WO2007033420A1

WO2007033420A1 - Temporary bulkhead

Info

Publication number: WO2007033420A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001383
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl Joyce; Jeffrey Raymond GOSS; Raymond Joseph JOYCE
Original assignee: Karl Joyce
Priority date: 2005-09-22
Filing date: 2006-09-22
Publication date: 2007-03-29
Also published as: AU2007201346C1; AU2007201346B2; AU2007201346A1; US20070251944A1

Abstract

A temporary bulkhead for shipping containers, to prevent the escape of flowable material, is formed by a sheet of material (12, eg cardboard) sealing against the sides and floor of the container (at 4 and 15: in the latter a free flap 14 is used for sealing) and having held to one side thereof horizontal strengtheners (3, eg lengths of timber). The ends of the reinforcing members may be located in apertures in edges of sheet (12) which have been folded around the ends of members (3). The bulkhead may be formed by two or more sheets (12), each having reinforcing, and being angled with respect to each other about a hinge line and with ends (3b) of members (3) abutting each other.

Description

Temporary Bulkhead

The present invention relates to a temporary bulkhead for placement in a shipping container and a method of loading such a container with flowable material which makes use of such a bulkhead.

A shipping container typically has an interior space which is defined by a floor, two side walls, an end wall and a ceiling. The end of the container opposite the end wall is open and can be closed by hinged doors.

The present invention seeks to provide a temporary bulkhead that can be placed in the interior of the container for the purpose of assisting in the process of loading flowable material into the container and the process of transporting flowable material in the container. The flowable material can be loaded into the interior space of the container behind the bulkhead.

Accordingly, in a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a temporary bulkhead for placement in the interior of a shipping container to prevent the escape of flowable material through an opening of the container, the bulkhead being formed by:

a panel having opposite edges for contacting internal surfaces of the container, said panel including a sheet-like member and a plurality of load-bearing members positioned on one side of the sheet-like member and extending substantially across the width of the sheet-like member for supporting the sheet-like member against the load of flowable material.

In a preferred embodiment, the panel further includes sealing means at each opposite edge for creating a seal between the panel and the internal surfaces of the container when the opposite edges contact the internal surfaces of the container The sealing means may be formed of a compressible material. Hence, when the flowable material presses against the bulkhead, these portions are pressed against the internal surfaces of the container. As they are compressible, the portions can mould around any small irregularities in the internal surfaces to assist in creating a seal. In a preferred embodiment, the load-bearing members are each elongate members having opposite ends. The sealing means can be an integral extension of the sheet-like member which extends around each of the load- bearing members.

In an alternative embodiment, the sealing means are flap-like members formed by a portion of the sheet-like member extending beyond the ends of each of the elongate members.

It is preferred to use one or more fastening means with the panel to assist in holding the panel in location in the container. Each fastening means may be in the form of a clip, more preferably a 'U'-shaped clip.

In a preferred embodiment, the load-bearing members are affixed to one side of the sheet-like member. Alternatively, they can be not affixed, and in this embodiment the panel further includes a locating arrangement at each opposite edge for locating each of the load-bearing members in position on one side of the sheet-like member. Each locating arrangement may have a plurality of openings for receiving an end of each load-bearing member to hold each load- bearing member in position. It is further preferred that each locating arrangement is integral with the sheet-like member and is formed by folding over a portion of the sheet-like member at each of the opposite edges.

The panel in this embodiment can be supplied in parts for self-assembly by the end user. Accordingly, in a second aspect, the invention is directed to a sheet- like member for forming a panel for use as a temporary bulkhead for placement in the interior of a shipping container to prevent the escape of flowable material through an opening in the container. The sheet-like member has opposite edges and portions of each edge adapted to be folded over to form locating arrangements to hold a plurality of load-bearing members in place on one side of the sheet-like member. Each locating arrangement when folded, has a plurality of openings for receiving an end of a load-bearing member.

To form the panel, the end user takes the sheet-like member and folds over the edge portions to form the locating arrangement. The user then takes each load- bearing member and locates an end in one of the recesses in each locating arrangement.

In a third aspect, the invention is directed to a method of loading a flowable material into an interior space of a shipping container through an opening in the container, said method including the steps of:

locating a temporary bulkhead having any of the features as described above in the container so that the panel of the bulkhead extends across the opening and abuts internal surfaces of each wall defining the opening; and

- pouring the flowable material into the interior space of the container.

In this method, one of the internal surfaces contacted by the panel may be a closure member, such as a hinged door, which partially closes the opening. Hence, the panel is located so that it extends from the hinged door to an adjacent side wall of the container.

Where the internal surface abutted by the panel has a channel extending down its face, it is preferable to locate an edge of the panel in the channel.

Where the panel has sealing means located at opposite edges of the panel, the method includes locating the panel so that each sealing means is in contact with an internal surface of the container.

It is also preferable to locate one or more fastening means in contact with an edge of the panel and the wall of the internal surface abutted by that edge, to assist in holding the panel in position. Where an edge of the panel is in abutment with a closure member, such as a hinged door, the fastening means is preferably a 'U'-shaped clip and is placed in contact with an edge of the closure member and the edge of the panel.

The temporary bulkhead of this invention may also be formed by two or more panels. Accordingly, in a fourth aspect, the present invention is directed to a temporary bulkhead for placement in the interior of a shipping container to prevent the escape of flowable material through an opening of the container, the temporary bulkhead formed by:

two or more panels, each panel including a sheet-like member and a plurality of load-bearing members positioned one side of each sheet-like member and extending substantially across the width of the sheet-like member for supporting the sheet-like member of the panel against the load of flowable material, said panels being locatable in an operative load-bearing condition in which each panel is in contact with an adjacent panel along edges thereof and the broad plane of each panel is angled with respect to the broad plane of the adjacent panel.

Preferably, at least one panel includes sealing means located at an edge of said panel so that a seal can be created between that edge and an internal surface of the container when the bulkhead is located in the container and pressure is applied to the bulkhead by flowable material within the container.

In one embodiment, each panel is separate and an edge of each panel is in abutment with an edge of an adjacent panel when the panels are located in the operative load-bearing condition. In this embodiment, it is also preferred if at least one panel includes sealing means located at the edge of the panel in abutment with the adjacent panel for creating a seal between the adjacent panels when in use in the container.

In one embodiment, each sealing means is a portion of a sheet-like member and is formed of a compressible material. Hence, when the flowable material presses against the bulkhead, these portions are pressed against the internal surfaces of the container or the ends of adjacent panels. As they are compressible, the portions can deform around any small irregularities in the internal surfaces of the container or in the sides of the panels themselves, so as to assist in creating a superior seal.

In a preferred embodiment, each sealing means is a flap-like member formed by a portion of one of the sheet-like members. The flat-like member may extend beyond the ends of each load-bearing member affixed to the sheet-like members. Where the panels are separate, the flap-like members between adjacent panels can be overlapped.

In a further preferred embodiment, the panels are configured so that when they are arranged in the operative load-bearing condition in the interior of the container, the ends of the load-bearing members of each panel are in abutment with the ends of the load-bearing members of an adjacent panel.

In an alternative embodiment, each panel is hingedly connected to its adjacent panel. The panels are moveable about the hinge connection from the load- bearing condition to a non load-bearing condition. In the latter condition the load-bearing members of one panel are spaced apart from the load-bearing members of an adjacent panel. In this embodiment, it is further preferred if the sheet-like member of each panel is integrally formed with the sheet-like member of an adjacent panel.

In both the first, second and fourth aspects as described above, the sheet-like members used to form the panels are preferably formed from a lightweight material such as cardboard, plastic corrugated board, solid plastic sheet or fabric. More preferably, the sheet is formed from cardboard. As cardboard is compressible, the sealing means is ideally formed by integral portions of the cardboard sheet that are wrapped around the ends of the load-bearing members or alternatively, extend to form the sealing flaps.

In these panels it is also preferred that, the load-bearing members are each elongate members having opposing ends. Preferably the load-bearing members are formed from a timber-based material and may be timber boards of pine, hard wood or other suitable timber. Alternatively, they may be formed from laminated paper, paper tubing, cardboard or plastic extrusion. If a high strength is required, each elongate member may be formed from metal such as steel.

The most preferred combination of materials for forming each panel is cardboard for a sheet-like member and timber for the load-bearing members. Such panels are especially lightweight and can be handled and installed in a container by one person. Such materials are also inexpensive and these materials can be recycled. The timber pieces may be affixed to the cardboard, for example, by using staples or by gluing.

If the sheet-like member is formed from cardboard it is preferable if the lower most load-bearing member located on the side of the cardboard sheet is spaced away from the lower edge of the sheet. That way, when the panel is installed in the container, the panel can be pressed downwards so that the lower edge of the cardboard sheet is compressed and molds over any irregularities in the floor of the container. This creates a seal along the lower edge of the cardboard sheet. A particularly good seal can be achieved in this manner if any fluting in the cardboard sheet runs at 90° to the lower edge of the sheet and to the floor of the container.

Alternatively, sealing means can be provided along the lower edge of the sheet- like member for forming a seal between the floor of the contained and the bulkhead when in use in the container. In one embodiment, the sealing means is one or more flap-like members formed by a portion of the sheet-like member which can be folded to lie substantially flat with the floor of the container. The sealing flaps are located on the side of the bulkhead in contact with the flowable material so that the flowable material presses the sealing flaps against the floor of the container.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of loading a flowable material into an interior space of a shipping container through an opening in the container, which method makes use of the temporary bulkhead as described above formed from an arrangement of two or more panels. Accordingly, this method includes the steps of:

- locating in the container a temporary bulkhead formed from two or more panels having any of the features as described above so that the two or more panels of the bulkhead extend across the opening and are in contact with internal surfaces of each wall defining the opening, the angle between adjacent panels on the side of the bulkhead facing away from the interior of the container being less than 180°; and

pouring the flowable material into the interior space of the container. Preferably, the arrangement is made up of two panels which form a 'V'-shape when located together in the interior of the container. In this embodiment, the panels are located such that the 'V extends into the interior of the container.

The shipping container can be provided with a vertical channel which extends down each side of the container. The method preferable includes the step of locating a side edge of the arrangement of panels in these channels of the opposing sides of the container.

It is also preferred to locate the arrangement of panels away from the opening of the container and any closure positioned adjacent the opening. This way, the bulkhead prevents contact between the flowable material and the closure.

Optionally, a fastening means may also be employed to assist in holding the panels in location in the container.

In a sixth embodiment, the present invention is directed to a temporary bulkhead for placement in the interior of a shipping container to prevent the escape of flowable material through an opening of the container, the bulkhead being formed from:

a panel having opposite edges for contacting the internal surfaces of the container, said panel including a sheet of cardboard, a plurality of timber boards affixed to one side of the cardboard sheet and extending substantially across the width of the sheet for supporting the sheet-like member against the load of flowable material, and sealing means located at the opposite edges for creating a seal between the panel and the internal surfaces of the container when the opposite edges contact the internal surfaces of the container and pressure is applied to the temporary bulkhead by flowable material within the container.

Such a temporary bulkhead is lightweight and made of recyclable material.

In a preferred embodiment, the sealing means are integral extensions of the cardboard sheet which extend around the opposite ends of each timber board. Alternatively, each sealing means is an integral extension of the cardboard sheet which forms a flap. This invention shall now be described with reference to the figures which illustrate various preferred embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a panel for forming a temporary bulkhead of this invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of another embodiment of a panel for forming a temporary bulkhead of this invention.

Figure 3 is an end view of a shipping container having located in it a temporary bulkhead according to one embodiment of this invention.

Figure 4 is a partial cut-away view of a shipping container having located in it the temporary bulkhead as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a top view of a shipping container of Figures 3 and 4 having located in it the temporary bulkhead.

Figure 5a-c are views of the fastening means and the attachment of the means to the edge of a door and a panel.

Figure 6 is an end view of a shipping container having located in it a temporary bulkhead according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a partial cut-away view of a shipping container having located in it the temporary bulkhead of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a top view of a shipping container of Figures 6 and 7 having located in it the temporary bulkhead.

Figure 9 is a front view of another embodiment of panels for forming a temporary bulkhead of this invention. The panels are positioned in non- operative non load-bearing condition.

Figure 10 shows the panels of figure 9 in an operative load-bearing condition.

Figure 1 1 illustrates a sheet-like member for forming a self-assembly panel.

Figure 12 illustrates the sheet-like member of figure 1 1 , partially assembled with timber boards to form a panel. Figure 13 illustrates the self-assembly panel.

Figure 1 illustrates a panel 1 in partially assembled form. The panel 1 is formed from a sheet of cardboard 2 and extending substantially across one face of the sheet between opposite edges thereof, are a plurality of timber boards 3. These boards are treated with either heat or a fumigation process, such as one using methyl bromide, in order to kill any organisms present in the boards and thereby render them suitable for use in the export of bulk commodities. The boards 3 can be stapled or glued to sheet 2. Extending beyond each end 3a and 3b of timber boards 3 are sections of the sheet 2 which form flaps 5.

Figure 2 shows panel 1 in Figure 1 in complete assembled form. In Figure 2, flaps 5 which extend beyond each end 3(a) and 3(b) of the timber boards 3 are wrapped around these ends to form the sealing means 4.

Figure 3 shows an end view of container 6. One end of container 6 has an opening and this can be closed by hinged doors 7(a) and 7(b). In the Figure, door 7(a) is closed. The panel 1 of Figure 2 is located in the interior of container 6 so that it extends across the opening and contacts door 7(a) and an internal surface of side 6(a), so as to form temporary bulkhead 10.

Figure 4 is a view from the top of the container 6 with part of the roof 6(b) cutaway, showing placement of panel 1 in the container 6 to form the temporary bulkhead 10. As can be seen in the figure, an interior space in container 6 is defined by panel 1 , door 7(a), sides 6(a) and 6(c), roof 6(b) and floor 6(d). The panel 1 does not extend all the way to the roof 6(b). This allows flowable material such as grain to be fed into the interior space. The flowable material can be fed via a loading conveyor or similar device positioned above panel 1.

Figure 5 is a top view of container 6 and panel 1 of Figures 3 and 4. Panel 1 is located so that end 1 (b) is adjacent door 7(a) and end 1 (a) is located in vertical channel 6(e) in side 6(a). When a flowable material is placed in the interior space of container 6, the material places pressure on the panel 1. Those parts of the sheet 2 which form a sealing means 4 are compressed against the door 7(a) and side 6(a) respectively. This assists in creating a seal at these locations, especially if the surfaces of door 7(a) and side 6(a) which are contacted, are not smooth. A spring clip 8 is placed around an end of the door 7(a) and contacts end 1 (b) of panel 1. The spring clip 8 extends behind that portion of sheet 2 which is wrapped around end 1 (b).

As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the panel 1 keeps the flowable material away from door 7(b). Hence, door 7(b) can be opened and closed without disturbing the contents of the container 6.

Figure 5(a) shows a side view of spring clip 8. In Figure 5(b), the spring clip 8 is shown partially fitted around the post 7(c) of door 7(a) and flap portion 4(a) of sealing means 4. Figure 5(c) shows the clip 8 properly fitted to door 7(a) and panel 1.

Figure 6 shows an end view of container 6 having bulkhead 10 extending across the opening. The bulkhead 10 of this embodiment is formed from two separate panels 1 1 , similar to the panels 1 illustrated in Figures 1 -5. In the figure the panels 11 are located in an operative load-bearing condition illustrated in the figure. In this condition, the separate panels are placed in an edge-to-edge abutting arrangement. Each panel 1 1 is formed from a sheet of cardboard 2 and to one side there are affixed a plurality of timber boards 3. Greater detail of the panels 11 are shown in figure 8.

Figure 7 is a view of a top of container 6 with part of the roof 6(b) cut away to show bulkhead 10 installed in container 6. The bulkhead 10 is made up of two separate panels 11 extending between opposing sides 6(a) and 6(c). Bulkhead 10 does not extend to the roof 6(b) of the container 6. This allows the flowable material to be loaded into the interior of the container 6 via a conveyor or other loading device.

Figure 8 shows further detail of the bulkhead 10 of Figures 6 and 7. The two separate panels 1 are placed in the container 6 in an edge-to-edge abutting arrangement. The load-bearing members 3 of each panel 1 1 have ends 3(a) which are located in channels 6(e) in sides 6(c) and 6(a). The load-bearing members 3 also have ends 3(b) which are brought into abutment with each other. From the figure, it can be seen that the panels 11 are arranged so as to form a 'V extending towards the interior of the container 6. Each panel is angled at around 12° to a horizontal plane running across the figure. All of the ends 3(a) and 3(b) of each load-bearing member 3 are angled so that they can be positioned flush with the sides 6(c) and 6(a) of the container and with the load-bearing members 3 of an adjacent panel 1 1 at the junction of the panels 11.

At each side edge a portion of the cardboard sheet 2 is not affixed to ends 3(a) and 3(b) of each board 3 and also extends beyond the ends 3 (a) and 3(b), thus forming flaps 5. Flaps 5 form sealing means 4. Flaps 5 at one edge of each panel 11 are in contact with the sides 6(c) or 6(a). At the junction of the panels 11 , the flaps 5 of each panel 1 1 are overlapped. The flaps 5 are formed of cardboard and are therefore compressible in nature and compress against the surfaces they contact when a load of flowable material is placed against the bulkhead 10. This helps create a seal.

When an outward pressure is placed against the bulkhead 10 by the flowable material, the angled arrangement of the panels 1 1 helps resist this outward force.

Each panel 1 1 shown in figures 6-8 is identical. To form the bulkhead 10, one panel 1 1 is inverted and brought into contact with the adjacent panel 1 1.

As can be seen in figures 7 and 8, the bulkhead 10 is located away from doors 7(a) and 7(b). Thus, the doors can be opened and closed freely after the container 6 is filled.

Figure 9 illustrates an arrangement of two panels 12 for forming a bulkhead, the panels 12 being in partially assembled form. The two panels 12 are each formed from a single cardboard sheet 2 and are thus joined to each other about a hinge line 13. Extending substantially across the width of each panel 12 are a plurality of timber boards 3. A portion of sheet 2 extends beyond each end 3(a) of the timber boards 3 to form flaps 5. These flaps can be wrapped around the ends of 3(a) to form the sealing means 4 (not shown). Other portions of sheet 2 extend beyond the lower edges of panels 12 to form flaps 14. The panels 12 illustrated in figure 9 are shown in a non-operative, non load-bearing condition. In this condition, the panels are 12 are relatively flat and the load-bearing members 3 of one panel 12 are spaced apart from the load-bearing member 3 of the adjacent panel 12. Adjacent panels 12 are flexible about the hinge line 13.

Figure 10 illustrates the panels 12 of figure 9 arranged in the operative load- bearing condition. In this condition the panels 12 are moved about hinge line 13 so that the ends 3(b) of the load-bearing members 3 on one panel 12 are brought into abutment with the ends 3(b) of load-bearing members 3 of the adjacent panel 12. As can be seen in the figure, flaps 5 are wrapped around ends 3(a) of each load-bearing member to form sealing means 4. Flaps 14 are folded so that they are positioned at approximately 90 degrees to the plane of each panel 12 to form the lower sealing means 15.

Figure 1 1 illustrates a sheet-like member 16 for forming the self-assembly panel. The sheet-like member 16 is formed of cardboard. Along each side edge there are flaps 17 which can be folded over to form locating arrangements 18. Positioned in the locating arrangements 18 are a series of openings 19 created by incisions in the flaps 17.

Figure 12 illustrates a sheet-like member 16 which is partially assembled with the timber boards 3 to form a panel. The locating arrangement 18 on the right- hand side of the sheet-like member 16 is formed and the ends 3(a) of boards 3 are located in each recess 19. The flap 17 on the left-hand side is not yet folded over to form the locating arrangement 18 on that side.

Figure 13 shows a panel 20 formed from the sheet-like member 16 and boards 3 illustrated in figures 10 and 11. As can be seen in the figure, the locating arrangements 18 act to hold boards 3 in place. Along the lower edge of the sheet-like member 16 is an integral flap 21 which can fold out to a position approximately 90° to the face of the panel 20. When the panel 20 is installed in a container and weight is placed against it, downward pressure on the flap 21 creates a seal between the flap 21 and the floor of the container.

The panel 20 shown in figure 12 can be supplied to the consumer in a disassembled state. Assembly is relatively easy, as stapling, gluing or other means of affixing are not required to form the panel 20. A number of advantages flow from constructing the bulkhead shown in the figures. Firstly, they are lightweight and therefore easily handled and installed in a shipping container. Being lightweight, the bulkheads do not greatly reduce the weight of the load that can be placed in the shipping containers. The panels forming the bulkheads can be easily constructed and do not require welding. The form of the panels allows them to be made out of recyclable material such as cardboard and timber. A particular advantage of using cardboard is that the contents of the shipping container can be emptied by simply cutting a hole in the cardboard sheet of the panel to allow the flowable material to spill through the hole.

The above figures illustrate preferred embodiments on the invention. It will be understood by the skilled addressee in the art that variations may be made to these preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A temporary bulkhead for placement in the interior of a shipping container to prevent the escape of flowable material through an opening of the container, the bulkhead being formed by:

2. The bulkhead of claim 1 wherein each of the load-bearing members is affixed to one side of the sheet-like member.

3. The bulkhead of claim 1 or 2 wherein the panel has sealing means located at each of the opposite edges for creating a seal between the panel and the internal surfaces of the container when in use in the container.

4. The bulkhead of claim 3 wherein each sealing means is formed of a compressible material and creates a seal when pressure is applied to the temporary bulkhead by the load of flowable material within the container.

5. The bulkhead of claim 3 or 4 wherein each of the load-bearing members is an elongate member having opposite ends and each sealing means is formed by a portion of the sheet-like member extending around the opposite ends of each load-bearing member.

6. The bulkhead of claim 1 wherein the panel includes a locating arrangement at each of the opposite edges for locating each end of the load-bearing members in position.

7. The bulkhead of claim 6 wherein each locating arrangement has a plurability of openings and each end of the load-bearing members is located in an opening in order to locate each load-bearing member in position.

8. The bulkhead of claim 7 wherein each locating arrangement is integral with the sheet-like member and is formed by folding over of a portion of the sheet-like member at each of the opposite edges.

9. The bulkhead of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the entire sheet-like member is formed from cardboard and the load-bearing members are formed from a timber-based material.

10. The combination of a bulkhead of any one of claims 1 -9 and one or more separate fastening means for fastening the panel in place in the container.

11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein the one or more fastening means is a clip.

12. The combination according to claim 1 1 wherein each clip is a 'U'-shaped member.

13. A sheet-like member for forming a panel for use as a temporary bulkhead for placement in the interior of a shipping container to prevent the escape of flowable material through an opening in the container, the sheet-like member having opposite edges and portions at each edge adapted to be folded over to form locating arrangements to locate a plurality of load- bearing members in place on one side of the sheet-like member, each locating arrangement when folded, having a plurality of openings for receiving an end of a load-bearing member.

14. A temporary bulkhead for placement in the interior of a shipping container to prevent the escape of flowable material through an opening of the container, the temporary bulkhead formed by:

two or more panels, each panel including a sheet-like member and a plurality of load-bearing members positioned on one side of each sheet-like member and extending substantially across the width of the sheet-like member for supporting the sheet-like member of the panel against the load of flowable material, said panels being locatable in an operative load-bearing condition in which each panel is in contact with an adjacent panel along edges thereof and the broad plane of each panel is angled with respect to the broad plane of the adjacent panel.

15. The bulkhead of claim 14 wherein at least one panel includes sealing means located at an edge for creating a seal between said edge and an internal surface of the container when in use in the container.

16. The bulkhead of claim 14 or 15 wherein the panels are separate prior to location in the operative load bearing condition.

17. The bulkhead of any claim 16 wherein at least one panel includes sealing means located at the edge of the panel in contact with an adjacent panel for creating a seal between the adjacent panels when in use in the container.

18. The bulkhead of claim 15 or 17 wherein each sealing means is a flap-like member formed by a portion of one of the sheet-like members.

19. The bulkhead of claim 14 or 15 wherein each panel is hingedly connected to an adjacent panel.

20. The bulkhead of claim 19 wherein the sheet-like member of each panel is integrally formed with the sheet-like member of an adjacent panel.

21. The bulkhead of any one of claims 14 to 20 wherein the sheet-like member of each panel is formed from cardboard and the load-bearing members are formed from a timber-based material.

22. The bulkhead of anyone of claims 14-21 wherein the panels are configured so that in the operative load-bearing condition, an end of each load-bearing member of each panel is located in abutment with an end of each load-bearing member of an adjacent panel.

23. The bulkhead of any one of claims 14-22 wherein each of the load- bearing members is affixed to one side of the sheet-like member.

24. A method of loading a flowable material into an interior space of a shipping container through an opening in the container, said method including the steps of:

locating a temporary bulkhead of any one of claims 1 -8 in the container so that the panel of the bulkhead extends across the opening and abuts internal surfaces of each wall defining the opening; and

- pouring the flowable material into the interior space of the container.

25. The method according to claim 24 wherein one internal surface of the container which is abutted by the panel is a closure member which partially closes the opening.

26. The method of claim 24 or 25 wherein at least one internal surface which is abutted by the panel has a channel and the method includes the step of locating at least one edge of the panel in said channel.

27. The method of any one of claims 24 to 26 including the further step of locating one or more fastening means in contact with at least one edge of the panel and the wall of the internal surface abutted by that edge to assist in holding the panel in position.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein the fasting means is a 'U'- shaped clip which is placed in contact with the closure member and the edge of the panel in abutment with the closure member.

29. A method of loading a flowable material into an interior space of a shipping container through an opening in the container, said method including the steps of:

locating a temporary bulkhead of any one of claims 14-23 in the container so that the two or more panels of the bulkhead extend across the opening and are in contact with internal surfaces of each wall defining the opening, the angle between adjacent panels on the side of the bulkhead facing away from the interior of the container being less than 180°; and

- pouring the flowable material into the interior space of the container.

30. The method of claim 29 including locating the bulkhead such that a side edge of said bulkhead extends into a vertical channel located on each side of the opening.

31. The method of claims 29 or 30 including locating the bulkhead away from a closure member located on the container so as to prevent contact between the flowable material and the closure member.