Receptacles – Freight containers
Patent
1996-02-12
1998-07-14
Pollard, Steven M.
Receptacles
Freight containers
B65D 8800
Patent
active
057790779
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a container tank of the type suitable for the transportation of liquids, fluids and other materials with fluid like characteristics, In particular, the invention relates to a container tank of the type normally transported on a truck flat, railway wagon, and container ship.
Such container tanks can be broadly categorised into two types, namely, beam tanks and frame tanks. Beam tanks are container tanks in which a tank is located between and secured to a pair of spaced apart end frames located at opposite ends of the tank. In such container tanks, the tank forms an essential structural member of the structure of the container tank, and itself forms a load bearing and load carrying strut. A frame tank comprises a framework and the tank is located within the framework. The framework, in general, comprises a pair of spaced apart end frames joined by a plurality of longitudinally extending members, typically, four longitudinal beams extending between the four opposite corners of the respective end frames. The tank is located within the framework, and is secured to the framework by suitable mountings. In such frame tanks, in general, the tank does not form a structural member of the framework, and where it does, plays a relatively insignificant role in the strength of the framework. Because of the fact that in such frame tanks, the entire load carrying and load bearing capacities must be provided by the framework, the structural members of the framework, and in particular, the longitudinal members extending between the end frames must be of relatively high load bearing and carrying capacity to withstand static stresses which are induced in the framework by its own weight, the weight of the tank and the weight of the contents of the tank, and also to withstand dynamic stresses, which are induced in the framework during transportation. Such dynamic stresses can result from rapid acceleration and deceleration, as well as centrifugal forces resulting from transportation of the tank. Indeed, such dynamic forces may not always act directly longitudinally or transversely of the tank, they may act on the framework at an angle, thus tending to induce buckling stresses and strains in the framework. To provide the necessary load bearing and carrying capacities and to withstand such stresses, in general, the longitudinal members extending between the end frames must be provided by I-beams of relatively large transverse cross section. Such I-beams tend to be relatively heavy, and significantly increase the weight of the framework. In general, container tanks are subject to maximum overall fully laden weights stipulated by road, rail, shipping and other freight transport authorities. Thus, any increase in the weight of the framework for structural purposes or otherwise leads to a reduction in the carrying capacity of the container tank.
There is therefore a need for a container tank of the frame type in which the weight of the framework can be reduced, particularly, by the provision of longitudinal members extending between the end frames of relatively lighter weight than is required in frame tanks known heretofore.
The present invention is directed towards providing such a container tank.
According to the invention, there is provided a container tank comprising an elongated tank defining a longitudinally extending central axis, and defining four quadrants in transverse cross section, namely, a pair of upper quadrants and a pair of lower quadrants, the tank being disposed between a pair of spaced apart end frames extending transversely of the central axis at respective opposite ends of the tank, the end frames being joined by a pair of spaced apart parallel lower longitudinal members extending from positions adjacent respective opposite lower corners of the end frames, and a mounting means at each end of the tank for mounting the tank to the adjacent end frame, wherein each mounting means comprises at least one bearer plate extending from the tank adjacent the lower quadrants thereof to the ad
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patent: 3726481 (1973-04-01), Botkin
patent: 3971491 (1976-07-01), Mowatt-Larssen
patent: 4412626 (1983-11-01), Gerhard
patent: 4591064 (1986-05-01), Gerhard
patent: 4593832 (1986-06-01), Gerhard
patent: 4854462 (1989-08-01), Gerhard
patent: 5198398 (1993-03-01), Van Duijn
Container Design Limited
Pollard Steven M.
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