WO2020087134A1

WO2020087134A1 - Beehive frame piece and beehive frame

Info

Publication number: WO2020087134A1
Application number: PCT/AU2019/051209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Elivio BONOLLO; Eddi Guiseppe PIANCA
Original assignee: University Of Canberra
Priority date: 2018-11-02
Filing date: 2019-11-01
Publication date: 2020-05-07

Abstract

A frame piece adapted for assembly with a matching frame piece to form a beehive frame includes: a first side spaced from a second side by a pair of end struts, the first side having at least one frame coupling portion that is releasably engageable with at least one corresponding frame coupling portion of the matching frame piece; wherein, when the frame piece is assembled with the matching frame piece, the at least one frame coupling portion cooperates with the at least one corresponding frame coupling portion to form a hinge or hinges about which the frame piece is foldable relative to the matching frame piece.

Description

BEEHIVE FRAME PIECE AND BEEHIVE FRAME

Background

The present invention relates generally to a beehive frame piece and to a beehive frame constructed therefrom. Wooden frames have been used for many years by beekeepers. Typically, a beehive frame is of generally rectangular construction, and has a wax foundation sheet permanently affixed to its interior. The frame may also include wires spanning across it in order to support the foundation sheet. In use, the frame is vertically hung in a hive, adjacent to and separated from similarly constructed frames, such that bees have sufficient space to fly between frames to build honeycomb and deposit honey on the foundation sheets. This type of hive is called a Langstroth hive, after its inventor, and the frames are typically referred to as Langstroth frames. Though traditionally made of wood, more recently, it has also been known for plastic Langstroth frames to be available on the market.

A disadvantage of wooden frames is that they must be constructed manually. A further disadvantage, common to both wooden and plastic frames, is that the process of fitting and/or replacing the wire supports commonly used in these frames, and then fixing the wires by straining and heating and other complicated arrangements, is laborious and time-consuming. These wires often damage the honeycomb, both in the hive and during extraction. Honey is usually extracted from a Langstroth frame by decapping the honeycomb cells and placing the frame in a rotary extractor. A high speed of rotation often results in considerable bowing/deformation of the honeycomb, and the supporting wires end up cutting the honeycomb. This then requires a laborious re-wiring of the frame before it can be used again.

It would be desirable to provide a beehive frame that is easier to construct and maintain than known beehive frames, or at least to provide a useful alternative. Summary

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a frame piece adapted for assembly with a matching frame piece to form a beehive frame, the frame piece including:

a first side spaced from a second side by a pair of end struts, the first side having at least one frame coupling portion that is releasably engageable with at least one corresponding frame coupling portion of the matching frame piece; wherein, when the frame piece is assembled with the matching frame piece, the at least one frame coupling portion cooperates with the at least one corresponding frame coupling portion to form a hinge or hinges about which the frame piece is foldable relative to the matching frame piece.

In certain embodiments, the at least one frame coupling portion includes a recessed slot adapted to releasably engage with a corresponding hinge member of the matching frame piece. Alternatively, or in addition, the at least one frame coupling portion may include a hinge member adapted to releasably engage with a corresponding recessed slot of the matching frame piece.

If the at least one frame coupling portion includes a recessed slot, the recessed slot may be releasably engageable with the corresponding hinge member via a snap-fit connection, and the portion of the corresponding hinge member received in the recessed slot may be either: the entirety of the corresponding hinge member; or be attached to the matching frame piece by another portion of the corresponding hinge member, said another portion being a living hinge.

If the at least one frame coupling portion includes a hinge member, the hinge member may be releasably engageable with the corresponding recessed slot via a snap-fit connection, and the portion of the hinge member received in the corresponding recessed slot may be either: the entirety of the hinge member; or be attached to the frame piece by another portion of the hinge member, said another portion being a living hinge.

In certain embodiments, each hinge member or corresponding hinge member comprises a guide component and at least one locking component.

The frame piece may include a foundation sheet support surface. For example, the foundation sheet support surface may be defined at least partly by a plurality of ribs located along the first side; and/or located along the second side; and/or located along either or both of the pair of end struts. As an alternative, or in addition, the foundation sheet support surface may be defined at least partly by one or more fences located at least partially along the first side, and/or at least partially along the second side, and/or at least partially along either or both of the end struts. At least one of the fences may be a corner fence located at a junction between the first side and an end strut, or a junction between the second side and an end strut.

In certain embodiments, at least one of the plurality of ribs has a profile that is complementary to a mating profile of a corresponding rib on the matching frame piece. Each of the plurality of ribs may have a profile that is complementary to a mating profile of a corresponding rib on the matching frame piece.

The second side of the frame piece may be adapted to mate with a corresponding side of the matching frame piece via a tongue and groove arrangement.

In certain embodiments, the second side may be adapted to engage with the matching frame piece via a snap-fit connection. The snap-fit connection may comprise at least one locking tab projecting from the second side.

Certain embodiments of the frame piece may include at least one rib extending between the first and second sides intermediate the pair of end struts.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beehive frame kit, including a first frame piece according to any of the aforementioned embodiments, and a second frame piece that is identical to the first frame piece.

Brief description of the drawings

Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non- limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair of beehive frame pieces, as viewed from the side of each piece that faces the foundation sheet once the frame pieces are assembled to form a beehive frame;

Figure 2 is similar to the view of Figure 1 , but shows the assembled beehive frame in an open condition; Figure 3 depicts a foundation sheet in place in the beehive frame in the open condition;

Figure 4 depicts the beehive frame in a closed condition with the foundation sheet retained between the frame pieces;

Figure 5A is a close-in view at 5A of Figure 2;

Figure 5B is a schematic illustration of an alignment tab of a frame piece of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a close-up of a hinge of the assembled beehive frame at 6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the assembled beehive frame of Figure 2 with a cross-section taken through the line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8A is a perspective view of the assembled and closed beehive frame of Figure 4, with a cross-section taken through the line 8A-8A of Figure 4 and the foundation sheet omitted for clarity; and

Figure 8B is a perspective view of the assembled and closed beehive frame of Figure 4, with a cross-section taken through the line 8B-8B of Figure 4 and the foundation sheet again omitted.

Detailed description of embodiments

Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown a frame piece 100 and a matching frame piece 200, prior to assembly to form a beehive frame 10 (as shown in Figure 2 in an open configuration). The matching frame piece 200 may be of similar or even identical construction to the frame piece 100, and is shown in the Figures with reference numerals incremented by 100 relative to those of the frame piece 100 for corresponding parts. For example, as shown in Figure 1, frame piece 200 may simply be a copy of frame piece 100, rotated 180°.

The frame piece 100 has a first side 102 and a second side 104 that are spaced from each other by a pair of end struts 106, 108. Frame piece 100 may have one or more additional struts or ribs 110, intermediate the end struts 106, 108, and spanning between first and second sides 102, 104. The additional strut or struts 110 give additional structural strength to the frame piece 100 (and consequently, the frame 10) as well as acting as support for a foundation sheet 400 as can be seen in Figure 3, both during assembly and during honey extraction in a rotary extractor. In some embodiments, the sides 102, 104 and end struts 106, 108 provide sufficient structural strength to avoid the need for any additional struts 110. In such embodiments, additional struts 110 may still be provided to divide the honeycomb into convenient portions - e.g. for sale/consumption or to fit into specific packaging or honey extraction systems.

Each side 102, 104 of the frame piece 100, and each end strut 106, 108, may comprise a U- shaped channel extending substantially or entirely along its length. Advantageously, this allows the use of less material (typically, a plastics material) to form a beehive frame 10 of sufficient structural strength than if the sides 102, 104 and struts 106, 108 each had a closed cross-section or were solid. If present, any additional struts 110 may also be formed with a U- channel.

To further increase the structural strength of the frame piece 100, one or more, and typically a plurality of, ribs or tabs 162 may span across, and be disposed along the length of, the U- channel of the first side 102. Likewise, at least one rib 164 may span across the U-channel of second side 104, at least one rib 166 may span across the U-channel of end strut 106, and at least one rib 168 may span across the U-channel of end strut 108.

The second side 104 has a pair of projections 140 extending therefrom, at the junction between the second side 104 and respective end struts 106, 108. These projections mate with corresponding projections 240 on the second side 204 of matching frame piece 200 such that the assembled and closed beehive frame 10 can be hung or supported inside a hive box in conventional fashion.

Frame piece 100 has a pair of frame coupling portions 120 and 122. Likewise, matching frame piece 200 has a pair of frame coupling portions 220 and 222.

A first one of the frame coupling portions is a hinge member 122 that projects from the first side 102 and, during assembly, is received in and engages with a first corresponding frame coupling portion of the matching frame piece, the first corresponding frame coupling portion being a recessed slot 220 of the first side 202 of matching frame piece 200. The engagement is via a snap-fit connection, though other attachment methods, such as an interference fit, may also be possible. The portion of the hinge member 122 that is received in the first corresponding frame coupling portion may be the entirety of the hinge member 122. Alternatively, the portion of the hinge member 122 that is received in the first corresponding frame coupling portion may be attached to the matching frame piece by another portion of the hinge member, said another portion being a living hinge.

A second one of the frame coupling portions is a recessed slot 120 that receives and engages with a second corresponding frame coupling portion of the matching frame piece, the second corresponding frame portion being a hinge member 222 that projects from the first side 202 of matching frame piece 200 and, during assembly, is received in and engages with the recessed slot 120 of the first side 102 of frame piece 100 via a snap-fit connection (or other suitable attachment mechanism). The hinge members 122, 222 are typically integral with their respective frame pieces 100, 200.

Accordingly, each of the frame pieces 100, 200 has a single hinge member projecting therefrom for engagement with a corresponding recessed slot of the other frame piece 100, 200 in a symmetric arrangement. However, it will be appreciated that both hinge members 122, 222 may be carried on one of the frame pieces 100 or 200, or in some embodiments, more than two hinge members may be used (for example, a total of three hinge members with two being carried on one of the frame pieces and one being carried on the other). In any event, it is advantageous (but not essential) for any arrangement of hinge members and slots to be symmetric to simplify manufacture of the beehive frame 10, since in that case it is possible for two identical frame pieces to be assembled together to form the beehive frame 10.

Once respective hinge members 122, 222 have been inserted into and engaged with respective slots 220, 120, as shown in Figure 2, a foundation sheet 400 may be inserted, for example into the first frame piece 100 as shown in Figure 3. Edges of the foundation sheet 400 rest on a support surface defined by inner portions of the first and second sides 102, 104 and the end struts 106, 108 (the support surface also being defined by the ribs 110 if present).

After the foundation sheet 400 has been inserted, the second frame piece 200 is rotated about the hinges 122, 222 and fastened to the first frame piece 100 in order to place the beehive frame 10 in a closed condition ready for suspension in a hive box. To this end, second side 104 of frame piece 100 comprises a latch 132 that engages with a latch receiving portion 234 of the second side 204 of frame piece 200. Likewise, second side 204 of frame piece 200 comprises a latch 232 that engages with a latch receiving portion 134 of the second side 104 of frame piece 100. Latches 132, 232 engage with respective latch receiving portions 234, 134 via a snap fit in order to close the frame 10. Again, it will be appreciated that both latches 132, 232 may be carried on one of the frame pieces 100, 200 with both latch receiving portions 134, 234 being carried on the other, or that a different number of latches and receiving portions may be used, but it is advantageous for there to be a symmetric arrangement as for hinges 122, 222.

The frame pieces 100, 200 may be formed by a number of different methods, such as injection moulding, compression moulding, thermoforming or additive manufacturing (such as by stereolithography, selective laser sintering or fused deposition modelling). Any suitable food grade materials may be used to produce the frame pieces 100, 200, including virgin and recycled thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics, composite plastics, and reinforced resins.

As mentioned above, it is advantageous for the arrangement of hinges and closure latches to be symmetric across the two frame pieces 100, 200, and even more advantageous for the frame pieces 100, 200 to be identical in construction. This provides significant manufacturing advantages when injection moulding is used, for example, because the cost of dies and tooling is reduced relative to an equivalent single -piece beehive frame folding along a line of symmetry. In addition, the individual frame pieces 100, 200 require an injection moulding machine of lower capacity, thus enabling production at lower cost. Further, it is much easier to obtain a uniform flow of plastic when producing a smaller component. Similar advantages may apply to other manufacturing techniques.

Turning now to Figures 6 and 7, the engagement of the hinge member 222 of the second frame piece 200 with recessed slot 120 of the first frame piece 100 is shown in more detail. Recessed slot 120 includes a ledge 121 overlying a channel 123. The hinge member 222 includes a guide finger 222b, either side of which are locking fingers 222a. As the guide finger 222b is inserted into the channel 123, the locking fingers 222b are deflected downwardly by ledge 121 until their ends pass over the ledge, at which point they snap into place to secure the hinge 222 to the slot 120. A similar mechanism is used to secure hinge 122 to slot 220. If the frame 10 needs to be disassembled for any reason, for example for cleaning, repair or replacement of one of the frame pieces, hinge 222 can readily be detached from slot 120 by pressing down on the locking fingers to disengage them from the ledge 121. For this reason also, forming the sides 102, 104 from a U-shaped channel rather than a closed cross- section, affords access to the locking fingers in the assembled frame.

In some embodiments, the guide finger 222b may be omitted, or one or both of the locking fingers 222a may act as a guide finger.

The hinge member 222 may include a single locking finger or tab, for example extending substantially or entirely across its width, which engages with the ledge 121 of slot 120. It is beneficial in such embodiments for a single locking finger to substantially match the width of the slot 120, to align the halves 100, 200 of the frame 10, and to reduce the amount of space that may otherwise be filled with propolis by bees. However, it is generally advantageous to employ the arrangement shown in Figures 6 and 7, with or without guide finger 222b, as the relatively thin fingers 222a are easier to disengage from the ledge 121 than a wider locking element would be.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the locking fingers 222a are located internally of the frame piece 100 when the frame 10 is assembled. Advantageously, this helps to avoid build-up of comb and/or propolis on the hinge, which would otherwise make it more difficult to open or disassemble the frame 10.

Turning now to Figure 5A, the frame piece 100 may have a corner fence including a pair of ridges 152, 158 that are perpendicular to each other and respectively parallel to first side 102 and end strut 108. Not shown in Figure 5A is at least a second such comer fence located in the diagonally opposite comer of the frame piece 100, and typically, additional such fences in each of the other two comers. The ridges 152, 158 are each at a height above the plane defined by inner rail l02a of first side 102 and inner rail l08a of end strut 108, such that a foundation sheet 400 resting on the inner rails l02a, l08a (and corresponding inner rails of second side 104 and opposing end strut 106) is constrained from horizontal movement by the ridges 152, 158 (and corresponding ridges of the other comer fences). Second frame piece 200 may have equivalent or identical comer fences, such as that formed by ridges 252 and 258, such that when the frame 10 is closed the ridges of respective comer fences are brought into contact, thereby preventing formation of a niche that bees may deposit propolis into - in this embodiment, the ridges may be half a desired height - e.g. half the thickness of the foundation sheet 400 - such that they form the full desired height when brought together.

In some embodiments, the frame piece 100 may instead include such a fence in the vicinity of both comers of only one of the stmts 106, 108, so that the second frame piece 200 can be formed in the same mould as the first frame piece 100. The fences may also be located away from the comers, such as by providing one or more fences at some location on each side 102, 104, and each strut 106, 108 intermediate the ends of the respective side 102, 104 and strut 106, 108. Alternatively, to provide a fence around each side of foundation sheet 400, and since frame piece 100 and second frame piece 200 are desirably formed in the same mould, a fence or fences may be provided on only one of sides 102, 104 and only one of struts 106, 108. In other words, as described above the first frame piece 100 and second frame piece 200 may be rotationally symmetrical when rotated 180°.

Advantageously, the comer fences enable alignment of the foundation sheet in the plane of the frame piece 100, taking into account manufacturing tolerances of the foundation sheet, whilst also ensuring retention of the foundation sheet between the first and second frame pieces 100, 200 without any need to employ additional fastening means such as nails, screws, heated wires and the like. The corner fences thus aid in fast assembly of the frame 10 for deployment in a hive, and fast disassembly for cleaning and reuse after extraction of honey. Additionally, with this sheet retention arrangement the use of non-wax (such as plastic) foundation sheets is made easier as there is no need to pierce the sheet in order to secure it. In some embodiments, the first and/or second frame piece may be provided with fences, but the hinge arrangement described above may be replaced by a traditional hinge arrangement or method of joining halves of a beehive frame together.

An additional alignment feature is provided by the tabs that are spaced along the U-channels of the first and second sides 102, 104 and the end stmts 106, 108.

Some of the tabs, such as the first two tabs 162 shown in Figure 5A, have a recessed portion l62a which is aligned with the inner rail l02a, and a raised portion l62b having a uniform profile and being aligned with the outer rail l02b of the first side 102. The recessed portion l62a, being at the same height as inner rail l02a, partially defines a support surface for the foundation sheet 400, such that foundation sheet 400 rests on both the recessed portion l62a of the tab 162 and the inner rail l02a when the foundation sheet 400 is inserted into the frame piece 100. The raised portion l62b of the tab 162 helps to restrain horizontal or vertical movement of the foundation sheet 400. The tab 162 also acts as an alignment feature, since second frame piece 200 has a corresponding tab 262. During assembly of the frame 10, in the event that there is movement of the hinges along the axis of first side 102, a user may visually align tabs 162 and 262 (and other such tabs located along the first side 102) to ensure that the frame pieces are not misaligned prior to closure.

Other tabs, such as tab 162', may have a similar recessed portion l62a' as shown in Figure 5B for partially defining the support surface, but may have a raised portion 162b' with a non- uniform profile. The non-uniform profile is complementary to that of a raised portion 262b' of a corresponding tab 262', such that when the frame 10 is closed, the raised portion 262b' mates with the raised portion l62b', thus further ensuring proper alignment between the two frame pieces with the foundation sheet 400 retained between them, and reducing the possibility of propolis deposition between the tabs.

Although the use of alignment and retention tabs has been discussed only in relation to the first sides 102 and 202 of frame pieces 100 and 200, it will be appreciated that a similar configuration may be employed for the second sides 104 and 204, and/or for one or both of the end struts 106/206 and 108/208.

To simplify production of beehive frames 10, as mentioned above, the first and second frame pieces 100 and 200 may be identical in construction. For example, frame piece 100 and second frame piece 200 may be rotationally symmetrical when rotated 180°. In embodiments which have tabs 162' having non-uniform raised portions, a frame piece 100 may be constructed such that tabs in one half of the frame piece 100 have profiles complementary to those in the other half. That is, referring to Figure 1, tabs of the first side 102 above the line 101 have profiles that are complementary to those below the line 101. For example, if the first tab 162' above line 101 has a non-uniform profile such as that shown in Figure 5B, the first tab 162" below line 101 has a complementary non-uniform profile such as profile 262b' of tab 262' of Figure 5B. Similar considerations apply to the tabs along the second side 104, the first end strut 106 and the second end strut 108.

In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 8B, outer rails of the second sides 104, 204 of the two frame pieces 100, 200 may meet in a tongue-and-groove arrangement. For example, as shown, outer rail l04b of the second side 104 of first frame piece 100 may have a tongue 180 that mates with a corresponding groove 281 of outer rail 204b of the second side 104 of second frame piece 200. Advantageously, this further improves alignment between the frame pieces 100 and 200 at their outer, exposed surfaces and reduces the possibility of a gap forming, thus reducing the likelihood that bees will deposit propolis at the seam between the pieces. The tongue and groove arrangement may be provided independently of one or both of the hinge arrangement described above (which may, in some embodiments, be replaced by a standard mechanism for attaching frame halves together to form a frame) and fences.

Turning to Figure 8A, a closure mechanism of the beehive frame 10 is shown in more detail. The closure mechanism includes a latch 132 at the second side 104 of the first frame piece 100 that engages with a latch receiving portion 234 at the second side 204 of frame piece 200. Latch receiving portion 234 includes a recessed locking step 235. The latch 132 projects from the second side 104 parallel to, and in alignment with, the outer rail l04b, and is pushed over the locking step 235 and snaps into place to secure the two frame pieces 100, 200 together. Similar considerations apply in respect of latch 232 and latch receiving portion 134. The latch 132 sits flush with the outer surface of second side 104, thus helping to minimise the build-up of comb and propolis on the exterior of the frame 10. One or more latches may be provided as desired, or an even number (e.g. 2) latches may be provided so that the frame pieces may be rotationally symmetrically formed - i.e. in the same mould.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be appreciated that many variations are possible. In particular, it will be appreciated that any feature of any specifically described embodiment may be combined with any feature of any other specifically described embodiment.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word“comprise”, and variations such as“comprises” and“comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

1. A frame piece adapted for assembly with a matching frame piece to form a beehive frame, the frame piece including:

2. A frame piece according to claim 1, wherein the at least one frame coupling portion includes a recessed slot adapted to releasably engage with a corresponding hinge member of the matching frame piece.

3. A frame piece according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one frame coupling portion includes a hinge member adapted to releasably engage with a corresponding recessed slot of the matching frame piece.

4. A frame piece according to claim 2, wherein the recessed slot is releasably engageable with the corresponding hinge member via a snap-fit connection, and wherein the portion of the corresponding hinge member received in the recessed slot is either: the entirety of the corresponding hinge member; or is attached to the matching frame piece by another portion of the corresponding hinge member, said another portion being a living hinge.

5. A frame piece according to claim 3, wherein the hinge member is releasably engageable with the corresponding recessed slot via a snap-fit connection, and wherein the portion of the hinge member received in the corresponding recessed slot is either: the entirety of the hinge member; or is attached to the frame piece by another portion of the hinge member, said another portion being a living hinge.

6. A frame piece according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein each hinge member or corresponding hinge member comprises a guide component and at least one locking component.

7. A frame piece according to any one of the preceding claims, including a foundation sheet support surface.

8. A frame piece according to claim 7, wherein the foundation sheet support surface is defined at least partly by a plurality of ribs located along the first side; and/or located along the second side; and/or located along either or both of the pair of end struts.

9. A frame piece according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the foundation sheet support surface is defined at least partly by one or more fences located at least partially along the first side, and/or at least partially along the second side, and/or at least partially along either or both of the end struts.

10. A frame piece according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the fences is a comer fence located at a junction between the first side and an end strut, or a junction between the second side and an end stmt.

11. A frame piece according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of ribs has a profile that is complementary to a mating profile of a corresponding rib on the matching frame piece.

12. A frame piece according to claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of ribs has a profile that is complementary to a mating profile of a corresponding rib on the matching frame piece.

13. A frame piece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second side is adapted to mate with a corresponding side of the matching frame piece via a tongue and groove arrangement.

14. A frame piece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second side is adapted to engage with the matching frame piece via a snap-fit connection.

15. A frame piece according to claim 14, wherein the snap-fit connection comprises at least one locking tab projecting from the second side.

16. A frame piece according to any one of the preceding claims, including at least one rib extending between the first and second sides intermediate the pair of end struts.

17. A beehive frame kit, including a first frame piece according to any one of the preceding claims, and a second frame piece that is identical to the first frame piece.