NZ734795B - Liner for Container - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a thermal liner for insertion into a transport container. The liner including three long panels joined along their long sides forming a part tube, wherein a middle long panel is a top panel of the liner which in use is disposed adjacent a ceiling of the container, and wherein the remaining two long panels are disposed adjacent the side walls of the container. The liner also includes two end panels which seal each end of the part tube. Attachment means are provided for removably attaching the liner to the side walls of the container adjacent to the ceiling of the container, wherein the attachment means includes at least two compression poles insertable into the liner to hold the liner in place across the width of the inside of the container adjacent to the ceiling of the container. The arrangement of the thermal liner of the present invention is such that when same is fitted to a container there is an air gap between the liner and the sides and ceiling of the container. The thermal liner of the present invention being quick and easy to install and remove from a container. ing two long panels are disposed adjacent the side walls of the container. The liner also includes two end panels which seal each end of the part tube. Attachment means are provided for removably attaching the liner to the side walls of the container adjacent to the ceiling of the container, wherein the attachment means includes at least two compression poles insertable into the liner to hold the liner in place across the width of the inside of the container adjacent to the ceiling of the container. The arrangement of the thermal liner of the present invention is such that when same is fitted to a container there is an air gap between the liner and the sides and ceiling of the container. The thermal liner of the present invention being quick and easy to install and remove from a container.

Description

Liner for Container Field of the Invention The invention relates to a thermal liner for a container and in particular to a liner for a shipping container. The liner is designed to protect goods inside the container from changes in temperature within the container whilst the goods are being transported.

Background to the Invention Containers are used to transport a wide variety of goods by land and sea. The goods being transported may reside in the container for lengthy periods of time.

This is especially the case when the containers are transported by sea. The internal temperature within a container can rise or fall up to 15 degrees Centigrade. Such dramatic changes in temperature can damage the goods inside the container.

Devices have therefore been developed in an attempt to protect goods inside containers from these changes in ambient temperature. For example, thermal insulation has been used to slow the change in temperature inside containers.

Some liners are used which are fixed to the sides of the container. Such liners are of limited value in that the direct contact of the liner with the walls of the container reduces their effectiveness. This is because heat is conducted from the walls of the container to the insulation materials.

Another known system of container insulation is shown in U.S. patent number 5, 638, 979. A system is described which uses a bubble foil material with a reflective surface. One disadvantage of this product is that the foil is heavy and cumbersome and is difficult and time-consuming to attach and detach to the container.

Another system is described in New Zealand patent number 532181. The thermal liner described in N.Z. 532181 includes a webbing material which is held in place in the container between a number of attachments on the liner itself and second attachments on the container. The liner is thus held in place by a long piece of webbing material which is attached by a hook and loop system to the container.

Although this system provides an air space between the sides and top of the liner and the container, it is difficult and cumbersome to attach and hence it is time consuming attaching all the hooks and loops to each other.

A need therefore exists for a thermal liner for a shipping container which reduces the change in temperature within the container and which is easy to install or which at least provides a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a thermal liner for insertion into a transport container, the liner comprising: at least three long panels which are joined along their long sides forming a part tube and wherein a middle long panel is a top panel of the liner which in use is disposed adjacent a ceiling of the container, and wherein a remaining two long panels are disposed adjacent a left and a right long side wall of the container; two end panels which seal or partially seal each end of the part tube; attachment means for removably attaching the liner to the left and right side walls of the container adjacent to the ceiling of the container; and, wherein, the attachment means comprises at least two compression poles insertable into the liner to hold the liner in place across the width of the inside of the container adjacent to the ceiling of the container.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising: a thermal liner for insertion into a transport container as defined in the preceding paragraph; and, a compression pole system which comprises at least two compression poles insertable into an upper portion of the liner which are adapted to be disposed adjacent to a ceiling of the container, the compression poles being adapted to be positioned against opposite side walls of the container to hold the liner in place across the width of the inside of the container adjacent to the ceiling of the container.

Preferably, the at least two compression poles are adapted to be compressed or shortened by hand, fitted against the two opposing side walls of the container adjacent to the ceiling of the container, and the compression in the poles is then released such that the poles sit securely against the side walls of the container.

Preferably, the liner comprises a sleeve for each compression pole, the sleeves being formed in the top panel of the liner, and sized such that a compression pole can be inserted into each sleeve.

Preferably, the liner comprises at least four compression poles for a 20-foot container, and at least eight compression poles for a 40-foot container.

Preferably, the liner comprises a second attachment means to maintain the liner adjacent to the ceiling and side walls of the container. The second attachment means is preferably a magnetic system. More preferably, the magnetic system comprises a plurality of magnets attached to the liner panels which can attach magnetically to internal surfaces of the container. The number of magnets used can vary. However, it is useful for at least one magnet to be attached to the or each end panel of the liner that covers the door or doors of the container.

Preferably, the liner comprises a third attachment means to attach the liner to the door or doors of the container. The third attachment means preferably comprises a loop system. More preferably, the loop system includes at least one loop of material which can fit over or into a corresponding attachment hook on the container above the container door or doors. The material of the loop system is preferably elasticated, and more preferably, comprises four loops of elastic material which can fit at regular intervals into corresponding receiving hooks or similar above the door or doors of the container.

A fourth attachment means may also preferably be used. The fourth attachment means comprises a hook and loop fastener system which can be used to form a seal adjacent to the door or doors of the container. The hook and loop fastener system is preferably positioned between the liner and the door or doors on three sides of the door or doors of the container.

It is acknowledged that the terms "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, these terms are intended to have an inclusive meaning - i.e. they will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components which the use directly references, but also to other non-specified components or elements.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a 20-foot container shown with a liner made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention attached thereto; Figure 2 is a plan view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3a is a side view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3b is an end view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a 40-foot container shown with a liner made in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention attached thereto; and, Figure 5 is a side view of the container of Figure 4.

Detailed Description of the Invention Figures 1 to 3b show a first preferred embodiment of the invention. A liner 2 according to the first embodiment of the invention is shown within a general shipping container 4 of a length of 20 feet in Figure 1. The liner 2 is in a shape which substantially corresponds to that of the container 4 into which the liner 2 is to be inserted.

The liner 2 has three long panels 2A, 2B and 2C, which are joined to each other along their longest sides, forming long seams 6. The liner 2 has two end panels 8. Each end panel 8 fits over an end of the container 4. One end panel 8 covers the door 10 of the container 4. The liner 2 therefore has three long sides 2A, 2B, 2C, joined together and each end of those three long side panels 2A, 2B, 2C, is attached to an end panel 8. The liner 2 fits into the container 4 and covers both of its side walls, its ceiling and its two ends (one end of which is the door 10).

The floor of the container 4 is preferably not covered.

On the upper long panel 2B of the liner 2, poles 12 are inserted into the liner 2.

The poles 12 are inserted through sleeves 14 in the liner 2. The poles 12 are slightly longer than the width of the upper panel 2B of the liner 2. The poles 12 form the means by which the liner 2 is attached to the interior of the container 4.

The poles 12 are compressible. They can be compressed by hand to fit across the ceiling width of the container 4, and be held in place due only to their compressibility and then expansion of them once in place against the inner sides of the container 4.

A detail of the pole 12 and sleeve 14 system is shown in Figure 1. This includes a pole 12 and sleeve 14 system in which a pole 12 is inserted through a sleeve 14 made in the liner 2.

The distance between adjacent poles 12 and sleeves 14 is approximately 1525mm. The width of a container 4 is approximately 2380 mm.

To further assist in the attachment of the liner 2 to the interior of the container 4, wall, ceiling and end magnets 16, 22, 24, are provided on the liner 2. These magnets 16, 22, 24, attach magnetically to the inner surfaces of the container 4.

It has been found that four ceiling magnets 22, one left wall magnet 16, one right wall magnet 16, and one end (door) magnet 24 are sufficient to maintain connection between the liner 2 and the container 4.

Further attachment of the liner 2 to the container 4 walls is preferably provided by a hook and loop seal 18 around three sides of the door 10 of the container 4.

In addition, an elastic attachment 20 is preferably provided between the liner 2 and the container 4 on the door 10 of the container 4. In Figure 1 this is shown as a four-loop elastic band 20. The elastic 20 on the liner 2 loops over attachments (not shown) on the container 4.

To insert the liner 2 into the container 4, the initially rolled-up liner 2 is taken inside the container 4 and positioned at the back end 8 of the container 4; that is the end 8 of the container 4 opposite the door 10. The upper side panel 2B of the liner 2 is raised to the ceiling of the container 4. The first pole 12A on the liner 2 is positioned adjacent to the ceiling of the container 4. The first pole 12A is of such width that it fits across the ceiling width of the container 4 if pushed with sufficient force. The first pole 12A is held in place across the width of the container 4 due to the correct sizing of the poles 12. If required, rubber bungs (not shown) can be placed on the ends of the poles 12.

Once the first pole 12A has been inserted against the two long sides 2A, 2C, of the container 4, at the opposite end 8 to the door 10 of the container 4, the remaining length of liner 2 is rolled out towards the container 4 door 10. At intervals, further poles 12B, 12C, etc., are attached in the same manner to the two long sides 2A, 2C, of the container 4 and across the width of the ceiling of the container 4. Figure 1 shows four poles 12. This number is sufficient to hold the liner 2 in place against the ceiling of the container 4.

Once the liner 2 has been positioned adjacent to the ceiling of the container 4 using the poles 12, it is secured to the door 10 end 8 of the container 4 using an the preferred elastic loop system 20. Four elastic loops fit over corresponding attachments (not shown) in the container 4 above the door 10. The liner 2 is then secured further to the container 4 using magnets 16, 22, 24. In Figure 1, four ceiling magnets 22 are provided to secure the liner 2 to the ceiling of the container 4; one side wall magnet 16 secures the liner 2 to the left wall and a further side wall magnet 16 secures the liner 2 to the right wall. Finally, one end wall magnet 24 secures the liner 2 to the container 4 door 10. Thus, the embedded magnets 16, 22, 24, assist in stopping the panels 2A, 2B, 2C, 8, of the liner 2 from flapping.

A second preferred embodiment according to the invention is shown in Figures 4 and 5. In this embodiment, a liner 2 for a 40-foot container 4 is provided. The liner 2 is similar to that shown in Figure 1 to 3b, except that it is longer. It therefore includes a greater number of poles 12 to ensure it attaches correctly to the container 4 without causing sagging from the ceiling of the container 4. As shown in Figure 4, the liner 2 includes eight poles 12. The pole 12 and sleeve 14 system works in the same manner as that discussed for the 20-foot container 4 liner 2 of Figures 1 to 3b. In both the 20-foot and the 40-foot liner 2 embodiments, the poles 12 are preferably 25mm in diameter and preferably about 2590mm in length. This is the ideal size to fit snuggly between the two side walls of the containers 4, which are about 2380mm in width. If a longer liner 2 was used, a correspondingly greater number of magnets 16, 22, 24, could be used.

The liner 2 is preferably made from a thermally reflective material such as pure aluminium, laminated to woven PE plastic laminated to a metalized film.

Materials can be as follows: Aluminum + Pe woven Fabric + Aluminum Aluminum + Pe woven Fabric + Metalized Film Metalized film + Pe woven Fabric + Metalized film Whilst the invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that various modifications and improvements may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in this specification. For example, the number of poles 12 in the pole 12 and sleeve 14 system need not be restricted to four for a 20-foot liner 2, nor eight for a 40-foot liner 2. The number may be increased or decreased as desired. The number of magnets 16, 22, 24, may also vary.

The additional attachment means could be altered as required. For example, the elastic loop system 20 above the container 4 door 10 could, for example, be replaced by a webbing system or even a further magnetic system or hook and loop seals (all not shown). An adhesive attachment means (not shown) could also be included within the scope of the invention. If the preferred elastic attachment system 20 is used, the elastic suggested is about 25mm wide.

The number of wall, ceiling and magnets 16, 22, 24, could be increased or decreased as required. The embodiments shown only suggest a possibility. The poles 12 may be made from any suitable material, including but not limited to steel, aluminum, plastic, or a composite.

The poles 12 are approximately the width of a shipping container 4. They can be placed between the two sides of a container 4 due to their compressibility.

The present invention provides a quick and easy method of installing a liner 2 inside a container 4. It avoids the requirement to attach loops along the full length of a container side. It is fast and efficient both to install and to dismantle, thus overcoming problems with known systems.

The invention therefore provides a liner 2 for use in containers 4 which is efficient to install and dismantle. The liner 2 is thermally reflective and thus assists in maintaining an ambient temperature inside the container 4. This assists in preventing goods in the container 4 from experiencing a flux in temperature during transport. As a consequence, the liner 2 assists in the maintenance of the quality and condition of goods on arrival at their destination. The liner 2 includes a pole 12 and sleeve 14 attachment means for attachment to the interior of a container 4. This attachment means is simple to install and reduces the time needed to attach and detach the liner 2 to a container 4.

Claims (16)

Claims:

1. A thermal liner for insertion into a transport container, the liner comprising: 5 at least three long panels which are joined along their long sides forming a part tube and wherein a middle long panel is a top panel of the liner which in use is disposed adjacent a ceiling of the container, and wherein a remaining two long panels are disposed adjacent a left and a right long side wall of the container; 10 two end panels which seal or partially seal each end of the part tube; attachment means for removably attaching the liner to the left and right side walls of the container adjacent to the ceiling of the container; and wherein, the attachment means comprises at least two compression poles insertable into the liner to hold the liner in place across the width of the 15 inside of the container adjacent to the ceiling of the container.

2. The thermal liner according to claim 1, wherein the at least two compression poles are adapted to be compressed or shortened by hand, fitted against the two opposing side walls of the container adjacent to the ceiling of the 20 container, and the compression in the poles is then released such that the poles sit securely against the side walls of the container.

3. The thermal liner according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the liner comprises a sleeve for each compression pole, the sleeves being formed in the 25 top panel of the liner, and sized such that a compression pole can be inserted into each sleeve.

4. The thermal liner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liner comprises at least four compression poles for a 20-foot 30 container, and at least eight compression poles for a 40-foot container.

5. The thermal liner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liner comprises a second attachment means to maintain the liner adjacent to the ceiling and side walls of the container, and wherein the second attachment means comprises a magnetic system of attachment between the liner and the ceiling and side walls of the container. 5

6. The thermal liner according to claim 5, wherein the magnetic system of attachment comprises a plurality of magnets attached to the liner panels which can attach magnetically to internal surfaces of the container.

7. The thermal liner according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the liner 10 comprises a third attachment means to removably attach the liner to a door or doors of the container, and wherein the third attachment means comprises a loop system which includes at least one loop of material adaptable to fit over or into a corresponding attachment hook on the container above the container door or doors.

8. The thermal liner according to claim 7, wherein the material of the loop system is elasticated and comprises four loops of elastic material which are adaptable to fit at regular intervals into corresponding receiving hooks or similar above the door or doors of the container.

9. The thermal liner according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the liner comprises a fourth attachment means, and wherein the fourth attachment means comprises a hook and loop fastener system which can be used to form a seal adjacent to the door or doors of the container.

10. The thermal liner according to claim 9, wherein the hook and loop fastener system is positioned between the liner and the door or doors on three sides of the door or doors of the container. 30

11. A kit comprising: a thermal liner for insertion into a transport container as claimed in claim 1; and, a compression pole system which comprises the at least two compression poles insertable into an upper portion of the liner which are adapted to be disposed adjacent to a ceiling of the container, the compression poles being adapted to be positioned against opposite side walls of the container to hold the liner in place across the width of the inside of the container adjacent to the ceiling 5 of the container.

12. The kit according to claim 11, wherein the at least two compression poles are adapted to be compressed or shortened by hand, fitted against the two opposite side walls of the container adjacent to the ceiling of the container, and 10 the compression in the poles is then released such that the poles sit securely against the side walls of the container.

13. The kit according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the liner comprises a sleeve for each compression pole, the sleeves being formed in a top panel of 15 the liner, and sized such that a compression pole can be inserted into each sleeve.

14. The kit according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the liner comprises a second attachment means to maintain the liner adjacent to the 20 ceiling and side walls of the container, and wherein the second attachment means is a magnetic system of attachment between the liner and the ceiling and side walls of the container.

15. The kit according to claim 14, wherein the liner comprises a third 25 attachment means to attach the liner to a door or doors of the container, and wherein the third attachment means comprises a loop system which includes at least one loop of material adaptable to fit over or into a corresponding attachment hook on the container above the container door or doors. 30

16. A method of using a thermal liner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the steps of: compressing a first pole at a first end of a thermal liner, adjacent to a ceiling of the container; fitting the compressed first pole across the width of one end of the container; releasing the compression in the first pole; compressing a second pole positioned at an opposite end of the 5 thermal liner, adjacent to the ceiling of the container; fitting the compressed second pole across the width of the container at the opposite end of the container; releasing the compression in the second pole; wherein, the first and second poles secure the thermal liner 10 between the two width sides of the container, each pole being disposed at substantially longitudinally opposite ends of the container.