WO2008095262A1

WO2008095262A1 - Core tray with end caps

Info

Publication number: WO2008095262A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000167
Authority: WO
Inventors: Liam Tennant; Ullrich Rudi Amesz
Original assignee: Lempira Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-02-09
Filing date: 2008-02-11
Publication date: 2008-08-14
Also published as: ZA200905983B; AU2008213743A1; AU2008213743B2; 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

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.

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 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.

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 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 the application. 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.

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.

The first body may be have 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.

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 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 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.

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 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 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.

The locking means is incorporated in the plate and end caps and 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 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 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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 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;

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 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

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 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 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.

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 face thereof. This defines a central region 29 into 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.

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.

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 11a which may be stacked thereupon. The upper portion 37 provides a supporting wall 39 which extends inwardly towards the central region 29 substantially perpendicular to the respective wall. 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 region 29 to form the supporting wall 39. In use the retaining wall 41 aligns a subsequent core tray 11a 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.

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 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.

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 projection 43b align with and enter the respective slot 45a, 45b.

The plate 13 also has a third slot 45c and fourth slot 45d incorporated in a substantially flat portion of the bottom wall 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 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 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 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 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.

Claims

The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows

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 adapted to lockingly engage each end cap to opposed ends of the first body.

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.

3. The core tray according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the first body is in the form of a plate.

4. The core tray according to claim 3 wherein the plate has sidewalls which extend beyond the height of the ridges.

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

6. The core tray according to claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein the plate is constructed from sheet metal wherein the sheet metal goes through a pressing process to provide the plate with the desired profile.

7. 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 of the end wall substantially perpendicular thereto to define a central region into which an end region of the plate is received.

8. The core tray according to claim 7 wherein the first wall and second wall are adapted to overlap and engage the respective sidewalls of the plate.

9. The core tray according to claim 7 or 8 wherein 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 substantially perpendicular to the end wall.

10. The core tray according to claim 9 wherein the lip overlaps and engages a bottom surface of the plate when the core tray is assembled.

11. The core tray according to claim 7, 8, 9 or 10 wherein the end wall, first wall and second wall has an upper portion configured to support assembled core trays thereupon when in an assembled condition.

12. The core tray according to claim 11 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.

13. The core tray according to claim 11 or 12 wherein the upper portion also comprises a retaining wall angled outwardly with respect to the end wall, first wall and second wall.

14. The core tray according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking means is incorporated in the plate and end caps and is configured such that each end cap snaps onto the plate to be fixed thereto.

15. 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.

16. The core tray according to claim 15 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 projections extend into the openings.

17. The core tray according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the projections are position so that when the core tray is assembled the end cap is lockingly engaged with the plate.

18. The core tray according to claim 15, 16 or 17 wherein each opening is in the form of a slot extending through the plate.

19. The core tray according to claim 15, 16, 17 or 18 wherein each end cap has a first, second, third and fourth projection, whilst the plate has corresponding first, second, third and fourth slots.

20. The core tray according to claim 19 wherein the first projection extends inwardly from the first wall at its edge or adjacent the edge.

21. The core tray according to claim 19 or 20 wherein the second projection extends inwardly from the second wall, at its edge or adjacent the edge.

22. The core tray according to claim 19, 20 or 21 wherein the third projection and fourth projection extend from the lip, at its edge or adjacent the edge.

23. The core tray according to claim 19, 20 or 21 wherein the third projection and fourth projection are located adjacent the first end and second end of the end wall respectively.

24. The core tray according to any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein the first slot and second slot 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 the plate the first projection and second projection aligns with and enters the respective first slot and second slot.

25. The core tray according to any one of claims 19 to 24 wherein the third slot and fourth slot are incorporated in a substantially flat portion thereof and spaced a distance from the edge of the plate so that when the 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 slot and fourth slot.

26. The core tray according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the locking means comprises a plurality of openings incorporated in the end caps and a plurality of projections incorporated in the plate.

27.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 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.

28. The core tray according to claim 27 wherein each end cap snaps onto the plate to be held in locking engagement therewith.

29.A core tray for supporting geological core samples, the core tray comprises a body adapted to support one or more core samples, an end caps and a locking means adapted to lockingly engage the end cap to the end of the first body.

30. A core tray as substantially herein described with reference to the figures.