ECONOMY CONTAINER

Abstract

Economic container The present invention relates to a container (1) for the storage and transport of at least one sensitive and / or fragile material, remarkable in that it comprises: - a shock-absorbing block (2) comprising at least one lower part (3) and one upper part (4) each respectively comprising a lower wall (31, 41), an upper wall (32, 42), and a peripheral wall (33, 43) joining said lower (31, 41) and upper (32, 42) walls together, said lower (3) and upper (4) parts cooperating with each other to determine at least one internal volume (5) arranged to receive and completely cover the material to be protected, and - a protective covering (11) covering at least all of the external faces of its block (2). [Fig 1]

Description

Title of the invention: ECONOMICAL CONTAINER Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of containers for the storage and transport of materials, more particularly sensitive and / or fragile materials such as, for example, electronic equipment, for aeronautics, optronics, defense or even the space sector. State of the art

[0002] In the field of storage and transport of sensitive and / or fragile materials in difficult conditions, it is known to use a container made of injected or rotomoulded plastic, or of polyester, comprising an upper part and a lower part determining an interior volume and capable of being joined together in a more or less sealed manner, said interior volume receiving, for example, holding members intended to keep the materials arranged inside the container in position.

[0003] This type of container is certainly very practical, but it has the disadvantage of being heavy (most often with an empty load greater than the product itself), bulky, complex to manufacture and with high dimensional and material constraints. Summary of the invention

[0004] The aim of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above and to propose a container for the storage and transport of sensitive and / or fragile materials in difficult conditions and to any type of site where said materials are used, said container being light, waterproof, reusable, economical, durable and reinforced to withstand shocks or falls in particular, and eliminating the need for plastic or polyester.

[0005] In accordance with the invention, a container is therefore proposed for the storage and transport of at least one sensitive and / or fragile material, remarkable in that it comprises: - a shock-absorbing block comprising at least one lower part and one upper part each comprising respectively a lower wall, an upper wall, and a peripheral wall joining said lower and upper walls together, said lower and upper parts cooperating with each other to determine at least one internal volume arranged to receive and completely cover the material to be protected, and - a protective coating covering at least all of the external faces of its block.

[0006] Advantageously, the protective coating also covers at least the perimeter edge of the upper wall of its lower part and the perimeter edge of the lower wall of its upper part of said block.

[0007] The protective coating is preferably an organic polymer varnish resulting from the reaction of the isocyanate with an amine-terminated polyether resin.

[0008] The block is preferably made from flexible polyurethane or polyethylene foam.

[0009] Advantageously, the lower and upper parts of the block each comprise a ring surrounding their respective peripheral wall over at least part of their height, before the block is covered by the protective coating.

[0010] Similarly, the block advantageously comprises a reinforced corner fixed to each angle of the container, before covering said block with the protective coating.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, before its covering by the protective coating, the block comprises sealing means between its lower and upper parts, said sealing means comprising a sealing member arranged along its perimeter edge of the lower wall of said upper part and capable of cooperating with a complementary sealing member arranged along the perimeter edge of the upper wall of said lower part.

[0012] Preferably, the sealing member is a channel whose cross-section is generally U-shaped and receives a fluid seal, and the complementary sealing member is a tongue whose free end is immersed in said fluid seal.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the container according to the invention is provided with additional equipment chosen from carrying handles, closures, valves making it possible to compensate for variations in atmospheric pressure, or even humidity indicators. Brief description of the figures

[0014] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of an embodiment of a container according to the invention, with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0015] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of an economical container according to the invention,

[0016] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the upper part of the container block of the [Fig.l] with a partially represented hoop,

[0017] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the lower part of the container block of [Fig.l] with a strapping partially shown,

[0018] [Fig.4] is a partial sectional view of the container of [Fig.l] along the axis IV-IV'. Description of the embodiments

[0019] Thus, with reference to [Fig.l], there is shown a container 1 for the storage and transport of at least one material, not shown in the figures, comprising a block 2 which absorbs and completely covers said material to immobilize it and protect it against impacts.

[0020] Here, the term "shock-absorbing" refers to the fact that said block 2 has shock-absorbing properties.

[0021] With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the damping block 2 comprises at least one lower part 3 and one upper part 4 each being in the general shape of a parallelepiped and each respectively comprising a lower wall 31, 41, an upper wall 32, 42, and a peripheral wall 33, 43 joining said lower wall 31, 41 and upper wall 32, 42 together, the lower wall 31 of the lower part 3 constituting the bottom of the block 2 and therefore of the container 1.

[0022] According to the embodiment shown, the lower 3 and upper 4 parts of the block 2 are each in the general shape of a parallelepiped and the cross-section of their peripheral wall 33, 43 is in the shape of a quadrilateral, but it goes without saying that they could be of another shape and that the cross-section of their peripheral wall 33, 43 could then be in the shape, for example, of a circle, a triangle or even an ellipse, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0023] Furthermore, said lower 3 and upper 4 parts cooperate with each other to determine at least one internal volume 5 arranged to receive, advantageously in an adjusted manner, the material to be protected.

[0024] Here, the term "adjusted" means that the internal wall of the at least one internal volume 5 has a shape complementary to that of the external wall of the material to be protected so as to avoid any relative movement of the latter with respect to the block 2.

[0025] Furthermore, in the case where the container 1 according to the invention contains several materials to be protected, the block 2 comprises either several internal volumes 5, or a single internal volume 5 advantageously associated with one or more intermediate wedges, not shown, provided to be arranged in said internal volume 5 between said materials to be protected in order to avoid any movement of the latter and any contact between them.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the block 2 comprises several internal volumes 5 each determined by a recess 6 or 7 made, in a conventional manner by machining, in the upper wall 32 of the lower part 3, the upper part 4 then not comprising any recess. However, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the internal volume(s) 5 may also be determined by recesses made in the upper wall 32 of the lower part 3 and in the lower wall 41 of the upper part 4.

[0027] Block 2 and, where appropriate, the intermediate wedges are made from flexible foam made of an easily machinable polymer material such as, for example, polyurethane or polyethylene.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in the figures, to reinforce its resistance in general and to impacts in particular, the block 2 is such that its lower 3 and upper 4 parts further comprise a strapping 8, 9 surrounding their respective peripheral wall 33, 43 over at least part of their height, said strapping 8, 9 being arranged around and against their associated peripheral wall 33, 43 or in a cutout or groove made, in a conventional manner by machining, in said peripheral wall 33, 43. It goes without saying that the block 2 may only comprise a strapping on one of its lower 3 or upper 4 parts, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0029] Thus, in the embodiment shown in the figures, for example, the lower part 3 comprises a ring 8 arranged in a cutout 34 and surrounding its peripheral wall 33 over part of its height, and the upper part 4 comprises a ring 9 surrounding its peripheral wall 43 over its entire height.

[0030] For reasons which will be described below, each strapping 8, 9 is advantageously made of wood, but it could be made from another material such as, for example, a synthetic, polymer or even metallic material without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0031] For the same reasons, the block 2 advantageously comprises a reinforced corner 10, for example of the metal ball corner type, fixed to each corner of the container 1 according to the invention.

[0032] Furthermore, according to an embodiment not shown, to further reinforce its resistance in general and to impacts in particular, the container 1 according to the invention may comprise external damping means, in place of the reinforced corners fixed to each angle of the bottom of the container 1. These external damping means comprise at least one pad fixed under the bottom of the container 1. The external damping means preferably comprise two pads spaced apart to allow easy handling of the container 1 using, for example, a forklift or a pallet truck. Each pad comprises at least one block of flexible foam made of polymer material such as, for example, polyurethane or polyethylene.

[0033] To further strengthen its resistance in general and to impacts in particular, the container 1 comprises a protective coating 11 covering at least all of the external faces of its block 2, said protective coating 11 being a varnish made of polymer material, applied once or several times, and ultimately forming a layer with a thickness of between 1 and 5 millimeters. The polymer material chosen is preferably "polyurea", that is to say is an organic polymer which is derived from the reaction of isocyanate with an amine-terminated polyether resin.

[0034] Here, the term "external faces of its block 2" refers to the lower 31 and peripheral 33 walls of the lower part 3 of the block 2 and the upper 42 and peripheral 43 walls of the upper part 4 of said block 2.

[0035] Furthermore, if one or more straps 8, 9 and / or reinforced corners 10 and / or external damping means are fixed to the block 2, obviously, before it is covered by the protective coating 11, the "external faces of its block 2" then also designate all the faces of the straps 8, 9, the reinforced corners 10 or the corresponding external damping means which are not in contact with the block 2 of the container 1.

[0036] Furthermore, the term "coating" here designates a material deposited on the surface of an element or part of an element of the block 2 to give it particular properties; in the present case, this protective coating 11 gives the element or part of an element of the block 2 additional impact protection properties. Therefore, it is understood that this coating must adhere perfectly to the surface of the element or part of an element of the block 2 that it covers, to give it said particular properties.

[0037] For this, said protective coating 11 is applied at a predetermined temperature T and pressure P, said temperature T and pressure P being respectively between 45 and 70°C and between 45 and 70 bars.

[0038] It is understood that the application method described makes it possible, at lower cost, to increase the adhesion of the protective coating 11, to reinforce the block 2 and to increase the impact resistance of the container 1.

[0039] However, it goes without saying that, without departing from the scope of the present invention and according to an extreme embodiment not shown, the lower 3 and upper 4 parts of the block 2 may not include any hoops 8, 9, reinforced corners 10 or external damping means, the protective coating 11 will then be directly applied to said lower 3 and upper 4 parts.

[0040] To further increase the impact resistance of the container 1, the protective coating 11 may be applied, according to the application method described above, to other faces of the block 2 such as, for example, at least the perimeter edge of the upper wall 32 of its lower part 3 and the perimeter edge of the lower wall 41 of its upper part 4 of said block 2 (Cf. [Fig. 4]). In the event that the block 2 comprises one or more straps 8, 9, said perimeter edges may then comprise one of the faces of the strap(s) 8, 9, as shown in [Fig. 4],

[0041] This particular configuration makes it possible to stiffen the respective perimeter edges of said upper 32 and lower 41 walls, and to implement, advantageously before the covering of the block 2 (in particular of said perimeter edges) by the protective coating 11, sealing means 12 between said lower 3 and upper 4 parts of said block 2. Thus, the sealing means 12 comprise a sealing member 13 arranged along the perimeter edge of the lower wall 41 of the upper part 4 of the block 2 and capable of cooperating with a complementary sealing member 14 arranged along the perimeter edge of the upper wall 32 of the lower part 3 of said block 2.

[0042] According to an advantageous embodiment, the sealing member 13 is a channel whose cross-section is generally U-shaped and receives a cast silicone seal, and the complementary sealing member 14 is a tongue whose free end is immersed in said fluid seal (Cf. [Fig.4]).

[0043] However, it goes without saying that these sealing means 12 could be of a completely different type such as, for example, flat or lip seal adhesive strips, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0044] To fulfill its function of storing and transporting sensitive materials in difficult conditions, the container 1 may also be equipped with additional equipment chosen, for example, from carrying handles 15, closures 16 for example of the lever and hook type, valves 17 making it possible to compensate for variations in atmospheric pressure, or even humidity indicators 18.

[0045] In the absence of strapping 8, 9, particularly made of wood, the lower 3 and upper 4 parts of the block 2 will then comprise plates, advantageously metal, arranged between their peripheral wall 33, 43 and the protective covering and allowing the fixing of the various additional equipment on the container 1.

[0046] Furthermore, the fact of placing wooden strapping 8, 9 on the lower 3 and upper 4 parts of said block 2 also makes it possible to increase the adhesion of said protective coating and to easily implement the sealing means described above.

[0047] It is understood that with its particular configuration, the container 1 according to the invention is particularly light, easy to manufacture quickly and economically, because it only requires simple materials and avoids using containers made of plastic, resin or laminated polyester, obtained by molding and, consequently, particularly expensive mainly because of the high cost of the associated molds.

[0048] The economical container 1 according to the invention finds a particular application in the storage and transport in difficult conditions of sensitive materials such as, for example, aeronautical devices, electronic tools, precision instruments, or even military equipment. However, it is clear that container 1 can be adapted and used to transport other types of equipment.

[0049] Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of containers 1 in accordance with the invention which have just been described are only particular illustrations, in no way limiting of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Container (1) for storing and transporting at least one sensitive and / or fragile material, characterized in that it comprises: - a shock-absorbing block (2) comprising at least one lower part (3) and one upper part (4) each respectively comprising a lower wall (31, 41), an upper wall (32, 42), and a peripheral wall (33, 43) joining said lower (31, 41) and upper (32, 42) walls together, said lower (3) and upper (4) parts cooperating with each other to determine at least one internal volume (5) arranged to receive and completely cover the material to be protected, and - a protective covering (11) covering at least all of the external faces of its block (2).

2. Container (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the protective coating (11) covers at least the perimeter edge of the upper wall (32) of its lower part (3) and the perimeter edge of the lower wall (41) of its upper part (4) of said block (2).

3. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the protective coating (11) is an organic polymer varnish resulting from the reaction of isocyanate with an amine-terminated polyether resin.

4. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the block (2) is made from flexible polyurethane or polyethylene foam.

5. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower (3) and upper (4) parts of the block (2) each comprise a strapping (8, 9) surrounding their respective peripheral wall (33, 43) over at least part of their height before the block (2) is covered by the protective coating (11).

6. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the block (2) comprises a reinforced corner (10) fixed to each angle of the container (1) before covering said block (2) with the protective coating (11).

7. Container (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6 characterized in that before its covering by the coating of protection (11), the block (2) comprises sealing means (12) between its lower (3) and upper (4) parts, said sealing means comprising a sealing member (13) arranged along its perimeter edge of the lower wall (41) of said upper part (4) and capable of cooperating with a complementary sealing member (14) arranged along the perimeter edge of the upper wall (32) of said lower part (3).

8. Container (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that the sealing member (13) is a channel whose cross section is generally U-shaped and receives a fluid seal, and the complementary sealing member (14) is a tongue whose free end is immersed in said fluid seal.

9. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is provided with additional equipment chosen from carrying handles (15), closures (16), valves (17) making it possible to compensate for variations in atmospheric pressure, or even humidity indicators (18).

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