Stationary Shipping Container Oriented with Longitudinal Axis Perpendicular to a Supporting Surface

Abstract

Disclosed is an environmentally resistant shipping container removable from a supporting surface, the shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the shipping container, wherein the shipping container is oriented with the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface. Also disclosed is a use of the shipping container and a method for installing the shipping container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Canadian Application No. 2,845,235 filed Mar. 7, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to shipping containers. In particular, the present invention relates to shipping containers oriented with a longitudinal axis perpendicular to a supporting surface. Other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the present specification.

Description of the Prior Art

Throughout the world, goods are shipped in a wide variety of shipping containers. The containers are typically constructed of steel or aluminum with dimensions that comply with standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (“ISO”). Standardized shipping container dimensions facilitate the handling and shipping of the containers by trucks or other equipment. The height of standard shipping containers is typically 8.5 feet (2.59 meters) for a standard container or 9.5 feet (2.90 meters) for a high-cube container.

Shipping containers comprising a metal (e.g. steel) frame and enclosing a tank container are used for transport of liquids worldwide, wherein the metal frame has dimensions of a conventional ISO shipping container.

Shipping containers are increasingly not only used for transport, but as permanent or semi-permanent containers or housing for goods located at a site. Shipping containers composed of environmentally resistant materials such as metal can make suitable shelters for a variety of goods, and using such containers for long- or short-term storage of goods can save costs associated with erecting a building, especially in remote locations.

In some cases, goods including liquid goods are optimally stored in a vertical or upright orientation. Examples include sand filters, biofilters, trickling filters, chemical feed systems, and liquid storage tanks. Nevertheless, storing or sheltering such items using the current art necessitates erecting a building or temporary shelter at the site to accommodate the item. This can be costly and time-consuming.

Further, a site may have limited space allotted for the storage of goods. In the current art, shipping containers used to store goods at a site are oriented exclusively with their longitudinal axis parallel to a supporting surface (i.e. in a “horizontal” orientation). Using one or more horizontally oriented shipping containers for storage can have the disadvantage of consuming a large proportion of the area of a site which would otherwise be usable for other purposes.

Sites where storage is required are currently at a disadvantage without access to a relatively inexpensive, portable storage unit that leaves a relatively small footprint at the site and is capable of storing goods in an upright orientation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

In a first aspect, provided is an environmentally resistant shipping container removable from a supporting surface, the shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the shipping container, wherein the shipping container is oriented with the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface.

In a second aspect, provided is the use of an environmentally resistant shipping container removable from a supporting surface, the shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the shipping container, wherein the shipping container is oriented with the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface.

In a third aspect, provided is a method for removably installing an environmentally resistant shipping container on a supporting surface, the shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the shipping container, the method comprising orienting the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface.

Other advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the present specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical conventional shipping container showing a longitudinal axis and two transverse axes;

FIG. 2 is a top-view of a vertical conventional shipping container;

FIG. 3 is an embodiment of an anchoring mechanism used to secure a shipping container in a vertical orientation;

FIG. 4 is a computer-generated view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vertical conventional shipping container supported at its base by a horizontal conventional shipping container;

FIG. 6 is a top view of four vertical conventional shipping containers supported at their bases by a horizontal conventional shipping container;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vertical conventional shipping container secured by anchors to a horizontal surface and supported at its base by a horizontal conventional shipping container secured by anchors to the horizontal surface;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of two adjacent vertical conventional shipping containers secured by anchors to a horizontal surface and stabilized by brackets;

FIG. 8B is a schematic view (left) and computer-generated view (right) of the brackets of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a top view of four vertical conventional shipping containers secured by anchors to a horizontal surface and stabilized by brackets and further supported at their bases by a horizontal conventional shipping container secured by anchors;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the shipping containers of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a vertical shipping container being used to store a liquid storage tank or sand filter;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a vertical shipping container fitted with an access ladder and platform and storing a sand filter;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a vertical shipping container secured by tethers to a horizontal surface;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a vertical shipping container fitted with an access ladder and platform;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of two vertical shipping containers securely mounted by brackets to the face of a horizontal shipping container secured by anchors to a supporting surface;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a vertical frame shipping container enclosing a tank container;

FIG. 17 is a top-view of a vertical frame shipping container enclosing a tank container;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a vertical frame shipping container enclosing a tank container and supported at its base by a horizontal conventional shipping container;

FIG. 19 is a top view of four vertical frame shipping containers each enclosing a tank container and supported at their bases by a horizontal conventional shipping container;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a vertical frame shipping container enclosing a tank container, secured by anchors to a horizontal surface and supported at its base by a horizontal conventional shipping container secured by anchors to the horizontal surface;

FIG. 21A is a perspective view of two adjacent vertical frame shipping containers, each enclosing a tank container, secured by anchors to a horizontal surface and stabilized by brackets;

FIG. 21B is a schematic view (left) and computer-generated view (right) of the brackets of FIG. 21A;

FIG. 22 is a top view of four vertical frame shipping containers, each enclosing a tank container, secured by anchors to a horizontal surface, stabilized by brackets and further supported at their bases by a horizontal conventional shipping container secured by anchors;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the shipping containers of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a vertical frame shipping container enclosing a tank container and secured by tethers to a horizontal surface;

FIG. 25 is a schematic view of a vertical shipping container enclosing a tank container and fitted with an access ladder and platform; and

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a vertical frame shipping container enclosing a tank container securely mounted by brackets to the face of a horizontal conventional shipping container secured by anchors to a supporting surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In one of its aspects, the present invention provides an environmentally resistant shipping container removable from a supporting surface, the shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the shipping container, wherein the shipping container is oriented with the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface. Preferred embodiments of this shipping container may include any one or a combination of any two or more of any of the following features:

• • the shipping container is configured substantially as a rectangular cuboid;
  • the shipping container is secured to the supporting surface with one or more anchors;
  • the one or more anchors are coupled to the shipping container at one or more of the corners of the rectangular cuboid abutting the supporting surface;
  • two anchors are secured to each longitudinal face of the rectangular cuboid, and each anchor is positioned at a corner of the rectangular cuboid abutting the supporting surface;
  • the supporting surface comprises concrete or cement;
  • the shipping container is supported at its base by an environmentally resistant second shipping container removable from the supporting surface, the second shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a second longitudinal axis of the second shipping container, wherein the second shipping container is oriented with the second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the supporting surface;
  • the shipping container is mounted atop the second shipping container and secured to a top face of the second shipping container;
  • the shipping container is supported by a building or structure;
  • the top face of the shipping container comprises one or more doors;
  • the shipping container stores one or more items;
  • the one or more items is liquid, solid, water, wastewater, a liquid storage tank, a dry product, a bioreactor tank, a water tower, an anaerobic reactor, a liquid chemical feed or dosing system, a powder chemical feed or dosing system, a dry powder, an aeration tank, an air stripping tank, a moving bed reactor, a sequencing batch reactor, a sand filter, a multimedia filter, a ceramic filter, a carbon filter, a biofilter, or a biotrickling filter;
  • the shipping container comprises an inlet port or outlet port for the flow of a liquid;
  • the shipping container is bracketed to an environmentally resistant third shipping container removable from a supporting surface, the third shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the third shipping container;
  • the shipping container is configured as a metal frame; and/or
  • the shipping container encloses a tank container.

In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to use of an environmentally resistant shipping container removable from a supporting surface, the shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the shipping container, wherein the shipping container is oriented with the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface. Preferred embodiments of this use may include any one or a combination of any two or more of any of the following features:

• • the shipping container is configured as a rectangular cuboid;
  • the shipping container is secured with one or more anchors to the supporting surface;
  • the one or more anchors are secured to the shipping container at one or more of the corners of the rectangular cuboid abutting the supporting surface;
  • two anchors are secured to each longitudinal face of the rectangular cuboid, and each anchor is positioned at a corner of the rectangular cuboid abutting the supporting surface;
  • the supporting surface comprises concrete or cement;
  • the shipping container is supported at its base by an environmentally resistant second shipping container removable from the supporting surface, the second shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a second longitudinal axis of the second shipping container, wherein the second shipping container is oriented with the second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the supporting surface;
  • the shipping container is mounted atop the second shipping container and secured to a top face of the second shipping container;
  • the shipping container is supported by a building or structure;
  • the top face of the shipping container comprises one or more doors;
  • the shipping container is used to store one or more items;
  • the one or more items is liquid, solid, water, wastewater, a liquid storage tank, a dry product, a bioreactor tank, a water tower, an anaerobic reactor, a liquid chemical feed or dosing system, a powder chemical feed or dosing system, a dry powder, an aeration tank, an air stripping tank, a moving bed reactor, a sequencing batch reactor, a sand filter, a multimedia filter, a ceramic filter, a carbon filter, a biofilter, or a biotrickling filter;
  • the shipping container comprises an inlet port or outlet port for the flow of a liquid;
  • the shipping container is bracketed to an environmentally resistant third shipping container removable from the supporting surface, the third shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the third shipping container;
  • the shipping container is configured as a metal frame; and/or
  • the shipping container encloses a tank container.

In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to method for removably installing an environmentally resistant shipping container on a supporting surface, the shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the shipping container, the method comprising orienting the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface. Preferred embodiments of this method may include any one or a combination of any two or more of any of the following features:

• • the shipping container is configured substantially as a rectangular cuboid;
  • the shipping container is secured with one or more anchors to the supporting surface;
  • the one or more anchors are coupled to the shipping container at one or more of the corners of the rectangular cuboid abutting the supporting surface;
  • two anchors are secured to each longitudinal face of the rectangular cuboid, and wherein each anchor is positioned at a corner of the rectangular cuboid abutting the supporting surface;
  • the supporting surface comprises concrete or cement;
  • the shipping container is supported at its base with an environmentally resistant second shipping container removable from the supporting surface, the second shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a second longitudinal axis of the second shipping container, wherein the second shipping container is oriented with the second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the supporting surface;
  • the shipping container is mounted atop the second shipping container and secured to a top face of the second shipping container;
  • the shipping container is supported with a building or structure;
  • the top face of the shipping container comprises one or more doors;
  • the further step of storing one or more items in the shipping container;
  • the one or more items is liquid, solid, water, wastewater, a liquid storage tank, a dry product, a bioreactor tank, a water tower, an anaerobic reactor, a liquid chemical feed or dosing system, a powder chemical feed or dosing system, a dry powder, an aeration tank, an air stripping tank, a moving bed reactor, a sequencing batch reactor, a sand filter, a multimedia filter, a ceramic filter, a carbon filter, a biofilter, or a biotrickling filter;
  • the shipping container comprises an inlet port or outlet port for the flow of a liquid;
  • the further step of bracketing the shipping container to an environmentally resistant third shipping container removable from the supporting surface, the third shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the third shipping container;
  • the shipping container is configured as a metal frame; and/or
  • the shipping container encloses a tank container.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, shown is a conventional shipping container 102 comprising a longitudinal axis and transverse axes, wherein the longitudinal axis is oriented perpendicular to a supporting surface 104 (referred to herein as a “vertical” shipping container 102). This orientation can be contrasted with the regular orientation of a shipping container 102 (referred to herein as a “horizontal” shipping container 102; see e.g. FIG. 5) wherein the longitudinal axis of the shipping container 102 is oriented parallel to the supporting surface 104. Herein the term “longitudinal axis” refers to the axis of a shipping container 102 corresponding to the longest dimension (i.e. the length) of the shipping container 102. For example, in the case of a shipping container 102 approximating the shape of a rectangular cuboid (i.e. having six rectangular faces and parallel opposite faces, also known in the art as a “rectangular prism”; see for example FIGS. 1 and 16), the longitudinal axis corresponds to the length of the shipping container 102 when oriented normally (i.e. in a “horizontal” orientation) and the transverse axes correspond to the height and width dimensions of the shipping container 102 when oriented horizontally. As shown in FIG. 1, the present subject matter contemplates a shipping container 102 wherein the normal length of the shipping container 102 becomes the height when the shipping container is oriented vertically.

Referring to FIGS. 16-17, shown is another embodiment of a vertical shipping container 102 wherein the shipping container 102 comprises a metal (e.g. steel) frame configured substantially as a rectangular cuboid. In this embodiment the metal frame shipping container 102 (herein “frame shipping container”) encloses a tank container 122. As in FIG. 1, the longitudinal axis of the frame shipping container 102 is oriented perpendicular to the supporting surface 104, in contrast to the regular orientation of the shipping container 102 wherein the longitudinal axis of the shipping container 102 is oriented parallel to the supporting surface 104.

Herein the term “shipping container” encompasses a conventional shipping container (e.g. depicted in FIG. 1) as well as a shipping container 102 comprising a metal frame (e.g. depicted in FIG. 16) traditionally used to secure a tank container 122 during transport. Preferably the dimensions of the outer surface of the shipping container 102 define a rectangular cuboid of standard (e.g. ISO-specified) dimensions. Examples of ISO-specified lengths for the shipping container 102 include 10 feet (3 meters), 20 feet (6.10 meters), 28 feet (8.53 meters), 40 feet (12.19 meters), and 48 feet (14.63 meters); current ISO-specified heights include 8.5 feet (2.6 meters) and 9.5 feet (2.90 meters). Typically the shipping container is composed of an environmentally resistant material, preferably metal.

Herein the term “substantially” refers to acceptable deviations of from 0-10 degrees to the angles which are inherent in the definitions of the terms “perpendicular”, “parallel”, and “rectangular cuboid”.

The term “tank container” as used herein refers to an intermodal container used for the transport of liquids, gases, and solids (e.g. powders), as is known in the art. Typically the tank container is composed of a layer of metal (e.g. stainless steel) which may be lined with an insulating and protective layer (e.g. of polyurethane and aluminum).

Preferably the shipping container 102 is portable. Herein the term “portable” refers to the nature of the shipping container 102 as a structure designed to be transported from place to place. Although the present invention contemplates a shipping container 102 which remains stationary in a vertical orientation for an extended period of time, the shipping container 102 typically at all times remains portable since it can be unsecured from a supporting structure or surface, placed in a horizontal orientation, and loaded onto a transport vehicle for movement to a different location. Accordingly the shipping container 102 is typically at all times removable from the supporting surface 104.

It is contemplated that at the time of transport to or from a site the shipping container 102 is horizontally oriented (i.e. oriented with its longitudinal axis parallel to the ground) and may contain goods (e.g. a tank container 122) or be empty. The shipping container 102 may be transported to a position on the site where a shipping container 102 is desired to be oriented vertically. Once at the desired position, one end of the shipping container 102 may be lifted (e.g. using a crane) until the longitudinal axis of the shipping container 102 is substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface 104. Once vertical, the shipping container 102 remains stationary and can be supported in various manners described below, such as with one or more horizontal shipping containers 102, a building or structure, anchors 106, brackets 802, tethers 1302, or any combination of such securing means. If it is desired to move the vertical shipping container 102, then the securing means can be released and the upmost end of the shipping container 102 can be lowered to the ground in a controlled manner (e.g. using a crane), following which the horizontal shipping container 102 can be transported to a new location. Thus the shipping container 102 is oriented vertically when convenient or necessary, but is not oriented vertically during shipment.

In the case of a shipping container 102 comprising a metal frame, typically a tank container 122 is secured within the frame shipping container 102 by means well-known in the art when the shipping container 102 is shipped to a site. Accordingly when the frame shipping container 102 is oriented vertically the tank container 122 enclosed and secured within the frame shipping container 102 is also oriented vertically, as is evident in FIG. 16.

Referring to FIGS. 3-4, a shipping container 102 (e.g. a conventional or frame shipping container 102) can be supported in a vertical orientation using anchors 106. An anchor 106 can comprise a connector 302 with a flange 312 fitted into an eyelet 304 formed in the material of the shipping container 102. The connector 302 can be mounted to the supporting surface 104 with an anchoring rod 306 that projects through an aperture 314 in the arm of the connector 302. The anchoring rod 306 can be fastened to the connector 302 by a fastener 308 such as a nut along with supporting and load-distributing washers 310 and 316.

The connector 302, connecting rod 306, fastener 308, and washers 310, 316 are typically composed of an environmentally resistant material such as metal. One or more eyelets 304 can be constructed in the shipping container 102 in a manner familiar to a person skilled in the art, or in some cases the one or more eyelets 304 may comprise pre-existing pores or perforations in the material of the shipping container 102.

In an example embodiment, the supporting surface 104 comprises concrete or cement and the connecting rod 306 is threaded into the supporting surface 104 using external threads on the base of the connecting rod 306 and corresponding internal threads on the walls of a recess 318 formed in the supporting surface 104. Alternatively, for more permanent embodiments, the connecting rod 306 can be mounted vertically in concrete or cement.

One or more anchors 106 can be used to support a shipping container 102 in a vertical orientation. In an example embodiment (see FIGS. 1, 2, 16, and 17), anchors 106 are secured at each of the bottom corners of each longitudinal face of a shipping container 102 configured substantially as a rectangular cuboid.

The anchoring mechanism displayed in FIGS. 3 and 4 represents just one manner of support for a shipping container 102 oriented with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to a supporting surface 104. The present subject matter comprises any and all manners of supporting or securing a shipping container 102 in a vertical orientation, including without the use of anchors 106. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 18, a vertical shipping container 102 can be supported at its base by one or more shipping containers 102 oriented in the regular “horizontal” manner (i.e. with the longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the supporting surface 104). The vertical shipping container 102 can be positioned at any coordinate along the longitudinal axis of the one or more supporting horizontal shipping containers 102. In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 19, a horizontal shipping container 102 supports the vertical orientation of multiple shipping containers 102 (e.g. a conventional or frame shipping container 102), thus further reducing the total shipping container 102 footprint at a site. Where one or more vertical shipping containers 102 are supported by a horizontal shipping container 102, one or more anchors 106 can be used to secure the vertical shipping container 102 and/or horizontal shipping container 102 to the supporting surface 104 (see e.g. FIGS. 7, 10, 20, and 22). It is also contemplated that a vertical shipping container 102 can be supported by a building or structure.

FIGS. 15 and 26 illustrate an embodiment that reduces the storage footprint at a site further still by securely mounting (e.g. using brackets 802) one or more vertical shipping containers 102 to the top face of a horizontal shipping container 102 that can be secured to a supporting surface 104 with anchors 106. In this embodiment, access to the vertical shipping container 102 may be provided by an access ladder (e.g. ladder 1202; see FIGS. 12 and 25) that extends to the base of the horizontal shipping container 102.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-B and 21A-B, adjacent vertical shipping containers 102 can be supported with one or more harnessing brackets 802. In one embodiment, each of two or more vertical shipping containers 102 is secured to a supporting surface 104 using one or more anchors 106 and also harnessed to at least one adjacent vertical shipping container 102 with one or more brackets 802. In an example embodiment, each bracket 802 comprises two connectors 302, a bracketing rod 806, and two or more fasteners 308. Each connector 302 can have a flange 312 fitted into an eyelet 304 in a shipping container 102. Where two flanges 312 are fitted into eyelets 304 of adjacent vertical shipping containers 102, the bracketing rod 806 can be inserted through an aperture 314 in the arm of each connector 302 and the connectors 302 can be harnessed using fasteners 308 that adhere to the bracketing rod 806 (e.g. using corresponding threads on the fasteners 308 and bracketing rod 806) and tighten against each connector 302.

Brackets 802 can be used to harness and stabilize two or more vertical shipping containers 102 where no support is available at the base of the shipping containers 102, or can confer additional stability where one or more adjacent vertical shipping containers 102 is supported at its base (e.g with anchors as in FIGS. 8 and 21 and/or with horizontal shipping containers 102 as in FIGS. 9-10 and 22-23). Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 9-10 and 22-23, vertical shipping containers 102 can be further supported by harnessing one or more vertical shipping containers 102 to a horizontal shipping container 102 with one or more brackets 802.

FIGS. 13 and 24 illustrate a further embodiment of a vertical shipping container 102 wherein tethers 1302 are used to secure the shipping container 102 in a vertical orientation. Each tether 1302 can comprise for example wire cable and can be secured to the shipping container 102 and the horizontal surface 104 using known means such as a thimble and ferrule.

As will be apparent from the above description, the present invention contemplates both a solitary vertical shipping container 102 (i.e. a freestanding shipping container 102 which is not in contact with another shipping container 102) and a vertical shipping container 102 which is at least partly supported in a vertical orientation by one or more adjacent shipping containers 102 (either horizontally or vertically oriented). In the case of a solitary vertical shipping container 102, the shipping container 102 can be maintained in a vertical orientation using one or a combination of the means described herein, including with anchors 106 and/or tethers 1302.

In preferred embodiments, the vertical shipping container 102 at all times is removably supported in a vertical orientation to retain its portable aspect. For instance, when anchors 106 or brackets 802 are used to stabilize the vertical shipping container 102, the anchors 106 and/or brackets 802 are preferably removably affixed to the shipping container 102. In this way the shipping container 102 can be reversibly oriented in horizontal and vertical positions at a particular site according to the need for a vertical shipping container at the site.

A shipping container 102 oriented with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to a supporting surface 104 can be used to store any type of item(s). For a conventional shipping container 102, examples are items that may be optimally stored upright such as liquid storage tanks, dry product (solids), bioreactor tanks, water towers, anaerobic reactors, liquid or powder chemical feed or dosing systems, dry powders, aeration tanks, air stripping tanks, moving bed bioreactors, sequencing batch reactors, sand, multimedia, ceramic, and/or carbon filters, biofilters, biotrickling filters, long items such as pipes, tubes, and rods, among many others. FIG. 11 illustrates an example embodiment of a liquid storage tank or sand filter 1102 being stored in a vertical conventional shipping container 102. In the case of a vertical frame shipping container 102 enclosing a tank container 122, the tank container 122 can be used to store any type of liquids and some types of solids. In preferred embodiments the vertical orientation of the tank container 122 within the vertical frame shipping container 102 facilitates the upright configuration of devices or apparatuses within the tank container 122. Examples of contents of the tank container 122 enclosed by a vertical frame shipping container 102 include bioreactor tanks, water towers, anaerobic reactors, liquid or powder chemical feed or dosing systems, dry powders, aeration tanks, air stripping tanks, moving bed bioreactors, sequencing batch reactors, sand, multimedia, ceramic, and/or carbon filters, biofilters, biotrickling filters, among many others.

Further, the vertical shipping container 102 need not always be used for storage and can act as a permanent or semi-permanent housing at a site.

Custom modifications can be made to a shipping container 102 (or to a tank container 122 enclosed within a frame shipping container 102) to facilitate storage of particular goods or items. Such modifications can be introduced when the shipping container 102 is in a horizontal orientation or after it has been oriented with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to a supporting surface 104. In an example embodiment, a conventional shipping container 102 is modified to receive, store and dispense a liquid such as water. The interior of the conventional shipping container 102 can be sealed using for example a water-impermeable liner, and liquid can be pumped into the vertical shipping container 102. The shipping container 102 can be further modified to include inlet and outlet ports to facilitate the influx and efflux of liquid. For example, an inlet port can be positioned on a side or top face of the vertical shipping container 102, and can be designed to accommodate a duct or conduit connected to a pump/water source. An outlet port can be constructed near the bottom of the vertical shipping container 102 to accommodate for example a fitting or a duct leading away from the shipping container 102.

With regard to access to the interior of the shipping container 102, in an example embodiment the top face of a conventional shipping container 102 comprises doors 202 attached to the shipping container 102 by hinges 204 (see FIG. 2). The shipping container 102 (e.g. conventional or frame shipping container 102) can be retrofitted to include access ports or flanges for additional access to the interior of the shipping container 102 and/or enclosed tank container 122 (i.e. in the case of a frame shipping container 102 enclosing a tank container 122). FIGS. 12, 14 and 25 illustrate example embodiments wherein a vertical shipping container 102 has been fitted with an access ladder 1202 and platform 1204 to provide ready access to the contents (e.g. sand filter 1102 or tank container 122) of the shipping container 102.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments and examples, the description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Thus, various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments.

All publications, patents and patent applications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. An environmentally resistant shipping container removable from a supporting surface, the shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the shipping container, wherein the shipping container is oriented with the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface.

2. The shipping container of claim 1 configured substantially as a rectangular cuboid.

3. The shipping container of claim 2 secured to the supporting surface with one or more anchors.

4. The shipping container of claim 3 wherein the one or more anchors are coupled to the shipping container at one or more of the corners of the rectangular cuboid abutting the supporting surface.

5. The shipping container of claim 3 wherein two anchors are secured to each longitudinal face of the rectangular cuboid, and wherein each anchor is positioned at a corner of the rectangular cuboid abutting the supporting surface.

6. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein the supporting surface comprises concrete or cement.

7-32. (canceled)

33. The shipping container of claim 1 comprising an inlet port or outlet port for the flow of a liquid.

34. (canceled)

35. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the shipping container is configured as a metal frame.

36. The shipping container of claim 35 enclosing a tank container.

37. Use of an environmentally resistant shipping container removable from a supporting surface, the shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the shipping container, wherein the shipping container is oriented with the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface.

38-46. (canceled)

47. The use according to claim 37 wherein the shipping container is used to store one or more items.

48. The use according to claim 47 wherein the one or more items is liquid.

49. The use according to claim 47 wherein the one or more items is solid.

50. The use according to claim 47 wherein the one or more items is water or wastewater.

51-72. (canceled)

73. A method for removably installing an environmentally resistant shipping container on a supporting surface, the shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the shipping container, the method comprising orienting the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface.

74-78. (canceled)

79. The method of claim 73 further comprising supporting the shipping container at its base with an environmentally resistant second shipping container removable from the supporting surface, the second shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a second longitudinal axis of the second shipping container, wherein the second shipping container is oriented with the second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the supporting surface.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein the shipping container is mounted atop the second shipping container and secured to a top face of the second shipping container.

81. The method of claim 73 further comprising supporting the shipping container with a building or structure.

82-105. (canceled)

106. The method of claim 73 further comprising bracketing the shipping container to an environmentally resistant third shipping container removable from the supporting surface, the third shipping container having a longest dimension of at least 3 meters defining a longitudinal axis of the third shipping container.

107-108. (canceled)

109. The use according to claim 47, wherein the one or more items is selected from the group consisting of a liquid storage tank; a dry product; a bioreactor tank; a water tower; an anaerobic reactor; a liquid chemical feed or dosing system; a powder chemical feed or dosing system; a dry powder; an aeration tank; an air stripping tank; a moving bed reactor; a sequencing batch reactor; a sand filter; a multimedia filter; a ceramic filter; a carbon filter; a biofilter; and a biotrickling filter.