U.S. patent application number 12/078402 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for thermal insulation liner.
This patent application is currently assigned to San Miguel Corporation. Invention is credited to Lawrence Joon Leong Yong.
Application Number | 20080237226 12/078402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34102035 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080237226 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yong; Lawrence Joon Leong |
October 2, 2008 |
Thermal insulation liner
Abstract
A method for thermally insulating a container with a thermally
reflective liner.
Inventors: |
Yong; Lawrence Joon Leong;
(Melaka, MY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON HOLMAN PLLC
400 SEVENTH STREET N.W., SUITE 600
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Assignee: |
San Miguel Corporation
|
Family ID: |
34102035 |
Appl. No.: |
12/078402 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10817962 |
Apr 6, 2004 |
|
|
|
12078402 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/1.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 90/06 20130101;
B65D 90/046 20130101; B65D 2590/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/1.6 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/04 20060101
B65D090/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 7, 2003 |
MY |
PI 20031276 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A method for thermally insulating a container with a thermally
reflective liner, the liner comprising including at least three
long panels joined along their long sides forming at least a part
of a tube of approximately rectangular cross section, an end panel
sealing an end of the at least part tube, flaps for closing a front
end of the at least part tube with thermal insulation provided to
the space within the liner, and a plurality of loops provided along
the joined long sides of the liner, the method comprising the steps
of: positioning the end panel of the liner at a rear end of an
empty container; attaching pieces of webbing material to corners at
the rear end of the container; feeding each piece of webbing
material through the plurality of loops of the liner and through
hooks on the container; loading the container; and closing the
flaps of the liner to enclose contents of the container.
12. A method for thermally insulating a container with a thermally
reflective liner, the liner including at least three long panels
joined along their long sides forming at least a part tube of
approximately rectangular cross section, an end panel sealing an
end of the at least part tube, flaps for closing a front end of the
at least part tube with thermal insulation provided to the space
within the liner, and a plurality of eyelets provided along the
joined long sides of the liner, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning the end panel of the liner at a rear end of an empty
container; hooking a connecting hook between each eyelet and a
corresponding portion of webbing material threaded through
container hooks on the container; loading the container; and
closing the liner to enclose contents of the container.
13. A method for thermally insulating a container with a thermally
reflective liner, the liner including at least three long panels
joined along their long sides forming at least a part tube of
approximately rectangular cross section, an end panel sealing an
end of the at least part tube, flaps for closing a front end of the
at least part tube with thermal insulation provided to the space
within the liner, and a plurality of loops provided along the
joined long sides of the liner, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning the end panel of the liner spaced from a rear end of
the empty container; attaching pieces of webbing material to
corners at the rear end of the container; feeding each piece of
webbing material through the plurality of loops of the liner and
through hooks on the container until reaching and attaching to
corners at a front end of the container to space the at least three
long panels of the liner from at least sides and a top of the
container thereby providing an air gap insulating space; loading
the container; and closing the flaps of the liner to enclose
contents of the container.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein an additional
plurality of loops are provided along a short side of an uppermost
one of the long panels and a further piece of webbing material is
threaded between the additional plurality of loops on the liner and
a plurality of hooks on an uppermost edge of an opening of the
container.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the flaps of the
liner are overlapped to close the front end of the liner.
Description
[0001] This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/817,962 filed Apr. 6, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the protection of goods and
products against either elevated or decreased temperature with
respect to ambient temperature, during shipping or transportation
in sea-freight shipping containers.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0003] Within sea-freight containers there is often a temperature
difference of about 10.degree. C. to 15.degree. C. with respect to
the ambient temperature. Both the internal temperature within the
container, and the ambient temperature, can rise quickly. Such
temperature fluctuations can cause damage to the container
contents, especially to perishable goods.
[0004] To prevent damage to the container contents, thermal
insulation is required which slows the rate of change of the
temperature within the container. Thick blankets of wool or similar
material and plastic bubble material can be used to provide thermal
insulation.
[0005] A sleeve like liner can be used as a thermal insulator which
is inflated using a motorised fan or blower. Such an inflatable
liner has the disadvantage that it can only be readily used where
electric power is available.
[0006] Some liners are used where the walls of the liner are
adhered to the walls of the container using double-sided tape, or
hook-and-loop material. The effectiveness of such liners is reduced
by the direct contact of the liner with the wall of the container.
Owing to the direct contact between the liner and the container
walls, heat is conducted from the walls to the insulation
materials. U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,979 discloses a bubble foil with a
reflective surface. These types of bubble foil are bulky and heavy
and cannot be effectively used in sea-freight containers.
[0007] All the above mentioned thermal insulation devices require a
substantial amount of time for the installation of the
insulator.
[0008] Thus, an object of the invention is to provide a thermal
insulation device for use in sea-freight shipping containers,
having improved thermal insulation properties, and being easier to
install.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there
is provided a thermally reflective liner for providing thermal
insulation within a container, the liner comprising: [0010] at
least three long panels which are joined along their long sides
forming a part tube or tube; [0011] an end panel which seals the
end of the part tube or tube; [0012] means for closing the front
end of the part tube or tube, such that thermal insulation can be
provided to the space within the liner; and [0013] a plurality of
first attachments provided along the joined long sides of the
liner; [0014] characterized in that at least one piece of webbing
material can be held between the plurality of first attachments on
the liner and a plurality of second attachments on the container to
retain the liner within the container, such that an air gap is
provided between the sides and top of the liner and the
container.
[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a method for thermally insulating a container
with a thermally reflective liner, the liner comprising: [0016] at
least three long panels which are joined along their long sides
forming a part tube or tube of approximately rectangular cross
section; [0017] an end panel which seals the end of the part tube
or tube; [0018] means for closing the front end of the part tube or
tube, such that thermal insulation can be provided to the space
within the liner; and [0019] a plurality of loops provided along
the joined long sides of the liner; [0020] the method comprising
the steps of: [0021] positioning the end panel of the liner at the
rear end of the empty container; [0022] attaching pieces of webbing
material to the corners at the rear end of the container; [0023]
feeding each piece of webbing material through the plurality of
loops and through hooks on the container; [0024] loading the
container; and [0025] closing the liner to enclose the contents of
the container.
[0026] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention there is provided a method for thermally insulating a
container with a thermally reflective liner, the liner comprising:
[0027] at least three long panels which are joined along their long
sides forming a part tube or tube of approximately rectangular
cross section; [0028] an end panel which seals the end of the part
tube or tube; [0029] means for closing the front end of the part
tube or tube, such that thermal insulation can be provided to the
space within the liner; and [0030] a plurality of eyelets provided
along the joined long sides of the liner; [0031] the method
comprising the steps of: [0032] positioning the end panel of the
liner at the rear end of the empty container; [0033] hooking a
connecting hook between each eyelet and a corresponding portion of
webbing material that is threaded through container hooks on the
container; [0034] loading the container; and [0035] closing the
liner to enclose the contents of the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] In order that the present invention can be more readily
understood, an embodiment will now be described, by way of example
only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0037] FIG. 1: is a cross section of one embodiment of a liner,
inserted into a sea-freight shipping container;
[0038] FIG. 2: is a top view of the liner and container of FIG.
1;
[0039] FIG. 3: is a perspective view of the liner of FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 4: is a top view of another embodiment of a liner;
and
[0041] FIG. 5: is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a
liner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a liner 20 which can
be installed in a container 1. The liner 20 is in the shape of a
sleeve, with dimensions which substantially correspond to that of
the container 1 into which the liner 20 is to be inserted.
[0043] The liner 20 has four long panels 25 which are each joined
along the longest sides to the adjacent long panels 25, forming
long seams 26. Thus, the liner 20 has an approximately rectangular
cross section.
[0044] An end panel 30 seals an end of the liner 20. Four sealable
panels 35 of rectangular cross section are each joined, along a
long side, to the short sides of the liner 20. Thus, a sealable
opening is formed in the liner 20.
[0045] Loops 40 are provided along the seams 45 of the liner 20.
Hooks 15 are positioned along the vertices 18 of the container
1.
[0046] To insert the liner 20 into a container 1, the end panel 30
is first positioned at the back end 5 of the container 1. Four
pieces of webbing material, such as cords 50, are used to retain
the liner 20 in position inside the container 1. A knot is made at
the end of each of the cords 50, tying the cords 50 to rear tying
points 6 at each corner on the back end 5 of the container 1.
[0047] Each cord 50 is then fed alternately through the loops 40 on
the liner 20 and the corresponding hooks 15 on the container 1.
Once the cord 50 has been fed through to the front 7 of the
container 1, knots 55 are tied at the end of each cord 50,
attaching the cords 50 to front tying points 11. Thus, the liner 20
is inserted into the container 1.
[0048] Once the container 1 has been loaded, the four sealable
panels 35 can be closed to provide a thermal seal which completely
surrounds the contents of the container 1. The sealable panels 35
are provided with a ties 60 to securely close the liner 20.
[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the liner having
different retaining means to retain the liner 20 in the container
1. As in the previous embodiment the container may still be
provided with hooks 15 at the vertices 18 of the container 1. The
loops 40 in this embodiment are not as wide as the loops of the
previous embodiment but are shaped more as eyelets. The eyelets may
be flexible, that is, made of a woven fabric, or stiffer where they
are made of a metal or plastics. Metal connecting hooks 71 may be
either permanently attached to eyelets 40 or can be un-hooked
therefrom. Metal hooks 71 are designed to hook onto web 50 catching
the lengths of web 50 between container hooks 15.
[0050] In this way, web 50 does not need to be constantly threaded
and unthreaded from container hooks 15 and liner loops 40. Rather,
the web may remain tied to the container at front and rear tying
points 11 and 6 respectively and threaded through hooks 15. Once
the liner 20 is inserted into the container 1, the metal connecting
hooks 71 are hooked onto the adjacent web 50 threaded through the
container hooks 15. This allows for a much simpler and faster
attachment process, particularly for inserting the liner into a
container.
[0051] Of course, the arrangement of the metal connecting hooks 71
and threaded web may be reversed such that the web is permanently
held in place threaded through loops 40 on the liner and the
removable connecting hooks 71 are located on container hooks 15.
Connecting hooks 71 may be detachable from eyelets 40 or container
hooks 15, or they may be permanently connected to either the
eyelets 40 or container hooks 15 such that connecting hooks 17 are
not misplaced.
[0052] Other suitable means for attaching the liner to the
container interior may also be used. For example, in place of
connecting hooks 71 the liner or container may include velcro loops
that loop around web 50 and fold over to attach with itself and
form a velcro loop.
[0053] Another embodiment of the liner is illustrated in FIG. 5. In
this embodiment the bottom panel is missing such that there are
only three long panels 25, an end panel 30 and only three sealable
panels 35. The resulting shape is a part tube with one panel
missing. This embodiment is brought about because it is not always
necessary or desirable to have a bottom panel lining the base of
the container.
[0054] Liner loops 40 are still provided in this embodiment along
the lower edge 72 of the side panels. This maintains the side
panels firmly aligned with the side walls of the container.
[0055] It is understood that some containers may be of irregular
geometry, for example having more than four sides, such as five,
and in these cases a liner may be purpose made for such containers
along the lines of the above concept.
[0056] Such custom made liners may comprise more than four panels,
such as five or six, forming a tube or part tube.
[0057] To ensure that the liner 20 does not droop over the front
end 10 of the container 1, additional cord 65 is provided to retain
the seam 70 (located between the uppermost long panel 25 and the
uppermost sealable panel 35) to the container 1.
[0058] The liner 20 is made of a reinforced material such as a
woven fabric, and further laminated with a thermally reflective
material. Such thermally reflective materials include aluminium
and/or vapourised aluminium sheet.
[0059] The liner 20 is light weight and tough. The liner 20 must be
able to withstand the rough treatment of the forklifts and pallet
jacks used to load/unload goods from the container 1 is an
important characteristic of the liner 20. The woven fabric provides
the durability required of the liner 20, while the aluminium
provides the thermal reflective surface.
[0060] When the liner 20 is inserted as described above, the liner
20 is positioned within the container 1 such that an air gap is
formed on the long sides and top between the liner 20 and the
container 1.
[0061] The thermally reflective surface of the liner 20 reduces
heat transfer by thermal radiation to (or from) the air immediately
adjacent to the liner 20. The air gap between the container 1 and
the liner 20 improves the thermal insulation by minimising
conduction from the liner 20 to the container 1.
[0062] It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the
invention that many modifications may be made without departing
from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *