WO2021181000A1

WO2021181000A1 - Device and method for recording and scanning container

Info

Publication number: WO2021181000A1
Application number: PCT/FI2021/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mika Niskanen
Original assignee: Samoani Oy
Priority date: 2020-03-09
Filing date: 2021-03-04
Publication date: 2021-09-16
Also published as: FI20207046A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device in the recording and scanning of containers, by means of which device (40) at least one side or property of container (20) is recorded or scanned. The device (40) comprises a camera or a scanner attached to a turning guide so that the camera or the scanner position in relation to the container (20) locked in the spreader (30), enables recording and scanning sides and/or ends of container (20). The invention also relates to a method in the recording or scanning of containers, in which method the container (20), locked in the spreader (30), is recorded or scanned by the device (40) that is turned to correct angle in relation to the container (20) by a crane driver or automatically.

Description

Device and method for recording and scanning container

The invention relates a device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 10.

As known in the art there exist standards relating to the size, structures and markings of containers. ISO standard 668 specifies the location of the comer fitting apertures of the container with respect to one another, and the dimensions of the container. ISO standard 3874:2017 specifies the permissible mode of handling the container. ISO standard

6346:1995 specifies the identification and markings of container, and the mechanical seal in door of container is specified in the standard 17712:2013.

As known in the art, the standardized container lengths are 10, 20, 30, 40 and 45 feet. The 40 foot long containers have a height of either 8 ½ feet or 9½ feet and the 20 foot containers have height of 8½ feet. The prior-art container has two side walls, two end walls, a roof and an understructure. The prior-art container is equipped with at least one door in the rear end, and the locking of the door is secured with a seal. The prior-art container is marked for identification, which marking contains normally four letters, six numbers and a check digit. This prior-art marking is located in the roof, both side walls, and both ends of the container. The prior-art markings also include others like ISO code that specifies the type and size of container.

As known in the art, containers are moved by container moving devices, for example container crane spreaders. The prior-art spreader usually comprises length adjustment, so that the handling length can generally be adjusted to be 20, 30, 40 and 45 feet. The prior- art spreader is equipped with twist-locks that fit into the apertures of container upper comer fittings. The prior art spreader has guides that direct the spreader twist locks to the apertures of container comer fittings. Containers are handled as empty and as full. With respect to the prior art, reference may be made, for example, to US patents 8, 668, 235 and 8,025,324. In these prior-art arrangements the container spreader is equipped with guides either in comers, or sides and ends of the spreader.

With respect to the prior art, reference may be made, for example, to international patent applications W02009/052854 and WO 2014/072509. In these prior- art arrangements, which mainly relate to a scanning of container, cameras and scanners are mounted on a vertical or horizontal beam of a crane structure. Such arrangement is vulnerable to weather conditions as the cameras are located far from a container. In addition, scanning is problematic because the container moves in an unpredictable path, and the movement of the cameras and scanners is controlled by using the container position and speed, obtained from a crane control system. Such arrangement is not possible in all kinds of container cranes, like mobile container cranes, as it needs the crane structure for assembly.

With respect to the prior art, reference may be made also, for example, to system where the camera, fixed on the bottom of the container spreader, records the identification number of container. Such recording is problematic if the container roof identification number is worn or covered with dirt, water or snow.

As known in the art, containers are handled by means of container cranes, for example, ship-to-shore gantry cranes, rail mounted gantry cranes, rubber tired gantry cranes and mobile cranes. Containers are handled with different types of machines in harsh conditions and they are vulnerable to damages. To avoid accidents related to people or cargo, the early recognition and recording of such structural damages is important.

An object of the invention is to create a device and a method for recording, identifying and scanning a container while locked in a container crane spreader.

One object of the invention is to provide a device for use in connection with a container spreader moving guide, and a method in which the device is used.

With a view to achieving the objects described above as well as those coming out later, the device according to the invention is mainly characterized in what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 1. The method according to the invention is in turn mainly characterized in what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 10.

The invention can be applied in connection with handling of containers that comply in respect of their size with the standards in force such that they can be handled by the container crane spreader. The invention can be applied in connection with such spreaders that are equipped with guides able to turn between an upraised rest position and lowered operative position. The invention can be applied in connection with normal container handling cycle and it causes no or short delay to that cycle.

The method used in connection with the invention is recording and scanning the container, locked in the spreader, in a way which enables observation and recording of an identification number and other markings, sides and ends of container, and presence of a door seal.

The method used in connection with the invention is utilizing the motion of a guide between upraised and lowered positions, and during this motion the location of the same in relation to the container to be recorded or scanned.

The device used in connection with the invention is a camera or a scanner assembled in the container crane spreader turning guide, and which enables the recording and scanning container sides and ends.

In accordance with the invention, the device comprises a camera or a scanner assembled in a hole manufactured in the guide or in side of the guide, so that an angle to the container is the most suitable for recording and scanning. Because of this advantageous feature, the arrangement in accordance with the invention confirms always similar picture or scanning result of the desired part of container.

In accordance with the invention, the device comprises a camera or a scanner assembled in the hole manufactured in the guide or in the side of the guide, so that the normal function of the guide is possible and the camera or the scanner is protected from wear and damage.

In accordance with the invention, a camera or a scanner has wireless or cable connection to, for example crane, terminal or port computer system, where pictures and results of scanning are utilized, processed and saved. In accordance of the invention, recorded pictures or scans can be used immediately or afterwards to segregate a container with severe structural damages. They can also been used as an evidence to proof if there is a damage or other property in the container while handled by a container spreader.

In accordance with the invention, there are one or more cameras or scanners attached to one or more guides.

In accordance with the invention, a recording and scanning of container is performed such that timing is the most suitable for container handling process. Because of this advantageous feature, an arrangement in accordance with the invention enables timing of the recording and scanning either by the crane driver or automatically.

In accordance with an advantageous feature of the invention, there can be another type of apparatus attached to the guide instead of camera or scanner, such as X-ray radiant or reader, ultrasonic sender or receiver, or some other device that is suitable for inspecting the cargo in the container.

In following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the figures in the appended drawing, but the invention is not meant by any means to be narrowly limited to the details of them.

Figure 1 shows a freight container.

Figures 2A - 2C schematically show the different stages of the container spreader become attached to a container, and certain position of guides that enables use of camera or scanner.

Figure 3A shows a modification of the invention where a spreader comer guide is equipped with assembly positions for camera or scanner.

Figure 3B shows a modification of the invention where a spreader side or end guide is equipped with assembly positions for camera or scanner.

Figure 4 shows a modification of the invention where cameras or scanners are installed in the guide assembly positions.

Figure 5 A shows two possible ways to aim the camera or scanner to the ends of container. Figure 5B shows one way to aim camera or scanner to the side of container.

Figure 1 shows one cargo container 20. Containers 20 is widely used to carry cargo, and they are easily changeable from one mode of transport to another, and stackable on each other. In ports and for example railway terminals containers are handled by a variety of container cranes and equipment. Containers 20 are equipped for handling, stacking and lashing with upper comer fitting 21 situated in top comers of container 20, and bottom comer fittings 22 situated accordingly in bottom comers of container 20.

As shown in Figs. 2 A and 2B, a container crane spreader 30 is taken down on the container 20 so that twist locks 31 in the comers of spreader 30, are locked in the upper comer fittings 21 of container 20. In Fig. 2A guides 10 are turned in lowered operative position, to direct the spreader 30 twist locks 31 relative to the container 20 comer fitting 21 apertures. The spreader 30 guides 10 are turned to an upraised rest position and lowered operative position depending on what phase of container 20 handling is active. As shown in Fig. 2B the spreader 30 guides 10 are able to turn to an upright rest position after the spreader 30 become locked in container 20 comer fittings 21.

In a situation shown in Fig. 2C, the container 20 is locked to the spreader 30, and the container 20 is ready to be moved to a desired place, for example from a quay to a ship or from a rail wagon to a container terminal. In this situation or during this move, guides 10 are turned automatically or by crane driver to an example position shown in Fig. 2C.

In this position a device in accordance with the invention is recording and scanning the container 20.

As shown in Figs. 3 A and 3B, the device 40 in accordance with the invention comprises a spreader guide 10 and a camera or a scanner 13 attached to the guide 10. In a situation shown in Fig. 3 A, the comer type guide 10 has a number of places for fixing the camera or the scanner, but not meant by any means to be narrowly limited to them. In Fig. 3 A the comer guide has holes 12 where a camera or a scanner 13 can be assembled. Another point for the camera or the scanner 13 assembly is a holder 11. Accordingly, in the situation shown in Fig. 3B, the flat type guide 10 has a number of places for fixing the camera or the scanner, but not meant by any means to be narrowly limited to them. In Fig. 3B the flat guide has holes 12 where the camera or the scanner 13 can be assembled. Another point for the camera or the scanner 13 assembly is a holder 11, but not meant by any means to be narrowly limited to them.

As shown in Fig. 4, the guide 10 of the device 40 in accordance with the invention is provided with cameras or scanners 13. These cameras and scanners 13 are connected to crane, port or container terminal computer system by cables. In case of a wireless connection instead of the cables there is, for example, a transmitter for a data.

As shown in Fig. 4, in the device 40 in accordance with the invention, a camera or a scanner 13 is fixed to assembly point 11 or 12 so that the camera or scanner 13 is protected from damages and wear. In this situation, in accordance with the invention, normal operation of the guide 10 is possible and it can turn freely to an upraised rest position and lowered operative position, and between those two.

As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, the method in accordance with the invention, when container crane spreader 30 is locked to the container 20, and device 40 has correct angle in relation to the container 20, the side and end walls of container 20 are recorded or scanned. As shown in the application of Fig. 5 A, in accordance with the invention it is possible to aim the camera or scanner 13 to the end wall of container 20 so that a picture or scanning covers whole end wall or just part of it, such as area where identification number, other marking or door seal are located. In the application in Fig. 5B, in accordance with the invention the camera or the scanner 13 is aimed respectively so that the picture or scanning covers whole side wall or just defined part of it.

Above, the invention has been described with reference to some of its advantageous exemplifying embodiments only, but the invention is not meant by any means to be narrowly limited to the details of them.

Claims

1. A device for recording and scanning of containers, which device (40) comprises at least two or more container spreader (30) guides (10), said guides (10) being movable between an upraised rest position and lowered operative position, and located in opposite sides and/or ends of container (20), characterized in that the device (40) comprises a camera or scanner (13) positioned to the movable guide (10) so that suitable angle for recording or scanning of container (10) sides, ends or properties is achieved during the guide (10) movement between an upraised and lowered position. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that a movable guide (10) of a device

(40) is a comer model or a straight flat model.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a camera or scanner (13) is assembled to a hole (12) in a movable guide (10).

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a camera or scanner (13) is assembled to a holder (11) in a movable guide (10).

5. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device (40) is equipped with a light source.

6. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the device (40) is recording or scanning different length or height containers (20), achieved by angle of movable guide (10).

7. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a camera or scanner (13) is connected to information network either by cable or wirelessly.

8. A device as claimed in any of to 7, characterized in that other apparatus,

that measures or identifies some quality or property of the container (20), is assembled to a holder (11) or a hole (12) in the guide (10) in addition to the camera or scanner

(13).

9. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that other apparatus, that measures or identifies some quality or property of the cargo in the container (20), like X-ray radiant or reader, ultrasonic sender or receiver, is assembled to a holder (11) or a hole (12) in the guide (10) in addition to the camera or scanner (13).

10. A method for recording and scanning of containers, in which method at least two container spreader (30) turning guides (10) are movable between an upraised rest position and lowered operative position, and located in opposite sides and/or ends of container (20), characterized in that the turning guide (10) with a camera or scanner (13) is positioned by selecting a suitable turning angle in relation to a property or quality of container (20) to be recorded or scanned, and which property or quality is processed immediately or later.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, in the method, turning the device (40) to suitable angle, recording and scanning, is executed by crane driver or automatically as part of a moving cycle by crane computer via information network.