INTER-CONTAINER COVER SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

Abstract

A system for covering two or more containers and associated methods are provided. In some embodiments, the system includes (1) one or more corner components configured to be positioned at corners of the two or more containers; (2) one or more elongated components configured to be positioned between sides of the two or more containers; and (3) one or more side supporting components positioned at the sides of the two or more containers. At least one of the one or more elongated component is formed with a socket configured to accommodate an extension of at least one of the one or more side supporting components such that the at least one elongated component and the at least one side supporting component are securely connected.

Claims

1. A system for covering two or more containers, comprising: one or more corner components configured to be positioned at corners of the two or more containers; one or more elongated components configured to be positioned between sides of the two or more containers; one or more side supporting components positioned at the sides of the two or more containers; wherein at least one of the one or more elongated component is formed with a socket configured to accommodate an extension of at least one of the one or more side supporting components such that the at least one elongated component and the at least one side supporting component are securely connected.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more corner components include a two-end corner component.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more corner components include a three-end corner component.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more corner components include a four-end corner component.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more elongated components include a center cover and a side cover.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the side cover includes first connecting members, wherein the center cover incudes second connecting members, and wherein the center cover and the side cover are connected by the first and second connecting members.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first and second connecting members are positioned interposingly.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the side cover includes a protrusion, wherein the center cover is formed with a recess, and wherein the center cover and the side cover are connected by positioning the protrusion in the recess.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the recess if formed by a bottom partition and a side partition of the center cover.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more side supporting components includes an insert configured to be positioned in a recess of the two or more containers.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more side supporting components includes a fluid retaining component.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more corner components includes a center element and at least two external elements.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more elongated components includes a center cover and a side cover, and wherein the center cover and the side cover are integrally formed.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the extension of at least one of the one or more side supporting components includes a rounded extension.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the socket includes a rounded socket.

16. A combined container system, comprising: two or more containers; a cover system configured to connect and cover the two or more containers, wherein the cover system comprises: a corner component configured to be positioned at a corner of the two or more containers; an elongated components configured to be positioned between sides of the two or more containers; a side supporting component positioned at one of the sides of the two or more containers; wherein the elongated component is formed with a socket configured to accommodate an extension of the side supporting component such that the elongated component and the side supporting component are securely connected.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more elongated components include a center cover and a side cover.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the side cover includes first connecting members, wherein the center cover incudes second connecting members, wherein the center cover and the side cover are connected by the first and second connecting members, and wherein the first and second connecting members are positioned interposingly.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the side cover includes a protrusion, wherein the center cover is formed with a recess, and wherein the center cover and the side cover are connected by positioning the protrusion in the recess.

20. A method, comprising: positioning an elongated component between sides of two or more containers; securing the elongated component to the two or more containers by inserting an extension of a side supporting component positioned on one of the sides of the two or more containers to a socket of the elongated component; positioning a first corner component at a first end of the elongated component; and positioning a second corner component at a second end of the elongated component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] To describe the technical solutions in the implementations of the present disclosure more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show merely some aspects or implementations of the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an isometric, schematic view of a cover system in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side, schematic view of an elongated component in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an isometric, schematic view of the cover system showing corner components in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 is an isometric, schematic view of an elongated component of the cover system in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is an isometric, schematic view of a container (which is assembled as a trailer) in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a block diagram a computing device that can be used to implement the methods disclosed herein in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a side, schematic view of an elongated component in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 9 is an isometric, schematic view of an elongated component of the cover system in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] To describe the technical solutions in the implementations of the present disclosure more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show merely some aspects or implementations of the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

[0022] FIG. 1 is an isometric, schematic view of a cover system 100 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiments, the cover system 100 connects and cover four containers, C1-C4. In some embodiments, the cover system 100 can connect and over other number of containers or other suitable structures.

[0023] The cover system 100 includes multiple corner components configured to be positioned at corners of the containers to be connected. In the illustrated embodiments, these corner components include a four-end corner component 101, four three-end corner component 103, and four two-end corner component 105.

[0024] The cover system 100 includes multiple elongated components 102 positioned among the corner components 101, 103, and 105. In some embodiments, The elongated component 102 is configured to be positioned between sides of two containers to be connected. The four-end corner component 101 is configured to connect four corresponding elongated components 102. The three-end corner component 103 is configured to connect three corresponding elongated components 102. The two-end corner component 105 is configured to connect two corresponding elongated components 102.

[0025] By the foregoing arrangement, the cover system 100 can effectively over and secure the container C1-C4. The cover system 100 can also prevent water penetration/leakage from the top of the container in some weather conditions (rain, snow, hail, etc.). The cover system 100 can also improve the heat insulation capacity of the containers C1-C1 because the cover system 100 provides space between the inside and the outside of the containers C1-C4.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a side-sectional, schematic view of an elongated component 102 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. The elongated component 102 includes a center cover 201 and two side covers 203 (shown as 203A and 203B in FIG. 2). The center cover 201 and the side covers 203 can be modular elements that can be conveniently assembled and disassembled. In some embodiments, the center cover 201 and the side covers 203 can be integrally formed.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiments in FIG. 2, the center cover 201 and the side covers 203 are connected by first connecting members 2031 of the side covers 203 and multiple second connecting members 2011 of the center cover 201 (e.g., the first and second connecting members 2031, 2011 are positioned interposingly). In addition, the center cover 201 is formed with a recess 2013 to accommodate a protrusion 2033 of the side cover 203. By the foregoing configuration, the center cover 201 and the side covers 203 can be securely attached. Details of the center cover 201 and the side covers 203 are also discussed in FIG. 4.

[0028] As also shown in FIG. 2, the elongated component 102 is formed with multiple partitions P. In the illustrated embodiments, the center cover 201 is formed with partitions P4-P5. The side cover 203A includes partitions P1-P3, and the side cover 203B includes partitions P7-P9. As also shown, partitions P4-P6 have a triangular shape. Partition P5 (at the bottom of the center cover 201) and partition P6 (at one side of the center cover 201) together form the recess 2013. As also shown, partitions P7 and P8 are located below the first connecting members 2031 and (at least partially) above the protrusion 2033.

[0029] In other embodiments, the center cover 201 can be formed with other numbers of partitions. The partitions P1-P9 provide structural rigidity and insulation capacity for the center cover 201. Without wishing to be bound by theory, having partitions P1-P9 with varied sizes/dimensions provides effective structural support for the center cover 201.

[0030] The cover system can include side supporting components 205 positioned at a side of a container and configured to engage with and support the elongated component 102. In the illustrated embodiments of FIG. 2, two side supporting components 205A, 205B are shown. As shown, for example, the side supporting component 205A can include an insert 2051 configured to be positioned in a recess RR of a container CC, such that the side supporting component 205A can be securely connected to the container CC.

[0031] The side supporting component 205A also includes an extension 2053 (e.g., a rounded extension) configured to be positioned in a socket 2035 of the side cover 203A of the elongated component 102. In some embodiments, the extension 2053 and the socket 2035 can be in different shapes. As shown, the side supporting component 205B and the side cover 203B can have the same arrangement. In some embodiments, the side supporting components 205A, 205B do not need to be in the same shape. Similarly, the side covers 203A, 203B do not need to be in the same shape, either. By this arrangement, the elongated component and the corresponding side supporting component together form a water-leakage-proof structure that can effectively connect two containers.

[0032] As also shown in FIG. 2, the side supporting component 205A can also have a fluid retaining component 2055 configured to keep overflow fluid in case there is any fluid leakage from a damaged elongated component 102. By this configuration, even when there is a damaged or broken elongated component 102, the inside of the container can be kept dry.

[0033] FIG. 3 is an isometric, schematic view of a cover system 300 showing corner components in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 also illustrates a method for assembling the cover system 300. The system includes an elongated component 302, a four-end corner component 301, and a three-end corner component 303. The elongated component 302 can be first positioned between two containers C1, C2. Corresponding side supporting components (not visible in FIG. 3) located on the sides of the containers C1, C2 engage and then secure the elongated component 302. Then the four-end corner component 301 and the three-end corner component 303 can be positioned on the sides of the elongated component 302, respectively.

[0034] FIG. 4 is an isometric, schematic view of an elongated component 402 of a cover system in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. The elongated component 402 includes a center cover 401 and two side covers 403A, 403B on both sides. As shown, the center cover 401 and the side covers 403A, 403B can be connected by first connecting members 4031 of the side covers 403 and multiple second connecting members 4011 of the center cover 401. The center cover 401 can be formed with a recess 4013 to accommodate a protrusion 4033 of the side cover 403. By the foregoing configuration, the center cover 401 and the side covers 403 can be securely attached.

[0035] FIG. 5 is an isometric, schematic view of a container that has been assembled as a trailer 500 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. The trailer 500 includes a deflector module 501. The deflector module 501 is configured to improve aerodynamic characteristics of the trailer 500. The deflector module 401 is engineered to a specific shape such that it can enhance aerodynamic performance of the trailer 500 as a whole.

[0036] In some embodiments, the deflector module 501 is also configured to accommodate other components of the trailer 500. For example, a towing bar assembly 507 can be folded (in direction X) and a portion of the towing bar assembly 507 can be stored inside the deflector module 501 when the towing bar assembly 507 is folded.

[0037] Once the deflector module 501 and the towing bar assembly 507 are removed from the trailer 500, the trailer can be connected with other trailer or containers by the present cover system 100.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for covering two or more containers in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. The method 600 includes, at block 601, positioning an elongated component between sides of two or more containers. At block 603, the method 600 continues by securing the elongated component to the two or more containers by inserting an extension of a side supporting component positioned on one of the sides of the two or more containers to a socket of the elongated component.

[0039] At block 605, the method 600 continues by positioning a first corner component at a first end of the elongated component. At block 607, the method 600 continues by positioning a second corner component at a second end of the elongated component.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a computing device 700 (e.g., which can implement the methods discussed herein) in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. As shown, the computing device 700 includes a processing unit 710 (e.g., a DSP, a CPU, a GPU, etc.) and a memory 720. The processing unit 710 can be configured to implement instructions that correspond to the methods discussed herein and/or other aspects of the implementations described above. It should be understood that the processor 710 in the implementations of this technology may be an integrated circuit chip and has a signal processing capability. During implementation, the steps in the foregoing method may be implemented by using an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor 710 or an instruction in the form of software. The processor 710 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, and a discrete hardware component. The methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the implementations of this technology may be implemented or performed. The general-purpose processor 710 may be a microprocessor, or the processor 710 may be alternatively any conventional processor or the like. The steps in the methods disclosed with reference to the implementations of this technology may be directly performed or completed by a decoding processor implemented as hardware or performed or completed by using a combination of hardware and software modules in a decoding processor. The software module may be located at a random-access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, or another mature storage medium in this field. The storage medium is located at a memory 720, and the processor 710 reads information in the memory 720 and completes the steps in the foregoing methods in combination with the hardware thereof.

[0041] It may be understood that the memory 720 in the implementations of this technology may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random-access memory (RAM) and is used as an external cache. For exemplary rather than limitative description, many forms of RAMs can be used, and are, for example, a static random-access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), a synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory (DDR SDRAM), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random-access memory (ESDRAM), a synchronous link dynamic random-access memory (SLDRAM), and a direct Rambus random-access memory (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memories in the systems and methods described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these memories and memories of any other suitable type. In some embodiments, the memory may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions capable of execution by a processor.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a side, schematic view of an elongated component 802 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. The elongated component 802 includes a center cover 801 and two side covers 803 (shown as 803A and 803B in FIG. 8). The center cover 801 and the side covers 803 can be modular elements that can be conveniently assembled and disassembled. In some embodiments, the center cover 801 and the side covers 803 can be integrally formed.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiments in FIG. 8, the center cover 801 and the side covers 803 are connected by first connecting members 8031 of the side covers 803 and multiple second connecting members 8011 of the center cover 801 (e.g., the first and second connecting members 8031, 8011 are positioned interposingly). In addition, the center cover 801 is formed with a protrusion 8013 configured to connect with (e.g., being clipped on) the side cover 803. By the foregoing configuration, the center cover 801 and the side covers 803 can be securely attached. Details of the center cover 801 and the side covers 803 are also discussed in FIG. 9.

[0044] As also shown in FIG. 8, the elongated component 802 is formed with multiple partitions P. In the illustrated embodiments, the center cover 801 is formed with partitions Pa-Pb. The side cover 803A includes partitions Pc, Pd, and Pe, and the side cover 203B includes partitions Pf, Pg, and Ph. As also shown, partitions Pa-Ph have a triangular shape. In other embodiments, the center cover 801 can be formed with other numbers of partitions. The partitions Pa-Ph provide structural rigidity and insulation capacity for the elongated component 802. Without wishing to be bound by theory, having partitions Pa-Ph with varied sizes/dimensions provides effective structural support for the elongated component 802.

[0045] The cover system can include side supporting components 805 positioned at a side of a container and configured to engage with and support the elongated component 802. In the illustrated embodiments of FIG. 8, two side supporting components 805A, 805B are shown. As shown, for example, the side supporting component 805A can include an insert 8051 configured to be positioned in a recess RR of a container CC, such that the side supporting component 805A can be securely connected to the container CC.

[0046] The side supporting component 805A also includes an extension 8053 (e.g., a rounded extension) configured to be positioned in a socket 8035 of the side cover 803A of the elongated component 802. In some embodiments, the extension 8053 and the socket 8035 can be in different shapes. As shown, the side supporting component 805B and the side cover 803B can have the same arrangement. In some embodiments, the side supporting components 805A, 805B do not need to be in the same shape. Similarly, the side covers 803A, 803B do not need to be in the same shape, either. By this arrangement, the elongated component 802 and the corresponding side supporting component 805 together form a water-leakage-proof structure that can effectively connect two containers.

[0047] As also shown in FIG. 8, the side supporting component 805A can also have a fluid retaining component 8055 configured to keep overflow fluid in case there is any fluid leakage from a damaged elongated component 802. By this configuration, even when there is a damaged or broken elongated component 802, the inside of the container can be kept dry.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiments of FIG. 8, the side supporting component 805 can include a corrugated surface 8057 configured to be in contact with the container CC. In some embodiments, glue or sealant can be applied between an upper surface US of the container CC and the corrugated surface 8057, such that the side supporting component 805 can be securely to the container CC with a water-tight connection. In some embodiment, the corrugated surface 8057 can provide a rough surface that can be tightly in contact with the container CC.

[0049] FIG. 9 is an isometric, schematic view of an elongated component 902 of the cover system in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. The elongated component 902 includes a center cover 901 and two side covers 903A, 903B on both sides. As shown, two side supporting components 905A, 905 can be positioned on a first container CC1 and a second container CC2, respectively. By this arrangement, the first container CC1 and the second container CC2 can be tightly connected by the elongated component 902.

[0050] As also shown in FIG. 9, additional side supporting components 905C, 905D can be positioned on edges of the containers CC1, CC2, respectively. These additional side supporting components 905C, 905D enable the containers CC1, CC2 to be tightly connected with other containers in similar fashion with additional elongated components. By this configuration, the present cover system enables tightly connection of multiple containers for various uses, such as portable, modularized residential units, working sites, storage spaces, etc.

Additional Considerations

[0051] The above Detailed Description of examples of the disclosed technology is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed technology to the precise form disclosed above. While specific examples for the disclosed technology are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the described technology, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative implementations may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative implementations or sub-combinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed or implemented in parallel, or may be performed at various times. Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples; alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges.

[0052] In the Detailed Description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the presently described technology. In other implementations, the techniques introduced here can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features, such as specific functions or routines, are not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. References in this description to an implementation/embodiment, one implementation/embodiment, or the like mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic being described is included in at least one implementation of the described technology. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same implementation/embodiment. On the other hand, such references are not necessarily mutually exclusive either. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more implementations/embodiments. It is to be understood that the various implementations shown in the figures are merely illustrative representations and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0053] Several details describing structures or processes that are well-known and often associated with communications systems and subsystems, but that can unnecessarily obscure some significant aspects of the disclosed techniques, are not set forth herein for purposes of clarity. Moreover, although the following disclosure sets forth several implementations of different aspects of the present disclosure, several other implementations can have different configurations or different components than those described in this section. Accordingly, the disclosed techniques can have other implementations with additional elements or without several of the elements described below.

[0054] Many implementations or aspects of the technology described herein can take the form of computer- or processor-executable instructions, including routines executed by a programmable computer or processor. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the described techniques can be practiced on computer or processor systems other than those shown and described below. The techniques described herein can be implemented in a special-purpose computer or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured, or constructed to execute one or more of the computer-executable instructions described below. Accordingly, the terms computer and processor as generally used herein refer to any data processor. Information handled by these computers and processors can be presented at any suitable display medium. Instructions for executing computer- or processor-executable tasks can be stored in or on any suitable computer-readable medium, including hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and firmware. Instructions can be contained in any suitable memory device, including, for example, a flash drive and/or other suitable medium.

[0055] The term and/or in this specification is only an association relationship for describing the associated objects, and indicates that three relationships may exist, for example, A and/or B may indicate the following three cases: A exists separately, both A and B exist, and B exists separately.

[0056] These and other changes can be made to the disclosed technology in light of the above Detailed Description. While the Detailed Description describes certain examples of the disclosed technology, as well as the best mode contemplated, the disclosed technology can be practiced in many ways, no matter how detailed the above description appears in text. Details of the system may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while still being encompassed by the technology disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosed technology should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the disclosed technology with which that terminology is associated. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosed technology to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms.

[0057] A person of ordinary skill in the art may be aware that, in combination with the examples described in the implementations disclosed in this specification, units and algorithm steps may be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or software depends on particular applications and design constraint conditions of the technical solutions. A person skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but it should not be considered that the implementation goes beyond the scope of this application.

[0058] Although certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the applicant contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to pursue additional claims after filing this application to pursue such additional claim forms, in either this application or in a continuing application.