Methods and Systems for Mass Distribution of Supply Packs

• US 20140263840A1
• Filed: 05/01/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Skylife Company, Inc
• Original Assignee: Skylife Technology Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Potter, Jeffrey J., Medlin, Matthew J., Konczal, Greg J., McDonnell, Rory T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,845,189 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/142
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/08 the articles being load-carrying devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/12 Releasing
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/14 Absorbing landing shocks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/027 single containers connected to each other by additional means so as to form a cluster of containers, e.g. a battery of containers B65D88/005 takes precedence

Abstract

An aerial distribution system and method for deploying items is disclosed. The system includes a bulk shipping container comprised of a single piece of corrugated plastic, cut and folded into a closable box, a plurality of deployment boxes within the bulk shipping container, each deployment box containing at least one item, a plurality of tethers, each tether coupling a deployment box to the bulk shipping container, and a freefall retarding device coupled to the bulk shipping container.

Claims

1. An aerial distribution system for deploying items, comprising:

a support structure;

a bulk shipping container coupled to the support structure such that the support structure is the bottom surface of the bulk shipping container and does not separate during deployment;

a plurality of deployment boxes within the bulk shipping container, each deployment box containing at least one item; and

a freefall retarding device coupled to the bulk shipping container;

wherein the support structure and the bulk shipping container are comprised of corrugated plastic.

2. The aerial distribution system of claim 1, wherein the freefall retarding device is a canopy or a parachute.

3. The aerial distribution system of claim 1, wherein the support structure is a pallet comprised of a corrugated plastic top and bottom and foam supports and the bulk shipping container has holes to allow a forklift to penetrate both the bulk shipping container and the pallet in unison.

4. The aerial distribution system of claim 3, wherein the plastic bottom is comprised of two sheets of superimposed corrugated plastic arranged orthogonally.

5. The aerial distribution system of claim 3, wherein the plastic bottom is proud of the plastic top and foam supports to create a skid board.

6. The aerial distribution system of claim 1, wherein each deployment box is coupled to a freefall retarding device.

7. The aerial distribution system of claim 1, wherein the bulk shipping container and the support structure are coupled via folding at least a portion of material comprising the bulk shipping container into the support structure.

8. The aerial distribution system of claim 1, wherein, prior to deployment, the freefall retarding device is coupled to a bottom portion of the bulk shipping container.

9. The aerial distribution system of claim 1, wherein each deployment box contains a plurality of aerodynamic supply packs.

10. A method of deploying cargo from a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

providing a support structure;

coupling a bulk shipping container to the support structure such that the support structure is the bottom surface of the bulk shipping container and does not separate during deployment, wherein the support structure and the bulk shipping container are comprised of corrugated plastic;

loading a plurality of cargo-containing deployment boxes into a bulk shipping container;

loading the bulk shipping container into the vehicle;

maneuvering the vehicle to a location of deployment;

expelling the bulk shipping container from the vehicle, wherein, subsequent to deployment, the bulk shipping container releases the plurality of deployment boxes, which, in-turn, release the cargo.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising coupling a freefall retarding device to the bulk shipping container.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, subsequent to deployment, the freefall retarding device forces the bulk shipping container upside down to release the plurality of deployment boxes.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the freefall retarding device is a canopy or a parachute.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the cargo is a plurality of aerodynamic supply packs.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising coupling the bulk shipping container to a support structure via folding at least a portion of material comprising the bulk shipping container into the support structure.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the support structure is a pallet comprised of a corrugated plastic top and bottom and foam supports and the bulk shipping container has holes to allow a forklift to penetrate both the bulk shipping container and the pallet in unison.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plastic bottom is comprised of two sheets of superimposed corrugated plastic arranged orthogonally.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the plastic bottom is proud of the plastic top and foam supports to create a skid board.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein there are a plurality of bulk shipping containers.