Container

The container's sloping canopy frame and drain members guide condensation water inward, addressing the leakage issue and maintaining drainer liner integrity, ensuring effective condensation prevention and operational efficiency.

JP2025126950APending Publication Date: 2025-09-01SHINMAYWA INDUSTRIES LTD

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024023348
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-02-20
Publication Date
2025-09-01

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing containers with sliding canopies face challenges in preventing condensation water from leaking outside due to the risk of damaging a drainer liner when it is pinched between the sliding canopy and the cargo box.

Method used

A container design with a canopy that slopes downward from the center, featuring a frame with inclined surfaces and drain members to guide condensation water inward, preventing it from reaching the base ends and ensuring the drainer liner is not pinched during opening and closing.

Benefits of technology

The design effectively prevents condensation water from dripping outside the container, regardless of the canopy's opening method, while maintaining the integrity of the drainer liner and ensuring smooth loading and unloading operations.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To suppress a dewdrop outside a container irrespective of an opening / closing method of a canopy.SOLUTION: A container includes: a cargo box having an opening part extending in the frontward / backward direction and the right-to-left direction and opened upward; and a canopy 30 provided so as to open / close the opening part of the cargo box. The canopy 30 includes a frame body 31 inclined downward from the central part in the right-to-left direction leftward and rightward at the time of closing. The frame body 31 includes: a base end member 32R extending in the frontward / backward direction and constituting a left end part or a right end part of the frame body 31 at the closing time of the canopy 30; and a beam member 33 extending in the right-to-left direction and connected to the base end member 32R, and inclined downward toward the base end member 32R at the closing time of the canopy 30. The beam member 33 includes an inclined surface 33a formed in the vicinity of a connection part 33b to the base end member 32R out of the lower surface, and inclined upward toward the base end member 32R at the closing time of the canopy 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container. [Background technology]

[0002] Containers with openable canopies have been known for some time. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an open-top container with a soft top formed by multiple movable roof bows, which are roof beams, and a tarpaulin, which is a roof hood. The container described in Patent Document 1 is configured so that the tarpaulin can be unfolded or folded by moving the multiple roof bows in the front-to-rear direction to separate the roof bows or gather them at the ends of the container. The soft top is formed in a mountain shape with a bulging central portion in the left-to-right direction.

[0003] According to Patent Document 1, when transporting bottom ash from incinerated waste, condensation occurs on the inside of the soft top due to the temperature difference between the inside of the container and the outside air. According to Patent Document 1, the condensation may flow down the slope of the soft top and onto the sides of the container. To prevent condensation from flowing onto the sides of the container, the container described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a curtain-shaped water-repellent inner liner on the inside of the soft top. When the soft top is deployed, the water-repellent inner liner hangs down inside the container and guides condensation that adheres to the inside of the soft top and flows down into the container. According to Patent Document 1, this prevents condensation from flowing out of the container.

[0004] Containers with canopies that open and close using other methods are also known. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a container with a pair of left and right canopies. The container described in Patent Document 2 supports the left and right canopies so that they can swing, and is equipped with a pair of left and right opening and closing arms that rotate about their respective axes. In the container of Patent Document 2, when the left and right opening and closing arms are rotated about their axes, the left and right canopies are deployed in opposite directions while tilting relative to the vehicle width direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-047931 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-046928 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] For example, in a container with left and right canopies that slide outward, such as that disclosed in Patent Document 2, if an attempt is made to provide a drainer liner to prevent condensation water from flowing out of the container, there is a high risk that the drainer liner will be pinched between the sliding canopy and the cargo box and be damaged. Therefore, it is difficult to apply a drainer liner to a container with left and right canopies that slide outward.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and its purpose is to provide a container with a configuration that can prevent condensation that forms on the canopy from falling outside the container regardless of the canopy opening and closing method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The container disclosed herein includes a shipping box that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and has an opening that opens upward, and a canopy that is provided to open and close the opening of the shipping box. The canopy includes a frame that slopes downward from the center in the left-right direction to the left and right when closed. The frame includes a base end member that extends in the front-rear direction and forms the left or right end of the frame when the canopy is closed, and a beam member that extends in the left-right direction and is connected to the base end member and slopes downward toward the base end member when the canopy is closed. The beam member has an inclined surface formed on its underside near the connection portion with the base end member and slopes upward toward the base end member when the canopy is closed.

[0009] With the container described above, condensation water flowing down the beam members cannot ascend the inclined surface that slopes upward toward the base members. Therefore, the condensation water cannot reach the base members that form the left or right ends of the frame. Therefore, the container described above can prevent condensation water from running down the base members and dripping outside the shipping box. This configuration is effective regardless of the canopy opening and closing method.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the canopy includes a top plate fixed to the upper surface of the frame body so as to cover the frame body, and a first drain member disposed between the left-right center portion and the base end member, extending in the front-rear direction, and in contact with the underside of the top plate.

[0011] According to this aspect, condensation water that forms on the underside of the top plate and flows down the underside of the top plate can be stopped by the first draining member.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the canopy includes a top plate fixed to the upper surface of the frame body so as to cover the frame body, and the frame body includes a second drain member arranged to be aligned in the left-right direction with the inclined surfaces of the beam members, extending in the front-rear direction, and in contact with the underside of the top plate.

[0013] According to this aspect, the second draining member is arranged so that its position in the left-right direction is aligned with the inclined surface of the beam member, and therefore is located near the base member, thereby preventing condensation water generated on the top plate near the base member from reaching the base member.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned container, the second drain member has a surface facing the center of the left-right direction of the frame body, and another inclined surface that slopes downward toward the center of the left-right direction of the frame body when the canopy is closed.

[0015] According to this aspect, the condensation water that reaches the second draining member flows along the downward slope of the other inclined surface toward the center of the frame in the left-right direction, so that the condensation water that reaches the second draining member can be guided further inward into the cargo box.

[0016] According to one preferred embodiment, the end of the inclined surface on the base member side is located higher than the lower surface of the base member, and a step is formed between the inclined surface and the lower surface of the base member.

[0017] According to this aspect, even if condensation water flows down the inclined surface due to, for example, the container tilting to the left or right, the step stops the condensation water from moving, thereby more reliably preventing the condensation water from dripping outside the packing box.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the container includes an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the canopy. The frame includes a left frame that slopes downward from the center in the left-right direction to the left when closed, and a right frame that slopes downward from the center in the left-right direction to the right when closed. The opening / closing mechanism includes a left opening / closing mechanism that moves the left frame leftward to open it, and a right opening / closing mechanism that moves the right frame rightward to open it.

[0019] Although it is difficult to use a drainer inner with such an opening and closing mechanism, the technology disclosed here can be suitably applied.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the container includes an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the canopy. The frame includes a left frame that slopes downward from a center in the left-right direction toward the left when closed, and a right frame that slopes downward from a center in the left-right direction toward the right when closed. The opening / closing mechanism includes a left pivot shaft that extends in the front-rear direction and pivots around the left end of the left frame, and a right pivot shaft that extends in the front-rear direction and pivots around the right end of the right frame.

[0021] In this opening / closing mechanism, when the left and right frame bodies are rotated open, the inner surfaces of the closed left and right frame bodies face outward in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the canopy is open, the inner drainer is positioned outward of the left and right frame bodies. An inner drainer that extends outward from the left and right frame bodies could get in the way of loading and unloading operations. The technology disclosed herein eliminates this problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the container disclosed herein, condensation formed on the canopy can be prevented from dripping outside the container regardless of the canopy opening / closing method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a container according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic front view of the container showing the opening and closing operation of the canopy. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the connection portion between the outer base end member and the beam member as seen from below. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a container with a pivoting canopy. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described here are not intended to particularly limit the present invention. Furthermore, members and parts that perform the same functions between embodiments will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0025] [Container Configuration] FIG. 1 is a front view of a container 10 according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the container 10. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the container 10. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction in which the face of the container 10 shown in FIG. 1 faces will be referred to as the front side. The terms left, right, top, and bottom refer to the left, right, top, and bottom of the container 10 as viewed from the front side. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings refer to the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. However, the above directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the installation mode of the container 10 or the present invention in any way.

[0026] The container 10 according to this embodiment is a freight train container that stores cargo and is loaded onto and unloaded from the freight train. Here, the front of the container 10 is the direction of travel of the freight train. However, the front of the container 10 is not limited to the direction of travel of the freight train. Furthermore, the container 10 is not limited to a freight train container. For example, the container 10 may be a container that is loaded onto and unloaded from a truck, or may be a container provided on the truck. For example, the container 10 may be a loading box for a dump truck.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the container 10 includes a packing box 20, a canopy 30, and an opening / closing mechanism 40 for the canopy 30. The packing box 20 is configured in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box. The longitudinal direction of the packing box 20 (the longitudinal direction of the container 10) is the front-to-rear direction here. The packing box 20 includes a bottom wall 20D, a front wall 20F, a left side wall 20L, a right side wall 20R, and a rear wall 20Rr. An opening 21 that extends in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions and opens upward is formed inside the front wall 20F, the left side wall 20L, the right side wall 20R, and the rear wall 20Rr. The cargo is placed into the interior space of the packing box 20 through the opening 21. The cargo is not particularly limited, but could be, for example, still-hot incineration ash.

[0028] The canopy 30 is provided so as to be able to open and close the opening 21 of the packing box 20. When closed, the canopy 30 is positioned to cover the opening 21. As shown in FIG. 1 , the canopy 30 comprises a pair of canopies, a left canopy 30L and a right canopy 30R. When closed, the left canopy 30L slopes downward from the center of the left-right direction of the container 10 to the left. When closed, the right canopy 30R slopes downward from the center of the left-right direction of the container 10 to the right. When closed, the canopy 30 is positioned so that the center of the left-right direction is higher than both ends. As will be described in detail later, the left canopy 30L and the right canopy 30R are positioned so as to follow the left side wall 20L and the right side wall 20R of the packing box 20, respectively, when open. Details of the canopies 30 will be described later.

[0029] The opening / closing mechanism 40 is a mechanism for opening and closing the canopy 30. As shown in Figure 3, the opening / closing mechanism 40 includes a left opening / closing mechanism 40L that moves the left canopy 30L leftward to open it, and a right opening / closing mechanism 40R that moves the right canopy 30R rightward to open it. The left opening / closing mechanism 40L and the right opening / closing mechanism 40R are configured symmetrically.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the right opening / closing mechanism 40R includes multiple opening / closing arms 41R that swingably support the right canopy 30R and a rotating shaft 42R that supports the multiple opening / closing arms 41R. One end (the upper end when closed) of each opening / closing arm 41R is connected to the right canopy 30R. The other end (the lower end when closed) of each opening / closing arm 41R is connected to a rotating shaft 42R. The rotating shaft 42R extends in the front-to-rear direction. The rotating shaft 42R is configured to rotate around its axis. When the rotating shaft 42R rotates, the multiple opening / closing arms 41R rotate. Although not shown, the right opening / closing mechanism 40R includes a mechanism for manually rotating the rotating shaft 42R by turning a handle. However, the right opening / closing mechanism 40R may also be configured to rotate the rotating shaft 42R automatically (for example, by motor drive).

[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the container 10 illustrating the opening and closing operation of the canopy 30. In FIG. 4, the canopy 30 in the closed state is indicated by a solid line, and the canopy 30 in the open state and in the process of opening or closing is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In FIG. 4, the right canopy 30R and the opening / closing arm 41R when the canopy 30 is in the open state are indicated by the reference numerals 30R-1 and 41R-1, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, when the rotation shaft 42R is rotated clockwise as viewed from the front, the right canopy 30R slides to the right and swings sideways, with the right end lowered and the left end raised. As a result, the opening / closing arm 41R and the right canopy 30R are folded so that they both rise up, with the connection between the opening / closing arm 41R and the right canopy 30R facing downward.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the left opening / closing mechanism 40L also includes multiple opening / closing arms 41L (see also FIG. 3) that swingably support the left canopy 30L, and a rotating shaft 42L that supports the multiple opening / closing arms 41L. As shown in FIG. 4, the left canopy 30L also swings while sliding sideways, with the left end lowered and the right end raised. As a result, the opening / closing arm 41L and the left canopy 30L are folded so that both the opening / closing arm 41L and the left canopy 30L are raised upright, with the connection between the opening / closing arm 41L and the left canopy 30L facing downward. In FIG. 4, the left canopy 30L and the opening / closing arm 41L are indicated by the reference numerals 30L-1 and 41L-1, respectively, when the canopy 30 is opened. The canopy 30 is opened by moving both the right canopy 30R and the left canopy 30L to the side of the container 10. Closing the canopy 30 is the reverse of the above operation.

[0033] [Canopy configuration] The configuration of the canopy 30 will be described in detail below.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the canopy 30 comprises a frame 31 as a framework and a top panel 36. When the canopy 30 is closed, the frame 31 slopes downward from the center in the left-right direction to the left and right. When the canopy 30 is closed, the top panel 36 also slopes downward from the center in the left-right direction to the left and right. The frame 31 comprises a left frame 31L and a right frame 31R. When the canopy 30 is closed, the left frame 31L slopes downward from the center in the left-right direction to the left. When the canopy 30 is closed, the right frame 31R slopes downward from the center in the left-right direction to the right. The same is true for the top panel 36; when the canopy 30 is closed, the left top panel 36L slopes downward from the center in the left-right direction to the left. When the canopy 30 is closed, the right top panel 36R slopes downward from the center to the right. The right canopy 30R and the left canopy 30L are configured symmetrically. The following describes the configuration of the right canopy 30R, and a detailed description of the left canopy 30L is omitted.

[0035] 5 is a perspective view of right frame 31R. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship of each member constituting canopy 30 (for example, A is located to the right of B) is the positional relationship when canopy 30 is closed.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the right frame 31R includes an outer base end member 32R that constitutes the right end (here, the outer end in the left-right direction) of the right frame 31R, an inner base end member 32L that constitutes the left end of the right frame 31R, a front base end member 32F that constitutes the front end of the right frame 31R, and a rear base end member 32Rr that constitutes the rear end of the right frame 31R. The outer base end member 32R and the inner base end member 32L extend in the front-to-rear direction. The front base end member 32F and the rear base end member 32Rr extend in the left-to-right direction. The outer base end member 32R, the inner base end member 32L, the front base end member 32F, and the rear base end member 32Rr are joined to form a rectangle. The outer base end member 32R is positioned below the inner base end member 32L. The right frame 31R is inclined to form a plane that slopes downward toward the right. The outer base end member 32R is disposed to the right of the right side wall 20R of the packing box 20. The canopy 30 projects outward beyond the packing box 20 in the left-right direction.

[0037] The right frame 31R includes a plurality of beam members 33 extending in the left-right direction and connected to the outer base end member 32R. Here, the right end of each beam member 33 is joined to the outer base end member 32R. The left end of each beam member 33 is joined to the inner base end member 32L. Each beam member 33 is inclined downward toward the outer base end member 32R (here, toward the right).

[0038] The right frame 31R further includes a drain pipe 34 and a drain board 35 disposed between the inner base end member 32L (the center of the frame 31 in the left-right direction) and the outer base end member 32R. The drain pipe 34 and the drain board 35 extend in the front-rear direction. The drain pipe 34 and the drain board 35 intersect with multiple beam members 33.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the connection between the outer base end member 32R and the beam member 33, as seen from below. FIG. 6 shows the state in which the canopy 30 is closed. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6, in front of the beam member 33, of the outer base end member 32R, the drip pipe 34, and the drip board 35, viewed rearward. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer base end member 32R is formed from a square pipe with a rectangular cross section. As shown in FIG. 6, the beam member 33 is also formed from a square pipe. As shown in FIG. 7, the beam member 33 has an inclined surface 33a that slopes upward toward the outer base end member 32R. The inclined surface 33a is formed on the lower surface of the beam member 33 near the connection 33b with the outer base end member 32R. Here, "near the connection portion 33b with the outer base end member 32R" may include a position slightly away from the connection portion 33b (for example, within 10 mm), a position adjacent to the connection portion 33b, and a position spanning the connection portion 33b. In this embodiment, the inclined surface 33a is disposed on the lower surface of the beam member 33 adjacent to the connection portion 33b with the outer base end member 32R. The inclined surface 33a is adjacent to the outer base end member 32R. The beam member 33 as a whole is inclined downward toward the right (outside the container 10), but the inclined surface 33a is inclined upward toward the outside of the container 10.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 6, a flat plate 33c is joined to the inclined surface 33a. The lower surface of the plate 33c extends substantially parallel to the inclined surface 33a. The lower surface of the plate 33c is located below the inclined surface 33a and is inclined upward toward the outside of the container 10. A first step S1 is formed between the end (here, the left end) of the plate 33c on the center side in the left-right direction and the inclined surface 33a.

[0041] As shown in Figure 7, the end of the inclined surface 33a on the outer base end member 32R side, here the right end, is located higher than the lower surface of the outer base end member 32R. The upper surface of the beam member 33 and the upper surface of the outer base end member 32R are configured to be substantially flush with each other. The thickness of the beam member 33 is substantially the same as that of the outer base end member 32R, but the portion where the inclined surface 33a is formed is thinner than that of the outer base end member 32R. Therefore, a second step S2 is formed between the inclined surface 33a and the lower surface of the outer base end member 32R.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7 , the drain pipe 34 is formed from a square pipe with a rectangular cross section. The beam member 33 is divided at the intersection with the drain pipe 34, with the left portion joined to the left side of the drain pipe 34 and the right portion joined to the right side of the drain pipe 34. In this embodiment, the underside of the drain pipe 34 and the underside of the beam member 33 are substantially flush with each other. However, the underside of the drain pipe 34 and the underside of the beam member 33 do not have to be substantially flush with each other. There may be a step between the underside of the drain pipe 34 and the underside of the beam member 33. If there is a step between the underside of the drain pipe 34 and the underside of the beam member 33, water droplets (described below) flowing down the underside of the beam member 33 will stagnate and grow larger due to this step. The larger water droplets will no longer be able to withstand their own weight and will fall from the beam member 33. This effect of causing water droplets to stagnate and fall can be achieved whether the underside of the drip pipe 34 is convex downward relative to the underside of the beam member 33 or whether the underside of the drip pipe 34 is concave upward relative to the underside of the beam member 33. The significance of causing water droplets flowing down the canopy 30 to fall will be described later.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7 , the drip-water board 35 is arranged so that its position in the left-right direction is aligned with the inclined surface 33a of the beam member 33. The drip-water board 35 is arranged above the inclined surface 33a. The drip-water board 35 is arranged near the outer base end member 32R. The drip-water board 35 is arranged closer to the outer base end member 32R than the drip-water pipe 34. The drip-water board 35 is divided at the portion where it intersects with the beam member 33. In this embodiment, the beam member 33 and the drip-water board 35 are not joined but are adjacent to each other in the front-to-rear direction. There may be a gap between the beam member 33 and the drip-water board 35 in the front-to-rear direction. However, the divided drip-water boards 35 may be joined to the front and rear surfaces of the beam member 33.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 7, the drip-water board 35 has a cross-sectional shape of a bent, dogleg-shaped plate. The drip-water board 35 has a first surface 35a joined to the upper surface of the beam member 33 and a second surface 35b connected obliquely to the first surface 35a. The second surface 35b faces left (toward the center of the frame body 31 in the left-right direction). The second surface 35b intersects with the first surface 35a at an acute angle. As shown in FIG. 7, the second surface 35b slopes downward toward the left (toward the center of the frame body 31 in the left-right direction). However, the intersection angle between the first surface 35a and the second surface 35b is not limited to an acute angle and may be a right angle or an obtuse angle.

[0045] The right top plate 36R is fixed to the upper surface of the right frame body 31R so as to cover the right frame body 31R. The outer base end member 32R, the inner base end member 32L, the front base end member 32F, the rear base end member 32Rr, the multiple beam members 33, the drip pipe 34, and the drip board 35 are all in contact with the underside of the right top plate 36R. The inclined surface 33a of the beam member 33 and the second surface 35b of the drip board 35 extend in a direction that intersects with the right top plate 36R at an acute angle.

[0046] [Blocking condensation water] As mentioned above, the cargo box 20 of the container 10 may contain hot materials such as incineration ash. When hot cargo such as incineration ash is placed in the cargo box 20, the air inside the container 10 is heated by the ash and cooled by the underside of the closed canopy 30. This can cause condensation to form on the underside of the canopy 30. Most of the condensed water flows down the canopy 30 along its downward slope. Without a structure to block the condensed water, some of the condensed water falls from the outer base end member 32R of the right frame 31R and the outer base end member of the left frame 31L (which forms the left end of the left frame 31L) and leaks out of the cargo box 20. This leakage of condensed water outside the container 10 is undesirable. Below, a structure to prevent condensed water from leaking out of the container 10 will be described using the right canopy 30R as an example.

[0047] In the container 10 according to this embodiment, the drain pipe 34 blocks most of the condensation water flowing along the underside of the right top panel 36R. Condensation water flowing along the portion of the right top panel 36R to the left of the drain pipe 34 is stopped by the drain pipe 34 and falls into the shipping box 20.

[0048] The drip-proof board 35 blocks condensation water flowing on the portion of the right top panel 36R that is to the right of the drip-proof pipe 34 and to the left of the drip-proof board 35, and allows it to fall into the cargo box 20. Most of the condensation water allowed to fall by the drip-proof board 35 flows along the second surface 35b and falls from the lower end of the second surface 35b. In this embodiment, the second surface 35b of the drip-proof board 35 extends in a direction that intersects with the top panel 36 at an acute angle. By providing the second surface 35b so as to intersect with the top panel 36 at an acute angle, the condensation water that reaches the drip-proof board 35 can be guided further inward into the cargo box 20 without increasing the length of the second surface 35b in the vertical direction.

[0049] The inclined surface 33a of the beam member 33 prevents condensation water flowing down the underside of the beam member 33 from reaching the outer base end member 32R. The condensation water flowing down the underside of the beam member 33 cannot ascend the inclined surface 33a, which slopes upward toward the outer base end member 32R. Therefore, the condensation water cannot reach the outer base end member 32R, which constitutes the right end of the right frame body 31R. Furthermore, at the point where the angle of the beam member 33 changes, i.e., at the left end 33a1 of the inclined surface 33a, water droplets flowing along the slope to the left of that point stagnate and grow larger, and then fall because they cannot withstand gravity.

[0050] Plate 33c joined to inclined surface 33a forms a first step S1 between itself and inclined surface 33a. At first step S1, water droplets flowing leftward along the slope to the right (the lower surface of plate 33c) stagnate and grow larger. Water droplets that stagnate and grow larger at first step S1 cannot withstand gravity and fall.

[0051] The second step S2 between the inclined surface 33a of the beam member 33 and the outer base end member 32R stops the movement of condensed water when the condensed water flows down the inclined surface 33a, for example, due to the container 10 tilting left or right.

[0052] [Effects of the embodiment] The following describes the effects that can be achieved by the container 10 according to this embodiment.

[0053] The container 10 according to this embodiment includes a cargo box 20 having an opening 21 that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and opens upward, and a canopy 30 that is provided so that the opening 21 of the cargo box 20 can be opened and closed. The canopy 30 includes a frame 31 that slopes downward from the center in the left-right direction toward the left and right when closed. The frame 31 includes an outer base end member 32R that extends in the front-rear direction and forms the right end of the frame 31 when the canopy 30 is closed, and a beam member 33 that extends in the left-right direction and is connected to the outer base end member 32R and slopes downward toward the outer base end member 32R when the canopy 30 is closed. The beam member 33 includes an inclined surface 33a on its underside near a connection portion 33b with the outer base end member 32R and slopes upward toward the outer base end member 32R when the canopy 30 is closed.

[0054] In this container 10, the condensed water flowing down the beam member 33 cannot proceed up the inclined surface 33a that is inclined upward toward the outer base end member 32R. Therefore, the condensed water cannot reach the outer base end member 32R that constitutes the right end portion of the frame 31. Therefore, the container 10 according to this embodiment can prevent the condensed water from dripping down the outer base end member 32R to the outside of the packing box 20.

[0055] In this embodiment, the canopy 30 includes a top plate 36 fixed to the upper surface of the frame body 31 so as to cover the frame body 31. The frame body 31 includes a drain pipe 34 disposed between the left-right center portion and the outer base end member 32R, extending in the front-rear direction, and in contact with the underside of the top plate 36. With this configuration, the drain pipe 34 can stop condensation that forms on the underside of the top plate 36 and flows down the underside of the top plate 36. Note that the shape of a drain member, such as the drain pipe 34, is not limited as long as it allows water droplets flowing along the slope of the top plate 36 to fall into the shipping box 20. The shape of the drain member may be, for example, an angled shape or a simple flat plate.

[0056] Furthermore, the drain pipe 34 can compensate for the reduced strength of the beam member 33 that is partially thinned by forming the inclined surface 33a, thereby improving the strength of the frame body 31. With regard to this reinforcing effect, the shape of the drain member is not limited to a pipe shape.

[0057] In this embodiment, the frame 31 includes a drip tray 35 that is arranged so as to align with the inclined surface 33a of the beam member 33 in the left-right direction, extends in the front-rear direction, and is in contact with the underside of the top plate 36. With this configuration, the drip tray 35 is arranged so as to align with the inclined surface 33a of the beam member 33 in the left-right direction, and therefore is arranged near the outer base end member 32R. This makes it possible to prevent condensation water generated in a portion of the right top plate 36R that is close to the outer base end member 32R from reaching the outer base end member 32R.

[0058] In this embodiment, the drip-water drip board 35 has a second surface 35b that faces the center of the frame body 31 in the left-right direction and is inclined downward toward the center of the frame body 31 in the left-right direction when the canopy 30 is closed. With this configuration, condensation water that reaches the drip-water drip board 35 flows along the downward inclination of the second surface 35b toward the center of the frame body 31 in the left-right direction. Therefore, condensation water that reaches the drip-water drip board 35 can be guided further inward into the cargo box 20. This reduces the possibility of condensation water leaking out of the container 10.

[0059] In this embodiment, the end of the inclined surface 33a on the outer base end member 32R side is located higher than the lower surface of the outer base end member 32R, and a second step S2 is formed between the inclined surface 33a and the lower surface of the outer base end member 32R. With this configuration, even if condensation water flows down the inclined surface 33a due to, for example, the container 10 tilting left or right, the condensation water is stopped by the second step S2. Normally, water droplets generated on the inclined surface 33a flow along the slope toward the center of the canopy 30. Such water droplets can be dropped at the first step S1 between the inclined surface 33a and the plate 33c or at the left end 33a1 of the inclined surface 33a (where the angle of the lower surface of the beam member 33 changes). However, if the container 10 tilts to the left or right during transportation, causing the inclined surface 33a to slope outward (for example, to slope to the right in the case of the right canopy 30R), the water droplets flowing outward along the inclined surface 33a can be dropped by the second step S2. This more reliably prevents condensed water from dripping outside the packing box 20. Note that the above-described effects of some of the right frame 31R are also applicable to the left frame 31L.

[0060] The container 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with an opening / closing mechanism 40 for opening and closing the canopy 30. The frame 31 is equipped with a left frame 31L that is inclined downward from the center in the left-right direction to the left when closed, and a right frame 31R that is inclined downward from the center in the left-right direction to the right when closed. The opening / closing mechanism 40 is equipped with a left opening / closing mechanism 40L that moves the left frame 31L leftward to open it, and a right opening / closing mechanism 40R that moves the right frame 31R rightward to open it.

[0061] In an opening / closing mechanism 40 configured as described above, there is a high risk that a drainer inner such as that described in Patent Document 1 will be pinched between the sliding left and right canopies 30L, 30R and the cargo box 20 and be damaged. Therefore, it is difficult to apply a drainer inner to the container 10 according to this embodiment, in which the left and right canopies 30L, 30R slide outward. However, the technology disclosed herein can also be suitably applied to a container 10 in which the left and right canopies 30L, 30R slide outward.

[0062] In particular, in this embodiment, the drain pipe 34, drain board 35, inclined surface 33a of beam member 33, and plate 33c, which function as drain members, are contained within the height dimension of beam member 33. Therefore, when sliding canopy 30 is opened or closed, it is possible to prevent the drain members from interfering with the upper parts of side walls 20L, 20R of packing box 20. As long as all of the members that function as drain members are contained within the height dimension of the beam member, the same configuration can be applied to various containers, regardless of the canopy opening and closing method.

[0063] [Other embodiments] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented in various other embodiments.

[0064] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the left and right canopies 30L and 30R are opened and closed by sliding in the left-right direction. However, the method for opening and closing the container 10 is not limited to this. For example, the opening and closing mechanism 40 of the canopy 30 may be configured to open and close the left and right canopies 30L and 30R by rotating them.

[0065] FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of a container 10 equipped with a pivotable canopy 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the container 10 according to this embodiment includes a left pivot shaft 45L that pivotally supports the left end of the left canopy 30L (left frame 31L) around the left pivot shaft 45L, and a right pivot shaft 45R that pivotally supports the right end of the right canopy 30R (right frame 31R) around the left pivot shaft 45L. The left pivot shaft 45L and the right pivot shaft 45R extend in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 8, when the left canopy 30L and the right canopy 30R are opened, they hang down from the left pivot shaft 45L and the right pivot shaft 45R, respectively. In this state, the lower surfaces of the left frame 31L and the right frame 31R when closed face left and right, i.e., outward in the left-to-right direction. The technology disclosed herein for preventing condensation water from leaking outside the container 10 can also be suitably applied to a container 10 equipped with such a pivotable canopy 30.

[0066] The inner drainer described in Patent Document 1 is positioned laterally outward of the left and right frame bodies 31L and 31R when the canopy 30 is open (the state of the inner drainer when attached to the left and right frame bodies 31L and 31R is shown by the reference numeral 5 in FIG. 8). The inner drainer 5 that protrudes outward of the left and right frame bodies 31L and 31R may get in the way of loading operations, etc. There is also a risk of damage to the inner drainer 5, such as the inner drainer 5 being irreparably bent. The technology disclosed herein does not cause such problems.

[0067] The technology disclosed herein for preventing condensation water from leaking outside the container can also be suitably applied to a canopy with a bellows-like foldable hood, as described in Patent Document 1. In this case, the frame does not have to consist of a pair of left and right base end members, but may instead include, for example, left and right base end members extending in the front-to-rear direction, and multiple mountain-shaped beam members slidably connected to the left and right base end members.

[0068] The technology disclosed herein for preventing condensation water from leaking outside the container 10 can also be applied to other opening and closing methods for the canopy 30. The configuration of the opening and closing mechanism 40 is not particularly limited. For example, the opening and closing mechanism 40 may include left and right canopies, a central pivot shaft that rotatably connects the left and right canopies to each other, end pivot shafts that rotatably support one of the left and right canopies, and a swingable arm that lifts the other canopy, and when opened, both the left and right canopies move toward the one canopy supported by the end pivot shaft. Such a canopy opening and closing method is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-070406. Even when applied to a container with such a configuration, the technology disclosed herein can still effectively prevent condensation water from leaking outside the container.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the inclined surface 33a is inclined upward toward the outer base end member 32R when the canopy 30 is closed. However, the inclined surface 33a may extend horizontally. Even in this case, water droplets that flow closer to the center of the canopy 30 than the inclined surface 33a stagnate at the end 33a1 of the inclined surface 33a near the center. As a result, the water droplets grow larger and fall. By providing a portion where the angle changes on the underside of the beam member 33 (the end 33a1 of the inclined surface 33a near the center), the flow of water droplets along the inclined surface can be stagnate at the angle change portion. This allows the water droplets to grow larger and fall.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the plate 33c is joined to the inclined surface 33a, but the plate 33c does not have to be provided. In this case, water droplets generated on both sides of the angle change portion on the underside of the beam member 33 join together at the angle change portion. As a result, the speed at which the water droplets grow at the angle change portion increases, facilitating the water droplets to fall. Alternatively, two or more plates 33c may be provided. In this case, the water droplets stagnate at the steps formed between the multiple plates 33c, making them more likely to fall.

[0071] In the above description of the embodiment, the direction in which the beam member 33 extends is referred to as the left-right direction, but this direction is merely a name and does not limit the installation mode of the container 10 in any way.

[0072] Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments do not limit the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 containers 20 packing boxes 21 Opening 30 Canopy 30L left canopy 30R Right canopy 31 Frame 31L left frame 31R Right Frame 32R Outer base end member (base end member) 33 Beam member 33a Slope 33b Connection 34 Drain pipe (first drain member) 35 Drain board (second drain member) 35b 2nd surface (other inclined surface) 36 Top plate 36L left top plate 36R Right top plate 40 Opening and closing mechanism 40L left opening / closing mechanism 40R Right opening and closing mechanism 45L left rotation axis 45R right rotation shaft S1 Second step (step)

Claims

1. a packing box extending in the front-rear and left-right directions and having an opening that opens upward; a canopy provided so as to be able to open and close the opening of the packing box, The canopy has a frame body that slopes downward from a center portion in the left-right direction toward the left and right when closed, The frame body is a base end member extending in the front-rear direction and constituting a left end or a right end of the frame body when the canopy is closed; a beam member extending in the left-right direction, connected to the base end member, and inclined downward toward the base end member when the canopy is closed; The beam member has an inclined surface formed on the lower surface near the connection portion with the base end member, and inclined upward toward the base end member when the canopy is closed. container.

2. the canopy includes a top plate fixed to an upper surface of the frame body so as to cover the frame body, The frame body includes a first drain member disposed between the left-right center portion and the base end member, extending in the front-rear direction, and in contact with the underside of the top plate. The container of claim 1.

3. the canopy includes a top plate fixed to an upper surface of the frame body so as to cover the frame body, The frame body includes a second drain member that is arranged so as to be aligned with the inclined surface of the beam member in the left-right direction, extends in the front-rear direction, and is in contact with the underside of the top plate. The container of claim 1.

4. The second draining member has a surface facing the center of the frame body in the left-right direction, and has another inclined surface that slopes downward toward the center of the frame body in the left-right direction when the canopy is closed.

4. The container of claim 3.

5. an end portion of the inclined surface on the side of the base end member is located higher than a lower surface of the base end member, and a step is formed between the inclined surface and the lower surface of the base end member; The container of claim 1.

6. an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the canopy; The frame body includes a left frame body that is inclined downward from the center in the left-right direction toward the left when closed, and a right frame body that is inclined downward from the center in the left-right direction toward the right when closed, The opening and closing mechanism includes: a left opening / closing mechanism that moves the left frame body leftward to open it; a right opening / closing mechanism that moves the right frame body rightward to open it, The container of claim 1.

7. an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the canopy; The frame body includes a left frame body that is inclined downward from the center in the left-right direction toward the left when closed, and a right frame body that is inclined downward from the center in the left-right direction toward the right when closed, The opening and closing mechanism is a left rotation shaft extending in the front-rear direction and supporting a left end portion of the left frame body so as to be rotatable around the left rotation shaft; a right rotation shaft extending in the front-rear direction and supporting the right end of the right frame body so as to be rotatable around the right rotation shaft; The container of claim 1.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Canopy open / close device

    JP2014046928A

  • Canopy device for open top container

    JP2018047931A

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