A bundling system, bundling arrangement and method

Abstract

A lashing system (1) for supporting containers (5, 8, 17) arranged on top of each other, wherein the lashing system (1) comprises at least an upper lashing element (19) and a lower lashing element (20), wherein the upper lashing element (19) is configured to be connected from an upper end to an upper container (5); the lower lashing element (20) is configured to be connected from an upper end to a lower container (8); at least one of the at least upper lashing element (19) and / or lower lashing element (20) is flexible; and at least one of the at least upper lashing element (19) and / or lower lashing element (20) is configured to stretch more longitudinally than the other of the at least upper lashing element (19) and / or lower lashing element (20) when the lashing system (1) is in a tensioned position. Also disclosed is a method.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates generally to a lashing system. More specifically, the present application relates to supporting containers arranged one above the other with the lashing system. BACKGROUND

[0002] Container lashing bars are used in cargo ships to provide additional support for stacked containers on the deck of the ship. The lashing bars provide support especially when the ship heels and each container stack tilts sideways in rough weather. There is typically a lashing bar connected to two containers arranged one above the other in a container stack. In this case, the lashing bar and the container lock are subjected to heavy tensile loads. The function of the lashing bars can be improved to utilize their overall load capacity. SUMMARY

[0003] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. The scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure is set out in the independent claims. The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0004] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a lashing system for supporting containers arranged one above the other, which enables optimal distribution of tensile loads to the containers and the lashing system, which locks and supports the containers on a ship. When the ship heels heavily and the container stacks tilt sideways, the container locks can tie the containers together and the lashing elements can provide additional support to the container stacks. It can be beneficial to utilize the load capacity of all these members simultaneously, not just one or two members, with respect to the lashing elements and the container locks mounted to the same containers as the lashing elements. The overall combined load capacity of two lashing elements and container locks can be utilized to increase the weight of the containers. This means that more cargo can be carried on the same ship, because heavier containers can be accommodated in the container stacks on the deck of the ship. This can have a positive effect on the productivity of the ship. Moreover, when the container carrying capacity of the ship can be used more efficiently, the greenhouse gas emissions per ton of cargo carried can be reduced. The members required by the proposed system can be easy to produce, and conventional manufacturing methods can be applicable. In addition to new ships, older existing ships can also be easily modified to apply the proposed lashing system.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a lashing system for supporting containers arranged one above the other is disclosed. The lashing system can comprise at least an upper lashing element and a lower lashing element, wherein the upper lashing element can be configured to be connected to an upper container from an upper end; the lower lashing element can be configured to be connected to a lower container from an upper end; at least a portion of at least one of the at least upper lashing element and / or lower lashing element can be flexible; and at least one of the at least upper lashing element and / or lower lashing element can be configured to stretch more longitudinally than the other of the at least upper lashing element and / or lower lashing element when the lashing system is in a tensioned position. An economic lashing system can maximize the combined load bearing capacity of the lashing elements and container lock.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the upper lashing element can stretch more longitudinally than the lower lashing element. When the upper lashing element stretches more than the lower lashing element, the lower lashing element and the container lock can be enabled to take up a portion of the load.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the lashing system can further comprise a container lock, an upper corner piece of the lower container, and a lower corner piece of the upper container; wherein the upper container and the lower container can be connected together with the container lock, which can be configured to be positioned between the lower corner piece of the upper container and the upper corner piece of the lower container; and wherein a longitudinal stretch distance D in the tensioned position can be approximately equal to a slack S between the container lock and the container lower corner piece and container upper corner piece of the upper and lower containers. The longitudinal stretch difference D can be a distance between the upper lashing element and the lower lashing element in the tensioned position. The longitudinal stretch difference D can show how much more the upper lashing element stretches than the lower lashing element. This can allow for removal of the slack S between the container lock and the container corner pieces, and thus allow for a more even distribution of load to the lashing system.

[0008] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the slack S = E - B = F + D3, where E is a vertical distance between a lower surface of the lower corner piece of the upper container and an upper surface of the upper corner piece of the lower container; B is a thickness of a flange of the container lock; D3 is a vertical distance between a bottom surface of the lower corner piece and an upper surface of the flange; and F is a vertical distance between a bottom surface of the flange and an upper surface of the upper corner piece.

[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the upper end of the upper binding element can be configured to be attached to a lower corner piece of the upper container; and the upper end of the lower binding element can be configured to be attached to an upper corner piece of the lower container or to a lower corner piece of the lower container. This can allow for a better attachment of the containers.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, at least a portion of at least one of the upper binding element and the lower binding element can comprise an elastic element, an elastic material, or a design configured to induce a longitudinal stretch when the binding system is in the tensioned position. The advantage of this can be that the upper binding element is stretched longitudinally while the lower binding element and / or the container lock can withstand a higher load.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the upper binding element can comprise an upper binding bar and an upper turnbuckle; and the lower binding element can comprise a lower binding bar and a lower turnbuckle. The turnbuckles can be used to connect the binding bars to a binding bridge or other structure and to adjust the length or tension of the binding elements.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the upper turnbuckle and / or the lower turnbuckle can comprise the elastic element. The elastic element can allow for an increase in the length of the binding elements.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the upper binding element comprises an upper fixation structure and the lower binding element comprises a lower fixation structure attached directly or indirectly to a binding bridge or a deck of a vessel, and wherein the upper fixation structure and / or the lower fixation structure comprises an elastic element, an elastic material, or a design configured to induce a longitudinal stretch when the binding system is in the tensioned position. This can allow for the elastic element, the elastic material, or the design configured to induce a longitudinal stretch to be located in an alternative position.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the upper fixation structure and / or the lower fixation structure can comprise a hole comprising the elastic element. The elastic element inside the hole can allow for a longitudinal stretch of the upper binding element and / or the lower binding element.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the elastic element can be a spring, a rubber disc, an elastic material, or an elastic member. Different kinds of elements can be used as the elastic element.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the elastic material is steel or a glass fiber composite. Different materials can be used as the elastic material.

[0017] According to an example embodiment of the first aspect, at least one of the at least upper binding element and / or lower binding element can have at least one portion that is flexible, which means that it is configured to return to an original shape when a deforming force or pressure is removed. The advantage of the elastic element, the elastic material, or the design configured to achieve longitudinal stretching is that they can allow for an increase in length, but still be able to return to their original form after stretching.

[0018] According to a second aspect, a binding arrangement comprising at least one binding system according to any of the above first aspect is disclosed. The binding arrangement can allow for simultaneous use of one or more binding systems.

[0019] According to a third aspect, a method of supporting containers arranged on top of each other with a binding system is disclosed, wherein the binding system comprises at least an upper binding element and a lower binding element, wherein at least one of the at least upper binding element and / or lower binding element has at least one portion that is flexible. The method can comprise connecting the upper binding element from an upper end to an upper container; connecting the lower binding element from an upper end to a lower container; and stretching at least one of the at least upper binding element and / or lower binding element more longitudinally than the other of the at least upper binding element and / or lower binding element when the binding system is in a tensioned position. This can enable optimal distribution of tension loads to the containers, container locks, and the binding system locking and supporting the containers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the application and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the application and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the application. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 An example of a side view schematically illustrating a binding arrangement according to an example embodiment;

[0022] Figure 2 An example of a side view schematically illustrating a binding system in a resting position according to an example embodiment;

[0023] Figure 3 An example of a side view schematically illustrating a binding system in a tensioned position according to an example embodiment; Figure 2

[0024] An example of a side view schematically illustrating a locking arrangement in a tensioned position according to an example embodiment; and Figure 4

[0025] An example of a side view schematically illustrating a locking arrangement in a tensioned position according to an example embodiment; and Figure 5 An example of a method according to an example embodiment is shown.

[0026] In the drawings, like reference numerals will be used to refer to like components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description, which is presented below in conjunction with the drawings, is intended to be a description of the exemplary and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present examples can be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the examples and the sequence of operations for constructing and operating them. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by different examples.

[0028] In a cargo ship, container binding elements can be used to provide additional support to stacked containers on the deck of the ship. Especially when the ship heels in rough weather, each container stack can tilt sideways. In this case, the binding elements and container locks can be subjected to heavy tensile loads. There can be two binding elements connected to two containers in the container stack that are arranged one above the other. There can be binding elements attached to one end of a container, for example, in a stack of up to 11 containers, with one binding element in each top and bottom corner. The binding elements can be attached to the third and fourth containers, counting from the bottom of the stack, but other height options can also be used. For example, the binding elements can be attached to containers below the third and fourth containers.

[0029] According to exemplary embodiments, an upper binding element can be attached to an upper container, and a stiffer lower binding element can be attached to a lower container. The lower container can be directly below the upper container, or there can be one or more intermediate containers between the upper and lower containers, in which the lower binding element can be attached. Depending on the size, especially the length, of the container, the binding elements can be used at both ends or only one end of the container. The binding elements can comprise a binding bar and a turnbuckle. The upper end of the binding bar can be attached to the container. The lower end of the binding bar can be attached to a turnbuckle, which can be secured to a binding bridge on the deck of the ship. In some cases, the turnbuckle can also be secured directly to the deck of the ship.

[0030] The binding system can be an economic system that maximizes the combined load bearing capacity of the binding elements and container locks in an arrangement in which two binding elements are connected to two containers in the container stack that are arranged one above the other. This can apply to one side of the container stack, and typically the other side can have a similar mirror image arrangement. Typically, the other end of the container stack can also have the same arrangement.

[0031] According to an example embodiment, the lower binding element is stiffer than the upper binding element.

[0032] According to an example embodiment, a common binding system has an upper binding element and a lower binding element comprising two traditional binding rods and turnbuckles, wherein the upper binding element and the lower binding element can have the same structure and load capacity. In such a system, the upper binding element can carry a greater tensile load than the lower binding element. In some load situations, it can be possible that the upper binding element can carry the entire tensile load, while the lower binding element and the container lock between the container corner and the container lock have no tensile load at all. The pulling force can be carried mainly by the upper binding element only.

[0033] Figure 1 An example of a side view of a binding arrangement, which can comprise one or more binding systems 1, is shown schematically. The purpose of the binding system 1 is to bind and support the containers on the deck 16 of a ship. The binding system 1 can be attached to one side at one end of a container stack 15. There can be a similar binding system 1 attached to the other side of the same container stack 15 and typically also at the other end of the same container stack 15. In total, there can be hundreds or even thousands of similar binding systems 1 on a ship. The binding elements 19, 20 can comprise binding rods 3, 6 and turnbuckles 9, 10, which can be typical binding members, but other types of binding members can also be used for the same purpose. The containers 5, 8, 17 can be arranged one above the other along the same vertical line to form a container stack 15. There can be many container stacks 15 side by side in the longitudinal direction on the ship.

[0034] Figure 1 An example of a binding arrangement of one bay on the deck 16 of a container ship is shown, wherein the binding bridge 13 is fixed to the deck 16 of the ship. The container stack 15 can comprise containers 5, 8, 17 on top of each other. The container stack can be located on a hatch cover 18 resting on the deck 16. The binding rods 3, 6 can be attached to the containers 5, 8.

[0035] Figure 2 An example of a side view of a binding system 1 in a rest position when the ship has been loaded and the container stack 15 is in an upright vertical position is shown schematically. In this position, there can be very little tension in the binding system 1, and the main force component in the container stack 15 can be the pressure caused by the weight of the containers 5, 8, 17.

[0036] Figure 3An example of a side view of the binding system 1 in a tensioned position is shown schematically. This is the case when the vessel can heel and the container stack can tilt sideways. On one side of the container stack, the container lock 2 and the upper container lower corner piece 4 can be pulled upwards and sideways by the upper container 5, while on the opposite side of the stack 15, the container corner can be pressed downwards. This is because there can be a certain play S (i.e. free space) around the container lock contact surfaces due to practical reasons, such as manufacturing tolerances and play for manual installation. In the tensioned position, the binding system 1 can be subjected to tension caused by the tilted container stack 15. At the same time, the binding system 1 on the other side of the container stack 15, which can mainly be subjected to a downward pressure, can not carry any load. The load in the binding system 1 can also be transferred from one side to the other when the vessel heels to the other side.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment, a binding system 1 for supporting an upper container 5 and a lower container 8 arranged one above the other is disclosed. The binding system 1 can comprise at least an upper binding element 19 and a lower binding element 20. The upper binding element 19 can be configured to be connected from an upper end to the upper container 5, and the lower binding element 20 can be configured to be connected from an upper end to the lower container 8. At least a part of at least one of the upper binding element 19 and / or the lower binding element 20 can be flexible or elastic. According to an exemplary embodiment, flexible or elastic can mean that the material, part, or element can be configured to return to an original shape when a deforming force or pressure is removed.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the upper binding element 19 and / or the lower binding element 20 can be configured to stretch more longitudinally than the other of the upper binding element 19 and / or the lower binding element 20 when the binding system 1 is in a tensioned position.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment, the upper binding element 19 can stretch more longitudinally than the lower binding element 20. In this way, the lower binding element 20 can be able to carry a part of the load. In addition, the container lock 2 can also carry a part of the load.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment, the binding system further comprises a container lock 2, a lower corner piece 4, and an upper corner piece 7. The upper container 5 and the lower container 8 can be connected together with the container lock 2. The container lock 2 can be installed between the containers 5, 8 located on top of each other. The container lock 2 can be configured to be located between the lower corner piece 4 of the upper container 5 and the upper corner piece 7 of the lower container 8. The longitudinal stretching distance D can be approximately equal to the play S between the container lock 2 and the container lower corner piece 4 and the container upper corner piece 7 of the upper container 5 and the lower container 8.

[0041] According to an example embodiment, the longitudinal stretch difference D is the difference in the stretch distance between the upper lashing element 19 and the lower lashing element 20 in the tensioned position. The longitudinal stretch difference D can show how much more the upper lashing element 19 can stretch than the lower lashing element 20.

[0042] According to an example embodiment, the upper end of the upper lashing element 19 can be configured to be attached to the lower corner piece 4 of the upper container 5, and the upper end of the lower lashing element 20 can be configured to be attached to the upper corner piece 7 of the lower container 8 or to the lower corner piece of the lower container 8. The lower container can have both an upper corner piece 7 and a lower corner piece.

[0043] According to an example embodiment, the upper lashing element 19 comprises an upper lashing rod 3 and an upper turnbuckle 9, and the lower lashing element 20 comprises a lower lashing rod 6 and a lower turnbuckle 10. The upper end of the upper turnbuckle 9 can be attached to the lower end of the upper lashing rod 3, and correspondingly the upper end of the lower turnbuckle 10 can be attached to the lower end of the lower lashing rod 6. In the same way, the lower end of the upper turnbuckle 9 can be attached to an upper fixing structure 11, and correspondingly the lower end of the lower turnbuckle 10 can be attached to a lower fixing structure 12. The upper fixing structure 11 and the lower fixing structure 12 can be attached to a lashing bridge 13 or other fixing structure of the vessel. The lashing bridge 13 can be a structure on the deck 16 of the vessel that enables the lashing rods 19, 20 to be fixed to containers 5, 8, 17 that are best positioned high in the container stack 15.

[0044] According to an example embodiment, at least a part of at least one of the upper lashing element 19 and the lower lashing element 20 comprises an elastic element 14, an elastic material, or a design configured to allow an increase in length or cause a longitudinal stretch when the lashing system 1 is in the tensioned position.

[0045] According to an example embodiment, the upper turnbuckle 9 and / or the lower turnbuckle 10 comprises an elastic element 14. The elastic element can be located at the lower end of the upper turnbuckle 9 and / or the lower turnbuckle 10. However, other locations are also possible.

[0046] According to an example embodiment, the first lashing element 19 comprises an upper fixing structure 11, and the second lashing element 20 comprises a lower fixing structure 12 configured to be attached directly or indirectly to the lashing bridge 13 or to the deck 16 of the vessel. The fixing structure can comprise an elastic element 14, an elastic material, or a design configured to allow an increase in length when the lashing system 1 is in the tensioned position.

[0047] According to an example embodiment, the upper fixing structure 11 and / or the lower fixing structure 12 comprises a hole that comprises an elastic element 14. The upper turnbuckle 9 can be attached to the hole of the upper fixing structure 11, and the lower turnbuckle 10 can be attached to the hole of the lower fixing structure 12.

[0048] According to an exemplary embodiment, the upper securing structure 11 has a resilient element 14 surrounding the hole of the upper securing structure 11. This can make the upper binding element 19 more flexible than the lower binding element 20, and thus, it can also allow the lower binding element 20 and the container lock 2 to carry the load. In the same way, the upper securing structure 11 can be made of a resilient material or can comprise a design that allows the upper binding element 19 to stretch more than the lower binding element 20.

[0049] According to an exemplary embodiment, the resilient element 14 can be a spring, a rubber disc, a resilient material, or a resilient member.

[0050] According to an exemplary embodiment, the resilient material is steel or a glass fiber composite.

[0051] When the containers are loaded onto a ship in a port, the binding elements 19, 20 can also be connected to the containers 5, 8, 17 and tightened with turnbuckles 9, 10. The stiffness of the resilient element 14, the resilient material, or the design configured to cause longitudinal stretching can be such that manual tightening of the turnbuckles 9, 10 can not cause deformation or can cause very little deformation. When the container stack 15 tilts sideways, the turnbuckles 9, 10 can be exposed to high tension from the binding bars 3, 6, and the resilient element 14, the resilient material, or the design configured to cause longitudinal stretching can deform completely. Depending on the material and structure of the resilient element 14, the resilient material, or the design configured to cause longitudinal stretching, it can be practical to arrange separate mechanical stops at the maximum deformation required in the binding system 1.

[0052] In the tensioned position, the resilient element 14, the resilient material, or the design configured to cause longitudinal stretching of the upper turnbuckle 9 can deform due to the tension of the upper container 5. The amount of deformation can be limited to the amount by which the play S between the contact surfaces of the container lock 2 and the lower corner piece 4 and the upper corner piece 7 can be removed. The effective member or mechanism that can achieve the elongation of the resilient element 14, the resilient material, or the design configured to cause longitudinal stretching can itself elongate or be compressed. In other words, for example, a spring or a rubber disc can be used as the effective member to lengthen or shorten when the binding bars 3, 6 and the turnbuckles 9, 10 can be subjected to tension.

[0053] Due to the deformation of the resilient element 14, the resilient material, or the design configured to cause longitudinal stretching, the tension from the upper container 5 can be distributed not only to the upper binding element 19 but also to the lower binding element 20 and the container lock 2. The tension can be transmitted from the binding bars 3, 6 via the turnbuckles 9, 10 and the upper securing structure 11 and the lower securing structure 12 to the binding bridge 13 of the ship or other securing structures.

[0054] Figure 4An example of a side view cross-section of the locking arrangement in a tensioned position is shown schematically. The total vertical play S is the sum of the vertical play or distance F and D3 (F+D3). The play S can also be the difference of E and B (E-B) in a tensioned position. The longitudinal stretching distance of the at least one binding element 19, 20 can be approximately equal to the play S between the container lock 2 and the container lower corner part 4 and the container upper corner part 7 of the upper container 5 and the lower container 8.

[0055] According to an example embodiment, a locking arrangement for joining together an upper container and a lower container stacked on top of each other is disclosed, wherein the locking arrangement comprises a lower corner part 4 of the upper container 5, an upper corner part 7 of the lower container 8, and a container lock 2 for locking the lower corner part 4 of the upper container 5 and the upper corner part 7 of the lower container 8 to each other. The binding system 1 can comprise a locking device. The container lock 2 can further comprise a flange 21. The locking arrangement in a tensioned position can be configured to fulfill the formula, wherein the play S = E - B = F + D3, wherein

[0056] E is a vertical distance between a lower surface of the upper corner part 4 of the upper container 5 and an upper surface of the upper corner part 7 of the lower container 8;

[0057] B is a thickness of the flange 21 of the container lock 2;

[0058] D3 is a vertical distance between a bottom surface of the lower corner part 4 and an upper surface of the flange 21; and

[0059] F is a vertical distance between a bottom surface of the flange 21 and an upper surface of the upper corner part 7.

[0060] The strength of the containers 5, 8, 17 themselves can be set at a limit of forces acting in different directions in the individual parts of the containers 5, 8, 17. Thus, as an example, it can not be possible to replace one binding rod with a binding rod of higher strength, as the current forces applied can already exceed the maximum limit. Thus, the total support force can be increased by arranging several binding elements 19, 20 to carry the high load at the same time.

[0061] The proposed binding system can withstand a greater total pulling force than conventional binding systems. Thus, the weight of the containers in the stack 15 can be increased. This means that more cargo can be carried on the same vessel when heavier containers are allowed in the container stack. This can increase the efficiency of the vessel.

[0062] Figure 5An example of a method of supporting containers 5, 8, 17 arranged one above the other with a lashing system 1 is shown, wherein the lashing system 1 comprises at least an upper lashing element 19 and a lower lashing element 20, wherein at least a part of at least one of the upper lashing element 19 and / or the lower lashing element 20 is flexible.

[0063] At operation 500, the method can comprise connecting the upper lashing element 19 from the upper end to the upper container 5.

[0064] At operation 510, the method can comprise connecting the lower lashing element 20 from the upper end to the lower container 8.

[0065] At operation 520, the method can comprise causing at least one of the upper lashing element 19 and / or the lower lashing element 20 to stretch more longitudinally than the other of the upper lashing element 19 and / or the lower lashing element 20 when the lashing system 1 is in the tensioned position.

[0066] Other features of the method result directly from the functionality of e.g. the lashing system 1 and / or the lashing arrangement. Different variants of the method can also be applied, as described in connection with the various exemplary embodiments.

[0067] The lashing system 1 for supporting containers 5, 8, 17 arranged one above the other can be configured to perform or cause performance of any aspect of the method(s) described herein.

[0068] Any ranges or device values given herein can be extended or changed without losing the intended effect. Furthermore, any embodiment can be combined with another embodiment unless explicitly not allowed.

[0069] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example implementations of implementing the claims and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

[0070] It should be understood that the benefits and advantages described above can relate to one embodiment or can relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It should further be understood that reference to 'an' item can refer to one or more of those items.

[0071] The steps or operations in methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order, or simultaneously, where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks can be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the embodiments described above can be combined with aspects of any of the other described embodiments to form further embodiments without losing the intended effect.

[0072] The term "comprise" is used herein to denote the inclusion of an identified method, block or element, but does not exclude additional blocks or elements.

[0073] Although the subject matter can be described as "first", "second", or "third" subject matter, this does not necessarily indicate any order or importance of the subject matter. Rather, such nomenclature can simply be used to distinguish some entities from others.

[0074] It is understood that the above description is merely illustrative and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples, and data provide exemplary description of the structure and use of the exemplary embodiments. Although the foregoing has been described in some degree of particularity, it should be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of execution can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A lashing system for supporting containers arranged one above the other, characterized in that, The lashing system comprises: at least an upper lashing element and a lower lashing element, wherein the upper lashing element is configured to be connected from an upper end to an upper container; the lower lashing element is configured to be connected from an upper end to a lower container; at least one of the at least upper lashing element and / or lower lashing element is flexible; and the at least one of the at least upper lashing element and / or lower lashing element is configured to stretch more longitudinally than the other of the at least upper lashing element and / or lower lashing element when the lashing system is in a tensioned position; and wherein the lashing system further comprises a container lock, a lower corner piece of the upper container, and an upper corner piece of the lower container; wherein the upper container and lower container are configured to be connected together with the container lock configured to be positioned between the lower corner piece of the upper container and the upper corner piece of the lower container; a longitudinal stretch distance in the tensioned position is approximately equal to a play between the container lock and the lower corner piece of the upper container and the upper corner piece of the lower container; and the play S = E - B = F + D3, wherein E is a vertical distance between a lower surface of the lower corner piece of the upper container and an upper surface of the upper corner piece of the lower container; B is a thickness of a flange of the container lock; D3 is a vertical distance between a bottom surface of the lower corner piece and an upper surface of the flange; and F is a vertical distance between a bottom surface of the flange and an upper surface of the upper corner piece.

2. The bundling system of claim 1, wherein, the upper lashing element stretches more longitudinally than the lower lashing element.

3. The lashing system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an upper end of the upper lashing element is configured to be attached to a lower corner piece of the upper container; and an upper end of the lower lashing element is configured to be attached to an upper corner piece of the lower container or a lower corner piece of the lower container.

4. The bundling system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, at least one of the at least upper lashing element and the lower lashing element comprises an elastic element, an elastic material, or a design configured to induce longitudinal stretching when the lashing system (1) is in the tensioned position.

5. The lashing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper lashing element comprises an upper lashing bar and an upper turnbuckle; and the lower lashing element comprises a lower lashing bar and a lower turnbuckle.

6. The bundling system of claim 5, wherein, the upper turnbuckle and / or lower turnbuckle comprises an elastic element.

7. The lashing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper lashing element comprises an upper fixing structure and the lower lashing element comprises a lower fixing structure, the upper fixing structure and lower fixing structure being directly or indirectly attached to a lashing bridge or deck (16) of a vessel, and wherein the upper fixing structure and / or the lower fixing structure comprises an elastic element, an elastic material, or a design configured to enable longitudinal stretching when the lashing system is in the tensioned position.

8. The bundling system of claim 7, wherein, the upper fixing structure and / or the lower fixing structure comprises a hole, the hole comprising the elastic element.

9. The bundling system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The elastic element is a spring, a rubber disc, an elastic material, or an elastic member.

10. The binding system of claim 4 or 5, wherein, The elastic material is steel or a glass fiber composite.

11. The bundling system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one of the at least upper and / or lower binding elements is flexible, which means that at least one of the at least upper and / or lower binding elements is configured to return to an original shape when a deforming force or pressure is removed.

12. A binding arrangement comprising at least one binding system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method of supporting containers arranged one above the other with each other by means of a lashing system, characterized in that, The binding system comprises: at least an upper and a lower binding element, wherein at least one of the at least upper and / or lower binding elements is flexible; and a container lock, a lower corner part of an upper container, and an upper corner part of a lower container; wherein the method comprises: connecting the upper binding element from an upper end to the upper container; connecting the lower binding element from an upper end to the lower container; and stretching the at least one of the at least upper and / or lower binding elements more longitudinally than the other of the at least upper and / or lower binding elements when the binding system is in a tensioned position, and connecting the upper and lower containers together with the container lock, which is configured to be positioned between the lower corner part of the upper container and the upper corner part of the lower container; and wherein the longitudinal stretching distance in the tensioned position is approximately equal to a play between the container lock and the lower corner part of the upper container and the upper corner part of the lower container; and the play S = E - B = F + D3, wherein E is a vertical distance between a lower surface of the lower corner part of the upper container and an upper surface of the upper corner part of the lower container; B is a thickness of a flange of the container lock; D3 is a vertical distance between a bottom surface of the lower corner part and an upper surface of the flange; and F is a vertical distance between a bottom surface of the flange and an upper surface of the upper corner part.

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