Collecting container, in particular for collecting packages

• US 7,913,898 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2007
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
• Inventors: Frankenberg, Steffen, Hein, Sven, Paul, Boris, Benz, Ramin, Räss, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller; William L.
• Application Number:
  US12/438,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20100006636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,323 Days
• Field of Search: 232/45, 232/17, 232/47, 232/49, 232/44, 232 51- 52, 232 30- 32, 232 34- 36, 232/43.3, 491/97, 491/99, 160/201, 160/36, 312/297, 220/252, 340/568.1, 340/569
• US Class Current: 232/45
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/122 Parts, details, or accessories, e.g. signalling devices, lamps, devices for leaving messages A47G29/1201 - A47G29/1218 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/22 having rotatable or reciprocable parts

Abstract

There is provided a collecting container. An exemplary collecting container comprises an insertion opening on the front of the collecting container that is adapted to receive objects. The exemplary collecting container additionally comprises a receiving device arranged to receive the objects and to convey them to a storage space in the collecting container, the storage space containing a filling-level measuring means that is connected to a blocking device preventing the receiving device from being opened when a defined filling level has been reached in the storage space, the receiving device comprising a roller shutter box whose receiving area is formed by at least two side walls and a bottom. The exemplary collecting container further comprises a roller shutter that is adapted to be moved in rails on the side walls, the blocking device being configured so that it can block the movement of the roller shutter.

Claims

1. A collecting container, comprising:

an insertion opening on the front of the collecting container that is adapted to receive objects that are dropped in;

a removal opening;

a receiving device disposed in the insertion opening and arranged to receive the objects and to convey them to a storage space in the collecting container, the receiving device being movable between at least two operating states, a first operating state in which the receiving device allows an object to be received in it, while the entrance from the receiving device to the storage space is blocked, and a second operating state in which the receiving device does not allow an object to be received in it, while the entrance from the receiving device to the storage space is open, the storage space containing a filling-level measuring device that is connected to a blocking device preventing the receiving device from being opened when a defined filling level has been reached in the storage space corresponding to the second operating state, the receiving device comprising a roller shutter box whose receiving area is formed by at least two side walls and a bottom; and

a roller shutter that is adapted to be moved in rails on the side walls in such a way that, in a first position corresponding to the first operating state of the receiving device, the roller shutter covers the entrance from the receiving area of the roller shutter box to the storage space, while the receiving area of the roller shutter box is accessible to the user and, in a second position corresponding to the second operating state of the receiving device, the roller shutter covers the insertion opening, while the entrance from the receiving area of the roller shutter box to the storage space is open, the blocking device being configured so that it can block the movement of the roller shutter.

2. The collecting container recited in claim 1, comprising a deflector plate inside the storage space on a rear wall of the collecting container, the deflector plate protruding into the storage space under the action of a preloaded spring, the deflector plate being configured so that it can be deflected towards the rear wall upon contact with an object in the storage space, the deflector plate operating as the filling-level measuring device being connected to the blocking device preventing the receiving device from being opened when a defined position of the deflector plate has been reached.

3. The collecting container recited in claim 1, comprising a distributor formed as an angled section on the deflector plate or a rear wall of the collecting container, the angled section having two legs facing downward, the angled section being slanted downward toward the front of the collecting container.

4. The collecting container recited in claim 1, comprising a catching device disposed in the storage space, the catching device essentially covering a horizontal cross section of the storage space, the catching device being connected to at least one suspension that can be moved vertically.

5. The collecting container recited in claim 4, wherein the catching device is slanted downwards toward the front of the collecting container.

6. The collecting container recited in claim 4, wherein the suspension is adapted to move downward from an initial position at the top, under weight of an object.

7. The collecting container recited in claim 4, wherein the suspension is adapted to be moved downward against a spring force.

8. The collecting container recited in claim 4, wherein the suspension is adapted to return to an initial position when objects have been removed from the catching device.

9. The collecting container recited in claim 4, wherein the catching device comprises a net stretched between the side walls of the storage space.

10. The collecting container recited in claim 4, wherein the catching device comprises a rolling-type conveyor that extends between the side walls of the storage space.

11. The collecting container recited in claim 1, comprising a lip at the end of the roller shutter, the lip operating as the fill-level measuring device, the lip facing the storage space, the lip being deflected when contact is made with an object in the storage space, the lip being connected to the blocking device to prevent the roller shutter from being opened when the lip has reached a defined deflection.

12. The collecting container recited in claim 1, wherein the blocking of the receiving device can be indicated on a display device of the collecting container.

13. The collecting container recited in claim 1, wherein the blocking of the receiving device can be deactivated.

14. The collecting container recited in claim 1, wherein the blocking of the receiving device can be deactivated by opening a door of the removal opening.

15. The collecting container recited in claim 1, wherein the blocking of the receiving device can be deactivated by entering a command on an input device.

16. A collecting container, comprising:

insertion opening means disposed on the front of the collecting container;

means for removing objects deposited in the collecting container;

means for receiving objects, the means for receiving objects being disposed in insertion opening means and arranged to receive the objects and to convey them to a storage space in the collecting container, the means for receiving objects being movable between at least two operating states, a first operating state in which the receiving device allows an object to be received in it, while the entrance from the means for receiving objects to the storage space is blocked, and a second operating state in which the means for receiving objects does not allow an object to be received in it, while the entrance from the means for receiving objects to the storage space is open, the storage space containing a filling-level measuring means that is connected to a blocking means preventing the means for receiving objects from being opened when a defined filling level has been reached in the storage space corresponding to the second operating state, the means for receiving objects comprising a roller shutter box whose receiving area is formed by at least two side walls and a bottom; and

roller shutter means adapted to be moved in rails on the side walls in such a way that, in a first position corresponding to the first operating state of the means for receiving objects, the roller shutter means covers the entrance from the receiving area of the roller shutter box to the storage space, while the receiving area of the roller shutter box is accessible to the user and, in a second position corresponding to the second operating state of the means for receiving objects, the roller shutter means covers the insertion opening, while the entrance from the receiving area of the roller shutter box to the storage space is open, the blocking means being configured so that it can block the movement of the roller shutter means.