WO2016142563A1

WO2016142563A1 - Collapsible container which, when coupled to another of equal or proportional width, forms another container of standardised dimensions

Info

Publication number: WO2016142563A1
Application number: PCT/ES2016/070143
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pablo JIMENEZ ULLATE
Original assignee: Rapid Deployable Shelters And Systems, Sl
Priority date: 2015-03-12
Filing date: 2016-03-07
Publication date: 2016-09-15
Also published as: ES1169633Y; ES1138639Y; ES1138639U; ES1169633U

Abstract

The invention consists in producing the outer structure of the container with a width proportional to the standardised width, such that the coupled containers meet the dimensional and resistance-related requirements according to the regulations currently in force for transportation as a conventional transport container and, once erected, in operating mode, multiply the useful inner surface from 14 m² of a 20-foot container to a total of 72 m², in separate modules, thereby allowing a module to be allocated for a determined use, independently from the application assigned to others. The main uses include notably: kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, operating theatres, infirmaries, dressing cubicles, toilets and showers, and control, information and sales points…

Description

D E S C R I P C I O N

DEPLOYABLE CONTAINER THAT COUPLED TO ANOTHER EQUAL OR PROPORTIONAL WIDTH CONFORMS ANOTHER OF NORMALIZED DIMENSIONS

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The present invention belongs to the sector of prefabricated modules, and more specifically to modules manufactured from sea containers.

The main object of the invention is to multiply up to 5 the interior space offered by a maritime container, either 10, 20 or 40 feet, in a fast, simple, manual, safe way, without the need for tools or energy sources, complying with the dimensional and resistance requirements required by the Regulations in force for transport by land, sea and air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional sea containers are primarily designed to transport goods. The most common dimensions are 10, 20 and 40 feet.

Given its high strength and ability to be located anywhere in the world, for a few years they have been used as habitable modules for many different applications where they are required, such as: meeting rooms, teaching classrooms, dormitories, nurseries, kitchens, operating rooms, toilets, command posts, care posts, information, sale, exhibition, etc. Assessing this trend, deployable containers have been developed from maritime container structures, in order to expand the limited interior space provided by the container itself.

These containers can be grouped into two groups, deployable from textile materials, similar to the so-called "advances" in the well-known caravans, or composed of rigid panels, generally sandwich panel with adequate insulation for each need or application. To date, these systems have some disadvantages and / or complications. While the former do not provide users with the levels of security, privacy, robustness, warmth and comfort offered by rigid wall containers, they are deployed through mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic systems, with complex guide systems, which also they require an external power source for their operation, circumstances that require proper maintenance, as well as specific training for their use while being susceptible of important breakdowns that involve the intervention of qualified personnel and specific material to act on the breakdowns, to which we must add a high economic cost. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The drop-down container object of the invention is a container that fulfilling the dimensional requirements dictated by the Current Regulations, offers capacities far superior to those that other prefabricated modules may have.

It is a container of folding panels, which deployed form a module on which multiple uses can be established, such as kitchens, bedrooms, nursery, etc. Advantages:

With respect to a module, container or body with elements that allow its deployment through textile materials, the advantages are more than obvious. It offers levels of quality, robustness, safety, warmth and comfort far above the previous ones, in addition to eliminating articulated arms or small structures necessary for the support of textile materials.

Regarding the current drop-down containers, we can highlight a series of very important advantages:

Current drop-down containers use mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic means and guidance systems, or a combination of these involving a series of actions such as:

• Maintenance of mechanical systems

• Specific user training, use and maintenance

· Possibility of serious breakdowns

• Need for an external or internal energy source

• Limitation of interior space to accommodate all these systems.

The drop-down container object of this invention solves all these inconveniences. The side walls formed by rigid panels, work as a ceiling support, thus eliminating the need for installation of dampers of current containers. In addition, these side walls have a high resistance steel plate on which the floor of the container once deployed rests, thus avoiding clamping or cylinders used in current systems.

On the other hand, the collapsible floor is connected through a continuous hinge to the front wall, and together they are deployed from inside the container with another hinged system. Thus, we eliminate today's sophisticated guidance systems, saving a very important space.

Thanks to the design of the panels and their way of unfolding and folding, no other auxiliary elements that use the current containers are necessary, and the dimensions of the container allow to shorten the design width, and then attach the appropriate containers to each other to reach the normalized width In this way, we multiply the space and create independent modules for different applications. The manufacture of the drop-down container object of the invention is faster and cheaper than that of the current containers. The deployment is done manually, no tools are necessary. The deployment process does not require qualified personnel or specific training.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, where it is illustrative and not limiting , the following has been represented: Figure 1 .- Shows a perspective of the modules deployed from two equal containers, which together have the geometry and resistance of a 20-foot maritime container.

Figure 2.- Shows a perspective of 2 containers linked together through the posts, forming a 20 foot container.

Figure 3.- Shows the two containers already separated from each other

Figure 4.- Shows a container prepared to perform the deployment of its roof, walls and floor.

Figure 5.- Shows the movement to be performed for the first phase of the deployment

Figure 6.- Shows the folding roof of the container resting on a removable pole of the folding roof itself

Figure 7.- Shows the movement to be performed to deploy the folding sides

Figure 8.- Shows the folding roof supported on the folding sides, with the post already collected, and the movement to be carried out to deploy the folding floor.

Figure 9.- Shows the folding front hinged to the folding floor, which already rests on the folding sides

Figure 10.- Shows the movement to be performed to deploy the folding front. Figure 1 1 .- Shows a fully deployed side.

Figure 12.- Shows the fully deployed container

Figure 13.- Shows a perspective of the modules deployed from three equal containers, which together have the geometry and resistance of a 20-foot maritime container.

Figure 14.- Shows a perspective view of the module deployed from a container, which has the geometry and resistance of a 20-foot maritime container.

Figure 15.- Shows the detail of the sealing joints of the continuous hinges PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed therein, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

In this preferred embodiment, the collapsible container of the invention, is in turn formed by two containers of achura ½ of the standard width, coupled through the posts with bolted joints (FIG 2), without discarding another type of joint. The construction of the structure follows the usual process of manufacturing maritime containers, taking into account that although the length and height are exactly the same as in conventional manufacturing, the width is exactly half, so that once the width is coupled total is equal to the standardized dimension for sea containers.

Made the structure, with the posts and the lower and upper crossbars strategically located for the subsequent installation of the panels that make up the walls, floors and folding ceilings, always under the requirements of the regulations for containers, the folding panels are installed.

On the upper crossbar, a continuous piano hinge holds the folding roof (1) attached to the container structure, this panel (1) functions as a side enclosure of the container being closed. On this panel, registered on its inner face, there is a post (2) to facilitate its support in the deployment operation. Likewise, the inner face of this panel contains a series of fixing and registration elements with the folding sides (3), and the folding front panel (5), as well as epdm joints, without discarding other material, which ensure the tightness of the module.

On the main posts of the container structure, the folding sides (3) are fixed through specific continuous hinges for fastening sandwich panels (FIG 15). In its lower part a plate stands out where the folding floor will rest (4) Once deployed. On this plate, an epdm strip, without discarding other material, ensures the tightness with the ground. The inside of the hinges of these panels also have gaskets (6).

Along the inner base of the container structure, two structural rectangular tubes welded to the ground, support the collapsible floor (4), hinged to these tubes by a continuous hinge, and on this panel, at the opposite end, hinges with a continuous piano hinge the folding front (5), on which the access doors to the module are installed, without discarding other access areas and additional facilities such as windows.

For optimum thermal and acoustic insulation, all panels have a thickness of 50 mm, except for the one that makes up the floor, which is 80 mm.

In another preferred embodiment, the collapsible container of the invention is in turn formed by 3 containers of achura 1/3 of the standard width, coupled through the posts with bolted joints (FIG 13). The folding panel installations that make up the walls, ceilings and floors of the drop-down containers are exactly the same as the first preferred embodiment.

In another preferred embodiment, the collapsible container of the invention is in turn formed by 2 containers of 1/3 and 2/3 widths of the standard width, coupled through the posts with bolted joints. The folding panel installations that make up the walls, ceilings and floors of the drop-down containers are exactly the same as the first preferred embodiment.

In another preferred embodiment, the collapsible container of the invention meets the standardized dimensions and is not coupled to any other (FIG 14). The folding panel installations that make up the walls, ceilings and floors of the drop-down container, is exactly the same as the first preferred embodiment.

Claims

one . Drop-down container characterized in that its length and height correspond to those of a maritime container manufactured in accordance with ISO standards.

2. Folding container according to claim 1, characterized in that its width can be manufactured with a ratio of 1, 1/2, 1/3 and 2/3 of the manufacturing width according to ISO standards, so that when coupled between them, the sum of dimensions is the normalized width of maritime containers.

3. Folding container according to claim 2, characterized in that it has a series of folding panels that can be deployed manually, without the need for tools or external or internal energy sources

4. Folding container according to claim 3, characterized in that the folding panels that form side walls (3) serve as a support for the roof while supporting the floor

5. Folding container according to claim 3, characterized in that the folding panels have a series of elements that act as registration and fixing of the panels to each other

6. Folding container according to claim 3, characterized in that the folding panels forming side and front walls have reinforcements to accommodate bars or tubes that act as supports of the surface deployed to the ground.