GB2560729A

GB2560729A - Container system with seperate containers attached to each other by means of a base frame

Info

Publication number: GB2560729A
Application number: GB1704510.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ziegler Maik; Kioko Muthui Arnold
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2017-03-22
Filing date: 2017-03-22
Publication date: 2018-09-26
Also published as: GB201704510D0

Abstract

A container system for transportation of goods comprising at least two containers 10 mechanically attachable together to form a single container unit, and which are detachable to be used independently, the system further comprising a connection arrangement 30 comprising a base frame 20 extending to the base corners (12, fig. 1) of the containers. The containers may be standing on the base frame when attached to each other, and the container may be sealed and comprise four side walls, a top wall and a base wall (17, 18, 16, fig.1). The containers may have base mounting means 13 for securing to the frame, the mounting means may be a quick lock or release fastener. The containers may comprise a roller shutter which may face another container when mounted.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Container system with seperate containers attached to each other by means of a base frame

Abstract Title: Container system for connecting ISO containers (57) A container system for transportation of goods comprising at least two containers 10 mechanically attachable together to form a single container unit, and which are detachable to be used independently, the system further comprising a connection arrangement 30 comprising a base frame 20 extending to the base corners (12, fig. 1) of the containers. The containers may be standing on the base frame when attached to each other, and the container may be sealed and comprise four side walls, a top wall and a base wall (17, 18, 16, fig. 1). The containers may have base mounting means 13 for securing to the frame, the mounting means may be a quick lock or release fastener. The containers may comprise a roller shutter which may face another container when mounted.

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Container system with seperate containers attached to each other by means of a base frame

The invention relates to a container system for transportation of goods according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

A container for the transportation of goods is well known from the prior art. The container is usually formed as a cuboid, which provides a space for the goods, where they are safely stored against environmental impacts. Containers have usually worldwide standardized dimensions to provide an increased ease of use. Hence the use of containers allows easy and quick loading and unloading of goods.

The excellent ease of use and the economic transportation is only valid for fully loaded containers (full truckload, short as FTL). If a smaller amount of goods is to be transported (less than full truckload, short as LTL) either a waste of transport capacity, if a not fully loaded container is transported, or an increased loading and unloading effort occurs if the container is filled with different goods to achieve a fully loading of the container.

In that context the given article (http://newatlas.com/sl-tainer-self-lifting-shippingcontainer/38007/) describes a container with built-in hydraulic jacks on each of its four corners given by its projection on the ground. The hydraulic jacks can lift the container from the ground level.

To provide the possibility of a more economic transportation of small (LTL) amounts of goods a container system known as “Tworty Box” consists of two containers with half of a length of the worldwide standardized dimensions for containers. The containers of the “Tworty Box” can be used separately or when attached to each other perform as a single container (http://www.mehrcontainerfuerdeutschland.de/rund-um-den-container/zweicontainer-eine-tworty-box/).

To address combined long distance transportation and urban distribution traffic of goods EDAG engineering provides a host vehicle which comprises four satellite vehicles. Goods for transportation can be loaded into the satellite vehicles. The satellite vehicles provide the possibility of urban distribution traffic. When attached together to form the host vehicle an economic possibility of long distance transportation is provided (http://www.edag.de/de/edag/stories/4-in-1-truck.html).

This state of art has the disadvantage not to provide the possibility to attach and detach containers to each other.

It is a object of the present invention to provide the possibility to attach and detach containers to each other with reduced effort compared to the prior art.

This object is solved by a container system provided by patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims.

To provide the possibility to attach and detach the at least two containers to each other with reduced effort compared to the prior art, the connection arrangement comprises a base frame, which extends at least over all base corners of the at least two containers. In particular the base frame extends over all base comers of the at least two containers, when the at least two containers are mounted to the base frame. Thereby, the at least two containers may be mechanically attached to each other at least via the base frame. The first container of the at least two containers and/or the second container of the at least two containers may be mechanically attachable to the base frame. If the first container of the at least two containers and the second container of the at least two containers are mechanically attached to the base frame they are indirectly attached to each other via the base frame. The at least two containers can be formed as sealed containers, which are closed to all their six faces. The base frame may be a single part or be provided by two or more base frame parts. If the base frame is provided by two or more base frame parts, the number of base frame parts may equal the number of containers.

The at least two containers are not necessarily attached to each other only via the base frame. The connection arrangement may comprise further connection means to attach the at least two containers directly to each other, in particular in an upper part of the at least two containers.

The at least two containers may comprise base mounting means, in particular on their bottom side, which are made up to enable a mechanical mounting of the least two containers to the base frame. Preferably the at least two containers are standing on the base frame, when they are attached to each other. The mounting means of the at least two containers may then be mechanically connected to corresponding mounting means of the base frame.

Further advantages and details of the invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

The drawings shows in:

Fig. 1 a single container of a container system schematically from a perspective view,

Fig. 2 a container system with three containers attached to each other via a base frame from a schematic side view,

Fig. 3 a base frame schematically from a perspective view, and

Fig. 4 the container system from a front view.

In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs.

Fig. 1 shows a single container 10, which is one of at least two containers of a container system 1. The container 10 as shown in Fig. 1 is detached from further containers 10 to be used independently. The container has four base corners 12 (three of them visible in Fig. 1) and four upper corners 11. Close to each base corner 12, the container 10 may comprise mounting means 13, which are pointed out hereafter. The container 10 is in particular formed as a cuboid, at least for the most part formed as a cuboid. The base corners 12 and the upper corners 11 sum up to the eight corners of the cuboid. As usual for a cuboid the container 10 comprises six faces, in particular four side faces, a top face and a base face. The container 10 may be sealed as it comprises a wall on each face, in particular four side walls 17, a top wall 18 and a base wall 16. Two of the four side walls are formed as closing elements 15 in the present. The closing elements 15 have at least an open position and a closed position. In the open position of the closing elements 15 goods may be loaded into the container 10 or unloaded from the container 10. In the closing elements of the roller shutter 15 the container 10 may be sealed and goods loaded into the container 10 are safe from environmental impacts or theft. In present case the closing elements 15 are formed by a roller shutter. In other embodiements the closing elements 15 can be formed as doors, lids or the like.

The container 10 may further comprise feet 19, preferably four feet 19. The feet 19 may be switchable between a use position and a non-use position. According to Fig. 1 the container 10 is standing on the feet 19 which are located in their use position. In the nonuse position the feet 19 may be switched around an axis to be oriented basically parallel to the base face or the base 16 of the container 10. The feet 19 enable an easier use and/or storage of the container 10.

Fig. 2 shows the container system 1 according to a second embodiement comprising three containers 10 as the at least two containers and a base frame 20. According to Fig.

the containers 10 are standing on the base frame 20, which may be part of a connection arrangement 30. In the present case the containers 10 are mechanically attached to each other to form one via the base frame 20. The containers 10 may be mechanically attached to each other only via base frame 20 or additionally by further connection means. In particular the connection arrangement 30 may comprise further connection means. Adjacent containers 10 may be mechanically attached to each other additionally by connection means, for example in an area around the upper corners 11. In an embodiment which is not shown in one of the figures the connection means are formed in the way of a connection bar that is attached to the lifting means 14 of two adjacent containers 10. According to Fig. 2 the containers 10 are mechanically attached to each other only via base frame 20.

The base frame 20 is shown in Fig. 3. It may comprise longitudinal girders 25, for example two longitudinal girders 25, and/or cross girders 26. The width of the base frame 20 may be given by the length of the cross girders 26. The width of the base frame 20 may equal the width W of the container 10. The base frame 20 may at least extend over all base corners 12 of the at least two containers 10. In particular the base frame 20 extends over all base corners 12 of the at least two containers 10, when the at least two containers 10 are mounted to the base frame 20. In the present the base frame 20 extends over the base corners 12 of the three containers 10. According to Fig. 2 the base frame 20 extends over the base comers 12 of the three containers 10, when they are placed adjacent to each other or placed in a row.

The base frame 20 may comprise guiding means 21 to ensure a correct positioning of the container 10 on the base frame 20. The container 10 may comprise corresponding guiding means, which are not shown in the figures. The guiding means 21 may be formed as a bolt while the corresponding guiding means may be formed as blind hole. The guiding means 21 may for example be formed to be inserted into the corresponding guiding means or vice versa, when the container 10 is placed on the base frame 20. The position of the container 10 in the plane given by the longitudinal girders 25 and the cross girders 26 may be fixed by the guiding means 21, when the container 10 is placed on the base frame 20. The guiding means 21 and/or the corresponding guiding means may be part of the connection arrangement 30.

The base frame 20 may comprise corresponding mounting means 23. The container 10 may be mountable or fixable on the base frame 20 by either or both of the mounting means 13 and/or the corresponding mounting means 23. When the containers 10 are attached to each other, each of the containers 10 may be fixed or mounted on the base frame by either or both of the mounting means 13 and/or the corresponding mounting means 23. Preferably the mounting means 13 and/or the corresponding mounting means 23 are formed in the way of a quick lock or a quickrelease fastener. In particular the mounting means 13 and/or the corresponding mounting means 23 are formed in a way to allow mounting or unmounting of the container 10 without tools. The mounting means 13 and/or the corresponding mounting means 23 can be formed as holes which are guided to be adjacent to each other by the guiding means 21 and which are fixable or mountable by a bolt. The corresponding mounting means 23 and/or the mounting means 13 may be part of the connection arrangement 30.

The length of the longitudinal girders 25 may, at least roughly, equal the length of a container L times the number of containers 10 to be used in the container system 1. Preferably the length of the longitudinal girders 25 equal the length of a standardized container, for example 45 feet or 13.6 meter respectively. The length of the container 10 may then equal, at least roughly, 15 feet or 4.5 meters respectively when three containers 10 are used. The base frame 20 may fit on a typical 45 feet semi-trailer or a 45 feet railcar for transportation. The base frame 20 may load three containers 10. Due to the module character of the container system 1, the container 10 can also be referred to as “Pod”.

The containers 10 may, as an example, be built with the following dimensions and

technical specifications:
- Capacity:	10 x Pallets (EUR) 1	8 x Pallets (ISO)
- Weight:	1,250 kg (Empty) 1	11,000 kg (Gross)
- Length:	4,500 mm (Overall) 1	4,280 mm (Internal)
- Height:	2,780 mm (Overall) 1	2,440 mm (Internal)
- Width:	2,500 mm (Overall) 1	2,440 mm (Internal)
- Coupling Heights:	1,220 mm (Rigid) 1	1,100 mm (Artie)
- Ground Heights:	1,390 mm (Floor) /	4,000 mm (Roof)

The container system 1 comprising three containers 10 with above mentioned example dimensions mounted on the base frame 20 effectively become a 45 feet intermodal container, which can be transported via road, rail, and sea. By way of the base frame 20, three containers 10 can be combined to form a full length intermodal loading unit with specifications as follows:

Capacity	30 x Pallets (EUR) 1	24 x Pallets (ISO)
Weight:	5,000 kg (Empty) 1	34,000 kg (Gross)
Length :	13,600 mm (Overall) /	13,380 mm (Internal)
Height :	2,780 mm (Overall) 1	2,440 mm (Internal)
Width :	2,500 mm (Overall) /	2,440 mm (Internal)
Stacking	5 x 34,000 kg @ 40’ Position

At present, semi-trailers are the largest, most common and most efficient loading units for freight transport. Nevertheless, semi-trailers require a substantial amount of freight to make them economically viable (i.e. full truckloads). Where full truckloads (FTL) are impossible, less than truckload (LTL) freight transport is a cost-effective alternative. However, modern LTL freight transport is a complex and costly operation. Since typical semi-trailers are used in LTL freight transport, transshipment is required at the beginning and end of each movement. This transshipment not only increases operational costs and delivery times, it also exposes freight to unnecessary risks (e.g. damage and loss). Furthermore, load consolidation is complex, as large infrastructure, skilled workforces, and sophisticated systems are required. Lastly, industry coordination is lacking, so empty return trips are common.

Three containers 10 or Pods, respectively, can be attached or combined internally to provide FTL freight transport as well being used separately to provide LTL. Fig. 4 shows the embodiement with three containers 10 are attached to each other via the base frame according to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4 the containers 10 form one aggregated container 31. The aggregated container 31 may be used as one single 45 feet container. The closing elements 15 may be in their open state to get one single storage room across all containers 10. The present embodiment, where roller shutters are used as closing elements 15, is prefered, because other kinds of closing elements 15, like doors or lids, may require more space or may be more complicated to use. Roller shutters offer a preferable storage space across all containers 10.

As also shown in Fig. 4 the base frame 20 is no hindrance for a usage of the feet 19. The feet 19 of each container 10 are switchable between the use position and the non-use position even when the containers 10 are mechanically attached to each other. Therefore the aggregated container 31 is able to be placed on the feet 19.

By reducing the size of the loading unit, load consolidation is simplified as the amount of freight required for economic viability is reduced. In addition, by consolidating freight in smaller loading units, transshipment is also reduced as only the container 10 are transferred in most cases. With the inclusion of free-standing capability, the containers 10 may improve utilization of trucks and drivers, so fewer containers 10 are eventually required. As an intermodal loading unit, the container 10 can lower costs over long distances.

The container system 1 comprising three containers 10 mounted on the base frame 20 is stackable like a standardized container known from prior art, e. g. a 45’ (45 feet) intermodal container. In particular the aggregated container 31 can be stacked with similar aggregated container 31 or with standardized containers like 45 feet intermodal containers. The aggregated container 31 is top-liftable, for example in the way of a 45’ intermodal container. The exact top-lifting mechanism is known from prior art. In particular the aggregated container 31 provides the ability to be used like a single standardized container. Top-lifting and stacking capability permits transport via container ships, build for standardized containers known from prior art.

The container system 1 allows a high flexibility, which when used effectively, enhances the advantages of less than truckload (LTL) freight transport. As with typical LTL freight transport operations, a pallet becomes the least common multiple for consolidating freight. Each container 10 may for example be designed to load ten EUR pallets or eight ISO pallets, in two columns of five rows (EUR) or four rows (ISO), respectively. In contrast, 33 EUR pallets or 26 ISO pallets are needed to fill a semi-trailer or a standardized 45 feet container, respectively. A single container 10 may be designed to be transported with light-duty or medium-duty rigid trucks (12-18,000 kg GVW). The aggregated container 31 (three containers 10 on a base frame 20) may be designed to be transported by heavy-duty articulated trucks (40-44,000 kg GCW).

Final deliveries and short-distance movements can be made with rigid trucks for each container 10 seperately, while medium-distance movements can be made with articulated trucks and three containers 10 on the base frame 20. Long-distance movements can be made by articulated trucks, trains, or ships for three containers 10 on the base frame 20. Light-duty or medium-duty rigid trucks (12-18t GVW) can transport single container 10. Heavy-duty articulated trucks (40-44t GCW) can transport three containers 10 or the aggregated container 31 at a time. Trains and ships could transport numerous container systems 1 and/or aggregated containers 31 at a time.

In and of itself, the container system 1 offers immense potential to improve the efficiency and capacity of LTL freight transport. However, even greater potential can be realized if the container system 1 is part of a large single logistics network (LSLN). In such a scenario, the movement of each container 10 and/or container system 1 is coordinated through a central intelligence (in the following referred to as “UberPOD”). This new organization effectively becomes a key logistics service provider. In essence, UberPOD is a means to connect shippers and carriers using the container system 1. UberPOD has the capacity to coordinate the vast majority of palletized dry freight movements, as well as parcel and break-bulk freight. Corporate and SME shippers register with UberPOD then book pallet slots within containers 10, full containers 10, or aggregated containers 31 (i.e. FTL) as required. Logistics companies register as carriers with UberPOD then purchase containers 10, which are booked by shippers and even other carriers. By connecting shippers and carriers through a LSLN, UberPOD can increase the efficiency and capacity of the logistics industry as a whole. Empty or partially-laden return trips are minimised, as freight movements are easily coordinated across different shippers and carriers.

Increasing freight demands are managed by increasing the total number of containers 10 in use, not necessarily increasing vehicles or warehouses. Existing assets and journeys are optimized, allowing a sustainable future. The container 10 allows final deliveries and short-distance movements with smaller electric trucks, which reduces congestion and pollution in cities. For shippers, the container system 1 provides lower shipping and operating costs, as well as a simple and reliable freight transport solution. For logistics companies, the container system 1 improves fleet flexibility, truck and driver utilization, load consolidation, and fewer transshipment activities. With the container system 1, consumers can experience lower costs of goods over time.

List of reference signs container system container upper corners base corners mounting means lifting means roller shutter foot base frame guiding means corresponding mounting means longitudinal girder cross girder connection arrangement aggregated container

Claims

Patent claims

1. Container system (1) for transportation of goods comprising at least two containers (10), which are mechanically attachable to each other to form one aggregated container (31) and which are detachable from each other to be used independently, and further comprising a connection arrangement (30) for mechanically attaching the at least two containers to each other, characterized in that the connection arrangement (30) comprises a base frame (20), which extends at least over all base corners (12) of the at least two containers (10).

2. Container system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least two containers are standing on the base frame, when attached to each other.

3. Container system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least two containers (10) are sealed or more specifically comprise four side walls (17), a top wall (18) and a base wall (16).

4. Container system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two containers (10) comprise base mounting means (13), in particular on their bottom side or their base corners (12), which are configured to enable a mechanically mounting of the least two containers (10) to the base frame (20).

5. Container system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the mounting means (13) and/or corresponding mounting means (23) of the container are formed as a quick lock or a quickrelease fastener.

6. Container system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two containers (10) comprise at least one roller shutter each, preferably on a side where each one of the at least two containers (10) faces the other when mounted on the base frame (20).

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1704510.5 Examiner: Mr Aidan Black