WO2001097664A1 - Ameliorations relatives a un systeme de livraison a domicile - Google Patents

Ameliorations relatives a un systeme de livraison a domicile Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001097664A1
WO2001097664A1 PCT/GB2001/002626 GB0102626W WO0197664A1 WO 2001097664 A1 WO2001097664 A1 WO 2001097664A1 GB 0102626 W GB0102626 W GB 0102626W WO 0197664 A1 WO0197664 A1 WO 0197664A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
goods
delivery
sections
condition
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2001/002626
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David Stuart Archbold
Yannis Archbold
Original Assignee
David Stuart Archbold
Yannis Archbold
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0014736A external-priority patent/GB0014736D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0020548A external-priority patent/GB0020548D0/en
Application filed by David Stuart Archbold, Yannis Archbold filed Critical David Stuart Archbold
Priority to AU64121/01A priority Critical patent/AU6412101A/en
Publication of WO2001097664A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001097664A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
    • A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
    • A47G29/141—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
    • A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
    • A47G29/20—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
    • B65D81/3825—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container with one or more containers located inside the external container
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • F25D11/02—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
    • A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
    • A47G29/141—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
    • A47G2029/144—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means the receptacle being transportable and attachable to a building
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
    • A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
    • A47G29/141—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
    • A47G2029/147—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • F25D11/003—Transport containers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D19/00—Arrangement or mounting of refrigeration units with respect to devices or objects to be refrigerated, e.g. infrared detectors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/06—Walls
    • F25D23/069—Cooling space dividing partitions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
    • F25D2331/804—Boxes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/10—Refrigerator top-coolers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/38—Refrigerating devices characterised by wheels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/02—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using ice, e.g. ice-boxes
    • F25D3/06—Movable containers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/12—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using solidified gases, e.g. carbon-dioxide snow
    • F25D3/125—Movable containers

Definitions

  • the invention to which this application relates is apparatus and a system which allows the secure and convenient delivery of goods, which can include perishable goods, to home or other premises by a retailer.
  • the home delivery of goods is a well known procedure but has conventionally been restricted to the delivery of milk and dairy products early in the morning when it is cool and the products can remain outside at ambient temperature for a period of time and the products can be quickly collected up by the recipient of the goods.
  • Other home deliveries tend to comprise deliveries of clothing which are made when the recipient is in the premises or can be conveniently left without risk of the same being damaged or perishing.
  • Another problem is that, at the present time, goods which are ordered from a retail organisation such as a supermarket can in some instances, be loaded into containers in the form of trays with, for example, frozen foods being loaded into one tray, chilled foods being loaded into another tray and ambient foods and other articles being loaded into a third tray. These trays can then be placed, as required, into any of frozen, chilled or ambient compartments of the delivery vehicle but this causes problems. Firstly, the requirement to have different compartments within the vehicle causes the same to be relatively expensive to purchase and, thereafter, run.
  • the utilisation of the vehicle in terms of time used to deliver goods is not as high as desired due to the fact that with frozen or chilled foods, as they are picked and placed in the tray in the supermarket premises, they are required to be immediately taken to the frozen or chilled compartments of the vehicle to allow the same to be maintained in the required condition during delivery.
  • the vehicle is required to be present during the picking of the goods and loading of trays into the compartments and is therefore required to be present for a period of time during which it could preferably be used to be delivering goods.
  • the goods are placed in specially constructed temperature controlled rooms as an intermediate stage which is expensive due to double handling of the goods and the capital investment in such rooms or facilities.
  • a first aim of the present invention is to allow the provision of a container which provides improved accessibility to the users of the s ⁇ ame, both the deliverer and customer.
  • a further aim is to allow the scheduling of delivery services to be considerably improved to benefit both the customer and deliverer and a yet further aim is to provide a system whereby the usage of the vehicle can be increased and furthermore, to reduce the need for the vehicle to be provided with compartmentalised storage area therein, or the need for specially constructed temperature controlled rooms at the supermarket or distribution depot. Loading of the vehicles is also more efficient because no fixed temperature controlled compartments are required in the vehicles and therefore the system/invention will allow greater flexibility as between the volume of goods carried at the three different temperatures. This allows the vehicles to be fully loaded for each delivery schedule irrespective of the proportions of ambient, chilled or frozen volumes carried.
  • a storage container for receipt of delivered goods, at least some of which are perishable, said container having at least one cavity in which the goods are placed, a lid for the closure of the container and a locking mechanism to maintain the lid in a closed position until opened by an authorised person and wherein the container is provided for the reception of goods at a point of delivery to a customer, said container including in the cavity, reception means for the goods to allow the same to be selectively stored in the same and selectively in one of a plurality of distinct sections selectively defined by the customer within the container, said sections, if defined, distinguished by the differences in temperature between the same and wherein said sections are positioned with respect to each other within the container with the number and size of the respective sections selected by the customer selecting the positioning of one or a number of partitions in the container.
  • the partitions which are used to define the sections are selectively positionable in a range of positions and/or orientations in the container.
  • the sections are defined in a vertical configuration within the container.
  • the sections comprise a section which is held at substantially ambient temperature, a further section which is held at a temperature to maintain chilled goods and a section which is provided to maintain frozen goods in the required condition for a sufficient period of time to allow the goods to be removed by the customer in due course.
  • the frozen and chilled goods sections are acted upon, to varying degrees by a refrigeration means.
  • the refrigeration means can be any, or any combination of a mains electric refrigeration pump, eutectic plates, peltier effect system, absorption, LPG or any combination of the same.
  • the frozen goods section is positioned to be above the chilled goods section.
  • apertures and/or passages can be provided between the frozen and chilled sections to allow the colder air from the frozen section to pass to the chilled goods section and exert a cooling effect on the same.
  • any appropriate cooling means can be used and mention of one need not specifically be at the exclusion of others.
  • typical cooling means can include any or any combination of gel packs, eutectic plates or dry ice as well as powered refrigeration means, powered cooling means whether Peltier Effect, Absorption, conventional, and/or LPG.
  • the partitions which separate the sections can be insulated and are shaped such that insertion in a first position defines respective sections to have first sizes and insertion of the same in a second position when turned over defines respective sections of different size. This allows the size of the sections to be adjusted to suit the customers requirements in respect of particular ordered goods storage requirements and to allow adjustment of the same from delivery to delivery as the composition of the said deliveries change from time to time, dependent upon aspects such as the particular retailer, time of year and so on.
  • the lid which allows access to the container when open extends across the top and down part of at least one side wall of the container thereby allowing access to be gained to the same.
  • a net or other retaining means can be provided to prevent goods from falling out of the side wall when the lid is open.
  • the container is typically moveable via wheels between a storage position when not in use and a position accessible by the delivery service.
  • the wheels can be mounted at the front of the container such that the container can be placed close to a wall without needing to be shuffled into position after the box has been lowered off its wheels such that when awaiting delivery, the container can be locked to an anchor point positioned on the wall.
  • the anchor is achieved via the mating of male and female members provided on one of the container and anchor plate respectively.
  • the members and container lie flush to a wall such that the lock can only be released when the container lid is opened and release means accessed internally of the container.
  • the refrigeration for the container is provided from a premises such that the delivery container does not need a refrigeration unit itself.
  • the refrigeration unit is provided on site and may, for example, be provided in a premises, garage or the like.
  • the same can be connected to the refrigeration unit to receive the cooling air, perhaps by a pipe connection. This therefore renders the container cheaper to make and supply, carriable and yet provide the chilling or freezing conditions required.
  • the container is insulated.
  • the container cavity includes a base which can be selectively split into two sections vertically or horizontally, a first section which is maintained at a temperature to allow frozen foodstuffs to be held in that condition, and a second section which allows chilled foodstuffs to be held in condition.
  • refrigeration means are provided in the base of the container and in one format are provided adjacent the frozen section.
  • the sections are defined by an insulated partition which can be selectively positioned in the cavity. If the partition is removed the entire base area of the cavity can be used as a chilled or frozen compartment.
  • the chilled area will be held at temperatures of between 0 to 5 degrees and the frozen area at —18 to -24 degrees Celsius.
  • this may be required to be controlled where the climates in which the container is used are particularly harsh.
  • the ambient temperature may be too cold for several types of goods or may cause damage to goods such as breakage of containers upon goods freezing, and, in this, case a heating mechanism can be included within the container to allow the "ambient" temperature to be controlled accordingly to suit the conventional " ambient" temperatures required for the goods to be stored in the section
  • the container is provided with a locking mechanism or mechanisms which can be accessed by the retailer delivering the goods and/or the customer only.
  • the locking mechanisms can be of any of a number of combinations but one preferred locking procedure is to provide the container in an open condition when empty and awaiting a delivery so that only when the delivery is made is the container locked by the delivery man locking it.
  • This procedure therefore ensures that the number of persons who can access the container when goods are in the same is limited with respect to conventional containers and furthermore, also protects the deliverer from accusations of theft, as once the goods are delivered the container can no longer be accessed by the deliverer.
  • a further preferred feature is that the container is provided with a means to prevent a child from gaining access to the cavity and becoming trapped inside.
  • a means to prevent a child from gaining access to the cavity and becoming trapped inside is to provide a lever inside the box which allows it to be unlocked from the inside thereby providing the ability for a child, or adult, to escape even if they get locked in.
  • a delivery system utilising the container as set out at a customers premises, said system comprising the steps of the deliverer of goods transporting the goods to customers premises for placement in the appropriate sections of the container and characterised in that the container is in an open condition awaiting arrival of the goods whereupon the deliverer opens the container, places the goods therein and upon closing the container, moves a lock to a locking position whereupon the container can thereafter only be opened by the customer with appropriate access means.
  • a further version of the container can be permanently positioned and in one embodiment may be provided as an integral part of a premises, garage or other structure.
  • a delivery system whereby the goods are placed into the cavity at the retailer and the goods and container are transported to the customers premises whereupon the container can subsequently be accessed for removal of the goods and wherein the container is provided with, or can be connected to an on site refrigeration unit which allows the container to be provided with at least one area which is chilled /or frozen thereby allowing goods placed in the same at the retailers to be retained in a chilled or frozen condition.
  • the container includes a power source which allows the refrigeration unit to be operable during transit and subsequent delivery.
  • securing means are provided which allow the container to be secured to an object or item to prevent the container from being moved or easily moved by an unauthorised person.
  • additional or add on containers or compartments there can be provided additional or add on containers or compartments and the container as herein described can be provided with securing means which allow the additional containers to be secured thereto. It is envisaged that these containers will be of particular use if the main container is to be used to store chilled or frozen goods and the additional or add on container can be used to store goods at ambient temperature with securing means such as a cable or more sophisticated locking system holding the same in a closed condition until authorised access can be made.
  • a delivery system for goods of a retail organisation to a premises utilising selectively at least three types of containers and/or storage conditions for a container, a first container or condition for the storage of goods in an ambient condition, a second type of container or condition for the storage of goods in a chilled condition, and a third type of container or condition for the storage of goods in a frozen condition, wherein upon an order being received, the required goods are placed in the appropriate container or containers and stored in the required condition and when the order or a number of orders which make up a delivery schedule are complete, the containers are placed in a delivery vehicle for delivery to the premises and wherein the food is maintained in the same or similar condition to that in which it entered the containers.
  • the chilled and frozen goods containers are provided with insulating means so as to allow the goods to be maintained in the similar conditions therein.
  • dry ice, gel packs and/or eutectic plates can be introduced or utilised with regard to the frozen goods container and/or cooled gel can be used in conjunction with the chilled goods containers to maintain the goods in the required conditions.
  • the insulation or eutectic plates/gel-packs used for cooling in the may be built into the containers.
  • the goods can be stored in the container and then maintained in the condition in that container without the need for the goods to be immediately placed in the delivery vehicle or into intermediate storage conditions.
  • This therefore means that the delivery vehicle need not be present during the picking of the goods which are ordered and may simply be required to be present at the time when the goods are required to be loaded, as a whole delivery load, for subsequent delivery.
  • the provision of the containers with the chilled or frozen refrigeration means that the delivery vehicle need not be compartmentalised with different storage conditions and therefore the cost of the vehicle is reduced.
  • one universal container which includes refrigeration means and which refrigeration means can be controlled by the user so as to allow the same container to be used for different storage conditions either to store ambient goods in which refrigeration means are turned off, chilled goods in which the refrigeration means are controlled to lower the temperature to a particular level or frozen goods in which the refrigeration means is controlled by the user to provide the frozen condition.
  • the locking systems for securing the lid or lids and for securing the container body or bodies are separate so it is possible to prevent access into the container at any point of the journey from the supermarket or distribution depot to the shoppers premises with a first securing means and during the unattended period when the shopper is not at the premises to receive the goods using a same or a second securing means.
  • the security of the delivered goods is achieved wherein there is provided a container for the storage of goods therein and the delivery of goods from a retail organisation to a premises and wherein there is provided, at the premises, a securing location, and securing means are provided to allow the container, or a number of containers, to be secured to the secure location and wherein, the securing means is utilised to secure both the container or containers to the secure location and the lid of the container or containers to the container body or bodies.
  • the securing means can be a flexible member which can pass through lugs for apertures provided in the secure location and on the container body and/or lid.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the container in a closed condition
  • Figures 2A-C illustrate a rear view and side views respectively of the container in one embodiment
  • FIGS 3 A-D illustrate various options for the cavity of the container in accordance with the invention
  • Figures 4A-C illustrate a preferred embodiment of the container of the invention
  • Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the container of Figures 4A- C;
  • Figure 6 illustrates an exploded diagram of the components of the container of Figures 4A-C;
  • FIGS 7A-C illustrate possible adjustable section partition arrangements
  • Figure 8 illustrates the schematic location of a container according to a further embodiment of the invention at premises for delivery of goods.
  • Figure 9 illustrates a detailed view of the locking means for securing the container and the lid on the container body .
  • FIG. 1 there is illustrated a perspective view of the container 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention in a closed condition.
  • the container comprises a lid 4 which engages with a front panel 6 which is itself hinge mounted with respect to the remainder of the container.
  • a locking mechanism prevents the same from being opened by any person unless they are provided with an authorised entry means such as a key or code to open the lock and various forms of lock are described later.
  • Figures 2A-C illustrate further views of the container and Figure 2A illustrates how at the rear of the container a power connection 8 can be provided along with refrigeration cooling means 10 for a refrigeration unit in the container which will be discussed in more detail later.
  • the container is also provided with wheels 14 to allow the container to moved between, for example, a position for the reception of goods, and a storage position when not in use.
  • Figures 3A-C illustrate various embodiments which can be selected by the customer for the container cavity 12. In the first instance each diagram shows the manner in which the lid 4 and front panel 6 can be opened to provide considerable open area to allow goods to be placed in and removed from the container especially as it is envisaged that the goods can be placed into the container in trays which are of a standard size and provided by the retailer.
  • Figure 3A illustrates the cavity 12 in the simplest format in which the whole cavity is provided for the storage of goods in the same form, which could be goods which can all be stored in ambient, chilled or frozen conditions. It is however unusual for all goods supplied by a supermarket retailer to require the same storage conditions.
  • Figures 3B and C illustrate further embodiments whereby the base area of the cavity is split into two sections 16,18 by a separating partition 20.
  • One section 16 is refrigerated by the refrigeration unit in the base of the container at the location of that area, to a temperature which allows frozen goods to be placed and stored therein, typically in a tray 22 of the sort shown, and the goods can then be held in the frozen condition until removal by the customer. It is also envisaged that the section 18 can be held in a chilled condition for chilled goods to be received therein.
  • Figure 3C shows an embodiment whereby the sections 16,18 are enclosed by a partition 24 which then leaves the top part 26 of the cavity free for the storage of these other goods therein.
  • Figure 3D illustrates how, for delivery purposes the container is provided to be stackable on other similar containers which can be of use for initial delivery of the containers to the customer for subsequent use and/or delivery of the containers with goods already stored therein.
  • a light within the container which can either be turned on when the lid is opened or alternatively may be on permanently, or for a timed period of time after closure, so that if a child is trapped in the same they can see means for releasing the lock which will typically be provided on the interior of the container for this purpose.
  • Access can be via a push button PIN number such that once the retailer has accessed the PIN number, the same cannot be used a second time by the retailer, thus reducing the possibility of the deliverer passing the number to a friend who could gain unauthorised entry.
  • Access can be made by the deliverer using a PIN which is usable for a set period of time, say 24 hours and again can only be used once.
  • the customer will have a different, primary number which they can use to gain access to the container. If required multiple PIN numbers can be provided to different delivery companies. If required a record of access to the locking mechanism, including times of access can be maintained.
  • the above features can be included in a card swipe system with the customer having a primary card and the retailer a secondary, disposable card which can only be used once.
  • Other alternative arrangements can be provided such as push button or combination locks.
  • Figures 4A-C illustrate a further and preferred embodiment of the invention wherein there is provided a container 102 which includes three sections, 104, 106,108 as shown in Figure 5, and accessible by a lid 110 which allows access through the top and part of the front side wall as shown.
  • a net 112 is provided which allows access to be gained but without causing goods to fall out through the opening and a locking means 114 is provided to allow secure closure of the lid.
  • the sections comprise the larger ambient section 104 vertically positioned above a cooling unit 116 shown in Figure 6 and inserted in the container and which includes the frozen goods section 106 which in turn is positioned above the chilled goods section 108.
  • the two sections in the cooling unit which can be formed of any suitable insulation material or structure, are acted upon by a refrigeration unit 118 within the container.
  • An alternative is to provide a connection to an external refrigeration unit.
  • the partitions 120,122 which define the sections are shaped such that insertion of the same in different orientations in the container can allow the section sizes to be altered to suit specific deliveries.
  • Two alternative positions are illustrated by the broken lines 124, 126 in Figure 5 for the respective partitions 120,122 and spaced securing locations 128 may also be provided for selective use but are not shown in this drawing but are illustrated in further detail in Figures 7A-C discussed below.
  • An anchor plate 130 is also shown in Figures 5 and 6 and this comprises a plate fixed to an object such as the premises wall 132 as shown.
  • the anchor plate includes a mains electricity socket 134 to allow power to be supplied to the refrigeration unit as shown and a locking position 136 for the container.
  • the container To lock the container to the anchor plate the container is simply brought into abutment with the anchor plate and the locking mechanism actuated as shown in Figure 5. To release the same it is necessary to first gain access to the interior of the container which is also typically locked such that the access can only be gained by authorised persons, thus preventing the unauthorised removal of the container.
  • Figures 7A-C illustrate further means of allowing the size of the sections in the container to be adjusted or, if one or some of the partitions are removed, to allow the number of sections to be adjusted to suit the goods of a delivery.
  • Figure 7A there is illustrated a cross section of the side walls 140,142 of the container.
  • the sidewalls defined three spaced partition locations 144,146,148.
  • the locations are provided in the same vertical plane but in side wall the locations are staggered outwardly from location 144 to location 148 to allow the partition to be inserted into the appropriate location 144,146 or 148 on side wall 140 and then "swung" into position on the matching locations on the side wall 142 as indicated by the appropriate arrow 150,152,154.
  • Figures 7B and 7C illustrate a further embodiment where the partition is provided with tabs 160 in specific configurations matching slots 162 provided in the side walls 164,166 of the container as illustrated in the Figure 7C for allowing the partition to pass to a lower position indicated by the end 165 of the slots or, by reorientating the partition with respect to the container by 180 degrees, causing the tabs 160 to match with the slots 168 and allow the partition to sit at the higher position.
  • the partition or partitions can also be removed completely for specific deliveries to allow a storage section or sections to be increased in size and allow a uniform storage condition or reduced storage conditions to be achieved.
  • the container as described herein has many improvements which it is believed will allow the same to be commercially successful and which offer significant advantages over known containers and systems. It also allows the container to be used in an unlocked and accessible condition while awaiting delivery of goods and then moved to a locked condition whilst containing the goods such that the goods can only be accessed by the customer with appropriate access means for the type of lock used.
  • the method is such that if an order for goods is received, via the Internet, telephone or otherwise, at a retail organisation, a person within that organisation is allocated the task of taking the goods for delivery. If that person identifies from the order that there are goods which are in a frozen condition then they can select a frozen goods container which will be typically insulated and provided with refrigeration means, such as dry ice or other means which allows goods within the container to be held in a frozen condition. They will then proceed to place the frozen goods in that container and then enclose the same with a lid such that the frozen goods can be maintained in the container in the required condition. The same process is then followed with any chilled goods which are identified which are placed in a chilled goods container and for goods which are capable of being stored in an ambient condition which are placed in a further container.
  • refrigeration means such as dry ice or other means which allows goods within the container to be held in a frozen condition.
  • the container 202 or containers for that particular order can be placed at the required premises and the containers are each provided with lugs 208, 209 to allow securing means 210 to be placed on the containers and also on to a securing location, in this case a bracket 212 on the premises wall as shown.
  • lock arrangement 214 which can be any suitable lock arrangement and remove the container from the position shown in Figure 8.
  • the securing means 210 can pass through the lugs of the container, one of which 209 is shown, to secure the lid of the container in position as the lugs 208,209 passes from the container body through an aperture 216 on the container lid 218 and therefore, in addition to preventing removal of the container, the passage of the securing means as shown in Figure 8 prevents removal of the lid and hence goods from the container thus performing two required operations in one.
  • An alternative embodiment is that there is provided a container with securing means as previously but in this case the lid is provided for sliding engagement with the body and only one lug is required to pass through an aperture in the side of the container body. In this case the securing means needs only pass through this lug to provide the securing of the lid with the body.
  • the lid may be hinged along one end of the body with one lug being provided for the securing means at the opposing edge of the lid.
  • the lid can be removed completely from the container and also secured to the container by a locking mechanism.
  • the containers are provided to be nestable so as to allow improved transport capacity of vehicles when the containers are empty.
  • the system of the invention provides several advantages over the conventional methods used, firstly the number of containers used to provide the goods to the premises can be increased in accordance with the size of the order and the containers can still be securely located at the premises. It is easy to install and utilise the system, i.e. all that is required at the premises is a securing location such as somewhere to loop the securing means around so that the delivery can be made without problem. If there is no suitable securing location the retail organisation may provide a kit to allow the containers to subsequently be secured to the same (say for example a "rawl bolt").

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un contenant (102) pour la réception de marchandises à domicile et le stockage provisoire de marchandises, et un système de livraison de marchandises. Le contenant (102) comporte une série de parties (104, 106, 108), susceptibles d'être définies par la température de stockage propre, et comprenant généralement une partie (104) pour le stockage de marchandises à température ambiante, une partie (108) pour le stockage réfrigéré de marchandises, et une partie (106) pour le stockage de marchandises à l'état congelé. Ces deux dernières parties (108, 106) peuvent être soumises à l'action d'un système de réfrigération (118) et intégrées à une unité réfrigérante (116) dans le contenant (102). Ledit contenant (102) peut être portatif, susceptible d'être transporté depuis le détaillant vers le client dans le cadre du système décrit.
PCT/GB2001/002626 2000-06-17 2001-06-18 Ameliorations relatives a un systeme de livraison a domicile WO2001097664A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU64121/01A AU6412101A (en) 2000-06-17 2001-06-18 Improvements to home delivery system

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0014736A GB0014736D0 (en) 2000-06-17 2000-06-17 Improvements to home delivery system
GB0014736.3 2000-06-17
GB0020548A GB0020548D0 (en) 2000-08-22 2000-08-22 Home delivery system and goods containers
GB0020548.4 2000-08-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001097664A1 true WO2001097664A1 (fr) 2001-12-27

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2001/002626 WO2001097664A1 (fr) 2000-06-17 2001-06-18 Ameliorations relatives a un systeme de livraison a domicile

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6412101A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001097664A1 (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1226776A2 (fr) * 2001-01-30 2002-07-31 Petra Prof. Dr. Herkert Dispositif pour la livraison assurée d'objets encombrants
EP1408296A2 (fr) * 2002-10-09 2004-04-14 Wemo Kältetechnik GmbH Boítier de transport
WO2010121874A3 (fr) * 2009-04-20 2010-12-23 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Appareil ménager sur pieds comportant un pied supplémentaire
WO2012175967A1 (fr) * 2011-06-21 2012-12-27 Shopbox Systems Limited Appareil pour le déplacement et/ou la retenue d'articles
GB2522116A (en) * 2013-11-21 2015-07-15 Ocado Innovation Ltd Multi-compartment locker
WO2019185700A1 (fr) * 2018-03-27 2019-10-03 Robert Bosch Gmbh Récipients réutilisables
US20210022536A1 (en) * 2019-07-22 2021-01-28 Jerry Anderson Systems and methods for secure package delivery and retrieval
WO2022081206A1 (fr) * 2020-10-13 2022-04-21 Igloo Products Corp. Glacière intelligente
US11562610B2 (en) 2017-08-01 2023-01-24 The Chamberlain Group Llc System and method for facilitating access to a secured area
US11574512B2 (en) 2017-08-01 2023-02-07 The Chamberlain Group Llc System for facilitating access to a secured area

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GB2294499A (en) * 1994-10-28 1996-05-01 Glasdon Ltd A security container
US5774053A (en) * 1996-05-02 1998-06-30 Porter; David Storage device for the delivery and pickup of goods
GB2333095A (en) * 1998-01-13 1999-07-14 David Stuart Archbold A container for storing delivered goods
DE19803707A1 (de) * 1998-01-30 1999-08-05 Fraunhofer Ges Forschung Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Empfang von Lieferungen
US5979750A (en) * 1996-09-12 1999-11-09 Kindell; Gary J. Computerized delivery acceptance system
WO2000009841A1 (fr) * 1998-08-11 2000-02-24 Homeport (Cayman) Limited Procede de livraison a domicile sur
WO2000032480A2 (fr) * 1998-12-02 2000-06-08 David Porter Dispositif de stockage repliable pour livraison et collecte de marchandises
EP1114605A1 (fr) * 2000-01-05 2001-07-11 Espen Aarum Système de distribution pour télécommerce

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2294499A (en) * 1994-10-28 1996-05-01 Glasdon Ltd A security container
US5774053A (en) * 1996-05-02 1998-06-30 Porter; David Storage device for the delivery and pickup of goods
US5979750A (en) * 1996-09-12 1999-11-09 Kindell; Gary J. Computerized delivery acceptance system
GB2333095A (en) * 1998-01-13 1999-07-14 David Stuart Archbold A container for storing delivered goods
DE19803707A1 (de) * 1998-01-30 1999-08-05 Fraunhofer Ges Forschung Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Empfang von Lieferungen
WO2000009841A1 (fr) * 1998-08-11 2000-02-24 Homeport (Cayman) Limited Procede de livraison a domicile sur
WO2000032480A2 (fr) * 1998-12-02 2000-06-08 David Porter Dispositif de stockage repliable pour livraison et collecte de marchandises
EP1114605A1 (fr) * 2000-01-05 2001-07-11 Espen Aarum Système de distribution pour télécommerce

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1226776A2 (fr) * 2001-01-30 2002-07-31 Petra Prof. Dr. Herkert Dispositif pour la livraison assurée d'objets encombrants
EP1226776A3 (fr) * 2001-01-30 2003-03-05 Petra Prof. Dr. Herkert Dispositif pour la livraison assurée d'objets encombrants
EP1408296A2 (fr) * 2002-10-09 2004-04-14 Wemo Kältetechnik GmbH Boítier de transport
EP1408296A3 (fr) * 2002-10-09 2005-06-01 Wemo Kältetechnik GmbH Boítier de transport
WO2010121874A3 (fr) * 2009-04-20 2010-12-23 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Appareil ménager sur pieds comportant un pied supplémentaire
GB2509610A (en) * 2011-06-21 2014-07-09 Shopbox Systems Ltd Apparatus for movement and/or containment of articles
WO2012175967A1 (fr) * 2011-06-21 2012-12-27 Shopbox Systems Limited Appareil pour le déplacement et/ou la retenue d'articles
GB2522116A (en) * 2013-11-21 2015-07-15 Ocado Innovation Ltd Multi-compartment locker
US11562610B2 (en) 2017-08-01 2023-01-24 The Chamberlain Group Llc System and method for facilitating access to a secured area
US11574512B2 (en) 2017-08-01 2023-02-07 The Chamberlain Group Llc System for facilitating access to a secured area
US11941929B2 (en) 2017-08-01 2024-03-26 The Chamberlain Group Llc System for facilitating access to a secured area
WO2019185700A1 (fr) * 2018-03-27 2019-10-03 Robert Bosch Gmbh Récipients réutilisables
US20210022536A1 (en) * 2019-07-22 2021-01-28 Jerry Anderson Systems and methods for secure package delivery and retrieval
US11602236B2 (en) * 2019-07-22 2023-03-14 Jerry Anderson Systems and methods for secure package delivery and retrieval
WO2022081206A1 (fr) * 2020-10-13 2022-04-21 Igloo Products Corp. Glacière intelligente

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