Container Lifting Method and System for Implementation Thereof

• US 20100191366A1
• Filed: 06/11/2008
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lox Container Technology AB
• Original Assignee: Loxysystem AB
• Inventors: Tryggo, Dag
• Granted Patent: US 8,228,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/213
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2590/0083 Computer or electronic system, e.g. GPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/0013 Twist lock
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 63/045 for containers
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/663 for containers fastening of containers on vehicles B60P7/13, B60P7/132
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for lifting containers (6), all containers (6) to be lifted being connected by means of locks (1). The method comprises the steps of by an external unit (2, 4) requesting a first piece of information regarding if the locks (1) that are arranged on a container to be lifted are locked or unlocked, requesting a second piece of information regarding one or more given requirements that the locks (1) to be lifted and are locked meet. Then said first and second pieces of information regarding the locks to be lifted are transferred to the external unit (2, 4) or to another unit. In the external unit (2, 4) or in another unit it is then judged if all locks (1) that should be locked are locked and if they meet requirements required for the lift. If that is the case, lift of said container (6) takes place. The invention also relates to a system.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A method of lifting containers, comprising:

requesting, by an external unit, a first piece of information regarding if locks on a container to be lifted are locked or unlocked;

requesting, by the external unit, a second piece of information regarding one or more given requirements met by locks on the container to be lifted that are locked;

transferring the first and second pieces of information to the external unit or to an other unit;

judging, by the external unit or the other unit, if all locks that should be locked are locked and if they meet the requirements; and

if so;

lifting the container.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising transferring, from at least one lock belonging to each container to be lifted, information regarding a weight of the respective container;

wherein judging is based on a total weight of containers to be lifted and if the locks meet requirements for lifting the weights that the respective containers are loaded with.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising transferring, from the external unit, unlocking commands to at least one lock locking a lowermost-situated container to be lifted.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein judging is carried out in the external unit.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the second piece of information includes information regarding to which date the locks are regarded to meet certain minimum requirements regarding load.

21. A method of lifting containers, comprising:

requesting, by an external unit, a first piece of information regarding if locks on a container in a stack of containers are locked or unlocked;

transferring, to the external unit or an other unit, the first piece of information and a second piece of information regarding one or more given requirements met by the locks;

transferring, from at least one lock belonging to each container in the stack to the external unit or other unit, a third piece of information regarding a weight of the respective container;

judging, based on the first, second, and third pieces of information, which containers can be lifted simultaneously; and

lifting the containers which are judged can be lifted.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising transmitting, from the external unit or other unit, unlocking commands to locks locking a lowermost-situated container to be lifted.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the external unit includes a unit connected to a lifting device.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the external unit includes a mobile unit.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein judging is carried out in the external unit.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the second piece of information includes information regarding to which date the locks are regarded to meet certain minimum requirements regarding load.

27. A system for lifting containers, each container having a number of locks connected thereto that work as connecting elements between two containers, at least one lock on each container including a device configured to transmit and receive information, and a memory configured to store a first piece of information regarding whether the lock is locked or unlocked and a second piece of information regarding one or more given requirements met by the lock, the system comprising an external communication unit configured for communication with locks and for judging, based on the first and second pieces of information, if more than one container can be lifted simultaneously.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein judging is further based on information about a weight of a container that a respective lock communicates to the external communication unit.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the external communication unit is configured for judging a number of containers that can be lifted simultaneously.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the external communication unit is configured to optimize a number of lifts of containers that are in a stack.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the external communication unit includes a unit that is arranged adjacent to a crane and that includes a device configured for reception and transmission of information.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the external communication unit includes a mobile hand unit that comprises a device configured for reception and transmission of information.