WO2024108218A1 - Conteneur d'expédition intermodal modulaire - Google Patents

Conteneur d'expédition intermodal modulaire Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024108218A1
WO2024108218A1 PCT/US2023/080556 US2023080556W WO2024108218A1 WO 2024108218 A1 WO2024108218 A1 WO 2024108218A1 US 2023080556 W US2023080556 W US 2023080556W WO 2024108218 A1 WO2024108218 A1 WO 2024108218A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
deck
transport fixture
transport
shipping container
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2023/080556
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Daine Edward Eisold
Original Assignee
Cakeboxx Technologies, Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cakeboxx Technologies, Llc filed Critical Cakeboxx Technologies, Llc
Publication of WO2024108218A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024108218A1/fr

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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
    • B65D88/02—Large containers rigid
    • B65D88/12—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport
    • B65D88/122—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport with access from above
    • B65D88/124—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport with access from above closable top
    • B65D88/126—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport with access from above closable top by rigid element, e.g. lid
    • 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
    • B65D88/02—Large containers rigid
    • B65D88/12—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport
    • B65D88/129—Transporter frames for containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J7/00—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs
    • B60J7/08—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position
    • B60J7/10—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position readily detachable, e.g. tarpaulins with frames, or fastenings for tarpaulins

Definitions

  • Containerization is a system of intermodal freight transport cargo transport using standard ISO containers (known as “Shipping Containers” or “Isotainers”) that can be loaded and sealed intact onto container ships, railroad cars, planes, and trucks.
  • ISO containers known as "Shipping Containers” or “Isotainers”
  • Intermodal shipping containers generally are hollow rectangular cubes which may vary in size from 20 x 8.5 x 8 feet, to 40-, 45-, and 50-foot lengths, which may rise in height to 9.5 feet. These containers generally have standardized dimensions and corner posts in accordance with industry standards applicable to intermodal shipping containers.
  • Container capacity is measured in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).
  • a twenty-foot equivalent unit is a measure of containerized cargo capacity equal to one standard 20 ft (length) x 8 f t (width) x 8 ft 6 in (height) container. In metric units this is 6.10 m (length x 2.44 m (width) x 2.59 m (height), or approximately 38.5 m 3 . These sell at about US$2,500 in China, the biggest manufacturer.
  • Most containers today are of the 40-ft (12.2 m) variety and are known as 40-foot containers.
  • Access to the interior of an intermodal shipping container has conventionally been limited to a door or doors on one end of the container.
  • This conventional arrangement has made it difficult to load cargo of certain shapes and has also made security inspections and physical access to the cargo at ports of entry problematic because access to the first-loaded cargo at the end of the container away from the door is generally difficult.
  • the conventional door arrangement has resulted in a certain amount of undesirable pilferage.
  • the cargo container of this disclosure may have the same external dimensions as common
  • ISO standard intermodal shipping containers are designed to fit into the system without any adjustments and perform the expected functions without changes in process or policy. They are designed to fit into the existing intermodal shipping system without any adjustments and perform the expected functions without changes in process or policy.
  • the container of this disclosure has all the structural strength of ordinary containers, with increased compression load resistance, especially where the door hinges would normally be competing with the load bearing column for the limited available space.
  • the container of this disclosure may be scaled up or down and can come in any length, height or width that would be functional and desirable within the global intermodal shipping system.
  • the net internal ("usable") volume of a 40' container of this disclosure exceeds the net internal volume of a conventional 40' container because there is no need to reserve empty space above the load so that it can be lifted, for example, by a forklift.
  • the container of this disclosure increases the net internal capacity by being able to be loaded from the side with wide, full span pallets loaded slightly more than 8 feet high, rather than from a more restrictive end through a door.
  • an embodiment of the container may be made impervious to pilferage, water, moisture, and light.
  • intermodal shipping containers of this disclosure are efficient, secure and convenient, and are desirable from the standpoint of increasing the ability to conduct efficient and timely security inspections at ports of entry, for example.
  • the container of this disclosure is a mechanically simple device with few moving parts and, when closed, does not readily reveal that there are any moving parts, doors, latches, or even any interior access.
  • the container floor When opened, the container floor is completely accessible from all sides, and horizontal tubes inside a gutter portion are the “rungs" that comprise attachment points for the lower section.
  • the corner posts may be configured to have permanent “twist locks” on them that both guide the descent of the top "canopy” and, when closed, rotate to form redundant security latches and direct line of tension connections.
  • an intermodal cargo container includes a lid section; a floor unit comprising a channel portion arranged around a periphery thereof, wherein the channel portion is arranged to receive a bottom edge portion of the lid section; and a sliding lock mechanism arranged to slidingly couple the lid section to plural rungs connected to and extending across the channel portion.
  • an intermodal cargo container includes a lid section comprising a rectangular box having an open bottom portion; a floor unit comprising a channel portion arranged around a periphery thereof, wherein the channel portion is arranged to receive a bottom edge portion of the lid section; plural sliding locking mechanisms arranged along an open edge of the lid section to slidingly couple the lid section to plural rungs connected to and extending across the channel portion, wherein the sliding lock mechanism comprises engagement tabs that engage associated rungs extending between two walls of the channel portion; corner boxes arranged at each corner of the floor unit and at corners of an upper portion of the lid section; a sealing portion arranged within the channel portion, wherein the sealing portion provides a fluid-tight seal when the lid section is coupled to the floor unit; an actuator arranged to mechanically assist in moving the sliding lock mechanism in responsive to an operator command; a gooseneck cavity portion arranged at each end of the container; and a spring assembly arranged at a corner of the floor unit so as to provide a spring tension to the sliding lock mechanism
  • the container may be lined with insulating material, or with food grade plastic film to allow raw foodstuffs, e.g., corn or grain, to be shipped.
  • at least the floor of the container may have slots or holes to allow the free flow of air into the container while maintaining cargo integrity, depending on the shipping need.
  • the container described herein further comprises handling and transport fixtures which may be reversibly attached to cargo items, and which may then be loaded onto the deck of the container, wherein the handling and transport fixtures are fastened and secured / locked down for safe transport.
  • the transport fixtures can be of various sizes, as required by the size and shape of the cargo, and to function so they are interoperable and configurable.
  • the transport fixtures are stackable. They can be stacked on top of each other to enable vertical stacking of two or more fixtures in the container, up to the volume and mass limits of the container.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the loaded container described herein.
  • Figure 2 shows the loaded container of Fig. 1 with the lid removed and next to the deck. Six pieces of cargo are attached to handling and transport fixtures, which are stacked and secured on the deck.
  • Figure 3 is a detail of a corner of the loaded container, showing the twist lock in the closed and locked position.
  • Figure 4 shows the container of Fig. 3, with the twist lock in the open position.
  • Figure 5 shows the container of Fig. 4, with the deck and lid disconnected.
  • Figure 6 shows a handling and transport fixture as described herein.
  • Figure 7 shows a detail of a container as described herein, with a handling and transport fixture raised off the deck to show the deck interface for connecting the handling and transport fixtures to the deck.
  • the container is a relatively simple device requiring few moving parts and, when closed, the container is outwardly configured so that it is not readily apparent that there are any moving parts, doors, latches, or even any interior access.
  • the Intermodal Shipping Container (“container”) comprises a floor support frame; an upper section or canopy; a gooseneck area or “tunnel”; ISO corner box assemblies; a center span assembly; corner columns; and a latch housing, generally joined to canopy by welding, for example.
  • the floor support frame includes perimeter channel or "gutter” around the periphery of the frame and the floor.
  • the perimeter channel may include a rubberized or other type of sealing material therein which can provide a liquid and/or airtight seal between the interior of container and the external environment.
  • the frame perimeter comprises a channel that may be of a convenient width and height, e.g., 5.5 inches ⁇ 1.5" on either axis.
  • Perimeter channel rungs or horizontal tubes may span the channel along both long sides of the container. End rungs may span the channel along both ends of the container above the gooseneck area.
  • the floor or deck is attached to the floor support frame to provide a surface on which cargo may be arranged.
  • the floor may be a solid material such as wood, metal, or synthetic material, e.g., ECOBoards.
  • the floor may comprise a grating having slots or other openings such as slotted boards to allow fresh air to flow into and out of container.
  • the floor is completely accessible from all sides for loading or unloading when the container is opened.
  • the horizontal tubes are disposed inside the gutter to form “rungs” that comprise the attachment points for the lower section of the container.
  • corner posts are provided with permanent “twist locks” on them that both guide the descent of the top canopy and, when closed, rotate to form redundant security latches and direct tensioned connections that secure the canopy to the support frame.
  • the main sub-assemblies of the container include the frame, floor, latch housing, side latch sections, end latch sections, canopy, and cross-bracing.
  • the frame may be made of steel or other suitable material.
  • the frame may be supportably connected to the floor.
  • the latch housing captures the side latch sections and end latch sections to allow only one axis of back- and-forth sliding motion when interconnected with the spring assembly and spring.
  • the latch housing may be connected to the canopy by welded joints, for example.
  • Cross-bracing is connected across the width of the frame to provide additional support for the floor and to stiffen container against torque and other stresses, and may be made of steel or other suitable materials, for example.
  • the spring assemblies contain associated springs that intersect sliding latch sections. These are the mountings and springs that apply outward pressure to the sliding latch sections and, when the container is closed, the springs remain engaged with the rungs of the channel.
  • the upper section could be the top seven or more feet of an ordinary shipping container, except for the corner columns, which may be reinforced for additional strength.
  • twist-locks will come into alignment with holes in the corner posts, as the previously mentioned spring tension will force the sliding latches outwards into the holes, thus capturing the corner casting and all the rungs in the lower frame gutters.
  • the ends of the container may each have four short sections of the "sliding latches," and the sides of the container may each have two much longer sections. All twelve pieces release with inward motion and capture with outward motion. [037] Unlike conventional containers, both ends of the container may have goose-neck tunnels, thus eliminating the need for conventional "north-south" pre-alignment of containers when changing modes of transportation.
  • Corner post twist locks act as guides, but they can then be turned to lock the container shut. All conventionally appropriate seals and locks may be attached either at one or more of the twist locks, or near the spring assemblies. When the upper and lower sections are mated, the twist lock pins may be rotated.
  • Corner twist locks are somewhat redundant fasteners in some respects, and may not be completely necessary to the functional latching together of the upper and lower sections of the container. But, when used, their inaccessibility and strength will make it very difficult to illicitly intrude into a container interior, and nearly impossible to do so without leaving dramatic, indelible evidence of such intrusion.
  • the container may comprise a slight vertical lip around the perimeter of the deck or floor.
  • the lip provides an edge to "grab" the bottom of a pallet as it is being lowered to the deck and to hold it, precisely located, as a forklift truck driver pulls the forks from the pallet that is being loaded.
  • Such precise location of the pallet edge helps maximize the utility of the entire deck area and minimize the likelihood of cargo protruding beyond the floor edge. This makes it easier to load pallets that extend the full eight-foot span of the cargo deck.
  • the lip is shorter than the thickness of typical pallet bottom boards and does not interfere with normal operations.
  • the container may comprise a center-span assembly or "ISO casting,” which looks somewhat like the castings that were placed in the middle of conventional 40' containers so that they could be stacked on top of two common 20 ft. containers.
  • Center-span assemblies are fully functional as ISO locking points, but they also provide access to the inward ends of the sliding latch bars or side latch sections and any associated locks, seals and springs.
  • the castings are absent and the latching function is accomplished either by an actuator or by manual means with conventional hand tools through a mid-span slit.
  • a slight, e.g., less than 2-inch, inward motion of sliding latch bars pulls engagement claws aside and allows latch housings to be lowered into the floor support frame.
  • This inward motion may be accomplished with conventional hand tools or, in one embodiment, with pneumatic, hydraulic or electric power tools (not shown) that use the ISO holes to locate themselves prior to applying force on the springs.
  • Mechanical release action may be accomplished at the middle of the container by powered mechanical action.
  • a mechanical or electromechanical latch actuator may be included to aid in latching and unlatching the various slide latch mechanisms 310.
  • the latch actuator may be pneumatically actuated, or hydraulically actuated, or may be motor driven, as in the conventional art, all under operator control.
  • spring and sliding latch sections comprise a relatively simple assembly.
  • the components are easy to fabricate and assemble and the resultant function is very strong, durable and easy to maintain. No lubrication is necessary and no part that might be considered "delicate" is exposed to possible damage.
  • the motion needed to lock and unlock the two sections is a short back and forth, straight line motion.
  • Side latch sections and end latch sections may be, for example, 5/16 inch metal stock which is approximately five inches wide, and side latch sections may be 18 ft., 9 1/2" long on the sides. Rather than heating, cutting and forming the "C-shaped" or "J-shaped” engagement tabs, it may be desirable to simply weld short pieces of channel with an approximate one-inch throat to the unmodified strap.
  • corner box assemblies or castings may be the same as conventional Isocontainers, except that the two inner sides have sloped surfaces that push the side latch sections and end latch sections back as the top is inserted into the floor support frame, and the top of corner block has a twist lock or corner post twist lock which may be rotated to "lock" each corner box to the upper section.
  • a conventional Global Positioning System (GPS) transceiver may also be enclosed in a reserved space to aid in tracking of the container while in transit.
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • the container may comprise a port which may be used to obtain a gas sample of the contents of container, in the case of the potential presence of flammable or noxious vapors inside the container or, in an alternative embodiment, a port may be configured as a viewing port arranged to allow for viewing of the contents of container from outside the container.
  • a method of offloading or inspecting a container of this disclosure includes the steps of decoupling the top section from the floor unit; removing the top section from the bottom section; inspecting the contents/cargo of the container by visual or instrument means (e.g., x- ray); and removing contents of the container from the side or ends of the container floor.
  • visual or instrument means e.g., x- ray
  • cargo may be loaded into the container from the side and ends; the top section may be lowered onto the lower section or floor unit; and the top section may then be coupled onto the floor unit.
  • Figure 1 shows a container as described herein, with the lid 100 secured to the deck 200.
  • Figure 2 shows an open container as described herein, with the lid 100 next to the deck 200, and cargo secured to the deck using the handling and transport fixtures 300.
  • the cargo is attached at both ends with handling and transport fixture 300, which are stacked six high on the deck.
  • Figures 3-5 show details of the twist-lock system used to secure the lid 100 to the deck 200.
  • Fig. 3 shows the twist-lock in the closed position, with the twist-lock 210 engaged with the custom seal 220.
  • Fig. 4 shows the twist-lock in the open position, and
  • Fig. 5 shows the lid 100 raised from the deck 200.
  • Figure 6 shows details of a handling and transport fixture 300 as described herein.
  • Brackets 320 are configured to engage with the cargo via holes or slots which permit the cargo to be attached to the brackets via securing means, which may be screws, bolts, cables, chains, or the like.
  • the brackets 320 may be secured to the cradle 310 via holes or slots in the cradle; embodiments which include slots permit the brackets to be positioned in wider or narrower configurations depending on the characteristics of the cargo to be secured.
  • the handling and transport fixture shown in Fig. 6 further comprises two locking tubes 340 and four locking rods 330.
  • the locking tubes 340 are slidably disposed in channels which are part of the structure of the handling and transport fixture 300, and incorporate holes which are configured to engage with the locking rods 33.
  • Fig. 7 shows a handling and transport fixture with cargo attached; in this figure the locking tubes 340 are extended above the top of the fixture and are engaged with the top set of locking rods 330.
  • the deck includes a pair of guide posts 350 at each end which are spaced the same distance apart as the locking tubes 340, so that when the handling and transport fixture is lowered onto the deck, the guide posts 350 fit into the channels on the handling and transport fixture, and may be engaged with the lower set of locking rods 330 in the handling and transport fixture, thereby securing the handling and transport fixture, and any cargo attached to the fixture, to the deck.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pallets (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un conteneur d'expédition intermodal réutilisable, robuste et en deux parties constitué d'une section inférieure (pont) et d'une section supérieure (couvercle) utilisées pour transporter, transborder et stocker des composants (l'équipement/la cargaison à l'intérieur du conteneur) de tours modulaires et de structures pour la génération d'énergie éolienne, le pétrole et le gaz en mer, l'évaluation météorologique, les communications et d'autres objectifs nécessitant des tours érigées. Les composants de tours modulaires sont chargés sur le pont du conteneur à l'aide d'appareils de manipulation et de transport qui sont placés sur le pont, fixés et attachés/verrouillés pour un transport sûr. Les fixations de transport peuvent être de différentes tailles conformément à la taille et à la forme des composants de tours ainsi qu'à la fonction, de sorte qu'elles sont interopérables et configurables. Les appareils de transport sont empilables. Ils peuvent être empilés les uns sur les autres pour permettre un empilement vertical d'au moins deux appareils dans le conteneur, jusqu'aux limites de volume et de masse du conteneur.
PCT/US2023/080556 2022-11-18 2023-11-20 Conteneur d'expédition intermodal modulaire WO2024108218A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202263384264P 2022-11-18 2022-11-18
US63/384,264 2022-11-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024108218A1 true WO2024108218A1 (fr) 2024-05-23

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ID=91085559

Family Applications (1)

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PCT/US2023/080556 WO2024108218A1 (fr) 2022-11-18 2023-11-20 Conteneur d'expédition intermodal modulaire

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070177954A1 (en) * 2006-01-31 2007-08-02 General Electric Company Method and apparatus for containing and/or transporting rotor blades
US20070246466A1 (en) * 2006-04-20 2007-10-25 Cakeboxx, Llc Doorless intermodal cargo container
US10518823B1 (en) * 2016-01-06 2019-12-31 Cakeboxx Technologies, Llc Two piece shipping container as covered flatbed trailer
US20200063715A1 (en) * 2018-08-23 2020-02-27 Bnsf Logistics, Llc Transportation Fixtures for Wind Turbine Blades

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070177954A1 (en) * 2006-01-31 2007-08-02 General Electric Company Method and apparatus for containing and/or transporting rotor blades
US20070246466A1 (en) * 2006-04-20 2007-10-25 Cakeboxx, Llc Doorless intermodal cargo container
US10518823B1 (en) * 2016-01-06 2019-12-31 Cakeboxx Technologies, Llc Two piece shipping container as covered flatbed trailer
US20200063715A1 (en) * 2018-08-23 2020-02-27 Bnsf Logistics, Llc Transportation Fixtures for Wind Turbine Blades

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