Patent ID: 7588406
Filing Date: 2009-09-15
Classification: B65D,B65G

Abstract:
1. A method of loading a transport container, comprising: positioning a transport container having a predetermined maximum loading capacity and a loading assembly wherein the container and the loading assembly are movable relative to one another such that the loading assembly is disposed adjacent to an open end of the container, the loading assembly including: a load bin including a non-telescoping floor and two side walls, a barrier assembly having a horizontally movable wall disposed within the load bin, a stationary support structure supporting the load bin and the barrier assembly, the support structure comprising frame members fixed relative to a ground support surface, wherein the barrier assembly is selectively positionable along the load bin to define a load bin maximum capacity, and wherein the load bin and the barrier assembly further cooperate to define a top opening for receiving an unpalletized load; defining the predetermined maximum loading capacity by positioning the barrier assembly along the load bin, wherein the step of defining the predetermined maximum loading capacity further comprises positioning the barrier assembly relative to and within the load bin therealong to a volume configured to hold an unpalletized load of sufficient size to substantially fill the transport container to the predetermined maximum loading capacity in a single operation; loading the load bin with an unpalletized load through the top opening and to the predetermined maximum loading capacity defined by the barrier assembly and the load bin; positioning the loaded load bin within the transport container through the open end thereof, such that the unpalletized load is fully disposed within the container; and engaging the movable wall of the barrier assembly with the unpalletized load and simultaneously repositioning the load bin and the transport container relative to each other such that the load bin again is disposed adjacent to the open end of the transport container, while the unpalletized load remains disposed within the transport container, wherein: the loading assembly further includes a drive mechanism operable to move the load bin into the transport container during the step of positioning and to retract the load bin from the transport container during the step of engaging; the step of positioning includes operating the drive mechanism so as to move the load bin into the transport container through the open end thereof until the unpalletized load is fully disposed within the transport container, while the transport container is maintained generally stationary; the step of engaging includes engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure, to lock the barrier assembly adjacent to the open end of the transport container; and the step of engaging further includes operating the drive mechanism so as to retract the load bin from the transport container, while the barrier assembly remains engaged with the stationary support structure, such that the unpalletized load remains within the transport container.