CA2826042A1 - Convertible container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container comprising arrangements for gripping, handling and securing said container, each of said arrangements (8) being placed at a corner of this container in the non-deployed position of this container. According to the invention, in said non-deployed position of said container, said container consists of a central box (1) having a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension, and two extension blocks (2, 3) connected to said central box (1), at least part of the structure of the central box (1) and of the extension blocks (2, 3) being sealed, each of said extension blocks (2, 3) having a length, or width, in said non-deployed position greater than half of the longitudinal dimension, respectively transverse, of said central box (1), said extension blocks (2, 3) being movable between said non-deployed position in which said extension blocks and said box center (1) are placed at least in part one above the other, and a deployed position in which each extension block forms a longitudinal or transverse extension of said central box (1), the assembly thus deployed forming then a floating structure having an increased loading area.

Description

TRANSFORMABLE CONTAINER
The present invention relates to a convertible container which in its undeployed position can be taken, manipulated or docked as anything which transport container, and which in its deployed position forms a structure autonomous floating.
We know containers, or containers, floating that when they are stowed together allow to form a boat to fight against a accidental spilling of oil at sea, in rivers or lakes.
These containers advantageously allow a very fast delivery of means of combating oil slicks, by air or by ship.
In the latter case, and when the ship causing the spill of hydrocarbons is a container ship, these floating sea containers may already be on board.
However, this type of boat needs to have a plurality of separate containers, each having a specific function and the whole being essential for the formation and smooth running of the boat.
In addition, the time required to assemble the different containers constituting the boat is particularly long, arduous and even impossible when the sea is dismounted, while the intervention of means of struggle must to be as soon as possible to circumscribe as soon as possible the area contaminated by the hydrocarbons.
There is also a need for amphibious vehicles that can be easily transported to areas of operation by sea or Aerial.
In the case of transport of such amphibious vehicles by ship, these may be used for the unloading of equipment and / or merchandise

2 finding on board the ship. Conversely, they can still be used for loading of the ship.
To carry out these operations, these amphibious vehicles can then run shuttles between the land and the ship.
Amphibious vehicles should finally be able to be loaded aboard these ships with conventional port infrastructure, and by therefore, without the need for dedicated facilities.
The objective of the present invention is therefore to propose a device for floating transport, simple in its design and in its mode of operation, having the dimensions of a cargo container in a position not deployed, including arrangements for grip, handling and the attachment of this device with for example the port facilities standard, and forming a boat in its deployed position.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device for floating transport which from a longitudinal dimension and from a dimension given in its undeployed position, that is to say, those of a container, has an increased deck area to increase significantly the loading capacity of the boat and a hull volume maximized in order to have the best buoyancy possible in its position deployed.
This maximization of the hull volume and deck area of the boat must however be searched with the minimum of kinematic links possible in order to keep a floating transport device that is simple and quickly deployable.
Indeed, the more the transport device has moving parts and more its weight and complexity increase.
The dimensions of this transport device in its undeployed position, that is to say of container, are thus advantageously reduced, allowing its transport by truck, ship or cargo plane.
Another imperative for such a container, as in all containers of goods transport, is then to have all of its elements structural elements included in the, and therefore not salient, parallelepiped defined by the free walls of this container so that a plurality of such containers can be stacked and / or juxtaposed.
More generally, the present invention aims to maximize the longitudinal and / or transverse dimensions of the boat obtained by deployment of a transport container having standard dimensions iso while ensuring good buoyancy of this boat.

3 Yet another object of the present invention is an amphibious vehicle self-propelled vehicle that can be transported by sea or air by being loadable and unloadable very easily.
For this purpose, the invention relates to a container comprising arrangements for gripping, handling and fixing this container, each of these arrangements being placed at a corner of this container in the undeployed position of the container.
According to the invention, in said undeployed position of said container, said container is consisting of a central box having a longitudinal dimension and a dimension cross-section, and two extension blocks connected to said central box, a part at least of the structure of the central box and the extension blocks being waterproof, each of said extension blocks having a length, or width, in said undeployed position greater than half the dimension longitudinal, respectively transverse, of said central box, said extension blocks being movable between said non-moving position deployed wherein said extension blocks and said central box are placed at less in part one above the other, and a position deployed in which each extension block forms a longitudinal or transverse extension said central box, the whole thus deployed forming a structure floating having an increased loading surface.
Advantageously, the maximization of the length, respectively the width, of the floating structure has the consequence, the improvement of the degree of speed of the hull, respectively the increase of the metacentric radius (and therefore of the initial stability), intervening squared for the length (Decrease of the Froude number), respectively to the cube for the width (increase of the transverse inertia of flotation). These considerations being of course valid only for families of substantially identical and moving hulls equal.
Arrangements for gripping, handling and fixing said container are still called corner pieces for gripping, stowage and transhipment of the container.
These arrangements being placed in the corners of the container, at least these angles are full in order to present sufficient rigidity to ensure the recovery of the efforts applied.
At least a part of the central box and expansion blocks is waterproof so that at least a portion of the shell is waterproof.

4 In different particular embodiments of this container, each having its particular advantages and likely many combinations possible techniques:
said extension blocks comprise a single box or two boxes preferably placed against each other in said position deployed, The extension blocks can each consist of a single box.

Alternatively, one of the extension blocks may comprise a single box forming an end box for moving along the axis longitudinal of the central box while the other block of extension is on the contrary made of two boxes advantageously pressed against each other in the non-position deployed from the container, these boxes being intended to move transversely to the longitudinal axis of the central box.
in the deployed position of the container, the shell of said structure float has a longitudinal or transverse dimension greater than two time longitudinal dimension, respectively transverse, of said central box, Thus, and by way of example, in the deployed position of said container, the shell of said floating structure has a longitudinal dimension from the bow to the stern greater than twice the longitudinal dimension of the central box.
- the extension blocks are hingedly connected to the box central, Advantageously, the extension blocks are connected in an articulated manner to central box by a hinge. Preferably, this hinge is a two-axis hinge.
This hinge with two axes, also called biaxial hinge, has two articulated parts which are connected to an intermediate part carrying both axes offset rotation.
this container comprises actuators allowing the displacement of expansion blocks from the undeployed position to the deployed position of this container and vice versa, Preferably, the extension blocks being hingedly connected to the box central by hinges, these actuators are motorized hinges or still hinges having means for opening and closing said hinges.
For purely illustrative purposes, these means for opening and closing said hinges include, for example, rotary actuators powered by a source power supply, hydraulic or pneumatic. Preferably this power source and its distribution circuit are placed in the box central or one of the container extension blocks.
Alternatively, the means for opening and closing the hinges can again to be deported, and thus not integrated with the hinges themselves. It could be at

5 purely illustrative, linear actuators or a cable system or again of an external crane.
- the extension blocks have complementary profiles in order to cooperate in the undeployed position of the container to form with the box a set whose free walls define a parallelepiped or substantially a parallelepiped, and even better a rectangular parallelepiped or a cube, For illustrative purposes only, the extension blocks can have a profile triangular or truncated triangular.
Of course, this parallelepiped may not be full when the blocks extension have for example a truncated triangular profile. It is in this sense than the free walls then substantially define a parallelepiped.
The triangular shape of the extension blocks ensures the non-determination of a meaning privileged displacement of the floating structure, which is then advantageously amphidromic.
the outer surface of said container in its deployed position is plane or substantially flat so that the bridge of the floating structure is plane or substantially plan, each of said extension blocks comprising a single box extension, a first of said extension boxes performs a rotation of between the undeployed position and the deployed position of said container while than the other extension box rotates less than 1800 , This first extension box is a right truncated triangle or not that the other extension box has its side forming an end of the container in its undeployed position, which is inclined towards the inside of the container.
the container comprises at least one propulsion system so that said floating structure is self-propelled, Preferably, this propulsion system allows at least one displacement of the floating structure in a direction transverse or parallel to the axis longitudinal of the floating structure.
- at least one of said extension blocks and / or said central box is hollow for receiving loads, - said arrangements for gripping, handling and fixing of the said container being at least eight in number, the said arrangements are

6 placed at the ends of the corners of said container in its undeployed position, said arrangements being intended to cooperate with infrastructures lso standards for gripping, handling and fixing container, the container is connected to interconnection means allowing two or more containers to be connected edge to edge or end to end to form a unitary shipping unit at the ends of the corners of which are placed arrangements for gripping, handling and fixing said assembly unit, the container comprises inflatable elements so independent or not, to improve the buoyancy of the said structure floating, These inflatable elements are advantageously received in housing provided for this purpose in the side edges of this container. So, we can, in case emergency, move the container from its deployed position to its non deployed without having to deflate these inflatable elements.
Alternatively or additionally, these inflatable elements can be deployed from dwellings placed in the bottom of the central box and / or of the expansion blocks, the inflatable elements then being placed under these elements when deployed.
These inflatable elements are preferably sized to ensure the stability and buoyancy of the floating structure.
Preferably, the container has a feed circuit to ensure inflating independently or not, of these inflatable elements to go a power source for example pneumatic. Purely illustrative, these inflatable elements are inflatable tubes. This source power can for example be placed in the central box or one of the blocks extension.
In order to compensate for pressure losses that may result from leaks or variations in temperature, the inflating pressure of the inflatable elements is controlled and adjusted thanks to a control of the power source by probes such as pressure sensors, checking the pressure of inflation of each inflatable element.
at least one of these extension blocks has one or more extension ramps to lengthen the longitudinal and / or transverse dimension of bridge of said floating structure, Alternatively, these ramps may not be integrated into the volumetry of the extension block but be removable to be stored inside the blocks extension and / or central box.
the container comprises retractable wheels or not,

7 This container preferably comprises at least two retractable wheels or not by extension block. Of course, the central box may comprise at least one pair of retractable wheels or not to ensure the displacement on container route in its undeployed position.
Advantageously, at least two of the wheels of the container are directional. In addition, at least two of said wheels are preferably drive.
This container then forms in its deployed position, an amphibious vehicle.
said container comprises locking means, These locking means may comprise locks intended to cooperate with two or more arrangements for gripping, handling and fixing said container placed opposite. They thus make it possible to the expansion blocks and the central box in the extended position of the container. AT
illustrative title, these locks can be double twist locks (again called "twist-lock"), mounted opposite tips, and interposed between two arrangements for the gripping placed vis-à-vis and put in place before the full deployment of the container.
According to another embodiment, or in addition, the means of may include fasteners such as pins or pins bolted brackets.
Alternatively, the container can be self-locking in its position deployed, self-locking being ensured by the effort resulting from the actuators deployment.
For illustrative purposes only, self-locking can be ensured by valves of maintaining load on the hydraulic cylinders ensuring the deployment of the container.
- this container has the dimensions of an Iso 10 transport container feet, 20 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet or 45 feet, or any other dimension of a standard container defined by ISO 668 and ISO 1496-1 or any other reference, standard, or standard used in maritime multimodal transport, fluvial, road, rail or air, the container in its non-deployed position is advantageously floating so that it can be dropped at sea and deployed for example automatically or remotely to form a ship.
When it deploys automatically, the container has one or several probes connected to a hydraulic supply circuit, for example, for feed the hinges and move them from their open position at their closed position. These probes detect the presence of the container in the water,

8 they make sure of its good stability and if so, send a message to the hydraulic power source for supplying the hinges with a view to their activation. Activation of these causes the passage of the container of its position not deployed to his deployed position.
When the container is remotely controlled, it comprises at least one receiver, or transceiver, connected to a control unit, this latest controlling the activation of the hydraulic source to power the hinges and activate these.
The invention also relates to a floating machine comprising at least two containers in their deployed position as described above, these containers being interconnected to form a floating structure unit.
These containers in their deployed position can be assembled end-to-end tip and / or edge to edge.
The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
wherein:
FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of a container in its undeployed position according to a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the container of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 schematically represents the container of FIG.
his deployed position;
FIG. 4 is a partial and enlarged view of the connection between the box central and one of the end boxes of the container of Figure 1;
FIG. 5 is a partial and enlarged view of the connection between the box central and one of the end boxes of the container of Figure 1, stops being in place;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above of a container according to a second embodiment, this container being in its deployed position, the inflatable elements to improve the buoyancy of the structure floating being also deployed;
FIG. 7 schematically represents a floating machine comprising six containers in their deployed position, these containers being interconnected to form a unitary floating structure;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view from below of the structure floating of Figure 6 in its deployed position, the retractable wheels being exposed;

9 FIG. 9 schematically represents a perspective view of a container in its undeployed position according to a third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 10 schematically represents the container of FIG.
his deployed position;
FIG. 11 schematically represents a perspective view of a container in its undeployed position according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
- Figure 12 schematically shows the container of Figure 11 in his deployed position;
FIG. 13 schematically represents a perspective view of a container in its undeployed position according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the container of FIG.
13;
FIG. 15 schematically represents the container of FIG.
deployment course;
FIG. 16 schematically represents the container of FIG. 13 in his deployed position;
Figures 1 and 2 show front and back views of a convertible container in its undeployed position according to a mode of preferred embodiment of the invention.
This container consists only of a central box 1 having a longitudinal dimension and at the ends of which blocks are placed extension 2, 3 which are connected to the central box 1 by hinges biaxial 4-7.
Each extension block 2, 3 consists of a single box, still called end box later, which is connected in an articulated manner at central box 1 by a pair of 4-7 biaxial hinges.
These hinges 4-7 here comprise hydraulic rotary cylinders. The container therefore comprises a hydraulic power source and a circuit of distribution of this hydraulic fluid (not shown) to feed the different hinges 4-7 and thus allow their opening and closing. The container is, accordingly, perfectly autonomous.
The end caissons 2, 3 which have a truncated triangular profile, are placed partly on top of one another, superimposed on the central box 1.
Each end box 2, 3 has a length greater than half the dimension longitudinal of the central box 1.
At least one of these boxes 1-3 is advantageously hollow to receive charges and / or devices or devices necessary for the proper operation 5 of the container.
Each box 1-3 which is sealed, forms a floating box.
In the undeployed position of the container, the free outer walls end caissons 2, 3 and central box 1 define substantially a rectangular parallelepiped. No structural element of the container is placed in

10 protruding from this parallelepiped so that this container can be stacked on and / or plated against other containers for storage or transport.
This parallelepiped rectangle here has dimensions equal to those of a shipping container iso 20 feet so it can advantageously taken, transported, handled, transhipped or stowed as standard iso container without the need for infrastructure or hardware specific.
This container comprises, at each of its angles, an arrangement 8 for gripping, handling and fixing the container. It includes eight arrangements 8 which are placed at the ends of the corners of the container in its position not deployed.
The activation of the biaxial hinges 4-7 ensures the passage of the position not deployed from the container to its deployed position. In this last position, the end boxes 2, 3 form longitudinal extensions of the box central 1, said assembly thus deployed then forming a floating structure whose shell has a longitudinal dimension greater than twice the size longitudinal of this central box 1.
While a first end box 2 rotates 180 between the undeployed position and the deployed position of the container, the other box 3 end rotates less than 180, here equal to about 167 , enter these two positions. These two different rotations ensure the realization a bridge plane or substantially plane for the floating structure.
The angle of rotation being less than 180, the end wall 9 of the box central 1 intended to be pressed against the end box 3 in the position deployed from the container, has an inclined shape complementary to the face 10 inclined end of this end box 3 coming into contact, so that the angle form between these two inclined walls 9, 10 is equal to the value of the angle of rotation.
Each box 1-3 has aluminum walls forming its waterproof outer shell. Each box 1-3 thus formed is structured by a longitudinal and transverse network of stiffeners designed to take over

11 local efforts and the overall efforts undergone by the container, both in position no deployed, only in deployed position.
Each of these boxes 1-3 thus forms a load bearing structure suitable for receive important loads such as a span, vehicles (truck, ...) equipment and / or personnel. The triangular shape of the end boxes 2, 3 ensures, moreover, a good recovery efforts by the central box 1 authorizing the use of the ends, or points, of these caissons 2, 3 for the port loads. The loading surface of the supporting structure is thus advantageously significantly increased. Of course, the hinges biaxial 4-7 are sized to support significant loads both in deployed position, that is to say in floating structure configuration, that in position not deployed, that is to say in container.
Alternatively, these boxes 1-3 could be made of steel, steel stainless, in cupronickel, in polymer or more generally in materials composites.
Figures 4 and 5 show a partial and enlarged view of the container in its deployed position in which it forms a floating structure. The hinges biaxial 4, 7 are received in slots 11 provided for this purpose in the structure of the boxes 1-3 so that their upper surface is flush with the upper surface of the boxes 1-3 defining the bridge of the structure floating.
Thus in this deployed position, the bridge of the floating structure is plane what guarantees the stability of goods, equipment and / or vehicles received on the deck of the floating structure.
Each hinge with two axes 4-7, also called biaxial hinge, has two fixed parts 12, 13, each secured to a casing 1, 3, or in integral part, and supporting one of the two axes 14, 15 of this hinge. These two axes are connected by one or more connecting rods 16, 17 ensuring the offset of the axes of rotation 14, 15.
Stops 18 come limited the movement of each hinge when it arrives in one of its two extreme positions (open or closed).
In these two positions, no element of said hinge exceeds sides container, respectively of the boat, left visible.
Preferably, the dormant elements comprise a coaxial actuator with rotation axes 14, 15 such as a rotary cylinder, geared motor or other, so of allow the opening and closing of the container without further actions exteriors.
It can also be a training such as a chain or belt, so of ability to deport the actuator.

12 The container here comprises a propulsion system (not shown) of so that this floating structure is self-propelled. This propulsion system preferably comprises at least one jet propellant such as a jet pump ("Pump Jet"), whose jet of water expelled by the nozzle is steerable for ensure a propulsion and the direction of the floating structure in directions varied.
Alternatively, this propulsion system may be propeller or paddle wheel.

This propulsion system is preferably placed in the central box 1 container and / or in the end boxes 2, 3. The appendices of this propulsion system are advantageously foldable by rotation, translation or disassembly to allow not only to conform to the template ISO container but also ensure the folding of the floating structure in emergency.
The floating structure is here planned to move as well in a meaning that in the other in a longitudinal way (amphidrome), and also of transverse to the longitudinal axis of the floating structure in the two directions.
Figures 6 and 8 show perspective views of a container according to a second embodiment, this container being in its deployed position and forming a boat. The elements of Figures 6 and 8 bearing the same references that the elements of Figures 1 to 5 represent the same objects that will not be so not described again below.
This boat includes inflatable tubes 19, here represented deployed, to improve its flotation and stability. These inflatable tubes 19 are made of a waterproof and resistant plastic material such as rubber.
Alternatively, and advantageously, these inflatable elements 19 may have half-cone shapes, are made of a single piece of to increase their mechanical strength. Each inflatable element 19 is then a woven structure made from a single material that is then coated with a sealing material such as a polychloride material of vinyl (PVC) or polyurethane and even better a PVC-based material laminated fireproof.
This one-piece woven structure can be obtained from a weaving method developed by the present applicant. We will be able to usefully to file patent applications W02009 / 095404 and W02009 / 095415 for further technical details.
For the record, this woven structure comprises at least two walls woven fabrics connected to one another by at least one unrelated binding yarn. The variation the length between two consecutive leashes of said at least one binding yarn,

13 each of said left corresponding to one taken by a weft of a wall different, is continuous on at least a part of said structure in the direction of the chain and / or in the direction of the frame.
The end boxes of this container each have wheels retractable 20, 21 which are apparent in Figure 8.
Advantageously, the pair of wheels 20 of the end box 2 placed in the undeployed position of the container, between the central box 1 and the other box 3, are positioned so as to allow the folding of the container in case of emergency even when these wheels 20 are non-retractable. Indeed, the truncated triangular shape of the end boxes 2, 3 leaves a space allowing the passage of non-retractable wheels 20 while allowing the respect ISO container template.
These wheels 20, 21 are here directional and equipped with a system of braking.
Alternatively, the container may have only two wheels, retractable or not, non-motorized. By the addition of a towing vehicle or pusher, the container is thus used as a single axle trailer.
This type of configuration can be implemented to implement the implementation at the water (or the water outlet) of the machine, or its handling on land-full or storage area.
FIG. 7 schematically represents a floating craft comprising six containers in their deployed position, these containers being interconnected to form a unitary floating structure. We thus obtain structures floating large by the simple addition in the sense of the length and / or the width of other floating structures. Of course, elements of locks (not shown) make it possible to join together all of these floating structures together to form such a structure floating unit.
These locking elements are for example locks intended for cooperate with arrangements for the handling, handling and fixing different containers placed opposite. Alternatively, these items locking devices may have bolted fasteners, fasteners such only pins or pins. It may also be envisaged to use bonds flexible, such as straps, rubber collars, brellages ...
Figures 9 and 10 show perspective views of a container according to a third embodiment of the invention. The elements of Figures 9 and bearing the same references as the elements of Figures 1 to 5 represent the same objects that will not be described again below.

14 The container of Figures 9 and 10 differs from that of Figures 1 to 5 in that that the end caissons 2, 3 have a width, or transverse dimension, greater than half the width, or transverse dimension, of the box central 1. In the deployed position of the container, the floating structure has a area increased bridge in the direction of the width of the central box 1.
The deployment of the end caissons 2, 3 of the container is done laterally to the central box 1, the 4-7 biaxial hinges are arranged sure the lateral edges of the central box 1. These biaxial hinges 4-7 are received in housings 11 provided for this purpose in the lateral edges 22, 23 of the central box 1.
In order to ensure a plane bridge to the floating structure in the deployed position of the container, one of the lateral edges 22 of the central box 1 is inclined towards the interior of this central box 1 while the wall 24 of the box end 3 intended to be pressed against this lateral edge 22 has an inclined shape complementary to this inclined lateral edge 22 of the central box 1 so that the angle formed between these two inclined walls 22, 24 is equal to the value of angle of rotation of the end box 3 relative to the central box 1, here of order from 167.
Figures 11 and 12 show perspective views of a container according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The elements of figures 11 and 12 having the same references as the elements of FIGS. 1 to 5 represent the same objects that will not be described again below.
below.
The container of Figures 11 and 12 differs from that of Figures 1 to Sen ce that so that one of the end boxes 2, 3 has ramps 25, 26 which are integrated in the volume of this box. These ramps 25, 26 are here received in the undeployed position of the container in a housing 27 of the box corresponding end 3 so that the outer surface of these ramps 26 is flush with the surface of the free wall 28 of this box end 3 to respect the template of the container.
These ramps 25, 26 are rotatably mounted about an axis 29 so as to to be able to be deployed in rotation in the deployed position of the container for increase the size of the bridge of the floating structure.
Figures 13 to 16 show a convertible container according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
Each extension block 30, 31 consists of a single box end of which the dimensions are equal to those of the central box 32, these boxes 30-32 being superimposed on each other in the non-position deployed from the container forming a stack of boxes.
These boxes 30-32 being hinged to each other, two consecutive boxes are interconnected by at least two link arms 5 mounted on the same side edge of these boxes, one of these arms link 34, 37 being common to the three boxes 30-32.
Two consecutive connecting arms form with the two caissons consecutive that they connect a deformable regular parallelogram so that the moving one of these boxes relative to a box immediately 10 in the stack of said unexpanded position of said container, causes a circular translation of this box relative to the box immediately below the stack.
The connecting arms 34, 37 connecting the three boxes 30-32 ensure advantageously a simultaneous and uniform movement of all the

15 containers of the container between the undeployed position and the position deployed and Conversely.
These link arms 33-38 are advantageously received in lateral housing 39 provided for this purpose so that no structural element of the container is placed projecting from the parallelepiped 40 defined by the walls free boxes 30-32 so that this container can be stacked on and / or plated against other containers for storage or transport. These lateral housings 39 correspond here to recesses in the edges lateral caissons 30-32.
The link arms 33-38 are rotatably mounted on the casings 30-32 to allow the relative displacement of each of these boxes. These arms link 33-38 include, for example, connecting rods.
The face or faces 41-43 of the boxes 30-32 intended to come into contact with a face of another box when these boxes are put end to end in the deployed position of the container, each comprise a complementary shape of the face with which it is intended to cooperate in the position deployed from container. In this way, the faces of two consecutive boxes thus coupled are locked in position.

Claims (20)

1. Container with arrangements for gripping, handling and fixing said container, each of said arrangements (8) being placed at a corner of said container in an unexpanded position of said container, characterized in that in said undeployed position of said container, said container is consisting of a central box (1) having a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension, and two extension blocks (2, 3) connected to said box central part (1), at least part of the structure of the central box (1) and blocks extension (2, 3) being waterproof, each of said extension blocks (2, 3) having a length, or width, in said undeployed position greater than half the dimension longitudinal, respectively transverse, of said central box (1), said extension blocks (2, 3) being movable between said position deployed in which said extension blocks (2, 3) and said box central (1) placed at least partly above each other, and a position deployed wherein each extension block (2, 3) forms a longitudinal extension or cross section of said central box (1), the assembly thus deployed then forming a floating structure having an increased loading surface. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said blocks of extension (2, 3) comprise a single box or two boxes preferably placed against each other in said undeployed position. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in said deployed position, the hull of said floating structure has a dimension longitudinal, or transversal, greater than twice the size longitudinal, respectively transverse, said central box (1). Container according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said extension blocks (2, 3) are hingedly connected audit central box (1). Container according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises actuators for moving the extension blocks (2, 3) of the position not deployed to the deployed position of said container and vice versa. Container according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said expansion blocks (2, 3) are connected to said central box (1) by means of hinges (4- 7), and even better two-axis hinges.
Container according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said extension blocks (2, 3) have complementary profiles of to cooperate in said unexpanded position to form with the box central (1) a set whose free walls define a parallelepiped or substantially a parallelepiped 8. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that each of said expansion blocks (2, 3) has a truncated triangular or triangular profile Container according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bridge of the floating structure is plane or substantially plane Container according to claim 9, characterized in that each said expansion blocks (2, 3) comprising a single box, a first said boxes rotates 180 ° between the non-deployed position and the position deployed from said container while the other housing rotates lower at 180 ° Container according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each extension block (2, 3) consists of a single box extension whose longitudinal dimension is equal to that of said box central (1), said boxes (1-3) being superimposed on each other in the position not deployed from said container forming a stack of boxes Container according to claim 11, characterized in that said boxes (1-3) being hinged to each other, two boxes are interconnected by at least two connecting arms mounted on a same side edge of said boxes, one of said link arms being common to the three boxes, and in that - two consecutive connecting arms form with the two caissons consecutive that they connect a deformable regular parallelogram so that the moving one of said boxes relative to a box immediately lower in the stack of said non-deployed position of said container, causes a circular translation of said box relative to the box immediately below the stack. Container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one of said extension blocks includes one or a plurality of extension ramps (25, 26) for extending the longitudinal dimension and / or transverse of the bridge of said floating structure. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a propulsion system so that said floating structure is self-propelled. Container according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said extension blocks (2, 3) and said box central (1) are hollow to receive loads Container according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said arrangements for gripping, handling and the fastener (8) of said container being at least eight in number, said arrangements (8) are placed at the ends of the corners of said container in its position not deployed, said arrangements (8) being intended to cooperate with Iso standard infrastructures for gripping, handling and fixation said container. Container according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said container is connected to interconnection means allowing two or more containers to be connected edge to edge or end to end to form a unitary shipping unit at the ends of the corners of which arrangements are made for gripping, handling and fixation said unitary set. Container according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises inflatable elements (19) so as to independent or not, to improve the buoyancy of the said structure floating. Container according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that said container comprises retractable wheels (20, 21) or not. 20. Floating craft having two or more containers in their position deployed according to any one of claims 1 to 19, said containers being interconnected to form a unitary floating structure.