The invention relates to a device (100) for loading/unloading stackable cargo units (101) such as boxes (101) from a cargo space, such as a sea container (102). Such a device (100) comprises a movable arm (104) with a head (110), comprising an array with downwardly directed gripping bodies (e.g. suction cups (211)). According to the invention there is a second grip section (220) with which the cargo units (101) can be gripped at the sides thereof. Hereby also cargo units (101) of a top row can be unloaded quickly. The invention also relates to a method for the loading/unloading of a cargo space.

A control circuit automatically determines a number of unloaders to task with unloading a cargo container at a cargo-container unloading area as a function of (1) the weight of the cargo container including the plurality of physically-discrete shipping containers loaded therein and (2) how many of the physically-discrete shipping containers are loaded in the cargo container. By one approach this comprises calculating a ratio of the weight with respect to the number of physically-discrete shipping containers and correlating that ratio with a human-resource metric. By one approach the number representing how many physically-discrete shipping containers are loaded in a given cargo container is derived from a bill of lading and/or an advanced shipping notice as may correspond to a given shipment. The weight metric, in turn, can be provided by a scale. By one approach the scale is proximal to the cargo-container unloading area.

The equipment and method for moving containers herein proposed consists in a new concept for moving containers in port terminals based on the stacking of containers from the bottom to the top. Such stacking occurs by using a lifting system specifically designed for such purpose and by supporting the containers stack on fixed elevated support at a determined height from the ground.

A transportation vehicle for containers has a vehicle controller for automatically driving and controlling the speed of the transportation vehicle. The transportation vehicle includes a sensor apparatus for object identification, with the sensor apparatus interacting with the vehicle controller such that a movement region of the transportation vehicle can be ascertained. The transportation vehicle is configured to come to a standstill within the movement region by a braking process during a braking time, and that a movement region of an object that is identified by the sensor apparatus can be ascertained, with the object being moved within the movement region during the braking time of the transportation vehicle, so that the permissible speed of the transportation vehicle can be automatically reduced by the vehicle controller, and so that the two movement regions do not touch after the reduction in the permissible speed.

An intermodal terminal control system determines characteristics of cargo containers scheduled for receipt into and/or travel out of an intermodal terminal connected with both rail routes and automobile routes, determines characteristics of cargo handling equipment within the intermodal terminal, determines characteristics of rail vehicles scheduled for one or more of entry into or travel out of the intermodal terminal, and determines characteristics of automobile vehicles scheduled for entry into or travel out of the intermodal terminal. The system also determines constraints on cargo handling operations and a plan for the cargo handling equipment to transfer the cargo containers between the different modes of transportation within the intermodal terminal. The plan designates a sequence of operations to be performed in moving the cargo containers with the cargo handling equipment. The plan is based on the characteristics of the cargo containers, the cargo handling equipment, the rail vehicles, and the automobile vehicles.

A system includes one or more processors that determine: a characteristic of a cargo container scheduled for receipt into or travel out of a terminal; a characteristic of cargo handling equipment associated with the terminal and selected from cranes, lifts, conveyors, and elevators; a characteristic of a first transportation vehicle scheduled for entry into or travel out of the terminal; a characteristic of a different, second transportation vehicle scheduled for entry into or travel out of the terminal; a constraint associated with cargo handling operations involving transferring the cargo container via the cargo handling equipment; and a plan for the cargo handling equipment to transfer the cargo container within the terminal based on the characteristics and the constraint. The one or more processors initiate the cargo handling equipment to move the cargo container from the first transportation vehicle to the second transportation vehicle according to the plan.

An object handling system is described, the system having two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming a grid above a workspace, the workspace having a plurality of stacked containers. The system includes a series of robotic load handling devices operating on the grid above the workspace, the load handling devices having a body mounted on wheels. The robotic devices can move around the grid under instruction from a computing device, the robotic devices being moved to a point on the grid above a stack of containers and then, using a lifting device, engage and lift a container from the stack. The container is then moved to a point where the objects in the container can be accessed. Modifications to the workspace and grid are described that allow vehicles and roll cages to be used to move stacks from the workspace to a point outside the workspace or from outside the workspace into the workspace.

Methods for handling bulk material in a manner that reduces dust, noise, and emissions are provided. The presently disclosed techniques use portable containers to transfer bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender inlet. The containers may be carried to the location on the transportation unit, where a hoisting mechanism is used to remove the container from the transportation unit and place it in a desired location. When bulk material is needed at the blender inlet, the hoisting mechanism may position the container of bulk material onto an elevated support structure. Once on the support structure, the container may be opened to release bulk material to a gravity feed outlet, which routes the bulk material from the container directly into the blender inlet. The disclosed containerized bulk material transfer system and method allows for reduced dust, noise, and emissions on location.

A container accessing station for accessing a storage container of an automated storage and retrieval grid. The container accessing station comprising: an access opening through which a human and/or robot may access contents of the storage container; a base opening; and a lifting device arranged to retrieve the storage container from a first level beneath the base opening and lift it up through the base opening to a second level so that the storage container may be accessed through the access opening.

The invention is also directed to a container accessing system and a method thereof.

Disclosed is reconfigurable decentralized freight shipping system, configured for a shipper to send at least one shipment to a predetermined target, including: at least one freight terminal configured for receiving a plurality of shipment-loaded standard sized modular container; a plurality of transport means respectively having a wireless communication means and operating in respective operating areas, each of the operating areas being at least intersected with at least another one of the operating areas, and at least one computing server configured for computing the shipping information and the location information of the wireless communication means to work out a delivery solution, transmitting delivery information corresponding to the delivery solution to the transport means, and updating the delivery solution based on the updated shipping information changed by the shipper and/or the recipient destination.