WO2023031271A1

WO2023031271A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: WO2023031271A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/074195
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars LÜBKER; Merete Kamp ANDERSEN
Original assignee: Maersk Container Industry A/S
Priority date: 2021-08-31
Filing date: 2022-08-31
Publication date: 2023-03-09
Also published as: CN117957177A; DK181254B1; DK202100849A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a container (1) for storing goods. The container includes an inner wall (10) and a door frame portion (11) for receiving a door (3) of the container. The inner wall includes a first engagement portion (14), the door frame portion includes a second engagement portion (15) for engaging with the first engagement portion, and the first and second engagement portions are configured to accommodate thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion.

Description

CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for storing goods.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Containers are used for storing and transporting goods. For example, shipping containers can be used to store and transport goods between locations in different parts of the world. Some containers, such as refrigerated containers, are designed to maintain a cold internal temperature to preserve the goods being stored or transported. As a container travels through different environments, it can also experience changes in the ambient temperature surrounding the container.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for storing goods, the container comprising: an inner wall; and a door frame portion for receiving a door of the container, wherein the inner wall comprises a first engagement portion, the door frame portion comprises a second engagement portion for engaging with the first engagement portion, and the first and second engagement portions are configured to accommodate thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion.

[0004] In an arrangement where the inner wall and the door frame portion are rigidly attached to each other or are provided as a unitary item, thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion may put stress on a join or connection between the inner wall and the door frame, or between the inner wall or the door frame and a further part of the container. This stress can subsequently cause the respective parts of the container to begin to separate from each other at the join or connection, creating a gap through which unwanted fluid (for example, water) can pass into the container. The first aspect of the present invention may help to reduce a likelihood of creating said gaps at the joins or connections by accommodating for the thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion. [0005] Optionally, the first and second engagement portions are configured to accommodate total thermal expansion or contraction of between 5mm and 20mm. Optionally, the first and second engagement portions are configured to accommodate total thermal expansion or contraction of between 10mm and 15mm. Optionally, the first and second engagement portions are configured to accommodate total thermal expansion or contraction of around 12mm.

[0006] Optionally, the first and second engagement portions are configured to accommodate at least one of thermal expansion of the door frame portion and thermal contraction of the inner wall.

[0007] Optionally, the second engagement portion is for directly engaging with the first engagement portion.

[0008] Optionally, one of the first and second engagement portions is slidably receivable by the other of the second and first engagement portions.

[0009] Optionally, the first engagement portion is slidably receivable by the second engagement portion, and the second engagement portion is slidably receivable by the first engagement portion.

[0010] Optionally, the first engagement portion comprises a first hook defining a first channel, the second engagement portion comprises a second hook defining a second channel, wherein the first hook is receivable within the second channel such that the first engagement portion is slidable relative to the second engagement portion, and the second hook is receivable within the first channel such that the second engagement portion is slidable relative to the first engagement portion.

[0011] Optionally, the first and second hooks comprise a substantially u-shaped cross-sectional shape.

[0012] Optionally, the first hook is spaced from a base of the second channel in the absence of thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion, and the second hook is spaced from a base of the first channel in the absence of thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion.

[0013] Optionally, the second engagement portion is for indirectly engaging with the first engagement portion. Optionally, the second engagement portion is for engaging with the first engagement portion via a resilient member. Optionally, the first engagement portion is attached to a first end of the resilient member and the second engagement portion is attached to a second end of the resilient member, for example such that the resilient member is located between the first and second engagement portions. Optionally, the first end of the resilient member is opposite the second end of the resilient member. Optionally, the resilient member is configured to accommodate the thermal expansion or contraction of the at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion. Optionally, the resilient member comprises rubber.

[0014] Optionally, the inner wall comprises an inner floor of the container. Optionally, the door frame portion comprises a door sill. Optionally, the door sill is joined to an outer frame of the container such that the door sill and the outer frame are arranged to receive the door. Optionally, the outer frame is joined to the door sill at a seam. Optionally, the first and second engagement portions accommodate thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion to inhibit separation of the outer frame and the door sill at the seam.

[0015] In this way, the structural integrity of the container can be maintained and the likelihood of ingress of fluids at the separation point can be reduced.

[0016] Optionally, the container comprises a door receivable by the door frame portion, and a sealing member configured to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the door and at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion.

[0017] In this way, the likelihood of fluid flowing under the door may be reduced. This may reduce the chance of said fluid freezing between the door and a part of the container, thereby preventing or inhibiting the door from being opened.

[0018] Optionally, the sealing member is configured to maintain the substantially fluid-tight seal when at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion is subject to thermal expansion or contraction.

[0019] In this way, the seal may remain present at all times, whether or not thermal expansion or contraction has occurred.

[0020] Optionally, the sealing member is configured to form the substantially fluid-tight seal between the door and the inner wall when the door frame portion is subject to thermal expansion or between the door and the door frame portion when the inner wall is subject to thermal contraction.

[0021] Optionally, the sealing member is configured to form the substantially fluid-tight seal between the door, the inner wall and the door frame portion.

[0022] Optionally, the first engagement portion comprises the sealing member.

[0023] In this way, the seal moves with the first engagement portion to accommodate thermal expansion or contraction of the inner wall and/or the door frame portion.

[0024] Optionally, one of the first and second engagement portions is moveable relative to other of the second and first engagement portions in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container, for example in a direction parallel to an axis extending orthogonally from the door of the container to an opposing end of the container, when thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion occurs.

[0025] Optionally, the first and second engagement portions are slidable relative to one another in the event of thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion.

[0026] Optionally, the first and second engagement portions are moveable in response to a temperature difference between an interior of the container and an external environment of the container.

[0027] Optionally, the second engagement portion is movable in response to thermal expansion of the door frame portion.

[0028] Optionally, the first engagement portion is moveable in response to thermal contraction of the inner wall.

[0029] Optionally, the container is a refrigerated container. [0030] Optionally, the container comprises a temperature control system configured to control an internal temperature inside the container to be lower than an external temperature outside the container.

[0031] Optionally, the internal temperature is configured to be between 0°C and -80°C.

[0032] Optionally, the internal temperature is configured to be between -50°C and -70°C. Optionally, the internal temperature is configured to be around -60°C.

[0033] In this way, a low internal temperature may be maintained to improve to transportation of certain goods such as fish (for example, tuna) or pharmaceutical products (for example, vaccinations or medications)

[0034] Optionally, the temperature control system comprises a refrigeration system.

[0035] Optionally, the container is a shipping container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0037] Figure 1 shows a schematic isometric view of an example container.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of the example container of Figure 1.

[0039] Figure 3 shows an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the section of the example container of Figure 2.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a further schematic cross-sectional view of the section of the example container of Figure 2.

[0041] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of an example container. [0042] Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of an example container.

[0043] Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of an example container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a container 1 according to an example. The container 1 is a refrigerated shipping container, which is also known as a reefer. In other examples, the container 1 is not refrigerated. The container 1 comprises a pair of doors 3 within an outer frame 2.

[0045] An internal temperature inside the container 1 is controlled, for example depending on the goods being stored within the container 1. To control the internal temperature, the container 1 comprises a temperature control system 4. In the example shown in Figure 1 , the temperature control system 4 is a refrigeration system. However, other systems which are capable of controlling the temperature within the container 1 may also be suitable. The temperature control system 4 is configured to control the internal temperature to be between 0 and -80°C. In some examples, the internal temperature is controlled to be between -50°C and -70°C or around -60°C. Maintaining a low internal temperature can be advantageous when transporting certain goods such as fish (for example, tuna) or pharmaceutical products (for example, vaccinations or medications).

[0046] As the internal temperature inside the container 1 decreases, parts of the container 1 which are cooled can start to contract due to thermal contraction. Additionally, as the environment in which the container 1 is located changes (for example, as the container 1 is transported by a container ship between different locations), an external temperature outside of the container 1 may cause parts of the container 1 to heat up and expand through thermal expansion. As this expansion and/or contraction occurs, various parts of the container may start to move relative to each other, which may cause stress at joins or connections within the container 1 . These joins or connections can start to separate, creating gaps through which water or other fluids can undesirably enter the container. Moreover, these gaps can impact the cooling efficiency within the container.

[0047] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the container 1 shown in Figure 1. The container 1 comprises an inner wall 10, for example an inner floor, a door frame portion 11 , for example a door sill, for receiving the door 3 of the container 1 , an outer frame 2 and a sealing member 16. The doorframe portion 11 is joined to the outer frame 2 of the container 1 at a seam 13. The door frame portion 11 and the outer frame 2 collectively form a door frame to receive the doors 3.

[0048] The inner wall 10 comprises a first engagement portion 14 and the door frame portion 11 comprises a second engagement portion 15. Figure 3 shows an enlarged schematic view of the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 of Figure 2. The first engagement portion 14 takes the form of a first hook 20 which defines a first channel 21 and the second engagement portion 15 takes the form of a second hook 22 which defines a second channel 23. As shown in Figure 3, the first and second hooks 20, 22 are arranged such that the first hook 20 is slidably received within the second channel 23 and the second hook 22 is slidably received within the first channel 21. In this manner, the first engagement portion 14 is slidably receivable by the second engagement portion 15, and the second engagement portion 15 is slidably receivable by the first engagement portion 14. This allows the first hook 20 (and therefore the first engagement portion 14) to slide relative to the second hook 22 (and therefore the second engagement portion 15) to accommodate thermal expansion or contraction of the inner wall 10 and allows the second hook 22 (and therefore the second engagement portion 15) to slide relative to the first hook 20 (and therefore the first engagement portion 14) to accommodate thermal expansion or contraction of the doorframe portion 11 . Although the first and second hooks 20, 22 shown in Figure 3 comprise a substantially u-shaped cross-section, in other examples either or both of the first and second hooks 20, 22 comprise a different cross-sectional shape.

[0049] Figure 3 shows the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 when the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11 are not subject to thermal expansion or contraction. In this example, the first hook 20 is spaced from a base 25 of the second channel 23 and the second hook 22 is spaced from a base 24 of the first channel 21 , to allow the first hook 20 to move relative to the second hook 22 and the second hook 22 to move relative to the first hook 20. When the inner wall 10 and/or the door frame portion 11 are subject to thermal expansion or contraction, one of the inner wall 10 or the door frame portion may expand or contract such that the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11 move toward or away from each other. To accommodate this movement, and the thermal expansion or contraction causing it, the first hook 20 is slidable relative to the second hook 22 in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis X of the container 1 . When the first hook 20 slides relative to the second hook 22 to accommodate thermal expansion of the inner wall 10 and/or the door frame portion 11 , the first and second hooks 20, 22 are spaced from the respective first and second bases 24, 25 by a lesser or greater amount than when the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11 are not subject to thermal expansion or contraction. Figure 4 shows a further schematic cross-sectional view of the portion of the container 1 when the inner wall 10 experiences thermal contraction. As can be seen in Figure 4, the first hook 20 has moved away from the door 3 such that the first and second hooks 20, 22 are spaced from the respective first and second bases 24, 25 by a lesser amount than in Figure 2. With the arrangement of the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 above, the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 may be considered to be configured to accommodate thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11.

[0050] In some examples, the first hook 20 (and therefore the first engagement portion 14) is slidable relative to the second hook 22 (and therefore the second engagement portion 15) in response to thermal contraction of the inner wall 10 and the second hook 22 is slidable relative to the first hook 20 in response to thermal expansion of the door frame portion 11. In this manner, the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 accommodate thermal contraction of the inner wall 10 and thermal expansion of the door frame portion 11 .

[0051] In some examples, the thermal expansion or contraction of the inner wall 10 or the door frame portion 11 is caused by a temperature difference between an interior of the container 1 and an external environment of the container 1. For example, the interior of the container 1 may be cooled to a temperature which is much cooler than the external environment of the container 1. Alternatively, the interior of the container 1 may be warmer than the external environment of the container 1. In these examples, the first hook 20 and the second hook 22 are slidable relative to each other to accommodate the thermal expansion and/or contraction caused by the temperature difference. In this manner, the first hook 20 (and therefore the first engagement portion 14) and the second hook 22 (and therefore the second engagement portion 15) are moveable in response to a temperature difference between the interior of the container 1 and the external environment of the container 1 .

[0052] As discussed above and shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first hook 20 is spaced from the base 25 of the second channel 23 and the second hook 22 is spaced from the base 24 of the first channel 21. This spacing allows the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 to accommodate relative movement between the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11. In some examples, the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 are configured to accommodate a total of 12mm relative movement between the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11. For example, the first and second hooks 20, 22 are configured to slide relative to each other to accommodate the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11 moving away from each other by up to a combined total of 12mm compared to when no thermal expansion or contraction occurs. In other examples, a greater or lesser amount of relative movement is accommodated. For example, the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 can be configured to accommodate between 5mm and 20mm or 10mm and 15mm relative movement between the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11.

[0053] In an arrangement where the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 are not present (i.e. such that the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11 are rigidly attached to each other or are unitary), thermal contraction of, for example, the inner wall may lead to stress being put on the seam 13 such that the door frame portion 11 may begin to separate from the outer frame 2. This may cause a gap to appear between the outer frame 2 and the door frame portion 11 through which undesirable fluids (for example, water) may enter parts of the container 1. This may negatively affect the operation of the container, for example fluids may freeze around the door 3 and hinder the opening of the container 1 or reducing cooling efficiency within the container 1. As such, providing the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 which are configured to accommodate thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11 may help to address this problem.

[0054] To further aid with inhibiting undesirable fluids entering the container, in the example shown in Figure 2 the sealing member 16 is attached to the inner wall 10. The sealing member 16 shown in Figure 2 is removably attachable to the inner wall 10 to allow the sealing member 16 to be easily removed and/or replaced. In other examples, the sealing member 16 is permanently attached to the inner wall 10 or is formed as part of the inner wall 10. The sealing member 16 is configured to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the door 3 and the inner wall 10. The sealing member 16 comprises a resilient material which is configured to deform on contact with the door 3 to form the substantially fluid-tight seal. The sealing member is sized such that if the inner wall 10 thermally contracts such that the first engagement portion 14 moves away from the door 3, the sealing member 16 maintains the substantially fluid-tight seal with the door 3 (as shown in Figure 4). A further sealing member 17 is provided between the door 3 and the door frame portion 11 to form an additional substantially fluid-tight seal.

[0055] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the container 1 comprising an alternative form of the sealing member 16 to that shown in Figures 2 and 4. The sealing member 18 shown in Figure 5 is configured to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the door 3, the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11. In particular, the sealing member 18 is configured to form the substantially fluid-tight seal between the door 3, the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11 in the absence of thermal expansion or contraction of the inner wall 10 or the door frame portion 11.

[0056] As shown in Figure 5, the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11 are arranged such that at least one of the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11 maintains contact with the sealing member 16 upon movement of the other of the door frame portion 11 and the inner wall 10. As such, when the inner wall 10 and/or the door frame portion 11 is subject to thermal expansion or contraction, the sealing member 16 is configured to maintain the substantially fluid- tight seal between the door 3 and at least one of the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11. For example, the sealing member 16 is configured to maintain the substantially fluid-tight seal between the door frame portion 11 and the door 3 when the inner wall 10 is subject to thermal contraction.

[0057] The sealing member 16, 18 as shown in either Figure 2, Figure 4 or Figure 5 may help to prevent or inhibit water or other fluids flowing from within the container to an area under the door 3 of the container 1. Additionally, the further sealing member 17 may help to prevent or inhibit water or other fluids flowing from outside of the container to the area under the door 3 of the container 1. Where the container is a refrigerated container, such fluids can freeze making it difficult to open the doors 3 of the container 1. Although only one sealing member 16 and one further sealing member 17 are shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, in some examples more than one sealing member and one further sealing member 17 are provided. The provision of additional sealing members 16, 17, 18 may help to provide redundancy should one of the sealing members 16, 17, 18 fail or degrade.

[0058] In the examples of Figures 2 to 5, the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 are directly engaged with each other. This may help to reduce the number of components required and therefore reduce the complexity of the container 1. In other examples, the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 are indirectly engaged. Figures 6 and 7 show schematic cross- sectional views of alternative arrangements in which the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 are indirectly engaged. [0059] Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view in which the first engagement portion 14 is engaged with the second engagement portion 15 via a resilient member 30. The first engagement portion 14 is attached to a first end 31 of the resilient member 30 and the second engagement portion 15 is attached to a second end 32 of resilient member 30. In the example of Figure 6, the first end 21 is opposite the second end 32. In other examples, the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 are attached at other locations on the resilient member 30 which are not opposite each other. The resilient member 30 is configured expand and contract to accommodate for relative movement between the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11 caused by thermal expansion or contraction of the inner wall 10 and/or the door frame portion 11 . For example, as the inner wall 10 contracts due to thermal contraction, the resilient member expands to account for the movement of the inner wall away from the door frame portion. In this way, the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 may be considered to be configured to accommodate thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall 10 and the door frame portion 11. In the example shown in Figure 6, the resilient member 30 comprises rubber. In other examples, the resilient member 30 comprises any other suitable resilient material.

[0060] By providing a resilient member 30 between the first engagement portion 14 and the second engagement portion 15, wear between the first and second engagement portions 14, 15 may be reduced, which may increase the lifetime of the first and second engagement portions 14, 15.

[0061] Figure 7 shows an example of the arrangement shown in Figure 6 wherein the resilient member 30 takes the form of a concertinaed plate 40. The concertinaed plate 40 is configured to expand (by flattening folds of the concertina) or contract (by compressing the folds) to accommodate for relative movement of the inner wall 10 or door frame portion 11 due to thermal expansion or contraction of the inner wall and/or the door frame portion 11.

[0062] Example embodiments of the present invention have been discussed, with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A container for storing goods, the container comprising: an inner wall; and a door frame portion for receiving a door of the container, wherein the inner wall comprises a first engagement portion, the door frame portion comprises a second engagement portion for engaging with the first engagement portion, and the first and second engagement portions are configured to accommodate thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion.

2. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second engagement portions are configured to accommodate at least one of thermal expansion of the door frame portion and thermal contraction of the inner wall.

3. The container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one of the first and second engagement portions is slidably receivable by the other of the second and first engagement portions.

4. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first engagement portion is slidably receivable by the second engagement portion, and the second engagement portion is slidably receivable by the first engagement portion.

5. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first engagement portion comprises a first hook defining a first channel, the second engagement portion comprises a second hook defining a second channel, wherein the first hook is receivable within the second channel such that the first engagement portion is slidable relative to the second engagement portion, and the second hook is receivable within the first channel such that the second engagement portion is slidable relative to the first engagement portion.

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the first hook is spaced from a base of the second channel in the absence of thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion, and the second hook is spaced from a base of the first channel in the absence of thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion.

7. The container according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the first and second hooks comprise a substantially u-shaped cross-sectional shape.

8. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first engagement portion is attached to a first end of a resilient member and the second engagement portion is attached to a second end of the resilient member.

9. The container according to claim 8, wherein the resilient member is configured to accommodate the thermal expansion or contraction of the at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion.

10. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a door receivable by the door frame portion, and a sealing member configured to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the door and at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion.

11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the sealing member is configured to maintain the substantially fluid-tight seal when at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion is subject to thermal expansion or contraction.

12. The container according to claim 10 or claim 11 , wherein the sealing member is configured to form the substantially fluid-tight seal between the door and the inner wall when the door frame portion is subject to thermal expansion or between the door and the door frame portion when the inner wall is subject to thermal contraction.

13. The container according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the sealing member is configured to form the substantially fluid-tight seal between the door, the inner wall and the door frame portion.

14. The container according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the first engagement portion comprises the sealing member.

15. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein one of the first and second engagement portions is moveable relative to other of the second and first engagement portions in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container when thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion occurs.

16. The container according to claim 15, wherein the first and second engagement portions are moveable in response to a temperature difference between an interior of the container and an external environment of the container.

17. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the first and second engagement portions are slidable relative to one another in the event of thermal expansion or contraction of at least one of the inner wall and the door frame portion.

18. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the container comprises a temperature control system configured to control an internal temperature inside the container to be lower than an external temperature outside the container.

19. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the container is a refrigerated container.

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