Patent Abstract:
The present invention provides a dunnage platform bag that is light weight, strong, made of a fire retardant material and which forms an ultra violet light, weather and dust particle barrier to protect the integrity of the dunnage platforms when not in use. A system and method for supplying, dispensing, positioning, tracking, transporting, forwarding and storing dunnage platforms based on the dunnage platforms bag is disclosed. In an embodiment of the invention, a modified dunnage platform made up of a dunnage platform base and attached legs can be stored in the dunnage platform bag.

Full Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/675,049 entitled “LIGHT WEIGHT, STRONG, FIRE RETARDANT DUNNAGE PLATFORM BAG AND SYSTEM OF LOADING, DISPENSING AND USING BAG,” inventors Seagle et al., filed Feb. 14, 2007, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/773,454 entitled “LIGHT WEIGHT, STRONG, FIRE RETARDANT DUNNAGE PLATFORM BAG AND SYSTEM OF LOADING, DISPENSING AND USING BAG,” inventors Seagle, et al., filed Feb. 15, 2006; Application No. 60/817,868 entitled “FREIGHT FORWARDING SYSTEM,” inventors Seagle, et al., filed Jun. 30, 2006; and Application No. 60/817,989 entitled “SYSTEM FOR RETAINING LEGS ON A LIGHT WEIGHT THERMOPLASTIC DUNNAGE PLATFORM AND INSTALLING MOLDED LEGS ON A DUNNAGE PLATFORM DECK,” inventor Vance L. Seagle, filed Jun. 30, 2006. These applications are herein expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
       CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0002]    This application is related to the following applications: 
         [0003]    U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/672,863, entitled “MODULAR, KNOCK-DOWN, LIGHT WEIGHT, THERMALLY INSULATING, TAMPER PROOF SHIPPING CONTAINER AND FIRE RETARDANT SHIPPING BAG,” inventors Seagle, et al., filed Feb. 8, 2007; and 
         [0004]    U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/569,655, entitled “LIGHT WEIGHT, STRONG, FIRE RETARDANT DUNNAGE PLATFORM BAG AND SYSTEM OF LOADING, DISPENSING AND USING BAG,” inventor Vance L. Seagle, filed Sep. 29, 2009, which applications are herein expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This invention is in the general field of a dunnage platform bag that is light weight, strong and made of a fire retardant material. The dunnage platform bag can accommodate a modified dunnage platform assembled from a dunnage platform base and legs attached to the base. The dunnage platform bag can form an ultra violet light, weather and dust barrier to protect the integrity of the dunnage platforms when not in use. A system and method for supplying, dispensing, positioning, tracking, transporting, forwarding and storing dunnage platforms based on the dunnage platforms bag is disclosed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The adoption of International Standardized Phytosanitary Monitoring (ISPM)-15 for wood packaging material (WPM) requires kiln dry treatment of all wood used in shipping crates and dunnage platforms (pallets). The United States in cooperation with Mexico and Canada began enforcement of the ISPM 15 standard on Sep. 16, 2005. The North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) strategy for enhanced enforcement will be conducted in three phases. Phase 1, Sep. 16, 2005 through Jan. 31, 2006, call for the implementation of an informed compliance via account managers and notices posted in connection with cargo that contains noncompliant WPM. Phase 2, Feb. 1, 2006 through Jul. 4, 2006, calls for rejection of violative crates and pallets through re-exportation from North America. Informed compliance via account managers and notices posted in cargo with other types of non-compliant WPM continues to remain enforce. Phase 3, Jul. 5, 2006, involves full enforcement on all articles of regulated WPM entering North America. Non-compliant regulated WPM will not be allowed to enter the United States. The adoption of ISPM-15 reflects the growing concern among nations about wood shipping products enabling the importation of wood-boring insects, including the Asian Long horned Beetle, the Asian Cerambycid Beetle, the Pine Wood Nematode, the Pine Wilt Nematode and the Anoplophora Glapripwnnis. 
         [0007]    Thus the wooden dunnage platform has become unattractive for the international shipment of products. Further, the wooden surface is not sanitary since it potentially can harbor in addition to insects, mould and bacteria. Thus, the wooden crate is generally ill-suited for the shipment of foodstuffs and other produce requiring sanitary conditions. 
         [0008]    Plastic dunnage platforms or pallets are known, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,089 to Nania, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,608 to Woods et al., which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Plastic pallet manufacturing techniques typically involve injection molding, which significantly increases the cost of the plastic pallets. In order to justify this initial investment cost of the plastic pallet, the pallet must be extensively re-used. Thus, while the plastic surface of the plastic pallet obviates some of the sanitary problems with wood pallets, because of the required repetitive use the surface can become unsanitary. As a consequence when used for the shipment of foodstuffs and other produce requiring sanitary conditions, the high cost of the plastic pallet requires that the plastic surface be cleaned and kept clean prior to use. 
         [0009]    Some wood pallet manufacturers have attempted to produce a more sanitary surface by combining foam with wooden surfaces. These dunnage platforms still suffer a number of disadvantages including their weight, the presence of wood requiring kiln treatment and the possibility of the foam being stripped away to expose the wood surface. 
         [0010]    Thermoplastic molded dunnage platforms are known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,796 to Dummett, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, which discloses applying thermoplastic sheets to a preformed rigid structure for manufacturing dunnage platforms. 
         [0011]    Irrespective of the material used to make the dunnage platform sanitary, there remains a problem in the field of keeping sanitary dunnage platforms clean while they are being stored or otherwise not in use. 
         [0012]    Further, irrespective of whether the dunnage platforms are made of wood, plastic, foam or thermoplastic, they are a source of fuel for a fire and thus represent a fire hazard. Storage of dunnage platforms after unloading, either inside or outside the delivery location increases the risk of a significant fire. Flame retardant materials are known, however, they have not been successfully incorporated into dunnage platform construction materials. Thus there is a need for a sanitary dunnage platform suitable for transporting foodstuffs, which is light, cheap and does not present a fire hazard. Since materials being shipped can also represent a fire hazard, while somewhat beneficial, it is not essential that the dunnage platform per se be fire resistant. However, there is a need for a method of storing, loading, dispensing and shipping empty sanitary dunnage platforms, which are light, inexpensive and not a fire hazard. 
         [0013]    Optiledge™ feet are lightweight, strong, phytosanitary, molded feet in an L-shape designed to attach to the bottom of a crate or shipping unit and which can act as a transport device. Optiledge™ can in some circumstances be used as an alternative to a wood pallet for loading and shipping units. When the product to be shipped contains a deck, Optiledge™ can be made integral to the packaged product and can act as a pallet during the storage and distribution of the packaged product. Optiledge™ or any similar device is not appropriate when the unit load does not include a deck surface onto which the Optiledge™ type device can be mounted 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    In one embodiment of the invention, a dunnage platform bag is disclosed that is light weight, strong, made of a fire retardant material and which forms an ultra violet light, weather and dust particle barrier to protect the integrity of the dunnage platforms when not in use. In addition, a system and method for loading, storing, dispensing, positioning, tracking, and transporting empty dunnage platforms based on the dunnage platform bag is disclosed. 
         [0015]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a dunnage platform with damaged feet is modified such that the feet can be removed and replacement feet can be attached. In an embodiment of the present invention, the damaged feet of a dunnage platform can be removed and Optiledge™ feet can be attached to the dunnage platform deck. In another embodiment of the invention, a dunnage platform deck with stubs is manufactured and molded feet are press fitted into the stubs or otherwise attached to the dunnage platform deck. In various embodiments of the invention, the modified dunnage platforms can be loaded into the dunnage platform bag. 
         [0016]    This summary is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other embodiments of methods for manufacturing a dunnage platform and repairing the legs of damaged dunnage platforms, within the spirit and scope of the invention, can be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Alternative and additional features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows the dunnage platform bag (length, 1027 mm (50 inches)×width, 1067 mm (42 inches)×height, 30.5 m (120 inches)) holding 22 dunnage platforms (each of dimension 1219 mm (48 inches)×1016 mm (40 inches)×139 mm (5.5 inches)) prior to stretching and hanging, where the zippered bag is opened for manual insertion, removal or inspection of the dunnage platforms; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows the dunnage platform bag lying on a level surface holding a dunnage platform, at one end, and two zippers open for manual insertion, removal and inspection; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a Computer Assisted Drawing (CAD) perspective of the dunnage platform bag attached to a base frame; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows CAD of (A) a front and (B) a side perspective of the dunnage platform bag attached to a base frame; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows (A) a CAD perspective of the dunnage platform bag attached to the transport base frame shows and (B) a close-up of the dunnage platform bag method of attachment to the transport base frame; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a CAD drawing of the dunnage platform stop lever (A) external and (B) internal to the transport base frame; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a CAD drawing of the dispensing base frame where (A) the transport base frame wheels are positioned and (B) the gear mechanism, trigger strikers and dunnage platform release handle for dispensing; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8(A-D)  shows a CAD drawing showing the guide wheels used for dispensing the dunnage platforms in different orientations; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9(A-C)  show CAD drawings of the gear and chain used to drive the guide wheels shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10(A-C)  show CAD drawings of the dispensing base frame with the transport base frame wheels showing the position of the trigger strikers in different orientations; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  show CAD aerial projections of the reloading base frame and the lifting bar used to force the dunnage platform up into the dunnage platform bag; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 12(A  and B) show a CAD drawing of a side view of the reloading base frame with the tension link in different orientations; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  shows a CAD drawing of the sprocket and ratchet used to hold the dunnage platform in place once it is lifted; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14(A-D)  show CAD drawings of a dunnage platform bag being loaded onto a dispensing base frame in different orientations; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15(A-E)  show CAD drawings of an empty dunnage platform bag being folded onto its dispensing base frame in different orientations; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  shows a pair of inverted Optiledge™ high density polyethylene legs suitable for attachment onto a thermoplastic dunnage platform deck; 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  shows the bottom side of a thermoplastic dunnage platform deck with stub-leg inserts attached; 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  shows a side view of the Optiledge™ high density polyethylene legs attached to a thermoplastic dunnage platform deck; 
           [0035]      FIG. 19  shows the edge of the Optiledge™ high density polyethylene legs abutting the edge of the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 20  shows a frontal view of the Optiledge™ high-density polyethylene legs attached to a thermoplastic dunnage platform deck. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    In one embodiment of the invention, a manufacturer makes a commitment to an airfreight cargo forwarder of a cargo lift volume contract in return for supply of thermoplastic dunnage platforms to resolve ISPM-15 issues and other advantages such as cargo safety, human safety, convenience and resolving fire risk issues involved with storage of flammable dunnage platforms. Client agrees to pay shipping freight cost as would be incurred with wood pallets. In return the manufacturer makes a commitment of sufficient thermoplastic dunnage platforms for shipping the cargo. The airfreight cargo forwarder who assigns manufacturing capacity to clients requires a balancing commitment from the client of a cargo lift volume contract. The airfreight cargo forwarder saves between 17 and 33% of the total freight cost of shipping the cargo (after subtracting the cost of the thermoplastic dunnage platforms), while solving clients ISPM-15 concerns. 
         [0038]    In an embodiment of the invention, a dunnage platform manufacturer (hereinafter ‘manufacture’), shipping forwarder (hereinafter ‘forwarder’) and manufacturer with cargo to ship (hereinafter ‘client’) co-operate to ship a client&#39;s cargo without ISPM-15 concerns at a reduced cargo freight cost, thereby producing a useful concrete and tangible result. In another embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturer ships the thermoplastic dunnage platforms in a fire retardant bag which the client can use to hang and store the dunnage platforms thereby saving space while eliminating a fire hazard and thereby producing a useful concrete and tangible result. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the manufacture supplies dunnage platforms with RFID tags thereby allowing the forwarder to track the shipment while en route thereby producing a useful concrete and tangible result. 
         [0039]    Forwarders to provide dunnage platforms to their clients free of charge in exchange for retaining the financial benefit of weight savings, while giving their clients: (1) improved convenience, (2) cost of not having to buy pallets, (3) eliminating ISPM-15 issues, (4) improving cargo safety (5) improving human safety and (6) gaining greater contracted cargo volume from clients. 
         [0040]    Manufacturer production facilities are: (1) remarkably portable and inexpensive, (2) easily deployed anywhere, and (3) able to produce up to 15,000 pallets per month. Factories can be readily placed in forwarders&#39; market regions to service their local clients. No other competitive pallet production can match this scalability and the manufacturer manufacturing process is fully patented. 
         [0041]    Each forwarder can secure exclusive “Agency” rights for a port or market region and pre-sell the full monthly production allocation of 15,000 pallets (per manufacturer machine) by consigning them free of charge to strategic clients in exchange for cargo lift volume contracts. When the first allocation is gone, pre-sale of a second unit can begin until the major market clients can be fully sold on a first-option basis. This strategy removes all risks from the program rollout. Clients can be selected based on optimum profiles for cargo destinations, freight costs, type of cargo, size and importance of client and overall value of service the program provides to forwarder and client. 
         [0042]    Revenues to forwarder can be calculated on a cargo weight savings basis of 40 pounds per pallet and pallet costs can be paid to manufacturer from those savings, leaving the cash balance to the forwarder. At $1 per pound, each pallet can yield $15 cash profit ($225,000 month) to the forwarder. At $0.75 pound, it can produce $75,000 per month, especially considering surcharges alone are reaching as much as $0.80 per pound in some markets. The forwarder can have no cash risk, as manufacturer is paid $25 per pallet from the saving stream (following collection of client&#39;s invoices) and the remainder is held by the forwarder. The only investment of the forwarder is the cost of sales efforts to pre-sell the cargo region. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment of the invention, the dunnage platform bag is a modular, lightweight, strong, ultra violet light insulating, fire resistant, tamper proof receptacle for storing, reloading, dispensing, tracking and transporting dunnage platforms.  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict an embodiment of the dunnage platform bag invention in which the dunnage platform bag is 30.5 m (120 inches)×1.27 m (50 inches)×1.07 m (42 inches) and weighs 3.2 kg (7 lb). In another embodiment, the dunnage platform bag includes a spreader and base. In other embodiments the dimension of the dunnage platform bag will vary depending on the dimension of the dunnage platform to be stored in the bag. In one embodiment of the invention, the dunnage platform bag consists of four sides a top and a bottom sewn together. In one embodiment of the invention, two parallel zippers separated by between approximately 52-78 mm (20-30 inches) can each sewn into one side of the bag and located on that side approximately 13 mm (5 inches) down from top of the bag and approximately 10 m (40 inches) from the bottom of the bag. In this invention, it will be understood by persons having skill in the art that the use of the term ‘approximately’ when used together with dimensions that indicate a preferred range can vary by up to 50% of the preferred range. In another embodiment of the invention, the zippers extend the full length of the bag. In another embodiment, a cord string is attached to the two zippers to enable both zippers to be opened or close simultaneously. In an alternative embodiment, Velcro™ is used to reseal one or more openings in the dunnage platform bag. In another embodiment, one or more re-sealable openings can be used for inserting, removing or inspecting the plurality of dunnage platforms. 
         [0044]      FIG. 1 , shows the dunnage platform bag holding 22 dunnage platforms (of dimension 1219 mm (48 inches)×1016 mm (40 inches)×139 mm (5.5 inches)) prior to stretching and hanging.  FIGS. 1 and 2  show that the dunnage platform bag material is sufficiently strong to allow handling of the fully loaded dunnage platform bag. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment of the invention, the material of the bag is strong enough to allow the bag to be hoisted and the dunnage platform bag and transport base left hanging for dispensing. In an embodiment, of the invention thermoplastic molded dunnage platforms can be loaded in the dunnage platform bag. In an embodiment of the invention, the thermoplastic dunnage platforms have RFID tags inserted into the core prior to coating the core with the thermoplastic layer. A RFID reader mounted in the base or the spreader can then read the RFID tags in the individual dunnage platforms. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, plastic dunnage platforms can be loaded in the dunnage platform bag. In another embodiment, cargo loaded on one or more dunnage platforms can be inserted into the dunnage platform bag. In various embodiments, sufficiently strong material can be used and the seams can be strengthened to compensate for the additional weight of the plastic dunnage platforms or the cargo. 
         [0046]      FIG. 1  shows that the dunnage platform bag holding twenty-two dunnage platforms remains stable when the zippered bag is opened for manual insertion, removal or inspection of the dunnage platforms.  FIG. 2  shows the dunnage platform bag lying length wise on a surface holding a dunnage platform and two zippers open for manual insertion, removal and inspection of the dunnage platforms. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective of the dunnage platform bag  300  attached to a transport base frame total height 3.267 m (128 11/16 inches). In an embodiment of the invention, the dunnage platform bag  320  has a top and four sides, where the four sides can be attached to a transport base, which forms the bottom side. In an embodiment of the invention, the transport base frame  350  has a flange attached to the inside of the frame which abuts the lowest dunnage platform (i.e., the dunnage platform in contact with the dunnage platform stop trigger  910 ) so as to seal the bottom of the dunnage platform bag. The flange is flexible enough to allow the dunnage platforms to be dispensed or reloaded while retaining sufficient rigidity to form a seal between the transport base frame  650  and the undercarriage or sides of the lowest dunnage platform in the stack of dunnage platforms loaded in the bag. In various embodiments of the invention, the flange can be made of flexible rubber or plastic. 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 3 , a spreader plate  310  has dimensions slightly larger than the length and width of the bag  320  to which it is attached through load binders  330 . In an embodiment of the invention, a hook  340  with plate submerged into the spreader plate  310  is used to hold the bag  320  upright. In an embodiment of the invention, the bag is sealed at the top. A spreader plate and/or a hook is also referred to herein as a bracket attached to the dunnage platform bag, wherein the bracket can be used for lifting the dunnage platform bag. 
         [0049]    In an embodiment of the invention, the bag  320  fits into a transport base frame or base  350 , with dimensions 1435 mm (56 9/16 inches)×1101 mm (43⅜ inches) with four wheels attached at the four corners of the transport base frame. In one embodiment of the invention, the wheels can be fixed in an orientation where their axis of rotation is perpendicular to the length of the base frame, which allows the base to be rolled in the direction of its longitudinal axis. In another embodiment of the invention, the wheels can be fixed in an orientation where their axis of rotation is perpendicular to the width of the base frame, which allows the base to be rolled perpendicular to the direction of its longitudinal axis. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, two or more wheels are not fixed in an orientation or are able to swivel, allowing greater flexibility in the direction in which the base can be rolled. In one embodiment of the invention, the base has two wheels attached at two corners and two supports at the other two corners, which enable the bag to be tilted and the base and bag to be wheeled about on the two wheels. 
         [0050]    In one embodiment of the invention, the transport base frame can be used to dispense dunnage platforms.  FIG. 4  shows (A) a side and (B) a front view of the dunnage platform bag  420  attached to a base frame  450 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , wheels  460  can be positioned at each of the four corners. The front view shows the base plate  480  submerged beneath the spreader plate  410 , held in place by the load binders  330  and the hook  440 . In this embodiment of the invention, the distance between the dunnage platform and the floor is 11 mm ( 7/16 inch). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the base frame can be raised above the floor allowing the dunnage platform to be dispensed from beneath the transport base frame. 
         [0051]      FIG. 5  shows (A) a perspective of the dunnage platform bag attached to a transport base frame and (B) a close-up cross section of the dunnage platform bag fastening to a transport base frame.  FIG. 5A  shows two of the four dunnage platform stop triggers  590  which can be positioned on either side of, and 250 mm from the front and 250 mm from the rear of the (1101 mm width side) of the transport base frame. Dunnage platform stop triggers are also referred to herein as dunnage platform stops. Dunnage platform stop triggers are also referred to herein individually or collectively as an indexing mechanism. The bag  510  is secured to the frame with the rope  530  sewn into the lower edge of the bag  510 , which is drawn under the pipe frame  505  and secured with rope pegs  520 . Dunnage platform stop trigger  590  holds the pallet in place. In  FIG. 5B , the base frame is made of ‘C’ cross-section steel frame  580  to which each wheel  560  is attached through a socket shoulder screw  565 . The bottom of the bag  510  is sewn or otherwise attached to rope pegs  520 , which can be passed through rope  530 , attached to the pipe frame  505  and the frame  580 . A dunnage platform stop  590  mounted inside a 12 mm ‘C’ section frame holds the dunnage platform  570  in place and impedes it from being dispensed. A trigger  506  holds the dunnage platform stop  590  in place. When the trigger is released the dunnage platform stop  590  completely retracts into the ‘C-section. In another embodiment of the invention, the bag  510  is secured to the pipe frame  505  by a clamping mechanism secured to the pipe frame where the clamping mechanism is able to clamp onto the bag material. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective of the transport base frame.  FIG. 6A  shows one embodiment of the invention where the dunnage platform stop  690  pivots on Teflon glacier bushes  691  and is restrained by a return spring  692 . The dunnage platform stop lever swings on the axel bolt  693  to release a dunnage platform.  FIG. 6B  shows the dunnage platform stop  690 , which holds the dunnage platforms in place (see also  FIG. 9  for triggering through the dispensing base).  FIG. 7  shows a perspective of the dispensing base frame  700 .  FIG. 7A  shows the dispensing base mouth  785  where the transport base frame inserts into the dispensing base. The ‘L’ cross section steel (angle iron)  786  hold the wheels of the transport base above the exit cavity  787  where the dispensed dunnage platform can be retrieved. In this embodiment of the invention, the wheels can be mounted perpendicular to the width of the transport base and the wheels enter the mouth  785  and can be held in place by the ‘L’ section brackets.  FIG. 7B  shows the dispensing base  700  with the isolator drive  775 , isolator wheels  776 , trigger strikers  777 , lever axel  778 , exit cavity  787  and dunnage platform release handle  779 . In alternative embodiments of the invention, rather than a motor, a ratchet of other mechanical system is used to drive the isolator wheels. 
         [0053]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of the dunnage platform bag attached to a transport base frame and inserted in a dispenser base frame.  FIG. 8A  shows guide wheels  865  and  866  used for dispensing the dunnage platforms  870 . Rectangular hollow tube is welded into a star configuration to form the guide wheels. The left hand side (LHS)  865  guide wheel turns clockwise while the right hand side (RHS) guide wheel  866 , turns anticlockwise. Both the LHS  865  and the RHS guide wheels  866  can be chain guided in order to synchronize the motion. The guide wheels will tolerate 19 mm or ¾ inch variation in position of the dunnage platforms  870 .  FIG. 8B  shows the guide wheels  865  and  866  after approximately a 50° rotation. The same dunnage platform  870  is still held by the guide wheels but the dunnage platform is lower and the next arm of the star is starting to turn into position to retain the next dunnage platform.  FIG. 8C  shows the guide wheels  865  and  866  after an additional approximately 30° rotation, where the dunnage platform  870  is about to be released by the guide wheels and the next arm of the star is in position to retain the next dunnage platform.  FIG. 8D  shows the guide wheels  865  and  866  after an additional approximately 10° rotation, where the dunnage platform  870  is released and the next arm of the star is holding the next dunnage platform. 
         [0054]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective of one embodiment of the invention where the dunnage platform bag attached to a transport base frame and inserted in a dispenser base frame.  FIG. 9A  shows the gear  946  and chain  945  used to drive the guide wheels. In one embodiment of the invention a motor is used to turn the spigot  947  and drive the gears and thereby the chain to deliver a dunnage platform. In another embodiment, a ratchet can be used to turn the spigot. The guide wheels can be mounted on only one side of the dispensing base frame  900 .  FIG. 9B  shows the trigger activation mechanism (see also  FIG. 7B ). In the base release position, the striker pivots  944 , attached to the slide rail  941  can be moved via a linkage  943 , connected to a pivot arm  942  and the striker pivots can be retracted away from the dunnage platform stop strikers to allow withdrawal of the dunnage platform bag and transport base from the dispenser. The striker pivots  944  when not in the base release position (see  FIG. 9C ) can engage the dunnage platform stop triggers (see  590   FIG. 5A ). As the linkage  943  moves, the slide rail  941  and the striker pivots  944  move toward the direction of the lever  942  axel (see also  778   FIG. 7B ). When the release handle is upright, the dunnage platform stop trigger  590  holds the dunnage platforms from dropping down. Pulling downward on the dunnage platform release handle  779  turns the lever  942  which swings the linkage  943  bringing the striker pivots in contact with the triggers  590  thereby releasing the next dunnage platform.  FIG. 10  shows an overhead view of the dunnage platform bag attached to a transport base frame and inserted in a dispenser base frame.  FIG. 10A  shows the strikers  1048  in the retracted position to allow clearance for the dunnage platform bag and transport base to be loaded or removed. The strikers  1048 , attach to the slide rail  1041  can be moved via a linkage  1043 , connected to a pivot arm  1042 .  FIG. 10B  shows the strikers  1048  in the perpendicular position when the dunnage platform release handle is in the upright position and the strikers  1048  are rotated into a position ready to contact the striker release triggers  1090 .  FIG. 10C  shows the strikers  1048  contacting the striker release triggers  1090  when the dunnage platform release handle is lowered. 
         [0055]    In one embodiment of the invention, the dunnage platforms can be re-loaded using a reloading base  1100 . In one embodiment of the invention, the reloading base frame  1100  is identical in dimension to the dispensing base frame (see  700   FIG. 7 ).  FIG. 11  shows an aerial projection of the reloading base frame  1100  and the lifting bar  1135 , which is used to force the dunnage platform up into the bag.  FIG. 12  shows a side view of the reloading base frame  1200 , where the lifting bar  1235  is connected by a compression link  1225 , a lever  1226  with a pivot point  1227 , and a tension link  1228  to a crank wheel  1229  driven by a motor  1224 . The motor  1224  turns the crank wheel  1229 , which is coupled via a universal joint to the tension link  1228  which traces out a circular trajectory, driving the lever  1226  up and thereby the lifting bar down for loading a dunnage platform onto the lifting bar ( FIG. 12A ). The dunnage platform  1270  is accepted into the space shown in the reloading base frame  1205  without the need for the lifting bar  1235  to drop lower than shown in  FIG. 12A  as the middle section of the lifting bar  1235  accepts the middle leg of the dunnage platform. Continuing the elliptical trajectory of the tension link  1228  mounted at the crank  1229 , the lever  1226  is driven down and thereby the compression link  1225  forces the lifting bar  1235  up.  FIG. 12B  shows the lifting bar connected to a linear slide  1223  with linear bearings and two linear bushes  1222  to give stability and keep the motion vertical, thereby evenly raising the inserted dunnage platform  1270  back into the bag.  FIG. 13  shows that the dunnage platform once it is lifted into place is held by a one-way sprocket and ratchet  1315 . In an alternative embodiment a foot pedal can raise the lifting bar. In an alternative embodiment, pneumatic air pressure can be used to drive a lever to raise the lifting bar. In an alternative embodiment a jack can supply mechanical energy to raise the lifting bar. 
         [0056]    In an embodiment of the invention, the bag attached to the transport base can be loaded onto the dispensing base  700 . In another embodiment of the invention, the bag attached to the transport base can be loaded onto the reloading base  1100 . In another embodiment of the invention, the bag attached to the transport base can be loaded onto the combined dispensing base and reloading base.  FIG. 14  shows a diagram of the bag  1420  attached to the transport base being raised with a hoist  1416  and spring  1418  attached to a boom pipe  1417  onto the dispensing base  1400 .  FIG. 14A  shows the bag  1420  and transport base tilted and leaning on the dispensing base  1400  so that the spring tensioning connection  1418  can be attached to the hook.  FIG. 14B  shows the bag and transport base after it has been hoisted off the ground and still leaning on the dispensing base  1400 .  FIG. 14C  shows the bag and transport base after hoisting where the wheel  1460  of the transport base is aligned with the mouth of the dispensing base  1400 .  FIG. 14D  shows the bag and transport base after the wheels  1460  roll the bag and transport base into the dispensing base  1400 . 
         [0057]    In an embodiment of the invention, the bag  1520  can be angle folded onto itself to pack the bag for storage when not in use.  FIG. 15  shows the angle bag folding method.  FIG. 15A  shows the erect empty bag  1520  and hook  1540  attached to the transport base  1550  with wheels  1560 .  FIG. 15B  shows the first fold of the erect empty bag and transport base  1500 .  FIG. 15C  shows the next step in the folding of the erect empty bag and transport base  1500 .  FIG. 15D  shows the second fold of the erect empty bag and transport base  1500 , where the hook  1540  is passed through a hole in the bag.  FIG. 15E  shows the next step in the folding of the erect empty bag and transport base  1500 , where the empty bag  1520  is pulled tight, the spreader plate can be attached to the transport base frame using clips or straps and the hook  1540  is available for lifting the packed bag and transport base  1500 . In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the bag is folded concertina style. In another embodiment of the invention, drawstrings can be used to assist the folding of the bag. 
         [0058]    In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the base frame allows dunnage platform dispensing and dunnage platform loading. 
         [0059]    In one embodiment of the invention, the bag is made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). In another embodiment of the invention, the bag is made of flame retardant material. In an embodiment of the invention, the bag is made from polyethylene, aromatic bromine and antimony trioxide. In one embodiment of the invention, the bag is made of one or more of the following materials: LDPE, HDPE and PP and treated with ARX 501 FR 05 LD. In an embodiment of the invention, the bag meets standards DIN 4102 B2, DIN 4102 B1 and CEE. In a further embodiment of the invention, the bromine additive is heat stable up to 350° C. 
         [0060]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the damaged feet of a dunnage platform can be removed and molded feet can be attached to the legless dunnage platform deck. Optiledge™ feet have been designed to be integral with the deck of cargo and then the deck, cargo and Optiledge™ feet can be strapped together.  FIG. 16  shows a pair of Optiledge™ feet. When a dunnage platform is damaged, all the feet can be removed using a band saw or other suitable cutting device to remove the damaged feet thereby generating a thermoplastic dunnage platform deck. In an embodiment of the present invention, leg stubs can be attached to the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck. The leg stubs in the dunnage platform base can be generated by cutting up damaged thermoplastic dunnage platforms. In an alternative embodiment, the leg stubs can be affixed to the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck using molding. The leg stubs can also be attached using other means of adhering or affixing. Once affixed to the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck the leg stubs appear as shown in  FIG. 17 . The leg stubs can be used to locate a lightweight, strong, phytosanitary, molded feet in an L-shape designed to attach to the bottom of a deck. In an embodiment of the present invention the leg stubs can be used to attach to Optiledge™ feet. By applying suitable force the molded (Optiledge™) feet can be press fitted into the leg stubs. Once affixed the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck appears as shown in  FIGS. 18-20 . Shown in  FIG. 19 , the L shaped section of the Optiledge™ feet is abutting the edge of the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck. In  FIGS. 16 and 19  the ‘L’ shaped molded feet can be made up of a first and a second member, which can be joined to form the ‘L’ shape. The hollow feet extend from one of the first or second members. The hollow feet can be press fitted into the leg stubs shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0061]    Alternatively, a third leg can be added in between the two molded feet to provide additional support for the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck and cargo. By using molded feet without the L shaped retainer (or by removing the L-shaped section of the Optiledge™ feet), the molded feet can be applied to a flat surface. By affixing leg stubs in the center of the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck, and placing leg stubs in the center position an additional set of legs can be placed at any position under the deck. 
         [0062]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a thermoplastic dunnage platform with one or more damaged feet can be modified such that one or more of the damaged feet can be removed and one or more replacement feet can be attached in the location of the removed feet. 
         [0063]    In an embodiment of the present invention, thermoplastic dunnage platforms in which the feet have been damaged can be collected at a point of destination shipping location. The feet of the thermoplastic dunnage platforms can be removed and the thermoplastic dunnage platforms decks can be stored in a flame retardant bag. Once the bag is filled the bag with the thermoplastic dunnage platforms decks can be shipped to a desired point of origin shipping location. Separately, or together molded feet can be shipped to the same location. Alternatively, the damaged thermoplastic dunnage platforms can be shipped to a desired point of origin shipping location and the legs can be removed at this location. Also at this location, one or more stub feet can be affixed to the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck and the molded feet can be affixed by press fitting into the stub legs. Alternative means of assembling molded feet onto the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck can be envisaged by one of ordinary skill in the art. Cargo can then be loaded on the assembled thermoplastic dunnage platforms with molded feet, strapped and shipped to the desired location. 
         [0064]    In another embodiment of the invention, a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tag is imbedded in one or more of: the spreader  310 , the transporter base frame  350 , the dispenser base  700 , the reloading base  1100  and the material of the four walls  320 . In one embodiment of the invention, the RFID tag operates using an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) signal. In another embodiment of the invention, the RFID tag operates using a microwave frequency signal. 
         [0065]    In an embodiment of the present invention, a RFID tags can be inserted into the exposed polystyrene core after the damaged legs have been removed and prior to affixing the stub legs. In an embodiment of the present invention, a RFID reader mounted in the bag used to collect the thermoplastic dunnage platform decks can then read the RFID tags in the individual dunnage platforms. In an embodiment of the invention, the RFID reader in the bag and the RFID tag in the thermoplastic dunnage platform decks can be positioned so that the RFID tag antenna is least affected by any conducting material in the dunnage platform legs or dunnage platform bag. 
         [0066]    In one embodiment, the RFID tag is centered in the middle of the spreader, the transporter base, the dispenser base, the reloading base and the material of the four walls. In another embodiment, the RFID tag is placed on the edge of the spreader, the transporter base, the dispenser base, the reloading base and the material of the four walls. In an embodiment of the invention, the RFID tag can be positioned so that the RFID tag antenna is least affected by the metal in the dunnage platform bag and base. 
         [0067]    In one embodiment the RFID tag is read only. In another embodiment, the RFID tag contains an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), which enables both read and write functions. In an embodiment of the invention, the RFID tag is passive. In another embodiment of the invention, the RFID tag is semi passive containing a source of energy such as a battery to allow the tag to be constantly powered. In a further embodiment of the invention, the RFID tag is active, containing an internal power source, such as a battery, which is used to power any Integrated Circuits (ICs) in the tag and generate the outgoing signal. In another embodiment, the tag has the ability to enable location sensing through a photo sensor. 
         [0068]    In an embodiment of the invention, the cargo and each dunnage platform contain a passive RFID tag and each dunnage platform bag contains an active RFID tag and RFID tag reader. Each dunnage platform bag is able to monitor the cargo and the dunnage platforms loaded in the dunnage platform bag. In a shipment, one or more master dunnage platform bag contains an RFID tag reader which is able to monitor all the other dunnage platform bags in the vicinity of the master dunnage platform bag. The master dunnage platform is then able to relay the position and condition of the entire shipment to a base station. 
         [0069]    In one embodiment of the invention, means of communication with a base station is imbedded in the dunnage platform bag in one or more of the spreader, the transporter base, the dispenser base, the reloading base and the material of the four walls. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, one or more dunnage platforms loaded in the dunnage platform bag contain the apparatus to communicate with the base station in order to relay the condition and global position of the cargo. 
         [0070]    In one embodiment of the invention, the communication means utilizes one or more of a wireless local area network; a wireless wide area network; a cellular network; a satellite network; a Wi-Fi network; and a pager network. In one embodiment of the invention, the device embedded is a modem capable of communicating with one or more of the aforementioned networks. In the following discussion the term ‘cellular modem’ will be used to describe the device embedded. The term ‘cellular modem’ will be herein used to identify any device of comparable size capable of communicating over one or more of the aforementioned networks. In one embodiment of the invention, the cellular modem can be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) modem. In an embodiment of the invention, a RFID reader and associate integrated circuit processor can be embedded together with the cellular modem in the spreader, the transporter base, the dispenser base, the reloading base and the material of the four walls. In such an embodiment, the RFID tags and RFID reader can be positioned to optimize the RFID read of the RFID tags from the other surfaces, which make up the dunnage platform bag. 
         [0071]    In an embodiment of the invention, where a RFID reader and a cellular modem can be embedded in one or more of the spreader, the transporter base, the dispenser base, the reloading base and the material of the four walls; the RFID reader is in communication with one or more RFID readers, associated cellular modems and the RFID tags of one or more dunnage platform bags in the vicinity of the RFID reader. Through communications with the RFID reader and associated integrated circuit processor of the plurality of dunnage platform bags in the vicinity, a RFID reader and associated integrated circuit processor is able to distinguish the RFID tag from dunnage platforms loaded in the bag and dunnage platforms loaded in dunnage platform bags in the vicinity based on one or more of location, strength of signal, variation of RFID tag signal with position in the dunnage platform bag relative to the reader, variation of RFID tag signal with time and prior input data. In an embodiment of the invention, one or more antenna inserted into the material of the bag can be used to help discriminate the location of the dunnage platforms loaded in a dunnage platform bag. In an embodiment of the invention, the RFID reader and associate processor can be in communication with the embedded cellular modem. In an embodiment of the invention, the cellular modem is in communication with a base station and can transmit one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of one or more RFID tag location, one or more RFID tag identification code, number of dunnage platforms loaded in the bag, dunnage platform bag information, previous shipment information, dunnage platform condition, dunnage platform bag condition and time stamp. 
         [0072]    In one embodiment of the invention the RFID code uses the IEEE format and is Electronic Product Code (EPC) readable. In another embodiment of the invention the RFID code uses the UCC format and is Universal Product Code (UPC) readable. In another embodiment, the format is compatible for EPC, European Article Number (EAN) and UPC read and write functions. 
         [0073]    Various embodiments can be implemented using a conventional general purpose or specialized digital computer(s) and/or processor(s) programmed according to the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software art. The invention can also be implemented by the preparation of integrated circuits and/or by interconnecting an appropriate network of component circuits, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0074]    Various embodiments include a computer program product which is a storage medium (media) having instructions and/or information stored thereon/in which can be used to program a general purpose or specialized computing processor(s)/device(s) to perform any of the features presented herein. The storage medium can include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: any type of physical media including floppy disks, optical discs, DVDs, CD-ROMs, micro drives, magneto-optical disks, holographic storage devices, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, DRAMs, PRAMS, VRAMs, flash memory devices, magnetic or optical cards, nano-systems (including molecular memory ICs); paper or paper-based media; and any type of media or device suitable for storing instructions and/or information. Various embodiments include a computer program product that can be transmitted in whole or in parts and over one or more public and/or private networks wherein the transmission includes instructions and/or information, which can be used by one or more processors to perform any of the features, presented herein. In various embodiments, the transmission can include a plurality of separate transmissions. 
         [0075]    Stored on one or more of the computer readable medium (media), the present disclosure includes software for controlling both the hardware of general purpose/specialized computer(s) and/or processor(s), and for enabling the computer(s) and/or processor(s) to interact with a human user or other mechanism utilizing the results of the present invention. Such software can include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems, execution environments/containers, user interfaces and applications. 
         [0076]    The execution of code can be direct or indirect. The code can include compiled, interpreted and other types of languages. Unless otherwise limited by claim language, the execution and/or transmission of code and/or code segments for a function can include invocations or calls to other software or devices, local or remote, to do the function. The invocations or calls can include invocations or calls to library modules, device drivers and remote software to do the function. The invocations or calls can include invocations or calls in distributed and client/server systems.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1