JP5350400B2 - container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates generally to platform type containers. In particular, it relates to a platform type container that is adjustable during the process of loading objects, transporting the objects and returning and / or storing the empty containers.

  Platform type containers, commonly referred to as flat containers, are often adapted for heavy cargo loads that need to be loaded through the top of the container or through the sides.

  All types of existing containers are of standard size and their manufacture is governed by international standards. Their shape, external dimensions, the maximum mass they can carry and the handling grip are precisely defined to give the container as many molds as possible while providing maximum volume. It can go anywhere and must be equally transportable by road, train or ship. Therefore, it must be integrated into a loading gauge for roads, trains or the sea. In particular, two standard container lengths are specified: 20 feet (6.06 m) and 40 feet (12.19 m).

  Unfortunately, standardized flat containers, including platform type containers, are not suitable for transporting certain objects with dimensions that are only slightly larger than the internal dimensions of the containers. So, for example, if a large sized glass plate, most often 6m x 3.21m, is considered, a standard 20 foot (6.06m) container has its minimum internal length (usually for all types of containers (Specified dimension) is less than 5.8 m, which is not suitable. Thus, even if its external length is greater than 6 m, the glass plate cannot be loaded into the container either through the top or through one of its sides. A standard 40 foot container is too large for transport of such glass sheets.

  The prior art indicates that there are platform-type containers that are said to be “foldable”, or in other words, that can be folded when empty. These collapsible containers have economic advantages because when folded they have a minimum volume for their return and / or storage. In addition, they are mostly stackable once folded.

The object of the present invention is the aforementioned disadvantages of the standardization of this type of container for the transport of objects with dimensions that only exceed the internal dimensions of the container, while benefiting from the economic advantages of known foldable containers. Is to avoid. Based on this, the present invention
(I) To load an object having a dimension slightly exceeding the minimum internal length of the container,
(Ii) for its shape and / or dimensions identical to a standard container and its transport by operating grip
(Iii) for the return of empty containers and / or for economical storage,
A container having several configurations that can be made adjustable is provided.

  Accordingly, the container according to the invention is based on enabling a special configuration adopted for loading objects with dimensions exceeding the internal dimensions of the container in a configuration adapted to the transport of the objects. This is different from a conventionally known container.

  According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a container as described in claim 1.

  According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for loading a flat glass sheet as claimed in claim 9.

  According to a third aspect, the invention also relates to the use of a container according to the invention for the transport of flat glass sheets as claimed in claim 11.

  Specific embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

  Other features of the container according to the invention will be outlined in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings (not to scale).

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the longest side of a so-called transport configuration container.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the shortest side of a so-called transport configuration container.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 having a container adapted for loading an object having a length greater than the minimum internal length of the container when in a configuration adapted for transport.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the folded container.

According to the invention, the container is a platform type container. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the container is
(I) a dimensionally stable rectangular base, called the loading platform (1), intended to receive the object to be transported, which itself is a rigid, dimensionally stable frame surrounding the floor (3) Formed from (2) and fixed to the floor (3),
(Ii) four articulated angle posts (5), each placed at one of the corners of the platform (1), and (iii) the platform (1) to form two side walls. Two opposing hard rectangular bulkheads (6) that secure the four angle posts (5) in pairs in width,
Formed from.

  According to the invention, the loading platform (1) is formed from a rectangular frame (2) surrounding the floor (3). This frame according to the invention comprises two beams and two rectangular panels forming the two longest sides of the frame, each of which forms one of the two smallest sides of the frame. The two rectangular panels according to the invention preferably have a thickness of a minimum of 4 mm and a maximum of 8 mm. The two rectangular panels according to the invention are preferably made from steel.

  According to the invention, the angle posts (5) are cubic and are articulated thanks to their base fasteners to a coupling system (4) that pivots in a plane parallel to the longest side of the frame (2). ing. Each coupling system (4) is arranged and fixed to each of the four corners of the frame (2). The angle posts (5) are fixed in pairs within the width of the platform by hard rectangular partitions (6). According to the present invention, the partition wall is not connected to the angle post on the side surface provided on the longest side surface of the container. For this reason, each of the partition walls forming the side walls pivots the two coupling systems (4) to which they are fixed in the same manner.

  According to the invention, the height of the angle post (5) must be less than half the length of the loading platform (1).

  A container according to the invention can be characterized by an opening angle. The opening angle is understood as meaning the angle defined by either of the two side walls and the floor (3). The container according to the invention is thus characterized by two opening angles.

  The container of the present invention has traditional locking means for two opening angles that can have only two values, independently of each other, equal to 0 ° and 90 °, respectively. The term “traditional locking means” relates to locking collapsible containers already well known in the transportation field.

  According to the invention, the container also has an additional locking means for at least one of the two opening angles greater than 90 ° and equal to at most 180 °. The opening angle preferably reaches a value equal to 120 ° at the maximum.

  According to the invention, the two opening angles of the container can be locked at the same or different angle values by additional locking means.

  The traditional locking means according to the present invention that allows locking of the opening angle at values of 0 ° or 90 ° is different from the additional means that allow locking of the opening angle at values greater than 90 °. Or can be the same. The traditional locking means is preferably the same as the additional locking means.

The swivel coupling system (4) according to the invention, which is arranged at each of the four corners of the frame (2) and is fixed to it, can be of several types. For example, as shown in the figure, the combined system according to the present invention is:
(I) from a first rectangular rigid panel secured to one outer surface of the longest side of the frame (2) and one outer surface of the angle post (5);
(Ii) from a second rectangular rigid panel fixed on the inner surface of the same longest side of the frame (2) parallel to the first planar member and to the inner surface of the same angle post (5); and (iii) the system From the joint coupling means (8) integral with (4),
Furthermore, the articulation means (8) can be formed, for example, by a pivot shaft passing through the angle post parallel to the partition wall (6) and fixed to each panel, or fixed to each of the panels and The angle post can be formed from two rivets that are mounted to pivot.

  In a special embodiment of the invention, the locking means form part of the pivot coupling system (4). In this embodiment, the locking means is preferably of the rotary lock type, commonly referred to as twist lock, currently used in standard container operation and loading on the transport means.

The container according to the present invention can adopt a plurality of configurations depending on the value of the opening angle locked by the locking means of the container. In particular, the container according to the invention can be locked in at least six configurations:
a) When the two opening angles are equal to 90 °,
b) when the two opening angles are equal to 0 °,
c) when one opening angle is equal to 90 ° and the other is equal to 0 °,
d) when one opening angle is greater than 90 ° and the other is equal to 90 °,
e) when one opening angle is greater than 90 ° and the other is equal to 0 °,
f) When the two opening angles are larger than 90 °.

According to one embodiment of the invention, some of these configurations are adapted to the various processes required for the transport of objects, in particular by containers. That is,
a) Loading the object into the container,
b) transport there,
c) Return and / or storage of empty containers.

  According to the invention, when the two opening angles are equal to 90 °, the container is in a configuration called “open transport configuration”. This configuration, schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, effectively provides the container with a standard cubic form adapted for transportation of the container.

  According to the present invention, a container is in a configuration referred to as an “open loading configuration” when at least one opening angle is greater than 90 ° and the other opening angle is equal to or greater than 90 °. This configuration shown in FIG. 3 can actually place objects in the interior of the container whose maximum dimension is slightly larger than the minimum internal length of the container in the open transport configuration and smaller than the maximum internal length of the container.

  The minimum internal length is understood to mean the shortest distance between two upper corner elements provided on the same longest side of the container in an open transport configuration. The maximum internal length is understood as meaning the distance between two opposing rectangular partitions (6) of the container in an open transport configuration.

  The container according to the invention can also be used for transporting objects having dimensions smaller than the minimum internal dimension of said container. In this case, an open loading configuration is not used and the object is loaded into the container via the top or at one of its longest sides when the container is in the open transport configuration.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, an open loading configuration is obtained when only one opening angle is greater than 90 °.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, an open loading configuration is obtained when both opening angles are greater than 90 °. In this latter embodiment, the opening angles can be the same or different.

  According to the invention, when the two opening angles are equal to 0 °, the container is folded or is in a configuration referred to as a “closed (transport) configuration”. This configuration, schematically illustrated in FIG. 4, occupies a minimum volume and allows for the return and / or economic storage of empty containers.

  The swivel coupling system (4) according to the invention makes it possible to change the container from one locking configuration to another. In particular, it can be changed from an open loading configuration to an open transport configuration once loaded. It can be locked in a closed configuration for its return or storage when its charge is emptied, then placed in one open locking configuration or other configuration for subsequent use be able to.

  The rectangular rigid partition wall (6) of the container according to the invention preferably has a thickness of a minimum of 4 mm and a maximum of 8 mm. The rectangular hard partition is preferably made from steel.

  The rectangular hard partition wall (6) according to the invention preferably has a maximum height equal to the height of the angle post (5).

  The container according to the present invention is a maximum fixed to each of the four corners of the frame (2) and to the end of each of the four angle posts (5) opposite their base, also commonly referred to as corner fittings. Has eight corner elements (7). These corner fittings (7) allow the container to be operated and loaded when the container is locked in an open transport configuration.

  The corner fitting (7) according to the invention is standardized. That is, they are the same as those in the standard container. Their dimensions and their horizontal and vertical spacing are most precisely defined by the standard ISO668. Because they are not only used to be handled by dedicated trucks, they are used to load containers on lorries or rail wagons, especially on ship decks.

  Furthermore, according to a special embodiment of the invention, the containers can be stacked in an open transport configuration. Therefore, its external height must be adapted to the dimensions of the object to be transported, or in other words it must be at least slightly greater than the height of said object.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the height from the base of the angle post (5) to the top of the corner mounting device fixed to the angle post (5) is to allow a closed configuration, or in other words In order to be able to obtain an opening angle equal to 0 °, it must be less than half the length of the loading platform (1).

  According to a further embodiment of the invention, the container has the height of a standard container when it is in an open transport configuration.

  According to an additional second embodiment of the present invention, when the container is in an open transport configuration, the container has a height that is greater than the height of the standard container but equal to or less than half the length of the platform (1). have.

  According to an additional embodiment of the invention, the container has a height that is less than the height of a standard container when it is in an open transport configuration.

  Each angle post (5) according to the invention can have an operating grip (9). These operating grips (9) are preferably provided on a surface directed on each of the angle posts when the two opening angles are equal to 0 °. These operating grips thus allow the container to be gripped by the top when the container is locked in the closed configuration.

  According to the invention, when locked in the closed configuration, the container occupies a volume that is at least four times smaller than the volume of the same container when locked in the open transport configuration. This embodiment of the invention allows for the return and / or economical storage of empty containers, as already described above.

  Furthermore, when locked in a closed configuration, containers according to the present invention can be stacked for transport and / or storage.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the container has a hooking means for a waterproof fabric for protection of its load. According to this embodiment, these hooking means for the waterproof fabric include (a) a bar transversely fixed to the upper end of each of the two rectangular partitions (6), and / or (b) an angle. Corresponds to four bars respectively fixed to each of the posts (5) and / or (c) at least two bars respectively fixed along each of the longest sides of the frame (2).

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the container platform (1) has the length and width of that of a standard container. Thus, when in an open transport configuration, the container according to the present invention provides an arrangement that benefits from the benefits of standardization for transport, thanks to dimensions, cube shapes and operating grips that are identical to those of known standard containers To do.

  In addition, in this latter embodiment of the present invention, the floor (3) of the container loading platform (1) has a structure (10) that allows the container to be transported in a small compartment container ship. be able to. This is one of the most commonly used types of ships for container shipping by sea.

  The container preferably has a minimum internal length of less than or equal to 6 meters in an open transport configuration. In particular, a standard 20 foot container actually has a maximum internal length greater than 6 m but a minimum internal length of 5.70 m.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, when an open transport configuration container has a standard 20 foot container length, the fact that at least one opening angle is locked at a value greater than 90 ° (open loading configuration) is: Allowing the minimum internal length of the container to be increased beyond 5.70 m. In particular, when an open transport configuration container has a standard 20 foot container length (external length: 6.06 m, minimum internal length: 5.70 m), the open load configuration has a minimum internal length greater than 6.02 meters. Allows to be obtained.

  The invention also provides a method for loading an object into a container according to the invention.

  An object loaded using the method according to the present invention has a size or length that is slightly larger than the minimum internal length of a container in an open transport configuration.

  The object loaded using the method according to the invention preferably has a long shape.

In particular, the loading method according to the invention comprises the following continuous steps:
(I) locking one of the container opening angles to a value greater than 90 ° using an additional locking means;
(Ii) lock the other opening angle to 90 ° using traditional locking means, or lock to a value greater than 90 ° using additional locking means;
(Iii) inserting the object through the top of the container;
(Iv) Place the objects on the loading platform and secure them as desired;
(V) Lock the container at two opening angles equal to 90 ° using traditional locking means.

  The insertion and placement of the long object into the container is preferably performed such that the length of the object is parallel to the length of the platform (1). In particular, this arrangement is necessary when the length of the object is greater than the width of the container.

  The insertion of the object into the container is performed through the top of the container. The insertion of the object into the container is preferably performed vertically through the top. Insertion can also be performed laterally and through the top simultaneously.

  Using the method of the present invention, once the continuous steps (i) to (v) are performed, the loaded containers can be manipulated, loaded, stacked and stored. It can also be covered with a waterproof cloth to protect its filling.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, when the container has a minimum internal length less than 6 meters and a maximum internal length greater than 6 meters in an open transport configuration, the method reduces the length to less than or equal to 6 meters. Allows long objects to be loaded into containers.

  In particular, this method makes it possible to load a flat glass plate having a length of less than or equal to 6 meters.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof fabric optionally used to protect the container load is in the space left between the floor (3) and the side wall when the container is in a closed configuration. Can be housed. Thus, the waterproof fabric can easily be brought to the starting point of the loaded container.

  The invention also relates to the use of the container according to the invention for the transport of flat glass sheets having a length less than or equal to 6 m.

  The use of the container according to the invention also provides for the use of a cradle for transporting flat glass sheets. The cradle is a support commonly used for the transport of generally flat glass sheets. In order to transport flat glass plates with large dimensions (3.21 m × 6 m), the cradle is preferably made of metal.

  In particular, the present invention provides for the use of a modified standard cradle. A first modification of the standard cradle relates to the fact that when the container is in a closed configuration it can be disassembled so that it can be accommodated in the space left between the floor (3) and the side walls. Thus, the cradle can easily be brought to the starting point of the container and then reassembled so that it can be reused for the next loading. The waterproof fabric, optionally used to protect the container load during transport, can be accommodated there simultaneously with the cradle. The second modification of the standard gantry provided by the present invention relates to the distance between the inner feet of the gantry that is increased by 5-10% without increasing the overall length of the gantry. The cradle thus modified is placed directly on the floor (3) and fixed as desired, avoiding the structure (10) that allows the transport of containers on a small compartmented vessel with a compartment compartment guide. Can. This change makes it possible to reduce the increase in the height of the container according to the invention with respect to the standard height, which is necessary for stacking said containers comprising large sized flat glass plates.

Claims (9)

(I) a loading platform (1) formed from a rigid rectangular dimensionally stable frame (2) surrounding the floor (3) and fixed to the floor (3);
(Ii) four coupling systems (4) pivoting in a plane parallel to the longest side of the frame (2), respectively arranged and fixed to each of the four corners of the frame (2);
(Iii) four articulated angle posts (5), each fixed at the base to each of the coupling systems (4),
(Iv) two opposing hard rectangular bulkheads (6) that secure four angle posts (5) in pairs within the width of the platform (1) to form two side walls, each of these side walls being Swiveling the two coupling systems (4) with fixed sidewalls in the same manner,
(V) traditional locking means for locking at two values equal to 0 ° and 90 ° independent of each other for two opening angles defined by each of the side walls and the floor (3);
In a container containing
Having an additional locking means for at least one of the two opening angles with a value greater than 90 ° and at most equal to 120 ° ;
Including standardized corner fittings (7) at each of the four corners of the frame (2) and at the end of each of the four angle posts (5) facing their bases; and
Features and to Turkey antenna that platform (1) has a length and width of a standard container platforms. Container according to claim 1 wherein each of the angle posts (5) is characterized by having an operation handle (9). Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that with a hooking means for the tarpaulin. Container according to claim 1 platform (1) is characterized by having a structure (10) that allows the container to be transported by the chamber-compartment container ship. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the two opening angles are equal to 90 ° and that it has the height of a standard container. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the two opening angles are equal to 90 ° and that it has a height greater than the height of the standard container. 7. A method for loading an object into a container according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the length of the object is slightly larger than the minimum internal length of the container and A method characterized by comprising the steps:
(I) locking one of the container opening angles to a value greater than 90 ° using an additional locking means;
(Ii) lock the other opening angle to 90 ° using traditional locking means, or lock to a value greater than 90 ° using additional locking means;
(Iii) inserting the object through the top of the container;
(Iv) Place the objects on the loading platform and secure them as desired;
(V) Lock the container at two opening angles equal to 90 ° using locking means. 8. A method according to claim 7 , characterized in that the object is a flat glass plate with a length less than or equal to 6 meters. Use of a container according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for the transport of flat glass sheets having a length less than or equal to 6 meters.

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