A hollow container or box formed from a roof, a first side (i.e., or first upper and lower sides), a second side (i.e., for second upper and lower sides), a rear side (i.e., or rear upper and lower sides), a door (i.e., or upper and lower door), and a base placing the container or box in a fully assembled position. Unique side and end access doors are provided. Each of the sides are releaseably coupled or hingedly connected to one another and the adjacent sides are hingedly coupled to the base. Upon releasing the sides from one another and rotating each relative to one another in a particular order along various axis rotation, the container or box is transitioned from a fully assembled position into a flat, parallel orientation, fully collapsed position

A modular auxiliary power module is described for a modular autonomous bot apparatus that transports an item being shipped. The modular auxiliary power module includes a base adapter platform, a cargo door, an auxiliary power source, and an output power outlet disposed on the base adapter platform as part of a modular component electronics interface. A top side of the base adapter platform has a cargo support area configured to support the item being shipped. Interlocking alignment interfaces (such as channels or latches) are on the top and bottom of the platform. The cargo door is movably attached to and extending from an edge of the base adapter platform, and the output power outlet is coupled to the auxiliary power source and provides access to power for other components of the modular autonomous bot apparatus from the auxiliary power source.

A modular cargo storage system (CSS) is described for use on a base platform of a modular autonomous bot apparatus that transports an item being shipped. The modular CSS includes a set of folding structural walls, an interlocking alignment interface on at least one of the walls, and a modular component power and data transport bus. The walls at least partially enclose a payload area above the base platform. The interlocking alignment interface has a set of latches and a locking handle coupled to the set of latches that actuates the latches to interlock with the base platform. The power and data transport bus have top and bottom side modular component electronics interfaces where each interface has a power conduit outlet and a command and data communication interface.

The present disclosure is to a scale for measuring a weight of a mass inside of an intermodal freight container. The scale includes a first bottom side rail, a second bottom side rail, a first cross-member and a second cross-member, where the cross-members join the first bottom side rail and the second bottom side rail. The scale further includes a jointed member having a first elongate section joined to the first bottom side rail with a first hinge, a second elongate section joined to the second bottom side rail with a second hinge, and a third hinge that connects the first elongate section and the second elongate section. A container floor is positioned over the jointed member to allow force from a weight of a mass on the container floor to be transferred through the hinges into a first lateral force through the first elongate section into the first bottom side rail, where a load cell associated with the first bottom side rail provides an electrical signal whose magnitude is representative of the first lateral force being imparted by the weight of the mass. A microprocessor receives and stores in memory the electrical signal from the load cell indicating the weight of the mass inside of the intermodal freight container.

The present disclosure is to a scale for measuring a weight of a mass inside of an intermodal freight container. The scale includes a first bottom side rail, a second bottom side rail, a first cross-member and a second cross-member, where the cross-members join the first bottom side rail and the second bottom side rail. The scale further includes a jointed member having a first elongate section joined to the first bottom side rail with a first hinge, a second elongate section joined to the second bottom side rail with a second hinge, and a third hinge that connects the first elongate section and the second elongate section. A container floor is positioned over the jointed member to allow force from a weight of a mass on the container floor to be transferred through the hinges into a first lateral force through the first elongate section into the first bottom side rail, where a load cell associated with the first bottom side rail provides an electrical signal whose magnitude is representative of the first lateral force being imparted by the weight of the mass. A microprocessor receives and stores in memory the electrical signal from the load cell indicating the weight of the mass inside of the intermodal freight container.

A modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is described for transporting an item being shipped. The assembly includes a modular mobility base having propulsion, steering, sensors for collision avoidance, and suspension actuators; a modular auxiliary power module with a power source and cargo door; a modular cargo storage system with folding structural walls and a latching system; and a modular mobile autonomy module that covers the cargo storage system and provides human interaction interfaces, externals sensors, a wireless interface, and an autonomous controller with interfacing circuitry coupled to the human interaction interfaces and sensors on the mobile autonomy module. The assembly has a power and data transport bus that provides a communication and power conduit across the different modular components. A method for on-demand assembly of such a bot apparatus is further described with steps for authenticating the different modular components during assembly.

A collapsible storage silo having an expanded configuration includes: (a) a shell for circumscribing storage space and comprising a plurality of concentrically nested tubular members that are collapsible; (b) a lift system operable to slidably expand the plurality of concentrically nested tubular members to place the silo in its expanded configuration; and (c) a mast operable to support the lift system. The mast is pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions relative to a frame. A winch attaches to the mast and a cable extends between the winch and an outermost tubular member to expand the silo such that inwardly and outwardly projecting lips of nested members engage each other and a conical hopper engages an innermost tubular member. A flexible inner liner attaches between an outermost tubular member and the hopper. A collapsible roof has a flexible roof membrane and a plurality of radially extending foldable rib members.

A collapsible storage silo having an expanded configuration includes: (a) a shell for circumscribing storage space and comprising a plurality of concentrically nested tubular members that are collapsible; (b) a lift system operable to slidably expand the plurality of concentrically nested tubular members to place the silo in its expanded configuration; and (c) a mast operable to support the lift system. The mast is pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions relative to a frame. A winch attaches to the mast and a cable extends between the winch and an outermost tubular member to expand the silo such that inwardly and outwardly projecting lips of nested members engage each other and a conical hopper engages an innermost tubular member. A flexible inner liner attaches between an outermost tubular member and the hopper. A collapsible roof has a flexible roof membrane and a plurality of radially extending foldable rib members.

A dunnage assembly that is quickly and easily installed within a shipping container and is easily reworked while remaining secure and adjustable during use is provided. The dunnage assembly of the present disclosure may also include a locking mechanism to keep the sling assembly securely positioned during shipping. Finally, according to one aspect the dunnage assembly of the present disclosure may collapse into the base of the shipping container, allowing it to remain mounted within the shipping container when the shipping container is collapsed for the return shipment back to be reused.

A dunnage assembly that is quickly and easily installed within a shipping container and is easily reworked while remaining secure and adjustable during use is provided. The dunnage assembly of the present disclosure may also include a locking mechanism to keep the sling assembly securely positioned during shipping. Finally, according to one aspect the dunnage assembly of the present disclosure may collapse into the base of the shipping container, allowing it to remain mounted within the shipping container when the shipping container is collapsed for the return shipment back to be reused.