ISO Tank Container With Removable Flexitank for Clean Cargo Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ISO tank containers face issues with residue buildup during cargo discharge, requiring extensive cleaning and reducing cost efficiency due to empty returns, while flexitank containers lack durability and are prone to damage, leading to potential environmental pollution.

Innovation Solution

An ISO tank container design incorporating a tank body with a first valve for discharge and a flexitank installed inside, connected via first and second tank connectors, allowing for easy cargo discharge and environmental control without additional valves, enhancing durability and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a conventional ISO tank container is used, then durability and corrosion resistance are improved, but cargo discharge completeness deteriorates due to residue buildup

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidcargo discharge completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is segmented into two functional parts: a durable outer tank body for structural integrity and a removable inner flexitank for cargo containment. This segmentation allows the flexitank to be completely removed after discharge, eliminating residue buildup issues while the tank body maintains its durability and corrosion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cargo-containing flexitank is extracted as a separate removable component from the tank body. After cargo discharge, the flexitank can be completely taken out and disposed of, ensuring no residue remains in the tank body, thus achieving complete cargo discharge while preserving the durability of the tank structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a conventional ISO tank container is used, then structural stability is improved, but cleaning cost and time increase due to residue removal requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The flexitank is extracted as a disposable inner container that can be completely removed after cargo discharge. This eliminates the need for cleaning the tank body, as all cargo residue remains within the removed flexitank, thereby reducing cleaning time and cost while maintaining structural stability of the tank body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexitank is designed as a disposable short-lived component that is replaced after each use. This disposable nature eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming cleaning processes, while the durable tank body maintains its structural stability for repeated use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If a flexitank container is used, then cargo discharge completeness is improved, but durability deteriorates due to damage during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo discharge completenessVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The flexitank is nested inside the durable tank body, combining the advantages of both structures. The inner flexitank enables complete cargo discharge through its removable nature, while the outer tank body provides durability and protection during transport, effectively resolving the durability weakness of standalone flexitank containers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a flexitank container is used, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential cargo leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidcargo leakage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexitank is nested within the protective tank body structure. The tank body provides a rigid protective shell that prevents damage and leakage during transport, while the flexible inner tank maintains adaptability for different cargo types. This nested configuration enhances reliability by preventing leakage while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The durable tank body serves as a protective cushioning layer around the flexitank before any damage can occur. This prior protection prevents impact and pressure damage to the flexitank during transport, thereby preventing cargo leakage and enhancing reliability while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

5Strength

If a conventional ISO tank container is used, then durability is improved, but cost efficiency deteriorates due to empty returns requiring cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidcost efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The flexitank is extracted and removed completely after cargo discharge, eliminating the need for cleaning the tank body before returning it empty. This reduces energy and cost consumption associated with cleaning operations, improving cost efficiency while the durable tank body is ready for immediate reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable flexitank is replaced rather than cleaned, eliminating expensive and energy-intensive cleaning processes. The durable tank body is reused without cleaning, significantly improving cost efficiency and reducing energy loss while maintaining durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

6Strength

If a conventional ISO tank container is used, then structural integrity is improved, but versatility deteriorates due to difficulty in loading different cargo

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcargo loading flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is segmented into a fixed tank body and a removable flexitank. This segmentation allows the flexitank to be easily removed and replaced with different types of flexitanks suited for different cargo, providing versatility while the tank body maintains its structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner flexitank component is made dynamic and removable, allowing easy replacement for different cargo types. This dynamic design provides loading flexibility and versatility, while the static tank body maintains its structural integrity throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4696615A1Iso tank container with increased usability
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 QUEENTAINER CO LTD
  • EP4696615A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4696615A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4696615A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an ISO tank container, comprising: a tank body provided with a first valve for discharging cargo at one side of the bottom and a second valve for controlling the internal environment at the top; and a flexitank formed as a tube-shaped bag and installed in the tank body to accommodate cargo, wherein the inside of the tank body is provided with a first tank connector communicating with the first valve and a second tank connector communicating with the second valve, and the container bag is coupled with the tank body using the first tank connector and the second tank connector, thereby enabling discharge of cargo through the first valve and control of the internal environment through the second valve, relating to an ISO tank container with enhanced usability.