Modular parcel terminal and method for sending parcels

• US 20150343494A1
• Filed: 12/10/2014
• Published: 12/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cleveron AS
• Original Assignee: Cleveron Ltd.
• Inventors: HIRVESAAR, Lauri, LOSSOV, Remi, PETTAI, Indrek
• Granted Patent: US 9,604,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/02 for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets A47F10/06 takes precedence; hand-carts B62B; baskets B65D
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/145 the receptacle comprising means for identifying a deposit; Deposits carrying identification means, e.g. a bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/149 with central server link
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 7/02 Compartmented furniture, e.g. pigeon-holes B07C7/005 takes precedence; furniture per se A47B; storage racks B65G
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0221 Locks; Latches

Abstract

The modular parcel terminal according to the present invention has been built from modules comprising outward moving open-topped compartments and compartments with doors and the console module. The outward moving open-topped compartments have been located in the parcel terminal in such a pattern that would allow achieving the maximum capacity of the parcel terminal and that it would be comfortable and safe for the user to enter and retrieve parcels, postal packages, storable items at the parcel terminal. The modules of the parcel terminal have been built in such a way that allows them to be connected with each other according to the need of storage space in a particular parcel terminal exploitation area.

Claims

1. A modular parcel terminal built from modules and comprising a rear panel;

side walls;

a cable conduit;

locking devices;

sections;

a locking mechanism; and

a console module comprising electronics system;

wherein

the sections of the modules comprise moving compartments and the locking system prevents pulling out the compartment.

2. The modular parcel terminal according to claim 1, wherein the moving compartment is open-topped and comprises:

a bottom, wherein the edges of the bottom have been bent into sides and edges of the sides have been bent into rails;

a front panel;

a rear panel of the compartment;

reinforcement panels; and

wherein a strike plate/receiver of the locking mechanism is fastened to the rear panel of the compartment.

3. The modular parcel terminal according to claim 1, wherein support wheels are attached to the side walls of the module.

4. The modular parcel terminal according to claim 1, wherein rollers are attached to rear ends of the sides of the moving compartment.

5. The modular parcel terminal according to claim 1, wherein a partition panel of the compartments is added between the moving compartments.

6. A modular parcel terminal built from modules comprising a rear panel;

side walls;

a cable conduit;

locking devices;

sections;

a locking mechanism; and

a console module comprising electronics system, wherein

the sections of the console module comprise moving compartments, and one or more compartment with a door, and the locking system prevents pulling out the compartments,.

7. The modular parcel terminal according to claim 6, wherein the moving compartments are open-topped and comprise:

a bottom, wherein edges of the bottom have been bent into sides and edges of the sides have been bent into rails;

a front panel;

a rear panel of the compartment;

reinforcement panels; and

wherein a strike plate/receiver of the locking mechanism is fastened to the rear panel of the compartment.

8. The modular parcel terminal according to claim 6, wherein the compartment with a door comprises:

walls formed by the side walls of the module;

a rear panel formed by the rear panel of the module;

a door; and

partition panels that form the bottom and upper sides of the compartment with door.

9. The modular parcel terminal according to claim 6, wherein support wheels have been attached to the side walls of the module.

10. The modular parcel terminal according to claim 6, wherein rollers have been attached to the rear ends of the sides of the moving compartment.

11. The modular parcel terminal according to claim 6, wherein a partition panel of the compartments is added between the moving compartments.

12. The modular parcel terminal according to claim 6, wherein fastening places on side walls for the support wheels of the rails of the moving compartments and for fastening the partition panels for compartments with doors have been made at such spacing that the height of each compartment with door corresponds to the height of at least two moving compartments.

13. A method for sending the parcels, wherein the method comprises following stages:

a parcel is measured before entering it into the parcel terminal, and the measures are added to the parcel data;

if the measures of the parcel are small enough and the parcel does not need a high compartment, an outward moving open-topped compartment will be opened for entering the parcel;

the parcel is placed into the open-topped moving compartment and pushed closed;

for retrieving a parcel, the compartment will move outward and the parcel will be taken out of the said open-topped compartment; and

after having retrieved the parcel, the empty compartment is pushed closed.