A re-usable, returnable, stackable, modular shipping base incorporates replaceable components to make the base relatively quick and cost effective to repair. The shipping base is formed from a number of stamped or cut sheet materials (e.g., sheet metal) that are then folded and attached to one another using a tab system. When a component is damaged, the damaged component may be removed from the base and replaced with another mass produced, stamped sheet material component. Components are attached to one another via adhesive, stitch welding, skip welding, spot welding, or any other applicable process. Some components (e.g., a center support) may also be assembled using a tab (from the center support) and slot (in a deck pan) system.

The invention is directed to a universal top cap having structure for securely mating with and supporting a pallet, or a steel mesh container or a collapsible container. The top cap includes an upper support surface having an upwardly extending lip structure along a perimeter of the upper surface. The upper surface is also provided with recesses and protrusions which enable the top cap to mate with the various items.

A cart transport vessel includes a fixed platform configured to hold at least one cart, a fixed ramp located adjacent to the fixed platform and a foldable ramp extension that is rotatably coupled to a front end of the fixed ramp. In an opened configuration, a first side of the foldable ramp extension faces upwardly and is in planar alignment with a planar top surface of the fixed ramp and an opposing second side of the foldable extension faces downwardly. In a closed configuration, the foldable ramp extension is rotated so that the first side of the foldable ramp extension faces downwardly and is in contact with the planar top surface of the ramp section and the opposing second side of the foldable ramp extension faces upwardly to provide a flat operator workspace area that is configured to be stood on by an operator.

A bulk material shipping container including a pallet, a compartment configured to receive, hold, and release loose materials and connected to and supported by the pallet, a material unloading assembly positioned under a bottom portion of the compartment, configured to facilitate the release or unloading of loose materials from the compartment, and connected to and supported by the pallet, and a material loading assembly configured to facilitate the loading of loose materials into the compartment and connected to and partially supported by a top wall assembly of the compartment.

Systems and devices are provided for loading a transportation unit. The system includes a pallet rack unit. The pallet rack unit is configured to receive and support loaded pallets. The pallet rack unit is configured to be loaded into the transportation unit with other pallet rack units that are substantially identical to the pallet rack unit. The pallet rack unit and the other pallet rack units, together, substantially fill a length and a width of the transportation unit. The pallet rack unit includes a base configured to receive a first loaded pallet. The pallet rack unit is further configured to be forkliftable. The pallet rack unit includes a plurality of posts coupled to the base and at least one height adjustable shelf coupled to the posts. The at least one height adjustable shelf is configured to receive and support a second loaded pallet. Additional shelves may be used to handle additional loaded pallets.

A re-usable, returnable, stackable, modular shipping base incorporates replaceable components to make the base relatively quick and cost effective to repair. The shipping base is formed from a number of stamped or cut sheet materials (e.g., sheet metal) that are then folded and attached to one another using a tab system. When a component is damaged, the damaged component may be removed from the base and replaced with another mass produced, stamped sheet material component. Components are attached to one another via adhesive, stitch welding, skip welding, spot welding, or any other applicable process. Some components (e.g., a center support) may also be assembled using a tab (from the center support) and slot (in a deck pan) system.

A cart transport vessel includes a fixed platform configured to hold at least one cart, a fixed ramp located adjacent to the fixed platform and a foldable ramp extension that is rotatably coupled to a front end of the fixed ramp. In an opened configuration, a first side of the foldable ramp extension faces upwardly and is in planar alignment with a planar top surface of the fixed ramp and an opposing second side of the foldable extension faces downwardly. In a closed configuration, the foldable ramp extension is rotated so that the first side of the foldable ramp extension faces downwardly and is in contact with the planar top surface of the ramp section and the opposing second side of the foldable ramp extension faces upwardly to provide a flat operator workspace area that is configured to be stood on by an operator.