GB2406160A

GB2406160A - Storage cabinet with heated/cooled region and programmable lock

Info

Publication number: GB2406160A
Application number: GB0319169A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Rogers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-15
Filing date: 2003-08-15
Publication date: 2005-03-23
Also published as: GB0319169D0

Abstract

A storage cabinet 11 enclosing a storage space 12 comprising a housing 13 having an access opening 14 closable by an access door 15 has a region 16 of the storage space in heat exchange relationship with a heating or cooling means whereby the region can be maintained at a temperature differing than that of the remainder of the storage space. A lock 18 for the door 15 has a first position wherein the door is maintained in a secure closed configuration preventing access to the space; and a second position wherein the access door is released to enable access to be had to the storage space. The lock 18 has a programmable keyboard 18A so that an input code can be set at one of a number of possible values at the discretion of a user of the cabinet. The heating or cooling means may be pipes 17 of a refrigerator R. A second access such as a sprung flap allows insertion but not removal of articles without operating the lock. The cabinet may be located outside a house for receiving delivered goods.

Description

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STORAGE UNIT 24061 60 This invention relates to a storage unit.

There is an increasing provision of home delivery of goods on a regular basis. Thus a customer can supply an order to a supermarket chain by use of the Internet for the subsequent delivery to an address specified by the customer. Such an order can include items that should be kept at least cool if not frozen.

According to the present invention there is provided a storage unit enclosing storage space comprising a housing having an access opening closable by an access door characterized by: a region of the storage space being in heat exchange relationship with means whereby the region can be maintained at a temperature differing than that of the remainder of the storage space; a locking means for the access door opening having a first position wherein the access door is maintained in a first, secure closed, configuration obturating the opening; and a second position wherein the access door is released to enable access to be had to the storage space; the locking means being programmable so that an input to the locking means to cause it to move from the first to the second configuration can be set at one of a number of possible values at the discretion of a user of the unit.

According to a first preferred version of the present invention a second access door is provided to give access to a part of the storage space, which could include or comprise the region, so that an article can be inserted into the storage space without making use of the access door; the second access door serving to enable an article to be entered into the storage space without enabling the article to be removed by way of the second access door.

e cee: .. cece' :e:e According to a second preferred version of the present invention or of the first preferred version thereof the heat exchange means is a cooling means forming part of a refrigerating unit.

According to a third preferred version of the present invention or of any preceding preferred version thereof the unit is provided with electrical circuitry whereby power can be supplied to a unit located within or by way of the unit.

According to a fourth preferred version of the present invention or of any preceding preferred version thereof the locking means includes a key pad or other means for enabling an instruction to be entered into the storage unit to provide for a predetermined functioning to occur such as the opening or closing of the first access door.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing of a storage cabinet of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front and the right hand side; and Figure 2 is a sectional view on section II - II of Figure 1.

The Figures show a storage cabinet 11 comprising a housing 12 enclosing a storage space 13 reached through access opening 14 closable by an access door 15.

Region 16 of storage space 13 is in good heat exchange relationship with cooling pipes 17 whereby the region 16 can be maintained at a temperature lower than ambient. The pipes 17 are incorporated in a refrigerator unit R built into the housing for linking to a mains power supply.

A button operated lock 18 with a keyboard 18A is used to regulate operation of the access door 15. In the Figures the access door 15 is shown in its open position providing for ready access to the interior of the housing.12. In its closed position lock 18 engages with a complementary fitting 19 on the housing to prevent movement of the access door 15 and thereby preventing access to the storage space 13. The lock 18 is eq. ;: me; atoll. :e programmable by a proprietor of the cabinet to enable the lock 18 to set a selected one of a number of possible operating values by way of keyboard 18A at the discretion of the proprietor.

The storage cabinet 11 is located in an entry porch to a house of the proprietor of the cabinet. The cabinet can be secured to a part of the house structure to resist unauthorized removal.

A delivery person from a supermarket having something to deliver to the proprietor arrives at the cabinet with access door 15 locked shut. The deliverer enters an approved code on keyboard 18A to release the lock 18 and places the required goods in the storage space 13. Any chilled goods in the delivery are readily placed in region 16 so that cooling provided by way of pipes 17 maintains the goods at a suitable bulk temperature. :; The storage cabinet of the present invention is intended for use particularly with deliveries such as groceries' involving a product that is preferably stored in the cooled region. Other variants are envisaged falling within the scope of the present invention.

Thus access to the cooled region could be by way of a separate access means with its own control for regulating access. The separate access such as a spring loaded flap arrangement. The flap provides for the one way insertion of articles such as milk bottles so that they can be readily placed within the cooled region by way of the separate access while not allowing for the articles to be removed by way of the separate access but only by way of the main access. Thus a milkman delivering goods would be able to insert them into the cabinet without requiring an unlocking means.

Claims

1 A storage unit enclosing a storage space comprising a housing having an access opening closable by an access door characterized by: a region of the storage space being in heat exchange relationship with heating or cooling means whereby the region can be maintained at a temperature differing than that of the remainder of the storage space; a locking means for the access door opening having a first position wherein the access door is maintained in a first, secure closed, configuration obturating the opening; and a second position wherein the access door is released to enable access to be had to the storage space; the locking means being programmable so that an input to the locking means to cause it to move from the first to the second configuration can be set at one of a number of possible.

values at the discretion of a user of the unit. :

2 A storage unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a second access door is provided:.

to give access to a part of the storage space, which could include or comprise the....

region, so that an article can be inserted into the storage space without making... ë

use of the access door; the second access door serving to enable an article to be entered into the storage space without enabling the article to be removed by way of the second access door.

3 A storage unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the heat exchange means is a cooling means forming part of a refrigerating unit.

4 A storage unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the unit is provided with electrical circuitry whereby power can be supplied to a unit located within or by way of the unit.

A storage unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the locking means includes a key pad or other means for enabling an instruction to be entered into the storage unit to provide for a predetermined functioning to occur such as the opening or closing of the first access door.

6 A storage unit as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. e ë

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