FR3037573A1 - FLEXIBLE CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTING GOODS BY HELICOPTER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) flexible for the transport of goods by helicopter. The container (1) comprises a body, two side panels (4) and two straps (6) of structural reinforcement stitched to both the body (2) and the side panels (4). The straps (6) each comprise two ends of each of which extends a handle (6B), the straps (6) being arranged so that the four handles (6B) can be connected simultaneously to a single lifting hook of a helicopter in order to heliport the container (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of flexible containers and relates more particularly to a flexible container for the transport of goods as well as to a process for the manufacture of a flexible container. such container. The container according to the invention is suitable for the transport of goods by helicopter and in particular for the transport of bulk or compartmentalized goods. STATE OF THE ART Today, it is common to transport goods by helicopter, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as, for example, high mountain areas. These goods, which may be both equipment and materials, are helicopter-borne in a known manner in a net suspended under the helicopter. The use of a net has several disadvantages. Firstly, a net is not suitable for transporting granular materials in bulk, for example of the sand or gravel type. Then, the cost of manufacturing a net is high compared to that of a flexible container. Finally, a net is not suitable for transporting small loads in the high mountains, especially when the drop space is small, because the net can catch on asperities or objects located in the drop zone. .

Flexible containers are also known, commonly known as "Big Bags" or "Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers" (FIBC) in English, which are commonly used in public works, particularly for transporting granular materials in bulk, for example of the type sand or gravel. These containers are made from woven fabrics or plastic films such as polypropylene, which make them advantageously light and inexpensive. Such containers, however, do not fulfill the conditions of solidity and safety required for helicopter transportation.

A flexible container is in a known manner in the form of a substantially parallelepiped-shaped canvas bag when it is filled. Such a bag comprises a bottom, on which is intended to rest the container once filled, and four rectangular side panels sewn between them and said bottom. Four handles are sewn at the top 5 corners of the panels for lifting. Such a container, however, has several disadvantages. First, the handles being fixed in the corners, it is necessary to use slings to transport it, which is time consuming and expensive. Secondly, the existing flexible containers are generally not strong enough to carry equipment or heavy materials, for example weighing more than 1000 kg, and generally tear at the canvas or seams of the panels or handles, which causes can present a danger and therefore a significant disadvantage.

Furthermore, the existing flexible container solutions would not allow small loads to be safely transported, since, if the mass of the load that it carries in the air is small, the flexible container could be driven by the air flows generated in particular by the speed of the helicopter and back into the blades, which would present a serious danger to the aircraft and its occupants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to at least partially overcome these disadvantages by providing a flexible container which is at the same time lightweight, strong, reliable and rigid enough to helid loads in areas of difficult access. fast and secure way. To this end, the subject of the invention is a flexible container for the transport of goods by helicopter, said container comprising: a body, consisting of at least one double-wall, comprising a bottom and two lateral faces made from material said bottom and having two side edges and an upper edge, the bottom having an inner face and an outer face on which the container is intended to rest once filled, - two side panels, each consisting of at least one double wall, comprising two lateral edges, an upper edge and a lower edge, each side panel being sewn by its lateral edges to the lateral edges of the lateral faces of the body and by its lower edge to the bottom of the body, - two straps of structural reinforcement, sewn both on the outer face of the bottom of the body, on the lateral edges of the lateral faces of the body and on the lateral edges of the side panels 5, and each comprising two ends each of which extends a loop, the straps being arranged so that the four handles can be simultaneously connected to a single lifting hook of a helicopter so as to heliport the container.

By definition, the bottom is the part of the container on which it is intended to rest on the ground once filled. In addition, here and throughout, the terms "lateral", "lower", "upper", "height", "under" qualify the elements of the container considered when the latter is placed on the ground on its bottom and filled with to define a substantially parallelepipedal volume (as illustrated in Figure 1 described below). By the terms "at least one double-wall" is meant that the bottom and each side panel each comprise at least two superimposed walls, i.e. defining at least two thicknesses, and could comprise more, for example three or four. The minimum double thickness of the side panels and the bottom and the use of structural reinforcement means attached to both the four side panels and the bottom make the container strong enough to carry heavy loads, for example up to 2000 kg.

By the term "simultaneously" is meant that the loops can advantageously be connected to a lifting hook of a helicopter without the aid of slings or other intermediate fastening equipment, especially when the container is filled and while retaining substantially the parallelepipedal shape of the container, the structural reinforcement straps de facto replacing such slings or other intermediate fastening equipment. Preferably, the two structural reinforcement straps are stitched diagonally on the outer face of the bottom so as to connect two opposite corners of said outer face of the bottom to further strengthen said bottom and thus the container.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to keep the container in shape, especially in flight when the container is empty or that it contains light loads so that it is not directed towards the blades of the helicopter.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the structural reinforcement straps are sewn on at least 90% of the height of the lateral edges of the side panels, which makes the container solid.

Advantageously, the useful length of each strap is greater than half the diagonal of the bottom of the container. By the term "useful length" is meant the length on which an unfolded strap extends from the upper edges of the side panels to the free end of the corresponding handle. Such useful length makes it possible to ensure that the straps will be sufficiently long to meet at a central point at which the loops can be fixed to a single heliport hook, thus allowing the container to be carried without slings, which that is its filling volume, especially when it is filled, while substantially maintaining the parallelepipedal shape of the container.

In a first embodiment, the useful length of each strap is greater than half the diagonal of the bottom of the container and the straps are each configured to extend from the upper edges of the side panels a distance of less than or equal to 1000 mm (ie the useful length of each strap is less than or equal to 1000 mm).

In a second embodiment, the useful length of each strap is greater than half the diagonal of the bottom of the container and the straps are each configured to extend from the upper edges of the side panels over a distance greater than 1000 mm. .

In general, the straps may each be configured to extend from the upper edges of the side panels over a distance greater than 1000 mm (i.e., the useful length of each strap is greater than 1000 mm). The handles can thus be hooked to a single heliportage hook regardless of the width of the side panels and whatever the filling volume of the container, by choosing a useful length of the straps adapted. Preferably, the straps are made of a double thickness. The straps can for example be made of polypropylene, for example of a grammage of the order of 56 g / m to withstand high loads, for example of the order of 2000 kg. More preferably, the loops are made from material straps to make the container easy to manufacture and significantly increase the strength of the container 10 during a helicopter by limiting the number of links between the elements of the container. According to another aspect of the invention, the double wall of the body and side panels is made of fabric, for example woven, or an assembly of plastic films. These double-walls may, for example, be made of woven polypropylene and with a basis weight, preferably between 160 and 250 g / m 2. This grammage can be chosen according to the load. Thus, for example, a basis weight of 160 g / m 2 can be used for a load of 500 kg, a basis weight of 200 g / m 2 for a load of 1500 kg and a basis weight of 250 g / m 2 for a load of 2000 kg.

Advantageously, the bottom is of square shape to balance the container. According to a feature of the invention, the container further comprises a closing skirt of its upper face opposite the bottom of the body with respect to the side panels, said skirt being sewn on the upper edges of the side panels and on the upper edges. lateral faces of the body. Such a skirt makes it possible both to hold the goods in the container to prevent them from escaping, especially when it is transported in the air, and to prevent air from getting into the container. the container, which could destabilize the load and therefore the helicopter.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a flexible container for the transport of goods by helicopter as presented above, said method comprising the steps of: - sewing the structural reinforcement straps on the body, two side panels, on the one hand, at their lateral edges, the lateral edges of the lateral faces of the body and the structural reinforcement straps and, on the other hand, at their lower edge, at the bottom of the body.

Preferably, the seam of each of the two straps is made over at least 90% of the height of the lateral edges of the side panels and diagonally on the outer face of the bottom so as to cross the two straps under the bottom to stiffen the container. According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises a preliminary step of assembling the walls forming the body and the two side panels so as to form the double wall. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description made with reference to the appended figures given by way of non-limiting examples and in which identical references are given to similar objects. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the system according to the invention. Figure 2 is a schematic view of the body and side panels of the container of Figure 1 before assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Description of an embodiment of the system according to the invention The container according to the invention is a flexible container intended to be used for the transport of goods by helicopter and in particular the transport of goods 3 0 bulk. The container according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

I. Container 1 The flexible container 1 according to the invention comprises a body 2, two side panels 4 and two straps 6 of structural reinforcement.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the body 2 and the side panels 4 are arranged to define a substantially parallelepiped volume for receiving goods. The body 2 consists of a double-wall fabric and more specifically two 10 superimposed cloths called "double-body cloth". This double wall is preferably made of polypropylene. The body 2 comprises a square-shaped bottom 2A and two lateral faces 2B made of material of said bottom 2A, of rectangular shape, giving the body 2 a U-shape when the container 1 is unfolded and / or filled, as shown in FIG. Figure 1. The bottom 2A has an inner face 2A-1 and an outer face 2A-2 on which the container 1 is intended to rest on the ground S, especially when at least partially filled. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each lateral face 2B has two lateral edges 2B-1 and an upper edge 2B-2. In this example given by way of illustration, the bottom 2A is of square shape, the length of the side C is, for example, of the order of 1200 mm, and the lateral faces 2B are rectangular in shape, for example 1200 mm in diameter. width L (equal to the C side of the square) over 1250 25 mm H. The two side panels 4 each have a rectangular or square shape and are, like the body 2, each constituted by a double-wall fabric, preferably made of polypropylene.

It will be appreciated that the described example is not limiting of the scope of the present invention and that in another embodiment of the container 1 according to the invention, the body 2 and the side panels 4 could comprise more than two walls, for example three or four.

Each side panel 4 comprises two lateral edges 4A of the same height H as the lateral faces 2B of the body 2, an upper edge 4B and a lower edge 4C and is sewn, on the one hand, by its lateral edges 4A at the lateral edges. 2B-1 of the lateral faces 2B of the body 2 and, on the other hand, by its lower edge 4C at the bottom 2A of the body 2. With reference to FIG. 2, the lateral edges 4A of the lateral panels 4 comprise flaps 4A- 1, 4A-2 from the material of the side panels 4 for sewing the side panels 4 respectively on the side edges 2B-1 of the side faces 2B of the body 2 them and on the bottom 2A of the body 2. The two reinforcing straps 6 are sewn together both on the outer face 2A-2 of the bottom 2A of the body 2, on the lateral edges 2B-1 of the lateral faces 2B of the body 2 and on the lateral edges 4A of the lateral panels 4. More specifically, the two structural reinforcing straps 15 are sewn on the one hand, and n diagonal on the outer face 2A-2 of the bottom 2A so as to connect two opposite corners of said outer face 2A-2 and, secondly, along the entire length H side edges 4A of the side panels 4 so as to 4. In such an arrangement, with reference to FIG. 1, the two straps 6 intersect at the center O of the bottom 2A so as to stiffen it. Each structural reinforcing strap 6 comprises two ends 6A each of which extends a loop 6B, made from the material of said strap, the structural reinforcement straps 6 being arranged so that the four handles 6B can be connected simultaneously to a single hook lifting a helicopter so as to heliport the container 1, without the need for slings. Each loop 6B has the shape of a loop that can extend over a length A (with reference to FIG. 1), for example of the order of 250 mm, in order to allow an easy and quick hooking on a lifting hook. of a helicopter.

The length of each strap 6, called the useful length, is chosen so that the straps 6 are sufficiently long to meet at an anchor point making it possible to hook the four straps 6 on a single heliport hook of a helicopter. Preferably, each structural reinforcing strap 6 is arranged to extend, from the upper edges 4B of the side panels 4 to each of its ends 6A, over a distance D (ie the effective length) of connection to a lifting hook of a helicopter greater than 1000 mm, for example 1250 mm. Alternatively, the straps 6 may each be configured to extend from the upper edges 4B of the side panels 4 by a distance D less than or equal to 1000 mm, but in this case the useful length of each strap 6 is greater than the half of the diagonal of the bottom 2A of the container 1 so as to allow easy heliporting of a container 1 of small dimensions, especially when the internal volume of the latter is filled, for example more than 80%.

Each structural reinforcing strap 6 is made of a double thickness of material in order to stiffen it and be able to support large loads, for example between 1000 and 2000 kg.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the container 1 further comprises a skirt 10 closing its upper face, opposite the bottom 2A of the body 2 relative to the side panels 4, also called "filling skirt". This skirt 10 is sewn on the upper edges 4B of the side panels 4 and on the upper edges 2B-2 of the side faces 2B of the body 2. This skirt 10 has a useful height h, for example 1100 mm. In this example, the skirt 10 is made of woven polypropylene, for example of grammage 120 g / m2, and comprises at its upper part a cord 12 25 sliding in a hem 14 for tightening the skirt 10 to maintain materials. in the container 1. Alternatively, the skirt 10 may be made of woven polypropylene, for example 160 g / m2, and comprise at its middle part a strap on which is mounted a closure loop, made for example in aluminum.

Inner arrangements or compartments may be provided to allow the transport of specific materials such as, for example, fragile objects (glass ...) or hazardous materials (gas cylinders ...).

An example of manufacture of the container according to the invention will now be described. He. Manufacture In order to assemble the various elements of the container 1, first of all the body 2 is placed on a flat surface, the external face 2A-2 of the bottom 2A of the body 2 being on it, then the two reinforcing straps are sewn 6 on the outer face 2A-2 of the bottom 2A by crossing diagonally on said outer face 2A-2 and on the side edges 2B-1 of the side faces 2B so that the handles 6B are sufficiently far from the upper edges respectively 4B and 2B-2 side panels 4 and side faces 2B of the body 2 10 so as to be simultaneously connected to a lifting hook of a helicopter. Such a seam is thus made on four thicknesses: two thicknesses for the double-wall of the body 2 and two thicknesses for the structural reinforcement straps 6.

The two side panels 4 are then sewn, at their lateral edges 4A, at the lateral edges 2B-1 of the lateral faces 2B of the body 2 and at the two structural reinforcing straps 6, and secondly. at their bottom edge 4C, at the bottom 2A of the body 2. The seam of the two side panels 4 at the side edges 2B-1 of the side faces 2B of the body 2 and the two structural reinforcement straps 6 is made of six thicknesses two thicknesses for the double-wall of the body 2, two thicknesses for the structural reinforcement straps 6 and two thicknesses for the double-wall of the side panels 4. Alternatively, the seam of a lateral edge 4A of each side panel 4 at the corresponding lateral edge 2B-1 of the corresponding lateral face 2B of the body 2 and the corresponding structural reinforcement strap 6 could be made at the same time as the seam of said lateral edge 2B-1 of the lateral face 2B of the body 2 with said strap structural reinforcement 6, then the opposite lateral edge 4A of the lateral panel 4 could then be sewn to the corresponding lateral edge 2B-1 of the corresponding lateral face 2B of the body 3 0 2 and to the structural reinforcement strap 6 sewn beforehand on the lateral edge 4A opposite. In this non-limiting example of the scope of the present invention, the seam of each of the two structural reinforcing straps 6 is made over the entire height H of the lateral edges 4A of the side panels 4 and respectively on each of the diagonals 3037573 11 of the face external 2A-2 of the bottom 2A so as to cross the two structural reinforcement straps 6 under the bottom to stiffen the container 1 and allow its maintenance in shape, especially in the case of transport of low mass loads.

In order to allow a slight deformation of the container 1 when it is filled (the double-wall fabric being flexible), the structural reinforcement straps 6 are not sewn at the bottom corners 4E of the container 1, as shown in FIG. Figure 1. III. Use and advantages The use of cross-braced structural reinforcement straps 6 makes it possible to ensure the equilibrium and the maintenance of the shape of the container 1 during a heliporting, in particular in order to avoid the displacement of the container 1 in the blades of the helicopter that carries it. In addition, since the walls of the body 2 and side panels 4 are at least doubled, the container 1 is sufficiently solid to carry large loads of mass, for example between 500 and 2 tons. Finally, the handles 6B can attach the container 1 directly to a lifting hook of a helicopter avoiding the use of slings, which has a significant advantage. Finally, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the examples described above and is capable of numerous variants accessible to those skilled in the art. In particular, the shapes and dimensions of the body 2, side panels 4 and straps 6 as shown in the figures so as to illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention, can not be interpreted as limiting.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Container (1) flexible for the transport of goods by helicopter, said container (1) comprising: - a body (2), constituted by at least one double-walled fabric, comprising a bottom (2A) and two lateral faces ( 2B) derived from the material of said bottom (2A) and having two lateral edges (2B-1) and an upper edge (2B-2), the bottom (2A) having an inner face (2A1) and an outer face (2A-2). ) on which the container (1) is intended to rest once filled, - two side panels (4), each consisting of at least one double-wall fabric, comprising two lateral edges (4A), an upper edge (4B) ) and a lower edge (4C), each side panel (4) being sewn by its lateral edges (4A) to the lateral edges (2B-1) of the lateral faces (2B) of the body (2) and by its lower edge (4C ) at the bottom (2A) of the body (2), - two straps (6) of structural reinforcement, stitched both on the outer face (2A-2) of the bottom (2A) of the body (2), on the lateral edges (2B-1) lateral faces (2B) of the body (2) and on the lateral edges (4A) of the lateral panels (4), and each comprising two ends (6A) of each of which extends a handle (6B), the straps (6) being arranged so that the four handles (6B) can be simultaneously connected to a single lifting hook of a helicopter so as to heliport the container (1). 2. Container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the two structural reinforcement straps (6) are sewn diagonally on the outer face (2A-2) of the bottom (2) so as to connect two opposite corners of said face external (2A-2) bottom (2). 3. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the structural reinforcement straps (6) are sewn on at least 90% of the height (H) of the lateral edges (4A) of the side panels (4). ). 4. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the double-wall fabric of the body and side panels (4) is made of woven polypropylene whose weight is between 160 and 250 g / m2 . 3037573 13 5. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, said container (1) further comprising a skirt (10) for closing its upper face, opposite the bottom (2A) of the body (2) relative to the side panels (4), said skirt (10) being sewn on the upper edges (4B) of the side panels (4) and on the upper edges (2B-2) of the side faces (2B) of the body (2). 6. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the effective length of each strap (6) is greater than half of the bottom diagonal (2A) of the container (1). 10 7. Container according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the straps (6) are each configured to extend from the upper edges (4B) of the side panels (4) a distance (D) less than or equal to 1000 mm. 15 8. Container according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the straps (6) are each configured to extend from the upper edges (4B) of the side panels (4) over a distance (D) greater than 1000 mm . 9. A method of manufacturing a container (1) flexible for the transport of goods by helicopter according to one of claims 1 to 8, said method comprising the steps of: - sewing the structural reinforcement straps (6) on the body (2), - seaming of the two lateral panels (4), on the one hand, at their lateral edges (4A), on the side edges (2B-2) of the lateral faces (2B) of the body (2) and to the structural reinforcement straps (6) and, on the other hand, at their lower edge (4C), at the bottom (2A) of the body (2). 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the seam of each of the two straps (6) is performed on at least 90% of the height (H) of the lateral edges (4A) of the side panels (4) and diagonally on the outer face (2A-2) of the bottom (2) so as to cross the two straps (6) under the bottom (2A) to stiffen the container (1).