NL2023471B1

NL2023471B1 - Method and device for filling a shelving for growing mushrooms

Info

Publication number: NL2023471B1
Application number: NL2023471A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Alexander Jozef Lemmen Jacobus; Gerardus Maria Van Doremaele Marcus
Original assignee: Alexander Jozef Lemmen Jacobus; Gerardus Maria Van Doremaele Marcus
Priority date: 2019-07-10
Filing date: 2019-07-10
Publication date: 2021-02-03

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for filling a shelving for growing mushrooms, wherein the shelving is provided with at least two beds that can be tilted between a horizontal and a diagonal or vertical position, which beds extend longitudinally parallel to each other, the beds defining a common support surface with a width and a length, and configured for tilting in opposite directions, the method comprising applying a layer of compost, in particular compost with casing soil for growing mushrooms by pulling a pulling net over the beds, and bending, folding or draping the net in such a way that it extends in a width direction over a smaller distance than its own width, during or prior to pulling the pulling net over the bed.

Description

Method and device for filling a shelving for growing mushrooms The present invention relates to a method and device for filling a shelving for growing mushrooms, in particular a tiltable shelving with several beds for growing mushrooms at the same level. An example of such shelving can be found in the Dutch patent NL2021053 by the same applicant. It is common to provide beds for growing mushrooms with compost and casing soil by pulling a layer of compost and casing soil applied on a pulling net over the beds. This method was applied throughout the years for shelvings with fixed beds, and can in general be applied for tiltable beds too. For the shelving disclosed in the above mentioned patent, that means that each bed needs to be filled with a separate pulling net. The Dutch patent NL2021456 by the same applicant, which is herein incorporated by reference, discribes an improved shelving for growing mushrooms, also with tiltable beds at the same level. At their sides facing each other, these beds have no side boards, so that in their horizontal position, they form a common support for compost and casing soil. This configuration can also be provided with compost and casing soil on pulling nets and like the configuration discribed in NL2021053 this can be done by using separate pulling nets for each tiltable bed.

However, since the beds in the above mentioned patents may have a smaller width than common widths in the art, this requires specially developed pulling nets, and dedicated filling machines.

Itis therefore a goal of the present invention to take away this disadvantage in applying compost (and casing soil) on shelvings with tiltable beds. The invention thereto proposes a method for filling a shelving for growing mushrooms, wherein the shelving is provided with at least two beds that can be tilted between a horizontal and a diagonal or vertical position, which beds extend longitudinally parallel to each other, the beds defining a common support surface with a width and a length, and configured for tilting in opposite directions, the method comprising applying a layer of compost, in particular compost with casing soil for growing mushrooms by pulling a pulling net over the beds, and bending, folding or draping the net in such a way that it extends in a width direction over a smaller distance than its own width, during or prior to pulling the pulling net over the bed. By folding the net such that it extends over a smaller distance than its own width, part of the material of the net is unused when the beds are in the horizontal position. When one of the beds is tilted, their support surfaces are no longer in the same plane or same level, and their edges end up at a mutual distance. This distance can be bridged by the unused material of the net in the width direction in the situation wherein both beds at the same level are horizontal.

The invention has the advantage that two adjacent beds can be filled simultaneously, with equipment from the state of the art for filling a regular bed for growing mushrooms. It allows the use of a compact shelving with adjacent tiltable beds, without side boards in the middle.

In a preferred embodiment, the bending, folding or draping of the net comprises providing at least one protrusion, such as a loop, in the net. The loop comprises the unused material of the net. The at least one protrusion may be centered in the width direction of the net, so that the unused material is located at the location where the adjacent beds encounter each other.

The at least one protrusion or loop may in a first embodiment be situated on the side of the net facing the support surface of the bed. In that case it may be flattened on the side facing the bed. Alternatively, the at least one protrusion may be situated on the side of the net facing away from the bearing surface of the bed. In that case the loop may extends vertically or substantially vertically. In this latter case, it has the additional function separating the layers of compost (and casing soil) on the adjacent beds.

This also provides the option to apply a compost layer extending across the width of the two beds. The compost layer may then be cut at a location in the middle of or between the beds by means of a knife, such as a cutting wire, a cutting blade or a rotating knife, or a partition located between the beds. Alternatively, a separate compost layer may be applied on either side of the projection. In that case, no cutting or separation is required.

The invention also relates to a device for cultivating mushrooms, comprising a shelving with at least two beds that are tiltable between a horizontal and a diagonal or vertical position, which beds extend longitudinally parallel to each other, and form in the horizontal position forming a common support surface for compost with a width and a length, and arranged for tilting in the opposite direction, further comprising a folder, for bending, folding or draping the pulling net such that it extends in width direction over a smaller distance than its own width, during or prior to pulling the pulling net over the bed.

The folder may comprise a guide, such as a fin, which extends at least from the support surface to the side of the support surface intended for carrying compost, for creating a fold or projection in the pulling net. The guide may also be formed by a bar forming an outline of a fin. The device according to the invention may further comprise a pressure member for forcing the pulling net onto the bearing surface adjacent to the fold or projection. Such pressure member comprise a bracket, wheel or roll, for forcing the pulling net to follow the shape of the fin. Such fin may be movable, for allowing a tilt of at least one bed when the bed is loaded with compost and re-applying a projection during or after the bed is tilted back.

The invention will now be elucidated into more detail with reference to the following figures. Herein: - Figure 1 shows a schematic cross section of a first embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 2 shows a schematic cross section of a second embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 3 shows a schematic cross section of the second embodiment of the present invention wherein one bed is tilted; - Figure 4 shows a schematic cross section of a third embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 5 shows a schematic cross section of a third embodiment of the present invention wherein one bed is tilted; - Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention; and

- Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of a device according to the present invention. Figure 1 shows a schematic cross section of a first embodiment 1 of the present invention with a shelving 2 for growing mushrooms, wherein the shelving is provided with at least two beds 3, 4 that can be tilted between a horizontal (shown) and a diagonal (shown in figure 3) or vertical position, which beds extend longitudinally parallel to each other, the beds 3, 4 defining a common support surface with a width and a length, and configured for tilting around respective axis of rotation 6, 7 in opposite directions. The beds 3, 4 are each provided with a layer of compost 8, 9, in particular compost with casing soil for growing mushrooms by pulling a pulling net 10 over the beds, which is bent 11 in such a way that it extends in a width direction over a smaller distance than its own width, during or prior to pulling the pulling net over the beds 3, 4. In the embodiment shown, the folding is done in a zig-zag manner and it flattened on the side facing the beds 3, 4.

Figure 2 shows an alternative way of folding, wherein a loop 12 is formed the pulling net 13, which is centered in the width direction of the net, situated on the side of the net facing the support surface of the beds 3, 4. Both figures 1 and 2 show an optional separation 14 between the compost layers 8, 9 on both beds 3, 4. Figure 3 shows a schematic cross section of the second embodiment of the present invention wherein one bed 3 is tilted. It is visible in the figure that the pulling net 12 bridges the distance between the first and the second bed 3, 4. In the embodiments shown in figures 2 and 3, an optional movable tensioner 15 is present, for exerting a small force 16 on the pulling net, in order to keep the loop 12 in place, before, during and after tilting of the beds 3, 4.

Figure 4 shows a schematic cross section of a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein a protrusion 22 is situated on the side of a pulling net 21 facing away from the bearing surface of beds 17 and 18, that are rotatable about respective axis 19 and 20. The protrusion 22 is shaped as a loop that extends vertically and may serve as a separation for a layer of compost on the beds 17, 18.

Here also, an optional tensioner 23 is shown, for keeping the loop 22 in position before, during and after tilting the beds. Figure 5 shows the embodiment of figure 4 wherein one bed 20 is tilted. The 5 protrusion formed by loop 22 of the pulling net 21 bridges the gap between the beds 17 and 18. Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a detail of a first embodiment of a device 24 according to the present invention, comprising a folder, for bending, folding or draping a pulling net 25 such that it extends in width direction W over a smaller distance than its own width, during or prior to pulling the pulling net over a bed. The folder comprises a guide 26, such as a fin, which extends from the support surface S to the side of the support surface S intended for carrying compost, for creating a fold or projection in the pulling net 25. When the pulling net 25 is pulled over the beds in the direction of arrow 27, on the plane S, it encounters the guide 26, that lifts the center of the pulling net 25 upward, thus forming a fold or projection. The device is further provided with pressure members for forcing the pulling net 25 onto the bearing surface S adjacent to the fold or projection. The pressure member thereto comprises pairs of wheels 28 and 29, that keep the pulling net on the surface S. Additionally or alternatively, the pressure member may comprise a folding member 30 that follows the shape of the guide 26, thus forcing the pulling net to follow the shape of the guide 26.

Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of a device according to the present invention. The side view shows a support surface 36 provided by two adjacent beds, and a guide 34 for guiding a pulling net 39 in the direction 37. A layer of compost 31 is also shown in the figure, also provided in the direction 37 by a filling machine 38. The device has a guide 34 for forming a protrusion 32 in the pulling net. The guide 34 is shaped such that the filling machine 38 can be placed above an infeed location of the pulling net 39. Wheel(s) 35 are place below the level of the support surface 37, in order not to hinder or impede the nose of the filling machine

38.

The examples given above are examples only and do not limit the scope of the present invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

ConclusiesConclusions

1. Werkwijze voor het vullen van een stelling voor het kweken van champignons, waarbij de stelling is voorzien van ten minste twee tussen een horizontale en een diagonale of verticale positie kantelbare bedden, welke bedden zich in lengterichting parallel aan elkaar uitstrekken, waarbij de bedden in een horizontale positie een gezamenlijk draagvlak met een breedte en een lengte vormen, en zijn ingericht om in tegengestelde richting te kantelen, de werkwijze omvattende: - Het met behulp van een treknet dat over het bed getrokken wordt aanbrengen van compost, in het bijzonder compost met dekaarde, voor het kweken van de champignons, gekenmerkt door: - Het tijdens of voorafgaand aan het over het bed trekken van het treknet, het zodanig plooien, vouwen of draperen van het net dat het zich in breedterichting over een kleinere afstand dan zijn eigen breedte uitstrekt.1. A method for filling a rack for growing mushrooms, wherein the rack is provided with at least two beds that can be tilted between a horizontal and a diagonal or vertical position, which beds extend in longitudinal direction parallel to each other, the beds being a horizontal position form a joint bearing surface with a width and a length, and are adapted to tilt in the opposite direction, the method comprising: - applying compost, in particular compost with casing soil, for growing the mushrooms, characterized by: - During or prior to pulling the net over the bed, folding, folding or draping the net in such a way that it extends in width direction over a smaller distance than its own width extends.

2. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 1, waarbij het plooien van het net het aanbrengen van ten minste één uitkraging, zoals een lus, in het net omvat.The method of claim 1, wherein pleating the net comprises providing at least one cantilever, such as a loop, in the net.

3. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 2, waarbij de ten minste ene uitkraging zich in de breedterichting in het midden van het net bevindt.A method according to claim 2, wherein the at least one cantilever is located in the width direction in the center of the net.

4. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 2 of 3, waarbij de ten minste éne uitkraging zich aan een naar het draagvlak van het bed gerichte zijde van het bed bevindt.4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one cantilever is located on a side of the bed facing the bearing surface of the bed.

5. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 4, waarbij de uitkraging aan de naar het bed gerichte zijde vlak gestreken is.A method according to claim 4, wherein the cantilevered side facing the bed is smoothed.

6. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 2, waarbij de ten minste éne uitkraging zich aan een van het draagvlak van het bed afgekeerde zijde van het bed bevindt.6. A method according to claim 2, wherein the at least one cantilever is located on a side of the bed remote from the support surface of the bed.

7. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 6, waarbij de lus zich verticaal of in hoofdzaak verticaal uitstrekt.The method of claim 6, wherein the loop extends vertically or substantially vertically.

8. Werkwijze volgens één van de conclusies 1-5, omvattende het aanbrengen van één, zich over de breedte van de beide bedden uitstrekkende compostlaag.8. Method as claimed in any of the claims 1-5, comprising of applying one compost layer extending over the width of the two beds.

9. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 8, omvattende het tussen de bedden in snijden vande compostlaag door middel van een mes, zoals een snijdraad, een snijblad of een roterend mes, of een zich tussen de bedden bevindend schot.A method according to claim 8, comprising cutting the compost layer between the beds by means of a knife, such as a cutting wire, a cutting blade or a rotating knife, or a partition located between the beds.

10. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 6 of 7, omvattende het aan weerszijden van de uitkraging aanbrengen van een separate compostlaag.10. Method as claimed in claim 6 or 7, comprising of arranging a separate compost layer on either side of the cantilever.

11. Inrichting voor het kweken van champignons, omvattende een stelling met ten minste twee tussen een horizontale en een diagonale of verticale positie kantelbare bedden, welke bedden zich in lengterichting parallel aan elkaar uitstrekken, waarbij de bedden in een horizontale positie een gezamenlijk draagvlak met een breedte eneen lengte vormen, en zijn ingericht om in tegengestelde richting te kantelen, verder omvattende: - een vouwer, voor het tijdens of voorafgaand aan het over het bed trekken van het treknet, het zodanig plooien, vouwen of draperen van het net dat het zich in breedterichting over een kleinere afstand dan zijn eigen breedte uitstrekt.11. Device for growing mushrooms, comprising a rack with at least two beds tiltable between a horizontal and a diagonal or vertical position, which beds extend in longitudinal direction parallel to each other, the beds in a horizontal position having a joint support surface with a form a width and a length, and are adapted to tilt in opposite directions, further comprising: - a folder, for pulling the net over the bed, during or before pulling the net over the bed, tucking, folding or draping the net in such a way that it is extends in width direction a distance less than its own width.

12, Inrichting volgens conclusie 11, waarin de vouwer een geleiding, zoals een vin, omvat, die zich ten minste vanaf het draagvlak uitstrekt naar de voor het dragen van compost beoogde zijde van het draagvlak, voor het in het treknet aanbrengen van een zich vanaf het draagvlak uitstrekkende uitkraging.12. Device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the folder comprises a guide, such as a fin, which extends at least from the support surface to the side of the support surface intended for carrying compost, for arranging a cantilever extending the bearing surface.

13. Inrichting volgens conclusie 11 of 12, tevens omvattende een aandrukker, voor het grenzend aan de vouwer op het draagvlak aandrukken van een treknet.Device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, also comprising a presser, for pressing a pulling net on the support surface adjacent to the folder.

14. Inrichting volgens conclusie 13, waarbij de aandrukker een beugel, wiel of rol omvat.The device of claim 13, wherein the pusher comprises a bracket, wheel or roller.

15. Inrichting volgens een van de conclusies 11-14, omvattende een beweegbare ondersteuning voor de uitkraging van het treknet, voor het toelaten van een kanteling van ten minste een bed wanneer het bed met compost beladen is en het opnieuw aanbrengen van een uitkraging tijdens of nadat het bed gekanteld is.Apparatus according to any one of claims 11-14, comprising a movable support for cantilevering of the traction net, for permitting tilting of at least one bed when the bed is loaded with compost and reapplying a cantilever during or after the bed is tilted.