US4372000A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Beehive frame and method of construction thereof
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-02-09
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Granted: 1983-02-08
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Expires: 2001-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A beehive frame comprising two congruent pieces of molded plastic each having a plurality of openings therein of equal size and shape. The two members are placed in facing relation with the openings in registration and a sheet of comb foundation, such as natural beeswax, supported between the openings. The two pieces are of molded plastic, preferably an expanded polystyrene, and are formed by cutting a unitary plastic part lengthwise with a hot wire. The frame normally includes a plurality of openings for the construction of combs, each surrounded by structure which may be cut from the remainder of the frame as desired to provide one or more individual honeycombs. The plastic is preferably of a brown shade for esthetic purposes so that "travel marks" made by the bees upon the frame surrounding the combs are less noticeable. The frames are extremely economical in materials and construction time, being disposable after a single use.
Inventors
- 👤 Edford N. Hurd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:03
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K47/00; A01K47/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
The method of constructing a disposable, single use honeycomb frame comprising: (a) forming a unitary, molded, light weight, easily cuttable plastic member having a plurality of openings extending therethrough and surrounded on all sides by structure of predetermined thickness; (b) cutting said member lengthwise into two pieces of approximately half said predetermined thickness, whereby each piece has a plurality of separated openings therethrough; (c) placing a sheet of comb foundation at least as large as the total area of said openings between said two pieces; and (d) joining said two pieces to one another with the openings in registration and said sheet covering the inside of each, whereby said frame may be placed in a super for construction of combs and deposit of honey within the openings on each side of said comb foundation and any desired portion of said frame including one or more of the honey-containing openings may be severed from the remainder of said frame.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
The method of constructing a disposable, single use honeycomb frame comprising: (a) forming a unitary, molded, light weight, easily cuttable plastic member having a plurality of openings extending therethrough and surrounded on all sides by structure of predetermined thickness; (b) cutting said member lengthwise into two pieces of approximately half said predetermined thickness, whereby each piece has a plurality of separated openings therethrough; (c) placing a sheet of comb foundation at least as large as the total area of said openings between said two pieces; and (d) joining said two pieces to one another with the openings in registration and said sheet covering the inside of each, whereby said frame may be placed in a super for construction of combs and deposit of honey within the openings on each side of said comb foundation and any desired portion of said frame including one or more of the honey-containing openings may be severed from the remainder of said frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said plastic is an expanded polystyrene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cutting is performed with a hot wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein the outwardly facing sides of said structure prior to said cutting step are in face-to-face relation when said pieces are joined.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
The invention according to claim 4 and including the further step of forming recesses extending congruently into opposite surfaces of said member in portions of said structure surrounding said openings, said recesses having a depth less than half said predetermined thickness, whereby sufficient material separates the congruent recesses on said opposite surfaces that upon cutting said member lengthwise, said structure surrounding the openings in each of said two pieces contains said recesses on one side and is essentially flat on the other side, the latter being the outwardly facing sides when said pieces are joined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said pieces are joined by stapling.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said openings are hexagonal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention according to claims 1 or 7 wherein a plurality of said openings are provided in side-by-side relation in each of a plurality of adjacent rows, and including the further step of severing said structure surrounding one or more of said openings, subsequent to the filling thereof with comb honey, to provide a portion of said frame containing at least one honey-containing opening surrounded on all sides by supporting structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-02-07 | 1986-08-09 | 1987-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-07 | 1990-08-09 | 1991-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-07 | 1994-08-09 | 1995-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |