Expandable multimodal transport container

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of ISO containers that are adjustable lengthwise, and more specifically to an optimised use of such adjustable ISO containers. This invention, and the claims related to same, were the subject of a patent application filed in France in late May 2013 by the same applicant and inventor, Mr. Mohamed Sahbi Miled. FIG. 1 illustrates a three-dimensional view of the solution, an example of an ISO container according to the present invention in the elongated configuration of same. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates a fixed central portion ( 1 ) corresponding to an ISO container of size A, which is equivalent to a length L0 of twenty (20) feet; a left-hand movable portion ( 2 a ) of size ((B-A)/2)), which is equivalent to a length L2 of ten (10) feet; and a right-hand movable portion ( 2 b ) of size ((B-A)/2)), which is equivalent to a length L1 of ten (10) feet.

1 . A container compliant to the ISO adjustable standards. This container is made of a characterized central element which comprises a fixed central part corresponding to a container that respects the ISO standards of Dimension A. It comprises also two integral parts with the central fixed part; they are movable in the sens of length and they are deployable of the central fixed part. They permit the transformation of the container of the dimension A into a container of dimension B which is larger than A. 
     
     
         2 . In accordance with the first claim, the ISO container shall be characterized in the way that its dimension A corresponds to a container of 20 feet and that its dimension B corresponds to a container of 40 feet. 
     
     
         3 . In accordance with one of the previous claims, the container ISO's two movable parts are of the same length and are integral in the compact central part. 
     
     
         4 . In accordance with one of the previous claims, the container ISO shall contain 8 corner pieces on its fixed part (four on its upper wall and four on the lower wall) and 8 other pieces of the moving corner (two on each of the upper wall of the two moving parts, two on each of lower wall of the two moving parts.) 
     
     
         5 . According to one of the previous claims, the ISO container shall at least include an integral system which must preferably include by itself a system of linear guidance which permits the movement of the two moving parts with regard to the fixed part of the container. 
     
     
         6 . According to the previous claim, the ISO container shall be characterised by a intergral system that also includes:
 a) A rigid moving axis with the guidance system. Its length is equivalent to the maximal length available on wall that corresponds to the fixed part   b) A system of security stop that allows the control of two moving parts' movement between their position in the compact mode and their position in the stretched mode.   
     
     
         7 . According to the previous claim, the ISO container shall contain an autonomous or semi-autonomous instrument that ensures the movement of the two moving parts with regard to the central fixed part. This instrument should preferably be electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and/or electrohydraulic. 
     
     
         8 . According to one of the previous claims, the movable parts of the ISO container shall include or shall be made of lighter materials which should have a better thermal insulation than the fixed part. 
     
     
         9 . Used for the transportation of goods by ISO container of dimension A and dimension B using the same adjustable ISO container according to one of the previous assertions. 
     
     
         10 . A procedure of optimization of goods transportation by use of the container compliant with the ISO standards adjustable according to any one of claims from  1  to  8 .