Storage container, pocket end opening cover thereof and method of forming the storage container

Abstract

A storage container includes forklift pockets extending laterally near a bottom surface of the container from a lower side of the container, each pocket having an end opening located at the lower side of the container. Pocket covers are mounted to the storage container such that the end openings of the forklift pockets are covered.

1 . A storage container comprising:
 a plurality of forklift pockets extending laterally near a bottom surface of the storage container from a first lower side of the storage container, each of the forklift pockets having an end opening located at the first lower side of the storage container; and   a plurality of pocket covers mounted to the storage container such that the end openings of the forklift pockets are covered.   
   
   
       2 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein each of the pocket covers comprises a plate-shaped member. 
   
   
       3 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pocket covers is mounted to the storage container by tack welding. 
   
   
       4 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pocket covers has a thickness of about 1.6 mm. 
   
   
       5 . The storage container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tunnel extending along a portion of a length of the bottom surface of the storage container from a first end of the storage container; the tunnel being defined by two spaced-apart side members extending perpendicular to the forklift pockets; and   at least one opening in at least one of the two spaced-apart side members of the tunnel at an intersection of at least one of the forklift pockets and the tunnel, the opening configured to allow passage of a fork of a forklift from the at least one of the forklift pockets into the tunnel.   
   
   
       6 . A method of shipping a container, comprising:
 fixing a first container and a second container together, the first container measuring approximately 24 feet in length and the second container measuring approximately 16 feet in length, to form a completed container measuring approximately 40 feet in length;   mounting front panels of the first and second containers to the completed container such that a through opening of approximately 40 feet in length extends through the completed container;   loading the completed container;   shipping the completed container; and   unloading the completed container,   wherein each of the first and second containers includes a plurality of forklift pockets extending laterally near a bottom surface thereof from a first lower side thereof, each of the forklift pockets having an end opening located at the first lower side thereof, and   wherein the method further comprises mounting pocket covers to the first and second containers such that the end openings are covered.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein each of the pocket covers comprises a plate-shaped member.