ITVR20130182A1 - CASSETTE FOR THE CONTAINMENT OF MAIL OR SIMILAR - Google Patents

Description

BOX FOR CONTAINING MAIL OR SIMILAR

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a box for containing mail, parcels or the like.

To date, the boxes for containing mail consist of a box-like body with a slot for the insertion of mail, parcels or products in general.

The box is also associated with a so-called name holder necessary to identify the subject (be it a private individual or a company) to which the box is associated.

A problem that is encountered in today's known boxes is determined by the fact that, in order to check if there is mail inside, it is necessary to open it.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a box for containing mail, parcels or the like capable of solving the above-mentioned problem.

Within this aim, an important object of the present invention is to provide a box which allows to immediately identify whether it is placed inside it.

This aim, as well as these and other objects which will become clearer hereinafter, are achieved by a box for containing mail or the like according to what is provided for in claim 1.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a box for containing mail or the like, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a box in which a letter has been inserted;

figure 2 represents a section along a vertical plane of the box inside which a letter has been inserted;

Figure 3 is a section along a horizontal plane of the box inside which a letter has been inserted;

Figure 4 is a perspective and front view of a name tag which can be associated with the box; figure 5 represents a perspective from behind of the name tag of figure 4;

Figures 6 and 7 show, again in perspective and from two different angles, the nameplate in the open condition.

In the following embodiments, single characteristics, reported in relation to specific examples, can actually be interchanged with other different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the present invention refers to a box, indicated as a whole with the reference number 1, for containing mail or the like.

The box 1 comprises a box-like body 2 defining a containment receptacle 3 and having an opening 4 suitable for allowing the insertion of mail 20, parcels or the like inside the containment receptacle 3.

The box 1 is associated with a name holder 5, which comprises a support device 6 for an identification element 7 of the subject to which the box 1 is associated.

According to the present invention, the box 1 comprises sensor means 10 suitable for detecting the insertion of mail 20, parcels or the like into the containment receptacle 3 through the opening 4.

The opening 4, as known, can be associated with a pivoting mounted closing door 4a. There is nothing to prevent the provision that the opening 4 is made up of a window provided with an opening and closing door, which can be opened and closed by authorized personnel, and intended to allow the insertion and removal of packages or objects not sheets inside the containment receptacle 3.

The sensor means 10 are operatively connected to indicator means 11, which have at least a portion visible from the outside of the box 1. The indicator means 11 can be activated to pass from an inoperative condition to an operative condition following detection by the sensor means 10, for the insertion of mail or the like into the containment receptacle 3 through the opening 4.

Advantageously, the sensor means 10 are supported by the name holder 5.

Conveniently, the indicating means 11 are supported by the name holder 5.

Preferably, the name holder 5 supports both the sensor means 10 and the indicator means 11.

It can be envisaged that the sensor means 10 are selected from the group comprising:

- infrared sensors;

- photosensors;

- motion sensors;

- capacitive sensors;

- presence sensors.

According to a preferred embodiment, the indicating means 11 can be constituted by a light signaling device 11a.

By way of example, this light signaling device 11a can be constituted by a LED 21 intended to illuminate a portion arranged in correspondence with an area of the name tag 5 facing the outside of the box 1.

The LED 21 is connected or supported by a support card 20, which is also integral with or supported by the name holder 5.

The light signaling device 11a is connected to the LED 21 through a light guide 22.

With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, it can be provided that the name tag 5 can be associated, for example by means of snap coupling means, to a slot or to a housing provided on the box-like body 2 of the box 1.

The name tag 5 can consist of a first body 5a and a second body 5b.

The first and second bodies 5a and 5b have, at a respective first longitudinal end, rotatable coupling means 5c, which are adapted to allow their reciprocal rotation around a hinging axis to pass from between a closed condition (shown in Figures 4 and 5) and an open condition (illustrated in Figures 6 and 7). Advantageously, the first body 5a supports the support device 6 for the identification element 7.

The second body 5b, which faces in use towards the containment receptacle 3, is associated, or removably associable, to the support board 20.

The first and second bodies 5a and 5b also have, in correspondence with the respective second longitudinal ends opposite to those defining the rotatable coupling means 5c, mutual locking means, for example of the snap type, suitable for keeping the name tag 5 in the condition closed.

The support board 20 advantageously supports, on the opposite side with respect to the LED 21, also the sensor means 10.

Conveniently, the box 1 is provided with a device for feeding the sensor means 10 and / or the indicator means 11.

Advantageously, this feeding device is also integral with the name holder 5.

The power supply device is advantageously constituted by one or more power supply batteries but nothing prevents the provision of a photovoltaic panel as an alternative or in addition.

However, nothing prohibits powering the sensor means 10 and / or the indicator means 11 through the electrical network and by interposing a suitable transformer.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor means 10 are arranged at a lower height than the opening 4 in such a way as to intercept the post 20 which falls, by gravity, from the opening 4 towards the bottom of the containment receptacle 3.

The box 1 also has a control device 8 operatively connected to the indicator means 11.

The control device 8 is, in particular, adapted to allow the passage of the indicator means 11 from the operative condition to the inoperative one.

It can also be provided that the box 1 has timing means, not shown, which are adapted to bring the indicator means 11 from the operative condition to the inoperative one after a predetermined period of time.

This makes it possible to prevent third parties from monitoring the failure of the person to whom the box 1 is associated to pick up the mail 20.

With reference to some examples of practical embodiment, control device 8 is selected from the group comprising:

- a cassette opening sensor;

- a manual reset button 9.

The use of a box 1 for containing mail 20, parcels or the like according to the present invention clearly follows from what has been described above.

Specifically, when the post 20 is inserted, through the opening 4, into the containment receptacle 3 defined by the box-like body 2, the sensor means 10 detect this insertion and control the indicator means 11 comprising, for example, the device light signal 11a which lights up.

This allows the person associated with the box 1 to immediately check, without having to open the box 1, that there is mail 20 inside it.

In practice it has been found that in all embodiments the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

Furthermore, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

Where the technical characteristics in the claims are followed by numerical references and / or abbreviations, said numerical references and / or abbreviations have been added for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and therefore said numerical references and / or abbreviations do not produce any effect. on the scope of each element identified only as an indication by said numerical references and / or abbreviations.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Box (1) for containing mail (20), parcels or the like comprising a box-like body (2) defining a containment receptacle (3) and having an opening (4) suitable for allowing the insertion of mail ( 20) or the like inside said containment receptacle (3), said box (1) being associated with a name tag (5) comprising a support device (6) for an identification element (7) of the subject to which it is associated said box (1), characterized in that it comprises sensor means (10) adapted to detect the insertion of mail (20) or the like into said containment receptacle (3) through said opening (4), said sensor means (10) being operationally connected to indicator means (11) having at least a portion visible from the outside of said box (1) and can be activated to pass from an inoperative condition to an operative condition following the detection by said sensor means (10) of the insertion of mail (20) or similar them in said containment receptacle (3) through said opening (4). Box (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensor means (10) are supported by said name holder (5). Cassette (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said indicating means (11) are supported by said name holder (5). Cassette (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sensor means (10) are selected from the group comprising: - infrared sensors; - photosensors; - motion sensors; - capacitive sensors; - presence sensors. 5. Cassette (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said indicator means (11) comprise a light signaling device (11a). Cassette (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a power supply device for said sensor means (10) and / or said indicator means (11). Cassette (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sensor means (10) are arranged at a lower height than said opening (4). 8. Cassette (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a control device (8) operatively connected to said indicating means (11) and able to allow the passage of said indicating means (11) from said operative condition in said inoperative condition. Cassette (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises timing means adapted to bring said indicator means (11) from said operating condition to said inoperative condition after a predeterminable period of time. Cassette (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control device (8) is selected from the group comprising: - a sensor for opening said box (10); - a manual reset button (9).