Abstract
The invention relates to a frame for retaining a wax tablet in a beehive which frame comprises an upper list comprising a through slit, two side lists, and a lower list wherein the two side lists and/or the lower list includes retaining means that are suitable for guiding the wax tablet when inserted into the frame and suitable for stabilising the wax tablet after its insertion. The invention further relates to a beehive comprising one or more of the above frames.
Claims
1. A frame for retaining a wax tablet in a beehive which frame comprises an upper list comprising a through slit, two side lists, and a lower list, wherein: the two side lists and/or the lower list comprises retaining means that are suitable for guiding the wax tablet when it is inserted into the frame and suitable for stabilising the wax tablet after its insertion, and wherein the frame further comprises stabilizing means suitable for stabilizing the structure of the frame and wax tablet, said stabilizing means comprising at least two elongated elements.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. The frame according to claim 1, wherein each of the elongated elements is connected to and extends between at least two of said upper, side and lower lists.
5. A frame according to claim 1, wherein the elongated elements extend between said upper list and at least one of said two side lists.
6. A frame according to claim 1, wherein the elongated elements extend between said lower list and at least one of said two side lists.
7. A frame according to claim 1, wherein the elongated elements are lists.
8. A frame according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprise an elongated depression.
9. The frame according to claim 6, wherein the outer edges of the elongated depression are rounded.
10. A frame according to claim 8, wherein the elongated depression is formed as a groove in said side lists and/or lower list.
11. A frame according to claim 8, wherein said depression is formed by two contiguous elongated protrusions on said side lists and/or lower list.
12. A frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame is formed in one piece.
13. A frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises spacers.
14. A frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a plastic material.
15. A beehive comprising one or more frames according to claim 1.
16. A beehive comprising one or more frames according to claim 14.
17. A frame according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means extend partially along the length of the lower list and/or side lists.
18. A frame for retaining a wax tablet in a beehive, which frame comprises an upper list comprising a through slit, two side lists, and a lower list, wherein the frame further comprises stabilising means suitable for stabilising the structure of the frame and wax tablet, said stabilising means comprising at least two elongated elements preferably being connected to and extending between at least two of said upper, side and lower lists.
Description
[0049] The structure and function of the frame will be described in more detail below, referring to embodiments shown in the figures.
[0050] FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c show an embodiment of a frame for a beehive shown from three directions.
[0051] FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c further illustrate an embodiment of a frame for a beehive shown from three directions.
[0052] FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c further illustrate an embodiment of a frame for a beehive shown from three directions.
[0053] FIG. 4 further shows an embodiment of a frame to a beehive in a perspective view.
[0054] FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c show an embodiment of a frame fora beehive.
[0055] The frame 1 comprises an upper list 2, a first 3a and a second side list 3b, and a lower list 4 which define the plane A of the frame collectively. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, one end of each of the two side lists 3a, 3b is connected to each end of the upper list 2, and one end of each of the two side lists 3a, 3b is connected to each end of the lower list 4.
[0056] The upper list 2 can further comprise a carrier list 5 which can be located in conjunction with (in continuation of) the two ends of the upper list 2, and which can be used to hold/carry the frame 1 in the beehive.
[0057] The upper list 2 comprises a through slit 2a which can extend completely or partially in the length of the upper list 2 and along the longitudinal axis B of the upper list 2. A wax tablet can thus be inserted into the frame 1 via said through slit 2a.
[0058] The frame 1 can further comprise spacers 6 which can be located on the sides of the first 3a and second side list 3b and/or carrier list 5 (relative to the plane of the frame A and to the longitudinal axis C of the side lists). The spacers/spacer blocks 6 can thus ensure that the distance to the neighbouring frames 1 is maintained.
[0059] The first 3a and second side lists 3b and/or the lower list 4 comprises retention means 7 which guide the wax tablet when it is inserted and cause the wax tablet to rest in the retention means 7 subsequently thus helping the wax tablet keeping in place. In FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c, the retention means 7 are shown to be an elongated depression formed as a groove in said first 3a and second side list 3b and lower list 4 and extending in the entire length of said first 3a and second side lists 3b and lower list 4. However, as mentioned above, it is foreseen that the elongated groove can extend in only a portion of said lengths.
[0060] In FIG. 1c, it is shown that the outer edges of said elongated depression can have roundings 8 (be rounded). Thus, the outer edges of the depressions can have tolerance roundings 8. Because the outer edges of the depressions can be rounded, the frame 1 is stabilised thus ensuring better retaining of the wax tablet and allowing greater fluctuations in the tolerance of the wax tablet.
[0061] Stabilising means, which are shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c as two elongated elements 9, 10, support/stabilise/retain the wax tablet and thereby guide both sides/surfaces of the wax tablet both during and after insertion in frame 1. In addition, the stabilising means (the elongated elements 9,10) can support the wax tablet when extracting honey.
[0062] In FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c, the elongated elements 9,10 are shown to be connected to and extend between the upper 2 and the lower list 4, i.e. parallel to the direction into which the vax tablet is introduced. Thereby, the elongated elements 9, 10 can contribute to the stability of frame 1 as the elongated elements 9, 10 retain the position of said lists 2,4 in relation to each other.
[0063] In FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c, it is shown by way of example that the two elongated elements 9, 10 are displaced relative to each other in the plane of the frame as this prevents said extended elements 9,10 from being connected to the same cells in the wax tablet which can otherwise make it difficult to remove the wax tablet after use. However, it is envisaged that said elongated elements 9, 10 can be positioned opposite each other relative to the plane of the frame 1.
[0064] FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c further illustrate an embodiment of a frame 1 for a beehive.
[0065] For similar elements as shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c, similar reference numbers are used.
[0066] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c, the frame 1 comprises stabilising means in the form of four elongated elements 11, 12, 13, 14 which support/retain the wax tablet and thus guide both sides/surfaces of the wax tablet both during and after insertion into the frame. In addition, the stabilising means (the elongated elements 11, 12, 13, 14) can support the wax tablet when extracting honey.
[0067] In FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c, the elongated elements 11, 12, 13, 14 are shown to be connected to and extend between the upper 2 and the lower list 4, i.e. parallel to the direction into which the vax tablet is introduced. Thus, the elongated members 11, 12, 13, 14 contribute to the stability of frame 1 as the elongated members 11, 12, 13, 14 retain the position of said lists 2, 4 relative to each other. The elongated members 11, 12, 13, 14 are shown to be displaced relative to each other in the plane of the frame 1.
[0068] FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c further illustrate an embodiment of a frame 1 for a beehive.
[0069] For similar elements as shown in FIGS. 1a-c and 2a-c, similar reference numbers are used.
[0070] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c, the frame 1 comprises stabilising means in the form of four elongated members 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18 on each side of the retaining means 7 which support/stabilise/retain the wax tablet and thus guide both sides/surfaces of the wax tablet both during and after insertion into the frame 1. In addition, the stabilising means (the elongated elements 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18) can support the wax tablet when extracting honey.
[0071] In FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c, the elongated members 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18 are shown to be connected to and extend between the upper 2 and the first 3a or second side list 3b, or between the lower 4 and the first 3a or other side list 3b, i.e. with an angle relative to the direction into which the vax tablet is inserted. Thereby, the elongated members 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18 can contribute to the stability of the frame 1 as the elongated members 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18 retain the position of said lists 2, 3a, 3b, 4 in relation to each other. Additionally, it may be prevented that the upper 2, the side 3a, 3b and the lower lists 4 of the frame can be twisted.
[0072] In FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c, it is shown that the elongated members 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18 are connected to the centre of the upper list 2 and/or the lower list 4 and/or the first 3a or the second list 3b. However, it is anticipated that said elements 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18 can alternatively be connected to said lists 2, 3a, 3b, 4 at a position offset to the middle of said lists 2, 3a, 3b, 4.
[0073] FIG. 4 further shows an embodiment of a frame 1 for a beehive.
[0074] For similar elements as shown in FIGS. 1a-c, 2a-c and 3a-c, similar reference numbers are used.
[0075] In FIG. 4, the frame 1 comprises stabilising means in the form of four elongated elements 19, 20, 21, 22 which support/stabilise/retain the wax tablet and thus guide both sides/surfaces of the wax tablet both during and after insertion into the frame 1. In addition, the stabilising means (the elongated elements 19, 20, 21, 22) support the wax tablet when extracting honey.
[0076] In FIG. 4, the elongated elements 19, 20, 21, 22 are shown to be connected to and extend between the upper 2 and the lower list 4, i.e. parallel to the direction into which the wax tablet is inserted. Thus, the elongated members 19, 20, 21, 22 can contribute to the stability of frame 1 as the elongated members 19, 20, 21, 22 retain the position of said lists 2, 4 relative to each other. The elongated members 19, 20, 21, 22 are shown to be displaced relative to each other in the plane of frame 1.
[0077] In FIG. 4, the depression is shown to be formed by two parallel elongated projections 23, 24 on the first 3a and the second side list 3b and the lower list 4. In this way, the thickness of the side lists 3a, 3b and lower list 4 of the frame 1 can be minimised (relative to the plane of frame 1) and thus, the amount of material for the manufacture of the frame 1 and the weight of the frame 1 can be minimised. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, it is further shown that said elongated protrusions 23, 24 can run throughout the lengths of the first 3a and the second side lists 3b, but only partially in the length of the lower list 4.
