EP1528012A1 - Air cargo container. - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (C1) has a rigid framework with a lower frame assembled to a support base (1). An upper roof frame of the framework is mounted on the lower frame by an assembling unit. The assembling unit permits movement of the upper frame between a lowered position and a raised position in which the frame is partially separated away from the base to facilitate loading and unloading of the container through an open side of the container.

Description

The present invention relates to a container of freight. The invention relates more particularly to a freight container for air transport, in particular for the transport of mail.

Air transport of mail is carried out classic way in bags or in bins or stackable boxes placed in containers, commonly called igloos. Such containers include a support base defining the floor of the container and on which is mounted a frame rigid formed of aluminum profiles and defining the sides and the roof of the container. The container includes an open side, reclosable by a tarpaulin held by straps, the other three sides and the roof being closed by rigid panels in aluminum or plastic attached to the frame. The support base is conventionally formed of a pallet airplane of standard dimensions. Moreover, Frame dimensions must conform to those of the aircraft cabin, the height of the igloos being typically of the order of 1.50 meters.

For loading and unloading mail by the open side, especially in the case of stackable boxes that will eventually replace the bags, it is necessary for a person to enter the container. Because of the dimensions of the containers, the handling of mail in containers is carried out difficult and in positions that are not very ergonomic. Moreover, in the field of air freight, the staff has little time to loading / unloading containers, and the dimensions of the container do not facilitate the speed of execution of these operations.

The purpose of the present invention is to propose a container to improve the conditions of work of the staff responsible for loading / unloading containers, allowing particular to complete the loading and unloading under conditions of speed and acceptable ergonomics, while taking into account dimensions imposed by air transport and to increase the load of ferry.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a freight container comprising a support base on which is mounted a rigid frame, characterized in that said rigid frame comprises a lower frame, assembled to the base bracket, which defines the lateral sides of the container, and a frame roof mounted on the lower frame by means of assembly capable of permitting moving said upper roof frame between a low position and a raised position in which said chassis deviates at least partially from the base support for easy loading and unloading the container by at least one openable side of the container.

According to the invention, the container comprises a liftable roof frame so that in its raised position, a person can stand up in the container, at least on part of the base support. Such a liftable roof frame allows a easier and faster handling of bags or boxes, in more ergonomic positions. He has has been established that the container according to the invention allows a time saving of the order of 10% for its filling. In addition, the lift-up roof frame ensures optimal filling of the total internal volume of the container, which can notably make it possible to gain a stacking in the case of boxes.

According to one feature, the roof frame is formed of a frame, said connecting means connecting two opposed sections of said frame to said frame inferior.

In a first embodiment, the means of assembly are such that said roof frame is moved in translation between its lowered position and its raised position. The assembly means are suitable for move said frame so that the positions lowered and raised from the frame are parallel, advantageously, said frame is substantially parallel at the base support in both positions.

In a second embodiment, the means of assembly are able to move said frame between its two positions by a rotational movement around an axis substantially parallel to the support base, so that, advantageously, said frame is inclined relative to the support base in its raised position.

According to another feature, the support base has a generally rectangular shape, the lower frame includes four corner posts attached to the base support, connected in pairs by at least one bar rigid, and the frame includes two profiles longitudinals connected at the end by two sections lateral, the assembly means connecting the profiles lateral to said rigid bars.

In the first embodiment, each side profile can then be connected to a bar rigid by two pivotally mounted arms by a first end to said side profile and pivotally mounted by their second end on said bar remote from corner posts, at least two arms arranged on the side of the same longitudinal section being pivotally mounted on a shoe mounted mobile in translation on a assembled slide on the rigid bar. According to a mode particular embodiment, only two arms are mounted sliding on top bar, the other two arms being pivotally mounted on the upper bar by a fixed hinge so that between his two positions, the roof frame moves in translation perpendicularly and parallel to the support base, the roof frame being offset laterally above from the support base in its raised position.

In the second embodiment, each side profile can be connected to a top bar of the lower frame by an arm pivotally mounted by a first end on the side profile nearby of a first longitudinal profile, and is mounted pivoting by its second end on the riser mobile in translation on a slide assembly on the rigid bar, away from the corner posts, and by a hinge fixed near the second section longitudinal.

Advantageously, the freight container comprises elastic means, such as pneumatic cylinders by example, able to move the chassis of top roof towards its raised position, and means locking the upper frame in its low position closed.

According to another particularity, each pair of corner posts connected by a rigid bar carries a rigid wall, said container comprising two sides Opposite Businesses Defined by Amount Pairs corner joints, the roof frame and both open sides with a flexible wall maintained by a net formed of a network of straps transverse and longitudinal.

According to another particularity, the container comprises an internal separation wall, substantially parallel to the open sides, preferably sliding climb between the two rigid walls.

The invention will be better understood, and others goals, details, features and benefits will become clearer during the description detailed explanatory information that will follow from two modes of particular embodiments currently preferred of the invention, with reference to the appended schematic drawing.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un conteneur de fret aérien en position fermée selon un premier mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective du conteneur de la figure 1 en position ouverte et toit relevé ;
• la figure 3 représente une vue de côté du conteneur de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 représente le conteneur de la figure 2, en l'absence du filet et de la bâche, illustrant l'armature rigide du conteneur avec le châssis de toit dans sa position relevée ; et,
• la figure 5 représente une vue en perspective d'un conteneur selon un deuxième mode de réalisation, en l'absence du filet et de la bâche.

On this drawing :

• FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of an air cargo container in the closed position according to a first embodiment;
• Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 in the open position and roof raised;
• Figure 3 shows a side view of the container of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 shows the container of Figure 2, in the absence of the net and the sheet, illustrating the rigid frame of the container with the roof frame in its raised position; and,
• Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a container according to a second embodiment, in the absence of the net and the cover.

Figures 1 to 4 show a container according to a first embodiment of the invention, intended particularly the air transport of mail in bags and / or boxes. The container C1 comprises a support base 1, a metal frame comprising a lower frame 3, carrying two rigid walls 5 opposite, and an upper roof frame 4.

The support base 1, which defines the floor of the container C1, is formed in a known manner from a standard airplane pallet consisting of a plate rectangular aluminum provided along its edges 11 longitudinal and transverse 12 of a rail (no shown) for fixing a retaining net tarpaulin, by means of a pawn system, such as described below.

As illustrated in particular in Figure 4, the frame comprises a lower frame 3 comprising four corner posts 31-34 defining the sides lateral and longitudinal sides of the container C. Both said corner posts referenced 31 and 32, define a front longitudinal side, the other two so-called rear corner posts referenced 33 and 34, defining a rear longitudinal side. The amounts angles are fixed vertically to the four corners of the support base by means of brackets 35, 36. A first bracket 35 formed of an L-shaped profile is attached along each transverse edge 12 of the support base 1 by a first wing. The two amounts (31, 33) and (32, 34) on the same lateral side are fixed on the second wing of a first bracket 35. The fixing of each corner amount on the support base is completed by a second L-shaped bracket 36 fixed to the support base 1 and in the face of the amount opposite to the first square 35.

The lateral sides are closed by walls rigid formed by lateral panels 5 fixed between two corner posts and along the second wing 36. Each side panel shall plate 51, for example of composite plastic material, assembled by riveting to a formed metal frame a lower bar 52 and an upper bar 53 interconnected by two central bars 54. The upper and lower bars are welded to the corner posts corresponding, namely a front corner post and a rear corner post, parallel to the base support.

The rigid frame further comprises a frame of upper roof 4 comprising a frame 40 formed of two longitudinal profiles 41 connected at the end by two side profiles 42. Longitudinal profiles have a central portion 41a extending through end portions 41b inclined downwards by relative to the central portion. The frame is stiffened by a central longitudinal section 43, of the same shape the longitudinal profiles of the frame, connecting the two lateral sections 42. Longitudinal sections the frame are connected to the central longitudinal section at level of their central portions by a set transverse spacers 44.

The roof frame, the corner posts and the various lower frame bars can be made of aluminum profiles, for example rectangular section, or aluminum tubes.

The assembly means 6 of the roof frame on the lower frame include four arms 61-64 pivoted by a first end to the four corners of the frame 40, and by their second end on the upper bar 53 of the rigid panels. Arms are arranged transversely and pivot around axes of rotation arranged longitudinally, parallel to the support base.

The two arms 61, 62, said front, arranged on the side front longitudinal, are each pivotally mounted on a shoe 65 which is mounted mobile in translation on a slide guide 66 linear guide assembly on the bar superior of a rigid panel. The other two arms 63, 64, said rear, rear longitudinal side, are pivotally mounted by fixed hinge 67 on the top bar of the panels. As described below, the front and rear swivel arms allow moving the roof frame between a position as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 and a low position, as shown in Figure 1.

A pneumatic jack 68 is associated with each arm to resiliently urge the roof frame towards his raised position. Each piston is assembled from pivoting way to a corner post by its cylinder and the end of the piston rod is assembled from pivotally on a lateral profile 42 of the frame, to near a corner of the frame.

Locking means 7 are provided for keep the roof frame in its low position. In this embodiment, these blocking means include a projecting stud 71 on each amount angle fit to fit into the hole of a tongue 72 fixed at one end to the portion corresponding inclined frame. The free end of the tongue is advantageously provided with a loop 73 to facilitate the blocking / unblocking operation.

The container C1 also comprises a partition intermediate rigid 8 arranged longitudinally between the two side panels 5. The intermediate partition is advantageously slidably mounted between the two side panels to be moved in translation in the transverse direction and is kept at the desired position by positioning means appropriate. This partition, of similar structure that of the side panels, can be used to separate the internal volume of the container in two compartments, for example one for bags and the other for the boxes, or serve as a bottom wall rigid to close the rear longitudinal side of the container. The upper edge 81 of this partition intermediate is adapted to the shape of the profiles longitudinal dimensions of the roof frame so as to guarantee a correct separation of the two compartments in the low position of said frame.

With reference to FIG. 1, the roof frame 4, as well as the two longitudinal sides are covered a flexible covering or tarpaulin 9. The tarpaulin comprises a main part 91 covering the roof frame, which is prolonged by longitudinal sections 92 extending beyond the longitudinal sections 41 for close the longitudinal sides of the container in the low position of the roof frame. The tarpaulin is prolonged moreover beyond the lateral profiles 42 by side panels 93 which partially cover the side panels to ensure watertightness at the level the junction between the roof frame and the side panels in the lower position of the chassis of roof. Peripheral rushes are planned along the lateral and longitudinal profiles of the frame for protect the tarpaulin. These rods are for example heat-sealed or glued on the inner face of the tarpaulin.

The tarp is held on the roof frame by a net 10 comprising a network of straps longitudinal 101 and transverse 102 sewn on the tarpaulin whose ends can be connected to the rail aforementioned device of the support base 1.

The transverse straps 102, of which there are 5 the embodiment of the figures, extend the along the longitudinal sides 92 and are each provided with of a tensioning system 103 receiving the end of a assembly strap 104 whose second end is equipped with a standardized 105 pion system able to come snap into the peripheral rail of the base support. Each longitudinal pan has at least one longitudinal strap 110 fixed transversely to the assembly straps 104 and provided with hook 106 to its ends for its assembly to the corner posts at the means of assembly straps 107 in two parts. The two parts of this assembly strap 107 are interconnected by a tensioning system 108, one of the two parts being fixed to a corner post, while the other is provided with a ring 109 coming snap on a hook 106.

The longitudinal straps 101 of the part 91 of the tarpaulin, three in number embodiment illustrated in the figures, extend beyond the side panels 93 and are provided at their end of tensioning systems 111 for their assembly at the base support or pallet 1 by means of assembly straps 112 provided with a pin system 105. These assembly straps 112 are connected by a transverse strap 113 whose ends can be equipped with rings or hooks to allow his assembly to corner posts, as described previously.

The junction of the longitudinal sections 92 and the main portion 91 at the end portions inclined is ensured by means of a system Velcro-type assembly as shown schematically under the reference 94.

The container may further include a set of handles 14 at the corner posts and outer faces of the side panels 5 for facilitate the handling of the container, as well as pockets 13 on the outer faces of the panels for receive documents.

How the container is being used now to be described. To open the container initially closed position, as shown in Figure 1, the transverse 102 and longitudinal straps 101, 110 of the net are at first relaxed by releasing tensioning systems 108 and 111 on all four sides side of the container. Pion 105 systems assembly straps 104 on both longitudinal sides can then be disengaged from the rail and the rings 109 removed from hooks 106. Longitudinal sections 92 the tarpaulin with the assembly straps fitted with pawn systems are raised, preferably two operators, and the whole is placed on the chassis of roof, as shown schematically on the Figures 2 and 3. The four tabs 72 are then disengaged from their respective studs 71 by pulling on the loops 73. Preferably, one maneuvers in a first time the tabs arranged on the side of front corner posts 31, 32, namely on the side of arm 61, 62 slidably mounted on the frame lower, then the other two tabs arranged side of the rear corner posts 33, 34. The chassis of roof 4 thus released automatically lifts to its raised position under the effect of pneumatic cylinders 68. Figures 2 and 3 show the container in his whole in open position, with the tarpaulin raised, the roof frame in raised position. then of this deployment, the pad 65 moves from the inside out along the slide 66, the roof frame making a movement of translation upwards, perpendicular to the base support 1, and forward parallel to the base support 1, so that the roof frame is slightly offset from the support base. The longitudinal straps 101 will be enough relaxed to allow the full deployment of the roof frame to its raised position.

In this raised position, the roof frame is sufficiently removed from the support base for allow a person P to stand up, such as it appears in Figures 2 and 3. As a for example, the height of the container, defined by the distance between the longitudinal profiles of the frame and the base support, is about 1.50 meters in the low position of the roof frame, and about 1.85 meters in its raised position. So, the unloading / loading the container can be done in more ergonomic positions and more quickly. In the case of the use of the partition intermediate 8 to form two compartments, each compartment is accessible from one of the sides longitudinal boundaries, one of the compartments for example be used for bags, the other for bins or boxes. As noted above, the container according to the invention, provided with a roof frame liftable, saves time on the order of 10% for its filling. In addition, the transport of bins can be increased by around 7% compared to classic containers.

Once loading and / or unloading finished, closing the container is also done quickly as its opening. The roof frame is brought back to its lower position by pulling it down by the loops 73 of the tongues and by engaging the tongues on the pads 71, preferably those arranged on the side of the rear arms pivotally mounted on the top bar but without the possibility of transversal slide, then the other two arranged on the side of the front corner posts 31, 32. The longitudinal sections 92 are lowered, assembled at the main portion 91 at the inclined portions by the Velcro ® type system, the pawn systems assembly straps interlocked on the support base 1, the hooks 106 engaged on the rings 109 and all the tensioner systems 103, 111 are actuated to stretch the longitudinal and transverse straps.

In the case of air transport, the use of standardized pallet and net in the development of the container according to the invention makes it possible to meet the safety standards in force in air freight transport. Fittings metallic container must have rigidity sufficient to carry the tarp and ensure the moving the roof frame between its two positions. The tarpaulin carried by the frame allows to obtain a perfectly sealed container. By elsewhere, the container can be closed hermetic, without its contents being visible from outside, and thus ensures a secure transport.

As a variant, only the two longitudinal sides are covered by a tarpaulin, the roof frame being covered with a rigid coating, such as aluminum or plastic. In an other variant, the longitudinal sides are also covered with rigid panels, said panels being then mounted mobile on the frame, for example on the amounts by means of hinges, to allow access to the inside of the container.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment variant the assembly of the roof frame on the chassis lower, in which identical elements bear the same reference numbers. In this alternatively, the assembly means 16 do not include no rear arm, these being replaced by single hinges 163, 164 mounted on the end upper rear corner posts 33, 34. When its displacement between its two positions, the chassis of top roof 4 simply makes a movement of rotation around the axis of rotation of the two hinges arranged parallel to the support base. As before, pneumatic cylinders 68 are associated with the arms 61, 62 before slidably mounted on the side panels 5 via skid 65 on slide 66, to automatically raise the roof frame in its raised position illustrated in Figure 5. Access to the container is then done from preferably only the front longitudinal side, the rear longitudinal side being closed by a panel rigid longitudinal structure 150, similar in structure to side panels previously described, mounted between the two rear pillars. The longitudinal panel 150 comprises a plate 151 mounted on a frame formed an upper bar 152 and a lower bar 153 interconnected by three spacers 154. The upper bar, whose shape corresponds to that of longitudinal sections 41 of the frame 40, presents a central portion 152a extending by portions inclined end 152b. The tarpaulin (not shown) then includes a first longitudinal pan identical to the one previously described, to close the side front longitudinal axis, and a second longitudinal section of sufficient length to ensure the recovery of the junction area between the roof frame and the panel back.

Although the invention has been described in connection with with two particular embodiments, it is quite obvious that it is by no means limited and that it includes all the technical equivalents of described means as well as their combinations if these are within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

A cargo container for air transport, in particular for the transport of mail, comprising a support base (1) on which is mounted a rigid frame, characterized in that said rigid frame comprises a lower frame (3) assembled to the support base, which defines the lateral sides of the container, and an upper roof frame (4) movably mounted on the lower frame by assembly means (6, 16) adapted to allow movement of said upper roof frame between a position low and a raised position wherein said frame deviates at least partially from the support base to facilitate the loading and unloading of the container by at least one openable side of the container. Freight container according to claim 1, characterized in that the roof frame (4) is formed of a frame (40), said connecting means connecting two opposite sections of said frame to said lower frame. Freight container according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting means (6) are such that said roof frame is moved in translation between its lowered position and its raised position. Freight container according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting means (16) are able to move said frame (40) between its two positions by a rotational movement about an axis substantially parallel to the support base . Freight container according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the support base (1) has a generally rectangular shape, the lower frame (3) comprises four corner posts (31-34) fixed on the support base, connected in pairs by at least one rigid bar (53), and the frame (40) comprises two longitudinal profiles (41) end-connected by two lateral sections (42), the connecting means (6, 16). ) connecting the side profiles to said rigid bars. Freight container according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that each lateral section (42) is connected to a rigid bar by two pivotally mounted arms by a first end to said lateral profile and pivotally mounted at their second end to said bar. distance of the corner posts (31-34), at least two arms (61, 62) arranged on the side of the same longitudinal section being pivotally mounted on a shoe (65) mounted to move in translation on a slide (66) assembled on the rigid bar. Freight container according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that each lateral profile (42) is connected to an upper bar (53) of the lower frame by an arm pivotally mounted at a first end to the side profile in the vicinity of a first longitudinal profile (41), and is pivotally mounted at its second end on the bar movable in translation on a slide (66) assembled on the rigid bar, away from the corner posts, and by a hinge (163) fixed near the second longitudinal section. Freight container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises resilient means (68) capable of elastically displacing the upper roof frame (4) towards its raised position, and locking means (7) from the upper frame to its closed down position. Freight container according to one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that each pair of corner posts (61, 63; 62, 64) connected by a rigid bar (53) carries a rigid wall (5), said container comprising two opposite operative sides defined by the pairs of unbound corner posts, the roof frame and both sides being covered with a flexible wall (9) held by a net (10) formed of a network transverse and longitudinal straps (101, 102). Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an internal partition wall (8) substantially parallel to the lateral working sides.

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