Shipping container
A shipping container that includes a frame having a plurality of longitudinal members and a plurality of side members connecting the longitudinal members, and an inner storage area. At least one non-rigid elastic panel is disposed between the plurality of longitudinal members and the side members such that an outer surface of the elastic panel is exposed, and an inner surface of the elastic panel defines a portion of the inner storage area, whereby the elastic panel allows the inner storage area to enlarge to an expanded position.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60,675,656, filed Apr. 29, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a shipping container. More specifically, the present invention relates to a shipping container that is expandable to accommodate larger loads, and includes both primary and second locking systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany industries rely almost exclusively on over the road trucks, rail, or barge to move materials or goods from generation sources to customer markets and/or disposal sites. Intermodal containers are used to transport materials via truck, rail and barge. Historically, the industry has utilized standard containers constructed to the International Standards Organization (ISO) specifications that are widely used by shipping and rail transportation companies.
However, those conventional containers often fail to meet the special needs of waste and other industries. Also, the conventional containers are often heavy in order to meet strength requirements. And the conventional containers often fail to provide efficient and economic transport of materials. Examples of conventional containers include U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,715 to Sjostedt et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,165 to Booher, the subject matter of each of which is herein incorporated by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, the present invention provides a shipping container that includes a frame having a plurality of longitudinal members and a plurality of side members connecting the longitudinal members, and an inner storage area. At least one non-rigid elastic panel is disposed between the plurality of longitudinal members and the side members such that an outer surface of the elastic panel is exposed, and an inner surface of the elastic panel defines a portion of the inner storage area, whereby the elastic panel allows the inner storage area to enlarge to an expanded position.
The present invention also provides a shipping container that has a frame including at least first and second end members connected by first and second side members, the first and second end members and the first and second side members define a door receiving area therebetween, and an inner storage area. A door panel is pivotally connected to the first end member and movable between open and closed positions. The door panel is received in the door receiving area such that the door panel does not extend beyond outer surfaces of the first and second end members and the first and second side members. At least one releasable locking member is supported by the frame. The locking member presses the door panel towards the inner storage area when the locking member is in a locked position.
The present invention further provides a shipping container that includes a frame having at least first and second end members connected by first and second side members. The first and second end members and the first and second side members defining a door receiving area therebetween. The frame also includes an inner storage area. A door panel is pivotally connected to the first end member and movable between open and closed positions. The door panel is received in the door receiving area. A primary door locking means is supported by the frame for locking the door panel with respect to the frame in a closed position. A secondary door locking means maintains the door panel in the closed position after the primary door locking means has been released.
The present invention also provides a shipping container including a frame with a plurality of longitudinal members, a plurality of end members, and a plurality of side members connecting the plurality of longitudinal members and the plurality of longitudinal, side, and end members are welded together to form an inner storage area. A plurality of non-rigid elastic panels are disposed between the plurality of longitudinal members and bonded thereto by adhesive. The plurality of non-rigid elastic panels allow the inner storage area to enlarge to an expanded position. A door panel is pivotally connected to one of the plurality of end members. The door panel is received in an area between the plurality of end members and two of the plurality of side members such that no portion of the door panel extends beyond outer surfaces of the plurality of end members and the two side members.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
As seen in
Front corner joints 150 join the terminal ends of the structural members 104 together at the front of the frame 102, and rear corner joints 152 join the terminal ends of the structural members 104 together at the rear of the frame 102. For example, as seen in
The structural members 104 generally form the corners of the container 100. In addition to structural members 104, intermediate structural members 160 may be provided between the plurality of elastic panels 106. The intermediate structural members 160 are substantially similar to structural members 104, except that they are smaller. For example, the structural members 104 may 4 inches×6 inches, and the intermediate members 160 may be 2 inches by 4 inches. The structural members 104 and intermediate members 160 are preferably formed of a substantially rigid material, such as steel or the like. The structural members 104 and the intermediate members 160 may form channels, as seen in
The plurality of elastic panels 106 are supported by the structural members 104 to form the container 100 and the inner storage area 112. Each side of each elastic panel 106 is bonded to either a structural member 104 or an intermediate member 160. For example, on one side of the container 100, a set of three of elastic panels 170, 172 and 174 of panels 106 may be provided that are disposed between the first lower and upper horizontal members 120 and 124 and the first and second vertical members 128 and 130, with two intermediate members 160 disposed between panels 170 and 172 and between panels 172 and 174, respectively. Similarly, on the other side of the container 100, another set of three elastic panels 176, 178 and 180 may be disposed between the second lower and upper horizontal members 122 and 126 and between the third and fourth vertical members 132 and 134, with two of the intermediate members 160 disposed between the panels 176 and 178 and the panels 178 and 180. Although sets of three elastic panels 106 are shown for each longitudinal side of the container 100, any number of panels 106 can be used including a single one-piece panel.
A rear elastic panel 182 may be disposed between the second and fourth vertical members 130 and 134 and between the rear end members 140 and 142. Opposite the rear panel 182, a door elastic panel 184 is disposed between the first and third vertical members 128 and 132 and the front end members 136 and 138 to form the door 110. One or more bottom elastic panels 186 (
As seen in
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It is preferable that the first sections 402 of the panel supports 400 be bonded to the structural members by welding to provide a solid bond, and that their second sections 404 be bonded to the elastic panels 106 by adhesive to provide some flexibility. That flexibility allows to panels 106 to expand while maintaining the integrity of the bond between the panels 106 and the panel supports 400. Although use of the panel supports 400 are preferred because they provide a greater surface area for bonding, the elastic panels 106 may be bonded directly to the structural members 104 or the intermediate members 160 using an adhesive. Although adhesive is the preferred way of bonding the panels to the support members, any known attachment may be used, such as fasteners, screws or the like.
The door 110 located inside of the structural members 104 at the front of the container 100. Specifically, the front vertical members 128 and 132 and the front end members 136 and 138 define a door receiving area that receives the door 110, so that no portion extends beyond the front surfaces of members 128, 132, 136, and 138. As seen in
The door 110 is formed of the door panel 184 and may include a plurality of strength ribs 802 disposed transverse to the panel 184 and first and second peripheral strength ribs 804 and 806 disposed along the outer side edges of the panel 184, as seen in
As seen in
Each short leg 810 of the locking members 502 engages the front surface of the door panel 184. More specifically, the short legs 810 abut the peripheral strength members 804 and 806 of the door 110. When the tightening members 504 are actuated, the locking members 502 are pulled back by the chains 510 so that the short legs 810 of the locking members 502 abut the front surface of the door 110 and pressed it towards the inner storage area 112 of the container 100 to lock the door in a closed position. To maintain a water tight seal, a door stop 900 is provided that is bonded to the inner surfaces of the front vertical members 128 and 132 and the lower front end member 138. A gasket 902 is bonded to a front surface of the door stop 900, so that the gasket 902 is sandwiched between the door stop 900 and the rear surface 904 of the door panel 184. When the locking members 502 are tightened, their short legs 804 press against the front surface of the door panel 184 to force the door 110 toward the inner storage area 112, thereby compressing the gasket 902. The door 110 being received inside of the front vertical members 128 and 132 and the end members 136 and 138 combined with the compression of the gasket 902 provides a water tight seal. The gasket 902 may be any compressible material such as neoprene, silicon, or the like.
To release the primary locking assembly 500, the tightening members 504 are actuated to release the tension in the chains 510, thereby allowing the locking members 502 to be removed from the slots 820 in the vertical members 128 and 132 and rotated so that the door panel 184 can be pivoted upwardly to an open position. Four locking members 502 are illustrated, however, any number of locking members 502 can with used with corresponding tightening members 504, including a single locking member 502 and a single tightening member 504. Although primary locking assembly 500, as described above is preferred, any known locking system can be used, such as chaining the door closed, or the like.
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Claims
1. A shipping container, comprising of:
- a frame including a plurality of longitudinal members and a plurality of side members connecting said longitudinal members, and an inner storage area;
- at least one non-rigid elastic panel disposed between said plurality of longitudinal members and said side members such that an outer surface of said elastic panel is exposed, and an inner surface of said elastic panel defines a portion of said inner storage area,
- whereby said elastic panel allows said inner storage area to enlarge to an expanded position.
2. A shipping container according to claim 1, wherein
- said elastic panel is bonded to said longitudinal members by adhesive.
3. A shipping container according to claim 1, further comprising
- at least one panel support bonded to one of said plurality of longitudinal members; and
- said elastic panel being bonded to said panel support.
4. A shipping container according to claim 3, wherein
- said panel support including first and second perpendicular sections, said first section being welded to said one of said plurality of longitudinal members, and said second section being bonded to said elastic panel by adhesive.
5. A shipping container according to claim 1, further comprising
- a plurality of elastic panels disposed between said longitudinal members, outer surfaces of said plurality of elastic panels being exposed, and inner surfaces of said plurality of elastic panels forming portions of said inner storage area.
6. A shipping container according to claim 1, wherein
- said elastic panel is formed of a fiber reinforced polymer.
7. A shipping container according to claim 6, wherein
- said elastic panel includes a foam core.
8. A shipping container according to claim 1, wherein
- said longitudinal members and said side members are substantially rigid.
9. A shipping container according to claim 1, wherein
- said plurality of longitudinal members are welded to said plurality of side members; and
- said elastic panel are bonded to said plurality of longitudinal members and at least one of said plurality of side members by adhesive.
10. A shipping container, comprising of:
- a frame including at least first and second end members connected by first and second side members, said first and second end members and said first and second side members defining a door receiving area therebetween, and an inner storage area;
- a door panel pivotally connected to said first end member and movable between open and closed positions, said door panel being received in said door receiving area such that said door panel does not extend beyond outer surfaces of said first and second end members and said first and second side members; and
- at least one releasable locking member supported by said frame, said locking member pressing said door panel towards said inner storage area when said locking member is in a locked position.
11. A shipping container according to claim 10, further comprising
- a door stop extending along inner surfaces of said first and second side members and along said second end member; and
- a gasket disposed between said door stop and said door panel such that said door panel compresses said gasket when in the closed position.
12. A shipping container according to claim 10, wherein
- said locking member is substantially L-shaped having one leg coupled to a tightening member and another leg adapted to abut the door panel.
13. A shipping container according to claim 12, wherein
- said one leg of said locking member extends through a slot in one of said first and second side members.
14. A shipping container according to claim 10, wherein
- said door panel is formed of an elastic material.
15. A shipping container according to claim 10, further comprising
- a plurality of longitudinal members coupled to said first and second side members; and
- at least one elastic panel support between said first side member and one of said longitudinal members, and between said second side member and one of said longitudinal members, said elastic panels allowing said inner storage area to enlarge to an expanded position.
16. A shipping container, comprising of:
- a frame including at least first and second end members connected by first and second side members, said first and second end members and said first and second side members defining a door receiving area therebetween, and an inner storage area;
- a door panel pivotally connected to said first end member and movable between open and closed positions, said door panel being received in said door receiving area;
- a primary door locking means supported by said frame for locking said door panel with respect to said frame in a closed position; and
- a secondary door locking means for maintaining said door panel in the closed position after said primary door locking means has been released.
17. A shipping container according to claim 16, wherein
- said primary door locking means includes at least one locking member adapted to engage said door panel, and said locking member being coupled to a tightening member.
18. A shipping container according to claim 17, wherein
- said locking member includes first and second legs, said first leg extends through a slot in said first side member and said second leg abuts said door panel when said door panel is in the closed position.
19. A shipping container according to claim 16, wherein
- said secondary door locking means includes a pivotable member with a hook portion at one end thereof adapted to engage a portion of said door panel and a pull cord at the other end thereof for releasing the hook portion.
20. A shipping container according to claim 19, wherein
- said pivotable member is a bar that includes a central pivot pin; and
- said hook portion of said bar engages a pin of said door panel.
21. A shipping container according to claim 16, wherein
- said door panel is formed of an elastic material.
22. A shipping container, comprising of:
- a frame including a plurality of longitudinal members, a plurality of end members, and a plurality of side members connecting the plurality of longitudinal members and the plurality of longitudinal, side, and end members being welded together to form an inner storage area;
- a plurality of non-rigid elastic panels disposed between said plurality of longitudinal members and bonded thereto by adhesive, said plurality of non-rigid elastic panels allowing said inner storage area to enlarge to an expanded position; and
- a door panel pivotally connected to one of said plurality of end members, said door panel being received in an area between said plurality of end members and two of said plurality of side members such that no portion of said door panel extends beyond outer surfaces of said plurality of end members and said two side members.
Type: Application
Filed: May 1, 2006
Publication Date: Nov 9, 2006
Inventor: James Solano (Rockville Center, NY)
Application Number: 11/414,260
International Classification: B65D 88/00 (20060101);