WO2013178884A1

WO2013178884A1 - Lining structure for a container

Info

Publication number: WO2013178884A1
Application number: PCT/FI2013/050588
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jussi NUMMELA
Original assignee: Container Skate Oy
Priority date: 2012-05-31
Filing date: 2013-05-31
Publication date: 2013-12-05
Also published as: FI20125592A; FI125876B

Abstract

The invention relates to a lining structure for a container for protection of goods being transported in the container from impurities present in the container and from mechanical damages. According to the invention, the lining structure consists of modular rectangular rigid three-part sheets (1, 2) with a middle part (3, 4) and two edge parts (5, 6) on opposed sides of the middle part. The width of the middle part corresponds to the width of the container and the length of all parts is the length of the container divided by an integer. Further, folding lines (7,8) are provided between the middle part and the edge parts to allow bending of the edge parts so as to form a vertical wall cover on the side wall of the container.

Description

LINING STRUCTURE FOR A CONTAINER FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a lining structure for a con- tainer as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A container is a transportation box that can be transferred from one means of transportation to another without having to reload the content. Containers are normally manufactured from steel and the floor is made from plywood. They have been designed to be stacked, easily transferred and easily secured to the. means of transportation. The most common type of container is the ISO container specified and classified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) .

Since the ISO standard is based on an American container standard, the nominal measures used are English units of measurement, i.e. feet and inches. The ISO containers come in four nominal lengths of 40, 30, 20 and 10 feet, i.e. 12, 9, 6 and 3 meters. The width is usually 8 feet (2.4m) and the height is 8.5 feet (2.6m) .

Containers are subject to continuous rough handling so they also require maintenance. The goods being transported or means of transportation may leave impurities in the containers, preventing the container from being used before it has been cleaned. Further, the container may experience mechanical damages that may be detrimental to the cargo being transported therein. It has been estimated that approximately 30% of all containers being used have defects in quality in one way or another. Since the washing, drying and repair of the containers with all transfer operations take up a relatively great amount of time and cause great additional costs, temporary covers have been introduced for use in the containers to quickly put the container ready for use and protect the cargo to a sufficient degree. The cover being used is normally relatively strong cardboard or plastic drawn from a roll over the entire length of the container to cover the entire bottom of the container.

Containers are also used with the so-called flexitanks for transportation of liquids and powders, in which case the bottom and all four walls of the container are lined with a protective cover so that a large plastic bag can be disposed inside the container and filled with the material for transportation. For example, water is often transported in containers in this way. With the current methods, such lining of the container entirely takes hours. First, protective covers are spread from a roll and secured over the entire length of the walls, and finally a corresponding cover is provided on the floor. In the last place, the back wall is provided with supports and covers, and then the container can be closed and filled.

The known manners of protection speed up the circulation of containers and reduce their need for repair to a considerable degree. However, the greatest problem is that they are difficult and slow to use. The lining materials are provided on large rolls from which they must be unrolled and provided in place in the container. Since the work is slow and difficult, the easier alternative is often selected, i.e. an unclean container is left unused and transferred for washing and drying or a slightly damaged container is moved aside to wait for repair. Washing and repair are carried out in a few days under good conditions, but under cold and humid conditions it may take weeks.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the invention is to remedy the defects of the prior art. In particular, it is the objective of the invention to disclose such a novel lining structure for containers that is so user friendly and quick and affordable to use that it not only constitutes an alternative to the washing or repair of a container, but makes temporary protection the primary way to effectively and quickly take a container into use .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The lining structure for a container according to the invention is designed for protection of goods being transported in the container from impurities present in the container and from mechanical damages . According to the invention, the lining structure consists of modular rectangular rigid three-part sheets with a middle part and two edge parts on opposed edges of the middle part . The width of the middle part corresponds to the width of the container and the length of all parts is equal and is the length of the container di- vided by an integer. In other words, a multiple of the length of the sheet corresponds to the length of the container with sufficient accuracy. Further, folding lines are provided between the middle part and the edge parts to allow bending of the edge parts so as to form a vertical wall cover on the side wall of the container. In practice, the integer mentioned above is so selected that the same three-part sheet should fit with all container sizes without having to overlap the sheets to any degree but so as to provide them with a butt joint to cover the entire length of the floor of the container with sufficient accuracy. On the other hand, the size of the sheet is determined by its easy manageability. Thus, it may not be so heavy and its dimensions may not be so great that it could not be lifted and placed by hand.

Thus, as the length of a standard ISO container is approximately 3, 6, 9 or 12 meters, i.e. 10, 20, 30 or 40 feet, the length of the sheet is preferably approximately 1.5 meters, i.e. 5 feet. In this case, 2, 4, 6 or 8 sheets respectively cover the entire bottom of the container from one end to the other and from one edge to the other by butt joints when the length of the middle part of the sheet is 8 feet, i.e. approximately 2.4 meters.

Another preferred sheet size with the length of the container of 10, 20, 30 or 40 feet is for the middle part of the sheet a length of 4 feet and a width of 8 feet. However, in this case an equal division for a number of sheets is only applicable with containers of 20 and 40 feet. Since these container sizes are the most generally used containers with over 90% of the use, this sizing embodiment is also in most cases an acceptable alternative.

It should be noted that the presented dimensions are representative of the order of size of the sheets and are not absolute exact values. For example, the lining at the bottom of the container does not necessarily need to extend from one end to the other completely; instead, the essential feature is its cargo-protecting effect under the cargo. Thus, in a container of for example 6 meters the length of one sheet could be approximately 1.45 meters, so that an area covered by four sheets will be 5.8 meters. Respectively, in a 12 meter container the covered area is 11.6 meters. It is essential that the sheets are so dimensioned as to coat the area to be covered to a sufficient degree by butt joints, i.e. without overlapping, in such a way that the sheets need not be cut.

Irrespective of the material being used, the thickness of the sheet must be sufficient to withstand mechanical stress, such as heavy cargo and loading vehicles. Secondly, a sufficient thickness ensures that the sheets can be easily installed in place using a butt joint and are not overlapped. Thus, the thickness of the sheet is appropriately at least 2mm, preferably 3- 6 mm. Depending on the material being used and its properties, thicker or even thinner sheets may also be considered. It is also essential of the sheets that the entire sheet is manufactured from one rectangular sheet provided with folding lines close to two of its opposed edges to separate the edge parts from the middle part. Thus, the entire sheet is made of the same uniformly thick and even material , which makes them easy and inexpensive to manufacture .

In one embodiment of the invention, the edge part forms a low edging extending on the wall of the container. The height of the edging may be of the order of 10-30 cm, for example 15-20 cm. Thus, the edging guides the cargo being placed onto the sheet off from the wall. In addition, it guides any condensation wa- ter being condensed on the wall under the sheet, thus preventing it from running onto the sheet.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the edge part forms a wall cover extending on a substantial part of the height of the wall. In this case, the height of the edge part may be for example 1.5 - 2 m. This embodiment can be effectively used when a flexitank, i.e. a sealed plastic bag for transportation of for example liquids, is used inside the container. The sheets placed one following the other on the bottom of the container protect the bottom and the edges of the container to a sufficient height. As similar and equally sized sheets are installed at both ends of the container so as to place the middle part against the ends and the edge parts over the edge parts that rise from the bottom onto the sides of the container, a sealingly lined box is formed in the container to keep the plastic bag undamaged.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sheets are made of laminated multi-ply paperboard, wherein the number of the paperboard plies may vary from a few to even more than ten. Thus, the sheet can be made hard and rigid and any irregularities present on the bottom of the container are not able to pass through it. One embodiment of the invention 'is four-ply paperboard with the two middlemost paperboard plies being grey- board, i.e. uncoated paperboard made from recycled pulp. The outermost plies of paperboard are Aqualiner- treated paperboard providing the product with moisture resistance. This way, the total thickness of the product is 2.4mm. One embodiment is to treat the sheets with a suitable film or an equivalent structure so that they would not absorb moisture by the outer surface. This way, the sheets do not let moisture through either, i.e. any moisture under the sheet is not able to reach the goods being transported thereon, such as a paper roll. It is also possible that the sheets are made to absorb moisture from the underside. This way, the structure absorbs any surrounding moisture and does not let it reach the cargo on top. A material absorbing moisture and impurities also reduces the need to clean the container because the impurities are removed with the sheets .

In one embodiment of the invention, the sheets are made of fiber-reinforced plastic material. There are many industrial sectors which produce difficultly uti- lizable mass which is mainly plastic but also includes wood fiber either during the manufacture or recycling of material. Such mass is produced for example in the manufacture of plastic-coated paperboard. The mass can be worked into a hard and rigid sheet also applicable for the protection of a container according to the invention.

The lining structure for a container according to the invention provides considerable advantages as compared with the prior art. When properly sized, the sheets according to the invention can be used in all containers as protective elements to cover the inner surfaces with sufficient accuracy. They are quick and easy to use and are also affordable in terms of manufacturing costs. Further, the invention allows the postponement of washing and repair of the containers to a better- suited time and place, for example to lower cost level countries. In the same way, unclean containers can preferably be lined and, during winter, transferred for washing in countries where their washing and dry- ing is more sensible and quicker based on the prevailing temperature and humidity conditions. Further, as they absorb moisture and impurities, the sheets may help in reducing the need for washing of the containers and thus in increasing their circulation rate.

LIST OF FIGURES

Below, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 illustrates one sheet according to the invention,

Fig. 2 illustrates a second sheet according to the invention,

Fig. 3 illustrates the use of the sheet of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 illustrates the use of the sheet of Fig. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A sheet 1 applicable for lining of a container as illustrated in Fig. 1 consists of a straight and rigid, rectangular middle part 3 and edge parts 5 at both ends, i.e. on one pair of opposed edges, thereof. A folding line 7 is provided between the middle part 3 and the edge part 5 to allow the turning of the edge part substantially perpendicularly relative to the middle part . The width of the middle part corresponds to the width of the container being lined and the width, i.e. practically the height, of the edge part is relatively low, i.e. of the order of 10-30 cm. The lengths of the middle part and the edge parts are equal. Thus, the entire sheet is manufactured from one rectangular sheet provided with the folding lines 7 close to two of its opposed edges to separate the edge parts 5 from the middle part 3.

The length of the sheet of Fig. 1 is 5 feet, so it is dimensioned to fit in a container of 20 feet of Fig. 3. As the width of the sheet corresponds to the width of the container, the sheets can be installed on the floor of the container one following the other using a butt joint in such a way that the floor of the container becomes sufficiently sealingly protected from one edge to the other and from one end to the other by four sheets. The middle parts 3 are evenly provided on the bottom of the container, forming a smooth and clean base for the cargo. The edge parts 5 are provided upwards against the edges of the container, forming a barrier for the cargo so that it will not to be pushed against the sides of the container. At the same time, the edge parts guide any condensation water possibly being condensed to the inner surfaces of the container under the sheets. When the sheets are optimally sized in terms of dimensions and weight, one man will install them in only a few minutes. In the same way, they can be taken out quickly after removal of the cargo because they need not be fastened to the container in any way. However, the sheets are not necessarily disposable; instead, if they have remained sufficiently clean and undamaged, they can be left in the container and reused immediately.

Fig. 2 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. This example also makes use of a container of 20 feet and four sheets 2 disposed therein. The middle part 4 of the sheet is of the same size as in the first embodiment, but the edge parts 6 disposed after the folding lines 8 are considerably higher. Their height is of the order of 1.5 - 2 m. Thus, the edge parts 6 form covers on the edges of the container, extending nearly for the entire height of the container, i.e. the floor 13 and the side walls 14 of the container can both be covered by four pieces of sheet. A fifth similar sheet 9 is installed to the inner end of the container in such a way as to have its middle part 5 against the end wall 10 of the container. In this case, the edge parts 11 thereof are provided over the edge parts that rise from the bottom of the container. It is also possible to install this fifth sheet 9 in the first place, in which case the edge parts thereof are left under the other edge parts .

In the same way, a sixth similar sheet 12 is disposed to the outer end of the container, i.e. behind the doors opened from the end, with the middle part 5 thereof closing the container from behind and the edge parts 11 being provided over the edge parts that rise from the bottom of the container. Thus, the entire container can be protected and a flexitank, i.e. a plastic bag provided with a filling hole to be filled with liquid or powder for transportation, can be installed therein.

It should be noted that the containers in Fig. 3 and 4 are not illustrated in full; instead, the top and part of the walls have been removed in order that the lining structure according to the invention disposed inside the container can be illustrated and well depicted.

The invention is not limited merely to the examples^' referred to above instead, many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A lining structure for a container for protection of goods being transported in the container from impu- rities present in the container and from mechanical damages, characteri z ed in that the lining structure consists of modular rectangular rigid three- part sheets (1,2) with a middle part (3,4) and two edge parts (5,6) on opposed edges of the middle part, the width of the middle part corresponding to the width of the container and the length of all parts corresponding to the length of the container divided by an integer, and that folding lines (7,8) are provided between the middle part and the edge parts to allow bending of the edge parts so as to form a vertical wall cover on the side wall of the container.

2. The lining structure for a container according to claim 1, charac teri zed in that when the length of the container is 3, 6, 9 or 12 meters, i.e. 10, 20, 30 or 40 feet, the length of the sheet (1,2) is 1.5 meters, i.e. 5 feet.

3. The lining structure for a container according to claim 1, c h a r ac t e r i z e d in that when the length of the container is 3, 6, 9 or 12 meters, the length of the sheet (1,2) is 1 meter.

4. The lining structure for a container according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characteri z ed in that the thickness of the sheet (1,2) is at least 2mm, preferably 3-6 mm.

5. The lining structure for a container according to any one of claims 1 - 4, characte ri zed in that the edge part (5) forms a low edging extending on the wall of the container.

6. The lining structure for a container according to any one of claims 1 - 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the edge part (6) forms a wall cover extending on a substantial part of the height of the wall.

7. The lining structure for a container according to any one of claims 1 - 6, characteri z ed in that the sheets (1,2) are made of a laminated multi-ply pa- perboard structure .

8. The lining structure for a container according to any one of claims 1 - 7, charac teri z ed in that the sheets (1,2) have been treated to be moisture - resistant at least for the inner surface thereof.

9. The lining structure for a container according to any one of claims 1 - 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the sheets (1,2) are moisture-absorbing by the outer surf ce thereof .

10. The lining structure for a container according to any one of claims 1 - 6, characte ri z ed in that the sheets (1,2) are made of fiber-reinforced plastic material, such as wood fiber containing waste plastic from the wood-processing industry.