FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of freight containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a freight container comprising a fastening arrangement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, the amount of temperature sensitive goods being transported has increased considerably. Temperature sensitive goods, such as food, drugs and electronic equipment, imply specific requirements on the surrounding environment during transportation or storage. In particular, many pharmaceutical companies are today using air transportation to ship temperature-sensitive medicals. The shipments are often governed under regulatory demands and stipulate control of the temperature during the entire shipment.

In order to provide a reliable and efficient handing and transportation of the goods, demands are put on the freight containers which transport the goods. One of these demands is the reliability of construction of the freight container. As a consequence, more sturdy and secure containers have been developed to be able to ensure the care of the goods. During handling and/or transportation of freight containers, or even during loading, de-loading and / or inspection of goods, there is a risk of the freight containers being damaged. A damaged freight container may have to be replaced or repaired to provide a reliable transportation of the goods. Consequently, a freight container replacement or repair of this kind may imply additional costs and/or a delay of the transport.

There is therefore a general need for an easier, quicker and less costly way to restore a freight container, in case of damage, to a state in which it can reliably and safely transport goods. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to mitigate one or more of the above problems by providing a freight container which may protect the goods being transported, while at the same time being easily as well as cost- and time-efficiently repaired in case the freight container is subjected to damage. This and other objects are achieved by providing a freight container and a method having the features in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Hence, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a freight container comprising a cargo compartment being defined by a floor, a ceiling and walls. The freight container further comprises a base arranged at least partially under the cargo compartment. The base is removably attached to the cargo compartment by a fastening arrangement comprising at least one fastening element. A first portion of the at least one fastening element is configured to engage with the base, and a second portion of the at least one fastening element is configured to be attached to at least one of the walls.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for partially disassembling, and assembling, respectively, a freight container comprising a cargo compartment defined by a floor, a ceiling and walls. The freight container further comprises a base arranged at least partially under the cargo compartment. The method comprises the step of providing a fastening arrangement comprising at least one fastening element. The method further comprises the step of removably attaching the base to the cargo compartment by engaging a first portion of the at least one fastening element with the base and attaching a second portion of the at least one fastening element to at least one of the walls.

Thus, the first and second aspects of the present invention are based on the idea of providing a freight container with a base that is removably attached to the freight container. Due to the fact that the freight containers may be damaged during handling and / or transportation thereof, or even during loading, de-loading and/or inspection of goods, there is a risk of the base of the freight containers being damaged. By the innovative concept of the base being removably attached to the cargo compartment via a fastening arrangement configured to engage with the base and the wall, the base may be replaced in a cost- and / or time-efficient manner such that the freight container may be functionally restored.

The present invention is advantageous in that the time-efficient restoration of the freight container in case of damage to its base minimizes any negative effects on goods arranged to be transported in the freight container. More specifically, compared to a situation where goods would have to be removed from a damaged freight container and loaded into another freight container, the present invention provides a convenient and time-efficient replacement of the base, such that the same freight container may be used. Consequently, it will be appreciated that due to the base being removably attached to the cargo compartment, the freight container can be conveniently repaired without unnecessary disturbance of the environment of the transported goods, in a quicker and more cost-efficient manner. Hence, the possibilities to keep the goods intact and/or to keep the goods at a desired (cool) temperature are increased by the removably attached base of the freight container of the present invention.

As the freight containers may be efficiently restored in case of damage to the base, the present invention is further advantageous regarding the logistics of the freight containers. For example, instead of being obliged to store one or more freight containers and to provide one or more of these in case of replacement of one or more damaged freight containers, the present invention facilitates the logistics by the replacement of the base of the damaged freight container.

The freight container comprises a cargo compartment which is defined by a floor, a ceiling and walls. Hence, the floor, ceiling and walls define the cargo compartment, which may be formed as a cube or a rectangular cuboid (parallelepiped) . The cargo compartment is hereby configured to encapsulate a space in which goods can be stored during transport. The goods may be sensitive goods, especially temperature sensitive goods. For example, the goods may be food, drugs, electronics and / or other products that may deteriorate or get damaged when the surrounding temperature is too low or too high.

The freight container further comprises a base arranged at least partially under the cargo compartment. The base of the freight container is removably attached to the cargo compartment by a fastening arrangement comprising at least one fastening element, wherein a first portion of the at least one fastening element is configured to engage with the base, and a second portion of the at least one fastening element is configured to be attached to at least one of the walls. By the term “fastening element” it is here meant substantially any element or object that may be attached or engage with the base and the wall(s) of the cargo compartment, in such a manner that the base is allowed to be attached to the cargo compartment. It is to be understood that the at least one fastening element may comprise multiple fastening elements, wherein every individual fastening element is configured to engage with the base in one or multiple locations. Furthermore, every individual fastening element of the at least one fastening element may be attached to one or more of the walls.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one fastening element of the freight container may be L-formed. By the term “Informed”, it is here meant that the fastening element comprises a form or a profile that has at least two portions which are arranged (at least substantially) perpendicular to each other. For example, the at least one fastening element of the freight container may be L-formed wherein the first portion, configured to engage with the base, and the second portion, configured to be attached to at least one of the walls, are arranged perpendicular to each other. This is advantageous in that the attaching of the base to the cargo compartment only requires that the at least one fastening element engages the base, without the use of further components, while still attaching the base to the cargo compartment. Furthermore, this embodiment is advantageous in that relatively few components are needed for attaching the base to the cargo compartment. Furthermore, the attachment/ detachment operation of the base to/ from the cargo compartment may be performed in a convenient manner.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fastening arrangement may further comprise at least one fastening means arranged to attach the at least one fastening element to at least one of the walls. By the term “fastening means” it is here meant substantially any means for fastening the fastening element(s) to the wall(s), such as a screw, bolt, or the like. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the fastening arrangement can more firmly attach the fastening element to at least one of the walls.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one fastening element and at least one of the walls may comprise a respective through hole. Furthermore, the floor comprises a receiving hole. The at least one fastening means is configured to go through the respective through hole and into the receiving hole upon attachment of the second portion of the at least one fastening element to at least one of the walls. This is advantageous in that it allows fastening means such as e.g. screws and/or bolts to pass through the through holes and the receiving hole, thereby allowing the fastening means to engage with the fastening element, the walls and the floor. This is further advantageous in that the base may be attached to the walls and the floor, providing a firm attachment.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one fastening means comprises at least one screw or bolt. This is advantageous in that it allows for a convenient attachment of the base to the cargo compartment.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base comprises at least one flange portion, wherein the first portion of the at least one fastening element is configured to engage with the at least one flange portion. By the term “flange portion”, it is here meant a part or portion of the base which projects from the base, and wherein the first portion of the fastening element is configured to engage with this flange portion. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the base, when it is arranged at least partially under the cargo compartment, may conveniently engage with the at least one fastening element. According to an example, the at least one flange portion may allow the base to be pushed towards the floor of the cargo compartment by the at least one fastening element.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the walls may be removably attached to the floor.

Further objectives of, features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a freight container according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention

Fig. 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of a part of a freight container according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention.

Figs. 3 and 4 schematically show cross-sectional side views of the exemplifying embodiment of the freight container according to Fig. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a freight container 100 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the freight container 100 may be substantially any container for the purpose of goods transportation. Preferably, the freight container 100 is an airfreight container, arranged for transportation in aircraft. In Fig. 1, the freight container 100 comprises a cargo compartment 110 being defined by a floor 120, a ceiling 130 and walls 140. The freight container 100 further comprises a base 150 configured to be removably attached to the cargo compartment 110.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of a freight container 100, according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that Fig. 2 shows the freight container 100 in a state in which it is partially disassembled. The freight container 100 comprises a cargo compartment 110. The cargo compartment 110 is defined by a floor 120, a ceiling (not shown) and walls 140. It should be noted that the floor 120, ceiling (not shown), and walls 140 may comprise a wide variety of different combinations of layers, spaces and/or materials. For example, the floor 120 may comprise an outer layer facing the outside of the cargo compartment 110, an inner layer facing the inside of the cargo compartment 110 and space filled with e.g. air in between the inner and outer layer. Furthermore, the cargo compartment 110 as defined by the floor 120, ceiling and walls 140 may be formed as a cube or a rectangular cuboid (parallelepiped) .

The freight container 100 in Fig. 2 further comprises a base 150 arranged at least partially under the cargo compartment 110. It should be noted that the shape of the base 150 is shown as an example, and that the base 150 may take on many other shapes or forms. The base 150 is configured to be removably attached to the cargo compartment 110 by a fastening arrangement 200. The fastening arrangement 200 comprises at least one fastening element 210. It should be noted that the shape of the at least one fastening element 210 is shown as an example, and that the fastening element(s) 210 may take on many other shapes or forms. The fastening element 210 comprises a first portion 220 configured to engage with the base 150 of the freight container 100, and a second portion 230 configured to be attached to at least one of the walls 140 of the freight container 100.

In Fig. 2, the at least one fastening element 210 is L-formed, wherein the first portion 220 thereof is arranged (at least substantially) perpendicular to the second portion 230 thereof. The relatively short, lower part of the L- shape may constitute the first portion 220 of the fastening element 210, which is configured to engage with the base 150. The relatively long, upper part of the L-shape may constitute the second portion 230 of the fastening element 210, which is configured to be attached to at least one of the walls 140 of the freight container 100.

Further in Fig. 2, the base 150 comprises at least one flange portion 600 which projects from the base 150. The first portion 220 of the at least one fastening element 210 is configured to engage with the at least one flange portion 600 upon attachment of the base 150 to the cargo compartment 110.

Further in Fig. 2, the at least one fastening element 210 and at least one of the walls 140 comprises a respective through hole 400. Also, the floor 120 comprises a receiving hole 410. The fastening arrangement 200 further comprises at least one fastening means 300 arranged to attach the at least one fastening element 210 to at least one of the walls 140. The at least one fastening means 300 is configured to go through the respective through hole 400 and into the receiving hole 410 upon attachment of the second portion 230 of the at least one fastening element 210 to at least one of the walls 140. For example, the at least one fastening means 300 may comprise at least one screw or bolt 500.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of a freight container 100 of Fig. 2, and it is hereby referred to Fig. 2 for an increased understanding of the functioning and / or components of the freight container 100. It should be noted that Fig. 3 indicates the state of the freight container 100 when the base 150 is positioned at least partially under the cargo compartment 110 and is ready to be attached to the cargo compartment 110 of the freight container 100 via the fastening arrangement 200. The base 150 is positioned at least partially under the cargo compartment 110 in a manner which lines up the through holes 400 in the at least one wall 140 with the receiving hole 410 in the floor 120. Hence, at least one fastening means 300 of the fastening arrangement 200 may be inserted into through holes 400 and receiving hole 410, hence attaching the at least one fastening element 210 to at least one of the walls 140 of the cargo compartment 110. It is to be understood that for each fastening element of the at least one fastening element 210 there may be a through hole 400 in the fastening element 210, a through hole 400 in the walls 140 and a receiving hole 410 in the floor 120, wherein one of the at least one fastening means 300 may be inserted.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of a freight container 100 of Fig. 2 and/or Fig. 3, and it is hereby referred to Fig. 2 and / or Fig. 3 for an increased understanding of the functioning and/or components of the freight container 100. It should be noted that Fig. 4 indicates the state of the freight container 100 when the base 150 is positioned at least partially under the cargo compartment 110 and is attached to the cargo compartment 110 by the fastening arrangement 200. In Fig. 4, the fastening element 210 is attached to at least one of the walls 140 and is engaged with at least one flange portion 600 of the base 150. The engagement of the fastening element 210 with the at least one flange portion 600 is arranged to press the base 150 towards the floor 120 of the cargo compartment 110.

Further in Fig. 4, the fastening arrangement 200 comprises at least one fastening means 300. In Fig. 4, the at least one fastening means 300 comprises at least one screw and/or bolt 500. The fastening means 300, 500 is inserted into the through holes of the wall(s) 140 and the receiving hole of the floor 120, thereby attaching the fastening element 210 to at least one of the walls 140. In Fig. 4, when the fastening element 210 is attached to at least one of the walls 140, the engagement between the at least one flange portion 600 of the base 150 and the fastening element 210 is locked in place, resulting in the base 150 being fixed in a position where it is configured to be pressed towards the cargo compartment 110.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. CLAIMS

1. A freight container (100), comprising:

- a cargo compartment (110) being defined by a floor (120), a ceiling (130) and walls (140); and

- a base (150) arranged at least partially under said cargo compartment; characterized by

- said base being removably attached to said cargo compartment by a fastening arrangement (200) separate from said cargo compartment and said base, wherein said fastening arrangement comprises at least one fastening element (210),

- wherein a first portion (220) of said at least one fastening element is configured to engage with said base, and

- wherein a second portion (230) of said at least one fastening element is configured to be attached to at least one of said walls.

2. The freight container according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one fastening element is L-formed.

3. The freight container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said fastening arrangement further comprises at least one fastening means (300) arranged to attach said at least one fastening element to at least one of said walls.

4. The freight container according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that said at least one fastening element and at least one of said walls comprises a respective through hole (400), and said floor comprises a receiving hole (410), wherein said at least one fastening means is configured to go through said respective through hole and into said receiving hole upon attachment of said second portion of said at least one fastening element to at least one of said walls. 5. The freight container according to any one of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that said at least one fastening means comprises at least one screw or bolt (500).

6. The freight container according to any one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that said base comprises at least one flange portion (600), wherein said first portion of said at least one fastening element is configured to engage with said at least one flange portion.

7. The freight container according to any one of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that at least one of said walls is removably attached to said floor.

8. A method for partially disassembling, and assembling, respectively, a freight container comprising

- a cargo compartment being defined by a floor, a ceiling and walls; and

- a base arranged at least partially under said cargo compartment; by removably attaching said base to said cargo compartment; characterized by the steps of:

- providing a fastening arrangement separate from said cargo compartment and said base, wherein said fastening arrangement comprises at least one fastening element;

-removably attaching said base to said cargo compartment by engaging a first portion of said at least one fastening element with said base and attaching a second portion of said at least one fastening element to at least one of said walls.