Bulkhead securement system and method for intermodal shipment of dry flowable commodities
AssigneeDelong Corporation
InventorWilliam P. DeLong
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides a disposable bulkhead for use with containing dry flowable commodities inside an intermodal container. The invention involves supporting a custom-fit cardboard ply bulkhead across the rear of an intermodal container using tension straps arranged to position resistant force at desired locations where pressure against the bulkhead is greatest, while utilizing existing eyelet anchors fixed to the interior of the intermodal container. Breakaways are provided to simplify release of the bulkhead. Straps are positioned to secure the cardboard ply against the interior sidewalls of the container.
Claims20
A system for maintaining separation between a dry flowable commodity loaded within an intermodal shipping container and loading doors at an end of the intermodal container, the system comprising:
- a cardboard ply positioned near the end of the intermodal shipping container and slightly inset from the loading doors, the cardboard ply extending from a left interior wall of the intermodal shipping container to a right interior wall of the shipping container, and extending from a floor of the intermodal shipping container toward a ceiling of the intermodal shipping container;
- a first tension strap extending through a first lower eyelet fixed to the left interior wall proximate the floor of the intermodal shipping container and then diagonally across the intermodal container and through a second upper eyelet fixed to the right interior wall at a height at least twelve inches above the first lower eyelet;
- and
- a second tension strap extending through a second lower eyelet fixed to the right interior wall proximate the floor of the intermodal shipping container and then diagonally across the intermodal container and through a first upper eyelet fixed to the left interior wall at a height at least twelve inches above the second lower eyelet;
- wherein the first tension strap crosses the second tension strap at a point substantially centered between the left interior wall of the intermodal shipping container and the right interior wall of the intermodal shipping container and below an upper edge of the cardboard ply, and wherein the first and second tension straps are positioned between the cardboard ply and the loading doors of the intermodal shipping container such that cutting the first and second tension straps will release dry flowable commodity loaded within the intermodal shipping container.
A method for maintaining separation between dry flowable commodities loaded within an intermodal shipping container and the loading doors at an end of the intermodal container, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a cardboard ply near the rear of the intermodal shipping container and slightly inset from the loading doors such that the cardboard ply extends from a left interior wall of the intermodal shipping container to a right interior wall of the shipping container, and extends from a floor of the intermodal shipping container toward a ceiling of the intermodal shipping container;
- extending a first tension strap through a first lower eyelet fixed to the left interior wall proximate the floor of the intermodal shipping container and then diagonally across the intermodal container and through a second upper eyelet fixed to the right interior wall at a height at least twelve inches above the first lower eyelet;
- and
- extending a second tension strap through a second lower eyelet fixed to the right interior wall proximate the floor of the intermodal shipping container and then diagonally across the intermodal container and through a first upper eyelet fixed to the left interior wall at a height at least twelve inches above the second lower eyelet;
- such that the first tension strap crosses the second tension strap at a point substantially centered between the left interior wall of the intermodal shipping container and the right interior wall of the intermodal shipping container and below an upper edge of the cardboard ply, and such that the first and second tension straps are positioned between the cardboard ply and the loading doors of the intermodal shipping container, and such that cutting the first and second tension straps so positioned will release dry flowable commodity loaded within the intermodal shipping container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.