APPARATUS AND CONTAINER FOR ENABLING LIFTING AND MANIPULATION OF NURSERY STOCK BY AN ADJUSTABLE LIFT

Abstract

A plant transportation system is disclosed. At a high level, the system includes specially-designed pots which include lift-fixtures, such as eyebolts, which are specially-oriented and aligned to receive poles or tines from a lifting mechanism. In this way, each of at least two tines of a lifting attachment can pass through two lift-fixtures on the pot. In this way, when the lifting attachment rises, the plant in the container remains stable and vertical. Moreover, it also allows the lifting attachment to potentially pass through and hold multiple pots. A vehicle having such a lifting attachment may then transport the plants to a planting site, or to another transportation vehicle such as a flat-bed truck.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the field of plant containers such as biodegradable containers and equipment for transporting plant containers.

BACKGROUND

Bio-degradable plant containers with integrated handles for manual transport has been known. For example, see U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0026987. These plant containers are conventionally designed to allow workers to lift and then transfer the plants to other location. Besides being labor-intensive, the process is often slow and inefficient, especially when dealing with hundreds of nursery stock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered in connection with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Many of the figures presented herein are black and white representations of images originally created in color.

FIG. 1 illustrates how the disclosed plant transportation system transport plant containers according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plant container according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a plant container according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a plant container according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of a plant container according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lift attachment with lifting rods according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a backside view of a lift attachment according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of a lift attachment according to certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth regarding the systems and methods of the disclosed subject matter and the environment in which such systems and methods may operate, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed subject matter. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the disclosed subject matter may be practiced without such specific details, and that certain features, which are well known in the art, are not described in detail in order to avoid complication of the disclosed subject matter. In addition, it will be understood that the examples provided below are exemplary, and that it is contemplated that there are other systems, apparatuses, and/or methods that are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

The following description makes reference to spatial relations in addition to directional orientations, such as views with regard to the figures. However, any terms such as up, down, left, right, top, bottom, front, back, above, below, upper, lower, proximal, distal, and the like are used primarily to differentiate between the views and orientations relative to other building elements or pieces within any particular configuration, or series of views or illustrations, and to help describe the relationship between pieces to the reader.

In some embodiments, the planting containers are made of materials that are not biodegradable. Non-biodegradable containers are cheaper to make and can generally be made to hold heavier weigh. Suitable materials include but not limited to plastic, carbon fiber, felt made of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the container is made of breathable felt. It is ideal for the felt to be porous enough to allow the air to penetrate the fabric and reach the roots. When the roots hit the wall of the container, the dry air lets the plant know that the root system has reached the limits of the container. This way, instead of spiraling around the pot the root will stop growing longer and the plant will produce more roots to branch off in another direction. Commercially, this is sometimes known as air pruning pots.

In some embodiments, the planting containers are biodegradable plant containers. Biodegradable plant containers have been popular among consumers and retail plant growers. For example, biodegradable plant pots are far better for the environment. Biodegradable pots can be made from materials such as wood fiber, peat, coir or other suitable materials. Biodegradable pots are ideal for field planting trees. Instead of removing a grown tree from a conventional pot, trees in biodegradable pots can be planted directly into the soil. Similar to the non-biodegradable containers, it is ideal for the biodegradable containers to be porous enough to allow proper air pruning of the roots.

Over the years, containers with handles have been developed to help growers transfer plants (in the pots) from one location to another. Generally speaking, with conventional designs, a human operator would need to manually lift the plant container off the ground and walk the container to the planting site or to a transportation vehicle. If the container is too heavy, more human operators would be needed. To move multiple plants, human operators often need to manually load them to a truck bed (or a pellet), then drive them to the planting site. Embodiments of the present invention, in contrast, provide a more efficient and less labor-intensive system for transferring plants.

FIG. 1 illustrates how the disclosed plant transportation system transports plant containers according to certain embodiments. At a high level, the system includes specially-designed pots which include lift-fixtures, such as eyebolts, which are specially-oriented and aligned to receive poles or tines from a lifting mechanism. In this way, each of at least two tines of a lifting attachment can pierce two lift-fixtures on the pot. In this way, when the lifting attachment rises, the plant in the container remains stable and vertical. Moreover, it also allows the lifting attachment to potentially pierce and hold multiple pots. A vehicle having such a lifting attachment may then transport the plants to a planting site, or to another transportation vehicle such as a flat-bed truck.

More specifically, to transport plants in plant containers 101, poles or tines 104 of a lift attachment 102 penetrate the eyebolts 103 of the plant container 101 as the container rests on the ground. According to certain embodiments, the eyebolts of the plant container 101 are arranged off-center, for example at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o-clock, but with the openings aligned such that 12 and 9 o-clock share a first transverse axis (i.e., the axis of tine penetration) and 3 and 6 o-clock share a second transverse axis, parallel to the first. In this way, the trunk of a plant in the pot will not hinder the penetration of the tines, or poles, as the tines or poles will be to the left and right of the trunk. The opening of each eyebolt is large enough to receive a tine, even taking into account the axis's line of penetration through the eyebolt in relation to the diameter of a tine. To pick up a container, the tractor 100 would drive the poles 104 of the lift attachment 102 through the eyebolts 103. According to certain embodiments, multiple plant containers can be lifted, depending on their relative weight and size, compared to the size of the tines and the vehicle with the lifting attachment. According to some embodiments, the plant container is fully biodegradable. That is, all parts of the plant container can degrade naturally. In some embodiments, the plant container is made of materials that are not biodegradable (e.g., plastic based fabric, carbon fiber, etc.).

Plant Container

FIG. 2 illustrates a plant container 200 according to certain embodiments. The plant container 200 has eyebolts 202, 204, 206 and 201 attached around the circumference 203 of the container 200. At least two adjacent eyebolts are aligned in such a way that a pole can easily penetrate through both of them, as shown in FIG. 1. According to certain embodiments, the eyebolts are configured to stay upright at the resting position so that the penetrating poles can pierce through without requiring workers to hold the eyebolts in an open state. The eyebolts can be made of various materials such as linen, wood, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, felt, plant-based fiber, degradable plastic, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments the eyebolts are detachable via fabric knots or other types of plastic inserts. In some embodiments, the body 205 of the container 200 is made of the same material as the eyebolts. In some embodiments, the body 205 is made of a different material. In some instances, the body 205 is made of a material that is water permeable, breathable, and biodegradable. In some instances, the body 205 is made of a material that is not biodegradable such as felt. Depending on the species of the plant, the plant container may be made of materials with different strength so that the container can hold the weight during the transportation.

According to certain embodiments, the plant container 200 can be designed to fit different types of plants. The strength of the container can be adjusted based on the material or other supporting elements. These containers may be grow bags, but also may be fabric or other material to hold the plant after it is dug out of the ground. The bags may have a U shaped cross section, right angles at the bottom edges, cone shaped, and the like. In certain embodiments, the plant container may have a vertical slit (not shown) along all or part of its height. This may allow the container to be opened and closed so that a plant and/or soil can be inserted into the container from the side, rather than the open top. A closure is operable to close the slit and hold it in the closed position against the forces applied during lifting and by the weight of the plant and/or soil. Examples of closures may include, but are not limited to a hook and loop connector such as Velcro®, a zipper, a plurality of ties, a clasp, and a clamp.

Potential Size Table
	Volume	Diameter	Height
	(gallons)	(inches)	(inches)
	1	7″	6″
	2	8.5″	7.5″
	3	10″	9″
	4	11″	10″
	5	12″	10″
	6	13″	10.5″
	7	13″	12″
	10	15″	13″
	15	17″	14.5″
	20	19″	16″
	25	21″	16.5″
	30	24″	15.5″
	40	26.5″	17″
	50	31″	17″
	65	33″	18″
	80	36.5″	18″
	100	40″	18″
	200	50″	24″
	300	61″	24″
	400	70″	24″
	500	79″	24″
	1000	111″	24″

FIG. 3 is a top view illustration of plant container 300 according to certain embodiments. Referring to FIG. 2, penetration point 302 is the center of the eyebolt 202, penetration point 304 is the center of the eyebolt 204, penetration point 306 is the center of the eyebolt 206, and penetration point 307 is the center of the eyebolt 201. Tree trunk 305 is generally in the center of the container. However, as illustrated by FIG. 3, the penetration point of the eyebolt 202 (302) is axially aligned with the penetration points of each of the eyebolts 201 (307) and 204 (304). Similarly, the penetration point of the eyebolt 206 (306) is axially aligned (301, 303) with the penetration points of each of the eyebolts 201 (307) and 204 (304). Thus, for example, a pole or tine could penetrate the eyebolts 302 and 304 effortlessly, or eyebolts 302 and 307. A second pole or tine could penetrate 307 and 306, or 304 and 306. Once the eyebolts are pierced, a machine having the lifting attachment with tines or poles can lift the container 300 off the ground by lifting the penetrating poles.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plant container 400 according to certain embodiments. To support heavier or wider plants, in some embodiments, plant containers are fortified with additional supporting features such as additional stitches. In some embodiments, the eyebolts are stitched to the container. In such embodiments, the stitch would provide sufficient strength to keep the eyebolts upright at the resting position. To provide additional support, the stitches, or other fastening, can be extended along the sidewall of a container. For example, in FIG. 4, the supporting stitches 402 extended downward from eyebolt 202, the supporting stitch 404 extended downward from the eyebolt 204, the supporting stitch 403 extended downward from the eyebolt 206, and the supporting stitch 401 extended downward from the eyebolt 201. According to certain embodiments, the stitches 402, 404, 403, and 401 would cross at the bottom of the container to provide additional weight support. Such configuration is further explained in view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of a plant container 500 according to certain embodiments. The connecting point 502 represents the bottom portion of the stitch 402, the connecting point 504 represents the bottom portion of the stitch 404, the connecting point 506 represents the bottom portion of the stitch 403, and the connecting point 505 represents the bottom portion of the stitch 401. According to some embodiments, the stitches 402 and 403 would further extend along the line 501, and the stitches 404 and 401 would further extend along the line 503. The stitches would form a “X” supporting structure to support the plant and soil within. Other supporting patterns are also possible. For instance, additional stitches may be applied to connect 502 to 505, 505 to 506, 506 to 504 and 504 to 502. Various materials can be used for the stitches. In some embodiments, the stitches are made of fortified biodegradable plastic, natural fiber, synthetic fiber, felt, linen, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, additional paddings can be used to support the container. For example, extra container fabric can be sewed to the bottom of the container to provide extra weight support.

Lift Attachment

FIG. 6 illustrates an adjustable lift attachment 600 according to certain embodiments. At a high level, the lift attachment includes a backplate with mounting mechanisms suitable for connecting with commercial tractors. In some embodiments, the mounting mechanism is Universal Quick Attach. In some embodiments, the lift attachment is configured to be mounted to the front of a tractor. The lift attachment further includes two or more adjustable poles for lifting multiple, plant containers discussed in FIGS. 2-5. The adjustable tines, also referred to as poles, can change their connecting position on the lift attachment so that the lift attachment can be configured to lift containers of various sizes. According to certain embodiments, the length of adjustable poles is also adjustable. For example, the poles may be adjustable in length by a telescoping configuration. In FIG. 6, the lift attachment is configured with two sets of poles or tines to lift two rows of plant containers side by side.

The lift attachment 600 has a rectangular attachment plate 602 with attachment lips 606 along the top edge of the backside. The attachment plate 602 has carved-out windows 604 and 605 to reduce the overall weight. Two poles are placed under each window. Underneath the left carved-out window 604, poles 608 and 610 are placed apart from each other to allow the poles to penetrate at least two eyebolts of a container discussed in FIGS. 2-5. The distance 607 between the two poles is adjustable to fit containers of different sizes. Similar configuration is shown underneath the left carved-out window 605. The poles 607 and 607 have a gap space 603 between them. The distance 603 is also adjustable to fit containers of different sizes. The distance 601 between pole 610 and 607 is also adjustable. In some embodiments, the distance 601 is adjusted to keep the left- and right-side loads balanced. In addition, the distance 607 and 603 need not be the same. In some embodiments, the two distances are different to keep the weigh distribution more balanced. Adjustability of the lateral position of the poles may be, for example, by removing the poles and connecting them at a different position, and/or by sliding the poles in a lateral aperture.

In some embodiments, the lift attachment operates with just two poles or tines for lifting a single row of containers. In this configuration, the poles can be equal distance away from the center of the lift attachment to keep the center of gravity in the middle. According to some embodiments, the poles space can be adjusted for picking up containers of different sizes. FIG. 6 illustrates that the position of the poles can be changed across the bottom portion of the backplate.

According to some embodiments, the attachment plate 602 is made of metal, alloy, aluminum, or a combination thereof. It is preferred that the material for making the attachment plate is not too heavy. In some embodiments, there are no carved-out windows 604 and 605 if the plate is sufficiently light. The attachment plate can be a solid plate. In some embodiments, other ways to reduce the weight of the attachment plate is contemplated. For example, the plate can be composed of a different material or molded to a different shape that require less material. According to some embodiments, the attachment lips 606 have back-end hooks that enable a tractor to pick up the attachment plate 602 by driving a corresponding lifting bracket underneath.

FIG. 7 illustrates a backside view of an adjustable lift attachment 700 according to certain embodiments. The adjustable lift attachment 700 has a plate body 702, lifting lips 703, a carved-out window 704 and two bottom extensions 701. According to some embodiments, the backside of the lift attachment 700 is configured to allow for easy pick up using Universal Quick Attach System. Universal Attach System is a common adaptor interface for modifying the loader of a tractor. Universal Quick Attach system commonly includes an adapter bracket that can be mounted on a tractor. The adapter bracket generally has welded frames and plated latch components. Once the adaptor bracket is mounted, the tractor can lift tools with complementary attaching mechanism such as the one shown in FIG. 7. According to some embodiments, the adapter bracket could lift the attachment 700 by scooping under the lifting lips 703. Once the attachment 700 is lifted off the ground, one or more latch component can be used to secure the attachment to the adapter bracket via the bottom extensions 701.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of a lift attachment 800 according to certain embodiments. The lift attachment 800 has plate body 802, insertion holes 804 and 806, lifting rod 807, and latching mechanism 805. Insertion holes 804 and 806 provide different locations for the lifting rod 807 to attach to the plate body 802. Multiple rods can be attached via different holes to allow for different configurations. Once the lifting rod is fully inserted it can be secured via latching mechanism 805. According to some embodiments, the latching mechanism 805 is composed of a pin lock holder 803 and pin insert 801. In some embodiments, after a rod is fully inserted, the back end of the rod can be capped with a pin lock holder 803. The pin 801 can then be inserted into one of the pin holes on the pin lock holder 803 to secure the rod to the lift attachment 800.

According to some embodiments, the body plate 802 has a length of about 48 inches, and a width 808 of about 20 inches. In some embodiments, the body plate 802 is made of steel. In some embodiments, the body plate 802 is made of a metal lighter than steel. In some embodiments, the rod 807 has a hollow center and is about 48 inches in length. In some embodiments, the rod is adjustable in length. In some embodiments, the rod 807 and the body plate 802 are made of the same material. In some embodiments, the rod 807 is of a cylindrical shape but other shapes are also possible such as cuboid shape.

It is contemplated that apparatus and processes of the disclosed invention encompass variations and adaptations developed using information from the embodiments described herein. Adaptation and/or modification of the system, devices, and apparatus described herein may be performed by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

Throughout the description, where articles, devices, and systems are described as having, including, or comprising specific components, it is contemplated that, additionally, there are articles, devices, and systems of the present disclosure that consist essentially of, or consist of, the recited components.

It should be understood that the order of steps or order for performing certain actions is immaterial so long as the disclosure remains operable. Moreover, two or more steps or actions may be conducted simultaneously. The mention herein of any publication, for example, in the Background section, is not an admission that the publication serves as prior art. The Background section is presented for purposes of clarity and is not meant as a description of prior art.

It is to be understood that the disclosed subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the disclosed subject matter.

Although the disclosed subject matter has been described and illustrated in the foregoing exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation of the disclosed subject matter may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter.

Claims

1) A plant container comprising:

a body formed of a flexible material, the body sized to receive a quantity of soil and a root base of a plant; and

four eyebolts attached to a top of the body, the eyebolts structured to receive a lifting tine through two of the four eyebolts, and capable of supporting a weight of the body, soil, and root base of the plant when lifted by the lifting tine.

2) The plant container of claim 1 wherein a first and third of the four eyebolts are aligned through a first transverse axis of the body, and wherein a second and fourth of the four eyebolts are aligned through a second transverse axis of the body, and wherein each eyebolt is large enough to allow passage of a first lifting tine through the first and second eyebolts and passage of a second tine through the third and fourth eyebolts.

3) The plant container of claim 1 wherein the four eyebolts are formed of a material rigid enough to stand upright without external support.

4) The plant container of claim 1 wherein the body and eyebolts are formed of a biodegradable material.

5) The plant container of claim 1 further comprising a supporting stitching extending from each of the four eyebolts vertically down to a base of the body, the stitching crossing across a bottom of the body and joining to opposite supporting stitching on an opposite side of the base.

6) The plant container of claim 1 further comprising a soil within the body.

7) The plant container of claim 6 further comprising a plant within the soil and supported by the body.

8) The plant container of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a vertical slit along its height, the vertical slit openable to allow insertion of the soil and the root base, and closable to secure the soil and root base in the body.

9) The plant container of claim 8 wherein the vertical slit is closable by at least one of a hook and loop connector, zipper, a plurality of ties, a clasp, and a clamp.

10) An adjustable lift attachment connectable to a tractor comprising:

an attachment plate having a rectangular shape;

two tines extending from a front of the attachment plate, the tines sized and configured to pass through two eyebolts of a plant container, wherein the tines are laterally moveable along a width of the attachment plate.

11) The adjustable lift attachment of claim 10 further comprising at least one plaint container, the at least one plant container comprising:

a body formed of a flexible material, the body sized to receive a quantity of soil and a root base of a plant; and

four eyebolts attached to a top of the body, the eyebolts structured to receive a lifting tine through two of the four eyebolts, and capable of supporting a weight of the body, soil, and root base of the plant when lifted by the lifting tine;

a soil within the body, and a plant within the soil and supported by the body; and

the plant container held by the two tines, one of the two tines passing through two of the four eyebolts, and the other of the two tines passing through the other two of the four eyebolts.

12) A tractor, the tractor comprising the adjustable lift attachment of claim 11.

13) The adjustable lift attachment of claim 10 further comprising four tines extending from the front of the attachment plate, the four tines arranged laterally along a bottom of the attachment plate, and the four tines being laterally moveable along the width of the attachment plate.

14) The adjustable lift attachment of claim 13 wherein each of the four tines is telescoping in length.

15) The adjustable lift attachment of claim 13 wherein tines are unevenly spaced such that a space between a middle adjacent two of the four tines is greater than a space between the two outer of the four tines and the adjacent of the four tines.

16) The adjustable lift attachment of claim 10 wherein a rear of the attachment plate comprises a universal quick attach connection formed into the attachment plate.

17) The adjustable lift attachment of claim 10 further comprising attachment lips extending along a top edge of the rear of the attachment plate.

18) A tractor, the tractor comprising the adjustable lift attachment of claim 16.

19) The adjustable lift attachment of claim 10 wherein the attachment plate comprises a plurality of apertures through which the two tines may pass, the two attachment tines passed through two of the plurality of apertures; a latching mechanism positioned on the end of each of the two tines, the latching mechanism comprising a pin receiver and a pin, the pin sized to prevent an end of the pole from passing through the aperture in which it is passed through.

20) The adjustable lift attachment of claim 19 wherein at least one of the apertures has an elongate shape allowing a lateral motion of the pole while being retained in the aperture.