CA2032346A1 - Lobster transport or holding system - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT
This invention relates to a container for the storage or transportation of live lobsters. The object is to provide a facility for maintaining lobsters alive during transportation or storage. A container is provided comprising an outer shell, partitions and shelves within the shell to provide individual storage compartments for lobsters. The shelves are shaped and located so that there will be space for the circulation of water through the storage compartments. There is also access to the storage compartments for the insertion and removal of lobsters. The water is aerated and this aerated water circulates through the storage compartments. Other inventive features of the preferred aspect of the invention include retaining means such as flexible posts at the open ends of the storage compartments, removable inserts which can be located at adjustable positions depending on the size of the lobster and special provisions for aeration of stacked containers. A
transport system has also been designed to be compatible with a refrigerated transport container and a storage system including a tank.

Description

~t ~ 2 3 l~ ~

This invention relates to a container for the storage or transportation of live lobsters.
Lobsters are usually transported by air, which is exceedingly expensive.
The object of this invention is to provide a facility for maintaining lobsters alive for extended periods of time to permit transportation by sea or land or, if desired, to provide a storage pound.
In accordance with this invention a container is provided for the storage or transportation of live lobsters comprising an outer shell, partitions and shelves within said shell to provide individual storage compartments for lobsters. The shelves are shaped and located to provide spaces for the circulation of water ~- 15 through the storage compartments. Access is provided to the storage compartments for the insertion, removal and retention of lobsters. The water in the shell :is aerated to cause aerate~ water to circulate through the storage compartments. The spacing of the shelves has several advantages. It assists circulation. ~t also facilitates `~ removal of the lobsters which must be carefully handled.
It furthermore provides adequate support for the lobsters.
~- Other inventive features of the invention in its preferred aspect include:
(a) retaining means ~such as flexible posts at open ~ , ends of the storage compartment, which can be biased to permit the insertion or removal o~ lobsters while preventing the lobsters from escaping from the compartments. This is an important design feature as it ; eliminates the need for gates, doors, hinges or sliding mechanisms.
(b) removable inserts including partitions to separate individual lobsters ~rom laterally adjacent ~; ; 35 lobsters and ~shelves to support the lobsters spaced to provide for the circulation of water through the storage compartments . The removable inserts can be located at ~` positions adjustable depending on the size of the ,.:, ;, :

2~u23~

lobster. Preferably the location is by channels in the top wall and base wall of the outer shell and projection at the top and bottom of the inserts to engage the channels. Preferably some of the shelves extend horizontally on each side of the partitions and others of the shelves extend horizontally from the side walls.
This adjustment feature allows every case to accommodate lobsters in various sizes between about 1 and 2 lbs.
Practically all live lobsters exported fit into this weight category. Without this feature~ space would be under-utilized and a variety of different sized compartments would be necessary.
(c) aeration by an air chamber at the base of the shell, a duct for the admission of compressed air communicating with the air chamber and a plurality of outlets from the air chamber arranged to direct air to the storage compartments. Preferably there is an air inlet valve at one end of the duct ànd a mating air outlet valve at the other end of the duct so that containers can be stacked and aerated from a single source of compressed air;
(d) the partitions and shelves are buoyant and preferably hollow. Molded plastic may be used. Solid foam inserts can also be used. However, hollow inserts are durable, conserve raw material and reduce weight.
; (e) provision for the circulation o~ aerated water is maximized. Thus the storage compartments preferably ; have openings at the top, bottom, each side and each end for the circulation of aerated water.
(f) At least the top and bottom of the outer shell is apertured to permit circulation of water through containers stacked on top of each other.
;~ (g) There is provision for aerating stacked containers from a single source of compressed air.

'~, ;
:~ :

~ : ' .

In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments of this invention:
Figure 1 is an elevation view of a container in accordance with this invention;
5Figure 2 is a perspective elevation view of a removable insert;
Figure 3 is an end elevation view showing several containers in a tank;
Figure 4 is an end elevation view of an ~- 10alternative embodiment to Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a perspective elevation view of a container according to another embodiment of this ~; invention;
~ Figure 6 is a sectional side view on the line :: 156-6 of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a bottom view of Figure 5;
:~ Figure 8 is a perspective elevation view of ~: removable inserts in accordance with a ~urther ambodiment of this invention;
: 20Figure 9 is a plan view partly in section on the line 7-7 o~ Figure 6.
Figure 10 is a sectional elevation view of a ~ holding pound in accordance with another embodiment of `: : ~llis invelltioll;
25Fl~ure 11 i~- ~ plal~ view of ~ holdlng L~ou~ o~
t.ho t.y~ shown ;n ~ i r~
Figure 12 is a plan view of a refrigerated . transport container;
Figure 13 is an e.levation view of the container 30in Figure 12;
~ ul^c ~ ; a :CCtion~l clov~tion viow Or ~.hc ;, conta.iner of Figure 1.~;
;l ~Figure 15 .is an end sectional elevation view on the line 15-15 of Figure 13;

~ . -~J~

Figures ]6, 17 and 18 are end elevation viewsshowing the folding of the end flaps of the bag in the container of Figure 12.
Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawinys, Figure 1 illustrates a container generally indicated ~y the numeral 10 including top wall 11, bottom wall 12 and end walls 13 and 14. The front is open. The back may be open, as shown, or closed. Top wall 11 has transverse channels 15 and bottom wall 12 has transverse channels 16 to receive mating projections such as rails 17 and 18 at the top and bottom respectively of removable inserts 19.
Inserts 19 are shown in detail in Figure 2.
Inserts 19 include central generally vertically extending partitions 20 and generally horizontally e~tending shelves 21. However as illustrated, these may be rounded to give a smooth transition between the partitions and shelves. It is preferred that partitions 20 have apertures 22 to promote the free circulation of , ::
water. At the ends of each shelf there are flexlble posts 23 and 24 to retain the lobsters while permitting them to be inserted or removed. As illustrated in Figure 1, adjacent inserts 19 and l9a cooperate to provide a storage compartment for lobster 25. A pair of flexible posts 23 and 23a retain the lobster in position while not interfering with the back of the lobster being grasped by hand for removal from the compartment. Posts 23 and 23a and their associated shelves 21 and 21a are spaced at 26 so that there will be free circulation of water into and through each compartment. This spacing 26 can be adjusted to enlarge the compartments, depending on the size of the lobsters as additional channels such as 15a and 16a are provided for the location of the removable inserts 19.

~'~

"1 :

. . : . : ~ . - .: . , ~ :. . :

:; , - , .

2~

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, bottom wall 12 has a hollow air chamber which is connected by a number of apertures 28 to the spaces 26 between the shelves so as to cause air to transfuse upwardly. This results in water circulation as well as ensuriny that the water is aerated, which is necessary to keep the lobsters in good condition.
Side wall 13 has a duct 29 to conduct air from an air inlet valve 30 to air chamber 27. A mating air outlet valve 31 permits containers 10 to be stacked on top of each other and fed by a single source of compressed air. Both side walls 13 and 14 are shaped to `~ provide shelves 32 and flexible retaining posts 33 matching those of the inserts. Alternatively, :cemovable half inserts could be provided shaped like inserts l9 but divided down the centre line. Removable half inserts will have an advantage in that both the inserts and removable half inserts can be taken out to remove the lobsters. It is however preferred that half inserts be ~ 20 avoided. Providing shelves as part of the side walls I adds structural integrity. Also it is desirable to remove the lobsters with care instead of dumping them.
Inserts 19 are preferably of hollow molded water resistant plastic such as polypropylene. This will then provide buoyancy. Another possibility is to use a foamed plastic such as rigid polyurethane foam. In this ~;
case the posts 23 would be attachments of some flexible material.
i As shown in Figure 3, containers lOa and lObmay be stacked on top of each other and placed in an outer tank 34 having side walls 35, end walls 36 and ~¦ bottom wall 36A. Similarly, another pair of containers ~! lOc and lOd can be stacked on top of each other. Air compressor 37 supplies air to pipe 38 which communicates ~'',: ~ :

~, ; :

3 1~ ~

with pipes 39 and 40 which are connected to air inlet valves 30. Containers lOa, lOb, lOc and lOd are of the structure shown in Figure 1. Therefore air supplied to inlet nozzle 30 of container lOa is partly distributed in - 5 the air chamber 27 of container lOa and partly exits through valve 31 of container lOa -to enter inlct valve 30 of container lOb. Air is distributed in a similar fashion to container lOc and lOd. Container lOa and lOb are spaced from containers lOc and lOd and each stack is spaced from side walls 35 to provide room for the circulation of aerated water ~1 and also to leave enough clearance for the removal of conta~ners lOa, lOb, lOc and lOd from tank 34.
Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment in ' 15 which stacks of containers lOe - lOf and lOg - lOh are ,~ supported in tank 42 by shelf 4~ which may be a ~, perforat~d plate. Air ~omprcs~or 4~ ~e~ds ~ir tllrough pipe 45 to air distributor 46 having a large number of small holes 47. Air then diffuses up through bottom walls 48 of container lOf and lOh and around these ~, containers. Walls ~ sho~ h~ve open;n~s to permit the ~; circulation of aerated water.
Figure 5 is a perspective elevation view of another embodiment of the container suitable for use with 2r~ a separate air die~lser ;).s ill~strate(l in ~i~J~re ~.
Fi~ure 5 ~hows containcr 5~i, thc o~ltcr sholl 51 of which ~, has a top wall 52 formed from front and back beams,53 and 54 connected by corner angle pieces 56 and inverted flanged webs 57 which provide channels 58 to receive rails 59 of removable inserts 60. Bottom wall 61 is formed similarly to top wall 52 to include webs 57.
However it includes supports 61a. Side walls 62 have ' openings as indicated at 63 to facilitate the free ; circu].ation of aerated water. This construction enables ; 35 aerated water to circulate freely within outer tank 42 ., ~.

:' :

.
; ~ . . . .

:.:: ~: ,. : .

2~ 3~

shown in Flgure 4. In particular the structure of top wall 52 and bottom wall 61 permits water aerated by air distributor 46 to circulate up through container lOf and from thence through container lOe, stacked above container lOf.
Figure 5 shows handles 64 in bracket 56 to assist in removing the containers from tank 42.
Figures 6 and 7 are respectively a sectional side view top, and a bottom view of Figure 5;
Figures 8 and 9 show removable inserts in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
These views also illustrate the positioning of the lobsters.
Removable insert 70 is generally similar to inserts 1~ and 60 except that it has a valve 71 for the ~-~ admission of air into its hollow interior 72. Shelves 73 have a large number of small holes 74 which cause air to diffuse into the water right where lobsters 75 are located.
Appropriate dimensions for a container adapted to receive five rows each containing six lobsters are 22 inches from top to bottom and 27~ inches from end wall to end wall and 12 inches in depth (outside measurements).
~; The channels 15 may have a width of ~ inch and a centre to centre spacing of 1~ inches to accommodate some larger lobsters, in which event each row will only accept five and not six lobsters. Each case ordinarily has five removable inserts.
Figure 10 illustrates a holding pound comprising a tank 79 having end walls 80, side walls 81 and base 82. Base 82 is on a gravel bed 83. A number of ; containers 84 are located within the tank. Generally they are stacked as shown for e~ample, by 84a and 84b, but there may be an odd single container 84c. They may be oriented at random as illustrated. Sea water, the ',~

,;

~ ~ s~

surface of which is indicated at 85, immerses the containers. Air pump 86 feeds air line 87 which in turn supplies air hoses such as hose 88 connected to container 84. Others of the air hoses 89 are coiled ready for connection to containers additional to those illustrated.
The containers 84 are of the type illustrated in Figure 1, so that air passing through hose 88 will go to each of ~ containers 84 and 84d and will be dispersed at the bottom ; of each of these containers.
Figure 11 is a plan view of a holding pound of the type shown in Figure 8 with the containers such as 84e connected to hoses 88a and arranyed in different random locations as compared with Figure 10.
Figures 12 to 18 illustrate a refrigerated transport system for use with containers in accordance with this invention. A standard refrigerated container generally designated as 90 is converted into a holding tank or temporary aquarium. The standard refrigerated container includes side walls 91 and 92, end wall 93, adjacent to which there is partition webs 94 at one end and hinged doors 95 at the other end. There is a top wall 96 and a base 97.
Partition web 94 defines a compartment 98 within which there is an air pump with filter 99 for delivering air to line 100.
A custom made bag 90a of polypropylene or other suitable plastic provides a waterproof lines for transport container 90. It loosely fits top 96, bottom 97, side walls 91 and 92 and partition web 94. At the other end which is the rear or loading end, there are flaps 101, 102, 103, 10~. As illustratsd in Figures 16, 17 and 18 flaps lO1, 102, 103 and 104 are initially open to receive the cargo, namely, containers 105 of the type shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 17, flap 103 is folded over to centre. Flap 104 is also folded over to ';, :,, centre meeting flap 103. Flap 102 is folded upwards and over flaps 103 and 104. Flap 102 is then heat sealed along seam 106 and 107 of flaps 103 and 104. Finally as shown in Figure 18, flaps 101 is folded down over flaps 102, 103 and 104. Seams 108 along flap 101 are heat sealed to flap 102 and made water tight. Following this, the container doors 95 may be closed and locked.
After doors 95 are closed and locked, sea water is pumped into the polypropylene bay 90a through 10 water intake valve 109, the air within the bag escapes through air vents 110.
As best shown in Figure 13 the lobster cases 105 are closely packed in the polypropylene bag 90a. ~ir pump 99 delivers air along line 100 which communicates 15 with the interior of bag 90a and connects with perforated plastic air hoses 111 which are also inside ~, bag 90a and which conveniently fit within alternate ; grooves 112 of floor 97 which preferably is a T-section ~; floor. Air is then provided to diffuse upwardly through the lobster cases. Others of grooves 112a are left open ~ so that air in duct 113 can circulate along the floor in ; the usual fashion. This air then returns to along the .
top in a space 114 between bag 90a and roof 96.
rrhe air pump and filter 99 can be uncoupled and reused. The bag 90a and hoses 111 could be disposable on arrival and unloading. The refrigerated container would then be available for other uses. There would be no need for designated container status requiring return of the container to home port.
;: :
:`:
:~
~'' :, ~'"

;~
~:' ^.,: :: - ~ : . .

,

Claims (24)

1. A container for the storage or transportation of live lobsters comprising an outer shell, partitions and shelves within said shell to provide individual storage compartments for lobsters, said shelves being shaped and located to provide spaces for the circulation of water through the storage compartments, means providing access to the storage compartment for the insertion, removal and retention of lobsters, and means for aerating water in the shell to cause aerated water to circulate through the storage compartments.

2. A container for the storage or transportation of live lobsters comprising an outer shell open at at least one side, partitions and shelves within said shell to provide individual storage compartments for lobsters, said storage compartments having at least one open end accessible from the open side of the shell for the insertion or removal of lobsters, said shelves being shaped and located to provide circulation of water through the storage compartments, means for aerating water in the shell to cause aerated water to circulate through the storage compartments and retaining means at the open ends of the storage compartment, said retaining means being adapted to be biased to permit the insertion or removal of lobsters while preventing the lobsters from escaping from the compartments.

3. A container for the storage or transportation of live lobsters comprising an outer shell, a plurality of removable inserts, means for locating such removable inserts in the outer shell at positions adjustable dependent on the size of the lobsters, said removable inserts including partitions to separate individual lobsters from laterally adjacent lobsters and shelves to support the lobsters, the partitions and shelves of adjacent inserts coacting to provide individual storage compartments for lobsters and spaces for the circulation of water through the storage compartments and means for aerating water in the shell to cause aerated water to circulate through the storage compartments.

4. A container as in claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the means for aerating water comprises an air chamber at the base of the shell, a duct for the admission of compressed air communicating with the air chamber and a plurality of outlets from the air chamber arranged to direct air to the storage compartments.

5. A container as in claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the means for aerating water comprises an air chamber at the base of the shell, a duct for the admission of compressed air extending from top to bottom of the shell and communicating with the air chamber, a plurality of outlets from the air chamber arranged to direct air to the storage compartments, an air inlet at one end of the duct and a mating air outlet valve at the other end of the duct so that containers can be stacked and aerated from a single source of compressed air.

6. A container as in claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the container has end walls extending substantially parallel to the partitions which are vertical and in which some of said shelves extend horizontally on each side of said partitions and in which others of said shelves extend horizontally from the end walls.

7. A container as in claim 2, in which the retaining means comprise flexible posts.

8. A container as in claim 3, in which the shell has a top wall and a base wall and the means for locating the removable inserts comprise a series of channels in the top wall and base walls and projections at the top and bottom of the removable inserts adapted to engage an appropriate channel depending on the size of the lobsters.

9. A container as in claim 3, in which the partitions and shelves of the removable inserts are integral.

10. A container as in claim 3, in which the partitions have apertures to permit the flow of water between laterally adjacent compartments.

11. A container as in claims 3, 9 or 10, in which the removable inserts are buoyant.

12. A container as in claim 3, in which the shelves extend laterally on each side of each partition and in which the shelves extending from adjacent partitions are spaced to provide for the circulation of water.

13. A container as in claim 12, in which the spaced shelves extending from adjacent partitions each have a flexible retaining post to provide a pair of such posts as retaining means for the lobster in each compartment.

14. A container as in claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the storage compartments have openings at the top, bottom, each side and each end for the circulation of aerated water.

15. A container as in claims 3, 9 or 10, in which the partitions and shelves are hollow.

16. A container as in claims 3, 9 or 10, in which the partitions and shelves are of hollow and of molded plastic.

17. A container as in claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the outer shall comprises a top, bottom, end walls and open sides and in which at least the top and bottom are apertures to permit circulation of water through containers stacked on top of each other.

18. A container as in claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the means for aerating water comprises an air chamber at the base of the shell, a duet for the admission of compressed air extending from top to bottom of the shell and communicating with the air chamber, a plurality of outlets from the air chamber arranged to direct air to the storage compartments, an air inlet at one end of the duct and a mating air outlet valve at the other end of the duct so that containers can be stacked and aerated from a single source of compressed air and in which the outer shell comprises a top, bottom, end walls and open sides.

19. Containers as in claims 1, 2 or 3, stacked on top of each other and located in a holding tank, the outer shell of said container including top and bottom walls apertured to permit circulation of aerated water into the lowest of the stack of containers and from thence to containers stacked above the lowest container and an air distributor below the lowest container to aerate water in the holding tank and cause circulation of aerated water through the container.

20. A container as in claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the shelves are hollow and have holes on their upper surfaces, and in which the means for aerating water supplies air to the hollow shelves to aerate water in the vicinity of lobsters in the storage compartments.

21. A container as in claims 3, 9 or 12, in which the removable inserts are hollow and have holes to provide air in the vicinity of lobsters in the storage compartments and in which the means for aerating water supplies air to the hollow inserts.

22. A transport system comprising a waterproof bag suitable for lining a refrigerated transport container, means for filling said bag with water after it has been inserted into a refrigerated transport container, means for supplying air within and at the bottom of said waterproof bag, and air vents at the top of said bag, a plurality of containers as defined by claims 1, 2 or 3 within said refrigerated transport container.

23. A transport system as in claim 22 in which the waterproof bag is thermoplastic and has at one end flaps adapted to be heat sealed after loading to provide a waterproof container and has water intake means for filling the bag with water after the flaps are heat sealed.

24. A storage system comprising a tank, stacked containers as defined by claim 5 in said tank and means for supplying air to said air inlets to provide air to each of the containers in a stack from a single air supply means for each stack.