GB2177375A - Modular containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A series of small rigid and folding wall/side goods carrying containers fit together to form a larger unit container thus allowing small units to be packed in small containers but shipped and transported as a large container unit. The invention also relates to the containers acting as the body or shell of a motorised van or lorry in conjunction with a driving power cab that will collect container units, allowing vehicle size to be reduced or increased to meet load requirements. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to goods transport containers I, Michael Thomas Beckett, of 531 WATFORD ROAD, ST. ALBANS, HERTS., do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a Patent, may be granted to me. and the method by which it is preformed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: At present Goods transport containers are usually made of metal, are of ridgid construction, with a door, and in two sizes. 40 ft and 20 ft containers. These are 20ft and 40ft in length, 8ft wide and 8-21ft high external measurements approximately. These are used for transportation of Goods, merchandise, on Rail, Road, and ship, boat systems. At present most Containers are made in the far East because of cost. With this patent it will revolutionise container system, as Container system has done for general cargo transportation.It will reduce potential costs, especially in handling, and with world wide patents, hopefully, lead to high British manufacture of the invention, and to new British Jobs and Exports.

The Invention Relates to a system of MICRO and MINI Containers. At present 40ft and 20ft containers are too large for delivering to many places of business. Also many small companies and businesses do not need a large standard container for their consignments, of distributing their goods throughout the U.K. or Internationally. They have to use part container loads. Where their goods have to be packed, taken on one means of transportation to a container base where there goods are packed or 'Stuffed' into a container 20 or 40 ft along with other concerns goods. There is often a chance of delay, theft or damage, both in stuffing, and unstuffing Container. Also all types of goods, shapes and sizes are stuffed into a standard container, and there is often a problem in designing standardised handling equipment.Once a container is loaded or stuffed, it is then loaded onto a ship, boat, train or Lorry for transportation to its final destination, which may be in the same country or to another country. The container on arrival has then to be unloaded and goods then dispatched to the consignee. There can be delays for customs, and staff availability for the unstuffing or unloading of separate goods from within the container.

With a system of Mini and Micro Containers, the idea or invention is for a number of different sized containers of smaller size than the standard size containers, but a of such proportions so as to be able to make up a standard size container.

Fig. 1 of attached diagram shows a side elevation of a standard size container made up of varios Mini and Micro Containers. Fig. la shows end elevation and Fig. 1 b a plan view of micro and mini containers making up a standard size container. This is for standardisation of transportation and handling. They can be so fixed, clamped or locked together so as to be suitable for picking up with crane or other handling equipment for storage or on means of transport such as lorry, trailer, train, plane, ship or boat.

The invention relates to the advantage of small exporters or distributors. packing their own, or hired, mini or micro containers which can be reusable. This would reduce cost of having special cartons or cases made. The product or products are put into suitable size container. The container or container can then be transported by the exporters own transport, or transport company, to destination or port of shipment. Whith computor, and radio/telephone control it would be possible for containers to be picked up, fed into computor control so they can be so organised as to be fitted together with the right combination of other mini or micro containers from the same or other exporters or distributors, so as to form a complete size standard container. An empty container may be added to form a complete load. This would mean far quicker loading and unloading.Also specialised loading and unloading equipment can be made. But with varying but compatable size containers it is easier to standardise handling and loading.

The containers could be made not only of metal, or steel, but piastic, fibre glass, wood, or andy suitable material. The size can be various and with each size of Mini or micro container given a reference such as a letter, it would make for easy distribution and reference. They could be made plain, or in different colours, or in companies colour and with name. They could have a place for a coulr reference card, this would then denote type of goods, Fragile, chemicals, food, inflamible, consumer goods etc, again for easy identification. The colour reference card could be changed as required. Also a slot, place or receptical for documentation. The containers could just fit together, or have some form of locking system.Another advantage of mini and micro containers is that they form, the outside protection for goods and remove the nescessity of using a loory or van with walls or roof. As in Fig. 2 a lorry would be made up of a cab or power unit, a fixed or articu lated trailer, or trailor, which has ideally low hight, ideally using smaller wheels, and Micro and Mini, making up the side of the lorry or van. With a suitable locking system it would also be secure, both from theft or falling off as present systems in use. Also with a retractable base lorry, worked with piston ramps, or similar, one could shorten lenght of empty or half empty lorry. This would reduce road space, making delieries in town easier. At present if a container is empty it still takes up the 40ft. dig 2a and Fig. 2b show type of saving in space that could be obchieved.Also fuel costs would reduce as weight and resistance of vehichle could at times be reduced.

Fig. 2 shows a tail gate that is up, and could also lock containers in position so they do not fall off. Fig. 2 a shows tail gate acting as ramp. Fig. 2b shows lorry shortened and with empty containes stacked flat on back.

Fig. 3 shows shape of container with hinged doors. This is similar to that used on 20 and 40ft Containers. Mini and micro containers could have the same. Also they could be made where one side detaches to allow loading and unloading. Fig. 3a does show where top is removable but it could be any side. The invention also relates to the use of folding, or fit together containers. Fig. 3 b shows sides locked together and with seperate base and top. Fig. 3c shows the principle of container pieces being fitted or locked together. Fig. 3d shows sides and bases of containers stored flat. This means less space is used in storing or transporting empty containers. A variety of suitable systems can be used for sides and base to lock or fit together. Fig. 4a shows the sides of a container with lugs or sections that fit together and are locked in place with a bolt or pin, or suitable fitting.Fig. 4b shows a locking system that could be used. Fig. 4b has the sides of mini or micro containers close together with lugs inter locking and a locking section, which could run from the top to the bottom of the container, holding containers together. Fig. 4c shows where locking section lifted so containers can be moved together or apart. Fig. 4d shows a locking pin with an oval section which in one position hold containers together and in another they can be moved apart. But many suitable or compatable systems could be used.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative of the invention.

This has rollers. or wheels fitted to base of Mini or micro contianers. This allows them to be easily moved. Fig. 5a shows top of container with groves so rollers of another container can run allong in them and also help guide and hold in place. It also show a locking pin which would stop rollers or wheels either and or moving back or forwards. It is a simple system that allows easy movement and locking into place. Fig. 5b shows a toung and groove system where the containers can be easily fitted together, to avoid movement or sliding of containers.

Fig. 6 a shows a fork lift system loading containers on to container trailer, from side.

But it could be used from rear or front. Fig.

6b shows a gantry or more sophisticated loading system in operation.

Fig. 6c shows same loading system with container partly loaded and with ability to place containers on top of each other.

Fig. 6 d shows how mini and micro containers can be loaded on and off a road trailer on to storage place and on or off a rail truck.

Again it would be possible to have containers forming outside of rail truck. So only a platform or bogy truck need be built. In consequence it would cheaper vans and lorries and rail trucks. As the Container forms the size of the lorry. Only a cab or power cab or/and trailors need be purchased. This allows for a Container to be loaded or packed in a factory.

It could be sealed, stored, loaded onto a trailer. when required picked up by power or cab unit, delivered to rail, and or port, for transportation, by rail plane, ship, or lorry. Integrated with other mini or micro containers for same destination, and loaded.

Fig. 7a shows a micro, or mini style lorry and trailer system. Also with the aim of reducing unecessary vehicle weight, it reduces, the size and power of engine required for driving lorry. Also with lower trailers or lorries, it would make for easier loading, and less effect by wind on side of lorry. Also with more but smaller wheel it could mean more standardisation and less cost. Fig. 7 B shows Micro and mini containers being loaded on a ship as standard containers. Fig. 7 c, shows Micro and Mini containers being loaded seperately on Plane, but stored locked together. Fig. 7D shows Mini and micro containers used and transported by airship. Carbon fibre or kevalar containers could be made to facilitate light weight for air type travel. It is envisaged that an artical could be packed in a Micro container, such as a Television, transported un opened from say factory in Japan to a user in the U.K. This would avoid cost of carboard or other packing and enable product to be better protected. The manufacturer would pack T.V.

in factory, store ready for dispatch, load on suitable lorry, dispatch to docks, forwarded to the U.K. distributor. They could send multiples of Micro containers to Retailers who then deliver T.V. In container to individual. Empty container is returned. One could have a credit or coupon system for containers. The container then sent to a British manufacturer, for sending goods to Japan. At present most containers are leased, and the same could apply to mini and micro containers.

Claims (14)

1. The invention of a Micro and Mini container system, for the transportation of goods.

2. The invention of a Micro and Mini container system, that allows for different sizes of container, but to be compatable with and such to form the size of a standard, 20ft or 40ft long container, or size of the standard accepted international containers.

3. The invention that Micro and Mini containers can be made of any suitable material, that they can be locked together to for a single unit, that they can be fitted with rollers, attatchments or fittings to facilitate, handling, security, loading.

4. The invention, of a micro or mini container, that can be folded or taken apart for easy storage when empty, and is such that it can be added to other containers to form a standard size container.

5. The invention of a Mini or Micro container as described herin and as shown on drawings Fig. 1 to Fig. 7.

6. The invention of a Micro and or Mini Container or Container system as mentioned 1 to 6 that can form the outside of a Van or Lorry or rail truck, or airship container, so as to avoid the necessity of transporting small consignments in a Van, Lorry etc. with a body or side or walls so as to allow the sides of the container to act as the body of the van, lorry etc. And that a Mini container or collection of mini containers, can be fitted with detchable wheels for in factory, moving andor on road transportation, so as to avoid the necessity of building a lorry or van of fixed size.

That a Micro container and or Mini Containers can be so locked together to form a single unit for a short or long period of time, and can be transported on special bogy, or set of wheels, or special trailer for transportation from one destination toanother.

7. The invention of an intergrated Mini or Micro sized Containers or container system, to allow flexibility, and intergration and speed up delivery from one method of transport toanother, yet allows for local and or international compatability.

8. The invention, of Micro and Mini style power units, that can be attached to special trailers, designed to carry Containers, that give total capacity and lenght of vehicle ajustability, and that those power units, can act as steering and control units, and control trailer lenght by the operation of an extendable base and retractable base for the carrying of Containers.

9. The invention of extendable size and retractable size, trailer, or bogy, designed to carry containers, and adjust the length or size of such trailer or bogy to the size of the load to be carried, in consequence to reduce space taken by empty or partly empty container lorries.

10. The invention of a bogy, set of Wheels, or wheels with attachment to allow them to be fitted to Micro or Mini Containers or a system or unit of Micro or Mini Containers so that they can allow the containers to be transported on Rail or Road, or land, or with floatable wheel unit for floating on water, without the need for a seperate trailor, and that one or more such units can be towed, or pushed by a seperate power unit, and the ridgidy of the Micro and Mini containers forms embodiment of a Van, Lorry etc.

11. The invention of a system a sdescribed in 1 to 10 that allows for mini or micro containers to be added or removed from those attached to a trailer or set of wheels.

12. The invention, of a Bogy system described in 10 and 11, that can be of a ridgid nature and or allowed to swivel, to allow easier transportation, where one or a series of Bogies designed to carry Mini and Micro containers can be coupled together and a central locking system used so as the wheels of the bogy or chasis can turn or be locked in a certain position, or the wheels can be turned by controls in the power unit or driving cab.

13. The principle, that a series of small containers can be locked together or joined so as to form a large container which can then be handled and transported as a large container, that the containers can remove the need for smaller consignments being carried in a Van or lorry with a body or walls, that those containers can be of a take-apart or folding nature for easier storage, and that a Mini and or micro container or containers can become an integral part of a vehicle, so that it offers flexibility of vehicle size.

14. The principle that a Mini or Micro system as described herin, will reduce the cost of individual containers, and reduce the cost, and increase the availability of containers to suit the requirement of individuals and businesses, making the container system more accessable universal and integrated.

Drawing Index.

Figure 1 Side Elevation of Micro/Mini containers fixed together to make large container.

Figure 7b Plan view of Micro/mini containers.

Figure la End Elevation.

Figure 2 Side elevation of Micro/Mini Lorry & containers Vehicle with full load.

Figure 2a Side Elevation vehicle unloading.

Figure 2b Side elevation, with partly loaded vehicle Base telescoped.

Figure 3 Container with hinged doors. side loading.

Figure 3a Container with top loading.

Figure 3b Side elevation of container sections hinged.

Figure 3c Hinged/take apart container being assembled Figure 3d Container stored flat.

Figure 4a side elevation of locking bolts.

Figure 4b Elevation of alternative type locking system.

Figure 5 Elevation cross section of container Figure 5a Cross section end elevation.

Figure 5b End elevation of Part container.

Figure 6a End Elevation of vehicle loaded Figure 6b Side elevation of trailer loading system.

Figure 6c Side elevation of trailer loading Figure 6d Side elevation of Rail/Road interloading.

Figure 7a Side elevation of Micro/mini Trailer/cab Figure 7b Side elevation of Vessel Figure 7c Side Elevation of Aeroplane Figure 7d Side elevation of Airship.

No. Description.

1 Top Micro/Mini Container 2 Base Micro/Mini Container 3 Sides Micro/Mini Container 4 Hinge or interlocking fitting 5 Locking pin/bolt 6 Locking lugs/clamps 7 Flat type locking pin 8 Oval hole/slot 9 Rollers/wheels 10 Grove 11 Roller Locking Pin in Brake/locked posi tion 12 Roller Locking Pin out/ free position 13 Ridge on Container Base 14 Micro/mini containers stacked as large container/unit.

15 Mini/Micro Container 16 Lorry/van/trailer base 17 Vehicle/trailer wheels 18 Fork Lift/Loader 19 Container Ready for loading 20 Container being loaded 21 Container loaded 22 Loading/crane device 23 Rail Truck 24 platform/conveyor belt 25 mini/micro Trailor 26 Mini/Micro Cab/driving/power unit 27 Mini/Micro Containers being loaded as large 20 or 40ft Containers 28 Vessel/ship/barge.

29 Aeroplane 30 Airship 31 Airship control power unit.

32 Tailgate/Loading Ramp.