AU2021206519A1

AU2021206519A1 - A collapsible rack for supporting carcasses inside refrigerated intermodal containers

Info

Publication number: AU2021206519A1
Application number: AU2021206519A
Authority: AU
Inventors: João LEMUS
Original assignee: Maersk AS
Current assignee: Maersk AS
Priority date: 2020-01-06
Filing date: 2021-01-06
Publication date: 2022-08-04
Also published as: DK202070010A1; AU2021206519A2; WO2021140118A1; DK180580B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a collapsible rack (100), adapted to be arranged inside the interior of an intermodal container (400), comprising a rear side structure (1), a front side structure (2), a bottom portion (3), and a top portion (4), wherein the rear side structure (1) being pivotally connected to the bottom portion (3) and to the top portion (4), and wherein the front side structure (2) being pivotally connected to the bottom portion (3), and wherein the top portion (4) being releasably connected to the front side structure (2).

Description

A collapsible rack for supporting carcasses inside refrigerated inter- modal containers

The present invention relates to a rack that is suitable for carrying carcasses while being stored or transported inside an intermodal container, and config ured to be collapsed when not in use.

Meat is sensitive to physical impact. Therefore, when transporting meat in the form of carcasses, it is often desirable or even necessary to hang them.

This is particularly relevant when the carcasses are transported by ships across oceans, due to the harsh conditions at sea. Here it is further necessary to chill the carcasses inside refrigerated intermodal containers, hereinafter re ferred to as reefer containers.

However, standard reefer containers do not have hooks, and constructing or modifying such reefer containers to support the transport of hung carcasses, is expensive and may mean the reefer container cannot be used for other types of goods.

Therefore, when transporting carcasses, racks having hooks hanging from their top are used. The racks supporting the hung carcasses, are then loaded into reefer containers, using forklifts.

One such rack is disclosed in US3506136, showing a rack having hooks for the transport of carcasses, being loaded into an intermodal container using a forklift.

Such racks, when not in use, occupy much space, and it is therefore desirable that the racks have provisions that allow them to be stored without occupying much space. Today, collapsible racks exist, which are configured to be collapsed when be ing stored. Such collapsible racks are shown in WO0167927 and W01 8136994.

However, none of them is suitable for storing or transporting chilled meat or carcasses, since no provisions for hanging carcasses are provided in them, but are intended for transporting heavy roll goods and liquids, respectively. Furthermore, it is not disclosed if these racks are suitable to be loaded into reefer containers.

Therefore, there is a need for a rack which is suitable for supporting carcasses inside reefer containers, and which further is adapted to allow for several one of such racks to be stored in a manner occupying relatively little space when not in use, such as when returning the racks to the place of origin of the meat, for another transporting cycle.

The object of the present invention is inter alia to provide a such a rack.

Summary

In view of this object, a collapsible rack is provided as described in the following below, accommodating the needs mentioned above.

According to the invention, the collapsible rack is adapted to be arranged in side the interior of an intermodal container, the collapsible rack comprises a rear side structure, a front side structure, a bottom portion, and a top portion, wherein the rear side structure is pivotally connected to the bottom portion and to the top portion, the front side structure is pivotally connected to the bottom portion, and the top portion is releasably connected to the front side structure. Hereby, is achieved, that the collapsible rack may assume an in-use configu ration and a collapsed configuration, and further, that the carcasses can be safely transported inside reefer containers, without requiring any modification of existing reefer containers.

In another embodiment, the collapsible rack further comprises at least one support element having a first sub part and a second sub part, each of the first and second sub parts having a rear end and a front end, wherein the front end of the first sub part is pivotally connected to the rear end of the second sub part, the rear end of the first sub part is pivotally connected to the rear side structure, and the front end of the second sub part is pivotally connected to the bottom portion.

In another embodiment, the at least one support element of the rack further comprises a releasable locking mechanism adapted to prevent a rotation be tween the first and second sub parts, wherein the releasable locking mecha nism comprises a releasable and lockable sliding sleeve configured to enclose a portion of both the first and the second sub parts when in a locking position.

Hereby is achieved, that the collapsible rack is more rigid when not in a col lapsed configuration, and that this rigid configuration is easily releasable, when a collapsed configuration is desired. The collapsible rack may thus be col lapsed without the need for specific tools.

In another embodiment, the collapsible rack further comprises at least one bracket connected to and protruding from the bottom portion, the bracket being adapted to support the front side structure in an upright position.

The bracket is beneficial in that it may prevent rotation in one particular direc tion of the front side structure which will assist in temporarily maintaining the upright standing position of the front side structure as the rack is in the process of being collapsed.

In another embodiment, the rear side structure and the front side structure are rotatable from an upright position towards a position on top of the bottom por tion when the collapsible rack is in a collapsed configuration.

In another embodiment, the bottom portion comprises faces or guides, adapted to be engaged by the tines of a forklift.

This enables the collapsible rack to be lifted and transported by a forklift, and easily loaded into an intermodal container, even in the collapsed configuration.

In another embodiment, the faces or guides are defined by channels open at one or two ends.

This is particularly beneficial, when the collapsible rack is of a size, that allows a forklift to carry more than one collapsible rack at the same time. The tines of the forklift would then fit through the entire length of the faces or guides, and into the faces or guides of the next collapsible rack.

In another embodiment, the top portion comprises one or more transverse bars.

In another embodiment, the transverse bars are adapted to carry one or more hangers for hanging goods from the top portion.

In another embodiment, the hangers are pivotally connected to the transverse bars whereby the hangers may turn towards a horizontal plane in the collapsed configuration of the rack. In another embodiment, the hangers are hooks.

Such hangers or hooks are suitable for hanging carcasses during the storing or transportation of the carcasses.

In one embodiment, a method for collapsing the collapsible rack as described in any of the embodiments above, the method comprising the steps of discon necting the top portion from the front side structure, turning the top portion towards a vertical position, and positioning the rear side structure, the top por tion, and the front side structure, sequentially on top of the bottom portion.

Hereby is achieved, that the top portion, which in a non-collapsed configuration of the collapsible rack connects with the front side structure and prevents it from rotating, may allow the front side structure to rotate as a final step of bringing the rack to the collapsed configuration.

In another embodiment, the method further comprising the step of releasing the aforementioned locking mechanism to allow for rotation between the first sub part and the second sub part, for folding the first sub part against the sec ond sub part, after the step of turning the top portion towards a vertical position.

Hereby is achieved, that the locking mechanism which in a rigid configuration of the collapsible rack, support the support two sub parts from rotating mutu ally, and thus providing a rigid support to the rear side structure and prevent it from rotating, no longer provide that support, thereby contributing to a col lapsed configuration of the collapsible rack.

In one embodiment, the rack as described in one of the above mentioned em bodiments, may be in a collapsed configuration, wherein the front side struc ture rests on top of the top portion, and wherein the top portion rests on the rear side structure, and wherein the rear side structure rests on top of the bot tom portion.

When not in use, the collapsible rack can be collapsed and stacked on top of another, similar collapsed rack, thereby reducing space occupied by the racks.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the collapsible rack.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the collapsible rack shown in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3 is a front view of hangers, partly shown in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a hanger, shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective schematic view of several collapsible racks as the one shown in Fig. 1 , arranged inside an intermodal container.

Fig. 6 is a perspective schematic view of several collapsible racks as the one shown in Fig. 1 , shown collapsed, stacked, and arranged inside an intermodal container.

Figs. 7-16 illustrate schematically the steps of collapsing a collapsible rack as the one shown in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 16 is a schematic view of the collapsible rack shown in Fig. 1 , shown in a collapsed configuration, without showing the support elements and the brack ets. Detailed description

The invention will now be explained in more details below by reference to the figures.

Figure 1 shows schematically an embodiment of the claimed collapsible rack 100. The collapsible rack 100 comprises a metal top portion 4, a metal bottom portion 3, a metal rear side structure 1 , a metal front side structure 2, and two metal support elements 7.

The rack 100 may have a length from left to right in Figure 1 of between 2 and 3 meters, a distance between the respective sides of the top portion 4 and/or the bottom portion 3 of between 2 and 2,5 meters, and a height of between 1 ,8 and 2,3 m.

The two support elements 7 are each made of a first sub part 7a and a sec ond sub part 7b, both sub parts 7a, 7b being elongated and having two ends. The two sub parts of each support element 7 are rotatably connected with each other.

A locking mechanism 8 comprises a releasable and lockable sliding sleeve 8a, enclosing in the shown locking position the end of each sub part 7a, 7b at which the two sub parts 7a, 7b are pivotally connected to each other, keeping the two sub parts 7a, 7b aligned.

The sliding sleeve 8a prevents rotation between the two sub parts 7a, 7b when in the locking position in which the support element 7 may be considered rigid.

The two support elements 7 are shown connecting each side of the rear side structure 1 to each side of the bottom portion 3. The rear side structure 1 is rotatably connected to the bottom portion 3, the support element 7 is rotatably connected to the rear side structure 1 , the sup port element 7 is rotatably connected to the bottom portion 3, the rear side structure 1 is rotatably connected to the top portion 4, and the front side struc ture 2 is rotatably connected to the bottom portion 3. The top portion 4 may be configured to rest against a top portion of the front side structure 2 and may be held in that position by locks, such as clamps or clasps, thereby preventing the front side structure 2 from rotating.

Figure 1 further shows hangers 6, which may include hooks, pivotally hanging from transverse bars 12 (seen in more details in Figure 4), arranged at the top portion 4 of the collapsible rack 100. The hooks are adapted to support meat carcasses hanging from them.

Figure 1 further shows a bracket 9, arranged between the front side structure 2 and the bottom portion 3 of the collapsible rack 100, and configured to sup port the front side structure 2 in an upright position and against clockwise turn ing.

The bracket 9 may comprise a releasably locking mechanism, configured to be released when the rack 100 is to be collapsed, and the front side structure 2 therefore must be rotated.

Figure 2 shows the collapsible rack 100 in a front view. The figure shows two elongated faces or guides 5, adapted to be engaged by the tines of a forklift. The channel-like guides 5 are shown as being downwardly open, however, in another embodiment, the bottom may be closed by plates, thereby increasing the rigidity of the collapsible rack 100.

Figures 3-4 show the hangers 6, pivotally mounted to the transverse bars 12. The transverse bars 12 comprise a supporting portion connected to the top portion 4 of the collapsible rack 100 and protruding brackets, pivotally support ing round bars. The hangers 6 are in this embodiment pivotally connected to the round bars of the transverse bars 12 in order to facilitate a pivoting con nection.

Figure 5 shows an intermodal container 400, which may be a reefer container, accommodating several collapsible racks 100. The collapsible racks 100 are loaded into the intermodal container 400 and shown in a configuration, ready to support carcasses hanging from their top portions 4.

Figure 6 shows an intermodal container 400, accommodating several collaps ible racks 100, that are stored inside the intermodal container 400 in a col lapsed configuration. In this configuration, the collapsible racks 100 are occu pying a reduced amount of space inside the intermodal container 400, and are thus in a suitable configuration to be stored or transported.

Figures 7-16 illustrate the steps to perform the collapsing of the collapsible rack 100.

Figure 7 show the collapsible rack 100 in a rigid configuration. An arm of a lifting device, such as of a truck or a crane, or of a forklift is shown engaging one of the transverse bars 12.

Figure 8 shows a forklift lifting the top portion 4 of the collapsible rack 100, thereby rotating the top portion 4 about a rotation axis between the top portion 4 and the rear side structure 1 , and disengaging the top portion 4 from the front side structure 2.

Figure 9 shows the forklift turning the top portion 4 towards a vertical position of the top portion 4. In figure 10, the top portion 4 has almost reached a vertical position, and the locking mechanism 8 of the support elements 7 have been released by sliding the sleeve 8a of the locking mechanism 8. Hereby is achieved, that the two sub parts 7a, 7b of the support elements 7 become mutually rotatable.

The release of the locking mechanism 8 and/or the sliding sleeve 8a may be done manually by an operator, or may be done automatically, by having a mechanism, that detects the top portion 4 having been turning upwards, and upon this releasing the sliding sleeve 8a and/or the locking mechanism 8.

In figure 11 it is seen that the two sub parts 7a, 7b are now in a non-aligned position, and that the rear side structure 1 is being rotated towards the bottom portion 3 of the collapsible rack 100.

This may be achieved by rotating the two sub parts 7a, 7b mutually, thereby applying a load onto the rear side structure 1 forcing it to rotate, or by applying a load onto the top portion 4 or on the rear side structure 1 , forcing the two sub parts 7a, 7b to rotate mutually. Movements of the rear side structure 1 and the top portion 4 may be continuously controlled and brought about by the shown fork lift or other lifting device.

Figure 12 shows the continued process of collapsing the collapsible rack 100, wherein the rear side structure 1 is rotated clock-wise towards the bottom por tion 3, and wherein the top portion 4 rotates counter clock-wise, held by the lifting device which is lowered.

Figure 13-14 show the rear side structure 1 being placed on top of the bottom portion 3, while the top portion 4 continues rotating counter clock-wise, also towards the bottom portion 3. Figure 15 shows the two sub parts 7a, 7b lying against each other and the top portion 4 almost having reached its final position on top of the rear side struc ture 1. Figure 15 further shows the front side structure 2 being turned towards the top portion 4; this may be done manually, by an operator holding on to the sides of the front side structure 2.

Figure 16 shows the collapsed collapsible rack 100, wherein the front side structure 2 lays on top of the top portion 4, which is placed on top of the rear side structure 1 , which lays on top of the bottom portion 3. For a more clear view of the collapsed rack 100, the support element 7 and the bracket 9, are not shown.

Claims

1. A collapsible rack (100), adapted to be arranged inside the interior of an intermodal container (400), comprising: a rear side structure (1), a front side structure (2), a bottom portion (3), a top portion (4), the rear side structure (1) being pivotally connected to the bottom por tion (3) and to the top portion (4), the front side structure (2) being pivotally connected to the bottom por tion (3), and the top portion (4) being releasably connected to the front side structure (2).

2. The collapsible rack (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one support element (7) comprising a first sub part (7a) and a second sub part (7b), each of the first and second sub parts (7a, 7b) having a rear end and a front end, wherein the front end of the first sub part (7a) is pivotally connected to the rear end of the second sub part (7b), the rear end of the first sub part (7a) is pivotally connected to the rear side structure (1 ), and the front end of the second sub part (7b) is pivotally connected to the bottom portion (3).

3. The collapsible rack (100) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one support element (7) further comprises a releasable locking mechanism (8) adapted to prevent a rotation between the first and second sub parts (7a, 7b), wherein the releasable locking mechanism (8) comprises a re leasable and lockable sliding sleeve (8a) configured to enclose a portion of both the first and the second sub parts (7a, 7b) when in a locking position.

4. The collapsible rack (100) according to any of the previous claims, fur ther comprising at least one bracket (9) connected to and protruding from the bottom portion (3), said bracket (9) being adapted to support said front side structure (2) in an upright position thereof.

5. The collapsible rack (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the rear side structure (1) and the front side structure (2) are rotatable from an upright position towards a position on top of said bot tom portion (3) when the collapsible rack (100) is in a collapsed config- uration.

6. The collapsible rack (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said bottom portion (3) comprises faces or guides (5) adapted to be engaged by the tines of a forklift.

7. The collapsible rack (100) according to claim 6, wherein said faces or guides (5) are defined by channels open at one or two ends.

8. The collapsible rack (100) according to any of the previous claims, said top portion (4) comprising one or more transverse bars (12).

9. The collapsible rack (100) according to claim 8, wherein said transverse bars (12) are adapted to carry one or more hangers (6) for hanging goods from the top portion (4).

10. The collapsible rack (100) according to claim 9, said hangers (6) being pivotally connected to said transverse bars (12).

11. The collapsible rack (100) according to claim 9 or 10, said hangers (6) being hooks.

12. A method for collapsing the collapsible rack (100) according to any of the previous claims, the method comprising the steps of:

- disconnecting the top portion (4) from the front side structure (2),

- turning the top portion (4) towards a vertical position, and - positioning the rear side structure (1 ), the top portion (4) and the front side structure (2) sequentially on top of the bottom portion (3).

13. The method according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 2, further comprising the step of releasing the locking mechanism (8) to allow for rotation between the first sub part (7a) and the second sub part (7b) for folding the first sub part (7a) against the second sub part (7b), after said step of turning said top portion (4) towards a vertical position.

14. The rack (100) of any of the previous claims 1-11, in a collapsed con- figuration, wherein said front side structure (2) rests on top of said top portion (4), and wherein said top portion (4) rests on said rear side struc ture (1), and wherein said rear side structure (1) rests on top of said bottom portion (3).