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System for collecting and shipping items

DC
  • US 5,481,464 A
  • Filed: 02/18/1994
  • Issued: 01/02/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising:

  • an outer housing;

    means for weighing an item which a customer may intend to ship;

    means for inputting information relating to the destination of the item from customer;

    control means for calculating a shipment fee for the item, said control means being in communication with said weighing means and said information inputting means;

    means in communication with said control means, for accepting identification information relating to eventual payment from the customer, said communication means comprising means for receiving and reading a credit card, means for communicating the charges information to a central location for billing the charges to said customer;

    a storage area defined by said outer housing; and

    secure deposit means for permitting a customer to securely deposit the item into the storage area, said secure deposit means including a first zone which serves as a holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area and a secure zone into which the item is moved for secure storage.

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