Sealed Transport or Storage Package

Abstract

A base for a sealed package used to ship or store a large and valuable asset is formed by drilling the base to receive a bolt array, placing the bolts in the drilled bolt holes, punching holes in a sealing layer to fit over the bolts and rest on the base; applying sealant material around each bolt below and above the sealing layer to seal the junctures between the bolts and the sealing layer; and preferably arranging a protective layer over the sealing layer to leave an exposed perimetal region of the sealant layer extending continuously around a protective layer. The bolts are used to fasten the asset or a carriage for the asset to the base, and a flexible top cover with a bottom region engaging the peripheral region of the sealing layer is then bonded to the sealing layer to seal the asset within the package.

1 . A sealable package for shipping or storing a large and valuable asset, the package including a base pre-arranged with a surface supporting the asset, or a carriage for the asset, and the package comprising:
 an array of bolts having threaded ends extending upward through the base to a region above the support surface;   lower sealant material arranged around the bolts at the intersection of the bolts with the support surface;   a flexible sealing layer perforated with holes that register with the array of bolts, the sealing layer being laid over the bolts and over the support surface, and over the lower sealant material;   upper sealant material arranged around the bolts at their intersection with a top surface of the sealing layer; and   the bolts of the array being held in predetermined positions that are perpendicular to the support surface of the base to facilitate securing the asset to the base.   
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1  including a protective layer laid over the sealing layer in a region to be engaged by the asset. 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the protective layer is dimensioned to leave the perimeter region of the sealing layer continuously exposed around the protective layer. 
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 3  including a cover formed of flexible sealing material having a bottom of the cover configured to engage the perimetal region of the sealing layer to allow the cover to be sealed to the perimetal region of the sealing layer on the base. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 1  including eye nuts threaded on the bolts to anchor straps holding the asset securely on the base. 
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 1  including elastomeric washers arranged around the bolts below and above the sealing layer to help seal the intersections. 
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the protective layer is located on the base by the bolts. 
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 1  wherein jamb nuts are countersunk below the support surface to secure the bolts in position. 
   
   
       9 . A base for a sealed package for shipping a large and valuable asset, the base including a support surface for the asset or a carriage for the asset, and the base comprising:
 an array of bolts having threaded regions extending upward from the base through the support surface;   the threaded regions of the bolts being accurately perpendicular to the support surface;   the array of bolts being secured within the base to inhibit any movement of the bolts away from perpendicular to the support surface;   elastomeric washers and sealant material applied around the bolts at their intersection with the support surface;   a sealable layer perforated with holes to register with the array of bolts, the sealing layer being laid down over the threaded regions of the bolts and over the washers and sealant material to extend over the support surface; and   elastomeric washers and sealant material applied around the bolts at their intersection with a top surface of the sealing layer.   
   
   
       10 . The base of  claim 9  including a protective layer arranged over the sealing layer. 
   
   
       11 . The base of  claim 10  wherein the protective layer engages and is held in position by the bolts. 
   
   
       12 . The base of  claim 11  wherein the protective layer is dimensioned to leave a perimeter region of the sealing layer extending continuously around the protective layer. 
   
   
       13 . The base of  claim 12  combined with a top cover of flexible material formed so that the cover engages with a perimetal region of the sealable layer where the cover and the sealable layer can be thermally bonded. 
   
   
       14 . The base of  claim 9  wherein eye nuts are threaded on the bolts to hold straps securing the asset in place on the base. 
   
   
       15 . The base of  claim 9  wherein jamb nuts are countersunk below the support surface to secure the bolts in position. 
   
   
       16 . A combination of a base and a flexible sealing layer arranged on the base to form a bottom portion of a sealed package for shipping or storing a large and valuable asset, the combination comprising:
 a predetermined array of bolts extending upward from the base;   a predetermined array of bolt holes formed in the sealing layer to register with the bolts when the sealing layer is laid over the bolts and on the base;   sealing material applied around the bolts and around regions of the sealing layer surrounding the bolts to seal the junctures where the bolts penetrate the sealing layer;   a protective layer laid over the sealing layer; and   the protective layer being dimensioned to leave an exposed perimetal region of the sealing layer extending continuously around the protective layer.   
   
   
       17 . The combination of  claim 16  including eye nuts threaded onto the bolts above the protective layer. 
   
   
       18 . The combination of  claim 16  including sealing washers arranged on the bolts above and below the sealing layer. 
   
   
       19 . The combination of  claim 16 , to which is added a top cover having a bottom region engaging the perimetal region of the sealing layer to allow the top cover to be sealed to the sealing layer. 
   
   
       20 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein the bolts predetermine a position for the protective layer over the sealing layer. 
   
   
       21 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein jamb nuts are countersunk below the support surface to secure the bolts in position.