Dual use cargo container

• US 6,513,670 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2001
• Issued: 02/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Erkki O. Minkkinen
• Original Assignee: Erkki O. Minkkinen
• Inventors: Minkkinen, Erkki O.
• Primary Examiner(s): CASTELLANO, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US09/773,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20020104838A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 229/243, 229/233, 220/1.5, 220/4.03, 206/509, 206/511, 206/512
• US Class Current: 220/1.5
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/022 in multiple arrangement, e.g. stackable, nestable, connected or joined together side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/34846 the supporting structure consisting of other specified material, e.g. of plastics

Abstract

Cargo containers are shipped to sites that have been subjected to severe damage. The containers, which may be stacked, contain food or other emergency goods. The containers have ramps at one or more sides to permit quick ingress and egress of the material. At the damage site the containers have knock outs removed and replaced by doors, windows and the like. In this manner the containers become dwellings suitable on an emergency basis as house, hospitals, mess halls, or other suitable dwellings.

Claims

1. A container having dual uses comprising:

a housing with walls, a roof and a floor;

said walls having openings therein;

a plurality of panels slightly larger than said openings and covering said openings from the inside of said housing thereby permitting said container to be sealed after being loaded with both goods and prefabricated doors and windows to be stored and shipped within said container during a first use of said dual uses, and

said container being adaptable for a second use wherein said plurality of panels are removable, said prefabricated doors and windows are adaptable to be placed over said openings,

whereby in said second use said goods are unloadable and said container is suitable for human habitation.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein one of said walls has a ramp to provide access to said container.

3. A plurality of containers each having dual uses:

each of said containers comprising;

a housing with walls, a roof and a floor;

said walls having openings therein;

a plurality of panels slightly larger than said openings and covering said openings from the inside of said housing thereby permitting said container to be sealed after being loaded with both goods and prefabricated doors and windows to be stored and shipped within said container during a first use of said dual uses,

said container being adaptable for a second use wherein said plurality of panels are removable, said prefabricated doors and windows are adaptable to be placed over said openings, and

at least one of said openings of one of said containers being adapted to have a congruent relationship to at least one of said openings in a second of said containers to permit during a second use of said dual uses access between said containers,

whereby in said second use said containers are suitable for human habitation.

4. The container of claim 3 wherein at least one of said walls has a ramp to provide access to said container.