Mobile modular warehouse structure for containment and handling of hazardous materials

• US 6,155,747 A
• Filed: 01/07/1999
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Murphy, Paul C., Payne, Edward, Elder, Robert R., Sanford, Emmett Gregory, Dunne, Philip J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chilcot, Richard
• Application Number:
  US09/226,267
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 52/90.1-93.2, 52/168, 52/263, 52/272, 405/52-55, 405/128, 405/129, 588/249, 588/259, 588/900, 196/24.1, 196/181, 196/187, 366/144, 366/348, 210/421
• US Class Current: 405/129.55
• CPC Class Codes: B09B 3/00 Destroying solid waste or transforming solid waste into something useful or harmless
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/121 ISO containers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/0013 Twist lock
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/143 Detachable individual legs
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/18 Castors, rolls, or the like; e.g. detachable castors in general B60B
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/0033 specially adapted for segregated refuse collecting, e.g. receptacles with several compartments; Combination of receptacles B65F1/0093 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2001/0086 Means for holding receptacles together
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 2001/1283 Small buildings of the ISO containers type
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 5/02 Buildings or groups of buildings for industrial purposes, e.g. for power-plants or factories buildings forming part of cooling plants E04H5/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/10 Waste collection, transportation, transfer or storage, e.g. segregated refuse collecting, electric or hybrid propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 588/90 Apparatus

Abstract

A mobile modular warehouse structure for the storing and handling of conters of hazardous materials comprising a control point modular storage unit and a plurality of warehouse modular storage units. The modular storage units may be configured in a row to form one embodiment of the mobile modular warehouse structure. In this configuration access between the interiors of adjacent modular storage units is provided by a bellows which is connected to and removable from a bellows support frame in a side wall of each modular storage unit. The modular storage units may also be configured in a stacked arrangement to form an alternate embodiment of the modular mobile safety structure. In this configuration access between the interiors of the stacked modular storage units is provided through an opening between the control point modular storage unit and the warehouse modular storage unit stacked thereon. Stairs located in the control point modular storage unit allow the user to gain access to each unit in the stack. Each modular storage unit includes a secondary containment feature in the form of a base assembly having a containment pan. Each modular storage unit has a plurality of deflagration vents which burst open when pressure is applied. to the vents as the result of an accidental vapor or gas explosion.

Claims

1. A mobile modular warehouse structure for storing containers of hazardous materials and providing for a containment of any spills and leaks of said hazardous materials from said containers, said mobile modular warehouse structure comprising:

(a) a control point modular storage unit and a warehouse modular storage unit, said control point modular storage unit being positioned adjacent said warehouse modular storage unit and aligned therewith to form a tandem arrangement of modular storage units for treatment and handling of said hazardous materials, said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit each comprising;

(i) a rectangular shaped base assembly;

(ii) inner and outer side walls extending perpendicularly upward from said base assembly;

(iii) a rear wall extending perpendicularly upward from said base assembly;

(iv) an interior wall extending perpendicularly upward from said base assembly, said interior wall being positioned near the front of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit, said inner and outer side walls being secured to a separate one of the opposed ends of said rear wall and said interior wall to form an interior portion of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit that is defined between said interior wall and said rear wall and between said inner and outer side walls and a machinery compartment that is defined from said interior wall to the front end of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit;

(v) a rectangular shaped roof assembly mounted atop said inner and outer side walls, said rear wall and said interior wall and extending horizontally over the interior portion and the machinery compartment of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit;

(vii) each of the inner side walls of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit having a door frame which includes a door located at the rear end thereof, the door frame of the inner side wall of said control point modular storage unit being aligned with the door frame of the inner side wall of said warehouse modular storage unit to allow a user of said mobile modular warehouse unit to access said warehouse modular storage unit from said control point modular storage unit; and

(viii) the base assembly of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit including a substantially rectangular open secondary containment pan that is leakproof, said secondary containment pan receiving spillage and leakage of said hazardous materials from said containers that are housed within said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit;

(b) a bellows having one end removably coupled to the inner wall of said control point modular storage unit at the door frame of the inner wall of said control point modular storage unit and the opposite end removably coupled to the inner wall of said warehouse modular storage unit at the door frame of the inner wall of said warehouse modular storage unit;

(c) the outer side wall of said control point module storage unit having at least one door frame which includes a door to allow access to the interior portion of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit;

(d) the rear wall and the interior wall of said warehouse modular storage unit each having a pair of deflagration vents which burst open when pressure is applied to said deflagration vents resulting from an accidental gas explosion occurring in the interior portion of said warehouse modular storage unit;

(e) the rear wall and the outer side wall of said control point modular storage unit each having a pair of deflagration vents which burst open when pressure is applied to said deflagration vents resulting from an accidental gas explosion occurring in the interior portion of said control point modular storage unit; and

(f) a mounting and alignment structure having said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit mounted thereon, said mounting and alignment structure aligning said control point modular storage unit with said warehouse modular storage unit.

2. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 1 wherein said machinery compartment of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit includes an electrical control and power distribution system and said machinery compartment of said control point modular storage unit includes an air conditioner.

3. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 1 wherein said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit each has four swivel wheel container casters, each of said four swivel wheel container casters of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit being coupled to a separate one of four corner fittings integral with said base assembly of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit, said four swivel wheel container casters of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit allowing a movement of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit from a first location to a second location.

4. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 3 wherein said base assembly of said control point modular storage unit and said base assembly of said warehouse modular storage unit has a tow bar plate and a pintle hook attached to the front end thereof, said tow bar plate and said pintle hook of said control point modular storage unit being adapted to secure a first tow bar to said control point modular storage unit allowing said control point modular storage unit to be towed by a tow truck from said first location to said second location and said tow bar plate and said pintle hook of said warehouse modular storage unit being adapted to secure a second tow bar to said warehouse modular storage unit allowing said warehouse modular storage unit to be towed by said tow truck from said first location to said second location.

5. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 1 further comprising a pair of machinery room access doors pivotally mounted to the front end of control point modular storage unit which allow the user of said mobile modular warehouse structure to access said machinery compartment of said control point modular storage unit.

6. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 1 wherein said mounting and alignment structure comprises:

a generally rectangular shaped base pad;

four corner mounting pads mounted on said base pad, one of said four mounting pads being positioned in proximity to each corner of said base pad, each of said four corner mounting pads having a deck socket mounted on a top surface thereof;

first and second centrally located mounting pads mounted said base pad, each of said first and second centrally located mounting pads being aligned with a pair of said four corner mounting pads, each of said first and second centrally located mounting pads having a pair of deck sockets mounted on a top surface thereof;

three elongated alignment members, first and second of said three elongated alignment members having one end thereof connected to an associated one of said four corner mounting pads and an opposite end thereof connected to another associated one of said four mounting pads, a third of said three elongated alignment members having one end thereof connected to one of said two centrally located mounting pads and an opposite end thereof connected to the other of said two centrally located mounting pads, said three elongated alignment members being substantially parallel to one another; and

four module end alignment members, each of said four module end alignment members having one end thereof connected to one of said four corner mounting pads and an opposite end thereof connected to one of said first and second centrally located mounting pads.

7. A mobile modular warehouse structure for storing containers of hazardous materials and providing for a containment of any spills and leaks of said hazardous materials from said containers, said mobile modular warehouse structure comprising:

(a) a control point modular storage unit and a warehouse modular storage unit, said warehouse modular storage unit being positioned on top of said control point modular storage unit and secured thereto to form a stacked arrangement of modular storage units for treatment and handling of said hazardous materials, said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit each comprising;

(i) a rectangular shaped base assembly having a first group of four corner fittings, one of the first group of four corner fittings of said rectangular shaped base assembly being disposed at each corner of said rectangular shaped base assembly;

(ii) first and second side walls extending perpendicularly upward from said base assembly;

(iii) a rear wall extending perpendicularly upward from said base assembly;

(iv) an interior wall extending perpendicularly upward from said base assembly, said interior wall being positioned near the front of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit, said first and second side walls being secured to a separate one of the opposed ends of said rear wall and said interior wall to form an interior portion of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit that is defined between said interior wall and said rear wall and between said first and second side walls and a machinery compartment that is defined from said interior wall to the front end of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit;

(v) a rectangular shaped roof assembly mounted atop said first and second side walls, said rear wall and said interior wall and extending horizontally over the interior portion and the machinery compartment of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit, said rectangular shaped roof assembly having a second group of four corner fittings, one of the second group of four corner fittings of said rectangular shaped roof assembly being disposed at each corner of said rectangular shaped roof assembly; and

(vi) the base assembly of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit including a substantially rectangular open secondary containment pan that is leakproof, said secondary containment pan receiving spillage and leakage of said hazardous materials from said containers that are housed within said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit;

(b) four twistlock stackers, each of said four twistlock stackers coupling one of said second group of four corner fittings of said control point modular storage unit to an aligned one of said first group of four corner fittings of said warehouse modular storage unit to secure said warehouse modular storage unit to said control point modular storage unit;

(c) a rectangular shaped stair support frame located in the roof assembly of said control point modular storage unit and a flight of steps affixed to said rectangular shaped ladder support frame; and

(d) a rectangular shaped access wall affixed to the rectangular shaped base assembly of said warehouse modular storage unit, said rectangular shaped access wall being aligned with an opening within the rectangular shaped base assembly of said warehouse modular storage unit, said rectangular shaped access wall being aligned with and affixed to said rectangular shaped stair support frame to form a passageway between said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit;

(e) the second side wall of said control point module storage unit having at least one door frame which includes a door to allow access to the interior portion of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit;

(f) the rear wall and the interior wall of said warehouse modular storage unit each having a pair of deflagration vents which burst open when pressure is applied to said deflagration vents resulting from an accidental gas explosion occurring in the interior portion of said warehouse modular storage unit;

(g) the rear wall and the second side wall of said control point modular storage unit each having a pair of deflagration vents which burst open when pressure is applied to said deflagration vents resulting from an accidental gas explosion occurring in the interior portion of said control point modular storage unit; and

(h) a mounting and alignment structure having said control point modular storage unit mounted thereon.

8. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 7 wherein said machinery compartment of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit includes an electrical control and power distribution system and said machinery compartment of said control point modular storage unit includes an air conditioner.

9. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 7 wherein said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit each has four swivel wheel container casters, each of said four swivel wheel container casters of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit being coupled to one of said first group of four corner fittings of said base assembly of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit, said four swivel wheel container casters of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit allowing a movement of said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse modular storage unit from a first location to a second location.

10. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 9 wherein said base assembly of said control point modular storage unit and said base assembly of said warehouse modular storage unit has a tow bar plate and a pintle hook attached to the front end thereof, said tow bar plate and said pintle hook of said control point modular storage unit being adapted to secure a first tow bar to said control point modular storage unit allowing said control point modular storage unit to be towed by a tow truck from said first location to said second location and said tow bar plate and said pintle hook of said warehouse modular storage unit being adapted to secure a second tow bar to said warehouse modular storage unit allowing said warehouse modular storage unit to be towed by said tow truck from said first location to said second location.

11. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 7 further comprising a pair of machinery room access doors pivotally mounted to the front end of control point modular storage unit which allow the user of said mobile modular warehouse structure to access said machinery compartment of said control point modular storage unit.

12. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 7 wherein said mounting and alignment structure comprises:

a generally rectangular shaped base pad;

four corner mounting pads mounted on said base pad, one of said four mounting pads being positioned in proximity to each corner of said base pad, each of said four corner mounting pads having a deck socket mounted on a top surface thereof;

first and second centrally located mounting pads mounted said base pad, each of said first and second centrally located mounting pads being aligned with a pair of said four corner mounting pads, each of said first and second centrally located mounting pads having a pair of deck sockets mounted on a top surface thereof;

three elongated alignment members, first and second of said three elongated alignment members having one end thereof connected to an associated one of said four corner mounting pads and an opposite end thereof connected to another associated one of said four mounting pads, a third of said three elongated alignment members having one end thereof connected to one of said two centrally located mounting pads and an opposite end thereof connected to the other of said two centrally located mounting pads, said three elongated alignment members being substantially parallel to one another; and

four module end alignment members, each of said four module end alignment members having one end thereof connected to one of said four corner mounting pads and an opposite end thereof connected to one of said first and second centrally located mounting pads.

13. A mobile modular warehouse structure for storing containers of hazardous materials and providing for a containment of any spills and leaks of said hazardous materials from said containers, said mobile modular warehouse structure comprising:

(a) a control point modular storage unit and first, second and third warehouse modular storage units, said first warehouse modular storage unit being positioned on top of said control point modular storage unit and secured thereto, said control point modular storage unit being positioned adjacent said second warehouse modular storage unit and aligned therewith and said third warehouse modular storage unit being positioned on top of said second warehouse modular storage unit and secured thereto to form said mobile modular warehouse structure for treatment and handling of said hazardous materials, said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units each comprising;

(i) a rectangular shaped base assembly having a first group of four corner fittings, one of the first group of four corner fittings of said rectangular shaped base assembly being disposed at each corner of said rectangular shaped base assembly;

(ii) inner and outer side walls extending perpendicularly upward from said base assembly;

(iii) a rear wall extending perpendicularly upward from said base assembly;

(iv) an interior wall extending perpendicularly upward from said base assembly, said interior wall being positioned near the front of said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units, said inner and outer side walls being secured to a separate one of the opposed ends of said rear wall and said interior wall to form an interior portion of said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units that is defined between said interior wall and said rear wall and between said inner and outer side walls and a machinery compartment that is defined from said interior wall to the front end of said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units;

(v) a rectangular shaped roof assembly mounted atop said inner and outer side walls, said rear wall and said interior wall and extending horizontally over the interior portion and the machinery compartment of said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units, said rectangular shaped roof assembly having a second group of four corner fittings, one of the second group of four corner fittings of said rectangular shaped roof assembly being disposed at each corner of said rectangular shaped roof assembly;

(vi) each of the inner side walls of said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage unit having a door frame which includes a door located at the rear end thereof, the door frame of the inner side wall of said control point modular storage unit being aligned with the door frame of the inner side wall of said second warehouse modular storage unit and the door frame of the inner side wall of said first warehouse modular storage unit being aligned with the door frame of the inner side wall of said third warehouse modular storage unit to allow a user of said mobile modular warehouse structure to access said second warehouse modular storage unit from said control point modular storage unit and said third warehouse modular storage unit from said first warehouse modular storage unit; and

(vi) the base assembly of said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units including a substantially rectangular open secondary containment pan that is leakproof, said secondary containment pan receiving spillage and leakage of said hazardous materials from said containers that are housed within said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units;

(b) a first group of four twistlock stackers, each of said first group of four twistlock stackers coupling one of said second group of four corner fittings of said control point modular storage unit to an aligned one of said first group of four corner fittings of said first warehouse modular storage unit to secure said first warehouse modular storage unit to said control point modular storage unit;

(c) a second group of four twistlock stackers, each of said second group of four twistlock stackers coupling one of said second group of four corner fittings of said second warehouse modular storage unit to an aligned one of said first group of four corner fittings of said third warehouse modular storage unit to secure said third warehouse modular storage unit to said second warehouse modular storage unit;

(d) a first bellows having one end removably coupled to the inner wall of said control point modular storage unit at the door frame of the inner wall of said control point modular storage unit and the opposite end removably coupled to the inner wall of said second warehouse modular storage unit at the door frame of the inner wall of said second warehouse modular storage unit;

(e) a second bellows having one end removably coupled to the inner wall of said first warehouse modular storage unit at the door frame of the inner wall of said first warehouse modular storage unit and the opposite end removably coupled to the inner wall of said third warehouse modular storage unit at the door frame of the inner wall of said third warehouse modular storage unit;

(f) a rectangular shaped stair support frame located in the roof assembly of said control point modular storage unit and a flight of steps affixed to said rectangular shaped ladder support frame; and

(g) a rectangular shaped access wall affixed to the rectangular shaped base assembly of said first warehouse modular storage unit, said rectangular shaped access wall being aligned with an opening within the rectangular shaped base assembly of said first warehouse modular storage unit, said rectangular shaped access wall being aligned with and affixed to said rectangular shaped stair support frame to form a passageway between said control point modular storage unit and said first warehouse modular storage unit;

(h) the outer side wall of said control point module storage unit having at least one door frame which includes a door to allow access to the interior portion of said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units;

(i) the rear wall and the interior wall of said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units each having a pair of deflagration vents which burst open when pressure is applied to said deflagration vents resulting from an accidental gas explosion occurring in the interior portion of said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units;

(j) the rear wall and the outer side wall of said control point modular storage unit each having a pair of deflagration vents which burst open when pressure is applied to said deflagration vents resulting from an accidental gas explosion occurring in the interior portion of said control point modular storage unit; and

(k) a mounting and alignment structure having said control point modular storage unit and said warehouse second modular storage unit mounted thereon, said mounting and alignment structure aligning said control point modular storage unit with said second warehouse modular storage unit.

14. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 13 wherein said machinery compartment of said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units include an electrical control and power distribution system and said machinery compartment of said control point modular storage unit includes an air conditioner.

15. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 13 further comprising a pair of machinery room access doors pivotally mounted to the front end of said control point modular storage unit which allow the user of said mobile modular warehouse structure to access said machinery compartment of said control point modular storage unit.

16. The mobile safety structure of claim 13 wherein said mounting and alignment structure comprises:

a generally rectangular shaped base pad;

four corner mounting pads mounted on said base pad, one of said four mounting pads being positioned in proximity to each corner of said base pad, each of said four corner mounting pads having a deck socket mounted on a top surface thereof;

first and second centrally located mounting pads mounted said base pad, each of said first and second centrally located mounting pads being aligned with a pair of said four corner mounting pads, each of said first and second centrally located mounting pads having a pair of deck sockets mounted on a top surface thereof;

three elongated alignment members, first and second of said three elongated alignment members having one end thereof connected to an associated one of said four corner mounting pads and an opposite end thereof connected to another associated one of said four mounting pads, a third of said three elongated alignment members having one end thereof connected to one of said two centrally located mounting pads and an opposite end thereof connected to the other of said two centrally located mounting pads, said three elongated alignment members being substantially parallel to one another; and

four module end alignment members, each of said four module end alignment members having one end thereof connected to one of said four corner mounting pads and an opposite end thereof connected to one of said first and second centrally located mounting pads.

17. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 13 wherein said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units each has four swivel wheel container casters, each of said four swivel wheel container casters of said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units being coupled to one of said first group of four corner fittings of said base assembly of said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units, said four swivel wheel container casters of said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units allowing a movement of said control point modular storage unit and said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units from a first location to a second location.

18. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 17 wherein said base assembly of said control point modular storage unit and said base assembly of said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units have a tow bar plate and a pintle hook attached to the front end thereof, said tow bar plate and said pintle hook of said control point modular storage unit being adapted to secure a first tow bar to said control point modular storage unit allowing said control point modular storage unit to be towed by a tow truck from said first location to said second location and said tow bar plate and said pintle hook of said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units being adapted to secure second, third and fourth tow bars respectively to said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units allowing said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units to be towed by said tow truck from said first location to said second location.

19. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 13 further comprising shelving located within the interior portion of said control point modular storage unit, said shelving being adapted for storage of hazmat containers in the interior portion of said control point modular storage unit.

20. The mobile modular warehouse structure of claim 13 further comprising shelving located within the interior portion of said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units, said shelving being adapted for storage of hazmat containers in the interior portion of said first, second and third warehouse modular storage units.