Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PLANT PUNCH METHODS AND APPARATUS
TECHNICAL FIELD
Generally, this invention relates to plant punching methods and apparatus that
improve transplant yield by reducing physical stress experienced by a plant
during a plant
transplant punch event. More specifically, at least one embodiment of the
invention
focuses on imparting a horizontally shifting motion to a plant punch element
during a
plant punch cycle so as to reduce contact of the plant punching parts with the
plant.
Aspects of the inventive technology also address a sheltering plant punch
apparatus that
can also reduce injury and stress experienced by the plant while it is
punched.
BACKGROUND
There has long been a desire to transplants plants from a first container to a
second
container so that plant growth may continue, plant health may be enhanced, the
plant may
be re-established in a container that is more appropriate for sale to
consumers and that
enables or enhances plant growth to an optimally marketable size and
condition, or for
other reasons. More specifically, often the plant that is to be transplanted
is a propagule
that has spent at least some time growing in a container (or cell) of what may
be referred
to as a propagule tray, the term tray including a multi-celled arrangement for
containing
plants. Such a propagule tray typically contains several cells in most or all
of which one
or more propagules is established. For certain reasons (e.g., because
production efficiency
is enhanced and production costs are lowered), the propagule is, at some point
in its early
life (e.g., as a seed) established and in and allowed to grow in a container
(again, a cell)
that is smaller (volumetrically and areally, e.g.) than the container in which
it is ultimately
presented during sale to the consumer (the larger container may be referred to
as a cell of
an adolescent tray). Thus, there must be a transplant event in order to re-
plant or re-
establish the plant (e.g., the propagule) from the cell of the propagule tray
to the cell of the
adolescent tray.
For quite a while now, many greenhouses have been relying on a plant punch
achieved through the use of a plant punch machine to cause a plant transplant,
whether it
be for the reason indicated above or other reasons. Typically, a tray with
larger cells (e.g.,
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an adolescent tray) that contain soil is placed below a tray with smaller
cells, at least some
of which contain soil and one or more plants (e.g., propagules). Upon
correctly positioning
the two trays relative to each other, a plant punch may be caused to
transplant one or more
plants of the smaller cells of the upper tray into the larger cells of the
lower tray. An
actual, individual punch may be caused by a plant punch element (having a
plant punch
head) that has a lower surface that acts to apply a downward force from above
the plant to
be punched so that it is forceably removed from its smaller cell and re-
located
downwardly and into the soil of a larger cell of the lower tray. The plant
punch element
may then be brought back up to an upper position, establishing a plant punch
cycle.
Typically, more than one plant is punched at a time - e.g., more than one of
the containers
of the lower tray may be filled during one cycle of the plant punch apparatus
(which, of
course, would typically move more than one plant punch element). It should
also be
understood that more than one lower tray may be transplanted into during a
plant punch
cycle, although typically only one tray is established below the upper tray at
one time. For
purposes of clarity, this discussion will focus on the case where only one
tray at a time is
established below the upper tray.
After the plant is transplanted in the below-established tray, any of several
events
may take place. If the plant punch cycle effected a transplant of all the
plants that it was
desired to transplant into that tray, (e.g., perhaps all the cells of the
below-established tray
had a plant transplanted into them), then the lower tray may be removed from
below the
upper tray and replaced with a tray into which it is desired to transplant at
least one plant
from the upper tray. However, it may be that the plant punch (a term that may
refer
individually to one plant punch or collectively to a plurality of punches that
transplant
more than one plant during one cycle) does not transplant a plant into each
cell of the
lower tray - if it is desired to fill all the cells of the lower tray, then
the lower tray is not
replaced after one cycle, but instead the lower tray and the plant punch
element(s) may be
adequately horizontally moved relative to each other so at least some of the
"unfilled" (a
term used to refer merely to the absence of a plant) cell(s) of the lower tray
can be filled
(e.g., have a plant transplanted into them) during an additional plant punch
cycle. After as
many plants are transplanted into the lower tray as desired, the lower tray
may be replaced
so that a different tray may be
Of course, if more than one plant is to be punched during one cycle, then it
is
necessary that the plant punch apparatus have more than one plant punch
element (as,
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typically, only one plant is punched per plant punch element during one plant
punch
cycle). As is well known in the art, regardless of whether all of the plants
that it is desired
to transplant into the lower tray are transplanted in one plant punch cycle,
it is necessary to
horizontally move the plant punch element(s) relative to the upper tray after
one plant
punch cycle in order to punch additional plants from the upper tray during an
additional
cycle. Although this is typically occurs by adequately horizontally moving the
upper tray
(e.g., in an indexing fashion) without moving the plant punch element(s), it
may be also be
achieved by adequately horizontally moving the plant punch element(s).
Although the basic plant punch method has evolved over several years, there
are
still problems that plague its implementation to transplant plants. Among
these problems
is physical damage of the plant inflicted during the plant punch.(or a lower
surface of it)
because the known method described immediately above also involves the step of
forceably lowering the plant punch element directly onto the plant in order to
effect the
transplant of that plant. When the plant punch element descends directly on
the plant,
surfaces of the plant punch (including but not limited to its lower surface)
directly contact
parts of the plant, first contacting the upper portion of the plant and then
the soil emerging
plant structure (e.g., one or more stems) that emerge from the soil of the
plant and support
the plant's upper portions. Even though at times the surfaces of the plant
punch element
(including, importantly, a lower surface) might not directly contact a part of
the plant (e.g.,
where the stem of a plant is separated during the punch event from the lower
surface of the
plant punch element by the upper portions of the plant that are sandwiched in
between),
that part of the plant could still be damaged because of the force applied
indirectly to it.
Further damage to plant parts (especially upper, leafy parts of the plant) may
be caused not
necessarily from the plant punch element, but instead from the soil in which
the plant to be
punched was initially established, as amounts of this soil that surround that
soil that is
punched downward may collapse into the upper portions of the plant during the
plant
punch and drag against the upper portions of the plant as they are moved
downward.
These two types of plant damage - whether resulting from the plant punch
element as it is
pressured against the plant to effect the downward re-positioning of the
plant, or resulting
from the "drag" of plant parts against soil of the upper tray's cell during
the plant punch -
individually and collectively can kill the plant, injure the plant, compromise
the plant's
ability to survive the stressful transplant and/or compromise the plant's
growth after the
plant punch, as but a few problems. Also, the approach described immediately
above can
cause a re-alignment of the plant to a misaligned position during the plant
punch, with a
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resultant inadequately established transplanted plant. Each of these potential
results
attributable to known methods can cause a reduction in operational and
production
efficiency; higher production costs; and an overall decrease in greenhouse
output and
ability to meet consumer demand. The inventive technology disclosed and
claimed herein
seeks to alleviate or eliminate some or all of these problems.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention includes a variety of aspects which may be selected in
different combinations based upon the particular application or needs to be
addressed. In
one basic form, the invention discloses the use of apparatus and methods
relative to
horizontally shifting a plant punch element in towards a vertical axis defined
by a plant
emergent point while the plant punch element is traveling downwards towards
plant
growth medium in which the plant to be punched is established. The invention
also
discloses plant punch apparatus (and associated methods) that can be used to
shelter at
least portions of a plant while it is punched, thus reducing stress
experienced by the plant
during the plant punch, as compared with conventional plant punching
technologies. It
should be noted that aspects of the inventive technology described immediately
above can
be combined. Indeed, a high degree of protection and a clean and effective
plant punch
results when a shifting apparatus uses the sheltering plant punch apparatus to
punch plants.
Naturally, as a result of these different and potentially independent aspects
of the inventive
technology, the objects of the inventive technology are quite varied.
One of the broad objects of at least one embodiment of the inventive
technology is
the improvement of transplant yield by reducing the number of plants that are
injured,
destroyed, not transplanted as intended, or merely suffer such a degree of
stress that their
further growth is inhibited, impaired, or compromised.
Another broad object of at least one embodiment of the inventive technology is
the
reduction in cost associated with the transplant operation. This reduction in
cost may
result from the above-mentioned improvement in transplant yield, and an
improvement in
the predictability and certainty of transplant yield, future plant stocks and
current plant
needs to produce a certain transplanted output.
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In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a
plant punch
apparatus, comprising:
- a first plant punch element that comprises a first plant punch head;
- a plant punch element relative movement mechanism that is operable to
relatively move said first
plant punch element through a plurality of spatial points that defines a first
plant punch element
relative travel path; and
- a frame that supports said plant punch movement mechanism,
wherein said plurality of spatial points comprises a first spatial point
having a first horizontal distance
from a vertical spatial axis defined by a first plant emergent point,
wherein said first plant emergent point is defined by a site at which a first
plant emerges from plant
growth media in which it is established before it is downwardly punched from
its container during a
plant punch event,
wherein said first plant emergent point defines a plant emergent point
horizontal plane,
wherein said plurality of spatial points further comprises a second spatial
point that-
- defines a second horizontal plane that is below said first spatial point and
above said plant
emergent point horizontal plane, and
- has a second horizontal distance from said vertical spatial axis; and
wherein said first horizontal distance is greater than said second horizontal
distance,
wherein said first plant punch element relative travel path intersects and
passes through and below
said plant emergent point horizontal plane,
wherein said first plant punch element relative travel path has a vertical
component at its intersection
with said plant emergent point horizontal plane,
wherein said first plant punch element relative travel path has a horizontal
component at some point
from said first spatial point to said second spatial point of said first plant
punch element relative travel
path, and
wherein said plant punch element relative movement mechanism relatively moves
said first plant
punch element through said first spatial point and then said second spatial
point before said plant
punch event.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a plant punch
method, comprising the steps of:
- relatively moving a first plant punch element having a first plant punch
head, from a first spatial
point to a second spatial point that is lower than said first spatial point,
wherein said first spatial point
and said second spatial point partially define a first plant punch element
relative travel path;
wherein said first spatial point has a first horizontal distance from a
vertical spatial axis that defines a
first plant emergent point,
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wherein said first plant emergent point is defined by the site at which a
first plant emerges from said
plant growth media in which it is established before it is punched from its
container during a plant
punch event,
wherein said second spatial point has a second horizontal distance from said
vertical spatial axis, and
wherein said first horizontal distance is greater than said second horizontal.
distance,
and further comprising the steps of
- relatively moving said first plant punch element through a plant emergent
point horizontal
plane defined by said first plant emergent point so as to punch said first
plant downwardly f
from its container after performing said step of relatively moving said first
plant punch
element from said first spatial point to said second spatial point;
- punching said first plant from its container;
- reaching a lowest first plant punch element relative position;
- returning, via relative movement of said first plant punch element, said
first plant punch
element to said first spatial point; and
- completing a plant punch cycle upon performing said step of returning said
first plant punch
element to said first spatial point.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a plant punch
method, comprising:
- moving a plant punch element that comprises a plant punch head downwards
from a first position;
- moving said plant punch head in towards a vertical spatial axis defined by a
first plant emergent
point,
wherein said first plant emergent point is defined by the site at which a
plant emerges from plant
growth media in which it is established before it is punched from its
container during a plant punch
event,
- punching said plant with said plant punch element to cause a plant punch
event; and
- returning said plant pwich clement to said first position.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a plant punch
method, comprising:
a) relatively establishing a plant punch element that comprises a plant punch
head, in a first position
that is outside of a sensitive vegetation profile defined by plant punch
sensitive vegetative parts of an
upper portion of a first plant,
b) moving said plant punch element to have a downward component of motion
while maintaining said
plant punch head outside of said sensitive vegetation profile
c) moving said plant punch head to a point below said sensitive vegetation
profile;
d) moving said plant punch head inwardly towards a central stern that supports
said plant punch
sensitive vegetative parts;
e) punching said plant with said plant punch element; and
f) returning said plant punch head to said first position.
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In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a plant punch
apparatus, comprising:
- a plant punch head comprising;
- a downward plant punch force application surface that is adapted so that:
- during a plant punch event, and
while said plant punch head is displaced downwardly against plant growth
medium
in which a plant to be punched during said plant punch event is established,
and
- while said downward plant punch force application surface is positioned
horizontally about a plant growth medium emerging plant structure,
- said downward plant punch force application surface displaces said plant
without contacting said plant growth medium emerging plant structure,
wherein said downward plant punch force application surface has a horizontal
cross section shape and size, and
wherein said plant growth medium emerging plant structure is that vegetative
structure of said plant that emerges from said plant growth medium and
supports upper vegetative
portions of said plant,
and further comprising:
a plant punch body established above said plant punch head, and
w said plant punch body is adapted so that, while said plant punch head is
displaced downwardly
against plant growth medium in which said plant to be punched during said
plant punch event is
established, said plant punch body is at least partly around at least a one-
third of height portion of said
plant.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention a plant punch
method, comprising
the steps of-
- forcing a downward plant punch force application surface of a plant punch
head against an upper surface of plant growth medium in which a plant to
be punched is established without contacting said downward plant punch
force application surface with a plant growth medium emerging plant
structure,
wherein said plant growth medium emerging plant structure is that vegetative
structure of said plant that emerges from said plant growth medium and
supports upper vegetative portions of said plant,
and further comprising the steps of.
- punching said plant upon downwardly moving said downward plant punch
force application surface during a plant punch, and
- sheltering at least a one-third of height portion of said plant during said
plant punch while performing said step of punching said plant.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a plant punch
apparatus, comprising:
- a plant punch element comprising a plant punch head that itself comprises:
- a downward plant punch force application surface that is adapted so that:
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- while said plant punch head is displaced downwardly against plant growth
medium in which a plant to be punched during said plant punch
cvcnt is established, and
- while said downward plant punch force application surface is positioned
horizontally about a plant growth medium emerging plant structure,
said downward plant punch force application surface displaces said plant
without
contacting said plant growth medium emerging plant structure,
wherein said plant growth medium emerging plant structure is that vegetative
structure of said plant
that emerges from said plant growth medium and support supper vegetative
portions of said plant,
wherein said downward plant punch force application surface has a horizontal
cross section shape and
size, said plant punch apparatus further comprising:
- a plant punch element movement mechanism that is operable to move said plant
punch element
through a plurality of spatial points that defines a plant punch element
travel path;
wherein said plurality of spatial points comprises a first spatial point
having a first horizontal distance
from a vertical spatial axis defined by a plant emergent point,
wherein said plant emergent point is defined by a site at which said plant
growth medium emerging
plant structure emerges from plant growth medium before it is punched from its
container during said
plant punch event,
wherein said plant emergent point defines a plant emergent point horizontal
plane,
wherein said plurality of spatial points further comprises a second spatial
point that:
- defines a second horizontal plane that is below said first spatial point and
above
said plant emergent point horizontal plane, and
- has a second horizontal distance from said vertical spatial axis;
wherein said first horizontal distance is greater than said second horizontal
distance,
wherein said plant punch element travel path intersects and passes through and
below said plant
emergent point horizontal plane,
wherein said plant punch element travel path has a vertical component at its
intersection with said
plant emergent point horizontal plane,
wherein said plant punch element travel path has a horizontal component at
some point from said first
spatial point to said second spatial point, wherein said plant punch head,
upon being positioned
horizontally about said plant growth medium emerging plant structure, is
established less than 360
degrees about said plant growth medium emerging plant structure so as to form
at least one plant
punch head gap around part of said plant growth medium emerging plant
structure, and
wherein said at least one plant punch head gap comprises one plant punch head
gap that allows said
punch head to be moved laterally to a position around at least a portion of
said plant at some point
during the travel of said plant punch head along said plant punch head travel
path,
said plant punch apparatus further comprising:
- a frame that supports said plant punch element movement mechanism.
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Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughout other
areas of
the specification and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
It should be understood that the figures show merely a few different examples
of
embodiments of the invention and thus should not be construed as limiting the
scope of the
inventive technology.
Fig. 1 shows a diagram of part during an initial stage of the plant punch
cycle of the
inventive shifting plant punch apparatus where the flat, pots, or plug tray
(or upper tray,
or propagule tray) and punch plate are in a start or home position. The plug
tray and the
punch plate heights may be adjustable depending on plant height.
Fig. 2 shows a diagram of part during a subsequent stage of the plant punch
cycle of the
inventive shifting plant punch apparatus. Particularly, it can be noticed that
the plug tray
rack with plants has been lowered to meet the flats or pots.
Fig. 3 shows a diagram of part during a subsequent stage of the plant punch
cycle of the
inventive shifting plant punch apparatus. Particularly, it can be noticed that
the punch
plate has been lowered to a position between the plants to avoid damage. The
height
above tray is adjustable depending on plant height and variety.
Fig. 4 shows a diagram of part during a subsequent stage of the plant punch
cycle of the
inventive shifting plant punch apparatus. Particularly, it can be noticed that
an air cylinder
may be included and upon actuation (perhaps by a switch of some sort), can
shift the
punch elements near or to the center of the plug. In this case, the plant
punch head (e.g.,
the end of the plunger) is "C-shaped" to fit around the stem and perhaps also
the foliage of
the plant to minimize damage. Speed and angle of shifting motion is adjustable
depending
on plant depending on plant variety and size.
Fig. 5 shows a diagram of part during a subsequent stage of the plant punch
cycle of the
inventive shifting plant punch apparatus. Particularly, it can be noticed that
the punch
plate has been lowered, therefore pushing the plants (and perhaps some soil,
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plug with the plant) through the bottom of the plug tray into the flat or
pots. Planting
depth may be adjustable.
Fig. 6 shows a diagram of part during a subsequent stage of the plant punch
cycle of the
inventive shifting plant punch apparatus. Particularly, it can be noticed that
the punch
elements can hold the plugs in position as the plug tray is raised.
Fig. 7 shows a diagram of part during a subsequent stage of the plant punch
cycle of the
inventive shifting plant punch apparatus. Particularly, it can be noticed that
the punch
plate has been raised to the starting height (e.g., the height of the home
position). The
plate can at this time (or another time) be shifted to its original or home
position (see Fig.
1).
Fig. 8 shows a plant punch element travel path in relation to the plant to be
punched, with
a plant punch element in an intermediate position (i.e., neither at the top or
bottom of a
plant punch cycle), of at least one embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 9 shows a plant punch element travel path in relation to the plant to be
punched, with
a plant punch element in an intermediate position, of at least one embodiment
of the
invention.
Fig. 10 shows a plant punch element travel path in relation to the plant to be
punched, with
a plant punch element in an intermediate position, of at least one embodiment
of the
invention.
Fig. 11 shows a plant punch element travel path in relation to the plant to be
punched, with
a plant punch element in an intermediate position, of at least one embodiment
of the
invention.
Fig. 12 shows a plant punch element travel path in relation to the plant to be
punched, with
a plant punch element in an intermediate position, of at least one embodiment
of the
invention.
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Fig. 13 shows a plant punch element travel path in relation to the plant to be
punched, with
a plant punch element in an intermediate position, of at least one embodiment
of the
invention.
Fig. 14(a) shows a row of plant punch apparatus (in this instance, plant punch
elements)
with their plant punch heads, in addition to a punch element plate (e.g., a
punch pin plate)
that may retain all the punch pins, a punch element plate holder (e.g., a
punch pin plate
holder) that may allow for a pneumatic cylinder to horizontally shift the
punch plate, and a
part of a type of horizontal plant punch element movement mechanism (a
pneumatic
horizontal plant punch element movement mechanism that can move all punch
elements at
once by moving a plate (or its holder) with which they are connected).
Fig. 14(b) shows a row of plant punch apparatus and their plant punch
elements, in
addition to a sensor (here, a switch), which may form part of the horizontal
plant punch
element movement mechanism, and that may be used to automatically activate the
horizontal shift at a certain height.
Fig. 15 shows a row of plant punch elements, in addition to plants to be
punched from an
upper tray, a vertical plant punch element movement mechanism, a finish tray
(a lower
tray into which the plants are to be transplanted), and a mechanism to move
the upper tray
vertically.
Fig. 16(a) shows an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus in cross-section
view.
Fig. 16(b) shows an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus in side view with a
projection
view of its lower surface.
Fig. 17(a) shows an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus in cross-section
view.
Fig. 17(b) shows an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus in side view with a
projection
view of its lower surface.
Fig. 18 shows an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus in side view with a
projection
view of its lower surface.
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Fig. 19 shows an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus in side view with a
projection
view of its lower surface.
Fig. 20 shows an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus in side view with a
projection
view of its lower surface.
Fig. 21 shows an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus in side view with a
projection
view of its lower surface.
Fig. 22(a-d) each show an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus in perspective
view.
Fig. 23(a, b) each show an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus in side view
with a
projection view of its lower surface.
Fig. 24 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus.
Fig. 25 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus.
Fig. 26 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus.
Fig. 27 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus.
Fig. 28 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus.
Fig. 29 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus.
Fig. 30(a,b) each show an embodiment of a plant punch apparatus in side view
with a
projection view of its lower surface.
Fig. 31 shows a plant punch apparatus (here, a comprehensive plant punch
machine)
having automatic, pneumatic shifting capability, manual plant punch element
movement
mechanism and shrouding plant punch bodies.
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Fig. 32 shows a plant punch apparatus (here, a comprehensive plant punch
machine)
having a generic plant punch element movement mechanism and shrouding plant
punch
bodies.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As mentioned earlier, the present invention includes a variety of aspects,
which
may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided to
list
elements and describe some of the embodiments of the present invention. These
elements
are listed with initial embodiments, however it should be understood that they
may be
combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The
variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed
to limit
the present invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques,
and
applications. Further, this description should further be understood to
support and
encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems,
techniques,
methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements,
with each
element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations
of all
elements in this or any subsequent application. It should also be understood
that the figure
element numbers point to examples of the specified figure element, and thus
should not be
construed as limiting, but merely examples.
In at least one embodiment of the invention, a plant punch apparatus may
comprise: a first plant punch element (1) that comprises a first plant punch
head (50); a
plant punch element movement mechanism (2) that is operable to move the first
plant
punch element through a plurality of spatial points that defines a first plant
punch element
travel path (3); and a frame (4) that supports the plant punch element
movement
mechanism. The plurality of spatial points may comprise a first spatial point
(5) having a
first horizontal distance (6) from a vertical spatial axis (7) defined by a
first plant emergent
point (8), where the first plant emergent point is defined by a site (9) at
which a first plant
emerges from plant growth media (10) in which it is established before it is
punched from
its container (11) during a plant punch event, and where the first plant
emergent point
defines a plant emergent point horizontal plane (12). The plurality of spatial
points may
further comprise a second spatial point (13) that: defines a second horizontal
plane (14)
that is below the first spatial point and above the plant emergent point
horizontal plane,
and has a second horizontal distance (15) from the vertical spatial axis. In
preferred
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embodiments, the first horizontal distance is greater than the second
horizontal distance
and the first plant punch element travel path intersects and passes through
and below the
plant emergent point horizontal plane; this relative change in distance may
reflect a
"shift". Also, in preferred embodiments the first plant punch element travel
path has a
vertical component (16) at its intersection with the plant emergent point
horizontal plane,
and at some point from the first spatial point to the second spatial point of
the first plant
punch element travel path, the first plant punch element travel path has a
horizontal
component (17).
Inventive method embodiments include a novel plant punch method that may
comprise the steps of. moving a first plant punch element that comprises a
plant punch
head from a first spatial point to a second spatial point that is lower than
the first spatial
point, wherein the first spatial point and the second spatial point partially
define a first
plant punch element travel path, where the first spatial point has a first
horizontal distance
from a vertical spatial axis that defines a first plant emergent point, and
wherein the first
plant emergent point is defined by the site at which a first plant emerges
from plant growth
media in which it is established before it is punched from its container
during a plant
punch event. The second spatial point may have a second horizontal distance
from the
vertical spatial axis, and the first horizontal distance may be greater than
the second
horizontal distance. These method embodiments may further comprise the steps
of
moving the first plant punch element through a plant emergent point horizontal
plane
defined by the first plant emergent point so as to punch the first plant from
its container
(which step requires only that at least a lower portion of the plant punch
element moves
passes beyond the plant emergent point horizontal plane); punching the first
plant from its
container; reaching a lowest first plant punch element position; and returning
the first plant
punch element to the first spatial point. The step of returning the first
plant punch element
may comprise completing a plant punch cycle (18).
In yet another aspect of the inventive technology, a plant punch method may
comprise the steps of moving a plant punch element that comprises a plant
punch head
downwards from a first position (19); and moving the plant punch element in
towards a
vertical spatial axis defined by a first plant emergent point, wherein the
first plant
emergent point is defined by the site at which a plant emerges from plant
growth media in
which it is established before it is punched from its container during a plant
punch event.
The method embodiments may further comprise the steps of punching the plant
with the
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plant punch element to cause a plant punch event; and returning the plant
punch element to
the first position.
At least one embodiment of the inventive technology maybe a plant punch method
that comprises the steps of. establishing a plant punch element (that
comprises a plant
punch head) in a first position that is outside of a sensitive vegetation
profile (20) defined
by plant punch sensitive vegetative parts (21) of an upper portion of a first
plant (51),
moving the plant punch element to have a downward component of motion (22)
while
maintaining the plant punch head outside of the sensitive vegetation profile;
moving the
plant punch head to a point below the sensitive vegetation profile; moving the
plant punch
head inwardly towards a central stem that supports the plant punch sensitive
vegetative
parts; punching the plant with the plant punch element; and returning the
plant punch
element to the first position. Of course, this and other methods may comprise
the step of
transplanting one or more plants (e.g., into one or more containers of a lower
tray or pots,
or perhaps even into a ground below).
Moving the first plant punch element (or any plant punch element (23) for that
matter) to have a vertical component of motion or a horizontal component of
motion may
be accomplished in many ways (e.g., manually, electromagnetically,
pneumatically or
hydraulically, to name a few). These motions may also be initiated, actuated
or effected
automatically, semi-automatically (e.g., by pushing a button (24) to start
each instance of
the specified motion), or manually. "Operable to move" may include parts that
attach the
referenced element (even, perhaps, removably, as where magnets are used,
e.g.), or
connect them in some fashion.
It should be understood that the first plant punch element may be one of
several
plant punch elements, each of which may be used as part of a plant punch
machine (25), to
punch a plant. Indeed, in a preferred embodiment, additional plant punch
elements (23)
may be moved by the plant punch element movement mechanism through additional,
respective plant punch element travel paths (26) to punch additional,
respective plants (27)
(e.g., a nominal 6th (or nth) plant punch element may travel through a 6th (or
n th) plant
punch travel path to punch a 6th (or n th) plant). These additional travel
paths may be
horizontally offset from the first plant punch travel path, and also may be
spatially
oriented relative to their respective plant in the same way that the first
plant punch element
travel path is spatially oriented relative to the first plant (e.g., they may
all initiate a
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horizontal shift above their respective plants at the same height above the
underlying soil
(or more broadly, plant growth medium) and at the same horizontal distance
from their
respective plant). It may be the that, in some embodiments, the additional
travel paths
mimic the first plant punch travel path in parallel fashion.
A set of plant punch elements may be established in a row by column
arrangement,
or in any arrangement or pattern and may be held by a plant punch pin plate
(28) (or a
plant punch element plate). The arrangement or pattern may accommodate
constraints set
by the specific punch (e.g., constraints set by the dimensions of the lower
tray). However,
it should be noted that plant punch machines that have only one or a very few
plant punch
elements and are thus usable to punch only one or a very few plants at any one
time are
indeed feasible and intended as covered by at least some of the claims.
The plant punch head may refer to that part or structure that is sufficiently
rigid by
itself (e.g., without any plant punch body that may be above it) to apply from
one or more
of its surfaces (e.g., a lower surface) a force sufficient to displace or
dislodge a plant
during a plant punch event. It should be understood that if a plant punch
element is able to
punch a plant, it has a plant punch head; the plant punch body, where it
exists, is more
directed to sheltering and protecting the plant from harm during the plant
punch event. In
some embodiments, again, particularly where "sheltering" of the plant during
the plant
punch is desired, the plant punch element may further comprise a plant punch
body (29)
established above the plant punch head. It should also be noted that a plant
to be punched
may have more than one stem (30). Thus, in order to define a single plant
emergent point
relative to plants having more than one stem emerging from the plant growth
media (e.g.,
soil), a site (e.g., an area) defined by the plurality of points where the
individual stems
emerge from the plant growth medium (e.g., if there were two such points, the
site would
be a line; if there were three, it would be a triangle) is used to define that
single plant
emergent point that is used to define the vertical spatial axis. Simply, the
centroid of such
multi-stemmed sites could be that single point. Of course, where the plant to
be punched
is only single stemmed, then the point where that plant emerges from the
ground is the site
and the plant emergent point.
It should also be noted that, as is apparent from Figs. 8-13, motion of the
plant
punch element along its plant punch element travel path may, at any point, be
purely
horizontal, purely vertical, or a combination of horizontal and vertical
(e.g., diagonal,
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where it has a horizontal and vertical component simultaneously), whether
straight or
curved. It should be understood that a plant punch element that is moving
purely
vertically is also deemed to have a vertical component of movement (but not a
horizontal
component) and that a plant punch element that is moving purely horizontally
is also
deemed to have a horizontal component of movement (but not a vertical
component).
Substantially vertical motion is broader than pure vertical motion in that it
also includes
those motions where there is small but effectively negligible horizontal
motion.
It may be helpful to point out that the plant emergent point horizontal plane
is
deemed to remain as initially oriented even after the plant punch. Further, it
should also
be noted that the term plant is a broad term that includes propagule;
vegetative matter
capable of growing; vegetative tissue capable of growing; vegetative or plant
explants; and
vegetative or plant substance or matter used in tissue culturing, as but a few
examples.
Plant growth medium should also be understood as including not only soil and
fertilizer
(whether natural or synthetic), but also any medium (including synthetic
substances such
as used in plant tissue culturing) in which a plant, as broadly defined, can
grow.
The plant punch element travel path and how it may relate to the plant also
deserves discussion. The plant may have upper vegetation (e.g., leafy
portions) that has a
mean vegetative horizontal distance (31) from the vertical spatial axis, and
the first
horizontal distance may be greater than this mean vegetative horizontal
distance. An
upper portion of the plant may have plant punch sensitive vegetative parts
(32) that define
a sensitive vegetation profile (20) in a plane defined by the first spatial
point and the plant
emergent point (or by the first and second spatial points), and the plant
punch element
travel path may be outside one side of the sensitive vegetation profile. The
actual shift of
the plant punch element may be effected perhaps after a lower surface of the
downwardly
moving plant punch element has reached a certain height position, e.g., a
position that is
lower than a certain upper portion of the plant that is sensitive to the punch
(e.g., that may
be easily harmed by the downwardly moving plant punch element). In this way,
during
the an initial portion of the downward movement of the plant punch element
from the
home position, the lower surface of the plant punch element can avoid contact
with parts
of the plant (e.g., upper parts) that might be harmed by such contact.
Some embodiments of the inventive technology feature adjustment capabilities
(see, (90), (91), e.g.). For example, the plant punch element may initiate a
horizontal
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motion at a horizontal motion initiation point (33) that is located on the
plant punch travel
path somewhere between the first spatial point and the second spatial point,
and this
horizontal motion initiation point may have a horizontal motion initiation
height (34)
above the plant emergent point horizontal plane, which height may be
adjustable. The
horizontal motion initiation point may also have a horizontal motion
initiation width (35)
that is equal to a horizontal distance of the horizontal motion initiation
point from the
vertical spatial axis, which width may be adjustable. Generally, the
horizontal component
(e.g., a horizontal motion component) of the plant punch element travel path
may have a
horizontal motion initiation point between the first and second spatial
points, and this
horizontal motion initiation point may be spatially adjustable. The speed and
angle of the
shift may be adjustable, said adjustment depending perhaps on the plant
variety and size.
It may also be the that the plant punch element movement mechanism is operable
to effect
an adjustable horizontal travel distance (35) of the plant punch element.
Further, the
planting depth (e.g., the extent to which the lower surface of the plant punch
head
penetrates below the plant emergent point horizontal plane to transplant a
plant into a
lower container may be adjustable). Steps that are corollary to the above may
include the
steps of initiating a horizontal motion at a horizontal motion initiation
height and width,
and adjusting either or both of this height and width. Of course, the step of
initiating a
horizontal motion can be the initiation of a plant punch element motion that
is not only
purely horizontal, but it also can be the initiation a simultaneous horizontal
and vertical
plant punch motion where the plant punch element has a horizontal component of
motion
(e.g., diagonally)).
There are a many ways in which a plant punch element may return to a first
spatial
point, which point itself may be, e.g., an upper, home position, or highest
point or position
during a plant punch cycle (of course, this and all indications as to
distance, height and
travel path presume a consistent reference measuring point on the plant punch
element).
The plant punch element may retrace its downward path (36) during its return
path (95)
(the step of returning the plant punch element to the first spatial point only
after returning
it to the second spatial point may effect such a "retracing" return path), or
it may take any
one of innumerable return paths that are in some way different from the
downward path.
It may be that certain return paths lend themselves to simpler plant punch
element
movement mechanism designs (e.g., where the return path mimics or retraces the
downward path, or where the return path is substantially along the vertical
spatial axis
until a certain height at which point it is moved over (and perhaps up) to its
first spatial or
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home position). The step of returning a plant punch element to the first
spatial point may
comprise the step of vertically moving the plant punch element such that
substantially at
least one third of its travel from the lowest plant punch element position to
the first spatial
point is along the vertical spatial axis (see, e.g., Figs. 8 and 10).
The plurality of spatial points that define the plant punch element travel
path may
comprise a third spatial point (37) that is substantially co-incident with the
plant emergent
point, meaning that the plant punch element may initiate penetration of the
plant punch
media of a container of the upper tray during the actual plant punch at
substantially the
plant emergent point. However, in certain situations, it may be desirable to
initiate
penetration of the plant growth medium at a point other than the plant
emergent point.
It should be noted that the plurality of spatial points may define the plant
punch
element travel path by defining a curve (which may include a line) through
which a point
itself defined by the plant punch head (particularly, by a lower surface of
it, such as a
downward plant punch force application surface (38)) travels. This point could
be the
centroid (39) or center of that lower surface. Of course, where the lower
surface is, e.g.,
annular or partially so, the centroid would likely be off the surface. Thus,
when it is stated
that the plant punch element travel path may comprise a third spatial point
that is
substantially co-incident with the plant emergent point, this does not mean
that the lower
surface of the plant punch head contacts that point (or the stem that may
define that point).
Indeed, a focus of embodiments of this invention is to avoid such contact,
thereby
precluding injury to and stress experienced by the plant during the actual
punch. Where
the lower surface is not entirely flat, then a vertical projection of that
lower surface onto an
imaginary horizontal plane immediately below it would serve to establish an
area whose
centroid would define the point of the plant punch head that travels along the
plant punch
element travel path.
The plant punch element movement mechanism may be operable (even where it is
entirely automatic) to generate a plant punch cycle. This cycle may be
complete upon the
return of the plant punch element to a first position, which may be a home
position (39).
Typically, one plant is punched per plant punch element during one cycle, but
it certainly
is feasible that more than one plant could be established in an individual
container (or cell)
of the upper tray or flat such that one plant punch element could punch them
during a plant
punch cycle.
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Figures 8 - 13 show just a few of the wide variety of plant punch element
travel
paths that are part of the inventive technology. The plant punch element
travel paths may
involve downward punching paths to a lowest plant punch element position (40),
and a
plant punch element return path by which the plant punch element may return to
a first
spatial point (which may be a "home" position), thus completing a plant punch
cycle. As
in Fig. 9, for example, the plant punch element return path may be identical
to its
downward path, or, as shown in Fig.12, the return path (or, e.g., an upper
part thereof)
may be different from its downward path. It should be noted (see, e.g., Fig.
8) that any
plant punch element that has a gap (41) (e.g., a plant punch element gap)
through which
some portion of the plant (or perhaps the entire height of the plant) may be
passed during
the plant punch cycle may be used for optimal results. The portion of the
plant (or perhaps
all of it) would be passed through the gap during the "shift" so that the
plant punch
element would be substantially or partially about, or partially around a
height portion of
the plant (or perhaps all of the plant). In this way, sheltering (e.g.,
shrouding or
protecting) of the plant (or the portion thereof) during the plant punch may
be effected. Of
course, this "passage" occurs when the plant punch element is moved to have at
least some
horizontal component of motion.
Examples of plant punch element movement mechanism are shown in Figs.
14(a,b), 15 and 31. It should be understood that there are many different ways
of
accomplishing the vertical and horizontal movements of the plant punch element
(e.g.,
there are many different types of each the horizontal plant punch element
movement
mechanisms and the vertical plant punch element movement mechanism). For
example,
either or both may be automatic, semi-automatic (e.g., when a button is
pressed, the
desired motion occurs) or manual. Indeed, although the concept of "shifting"
in the plant
punching context is per se inventive, it is expected that a person with
ordinary skill in the
art of plant punch machines would, upon being presented this novel and
inventive idea, be
able to create designs to accomplish the novel motion, because it is well
known in the art
how one can accomplish such motion. Whether automatic or semi-automatic, the
vertical
and horizontal plant punch element movement mechanism (and indeed the entire
plant
punch element movement mechanism) could be pneumatic (and comprise a pneumatic
cylinder (42), e.g.) or electromagnetic (e.g., using a servomotor), robotic or
magnetic, or
compressed fluid (e.g., hydraulic) to name a few of many well known manners of
accomplishing the automatic or semi-automatic motion ((43) represents a
generic
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movement mechanism). Where any of the movement mechanisms is manual (44), well
known manners of mechanically translating a manually applied force to effect
the desired
movement (e.g., using belts, pulleys, chains, lever arms, bars, weights,
guides or tracks)
may be implemented.
It should be noted that a horizontal plant punch element movement mechanism
(45) is deemed to exist wherever a motion that has a horizontal component can
be
effected, and that a vertical plant punch element movement mechanism (46) is
deemed to
exist wherever there a motion that has a vertical component can be effected.
Figure 14(b)
shows a side view of a portion of a pneumatic horizontal motion mechanism, and
the
punch element plate holder (47) and punch element plate that it may hold (the
figure
shows only a row of plant punch elements (and plant punch bodies)). Figures
14(a) and 31
show also a switch (48) by which the horizontal plant punch element movement
apparatus
can be automatically actuated (perhaps when part of the switch is physically
moved by a
part that descends with the plant punch element) to move one or more plant
punch
elements. Figure 15 shows aspects of one embodiment of the plant punch element
movement mechanism (in addition to the frame that may support it), including
the vertical
plant punch element movement mechanism and a mechanism (49) that is usable to
move
the upper tray vertically so that it may be positioned nearer to the lower
tray during the
plant punch, when appropriate.
Fig. 31 shows the plant punch element movement mechanism, and the frame that
supports it, as part of a comprehensive plant punch machine (also referred to
as a plant
punch apparatus). Fig. 31 in particular shows the plant punch apparatus with
upper and
lower trays and the plant punch element movement mechanism, inter alia, where
the plant
punch element movement mechanism in this specific embodiment includes a
horizontal
plant punch element movement mechanism that is pneumatic and automatically
triggered
by a switch that is thrown when the plant punch element reaches a certain
height. In the
specific embodiment of Fig. 31, the vertical plant punch element movement
mechanism is
manual, but of course, as discussed above, other means of achieving motion
(e.g.,
electromagnetic, hydraulic, pneumatic) are contemplated by the inventors,
particularly
where the referenced mechanism is automatic or semi-automatic. Further, in the
specific
embodiment of Fig. 31, the horizontal plant punch element movement mechanism
is
pneumatic, but of course, as discussed above, other means of achieving motion
(e.g.,
electromagnetic, hydraulic, manual) are within the scope of the inventive
technology.
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Figures 16, 18, 19, 20, 22(b and d), 23(b), 27, 28, 29, and 30(a,b) are just a
few
examples of plant punch elements that may is particularly suited for use in a
"shifting"
plant punch machine (aspects of which are shown in Figures 1-15). As is
apparent, some
of these apparatus have plant punch bodies that can be used to shelter all or
a part of the
plant during the plant punch (see, e.g., Figs. 16(b), 18, 19, 20 and 22(b,d)),
and some do
not (see, e.g., Figs. 27, 28, 29 and 30 (a, b). Of course, these are just a
few examples of
the wide variety of shapes and sizes possible, which are represented
generically by punch
apparatus # in Fig. 8. All, however, have some sort of perimeter gap (53)
(e.g., a gap in
the perimeter of the apparatus or a plant punch element gap) that may allow
access of the
plant punch element (including a plant punch body if there is one) to a
position around at
least part of the plant.
It should also be understood that all motions expressed in the claims (e.g.,
moving
the punch element) include, inter alia, relative motions that effect the
specified type of
motion. For example, the step of "moving the first plant punch element through
a plant
emergent point horizontal plane" may be effected not only by directly moving
the first
plant punch element, but also by moving the upper container (thus moving the
plant
emergent point horizontal plane) so that the first plant punch element moves
through it this
plane.
It should be noted that in preferred embodiments, the apparatus is designed to
transplant plants into containers of trays or flats, or pots, that are
positioned below the tray
or flat or container(s) in which the plant to be punched is initially
established. However, it
may be that some embodiments find application in the transplanting of plants
into the
ground, perhaps from a machine while that machine moves along the ground. In
such a
case, the frame supporting the plant punch element movement mechanism would be
moving (horizontally translating, as a motion superimposed on the cyclical
motion of the
plant punch element through its travel path). However, preferred embodiments
do not
involve transplanting into the ground using a moving machine, so in these
embodiments,
the frame supporting the plant punch element movement mechanism would likely
not be
moving (and there would not be any horizontal translating motion superimposed
on the
cyclical motion of the plant punch element through its travel path).
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Another aspect of the invention is a plant punch apparatus that may comprise a
plant punch head; and a downward plant punch force application surface (e.g.,
a lower
surface of the plant punch head) that is adapted so that: during a plant punch
event, and
while the plant punch head is displaced downwardly against plant growth medium
in
which a plant to be punched during the plant punch event is established, and
while the
downward plant punch force application surface is positioned horizontally
about a plant
growth medium emerging plant structure (60), the downward plant punch force
application surface displaces the plant without contacting the plant growth
medium
emerging plant structure. The downward plant punch force application surface
has a
horizontal cross section shape and size, and the plant growth medium emerging
plant
structure is that vegetative structure of the plant that emerges from the
plant growth
medium and supports upper vegetative portions of the plant (e.g., an upper one
half, or
perhaps that upper potion that has leaves). The apparatus may further comprise
a plant
punch body established above and perhaps contiguously with the plant punch
head, where
the plant punch body is adapted so that, while the plant punch head is
displaced
downwardly against plant growth medium in which the plant to be punched during
the
plant punch event is established, the plant punch body is at least partly
around at least a
one-third of height portion of the plant, perhaps so as to shelter the at
least a one-third of
height portion of the plant. The plant punch body may thus, in addition to the
plant punch
head, serve to protect or shelter parts of the plant during the plant punch
event.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a plant punch method may comprise the
steps of: forcing a downward plant punch force application surface of a plant
punch head
against an upper surface of plant growth medium in which a plant to be punched
is
established without contacting the downward plant punch force application
surface with a
plant growth medium emerging plant structure. The method may further comprise
the
steps of: punching the plant upon downwardly moving the downward plant punch
force
application surface during a plant punch, and sheltering at least a one-third
of height
portion of the plant during the plant punch while performing the step of
punching the
plant.
It should be noted that the term "sheltering" need not involve (and indeed in
a
preferred embodiment does not) entirely surrounding with some type of physical
barrier.
Instead, it merely involves establishing a barrier (e.g., the plant punch
body) along the
indicated height portion of the plant to be punched and around enough of the
plant to
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protect it sufficiently during the plant punch. Such physical barrier may
obstruct from the
plant certain stresses that it might suffer when it folds as it is forced
through an aperture at
the bottom of the container of the upper tray during the plant punch. The
preclusion of
such contact (including shearing and sliding contact between plant growth
medium and
parts of the container) can significantly reduce the stress experienced by the
plant during
the plant punch, abate injury to the plant, result in a cleaner punch, and
improve punched
plant survivability and transplant yield. It should be noted that the plant
punch element
(with the plant punch head and the plant punch body) need not have a height
that is greater
than that of the plant that it is to punch, although in a preferred embodiment
of the "closed
top" design, it does.
Examples of the apparatus described immediately above (the "plant punch body
comprising apparatus") and examples relative to the methods described
immediately
above are shown in Figs. 16-23. In some figures, there is provided a vertical
spatial gap
(63) (or perimeter gap extended vertically along at least part of the plant
punch body) (see,
e.g., Figs. 16(b), 18, 19, 20, 22(b), 22(d) and 23(b)), while in other
figures, there is no
such gap (see, e.g., Figs. 17(b), 21, 22(a,c) and 23(a). Some apparatus may
have be open-
topped (see, e.g., Figs. 22(c,d)), while others may be closed at the top (see,
e.g., Figs. 16-
21, 22(a,b) and 23(a,b). It should be noted that this discussion and the
figures are intended
to disclose not only the apparatus as explicitly shown, but also the different
permutations
and combinations (e.g., Figure 19 with an open top and an appropriately re-
positioned
stem (a type of downward force transmission element (80))). Those apparatus
without a
vertical, slot-like gap or perimeter gap extending along part of the plant
punch body (see,
e.g., Figs. 17, 21, 22(a,c), 23(a), are particularly suited for use in the
traditional, non-
shifting plant punch machine (where the plant punch head is moved vertically
up and
down, and no horizontal "shifting" is effected). The plant punch apparatus of
figures 24,
25 and 26 may find particular application where a "sheltering" effect is not
desired, and
where a strictly vertically moving plant punch machine (i.e., a traditional
punching
machine) is used instead of the inventive "shifting" plant punch machine.
It should be noted that the plant punch body may establish an inner spatial
void
(65) that is sized to at least partially contain at least a one-third of
height portion of the
plant while the downward plant punch force application surface displaces or
dislodges the
plant (during the plant punch). The term "of height portion" is used to
indicate that the
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portion that the specified qualifier is referring to is a portion of the
height (e.g., as opposed
to an arc portion (e.g., 120 degrees around the plant).
The downward plant punch force application surface is that lower surface
(e.g.,
underside surface) of the plant punch head that applies a plant punch force to
the plant
growth media in order to dislodge that plant during the plant punch, where the
plant punch
force has a downward component. The lower surface may be horizontally flat
(e.g., the
bottom of a tube that has been cut perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis)
or it may be
angled relative to a horizontal plane (or it may reflect both types of
surfaces), e.g.
The downward plant punch force application surface, upon being positioned
horizontally about (e.g., externally of and partially around) the plant growth
medium
emerging plant structure, may be established at least 180 degrees about it
(see, Fig. 18, as
but one example). In some embodiments, it is also established 360 degrees
about it (e.g.,
see Fig. 21 where there is no perimeter gap in the downward plant punch force
application
surface or in the plant punch head or plant punch body), but in others the
downward plant
punch force application surface is established less than 360 degrees about it.
In
embodiments where the downward plant punch force application surface can be
established 360 degrees around the plant growth medium emerging plant
structure (see,
e.g., Figs. 17, 21, 22(a,c), 23(a)), the plant punch apparatus (having an
"unbroken"
downward plant punch force application surface) is not well suited for use in
the shifting
plant punch machine because there is not gap through which the plant may be
passed
during part of the horizontal shift of the plant punch head (it is however
possible that the
shift could occur above the top of the plant, however, and such "unbroken"
designs could
be used, but in such a case there is no benefit afforded by the use of the
shifting plant
punch machine). The "unbroken" plant punch apparatus or element is, however,
well
suited for use in a traditional, "non-shifting" plant punch machine that is
capable of only
purely vertical motion of the plant punch heads. Thus, with such novel plant
punch
apparatus (i.e., of unbroken designs), traditional plant punch machines can be
used to
abate injury and stress imposed by known plant punch heads when used in the
traditional
machines.
Any embodiments where the downward plant punch force application surface can
be established less than 360 degrees horizontally about the plant growth
medium emerging
plant structure and that have a plant punch body are well suited for use in a
shifting plant
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WO 2005/102028 PCT/US2004/009308
punch machine where sheltering of the plant during the punch is desired. In
order to
establish the downward plant punch force application surface less than 360
degrees about
the plant growth medium emerging plant structure (in embodiments so limited),
during
"the shift," at least a portion of the plant may be passed through a gap of
the downward
plant punch force application surface (a gap which is clearly apparent around
the plant
growth medium emerging plant structure when the downward plant punch force
application surface is positioned horizontally about the plant growth medium
emerging
plant structure). The downward plant punch force application surface may have
lateral
access around at least a portion of the plant (e.g., a plant growth medium
emerging plant
structure, or perhaps the entire plant if the gap is high enough, or perhaps
an upper
portion) via the gap in the downward plant punch force application surface
and, if there is
a plant punch body, a vertical gap or slot in that plant punch body. If it has
lateral access
around an upper portion, then it will be necessary to vertically move the
downward plant
punch force application surface after such access is gained so that the
downward plant
punch force application surface is established partially around (less than 360
degrees
around) the plant growth medium emerging plant structure (which of course is
near the
bottom of the plant). In at least one embodiment, the plant punch apparatus
may have a
plant punch body and a plant punch head that each have a perimeter gap that
opens to an
inner spatial void. The perimeter gap of each of the plant punch body and the
plant punch
head may be adapted so that a portion (e.g. a first portion through the gap of
the plant
punch head and a second portion through the gap of the plant punch body) of a
plant to be
punched can be passed through the perimeter gap of each of the plant punch
body and the
plant punch head.
Horizontal cross section shapes of the downward plant punch force application
surface that has a gap include (but are not limited to) partial circle,
partial annular, partial
polygonal, partial rectangular, partial hexagonal, and partial polygonal to
name a few.
Shapes without a gap include (but are not limited to) circular, annular,
polygonal,
rectangular, hexagonal, and partial polygonal, to name a few. The plant punch
body may
have a first portion that is contiguous with the plant punch head. This
portion (e.g., at
least a lower one-third, at least a lower one-half, or at least a lower two-
thirds of the plant
punch body) or all of the plant punch body along its height, may have a
horizontal cross
section shape and/or size that substantially mimics the horizontal cross
section shape
and/or size, respectively, of the downward plant punch force application
surface (see, e.g.,
Fig. 18). All of the plant punch body (along its height) may have a gap, or
only a portion
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WO 2005/102028 PCT/US2004/009308
(e.g., a lower portion) may. Where there is no gap in the downward plant punch
force
application surface, the downward plant punch force application surface may be
the to be
unbroken or continuous (see, Fig. 21). However, as discussed, it may have one
or more
gap, and the above-mentioned first portion of the plant punch body (or the
entire height of
the plant punch body (see, e.g., Fig. 22(d))) may establish a vertical, slot-
like opening
above the gap in the downward plant punch force application surface (the term
slot is
intended to encompass a wide variety of openings, and not merely a vertical,
rectangular
opening). The vertical slot-like opening may open to an inner spatial void
within the plant
punch body and thus, the two may be in fluidic communication (see, e.g., Fig.
22(d)). The
inner spatial void may be sized to contain vegetative parts of the plant while
it is being
punched (see, Fig. 18, where dashed lines indicate those portions of the plant
whose view
is obstructed by the plant punch element). The void may taper with an increase
in height
of the plant punch body (see, e.g., Fig. 16(a,b)). It may have an upper end
(or, in some
embodiments it might be open - see, e.g., Figs. 22(c,d)) that is substantially
at the same
height as the upper end of the vertical, slot-like opening (in those
embodiments where the
vertical slot-like opening does in fact have an upper end).
The plant punch body may have of any number of shapes (see Figs. 16-23 for a
few possible shapes). It may be roughly conical from a side view, frusto-
conical,
cylindrical, bell shaped, block, as but a few shapes. It should be understood
that one of the
main objectives of certain embodiments of the apparatus having the plant punch
body is to
establish a protective shroud around part or all of the plant during the plant
punch and that
there are a variety of shapes that can achieve this, each of which is within
the scope of the
subject matter of at least some of the claims. Indeed, at least one embodiment
of the
invention involves the step of establishing the protective shroud around less
than 360
degrees of at least a one-third of height portion of plant during said plant
punch. This step
may comprise moving the protective shroud so that at least part of the plant
is passed
through a gap in the protective shroud, and so that the protective shroud
obtains a position
around the at least a one-third of height portion of said plant.
It should be understood that the term around (e.g., where a first part is
established
around a second part) does not require that the first part surround the second
part, nor that
either part be round or circular. It merely requires that the first part be
established at least
partially outside of or externally of (as opposed to inside or internally of)
the second part.
Also, the term contain (e.g., where a first part contains a second part) does
not require that
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WO 2005/102028 PCT/US2004/009308
the first part surround the first part on all sides (or even on any side), but
merely that the
first part at least partially encloses the second part or "has within" it the
second part.
Thus, a tube open at both ends and having a longitudinal slot of 180 degrees
can be the to
contain something inside it.
The fact that many of the inventive features (e.g., the shifting feature, and
the
sheltering plant punch body) may be difficult to notice without close
inspection deserves
note. For example, a shifting plant punch machine might look identical to a
conventional,
non-shifting machine, to a casual observer (perhaps even when the machine is
in
operation), because the horizontal plant punch head movement mechanism may be
inconspicuous and difficult to discern among the many parts of the often
intricate
machine. Further, the actual shift might be so small as to be difficult to
detect. Many
"sheltering" plant punch bodied designs may be hard to discern as novel
without picking
the plant punch element up and noting the at times hidden inner spatial void.
Despite their
often inconspicuous appearance, however, these features are indeed very
significant, at
least in how they may effect a higher transplant yield and cut production and
operation
costs.
At least one embodiment of the inventive technology is a plant punch apparatus
that may comprise: a plant punch element comprising a plant punch head, where
the plant
punch head itself comprises: a downward plant punch force application surface
that is
adapted so that: during a plant punch event, and while the plant punch head is
displaced
downwardly against plant growth medium in which a plant to be punched during
the plant
punch event is established, and while the downward plant punch force
application surface
is positioned horizontally about a plant growth medium emerging plant
structure, the
downward plant punch force application surface displaces the plant without
contacting the
plant growth medium emerging plant structure. Further, the downward plant
punch force
application surface has a horizontal cross section shape and size. The plant
punch
apparatus may further comprise: a plant punch element movement mechanism that
is
operable to move the plant punch element through a plurality of spatial points
that defines
a plant punch element travel path, where the plurality of spatial points
comprises a first
spatial point having a first horizontal distance from a vertical spatial axis
defined by a
plant emergent point, where the plant emergent point is defined by a site at
which the plant
growth medium emerging plant structure emerges from plant growth medium before
it is
punched from its container during the plant punch event, and where the plant
emergent
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WO 2005/102028 PCT/US2004/009308
point defines a plant emergent point horizontal plane. The plurality of
spatial points may
further comprise a second spatial point that: defines a second horizontal
plane that is
below the first spatial point and above the plant emergent point horizontal
plane, and has a
second horizontal distance from the vertical spatial axis. In preferred
embodiments, the
first horizontal distance is greater than the second horizontal distance, and
the plant punch
element travel path intersects and passes through and below the plant emergent
point
horizontal plane. Further, the plant punch element travel path has a vertical
component at
its intersection with the plant emergent point horizontal plane, and the plant
punch element
travel path has a horizontal component at some point from the first spatial
point to the
second spatial point. Additionally, the plant punch head, upon being
positioned
horizontally about the plant growth medium emerging plant structure, may be
established
less than 360 degrees about the plant growth medium emerging plant structure
so as to
form at least one plant punch head gap around part of the plant growth medium
emerging
plant structure. The at least one plant punch head gap may comprise one plant
punch head
gap that allows the punch head to be moved laterally to a position around at
least a portion
of the plant at some point during the travel of the plant punch element along
the plant
punch element travel path. The apparatus may further comprise a frame that
supports the
plant punch element movement mechanism. Of course, the plant punch element may
further comprise a plant punch body, and that plant punch body may itself
comprise a
vertical, slot-like gap extending along at least part of the height of the
plant punch body,
and above the one plant punch head gap.
In another aspect of the invention, a plant punch method comprises the steps
of
moving a first plant punch element that comprises a first plant punch head
downwards
from a first position; and moving the first plant punch element in towards a
vertical spatial
axis defined by a plant emergent point, wherein the plant emergent point is
defined by the
site at which a plant growth medium emerging plant structure of a first plant
to be punched
emerges from plant growth medium in which the first plant is established
before it is
punched from a first container during a plant punch event. The method may
further
comprise the steps of moving the first plant punch element so that at least
part of the first
plant is passed through a perimeter gap of the first plant punch head;
establishing the first
plant punch head around at least part of the plant growth medium emerging
plant
structure; punching the first plant out of the first container with the first
plant punch
element to cause a first plant punch; and returning the first plant punch
element to the first
position.
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Examples of the apparatus described immediately above (and examples relative
to
the methods described immediately above) are shown in Figures 1-7 and 31.
Figures 1-7
show different stages of the plant punch cycle in which a "sheltering" plant
punch body is
used to protect the plant while it is punched. A comparison of Figures 3 and 4
shows how
the plant punch element may be moved in towards a vertical spatial axis that
contains a
plant emergent point. Indeed, the plant punch element travel path is more
clearly
described in Figs. 8-13. Figure 31 shows a substantially comprehensive plant
punch
apparatus (here a plant punch machine) having a pneumatic horizontal plant
punch
element movement mechanism and a manual vertical plant punch element movement
mechanism. Of course, there are several other ways of achieving any type of
motion,
which would be obvious to one skilled in the art once that individual were
presented the
inventive concept of "shifting" (e.g., electromagnetic, robotic, manual,
hydraulic,
pneumatic, as but a few examples). These are represented generically in Figure
32.
Similarly, manners of effecting adjustability of any motion would be obvious
to one
skilled in the art.
The method may also involve vertically moving an upper tray (70) relative to a
lower tray (71) during the plant punch. Such relative motion may involve a
lowering of
the upper tray before the plant punch head penetrates plant growth medium in
which the
plant to be punched is established (see Figs. 1 and 2), and, as a separate
step, raising the
upper tray relative to the lower tray after the plant punch head penetrates
plant growth
medium in which the plant to be punched is established (see Figs. 5 and 6).
Such relative,
vertical motion may facilitate plant removal, results in a cleaner transplant,
and improves
transplant yield. It is not, however, a required step, as acceptable results
may at times be
obtained by merely initially placing the upper tray (e.g., a propagule tray or
flat) at an
appropriate position above the lower tray (e.g., immediately above the lower
tray). It
should be noted that the lower tray may instead be a pot or pots, or any type
of container
larger than the individual cells of the upper tray.
Another plant punch apparatus, some specific embodiments of which are depicted
in Figs. 24, 25 and 26, may comprise: a plant punch head that itself
comprises: a
downward plant punch force application surface that is adapted so that: during
a plant
punch event, and while the plant punch head is displaced downwardly against
plant
growth medium in which a plant to be punched during the plant punch event is
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WO 2005/102028 PCT/US2004/009308
established, and while the downward plant punch force application surface is
positioned
horizontally about a plant growth medium emerging plant structure, the
downward plant
punch force application surface displaces the plant without contacting the
plant growth
medium emerging plant structure. The plant punch head has a horizontal cross
section
shape and size, and the plant growth medium emerging plant structure is that
vegetative
structure of the plant that emerges from the plant growth medium and supports
upper
vegetative portions of the plant. The plant punch head may be unbroken and
without a
perimeter gap, and the plant punch head may horizontally surround a spatial
void that is
internal of the plant punch head when the plant punch apparatus is installed
in a plant
punch machine. The horizontal cross section shape and size is adequate to
surround a
plant growth medium emerging plant support structure at an initiation of a
plant punch
event (e.g., penetration of plant growth media). The apparatus might not
comprise a plant
punch body, and the horizontal cross section shape and size may be adequate to
surround a
majority of an upper vegetative portion of the plant. Further, the apparatus
may comprise
a downward force transmission element (80) connected with the plant punch
head, and
there may be no physical material internal (81) of the plant punch head. Such
absence of
material would allow the plant punch head to purely vertically descend around
the entire
height of the plant to a position where it can punch the plant without
contacting plant
growth medium emerging plant support structure.
It should be noted that inventive apparatus that are disclosed and claimed
herein
can be made using any of common, well known manufacturing techniques. For
example,
the plant punch head and body can be made using well know molding, lathing or
extrusion
techniques (as but three of many examples). Although the concepts are
inventive, the
manner of making and using the apparatus would be obvious to anyone with
ordinary skill
in the art. Similarly, it would be obvious to one skilled in the art from the
description of
the inventive methods disclosed herein how to use these methods. Further, it
should be
understood that, where appropriate and not inconsistent, the preceding
discussion as to
individual figure parts and specific claim limits applies not only, e.g., to
the inventive
technology described most immediately preceding the discussion, but also to
other
inventive technology described in the application, where that other inventive
technology is
indeed similarly limited. For example, the single instance of the definition
of the plant
emergent point applies not only to the inventive technology described
immediately above
the location in the application where that definition appears, but also to
other technology
described elsewhere in the application that uses the term "plant emergent
point."
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As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the
present
invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both plant
punching
techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate plant punch. In
this
application, the plant punch techniques are disclosed as part of the results
shown to be
achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to
utilization.
They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and
described. In
addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these
not only
accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways.
Importantly, as to
all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be
encompassed by this
disclosure.
The discussion included in this patent application is intended to serve as a
basic
description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not
explicitly
describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may
not fully
explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how
each feature
or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great
variety of
alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in
this disclosure.
Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element
of the
device implicitly performs a function. Not only are apparatus claims included
for the
device described, but also method or process claims are included to address
the functions
the invention and each element performs. Neither the description nor the
terminology is
intended to limit the scope of the claims in this or any subsequent patent
application.
It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without
departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly
included in
the description. They still fall within the scope of this invention. A broad
disclosure
encompassing both the explicit embodiments shown, the great variety of
implicit
alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are
encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied in order to support one or
more of the
claims of this or any subsequent patent application. With this understanding,
the reader
should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support as broad a
base of
claims as deemed within the applicant's right that are designed to yield a
patent covering
numerous aspects of the invention both independently and as an overall system.
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Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be
achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an
element is to be
understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or
may not be
physically connected. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each
such
variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a
method or
process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these.
Particularly, it
should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the
invention, the words
for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method
terms -- even
if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even
more generic
terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each
element or
action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the
implicitly broad
coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be
understood
that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an
element which
causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be
understood to
encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates.
Regarding
this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a "shelter" should be
understood to
encompass disclosure of the act of "sheltering" -- whether explicitly
discussed or not --
and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of "sheltering",
such a
disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a "shelter" and
even a "means
for sheltering" Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be
explicitly
included in the description.
I. U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT NO. & ISSUE DATE PATENTEE OR CLASS SUBCLASS FILING
KIND CODE mm-dd-yyyy APPLICANT NAME DATE
(if known) mm-dd-yyyy
D 272,726 02-21-1984 Kaneko D11 02 09-24-1981
D 278,323 04-09-1995 Blackmore, Jr. D11 155 03-10-1983
D 419,913 02-01-2000 Thomas et al. D11 156 11-02-1998
3,331,155 07-18-1967 Chancellor 47 37 10-22-1964
3,386,608 06-04-1968 Diller, K. 220 23.6 05-15-1967
3,446,164 05-27-1969 Huang, B.K., et al. 111 3 02-20-1967
3,447,261 06-03-1969 Hundt 47 34.13 10-05-1966
3,517,629 06-30-1970 Bridges, et al. 111 96 08-16-1967
3,524,419 08-18-1970 Middleton, et al. 111 2 06-27-1968
3,561,158 02-09-1971 Marcan 47 34.13 10-09-1968
3,571,971 03-23-1971 Broersma, Robert J. 47 1 05-23-1968
3,712,252 01-23-1973 Huang ill 2 11-06-1970
29
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3,799,078 03-26-1974 Blackmore, et al. 111 2 04-19-1972
3,820,480 06-28-1974 Blackmore, et al. 111 2 09-17-1973
3,903,643 09-09-1975 Blackmore, et al. 47 34.13 03-22-1974
3,949,523 04-13-1976 Lehtipuu 47 34.13 11-01-1974
4,050,921 09-27-1977 Plant, et al. 71 94 04-16-1976
4,106,414 08-15-1978 Vastag 111 1 09-20-1976
4,120,692 10-17-1978 Plant, et al. 71 94 07-20-1977
4,197,674 04-15-1980 Blackmore, Jr. 47 73 06-16-1978
4,244,308 01-13-1981 Vince 111 89 09-18-1978
4,248,014 02-03-1981 Williames 47 86 01-04-1979
4,389,814 06-28-1983 Andreason, et al. 47 73 02-04-1981
4,408,549 10-11-1983 Qvarrstrom 111 2 05-27-1981
4,481,893 11-13-1984 Qvarrstrom 111 2 11-13-1982
4,616,578 10-14-1986 Talbott 111 2 05-12-1983
4,644,880 02-24-1987 Branch 111 3 02-22-1985
4,910,146 03-20-1990 Tur-Kaspa, et al. 435 284 07-18-1988
4,947,579 08-14-1990 Harrison et al. 47 1.01 10-19-1988
4,947,582 08-14-1990 Visser 47 101 07-13-1989
5,048,434 09-17-1991 Forster, et al. 111 105 04-23-1990
5,215,550 06-01-1993 Tesch, Jr. et al. 47 1.01 07-10-1991
5,225,345 07-06-1993 Suzuki, et al. 435 284 07-19-1991
5,247,761 09-28-1993 Miles et al. 47 1.01 01-03-1991
5,257,889 11-02-1993 Suzuki et al. 414 417 11-27-1991
5,320,649 06-14-1994 Holland 47 1.01 08-18-1992
5,365,693 11-22-1994 vanWingerden et al. 47 1.01 09-10-1992
5,425,202 06-20-1995 Mekler 47 58 07-27-1993
5,557,881 09-24-1996 Bouldin et al. 47 1.01 02-21-1995
5,644,999 07-08-1997 Williames 111 105 08-02-1994
5,779,048 07-14-1998 Dunn 206 449 10-17-1996
5,779,049 07-14-1998 Werby et al. 206 451 02-07-1996
5,868,086 02-09-1999 Williames 111 105 07-07-1997
5,871,102 02-16-1999 Lambert 206 738 03-11-1997
5,935,841 08-10-1999 Trinci, et al. 435 254.1 02-10-1994
5,979,111 11-09-1999 Brown et al. 47 59 03-18-1998
6,029,425 02-29-1900 Dunn 53 449 03-13-1998
6,085,462 07-11-2000 Thomas 47 87 08-24-1994
6,385,903 05-14-2002 Diller et al. 47 66.5 05-23-2000
II. FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Foreign Patent Document ISSUE DATE PATENTEE OR APPLICANT
Country Code, Number, Kind Code dd-mm-yyyy NAME
(if known)
GB 2,201,323A 01.09.1988 Carr, Donald Peter
WO 02/058455 Al 01.08.2002 Tagawa Greenhouses, Inc.
WO 02/100159 A2 19.12.2002 Tagawa Greenhouses, Inc.
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III. OTHER DOCUMENTS
US Provisional Application, 60/263,802, entitled "Growing System to Maximize
Plant Transplanting
Yields", filed January 24, 2001
US Provisional Application, 60/276,874, entitled "Automated Plant
Transplanting System", filed March 14,
2001
US Provisional Application, 60/273,420, entitled "Coordinated Plant
Transplanting System", filed March 5,
2001
US Provisional Application, 60/296,915, entitled "Operational System for
Transplanting Growing Plants",
filed June 8, 2001
PCT International Search Report, PCT/US02/02257, mailed 11 June 2002,
International Filing Date 24
January 2002, Priority Date 24 January 2001
PCT International Preliminary Examination Report, PCT/US02/02257,
International Filing Date 24 January
2002, Priority Date 24 January 2001; completion date 22 October 2002
PCT Application PCT/US02/02257, International Filing Date 24 January 2002,
Priority Date 24 January
2001, entitled "Plant Growing System to Maximize Transplant Yield"
PCT Application PCT/US02/18704, International Filing Date 10 June 2002,
Priority Date 08 June 2001,
entitled "Operational System Transplanting Growing Plants"
United States Nonprovisional Application Number 10/167,638, filed June 10,
2002, entitled Operational
System for Transplanting Growing Plants
United States National Phase Application Number 10/470,282, filed June 24,
2003, entitled Plant Growing
System to Maximize Transplant Yield
Any acts of law, statutes, regulations, or rules mentioned in this application
for
patent; or patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this
application for patent
are hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it
should be
understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent
with such
interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as
incorporated for
each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as
contained in the
Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are hereby
incorporated
by reference. Finally, all references listed in the list of References To Be
Incorporated By
Reference In Accordance With The Patent Application or other information
statement or
list of references filed with the application are hereby appended and hereby
incorporated
by reference, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such
information or
statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the
patenting
of this inventions such statements are expressly not to be considered as made
by the
applicants.
Thus, the applicants should be understood to have support to claim and make a
statement of invention to at least: i) each of the plant punch devices as
herein disclosed
and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar,
equivalent, and
even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those
alternative designs
which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described,
v) those
alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown
as are
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implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each
feature, component,
and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications
enhanced by
the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products
produced by such
systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described
as now
applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses
substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the
accompanying
examples, xi) the various combinations and permutations of each of the
elements
disclosed, and xii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a
dependency on each
and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented; xiii) each
feature,
component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions; and xiv) the
various
combinations and permutations of each of the above and of any elements of each
claim. In
this regard it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to
avoid adding
potentially hundreds of additional claims, the applicant has presented the
claims with
initial dependencies only. Support should be understood to exist to the degree
required
under new matter laws -- including but not limited to European Patent
Convention Article
123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws-- to permit
the
addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under
one
independent claim as dependencies or elements under any other independent
claim.
With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, it
should be
understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid great expansion of
the examination
burden, the applicant may at any time present only initial claims or perhaps
only initial
claims with only initial dependencies. Support should be understood to exist
to the degree
required under new matter laws -- including but not limited to European Patent
Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other
such laws--
to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements
presented
under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any
other
independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in
this
application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood
that the
applicant has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as
legally
available. To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the
extent that the
applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any
particular
embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not
be
understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such
coverage as the
applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one
skilled in the
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art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have
literally
encompassed such alternative embodiments.
Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase "comprising" is
used to
maintain the "open-end" claims herein, according to traditional claim
interpretation. Thus,
unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term
"comprise" or
variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", are intended to imply the
inclusion of a
stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of
any other
element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be
interpreted in their
most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage
legally
permissible.
Both all priority filing(s) and the claims set forth later in this
specification are
hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention,
and the
applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such
incorporated content
of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the
claims or any
element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the
right to
move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any
element or
component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as
necessary to
define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any
subsequent
continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to
obtain any benefit
of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules,
or regulations of
any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall
survive during the
entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation,
division, or
continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.
The claims
initially presented are to be understood as also stating in this textual
section of the
specification, clauses and subject matter that are expressly designated by the
applicant to
be part of the description of embodiments of the invention. They may be used
by the
applicant to support any later claim(s) recited, amended, or reinserted in
this patent
application and may be used to support any claims recited in any subsequent
continuation,
continuation-in-part, or division patent application. Further, even if
subsequently
amended, cancelled, or otherwise altered, the claims originally set forth in
this and the
priority filing(s) are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this
section, and the
applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of any of
the content of such
as additional description to support any claim or element, any amendment, and
any
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component thereof. The content of this section (both listed and incorporated
by reference)
shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any
subsequent
continuation, division, or continuation-in-part thereof or any reissue or
extension thereon.
Finally, it should be understood that the term "at least one" as used in the
description and claims is not intended nor used in this disclosure to mean
that other claims
or descriptions not incorporating the "at least one" language cannot further
include one or
more like elements and the language "at least one" is not intended nor used to
change
"open-ended" claims, inherently including devices or methods having additional
elements
or steps apart from those claimed, into "closed-ended" claims wherein devices
or methods
having additional elements would not be covered by such claims. Further, if or
when
used, the use of the transitional phrase "comprising" (or its equivalent in
Australia and the
like, "including") is used to maintain the "open-end" claims herein, according
to
traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise,
it should be
understood that the term "comprise", "include" (if or when inserted), or
variations such as
"comprises" or "comprising", are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated
element or
step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element
or step or
group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most
expansive form
so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.
Further, this
application should be considered to support claims as follows: Methods
substantially as
described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples,
and
apparatus substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of
the
accompanying examples.
34
