Cargo transport system

• US 4,359,958 A
• Filed: 06/28/1978
• Issued: 11/23/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul A. Wolff, Peter D. Durant
• Original Assignee: Paul A. Wolff, Peter D. Durant
• Inventors: Wolff, Paul A., Durant, Peter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blix, Trygve M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sotelo, Jesus D.
• Application Number:
  US05/919,955
• Time in Patent Office: 1,609 Days
• Field of Search: 114/72, 114/73, 114/74 R, 114/74 A, 114/74 T, 114/259, 114/260, 114/75, 220/1.5, 414/136, 414/137, 414/138, 414/139
• US Class Current: 114/74.00A
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 25/16 heat-insulated insulating panelling B63B3/68; heating or cooling B63J

Abstract

A cargo transport system is characterized by a container having a cargo carrying volume therein, the container being disposed within a receptacle. The container is movable with respect to the receptacle from a first, lowered, position to a second, elevated, position. In the second position, the exterior surface of the container and the receptacle cooperate to define a separate, commercially attractive cargo receiving volume adapted to receive therein a cargo different from the cargo disposable in the cargo carrying volume. The container may be lifted to and then locked into the elevated position. Cargo is introduced into the cargo receiving volume through a cargo access arrangement. The cargo transport system may be adapted for barge, rail, truck, or other transportation modes. Either the receptacle or the container, or both, may be insulated to facilitate carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the container and/or the receptacle.

Claims

1. Apparatus for transporting cargo comprising:

a receptacle adapted to receive a container;

a container having a cargo carrying volume therein, the container being movable with respect to the receptacle from a first to a second position;

in the second position the exterior of the container and the interior of the receptacle cooperating to define a cargo receiving volume separate from the cargo carrying volume within the container; and

,

a cargo access arrangement for introducing bulk cargo into the cargo receiving volume without removal of the container from the receptacle.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

lifting means for moving the container from the first to the second position.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising:

means for synchronizing the lifting means to move the container from the first to the second position in a fashion such that the container is in a substantially parallel relationship with a datum throughout the movement of the container from the first to the second position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising:

an indexing guide arrangement to maintain alignment of the container and the lifting means and to prevent rotation of the container with respect to the receptacle throughout the movement of the container from the first to the second position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising:

a locking arrangement for securing the container in the second position such that the exterior surface of the container which cooperates with the receptacle to define the cargo receiving volume is disposed in a fashion to limit free surface effects when a cargo is introduced into the cargo receiving volume.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

lifting means for moving the container from the first to the second position in a fashion such that the exterior surface of the container which cooperates to define the cargo receiving volume is in a substantially parallel relationship with a portion of the receptacle throughout the movement of the container from the first to the second position.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising:

an indexing guide arrangement to maintain alignment of the container and the lifting means throughout the movement of the container from the first to the second position.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising:

a locking arrangement for securing the container in the second position such that the exterior surface of the container which cooperates with the receptacle to define the cargo receiving volume is disposed in a fashion to limit free surface effects when a cargo is introduced into the cargo receiving volume.

9. Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising:

an indexing guide arrangement to maintain alignment of the container and the lifting means throughout the movement of the container from the first to the second position.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising:

a locking arrangement for securing the container in the second position such that the exterior surface of the container which cooperates with the receptacle to define the cargo receiving volume is disposed in a fashion to limit free surface effects when a cargo is introduced into the cargo receiving volume.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

a locking arrangement for securing the container in the second position such that the exterior surface of the container which cooperates with the receptacle to define the cargo receiving volume is disposed in a fashion to limit free surface effects when a cargo is introduced into the cargo receiving volume.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

means associated with the container adapted to receive and to connect the container to an arrangement for moving the container from the first to the second position.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined residual volume is defined between the container and the receptacle when the container is in the first position, the cargo receiving volume defined within the receptacle when the container is in the second position comprising the residual volume and an enlargement volume vacated by the container when the container is moved from the first to the second position.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

a guide arrangement disposed within the receptacle for guiding the movement of the container from the first to the second position.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the guide arrangement comprises an array of guide rails.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container is provided with a cover and wherein the cover is provided with openings through which cargo may be introduced and removed from the cargo carrying volume on the interior of the container.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising:

insulating material disposed on the container and the cover to facilitate the carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the cargo carrying volume with a minimum of heat loss.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising:

insulating material disposed on the receptacle to facilitate the carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the cargo carrying volume with a minimum of heat loss.

19. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

insulating material disposed on the container to facilitate the carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the cargo carrying volume with a minimum of heat loss.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

insulating material disposed on the receptacle to facilitate the carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the cargo carrying volume with a minimum of heat loss.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

insulating material disposed on the container and on the receptacle to facilitate the carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the cargo carrying volume with a minimum of heat loss.

22. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

a heating arrangement disposed on the container to raise the temperature of a cargo carried within the cargo carrying volume.

23. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the receptacle comprises a continuous sleeve having a bottom closure, the sleeve being sized to receive the container in a close-fitting relationship, the cargo receiving volume being defined between the exterior of the container and the interior of the sleeve and bottom closure when the container is in the second position.

24. A cargo transport barge comprising:

a deck having an opening therein;

a container having a cargo carrying volume therein disposed within the opening in the deck;

a receptacle defined within the barge below the deck, the receptacle being sized to receive the container;

means for lifting the container from a first position to a second position, in the second position the exterior of the container and the interior of the receptacle cooperating to define a cargo receiving volume separate from the cargo carrying volume;

a cargo access arrangement for introducing bulk cargo into the cargo receiving volume without removal of the container from the receptacle.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24 further comprising:

means for synchronizing the lifting means to move the container from the first to the second position in a fashion such that the container is in a substantially parallel relationship with a datum throughout the movement of the container from the first to the second position.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25 further comprising:

a locking arrangement for securing the container in the second position such that the exterior surface of the container which cooperates with the receptacle to define the cargo receiving volume is disposed in a fashion to limit free surface effects when a cargo is introduced into the cargo receiving volume.

27. Apparatus according to claim 24 further comprising:

a locking arrangement for securing the container in the second position such that the exterior surface of the container which cooperates with the receptacle to define the cargo receiving volume is disposed in a fashion to limit free surface effects when a cargo is introduced into the cargo receiving volume.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27 further comprising:

an indexing guide arrangement to maintain alignment of the container and the lifting means throughout the movement of the container from the first to the second position.

29. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein a predetermined residual volume is defined between the container and the receptacle when the container is in the first position, the cargo receiving volume defined within the receptacle when the container is in the second position comprising the residual volume and an enlargement volume vacated by the container when the container is moved from the first to the second position.

30. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the receptacle comprises a continuous sleeve having a bottom closure the sleeve being sized to receive the container in a close-fitting relationship, the cargo receiving volume being defined between the exterior of the container and the interior of the sleeve and bottom closure when the container is in the second position.

31. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the container is provided with a cover and wherein the cover is provided with openings through which cargo may be introduced and removed from the cargo carrying volume on the interior of the container.

32. Apparatus according to claim 24 further comprising:

insulating material disposed on the container to facilitate the carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the cargo carrying volume with a minimum of heat loss.

33. Apparatus according to claim 24 further comprising:

insulating material disposed on the receptacle to facilitate the carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the cargo carrying volume with a minimum of heat loss.

34. Apparatus according to claim 24 further comprising:

insulating material disposed on the container and on the receptacle to facilitate the carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the cargo carrying volume with a minimum of heat loss.

35. A cargo transport barge comprising:

a deck having an opening therein;

a container having a cargo carrying volume therein disposed within the opening in the deck;

a receptacle defined within the barge below the deck, the receptacle being sized to receive the container;

means associated with the container adapted to receive and to connect the container to an arrangement for moving the container from the first to the second position; and

a cargo access arrangement for introducing bulk cargo into the cargo receiving volume without removal of the container from the receptacle.

36. Apparatus according to claim 35 further comprising:

a locking arrangement for securing the container in the second position such that the exterior surface of the container which cooperates with the receptacle to define the cargo receiving volume is disposed in a fashion to limit free surface effects when a cargo is introduced into the cargo receiving volume.

37. Apparatus according to claim 35, further comprising:

an indexing guide arrangement to maintain alignment of the container and the arrangement for moving the container throughout the movement of the container from the first to the second position.

38. Apparatus according to claim 35, wherein a predetermined residual volume is defined between the container and the receptacle when the container is in the first position, the cargo receiving volume defined within the receptacle when the container is in the second position comprising the residual volume and an enlargement volume vacated by the container when the container is moved from the first to the second position.

39. Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein the receptacle comprises a continuous sleeve having a bottom closure, the sleeve being sized to receive the container in a close-fitting relationship, the cargo receiving volume being defined between the exterior of the container and the interior of the sleeve and bottom closure when the container is in the second position.

40. Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein the container is provided with a cover and wherein the cover is provided with openings through which cargo may be introduced and removed from the cargo carrying volume on the interior of the container.

41. Apparatus according to claim 35 further comprising:

insulating material disposed on the container to facilitate the carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the cargo carrying volume with a minimum of heat loss.

42. Apparatus according to claim 35 further comprising:

insulating material disposed on the receptacle to facilitate the carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the cargo carrying volume with a minimum of heat loss.

43. Apparatus according to claim 35 further comprising:

insulating material disposed on the container and on the receptacle to facilitate the carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the cargo carrying volume with a minimum of heat loss.

44. A method of transporting a first and a second cargo from a first location to a second location comprising the steps of:

lifting a container having a cargo carrying volume therein from a first to a second position with respect to a carrier to define in cooperation with the carrier a receptacle having a separate cargo receiving volume therein; and

introducing a first cargo into the cargo receiving volume without removal of the container from the receptacle.

45. The method of claim 44 further comprising the step of:

locking the container in the second position such that the exterior surface of the container which cooperates with the carrier to define the receptacle limits the free surface effect of the first cargo.

46. The method of claim 44 wherein the lifting step is performed in a fashion such that the exterior surface of the container is maintained in a substantially parallel relationship with a portion of the carrier defining the receptacle.

47. The method of claim 44 further comprising the step of:

introducing a second cargo into the cargo carrying volume.

48. The method of claim 47 further comprising the steps of:

insulating the container to maintain the cargo in the cargo carrying volume at an elevated temperature.

49. Apparatus for transporting cargo comprising:

a receptacle adapted to receive a container;

a container having a cargo carrying volume therein, the container being movable with respect to the receptacle from a first to a second position;

in the second position the exterior of the container and the interior of the receptacle cooperating to define a cargo receiving volume separate from the cargo carrying volume within the container;

a cargo access arrangement for introducing a cargo into the cargo receiving volume; and

a guide arrangement disposed within the receptacle for guiding the movement of the container from the first to the second position, wherein the guide arrangement comprises a perforated sleeve disposed within the receptacle to both guide the movement of the container and to limit cargo shifting when a cargo is introduced within the cargo receiving volume.

50. Apparatus for transporting cargo comprising:

a receptacle adapted to receive a container;

a container having a cargo carrying volume therein, the container being movable with respect to the receptacle from a first to a second position;

in the second position the exterior of the container and the interior of the receptacle cooperating to define a cargo receiving volume separate from the cargo carrying volume within the container;

a cargo access arrangement for introducing a cargo into the cargo receiving volume, the cargo access arrangement comprising an enclosed shaft extending through and isolated from the cargo carrying volume,

wherein the receptacle comprises a continuous sleeve having a bottom closure, the sleeve being sized to receive the container in a close-fitting relationship, the cargo receiving volume being defined between the exterior of the container and the interior of the sleeve and bottom closure when the container is in the second position.

51. Apparatus according to claim 50 wherein the container and the shaft are both right circular cylinders and wherein the volume occupied by the shaft is related to the cargo carrying volume defined within the container such that an increase in the height of the sidewall of the container equal to the dimension defined by the square of the ratio of the diameters of the shaft and the container multipled by the height of the container restores to the container the volume occupied by the shaft.

52. Apparatus for transporting cargo comprising:

a receptacle adapted to receive a container;

a container having a cargo carrying volume therein, the container being movable with respect to the receptacle from a first to a second position;

in the second position the exterior of the container and the interior of the receptacle cooperating to define a cargo receiving volume separate from the cargo carrying volume within the container;

wherein the container is a cylindrical member, the elongate axis of which is disposed in a plane extending substantially parallel to a plane containing the portion of the receptacle defining the lowermost bounding surface of the cargo receiving volume; and

a cargo access arrangement for introducing a cargo into the cargo receiving volume.

53. Apparatus for transporting cargo comprising:

a receptacle adapted to receive a container;

a container having a cargo carrying volume therein, the container being movable with respect to the receptacle from a first to a second position;

in the second position the exterior of the container and the interior of the receptacle cooperating to define a cargo receiving volume separate from the cargo carrying volume within the container;

wherein the container is a substantially spherical member; and

a cargo access arrangement for introducing a cargo into the cargo receiving volume.

54. Apparatus for transporting cargo comprising:

a receptacle adapted to receive a container;

a container having a cargo carrying volume therein, the container being movable with respect to the receptacle from a first to a second position;

in the second position the exterior of the container and the interior of the receptacle cooperating to define a cargo receiving volume separate from the cargo carrying volume within the container;

wherein the container comprises a member having a cylindrical central portion connected at each open end to a frustoconical portion; and

a cargo access arrangement for introducing a cargo into the cargo receiving volume.