GB2207370A

GB2207370A - Improvements in sieves

Info

Publication number: GB2207370A
Application number: GB08718257A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Joseph Reed
Original assignee: M & H Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: M & H Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 1987-08-01
Filing date: 1987-08-01
Publication date: 1989-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2007-08-01
Also published as: GB2207370B; GB8718257D0

Abstract

A sieve is provided of the kind generally used for filling seed trays with soil. The sieve comprises a bottomless tray (2) and a riddle (1) that is manually moveable within aligned slots (12,13) in opposite walls (17,18) of the tray. The riddle is substantially longer than the tray and is provided with stops (7,8) to prevent excessive movement in either direction. In use the tray is held stationary and the riddle is moved sharply agitating the soil in the tray and causing it to fall through the mesh. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN SIEVES This invention relates to new or improved sieves of the kind intended particularly, although not exclusively, for use in filling seed trays with particulates, suitably soil.

Known sieves comprise a mesh base surrounded by an upstanding wall, and the contents are sieved through the mesh by shaking the sieve bodily, generally in a horizontal plane. It is therefore difficult to fill a container having a relatively small area, such as a seed tray, without causing spillage to the surrounding area.

According to our invention a sieve comprises a bottomless tray of oblong rectangular outline having an upstanding wallp and a riddle consisting of a mesh supported by a frame which is movable manually in the tray to agitate the contents and cause particulate to pass through the openings in the mesh.

Preferably the frame is of rectangular outline and may be of moulded plastics construction. The longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the tray are similar to those of a standard seed tray so that, when the sieve is superimposed above the seed tray, the seed tray can be filled with particulate, substantially without spillage.

Preferably the riddle is movable longitudinally of the tray with a reciprocable action.

Conveniently the riddle comprises an elongate member of oblong rectangular plane form area, the transverse dimensions of which being slightly smaller than those of the tray, and the longitudinal dimensions being substantially greater than those of the tray to permit the reciprocable action.

In one construction, the tray comprises an upstanding wall of moulded plastics material, and an inwardly directed lip at its lower end to provide further support for the riddle.

One embodiment of our invention is illustrated in the single Figure of the accompanying drawings which shows a perspective view of a sieve assembly.

The sieve as illustrated in the drawings comprises a riddle 1 and a tray 2, conveniently in the form of a one-piece plastics moulding and of oblong rectangular outline.

The tray 2 comprises a wall defined by two longitudinally extending members 15, 1G and two transverse members 17, 18. The members are provided at their upper ends with an outwardly directed flange, and at their lower ends with a lip 14. The member 17 incorporates a handle 5 which extends outwardly from the tray 2 and lies in a common plane with the flange.

The riddle 1, consists of a mesh 6 supported in a frame 11, and the frame is suitably in the form of a plastics moulding of oblong rectangular outline. The riddle is passed through two aligned elongate slots 12, 13 in the wall of the tray 2, and is supported by said slots 12, 13 and by the inwardly directed lip 14.

A stop 8, carried by a flexible tongue 9, prevents the riddle 1 from being accidentally with drawn from the tray 2 by engaging with the exterior of the wall defined by the transverse member 17. Similarly, two projections on the opposite end of the riddle 1 prevent the riddle 1 from progressing too far into the tray 2 by engaging with the exterior of the wall defined by the transverse member 18.

With the riddle 1 in assembly with the tray 2, soil or particulate is placed on the mesh 6 and is retained in the assembly by the walls of the tray 2.

Holding the assembly by the handles 5, 10 the tray 2 is kept stationary whilst the riddle 1 can be withdrawn smartly until the stop 8 engages with the exterior of the transverse member 17, whereupon the riddle 1 is pushed back into the tray until the lugs 7 engage with the exterior of the transverse member 18.

This process is repeated, thereby agitating the soil or particulate and causing it to pass through the mesh 6, thus completing the sieving process.

If necessary, after use, the riddle 1 can be removed from the tray 2 by depressing the stop 8 thereby allowing the riddle 1 to be withdrawn through the slots 12, 13.

Claims

1. A sieve comprising a bottomless tray of oblong rectangular outline having an upstanding wall, and a riddle consisting of a mesh supported by a frame which is moveable manually in the tray to agitate the contents and cause particulate to pass through the openings in the mesh.

2. A sieve according to Claim 1 wherein the riddle is moveable longitudinally of the tray with a reciprocal action.

3. A sieve according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the riddle comprises an elongate member of oblong rectangular plane form area.

4. A sieve according to Claim 3 wherein transverse dimensions of the riddle are slightly smaller than those of the tray and longitudinal dimensions of the riddle are substantially greater than those of the tray.

5. A sieve according to any preceding claim wherein aligned, elongate slots are located in opposite walls of the tray and the riddle is slidably located in the slots.

6. A sieve according to any preceding claim wherein the tray is provided with an inwardly directed lip at its lower end, the lip providing support for the riddle.

7. A sieve according to any preceding claim wherein the riddle is provided with a first and second stop means at each end of the frame.

8. A sieve according to Claim 7 wherein the first stop means comprises a flexible tongue which may be depressed allowing the riddle to be removed from the tray.

9. A sieve according to any preceding claim wherein longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the tray are similar to those of a standard seed tray.

10. A sieve according to any preceding claim wherein the frame is a plastics moulding.

11. A sieve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.