Array of shipping containers for shipping livestock on a shipping vessel

Abstract

An array of shipping containers and systems for transporting livestock on shipping vessels over extended periods including systems for distributing drinking water and electricity from common resources to an array of shipping containers, where the array of shipping containers can include interconnected shipping containers and/or stacked shipping containers carrying livestock.

1 . A system for shipping livestock on a shipping vessel comprising:
 a. at least two shipping containers, each shipping container adapted for transporting livestock;   b. a first common resource in communication with the at least two shipping containers; and   c. a second common resource in communication with the at least two shipping containers.   
     
     
         2 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 1  wherein at least one common resources comprises a water delivery system comprising:
 a. a water source; 
 b. a pressure source in communication with the water source; and 
 c. at least one delivery line in communication between each shipping container and the water source. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 2  wherein the delivery line feeds at least two shipping containers in series. 
     
     
         4 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 2  wherein the delivery line branches into at least two supply lines which feed the at least two shipping containers in parallel. 
     
     
         5 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 2  wherein the at least two shipping containers have livestock storage areas and feed storages areas. 
     
     
         6 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 2  further comprising at least two supply lines connected to the delivery line in parallel for supplying water to shipping containers in parallel. 
     
     
         7 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 6  wherein the supply lines deliver water from the delivery line to individual shipping containers. 
     
     
         8 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 7  wherein each supply line is connected to the delivery line through a shutoff valve wherein individual supply lines can be shut off without effecting the supply of water to the remaining supply lines. 
     
     
         9 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 2  wherein the delivery line further comprises an insulated material. 
     
     
         10 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 9  wherein the insulated material comprises a cross linked polyethylene. 
     
     
         11 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 2  wherein the water source comprises a liquid shipping container. 
     
     
         12 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 11  wherein the liquid shipping container is configured within an array of shipping containers for shipping livestock. 
     
     
         13 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 12  wherein the shipping vessel further comprises a ballast tank. 
     
     
         14 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 13  wherein the ballast tank is the water source. 
     
     
         15 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 14  wherein the ballast tank is pressure washed, and filled with fresh water in order to provide a water source. 
     
     
         16 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 15  further comprising an intermediate water storage tank. 
     
     
         17 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 16  wherein the pressure source comprises a ballast pump. 
     
     
         18 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 17  further comprising a circulation pump for circulating water to each of the shipping containers from the intermediate water storage tank. 
     
     
         19 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 18  wherein the intermediate water storage tank is located within a shipping container. 
     
     
         20 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 18  wherein the intermediate water storage tank comprises a bladder. 
     
     
         21 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 15  further comprising a manifold connected to the intermediate water storage tank for running more than one delivery line or more than one supply line. 
     
     
         22 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the common resources comprises an electrical power source. 
     
     
         23 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 22  further comprising a transformer for stepping down the voltage of the electrical power source. 
     
     
         24 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 23  wherein each shipping container includes a transformer. 
     
     
         25 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 22  wherein the electrical power source is one selected from the group of: a gas powered generator, a solar powered generator, a hydrogen generator, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 22  wherein each container includes a control box for receiving electrical power, and wherein an array of containers are supplied electrical power in parallel. 
     
     
         27 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 22  wherein each container includes a control box for receiving electrical power, and wherein an array of containers are supplied electrical power in series. 
     
     
         28 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 2  further comprising an additional plurality of shipping containers forming an array of shipping containers adapted for transporting livestock. 
     
     
         29 . The system for shipping livestock according to  claim 1  wherein at least one shipping container with livestock is stacked on another shipping container with livestock. 
     
     
         30 . An array of shipping containers on a shipping vessel comprising:
 a. at least a first and a second shipping container adapted for transporting livestock;   b. a common source of water in communication with the at least first and second shipping containers, the common source of water comprising:
 i. a water source holding drinking water; 
 ii. a pressure source in communication with the water source; and 
 iii. at least one delivery line in communication between each shipping container and the water source; 
   c. a common source of electricity in communication with the at least first and second shipping containers, the common source of electricity comprising
 i. a power source for generating electrical power; 
 ii. power distribution lines for distributing the generated electrical power; and 
 iii. at least one transformer in communication with the power distribution lines. 
   
     
     
         31 . The array of shipping containers on a shipping vessel according to  claim 30  wherein the common water source is contained within an additional shipping container in communication with the first and second shipping containers. 
     
     
         32 . The array of shipping containers on a shipping vessel according to  claim 30  wherein the common pressure source comprises a pump. 
     
     
         33 . The array of shipping containers on a shipping vessel according to  claim 32  further comprising a back up pump. 
     
     
         34 . The array of shipping containers on a shipping vessel according to  claim 33  further comprising a second back up pump. 
     
     
         35 . The array of shipping containers on a shipping vessel according to  claim 30  further comprising a backup power source for generating electrical power. 
     
     
         36 . The array of shipping containers on a shipping vessel according to  claim 35  further comprising a second backup power source for generating electrical power. 
     
     
         37 . The array of shipping containers on a shipping vessel according to  claim 30  wherein the common source of electrical power is located in a shipping container in communication with each of the first and second shipping containers. 
     
     
         38 . The array of shipping containers on a shipping vessel according to  claim 30  wherein each shipping container with livestock receives a continuous supply of electrical power and a continuous supply of pressurized water. 
     
     
         39 . The array of shipping containers on a shipping vessel according to  claim 38  wherein each shipping container further comprises internal lighting. 
     
     
         40 . A system for stacking shipping containers which are transporting livestock on a shipping vessel comprising:
 a. a first shipping container for transporting livestock, the first shipping container having an opening accessible from a deck of the shipping vessel during shipment;   b. a second shipping container for transporting livestock stacked in a vertical relation above the first shipping container, the second shipping container having an opening elevated from the deck of the shipping vessel, wherein each of the first and second shipping containers are supplied with pressurized water and with electrical power; and   c. an external catwalk in communication with the second shipping container providing access to the opening of the second shipping container during shipment.   
     
     
         41 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 40  further comprising a ladder in communication with the external catwalk for accessing the external catwalk from the deck of the shipping vessel. 
     
     
         42 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 40  further comprising a spacer stacked between the first shipping container and the second shipping container. 
     
     
         43 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 41  wherein the external catwalk is provided as a portion of the spacer which extends beyond the first and second containers. 
     
     
         44 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 42  wherein the spacer is dimensioned to be congruent with the profile of the first and second shipping containers on three out of four sides. 
     
     
         45 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 43  wherein the external catwalk is provided with railings. 
     
     
         46 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 41  further comprising:
 a. a third shipping container for transporting livestock, the third shipping container having an opening accessible from a deck of the shipping vessel during shipment; 
 b. a forth shipping container for transporting livestock stacked in a vertical relation above the third shipping container, the fourth shipping container having an opening elevated from the deck of the shipping vessel, wherein each of the third and fourth shipping containers are supplied with pressurized water and with electrical power; and 
 c. an external catwalk in communication with the fourth shipping container providing access to the fourth shipping container wherein the opening of the fourth shipping container is accessible from the external catwalk during shipment and wherein the external catwalk associated with the fourth shipping container is in communication with the external catwalk associated with the second shipping container. 
 
     
     
         47 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 46  wherein a bridge connects the external catwalk associated with the second shipping container to the external catwalk associated with the fourth container. 
     
     
         48 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 47  wherein the bridge further comprises railings. 
     
     
         49 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 46  further comprising a safety harness. 
     
     
         50 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 41  wherein the spacer comprises an even weight distribution. 
     
     
         51 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 50  wherein the even weight distribution is achieved with a counter weight opposite the external catwalk portion of the spacer. 
     
     
         52 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 40  wherein the second shipping container is provided with absorbent bedding. 
     
     
         53 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 52  wherein absorbent bedding is added periodically throughout the duration of a shipment. 
     
     
         54 . The system for stacking shipping containers according to  claim 40  wherein the second shipping container is provided with a liquid tight bottom surface. 
     
     
         55 . The system of stacking shipping containers according to  claim 40  wherein the first shipping container is internally divided into a feed storage area and a livestock storage area by a feed partition. 
     
     
         56 . The system of stacking shipping container according to  claim 55  wherein the opening in the first shipping container accessible from the deck of the shipping vessel provides access to the feed storage portion of the interior of the shipping vessel. 
     
     
         57 . The system of stacking shipping containers according to  claim 40  wherein the second shipping container is internally divided into a feed storage area and a livestock storage area by a feed partition. 
     
     
         58 . The system of stacking shipping container according to  claim 57  wherein the opening in the second shipping container provides access to the feed storage portion of the interior of the shipping vessel and is accessible from the external catwalk. 
     
     
         59 . A method of stacking shipping containers for shipping livestock on a shipping vessel comprising the steps of:
 a. loading livestock into a first shipping container;   b. loading livestock into a second shipping container;   c. lifting the first shipping container on to the deck of a shipping vessel;   d. securing the first shipping container into place on the deck of the shipping vessel;   e. lifting the second shipping container into place above the first shipping container; and   f. securing the second shipping container above the first shipping container.   
     
     
         60 . A system of shipping livestock in shipping containers on a shipping vessel comprising:
 a. at least one shipping container for transporting livestock having a personnel opening on a shipping vessel, the at least one shipping container being elevated relative to a supporting surface of the shipping vessel; and   b. a catwalk in communication with the at least one shipping container and in communication with the supporting surface of the shipping vessel for providing access to the personnel opening of the elevated shipping container.   
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60  wherein the catwalk is in direct communication with the supporting surface of the shipping vessel. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 60  a ladder connects the catwalk to the supporting surface of the shipping vessel. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 60  wherein the shipping container further comprises an electrical connection for receiving electrical power and a water connection for receiving water. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 60  wherein the shipping container containing livestock is elevated from a supporting surface of the shipping vessel by at least one shipping container. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 60  wherein the at least one shipping container is modified to accommodate livestock. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 60  further comprising a second elevated shipping container for transporting livestock, the second elevated shipping container having a personnel opening adjacent to the personnel opening of the first elevated shipping container. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 66  wherein the personnel opening of the first elevated shipping container and the personnel opening of the second elevated shipping container are accessible from the catwalk. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 60  further comprising a common water source for delivering drinking water to each of the shipping containers. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 60  wherein each shipping container is adapted to receive electrical power. 
     
     
         70 . A system for shipping livestock comprising:
 a. a first group of shipping containers comprising at least a first shipping container and a second shipping container stacked above the first shipping container, the second shipping container having a front side with a personnel opening;   b. a second group of shipping containers comprising at least a third shipping container adjacent to the first shipping container and a fourth shipping container stacked above the third shipping container, the fourth shipping container having a front side with a personnel opening, wherein the personnel opening of the fourth container is adjacent to the personnel opening of the second container; and   c. a catwalk disposed between the first group of shipping containers and the second group of shipping containers, wherein the personnel openings of the second and fourth shipping containers are accessible from the catwalk.   
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 68  wherein the second and the fourth shipping containers contain livestock. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 69  wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth shipping containers contain livestock. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 62  wherein the shipping containers are loaded on a shipping vessel. 
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 68  wherein the catwalk is suspended from the first group and the second group of containers. 
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 68  wherein the catwalk further comprises a ladder for access. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 68  wherein the catwalk further comprises attachment points for a safety harness. 
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 68  wherein the first group of shipping containers comprises a second row having a top and a bottom container, and wherein the second group further comprises a second row of shipping containers having a top and a bottom container wherein the top container in the second row of the first group has a personnel opening adjacent to a personnel opening in the top container in the second row of the second group. 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 75  wherein the personnel openings of the top container in the second row of the first group and the top container in the second row of the second group are accessible from the catwalk. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 76  further comprising a third row of shipping containers, wherein top containers in each of the first group and the second group are accessible from the catwalk. 
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 79  further comprising between a total of about four and eighty rows of containers. 
     
     
         81 . The system of  claim 68  wherein each container is supplied with water and electricity. 
     
     
         82 . The system of  claim 68  further comprising a safety harness for attachment to the catwalk. 
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 68  further comprising third and fourth groups of containers, wherein the third and fourth groups comprises at least a first and second row of stacked containers, and wherein the top containers in the first and second rows of each group are accessible by a catwalk. 
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 68  wherein the catwalk is connected to the first group of containers and the second group of containers.