AU2014100187B4 - A container and a divider panel therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a shipping container (otherwise known as an ISO or intermodal container) and an internal partition therefor.

Description

1 A CONTAINER AND A DIVIDER PANEL THEREFOR PRIORITY DOCUMENT [0001] The present application is a Divisional of Australian Patent Application 2012203394, which in turn claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application 2011902254, titled "A CONTAINER AND A DIVIDER PANEL THEREFOR", and filed on 8 June 2011. The content of each of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to an intermodal container (otherwise known as an ISO or shipping container) and a partition therefor. BACKGROUND [0003] Shipping containers are generally provided with access through end doors which are hinged to opposite sides of the container. When opened, these doors allow the full width of the inside of the container to be available for loading or unloading goods from the container. [0004] It is also known to construct these containers with a plurality of hinged, single or multi-part folding doors located along a side of the container that can be opened outwardly to open up the whole side of the container for loading or unloading purposes. Such side door arrangements have replaced concertina type side curtains extending along opposite sides of the container. One of the benefits of a bulk side door container is its versatility in allowing goods to travel one way as palletised cargo, and other goods returning as bulk cargo. As there is a wide range of bulk solid and liquid commodities being brought into or from the market, a side door container is advantageous particularly in terms of handling, storage and transport. [0005] One of the problems with existing side door containers however, is that the incorporation of the side access can compromise the strength and rigidity of the container, as this is now deficient at least one side wall. [0006] It is against this background that the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed. [0007] Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

2 SUMMARY [0008] According to a first aspect, there is provided an intermodal container comprising a base, a top, and a load-bearing frame forming an internal partition extending between the base and the top so as to form a load path between the base and the top. [0009] A load path is a path via which a load will be transferred. [0010] In one form, the load-bearing frame is exposed. That is to say, the load-bearing frame is not concealed behind a cladding, such as may be created using sheets, panels or the like. [0011] In one form, the container is elongate, and the load-bearing frame also extends lengthwise. [0012] In one form, at least one of the sides of the container comprises an opening for container loading and unloading. [0013] In one form, the load-bearing frame comprises frame members defining a plurality of partition sections. [0014] In one form, each partition section is one of substantially infilled or substantially open. [0015] According to a second aspect, there is provided an intermodal container comprising an elongate base, an elongate top, and a pair of lengthwise extending sides, wherein at least one of the sides comprises an opening for container loading and unloading, the container further comprising an exposed load-bearing frame forming an internal partition extending both lengthwise in the container, and between the base and the top so as to form a load path between the base and the top. [0016] According to a third aspect, there is provided an intermodal container comprising at least a base, a top, and a partition substantially extending between the base and the top so as to form an interior division of the container, the partition comprising a substantially solid portion, and a portion itself defined by one or more apertures extending there through. [0017] In one form, the partition is removably securable to the container. In an alternative, the partition is permanently secured in the container. [0018] In one form, the partition extends at least substantially between either of a pair of sides or ends of the container. Preferably, the partition extends between ends of the container.

3 [0019] In one form, a lower portion of the partition is solid, and an upper portion of the partition has apertures therethrough. [0020] In one form, at least a part of the lower portion has apertures there through. [0021] In one form, at least a part of the upper portion is solid. [0022] In one form, the partition comprises a supporting frame. [0023] In one form, the frame comprises frame members. [0024] In one form, the frame is comprised of an array of posts connected by an array of beams, between which posts and beams there are defined partition sections. [0025] In one form, one or more partition sections are infilled and so form solid portions of the partition. [0026] In one form, the infilled sections are infilled with a panel. [0027] In one form, one or more partition sections are not infilled and so form open or windowed portions of the partition. [0028] In one form, one or more non-infilled sections comprise a diagonal brace. [0029] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a partition for a shipping container interior, the partition comprising a substantially solid portion, and a predominant portion itself predominantly defined by one or more apertures extending there through. [0030] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a partition for a shipping container interior, the partition comprising upper and lower edges, a solid portion extending from the lower edge, and a portion having one or more apertures there through disposed between the solid portion and the upper edge of the partition [0031] In a further aspect, two or more partitions of the above described type work in combination to divide the container. For example, for a 40 foot container there may be two partitions of 20 feet in length. [0032] In one form, the two or more partitions are releasably secured to one another. [0033] In one form, the two or more partitions are releasably secured to each other in an end to end fashion.

4 [0034] Alternatively, two or more partitions may be arranged in parallel to each other, so as to create compartments there between. In a further alternative, a combination of cross and lengthwise extending partitions might be employed in the container. [0035] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a shipping container comprising one or more partitions, these being as described above. [0036] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a shipping container comprising at least a base, a top, and a partition substantially extending between the base and the top so as to form an interior division of the container, the partition comprising a substantially solid portion extending from the base, and a portion having one or more apertures therethrough disposed between the solid portion and the top of the container. [0037] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a shipping container comprising at least a base, a top, a pair of ends and a pair of sides extending between the base and the top, where at least one of the sides of the container comprises access for container loading and unloading, the container further comprising a load-bearing partition substantially extending between the base and the top so as to form an interior division of the container. [0038] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in an intermodal container comprising a base, a top, and a load-bearing partition extending between the base and the top so as to form a load path between these. [0039] In one form, the container is elongate, and the partition also extends lengthwise. [0040] In one form, the container further comprises a pair of lengthwise extending sides, wherein at least one of the sides of the container comprises a plurality of doors for container loading and unloading. [0041] In one form, the partition comprises a supporting frame. [0042] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in an intermodal container comprising an elongate base, an elongate top, and a pair of lengthwise extending sides, wherein at least one of the sides comprises an opening for container loading and unloading, the container further comprising a load bearing partition extending both between the base and the top so as to form a load path between these, and lengthwise so as to divide the container. [0043] In one form, the container is a half-height container. That is to say, it is half the height of a standard intermodal container.

5 [0044] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in an intermodal container comprising an elongate base, and an elongate top comprising a container roof, wherein at least a side of the container comprises an opening for container loading and unloading, the container further comprising a structural support for the container, the structural support comprising an internal partition extending both lengthwise in the container, and between the base and the top, the structural support further comprising a plurality of openings through the partition, wherein each opening extends only part of a height of the partition. [0045] In one form, the openings are spaced lengthwise along the partition. [0046] In one form, each opening extends through an upper portion of the partition. [0047] In one form, the structural support comprises at least one corrugated panel extending about each opening, the or each panel comprising corrugations directed to extend between the base and the top of the container. [0048] In one form, the structural support comprises a frame comprising frame members extending about a periphery of the support and a periphery of each opening. [0049] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. [0050] The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0051] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0052] Figure 1 is a side view of a partition; 6 [0053] Figure 2 is a sectional view taken lengthwise at E-E through the partition illustrated in Figure 1; and [0054] Figure 3 is a detailed view of the sectional view given in Figure 2.Figure 1 is a; [0055] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0056] Referring now to Figures 1 through 3, where there is illustrated a partition 1 for an intermodal container (otherwise known as an ISO or shipping container). [0057] In use, the partition 1 according to this embodiment of the invention is secured inside of the container (not illustrated) so as to extend lengthwise between ends of the container and the base (or floor) and top of the container, and serve as a load-bearing internal partition. It will be apparent however such a partition can be sized and configured so as extend across the container between the side walls thereof. [0058] The partition 1 comprises a body portion 2 and a pair of extension portions 4 which extend from distal ends of the body portion 2. [0059] The partition 1 is formed from an exposed load-bearing frame which is comprised of frame members, such as an array of posts connected by an array of beams, between which posts and beams there are defined rectilinear partition sections. Gusset plates 6 strengthen joints between select beams and posts and improve the stiffness of the partition 1. [0060] The load-bearing frame is exposed to the extent that it is not concealed by any cladding. Instead, some of these partition sections are infilled with infill panels 21. These partition sections will hereinafter be referred to as 'infilled sections' 20. [0061] Some of these partition sections are braced with a diagonal brace 31, but are otherwise open. These partition sections will hereinafter be referred to as 'braced sections' 30. [0062] Some of these partition sections have neither bracing nor infill. These partition sections will hereinafter be referred to as 'open sections' 40.

7 [0063] The body portion 2 of the partition 1 comprises a floor beam 10, a top beam 14, and a medial beam 12, all of which are substantially parallel and extend the length of the body portion 2 of the partition 1. [0064] The body portion 2 further comprises an array of primary posts. These primary posts comprise a pair of end posts 16 and a medial post 18. Between these primary posts 16 and 18 there is an array of secondary posts 19. The primary posts 16 and 18 are stronger and more critical structurally speaking than the secondary posts 19. [0065] Each of the extension portions 4 comprises an end post 50, a top beam extension 52 a medial beam extension 54, and a floor beam extension (not shown), where the beam extensions extend from the body portion end post 16 to the extension portion end post 50 so as to define two sections, one above the other, both of which are braced sections 30. [0066] In this embodiment, and with reference to the body portion 2 of the partition 1, all of the sections defined between the end posts 16 and the medial and floor beams 12 and 10 (i.e. lower sections) thereof are infilled sections 20. [0067] Two sections at each end of the body portion 2 of the partition and defined between the end posts 16 and the medial and top beams 12 and 14 (i.e. upper sections) are infilled sections 20. Another six upper sections are braced sections 30. Two adjacent upper sections near the middle of the partition 1 are open sections 40. [0068] The resultant partition 1 has a high specific strength (i.e. strength-to-weight ratio). [0069] It will be apparent to a suitably skilled addressee that the arrangement of braced, infilled and open sections 30, 20 and 40 respectively can be arranged as required. In this way partitions can be optimised to suit a particular type of load. [0070] In use, the partition 1 is removably secured (such as by bolting) to at least the floor and top of the container, and by virtue of its load-bearing frame, the partition significantly increases the strength and rigidity of the container without significantly increasing the tare weight of the container. This strengthening and stiffening is of particular advantage to containers having side access arrangements. [0071] Moreover, because the partition 1 is removably secured to the container, a partition 1 can be removed and replaced with one or more partitions if damaged, or if the nature of the load to be carried in the container changes. Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will 8 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. [0072] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. [0073] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims (5)

1. An intermodal container comprising an elongate base, and an elongate top comprising a container roof, wherein at least a side of the container comprises an opening for container loading and unloading, the container further comprising a structural support therefor, the structural support comprising an internal partition extending both lengthwise in the container, and between the base and the top, the structural support further comprising a plurality of openings through the partition, wherein each opening extends only part of a height of the partition.

2. The intermodal container of claim 1, wherein the openings are spaced lengthwise along the partition.

3. The intermodal container as in either of the preceding claims, wherein each opening extends through an upper portion of the partition.

4. The intermodal container of claim 1, wherein the structural support comprises at least one corrugated panel extending about each opening, the or each panel comprising corrugations directed to extend between the base and the top of the container.

5. The intermodal container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the structural support comprises a frame comprising frame members extending about a periphery of the support and a periphery of each opening.