Container handling and flow system, use thereof and method of handling containers

Abstract

A container handling and flow system comprising a plurality of base elements ( 1, 31 ) for mounting on top of containers and fasteners for locking the base elements on to corner fittings ( 14 ) of a container. The base elements are elongate and have a length corresponding to the width of the containers to be handled, said system possibly including base elements of different lengths corresponding to different container standards. The fasteners are arranged one at each end of the base element at a distance corresponding the distance between the corner fittings. The base elements have sufficient strength and stiffness for allowing the load of a second or more container(s) resting on top of or moving across a pair of base elements mounted on a first container.

1 . A container handling and flow system comprising; a plurality of base elements for mounting on containers and fasteners for locking the base elements on to corner fittings of a container, wherein base elements are elongate and have a length corresponding to the width of the containers to be handled, said system possibly including base elements of different lengths corresponding to different container standards, that the fasteners are arranged one at each end of the base element at a distance corresponding the distance between the corner fittings, and that said base elements have sufficient strength and stiffness for allowing transfer of the load of one or more container(s) resting on top of or moving across a pair of base elements. 
     
     
         2 . A container handling and flow system according to  claim 1 , further including base elements capable of spanning the width of two or more containers arranged side-by-side. 
     
     
         3 . A container handling and flow system according to  claim 1 , where at least some of the base elements are equipped with rollers, wheels or conveyors, which may be either passive or driven by roller motors, conveyor drives, push/pull systems or the like capable of moving at least one container, brakes, vibration dampeners and/or means for regaining/collecting kinetic energy. 
     
     
         4 . A container handling and flow system according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more functional element(s) chosen from the group consisting of: carriers, cranes, lashing, supply and/or stabilization elements, roof and/or sidewall systems for water, wind and sunlight protection, safety and security solutions, lights, lamps, CCTV and control cameras, remote control units, wireless or Bluetooth systems, network solutions, RFID and/or Memory and control chips, Gensets, Engines, Power Packs, fly wheels, batteries, capacitors, chargers, cooling systems, grooved tracks, weight balancing and trimming means for container, stacks and vessels, sensors for sensing distances, container and stacking stability, damages, motions, weather, etc. as well as supply of air/gas or electricity, said functional element(s) being either separate unites) or integrated in the base elements or carriers. 
     
     
         5 . A container handling and flow system according to  claim 1 , where at least some base elements can be interconnected or include lashing elements or tracks or connectors for attachment of lashing elements, the lashing elements or connectors preferably being automatically operable. 
     
     
         6 . A container handling and flow system according to  claim 1 , further including attachment or adjustment members for being mounted directly on or which are integrated in containers. 
     
     
         7 . A container handling and flow system according to  claim 1 , where the base elements are shaped as bridges with a curved side in the length direction. 
     
     
         8 . A container handling and flow system according to  claim 1 , further including storage facilities and/or supply systems for storing and delivering base elements, respectively, and/or an electronic control system, preferably with remote communication. 
     
     
         9 . A container handling and flow system according to  claim 1 , further including mounting and/or supply carriers for running onto or along other base elements, which has already been mounted, to mount or dismount base elements on other containers and/or deliver supplies. 
     
     
         10 . A container handling and flow system according to  claim 1 , where the height of at least one type of base element is bigger than its width, when seen in the mounted position. 
     
     
         11 . A container handling and flow system according to  claim 1 , where the base elements are made with one or more materials chosen from the group consisting of: metal, such as steel, plastic and composites, including fibres reinforced materials. 
     
     
         12 . A method for handling a container and flow system comprising the step of implementing the method and system in at least one of a container terminal, a warehouse or on board a vessel. 
     
     
         13 . A method of handling containers comprising the steps of: a) arranging at least two base elements on a first container, b) locking the base elements to corner fittings of the first container using fasteners on the base elements, said corner fittings being located at opposite corners at the same end of the first container, c) arranging the first container in a stacks with at least one other container so that the load of one or more container(s) resting on top of or moving across a pair of base elements may be transferred via the base elements. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , further including the step of mounting base elements both at the top and at the bottom of containers before arranging them in a stack, said top and bottom base elements possibly being of different construction. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , where base elements are mounted by a robotic or machine system, preferably at first point of contact in a warehouse or a container terminal. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 13 , where containers equipped with base elements are arranged to form a path for other containers. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 13 , where containers equipped with base elements are arranged in terminals or on vessels so that they form access paths for container carriers. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 13 , where two or more containers are interconnected using base elements to form a movable unit. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 13 , where base elements are left on the container when it is transferred to a vessel, truck or train. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 13 , where the containers are stacked onto carriers or base elements and moved on paths through the terminal, warehouse or vessel, substantially without being lifted. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 20 , where the paths are inclined and the containers are preferably arranged on negative height equalization carriers. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 13 , where containers to be relocated to other rows/stacks are moved onto carriers. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 13 , where the handling and operating of containers within terminals, warehouses or vessels are controlled by software and an operational systems controlled centrally or autonomously to move and position containers optimally.