Presented is a method and apparatus for loading. The method includes loading one of an individually sterilized item or a non-sterile item into the cart, the cart comprising a top portion, and a plurality of wheels fixedly coupled to a bottom portion of the cart able to freely rotate and support the cart. The method further includes loading a sterilizing cabinet onto the cart, the sterilizing cabinet being removeably affixed to the cart and comprising an interior, the interior containing collectively sterilized items, the interior being sterilizeable and resealable.

Some embodiments provide vehicle systems comprising: a housing; a wheel system comprising at least one axle extending between at least two wheels positioned on opposite sides of the housing and supporting the housing; a mobile product distribution system comprising: a product movement system maintained within the housing; and multiple bay doors formed in the housing and with which inbound vehicles and outbound vehicles align while products are distributed from each of the inbound vehicles to at least one of the outbound vehicles; wherein the product movement system extends between the multiple bay doors and is configured transport the products from each of the inbound vehicles, through the housing and to at least one of the outbound vehicles.

A vehicle insert with refrigerated and non refrigerated sections for facilitating product distribution is described which uses a pair of frames defining a vertical member and one or more horizontal members. Several shelves with rollers are attached to the frames. The shelves define a sloped area wherein the lowest point on the shelves is located at a product retrieval point and wherein said insert is wheeled into a vehicle already loaded with product to be delivered.

A system for launching and recovering an underwater vehicle (18), which system comprises a crane (16) and a storage location for at least one underwater vehicle (18), wherein the crane (16) is attached to the bottom of a first container (12) and the storage location is provided in a second container (14), said first container (12) being arranged on the second container (14) during an operation of launching or an operation of recovering.

An Urban Intermodal Freight System is capable of transporting large volumes and tonnage of freight by containerized or other means on a mass transit rail system. It captures excess capacity in the existing mass transit rail infrastructure to move packages, parcels, and freight by using miniaturized intermodal cargo containers that are designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing transit infrastructure, while displacing delivery trucks from increasingly crowded city streets. By enabling inbound trucks to transfer their cargo to the Urban Intermodal Freight System at a city's outskirts, freight is delivered without trucks entering congested downtown areas, greatly alleviating traffic congestion, delays, greenhouse gas emissions and other negative environmental impacts. The Linear Loading Dock and Conveyor System may have other useful applications, for example to access a facility, building or vehicle, or in other circumstances where off street truck parking or loading docks are not available.

An Urban Intermodal Freight System is capable of transporting large volumes and tonnage of freight by containerized or other means on a mass transit rail system. It captures excess capacity in the existing mass transit rail infrastructure to move packages, parcels, and freight by using miniaturized intermodal cargo containers that are designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing transit infrastructure, while displacing delivery trucks from increasingly crowded city streets. By enabling inbound trucks to transfer their cargo to the Urban Intermodal Freight System at a city's outskirts, freight is delivered without trucks entering congested downtown areas, greatly alleviating traffic congestion, delays, greenhouse gas emissions and other negative environmental impacts. The Linear Loading Dock and Conveyor System may have other useful applications, for example to access a facility, building or vehicle, or in other circumstances where off street truck parking or loading docks are not available.

A vehicle cargo loading system may include a cargo loading portion for loading cargo therein, wherein the cargo loading portion is divided into predetermined zones, a loading state sensor for sensing a loading state of the cargo for each zone, a loading state display for outputting different colors for the zones based on the loading state of the loaded cargo, a user interface for displaying a loading location or the loading state of the cargo, wherein the user interface is installed on an external door glass of the vehicle, and a cargo loading controller that determines whether the cargo loaded in the zone satisfies a preset reference loading state condition, and outputs a wanting signal when the cargo does not satisfy the reference loading state condition.

A vehicle cargo loading system may include a cargo loading portion for loading cargo therein, wherein the cargo loading portion is divided into predetermined zones, a loading state sensor for sensing a loading state of the cargo for each zone, a loading state display for outputting different colors for the zones based on the loading state of the loaded cargo, a user interface for displaying a loading location or the loading state of the cargo, wherein the user interface is installed on an external door glass of the vehicle, and a cargo loading controller that determines whether the cargo loaded in the zone satisfies a preset reference loading state condition, and outputs a wanting signal when the cargo does not satisfy the reference loading state condition.

An apparatus (600) for use in unpacking or packing shipping containers (700) includes at least one barrier part which provides a barrier to wheeled powered material handling equipment (1105). The barrier part can be positioned substantially transversely across an interior of a shipping container (700) at a desired position along the length of the interior of the shipping container, to provide a working area (1120) within the shipping container in which personnel may work on foot, and substantially impede or prevent entry of wheeled powered material handling equipment into the working area. The apparatus may be provided with an arrangement to substantially maintain its location in the desired position against forces resulting from impact by the powered material handling equipment operating within the shipping container.

An apparatus (600) for use in unpacking or packing shipping containers (700) includes at least one barrier part which provides a barrier to wheeled powered material handling equipment (1105). The barrier part can be positioned substantially transversely across an interior of a shipping container (700) at a desired position along the length of the interior of the shipping container, to provide a working area (1120) within the shipping container in which personnel may work on foot, and substantially impede or prevent entry of wheeled powered material handling equipment into the working area. The apparatus may be provided with an arrangement to substantially maintain its location in the desired position against forces resulting from impact by the powered material handling equipment operating within the shipping container.