Inline terminal, hub and distribution system

Abstract

The present invention provides an inline terminal, hub and distribution system. It comprises the steps of: transporting ( 102 ) a container to an inbound dock of a distribution center; emptying ( 104 ) the contents of the container in proximity to the inbound dock; sorting ( 106 ) the contents of the container; loading ( 108 ) an outbound container at an outbound dock of the distribution center; transporting ( 110 ) the outbound container to a track side location; loading ( 112 ) the outbound container onto a railroad car for transportation to a desired location.

1 . An inline terminal, hub and distribution system, comprising the steps of:
 transporting a container to an inbound dock of a distribution center;   emptying the contents of the container in proximity to the inbound dock;   sorting the contents of the container;   loading an outbound container at an outbound dock of the distribution center;   transporting the outbound container to a track side location;   loading the outbound container onto a railroad car for transportation to a desired location.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein prior to the transporting step, including at least one step of:
 entering an inline terminal, hub and distribution center at a substantially central location;   providing a contiguous site including a plurality of train rails and at least one distribution warehouse in proximity to the train rails; and   checking in to obtain at least one or more of instructions, directions, permissions and rules of the hub and distribution center.   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the transporting step includes:
 providing at least one inbound dock and at least one outbound dock on a same side or different side of the distribution warehouse; and   allowing the inbound and outbound docks to be used interchangeably.   
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sorting step includes at least one of:
 moving at least some of the container contents to temporary storage for later loading; and   loading at least some of the contents into an outbound container.   
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sorting step includes at least one of:
 inspecting the contents to confirm that it is not damaged; and   inventorying the inbound container.   
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sorting step includes at least one of:
 inspecting the contents to confirm that it is not damaged;   inventorying the inbound container; and   documenting the results of the inspecting and inventorying steps.   
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the transporting step includes positioning the outbound container in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to and substantially adjacent to the train rails. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the transporting step includes positioning and aligning the outbound container in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to and adjacent to the rail tracks by using a tractor trailer. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the loading step includes:
 lifting a container in a substantially vertical direction;   transporting the container in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the rail tracks; and   lowering the container in a substantially vertical direction onto a railroad car.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the loading step includes:
 lifting a container in a substantially vertical direction;   transporting the container in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the rail tracks; and   lowering the container in a substantially vertical direction onto a railroad car, in a substantially unitary step by use of a crane.   
   
   
       11 . An inline terminal, hub and distribution system, comprising the steps of:
 transporting a container to an inbound dock of a distribution center including at least one of:
 entering an inline terminal, hub and distribution center in proximity to a substantially central location; 
 providing a contiguous site including a plurality of train rails and at least one distribution warehouse in proximity to the train rails; and 
 checking in to obtain at least one or more of instructions, directions, permissions and rules of the hub and distribution center; 
   emptying and sorting the contents of the inbound container in proximity to the inbound dock comprising inspecting and inventorying the contents of the inbound container;   loading an outbound container at an outbound dock of the distribution center;   transporting the outbound container to a track side location;   loading the outbound container onto a railroad car for transportation to a desired location.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the sorting step includes at least one of:
 moving at least some of the container contents to temporary storage; and   loading at least some of the contents into an outbound container.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the sorting step includes at least one of:
 inspecting the contents of the inbound container to confirm that it is not damaged;   inventorying the inbound container; and   documenting the results of the inspecting and inventorying steps.   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the transporting step includes positioning and aligning the outbound container in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to and adjacent to the rail tracks. 
   
   
       15 . An inline terminal, hub and distribution system, including:
 a tractor truck for transporting a container;   an inline terminal, hub and distribution center being a substantially contiguous plot of land having an entrance and an exit, including a plurality of train rails and a distribution warehouse in proximity to the train rails;   the distribution warehouse including an inbound dock for emptying and sorting the cargo of the inbound container in proximity to the inbound dock and an outbound dock, wherein at least some of the cargo is moved to temporary storage facilities and at least some is moved into an outbound container;   a second tractor truck for transporting the outbound container to a track side location; and   a crane for loading the outbound container onto a railroad car for transportation to a desired location.   
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the inline terminal, hub and distribution center includes at least one of: a roadway for the first tractor truck with a container to enter at a substantially central location on the contiguous plot of land; a check in office for providing at least one or more of instructions, directions, permissions and rules; and a strip mall. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the distribution warehouse includes means for sorting the cargo of the inbound container, including at least one of:
 means for inspecting the cargo;   means for inventorying the inbound container; and   means for documenting the results of the inspection and inventory.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the first and second tractor trucks are one or more tractor trucks. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the crane includes a straddle lift crane. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the inline terminal, hub and distribution center comprises a generally long and narrow plot of land and a strip mall.