Intermodal Container Spill Containment Drainage System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current intermodal containers are unable to contain fluids that leak or spill from items being transported, as existing solutions are not suitable for transportation, are not stackable, lack protection, and degrade in sunlight or extreme temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A modular intermodal container design featuring a floor with drain holes and outlet drain systems, allowing for fluid containment and drainage, with shelves and walls for protection, and lightweight materials to maintain transportability and stackability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spill containment pallets are used, then spill containment capability is provided, but they are not stackable and cannot be sling loaded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespill containment capabilityVSAvoidstackability and sling loading capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into a modular structure with a base, vertical walls, and a removable lid. The spill containment system is segmented into collection channels integrated into the base, separate drainage components with valves, and removable filters, allowing each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system versatility for stacking and sling loading

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container design integrates multiple functions into a single structure: spill collection through integrated channels, secure stacking capability through reinforced corners and flat surfaces, sling loading through designated attachment points, and drainage control through valve systems. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making the container adaptable to various transportation and storage needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If plastic spill containment pallets are used, then spill containment is provided, but they degrade in sunlight and extreme temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespill containment functionVSAvoidservice life under environmental exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs composite construction with a polyethylene base for chemical resistance and spill containment, reinforced with metal or composite ribs for structural strength, and features UV-stabilized components for weather resistance. This composite approach maintains spill containment reliability while significantly improving durability against sunlight and temperature extremes compared to pure plastic pallets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional intermodal containers are used, then transportability is maintained, but they cannot contain leaked or spilled fluids

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransportabilityVSAvoidfluid containment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the traditional intermodal container structure with integrated spill containment features by incorporating collection channels directly into the container base, adding drainage systems with controlled outlets, and integrating filters into existing structural elements. This merging maintains the container's transportability while adding reliable fluid containment capability that traditional containers lack

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 container effectively contains spills, is stackable, and maintains low weight due to lightweight materials, ensuring efficient fluid management and transportability while protecting contents.

Implementation Method 1

an outlet drain hole located in one of the posts, the outlet drain hole located at an elevation below the floor drain hole and the floor container, the floor container in fluid communication with the interior of the post with the floor drain hole and also in fluid communication with the interior of the post with the outlet drain hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9248959B2Spill containment intermodal container

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 SHARKCAGE AS

AI summary

A an intermodal container comprising: a first post; a second post; a third post; a fourth post; a floor drain hole located in one of the posts; an outlet drain hole located in one of the posts; a floor attached to the first, second, third, and fourth posts, the floor comprising: a front floor beam; a first side floor beam; a second side floor beam; a rear floor beam; a floor grating permanently attached to the top surface of at least two of the floor beams; at least one floor plate permanently attached to the bottom sides of the front, first side, second side, and rear floor beams, the beams and at least one floor plate forming a floor container, and the floor drain hole in fluid communication with the floor container, and generally at the same elevation as the interior of the floor container, and the outlet drain hole located at an elevation below the floor drain hole and the floor container, the floor container in fluid communication with the interior of the post with the floor drain hole and also in fluid communication with the interior of the post with the outlet drain hole.