Controlled environment storage system

A storage system for storing or shipping goods in a controlled environment comprises a bag made of a flexible gas and water impermeable material placed in an ISO type shipping container, with the bag having an entry flap equivalently sized with and positioned adjacent to the door of the container with an air and water resistant zipper sealing the flap with the bag, and having a resealable port for inflating and evacuating the interior of the bag. A method of using the storage system is also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a storage system in which goods are 
maintained in a controlled environment for storage or shipping, and in 
particular, to a controlled environment storage system which can be 
utilized with a typical ISO shipping container to obtain a reduced 
humidity and contamination free environment for goods held therein. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Typical containers which are utilized to store goods or ship goods by truch 
or boat, such as a typical ISO type container, are often exposed to dirt, 
dust, gaseous and other contaminants, moisture, humidity and adverse 
environmental conditions. This often has an undesirable effect on the 
goods held within the container. For instance, the goods may become damp 
resulting in corrosion, mildew or deterioration. With certain types of 
goods this may also cause a fire hazard. Exposure to the goods of dust and 
dirt clearly is undesirable. Humidity and changing temperatures can result 
in condensation forming with the container or on the goods held therein, 
which mositure is trapped within causing damage to the goods. This is 
particularly true in the containers of a metal, such as steel, or when the 
goods are constructed of a metal and not well packaged. 
Systems have been devised to protect goods from the above-mentioned 
problems in exposure situations, the most pertinent example of which is 
likely the Airflex.RTM. shelter, manufactured by AAR Brooks & Perkins of 
Livonia, Mich. The Airflex shelter comprises a floor sheet material upon 
which the article is positioned. The article is then covered with a 
strong, flexible polymer material, having an inflatable seal attached 
around the edge of the cover material. A perimeter frame is constructed 
around the article adapted to received the inflatable seal. The floor 
material and inflatable seal of the cover are inserted therein and the 
seal inflated forming a water resistant seal between the cover and floor 
material about the article held within. The cover and base floor sheet 
thus form an air and water tight shelter within which the article is held. 
Air within the shelter is then evacuated to partially remove the air 
within the shelter and draw the cover material around the article. A 
desiccant material has been placed within the shelter to absorb residual 
moisture remaining within the shelter. The shelter thus provides an 
enclosed, low humidity storage environment for articles contained within. 
A related system is the Airflex.RTM. container which is constructed in a 
similar manner to the shelter described above. The Airflex.RTM. container 
comprises a structural base member which has pallet-type characteristics 
and a receptacle for the inflatable seal in which a cover material is 
sealed in a manner similar to that described above. Wire screened sides 
and a sheet metal top are attached to the base to provide security, impact 
protection and a means of stacking the Airflex containers. The space 
defined within the cover when sealed to the base is again evacuated to 
remove air and moisture, drawing the cover around the article placed 
therein. 
While these above-described systems are very effective at maintaining a 
contamination and humidity free environment in an exposed condition, their 
use in an enclosed container, such as the ISO container which generally 
has a singular opening for entrance and solid walls, can be improved, 
particularly from the standpoint of installation and assembly. 
Furthermore, since an enclosed container removes the storage system from 
exposure to sunlight and weather elements, different materials may be 
utilized which may improve sealing capabilities. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A storage system for storing or shipping goods in a controlled environment 
is provided which comprises a container having solid walls and generally a 
singular entry way, such as a door. A typical container of this type would 
be described as an ISO type container. No modification of the container is 
necessary. A bag or membrane is installed and positioned within the 
container. The bag has a portion which provides an opening which 
cooperates with the opening into the container to place goods therein. 
Preferably, the opening into the bag is defined by a flap formed in the 
material of which the bag is made, which includes air and water resistant 
closure means for sealing the flap to the bag and the interior space 
within the bag when the flap is closed. The bag is constructed of a 
flexible air and waterproof material such as butyl rubber, to provide a 
barrier to contaminants, air and water for goods placed therein. The 
adverse effects of condensation and resulting mildew, rust and corrosion 
are virtually eliminated for years. Furthermore, the bag is resuable and 
repairable, and should be usable for 10-20 years. 
A resealable port is provided in a surface of the bag which permits 
attachment of a pump so that the interior of the bag can be either 
inflated or evacuated when closed. The port is advantageous in that it can 
be utilized in installation and positioning of the bag within the 
container by pressurizing and inflating the bag so that it can be expanded 
from a flat folded configuration within the container and attached 
therein. The port can also be used to remove a large portion of the air 
and moisture within the bag when closed, drawing the bag closely around 
the articles placed therein to reduce interior volume and humidity 
therein. 
Residual moisture control is obtained by providing a desiccant material 
within the storage system beofre it is sealed so that it absorbs residual 
moisture after the storage system has been evacuated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The invention which is disclosed is a storage system for storing or 
shipping goods in a controlled environment, and is generally shown in 
FIGS. 1 and 2. A container 10, which is preferably an ISO-type container, 
is shown in phantom view in FIG. 1 and partially shown in FIG. 2. The 
storage system comprises a bag or membrane 20 placed within the container 
10 which is utilized to provide protection and a controlled environment 
for the goods contained therein. 
The container 10, which is depicted as an ISO-type container in the 
drawings, generally has an elongate, rectangular configuration with solid 
side walls 11, one solid end wall 12, a ceiling 13 and a floor 14, all 
constructed of steel, but often with a wood liner on the floor. Access 
into the container 10 is provided through an entry opening 16 at the other 
end having doors 18 hinged to the sides of the container. Eyelets, rings 
or hooks 18 are normally placed along the inside walls 12 of container 10 
near the ceiling to provide means for securing goods placed therein. In a 
twenty foot container, for example, there may be four such anchoring 
devices on each side and one on each end wall. 
The bag 20 is installed and positioned within the interior of container 10 
fully surrounding the interior space defined therein. The bag 20 is 
constructed of a flexible gas and fluid impermeable material such as solid 
butyl rubber sheeting and preferably is constructed of a minimum of two 
plies of such sheeting. Butyl rubber is preferred because it is highly 
moisture resistant and also resistant to various gases and contaminants. 
An example of the compound material in which the bag may be constructed is 
A.B. Varnamo Gummifabrik Compound E2709. Such material provides the 
physical properties described in the following chart. 
______________________________________ 
Physical Properties 
Requirement 
______________________________________ 
Specific Gravity Test per 
1.19 +/- .02 
ASTM-D-297-81 Sect. 15, Para. 1.2 
Tensile Strength Test per 
1300 PSI Min. 
ASTM-D-412-80 Die C. 
Elongation at Break Test per 
350% Min. 
ASTM-D-412-80 Die C. 
Tear Resistance test per 
150 Lbs. per 
ASTM-D-624-81 Die B. 
inch Min. 
Hardness IHRD Test per 
65.degree. +/- 5.degree. 
ASTM-D-1415-81 
Heat Aging Change of Tensile Strength 
Test per ASTM-D-573-81 
-35% Max. 
Type II "A" Ovens Change of Elongation 
168 Hours @ 121.degree. C. +/- 1.degree. C. 
At Break -40% Max. 
Ozone Resistance Test per 
No cracking 
ASTM-D-1149-78A 96 Hours, 
30.degree. C., 50PPHM, 80% Elongation 
Water Vapor Transmission Test per 
.23 Grams per 
ASTM-E-96-66 Procedure E. 38.degree. 
Square Meter, 
+/-.5.degree. C., 90% +/- 2% R.H., 
24 hours 
24 hours 
Flexiblity Test per 
Remain 
ASTM-D-2137-75 Method 
Flexible 
B -35.degree. C. +/- 126.degree. C. 
Water Absorption Test per 
Increase in 
ASTM-D-471, 7 days @ 158.degree. F. 
Weight 1.3% Max 
Water Absorption Test per 
Increase in 
ASTM-D-471, 7 days Volume 2.0% Max 
@ 158.degree. F. 
______________________________________ 
The various components of the bag may be secured together using 
conventional technology. For example, multiple pieces of butyl rubber 
laminate may be affixed to one another to form the bag by placing a strip 
of uncured butyl rubber tape therebetween and thereafter applying heat and 
pressure to vulcanize the pieces in a leakproof manner. 
An entry way, which in the preferred embodiment is a flap 36 defined in the 
bag 20, cooperates with the entry opening 16 of the container 10 to permit 
access for goods to be place therein. The flap portion 36 is separated 
from the bag 10 along two sides and the bottom while the top remains 
integrally connected to the bag along its top region so that the flap can 
be folded back over the top of container 10, as shown in FIG. 3. The flap 
36 is sized to conform with opening 16 of the container 10. This permits 
easy access into the interior of the storage system, without need of 
retaining the flap portion out of the way so that it does not impede entry 
into the bag 20 and container 10. 
The flap 36 has a closure means, preferably a zipper 45, which is resistant 
to the passage of air and moisture, for fastening and sealing the flap to 
the remaining portions of the bag 20 when the bag is closed. A zipper of a 
useable type is described in U.S. Pat No. 4,275,467 and available from the 
New Zipper Company Limited of Slough, England under Product Description 
Number 6BDM Sealed Slide Fastener Closed Both Ends. The zipper is 
constructed of bronze metal and has butyl rubber or neoprene flanges for 
sealing and attachment to the bag. The zipper may be affixed to the bag in 
the same manner as the various other components thereof, i.e. by 
vulcanization. If desired, a pouch 47 may be affixed to the outside of 
flap 36 to retain an instruction manual and a patch kit to repair the bag 
should it become damaged. 
The bag 20 is also provided with a flap or lip 38 which may be unfolded and 
extended over the lower portion of the closure means of the flap 36 for 
protection of the latter. This is shown in FIG. 3. The flap 38 may be 
constructed of multiple plies of butyl rubber sheeting and scrim laminated 
together, and is bonded to the floor of the bag. 20. Additionally, a first 
sheet 29 of PVC material may be positioned below the bottom portion of the 
bag, between the bag 20 and the floor 14 of the container 10, and a second 
sheet 29 within the bag 20 on the floor surface to assure the material of 
which the bag is constructed is not damage when loading goods within the 
bag and container. The PVC material may be flexible or semi-flexible, and 
in the preferred embodiment is a PVC coated polyester material referred to 
as Staftex 6517, available from Stafford Textiles Limited, Toronto, 
Canada. 
A plurality of eyelets 40 are attached to the exterior of the bag 20 in 
cooperating relationship with eyelets 18 within the interior of the 
container 10, so that snap hooks 42 may be utilized to temporarily connect 
the eyelets 18 and 40 together to retain the bag in an open loading 
configuration within the interior of container 10. Eyelets 40 may be 
affixed to bag 20 by means of straps 41 formed of butyl rubber and scrim 
laminated together, the straps being bonded to the bag by vulcanization or 
the like. 
A resealable air port with closure 28 is mounted through the material of 
which the bag 20 is constructed. The port 28 is utilized to pass air into 
and out of the interior of the bag 20 when the flap 36 is closed and the 
bag is sealed. This can be accomplished by means of a pump 32, connected 
to the port by hose 34. This permits the bag 20 to be inflated to assist 
in the installing and positioning of the bag 20 within the interior of the 
container 10. Further, after the goods are placed within the storage 
sytem, it permits evacuation of air from the interior of the bag to reduce 
air volume and moisture content therein. As the bag is evacuated it will 
be drawn closely around the articles placed therein as depicted in FIG. 4, 
providing a reduced volume and reduced humidity environment for the goods 
contained therein. In the preferred environment, the port 28 is placed 
through flap 36 of the bag 20, providing easy and unobstructed access for 
hose 34. This is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The closure cap for the part may 
be solid or may hold a visible humidity indicator disk. 
A plurality of bags of desiccant material, generally shown at 44 FIG. 3, 
are placed within the interior of the bag 20 prior to closing and sealing 
of the flap 36. The desiccant material 44 will assure that residual 
mositure within the bag 20 after evacuation is absorbed. The goods 
contained within the bag and container storage system are thus maintained 
in a reduced humidity environment to prevent the problems heretofore 
discussed. 
The procedure for installation and positioning of the bag 20 within the 
container 10 can be described beginning with FIG. 1. First, a sheet 29 of 
PVC plastic is placed on the floor of container 10 to protect the bottom 
of bag 20. The bag 20 is unfolded along the length of floor 12 into the 
container 10 and then unfolded outwardly towards the walls of the 
container 10 until it substantially covers the floor. The bag 20 is 
centered within the interior of container 10 with the assistance of a 
centering strip 43 on the front of the bag. The pump 32 is connected to 
the port 28 to provide air flow into the bag to pressurize its interior so 
that the bag is expanded. This is obviously accomplished with the flap 36 
closed and sealed. When the bag 20 is inflated, snap hooks 42 are manually 
used to attach each eyelet 40 to a corresponding eyelet 18 on the 
container (FIGS. 2 and 5). The flap 36 is located to center itself within 
the opening 11 of container 10 so that the interior of bag 20 is entirely 
accessible. Once the bag 20 is fully inflated and properly anchored to 
eyelets 18, so that the upper portion of the bag will be maintained in an 
expanded position without being pressurized, pump 32 is disconnected from 
port 28, the pressure relieved, and the flap 36 opened by unfastening 
zipper 45. 
Next, as best seen in FIG. 3, the flap 36 is folded over the top of 
container 10 and lip 38 is extended over the lowermost portion of the 
opening in the bag 20 to protect zipper 45 during the loading of articles 
into the storage system. A sheet 29 of PVC is placed on the floor of the 
interior of the bag 20 to protect the bottom surface of the bag. Cargo and 
articles are then placed within the interior of the storage system, inside 
the bag. Once loading has been completed, bags 44 of desiccant material 
are placed within the interior of the bag 20 to assist, as described 
above, in moisture reduction within the bag once it is sealed. The flap 36 
is folded down from over the top of container 10, the zipper is fastened 
to seal the interior volume of the bag 20. 
The pump 32 is again attached through hose 34 to the resealable port 28 and 
the interior volume of the bag is now evacuated so that it is drawn 
closely around the articles contained therein. A large portion of the air 
and mositure contained within the air in the bag is removed through 
evacuation, although the pressure differential of evacuation is very 
small, i.e., that obtainable with a conventional vacuum cleaner. This is 
shown in FIG. 4 where the upper portions of the bag have drawn around the 
articles placed therein. Once the bag has beeen sufficiently pumped down 
and the hose 34 removed, the post 28 is sealed. The doors 13 of the 
container 10 are then closed. Storage of the articles placed within the 
storage system is then complete. 
If the container 10 is not provided with eyelets or other suitable 
arrangements to attach snap hooks to the upper portion thereof, wooden 
supports having eyelets at one end may be supplied with the bag to be 
placed along the interior sides of container 10 so that the bag can be 
supported during loading. As shown in FIG. 5, this can be simply 
accomplished by providing an eyelet 100 adjacent the top of a pair of 
properly sized wood two-by-four braces 102, which are propped against the 
wall of the interior of the container 10 on opposite sides thereof. In 
this arrangment the bag eyelets 40 would be manually attached to the 
eyelets 18 on the wood braces using snap hooks 42. If desired, braces 102 
can also be held in place by using an additional wood two-by-four strut 
104 extending transversely across the top of the inside of the container 
and having its ends affixed to the top of braces 102 in any suitable 
manner. The method of using the system is otherwise the same as described 
in connection with the first embodiment. 
While it is apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention 
disclosed above are well calculated to achieve the objects of the present 
invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to 
modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope 
or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.