METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING AN INTERMODEL FACILITY
First Claim
1. A method of providing an intermodal service, the method comprising:
- acquiring ownership of an intermodal facility by a first business entity;
executing a contract between the first business entity and a second business entity, the contract obligating the first business entity to give exclusive use of the intermodal facility to the second business entity;
providing an amount of use of the intermodal facility to the second business entity; and
charging the second business entity based on the amount of the use.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus to operate an intermodal facility are disclosed. In the method described herein, a carrier enters into a contractual agreement with a separate intermodal facility owner to have exclusive use of the intermodal facility. Alternatively, a rail-to-truck and/or truck-to-rail intermodal facility owner may provide non-exclusive use to multiple railroads. Preferably, the carrier has no minimum use requirements associated with the intermodal facility. For example, the carrier is not required to transfer a certain number of containers in a certain period of time, and the carrier does not have to pay a periodic fee to the intermodal facility owner. Instead, the shipper associated with the carrier is charge by the intermodal facility owner based on the amount of intermodal facility use (e.g., on a per container basis). In one embodiment, a real estate developer is the intermodal facility owner. In addition, the real estate developer preferably builds a business park near the intermodal facility in order to capture the related business.
5 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method of providing an intermodal service, the method comprising:
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acquiring ownership of an intermodal facility by a first business entity; executing a contract between the first business entity and a second business entity, the contract obligating the first business entity to give exclusive use of the intermodal facility to the second business entity; providing an amount of use of the intermodal facility to the second business entity; and charging the second business entity based on the amount of the use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of providing an intermodal service, the method comprising:
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purchasing land; developing an intermodal facility and a business park on the land; providing exclusive use of the intermodal facility to a business entity; moving a number of containers from a first mode of transportation to a second different mode of transportation at the intermodal facility for the business entity; and charging the business entity based on the number of containers. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
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43. A method of providing an intermodal service, the method comprising:
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acquiring ownership of an intermodal facility by a first business entity; moving a first number of containers between a first plurality of railroad cars and a first plurality of trucks at the intermodal facility for a second business entity; charging the second business entity based on the first number of containers; moving a second number of containers between a second plurality of railroad cars and a second plurality of trucks at the intermodal facility for a third business entity; and charging the third business entity based on the second number of containers. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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Specification