APPARATUS FOR CULTIVATING MARKET GARDEN PRODUCTS, PARTICULARLY MUSHROOMS

Abstract: Apparatus for cultivating for example mushrooms, whereby a desired climate is preserved in a building (100). Disposed in the building standing parallel to each other are racks (1, 2) in which trays (3, 4, 5, 6) are placed in which the mushrooms are cultivated. Arranged in the passage between the racks and horizontally along them are rails (7) which can be driven synchronously in vertical direction. A platform (16) can travel over the rails. The platform can therefore be carried to any required position along the racks. Personnel can take up position on the plat­ form, for instance to pick the mushrooms. Further coupled to the rails is a belt conveyor (14) which carries away the picked mushrooms.

Description: The invention relates to an apparatus as described in the heading to claim 1. Such an apparatus is known from US-A-3.832.802. In the case of this known system the trays are moved out of the rooms onto a mobile scaffolding frame and then, after the trays have, if required, been carried downward, the mushrooms are harvested. This is a very roundabout method. In the first place the frame has to be moved into position in front of a rack, the rails for guiding the trays during sliding out of the room then have to be positioned accurately at the height of a tray, following which the tray has to be run out of the room onto the rails and finally the rails with tray have to be transported downward. It is the object of the invention to improve the apparatus as described such as to enable a higher picking productivity and a more agreeable manner of working. This is achieved in accordance with the invention with the steps as specified in the characterizing part of claim 1. As a result of these steps it is possible to position a horizontal guiding at any desired height vertically along the rack, whereby personnel can reach each tray in the rack easily and safely standing on the work platform. In preference the steps according to the characterizing parts of claims 2 and 3 are applied. It becomes possible as a result to displace the belt conveyor synchronously with the work platform and to place the harvested mushrooms on the belt conveyor. In the case of an apparatus with racks placed facing one another the step as claimed in claim 4 can fruitfully be employed. The work platform can here support on parallel lying rails, so that it can travel between the racks. The steps as claimed in claim 5 are preferably applied. The drive means in the form of a motor are preferably controlled from the work platform by remote control or via a cable. Use of the step as claimed in claim 6 enables disconnection of the guiding. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of the annexed drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention, Fig.. 2 is a perspective view into the apparatus according to the invention with two racks disposed facing each other, and Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective view of the construction according to the invention. The apparatus for cultivating mushrooms comprises a building 100 in which the required climate is maintained with unshown means. Arranged parallel to each other in the building are racks 1, 2. Positioned at a vertical interval from one another in the racks are horizontal trays 3, 4, 5 and 6 into which soil for cultivating mushrooms is placed. Disposed horizontally along rack 1 for instance is a guiding 7, which is vertically movable with the guide part 8 in the beam 21 along rack 1. The guiding 7 can be moved in vertical direction via the motor 10 and cable 9. Arranged on rack 2 is a similar guiding 12 which can be moved synchronously with guiding 7. A frame consisting of two parts 15, 19 is connected for movement with the guiding 7 for supporting the belt conveyor 14. The latter therefore moves synchronously with guiding 7. On guidings 7 and 12 a work platform 16 can be placed which supports on the guiding via swivel castors 17 and rigid castors 18. Guiding 7 is releasably connected to frame part 19 via a coupling piece 20. Frame part 19 is movable in the vertically disposed U-shaped beam 21 using wheels 22, 23. Frame part 19 is connected with the cable 9 of drive means 10. During operation the personnel takes up position on work platform 16 which can be placed as required at the desired height along the rack by means of the drive motor 10. The personnel can gain access to the harvested mushrooms from the trays in easy and safe manner and place them on the belt conveyor 14, using which they are carried away.

Claims: 1. Apparatus for cultivating market garden products, particularly mushrooms, comprising a building (100), means for maintaining a desired climate in said building (100), parallelly disposed racks (1, 2), which carry vertically spaced horizontal trays (3, 4, 5, 6) for accomodating soil, and horizontally disposed guidings (7) for guiding a platform along said racks (1, 2) characterized in that each of said horizontal guidings (7) are arranged lengthwise on said racks (1, 2) disposed facing each other and said guidings (7) are vertically guided along guiding members (8, 21) on said racks (1, 2). 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that coupled to the guiding (7) is a frame (15, 19) for supporting a belt conveyor (14). 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that opposite facing guidings (7, 12) are driven synchronously. 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the drive means (10) are placed on the building and are connected to the guiding (7) by means of a cable (9) and guide rollers (13). 5. Apparatus as claimed in claims 1-4, characterized in that the guiding (7) is releasably connected via a coupling piece (20) to a frame part (19) that is accommodated for movement in a vertically disposed U-shaped beam (21). 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the frame part (19) bears via rollers (22, 23) on the inside of the beam (21). 7. Apparatus as claimed in claims 1, 3, and 5, characterized in that the cable (9) is connected to the frame part (19).

Inventors: VAN DEN TOP, HENDRIK
Applicants: VAN DEN TOP, HENDRIK
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A01G1
IPC codes: A01G1, B65G1