WO2018069211A1

WO2018069211A1 - Dispensing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2018069211A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/075609
Authority: WO
Inventors: Grégory DUFOUR; Jean Marc ROBIN
Original assignee: Nestore Green Technologies
Priority date: 2016-10-14
Filing date: 2017-10-09
Publication date: 2018-04-19
Also published as: FR3057448A1; FR3057448B1

Abstract

Dispensing machine comprising: a housing unit (4) equipped with shelves (8, 9, 12) so as to form superposed pigeonholes (13) open on the one same side; an upper roller shutter system (14) comprising an upper apron (15) and an upper horizontal means (16) for winding/unwinding the upper apron, a portion (15a) of the upper apron deploying downwards facing the said side of the said unit, a lower roller shutter system (19) comprising a lower apron (20) and a lower horizontal means (21) for winding/unwinding the lower apron, a portion (20a) of the lower apron deploying upwards facing the said side of the said unit; and a control device (124) able to instruct the said winding/unwinding means (16, 21) into relative positions such that the horizontal end edges (18, 23) of the said aprons leave between them a passage (P) providing access to a selected pigeonhole.

Description

Distributor of goods

The present invention relates to the field of goods distributors.

In the field of electronic commerce, it is known that a customer places an order via the internet at a selected store and that the customer comes to withdraw the ordered products at a location adjacent to the store.

Attempts have been made to make goods available in places or points of withdrawal closer to the customer. The best known is to provide individual lockers of temporary storage of the type lockers or mailboxes. For this, it is provided to the customer an identification of a specific locker in which the ordered goods will be stored and the opening of this locker will be authorized by reading the credit card of the customer or by a code previously communicated to the customer when of his order.

Nevertheless, equipping each rack with an access door makes such dispensers very expensive to manufacture and manage. On the other hand, trays with specific dimensions, the goods sometimes occupy a small volume inside the lockers and goods also do not enter the lockers.

There is provided a goods dispenser which comprises: at least one receiving block provided with shelves disposed above and away from each other so as to form open crates on the same side of said block;

an upper rolling shutter system comprising an upper apron and an upper horizontal winding / unwinding means of the upper apron, so that a vertical portion of the upper apron can be extended downward facing said side of said receiving block , a lower rolling shutter system comprising a lower apron and a lower horizontal winding / unwinding means of the lower deck, so that a vertical portion of the lower deck can be extended upwardly opposite said side of said receiving deck ; and

a control device adapted to control said winding / unwinding means for selectively placing said aprons in selected relative positions such that horizontal end edges of the deployed portions of said aprons leave between them an access passage to a selected bin.

The control device comprises means for memorizing the relative vertical positions of said tablets in said reception block, means for selecting any one of said bins, and means for activating said winding / unwinding means under the effect. storage means and selection means.

The dispenser may comprise opposing vertical slides for guiding the opposite vertical edges of the deployed portions of said aprons.

The dispenser may comprise a vertical separation wall between an interior space and an outside space, having an access opening, the reception block being placed inside the interior space, said deployed portions of said aprons being able to conceal at least partially said access opening of said wall.

At least some of said shelves may be removable, the receiving block may be provided with a plurality of support means adapted to selectively carry the removable shelves so as to form lockers of adjustable heights.

The control device may comprise means for detecting or programming the presence / absence of one or more removable tablets for storing, in said memory means, the positions of the tablets placed in said reception block. The detection means may be carried by at least one of said aprons.

The dispenser may comprise translation transport means to which said receiving block is coupled.

The dispenser may comprise a plurality of reception blocks coupled to said transport means.

The dispenser may comprise a box in which the reception box is installed, this box having a vertical wall having an access opening to said reception blo c, said aprons being able to at least partially obscure said access opening.

A goods distributor will now be described by way of nonlimiting example, illustrated by the appended drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows a vertical section of the dispenser, perpendicular to a vertical wall;

- Figure 2 shows a vertical section of the distributor parallel to said wall;

- Figure 3 shows a horizontal section of the dispenser; and

- Figure 4 shows a diagram of an electronic device of the dispenser.

According to the present description, the term "goods" in particular all kinds of objects, packages, envelopes.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a goods dispenser 1 situated in the vicinity of a vertical separation wall 2 which delimits an internal space INT and an external space EXT and which has an access opening 3, for example rectangular.

The dispenser 1 comprises a merchandise receiving compartment 4 which is placed in the interior space INT, of which a front open front face 4a is located opposite and at a short distance from the access opening 3 of the wall 2 and which comprises opposite vertical side walls 5 and 6, perpendicular to the partition wall 2, a rear vertical wall 7 which is parallel to the partition wall 2 and which joins the rear vertical edges of the side walls 5 and 6, a horizontal fixed lower shelf 8 which joins the lower horizontal edges of the side walls 5 and 6 and the rear wall 7 and a fixed horizontal upper shelf 9 which joins the upper horizontal edges side walls 5 and 6 and rear wall 7, so that the receiving block 4 is of parallelepiped shape.

The side walls 5 and 6 of the receiving block 4 have a plurality of opposite horizontal support rails 10 and 1 1 spaced vertically and adapted to receive and support the opposite side edges of intermediate horizontal shelves 12.

Thus, between the lower shelf 8 and the upper horizontal shelf 9 can be arranged superimposed lockers 13 separated by intermediate shelves 12 and open on the same side of the reception blok 4, namely the side corresponding to the front face 4a of the reception blok 4 and opposite the opening 3 of the wall 2.

According to an alternative embodiment, the intermediate shelves 12 can be permanently installed.

According to another embodiment, the intermediate shelves 12 can be removable so that the number and height of the lockers 13 are adjustable and depend on the number and vertical relative provisions of the intermediate shelves 12 put in place. The removable intermediate shelves 12 can be put in place and removed for example through the opening 3 of the wall 2 or through corresponding slots in the rear wall 7 of the receiving block 4.

The dispenser 1 comprises an upper rolling shutter system 14 which comprises an upper apron 15 formed of a plurality of longitudinal horizontal blades interconnected by hinges and comprises an upper winding / unwinding means 16 mounted in a horizontal plane. upper 17 disposed above the access opening 3 of the wall 2 and for example the fixed on an inner face of the wall 2.

The upper winding / unwinding means 16 comprises a longitudinal horizontal axis to which one end is fixed. upper deck 15 and whose rotation is controlled by an electric motor.

Upon rotation of the axis of the upper winding / unwinding means 16 in one direction or the other, the upper deck 15 may be wound or unwound and circulated through a slot of the upper deck 17, so that an extended vertical portion 15a of the upper apron 15, extending downwards and having a lower horizontal edge 18, can go up or down to obscure more or less the access opening 3 of the wall 2, from the top of this opening 3 of the wall 2.

The dispenser 1 comprises a lower rolling shutter system 19 which comprises a lower deck 20 formed of a plurality of longitudinal horizontal blades interconnected by hinges and comprises a lower winding / unwinding means 21 mounted in a horizontal plane. 22 located below the opening 3 of the wall 2 and for example fixed on the inner face of the wall 2.

The lower winding / unwinding means 2 1 comprises a longitudinal horizontal axis to which is fixed a lower end of the lower deck 20 and whose rotation is controlled by an electric motor.

During the rotation of the axis of the lower winding / unwinding means 21 in one direction or the other, the lower apron 20 can be wound or unwound and circulates through a slot of the lower trunk 22 so that an extended vertical portion 20a of the lower apron 20, extending downwards and having an upper horizontal edge 23, can go up or down to obscure more or less the access opening 3 of the wall 2, from the bottom of this opening 3 of the wall 2.

In order to guide the raising and lowering movements of the deployed portions 15a and 20a of the aprons 1 5 and 20, there are provided vertical opposed U-shaped slides 24 and 25 which are fixed on either side of the access opening. 3 of the wall 2, for example against the face inner wall 2, and wherein the opposite ends of the horizontal blades forming the aprons 15 and 20 can slide.

According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in the figures, the opposite vertical slides 24 and 25 may be common to the deployed portions 15a and 20a of the aprons 15 and 20. In this case, the horizontal end edges 18 and 23 of the deployed portions 15a and 20a can abut against each other to obscure the opening 3 of the wall 2.

According to another embodiment, pairs of opposite vertical guides 24 and 25 may be provided to guide vertically respectively the deployed portions 15a and 20a of the aprons 15 and 20. In this case, the deployed portions 15a and 20a of the aprons 15 and 20 can overlap, each can then hide the opening 3 of the wall 2 by forming a double wall.

Dispenser 1 operates as follows.

To completely close the access opening 3 of the wall 2, the winding / unwinding means 16 and 21 are activated so that the lower horizontal edge 18 of the upper apron 15 and the upper horizontal edge 23 of the lower apron 20 are brought closer together. and placed one in contact with the other in the case where common vertical slides 24 and 25 are provided. In the case where pairs of vertical runners 24 and 25 are provided, the lower horizontal edge 18 of the upper deck 15 is placed at the bottom of the opening 3 of the wall 2 and the upper horizontal edge 23 of the lower deck 20 is placed at the top. of the opening 3 of the wall 2. Access to the lockers 13 of the receiving block 4 is then impossible from the outer space EXT. This closed position can be obtained regardless of the vertical position of the edges 18 and 23, in contact with each other, with respect to the access opening 3 of the wall 2.

To completely open the access opening 3 of the wall 2, the winding / unwinding means 16 and 21 are activated so that the lower horizontal edge 18 of the upper apron 15 and the upper horizontal edge 23 of the lower apron 20 are spaced apart. and placed respectively at the top and bottom of the access opening 3. The face front of the receiving block 4 is disengaged and the bins 13 of the receiving block 4 are then all accessible from the outer space EXT through the access opening 3 of the wall 2.

To establish an access passage P between the lower horizontal edge 18 of the upper apron 15 and the upper horizontal edge 23 of the lower apron 20, access to a locker selected from any of the lockers 13, activates the means winding / unwinding 16 and 21 so that the lower horizontal edge 1 8 of the upper apron 15 and the upper horizontal edge 23 of the lower apron 20 are placed in the vertical direction respectively opposite, horizontally, shelves which delimit vertically this selected cassier. The other lockers are then inaccessible.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the distributor 1 is equipped with an electronic control device 124 capable of activating the winding / unwinding means 16 and 21 for selectively placing the aprons 15 and 20 in selected relative positions, corresponding to the positions described above.

This electronic control device 124 comprises electronic storage means 125 of the relative vertical positions of the tablets 8, 9 and 12 in the receiving block 4, electronic means 126 for selecting the positions to reach the aprons 15 and 20 and electronic means 127, for example an electronic microcontroller, for controlling the winding / unwinding means 1 6 and 21 selectively according to the positions to reach the aprons 15 and 20 to close or open the access opening 3 of the wall 4 or to establish a access passage P corresponding to any one of the bins 13 of the reception block 4.

In the case where the intermediate shelves 12 are removable, the electronic device 124 may further comprise a detector 28 of the presence / absence of at least some of these intermediate shelves 12. The detector 28 can be carried for example by the apron 15, near its end edge 1 8, and may be a proximity sensor for example sensitive to the presence of an obj and metallic formed by a metal shelf or a metal object and carried by the shelves.

The electronic storage means 125 can be programmed as follows.

The relative vertical positions of the shelves 8 and 9 and the opposite horizontal support rails 10 and 11 are stored.

An operator having installed at least some of the intermediate shelves 12 in the receiving block 4, a learning step is performed during which the winding / unwinding means 16 is activated to move the deck 1 5 so that the detector 28 detects the intermediate tablets installed and that the electronic storage means 125 memorize the positions of these tablets installed, which will be taken into account later by the electronic control means 127.

In a relationship between a distribution operator and a recipient of a commodity, the dispenser 1 can be used in the following manner, in conjunction with a management computer.

By implementing the electronic control device 124, the dispensing operator deposits the goods in a selected bin 13 of the reception block 4, possibly after having dimensioned the height of this bin 13 as described above, according to the dimension of the goods. The removal of the goods can be done through the opening 3 of the wall 2, by activating the winding / unwinding means 16 and 21 to move the aprons 15 and 20. The removal of the goods can also be carried out for example. the rear wall 7 of the receiving block 4, this rear wall 7 having for this purpose doors that can be locked.

An identification code of this selected bin 13 is assigned, this identification code possibly being a specific code made available to the recipient by the distribution operator or a specific code associated with a payment card belonging to the recipient in the the case of a prior purchase of the goods by the consignee. At a time that he wishes, the recipient comes to the distributor 1 to recover his goods.

Thanks to a suitable adapted means, the recipient introduces his identification code into the selection means 126 for its recognition, for example by remote control.

This being done, the control device 24 activates the winding unwinding means 16 and 21 to establish an access passage P between the aprons 15 and 20 opposite the locker 13 selected. The recipient takes the goods through this passage.

After that, the control device 124 activates the winding / unwinding means 1 6 and 2 1 to close the access passage P.

For each recipient, the above operations can be repeated.

The dispenser 1 may further include the following provisions.

It is desirable to limit the drop of the goods during the withdrawal and to prevent access by a recipient to lockers 13 other than that which concerns it, by limiting the spaces between the receiving block 4 and the deployed portions 1 5 a and 20a aprons 15 and 20, without interfering with the movements of the aprons 1 5 and 20.

For this, according to an alternative embodiment, the lower horizontal edge 1 8 of the upper apron 15 and the upper horizontal edge 23 of the lower apron 20 can be equipped with horizontal inner flaps 29 and 30 extending towards the front face of the receiving block 4. According to another embodiment, it is the shelves 8, 9 and 12 which can be equipped with bibs extending towards the deployed portions 15a and 20a of the aprons 1 5 and 20.

In addition, vertical interior partitions 3 1 and 32 can be arranged from the wall 2 and on either side of the access opening 3, these partitions extending up to the walls 5 and 6 of the wall. receiving block 4. The side walls 5 and 6 of the receiving block 4 could also be equipped with bibs extending forwards In the case where common vertical slides 24 and 25 are provided, the edges 18 and 23 of the aprons 15 and 20 may be shaped to avoid, when they are in contact in the closed position, any penetration of an object and so that to oppose vandalism. In the case where vertical pairs of runners 24 and 25 are provided, the double wall formed by the deployed portions 15a and 20a of the aprons 15 and 20 in the closed position also makes it possible to oppose vandalism.

According to an alternative embodiment, the reception block 4 may be fixed and permanently installed.

According to another variant embodiment, the reception block 4 may be coupled to transport means 33 able to transport it in translation for example along a closed horizontal circuit. Other reception bloks 4 are advantageously coupled to this transport means 33 to form a plurality of reception blocks, in the manner of a suspended carousel or a rail train.

In the latter case, the control device 124 may also be programmed to bring a selected reception block 4 containing a rack 13 selected in the position described above so that its front end face is opposite the opening 3 of the wall 2 .

According to an alternative embodiment, the dispenser 1 can be installed in an interior space of a building whose wall has the opening 3.

According to another variant embodiment, illustrated in the figures, the dispenser 1 can be installed in a box 34, one of the walls of which consists of the wall 2.

According to an alternative embodiment, the means for detecting the presence / absence of one or more removable shelves 12 could comprise electrical contacts mounted on the receiving block 4, connected to the electronic device 124 and activated at the time of setting. in place tablets.

According to an alternative embodiment, the presence / absence of at least some of these intermediate tablets 12 could be stored in the electronic storage means 125 by an operator, the electronic storage means 125 being preprogrammed and the configuration being stored for example by means of a keyboard.

The electronic control device 124 could comprise means for indexing the positions of the horizontal edges 18 and 23 of the aprons 15 and 20 relative to each possible location of the shelves 12.

The electronic means 127 could be able to control the winding / unwinding means 16 and 2 1 selectively to establish an access passage P corresponding to any one of the bins 1 3, separated by the intermediate tablets 12, the blo 4, depending on the presence / absence of the intermediate shelves 12 as previously stored and indexing means determining the positions to reach the horizontal edges 1 8 and 23 of the aprons 15 and 20 relative to the shelves in place.

Claims

1. Goods distributor, comprising:

at least one receiving block (4) provided with shelves (8, 9, 12) arranged above and away from each other so as to form bins (13) open on the same side of said block;

an upper roller shutter system (14) comprising an upper apron (15) and an upper horizontal means (16) for winding / unwinding the upper deck, so that a vertical portion (15a) of the upper deck can be deployed to the bottom facing said side of said receiving block,

a lower roller shutter system (19) comprising a lower apron (20) and a lower horizontal means (21) for winding / unwinding of the lower deck, so that a vertical portion (20a) of the lower deck can be deployed towards the top facing said side of said receiving block; and

a control device (124) adapted to control said winding / unwinding means (16, 21) for selectively placing said aprons (15, 20) in selected relative positions such as horizontal end edges (18, 23) deployed portions (15a, 20a) of said aprons leave between them an access passage (P) to a selected rack;

and wherein the control device (124) comprises means for storing (125) the relative vertical positions of said tablets (12) in said receiving block, means for selecting (126) any of said bins, and means for activating said winding / unwinding means (16, 21) under the effect of the storage means (125) and the selection means (126).

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, comprising opposed vertical slides (24, 25) for guiding the opposite vertical edges of the deployed portions of said aprons.

3. Dispenser according to one of claims 1 and 2, comprising a vertical wall (2) separating an inner space and an outer space, having an access opening (3), the block receiving member (4) being placed inside the interior space, said deployed portions (15a, 20a) of said aprons (15, 20) being able to at least partially obscure said access opening (3) of said wall .

4. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of said shelves (12) are removable and wherein the receiving block (4) is provided with a plurality of support means (10, 1 1). able to selectively carry the removable shelves so as to form lockers of adjustable heights.

5. Dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the control device (124) comprises detection means (28) or programming the presence / absence of one or more removable tablets (12) for storing, in said storage means (125), the positions of the tablets placed in said reception block.

6. Dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the detection means (28) are carried by at least one of said aprons (1 5, 20).

7. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising transport means (33) in translation to which said reception blo c is coupled.

8. Dispenser according to claim 7, comprising a plurality of reception blocks (4) coupled to said transport means (33).

9. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a box (34) in which the receiving blok (4) is installed, this box having a vertical wall having an access opening (3) to said receiving block (4), said aprons (15, 20) being able to at least partially obscure said access opening (3).