Bulkhead for retaining a cargo in a container

Details Bulkhead for retaining a cargo in a container Bulkhead for retaining a cargo in a container

1995-12-22

2001-03-27

Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)

Freight accommodation on freight carrier

Load bracing means

Panel or frame, wall-to-wall

C410S129000, C410S132000, C410S142000, C220S001500

Reexamination Certificate

active

06206623

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to dry bulk cargo containers, and in particular to a method or apparatus for closing off the rear end of such a container. More specifically, it relates to providing a partially sealing closure for the rear of a container.
2. Background Art
Use of standard-type ISO cargo containers has come into widespread use in the shipping industry in the last thirty to forty years. Dry bulk, flowable cargos make up one class of cargo shipped in these containers. Use of the container to transport a dry bulk, flowable cargo of up to 44,000 pounds avoids the necessity of having to package small amounts, fifty pounds to one ton, of the cargo in separate packaging, and then place them in the container. The dry bulk cargo is generally blown into or deposited in the container by a gravity feed system.
A number of methods exist for enclosing and sealing the cargo in the container for transport. One involves using a large plastic liner in the container to contain and protect the dry bulk, flowable cargo; U.S. Pat. No. 3,868,042 describes one commonly used method and apparatus. The shipping industry also uses bulkheads of various designs and materials to help support liners and retain cargo in a container. U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,607 provides one example of such a bulkhead which has enjoyed widespread acceptance.
A number of shipping applications do not require the use of such liners because of cost or lack of need. In such situations, the dry bulk cargo can simply be placed in the container by appropriate means and shipped. However, one must still close off the rear of the container while the container doors are open to appropriately contain the cargo and seal it in the container until it arrives at its destination. Cargos quite often shipped by such method without a liner include hops, beans or other raw food commodities before processing, as well as recycled plastic, polyethylene or polypropylene in a pelletized or powder form.
In order to appropriately contain the product in the container and prevent it from spilling out of the rear of the container, a bulkhead is placed across the rear or at some position in the container to create the appropriate cargo space between the bulkhead and front wall of the container.
The preferred current method used in the industry involves placing a rectangular sheet of plywood at the rear of the container, which sheet fits generally snugly with respect to the side walls and floor of the container.
FIG. 1
depicts such a bulkhead
25
placed at the rear of a container
21
. Doors
22
,
23
are shown in the open position. Generally, bracing, consisting of 2×4's or other type of wooden or metal bars
24
, is placed behind the bulkhead
25
, if necessary, to secure it and support it in an upright position in the container. However, with this method, gaps tend to exist at the edges of the plywood bulkhead, namely gaps
29
along the edges of the bulkhead
25
which abut the walls, and gap
26
at the bottom of the bulkhead
25
. The cargo or product being shipped will often leak out through these gaps. In order to avoid this, after installation of the bulkhead
25
with bracing
24
, a worker has to climb over the top of the bulkhead through the gap
19
between the ceiling of the container and the top of the bulkhead. The worker then, once inside the container, has to brush, spray, or by some other means apply an adhesive to the area covered by plastic sheets
199
and
27
. After applying the adhesive to these areas, he then has to press on the sheet of plastic
26
as depicted along the floor, and the sheet of plastic
27
as depicted between the bulkhead and wall. These plastic sheets, when properly placed, then create an appropriate seal to prevent loss of product through gaps
28
and
29
. However, this method can prove expensive, given the extra work required. Additionally, it can prove a dangerous method in that, while climbing in or out, the worker could accidently fall or trip and perhaps injure himself/herself. Also, these plywood bulkheads are heavy and clumsy, and are expensive to manufacture. Also, they must be re-used a number of times to recoup their full value.
Another problem with the current art bulkhead as depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2
is the fact that, during loading of many dry bulk, flowable cargos, dust generated by the loading process vents through the opening created by the gap
19
between the top of the bulkhead
25
and the ceiling
21
of the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the invention herein is to resolve the problems noted above, and to provide a bulkhead that can be quickly and easily installed.
The invention described herein provides an apparatus and method for closing off the rear opening of a container and for automatically providing a seal for the seam between the bulkhead and walls and floor of the container. This allows for the transport of dry bulk, flowable commodities without the necessity of enclosing the same in a liner.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a prefabricated, inexpensive, easily installable bulkhead to accomplish the objects of the inventions.
In brief, the invention provides a moveable, semi-rigid bulkhead for retaining cargo inside a cargo container. These ISO containers generally have a floor, left and right side walls, as well as a front wall and a rear opening. The bulkhead itself has a central wall member adapted to rest on the floor of the container in a close fit with the floor and side walls of the container. The center wall is a thin, flexible, semi-rigid, substantially planar sheet which has only a first and a second side. It also generally has a rectangular shape defined by four edges. The construction of the bulkhead is such that it has a lower edge adapted to rest on the floor of the container, and a right edge adapted to rest against the right side wall, and a left edge adapted to rest against the left side wall, all in a close fit therewith. Additionally, the lower edge has hingedly attached to it a flap for movement from a substantially planar position with respect to the plane of the center wall section, to a substantially perpendicular position to the plane of the center wall section. Additionally, the right edge has a flap hingedly attached for movement from a substantially planar position with respect to the plane of the center wall section, to a substantially perpendicular position with respect to the plane of the center wall section. Finally, the left edge has a flap hingedly attached for movement from a substantially planar position with respect to the plane of the center wall section of the bulkhead, to a substantially perpendicular position to the plane of the center wall section of the bulkhead.
The bulkhead and its parts cooperate such that when it is placed in the container with the first side of the center wall section facing the front wall, it creates a cargo space between the front wall and the first side of the center wall of the bulkhead. Additionally, each of the flaps rest against their respective side wall and the floor at less than 180° with the plane of the first side of the bulkhead's center wall section. These flaps fit against the side walls and floor in a sealed fit, and thus prevent the escape of cargo where the center wall section of the bulkhead meets the floor and side walls.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the left and right side flaps are articulated with at least one joint running down each of them, parallel to the edge of the center wall section.
In an additional embodiment of the invention, these flaps are reinforced.
In another embodiment of the invention, bracing is placed adjacent the second side of the center wall section, and detachably connected to the container to provide support for the bulkhead and to transfer the load of the cargo placed between the bulkhead and the front wall of the container.
In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the bracing is releasably connected to the bulkhead.
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