Modular shipping unit and system

Abstract

A modular shipping system including a plurality of modular support members for supporting at least one item thereon. The system includes at least one upstanding frame having a plurality of receiving areas for receiving and supporting respective one of the modular support members therein. The frame includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the frame to a similar frame positioned adjacent thereto, thereby providing an interlock modular shipping unit of a plurality of frames. The modular support member, the frame and/or the modular shipping unit can be dissassembled or collapsed. A modular support member and a frame are also disclosed.

1 . A modular shipping system, comprising: 
 a plurality of modular support members, each configured to support at least one item thereon; and    at least one upstanding frame having a plurality of receiving areas configured to receive and support a respective one of the plurality of modular support members therein, the frame further comprising an attachment mechanism configured to attach the frame to a similar frame positioned adjacent thereto, thereby providing an interlocked modular shipping unit of a plurality of frames;    wherein the modular support member, the frame, the modular shipping unit or any combination thereof is configured to be disassembled or collapsed.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the modular support member comprises: 
 a substantially planar base member having an attachment structure positioned along a perimeter area thereof; and    a plurality of side frame members having an attachment structure positioned along a bottom edge thereof, with the attachment structure of the side frame members configured to interact with the attachment structure of a respective perimeter area of the base member, thereby providing an upstanding frame attached to the base member.    
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the modular support member further comprises at least one removable panel configured to engage with a respective side frame member, thereby forming a side wall.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least one edge of the panel is engageable with and slidable along a groove extending along the respective side frame member.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least one side frame member includes an insertion slot sized and shaped so as to receive an edge of a respective removable panel, wherein the removable panel is inserted through the slot and at least one edge of the panel is engageable with at least one groove extending along an inner surface of the respective side frame member.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the panel, the modular support member, the frame, the modular shipping unit or any combination thereof is manufactured from a material that is water resistant, waterproof, fire resistant, fireproof, explosion proof, impact resistant, impact proof, heat resistant, pressure resistant, impact resistant, projectile proof, load resistant, shock resistant, compression resistant, vibration resistant, abrasion resistant, insulative, self-extinguishing, energy absorbent, transparent to X-ray signals, mold resistant, mildew resistant, fungi resistant, insect resistant, resistant to chemical reactions, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the panel, the modular support member, the frame, the modular shipping unit or any combination thereof is manufactured from a metal, a semi-metal, an alloy, a plastic, a urethane-based material, polyurethane, aliphatic polyurethane, a synthetic material, a polymer, a metal/polymer hybrid material, a ceramic material, a ceramo-plastic material, a woven fiber material, filament wound fiber, fiberglass, glass, vermiculite, expanded mica, a powdered metal material, a laminated material, an extruded material, a cast material, a molded material, or any combination or mixture thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the modular support member further comprises a top frame member having an attachment structure positioned along at least one edge thereof configured for attachment to an upper edge of at least one of the side frame members.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprises at least one removable panel configured to engage with the top frame member, thereby forming a top wall.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment structure of one of the side frame member and the base member is a shaped tongue, and the attachment structure of the other of the side frame and the base member is a groove shaped to receive and engage the tongue along the groove.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the base member is substantially square-shaped, with the modular support member comprising four side frame members, each engageable with a respective perimeter portion of the base member, thereby forming a box frame.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1   1 , further comprising a top frame member having an attachment structure positioned along at least one edge thereof configured for attachment to an upper edge of at least one of the side frame members.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of removable panels configured to respectively engage each side frame member and top frame member, forming side walls and a top wall, thereby forming an enclosed housing.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the modular support member includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the modular support member into a respective receiving area of the frame and prevent withdrawal of the support member without unlocking of the locking mechanism.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a locking mechanism control device in communication with the locking mechanism and configured to lock and unlock the locking mechanism, and thereby at least one modular support member, based upon authorization signals.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising an input device in communication with the locking mechanism control device and configured to accept data input from a user, a subsequent control system, a communication device, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the modular support member is slidable with respect to the receiving areas of the frame, and wherein the modular support member is continually urged at least partially out of the receiving area, such that, when the locking mechanism is deactivated, the modular support member slides at least partially out of the receiving area.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes at least one receiving area configured to receive two modular support members therein, the modular support members positioned immediately adjacent each other within the receiving area.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of each of the two modular support members are in direct or indirect contact with a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the modular support members together or lock the modular support members to the frame, thereby preventing removal therefrom.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the modular support member comprises: 
 a substantially planar base member having an attachment structure positioned along a perimeter area thereof and a plurality of side frame members having an attachment structure positioned along a bottom edge thereof, with the attachment structure of the side frame members configured to interact with the attachment structure of a respective perimeter area of the base member, thereby providing an upstanding frame attached to the base member;    at least one removable panel configured to engage with a respective side frame member, thereby forming a side wall;    a top frame member having an attachment structure positioned along at least one edge thereof configured for attachment to an upper edge of at least one of the side frame members; and    at least one removable panel configured to engage with the top frame member, thereby forming a top wall;    wherein at least one of the panels is moveable and provides access to an interior area of the modular support member, and thereby the item positioned therein.    
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a central control unit in communication with the modular shipping unit and configured to: (i) communicate with and control at least one locking mechanism; (ii) interact with at least one locking mechanism control device; (iii) track and identify the at least one item, the modular shipping unit, the modular support member, the frame, or any combination thereof; (iv) communicate with and control at least one component of the unit; or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one signal emitting device in operative communication with the modular shipping unit, the at least one item, the modular support member, the frame, or any combination thereof; and    at least one signal receiving device in communication with the signal emitting device and configured to receive signals emitting from the signal emitting device.    
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a sensor device is in operative communication with the modular shipping unit, the at least one item, the modular support member, the frame, or any combination thereof, and wherein the sensor device is configured to obtain and communicate data directed to temperature, pressure, humidity, a physical characteristic, a chemical characteristic, an environmental condition, contact, impact, motion, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       24 . A modular support member, comprising: 
 a substantially planar base member having an attachment structure positioned along a perimeter area thereof;    a plurality of side frame members having an attachment structure positioned along a bottom edge thereof, with the attachment structure of the side frame members configured to interact with the attachment structure of a respective perimeter area of the base member, thereby providing an upstanding frame attached to the base member;    a top frame member having an attachment structure positioned along at least one edge thereof configured for attachment to an upper edge of at least one of the side frame members; and    a plurality of removable panels, each configured to engage with a respective side frame member and the top frame member, thereby forming an enclosed housing with side walls and a top wall;    wherein at least one item is positionable within an interior area of the enclosed housing; and    wherein the modular support member is disassemblable by removing the panels and disengaging the attachment structures of the side frame members, the top frame member and the base member.    
   
   
       25 . A frame for housing a plurality of modular support members therein, the frame comprising: 
 a plurality of receiving areas configured to receive and support a respective one of the plurality of modular support members therein; and    an attachment mechanism configured to attach the frame to a similar frame positioned adjacent thereto, thereby providing an interlocked modular shipping unit;    wherein the frame is collapsible by folding portions of the frame into contact with one another.    
   
   
       26 . A modular shipping system, comprising: 
 a plurality of modular support members comprising a disassemblable enclosed housing each configured to support at least one item therein, wherein at least one of side walls and a top wall of the enclosed housing includes a removable panel; and    a plurality of upstanding frames, each having a plurality of receiving areas configured to receive and support a respective one of the plurality of modular support members therein, with each frame further comprising an attachment mechanism configured to attach the frame to a similar frame positioned adjacent thereto, thereby providing an interlocked modular shipping unit of a plurality of frames;    wherein each modular support member includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the modular support member into a respective receiving area of the frame and prevent withdrawal of the support member without unlocking of the locking mechanism.