Michael D Mullen

US Patent:

20080052093, Feb 28, 2008

Filed:

Aug 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/467042

Inventors:

Brian Swindle - Sugar Grove IL, US
Paul Fisher - Oak Park IL, US
Michael Mullen - Northbrook IL, US
Daniel Hemmer - Hinsdale IL, US
James Ford - Lisle IL, US

Assignee:

CENTERPOINT REALTY SERVICES, INC. - Oak Brook IL

International Classification:

G06Q 10/00
G06Q 30/00

US Classification:

705 1

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus to operate an intermodal facility are disclosed. In the method described herein, a carrier enters into a contractual agreement with a separate intermodal facility owner to have exclusive use of the intermodal facility. Alternatively, a rail-to-truck and/or truck-to-rail intermodal facility owner may provide non-exclusive use to multiple railroads. Preferably, the carrier has no minimum use requirements associated with the intermodal facility. For example, the carrier is not required to transfer a certain number of containers in a certain period of time, and the carrier does not have to pay a periodic fee to the intermodal facility owner. Instead, the shipper associated with the carrier is charge by the intermodal facility owner based on the amount of intermodal facility use (e.g., on a per container basis). In one embodiment, a real estate developer is the intermodal facility owner. In addition, the real estate developer preferably builds a business park near the intermodal facility in order to capture the related business.

US Patent:

20090119210, May 7, 2009

Filed:

Oct 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/262938

Inventors:

Brian Swindle - Sugar Grove IL, US
Paul Fisher - Oak Park IL, US
Michael Mullen - Northbrook IL, US
Daniel Hemmer - Hinsdale IL, US
James Ford - Lisle IL, US

Assignee:

CenterPoint Realty Services, Inc. - Oak Brook IL

International Classification:

G06Q 50/00
G06Q 99/00
G06Q 30/00
G06Q 20/00

US Classification:

705 40, 705 1, 705400

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus to operate an intermodal facility are disclosed. In a method described herein, a carrier enters into a contractual agreement with a separate intermodal facility owner to have exclusive use of the intermodal facility. Alternatively, a rail-to-truck and/or truck-to-rail intermodal facility owner may provide non-exclusive use to multiple railroads. In one embodiment, the contractual agreement is a contingent lease. For example, if intermodal facility use falls below a threshold, a carrier may terminate the contingent lease. Preferably, the carrier has no minimum use requirements associated with the intermodal facility. Instead, the shipper associated with the carrier is charged by the intermodal facility owner based on the amount of intermodal facility use (e.g., on a per container basis). In one preferred embodiment, a real estate developer owns the intermodal facility and builds a business park near the intermodal facility in order to capture the related business.