at least one of the containers is a growing container, wherein the stacks are arranged within a series of uprights forming a framework, and beneath the first set of substantially parallel rails or tracks and the second set of substantially parallel rails or tracks; in which the system has a series of lights, the lights being deployable from a first position adjacent a growing container in the stacks to a second position above the growing container, such that the light emitted by the lights is evenly distributed across the growing volume of the container;   a plurality of the growing containers, each growing container comprising:   a tray-like base;   a box-type supporting framework mounted above the tray-like base to form a support for arranging the plurality of growing containers in a self-supported stack;   a first guide portion positioned along opposing sides at the top of the box-type support structure for guiding the lights between the first position and the second position, arranged in stacks, located beneath the grid spaces and within a series of uprights forming a framework; and   at least one load handling device disposed on the tracks, arranged to move laterally above the stacks, the at least one load handling device including a lifting device arranged to lift at least one container, or part thereof, from a stack.   
     
     
         15 . A growing system according to  claim 14 , wherein the lights are configured to be deployed in response to a signal received from the at least one load handling device. 
     
     
         16 . A growing system according to  claim 14 , wherein the lights are configured to be deployed by a load handling device located on top of the uprights. 
     
     
         17 . A growing system according to  claim 14 , wherein the lights are configured to be deployed by remote control from a processor in a control center. 
     
     
         18 . A method of growing organisms within a growing container, the growing container including a tray-like base, a box-type supporting framework mounted above the tray-like base to form a support for arranging the plurality of growing containers in a self-supported stack, and a first guide portion positioned along opposing sides at the top of the box-type support structure for guiding lights between a first position and a second position, the method comprising:
 providing growing means within the growing container;   positioning the growing container within a storage system;   providing required light, water and nutrients; and   moving the growing container using at least one robotic load handling device operable on a grid system above the growing container;   wherein the light is provided by deploying the lights from the first position adjacent the sides of the growing container to a second position above the growing container.