Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D88/00—Large containers
  • B65D88/74—Large containers having means for heating, cooling, aerating or other conditioning of contents
  • B65D88/745—Large containers having means for heating, cooling, aerating or other conditioning of contents blowing or injecting heating, cooling or other conditioning fluid inside the container

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to a freight container for transporting cargo, especially temperature sensitive cargo.
• the disclosure further relates to a method for transporting cargo.
• Freight containers are widely used to transport such cargo, e.g. by boat, train, and/or truck.
• cargo e.g. food, such as fruit, dairy products, meat, etc., but also electronics, may require a climate controlled environment to prevent their deterioration.
• Temperature and/or humidity sensitive cargo can be transported by a freight container comprising an air conditioning unit.
• the air conditioning unit can be integrated into the container.
• a power source/generator For example a diesel powered generator and fuel tank can be integrated into the container.
• the extra equipment may affect the available cargo space because the outer
• a long range transport container may contain a relatively large fuel tank that occupies part of the cargo space.
• a design runs counter to the general need for maximizing the cargo capacity of the freight container.
• the container for transporting cargo, especially temperature sensitive cargo.
• the container comprises a container body enclosing a cargo space for storing the cargo.
• the container further comprises an air conditioning unit arranged for controlling a temperature and/or humidity in the cargo space. It is noted that the air conditioning unit may for instance be arranged for conditioning the temperature of air in the container, e.g. in order to facilitate that the temperature of goods
• transported by the container can be kept substantially below a
• the air conditioning unit can be arranged for cooling air and/or can be arranged for heating air.
• the container further comprises a generator for powering the air conditioning unit.
• the container further comprises a fuel tank for supplying the generator with fuel, especially diesel. At least part the air conditioning unit is suspended above a cargo floor of the cargo space.
• the present arrangement may allow cargo to be placed on the cargo floor below the air conditioning system.
• the air conditioning unit By arranging the air conditioning unit at or near a front side of the container opposite a back side provided with one or more doors, the unit can be placed against the front without affecting the doors.
• at least a part of the air conditioning system can be provided against a top side of the container.
• the outer dimensions of the container can be kept within specification, while saving cargo space at least at the floor level.
• a part of the air conditioning unit e.g. condenser, may be sticking outside from the container body.
• the conditioning unit can be placed through a vertical side wall, yet stay within the constrained perimeter of the container.
• the cargo floor may extends below the step for allowing cargo to be placed on the cargo floor below the step.
• the design made available by the present disclosure can provide a container having an outer length corresponding with the sizes and dimensions of a standard freight container.
• the freight container can be formed as a 45 foot container, preferably as a so-called 45 ft. pallet wide container.
• a relevant norm for the standard container dimensions would for example be an ISO standard, such as ISO 668 (1995) or an equivalent standard.
• the present design allows for a cargo floor that is at least 2.4 meter wide and at least 13.2 meter long, such as to
• 11 rows of 3 pallets (having their longitudinal direction extending in the longitudinal direction of the container/cargo floor)
• the container can be provided with first fitting blocks of which the mutual spacing corresponds to the mutual spacing of a 40 foot container and/or second fitting blocks or so-called corner fittings of which the mutual spacing corresponds to the mutual spacing of the outermost placed fitting blocks of a 45 foot container.
• the air conditioning unit can be arranged at least partially above the fuel tank.
• the fuel tank can be arranged flat against an outer hull of the container.
• the generator can be integrated as part of the air conditioning unit.
• the container may comprise one or more batteries for feeding the air conditioning unit and/or starting the generator.
• the battery can be charged by the generator.
• the fuel tank may comprises an L-shape, wherein the battery is accommodated in a cavity formed by the L-shape.
• the container may comprise a sensor, especially a temperature sensor, associated with the cargo space, and a controller for controlling the air conditioning system.
• the controller is arranged for determining whether an air property sensed by the sensor needs to be altered by examining whether the sensed air property is below a
• predetermined bottom threshold value and/or above a predetermined top threshold value for controlling the air conditioning unit such as to alter the air property accordingly.
• Another or further problem associated with containers for transporting temperature sensitive cargo is that the batteries of such containers can run low, especially when the containers are transported through relatively cold areas with a relatively cold outdoor temperature (e.g. when being transported overland, for instance by train, e.g. from Europe through Russia to China, or vice versa).
• the present disclosure provides a freight container for transporting cargo, especially temperature sensitive cargo as described above, or otherwise.
• the container comprises a cargo space defining a cargo floor, and an air conditioning unit, preferably a cooling and/or heating unit, a battery for feeding the air conditioning unit, a generator, especially a diesel powered generator, for charging the battery at least partly, and a fuel tank for supplying the generator with fuel.
• the container further comprises a clock and a controller arranged for controlling the generator in order to charge the battery at least partly at a moment when a predetermined time interval has lapsed since the last time the battery is charged at least partly.
• the container further comprises a voltage sensing device and a controller arranged for controlling the generator in order to charge the battery at least partly at a moment when is determined that the terminal voltage of the battery has dropped below a predetermined minimum voltage threshold value.
• the container further comprises a receiver and a controller arranged for controlling the generator in order to charge the battery at least partly based on a control signal received by said receiver.
• said wall By providing a wall separating the cargo space from a part of the air conditioning system located behind said wall, said wall can define a cavity for guiding air from the cargo space to the air conditioning unit or vice versa.
• the present disclosure provides a method for transporting cargo, especially temperature sensitive cargo, by means of a freight container.
• the method comprises providing a freight container, preferably a container as described herein.
• the container is provided with at least an air conditioning unit, preferably a cooling and/or heating unit.
• the container is further provided with a battery and a generator, especially a diesel powered generator.
• the method further comprises sensing an air property of air inside the container, especially the temperature of air inside the container.
• the method further comprises determining whether said air property needs to be altered by examining whether the sensed air property is below a predetermined bottom threshold value and/or above a
• the method further comprises altering said air property when the value of the sensed air property is below said predetermined bottom threshold value, such as to bring said air property above said predetermined bottom threshold value, or altering said air property when the sensed value of the air property is above said
• the method further comprises at least partly charging the battery by means of the generator at a moment when there is no need to alter the air property of the air inside the container. This may be advantageous for keeping the battery charged also during periods when the air conditioning is not strictly necessary.
• the battery may discharge which may also prevent the generator from starting.
• the step of charging the battery at a moment when there is no need to alter the air property of the air inside the container is initiated when a predetermined time interval has lapsed, e.g. when a predetermined time interval has lapsed since the last time the battery is charged at least partly.
• the step of charging the battery at a moment when there is no need to alter the air property of the air inside the container is initiated when it is determined that the terminal voltage of the battery has dropped below a predetermined minimum voltage threshold value.
• the freight container further is provided with a receiver, and wherein the step of charging the battery at a moment when there is no need to alter the air property of the air inside the container is initiated by means of a control signal received by said receiver of the freight container.
• the air conditioning unit is activated while the air property does not need to be altered based e.g. on temperature.
• the battery can be at least partly charged by means of the generator at a moment when there is a need to alter the air property of the air inside the container.
• FIG 1 shows a schematic perspective bird's eye view of an embodiment of a container
• FIG 2 shows a cross-section side view of a front of another embodiment of the container including placement of cargo
• FIG 3 shows a schematic perspective drawing of the front part of the embodiment
• FIG 4 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of the embodiment
• FIG 5 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of the embodiment
• FIG 6 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of the embodiment
• FIG 7 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a fuel tank.
• FIG 1 shows a schematic perspective bird's eye view of an embodiment of a freight container 100.
• the container 100 is suitable for transporting cargo 5, especially temperature sensitive cargo.
• a freight container may also be referred to as an intermodal container, shipping container, e.g. a refrigerated container or a so-called reefer.
• the container which preferably can be an intermodal container and/or an ISO container, can be arranged for intermodal freight transport which can involve the use of multiple modes of transportation, e.g. including rail transportation, transportation by truck, and/or ship transportation, without any handling of the freight itself when changing modes of transportation.
• intermodal containers can be stacked up to seven units high. For instance therefore, the intermodal container can be arranged to be stackable, e.g.
• the container can be sufficiently strong and/or can be provided with bottom and top fittings, especially twistlock fittings.
• the container can be a so-called multimodal transport container, and may be arranged for multimodal transport, or so-called combined transport, wherein the transportation of goods can be under a single contract, but can nevertheless be performed wit at least two different means of transport, e.g. rail, sea and/or road.
• the container 100 comprises a container body 24 enclosing a cargo space 25 for storing the cargo 5.
• the container further comprises an air conditioning unit 7 arranged for controlling a temperature and/or humidity in the cargo space 25. At least part the air conditioning unit 7 is suspended above a cargo floor 3 of the cargo space 25 for allowing cargo to be placed on the cargo floor 3 below the said part of the air conditioning system 30.
• the container 100 comprises a generator (not shown) for powering the air conditioning unit 7.
• the generator may be external, or integrated into the air conditioning unit 7.
• the generator may be coupled to a fuel tank (not shown here) for supplying the generator 33 with fuel, typically diesel.
• the generator may be powered by other means, e.g. electricity
• At least the outer length of the container corresponds with the sizes and dimensions of a standard freight container, especially a 45 foot container.
• the container is formed as a 45 foot container, preferably as a so-called 45 ft. pallet wide container.
• the cargo floor 3 is at least 2.4 meter wide and at least 13.2 meter long, such as to accommodate at least 33 Euro-pallets, e.g. stored in the manner shown in FIG 1.
• the part of the air conditioning system 7 located above the cargo floor 3 is extending above the cargo floor for at most about 0.8 meter, it can be advantageous to place the first Euro-pallets with their longitudinal direction (e.g. two time 120 cm) extending in the width direction of the container (240 cm), such that only the loading height of two pallets (in stead of that of three 3 pallets) is restricted by said part of the air conditioning system located above the cargo floor.
• their longitudinal direction e.g. two time 120 cm
• the width direction of the container 240 cm
• the container is provided with first fitting blocks of which the mutual spacing corresponds to the mutual spacing of a 40 foot container and/or second fitting blocks or so- called corner fittings of which the mutual spacing corresponds to the mutual spacing of the outermost placed fitting blocks of a 45 foot container.
• FIG 2 shows a cross-section side view of a front of another embodiment of the container 100 including cargo 5 place inside the cargo space 25.
• the air conditioning unit 7 is arranged at or near a front side 1 of the container 100. This may be opposite a back side provided with one or more doors (not shown). In another or further embodiment, at least a part of the air conditioning system is provided against or near a top side 2 of the container 100.
• the container body 24 comprises a cavity 17 protruding inward into the container.
• at least part of the air conditioning unit 7 is sticking out from the container body 24 and accommodated in the cavity 17.
• a condenser part 7a of the air conditioning unit 7 may stick outside the container body 24 while an evaporator part 7b sticks inside the container body 24, in particular into the cargo space 25.
• the cavity 17 is formed by an inward step of the container body 24 on the upper front side 1,2 of the container 100.
• the cargo floor 3 extends below the step for allowing cargo 5 to be placed on the cargo floor 3 below the step.
• a sheet or sail 23 is provide at an outlet of the air conditioning unit 7 in the cargo space 25.
• the cool air from the air conditioning unit 7 may be distributed over the cargo space 25.
• the air conditioning unit 7 is arranged at least partially above the fuel tank 20.
• part of the condenser 7a is above the fuel tank 20.
• the fuel tank 20 is arranged flat against an outer hull of the container. By providing a relatively flat fuel tank, cargo space 25 inside the container body 24 may be further increased.
• the container and/or air conditioning unit 7 comprises a sensor (not shown), e.g. a temperature sensor.
• the sensor may be associated with the cargo space.
• a controller is provided for controlling the air conditioning system.
• the controller is arranged for determining whether an air property sensed by the sensor needs to be altered by examining whether the sensed air property is below a predetermined bottom threshold value and/or above a predetermined top threshold value.
• the controller may be arranged for controlling the air conditioning unit such as to alter the air property accordingly.
• the container 100 comprises a separation wall being located at a distal end of the cargo floor and separating the cargo space at least partly from a second part of the air conditioning system located behind said wall.
• the said wall defines a cavity for guiding air from the cargo space to the air conditioning unit or vice versa.
• FIG 3 shows a schematic perspective drawing of the front part of the embodiment, e.g. similar to FIG 2.
• the container 100 comprises a battery 9 for feeding the air conditioning unit, a generator (not specifically indicated), especially a diesel powered
• the container 100 comprises a battery 9 for feeding the air conditioning unit 7 and/or starting the generator.
• the battery is arranged to be charged by the generator.
• the fuel tank 20 comprises an
• L-shape wherein the battery 9 is accommodate in a cavity formed by the L- shape.
• This in combination with the suspended air conditioning unit 7, may provide a maximum capacity to the fuel tank 20 while allowing the placement of a battery 9, and without sacrificing cargo space.
• the container 100 as described herein, or otherwise comprises a clock and a controller arranged for controlling the generator in order to charge the battery 9 at least partly at a moment when a predetermined time interval has lapsed since the last time the battery is charged at least partly.
• the container 100 comprises a voltage sensing device and a controller arranged for controlling the generator in order to charge the battery at least partly at a moment when is determined that the terminal voltage of the battery has dropped below a predetermined minimum voltage threshold value.
• the container further comprises a receiver 21 and a controller arranged for controlling the generator in order to charge the battery at least partly based on a control signal received by said receiver.
• the figure may illustrate a method for transporting cargo, especially temperature sensitive cargo, by means of a freight container.
• the method comprises providing a freight container, preferably a container 100 as described herein, said container being provided with at least an air conditioning unit 7, preferably a cooling and/or heating unit, a battery 9, and a generator, especially a diesel powered generator.
• the method comprises sensing an air property of air inside the container, especially the temperature of air inside the container.
• the method comprises determining whether said air property needs to be altered by examining whether the sensed air property is below a predetermined bottom threshold value and/or above a
• the method comprises altering said air property when the value of the sensed air property is below said predetermined bottom threshold value, such as to bring said air property above said predetermined bottom threshold value, or altering said air property when the sensed value of the air property is above said predetermined top threshold value, such as to bring said air property below said predetermined top threshold value.
• the method comprises at least partly charging the battery 9 by means of the generator at a moment when there is no need to alter the air property of the air inside 25 the container.
• the step of charging the battery 9 at a moment when there is no need to alter the air property of the air inside 25 the container is initiated when a predetermined time interval has lapsed, e.g. when a predetermined time interval has lapsed since the last time the battery 9 is charged at least partly.
• the step of charging the battery 9 at a moment when there is no need to alter the air property of the air inside the container 100 is initiated when it is determined that the terminal voltage of the battery has dropped below a predetermined minimum voltage threshold value.
• the freight container 100 is provided with a receiver 21, e.g. on a top side 2 of the container as shown in FIG 6.
• a receiver 21 e.g. on a top side 2 of the container as shown in FIG 6.
• the step of charging the battery 9 at a moment when there is no need to alter the air property of the air inside the container can be initiated by means of a control signal received by said receiver of the freight container.
• the method comprises the step of altering the air property of the air inside the container while the battery is charged at the moment when the air property does not need to be altered.
• the method comprises the step of at least partly charging the battery by means of the generator at a moment when there is a need to alter the air property of the air inside the container.
• FIG 4 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of the embodiment, e.g. similar to FIG 2 and 3.
• the container 100 comprises on the front side 1, an air conditioning unit 7, a fuel tank 20, and a battery 9.
• the fuel tank 20 may be held fixed by belts 22.
• FIG 5 shows a schematic view of the side 8 of an embodiment of the container 100, e.g. similar to FIGs 2-4.
• the container 100 comprises an air conditioning unit 7 at or near the ceiling 2 of the container.
• the fuel tank 20 is arranged at the front side. As shown, the fuel tank 20 may be protected by extended corners 6. Also shown in this figure is the floor 3 at the bottom 4 of the container.
• FIG 6 shows a schematic view of the top 2 of the embodiment, e.g. similar to FIGs 2-5.
• the top view shows for example a roster 11, which may function as an outlet for the air conditioning unit (not visible here).
• an optional transceiver 21 which may be used for receiving instructions and/or sending a status/location of the container or air conditioning unit.
• the top view shows an optional solar panel 10, which may be used to power equipment in the container. For example, the solar panel 10 may be used to charge the battery (not shown here).
• FIG 7 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a fuel tank 20, e.g. as used in FIGs 2-6.
• the L-shape of the tank 20 may be advantageous to accommodate equipment, e.g. a battery.
• the fuel tank 20 comprises a number of holes or tubes extending into the fuel tank. These may be advantageous e.g. to prevent or diminish slushing of the fuel inside the tank.
• the conditioning unit may also provide heating when necessary.
• the air conditioning unit may also provide other
• environmental control e.g. humidity control.
• humidity control e.g.
• components such as the air conditioning unit, generator, battery, and/or fuel tank may be combined or split up into one or more alternative components.
• the various elements of the embodiments as discussed and shown offer certain advantages, such providing an air conditioned cargo space having maximizes capacity.
• any one of the above embodiments or processes may be combined with one or more other embodiments or processes to provide even further improvements in finding and matching designs and advantages. It is appreciated that this disclosure offers particular advantages to transport of temperature sensitive cargo, and in general can be applied for any

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
• Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
• Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)

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Cited By (5)

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Citations (9)

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• 2014
  • 2014-05-16 CN CN201420250748.2U patent/CN203959038U/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2014-06-12 NL NL2012992A patent/NL2012992C2/en active IP Right Maintenance
• 2015
  • 2015-05-08 WO PCT/NL2015/050322 patent/WO2015174830A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2015-05-08 RS RS20170985A patent/RS56420B1/sr unknown
  • 2015-05-08 PL PL15729951T patent/PL3142945T3/pl unknown
  • 2015-05-08 DE DE202015007754.4U patent/DE202015007754U1/de active Active
  • 2015-05-08 PT PT157299512T patent/PT3142945T/pt unknown
  • 2015-05-08 SI SI201530107T patent/SI3142945T1/sl unknown
  • 2015-05-08 EP EP15729951.2A patent/EP3142945B1/de active Active
  • 2015-05-08 HU HUE15729951A patent/HUE034917T2/hu unknown
  • 2015-05-08 PL PL17179507T patent/PL3284702T3/pl unknown
  • 2015-05-08 ES ES15729951.2T patent/ES2643385T3/es active Active
  • 2015-05-08 DK DK15729951.2T patent/DK3142945T3/en active
  • 2015-05-08 CN CN201580038851.8A patent/CN114929598A/zh active Pending
  • 2015-05-08 EA EA201692212A patent/EA029480B1/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2015-05-08 EP EP17179507.3A patent/EP3284702B1/de active Active
  • 2015-05-08 LT LTEP15729951.2T patent/LT3142945T/lt unknown
  • 2015-05-15 CN CN201520316808.0U patent/CN204896377U/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2017
  • 2017-10-02 HR HRP20171465TT patent/HRP20171465T1/hr unknown

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