U.S. patent application number 12/458195 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-16 for inflatable cargo cushion.
Invention is credited to Thomas M. Huchler.
Application Number | 20100316461 12/458195 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43306584 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100316461 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huchler; Thomas M. |
December 16, 2010 |
Inflatable cargo cushion
Abstract
Systems and methods are described for the use of an inflatable
cushion (cargo cushion) that is capable of rapidly surrounding odd
shaped cargo in a shipping container that enables the cargo to be
secured during transportation without fear of damage to the cargo.
The cargo cushion can be reused, if necessary (thereby preventing
waste) and provides varying degrees of securement via adjustment of
the inflation pressure and/or adjustment of the cargo cushion
location in the shipping container. Because air can be utilized,
the weight of the cargo cushion is nominal as compared to competing
cargo securing systems.
Inventors: |
Huchler; Thomas M.; (Weston,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE NATH LAW GROUP
112 South West Street
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
43306584 |
Appl. No.: |
12/458195 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61213523 |
Jun 16, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
410/119 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61D 45/008 20130101;
B60P 7/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
410/119 |
International
Class: |
B61D 45/00 20060101
B61D045/00 |
Claims
1. A method for restraining cargo in a shipping container with a
protective inflatable cushion, comprising: positioning the
inflatable cushion, being made of a polyurethane material and
containing a elasticity affecting lubricant, about cargo in the
shipping container; applying a gas to the inflatable cushion to
expand the inflatable cushion; adjusting an amount of gas applied
to the inflatable cushion to cause the inflatable cushion to
substantially surround the cargo in both a horizontal and vertical
direction by substantially conforming to a shape of the cargo it is
destined to protect within the shipping container and to exert
restraining pressure about the cargo to prevent substantial
movement of the cargo during shipment of the cargo.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising deflating the
inflatable cushion.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the shipping container is at
least 20 feet long.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
inflatable cushions.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas is not air.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying is performed by use
of a compressor.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting is performed by use
of a valve.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning is performed
before loading of the cargo into the shipping container.
9. An apparatus for restraining cargo in a shipping container with
a protective inflatable cushion, comprising: a single chambered
inflatable cushion, being made of a polyurethane material and
containing a elasticity affecting lubricant, wherein upon an
application of gas to the inflatable cushion, the inflatable
cushion stretches in both a horizontal and vertical direction to
substantially conform around a contour of the cargo to exert
restraining pressure about the cargo, thereby preventing
substantial movement of the cargo during shipment of the cargo.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the inflatable cushion is
multi-chambered.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the polyurethane material is
a film called MMT 100-2000 series polyurethane film manufactured by
American Polyfilm, Inc.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the film is at least 10 mil
thick.
13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lubricant is petroleum
based.
Description
BACKGROUND
Field
[0001] The following description relates generally to securing
cargo in shipping containers. More particularly, systems and
methods are disclosed for the use of an inflatable "cushion" that
surrounds cargo in a shipping container to secure it from movement
during transportation.
SUMMARY
[0002] The following presents a simplified summary in order to
provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed
subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is
not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the
scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some
concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed
description that is presented later.
[0003] In one aspect, a method for restraining cargo in a shipping
container with a protective inflatable cushion is provided,
comprising: positioning the inflatable cushion, being made of a
polyurethane material and containing a elasticity affecting
lubricant, about cargo in the shipping container; applying a gas to
the inflatable cushion to expand the inflatable cushion; adjusting
an amount of gas applied to the inflatable cushion to cause the
inflatable cushion to substantially surround the cargo in both a
horizontal and vertical direction by substantially conforming to a
shape of the cargo it is destined to protect within the shipping
container and to exert restraining pressure about the cargo to
prevent substantial movement of the cargo during shipment of the
cargo.
[0004] In another aspect, an apparatus for restraining cargo in a
shipping container with a protective inflatable cushion is
provided, comprising: a single chambered inflatable cushion, being
made of a polyurethane material and containing a elasticity
affecting lubricant, wherein upon an application of gas to the
inflatable cushion, the inflatable cushion stretches in both a
horizontal and vertical direction to substantially conform around a
contour of the cargo to exert restraining pressure about the cargo,
thereby preventing substantial movement of the cargo during
shipment of the cargo.
[0005] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,
certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection
with the following description and the annexed drawings. These
aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways
in which the principles of the claimed subject matter may be
employed and the claimed subject matter is intended to include all
such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel
features may become apparent from the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the exemplary cargo cushion(s)
placed around cargo in a shipping container.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the exemplary cargo cushion(s)
in the process of inflation.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a front view of an inflated cargo cushion(s) in
the shipping container.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an empty ocean/airfreight/truck
enclosure.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a difficult-to-secure
cargo.
[0011] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the difficult-to-secure cargo
in a shipping container.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of FIG. 6.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a front view illustration of the cargo cushion(s)
being inflated.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a side view illustration of the inflated cargo
cushion(s).
[0015] FIG. 10 is a top view illustration of the inflated cargo
cushion(s).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Systems and methods are described for the use of an
inflatable cushion (cargo cushion). The cargo cushion is capable of
rapidly surrounding odd shaped cargo in a shipping container that
enables the cargo to be secured during transportation without fear
of damage to the cargo. The cargo cushion can be reused, if
necessary (thereby preventing waste), and provides varying degrees
of constraint via adjustment of the inflation pressure and/or
adjustment of the cargo cushion location in the shipping container.
Because air is utilized, the weight of the cargo cushion device is
significantly less than competing cargo securing systems. Straps,
nails and braces made out of wood are not needed and with the
cushion surrounding the cargo, restraining forces on the cargo are
distributed, thus reducing the possibility of damaging the cargo
and the subsequent claims for damage.
[0017] Odd shaped objects such as turbines, heavy machinery,
aircraft engines and so forth that traditionally require an
enormous amount of effort and cost to secure for shipping, can be
easily secured using the exemplary cargo cushion. For some objects,
the exemplary cargo cushion may not need to be fully inflated, or
by strategic placement of the exemplary cargo cushion only a
portion of the exemplary cargo cushion may need to be inflated. It
should be noted that the shape-conforming ability of the exemplary
cargo cushion provides protection of cargo that is oddly shaped,
that is not presently available in the current shipping art.
[0018] Various shipping containers can be used, such as for ocean
freight,, truck, train and other large commercial containers.
Typical ocean freight containers be anywhere from 20 feet to 40
feet or other standard lengths. The exemplary cargo cushions can be
attached to the walls of the containers, either permanently or
temporarily (for example, using suction cups, clips, etc.), thus
insertion of the cargo cushions `after` loading of the cargo can be
avoided. Pre-insertion of the cargo cushions would be desired for
large objects that do not allow for post-insertion of the cargo
cushions into the shipping container after loading--most likely
occurring from lack of space between the wall(s) of the shipping
container and the cargo.
[0019] The exemplary cargo cushion can be positioned in a deflated
mode, thus occupying minimal space during positioning and
deployment. The exemplary cargo cushion can be in the form of an
inflatable curtain or sheet or as a tubular structure. As one
example, the rear of the shipping container may have the cargo
cushion positioned or attached to the rear panel, with an inflation
channel provided near the front of the shipping container.
[0020] By appropriate situation of the exemplary cargo cushion in
the shipping container and with appropriate inflation, varying
levels of constraint on the cargo can be obtained. That is, the
exemplary cargo cushion can be inflated to a high degree of
pressure--causing the exemplary cargo cushion to expand to a higher
degree, resulting on more pressure on the cargo surfaces.
[0021] As alluded to above, the exemplary cargo cushion can be
removed from the shipping container by deflating the exemplary
cargo cushion and then either recycling it for the next shipment or
throwing it away, if so desired.
[0022] The exemplary cargo cushion can be fashioned from
polyurethane film and the flexibility and/or elasticity of the film
can be adjusted by the application of a lubricant which can be
petroleum-based. However, other lubricants (not petroleum-based, or
otherwise) may provide the desired capabilities. The application of
the lubricant allows the film to have a variable flexibility and/or
elasticity, which enables the film to be customized with respect to
shape accommodation. For some simple cargo shapes, it may not be
necessary for more lubricant to be added, while for other cargo
shapes, more lubricant may be needed to enable the film to fully
encompass the cargo. Thus, the film, formed into a chamber and with
an appropriate lubricant, will produce a shape conforming
inflatable cushion that provides the desired protection, level of
securement, without material waste, that is not yet known in the
cargo shipping industry.
[0023] The inventor has successfully used a product by American
Polyfilm, Inc., called MMT 100-2000 series polyurethane film
(specifically MMT 1001 & MMT 2001). The composition of the
material provided by American Polyfilm, Inc. is described as
thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer film. However, it is
understood that any polyurethane film having the characteristics
described herein may be used, without departing from the spirit and
scope of this disclosure.
[0024] To be puncture resistant and strong enough to provide
sufficient restraining force, the film should have a thickness
ranging from 10 mm to 50 mm.
[0025] The exemplary film is formed into air tight baffles or
chambers having an inlet port for pressurization. The inlet port
can also function as an outlet port, if a separate outlet port is
not desired. In some embodiments, the cargo cushion can be a single
chamber device that inflates and forms an air cushion about the
cargo of interest. In other embodiments, the cargo cushion can be
multi-chambered. In the multi-chambered embodiments, the chambers
may be connected or not connected. If not connected, the
non-connected chambers should be configured with an inlet port for
inflation purposes, or a bleed in valve to pass the inflated air
into the neighboring chamber(s).
[0026] The exemplary film may be transparent or colored. If the
exemplary film is transparent (or opaque), another advantage can be
obtained. Specifically, visual inspection of the cargo can be
achieved with transparent film. Currently, traditional shipping
constraints obscure or cover the cargo so that visual inspection or
viewing of the cargo cannot be performed without first disengaging
the shipping constraints from the cargo. With transparent (or
opaque) film(s), inspection or viewing times can be reduced
significantly.
[0027] To provide adequate surface coverage within a conventionally
sized shipping container, the exemplary cushion may range in
dimensions from twenty (20) feet in length up to forty (40) feet in
length. For different sized containers, the exemplary cushion may
also be differently sized, as needed. Further, in some embodiments,
if a particularly difficult object is being secured, smaller
cushions may be used as well as larger cushions. As made apparent
in the following Figures, numerous advantages are found in
securing/protecting cargo in shipping containers, by utilizing the
exemplary embodiments disclosed.
[0028] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the exemplary cargo cushion(s)
10 placed around cargo 12 in a shipping container 14. The shipping
container 14, for illustration purposes, is shown with the top
removed.
[0029] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the exemplary cargo cushion(s)
10 being inflated with a compressor 16 or other air/gas producing
device. The compressor 16 is connected to the exemplary cargo
cushion(s) 10 via gas lines 18 having a valve 20 situated
therebetween. The gas lines 18 are coupled to the exemplary cargo
cushion(s) 10 via inlet (and/or outlet) ports 19. As can be seen in
FIG. 2, the exemplary cargo cushion(s) fills the void between the
cargo 12 and the sides of the shipping container 14.
[0030] It should be noted that a single gas line 18 may utilized,
as according to design preference. Additionally, the valve 20 may
be situated at the compressor or at the inlet ports 19, or any
other place deemed necessary. In some embodiments, the valve 20 may
be an optional device, the compressor 16 providing the function of
the valve, if necessary.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a front view of an inflated cargo cushion(s) 10 in
the shipping container 14 with cargo 12 secured therein. FIG. 3
shows the top of the shipping container 14 in place and accordingly
the exemplary cargo cushion(s) 10 is deformed or conformed to the
shape of the cargo 12. The expansion of the exemplary cargo
cushion(s) 10 about the cargo 12, as shown in this example,
prevents the cargo from moving in lateral or vertical
directions.
[0032] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an empty ocean/airfreight/truck
enclosure 14.
[0033] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a difficult-to-secure cargo 12
with shipping supports 22, about to be loaded into shipping
container 14.
[0034] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the difficult-to-secure cargo
12 in the shipping container 14.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of FIG. 6.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a front view illustration of the exemplary cargo
cushion(s) 10 being inflated via gas line 18 and valve 20 into
inlet (outlet) ports 19.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a side view illustration of the inflated exemplary
cargo cushion(s) 10.
[0038] FIG. 10 is a top view illustration of the inflated cargo
cushion(s) 10.
[0039] It should be understood that while the exemplary embodiments
are described in the context of deployment in a commercial shipping
container, other containers, larger, smaller, non-rectangular,
etc., may be appropriate for use with exemplary cargo cushion.
Additionally, any form of gas may be used to inflate the exemplary
cargo cushion and therefore ambient air is not the only gas to be
considered within the scope of the disclosed embodiments.
[0040] What has been described above includes examples of one or
more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every
conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes
of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary
skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and
permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the
described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations,
modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope
of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term
"includes" is used in either the detailed description or the
claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar
to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when
employed as a transitional word in a claim.
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