CONTAINER

Abstract

An example embodiment provides a container having generally cuboid frame defining a volume. The container has a lid and an end door which may be closed to form a watertight enclosure. The lid spans substantially the entire upper surface of the container. The lid may be opened and closed by an actuation system located within the volume defined by the frame and outside of the watertight enclosure. The actuation system may comprise a single hydraulic cylinder attached to the lid near hinges thereof. A hydraulic locking system may be provided to selectively lock the end door in its closed position.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application No. 61/040302 filed on 28 Mar. 2008 and entitled CONTAINER under 35 U.S.C. §119, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to containers. Certain embodiments have particular application in oil fields.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

FIG. 1 shows a container according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 from a different viewpoint.

FIG. 3 shows some of the internal structure of the container of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are end views of opposite ends of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows the container of FIG. 1 without the lid or the end door.

FIG. 7 shows an example locking member for the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show enlarged views of the areas indicated by circles A and B in FIG. 9, respectively.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are sectional views taken along lines B-B and C-C of FIG. 8, respectively.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show enlarged views of the areas indicated by circles C and D in FIG. 13, respectively.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 16.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show enlarged views of the areas indicated by circles E and F in FIG. 17, respectively.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 shows a skid for use with the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 22 shows the skid of FIG. 21 attached to the bottom of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 23 shows an example container similar to the FIG. 1 embodiment with the lid in an open position.

FIG. 24 shows the end door of a container according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate details of the locking mechanism of the container of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 shows the end door of an example container similar to the FIG. 24 embodiment.

FIG. 28 shows the end panel and actuating mechanism of an example container similar to the FIG. 24 embodiment.

FIG. 29 shows the end door of another example container similar to the FIG. 24 embodiment.

FIG. 30 shows another example container similar to the FIG. 24 embodiment with a cover over the hydraulic locking system and covering members over the locking and unlocking lines.

FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of end door of the FIG. 30 embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a container 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. Container 10 comprises a generally cuboid frame 20 having exterior dimensions which are substantially the same as a half height ISO twenty foot container. A corner member 20A may provided at each corner of frame 20. A bottom panel 21, side panels 22 and 23, an end panel 24 and a top piece 25 are all permanently attached to frame 20.

End panel 24 is set back from the edge of a box defined by frame 20 to provide a recess 24A for an actuation system 50 (see FIG. 2). Actuation system 50 is thus positioned within a volume defined by the outer edges of frame 20 such that actuation system 50 will be protected if container 10 impacts other containers or structures during transport or storage. Actuation system 50 is also located outside of an enclosure formed by bottom panel 21, side panels 22 and 23 end panel 24, top piece 25, an end door 30 and a lid 40, as described below, such that actuation system is protected from contact with the contents of container 10.

Top piece 25 defines an aperture 26 (see FIG. 6) therein which extends across substantially the entire upper face of the box formed by frame 20, with the exception of a front portion 27. An upwardly extending flange 26A may be provided around the perimeter of aperture 26. As best seen in FIG. 6, angled portions 21A may be provided along the edges where bottom panel 21 abuts side panels 22 and 23 and end panel 24.

Slots 28 are provided in the lower portion of frame 20 to allow container 10 to be lifted by a forklift or the like. Attachment points 29 are provided at the upper corners of frame 20 to allow container 10 to be lifted by a crane or the like. The structure of container 10, as described further below with reference to FIG. 3, is sufficiently rigid to permit container 10 to be lifted using cables C extending from attachment points 29 on corner members 20A at 30 degrees from vertical to a single point P above container 10, as shown in FIG. 2.

An end door 30 is pivotally attached to frame 20 by one or more hinges 32. In one embodiment, a locking mechanism 34 may be provided on the opposite side of end door 30 from hinges 32 for securing end door 30 in the closed position shown in FIG. 1. Apertures may be provided in locking mechanism 34 to permit a padlock (not shown) to be attached to locking mechanism 34 for locking end door 30 in the closed position. Additional locking members 36 may be provided about the periphery of end door 30 at regularly spaced intervals to ensure end door 30 stays in the closed position. End door 30 may be moved into an open position (not shown) by releasing locking mechanism 34 and locking members 36 and pivoting end door 30 about hinges 32. A safety chain 37 (see FIG. 5) may be releaseably coupled between end door 30 and frame 20 for preventing end door 30 from swinging open rapidly due to the weight of material or pressure inside of container 10. In other embodiments, a pin (not shown) may be inserted through corresponding apertures in tabs (not shown) extending from end door 30 and frame 20 to prevent end door 30 from opening until the pin is removed.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the inner surfaces of bottom panel 21, angled portions 21A and side panels 22 and 23 are smooth in the illustrated embodiment to facilitate dumping of material from container 10 when end door 30 is open. As shown in FIGS. 6, 10, 11 and 18, a gasket 38 is provided at the interface of end door 30 and frame 20, bottom panel 21, angled portions 21A and side panels 22 and 23 to provide a watertight seal therebetween.

FIG. 7 shows details of an example locking member 36 according to one embodiment of the invention. In the FIG. 7 embodiment, locking member 36 comprises a bolt 36A pivotally attached to a mounting structure 36B on frame 20. A notched tab 36C extending from end door 30 is positioned to receive bolt 36A. A nut 36D is threaded onto bolt 36A, and may be tightened against tab 36C when bolt 36A is received therein. A handle member 36E may be coupled to nut 36D to permit a user to tighten and loosen nut 36D by hand.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a lid 40 is pivotally attached to the top of container 10 by one or more hinges 42. Lid 40 is sized to cover aperture 26 defined in top piece 25. Lid 40 is moveable between the closed position shown in FIG. 1 and an open position (see FIG. 23) through the operation of actuation system 50. Locking members 44 may provided at a plurality of locations about the periphery of lid 40 to ensure lid 40 stays in the closed position. Locking members 44 may have the same or a similar construction to that of locking members 36 discussed above. A locking mechanism 45 may also be provided for pad locking lid 40 to frame 20. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, lid 40 may comprise a downwardly extending flange 41 and a gasket 43 around the perimeter thereof to provide a watertight seal with flange 26A.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, actuation system 50 may comprise a hydraulic lid cylinder 52 operatively coupled to a pump 54. Pump 54 may comprise a hand-operated pump which may be operated in a first configuration to raise lid 40, and operated in a second configuration to lower lid 40. Hydraulic lid cylinder 52 may be pivotally coupled to an edge of lid 40 at a location approximately fourteen inches from the axis of hinges 42 in some embodiments. The structure of lid 40, as described further below with reference to FIG. 3, is sufficiently rigid to permit lid 40 to be lifted into the open position by lid cylinder 52 without significant deformation of lid 40. A lid support bar 56 (not shown in FIG. 2, see FIG. 5) may be provided, which may be used to lock lid 40 in the open position. FIG. 23 shows an example container 10 with lid 40 held up by support bar 56. In some embodiments support bar 56 can be used to lock lid 40 in one of a number of predetermined positions. Even if support bar 56 is not used, lid cylinder 52 will prevent lid 40 from freely falling shut. Lid cylinder 52 may be provided with a pressure release valve (not shown) to allow lid 40 to move if there is a strong wind or other force pushing lid 40 toward the closed position.

When end door 30 and lid 40 are both in their closed positions, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, container 10 forms a watertight enclosure. A vent 58 may be provided in front portion 27 of top piece 25. In some embodiments, vent 58 may comprise a one way valve configured to allow gasses to leave container 10 but prevent anything from entering container 10. In other embodiments, vent 58 may comprise a pressure release valve configured to open when the pressure inside container 10 exceeds a predetermined threshold to allow gasses contained therein to escape.

As shown in FIG. 3, container 10 comprises a plurality of cross members 12 extending between the lower side rails of frame 20. A plurality of upright supports 14 extend between the upper and lower rails on each side of frame 20. Upright supports 31 are also provided in end door 30. Lid 40 comprises a plurality of cross members 46 and angled supports 48 therein.

FIG. 21 shows a skid 70 according to one embodiment of the invention. Skid 70 comprises a pair of sliders 72 having a plurality of cross members 74 extending therebetween. End cross members 76 extend out beyond sliders 72, and have protrusions 78 extending upwardly therefrom for engaging corresponding recesses 18 (see FIG. 20) in the bottom corner members 20A of frame 20. FIG. 22 shows skid 70 attached to the underside of container 10. Skid 70 facilitates the dragging of container 10 in directions parallel to sliders 72.

FIGS. 24 and 27 show end door 30 of a container according to another embodiment. Referring to FIG. 24, a hydraulic locking system 80 is provided to selectively retain end door 30 in its closed position instead of locking mechanism 34 and additional locking members 36. In some embodiments, locking mechanism 34 may be used in conjunction with hydraulic locking system 80, as shown in FIG. 27. Hydraulic locking system 80 may be operated by an actuation system 50A (not shown in FIG. 24, see FIG. 28) which also controls the operation of lid cylinder 52, as described below. A user may thus operate hydraulic locking system 80 from the end of container opposite end door 30, to avoid coming into contact with the contents of container 10 or being hit by end door 30 as it opens when hydraulic locking system 80 is unlocked.

Hydraulic locking system 80 comprises a plurality of locking lines 81 and unlocking lines 82 configured to selectively deliver fluid under pressure from actuation system 50A to a plurality of end door cylinders 83A, 83B, 83C and 83D (collectively, cylinders 83). Locking and unlocking lines 81 and 82 may comprise a combination of flexible hoses, rigid pipes, and connector elements. FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of end door 30 and hydraulic locking system 80 according to another example embodiment with some of the hoses and connector elements of locking and unlocking lines 81 and 82 removed. A locking valve 81A is provided in locking lines 81 upstream of all cylinders 83 (i.e., between actuation system 50A and cylinders 83). An unlocking valve 82A is provided in unlocking lines 82 downstream of cylinders 83A, 83B and 83C, and upstream of cylinder 83D. End door cylinders 83 are each moveable, under control of actuation system 50A, between a contracted position and an extended position. End door 30 may be locked in a closed position by moving cylinders 83 to their contracted positions, as shown in FIG. 24, and may be unlocked by moving cylinders 83 to their extended positions, as described below.

Referring to FIG. 28, actuation system 50A may comprise a pump 54A which is operable in a first configuration to cause a lid cylinder 52A to raise lid 40 and a second configuration to cause lid cylinder 52A to lower lid 40, in a fashion analogous to the functioning of actuation system 50 described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5. Pump 54A is also operable in a third configuration to provide pressurized fluid to locking lines 81, and a fourth configuration to provide pressurized fluid to unlocking lines 82. Locking and unlocking lines 81 and 82 may extend around container 10 through apertures in frame 20 such that lines 81 and 82 are located inside of the volume defined by frame 20 and outside of the enclosure formed by bottom panel 21, side panels 22 and 23 end panel 24, top piece 25, end door 30 and lid 40.

Returning to FIG. 24, a first end of cylinder 83A is pivotally mounted at pivot 84A to end door 30 near a top thereof. A first end of cylinder 83B is pivotally mounted at pivot 84B to end door 30 near a hinge side thereof where hinges 32 are located. A first end of cylinder 83C is pivotally mounted at pivot 84C to end door 30 near a bottom thereof. A first end of cylinder 83D is pivotally mounted at pivot 84D to end door 30 near an opening side thereof opposite hinges 32.

Second ends of cylinders 83A, 83B, 83C and 83D are pivotally coupled at pivots 85A, 85B, 85C and 85D to bars 86A, 86B, 86C and 86D, respectively (collectively, bars 86). Bars 86 are each pivotally coupled to first ends of a plurality of pivoting members 87. Each pivoting member 87 is pivotally mounted at a pivot 88 near a respective edge of end door 30. Second ends of pivoting members 87 are positioned to be received in slots 91 (see FIGS. 25 and 26) defined in tabs 90, which extend outwardly from frame 20 around the periphery of end door 30. Second ends of pivoting members 87 preferably comprise angled portions 89, to assist in securely closing end door 30, as described below.

To lock end door 30, end door 30 may first be loosely closed by a user such that end door 30 is near frame 20, with end door cylinders in their extended positions. Cylinders 83 may then be moved toward their contracted positions by operating actuation system 50A to provide pressurized fluid to locking lines 81. Locking lines 81 may also be in fluid communication with unlocking valve 82A such that when locking lines 81 are pressurized, unlocking valve 82A releases the pressure in unlocking lines 82. As cylinders 83 move toward their contracted positions, the second ends of pivoting members 87 are moved towards slots 91 in tabs 90. As shown in FIG. 25, the angled portion 89 of each pivoting member 87 is the first portion of pivoting member 87 to contact tab 90. As shown in FIG. 26, angled portion 89 of pivoting member 87 assists in guiding the second end of pivoting member 87 into slot 91, thereby forcing end door 30 against frame 20 (and forming a seal with gasket 38, as described above).

To unlock end door 30, a user may operate actuation system 50A to move cylinders 83 to their extended positions by operating actuation system 50A to provide pressurized fluid to unlocking lines 82. Unlocking lines 82 may also be in fluid communication with locking valve 81A such that when unlocking lines 82 are pressurized, locking valve 81A releases the pressure in locking lines 81. Moving cylinders 83 to their extended positions in turn moves bars 86 and causes pivoting members 87 to pivot such that their second ends are disengaged from slots 91 in tabs 90. Unlocking valve 82A may incorporate a delay, such that cylinders 83A, 83B and 83C are moved to their extended positions before cylinder 83D is moved to its extended position.

As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, a cover 94 may be provided to protect hydraulic locking system 80 (not shown in FIGS. 30 and 31). As best seen in FIG. 31, cover 92 may be mounted on posts 93 extending outwardly from end door 30. A covering member 94 may also be provided near hinges 32, and further covering members 95, 96, and 97 may be provided and along side panel 23 to protect elements of locking and unlocking lines 81 and 82.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a generally cuboid frame defining a volume;

a bottom panel, two side panels, an end panel and a top piece attached to the frame, the top piece defining an aperture therein extending across substantially the entire upper surface of the volume, the end panel set back from outer edges of the frame to define a recess;

an end door pivotally attached to the frame at a side of an end thereof opposite the end panel by one or more end door hinges, the end door moveable between an open position and a closed position wherein the end door forms a seal between the frame, bottom panel, the top piece and the side panels;

a lid pivotally attached to the frame near a top of one of the side panels by one or more lid hinges, the lid moveable between an open position and a closed position wherein the aperture defined in the top piece is covered by the lid such that the lid forms a seal with the top piece;

the bottom panel, the side panels, the top piece, the end panel, the end door in its closed position and the lid in its closed position thereby cooperating to form an enclosure; and,

a lid actuator mounted in the recess defined between the end panel and the outer edges of the frame such that the lid actuator is positioned within the volume defined by the frame and outside of the enclosure, the lid actuator operable to move the lid between the open position and the closed position.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the lid actuator comprises a single hydraulic cylinder coupled to the lid near the one or more lid hinges.

3. A container according to claim 2 comprising a hand operated pump coupled to the single hydraulic cylinder, the hand operated pump operable in a first configuration to move the lid toward the open position and operable in a second configuration to move the lid toward the closed position.

4. A container according to claim 2 wherein the single hydraulic cylinder is pivotally coupled to the lid at a location approximately 14″ from an axis of the one or more lid hinges.

5. A container according to claim 4 wherein the lid comprises a plurality of cross members and angled supports for imparting sufficient rigidity to the lid such that the lid may be lifted by the single hydraulic cylinder without significant deformation of the lid.

6. A container according to claim 1 comprising a lid support bar configured to selectively lock the lid in the open position.

7. A container according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of lid locking members located along an edge of the lid opposite to the lid hinges configured to selectively lock the lid in the closed position.

8. A container according to claim 7 wherein each lid locking member comprises a bolt pivotally coupled to the frame, a notched tab extending from the lid for receiving the bolt, and a nut threadable onto the bolt for bearing against the tab.

9. A container according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of end door locking members located about a periphery of the end door configured to selectively lock the end door in the closed position.

10. A container according to claim 9 wherein each end door locking member comprises a bolt pivotally coupled to the frame, a notched tab extending from the end door for receiving the bolt, and a nut threadable onto the bolt for bearing against the tab.

11. A container according to claim 3 comprising a hydraulic locking system for selectively locking the end door in the closed position, the hydraulic locking system operatively coupled to the hand operated pump by a plurality of lines located inside of the volume defined by the frame for providing pressurized fluid from the pump to the hydraulic locking system.

12. A container according to claim 1 comprising a hydraulic locking system for selectively locking the end door in the closed position, the hydraulic locking system comprising:

a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the end door and moveable between an extended position and a contracted position;

a plurality of bars, each bar pivotally coupled to a second end of a corresponding cylinder;

a plurality of pivoting members, each pivoting member having a first end and a second end and pivotally coupled pivotally coupled at a location between the first end and the second end to the end door near an edge of the end door, each pivoting member pivotally coupled at the first end thereof to one of the plurality of bars; and,

a plurality of tabs extending outwardly from the frame around a periphery of the end door, each tab defining a slot therein configured to receive the second end of a corresponding one of the plurality of pivoting members.

13. A container according to claim 12 wherein, when the end door is in the closed position, moving the cylinders into the contracted positions forces the second ends of the pivoting members into the slots defined in the tabs, such that the end door is locked in the closed position, and moving the cylinders into the extended positions withdraws the second ends of the pivoting members from the slots defined in the tabs, such that the end door is moveable toward the open position.

14. A container according to claim 13 wherein the second end of each pivoting member comprises an angled portion for guiding the second end of the pivoting member into the slot defined in the corresponding tab.

15. A container according to claim 13 wherein the plurality of cylinders comprise a first cylinder pivotally mounted near a top of the end door, a second cylinder pivotally mounted near a hinge side of the end door, a third cylinder pivotally mounted near a bottom of the end door, and a fourth cylinder pivotally mounted near an opening side of the end door.

16. A container according to claim 15 comprising a pump located in the recess, the pump operatively coupled to the plurality of cylinders by locking lines and unlocking lines and configured to selectively provide pressurized fluid to either the locking lines or the unlocking lines, whereby when the pump provides pressurized fluid to the locking lines the cylinders are moved to the contracted positions and when the pump provides pressurized fluid to the unlocking lines the cylinders are moved to the extended position.

17. A container according to claim 16 comprising a locking valve in the locking lines between the pump and the cylinders, and an unlocking valve in the unlocking lines between the pump and the fourth cylinder, wherein the first, second and third cylinders are coupled to the unlocking lines between the unlocking valve and the pump, wherein the locking valve is in fluid communication with the unlocking lines and configured such that when pressurized fluid is provided to the unlocking lines the locking valve releases pressure from the locking lines, and wherein the unlocking valve is in fluid communication with the locking lines and configured such that when pressurized fluid is provided to the locking lines the unlocking valve releases pressure from the unlocking lines.

18. A container according to claim 17 wherein the unlocking valve is configured to effect a delay in operation of the fourth cylinder such that when pressurized fluid is provided to the unlocking lines the first, second and third cylinders are moved to the extended positions before the fourth cylinder is moved to the extended position.