Container handling apparatus, container management system, and method of container handling

• US 7,216,806 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2005
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
• Inventors: Kobayashi, Masato, Masumoto, Masanori, Chikura, Takashi, Kurita, Koichi
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US11/050,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20060113384A1
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 235/385, 235/383, 235/382, 235/382.5, 235/375, 235/492, 235/449, 340/539.29, 340/506, 340/539.26, 340/425.5, 340/10.1, 700/215
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/16 Applications of indicating, registering, or weighing devices in crane hooks B66C1/40; in safety gear B66C15/00; weighing-apparatus G01G; remote indicating in general G08
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/46 Position indicators for suspended loads or for crane elements
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 19/002 Container cranes B66C19/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 19/007 for containers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A container handling apparatus, a container management system, and a method of container handling are provided in which information of a container to be handled is accurately recognized automatically, in order to improve the efficiency of a container handling operation. An RF-ID reader/writer (wireless communication device) is provided in a container crane, on a beam of a spreader holding the container, facing a lengthwise end face of the container. An RF-ID tag (wireless tag) that stores container information is installed on a lengthwise end part of the container. The construction is such that the RF-ID tag reader/writer performs wireless communication with the RF-ID tag when the spreader is located on the transporting route of the container. The container information includes output of sensors provided on the container that detect security information of the container.

Claims

1. A container handling apparatus for use in handling a container provided with a wireless tag that is capable of storing and renewing container information, said apparatus comprising:

a spreader which is adapted to hold said container, and

a wireless communication device provided on said spreader, which wireless communication device is adapted to, in use, read container information from said wireless tag and write container information to said wireless tag by wireless communication,

wherein said wireless communication device performs wireless communication with said wireless tag in the case where said spreader is on a transporting route of said container.

2. A container handling apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said container is provided with sensors to detect and output security information of said container, and said container information includes said security information.

3. A container handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wireless tag is adapted to be installed on a lengthwise end face of said container, and

said wireless communication device is adapted to be provided at a position which faces said wireless tag when said spreader holds said container.

4. A container management system, comprising a container handling apparatus according to claim 1, and a control management section which is adapted to manage said container based on said container information.

5. A container handling method for handling a container provided with a wireless tag that is capable of storing and renewing container information, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a spreader capable of holding the container;

providing on the spreader a wireless communication device capable of reading container information from said wireless tag and writing container information to said wireless tag by wireless communication, and

said wireless communication device performing wireless communication with said wireless tag and reading and/or writing container information from/to said wireless tag while said container is being transported by said spreader.

6. A container handling method according to claim 5, wherein said container is provided with sensors to detect and output security information of said container, and said container information includes said security information of said container, and

in the case where said security information of said container being transported by said spreader does not meet safety standards, said container is transported to an isolated space.