EP2944232B1 - Mailbox system with removable mailbox - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a mailbox system for receiving at least one shipment, a use of such a mailbox system and a method for introducing at least one shipment into the interior of a mailbox and / or for removing at least one shipment from the interior of a mailbox of a corresponding mailbox system.

The delivery of correspondence is usually done by a deliverer throws the letters to be delivered in the mailboxes of the recipients of the letters. However, if the shipment includes at least one parcel or other item in addition to at least one letter or letter, delivery of the corresponding parcels is not possible in the manner described for letters because the mailboxes are not for receiving parcels and / or larger items are suitable. Packages are usually handed over by the deliverer to the recipient or a neighbor. It is also possible to store the packages in a packing station and to inform the recipient about this. The consignee of the consignment is also informed of an access code with which the consignee can pick up the consignment at the packing station. If the aforementioned options cease, the shipment will be stored in a store until the shipment is picked up by the recipient or returned to the sender.

From the US 5,337,953 A is a mailbox system, a use thereof as well as a method known from which the invention proceeds. Another mailbox system and its use are in the CH 570 143 A5 described.

The delivery of shipments comprising at least one undeliverable in normal mailboxes parcel and / or at least one package and / or of Consignments that have at least one other item is associated with more or less effort. There is therefore further need for optimization with regard to the delivery of such items.

The present invention is therefore based on the object, the mailbox system, the use and the method respectively of the type mentioned in such a way and further, that the delivery and / or delivery of shipments can be simplified.

This object is achieved in a mailbox system according to claim 1.

The invention is therefore based on the basic idea of releasably providing the mailbox to a mailbox holder, the mailbox serving to receive the mail. For this purpose, the mailbox has at least one access to an interior of the mailbox in order to be able to bring in a mailing or several mailings into the interior of the mailbox, where the mail can then be kept ready for pickup. Although this is associated with known mailboxes with increased effort. However, so the delivery, if necessary, the delivery of shipments, can be considerably simplified or at least made more flexible. Namely, the mailbox can be separated from the mailbox holder to effect the delivery. This can be done with the appropriate tools, such as suitable vehicles, if necessary, partially automated or even automatically. Ultimately, the mailbox system allows new and improved methods of delivery of shipments. Thus, it is not necessary for the mailbox to be manually removed from the mailbox holder for delivery or delivery. In addition, the mailbox can be easily sized so that the mailbox can accommodate even larger shipments. It can therefore be dispensed with the personal delivery of the shipments or the deposit of shipments at a location far away from the receiver.

Incidentally, the mailbox system allows the deposit of shipments by a sender in the mailbox. The at least one shipment can then be picked up from the mailbox and sent to the addressee or delivered. For depositing the same access to the interior of the mailbox can be used as needed, as for introducing at least one shipment in the mailbox at the recipient of the shipment. Thus, the mailbox system enables flexible and efficient handling.

The mailbox system is equally usable for different shipments. These are preferably correspondence, parcels and / or flyers. A flyer may, for example, also be a brochure, a magazine or a brochure, while a parcel shipment may be, for example, a parcel or a parcel. Incidentally, letters may be both letters and postcards, for example. Each letter and each postcard is a letter and every packet and every package is a parcel. But there are also other shipments in question, the items may be in the form of general cargo. For example, a consignment may be an everyday item such as a consumable, a hygiene article, and / or a food item.

In order to ensure this flexibility, the access in at least two mutually perpendicular directions in space, that is approximately in the width and the height, each have a dimension of at least 10 cm, preferably at least 20 cm, in particular at least 30 cm. Alternatively or additionally, the interior in three mutually perpendicular spatial directions, that is approximately in the width, the height and the depth, each at least 10 cm, preferably at least 20 cm, in particular at least 30 cm, be sized large to correspondingly large items of a shipment to be able to record. If the mailbox is to accommodate multiple shipments of items of different sizes, it may be appropriate if the interior of the mailbox is divided. For example, the interior may include at least one smaller compartment for smaller items and at least one larger compartment for larger items.

In the present case, we talk in particular about delivery, delivery and a supplier. In particular, in the case of a correspondence, a package and / or a flyer may alternatively be spoken by a delivery, the delivery and / or a delivery person, such as a special form of delivery, the delivery and / or the supplier. A strict separation between the terms is not required, however, since the meaning for the skilled person results from the context.

In a first preferred mailbox system, the mailbox is at least in the direction of gravity positively and / or non-positively held by the mailbox holder. This way, the postbox can be easily and securely held by the postbox holder. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the postbox is not only suspended in the postbox holder, but also inserted. In this way, it is easy to disconnect the mailbox from the mailbox holder and then reconnect. The mailbox can be easily unhooked and / or removed, to then be hung again and / or inserted. By connecting mailbox and mailbox holder can be understood in addition to the hanging, for example, an insertion. It is sufficient for the connection of the mailbox and mailbox holder so if necessary, a positive connection between the mailbox and Postkastenhalterung in the swivel force direction. But it can also be at least one positive connection and / or adhesion in a horizontal plane, ie perpendicular to the direction of gravity, provided. The at least one corresponding connection can then prevent, for example, an extension of the mailbox relative to the mailbox holder.

In order to keep the mailbox safe and, if necessary, to better protect against external influences, the postbox holder may have two side walls and a roof element connecting the side walls. For simplicity, the side walls are then parallel to each other and, if necessary, formed perpendicular to the roof element. Ultimately, a U-shaped post box holder may result, the Turn the thighs downwards and not upwards, as in the case of a U. The post box holder may thus have a U-shape that is upside down.

The mailbox has on opposite outer sides and the mailbox holder on opposite inner sides respectively corresponding holding units. In addition, the holding unit of the mailbox holder engages under the holding units of the mailbox. This allows a structurally simple design of the mailbox system and also a simple handling thereof. In this case, the opposite inner sides of the mailbox holder are preferably inner sides of the side walls. Then the mailbox is certainly at least partially included in the mailbox holder.

Constructively simple and at the same time it is expedient that the holding units of the mailbox are formed cone-shaped. The peg-shaped holding elements can also be used for easy removal of the mailbox and the simple re-connecting the post box and post box holder. A simple and expedient embodiment of the mailbox holder can be achieved alternatively or additionally in this context, if the holding units of the mailbox holder are formed like a rail.

So that the holding units can be used for removing the mailbox from the mailbox holder, the holding units of the mailbox holder are each at least 2.5 cm, in particular at least 5 cm, spaced from the adjacent outer sides of the mailbox. In the area between the holding elements of the mailbox holder and the outsides of the mailbox, the holding devices of the mailbox can then be grasped by a gripper unit which separates the mailbox from the mailbox holder and then reconnects it to the mailbox holder.

In order to be able to improve the handling of the mailbox, in particular in the state separate from the mailbox holder, the holding units of the mailbox between the corresponding holding units of the mailbox holder and the outer sides of the mailbox at least partially have a circular cross-section. Then, for example, the postbox separate from the mailbox holder can be easily rotated, for example, to dump a parcel held in the mailbox. Alternatively or additionally, the holding units of the mailbox in the region of the holding units of the mailbox holder may have a newly formed bottom portion. The holding units can be stored safely and stably on the holding units.

So that the mailbox is not inadvertently pulled out of the mailbox holder and / or lifted off the mailbox holder, the mailbox can be positively secured against removal and / or extraction of the mailbox. To make it impossible for unauthorized persons to be able to remove the mailbox, it makes sense that the mailbox is locked to the mailbox holder by means of a locking device which can be mechanically, electrically and / or magnetically locked and / or unlocked.

To protect a shipment in the interior of the mailbox from external influences, the mailbox has at least one closure element, in particular in the form of a flap, a slider or a door, wherein the closure element of a at least one access to the interior occluding position in a at least one access to the interior releasing position and can be adjusted back. The access can be for simplicity, an opening of the mailbox. In addition, in order to prevent unauthorized access into the interior of the mailbox, the closure element can be locked in the interior closing position by means of a locking device. In this case, the locking device can be assigned to the mailbox and / or the closure element. So that the locking device can be actuated easily and reliably, it makes sense if the locking device can be mechanically, electrically and / or magnetically locked and / or unlocked.

Against the background that the interior of the mailbox may need to be opened both when delivering a shipment and the owner of the mailbox or the shipment, it may be useful if at least two accesses to the interior of the mailbox are provided. An access can then be used, for example, by the mailbox owner and / or the consignment, while a supplier and / or a postal company uses the other access to deliver and / or pick up a consignment. In order nevertheless to close the interior of the mailbox to the outside, each access can be assigned at least one closure element, in particular in the form of a flap, a slider or a door. The respective closure element can be adjusted by a corresponding access to the interior occlusive position in a corresponding access to the interior releasing position and back. The access is then either available or blocked depending on the position of the closure element. To prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the mailbox, the closure element can also be locked in the interior closing position by means of a mechanically, electrically and / or magnetically locked and / or unlocked locking device with the mailbox.

The object mentioned at the beginning is also due to the use
a mailbox system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, for the introduction and / or removal of a shipment solved.

Thus, the mailbox system described above can be used simply and expediently for delivering consignments and / or for collecting consignments intended for dispatch, for instance by a postal company. Essentially, the advantages of the preferred embodiments of the mailbox system mentioned above can be used.

Particularly useful for the delivery, if necessary, the delivery, the shipment is when the mailbox system on a plot about the recipient of the Shipment is located. It is particularly expedient if the mailbox system is at most 5 m, preferably at most 2.5 m, in particular at most 1 m, from a bordering on a street property boundary. Then a shipment can be inserted from the street in the mailbox or removed from the mailbox. The supplier, if necessary the deliverer, does not have to run to the house of the consignee or consignor of a consignment, which leads to a considerable saving of distance and time, especially in rural areas. In addition, in this way an at least partially automated delivery of shipments is favored. The above-mentioned object is also achieved according to claim 13 by a method for introducing a consignment into the interior of a mailbox and / or for removing a consignment from the interior of a mailbox, in which preferably a mailbox system according to one of claims 1 to 10 is used.
The method is therefore based on the basic idea, not to bring a shipment in place in the mailbox and / or remove from the mailbox. Rather, the mailbox is initially separated from the mailbox holder. The Delivery and collection of shipments can thus be standardized even more, which leads to a time and cost savings. In addition, this method offers the possibility of at least partially automated delivery and / or collection of shipments. After the consignment has been introduced into the interior of the mailbox box which is separate from the mailbox holder, and / or the mail item has been removed from the interior of the mailbox box separated from the mailbox holder, the mailbox is reconnected to the mailbox holder.

In order for the mailbox not to be removed from a mailbox holder and returned to the mailbox holder, which requires increased effort and thus increased burden on the supplier, at least one holding unit may be disposed between an outside of the mailbox and a holding unit of the mailbox holder Gripper, if necessary in the form of a gripping arm, gripped and then
be separated by the gripper from the post box holder. In addition, an at least partially automated delivery of consignments and / or picking up of consignments prepared in the mailbox is thus possible in a simple manner.

In order to avoid external influences on the items in the mailbox and / or to prevent unauthorized access to items in the mailbox, it can be procedurally provided that the mailbox be opened before, during or after separation from the mailbox holder. Then the shipment can be introduced into the interior of the mailbox. So that the mailbox does not remain open, the mailbox is closed again before, during or after the mailbox is connected to the mailbox holder.

Fig. 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes Postkastensystem in einer Draufsicht von vorne,

Fig. 2

das Postkastensystem aus Fig. 1 in einer seitlichen Schnittansicht entlang der Ebene II-II aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

einen Verfahrensschritt des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens anhand des Postkastensystems aus Fig. 1 in einer Draufsicht auf das Postkastensystem von vorne und

Fig. 4

den Verfahrensschritt aus Fig. 1 in einer seitlichen Schnittansicht entlang der Ebene IV-IV aus Fig. 3.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing showing only one embodiment. In the drawing shows

Fig. 1

an inventive mailbox system in a plan view from the front,

Fig. 2

the mailbox system Fig. 1 in a side sectional view taken along the plane II-II Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a step of the method according to the invention on the basis of the mailbox system Fig. 1 in a plan view of the mailbox system from the front and

Fig. 4

the process step Fig. 1 in a side sectional view taken along the plane IV-IV Fig. 3 ,

In the Fig. 1 and 2 a mailbox system 1 comprising a mailbox 2 and a mailbox holder 3 is shown. The mailbox 2 is used to hold at least one shipment, in particular a correspondence, a parcel and / or a flyer, including the mailbox 2 has an interior and an access 4 to the interior. The access 4 to the interior is formed in the illustrated and insofar preferred mailbox 2 as an opening, which can be closed by a closure element 5 in the form of a connected via hinges 6 to the mailbox 2 door. Access to the interior of the mailbox 2 by unauthorized persons is prevented by means of a locking device 7 with which the closure element 5 can be locked on the mailbox 2.

The mailbox 2 is mounted in the illustrated and insofar preferred mailbox system 1 in a mailbox holder 3. The mailbox holder 3 has, on opposite sides of the mailbox 2, two side walls 8, which carry a roof element 9 arranged above the mailbox 2. The postbox holder 3 is thus U-shaped, but the U is upside down. The mailbox holder 3 has on the inner sides 10 of the side walls 8 rail-like, in particular horizontally extending, holding units 11 which cooperate with peg-like holding units 12 of the mailbox 2 to hold the mailbox 2 in the mailbox holder 3. The holding units 12 are on the mailbox 2 opposite outer sides 13 are provided. The holding units 12 of the mailbox have a lower flat surface 14 with which the holding units 12 rest stably on the holding units 11 of the mailbox holder 3 and thus largely prevent tilting of the mailbox 2 in the mailbox holder 3. For simplicity, the cooperating with the holding units 11 of the mailbox holder 3 areas 15 of the holding units 12 of the mailbox 2 as a rectangular profile, in particular as a square square profile formed. The design of the holding units 12 of the mailbox 2 also allows the mailbox 2 to be inserted into the mailbox holder 3.

Between the holding units 11 of the mailbox holder 3 and the outer sides 13 of the mailbox 2, the peg-like holding elements 12 of the mailbox 2 a region 16, which may be, for example, each 5 cm wide in the illustrated mailbox system and has a circular cross-section. This makes it possible to grasp the mailbox 2 by means of a gripper and lift it from the mailbox holder 3 and / or to pull it. In addition, the circular cross-section facilitates rotation of the mailbox 2 in the state removed from the mailbox holder 3.

Not shown is a locking device with which the mailbox 2 is secured against unintentional withdrawal and / or lifting the mailbox 2 from the mailbox holder 3. By means of the locking device, the mailbox 2 can be locked to the mailbox holder 3. In addition, the lock can be lifted mechanically, electrically or magnetically.

Not shown is further that the illustrated and so far preferred mailbox 2 at the top has a further access to the interior in the form of an opening. The access at the top of the mailbox 2 is associated with a closure element in the form of a slider. The closure element can be moved back and forth between a position closing the access and a position releasing the access. If necessary, could on a corresponding Closing element but also be dispensed with. In the illustrated and insofar preferred mailbox 2 the locking element is assigned to the top of the mailbox 2 no locking device. When the mailbox 2 is received in the mailbox holder 3 and locked with the mailbox holder 3, the access to the inside space at the top of the mailbox 2 is covered by the roof member 9 of the mailbox holder 3 anyway, so that engagement with the inside of the mailbox 2 is prevented , However, in the separate from the post box holder 3 state of the mailbox 2, the closure element can be easily pushed without first make an unlocking of the closure element. A locking device for locking the closure element on the mailbox 2 is dispensable due to the locking of the mailbox 2 to the postbox holder 3. Thus, a shipment can easily be inserted into the mailbox 2 or a shipment can be removed from the mailbox 2. It is also not necessary to open the closure element 5 in the form of a door at the front of the mailbox 2. The corresponding key for this purpose can therefore be reserved exclusively for the user of the mailbox 2, which serves as security against unauthorized access to the mailbox 2.

The removal of the mailbox 2 from the mailbox holder 3 is exemplary in the Fig. 3 and 4 shown. In the gap between the outer side 13 of the mailbox 2 and the inside 10 of the side walls 8 of the mailbox holder 3, a gripper G is retracted, which has two substantially parallel arms A. The gripper G is moved so far into the gap 17 until the gripper G engages with its front end, the peg-shaped holding unit 12 of the mailbox 2 and the holding unit 12 engages in a receptacle N. For this purpose, at the front ends of the arms A of the gripper G spring-loaded fingers F are provided, which can be deflected for insertion of the holding unit 12 of the mailbox 2 in the receptacles N of the gripper G. The mailbox 2 can now be pulled out of the mailbox holder 3. The mailbox 2 is supported by a telescoping rail S. At the opposite to the receptacles N outwardly projecting parts of the peg-shaped holding units 12 of the mailbox 2 can now attack a rotating device and rotate the held by the gripper G mail box 2 to dump a shipment located in the mailbox 2 by an upper access in the form of an opening.

The re-connecting the mailbox 2 with the postbox holder 3 takes place substantially as in the removal of the mailbox 2 from the postbox holder 3 only in the opposite direction. In addition, when connecting the mailbox 2 with the mailbox holder 3, which may be a mere insertion or hooking of the mailbox 2, the picking N associated release agent T in the form of plungers are used. The separating means T are extended to push out the holding units 12 of the mailbox 2 against the fingers F holding the holding units 12 from the seats N of the gripper G. The mailbox 2 then lies with its out of engagement with the receptacles N reached holding units 12 on the holding units 11 of the mailbox holder 3. The gripper G can then be withdrawn without the mailbox 2 from the columns 17 between the mailbox 2 and 3 postbox holder.

Claims (15)

1. Mailbox system (1) for receiving at least one mail item, comprising a mailbox (2) and a mailbox holder (3), wherein the mailbox (2) has an interior space to receive the at least one mail item, as well as at least one access (4) to the interior space of the mailbox for introducing the at least one mail item into the interior space, wherein the mailbox (2) is detachably held by the mailbox holder (3), and wherein the mailbox (2) is detachably mounted in the mailbox holder (3), wherein the mailbox (2) comprises at least one closure element (5), and wherein the closure element (5) may be moved from a position closing off the at least one access (4) to the interior space to a position opening up the at least one access (4) to the interior space and back, wherein the closure element (5) is provided at the front of the mailbox (2), wherein the mailbox (2) on opposite outer sides (13) and the mailbox holder (3) on opposite inner sides (10) comprise respective holding units (11, 12), wherein the holding units (11) of the mailbox holder (3) engage under the holding units (12) of the mailbox (2), and wherein the holding units (12) of the mailbox are in the form of a peg,
   characterised in that
   the holding units (11) of the mailbox holder (3) are each distanced at least 2.5 cm from the adjacent outer sides (13) of the mailbox (2).
2. Mailbox system according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the mailbox (2) is held positively and/or non-positively by the mailbox holder (3) at least in the direction of gravity and/or that the mailbox (2) is inserted in the mailbox holder (3).
3. Mailbox system according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the mailbox holder (3) has two, preferably parallel, side walls (8) and a roof element (9) connecting the side walls (8).
4. Mailbox system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that
   the mailbox (2) on opposite outer sides (13) and the mailbox holder (3) on opposite inner sides (10) of the side walls (8) respectively comprise corresponding holding units (11, 12).
5. Mailbox system according to Claim 4,
   characterised in that
   the holding units (11) of the mailbox holder (3) are formed rail-like.
6. Mailbox system according to Claim 4 or 5,
   characterised in that
   the holding units (11) of the mailbox holder (3) are each distanced at least 5 cm from the adjacent outer sides (13) of the mailbox (2).
7. Mailbox system according to any one of Claims 4 to 6,
   characterised in that
   the holding units (12) of the mailbox (2) between the corresponding holding devices (11) of the mailbox holder (3) and the outer sides (13) of the mailbox (2) comprise a circular cross-section at least in sections and/or the holding units (12) of the mailbox (2) comprise a flat bottom portion in the region of the holding devices (11) of the mailbox holder (3).
8. Mailbox system according to any one of Claims 1 to 7,
   characterised in that
   the mailbox (2) is positively secured against withdrawal and/or lifting out, in particular by means of a mechanical, electrical and/or magnetic locking and/or unlocking locking device.
9. Mailbox system according to any one of Claims 1 to 8,
   characterised in that
   the mailbox (2) has at least one closure element (5) in the form of a flap, a slider and/or a door, wherein, preferably, the closure element (5) may be locked in the interior space closing off position by means of a mechanical, electrical and/or magnetic locking and/or unlocking locking device (7).
10. Mailbox system according to Claim 9,
    characterised in that
    at least two accesses (4) to the interior space of the mailbox (2) are provided, wherein each access (4) is assigned at least one closure element (5), in particular in the form of a flap or a door, that each closure element (5) may be adjusted from a position closing off the corresponding access (4) to the interior space to a position opening up the corresponding access (4) to the interior space and back, and, preferably, that the closure element (5) may be locked in the position closing off the interior space by means of a mechanical, electrical and/or magnetic locking and/or unlocking locking device (7).
11. Use of a mailbox system (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, for introducing and/or removing at least one mail item.
12. Use according to Claim 11,
    wherein the mailbox system (1) is located on a plot that is at most 5 m, preferably at most 2.5 m, in particular at most 1 m, from a plot boundary bordering a road.
13. Method for introducing at least one mail item into the interior space of a mailbox (2) and/or for removing at least one mail item from the interior space of a mailbox (2) with a mailbox system (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 10,

    - wherein the mailbox (2) is separated from the mailbox holder (3),

    - wherein at least one mail item is placed in the interior space of the mailbox (2) separated from the mailbox holder (3) and/or at least one mail item is removed from the interior space of the mailbox (2) separated from the mailbox holder (3), and

    - wherein after insertion and/or removal of the at least one mail item, the mailbox (2) is again connected to the mailbox holder (3).
14. Method according to Claim 13,

    - wherein at least one holding unit (12) between an outer side (13) of the mailbox (2) and a holding unit (11) of the mailbox holder (3), is gripped by a gripper (G), and

    - wherein the mailbox (2) is then separated from the mailbox holder (3) by the gripper (G).
15. Method according to Claim 13 or 14,
    wherein the mailbox (2) before, during or after the separation of the mailbox holder (3) is opened and/or is closed before, during or after connection to the mailbox holder (3).

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