US Patent 11254492 Collapsible intermodal container stacker and a stacking system

The present invention provides a collapsible intermodal container stacker, comprising: a stationary section and a movable section disposed adjacent the stationary section. The stationary section comprises: a substantially upright planar face part; and a side wall securing device configured to operatively connect to a first side wall of a collapsible intermodal container and to secure the first side wall in use against or with respect to the planar face part. The movable section comprises: a track extending substantially perpendicular to the planar face part; a carriage engaged with and movable along the track, the carriage being configured to attach to a second side wall of the collapsible intermodal container in use; and a lower wall moving device configured to operatively connect to a lower wall of the collapsible intermodal container and to move the lower wall in use such that the lower wall pivots upwards. In use, the pivotal movement of the lower wall causes the second side wall to move towards the first side wall and thereby the carriage to move towards the stationary section. The present invention also provides a stacking system comprising: a collapsible intermodal container stacker according to the present invention; and a collapsible intermodal container comprising: first and second side walls, a lower wall hingedly attached to a lower end of the second side wall; and a link member hingedly attached to the lower wall and a lower end of the first side wall such that, when the lower wall pivots towards the second side wall, the link member causes the first and second side walls to move towards each other.