Multi-use intermodal container
OwnerRobert C. Hooperinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims14
A multi-use intermodal container comprising:
- a rectangular frame suitably sized and configured for stacking with conventional intermodal containers;
- a plurality of compartments supported on the frame, each compartment comprising:
- a top wall enclosing a top side of the compartment and locating a hatch opening therein;
- a hatch cover for selectively closing the hatch opening;
- a hopper enclosing a bottom side of the compartment, the hopper tapering downwardly and inwardly to a discharge opening;
- a gate for selectively closing the discharge opening;
- upright side walls extending between the hopper and the top wall;
- and a floor spanning generally horizontally between the side walls above the hopper for supporting a load thereon, the floor being arranged to allow passage of particulate material therethrough;
- and
- at least one door supported in a respective one of the side walls of each compartment so as to be arranged for access to a hollow interior of the compartment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.