FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the protection of goods and products against either
elevated or decreased temperature with respect to ambient temperature, during shipping
or transportation in sea-freight shipping containers.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Within sea-freight containers there is often a temperature difference of about 10°C
to 15°C with respect to the ambient temperature. Both the internal temperature within
the container, and the ambient temperature, can rise quickly. Such temperature fluctuations
can cause damage to the container contents, especially to perishable goods.
[0003] To prevent damage to the container contents, thermal insulation is required which
slows the rate of change of the temperature within the container. Thick blankets of
wool or similar material and plastic bubble material can be used to provide thermal
insulation.
[0004] A sleeve like liner can be used as a thermal insulator which is inflated using a
motorised fan or blower. Such an inflatable liner has the disadvantage that it can
only be readily used where electric power is available.
[0005] Some liners are used where the walls of the liner are adhered to the walls of the
container using double-sided tape, or hook-and-loop material. The effectiveness of
such liners is reduced by the direct contact of the liner with the wall of the container.
Owing to the direct contact between the liner and the container walls, heat is conducted
from the walls to the insulation materials.
[0006] U.S. Patent number 5,638,979 discloses a bubble foil with a reflective surface. These types of bubble foil are
bulky and heavy and cannot be effectively used in sea-freight containers.
[0007] All the above mentioned thermal insulation devices require a substantial amount of
time for the installation of the insulator.
[0008] Thus, an object of the invention is to provide a thermal insulation device for use
in sea-freight shipping containers, having improved thermal insulation properties,
and being easier to install.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a thermally
reflective liner for providing thermal insulation within a container, the liner comprising
:
at least three long panels which are joined along their long sides forming a part
tube or tube;
an end panel which seals the end of the part tube or tube;
means for closing the front end of the part tube or tube, such that thermal insulation
can be provided to the space within the liner; and
a plurality of first attachments provided along the joined long sides of the liner;
characterized in that at least one piece of webbing material can be held between the
plurality of first attachments on the liner and a plurality of second attachments
on the container to retain the liner within the container, such that an air gap is
provided between the sides and top of the liner and the container.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method
for thermally insulating a container with a thermally reflective liner, the liner
comprising :
at least three long panels which are joined along their long sides forming a part
tube or tube of approximately rectangular cross section;
an end panel which seals the end of the part tube or tube;
means for closing the front end of the part tube or tube, such that thermal insulation
can be provided to the space within the liner; and
a plurality of loops provided along the joined long sides of the liner;
the method comprising the steps of:
positioning the end panel of the liner at the rear end of the empty container;
attaching pieces of webbing material to the corners at the rear end of the container;
feeding each piece of webbing material through the plurality of loops and through
hooks on the container;
loading the container; and
closing the liner to enclose the contents of the container.
[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method for thermally insulating a container with a thermally reflective liner, the
liner comprising:
at least three long panels which are joined along their long sides forming a part
tube or tube of approximately rectangular cross section;
an end panel which seals the end of the part tube or tube;
means for closing the front end of the part tube or tube, such that thermal insulation
can be provided to the space within the liner; and
a plurality of eyelets provided along the joined long sides of the liner;
the method comprising the steps of:
positioning the end panel of the liner at the rear end of the empty container;
securing a connector element between each first attachment and a corresponding portion
of webbing material that is threaded through second attachments on the container or
between each of the second attachments and a corresponding portion of webbing material
that is threaded through the first attachments;
loading the container; and
closing the liner to enclose the contents of the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] In order that the present invention can be more readily understood, an embodiment
will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1: is a cross section of one embodiment of a liner, inserted into a sea-freight
shipping container;
Figure 2: is a top view of the liner and container of figure 1;
Figure 3: is a perspective view of the liner of figure 1;
Figure 4: is a top view of another embodiment of a liner; and
Figure 5: is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a liner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Figures 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a liner 20 which can be installed in a
container 1. The liner 20 is in the shape of a sleeve, with dimensions which substantially
correspond to that of the container 1 into which the liner 20 is to be inserted.
[0014] The liner 20 has four long panels 25 which are each joined along the longest sides
to the adjacent long panels 25, forming long seams 26. Thus, the liner 20 has an approximately
rectangular cross section.
[0015] An end panel 30 seals an end of the liner 20. Four sealable panels 35 of rectangular
cross section are each joined, along a long side, to the short sides of the liner
20. Thus, a sealable opening is formed in the liner 20.
[0016] Loops 40 are provided along the seams 45 of the liner 20. Hooks 15 are positioned
along the vertices 18 of the container 1.
[0017] To insert the liner 20 into a container 1, the end panel 30 is first positioned at
the back end 5 of the container 1. Four pieces of webbing material, such as cords
50, are used to retain the liner 20 in position inside the container 1. A knot is
made at the end of each of the cords 50, tying the cords 50 to rear tying points 6
at each corner on the back end 5 of the container 1.
[0018] Each cord 50 is then fed alternately through the loops 40 on the liner 20 and the
corresponding hooks 15 on the container 1. Once the cord 50 has been fed through to
the front 7 of the container 1, knots 55 are tied at the end of each cord 50, attaching
the cords 50 to front tying points 11. Thus, the liner 20 is inserted into the container
1.
[0019] Once the container 1 has then been loaded, the four sealable panels 35 can be closed
at the front end of the container to provide a thermal seal which completely surrounds
the contents of the container 1. The sealable panels 35 are provided with a ties 60
to securely close the liner 20.
[0020] Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of the liner having different retaining means
to retain the liner 20 in the container 1. As in the previous embodiment the container
may still be provided with hooks 15 at the vertices 18 of the container 1. The loops
40 in this embodiment are not as wide as the loops of the previous embodiment but
are shaped more as eyelets. The eyelets may be flexible, that is, made of a woven
fabric, or stiffer where they are made of a metal or plastics. Metal connecting hooks
71 may be either permanently attached to eyelets 40 or can be unhooked therefrom.
Metal hooks 71 are designed to hook onto web 50 catching the lengths of web 50 between
container hooks 15.
[0021] In this way, web 50 does not need to be constantly threaded and unthreaded from container
hooks 15 and liner loops 40. Rather, the web may remain tied to the container at front
and rear tying points 11 and 6 respectively and threaded through hooks 15. Once the
liner 20 is inserted into the container 1, the metal connecting hooks 71 are hooked
onto the adjacent web 50 threaded through the container hooks 15. This allows for
a much simpler and faster attachment process, particularly for inserting the liner
into a container.
[0022] Of course, the arrangement of the metal connecting hooks 71 and threaded web may
be reversed such that the web is permanently held in place threaded through loops
40 on the liner and the removable connecting hooks 71 are located on container hooks
15. Connecting hooks 71 may be detachable from eyelets 40 or container hooks 15, or
they may be permanently connected to either the eyelets 40 or container hooks 15 such
that connecting hooks 17 are not misplaced.
[0023] Other suitable means for attaching the liner to the 35 container interior may also
be used. For example, in place of connecting hooks 71 the liner or container may include
velcro loops that loop around web 50 and fold over to attach with itself and form
a velcro loop.
[0024] Another embodiment of the liner is illustrated in figure 5. In this embodiment the
bottom panel is missing such that there are only three long panels 25, an end panel
30 and only three sealable panels 35. The resulting shape is a part tube with one
panel missing. This embodiment is brought about because it is not always necessary
or desirable to have a bottom panel lining the base of the container.
[0025] Liner loops 40 are still provided in this embodiment along the lower edge 72 of the
side panels. This maintains the side panels firmly aligned with the side walls of
the container.
[0026] It is understood that some containers may be of irregular geometry, for example having
more than four sides, such as five, and in these cases a liner may be purpose made
for such containers along the lines of the above concept.
[0027] Such custom made liners may comprise more than four panels, such as five or six,
forming a tube or part tube.
[0028] To ensure that the liner 20 does not droop over the front end 10 of the container
1, additional cord 65 is provided to retain the seam 70 (located between the uppermost
long panel 25 and the uppermost sealable panel 35) to the container 1.
[0029] The liner 20 is made of a reinforced material such as a woven fabric, and further
laminated with a thermally reflective material. Such thermally reflective materials
include aluminium and/or vaporised aluminium sheet.
[0030] The liner 20 is light weight and tough. The liner 20 must be able to withstand the
rough treatment of the forklifts and pallet jacks used to load/unload goods from the
container 1 is an important characteristic of the liner 20. The woven fabric provides
the durability required of the liner 20, while the aluminium provides the thermal
reflective surface.
[0031] When the liner 20 is inserted as described above, the liner 20 is positioned within
the container 1 such that an air gap is formed on the long sides and top between the
liner 20 and the container 1.
[0032] The thermally reflective surface of the liner 20 reduces heat transfer by thermal
radiation to (or from) the air immediately adjacent to the liner 20. The air gap between
the container 1 and the liner 20 improves the thermal insulation by minimising conduction
from the liner 20 to the container 1.
[0033] It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications
may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0034] The term "webbing material" is used herein to encompass any suitable form of elongate
flexible material including cord, rope, cable, chain, tape.
1. A thermally reflective liner (20) for providing thermal insulation within a container
(1), the liner (20) comprising:
at least three long panels (25) which are joined along their long sides forming a
part tube or tube;
an end panel (30) which seals the end of the part tube or tube;
means for closing the front end of the part tube or tube (35; 60), such that thermal
insulation can be provided to the space within the liner (20); and
a plurality of first attachments (40) provided along the joined long sides (45) of
the liner (20);
characterized in that at least one piece of webbing material (50) can be held between the plurality of
first attachments (40) on the liner (20) and a plurality of second attachments (15)
on the container (1) to retain the liner (20) within the container (1), such that
an air gap is provided between the sides and top of the liner (20) and the container
(1).
2. The liner as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that the liner comprises three long panels (25) which are joined along their long sides
forming a part tube of approximately rectangular cross section.
3. The liner as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that the liner comprises four long panels (25) which are joined along their long sides
forming a tube of approximately rectangular cross section and wherein total thermal
insulation can be provided to the enclosed space within the liner.
4. The liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first attachments are loops (40) provided, on seams of the joined long sides
of the liner (20), and the second attachments are hooks (15) on the container (1),
wherein the webbing material (50) is threaded between the loops on the liner and the
hooks on the container.
5. The liner as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first attachments are eyelets (40) provided along scams on the joined long sides
of the liner and the second attachments are hooks (15) on the container, wherein the
webbing material is threaded through one of the plurality of eyelets or hooks and
a connecting hook (71) is attached to the other of the eyelets or hooks at one end
while the other end holds the webbing material.
6. The liner as claimed in claim 5, further characterized in that the connecting hooks (71) are permanently attached to each one of the plurality of
eyelets or container hooks.
7. The liner as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that a plurality of loops are provided along a short side of the uppermost long panel
(25) such that a further piece of webbing material (65) can be threaded between the
plurality of loops on the liner and a plurality of hooks on uppermost opening of the
container (1).
8. The liner as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that the means for closing the front end of the tube or part tube is a plurality of panels
(35) of the thermally reflective material which may be overlapped to close the liner.
9. The liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the liner material is light weight and tough.
10. The liner as claimed in claim 9, further characterized in that the liner (20) is made of a flexible, reinforced material, laminated with a thermally
reflective material.
11. A method for thermally insulating a container (1) with a thermally reflective liner
(20), the liner (20) comprising:
at least three long panels (25) which are joined along their long sides (45) forming
a part tube or tube of approximately rectangular cross section;
an end panel (30) which seals the end of the part tube or tube;
means for closing the front end of the part tube or tube (35; 60), such that thermal
insulation can be provided to the space within the liner (20); and
a plurality of first attachments (40) provided along the joined long sides (45) of
the liner (20);
the method comprising the steps of:
positioning the end panel (30) of the liner (20) at the rear end (5) of the empty
container (1);
attaching pieces of webbing material (50) to the corners (6) at the rear end (5) of
the container (1);
feeding each piece of webbing material (50) through the plurality of first attachments
(40) and through second attachments (15) on the container (1);
loading the container (1); and
closing the liner (20) to enclose the contents of the container (1).
12. A method for thermally insulating a container (1) with a thermally reflective liner
(20), the liner (20) comprising:
at least three long panels (25) which are joined along their long sides (45) forming
a part tube or tube of approximately rectangular cross section;
an end panel (30) which seals the end of the part tube or tube;
means for closing the front end of the part tube or tube (35; 60), such that thermal
insulation can be provided to the space within the liner (20) ; and
a plurality of first attachments (40) provided along the joined long sides (45) of
the liner (20);
the method comprising the steps of:
positioning the end panel (30) of the liner (20) at the rear end (5) of the empty
container (1) ;
securing a connector element (71) between each first attachment (40) and a corresponding
portion of webbing material (50) that is threaded through second attachments (15)
on the container or between each of the second attachments and a corresponding portion
of webbing material that is threaded through the first attachments;
loading the container (1); and
closing the liner (20) to enclose the contents of the container (1).
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said connector elements are connecting hooks
and the securing step comprising hooking the connecting hooks between each eyelet
and the webbing material or between each container hook and the webbing material.
14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the first attachments are loops.
15. A method according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the first attachments are eyelets.
16. A method according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the second attachments are hooks.