Portable modular factory structure and method of constructing same

Abstract

A method of converting shipping containers containing factory equipment into a modular portable factory which comprises transporting the shipping containers to the factory site and aligning the containers in a side-by-side relation with their facing walls, to define the walls of the factory and floor of the factory. A roof structure spans over the top of the container to form top closure for the factory and access doors and stairways are provided in the factory. Shipping containers (main storage units) containing building materials are mounted on a foundation with the supply containers placed perpendicular, parallel or angled to the main storage units. The supply containers are movable by a supply track and the product moved by an assembly track, respectively, and turntables at the end of each of these tracks are operatively connected to the tracks to move the supplies or products in a desired direction. The invention also provides a novel portable modular factory which can be assembled on one site and readily disassembled for relocation to another site.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001] The present invention relates broadly to a method of on-site assembly of a modular structure and to the structure made by this method. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of on-site assembly of a factory using multiple shipping containers transported to the site and joined together at the site to form a factory, and which can be disassembled and moved to another site. In a particular aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of using shipping container modules for the construction of an open ended assembly line plant with continuous pass through of supplies externally and laterally of the assembly line, which plant is adapted to be disassembled and transported to another site.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002] The fabrication and assembly of a structure such as a house or a factory is usually accomplished on-site using conventional equipment, materials of construction and construction procedures. Several problems are commo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The present invention provides a method for constructing modular factory from standard shipping containers. The shipping containers which contain the equipment and parts in pre-assembled position are shipped to the site where they are linked together to define the walls of the factory which surround the factory equipment. A roof structure covers the shipping containers from one side wall to the other and one or more doors in the sides of the shipping container permits access to the interior of the factory. Supply containers can be mounted on a slab or other suitable surface adjacent the main storage containers, preferably in perpendicular relation, in order to assure the continuous supply of factory materials. An optional supply track moves the supply containers in order to deliver the supply materials inside the factory and also to transport products outside the factory. An optional foundation comprised of half height shipping containers raises the factory to a height of a conventional truck dock for tractor-trailers to dock to provide supplies.

[0021] The present invention also provides a portable modular factory which can be assembled on site and readily disassembled for transporting the factory to another site.

Problems solved by technology

Several problems are common and inherent in conventional construction of houses or other structures.

These problems include subcontracting the various disciplines and their coordination, safety, quality control, availability of materials at the time they are needed, weather-related delays, theft and vandalism, all of which can cause delay in completing the construction, frequently adding to the construction cost and resulting in reduction of anticipated profits.

As it can be appreciated, however, the transportation of pre-fabricated structures or "prefabs" as they are sometimes called, can be limited to their module size.

Thus, as a practical matter, it is inconvenient, impractical and economically disadvantageous to ship large factories or assembly plants from one site to another, often at distant location.

Images