AU2012100677B4

AU2012100677B4 - A core tray

Info

Publication number: AU2012100677B4
Application number: AU2012100677A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Glenden George Gray; Walter Gustav Oskar Meyer; Paul Francis Nuske
Original assignee: IPHC Pty Ltd
Current assignee: First Brand Dynamics Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-10-08
Filing date: 2012-05-17
Publication date: 2012-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2017-10-08
Also published as: AU2009222632B2; AU2009222632A1; AU2012100677A4

Abstract

TITLE: "A CORE TRAY" The invention resides in a core tray comprising a plurality of 5 channels for the location of core drilling samples and at least one peripheral wall located adjacent at least one of the channels; a plurality of apertures located within the peripheral wall; and a plurality of projections located within the peripheral wall wherein if the apertures located within the peripheral wall were in a fixed position and the projections were able to be rotated about a 10 point, the projections would be aligned with the apertures in a nested position and the projections would be misaligned with the apertures in a storage position.

Description

P/00/012 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: "A CORE TRAY" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 1 TITLE "A CORE TRAY" FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a core tray for the storage of core 5 drilling samples. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Core trays are used throughout the world for the storage of core drilling samples. They are an integral part of any mining operation especially exploratory drilling. As millions of core trays are used each year, 10 the market for core trays is large but also very competitive. Margins are low and therefore any price reduction that can be achieved provides a competitive advantage in the market place. One area which affects the price of core trays dramatically is transportation costs. Often core trays are produced in one country and are 15 required to be transported to a remote location in another country via sea and/or road. Shipping containers are typically used for transport with the charges being based on size and/or weight of the container. As core trays are reasonably light, it is desirable to increase the number of core trays able to be packed into a container to reduce the overall price of a core tray by 20 reducing cost of transport per core tray. In order to address this problem, core trays have been produced that are able to be stacked in a nested position for transportation and a storage position which allows for the storage of core drilling samples. In the nested position, the core trays are able to be nested within each other 25 for transport to reduce the overall height of a stack of core trays to enable more core trays to fit within a predetermined space. In the storage position, the core trays sit on top of each other to allow the core drilling samples to be stored in channels formed within the core trays. The movement between the nesting position and the storage 30 position is achieved by rotating a top core tray through 180 degrees with 2 respect to a bottom core tray. The core trays have a series of channels which are offset with respect to each other. When the channels of the top core tray and the channels of the bottom core tray are in alignment, this allows the bottom core tray to nest within the top core tray. When the 5 channels of the top core tray and the bottom core tray are not in alignment, this allows the channels of the top core tray to sit on the channels of the bottom core tray to enable the effective storage of the core drilling samples. One problem with this core tray is that the length of the core tray has to be extended to enable the channels to be offset. In this 10 configuration, considerably more material is used and hence this increases the cost of the core tray. Further, there are some difficulties in using an offset core tray. Different core trays can easily be filled from different ends causing core drilling sample labels to be located at different ends when trays are filled and stacked in the storage position. 15 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 20 In one form, the invention resides in a core tray that can be stacked in a nested position and a storage position regardless of the size of the channels. In another form, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a core tray comprising: 25 a plurality of channels for the location of core drilling samples and; at least one peripheral wall located adjacent at least one of the channels; a plurality of apertures located within the peripheral wall; and 30 a plurality of projections located within the peripheral wall wherein 3 if the apertures located within the peripheral wall were in a fixed position and the projections were able to be rotated about a point, the projections would be aligned with the apertures in a nested position and the projections would be misaligned with the apertures in a storage position. 5 Preferably, the plurality of apertures are in the form of slots. Preferably, the plurality of projections are in the form of ribs. Another form of the invention resides in two core trays comprising: a first core tray having: 10 a plurality of channels for the location of core drilling samples and; at least one peripheral wall located adjacent at least one of the channels; a plurality of apertures located within the peripheral wall; and 15 a plurality of projections located within the peripheral wall; and a second core tray having: a plurality of channels for the location of core drilling samples and; at least one peripheral wall located adjacent at least one of the 20 channels; a plurality of apertures located within the peripheral wall; and a plurality of projections located within the peripheral wall; wherein the first core tray is moveable with respect to the second core tray between a nested position in which the plurality of 25 projections of the first core tray are located within the plurality of apertures of the second core tray and a storage position in which the plurality of projections of the first core tray is located on the at least one peripheral wall of the second core tray. In yet another form, the invention resides in a core tray 30 comprising: a plurality of channels for the location of core drilling sample 4 and; a plurality of beams that extend between the plurality of channels; wherein the beams are angled with respect to the channels. 5 In yet another form, the invention resides in a core tray comprising: a plurality of channels for the location of core drilling samples, the plurality of channels being made from a metal; and two opposing end walls; the end walls being made of a non 10 metallic material; wherein the end walls are connected to the channels. In yet another form, the invention resides in a core tray comprising: a plurality of channels for the location of core drilling sample; 15 and at least one web joining adjacent channels together; wherein measurement indicia is located on said at least one web. Further features and aspects of the present invention will 20 become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments, by way of examples only, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a core tray according to a first 25 embodiment of the invention; FIG. 1B is a top view of a core tray according to FIG.1A; FIG. 1C is a side view of a core tray according to FIG. A; FIG. 1D is a bottom view of a core tray according to FIG.1A; FIG. 1 E is a left end view of a core tray according to FIG.1A; 30 FIG. 1 F is a right end view of a core tray according to FIG.1A; FIG. 2A is a perspective view of two core trays shown in FIG.

5 1A in a nested position; FIG. 2B is a perspective view of two core trays shown in FIG. 1A being moved from the nested position to the storage position; FIG. 2C is a perspective view of two core trays shown in FIG. 5 1A in a storage position; FIG. 3A is a further perspective view of two core trays shown in FIG. 1A in a nested position; FIG. 3B is a further perspective view of two core trays shown in FIG. 1A in a storage position; 10 FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a core tray according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4B is a top view of a core tray according to FIG. 4A; FIG. 4C is a side view of a core tray according to FIG. 4A; FIG. 4D is a bottom view of a core tray according to FIG. 4A; 15 FIG. 4E is a left end view of a core tray according to FIG. 4A; FIG. 4F is a right end view of a core tray according to FIG. 4A; FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a core tray according to a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5B is a top view of a core tray according to FIG. 5A; 20 FIG. 5C is a side view of a core tray according to FIG. 5A; FIG. 5D is a bottom view of a core tray according to FIG. 5A; FIG. 5E is a left end view of a core tray according to FIG. 5A; FIG. 5F is a right end view of a core tray according to FIG. 5A; FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a core tray according to a 25 fourth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6B is a top view of a core tray according to FIG.6A; FIG. 6C is a side view of a core tray according to FIG.6A; FIG. 6D is a bottom view of a core tray according to FIG.6A; FIG. 6E is a left end view of a core tray according to FIG.6A; 30 FIG. 6F is a right end view of a core tray according to FIG.6A; FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a core tray according to a fifth 6 embodiment of the invention; FIG. 7B is a top view of a core tray according to FIG.1A; FIG. 7C is a side view of a core tray according to FIG. A; FIG. 7D is a bottom view of a core tray according to FIG. 1A; 5 FIG. 7E is a left end view of a core tray according to FIG.1A; FIG. 7F is a right end view of a core tray according to FIG.1A; FIG. 8A is a perspective view of two core trays shown in FIG. 7A in a nested position; FIG. 8B is a perspective view of two core trays shown in FIG. 10 7A in a nested position; FIG. 9A is a perspective view of two core trays shown in FIG. 8A in a storage position; and FIG. 9B is a perspective view of two core trays shown in FIG. 8A in a storage position. 15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1A to 1F show a first embodiment of a core tray 10 that is able to be stacked in a nested position for transportation when empty and a storage position for storing core drilling samples. The core tray 10 is made entirely from plastic. Various plastics are suitable with polypropylene 20 being preferable. The core tray 10 includes four channels 20 that are surrounded by a peripheral wall 30. Each of the channels 20 are of the same length. Channel supports 21 extend along the length of each of the channels 20. Two channel strapping gaps 22 are formed in each channel support 21. A 25 web 23 extends between each of the channels 20 with a wider web 23A extending between the channels 20 located in the middle of the core tray 20. Two stacking supports 25 extend downwardly from an underside of the wider web 23A. Two stacking support holes 26 extend through the wider web 23A. 30 A series of beams 27 extend between adjacent channels 20 to provide resistance against torsion. The beams 27 are angled at 7 approximately 30 degrees. However, it should be appreciated that the angle of the beams 27 may be varied according to the required resistance to torsion. The peripheral wall 30 is formed by two side walls 40 and two 5 end walls 50. The side walls 40 are hollow and have a series of ribs 41 that are located within and are spaced along of the length of each of the side walls 40. The ribs 41 on one side wall 40 are offset with respect to the ribs 41 on the opposite side wall 40. A series of slots 42 are also spaced along the length of each of the side walls 40. The slots 42 on one side wall 40 are 10 offset with respect to the slots 42 on the opposite side wall 40. Two side wall strapping gaps 43 are also located on each side wall 40 at a bottom of the side wall 40. Each end wall 50 is formed from two corners 51 interconnected by a divider 52. The corners 51 are hollow and have corner locators 53 15 positioned on the corners 51. The corner locators 53 have beveled edges 54. A label holder 55 is located on one divider 52. Alternatively, the divider 52 may be etched. Commencement indicia 60 in the form of the word "START" is located on a side wall 40 to indicate where the core drilling samples are to 20 start. It should be appreciated that the location of the commencement indicia 60 may be at other locations such as on the end wall 50. Measurement indicia 61 are located on the webs 23 to assist in analysis of the core drilling samples. The measurement indicia 61 is in the form of a series of equally spaced lines located on the webs 23. However, it 25 should be appreciated that the measurement indicia 61 may be on other forms, such a ruler. FIG. 2A shows a top core tray 1 0A and a bottom core tray 1 OB in a nested position. When the top core tray 10A and the bottom core tray 1OB are in the nested position, the ribs 41 in the top core tray 10A and the 30 slots 42 in the bottom core tray 10B are in alignment as shown in FIG. 3A. Further, the stacking supports 25 of the top core tray 10 A become located 8 within the stacking support holes 26 of the bottom core tray 10B. This allows the side walls 40 and end walls 50 to fit within each other and accordingly, the top core tray 10A and the bottom core tray 1OB become nested. In order for the top core tray 1OA and the bottom core tray 1OB 5 to be moved from the nested position shown in FIG. 2A to the storage position shown in FIG. 2C, the top core tray 10A must be rotated through 180 degrees with respect to the bottom core tray 10B as shown in FIG.2B. By rotating the top core tray 10 A with respect to the bottom core tray 1OB, the ribs 41 of the top core tray 10A and the slots of the bottom 10 core tray 1OB are not in alignment as shown in FIG. 3B. Also the stacking supports 25 of the top core tray 10A are misaligned within the stacking support holes 26 of the bottom core tray 10B. Hence, the ribs 41 of the top core tray 1 0A sit on top of the side wall 40 of the bottom core tray 10B and the stacking supports 25 sit on top of the wider web 23A. This enables top 15 core tray 10A and the bottom core tray 10B to be stored. The core tray 10 also provides a number of other advantages over and above the ability to be stacked in both a nested position and a storage position. The beams 27 which extend between the channels 20 resist torsion and hence provide additional rigidity to the core tray 10. The 20 side wall strapping gaps 43 and the channel strapping gaps 22 allow strapping to be fastened to the core tray 10 after the core tray 10 has been filled. The commencement indicia 60 assists a user to place core drilling samples in the correct direction so that all labels will face in the same direction. The etching on the dividers 52 allows writing to be applied directly 25 to the core tray 10. The measurement indicia 61 allows quicker, more efficient analysis of the core drilling sample 3. The beveled edges 54 of the corner locators 53 ensure quick and easy alignment of core trays 10 when placing them in both the nested position and the storage position. FIGS. 4A to 4F and 10 show a second embodiment of a core 30 tray 10, FIGS. 5A to 5F show a third embodiment of a core tray 10 and FIGS. 6A to 6F show a fourth embodiment of a core tray 10. These core trays 10 9 are similar to the core tray 10 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1F and accordingly, like numerals have been used to describe like components. It should be appreciated that the second, third and fourth embodiment of the core tray 10 illustrate that the number and size of the elements described in the first 5 embodiment are not limited by the disclosure made. As shown in figures 1A and 1B, 4A and 4B, and 5A and 5B in relation to the first, second, and third embodiments, respectively, each channel 20 has a plurality of ridges that extend along the bottom surface of the channels 20. These ridges provide reduced friction when sliding cores 10 into the channels 20 as well as drainage of the cores when located in the channels 20. FIGS. 7A and 7F show a fifth embodiment of a core sample tray 100 that is able to be stacked in a nested position for transportation and a storage position for storing core drilling samples. The core sample tray 15 100 is made from both metal and plastic. The core sample tray 100 is again formed from four of channels 120 with two peripheral walls 130 formed at the end of the four channels 120. The four channels 120 are of the same length. A corrugated metal sheet 121 is used to form the four channels 120. A crimped portion 122 is 20 formed in the metal sheet at the ends of each of the channels 120. The two peripheral walls 130 are in the form of plastic end walls 140. The end walls 140 are moulded over the top of the metal sheet 121 which forms the channels 120. However, it should be appreciated that the two end walls 140 may be fitted to the metal sheet 121 in some other 25 manner, such as press fitting. Each of the end walls 140 is formed from two corners 141 interconnected by a divider 142. Each corner 141 is hollow and has a single rib 143 located within the corner 141. The position of the rib 143 in each corner 141 is different for the same end wall 140. However, the position of 30 each rib 143 in each corner 141 is the same on opposing end walls 140. Each corner 141 has a single slot 144 located within the corner 10 141. The position of the slot 144 in each corner 141 is different for the same end wall 140. However, the position of each slot 144 in each corner 141 is the same on opposing end walls 140. Corner locators 145 are positioned on the corners 141. The 5 corner locators 145 have beveled edges. The divider 142 of one of the ends walls 140 is etched to enable the divider 142 to be written on. Commencement indicia 150 in the form of the word "START" is located on an end wall 140 to indicate where the core drilling samples are to start. Recesses 146 are formed in the end walls 140 to capture the 10 crimped portions 122 of the metal sheet 121. This assists in preventing the end walls 140 from being removed from the channels 120. Again, rotation of the top core tray 100A with respect to a bottom core tray 100B causes the core trays 100A and 100B to be moved from a nested position to a storage position. FIG. 15 shows the top core tray 15 100A and bottom core tray 100B in a nested position. When the core trays 100A and 100B are in the nested position, the ribs 143 in each of the corners 141 of the two end walls 140 of the top core tray 100A are in alignment slots 144 in the corners 141 of the two end walls 140 of the bottom core tray 100B allowing the ribs 143 of the top core tray 1 OA to nest within the slots 144 of 20 the bottom core tray 100B. Hence, the height of two nested core trays 1 OOA and 100B is less than the combined individual height of the two core trays 100A and 100B. When the core trays 1 OA and 1008 are in storage position, as shown in FIG. 16, the ribs 143 in the top core tray 100A are mis-aligned with 25 the slots 144 in the bottom core tray 1008. Hence, the ribs 143 of the top core tray 100A sit on top of the corners 141 of the bottom core tray 100B. In this storage position, the core drilling samples can be stored easily. It will also be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing 30 from the spirit and scope of the invention. In this specification the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 11 'includes', 'including', or similar terms are intended to mean a non exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements or features does not include only those elements or features solely, but may include other elements or features 5 not listed. Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

Claims

1. A core tray comprising: a plurality of channels for the location of core drilling samples; 5 at least one peripheral wall located adjacent at least one of the channels, the peripheral wall having two hollow side walls; a plurality of slots located in the side walls; and a plurality of projections located within the hollow of the side walls; 10 wherein if the slots located within the side walls were in a fixed position and the projections were able to be rotated 1800 about a point, the projections would be aligned with the slots in a nested position and the projections would be misaligned with the slots in a storage position. 15

2. Two core trays comprising: a first and second core tray having: a plurality of channels for the location of core drilling samples and; 20 at least one peripheral wall located adjacent at least one of the channels, the peripheral wall having two hollow side walls; a plurality of slots located within the side walls; and a plurality of projections located within the hollow of the side walls; 25 wherein the first core tray is moveable with respect to the second core tray between a nested position in which the plurality of projections of the first core tray are located within the plurality of slots of the second core tray and a storage position in which the plurality of projections of the first core tray is located on the at least one peripheral wall of the second 30 core tray. 13

3. The core tray of claim 1 or the two core trays of claim 2 further comprising: a web extending between end walls of the peripheral wall; at least one stacking support hole in the web; and 5 at least one stacking support that extends downwardly from an underside of the web; wherein the stacking support and the stacking support holes are aligned such that the stacking support is located within the stacking support hole in 10 the nested position; and the stacking support and the stacking support holes are misaligned such that the stacking support sits on top of the web in the storage position. 15

4. The core tray(s) of any one of the preceding claims wherein the projections are ribs and the slots and ribs on one side wall are offset with respect to the slots and ribs on the other side wall.

5. The core tray(s) of any one of the preceding claims wherein 20 commencement indicia is located on a side wall and/or end wall.