WO2007071940A1

WO2007071940A1 - Shipping container

Info

Publication number: WO2007071940A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/004703
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rex Michau
Original assignee: Tec Armech Limited
Priority date: 2005-12-23
Filing date: 2006-12-15
Publication date: 2007-06-28
Also published as: GB0526297D0

Abstract

A container (1) has a framework (2). Within the framework is a vessel (3) for containing liquid to be transported. It is of stainless steel, whilst the frame is of mild steel. At the four corners of one end and the top two corners of the other end, the framework has tubular sockets (11) welded into triangular plates (12), themselves welded to triangular braces (14). The sockets are aligned parallel with the central axis A of the vessel. At corresponding positions, the vessel has lengths (15) of stainless steel tube welded to doubler plates (16) and projecting with a sliding fit into the sockets (11). This arrangement completely locates and supports the vessel within the framework, except for longitudinal location as may occur due to differential expansion / contraction of the vessel and the framework. At two lower corners, axial restraint plates (17) are welded between the framework and the vessel, with doubler plates (18) on the vessel side. They are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vessel and inclined inwards towards a point above this axis. They are dimensioned to carry their share of the weight of the vessel. However, their primary function is to locate the vessel axially in the framework.

Description

SHIPPING CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a shipping container of the type incorporating a bulk liquid vessel.

Such container are know to suffer during their life from metal fatigue of the supports of the vessel in its supporting framework. High stresses are induced in the supports under braking during road and rail transport. Further the supports can be stressed due to differential expansion of the vessel and the framework. ff^" -

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved shipping container.

According to the invention there is provided a shipping container comprising: • an elongate, bulk liquid vessel;

• a container framework supporting the vessel within its scantlings; and

• supports between the vessel and the framework for locating the vessel in the framework and transferring loads from one to the other, the supports comprising: • axially free supports adapted to carry the weight of the vessel and allow relative longitudinal movement of the vessel and framework at least at one end of the vessel and • at least one axial restraint support adapted to restrain the vessel from such movement at one point axially of the vessel.

Whilst the axial restraint support could be provided centrally of the length of the vessel, it is preferably provided at one end thereof. The axial restraint support could be a rod extending parallel to the central axis of the vessel and the frame and fixed as by welding or threading to trunnions respectively fast with the vessel and the framework. Equally, the axially free supports could be drop links pivotally suspended from points on the frame and pivotally carrying the vessel. Such links require to be augmented with lateral links restraining the vessel from moving laterally of the frame. In the preferred embodiment, the axially free supports are pairs of concentric tubes aligned with the central axis of the vessel. One of each pair is fast with the vessel and the other is fast with the framework. This arrangement can transfer forces transverse to the tubes, e.g. weight, lateral forces as in rolling of a ship and forces generated in resisting roll of the vessel within the framework. The tubes may be provided with a bearing material sleeve between themselves. The preferred arrangement is for the inner tubes to be stainless steel and fast with the vessel and for the outer tubes to be of mild steel.

Also in the preferred embodiment, the axial restraint supports are plates aligned parallel with the central axis of the vessel. Such alignment enables the plates to resist longitudinal movement of the vessel, as in braking during road or rail transport.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shipping container of the invention; Figure 2 is a similar view of a framework of the container prior to fitting of a vessel;

Figure 3 is a side view of a vessel of the container; Figure 4 is a more detailed side view of an axially free support between the vessel and the framework; and

Figure 5 is a partial end view of the container showing axial restraint supports.

Referring to the drawings, the container 1 thereshown has a framework 2 with standard ISO container dimensions and features which do not require description here. Within the framework is a vessel 3 for containing liquid to be transported. It is of stainless steel, whilst the frame is of mild steel. The vessel has standard features for loading and unloading of its contents, which again will not be described.

At - or at least close to - the four corners of one end and the top two comers of the other end, the framework has tubular sockets 11 welded into triangular plates 12, themselves welded to triangular braces 14. The sockets are aligned parallel with the central axis A of the vessel. At corresponding positions, the vessel has lengths 15 of stainless steel tube welded to doubler plates 16 and projecting with a sliding fit into the sockets 11. This arrangement completely locates and supports the vessel within the framework, except for longitudinal location. In particular, the tube-in-socket supports carry the weight of the vessel, locate it laterally and rotationally about its own axis.

At two lower corners, axial restraint plates 17 are welded between the framework and the vessel, with doubler plates 18 on the vessel-side. They are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vessel and inclined inwards towards a point above this axis. They are dimensioned to carry their share of the weight of the vessel. However, their primary function is to locate the vessel axially in the framework.

This container has the advantage of stresses not building up for instance due to differential rates of heating and cooling of the vessel, with its high thermal mass contents, and the framework. It is anticipated that isolation of these and other longitudinal stresses will an advantageous effect on the longevity of the liquid- carrying vessel. These are usually manufactured from stainless steel, which is a material can work harden and crack. Relieving the stresses applied to the vessel is expected to enhance the life of the container

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A shipping container comprising:

• an elongate, bulk liquid vessel;

• a container framework supporting the vessel within its scantlings; and • supports between the vessel and the framework for locating the vessel in the framework and transferring loads from one to the other, the supports comprising:

• axially free supports adapted to carry the weight of the vessel and allow relative longitudinal movement of the vessel and framework at least at one end of the vessel and

• at least one axial restraint support adapted to restrain the vessel from such movement at one point axially of the vessel.

2. A shipping container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axial restraint support is provided centrally of the length of the vessel.

3. A shipping container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axial restraint support is provided at one end thereof.

4. A shipping container as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the central axial restraint support, is a rod extending parallel to the central axis of the vessel and the frame and fixed to trunnions respectively fast with the vessel and the framework.

5. A shipping container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rod is fixed by welding or threading.

6. A shipping container as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the axial restraint supports are plates aligned parallel with the central axis of the vessel.

7. A shipping container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the axially free supports are drop links pivotally suspended from points on the frame and pivotally carrying the vessel and the drop links are augmented with lateral links restraining the vessel from moving laterally of the frame.

8. A shipping container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the axially free supports are pairs of concentric tubes aligned with the central axis of the vessel, one of each pair being fast with the vessel and the other being fast with the framework.

9. A shipping container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pairs of tubes are each provided with a bearing material sleeve between them.

10. A shipping container as claimed in claim 9, wherein in each pair of tubes the inner tube is of stainless steel and fast with the vessel and for the outer tube is of mild steel fast with the framework.