FR3021733A1 - REFRIGERATED BOX FOR STORING PRODUCTS DELIVERED AT HOME - Google Patents

Abstract

A box (1) for storing products delivered to a dwelling occupant of an apartment building, said box (1) being adapted to be mounted in said building, said box comprising an enclosure (2) accessible by a door of access (3), a locking module (5) adapted to lock / unlock said access door (3) when using at least a first occupant key (KO) or at least one second delivery key (KL) and a refrigeration module (4) of said enclosure (2), the refrigeration module (4) being a magnetic cold generation module (4).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of receiving parcels, in particular packages containing perishable foodstuffs which must be kept cool in order not to affect food safety of consumers. Conventionally, perishable foodstuffs are delivered to consumers' homes only by appointment so that the delivery person is certain that the perishable goods are stored, upon receipt, in a refrigerator by the consumer. Such operation nevertheless has many disadvantages since it requires the consumer to be present in a time range which is, on the one hand, relatively long and, on the other hand, imposed by the deliveryman. To eliminate this drawback, it has been proposed by the patent application W00130129 a parcel receiving box mounted in a wall of a residential building and having a first door opening outside the building and a second door opening to inside the building. Refrigeration or heating means are provided in the package receiving box to keep the packages delivered cool or warm. Such a package receiving box is complex to install since it requires heavy work in the walls of buildings. In practice, the refrigeration means used in such a package receiving box are identical to those used in a conventional refrigerator, that is to say, they each comprise a refrigerant circulation circuit coupled to a compressor.

The establishment of such inboxes in a residential building is difficult to implement because it requires significant power consumption that must be financially supported by the inhabitants of the building, which has a first drawback. Indeed, in view of the increasing increase in energy costs, such inboxes are not popular with residents because they must be fed continuously to be at a suitable temperature at the reception. a package. In addition, the installation of a large number of package receiving boxes in a residential building can present a hazard in view of the refrigerants flowing in the receiving boxes, which presents a second disadvantage. Indeed, in the event of a leak in one of the refrigerant circulation circuits, the latter can at least partially fill the entrance hall of the residential building and be likely to poison the inhabitants.

The invention therefore aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a storage box able to keep fresh food products, whose energy consumption is reduced and whose installation in an entrance hall of a building d housing is simple and practical.

GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION To this end, the invention relates to a box for storing goods delivered to the home of an occupant of a residential building, said box being adapted to be mounted in said building, said box comprising an enclosure accessible through an access door, a refrigeration module of said enclosure and a locking module adapted to lock / unlock said access door when using at least a first occupant key or at least one second delivery key.

The box is remarkable in that the refrigeration module is a magnetic cold generation module. Due to its low inertia, the enclosure of the storage box can be cooled quickly. This is particularly advantageous for a storage box that is used intermittently. With the magnetic cold refrigeration module, it is possible to activate the refrigeration module only intermittently while keeping the products cool. It is thus not necessary to maintain the refrigeration module permanently activated as in the prior art, which allows significant energy savings.

In addition, such a refrigeration module itself has a low power consumption, which is very advantageous for a storage box whose energy cost is charged to the occupants of a building.

Preferably, the locking module is operatively connected to said refrigeration module for enabling or disabling thereof upon locking or unlocking of said access door. Thus, the refrigeration module can be activated only when necessary to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.

More preferably, the locking module is configured to activate said refrigeration module upon unlocking of said access door by the second delivery key. Thus, when a package of perishable food is deposited in the enclosure, it is directly cooled by the refrigeration module.

Still preferably, the lock module is configured to disable said refrigeration module upon unlocking of said access door by the first occupant key. Thus, when the occupant wishes to recover his package, the refrigeration module is stopped to limit power consumption.

According to a preferred aspect, the access door comprises a display module, connected to the locking module, which is configured to be activated when the access door is unlocked by the second delivery key. Thus, the occupant is alerted visually to the passage of a deliveryman and the presence of a package in its storage box.

Preferably, the display module comprises diodes, preferably of the LED type, in order to benefit from a reduced power consumption. In a preferred aspect, the refrigeration module is adapted to refrigerate said enclosure at a predetermined constant temperature, preferably between 0.5 ° C and 2 ° C, more preferably on the order of 1 ° C. Thus, the package is kept at a temperature similar to that of a conventional refrigerator, which is advantageous. In addition, such a temperature can be achieved with a conventional magnetic cold generator, which is advantageous.

Preferably, the storage box comprises an interface module which comprises electrical connection means. Thus, the interface module can electrically power the refrigeration module, the display module and / or the locking module. More preferably, the interface module comprises computer connection means. Thus, the interface module can collect and transmit on a communication network data from the refrigeration module, the display module 10 and / or the locking module. According to a preferred aspect, the interface module comprises at least one connection socket, preferably at least two connection plugs of complementary shapes. Thus, like boxes may be connected together to form an electrical connection for powering them simultaneously and / or a computer connection for transmitting information to a communication network. Such an interface module makes it possible to connect a new storage box to a storage box already connected to a power supply source and / or to a communication network. Such an interface module is particularly advantageous for assembling together a large number of storage boxes. Preferably, the lower connection plug is downward while the upper connection plug is facing upward. Thus, two boxes can be connected vertically together to form storage box columns. Preferably, the upper connection socket is electrically connected to said lower connection socket. More preferably, the upper connection socket is computer-connected to said lower connection socket.

According to a preferred aspect, the box comprises an identification module of a package located in said enclosure, preferably an RFID type reader. Thus, any delivered package provided with an RFID chip is identified by the storage box, the identification information 3021733 5 can be communicated to the occupant by the communication network so that it recovers his package at its best convenience. The invention also relates to an assembly of at least one storage box as presented above and a data server connected to said storage box by a communication network, preferably of the internet type. Such a data server makes it possible to collect and collect the data relating to the box in order to make it possible to warn the occupant of the delivery of a package, to detect a malfunction and / or to know the own electrical consumption of said box.

PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given purely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation in perspective of a storage box according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of the box of Figure 1 Figure 3 is a front view of the door of the box of Figure 1; and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a set of boxes according to the invention. It should be noted that the figures disclose the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention 25 where appropriate. DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE EMBODIMENTS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a box 1 intended for the storage of products 30 delivered at home to an occupant of a residential complex, in particular fresh produce such as vegetables, fresh fruit, fresh fish, fresh meat or the like.

The storage box 1 is adapted to be mounted in a common part of said building such as an entrance hall, preferably near the mailboxes which receive non-perishable letters and parcels. The installation and use of a storage box 1 will be presented later.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a storage box 1 comprising an enclosure 2 of parallelepipedal shape which is opened by a front face. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 1, each enclosure 2 comprises a bottom wall 2B, an upper wall 2H, a left lateral wall 2G, a right lateral wall 10 2D and a bottom wall 2F. The storage box 1 further comprises an access door 3 articulated to a side wall 2G, 2D to close the open face of the enclosure 2. In this example, each storage box 1 has a cubic shape whose length d a side is between 40 cm and 60 cm, preferably of the order of 50 cm.

Preferably, the walls of the enclosure 2 are made of insulating material so that the enclosure 2 is isothermal in order to maintain a constant temperature. In this example, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the access door 3 comprises a porthole 30, preferably transparent, in order to allow an occupant to check whether the enclosure 2 is empty or occupied without opening said door. Access 3. Advantageously, the window 30 is circular and has a diameter of the order of 30 cm. More preferably, the porthole 30 is etched. Still with reference to FIG. 3, the access door 3 also includes a label 31 indicating the identity of the occupant who owns or leases said storage box 1. Referring to FIG. 2 representing the storage box 1 in a functional manner, the storage box 1 comprises: a refrigeration module 4 of said enclosure 2, a locking module 5 adapted to lock / unlock said access door 3 when using at least a first occupant key KO or at least a second delivery key KL, a display module 6 of the activation status of the refrigeration module 4, a temperature measurement module 7, an identification module package 8 and an interface module 9.

According to the invention, the refrigeration module 4 is a magnetic cold generation module which is mounted at least in the bottom wall 2F of the chamber 2 of the storage box 1.

For this purpose, the refrigeration module 4 comprises a magnetocaloric heat generator as shown, for example, in the patent application WO2010 / 106242. Preferably, the magnetocaloric heat generator comprises at least one thermal module provided with a cold end and a hot end, and comprises at least one magnetocaloric element, a magnetic arrangement intended to subject said magnetocaloric element to a variable magnetic field. , alternatively creating, in said magnetocaloric element, a heating phase and a cooling phase, a means for driving a heat-transfer fluid in thermal contact with said magnetocaloric element and circulating alternately in the direction of one of the ends and then of the another (and vice versa, synchronously with the variation of the magnetic field, and at least one heat exchange means for transferring the thermal energy produced by said thermal module to at least one device external to said thermal generator.

The refrigeration module 4 is connected to the interface module 9 which will be presented later. Advantageously, the refrigeration module 4 is adapted to refrigerate said chamber 2 at a predetermined constant temperature between 0.5 ° C and 2 ° C, preferably of the order of 1 ° C. Thus, the temperature is similar to that of an ordinary refrigerator. When the refrigeration module 4 is activated, the chamber 2 is cooled rapidly to reach a constant temperature of the order of 1 ° C. in the chamber 2. Advantageously, a magnetic cold generator has a consumption reduced electricity, which is advantageous for the occupants of the residential complex. In addition, a magnetic cold generator has a low inertia, which allows it to cool said enclosure 2 quickly. This is particularly advantageous and makes it possible to avoid maintaining the refrigeration module 4 permanently activated as will be presented hereinafter. As indicated above, with reference to FIG. 2, the locking module 5 is adapted to lock / unlock said access door 3 when using at least a first occupant key KO or at least one a second delivery key KL. Preferably, with reference to FIG. 3, the locking module 5 comprises a magnetic card reader 50 associated with a lock. For this purpose, the first occupant key KO and the second delivery key KL are respectively a first access badge and a second access badge. Preferably, the first occupant key KO can open only a single storage box 11 while the second delivery key KL is a universal key that can open a plurality of storage boxes 1.

The badge reader 50 of the locking module 5 is adapted to unlock the access door 3 when using the access badges corresponding to the first occupant key KO or the second delivery key KL. Preferably, the locking module 5 is adapted to lock the access door 3 when it is closed.

In this example, the locking module 5 is integrated with the access door 3 in order to be easily accessible by an occupant, but it goes without saying that the locking module 5 could be integrated with another wall of the enclosure. 2. A lock module 5 has been presented in the form of a badge reader 50 but it goes without saying that it could be in other forms, for example a keypad, a biometric reader, lock, etc. More preferably, with reference to FIG. 3, the locking module 5 comprises a locking handle 51 adapted to manipulate the access door 3.

Still with reference to FIG. 2, the locking module 5 is functionally connected to said refrigeration module 4 in order to activate / deactivate it during a locking / unlocking of said access door 3.

In a preferred manner, the locking module 5 is configured to activate said refrigeration module 4 during a locking of said access door 3 by the second delivery key KL so that the refrigeration module 4 consumes no energy. energy in the presence of a package in said enclosure 2. More preferably, the locking module 5 is configured to disable said refrigeration module 4 when unlocking said access door 3 by the first key occupying KO so that the refrigeration module 4 does not consume energy in the absence of packages in said enclosure 2. The electrical energy 2 is thus consumed optimally and parsimoniously.

Still with reference to FIG. 2, the storage box 1 comprises a display module 6, connected to the locking module 5, which is configured to be activated simultaneously with the refrigeration module 4. In other words, the display module 6 makes it possible to visually indicate to an occupant that the storage box 1 comprises a package which is refrigerated. Preferably, the display module 6 is integrated with the access door 3 in order to be easily visible by an occupant of the building. In this example, with reference to FIG. 3, the display module 6 comprises a plurality of diodes 60 which are lit during the activation of the refrigeration module 4. Such diodes 60 are advantageous since their power consumption is reduced. Preferably, the diodes 60 emit: - a permanent red color in the absence of packages in the storage box 1; - a flashing red color in case of malfunction of the storage box 1; a permanent green color in the presence of a package in the storage box 1; and 30 - a flashing green color in the presence of a package in the storage box 1 for more than 24 hours. It goes without saying that other types of display can be implemented as needed.

3021733 10 Preferably, with reference to FIG. 2, the storage box 1 comprises a module 7 for measuring the temperature inside the enclosure 2. In this example, the temperature measurement module 7 comprises a probe (not shown) mounted in the chamber 2 and a display 70 mounted on the access door 3 (Figure 3) on which is displayed the temperature measured by said probe. Thus, the occupant can control the temperature of the chamber 2 when he recovers his package. Preferably, with reference to FIG. 2, the storage box 1 comprises a package identification module 8, preferably an RFID chip reader (not shown). Such an RFID reader is adapted to read an RFID chip affixed to a transport package and thus identified the stored package. This is particularly advantageous when the identification module 8 is associated with an interface module 9 comprising computer connection means as will be presented later.

With reference to FIG. 2, the storage box 1 comprises an interface module 9 comprising at least one connection socket 90 and electrical and computer connection means 91 connecting said connection socket 90 to the refrigeration module 4, to the 5, the display module 6, the temperature measurement module 7 and the package identification module 8. It goes without saying that the connection means 91 could only be connection means electric. In this example, the connection socket 90 of the interface module 9 is a lower connection socket 90 which is formed on the underside of the bottom wall 2B of the enclosure 2. Preferably, with reference to FIGS. and 2, the interface module 9 has an upper connection socket 92 which is electrically connected to the lower connection socket 90. Preferably, the lower connection socket 90 and the upper connection socket 92 have complementary shapes so that to allow vertical mechanical stacking of a first storage box 1 on a second storage box 1 while allowing their electrical and computer interconnection as will be presented later. In other words, the connection sockets 90, 92 also form a mechanical interface to allow the connection of at least two storage boxes 1. Preferably, the storage boxes 1 are stacked mechanically by interlocking or attached to the using a clip. According to a preferred embodiment, with reference to FIG. 2, the interface module 9 is adapted to be connected to a SELEC power supply and to a communication network of the SINE internet type, either directly or indirectly via another storage box 1. The data relating to each storage box 1 and which come from the different modules 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are sent by the internet network to at least one data server . Thus, the data relating to the presence of a malfunction, the openings / closures of the storage box 1, the identification of a package, the temperature of the chamber 2 and / or the energy consumed by a storage box 1 can be processed by computer to allow the tracking of delivery packages, 15 the verification of the proper operation of the storage boxes 1 and / or the billing of the rental of the storage boxes 1. In this example of implementation the internal partitions of the enclosure 2 are light in color, preferably white in color so as to clearly distinguish a dark package deposited in the enclosure 2. The external walls of the enclosure 2 are of, preferably, color fig or linen to integrate the colors of the entrance halls of residential buildings. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that the walls of the enclosure 2 could be of different colors. Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a set 100 of storage boxes 1 which are stacked vertically along three adjacent columns in the manner of conventional mailboxes. Thus, the size of the storage boxes 1 is limited, which facilitates their integration in an entrance hall of an apartment building. In this example, the lowest storage box 1 of each column is connected to a SELEC power source and to a communication network of the SINE internet type. With reference to FIG. 4, the columns of storage caissons 1 are supported on a support base 101 in order to be raised above the ground, preferably by a height of about 15 cm. . Preferably, the support base 101 comprises a plurality of upper connection jacks disposed on the upper surface of the support base 101 and which are adapted to cooperate with the lower connection jacks 90 of the interface module 9 of the junction boxes. storage 5 1 lowest of each column. The support base 101 has, for its part, a single connection to a power supply SELEC of the entrance hall and a single connection a communication network of the internet type SINE of the entrance hall, for example, a socket Ethernet. Alternatively, the connection to the communication network is wireless.

Thus, the nine storage boxes 1 can be electrically connected quickly and conveniently to an entrance hall of the building, which is advantageous and does not require the use of an electrician. Similarly, the nine storage boxes 1 can be connected quickly to the internet communication network.

An example of implementation will now be presented when a parcel is delivered to an occupant of an apartment building by a deliveryman in the absence of said occupant. Said apartment building comprises a set 100 of storage boxes 1 which are arranged in an entrance hall of the residential building near the mailboxes, the storage boxes 1 being connected to the electrical network and the internet network. The deliveryman accesses the lobby with a code or key. Then, it identifies the storage box 1 of the recipient occupant of the package by the label 31 25 on the access door 3. When the deliverer arrives, the diodes 60 of the storage box 1 emit a permanent red light meaning that no package is present in said storage box 1. The refrigeration module 4 is off and does not consume energy.

The display 70 of the temperature module 7 is also off. The deliveryman unlocks the access door 3 with his magnetic badge, corresponding to the delivery key KL, and opens the access door 3 with the handle 51. Then he places the package in the enclosure 2 and close the access door 3 which locks. Following the locking of the access door 3 by the deliveryman, the refrigeration module 4 is activated. The magnetic cold generator is then electrically powered and generates cold in the chamber 2. The temperature of the chamber 2 quickly reaches a constant temperature of 1 ° C due to the low inertia 5 of the magnetic cold generator. The display 70 of the temperature module 7 is on and then displays "1 ° C". The diodes 60 of the storage box 1 emit a permanent green light signifying that a package is present in said storage box 1.

The RFID reader of the identification module 8 reads the RFID code of the package and sends a data message to the data server via the Internet network to which the storage box 1 is connected. In this example, the computer message includes the nature of the package. , the identity of the deliveryman (associated with his badge), the temperature of the enclosure 2, the delivery time, etc.

Preferably, the data server sends an email or a text message (SMS, SMS) to the occupant according to his preference to prevent the arrival of a package that is stored in its storage box 1. The occupant, absent from his home, is thus warned, which is advantageous.

When the occupant returns to his home and passes through the entrance hall, he takes a look at his storage box 1 and directly observes that a package was deposited thanks to the diodes 60 of green color. It is also sufficient for him to look through the porthole 30 to determine which package was delivered to him. The temperature displayed on the access door 3 25 reassures him as to the preservation of the freshness of the package. With his badge corresponding to the occupant key KO, the occupant opens the access door 3 and retrieves his package. Following this action, the diodes 60 emit a permanent red color and the refrigeration module 4 is turned off in order to save energy. Advantageously, the power consumption associated with each storage box 1 is recorded on the data server in order to distribute equitably the costs of electrical energy between the various occupants.

Thanks to the invention, there is provided a storage chamber of fresh products with low power consumption, limited space and practical installation.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Box (1) for storing products delivered to an occupant of an apartment building, said box (1) being adapted to be mounted in said building, said box comprising an enclosure (2) accessible by a door of access (3), a refrigeration module (4) of said enclosure (2) and a locking module (5) adapted to lock / unlock said access door (3) when using at least a first occupant key (KO) or at least a second delivery key (KL), box (1) characterized in that the refrigeration module (4) is a magnetic cold generation module (4). The casing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the locking module (5) is operably connected to said refrigeration module (4) to activate or deactivate it when locking or unlocking said access door (3). 3. Housing (1) according to claim 2, wherein the locking module (5) is configured to activate said refrigeration module (4) during an unlocking of said access door (3) by the second key of deliveryman (KL). 4. Housing (1) according to one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the locking module (5) is configured to disable said refrigeration module (4) during unlocking of said access door (3) by the first occupant key (KO). 5. Box (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the access door (3) comprises a display module (6), connected to the locking module (5), which is configured to be activated when unlocking said access door (3) by the second delivery key (KL). 6. Housing (1) according to claim 5, wherein the display module (6) comprises diodes (60). 3021733 16 7. Housing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the refrigeration module (4) is adapted to refrigerate said enclosure (2) at a predetermined constant temperature, preferably between 0.5 ° C and 2 ° C, more preferably of the order of 1 ° C. 5 8. Box (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the storage box (1) comprises an interface module (9) which comprises electrical connection means (91). 10 9. Housing (1) according to claim 8, wherein the interface module (9) comprises at least one connection socket (90, 92), preferably at least two connection jacks (90, 92) forms. complementary. 10. Housing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising an identification module 15 (8) of a package located in said enclosure (2), preferably an RFID type reader. 1 1. Set of at least one storage box (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a data server connected to said storage box (1) by a communication network, preferably of the internet type.