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WO-2026090706-A1 - ROCK FRAGMENT AND SOIL ANALYSIS TRAY

WO2026090706A1WO 2026090706 A1WO2026090706 A1WO 2026090706A1WO-2026090706-A1

Abstract

A rock sample analysis tray for visual and/or instrumental analysis of crushed rock samples is provided. The analysis tray includes a plurality of compartments having side walls spanning between a closed end and an open end. Each compartment includes opening at the open end and tapered wall sections extending from the side walls to the opening. The opening includes a lip. The analysis tray is configured to be attached to a specimen tray that is commonly used to transport and store rock samples. The analysis tray includes an attachment mechanism to attach the analysis tray to the specimen tray. Upon attachment, the lip of each opening nestles into a corresponding compartment in the specimen tray such that samples contained in the specimen tray can be easily transferred to the analysis tray for measurements and easily returned to the specimen tray thereafter.

Inventors

  • TAPPERT, Ralf
  • TAPPERT, Michelle
  • ROGGE, Derek

Assignees

  • HYPERSPECTRAL INTELLIGENCE INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20241030

Claims (14)

  1. 1 . An analysis tray, comprising: a plurality of compartments defined by a plurality of side walls spanning between an open end and a closed end; each compartment having an opening at the open end and tapered wall sections extending from the side walls to the opening; each opening having a lip; and an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach the analysis tray to a specimen tray, wherein upon attachment, the lip of each opening nestles into a corresponding compartment in the specimen tray.
  2. 2. The analysis tray of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of compartments number 5, 10, 15 or 20 compartments.
  3. 3. The analysis tray of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism includes resilient clips configured to return to a straightened state after bending.
  4. 4. The analysis tray of claim 3, wherein the clips are disposed on end side walls of the analysis tray.
  5. 5. The analysis tray of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism includes magnetic, friction-fit, or interference-fit means of attachment.
  6. 6. The analysis tray of claim 1 , wherein the analysis tray is constructed of, or coated with, an opaque material that is low reflective, non-reflective, or non-transmissive to visible light and/or short-wave infrared light.
  7. 7. The analysis tray of claim 1 , wherein dimensions of each opening in the analysis tray match dimensions of the compartment in the specimen tray.
  8. 8. A method of transferring samples for analysis, the method comprising: positioning an analysis tray above a specimen tray such that openings in the analysis tray are substantially aligned with compartments in the specimen tray; bringing the trays tray together, while the analysis tray is substantially vertical and the specimen tray is substantially horizontal, so that a lip of each opening in the analysis tray nestles into a corresponding compartment in the specimen tray; and an attachment mechanism of the analysis tray engages the specimen tray to removably attach the trays; tilting the trays so that the analysis tray is substantially horizontal and the specimen tray is substantially vertical to transfer one or more samples from the specimen tray to the analysis tray through the openings; and performing visual inspection and/or analytical measurements on the one or more samples in the analysis tray.
  9. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing the analysis tray.
  10. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising pressing a lid of the specimen tray against tapered wall sections of the analysis tray prior to or while tilting the trays.
  11. 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising evenly spreading the one or more samples in respective compartments of the analysis tray prior to performing the visual inspection and/or analytical measurements.
  12. 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising shaking the trays during or after tilting the trays.
  13. 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising detaching the specimen tray from the analysis tray prior to performing the visual inspection and/or analytical measurements.
  14. 14. The method of claim 14, further comprising: reattaching the specimen tray to the analysis tray after performing the visual inspection and/or analytical measurements; and tilting the trays such that the analysis tray is substantially vertical and the specimen tray is substantially horizontal to transfer the one or more samples from the analysis tray to the specimen tray through the openings.

Description

ROCK FRAGMENT AND SOIL ANALYSIS TRAY Technical Field [0001] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to containers for storing specimen samples, and, in particular to a tray for rock fragment and soil analysis. Introduction [0002] Specimen trays such as the tray 10 shown in FIG. 1 , are typically used to store and transport rock fragment samples (e.g., crushed, semi-crushed, broken, and/or powdered rock) or soil samples. The tray 10 is divided into a plurality of rows/compartments 12 for holding rock samples and includes a lid 11 for covering the compartments 12. Individual compartments 12 have dimensions of up to ~50 mm in length, ~30mm in width ~30 mm in depth. [0003] For most investigations, the size of compartment 12 is too small to allow for a full visual analysis (e.g., photography) or instrumental analysis (e.g., reflectance spectroscopic analysis, X-ray fluorescence analysis, etc.) of all rock fragments contained in each compartment. The analysis is typically restricted to the material that is exposed on the top surface of the sample in the compartment, whereas material that is located deeper within the compartment, which commonly includes finer-grained material, is not accessible to the analysis. Limiting the analysis to material that is near the surface of a compartment can produce measurements that are biased to these exposed materials and are not representative of the entire sample within the compartment. [0004] To obtain a more representative visual or instrumental analysis of all material within a compartment, rock samples must first be emptied from the tray 10, and after the visual and/or instrumental analysis has been performed, the contents of the compartment must be returned to the tray 10 for storage, which is inconvenient and time consuming. In addition, care must be taken to return a given sample to its original compartment to avoid sample cross-contamination. [0005] Accordingly, there is a need for new trays for performing a visual and instrumental analysis of rock samples. Summary [0006] According to some embodiments, there is a rock analysis tray comprising an open end and a closed end. A plurality of compartments defined by a plurality of side walls span between the open end and the closed end. Each compartment has an opening at the open end and tapered wall sections extending from the side walls to the opening. Each opening has a lip. The rock analysis tray further includes an attachment mechanism configured to removably attached the rock analysis tray to a specimen tray, wherein upon attachment, the lip of each opening nestles into a corersponding compartment in the specimen tray. The dimensions of each opening in the analysis tray match dimensions of the compartment in the specimen tray. [0007] According to an embodiment, the attachment mechanism includes resilient clips configured to return to a straightened state after bending. The clips may be disposed on end side walls of the analysis tray. According to other embodiments, the attachment mechanism may include magnetic, friction-fit or interference-fit means of attachment. [0008] The analysis tray is constructed of, or coated with, an opaque material that is low reflective, non-reflective, or non-transmissive to visible light and/or short-wave infrared light. [0009] Other aspects and features will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of some exemplary embodiments. Brief Description of the Drawings [0010] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification. In the drawings: [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traditional specimen tray; [0012] FIGS. 2A-2B are top perspective views of a rock fragment analysis tray, according to an embodiment; [0013] FIG. 2C is a bottom perspective view of the rock fragment tray shown in FIGS. 2A-2B; [0014] FIGS. 2D-2E are top and side views, respectively of the rock fragment tray shown in FIGS. 2A-2C; [0015] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective and side views, receptively, of the rock fragment tray of FIGS. 2A-2D, shown in relation to a specimen tray; and [0016] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the rock fragment analysis tray of FIGS. 2A-2D attached to a specimen tray in a vertical configuration, according to an embodiment; [0017] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the rock fragment analysis tray of FIG. 4A attached to a specimen tray in a horizontal configuration, according to an embodiment; and [0018] FIG. 40 is a side view of the rock fragment analysis tray of FIG. 4B attached to a specimen tray in a horizontal configuration. Detailed Description [0019] Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of each claimed embodiment. No embodiment described below limits any claimed embodiment and any claimed embodiment may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed embodiments are not li