Cargo transfer system using a palletized container

• US 20040213652A1
• Filed: 02/10/2004
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Art Shoener, Tom Campbell
• Original Assignee: Art Shoener, Tom Campbell
• Inventors: Campbell, Tom, Shoener, Art
• Application Number:
  US10/775,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20040213652A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/398
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 63/002 for articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 63/022 for articles

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for centralized transfer of cargo to and from rail cars comprising a first railway to accommodate the rail cars; a staging area; and a second railway positioned between the first railway and the staging area to accommodate a movable transfer dock; wherein the cargo is transferred between the staging area and the rail cars via the movable transfer dock. Also disclosed is a cargo container system is provided comprising a rail car having a conveyor means on the floor thereof, a palletized cargo container specifically adapted for shipping cargo in a rail car comprising a base, two side walls extending upward from the base, a platform secured to the side walls and an open top, and wherein the palletized cargo container is movable on the conveyor means.

Claims

1. A system for centralized transfer of cargo to and from rail cars comprising:

a first railway to accommodate the rail cars;

a staging area; and

a second railway positioned between the first railway and the staging area to accommodate a movable transfer dock;

a palletized cargo container specifically adapted for shipping cargo in a rail car comprising

a base;

two side walls extending upward from said base;

a platform secured to said side walls; and

an open top;

wherein the rail car has a conveyor means on the floor thereof;

wherein the palletized cargo container is movable on said conveyor means; and

wherein the cargo is transferred between the staging area and the rail cars via the movable transfer dock.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the staging area is a truck loading and unloading zone.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said rail cars are refrigerated rail cars.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the movable transfer dock includes a means for positioning the movable transfer dock.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a means for temporarily securing the movable transfer dock to at least one of the rail cars.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the movable transfer dock further comprises conveyor means for facilitating the movement of cargo.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the movable transfer dock is a partially enclosed unit comprising a plurality of doors for receiving and depositing cargo.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the movable transfer dock further comprises expandable curtain seals for sealing the area between at least one door and the rail cars.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein one or more of the rail cars are boxcars.

10. A cargo container system comprising:

a rail car having a conveyor means on the floor thereof;

a palletized cargo container specifically adapted for shipping cargo in a rail car, comprising;

a base;

two side walls extending upward from said base;

a platform secured to said side walls; and

an open top;

wherein the rail car has a conveyor means on the floor thereof; and

wherein the palletized cargo container is movable on said conveyor means.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the platform is adjustable in a heightwise direction.