GB2144318A

GB2144318A - Honeycomb support for a beehive

Info

Publication number: GB2144318A
Application number: GB08412468A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rene Falco
Original assignee: Metal Deploye Belge SA
Current assignee: Metal Deploye Belge SA
Priority date: 1983-05-16
Filing date: 1984-05-16
Publication date: 1985-03-06
Also published as: GB8412468D0

Abstract

A comb support for a beehive is characterised in that its structure is an open or perforated latticework structure with hexagonal mesh openings (2). The structure may be formed from a sheet of expanded metal, steel wire or moulded plastics. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Honeycomb Support for a Beehive The present invention concerns bee-keeping and its object is to form honeycomb supports intended to form a beehive.

At present combs of embossed wax reinforced with wires stretched over wooden frames are used, and attempts have been made to replace the beeswax by other materials, such as for example plastics. With reference to the structure of conventional frames, which is closed, a comb support for a hive according to the invention is characterised in that it has an open or perforated latticework structure with hexagonal mesh openings for the formation of honeycombs.

These openings are the basis of the success of the supports according to the invention and their acceptance by the bees.

According to the invention the comb support consists of a sheet of expanded metal which, after manufacture, is stretched out so as to form a network of hexagons.

According to another embodiment of the invention the comb support structure is formed from steel wire.

According to another embodiment the comb support structure is formed from a moulded plastics material.

The hexagons of the comb support are preferably formed with dimensions which are those of the cells normally formed by the bees, of the order of 5 mm to 6 mm measured between sides.

The density of the mesh is preferably from about 750 openings to about 780 openings per dm2, as in the conventional products.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, in: Figure 1, a portion of an expanded metal sheet stretched out to form hexagons; Figure 2, on a smaller scale, an expanded metal sheet which has been processed in accordance with the invention to form a comb support to be fixed into a hive; Figures 3 and 4, respectively a partial view of the surface of an expanded metal sheet also processed with a variation of the engagement means and a cross-section on 4-4 of Figure 3.

As is apparent from Figure 1 the expanded metal sheet is, after manufacture, stretched out to give the hexagonal mesh 2.

These hexagons have the dimensions of the cells normally formed by the bees, in which h=5 mm to 6 mm measured between sides.

The supports or hexagonal networks thus formed are coated with wax when they are introduced into the hive in order to form the frame for the honeycombs.

These supports can be mounted in various ways in the hive. One arrangement is shown in Figure 2, where the support 1 is bent in a certain manner over the lateral edges at 3 with a cut and a fold 4.

Another arrangement is shown in Figures 3 and 4, where the support 1 is fixed into a groove 5 in a wooden cross-member 6 by means of nails 7.

Of course, other mounting arrangements may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

The invention has been described on the basis of a structure of expanded metal but, as has been said, the invention is equally applicable to a structure of steel wire or a structure of moulded plastics.

1. Comb support for a beehive, characterised in that its structure is an open or perforated latticework structure with hexagonal mesh openings.

2. Comb support for a hive according to claim 1, characterised in that it consists of a sheet of expanded metal which, after manufacture is stretched out to form a network of hexagons.

3. Comb support for a hive according to claim 1, characterised in that the structure is formed from steel wire.

4. Comb support for a beehive according to claim 1, characterised in that the structure is formed from moulded plastics.

5. Comb support for a hive according to claim 1, characterised in that the dimensions of the hexagon are those of the cells which are normally formed by bees, of the order of 5 mm to 6 mm measured between sides.

6. Comb support for a hive according to claim 1, characterised in that the density of the openings in the structure is from 750 to 780 openings perdm2.

7. Comb support for a hive according to claim 1, charactersed in that it is formed so as to provide engagement means in the hive.

8. Comb support for a hive according to claim 1, characterised in that it is associated with a wooden cross-member or the like for engagement in the hive.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Honeycomb Support for a Beehive The present invention concerns bee-keeping and its object is to form honeycomb supports intended to form a beehive. At present combs of embossed wax reinforced with wires stretched over wooden frames are used, and attempts have been made to replace the beeswax by other materials, such as for example plastics. With reference to the structure of conventional frames, which is closed, a comb support for a hive according to the invention is characterised in that it has an open or perforated latticework structure with hexagonal mesh openings for the formation of honeycombs. These openings are the basis of the success of the supports according to the invention and their acceptance by the bees. According to the invention the comb support consists of a sheet of expanded metal which, after manufacture, is stretched out so as to form a network of hexagons. According to another embodiment of the invention the comb support structure is formed from steel wire. According to another embodiment the comb support structure is formed from a moulded plastics material. The hexagons of the comb support are preferably formed with dimensions which are those of the cells normally formed by the bees, of the order of 5 mm to 6 mm measured between sides. The density of the mesh is preferably from about 750 openings to about 780 openings per dm2, as in the conventional products. The invention will now be described, by way of example, in: Figure 1, a portion of an expanded metal sheet stretched out to form hexagons; Figure 2, on a smaller scale, an expanded metal sheet which has been processed in accordance with the invention to form a comb support to be fixed into a hive; Figures 3 and 4, respectively a partial view of the surface of an expanded metal sheet also processed with a variation of the engagement means and a cross-section on 4-4 of Figure 3. As is apparent from Figure 1 the expanded metal sheet is, after manufacture, stretched out to give the hexagonal mesh 2. These hexagons have the dimensions of the cells normally formed by the bees, in which h=5 mm to 6 mm measured between sides. The supports or hexagonal networks thus formed are coated with wax when they are introduced into the hive in order to form the frame for the honeycombs. These supports can be mounted in various ways in the hive. One arrangement is shown in Figure 2, where the support 1 is bent in a certain manner over the lateral edges at 3 with a cut and a fold 4. Another arrangement is shown in Figures 3 and 4, where the support 1 is fixed into a groove 5 in a wooden cross-member 6 by means of nails 7. Of course, other mounting arrangements may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention has been described on the basis of a structure of expanded metal but, as has been said, the invention is equally applicable to a structure of steel wire or a structure of moulded plastics. CLAIMS