EP3003913A1

EP3003913A1 - Expandable multimodal transport container

Info

Publication number: EP3003913A1
Application number: EP14739270.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mohamed Sahbi Miled
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-25
Filing date: 2014-05-15
Publication date: 2016-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-15
Also published as: CN105492343A; US20160114968A1; EP3003913B1; WO2014193317A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of ISO containers that are adjustable lengthwise, and more specifically to an optimised use of such adjustable ISO containers. This invention, and the claims related to same, were the subject of a patent application filed in France in late May 2013 by the same applicant and inventor, Mr. Mohamed Sahbi Miled. Figure 1 illustrates a three-dimensional view of the solution, an example of an ISO container according to the present invention in the elongated configuration of same. In particular, figure 1 illustrates a fixed central portion (1) corresponding to an ISO container of size A, which is equivalent to a length L0 of twenty (20) feet; a left-hand movable portion (2a) of size ((B-A)/2)), which is equivalent to a length L2 of ten (10) feet; and a right-hand movable portion (2b) of size ((B-A)/2)), which is equivalent to a length L1 of ten (10) feet.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of ISO containers adjustable in the length direction, and more particularly to an optimized use of such adjustable ISO containers. This invention and the claims attached to it were the subject of a patent application filed in France at the end of May 2013 by the same applicant and inventor namely Mr. Mohamed Sahbi MILED. The intermodal container is a box (preferably a parallelepiped), usually made of steel, reusable-and-standardized-used-for-the-stoekage-and-the-freight-of-goods-The-intermodal-freight system containerized is global and allows for safe and efficient movement of goods. The term "intermodal" indicates that the container can be moved from one mode of transport to another (maritime, river, rail, road) without breaking the load, that is to say without unloading and reloading the contents of the container. The containers each have a unique identification mark governed by ISO 6346; their length generally varies from 8 feet (2.388 m) to 56 feet (17.07 m) and their height from 8 feet (2.438 m) to 9 feet 6 inches (2.9 m). The capacity of the containers is often expressed in units equivalent to twenty feet (capacity equal to a length standard of 6.10 m "width of 2.44 m). We will call them later the "ISO containers" because they must comply with the ISO requirements in force at the time of their manufacture; for example in transport to allow transport by truck, train, boat and / or barge. Reference may also be made to ISO 568: 1995 (which defines containers of 10, 20, 30 and 40 feet) and / or more recently to ISO 668: 2013; whose contents are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention thus relates to the field of ISO containers adjustable in the direction of their length, and more particularly to an optimized use of such adjustable ISO containers. As described below, although ISO standardization of container transport has greatly contributed to a streamlining of container transport on a global scale, the Applicant has developed a critical improvement to the container transport system which will allow for better management of containers. movements of goods around the world. Indeed, globalization leads to unbalanced container freight movements that can not be controlled and / or optimized because of the global mobility of supply and demand. Containers that have traveled from one point to another often end up either in storage at the destination, or leave empty and / or partially filled to another destination. There is therefore a need for optimization of container transport while respecting the international standards in force.

Some solutions for improving the field of container transport have been described in the prior art. Thus, there is prior art relating to:

foldable containers in order to optimize the empty transport of said containers,

- containers whose faces are removable so as to facilitate the loading and / or unloading of goods, and

- containers made of materials other than steel in order to reduce their weight.

The prior art also describes examples of adjustable containers. By way of illustration, the international patent application WO2011110725 relates to an adaptable container, provided with means for modifying its dimensions so that the columns of its frame and the walls Lateral, frontal and posterior are expandable from standard container to double height container. The particularly sought-after application for containers of this type concerns the habitat; indeed, Figure 10 of WO2011110725 shows a modular assembly obtained by grouping the different containers together and attaching them to each other (this including a stack) to form a house, a showroom, a place of leisure,. ..

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container transport which manifests itself by the fact that they are often not ISO containers because they no longer meet the ISO requirements for transport and handling by container. This is probably due to the fact that the main application developed over the last decades on the basis of adjustable containers relates generically habitat as described above.

Thus, there is still a need for optimization of ISO container transport. The present invention therefore relates to the field of ISO containers adjustable in the direction of their length, and more particularly the optimized use of such adjustable ISO containers.

An ISO container is a transport vehicle

1. Being durable and therefore strong enough to support multiple uses;

2. designed to facilitate the transport of goods by one or more modes of transport without load breakage;

3. equipped with accessories allowing simple handling and especially the transfer from one mode of transport to another;

4. designed to be filled and unloaded easily;

5. having an internal volume of 1 m3 or more;

6. preferably stackable; and

7. complies with ISO standards for existing containers and in force at the time of manufacture (and complies with the relevant safety standards).

Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, this objective is achieved thanks to an adjustable ISO container consisting of a central element characterized in that said central element comprises a fixed central portion corresponding to an ISO container of dimension A and two integral parts of the fixed central part, movable in the length direction and deployable on either side of the fixed central part, and allowing the conversion of the dimension A container into a container of dimension B greater than A.

The present invention also relates to the use of an adjustable ISO container consisting of a central element characterized in that said central element comprises a fixed central portion corresponding to an ISO container of dimension A and two integral parts of the fixed central part , movable lengthwise and deployable on both sides of the fixed central part, and allowing the transformation of the dimension A container into a B-size container greater than A, said use relating to the transport of goods by A-size ISO container and B-size ISO container using the same ISO adjustable container. Finally, the present invention also relates to a method of optimizing the transport of goods by the use of the adjustable ISO container as claimed.

The invention, with its features and advantages, will emerge more clearly on reading the description given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a three-dimensional view of an exemplary ISO container according to the present invention in its elongated configuration.

FIG. 2 illustrates a three-dimensional view of an exemplary ISO container according to the present invention in its elongated configuration, a configuration realized by means of a motorized machine also shown in the figure.

In particular, Figure 1 illustrates:

90 - a fixed central part (1) corresponding to an ISO container of dimension A equivalent to a length L0 of twenty (20) feet;

- a left moving part (2a) of dimension ((B-A) / 2)) equivalent to a length L2 of ten (10) feet; and

- a moving part (2b) of dimension ((B-A) / 2)) equivalent to a length L1 of ten (10) feet. Thus, the elongate configuration ("elongated mode") according to FIG. 1 illustrates a dimension container.

B is equivalent to a total length of forty (40) feet. The compact configuration ("compact mode") of the container of Figure 1 - although not illustrated - can easily be deduced from the figure when the two moving parts are entirely merged with the central part. Thus, the compact configuration obtained by means of the container according to FIG. 1 is a container of

100 dimension A equivalent to a total length of twenty (20) feet. Although the present invention is not limited to 20 and 40 foot containers - the advantages of the present invention can actually be achieved with containers having different dimensions in compact and / or elongated configuration - this type of combination of dimensions is a preferred mode according to the present invention as explained below.

An essential feature of the present invention is that the adjustable container retains its ISO characteristics and requirements in all configurations, whether the latter are compact or elongated.

According to one preferred embodiment, the adjustable container according to the present invention comprises wedge pieces allowing the said container to be tied down and / or stacked on other containers (and vice and

110 versa) in a conventional manner. Thus, in its compact configuration, the container according to the present invention comprises at least four corner pieces either on its upper face or on its lower face; preferably at least four corner pieces on each of these two faces, ie eight corner pieces. These corner pieces are arranged at the four / eight ends of the faces - in accordance with the ISO standards for existing containers and in force at the time of their

115 (eg ISO 668: 1995 and, in particular, Annex A thereto) - so as to allow stacking and / or stowage. Similarly, in its elongate configuration, the container according to the present invention also comprises at least four corner pieces either on its upper face or on its lower face; preferably at least four corner pieces on each of these two faces, eight corner pieces. These corner pieces are arranged at the four / eight ends of the

120 faces to allow stacking.

In a preferred configuration of the adjustable container according to the present invention, the movable lateral parts which merge with the fixed central part in compact mode have an identical length. The interlocking between the removable parts and the fixed central part can be done in any way-suitable-for-as-as-the-container-retains its-characteristic-ISO-in-all-its

125 possible configurations. For example, the movable lateral parts which merge with the fixed central part may either surround the said central part or - and this constitutes a preferred configuration according to the present invention corresponding to the illustration of FIG. said fixed central part in compact mode.

In this latter configuration, the corner pieces of the moving parts will preferably be removable so as not to disturb the movement of the moving parts within the fixed part. In the configuration which precedes this last configuration, the corner pieces of the fixed central part will preferably be removable so as not to disturb the movement of the moving parts outside the fixed part.

Thus, in a preferred configuration of the adjustable container according to the present invention, said container comprises at least sixteen corner pieces, of which at least eight are on its upper face and at least eight on its lower face; and, preferably, at least eight of which are removable.

In another configuration or proposed technical solution, each of the son containers will be equipped with two pieces of wedges at the top that can be removed laterally to allow the integral entry of the

140 containers son in the mother container. These pieces of corners that are moved with a screw guided by an oblong hole will be fixed at the desired position depending on the position of the son containers. If the wire containers are in closed position, to have dimension 20 feet these corner pieces will not be functional. On the other hand, if the wire containers are in open position, that is to say we will have a container of dimensions 40 feet, these corner pieces will be functional and will be used for the

145 securing containers and possibly handling the container.

The wire containers also each have two corner pieces attached at the bottom. The container will also be equipped with a pin pin which will be positioned according to the desired dimensions (45, 40, 30, 20, 10 ...)

The container according to the present invention may also be provided with additional anchor points 150.

The two moving parts in the direction of the length of the container and deployable on either side of the fixed central portion are integral with the fixed central portion. This solidarity can be obtained by any appropriate means provided that the container retains its ISO characteristic in all its possible configurations. We will call thereafter the "solidarity system" and will be given by way of non-limiting examples the linear guiding systems, for example linear roller guide systems, guide tables, roller / rail systems, the guide rails with cage, pneumatic linear guide modules, etc.

In a configuration mode of the container according to the present invention, the integral system comprises at least one linear guide system, preferably at least two 160 linear guidance, allowing the mobility of the deployable parts relative to the fixed part of the container. These guiding systems can be placed on any longitudinal faces integral with the moving parts and the fixed part of the container, for example only on their upper walls or, preferably on both their upper and lower walls, or on all of their longitudinal walls. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the system

165 integral with the container according to the present invention comprises at least four linear guide systems of which at least two are on the upper walls and at least two on the lower walls; it may also advantageously add at least one linear guide system positioned on the longitudinal side walls of the container.

In an exemplary mode of configuration of the container according to the present invention, the integral system 170 also comprises a rigid axis, movable within the guide system, and of length substantially equivalent to the maximum length available on the corresponding wall of the fixed part. . This type of configuration allows the preservation of the ISO feature of the container in elongated mode and therefore its rigidity. By way of non-limiting example, reference is made to the illustration of FIG. 1: in this particular configuration, approximately each half of said rigid axis will therefore remain respectively integral with the fixed part and the movable part. A characteristic of configurations of this type is that the guide system of the left mobile part is not aligned with the guide system of the right-hand mobile part of the container.

In an exemplary configuration mode of the container according to the present invention, the integral system also comprises safety stop systems for controlling the

Moving the moving parts between their position corresponding to the compact mode and their position corresponding to the elongate mode. These safety stop systems can be made by any appropriate means. An illustrative stop-stop safety system is provided, which makes it possible to confer more stability on the moving parts. In a particular embodiment according to the present invention, the container comprises at least two safety stop systems, one for each part

185 mobile.

Any other type of solidarity system may also be used provided that it allows the mobility of the moving parts relative to the fixed part and as long as the container retains its ISO characteristic in all its possible configurations.

According to the present invention, the two integral parts of the fixed central part of the container and 190 deployable on either side of said fixed central portion, are movable and preferably of identical length. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the container is in elongate mode, the dimensions of the moving parts protruding on either side of the fixed part are identical. The mobility of the deployable parts of the container according to the present invention can be provided by any suitable means; this mobility can be of autonomous, semi-autonomous or forced type as explained below.

One of the technical solutions that we have developed and which has undergone all the tests and RDM calculation, finite elements of resistance is the following: with a system of guide in translation by rollers placed laterally as well as a system composed of ball socket which will be placed at the top and bottom, the two son containers make lateral movements inside the mother container. The latter system of 200 guidance in translation by rolling elements ensures proper operation and reduces the phenomena of friction. The solutions used were designed and manufactured from parts (standard guide elements).

The mother container is a welded structure in the form of a metal corridor. The welded parts are simple and standard geometries that exist on the market. 205 The lateral sides are made from rebate sheets like conventional containers. The ceiling is when it is made from sheets with EPE beams to ensure the maintenance and proper operation of the rails. The mother container and to facilitate the movement of the son containers will also include sockets and pebbles. (Figure 3,4 and 5).

For the son containers, each will be equipped with two laterally removable upper corner pieces 210 to allow the complete entry of the son containers in the mother container. These pieces of corners that are moved with a screw guided by an oblong hole will be fixed at the desired position depending on the position of the son containers. If the wire containers are in the closed position to have the dimension 20 feet "these-pieces-of-corner-will-not-be-functional-by-e-shells-containers-son-are in open position, that is to say we will have a container of dimensions 40 feet, these corner pieces will be 215 functional and will be used for fixing the containers and possibly handling the container. The wire containers also each have two corner pieces attached at the bottom.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobility illustrated therein is of the "forced" type because it is carried out using a motorized machine (for example of the truck, forklift, etc. type) which therefore allows pulling on the moving parts so as to deploy the container to its elongate mode and / or to push the moving parts back so as to return the container to its compact mode.

The opening and closing as well as the assembly of the removable parts can be performed by a dedicated fixed station for this new type of container.

By way of nonlimiting examples of other means making it possible to ensure the displacement of the moving parts of the container according to the present invention, mention may be made of electrical and mechanical systems (endless screw 225, linear guide table, roller rail, rack and pinion ), hydraulic and / or electro-hydraulic, for example hydraulic cylinders, any type of electric motor, any type of crane, etc. A source of electrical energy or a battery can be advantageously used for some of the means mentioned above .

The adjustable ISO container can be easily adapted to become an automated system with variable structure.

The use of cylindrical beams (see Figure 1) is possible to improve the strength of the eight removable corners (not welded). In order to dampen the vibrations, a rubber material can be used especially at the corners.

During storage, the eight adjustable ISO container corners may for example support the load of five 40 foot containers; as for the handling, it can be performed by the 4 welded corners on the fixed central part.

For example, each integral part must bear a maximum load of 7 tonnes of goods and the adjustable ISO container must not exceed 30 tonnes.

According to a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, and whatever the means 240 making it possible to ensure the displacement of the moving parts of the container according to the present invention, the displacement of the moving parts towards the elongated and compact modes of the container is will do in a synchronized way.

The major part of the adjustable ISO container according to the present invention may be steel (eg S355 having a high yield strength). Both moving parts can also

245 understand and / or be made of lighter materials while maintaining the characteristics of strength and durability essential to the conservation of their ISO destination. By way of nonlimiting examples, mention may be made of the use of reinforced aluminum and / or of any metal or combination of light metals with high mechanical strength (for example titanium) and / or having a better thermal insulation than that of the steel. It is also possible to use composite materials and / or

250 plastics. The removable parts may be of light material (eg aluminum alloy) to facilitate manual assembly. To ensure increased durability of an adjustable container in an aggressive environment, it is necessary to achieve a better resistance to corrosion. This is why we offer the metal coating because it offers excellent protection against corrosion.

According to a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the movable parts of the container comprise and / or consist of materials lighter than the fixed part. They can also be constituted by isothermal walls to have a refrigerated container in compact mode.

The present invention therefore also relates to the use of an adjustable ISO container consisting of a central element characterized in that said central element comprises a fixed central part

260 corresponding to an ISO container A dimension and two integral parts of the fixed central part, movable in the length direction and deployable on both sides of the fixed central part, and allowing the transformation of the dimension A container into a container of dimension B greater than A, the said use concerning the transport of goods by ISO container of dimension A and ISO container of dimension B by means of the same adjustable ISO container. This use allows

It is therefore necessary to adapt the containers according to the goods to be transported and / or according to the fact that they must be transported empty to another destination. This invention will also have a container adaptable to the nature of the commodity to have an open top container from a dry container or also an insulated container.

The present invention thus makes it possible to considerably reduce the transport costs of the empty and / or partially filled containers 270. Thus, the present invention contributes to the respect of the environment by optimizing the transport of goods and the number of empty journeys. And finally improves the insulation of containers. The present invention therefore also relates to a method of optimizing the transport by the use of the adjustable ISO container as claimed. This optimization can also be achieved with a new concept called the fractional container, which consists of making small containers of lengths 5 or 10 feet and width 4 or 8 feet and which will be glued at corner pieces by a new tool that we call. So to have a 20 feet ISO container is assembled 4 containers 5 feet long and 8 feet wide next to one another or also by bringing together 8 containers of dimensions 5 feet by 4 feet.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention permits embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Thus, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration but may be modified in the field defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

285 Claims

1. Container conforming to the ISO standards adjustable consisting of a central element characterized in that said central element comprises a fixed central portion corresponding to a container complying with the ISO standards of dimension A and two integral parts of the fixed central part, movable in the length direction and deployable on both sides of the fixed central part, and allowing the

290 transformation of the A-size container into a B-size container greater than A.

2. ISO container according to claim 1 characterized in that its dimension A corresponds to a container of 20 feet and in that its dimension B corresponds to a container of 40 feet.

3. ISO container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the two moving parts have an identical length and are included in the central portion in the mode.

295 compact.

4. ISO container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises eight corner pieces on its fixed part (four on the upper wall and four on the bottom wall) and eight removable corner pieces (two on each upper walls of the two removable parts and two on each of the lower walls of the two removable parts).

300 5. ISO container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least one integral system which preferably comprises at least one linear guide system, more preferably at least two linear guide systems, allowing mobility deployable parts relative to the fixed part of the container.

6. ISO container according to the preceding claim characterized in that the integral system 305 also comprises:

at. a rigid axis, movable within the guide system, and of length substantially equivalent to the maximum length available on the corresponding wall of the fixed part, and

b. a safety stop system for controlling the movement of moving parts between their position corresponding to the compact mode and their position corresponding to the elongate mode.

7. ISO container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an autonomous or semi-autonomous means ensuring the mobility of the deployable parts relative to the fixed central part, preferably an electrical, mechanical, hydraulic means and / or electrohydraulic.

8. ISO container according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the 315 movable parts of the container comprise and / or consist of lighter materials and preferably having better thermal insulation than the fixed part.

9. Use for the transportation of goods by A-dimension ISO container and ISO B-size container by means of the same adjustable ISO container according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A method of optimizing the transport of goods by using the container conforming to ISO standards adjustable according to any one of claims 1 to 8.