Method for retrieving shipping platforms

• US 20030083920A1
• Filed: 10/30/2001
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ongweoweh Corp.
• Original Assignee: Ongweoweh Corp.
• Inventors: Brennan, Jason, Richards, Benjamin
• Granted Patent: US 7,552,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06395 Quality analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping

Abstract

A business method that uses a coordinator to insure that a shipper is able to retrieve shipping platforms from a recycler or other such end receivers. A permanent identification representing the recycling and reuse program and the particular type of shipping platform is assigned, and is stenciled on shipping platforms. When the shipping platforms are used and reach an end recipient or recycler, the quantity and type of shipping platform are registered at the web site. The site is accessible for buyers, such as the shipper that entered into the program to retrieve shipping platforms they had used. Transactions are carried out through the coordinator.

Claims

1. A method for retrieving shipping platforms from downstream receivers to a shipper through a coordinator for reuse, comprising the steps of:

a) issuing an identification for the shipping platform;

b) creating a remotely accessible file describing the shipping platform on a computer site;

c) accepting a listing from an end recipient of shipping platforms for sale at the computer site;

d) notifying the shipper of the listed shipping platforms.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step, after step (a), of marking the identification and a symbol representing the method of this invention onto a plurality of the shipping platforms.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of marking the shipping platforms further comprises marking a computer address for the computer site on the shipping platforms.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step, after step (d), of coordinating shipment of the shipping platforms from the end recipient to the shipper.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of selling the shipping platforms by the end recipient to the coordinator.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of selling the shipping platforms comprising the steps of:

the shipper paying a coordinator a sales amount for the shipping platforms; and

coordinator paying the end recipient a percentage of the sale amount.

7. The method of claim 1, in which the file created in step (b) comprises information on repair standards for the shipping platforms.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of repairing the shipping platforms in accordance with the repair standards in the file.

9. The method of claim 7, in which the repair standards comprise at least one item selected from a list comprising:

a description of repair policy;

general guidelines;

stringer board repairs;

excessive wear and tear and contamination;

nails and hardware; and

lumber that can be used to repair the shipping platforms.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification issued is based on at least one factor selected from a list comprising:

a type of the shipping platform; and

a size of the shipping platform.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the file created in step (b) comprises at least one item selected from a list comprising:

the identification issued to the shipping platform;

a shipper profile;

an image of the shipping platform;

repair specifications for the shipping platform;

shipping platform specifications; and

the annual usage of the shipping platform.

14. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of receiving the shipping platforms comprising the steps of:

the shipper paying the coordinator a sales amount for the shipping platforms; and

coordinator paying the end recipient a percentage of the sale amount.

12. A method for recycling and reuse of a shipper'"'"'s shipping platforms from downstream receivers through a coordinator, comprising the steps of:

a) requesting a coordinator to issue an identification for the shipping platform and to create a remotely accessible file describing the shipping platform on a computer site associated with the coordinator;

b) marking the identification and a symbol representing the coordinator onto a plurality of the shipping platforms;

c) shipping products on the plurality of shipping platforms;

d) accepting notification from the coordinator of a plurality shipping platforms which had been listed by at least one end recipient at the computer site associated with the coordinator; and

e) receiving at least some of the plurality of shipping platforms listed in step (d).

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of marking the shipping platforms further comprises marking a computer address for the computer site associated with the coordinator on the shipping platforms.

15. The method of claim 12, in which the file created in step (a) comprises information on repair standards for the shipping platforms.

16. The method of claim 15, in which the repair standards comprise at least one item selected from a list comprising:

a description of repair policy;

general guidelines;

stringer board repairs;

excessive wear and tear and contamination;

nails and hardware; and

lumber that can be used to repair the shipping platforms.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the identification issued is based on at least one factor selected from a list comprising:

the particular type of shipping platform; and

the size of the shipping platform.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the file created in step (a) comprises at least one item selected from a list comprising:

the identification assigned to the shipping platform;

a shipper profile;

an image of the shipping platform;

repair specifications for the shipping platforms designated by the shipper;

shipping platform specifications; and

the annual usage of the shipping platform.