GB2155442A

GB2155442A - Insulated load containers

Info

Publication number: GB2155442A
Application number: GB08505474A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Symister Raymond Moore; Graham Mills
Original assignee: MILLMOOR COMMERCIAL SERVICES L
Current assignee: MILLMOOR COMMERCIAL SERVICES L
Priority date: 1984-03-03
Filing date: 1985-03-04
Publication date: 1985-09-25
Also published as: GB8505474D0

Abstract

An insulated load container for a vehicle has a base 10 and sides 18, the sides 18 being clad externally with protected insulated panels 20 supported between channels 24,29 at the top and base of each side 18. The channels 24,29 face each other so that the panels 20 can be inserted between the channels 24,29 and moved into end-to-end abutting relationship to provide a continuous insulating surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to insulated transport containers The present invention concerns improvements in or relating to insulated transport containers, especially but not exclusively containers for commercial vehicles adapted to carry hot asphalt for road surfacing purposes.

As asphalt has to be laid on road surfaces when it is hot, with a view to conserving energy, it is desirable to quickly transport the asphalt from the processing plant at which it has been manufactured to the situation in which it is to be laid before the heat introduced into the asphalt during manufacture has been lost. This means quickly transporting the asphalt from the manufacturing plant to the site where it is to be used in opentopped lorries which are normally partially insulated by covering the load with a tarpaulin. Attempts have been made in the past to insulate also the sides and underside of the load container of the lorry to minimise heat loss.

Such prior insulated containers have been made by attaching insulating material to the container sides and, to protect this material, covering it with metal sheets which are attached to the container sides by pop rivets. In view of the wear and tear to which the vehicles are subjected and the thermal stresses in the pop rivets it is often found that the metal sheeting protecting the insulation becomes detatched thereby allowing the insulation to break down with resultant loss in efficiency. In addition, in these past attempts at insulating, insulating panels have been positioned against the container side between strengthening pillars on the outside of the container. This gives rise to cold spots at the side of the load due to the conduction of heat away from the load through the non-insulated pillars.

A further disadvantage of existing arrangements results from an additional cold path at the junction of the base of the container with its sides. In one preferred form of construction of load containers folded aluminium sheets are welded together to form the container. As the junction between the base and sides of the container must be relatively strong to resist the outward bending moment applied to the sides by the load the junction has often been of relatively complicated construction procluding the use of insulation. Where insulation has been employed the strength of the joint has been diminished.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a load container having a base and upstanding sides, said base and sides being clad externally of the container with insulating panels, the panels on the sides of the container being supported between channels running along the top and base of the sides.

Preferably the side insulating panels are made up from a number of similar sections, each of which includes an outer protecting cladding sheet.

Preferably the cladding sheets extend over part of the edges of each section and terminate in an inturned flange which is accommodated in a groove formed in said panel edges spaced from the inner face of the panel so that when a plurality of sections are arranged in end-to-end relationship the region of the edge between the inner face and said groove of one panel abuts with a similar unclad region of a neighbouring panel.

Preferably the channels for receiving insulating panels are formed integrally with the container sides and include a transverse surface extending substantially perpendicular to the vehicle sides, an outer surface extending from said transverse surface substantially parallel to the vehicle sides and a further transverse surface extending from said outer surface parallel to said first transverse surface in the direction of the said side.

The upper transverse surface may be extended inwardly towards the container to provide a walkway along the top of the side of the vehicle, the walkway forming an inwardly directed lip which assists in the retention of the container contents.

Preferably the container is provided with corner pillars which are hollow and which are filled with insulating material.

Preferably a triangular cross-sectional rib projecting inwardly into the container is formed adjacent the base of each side, a similar triangular rib being formed at the outer edge of the base, this second rib being extended downwardly so that when the base and side are placed alongside each other with the adjacent sides of the triangular ribs in contact a diagonal fillet plate is formed across the junction of the side with the base, a weld being run along the line of intersection of the triangular ribs and a further weld being formed between the base and the side along the lower edge of the downward extension from the triangular rib.

An inwardly directed flange formed integrally with the downward extension of the rib of the base is utilised to support a base insulation panel.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a joint between the base and a side of a container as described in the preceding two paragraphs.

A transverse strengthening rib may be provided across the front of the container. The front at its lower end may be deformed into a box shape to provide a front bearer for the container.

A panel having a depresssion therein may be provided at the top of the front to provide a tarpaulin support tray.

The rear of the container at its lower section may be provided with a hinged gate.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a sectional plan of a load container; Figure 2 shows a sectional side elevation; Figure 3 shows a sectional end elevation; Figure 4 shows, on an enlarged scale, a sectional elevation through the line IV-IV in Fig. 1; Figure 5 shows, on an enlarged scale, a sectional elevation through the line V-V on Fig. 1; Figure 6 shows, on an enlarged scale, a sectional elevation through the line VI-VI on Fig. 1; Figure 7 shows, on an enlarged scale, a sectional elevation through the line VII-VII on Fig. 2; Figure 8 shows a view similar to Fig. 6 of a modification; and Figures 9 and 10 show respectively sectional elevations of top and bottom rails for use in the modification shown in Fig. 8.

A load container comprises a base 10 and four vertically upstanding sides forming a head board 14, a tail board 16 and two sides 18. The upstanding sides and the base are insulated by having insulating panels 20 arranged along the outer surfaces thereof.

Each of the sides 18 of the vehicle are formed from folded aluminium sheet 22 and at the top of each side there is formed a substantially horizontal transverse top surface 24 which terminates at its outer end in a downwardly extending rub rail 26 the lower end 28 of which extends inwardly towards the side 18. The horizontal transverse surface 24 extends inwardly of the side to provide an upper walkway and a load retention lip 25.

At the base of each side 18 there is formed a lower horizontal surface 29, and lower rub rail 30 and a lower inwardly directed extension 32.

A rib 34 having the form of an equilateral triangle is formed from the inner surface of each side 18 spaced from the lower transverse surface 28.

The base panel 10 terminates at each of its longitudinal edges adjacent said sides 18 in an upwardly directed rib 34 having an equilateral triangular cross-section, -5 the length of whose side is equal to the length of the side of the rib 34 from the side of the container. There is a downward extension 38 from the outer edge of said triangular rib 36 and a horizontal flange 40 projects inwardly for a short distance from the extension 38 and, as can be best seen from Fig. 6, when the base 10 and side 18 are placed together the adjacent sides of the respective triangular ribs 34,36 lie alongside each other with the apices of the triangles coinciding. The base 10 and sides 18 can be fixed together by running a weld along the line 42 of said coinciding apices and along the line 44 at the lower edge of the downward extension 38 of the base 10.This construction gives a rigid interconnection between base 10 and the sides 18.

The outwardly directed deformations 26,28 and 29,30 at the top and base of the side 18 form channels into which can be slotted from the front and/ or rear ends of the slides 18 a plurality of insulating panels 20. Each panel 20 has an outer cladding 46 (Fig. 7) to protect it from damage. The cladding comprises an outer sheet which is folded over at the end of each insulating panel to extend over part of the edge of the panel, the inner edge 48 of the cladding 46 being deformed inwardly parallel to the outer surface to be accommodated in a groove 50 formed in the panel edge. This means that when a plurality of panels are placed in edgeto-edge relationship there is a section 52 of the edge of each panel which directly abuts the neighbouring panel.

The insulating panels 20 are inserted into the channels from the front or the rear of the container prior to the fitment of corner posts 54 which can best be seen in Figs. 1 and 7. The corner posts not only retain the sides 18, head board 14 and tail board 16 of the container but also include insulation 56.

The top and base of the headboard 14 (Fig. 4) are formed in a manner similar to the top and base of the sides so that they form channels for accommodation of insulation panels 20. Midway down the headboard there is formed, by folding, a horizontally extending strengthening rib 58 and the base of the headboard is folded inwardly to define an open topped box 60 which, in conjunction with the front edge of the base 10 of the container forms a front bearer A sheet 62 having a depression 64 in its upper surface is attached to the top of the headboard 14 and extends across the top of the container to act as a rest for a tarpaulin (not shown) for covering the load in the container when the tarpaulin is in a folded back condition.

The tailboard 16 of the container comprises an upper section 66 whose construction is generally similar to the sides 18, and a lower section 68 hinged thereto, both the upper and lower sections being insulated.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8 to 10 there are provided extruded aluminium alloy top and bottom rails 70, 72. The top rail 70 is so formed that it provides the top surface 24, rub rail 26, inward extension 28 and load retention lip 25 the corresponding components in Figs. 8 and 9 being shown with corresponding reference numerals suffixed 'a'. Additional vertical and horizontal members 74, 76 are formed on the extrusion to provide a box girder, the junction of the members 74, 76 being cut away such that when the rail is fitted to the top of an undeformed side plate 22a there is formed a weld prep. 78.

In a similar manner the bottom rail 72 is an extruded aluminium alloy member and replaces the folded portions of the base of the side 22 and edge of the floor 10 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6.

Members of the extrusion 72 corresponding to similar folded members have been given the same reference numerals in Figs. 8 and 10 with the addition of the suffix 'a' and Fig. 8 shows weld preps.

at 80, 82, 84 and 86.

The extruded top and bottom rails enable the manufacturer to obtain the same rigid interconnection of floor and side as before and the same ease in inserting and holding the insulating panels 18 (which are not shown in Figs. 9 and 10).

Various other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example the insulating material need not have cladding panels, or alternatively the cladding panels may be provided all round the insulation. This is not so satisfactory as if the cladding material is heat conductive it is possible for there to be a leakage of heat at the junction of insulation panels. The panels may be held in end-to-end relationship by adhesive.

Additional strengthening ribs may be formed horizontally along the inside of the sides, tailboard and headboard, if desired, and the corner pillars may take any suitable alternative form.

In the Figs. 8 to 10 modification the position of the weld runs may be altered.

Claims

1. A load container having a base and upstanding sides, said base and sides being clad externally of the container with insulating panels, the panels on the sides of the container being supported between channels running along the top and base of the sides.

2. A load container as claimed in claim 1, in which the side insulating panels are made up from a number of similar sections, each of which includes an outer protecting cladding sheet.

3. A load container as claimed in claim 2, in which the cladding sheets extend over part of the edges of each section and terminate in an inturned flange which is accommodated in a groove formed in said panel edges spaced from the inner face of the panel so that when a plurality of sections are arranged in end-to-end relationship the region of the edge between the inner face and said groove of one panel abuts with a similar unclad region of a neighbouring panel.

4. A load container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the channels for receiving insulating panels are formed with the container sides and include a transverse surface extending substantially perpendicular to the vehicle sides, an outer surface extending from said transverse surface substantially parallel to the vehicle sides and a further transverse surface extending from said outer surface parallel to said first transverse surface in the direction of the said side.

5. A load container as claimed in claim 4, in which the upper transverse surface is extended inwardly towards the container to provide a walkway along the top of the side of the vehicle, the walkway forming an inwardly directed lip which assists in the retention of the container contents.

6. A load container as claimed in claim 5, in which said upper transverse surface, inwardly directed lip, outer surface and further transverse surface are provided by folding the top portion of an upstanding side.

7. A load container as claimed in claim 5, in which said upper transverse surface, inwardly directed lip, outer surface and further transverse surface are provided by an extruded top rail.

8. A load container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the container is provided with corner pillars which are hollow and which are filled with insulating material.

9. A load container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a triangular cross-sectional rib projecting inwardly into the container is formed adjacent the base of each side, a similar triangular rib being formed at the outer edge of the base, this second rib being extended downwardly so that when the base and side are placed alongside each other with the adjacent sides of the triangular ribs in contact a diagonal fillet plate is formed across the junction of the side with the base, a weld being run along the line of intersection of the triangular ribs and a further weld being formed between the base and the side along the lower edge of the downard extension from the triangular rib.

10. A load container as claimed in claim 8, in which an inwardly directed flange formed integrally with the downward extension of the rib of the base is utilised to support a base insulation panel.

11. A load container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, in which an extruded bottom rail provides a fixture for the bottom of the upstanding side and the lateral edge of the base and includes a bottom transverse surface extending substantially perpendicular to the vehicle side, and outer surface extending upwardly parallel to the vehicle side, a further transverse surface extending from said outer surface parallel to said first transverse surface in the direction of said side.

12. A load container as claimed in claim 11, in which the bottom rail includes an inwardly directed flange to support the base insulating panel.

13. A load container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a transverse strengthening rib is provided across the front of the container.

14. A load container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the front at its lower end is deformed into a box shape to provide a front bearer for the container.

15. A load container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a panel having a depression therein is provided at the top of the front to provide a tarpaulin support tray.

16. A load container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the rear of the container at its lower section is provided with a hinged gate.

17. A load container having a base and sides is provided with a joint between the base and the or each side, comprising a triangular cross-sectional rib projecting inwardly into the container formed adjacent the base of each side, a similar triangular rib formed at the outer edge of the base, this second rib being extended downwardly so that when the base and side are placed alongside each other with the adjacent sides of the traingular ribs in contact a diagonal fillet plate is formed across the junction of the side with the base, a weld being run along the line of intersection of the triangular ribs and a further weld being formed between the base and the side along the lower edge of the downward extension from the triangular rib.

18. A load container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings or Figs. 1 to 7 when modified by the arrangement shown in Figs. 8 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

19. Any novel subject matter or combination in cluding novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.