RECEIVING CONTAINER FOR PACKET OR SMALL PARCEL MAILINGS

• US 20160051073A1
• Filed: 03/24/2014
• Published: 02/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
• Inventors: HEINZ, Sebastian, WINDHEUSER, Joerg, WESTERMANN, Robin, SCHWARZ, Gerd, SCHMIDT-GABRIEL, Michael, BEER, Andreas
• Application Number:
  US14/779,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20160051073A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/144 the receptacle being transportable and attachable to a building
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1216 Supports
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/20 with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles

Abstract

A receiving container, and method of using the same, for packet or small parcel mailings to be received or to be sent, having a closable opening through which a packet or small parcel mailing can be inserted into the receiving container. The receiving container has a fixing element with which the receiving container can either be fixed to, or removed from, a door of a house or an apartment, in particular without structural work in each case.

Claims

1. A receiving container for packet or small parcel mailings to be received or to be sent, the receiving container comprising:

a closable opening through which a packet or small parcel mailing can be inserted into the receiving container; and

a fixing element with which the receiving container can be fixed to, or removed, from, a door of a house or an apartment.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the fixing element is formed as a tab which is fixed by one end to the receiving container, and

wherein the tab is insertable into a gap between the door panel and door frame, or door panel and floor.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the tab of the receiving container is formed from a flexible two-dimensional element.

4. The container of claim 2, wherein the tab includes a thickened section at its other end.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the fixing element is configured to cooperate with a counter-element,

wherein the counter-element is able to be fixed in a one-off operation by structural work on a door, and

wherein the fixing element and the counter-element are able to be detachably interconnected without structural work.

6. The container of claim 1, formed at least predominantly from at least one textile.

7. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

a communication unit, with which a communication message can be sent or received.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the communication unit is configured

(a) to send a message to a registered communication address upon closing of the receiving container after insertion of a packet or small parcel mailing, and/or

(b) to receive a message, and is configured, dependent on the message received, to actuate a closing mechanism.

9. The container of claim 7, wherein the communication unit is configured to indicate an imminent receipt of a packet or a small parcel.

10. The container of claim 7, wherein the communication unit is set up to conduct communication satisfying requirements of the DE-Mail Act of the Federal Republic of Germany or equivalent legal implementation of EU Directive 2006/123/EG.

11. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

a closing mechanism.

12. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

a securing element, arranged on the receiving container, in order to fix mailings which do not fit into an internal volume of the receiving container to the receiving container.

13. A method of delivering a packet or a small parcel by a delivery service to a recipient, the method comprising:

inserting, via the delivery service, a packet or small parcel which is to be delivered in the receiving container of claim 1, temporarily fixed to a door; and

closing the receiving container, as a result of which the packet/small parcel lies ready in the receiving container to be taken out by the recipient, or

wherein the method comprises;

inserting, via a senders, a packet or small parcel which is to be delivered into the receiving container of claim 1, temporarily fixed to a door;

closing, via the sender, the receiving container; and

, thereafter, opening, via the delivery service, the receiving container;

taking out, via the delivery service, the packet or small parcel; and

transporting, via the delivery service, the packet or small parcel.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein the fixing element can be fixed to, or removed from, a door of either a house or an apartment, without structural work.

15. The container of claim 2, wherein the tab is fixed by one end to a rear edge, facing the door, of the receiving container.

16. The container of claim 2, wherein the tab is able to be fixed in position, by the closing of the door.

17. The container of claim 2, wherein the tab is able to be clamped, by the closing of the door.

18. The container of claim 2, wherein the receiving tab of the receiving container is formed from a textile element.

19. The container of claim 5, wherein the fixing element and the counter-element are able to be detachably interconnected without structural work, by coupling engagement of the fixing element and the counter-element with each other.

20. The container of claim 11, wherein the closing mechanism includes an electronically actuatable lock, the lock being actuable by a communication unit which is in operative connection with the closing mechanism.