FR3127937A1 - Crate for the transport of goods - Google Patents

Abstract

Box for the transport of goods Box (1) for the transport of goods, of generally parallelepiped shape, provided with fasteners in the corners making it possible to secure the box with two other identical boxes in its extension to form a one-piece assembly (100) having on the ground the size of a standard shipping container. Figure for abstract: Fig. 7

Description

Box for the transport of goods The present invention relates to the transport of goods by container.

E-commerce purchases are growing strongly each year, which inevitably increases the number of deliveries and densifies road traffic in urban and peri-urban areas.

There is a need to reduce carbon emissions related to the transport of goods and the associated nuisances, and to facilitate the transport of goods in urban or peri-urban areas.

US Pat. No. 3,480,174 describes an assembly formed by three boxes of parallelepiped shape arranged side by side at their base on a rectangular support frame, with their long sides oriented perpendicular to the long sides of the frame, the dimensions of the frame and the crates being chosen in such a way as to give the whole the exact size of a standard shipping container. Such a set requires the presence of the support frame during the grouped transport of the boxes, which makes it necessary to adapt the logistics to the supply, handling and storage of this frame and makes the set unattractive.

Application US 2006/0113302 describes an assembly consisting of a frame whose size corresponds to that of a standard shipping container, and twenty palletizable boxes assembled to the frame to contain the goods to be transported. The large number of crates complicates the packaging and transport operation; moreover, just like US patent 3,480,174, the presence of the framework for holding the boxes has a strong impact on logistics.

Application US 2006/0118504 discloses a modular intermodal assembly comprising a main frame on which four cradles can be removably fixed side by side, each cradle receiving a tray. Such an assembly is more particularly dedicated to the transport of particulate material.

US Patent 6,474,927 describes a system suitable for the air transport of goods, comprising identical boxes sized to allow the engagement inside them of a forklift and the transport of the boxes by surface vehicles. Such a system is not suitable for maritime or river transport, due to the size of the boxes.

US Patent 3,317,219 describes containers each adapted to rest on a semi-trailer with removable axles and provided, at their corners, with fasteners allowing two containers to be coupled in the extension of one another. Each container has side walls fitted with vertical reinforcements, which contribute significantly to the mechanical strength of the whole. Such a container has a relatively large weight, and its road transport must be carried out by heavy weight.

There remains a need to benefit from an intermodal freight transport solution, i.e. adapted to road, rail, maritime or river transport, suitable for different types of handling and for the transport of goods over the last mile in urban or peri-urban area, and also allowing the transport of a relatively large load.

The invention achieves this objective, according to a first of its aspects, by proposing a box for the transport of goods, of generally parallelepiped shape, provided with fasteners in the corners making it possible to secure the box with two other identical boxes in its extension for form a one-piece assembly having on the ground the size of a standard shipping container. The boxes according to the invention can thus be used individually or in groups of three.

Preferably, the box comprises a framework which is provided with said fasteners in its corners, and which is preferably tubular. The presence of a tubular frame makes it possible to significantly lighten the body, while giving it the rigidity and mechanical resistance necessary for assembly with the two other bodies without an additional support frame.

The invention makes it possible to reduce the number of kilometers to be traveled on the road thanks to the possibility of transporting the boxes by sea, river, road or rail. The invention also makes it possible to use light commercial vehicles with low carbon emissions to transport the boxes over the last few kilometers. The invention makes it possible to avoid the drivers wasting time in loading the boxes, since the latter can simply be separated from the other boxes and then loaded onto the road vehicles, without having to empty them of their load.

In one example, when the crates are joined together, they can accommodate up to 21 pallets in EUROPE format, which represents a loading capacity of just less than 12% than international containerized freight, designed for transport lasting several days. to several weeks and unsuited to the scale of cities.

Thanks to the invention, the boxes when assembled can be lifted in the manner of a conventional shipping container, in particular using a spreader; this makes it possible to take a river navigation route to a port in an urban or peri-urban area; then, the boxes can be separated from each other and installed on light commercial vehicles or small electric heavy goods vehicles; this avoids the need to use conventional heavy goods vehicles with heat engines running on diesel fuel in urban areas.

The absence of frames holding the boxes together simplifies logistics. The boxes can be joined together using connecting pieces such as twist locks introduced into the fasteners provided at the corners of the box.

The crates can be stacked on two levels when full, or even on three when empty, which in particular allows optimal use of the hold of the ship used for their transport.

Preferably, the shipping container is standard (ISO 668) 40 feet (external length approximately 12.19m).

Preferably, the frame comprises tubes connected by corner fittings fitted into the tubes. The corners can thus have end pieces configured to fit into the tubes. Water drainage passages can be made in these end pieces, to limit water retention, especially on the roof. The corner pieces advantageously comprise openings to the ISO 1161:1984 standard which allow them to be handled in the same way as maritime containers, once assembled. In addition, this makes the transport of the crate suitable for all modes: road, rail, river or sea.

The use of a tubular frame makes it possible to gain in lightness, compared to conventional maritime containers exclusively built in sheet metal. Each tube is for example in profile, in cross-section, substantially square. The longitudinal tubes of the frame can have a side between 12 and 18 cm, and a wall thickness between 4 and 6 mm.

The frame may include flats connecting the tubes on the upper face of the box, allowing it to be protected from the risk of perforation during handling.

Preferably, the framework is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, for example of grade EN AW-6061 or higher.

Preferably, the body has side walls formed from bent sheets, preferably aluminum or aluminum alloy sheets. The presence of the folds improves the mechanical resistance and makes it possible to use a relatively thin sheet. Preferably, each side or top wall has a low number of plies, preferably less than ten plies, for example six plies, which reduces manufacturing costs while offering an improvement in mechanical strength. Each fold preferably corresponds to a change in direction of the plane of the sheet of 45°. Each sheet may have a thickness less than or equal to 4mm, better still 3.5mm, and be made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. Each sheet may have two coplanar plates, offset from the rest of the sheet which is coplanar by a distance for example greater than or equal to 50mm. The radius of curvature at the folds is for example between 10 and 20mm, being for example 15mm. Preferably, the depth of the folds of the top wall is lower than that of the side walls. For example, the depth difference between the folds of the roof and those of the side walls is greater than or equal to 10mm, or even greater than or equal to 20mm. The thickness of the roof and side walls is for example 3mm. The side and roof walls can have a pattern of the same length, for example between 600 and 800mm, for example 700mm.

Preferably, the aforementioned fasteners are of the "Twist-lock" standard, as mentioned above.

Preferably, each box has at each end a door capable of opening when the box is assembled with other boxes to form said one-piece assembly, preferably a hinged sliding door, allowing circulation inside said assembly as if inside a classic shipping container. Preferably, the doors are non-structural, which makes it possible to gain in lightness and to use lifting doors. The body can thus be certified to guarantee safety for all types of transport as well as for the different possible types of handling, without making the doors play a structural role concerning the rigidity and the mechanical resistance of the body for the need for this certification. . This makes it possible to limit the mechanical stresses applied to the doors as much as possible, thus preserving their integrity and maximizing their lifespan. This also facilitates maintenance operations, since the replacement of a door can be carried out without fear of excessively modifying the mechanical strength of the body. Thus, the fund does not need to go back to the test bench to certify the repairs when the latter concern the doors.

The box can receive advertising or decorative tarpaulins on its side walls and its upper wall. These tarpaulins can be fixed to the walls of the box by any appropriate fixing means, allowing the tarpaulins to be changed quickly, for example systems with counterplates, hooks, Velcro-type strips, clamps, straps or the like .

The box may include a floor, in particular made of wood, supported by a metal structure, in particular a structure formed by two transverse sleeves for the passage of the forks of a forklift and by a lattice formed by metal plates oriented perpendicular to the floor.

The total empty weight of a box (with doors and tarpaulins) is preferably less than or equal to 1100 kg, and without doors and tarpaulins preferably less than or equal to 850 kg. This makes its transport compatible with the use of light commercial vehicles.

The crate is preferably the same height as a standard shipping container, but alternatively can be higher or lower.

The doors are advantageously equipped with locks whose access can be controlled remotely in order to define the users authorized to unlock them using a badge emulated on a Smartphone, for example with RFID or NFC type technologies.

The invention also relates to a set of three boxes according to the invention, as defined above. These boxes can be supplied with fasteners allowing them to be joined in line with each other.

The invention also relates to a coupling, comprising:

• A connection system allowing it to be attached to a towing vehicle,
• A structure for receiving a crate allowing the fixing of a crate, preferably by means of twist locks engaging in the corresponding fasteners provided at the corners of the crate, in particular two crosspieces provided at the ends with fasteners in the form twist locks arranged to engage in the corresponding fasteners provided at the corners of the box, allowing the fixing of the box to the crosspieces.

The hitch can be arranged to attach directly to the chassis of the towing vehicle, and the connection system is preferably compatible with those developed by MAXICARGO.

The hitch can be equipped with a retractable tailgate, if necessary, which makes it possible to supply the stores receiving the goods with light utility vehicles (LCVs), whereas this type of supply is almost exclusively carried out at the currently with thermal engine heavy goods vehicles given the reduced payload of LCVs with traditional tailgates.

The attachments present on the hitch or the vehicle preferably meet the aforementioned "TWIST-LOCK" standard, which makes it possible to hook or unhook very quickly a box from the hitch, from the light commercial vehicle or from a light utility vehicle heavy electric.

The coupling preferably has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of less than or equal to 3.5t. This can allow the coupling to comply with the trailer regulations _ BE permit.

The invention also relates to a transport system, comprising:

• A hitch as defined above,
• A box according to the invention.

The total empty weight of the coupling and body assembly is advantageously less than or equal to 2200 kg.

The box can be supported directly by the frame of the vehicle or hitch, to save weight. This avoids the presence of a platform on which the crate would be placed, and which would add weight to the whole, to the detriment of the payload. The vehicle frame may include twist locks for securing the body to the frame. The weight gain may allow the use of a small electric truck rather than a light vehicle. Thus, for example, with an electric truck with a GVW = 4.4t (minimum typical value for this operation) we obtain: 4.4t – approximately 2.3t (vehicle weight) – 1.05t (body weight) = approximately 1t of payload.

The invention also relates to a method for transporting goods, comprising:

• Loading boxes according to the invention with the goods to be transported,
• the transport, in particular by river, of the crates assembled in sets of three having the floor space of a standard maritime container,
• the separation of boxes,
• the transport of the boxes each by a road vehicle, in particular a light commercial vehicle or a small electric heavy goods vehicle,
• unloading boxes.

Transport in blocks of three of the crates makes it possible to pass through conventional container terminals.

However, if necessary, it remains possible to transport the boxes individually, which allows handling with the boat's crane, in which case there is no need for port infrastructure.

The initial loading of the goods can be done at a scheduling station, where the goods are distributed between the different boxes intended to form a set of three, depending on their destination.

Thus, the need, once the set of three boxes have been unloaded from the ship, the train or the container trailer, to modify the loading of each box before it is loaded onto a road vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, is eliminated. light or small electric heavy goods vehicle, for example.

The invention can be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, of a non-limiting example of its implementation, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• There schematically shows in perspective a box according to the invention, one of the end doors being shown open,
• [FIG 2] Figures 2A and 2B represent the body of the after covering the side walls, respectively with the door open and closed,
• [FIG 3] Figures 3A to 3D show different perspective views of a corner piece of the frame and Figures 3E and 3F show axial sections,
• [FIG 4] Figures 4A and 4B are respectively front and longitudinal section views of a side wall,
• [FIG 5] Figures 5A and 5B are respectively front and longitudinal section views of the roof wall,
• there illustrates a possibility of arranging pallets inside a crate,
• there illustrates the assembly of three boxes to form a set in the format of a shipping container,
• there is an interior view of the entire through one of the open end doors,
• there illustrates the possibility of stacking boxes,
• there represents in isolation in perspective an example of a hitch that can receive a crate,
• there represents an example of a light utility vehicle carrying a box according to the invention,
• there is a perspective view of the underside of the body, and
• there partially and schematically represents an example of a twist lock fastening system.

Claims (17)

Box (1) for the transport of goods, of generally parallelepipedal shape, provided with fasteners in the corners allowing the box to be joined together with two other identical boxes in its extension to form a one-piece assembly (100) having on the ground the size of a standard shipping container. A crate according to claim 1, the shipping container (100) being standard 40 feet (1219.2 cm). Case according to one of claims 1 and 2, comprising a tubular frame comprising tubes (11, 12, 13) connected by corner pieces (20) fitted into the tubes. Body according to claim 3, the framework comprising plates (50) connecting the tubes (12, 13) on the upper face of the body. Body according to any one of claims 3 and 4, the framework being made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. Box according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising side (30) and upper walls formed of bent sheets, preferably aluminum or aluminum alloy sheets. Crate according to any one of the preceding claims, the fasteners (25, 26, 27) being of the twist-lock standard. Crate according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at each end a door (60) capable of opening when the crate is assembled with other crates to form said one-piece assembly (100), preferably a non-returning sliding door structural, allowing movement inside said assembly. Crate according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising decorative or advertising tarpaulins (90) fixed to the side and upper walls. Body according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a floor (80), in particular of wood, supported by a metal structure, in particular a structure formed by two transverse sleeves (83) for the passage of the forks of a lift truck and by a trellis (82) formed of metal plates oriented perpendicular to the floor. Body according to any one of the preceding claims, with a total empty weight of less than or equal to 1100 kg. A crate according to any preceding claim, being the same height as a standard shipping container. A set (100) of three boxes, each according to any preceding claim, the set being in the format of a standard shipping container. Coupling (200) comprising:

• A connection system allowing it to be attached to a tractor vehicle (300),
• A structure for receiving a crate allowing the fixing of a crate, preferably by means of twist locks engaging in the corresponding fasteners provided at the corners of the crate, in particular two crosspieces (211, 212) for receiving a crate (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12, provided at the ends with fasteners (213) in the form of twist locks arranged to engage in the corresponding fasteners provided at the corners of the crate, allowing the box to be fixed to the crosspieces.

Transport system comprising:

• A hitch (200) as defined in claim 14,
• A crate (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12.

System according to claim 15, the total empty weight of the coupling assembly (200) and body (1) being less than or equal to 2200 kg. Method of transporting goods, comprising:

• The loading of boxes (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12 with the goods to be transported,
• the transport, in particular by river, of the crates assembled in sets (100) of three having the floor space of a standard maritime container,
• separation of boxes,
• the transport of the boxes (1) each by a road vehicle, in particular a light commercial vehicle (300) or a small electric heavy goods vehicle,
• unloading boxes.