EP2881339B1 - Container and method for producing a container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a container and a method for producing such a container. Containers are large capacity containers which serve for the storage or transport of objects or materials.

So-called ISO containers are used for sea freight. These are standardized large-capacity steel containers that enable easy and fast loading, transport, storage and unloading of goods. There are also containers for air freight, rail freight and road freight known, which are also standardized in the rule.

An ISO standard container for sea freight in most cases has a length of twenty or forty feet, which corresponds to an approximate length of about six or twelve meters. The width is about 2350 mm. It can be distinguished in different versions of containers, with a standard height of about 2395 mm and a greater height of 2700 mm, the latter are also referred to as a so-called "high cube".

The containers are made of sheet metal, usually with a width of 1500 mm. Several sheet metal blanks are welded to form an assembly. It happens that, for example, for the side wall plates with different wall thickness are welded together to take care of the different levels of stress on the corner posts and in the middle of the side wall.

Containers for sea freight are usually made of a weather-resistant structural steel, which is also referred to as Corten steel or COR-TEN steel. In special cases, containers are also made of stainless steels or other metals. The designation COR-TEN was composed of the first syllable "COR" for corrosion resistance and the second sigil for tensile strength (Tensile strength). Weatherproof structural steels are steel alloy with alloying additives copper, phosphorus, silicon, nickel and / or chromium. They form on the surface of a particularly dense barrier layer of adherent sulfates or phosphates, which protects the component from further corrosion.

From the CN 203186913 U is a container with an end wall and side walls known. The end wall and the side walls are composed of a plurality of individual vertically extending sheet metal elements. The sheet metal elements have a variable sheet thickness over the width of the respective element.

A similar container is from the FR 2 125 109 A1 known, having individual corrugated panels. The panels have a variable thickness in the transverse direction of the wave profile.

From the US 4,795,049 B is an open-topped container known with a bottom and side walls. The sidewalls comprise a sliding connection of overlapping two top panels that overlap a single bottom panel. Fasteners are slotted through slots in the upper panels for fixation so as to allow limited sliding movement between the upper panels to distribute the compressive forces on the panel.

From the US 4 685 721 B is a trailer construction with a floor, a roof and side walls known. The side walls comprise groups of light metal boards. A first group of boards has a greater thickness than a second group of boards. The groups of boards are arranged in the side walls so that a high rigidity is given. On the outside of the side walls connecting metal panels are attached, each adjacent two Connect boards together and increase their strength.

From the CN 202244878 U is a container with a floor cross member known. The floor cross member has a cross-sectionally C-shaped profile. On an inner surface of the profile, a reinforcing plate with L-shaped, or C-shaped profile is provided.

From the CN 202440020 U is a similar floor cross member known in cross-section C-shaped profile. On the inner surface of the profile reinforcement plates with L-shaped or C-shaped profile are provided.

From the CN 201165407 Y is a floor cross member known for a container. The floor cross member has an I-shaped profile in cross section. A base portion of the I-profile has a thickness of 3.2 mm, while a middle portion of the I-profile has a thickness of 2.5 mm.

From the US 2010 0205902 A1 For example, an upper support for a container is known, which is composed of two support elements, which are connected to each other at flange portions by means of connecting members. The support elements have viewed in cross section sections with different wall thicknesses.

From the DE 44 42 208 A1 is a transport container with side walls, designed as a hollow beam bottom chord and designed as a hollow beam upper chord known. The lower flange and the upper flange have a greater sheet thickness than a wall surface of the container arranged therebetween.

From the DE 195 40 659 A1 For example, a transport container having a plurality of elongate vertical members is known which form a wall of the container. The vertical elements are provided with reinforcing plates which are intended to protect the other wall parts made of thinner sheet steel from mutual contact with an adjacent container.

From the DE 10 2010 032 309 A1 a cargo and storage container according to the ISO standard made of fiber-reinforced plastics and their composite materials is known.

From the DE 100 41 280 A1 For example, a method and apparatus for flexibly rolling a metal strip is known. The metal strip is guided for rolling by a nip formed between a first work roll and a second work roll. In this case, the size of the roll gap is varied in such a way that over the length of the metal strip, strip sections with a greater strip thickness and strip sections with a smaller strip thickness are achieved.

From the DE 198 46 900 A1 For example, a method and an apparatus for producing a metal strip for boards to be cut are known. In order to obtain the blanks, the hot strip is cooled or heated in sections, so that the strip undergoes a different thickness decrease at a constant rolling force.

A disadvantage with containers is their high tare weight. For example, the weight of a sea container with a length of 20 feet is about 2,200 kg. This high weight has a negative effect on the displaced water mass and thus on the fuel consumption and the draft of the ships. In addition, the load capacity is influenced by the weight of a container.

The present invention has for its object to provide a container which has a low weight while high stability and can be easily and inexpensively. The object is also to propose a method for producing such a container.

A solution consists in a container comprising supports and panels, wherein at least one element of the supports and panels is made of sheet metal with a variable sheet thickness over the length such that end portions of the element have a greater sheet thickness than at least one intermediate portion; and wherein the element has a reshaped area extending in the longitudinal direction of the element.

One advantage is that individual elements of the container with respect to the material thickness over the length of each element individually to the requirements in terms of strength and rigidity can be adjusted. The dimensioning of the individual sections of the elements can be done individually as a function of the respective loads, so that an oversizing of the elements or of the container is reduced. By deliberately reducing the thickness of the elements in low-load areas, material can be saved, so that the container ultimately without any loss in terms of mechanical properties has a low weight and thus can be produced inexpensively.

By reducing the weight of fuel can be saved in the subsequent transport of the container, resulting in cost savings in operation and improved environmental performance. Containers that are loaded to the payload limit, such as refrigerated or tank containers, opens up a potential for increasing the payload due to the reduced empty mass of the container. The maximum sheet thickness of the elements is determined by the local stress, usually in the Loading or transport case. Most components of the container have a potential for weight optimization, since not all points of an assembly are equally loaded and can be dimensioned locally with a smaller wall thickness.

At least one element of the beams and panels means that at least one of the beams and / or at least one of the shrouds of the container is formed of sheet metal of variable gauge over the length. Sheet metal is understood to mean rolled flat products which are produced from a metallic material, for example from a steel material or from light metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The length or longitudinal direction of the sheet is herein defined as the direction along which the thickness changes. That is, the areas of uniform thickness extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sheet or of the element produced therefrom. In particular, the length of the sheet or of the element produced therefrom means the longest extension along an edge of the respective element or a subsection of the element. The term carrier is intended to include all supporting elements of the container, in particular floor cross members, floor longitudinal members, vertical beams, roof cross members and / or roof rails, without being limited thereto. The floor cross member may be end cross members, which are also referred to as bottom bottoms, or each lying between the two end lower chords cross member which carry the bottom of the container. The term cladding should be encompassed with all elements which are connected to the carriers and close the container to the outside or dress, in particular side walls, end walls, doors and / or a roof of the container.

The carriers comprise at least bottom cross members and bottom longitudinal members, wherein end sections of at least one of the bottom cross members preferably have a greater sheet thickness than at least one section lying between the end portions of the respective floor cross member. This at least one thinner intermediate section can be arranged at any point between the end sections. A first end of the floor cross member is connected to the first floor longitudinal member and the opposite second end of the floor cross member is connected to the second Floor longitudinal beams connected. The greater sheet thickness in the end sections creates a secure connection between the floor cross members and the floor side rails with high strength. The end portions with a larger sheet thickness may have a width of 20 mm to 40 mm. The sheet thickness in the end sections is preferably between 3.0 mm and 5.0 mm, in particular between 3.5 and 4.5 mm. One or more smaller plate thickness portions may be provided between the end portions. These may have a sheet thickness of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, in particular between 1.3 mm and 2.0 mm. The design of one or more floor beams with variable sheet thickness over the length is particularly favorable, since it may be possible to dispense with reinforcing elements.

For larger loads or use of a small number of floor cross members, however, these can also be provided with reinforcing elements, which are viewed in cross section between a first profile section and a second profile section, wherein the floor cross member in the region of the reinforcing elements has a larger sheet thickness than in the region between two adjacent reinforcing elements. Here are the above-mentioned preferred thickness ranges. It is understood that the listed thickness profiles of said components can also be modified as required. In particular, different thickness gradients may apply to containers other than bulk cargo.

In particular, the carriers also comprise four vertical carriers, which are also referred to as corner pillars. The vertical beams each have an upper end portion which is connected to an upper Eckbeschlag, and a lower end portion which is connected to a lower Eckbeschlag. Preferably, the upper and / or the lower end portion have a larger sheet thickness than at least one intermediate intermediate portion of the respective vertical support. Due to the increased sheet thickness at least one of the end portions a secure connection to the corner fitting is made with a high strength. The connection is preferably realized by welding, whereby other connection methods are not excluded. For the sheet thickness gradients of the vertical beams are preferably the orders of magnitude mentioned in connection with the floor cross beams.

The panels have at least one wall, which may be designed as an end wall and / or as a side wall. The wall has at least one wall element made of sheet metal with a variable sheet thickness, which is installed in such a way that the wall has a variable wall thickness above the height of the wall. In particular, it is provided that the thickness of the at least one wall element varies over the length of the wall element, that is in the longest extent of the element. The wall member has an upper end portion connected to a roof carrier and a lower end portion connected to a floor support. Preferably, the upper and / or lower end portion have a larger sheet thickness than at least one intermediate portion of the wall element. This thinner intermediate portion may be disposed at any position between the two end portions. The end portions with a larger sheet thickness may have a width of 20 mm to 200 mm, with smaller widths up to 40 mm are conceivable. The sheet thickness is preferably between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm in the end sections. One or more smaller plate thickness portions may be provided between the end portions, including the possibility that one or more thicker portions may be formed between the end portions. The sheet thickness of the thinner sections is preferably between 1.2 mm and 1.8 mm.

According to an alternative embodiment, the wall element may have a central portion with a larger sheet thickness, followed by the intermediate portions connect with smaller sheet thickness. The sheet thickness of the middle section may be greater than that of the intermediate sections and / or greater than that of the end sections. Preferably, the central portion has a sheet thickness of 1.8 to 2.5 mm. The extension of the middle section in the longitudinal direction of the wall element can be between 300 mm and 500 mm. The thickened middle section advantageously reduces or prevents undesired plastic deformation of the wall.

The liners may comprise a roof having at least one sheet metal roof member of varying thickness over the length of the roof member, the first roof member having end portions for connecting to one each Has roof longitudinal members, wherein the end portions each have a greater sheet thickness than at least one lying between the end portions intermediate portion of the roof element. Depending on the size of the roof is composed of several individual roof elements, which are each first manufactured separately and then welded together along their lateral longitudinal edges. In this case, the thickened end portions of the roof elements form the side regions of the roof, which are connected to the right and left roof rails.

According to a preferred embodiment, the roof has at the front ends of the container first roof elements made of sheet metal with a variable sheet thickness over the length, which at least in the corner areas have a larger sheet thickness than second roof elements, which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container between the front-side first roof elements , For the front-side first and the intermediate second roof elements, at least one of the following preferably applies: the end sections of a first roof element have a greater sheet thickness than at least one intermediate section of this roof element; and / or the end portions of a first roof member each have a larger sheet thickness than the end portions of a second roof member; and / or the intermediate portion of a first roof element has a greater sheet thickness than at least one intermediate portion of a second roof element. Due to the configuration with thicker first roof elements on the end faces here a particularly high stability is achieved in an advantageous manner, so that damage to the container can be prevented inaccurate placement of another container.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of the carriers is recrystallized at least in sections with a smaller sheet thickness. The recrystallization is accomplished in particular by a heat treatment (recrystallization annealing). By recrystallization residual stresses in the sheet metal element are reduced and the sheet metal element is given a good deformability for a subsequent forming process. When producing the carriers from rolled or roll-profiled sheets, cold work hardening caused by the rolling or rolling process is canceled or reduced again by the recrystallization. It is particularly provided that the sheet metal elements for the production of the floor crossmember and / or the vertical support are recrystallized before forming.

Preferably, at least one of the panels is work hardened at least in sections of lesser sheet thickness. By this is meant that one or more sheet metal elements for producing an end wall, side wall, door or the roof after rolling or roll profiling are not subjected to recrystallization annealing, but are formed into the respective wall element in a roll-hard manner. Hardening describes the increase in strength of a metal, which occurs by rolling or roll profiling. The advantage of using at least partially work hardened claddings is that the respective wall element in this way has a higher strength and thus a greater resistance to undesired plastic deformation.

The solution to the above object is further in a method for producing a container of beams and panels, wherein at least one element of the beams and the panels is produced with the steps of: producing a sheet metal element with a variable sheet thickness over the length such that end portions the sheet metal element have a greater sheet thickness than at least one intermediate portion of the sheet metal element; Forming the sheet metal element by forming operations, wherein a deformed region extends in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal element. The forming operations may include bending, edging, deep drawing, profiling and / or pressing. In particular, bending or canting operations are used for producing a carrier, wherein the sheet metal element is bent in each case about a bending axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal element, wherein the other forming operations are not excluded. For producing a lining, deep-drawing or pressing is preferably used without being limited thereto.

With the mentioned method, it is advantageously possible to produce containers which, with regard to their material thicknesses, are adapted to the requirements with regard to the load. With improved utilization of the material used, the container according to the invention can withstand the same or higher loads, as conventional containers with uniform material thickness, the Weight and thus the manufacturing and operating costs can be reduced. All the statements made above in connection with the product according to the invention apply equally to the method, in particular with regard to the thickness profiles of the components, and vice versa, by the method also for the product. It is understood that further manufacturing steps can be advanced, intermediate or downstream. For example, before or after forming several individual sheet metal elements are welded together to form a larger cladding component such as a roof, a side wall or an end wall.

A sheet metal element for producing a carrier or a trim part can in particular be produced in one of the following ways: flexible rolling of strip material to produce a variable thickness over the length of the strip material and then cutting the rolled strip material to individual sheet metal elements with at least two sections with greater sheet thickness and at least one section of lesser sheet thickness; or roll profiling a sheet material to produce a variable thickness across the width of the sheet material and then cutting the roll profiled sheet material into individual sheet metal elements having at least two sections of greater sheet thickness and at least one section of lesser sheet thickness; or providing a first metal sheet having a first sheet thickness and providing two second metal sheets having a smaller second sheet thickness, welding the second metal sheets to the first metal sheet at opposite ends of the first metal sheet.

In all three ways, a sheet metal element is produced that has regions with different thicknesses, at least with two thicker sections and at least one thinner section therebetween. It is understood that the sheet metal elements, depending on the requirements of the component to be produced therefrom, can also have further thicker and thinner sections over the length.

In flexible rolling, strip material having a substantially uniform sheet thickness is rolled out over the length by varying the roll gap during the process into strip material of variable sheet thickness. The sections of different thickness produced by the flexible rolling extend transversely to the longitudinal direction or to the rolling direction of the strip material. After the flexible rolling, the strip material can easily be wound up again into a coil and fed to further processing at another point, or it can be further processed directly, for example by cutting the strip material to form individual sheet metal elements. Sheet metal blanks made from flexibly rolled strip material are also referred to as tailor rolled blanks.

In strip rolling, sheet material, that is, strip material or individual sheet elements, is rolled with substantially uniform thickness through the profile of the rolls to sheet material of variable thickness across the width of the material. The sections of different thickness produced by the strip profile rolling extend in the longitudinal direction of the sheet material. In band profile rolling, which is also referred to as roll forming, individual areas of the sheet material are stretched outwards. With both methods, flexible rolls and strip profile rolls, sheet material is produced with variable sheet thickness in an extension direction. In principle, it is also possible to combine both processes, that is to say flexible rolling and strip profile rolling, in order to produce sheet metal elements with variable wall thickness over the length and over the width. This can achieve the greatest possible flexibility with regard to the configuration of the thickness ranges over the length and width of the sheet metal elements for the container.

According to the third possibility, the sheet metal elements are assembled from several individual boards with different sheet thickness and welded. Such composed of several sub-boards with different sheet thickness sheet metal elements are also referred to as Tailor Welded blanks.

As a further method step, a sheet metal element for producing a carrier or a lining for the container can be subjected to a heat treatment after the rolling processing, in particular a recrystallization annealing. However, it can also be dispensed with a heat treatment after rolling, so that the sheet metal element is further processed in the hard-rolling state to the carrier or the cladding. A non-heat treated sheet metal element has a higher strength in the thinner sections than in the thicker sections. In this respect, a non-heat-treated sheet metal element for a container component is both thickness and strength optimized.

Preferably, the sheet metal elements, which are further processed into a carrier, recrystallization annealed after rolling and before forming. In this case, the recrystallization annealing is carried out in particular in such a way that the sections of smaller sheet thickness are recrystallized, while the sections of greater sheet thickness retain their microstructure or are not recrystallized or recrystallized to a lesser extent.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sheet metal elements, which are further processed after rolling to a panel, not heat treated, but formed in hard-rolled condition. This has the advantage that the thinner portions of the sheet metal elements by the previous rolling due to the work hardening have increased strength than the thicker sections and thus better withstand unwanted plastic deformation when using the container.

The at least one carrier may be any load-bearing component of the container, in particular a floor cross member, including floor bottom flange, floor longitudinal member, vertical beam, roof cross member and / or roof rails. The at least one cladding can be, for example, a wall element, front element, roof element and / or door element or be formed into this. In each case one or more of the carriers or the claddings can be produced according to the method.

Figur 1

einen erfindungsgemäßen Container in einer ersten Ausführungsform mit einem Dach aus Verkleidungselementen mit über der Länge variabler Materialdicke, in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Figur 2

die Rahmenstruktur des Containers aus Figur 1 in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Figur 3

das Dach des Containers aus Figur 1 als Einzelheit in Draufsicht;

Figur 4

den Verlauf der Materialdicke eines ersten Verkleidungselements gemäß Schnittlinie IV-IV aus Figur 3;

Figur 5

den Verlauf der Materialdicke eines zweiten Verkleidungselements gemäß Schnittlinie V-V aus Figur 3;

Figur 6

einen erfindungsgemäßen Container in einer zweiten Ausführungsform mit einer Stirnwand aus Verkleidungselementen mit über der Länge variabler Materialdicke, in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Figur 7

einen erfindungsgemäßen Container in einer dritten Ausführungsform mit einer Seitenwand aus Verkleidungselementen mit über der Länge variabler Materialdicke, in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Figur 8

ein Verkleidungselement des Containers gemäß Figur 6 oder Figur 7 im Längsschnitt in einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Figur 9

ein Verkleidungselement des Containers gemäß Figur 6 oder Figur 7 im Längsschnitt in einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Figur 10

einen erfindungsgemäßen Container in einer weiteren Ausführungsform mit einem Vertikalträger mit über der Länge variabler Materialdicke, in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Figur 11

einen Vertikalträger des Containers gemäß Figur 10 im Längsschnitt;

Figur 12

einen erfindungsgemäßen Container in einer weiteren Ausführungsform mit Bodenquerträgern mit über der Länge variabler Materialdicke, in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Figur 13

einen Bodenquerträger des Containers gemäß Figur 12 im Längsschnitt;

Figur 14

einen erfindungsgemäßen Container in einer weiteren Ausführungsform mit Bodenquerträgern mit über der Länge variabler Materialdicke, in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Figur 15

einen Bodenquerträger des Containers gemäß Figur 14 im Längsschnitt;

Figur 16

ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Containers in einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Figur 17

ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Containers in einer zweiten Ausführungsform; und

Figur 18

ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Containers in einer dritten Ausführungsform.

Preferred embodiments will be explained below with reference to the drawing figures. Hereby shows:

FIG. 1

a container according to the invention in a first embodiment with a roof of cladding elements with over the length of variable material thickness, in a perspective view;

FIG. 2

the frame structure of the container FIG. 1 in perspective view;

FIG. 3

the roof of the container FIG. 1 as a detail in plan view;

FIG. 4

the course of the material thickness of a first cladding element according to section line IV-IV FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5

the course of the material thickness of a second cladding element according to section line VV FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 6

a container according to the invention in a second embodiment with an end wall of cladding elements with over the length of variable material thickness, in a perspective view;

FIG. 7

a container according to the invention in a third embodiment with a side wall of cladding elements with over the length of variable material thickness, in a perspective view;

FIG. 8

a cladding element of the container according to FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 in longitudinal section in a first embodiment;

FIG. 9

a cladding element of the container according to FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 in longitudinal section in a second embodiment;

FIG. 10

a container according to the invention in a further embodiment with a vertical support with over the length of variable material thickness, in a perspective view;

FIG. 11

a vertical support of the container according to FIG. 10 in longitudinal section;

FIG. 12

a container according to the invention in a further embodiment with bottom cross members with over the length of variable material thickness, in perspective View;

FIG. 13

a floor cross member of the container according to FIG. 12 in longitudinal section;

FIG. 14

a container according to the invention in a further embodiment with bottom cross members with over the length of variable material thickness, in a perspective view;

FIG. 15

a floor cross member of the container according to FIG. 14 in longitudinal section;

FIG. 16

an inventive method for producing a container in a first embodiment;

FIG. 17

an inventive method for producing a container in a second embodiment; and

FIG. 18

an inventive method for producing a container in a third embodiment.

The FIGS. 1 to 5 , which will be described together below, show a container 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment. Such a container 1 is used for storage or transport of objects or materials and can also be referred to as large capacity containers.

The container 1 has carrier 2 and 3 panels. The carrier 2 are connected to each other via corner fittings 4 and together form a frame or skeleton structure, which as a detail in FIG. 2 is recognizable. The carriers 2 of the present container 1 comprise two lower side rails 21, 21 '(also referred to as bottom rails), two lower end cross members 22, 22' (also referred to as bottom bottom straps), a plurality of bottom cross members 25, 25 ', four vertical beams 23 (also referred to as Corner posts), two upper side rails 24, 24 '(also referred to as roof rails) and two upper end cross members 26, 26' (also referred to as roof cross member or upper straps). The mentioned carrier 2 form with lower Corner fittings 4 and upper corner fittings 4 ', the cuboid frame construction of the container. 1

The lower side rails 21, 21 'which extend on both sides along the container 1, and the two lower end-side cross members 22, 22' which extend on both end sides transverse to the side rails 21, 21 ', form a lower frame for the floor 5. Between the two lower side rails 21, 21 'extend a plurality of floor cross member 25, which are part of the container frame structure and serve as a support for the bottom 5. The bottom cross member 25 are connected at their opposite ends to the respective bottom longitudinal member 21, 21 ', for example by welding. The floor 5 comprises a plurality of floor elements 6, which are placed on the floor cross member 25 and connected thereto. The floor elements 6 may for example be designed as wood panels, with other elements such as sheet metal elements are conceivable.

The container 1 comprises as panels 3, two side walls 31, 31 '(only partially shown), each between the lower and upper side rails 21, 24; 21 ', 24' and the corner posts 23 of the respective side of the container 1 extend. Further, the panels 3 include an end wall 32 (shown only partially), which extends between a lower end-side cross member 22, an upper end-side cross member 26 and the corner posts 23. On the front end wall 32 opposite the rear end doors (not shown) are provided, which are posted on the respective corner posts 23 and allow access to the container interior. The roof 33, which is in FIG. 1 is shown in lifted from the upper frame position forms another part of the panel 3 of the container. 1

According to the invention it is provided that at least one element is made of the carriers 2 and 3 panels made of sheet metal with a variable sheet thickness over the length of the respective element, in particular made of sheet steel. As a material for producing the container elements, a weather-resistant structural steel such as COR-TEN steel is preferably used, wherein the use of stainless steel or other metals or metal alloys is also conceivable.

In the present embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 to 5 the roof 33 comprises a plurality of sheet metal elements 71, 72 with variable sheet thickness over the length of the respective sheet metal element. A projection of the end face of the roof 33 in FIG FIG. 1 shown at the end of the arrows. Further details of the roof emerge FIG. 3 , which shows a top view of the roof, as well as the FIGS. 4 and 5 which show cross sections through the roof.

It can be seen that the roof 33 is composed of a plurality of first roof elements 71 and a plurality of second roof elements 72, which are each initially manufactured separately and then welded together along their lateral longitudinal edges 73, 74. The longitudinal edges 73, 74 of the roof elements extend transversely to the longitudinal extension of the container 1. The roof elements 71, 72 each have thickened end sections 75, 75 '; 76, 76 ', which are to be connected to the roof side rails 24, 24', for example by means of welding, and intermediate thinner intermediate portions 77, 78th

The frontal, that is front and rear first roof elements 71 have end portions 75, 75 'with a thickness D75 of preferably 6.0 mm to 10.0 mm, in particular of about 8.0 mm, and a width B75 of preferably 30 cm to 50 cm, in particular about 40 cm, wherein the width refers to the longitudinal direction of the roof element 71. Between the end portions 75, an intermediate portion 77 is formed, which has a thickness of preferably 3.0 mm to 5.0 mm, in particular about 4.0 mm. Between the end portions 75, 75 'and the intermediate portion 77 each transition portions 79 are formed with a continuously variable sheet thickness. The width B71 of the end-side first roof elements 71 may be 70 cm.

The second roof elements 72 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container 1 between the end-side first roof elements 71 each have end sections 76, 76 'with a thickness D76 of approximately 2.0 mm and intermediate sections 78 with a thickness of approximately 1.3 mm. Between the end portions 76, 76 'and the intermediate portion 78 each continuous transition sections are formed. The width B76 of the end portions 76, 76 'of the second sheet metal elements 72 may be between 20 mm and 40 cm. The width B72 of the second roof members 72 may be 70 cm or more.

Due to the above-mentioned embodiment, the roof 33 has a particularly large sheet thickness D75 in the corner regions. Here, a particularly high stability is achieved in an advantageous manner, so that damage to the container 1 can be prevented in imprecise placement of another container. For a high strength of the roof 33 with simultaneous good material utilization, the sheet thickness D75 of the end sections 75, 75 'of the first roof elements 71 is greater than the sheet thickness D77 of the respective intermediate sections 77, the sheet thickness D75 of the end sections 75, 75' of the first roof elements 71 is greater than the sheet thickness D76 of the end portions 76, 76 'of the second roof members 72, and the sheet thickness D77 of the intermediate portion 77 of the first roof members 71 is greater than the sheet thickness D78 of the intermediate portions 78 of the second roof members 72nd

The FIGS. 6 to 9 show further embodiments of cladding 3 of a container according to the invention 2. The container 1 may otherwise according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 be designed, the description of which reference is made. The same or corresponding details are provided with the same reference numerals as in the FIGS. 1 to 5 ,

FIG. 6 shows a cladding 3 in the form of a side wall 31 which is composed of a plurality of sheet metal elements 81 with variable sheet thickness over the length of the respective sheet metal element. FIG. 7 shows a cladding 3 in the form of an end wall 32 which is composed of a plurality of sheet metal elements 81 with a variable sheet thickness over the length of the respective sheet metal element. The sheet thickness profiles of the sheet metal elements 81 for the side wall 31 on the one hand and the sheet metal elements 81 for the end wall 32 on the other hand may be the same or different from each other. The embodiments according to the FIGS. 6 and 7 can be realized individually or together on a container 1.

The side wall 31 according to FIG. 6 , or the end wall 32 according to FIG. 7 are each composed of a plurality of sheet metal elements 81. The sheet members 81 each have an upper end portion 82, a lower end portion 82 'and an intermediate intermediate section 83, wherein the sheet thicknesses D82 of the upper and lower end sections 82, 82' are each greater than the sheet thickness D83 of at least one intermediate section 83. Between the end sections 82, 82 'and the intermediate section 83 are respectively continuous transition sections 84 , 84 'formed. The individual sheet metal elements 81 are installed in such a way that a variable sheet thickness in the vertical direction of the container 1 results from the variable sheet thickness in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal element in the installed state. The individual sheet metal elements 81 are first produced separately and then connected to one another at their longitudinal edges 85, 86, in particular welded. In this case, the side wall 31 in the present case composed of five individual sheet metal elements 81, which may also be referred to as wall sections, while the end wall 32 composed of only two individual wall sections 81 is.

The upper end portions 82 of the side wall 31 are connected to the roof rail 24, in particular welded, and the lower end portions 82 'of the side wall 31 are connected to the bottom rail 21, in particular welded. Accordingly, the upper and lower end portions 82 ', 82 of the end wall 32 are connected to the upper flange 26 and the lower flange 22, in particular welded.

The FIG. 8 shows a possible sheet thickness profile in detail, as it is used as a projection of the faces of the walls in the FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown at the end of the arrows. The end portions 82, 82 'may have a width B82 of 20 mm to 30 mm, in particular of 25 mm, wherein the width refers to the longitudinal direction of the respective sheet metal element. The sheet thickness D82 is in the end portions 82, 82 'preferably between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm and may in particular be 1.8 mm. The intermediate section 83 may have a sheet thickness D83 of 1.2 mm to 1.8 mm, in particular of 1.5 mm. Preferably, the sheet members 81 are made symmetrical with respect to a middle cross-sectional plane, that is, the dimensions of an upper half portion correspond to the dimensions of a lower half portion. The dimensions mentioned can be applied both to the side wall 31 as well as relate to the end wall 32 of the container 1, wherein side wall and end wall in principle may also have different thickness profiles over the respective height of the respective wall.

The FIG. 9 shows a sheet metal thickness profile in an alternative embodiment in detail, as can be seen from the projections of the end faces of the walls in the FIGS. 6 and 7 at the end of the arrows would result. The embodiment according to FIG. 9 corresponds largely to that according to FIG. 8 , wherein the same or mutually corresponding details are provided with supplemented by 10 reference numerals.

The end portions 92, 92 'may have a width B92 of 20 mm to 30 mm, in particular 25 mm, wherein the width refers to the longitudinal direction of the respective sheet metal element. The sheet thickness D92 is in the end portions 92, 92 'preferably between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, and may in particular be 1.8 mm. A special feature of the embodiment according to FIG. 9 is that the individual wall elements 91 each have a central portion 95 with a larger sheet thickness D95, followed by the intermediate portions 93, 93 'connect with smaller sheet thickness D93. The center section 95 has a plate thickness D95 which is larger than the plate thickness D92 of the end sections. The sheet thickness D95 is preferably between 1.8 and 2.5 mm and may in particular be 2.3 mm. The extension of the middle section in the longitudinal direction of the wall element 91 can be between 300 mm and 500 mm and is in particular 400 mm. The top and bottom, after a continuous transition section 94, 94 'subsequent intermediate portions 93, 93' have a thickness D93 of 1.2 mm to 1.8 mm, in particular of 1.5 mm. Due to the thickened central portion 95, an undesired plastic deformation of the wall composed of the individual wall elements 91 is advantageously prevented. Also in the present embodiment, the sheet members 91 are made symmetrical with respect to a middle cross-sectional plane, that is, the dimensions of an upper half portion correspond to the dimensions of a lower half portion.

Said embodiment can be used both for the side wall 31 and for the end wall 32 of the container 1, wherein side wall and end wall can in principle also have different thickness profiles over the respective height of the respective wall. In particular, it is conceivable that the thickness profile of the wall elements 91 for the side wall 31 in accordance with FIG. 9 is designed, while the thickness profile of the wall elements 81 for the end wall 32 according to FIG. 8 are designed.

FIG. 10 shows a container 1 according to the invention in another embodiment with vertical beams 23, each made of a sheet metal element with variable thickness over the length of the element. A projection of a side surface of a vertical beam 23 is shown in FIG FIG. 10 shown at the end of the arrows. The sheet thickness profile is in detail in FIG. 11 shown. It can be seen that the vertical supports 23 each have an upper end portion 42, a lower end portion 42 'and an intermediate intermediate portion 43 therebetween. The upper end portion 42 is connected to an upper corner fitting 4 'while the lower end portion 42' is connected to a lower corner fitting 4. The sheet thicknesses D42 of the upper and lower end portions 42, 42 'are each greater than the thickness D43 of the intermediate portion 43. In this way, a secure connection to the corner fittings 4, 4' is produced. In particular, the sheet thicknesses D42 of the end sections can be between 4.0 and 5.0 mm and in particular 4.5 mm, while the sheet thickness D43 of the intermediate section 43 can be between 2.0 mm and 3.0 mm, and in particular 2.5 mm is. Between the end portions 42, 42 'and the intermediate portion 43 each transition portions 44, 44' are provided with continuous changes in thickness over the length of the sheet metal element.

The FIG. 12 shows a container 1 according to the invention in a further embodiment with bottom cross members 25, which are each made of a sheet metal element with variable thickness over the length of the element. A projection of a side surface of a floor cross member 25 is in FIG. 12 shown at the end of the arrows. The sheet thickness profile is in detail in FIG. 13 shown. It can be seen that the floor cross members 25 each have a first end portion 52, a second end portion 52 'and an intermediate portion 53 therebetween. The first end section 52 is connected to a first bottom rail 21, while the opposite end 52 'is connected to the second bottom rail 21'. The sheet thicknesses D52 of the first and second end sections 52, 52 'are each greater than the thickness D53 of the intermediate section 53. This ensures a secure connection to the bottom side rails 21, 21'. In particular, the sheet thicknesses D52 of the end portions can be between 3.5 mm and 4.5 mm and in particular 3.6 mm, while the sheet thickness D53 of the intermediate portion 53 can be between 1.0 mm and 2.5 mm, and in particular 2.0 mm. The length B52 of the thickened end portions may be between 20 mm and 40 mm. Between the end portions 52, 52 'and the intermediate portion 53 each transition portions 54, 54' are provided with continuous changes in thickness over the length of the floor cross member 25. In the present embodiment, all floor cross members are made equal to each other with the in FIG. 13 shown profile. In FIG. 12 two of the floor cross member 25 are shown in the installed state between the two bottom longitudinal members 21, 21 ', while the remaining floor cross member are shown in unassembled state.

The FIG. 14 shows a container 1 according to the invention in a further embodiment, which largely corresponds to the embodiment according to FIG. 12 equivalent. In this respect, reference is made to the above description with regard to the similarities, wherein like details are given the same reference numerals as in FIG FIG. 12 , The panels 3 are not shown; they may have one or more of the embodiments described above or be of conventional design. The first floor cross member 25 shown in the installed state are designed as the floor cross member according to FIG. 13 ,

The second floor cross members 25 ', which are shown in the uninstalled state, largely correspond to the floor cross members 25, so that reference is made to the above description in view of the similarities. In this case, corresponding details with 10 supplemented reference numerals are provided as in FIG. 13 , In a modification of the embodiment according to FIG. 13 have the floor crossmember 25 ', additional reinforcements 66, which in cross section through the support between a first profile section 67 and a second profile section 67' of the floor cross member 25 'extend. A projection of a side surface of a floor cross member 25 'is in FIG. 14 shown at the end of the arrows. The sheet thickness profile is in detail in FIG. 15 shown. It can be seen that the floor crossmembers 25 'each have between the thickened end sections 62, 62' in the region of the reinforcements 66 thickened intermediate sections 65, which alternate with thinner intermediate sections 63. The end portions 62, 62 'are connected to the bottom rails 21, 21'.

The sheet thicknesses D22 of the end sections 62, 62 'and the thickness D65 of the thickened intermediate sections 65 are each greater than the thickness D63 of the thinner intermediate sections 63. In particular, the sheet thicknesses D22, D65 can be between 3.5 mm and 4.5 mm and in particular 4 , 0 mm, while the sheet thickness D63 of the thinner intermediate portion 63 may be between 1.0 mm and 2.5 mm and in particular 2.0 mm. The length B62 of the thickened end portions may be between 2.0 mm and 4.0 mm. Between the end sections 62, 62 'and the thickened intermediate sections 65 on the one hand and the thinner intermediate sections 63 on the other hand, transition sections 64, 64' are provided with continuous changes in thickness over the length of the floor cross member 25 '.

In FIG. 16 an inventive method for producing a sheet metal element for a container according to the invention in a first embodiment is shown.

In process step V1, the strip material 11, which is wound on a coil 12 in the initial state, is rolled, by means of flexible rolling. For this purpose, the strip material 11, which has a largely constant sheet thickness over the length prior to the flexible rolling, is rolled by means of rolls 13 in such a way that it receives a variable sheet thickness along the rolling direction. During rolling, the process is monitored and controlled using the data determined from a sheet thickness measurement as an input to control the rolls 13. After flexible rolling, the strip material 11 has regions 14, 14 'of different thickness extending transversely to the rolling direction. A portion of the thick-thin rolled strip material is shown as detail in step V1. The strip material is rewound to the coil after the flexible rolling, so that it can be fed to the next process step.

After the flexible rolling, the coil-wound strip material is subjected to a heat treatment in step V2, preferably a recrystallization annealing. The heat treatment can take place in an oven 15. As a result of the heat treatment, solidifications of the material resulting from rolling are reduced or dissolved, and the rolled strip material 11 again has a higher ductility and ductility, so that it can be processed more easily in the following process steps, and the material properties of the end product to be produced are also positively influenced. It is understood that the heat treatment for the inventive method is only optional, that is, the strip material can in principle be further processed without heat treatment.

After the heat treatment, the strip material 11 is smoothed in method step V3, which takes place in a strip straightening device 16.

After smoothing, the strip material 11 is cut to individual sheet metal elements 17 in method step V4, which takes place by means of a cutting device 18.

In process step V5, the sheet metal element 17 is transformed by forming operations to a carrier 25 for a container 1 according to the invention. In the present case, a floor crossmember 21 is shown as a final product, it being understood that a sheet metal element 17 produced by means of said method can also be further processed to form any other carrier element 2 or cladding element 3 of the container by forming operations.

It is understood that the above procedure can also be modified. For example, sheet material of varying thickness over the length of the material may also be produced by roll profiling instead of flexible rolling.

FIG. 17 shows a method according to the invention for producing a sheet metal element from a strip material 11 according to a second process control. This largely corresponds to the method according to FIG. 16 , so that reference is made to the above description in terms of similarities. The same details are provided with the same reference numerals, as in FIG. 16 ,

The method steps V1 (rolling finishing), V3 (banding) and V4 (cutting to length) are identical to the corresponding method steps V1, V3 and V4 according to FIG FIG. 16 , Unlike the method after FIG. 16 In the present case no heat treatment takes place after flexible rolling (V1) and before forming (V5). This means that the sheet metal material is further processed in a cold-worked or cold-worked condition. This procedure is particularly suitable for the production of sheet metal elements that are to serve as cladding elements for the container 1, such as side walls, end walls or roof. In the present case, a wall element 31 is shown as an end product by way of example. Also the procedure according to FIG. 17 may be modified such that strip profile rolls are used instead of flexible rolling to produce variable thickness sheet material over the length.

The sheet metal elements 17, which are further processed into a carrier, are preferably heat-treated in such a way that the portions of lesser sheet thickness 14 'are recrystallized, while the portions 14 of greater sheet thickness substantially retain their microstructure. In contrast, the sheet metal elements, which are processed into a lining part, preferably not heat treated, but remain in hard-rolling condition.

FIG. 18 shows a method according to the invention for the production of a sheet metal element for a container 1 according to the invention according to a third process management. This differs from the methods according to the Figures 16 and 17 in that the sheet metal element 17 'is produced in method step V1' by welding individual sheet metal blanks 18, 18 'with different sheet thickness (instead of flexible rolls or strip profile rolls). A heat treatment of the sheet metal element 17 before forming the wall element in step V5 'is not required. The sheet metal element 17 'as an intermediate product (Tailor Welded Blank) can be seen between the two process steps V1' and V5 '. In the present case, a roof element 33 is shown as an end product by way of example.

An advantage of the container 1 according to the invention or the method according to the invention for producing such containers is that material can be saved by targeted reduction of the thickness of the sheet metal elements in less loaded areas, so that the container 1 ultimately without any loss in terms of mechanical properties of a low Has weight, which leads to a cost reduction during transport. Especially with containers for sea freight, but also for air freight, rail freight and road freight, this leads to significant fuel savings.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Container

2

carrier

3

panels

4

corner fittings

5

ground

6

baseplate

11

band material

12

coil

13

roll

14, 14 '

areas

15

oven

16

Strip straightener

17

sheet metal element

18

cutter

21

Floor side members

22, 22 '

Bottom cross member / lower flange

23

vertical support

24, 24 '

Roof rails

25, 25 '

Floor cross members

26

Roof cross member / upper flange

31

Side wall

32

bulkhead

33

top, roof

42

end

43

intermediate section

44

Transition section

52

end

53

intermediate section

54

Transition section

62

end

63

intermediate section

64

Transition section

65

intermediate section

66

reinforcement

67

section

71

first roof element

72

second roof element

73

longitudinal edge

74

longitudinal edge

75

end

76

end

77

intermediate section

78

intermediate section

82

end

83

end

84

intermediate section

85

longitudinal edge

86

longitudinal edge

87

Transition section

92

end

93

intermediate section

94

Transition section

95

intermediate section

B

width

D

thickness

V

step

Claims (15)

1. Container comprising carrier members (2) and panels (3), wherein at least one element of the carrier members (2) and of the panels (3) is produced from sheet metal with a variable sheet thickness along a longest length of the at least one element such that end portions of the element comprise a greater sheet thickness than at least one portion arranged therebetween; and wherein the element comprises a formed region that extends in the longitudinal direction of the element.
2. Container according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the carrier members (2) comprise bottom cross members (22, 22'; 25, 25') and bottom side members (21, 21'), wherein end portions (52, 52'; 62, 62') of the bottom cross members (22, 22'; 25, 25') have a larger sheet thickness (D52, D62) than at least one intermediate portion (53, 63) of the respective bottom cross member arranged between the end portions.
3. Container according to claim 2,
   characterised in that that the bottom cross members (25') comprise several reinforcement elements (66) along the length that are arranged, in a cross-sectional view, between a first profile portion (67) and a second profile portion (67'), wherein the bottom cross member (25') comprises a larger sheet thickness (D65) in an area of the reinforcement elements (66) than in an area between two neighbouring reinforcement elements (66).
4. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that the carrier members (2) comprise vertical members (23), wherein an upper end portion (42) and a lower end portion (42') of the vertical member (23) each have a larger sheet thickness (D42) than at least one portion (43) of the vertical member (23) arranged therebetween.
5. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that the panels (3) comprise a wall (31, 32) that comprises at least one wall element (81, 91) made of sheet metal with a variable sheet thickness along a length of the wall element, wherein the wall element (81, 91) comprises an upper end portion (82, 92) and a lower end portion (82', 92') that each have a larger sheet thickness (D82, D92) than at least one portion (83, 93) of the wall element (81, 91) arranged therebetween.
6. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that the panels (3) comprise a roof (33) that comprises at least a first roof element (71) made of sheet metal with a variable sheet thickness along a length of the roof element, wherein the first roof element (71) comprises end portions (75, 75') for being connected to a respective top side member (24, 24'), wherein the end portions (75, 75') each have a larger sheet thickness (D75) than at least one intermediate portion (77) of the first roof element arranged between the end portions (75, 75').
7. Container according to claim 6,
   characterised in that the roof (33) comprises second roof elements (72) made of sheet metal with a variable sheet thickness along the length of the respective roof element, wherein the second roof elements (72) each comprise end portions (76, 76') for being connected to a respective one of the top side members (24, 24'), wherein at least one of the following applies:

   the end portions (76, 76') of the second roof element (72) have a larger sheet thickness (D76) than at least one intermediate portion (77) of the second roof element (72) arranged between the end portions;

   the end portions (75, 75') of the first roof element (71) have a larger sheet thickness (D75) than the end portions (76, 76') of the second roof element (72);

   the at least one intermediate portion (77) of the first roof element (71) has a larger sheet thickness (D77) than the at least one intermediate portion (78) of the second roof element (72).
8. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
   characterised in that at least one of the carrier members (2) is recrystallized at least in portions having a small sheet thickness.
9. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
   characterised in that at least one of the panels (3) is strain-hardened at least in portions having a small sheet thickness.
10. Method for producing a container (1) from carrier members (2) and panels (3), wherein at least one element of the carrier members (2) and of the panels (3) is produced by:

    producing a sheet element (17) with a variable sheet thickness in a longitudinal direction such, that end portions of the sheet element (17) comprise a larger thickness than at least one portion of the sheet element arranged therebetween,

    forming the sheet element (17) by forming processes, wherein a formed area extends in a longitudinal direction of the sheet element (17).
11. Method according to claim 10,
    characterised in that the forming comprises at least one of the processes:

    bending, edge-forming, deep-drawing and shaping.
12. Method according to claim 10 or 11,
    characterised in that the sheet element (17) is produced by one of the following:

    flexible rolling (V1) of a strip material (11) for producing a variable thickness along the length and subsequently cutting (V4) the flexibly rolled strip material to form separate sheet elements (17) with at least two portions with a large sheet thickness and at least one portion with a low sheet thickness;

    roll forming of a strip material for producing a variable thickness along the width and subsequently cutting (V4) the rolled sheet material to form separate sheet elements (17) with at least two portions with a large sheet thickness and at least one portion with low sheet thickness;

    providing a first sheet blank (18') with a small first sheet thickness and providing two second sheet blanks (18) with a large second sheet thickness, welding (V1') of the second sheet blanks to the first sheet blank at opposite ends of the first sheet blank.
13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
    characterised in that as a further method step, before forming (V5) of the sheet element (17), it is provided: recrystallisation annealing (V2) of the sheet element such, that the sheet element is recrystallised in portions (14') with low sheet thickness.
14. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 13,
    characterised in that at least partial portions (14') of the sheet material are strain-hardened by producing the variable thickness, wherein the sheet material is formed in the strain-hardened condition to a panel element (3).
15. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 14,
    characterised in that the sheet element (17) is formed to a bottom cross member (22, 22'; 25, 25'), bottom side member (21, 21'), vertical member (23), top end member (26, 26') or top side member (24, 24') of the container, or
    that the sheet element (17) is formed to a wall element (31, 32), roof element (33) or door element.

Images