GB2543044A

GB2543044A - Shipping Container

Info

Publication number: GB2543044A
Application number: GB1517519.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Elliott Philip
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-10-05
Filing date: 2015-10-05
Publication date: 2017-04-12
Also published as: GB201517519D0

Abstract

An intermodal shipping container with improved storage efficiency comprises corrugated sides 2, 3; with internal anchorage eyelets 6 along the top and bottom of the side walls in a recess formed by the corrugation; and a rigid support member 10, each end being releasably clamped within a recess by rigid couplings 14 that engage with the eyelets. Preferably, the support members comprises inward facing brackets 24 that may support a shelf (26, figure 3) between members; rear facing bearing members 16 to brace against the recess; and is contact with the base 4 of the container. Preferably, there are bracing rails 28 mounted to and extending between support members and spanning brackets 20 extending between opposite bracing rails. Preferably the bracing rails and/or the brackets are removably and slidably mounted to the support member to adjust the height. Preferably, separation of opposite support members is at least 2220mm.

Description

Shipping Container

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to shipping containers, in particular storage systems within shipping containers.

Background to the Invention

Intermodal containers are large standardized shipping containers, designed and built for intermodal freight transport. This means that the containers can be used across different modes of transport - from ship to rail to truck -without unloading and reloading their cargo. Intermodal containers are primarily used to store and transport materials and products efficiently and securely in the global containerized intermodal freight transport system, but smaller numbers are in regional use as well. These types of containers are known under a number of names, such as simply container, cargo or freight container, ISO container, shipping, sea or ocean container, container van or (Conex) box.

Intermodal containers are also used for static storage, in so called “selfstores”. This is because the containers themselves provide an efficient and non-expensive way to protect goods over a long period of time.

Intermodal containers exist in many types and a number of standardized sizes, but ninety percent of the global container fleet are so-called "dry freight" or "general purpose" containers. These are durable closed steel boxes, mostly of either twenty or forty foot (6 or 12m) standard length. The common heights are 8 feet 6 inches (2.6 m) and 9 feet 6 inches (2.9 m) — the latter are known as High Cube or Hi-Cube containers. The common internal width is 2340mm.

Just like cardboard boxes and pallets, these containers are a means to bundle cargo and goods into larger, unitized loads, that can be easily handled, moved, and stacked, and that will pack tightly in a ship or yard. Intermodal containers share a number of key construction features, such as corrugates sides, to hold-up to the stresses of intermodal shipping, to facilitate their handling and to allow stacking, as well as being identifiable through their individual, unique ISO 6346 reporting mark.

There are many established methods and materials available to stabilize and secure intermodal containers loaded on ships, as well as the internal cargo inside the boxes. Conventional restraint methods and materials such as steel strapping and wood blocking & bracing have been around for decades and are still widely used. Polyester strapping and lashing, synthetic webbings are also common today. Dunnage bags, also known as "air bags" are used to help keep unit loads in place.

The loads carried can range from chemicals, to motorized vehicles, and the methods of restraint for these different types of goods varies accordingly. To this end, most intermodal containers comprise internal eyelet rings evenly spaced in the corners of the container. Straps can be hooked to these to secure individual loads.

As with any logistical operation, storage and transport is an expensive process, and therefore making this process as efficient as possible is paramount to owners of containers and transport companies. Unfortunately, it is common, particularly when transporting or storing delicate or unevenly sized goods (such as cars or the like) to not completely fill the container for fear of damaging the goods, or because of the lack of suitable storage systems.

In order to overcome this problem it is common to install shelving units or storage systems which are permanently anchored to a vertical wall, or are anchored to the floor. Unfortunately this obstructs valuable floor space and to this end such shelving units protrude into the interior of the container to such a degree that it makes storing a vehicle such as car or other odd shaped object not possible. Furthermore, as the shelving units or storage systems are permanently anchored, it makes the container unusable for a different purpose at a later date.

There has now been devised an improved shipping container which overcomes or otherwise substantially mitigates the above referenced shortcomings and/or disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In an aspect of the invention there is provided an intermodal shipping container having at least one corrugated side and internal anchorage eyelets distributed along the side of the container and positioned at the top and bottom of the side within recesses formed by the corrugations, the container comprising one or more support members, each support member comprising two opposite ends and a rigid coupling at each of the ends, and each support member being releasably clamped within a recess by the rigid couplings which extend through the support member and engage with each of the eyelets within said recess.

Preferably each support member comprises one or more brackets mounted thereon and extending inwardly of the container side. This enables shelves to be mounted on the side of the container for the storage of boxes or the like.

The intermodal shipping container is advantageous primarily because it allows wide objects such as cars to be stored in the container, and then the remainder of the space to be filled fully. As the support members are clamped within the recess, they do not take up any of the internal space, and being releasable has the benefit that they can be reconfigured and used in the container for separate purposes (ie for different shaped vehicles or objects) without affecting the integrity of the container itself. Also, being clamped within the recess has the benefit that movement out of the recess, either sideways or inwards or even axially is prevented. The rigid couplings further prevent any movement of the support member and therefore a very stable base structure upon which to mount a bracket or brace.

An intermodal shipping container according to the invention is of the type described above. In the majority of cases, the bases of such containers carry most of the weight of the contents, and therefore they are strengthened. Preferably each support member is in contact with the base. This has the benefit that the weight of the support member and the bracket and everything carried by the support member is transmitted to the base, which is the strongest part of the container. The weight of the support members and the brackets and everything carried on the brackets is therefore transmitted to the base. This means that a much greater weight can be carried than those weights which are hung from the eyelets, which are restricted to carrying 1500kg each.

The rigid coupling may be any bolt, screw or linkage device, which is rigid, ie does not bend. Examples of suitable couplings include but are not limited to stainless steel bolts, steel J shaped bolts, U shaped bolts or steel quick release fasteners. The rigid coupling must comprise a portion to enable it to clamp the support member into the recess. In the example of a J shaped bolt, the curved end extends through the eyelet. The straight end of the bolt comprises a screw thread which extends through the support member. A nut is threaded on to the thread and tightens on the support member thereby clamping it to the recess. The rigid couplings therefore anchor the support member within the recess.

Preferably one or more bearing members are attached to the rear of support member and are in contact with the recess. This has the effect of further increasing the stabilisation of the support member with the side of the container. It is recognised that the present invention will still function fully without them though. It also means that a portion of each support member extends out of the recess and this enables bracing rails (described later) to be attached.

In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to store particularly heavy items. Preferably, there are at least two support members on the at least one corrugated side and at least one shelf runs between the brackets of neighbouring support members. This enables items to be stored on the side of container.

In other circumstances, it may be necessary to store cars or vehicles, or simply just to maximise the space for storage. Preferably therefore one or more bracing rails are mounted on and extend between neighbouring support members. The bracing rails not only provide structural support to the support members but provide a rail upon which to mount spanning brackets. Then, preferably one or more spanning brackets are mounted on and extend between opposing bracing rails on opposite sides of the container. The brackets in this case can provide support for the wide objects to enable them to be supported away from base of the container. Thus it becomes possible to store two cars in a single container for example, one resting on the base and the other resting on the brackets.

Preferably the spanning brackets are slidable on the bracing rails. This has the benefit that the longitudinal displacement of the spanning brackets can be altered to fit the load carried. The spanning brackets may be fixed to the bracing rails though.

The bracing rails and/or the brackets may be bolted, screwed or otherwise removably affixed to the support members. Preferably the bracing rails and/or the brackets are slidably mounted on the support member. This has the benefit of allowing easy mounting and positioning.

Preferably in use the height of each bracket and/or the bracing rail from the base is adjustable.

Preferably, wherein the shipping container comprises support members mounted to opposite sides of the container, the separation of the support members on opposing sides of the container is greater than or equal to 2220mm. This allows the storage and carriage of standard cars and most road going vehicles.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the container according to the invention minus the brackets taken from the access doors at one end of the container.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the end of the support member showing the bearing member and the connection to the eyelet.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with various configurations of brackets.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the container 1 according to the invention taken from the access doors at one end of the container 1. The container 1 has two opposing sides 2, 3, a base 4, and a roof 5. In the figure the sides 2, 3 of the container 1 each have three separate support members 10 running vertically along the sides. The support members 10 are positioned in the recesses created by the corrugations in the sides. The support members 10 are made from channel or box section steel and run the full height of the container 1 which is approximately 8ft high, by 8ft wide, by 20ft long. The support members 10 each have holes drilled in their sides and fronts to allow receipt of a bolt or an engagement fixing. The holes are aligned with each other as shown in the drawings.

At each end of the support member there is a ‘J’ shaped bolt 14. The curved part of the bolt is hooked around the internal eyelets 6 of the container. The shank of the bolt 14 extends inwards through the steel of the support member 10 approximately at right angles to the side of the container 1. A nut is engaged on the end of the bolt 14 in order to tighten the support member 10 against the respective side. Three bearing members 16 are shown on each support 10, one at the top, one in the middle and one at the bottom. The members are section of box steel and are bolted to the rear of the support member 10. They act to provide a more stable base for the support member 10 to brace against in the recess. Further detail of the end of each support member 10 is shown in Figure 2 (like numbering applies).

At the end of each support member in contact with the base of the container, there may be a foot plate, which acts to spread the load over the base of the container.

Between each support member on each side of the container is a bracing rail 28. The bracing rail is a length of box section steel which spans between two support members. At each end of the bracing rail there is a section of angle steel 24 welded to the box section. Each angle section 24 comprises a series of tongues which engage with complementary holes in the front of the support member. The bracing rail helps to strengthen the support members, and also provide a support upon which one or more spanning brackets 20 may be engaged.

The spanning brackets 20 are made of box section steel and are mounted on and extend between two opposite bracing rails. To achieve this at each opposite end of the brackets there is welded a hook support, which simply hooks over the bracing rails. The brackets 20 are therefore slidable along the bracing rails and their position longitudinally within the container can be varied. This is important when storing cars of different sizes. Each bracket is capable of supporting a weight of approximately 2150kg.

As well as the spanning brackets, shelf brackets 20 can be mounted on the support members 10, as shown in Figure 3. The shelf brackets comprise a supporting portion 22 which runs generally at right angles to the support member 10, and a mounting portion 24 which mounts over the support member 10. The supporting portion 22 holds a shelf 26 or the like as shown. The mounting portion slides up and down the support member and has tongues which engage with the holes in the front of the support member. Alternatively the mounting portion may be bolted to the support member using bolts engaged through the side holes of the support member and the side of the mounting portion. Shelves made of wood, or other material span two or more shelving brackets along one or more sides of the container, as shown in figure 3.

The heights of the spanning brackets and shelving brackets in the embodiments in all the figures are adjustable, as also are the separation of the spanning brackets from one another. This provides great flexibility in the variety of materials that can be stored and fulling maximises the internal space of the container.

In an alternative embodiment, the support member, instead of having a J shaped bolt as the rigid coupling, it has an off-set hook for engagement with the eyelet. The hook is pivotally attached to the end of the support member and when operated by the user it pivots from a first position where the internal parts of the hook are not engaged with the eyelet to a second position where the internal parts of the hook are engaged around the eyelet. In moving from the first position to the second position the support member is thereby clamped into the recess. This is beneficial as it provides a quick release system which is easy to operate.

Claims

1. An intermodal shipping container having at least one corrugated side and internal anchorage eyelets distributed along the side of the container and positioned at the top and bottom of the side within recesses formed by the corrugations, the container comprising one or more support members, each support member comprising two opposite ends and a rigid coupling at each of the ends, and each support member being releasably clamped within a recess by the rigid couplings which extend through the support member and engage with each of the eyelets within said recess.

2. A shipping container according to claim 1, wherein each support member comprises one or more brackets mounted thereon and extending inwardly of the container side.

3. A shipping container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shipping container has a base and each support member is in contact with the base.

4. A shipping container according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more bearing members are attached to the rear of support member and are in contact with the recess.

5. A shipping container according to any preceding claim, wherein there are at least two support members on the at least one corrugated side and at least one shelf runs between the brackets of neighbouring support members.

6. A shipping container according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more bracing rails are mounted on and extend between neighbouring support members.

7. A shipping container according to claim 6, wherein one or more spanning brackets are mounted on and extend between opposing bracing rails on opposite sides of the container.

8. A shipping container according to claims any preceding claim, wherein the bracing rails and/or the brackets are removably affixed to the support members.

9. A shipping container according to any preceding claim wherein the bracing rails and/or the brackets are slidably mounted on the support member.

10. A shipping container according to any preceding claim, wherein in use the height of each bracket and/or the braces from the base is adjustable.

11. A shipping container according to any preceding claim, wherein the shipping container comprises support members mounted to opposite sides of the container, the separation of the support members on opposing sides of the container is greater than or equal to 2220mm.

12. A shipping container substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.