A lightweight flame-resistant composite panel is provided including a body portion and a side portion folded over the body portion. The side portion includes a channel segment adjacent to the body portion, and an overlapping segment adjacent to the channel segment. One or more panel apertures are located in the body portion and the channel segment for receiving bolts through the side of the panel. An edge reinforcement insert can be inserted underneath the channel segment in a channel defined by the folded side portion along an edge of the body portion. The edge reinforcement insert includes one or more insert apertures for receiving the one or more bolts through the panel, thereby increasing the bolt bearing strength of the panel along its edge. The edge reinforcement insert may comprise an elongated strip, a plurality of separated tabs, or an end cap, or may alternatively be contained within the panel.

A freight container configured to fit in an aircraft cargo hold includes a floor element. First and second parallel side walls extend away from first and second opposite edges of the floor element base surface. A top wall, parallel to a floor element resting surface, extends between edges of the first and second side walls, which edges are remote from the first and second edges. A front wall extends between the first and second side walls from a base surface third edge to a top wall front edge. The front wall has a first front wall portion, extending from the base surface third edge at a first angle of at least 90° to the resting surface. The front wall has a second front wall portion, extending from the top wall front edge at a second angle of less than 180° and more than 90° to the top wall.

A freight container configured to fit in an aircraft cargo hold includes a floor element. First and second parallel side walls extend away from first and second opposite edges of the floor element base surface. A top wall, parallel to a floor element resting surface, extends between edges of the first and second side walls, which edges are remote from the first and second edges. A front wall extends between the first and second side walls from a base surface third edge to a top wall front edge. The front wall has a first front wall portion, extending from the base surface third edge at a first angle of at least 90° to the resting surface. The front wall has a second front wall portion, extending from the top wall front edge at a second angle of less than 180° and more than 90° to the top wall.

A freight carrier configured to be received in an aircraft cargo hold, a system of one or more such freight carriers and a receiving platform, and a platform, are each provided. The freight carrier includes a floor element having a resting surface configured to lie on a floor surface of a cargo hold of an aircraft. The freight carrier is configured such that its resting surface can be moved over a floor surface in a floor plane. The floor element has a base element having a base surface. The base surface is situated on the base element such that the base surface faces away from the resting surface. The resting surface is provided with an arrangement to allow the freight carrier to be slid over the floor surface. The floor element has a cavity which extends toward the base surface between the front portion and the rear portion.

A freight carrier configured to be received in an aircraft cargo hold, a system of one or more such freight carriers and a receiving platform, and a platform, are each provided. The freight carrier includes a floor element having a resting surface configured to lie on a floor surface of a cargo hold of an aircraft. The freight carrier is configured such that its resting surface can be moved over a floor surface in a floor plane. The floor element has a base element having a base surface. The base surface is situated on the base element such that the base surface faces away from the resting surface. The resting surface is provided with an arrangement to allow the freight carrier to be slid over the floor surface. The floor element has a cavity which extends toward the base surface between the front portion and the rear portion.

In an example, a hybrid cargo container system for use with ground transportation vehicles and air transportation vehicles is disclosed. The cargo container system includes a chamfered container body comprising a plurality of sidewalls defining a storage chamber, the plurality of sidewalls comprising a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a chamfer sidewall attached to the first and second sidewalls. The cargo container system also includes a corner support assembly operably coupled to the chamfered container body. The corner support assembly is operable between a stowed position and a deployed position. Based on the corner support assembly being in the deployed position, the corner support assembly is configured to at least partially support another container stacked thereon for ground transportation, and based on the corner support assembly being in the stowed position, the cargo container system is configured to be stored in a fuselage of an aircraft for air transportation.

In an example, a hybrid cargo container system for use with ground transportation vehicles and air transportation vehicles is disclosed. The cargo container system includes a chamfered container body comprising a plurality of sidewalls defining a storage chamber, the plurality of sidewalls comprising a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a chamfer sidewall attached to the first and second sidewalls. The cargo container system also includes a corner support assembly operably coupled to the chamfered container body. The corner support assembly is operable between a stowed position and a deployed position. Based on the corner support assembly being in the deployed position, the corner support assembly is configured to at least partially support another container stacked thereon for ground transportation, and based on the corner support assembly being in the stowed position, the cargo container system is configured to be stored in a fuselage of an aircraft for air transportation.

In an example, a transformable cargo container for use with ground and air transportation vehicles is disclosed. The cargo container includes a main container body defining a storage chamber therein and including at least one inlet. The cargo container also includes a transformable assembly coupled to the main container body and positioned at an exterior of the main container body. The transformable assembly includes one or more supplemental containers and one or more supply ducts, at least one of the supplemental container(s) being configured to house refrigeration equipment. The transformable assembly is movable between an aircraft configuration and a ground configuration. Based on the transformable assembly being in either the aircraft configuration or the ground configuration, the refrigeration equipment is configured to supply coolant into the main container body via the supply duct(s) and the inlet(s).

A storage silo for storing granular material has a container supported by a base, the container having a roof and at least one side wall for defining a storage space beneath the roof. The storage silo includes: (a) a feed port for receiving the granular material at a feed-port height lower than the roof; (b) an auger for moving the granular material toward the roof within the storage space, the auger receiving the granular material via the feed port; and (c) first and second auger motors for cooperatively driving the auger, the first and second auger motors being disposed at opposing ends of the auger. A processor determines power levels for the first and second auger motors to minimize torsional strain on the auger. Granular material can be discharged from a first storage silo into a second storage silo positioned for cascading with the first storage silo.

The present invention is directed to an air cargo container formed from a plurality of fiber-reinforced (e.g., carbon fiber) composite panels. The use of fiber reinforcement provides for an increased strength-to-weight ratio as compared to existing air cargo containers. Furthermore, the present invention also includes air cargo containers having convex side panels, which decreases the chance of damage to the container or to its contents in the event of an impact. The air cargo container is collapsible, with panels able to be stacked for more efficient storage.