Patent Publication Number: US-6655892-B2

Title: Beverage distribution system and method of its manufacture and operation

Description:
This application is a continuation of PCT/US00/01400 filed Jan. 20, 2000. 
     This invention is entitled to the priority of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/116,473, filed Jan. 20, 1999, PCT patent application entitled TRANSPORT CART SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ITS MANUFACTURE AND OPERATION, filed Jan. 5, 2000, U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/094,439, filed Jul. 28, 1998, now abandoned, and PCT application No. PCT/US99/10844, filed May 20, 1999, all of which are incorported herein by reference, and relates generally to the methods and apparatus to facilitate the distribution of beverages, and more particularly to the manufacture and handling of transportation devices and methods for carrying products such as stacked cases of beverage containers for transport in a delivery vehicle. Typically, the vehicle moves the carts from a manufacturing facility or distribution center to a retailer. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The current method of beverage distribution essentially considers the beverage truck driver a salesman. The driver&#39;s truck is loaded with a selection of beverages, and the driver calls on accounts on a route. At each account, the driver determines what beverages are required or desired by the account, then the driver locates the beverages in his truck, unloads the beverages and delivers them to the account. This process would be relatively easy if only a single beverage were involved. For instance, if the driver only distributed a single brand of cola, his truck would be completely loaded with that one beverage, and it could be easily unloaded at each account, and accounts could be serviced until the truck was completely empty. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to create a new beverage delivery system which takes full advantage of information available when a truck is loaded to improve delivery service. The truck can be loaded to specifically meet the orders of each account on a route and to minimize the time needed to select and unload the beverages ordered by each individual account. 
     Side loading route trucks are typically used for commercial deliveries to sales outlets that receive merchandise through a door at ground level, as opposed to a loading dock. Most bulk deliveries for large accounts are made utilizing tractor trailer units to deliver to a loading dock. The trailer has a rear door that open into a large interior area with a flat floor. The typical chain store wants such bulk delivery trucks in and out of their loading docks within a very narrow time span each morning. Furthermore, chain stores usually prefer to be the first delivery on a route. In order to satisfy these customer requirements, bottlers employ a large number of bulk rigs. Some of these bulk rigs may be left idle for much of the day following morning deliveries. The number of bulk rigs that are needed can be reduced by attempting to negotiate appropriate delivery times with chain stores, however this has not been a totally satisfactory solution. In an effort to overcome this problem. U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,132 describes a side load trailer which can be configured to carry bulk pallets. While this invention addresses the need to more efficiently utilize trailers, it does not provide for more efficient delivery of beverages to route accounts. 
     A principal object of the present invention is to provide a more efficient system for getting products from the point of manufacture or distribution to the retailer. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to facilitate the loading of beverage trucks with beverages sorted by account order rather than SKU. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide improved truck designs to facilitate both the loading and unloading of trucks with beverages sorted by account order. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide truck designs that will permit loading combinations of bulk and route beverage orders. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a mobile beverage cart to facilitate the loading and unloading of beverage trucks with beverages sorted by account order. 
     It is yet a further object of the inventor to provide a novel pallet for use with a matching hand truck to facilitate the loading and unloading of beverage trucks with beverages sorted by account order. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A transport and delivery system constructed and operated according to the invention utilizes a series of preferably wheeled carts having upstanding back and side retention members or walls, which have been loaded at a manufacturing and/or distribution facility with stacks of containers advantageously presorted by brand and quantity according to the orders to be filled. These stacks are preferably built on mini-pallets such that a given cart may be loaded with one or several (four for example) of such mini-stacks. 
     The location of each prefilled order may be recorded as to which cart or carts are involved and as to the particular location of the stack or stacks within the carts. For example, a given order might be contained in cart No. 4, stacks 1-3. Once filled with product the carts are wheeled into an elongate delivery van or trailer of conventional manufacture and positioned so that the carts line the opposite walls of the trailer in two laterally spaced rows leaving a center aisle down the middle of the trailer wide enough to access the carts with a two-wheeled hand truck. 
     The cart floors are preferably supported above the level of the floor of the trailer on wheels or other appropriate motive supports. A false floor may be provided along the aisle to elevate the walkway to the level of the cart floors, so that an operator, using a two-wheeled hand truck, is able to access the mini-stacks in the carts with the hand truck. The false floor is provided by opposing sets of retractable deck sections carried off the forward edge of each cart which can be moved into the aisle to form an elevated sectionalized walkway. 
     The deck sections have automatically folded and restored front support leg structures. The deck sections are disclosed as including at least one gas spring operative to assist an operator to move the deck sections between the extended and stowed positions. The springs also exert a constant downward biasing force on the deck sections which serves to maintain them in position during transport over any rough terrain and further act to retain the deck sections in the stowed and use positions. 
     The trailer van, which preferably opens at its back end, is fitted with a powered lift gate that can be raised to the level of the floor of the trailer. The false floor is thus supported above the level of the lift gate. According to a further aspect of the invention, a ramp is positioned between the false floor and lift gate to provide a transition from the elevated false floor to the lift gate. The ramp preferably includes a foldable section that, in use, extends out of the trailer and onto the lift gate and, when stowed, is hinged inwardly of the trailer van to accommodate closing of the back door(s) of the trailer. 
     According to the operation of the system, the carts, once loaded into and locked in the trailer, are transported along with the hand truck from the manufacturing and/or distribution center to the various retail delivery sites. Since the orders for each site may be prebuilt according to the type and quantity of the various brands of beverages or other products, the operator need only locate the order, remove the ministack(s) of containers from the cart(s) with the hand truck, and wheel the load(s) along the elevated false floor formed by the deck sections, down the ramp and onto the elevated lift gate, which is then lowered to the ground to enable the operator to wheel the order into the facility of the business receiving them. When the deliveries are completed, the emptied trailer may then be returned to the distribution center where the deck sections are returned to their stowed positions, and the empty carts are unlocked and removed from the trailer. The trailer can then be loaded with a waiting set of carts preloaded with additional orders, and the off-loaded emptied carts can be recycled to handle future orders. 
     Considerable labor and time is saved with this system, enabling delivery personnel to service a greater number of retail customers in a given region, complete their routes in less time, and service expanded territories. 
    
    
     THE DRAWINGS 
     A presently preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the following description and in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the ordering and delivery process in an advanced order fulfillment system; 
     FIG. 2 shows mobile beverage carts according to the present inventions being used to gather selected beverages by account order in a beverage warehouse facility; 
     FIG. 3 is an schematic perspective rear elevational view of a transport system constructed according to the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic top plan view schematically illustrating the positioning of the carts within the trailer; 
     FIG. 5A is a front elevational view of a transport cart constructed according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5B is an elevational view of a leading side of the cart of FIG. 5A; 
     FIG. 5C is an elevational view of the opposite trailing side of the cart of FIG. 5A; 
     FIG. 5D is a top plan view of the cart of FIG. 5A; 
     FIG. 5E is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along lines  5 E— 5 E of FIG. 5D; 
     FIG. 5F is a top plan view like FIG. 6 but showing a cargo retention tarp in its use and stowed positions; 
     FIG. 5G is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally alone lines  5 G— 5 G of FIG. 5A; 
     FIG. 5H is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart, taken generally along lines  5 H— 5 H of FIG. 5C; 
     FIG. 5I is a bottom plan view of the deck of the cart of FIG. 5A; 
     FIG. 5J is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along lines  5 J— 5 J of FIG. 5I; 
     FIG. 6A is a bottom perspective view of a mini-pallet constructed according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6B is a top perspective view of a mini-pallet constructed according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6C is a side sectional view of the mini-pallet of FIG. 6B; 
     FIG. 6D is a front plan view of the mini-pallet of FIG. 6B; 
     FIG. 7A shows a flexible restraining door adapted for use across the aisle of a trailer according to the present invention or otherwise to restrain product on mini-pallets not located in a mobile beverage cart; 
     FIG. 7B shows a flexible restraining door adapted for use with a mobile beverage cart according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7C is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view showing details of the cart locking system; 
     FIG. 8A a side elevational view of a hand truck having a nose plate constructed according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 8B is an enlarged fragmentary sectional plan view taken generally along lines  6 B— 6 B of FIG. 6A; and 
     FIG. 9A shows a schematic layout of a rear entry route delivery vehicle utilized with mobile beverage carts according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a powered gate on a rear entry route delivery trailer according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9C is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing details of the cart lock system; 
     FIG. 9D is a fragmentary side elevational view showing details of the cart locking system. 
     FIG. 9E is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional plan view taken generally along lines  9 E— 9 E of FIG. 9D; 
     FIG. 9F is an exploded view of an alternative pin latching system utilized to hold mobile beverage carts to the delivery trailer wall according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9G shows the latching system of FIG. 9F restraining a corner post of a mobile beverage cart; 
     FIG. 10A is a schematic layout of a rear entry route delivery vehicle according to the present invention, which utilizes folding bay walls to contain beverage pallet stacks according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 10B details the folding bay wall structure of the trailer of the rear entry route delivery vehicle of FIG. 10A; 
     FIG. 11A is a schematic layout of a rear entry route delivery vehicle configured for combination bulk and route delivery; 
     FIG. 11B is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along lines  11 — 11  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 12 shows a side plan view of an alternative mobile beverage cart utilized with a forklift rather than casters. 
     FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of an accompanying ramp constructed according to the invention; 
     FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a modified cart side and back wall. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 shows the communication which takes place prior to the loading and delivering of beverage products according to the present invention. Specifically, bulk customers such as mass-market and supermarket stores  13  with loading docks, smaller retailers accepting delivery at ground level  12 , and even individual vending machines, communicate their product needs by telephone  14  as illustrated, computer networks and satellite linkages to the data processing facilities  16  of the beverage manufacturer. The order information is processed at the data center  16  and made available to the personnel in the beverage warehouse  10 . Traditionally, both bulk delivery tractor-trailer trucks for mass-market and supermarket stores and side load route trucks for smaller accounts would be utilized as delivery vehicles  17 . However, according to the present invention, both bulk and route accounts may be delivered from the same trailers. Accordingly, a preferred delivery trailer will comprise a 28′-6″ long rear entry trailer, typically with a 102″ outer width and 98″ inner width. The trailer requires approximately 12-½′ road clearance. The trailer is provided with a rail-type lift gate, which is ICC bar and dock lock compatible. Preferably the lift gate will be able to proceed from up to down location within 15 seconds, and have a capacity of 3,500 to 4,000 lbs. The gate should have approximately a 5′ deep work area, with a 16″ taper downward toward the ground. Also, it is preferable that the ramp operational controls travel with the operator. An optional curbside ramp may also be provided. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates one method of utilizing the mini-pallets  30  and mini-pallet containers  21  according to the present invention to prepare account orders for loading in delivery vehicles. A person designated as the order filler  19  for a particular route will be provided with a printout or handheld computer display showing the orders of each customer on the route. Preferably the printouts will then be attached to clips  26  on the mobile beverage carts  21  for easy reference during picking and delivery. The order filler  19  will take an empty mobile beverage cart  21  and place four stacks including mini-pallets  30  on the floor of that container  21 . It will be understood that mini-pallet containers  21  could be configured for less or more stacks but four is a good compromise of weight, maneuverability and efficiency. Furthermore, a plurality of mini-pallet containers  21  could be joined together such as by connector  24 . Each customer order is then built separately and column stacked  31  on one or more of the mini-pallets  30 . Once the mini-pallet container  21  is full or the order is complete, the filler  19  may load a delivery vehicle  17 . 
     It will also be understood that mini-pallet  30  product stacks  31  may be assembled by an automated processes rather than the manual pulling of mini-pallet containers  21  past appropriate warehouse beverage pallets  36 ,  37 ,  38  as illustrated in FIG.  2 . Instead, layers of product or individual product cases may be picked and placed on a conveyer system and released either manually or by recognition from a vision scanner to the appropriate location to create each product stack  31  on mini-pallets  30 . Appropriately configured products stacks  31  may then be loaded on their mini-pallets  30  either into mini-pallet containers  21  or directly onto a delivery vehicle  17 . 
     A product support and delivery system constructed according to the present invention is shown generally at  20  in FIGS. 3 and 4 and comprises a plurality of wheeled modules or carts  21 , positionable within a van trailer  22  along opposite side walls  123  thereof on a floor  124  of the trailer  22  in longitudinally extending rows R 1 , R 2  which extend from a front wall  125  of the trailer  22  toward the back  126  thereof. Space is provided between the adjacent rows R 1 , R 2  , defining a center aisle A for accommodating the passage of a hand truck  127  (FIGS. 8A,  8 B) used by an operator to remove multiple mini-stacks of palleted containers  31  from the carts  21  for transport to a retail sales facility. 
     The interior of the trailer  22  is preferably wood with an E-track on the sides and front. The walls and ceiling should be insulated and there should be interior light with a light switch inside the trailer  22 . Typical trailers  22  shown in FIGS. 3,  4 ,  9 A,  9 B, and  11 A will hold 7 mobile beverage carts such as mini-pallet containers  21 ,  121  as illustrated in FIGS. 3,  4  and  7 A, along each side, and the center aisle may be utilized to hold pallets to form a false bottom and a curb ramp  154 . Optional equipment will include a heater, an automatic trailer door opener, a box for deposit returns, and pineal hooks in order to allow a single tracker to pull two or three trailers. 
     Turning now to the construction of the cart  21 , and with reference to FIGS. 5,  7 C,  9 C and  11 B, and initially to FIG. 5, the identical carts  21  each include a rigid frame structure provided by a rectangular base frame  28  mounting a set of four caster wheels  29 , one of which is lockable via a lock pin mechanism  130  (FIG. 5C) to preclude normal movement of the cart  21  when locked. A floor or product support member  131  on the cart  21  is carried by the base frame  28  to provide a surface above the van floor on which the stacked containers  31  are supported. A set of front  32  and back  33  vertical corner rails are fixed at their lower ends to the corners of the base frame  28  and extend upwardly therefrom. They are interconnected along three sides adjacent their upper ends by upper side  34  and back  35  cross rails. 
     Each cart  21  is closed on three of its sides and incorporates a pair of side panels  136  and a back panel  137 . The front  138  of the cart  21  is open to permit loading and unloading of the stacked containers  31  (FIG. 5C) from the cart  21 . The side and back panels  136 ,  137  are secured to the framing of the cart and may be fabricated from any of a number of tough, generally rigid materials, such as aluminum plating or synthetic plastic sheets. The panels  136 ,  137  are preferably molded organic polymeric structures fabricated from materials such as a heavy gauge thermoformed polypropylene or polyethylene, engineered plastics, or the like, to provide lightweight, durable, corrosion resistant, readily cleanable walls for the cart  21 . FIG. 5H illustrates the preferred manner of securing the panels  136 ,  137  to the rails  32 - 35  and base  28 . The rails  32 - 35  are preferably formed as extrusions and include a channel or groove  39  in which a peripheral tongue  40  on the panels  36 ,  37  is received, such that the panels  136 ,  137  are captured and permanently retained by the base  28  and rails  32 - 35  without need for fasteners. 
     The floor  131  of the cart  21  is preferably angled so as to tilt downwardly from the front  138  toward the back  137  of the cart  21  at an angle of about 3 to 5 degrees. The slight angle of the floor  131  serves to tilt the stacks of containers  31  inwardly of the carts  21  away from the aisle A to stabilize the load during transport, as illustrated in FIG.  5 C. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5D and 5E, the floors or bottom supports  131  of the carts  21  are preferably fabricated from a series of elongate floor sections  41 , each having a flat load-supporting upper wall  42  and underlying beam formations  43  along their edges. The beams  43  of adjacent panels have interlocking portions  44 ,  45  (FIG. 5E) that, when interfitted, join the panels  41  to provide a continuous reinforced floor surface  31  which is secured to the base frame  28 , such as by welding or with mechanical fasteners. The interior space of each cart  21  is sized to accommodate multiple, and preferably four, mini-stacks of the containers  31 , each supported on an associated mini-pallet  30 , as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG.  5 C. 
     Two rows of commercially available E-track  46   a ,  46   b  extend horizontally along and are secured to the interior surface of the side  136  and back  137  panels. One row  46   a  is located about midway up the panels  136 ,  137 , and an upper row  46   b  is located adjacent the upper ends of the panels  136 ,  137 . The E-track  46  is accommodated within recesses or channels  47  formed in the panels  136 ,  137 , as illustrated in FIG. 5G, such that the face of the E-track  46  lies generally flush with the inner surface of the panels  136 ,  137 . The E-track sections  46  may be joined to the panels  36 ,  37  by means of rivets  48  or the like extending through openings  48   a . The tracks  46  have a series of punched out openings  49  that receive angular end hooks or clips  50  (FIG. 5F) secured to the opposite side edges of a retaining tarp or curtain  51 . The tarp  51  can be removed from the stowed position shown and, as illustrated diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 5F, the tarp  51  is operative to wrap about a partial load to assist in securing the stack of containers from tipping forwardly out of the carts  21  during transport. The full extension of the E-track  46  across the side  136  and back  137  panels enables the tarp  51  to secure virtually any size load. The general use of an E-track  46  and curtain  51  securement system is known, per se, for retaining cargo in a trailer. 
     When loading the palleted containers  31  into the carts  21 , it is desirable to have the curtain  51  positioned clear of the open front  138  of the cart  21  so as not to interfere with loading. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5F, the back panel  137  of the cart  21  is fitted with the keeper bracket  52  on the exterior side thereof in position to receive and releasibly retain the upper end clip  50  of the curtain  51  when not in use. As illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 5F, extending the curtain  51  exteriorly of the cart  21  around to the back of the cart  21  enables the end clip  50  to be secured in the keeper  52  to support the curtain  51  clear of the open front  138  during loading. 
     As shown best in FIG. 5B, the leading side of the cart  21  is fitted with an upper pull handle  53  and lower tow bar  54  which are shown spring biased to a stowed position against the side panel  136 , but which are swingable outwardly of the side panel  136  to an extended position to facilitate handling of the cart  21 . As shown in FIG. 5C, the trailing side of the cart  21  is fitted with a hitch pin  55  projecting downwardly from the base frame  28  and operative to receive and releasibly retain the tow bar  54  of another cart to enable a number of the carts  21  to be trained together for transport. 
     In use, a plurality of the carts  21 , located at a manufacturing or distribution center, are loaded with one or more mini-stacks of the containers  31  according to the brand and quantity called for by the particular retail orders to be delivered on a delivery route. The illustrated carts  21  are designed to hold four such mini-stacks of containers  31  two deep and two wide within the bay of each cart  21  as illustrated in FIG.  4 . In this way, each order is preassembled on the mini-pallets  30  and loaded onto the carts  21  in preparation for delivery to the retail sites. The location of each order is recorded such that an order might be contained in cart  4 , pallet  2 , for example. The carts  21  are equipped with a clip board B (FIG. 5A) secured thereto, with clip  26 , for holding written records. 
     FIG. 7B shows a canvas panel  122  in detail with straps  123 , ending at E-track buckles  41  and having tightening buckles  142 . The panel  122  is also fitted with a plurality of see-through pockets  149  on each side which may be used in lieu of the clip  26  to hold customer order information. Flexible doors  122  may optionally be fitted with E-track clip pieces  140  to permit modified flexible doors  122   a  shown in FIG. 7A to be utilized to secure mini-pallets loads  31  in the aisle of the trailer as shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A. The preferred embodiment of a canvas panel  122  is about 5′ in height and about 39″ in width with a plurality of battens in batten pockets  43  to provide vertical rigidity. In addition to batten pockets  143  at the edges of canvas door  122 , there is an additional batten pocket inset approximately 16″ from the left side and another batten pocket inset approximately 7″ from the right hand side. The canvas strap  123  will typically overhang the width of the canvas panel section by approximately 5″ on each side. The alternative canvas door  122   a  utilized across the trailer aisle is typically approximately 54″ in width with the middle batten pockets inset approximately 7″ from each side. 
     Returning to the loading process, once the mini-pallet container  21  has been loaded and the product secured with canvas door  122  the mini-pallet container  21  is brought to the dock area where a checker will review the product in the container  21  against the pallet tickets attached to clip  26  or placed in pockets  149  for approval. Once approved, the mini-pallet container  21  is rolled into the trailer  22  and attached to the trailer wall as by a positioning lock system  56 . 
     Once loaded, the carts  21  are wheeled into the trailer  22  and positioned end-to-end along the side walls  23  forming the two long rows R 1 , R 2  of carts, as illustrated best in FIG.  2 . The front-to-back depth of the carts  21  is dimensioned to leave space between the cart rows R 1 , R 2  to define the center walkway or aisle  58  extending the length of the trailer  22 . It is of sufficient width to accommodate the operator and a hand truck  127  (FIGS.  8 A and  8 B). The carts  21  are oriented such that their open fronts face the aisle  58 . In the present example, the carts  21  have a depth of about 29 inches, providing the aisle  58  formed within a conventional van or enclosed trailer with a width of about 40 inches between the rows R 1 , R 2 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9C,  7 C,  9 D and  9 E, a cart positioning/lock system  56  is provided for properly locating and locking the carts  21  in position within the trailer  22 . The system  56  includes a plurality of cart brackets  57 , fixed to the van side walls  23  at predetermined locations along the length of the trailer  22 , which engage corresponding portions of the carts  21  to locate and secure the carts  21  in position. The locations of the brackets  57  correspond preferably with the locations of the ends of the carts  21  when positioned in their rows R 1 , R 2  along the sides  23  and preferably in relation to the location of upright locking post portions  58  projecting from the back corners of each cart  21 . Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, the locking posts  58  preferably comprise extended sections of the back corner rails  33  which project above the top rails  34 ,  35  of the carts  21 . The upper ends of the locking posts  58  are each fitted with an enlarged end cap  59  having sides  60  thereof projecting laterally outwardly of the posts  58  and fabricated preferably of a tough, low friction, non-marring material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, glass-filled nylon, or the like. The end caps  59  each have a top wall  61  that extends across the top of the post  58  on which it is mounted and each is formed with an opening or socket  62  therein for purposes to be explained hereinafter. 
     The brackets  57  are fabricated of a strong, rigid material such as aluminum or structural plastic material, and each has a base portion  63  that is secured by rivets R or the like to the side wall  23 ,  24  of the trailer  22 , and preferably to a cargo track  64  that is fixed to the side wall  23 ,  24  and extends the length of the trailer in position to mount the brackets  57 . The base portions  63  of the brackets  57  support cart retaining portions  65  which are configured and positioned to retain the locking posts  58  of the carts  21 . The cart-retaining bracket portions  65  preferably have generally an L-shaped configuration, including a top wall portion  66  that extends transversely away from the side wall  23  on which the bracket  57  is mounted in a generally horizontal plane above the level of the top posts  58 . They further include a forward retaining wall section  67  that projects downwardly from the top wall portion  66  to a level below the free ends of the locking posts  58 , and preferably beyond the end caps  59  as best shown in FIGS. 7C and 9D. The L-shaped configuration of the cart-retaining portions  65  provides a locking channel  68  that is closed at the top and front by the top wall and retaining wall sections  66 ,  67 , open at the bottom, and open at opposite longitudinal ends  69 . 
     As shown best in FIGS. 9C,  7 C,  9 D and  9 E, the locking channels  68  are each dimensioned to receive at least one, and preferably two, locking posts  58  of adjacent carts  21  into the channel  68  from the open ends  69  of the brackets  57 . The effective lateral depth dimension is selected such that the forward retaining wall section  67  is positioned outwardly of the side wall  23  a distance sufficient to allow the end caps  59  of the locking posts of the carts  21  to pass behind the wall section  67  when the carts  21  are moved along the side wall  23  of the trailer  22  so as to position the locking posts  58  within the channels  68 , but yet be fairly close in proximity to the posts  58  to restrict the lateral inward movement of the carts  21 . The structure positively locates and retains the carts  21  against the side walls  23  of the trailer  22 . It is preferred that the depth of the channels  68  somewhat exceed the minimum spacing requirements such that a limited amount of play exists between the brackets  57  and the posts  58  to account for tolerances and for ease of moving the posts  58  into and out of the channels  68  (e.g., about ½ inch of play). The length dimension of the brackets  57  is selected to be at least as long as, and preferably greater than, the distance between the locking posts  58  of adjacent carts  21  positioned in their rows R 1 , R 2  in substantially end-to-end abutting relationship, as best shown in FIGS. 7C and 9E, so as to accommodate both of such locking posts  58  within the same locking channel  68 . The center-to-center spacing of the brackets  57  thus equals or closely approximates the end-to-end spacing of the carts  21 . 
     Alternative means of securing the mini-pallet containers to the trailer  22  walls are possible as illustrated in FIGS. 9F and 9G where the pin lock consists of a base plate  171  with protruding upper and lower clevis type members  180  each having first apertures  174  and second apertures  177 . A U-shaped member  172  having blades  179  on either side of channel  178  is then placed between the clevis members  180  and restrained there by nut  175  and bolt  173 . When so restrained by the bolt  173  passing through channel  178  and first apertures  174 , the U-shaped member  172  is free to turn from side to side. A mobile beverage cart  21  is then pushed into position against the protruding clevis type members  180  and the U-shaped member  172  pushed against the corner post  27  of the mobile beverage cart until one of the forward plates  179  restrains that post from moving forward. Pin  176  is then placed through second apertures  177  of the clevis type member  180 . This prevents the U-shaped member  172  from rotating to free the corner post  27 . A similar pin lock  170  is also applied to the opposite rear lower post of the mini-pallet pallet container  21 . Once all fourteen mini-pallet containers  21  are in the trailer  22 , the fold down floors  25  are lowered forming a false floor. In addition, the fold down floors  25  tend to restrain the lower portions of the mini-pallet containers from rolling away from the trailer walls  56 . Alternatively, if fold down flooring  25  is not provided on the mini-pallet containers  21 , plastic pallets may be placed in the aisle  158  to accomplish a similar purpose. At the end of the false floor created either by pallets or fold down floor  25 , a ramp section  154  is added to permit use of handcart  127   b.    
     Referring now particularly to FIG. 9E, the top wall section  66  of each bracket  57  is formed with an opening  70  that is positioned to align with the socket  62  in the end cap  59  of the aft locking post  58  of each cart  21  (that is, the locking post  58  of each cart nearest the rear end  26  of the trailer  22 ). A locking pin  71  associated with each bracket  57  is extendable into the aligned openings  70 ,  62  to lock the carts  21  to the brackets  57  and positively locate and secure the carts  21  longitudinally of the trailer  22 . In other words, the carts  22 , when locked, are precluded from longitudinal movement in the trailer  22  and are positively located in fixed positions with respect to the other carts  21  within a row and apart from the other row to thereby maintain the width of the aisle  158  within predetermined limits. The opening  70  in each bracket  57  is preferably elongated in the lateral direction as illustrated in FIG. 9E to permit limited lateral movement of the carts  21 . 
     As the first cart  21  is wheeled into the trailer  22 , it is moved toward the front  125  and oriented such that its back corner rails  35  are positioned against one of the side walls  23  of the trailer  22 . The leading locking post  58  of the cart  21  is guided into the open aft end  69  (i.e., the end nearest the rear  126  of the trailer) of the locking channel  68  of the foremost bracket  57  (i.e., the bracket  57  nearest the front wall  125  of the van trailer  22 ), while at the same time the locking post  58  on the aft or trailing end of the cart  21  is guided into the locking channel  68  of the next adjacent bracket  57  along the wall. Once the first cart  21  is positioned and the top opening  62  of the aft end cap aligned with the opening  70  of the bracket  57 , the foremost locking pin  71  is extended through the openings  62 ,  70  from above to positively position and lock the cart  21  releasably to the bracket  58  in position against the side wall. It is preferred that each locking pin  71  be tethered to the bracket  57  or side wall  125  of the trailer  22  by a lanyard L. Once the initial cart in each row R 1 , R 2  is locked into position, each subsequent cart  21  can be positioned and retained in a similar manner until the rows R 1 , R 2  are completed. 
     Referring now to FIG. 11B, it will be seen that the floors  131  of the carts  21  are elevated above the level of the floor  124  of the trailer  22  on which the carts  21  are supported. The leading front edge of each cart floor  131  may be, for example, about 7 ½ inches above the floor  24  of the trailer  22 . 
     According to the invention, it is desirable to be able to unload the mini-pallets  30  of the containers  31  from the carts  21  using a two-wheeled hand truck  127 . In effecting this, it is further operatively desirable to support the hand truck  127  at generally the level of the cart floors  31  for engaging, lifting and transporting the mini-stacks  31  with the hand truck  127 . According to the invention, a false elevated floor FF is provided in the aisle A between the rows R 1 , R 2  to provide an upper surface that is substantially level with the almost abutting forward edges of the cart floors  131 . While various methods of constructing a false floor FF, such as by laying down overturned pallets or multiple false floor sections in the aisle  58  are possible, the safest approach is to integrate such false flooring with the beverage carts  21 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 4,  5 B,  5 C,  11 B,  5 I and  5 J, each cart  21  is provided with a deck section  72  having a generally rectangular platform configuration of predetermined length between opposite ends  72   a ,  72   b  thereof and a predetermined width between opposite front and back edges  72   c ,  72   d  thereof. The cart deck sections  72  are mounted by pivots or hinges  72   e  (FIG. 9D) along their back upper edges  72   d  to the front ends of the cart base frames  28 . Each deck section  72  is pivotal about the axes of the hinges  72   e  between an upright, stowed or closed position, illustrated in broken chain lines in FIG. 5C, in which the deck section  72  extends along and is generally flush with the front corner rails  32  of the cart  21 , and a downwardly pivoted operating position, illustrated in solid lines in FIGS. 4,  5 , and  9 , in which an upper surface  72   f  of each deck section  72  is substantially horizontal and level with the forward edge of the cart floor  31  so as to form a horizontal extension of the cart floor  31  forwardly of the cart  21 . 
     With particular attention to FIGS. 5C,  5 I, and  5 J, the deck sections  72  have support legs  73  mounted pivotally at  73   a  to the underside of the deck sections  72  adjacent the forward free edges  72   c  of the deck sections  72 . The legs  73  may be referenced singly or multiply as leg structure. The legs  73  are coupled adjacent their lower free ends to forwardly extending brackets  28   a , fixed to the base frame  28 , by linkages, including rigid, non-foldable links  74 , pivoted at their respective front and rear ends to the legs  73  and base frame  28  brackets  28   a . The links  74  react to and are moveable with the pivoting movement of the deck sections  72  to position the legs  73  between a retracted position folded beneath and into the deck sections  72  when the deck sections are moved to the stowed position (FIG.  5 ), and an extended floor-engaging vertical position in response to movement of the deck sections  72  to the horizontal use position (FIG.  5 C). The links  74  are pivoted at  74   a  and  74   b . It will be seen that the pivots  72   e ,  74   a ,  73   a , and  74   b  are arranged in generally parallelogram configuration in FIG. 5C with the pivot or hinge point  72   e  of the deck to the cart floor being rearward of link pivots  74   a.    
     The deck sections  72  may be fabricated of any of a number of materials such as aluminum decking or various organic polymeric materials, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, an engineered plastic or resin, or glass-filled plastics. The deck sections  72  in the illustrated embodiment are injection molded plastic members, whose upper surface  72   f  is continuous and preferably molded with traction enhancing features represented by the stippled markings in FIG.  5 D. The upper surface  72   f  is backed by structural ribbing  75 , as shown in FIGS. 5I and 5J, to render the deck sections  72  rigid and capable of supporting the composite weight of an operator, hand truck, and a load of stacked containers  31 . The underside is preferably formed with recesses  76  of such dimension and location as to accommodate the folding of the legs  73  and the links  74  (FIG. 5I) into nested position within the deck section  72  when the deck section is moved to the stowed vertical position. 
     The deck sections  72  are spring-controlled in their movement between the stowed and use positions by gas springs  77  which bias the decks  72  over-center as the deck sections  72  move to operating position. The springs  77  positively retain or lock the deck sections  72  in both the stowed and use positions (FIG.  5 C). At least one or more, preferably two, gas springs  77  form part of the linkages or linkage assemblies. The gas springs  77  are of the usual type having a gas-filled cylinder  78  and a piston rod  79  which is extendable and retractable relative to the cylinder  78 . The gas springs  77  have a socket coupling  80  at each end (FIG.  5 I), connected to a laterally extending ball stud  81  provided on each cart on the deck section  72  and on the base frame  28 , respectively. The gas springs  77  are of such length and are positioned relative to the hinge axis of each deck section  72  so as to assist an operator in bodily positioning the deck section  72  between the stowed and use positions, while moving over-center of the hinge axis as the deck section  72  moves to its extreme positions to provide spring-biased retention of the deck section  70  in the stowed and use positions. The gas springs  77  in the stowed position are accommodated within recesses  77   a  formed in the underside of the deck sections  72  (FIG.  5 I). 
     In operation, once the carts  21  are loaded and locked in their rows R 1 , R 2  within the trailer  22 , the deck sections  72  are manually pivoted downwardly to their horizontal use positions in which the automatically outwardly pivoted legs  73  engage the floor  124  of the trailer  22 . In the stowed position of decks  72 , the gas springs maintain a pressure which must be overcome in order to swing the decks  72  out of the locked position. Because of the leverage resulting from manually pushing the front edge of each deck  72  downwardly, and the weight of the deck itself, little force is needed to compress the gas springs  77  sufficiently to initiate and maintain downward pivoting of the deck section and cause links  74  to move legs  73  from nested position to an extended position in which gas springs  77  bias them downwardly. 
     When the compressing gas springs move past center (i.e. hinge axis  72   e ) the gas springs exert pressure below the hinge axis  22   e  so that downward pressure is exerted on the deck  72  and legs  73 . This locks or retains the deck in horizontal position. When the deck  72  is to be restored to stowed position, little lifting force is required to extend the gas springs sufficiently to unlock deck  72  and legs  73 . As the deck swings up past the hinging axis  72   e , the gas springs  77 , which were compressed when swung downwardly, assist the upward pivoting movement of deck  72  and the pivoting of legs  73  via links  74  toward nested position. As shown best in FIGS. 4,  11 B, and  9 C, the predetermined length and width dimensions of the substantially abutting deck sections  72  are so selected as to provide a near-continuous elevated false floor surface along the aisle  158  at the same level as the front edge of the floor  31  of the carts  22 , while the deck sections  72  of longitudinally adjacent and laterally opposite carts  22  may be sized to substantially abut one another, it is preferred that some play be provided to account for tolerances and variations in the positioning of the carts by the brackets  57 . For example, about a spacing S between the facing sides  72   a ,  72   b  and front edges  72   c  of adjacent deck sections  72  will provide a near-continuous false floor FF while allowing for variations in tolerance and positioning (FIG.  9 C). 
     The van trailer  22  is preferably of the type having a back door or doors  82  (FIG. 13) that open to provide access to the interior of the trailer  22 . A conventional powered lift gate  83  provided at the unloading dock is movable between an elevated position (FIG. 13) in which an upper surface  84  of the gate is level with the floor  24  of the trailer  22 , and a lowered ground-engaging position facilitating the off-loading of cargo from the trailer  22 . It will be seen from FIG. 13 that the false floor FF provided by the deck sections  72  is at a level above the upper surface  84  of the lift gate  83  when the latter is in the elevated position. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a ramp, generally designated  85 , is positioned between the false floor FF and the lift gate  83  to provide a transition between the floor FF and platform of the lift gate  83 . The ramp  85  has a body  86  supported on the floor  24  of the trailer  22  adjacent the exposed side edges  87  of the rearward-most deck sections  70  of the carts  21 . A pair of upturned hooks  88  are mounted on a forward end of the ramp body  86  and are extendable beneath the exposed side edges  72   b  of the rearward-most deck sections  72  where they are received in corresponding recesses or sockets  89  provided on the underside of the deck sections  72  for securing the ramp  85  releasably to the false flooring end sections. 
     The body  86  of the ramp  85  has a sloped support surface  90  that extends from the false floor FF to the upper surface  84  of the lift gate  83 . The support surface  90  is preferably segmented to include a fixed section  91  and a hinged section  92  that is moveable about hinge  92   a  selectively between an extended use position shown in solid lines in FIG. 18 in which the section  92  extends over and is supported on the surface  84  of the lift gate  83 , and a stowed position, shown in broken chain lines, in which the section  91  is folded inwardly of the door  82  of van trailer  22  and its fixed section  92 , so as to provide clearance for the closing of the back door(s)  82  of the van or trailer  22 . 
     Upon arrival at a point of delivery, the operator simply wheels the hand truck  127  down the aisle A along the elevated false floor FF and selects the cart or carts  22  and location or locations of the mini-stacks of containers  31  within the cart(s) corresponding to the particular order involved. The hand truck  27  (FIG.  8 A), except for the nose plate which will be described hereinafter, is of conventional construction and has an upright handled frame  93  mounting a pair of wheels  94  off the back of the frame  93 , and a nose plate  95  off the front of the frame  93 . A typical hand truck is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,182. 
     Referring to FIG. 14, the nose plate  95  illustrated has a generally L-shaped profile with a generally horizontal load-supporting platform  96  and an upright back wall  97  fixed to the frame and supporting the platform  96 . 
     To off-load the appropriate mini-stacks of containers  31 , the operator simply extends the platform  96  of the nose plate  95  beneath the mini-pallet  30 , which is elevated above the floor  131  of the cart  21  by spaced side feet or rails  98  to provide clearance below the mini pallet  30  for the nose plate  95 . Once positioned, the operator rocks the hand truck  127  rearwardly to transfer the palleted containers  31  onto the hand truck  127 . 
     The mini-pallets involved with the present system has, in addition to side feet  98 , a downwardly projecting central disc or piloting pad  99  that is generally cylindrical in configuration and engages the floor  31  of the cart  21 . The pad  99  is spaced inwardly from the front edge of the mini-pallet  30 . One preferred embodiment of the mini-pallets  30  according to the present invention, designed by Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc., is illustrated in FIGS. 6A-D. The primary functional aspects of the mini-pallets  30  include an upper open work planar surface  133  approximately 11″×17″ in size. This size will accommodate a case of 12 ounce canned beverages and other equivalent SKU package sizes. The mini-pallet  30  should not have a raised flange at the edges as the various SKUs have differing dimensions. Furthermore, mini-pallets  30  have a central support  34 , or piloting pad  99  (FIG.  6 B), which is preferably circular in shape. At the longitudinal edges of mini-pallets  30  are supporting legs  99  which together with the center support  134  provide approximately ¾″ clearance for the planar open work surface  133 . The planar surface  133  preferably contains many openings not only to reduce the amount of material used in manufacture, but also to permit easy drainage for any inadvertent beverage leakage. Bevels at the ends of supporting legs  99  are preferably approximately 45°. The diameter of the center support  134  is preferably about 3″. 
     The mini-pallets  30  are adapted to be utilized in connection with specially configured hand-trucks. A suitable hand-truck is the narrow aisle configuration of hand-truck model number B16-D-1040-C45-62 available from MagLine, Inc. The wing or tongue  96  of hand truck  127  shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is specifically adapted to include a recess  100  sized only slightly larger than the center support  99  of mini-pallet  30 . The tongue  96  may be inserted in the approximate ¾″ clearance space  131  beneath a loaded mini-pallet  30 . In this fashion hand truck  127  may be used to easily lift the mini-pallet and any stack of soft drinks  31  on the pallet  30 . The mating of the tongue recess  100  of hand truck  127  and the central support member  99  of the mini-pallet assists in the positioning of the hand truck tongue  96  centrally beneath the mini-pallet  30 . When stacked, the central support  99  and edge supports  98  of a top mini-pallet  30  fit into corresponding indentations  129 ,  128  as shown in FIG. 8B, of a bottom mini-pallet. 
     To accommodate disc  99 , platform  96  is provided with a recess or cut-out  100  that extends from a forward edge  101  of the platform  96  inwardly toward the back wall  97  and terminates short of the back wall  97 . The curvilinear base  102  of the cut-out  100  conforms in size, shape and location to the circular pad or disc  99  on the mini-pallet  30 . Such a nose plate  95  enables the mini-pallets  30  to be fully received and supported on the platform  96  with the pad  99  accommodated within the cutout  100 . 
     It is preferred also that the cut-out  100  have side walls  103  that converge from the forward edge  101  to the base  102  for piloting the pad  99  into the cut-out  100 . A taper of about 5 degrees is preferable. The cut out  100  gives the platform  96  a generally U-shaped configuration, when viewed in plan as in FIG. 8B, which has side portions  104  on either side of the cut-out  100  joined by a flat connecting or bridging plate portion  105  extending behind the cut-out  100  continuously between the side portions  104 . The provision of the continuous connecting or bridging plate portion  105  provides the platform  95  with strength and rigidity to prevent it, and particularly the side portions  104 , from flexing under load. 
     As shown in FIG. 12, alternatively, the side and back walls  136  and  137  are modified to provide viewing slots  106  which are provided in two vertical rows  107  and  108  extending along the side edges of the side and back walls  136  and  137 , respectively. The through slots  106  are diagonally disposed to enhance their viewing function. 
     Once the palleted containers  31  are loaded onto the platform  96  of the hand truck  27 , the operator simply wheels the hand truck  27  along the elevated false floor FF toward the open back  26  of the trailer  22 , down the ramp  85 , and onto the elevated lift gate  83 , whereupon the gate  83  is lowered to the ground to permit the containers  31  to be wheeled into the facility of the retailer or other receiving party. The process is repeated until the delivery of the order is completed, after which the hand truck  27  is loaded onto the vehicle, the ramp  85  folded to the stowed position, the door(s) of the trailer  22  closed, and the trailer transported to the next delivery site. 
     Once the trailer  22  has been emptied of product, it is returned to the distribution center where the ramp  85  is detached and removed, the deck sections  70  raised to their stowed positions, and the carts  22  unlocked and removed from the trailer  22  in reverse order for restocking with new product. 
     If a combination route is being assembled with both bulk and route accounts, the last two mini-pallet containers  21  on either side of the aisle  158  may be rolled in the aisle  158  toward the front of the trailer  22  and secured using an aisle canvas door  122   a . This will permit the loading of four bulk pallets  159  in the rear of trailer  22  as illustrated in FIG.  9 A. As previously mentioned, the use of aisle pallet doors will also permit the loading of separate mini-pallet  30  and product  31  stacks in the aisle  158  as shown in FIGS. 11A and 10A. 
     If a combination route is assembled, bulk pallets  159  must be delivered first. Once that delivery has taken place, the mini-pallet containers  21  in the aisle  58  may be relocated to the sidewalls of the trailer  22  and the route may continue. 
     Once at an account on his route, the driver will unfold the lift gate  152  and open the rear door  155 . The driver may then lower and ride up the lift gate  152  to a position level with the trailer floor and locate the product stacks  31  and the mini-pallet container  21  which correspond to the stock. The stop number is preferably located on each pallet ticket and attached to an easily visible clip bar  26  or placed in a clear plastic pocket  149  on the front of the canvas door  122  within each bay or mini-pallet or on each mini-pallet container  21 . The driver then releases the straps  23  on the canvas door  122  and opens the door to the mini-pallet container  21  exposing the product stacks for that account. The product stacks  31  are then removed using the two-wheel hand truck  127  which is designed to interface with the mini-pallet  30  at the bottom of each stack of product  31 . Hand trucks  127  preferably have wheels spaced only about 18″ or less apart to permit sufficient maneuverability within the trailer  22 . 
     The entire order, which may include multiple mini-pallet stacks  31 , is placed on the lift gate  152  and lowered to ground level for delivery. Once the delivery is completed, the driver then returns to the vehicle with any returned product, shells, or empty mini-pallets  30  and places them into an empty mini-pallet container  21  and secures the load with the canvas door  122  and straps  123 . The driver then proceeds to the next account. When the route is complete the vehicle returns to the beverage warehouse  10  and is checked in at the gate or dock. Prior to loading for the next route, the vehicle is backed into the dock to be stripped. If plastic pallets are utilized in the aisle to form a false floor, they are removed or alternatively folding floor sections  25  are folded up, and each mini-pallet container  21  is released from the wall and rolled off the trailer  22  by an order filler  19 . The canvas doors  122  to the mini-pallet containers  21  are opened and wrapped around to the back or side of the containers  21  and attached. Then the mini-pallet containers  21  are ready for the order filler  19  to pull around the warehouse  10 , possibly using a man ride tugger vehicle, to return any shells or returned product to the appropriate location within the warehouse, and commence the order filling process previously described. 
     It will be appreciated that this delivery system provides increased productivity and maximizes case delivery per hour on delivery routes, in large part by reduction of frequency of handling product. In addition, this results in improved customer service levels, reduced instances of misloaded products, provides more time for delivery personnel to attend to product presentation in the customer outlet, and permits a driver to more accurately meet customer delivery window times. The mini-pallets  30  according the present invention will reduce product damage both during handling with hand trucks  127 , and when utilized as a base for in-store product displays by retailers. 
     The mini-pallet system also facilitates the accommodation of many SKU&#39;s in a single trailer  22  by moving the order building process to the relatively spacious and well-stocked warehouse facilities instead of the bays of a side delivery trailer. The loading and delivery process provides an ergonomically friendly work environment, with reduced lifting and twisting for delivery drivers, and no necessity to dig product out of side load truck product bins. This should result in extended work force tenure through both improved employee morale, and reduced workplace injuries. Furthermore, the improved route truck trailer  22  permits unparalleled delivery flexibility in that the same trailers can be used to deliver both bulk and route accounts on the same route, or be used completely for route accounts, or the trailer can be converted to complete bulk account usage by removing the mini-pallet containers. 
     An alternative mini-pallet container  121  depicted in FIG. 12, may be utilized to avoid the maintenance issues associated with casters  21  on mini-pallet containers  21 . Such a mini-pallet container  121  would require a fork lift  19 , utilizing a custom clip attachment, to load and unload mini-pallet containers  121  from the truck trailer  22 . These mini-pallet containers  121  could be placed on a man ride pallet jack (not shown) to be traveled around the warehouse  10  by the order filler  19 . In all other material respects the use of the mini-pallet container  121  in FIG. 10 is similar to the mini-pallet container  21  depicted in FIGS. 3A through 3D. It will be noted that unless the mini-pallet containers have casters  21 , it will not be possible to place a bulk load  59  at the end of the trailer  22  and maintain the extra mini-pallet containers  21  in the aisle of the trailer  50 . However, a combination trailer can still be loaded simply by utilizing only 10 or 12 mini-pallet containers  121  as shown in FIG. 9, where ten mini-pallet containers  121  are in place together with four bulk pallets  159  for loading dock delivery. 
     An alternative trailer configuration is shown if FIG.  10 . In this construction, a trailer is provided with fourteen aluminum or plastic folding bay walls  155 , with canvas door and locking pins, shown in greater detail in FIG.  7 B. In this fashion, the folding bay walls  155  act to help secure mini-pallet stacks  31  or mobile beverage carts  21  in their position in the trailer  22 . When desired, the folding walls  155  can be collapsed flush against the trailer wall  156  to permit the trailer to be utilized partially or completely for bulk purposes. 
     It will be understood that yet another variation of the use of account loaded mini-pallets  30  may be undertaken without the use of mini-pallet containers  21 ,  121 . In this scenario, the product stacks  31  are built to account orders on mini-pallets  30  within the warehouse and then loaded by hand truck  127  into appropriate bays  157  on the trailer  22 . FIG. 10A shows the use of mini-pallets  30  without any mini-pallet containers  21 ,  121 . In this setting, it is unnecessary to have flooring such as provided by fold down floors  25  to raise the height of the hand truck  127  to the level of the mini-pallets  30  within mini-pallet containers  21 ,  121 . 
     In the alternative design of FIG. 8A, the folding curtains  122  are not found on mini-pallet containers  21 ,  121 , but are instead located at the front of each bay  57 . Once the trailer  22  is loaded, the canvas doors  122  are unfolded and attached to retain the product. During the delivery process, the driver/delivery person proceeds through the same steps except the product stacks  31  or mini-pallets  30  are simply unloaded from bays  157  rather than mini-pallet containers  21 ,  121 . 
     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above in detail, it is to be understood that variation and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. For example, the invention can be used with various beverage transport bodies such as trucks or trailers. The vehicle can have somewhat different dimensions and a different number of bays or mini-pallet containers than described above. It is the aim of the appended claims to cover all changes and modifications that may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.