Portable Fumigation Containment Door for Cargo Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tarpaulin-based fumigation methods for containerized cargo are inefficient, prone to leaks, and environmentally harmful due to the use of toxic fumigants like methyl bromide, and require excessive fumigant usage and are weather-dependent, with the tarpaulin method being time-consuming and difficult to seal effectively.

Innovation Solution

A portable fumigation containment door system with pneumatic cylinders and an inflatable gasket creates a seal around the cargo container's main opening, allowing for efficient fumigant injection and sampling while minimizing fumigant usage and leakage, and can be quickly installed and operated regardless of weather conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tarpaulin is used to cover the cargo container for fumigation, then the container can be sealed for fumigant containment, but the sealing is difficult and prone to leaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidsealing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible inflatable gasket that can be expanded to conform to the container opening, creating an effective seal. The gasket's flexibility allows it to adapt to slight irregularities in the opening shape, ensuring reliable sealing while being easy to install and remove.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pneumatic inflation of the gasket to create the seal. By inflating the gasket with air or gas, it expands to press against the container opening, forming an airtight seal. This pneumatic mechanism simplifies the sealing process and ensures consistent sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If tarpaulin method is used for fumigation, then fumigant can be contained, but excessive fumigant is used and leaked into the environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefumigant containmentVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable gasket creates a precise seal around the container opening, preventing fumigant leakage into the environment. The flexible nature of the gasket ensures complete sealing, eliminating the harmful environmental effects associated with tarpaulin-based methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If tarpaulin is used for fumigation, then the process can be performed, but it is time-consuming and weather-dependent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefumigation speedVSAvoidweather dependence

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic inflation system allows for rapid deployment and sealing of the fumigation containment. The gasket can be quickly inflated to create the seal, significantly reducing the time required compared to manual tarpaulin sealing. This also enables the process to be performed independently of weather conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Productivity

If conventional tarpaulin method is used, then fumigation can be performed, but the setup and sealing process is complex and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation efficiencyVSAvoidsealing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable gasket replaces the complex tarpaulin sealing system with a simple, flexible membrane that can be easily positioned and inflated. This significantly reduces the complexity of the sealing system while improving operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The pneumatic inflation mechanism simplifies the sealing process by replacing manual adjustment and securing of tarpaulins with automatic inflation. This reduces the complexity of operation and improves efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 system effectively seals the cargo container, reducing fumigant usage and leakage, and allows for quick and efficient fumigation operations, minimizing environmental impact and overcoming the limitations of traditional tarpaulin methods.

Implementation Method 1

An inflatable gasket extends around the perimeter of the containment door and is selectively inflated in order to create a seal between the cargo container and the containment door.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation:

Data Source

PatentUS8656635B1Fumigation of containerized cargo

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 STG LOGISTICS INC

AI summary

An apparatus and method for tarpless fumigation of containerized cargo within a shipping container is disclosed. A portable fumigation containment door is installed in covering relation with main rear opening of a standard cargo container. Pneumatic cylinders are actuated to secure the door in place, and an inflatable gasket extending around the perimeter of the containment door and is inflated to create an airtight seal between the cargo container and the containment door. The door is provided with a series of connection ports for receiving fumigant injection and sampling lines necessary for performing the fumigation process.