CONTAINER LINER REFLECTIVE ON BOTH SIDES AND SPACED FROM CONTAINER WALL

A liner for a shipping container or the like has a sheet of reflective material spaced from the inner walls of the container by spacers.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a liner for lining a container, such as a shipping container, railway container, trucking container, storage container, transport container or the like. Such containers are used for freight forwarding. In particular, the present invention relates to container liners for use with temperature-sensitive cargoes.

Such shipping containers generally have one end that comprises a lockable door or doors. The containers are loaded with produce and goods by opening the door or doors and stacking the produce and goods inside the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wine is one example of a temperature-sensitive cargo, it is sensitive not only to extremes of temperature but also to rates of change of temperature.

Australia currently exports about fifty thousand shipping containers of wine a year by sea It is currently the practise for the contents of shipping containers, such as cartons of wine bottles, to be placed close to or hard up against the vertical sides of the shipping containers. This results in direct conductive, radiative and convective heat exchange between the wall of the shipping container and the product. Some heat exchange also takes place between the roof of the shipping container and the product. The outermost layers of product tend to provide some thermal protection for inner layers of product.

International and domestic transportation of bottled wine can lead to closure failure and quality loss through exposure to elevated temperatures. Damaged products can be represented by obvious cork push or closure failure, but wine quality loss can be far more deceptive and often unnoticed by the producer. It has been shown that quality loss will occur when wine is exposed to temperatures above 30° C. for as little as thirty days. A wine consumer may not identify the root of the problem, but may decide that the wine is generally unappealing and fail to purchase that brand again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method of insulating a shipping container or the like, comprising the provision of a first layer of sheet material having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, placed inwardly from each side wall of the container and separated from the wall of the container such that one opposed side faces the wall of the container and the other opposed side faces inwardly into the container.

It is preferred that the method of insulating a shipping container further comprises the provision of a second layer of sheet material having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, placed inwardly from the first layer of sheet material and separated from the first layer of sheet material such that one opposed side faces the at least one layer of sheet material and the other opposed side faces inwardly into the container.

It is further preferred that the method of insulating a shipping container or the like further comprises the provision of a first layer of sheet material having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, placed inwardly from the roof of the container and separated from the roof of the container such that one opposed side faces the roof of the container and the other opposed side faces inwardly into the container.

It is further preferred that the method of insulating a shipping container further comprises the provision of a second layer of sheet material having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, placed inwardly from the first layer of sheet material that is placed inwardly from the roof and separated from the first layer of sheet material that is placed inwardly from the roof such that one opposed side faces the at least one layer of sheet material that is placed inwardly from the roof and the other opposed side faces inwardly into the container.

It is further preferred that the method of insulating a shipping container or the like further comprises the provision of a first layer of sheet material having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, placed outwardly from the container contents adjacent the doors of the container and separated from the container contents such that one opposed side faces the doors of the container and the other opposed side faces inwardly into the container.

It is further preferred that the method of insulating a shipping container or the like further comprises the provision of a second layer of sheet material having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, placed outwardly from the first layer of sheet material that is adjacent the doors of the container and separated form that first layer of sheet material by a gap such that one opposed side faces the doors of the container and the other opposed side faces inwardly into the container.

It is preferred that the clearance between the first layer of sheet material and the walls of the container is in the range of 15 millimetres to 25 millimetres. It is especially preferred that each such clearance is substantially 20 millimetres.

It is preferred that the clearance between the first layer of sheet material and the second layer of sheet material is in the range of 15 millimetres to 25 millimetres. It is especially preferred that each such clearance is substantially 20 millimetres.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a liner for a shipping container or the like, the liner being adapted so that, when in use, it presents a first reflective side towards the sides of the container and a second reflective side inwards to the container, the liner comprising:

    • a first layer of sheet material having first and second opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, the first one of the opposed sides:
      • carrying a plurality of spacers; and
      • being adapted to form the first reflective side of the liner.

It is preferred that the liner further comprises:

    • a plurality of spacers carried on the second of the opposed sides of the first layer of sheet material; and
    • a second layer of sheet material:
      • having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides; and
      • being affixed to the spacers that are carried on the second of the opposed sides of the first layer of sheet material.

It is preferred that the liner is:

    • configured in a folded form; and
    • adapted to be unfolded from the folded form in the course of installation in a container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, preferred embodiments of it are described with reference to the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is s photograph which illustrates details of two alternative preferred embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a photograph which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a photograph which illustrates details of further preferred embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a photograph which illustrates details of yet further preferred embodiments of the invention.

 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates embodiments of the invention. The figure shows a shipping container which has four side walls, one of which is indicated by the reference numeral 1. Reference numeral 2 in FIG. 1 indicates a spacer 2 which has been affixed to the wall 1 by double-sided adhesive tape. The spacer 2 according to this embodiment of the invention is formed by multiple layers of cardboard that have been fixed together in layers by use of adhesive. The surface of the spacer 2 that faces inwards of the shipping container also carries double-sided adhesive tape that is not illustrated in the figure. Reference numeral 2 in FIG. 1 shows a spacer 3 which has also been affixed to the wall 1 using double-sided adhesive tape, but the spacer 3 according to this embodiment is a length of polystyrene or any other suitable plastics material. Again, the surface of the spacer 3 that faces inwards of the shipping container also carries double-sided adhesive tape that is not illustrated in the figure.

FIG. 2 shows the installation of a first layer of doubly-reflective sheet material into a shipping container which has had spacers affixed to the walls. The doubly-reflective sheet material has a plastics foil base and has a reflective coating on each side of the foil. According to this embodiment of the invention, the doubly-reflective sheet material is prepared in rolls, the width of each roll matching the height of a shipping container. The sheet material is unrolled firmly against the spacers such as 2 or 3, so that it is spaced from the walls of the shipping container.

According to yet further embodiments of the invention, a second layer of doubly-reflective sheet material is applied over the first such layer, using spacers that are affixed to the first such layer and inwardly of it.

For the region of the shipping container that is adjacent the doors, a preferred methodology of installing the doubly-reflective material is to affix it through the medium of the spacers to the cargo, rather than to the doors of the container. That is, spacers such as are illustrate in FIG. 1 are attached to the packaging that contains the cargo (such as cartons of bottled wine). A layer of doubly-reflective sheet material is applied to the exposed surface of those spacers. It is preferred that a second layer of doubly-reflective sheet material is then applied by the mechanism of affixing spacers to the first layer and affixing sheet material to those spacers.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. The embodiment of FIG. 4 uses cardboard material that has opposed reflective sides. The cardboard material is supplied in a single length, the length of corresponding to the aggregate internal length of the container walls and doors and of a width appropriate to the height of the container. Spacers, preferably of sponge rubber, are pre-attached to the length of cardboard. The length of cardboard when supplied for installation has been folded at fold-lines along across its width so that it folds as a pack. When the liner is in the folded pack form, the sponge rubber spacers compress so that the pack occupies less volume than it would otherwise do.

Installation of a liner 30 according to this embodiment of the invention into a shipping container 31 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The liner in the form as supplied of a folded pack is stood on edge adjacent the container doors 32 and 33. One free end 34 of the liner 30 is clamped to the outer edge region of the door 32 using readily detachable-clamps 37 and 38. Similarly the other free end 36 of the liner 30 is clamped to the outer edge region of the door 33 using readily-detachable clamps 39 and 41. The region of the liner between its two free ends 34 and 36 is then unfolded by a worker who moves towards the end of the container opposite the doors 32 and 33 and who places the unfolding portions of the liner adjacent the side walls of the container 31 as they are unfolded, finally moving the appropriate part of the liner 30 into place adjacent the end wall of the container 31. Spacers that were pre-attached to the liner 30 maintain spacing between the liner 30 and the walls of the container 31.

This embodiment of the invention does not require the use of adhesive to hold the spacers, and consequentially the liner 30 in place as the rigidity of the cardboard comprising the liner 30 causes the liner to stay in place.

According to further embodiments of the invention a layer of doubly reflective sheet material 41 is similarly placed adjacent the roof of the container, using spacers affixed to the roof. A preferred form of such a layer of material, and a preferred methodology of installing it in the container, is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Preferred materials for the sheet 41 include plastics sheeting and more preferably polystyrene sheet material.

Shipping containers have anchoring hooks fitted adjacent their roof area as a standard fitting. The layer of roof material 41 preferably includes a set of tapes [that are not illustrated in the figure] adjacent its periphery for attachment of the roof material 41 to the container 31. It is preferred that the roof material 41 be mounted so that there is a gap of about 150 mm between it and the container roof.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a few specific embodiments, the description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

“Comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

1. A method of insulating a shipping container or the like, comprising the provision of a first layer of sheet material having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, placed inwardly from each side wall of the container and separated from the wall of the container by a gap such that one opposed side faces the wall of the container and the other opposed side faces inwardly into the container.

2. A method of insulating a shipping container or the like as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the provision of a second layer of sheet material having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, placed inwardly from the first layer of sheet material and separated from the first layer of sheet material by a gap such that one opposed side faces the at least one layer of sheet material and the other opposed side faces inwardly into the container.

3. A method of insulating a shipping container or the like as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the provision of a layer of sheet material having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, placed inwardly from the roof of the container and separated from the roof of the container by a gap such that one opposed side faces the roof of the container and the other opposed side faces inwardly into the container.

4. A method of insulating a shipping container or the like as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the provision of a second layer of sheet material having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, placed inwardly from the first layer of sheet material that is placed inwardly from the roof and separated from the first layer of sheet material by a gap, the second layer of sheet material being placed inwardly from the roof such that one opposed side faces the first layer of sheet material that is placed inwardly from the roof and the other opposed side faces inwardly into the container.

5. A method of insulating a shipping container or the like as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the provision of a first layer of sheet material having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, placed outwardly from the container contents adjacent the doors of the container and separated from the container contents by a gap such that one opposed side faces the doors of the container and the other opposed side faces inwardly into the container.

6. A method of insulating a shipping container or the like as claimed in claim 5, further comprising the provision of a second layer of sheet material having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, placed outwardly from the first layer of sheet material that is adjacent the doors of the container and separated form that first layer of sheet material by a gap such that one opposed side faces the doors of the container and the other opposed side faces inwardly into the container.

7. A method of insulating a shipping container or the like as claimed in claim 1, in which the clearance between the first layer of sheet material and the walls of the container is in the range of 15 millimetres to 25 millimetres.

8. A method of insulating a shipping container or the like as claimed in claim 7, in which the clearance between the first layer of sheet material and the walls of the container is substantially 20 millimetres.

9. A method of insulating a shipping container or the like as claimed claim 2, in which the clearance between the first layer of sheet material and the second layer of sheet material is in the range of 15 millimetres to 25 millimetres.

10. A method of insulating a shipping container or the like as claimed in claim 7, in which the clearance between the first layer of sheet material and the second layer of sheet material is substantially 20 millimetres.

11. A liner for a shipping container or the like, the liner being adapted so that, when in use, it presents a first reflective side towards the sides of the container and a second reflective side inwards to the container, the liner comprising: a first layer of sheet material having first and second opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides, the first one of the opposed sides: carrying a plurality of spacers; and being adapted to form the first reflective side of the liner.

12. A liner for a shipping container or the like as claimed in claim 11, the liner further comprising: a plurality of spacers carried on the second of the opposed sides of the first layer of sheet material; and a second layer of sheet material: having opposed sides and being reflective on both of those opposed sides; and being affixed to the spacers that are carried on the second of the opposed sides of the first layer of sheet material.

13. A liner for a shipping container or the like as claimed in claim 12, the liner being: configured in a folded form; and adapted to be unfolded from the folded form in the course of installation in a container.

14-17. (canceled)

Patent History
Publication number: 20100018978
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 6, 2007
Publication Date: Jan 28, 2010
Inventor: Kenneth Norman Osborne (Dandenong South)
Application Number: 12/376,348
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Receptacle Having Flexible, Removable Inner Liner (220/495.01); Related To Wall, Floor Or Ceiling Structure Of A Chamber (165/53); Including Means For Reflecting Heat (220/592.21)
International Classification: B65D 90/04 (20060101); B65D 25/18 (20060101); B65D 81/38 (20060101);