GB1326464A - Device for potting plants - Google Patents

Abstract

1326464 Potting appliances M LOTVEIT and E JENSEN 1 July 1971 [1 July 1970] 30922/71 Heading A1E In a potting machine a plant is supported with its roots in a potting chamber, a measured quantity of potting material is supplied to the chamber and is then compacted around the roots into a plug, and finally the plant is ejected from the chamber and the plug is inserted into a plastic bag or other container. The plant is supported horizontally in a slot 18 of a piston plate Fl so that its roots are wthin a chamber 30 bounded at one end by the piston plate F1, at the opposite end by closure plates E11, E22 movable horizontally by pistons El, E2, and at the sides by pressure plates D11, D22. A well 12 provided with a guide 13 is filled with a supply of potting material, plates B11, B22 initially preventing entry of the material into the potting chamber 30. Plates All, A22 are then slid by pneumatic pistons Al, A2 into abutment with the guide 13, and plates B11, B22 slid apart to release the material between themselves and plates All, A22 into the potting chamber 30. Top closure plates C11, C22 are then brought into abutment by pistons Cl, C2 to close the top of the potting chamber 30, and pressure plates D11, D22 moved together a predetermined distance to compress the potting material a desired amount. A plastic bag 42 is placed over flanges 25 of the closure plates E11, E22, and these are now moved apart, opening the bag and providing an aperture 16 through which the plant is ejected by the piston plate Fl and its plug inserted into the plastic bag. Flexible strips 21 attached to the piston plate Fl protect the exposed parts of the plant during this operation. As a modification the piston plate Fl may be moved forwardly for some distance before the closure plates E11, E22 are open in order to compress the plug of potting material longitudinally. The pistons may be hydraulically actuated instead of pneumatically; alternatively mechanical or electric driving means may be employed.