Elastically Deformable Mats for Break Bulk Cargo Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The loading and unloading of break bulk cargo ships is labor-intensive and costly due to the use of large quantities of wood, which are often destroyed during unloading and can introduce non-native flora and fauna, causing environmental damage.
Innovation Solution
The use of elastically deformable mats made from polymer materials, such as rubber, which can be easily placed and reused, reducing the need for wood and minimizing the spread of non-native species by providing a secure and efficient loading and unloading method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wood is used for loading break bulk cargo, then the cargo can be secured and stacked, but large quantities of wood are destroyed during unloading and non-native flora and fauna spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces disposable wood with reusable polymer mats that can be recovered and reused across multiple loading cycles. The mats are removed intact during unloading and can be deployed again for subsequent cargo loads, eliminating the continuous consumption of wood resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses polymer materials (such as HDPE, polypropylene, or rubber) as composite alternatives to traditional wood. These materials provide the necessary structural properties for cargo securing while being environmentally sustainable and reusable, replacing the single-use wood system.
2Reliability
If wood is used for loading break bulk cargo, then the cargo can be secured, but the process is labor-intensive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer mats are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing workers to quickly configure and deploy them for different cargo types and vessel configurations. This dynamic adaptability reduces the time and labor required compared to cutting and assembling rigid wooden beams for each loading scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The mats can be manufactured in various sizes, shapes, and material compositions to optimize performance for different cargo types. This parameter variability allows a single product type to replace multiple specialized wooden components, simplifying the loading process and reducing labor requirements.
3Reliability
If wood is used for loading break bulk cargo, then the cargo can be stacked, but high quality wood is required due to international transport requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polymer mats that are inherently resistant to rot, pest infestation, and degradation - properties that make them superior to wood for international transport. These mats do not require the same high-quality specifications as wood because their material composition naturally provides the necessary durability and compliance with phytosanitary requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of engineered polymer materials provides consistent, predictable performance characteristics that meet international transport requirements without the variability associated with natural wood. These materials can be manufactured to uniform specifications, ensuring reliability across all loading operations regardless of origin or age.
4Productivity
If mats from elastically deformable material are used, then the mats can be recovered and reused, but the mats must be easily handled manually
Solution Approach 1:
The mats are constructed as flexible, thin-walled structures that can be easily folded, rolled, or bent for manual handling and storage. This flexibility allows workers to manipulate the mats with minimal effort while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to support cargo loads when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically deformable material allows the mats to adapt to handling forces and configurations, making them easy to maneuver during loading operations. The material's elasticity enables the mats to return to their original shape after deformation, facilitating repeated use without permanent damage or loss of functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mats offer a reusable and efficient solution for loading and unloading break bulk cargo, reducing wood consumption, minimizing environmental impact, and improving the handling of heavy cargo through enhanced friction and structural reinforcement.
Implementation Method 1
the bottom layer is formed by one or more mats which are manufactured from an elastically deformable material
Implementation Method 2
The use of mats from an elastomer material can considerably limit the spread of flora and fauna
Data Source
AI summary
A method for loading break bulk cargo ships includes stacking one or more cargo layers in a hold of the break bulk cargo ship, wherein the stacking includes placing a bottom layer for each cargo layer, where the bottom layer is formed by one or more mats manufactured from an elastically deformable material, such that the mats form strips which extend adjacently of each other in elongate manner. The stacking further includes placing at least one layer of goods on the bottom layer, where the at least one layer of goods is formed by one or more layers of break bulk goods.