WO2015110161A1

WO2015110161A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: WO2015110161A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/051342
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi Coppola; Paolo SCIALLA; Valerio SCIALLA
Original assignee: Luigi Coppola; Scialla Paolo; Scialla Valerio
Priority date: 2014-01-23
Filing date: 2014-01-23
Publication date: 2015-07-30

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container (100) for the freight transport comprising an outer part (1) and an inner part (2) telescopically arranged with respected to the outer part (1). The inner part is conformed to be slidably moved with respect to the said outer part (1) in a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the said outer part (1) between a first compressed position in which the inner part (2) is essentially wholly contained inside the outer part (1) and a least one second expanded position in which the said inner part (2) extends at least partially outside the outer part (1) so as to adjust the total size and length of the container (100).

Description

Container

The invention relates to a container for holding freight, especially a shipping container.

Containers are transported on land (by road or by rail), on sea or in the air.

The length of a container varies from 8 to 56 feet (2.439 to 17.06m), although 20- foot and 40-foot containers are the most wildly used for the transport of freight especially by ship.

In shipping, the ideal case of an identical cargo flow between transfer points - ports for example - in both trade directions does not exist. It happens frequently that 20-foot containers are needed in one trade direction while 40-foot containers are needed in the opposite direction. Thus, the requirement for container size can differ from a transfer point to another, according to trade direction, to the freight shipped or to the period. As a result, an imbalance is created and in the particular case of shipping, an imbalance between the 20-foot/40-foot container ratio. Hence, it is often needed to transport empty containers of the required size to a transfer point where they are needed. Obviously this is neither profitable nor time efficient. If the transfer point subject to the imbalance cannot be served by direct port call, all the equipment to be supplied to the transfer point will have double transhipment, which means additional costs.

One possible solution to avoid transporting empty containers could be to store enough containers of each size at a transfer point to prevent the imbalance from occurring. However, this would require large storage space and ports and dockyards, in particular European ones, can usually not be extended due to their situation. It is known to buy land outside the transfer point and use it as a remote container depot. Still, buying land for storage and convoying empty containers from remote depot to the transfer point are also costly and time consuming operations. Moreover, the imbalance of container is mostly local (a transfer point may be affected while another is not) and temporary. Thus, there is need for a solution that is both time efficient and flexible.

It has been proposed, for example in DE 43 29 355 and in US 7 546 666, that smaller containers such as 20-foot containers can be connected to form a larger 40-foot container. Hence, the smaller containers can either be used individually or combined to form a larger one.

This solution reduces by a third the number of containers needed, since two 20-foot containers can replace two 20-foot containers and one 40-foot container. However, the coupling/decoupling process of two smaller containers requires more than one displacement of the said containers with an appropriate crane and/or forklift. But, each crane or forklift move is costly and time consuming.

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a container that could be a solution to the imbalance problem described previously that avoids the above- mentioned drawbacks and that is flexible and cost and time efficient.

The appended figures illustrate by way of example an embodiment of the container according to the present invention.

Figure 1 illustrates the container according to the invention in a first compressed position.

Figure 2 illustrates the container according to the invention in a second expanded position.

Figure 3 is a top view of the container in its first compressed position illustrated in figure 1 .

Figure 3a is a longitudinal cross section along the line B-B of figure 3.

Figure 3b is an enlarged view of portion E1 of figure 3a illustrating part of the telescopic extension system in its closed position.

Figure 3c is an enlarged view of portion E2 of figure 3a illustrating part of the telescopic extension system in its closed position. Figure 3d is the same as figure 3c with the telescopic extension system in its open position.

Figure 3e is a side view detailing part of the telescopic extension system in a closed position.

Figure 3f is a side view detailing part of the telescopic extension system in an open position.

Figure 3g is an exploded view of the telescopic extension system illustrated in figure 3f.

Figure 3bis is a rear view of the container according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a top view of the container according to the invention in its second expanded position.

Figure 4a is a longitudinal cross section along line C-C of the figure 4.

Figure 4b is an enlarged view of portion E1 1 of figure 4a.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross section along the line A-A of the container of figure 3.

Figures 5a and 5b are respectively enlarged view of portions E3 and E4 of figure 5.

Figure 6 is a partial view of the container illustrated in figure 2 detailing its floor.

Figures 6a and 6b are respectively enlarged views of portions E5 and E6 of figure 6.

Figure 6c illustrates the lifting of the first floor of the container between its lower position and its upper position level with the sliding floor.

Figure 7 illustrates the sliding means at the bottom of the container in its compressed position.

Figure 8 illustrates the sliding means at the bottom of the container in its expanded position.

Figures 8a and 8b are detailed view of the bearing wheels of the sliding means illustrated in figure 8. Figure 9 illustrates the sliding means at the top of the container in its compressed position.

Figure 9a is an exploded view of figure 9.

Figure 9b is an enlarged view of bearing wheels of the sliding means of figures 9 and 9a.

Figure 10 illustrates the sliding means at the bottom of the container in its expanded position.

Figure 1 1 illustrates first locking means of the container in a first locked position.

Figure 1 1 a is an enlarged top view of portion E9 of figure 1 1 .

Figure 1 1 b is a longitudinal cross section along the line H-H of figure 1 1 a. Figure 1 1 c is an expanded view of figures 1 1 and 1 1 a.

Figure 12 illustrates the first locking means of the container in a second unlocked position.

Figure 12a is an enlarged top view of portion E10 of figure 12.

Figure 12b is a longitudinal cross section along the line G-G of figure 12a.

Figure 12c is an expanded view of figures 12 and 12a.

Figure 13a is a detailed view of portion E7 of figure 8 illustrating further blocking means of the container according to the invention in its second expanded position.

Figure 13b is a longitudinal cross section along line l-l of figure 13a.

Figure 13c is an expanded view of figures 13a and 13b.

Figures 14a and 15a and 14b and 15b are further cross section view of the blocking means of the container in its second expanded position and first compressed position respectively.

A preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures.

In this preferred embodiment, the container 100 is a shipping container for holding freight meeting the corresponding ISO requirements. According to the invention, the container 100 is designed so that its size, and in particular its length, can be adjusted between a first and a second size. Preferably, the first size corresponds to the size of a standard 20-foot container and the second size corresponds to the size of a standard 40-foot container.

Generally speaking, the container 100 according to the invention is a telescopic container, which can be telescopically expanded from a first length to a second bigger length.

The container 100 according to the invention comprises an outer part 1 and a sliding part 2. The sliding part 2 is arranged to move slidably in and out of the outer part 1 through sliding means between a first compressed position illustrated in figure 1 and a second expanded position illustrated in figure 2, so as to adjust the size of the container 100. In this embodiment, the container 100 in its compressed position corresponds to a 20-foot container while in its expanded position, it corresponds to a 40-foot container.

As illustrated in figures 1 , 2, 3, 3a, 4 and 4a, the outer part 1 is a rectangular shaped box comprising two outer sidewalls 1 1 , a first floor 12 and an outer roof 13. The sliding part 2 is designed to fit inside the outer part 1 and preferably presents a similar shape. The sliding part 2 comprises two inner sidewalls 21 , a second floor called sliding floor 22 and an inner roof 23.

One end of the outer part 1 is open to receive the sliding part 2 while the other end of the said outer part 1 is closed by a well-known standard container door 3. As illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the container door 3 is secured to the outer part 1 by means of a door frame comprising two front corner posts 31 each welded to one of the outer sidewalls 1 1 , a door sill 32 fixed at the bottom end of both front corner posts 31 and a door header 33 welded to the outer roof 13.

In the following, the door 3 is considered to be the front of the container 100 and direction such a "rear" will be used accordingly.

As for the sliding part 2, its end facing the inside of the outer part 1 is open so as to allow freight to be loaded through the door 3 of the outer part 1 in the container 100 in either its compressed or expanded position. The other end of the sliding part 2 (facing outside of the outer part 1 ) is closed by a rear wall 4 illustrated in figure 3bis. Like the door 3, the rear wall 4 is secured to the sliding part 2 by means of a rear wall frame comprising two rear corner posts 41 each welded to one of the inner sidewalls 21 , a rear sill 42 fixed at the bottom end of the rear corner posts 41 and rear header 43 connected to the inner roof 23. The rear wall 4 is arranged so that in either its compressed or its expanded position, the container 100 is closed at one end by the door 3 and at the other end by the said rear wall 4.

As any standard shipping container, the container 100 according to the invention is provided with eight well known corner fittings 5 each situated at the corner of a front/rear corner post 31 , 41 with either the door/rear sill 32, 42 or the door/rear header 33, 43 respectively.

The first compressed position of the container 100 according to the invention will know be further described in reference to figures 1 , 3 to 3c and 5 to 5b.

As shown in figures 1 and 3, in the first compressed position of the container, the only elements of the sliding part 2 not contained in the outer part 1 are preferably the rear wall 4, the two rear corner posts 41 , the rear sill 42 and the rear header 43. The rest of the sliding part 2 is preferably wholly fitted inside the outer part 1 as shown in the cross section of figure 3a.

When in its compressed position, freight can be loaded inside the container 100 using the door 3. In the shown embodiment, in the compressed position, the sliding floor 22 of the sliding part 2 overlaps the first floor 12; hence freight is loaded on the said sliding floor 22.

As previously mentioned, the rear wall 4, the two rear corner posts 41 , the rear sill 42 and the rear header 43 effectively seal the open end of the outer part 1 when the sliding part 2 is in its compressed position. Preferably, as shown in figure 3b, which is an enlarged view of a top rear corner of the container 100, the rear header 43 and its corresponding corner fitting 5 are conformed so that they overlap a portion of the outer roof 13 when the sliding part 2 is in its compressed position.

Likewise, as shown in figures 5, 5a and 5b - the last two being enlarged view of a top rear corner and a bottom rear corner of the container 100 respectively - the rear corner posts 41 are preferably arranged so that they respectively overlap a portion of their corresponding outer sidewall 1 1 when the sliding part 2 is in its compressed position inside the outer part 1 of the container 100.

Proper sealing and in particular watertightness of the container 100 in its compressed position is further provided by the rear sill 42. Indeed, as shown in figures 3a and 3c - the latter being an enlarged view of a bottom rear corner of the container 100 - in the compressed position of the said container, the sliding floor 22 of the sliding part 2 completely overlaps the first floor 12 of the outer part 1 and the rear sill 42 is arranged so that it further overlaps part of the said sliding floor 22.

Thus the rear corner posts 41 , the rear sill 42, the rear header 43 and the outer and sliding parts 1 ,2 are conformed to ensure proper sealing and in particular watertightness of the container when the sliding part 2 is in its compressed position with respect to the outer part 1 .

As illustrated in figure 6, in this embodiment, the first floor 12 of the outer part 1 is preferably made of plywood and is supported on transversal crossmembers 15 extending between two longitudinal first floor side profiles 16.

At the bottom of each of the outer sidewalls 1 1 is fixed a main bottom side rail 6 extending along the length of the said outer sidewalls 1 1 . Each main bottom side rail 6 supports a corresponding longitudinal first floor side profile 16 of the first floor 12 by means of appropriate floor supports 17 fixed on the said main bottom side rail 6 as pictured in figure 6. Likewise, the sliding floor 22 of the sliding part 2 is preferably made of plywood and is supported on transversal crossmembers 25 extending between two longitudinal sliding floor side profiles 26. The said longitudinal sliding floor side profiles 26 are each fixed at the bottom of their corresponding inner sidewall 21 and extend along the length of the said inner sidewall 21 .

As illustrated in figure 5a, the outer roof 13 is secured to each of the outer sidewalls 1 1 by means of two main top rails 7 each fixed and extending along the length of their corresponding outer sidewall 1 1 .

Likewise, the inner roof 23 is secured on each of its longitudinal sides to a corresponding longitudinal angled profile 27.1 which is itself fixed on a corresponding longitudinal inner roof profile 27.2. The two longitudinal inner roof profiles 27.2 are each secured to the top of their corresponding inner sidewall 21 and extend along the length of the said inner sidewall 21 .

In this embodiment, the main bottom side rails 6, the longitudinal sliding floor profiles 26, the main top rails 7 and the longitudinal angled profiles 27.1 and inner roof profiles 27.2 are part of the sliding means allowing for the sliding part 2 to slide in and out of the outer part 1 between the first compressed position and the second expanded position of the container 100.

As illustrated in particular in figures 5b, 7 and 8 to 8b, the sliding means preferably further comprise two middle bottom rails 61 each arranged to slide with respect to their corresponding main bottom side rail 6 by means of a series of first bearing wheels 62 mounted on each of the said main bottom rails 6. The sliding floor side profiles 26 are then each arranged to slide with respect to their corresponding middle bottom rail 61 by means of a series of second bearing wheels 63 mounted on each of the said middle bottom rails 61 .

As illustrated in particular in figures 5a and 9 to 10, the sliding means preferably further comprise two middle top rails 71 each supported by one of the main top rail 7 and arranged to slide with respect to the said main top rails 7. Preferably, the two middle top rails 71 are respectively arranged with respect to the main top rails 7 so as to guarantee water tightness of the container. Lubricating grease can be used to ensure proper and easy sliding of the middle top rails 71 with respect to the main top rails 7. For example, tanks can be placed in the main top rails 7 to ensure replenishment of the lubricating grease. The inner roof profiles 27.2 are then arranged to slide with respect to the corresponding middle top rail 71 by means of a series of third bearing wheels 72 mounted on the said middle top rails 71 .

As will become apparent below, the middle bottom rails 61 and the middle top rails 71 are optional but are used to strengthen the container 100 in its expanded position and ensure proper sealing of the said container.

In this embodiment, the container 100 according to the invention preferably further comprises first locking means designed to lock the container in either its first compressed position or in its second expanded position. More precisely, the first locking means are designed to prevent the inner part 2 from sliding out from the outer part 1 further than a predetermined point corresponding to the expanded position of the container 100 and to lock the said container 100 in its expanded position.

More precisely, the first locking means are arranged to block the middle bottom rails 61 from sliding in a first sliding direction S essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container 100 with respect to the main bottom rails 6 when said middle bottom rails 61 have reached a predetermined blocking point along said main bottom rails 6. Hence, once the said predetermined blocking point is reached, the middle bottom rails 61 cannot slide any further in the first sliding direction S with respect to the main bottom rails 6 but can be moved "back" in a second direction opposite the first sliding direction S. The first locking means 8 are further arranged to lock the middle bottom rails 61 at their predetermined blocking point so as to effectively lock the container in its expanded position.

In the present embodiment, the said first locking means preferably comprise two similar locking devices8 each placed on one side of the container 100. One of such locking devices 8 is illustrated in figures 1 1 to 12c. Preferably, each locking device 8 can be independently actuated by an operator from the outside of the container 100 to lock or unlock the container in either its compressed or expanded position. Since they are similar, only one of the locking devices 8 will be described in the following.

In this embodiment, the locking device 8 is housed in a box 81 fixed on the inside of the main bottom rail 6 between the said main bottom rail 6 and the middle bottom rail 61 . An axle 84 essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main bottom rail 6 is pivoted inside a support 85 fixed in the box 81 . The axle 84 carries a first gear 86 designed to cooperate with a second gear 87 which is directly available to be actuated by an operator form the outside of the container 100 through an opening in the main bottom rail 6 for example (not illustrated).

A first bushing locking 88 is mounted on a first end of the axle 84. The first bushing locking 88 is designed to cooperate with a pin 89.1 fixed on a third gear 89 pivoted in the box 81 essentially perpendicularly to the axle 84. By actuating the second gear 87, the first bushing locking 88 pivots between an open position in which the pin 89.1 faces the recess 88.1 provided in the first bushing locking 88 and the third gear 89 can pivot freely in a first direction until the pin 89.1 is in abutment inside the recess 88.1 and a locked position in which the third gear 89 cannot pivot in either direction, the pin 89.1 being retained by the first bushing locking 89.

The third gear 89 is designed to cooperate with a first toothed sector 64 provided on the middle bottom rail 61 as illustrated in figures 1 1 c and 12b. When the sliding part 2 is moved out from the outer part 1 in the first sliding direction S from its compressed position to its expanded position, the middle bottom rail 61 slides in the sliding direction S with respect to the main bottom rail 6 until the first toothed sector 64 meshes with the third gear 89. As the middle bottom rail 61 slides further in the sliding direction S, the first toothed sector 64 causes the third gear 89 to pivot in a first direction until the pin 89.1 abuts inside of the recess 88.1 of the first bushing locking 88. Once the said pin 89.1 is in abutment in the recess 88.1 of the first bushing locking 88, the third gear 89 is blocked and cannot pivot any further in the first direction (figure 12b). The third gear 89 and the first toothed sector 64 are arranged so that in this abutment position of the pin 89.1 inside the recess 88.1 of the bushing locking 88, the said third gear 89 still meshes with the said first toothed sector 64. Hence, the middle bottom rail 61 is also blocked by the third gear 89 and is prevented to slide further in the sliding direction S with respect to the main bottom rail 6 (figure 12b). Thus, in this embodiment, the third gear 89 and the first bushing locking 88 are designed to block the middle bottom rails 61 and prevent it from sliding in a first sliding direction S with respect to the main bottom rails 6 when said middle bottom rails 61 have reached a predetermined blocking point along said main bottom rails 6. The position of the first toothed sector 64 along the middle bottom rail 61 determines the said predetermined blocking point. Preferably, the predetermined blocking point is located so that the middle bottom rail 61 can strengthen the container in its expanded position.

As described above, once the pin 89.1 is in abutment in the recess 88.1 of the first bushing locking 88, the third gear 89 is blocked and cannot pivot any further in the first direction. But, the said third gear 89 is free to pivot in a direction opposite the first direction which in turn implies that in this abutment position of the pin 89.1 inside the recess 88.1 , the middle bottom rail 61 can be moved back with respect of the main bottom rail 6 in a second direction opposite the first sliding direction S (figure 12b).

Furthermore, once the pin 89.1 is in abutment in the recess 88.1 of the first bushing locking 88 and the middle bottom rail 61 is prevented from further sliding in the first sliding direction S, the operator can actuate the second gear 87 from the outside of the container 100 to lock the middle bottom rail 61 This results in the pivoting of the first gear 86 and consequently of the first bushing locking 88. The said first bushing locking 88 then pivots in a position in which it retains the pin 89.1 and thus prevents the third gear 89 to pivot in any direction. Since, the third gear 89 meshes with the first toothed sector 64 of the middle bottom rail 61 , the said middle bottom rail 61 is also blocked and cannot slide in any direction (neither sliding direction S nor its opposite). The said middle bottom rail 61 is therefore locked at its predetermined blocking point with respect to the main bottom rail 6.

Preferably, the container 100 according to the invention further comprises second locking means designed to lock the container 100 in its compressed position and thus prevent any movement of the said sliding part 2 with respect to the said outer part 1 when the container 100 is in its compressed position.

In the present embodiment, the aforementioned locking devices 8 are also part of the said second locking means. Indeed, as illustrated in figures 1 1 to 1 1 b, the said locking devices 8 are further arranged to cooperate with a respective corner fitting locker 82 secured on its respective bottom rear corner fitting 5 to block the container 100 in its compressed position and prevent the sliding part 2 to be moved out of the outer part 1 . To this end, each locking device 8 comprises a second bushing locking 83 secured to the other end of the axle 84 and designed to be pivoted inside the box 81 between an open position in which the corner fitting locker 82 can go through the second bushing locking 83 (figure 1 1 c) and a locked position in which the corner fitting locker 82 is retained by the second bushing locking 83 (figures 1 1 b and 12c). For example, in the pictured embodiment, the corner-fitting locker 82 comprises two radially protruding protrusions 82.1 designed to fit inside two corresponding recesses 83.1 provided in the second bushing locking 83 when the said protrusions 82.1 face the said recesses 83.1 .

The locking device 8 is conformed so that actuating the second gear 87 from the outside of the container 100 results in the pivoting of the first gear 86 and of the second bushing locking 83 and simultaneously of the first bushing locking 88. Hence, by actuating the second gear 87, the operator pivots the second bushing locking 83 between its open and locked positions, releasing or locking the corner fitting lockers 82 and therefore unlocking or locking the container 100 in its compressed position. It will now be described how to expand the container according to the invention from its first compressed position of figure 1 to its second expanded position of figure 2.

Suppose the container 100 is in its compressed position as illustrated in figures 1 , 3 to 3d, 5 to 5b, 7 and 9 to 9b and is locked in this position by the locking devices 8 as picture in figure 1 1 b, their respective second bushing locking 83 retaining the corresponding corner fitting locker 82 as previously described. First, the operator actuates the second gear 87, which is accessible from the outside of the container 100 for each of the locking devices 8 in order to release each of the corner fitting lockers 82 from the second pushing locking 83 and unlock the sliding part 2. The sliding part 2 is now free to slide in the sliding direction S with respect to the outer part 1 . The operator exert a force (pull) on the sliding part 2 using an appropriate device such as a fork lift to move it with respect to the outer part 1 in first sliding direction S which is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container 100 and directed outside of the outer part 1 .

For example, the inner part 2 could be grabbed using an appropriate frame mounted on a forklift and arranged to cooperate with the rear corner fittings of the rear wall frame of the inner part 2 of the container 100. The said frame could for example comprise well-known twistlocks. Any other appropriate means could be used to pull the sliding part 2 out from the outer part 1 .

Upon moving the sliding part 2, the outer part 1 of the container 100 and in particular the main bottom rails 6 and the main top rails 7 remain fixed while the middle bottom rails 61 and the middle top rails 71 slide in the same first direction S with respect to the said main bottom rails 6 and main top rails 7 respectively.

As described above, the middle bottom rails 61 slide in the sliding direction

S with respect to the middle bottom rails 6 until they reach their predetermined blocking point at which they are then blocked by the locking device 8s (figures 12a and 12b: pin 89.1 abuts inside recess 88.1 of first bushing locking 88 and prevent the third gear 89 from further rotation, while said third gear 89 still meshes with the first toothed sector 64 of middle bottom rail 61 ).

Either successively or simultaneously, the sliding floor side profiles 26 and the inner roof side profiles 27.2 slide in the sliding direction S with respect to the middle bottom rails 61 , the middle top rails 71 and the main bottom and top rails 6, 7 respectively. The sliding part 2 can be moved in the sliding direction S with respect to the outer part 1 in this manner until it reaches its expanded position and stopping means activate to prevent any further movement of the said sliding part 2 in the sliding direction S. In the present embodiment as illustrated in figure 4b, the said stopping means consist of a first flange 131 extending perpendicularly from the outer roof 13 and directed toward the inside of the container 100 and designed to cooperate with a second flange 232 extending perpendicularly from the inner roof 23 and directed toward the outside of the container 100. To ensure proper sealing of the container 100 in its expanded position, a seal gasket 231 is affixed to the second flange 232 so as to stand between the first and second flanges 131 , 232 when the said flanges abut each other.

Once the container 100 is in its expanded position, the operator can actuate the respective second gear 87 of the locking devices 8 to properly lock the middle bottom rails 61 at their predetermined blocking point. As it is pictured in the figures 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12, the said predetermined blocking point of the middle bottom rail 61 is preferably situated around half of the length of the main bottom rails 6. It means that the said middle bottom rails 61 can slide in the sliding direction S until they extend from the main bottom rails 6 along half their length. This ensures that the said middle bottom rails 61 strengthen the container 100 when it is in its expanded position.

The container 100 is now in its expanded position, its length being the sum of the length of the inner part 2 and the outer part 1 . However, according to ISO requirements, the outside length of a 40-foot container is not equal to two times the outside length of a 20-foot container but is 76 cm longer. Hence, the container according to the pictured embodiment is preferably further provided with a telescopic extension system 200 designed to extend the inner sidewalls 21 , the inner roof 23, and the inner floor 22 so that the outside dimensions of the container 100 in its expanded position comply with the ISO requirements for a 40-foot container.

The telescopic extension system 200 is designed so that when the sliding part 2 is in its expanded position and cannot slide further in the sliding direction S with respect to the outer part 1 (namely, when the roof flanges 131 and 232 abuts each other and the middle bottom rails 61 are blocked and/or locked at their predetermined blocking point), the operator can exert a force on the rear wall frame (rear wall 4, rear corner post 41 , rear header 43, rear sill 42) in the sliding direction S so as to deploy the telescopic extension 200 in its open position and ensure that the final length of the container 100 comply with the ISO requirements for a 40-foot container.

More precisely, the telescopic extension system 200 is located between the rear wall frame consisting of the rear corner posts 41 , the rear sill 42 and the rear header 43 and the sliding part 2. The telescopic extension system 200 can be deployed between a closed position and an open position by pulling the said real wall frame in the sliding direction S.

The telescopic extension system 200 is illustrated in figures 3 to 3g, 4 and

4a.

Figures 3 and 3a illustrate the telescopic extension system in its closed position.

As illustrated in figure 3b, the telescopic extension system 200 comprises a roof extension element 204. The roof extension element 204 is welded to the rear header 43 and is fixed on two support members 209 situated each at one side of the inner roof 23. The support members 209 are also fixed at one of their end to the rear header 43 and are themselves supported in a corresponding longitudinal angled profile 27.2. The support members 209 are designed to slide freely within said longitudinal angled profiles 27.2 hence allowing the roof extension element 204 to slide with respect to the inner roof 23. The roof extension element 204 is designed to slide within a roof extension slot 234 provided on the inner roof 23 until a roof stopper 205 provided on said roof element 204 abuts at either end of the said roof extension slot 234. Figure 3b is a cross section view of the roof of the container 100 in its compressed position, detailing the telescopic extension system 200 in its closed position, the roof extension element 204 being wholly contained in the roof extension slot 234 of the inner roof 23. Figure 4 is a top view of the container illustrating the telescopic extension system and in particular the roof extension element 204 in its open position.

As pictured in figures 3c and 3d, the telescopic extension system 200 further comprises a floor extension element 202 which is welded at one of its end to the rear sill 42 and which presents a floor stopper 206 at its other end. The floor extension element 202 is designed to slide with respect to the sliding floor 22. Preferably, the floor extension element 202 is arranged to slide within floor extension slots 261 provided in the sliding floor profiles 26 of the sliding floor 22. The floor stopper 206 at the end of the said floor element 202 is designed to cooperate with the said floor extension slots 261 to limit the displacement of the floor extension element 202 with respect to the sliding floor profile 26 and the sliding floor 22. Figure 3c illustrates the telescopic extension system 200 in its closed position where the floor extension element 202 is contained in the floor extension slots 21 1 of the sliding floor profiles 26. In this position, the sliding floor 22 covers the floor extension element 202. Preferably, the rear sill 42 is also conformed so as to cover the end of the said sliding floor 22 and the floor extension element 202 as pictured in figure 3c. This ensures proper sealing of the container 100.

Preferably, the floor extension element 202, its floor stopper 206, the floor extension slots 21 1 and the upper sill plate 42.1 of the rear sill 42 are designed so that when the telescopic extension system is in its open position the said sliding floor 22 is essentially in continuation or level with the upper sill plate 42.1 of the rear sill 42 as pictured in figures 3d and 6.

Finally, as pictured in figures 3e to 3g, the telescopic extension system 200 further comprises two extension sidewalls 201 each arranged to be able to slide with respect to the inner sidewalls 21 . Preferably, the extension sidewalls 201 are arranged to slide within an appropriate wall extension slot 21 1 provided in each inner sidewall 21 (as illustrated in figure 3g). Each extension sidewall 201 is welded to a rear corner post 41 . The wall extension slots 21 1 are arranged to limit the displacement of the said extension sidewall 201 with respect to the inner sidewall 21 . Figure 3e illustrates the telescopic extension system 200 in its closed position where the extension sidewalls 201 are contained in their respective wall extension slots 21 1 of the inner sidewalls 21 . Figure 3f illustrates the telescopic extension system 200 in its open position. Preferably, the telescopic extension system 200 is configured so as to ensure proper sealing and watertightness of the container 100 in its expanded position and once the said telescopic extension system is deployed in its open position.

Due to the arrangement of the outer part 1 and the sliding part 2 of the container 100 according to the invention, the first floor 12 of the outer part 1 and the sliding floor 22 of the sliding part 2 may not be level in the expanded position of the container. This could prove inconvenient for the loading and unloading of the container in its expanded position. To remedy this problem and ensure the planarity between the said first and sliding floors 12, 22, the container 100 according to the invention preferably comprises a floor lifting system designed to lift the first floor 12 until it stands level with the sliding floor 22 once the container is in its expanded position.

In the shown embodiment, the floor lifting system is actually made of a plurality of floor lifting devices 120 evenly distributed along the length of each side of the first floor 12. As pictured, in figures 6 to 6c, each of the said floor lifting devices 120 preferably comprises a lifting support 121 secured to the main bottom rail 6 and a lifting arm 122 pivotably mounted on the said lifting support 121 . The free end of the lifting arm 122 supports a lifting plate 123 (only visible in figure 6) pivotably mounted on said lifting arm 122 by way of a pin 124. The lifting plate 123 is designed to support the first floor 12 and is secured to said first floor 12.

On each side of the first floor 12, at least one of the floor lifting devices 120 - here after called the main floor lifting device 120' - further comprises a lifting gear 125 secured with the lifting arm 122 and which can be operated to rotate the said arm 122 between a first low position in which the first floor 12 is at a lower level with respect to the sliding floor 22 and a second high position in which the first floor is raised to be level with the sliding floor 22. In the said lower level of the first floor 12, the sliding floor 22 is able to slide on top of the said first floor 12 so as to cover it.

The lifting gear 125 of each main floor lifting device 120' is designed to cooperate with a corresponding lifting toothed sector 65 provided on the middle bottom rails 61 in such a way that when the sliding part 2 is moved out of the outer part 1 in a first sliding direction S from the compressed position of the container to its expanded position, the said lifting toothed sectors 65 each mesh with a corresponding lifting gear 125 of a corresponding main floor lifting device 120' and rotates the lifting arm 122 which pivots in the first lifting direction on the lifting support 121 and lifts the first floor 12 in its second high position. In reverse, when the sliding part 2 is moved back in the outer part 1 from the expanded position of the container to its compressed position, the lifting toothed sector 65 meshes with the lifting gear 125 to rotate the lifting arm 122 in a second direction opposite the first one which brings the first floors 12 back down in its low position.

Preferably, the two main floor lifting devices 120' are the last in the sliding direction S and are the closest to the corresponding locking devices 8. In this embodiment, only the main floor lifting devices 120' are active and can be actuated to lift or lower the first floor 12. The other floor lifting devices 120 arranged along the length of the main bottom rails 6 are only passive.

An arm support 126 is provided on the lifting support 121 and is designed to block any further rotation of the lifting arm 122 in the first lifting direction once the first floor 12 is raised level with the sliding floor 12 and the container is in its expanded position.

The ensure strength and robustness, the floor lifting systems 120, 120' and their component parts are preferably made of high strength steel.

Thus, when the sliding part 2 is moved in the first sliding direction S with respect to the outer part 1 and the sliding floor 22 reaches a position in which it does not cover the first floor 12 anymore, the first floor 12 is simultaneously lifted so as to end up level with the said sliding floor 22 of the said sliding part 2 once the container 100 is in its expanded position.

Preferably, due to the floor lifting system 120, the floor supports 17 supporting the first floor 12 comprise each a first part 17.1 fixed to the main bottom side rails 6 and a second part 17.2 fixed to the first floor side profiles 16. As pictured in figure 6c, the first part 17.1 is arranged to support the first floor 12 when it is in its lower position. The first and second parts 17.1 , 17.2 are arranged to cooperate once the said first floor 12 has been raised level with the sliding floor 22 to ensure proper support of the said first floor 12 in said raised position.

Finally, the container 100 according to the invention further preferably comprises second locking means 9 designed to lock the telescopic extension system 200 in its open position.

Preferably, the said second locking means comprises two telescopic locking devices 9 each situated at a bottom rear corner of the container 100. The two telescopic locking devices 9 are similar in shape and in operating. Such a telescopic locking device 9 is illustrated in figures 13a to 15b and in figures 3e to 3g. As illustrated in figures 13a to 13c, each telescopic locking device 9 comprises a locking support 91 presenting a longitudinal central tube 92. A locking rod 93 is designed to move slidably with respect to the locking support 91 inside the tube 92. The locking rod 93 comprises a first end 94 and a second end 95 to which is secured an element 96. The said element 96 s fixed to the second end 95 of the locking rod 93 by means of a sleeve 97 and a screw 98. The screw 98 and the sleeve 97 are arranged so that when the screw 98 is turned - for example by an operator - it causes the first end 94 of the locking rod 93 to pivot within the tube 92. The tube 92 and the first end 94 of the locking rod 93 are conformed so as to allow the said locking rod 93 to slide within the said tube only in certain position of the said first end 94 with respect to the tube 92. Figure 13b illustrates a position in which the locking rod 93 cannot slide in any direction within the tube 92 due to the position of the first end 94 within said tube 92.

As illustrated in figures 3e to 3g and 14a to 15b, a telescopic locking device 9 is provided at each bottom rear corner of the container 100. The support 91 of the telescopic locking device 9 is fixed at its free end to a rear corner post 41 , to one of the extension sidewalls 201 and to the extension floor element 202. The element 96 is fixed to the sliding floor profile 26. Hence, when the telescopic extension system 200 is deployed, the rod 93 of each telescopic locking device 9 will slide out of the tube 92 of the support 91 as pictured in figures 3f, 6, 8, 12, 14a and 15a. At that point, an operator can operate for each device 9 the screw 98 to rotate the end 94 of the rod 93 in a position in which it cannot move within the tube 92. The telescoping locking devices 9 are then locked and prevent relative movement of the sliding floor with respect to the rear frame (rear sill 42) of the container.

Preferably, as illustrated in the above described embodiment, the outer dimensions of the container in its compressed position comply with the standard ISO requirements of size for a 20-foot container while the outer dimensions of the container in its total expanded position (including the telescopic extension system 200) comply with the standard ISO requirements of size for a 40-foot container.

Regarding the inner dimensions of the container, they are smaller than a standard container of the same outer size due to the telescopic arrangement of the outer and sliding parts 1 , 2 of the container according to the invention. For example, if the container is made to replace a 20-foot container, the inside of it will be approximately 1 m3 smaller than the inside of a traditional 20-foot container. However, in order to gain space, the outer and inner sidewalls 1 1 , 21 are preferably not corrugated - like the sidewalls of a standard container - but are rather flat walls strengthened by transversal stiffening rod 14, 24.

Preferably, the container according to the invention and its component are designed so that their total weight does not exceed the required total weight of a 20-foot container, which is 2.3t. This weight can be reached, and more generally the container can be made lighter, by choosing the appropriate material for the parts of the container. For example, the roofs 13, 23 are preferably made of aluminium and the transversal crossmembers 15, 25 supporting the plywood floors 12, 22 can be made with SPS (sandwich plate system) which is a structural composite material composed of steel and polyurethane elastomer and hence both sturdy and lighter than stiffened steel.

The present embodiment of the invention was described by way of example only.

(This part of the description is used to describe the invention in a more general way, compared to the quite precise embodiment described above. We try to mention every possible variant of the embodiment described above, every aspects that are optional or could be quite obviously provided in other forms. It is better to put a maximum of alternatives here, even if you know that you will never implement these alternatives.)

As previously mentioned, the middle rails to or bottom are not compulsory and only serve to strengthen the container 100 in its expanded position. It is evident that the telescopic extension system 200 is optional. Moreover, in a variant, the said telescopic extension system could be provided on the outer part 1 instead of the inner part 2.

The floor lifting system is also optional and has been described by way ox example. The floor lifting devices could be any appropriate means.

In a variant, if the sliding means do not comprise middle bottom rails 61 , the first toothed sectors 64 and the lifting toothed sectors 65 are then provided on the sliding floor side profile 26.

The described embodiment shows one device (the locking device 8) fulfil the function of the first and second locking means and the. In a variant, different independent devices or system could be provided instead.

In the described embodiment, there is only one sliding part 2. It is evident that more than one sliding parts telescopically arranged with respect to each other and the outer part 1 can be provided without departing from the invention.

Moreover, it as been described that the sliding part 2 can move between two quite clearly defined position: compressed or expanded. It is obvious, though, that the said sliding part could take every intermediary position between these two extreme positions.

The container according to the invention generally comprises at least one sliding part designed to be moved in a longitudinal direction with respect to a fixed outer part between a first position and at least one second position in order to adjust the size of the container.

The container according to the invention has the following advantages:

• The changes with respect to a standard 20-foot or 40-foot container are kept to a bare minimum whether in the inside or the outside of the container. In particular, the payload and the capacity are essentially the same and can comply with the ISO requirements of the field. • Despite its telescopic layout, the container according to the invention is still robust whether in its compressed or expanded position. In particular, well known material and techniques can be used without increased costs to ensure the strength and robustness of the container.

• Likewise, despite its telescopic layout, the container according to the invention can be water tight and fulfil standard sealing requirement of the field.

• The container according to the invention is easy to handle. In particular, only one move is necessary to expand the container and eventually lift the first floor. Moreover, the blocking and locking means are readily available and easy to actuate for a worker but they are no loos parts nor components that projects out from the container either on the inside of the outside of the container that could be threatening the safety of the workers or operator.

• The locking and blocking means ensure that the container can be safely handled either in its compressed or expanded position without the risk of the sliding part to move unexpectedly.

Moreover, with the container according to the invention, the number of the stored container at a transfer point can be greatly reduced since one container according to the invention can replace one 20-foot container and one 40-foot container.

The container according to the invention is an answer to the imbalance problem and offers the transfer points and the transporters flexibility in the choice of the size of the container. Money and storage space can be saved, since transferring empty container of a particular required size can be avoided and the container can be easily stored in its smaller size. The container according to the invention allows terminal or transfer point to save yard space and unnecessary traffic (empty containers). Indeed, many container terminals suffer from yard overcapacity and are forced to create off dock yard at a certain distance. This solution leads to additional costs since containers have to be trucked in and out of the off dock yard to the main terminal. This also leads to additional traffic in the terminal area.

Moreover, with the container according to the invention, there is no need to store as many containers as before. Hence, the sight of container yards full of empty container can be averted minimizing the impact of such yards on the coast view.

Furthermore, by diminishing the number of container needed the environmental impact of the shipping industry is also lowered.

The container according to the invention can be used for shipping and also for railway transport. Indeed, for the same reason as stated above, transport by train between inland transfer points can also be optimized using the container according to the invention.

Claims

1 . Container (100) for the freight transport comprising an outer part (1 )

characterised in that it further comprises an inner part (2) telescopically arranged with respected to the outer part (1 ) and conformed to be slidably moved with respect to the said outer part (1 ) in a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the said outer part (1 ) between a first compressed position in which the inner part (2) is essentially wholly contained inside the outer part (1 ) and a least one second expanded position in which the said inner part (2) extends at least partially outside the outer part (1 ) so as to adjust the total size and length of the container (100).

2. Container (100) according to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises

sliding means arranged on the outer part (1 ) and/or on the inner part (2) and designed to allow the said inner part to slide in and out of the said outer part (1 ) between the first compressed position and the second expanded position.

3. Container (100) according to claim 2, characterised in that the said sliding means comprise main rails (6, 7) securely fixed to the outer part (1 ) and corresponding side profiles (26, 27.1 , 27.2) securely fixed to the inner part (2), each side profiles (26, 27.1 , 27.2) designed to slide with respect to a corresponding main rail (6, 7).

4. Container (100) according to claim 3, characterised in that the sliding

means further comprises middle rails (61 , 71 ) designed to slide within a corresponding main rail (6, 7) or the outer part (1 ), the side profiles (26, 27.1 , 27.2) of the inner part (2) being conformed to slide within a corresponding middle rail (61 , 71 ) so as to strengthen the container (100) in its expanded position.

5. Container (100) according to claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the sliding means further comprise bearing wheel (62, 63) disposed in the main rails (6, 7) and/or the middle rails (61 , 71 ) so as to allow the sliding of the side profiles (26, 27.1 , 27.2).

6. Container (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the main rails (6, 7) comprise two bottom main rail (6) securely fixed on either longitudinal side of the floor (12) of the outer part (1 ) and two top main rails (7) securely fixed on either longitudinal side of the outer roof (13) of the outer part (1 ); in that the side profiles (26, 27.1 , 27.2) comprise two floor side profiles (26) securely fixed on either longitudinal side of the sliding floor (22) of the inner part (2) and two roof side profiles (27.1 , 27.2) securely fixed on either longitudinal side of the inner roof (23) of the inner part (2).

7. Container (100) according to claim 6, characterised in that each roof side profile consists of a longitudinal roof profile (27.1 ) fixed to the inner roof (23) and an angled roof profile (27.2) fixed to the said longitudinal roof profile (27.2).

8. Container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises locking means designed to prevent the inner part (2) to slide out of the outer part (1 ) further than a predetermined point and to lock the inner part (2) in its first compressed position and in its second expanded position so as to prevent any movement of the said inner part (2) with respect to the said outer part (1 ) in those positions.

9. Container (100) according to claim 1 , characterised in that the locking means comprise two locking devices (8) each located at on side of the outer part (1 ) and fixed with respect to said outer part (1 ); in that the locking devices 8 are conformed to cooperate with a locker (82) provided on the corner fittings (5) of the inner part (2) to prevent any movement of the inner part (2) with respect to the outer part (1 ) in the compressed position of the container (100); and in that the locking devices (8) are arranged to cooperate with the sliding means to stop the movement of the inner part (2) with respect to the outer part (1 ) once the said inner part (2) reached a predetermined blocking point and to lock the sliding means and the inner part (2) in the position corresponding to the said predetermined blocking point.

10. Container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises a telescopic extension system (200) designed to be deployed in a open position so that the length of the container (100) in its expanded position can be further increased to reach a length which is bigger than the simple addition of the length of the outer and inner part (1 , 2).

1 1 . Container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises a lifting floor system designed to raised the floor (12) of the outer part (1 ) in a position in which said floor (12) is level with the sliding floor (1 ) of the inner part (2) once the container (100) is in its expanded position.

12. Container according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the outer and inner parts (1 , 2) are conformed so that the size of the container (100) in its compressed position corresponds to the size of a 20-foot shipping container according to the corresponding ISO standard while the size of the container (100) in its expanded position corresponds to the size of a 40-foot shipping container according to the corresponding ISO standard.