Collapsible container with a transporting element for transporting items when the container is in the collapsed configuration, and transporting method

Abstract

The proposed solution relates in particular to a container for transporting goods, having a bottom part (10), a top part (11) and four foldable side parts (12A, 12B, 13A, 13B), wherein, in a folded-out configuration, the container (1) defines a goods-transporting space, which is defined by the bottom part (10), the top part (11) and the folded-out side parts (12A, 12B, 13A, 13B), which extend between the bottom part (10) and the top part (11), and the container can be transferred into a collapsed configuration. On the top part (11), the container (1) has at least one transporting element (2A, 2B) for transporting an item (F1, F2) on the container (1) when the latter is in its collapsed configuration.

Description

[0001] Collapsible container with transport element for goods transport in folded configuration and transport method

[0002] Description

[0003] The proposed solution concerns in particular a container for freight transport.

[0004] In freight transport by rail, road, and water, intermodal containers are the standard means of transporting goods. The corresponding standardized metal containers have proven their worth for decades. Their design and construction have changed only slightly. However, the logistics industry in particular is constantly striving to reduce costs and efficiency, and thus also the ecological footprint, of goods transport.

[0005] Against this backdrop, Holland Container Innovations BV has already developed a foldable or collapsible container for freight transport, marketed under the name "4FOLD." This intermodal container's four sides can be folded in after the goods have been transported. In this folded configuration, the container can be transported in a space-saving manner and, for example, can be stacked on top of identical, folded containers in a stationary storage area. The folded container is only a fraction of the height it has in its unfolded configuration, for example, when loaded onto a semi-trailer, freight wagon, or ship.

[0006] Although such a collapsible container can already achieve considerable advantages in freight transport, there is still a need for measures to improve the processes involved in transporting goods.

[0007] Against this background, the proposed solution provides, in particular, a container for freight transport (by water, road, and / or rail), which has a base section, a ceiling section, and four foldable side sections. Such that, on the one hand, the container defines a transport space for goods or cargo in an unfolded configuration, and, on the other hand, can be converted into a folded configuration in which the side sections of the container are folded in and the container only takes up a fraction of its original volume. The proposed solution further provides that the container has at least one transport element on the ceiling section for transporting at least one good on the container in its folded configuration.

[0008] A basic idea of ​​the proposed solution is to make the container usable for the transport of goods even in its folded configuration. While previously the only thought was to be able to stack a collapsible container after transport of goods and thus store it in a space-saving manner, the proposed solution also makes the folded container usable for the transport of goods. A transport element provided on the ceiling section enables the loading and securing of goods on the folded container. The roof area of ​​the ceiling section can therefore be used for loading goods when the container is folded, whereby the folded container can be arranged on a road, rail and / or watercraft via its floor section. The proposed solution thus enables significantly more efficient and flexible transport of goods, particularly for different types of goods.For example, certain goods must be transported within the cargo space of a container, while for other goods there is simply no space within such a cargo space. Such goods can be transported via at least one transport element on the ceiling section of the folded container.

[0009] The proposed solution thus provides, for example, an intermodal, craneable container that not only requires less volume in its folded configuration, but also provides a storage area on its ceiling section for the transport of at least one vehicle. One embodiment of a proposed container is thus configured and intended to transport at least one vehicle with the at least one transport element on the ceiling section of the container.

[0010] In the folded configuration of the container, for example, its four side panels are arranged folded between the floor and the ceiling. This specifically includes the four side panels being folded inward by 90° relative to the unfolded configuration and arranged between the floor and the ceiling. When the container is folded or collapsed in this way, its height is, for example, less than one-third of the height it has in the unfolded configuration.

[0011] In principle, the container in its folded configuration with the at least one item of goods arranged on the cover part can be designed and provided, for example, in the form of at least one vehicle, for transport on the loading area of ​​a road, rail, and / or water vehicle. For example, such a road vehicle is a semi-trailer. A rail vehicle on which the container can be arranged in its folded configuration can be, for example, a freight wagon, in particular a flatbed or pocket wagon.

[0012] In this case, the container in its folded configuration with the at least one item of goods arranged on the ceiling part can be designed and provided for loading onto the loading area of ​​a road, rail and / or water vehicle. The container can therefore be loaded onto a loading area with the at least one item of goods already arranged on the ceiling part and unloaded from there. A variant of the proposed container can therefore be provided in which the container in its folded configuration, with the goods arranged on the ceiling part and secured in position by the at least one transport element, can be loaded onto the loading area of ​​a vehicle and, if necessary, can be craned for this purpose. However, this also includes the possibility of first arranging the container in its folded configuration on a loading area and subsequently arranging the goods on the ceiling part.Accordingly, a variant is also included in which the container in its folded configuration can be loaded onto the loading area of ​​a vehicle and only then can at least one item of goods, such as a vehicle or several vehicles, be loaded onto the roof part of the folded container.

[0013] The at least one transport element of the container can be configured and provided to secure at least one vehicle as goods, which is loaded onto the container in its folded configuration, to the ceiling part for transport. The at least one transport element is thus provided on the ceiling part so that goods can be arranged and transported thereon in the folded state of the container, specifically for freight transport by water, road, and / or rail.

[0014] For example, the at least one transport element in this context is designed and provided for fixing at least one securing element, such as a wheel lock and / or a transport belt, in particular a tensioning belt, for securing at least one vehicle for transport on the container in its folded configuration.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, a storage area for the at least one product can be provided on the ceiling section via the at least one transport element. At least one reinforcement can also be provided on the roof surface of the ceiling section for the at least one transport element, for example, below a storage area formed by the transport element.

[0016] For example, the transport element for providing the storage area comprises a plate, in particular an elongated plate. In one embodiment, an elongated plate extends, for example, as a drivable rail over the majority of the length of the ceiling section, so that a vehicle can be driven onto the top of the ceiling section along the elongated plate and loaded onto the ceiling section. Accordingly, in a further development, two elongated plates can also be provided, which are arranged on the ceiling section of the container at a distance from one another that corresponds to the track width of a vehicle.

[0017] In one embodiment, one plate of the transport element is designed as a perforated plate. For example, securing elements for securing the at least one item of goods can be attached via holes in such a perforated plate. In particular, holes in the perforated plate can be provided for securing at least one vehicle to the at least one transport element and, via this, to the ceiling part.

[0018] The transport element can be detachably attached to the ceiling part or be provided as a component of the ceiling part.

[0019] If a transport element is detachably attached to the ceiling section, the transport element can be attached to the top of the ceiling section, for example, by screwing. Alternatively or additionally, pins or bolts of the transport element can be inserted into openings in the ceiling section to detachably attach the transport element to the ceiling section. The at least one transport element can thus be separated from the ceiling section of the container as needed, allowing the container to be used with or without the possibility of transporting goods, even when folded.

[0020] Alternatively, the at least one transport element can be a component of the ceiling section and thus permanently connected to the ceiling section, for example, by welding the transport element to the ceiling section and thus not being able to be separated from the ceiling section without damaging it. In this design variant, the container can therefore always be used for transporting goods even in a folded configuration, without requiring any additional measures to the container.

[0021] The proposed solution further relates to a method for transporting goods using a collapsible container intended for freight transport, in particular an intermodal collapsible container. In the course of a proposed method, at least one first item of goods is transported to a first destination in a transport space of the container, the container is folded, and then at least one second item is transported from the first destination to a second destination on a ceiling section of the folded container.

[0022] A proposed transport method therefore takes advantage of the fact that different types of goods can be transported using a container. The container is not only folded or collapsed at the first destination to reduce storage space. Rather, the folded container is also used at the first destination in its folded configuration to transport goods on its roof section to another, second destination.

[0023] In one embodiment of the proposed transport method, the at least one first product is intended for the production, in particular completion, of the at least one second product at the first destination. In this embodiment, the container is used in its unfolded configuration for the transport of goods as part of inbound goods traffic to the first destination. The first destination is the production site for the second product, for the production of which the at least one first product is required. The second product is then transported from the first destination in the folded container as part of outbound goods traffic. For example, it can be provided that vehicle parts are transported in the transport space of the container to a first destination via the container in its unfolded configuration.With the container in its folded configuration, at least one vehicle is then transported from the first destination on its roof section. The proposed solution thus enables particularly effective inbound and outbound logistics, eliminating the need for different transport containers and loading equipment for different types of goods.

[0024] In one embodiment of the proposed method, before loading the at least one second item of goods onto the folded container, at least one transport element can be attached to the ceiling section, via which the at least one second item of goods is secured to the ceiling section for transport. In this embodiment, a transport element to be provided for transporting the second item is first separately attached to the ceiling section of the container. Alternatively, a corresponding transport element can already be part of the ceiling section of the container and thus be an integral component of the container.

[0025] A variant of a proposed transport method can, in particular, be implemented using a variant of a proposed container. The features and advantages explained above and below in connection with variants of a proposed container therefore also apply to variants of a proposed method, and vice versa.

[0026] The proposed solution further comprises the use of a collapsible container intended for freight transport for transporting at least one good, in particular a vehicle, on a ceiling part of the container when the container is folded.

[0027] The attached figures illustrate possible embodiments of the proposed solution.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a variant of a proposed container in a folded configuration, on which two vehicles are loaded;

[0029] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the vehicle loaded with

[0030] Container of Figure 1 with a view of securing one of the vehicles to a wheel via a transport element of a roof part of the container;

[0031] Figure 3 shows an alternative securing device for the vehicle wheel;

[0032] Figures 4A-4C show various phases in folding the container from an unfolded configuration in Figure 4A;

[0033] Figure 5 shows a detail of a roof surface of a ceiling part of the container with reinforcement elements and perforated plates attached thereto for the use of the ceiling part of the container for the transport of vehicles;

[0034] Figure 6 shows a section of the folded container with a

[0035] Ramp over which the vehicles can be driven onto the ceiling section;

[0036] Figure 7 Stacked folded containers in a

[0037] side view;

[0038] Figure 8 shows the containers of Figure 7 in a front view;

[0039] Figure 9 is a flow chart for an embodiment of a proposed transport method using a container of Figures 1 to 6.

[0040] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an intermodal, metallic container 1 for freight transport in a folded configuration. A collapsible container is already known, for example, under the name "4FOLD" from Holland Container Innovations BV. However, in the embodiment of the container 1 shown in Figure 1, in contrast to previously known solutions on the market, a roof surface 110 of a ceiling section 11 of the container 1 in its folded configuration is intended to be used as a storage area for the transport of goods, in this case as a storage area for the transport of vehicles F1 and F2.

[0041] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the folded container 1 rests on a base via a floor section 10. A ramp RA is attached to one longitudinal end of the container 1, allowing vehicles F1 and F2 to be driven one behind the other onto the roof surface 110 of the ceiling section 10.

[0042] In order to make the roof surface 110 of the container 1 usable for loading the vehicles F1 and F2, transport elements in the form of elongated perforated plates 2A and 2B are arranged on the roof surface 110. These elongated perforated plates 2A and 2B extend over almost the entire length of the container 1 along its roof surface 110. Furthermore, the parallel perforated plates 2A and 2B are arranged at a transverse distance from one another that corresponds to the track width of the vehicles F1, F2. The perforated plates 2A and 2B can in principle be detachably attached to the roof surface 110. In the illustrated embodiment of the container 1, however, the perforated plates 2A and 2B are an integral part of the container 1 and are welded to the roof surface 110, so that the folded container can always be used for transporting goods on the roof part 11.

[0043] In this case, the perforated plates 2A and 2B not only facilitate the loading of the vehicles F1 and F2 onto the roof surface 110 of the folded container 1. In addition, holes 20 in the perforated plates 2A and 2B allow a respective vehicle F1 and F2 to be secured particularly easily to the perforated plates 2A, 2B and thus to the ceiling part 11 of the container 1. For example, according to the enlarged illustration in Figure 2, after a vehicle F1, F2 has driven onto the roof surface 110, it is comparatively easy to attach securing elements in the form of wheel locks 3.1 and 3.2 to a perforated plate 2A or 2B, between which a wheel R of a vehicle F1, F2 is secured against rolling. In addition, a securing element in the form of a transport belt, in particular a tensioning belt 4 for securing a wheel R, can be hooked into holes 20 of the perforated plate 2A, 2B as shown in Figure 2.In the illustrated embodiment, a fastening hook 40 of a tensioning strap 4 is hooked into a hole 20 of the perforated plate 2A or 2B. The other end of the tensioning strap 4, here in the form of a ratchet end 41, is then attached to a hole 20 of the respective perforated plate 2A or 2B on the other side of the wheel R to be secured. As shown in Figure 3, other types of wheel locks 5.1, 5.2 for securing a wheel R of a vehicle F1, F2 can also be easily attached to the perforated plates 2A, 2B and their holes 20.

[0044] Container 1 can be used for vehicle transport in its folded configuration via the perforated panels 2A, 2B provided on its roof surface 110 of the ceiling section 11, thus offering the possibility of particularly efficient use in freight transport. In principle, with the proposed solution, the ceiling section of a folded container can also be used to transport other goods. However, particularly for the transport of vehicles, the proposed solution offers outstanding opportunities for reducing costs and improving logistics. For example, with container 1 in an unfolded configuration, goods can be transported within container 1 to a (first) destination. From this (first) destination, completed vehicles F1, F2 are then transported on the folded container 1 to another (second) destination.Container 1 can thus, for example, be used in its unfolded configuration for inbound goods transport to transport vehicle parts to a manufacturing site. At the manufacturing site, Container 1 is folded up and loaded with vehicles F1, F2 completed at the manufacturing site. The same Container 1, in its folded configuration, can thus also be used for outbound goods transport for another type of goods that cannot normally be transported within a container.

[0045] Figures 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate by way of example the folding of the container 1, as is also intended for containers that are already marketed under the name “4FOLD”.

[0046] Thus, the metallic container 1 in its unfolded configuration shown in Figure 4A is intended for standardized freight transport by water, road, and rail and can thus be loaded, for example, onto a semi-trailer or a flat or pocket wagon. The base part 10 and the ceiling part 11 are then connected to one another via four side parts 12A, 12B and 13A, 13B, which run perpendicular to the base part 10 and the ceiling part 11. This defines a cuboid-shaped transport space inside the container 1. Opposite side parts 12A and 12B run along the long side of the container 1. End parts 13A and 13B form the end sides of the container 1, with at least one of the end parts 13A, 13B also having a door integrated into it for access to the interior of the transport space.

[0047] As further illustrated in Figures 4B and 4C, the side parts 12A and 12B of the container 1 can be folded inward. Likewise, the end parts 13A and 13B can be folded toward each other, whereby the folding of the end parts 13A and 13B adjusts the ceiling part 11 toward the base part 10. In the thus occupable folded configuration, the side parts 12A, 12B and 13A, 13B are thus sandwiched between the base part 10 and the ceiling part 13. Thus, in its folded configuration, the container 1 only occupies a fraction of the height that the container 1 has in its unfolded configuration.

[0048] In its folded configuration, container 1 can be stacked with other identically designed containers 1A, 1B, and 1C, for example, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The stacked containers 1, 1A-1C can thus be stored with reduced space requirements. However, a container 1A, 1B, or 1C is not intended to be used as goods to be transported on the ceiling section of container 1.

[0049] In the proposed solution, however, a container 1 is not only characterized by its reduced space requirements for storage. Rather, the container 1 can also be used in its folded configuration for the transport of goods and, in particular, for the transport of vehicles F1, F2.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the perforated plates 2A and 2B are provided for this purpose on the roof surface 110 of the ceiling section 10. Figure 5 illustrates, in this context, the fixation of corresponding perforated plates 2A and 2B to the roof surface 110. For example, it is provided here to weld parallel reinforcing elements in the form of fixing or reinforcing struts 6 to the roof surface 110. A perforated plate 2A or 2B is arranged and welded onto two or more of these fixing or reinforcing struts 6. The respective perforated plate 2A, 2B is thus an integral part of the ceiling section 11 and is permanently connected to it.

[0051] As illustrated in the enlarged view of Figure 6, the loading of vehicles F1 and F2 onto container 1 in its folded configuration is easy to implement. As an example, a ramp RA is used here, via which vehicles F1 and F2 can drive one behind the other onto the roof surface 110 equipped with perforated panels 2A and 2B at a longitudinal end of container 1.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the container 1 in its folded configuration with the vehicles F1 and F2 already parked thereon can be craned and thus, after the vehicles F1 and F2 have been loaded onto the roof surface 110, can be loaded onto the loading area of ​​a vehicle, in particular a road, water, or rail vehicle. However, it is also possible to initially arrange the folded container 1 on the loading area of ​​a vehicle and subsequently load goods, such as the vehicles F1 and F2, onto the roof surface 110 of the container 1.

[0053] The flowchart in Figure 9 outlines another embodiment of a transport method already explained above and implementable with container 1. In a first step S1, container 1 is used in its unfolded configuration according to Figure 4A for inbound goods transport in order to transport (first) goods to a first destination. At the destination, container 1 is folded in a step S2 after unloading according to Figures 4A-4C and thus converted into a folded configuration. After this step S2 of the flowchart in Figure 9, a subsequent step S3 provides for the use of the roof area 110 of the folded container 1 for outbound goods transport (whereby several hours or even several days may elapse between steps S2 and S3).Products, such as vehicles F1 and F2, which are manufactured using the goods transported to the destination with container 1 as part of inbound goods traffic, can thus be loaded onto the roof surface 110 and transported away from the first destination or production site. In this context, container 1 can be used particularly advantageously, for example, in the context of logistics for the automotive industry, since it can be used to transport vehicle parts to a production site in step S1, and the folded container 1 can also be used to transport vehicles F1, F2. List of reference symbols.

[0054] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C containers

[0055] 10 Base part

[0056] 11 Ceiling part

[0057] 110 roof area

[0058] 12A, 12B side panel

[0059] 13A, 13B front side part

[0060] 20 (mounting) hole

[0061] 2A, 2B perforated plate (transport element)

[0062] 3.1 , 3.2 Wheel lock

[0063] 4 transport / tensioning straps

[0064] 40 fastening hooks

[0065] 41 ratchet end

[0066] 5.1 , 5.2 Wheel lock

[0067] 6 Fixing / reinforcement strut (reinforcing element)

[0068] F1, F2 vehicle

[0069] R tires

[0070] RA Rampe

Claims

Claims 1. Container for the transport of goods, comprising a base part (10), a ceiling part (11) and four foldable side parts (12A, 12B, 13A, 13B), wherein the container (1) in an unfolded configuration defines a transport space for goods which is defined by the base part (10), the ceiling part (11) and the unfolded side parts (12A, 12B, 13A, 13B) extending between the base part (10) and the ceiling part (11), and can be converted into a folded configuration, characterized in that the container (1) has at least one transport element (2A, 2B) on the ceiling part (11) for the transport of a good (F1, F2) on the container (1) in its folded configuration.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (1) in its folded configuration with the at least one item of goods (F1, F2) arranged on the cover part (11) is designed and provided for transport on a loading area of a road, rail and / or water vehicle.

3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the container (1) in its folded configuration with the at least one item (F1, F2) arranged on the cover part (11) is designed and provided for loading onto the loading area of a road, rail and / or water vehicle.

4. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one transport element (2A, 2B) is arranged and provided to secure at least one vehicle (F1, F2) as goods, which is loaded onto the container (1) in its folded configuration, to the ceiling part (11) for transport.

5. Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one transport element (2A, 2B) is designed and provided for fixing at least one wheel lock (3.1, 3.2) and / or a transport belt (4), in particular a tensioning belt for securing at least one vehicle (F1, F2) for transport.

6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a storage area on the ceiling part (11) for the at least one product (F1, F2) is provided via the at least one transport element (2A, 2B).

7. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one transport element for providing the storage area comprises a plate (2A, 2B), in particular an elongated plate.

8. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that the plate is designed as a perforated plate (2A, 2B).

9. Container according to claim 4 or 5 and according to claim 8, characterized in that holes (20) of the perforated plate (2A, 2B) are provided for securing the at least one item of goods (F1, F2) to the at least one transport element and via this to the cover part (11).

10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one transport element (2A, 2B) is detachably attached to the ceiling part (11) or is provided as a component of the ceiling part.

11. A method for transporting goods using a collapsible container (1) intended for freight transport, characterized in that at least one first item of goods is transported to a first destination in a transport space of the container (1), the container (1) is folded up and at least one second item of goods (F1, F2) is transported on a ceiling part (11) of the folded container (1) from the first destination to a second destination.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one first product is intended for the production of the at least one second product at the first destination.

13. Method according to claim 1 1 or 12, characterized in that before loading the at least one second product (F1, F2) onto the folded container (1) at least one transport element (2A, 2B) is fastened, via which the at least one second product (F1, F2) is secured to the ceiling part (11) for transport.

14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that a container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 is used for the transport of goods.

15. Use of a collapsible container (1) intended for goods transport for transporting at least one product, in particular a vehicle (F1, F2) on a ceiling part (11) of the container (1) when the container (1) is folded.

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