Plant pot sorting method, used in greenhouses, comprises arranging pots into row and holding pots with retaining mechanism while moving front pot away from row

摘要

#CMT# #/CMT# Guide rails (2) are used to arranged the pots into a row, where one or more pots or pot supports (3) are held in position by a retaining mechanism while a removing mechanism moves the pot or support at the front of the row away from the rest of the pots, preferably over a predetermined distance. The retaining mechanism comprises pneumatic actuators (12A, 12B). The removing mechanism comprises an arm (9), a linear guide (10) and a pneumatic actuator (11). #CMT# : #/CMT# Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) Greenhouse in which this method is carried out; and (B) Work station (8) for carrying out this method, preferably in a greenhouse. #CMT#USE : #/CMT# For sorting pots containing plants which are tangled up with each other via their roots, used in greenhouses. #CMT#ADVANTAGE : #/CMT# A large number of pots (ca. 2500 per hour) can be sorted. #CMT#DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : #/CMT# The figure shows a perspective view of a work station for arranging pots in a row. 2 : guide rails 3 : pot support 8 : work station 9 : arm 10 : linear guide 11, 12A, 12B : pneumatic actuators.