An Improved Core Tray Cross Reference [0001 ] This application is related to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2012903962 filed on 1 1 September 2012, the contents of which are to be taken as incorporated herein by this reference.

Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to core trays for storage of corer drilling samples.

Background of Invention

[0003] Core samples are extracted from the earth to enable geological

assessment of the earth at a sample site. The core samples are typically stored for long periods and may be referred back to when later considering the feasibility of mining at a particular location.

[0004] Large numbers of core samples are taken at any particular site and the samples are labelled and then stored in core trays. The core trays containing the labelled samples are normally stacked one on top of the other and then left on site. In some instances, the core trays are transported to a storage site where they may be stored in a shed or in specially designed racks that include a top cover.

[0005] If the core trays are not stored under proper cover they will be exposed to the elements and thus will become wet when it rains. The channels in the trays holding the core samples fill with water and the core samples are then left sitting in water. This may cause damage to the core samples. For example, the presence of water in the channels of the core tray may cause important elements or minerals to leach out of the core sample. This is particularly an issue for those cores samples located in a lower core tray of a stack of core trays as water is unable to readily drain away. The presence of water in the core tray also increases the weight of the core tray increasing the potential for a strain injury by a worker attempting to lift the core tray. To prevent this problem, some core trays may include a hole in the base of the channels to allow water to drain out. However, when the core trays are stacked one on top of the other, this results in water from the uppermost core trays simply flowing into the trays beneath. It is not uncommon for the drainage holes to become blocked and thus the channels of the lower most trays are often left full of water. As the trays are stacked one on top of the other, it is not possible to easily determine whether the channels of the lowermost trays are free of water. Consequently, core samples may be left sitting in water in those lowermost trays for extended periods.

[0006] The present invention seeks to provide an improved core tray. [0007] The discussion of the background to the invention herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of this application.

Summary of Invention [0008] According to the present invention there is provided a core tray including a floor with at least one longitudinally extending channel for receiving a core sample, first and second end sections extending substantially perpendicularly to the at least one channel, at least one of said end sections including at least one drainage aperture for draining fluid from said at least one channel out of said core tray, at least one of said end sections including at least one sloping portion arranged so that when an upper core tray is stacked on a lower core tray, fluid flowing from said upper core tray and onto the sloping portion of the lower core tray is directed away from the lower core tray.

[0009] Fluid is directed away from the lower core tray by the sloping portion so as to discourage flow of fluid into the lower core tray.

[0010] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, both of said end sections include at least one sloping portion. The sloping portion of each end section is angled to encourage fluid flow along the sloping portion, under the action of gravity, and away from the lower core tray. [001 1 ] Preferably, the sloping portion of the end section of each core tray is formed as a sloping face and is connected to a front face of the end section. The front face extends substantially vertically and is located at a lower side of the sloping portion so that any fluid flowing down the sloping portion flows towards the lower side of the sloping portion and then either flows away from the core tray or down the front face thereof.

[0012] Preferably each end section includes at least one drainage aperture. The at least one drainage aperture is preferably located in the front face of the end section. [0013] The floor preferably includes multiple longitudinally extending channels and first and second edges that establish the first and second longitudinal edges of the core tray.

[0014] When the core tray includes multiple channels, one aperture is preferably provided in the front face for each of the channels so that fluid from within each channel can be drained through its respective aperture. The apertures are preferably elongated and may be formed as a slot in the front face. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, two drainage apertures are provided for each channel, one at either end of the channel.

[0015] Preferably, the sloping face of each end section is located between an upper face and the front face of the end section. The upper face preferably extends substantially horizontally and in a direction towards the other end section. Each end section preferably further includes a lower face arranged to extend substantially horizontally and to be located below the floor of the core tray. The lower face of each end section is preferably connected to the floor of the core tray. [0016] Each end section is preferably formed as a single piece of metal folded to form the required shape.

[0017] When core trays in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention are stacked one on top of the other, the configuration and location of the drainage apertures minimises the likelihood of them becoming blocked. Furthermore, the inclusion of the sloping portion in each end section encourages fluid to flow away from the core trays when they are stacked one on top of the other rather than into the channel of the lower core tray. The sloping portion also establishes a finger gap between stacked core trays making it easier to lift and separate one or more core trays from a stack. [0018] A core tray according to an embodiment of the invention may also include at least one handle aperture formed in the end section for receiving a handle.

Preferably two handle apertures are located in each end section.

[0019] A lid may also be provided for fitting to a core tray according to an embodiment of the invention. The lid is preferably configured so as to not interfere with the ability to stack the core trays and to still allow fluid drained from a drainage slot of an upper core tray of a stack of core trays to run down the front face of a lower positioned core tray.

[0020] The present invention further provides a kit including a core tray and a core tray lid. The kit may further include two handles arranged for connection to the core tray so that the core tray can be carried by the handles.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0021 ] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a core tray according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is an enlarged part end view of the core tray shown in Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 3 is an enlarged part inside end view of a corner of the core tray shown in Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 4 is an enlarged part underneath end view of a corner of the core tray shown in Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 5 is an underneath view of the core tray shown in Figure 1 ; [0027] Figure 6 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of an end of a core tray in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and with a core sample sitting in the channel of the core tray;

[0028] Figure 7 is a side end view of three trays according to an embodiment of the invention stacked one on top the other;

[0029] Figures 8a to 8c illustrate a core tray according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0030] Figures 9a and 9b illustrate part side and end views of the core tray and handle shown in Figure 8c; and [0031 ] Figures 10a and 10b illustrate the core tray shown in Figure 8a with a lid.

Detailed Description

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates a core tray 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The core tray 10 is a metal core tray and includes eight core receiving flutes or channels 12 formed in or attached to the floor 14 of the core tray 10. The channels 12 extend longitudinally along the length of the core tray 10 and are capped at either end by an end section 16.

[0033] As best shown in Figures 2 and 4, each end section 16 includes an upper face 18 with a rolled safety lip 18A, a sloping face 20, a front face 22 and a lower face 24. Each end section 16 is preferably formed as a single piece of metal folded to form the required shape. However, it is envisaged that end sections 16 may adopt different forms and may be made from multiple components.

[0034] The upper face 18 of each end section 16 is connected, for example by rivets 26, to each of the longitudinal side portions 29 of the core tray 10. Each longitudinal side portion 29 of the core tray 10 includes an upper face 29A ending in a safety lip 29B.

[0035] The lower face 24 of each end section 16 is connected, for example by rivets 28, to the floor 14 of the core tray 10. One rivet 28 is preferably located within each channel 12. The rivets 28 may extend through pre-punched elongated holes 28a. Holes 28a are preferably elongated to make it easier to align the required parts during the assembly process.

[0036] The lower face 24 includes right and left side dimples 30 that protrude downwardly away from the lower face 24. The dimples 30 are arranged and positioned so that when a core tray 10 is stacked on top of another core tray 10, the dimples 30 of the upper core tray 10 locate between the longitudinal sides 29 of the lower core tray 10. This helps to properly align the core trays 10 as they are stacked one on top of the other and prevents them from slipping sideways during storage.

[0037] In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the dimples 30 may be replaced with small lugs, screws or protruding members. These lugs, screws or protruding members prevent inadvertent movement of the core tray 10 in all directions when it is placed on a surface or stacked upon another core tray 10 as discussed above.

[0038] Formed in the front face 22 of each end section 18 are elongate drainage slots 32. One drainage slot 32 is provided substantially centrally of each channel 12 so that fluid from each channel 12 can readily be drained. It will thus be appreciated that two drainage slots 32 are preferably provided for each channel 12, one at each end.

[0039] The drainage slots 32 are elongated to minimise the risk of blockage by small stones or by dirt. Furthermore, the drainage slots 32 are located so as to prevent a core sample 100 located in the channel 12 from covering the drainage slots 32 and thus impeding proper drainage of the channel 12. The core samples 100 located in the core tray 10 have a diameter greater than the height dimension of the front face 22 and as such, as shown in Figure 6, the end face 100a of any such core sample 100 is prevented from coming into direct contact with an inner side 22A of the front face 22. Thus, the cores samples 100 themselves cannot block the drainage slots 32.

[0040] When core trays 10 are stacked one on top the other, fluid drained from the upper core tray 10 may tend to flow onto the lower core tray 10. To minimise the likelihood of that fluid actually entering into one of the channels 12 of the lower core tray 10, the end sections 16 of each core tray 10 are configured to direct fluid away from the core trays 10. More particularly, as shown in Figure 7, any fluid flowing out of the drainage slots 32" of the upper core tray 10" will tend to run down the front face 22' of the middle core tray 10'. If any fluid from the upper core tray 10" runs under the upper core tray 10" onto the lower face 24" of the end section 16" of the upper core tray 10", it will then drop onto the sloping face 20' of the middle core tray 10'. That fluid will then flow, under the action of gravity, towards the front face 22' of the middle core tray 10' to then flow away from the middle core tray 10' or onto the lower core tray 10. Fluid directed onto the lower core tray 10 will then be similarly directed away. The sloping face 20 of each core tray 10 preferably slopes downwardly at an angle of about 45°from the horizontal.

[0041 ] As will also be appreciated from Figure 7, the inclusion of the sloping face 20 in each of the end sections 16 results in a finger gap F being established when one core tray 10 is stacked on top of another. The finger gap F facilitates grasping of an upper core tray 10 when it is lifted away from a stack of core trays 10. Without such a finger gap F it is particularly difficult to separate stacked core trays 10.

[0042] It will also be appreciated that the drainage slots 32 can also be used to locate a lifting handle to each end section 16 of a core tray 10. Alternatively, handle apertures 40 may be formed in the front face 22 of each end section 16.

[0043] It will be understood that a variety of different handles could be attached to the core tray 10 to facilitate carrying of the core tray 10. Indeed, Figures 8a to 9b illustrate a core tray 1000 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention and a lifting handle 50. Core tray 1000 is very similar to the core tray 10 described previously. However, it will be noted that core tray 1000 is narrower as it has less channels 12 than the core tray 10. Furthermore, the handle apertures 40' of the core tray 1000 are elongate and are located in an upper most part of the front face 22 of end section 16. The pair of handle apertures 40' located in each front face 22 are arranged to locate and engage the lifting handle 50 so that the core tray 1000 can be carried using the lifting handles 50.

[0044] Lifting handle 50 is made from a flat sheet of metal. The handle blank is formed and is then folded to adopt the configuration shown in Figure 9a. [0045] The step by step location and engagement of the lifting handle 50 in the front face 22 of the end section 16 of the core tray 1000 is depicted in Figures 8a to 8c. As shown, the handle 50 has a pair of tongues 52 arranged so that each tongue 52 is locatable in one of the handle apertures 40'. The tongues 52 are moved into the respective apertures 40' with a generally horizontal motion (Figures 8a and 8b). Once the tongues 52 are located within the respective apertures 40', the handle 50 is rotated until a part of each tongue 52 engages with the lower side of the rolled safety lip 18A of the core tray 100.

[0046] The manner in which the lifting handle 50 engages with the lower side of the rolled safety lip 18A of the core tray 1000 is best illustrated in Figure 9a.

[0047] Figures 10a and 10b illustrates the fitting of a lid 2000 onto the core tray 1000. As shown by the arrow in Figure 10a, the lid 2000 is fitted to the core tray 100 from above. The lid 2000 is lowered onto the core tray 1000 so that the opposed depending longitudinal sides 2002 of the lid 2000 overlap an upper part of the longitudinal side portions 29 of the core tray 1000 and the lid 2000 rests on the upper face 29A of each longitudinal side portion 29 of the core tray 1000. It will however be noted that when the lid 2000 is fitted to the core tray 1000 (Figure 10b), the lid 2000 does not cover or extend substantially over the sloping face 20 of the core tray 1000. Furthermore, the lid 2000 includes a cutaway portion at each corner 2004 so that the lid 2000 when fitted to the core tray 1000 does not engage on the rivets 26. This allows the lid 2000 to sit flush on the upper face 29A of each longitudinal side portion 29 and thus allows the lid 2000 to be fitted on the core tray 1000 and then included in a stack of core trays 1000. The lid 2000 is configured to not interfere with the ability to stack the core trays 1000 and to still allow fluid drained from a drainage slot 32 of an upper core tray 1000 to run down the front face 22 of the lower positioned core tray 1000.

[0048] The described embodiments of the invention are particularly advantageous because it enables any fluid that may inadvertently enter a core tray to be drained from the channels 12 via the drainage slots 32. When core trays according to an embodiment of the invention are stacked one on top of the other, it is very easy to quickly visually check whether the drainage slots 32 of the core trays 10 are blocked. This visual inspection can be completed without the need to unstack the core trays because of the positioning of the drainage slots 32. If a blockage is detected, it can be simply removed by cleaning the elongate drainage slot 32 using a piece of wire or a blade.

[0049] The inclusion of an end section 16 with a sloping face 20 helps to encourage fluid flow away from the core trays 10 and thereby discourages fluid flow into the channels of core trays 10 positioned lower in a stack.

[0050] When a core tray according to an embodiment of the invention needs to be shifted, the finger gaps F formed at the ends of the core tray 10 facilitate grasping of the core tray 10 from a stack of core trays 10. [0051 ] The inclusion of right and left side dimples 30 on the core trays 10 helps facilitate correct stacking of the core trays 10 and also prevents inadvertent side to side movement thereof that may result in toppling of a stack of core trays 10.

Although the dimples 30 are shown as being located on the lower face 24 of the end section 16, it is envisaged that the dimples may extend from a lower face of the floor 14.

[0052] It will also be appreciated that the inclusion of safety lips 18A and 29B reduces the likelihood of workplace injury due to sharp exposed metal edges on the core tray.

[0053] Although the embodiments of the invention are described above as metal core trays, it is envisaged that a core tray in accordance with an embodiment of the invention could be made of a plastics material.

[0054] It will also be appreciated that the end section may include more than one sloping face to encourage fluid flow away from the channels of the core tray.

[0055] It will also be appreciated that other arrangements of the drainage apertures in the end sections are envisaged. According to the described preferred embodiment, one drainage aperture is located in each end section aligned with each channel so that fluid can drain out of the channel at either end thereof (i.e. two drainage apertures per channel). However, it is recognised that a drainage aperture need only be provided at one end of each channel (i.e. one drainage aperture per channel). Furthermore, the elongated drainage apertures may be sized and located in the end section so that fluid from within multiple different channels may drain via a single drainage aperture (i.e. one drainage aperture for multiple channels).

[0056] The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention are envisaged.