DE10101680A1 - System for temporary safekeeping of postal or courier items has a fixed support to which storage containers are attached until they are removed by an authorized person identifying themselves to an identifying unit - Google Patents

Abstract

System for delivery and temporary safekeeping of objects, in which objects to be temporarily stored are placed in a container (1) by an authorized person. Equally an authorized person can remove them from said container. The system comprises a container for lockable containment of an object, a fixed support element (2) and an identification element (3). One or more containers (1a, 1b) can be detachably connected to the fixed carrier. The identification element can communicate with a mobile telephone, laptop, etc. and is controlled by a data processing device (5).

Description

The invention relates to a system for delivery and temporary handling objects, especially postal or courier deliveries broadcasts. The invention further relates to a carrier element and a container ter for such a system.

Post and courier services are known as the state of the art, which on request delivery of individual mail or courier consignments to a customer and hand over the respective shipment to the customer present. Such one Delivery of postal or courier shipments is problematic, however, if the Orderer or the target person cannot be found, since then more u. U. unsuccessful delivery attempts must also be made.

The invention has for its object to offer a delivery system, wel ches a delivery of mail or courier shipments without unsuccessful delivery try allows. Furthermore, a carrier element and a container for a such delivery system are offered.

In the delivery and temporary system according to the invention Safekeeping of objects, in particular of postal or to be delivered Courier shipments, e.g. B. letters, parcels or packages, the aufbe preserved items from at least one beneficiary from a container removed or stored in this.  

The system according to the invention comprises at least one container for ver lockable receptacle of the objects to be kept, at least one stationary support element for detachable fastening of a container as well at least one identification element for identifying an authorized person.

With the system according to the invention it is achieved that the goods to be delivered regardless of the presence of the beneficiary (target person) of the respective Delivery service delivered and in a container of the system to pass which can be stored temporarily. Such a container is there on a stationary support element (e.g. a pillar or a wall (hanging) device) z. B. attached via a snap connection and can in various publicly accessible locations (e.g. bank, post office or Official offices) or as a sorting letter box also in individual city, or residential areas or in individual houses. The Ge to be served item is securely stored in the lockable container until the load after successful identification authorized to open the container and is entitled to remove the item. So that the time of the Delivery of the item by the delivery company regardless of The time of removal can be chosen by an authorized person so that he unsuccessful delivery attempts are avoided and a time-saving and direct Delivery takes place that meets the time requirements of both the delivery service provider and the ordering party.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the system, this also has a payment element for making a payment to the beneficiary, that is especially the person who brought the transported item from the respective remove the container or an item to be returned into a insert such container. In this context, the lockable Containers for the beneficiary can only be opened if next to him consequent identification also a sufficient payment by the calc takes place.  

Several can be on the described stationary support element of the system re container can be detachably and securely fastened, thereby the respective Carrier elements as collection points for the storage of goods to be transported stands from the delivery service provider and for the removal of the respective deliverer Items can be used by the individual beneficiaries. Such carriers elements can e.g. B. set up on the entrance streets of residential areas or be mounted so that the resident right z. B. at evening home coming for them from the items on the carrier element attached containers can remove.

According to a further pre-tailed embodiment, the individual Be Containers can also be connected together, creating a modular container construction arises and only individual containers in turn with the support element are connected. As a result, a plurality of Containers are attached.

The connection of the individual containers with each other and / or with the Trä gerelement can a (detachable) mechanical connection and an electrical be a electronic, optical or radio data connection. In the case of a data connection, you can move between the individual containers and / or the carrier element with a z. B. Existing IT unit Informa the container status (e.g. open / closed, filled / empty) to the respective because EDP unit for query by the delivery service or by the Be entitled to be passed on. A delivery service can be experienced in this way whether filled containers have already been emptied by the respective authorized party, see above that the respective container can be picked up again. Furthermore, from Delivery service are queried whether an authorized z. B. in connection with a return has filled a container to Ge to complain about send items back. In these cases, the delivery service can do this pick up the container again.  

Finally, the beneficiary z. B. from (mobile) phone or via the Internet ask whether on a support element, the z. B. as a collection point your own Is assigned to residential area, a shipment is available for him.

The identification element for identifying the beneficiary, in particular Objects delivered by an orderer can be attached to the carrier element his. The beneficiary has to do this personally before opening the container to identify properly. This can e.g. B. via a credit or debit card, another magnetic stripe card or other in the course of technological Further development of conceivable methods (e.g. via electronically readable ID, Fingerprint, pupil scanning etc.) happen.

Such an identification element on the carrier element can also be from the person nal of the delivery service used to have a permission to attach delivery / collection of containers.

When connecting the identification element to a payment element the beneficiary z. B. both when picking up an item identify and pay the invoice of the delivery service. If both Iden tification and payment were successful, the respective calculation Assigned containers are opened on the carrier element, so that the Authorized can remove the item stored there.

The system according to the invention enables the transfer and payment of a object to be delivered to an identified authorized person around the Clock, so that unsuccessful delivery attempts are excluded and still secure delivery to the beneficiary with payment (principle "goods ge against money ") is achieved.

If now an identification element and / or a payment element directly to a container is attached, all functions of the invention  System, in particular an identification of the beneficiary and the Execution of a payment already in connection with a single Be be carried out. This would be beneficial if the delivery service provided the one individual container on purely mechanical stationary support elements z. B. in Attaches house entrances of apartment buildings, so that the right te, when he comes home, the respective container by identification and Open payment at the identification and payment element of the container and the Remove the delivered goods or in the case of a return (e.g. due to a re complaint) can insert the goods.

Via one attached to the carrier element or to at least one container Computer unit (e.g. a small computer) can transfer data between the individual system elements, especially between identification elements ment, payment element, carrier element and / or at least one container (z. B. with its closure element) take place. Via the EDP unit a Data transfer and control of functions between each Elements.

The EDP unit advantageously has a communication element for data transmission by electrical, electronic, optical means or can be done by radio. So individual can on a support element or EDP units attached to a container from the delivery service or from the Be entitled "radioed" to find out whether the respective container be have already been emptied or whether a container is attached to a specific carrier element has received a consignment for a beneficiary. Such one Communication of the delivery service or the authorized person with the IT unit can also be done via (mobile) phone in particular. This creates an "intel ligentes delivery system, its status and operating data from the delivery service or can be queried by an authorized person.  

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the invention ß delivery system several stationary carrier elements at different locations, so that a nationwide or even nationwide network of carrier elements ten is set up via which delivery services directly in the vicinity of the billing can deliver and delivery without personal encounter of the Authorized can take place.

In such a network with a plurality or a plurality of carrier elements can EDP units of the individual carrier elements or the container to the individual carrier elements in connection with each other for data exchange stand. So z. B. from a support element to adjacent support elements are reported, how many loads to be picked up and already emptied Containers are present on the present support element. Next to the communica tion of the support elements and / or containers with each other via their EDP units others can also exchange data with a central station, e.g. B. a Com computer center of the delivery service. With this, the delivery service all relevant status or operating data of the individual carrier elements Detect elements with the attached containers and react accordingly yaw. So z. B. in the case of a request from a person entitled to a particular want to send the object, a container on a carrier element in the Be provided near the place of residence of the beneficiary. Furthermore, about the central station will then be queried when the container with the back the object to be sent was filled by the entitled party, in order to To initiate collection by the delivery service.

The EDP unit has one for the execution of the respective data transfers suitable means of communication, the data transmission on electri can be done schematically, electronically or optically or by radio. The mobile staff of the delivery service and / or the authorized can via ge suitable means of communication, e.g. B. mobile phone or laptop computer (with Modem) a data exchange with individual carrier elements or containers  or carry out with the central station. This allows the status and loading drive states of the respective carrier systems with the containers partially or be completely queried.

The invention further relates to a carrier element for a delivery system, in particular for a delivery system of the type described, which has at least one Connection element with a container for closable recording preserving objects can be connected. There is a connection element of the support element can, for. B. as a known slider, per se Known snap connection known for connecting shopping carts or designed as a known electromagnetic closure, etc. his.

If the delivery system container to be attached to the carrier element corresponding coupling with the connecting element of the carrier element Has element, the respective container can be attached to the carrier element become. If the coupling element is designed as a ring, a connection can be made extension of the container with the support element z. B. done in that by the ring of the container for a slidable slide of the carrier element Lock is passed through and out again to release. On For this purpose, the ring attached to the container can be used for space-saving transport of the Container detached from the carrier element advantageously to the container be folded. The container can have a handle for transport.

The invention is based on exemplary embodiments in the drawing figures explained in more detail. Show it:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a delivery system with carrier element and attached containers.

Fig. 2 is a view of a container,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a container according to Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of a delivery system according to Fig. 1 and

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a delivery system with several ren carrier elements and a central station.

Fig. 1 shows a system for the delivery and temporary storage of objects with a stationary carrier element 2 , to which containers 1 a, 1 b for the lockable reception of objects to be kept are releasably attached. At the upper end of the carrier element 2 is an inte grated identification element 3 with payment element 4 and a slot 9 , z. B. for the introduction of a magnetic stripe card to identify a calculated person. The carrier element 2 is on a stand 11 and can, for. B. can also be attached to a wall (e.g. a house wall) (not shown).

In the carrier element 2 , further openings 10 are provided, so that further loading container 1 can be attached to the carrier element 2 if the delivery service considers this necessary or if a new container 1 is requested by the authorized person to return an item. Furthermore, further containers 1 c can be attached to the containers 1 a, 1 b, so that only the containers 1 a, 1 b are connected to the carrier element 2 and the further loading containers 1 c are modular to the containers 1 a, 1 b are attached (see FIG. 4). Be the container 1 can also have different (modularly graded) sizes and air-conditioned via a cooling unit on the container 1 or on the support element 2 (not shown).

On the carrier element 2 , a computer unit 5 (z. B. a small computer) is brought, which with the carrier element 2 , the identification element 3 , the payment element 4 and / or the container 1 a, 1 b (or another not shown Container 1 c) is connected. About this computer unit 5 status and operating data of the system according to the invention are recorded. So z. B. it can be determined whether the container 1 a, 1 b (or 1 c) open or closed, filled or empty and whether, after identification of an authorized person on the identification element 3, the container 1 a, 1 b can be opened. The EDP unit 5 has, as communication means, an antenna 12 for data exchange with other carrier elements 2 or with a central station 6 (cf. FIG. 5).

From Fig. 2 is an enlarged and schematic view of the container 1 1 is a according to Fig. Forth. The lid 13 a is shown open for filling the container 1 a. The container 1 a has closure elements 14 , 15 which, for. B. can be designed as a known snap elements or per se known electromagnetically actuated closure element. On the back of this container 1 a, which cannot be seen, there is a coupling element, via which the container 1 a can be attached to the carrier element 2 (cf. FIGS. 3, 4). At the top of the container 1 a is a z. B. electrical or elec tronic contact element 16 which has contacts 26 . If several containers 1 are attached adjacent to one another, electrical, electronic or other transmission between adjacent containers 1 can take place as shown in FIG. 3. On the container 1 a further contact elements for contacting adjacent additional containers 1 can also be attached (not shown).

In the partial top view of the container 1 a according to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows a coupling element designed as a ring 8 , which has a dotted slide 7 of the carrier element 2 in a recess 27 for releasably fastening the container 1 a to the carrier element 2 can accommodate (see. Fig. 4). FIG. 4 shows in a partial sectional view according to FIG. 1 the attachment of the containers 1 a, 1 b to the carrier element 2 . The carrier element 2 is shown in a vertical sectional view. To attach the containers 1 a, 1 b to the carrier element 2 , fingers 8 a, 8 b of the containers 1 a, 1 b engage in openings 10 of the carrier element 2 . These rings 8 a, 8 b have seen in plan view - from loading container 1 a towards container 1 b - z. B. a U-shaped shape (see. Fig. 3). In the recess 27 (cf. FIG. 3) of these U-shaped rings 8 a, 8 b, slide 7 a, 7 b of the carrier element 2 engage from above, as shown. These slides 7 a, 7 b can be moved vertically up and down in the direction 25 . In the position shown, the slider 7 a, 7 b are moved down and engage in the described recesses 27 of the rings 8 a, 8 b, so that the container 1 a, 1 b on the carrier element 2 are introduced.

To release a container 1 a, 1 b, the respective slide 7 a, 7 b would first have to be moved vertically upward in the direction of displacement 25 . This can be done electromagnetically in a manner known per se or via a gear mechanism known per se, which is integrated in the carrier element 2 (not shown in more detail).

When a new container 1 is delivered by the delivery service, a free space for the container 1 is first selected with an opening 10 which has not yet been occupied. Then the slider 7 is moved vertically in the direction of displacement 25 by the personnel of the delivery service by appropriate actuation of the mechanics or the electromagnetic mechanism in the carrier element 2 . The respective ring 8 of the new container 1 can thus be inserted into the opening 10 . The slide 7 can then be moved downward again and thus locks the container 1 in place . The container 1 can therefore no longer be removed and removed only by re-actuating the slide 7 by the personnel of the delivery service.

While a mechanical and detachable connection between the container 1 and the carrier element 2 is made via the illustrated rings 8 and slide 7 , an electrical, electronic or otherwise known connection between the containers 1 a, 1 b and the carrier element 2 via attached to the containers 1 a, 1 b Kon contact elements 19 , 21 , which elements with corresponding Kontaktele 18 , 20 of the carrier element 2 enter into a connection. Electrical or electronic connections can be made by known plug and snap contacts. From Fig. 4 also shows a direct elec trical or electronic connection between the containers 1 a, 1 b, which takes place via the contact elements 16 , 17 of the container 1 a, 1 b.

Finally, in Fig. 4 - in addition to Fig. 1 - another container 1 c is presented, which is not attached directly to the carrier element 2 , but is connected via a separate coupling element 23 with a coupling element 22 of the container 1 b. Coupling elements 22 , 23 of this type can only be opened or closed by the delivery service and can be designed as snap or plug connections known per se. By such a ge attachment of a further container 1 c to a container 1 b already attached to the carrier element 2 b, a modular container arrangement can be created overall, with only a single or a few of the individual containers 1 being directly connected to the carrier element 2 . The coupling elements 22 , 23 can be attached to any suitable location of the respective container - not just on the underside (not shown).

The container 1 c can also be connected directly to the carrier element 2 when the container 1 c is brought in an area of the carrier element 2 to which there is an opening 10 . Then the folded in the illustration of FIG. 3 ring 8 c of the container 1 c in the folding direction 24 can be folded out again and the arrangement of the rings 8 a, 8 b of the container 1 a, 1 b according to FIG. 3.

On the container 1 c, an identification element 3 , a payment element 4 and / or an EDP unit 5 can also be attached, so that the functions described in this context can also be carried out without a carrier element 2 (not shown). The system according to the invention for the delivery and temporary storage of objects has particularly extensive advantages if a plurality of carrier elements 2 are provided, which are attached over a considerable area or even nationwide.

Via EDP units 5 (cf. FIG. 1), the individual carrier elements 2a-2g according to FIG. 5 can enter into a data exchange, which is partially indicated by arrows, and furthermore data with a central station 6 , e.g. B. a center of the To service, exchange. By the central station 6, the state and performance data of all carrier elements 2 a- 2 may g queried and may Festge be provides, which containers were 1 on which support element 2 already emptied and if a new container 1 through a Be z privileged to a support member. 2 B. was filled to return an item. Furthermore, after the container 1 has been filled by the delivery service, authorized persons can, for. B. be informed by e-mail or SMS message that the desired goods can be picked up in the containers 1 . Finally, unauthorized theft or breakage of containers 1 can be determined. If the individual containers 1 are also equipped with a GPS system (Global Positioning System), the containers can also be located if they are used without permission. If a large number of carrier elements are used by a delivery service, nationwide delivery can be achieved without the respective target person actually having to be found. The delivery service can also fill the individual containers at night with less traffic. The delivery systems can also use existing infrastructure and as Trägerele element 2 for attaching containers 1 also z. B. already existing and accordingly adapted mailboxes or phone boxes.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

container

2

support element

3

identification element

4

payment element

5

Computer unit

6

Central station

7

pusher

8th

ring

9

slot

10

opening

11

stand

12

antenna

13

cover

14

.

15

closure element

16

.

17

contact element

18

.

19

contact element

20

.

21

contact element

22

.

23

clutch

24

folding direction

25

displacement direction

26

Contact

27

recess

Claims (26)

1. System for the delivery and temporary storage of objects, in particular mail or courier items to be delivered, eg. B. letters, parcels or parcels, the stored items from at least one beneficiary being removed from a container ( 1 ) or deposited therein, with
at least one container ( 1 ) for the lockable storage of the objects to be stored,
at least one stationary support element ( 2 ) for releasable fastening of the container ( 1 ) and
at least one identification element ( 3 ) for identifying the authorized person. 2. System according to claim 1, with at least one payment element ( 4 ) for making a payment of the beneficiary. 3. System according to claim 1 or 2, with a carrier element ( 2 ) for solvable fastening several containers ( 1 ). 4. System according to any one of claims 1-3, with a plurality of interconnectable containers ( 1 ). 5. System according to claim 4, wherein the individual containers ( 1 ) can be mechanically connected to one another. 6. System according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the individual containers ( 1 ) can be connected to one another electrically, electronically, optically or by radio. 7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification element ( 3 ) is attached to the carrier element ( 2 ). 8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification element ( 3 ) is attached to at least one container ( 1 ). 9. System according to any one of claims 2-8, wherein the identification element ( 3 ) with the payment element ( 4 ) can be connected. 10. System according to claim 9, wherein a ver with a payment element ( 4 ) connected identification element ( 3 ) is designed as a card reader. 11. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an EDP unit ( 5 ) is provided. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer unit on a Trägerele element ( 2 ) is attached. 13. The system of claim 11 or 12, wherein the computer unit ( 5 ) is attached to at least one container ( 1 ). 14. System according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein the computer unit ( 5 ) for data transmission between the identification element ( 3 ), payment element ( 4 ), carrier element ( 2 ) and / or at least one container ( 1 ) is used. 15. System according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein the computer unit ( 5 ) has a communication element for data transmission. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication element for electri electronic, optical or radio data transmission. 17. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of stationary support elements ( 2 ) are provided at different locations. 18. System according to claim 17, wherein the individual carrier elements ( 2 ) have EDP units ( 5 ) with communication elements for data exchange with one another. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the individual computer units ( 5 ) have a communication element for data transmission with at least one central station ( 6 ). 20. System according to claim 19, wherein the central station ( 6 ) and / or an EDP unit ( 5 ) is designed for data exchange with an authorized person via a suitable communication means. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the communication means is a mobile phone or laptop computer. 22. Carrier element for a delivery system, in particular for a system according to one of claims 1-21, wherein the carrier element ( 2 ) via at least one connecting element with a container ( 1 ) can be connected. 23. Carrier element according to claim 20, wherein the connecting element is a slide ( 7 ). 24. Container for a delivery system for lockable receiving aufaufewah render objects, in particular for a system according to one of claims 1-21, wherein the container ( 1 ) via at least one coupling element with a stationary support element ( 2 ) can be connected. 25. The container of claim 24, wherein the coupling element is a ring ( 8 ). 26. A container according to claim 25, wherein the ring ( 8 ) on the container ( 1 ) is foldable.