DESCRIPTION

The present invention concerns an automated container for receiving objects and/or parcels delivered by means of aerial vehicles, in particular by means of drones.

It is known that in the last decade, and in particular in the last two years, with the exponential spread of e-commerce, there has been an equally resounding growth in the deliveries of objects and/or parcels to companies and to private homes, through dedicated delivery services.

Usually, these deliveries are made by natural persons, the so-called “couriers” or “postmen”, who go to the address indicated as the place of delivery and contact the purchaser, usually by ringing the doorbell, in order to personally deliver the parcel to the purchaser himself or to a person delegated by him. However, disadvantageously, in the event that the courier fails to find any person at the aforesaid delivery address, he may withhold the parcel for a possible second delivery attempt, or, as happens much more often, he can make the delivery anyway, leaving the aforesaid parcel unattended near the entrance of the place of delivery, with all the risks involved, such as thefts or damages to the parcel itself.

In fact, alternative solutions are already known for the delivery of parcels that should overcome this problem, for example by means of lockers (e.g. the so-called “Amazon®’s Locker”) comprising a plurality of safety locations and arranged in public places, such as shopping centres or supermarkets.

However, this solution has some disadvantages, including the fact that the purchaser of the e-commerce product has to go to such public places to pick up his parcel. Furthermore, the drawback that such lockers cannot be placed anywhere, for structural and functional reasons, and consequently there is effectively no widespread use of them is also present.

It is also well known that in the near future, the delivery of the aforesaid e-commerce parcels will be increasingly actuated by means of autonomous aerial vehicles, in particular by means of drones.

Obviously, this change will certainly bring advantages, such as fast delivery and reduced pollution, but at the same time it will lead to an increase in the volume of unattended parcels dropped off at companies and private homes.

Consequently, the aforesaid risks of theft and damages will increase.

Moreover, this new approach is currently incompatible with the above- mentioned Locker-type cabinets.

The present invention is intended to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, the object of the invention is to realize an automated container for receiving objects, in particular parcels or the like, which enables the delivery to be made even if no individual is present at the place of delivery and without having to bother the purchaser.

In particular, the object of the invention is to realize an automated container that allows deliveries to be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

A further object of the invention is to realize an automated container that allows the delivery to be made safely, without the risk of thefts.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is to realize an automated container that allows the delivery to be made only if the object or the parcel to be delivered is the correct one.

A further object of the invention is to realize a container that allows the delivery to be also made by aerial vehicles, in particular by drones.

Yet, the object of the invention is to realize an automated container that allows monitoring and recording the steps of the delivery of an object or a parcel.

It is a further object of the invention to realize an automated container of the autonomous type, both from the functional point of view and from the point of view of its power supply.

Last but not least, the object of the invention is to realize an automated container adapted to be installed at each company or private home, and which, among other things, guarantees a greater health safety for the customer when receiving his order.

The listed objects are achieved by the automated container of the invention whose characteristics are described in the main claim to which reference will be made.

Other characteristics of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The objects and advantages listed will be better highlighted below during the description of a preferred embodiment of the automated container of the invention which is given below, by way of indicative and non-limiting purposes only, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Fig. 1 depicts a schematic axonometric view of an embodiment of the automated container of the invention;

- Fig. 2 depicts in axonometric view a detail of the automated container of Fig. 1 in a first closed position;

- Fig. 3 depicts in side view a detail of the automated container of Fig. 1 in a first closed position;

- Fig. 4 depicts in axonometric view a detail of the automated container of Fig. 1 in a second open position;

- Fig. 5 depicts in side view a detail of the automated container of Fig. 1 in a second open position;

- Fig. 6 depicts a side view sectioned according to a vertical section plane of the automated container of Fig. 1 ;

- Fig. 6a depicts a first detail of Fig. 6;

- Fig. 6b depicts a second detail of Fig. 6;

- Fig. 7 depicts in axonometric view a detail of the automated container of Fig. 1 with the side door in the open position;

- Fig. 8 schematically depicts the operation of inserting a parcel by a drone into the automated container of the invention.

The automated container of the invention, for receiving objects, in particular parcels or the like, delivered by means of aerial vehicles Va, in particular by means of drones D, is depicted in Fig. 1 where it is indicated overall with 1.

The automated container 1, as visible in Figs. 1 and 6, comprises a box-like structure 2 defining an internal space 3. In particular, said box-like structure 2 comprises a bottom 4, a ceiling 5 and side walls 6, interposed between the bottom 4 and the ceiling 5.

Preferably, as seen in Fig. 1 , the automated container 1 comprises a support frame 7, configured to keep said box-like structure 2 raised from the ground S on which said automated container 1 is arranged. This, advantageously, allows preventing any adverse circumstances due to natural events at the level of this ground S, such as flooding, from affecting the functionality of the automated container 1. In addition, this raised position of the box-like structure 2 allows ergonomic advantages to be obtained, since the box-like structure 2 itself is at man’s height.

Finally, this raised position may allow a second box-like structure to be possibly inserted below said main box-like structure 2.

According to the invention, the aforesaid ceiling 5 is of the mobile type with respect to the side walls 6, so as to be able to be moved from a first closed position, represented in Figs. 2 and 3, according to which the internal space 3 is isolated from the external environment, to a second open position, represented in Figs. 4 and 5, so as to allow access to said internal space 3 by an aerial vehicle Va from the upper part of the automated container 1, in order to arrange the objects or parcels and/or the like in its inside. Evidently, the ceiling 5 can also be moved from the second open position to the first closed position.

Preferably, the ceiling 5 being opened is moved towards the front part of the automated container 1 of the invention, identifiable, as will be defined in detail below, by the presence of a side door 15, allowing the sides and the rear part of the same automated container 1 to be left free, in order to be able to install the latter also on vertical structures, at one side thereof or, preferably, of the aforesaid rear part.

It is not excluded, however, that according to different embodiments of the invention this opening of the ceiling 5 can be actuated towards one of the two sides or towards the rear part of the same automated container 1.

Preferably, at the upper edges 6a of the side walls 6, adapted to be placed facing with the ceiling 5 at the first closed position, sealing means 8 are applied, in particular a gasket 81, so as to guarantee the IP seal between the same ceiling 5 and said upper edges 6a.

To allow the movement of the ceiling 5 from the aforesaid first position to the second position and vice versa, the automated container 1 comprises movement means 9, schematically represented in Fig. 6.

More precisely, the ceiling 5 is a plate-shaped element made as a single piece and the movement means 9 are configured to move the aforesaid ceiling 5 according to a simultaneous movement of horizontal translation, along a direction parallel to the main plane of said ceiling 5, and of vertical translation along a direction orthogonal to said main plane of the same ceiling 5.

The fact that the ceiling 5 is a plate-shaped element made as a single piece means that it is of a non-deformable type and that the aforesaid simultaneous movements are imparted to the same plate-shaped element as a single piece. Even more in detail, the movement means 9 are configured to move the ceiling 5 from the first closed position to the second open position according to said horizontal translation movement trajectory in combination with a lifting movement along said vertical direction and, likewise, the movement means 9 are configured to move the ceiling 5 from the second open position to the first closed position according to said horizontal translation movement trajectory in combination with a lowering movement along said vertical direction.

This particular movement advantageously allows to let the ceiling 5 slide horizontally with respect to the edges 6a of the side walls 6 and at the same time to lift it slightly from the gasket 81, so as to allow the same gasket 81 to stretch, preserving it from sliding friction and thus avoiding the risk of damage and therefore lengthening its life.

Furthermore, this particular movement during the closing step, i.e. the horizontal translation of the ceiling 5 together with the lowering thereof, allows the gasket 81 to be compressed between the ceiling 5 and the aforesaid side edges 6a ensuring the aforesaid IP seal.

In particular, preferably, the target IP seal value to be obtained is IP66.

Such movement means 9 could comprise an electric motor 10 configured to move appropriate mechanical guides 11, in turn operatively connected to the ceiling 5, so as to be able to actuate the aforesaid movements.

Even more in detail, the aforesaid mechanical guides 11 preferably comprise recirculating ball screws in order to guarantee an efficient, silent movement and above all in order to guarantee an excellent resistance to break-in attempts.

It is not excluded, however, that such mechanical guides 11 can be implemented with alternative systems, such as trapezoidal screws, T-screws or linear actuators in general.

Preferably but not necessarily, at the side edge 6a of the side wall 6 on which the ceiling 5 is moved in a transverse direction, as indicated in the detail of Fig. 6a, there is provided a retaining system 12 with a pin with inclined planes 13 that allows the coupling with a suitable housing 14, defined at the internal side 5a of the same ceiling 5, at the aforesaid first closed position.

This retaining system 12 advantageously allows the correct positioning of the ceiling 5 in this first closed position and, consequently, the correct compression of the gasket 81.

Likewise, such a retaining system 12 does not represent any obstacle to the sliding of the ceiling 5 during its opening and closing.

It is not excluded, however, that according to embodiment variants of the invention such a retaining system 12 may not be present or may be implemented by means of alternative solutions, of a known type by itself.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the aforesaid side door 15 is also provided, defined on one of the side walls 6 and configured to allow an individual to insert an object or a parcel inside said empty space 3 and to allow the purchaser or the person in charge of the latter to pick up an object or parcel inserted through the ceiling 5 or through the same side door 15

Preferably, said side door 15 has an electric lock 151 that can be activated, as will be described in detail below, following the recognition of a specific identification code.

The automated container 1 of the invention is then provided with an electronic control unit 16 configured to control, in general, the functionalities of the container itself, and in particular the movement of the aforesaid ceiling 5.

In detail, as can be seen in Fig. 6b, said electronic control unit 16 comprises a microprocessor 161 and storage means 162 in which a computer programming product 163 is stored which, when executed by said microprocessor 161, is configured to control the functionalities of the same automated container 1, such as the movement of the ceiling 5, or further functionalities described thereafter.

Preferably, said electronic control unit 16 further comprises a communication module 164 to allow proximity and/or remote wireless communication with external networks and devices, for example with the mobile device of the user of said automated container 1 and with the aerial vehicles Ve, in particular the drones D, used to place an object in the internal space 3 of the aforesaid automated container 1.

Preferably, such an electronic control unit 16 is particularly optimized from the point of view of Hardware and Software implementation to be able to detect its own energy consumptions and those of the entire system and to minimize such consumptions, while maintaining its functionalities unchanged.

This implementation makes it possible to make the automated container 1 of the invention of the stand-alone type and able to be installed without carrying out wiring works for the power supply thereof. Furthermore, the automated container 1 of the invention also comprises an electronic reading device 17, configured to allow the aforesaid electronic control unit 16 to detect unique identification codes, present in the object or parcel to be received or associated with the owner of the automated container 1, with a courier or with an aerial vehicle Va.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, such an electronic reading device 17 could be a barcode or QR code reader, and such unique identification codes could be represented by appropriate barcodes or QR codes applied on the object or on the parcel, or available to the owner of the automated container 1 , a courier or an aerial vehicle Va.

However, it is not excluded that such an electronic reading device 17 may be of another type, provided that it is known by itself, and therefore such unique identification codes may be defined in another way, provided that they can be detected by means of such an electronic reading device 17.

As will be described in detail below, the electronic control unit 16 is configured to actuate the opening of the aforesaid ceiling 5 or of the side door 15 only after detecting a unique identification code recognised and enabled.

The automated container 1 of the invention may further comprise electronic recharging means 18, arranged near the aforesaid ceiling 5 within the same container, and configured to actuate the recharging of the aforesaid aerial vehicles Va, when the latter are located in the upper part of the ceiling 5.

Advantageously, therefore, the automated container 1 of the invention, in addition to having the objective of achieving all the purposes indicated above, makes it possible to recharge the aerial vehicles Va interfacing with it, in such a way as to allow such aerial vehicles Va to travel longer distances, once left the starting point. These electronic recharging devices 18 are configured to recharge with contact or contactless technology. In the first case, the aforesaid electronic recharging means 18 must necessarily comprise one or more recharging electrodes, not depicted in the figures, projecting outwards at the aforesaid ceiling 5.

Still preferably, the automated container 1 may comprise electric power generation means 19, associated with electric power storage systems 20.

In detail, said electric power generation means 19 comprise photovoltaic panels 191 arranged at the upper part of the ceiling 5.

With regard to electric power storage systems 20, they comprise one or more electrochemical storage batteries 201, preferably arranged in a casing defined at the lower part of said support frame 7.

It is not excluded, however, that according to different embodiments of the invention both such electric power generation means 19, and such electric power storage systems 20 may be of another type, provided that they are known by themselves.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the automated container 1 of the invention comprises retaining means, not represented in the figures, either static or operable, arranged above the ceiling 5 and configured to stably retain an aerial vehicle Va when the latter is arranged above the ceiling 5, in order, for example, to actuate its recharging.

Furthermore, the automated container 1 of the invention may comprise sound and/or visual type input/output devices, not represented in the figures, operatively connected to the electronic control unit 16 and configured to interact with human staff, in order to actuate the possible insertion or pick-up of an object in or from the internal space 3 defined in the automated container 1 of the invention.

In addition, the automated container 1 may comprise an interactive display, not represented in the figures, operatively connected to the electronic control unit 16 and turned towards the external environment.

Still, the automated container 1 may comprise a digital camera 21 and motion detection algorithms configured to process the images acquired with said digital camera 21, so as to detect any tampering attempts.

Finally, according to the invention, the automated container 1 comprises a weight sensor 22 arranged at the bottom 4. Said weight sensor 22 is operatively connected to the aforesaid electronic control unit 16, so that, when an object or a parcel is rested on said bottom 4, its weight is detected and this weight is compared by the electronic control unit 16 with the actual weight associated with said parcel by the shipping company.

This check, as will be described in detail below, allows to verify whether the object or parcel delivered is really the correct one.

Operationally, the automated container 1 of the invention is placed in outdoor environments, such as for example in the garden of a house or near the fence of a building, or at least in places easily accessible from the outside, so that a courier and/or an aerial vehicle Va, in particular a drone D, can interact with such an automated container 1.

Evidently, the automated container 1 must be arranged in such a way that the ceiling 5 faces upwards, as represented in Fig. 1 .

Once the owner of one of the aforesaid automated containers 1 purchases an object via e-commerce, this object is shipped to the house of this owner by classic shipping service by courier or by means of the aforesaid new means of air transport, in particular by means of a drone D.

Regardless of the means of transport used, once arrived at the place of delivery, the electronic control unit 16, by means of the aforesaid electronic reading device 17, detects the unique identification code of the object or parcel, or possessed by the courier or associated with the drone D, when this unique identification code is placed near the electronic reading device 17.

The electronic control unit 16 of the automatic container 1 of the invention, once the aforesaid unique identification code has been acquired, compares the detected value with the unique identification code associated with this object and available to the purchaser on his mobile device, or by querying a database on a remote server where each object sent by a specific shipping company is associated with the aforesaid unique identification code. Evidently, the connection of the electronic control unit 16 of the automated container 1 of the invention with the aforesaid mobile device or with the aforesaid remote server is actuated by means of the communication module 164.

Once the correctness of the detected identification code has been verified, the electronic control unit 16 provides for enabling the access to the internal space 3 of the automated container 1 of the invention, which in the case of a drone D consists in moving the ceiling 5 from the first closed position to the second open position, while in the case of a natural person it consists in unlocking the electric lock 151 of the side door 15.

At this point, the object or the parcel is placed inside the aforesaid automated container 1, rested on the bottom 4, and in case the aforesaid weight sensor 22 is present, the weight of the object or of the parcel is detected and this detected weight is compared with the weight value associated with this parcel and available to the purchaser in his mobile device or present in the aforesaid database on the remote server.

There is therefore a further check (Double checking) on the conformity of the object or of the parcel that has been introduced into the automated container 1.

Once these checks have been carried out, the electronic control unit 16 is configured to accept the object or the parcel introduced into the automated container 1 by moving the aforesaid ceiling 5 towards the first closed position or by locking the electric lock 151 of the side door 15.

If the aforesaid digital camera 24 is present, there is the possibility, during the delivery operation, of acquiring a video of this activity.

When the purchaser and owner of the automated container 1 decides to pick up the parcel that is present inside the latter, he must show, near the aforesaid electronic reading device 17, his own unique identification code, so that the electronic control unit 16 can detect it and can unlock the aforesaid side door 15, if this unique identification code is recognised as valid.

Based on the foregoing, the automated container of the invention achieves all the aforesaid objects.

In particular, the object to realize an automated container for receiving objects, in particular parcels or the like, which enables the delivery to be made even if no individual is present at the place of delivery and without having to bother the purchaser, is achieved.

Even more in detail, the object to realize an automated container that allows deliveries to be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is achieved.

A further object achieved by the invention is to realize an automated container that allows the delivery to be made safely, without the risk of thefts.

The object to realize an automated container that allows the delivery to be made only if the object or parcel to be delivered is the correct one is also achieved.

A further object achieved is to realize a container that allows the delivery to be made also by aerial vehicles, in particular by drones.

Furthermore, the object to realize an automated container that allows monitoring and recording the steps of delivery of an object or a parcel is achieved.

A further object achieved is to realize an automated container of an autonomous type, both from the functional point of view and from the point of view of its power supply.

Finally, the object to realize an automated container adapted to be installed at each company or private home is achieved, which, among other things, guarantees a greater health safety for the customer when receiving his order.