Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
  • A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
  • A47G29/20—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles
  • A47G29/22—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles having rotatable or reciprocable parts
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
  • A47G29/12—Mail or newspaper receptacles, e.g. letter-boxes; Openings in doors or the like for delivering mail or newspapers
  • A47G29/122—Parts, details, or accessories, e.g. signalling devices, lamps, devices for leaving messages

Definitions

• the invention relates to a collecting container with a throw-in opening for insertion of objects on the front side of the collecting container.
• the collecting container also has a removal opening for emptying the container.
• a receiving device for receiving the objects and for transporting the objects is arranged in a storage space of the collecting container.
• This acceptance device is movable between at least two operating states, the acceptance device, in a first operating state, allowing the reception of an object in the acceptance device, while the access from the acceptance device to the storage space is prevented. In a second operating state of the receiving device, it is not possible to pick up an article in the accepting device while the access from the accepting device to the storage space is open.
• Such collection containers are known in particular as containers for used clothes collection.
• the containers are usually distinguished by the fact that the receiving device is designed so that it does not allow access to already inserted into the container objects when inserting old clothes in the container.
• a collection container of this type is disclosed for example in German Utility Model DE 296 19 083 Ul.
• Collecting containers are also known in the field of the collection of postal items, which are intended to prevent access to already inserted items when inserting mailpieces.
• the insertion slot is usually so narrow trained that access to inserted letters is not possible.
• German Offenlegungsschrift DE 103 51 475 A9 describes a mailbox for collecting parcels having an insertion opening and a storage space arranged below the insertion opening.
• a flap is pivotable about a horizontally extending axis and in the idle state, the flap closes the insertion opening. If a user wants to insert a parcel shipment, he swings the flap forward towards him and inserts the parcel. In this case, the flap is designed so that in the opened state it does not allow access to packages already dropped into the storage space. When closing the door, the access to the storage compartment is opened and the package falls into the container.
• the object of the invention is therefore to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art in storage containers and in particular to provide a collection container for insertion of items such as mail, in which in a filled container no more items can be thrown. Furthermore, the interior of the container should be well utilized and the objects should not be damaged during insertion.
• the collecting container according to the invention has an insertion opening for the insertion of objects on the front side of the collecting container and a removal opening.
• an acceptance device for receiving the objects and for transporting the objects is arranged in a storage space of the collecting container.
• the acceptance device is movable between at least two operating states, the acceptance device permitting the reception of an object in the acceptance device in a first operating state, while the access from the acceptance device to the storage space is prevented. In a second operating state, no picking up of an object into the receiving device is possible while the access from the accepting device to the storage space is open.
• a device for level measurement which is in communication with a blocking agent, which blocks an opening of the receiving device upon reaching a defined level of the storage space.
• baffle plate As a means for level measurement is located, for example, in the interior of the storage space on the rear wall of the collecting container a baffle plate, which protrudes under a spring bias in the storage space.
• the baffle plate is designed so that it is deflected in contact with an object in the storage space in the direction of the rear wall.
• the baffle plate is in communication with the blocking means, which blocks upon opening a defined position of the baffle plate opening of the receiving device. If the baffle plate has reached a certain position by filling the storage space with objects, the blocking agent is thereby activated and the accepting device can no longer be opened by a user
• a distribution profile is preferably mounted in the form of an angle profile, wherein the two legs of the angle profile facing down and the angle profile is arranged inclined to the front side of the collecting container down.
• a collecting device is arranged within the storage space, which covers substantially the horizontal cross section of the storage space.
• the collecting device is connected to at least one vertically movable suspension, so that it is vertically movable.
• the collecting device is also preferably inclined down to the front side of the collecting container.
• the catcher is attached to a suspension which is movable downwardly from an upper home position under the weight of an article.
• the suspension is movable, for example, against a defined spring force down.
• the collecting container expediently comprises a mechanism by means of which the suspension can be moved back into its upper starting position upon removal of the objects from the collecting device.
• the collecting device is a network spanned between the side walls of the storage space.
• the collecting device is designed as a rolling floor, which extends between the side walls of the storage space.
• the acceptance device may be a tilting tray whose receiving area is formed by at least two side walls, a front wall and a rear wall.
• the tipping drawer is rotatably supported by a hinge so that its rear wall covers the entry opening in a first position while the access to the receiving area of the tipping drawer is open to a user. In a second position, the front wall of the tipping drawer covers the entry opening of the collecting container, while the access from the receiving area of the tipping drawer to the storage space is open.
• the receiving device may also be a roller blind box whose receiving area is formed by at least two side walls and a bottom.
• a roller blind is movable in rails of the side walls so that the roller blind in a first position covers the access from the receiving area of the roller blind box to the storage space while the access to the receiving area of the roller blind box is open to the user. In a second position, the roller blind covers the insertion opening, while the access from the receiving area of the roller blind box to the storage space is open.
• a lip is provided as a device for level measurement at the end of the roller blind pointing to the storage space.
• the lip (70) is deflected in contact with an object in the storage space and the lip is in communication with the blocking means, which blocks the opening of the blinds upon reaching a defined deflection of the lip.
• a blocking of the receiving device is expediently displayed on a display device of the collecting container.
• the blocking of the acceptor may be further disabled. For example, the blocking of the receiving device through the opening of a door of the removal opening can be deactivated.
• the blocking of the acceptor may be deactivatable in another embodiment of the invention by inputting a command to an input device.
• the collection container according to the invention for parcels has the particular advantage that, in addition to the branch operation, it represents an alternative dispensing possibility for parcels, parcels and returns.
• the parcel box can guarantee a 24-hour delivery process, regardless of branch locations and store opening hours.
• a significant advantage of the invention lies in a level gauge, can be prevented by the fact that the sump is opened, although for reasons of space no objects can be introduced.
• This has the advantage that a user already recognizes when he arrives at a collecting container that it is filled and he can not throw any more object.
• the level is preferably displayed to the user on a display or by flashing displays. This is complemented by a mechanism that automatically blocks an opening of the container as soon as the level meter has registered a defined filling of the container.
• a collecting device which essentially covers the cross section of the storage space of the collecting container and thus intercepts falling objects.
• the collecting device By a vertical mobility of the collecting device, the collecting device at empty container to be moved to an upper starting position in which it intercepts items as directly as possible below a throw-in device. In this upper position, the collecting device is thus preferably at a height in which thrown objects can be intercepted as early as possible.
• the collecting device By lowering the catcher due to the weight of the accumulating objects more items can be thrown. However, these do not fall all the way to the bottom of the container, but they are also intercepted by the catcher as high as possible.
• the catcher thus provides a fall brake and prevents packages from falling down and being damaged. Even the impact of heavy packages on underlying, less stable packages is mitigated by the catcher.
• 1 shows a first particularly preferred embodiment of the collecting container according to the invention with a tipping drawer
• FIG. 2 shows a second particularly preferred embodiment of the collecting container according to the invention with a roller blind box.
• FIG 3 shows an embodiment of the collecting container according to the invention with a baffle plate.
• FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a baffle plate with a distribution profile
• Fig. 5 the EinschVorgang at a collecting container with tipping place
• FIG. 7 shows the lowering of a net in a collecting container with a tipping tray
• FIG. 10 shows the blocking of a roller blind upon reaching a defined filling level; and Fig. 11, the lowering of a network in a collecting container with roller blind box.
• the collecting container is described below with reference to several embodiments.
• the collecting container is particularly suitable in the manner of a mailbox for the collection of postal packages and / or parcels and will be explained with reference to this purpose.
• the mail is usually pre-franked mail.
• the use of the container is not limited to the collection of mail. Rather, any objects can be collected in the container. In particular, for items that are to be protected against damage during insertion, the collection is particularly suitable.
• the basic structure of a container is shown by way of example with reference to FIG. 1.
• the collecting container 10 has a bottom plate, a cover plate, a front side 12, a rear side 13 and two side walls, whereby a box-shaped housing is formed.
• the contour of the collecting container may vary, but in its interior a storage space 14 is always formed, in which objects such as parcels can be thrown in by a user.
• the housing of the collecting container 10 is preferably made of steel and is burglar resistant. Furthermore, the container is weatherproof and mounted so that it can not be unlawfully removed.
• the packages are introduced via an insertion opening 11 into the container, wherein different receiving devices can be arranged within the insertion opening.
• the acceptance device is basically designed so that an engagement contactor prevents a user with or without auxiliary medium can reach inside the container and unauthorized stolen or damaged packages.
• the receiving device is usually designed so that an opening movement simultaneously triggers a mechanism that closes the access to the storage space of the container. Thus, while a user can access the acceptor to set a package, he is denied access to any dropped packets. Closing the acceptor disengages the lock and a parcel may fall into the storage space of the container.
• the collecting container in FIG. 1 has a tipping drawer 30 as an accepting device.
• the tipping box consists of a front wall 32, a rear wall 33 and two side walls 31 and 31 ', through which the receiving area of the tipping drawer is formed.
• the dimensions of the tipping box determine the maximum size of the packages that can be thrown into the container.
• the rear wall and the front wall can be perpendicular to each other. However, it has proved to be useful to provide an angle greater than 90 ° between the two walls. In this case, the rear wall tilts down in the closed state of the tipping box, so that introduced objects slide down and do not lie in the receiving area of the tipping place.
• the tipping drawer is pivotable about a horizontal axis about a hinge 34, as shown in FIG.
• the container may further comprise an input device 81, for example in the form of a keyboard or a touchscreen.
• a display device 80 such as an image screen provided.
• lighting means such as lamps or LEDs can be provided to indicate to the user, for example, the filling state of the container.
• the input and the display devices are preferably in communication with a data processing unit 82. If no electronic display device is provided, the user can be displayed on a permanent information surface operator information such as rights and obligations at the time of delivery.
• the data processing unit 82 may be connected to a central data management unit via which the operation of a plurality of collection containers is controlled. For example, the level of the collection container can be transmitted to the central data management unit, after which an operator is sent to empty the container. Furthermore, the fill level can be registered and processed by the data processing unit such that a message is displayed to a user on a screen that the collection container is completely filled and thus no further loading is possible. If no screen is provided, the fill status can alternatively be displayed with lights or LEDs. For example, a red LED may illuminate when the container is filled and no further loading is possible, while a green LED is lit when further packages can be inserted.
• An operator removes inserted packets by a removal opening 15 on the front side 12, which is shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 2, out of the container.
• the removal opening is preferably provided with a door which can be opened, for example, by identifying an operator at the data processing unit 82.
• the door of the removal opening is closed by a special key.
• the tipping load 30 shown in FIG. 1 is designed so that access to the storage space 14 of the container when opening the tipping load is prevented by a user. If the tipping tray is folded forward by a user on the handle 35, the insertion opening 11 is covered by the rear side 33 of the tipping drawer. By the side walls 31 and 31 'a lateral engagement is prevented in the container.
• Intervention over the back 33 is prevented by the upper edge of the back 33 snapping close along the cover plate of the container and thus leaving no clearance for engagement.
• a further curved plate may be provided on the cover plate of the container, a further curved plate, the curvature of the rounding of the side walls 31 and 31 'corresponds, so that between the back and the curved plate also not too large space is released.
• mechanisms may be provided in the collecting container, which support the tilting movement of the tipping load.
• mechanical, pneumatic and / or hydraulic means are considered.
• a cable can be provided with weights.
• FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the collecting container 10 according to the invention with an acceptance device in the form of a roller blind box 60.
• the general characteristics of the container can be configured analogously to the container according to FIG. 1.
• the roller blind box 60 has at least one bottom plate 62, two side walls 61 and 61 'and a roller blind 63, which can be moved in rails of the side walls. Through these components, a receiving area is formed, in which an object such as a package can be introduced. The dimensions of the blind box also determine the maximum size of the packages that can be thrown.
• a handle 64 for manual movement of the roller blind in the rails.
• the roller blind 63 In the closed state of the roller blind box, the roller blind 63 extends at least over the insertion opening 11. Typically, it also extends at the top along the roller blind box to the rear of the receiving area thus formed. In another embodiment, the blind may also extend below the bottom plate 62 to the rear. In both cases, the rear side of the roller blind box is not closed by the roller blind, so that the access from the receiving area of the roller blind box to the storage space 14 of the container is open when the roller blind is closed.
• the bottom plate 62 of the blind box is preferably formed slightly inclined down to the rear side 13 of the collecting container 10, so that laid on the bottom plate packets 20 slide backwards.
• a rolling floor 65 is further provided in the bottom plate 62, on the packets slip or roll backwards through the open roller blind box.
• the user moves the handle 64 upwards or downwards depending on the embodiment and thus shifts the roller blind within its rails.
• the roller blind covers the rear area of the roller blind box and thus prevents access to the storage space 14 of the container, while the access to the roller blind box is open from the front.
• the user puts the package on the rolling floor 65 and closes the blind by a renewed movement of the handle.
• the rear of the roller blind box is released, and the package slips on the floor 65 to the rear, where it then falls down into the storage space 14.
• 3 shows the insertion process in a collecting container with a tipping tray 30.
• a device for registering the current filling level of the container is located in the interior of the collecting container.
• the level gauge is to prevent further storage attempts by users take place when the container is already filled to the extent that already stored packages could be damaged or the packages would remain in the receiving device, as they can not fall into the storage space due to the level.
• the level gauge does not register the actual level of the container, but for a blocking of the possibility of throwing the level below the receiving device is relevant. If, for example, the packages within the container have unfavorably stacked directly underneath the acceptance device, additional space may be located in the front area of the storage space, but the acceptance device should nevertheless be blocked. A level gauge should meet these special requirements.
• the level meter is a baffle plate 50, which is arranged in the interior of the container on the rear side 13 of the storage space 14.
• the baffle plate 50 protrudes under a spring bias in the storage space 14 and is pressed by objects in the storage space against the spring tension to the rear wall 13.
• the baffle plate If the container is empty, the baffle plate is thus in its initial position in which it is pressed by a spring completely into the interior of the storage space. The more packages are thrown into the container, the closer the baffle plate is pressed against the rear wall 13. If the baffle plate assumes a defined position there, a blocking triggered, which prevents further opening of the respective receiving device. This can be done for example by triggering a mechanical switch, which then blocks an opening of the receiving device directly. Using a dump drawer will prevent the drawer from pivoting forward, and using a roller shutter box will inhibit movement of the roller blind.
• the fill level and thus the blocking of the acceptance device can also be displayed to the user on the display means 80.
• the activated switch is in communication with the data processing unit 82, which generates a corresponding message on the screen of the container.
• the blocking of the respective receiving device is not directly by a switch, but a blocking mechanism is indirectly controlled by the data processing unit.
• a distribution profile 51 in the form of an angle profile In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3 is located on the baffle plate 50, a distribution profile 51 in the form of an angle profile.
• the distribution profile 51 may also be attached directly to the rear wall 13 of the collecting container.
• the angle profile is arranged so that it is located directly below the tipping box 30, so that dropped packets fall on the distribution profile.
• the distribution profile can also be combined with an acceptance device in the form of a roller blind box, so that packages fall from the roller blind box on the angle profile.
• the two legs of the angle profile 51 point downward, so that a roof-shaped packet separation is formed, which causes a separation of the packets to both sides.
• This arrangement is shown schematically in FIG. If a package falls on the angle profile, it tilts over to one side, and the packet separation prevents so that all packages come to rest centrally below the receiving device.
• a collecting device for collecting a package 20 in his case.
• the collecting device is connected to at least one suspension 42, which is vertically movable downwards.
• the collecting device does not have to be moved downwards in its entirety, but rather encompasses embodiments in which only partial regions of the collecting device move downwards.
• the collecting device is preferably located by a spring bias of the suspension 42 in a defined, upper starting height.
• the collecting device is a bottom floor 41, which covers the horizontal cross section of the storage space 14.
• a cover of the horizontal cross section in the sense of the invention does not mean that the entire cross section must be completely covered. Rather, it is sufficient if the catching device extends substantially over the entire cross section, even if, for example, edge areas are not covered. Since parcels are objects of relatively large dimensions, the respective catching device only has to extend over the cross section of the storage space so far that all falling parcels can be collected.
• the rolling floor 41 is preferably formed to incline downward in an upper position toward the front of the container. This ensures that packages that fall from a tipping box or a roller blind box onto the rolling floor slide or roll forward on the rolling floor. each another package slips on the rolling floor to the front of the container, so that the packages do not stack directly below the receiving device. The space in the front of the container is thus exploited until it is filled and collect packages just below the receiving device.
• the rolling floor 41 is further designed so that it is located in an upper starting position very close to the respective receiving device, so that a thrown package has the least possible fall path.
• the rolling floor is rotatably mounted on the front side of the container and stored at the rear with at least one suspension 42 lowered.
• the roller floor for example, lowers down against a preload, the more packages come to rest on it. This lowering process is shown schematically in FIGS. 5 and 6 by the steps a) -d).
• the roller floor may also be connected to another suspension in the front area of the container, so that the inclined roller floor in its entirety is lowered downwards.
• a net 40 is used as a catching device. Since the net 40 is elastic, dropped packets can be resiliently intercepted.
• the net is preferably curved downwards and also connected to at least one suspension 42, which descends when a weight is applied to the net.
• the net is in the storage space 14 at a plurality of opposing suspensions 42 and 43 so stretched that it inclines down as the rolling floor to the front of the container down.
• dropped packets slip in the net toward the front of the container.
• the network In the upper starting position, the network is as close as possible below the respective receiving device. The more packets from the dumping drawer fall onto the net 40, the further the net descends down the hangers and can accommodate more packets.
• a baffle plate 50 can also be used in this embodiment. If the baffle plate assumes a defined position in the vicinity of the rear wall 13, the container is considered to be maximally filled, and the opening of the respective accepting device is blocked.
• a roller blind box 60 is used as the receiving device and a roller base 41 is used as the catching device.
• a lip 70 is provided, for example, at the rear end of the roller blind 63.
• the lip In the empty state of the container, the lip is for example perpendicular to the roller blind, but is pivotally mounted on the top of the roller blind.
• the lip can be resiliently mounted.
• a lip can also be used as a level gauge. However, the downward movement of the lip and thus the contact of the lip with an object in this embodiment when closing the blinds.
• the lip can serve, for example, as a direct switch for blocking the roller blind.
• the lip activated by their movement another control means which triggers the blocking of the blinds.
• the data processing unit 82 may receive a signal from the lip 70, causing it to lock the roller blind.
• Fig. 11 shows in steps a) -b) schematically the insertion process in a collecting container with a roller blind box and a safety net 40.
• a lip 70 is also used as a level gauge.
• a net can also be used with a baffle plate as a level gauge.
• a distribution profile 51 may be used to singulate the packets on both sides.
• the respective receiving device is not in the center of the front side 12 of the container, but horizontally offset from this.
• a tipping place can be arranged on the left in the front.
• the respective catching device is arranged on the suspensions that they not only forward down, but also to the bottom right.
• the receiving device is arranged on the right, the respective collecting device tilts forward to the left. So not only a better distribution of the packages in the front and rear area, but also a better distribution of the packages can be achieved on both sides. This inclination of the collecting device is particularly advantageous to achieve with a network.
• the container is emptied by an operator and the emptying is registered.
• the level will be reset. For example, if the operator removes the packages from a removal door, opening the door may trigger a mechanism whereby the level is automatically reset to "empty.” Removal of the packages also causes the collection device to lift to its upper start position be moved by a spring force to its starting position, for example.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)
• Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
• Refuse Receptacles (AREA)
• Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
• Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
• Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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ID=38848651

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• 2006
  • 2006-08-21 DE DE102006039002A patent/DE102006039002B4/de active Active
• 2007
  • 2007-08-14 WO PCT/EP2007/007171 patent/WO2008022730A2/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2007-08-14 EP EP07801646A patent/EP2056701B1/fr active Active
  • 2007-08-14 AT AT07801646T patent/ATE485745T1/de active
  • 2007-08-14 US US12/438,294 patent/US7913898B2/en active Active
  • 2007-08-14 DE DE502007005485T patent/DE502007005485D1/de active Active

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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