Container transportation system and method

Abstract

A container transportation system including a plurality of containers configured to contain and protect freight in a marine environment and a vehicle configured to individually lift and transport each container and orient and place each container on a support surface. The system further includes a marine vessel having a deck with sufficient strength to support the vehicle when the vehicle is transporting a fully loaded one of the containers. The system also includes a ramp shaped to extend from an associated dock to the deck and having sufficient strength to support the vehicle when the vehicle is transporting a fully loaded one of the containers. The ramp has sufficient length such that an angle of inclination of the ramp suspended between the deck and the associated dock allows the vehicle to traverse the ramp without slipping. The vehicle is able to transport the containers from the associated dock, over the ramp, to desired locations on the deck for transportation by the marine vessel, and to remove the containers from the desired locations on the deck and transport the containers over the ramp to an associated dock.

1 . A container transportation system comprising: 
 a plurality of containers configured to contain and protect freight in a marine environment;    a vehicle configured to individually lift and transport each container and orient and place each container on a support surface;    a marine vessel having a deck with sufficient strength to support said vehicle when said vehicle is transporting a fully loaded one of said containers; and    a ramp shaped to extend from an associated dock to said deck and having sufficient strength to support said vehicle when said vehicle is transporting a fully loaded one of said containers, said ramp having sufficient length such that an angle of inclination of said ramp extending between said deck and the associated dock allows said vehicle to traverse said ramp without slipping, whereby said vehicle is able to transport said containers from the associated dock, over said ramp, to desired locations on said deck for further transportation by said marine vessel, and to remove said containers from said desired locations on said deck and transport said containers over said ramp to an associated dock.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said deck and said containers are configured to be engaged by semiautomatic twistlocks, and wherein said system further includes a plurality of semiautomatic twistlocks connecting said containers to said deck at said desired locations.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said containers are arranged in a vertical stack on said deck, and wherein the stacked container of a vertical stack are coupled together by twistlocks.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said containers are arranged in at least one vertical stack including at least three containers.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said ramp includes a main section and a foot pivotally attached to an end of said main section to contact an associated dock.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said main section includes a downwardly depending lip attached to an end thereof opposite said foot; and said deck includes a longitudinally extending rail shaped to be engaged by said lip.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said foot includes an upper surface having sufficient strength to support said vehicle carrying a loaded container and being inclined sufficiently to provide a smooth transition from said dock to said main section.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said vessel has a beam at least about ¼ of its length to enable said vehicle to transport said containers on said deck without an undesired listing of said vessel.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said containers are 53 feet in length, 8.5 feet in width and 9.5 feet in height and constructed of aluminum so as to maximize their cargo capacity.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said containers are stacked on said deck in vertical stacks separated approximately 2 feet lengthwise and 3 inches widthwise.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said vessel includes a pointed bow to improve the towing efficiency of said vessel.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said vehicle is a reach stacker.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said reach stacker includes a body portion and a gripping portion including a spreader attachment, said gripping portion being capable of being raised and lowered, rotated, and inclined relative to said body portion.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the vehicle is carrying a fully loaded container and is positioned directly on said deck such that said deck supports said vehicle carrying said fully loaded container.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said vehicle is configured to individually lift and transport each container at or adjacent to an upper edge thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said ramp extends from the dock to said deck, and wherein the vehicle is carrying a fully loaded container and is positioned directly on said ramp such that said ramp supports said vehicle carrying said fully loaded container.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each container has a set of outer walls defining an inner volume.  
   
   
       18 . A container transportation system comprising: 
 a plurality of containers configured to contain and protect freight in a marine environment, said containers being further configured to be engaged by semiautomatic twistlocks;    a reach stacker configured to lift, transport and orient said containers and place said containers on a support surface;    a marine vessel having a container storage deck with sufficient strength to support said vehicle when said vehicle is transporting a fully loaded one of said containers, said deck being configured to be engaged by automatic twistlocks and including a longitudinally extending rail;    a ramp shaped to extend from an associated dock to said deck and having sufficient strength to support said vehicle when said vehicle is transporting a fully loaded one of said containers, said ramp having sufficient length such that an angle of inclination of said ramp extending between said deck and an associated dock allows said vehicle to traverse said ramp without slipping, whereby said vehicle is able to transport said containers from an associated dock, over said ramp, to desired locations on said deck for further transportation by said marine vessel, and to remove said containers from said location on said deck and transport said containers over said ramp to an associated dock, said ramp including a main section, a foot pivotally attached to an end of said main section to contact an associated dock, and a downwardly depending lip attached to an end of said main section opposite said foot and shaped to engage said rail, said foot including an upper surface having sufficient strength to support said vehicle carrying a loaded container and being inclined sufficiently to provide a smooth transition from said dock to said main section; and    a plurality of semiautomatic twistlocks connecting said containers to said deck at said desired locations, and connecting said containers to each other in vertical stacks;    said vessel having a sufficient beam dimension to enable said vehicle to transport said containers on said deck without said vessel listing undesirably.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said containers are 53 feet in length, 8.5 feet in width and 9.5 feet in height and constructed of aluminum to maximize their cargo capacity.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said containers are stacked on said deck in vertical stacks separated approximately 2 feet lengthwise and 3 inches widthwise.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said vessel includes a pointed bow.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the vehicle is carrying a fully loaded container and is positioned directly on said deck such that said deck supports said vehicle carrying said fully loaded container.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said ramp extends from an associated dock to said deck, and wherein the vehicle is carrying a fully loaded container and is positioned directly on said ramp such that said ramp supports said vehicle carrying said fully loaded container.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said reach stacker includes a body portion and a gripping portion including a spreader attachment, said gripping portion being capable of being raised and lowered, rotated, and inclined relative to said body portion.