FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a reusable carrying case for a payload- carryiiig projectile such as a mortar round and a shipping assembly for two or more of such carrying cases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 depicts the state of the art whereby mortar shells are individually wrapped in cardboard and stored in pairs in metallic shipping containers. The containers are heavy and unwieldy. The cardboard packaging material is discarded after use which is both wasteful and not environmentally friendly, as the material is usually discarded on the battle field or training areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a container for projectiles, including: a cylindrical housing; a bottom bumper mechanically coupled to a first end of the housing; and a cap reversibly coupled to a second end of the housing.

According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below the first end is a closed end when the bottom bumper forms a watertight seal with the housing.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the cap forms a watertight seal with the second end, when secured in place. According to further features the bumper includes an internal member configured to receive one of a tail end or nose end of the projectile. According to further features a tail end or nose end of the projectile protrudes out of the second end which is an open end of the container.

According to further features the container is formed of a hardened polymer. According to further features the container is a reusable container. According to further features the cap is operationally coupled to the housing via a flexible member.

According to another embodiment there is provided a shipping apparatus, includes: two collars, each collar having internal surfaces defining at least two circular apertures and external surfaces defining two parallel edges and two edges perpendicular to the parallel edges, the perpendicular edges being relatively shorter than the parallel edges; and at least two connector pieces operationally coupling the collars in parallel orientation to each other. According to further features the collars are spaced apart from each other and configured to secure a cylindrical container inserted through one of the circular apertures of a first collar and one of the circular apertures of a second collar of the two collars.

According to further features the first collar is located proximal to a first end of the container and the second collar is located proximal to a second end of the container. According to further features the collars are further configured to secure a second cylindrical container inserted through a second aperture of the circular apertures of the first collar and a second aperture of the circular apertures of the second collar of the two collars.

According to further features the apparatus further includes a securing means for reversibly securing the container in the collars. According to further features the securing means includes an adjustable means for reducing a size of the aperture so as to secure the container therein.

According to further features the each of the collars includes internal surfaces defining three circular apertures.

According to another embodiment there is provided a shipping apparatus, including: two collars, each collar having internal surfaces defining three circular apertures and external surfaces defining two parallel edges and two edges perpendicular to the parallel edges, the perpendicular edges being relatively shorter than the parallel edges: and at least two connector pieces operationally coupling the collars together in parallel orientation, the collars being spaced apart from each other and configured to secure cylindrical containers inserted through respective, parallel apertures of each of the collars.

The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the presently known configurations by providing a shipping system that consists of two components: (1) a reusable mortar shell container; and (2) a shipping assembly for holding two or more shell containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial depiction of the prior art storage/shipping system; FIG. 2A-B are diagrams of two units of the immediate reusable containers arranged in the shipping assembly;

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a shipping apparatus of the present invention with one container secured in place inside the shipping apparatus and one container removed from the shipping apparatus;

FIG. 3 A-C are back, side and top views of an exemplary assembly of the immediate shipping apparatus and containers;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of an top end of container 100, including cap 104;

FIG. 4A is a partially vanished view of Figure 4;

FIG. 5A is a diagram of a plurality of shipping assemblies 200 arranged vertically on shipping pallets;

FIG. 5B is a diagram of a plurality of shipping assemblies arranged horizontally on shipping pallets;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a second exemplary shipping assembly 600 which holds three reusable mortar shell containers;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a plurality of shipping assemblies 600 of FIG. 6 stacked in a horizontal orientation for shipping;

FIG. 8 is a photo-log of a first drop test;

FIG. 9 is a photo-log of a second drop test.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles and operation of a mortar shell shipping system according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 2A is a diagram of two reusable containers 100, 100' for mortar shells 10 (or other projectiles) arranged in a shipping assembly 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2B illustrates the shipping apparatus 200 of FIG. 2A where the left hand container 100' is depicted with the tube body of the container vanished to show the inner dimensions of the unit. An exemplary mortar shell 10 is visible within the container 100\ Shells (projectiles / bombshells, mortars) usually have a casing 14 the shape of a cylinder and are generally topped by an ogive-shaped nose 12 for good aerodynamic performance, possibly with a tapering base 16 (boat-tail / fins). CONTAINER

In preferred embodiments, the mortar shell container 100, 100 ^' (hereafter title terms "mortar shell container", "shell container", "container", "case", "projectile case" and variations thereof are used interchangeably) is made of a molded, hardened polymer (e.g. polyethylene) and comprises three pieces: a cylindrical body 102, a bottom bumper 106 and cap 104. Left hand container 100' and right hand container 100 are exactly the same. For the purposes of describing the figures and

differentiating between the left and right hand containers, all reference numbers of the left hand container include a " ^x " character. It is clear that all details provided for one container apply equally to the other container.

Of course, as opposed to being molded, the cylinder and/or the cap may be extruded, or formed in some other manner of manufacture. In preferred embodiments, cap 104 forms a watertight seal with the cylindrical housing 102. In other

embodiments, the reusable containers are formed from other materials including, but not limited to wood, cardboard, alloys etc.

The bumper 106 is positioned at the bottom of the cylindrical body 102. In preferred embodiments, bumper 106' includes an end cap 1060' and a cylindrical member 1062\ End cap 1060 ^* is set flush against the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder 102\ Cylindrical member 1062 ^* has a diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of the cylindrical body and the member is disposed within the bottom end (also referred to as the closed end) of the tubular housing I02\ In some embodiments, the cylindrical member 1062' includes an aperture 1064' that is adapted to receive nose 12 of the mortar 10, as depicted in FIG. 2B. The walls of the cylindrical member 1062" are vanished in the Figure in order to make aperture 1064' visible.

Preferably the bottom bumper 106 forms a watertight seal at the bottom end of the housing. In preferred embodiments, the bumper is welded or glued to the bottom end of the cylindrical body 102 to form a watertight, permanent seal. In other embodiments, the bumper is formed together with the cylindrical container portion during manufacture, so that the tubular body 102 and bottom bumper 106 are formed as a single piece. In some embodiments the bumper is configured to receive the tail of the mortar.

In one preferred embodiment, cap 104 has a cylindrical inner volume with a diameter greater than the diameter of the cylindrical body. The cap fits over the open top portion of the cylindrical container. Preferably, the tail or tail fin 16 of the mortar extends out of the open end of the container and the cap covers over the exposed section and forms a watertight seal with the cylindrical body. Allowing the tail of the shell to protrude from the container (when the cap is removed) facilitates easy removal of the shell from the container - even when the container is still fitted in the shipping assembly and even when that shipping assembly is stacked among a number of shipping assemblies on a shipping pallet. As mentioned above, in an alternative arrangement, the mortar may be inserted so that the pointed mortar head (or 'nose') extends out of the cylindrical body and the tail is cushioned by the bumper. The bumper may include any type cushioning material (e.g. plastic, foam, cardboard, rubber, etc.) or may be molded in such a manner so as to receive, cushion and/or protect the nose or tail of the mortar shell, stored in the tubular housing 102.

In preferred embodiments, the cap or lid 104 forms a watertight seal when covering the open end of the container. For example, the cap may include a rubber gasket 1040' (visible on the tail buffer piece in FIG 2B) that forms a watertight seal when the cap is closed over the open end of the cylinder. Preferably, the watertight seal meets the watertight standard ΪΡ68.

In preferred embodiments, the cap is adapted to remain in place even when subjected to various shipping, stacking and storage conditions, as defined by the industry standards. Some of the industry standards are enumerated in the Internationa] Test and Operations Procedures (I-TOP) manuals. In preferred embodiments, the cap is adapted to remain fixed on the container without additional locking or securing mechanisms. In other embodiments, a fastening arrangement secures the cap to the cylinder.

Figure 4 illustrates the top end of container 100, including cap 104. Figure 4A is a partially vanished view of Figure 4. The partially vanished view shows cap 104 of container 100 with the walls of the cap made transparent. An exemplary embodiment of a fastening arrangement is visible in figure 4A. The cap arrangement consists of channels 1042 on the outer surface of the cylinder and pins 1044 on the inner surface of the cap which allow the cap to be quickly closed over the cylinder with a watertight seal (the arrangement may be reversed in other embodiments). The cap is preferably coupled to the body by a flexible member 1046 such as a string, wire, plastic strap and the like. It is made clear that while the embodiments discussed herein refer to a container with a cylindrical body, the shape of the container is not limited to cylinder but may encompass any elongated shape that includes sufficient dimensions and necessary protrusions, formations etc. within the internal volume of the container in order to receive and safely hold a mortar shell.

Alternative shapes may include a rectangular shape with a square cross- section, an elongated member with a hexagonal cross-section that is ideal for stacking (like the internal structure of a beehive), an elongated member with a triangular cross- section (like a Toblerone™ chocolate bar) which also has some stacking advantages and similar elongated members with polygonal cross-sections. Exemplarily, the elongated shape with a triangular cross-section may have an additional advantage of having three areas of contact with the projectile stored in the container.

Furthermore, while the present disclosure specifically discusses a container for housing (storing and shipping) mortar rounds, it is made clear that the present invention is not limited to storage containers and shipping arrangements for mortar shells, rather the scope of the invention is intended to includes all types of payload- carrying projectiles ("shells") and similar armament that have the same general dimensions and can be stored and shipped in a similar fashion thereto. Therefore, any reference made to mortar shells below is intended to be exemplary in nature, and not limiting in any way.

SH IPPING APPARATUS

Figure 2C illustrates a perspective view of a shipping apparatus 200 of the present invention with one container (e.g. container 100') of the present invention secured in place inside the shipping assembly / apparatus and one container (e.g. container 100) removed from the second compartment of the shipping apparatus 200.

The presently disclosed shipping assembly 200 houses (in an exemplary embodiment) two containers 100, 100' each holding a single mortar shell 10 (or other projectile). Innovatively, however, unlike the prior art shipping arrangements/containers, here, each mortar shell 10 is housed in a sturdy, reusable container 100, 100' that can be individually removed from the shipping assembly / apparatus 200, as depicted in the figure. The present shipping assembly is stackable in various configurations (see below) for transport (e.g. for rearming infantry vehicles in the field). Innovatively, there are armored fighting vehicles (AFV) that are equipped with mortar launchers. Some of these AVFs have storage facilities designed to hold the presently disclosed motor container 100, 100\ Therefore, in order to rearm/restock an AVF of this type, the operators simple remove each container from the assembly (e.g. which is still located in the shipping stack) and insert the container into the storage area in the AVF. The empty shipping apparatuses (which may still be stacked) are then returned to the arms depot for refilling.

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate various views of a schematic diagram of the shipping assembly and containers. Figure 3 A is a back view of two exemplary mortar containers 100, 100' secured in a shipping assembly or apparatus 200, according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3B is a side or profile view of the shipping assembly. Figure 3C is a top view of the same. The specified measurements, while being exact, are merely exemplary, and not intended to be limiting in any way.

Referring to Figures 2A-C and 3A-C, the shipping assembly 200 for two mortar shell containers comprises two collars 202T, 202B, a securing means (e.g. wing-nut 206) and left- and right-hand connectors 208. The diagrams of Figures 3A, 3B and 3C do not include visible connectors. One collar 202 (top collar) is situated near the open ends of the containers and the other collar 202B(bottom collar) is positioned near the bottom ends of the containers. It is made clear that the depicted arrangement of the shipping apparatus/assembly is merely exemplary and that different elements and components may be substituted for the depicted and detailed elements that will be discussed presently. The exact configuration and materials depicted in the displayed embodiment of the apparatus are the result of both a design choice as well as a selection based on function. Modifications and variations to the collars are therefore within the scope of the present invention.

As with the explanation of the left and right hand containers, the top and bottom collars are also identical. For increased clarity the top collar is referenced 202T and the bottom collar is referenced 202B. The terms "top" and "bottom" are not intended to limit the components in any manner, but merely refers to one intended orientation of the devices. Therefore, even when the devices are disposed horizontally (lying on the side) the terms refer equally to the depicted parts. To make issues more clear, the top side of the container is the open end of the container where the cap is fitted. The top side of the shipping assembly is the side closest or proximal to the open end of the container. All details and explanations given for one of the collars apply equally to the other collar and vice versa. In preferred embodiments, each collar 202 (e.g. collar 202T and collar 202B) has at least two internal surfaces 212 that define at least two circular apertures 2120,, (visible at FIGS. 2B and 2C) and external surfaces 210 that define two parallel edges and two edges perpendicular to those parallel edges. In preferred embodiments, the parallel edges are longer than the perpendicular edges (i.e. forming a rectangle). In FIG. 3A a back edge 2100 of collar 202 is visible, in FIG. 3B a right side edge 2104 of collar 202 is visible. In FIG. 3C a front edge 2102 and a left side edge 2106 are additionally visible.

The collars are held in parallel orientations and spaced apart from each other by connector pieces. The collars are configured to hold (and secure) two cylindrical containers 100, 100 ^Λ in the collars. One container is held inside one aperture of one collar and one aperture of the other collar (each on the same side of the shipping assembly). To that end, one of the collars is located proximal to the open end of the container and the other collar is located proximal to the closed end of the container. In some embodiments the shipping apparatus further includes a securing means for reversibly securing the containers in the collars. For example, the securing means may be a fastener that comprises a bolt and wing-nut arrangement. Tightening of the wing- nut fastens the shells in place. When the wing nut is loosened, the containers can be removed. However, a fastener is merely one exemplary securing means. Other means may include a screw top arrangement, a snap-on arrangement, a pressure-based fastening arrangement, a flange mount arrangement or any other applicable manner of securing the container 100 inside the shipping apparatus 200.

In one embodiment, each collar is made from a single piece of material (e.g. hardened plastic etc.) which has a rectangular shape and two circular apertures 2120 within the rectangular piece. In another embodiment, each collar is made of two facing pieces that include two half-moon shapes. The pieces are arranged so as to enclose two shell containers. A fastener (e.g. a bolt and wing-nut arrangement 206) is located between the circular areas 2120 defined by the facing double-half-moon pieces, which are adapted to receive two shell containers. The facing pieces are tightened together (or spaced away from each other) by the fasteners. In preferred embodiments, the connector pieces holding the collars in position are sidings 208. Exemplarily, the sidings are made from sheet metal. The sidings together with the collars define a rectangular shaped shipping arrangement having wide back and front sides and relatively narrow left and right sides. The metal sidings depicted in the figures include side panels 208 that fully cover the left and right sides of the [generally rectangular] shipping arrangement. The side panels extend between the two collars, and include [four] lips 2080 that extend over the front and back planes of the shipping assembly 200. The lips form a 90 degree angle with the side panels. A plurality of shipping arrangements can be stacked back to front, side to side or both.

In another exemplary configuration (not shown) the shipping assembly for two mortar shell containers comprises two collars, fasteners and connector rods. One collar is situated near the front ends of the containers and the other is positioned near the bottom / closed ends. In preferred embodiments, the connector rods are metal rods. The connector rods together with the collars define a rectangular shaped shipping arrangement having a wide back and front and relatively narrow sides. The connector rods are disposed on the narrow sides of the generally rectangular shape, e.g. two connector rods on each side of the shipping arrangement. A plurality of shipping arrangements can be stacked back to front, side to side or both. When stacking, the flat surfaces of the collars are aligned so that each assembly rests on the collars of the assembly below it.

Figure SA depicts a plurality of shipping assemblies 200 arranged vertically on shipping pallets. The shipping assemblies 200 are arranged side-by-side in vertical orientation and may be bound with metal bands for shipping en masse. Pallets can be stacked on the tops 104 of the shell containers 100. Exemplarily the shipping assemblies are arranged with four assemblies side by side and five assemblies deep (i.e. stacked front to back). According to the vertical arrangement, one pallet can be placed in the field and individual mortars can be removed straight from the pallet.

Figure 5B depicts a plurality of shipping assemblies arranged horizontally on shipping pallets. Exemplarily, the shipping assemblies are laid horizontally and stacked front to back (e.g. 5 shipping assemblies per column). Three shipping apparatuses are arranged side-by-side and stacked five rows high on each pallet A mirror arrangement is stacked (closed ends to closed ends) on the same pallet. According to the horizontal arrangement, the caps all face outwards such that the mortar shells can be removed for use (e.g. on the battle field) straight from the shipping pallet. Figure 6 is a diagram of a second exemplary shipping assembly 600 which holds three reusable mortar shell containers 100. The present configuration is similar to the two-container assembly 200, differing in that it simply contains three container instead of two. The rest of the components in assembly 600 are similar to the corresponding components in assembly 200 mutatis mutandis.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a plurality of shipping assemblies

600 of FIG. 6 stacked in a horizontal orientation for shipping or storage. Eight shipping assemblies 600 are stacked on top of each other, front to back.

Figure 8 depicts a photo-log of a first drop test. The shipping assembly is loaded with a dummy weight similar to the weight of a mortar shell. The assembly is held in a vertical orientation and dropped from an 11.5 meter height, onto a concrete base. The dummy weight did not fall out of the container. The shipping assembly did not break apart. The containers and assembly supports were slightly dented and deformed. One of the caps came off.

Figure 9 depicts a photo-log of a second drop test. The shipping assembly is loaded with a dummy weight similar to the weight of a mortar shell. The assembly is held in a horizontal orientation and dropped from a height of 11.5 meters, onto a concrete base. The dummy weight did not fall out of the container. The shipping assembly did not break apart. The containers and assembly supports were slightly dented and deformed. One of the caps came off.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. Therefore, the claimed invention as recited in the claims that follow is not limited to the embodiments described herein.