Reconfigurable modular containers
By designing modular containers with removable sidewall sections and door frame components, the problem of difficult access to stacked containers has been solved, enabling convenient access to stacked containers without increasing costs or space occupation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VENTOL GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing stacked container configurations require temporary access when approaching elevated containers, leading to increased space requirements or higher costs.
Design a reconfigurable modular storage container including removable sidewall sections and door frame assemblies. By removing the sidewall sections and repositioning the door frames, safety barriers and walkways are formed to facilitate access to stacked containers.
This allows for convenient access to stacked containers without taking up extra space or increasing costs, eliminating the need for temporary passageways and improving space utilization efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN224448905U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a modular container, such as a freight container, which is of the reconfigurable type. Background Technology
[0002] As is well known, standard freight containers can be used for a variety of purposes in addition to transporting goods.
[0003] Typically, it is advantageous to assemble multiple containers in a stacked configuration, where at least one container sits on top of another. This advantageously achieves greater storage capacity within a given surface footprint compared to containers not being stacked.
[0004] However, a drawback of stacking containers is the need to provide convenient, on-site access to the elevated containers. Wheeled platforms are often provided, temporarily positioned in front of the bottom container to allow access to the container or each container stacked on top of that bottom container. However, this obstructs simultaneous access to both the stacked containers and one or more of the bottom containers. This can be a significant disadvantage, especially when a row of adjacent, stacked containers is provided for personal storage in the public.
[0005] Another suggestion for accessing the elevated containers involves installing an elevated platform in front of the container or each container. This advantageously allows for simultaneous access to all containers in the stack, but the disadvantages are higher cost and the need for on-site installation time. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The present invention aims to provide a modular storage container that solves the aforementioned drawbacks of known containers when used in a stacked configuration.
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a reconfigurable modular storage container includes a structural frame defining the shape of the container, the frame defining two rectangular end frames and a set of four side rails extending from a corresponding corner of one end frame to a corresponding corner of the other of the two end frames, the side rails providing support for a pair of container side walls, at least one of the end frames being a door end frame providing support for at least one door for access into the container, and wherein each side wall includes a side wall section adjacent to the door end frame supporting the door or each of the doors, the side wall section being adapted to be removable and no longer supported by the side rails.
[0008] To avoid any ambiguity, this article uses the term "rectangle" to define a square shape and a shape with four right angles and four sides, where opposite sides are of equal length and adjacent sides are of unequal length.
[0009] The door, or each of the doors, can be removed from the door end frame.
[0010] A door end frame supporting at least one door can support a removable door frame assembly, the door frame assembly including a door frame and at least one door fixed thereto.
[0011] At least one of the removable sidewall sections can be adapted to be fixed to a door end frame that provides support for the door or each door.
[0012] The door end frame providing support for the door or each door may include two posts spaced apart by two tracks. Sidewall sections may be adapted to be fixed to each of the two posts.
[0013] When the removable sidewall segment is in situ as part of the sidewall, its width may be less than its height. Preferably, the sidewall segment has a width of at least 1.0 meter, more preferably at least 1.2 meters, thereby creating an area adjacent to the end of the container when the sidewall segment is removed from its original sidewall position, which can be used as part of an aisle extending through two or more similar containers.
[0014] The width of the removable sidewall section can be less than the height of the container, preferably less than 2.0 meters, and more preferably less than 1.5 meters. When the 1.2-meter-wide sidewall section is removed from near the door end frame, a 1.2-meter-wide walkway is formed.
[0015] One or each removable sidewall segment can be secured to the end frame to act as a safety barrier for personnel standing on the container floor at the end of a stacked container. One or each sidewall segment can be secured to the end frame to extend in the same vertical direction as when it is in place as part of the container sidewall, or at an angle (e.g., a right angle), such as extending in the horizontal direction.
[0016] The two sidewall sections can be secured to the door end frame to provide weather protection for adjacent parts of the container. For this purpose, sealants, such as silicone sealants, can be used.
[0017] Preferably, the end frame supports a removable door frame assembly whose height and width dimensions are smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the rectangular end frame, so that when secured to the door end frame, the door frame assembly can be positioned within an opening defined by the rectangular end frame. Therefore, the door frame assembly does not result in an extension of the container's length, and consequently, the container remains compatible with other standard-sized containers in terms of transport and relocation.
[0018] The removable door frame assembly is preferably repositioned into a recessed position within the length of the structural frame. It can be secured in place relative to the four side rails of the structural frame, thereby allowing the door frame to provide security for cargo within the container. Sealing devices and / or other materials (e.g., sheets) can be provided to effectively seal the space between the door frame assembly and the opposing floor, top, and side walls of the container.
[0019] This invention also provides a method for reconfiguring a storage container to facilitate access to the container contents when it is in an elevated position. The method includes providing the storage container according to this invention and removing removable sidewall sections so that they are no longer supported by side rails. Then, at least one of said sidewall sections can be repositioned to be supported by a door end frame.
[0020] The method of this invention also provides for securing a safety barrier to a door end frame from which door frame assemblies have been removed. At least a portion of at least one segment of the side panel can serve as the safety barrier.
[0021] The end frame can be square, thereby allowing the removal of sidewall segments with a height equal to the width of the door end frame. Therefore, the sidewall segments, or each sidewall segment, can be easily fixed to the end frame in a horizontally extending orientation.
[0022] If the height of the door end frame is greater than its width, the length of one or each sidewall segment can be reduced, for example, by cutting or bending, to make it suitable for fixing to the end frame in a horizontally extending orientation. Alternatively, one or each sidewall segment can be fixed to the end frame in the same vertical orientation as when it is in place as part of the container sidewall.
[0023] The structural frame can be of a type suitable for use as a freight container. Therefore, it can be defined as a cuboid shape with industry-standard dimensions for freight and transportation purposes. The structural frame may include slots in the bottom rails and / or the bottom rails of the end frames for engagement by forklift arms or other such lifting devices.
[0024] The upper four corners of the structural frame may include hook-shaped positioning components, sometimes referred to as corner castings, for engagement via a lifting device. Attached Figure Description
[0025] One embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic diagrams, wherein:
[0026] Figure 1 It is a 3D view of a standard freight container;
[0027] Figure 2This is an exploded perspective view of a freight container according to this utility model;
[0028] Figure 3 This is an end view of the container door end before reconfiguration according to this utility model;
[0029] Figure 4 This is a plan view of a portion of the container of this utility model when it is reconfigured to provide a balcony-style area;
[0030] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the freight container of this utility model in a reconfigured orientation, and
[0031] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a four-container stacked array including two reconfigured containers according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0032] This utility model relates to a reconfigurable freight container, wherein the end areas of the container can be adapted to provide balcony-style areas.
[0033] like Figure 1 The standard freight container 10 shown includes a structural frame 11 that defines the container's cuboid shape. This structural frame includes two rectangular end frames 12, each end frame including a pair of vertical posts 13 and horizontally extending top and bottom rails 14.
[0034] The two end frames 12 are rigidly fixed to each other by four tracks 14, which extend horizontally from a corresponding corner of one end frame 12 to a corresponding corner of the other end frame.
[0035] The container's two side walls 20, top surface 21, and rectangular end frame 12 comprise corrugated metal sheets fixed to the structural frame 11. Typically, the bottom surface 22 is provided with load-bearing sheets fixed to the structural frame.
[0036] Another rectangular end frame provides support for a pair of passageway doors 23, each hinged to one of the two vertical posts 13.
[0037] The top and bottom tracks of the other rectangular end frame are formed with a plurality of slots 25, which, in use, can receive a slidably mounted locking bar supported by a door. A conventional locking mechanism (not shown) is provided for locking the bar in place when it engages with the aforementioned slots.
[0038] In the standard construction of freight containers, deformable elastic gaskets are placed between the end frames and the opposite edge areas of the two doors. Similarly, sealing material is placed between the corrugated sheets and the structural frame to provide weather protection for the contents inside the container.
[0039] In the container of this utility model (see Figure 2 The opening defined by the rectangular end frame 12 is occupied by the door frame assembly 31, which includes a door frame 32 and a door 33, preferably a pair of doors 33.
[0040] The door in this embodiment has a sliding rod 34 that is operable to engage with a slot 35 in the door frame, thereby helping to lock the door relative to the door frame without engaging with the rectangular end frame area of the structural frame.
[0041] The door frame assembly is removably fixed to the rectangular end frame by bolts (not shown), and sealing gaskets are provided between the opposing surfaces of the rectangular end frame 12 and the door frame 32, and between the door 33 and the door frame 32.
[0042] In order to be able to fit within the opening defined by the rectangular end frame (see...) Figure 3 The door frame assembly 31 must be small enough that it can be moved inward into the container when the bolts are removed from the end frame 12, so that it is located at position 36, retracted from the rectangular end frame 12. Figure 4 As shown.
[0043] In this embodiment, the gantry frame assembly is repositioned to be placed rearward by at least 1.1 meters, preferably at least 1.2 meters, from the rectangular end frame, thereby providing sufficient width for the aisle space 38 created on the container floor between the rectangular end frame and the gantry frame assembly.
[0044] This invention further includes a provision that one or each sidewall of the container includes a selectively removable sidewall segment 40, the width of which substantially corresponds to the width of the aisle area (see...). Figure 2 Therefore, when the sidewall section is removed, the walkway area can be accessed from one or two similar and adjacent containers.
[0045] One or two removed sections 40 of the sidewall can be used to secure to the rectangular end frame 12, thereby providing a safety barrier.
[0046] As can be understood from the above, this utility model provides a cost-effective, reconfigurable container for easy access to stacked containers without obstructing access to the bottom container, and without requiring a separate walkway located next to the container on site.
[0047] In particular, the container of this invention can be conveniently reconfigured at an off-site location before being combined and stacked with one or more other containers.
Claims
1. A reconfigurable modular container comprising a structural frame defining the shape of the container, the frame defining two rectangular end frames and a set of four side rails extending from a corresponding corner of one end frame to a corresponding corner of the other of the two end frames, the side rails providing support for a pair of container sidewalls, at least one of the end frames being a door end frame providing support for at least one door for access into the container, characterized in that, Each sidewall includes a sidewall section adjacent to the door or the door end frame of each door, the sidewall section being adapted to be removable and no longer supported by the side rail.
2. The modular container of claim 1, wherein, The door end frame includes two columns placed separately by two tracks, and at least one of the removable sidewall sections is adapted to be fixed to each of the two columns.
3. The modular container of claim 1, wherein, When in situ as part of the sidewall, the width of each removable sidewall segment is less than its height.
4. The modular container of claim 3, wherein, Each of the sidewall sections has a width of at least one meter.
5. The modular container of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The width of the removable sidewall section is less than the height of the container.
6. The modular container of claim 5, wherein, The width of the removable sidewall segment is less than 1.5 meters.
7. The modular container of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, At least one removable sidewall segment is fixed to the end frame to act as a safety barrier.
8. The modular container of claim 7, wherein, One or each sidewall segment is fixed to the end frame to extend in the same direction as when it is in place as part of the container sidewall.
9. The modular container of claim 7, wherein, One or each sidewall segment is fixed to the door end frame to extend at a right angle relative to the direction of the wall segment when in place as part of the container sidewall.
10. The modular container of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The door end frame supports a removable door frame assembly, the height and width of which are smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the door end frame.
11. The modular container of claim 10, wherein, The door end frame assembly is inserted and positioned from the end of the container and supported by the four side rails, wherein the door end frame supports at least one removable sidewall section.