A system for lifting shipping containers each having corner fittings provided with lifting/fastening apertures, the system including lifting means for lifting en masse a matrix of containers including two or more columns of vertically connected containers, each column being at least two containers high. The lifting means uses the lifting apertures provided on the top of the top container in each column, and connecting means are provided for connecting each column transversely to each adjacent column to hold the columns together and prevent toppling of the columns relative to each other. A method of lifting is also disclosed together with a lifting beam and trailer and for use in handling containers.

A method for transferring a container for holding one or more articles is provided. The method includes transferring the container using a transferring mechanism to a position which is adjacent to a destination space. The method further includes recording an image of the destination space before the container is deposited to the destination space. The method also includes performing an image analysis of the image and determining if the container is able to be sent to the destination space according to a result of the image analysis of the image.

A universal gripper is disclosed for transferring totes and sub-totes, for example in an order fulfillment center. The universal gripper includes adjustable tines and pins capable of being positioned to engage within slots in the different configurations of totes and sub-totes.

A load-handling device for lifting and moving containers, the load-handling device including a body configured to house one or more operation components; a container-receiving space configured to accommodate at least part of a container; a container-engaging assembly configured to releasably engage a container; and a raising and lowering assembly configured to raise and lower the container-engaging assembly.

Embodiments of this document provides improved safety logic for a mobile container handler of the reach stacker or top pick type. The improved logic involves limitations surrounding the hoist function of the machine subsequent to attaching to a shipping container. This improvement addresses damage to the container spreader caused by abrupt joystick hoist inputs by the operator immediately subsequent to attaching onto a shipping container. Due to space between the spreader arms and spreader body, which is so designed to facilitate movement of the arms inside the spreader body, sudden vertical movement of the spreader results in impact forces being exerted on various parts of the spreader body and spreader arms. These impacts accelerate fatigue leading to premature catastrophic failure of the spreader body and/or spreader arms' structural steel.

The present invention provides a lid (400) for an open container (100, 13.10), a lid lifting system (13.100), a tippler (13.200) with the improved lid lifting system (13.100) and a method of lifting a container. The lid and lifting arrangement includes an apertured receiving formation (401) on an upper side of a lid (100) to receive a lift member (13.40). The lift member (13.40) can do one or more than one of the following: engaging the formation (401) will unlock a locking mechanism (13.42,458) holding the lid (400) to a container (100); or allow the lift member (13.40) to be rotated to thereby unlock the locking mechanism (13.42, 458) which locks the lid (400) to the container (100), while simultaneously locking the lift member (13.40, 458) to the lid (400). A lifting device which is able to perform such actions is also disclosed, and a method to operate the lifting device.

A container spreader for coupling a container with a hoisting installation has a number of assemblies of a guiding plate and a displacing device connected thereto, for displacing the guiding plate between an active position A and an inactive position B. The displacement device has a hydraulic swivel motor provided with an output shaft which is connected to the guide plate via connecting elements. A hydraulic unit is coupled to the swivel motor via coupling device for supplying and discharging hydraulic oil from and to the swivel motor. By applying a hydraulic swivel motor, a final transmission can be omitted and no valves are required for keeping the hydraulic motor at pressure. As a result, an energy-efficient and inexpensive assembly has been obtained.

An adaptor including a pair of lifting beams for lifting two or more shipping containers in a side by side configuration, each container having corner fittings provided with lifting/fastening sockets. Each lifting beam is designed to extend across one end of the top of the containers to be lifted and has pairs of connectors designed to connect to the lifting sockets provided in the tops of the containers. Each lifting beam, or connecting beams extending between the lifting beams, have sockets for detachable connection with an associated crane or lifting machine to lift the adaptor and containers. Each lifting beam is also a continuous extendable component having first and second portions which are movable relative to each other.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for carrying a plurality of elongate construction elements such as pipes. The apparatus comprises opposing side members and a joining member. Each of the side members is elongate in width and comprises one or more couplings and attachment points. The couplings are configured to receive thereat corresponding couplings of a lifting machine. The attachment points are spaced along the width of the side member and configured to receive construction element engaging members thereat. The joining member is between the side members and has a length that is adjustable to define a separation between the side members which corresponds to a length of the construction element.

A liftable electrolytic vessel including at least one anchor assembly being at least partially embedded in each of two opposed core walls to provide anchorage to a lifting accessory of a lifting device; and related method for lifting the electrolytic vessel. Each anchor assembly comprises an anchor having a strap slot, and a strap connected to the anchor and extending from the anchor along and inside at least a portion of the corresponding core wall. The anchor further includes a connector which is sized and configured to receive a fastener or engage a lifting accessory such as a chain or a hook. The anchor assembly may include one anchor provided at each end of the strap. A plurality of anchor assemblies may extend vertically and horizontally within a core of the vessel to offer various anchorage points from an outer surface of the core. Design of the anchor of a first anchor assembly may differ from the design of a second anchor assembly. A lifting accessory is further designed to be securable to each anchor of the vessel.