AU2006274491B2 - Improvements to cargo stowage and transport - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for stowage of cargo items (7, 18, 100). In a cargo container (12, 20, 103) wherein spaces around the cargo items and within the cargo container are at least partly filled with spacer elements (1, 19, 104-106, 109-112) so as to substantially prevent movement of the cargo items in the cargo container, characterized in that dynamic forces on the cargo items associated with motion of the cargo container and/or weight forces on the cargo items are transmitted to the container structure through the spacer elements, and wherein at least one spacer element transmitting such forces comprises a shaped block of expanded plastics foam material, preferably polystyrene. The invention is applicable to comparatively heavy loads such as those transported in shipping containers and in such land vehicles as rail cars and road transport vehicles.

Description

C\NRPonbFlDCCAZM\4407121I. DOC-20/06/2f12 IMPROVEMENTS TO CARGO STOWAGE AND TRANSPORT The invention relates to improvements in the stowage of goods in shipping containers. 5 Enormous quantitites of goods, including manufactured goods, produce and materials, are daily shipped around the world, particularly by land and sea. Standard shipping containers as used on seagoing ships, for example, are a familiar sight at sea and on land. The loading of cargo items into such containers and their subsequent unloading, is a major activity involving much expenditure of labour and money. An important 10 problem facing all those involved in shipping of goods is containing the cost of such loading and unloading. Much of the cost of loading and unloading arises from the need to secure cargo items in their container securely, to avoid damage in transit. Given the wide variety of goods that must be transported, this can be a skilled process consuming much time and 15 effort. It is also important in many cases that cargo items not move within their containers during transit. In sea transport, for example, any inadvertent shifting of cargo due to ship motions can have adverse effects on ship stability and hence safety. Materials such as timber used to secure heavy loads in containers can present 20 quarantine and disposal problems at their desitnations. An issue widely recognised in the sea transport industry, at least, is that there can be a mismatch between cargoes and container sizes on particular journey legs, for example, where cargo movements are such that 40-foot containers arrive at a particular port in numbers greater than are required for cargoes leaving that port, there can be excessive 25 numbers of "dead legs" for such containers, i.e. journey legs where the containers are carried empty. Enhancing the ability of such containers to be loaded with other cargo items could in such a case lead to substantial cost savings by reducing dead legs. More generally, it is always desirable to enhance the flexibility of loading of containers. For example, making it easier to use a small container where a large one was 30 previously required, or vice versa, allows better matching of cargoes and container availability.

C-\NRPonblDCCAZM440712 1_DOC.2 6/lV2112 -2 According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shipping container containing stowed cargo which comprises one or more cargo items weighing more than 10% of a rated payload of a standard 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container, and cargo-restraining means which comprises one or more blocks of expanded plastics foam 5 and supports the cargo from below, such that the cargo is positioned clear of a floor of the container, and closely fits a gap between opposing sidewalls of the container to engage inner surfaces of the container, and thus restrain the cargo from movement relative to the container, in transit. Preferably, the foam comprises polystyrene foam. 10 During movement of the shipping container, inertia forces arising in the cargo item(s) due to the container movement may be transmitted to the container structure through the block(s). Substantially all of the weight of the cargo item(s) can be transferred to the container structure through cargo-restraining means. 15 In practice of the invention, the cargo-restraining means is intended to transmit loads, dynamic and/or static, between the cargo item and the structure of the container. The term "standard shipping container" is in this specification to be taken to include in particular containers of the type used in large numbers for transport of goods by sea. The containers in question are the subject of International Standards Organisation 20 (ISO) standards and are available in the following sizes: (a) length: 20 feet (6096 mm); width 8 feet (2438 mm); height 8 feet 6 inches (2591 mm) or 9 feet 6 inches (2896 mm); (b) length: 40 feet (12192 mm); width 8 feet (2438 mm); height 8 feet 6 inches (2591 mm) or 9 feet 6 inches (2896 mm). 25 Such shipping containers are of various types and in addition to general purpose containers, the invention is potentially applicable to suitable specific purpose and specific cargo container types, for example refrigerated containers ("reefers"). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the or each cargo item is supported from below by a said block which substantially fully spans the internal width of a shipping 30 container. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method C.NRPonbADCC\AZM\440712 1 1 _DOC-2/I6/2012 -3 of stowing cargo in a shipping container, wherein one or more cargo items weighing more than 10% of a rated payload of a standard 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container, and cargo restraining means comprising one or more blocks of expanded plastics foam are arranged in the container such that the cargo-restraining means supports the cargo from below, 5 whereby the cargo is positioned clear of a floor of the container, and closely fits a gap between opposing sidewalls of the container to engage inner surfaces of the container, and thus restrain the cargo from movement relative to the container, in transit. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the or each cargo item is cylindrical. Preferably, the or each cylindrical cargo item comprises a coil of strip 10 material. Preferably, the shipping container is a standard 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a central axis of the or each cargo item is arranged longitudinally. 15 In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cargo restraining means conforms to a portion of the or each cargo item. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cargo restraining means closely conforms to a cylindrical shape of the or each cargo item. Preferably, the or each cargo item is received by an upwardly facing part-cylindrical recess defined by the 20 cargo-restraining means. Preferably, the or each cargo item weighs more than 20% of the rated payload. Preferably, said blocks include ones which separate the cargo from end walls of the container such that an assembly comprising the cargo and blocks is closely confined between end walls of the container. 25 In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said cargo comprises a plurality of said cargo items, each weighing more than 10% of the rated payload. Preferably, the cargo items comprise ones which are arranged at longitudinally spaced apart positions and said blocks include ones which separate the cargo items from each other. 30 In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the expanded plastics foam comprises polystyrene foam.

C:\NRPonb1\DCC\AZM\4407121_1 DOC-20M6/2012 -4 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocks comprise ones side faces of which lie closely adjacent to opposed walls of the shipping container such that blocks of the cargo-restraining means fit snugly therebetween, and blocks of the cargo-restraining means are arranged at spaced positions along the length of the opposed walls. 5 In a preferred embodiment of the invention heavy cargo items are received in recesses of said blocks. Preferably, the blocks form a packed arrangement which extends between opposite walls of the shipping container which are transverse to said opposed walls to restrain movement in the direction between said opposite walls. 10 In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, cargo item weight is borne by one or more said blocks, at least one of those blocks is positioned within the cargo container and a respective cargo item is subsequently lowered onto it. The cargo container may have end doors with a cargo item being loaded through said end doors. Cargo items may be placed on said blocks after the cargo supports have been positioned in the 15 container. The method according to the invention can be applied, for example (and is advantageous), where a cargo item comprises a coil of strip material, eg steel. The cargo item(s) and block(s) may be maintained in their designated positions in the container substantially without the use of additional restraint means. 20 A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method for transporting a set of cargo items between two locations in a cargo container including the steps of: at a first location stowing cargo in a shipping container by a method according to the second aspect; 25 moving the cargo container to a second location and unloading the cargo items and the blocks; and disposing of the blocks by submitting the shaped blocks to a recycling process. In many destinations where cargo containers are sent, there is existing infrastructure for the recycling of expanded plastics foams, including particularly 30 polystyrene foam, without significant environmental nuisance.

C:NRPonbl\DCC\A.ZMM40j712_1 DOMC-21m6/2[012 -5 The invention can be used in the restraint and stowage of loads that are heavier than is usual in applications of expanded foam materials and in particular polystyrene foam. For example, cargo support may be able to support from below at least one cargo item with a weight of more than 20% of a rated payload of the cargo container. 5 It may not be possible for a forklift vehicle to position cargo items in a cargo container owing to inadequate reach and inability to enter the cargo container. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a loading apparatus attached to a forklift vehicle, is used to load the cargo into the container the loading apparatus comprising: 10 a chassis, the chassis having ground-engaging wheels; a support extending forwardly from the chassis in a cantilever fashion to carry the cargo; lifting means, operable to raise and lower the support relative to the chassis; and an elongate coupling extending rearwardly from the support to connect the support 15 to the tines of the forklift vehicle, whereby raising and lowering of the support can be effected by operation of the tines and the lifting means, and such that the chassis and support are positioned forwardly of the tines to be manoeuvrable by the forklift vehicle into the internal space of a shipping container without the forklift vehicle entering the container. 20 The apparatus may have a counterweight attached to the rear end of the elongate coupling and adapted to be carried by the tines. Preferably, the counterweight has openings to receive the tines and the attachment of the counterweight to the elongate coupling is such that the elongate coupling is pivotable relative to the coupling about both transverse and vertical axes. 25 Preferred embodiments of the invention have as their purposes and benefits easier, quicker and cheaper packing and unpacking of shipping and other transport containers, with efficient use of available space and avoidance of movement of cargo items within the container, than is available conventionally, and are based, in part, on a surprising finding that certain plastics foam materials can be used for the support and restraint of items of 30 significant weight carried in cargo containers.

C\NRPonbPDCC\AZ.\4407121 DOC-2m/21112 -6 The term "cargo item", as used herein, could mean one or several items and a support or handling element, such as a crate or a pallet, to or on which the cargo item/s is/are secured. As will be clear from the following detailed description, the term "closely 5 adjacent", as used to describe the position of the side faces of blocks in accordance with particular preferred embodiments of the invention, with respect to the upright container walls shall be taken to mean "in contact with" or "close to, but slightly clear of'. The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 10 Figure 1 is a perspective view of an expanded plastics foam block supporting a coil of steel strip (shown in phantom lines); Figure 2 is a side view of four cargo supports as shown in Figure 1, in use in the interior of a container (shown in phantom lines); Figure 3 is a perspective view of two coils of steel strip on pallets and (in phantom 15 lines) a cargo support; Figure 4 is a set of three views of the cargo support shown in Figure 3, namely (a) side elevation, (b) end elvation, (c) view from below; Figure 5 is a perspective view of five cargo supports and coils as shown in Figure 3, in use in the interior of a container (shown in phantom lines); 20 Figure 6 is a set of three views of another cargo support namely (a) side view, (b) bottom view, and (c) (left half) an end view and (right half) a cross sectional view, the spacer element being shown in views (b) and (c) covering loads of plate material on stillage elements; Figure 7 is a perspective view of two spacer blocks which are used to form, with 25 other blocks, a packed arrangement in a shipping container, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention (the spacer blocks being shown in phantom lines); Figure 8 is a plan view of a possible packing arrangement for a layer of cylindrical cargo items in a container; Figure 9 is a plan view of a load of cargo items and spacer elements in the interior 30 of a container (shown in phantom lines); C:\RPotbIhDCC\AZM\4407121_1 DOC-20/06/2012 -7 Figure 10 is a side view of a part of the load of cargo items and of the spacer elements as shown in Figure 8, the part shown being the containers between planes marked "P" and "Q" in Figure 8; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a shipping container interior space (represented 5 by phantom lines) with coil-type cargo items stowed therein according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the shipping container interior space shown in Figure 11, now with one only of the three cargo items shown in Figure I I in place; Figure 13 is a side view of a forklift vehicle, portion of a container and an 10 apparatus for assisting in loading the container in a manner according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 14 is a plan view of a container internal space containing three cargo items, storing timbers and blocks. Figure 1 shows a first cargo support block I for use in a preferred embodiment of 15 the invention. Block I is generally rectangular, having end faces 2, side faces 3, a bottom face 4 and a top face 5. An upwardly-facing recess 6 has the form of a half-cylinder. Shown in phantom lines in Figure 1 is a coil 7 of strip steel that is received and supported in recess 6. Coil 7 is an example only of a cargo item able to be supported by block 1. The use of this example is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or of the types of 20 loads able to be held by supports of the general type exemplified by block 1. Cutouts 8 are provided to provide access to a central hole 9 of coil 7 for an elongate "sting" (not shown) as is typically used by material handling equipment for lifting and moving coils of steel strip. Also, longitudinal recesses 15 extend along the length of bottom face 4 and are spaced and sized to enable tines of a fork lift (or the like; not shown) to lift the block 1 and 25 contained coil 7 together. Figure 2 shows a side view of four blocks I and coils 7 positioned, in the interior of a standard shipping container 12. Container 12 is represented schematically in Figure 2 by showing in phantom lines only the edges of its internal surfaces, so that only the container's interior space is shown. 30 Blocks 1 are sized so that four of them snugly fit in container 12, being restrained from longitudinal movement by the inner end surfaces 13 and from lateral movement the C:\NRPortbDCC\AZM\.4407121 1 DOC-216I2012 -8 inner side surfaces 14 of container 12. Such movements may be caused by ship motions at sea and need to be resisted for ship stability and safety. The width between side faces 3 of block I is close to the width between inner side surfaces 14 and the length of the four blocks I in combination is close to the length between inner end surfaces 13. With this 5 mode of stowing the heavy and unwieldy cargo items 7, it is quicker and easier to load a shipping container and to unload it, with no need for lashing the items 7 to the interior of the container 12 itself. The cargo supports I are formed integrally form a foamed cellular plastics material such as, for example only, "RMAX Geofoam" polystyrene foam, available under the name 10 "Isolite EPS" in Australia from a division of Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Ltd. This rigid cellular polystyrene material is available in a range of six density classes, with different compressive strengths, and is manufactured to Australian Standard AS1366 Part 3-1992. Grades used by applicants to date are "SL" (nominal density 11 kg/cubic 15 metre and 70kPa compressive stress at 10% deflection) and "M" (nominal density 19 kg/cubic metre and 105kPa compressive stress at 10% deformation). However, it is of course desirable in practising the invention, to use a material with a suitable density for the particular application, having regard to the cargo item weights and sizes, likely movements of the container, and the like. Selection does not of itself require inventive effort. 20 Forming of the blocks I is preferred to be by foaming in a simple mould (not shown), and more preferably this is done on or close to the site where the coils 7 are to be loaded in container 12. This could be at a steel warehouse or at a container loading facility. Alternatively, the polystyrene foam can simply be purchased in blocks from the manufacturer and cut to shape using suitable known methods (eg hot wire cutting). 25 Although the blocks I may be reinforced - where necessitated by the load to be carried - by providing at appropriate points inserts (not shown) of material(s) more resistant to deformation from concentrated loads than foamed plastics (for example, the recesses 15 could be defined and their surfaces reinforced by inverted channel sections formed from sheet metal placed in the mould before foaming), it has surprisingly been 30 found that with a suitable choice of foam material, no such reinforcement is needed even for heavy loads.

C.\NRPonbl\DCC\AZM\440712 I DOC-20/6121112 -9 Other suitable expanded plastics foam materials may be used to form said blocks. The clearances to be provided between the elements 1 and the inner surfaces 13 and 14 of container 12 are chosen by suitable trial (requiring no inventive activity) to suit the weights of the cargo items involved, the skill of the persons stowing and unloading the 5 containers, and the equipment available to them. Figure 3 shows two coils 16 of steel strip, each secured on a suitable pallet 17, each coil 16 and its pallet 17 comprising a cargo item 18. Shown in phantom lines is a further cargo support 19 that can facilitate the stowage of cargo items 18 in shipping containers. Again, no implication of a limitation of the invention to this particular type of cargo item is 10 intended by the use of this illustrative example. Cargo such as cargo items 19 are commonly required to be loaded into shipping containers and are sometimes referred to as "top hats", due to their shape. Figure 5 shows five cargo support blocks 19 being used to stow ten cargo items 19 in a shipping container interior space 20 (whose edges are shown in phantom lines, just as 15 in Figure 2). As with blocks 1, cargo supports 19 are sized and shaped so as to fit snugly (i.e. with clearances small enough to sufficiently limit load movement under likely ship motions and large enough for easy loading and unloading) between inner side surfaces 21 of container interior 20 and so that five in combination fit snugly between inner end surfaces 22 of interior 20. 20 Figure 4 shows cargo support block 19 in three views. Cargo support block 19 is generally in the form of a rectangular prism and has two holes 23 within which coils 16 are received, and a rectangular recess 24 within which pallets 17 are received. In use, and by contrast to block 1 whose load is lowered into recess 6, cargo support block 19 is lowered over two cargo items 18 from above and partially surrounds items 18. Cargo support block 25 19 thereafter maintains the desired relative positions of the items 18. A fork lift (not shown) can pass its tines into recesses 25 in the base of cargo support block 19 to access pallets 17 and lift the complete combination of items 8 and cargo support block 19 for placement into container interior 20. As with blocks 1, cargo support blocks 19 are conveniently formed from an 30 expanded foam plastics material, which may be lightweight, but without implying any limitation to this material type or construction.

C ANRPornbrDCCZMf44071223I DOC.20nxg/2012 -10 It is not essential that the cargo items 18 protrude through the top of cargo support block 19. This arrangement simply happens to economise on the material used to form cargo support block 19. A similar cargo support block (not shown) could simply cover the items 19 completely (except at the bottom), if required. 5 Figure 6 shows a cargo support block 30 that is also open-bottomed and in use lowered over a cargo item 31 from above. Cargo item 31 comprises three layers 32 of flat material (eg metal plates or billets for hot rolling) supported on stiliage elements 33 in known manner. Cargo support block 30 is generally, rectangular in overall form, having opposing side faces 33, end faces 34, a top face 35 and a bottom face 36. A recess 37 is 10 formed in bottom face 36 and is shaped and sized for close-fitting containment of cargo item 31 as shown. Recesses 38 are provided also in bottom face 36 for tines of a fork lift or the like, so that once cargo support block 30 has been positioned over and lowered onto cargo item 31 the complete combination of cargo support block 30 and cargo item 31 can be lifted and conveniently loaded into and unloaded from, a shipping container. The side 15 faces 33 are spaced apart so as to fit between opposing inner side faces of a shipping container (not shown) with clearances small enough to limit undesired movement during transit of the container. Similarly the end faces are spaced so that a specified number of cargo support blocks 30 can be placed longitudinally in the container with sufficiently small clearance to resist undesired movement in transit. 20 From the above descriptions of cargo support blocks 1, 19 and 30, it will be apparent that a very wide variety of cargo items - beyond the specific items used as examples - can be conveniently stowed in containers so as to resist undesired movement therein during transit of the containers. By making the cargo supports at the point of loading, especially by the use of lightweight foamed plastics, an efficient stowing and 25 restraining system can be provided. Cargo support blocks 1, 19 and 30 all partially surround their respective cargo items 7, 18 and 31 in use. Figure 7 shows another possibility. A container interior 40 is partially filled with spacer blocks 41, which in this embodiment each comprise single block of substantially rigid expanded plastics foam, so that cargo spaces 30 42 and 43 are defined by the spacer blocks 41 and the interior surfaces of the container interior 40. This arrangement permits cargo items, taking up only part of a container C :WRPonbIhDCC\AZM\407121_-1 DOC'-216/2012 - 11 interior to be stowed in such a way that their potential movement in the container is limited by the inner sides, floor and (if desired) roof surfaces and (in the longitudinal direction) by the container inner end surfaces and the spacer blocks 41. I n this case, the general principle is again followed of substantially filling gaps between opposing inner surfaces of 5 the container is followed, so as to limit undesired cargo movement, but without actually surrounding the cargo items by the spacer blocks 41. In this embodiment, each spacer block 41 comprises side faces which are spaced apart to bear against inner surfaces of the container interior 40. Spacer blocks 41 have recesses 44 for tines of handling equipment to ease the task 10 of locating them in the container interior 40. Spacer blocks 41 are solid blocks in this embodiment, but could be provided with openings (not shown) where the nature of the particular cargo items permits, to minimise weight and usage of expanded, plastics foam in the spacer blocks 41, to provide for airflow (especially in the case of refrigerated containers), etc. 15 One possible variation, not shown, is to bevel, round off, or taper upright corner edges of cargo support blocks 1, 19, 30 and/or spacer blocks 41 to ease the process of passing them through close fitting load openings (eg doors) in containers, some care in alignment being needed. Figure I1 shows three large coils 100, 101 and 102 (eg of steel strip) stowed in a 20 shipping container internal space 103 in another important embodiment of the invention. Internal space 103 is represented by chain-dotted lines as before. The coils are stowed with their axes longitudinally oriented in space 103. They are supported from below on cargo support blocks 104, 105 and 106 which are cut away to closely conform with the cylindrical shapes of coils 100-102 and which closely fit the gap between opposing 25 sidewalls 107 and 108. Four spacer blocks 109, 110, 111 and 112 are provided firstly to separate coils 100 and 101 and 101 and 102 and secondly to separate coils 100 and 102 from respective-end walls 113 and 114. The entire assembly of coils 100-102, spacers 109 -112 and cargo support blocks 104 - 106 is closely confined between end walls 113 and 114. No separate restraint of coils 100 - 102 is provided. 30 Figure 12 is a similar view of container internal space 103 partly loaded, through end doors 115. Spacer 109 and cargo support block 104 are in position, and spacer 110 is C \NRPortbl\DCC\AZM\440)7121_ .DOC.20/)6/2012 - 12 being moved longitudinally (as shown by arrow 116) towards its final position. Coil 100 has been placed on cargo support block 104, by means described below, after placement of cargo support 104 in position. Similarly, coils 101 and 102 will be placed on their respective supporting cargo support blocks 105 and 106 in the same way, after placement 5 of spacers 105 and 106 in space 103. The polystyrene cargo support blocks and spacers have the unexpected advantage of surprisingly high friction when in contact with container interior surfaces. Thus, lateral forces on coils 100-102 would be transmitted to the floor 133 of space 103 by shear in cargo support blocks 104, 105 and 106 and friction at their contacts with floor 133, as well 10 as by direct bearing of end faces such as faces 134 on walls 107 and 108. Generally clearances between cargo support blocks such as 104-106 and opposing walls such as 107 and 108 should be as small as practicable, even to the extent of actual contact between the cargo support blocks and the walls on both sides. However, the effect of friction where cargo items such as coils 100-102 are supported from below is to alleviate any ill effects of 15 positive clearances. Clearances can if desired or found necessary be closed by sliding any suitable thin laminar material between spacer elements and walls. An important point of difference among the blocks described herein is that some are used to resist both the weight of cargo items and lateral forces arising from motions during transport of the cargo container, whereas others resist only the latter type of forces. 20 Cargo support blocks 1 and 104-106, for example, support the weight of cargo items (respectively items 7 and 100-102) and also restrain movement of those cargo items in generally horizontal directions in their containers, which movements can arise from dynamic forces associated with motion in a seaway for shipping containers or cornering and acceleration loads in land applications. By contrast, cargo support blocks 19 primarily 25 restrain cargo items against generally horizontal forces, as do spacer blocks 109-112, while the weight of the cargo items is taken directly by the floors of their respective containers. A difficulty with stowing in the way shown in Figure 12 is that it can be impossible for a suitably sized forklift to enter space 103. Figure 13 shows a way in which this problem can be overcome. A wheeled apparatus 121 is provided which can be attached to 30 a forklift 120 and which has a chassis 123, the chassis 123 being mounted on wheels 124, and a support in the form of an elongate sting 122 that can pass through coils such as coil C NRPonbl\DCC\AZM\447121_ I DOC-20''IW212 - 13 100. The chassis has a lifting means, in the form of a hydraulic cylinder 125, whereby sting 122 can be raised and lowered (as shown by arrow 126). A rearwardly-extending elongate coupling, in the form of a beam 127, is mounted to sting 122, in this embodiment at a pivot 128, and is coupled at its opposite (rear) end to a counterweight 129. Coupling 5 of beam 127 to counterweight 129 allows a degree of relative movement between them. Counterweight 129 is adapted to be raised and lowered by forklift 120, which extends its tines 130 into cooperating openings (not shown) in counterweight 129. Hydraulic power for operating cylinders 125, and in this embodiment a cylinder 131 that allows some relative pivoting of beam 127 about sting 122, is taken from forklift 120. Accordingly, 10 raising and lowering of the support 122 can be effected by operation of the tines 130 and the cylinder 125. As shown in Figure 13, the chassis 123 and support 122 are positioned forwardly of the tines 130 to be manoeuvrable by the forklift vehicle 120, whereby the apparatus 121 can be used to lift heavy weights such as coil 100 and manoeuvre them into (or out of) a 15 container 132 without the forklift vehicle 120 itself having to enter container 132. Apparatus 121 allows the use of a forklift smaller than would otherwise be necessary for placement of coil 100 into container 132, counterweight 129 reducing the weight to be lifted by forklift 120 when handling coil 100, with wheels 124 acting as a fulcrum. This is very helpful, because many dock facilities do not have such large machines. 20 Apparatus 121 can be provided for use only when necessary and allows the use of smaller machines to continue while practising the invention this way. The invention may be used for restraint of loads against horizontal movement in a cargo container in one direction only or in two perpendicular directions. In Figures 2, 5 and 11, container spaces 12, 20 and 103 are shown as being 25 completely filled except for space above the loads, so that both lateral and longitudinal movements are resisted by cargo blocks 1, 19 and 104 - 106 and spacer blocks 109 - 112. However, it is possible in principle to apply the invention in such a way that only movements in one direction are resisted by blocks of expanded foam materials, with other means being provided to resist movement in a perpendicular direction. In Figure 14, heavy 30 cargo items 150, 151 and 152 are shown in a container internal space 153 (represented by chain-dotted lines) and are secured against longitudinal movement (i.e. in the direction of C:\NRPonbhDCC\AZMW40V7121 -1DOC-21l/Al/20 12 - 14 arrow 154) by timbers 155. However, they could still move laterally to some degree, and so are restrained against lateral movement by cargo support blocks 156, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. All of the cargo items 150 - 152 could of course have their weight supported by cargo support blocks. Figure 14 is meant primarily to 5 illustrate the above point rather than necessarily being a practical and preferred way of practising the invention. Further stowage methods in which the cargo items are not necessarily surrounded, will now be described. Figure 8 is a plan view of a container interior 60 (shown in phantom lines) with a 10 single layer of 65 drum-type cargo items 61 therein. A problem of this arrangement is that the layer of items 61 is not constrained sufficiently by the interior surfaces of the container interior 60 to fully prevent movement of items in transit, with the possibility of damage or leakage. There is a space 62 into which cargo items 61 can move, but which cannot be neatly filled by one or more extra containers 61. A further problem that often arises with 15 cargoes of this type is that one layer does not fully utilize the weight carrying capacity of the container, whereas two full layers would exceed that capacity. Figures 9 and 10 show how these problems to be avoided. Figure 9 is a similar view to Figure 8, showing how the container interior 60 can be stowed with an extra 25 cargo items to make 90 cargo items in all, all constrained against 20 excessive movement during transit. Figure 10 shows this cargo as seen in side elevation looking in the direction of arrow "R" in Figure 9, although for clarity only those cargo items between planes "P" and "Q" are shown. To prevent movement within the space 62, a suitably shaped and sized spacer element 63 is positioned therein bearing against some of the cargo items 61 and inner end surface 64, (A spacer element 63, positioned in a 25 designated position as a first step in loading a layer of cargo items 61, has the additional advantage of guiding the building up of the layer with each item in its correct position, so that an intended or designed arrangement and number of items 61 in the layer is achieved.) In Figure 9, circles without letters indicate cargo items 61 of the bottom layer. Circles with the letter "Y" indicate cargo items 61 that are raised partly out of the bottom 30 layer by being positioned on top of suitably shaped and sized spacer elements 65, of which four are shown in this case. A partial layer of 25 additional cargo items 61, marked "X", is C \NRPoftbPDCC\AZM\441712 I1 DOC-20/06/2012 - 15 then stacked on top of items 61 of the bottom layer. Undesired movement of the items 61 labelled "X" is prevented by the inner side surfaces 66 of container interior 60 and end barriers formed by the partly-raised cargo items 61 labelled "Y". Each of spacer elements has the form of two cylinders 67 (that each sit under one 5 cargo item 61) joined by an intermediate section 68. However, this is optional. It will be clear to skilled persons that many other shapes would be possible. Another possibility is to provide spacer elements (not shown) that instead of lifting some cargo items partially out of one layer to form a barrier to movement of items in another layer, are held within one layer and also extend out of that layer to form a barrier against undesired movement of 10 items of another layer. For example, elements having a shape that is a combination of the shape of elements 67 and the cargo items 61 shown above them in Figures 9 and 10 could be used as an alternative to elements 67 to restrain movement of items 61 of the upper layer. As with the arrangement of Figure 7, the arrangement of Figures 9 and 10 involves 15 a cargo being constrained against undesired movement by a combination of interior surfaces of a container and by spacer elements placed in the container. Many variations and enhancements may be made without exceeding the spirit or scope of the invention. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context 20 requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (24)

1. A shipping container containing stowed cargo which comprises one or more cargo items weighing more than 10% of a rated payload of a standard 20-foot or 40-foot shipping 5 container, and cargo-restraining means which comprises one or more blocks of expanded plastics foam and supports the cargo from below, such that the cargo is positioned clear of a floor of the container, and closely fits a gap between opposing sidewalls of the container to engage inner surfaces of the container, and thus restrain the cargo from movement relative to the container, in transit. 10

2. A shipping container according to claim 1, wherein the or each cargo item is cylindrical.

3. A shipping container according to claim 2, wherein the or each cargo item 15 comprises a coil of strip material.

4. A shipping container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a central axis of the or each cargo item is arranged longitudinally. 20 5. A shipping container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cargo restraining means conforms to a portion of the or each cargo item.

6. A shipping container according to claim 5 as appended to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the cargo restraining means closely conforms to a cylindrical shape of the or each 25 cargo item.

7. A shipping container according to claim 6, wherein the or each cargo item is received by an upwardly facing part-cylindrical recess defined by the cargo-restraining means. C \NRPonbl\DCC\AZM\441712 1 I DOC-20/112012 - 17

8. A shipping container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each cargo item weighs more than 20% of the rated payload.

9. A shipping container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said 5 blocks include ones which separate the cargo from end walls of the container such that an assembly comprising the cargo and blocks is closely confined between end walls of the container.

10. A shipping container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said 10 cargo comprises a plurality of said cargo items, each weighing more than 10% of the rated payload.

11. A shipping container according to claim 10, wherein each cargo item is supported from below by a respective said block. 15

12. A shipping container according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the cargo items comprise ones which are arranged at longitudinally spaced apart positions and said blocks include ones which separate the cargo items from each other. 20 13. A shipping container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the expanded plastics foam comprises polystyrene foam.

14. A shipping container according to any one of the preceding claims, being a standard 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container. 25

15. A method of stowing cargo in a shipping container, wherein one or more cargo items weighing more than 10% of a rated payload of a standard 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container, and cargo-restraining means comprising one or more blocks of expanded plastics foam are arranged in the container such that the cargo-restraining means supports 30 the cargo from below, whereby the cargo is positioned clear of a floor of the container, and closely fits a gap between opposing sidewalls of the container to engage inner surfaces of C\NRPonb\DCC\A7M\4407121_I DOC-2MWV2012 - 18 the container, and thus restrain the cargo from movement relative to the container, in transit.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the or each cargo item is cylindrical. 5

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the or each cargo item comprises a coil of strip material.

18. A method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein a central axis of the or each cargo 10 item is arranged longitudinally

19. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the cargo restraining means is configured and arranged to conform to a portion of the or each cargo item. 15 20. A method according to claim 19 as appended to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the cargo restraining means is configured and arranged to conform closely to a cylindrical shape of the or each cargo item.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the or each cargo item is arranged so as 20 to be received by an upwardly facing part-cylindrical recess defined by the cargo-restraining means.

22. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein the or each cargo item weighs more than 20% of the rated payload. 25

23. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein ones of said blocks are arranged so as to separate the cargo from end walls of the container such that an assembly comprising the cargo and blocks is closely confined between end walls of the container. 30 24. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein said cargo comprises a plurality of said cargo items, each weighing more than 10% of the rated payload. C .NRPortbl\DCC\AZ\440721- I DOC-20/06/20 12 - 19

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein each cargo item is arranged such that it is supported from below by a respective said block. 5 26. A method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein said cargo items are arranged at longitudinally spaced apart positions in the container and ones of the blocks are arranged so as to separate the cargo items from each other.

27. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 26, wherein the expanded plastics 10 foam comprises polystyrene foam.

28. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 27, being a standard 20-foot or

40-foot shipping container. 15 29. A shipping container containing stowed cargo substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 30. A cargo stowage method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.