Abstract: A horticultural container dispensing system has a gravity-fed pot supply source having a plurality of linearly spaced pot paths and supports a plurality of pot stacks along the pot paths in a nested configuration. A pot provisioning apparatus has retention members to selectively release an end-most one of the plurality of pots from each pot stack at a release location. A pot engagement apparatus has a plurality of pot gripper devices associated with the pot paths to selectively engage an internal surface of the end-most one of the pots in the respective pot stack at the release location. A carriage apparatus selectively translates the pot gripper devices between the release location and a dispense location. The pot gripper devices selectively disengage the internal surface of the end-most one of the pots, respectively, at the dispense location. Pot grippers and provisioning apparatuses are interchangeable to accommodate differing pot sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A horticultural container filling apparatus has a hopper to selectively dispense soil through an exit. A two-tier strip conveyor assembly has a plurality of narrow conveyor belts coupled to a motor for translating the narrow conveyor belts in a first direction along a first plane below the exit of the hopper. The narrow conveyor belts spaced apart, defining one or more gaps. A plurality of support rails support and guide the narrow conveyor belts along the first plane and are configured to support and convey a container on the narrow conveyor belts in the first direction. The container receives a portion of the soil dispensed from the exit of the hopper, and the gaps pass a remaining portion of soil not received by the container to a second plane below the first plane. A catch conveyor belt along the second plane receives and translates the remaining portion of soil in a second direction along the second plane.

Abstract: A horticultural container filling apparatus has a hopper to selectively dispense soil through an exit. A two-tier strip conveyor assembly has a plurality of narrow conveyor belts coupled to a motor for translating the narrow conveyor belts in a first direction along a first plane below the exit of the hopper. The narrow conveyor belts spaced apart, defining one or more gaps. A plurality of support rails support and guide the narrow conveyor belts along the first plane and are configured to support and convey a container on the narrow conveyor belts in the first direction. The container receives a portion of the soil dispensed from the exit of the hopper, and the gaps pass a remaining portion of soil not received by the container to a second plane below the first plane. A catch conveyor belt along the second plane receives and translates the remaining portion of soil in a second direction along the second plane.