Patent ID: 9126811
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: B65G,B66C

Abstract:
1. A method for handling containers, comprising the steps of: providing a multi-level structure including a plurality of levels including a first level with an opening to receive a container and a second level; locating a plurality of shelves adjacent to the opening including a port shelf and a starboard shelf, each shelf configured to receive a container such that a door of the container faces forward; providing a transfer mechanism configured to pick up a container via corner castings from a top and place it on one of the plurality of shelves, the transfer mechanism further providing a trolley configured to laterally move a container into or out of one of the plurality of shelves from a side; locating the multi-level structure adjacent to a warehouse such that the forward facing door faces and is adjacent with the warehouse; and aligning a container with a delivery bay of the warehouse such that cargo is loaded or unloaded from the container to or from the warehouse; the multi-level structure includes a delivery mode defined as a delivered container being delivered to the opening of the multi-level structure, lifting the delivered container from a chassis and placing it on one of the plurality of shelves via the transfer mechanism within the multi-level structure and a retrieval mode defined as picking up a container from one of the plurality of shelves and loading it on the chassis in the opening via the transfer mechanism within the multi-level structure.