Door frame comprising a container device, container device and box received by the container device

Abstract

The present application relates to a door frame (2) for a door comprising a container device (1). The container device (1) is suitable for receiving deliveries and may be removably secured to the door frame (2) so that, when the container device (1) is secured to the door frame (2), the space surrounded by the door frame (2) is closed by the container device (1).

Claims

1. Combination of a door frame, a door, and a container device which container device is suitable for receiving deliveries, the container device being constructed and arranged for it to be removably secured to the door frame so that, when the door is open and the container device is secured to the door frame, the space surrounded by the door frame is closed by the container device.

2. The door frame according to claim 1, wherein the door comprises a width of 80-100 cm and/or the door is a front door of a building or a door of a flat/apartment and/or the container device comprises a width of 75-90 cm, a height of 185-200 cm.

3. A container device which can be removably secured to a door frame so that, when a door attached to the doorframe is open and the container device is secured to the door frame, the space surrounded by the door frame is closed by the container device which container device further comprises at least one lockable door on one side, which lockable door can be opened by parcel services so that goods which are delivered by said parcel services can be securely received in the container device.

4. The container device according to claim 3, wherein the container device includes an alarm system and/or surveillance cameras.

5. The container device according to claim 3, further comprising at least two compartments, wherein at least one of the two compartments can be cooled, or four compartments, wherein at least two compartments can be cooled and one of the cooled compartments is a freezer compartment.

6. The container device according to claim 3, further comprising cone-shaped bolts to align the container device within the door frame when the cone-shaped bolts engage with the door frame to secure the container device to said doorframe, wherein the cone-shaped bolts (20A, 20B) are preferably connected to a locking mechanism.

7. The container device according to claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism and an extended part on the opposite side of the locking mechanism.

8. The container device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one door is formed so that, when the container device is removed from the door frame, the container device can be integrated in a built in kitchen and/or the container device comprises a depth of 55-65 cm.

9. The container device according to claim 3, wherein the container device is set on wheels, preferably allowing movement of the container device in any direction.

10. The container device according to claim 3, further comprising a barcode reader and/or an RFID-Reader and/or an induction based power supply in at least one compartment and/or comprising a control system which control system is connected to the internet and controls the securing to the door frame by a locking mechanism and/or the securing of the deliveries by allowing access to the at least one door.

11. The container device according to claim 5, wherein the at least compartment is formed so that stackable boxes can be received in the container device, the boxes optionally comprise an RFID-Chip and/or a battery so that the boxes are traceable and preferably programmable.

12. The container device according to claim 3, wherein the container device can be attached to a fixing means in a wall, preferably an outside wall.

13. The container device according to claim 3, wherein the container device can be attached to a piece of furniture or can be fixed within a recess.

14. A method of using a container device to deliver and/or pick up parcels or groceries, the container device being removably secured to a door frame so that, when a door attached to the doorframe is open and the container device is secured to the door frame, the space surrounded by the door frame is closed by the container device, the container device comprising at least one lockable door on one side, which can be opened by parcel services so that delivered goods are securely received in the container device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a multi-box container with the front door or door of the flat being open; the section is taken along line A-A in FIG. 2.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the multi-box container locked in a door frame; the section is taken along line B-B in FIG. 1.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the multi-box container with the doors of the multi-box container being closed; the section is taken along line C-C in FIG. 1.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a box which can be used in the multi-box container as a delivery box containing fruit or other goods.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0063] In the appended drawings the same reference numbers will be used for similar or the same elements. The repeating description of those elements will be omitted. Therefore, a description of an element may refer not only to a particular figure but several or all figures.

[0064] The container device 1 or multi-box container 1 of the preferred embodiment comprises four compartments 26A-26D which are arranged above each other (one above another). The compartments are preferably cube-shaped. All four compartments 26A-26D preferably exhibit substantially the same dimensions.

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a sectional top view of the multi-box container 1. The multi-box container 1 comprises a frame structure 100 that can be made of steel or aluminum. However, different materials like plywood or other natural materials, polymer materials, composite materials, or other materials known in the art of furniture-making may be used. The multi-box container 1 does not necessarily have to comprise a frame structure 100. It could also be made in an enclosed cupboard-style fashion. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the width of the multi-box container 1 is 80 cm. The width of the frame 100A, 100B is 5 cm. The frame is mainly located on the left and right hand side of the multi-box container.

[0066] In the preferred embodiment the multi-box container 1 has a height of 210 cm in total and compartment has a height of 45 cm, a width of 64 cm and a depth of 48 cm.

[0067] The dimension of the compartments 26A-26D is 64 cm in width and 48 cm in depth. The multi-box container 1 has insulation material 110 attached to its rear side. The material is thermally insulating where the compartments are used to keep deliveries cool. The material also has acoustically insulating properties. The total depth of the multi-box container 1 including doors 24A-24D and the insulation material 110 is 60 cm in the preferred embodiment. The depth of 60 cm is preferred because it allows to more easily store the multi-box container 1 when it is not set in the door frame 2 to receive deliveries. The depth dimension will allow the multi-box container 1 to fit into recesses or spaces and be flush with kitchen or bathroom cabinets. When the multi-box container 1 is not set in the door frame 2, it can even be used as a cabinet. The uses for receiving deliveries and as a cabinet can thus alternate. This is especially advantageous as the multi-box container 1 is integrated in the furniture present in an apartment or house.

[0068] FIG. 1 shows the multi-box container 1 being fixed in a standard door frame 2, to which two side parts 10A, 10B have been added. The side parts 10A, 10B are attached on top of the original door frame 2, for instance by using screws 11A, 11B. Alternatively, the side parts 10A, 10B can replace the inwardly facing side parts of the door frame 2. The side parts 10A, 10B are provided with holes 12A, 12B extending along an axis lying both, in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the door frame 2 and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side parts 10A, 10B. The holes 12A, 12B can be cylindrical or cone-shaped. They serve to lock the multi-box container 1 in the door frame 2 or side parts 10A, 10B, as will be explained below.

[0069] The multi-box container 1 comprises bolts 20A, 20B the outer ends of which are flush with, or withdrawn into, an outside of the multi-box container 1 when the multi-box container 1 is not locked within the door frame 2 or side parts 10A, 10B. When the multi-box container 1 is moved into the door frame, the bolts 20A, 20B align with the holes 12A, 12B of the side parts 10A, 10B. When the multi-box container 1 is to be locked to the side parts 10A, 10B of the door frame 2 the bolts 20A, 20B can be moved to at least partially project from and engage with the holes 12A, 12B, to thereby secure the multi-box container 1 to the side parts 10A, 10B of the door frame 2.

[0070] The side parts 10A, 10B can be made of any material like wood, plastic or metal as long as the material is strong enough to secure the multi-box container. The side parts can be long rectangular parts preferably also being rectangular in a sectional view. In the preferred embodiment the length of the side parts is so that both holes on one side of the door frame are provided within one side part 10A, 10B. However, also one side part for each hole (multiple side parts 10A, 10B per side of the door frame) can be provided.

[0071] The projecting parts of the bolts 20A, 20B are preferably cone-shaped, with the dimensions of their outer or tip end being generously smaller than the holes 12A, 12B. In this manner, the multi-box container 1 need not be precisely positioned for the bolts 20A, 20B to align with the holes 12A, 12B. Rather, the outer end of the bolts 20A, 20B will fit into the holes 12A, 12B and assist in positioning the multi-box container 1 once they have entered into the holes and continue their outward movement.

[0072] The upper compartment 26A shown in FIG. 1 of the multi-box container is provided with cooling/freezing function. In the preferred embodiment the two upper compartments 26A, 26B are provided with a cooling/freezing function so that perishable goods or frozen foods can be delivered and maintained at an optimal temperature to avoid spoiling or defrosting. Accordingly the two upper compartments are provided with insulation 110 to ensure a high efficiency cooling. The doors 24A, 24B are also provided with insolation 111. To provide the cooling the two upper compartments 26A, 26B are provided with cooling elements 115A, 115B.

[0073] The multi-box container 1 is further provided with a camera 20A which provides surveillance and security but is also usable for identification of the parcel service (i.e. the delivery person). In case of a positive identification, the controller 44 of the multi-box container 1 operates one of the locks 22A-22D in order to open one of the corresponding doors 24A-24D so that the parcel service can deposit a package or another item in the compartment 26A-26D.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows a sectional front view of the multi-box container 1, with the multi-box container being secured in the side parts 10A, 10B of the door frame. The side parts 10A, 10B are secured by screws 11A, 11B to the wall. The multi-box container 1 is secured to the side parts by holes 12A, 12B and corresponding bolts 22A, 22B engaging in the holes as explained above.

[0075] The compartments 26A-26D can be used by parcel services to deposit packages or goods. The upper three compartments 26A-26C are provided with boxes 200A-200C. The lowest compartment 26D is used for conventionally packaged parcels. The compartments 26A-26D may comprise gliding rails 28 to facilitate the insertion of the boxes 200. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 only the compartments 26A, 26B comprise gliding rails 28.

[0076] While a configuration of four compartments 26A-26D is described in the preferred embodiment and three of the compartments 26A-26C are used for boxes 200A-200C the invention is neither limited regarding the number of compartments 26A-26D nor the number of boxes 200A-C or packages set in the multi-box container 1.

[0077] Each compartment 26A-26D may be provided with a reader 30 which reader 30 can be a bar code scanner/bar code reader and/or an RFID-reader. Those readers 30 can be used to track incoming packages as well as outgoing packages and can be connected to a controller 42 which is described later.

[0078] The top part 40 shown in FIG. 2 comprises the controller (not shown) and the cooling systems (not shown) as well as a connector to connect the multi-box container 1 to the electricity system of the house or apartment.

[0079] The cooling unit may be any conventional cooling unit, however, a cooling unit from Electrolux is preferred, as they have the highest energy efficiency. The controller may be a central control unit for the multi-box container 1 and comprise a Wi-Fi connection so that the multi-box container 1 can be connected to the internet and remotely operated. The controller may further control the locks and cone-shaped bolts 20A, 20B which are used to secure the multi-box container 1 to the side parts 10A, 10B. The movement of the bolts can be motorized, for instance via electrically powered solenoids, rack and pinion drives or any other means known to the skilled person.

[0080] The controller may further control the doors 24A, 24B to open when delivery personal has been authorized to access any of the compartments 26A-26D or the recipient wishes to take out received parcels. This authorization can be provided by different methods or types of authentication. For example in one of the doors (24A, 24B) a pin pad may be provided so that the delivery person or recipient enters a pin and is thereby, if the pin is validated, granted access to any of the compartments 26A-26D. Alternatively or additionally the controller, to which the cameras (20A, 20B) are connected, may provide a facial recognition feature so that the delivery person is granted access when the face is matched to any face that is allowed access by the recipient of the package. Most of the authentication and authorization features used today in smartphones, tablet computers or personal computers can be used for this purpose.

[0081] The controller may also use the inductive readers/chargers 32 to program or track the boxes 200 when the boxes are set in the multi-box container 1 by parcel services or when a recipient sets a box 200 in the multi-box container 1 to be collected for returning unwanted items. The boxes are described in detail further below.

[0082] In FIG. 3 a sectional side view of the multi-box container 1 is shown. The gliding rails 28 of the upper compartments 26A, 26B are provided over the entire depth of the compartments 26A, 26B. However, the gliding rails 28 can also be of reduced length as long as the insertion of the boxes 200 is facilitated.

[0083] The compartments 26A-26D are further provided with inductive chargers 32/coupling means 32 to charge electronic parts provided in the boxes 200, which will be described in detail with respect to FIG. 4.

[0084] The doors 24A, 24B are provided with door handles 25. While in the preferred embodiment only two doors 24A, 24B are shown for 4 compartments 26A-26D so as to separate the cooled compartments 26A, 26B and the compartments 26C, 26D not equipped with a cooling system any number of doors is possible. It is even possible to remove the doors entirely and secure the boxes 200 within the multi-box container 1. However, it is preferred to provide doors 24 so that cooling efficiency is enhanced on the one hand and on the other hand conventionally packaged goods can be received which need a door or some sort of closed compartment to inhibit theft.

[0085] The multi-box container 1 is set on wheels 50 which allows for an easy movement of the multi-box container 1 within the apartment or house and facilitates the arrangement of the multi-box container 1 within the door frame 2.

[0086] In the following the boxes are described in detail with respect to FIGS. 4a-4c. The boxes 200 in the preferred embodiment are provided with a width of 60 cm and a depth of 55 cm at an upper end. The lower end is smaller so that empty boxes 200 can be stacked to store the boxes efficiently, as shown in FIG. 4c. The upper frame has a height of 5 cm and surrounds the multi-box container 1. The height of a box 200 is 40 cm so that four boxes can fit into a multi-box container 1 which fits into a door frame comprising a height of 190-200 cm.

[0087] The above-described dimensions of the multi-box container were chosen due to the limitations of standard German door frames. The dimension of the boxes 200 are chosen so that the boxes can be advantageously employed in a multi-box container 1 having such dimensions and are, therefore, also linked to the dimensions of the standard door frames. Once the multi-box container is used in a country employing different standards for the door frames, the dimensions would need to be adapted accordingly.

[0088] The upper end of the multi-box container is provided with a frame 202 which comprises the electronics system of the boxes 200 used for tracking and setting a destination/recipient. The electronic system in each box 200 is capable to replace the label as conventionally employed and communicate via RFID.

[0089] The electronic system of box comprises a chip 204 to provide a memory function to store information like contents, recipient, addresses for delivery and/or origin and so forth. The chip comprises an antenna to provide RFID capabilities. The electronic system further comprises a battery 206 which can be charged by inductive chargers 32 provided in the multi-box container 1.

[0090] The boxes 200 may be provided with slits or holes 208 to allow ventilation from outside to enhance cooling when the box is inserted into a multi-box container 1 which comprises a cooling system or in a delivery vehicle which employs a cooled cargo space.