Abstract: A method of growing plants in a confined space makes use of containers for plants. The containers are stored using a system including a three-dimensional array of array elements, said three-dimensional array of array elements having a stack of two-dimensional arrays of array elements. Each two-dimensional array has a grid of tracks defining a first track for moving a container in an X-direction, and second tracks for moving the container in a Y-direction. Containers are moved using a shuttle. To improve the use of the space available for growing plants, the containers have to be moved from the first track to a second track efficiently. Thus, moving a container to the second track comprises lifting at least one of the containers and the shuttle by bringing moveable track sections from a relatively low position to a relatively high position, and moving the container to the second array element.

Abstract: A method and system for moving a plant growing container, wherein the method makes use of a system that includes a cultivation track, a conveying track, a lift and a guide assembly. The method includes the initially moving the plant growing container at the first level along a first direction from a first end of the cultivation track onto the lift next to the first end of the cultivation track. From there, the plant growing container is lowered from the first level to the second level onto the conveying track. To reduce blocking of the system, the guide is movable to a third level higher than the first level. Furthermore, the method further includes guiding the plant growing container by means of moving said guide to said third level once the container has been moved onto the lift.

Abstract: A product holder assembly for a mobile cultivation of plants along a path in a hall includes a product holder having a bottom and an upstanding circumferential wall extending from the bottom, a first space extending from the bottom of the product holder along the wall to allow a medium or substrate for roots of the plants to receive nutriments and/or support from, a grid system arranged to be placed on the product holder to cover the first space in the product holder and to separate the first space from a second space adjacent to the grid system at a side of the grid system facing away from the first space, wherein the grid system is arranged for holding a plurality of separate plants, the roots of which to reach for the first space and the leaves of which to reach for the second space, wherein the grid system is arranged to operate in conjunction with an air duct system.

Abstract: A method of growing plants using a water-layer system, said method making use of a moveable container comprising a water-layer unit comprising a water tray, and a rectangular frame, said rectangular frame comprising two spaced apart wheel support beams, and support beams for supporting the water tray of the water-layer unit. The water-layer unit is provided with plants, and said plants are grown with access to the layer of water in the water tray. Furthermore, to grow plants more uniformly across the container, the wheel support beams have upper surface areas, and the support beams provide support areas for the water tray of the water-layer unit that in an empty first state are higher than the upper surface areas of the wheel support beams.

Abstract: A system for cultivating plants or vegetables, includes a carrier for holding trays accommodating the plants or vegetables, the carrier having an interior formed by a bottom and raised edges extending circumferentially along the bottom to form a container for holding a liquid for cultivating plants or vegetables, and an opening arranged at the bottom; a frame to support the carrier; a supply duct for supplying the liquid towards the carrier, the supply duct arranged at least partly under the carrier; a sprayer device which is at one end fluidly connected to the supply duct and which is at the other provided with a nozzle to direct a flow of liquid to the interior of the carrier; wherein the sprayer device is arranged through the opening of the carrier, the nozzle protruding into the interior of the carrier when the carrier is positioned on the frame.

Abstract: Method and system for moving a plant growing container, wherein the method makes use of a system comprising a cultivation track, a conveying track, a lift and a guide assembly, and the method comprises the steps of moving the plant growing container at the first level along a first direction from a first end of the cultivation track onto the lift next to the first end of the cultivation track, and lowering the plant growing container from the first level to the second level onto the conveying track. To reduce blocking of the system the guide is movable to a third level higher than the first level and the method further comprises a step of guiding the plant growing container by means of moving said guide to said third level once the container has been moved onto the lift.

Abstract: A vehicle for moving a container containing a hoisting device for hoisting the container from a first position, to hold it in a stored position at the bottom side of the vehicle and to lower the container from the stored position to the second position; a frame supporting the hoisting device; a first guide and second guide attached for guiding the vehicle along a first path in a first horizontal direction, and along a second path in a second horizontal direction transverse to the first direction; wherein the vehicle is arranged to run, in a first mode, along the first path if the first guide engages with the first path and the second guide is spaced apart from the second path, and, in a second mode, along the second path if the second guide engages with the second path and the first guide is spaced apart from the first path.

Abstract: Product holder assembly (1) for a mobile cultivation of plants along a path in a hall, comprising: a product holder (100) having a bottom (110) and an upstanding circumferential wall (120) extending from the bottom, a first space (101) extending from the bottom of the product holder (100) along the wall to allow a medium or substrate for roots of the plants to receive nutriments and/or support from, a grid system (500) arranged to be placed on the product holder (100) to cover the first space (101) in the product holder (100) and to separate the first space from a second space (102) adjacent to the grid system (500) at a side of the grid system facing away from the first space (101), wherein the grid system (500) is arranged for holding a plurality of separate plants (30), the roots (31) of which to reach for the first space (101) and the leafs (32) of which to reach for the second space (102), wherein the grid system (500) is arranged to operate in conjunction with an air duct system (800).

Abstract: A vehicle for moving a container containing a hoisting device for hoisting the container from a first position, to hold it in a stored position at the bottom side of the vehicle and to lower the container from the stored position to the second position; a frame supporting the hoisting device; a first guide and second guide attached for guiding the vehicle along a first path in a first horizontal direction, and along a second path in a second horizontal direction transverse to the first direction; wherein the vehicle is arranged to run, in a first mode, along the first path if the first guide engages with the first path and the second guide is spaced apart from the second path, and, in a second mode, along the second path if the second guide engages with the second path and the first guide is spaced apart from the first path.

Abstract: A system for cultivating plants or vegetables, includes a carrier for holding trays accommodating the plants or vegetables, the carrier having an interior formed by a bottom and raised edges extending circumferentially along the bottom to form a container for holding a liquid for cultivating plants or vegetables, and an opening arranged at the bottom; a frame to support the carrier; a supply duct for supplying the liquid towards the carrier, the supply duct arranged at least partly under the carrier; a sprayer device which is at one end fluidly connected to the supply duct and which is at the other provided with a nozzle to direct a flow of liquid to the interior of the carrier; wherein the sprayer device is arranged through the opening of the carrier, the nozzle protruding into the interior of the carrier when the carrier is positioned on the frame.

Abstract: Product holder for a rotating cultivation of crops including potted plants, which holder is provided with: a platform that is executed predominantly flat for supporting the crops, running wheels and/or guide wheels that are attached to the bottom side of the platform for allowing the holder to be rotated through a greenhouse in a manner that may or may not be automated, wherein the platform has a largest dimension in a longitudinal direction that is oriented transverse to the driving direction of the wheels and, considered in the driving direction, is bounded by a longitudinal side, wherein the platform comprises self-supporting, rigidity enhancing means extending in the longitudinal direction for providing sturdiness and flatness to the platform and the entire holder, wherein an impact absorbing means extends from the rigidity enhancing means for absorbing force resulting from the impact the product holder is subjected to when the impact absorbing means hits an obstacle.