Modified end face panel for a flexible insert for a container and tensioning method

Abstract

Safe transport of bulk materials is assured by a lashing system that suspends a flexible end face panel adjacent to rear doors of a shipping container, and that restrains the end face panel during loading and subsequent transport, so that the adjacent container door may be opened and closed without difficulty. The lashing may for instance be done by threading a strap through a ring in a central part of the panel and several cargo rings in the corners of a door opening of the container, and after tightening the strap, the strap is secured by passing a clasp through two holes in the strap that are aligned when under the desired tension. A triangular shaped strap may be sewn into the panel with a ring at the apex as an embodiment.

Claims

1. A modified end panel for a flexible liner or insert to minimize outward bulging adjacent a container end door when the container is filled with a bulk cargo by strapping the end panel, comprising: an end panel; a strap sewn or otherwise attached to at least a first bottom corner of the end panel of the flexible liner or insert and extending or at least extendable from the first bottom corner of the end panel diagonally up to a middle area of the end panel and down to a second bottom corner where the strap is at least sewn or otherwise attached to the second bottom corner, forming a triangle with an unsewn or unattached top apex forming an opening that acts as a central ring; and a single strap having a first end locked to a first upper corner ring of the container, extending diagonally downwardly through the central ring, then diagonally upwardly to an opposite side second upper corner ring of the container, passing therethrough and diagonally downwardly through the central ring and diagonally upwardly through the first upper corner ring, then in a final leg diagonally downwardly through the central ring and further downwardly through a bottom corner ring of the container positioned under the second upper corner ring with a second end of the strap passing through the bottom corner ring and being engageable by a removable tensioning device, wherein portions of the single strap that extend upwardly and downwardly relative to the first upper corner ring have a plurality of linearly arranged openings, such that once the strap is tensioned by the removable tensioning device, a locking device is passed through at least one facing pair of openings, for maintaining the strap in tensioned condition, after the removable tensioning device is removed.

2. The modified end panel of claim 1, wherein the single strap, in the final leg passes instead of through the central ring, straight downwardly through the bottom ring located below the first upper corner ring, then back upwardly through the first upper ring, the free end then engaged by the removable tensioning device, the facing portions on the strap passing between the first upper corned ring and bottom corner ring having the plurality of facing holes so as to permit locking of the strap, after tensioning along the side, rather than in the middle, of the end panel.

3. A modified end panel, comprising: an end panel for insertion in a shipping container in a door opening of the shipping container; a pull ring attached to the end panel positioned as a central pull ring that when pulled by tensioning straps causes the end panel to push back against bulging of the end panel by cargo in the container abutting the end panel and pushing against the end panel from inside the container; and a single strap having a first end locked to a first upper corner ring of the container, extending diagonally downwardly through the central pull ring, then diagonally upwardly to an opposite side second upper corner ring of the container, passing therethrough and diagonally downwardly through the central pull ring and diagonally upwardly through the first upper corner ring, then in a final leg diagonally downwardly through the central pull ring and further downwardly through a bottom corner ring of the container positioned under the second upper corner ring with a second end of the strap passing through the bottom corner ring and being engageable by a removable tensioning device, wherein portions of the single strap that extend upwardly and downwardly relative to the first upper corner ring have a plurality of linearly arranged openings, such that once the strap is tensioned by the removable tensioning device, a locking device is passed through at least one facing pair of openings, for maintaining the strap in tensioned condition, after the removable tensioning device is removed.

4. The modified end panel of claim 3, wherein the single strap, in the final leg passes instead of through the central pull ring, straight downwardly through the bottom ring located below the first upper corner ring, then back upwardly through the first upper ring, the free end then engaged by the mechanical tensioning means, the facing portions on the strap passing between the first upper corner ring and bottom corner ring having the plurality of facing holes so as to permit locking of the strap, after tensioning along the side, rather than in the middle, of the end panel.

5. The modified end panel of claim 3, further comprising: a first strap sewn or otherwise attached to the panel and extending between a first pair of diagonally opposite corners of the panel wherein an extension part of the first strap is provided loose and extending beyond one corner of the first pair of diagonally opposite corners of the panel; and a second strap sewn or otherwise attached to the panel and extending between a second pair of diagonally opposite corners of the panel so as to crisscross the first strap in a central area of the panel, wherein the central pull ring is attached to the end panel where the first strap crisscrosses the second strap.

6. The modified end panel of claim 3, further comprising: a first strap sewn or otherwise attached to the panel and extending between a first pair of diagonally opposite corners of the panel: a second strap sewn or otherwise attached to the panel and extending between a second pair of diagonally opposite corners of the panel so as to crisscross the first strap in a central area of the panel; and a third strap attachable to one of the corners of the panel, that when attached extends beyond the one corner that is attached to, wherein the central pull ring is attached to the end panel where the first strap crisscrosses the second strap.

7. The modified end panel of claim 6, further comprising a fourth strap provided loose and attachable to the third strap.

8. The modified end panel of claim 3, wherein after tensioning, the tension is maintained by a metallic locking device.

9. The modified end panel of claim 3, wherein the tensioning is carried out by locking a same strap in opposite tensioning directions.

10. The modified end panel of claim 3, wherein tensioning is carried out by tension applied by a ratchet device connected between the loose strap and another strap attached to a container cargo ring and the tension is lockable by the ratchet device.

11. A modified end panel, comprising: an end panel for insertion in a shipping container in a door opening of the shipping container; a pull ring attached to the end panel positioned as a central pull ring that when pulled by tensioning straps causes the end panel to push back against bulging of the end panel by cargo in the container abutting the end panel and pushing against the end panel from inside the container, a first strap sewn or otherwise attached to the panel and extending between a first pair of diagonally opposite corners of the panel; a second strap sewn or otherwise attached to the panel and extending between a second pair of diagonally opposite corners of the panel so as to crisscross the first strap in a central area of the panel; and a third strap attachable to one of the corners of the panel, that when attached extends beyond the one corner that it is attached to, wherein the central pull ring is attached to the end panel where the first strap crisscrosses the second strap, and wherein the third strap is threadable through a first container cargo ring and is extendable downwardly to the pull ring and upwardly to a second container cargo ring and back in a reverse move for further tensioning and securement with one of the previous extensions of the third strap.

12. A modified end panel, comprising: an end panel for insertion in a shipping container in a door opening of the shipping container; a pull ring attached to the end panel positioned as a central pull ring that when pulled by tensioning straps causes the end panel to push back against bulging of the end panel by cargo in the container abutting the end panel and pushing against the end panel from inside the container, a first strap sewn or otherwise attached to the panel and extending between a first pair of diagonally opposite corners of the panel: a second strap sewn or otherwise attached to the panel and extending between a second pair of diagonally opposite corners of the panel so as to crisscross the first strap in a central area of the panel; and a third strap attachable to one of the corners of the panel, that when attached extends beyond the one corner that it is attached to, wherein the central pull ring is attached to the end panel where the first strap crisscrosses the second strap, and wherein the third strap is threadable through a first container cargo ring and extendable in a first segment diagonally downwardly to and threadable through the pull ring, diagonally upwardly in a second segment to a second cargo ring and threadable through the second cargo ring, diagonally downwardly in a third segment to and threadable through the pull ring, diagonally upwardly in a fourth segment toward the first cargo ring and tensionable toward the first cargo ring, the fourth segment securable to the first segment under tension with a locking device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an improved end panel, according to the present invention, and a method of using the improved end panel.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a locking system, according to an embodiment.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of an improved end panel, according to the present invention, and a method of using the improved end panel.

(4) FIG. 4, a locking system according to the second embodiment.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of an improved end panel, according to the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a method utilizing the embodiment of FIG. 5, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(7) The term container will be used hereinafter to include standard transport containers, cargo vessels and cargo storage space, and bulk material includes, but is not limited to, large quantities of materials which may be solids in the form of powder, pellets, flakes or granules, and liquids. Examples of bulk material include coffee beans, salt, grains and the like.

(8) Referring to FIG. 1, an end panel 1 of a flexible liner (not shown for ease in illustration only) is shown. The end panel itself is made of a flexible material and is integral with the container liner or may be integral with the container, and located adjacent to the rear doors of the container, also not shown for ease in illustration. In this embodiment, a lower strap is fixed at least at the two lower corners of the panel. It may be affixed to the panel by any means such sewn to the panel. The lower strap 2 has ends 3 and 4 that may use metal hooks or strap knots to connect to two bottom cargo rings 5 and 6, with sufficient slack in the strap to form a triangle with an apex at around a middle height of the end panel. The top apex portion of the triangle when formed will be loose at this point, to allow the apex to function as a central ring 7 engaged by another strap as described below. The lower strap 2 may be sewn or otherwise affixed to the panel extending up from the lower corners to near the apex where it remains unsewn so as to leave the apex loose. Or it may be sewn or otherwise affixed only at the two lower corners. In another embodiment described below there is no lower strap used at all but only a central ring that is not attached to a panel or that is attached to an improved panel in a central part thereof.

(9) Referring still to FIG. 1, a separate strap 8 has an end connected by a hook, clasp, or other attachment means to a first top ring 9, with a free end 11 wound through the central ring 7 and a second upper ring 10 following the illustrated arrows. Thus, the strap is wound from ring 9, through central ring 7, through ring 10, back down through the central ring 7, up to the first ring 9, then in a final leg down through the central ring, to the bottom ring 6, with the free end 11 then engaged by mechanical means such as a fork truck, which applies tension to the strap.

(10) Referring to FIG. 2, the locking system is shown. The facing portions of the strap constituting the upward strap portion 20 heading to the first ring 9, and the downward portion 22 heading to the bottom ring 6 each have a plurality of linearly spaced rings or openings 24, 26 facing each other in between the first ring 9 and the central ring 7. After tensioning, a strap, ring, clasp, or other locking device 28 is passed through at least one pair of aligned openings, so as to maintain the tension achieved by the mechanical tensioning device, which can then be disconnected.

(11) In this way, the installation and tensioning can be rapidly completed and also the amount of tension can be rapidly achieved and of a sufficient strength to assure that no bulging will occur. Consistency in tensioning can be confirmed with appropriate marking to be sure that the same holes are aligned each time that tensioning occurs. Thus, the straps extend to be taut when the insert is loaded to resist outward bulging of the end door portion. Metal chains or linkages that collapse when folded and extend to be taut when stretched are included in the term straps within the meaning of embodiments of this invention that include oblique reinforcing straps.

(12) Thus, it will be understood that the central ring is strongly attached in such a way that it may be pulled by tensioning a strap without detaching from the panel. As such it may be referred to as a pull ring meaning that it may be subjected to tensioning forces by the strap threaded through the pull ring. The strap may be strongly tensioned for instance by a machine to exert strong pulling forces from the corners of the container. These forces act at least in part to cause the panel to restrain pushing forces against the panel exerted by the cargo from inside the shipping container. A modified end panel is thus provided that includes an end panel for insertion in a shipping container in a door opening of the shipping container and a pull ring attached to the end panel positioned as a central pull ring that when pulled by tensioning straps acts to cause push back against and restraint of bulging of the end panel by cargo in the container abutting the end panel and pushing against the end panel from inside the container to cause the bulging. Among other benefits, the restraint of the bulging by action of the tensioning straps is sufficient to allow reclosing an end door of the container after opening the door, e.g., for inspection.

(13) Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment is shown where the final leg, instead of passing through the central ring 7, proceeds 33 downwardly through the bottom ring 5, then upwardly 31 through the upper ring 9, with the free end 11 passed on to the tensioning device. As shown in FIG. 4, the portions of the strap passing down 33 then up 31 include the plurality of alignable rings or openings 42, 40 so that the locking with a metallic ring or clasp or a strap 44 can take place along the side of the end panel, rather than in the center of the panel.

(14) As an alternative to using mechanical tensioning means, it is possible that the final tightening can be achieved by people pulling on the free end while another person monitors the hole alignment and then locks the strap in position, if a forklift truck is not available, or the strap can be attached to a come-along or ratcheting device for tensioning, or even if hooked to one of the doors to use it to facilitate pushing the strap out and consequently to tighten it. By utilizing the hole alignment, a more consistent tensioning of the end panel is achieved, regardless of what device, mechanism or process is used for tightening. Once locked in position, the device can be removed, the free end rolled up and stored, and the container is then ready for receiving the bulk cargo.

(15) While the facing holes have been discussed as one example of a strap engagement system, other ways to hold the two straps together after tensioning could be used, for example, such as the use of a buckling device, to buckle the straps together, or where a projection such as a sloped tooth which extends from one strap and slides along in the direction of tensioning, then when tension begins to be released, the tooth locks into an opening on the opposed strap. Of course, multiple teeth could be used. Pulling again on the strap will dislodge the tooth from the opening, and allow the straps to be separated.

(16) In another embodiment, a ratchet type tensioning device can be anchored at the bottom corner 6 of FIG. 1 which is adapted to engage the strap end so as to enable tensioning with a single tensioning device that optionally can remains in place after tensioning and locking of the straps is completed. A similar single tensioning device can be used with the embodiment of FIG. 3, anchored at the corner 9, again, which can optionally remain in place or be removed after the straps are locked together.

(17) Optionally, an actual metal ring member can be located and may be attached to a panel in a central part thereof at a position where the apex 7 is shown, as opposed to simply forming a strap loop. The metal ring may reduce friction between the strap 8 and the strap 2 and/or parts of the strap 8 that crossover each other during tensioning, and also provide another attachment point for other straps or devices. Thus, friction from strap 8 rubbing on lower strap 2 may be reduced by such a ring being provided in the shape of a ring torus with smooth surfaces. To further reduce strap-on-strap friction, an n-fold (n-holed) torus could be used with the value of n depending on how many times the strap 8 is to be threaded through the central area. For instance, a triple torus (that would resemble three doughnuts stuck side by side) could be used for the embodiment of FIG. 1 and a double torus (two doughnuts resembling a figure eight) for the embodiment of FIG. 3. Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 3, according to an embodiment, a method is provided. According to the method, the lower strap may or may not be present and so only a ring will be described. The ring need not be attached to the panel or to a lower strap and may in fact be loose although it will end up being located in a central position of the door opening of the container and also centrally located relative to the end panel of the insert. Although the methodology described below uses the terms upper and lower with respect to corners, and upwardly and downwardly with respect to directions, it should be realized that these terms are used merely to help the reader in understanding the description of the method as applied to the improved end panels of FIGS. 1 and 3.

(18) The method includes a first step of extending a strap 8 locked to a first upper corner cargo ring 9 of a container downwardly in a diagonal direction to a ring 7 centrally positioned in a door opening of the container and threading the strap through the central ring. A second step includes extending the strap upwardly in a diagonal direction to a second upper corner cargo ring 10 of the container and threading the strap through the second upper corner cargo ring. A third step includes extending the strap downwardly in a diagonal direction (opposite to the direction in the second step) to the central ring and threading the strap through the central ring. A fourth step involves extending the strap upwardly in a diagonal direction (opposite to the direction in the first step) to the first upper corner ring and threading the strap through the first upper corner ring. So far, the steps according to the inventive method are the same for use with the improved panel embodiments of both FIGS. 1 and 3.

(19) For FIG. 1 however the method then includes extending the strap downwardly in a diagonal direction (in the same direction as in the first step) to the central ring, threading the strap through the central ring, extending the strap downwardly in a diagonal direction (in the same direction as in the first step) to a bottom corner cargo ring 6, and threading the strap through the bottom corner cargo ring. The method further includes pulling on the strap threaded through the bottom corner cargo ring to a selected tension and then fixing the selected tension by locking the strap in place with a locking device that locks one diagonally extended part of the strap to a facing diagonally extended part of the strap, e.g. in between the central ring 7 and the first upper corner ring 9.

(20) In contrast, for FIG. 3, the method instead includes extending the strap downwardly in a vertical direction to a bottom corner cargo ring 5, threading the strap through the bottom corner cargo ring, extending the strap upwardly in the vertical direction to the first upper corner ring 9, threading the strap through the first upper corner cargo ring, pulling on the strap threaded through the first upper corner cargo ring to a selected tension and then fixing the selected tension by locking the strap in place for instance with a locking device that locks one vertically extended part of the strap to a facing vertically extended part of the strap.

(21) As explained, the pulling may be carried out by a powered machine, by a hand operated winch with a ratchet or by manpower.

(22) The central ring may be loose but, in the alternative, may be attached to an end panel of a flexible liner or insert, not necessarily in a central part as other positioning may be envisioned. One such position could for instance be a lower central part. In either event, the selected tension minimizes outward bulging adjacent the door opening of the container when the container is filed with a bulk cargo.

(23) As explained before, the strap may be provided with holes at intervals along selected portions of the strap that will face one another after the pulling to a selected tension and the locking comprises clasping two facing holes together with a clasping device.

(24) FIG. 5 shows a modified end panel 50, according to an embodiment. It includes an end panel 52 and a pull ring 54 attached to the end panel 52 and positioned as a central ring in a central part of the panel 52. The end panel may be rectangular or square in shape with diagonal straps 56, 58 sewn crisscrossed into the panel 52 so that the straps crossover in the central area of the panel. The straps 56, 58 may be fully sewn to the front panel or may be attached by other means such as rivets or other permanent mechanical fasteners to form a pair of diagonally intersecting straps each extending from one corner of the panel to another diagonally opposite corner. The ring 54 may be a strap sewn to crisscrossing bottom portions of straps 56, 58 with a central part thereof loose to form the ring located in the central part of the panel 52. Alternatively, the ring may take a form other than a strap such as but not limited to at least one circular metallic ring or other integral ring having another shape or made of a non-metallic material attached for instance with a leather or fabric loop sewn or otherwise attached to the central area of the panel 52. One of the crisscrossing straps such as strap 58 should be longer than the other strap 56 so as to extend beyond the panel 52 as shown by an extension part 64 of the strap 58 forming a loose (unsewn) continuation thereof.

(25) To the top left of FIG. 5 a series of threading operations 70, 72, 74, 76 are shown in the abstract for threading the extension part 64 of strap 58 through two cargo rings of the shipping container that are located in top container door corners near the upper corners of the panel 52. These threading operations are concretely illustrated as part of the lashing and tensioning method shown in FIG. 6. It should be realized that some of the details of FIG. 5 are omitted for clarity. First, the extension part 64 of strap 58 is threaded 70 through a first top door corner cargo ring 80 and extended diagonally downward toward the central area of the panel. There it is threaded 72 through the central ring 54 and extended diagonally upward toward a second top door corner cargo ring 84. Then the extension part 64 is threaded 74 through the second top door corner ring 84 and extended diagonally downward to the central area of the panel where it is threaded 76 through the central ring 54 and extended diagonally upward to engagement with a fastener 90 located for instance midway between the central ring 54 and the first top door corner cargo ring 80. The fastener 90 is shown in the abstract and may take various forms. For instance, it may take the form of a ratcheting buckle or clasp that has a permanently attached strap at one end extending up to the cargo ring 80 where it is tied down, hooked, or otherwise connected. The extension part may in that case be threaded through the other end of the fastener and the hilt of the ratcheting device is repeatedly driven to achieve the desired tension. A ratcheting device of that type is shown for instance in U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,962 at col. 6, line 62. Alternatively, a self-contained ratchet device (so-called ratchet straps (not shown)) with hooked straps attached to each end could be hooked at one end to the cargo ring 80 and at the other end to a hole (not shown) in the extension part 64. The hole may be a reinforced hole with a metallic ring around the circumference of the hole. Or, if a ratcheting device is not used, the extension part 64 of the strap 58 may be tensioned by pulling in a direction diagonally upward e.g. more or less toward the ring 80 such as generally shown by a reference numeral 94. The tensioning may be done by a machine or by other means such as described for the other embodiments. Alternatively, the fastening of the strap extension 64 may be done such as previously explained above in the other embodiments. In such cases the fastener 90 could be a metallic or strap ring such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 inserted through two aligned holes in the extension part 64 between the cargo ring 80 and the central ring 54.

(26) With reference to FIG. 5, it should be understood that the extension part 64 may be formed differently than shown. For instance, instead of being an extension of strap 58, it may take the form of a third strap (not shown) attached or attachable to one of the corners of the panel, When attached, it extends beyond the one corner that it is attached to. Or, another strap (not shown) may be provided loose and attachable to either a shortened extension strap 64 or to a shortened third strap as just described.