CN113840786A

CN113840786A - Floor for a container, container comprising a floor part, floor part and method for manufacturing a floor section

Info

Publication number: CN113840786A
Application number: CN202080037199.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: L·吕贝克; T·T·尼尔森
Original assignee: Maersk Container Industri AS
Current assignee: Maersk Container Industri AS
Priority date: 2019-04-03
Filing date: 2020-04-01
Publication date: 2021-12-24
Also published as: WO2020201365A1; EP3947201A1; US20220194692A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor (10) for a container, said floor comprising at least one section (11,11 ', 11 "), wherein said floor section (11, 11', 11") is formed from a single sheet element and comprises a plurality of projecting elements (20 ', 20 ", 20") and a base (28), said floor section (11, 11', 11 ") having a rectangular shape with a length (L) extending in a first direction (X) and a width (W) extending in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X), each projecting element (20 ', 20", 20 ") comprising a base element with two side walls (22,23) extending perpendicularly from the base (28) of said floor section (11, 11', 11"). The invention further relates to a method for producing a floor segment (11, 11') for a container floor (10).

Description

Floor for a container, container comprising a floor part, floor part and method for manufacturing a floor section

The present invention relates to a floor for a container, i.e. an intermodal container, a truck or a railway wagon, wherein the floor comprises at least one floor section. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a floor section of a floor and a container comprising a floor part, end walls, a roof lining (roof lining) forming a roof, two opposite side walls and a floor.

Shipping containers for transporting dry goods are typically available as 20 foot and 40 foot containers, and the side walls are typically constructed of corrugated steel sheet. The floor inside the container is supported by a number of steel beams that extend horizontally across the width of the container.

The floor in a refrigerated container (also known as a freezer) is typically formed using an extrusion process to form an aluminum profile that includes a plurality of parallel T-bars (sometimes referred to as T-floors) that form a plurality of channels or airways. The T-bars or T-slots are mainly used to obtain an increased air flow inside the container.

The problem to be solved is to provide a floor comprising a plurality of floor segments with protruding elements forming channels or aeration channels, which floor segments have a low weight and at the same time achieve a sufficient mechanical strength of the protruding elements arranged on each floor segment.

Another problem to be solved is to provide a floor for an all welded structure, wherein the all welded structure comprises a plurality of floor sections comprising protruding elements, such as T-shaped grilles, for transporting air inside the all welded structure, such as a container, wherein the floor sections have a higher corrosion resistance and the risk of water ingress in the connection points is reduced due to the all welded structure.

This can be achieved by a floor for a container:

-wherein the floor section is formed from a single sheet element and comprises a plurality of raised elements and a base;

-the floor section has a rectangular shape with a length extending in a first direction and a width extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

-each projecting element comprises a head and a base element having two side walls extending perpendicularly from the base of the floor section, wherein the two side walls are formed with a spacing between each other;

-wherein an airway is formed between two adjacent raised elements to allow air to be directed in said airway;

-wherein the distance between two adjacent heads is smaller than the maximum width of the airway, in a ratio of 1:1.2 to 1:2.5, preferably in a ratio of 1:1.5 to 1: 1.9.

The invention brings the following possibilities: a floor for a container is provided, the floor being made of a stainless steel material, which has a higher corrosion resistance than a floor made of aluminum, thereby achieving a container that is more waterproof than commonly available refrigerated containers. The number of chimneys for each floor section may be increased. The air duct serves to guide air from the front of the container to the goods placed and anchored to the floor, and it will thus ensure an even distribution of air between the goods inside the container.

The invention provides a floor panel for a container comprising a plurality of floor sections, wherein projecting elements are integrated into the floor sections, whereby a floor panel can be provided wherein the projecting elements are more durable for the steps of loading and unloading goods placed inside the container.

A further advantage is that the invention provides a floor panel having a plurality of floor panel segments with protruding element(s), wherein the protruding element(s) has a higher impact strength than the connecting means used in commonly available refrigerated containers, wherein the connecting means is made of extruded aluminium material. By using a roll forming manufacturing process, floor sections with protruding elements can be obtained, which, due to the manufacturing process, will result in reduced maintenance activities and an extended service life of the floor during the service life of the container.

The projecting elements have a cross-sectional geometry wherein each projecting element comprises a base element having two side walls extending perpendicularly from the base of the floor section. The two side walls are formed with a spacing between the two side walls for enhancing air flow in the floor section. Each floor section has a substantially reduced material thickness compared to an aluminium floor panel made by an extrusion process, thereby achieving a lower weight of the floor section in the container.

As an advantage, the projecting elements on each floor segment can be arranged at a greater distance, since the mechanical strength of steel is higher than comparable alternative floor segments, which are usually manufactured from aluminum.

As an advantage, the weight and production costs of the floor are significantly reduced compared to similar comparable alternative floor sections, which are typically manufactured from aluminum sections.

In embodiments, the base element is connected to the head by a pair of side walls and the head is substantially parallel to the base of the floor section and offset relative to the base, with the two side walls being parallel to each other.

Thus, a better and more robust connection between the wall and the bottom plate can be obtained, and furthermore the distance between the two side walls can be varied, as well as the distance between the base of the projecting element and the head.

In embodiments, the transition portion is formed and located between the head and the two sidewalls. By using the transition portion, an enhanced anchoring of the cargo to be held relative to the floor may be provided. The transition portion may be realized as an inclined wall between the side wall and the head portion, or the transition portion may be a curved portion extending between the head portion and the transition portion.

In an embodiment, the base element is connected to a head offset relative to the base of the floor section, wherein the two side walls are recessed relative to each other. By using concave side walls a smooth transition between the head part of the male element and the base element can be achieved.

In an embodiment, each of said protruding elements extends in a first direction (X) of said floor section, and the distance between two side walls is at least 1mm and the distance H between adjacent heads_dIs at least 10mm, the head has a width H_w. By using a plurality of protruding elements extending in a first direction (X), an even distribution of the protruding elements along the first direction of each floor section may be achieved.

In an embodiment, the base comprises a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the base is elevated relative to the base and is configured for engaging a corresponding second end of another floor segment. By using a floor section with a base part, the first end of which is elevated with respect to the second end, a larger connection area can be achieved between two adjacent elements to be connected together.

In an embodiment, the raised elements are formed by roll forming the sheet material into a plurality of base plate segments comprising a plurality of raised elements. By using a floor section made by using a roll forming process, a floor section having a substantially lower thickness may be achieved than a corresponding floor section made by using an extrusion process.

In an embodiment, each base plate segment has projecting elements arranged in more than one row. By arranging the protruding elements in rows, the number of air ducts per floor section can be increased. The air duct serves to guide air from the front of the container to the goods placed and anchored to the floor, and the air duct will thus ensure an even distribution of air between the goods inside the container.

In an embodiment, the floor sections form an air duct for carrying cooling air in each floor section of the container. Width A of the air channel_wCorresponding to the distance between the side walls of two adjacent projecting elements.

In the embodiment having a curved side wall,width A of the air channel_wCorresponding to the diameter of a partial tube formed (formed) portion formed by two adjacent projecting elements.

In an embodiment, the single sheet element is a metal sheet, preferably high grade stainless steel. Stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance compared to aluminum that is typically used to cool containers such as freezer cabinets.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a container comprises a floor portion, an end wall, a roof lining forming a roof, two side walls and a floor, wherein the floor is connected to each of the opposite side walls and an inner compartment is formed between the floor portion and the floor, wherein the inner compartment formed by the floor portion and an underside of the floor is adapted to be filled with an insulating material. The space between the two side walls of each projecting element (T-shaped grid) will also be filled with an insulating material.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a floor section for a container floor, the floor section being formed from sheet elements and having a rectangular shape with a length extending in a first direction and a width extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the floor section comprising:

a plurality of projecting elements extending from the base; wherein each projecting element extends longitudinally along the first direction and comprises:

o a head; and

o two side walls connected between the base and the head of the floor section;

o wherein the head extends a first distance in the second direction and at least a portion of the sidewall extends a second distance in the second direction, and the first distance is greater than the second distance;

wherein an airway is formed between the base, the head and the side wall of two adjacent projecting elements and arranged to direct air flow within the airway.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a floor section for a container floor, comprising:

providing a sheet element and having a rectangular shape with a length extending in a first direction and a width extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction,

forming a plurality of projecting elements extending from the base; wherein each projecting element extends longitudinally along the first direction and comprises:

o a head; and

o two side walls connected between the base and the head of the floor section;

wherein an airway is formed between the base, the head and a side wall of two adjacent projecting elements and arranged to direct air flow within the airway.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1A shows a schematic view of the interior of a container.

Fig. 1B shows a diagrammatic representation of a floor for the container shown in fig. 1A.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view (AA) of the base plate shown in FIG. 1B.

Fig. 3A shows a close-up view (BB) of the base plate shown in fig. 1B.

Fig. 3B schematically shows a close-up view (CC) of four raised elements according to one embodiment shown in fig. 3A.

Fig. 4A-4C show alternative embodiments of projecting elements.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a roll forming machine suitable for forming a single sheet into a floor section.

Various embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Therefore, similar elements will not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure.

It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments.

Aspects or advantages described in connection with a particular embodiment are not necessarily limited to that embodiment, and may be practiced in any other embodiment, even if not so shown or not so explicitly described. The same reference numerals are used throughout the same or corresponding parts.

Fig. 1A shows a container 1, such as a reefer container, from one end thereof. The container 1 may be a freezer container, a truck or a railway container. The container 1 provides a cooling compartment comprising a floor portion 2, end walls 3 and a roof lining forming a roof panel 4 (roof structure) in the container 1, a pair of opposed side walls 5 and an open end closable by a pair of

doors

6, 7. A freezer unit (not shown) may be integrated in the end walls, for example, the freezer unit may be installed afterwards.

The container may be used for transporting goods and is substantially rectangular. All structural parts of the container, such as the side walls 5, the floor part 2, may be formed from sheet metal, preferably steel material. Stainless steel or Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) may also be used internally. The floor 10 is configured to be positioned and arranged inside the container 1.

The freezer container is capable of maintaining the cargo at a desired temperature during the transport of the cargo stored inside the freezer container. The inner cladding or lining may be composed of a steel sheet material, such as stainless steel. Aluminum is commonly used in the roof section and Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) is also commonly used in the roof and sides. The floor inside the container allows for proper air circulation around perishable goods and proper drainage of condensate.

In all the figures, the sheet material is roll formed into a plurality of base plate segments having a plurality of projecting

elements

20, 20', 20 ". The single sheet member is a metal sheet, preferably High Grade Stainless Steel (HGSS).

The floor 10 shown in fig. 1B is intended to be mounted in a lower part of the container 1, more preferably resting on the floor part 2 of the container 1.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view (AA) of the base plate shown in FIG. 1B. The floor panel is composed of a plurality of floor panel segments 11 for forming a floor panel 10 in the container. Each floor segment 11 comprises a plurality of projecting elements 20, which will be explained in further detail with reference to fig. 4A-4C. Each floor segment 11 has a rectangular (polygonal) shape with a length (L) extending in a first direction (X) and a width (W) extending in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X). Fig. 2 shows only a portion of the full length.

Fig. 3A shows a floor similar to that shown in fig. 1B, but consisting of a plurality of floor sections 11 interconnected to form a floor for a container. The plurality of base plate segments are formed from sheet material, with each base plate segment 11 having a plurality of raised elements 20. The projecting elements may be arranged in more than one row. The base plate 10 is formed by a plurality of base plate segments 11 each comprising a plurality of protruding elements 20. When all the segments are interconnected to form the floor 10, the upper surfaces of the projecting elements 20 together constitute a support on which goods can be placed and handled. A base plate 10 is connected to each of a pair of opposing side walls 12 and an internal compartment is formed between the base plate portion 2 (shown in fig. 1A) and the base plate 10, and the internal compartment may be filled with an insulating material.

Fig. 3A shows a floor 10 for a container, in particular a refrigerated container, in a view from an end face. The base plate 10 comprises a plurality of base plate segments 11, wherein each of the base plate segments 11 is formed of a single sheet member and comprises a plurality of projecting elements 20, more specifically, each base plate segment 11 comprises a plurality of projecting elements 20 and a base 28 (see fig. 3B). The bottom of the floor section 11 is supported by a number of support elements 30 for at least partially supporting each floor section.

As shown in fig. 3B, the base 28 includes a first end 29 and a second end 30 located opposite the first end 29, wherein the first end 29 of the base 28 is elevated relative to the base and is configured for engaging a corresponding second end of another floor segment 11, as described above. The overlapping of directly adjacent floor sections 11 is done by positioning the sections side by side with each other in a certain overlap before welding the floor sections 11 together. However, it is also possible to form the floor panel without the floor panel sections overlapping each other by simply welding the edges together.

An internal space is formed between the two

side walls

22,23 of the projecting element 20 and can be filled with a filler plastic. This filler plastic forms a shear resistant adhesive connection, so that the projecting element as a whole acts as a shear spacer.

In one embodiment, each projecting element 20 has a head 21, and the sheet material of which the sole plate section is made may have a material thickness of up to 2mm, preferably 0.5mm to 1.5 mm. The length (L) of the floor section 11 can be 5896mm-12035 mm. The width (W) of the floor section 11 may be up to 2200mm-2350 mm. Each of the floor segments 11 may comprise a plurality of projecting elements 20, and the floor 10 may be composed of a plurality of floor segments 11. In one example, each of the floor segments 11 may comprise between five and seven projecting elements 20, and the floor 10 may consist of between five and seven floor segments 11.

In fig. 4A to 4C, each floor segment has a plurality of projecting

elements

20, 20', 20 "and a base 28. The floor section is produced by roll forming a steel sheet. In fig. 4A and 4C, the base element comprises two

side walls

22,23 connected to a base 28 via inclined

lower transition elements

26, 27. Each of the projecting elements has a stem portion narrower than the head 21 and shorter in width than the head 21. In this way, the head 21 overhangs the two

side walls

22, 23.

Referring now to fig. 4A to 4C, the sole plate 10 comprises a plurality of sole plate segments 11, wherein the base element comprises a head portion 21, said head portion 21 being substantially parallel to the base portion 28 of the respective

sole plate segment

11, 11', 11 "shown in fig. 4A to 4C and offset with respect to said base portion 28.

Referring now to fig. 4A, the two

side walls

22,23 are parallel to and spaced apart from each other. A transition portion 220 is formed and located between the head 21 and the two

side walls

22, 23.

Referring now to fig. 4B, the floor segment 11 'has a base element comprising a head 21 offset with respect to a base 28 of the floor segment 11', wherein the two

side walls

24,25 are recessed with respect to each other. A transition portion 220 is formed and located between the head 21 and the two

side walls

24, 25.

Referring now to fig. 4C, the two

side walls

22,23 are parallel to and spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than the distance between the two

side walls

22,23 shown in the embodiment in fig. 4A. An angled transition portion 220 is formed and located between the head 21 and the two

side walls

22, 23.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a roll forming machine suitable for forming a single sheet into a base plate segment having a plurality of protruding elements. The roll forming machine comprises a plurality of

first rollers

44, 46 and

second rollers

42, 48, wherein the

first rollers

44, 46 have a first axis of rotation Z positioned substantially perpendicular to a first direction corresponding to a feed direction X of the roll forming machine, wherein the

second rollers

42, 48 have a second axis of rotation Y perpendicular to the first axis of rotation Z.

According to an aspect of the invention, a

floor section

11, 11', 11 "for a container floor 10, said floor section being formed of sheet elements and having a rectangular shape with a length L extending in a first direction X and a width W extending in a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X, said floor section comprising:

a plurality of projecting elements 20', 20 "extending from the base 28; wherein each projecting

element

20, 20', 20 "extends longitudinally along a first direction and comprises:

o a head 21; and

o two

side walls

22,23,24,25 connected between the base 28 and the head of the

floor section

11, 11', 11 ";

wherein an air passage a is formed between the base, head and side walls of two adjacent projecting

elements

20, 20', 20 "and is arranged to guide the air flow inside said air passage.

The

floor segment

11, 11', 11 "for a container floor 10 can be manufactured by a method comprising:

providing a sheet element and having a rectangular shape with a length (L) extending in a first direction (X) and a width (W) extending in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X),

forming a plurality of projecting elements 20', 20 "extending from the base 28; wherein each projecting

element

20, 20', 20 "extends longitudinally along a first direction and comprises:

o a head 21; and

o two

side walls

22,23,24,25 connected between the base 28 and the head of the

floor section

11, 11', 11 ";

elements

20, 20', 20 "and is arranged to guide the air flow inside said air passage.

Claims

1. A floor (10) for a container, said floor comprising at least one floor section (11, 11'), wherein

● the floor section (11,11 ') being formed from one or more sheet elements and comprising a plurality of tab elements (20' ) and a base (28);

● the floor section (11, 11') has a rectangular shape with a length (L) extending in a first direction (X) and a width (W) extending in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X);

● each projecting element (20 ', 20 ", 20") comprises a head (21) and a base element having two side walls (22,23,24,25) extending perpendicularly from the base (28) of the floor section (11, 11', 11 "), wherein the two side walls are formed with a spacing between each other;

● an airway (A) is formed between two adjacent raised elements (20, 20') to allow air to be directed in the airway;

● between two adjacent heads (21)_d) Less than the maximum width (A) of the air duct_w) Preferably with a ratio of 1:1.5 to 1: 2.0.

2. The soleplate (10) according to claim 1, wherein the base element is connected to a head (21) which is substantially parallel to the base (28) of the soleplate segment (11, 11', 11 ") and which is offset with respect to the base (28), wherein the two side walls (22,23) are parallel to each other.

3. The base plate (10) according to claim 2, wherein a transition portion (220) is formed and located between the head (21) and the two side walls (22,23,24, 25).

4. The floor panel (10) according to claim 1, wherein the base element is connected to a head (21) which is offset with respect to the base (28) of the floor panel section (11, 11', 11 "), wherein the two side walls (24,25) are recessed with respect to each other.

5. The soleplate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the protruding elements extends in a first direction (X) of the soleplate section (11, 11', 11 ") and a distance between two side walls (22,23,24,25) is at least 1mm and the distance (H) is_d) Is at least 10 mm.

6. The soleplate (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (28) comprises a first end (29) and a second end (30) located opposite to the first end (29), wherein the first end (29) of the base (28) is elevated with respect to the base and is configured for engaging a corresponding second end of another soleplate segment (11, 11', 11 ").

7. A backplane (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the protruding elements are formed by roll forming sheet material into a plurality of backplane sections comprising a plurality of protruding elements.

8. The soleplate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each soleplate segment (11,11 ', 11 ") has projecting elements (20') arranged in more than one row.

9. The floor (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said floor sections form an air duct for carrying cooling air in each floor section of said container.

10. Soleplate (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said single sheet element is a metal sheet, preferably high-grade stainless steel.

11. A container comprising a floor part (2), an end wall (3), a roof lining forming a roof panel (4), two opposite side walls (5) and a floor panel (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the floor panel (10) is connected to each of the opposite side walls (5) and an inner compartment is formed between the floor part (2) and the floor panel (10), wherein the inner compartment formed by the floor part and the underside of the floor panel (10) is adapted to be filled with an insulating material.

12. A floor segment (11, 11', 11 ") for a container floor (10), the floor segment being formed of sheet elements and having a rectangular shape with a length (L) extending in a first direction (X) and a width (W) extending in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X), the floor segment comprising:

a plurality of projecting elements (20', 20 ", 20") extending from the base (28); wherein each projecting element (20, 20', 20 ") extends longitudinally along said first direction and comprises:

an o-head (21); and

o two side walls (22,23,24,25), the two side walls (22,23,24,25) being connected between the base (28) and the head of the floor section (11, 11', 11 ");

o the second direction extends a first distance and at least a portion of the sidewall extends a second distance along the second direction, and the first distance is greater than the second distance;

● wherein an airway (A) is formed between the base, the head and the side wall of two adjacent raised elements (20, 20', 20 ") and is arranged to direct air flow within the airway.

13. A method of manufacturing a floor segment (11, 11', 11 ") for a container floor (10), the method comprising:

forming a plurality of projecting elements (20', 20 ", 20") extending from the base (28); wherein each projecting element (20, 20', 20 ") extends longitudinally along said first direction and comprises:

an o-head (21); and