WO2014057006A1

WO2014057006A1 - Improved intermodal container

Info

Publication number: WO2014057006A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/071100
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Cox
Original assignee: Sita Reenergy Rotterdam B.V
Priority date: 2012-10-09
Filing date: 2013-10-09
Publication date: 2014-04-17
Also published as: GB2506865A; GB201218087D0

Abstract

An improved intermodal container which has a hinged roof and/or a hinged end wall which provides for much improved loading and unloading of cargo, with particular utility in the waste management industry. Such an intermodal container can be loaded, stored and transported in conventional logistics networks while maintaining the loading and unloading advantage heretofore unrealised in intermodal containers. In a particular deployment, when mounted on a truck such a container allows the truck to mimic a dumper truck and empty contents by tipping – even though the contents may have previously been carried in the intermodal container on several different modes of transport prior to mounting on the vehicle.

Description

Improved Intermodal Container The present invention relates to the field of shipping and shipping containers. More specifically, the present invention concerns shipping containers of the intermodal container type and particular embodiments of the invention include modifications to intermodal containers to improve utility in the waste management industry. Background to the invention Shipping containers, and specifically intermodal containers, are reusable units for the transport and storage of materials and products that can be moved from one mode of transport to another without unloading and/or reloading. Intermodal freight transport refers to the transport of such materials and products in intermodal containers using one or more modes of transport, such as by truck, by rail, and/or by ship. As intermodal freight transport does not require the unloading and/or reloading of cargo between source and destination, it is an extremely efficient and expedient method of handling cargo with additional benefits in relation to security and the minimisation of damage and loss. Typically, intermodal containers are 8 foot (2.4 m) by 8 foot (2.4 m) in cross-section and 20 feet (6.1 m) or 40 feet (12 m) long (although other lengths (and cross-sections) are used), with doors fitted at one end. Corner castings are usually provided at each of the eight corners to provide openings for twist-lock fasteners. There are several known variations to intermodal containers to serve different purposes, such as open-topped versions (which may be covered with a tarpaulin or other fabric cover), flat-rack containers for out-of-gauge cargo, and open-sided containers (with a curtain) for loading of bales or over-size pallets. It is also known to provide refrigeration within containers to accommodate perishable goods, and to provide roller floors to assist in the loading of heavy and/or awkward cargo. Containers may be insulated or alternatively ventilated, according to specific cargo requirements. However, the waste management industry has particular needs and the applicant has found that currently available intermodal containers fall short of the operational and functional requirements of waste handling. For example, in refuse derived fuel (RDF) applications, loading times for dry recycled products such as paper and card can be significant by the time they are baled, wrapped, loaded onto open-sided containers and the container closed (e.g. with a curtain). Furthermore the baling and wrapping process itself, which is necessary, adds considerable cost to the process. Shipping container architecture refers to the repurposing of intermodal containers as structural elements, for example as building materials. It is known, for example, to build homes and/or temporary shelters using one or more discarded intermodal containers. It is also known to construct walls and barriers using intermodal containers which, by their nature and construction, are readily connectable to one another, stackable, and cuttable (for example to create windows, or to provide through routes between adjacent containers). Such repurposing generally requires modifications to the intermodal containers to be fit for purpose. However, none of the developments in known shipping container architecture provide functionality that has been transferrable to the waste management industry to reduce time and supply chain costs that would permit the movement of waste materials into wider market areas. Accordingly, it is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an intermodal container that improves efficiencies in waste management applications. Further aims and objects of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description.

Summary of the invention The present invention relates to intermodal containers which are also referred to generally in the art as containers or shipping containers, but are also known as freight containers, ISO containers, hi-cube containers, boxes, conex boxes and sea cans. As discussed in the background to the invention, such containers are reusable units for the transport and storage of materials and products that can be moved from one mode of transport to another without unloading and/or reloading. For example, an intermodal container may be carried on a truck, on rail, and on a ship at various stages between loading at its source to unloading at its destination. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an intermodal container for waste management applications, the intermodal container comprising a roof and a hinge means arranged such that at least a portion of the roof is moveable around a substantially horizontal axis between an open position suitable for loading and a closed position suitable for transportation. Most preferably, substantially the entire roof is moveable between the open and the closed position. The first aspect provides an intermodal container with heretofore unavailable functionality by permitting the intermodal container to be loaded from above and subsequently closed for transportation - in this closed position the improved intermodal container can therefore be handled as per conventional intermodal containers. This contrasts with currently available containers which can be loaded from above but must then be covered with a tarpaulin or the like (open-top containers), or which must be loaded via the end doors which are then closed and locked (standard containers) or via an open side which must then be covered with a curtain or the like (open-sided containers). Most preferably, the intermodal container further comprises a sealing means located around the perimeter of a lower face of the roof so as to form a seal when the roof is in the closed position. Alternatively, the sealing means is located along top edges of side and end walls of the intermodal container. Optionally, the sealing means comprises a flap. Alternatively, the sealing means comprises a bead. Preferably, the sealing means is comprised of rubber, although any other suitable material may be employed. Preferably, the sealing means is configured to provide a vacuum seal, for example to support quick release removal of cargo. Most preferably, the intermodal container further comprises locking means adapted to lock the roof in the closed position, for example for transportation purposes. Optionally, the locking means comprises one or more straps. The straps may comprise ratchet tie-down straps. Most preferably, the intermodal container further comprises reinforcing means. Preferably, the reinforcing means comprises one or more substantially horizontal supports extending between opposing walls. Most preferably, the substantially horizontal supports are located at or proximal an upper end of the walls. The supports may, for example, be comprised of rigid members, straps, or chains. Such straps or chains may be attached to opposing walls under tension. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an intermodal container for waste management applications, the intermodal container comprising an end wall having a hinged portion arranged such that the end wall is moveable around a substantially horizontal axis between a closed position suitable for loading and/or transportation and an open position suitable for emptying the contents of the intermodal container. The second aspect provides an intermodal container with heretofore unavailable functionality by permitting the intermodal container to be emptied by way of an end wall that is hinged such that the end wall itself moves to provide an opening. This contrasts with the end walls of currently available containers which are fixed and within which container doors (of which there are two) open around vertical hinges and provide a smaller opening for the insertion and/or removal of cargo. Furthermore, such an end wall provides the intermodal container with the ability to expel cargo by "tipping". The hinged portion is preferably located at or near the top of the end wall such that the end wall is moveable substantially in its entirety. Most preferably, the end wall comprises one or more doors comprising hinged portions arranged such that the one or more doors are moveable around a substantially vertical axis between a closed position suitable for loading and/or transportation and an open position suitable for loading or unloading the contents of the intermodal container. Such an intermodal container may thereby conform to existing logistics standards and be used in existing operating procedures for conventional intermodal containers, while benefitting from the advantages of the hinged end wall described above and in the following description. Alternatively, the one or more doors are comprised in an opposing end wall of the intermodal container. Most preferably, the intermodal container further comprises a sealing means located around the perimeter of an inner face of the end wall so as to form a seal when the end wall is in the closed position. Optionally, the sealing means comprises a flap.

Alternatively, the sealing means comprises a bead. Preferably, the sealing means is comprised of rubber, although any other suitable material may be employed. Most preferably, the intermodal container further comprises locking means adapted to lock the end wall in the closed position, for example for transportation purposes. Most preferably, the locking means is adapted to disengage when the intermodal container undergoes tipping, for example to allow the cargo to be dumped without the need for manual unlocking. Optionally, the intermodal container further comprises a sloping floor, to assist in the expulsion of cargo during tipping. Alternatively, or additionally, the interior of the intermodal container is at least partially conical, again to assist in the expulsion of cargo during tipping. Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may comprise features corresponding to the preferred or optional features of the first aspect of the invention or vice versa. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an intermodal container for waste management applications, the intermodal container comprising a roof having a hinged portion arranged such that the roof is moveable around a substantially horizontal axis between an open position suitable for loading and a closed position suitable for transportation, and an end wall having a hinged portion arranged such that the end wall is moveable around a substantially horizontal axis between a closed position suitable for loading and/or transportation and an open position suitable for emptying the contents of the intermodal container. Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may comprise features corresponding to the preferred or optional features of the first or second aspects of the invention or vice versa. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a tipping arrangement comprising an intermodal container according to the second aspect or the third aspect, and a ram arranged to raise the opposite end of the intermodal container from the moveable end wall. Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention may comprise features corresponding to the preferred or optional features of the first to third aspects of the invention or vice versa. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a ram and configured to receive an intermodal container according to the second aspect or the third aspect. Preferably, the vehicle is adapted to hingedly locate the intermodal container proximal the moveable end wall. Preferably, the ram is configured to raise the end of the intermodal container opposite the moveable end wall. Optionally, the vehicle is a truck. Embodiments of the fifth aspect of the invention may comprise features corresponding to the preferred or optional features of the first to fourth aspects of the invention or vice versa. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an intermodal container substantially as herein described with reference to the appended drawings. Brief description of the drawings Aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the following drawings (like reference numerals referring to like features) in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an intermodal container comprised in the state of the art; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an improved intermodal container according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an improved intermodal container according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic representation showing further detail of an improved intermodal container according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a schematic representation showing detail of an improved intermodal container comprising a roof-locking means according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a schematic representation of an improved intermodal container disposed on a truck according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figures 7 to 10 are schematic illustrations of alternative embodiments of the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments There now follows a description of embodiments of the invention, preceded by a brief description of the state of the art in order to demonstrate the utility of those embodiments. Figure 1 illustrates an intermodal container 101 according to the prior art. The intermodal container can be seen to comprise a base 103, a roof 105, a first end wall 107 comprising a pair of doors 109 and a second end wall 1 1 1 , a first side wall 1 13 and a second side wall 1 15. Each of the corners are provided with a twist-lock casting 1 17 for stacking, locking and craning purposes. Typically, the end walls, side walls (and doors), base and roof of such an intermodal container will be comprised of corrugated weathering steel. A preferred embodiment of an intermodal container 201 according the invention is illustrated in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the intermodal container 201 can be seen to comprise a hinge 221 which extends continuously between the roof 205 and the second side wall 215. The roof 205 can thereby be swung upwards around the hinge 221 to create a large opening 223 which provides for easy loading of cargo. Furthermore, contrasted with conventional intermodal containers used in waste

management applications, there is no need to shred, bale, or wrap the materials to be transported as they can simply be dumped into the open top of the intermodal container. Unloading is therefore also made quicker as there is no need to unwrap or unbale the transported materials; they can be removed from the container and processed

immediately. In one particular envisaged use of the above-described intermodal container, the intermodal container may be housed in a bunker and the roof opened to provide a low, large opening into which waste materials can easily be placed, dropped, or even bulldozed (employing a ramp or similar as necessary). Once loaded, the roof 205 can then be swung back to the closed position in which state the intermodal container is practically (particularly for handling and transportation purposes) identical to a conventional intermodal container such as illustrated in Figure 1. To prevent leakages, a rubber flap 225 is provided along the top edges of the side walls and end walls of the intermodal container so as to provide a seal when the roof is in the closed position and also minimise the smells escaping - which is of particular concern in the waste management industry. Additionally, the flap can be designed and/or arranged so as to provide a vacuum seal which supports quick release operations in which the contents of the intermodal container are forcibly removed, effectively by suction. A vent (not shown) can be disposed on or in the intermodal container to assist in this process. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the intermodal container 401 (which is similar to the intermodal container 201 illustrated in Figure 2) is provided with a rubber bead around the perimeter of the roof 405 to provide a seal. Furthermore, the intermodal container 401 is provided with strengthening beams 440 extending between opposing side walls 413,415. These strengthening beams 440 may compensate for any reduction in structural integrity that might be effected by having a moveable roof as contrasted with a fixed roof. The beams 440 may be replaced with chains, straps, or other reinforcing means. In another alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the intermodal container 501 (which is similar to the intermodal containers 201 ,401 illustrated in Figures 2 and 4) is provided with locking straps 550 to lock the roof 505 in the closed position for

transportation and/or storage. The locking straps 550 are attached to the edge of the roof at a top end and are provided with ratchet tighteners 552 at a bottom end to provide mechanical advantage when securing the roof in the closed position. Of course, any other means of locking the roof in the closed position may be employed. Note that this intermodal container 501 can be seen to comprise a hinged end wall 507 such as will be described in more detail below. Note that although in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 4 the hinges 221 ,421 are shown to be continuous, the hinge 221 ,421 may alternatively be comprised of a number of discrete hinges located along the top of the second side wall 215,415 instead of a single continuous hinge. Furthermore, while a barrel hinge (or similar) is employed, a floating hinge may provide particular advantages in providing clearances between the walls and the roof. However, any connection or interface that allows the roof to be pivoted away to provide an opening to the top of the intermodal container may be utilised. The intermodal containers 201 ,401 , 501 illustrated in Figures 2, 4 and 5 provide numerous advantages in relation to loading materials for transportation and/or storage in the waste management industry. An alternative intermodal container 301 (which may comprise a fixed roof as per the intermodal container 1 shown in Figure 1 or a hinged roof as per the intermodal container 101 shown in Figure 2) provides numerous advantages in relation to unloading materials by way of a hinge 321 which extends continuously between the roof 305 and the first end wall 307. The first end wall 307 can thereby be swung upwards around the hinge 321 to create a large opening 323 which provides for easy unloading of cargo. Once unloaded, the first end wall 307 can then be swung back to the closed position in which state the intermodal container is again practically identical to a conventional intermodal container such as illustrated in Figure 1. A rubber bead 325 is provided along the corresponding side edges of the side walls, base and roof of the intermodal container so as to provide a seal when the first end wall is in the closed position. As above, such a seal prevents leakages and minimises smell. As per a conventional intermodal container, the intermodal container 301 is provided with doors in the hinged end wall 307 such that the improved intermodal container 301 may still conform to and be used in existing logistics operations while still benefitting from the particular advantages of the hinged end wall 307. As illustrated in Figure 6, the hinged first end wall 307 finds particular utility when the intermodal container 301 is mounted on a vehicle 600. The vehicle comprises a hydraulic ram 602 which is connected to the vehicle at a first end and to the intermodal container 301 at a second end. The intermodal container 301 is hingedly attached to the vehicle 600 at the end proximal to the hinged first end wall 307 such that extension of the hydraulic ram 602 causes tipping of the intermodal container 301. As the intermodal container 301 is tipped away from the horizontal (as shown) the hinged first end wall 307 is automatically released such that it swings away from the rest of the intermodal container 301. The contents of the intermodal container 301 are thereby emptied, by way of gravity. The interior of the intermodal container 301 may be modified to assist in the tipped expulsion of contents, for example by having a sloping floor or an internal portion of at least partial conical cross-section. The invention provides an improved intermodal container which has a hinged roof and/or a hinged end wall which provides for much improved loading and unloading of cargo, with particular utility in the waste management industry. Such an intermodal container can be loaded, stored and transported in conventional logistics networks while maintaining the loading and unloading advantage heretofore unrealised in intermodal containers. In a particular deployment, when mounted on a truck such a container allows the truck to mimic a dumper truck and empty contents by tipping - even though the contents may have previously been carried in the intermodal container on several different modes of transport prior to mounting on the vehicle. Further to the above described embodiments, it is also possible that instead of a moveable roof comprising a single unit, the roof of an improved intermodal container 701 may comprise two elongate halves 705a, 705b having corresponding hinges along opposing side walls (as illustrated in Figure 7). Alternatively, the roof of an improved intermodal container 801 may be split into two or more sections with hinges along a same side wall, or may be split into two or more sections with only one of said sections 805a hinged and moveable and the other section(s) 805b fixed to provide a partial opening 823 (as illustrated in Figure 8). In a further proposed modification to the above described embodiments, the roof and/or the moveable end wall of an improved intermodal container 901 , 1001 are configured to provide corresponding openings to the interior of the intermodal container by lateral displacement. For example, by sliding the roof 905 across to create an opening 923 (as illustrated in Figure 9) or by sliding the end wall 1007 upwards to create an opening 1023 (as illustrated in Figure 10). Throughout the specification, unless the context demands otherwise, the terms 'comprise' or 'include', or variations such as 'comprises' or 'comprising', 'includes' or 'including' will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Furthermore, relative terms such as "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "upward" and "downward" are used herein to indicate directions and locations as they apply to the appended drawings and will not be construed as limiting the invention and features thereof to particular arrangements or orientations. The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The described embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, further modifications or improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. An intermodal container for waste management applications, the intermodal

container comprising a roof and a hinge means arranged such that at least a portion of the roof is moveable around a substantially horizontal axis between an open position suitable for loading and a closed position suitable for transportation.

2. The intermodal container of claim 1 , wherein the entire roof is moveable between the open and the closed position.

3. The intermodal container of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a sealing means located around the perimeter of a lower face of the roof so as to form a seal when the roof is in the closed position.

4. The intermodal container of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a sealing means located along top edges of side and end walls of the intermodal container so as to form a seal when the roof is in the closed position.

5. The intermodal container of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the sealing means comprises a flap.

6. The intermodal container of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the sealing means comprises a bead.

7. The intermodal container of any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the sealing means is

comprised of rubber.

8. The intermodal container of any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the sealing means is

configured to provide a vacuum seal, for example to support quick release removal of cargo.

9. The intermodal container of any preceding claim, further comprising locking means adapted to lock the roof in the closed position.

10. The intermodal container of claim 9, wherein the locking means comprises one or more straps.

1 1. The intermodal container of claim 10, wherein the straps comprise ratchet tie-down straps.

12. The intermodal container of any preceding claim, further comprising reinforcing

means.

13. The intermodal container of claim 12, wherein the reinforcing means comprises one or more substantially horizontal supports extending between opposing walls.

14. The intermodal container of claim 13, wherein the substantially horizontal supports are located at or proximal an upper end of the walls.

15. The intermodal container of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the supports are

comprised of rigid members, straps, or chains.

16. The intermodal container of claim 15, wherein the supports are attached to opposing walls under tension.

17. An intermodal container for waste management applications, the intermodal

container comprising an end wall having a hinged portion arranged such that the end wall is moveable around a substantially horizontal axis between a closed position suitable for loading and/or transportation and an open position suitable for emptying the contents of the intermodal container.

18. The intermodal container of claim 17, wherein the hinged portion is located at or near the top of the end wall such that the end wall is moveable substantially in its entirety.

19. The intermodal container of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the end wall comprises one or more doors comprising hinged portions arranged such that the one or more doors are moveable around a substantially vertical axis between a closed position suitable for loading and/or transportation and an open position suitable for loading or unloading the contents of the intermodal container.

20. The intermodal container of any of claims 17 to 19, further comprising a sealing

means located around the perimeter of an inner face of the end wall so as to form a seal when the end wall is in the closed position.

21. The intermodal container of any of claims 17 to 19, further comprising a sealing means located along end edges of side walls, roof and base of the intermodal container so as to form a seal when the end wall is in the closed position.

22. The intermodal container of claim 20 or claim 21 , wherein the sealing means

comprises a flap.

23. The intermodal container of claim 20 or claim 21 , wherein the sealing means

comprises a bead.

24. The intermodal container of any of claims 20 to 23, wherein the sealing means is comprised of rubber.

25. The intermodal container of any of claims 17 to 24, wherein the intermodal container further comprises locking means adapted to lock the end wall in the closed position.

26. The intermodal container of claim 25, wherein the locking means is adapted to

disengage when the intermodal container undergoes tipping.

27. The intermodal container of claim 26, further comprising a sloping floor.

28. The intermodal container of claim 26 or claim 27, wherein an interior of the

intermodal container is at least partially conical.

29. An intermodal container for waste management applications, the intermodal

container comprising a roof having a hinged portion arranged such that the roof is moveable around a substantially horizontal axis between an open position suitable for loading and a closed position suitable for transportation, and an end wall having a hinged portion arranged such that the end wall is moveable around a substantially horizontal axis between a closed position suitable for loading and/or transportation and an open position suitable for emptying the contents of the intermodal container.

30. A tipping arrangement comprising an intermodal container according to any of claims 17 to 29, and a ram arranged to raise the opposite end of the intermodal container from the moveable end wall.

31. A vehicle comprising a ram and configured to receive an intermodal container according to any of claims 17 to 29.

32. The vehicle of claim 31 , adapted to hingedly locate the intermodal container proximal the moveable end wall.

33. The vehicle of claim 31 or claim 32, wherein the ram is configured to raise the end of the intermodal container opposite the moveable end wall.

34. The vehicle of any of claims 31 to 33, wherein the vehicle is a truck.

35. An intermodal container substantially as herein described with reference to the

appended drawings.