DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of loading, stowing, and transporting systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, stowing, and transporting objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminium coils, and the like in containers during transit.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Conventionally, objects or cargo items such as rolled metal coils, which are generally very heavy, are transported in a container (also known as carriers). It is important in many cases that these heavy objects do not move within the containers during transit to avoid damages. For instance, in road transport, any inadvertent braking and turning of the container or speed breakers can have an adverse effect container’s stability, causing unwanted and uncontrolled movement of the object, which may lead to damages to the objects as well as the containers. Hence the objects/ metal coils need to be secured firmly inside the containers to avoid any damage to the coils as well as the containers during transit.
[0004] For transportation of heavy objects such as metal coils, the existing system involves either tying of the heavy objects using strings or ropes to the walls of the container as shown in FIG. 1A and placing them in a wooden jacket (also termed as “stuffing’) or only a support bed made up of polymers, or wood, or such material on which the coils can be placed. The shape of the support bed is adaptably moulded to fit the shape of the coil or object thereon. The support bed is placed under the coils for weight distribution and support; however, the adaptably moulded but rigid dimensions of the support bed make it difficult for use in case the dimensions of the coil are changed. In such circumstances, the security and safety of the coils on such beds are dangerously compromised.
[0005] The existing system also involves usage of support systems that includes timber, wood, or biomaterial (the “support bed”). One of the major problems associated with the use of only timber, wood, or biomaterial in existing support systems is that these support beds are easily susceptible to attack by termites, fire, decay due to water, and are also difficult for disposal in case of destruction because of these reasons. These materials are not flexible and can break during transit, which may lead to severe damage to the coils themselves as they become loose within the container. Besides, the surface of these materials causes potential damage to the upper layer of the coils. In addition, the reliance on only wood or timber in existing systems significantly affects the environment and increases carbon footprint. Further, it may also lead to quarantine and disposal problems of timber and wood at destinations. As different objects would require different shapes of timber or wood, such timber support beds cannot generally be reused, and are generally required to be disposed of.
[0006] Another drawback of the existing support system is that the heavy load may damage the container as well as the vehicles. In the existing system, in case the support bed collapses, the coil may have the chance to rest on the floor of the container and may damage the floor. In addition, the existing systems involve the use of additional steel, plastic, and nails for lashing and nailing of the objects within the containers, which significantly increases the cost.
[0007] Other existing systems (such as one disclosed in in WO2023047178 and as shown in FIG. 1B) require use of customized profiling made of expanded polystyrene (EPS). Each EPS part/bed needs to be profiled per the diameter of the circular cargo to place the object inside these profiles. However, it is time consuming. Most importantly, it is often noticed that manual operation of diameter cutting/profiling are not precise. This leads to non-uniform loading of the EPS profiles, causing their increasing damage. The coils are thus not rigidly held by the EPS profiles/ beds and thereby they / container may get damaged.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need in the art to overcome the above shortcomings, drawbacks, and limitations associated with existing timber, wood, biomaterial, or EPS based support systems, and provide a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, stowing, and transporting of objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminium coils, and the like in containers during transit.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system to hold objects/ metal coils firmly inside containers to avoid any damage to the coils as well as the containers during transit.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system that can hold coils of varying diameters firmly inside containers.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to a system to hold objects/ metal coils firmly inside containers that minimizes use of materials that are susceptible to decay and termite attacks, carry a fire risk, are difficult to dispose of, can break during transit causing damage to the coils themselves, and increase the carbon footprint.
[0012] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, stowing, and transporting of objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminium coils, and the like in containers during transit.
[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figure, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
[0014] The present disclosure relates to the field of loading, stowing, and transporting systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, stowing, and transporting objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminium coils, and the like in containers during transit.
[0015] In an aspect, present disclosure elaborates upon a system for loading, stowing, and transporting a substantially cylindrical object in a container. The system includes at least two top incline cut pillars. The proximal surfaces of each of the two top incline cut pillars are configured to face each other to form a groove narrowing downwards. The distal surfaces of each of the two top incline cut pillars are held flush with corresponding walls of the container. The substantially cylindrical object is held immovably in the groove due to its own weight.
[0016] In this aspect, the system can also include at least one compressible rectangle pillar configured to fill a gap between one of the distal surfaces and the corresponding wall of the container, the other distal surface held flush with the other corresponding wall of the container.
[0017] In this aspect, the distal surfaces and the at least one compressible rectangle pillar are detachably connected with each other.
[0018] In this aspect, the distal surfaces and the at least one compressible rectangle pillar are made of a same material or are made of a different material.
[0019] In this aspect, the groove is a V shaped groove.
[0020] In this aspect, the proximal surfaces are made of an expanded polystyrene (EPS) material or an extruded polystyrene insulation (XPS) material.
[0021] In this aspect, the proximal surfaces of each of the two top incline cut pillars are made of high density non-compressible expanded polystyrene (EPS) or are made of low density compressible expanded polystyrene (EPS).
[0022] In this aspect, the system can include at least one timber assembly configured between the groove to provide a support to the substantially cylindrical object for holding the substantially cylindrical object tight in the groove, and wherein the at least one timber.
[0023] In this aspect, the proximal surfaces at least at an angle of 45 degrees.
[0024] In this aspect, the proximal surfaces are made of a mixture of a heavy density expanded polystyrene (EPS) material to absorb a weight of the substantially cylindrical object and a distribute of the weight length wise.
[0025] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0027] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0028] FIGs. 1A and 1B illustrates conventionally available cargo holding mechanisms.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates cargo holding mechanism using a system for loading, stowing, and transporting objects in a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIGs. 3A-3C illustrates securing of 1, 2 and 3 objects respectively, using the system for loading, stowing, and transporting objects in a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 3D illustrates securing of sheet/plates using the system for loading, stowing, and transporting objects in a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly of a system for loading, stowing, and transporting objects in a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates another assembly of a system for loading, stowing, and transporting objects in a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0035] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0036] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0037] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0038] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
[0039] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention.
[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure elaborates upon a system for loading, stowing, and transporting a substantially cylindrical object in a container. The system can include at least two top incline cut pillars wherein proximal surfaces of the top incline cut pillars can be configured to face each other to form a groove (for example, a V shaped groove) narrowing downwards and the distal surfaces of the at least two top incline cut pillars can be held flush with corresponding walls of the container, and thus the object can be held immovably in the V shaped groove due to its own weight.
[0041] In this embodiment, the system disclosed can further include at least one compressible rectangle pillar configured to fill a gap between one of the distal surfaces and the corresponding wall of the container, and the other distal surface can be held flush with the other corresponding wall of the container.
[0042] In this embodiment, the system can further include at least one another compressible rectangular pillar configured to fill a gap between other of the distal surfaces and the corresponding wall of the container.
[0043] In this embodiment, the system discloses the two top incline cut pillars can be made of high density non-compressible expanded polystyrene (EPS).
[0044] In this embodiment, the compressible rectangular pillars can be made of low density compressible expanded polystyrene (EPS).
[0045] In this embodiment, the system can further include at least one timber assembly that can be configured at bottom of the container below the V shaped groove to provide further support to the object and assist in holding the object tight in the V shaped groove.
[0046] In this embodiment, the proximal surfaces can be at an angle of 45 degrees.
[0047] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can implement the invention by referring to the description.
[0048] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a system for loading, stowing and transporting objects in a container. According to the system square/rectangle pieces of expanded polystyrene (EPS) are placed inside container in such a way that circular shaped cargo can be placed inside a bed assembly. The assembly parts can be of fixed dimension of various density depending on the weight of the cargo. To support distribution of weight throughout the length of container a fixed timber assembly can be used.
[0049] In this embodiment, the bed in rectangular pattern can be received precut from manufacturer and due to its angular design as further described the bed size can be same for all coils with different diameters.
[0050] The conventional solution as shown in FIG. 1A majorly involves use of only timber. To accommodate any object such as a coil, a diameter specific timber carpentry is required to hold the coil rigid. While loading, on an average, excessive time (for example, 1.5 Hrs/Container) is required by group of skilled carpenters to prepare this carpentry. In view of the same, there is a need to provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution
[0051] The conventional solution as shown in FIG. 1B majorly involves use of EPS, however, the design has limitation of using customized profiling of EPS Beds based on coil diameter. Time required to cut profile manually for every diameter type on an average is 30 mins/Container. This provides a sustainable packing solution but is not cost effective.
[0052] Whereas as compared to the conventional solutions, specifically as shown in FIGs. 1A and 1B, the present invention uses expanded polystyrene (EPS) and timber for holding coils rigid in a container. The standardized pattern as disclosed in the present invention offers flexibility. A minimal time is required (for example on an average time 20 Mins/Container) as no manual operation before/after coil placement is required.
[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates a cargo holding mechanism using a system for loading, stowing and transporting objects in a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0054] FIGs. 3A-3C illustrates securing of 1, 2 and 3 objects respectively, using the system for loading, stowing, and transporting objects in a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 3D illustrates securing of sheet/plates using the system for loading, stowing and transporting objects in a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] Thus, the present invention is sustainable and cost-effective solution compare to the other two systems.
[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly of the system for loading, stowing, and transporting objects in a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] FIG. 5 illustrates another assembly of the system for loading, stowing, and transporting objects in a container, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] The present disclosure relates to a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, stowing, and transporting objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminium coils, boilers, tankers, and the likes in containers during transit.
[0060] According to an aspect, the present disclosure discloses a system for loading, stowing, and transportation of objects such as metal coils, boilers, tankers, and the likes in a container.
[0061] The proposed system inherits the benefits of timber and foam support of existing technologies, but overcomes the shortcomings, drawbacks, and limitations associated with the existing technologies, thereby providing a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, stowing, and transportation of objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminium coils, and the likes in containers during transit.
[0062] In a preferred embodiment, proposed system for holding objects such as heavy metal coils and the like in containers during transit can be as shown in FIG. 4. Proposed system can include a bed made of an expanded polystyrene (EPS). The bed can include parts 404A and 402A as shown, wherein 402A is distal from a coil to be held in the container and 404A proximate to it. Similar components shown as 404B and 402B can be configured on the other side of the coil to be held in the container.
[0063] In an aspect, 404A and 404B can be made of high-density EPS, capable of bearing large loads with rigidity, 402A and 402B can instead be made of low-density EPS and thus compressible without breaking and/or being permanently deformed.
[0064] Parts 404A and 404B can be configured as shown and further described while parts 402A and 402B can have a rectangular profile as shown.
[0065] Parts 402A and 402B may be termed as rectangle pillars, and parts 404A and 404B as top incline cut pillars, for ease in expression and understanding. It is to be noted that part 404A and 404B have an inclined cut on their top surfaces (shown as 406 A and 406B) at a pre-determined inclination. It can be readily understood that when these two profiles are set opposite one another with the inclined cuts facing one another, the space between the top inclined surfaces 406A and 406B shall increasingly become narrow in the downward direction as shown by space 408. This space 408 can be termed as a V shaped groove for ease of expression.
[0066] Hence, when a heavy substantially cylindrical object such as a coil (shown as 410 in FIG. 4) is inserted/loaded into the V shaped groove 408, by force of gravity itself it shall come to rest at a place where it is held tightly in the V shaped groove 408, its weight being distributed uniformly over its area of contact on the incline surfaces 406A and 406B.
[0067] In this manner top incline cut pillars 404A and 404B can form a guide that can automatically lead a coil to rest completely and snugly on their top inclined surfaces 406A and 406B, in V shaped groove 408.
[0068] Further, rectangle pillar 402A can be so sized that it is held tightly between 404A and the wall of the container facing it (that is, in the intervening gap between incline cut pillar 404A and corresponding wall of the container) after a coil 408 has been loaded in between the top inline cut pillars 404A and 404B. Likewise, rectangular pillar 402B can be similarly sized. Being made of low-density EPS, 402A and 402B are anyway compressible without breaking and/or being permanently deformed.
[0069] In this manner, it can be readily understood that when, in a container, a structure formed of pillar 402A and 404A is set opposite a similar structure formed by pillar 402B and 404B, a V shaped groove 408 may be so formed such that a coil 410 to be loaded in the container rests tightly in it. The weight of the coil itself will lead to a downward force as well as a lateral force, the two forces serving to hold the coil tightly in V shaped groove 408.
[0070] Further, since V shaped groove 408 is becoming increasingly narrow in the downward direction, it can as well be understood that many different coils / cylindrical shapes of different diameters can easily be held tight in V shaped groove 408 without any modification to the structure elaborated. This is further aided by the fact that rectangle pillars 402A and 402B have inherent compressibility being made of light-density polystyrene.
[0071] It can further be readily understood that pillars 402A and 402B may not be needed in many cases, and can be done away with. This is possible when, for example, cylinders of very large diameters are to be transported in the container. In such a situation, surfaces of the top incline cut pillars 404A and 404B, shown as surfaces 412A and 412B can directly be flush with corresponding walls of the container and thus the V shaped groove 408 can hold a cylinder tight within without pillars 402A and 402B being needed.
[0072] In an aspect surfaces 406A and 406B of the top incline cut pillars 404A and 404B respectively can be termed as “proximal surfaces” as they are close to the coil 410 after it has been loaded in space 408. Surfaces 412A and 412B of the top incline cut pillars 404A and 404B respectively may be termed as “distal surfaces” as they are away from the coil 410 after it has been loaded in space 408
[0073] In exemplary embodiments parts 404A and 404B can be preferably conical in shape. The heavier density conical part can be used as guide to place the coil thereon due to its angular shape. This becomes easy for loader.
[0074] In another exemplary embodiment, incline cut 406A can be at 45 degrees thus allowing coils of any diameter.
[0075] As the gravity of coil acts downward and it tends to put the load on bottom, however, since the heavy density part of the bed (404A and 404B) takes the load of the object (coil), a uniform strength is maintained everywhere in the bed, and thus there is no risk of downward load.
[0076] The low density for wall support (provided by rectangle pillars 402A and 402B) which is very flexible can give shock absorbing property during sea journey of the container holding the coil, while keeping the coil in place.
[0077] FIG. 5 illustrates another assembly of the system for loading, stowing, and transporting objects in a container, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 5, proposed system can further include one or more timber assembly shown as 412 that can be configured at the bottom of the container below V shaped groove 408 before loading coil 410 in the V shaped groove 408. If need be, timber assembly 412 can provide further support to the coil 410 and assist in holding the coil 410 tight in V shaped groove 408.
[0079] The timber assembly 412 can as well have inclined surfaces aligned to get angle of surfaces 406A and 406B to form a complete inverted V groove.
[0080] Due to pallet like combination timber assembly does not allow coil to slip.
[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, a rubber or balata coating can be added to the timber assembly to avoid fretting corrosion.
[0082] While some embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, those are completely exemplary in nature. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as elaborated herein only and it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. All such modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents are completely within the scope of the present disclosure. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.
[0083] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.
[0084] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.
[0085] Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C …. and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0086] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.
[0087] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0088] Hence while embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as described in the claims.
[0089] To reiterate, while the invention has been explained with reference to the specific embodiment of the invention, the explanation is illustrative and the invention is limited only by the appended claims.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0090] The present disclosure provides for a system to hold objects/ metal coils firmly inside containers to avoid any damage to the coils as well as the containers during transit.
[0091] The present disclosure provides for a system that can hold coils of varying diameters firmly inside containers.
[0092] The present disclosure provides for a system that holds objects/ metal coils firmly inside containers, and minimizes use of materials that are susceptible to decay and termite attacks, carry a fire risk, are difficult to dispose of, can break during transit causing damage to the coils themselves, and increase the carbon footprint.
[0093] The present disclosure provides for a system that is simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, stowing, and transporting of objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminium coils, and the like in containers during transit.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:

1. A system for loading, stowing, and transporting a substantially cylindrical object (410) in a container, the system comprising:
at least two top incline cut pillars (404A, 404B), wherein proximal surfaces of each of the two top incline cut pillars (404A, 404B) are configured to face each other to form a groove (408) narrowing downwards, and distal surfaces (412A, 412B) of each of the two top incline cut pillars are held flush with corresponding walls of the container, and
wherein the substantially cylindrical object (410) is held immovably in the groove due to its own weight.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further comprising: at least one compressible rectangle pillar (402A, 402B) configured to fill a gap between one of the distal surfaces (412A, 412B) and the corresponding wall of the container, the other distal surface held flush with the other corresponding wall of the container.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the distal surfaces (412A, 412B) and the at least one compressible rectangle pillar (402A, 402B) are detachably connected with each other.

4. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the distal surfaces (412A, 412B) and the at least one compressible rectangle pillar (402A, 402B) are made of a same material or are made of a different material.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the groove (408) is a V shaped groove.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximal surfaces (404A, 404B) is made of an expanded polystyrene (EPS) material or an extruded polystyrene insulation (XPS) material.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximal surfaces of each of the two top incline cut pillars (404A, 404B) are made of high density non-compressible expanded polystyrene (EPS) or are made of low density compressible expanded polystyrene (EPS).

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further comprising: at least one timber assembly configured between the groove to provide a support to the substantially cylindrical object for holding the substantially cylindrical object tight in the groove, and wherein the at least one timber assembly comprises a rubber coating or a balata coating.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximal surfaces at least at an angle of 45 degrees.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximal surfaces are made of a mixture of a heavy density expanded polystyrene (EPS) material to absorb a weight of the substantially cylindrical object and a distribute of the weight length wise.