Patent Publication Number: US-2015059243-A1

Title: Method and assembly for growing plants

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method and assembly for growing plants and in particular to an apparatus to accelerate the production of food in a confined space. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Over the last 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in the human population of the world. With such an increase, food supplies have dwindled and in many countries people have been pushed towards starvation. At the same time, global warming and a spreading population has reduced the amount of land available for growing food. Droughts have also lead to a lack of water available for irrigation of crops. Accordingly, there is a need for a method and assembly for quickly growing plants, and in particular food, in limited space and with limited or efficient water use. 
     A system allowing a grower to plant 20 or more times the food on an equivalent standing land size and having easier control of temperature, humidity and other environmental factors while also being cost effective is required. 
     The old cultivation method of clearing large acres of land for flat planting and if needed covering that land with buildings is very expensive. Further to regulate the temperature and humidity in such buildings is also very expensive. 
     Also a major problem for primary producers is the lack of a reliable source of high quality feed for livestock on a farm, particularly during adverse weather conditions such as floods or droughts. One proposed solution is the growing of barley seeds in trays in a greenhouse which are fertilized using a hydroponic system. A disadvantage of this is that the greenhouse requires considerable space and cost and may not be immune to changes in external weather conditions. 
     Recently, growing of fodder in trays has been proposed inside a temperature and humidity controlled container or building. In some embodiments, the trays are stacked in rows with each row providing enough fodder for feeding livestock for a day. A particular problem with existing container assemblies is the constant formation of mould in the assembly parts. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is firstly disclosed herein an assembly for growing plants including: 
     a frame having a pair of laterally spaced apart frame members, each said frame member having a main housing to be located above a surface; 
     a longitudinally extending main shaft to extend between said main housings, said main shaft defining a longitudinal axis about which said main shaft can rotate; 
     an end plate positionable adjacent each said main housing and securable to said main shaft to rotate about said axis; 
     each said end plate having at least two arms, a distal end of each said arm having an arm housing to support an arm shaft extending laterally between corresponding arms of corresponding end plates; and 
     a cradle to grow plants securable to said arm shaft and movable about said main shaft. 
     Preferably, each said frame member includes a bridge portion and a pair of longitudinally extending outwardly diverging legs, feet being positioned adjacent a distal end of said legs to be located on said surface, said main housing being located adjacent said bridge portion. 
     Preferably, said frame member is substantially “A” shaped. 
     Preferably, each said main housing includes at least one bearing to support rotation of said main shaft. 
     Preferably, each said end plate is a first end plate and said arm shafts are second main shafts, said assembly including second end plates located adjacent said arm housings and adapted to rotate about said second main shafts, said second end plates having at least two arms to support respective arm shafts and respective cradles. 
     Preferably, each said cradle includes a longitudinally extending tray located between a pair of end members, said end members having means to attach said cradle to a respective arm shaft, said tray being movable relative to said arm shaft so as to maintain said tray in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to said surface. 
     Preferably, said attachment means of said cradle includes a hook portion. 
     Preferably, including watering means operatively associated with said trays to water said plants being grown in said cradles. 
     Preferably, said watering means includes a pipe extending along at least one arm of at least one end plate. 
     Preferably, said watering means includes a pipe extending along each said arm. 
     Preferably, said end members of said trays include apertures to provide access for water. 
     Preferably, including a water collector to receive water from said watering means, said collector having a portion located closer to said surface than said trays. 
     Preferably, said portion includes an arcuate receiving plate extending between a pair of end members. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a bracket for supporting trays for a plant growing assembly, the bracket having: 
     a plate for attachment to a support structure; 
     a formation including a tube attached to the plate via at least one web, a first wall extending above the tube, wherein the plate, web and first wall form a channel therebetween. 
     Preferably, the formation includes a second wall above the tube spaced from the first wall wherein the first and second walls are adapted for mounting rollers for the trays. 
     The web is preferably angled 5° downwardly toward the tube. 
     The first and second walls preferably extend substantially vertically. The second wall is preferably located adjacent a distal peripheral end of the tube. 
     The plate preferably includes at least two vertically spaced longitudinal recesses having threaded apertures thereon for positioning the bracket to the support structure. 
     The support structure preferably includes a slidable collar fixable in position to a support beam, wherein the bracket is attached to the collar. 
     The present invention in another aspect provides a plant growing assembly including pairs of substantially vertical support beams spaced along the assembly; 
     brackets supported by the support beams on respective sides of the assembly, each bracket on one side being paired with a bracket on the other side for supporting a tray therebetween; 
     wherein each bracket is attached to a support beam via a slidable collar fixable in position relative to the support beam. 
     Each bracket is preferably in accordance with the above described first aspect. 
     The assembly preferably includes sets of support beams comprising a pair of side support beams and a middle support beam disposed midway between the side beams. 
     The side beams preferably support vertically spaced brackets on sides thereof facing the middle support beam and the middle support beams supports substantially vertically spaced brackets at each lateral side thereof, 
     Preferably, the assembly is formed within a closable container. The support beams preferably extend between and are mounted to the container floor and roof. The container preferably includes an air conditioning system for regulating temperature and humidity within the container. 
     The middle brackets are preferably positioned to be slightly higher than their corresponding side bracket such that each tray is angled about 20° downwardly towards the side brackets. 
     The container preferably includes side walls, a roof, a floor, an entry end and an exit end, wherein each of the entry and exit ends has doors for selectively opening and closing same. The container is mounted on the ground with the entry end elevated relative to the exit end  34  to provide a 20° downward angle from the entry end to the exit end. 
     The assembly preferably further includes a nutrient delivery system for distributing and collecting nutrient water to and from the tubes of the brackets. The nutrient delivery system preferably includes a conduit connected to a tank for storing nutrient water, a pump for delivering nutrient water to the conduit, distribution sub-assemblies spaced along the conduit, each sub-assembly including an inlet branch connected to a valve which is connected to an outlet branch, the inlet branch being connected to the conduit and the outlet connected to the pipes of a bracket, wherein the pipe includes spray outlet therein for allowing nutrient water to be sprayed onto a tray below the pipe. Preferably, nutrient water is supplied along one side of the assembly and excess nutrient water is collected at the other side. The excess nutrient water preferably flows into the bracket channel at the other side, wherein the tube has inlets spaced therealong to allow nutrient water to enter the tube. The excess nutrient water is then preferably transferred to a manifold connected to the tubes of the other side. 
     The trays preferably includes a generally flat and elongated base, end walls and side walls, wherein the side walls include a substantially corrugated plan profile which forms apertures between two adjacent trays. The end walls preferably include spaced drainage holes formed therein. Stiffener tabs are preferably formed at a lower surface of the base adjacent the end walls. The base preferably includes spaced longitudinal channels formed therein extending between the end walls. The side wall profile in plan preferably includes a series of first walls connected to offset walls spaced from the first walls towards the middle portion of the base. The apertures between adjacent trays is preferably are about 1 cm wide. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an assembly for growing plants in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of one frame member of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the water collector as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a first carousel as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the first end plate of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a detailed section A of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a detailed section B of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the second end plate of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a cradle as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an end view of a middle hook of the cradle of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the tray of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an end view of the end plate of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17  is an end bush for use with the housing of the cradle of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a pivot pin of the tray of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a middle support portion for the tray of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a four way manifold for use with the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a main inlet for use with the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view along section AA of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is an external perspective view of a container for the preferred embodiment of the assembly according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the assembly; 
         FIG. 25  is a side perspective view of the assembly; 
         FIG. 26  is a front perspective view of the assembly; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a support beam for the assembly; 
         FIG. 28  shows (a) side view, (b) front view and (c) plan view of the support beam; 
         FIG. 29  shows a pair of support beam fixing plates; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of a collar for the support beam; 
         FIG. 31  shows (a) side view, (b) front view, (c) rear view and (d) plan view of the collar; 
         FIG. 32  shows the attachment of the collars to a support beam; 
         FIG. 33  is a schematic internal view of the container where (a) is a plan view showing the positions of the support beams and (b) is an elevation view showing the positions of the collars along the support beams; 
         FIG. 34  is an enlarged end perspective view of a bracket for the assembly; 
         FIG. 35  shows (a) end view and (b) plan view of the bracket having rollers attached thereto; 
         FIG. 36  are perspective views of a roller for the bracket; 
         FIG. 37  are perspective views of a plug for the bracket; 
         FIG. 38  shows (a) end view and (b) front view of a joiner for the bracket; 
         FIG. 39  shows a portion of the nutrient delivery system for the assembly including sub-assemblies having a solenoid valve; 
         FIG. 40  shows the mounting of the nutrient delivery system of  FIG. 17  to the assembly; 
         FIG. 41  is a perspective view of two trays for the assembly side by side; and 
         FIG. 42  shows (a) end view, (b) side cross-section view, (c) side view and (d) plan view of the tray; 
         FIG. 43  shows (a) elevation view and (b) cross-section view along line A-A of a modified embodiment of the container; 
         FIG. 44  is an extruded pipe; 
         FIG. 45  is a connector middle; 
         FIG. 46  is a connector shaft; 
         FIG. 47  is a connector rack; 
         FIG. 48  is a mounting foot; 
         FIG. 49  is an extended beam; 
         FIG. 50  is a connector shaft; 
         FIG. 51  is a connector shaft; 
         FIG. 52  is a connector rack; and 
         FIG. 53  is a connector rack. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 22 , there is shown an assembly  1  for growing plants (not shown) including a frame  2  having a pair of laterally spaced apart frame members  3 , each frame member  3  having a main housing  5  supported by a pair of feet  6  to be located on a surface  7 . A longitudinally extending main shaft  8  extends between the main housings  5 . The main shaft  8  defining a longitudinal axis XX about which the main shaft  8  can rotate relative to the main housings  5 . An end plate  10  is positionable adjacent each main housing  5  and securable to the main shaft  8  to rotate about the axis XX. The main shaft  8  is preferably rotated by a drive gear (not shown) on the main shaft  8  or the like. The motor varies to speed. It should however be noted that the shaft  8  could be rotated by other typical electrical, mechanical, manual or other means. In one embodiment, water rotates the shaft  8 . In another embodiment, solar panels (not shown) provide power to rotate the shaft  8 . Each end plate  10  includes at least two arms  11 . It should however be noted that in the preferred form there would be at least four arms  11 , however any number of arms  11  can be utilized. A distal end  12  of each arm  11  has an arm housing  13  adapted to support an arm shaft  14  extending laterally between corresponding arms  11  of corresponding end plates  10 . The assembly  1  further includes at least one cradle  15  to grow plants which is securable to a respective arm shaft  14  and movable about the main shaft  8  and axis XX. 
     In a preferred form and as best shown in  FIG. 1 , there is a first end plate  10  having a plurality of arms  11  and a second end plate  100  having respective arms  110  and arms shafts  140  forming a series of carousels  30  (see  FIG. 6 ) which support a plurality of cradles  15  (see  FIG. 13 ). Each carousel  30  could support further carousels  30  on the respective arms  11 ,  110 . There could conceivably be any number of carousels  30 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , each frame member  3  includes a bridge portion  20  and a pair of longitudinally extending outwardly diverging legs  21  to form a substantially “A-shaped” frame. However, other shaped frames could be utilized. The feet  6  are positioned adjacent a distal end of the legs  21  and the main housing  5  is located adjacent the bridge portion  20 . Further support members  23  can be provided between the diverging legs  21  and between the frame members  3 . 
     Each of the main housings  5  includes at least one bearing  23  (see  FIG. 20 ) to support rotation of the main shaft  8  relative to the main housing  5 . The bearing  24  includes a four way manifold including a slow rotation shaft fitted through a nylon bush (bearing). Holes can be provided to allow water flow between parts of the assembly or to receive piping for watering the plants. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , a water catcher  25  is provided having a pair of end members  26  supporting a generally arcuate collection plate  27  and an end plate  28 . A portion of the plate  27  must be located closer to the surface  7  than the carousels  30  so that it receives the water run off. The catcher  25  collects minimum water as the plants and root system will absorb most irrigated run-off. The collector/catcher is to collect any run-off for re-use by the system. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 6 , and as discussed above, one carousel  30  is shown. Each carousel  30  includes an end plate  100  having a plurality of arms  110  with housings  130  at a distal end  120  to support arm shafts  140 . The assembly  1  can have any number of carousels  30  and each end plate  100  can have any number of arms  110 . The arm shafts  140  each support a cradle  15  to grow plants. Each cradle  15  can move about the arm  140  to maintain the cradle  15  in a substantially horizontal position above the surface  7 . By way of gravity the cradle  15  will “rock” about the shaft  140  to maintain a generally horizontal orientation. The carousels  30  in the preferred form rotate about the main shaft  8 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 13 to 16 , each cradle  15  includes a tray  40  extending between a pair of end members  41 . The tray  40  includes a longitudinally extending base  81  and upwardly extending side walls  82  to form a dish or pan shape. The end members  41  have means  42  to attach the cradle  15  to a respective arm shaft  140 . The tray  40  being movable relative to the arm shaft  140  so as to maintain the tray  40  in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to the surface  7 . Each end member  41  further includes apertures  43  to provide access for water. The attachment means  42  in a preferred form includes a hook portion. However, could be any typical attachment method to a shaft. 
       FIG. 17  shows bearing  50  or tray bush nylon bushing (bearing) to handle the turning motion of the trays  40 . To add further support, the cradle  15  can include a central support member  49  including means  47  to support the tray  40  and a middle support bearing or bush  57  as shown in  FIG. 19 . The end bush (bearing) is for a stainless steel shaft holding the trays  40 . The means  47  can include an outside frame with a plurality of support members  69  located about a pair of openings  70 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 11 , the end members  10  and  100  can include watering means  60  in the form of piping or the like. The piping  60  runs water from the main shaft  8  along the arms  11 ,  110  of the end plates  10 ,  100  to irrigate the plants located in the trays  40 . The main shafts  8 ,  80 , arm shafts  14 ,  140  and fittings can include passages  180  along which water can flow. Holes (not shown) are located in the shafts  14 ,  140  through which the water can be dispersed onto the plants in the tray  40 . The apertures  43  and end members  41  being provided to allow excess water in the trays  40  to flow to the collector  25  and be returned back into the system. 
       FIG. 10  shows a section BB of  FIG. 7  showing a nylon bearing to hold the turning shaft  140 .  FIG. 18  shows the tray  40  pivot pin  161  another nylon bearing to hold the turning shaft  140  and allow the passage of water.  FIGS. 21 and 22  show the main inlet  20  and are preferably nylon allowing turning of a stainless steel shaft  140  and the passage of water. 
     In the preferred form all the shafts  8 ,  80 ,  140  are all stainless steel and all bearings or bushes are nylon. The main bearings allow passage of water while the removing bearings are just to handle movements of the trays. The large or main end plate or wheel ( 11 ) rotates to regulate sunlight to even out crops. The smaller or arm end plates or wheels  100  can be turned by hand for easy planting and pickings of crops. The motor to rotate the main shaft  8  would be mounted on the bridge  20  however could be located in any position. There could also be more than one motor or a motor for each carousel. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 23 to 43  there is disclosed an assembly for growing barley as fodder from sprouted barley seedlings. In the preferred embodiment, a separate container (not shown) is used for sprouting barley from seeds into seedling sprouts. The seedling sprouts are then transferred to the assembly of the present preferred embodiment to be grown into barley for use as fodder. 
       FIG. 23  shows an elongated rectangular prism container  30  which houses therewithin a plant growing assembly  40  according to the preferred embodiment. The container  30  includes side walls  37 , a roof  38 , a floor  39 , an entry end  32  and an exit end  34 . Each of the entry and exit ends  32  and  34  has doors  36  for selectively opening and closing same. The container is mounted on the ground with the entry end  32  elevated relative to the exit end  34 , to provide a 20° downward angle for the floor  39  from the entry end  32  to the exit end  34 . The purpose of this 20° angle is described below. The container  30  in the embodiment is a 40 foot commercial container. 
       FIGS. 24 to 26  show the plant growing assembly  40  assembled within the container  30 . The assembly  40  includes sets  43  of vertical support beams spaced along the length of the container  40 . Each set  43  comprises a pair of side vertical support beams  41   a  and a middle vertical support beam  41   b  disposed midway between the side beams  41 . The support beams  41  extend between and are mounted to the container floor  39  and roof  38 . The side support beams  41   a  along each side of the container  30  together support substantially horizontal side brackets  44   a  on sides thereof facing the middle of the container  30 . In the assembly  40 , the side beams  41   a  of each side support seven vertically spaced brackets  44   a . The middle support beams  41   b  support seven substantially horizontal middle brackets  44   b  at each lateral side thereof, with each middle bracket  44   b  being paired with a side bracket  44   a . The brackets  44  are attached to each support beam  41  via a collar  60 . Each of the brackets  44   a  and  44   b  extends longitudinally along the length of the container  30  and include a plurality of rollers  45  spaced along top portions thereof. Each of the bracket pairs  44   a  and  44   b  support trays  46  which are movable therealong via the rollers  45 . The middle brackets  44   b  are positioned to be slightly higher than their corresponding side bracket  44   a  such that each tray  46  is angled about 20° downwardly towards the side brackets  44   a . The assembly  40  thus provides seven vertical levels of tray rows with each level providing two longitudinal tray rows, providing a total of 14 tray rows. 
     Details regarding the components of the assembly  40  will now be described. 
       FIGS. 27 and 28  show a support beam  41 . Each support beam  41  is an H beam, meaning that the beam  41  has a substantially H-shaped cross section comprising parallel sides  47  and a web  48  extending therebetween. 
       FIG. 29  shows fixing plates  51  used for mounting the support beams  41  at their upper and lower ends to the container roof  38  and floor  39 . Each fixing plate  51  comprises a base plate  52  and first and second rectangular prism formations  53   a ,  53   b  attached thereto and spaced from each other by a gap  54 . A ramp  55  extends from the baseplate  52  to the top surface of the second formation  53   b  at a side thereof opposite to the gap  54 . Screw holes  56  are formed in the formation  53   a  and the ramp  55  for mounting the fixing plates  51  to the container. A pair of the fixing plates  51  is required for each support beam  41  with one fixing plate  51  attached to the container floor  39  and the other attached to the container roof  38 . The support beam web  48  is inserted in the gap  54  (see  FIG. 25 ). The ramp  55  can be used for assisting in placing the web  48  within the gap  54 . 
       FIGS. 30 and 31  show a collar  60  for fixing a bracket  44  to a support beam  41 . The collar  60  is an elongated hollow formation having side faces  63 , middle web  64 , open ends  61  and an H-shaped passage  62  extending between the ends  61 . The passage  62  is shaped similar to the cross section shape of the support beam  41  such that the support beam  41  can be inserted therethrough. The collar  60  is then slidable along the support beam  41 . The middle web  64  includes threaded beam attachment apertures  65  for fixing the collar  60  to the support beam  41 . The side faces  63  include raised threaded bracket attachment apertures  66  for fixing a bracket  44  to the collar  60 . 
       FIG. 32  shows a number of collars  60  attached to the middle support beam  41   b  and  FIG. 3  shows a number of collars  60  attached to the side support beam  41   a . A collar  60  attaches each bracket  44  to the support beam  41  and thus, each support beam  41  includes seven collars  60 . As shown in  FIG. 32 , attachment screws  67  are inserted in the beam apertures  65  to fix each collar  60  in its desired position to the support beam  41 . 
       FIG. 33(   a ) shows the spacing of the support beams sets  43  along the container  30 . Adjacent the entry end  32  to about halfway the length of the container  30 , the support beam sets  43  are about 1000 mm apart. The next sets  43  are then spaced about 750 mm apart up to about three-quarters the length of the container  30 . The next sets  43  are then spaced about 500 mm apart up adjacent the exit end  34 . The narrower spacing of the sets  43  adjacent the exit end  34  is due to the trays  46  getting heavier as they approach the exit end  34  as the barley grows, as further described below. 
       FIG. 33(   b ) shows the spacing of the collars  60  along the support beams  41 . As shown, the collars  60  are substantially evenly spaced at 330 mm gaps to each other. The gap between the collars  60  can be adjusted as desired, to cater for growing different plants in the assembly  40 . 
       FIGS. 34 and 35  show a bracket  44  which is extruded from metal or plastic. Each bracket  44  includes a vertical attachment plate  70  having a first side  71  and a second side  72 . The first side  71  includes two vertically spaced longitudinal recesses  73  at an upper portion thereof, which includes a number of threaded apertures  74  spaced along the length of the bracket  44 . The recesses  73  in use received the collar raised apertures  66  for positioning the bracket  44  to the collar  60 . 
     The second side  72  includes a formation  75  at a lower end of the attachment plate  70 . The formation  75  includes a tube  76  attached to the plate  70  via upper and lower webs  77   a  and  77   b . The formation  75  also includes a first vertical wall  78  above the tube  76  adjacent a junction  79  between the upper web  77   a  and the tube  76 . The plate  70 , upper web  77   a  and first wall  78  form a channel  83  therebetween. As shown in  FIG. 35(   a ), the upper web  77   a  is angled 5° downwardly toward the tube  76 . 
     The formation  75  includes a second vertical wall  80  spaced from the first vertical wall  78  and located adjacent a distal peripheral end of the tube  76 . The height of the second wall  80  is about half the height of the first wall  78 . The first wall  78  includes a number of holes  81  therein spaced longitudinally therealong and the second wall  80  includes half-hole recesses  82  therein corresponding to the holes  81 . The hole  81  and recess  82  pair receive and rotatably retain therein a shaft  84  of a roller  45 .  FIG. 14  shows the rollers which include the shaft  84  having three support discs  85  spaced thereon. 
       FIG. 37  shows a plug  86  for the tube  76 , which includes a tapered body which (as shown in  FIG. 12 ) can be used to close an open end of the tube  76 . 
       FIG. 38  shows a joiner  88  for connecting the tubes  76  of two brackets to each other. The joiner  88  has a hollow generally cylindrical body  90  having open ends  89 . The body  90  is tapered from the open ends  89  toward an enlarged disc  91  at a middle portion thereof. In use, one end  89  can be inserted into a tube  76  of one bracket  44  and the other end  89  can be inserted into the tube  76  of another bracket  44 , such that the tubes  76  are connected. The joiner  88  allows multiple brackets  44  to be connected to each other. 
       FIG. 39  shows a portion of a nutrient delivery system  91  for distributing and collecting nutrient water to and from the tubes  76 . The nutrient delivery system  91  includes a vertical conduit  92  connected to a tank (not shown) for storing nutrient water. The conduit  92  extends at the exit end of the assembly  40  between the middle brackets  44   b  as shown in  FIG. 40 . The tank is connected to a pump (not shown) for delivering nutrient water to the conduit  92 . The delivery system  91  includes seven distribution sub-assemblies  93  vertically spaced along the conduit  92 , each corresponding to a level pair of the middle brackets  44   b . Each sub-assembly  93  includes an inlet branch  94  connected to a solenoid valve  95  which is connected to a Y-shaped two outlet branch  96 . The inlet branch  94  is connected to the conduit  92  and the two outlets of the outlet branch  96  are respectively connected to the pipes  76  of one level of the middle brackets  44   b . Thus, nutrients from the delivery pipe  92  can be delivered to the middle bracket pipes  76 . The nutrient delivery system  91  also includes return conduit pipes (not shown) attached to the side bracket pipes  76  for returning nutrient excess to the tank. 
       FIGS. 41 and 42  show the trays  46  for use in the assembly  40 . The trays  46  include a generally flat and elongated base  97 , end walls  98  and side walls  99 . The end walls  99  include spaced drainage holes  100  formed therein. Stiffener tabs  101  are formed at a lower surface of the base  97  adjacent the end walls  99 . The base  97  also includes three spaced longitudinal channels  102  formed therein extending between the end walls  99 . The tray side walls  99  have a profile which in plan includes a series of first walls  103  connected to offset walls  104  spaced from the first walls  103  towards the middle portion of the base  97 . The series of first walls  103  and offset walls  104  together form a substantially corrugated plan profile for the side walls  99 . This side wall profile provides apertures  105  between two adjacent trays  46  when trays  46  are laid side by side. The apertures  105  are about 1 cm wide and allow for airflow between the trays  46  which assists in the growth of the seedlings. 
     The present invention also includes an air conditioning system which regulates the temperature and humidity within the container to provide for optimum growth of the seedlings. 
     Use of the assembly  40  will now be described. 
     Each day, sprouted seedlings are transferred onto forty trays  46 . The trays  46  are placed into each of the seven levels of bracket pairs  44  at the container entry end  32 . Each following day, a further forty trays  46  of sprouted seedlings are loaded onto the assembly  40 . Each tray  46  being loaded is used to push the previously loaded trays  64  along the rollers  45  further toward the container exit end  46 . The trays  46  travel the length of the container  30  over a period of six days and where they are provided with nutrient water and where air flow and humidity within the container  30  is maintained. After six days, the barley has grown from seedlings to a height sufficient for use as fodder with each tray holding about 25 kg of barley. Forty trays of grown barley (1 tonne total) are then harvested at the exit end  34  for use as feed. The 40 foot container  30  when full can hold 518 trays. 
     The container  30  and its ducted air conditioning system (designed by Actron Air Pty Ltd) is designed to have an air circulation capacity of 68-70 cubic metres per hour and to regulate the humidity at 60-65%. 
     Irrigation of the trays  46  with nutrient water will now be described. 
     The nutrient delivery system  91  is used to deliver nutrient water to the middle bracket tubes  76 . Spray holes (not shown) are formed along the length of the middle bracket tubes  76  for spraying nutrient water to flood the respective trays  46  below the tube  76 . The trays  46  along the top level are sprayed by a separate spray assembly (not shown). Each tray  46  is then flooded with nutrient water which flows therealong toward the side brackets  44   a . Excess nutrient water flows though the drainage holes  100  adjacent the side brackets  44   a  and into the channel  83  (see  FIG. 35   a ) of the side brackets  44   a . The side brackets  44   a  include apertures (not shown) adjacent the junction  79  for allowing the nutrient water in the channel  83  to enter the side bracket tube  76 . The side bracket tube  76  then returns the nutrient water back to the tank. The 20° downward angle of the container  30  between the entry and exit ends  32 ,  34  thereof assist in draining the nutrient water from the side bracket tubes  76  as well as when pushing trays  46  toward the exit end  34 . 
     Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the above embodiments or that the invention can be embodied in other forms. The method and assembly can be applied for growing of fodder from any other type of seedling such as wheat or any other cereal grain. The method and assembly can also be used with other types of trays for growing vegetables such as bok Choy. 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 43 , the container  30  has an outer shell and an insulated interior with lining of stainless steel. Adjacent the exit end  34 , the container side walls  37  include two double glazed windows  106  spaced 1500 mm from the exit end  34  and 550 mm away from each other. The window panels  107  are 6 mm thick laminated glass windows with reflective glazing on the outside surfaces thereof. The panels  107  are 750 mm wide and 2300 mm high. The windows  106  allow sunlight into the container which allows the barley to produce chlorophyll and increases their sugar content. 
       FIGS. 44 to 53  show further extruded parts for use with the invention disclosed herein. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. For example, in one embodiment all of the growing is done in a hydroponic style without moving the plants from small pot, to medium pot to large pot. The carousel arrangement allows planting in one setting, seed to plant with a clean root system.