Shipping container with cargo and method of stowing cargo in a shipping container

[0001] The invention relates to improvements in the arrangement of goods containing coils, in standard transport containers and in the transport of goods so arranged.

Background of the Invention [0002] Huge quantities of goods, including industrial goods, goods and materials are shipped daily throughout the world by land, sea and air in various types of containers. Standard shipping containers, such as those used on ships, are similar in appearance at sea and on land. Loading of cargo units into such containers and their subsequent unloading are the main activities requiring considerable labor and money. An important problem in facing all these requirements of dispatching goods is control over such loading and unloading.

[0003] Many loading and unloading costs result from the need to securely secure load units in containers to avoid damage in transit. Given that a wide variety of goods must be transported, this can be a professional process that consumes a lot of time and effort.

[0004] In many cases, it is also important that load units do not move in containers during transit. In maritime transport, any unintentional movement of cargo due to ship movements may have adverse effects on the ship's stability and hence safety.

[0005] Materials such as wooden beams used to secure heavy loads can pose quarantine and disposal problems at their destination.

[0006] A problem generally recognized at least in maritime transport is that there may be mismatches between the dimensions of cargo and containers at individual stages of the route. For example, when freight is such that "40-foot" containers arrive at a particular port in larger quantities than is required for cargo leaving that port, there may be excessive amounts of "empty journeys" for such containers, that is, journeys where they transport empty containers. Increasing the capacity of containers to load with other cargo units could in this case lead to significant cost savings by reducing the number of empty journeys. More generally, it is always desirable to increase the flexibility of container loading. For example, making it easier to use a small container where

- 2 previously you needed a large container or vice versa, it will allow better matching of loads and container availability.

[0007] DE-U-8407246 discloses multi-use pallet packaging.

Summary of the Invention [0008] According to a first object of the invention, there is provided a method of arranging a load in a standard 20-foot (6 m) or 40-foot (12 m) transport container, characterized in that it is arranged, in designated positions in the container, load units , each of which contains a roll and weighs more than 20% of the container payload, and load containment measures, including spacers that support the coils from below, closely match the cylindrical shapes of the coils and closely match the spacing between the opposite side walls of the container, and spacers that separate the coils from each other and from the end walls of the container, and each of the spacers is essentially a rigid block of expanded foam plastic, the spacers are shaped and adapted and placed with coils in the container so that the assembly containing coils and spacers, wherein each roll has a longitudinally oriented axis, is strictly limited between the container end walls and touches the inner surfaces of the container to prevent movement relative to the container during container movement.

[0009] Preferably, each shaped block is a block of expanded polystyrene foam.

[0010] During the movement of the transport container, the inertial forces generated in the load units as a result of the movements of the transport container are transferred to the structure of the transport container through shaped blocks.

[0011] Generally, the entire weight of at least one of the load units can be transferred to the container structure through shaped blocks of members of the spacer set.

[0012] For this reason, in the practical application of the invention, substantially rigid spacers comprising blocks of expanded foam material actually transfer dynamic and static loads between the load units and the structure of the transport container. The term "stowage" is normally used in the field of materials and units that are not tightly attached to the load and are used to secure the load, so the spacers are not just a stowage. This is contrary to teaching about the use of such materials in the field of transporting significant loads in transport containers.

[0013] The term "standard transport container" in this description especially includes containers of the type used in large quantities for transporting goods by sea. These containers are subject to the International Standards Organization (ISO) standards and are available

- 3 in different sizes. The invention relates to containers having the following external dimensions:

(a) length: 20 feet (6096 mm); width 8 feet (2438 mm); 8 table height 6 inches (2591 mm) or 9 feet 6 inches (2896 mm) and (b) length: 40 feet (12192 mm); width 8 feet (2438 mm); height 8 feet 6 inches (2591 mm) or 9 feet 6 inches (2,896 mm).

[0014] The spacer can be adapted to lower the load unit from above and when used to fix on it without significant mutual movement between the spacer and the load unit. When the spacer is lowered onto the load unit and part of the load unit is accessible from above.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the spacer has a lower surface adapted to be positioned directly on the floor surface or a stowage on the floor surface, and an upper surface in the shape closely corresponding to a portion of at least one load unit and to support at least one load unit.

[0016] In each of these embodiments, the spacer may have vertical surfaces which, when using the spacer, lie closely adjacent to the opposite vertical surface of the inner surfaces of the transport container. For example, a single spacer can run completely across the entire inner width of a transport container.

[0017] At least one of the spacers that supports the weight of the load unit can be placed inside the transport container and the load unit then lowered onto the spacer. The load unit is loaded through the end door of the transport container. Load units can thus be placed on the spacers after placing the spacers in the transport container. Placing load units in the container may not be possible for certain wide units of transfer vehicles due to insufficient reach and inability to enter into the transport container. This method can adapt the problem to a modification in which, when transferring the load to the transport container via wheeled support means, the wheeled support means is moved by means of a separate vehicle, whereby a separate vehicle can remain outside the transport container.

[0018] The method according to the invention can be used for example (and preferably) where the unit load comprises a roll of material web, e.g. steel.

[0019] In carrying out the method according to the invention, the load units can be held in designated positions in the transport container through spacers, essentially without the use of additional anti-movement means.

[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the spacers, but not the load units, touch the inner vertical walls of the transport container.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of transporting a set of load units between two positions in a cargo container is provided, comprising the following steps:

arranging in the first position a set of load units in the transport container as described above; the transport container is moved to a second position and the load units and spacers are unloaded and shaped blocks of spacers are removed by recycling shaped blocks.

[0022] At many destinations where shipping containers are shipped, there is infrastructure for recycling expanded foam materials, including in particular polystyrene foam, without significant environmental risk.

[0023] According to a second object of the invention, a connection is provided comprising a standard 20-foot (6 m) or 40-foot (12 m) transport container and arranged in a load unit container, each containing a coil having a longitudinally oriented axis and weighing more than 20 % of the container payable tariff, and load containment measures, including spacers that support the coils from below, closely match the cylindrical shapes of the coils and closely match the spacing between the opposite side walls of the container, and spacers that separate the coils from each other and from the end walls of the container, and each of the spacers is essentially a rigid block of expanded foam material, the spacers are shaped and adapted and placed with coils in designated positions in the container, that the assembly comprising coils and spacers is strictly limited between the container end walls and touches the inner surfaces of the container to prevent movement relative to the container during container movement.

[0024] Preferably, each shaped block is a block of expanded polystyrene foam.

[ 0025] The block can be adapted to lower the load unit from above and when used to hold on it without significant mutual movement between the spacer and the load unit.

[0026] In an embodiment of the invention, the spacer has a lower surface adapted to be arranged directly on the floor surface of the transport container or on a stowage machine on the floor surface, and an upper shaped surface that closely corresponds to a part of at least one load unit and to support at least one load unit.

[0027] The invention is used to resist movement and to arrange charges that are larger than usual in applications of expanded foam materials, especially polystyrene foam. In a further embodiment of the invention, a method of arranging cargo units containing coils is provided in a cargo container in which the spaces around the cargo units and

- inside the transport container they are at least partially filled with spacers to substantially prevent the movement of the load units in the transport container in which dynamic forces acting on the load units associated with the movement of the container are transferred to the container structure through the spacers and in which the spacers that carry such forces comprise a shaped block of expanded foam material, preferably polystyrene.

[0028] A device for arranging load units may be used, the device comprising:

Longitudinal means having means at the front end for supporting the load unit and at the rear end means for connecting to a part of the vehicle which can be raised and lowered;

chassis means having wheels resting on the ground, and chassis means being adapted to support longitudinal means in a position between the front and rear ends.

[0029] The chassis means may include means for raising and lowering the longitudinal means.

[0030] The device may have a counterweight attached to the rear end of the longitudinal means.

[0031] Preferably, the counterweight has openings for receiving the forks of the forklift, the counterweight being attached to the longitudinal means to be pivotable relative to the longitudinal means about the transverse and longitudinal axes.

[0032] In this specification, the term "set", when used in reference to a set of spacers or load units, does not mean where there are multiple members of each type of set, that all such members must be identical.

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the invention are presented for easier, faster and cheaper packaging and unpacking of transport containers with efficient use of available space, and avoid movement of the load units inside the container than is available using traditional packaging methods. Unexpectedly, the discovery that certain foam materials can be used to support and stop the movement of coils of considerable weight carried in transport containers led to this invention.

[0034] In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the spacer supporting the coil of steel strip (shown in an outline line) and the strip is included only in the background;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the four spacers shown in Fig. 1 used inside the container (shown by an outline line);

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of two rolls of steel strip on pallets and (with an outline line) the next spacer, which is only switched on in the background;

Fig. 4 is a three plan view of the spacer shown in Fig. 3, namely (a) in a front view, (b) in a side view, (c) in a bottom view;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of five spacers and coils as shown in Fig. 3 when used inside the container (shown by an outline line); FIG. 6 shows the set in three views of the next spacer, namely (a) in a front view, (b) in a bottom view, (c) (left half) in a side view and (right half) in cross section, and the spacer, shown in view (b) and (c), covers loads of plate material on base elements that are only included at the rear;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of two further spacers when used inside a container (shown with an outline line), which is included only in the background;

Fig. 8 is a top view of the possible placement of packages for a layer of cylindrical load units in a container that is only included in the background;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the load units and subsequent spacers inside the container (shown in outline line) that are included only in the background;

Fig. 10 is a front view of the load units and spacers shown in Fig. 8, the part being shown in containers between the lines marked "P" and "Q" in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the inner space of the transport container (shown by an outline line) with arranged coil type load units according to the invention;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the inner space of the transport container shown in Fig. 11, currently in place with only one of the three load units shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a front view of the forklift vehicle and a container loading aid that is only turned on in the background, and Fig. 14 is a top view of the inner container space containing three load units, wooden supports and spacers, which are shown only in the background.

Detailed description [0035] Fig. 1 shows the first spacer 1. The spacer 1 is generally rectangular, has end surfaces 2, side surfaces 3, bottom surface 4 and top surface 5. The upward recess 6 has the shape of a half cylinder. The outline line in Fig. 1 shows a coil 7 of a steel strip which is positioned and supported in a recess 6. Cutouts 8 were made to gain access to the central hole 9 of coil 7 for longitudinal forks (not shown) typically used with a material transfer device, and to lift and move the coils of a steel strip. Also, the longitudinal recesses 15 extend along the length of the bottom surface 4 and are extended and have a dimension that allows forks of the forklift (etc., not shown) to lift the spacer 1 and the coil 7 together.

[0036] Fig. 2 is a front view of four spacers 1 and coils 7 placed inside a standard transport container 12. The container 12 is schematically shown in Fig. 2 with outline lines showing only the edges of the inner surfaces, whereby only the inner space is shown container.

[0037] The elements 1 are dimensioned so that four of them fit comfortably in the container 12, restrained from longitudinal movement by the inner end surfaces 13 and against the lateral movement of the inner side surfaces 14 of the container 12. Such movements can be caused by the movements of the ship at sea and require restraint for ship stability and security. The width between the side surfaces 3 of the element 1 is close to the width between the inner side surfaces 14 and the length of the four elements 1 in connection is close to the length between the inner end surfaces 13. With this type of arrangement of heavy and bulky load units 7 faster, and easier to load and unload container without the need to attach units 7 to the inside of the container 12.

[0038] The spacers 1 are preferably formed integrally from a foam cellular material, such as, for example, "RMAX Geofoam" polystyrene foam available in Australia under the name "isolite EPS" from the branch of Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Ltd.

[0039] This rigid polystyrene cellular material is available in six density classes, with different compressive strength, and manufactured according to Australian Standard AS1366 Part 3-1992. Applicants have so far used the grades: "SL" (nominal density 11 kg / cubic meter and compressive stress 70 kPa at 10% deformation) and "M" (nominal density 19 kg / cubic meter and compressive stress 105 kPa at 10 deformation). However, it is of course desirable to use a material with the right density for a particular application, taking into account the weight of the load units and dimensions, possible container movements, etc. Selection alone does not require inventiveness.

[0040] Foaming of the elements 1 is advantageous by foaming in a simple form (not shown), and more preferably they are made at or near the place where the coils 7 are loaded into a container 12. This can be steel work or a container loading plant. Alternatively, polystyrene foam can simply be purchased in blocks from the manufacturer and cut to shape using appropriate known methods (e.g., hot wire cutting).

[0041] It has surprisingly been found that in many practical cases with the right choice of material no reinforcement elements 1 are required, even for heavy loads.

[0042] Other suitable foam materials may be used.

[0043] The gaps left between the elements 1 and the inner surfaces 13 and 14 of the container 12 are selected by appropriate tests (not requiring inventiveness) while adapting to the weight of the load units, the experience of persons, the arrangement and unloading of containers and the equipment available to them.

[0044] Fig. 3 shows two coils 16 of steel strip, each fixed on the correct pallet 17, and each coil 16 and its pallet 17 contain load units 18. Outline lines show the next spacer 19 that can facilitate the placement of load units 18 in transport containers. Cargo, like cargo units 19, commonly requires loading into transport containers and is sometimes called "top hats", which results from its shape.

[0045] Fig. 5 shows the five spacers 19 used to arrange the load units 19 in the inner space of the transport container 20 (whose edges are shown in an outline line, as in Fig. 2). Like spacers 1, elements 19 are sized and shaped to fit comfortably (i.e., with small enough spacing to sufficiently limit the movement of the load with possible ship movements, and large enough for easy loading and unloading) between the inner side surfaces 21 of the interior of the container 20 and so that the five in a comfortable fit between the inner end surfaces 22 of the interior of the container 20.

[0046] Fig. 4 shows the spacer 19 in three views. Element 19 is generally in the form of a rectangular prism, has two holes 23 in which coils 16 are placed and has two rectangular recesses 24 in which pallets 17 are placed. When used, unlike for element 1, whose load is lowered into the recess 6, the spacer 19 is lowered into two load units 18 from above and partially surrounds the loads

18. The spacer then maintains the desired relative positions of the load units

18. The forklift (not shown) can insert the forks into the recesses 25 in the base of the element 19 to reach the pallets 17 and lift the entire combination of position 19 and the spacer 18 to be placed inside the container 20.

[0047] As with the elements 1, the spacers 19 are conveniently formed of lightweight, expanded plastic material.

[0048] It does not matter if the load units 18 protrude through the top of the spacer 19. This arrangement usually occurs to save the material used to form the spacer 19. A similar spacer (not shown) can simply cover items 19 completely (except the bottom) , if necessary.

[0049] Fig. 6 shows a spacer 30 which also has the bottom open and when used is lowered onto the load unit 31 from above. The load unit 31 comprises three layers 32 of flat material (e.g., metal plates or hot rolling billets) supported on base members 33 in a known manner. The spacer 30 is generally rectangular in general form, has opposite side surfaces 33, end surfaces 34, top surface 35 and bottom surface 36. In the bottom surface 36, a recess has been made in shape and size to tightly surround the load unit 31, as shown. The bottom surface 36 also has recesses 38 for forks of a forklift etc., so that after placing the element 30 above and lowering onto the load units 31, the entire connection of the spacer 30 and the load unit 31 can be lifted conveniently loaded into the container and unloaded from the container

- 9 transport. The side surfaces 33 are offset from each other to fit between the inner side surfaces of the transport container to limit unwanted movement during container transit. The end surfaces are similarly spaced so that a specific number of spacers 30 can be placed longitudinally in the container, with a sufficiently small distance to prevent undesirable movement in transit.

[0050] From the above descriptions of the spacers 1, 19 and 30, it will be obvious that cargo units, in addition to the special units used as examples, can be conveniently arranged in containers to stop their unwanted movement during container transit. By producing spacers at the loading site, especially when using lightweight foam plastics, you can achieve a system that effectively distributes and stops movement.

[0051] All elements 1, 19 and 30 partially surround the respective load units 7, 18 and 31 when used. Fig. 7 shows another possibility. The interior of the container 40 is partially filled with spacers 41, so that the cargo spaces 42 and 43 are defined by the spacers 41, and the inner surfaces of the container 40. This arrangement allows cargo units to occupy only part of the interior of the container in such a way that their potential movement in the container is limited by the internal sides, floor and (as needed) ceiling surface and (in the longitudinal direction) the internal surfaces of the container and spacers 41. The general rule is Essentially filling the spacing between the internal surfaces of the container to reduce unwanted load movement.

[0052] The spacers 41 have recesses 44 for forks of the lifting device to facilitate the placement of the load inside the container 40.

[0053] The spacers 41 are shown as solid blocks, but holes may be made (not shown), where the nature of the load units allows, to reduce the weight and material consumption of the spacers 41, to provide air flow (especially for refrigerated containers ), etc.

[0054] One possible variation, not shown, is beveling, rounding or chamfering of the upper corner edges of the spacers (e.g. elements 1, 19, 30 or 41) to facilitate the passage of the elements through the loading openings (e.g. doors) of the container. The holes are, of course, close to the fasteners, which requires some careful alignment.

[0055] Fig. 11 shows three large coils 100, 101 and 102 (for example steel strip) placed in the inner space 103 of the transport container in an important way of putting the invention into practice. Inner space 103 is outlined as before. The coils are placed with axes arranged longitudinally in space 103. They are supported from below on spacers 104, 105 and 106, which have been cut out to fit tightly into the cylindrical shapes of turns 100-102 and which closely match the spacing between opposing walls 107 and 108. Four further spacers 109, 110,

- 10 111 and 102 were placed first to separate turns 100 and 101 and 102 and 103, and secondly to separate turns 100 and 102 from the respective end walls 113 and 114. The entire set of turns 100 - 102 and spacers 109 - 112 and 104 - 106 fits tightly between the end walls 113 and 114. No separate limitation of turns 100 - 102 is used.

[0056] Fig. 12 shows a similar view of the inner space 103 of the container, partly loaded through the end door 115. The spacers 109 and 104 occupy positions, and the spacer 110 has been shifted longitudinally (as shown by arrow 116) towards its final position. Coil 100 was placed on spacer 104 as described below, after the spacer 104 was replaced. Similarly, turns 101 and 102 will be placed in the same way after placing elements 105 and 106 in space 103.

[0057] The difficulty of placing as shown in Fig. 12 is that it is not possible to drive the correct size forklift (or other transfer device) into space 103. Fig. 13 shows a way in which this problem can be solved. A forklift 120 was used to maneuver the self-propelled device 121, which has a longitudinal fork rod 122 that can be inserted into the coils, like coil 100. Chassis 123 is mounted on wheels 124 and hydraulic cylinders 125, so that the forks 122 can be raised and lowered (as shown by arrow 126). The beam 127 was mounted on the joint 128 to the forks 122 and connected at its opposite (rear) end to the counterweight 129. The connection of the beam 127 to the counterweight 129 creates a degree of mutual movement between them. Counterweight 129 has been adapted to be lifted and lowered by a forklift 120 whose rods 130 enter into mating holes (not shown) in counterbalance 129. The hydraulic pressure to drive cylinders 125 and actuator 131, which allows the beam 127 to swing relative to each other around the forks 122, comes from from the forklift 120.

[0058] The device 121 allows heavy loads such as coil 100 and maneuvering inward (or outward) of the container 132 without having to enter the container 132. The counterweight 129 reduces the weight lifted by the forklift 120 when transporting the coil 100 and the wheels 124 act as a rotational support. The device 121 allows the use of a smaller forklift than would be necessary to place the coil 100 in the container 132. This is very useful because many port facilities do not have such machines. The device 121 may only be used when necessary; this allows the use of smaller machines.

[0059] Polystyrene spacers have the unexpected advantage of surprisingly high friction when in contact with the inner surfaces of the container. For this reason, lateral forces on coils 100 - 102 can transfer to floor 133 of space 103 by shearing at spacers 104, 105 and 106 and friction in contact with the floor 133, as well as by directly supporting end surfaces such as surfaces 134 on walls 107 and 108. Generally, the spacing between spacers like 104 - 106 and opposite walls like 107 and 108 should be

- 11 practically small, even to the extent of real contact between these elements and the walls on both sides. However, the impact of friction where the load units, like coils 100

- 102 are supported from below mitigates the adverse effects of positive backlash. The clearances can be closed as needed or necessity by sliding any suitably thin laminar material between the spacers and the walls.

[0060] An important difference between the spacers described here is that some are intended to resist the weight of the load and transverse forces resulting from movements during container transport, while others only oppose the latter. Spacers 1 and 104-106, for example, support the weight of load units (positions 7 and 100-102 respectively) and also limit the movement of these load units in generally horizontal directions in their containers; these movements may result from dynamic forces associated with movement on the sea route for transport containers or cornering and acceleration of loads in field applications. In contrast, spacers 19, 34 and 109-112 essentially limit the load units against generally horizontal forces, while the weight of the load units is picked up directly by the floors of their respective containers.

[0061] Loads are restrained from horizontal movement in the container in two perpendicular directions. In Figures 2, 5 and 11, the spaces of the container 12, 20 and 103 are shown completely filled except for the spaces above the loads, whereby transverse and longitudinal movements are restrained by spacers 1, 19 and 104-106 and 109 - 112.

[0062] In principle, it is possible to limit movements in only one direction by spacers having expanded foam materials using other means to suppress movement in a perpendicular direction. Figure 14 shows heavy load units 150, 151 and 152 in the inner space of the container 153 (shown by the outline line), and secured against longitudinal movement (i.e. in the direction of arrow 154) with wooden beams. However, they can still be transverse to some extent and are therefore restrained from transverse movement by the spacers 156. The weight of any or all of the load units 150 - 152 can of course be supported by the spacers. Fig. 14 is intended to illustrate the above instead of providing a practical or advantageous solution.

[0063] Fig. 8 is a plan view of the interior of the container 60 (outline line) with one layer 65 of load units 61 in barrels placed therein. The problem with this arrangement is that the layer of units 61 is not sufficiently limited by the inner surfaces of the interior of the container 60 to fully prevent movement of these transit units, with the possibility of damage or leakage. There is space 62 in which load units 61 can move, but which cannot be properly filled by one or more additional containers 61. Another problem often occurring in this type of load is that one layer does not fully utilize the capacity to carry weight through container, while two full layers could exceed this loading capacity. Figures 9 and 10 show how to avoid these problems.

[0064] Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 and shows how the interior of the container 60 can be filled with additional 25 load units, forming a total of 90 load units, all limited from excessive movement during transit. Fig. 10 shows this charge in the view from the "R" direction in Fig. 9, although for clarity only the charge units between the "P" and "Q" planes are shown. To prevent movement within space 62, a properly shaped and dimensioned spacer 63 based on some charge units 61, and an inner end surface 64 were placed there. (The spacer 63 placed in the designated position, in the first stage of loading the layer of load units 61, has the additional advantage of guiding the layer with each unit in the correct position, thereby obtaining the intended or designed arrangement and the number of units 61 in the layer).

[0065] In Fig. 9 they are surrounded by circles without the letters of the charge unit 61 of the lower layer. Wheels with the letter "Y" show load units 61, which are partially lifted from the bottom layer by placing on top of appropriately shaped and sized spacers 65, of which four in this case are shown. The partial layer of 25 additional load units 61, designated "X", is then controlled on top of the units of the bottom layer 61. The undesired movement of the units 61 marked "X" is prevented by the inner side surfaces 66 of the interior of the container 60 and the end barriers formed by the partially raised load units 61 marked "Y".

[0066] Each of the spacers has the shape of two cylinders 67 (each mounted under one load unit 61), connected by an intermediate section 68. However, this is optional; many other shapes are possible. Another option is to provide spacers (not shown) that instead of partially lifting some load units from one layer to form a barrier to the movement of the second layer units is kept within one layer and also extends to form a barrier against unwanted movement of the second layer units. For example, elements having a shape being a combination of the shape of elements 67 and load units 61 shown above in Fig. 9 and 10 can be used as an alternative to elements 67 to stop the movement of upper layer units 61.

[0067] As in the arrangement in Fig. 7, the arrangement in Figs. 9 and 10 includes a load restrained from unwanted movement by joining the inner surfaces of the container, and by spacers located in the container.

[0068] Many variants and improvements can be made without exceeding the scope of the invention.

[0069] In the description and claims below, unless the context otherwise requires, the word "comprise" and variations thereof, as "includes" and "comprising" will be understood to mean the inclusion of the whole or step or group of the whole or steps, but not exclusion of any other whole or step or group of whole or steps.

[0070] Reference in this description to any previous publication (or information derived from it) or to any content that is known is not and should not be considered

- 13 as an admission or admission or any other form of suggestion that such prior publication (or information derived therefrom) or known content forms part of the general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this description relates.

Prepared and verified

Grażyna Palka Patent Attorney