EP0812783B1 - Condensation water recovery system inside containers and container equipped with such a condensation system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to product insulation transported in a container and, more particularly, insulation of these products from condensation water due the very nature of the products transported.

When transporting inside containers of products highly charged with humidity, such as cocoa or coffee, from countries hot producers to temperate climates, see even cold in winter, strong condensation occurs at inside the container, especially on the face interior of the roof thereof, which causes the creation of mold causing deterioration part of the cargo contained in the containers.

Several systems likely to avoid this wet products transported in containers have been tried without significant success. So the use of desiccants loaded with cargo, arrangement of cardboard panels on the top of the cargo to absorb water, and also application absorbent paint under the ceiling of the container.

We also plan to use containers ventilated, i.e. with ventilation natural by a chimney effect. Such a layout has some effectiveness but it is however insufficient during certain periods of the year. In addition, it frequently happens that, for lack of a sufficient number of ventilated containers, it is necessary to make use standard containers (not ventilated) for perform unforeseen transport of such products charged with humidity.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the above mentioned drawbacks and she proposes for this purpose, to protect water from condensation of the products contained inside containers, to equip the container with a device which, while being very efficient, easy and fast place, and a low cost price, occupies only a very small amount of space inside the container volume not constituting an obstacle to the use of container thus equipped to transport full different products on the return journey.

The invention therefore proposes collect and hold water tightly condensation that forms on the inside of the roof container during transport, so that this water cannot come into contact with the cargo contained in the container.

The invention consists of a system as defined in claim 1. This system comprises a flexible waterproof element equipped with means for its attachment to the top of a container, between the roof and the cargo contained therein, the face lower of said flexible element being integral with at less a sealed receptacle, intended to collect and conserve water during transport condensation falling from the top of the container onto the element flexible, without this water reaching the cargo.

Said flexible element is advantageously consisting of a canvas of a synthetic material, by polypropylene example, and its attachment to the part top of the container is made in a non- airtight on the sides, to allow natural convection so that the dew point takes place on the cold roof of the container.

The fixing of the flexible element, according to a preferred embodiment, can be accomplished by means of of cords attached along the longitudinal edges of the flexible element and tied to a peripheral support carried by the walls of the container.

The waterproof receptacle (s) integral with the underside of the flexible element are advantageously constituted by at least one fold longitudinal formed in the flexible element and closed at its extremities. This longitudinal fold is also closed at its upper part by presenting however in this zone at least one opening allowing entry, in this fold, condensed water from the roof and collected on the flexible element.

la figure 1 est une vue en plan d'une toile étanche constituant le dispositif de fixation selon l'invention, destinée à sous-tendre le toít d'un conteneur ;

la figure 2 est une vue en élévation de côté de la toile de la figure 1 :

la figure 3 est une vue en bout de la toile des figures 1 et 2 ; et

les figures 4 et 5 sont respectivement des vues en coupe verticale transversale et en coupe verticale longitudinale montrant la disposition du dispositif des figures 1 à 3 à la partie supérieure d'un conteneur.

To clearly understand the device according to the present invention, there will be described below, by way of example without limitation, a preferred embodiment with reference to the attached schematic drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a waterproof fabric constituting the fixing device according to the invention, intended to underpin the roof of a container;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the fabric of FIG. 1:

Figure 3 is an end view of the fabric of Figures 1 and 2; and

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively in vertical cross section and in vertical longitudinal section showing the arrangement of the device of Figures 1 to 3 at the top of a container.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the device according to the invention consists of a canvas 1 in polypropylene of rectangular shape, having good waterproof qualities. parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fabric 1 and symmetrically by relative to this axis are provided over the entire length of this two folds 2,2 'arranged on the side of the face lower part of the sheet 1 and closed in a sealed manner each end by welding the fabric. At his part upper, each 2.2 'fold is closed by welding but has three openings in a central area successive 3.3 'respectively which are intended for allow passage inside the tanks constituted by the two 2.2 'folds, water falling condensation, as will be explained later, on canvas 1.

In the vicinity of each of its edges the web 1 has a series of eyelets 4.4 'in which are intended to pass cords which, as we will see later in reference to figure 4, are used to fix the canvas 1 at the top of the longitudinal walls of a container.

At each end the canvas 1 has transversely, over its entire width, a sheath 5 intended to receive a support bar.

Each end of the canvas 1 extends by a flap 6, made of the same material.

In Figure 4, there is shown the canvas 1 arranged in position of use to the part top of a container 7. The fabric 1 is stretched parallel to the roof 3 of the container 7, a few centimeters below it, having its edges longitudinal fixed by cords 9 passing in the eyelets 4 of the fabric, on a peripheral cord 10 carried by the walls of the container 7. This connection is not air-tight on the sides of canvas 1, which allows natural convection so that the dew point is done on the cold roof of the container.

At each transverse end, the tension of the fabric 1 is provided by a bar 11 in polyvinyl chloride, placed inside the sheath 5 of the canvas and in support at each end on the longitudinal walls of the container.

We understand that, during transport in the container 7, from a warm country (e.g. a country from Africa) to a temperate country in Europe, from a product to high moisture content such as cocoa, condensation on the inside of the roof 8 of the container drips onto the canvas 1 and flows through the 3.3 'openings into the 2.2' folds forming flexible tanks. As the 2,2 'tanks fill up the canvas 1, under the effect the weight of the water in the tanks and thanks to the relative flexibility of the bars 11, curves towards the center what guides the water falling on the canvas 1 towards the openings 3.3 ′ formed therein.

The collected condensed water collects in sealed tanks 2.2 'in which it remains locked up during all transportation while isolated cocoa cargo and therefore without causing any deterioration thereof due to humidity. As For example, the volume of water stored in a 2.2 'fold can be of the order of 40 liters.

To perfect the sealing of the container, each opening end of it, the flap 6 extending the fabric 1 is folded down outside element 12 (Figure 5) which holds the cargo at inside the container when opening the container. Thus the condensation water produced at these ends will be led, by these shutters, out of the enclosure in which the cargo is kept.

It will be understood that the above description has was given as an example, without character limiting, and that additions or modifications could be made without leaving the part of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. System for collecting condensation water inside a container, characterised in that it comprises a water-tight flexible element (1), whose dimensions correspond to those of a horizontal section of the container (7) to be equipped, two opposing edges of the flexible element (1) being provided with means (4, 9) for fixing to the upper portion of two opposing walls of the container (7) in order to tension the flexible element (1) in parallel with and slightly below the lid (8) of the container (7), the lower face of the flexible element (1) being integral with at least one impermeable flexible receptacle (2, 2') which communicates with at least one opening (3, 3') arranged in the flexible element (1) to collect and store the condensation water falling onto the flexible element (1).
2. System according to claim 1, characterised in that the longitudinal edges of the flexible element (1) are fixed to the longitudinal walls of the container (7), the impermeable receptacle (2, 2') being orientated in the longitudinal direction of the flexible element (1).
3. System according to claim 2, characterised in that the impermeable receptacle is constituted by a longitudinal fold (2, 2') formed in the flexible element (1) and closed at its ends.
4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flexible element (1) is constituted by a sheet of a synthetic material, for example, polypropylene.
5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fixing of the opposing edges of the flexible element (1) to the walls of the container (7) is not air-tight, permitting a circulation of air which promotes the condensation on the internal face of the lid (8) of the container (7).
6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flexible element (1) comprises several supply openings (3, 3') for each impermeable receptacle (2, 2'), those supply openings (3, 3') being aligned on the flexible element (1).
7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the means for fixing the flexible element (1) comprise cords (9) introduced into eyelets (4) which are integral with the edges of the flexible element (1) and bound to a support (10) carried by the walls of the container (7).
8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, at its two ends which are not fixed to the walls of the container (7), the flexible element (1) forms a sheath (5) intended to receive a bar (11) which is carried at its ends by the walls of the container (7) and which improves the rigidity of the system.
9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flexible element (1) is extended at its ends by a flap (6) of the same material.
10. Container fitted with a system for collecting condensation water according to any one of claims 1 to 9, for the transport of freight having a high humidity level, comprising the water-tight flexible element (1) which is tensioned horizontally at a small distance below the lid (8) of the container (7), that flexible element (1) being fixed in a manner which is not air-tight by its longitudinal edges to the longitudinal walls of the container (7), the condensation water falling from the lid (8) of the container (7) onto the flexible element (1).

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