Method for providing a pre-security depository

• US 20030226883A1
• Filed: 06/05/2002
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robin G. Liphard
• Original Assignee: Robin G. Liphard
• Inventors: Liphard, Robin G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,745,933 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 232/1R
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/06 having provision for multiple compartments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing

Abstract

A method for providing a pre-security deposit for an article and a selection station to aid in said method. The method comprises utilizing a selection station having a secure depository bin located in it wherein the selection station contains in it the combination of at least the components: a weighing scale, a device for disclosing the weight of the article, a device for selecting and providing a container for the article, a device for calculating payment for deposit of the article based on the weight of the article and for the container, and a device for making payment for the deposit of the article and the container.

Claims

1. A method for providing a pre-security deposit for an article, said method comprising:

(I) utilizing a selection station having a secure depository bin located therein, containing in combination at least the following components;

i a weighing scale;

ii a weight disclosing device, disclosing the weight of the article;

iv a selection device for selecting a container for the article;

v a device for providing the container;

vi a calculator for calculating payment for deposit of the article based on the weight of the article, and for the container;

vii a device for making payment for the deposit of the article and the container,

(II) weighing the article on the weighing scale;

(III) selecting and obtaining a container for the article from the devices for selecting and providing the container;

(IV) calculating the amount of the payment for the deposit of the article based on the weight of the article, and the amount of payment for the container;

(V) making the payment required by (IV) using the device for making payment provided by the selection station and,

(VI) placing the article in the container and depositing the container in the secure-depository bin.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the weighing scale is electronic and discloses the weight of the article and the amount of payment based on the weight of the article.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein in addition, the weighing scale, or a device associated therewith provides postage for mailing the article.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device for calculating payment for the article is a printed chart.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in addition, there is provided a device to provide a label for the container.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein there is a device for the user of the selection station to provide information for the label, and the label is automatically provided by a device associated with the selection station.

7. A selection station for providing pre-security deposits of articles in a secure depository, said selection station comprising in combination

i a housing, said housing having four sidewalls each having a top edge and, a countertop surmounting the top edges of the four sidewalls;

and located within the housing;

ii a weighing scale recessed in a portion of the countertop and accessible by a person using the selection station;

iii a device for selecting and providing a container for the article;

iiii a device for disclosing the weight of the article;

v a device for calculating payment for the deposit of the article based on the weight of the article and for payment for the container;

vi a device for making said payments.

8. A selection station as claimed in claim 7 wherein the weighing scale is electronic and discloses the weight of the article and the amount of payment is based on the weight of the article.

9. A selection station as claimed in claim 8 wherein in addition, the weighing scale, or a device associated therewith provides postage for mailing the article.

10. A selection station as claimed in claim 7 wherein the device for calculating payment for the article is a printed chart.

11. A selection station as claimed in claim 7 wherein, in addition, there is provided a device to provide a label for the container.

12. A selection station as claimed in claim 11 wherein there is a device for the user of the selection station to provide information for the label, and the label is automatically provided by a device associated with the selection station.

13. A method of providing a pre-security deposit for an article the method comprising:

A. providing a selection station for access by persons needing to deposit a container containing an article in a secure depository prior to entry into a security operation;

B. providing a regular collection service for timely collecting containers from the secure depository;

C. timely depositing said containers with a delivery service that provides delivery of such containers to the addresses provided on the containers.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the selection station has posted on its exterior, the regular collection times for collecting containers, deposited therein.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the delivery service is the United States Postal Service.

16. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the delivery service is a worldwide guaranteed package delivery service.

17. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the delivery service is the same service that provides the selection station to the pre-secure area.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the pre-secure area is in an airport, pre-boarding security area.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the pre-secure area is in a train station, pre-boarding security area.

20. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the pre-secure area is in a bus station, pre-boarding security area.