Storage container and method of forming same

Abstract

A storage container is provided, having a first container portion and a second container portion. The first container portion is approximately 24 feet in length, having a first front portion. The second container portion is approximately 16 feet in length, having a second front portion. The first and second front portions are coupled to form a storage container approximately 40 feet in length and having a opening extending approximately 40 feet through the storage container. A first panel of the first front portion is mounted to an inside surface of the storage container and a second panel of the second front portion is mounted to an inside surface of the storage container.

1 . A storage container comprising: 
 a first container portion having a first length, and having a first front portion; and    a second container portion having a second length, and having a second front portion wherein the first length is longer than the second length;    wherein the first and second front portions are coupled to form a cargo container approximately 40 feet in length and having a opening extending approximately 40 feet through the storage container, and    wherein a first panel to cover the first end portion is mounted to the storage container and a second panel to cover the second end portion is mounted to the storage container.    
   
   
       2 . The storage container of  claim 1  wherein the first container portion is approximately 24 feet in length and the second container portion is approximately 16 feet in length.  
   
   
       3 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second front portions are coupled by a joining panel.  
   
   
       4 . The storage container of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second container portions and the joining panel enclose an inner area of the storage container.  
   
   
       5 . The storage container of  claim 4 , wherein a bottom portion of the joining panel is aligned with a bottom inside surface of the first and second container portions to form an even surface.  
   
   
       6 . The storage container of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second front portions are further coupled by rails.  
   
   
       7 . The storage container of  claim 6 , wherein the rails are at least partially secured to corner fittings of the first and second container portions.  
   
   
       8 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second panels are mounted to an inside surface of the storage container.  
   
   
       9 . A storage container comprising: 
 forklift pockets extending laterally near a bottom surface of the storage container;    a tunnel extending along a portion of a length of the bottom surface of the storage container from a first end of the storage container; the tunnel being defined by two spaced-apart side members extending perpendicular to the fork pockets; and    at least one opening in at least one of the two spaced-apart side members of the tunnel at an intersection of at least one forklift pocket and the tunnel, the opening configured to allow passage of a fork of a forklift from the forklift pocket into the tunnel.    
   
   
       10 . The storage container of  claim 9 , wherein the forklift pocket is defined by a top plate, a bottom plate, and cross members extending laterally across the bottom surface of the storage container.  
   
   
       11 . The storage container of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one forklift pocket extends from a side opening in a bottom side rail of the container to the at least one opening in the two side members.  
   
   
       12 . The storage container of  claim 11 , wherein the top plate of the at least one forklift pocket is secured to a container flooring.  
   
   
       13 . The storage container of  claim 12 , wherein the container flooring and a lateral member of the tunnel are aligned to form an even flooring surface in an inside area of the container.  
   
   
       14 . A method of shipping a container, comprising: 
 fixing a first container and a second container together, the first container measuring approximately 24 feet in length and the second container measuring approximately 16 feet in length, to form a completed container measuring approximately 40 feet in length;    mounting front panels of the first and second containers to the completed container such that a through opening of approximately 40 feet in length extends through the completed container;    loading the completed container;    shipping the completed container; and    unloading the completed container.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first container and second container are welded together by welding the first and second containers to a joining panel.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first container and second container are further welded together by welding the first and second containers to at least one joining rail.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising separating the first container and the second container.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 removing the front panels from the inside surface of the container; and    mounting the front panels on front portions of the first container and the second container.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising renting the completed container measuring approximately 40 feet in length for shipping a load.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising selling the first and second containers to one or more parties and delivering the first and second containers to the one or more parties after shipping the completed container.