Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a portable wall for attaching to a freight container and a method of cleaning/disinfecting a freight container.

Background art

[0002] The day-to-day drift of handling freight containers includes a lot of challenges due to microorganisms and bad odors present in 40% of all the containers. This leads to a large amount of extra costs and ineffective handling.

[0003] As of today, all containers are manually cleaned. This is both a very ineffective, since it is difficult to clean the container fully, inconsistent, and timeconsuming methodology. Furthermore, said manual cleaning leads to work-related injuries for the staff and exposes workers to both chemicals and contaminations. High volumes of water and detergents/degreasing agents are also used during cleaning procedures.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need of a solution where a freight container is cleaned in a sustainable, faster, and more effective way, and where staff is not in direct contact with disinfecting chemicals or contaminated freight containers. Further, the use of less amounts of water and disinfecting agent during cleaning and/or disinfection procedures is desired both from an environmental and economic perspective.

Summary of invention

[0005] It is a first object of the present disclosure to provide a portable wall for attaching to a freight container that mitigates, alleviates, or eliminates one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art singly or in any combination. A second object of the disclosure is to present a system for cleaning and/or disinfecting a freight container. A third object of the disclosure is to present a method of cleaning and/or disinfecting a freight container. [0006] The first object is solved by providing a portable wall for attaching to a freight container, the portable wall comprising: a. a first opening at a main surface for releasably connecting a foam generator; and b. a second opening at the main surface, said second opening comprising a air-permeable and foam-impermeable element; wherein the portable wall is arranged to tightly attach to an open side of the freight container.

[0007] One exemplary effect thereof is that the portable wall advantageously seals the freight container without the need of using the freight container's door(s), so that various procedures may be carried out in a closed environment of the freight container. Therefore, any material added into the freight container through the portable wall may be kept therein, such as a liquid, a foam, a gas, and combinations thereof.

[0008] Furthermore, the portable wall disclosed herein advantageously provides a technology to clean and/or disinfect a freight container from the outside, where staff does not need to enter a contaminated freight container in order to manually clean and/or disinfect said freight container. Additionally, unpleasant odors are removed from the freight container during cleaning and/or disinfection procedures.

[0009] According to one exemplary embodiment, the portable wall is arranged to tightly attach to the open side of the freight container, said open side being defined by an opening of at least one door of the freight container. The portable wall may be attached at a space where the at least one door of the freight container would be placed when the at least one door closes the freight container. One advantageous effect is that the portable wall tightly attaches to the open side of the freight container, for instance by generating an airtight attachment, which does not allow a liquid, gas and/or foam inserted into the freight container to leak from the inside of said freight container. Furthermore, when only one out of two doors of the freight container is open, a smaller portable wall is required to close said freight container, which reduces costs and simplifies manufacturing.

[0010] The portable wall further comprises a second opening at the main surface, which may function as an air passage for the air to be removed from the freight container when said freight container is being filled with for instance foam. In order to allow air removal from the freight container while keeping other materials, like for instance foam, inside said freight container, the second opening comprises an air-permeable and foam-impermeable element.

[0011 ] According to one exemplary embodiment, the air-permeable and foam- impermeable element comprises one or more of a mesh, a net, an air vent, and a louver.

[0012] According to one exemplary embodiment, the second opening is located above the first opening, when said portable wall is attached to said open side of the freight container. When the portable wall is attached to the open side of the freight container, the second opening is located at an upper position in relation to the first opening. One exemplary effect thereof is that, during filling of the freight container with for instance a foam, the air containing a bad odor is pushed out of the freight container through the second opening. Thus, bad/unpleasant odors are removed from the freight container.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment, the portable wall further comprises a lateral flange. The lateral flange extends from a lateral side of the portable wall. Further, the lateral flange may be arranged in a different and substantially parallel plane in relation to the main surface of the portable wall. Said lateral flange provides an easy way to insert the portable wall to the open side of the freight container and tightly attaches said portable wall therein. For instance, when one of the two doors of the freight container is open, the lateral flange may be arranged to contact the inner side of the other door (i.e. , the closed door of the freight container), thus stabilizing the portable wall in place. [0014] According to another exemplary embodiment, the lateral flange is adapted to attach the portable wall to a ledge of the open side of the freight container. The attachment of said portable wall to the ledge of the open side of the freight container advantageously provides an effective way of tightly attaching the portable wall to said open side of the freight container.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment, the portable wall is made of a lightweight material, such as plastic, carbon fiber, fiberglass, or aluminum. One exemplary effect thereof is that the portable wall is resistant and at the same time is easy to carry, which makes said portable wall simple to be assembled/disassembled by a single person.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment, the portable wall further comprises a gasket surrounding a side surface of the portable wall, such as a rubber gasket. Said gasket surrounds the surface of the portable wall attached to the open side of the freight container. One exemplary effect thereof is that the gasket provides a tight sealing of the portable wall to the open side of the freight container. Furthermore, leakage of fluid, foam and/or gas is prevented or reduced by said gasket.

[0017] The second object is solved by providing a system for cleaning and/or disinfecting a freight container, the system comprising: a. a portable wall, as defined elsewhere herein; b. means for transporting foam to the freight container; wherein the portable wall is arranged to tightly attach to an open side of the freight container, said open side being defined by an opening of at least one door of the of the freight container; wherein the means for transporting foam is arranged to be attached to the first opening of the portable wall; wherein the means for transporting foam is arranged to convey foam into the freight container through the first opening of the portable wall; and wherein the foam comprises a disinfectant composition.

[0018] One exemplary effect thereof is that the system provides a quick and effective cleaning and/or disinfection of a freight container. The means for transporting foam to the freight container are arranged to be attached to the first opening of the portable wall, which advantageously provides a simple and safe system for cleaning and/or disinfecting the freight container. Foam introduced into the freight container is sealed therein, which allows cleaning all surfaces of the freight container using less water. Furthermore, staff is not required to enter and manually clean the freight container, which enables cleaning and/or disinfecting the container without exposing workers to disinfecting agents or contaminations within the freight container. Finally, a plurality of freight containers may be quickly cleaned by arranging a plurality of portable walls to the plurality of freight containers and arranging a means for transporting foam to each of them. Alternatively, one means for transporting foam may be used on a first freight container, while a portable wall is arranged at a second freight container. Then, the means for transporting foam may be used in the second freight container, while another portable wall is arranged at third freight container. This process may be repeated until all freight containers are cleaned and/or disinfected.

[0019] According to one exemplary embodiment, the means for transporting foam comprises a foam generator and a pump. The pump advantageously provides a flow of a liquid and/or a disinfectant composition and/or a foaming agent, through for instance a hose to the foam generator, which generates foam to be further conveyed into the freight container through the first opening of the portable wall attached to it. The foam generator is known by the skilled person, and may typically comprise a turbine or electric fan, a spray nozzle, and a mesh.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises a water source, a foaming agent supply and a disinfectant composition tank. One exemplary effect thereof is that the water source guarantees a supply of liquid water needed for foam generation. Additionally, the foaming agent supply comprises foam compatible with the disinfectant composition for use during cleaning and/or disinfection of the freight container. Moreover, having a separate foaming agent supply and a disinfectant composition tank allows mixing both compositions when foam is to be created.

[0021] According to one exemplary embodiment, the pump, the foaming agent supply and the disinfectant composition tank are housed in a container. Said housing provides protection against weather conditions and against access by unauthorized persons. Additionally, housing said components in a container allows easy transportation to a next area where freight containers are to be cleaned and/or disinfected.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment, the foam generator is movable. Said movable foam generator is easier to be transported to different freight containers having portable walls attached to them. Moreover, it is easier and more effective to move said movable generator while keeping the freight containers in place than moving the freight containers. The movable foam generator may comprise ground engaging means, such as wheels.

[0023] The third object is solved by providing a method of cleaning and/or disinfecting a freight container, said method comprising the steps of: a. mounting a portable wall, as defined elsewhere herein, to an open side of the freight container; b. connecting a foam generator to the first opening of the portable wall; c. using the foam generator to introduce to said freight container a foam and a disinfectant composition; d. optionally keeping the foam and the disinfectant composition in the freight container; and e. removing the foam and the disinfectant composition from the freight container.

[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment, the portable wall further comprises a second opening comprising a mesh having a pore size such that the foam is kept inside the container. Said mesh may also be a net or any suitable filtering element having a pore sized adapted to only allow air to escape from the freight container. Thus, when the freight container is filled with for instance foam introduced by the foam generator, said foam is kept inside the freight container and thus reaches all surfaces therein, thereby cleaning and/or sanitizing the freight container. Furthermore, said mesh advantageously provides an exit for the bad odors typically present inside the freight container. Moreover, said foam introduced into the freight container generates a pressure that pushes out the air through the second opening of the portable wall, thus removing bad odors while the freight container is filled with foam.

[0025]According to one exemplary embodiment, the open side of the freight container comprises at least one door, and wherein the at least one door is open for mounting the portable wall. In some embodiments, the open side of the freight container comprises two doors, wherein one or both doors are open for mounting the portable wall.

[0026]According to another exemplary embodiment, the foam is a high expansion foam comprising bubbles of a diameter of at least 5 mm, preferably at least 15 mm, most preferably at least 30 mm. A high expansion foam advantageously provides a solution where less water is used for effectively cleaning and/or disinfecting a freight container.

[0027]According to another exemplary embodiment, the foam further comprises a foaming agent selected from the group consisting of glycol ether solvents, ethoxylated sodium alkyl ether sulfates and fatty alcohols with saturated carbon chains. The foaming agent may comprise ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium C12- 14 pareth-3 sulfate, TEA-Lauryl sulfate, C10-16 alkyl glucoside, 2-(2- Butoxyethoxy)ethanol or combinations thereof. The foaming agent is preferably compatible with the disinfecting composition comprising chlorine dioxide.

[0028]According to one exemplary embodiment, the disinfectant composition is an aqueous composition comprising at least 50 ppm, preferably at least 100 ppm, most preferably at least 300 ppm of chlorine dioxide. The chlorine dioxide is typically a gas that cleans and/or disinfects the freight container. Moreover, said chlorine dioxide may improve bad odor removal from the inside of the freight container. Additionally, the freight container may not need to be fully filled with foam to be cleaned since, by being a gas, chlorine dioxide reaches all surfaces inside the freight container, even the surfaces not in direct contact with foam. Furthermore, the chlorine dioxide gas may penetrate the floor of the freight container, which is usually made of wood, thereby deeply cleaning and/or disinfecting said floor.

[0029]According to another exemplary embodiment, the disinfectant composition has a pH of 4-7, preferably 6-7. In general, disinfectant compositions comprise an acidic pH which can lead to corrosiveness. The disinfectant composition comprising a less acidic pH advantageously reduces said corrosiveness, thereby extending the lifespan of the freight container, foam generator and other components in contact with the disinfectant composition.

[0030]According to one exemplary embodiment, the foam is kept in the freight container for at least 5 minutes, such as at least 10, at least 20 or at least 30 minutes. The time period the foam is kept in the freight container is adjusted according to the level of cleaning and/or disinfection required. The more time the foam is kept in the freight container, the more cleaned and/or disinfected will the freight container become.

[0031]According to another exemplary embodiment, the foam is removed by rinsing the freight container using pressurized air, water, alcohol solution or combinations thereof. The chosen rinsing method may vary depending on the cost, effectiveness and speed required for foam removal. The use of pressurized air and/or water is advantageous from an environmental and/or economic perspectives.

[0032]According to one exemplary embodiment, the foam removal is enhanced by the addition of a defoamer. The addition of a defoamer may increase the effectiveness of foam removal and/or reduce the amount of time to completely remove foam from the inside of the freight container. The skilled person knowns many defoamers that may be used for said purpose.

Brief description of drawings

[0033] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figs. 1 a and 1 b illustrate respectively a front view and a top view of a portable wall, according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0035] Figs. 2a and 2b illustrate a portable wall being mounted to a freight container, according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0036] Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate two portable walls being mounted side by side and to a freight container, according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0037] Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate two portable walls being mounted one above the other and to a freight container, according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0038] Fig. 5 illustrates a system for cleaning a freight container, according to one exemplary embodiment. The system in Fig. 5 is shown in operation, cleaning a freight container.

Description of embodiments

[0039] In the context of the present document, the term “cleaning and/or disinfecting” refers to reducing or eliminating unpleasant odors, chemical residues and/or microorganisms, including but not limited to fungi, spores, biofilms, bacteria and viruses. [0040] In the context of the present document, the terms freight container and container are used interchangeably and mean a container suitable for intermodal transportation.

[0041] The invention as disclosed describes a portable wall 1 for attaching to a freight container. Said freight container is also known as intermodal container or shipping container and comprises a standard size for easy transportation across different modes of transport, such as ship, rail, or truck. Thus, the portable wall 1 is suitable for use on all standardized freight containers.

[0042] Figure 1a illustrates a portable wall 1 comprising a main surface 12 and side surfaces, said side surfaces having a surface area smaller than the main surface 12. In a preferred embodiment, the portable wall 1 is substantially rectangular cuboid and comprises two main surfaces 12 and four side surfaces. Furthermore, the portable wall 1 comprises a first opening 10 at a main surface 12, wherein said first opening 10 is arranged for releasably connecting for instance a foam generator. The first opening 10 of the portable wall 1 may be configured to attach to a foam generator or to an intermediate between the foam generator and the portable wall 1 (e.g., a tube). The portable wall 1 may comprise closing means for closing the first opening 10 when a foam generator is not connected to it. Many closing means are known in the art and can be for instance a panel, a curtain or a window. Further, the closing means may tightly close the first opening 10 so that leaking is avoided.

[0043] The portable wall 1 further comprises a second opening 20 at the main surface 12, which may function as an air passage for the air to be removed from the freight container when said freight container is being filled with for instance foam, a liquid, a gas or combinations thereof. If air cannot be continuously removed while the freight container is filled with for instance foam, the air in the freight container will be compressed, the foam will be pushed downwards in the freight container and the process will be slowed down. If the pressure inside the container becomes too high, the foam bubbles will start to break, and the disinfection process will be less efficient. [0044] In order to allow air removal from the freight container while keeping other materials inside said freight container, the second opening 20 comprises an air-permeable and foam-impermeable element 22 and is preferably located above the first opening 10. This means that when the portable wall is mounted to an open side of a freight container, the second opening is preferably located at an upper position in relation to the first opening. The air-permeable and foam-impermeable element 22 may comprise one or more of a mesh, a net, an air vent, and a louver. The air-permeable and foam-impermeable element 22 may be a mesh, a net or any suitable filtering element having a pore sized adapted to only allow air to escape from the freight container. Thus, when the freight container is filled with a foam introduced by the foam generator, said foam is kept inside the freight container and thus reaches all surfaces therein, thereby cleaning and/or sanitizing the freight container. The air-permeable and foam-impermeable element allows air to be transported out of the freight container at a speed high enough to create an efficient cleaning process.

[0045] Figure 1 b illustrates a top view of the portable wall 1 . The main surface 12 of the portable wall 1 is located at a first vertical plane substantially parallel to a second vertical plane where the lateral flange 30 is located. Thus, the lateral flange 30 and the portable wall 1 are not positioned in a same parallel vertical plane.

[0046] An open side of the freight container may typically comprise a ledge, which is adapted for receiving the door(s) of the freight containers when said door(s) is/are closed. The ledge may be a door sill. When one door of the freight container is open, the lateral flange 30 of the portable wall 1 may be fitted to be in contact with the inner side of a closed door of the freight container, thereby positioning the portable wall 1 into the ledge of the open side of the freight container. Said positioning advantageously improves the stability of the portable wall 1 attached therein.

[0047] As illustrated on Fig. 2a, a typical freight container comprises at least one door which defines an opening when said at least one door is open. The portable wall 1 is arranged to tightly attach to the opening of the freight container. In some embodiments, the portable wall 1 is arranged to tightly attach to an opening of the freight container, wherein said opening is defined by opening two doors of the freight container. Tightly attaching the portable wall 1 may be defined as a stable connection between the portable wall 1 and the freight container, where the portable wall 1 is held in place during use and is preferably an air-tight attachment, thus reducing or eliminating leakage from or to the freight container.

[0048] The portable wall 1 further comprises a lateral flange 30. Said lateral flange 30 facilitates and stabilizes the attachment of the portable wall 1 to the freight container. Furthermore, when the freight container has two doors, the lateral flange 30 may be adapted to fit and attach to the inner surface of one freight container door when said freight door is closed. Thus, the lateral flange 30 of the portable wall 1 allows an easy and tight attachment to the open side of the freight container. When mounted to the open side of the freight container, the portable wall 1 and the closed door of the freight container are substantially aligned in a first vertical plane, while the lateral flange 30 is in a second vertical plane substantially parallel to the first vertical plane.

[0049] As illustrated on Fig. 2a, the lateral flange 30 is adapted to attach the portable wall 1 to a ledge at the open side of the freight container. Said ledge may be a door sill and is the same ledge that is adapted for receiving the at least one door of the freight container when said at least one door is closed. On a container having two doors, one door is open for attaching the portable wall 1 . The flange 30 of the portable wall 1 is then inserted to be in contact with the inner side of the closed door of the freight container, thereby positioning the portable wall 1 into the ledge of said freight container. Thus, the lateral flange 30 is adapted to attach the portable wall 1 to the ledge of the freight container, and therefore promotes a more stable attachment that avoids the need of fixing means such as screws or tapes.

[0050] Fig. 2b illustrates a second stage where the portable wall 1 is tightly fixed to the open side of the freight container after the portable wall 1 is attached to the ledge. Said portable wall 1 is then slided to an opposite direction in relation to the lateral flange 30, thereby fully attaching said portable wall 1 to the open side of the freight container. In this embodiment, one of the doors of the freight container is kept closed and the contact between said closed door of the freight container and the lateral flange 30 helps stabilizing the portable wall 1 in place.

[0051] The portable wall 1 may comprise two or more lateral flanges 30. The lateral flanges 30 may extend from a lateral side or from opposite lateral sides of the portable wall 1 . The lateral flanges 30 may vary in size.

[0052] The portable wall 1 is made of a lightweight material, such as plastic, carbon fiber, fiberglass, or aluminum. The lightweight material provides a resistant and easy to carry portable wall 1 , which can be attached to the freight container or removed thereof by a single person. The skilled person knowns which alternative lightweight materials are suitable for the portable wall 1. Said lateral flange 30 may be made of the same material as the portable wall 1 . Alternatively, the lateral flange 30 may be made of a different material in relation to the portable wall 1.

[0053] Furthermore, the portable wall 1 comprises a gasket 60 surrounding the side surface of the portable wall 1 . In other words, the gasket 60 fills the space between the portable wall 1 and the freight container, when said portable wall 1 is attached to said freight container. The gasket 60 may be a rubber gasket and improves the attachment of the portable wall 1 to the freight container, thereby reducing or eliminating leakage. Moreover, the gasket 60 contributes to the airtight attachment characteristics of the portable wall 1 .

[0054] Fig. 3a illustrates an embodiment where both doors of the freight container are open for receiving two portable walls 1 , 2 arranged side by side, in a similar way as the doors of the freight container are arranged when in a closed state. The first portable wall 1 comprises a first opening 10 for releasably connecting a foam generator, a second opening 20 and a flange 30. The second opening 20 comprises an air-permeable and foam-impermeable element 22. The first portable wall 1 is attached to the open side of the freight container such that the flange 30 is positioned at the center of the open side of the freight container. Furthermore, a second portable wall 2 is positioned to be attached to the open side of the freight container not covered by the first portable wall 1 . As illustrated in Fig. 3b, the second portable wall 2 does not comprise a first opening 10, however in some embodiments said first opening 10 may be present for attaching another foam generator or may be present but closed by closing means, as disclosed elsewhere herein. Both the first portable wall 1 and the second portable wall 2 are positioned into the ledge of the open side of the freight container. Furthermore, the first portable wall 1 and the second portable wall 2 are attached to each other by a locking mechanism. The skilled person knowns locking mechanisms suitable for this purpose, but for instance a latch may be used. Moreover, the first portable wall 1 and the second portable wall 2 comprise a gasket 60.

[0055] Fig. 4a and 4b illustrate an embodiment where both doors of the freight container are open for receiving two portable walls 3, 4 arranged one above the other. The lower portable wall 3 comprises a first opening 10 for releasably connecting a foam generator and is attached at the lower region of the open side of the freight container, when the container doors are open. Furthermore, the upper portable wall 4 comprises a second opening 20 and is attached at the upper region of the open side of the freight container, when the container doors are open. The second opening 20 comprises an air-permeable and foam-impermeable element 22. The lower portable wall 3 and the upper portable wall 4 are attached to each other by a locking mechanism, such as a latch. Moreover, said portable walls are attached to the freight container by a locking mechanism. As illustrated on Fig. 4b, the first opening 10 is located at the lower portable wall 3, while the second opening 20 is located at the upper portable wall 4. Moreover, the lower portable wall 3 and the upper portable wall 4 comprise a gasket 60. Thus, when the freight container is filled with for instance foam from a foam generator attached to the first opening 10 of the lower portable wall 3, air comprising bad odors is removed from said freight container by the second opening 20 of the upper portable wall 4.

[0056] The disclosure also relates to a system for cleaning and/or disinfecting a freight container. Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment where the system is in operation, cleaning a freight container 100. The system comprises the portable wall 1 as defined elsewhere herein and means for transporting foam to the freight container 100. The means for transporting foam may be a foam generator 40 and a pump 105. The foam generator 40 and the pump 105 are devices known by the skilled person and different variations are suitable for the system. For instance, the foam generator 40 may comprise a turbine or electric fan, a spray nozzle, and a mesh, as described elsewhere wherein, and is attached to the first opening 10 of the portable wall 1 . The foam generator 40 is thus arranged to be attached to the first opening 10 of the portable wall 1 , while the pump 105 conveys the elements required for foam generation (e.g., foaming agent and water) and for cleaning and/or disinfecting (e.g., disinfectant composition) into the foam generator 40, which then produces foam to be introduced into the freight container 100.

[0057] The system further comprises a water source 103, a foaming agent supply 104 and a disinfectant composition tank 102. The water source 103 provides access to water needed for foam generation, while the foaming agent supply 104 and disinfectant composition tank 102 provide the elements needed for foam generation and for cleaning and/or disinfecting the freight container, respectively. The foaming agent and disinfectant composition being separately stored allows for mixing both the foaming agent and disinfectant composition right before foam generation. Alternatively, the foaming agent may be introduced separately from the disinfectant composition.

[0058] Furthermore, the system comprises the pump 105, the foaming agent supply 104, and the disinfectant composition tank 102 housed in a process container 101 , which provides protection against weather conditions and against access by unauthorized persons. Additionally, housing said components in a process container 101 allows easy transportation of the system to the next area where freight containers are to be cleaned and/or disinfected. Alternatively, the system comprises the pump 105, the water source 103, the foaming agent supply 104, and the disinfectant composition tank 102 housed in a process container 101. The foam generator 40 is also movable, for instance by being placed in a wagon or by having wheels. The movable foam generator 40 also allows easy transportation to the next area where freight containers are to be cleaned and/or disinfected.

[0059] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of cleaning and/or disinfecting a freight container 100. Said method comprises mounting the portable wall 1 as defined elsewhere herein to an open side of the freight container 100. The portable wall 1 may be mounted, as previously described, by opening at least one door of the freight container 100 and attaching the portable wall 1 therein.

[0060] The next step is connecting a foam generator 40 to the first opening 10 of the portable wall 1 . The foam generator 40 produces foam and introduces said foam into the freight container. Moreover, the foam generator 40 may concomitantly introduce foam and a disinfectant composition into the freight container 100.

[0061 ] The foam and the disinfectant composition may be kept for some time in the freight container 100 in order to increase the cleaning and/or disinfecting properties. For instance, the foam and the disinfectant composition are kept in the freight container 100 for at least 5 minutes, such as at least 10, at least 20 or at least 30 minutes. Depending on how much cleaning is required, more time is needed. In case a quick and superficial cleaning is sufficient, the foam and the disinfectant composition may be immediately removed from the freight container 100.

[0062] The freight container 100 may be completely filled with foam and disinfectant composition, so that all surfaces are in contact with said foam and disinfectant composition. Furthermore, the second opening 20 of the portable wall 1 comprises an air-permeable and foam-impermeable element 22, which allows air having bad odors to be removed from the freight container 100 while filling the freight container 100 with foam. Therefore, the freight container 100 is at the same time cleaned/disinfected and bad odors are removed therein. However, the freight container 100 may be partially filled with foam and disinfectant composition, such as 50% or 60 % of the volume of the freight container 100 filled with said foam and disinfectant composition. In this case, all surfaces of the freight container 100 are cleaned since the gaseous disinfectant composition (e.g., chlorine dioxide) can reach said all internal surfaces with no need of fully filling the freight container 100. By partially filling the freight container 100, time, water, foam and/or disinfectant compositions are saved.

[0063] To mount the portable wall 1 to the freight container 100, at least one door of the freight container 100 is opened. That opened door may be separately cleaned while the foam generator 40 introduces foam and disinfectant composition into the freight container 100.

[0064] The foam introduced into the freight container 100 is preferably a high expansion foam comprising bubbles having an average diameter of at least 5 mm, preferably at least 15 mm, most preferably at least 30 mm. Furthermore, the high expansion foam preferably has an expansion factor of at least 500, more preferably at least 800, most preferably at least 1200, wherein the expansion factor is the resulting foam volume divided by the volume of the liquid foaming agent.

[0065] The disinfectant composition has a pH of 4-7, preferably 6-7. In general, disinfectant compositions have an acidic pH, which can lead to corrosiveness. By having a disinfectant composition comprising a less acidic or neutral pH, said corrosiveness is reduced or avoided. The disinfectant composition is preferably an aqueous composition comprising at least 50 ppm, preferably at least 100 ppm, most preferably at least 300 ppm of chlorine dioxide. The chlorine dioxide is typically a gas that advantageously clean and/or disinfect the freight container. The disinfectant composition can include a supporting surfactant system comprising at least one cationic surfactant. The supporting surfactant system can for example comprise two or more amine oxides, preferably with different carbon chain lengths, more preferably the amine oxides comprise one amine oxide with 8 carbon atoms (C8) and one amine oxide with 12 carbon length (C12). The stabilizing surfactant system stabilizes the dissolved gas bubbles of chlorine dioxide in the solution. [0066] Further on, the stabilizing surfactant system facilitates for the disinfecting agent to descend into the container floor and successively release for example bacteria and dirt from the floor.

[0067] Furthermore, when the foam is removed from the freight container, said foam removal may be made by rinsing using pressurized air, water, alcohol solution or combinations thereof. Further, the foam removal may be enhanced by adding a defoamer. Many defoamers are known in the art, such as insoluble oils, polydimethylsiloxanes and other silicones, alcohols, stearates, and glycols.

[0068] It is important that air can be continuously removed from the freight container 100 during the process. If air cannot be continuously removed while the freight container 100 is filled with foam, the air inside the freight container 100 will be compressed, the foam will be pushed downwards in the freight container 100 and the process will be slowed down. If the pressure inside the freight container 100 becomes too high, the foam bubbles will start to break, and the disinfection process will be less efficient.

[0069] The invention is further illustrated in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

Examples

[0070] In the following examples of the invention, Bio yellow from Kempartner AB is selected as a foaming agent capable of creating high expansion foam and LifeClean from LifeClean International AB is selected as a disinfectant composition.

[0071] In the following examples, the foam agent comprises 1-5 wt% Ammonium lauryl sulfate, 1-5 wt% Sodium C12-14 pareth-3 sulfate, 1-5 wt% TEA-Lauryl Sulfate, 1-5 wt% C10-16 alkyl glucoside, 1-5 wt% 2-(2-Butoxyethoxy)ethanol and >30 wt% water. [0072] In the following examples, the Lifeclean disinfectant composition comprises <0.2 wt% of chlorine dioxide.

Example 1

[0073]ln order to eliminate pathogens and odor in freight containers, the container needs to be cleaned and disinfected as a routine before usage.

[0074]For this procedure, 1 liter (1 wt%) of foam agent is being used and 10 liters (10 wt%) of LifeClean is being used. Ten liters of LifeClean in this example is added to 100 L water, which equals to 200 ppm of chlorine dioxide solution.

[0075]The first step of the procedure is to open one of the container doors and mount the portable wall to the open side of the freight container.

[0076]The second step of the procedure is to place the foam generator to the portable wall and start the foam production. Filling of the container with foam and disinfectant composition takes about 30 seconds. At the same time, the opened door is being cleaned and disinfected with a handheld spray containing the same solution.

[0077]The third step of the procedure starts after the determined contact time of the foam and disinfectant composition with the freight container. Then, the portable wall is disassembled and the foam is removed with water.

[0078]The fourth step of the procedure is to rinse the container with high pressure water to wash out visible dirt and remaining rest product from the solution.

[0079]The fifth step of the procedure is to sweep out the remaining water of the floor of the freight container to remove the remaining wastewater.

Example 2

[0080] In order to eliminate pathogens and odor in freight containers that has been used for shipping trash (RDF), the container needs to be cleaned and disinfected as a routine before usage. [0081 ]For this procedure 1 liter (1 wt%) of foam agent is being used and 15 liters (15 wt%) of LifeClean is being used. Fifteen liters of LifeClean in this example is added to 100 L water, which equals to 300 ppm of chlorine dioxide solution.

[0082]The first step of the procedure is to open one of the container doors and mount the portable wall in the opening.

[0083]The second step of the procedure is to place the foam generator to the portable wall and start the foam production. Filling of the container with foam and disinfectant composition takes about 30 seconds. At the same time, the opened door is being cleaned and disinfected with a handheld spray containing the same solution.

[0084]The third step of the procedure starts after the determined contact time of about 20 minutes. Then, the portable wall is disassembled and the foam is removed with water.

[0085]The fourth step of the procedure is to rinse the container with high pressure water to wash out visible dirt and remaining rest product from the solution. The chlorine dioxide penetrates through the plywood made container floor, thereby releasing bacteria and/or dirt deep-seated into the container floor during a 10-20- m inute period after the contact time. The container should be rinsed out with high pressure from the inside and out repeatedly 2-5 times whilst waiting 5 minutes between the rinsing.

[0086]The fifth step of the procedure is to sweep out the remaining water of the floor to remove the last wastewater.

Example 3

[0087] In order to increase the efficiency of cleaning and disinfection procedure, multiple containers are placed on a line-up.

[0088]The first step is to place minimum 10 containers in a row. Firstly, a portable wall is mounted to each one of the 10 containers positioned in a row.

Simultaneously, a foam generator is connected to the portable wall of the first container, which is filled with foam and disinfectant composition. This process of mounting the portable wall and filling the freight container is repeated until all 10 containers have a portable wall attach to it and are filled with foam and disinfectant composition.

[0089]By the time all 10 containers are filled with foam and disinfectant composition, the first container has been sufficiently in contact with the foam and the disinfectant composition to be regarded as cleaned and/or disinfected. The portable wall is then disassembled, followed by rinsing and sweeping off each one of the containers The process as exemplified herein generates a quick and effective method of cleaning and/or disinfecting a plurality of containers.

Example 4

[0090]A standard 40 ft high-cube container with a volume of about 58 m ³ is filled with about 38 m ³ foam and disinfection composition (corresponding to a filling level of about 65% of the volume of the container). A foam generator with an air spillage of 0-40% is used, this corresponding to up to 17 m ³ air not being in the form of foam bubbles entering the container.

[0091 ]The filling of the container takes 30 seconds. This means that 38 m ³ - 55 m ³ air needs to be removed from the container, via the second opening of the portable wall, during the filling process. The construction of the portable wall, with the second opening comprising an air-permeable and foam-impermeable element, makes it possible to keep the required high air flow and at the same time keep the foam within the container.

[0092]Generally, about 60 m ³ to 130 m ³ air/minute needs to be removed through the air-permeable and foam-impermeable element of the second opening during the filling process of a standard 40 ft high-cube container.

[0093]The foam and disinfectant composition are kept in the container for the desired time, for example 5 minutes. The foam and disinfectant composition are thereafter removed from the container, for example by rinsing with water comprising a defoamer.