GB2140347A

GB2140347A - Improvements in and relating to containers

Info

Publication number: GB2140347A
Application number: GB08412078A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harold Wright; Keith T Jones
Original assignee: British Steel Corp
Current assignee: British Steel Corp
Priority date: 1983-05-23
Filing date: 1984-05-11
Publication date: 1984-11-28
Also published as: GB2140347B; GB8412078D0

Abstract

An internal lining for a container comprises a composite of a relatively thin steel plate or sheet and a layer of backing material which in use lies in contact with the internal structure or wall surface of the container. The composite lining includes means enabling the steel or sheet to be secured to the container's internal structure or wall surface in such a way that a smooth surface free of protrusions is presented to material present within or passing through the container.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to containers This invention relates to containers and to linings therefore. Containers in accordance with the invention may be used in a number of different contexts. Thus, the containers may be used for the storage or transportation of foodstuffs (e.g. refrigeration vessels). Alternatively, the containers may comprise hoppers, blending bunkers or storage bunkers used when operating, for example, coke ovens for carbonising coal to produce metallurgical coke.

According to the present invention in one aspect, a lining for securement to the internal surface of a container comprises a composite of a relatively thin steel plate or sheet and a layer of backing material which in use lies in contact with the internal structure or wall surface of the container, the composite lining including means enabling the steel plate or sheet to be secured to the internal structure or wall surface of the container in such a way that a smooth surface free of protrusions is presented to material present within or passing through the container.

In a preferred arrangement, the steel is a stainless steel having a surface finish to BS 1449-2B and the resilient backing material is a low grade vulcanised rubber. A perforated metal or wire mesh sheet may be embedded in the backing layer to assist attachment of the lining to the internal structure or wall surface of the container by means such as screws or bolts. Alternatively or additionally, countersunk metal inserts may be set in the outer surface of the lining for this purpose.

Preferably, the complete lining of the container comprises a plurality of abutting lining sections. The edges of each such lining section may be shaped in a complementary manner to assist accurate alignment. Thus, abutting edges may be formed with complementary inclinations. Alternatively, the abutting lining sections may be secured together by inserts protruding into the abutting edges of such sections.

In another aspect the invention provides a container having an internal lining comprising a composite of a relatively thin steel plate or sheet and a layer of backing material which in use lies in contact with the internal structure or wall surface of the container and which presents a smooth, protrusion-free surface to material present within or passing through the container.

Preferably the steel is a stainless steel.

According to the present invention in a further aspect, there is provided a refrigeration vessel or a hopper or a blending bunker or a storage bunker including features as specified in the preceeding five paragraphs.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a section taken through a container lining in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the lining illustrated in Fig. 1; Figures 3, 4 and 5 are sections taken through alternative composite linings in accordance with the invention; Figures 6 and 7 illustrate respectively one side and one end of a container adapted to receive a lining in accordance with the invention; and Figures 8 and 9 illustrate alternative means of fixing linings in accordance with the invention.

The lining illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises several abutting composite sheets (only two of which are shown) which can be shaped and aligned to provide a complete and smooth internal lining free of protrusion for a container. Each lining section comprises a reiatively thin stainless steel sheet 1 which is backed by a layer of firm but resilient low grade rubber 2. Embedded within the layer 2 is a perforated steel sheet 3. A wire mesh sheet can be employed as an alternative to the perforated sheet. Each lining section includes a recess 4 for receiving the head of a bolt or screw which secures the lining to the internal wall surface or structure of the container. The adjoining edge surfaces of the sheets 2 are inclined in a complementary sense for ease of alignment and assembly.

The inclined edges of the lining sections are indicated by reference numeral 5 in Figs. 1 and 2.

In use, the lining is secured to the internal surface of the container by means of bolts or screws each of which extends through the recess 4 with its head seated within the recess to avoid any impediment to the removal of material from the container. The head of each screw or bolt is retained by the perforated sheet 3 to ensure that the lining is properly secured to the internal structure of the container.

The lining illustrated may be supplied in standard sheet or plate form and then cut to a required size or shape on site, the edges being suitable inclined in the cutting process.

The composite sheet illustrated in Fig. 3 is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 with the exception that a stainless steel insert 6 is set in the outer surface of the lining and is formed with a countersunk recess 7 to receive the head of the attaching bolt or screw. It will be noted that no perforated sheet is embedded in the layer 2 in this particular embodiment.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate alternative methods of joining adjacent lining sections together.

Thus, in Fig. 4 a metal bar is located in matching recesses provided in the adjoining surfaces of the sheets 2 and in Fig. 5 an elongate plastics strip 8 is provided for this purpose.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate one wall 9 and doors 10 of a space frame structured container to which a lining in accordance with the invention can typically be secured. Each longitudinal wall 9 comprises corner posts 11 joined by horizontal struts 1 2 which, in turn are joined by vertical struts 1 3. The container end remote from the doors 10 is of a similar space frame construction. The doors 10 are hinged to adjacent corner posts of the side walls 9 and conventional locking bars 14 are provided.

The container floor and ceiling may be of a similar space frame construction lined in accordance with the invention. Alternatively, the ceiling may comprise a conventional corrugated structure.

In this embodiment, the stainless steel lining sheets are secured to the container space frame by one of the methods exemplified above. Alternatively, fixing may be achieved by an arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 8 or Fig. 9.

In Fig. 8, a screw fixing is illustrated wherein a screw 1 5 co-operates with a tapped hole formed in the container support structure 16, the head of the screw seating in a countersunk hole formed in a metal strap 1 7.

In Fig. 9, a threaded stud 18 located in an annular nut 1 9 seating within a recess 20 formed in the lining is welded at its end remote from the lining to the container structure. The remote end of the stud may be plain.

Containers in accordance with the invention can beneficially be used for storing and transporting refrigerated foodstuffs. Alternatively, such containers may comprise hoppers, blending bunkers or storage bunkers used when operating, for example, coke ovens for carbonising coal to produce metallurgical coke.

The linings described above exhibit a number of advantages over linings currently employed. Since the several lining sections can be assembled in a simple abutting relationship, a smooth generally flat surface free of protrusions can be presented to material present in the container. Further, it has been found that a 2 mm thick lining as described has a life equivalent to that achieved with thicker conventional linings. Also wear can readily be detected as the vulcanised rubber layer becomes exposed.

It is to be understood that the linings described can be modified without departing from the essential features of the invention.

Claims

1. A lining for securement to the internal surface of a container comprises a composite of a relatively thin steel plate or sheet and a layer of backing material which in use lies in contact with the internal structure or wail surface of the container, the composite lining including means enabling the steel plate or sheet to be secured to the internal structure or wall surface of the container in such a way that a smooth surface free of protrusions is presented to material present within or passing through the container.

2. A container lining as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the steel is a stainless steel having a surface finish to BS 1 449-2B and the resilient backing material is a low grade vulcanised rubber.

3. A container lining as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein a perforated metal or wire mesh sheet is embedded in the backing layer to assist attachment of the lining to the internal structure or wall surface of the container by means such as screws or bolts.

4. A container lining as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein countersunk metal inserts are set in the outer surface of the lining to assist attachment of the lining to the internal structure or wall surface of the container.

5. A container lining as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims wherein the complete lining comprises a plurality of abutting lining sections.

6. A container lining as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the edges of lining sections which, on assembly, are to lie adjacent one another are shaped in a complementary sense to assist accurate alignment.

7. A container lining as claimed in Claim 6 wherein abutting edges of adjacent sections are formed with complementary inclinations.

8. A container lining as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the abutting lining sections are secured together by inserts protruding into the abutting edges of such sections.

9. A container having an internal lining comprising a composite of a relatively thin steel plate or sheet and a layer of backing material which in use lies in contact with the internal structure or wall surface of the container and which presents a smooth, protrusion-free surface to material present within or passing through the container.

1 0. A container as claimed in Claim 9 where employed as a refrigeration vessel, a hopper, a blending bunker or as a storage bunker.

11. A container lining substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

1 2. A container substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7 or 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.