Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a device (1) for accommodating plant material (4), such as in particular seed, but also a cutting, a seedling or other plant material. The device (1) comprises at least one holder (2) in which at least the plant material (4), and possibly herein a substrate material (5), can be placed, and the bottom of which is substantially open and can be closed with a closing element (6).

Abstract: An assembly in use forming a tray for plant material includes a holder; and at least one insert which can be respectively placed in and removed from the holder. The insert includes at least one cell defining a plant position. The cell includes at least a wall and a bottom for accommodating content in the cell during use of the assembly. The at least one wall substantially encloses the plant position. The wall and/or bottom comprises an opening through which access is provided with means for removing the content of the cell, such as a pusher or a ram.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stackable carrier for growing material, such as pot plants, cuttings and plants placed in trays, comprising a substantially rectangular flat plate (35); and supports (36) extending transversely of the plate from the short sides of the plate for the purpose of supporting the carrier in a stack of carriers. This measure results in simplified handling of the carriers with the plants placed thereon. The carriers with the plants can be easily stacked on top of one another from above, wherein this is avoided in horizontal direction between the vertical posts of the Danish trolleys. Such operations therefore entail less effort. The invention furthermore provides the option of the grower using the carriers for his internal transport and even as carrier for the plants on the seedbeds. The supports preferably extend upward from the plate and the carrier comprises a frame extending at least at the periphery and a plate placed separately inside the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus is for displacing objects which can be picked up. The apparatus includes a fork-like member provided with teeth for picking up the objects, a transporting device connected to this member, a device for moving the fork-like member vertically, and a control device for controlling the transporting and moving devices. The apparatus includes at least one pair of mutually adjacent teeth of the fork-like member which is equipped with one flexible carrier arranged on each tooth and drivable in longitudinal direction of the tooth. When the objects are set down, this carrier can impart a determined speed to the objects such that the distance between two rows of set-down objects standing perpendicularly of the direction of the teeth can be regulated in a flexible manner by way of adjusting the speed of the carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the moisture content of bulk material, in particular potting soil, wherein the volume of a quantity of bulk material is determined, the weight of the quantity of bulk material is determined, the specific density is then determined from the volume and the weight, and finally the moisture content is determined by comparison with a table. The invention further relates to a method and apparatus for preparing bulk material, in particular potting soil, with a predetermined moisture content, wherein the volume of a quantity of bulk material is determined, the weight of the quantity of bulk material is determined, and water is then added to the quantity of bulk material until the weight associated with the desired moisture content is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate composition, comprising substrate material and material providing structure and form arranged distributed in the substrate material, wherein the particles forming part of the structure-providing material are mutually connected at least partially by a binder. As a result of this binder it is no longer necessary to perform a temperature treatment, so that the associated drawbacks are avoided. In addition, the form-retention of such a unit is considerably greater than the prior art units. The substrate material is preferably formed by potting compost or another organic material. The binder is preferably formed by a pre-polymer reacting with water. This has the advantage that the polymerization takes place when water comes into contact with the binder. This takes place for instance when the binder is brought into contact with the potting compost.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for attaching to an object a substantially flat carrier strap which is intended to engage by means of locking members arranged on each end into an elongate slot in the object, wherein the slots are arranged substantially mutually in line in the object and wherein the apparatus comprises: engaging means for engaging a straightened carrier strap in the proximity of both ends; first rotation means for causing the engaging means to rotate into a position in which the ends of the carrier strap are directed substantially vertically; second rotation means for causing the engaging means to rotate into a position in which the ends of the carrier strap lie substantially in the same plane; and translation means for causing the ends of the strap to each move downward in substantially vertical direction into the slot to a depth such that the locking members grip in the slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling with loose material carriers provided on their top with cavities, comprising: a transporting member for transporting the carriers; a scraper member arranged above the transporting member and drivable in rotation round a vertical shaft, which scraper member is arranged at a distance from the conveyor belt substantially corresponding with the height of the carriers for filling; and a ring enclosing the path described by the scraper member, wherein on the downstream located side of the ring means are arranged for removing excess loose material from the carriers; wherein on the upstream located side of the ring means are arranged for feeding loose material to the carriers; and wherein transporting means are arranged for transporting loose material coming from the first means to the second means.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for transporting potted plants arranged according to at least one row, in which the apparatus lifts and transports the plant pots and fits them to a fork lift truck. The invention provides elongate cariers, wherein the interval between these carriers is smaller than the diameter at the top of the plant pot but greater than the diameter on the underside of the plant pot. This allows the apparatus to be displaced in the horizontal direction which contacts the plant pots, but also to lift the row of plant pots. According to a preferred embodiment the device is provided with two bearing surfaces for the plant pots. This doubles the carrying capacity of the apparatus. According to another preferred embodiment, said elongate carrier comprises disconnecting mechanism, allowing it to pick up only a limited number of plant pots in a row, for instance only every second plant pot. This allows decreasing the density of the plant pots.

Abstract: To relocate cutlings (22) contained in plant boxes (20), an endless transport element (2) with grippers (9) is used, which grip on a pick-up position (23) the plants (22) at their stems and transport these to an unload position comprising a direction changing wheel (4). To pull out the plants (22) as far as possible in the direction of growing and particularly vertically, every gripper (9) is rotatably journalled on a carrier (8) provided on a transport element (2). The distance between the gripper bearing (17) in the area of the pick-up position (23) and the shaft of the direction changing wheel (4) is substantially smaller than the radius of said direction changing wheel. Hence the plants (22) gripped by the gripper (9) are pulled out in essentially the grind direction thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for the gripping of plants located in a container is disclosed. This apparatus comprises a pushing element, which pushes the ball of the plant upwardly from underneath, until the ball is released for a substantial part above the container. Then the ball is gripped by a number of gripping arms, movable in a horizontal direction, which transports the ball including the plant to its destination. To be able to push the ball upwards the container comprises at location of each of the cavities for the balls a guiding channel for the pushing element. This channel has a cross-section of a star-like configuration, the number of points thereof coinciding with the number of points of the pushing element.

Abstract: An apparatus for the gripping of plants located in a container is disclosed. This apparatus comprises a pushing element, which pushes the ball of the plant upwardly from underneath, until the ball is released for a substantial part above the container. Then the ball is gripped by a number of gripping arms, movable in a horizontal direction, which transports the ball including the plant to its destination. To be able to push the ball upwards the continer comprises at location of each of the cavities for the balls a guiding channel for the pushing element. This channel has a cross-section of a star-like configuration, the number of points thereof coinciding with the number of points of the pushing element.