GB2539948A

GB2539948A - Stacking structure for container

Info

Publication number: GB2539948A
Application number: GB1511622.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hattersely Gary
Original assignee: OFFSHORE CONTAINER CONSULTANTS Ltd
Current assignee: OFFSHORE CONTAINER CONSULTANTS Ltd
Priority date: 2015-07-02
Filing date: 2015-07-02
Publication date: 2017-01-04
Also published as: GB201511622D0

Abstract

A stacking structure 110 for a container 100, the structure having an elongate hollow body forming a sleeve 113 and a longitudinal member 120 slideably located within the sleeve. The longitudinal member has opposed upper and lower ends and the upper end includes locator means 130. A locating member 150 is slideably located within the sleeve and a compressible biasing device 140 is connected to, and intermediate, the elongate body and upper portion of the locating member. The biasing device is adapted to urge the elongate body and locating member apart. Resting the container on a surface causes compression of the biasing device and projects the longitudinal member above the container, and upon lifting the container from a surface, the biasing device decompresses and the longitudinal member retracts back inside the container. The underside of the locating member may be shaped complementarily with an upper portion of the locator. The locator may be releasably secured to the upper end of the longitudinal member and may be a stacking cone. The biasing device may be a helical spring. The sleeve may be located in the corner of the container. The structure may be used in shipping containers.

Description

STACKING STRUCTURE FOR CONTAINER

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to improvements in stacking structures for containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to an articulated stacking structure for facilitating the handling of shipping containers.

Background of the Invention [0002] There exist severe risks when handling containers, particularly shipping containers used to condition goods for transport in offshore environments as routinely involved in the oil and gas industry. A particular risk in that context is snagging.

[0003] Snagging typically occurs when a lift makes contact with a safe haven, sling sets of other units, fixtures and fittings of other units, or cargo itself. A snag event is defined as a sudden stopping of the lifting spreader, particularly during unloaded, high-speed hoisting when the spreader hangs up in a vessel cell guide. Snagging has a range of causes, from the angle of the sling to the design of stacking fittings, to the style of the safe haven.

[0004] When snagging occurs, the consequences can prove catastrophic and life threatening, as witnessed in recent years by a series of high profile incidents. For instance, in a snagging incident that occurred in the Dutch Continental Shelf in 2012, a platform crane was pulled overboard by a supply vessel after the basket which the crane was lifting from the vessel snagged on a safe haven. The frequency of reporting of small snagging-related incidents has highlighted the enduring prevalence of the problem.

[0005] Snagged loads are an unfortunate occurrence during container handling operations, particularly with ship-to-shore container cranes, and many solutions have been proposed to try and mitigate their consequences. In particular, conventional hydraulic snag load protection systems in use on many STS container cranes utilize long-stroke hydraulic cylinders designed to relieve the sudden strain on main hoist ropes in a controlled manner. As the snag load hydraulic system is signalled by a snag event to release the hoist wire rope, hydraulic oil flows through metered orifices, heating the oil and thereby dissipating some of the hoist drive kinetic energy as heat. The reaction time of such a system includes time delays associated with the drive control system and the time required to move the hydraulic cylinders to force the oil through the orifices.

[0006] Once the snag event has ended, the hydraulic cylinders must be reset, the system checked for leaks, and any damage assessed. Given that snag events are quick, typically lasting 0.5 seconds or less, it is possible that the reaction time of such a hydraulic snag system can exceed the actual snag event time, thereby not completely eliminating damage. In addition, a significant amount of on-going maintenance is required to change oil, filters, seals and the cylinders which adds to the overall cost of a hydraulic snag load protection system, and includes the possibility of hydraulic oil spills.

[0007] There is therefore still am ongoing need to mitigate snagging hazards and assist in the prevention of snagging events more simply and cost-effectively.

Summary of the Invention [0008] The present invention aims to mitigate snagging hazards and assist in the prevention of snagging events by providing an articulated stacking structure which automatically retracts a stack-aiding protrusion atop a container and automatically extends a stack-aiding protrusion below a container during any lifting operation.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is therefore provided a stacking structure for a container, comprising an elongate and substantially hollow body forming a longitudinal sleeve ; a longitudinal member slideably located within the sleeve, having opposed upper and lower ends and wherein the upper end comprises locator means; a locating member slideably beatable within the sleeve ; and compressible biasing means operably connecting, and located intermediate, the longitudinal member and an upper portion of the locating member, wherein the biasing means is adapted to urge the longitudinal member and the locating member apart.

[0010] This configuration advantageously provides an articulated stacking structure which automatically retracts the projecting locator means within the stacking structure and automatically extends the locating member during a lifting operation, thus minimizing snagging features atop the container during the lifting operation, and which automatically projects the locator means atop the stacking structure and automatically retracts the locating member when the lifting operation is completed, thus assisting container locating on an underlying surface or object during the lifting operation.

[0011] In an embodiment of the stacking structure, the locator means may be a locator member releasably secured to the upper end of the longitudinal member. This embodiment advantageously facilitates replacement of worn or damaged locator means.

[0012] In an embodiment of the stacking structure, at least a portion of an underside of the locating member is shaped complementarily with an external shape of at least an upper portion of the locator means. This embodiment advantageously further facilitates container locating on underlying locator means of underlying stacking structures or an underlying container.

[0013] In an embodiment of the stacking structure, the locator means is a stacking cone. This embodiment again advantageously further facilitates container locating on underlying locator means having a conical geometry.

[0014] In an embodiment of the stacking structure, the biasing means may be a helical spring. Other functionally-equivalent alternatives may be considered, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cushion.

[0015] In an embodiment of the stacking structure, the elongate and substantially hollow body is integral with the container. In a variant of this embodiment, the elongate and substantially hollow body may be a portion of a peripheral wall of the container. In another variant, the elongate and substantially hollow body may be a corner of the container. Embodiments thus consider the stacking structure of the invention to form a structural part of a container, or an aftermarket retrofit unit, as a kit of part.

[0016] In an embodiment of the stacking structure, an upper portion of the elongate and substantially hollow body projects a distance beyond a top surface of the container. A variant of this embodiment may comprising a flange member extending from the projecting upper portion of the elongate and substantially hollow body substantially atop the top surface of the container, wherein the flange member comprises engagement means for handling equipment. In a further variant, the engagement means may comprise a transversal lifting eye.

[0017] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a container comprising at least one stacking structure as described herein.

[0018] Embodiments of the container may take a parallelepiped form comprising four corners, with each corner comprising a respective stacking structure; a cylindrical form, having a lateral wall comprising a plurality of equidistantly-arranged stacking structures; or a combination of a cylinder secured within a parallelepiped framework comprising four corners, with each corner again comprising a respective stacking structure.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of handling a container, comprising the steps of providing the container with one or more stacking structures, the or each structure having a longitudinal member and a lower locating member operably connected to one another by biasing means adapted to urge the longitudinal member and the lower locating member apart; resting the container on a surface wherein, when the or each lower locating member comes to rest against the surface, lowering the container urges the or each lower locating member from a lifted position projecting underneath the container into a stowed position within the stacking structure, and causes compressing of the biasing means such that at least a portion of the longitudinal member projects above the container; or lifting the container from a surface, whereby the biasing means decompresses and urges the or each lower locating member from the stowed position to the lifted position such that the longitudinal member retracts within the stacking structure and the container.

[0020] Embodiments of the method consider the handling of a plurality of similarly-configured containers stacked atop one another, thus comprising the further steps of providing at least a second container with one or more stacking structures, then either resting each lower locating member of the second container on a respective longitudinal member of the container resting on the surface, or lifting the second container from the container resting on the surface; and, further, the steps of providing at least a third container with one or more stacking structures, then either resting each lower locating member of the third container on a respective longitudinal member of the second container, or lifting the third container from the second container.

[0021] Other aspects are as set out in the claims herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0022] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a lateral view of a container incorporating a plurality of stacking structures according to an embodiment of the invention, resting on a ground surface.

Figure 2 shows a top view and an end view of the container of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a lateral view of the container of Figures 1 and 2 under lift by a crane apparatus.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the stacking structure of Figures 1 to 3, configured in the lifted position of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the stacking structure of Figures 1 to 4, configured in the resting position of Figure 1 atop a second container incorporating a plurality of stacking structures according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments [0023] There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description.

[0024] The words “comprises/comprising” and the words “having/including” when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0025] Referring now to the Figures, there is shown a container 100 in a ground-resting position in Figure 1, in top and end views in Figure 2 and in a lifted position in Figure 3. The container 100 is a parallelepiped having two sets of parallel lateral walls 1011.2, 1013.4 wherein a set is orthogonal to the other. The container 100 further comprises a bottom wall 102 and a top wall 103 having a top surface 108 covering the entire loading area defined and bounded by the two sets of lateral walls 1011.2, 1013.4 and the top surface of the bottom wall 102. In alternative embodiments of the container 100, the container may not include a top surface covering the entire loading area, and in such embodiment, wherein the container in such embodiments is known as a basket container, the top surface 108 is a peripheral top boundary having longitudinal and transversal dimensions corresponding to the two sets of lateral walls 1011.2, 1013.4. One of the peripheral walls may be hinged or otherwise articulated as a door.

[0026] The two sets of orthogonal walls two sets of lateral walls 1011.2, 1013.4 are perpendicular to the top and bottom walls 103, 102 and are structurally reinforced with internal spars 105. One set of lateral walls 1011.2 is longer than the second set of peripheral walls 1013-4 orthogonal thereto. The bottom wall 102 comprises a pair of transversal apertures 106 suitably sized to accommodate tines of a conventional cargo-lifting device or vehicle. The transversal apertures 106 are parallel and adjacent to one another and respectively located perpendicularly to strengthening spars 105 of the longest lateral walls 1011.2.

[0027] In this embodiment, a stacking structure 110 constitutes each corner of the container 100, such that each structure 110 is secured to at least two orthogonal lateral walls e.g. 1011.3, to the bottom wall 102 and to the top wall 103. Each stacking structure 110 has a substantially square cross-section, wherein each side corresponds substantially to the width of an adjacent lateral wall 101. Each stacking structure 110 is therefore integral to the peripheral wall of the container 100 and thus has a total length (or height, in the direction of use of the container 100) amounting to at least a combination of the cross-section of the bottom plate 102, vertical dimension of a lateral wall 101 and cross-section of the top wall 103. Each stacking structure 110 accordingly constitutes an elongated body, and a portion of its longitudinal cross-section extending between its top and bottom extremities 111,112 is hollowed-out to form a longitudinal sleeve 113 centred about the main axis of the body 110.

[0028] A bottom portion 114 of the sleeve 113 extending a short distance from the bottom extremity 112 has a wider cross-section or diameter relative to a central portion 115 of the sleeve 113, and is separated from the central portion of the sleeve 113 by a transversal plate 116 having a central through-aperture with a cross-section or diameter corresponding to that of the central portion 115. A top portion 116 of the sleeve 113 extending a short distance from the top extremity 111 also has a wider cross-section or diameter relative to the central portion 115 of the sleeve 113.

[0029] A substantial portion of the internal volume of the sleeve 113 is occupied by a longitudinal stem member 120, which has a cross-sectional dimension apt to achieve a sliding fit within at least the central portion 115 of the sleeve 113 so that the stem member 120 may slide upwards and downwards therein. The longitudinal stem 120 has opposed upper and lower ends 121, 122, i.e. wherein the upper end 121 is located proximate the top portion 116 of the sleeve 113 and top extremity 111 of the body 110 and wherein the lower end 122 is correspondingly located proximate the bottom portion 114 of the sleeve 113 and the bottom extremity 112 of the body 110.

[0030] The upper end 121 of the longitudinal stem 120 comprises a blind and tapped central aperture into which a stacking cone 130 is releasably secured via a complementarily-threaded bottom stem 131. The opposed lower end 122 of the stem 120 is secured to the bottom extremity 141 of a helical spring 140 wound over a bottom portion 123 of the stem 120 projecting from the central section 115 of the sleeve 113 through the transversal plate 116 into the bottom portion 114 of the sleeve 113, wherein the opposed top extremity 142 of the helical spring 140 abuts the underside of the transversal plate 116 adjacent the central through-aperture.

[0031] The lower end 122 of the stem 120 and the bottom extremity 141 of the helical spring 140 are also secured to an upper portion or surface 151 of a locating foot 150 having a cross-sectional outer dimension apt to achieve a sliding fit within the bottom portion 114 of the sleeve 113 so that the locating foot member 150 may slide upwards and downwards therein. A bottom surface 152 of the locating foot 150 opposed to the top surface 151 comprises a flared peripheral section apt to abut an underlying surface or object, and a blind central aperture 153 apt to accommodate an underlying stacking locator member, such as the stacking cone 130 of an underlying container 100.

[0032] In this embodiment, each stacking structure 110 further projects by a short distance beyond the top surface 108 of the container 100, such that an upper portion of each stacking structure 110 extends between the horizontal plane of the top surface 108 of the container 100 and the top extremity 111 of the body. A flange member 160 extends substantially from the projecting portion of each stacking structure 110, having a main plane perpendicular to the top container surface 108 and forming an angle intermediate the orthogonal angle between perpendicular adjacent lateral walls e.g. 1011.3, of 45 degrees for instance. Accordingly, a flange member 160 is located at each extremity of the two longest sides 1011.2 of the container 100, and each flange member 160 comprises a transversal through-aperture 161 forming a lifting eye.

[0033] When the container 100 rests on a surface as shown in Figure 1, each locating foot 150 comes to rest against the surface, whereby lowering the container 100 causes each locating foot to slide upwards into the bottom portion 114 of the sleeve 113, into a stowed position within the stacking structure 110, with only the flared peripheral section of the bottom surface 152 of the locating foot 150 abutting the underlying ground surface. The translation of the locating foot 150 causes its top surface 151 to compress the helical spring 140 against the transversal plate 116 and to push the stem member 120 correspondingly upwards within the sleeve 113, such that the stacking cone 130 is correspondingly slid upwards from the open-topped housing constituted by the wider top portion 116 of the sleeve 113 past the top extremity 111 of the stacking structure, from which it stands proud as well as from the flange member 160.

[0034] When the container 10O1 is stacked atop another container 10O2 of the invention as shown in Figure 5, the flared peripheral section of the bottom surface 152 of each locating foot 150 assists in guiding an underlying stacking cone 130 projecting past the top extremity 111 of the stacking structure and the flange member 160 of the underlying contained IOO2 into the blind central aperture 153, until the flared peripheral section abuts the top extremity 111 of the underlying stacking structure 110. Again, lowering the overlying container 100 causes each locating foot 150 to slide upwards into the bottom portion 114 of the sleeve 113, into the stowed position with only the flared peripheral section of the bottom surface 152 of the locating foot 150 abutting the top extremity 111 of the underlying stacking structure 110, and again causing compression of the helical spring against the transversal plate 116, pushing the stem member 120 correspondingly upwards within the sleeve 113, such that the stacking cone 130 of the overlying container is correspondingly slid upwards from the open-topped housing 116.

[0035] With reference to Figure 3, for handling operations achieving the resting and/or stacked positions described hereinbefore, each lifting eye 161 is engaged by a ferrule or hook 200 or the like terminating a crane sling 210 connected to the lifting hook 220 of a crane apparatus.

[0036] When the container 100 is lifted from the surface in Figure 1 or the underlying container IOO2 shown in Figure 5, the pressure exerted upon the helical spring 140 by the locating foot 150 is gradually and eventually fully released, whereby the helical spring 140 urges the locating foot 150 to slide downwards from the bottom portion 114 of the sleeve 113, into a lifted position with most of the height of the locating foot 150 projecting underneath the stacking structure 110 and the bottom wall 102 of the container 100. The decompression of the helical spring 140 causes its bottom extremity 141 151 to push the stem member 120 correspondingly downwards within the sleeve 113, such that the stacking cone 130 is correspondingly slid downwards into the open-topped housing 116 of the sleeve 113 substantially under the top extremity 111 of the stacking structure. The relatively short upper portion of each stacking structure 110 and the flange member 160 engaged by the lifting hook 200, constitute the only projecting elements of the top surface of the container 100, and the recessed stacking cones 130 do not constitute a snagging risk.

[0037] The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail. For example, it will be readily understood by skilled persons that the inventive principle disclosed herein may be permanently integrated into the base configuration of an item through relevant manufacturing techniques, for instance injection moulding, rather than manufacturing the attachment device separately from the item to be secured thereto.

[0038] In the specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" or any variation thereof and the terms include, includes, included and including" or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.

Claims

1. A stacking structure for a container, comprising an elongate and substantially hollow body forming a longitudinal sleeve ; a longitudinal member slideably located within the sleeve, having opposed upper and lower ends and wherein the upper end comprises locator means; a locating member slideably beatable within the sleeve ; and compressible biasing means operably connecting, and located intermediate, the longitudinal member and an upper portion of the locating member, wherein the biasing means is adapted to urge the longitudinal member and the locating member apart.

2. The stacking structure according to claim 1, wherein the locator means is a locator member releasably secured to the upper end of the longitudinal member.

3. The stacking structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of an underside of the locating member is shaped complementarily with an external shape of at least an upper portion of the locator means.

4. The stacking structure according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locator means is a stacking cone.

5. The stacking structure according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the biasing means is a helical spring.

6. The stacking structure according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elongate and substantially hollow body is integral with the container.

7. The stacking structure according to claim 6, wherein the elongate and substantially hollow body is a portion of a peripheral wall of the container.

8. The stacking structure according to claim 6, wherein the elongate and substantially hollow body is a corner of the container.

9. The stacking structure according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein an upper portion of the elongate and substantially hollow body projects a distance beyond a top surface of the container.

10. The stacking structure according to claim 9, further comprising a flange member extending from the projecting upper portion of the elongate and substantially hollow body substantially atop the top surface of the container, wherein the flange member comprises engagement means for handling equipment.

11. The stacking structure according to claim 10, wherein the engagement means comprises a transversal lifting eye.

12. A container comprising at least one stacking structure according to any of claims 1 to 11.

13. The container according to claim 12, wherein the container is a parallelepiped comprising four corners, with each corner comprising a respective stacking structure.

14. The container according to claim 12, wherein the container is a cylinder, having a lateral wall comprising a plurality of equidistantly-arranged stacking structures.

15. The container according to claim 12, wherein the container is a cylinder secured within a parallelepiped framework comprising four corners, with each corner comprising a respective stacking structure.

16. A method of handling a container, comprising the steps of providing the container with one or more stacking structures, the or each structure having a longitudinal member and a lower locating member operably connected to one another by biasing means adapted to urge the longitudinal member and the lower locating member apart; resting the container on a surface wherein, when the or each lower locating member comes to rest against the surface, lowering the container urges the or each lower locating member from a lifted position projecting underneath the container into a stowed position within the stacking structure, and causes compressing of the biasing means such that at least a portion of the longitudinal member projects above the container; or lifting the container from a surface, whereby the biasing means decompresses and urges the or each lower locating member from the stowed position to the lifted position such that the longitudinal member retracts within the stacking structure and the container.

17. The method according to claim 16, comprising the further steps of providing at least a second container with one or more stacking structures, resting each lower locating member of the second container on a respective longitudinal member of the container resting on the surface; or lifting the second container from the container resting on the surface.

18. The method according to claim 17, comprising the further step of providing at least a third container with one or more stacking structures, resting each lower locating member of the third container on a respective longitudinal member of the second container; or lifting the third container from the second container.

19. The method according to any of claims 16 to 18, performed with a seaborne crane.

20. A container substantially as described herein, with reference to, and as shown in, the appended drawings.