TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of storage and support systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, storing and transporting objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminum coils, and the likes in containers during transit.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, objects or cargo items such as rolled metal coils, which are generally very heavy, are transported in a container (also known as carriers), to secure these coils firmly on the containers and to avoid any damage to the cols as well as the containers during transit. It is important in many cases that these objects not move within the containers during transit to avoid damages. For instance, in road transport, any inadvertent braking and turning of the container or speed breakers can have an adverse effect container’s stability, causing unwanted and uncontrolled movement of the object, which may lead to damages to the objects as well as the containers.

[0003] For transportation of heavy objects such as metal coils, the existing system involves only a support bed made up of polymers, or wood, or such material on which the coils can be placed. The shape of the support bed is adaptably molded to fit the shape of the coil or object thereon. The support bed is placed under the coils for weight distribution and support, however, the adaptably molded but rigid dimensions of the support bed make it difficult for use in case the dimensions of the coil are changed. In such circumstances, the security and safety of the coils on such beds are dangerously compromised.

[0004] One of the major problems associated with the use of only timber, wood, or biomaterial in existing support systems is that these support beds are easily susceptible to attack by termites, fire, decay due to water, and are also difficult for disposal in case of destruction because of these reasons. These materials are not flexible and can break during transit. Besides, the surface of these materials causes potential damage to the upper layer of the coils. In addition, the reliance on only wood or timber in existing systems significantly affects the environment and increases carbon footprint. Further, it may also lead to quarantine and disposal problems of timber and wood at destinations. As different objects would require different shapes of timber or wood, such timber support beds cannot generally be reused, and are generally required to be disposed of.

[0005] Another drawback of the existing support system is that the support beds made of polymers or wood or similar material are highly prone to damages and breaking during transit, particularly on-road and by sea. Due to jerks and shocks on-road and swinging movements in the sea transit, there could be extensive damage to the object/cargo as well as containers and associated transportation means like trucks or ships. The heavy load may damage the container as well as the vehicles. In the existing system, in case the support bed collapses, the coil may have the chance to rest on the floor of the container and may damage the floor. In addition, the existing systems involve the use of additional steel, plastic, and nails for lashing and nailing of the objects within the containers, which significantly increases the cost.

[0006] Existing systems further involves the use of Expanded Poly Styrene (EPS) foam as a replacement for wood or timber-based support bed. EPS materials are easier to be molded and shaped as per the profile and shape of the objects or coils to be supported thereon, however, EPS materials have potential safety problems as they may break into pieces due to heavy load, which may break the EPS foam into pieces or powdered, resulting in damage to the container as well as the coil.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art to overcome the above shortcomings, drawbacks, and limitations associated with existing timber and EPS foam-based support systems, and provide a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminum coils, and the likes in containers during transit.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to overcome the above shortcomings, drawbacks, and limitations associated with existing timber and EPS foam-based support systems.

[00010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminum coils, and the likes in containers during transit. [00011] It is an object of the present disclosure to reduce the usage of timber or wood required in the coil loading and support systems (by up to 80%), and also enable re-use of timbers for multiple cycles of coil loading, support, and transportation process.

[00012] It is an object of the present disclosure to eliminate the use of steel and plastic for lashing of objects or coils in a container.

[00013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects in containers, which is fire-resistant, weather-resistant, and does not break under higher load.

[00014] It is an object of the present disclosure to ease and speedup container stuffing and de-stuffing with objects (coils).

[00015] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects in containers during transit, which is acceptable and up to standards of all shipping lines.

[00016] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects in containers, which can be used for a single object weight up to 27 tons.

[00017] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects in containers during transit, which do not break, fail or powder under heavy load and unwanted movement of the container.

SUMMARY

[00018] The present disclosure relates to a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, storing and transporting objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminum coils, and the likes in containers during transit.

[00019] According to an aspect, the present disclosure discloses a system for loading, storing, and transportation of objects such as metal coils, boilers, tankers, and the likes in a container. The system may comprise a set of timber beams positioned parallelly over a surface of the container, where a middle timber beam may be positioned between two side timbers beams having a height greater than that of the middle timber beam. Further, the system may comprise a centerpiece (first member) configured over the set of beams such that an upper surface of the center piece remains above the set of beams, and the set of beams keeps the center piece stable and secured at a fixed position within the container. The timber beams may be coated with a cross linked foam, which provides anti-scratch and anti-skid properties to the timber beams, thereby restricting skidding and scratching of the center piece and objects positioned over the timber beams.

[00020] The center piece may be made of an extruded foam material that may be adapted and shaped to securely accommodate the object over it, without failing or breaking into pieces under extreme load. As the upper surface of the center piece remains above the middle timber beam, the center piece may get compressed to stabilize heavy objects, without touching the timber beams. Besides, as the center beam remains lower to the side beams, any breakage of the center piece under extreme loading may allow the object to settle on the center beam, rather than settling on the surface of the container, thereby preventing any damages to the container.

[00021] The system may further comprise a side choking members positioned on a left side and a right side of the accommodated objects to restrict lateral/sideways movement of the corresponding objects during transit. Further, the system may comprise a set of front and back choking members positioned over the surface of the container such that the front and back choking members are configured between the set of beams and positioned on a front side and a back side of the objects to restrict longitudinal movement of the objects during transit. The side choking members, and the front and back choking members may be made of flexible foam material for safely supporting and restricting the lateral and longitudinal movement of the object, without requiring any steel and plastic for lashing of the object within the container. Besides, this also helps ease and speed up the container stuffing and destuffing process, saving time for users and operators.

[00022] As the proposed system does not require shaping of timber as per the shape of the objects (as in existing systems) and the same timber beams can be reused multiple times, the proposed system significantly reduces the usage of timber or wood (by up to 80%), thereby reducing the carbon footprint, and making the system environmentally friendly as well cost-effective. In addition, as the system uses strong yet recyclable, and affordable material for stabilizing the objects within the container, and does not require steel, plastic, and nails for lashing of objects within the container, this makes the proposed system simple, cost-effective yet efficient, and safe compared to existing technologies.

[00023] Accordingly, the proposed system inherits the benefits of timber and foam support of existing technologies, but overcoming the shortcomings, drawbacks, and limitations associated with the existing technologies, thereby providing a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminum coils, and the likes in containers during transit.

[00024] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.

[00025] Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00026] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

[00027] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary view of a conventional wood-based container stuffing and storage system, where coil (objects) on a wooden pallet is strapped with metal strips and wire.

[00028] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of a conventional EPS foam-based container stuffing and storage system, where a coil is loaded only on styrofoam.

[00029] FIG. 3A to 3Iillustrates exemplary views of various stages of the proposed system for loading, storage, and transportation of a single coil in a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure

[00030] FIG. 4A to 4D illustrates exemplary views of various stages of the proposed system for loading, storage, and transportation of two coils in a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00031] FIG. 5A to 5C illustrates exemplary views of various stages of the proposed system for loading, storage, and transportation of three coils in a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00032] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[00033] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to storage and support systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, storing and transporting objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminum coils, and the likes in containers during transit.

[00034] According to an aspect, the present disclosure elaborates upon a system for loading, storing, and transportation of one or more objects in a container. The system can include a set of beams extending parallelly over a surface of the container. Further, a first member can be configured over the set of beams such that at least a portion of a bottom surface of the first member remains in contact with the surface of the container. Furthermore, an upper surface of the first member remains at a predefined height above the set of beams. The first member can be adapted to accommodate the one or more objects thereon. The system can include and a set of second members positioned at predefined positions around the one or more accommodated objects inside the container such that the set of second members remains in contact with an inner surface of the container and an outer surface of the one or more objects to restrict movement of the corresponding objects.

[00035] In an embodiment, the set of beams can include two side beams, and a middle beam, wherein the height of the two sides beams is greater than the height of the middle beam.

[00036] In an embodiment, the set of beams can be made of a material selected from timber, metal, and alloy. The first material can be coated by a cross-link foam, the first member can be made of an extruded foam material, and the set of second members can be made from a flexible foam material.

[00037] In an embodiment, the bottom surface of the first member can include a set of slots based on a profile of the set of the beams such that the set of beams passes through the corresponding slots and the upper surface of the first member remains at the predefined height above the set of beams. The remaining area of the bottom surface of the first member can remain in contact with the surface of the container.

[00038] In an embodiment, the set of second members can include a set of side choking members positioned on a left side and a right side of the accommodated one or more objects to restrict lateral/sideways movement of the corresponding objects.

[00039] In an embodiment, the set of second members can include a set of front and back choking members positioned over the surface of the container such that the front and back choking members are at least partially configured between the set of beams and positioned on a front side and a back side of the one or more accommodated objects to restrict longitudinal movement of the corresponding objects.

[00040] In an embodiment, the set of front and back choking members can be supported by a metal rod extending between a left side and a right side of the container.

[00041] In an embodiment, the first member can be a plus-shaped member including a first section configured longitudinally between the set of beams, and a second section configured over the set of beams and oriented perpendicular to the first section.

[00042] In an embodiment, the first member can be a cuboidal-shaped member, which can be oriented and configured perpendicularly over the set of beams.

[00043] In an embodiment, the one or more objects can include any or a combination of a heavy steel coil and an aluminum coil.

[00044] According to an aspect, the proposed system 300, 400, 500 for loading, storing, and transportation of one or more objects 310-1 to 310-3 (collectively referred to as object 310, herein) such as metal coils, boilers, tankers, and the likes in a container 302 is disclosed. Referring to FIG. 3A to 31, in an embodiment, the system 300 can include a set of beams 104 positioned parallelly over a surface of the container302 as shown in FIG. 3A. The set of beams 304 can include a middle beam 304-3 that can be positioned between two side beams 304-1, 304-2. The height of the two side beams 304-1, 304-2 can be greater than the height of the middle beam 304-3 as shown in FIG. 31. In an exemplary embodiment, the beams 304 can be made of timber, alloys, metal, and the likes.

[00045] In an embodiment, the system 300 can include a first member 306 (also referred to as center piece 306, herein) being configured over the set of beams 304 such that an upper surface of the first member 306 remains above the set of beams 304, and the set of beams 304 keeps the first member 306 stable and secured at a fixed position within the container 302 as shown in FIG. 3B and 3C. The bottom surface of the first member 306 can include a set of slots based on a profile of the beams 304 such that the beams 304 can pass through the corresponding slots and the upper surface of the first member 406 remains at the predefined height (upto 100cm, but not limited to the likes) above the middle beam 304-3. The remaining area of the bottom surface of the first member 306 can be flat so that it can remain in contact with the surface of container302 and provide stability. The upper surface of the first member 306 (centre piece) can be adapted and shaped to accommodate and support objects 310 such as metal coils, boilers, tankers, and the likes, atop it.

[00046] In an exemplary embodiment, referring to FIG. 3B, the first member 306 can be a plus-shaped member including a first section configured longitudinally between the set of beams 304, and a second section configured over the set of beams 304 and oriented perpendicular to the first section. The bottom surface of the plus-shaped first member 306 can also include the slots configured on each arm of the second section and one slot running longitudinally along the first section such that the beams 304 can pass through the corresponding slots and the upper surface of the first member 306 remains at the predefined height above the middle beam 304-3.

[00047] In another exemplary embodiment, referring to FIG. 3C, the first member 306 can be a cuboidal- shaped member, which can be oriented and configured perpendicularly to the set of beams 304. The bottom surface of the cuboidal member 306 can include three slots, where a middle slot is having lesser depth than the two side slots, such that the beams 304 can pass through the corresponding slots and the upper surface of the first member 306 remains at the predefined height above the middle beam 304-3.

[00048] In an embodiment, the beams 304 can be coated with a cross linked foam, or other coatings, which can provide anti-scratch and anti-skid properties to the beams, thereby restricting skidding and scratching of the first member 306 and/or objects 310 positioned over the beams 304. The upper surface of the first member 306 (centre piece) can be adapted and shaped to accommodate and support objects 310 such as metal coils, boilers, tankers, and the likes, atop it.

[00049] In an embodiment, the system 300 can include a set of second members 308-1 to 308-4 (collectively referred to as choking pieces 308 or choking member 308, herein) positioned at predefined positions around the accommodated objects 310 inside the container 302 such that the set of second members 308 remains in contact with an inner surface of the container 302 and an outer surface of the objects 310 to restrict movement of the corresponding objects 310 within the container 302 during transit. [00050] In an embodiment, the second members 308 can include a set of side choking members 308-1 and 308-2 positioned on a left side and a right side of the accommodated objects 310 to restrict lateral/sideways movement of the corresponding objects 310 during transit as shown in FIGs 3D to 31. The side choking members 308-1 and 308-2 can be cuboidal shaped, but not limited to the like, which can be positioned perpendicularly over the surface of the container 302 on the left and right side of the beam 304either before positioning of the object 310 over the first member 306 or after positioning the object 310 over the first member 306.

[00051] In an embodiment, the second members 308 can include a set of front and back choking members 308-3, 308-4 positioned over the surface of the container 302 such that the front and back choking members 308-3, 308-4 are configured between the set of beams 304 and positioned on a front side and a back side of the objects 310 to restrict longitudinal movement of the objects 310 during transit as shown in FIGs. 3F to 31. The front and back choking members 308-3, 308-4 can also be cuboidal members, which can be positioned around the accommodated object 310 upon placement of object 310 over the first member 306. In an exemplary embodiment, the set of front and back choking members 308- 3, 308-4 can be supported by a metal rod extending between a left side and a right side of the containers 10 if required, as shown in FIG. 3H

[00052] In an exemplary embodiment, the side choking members 308-1, 308-2, and the front and back choking members 308-3, 308-4 can be made of flexible foam material known in the art, which provides safer support to the objects 310, and restricting the lateral and longitudinal movement of the object 310 during transit, without requiring any steel and plastic for lashing of the object 310 within the container 302. Besides, this can also help ease and speed up the container 302 stuffing and de-stuffing process, saving time for users and operators.

[00053] In an embodiment, the first member 306 (center piece) can be made of an extruded foam material such as extruded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPS), and the likes, that can be adapted and shaped to securely accommodate the object 310 over it, without failing or breaking into pieces under extreme load. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper surface of the first member 306 can have a depression having a profile based on the shape of the object to be positioned over the first member 306. In another exemplary embodiment, the upper surface of the first member 306 can be flat, and the foam material of the first member 306 can automatically adapt as per the shape of the object 310 positioned over the first member 306.

[00054] FIG. 4A to 4D illustrates exemplary views of various stages of the proposed system 400 for loading, storage, and transportation of two coils 310-1 and 310-2 in a container 302, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, two sets of first members 306, beams 304, and choking members 308 can be used for loading, storage, and transportation of two coils 310-1 and 310-2.

[00055] FIG. 5A to 5C illustrates exemplary views of various stages of the proposed system 500 for loading, storage, and transportation of three coils 310-1 to 310-3 in a container 302, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, three sets of first members 306, beams 304, and choking members 308 can be used for loading, storage, and transportation of two coils 310-1 and 310-2.

[00056] Those skilled in the art would appreciate that as the upper surface of the first member 306 remains above the middle beam 304-3, the first member 306 can get compressed to stabilize heavy objects 310, without touching the beams 304. Besides, as the middle beam 304-3 remains lower to the side beams 304-1, 304-2, any breakage of the first member 306 under extreme loading conditions can allow the object 310 to settle on the middle beam 304- 3, rather than settling on the surface of the container 302, thereby preventing any damages to the container 302.

[00057] In addition, those skilled in the art would also appreciate that as the proposed system 300 does not require shaping of timber as per the shape of the objects 310 (as in existing systems) and the same timber beams 304 can be reused multiple times, the proposed system can significantly reduce the usage of timber or wood (by up to 80%), thereby reducing the carbon footprint, and making the system 300 environmentally friendly as well cost- effective. Further, as system 300 uses strong yet recyclable, and affordable material for stabilizing the objects 310 within container 302, and does not require steel, plastic, and nails for lashing of objects within the container 302, this makes the proposed system 300 simple, cost-effective yet efficient, and safe compared to existing technologies. Furthermore, the use of extruded foam material and flexible foam materials in the first member 306, side choking members 308-1, 308-2, and the front and back choking members 308-3, 308-4 makes the proposed system 300 termite -resistant, fire-resistant, and weather-resistant, with flexibility and adaptability. [00058] Accordingly, the proposed system 300, 400, 500 inherits the benefits of timber and foam support of existing technologies, but overcoming the shortcomings, drawbacks, and limitations associated with the existing technologies, thereby providing a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminum coils, and the likes upto 27 tons in containers during transit.

[00059] Further, it is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that while various embodiments and drawings of the present disclosure have been elaborated for support and storage of 1 to 3 coils, however, the teachings of the present disclosure are not limited upto 3 coils, and the teachings of the present disclosure are also applicable for more than 3 coils by increasing the number of set of beams, the first member, and the second member as required, and all such embodiments are well within the scope of the present disclosure.

[00060] While some embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, those are completely exemplary in nature. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as elaborated herein only and it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. All such modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents are completely within the scope of the present disclosure. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[00061] The present invention overcomes the above shortcomings, drawbacks, and limitations associated with existing timber and EPS foam-based support systems.

[00062] The present invention provides a simple, improved, and cost-effective system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects such as heavy metal coils, aluminum coils, and the likes in containers during transit.

[00063] The present invention reduces the usage of timber or wood required in the coil loading and support systems (by up to 80%) and also enables the re-use of timbers for multiple cycles of coil loading, support, and transportation process.

[00064] The present invention eliminates the use of steel and plastic for lashing objects or coils in a container. [00065] The present invention provides a system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects in containers, which is fire-resistant, weather-resistant, and does not break under higher load.

[00066] The present invention eases and speeds up container stuffing and de-stuffing with objects (coils).

[00067] The present invention provides a system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects in containers during transit, which is acceptable and up to standards of all shipping lines.

[00068] The present invention provides a system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects in containers, which can be used for a single object weight up to 27 tons.

[00069] The present invention provides a system for safe and efficient loading, storing, and transportation of objects in containers during transit, which do not break, fail or powder under heavy load and unwanted movement of the container.