AU2008213743B2

AU2008213743B2 - Core tray with end caps

Info

Publication number: AU2008213743B2
Application number: AU2008213743A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ullrich Rudi Amesz; Liam Tennant
Original assignee: LEMPIRA HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: LEMPIRA HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-02-09
Filing date: 2008-02-11
Publication date: 2012-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2028-02-11
Also published as: AU2008213743A1; WO2008095262A1; ZA200905983B; WO2008095262A8

Abstract

A core tray (11) for supporting geological core samples. The core tray (11) comprises a first body adapted to support one or more core samples, two end caps (15) and a locking means (14) adapted to lockingly engage each end cap (15) to opposed ends of the first body (13).

Description

WO 2008/095262 PCT/AU2008/000167 1 CORE TRAY WITH END CAPS Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a core tray. In particular the invention relates to a core tray which may be readily assembled without fasteners. 5 Background Art In the exploration and mining industries geological cores are taken from the earth so that geologists can examine the earth structure in that location. These cores are often referred to at later stages, particularly when considering the feasibility of mining that location. Hence, core samples may be stored for long periods of 10 time before they are once again required. Due to the large number of core samples taken, the samples are left at the location from which they are taken. For ease of reference and identification, the core samples are placed on core trays which may be stacked one on top of another for later referral. 15 Obviously, these core trays must be transported to site. In light of the vast number of core trays required this cost can be quite considerable. Current core trays are relatively bulky and take up a considerable amount of space. As quite a number of core trays are required the freight costs are substantial. Also owing to the current configuration of the core trays, each core tray needs to be 20 assembled prior to transportation to site. The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of 25 the application.

2 Received 12 January 2009 It is an object of this invention to provide a core tray for core samples which can be transported in a disassembled condition and easily assembled at site. It is a further object to provide a core tray which can be assembled without the use of fasteners such as screws, rivets, glue or by welding. 5 SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides a core tray for supporting geological core samples, the core tray comprises a first body adapted to support one or more core samples, two end caps and a locking means adapted to lockingly engage each end cap to opposed ends of the first body. 10 The present invention furhter provides a core tray for supporting geological core samples, the core tray comprises a first body adapted to support one or more core samples, two end caps and a locking means incorporated in the first body and end caps, the locking means being adapted to lockingly engage each end cap to opposed ends of the first body to form the core tray. 15 The first body may be have a plurality of grooves andfor ridges to provide support to the one or more core samples so that the samples are retained in position upon the core tray. The first body may be in the form of a plate. The plate may have sidewalls which extend beyond the height of the ridges. The profile of each plate is configured so 20 plates can be stacked one upon the other with minimal spacing therebetween. The plate may be constructed from sheet metal wherein the sheet metal goes through a pressing process to provide the plate with the desired profile. Preferably each end cap comprises an end.wall having a first wall extending from a first end of the end wall and a second wall extending from the second end of 25 the end wall, the first wall and second wall extending from the same face of the end wall substantially perpendicular thereto to define a central region into which an end region of the plate is received. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

3 Keceiven I January 4UUn The first wall and second wall are adapted to overlap and engage the respective sidewalls of the plate. Preferably the end wall has a lip extending from a bottom edge in the corresponding direction as the first wall and second wall, the lip extending 5 substantially perpendicular to the end wall. Preferably when the core tray is assembled, the lip overlaps and engages a bottom surface of the plate. The end wall, first wall and second wall may have an upper portion configured to support assembled core trays thereupon when in an assembled condition. The upper portion may comprise a supporting wall extending inwardly to provide a 10 substantially flat, surface which may support an assembled core tray when stacked thereupon. The upper portion may also comprise a retaining wall angled outwardly with respect to the end wall, first wall and second wall. The retaining wall will assist in aligning adjacent core trays as well as preventing one core tray sliding away from adjacent core trays. 15 The locking means is configured such that each end cap snaps onto the plate to be fixed thereto. Preferably . the locking means comprises a plurality of projections extending from the end cap, each adapted to be received in a corresponding opening incorporated in the plate. Alternatively, the plurality of openings may be incorporated in the end caps and the plurality of'projections 20 incorporated in the plate. This variation is considered to fall within the scope of this invention. Each, projection may extend inwardly toward a central region of the end cap defined between the end wall, first wall and second wall. Each projection extends inwardly a sufficient distance such that when the core tray is assembled 25 the projections extend into the openings. Preferably the projections are position so that when the core tray is assembled the end cap is lockingly engaged with the plate. Once the core tray is assembled the projections may be bent or deformed to ensure the end cap remains locked with respect to the plate. Each opening maybe in the form of a slot extending through the plate. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

4 Keceivel 12 January 2UUN In one aspect of the invention each end cap has a first, second, third and fourth projection, whilst the plate has corresponding first, second, third and fourth slots. Obviously more or less can be incorporated in the end cap/plate without moving away from the spirit of the invention 5 The first projection may extend inwardly from the first wall, preferably at its edge or adjacent the edge. The second projection may extend Inwardly from the second wall, preferably at its edge or adjacent the edge. The third projection and fourth projection may extend from the lip, preferably at its edge or adjacent the edge. Preferably the third projection and fourth projection are located adjacent 10 the first end and second end of the end wall respectively. The first slot and second slot may be incorporated in the side walls of the plate and spaced a distance from the edge of the plate so that when the end wall of the end cap abuts with or is in close proximity to the edge of the plate the first projection and second projection aligns with and enters the respective first slot 15 and second slot. The plate may also have a third slot and fourth slot incorporated in a substantially flat portion thereof and spaced a distance from the edge of the plate so that when the end wail of the end cap abuts or is in close proximity to the edge of the plate the third projection and fourth projection align with and enter the respective 20 third slot and fourth slot. The present invention further provides a core tray comprising two end caps adapted to lockingly engage each end of a plate, each end cap having a plurality of projections extending inwardly towards a central region, into which an end portion of the plate is received, the plate incorporates a plurality of openings in 25 close proximity to each end of the plate such' that when each end cap abuts with or is in close proximity to the edge of the plate the projections align with and enter the respective openings such that the end cap is in locking engagement with the plate. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

5 Received 12 January 2009 Preferably each end cap snaps onto the plate to be held in locking engagement therewith. The present invention further provides a core tray for supporting geological core samples, the core tray comprises a body adapted to support one or more core 5 samples, an end caps and a locking means adapted to lockingly engage the end cap to the end of the first body. Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of several specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings 10 in which: Figure 1 is an end perspective view of a plate according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an end cap according to the first embodiment; 15 Figure 3 is a front view of one end of the end cap shown in figure 3: Figure 4 is a perspective view of an end cap according to a second embodiment; Figure 5 is a front view of one end of the end cap shown in figure 4; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of an end cap according to a third 20 embodiment; Figure 7 is an sectional view of an end of a plate having the end cap of figure 6 engaged therewith; Figure 8 is a perspective view of four core trays stacked one a top the other with the top tray having core samples thereon; and Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

6 Received 12 January 2009 Figure 9 is a view similar to figure 8 but without the core samples. Best Mode(s) for Carrying out the Invention Referring to figures 1, 2 and 3, the invention according to a first embodiment is in the form of a core tray 11 upon which geological core samples are stored. The 5 core tray 11 comprises a first body in the form of a plate 13, two end caps 15 and a locking means 14 configured to lockingly engage the end caps 15 with respective end regions of the plate 13. Referring to figure 1, the plate 13 is adapted to support one or more core samples 73 thereupon. The plate 13 comprises a pair of sidewalls 16 and 10 incorporates a plurality of grooves 17a and ridges 17b which support and retain in position the core samples. The plate 13 is constructed from sheet metal wherein the sheet metal goes through a pressing process to provide the plate 13 with the desired profile. The profile of each plate 13 allows one to be stacked upon another with minimal space therebetween. 15 Referring to figures 2 and 3 each end cap 15 according to a first embodiment comprises an end wall 19, a first wall 21 extending from a first end 23 of the end wall 19, and a second wall 25 extending from a second end 27 of the end wall 19. The first wall 21 and second wall 25 extend substantially perpendicular to the end wall 19 from the same fade thereof. This defines a central region 29 into 20 which an end of the plate 13 can be received. The end wall 19 has a lip 31 which extends from a bottom edge 33 thereof towards the central region 29. The lip 29 extends from the same face of the end wall 19 as the first wall 21 and second wall 25 and is substantially perpendicular to the end wall 19. 25 The first wall 21, second wall 25 and lip 31 extend sufficiently such that when the end cap 15 is fitted to an end of the plate 13 the first wall 21 and second wall 25 overlap and engage the respective side wall 16 of the plate and the lip 31 overlaps and engages the bottom wall 35 of the plate 13. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

7 The end wall 19, first wall 21 and second wall 25 each have an upper portion 37 -which is adapted to support a core tray 11 a which may be stacked thereupon. The upper portion 37 pmvides .a supporting wall 39 which extends inwardly towards the central region 29 substantially perpendicular to the respective wall. 5 The supporting wall 39 provides a substantially flat surface for supporting a core tray 13a thereupon. An alternative configuration of the upper portion 37 is shown in figures 4 and 5. As you will note in these figures, the upper portion 37 also comprises a retaining wall 41 which extends outwardly before returning inwardly towards the central 10 region 29 to form the supporting wall 39. In use the retaining wall 41 aligns a subsequent core tray 11 a when stacking as well as assisting in retaining the core trays in a stacked condition, as shown in figures 8 and 9. The locking means 14 comprises a plurality of projections 43 which are received in corresponding openings in the form of slots 45. 15 In this embodiment the projections 43 are incorporated in the end cap. 15 whilst the slots 45 are incorporated in the plate 13. As best shown in figure 2, 4 and 6 (different embodiments of end cap) each projection 43 extends inwardly towards the central region 29. In the embodiments shown there are four projections 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d. The end cap has a first projection 43a which extends inwardly 20 from the edge of the first wall 21, a second projection 43a which extends inwardly from the edge of the second wall 25, and a third projection 43c and fourth projection 43d which extend from the edge of the lip 31. The third' projection 43c and fourth projection 43d are located adjacent the first end 23 and second end 27 of the end wall 19 respectively. 25 For each projection 43 of the locking means 14 there is a corresponding slot 39 in the plate 13. A first slot 45a and a second slot 45b are incorporated in the side walls 16 of the plate 13 and are spaced a distance from the edge 47 of the plate 13 so that when the end Wall 19 of the end cap 15 abuts with or is in close proximity to the edge 47 of the plate 13 the .first projection 43a and second 30 projection 43b align with and enter the respective slot 45a, 45b. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

8 The plate 13 also has a third slot.45c and fourth slot 45d incorporated in a substantially flat portion of the bottom waIl 35 of the plate 13. Slots 43c, 43d are spaced a distance from the edge 47 of the plate 13 so that when the end wall 19 of the end cap 15 abuts with or is in close proximity to the edge 47 of the plate 13 5 the third projection 43c and fourth projection 43d align with and enter the respective slots 45c, 45d. A third embodiment of the end cap 15 is shown in figures 6 and 7. The end cap 15 of this embodiment is similar to that shown in figures 4 and 5. The notable difference is in relation to the formation of each projection 43. As can be noted 10 from figure 6, each projection 43 is formed so that it is spaced inwardly from the edge 71. This reduces the waste when cutting the sheet metal for the end cap. Shown in figures 8 and 9, are four core trays 11 stacked one upon another. When assembling, each end cap 15 'snaps' onto the ends of the plate 13 such that no further fastening means is required to retain the end caps 15 on the plate 15 13. As a result of the ease in assembling, the core trays can be transported in a disassembled condition and easily assembled on site. As the plates 13 can now be stacked with minimal space therebetween the cost of transporting the core trays is greatly reduced. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee 20 are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. 25 Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

Claims

1. A core tray for supporting geological core samples, the core tray comprises a first body adapted to support one or more core samples, two end caps and a locking means incorporated in the first body and end 5 caps, the locking means being adapted to lockingly engage each end cap to opposed ends of the first body to form the core tray.

2. The core tray according to claim 1 wherein the first body has a plurality of grooves and/or ridges to provide support to the one or more core samples so that the samples are retained in position upon the core tray. 10

3. The core tray according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the first body is in the form of a plate, the plate having sidewalls which extend beyond the height of the ridges.

4. The core tray according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the profile of each plate is configured so plates can be stacked one upon the other with minimal 15 spacing therebetween.

5. The core tray according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each end cap comprises an end wall having a first wall extending from a first end of the end wall and a second wall extending from the second end of the end wall, the first wall and second wall extending from the same face 20 of the end wall substantially perpendicular thereto to define a central region into which an end region of the plate is received.

6. The core tray according to claim 5 wherein the first wall and second wall are adapted to overlap and engage the respective sidewalls of the plate.

7. The core tray according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the end wall has a lip 25 extending from a bottom edge in the corresponding direction as the first wall and second wall, the lip extending substantially perpendicular to the 10 end wall, wherein the lip overlaps and engages a bottom surface of the plate when the core tray is assembled.

8. The core tray according to claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the end wall, first wall and second wall has an upper portion configured to support assembled 5 core trays thereupon when in an assembled condition.

9. The core tray according to claim 8 wherein the upper portion comprises a supporting wall extending inwardly to provide a substantially flat surface which supports an assembled core tray when stacked thereupon, wherein the upper portion also comprises a retaining wall angled outwardly with 10 respect to the end wall, first wall and second wall.

10.The core tray according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking means comprises a plurality of projections extending from the end cap, each adapted to be received in a corresponding opening incorporated in the plate so that when the core tray is assembled the end 15 cap is lockingly engaged with the plate.

11. The core tray according to claim 10 wherein each projection extends inwardly toward a central region of the end cap defined between the end wall, first wall and second wall, whereby each projection extends inwardly a sufficient distance such that when the core tray is assembled the 20 projections extend into the openings.

12.The core tray according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the plurality of projections on each end cap comprises a first, second, third and fourth projection, whilst the plate has corresponding first, second, third and fourth openings. 25

13.The core tray according to claim 12 wherein the first projection extends inwardly from the first wall at its edge or adjacent the edge and the second projection extends inwardly from the second wall, at its edge or adjacent the edge. 11

14. The core tray according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the third projection and fourth projection extend from the lip, at its edge or adjacent the edge.

15. The core tray according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the third projection and fourth projection are located adjacent the first end and second end of the 5 end wall respectively.

16.The core tray according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the first opening and second opening are incorporated in the side walls of the plate and spaced a distance from the edge of the plate so that when the end wall of the end cap abuts with or is in close proximity to the edge of 10 the plate the first projection and second projection align with and enters the respective first opening and second opening.

17.The core tray according to any one of claims 12 to 16 wherein the third opening and fourth opening are incorporated in a substantially flat portion thereof and spaced a distance from the edge of the plate so that when the 15 end wall of the end cap abuts or is in close proximity to the edge of the plate the third projection and fourth projection align with and enter the respective third opening and fourth opening.

18. The core tray according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the locking means comprises a plurality of openings incorporated in the end caps and 20 a plurality of projections incorporated in the plate.

19.A core tray comprising two end caps adapted to lockingly engage each end of a plate, each end cap having a plurality of projections extending inwardly towards a central region, into which an end portion of the plate is received, the plate incorporates a plurality of openings in close proximity 25 to each end of the plate such that when each end cap abuts with or is in close proximity to the edge of the plate the projections align with and enter the respective openings such that the end cap is in locking engagement with the plate. 12

20. The core tray according to any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein each end cap snaps onto the plate to be held in locking engagement therewith.

21.A core tray for supporting geological core samples, the core tray comprises a body adapted to support one or more core samples, two end 5 caps and a locking means adapted to lockingly engage each end cap to respective ends of the first body.