NL2019060B1 - Mail order delivery receptacle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mail order delivery receptacle, comprising one or more than one side wall and a bottom of which at least one is collapsible to enable the receptacle to exhibit an expanded state and a collapsed state, wherein, in the expanded state, the one or more than one side wall and the bottom define a storage compartment. The invention also relates to a mail order delivery receptacle, comprising: - one or more than one side wall and a bottom that define a storage compartment; - a cover that is displaceable between a covered state, wherein said cover extends over said storage compartment, and an uncovered state, wherein said storage compartment is readily accessible; - a lock that is configured to lock the cover, in the covered state of said cover, relative to the storage compartment; and - a controller that is configured to unlock the cover and provide access to the storage compartment if a predetermined identifier is received.

Description

Netherlands Patent Office

Θ 2019060 (21) Application number: 2019060 © Application submitted: 13 June 2017 © BI PATENT (51) Int. CL:

A47G 29/20 (2017.01) A47G 29/14 (2018.01)

Q Application registered: © Patent holder (s): December 19, 2018 Home boxing B.V. in ALBLASSERDAM. © Request published: - © Inventor (s): Sander Ewout Sciarone in Breda. © Patent granted: Franciscus Vermunt in Standdaarbuiten. December 19, 2018 Johnny Capitein in Oudenbosch. Leonardus Hubertus Maria Teunissen © Patent issued: in Fij naart. April 24, 2019 © Authorized representative: ir. P.J. Hylarides et al. In The Hague.

54) Mail order delivery receptacle © The present invention relates to a mail order delivery receptacle, including one or more than one side wall and a bottom of which at least one is collapsible to enable the receptacle to exhibit an expanded state and a collapsed state, in the expanded state, the one or more than one side wall and the bottom define a storage compartment.

The invention also relates to a mail order delivery receptacle, including:

- one or more than one side wall and a bottom that define a storage compartment;

- a cover that is displaceable between a covered state, said said cover extends over said storage compartment, and an uncovered state, said said storage compartment is readily accessible;

- a lock that is configured to lock the cover, in the covered state or said cover, relative to the storage compartment; and

- a controller that is configured to unlock the cover and provide access to the storage compartment if a predetermined identifier is received.

NL Bl 2019060

This patent has been granted regardless of the attached result of the research into the state of the art and written opinion. The patent corresponds to the documents originally submitted.

Mail order delivery receptacle

The present invention relates to a mail order delivery receptacle.

Due to the internet, mail order delivery has increased significantly. Many people regularly buy items at web shops, and most items are packed in parcels that do not fit in a standard mailbox that was originally designed for letters and other paper mail. Courier services deliver such parcels and also pick up parcels that are delivered to another address. However, a delivery driver or a courier service is regularly confronted with the situation that a recipient is not present to receive the parcel in person. In such cases, the delivery driver either drops the parcel at the neighbors, or takes the parcel to be delivered at a later stage. Both situations are far from ideal. In the first situation, the neighbors are appealed to their courtesy and willingness to receive the parcel on behalf of the intended recipient. Not all neighbors are willing to grant this service, and it is often considered a burden. In the second situation, the recipient will have to wait longer for his or her items, and possibility will have to pick up the items at a remote pick up point. On the other hand, the courier service driver is delayed in both situations, and especially in the second situation it will require additional work for the driver as the parcel will have to be offered either again at a later time or will have to be delivered at a remote pick up point. Moreover, both situations are not consumer friendly.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mail order delivery receptacle, that is improved relative to the prior art and being least of the above stated problems is obviated.

Said object is achieved with the mail order delivery receptacle according to a first aspect of the present invention, including one or more than one side wall and a bottom of which at least one is collapsible to enable the receptacle to exhibit an expanded state and a collapsed state, in, in the expanded state, the one or more than one side wall and the bottom define a storage compartment.

The mail order delivery receptacle having a collapsed and an expanded state allows the mail order delivery receptacle to be collapsed when not in use, and expanded when required for receiving or offering a parcel or any other object. In this way, the mail order delivery receptacle may be present at or near a building without occupying unnecessary space when not in use, while immediately available if required.

Said object is also achieved with the mail order delivery receptacle according to a second aspect of the present invention, including:

- one or more than one side wall and a bottom that define a storage compartment;

- a cover that is displaceable between a covered state, said said cover extends over said storage compartment, and an uncovered state, said said storage compartment is readily accessible;

- a lock that is configured to lock the cover, in the covered state or said cover, relative to the storage compartment; and

- a controller that is configured to unlock the cover and provide access to the storage compartment if a predetermined identifier is received.

According to this second aspect, the mail order delivery receptacle is especially suitable for receiving parcels with valuable items. The lock and controller allow a delivery driver to unlock the mail order delivery receptacle with a predetermined identifier. Preferably, this identifier is only known by the specific driver, and is preferably a unique code and / or may be used only once to unlock the mail order delivery receptacle. In this way, the delivery driver may pick up a parcel or any other object from the mail order delivery receptacle when a recipient is not present for receiving his delivery. The delivery driver is not delayed, and the recipient is offered a secure and guaranteed receipt.

Preferred are the subject of the dependent claims.

In the following description preferred out of the present invention are further elucidated with reference to the drawing, in which:

Figures 1-5 and 7-10 show perspective views of successive states or use of a mail order delivery recipe according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows a cross sectional side view of the state shown in Figure 5; and

Figure 11 shows mail order delivery recipe according to an alternative embodiment.

The mail order delivery receptacle 1 comprises one or more than one side wall 2 and a bottom 3 or which at least one is collapsible to enable the receptacle to exhibit an expanded state and a collapsed state (Figures 1-2). In the expanded state that is shown in Figures 7-10, the one or more than one side wall 2 and the bottom 3 define a storage compartment 4.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, the mail order delivery receptacle 1 further comprises a cover 5 that is displaceable between a covered state (Figures 9 and 10), and an uncovered state (e.g. Figures 5 and 7). In the covered state, the cover 5 extends over the storage compartment 4, whereas in the uncovered state, the storage compartment 4 is readily accessible. A cover 5 allows any items in the mail order delivery receptacle 1 to be shielded from view and eg rain, but the skilled person will understand that some groceries such as fruit or vegetables may also be exposed to the weather, while their limited value does not necessarily require the option to have a cover 5 that may be locked.

In the collapsed state shown in Figures 1 and 2, one of the one or more than one side wall 2 is a front wall 6 and the cover 5 is arranged substantially parallel relative to the front wall 5 in the uncovered state. In the combination of the expanded state of the mail order delivery receptacle 1 and an uncovered state of said cover 5, the storage compartment 4 is accessible for parcels to be delivered or to be picked up (Figure 7).

Figure 7 also shows that the cover 5 may be shiftable along the front wall 6. In Figure 8, the cover 5 is rotated over an upper edge 7 or the front wall 6. In order to facilitate this movement, the cover 5 is slidably and rotatably arranged in a guide 8. The guide 8 is arranged at or near one or more than one side edge 9 or the front wall 6.

The cover 5 is exposed in both the covered slate (e.g., Figures 9 and 10) and the uncovered state (e.g., Figures 1 and 5) ther. This allows the cover to be used for several purposes, such as printing a logo or personalization via e.g. a house number. Also, one or more than one solar cell may be arranged in said cover 5.

In order to protect valuable parcels that are placed in the storage compartment 4 of the mail order delivery receptacle 1, preferably comprising a lock 10 that is configured to lock the cover, in the covered state of said cover 5, relative to the storage compartment 4.

The lock 10 may be further configured to lock at least one of the bottom 3, the one or more than one side wall 2 and the cover 5 in the collapsed state (Figure 1). In this way, it is prevented that unauthorized people, such as vandals, may expand the mail order delivery receptacle 1 and may possibly access the attachment or the mail order delivery receptacle 1 to e.g. a (not shown) wall of a housing. In the shown embodiment, one of the side walls 2 is a back wall 11 that is configured to be mounted on a building.

The lock 10 comprises a sliding part 12 that exhibits an extended state (Figures 29), the cover 5 is unlocked, and a retracted state (Figures 1 and 10) said said cover 5 is locked by said sliding part 12. In Figures 1 and 10, the sliding part 12 restricts movement of the cover 5, and thus functions as a lock 10.

In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 11, the mail order delivery receptacle 1 comprises a cover 5 with two independent sub covers 5 "and 5", and the storage compartment 4 comprises a flexible partition 13 that divides the storage compartment 4 into subcompartments. The flexible partition 13 preferably comprises a Kevlar cloth, because this material is capable of withstand cutting by a knife.

In order to enhance security, the mail order delivery receptacle 1 may further include at least one of a camera 14, a load sensor 15 or any type of presence sensor. As shown in Figure 6, a load sensor 15 may be arranged opposite an edge 16 where the bottom 3 is pivotable connected to the front wall 6. Due to the principle of mechanical leverage, the load sensor 15 may be very accurately sense if a parcel is delivered. It is equally conceivable that a web shop provides information about the weight of a parcel, allowing the mail order delivery recipe 1 to check if the correct parcel is received.

The mail order delivery receptacle 1 further comprises a controller 17 (only schematically indicated in Figure 6) and an input 18. In the shown edition, input 18 is combined with a display 19, but it is also conceivable that the input is wireless, eg via NFC or any other protocol. Alternatively, a (bar) code reader 20 may be applied, allowing a delivery driver to scan a bar code on a parcel. The mail order delivery recipe may then automatically provide a (digital) delivery receipt.

The controller 17 is configured to unlock the cover and provide access to the storage compartment 4 if a predetermined identifier is received. The identifier may at least be one of an identifier input in the input 18, provide a barcode via the (bar) code reader 20 or any wireless identifier. A mobile device or the delivery driver may be used for transmitting a wireless identifier to the controller 17.

Security is improved if the identifier is a unique identifier. The controller 17 can store when the mail order delivery receptacle 1 was accessed using a specific identifier, and may inform the intended recipient, possibly even in real time, that a parcel has been delivered or picked up. The unique identifier code may be used to link the parcel to a specific order.

Security is just as further improved as the controller 17 is configured to provide only one-time access per identifier.

Preferably, the controller 17 is configured to store a point of time at which an identifier is received, and preferably at least each point of time at which access is provided to the storage compartment 4.

Figures 1-10 shown successive states of converting a mail order delivery receptacle 1 from a collapsed state (Figure 1) to an expanded state.

If a delivery driver is recognized by the controller 17, the sliding part 12 slides away at least one of the one or more than one side wall 2, the bottom 3 and the cover 5, and in this way unlocks the mail order delivery receptacle 1 to be expandable (Figure 2). A personalized message may be shown to the delivery driver if he / she is recognized by a unique identifier.

In Figure 3, the front wall 6 is moved away from the back wall 11, continuously expanding the storage compartment 4. The side walls that are arranged between the front wall 6 and the back 11 are partitioned, and pivot relative to each other.

Figures 5 and 6 show how the bottom 3 may be pivoted downwards until it rests on supports 21. The bottom 3 may be locked by an additional lock 22, which may be mechanically linked to the sliding part 12.

In Figure 7 the cover 5 has been moved in guide 8 and shifted along the front wall 6 until it is pivoted around the upper edge 7 or said front wall 6 (Figure 8).

The cover 5 may then be moved over the storage compartment 4 (Figure 9) and locked relative to the storage compartment 4 by lowering the sliding part 12 (Figure 10).

Alternatively, a delivery driver may request access to the mail order delivery receptacle 1 even without an identifier that is provided in advance. In order to prevent theft by unknown people, access may only be allowed in situations where the mail order delivery receptacle 1 does not yet accommodate a parcel or any other object. However, if a delivery driver has a unique identifier provided in advance, access may even be granted when the mail order delivery receptacle 1 is already in use. After a parcel has been stored in the storage compartment 4 of the mail order delivery receptacle 1, the intended recipient may provide his / her predetermined identifier to the controller 17. If this predetermined identifier is received, the controller 17 unlocks the cover 5 and provides access to the storage compartment 4.

The skilled person will understand the use of a controller 17 with an identifier for a delivery driver is also applicable to mail order delivery receptacles that are not necessarily collapsible and expandable. Therefore, a second aspect of the invention relates to a mail order delivery receptacle 1, including:

- one or more than one side wall 2 and a bottom 3 that define a storage compartment 4;

- a cover 5 that is displaceable between a covered state, said said cover extends over said storage compartment 4, and an uncovered state, said said storage compartment 4 is readily accessible;

- a lock 10 that is configured to lock the cover 5, in the covered state or said cover 5, relative to the storage compartment 4; and

- a controller 17 that is configured to unlock the cover 5 and provide access to the storage compartment 4 if a predetermined identifier is received.

Preferably, the mail order delivery receptacle 1 according to this second aspect is also collapsible as described above with respect to the first aspect of the invention.

The above described are only intended to illustrate the invention and not to limit in any way the scope of the invention. The skilled person will also understand that the invention is not limited to parcels. Therefore, where parcel is used as example, any other object that may be delivered or received, such as groceries, are explicitly also encompassed.

It should be understood that where features mentioned in the appended claims are followed by reference signs, such signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting on the scope of the claims. The scope of the invention is defined solely by the following claims.

Claims (5)

Conclusions 1/6 A mail order receiving bin, comprising one or more than one side wall and a bottom of which at least one is collapsible to enable the bin to display a folded-out state and a folded-in state, wherein, in the folded-out state, the one or more than one side wall and the bottom defining a storage compartment. 2/6 21 FIG. 6 ²¹ 15 The mail order receiving bin according to claim 1, further comprising a cover that is movable between a covered state in which the cover extends over the storage compartment and an uncovered state in which the storage compartment is easily accessible. Mail order receiving bin according to claim 2, wherein one of the one or more than one side wall is a front wall and the cover is arranged substantially parallel to the front wall in the uncovered state. The mail order receiving bin according to claim 3, wherein the cover is slidable along the front wall. Mail order receiving bin according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cover is rotatable around an upper edge of the front wall. Mail order receiving bin according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the cover is slidably and rotatably mounted in a guide. Mail order receiving bin according to claim 6, wherein the guide is arranged at or near one or more than one side edge of the front wall. A mail order receiving bin according to at least one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the cover is exposed in both its covered state and its uncovered state. A mail order receiving bin according to at least one of claims 2 to 8, comprising a lock configured to lock the cover, in the covered condition of the cover, relative to the storage compartment. The mail order receiving bin according to claim 9, wherein the lock is further configured to lock at least one of the bottom, the one or more than one side wall and the cover in the collapsed state. A mail order receiving bin according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the lock comprises a sliding part that has an extended state, in which the cover is unlocked, and a retracted state, in which the cover is locked by the sliding part. A mail order receiving bin according to at least one of claims 2-11, wherein the lid comprises at least two independent sub-lids, and wherein the storage compartment comprises a flexible partition. A mail order receiving bin according to at least one of claims 2-12, further comprising at least one of a camera, an exposure sensor, and a presence sensor. A mail order receiving bin according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising a controller and an input. The mail order receiving bin according to at least claim 9 and claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to unlock the lid and grant access to the storage compartment when a predetermined identifier is received. The mail order receiving bin according to claim 15, wherein the identifier is a unique identifier. The mail order receiving bin according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the controller is configured to grant access only once per identifier. The mail order receiving bin according to at least one of claims 15-17, wherein the controller is configured to store a time when an identifier is received. The mail order receiving bin according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a light source. A mail order receiving bin according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more than one solar panel. A mail order receiving bin, comprising: 5 - one or more than one side wall and a bottom defining a storage compartment; - a lid that is movable between a covered state, in which the lid extends over the storage compartment, and an uncovered state, in which the storage compartment is easily accessible; A lock configured to lock the lid, in the covered condition of the lid, relative to the storage compartment; and - a controller configured to unlock the lid and provide access to the storage compartment when a predetermined identifier is received. 22. Mail order receiving bin, wherein the mail order receiving bin is collapsible according to at least one of claims 1-20. 5/6 .12 FIG. 10