Multi-use Intermodal Container with Removable Grate Floor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional box type containers are not well suited for handling granulated products like grain, leading to high costs and material loss due to inefficient handling and transfer, while hopper containers, though improving handling, are not suitable for pallet type freight and must be returned empty, incurring additional shipping costs.

Innovation Solution

A multi-use intermodal container with a rectangular frame, compartments featuring a hopper for particulate material discharge and a grate floor for supporting pallet freight, allowing efficient handling and transportation of both types of cargo without the need for empty container returns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hopper containers are used for transporting particulate material, then handling efficiency is improved, but the containers cannot be used for pallet type freight and must be returned empty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling efficiencyVSAvoidcargo type flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container is designed with a removable floor panel that allows the same vessel to transport both particulate material (when floor is removed) and pallet type freight (when floor is installed), eliminating the need for separate container types and reducing empty returns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The floor panel is designed to be removable and reconfigurable, allowing the container's internal configuration to change dynamically between particulate transport mode (floor removed for hopper access) and pallet transport mode (floor installed for structural support)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional box type containers are used for shipping grain, then the containers can be used for both directions, but handling costs increase and material loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo type flexibilityVSAvoidmaterial loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The floor panel can be removed to create direct hopper access for grain loading, eliminating the need for complex unloading mechanisms and reducing material loss during transfer operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If hopper containers are used for particulate material, then material handling is improved, but shipping costs increase due to empty container returns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial handlingVSAvoidshipping cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The container serves dual purposes: transporting particulate material when the floor panel is removed, and transporting pallet freight when the floor panel is installed, maximizing container utilization and eliminating empty returns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The floor panel is a removable component that can be discarded (removed) when not needed for pallet freight, allowing the container to be reused for particulate material transport without requiring a separate container

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS7591386B2Multi-use intermodal container

Publication Date: 2009.09.22 HOOPER ROBERT C

AI summary

A multi-use intermodal container for transporting cargo comprises compartments, each having both a hopper for discharging particulate material from the bottom of the compartments and a floor above the hopper for supporting standard freight thereon. The floor is arranged to allow passage of particulate material therethrough so that the compartments can be used either for bulk material transport or standard cargo/freight. A door in the side wall provides access to store cargo on the floor of the compartment and a roof hatch provides access to store bulk materials in the compartment for subsequent removal through the hopper.