Abstract:
Systems and methods for loading freight containers are disclosed. The inventive system and method is used to reduce excess shipping costs resulting from the use of dimensional weight in calculating freight charges. The invention is comprised of various loading combinations for boxes optimally sized to fit on standard palettes. Through use of the invention, the higher shipping costs increased dimensional weight of lighter packages can be alleviated.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/971,852. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for reducing freight shipping costs when shipping prices are based on dimensional weight. The invention has applications in air, land and sea freight. In one embodiment of the invention, the novel telescoping box system is used with pallets of a specific sizes to further reduce waste and cost in the shipping process. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the freight forwarding business, domestic and international shippers will often base delivery rates not only on the weight of a package but also on its dimensional volume which taken together are sometimes referred to as “dimensional weight.” The determination of dimensional weight to calculate shipping cost has become necessary as the cost of transportation has gone up. Not only is the weight of a package a factor in cost but also the space or volume that that package occupies. Consideration of dimensional volume is especially critical in air cargo shipping where cargo space is especially limited and where weight determination alone would be an inadequate basis for calculating the value of the space taken up by a package. Dimensional volume consideration is also important in surface transportation such as truck or train service where cubicle space is limited. 
         [0004]    The concept of dimensional weight has been adopted by the transportation industry worldwide as a uniform means of establishing a minimum charge for the cubic space a package occupies. Dimensional weight is a calculation of a theoretical weight of a package. This theoretical weight is the weight of the package at a minimum density chosen by the freight carrier. If the package is below this minimum density, then the actual weight is irrelevant as the freight carrier will charge for the volume of the package as if it were of the chosen density (what the package would weigh at the minimum density). Furthermore, the volume used to calculate the dimensional weight may not be absolutely representative of the true volume of the package. The freight carrier will measure the longest dimension in each of the three axis (X, Y, Z) and use these measurements to determine the package volume. If the package is a right-angled rectangular cuboid (box), then this will be equal to the true volume of the package. However, if the package is of any other shape, then the calculation of volume will be more than the true volume of the package. 
         [0005]    Dimensional weight is also known as DIM weight, volumetric weight, cubed weight, etc. Freight carriers utilize the greater of the actual weight or dimensional weight to calculate shipping charges. Dimensional weight is calculated as (Length×Width×Height)/(Dimensional Factor). Measurements can be made all in inches or all in centimeters, but the appropriate shipping factor must also be used. 
         [0006]    Shipping factors for imperial measurements represent cubic inches per pound (in 3 /lb) while metric factors represent cubic centimeters per kilogram (cm 3 /kg). These are the inverse of the package density. Dimensional weight is applied when the actual product density is less than the minimum density represented by the chosen factor. Dimensional weight is representative of the weight of the package at the minimum density accepted by the freight carrier. Shipping factors are not only different for imperial and metric measurements, but also for shipment mode and in some cases between different customers. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, containerization for transport has spurred the use of pallets because the shipping containers have the smooth, level surfaces needed for easy pallet movement. Most pallets can easily carry a load a 1,000 kg (2,205 lb). Today, over half a billion pallets are made each year and about two billion pallets are in use across the United States alone. 
         [0008]    Pallets make it easier to move heavy stacks. Loads with pallets under them can be hauled by forklift trucks of different sizes, or even by hand-pumped and hand-drawn pallet jacks. Movement is easy on a wide, strong, flat floor. 
         [0009]    The lack of a single international standard for pallets causes substantial continuing expense. The following table illustrates the various dimensions of pallets in common use: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Dimensions, in (W × L) 
                 Industries Using 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 48 × 40 
                 Grocery, many others 
               
               
                 42 × 42 
                 Telecommunications, Paint 
               
               
                 48 × 48 
                 Drums 
               
               
                 40 × 48 
                 Military, Cement 
               
               
                 48 × 42 
                 Chemical, Beverage 
               
               
                 40 × 40 
                 Dairy 
               
               
                 48 × 45 
                 Automotive 
               
               
                 44 × 44 
                 Drums, Chemical 
               
               
                 36 × 36 
                 Beverage 
               
               
                 48 × 36 
                 Beverage, Shingles, Packaged Paper 
               
               
                   35 × 45.5 
                 Military ½ ISO container, 
               
               
                   
                 fits 36″ standard doors 
               
               
                 48 × 20 
                 Retail 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    This invention relates to using a novel system of telescoping boxes to reduce the inefficiencies of dimensional weight and the disproportionate cost of shipping lighter packages when shipping prices are based on dimensional weight. The invention has applications in air, land and sea freight. In one embodiment of the invention, the novel telescoping box system is used with pallets of a specific sizes to further reduce waste and cost in the shipping process. The scoping boxes are used in a variety of loading combinations. The loading combinations are suited to the pallet and shipping container. Through use of the disclosed methods and system, shipping costs may be significantly reduced. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  describes the telescoping box sizes and corresponding pallets used in one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  describes the loading combinations available in an embodiment of the invention with the alphabetical indication of the telescoping box sizes from  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  provides exemplary cost savings from use of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The following description provides details with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the inventive method and system incorporate the use of specific box sizes with specific telescoping properties such that they fit on pallets with minimal waste of space. By way of example, the “A” large box  10  has dimensions of 45 in.×45 in.×32.5 in. and is optimized for use with a 45 in.×45 in. heat treated pallet. The “A” large box  10  is capable of telescoping from 32.5 in. to 55 in. The “A” large box  10  has inside dimensions of 44.5 in.×44.5 in.×32 in. The “B” medium box  11  has dimensions of 45 in.×30 in.×32.5 in. and is optimized for use with a 45 in.×30 in. heat treated pallet. The “B” medium box  11  is capable of telescoping from 32.5 in. to 55 in. The “B” medium box  11  has inside dimensions of 44.5 in.×29.5 in.×32 in. The “C” short medium box  12  has dimensions of 45 in.×30 in.×16 in. and is optimized for use with a 45 in.×30 in. heat treated pallet. The “C” short medium box  12  is capable of telescoping from 16 in. to 27.5 in. The “C” short medium  12  box has inside dimensions of 44.5 in.×29.5 in.×15.5 in. The “D” tall box  13  has dimensions of 22.5 in.×15 in.×32.5 in. and is optimized for use with a 22.5 in.×15 in. heat treated pallet. The “D” tall box  13  is capable of telescoping from 32in. to 55 in. The “D” tall box  13  has inside dimensions of 22 in.×14.5 in.×32 in. The “E” small box  14  has dimensions of 22.5 in.×15 in.×16 in. and is optimized for use with a 22.5 in.×15 in. heat treated pallet. The “E” small box  14  is capable of telescoping from 16 in. to 27.5 in. The “E” small box  14  has inside dimensions of 22 in.×14.5 in.×15.5 in. The “F” standard box  15  has dimensions of 22.5 in.×22.5 in.×30 in. and is optimized for use with a 22.5 in.×23.5 in. heat treated pallet. The “F” standard box  15  is capable of telescoping from 20 in. to 32 in. The “F” standard box  15  has inside dimensions of 22 in.×22 in.×19.5 in. When using the inventive system, a shipper may select the appropriate box sizes along with the appropriate pallet size and telescope the box as needed in order to minimize the dimensional weight of the item to be shipped. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  describes the various loading combinations used when implementing an embodiment of the invention. For example, the disclosed configurations may be used to create a load having a base of 90 in. by 45 in. This load may be optimized to fit into a standard air freight, ground shipping or sea-going container with minimal waste of space such that the cost to the shipper is reduced. For example, a standard 53 foot ground shipping container can be loaded more efficiently with the inventive loading combinations such that there is a reduction of wasted space within the container. In loading combination  20 , the load is comprised of two “A” large boxes. In loading combination  21 , the load is comprised of one “A” large box, one “B” medium box and two “D” tall boxes. In loading combination  22 , the load is comprised of two “B” medium boxes and eight “E” small boxes. In loading combination  23 , the load is comprised of four “D” tall boxes and four “C” short medium boxes. In loading combination  24 , the load is comprised of one “A” large box, eight “E” small boxes, and two “D” tall boxes. In loading combination  25 , the load is comprised of eight “E” small boxes and four “C” short medium boxes. In loading combination  26 , the load is comprised of three “B” medium boxes. In loading combination  27 , the load is comprised of twelve “E” small boxes and eight “F” standard boxes. In loading combination  28 , the load is comprised of one “A” large box, one “B” medium box, and four “D” small boxes. In loading combination  29 , the load is comprised of one “A” large box and eight “F” standard boxes. In loading combination  30 , the load is comprised of twenty-four “E” small boxes. In loading combination  31 , the load is comprised of sixteen “F” standard boxes. In loading combination  32 , the load is comprised of one “A” large box, two “C” short medium boxes, and four “E” small boxes. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  describes cost avoidance and freight saving exhibited when implanting the inventive method and system. In this instance, a shipper experienced savings ranging from 27% to 31% when implementing the inventive method and system. 
         [0019]    While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.