EP3782922B1

EP3782922B1 - Bag for parcels and method of sorting and transporting parcels

Info

Publication number: EP3782922B1
Application number: EP20192371.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Antonius Johannes Duesmann; Dymfi de Bruin; Madeleine Schrama; John William Spaven
Original assignee: PostNL Holding BV
Current assignee: PostNL Holding BV
Priority date: 2019-08-23
Filing date: 2020-08-24
Publication date: 2022-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2040-08-24
Also published as: NL2023700B1; EP3782922A1; DK3782922T3

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a parcel bag for parcels. The invention further relates to a method for sorting and transporting parcels.

Technical background

Current postal sorting systems sort parcels or letters. The amount of relatively small parcels sent by post has increased significantly in recent years, mainly thanks to the popularity of (international) web shops. An effective sorting method is desirable to enable the delivery of these parcels to proceed efficiently and cheaply.
In order to process this flow of (retail) parcels as efficiently as possible, the parcels are received at a central sorting center, where they are completely automatically pre-sorted at night for shipment to local distribution centers. In the local distribution centers, the parcels are then added to the regular sorting process, where they are sorted by route and in the correct order for delivery.
The transport of the parcels between the central sorting center and the local distribution centers is carried out by means of freight transport supported by manpower. To allow loading and unloading of parcels to take place easily and ergonomically, it is desirable to collect the parcels in a larger package.
This can be done, for example, in roll containers. However, it is difficult to load a roll container space / efficient automatically. Furthermore, roll containers take up a lot of space when they are transported back to the central sorting center empty, so that a relatively large amount of energy and manpower is required for this.
Alternatively, bags such as the known mail bags could be used. After all, these hardly take up any space when empty. However, these bags are so flexible that they mold to the parcels therein, and as a result offer little protection and stability during transportation.
GB 624,203 relates to foldable bags of the type comprising flexible end and bottom portions and flexible side portions so that it may be collapsed, stiffening means being provided for the flexible end and bottom portions o keep the bag rigid in the extended condition.
US 2016/0145006 relates to a stackable foldable container for effectively containing heavy objects without rupturing. The stackable foldable container generally includes a bottom portion comprising a substantially rigid material, a plurality of foldable walls comprising the substantially rigid material, and an open end opposite the bottom portion when the stackable foldable container is in an open self-standing position.

Summary of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a parcel bag for collecting parcels for transport in which the above-mentioned problems are solved.
According to the invention, there is provided a parcel bag for parcels, comprising a casing having a lower part and an upper part, the lower part defining a storage volume for the parcels, the lower part being formed of a flat bottom plate and a number of plate-shaped side walls, each of the side walls being connected by a hinging bottom connection to an edge of the bottom plate, each of the hinging bottom connections consisting of strip-shaped foil or textile that extends along the corresponding edge of the bottom plate and is connected to the bottom plate and the side wall, and wherein a flexible side connection of foil or textile is located between each pair of side walls, each of which forms a connection transverse to the hinging connection.
In an advantageous manner, this allows the size and shape of the lower part of the parcel bag can be unequivocally adapted after filling with the parcels, whereby manual processing is improved. Also an improved stacking of the filled parcel bags is achieved.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the flexible side connection of foil or fabric consists of a straight strip.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the flexible side connection of foil or textile consists of a strip which is tapering from the lower part.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the top part consists of foil or fabric, and on an upper side of the bottom part, each plate-like side wall is joined to a connecting peripheral edge of the top part such that the connecting peripheral edge extends substantially parallel to the hinging connection.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the upper part is provided with a closure means on a free edge turned away from the connecting peripheral edge.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the closure means is selected from a group of a closure rim, a Velcro closure, a zip closure, a wire or cable closure and a drawstring.
In a further embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the closure means is provided with an anti-theft closure and / or a mechanical or electronic lock.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the top part is foldable or rollable up to the connecting peripheral edge.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the foil or fabric is selected from a group of plastics comprising at least polyethylene or polypropylene.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the material of the bottom plate and / or the side walls is selected from a group of plastics comprising at least polyethylene or polypropylene.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the bottom plate has a size of approximately 50 cm by 45 cm.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the strip-shaped foil or fabric in the hinging bottom connection has a width of about 12 cm.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the side wall has a width of about 48 cm and a length of about 50 cm or about 45 cm.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the parcel bag "in stretched-out position" has a size of about 90 cm high, about 50 cm long and about 45 cm wide.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a parcel bag as described above, wherein the lower part of the parcel bag "in resting position" has a base size of about 40 cm high, about 75 cm long and about 75 cm wide.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for sorting and transporting parcels using a sorting machine, the sorting machine being provided with a number of unloading points each associated with a respective predetermined location, wherein at one or more of the unloading points a parcel bag as described above, is arranged to collect parcels destined for the predetermined location from the respective unloading point, the method comprising:

releasably disposing the top part of the parcel bag at the unloading point such that the parcel bag is in a stretched-out position and the bottom part assumes a substantially straight vertical shape, the side walls being in a vertical position;
collecting parcels in the bottom part such that the bottom part is filled with parcels up to a predetermined height;
and after collection, releasing the stretched-out position and supporting the bottom plate of the filled parcel bag on a ground plane in a resting position such that in each hinging connection the strip of strip-shaped foil or fabric either is extended outwards at an oblique angle with respect to the bottom plate or is extended horizontally outwards parallel to the bottom plate, and at least the bottom area of the bottom part is increased relative to a surface of the bottom plate.

In an embodiment, the invention provides a method as described above, wherein the side walls of the filled bottom part are oriented such that the filled bottom part takes the shape of a frustrum which is tapered towards the top part.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a method as described above, wherein the side walls of the filled bottom part are vertical and offset outwardly from the periphery of the bottom plate such that the filled bottom part assumes the shape of a substantially rectangular block.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a method as described above, the method further comprising:
rolling up or folding up the top part when the filled bottom part of the parcel bag is in the resting position, optionally preceded by closing the free edge of the top part.
In a further embodiment the invention provides a method as described above comprising repeating for a number of parcel bags, each destined for the predetermined location of the same unloading point:

releasably mounting the top part of the respective parcel bag at the unloading point;
collecting parcels in its lower part, and
after collection, releasing the stretched-out position and allowing the bottom plate of the filled parcel bag to rest on a ground plane in the resting position,
performing the step of forming a stack of the plurality of bottom part filled parcel bags each having the shape of the frustrum or rectangular block.

In a further embodiment, the invention provides a method as described above, wherein the stack of parcel bags is placed on a roll container.
In a further embodiment, the invention provides a method as described above, wherein the roll container is transported to the predetermined location of the respective unloading point associated with the stack of parcel bags.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a method as described above, wherein each parcel bag is provided with an optical label, and optionally is also provided with an electronic label.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a method as described above, wherein the predetermined location is related to a regional or local sorting center or distribution center.
Finally, the invention relates to a use of a parcel bag for parcels as described above in sorting and transporting the parcels.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is further elucidated with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figures 1A and 1B schematically show a side view and a bottom view of a parcel bag according to an embodiment during the filling process;
Figures 2A and 2B schematically show a perspective side view and bottom view of a parcel bag according to an embodiment after the filling process;
Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of a stack of filled and closed parcel bags according to one embodiment.

The drawings are for illustrative purposes only, and are not to be construed as limiting the inventive idea, which is defined by the appended claims.
In the following description, the same reference numerals designate the same or corresponding elements in the figures.

Description of the embodiments

Figures 1A, 1B and 2A, 2B show a parcel bag 100 according to an embodiment of the invention, having a bottom part 10, which has a reinforced bottom 1 and four reinforced side walls 2, and a flexible top part 20 which has a bag part 22 and a closing edge 25. The upper and lower parts 20, 10 are fixedly connected to each other and together define a volume in which parcels can be received.
In the shown lower part 10, the reinforced bottom 1 is quadrangular and on all four sides flexibly connected to a first side 3 of one of the four reinforced side walls 2. Each side wall 2 further has second and third sides 4, 5 which are substantially at right angles to the first side 3 and of which every second side 4 is flexibly connected to a third side 5 of an adjacent reinforced side wall. The flexible connection 8, 9 between the plates is formed by a fabric. This fabric is divided into a number of fabric pieces which are firmly connected to each other, preferably by means of a sewing technique. Consequently, the invention relates to a parcel bag according to claim 1.
The reinforced side walls 2 are formed by flat, hardly deformable plates which are incorporated in the fabric pieces and wherein the plates are very strong relative to their weight. The fabric pieces and the plates can comprise mutually different materials and/or material combinations. In a preferred embodiment the fabric pieces and the plates are made of a polymer such as PE or PP. A width of a fabric strip which forms the flexible connection 8, 9 between the reinforced bottom and side walls 1, 2 and determines the maximum distance between the plates is preferably at least 1 cm.
The fabric strips forming the flexible joint 9 between the reinforced sidewalls 2 can have a trapezoid shape, as shown in Figure 2A, or a rectangular shape.
The top part 20 of the parcel bag 100 is mostly formed by the bag part 22, which is made of fabric that is not provided with reinforcing plates, causing the top part to be freely deformable so that it can be rolled up or is otherwise easy to close. This fabric may be the same fabric as the fabric used for the manufacturing of the bottom part 10. The fabric pieces of the bottom part 10 can continue into the top part 20 so that the fabric of the bottom and top part 10, 20 is at least partially forming a whole. Alternatively, the fabric pieces of the top part 20 may be fixedly joined to the fabric pieces of the bottom part 10 by a fixed joining method, preferably by a sewing technique.
An upper edge of the upper part 20 of the parcel bag 100 is formed by the closing edge 25, which closing edge 25 is adapted to effect a reclosable closure of the volume in the parcel bag. To this end, the top edge can be provided with closing means, such as a drawstring, Velcro, a wire or cable closure or a zipper, which seal the edge along the entire opening. Alternatively or additionally, the top part 20 of the parcel bag 100 is at least partially rollable and/or two ends 27a, 27b of the reclosable closure or rolled-up part can be connected to each other, for example via a hook and eyelet or via a clip connection. It is further possible to additionally or alternatively provide the parcel bag 100 with an anti-theft closure to the closing edge 25.
By using the flexible connections 8,9 between the reinforced side walls 2 in combination with the bag part 22, a hybrid parcel bag is obtained, which during use can take on various shapes and sizes and which, when empty, can be folded into a flat shape. Thanks to the fabric strips, the reinforced bottom and side walls 1, 2 can pivot relative to each other as well as translate by some extend so that the shape and surface of the lower part 10 of the parcel bag can adapt to the parcel filling and the environment of the parcel bag 100.
Figures 1A and 1B show a side and bottom view of the parcel bag 100 during filling of the bag. During the automatic sorting process, the parcel bag 100 can be placed in a trolley or tube 200, the surface of the reinforced bottom 1 being matched to a cross section of the trolley or tube 200 in a stretched-out shape. The fabric strips 8 connecting the reinforced side walls 2 to the bottom 1 will extend substantially at right angles to the bottom 1, so that the parcel bag 100 has a width b and depth d equal to the width and depth of the bottom 1 and a relatively large length h. For example, in the trolley 200, the parcel bag 100 has the dimensions 51 × 45 × 88 cm (w × d × h). The closing edge 25 is folded over an upper edge of the trolley or tube so that the parcel bag 100 continues to line the inner walls of the trolley or tube during filling.
After the sorting process is finished and/or the bag has been given a predetermined maximum filling, the parcel bag 100 is removed from the trolley or tube 200, after which the shape of the parcel bag 100 changes to the situation as shown in the side and bottom view of Figures 2A and 2B. Thanks to the flexible connections 8, 9 between the reinforced bottom and side walls 1, 2 and the weight of the side walls 2, the side walls 2 lower with respect to the bottom 1 and the side plates are placed at a greater distance from each other. This changes the dimensions of the parcel bag 100 at least on the bottom side to a larger width b and depth d and a relatively shorter length h, for example to the dimensions 74 × 74 × 40 cm (w × d × h). The surface area of the lower part 10 thus becomes larger, freeing up space so that the column of parcels formed in the bag during the filling process can "settle". After removal from the trolley or tube 200, with this increase in surface area, all the parcels in the parcel bag 100 are almost completely in the lower part 10 of the parcel bag, so that the upper part 20 of the parcel bag can be closed and possibly rolled up.
In one embodiment, the parcel bag has a bottom plate measuring approximately 50 cm by 45 cm.
In one embodiment, the strip-shaped foil or fabric in the hinged bottom joint of the parcel bag has a width of about 12 cm.
In one embodiment, the side wall of the parcel bag has a width of about 48 cm and a length of about 50 cm or about 45 cm.
In one embodiment, the parcel bag "in the stretched-out position" has a size of approximately 90 cm high, approximately 50 cm long and approximately 45 cm wide.
In one embodiment, the bottom part of the parcel bag "in the resting position" has a base area dimension of about 40 cm high, about 75 cm long and about 75 cm wide.
When the parcel bags 100 are filled and closed, the parcel bags can be stacked for storage and transport, as shown in Figure 3. The shape that the closed parcel bag 100 takes depends on the shape of the fabric strips located between the reinforced sidewalls 2. If these fabric strips have a trapezoidal shape, as shown in Figure 2A, then the lower part 10 of the parcel bag, once out of the trolley or sleeve, forms a truncated pyramid. If the fabric strips have a rectangular shape, the side walls 2 in a closed parcel bag will be substantially perpendicular to the bottom 1 and form a relatively enlarged rectangular block or volume in the lower part. These closed shapes are relatively sturdy and stable, as a result of which the parcel bags 100 can be easily moved individually and can be stacked in a stable manner, for example in roll containers or in the back of transport vans.
In an embodiment of the above method for sorting and transporting parcels using a sorting machine, the filled parcel bags are placed on a roll container.
In a further embodiment, the roll container is transported to the predetermined location of the respective unloading point associated with the parcel bags.
In a further embodiment of the method, the predetermined location is related to a regional or local sorting center or distribution center.
To facilitate the movement of parcel bags 100, the bags 100 may be provided with one or more handles 26. These can be provided on each parcel bag 100 as an additional element. Alternatively or additionally, the closing edge 25 may form at least a part of the handle 26 after the parcel bag has been closed.
For extra protection, the parcel bag 100 can be provided on an underside with protective elements or anti-slip elements, such as for instance one or more rubber elements.
The parcel bag 100 can further be provided on one side with a visible (optically readable) and/or electronic label 30, so that the parcel bag 100 is traceable and recognizable during filling and transport. In one embodiment, a parcel bag is provided with an optical label, and optionally also provided with an electronic label.
Other shapes of bottom plate with corresponding amount of reinforcing side panels are obvious to the skilled person and lead to the same result, such as for example a hexagon with six side panels or an octagon with eight side panels.
It will also be clear to the skilled person that materials other than those mentioned can be used for the bottom plate and / or side panels, such as thin metal plates. Alternative materials can also be used for the foil or textile, such as materials based on polyamide.
Alternative and equivalent embodiments of the present invention are conceivable within the inventive concept, as will be clear to those skilled in the art. The inventive idea is only limited by the appended claims.

Claims

Parcel bag (100) for parcels, comprising an enclosure having a lower part (10) and an upper part (20), the lower part defining a storage volume for the parcels,
wherein the lower part is formed by a flat bottom plate (1) and a number of plate-shaped side walls (2), each one of the side walls being connected by a hinged bottom connection (8) to an edge of the bottom plate (1),

wherein each of the hinged bottom connections consists of strip-shaped material which extends along the corresponding edge of the bottom plate and is connected to the bottom plate (1) and the side wall (2)

characterized in that the material is a foil or textile and a flexible side connection (9) of foil or textile is located between each pair of side walls (2), each of which forming a connection that is a transverse to the hinged connection (8).
Parcel bag according to claim 1, wherein the flexible side connection of foil or fabric is a straight strip.
Parcel bag according to claim 1, wherein the flexible side connection of foil or textile consists of a strip which is tapered from the lower part.
Parcel bag according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper part (20) consists of foil or fabric (22), and wherein on an upper side of the bottom part each plate-shaped side wall (2) is connected to a connecting peripheral edge of the top part such that the connecting peripheral edge is extended substantially parallel to the hinging connection.
Parcel bag according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper part is provided with a closure means (25; 27a, 27b) on a free edge positioned facing away from the connecting peripheral edge.
Parcel bag according to claim 5, wherein the closure means is selected from a group of a closure rim, a Velcro closure, a zipper, a wire or cable closure and a drawstring.
Parcel bag according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the closure means is provided with an anti-theft closure and/or a mechanical or electronic lock.
Parcel bag according to any one of the preceding claims 4 - 7, wherein the upper part (20) is foldable or rollable up to the connecting peripheral edge.
Parcel bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the foil or fabric is selected from a group of plastics comprising at least polyethylene or polypropylene.
Parcel bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the material of the bottom plate (10) and/or the side walls (2) is selected from a group of plastics comprising at least polyethylene or polypropylene.
A method of sorting and transporting parcels using a sorting machine, the sorting machine having a number of unloading points each associated with a respective predetermined location,
wherein at one or more of the unloading points a parcel bag (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 - 10 is arranged for collecting parcels destined for the predetermined location of the respective unloading point,

wherein the method comprises:
releasably disposing the upper part (20) of the parcel bag at the unloading point such that the parcel bag is in a stretched-out position and the bottom part (10) assumes a substantially straight vertical shape, wherein the side walls (2) are in a vertical position;

collecting parcels in the bottom part so that the bottom part is filled with parcels up to a predetermined height;

and after collection, releasing the stretched-out position and supporting the bottom plate of the filled parcel bag in a rest position on a ground plane such that in each hinging connection (9) the strip of strip-shaped foil or fabric either is extending outward at an oblique angle with respect to the bottom plate or is extending horizontally outward parallel to the bottom plate, and at least the bottom area of the lower part is increased relative to a surface of the bottom plate.
The method according to claim 11, wherein either the side walls (2) of the filled lower part are oriented such that the filled lower part takes the shape of a frustrum which is tapered towards the upper part, or the side walls of the filled lower part are vertical and are offset outwardly from the periphery of the bottom plate such that the filled bottom part takes the shape of a substantially rectangular block.
The method of any one of claims 11 or 12, the method further comprising:
rolling up or folding up the upper part when the filled lower part of the parcel bag is in the resting position, optionally preceded by closing the free edge of the top part.
The method according to claim 13, comprising:
repeating for a number of parcel bags, each intended for the predetermined location of the same unloading point:
releasably mounting the top part of the respective parcel bag at the unloading point;

collecting parcels in its lower part, and

after collection, releasing the stretched-out position and allowing the bottom plate of the filled parcel bag to rest on a ground plane in a resting position,

and hereafter

performing the step of forming a stack of the plurality of bottom part filled parcel bags each having the shape of the frustrum or rectangular block.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims 11-14, wherein each parcel bag is provided with an optical label (30), and optionally is also provided with an electronic label.