Abstract:
A container module for military and/or humanitarian field operations has a floor, a roof cover and side walls which, at least in the transport state, form a substantially closed, preferably cuboid container housing. A number of technical devices are permanently installed in the container housing and determine the functional scope of the container module. The container housing is permanently mounted on a load-bearing transport plate.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of international patent application PCT/EP2008/001027 filed on Feb. 11, 2008, designating the U.S., which international patent application has been published in German language and claims priority from German patent application DE 10 2007 009 393.6 filed on Feb. 21, 2007. The entire contents of these prior applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This application relates to a mobile container module for military and/or humanitarian field operations, and more particularly to a mobile container module for decontamination of people or items of personal equipment in field conditions. This application also relates to a mobile container system for military and/or humanitarian field operations comprising a first and a second container module. 
         [0003]    DE 103 45 351 A1 discloses a container module and a container system for decontamination of people and objects. The system comprises three containers which each form a decontamination module. By way of example, installations and devices allowing personnel decontamination are accommodated in a first container. Installations and devices allowing decontamination of clothing and items of personal equipment are accommodated in a second container. One particular aspect of this container-based decontamination system is that the individual decontamination modules in the corresponding containers each are equipped such that they can be operated independently such that, for example, personnel decontamination can be carried out at a different location than the decontamination of clothing and items of personal equipment, or the decontamination of large items of equipment. A further feature of the known decontamination system is that the individual containers can be detachably coupled to form one overall container. 
         [0004]    The known decontamination system has been developed with the goal of allowing full range operation for decontamination of people and any kind of objects in military and/or humanitarian applications. For this reason, although the known decontamination system can in principle be loaded and transported, it is not suitable for rapid-reaction and highly mobile operational forces, who in general are deployed to their operational site by helicopters. 
         [0005]    DE 34 32 282 A1 discloses a mobile decontamination system which, in the transport state, includes two large containers, one of which is transported on a transport vehicle, and the second is transported on a trailer. The transport vehicle also has an integrated folding tank in order to allow water transport once the first large container has been deployed. Overall, this known decontamination system is also designed for extensive decontamination tasks. Its air transportability and its suitability for rapid-reaction, highly mobile operational forces are limited. 
         [0006]    DE 198 21 042 A1 discloses a decontamination system for decontamination of people and objects, wherein a first module contains the major technical devices for fresh-water supply, waste-water disposal, fuel supply and electrical power supply. Further container modules can be connected to this first module via supply and disposal lines, with the further container modules having separate installations for personnel and device decontamination. Once again, this is a system which is designed for extensive decontamination tasks. Its suitability for rapid-reaction, highly mobile operational forces is likewise limited. 
         [0007]    The company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH &amp; Co. KG, 80997 Munich, Germany offers a transport vehicle for highly mobile operations under the brand name MUNGO. This vehicle can be transported in CH53 type helicopters and can thus be transported rapidly and flexibly. A so-called Variant  2  of the MUNGO transport vehicle has an integrated lifting system, in order to allow it to lift loads by itself. These loads may either be containers in which mobile command stations are accommodated, or material and equipment items which are arranged on a special transport platform and are lashed with the aid of baggage nets, holding straps or the like. The MUNGO transport vehicle with the integrated lifting system and the transport platform is described in more detail in the 2006 pamphlet of the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Company. 
         [0008]    The container-based decontamination systems which have been known until now are too large and too heavy for transport using the MUNGO or similar transport vehicles. They are also not suitable for air transport using CH53 type helicopters. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    It is therefore advantageous to provide a container module having technical devices, in particular for decontamination of people or items of personal equipment, which container module is sufficiently light in weight and compact so that it is suitable for air transport in CH53 type helicopters and for land transport on MUNGO type transport vehicles. Furthermore, the new container module is intended to allow flexible and largely autonomous use in field conditions, as well as rapid deployment and rapid setting up of the technical devices at the operational site. 
         [0010]    According to one aspect, there is provided a mobile container module for decontamination of people or items of personal equipment in field conditions, the container module having a predefined functional scope, a deployed state for decontamination and a transport state for transport, the container module comprising a floor, a roof cover and side walls defining a substantially closed container housing in the transport state, a number of technical devices configured to allow the decontamination of people or items of personal equipment, the technical devices determining the functional scope, and a load-bearing transport plate on which the container housing is permanently installed, the load-bearing transport plate being configured to be secured in helicopters or other transport aircraft, wherein the majority of the technical devices is spatially grouped together and permanently installed in the container housing. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect, there is provided a mobile container module for military and/or humanitarian field operations, the container module having a predefined functional scope, a deployed state for carrying out the field operations, and a transport state for transport, the container module comprising a floor, a roof cover and side walls defining a substantially closed container housing in the transport state, a number of technical devices configured to enable the field operations, the technical devices determining the functional scope, and a load-bearing transport plate on which the container housing is permanently installed, the load-bearing transport plate being a pallet designed for loading and securing loose items of equipment in helicopters or other transport aircraft, wherein the majority of the technical devices is grouped together and permanently installed in the container housing, and wherein the container housing is moveably mounted on the transport plate in a manner to allow a longitudinal movement along at least one longitudinal direction. 
         [0012]    According to yet another aspect, there is provided a mobile container system for military and/or humanitarian field operations, comprising a first and a second container module, with each container module having a floor, a roof cover and side walls, which, at least in a transport state, form a substantially closed container housing, with each container module having a number of technical devices required for carrying out the field operations, with the majority of the technical devices being grouped together and permanently installed in the container housing, and with each container module having a load-bearing transport plate on which the container housing is permanently mounted 
         [0013]    In the new container module, the closed container housing is permanently mounted on a separate transport plate despite having its own floor. In this context, permanently means that the mounting is designed such that the container housing is not intended and does not need to be removed from the transport plate even when the container module is being used in the field. The container module is preferably attached permanently, but nevertheless detachably, to the transport plate, for example by being tightly screwed. The use of a load-bearing transport plate makes it possible to make the housing walls of the container housing thinner and lighter in weight than in the case of known container concepts, because the housing walls do not need to absorb any heavy supporting loads, in contrast to known container concepts. In other words, the transport plate is configured to absorb the whole weight of the container module including the technical devices, while the container housing itself is not capable of absorbing the whole weight in preferred embodiments. In contrast to the present invention, the housing walls in the case of the container modules from DE 103 45 351 A1 are, for example, designed to absorb the entire supporting load of the container module, such that the container module can be lifted by a crane or some other lifting tool on the container housing itself. The reduction in the overall weight of the housing walls allows a higher payload, and accordingly a higher performance of the technical devices. 
         [0014]    In order to further reduce weight, one could have considered to omit the floor of the container housing, such that the technical devices and further items of equipment would be mounted directly on the transport plate. However, such a solution would be more expensive and less flexible, because the transport plate in the preferred implementation can easily be replaced without having to change the technical configuration of the rest of the container module. When the transport plate is detachably attached to the container housing, the container module can even be interchanged depending on the operational purpose. 
         [0015]    Overall, the new combination of a separate load-bearing transport plate and an intrinsically closed container housing with integrated, permanently installed devices makes it possible to provide mobile container modules which are ideally suited for air transportation. Furthermore, the permanently installed technical devices allow rapid deployment and setting up of the container module. Therefore, the above object has been completely achieved. 
         [0016]    In a particularly preferred refinement, the transport plate is a pallet which is designed to load loose items of equipment and/or luggage into helicopters or other aircraft and to secure them. 
         [0017]    The advantage of this refinement is that the transport plate already forms a standardized interface for air loading and air transport. The new container module can therefore be integrated particularly easily in existing procedures for air transport, without any need for additional securing measures. 
         [0018]    In a further refinement, the container housing is mounted on the transport plate such that it can move in at least one longitudinal direction. 
         [0019]    In the new container module, the permanently installed technical devices form an at least largely cohesive engineering area within the container housing. The engineering area is, so to speak, the “heart” of the container module and determines its functional scope. The technical devices make up a considerable proportion of the overall weight of the container module. Since the container module is mounted on the transport plate such that it can move in at least one longitudinal direction, the center of gravity position can be easily changed, thereby considerably simplifying handling and transport of the container module. This is particularly true when the container module contains tanks for holding liquid substances, because, in these situations, the center of gravity may vary depending on how full the tanks are. The capability to change the center of gravity position by movement of the housing is particularly advantageous with regard to the desired air transportability, but also when lifting the container module on the ground. 
         [0020]    In a further refinement, the transport plate has at least two guide rails on its upper face, which guide rails run parallel to one another, with the floor being attached to the guide rails. 
         [0021]    As an alternative to this, such guide rails could also be arranged on the floor of the container housing, or the container housing could in principle be attached to the transport plate without any guide rails at all, for example by means of local plug-in or screw connections. In contrast, the use of guide rails on the transport plate provides a highly cost-effective and a flexible implementation. During fitting, the container housing can easily be attached to and aligned with the transport plate. 
         [0022]    In a further refinement, sliding blocks are arranged on the lower face of the floor and engage in the guide rails. 
         [0023]    As an alternative to this, clamps or other gripping means could be arranged on the lower face of the floor, clasping the guide rails of the transport plate from the outside. In contrast, the preferred refinement has the advantage that cavities on the guide rails of the transport plate can be cleaned more easily than cavities on the lower face of the container module. The preferred refinement therefore simplifies fitting and variation of the longitudinal position of the container housing on the transport plate. 
         [0024]    In a further refinement, the transport plate is longer than the floor of the container housing in at least one longitudinal direction. The transport plate is preferably longer than the housing floor in the longitudinal direction, in which the container housing can be moved on the transport plate. It is also preferable for the transport plate to have approximately the same length as the housing floor in the other longitudinal direction. 
         [0025]    This refinement ensures stable mounting of the container housing on the transport plate, even when the container housing has been moved in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the housing floor is better protected against becoming dirty in the area of the attachment points. Dirt such as this can occur in particular when the new container module is being used in the field. 
         [0026]    In a further refinement, the container module has at least one intermediate wall, which subdivides the container housing into a first and a separate second subarea, with the majority of the technical devices being installed in the separate second subarea. 
         [0027]    In this refinement, the container module has, so to speak, a lower housing for the technical area. The technical devices are therefore better protected against influences and damage. This refinement therefore contributes to ensuring robust operation in operational conditions. 
         [0028]    In a further refinement, the at least one intermediate wall includes a vertical wall section, such that the first and the second subarea are arranged at least partially alongside one another on the transport plate. 
         [0029]    In this refinement, the separate engineering area is arranged only over a part of the overall area of the transport plate. This is, prima facie, not a good idea when the goal is to achieve a center of gravity position which is as central as possible. This refinement, however, simplifies rapid deployment and setting up of the container module at the operational site. 
         [0030]    In a further refinement, the container module has at least two shower trays, at least one of which forms the roof cover in the transport state. 
         [0031]    In this refinement, the container module is preferably designed for decontamination of people and/or as a sanitary module. In contrast to known container modules of this type, the shower trays, however, are not arranged, or at least are not all arranged, on the floor of the container housing in this case. In fact, at least one of the shower trays forms the roof cover or at least a part of it. This refinement has the advantage that a relatively large shower area can be made available even when the base area of the container module is very small. This refinement of the container module therefore allows a high personnel throughput rate, even if the module has only a small base area. 
         [0032]    In a further refinement, the container module has at least one lamellar curtain, by means of which the at least two shower trays can be selectively separated. 
         [0033]    This refinement is particularly advantageous in order to provide a plurality of intimate hygiene areas on the one hand and to allow a large shower area on the other hand in order, for example, to make it possible to shower casualties while lying down. 
         [0034]    In a further refinement, the container module comprises a tent, which, in the transport state, is accommodated in the first subarea. The tent is preferably at least partially inflatable, with the tent unfolding automatically as it inflates. Furthermore, in preferred refinements relating to its size and subdivision, the tent is designed to surround the shower tray and additional drying and dressing areas. 
         [0035]    The combination of containers and attached tents has also already been used for decontamination and sanitary modules according to the prior art. However, typically, the tent has been used only as a type of entrance tent, that is to say the actual shower process took place in the container module itself. In the present case, the shower process takes place in the tent, which has the advantage that a large and convenient shower area can be accommodated on a small transport area. An inflatable tent furthermore contributes to minimizing the times required to set up the container module. The accommodation of the tent within the first subarea has the advantage that the technical devices are well protected against damage during packing and transportation of the tent. 
         [0036]    In a further refinement, the container module has a (first) water tank, which is arranged largely over the entire area on the floor. 
         [0037]    In preferred exemplary embodiments, the tank is arranged under both subareas of the container housing. The advantage of this refinement is that the center of gravity of the container module is largely constant, and is relatively low, irrespective of the filling in the water tank. 
         [0038]    In a further refinement, the container module has a (second) foldable water tank, which is arranged only in the first subarea. 
         [0039]    This refinement is advantageous when the water tank is intended to be designed to hold very large amounts of liquids, for example when the container module is intended to be used, inter alia, for water transport. 
         [0040]    In a further refinement, the container module has insulation walls configured to be detachably plugged together in order to form an internal area in which the second water tank is arranged, and the container module further comprises an air heater designed to heat the internal area with warm air. 
         [0041]    This refinement is particularly preferable for a container module which, inter alia, is intended to be used for transporting large amounts of water. The insulation walls which can be plugged together make it possible to provide thermally insulated storage volumes, which can be disassembled for transport purposes. Air heating in combination with the insulation walls plugged together is a highly efficient way to prevent water from freezing during transportation or storage. 
         [0042]    In a further refinement, the technical devices include at least one of the following devices: heater for heating fresh water, heater for heating air, air-conditioning unit, generator for electricity generation and/or electrical power conversion. The technical devices preferably also include pumps, valves, filters, batteries and/or a fuel tank. 
         [0043]    Technical devices such as these make it possible to provide demanding supply and support services. However, they result in stringent requirements with regard to the desired air transportability of the new container module. Conversely, the advantages of the new container module described above have a particularly advantageous effect when one or more of the abovementioned technical devices is permanently installed in the container module. 
         [0044]    It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively stated combination but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0045]    Exemplary embodiments will be explained in more detail in the following description, and are illustrated in the drawing, in which: 
           [0046]      FIG. 1  shows a mobile container system having two container modules and a transport vehicle with a trailer, according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, 
           [0047]      FIG. 2  shows the container system of  FIG. 1  in an operational state, 
           [0048]      FIG. 3  shows the container system of  FIG. 2  in another operational state, 
           [0049]      FIG. 4  shows a simplified illustration of a container module, according to an exemplary embodiment, in the form of a partially sectioned view from above, 
           [0050]      FIG. 5  shows the container module of  FIG. 4 , in a partially sectioned side view, 
           [0051]      FIG. 6  shows a detail of the container module of  FIG. 5 , and 
           [0052]      FIG. 7  shows the container module of  FIG. 5  in a preferred transport state. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0053]    In  FIG. 1 , a container system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is designated by reference number  10  in its entirety. 
         [0054]    In this case, the container system  10  has two container modules  12 ,  14  which, together, provide a decontamination system for decontamination of people and decontamination of items of personal equipment. The term “decontamination” is a specialist term which refers to systematically removing and/or rendering safe radioactive, biological or chemical substances which, without such measures, represent a risk to people&#39;s health or even life. Substances such as these may be the consequence of military uses of radioactive, biological or chemical weapons, or else the consequence of corresponding terror attacks. Furthermore, substances such as these may also lead to contamination of people or objects as a consequence of civil accidents, for example an accident in a chemical factory or in a nuclear power station. Decontamination measures include nuclear decontamination (A-decontamination), biological decontamination (B-decontamination) and detoxification (C-decontamination), with different decontamination agents and methods being used depending on the nature of the decontamination. 
         [0055]    In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the container module  12  is a module which allows autonomous decontamination of people in operational conditions. The container module  14  allows autonomous decontamination of items of personal equipment. Together, the container modules  12 ,  14  form an air-transportable decontamination system for high mobility operational forces. However, the invention is not just restricted to an exemplary embodiment such as this. In principle, the new container modules can also be used as modules for drinking-water preparation and/or waste-water treatment, as kitchen modules, as sanitary modules (with toilets and/or washbasins), as decontamination modules for temperature-sensitive special equipment, or as power supply modules for encampments. 
         [0056]    In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the container module  14  is arranged on a transport vehicle  16 , and the container module  12  is arranged on a trailer  18  which is towed by the transport vehicle  16 . In one preferred embodiment, the transport vehicle  16  is a MUNGO 2 type vehicle from the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Company. 
         [0057]    The container module  14  has two submodules  20 ,  22 . Submodule  20  is used for water transport (as will be explained further below). Submodule  22  is used for decontamination of items of personal equipment. 
         [0058]    In case shown, the transport vehicle  16  has an integrated lifting system  24 , by means of which container modules  12 ,  14  can be loaded onto and unloaded from the transport vehicle  16  and the trailer  18 . In preferred exemplary embodiments, this is achieved by the lifting system  24  picking up the container modules  12 ,  14  on a transport plate  26 , on which the container modules  12 ,  14  are mounted. 
         [0059]    Each container module  12 ,  14  has a floor  28  ( FIG. 6 ), a roof cover  30  and side walls  32  which together form a container housing. In the preferred exemplary embodiments, the container housing is cuboid and is substantially closed. Within the container housing, the container modules  12 ,  14  may have intermediate walls  34  which are used in particular to separate an engineering area  36 ,  38  from a further subarea  40  within the container module  12 ,  14  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0060]    For example,  FIG. 2  shows that the submodule  20  in the second subarea  40  has a folding tank  42  which is used to transport water. For this reason, after deployment of the overall system, submodule  20  can optionally be arranged on the trailer  18  or on the transport vehicle  16 , as is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0061]    In the container module  12 , an intermediate wall  34  is used to separate the engineering area  36  from a material area in which, in particular, a tent  44  and material for a total of three shower stations can be accommodated. 
         [0062]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the container module  12  has a total of three shower trays  46 ,  48 ,  50 . Shower trays  46 ,  48 ,  50  are designed such that they form the roof cover  30  when the container module  12  is being transported. They can be plugged together and then partially project beyond the transport plate. Furthermore, the container module  12  includes a supporting frame which can be constructed above the shower trays  46 ,  48 ,  50  in order to form individual shower cabins and individual associated areas for drying. Lamellar curtains  54 , by means of which the individual shower cabins can be separated from one another, are arranged ( FIG. 3 ) on the supporting frame  52 . As is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the lamellar curtains can be pulled up and/or detached in order to form one combined, large shower area which, in particular, can be used for showering casualties who are lying down. 
         [0063]    In order to allow autonomous operation, the container module  12  has an integrated water tank  56 , which is arranged on the floor of the container module  12  and extends over virtually the entire base area of the container module  12 . 
         [0064]    All the essentially technical devices required for showering people in field conditions are accommodated in the engineering area  36 . This includes a thermoelectrical energy module with a generator for electricity generation, a pump and a heater for heating the shower water, a space heater for heating air which is blown into the area  44 , and an air-conditioning unit in order, if required, to also blow cool air into the tent  44 . In one preferred exemplary embodiment, water tank  56  has a capacity of 500 liters, and the pump feed rate is 15 liters per minute. 
         [0065]    In the preferred exemplary embodiment, the tent  44  has two round arcs  58 ,  60 , which can each be inflated by means of a fan from the engineering area  36 , in order to unfold the tent. 
         [0066]    Submodule  22  contains a chamber  64  for decontamination of items of personal equipment by means of hot gas and/or hot vapor. The walls of chamber  64  can at least partially be removed in order to stow the chamber  64  in a small volume in the submodule  22 . A burner to produce the hot gas and/or hot vapor as well as a fan for circulation of the gas/vapor mixture are accommodated in a manner known per se in submodule  22 . 
         [0067]    It is particularly advantageous that submodule  22  can be placed on submodule  20  in the transport state, when the folding tank  42  is empty and has been folded up. Submodule  22  then surrounds the engineering area  38  of submodule  20 , as is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 4  shows submodule  20  for water transport in the form of a partially sectioned plan view from above. Same reference symbols denote the same elements as before. 
         [0069]    A waste-water pump  68 , a combination valve  70  for waste water and venting, an air heater  72 , an electrical heat assembly  74  and a fresh-water pump  76 , inter alia, are arranged in the engineering area  38  of submodule  20 . The fresh-water pump  76  is connected to tank  42  and is designed to pump fresh water out from tank  42  via the combination valve  82 . The combination valve  82  is designed to simultaneously open and close the fresh-water outlet and a vent opening, respectively. 
         [0070]    A second, separate folding tank  84  is arranged ( FIG. 5 ) underneath tank  42 , and is used as a waste-water tank. Folding tank  84  is connected to waste-water pump  68  and to combination valve  70 . The two tanks  42 ,  84  can be used at the same time in order to collect waste water from the shower, when this is desired. 
         [0071]    In the preferred exemplary embodiment, submodule  20  has insulation walls  86  which can be detachably plugged together to form an internal area  88  in which the two tanks  42 ,  84  are arranged. Air ducts  90  are also integrated in submodule  20 , with the air ducts having outlet openings by means of which warm air can be pumped into the internal area  88 . This makes it possible to prevent water in the folding tanks  42 ,  84  from freezing. The warm airflow is indicated by the reference number  92  in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0072]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show how submodule  20  is mounted on the transport plate  26 . The transport plate  26  has side plug-in pockets  94 , which are designed such that the transport plate  26  can be lifted using a fork-lift truck or a similar lifting tool. Guide rails  96  are attached to the upper face of transport plate  26  and have a cross section with a C-shaped hollow profile ( FIG. 6 ). Sliding blocks or feet  98  are arranged on the floor  28  of the container module  20 , and engage in the hollow profile of the guide rails  96 . The sliding blocks  98  can be fixed in a desired movement position by means of screws (not shown here), or with the aid of a clamping mechanism (not shown). 
         [0073]      FIG. 7  shows submodule  20 , with the engineering area  38  having been moved on the guide rails  96  in the direction of arrow  100  in order to place the center of gravity of the module  20  substantially centrally above transport plate  26 . This movement position is particularly advantageous when the folding tanks  42 ,  84  are empty and folded up. The insulation walls  86  can advantageously be attached to the intermediate wall  34  of the engineering area  38 . 
         [0074]    In principle, submodule  20  can also be pushed out of the guide rails  96 , in order for example to replace the transport plate  26 . 
         [0075]    Furthermore, as can be seen from  FIGS. 5 and 7 , transport plate  26  is longer in the direction of the guide rails  96  than the container housing arranged on it, in order to make it easier to move the container housing. In principle, however, the container housing could also project beyond the transport plate  26 . 
         [0076]    The external dimensions and overall weight of the new container module are designed such that it complies with the limits for air transportation in a CH53 type helicopter. In preferred exemplary embodiments, the container module has a base area of about 2 m×1.8 m, and a height of about 1.5 m, and the overall weight of the container module does not exceed 1800 kg.