A bulk material shipping container unloader having an expandable supporter, a pallet receiver supported by the extendable supporter, and a material director supported by the pallet receiver.

The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for utilizing commercial cargo containers. The present invention utilizes containers made autonomous by coupling a container with a detachable propulsion system, having a motor and navigation and steering controls, permitting the rapid, controlled, efficient and safe delivery of cargo containers individually by water. Ballast units, deployment systems and control via remote units are also disclosed. The containers, utilizing their inherent buoyancy, can move autonomously according to a preplanned or remote controlled route to a specific location.

The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for utilizing commercial cargo containers. The present invention utilizes containers made autonomous by coupling a container with a detachable propulsion system, having a motor and navigation and steering controls, permitting the rapid, controlled, efficient and safe delivery of cargo containers individually by water. Ballast units, deployment systems and control via remote units are also disclosed. The containers, utilizing their inherent buoyancy, can move autonomously according to a preplanned or remote controlled route to a specific location.

A transportable container assembly including a transportable container defining an enclosed interior space and having an opening member cooperatively engaging a mounting frame. The opening member has a closed position and an open position and access to the interior space is permitted in the open position. A localized device or system is attached to the transportable container and is coupled to an electrical power source. A reed switch apparatus coupled to the transportable container communicates the position of the opening member to the localized device or system. The localized device or system provides a localized function depending on the reported position of the opening member. The localized function includes at least one of a group consisting of a local lighting function, local locking mechanism action and local refrigeration system action/function. The localized device or system communicates the position of the opening member to a remote device or system at a location remote from the transportable container. The remote device or system is capable of providing remote monitoring and control functions or actions at the transportable container depending on the communicated position of the opening member.

A transportable container assembly including a transportable container defining an enclosed interior space and having an opening member cooperatively engaging a mounting frame. The opening member has a closed position and an open position and access to the interior space is permitted in the open position. A localized device or system is attached to the transportable container and is coupled to an electrical power source. A reed switch apparatus coupled to the transportable container communicates the position of the opening member to the localized device or system. The localized device or system provides a localized function depending on the reported position of the opening member. The localized function includes at least one of a group consisting of a local lighting function, local locking mechanism action and local refrigeration system action/function. The localized device or system communicates the position of the opening member to a remote device or system at a location remote from the transportable container. The remote device or system is capable of providing remote monitoring and control functions or actions at the transportable container depending on the communicated position of the opening member.

A bulk material shipping container including a pallet, a compartment mounted on the pallet, a material unloading assembly, and a material loading assembly.

The present disclosure provides several novel improvements to freight storage and transportation services. In one detailed though non-limiting aspect, methods and means for safely and efficiently adjusting the interior volume space of an otherwise fixed-volume storage and transportation container are provided.

An intermodal container comprising: a bottom frame; a first side end wall configured to slide into a first side of the bottom frame, the first side end wall is height adjustable with respect to the bottom frame; a second side end wall configured to slide into a second side of the bottom frame, the second side opposite of the first side, the second side end wall is height adjustable with respect to the bottom frame; a front gate configured to attach to the bottom frame, the front gate configured to rotate with respect to the bottom frame, and the front gate further configured to lock into place with respect with the bottom frame at various angles of rotation with respect to the bottom frame; a rear gate configured to attach to the bottom frame, on a side of the bottom frame opposite from the front gate, and the rear gate configured to rotate with respect to the bottom frame, and the rear gate further configured to lock into place with respect with the bottom frame gate at various angles of rotation with respect to the bottom frame; a first vertical limiting member configured to attach to the top of the first side end wall and the second side end wall; a second vertical limiting member configured to attach to the top of the first side end wall and the second side end wall; where the intermodal container is configured to store, transport, and secure items; and where the first and second vertical limiting members are configured to limit items from moving in a vertical direction.

An intermodal container comprising: a bottom frame; a first side end wall configured to slide into a first side of the bottom frame, the first side end wall is height adjustable with respect to the bottom frame; a second side end wall configured to slide into a second side of the bottom frame, the second side opposite of the first side, the second side end wall is height adjustable with respect to the bottom frame; a front gate configured to attach to the bottom frame, the front gate configured to rotate with respect to the bottom frame, and the front gate further configured to lock into place with respect with the bottom frame at various angles of rotation with respect to the bottom frame; a rear gate configured to attach to the bottom frame, on a side of the bottom frame opposite from the front gate, and the rear gate configured to rotate with respect to the bottom frame, and the rear gate further configured to lock into place with respect with the bottom frame gate at various angles of rotation with respect to the bottom frame; a first vertical limiting member configured to attach to the top of the first side end wall and the second side end wall; a second vertical limiting member configured to attach to the top of the first side end wall and the second side end wall; where the intermodal container is configured to store, transport, and secure items; and where the first and second vertical limiting members are configured to limit items from moving in a vertical direction.

An example adjustable truck compartment is described. The truck compartment includes a first side wall including a first guiding rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a second side wall disposed opposite from the first side wall, the second side wall including a second guiding rail extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the second side wall. The truck compartment includes a rear wall coupled to the distal ends of the first and second side walls to define an enclosure between the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall. The truck compartment includes a first divider panel configured to be received by the first and second guiding rails and within the enclosure in an orientation parallel to a floor of the enclosure to separate the enclosure into a first enclosure volume and a second enclosure volume.