Floating shipping container

Abstract

The present invention pertains to the field of sea, river and land transport and more specifically relates to a shipping container capable of floating in the event of shipwreck or accident, contributing to increased durability and ease of salvage at sea. The invention has a metal structure (ES) that receives side walls (LT), a back wall (PT) and a lower floor (SL) with doors (PR) on the front part and a roof closure (TT), wherein the walls (LT)(PT), the roof (TT), the doors (PR) and the floor (SL) are made of aluminum or polycomponents, and the walls (LT) are formed by hollow square tubes (PM) closed with plugs (TP). The main difference is the creation of air pockets by means of the tubes (PM) that form the walls (LT), similar to the concept of modules, with joined pieces that enable the container to float in the event of shipwreck.

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention belongs to the sector of maritime, fluvial and land transport, and more specifically, to a shipping container capable of floating in the event of shipwrecks or accidents, contributing to increased durability and ease of rescue at sea.Background Art

[0002] Conventional shipping containers are resistant structures used to store cargo transported to various parts of the world by sea vessels. A typical example is the Emma Maersk, one of the largest cargo ships in the world, which has the capacity to transport up to 15,000 containers per trip. This means that this cargo ship alone can perform the same work as 17,000 fully loaded trucks.

[0003] These containers, stored on this and other cargo ships, are responsible for virtually all global maritime trade and can carry any type of goods, from low-value products to highly valuable cargo-since one of the key features of these containers is their security. It is very difficult for a maritime container to be stolen or even damaged during transport, whether due to accidents, ship vibrations, or weather instabilities.

[0004] However, an article by Ann Koh, published by Bloomberg, reports that such accidents are on the rise. The maritime shipping sector is experiencing the highest increase in lost containers in seven years. Over 3,000 containers fell into the sea in 2020 alone, and more than 1,000 were lost in just the first four months of 2021. The frequency has been so high that these accidents have disrupted supply chains for hundreds of U.S. retailers and manufacturers, including companies like Amazon and Tesla.

[0005] A notable case is the One Apus, a 364-meter-long ship that encountered a storm in 2021 while sailing from Yantian, China, to Long Beach, California. The storm struck about 1,600 miles northwest of Hawaii and caused 1,800 containers to fall into the sea. This incident was the worst since 2013, when the MOL Comfort broke in two and sank with its entire load of 4,293 containers in the Indian Ocean.

[0006] In this sense, there is an opportunity to enhance maritime transport safety in scenarios where containers fall into the sea, by means of a technology that enables them to remain afloat until they can be moved to a safe location.Advantages of the Invention

[0007] In light of this technical and commercial problem, the present invention discloses a container that can be manufactured in various sizes, comprising a metallic structure and distributed air pockets, which help regulate internal temperature by preserving it in the event of shipwreck. The material, being aluminum or polymeric composites, is therefore lighter, reducing the ship's fuel consumption and minimizing corrosion.

[0008] Other benefits are also achieved, such as lower accident insurance premiums, reduced CO 2 emissions, making it environmentally friendly and a superior material choice in terms of sanitary aspects.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] In order for the present invention to be fully understood and implemented by any technician in this field of technology, it will be described clearly, concisely, and sufficiently, based on the attached drawings, which illustrate and support it, as listed below: Figure 1: Perspective view of the maritime container; Figure 2: Exploded perspective view of the maritime container; Figure 3: Perspective view of the maritime container, highlighting the construction of the air pockets. Detailed description of the Invention

[0010] The present invention comprises a metallic structure (ES) which supports side walls (LT), a rear wall (PT), and a bottom floor (SL), with front doors (PR) and a top cover (TT). The side walls (LT), rear wall (PT), top (TT), doors (PR), and bottom floor (SL) are made of aluminum or polymeric composites, and the side walls (LT) are constructed from square hollow tubes (PM) sealed with end caps (BS).

[0011] Accordingly, the main distinguishing feature of the invention lies in the formation of air pockets by means of the tubes (PM) that constitute the side walls (LT), in a manner similar to a modular concept, with interconnected components that enable the container to float in the event of a shipwreck.

[0012] It is important to emphasize that the figures and descriptions provided are not intended to limit the possible embodiments of the proposed inventive concept, but rather to illustrate and make understandable the conceptual innovations disclosed in this solution. As such, the descriptions and illustrations should be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting, and other equivalent or analogous implementations of the inventive concept disclosed herein may exist without departing from the scope of protection defined in the proposed solution.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0010]The present invention comprises a metallic structure (ES) which supports side walls (LT), a rear wall (PT), and a bottom floor (SL), with front doors (PR) and a top cover (TT). The side walls (LT), rear wall (PT), top (TT), doors (PR), and bottom floor (SL) are made of aluminum or polymeric composites, and the side walls (LT) are constructed from square hollow tubes (PM) sealed with end caps (BS).

[0011]Accordingly, the main distinguishing feature of the invention lies in the formation of air pockets by means of the tubes (PM) that constitute the side walls (LT), in a manner similar to a modular concept, with interconnected components that enable the container to float in the event of a shipwreck.

[0012]It is important to emphasize that the figures and descriptions provided are not intended to limit the possible embodiments of the proposed inventive concept, but rather to illustrate and make understandable the conceptual innovations disclosed in this solution. As such, the descr...

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention belongs to the sector of maritime, fluvial and land transport, and more specifically, to a shipping container capable of floating in the event of shipwrecks or accidents, contributing to increased durability and ease of rescue at sea.Background Art

[0002] Conventional shipping containers are resistant structures used to store cargo transported to various parts of the world by sea vessels. A typical example is the Emma Maersk, one of the largest cargo ships in the world, which has the capacity to transport up to 15,000 containers per trip. This means that this cargo ship alone can perform the same work as 17,000 fully loaded trucks.

[0003] These containers, stored on this and other cargo ships, are responsible for virtually all global maritime trade and can carry any type of goods, from low-value products to highly valuable cargo-since one of the key features of these containers is their security. It is very difficult for a maritime container to be stolen or even damaged during transport, whether due to accidents, ship vibrations, or weather instabilities.

[0004] However, an article by Ann Koh, published by Bloomberg, reports that such accidents are on the rise. The maritime shipping sector is experiencing the highest increase in lost containers in seven years. Over 3,000 containers fell into the sea in 2020 alone, and more than 1,000 were lost in just the first four months of 2021. The frequency has been so high that these accidents have disrupted supply chains for hundreds of U.S. retailers and manufacturers, including companies like Amazon and Tesla.

[0005] A notable case is the One Apus, a 364-meter-long ship that encountered a storm in 2021 while sailing from Yantian, China, to Long Beach, California. The storm struck about 1,600 miles northwest of Hawaii and caused 1,800 containers to fall into the sea. This incident was the worst since 2013, when the MOL Comfort broke in two and sank with its entire load of 4,293 containers in the Indian Ocean.

[0006] In this sense, there is an opportunity to enhance maritime transport safety in scenarios where containers fall into the sea, by means of a technology that enables them to remain afloat until they can be moved to a safe location.Advantages of the Invention

[0007] In light of this technical and commercial problem, the present invention discloses a container that can be manufactured in various sizes, comprising a metallic structure and distributed air pockets, which help regulate internal temperature by preserving it in the event of shipwreck. The material, being aluminum or polymeric composites, is therefore lighter, reducing the ship's fuel consumption and minimizing corrosion.

[0008] Other benefits are also achieved, such as lower accident insurance premiums, reduced CO 2 emissions, making it environmentally friendly and a superior material choice in terms of sanitary aspects.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] In order for the present invention to be fully understood and implemented by any technician in this field of technology, it will be described clearly, concisely, and sufficiently, based on the attached drawings, which illustrate and support it, as listed below: Figure 1: Perspective view of the maritime container; Figure 2: Exploded perspective view of the maritime container; Figure 3: Perspective view of the maritime container, highlighting the construction of the air pockets. Detailed description of the Invention

[0010] The present invention comprises a metallic structure (ES) which supports side walls (LT), a rear wall (PT), and a bottom floor (SL), with front doors (PR) and a top cover (TT). The side walls (LT), rear wall (PT), top (TT), doors (PR), and bottom floor (SL) are made of aluminum or polymeric composites, and the side walls (LT) are constructed from square hollow tubes (PM) sealed with end caps (BS).

[0011] Accordingly, the main distinguishing feature of the invention lies in the formation of air pockets by means of the tubes (PM) that constitute the side walls (LT), in a manner similar to a modular concept, with interconnected components that enable the container to float in the event of a shipwreck.

[0012] It is important to emphasize that the figures and descriptions provided are not intended to limit the possible embodiments of the proposed inventive concept, but rather to illustrate and make understandable the conceptual innovations disclosed in this solution. As such, the descriptions and illustrations should be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting, and other equivalent or analogous implementations of the inventive concept disclosed herein may exist without departing from the scope of protection defined in the proposed solution.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0010]The present invention comprises a metallic structure (ES) which supports side walls (LT), a rear wall (PT), and a bottom floor (SL), with front doors (PR) and a top cover (TT). The side walls (LT), rear wall (PT), top (TT), doors (PR), and bottom floor (SL) are made of aluminum or polymeric composites, and the side walls (LT) are constructed from square hollow tubes (PM) sealed with end caps (BS).

[0011]Accordingly, the main distinguishing feature of the invention lies in the formation of air pockets by means of the tubes (PM) that constitute the side walls (LT), in a manner similar to a modular concept, with interconnected components that enable the container to float in the event of a shipwreck.

[0012]It is important to emphasize that the figures and descriptions provided are not intended to limit the possible embodiments of the proposed inventive concept, but rather to illustrate and make understandable the conceptual innovations disclosed in this solution. As such, the descr...

Claims

1. A FLOATING SHIPPING CONTAINER comprising a metallic structure (ES) that supports side walls (LT), a rear wall (PT), and a bottom floor (SL), with front doors (PR) and a top cover (TT), and characterized in that the side walls (LT), rear wall (PT), top cover (TT), front doors (PR), and bottom floor (SL) are made of aluminum or polymeric composites, and the side walls (LT) are formed by square hollow tubes (PM) sealed with end caps (TP).

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