Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a core tray for storing and transporting core samples obtained, for example, by diamond drilling during mining exploration.

Background to the Invention

In the mining industry core samples are frequently obtained during the exploration phase. A core sample is a cylindrical section of rock taken from an ore body or rock formation of interest. Most core samples are obtained by drilling with special diamond drills into the ore body or rock with a hollow drill tube called a core drill. In the drilling process, the core sample is received more or less intact into the core drill. The core sample is subsequently removed and taken to a laboratory where it is inspected and analyzed by different techniques and assaying equipment depending on the type of data required.

Many thousands of core samples are collected annually and it is customary to transport these core samples in core trays containing one of more core samples. Before and after laboratory analysis it is normal for the core samples to be stored in core trays, sometimes for many years. It is important therefore that the core trays be of robust construction and be capable of transporting and storing the core samples with integrity, i.e. with minimal risk of cross-contamination between core trays.

A number of prior art core trays are currently in use with varying degrees of success. Many suffer from problems with transporting and storing the core samples with integrity. For example, one popular form of core tray supports the core samples in a series of U-shaped ribs provided at spaced intervals along elongate, rectangular-shaped channels. However because the core samples are not properly supported throughout their length, there is a tendency for the samples to being to crumble in transit, particularly with softer rock types, and the risk of cross-contamination is thus greatly increased.

The present invention was developed with a view to providing a core tray of more robust design, which is less susceptible to at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

References to prior art in this specification are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an admission that such prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a core tray for carrying a plurality of core samples, the core tray comprising: a plurality of hollow elongate channels arranged side by side in a rectangular array, each channel in the array being adapted to receive a core sample therein; the plurality of channels being joined side by side to form a substantially rigid tray structure; and, an upper perimeter lip being provided about an upper perimeter of the tray structure wherein, in use, when a second similar core tray is stacked on top of the core tray a portion of a base of the second core tray rests on and is supported by the upper perimeter lip of the core tray.

Preferably the channels are generally U-shaped and are of uniform cross- section throughout their length wherein, in use, the channels provide full support throughout their length for any core samples received therein.

Preferably a generally vertical, outer wall is provided about a perimeter of the tray structure and forms part of the base of the core tray, a lower edge of the outer wall being received on the upper perimeter lip of a second similar core tray when the core tray is stacked on top of the second core tray. Advantageously the outer wall is provided directly below the upper perimeter lip whereby, in use, when a second similar core tray is stacked on top of the core tray the weight of any cores carried in the second core tray will be transmitted through the upper perimeter lip to the outer wall below.

Preferably the base of the core tray further comprises a plurality of ribs extending transversely of the channels to provide additional strength and rigidity for the tray structure. Advantageously the ribs extend substantially the full width of the base of the core tray between the longitudinal lengths of the outer wall. Preferably the ribs also extend substantially the full height of the outer wall, from an underside of the upper perimeter lip to the lower edge of the outer wall wherein, in use, when the base of the core tray is resting on a flat surface the lower edges of the ribs and the outer wall together form a substantially planar grid pattern that supports the core tray on the surface.

Preferably a generally vertical, perimeter wall is provided about a perimeter of the tray structure adjacent to the upper perimeter lip, the perimeter wall extending downwards only a short distance so that a lower edge of the perimeter wall can act as a handle for manually lifting the core tray at the perimeter. Advantageously the perimeter wall extends about the full length of the perimeter of the tray structure, providing an all around handle to facilitate versatility in handling and lifting of the core tray. Preferably a plurality of bracing ribs is provided between the outer wall and the perimeter wall to provide increased strength and rigidity for the perimeter wall.

In a first embodiment there are three hollow elongate channels joined side by side to form the substantially rigid tray structure. In a second embodiment there are four hollow elongate channels joined side by side to form the substantially rigid tray structure. In a third embodiment there are five hollow elongate channels joined side by side to form the substantially rigid tray structure. 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. Likewise the word "preferably" or variations such as "preferred", will be understood to imply that a stated integer or group of integers is desirable but not essential to the working of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of several specific embodiments of the core tray, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a core tray according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the core tray of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a bottom isometric view of the core tray of Figure ;

Figure 4 is a top isometric view of the core tray of Figure 1 ; Figure 5 is a top isometric view of the core tray of Figure 1 with two core samples shown in the tray;

Figure 6 is a close-up of one corner of the tray as shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a close-up of the same corner of the tray as shown in Figure 6, viewed from the other side;

Figure 8 is an end view of the core tray of Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 is a side view of the core tray of Figure 1 ;

Figure 10 is a section view through two of the core trays of Figure 1 shown stacked one on top of the other; Figure 11 is a top isometric view of a second embodiment of a core tray according to the present invention; and,

Figure 12 is a top isometric view of a third embodiment of a core tray according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

A preferred embodiment of a core tray 10, in accordance with the invention, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 10, comprises a plurality of hollow elongate channels 12 arranged side by side in a rectangular array 14. Each channel 12 in the array 14 is adapted to receive a core sample 16 therein, as shown in Figures 5 to 7. Preferably the channels 12 are generally U-shaped, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 10, and are of uniform cross-section throughout their length. This provides a significant advantage, in use, since the channels 12 provide full support throughout their length for any cores 16 received therein. The plurality of channels 12 are joined side by side to form a substantially rigid tray structure 18.

An upper perimeter lip 20 is provided about an upper perimeter of the tray structure 18. In use, when a second similar core tray 10" is stacked on top of the core tray 10 a portion of a base 22 of the second core tray 10" rests on and is supported by the upper perimeter lip 20 of the core tray 10, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 10.

Preferably a generally vertical, outer wall 24 is provided about a perimeter of the tray structure 18 and forms part of the base 22 of the core tray 10. A lower edge of the outer wall 24" of a second similar core tray 10", as shown in Figure 10, is received on the upper perimeter lip 20 when the second core tray 10" is stacked on top of the core tray 10. Advantageously the outer wall 24 is provided directly below the upper perimeter lip 20. This has the added advantage that, in use, when a second similar core tray 10" is stacked on top of the core tray 10 the weight of any cores carried in the second core tray 0" will be transmitted directly through the upper perimeter lip 20 to the outer wall 24 below, and through this outer wall 24 to the ground or other surface on which the core tray 10 is standing. This provides a very strong and stable support for the stacked trays during transport and storage of loaded and unloaded core trays.

Preferably an outer perimeter ridge 26 is provided immediately adjacent to, and extending around the outer perimeter of, the upper perimeter lip 20. Advantageously the outer perimeter ridge enables the lower edge of the outer wall 24" of the second core tray 10" to be more easily and accurately located on the upper perimeter lip 20, as illustrated in Figure 10. When the lower edge of the outer wall 24" is received on the upper perimeter lip 20, it effectively forms a 360° seal with the outer perimeter ridge 26 and upper perimeter lip 20. This seal will significantly reduce the possibility of cross- contamination of core samples between core trays.

Preferably the base 22 of the core tray 10 further comprises a plurality of ribs 28 extending transversely of the channels 12 to provide additional strength and rigidity for the tray structure. The ribs 28 can be seen most clearly in Figures 2 and 3. Advantageously the ribs 28 extend substantially the full width of the base 22 of the core tray 10 between the longitudinal lengths of the outer wall 24. Preferably the ribs 28 also extend substantially the full height of the outer wall 24, from an underside of the upper perimeter lip 20 to the lower edge of the outer wall 24.

Advantageously, in use, when the base 22 of the core tray 10 is resting on a flat surface, the lower edges of the ribs 28 and the outer wall 24 together form a substantially planar grid pattern that supports the core tray 10 on the surface. Thus, for example, when the core tray is fully loaded the ribs 28 and outer wall 24 provide an excellent grip on the surface to prevent sliding of the core tray. On the surface of a wooden pallet or rubber conveyor belt, the lower edges of the ribs 28 and the outer wall 24 will form slight deformations in the surface effectively locking the tray to the surface. Other flat-bottom prior art trays tend to become less stable with increased weight, and the momentum of transit means they have to be more securely banded to prevent them from sliding off.

The planar grid pattern of the base 22 of the core tray 10 means that the base 22 effectively forms a flat bottom for all intents and purposes. This enables smooth/silent transit and smooth re-orientation (rotation)/change of direction and movement from one conveyor to another on a roller-type conveyor, as typically used for handling core trays.

Preferably a generally vertical, perimeter wall 30 is provided about a perimeter of the tray structure 18 adjacent to the upper perimeter lip 20. The perimeter wall 30 extend downwards only a short distance so that a lower edge of the perimeter wall 30 can act as a handle for manually lifting the core tray 10 at the perimeter. Advantageously the perimeter wall 30 extends about the full length of the perimeter of the tray structure 18, ₍ providing an all around handle to facilitate versatility in handling and lifting of the core tray 10. Preferably a plurality of bracing ribs 32 is provided between the outer wall 24 and the perimeter wall 30 to provide increased strength and rigidity for the perimeter wall 30. ⁽

The 360° handle formed by the perimeter wall 30 rjieans that the core tray 10 may be approached by a labour/operator to pick-up the tray from various heights / levels without the problem of wrist strain encountered if handles are only provided at either end of the short edge when lifting at chest height. This all-around handle will also assist with manoeuvring / orientating the tray on a roller conveyor, particularly when moving from one conveyor onto another conveyor set-up perpendicular to the first, e.g. at a corner.

Preferably each channel 12 in the core tray is provided with a finger recess 36 at each end to enable a user to insert a finger or other object to lift or lever the core sample 16 out of the channel 12. Preferably each channel 12 is also provided with drain hole 38 adjacent each end, to allow any water or other liquid that may enter the channel 12 to drain out. Advantageously the core tray 10 is also provided with a label holder 40 at each end of the tray structure 18, for holding a label to identify the core samples contained in the tray.

Preferably the core tray 10 is manufactured from a moulded plastics material. Typically the core tray is manufactured by injection moulding. Figures 11 and 12 illustrate second and third embodiments respectively of a core tray according to the present invention. The core tray 50 of Figure 11 is substantially identical to the core tray 10 of Figures 1 to 10, except that the tray 50 is provided with four hollow elongate channels 12 for holding core samples, as opposed to five channels. Likewise, the core tray 60 of Figure 12 is substantially identical to the core tray 10 of Figures 1 to 10, except that the tray 60 is provided with three hollow elongate channels 12 for holding core samples, as opposed to five channels. Since all of the other features of the core trays 50 and 60 are substantially identical to the similar features of the core tray 10, the same reference numerals are employed to identify the similar parts and they will not be described in detail here.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the core tray has been described in detail, it will be apparent that the described embodiment provides a number of advantages over the prior art, including the following:

(i) The design of the core tray enables two or more trays to be securely and stably stacked one on top of the other.

(ii) The seal formed between the lower edge of the outer wall and the upper perimeter lip helps prevent cross-contamination between trays.

(iii) The all-around handle formed by the perimeter wall enables easier and safer handling of the trays.

(iv) The arrangement of the outer wall in the base of the tray relative to the upper perimeter lip provides for secure and stable stacking of the core trays.

(v) The planar grid pattern of the base of the core tray means that the base effectively forms a flat bottom for all intents and purposes. This enables smooth/silent transit and smooth re-orientation

(rotation)/change of direction and movement from one conveyor to another on a roller-type conveyor, as typically used for handling core trays.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. For example, although the illustrated embodiment has five channels forming the tray structure, the core tray may have any suitable number of channels, for receiving core samples, such as three or four channels. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described.