ECONOMY CONTAINER

Abstract

Economical Container The present invention relates to a container (1) for the storage and transport of at least one sensitive and / or fragile item, notable in that it comprises: - a shock-absorbing block (2) having at least a lower part (3) and an upper part (4), each having respectively 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, said lower (3) and upper (4) parts cooperating to determine at least one internal volume (5) arranged to receive and completely cover the item to be protected, and - a protective coating (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 the space sector. State of the art

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

[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 contained 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 aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a container for the storage and transport of sensitive and / or fragile materials under difficult conditions and to all types of sites of use of said materials, said container being light, watertight, reusable, economical, durable and reinforced to resist shocks or drops 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 item, remarkable in that it comprises: - a shock-absorbing block comprising at least a lower part and an upper part, each comprising respectively a lower wall, an upper wall, and a peripheral wall joining said lower and upper walls, said lower and upper parts cooperating to determine at least one internal volume arranged to receive and fully cover the equipment 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 obtained from the reaction of 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 have a band 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 corner of the container, before the covering of said block by the protective coating.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, before its covering by the protective coating, the block includes sealing means between its lower and upper parts, said sealing means comprising a sealing element disposed along its perimeter edge of the lower wall of said upper part and capable of cooperating with a complementary sealing element disposed 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 receiving a fluid seal, and the complementary sealing member is a tab whose free end dips into said fluid seal.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the container according to the invention is equipped with additional equipment selected from carrying handles, closures, valves to compensate for atmospheric pressure variations, or humidity indicators. Brief description of the figures

[0014] Other advantages and features will become clearer from the following description of an execution method of a container according to the invention, with reference to the accompanying 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. 1] with a partially shown rim,

[0017] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the lower part of the container block of [Fig.1] with a band shown in part,

[0018] [Fig.4] is a partial cross-sectional view of the container of [Fig.1] along axis IV-IV'. Description of the implementation methods

[0019] Thus, with reference to [Fig.1], a container 1 has been shown for the storage and transport of at least one piece of equipment, not shown in the figures, comprising a block 2 which cushions and completely covers said equipment to immobilize it and protect it against shocks.

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

[0021] With reference to figures 1 to 4, the damping block 2 comprises at least a lower part 3 and an upper part 4, each generally in the form of a parallelepiped and each comprising respectively a lower wall 31, 41, an upper wall 32, 42, and a peripheral wall 33, 43 joining said lower walls 31, 41 and upper walls 32, 42 to each other, 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 generally in the 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 may be of another shape and that the cross-section of their peripheral wall 33, 43 may then be in the shape of, for example, a circle, a triangle or even an ellipse, without going out of 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 a fitted manner, the material to be protected.

[0024] Here, "in an adjusted manner" means that the internal wall of 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 displacement 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 supports, not shown, intended to be placed 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 defined by a recess 6 or 7 formed conventionally by machining in the upper wall 32 of the lower part 3, the upper part 4 then having no recess. However, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the internal volume(s) 5 may also be defined by recesses formed 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 applicable, the intermediate shims are made from flexible foam in easily machinable polymer material such as, for example, polyurethane or polyethylene.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in the figures, to enhance 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 band 8, 9 surrounding their respective peripheral wall 33, 43 over at least part of their height, said band 8, 9 being arranged around and against their associated peripheral wall 33, 43 or in a cutout or groove made, conventionally by machining, in said peripheral wall 33, 43. It is understood that the block 2 may comprise a band only 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 has a band 8 arranged in a cutout 34 and surrounding its peripheral wall 33 over part of its height, and the upper part 4 has a band 9 surrounding its peripheral wall 43 over its entire height.

[0030] For reasons which will be described below, each band 8, 9 is advantageously made of wood, but it may be made from another material such as, for example, a synthetic, polymer or 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 type with a metal ball, fixed to each corner of the container 1 according to the invention.

[0032] Furthermore, according to an embodiment not shown, to further enhance its general resistance and its impact resistance in particular, the container 1 according to the invention may include external damping means, instead of the reinforced corners fixed to each corner 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 pallet jack. Each pad comprises at least one block of flexible foam made of a polymer material such as, for example, polyurethane or polyethylene.

[0033] To further enhance its overall resistance and its impact resistance 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 in one or more coats, and ultimately forming a layer with a thickness of between 1 and 5 millimeters. The polymer material chosen is preference for "polyurea", that is to say, is an organic polymer which is produced by the reaction of isocyanate with an amine-terminated polyether resin.

[0034] Here, "external faces of its block 2" refers to the lower wall 31 and peripheral wall 33 of the lower part 3 of the block 2 and the upper wall 42 and peripheral wall 43 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 its covering 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 refers to a material deposited on the surface of an element or part of an element of block 2 to give it particular properties; in this case, this protective coating 11 gives the element or part of an element of block 2 additional impact protection properties. Therefore, it is clear that this coating must adhere perfectly to the surface of the element or part of an element of block 2 that it covers, in order to give it these particular properties.

[0037] For this purpose, 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 clear that the application method described makes it possible, at a lower cost, to increase the adhesion of the protective coating 11, to strengthen the block 2 and to increase the impact resistance of the container 1.

[0039] However, it is understood that, without going out of 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 hoops 8, 9, reinforced corners 10 and 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 can 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 (See [Fig. 4]). If the block 2 includes one or more bands 8, 9, said perimeter edges can then include one of the faces of the band(s) 8, 9, as shown in [Fig. 4].

[0041] This particular configuration makes it possible to stiffen the respective perimeter edges of said upper wall 32 and lower wall 41, and to implement, advantageously before the covering of block 2 (in particular of said perimeter edges) by the protective coating 11, sealing means 12 between said lower part 3 and upper part 4 of said block 2. Thus, the sealing means 12 comprise a sealing element 13 disposed along the perimeter edge of the lower wall 41 of the upper part 4 of block 2 and adapted to cooperate with a complementary sealing element 14 disposed 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 which receives a silicone seal cast in it, and the complementary sealing member 14 is a tab whose free end dips into said fluid seal (See [Fig.4]).

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

[0044] To fulfill its function of storing and transporting sensitive materials under 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 to compensate for atmospheric pressure differences, or humidity indicators 18.

[0045] In the absence of strapping 8, 9 in particular made of wood, the lower 3 and upper 4 parts of block 2 will then include plates, advantageously metallic, arranged between their peripheral wall 33, 43 and the protective coating and allowing the attachment of the various additional equipment on the container 1.

[0046] Furthermore, the installation of wooden bands 8, 9 on the lower 3 and upper 4 parts of said block 2 also increases the adhesion of said protective coating and makes it easy to implement the sealing means described above.

[0047] It is clear that with its particular configuration, the container 1 according to the invention is particularly light, easy to manufacture quickly and economically, because it requires only simple materials and avoids the use of plastic, resin or laminated polyester containers, 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 particular application in the storage and transport under difficult conditions of sensitive materials such as, for example, aeronautical equipment, 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 conforming to the invention which have just been described are only particular illustrations, in no way limiting of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Container (1) for the storage and transport of at least one sensitive and / or fragile item, comprising: - a shock-absorbing block (2) having at least a lower part (3) and an upper part (4), each having respectively 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 to determine at least one internal volume (5) arranged to receive and fully cover the item to be protected, and - a protective coating (11) covering at least all of the external faces of its block (2), characterized in that the lower (3) and upper (4) parts of the block (2) each have a band (8, 9) surrounding their peripheral wall (33,43) respective over at least part of their height before the block (2) is covered by the protective coating (11).

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 block (2) has a reinforced corner (10) fixed to each corner of the container (1) before the covering of said block (2) by the protective coating (11).

6. Container (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5 characterized in that, before being covered by the protective coating (11), the block (2) comprises sealing means (12)

7.

8. between its lower (3) and upper (4) parts, said sealing means comprising a sealing element (13) disposed along its perimeter edge of the lower wall (41) of said upper part (4) and capable of cooperating with a complementary sealing element (14) disposed along the perimeter edge of the upper wall (32) of said lower part (3). Container (1) according to claim 6 characterized in that the sealing member (13) is a channel whose cross-section is generally U-shaped and receiving a fluid seal, and the complementary sealing member (14) is a tab whose free end dips into said fluid seal. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that it is equipped with additional equipment selected from carrying handles (15), closures (16), valves (17) to compensate for atmospheric pressure variations, or humidity indicators (18).

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