U.S. patent application number 12/593273 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for container for goods.
Invention is credited to Claes Nordstrom.
Application Number | 20100243647 12/593273 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39788739 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100243647 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nordstrom; Claes |
September 30, 2010 |
CONTAINER FOR GOODS
Abstract
The present invention relates to a goods container for loading
spaces in vehicles, preferably in aircraft, which goods container
comprises at least one goods storage space for the loading,
storage, transport and unloading of goods. With a view to achieving
a goods container which allows optimum utilization of the loading
space of a vehicle, preferably of an aircraft, the goods container
has at least one sidewall (1, 2, 3 and 4), a bottom (5) and a top
(6) made of non-self-supporting material which delineate the goods
storage space, and also a loadbearing structure (7) which maintains
the sidewalls, the bottom and the top made of non-self-supporting
material so that they delineate said goods storage space, and the
non-self-supporting material is disposed in the bottom (5) of the
goods container in at least two, preferably three or four,
layers.
Inventors: |
Nordstrom; Claes; (Lund,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TAROLLI, SUNDHEIM, COVELL & TUMMINO L.L.P.
1300 EAST NINTH STREET, SUITE 1700
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
39788739 |
Appl. No.: |
12/593273 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
March 19, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE08/50311 |
371 Date: |
May 10, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/1.5 ;
220/666 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 88/24 20130101;
B65D 88/14 20130101; B65D 88/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/1.5 ;
220/666 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/04 20060101
B65D090/04; B65D 6/16 20060101 B65D006/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 27, 2007 |
SE |
0700778-4 |
Claims
1. A goods container for loading spaces in vehicles, preferably in
aircraft, which goods container comprises at least one goods
storage space for the loading, storage, transport and unloading of
goods, wherein the goods container comprises: at least one sidewall
(1, 2, 3 and 4), a bottom (5) and a top (6) made of
non-self-supporting material which delineate the goods storage
space, and also a loadbearing structure (7) which maintains the
sidewalls, the bottom and the top made of non-self-supporting
material so that they delineate said goods storage space, and the
non-self-supporting material is disposed in the bottom (5) of the
goods container in at least two, preferably three or four,
layers.
2. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the goods
container is expandable from an inactive state to a functional
state in which said sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), bottom (5) and top
(6) made of non-self-supporting material delineate said goods
storage space, and is collapsible back from the functional state to
the inactive state.
3. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein said sidewalls
(1, 2, 3 and 4), bottom (5) and top (6) delineating said goods
storage space take the form of a single piece of
non-self-supporting material.
4. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the bottom (5)
and/or the top (6) of the goods container are/is foldable.
5. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the loadbearing
structure (7) is integrated in said sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4),
bottom (5) and top (6) made of non-self-supporting material or is
disposed adjacent to or on said sidewalls, bottom and top
internally or externally about them.
6. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein loadbearing
structure (7) is manually or automatically activatable to change
the goods container from the inactive state to the functional
state.
7. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein the loadbearing
structure (7) is manually or automatically activatable to change
the goods container from the functional state, to the inactive
state.
8. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the loadbearing
structure (7) takes the form of a framework of preferably resilient
material, e.g. carbon fibre material.
9. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein the loadbearing
structure (7) takes the form of a telescopically deployable and
collapsible framework.
10. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein the loadbearing
structure (7) takes the form of a deployable and retractable
framework.
11. A goods container according to claim 8, wherein the framework
(7) comprises elongate frame sections or tubes delineating the
extent of the goods container.
12. A goods container according to claim 8, wherein the framework
(7) comprises elongate frame sections or tubes delineating the
sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), the bottom (5) and the top (6) of the
goods container.
13. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the loadbearing
structure (7) takes the form of compressed air hoses vulcanized
into said sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), bottom (5) and top (6) made of
non-self-supporting material.
14. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein the goods
container comprises at least one portion for opening and closing of
the goods container when it is in the functional state.
15. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein the goods
container comprises at least four sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4) and
that the whole or at least part of at least one of the sidewalls is
configured for opening and closing of the goods container when it
is in the functional state.
16. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein the goods
container in the functional state is divisible for opening and
closing of it.
17. A goods container according to claim 14, wherein the goods
container comprises a device which indicates whether the goods
container has been opened or not.
18. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the
non-self-supporting material is an airtight material.
19. A goods container according to claim 18, wherein the goods
container comprises a device which indicates whether air has
entered the goods container.
20. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the goods
container is so configured that the goods storage space delineated
by said sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), bottom (5) and top (6) made of
non-self-supporting material has a cross-sectional shape
corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the vehicle,
preferably an aircraft, which comprises the loading space in which
the goods container is intended to be placed.
21. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the goods
container is so configured that the goods storage space delineated
by said sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), bottom (5) and top (6) made of
non-self-supporting material protrudes sideways from the bottom of
the goods container.
22. A goods container according to claim 21, wherein the goods
container comprises four sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), one or more of
which, preferably two mutually opposite, sidewalls (2,4) is/are
each provided with a bow-legged bend (2a, 4a) so that said wall or
walls runs/run obliquely outwards and upwards from the bottom (5)
of the goods container to said bend and from the bend obliquely
inwards and upwards to the top (6) of the goods container.
23. A goods container according to claim 22, wherein the bottom (5)
and the top (6) of the goods container differ in surface area.
Description
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a goods container for
loading spaces in vehicles, preferably aircraft. The goods
container comprises at least one goods storage space for the
loading, storage, transport and unloading of goods.
[0002] Goods containers exist in many different versions which all
comprise a bottom and usually one or more sidewalls and tops made
of hard material. The resulting disadvantage, especially in air
transport, is that the goods containers have to be placed at a
distance from the walls of the aircraft body in order to prevent
the occurrence of torsion forces in the aircraft body, thereby
making optimum utilisation of the loading space impossible.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The object of the present invention is to eliminate said
disadvantage of the state of the art and propose a goods container
which allows optimum utilisation of a loading space in a vehicle,
preferably in an aircraft.
[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention by the
goods container comprising at least one sidewall, a bottom and a
top made of non-self-supporting material which delineate the goods
storage space, and also a loadbearing structure which maintains the
sidewalls, the bottom and the top made of non-self-supporting
material so that they delineate said goods storage space, and by
the non-self-supporting material being disposed in the bottom of
the goods container in at least two, preferably three or four,
layers.
[0005] The result is a goods container with soft sidewalls which
can be caused, for optimum utilisation of the loading space in the
vehicle, to abut against, for example, the walls of an aircraft
body without torsion forces being generated in the aircraft body by
this abutment. Owing mainly to the soft bottom of the goods
container, goods in the container will behave like loose goods. The
soft bottom also results in better wear resistance and a slightly
harder but resilient panel which does not generate any torsion
forces in the aircraft body.
[0006] The collapsible and expandable configuration of and the
material adopted for the goods container according to a further
version of the invention also result in the goods container being
of extremely low weight and occupying, when not in use, very little
space.
[0007] Other objects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent to one skilled in the art from examining the attached
drawings and the detailed description set out below of preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views of a first
version of a goods container according to the present invention in
an expanded state.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a second version
of a goods container according to the present invention in an
expanded state and an opened state.
[0010] FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic perspective views of a
loadbearing structure in an expanded state for a third version of a
goods container according to the present invention.
[0011] FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic perspective views of a fourth
version of a goods container according to the present invention in
an expanded state.
[0012] FIG. 8 depicts in schematic perspective view how the goods
container according to FIGS. 6 and 7 is used in a loading space in
an aircraft.
[0013] Finally, FIG. 9 depicts schematically how the goods
container according to FIGS. 6-8 is changed from a functional
expanded state to an inactive state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The goods container according to the present invention in
the versions depicted is intended to be used in loading spaces in
aircraft but may also be used in loading spaces in other vehicles,
e.g. in trucks, cargo watercraft etc. The goods container
delineates at least one goods storage space for the loading,
storage, transport and unloading of goods. Said goods may be of
every kind normally transported in containers of the kind here
concerned, e.g. air passengers' baggage.
[0015] For the goods container to be able to maintain low weight
and at the same time afford adequate protection to goods situated
in the goods storage space of the goods container, and in addition
also prevent the generation of torsion forces in, for example, the
aircraft body, the goods container comprises elements 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, and 6 made of non-self-supporting material which delineate said
goods storage space. This means that the goods container comprises,
all round, preferably some kind of soft material which copes with
the stresses which goods containers of the kind here concerned have
to withstand without disintegrating, e.g. without being torn or
worn to pieces, while at the same time affording adequate
protection for the goods in the goods container.
[0016] When not in use, the goods container is collapsed, i.e.
folded or retracted to an inactive state in which it occupies very
little space and is therefore easier to store. This means that
during return transport without goods the volume of the goods
container is also almost negligible. From the inactive state, the
goods container is expandable, i.e. it can be deployed to a
functional state in which the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 made of
non-self-supporting material delineate said goods storage space.
From the functional state, the goods container can of course be
collapsed back to the inactive state.
[0017] In a preferred version of the goods container according to
the invention, the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 delineating the
goods storage space comprise a single piece of non-self-supporting
material. This integral configuration eliminates any possibility of
weak points in the non-self-supporting material.
[0018] The goods container according to the invention may be of any
shape suited to the purpose. To facilitate the placing of a
plurality of goods containers according to the invention adjacent
to one another with a view to optimum utilisation of loading space
capacity, however, the elements of the goods container which
delineate the goods storage space preferably comprise sidewalls 1,
2, 3 and 4, a bottom 5 and a top 6. The number of sidewalls 1, 2, 3
and 4 is with advantage four, as depicted, but may vary. It is of
advantage if the goods container is so configured that in the
functional state it, i.e. substantially the goods storage space
delineated by the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 made of
non-self-supporting material, has a cross-sectional shape
corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the vehicle,
preferably an aircraft, which comprises the loading space in which
the goods container is intended to be placed. Thus the goods
container is preferably so configured that the goods storage space
delineated by the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 made of
non-self-supporting material protrudes laterally from the bottom 5
of the goods container. In the embodiments depicted with four
sidewalls 1, 2, 3 and 4, one or more, preferably two, mutually
opposite sidewalls 2 and 4 are each provided with a bow-legged bend
2a and 4a respectively in such a way that said wall/walls runs/run
obliquely outwards and upwards from the bottom 5 of the goods
container to said bend and from the bend obliquely inwards and
upwards to the top 6 of the goods container. For obvious reasons,
the sidewalls 2, 4 with bends 2a, 4a face towards preferably the
inside walls of the aircraft body so that these sidewalls largely
follow the interior contour of the aircraft body. The sidewalls 2,
4 run obliquely outwards and upwards and obliquely inwards and
upwards so that the bottom 5 and the top 6 of the goods container
differ in size. Although the goods container according to the
invention is not intended to be drawn across any substrate in a
loading space but particularly to be placed on a conveying track
which moves the goods container to a desired position in the
loading space, it is possible to improve the wear resistance and
provide a slightly harder but still resilient panel which does not
generate any torsion forces in the aircraft body, by disposing the
non-self-supporting material in the bottom 5 of the goods container
in at least two, preferably three or four, layers. Alternatively,
to facilitate expansion and retraction, the bottom 5 of the goods
container may comprise a corresponding foldable sheet of
non-self-supporting material, i.e. in principle a bottom
substantially thicker than the other elements of the goods
container which delineate the goods storage space. Such a sheet may
also be made of some other non-self-supporting material. Other
elements of the goods container, e.g. the top 6 of the goods
container as in FIG. 9, may be maintained by the loadbearing
structure 7 so that only the top is folded when the goods container
has to be changed to an inactive state.
[0019] As previously indicated, the non-self-supporting material
cannot itself delineate the goods storage space but the elements 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 thereof have to be maintained in a functional
state by a loadbearing structure 7 which forms part of the goods
container according to the present invention (see preferably FIG.
4). This loadbearing structure 7 may be integrated with the
elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 made of non-self-supporting material
or be disposed adjacent to or on said elements internally or
externally about them. The loadbearing structure 7 is manually
activable to change the goods container from an inactive state to a
functional state. The loadbearing structure 7 may also be activable
to change the goods container automatically from an inactive state
to a functional state, i.e. the goods container may if so desired
be so configured that upon activation of the loadbearing structure
it is automatically blown or deployed to a functional state. The
loadbearing structure 7 is also activable for manually or
automatically returning the goods container to an inactive state.
Automatic activation may be effected in any suitable manner by any
desired suitable activating or triggering device.
[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the goods container
according to the invention, the loadbearing structure 7 is
configured as a framework (FIG. 4). This framework 7 is made of a
suitable material of high strength, low weight and great load
absorption capacity, preferably a resilient material such as carbon
fibre material. The framework 7 may be so configured that it is
telescopically expandable and collapsible. Expanding and collapsing
may be effected automatically or manually. The framework 7 may also
be deployable and retractable. The framework 7 comprises with
advantage elongate frame sections or tubes which delineate the
extent of the goods container, i.e. preferably the sidewalls 1, 2,
3 and 4, the bottom 5 and the top 6 of the goods container.
[0021] Alternatively, the loadbearing structure 7 may comprise
compressed-air hoses vulcanised into the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
and 6 made of non-self-supporting material. Compressed air is
therefore blown into the hoses to expand the goods container from
an inactive state to a functional state. This may be effected
automatically as indicated above or by connection to a suitable
compressed air source (not depicted) on site for manual blowing in
of compressed air. The air is released or drawn out from the hoses
to collapse the goods container. Other versions of the loadbearing
structure 7 are also possible.
[0022] The goods container does of course also comprise at least
one portion for opening and closing of the goods container when it
is in the functional state. As in the version according to FIGS.
6-8, the whole or at least part of at least one of the sidewalls 1
of the goods container is preferably configured for opening and
closing of the goods container when it is in the functional state.
Alternatively the goods container may be so configured that in the
functional state it is divisible, e.g. in a direction transverse to
its greatest extent (see FIG. 3). With a view to detecting
unauthorised opening of the goods container, it comprises with
advantage a device (not depicted) for indicating whether the goods
container has been opened or not. This makes it easier to see
whether goods have been stolen or changed and to take necessary
measures quickly.
[0023] The non-self-supporting material may with advantage be an
airtight material in cases where such material is necessary. In
such cases a corresponding security or theft prevention measure as
above may be effected by the goods container being provided with a
device (not depicted) which indicates that air has entered the
goods container.
[0024] FIG. 9 depicts schematically how a goods container can be
collapsed and/or retracted from an expanded functional state to a
inactive state. It is advantageous that the procedure for expanding
the goods container be the opposite. Collapsing and/or retraction
is achieved by the loadbearing structure 7 being collapsed or
retracted until finally the top 6 lies on the bottom 5. Since in
the version depicted the top 6 is larger than the bottom 5, the top
is folded up in the manner depicted so that the top and the bottom
are of the same extent and the goods container is ready for storage
at a suitable location.
[0025] It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the goods
container according to the present invention can be modified and
altered within the scope of the claims set out below without
departing from the idea and object of the invention. Thus the goods
container may be of any suitable shape and the elements of the
goods container which delineate the goods storage space, and the
loadbearing structure, may, apart from variations of shape, be made
of any suitable material which meets the relevant functional
requirements. It should be noted, however, that the
non-self-supporting material as such need not be soft but should be
so flexible that no load or force is applied to the elements of the
vehicle, preferably the aircraft, against which elements of the
goods container which are made of non-self-supporting material abut
when the goods container is in use. Nor should said material be so
rigid as to be free-standing, since it has to fold up when the
loadbearing structure is retracted or collapsed. It should also be
noted that various other types of non-self-supporting material may
be used if so desired and depending on, for example, the
requirements which the material has to meet and the purpose of the
elements made of non-self-supporting material. A preferred example
of non-self-supporting material is rubber-lined Kevlar.
* * * * *