Partition restraint system for dry storage container and method of use

Abstract

The invention relates in general to a system and method for restraining and protecting shipped goods, particularly dry flowable goods, in shipping containers. The invention utilizes a partition and one or more attachment mechanisms under tension to create at least one brace opposite the shipped goods. The partition and brace are configured to support the force of the shipped goods and prevent them from spilling out the rear of the shipping container while loading and unloading. The system also lessens the risk of moisture damage by keeping shipped goods away from the shipping container doors. The system and method utilize existing lashing points within the shipping container to secure a partition by creating at least one horizontal brace with the attachment mechanisms. Some instances may also include one or more vertical braces. Gripping points are provided to allow for easy release of the horizontal or vertical braces after use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system of restraining cargo in a shipping container, comprising:
 a partition;   a shipping container;   the shipping container comprising a left side wall, a right side wall, a floor, a ceiling, an opening, and one or more doors;   the shipping container further comprising at least two lashing points;   the partition positioned across a width of the shipping container, extending from the left side wall to the right side wall and from the floor towards the ceiling of the shipping container;   at least one attachment mechanism; and   the attachment mechanism positioned between the partition and the opening of the shipping container;   the attachment mechanism configured to attach to the shipping container by the two or more lashing points;   the attachment mechanism attached to the lashing points configured to restrain movement of the partition within the shipping container.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , where in the partition further comprises:
 a left foldable flap configured to rest along the left side wall;   a right foldable flap configured to rest along the right side wall; and   a bottom foldable flap configured to rest along the floor.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the attachment mechanism further comprises a first end and an opposite second end;   the attachment mechanism extending around a first lower lashing point fixed to the left side wall of the shipping container and further extending around a second lower lashing point fixed to the right side wall of the shipping container;   the first end of the attachment mechanism and the opposite second end of the attachment mechanism meet each other at a point between the left side wall and right side wall of the shipping container at a point below an upper edge of the partition; and   the first end of the attachment mechanism attached to the second end of the attachment mechanism to form a horizontal brace.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the horizontal brace further comprises a gripping portion;
 the gripping portion configured to allow for removal of the attachment mechanism.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one attachment mechanism comprises a first end and a second opposite end;
 The attachment mechanism extending around a first lower lashing point and a first upper lashing point on a side wall of the shipping container to form a vertical brace.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , the at least one attachment mechanism comprising:
 a first attachment mechanism;   the first attachment mechanism having a first end and an opposite second end;   a second attachment mechanism;   the second attachment mechanism having a first end and an opposite second end;   the first attachment mechanism extended around a lower left lashing point fixed to the left side of the wall, up the left side wall, around a middle left lashing point, and down around the lower left lashing point;   the first attachment mechanism further extended horizontally from the lower left lashing point to a lower right lashing point, up the right side wall, around a middle right lashing point, and down around the lower right lashing point;   the first end of the first attachment mechanism and the opposite second end of the first attachment mechanism meet each other at a point between the left side wall and the right side wall of the shipping container; and   the first end of the first attachment mechanism secured to the second end of the first attachment mechanism and tensioned to form a first horizontal brace, a first vertical brace and a second vertical brace;   the second attachment mechanism extended around the first vertical brace, extended horizontally from the first vertical brace toward the second vertical brace, and around the second vertical brace;   the first end of the second attachment mechanism and the opposite second end of the second attachment mechanism meet each other at a point between the left side wall and the right side wall of the shipping container; and   the first end of the second attachment mechanism secured to the opposite second end of the second attachment mechanism and tensioned to form a second horizontal brace.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second horizontal brace is positioned between a lower lashing point and a middle lashing point. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the first horizontal brace further comprises a gripping portion;
 the gripping portion configured to allow for removal of the attachment mechanism. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second horizontal brace further comprises a gripping portion;
 the gripping portion configured to allow for removal of the attachment mechanism.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is at least one polyester strap. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is tensioned to form a brace;
 the brace configured to support the system.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is waterproof. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first end of the attachment mechanism is secured to the second end of the attachment mechanism by a friction weld. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first end of the first attachment mechanism is secured to the second end of the attachment mechanism by a first friction weld; and
 the first end of the second attachment mechanism is secured to the opposite second end of the second attachment mechanism by a second friction weld.   
     
     
         15 . A method of restraining cargo in a shipping container, comprising:
 providing a partition configured to prevent shifting of cargo inside a shipping container during transport;   providing at least one attachment mechanism for restraining the partition inside the shipping container, the attachment mechanism having a first end and an opposite second end;   looping the first end of the attachment mechanism around a first lashing point of a first wall of the shipping container;   extending the first end of the attachment mechanism horizontally across an interior width of the shipping container;   looping the first end of the attachment mechanism around a second lashing point of a second wall of the shipping container;   securing the first end of the attachment mechanism to the second end;   tightening the attachment mechanism to form a horizontal brace extending approximately an interior width of the shipping container;   positioning the partition inside the shipping container and abutting horizontal brace; and   loading goods into the shipping container;   wherein the loaded goods press against partition being held in position by the horizontal brace.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a gripping portion created by leaving a portion of the attachment mechanism to extend beyond the horizontal brace; 
 the gripping portion configured to allow for easy removal of the attachment mechanism. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 removing the horizontal brace by pulling on the gripping portion; and   removing the partition from the shipping container upon completion of the shipment.   
     
     
         18 . A method of restraining cargo in a shipping container, comprising:
 providing a partition configured to prevent shifting of cargo inside a shipping container during transport;   providing a first attachment mechanism for restraining the partition inside the shipping container, the attachment mechanism having a first end and an opposite second end;   extending the first end of the first attachment mechanism around a lower lashing point of a first wall of the shipping container;   extending the first end of the first attachment mechanism upwardly;   looping the first end of the first attachment mechanism around a middle lashing point of the first wall of the shipping container;   extending the first end of the first attachment mechanism downwardly and back around the lower lashing point of the first wall of the shipping container to form a first vertical brace;   extending the first end of the first attachment mechanism horizontally across an interior width of the shipping container and around a lower lashing point of an opposite second wall of the shipping container;   extending the first end of the first attachment mechanism upwardly;   looping the first end of the first attachment mechanism around a middle lashing point of the second wall of the shipping container;   extending the first end of the first attachment mechanism downwardly and back around the lower lashing point of the second wall of the shipping container to form a second vertical brace;   securing the first end of the first attachment mechanism to the second end;   tightening the first attachment mechanism to form a first horizontal brace extending approximately the interior width of the shipping container;   providing a second attachment mechanism having a first end and an opposite second end;   looping the first end of the second attachment mechanism around the first vertical brace at a position approximately midpoint between the lower lashing point and the middle lashing point of the first wall;   extending the first end of the second attachment mechanism horizontally across the interior width of the shipping container;   looping the first end of the second attachment mechanism around the second vertical brace at a position approximately midpoint between the lower lashing point and the middle lashing point of the second wall;   securing the first end of the second attachment mechanism to the second end;   tightening the second attachment mechanism to form a second horizontal brace;   positioning the partition inside the shipping container and abutting first and second vertical braces and first and second horizontal braces; and   loading goods into the shipping container;   wherein the loaded goods press against partition being held in position by the first and second vertical braces and first and second horizontal braces.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a first gripping portion created by leaving a portion of the first attachment mechanism to extend beyond the first horizontal brace;   a second gripping portion created by leaving a portion of the second attachment mechanism to extend beyond the second horizontal brace;   the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion configured to allow for easy removal of the attachment mechanism.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 removing the second horizontal brace by pulling on the second gripping portion;   removing the first horizontal brace by pulling the first gripping portion; and   removing the partition from the shipping container upon completion of the shipment.