[001]The present invention relates to a device for storing parcels and a module for storing large parcels. The invention applies, in particular, to postal services and courier services, especially those related to e-commerce, for instance online shops, where the ability to pick up/drop off a parcel at any time by/to a global customer is highly desired.

[002] There are devices for storing parcels, and systems and methods for delivering packages to many customers making use of said devices, known from the state of the art. For example, there is a device for storing parcels known from document US20130144428 and referred to as an automated parcel storage unit (in Polish: "paczkomat") , substantially in a cuboid shape, comprising at least two parcel lockers, which may differ in size and which are used for temporary storage of parcels to be picked up or dropped off by customers. Each locker has a door that may be of any shape and construed according to any design principle regarding the movement of the door relative to the walls of the locker. Locker doors are equipped with locking means in the form of any electronic lock.

[003] The device is connected to a power supply, thanks to which numerous components, such as the control unit, locker vacancy sensors, locker vacancy indicators, electric locks, user interface, payment means, means for communicating the management centre, in particular, communication means using the GSM/UMTS networks or the Internet, the interior lighting system for lockers, ventilators, the air conditioning unit, etc. may receive electrical power. Typically, when using this device a parcel is delivered with the application of the following steps: information regarding the service requested is collected and processed by the information management centre, instructions regarding service performance are forwarded to a Courier, a parcel is dropped off/picked up, information necessary to pick up/drop off a parcel from a given automated parcel storage unit is sent to a customer, the customer is identified by the storage unit on the basis of identification data provided through the user interface, and automated opening of an electronically locked locker.

[004] Another example of a device for storing parcels known from the state of the art is a device revealed in document no. PL412568. The device does not require a direct connection to an electrical grid or telecommunications network. The device comprises at least two lockers with doors, and every locker is equipped with a mechanical combination lock and a unique label; the remaining components do not require continuous power supply.

[005] However, the drawback of the known solutions is that the proposed structures are not capable of storing large size parcels. This reduces the number of potential clients that could use the device and the number and type of parcels which could be shipped with the use of a device for storing parcels.

[006] Therefore, the objective of the invention is to provide a device for storing parcels and a compatible module for storing large parcels, which would be free of the above drawbacks. In particular, the aim of the invention is to provide a module and a device for storing parcels which would allow storing/shipping large size parcels.

[007] The principle of the invention is that a device for storing parcels, comprising a housing and at least two lockers, is characterized in that on at least one side of the housing there is a surface with fitted means for blocking a large parcel and means for retaining position of a large parcel.

[008] Preferably, the surface is one of the surfaces of the device's housing.

[009] Preferably, the surface is one of the surfaces of the attachable module.

[010] Also preferably, the devices to block the parcel may comprise a mechanical lock. [Oil] Preferably, the means for blocking and/or means for retaining position are adjustable.

[012] The principle of the invention is also that the module for storing parcels, comprising a housing, is characterized by the fact that on at least one side of the housing there is a surface with fitted means for blocking a large parcel and means for retaining position of a large parcel.

[013] Another advantage is that the means for blocking the parcel may comprise a mechanical lock.

[014] Preferably, the means for blocking are not removable.

[015jAnother advantage is that the means for blocking and/or means for retaining position of a parcel are adjustable.

[016] The idea behind the design of a device for storing parcels according to the invention is that the construction provided allows storage of parcels which have at least one dimension larger than the biggest typical locker available at a device for storing parcels .

[017] By integrating the means for blocking and means for retaining position of a parcel externally to the device, rather than within the lockers, parcels can be stored outside typical lockers, thanks to which the extra space surrounding the device for storing parcels may be used for storing parcels. As a consequence, space required for the device for storing parcels can be saved up. As a consequence, the cost of maintenance of the device for storing parcels can be reduced.

[018] By providing suitable means for blocking and means for retaining position, parcel storage safety is guaranteed, as the parcel is inseparable from the device and placed at a position involving minimum damage risk.

[019] By integrating the means for blocking and means for retaining position of a parcel outside the device, one can save a lot of space inside the device, which would otherwise be taken up by the parcel. This will preserve the device's maximum capacity provided by the number of lockers.

[020]Moreover, by integrating the system for storing large parcels within a typical device for storing parcels, one can pick up a large parcel at any time of day or night. For example, there is a possibility of shipping the parcel (e.g. a large travel bag, skis, a bicycle etc.) on one day and picking it up on the following day at a place suitable for the user (e.g. at an airport, petrol station, bus station, railway station etc.), so that the user does not have to take it to work, onto a means of urban public transportation, etc.

[021]Moreover, by integrating the system for storing large parcels within a typical device for storing parcels, the greater comfort of travel can be provided to users of vehicle. Any additional luggage (such as skis or a bicycle) can have a negative effect on the comfort and safety of vehicle users.

[022] Said device for storing parcels and a module for storing large parcels for the device for storing parcels have been presented in detail in embodiments of the enclosed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 depicts a general perspective view of an embodiment of the device for storing parcels according to the invention;

Fig. 2 depicts a general perspective view of another embodiment of a device for storing parcels according to the invention;

Fig. Fig. 3 depicts a general perspective view of an embodiment of a module for storing large parcels according to the invention;

[023] The following terms used in the description shall have the following meaning: "parcel" is any item that can be transferred, transported and deposited in the device for storing parcels, including among others a letter, package or other item assigned to be received or sent by a client. 'Large parcel' is any item that can be transferred, transported, of which at least one dimension is larger than 55 cm, preferably 64 cm. [024] The end user of a device 1 for storing parcels may be any natural or legal person, registered or not registered with system of the service provider, who needs to ship or collect any item with the use of a device 1 for storing parcels.

[025]With reference to Fig. 1-2 and Fig. 3-4, embodiments of a device for storing parcels according to the invention which requires no power supply are presented, as the device is composed of mechanical components only. However, a person skilled in the art will know that the invention will also apply to devices for storing parcels which require electrical power supply and means for communication via the GSM/UMTS networks .

[026] In accordance with the first embodiment presented in Fig. 1, a device 1 for storing parcels according to the invention is substantially of a cuboid shape, with at least two volumes marked off, comprising at least two lockers 2. Splitting off a volume for lockers is preferably done by distributing internal walls (not shown) forming lockers 2 within the device 1, with fixed doors 4 closing the locker 2 area. Each locker is locked using a lock 3, which can be any type of a lock, either a mechanical, an electrical, or an electronic one.

[027]A device 1 for storing parcels according to the invention is placed on a ground in a secure way for safety reasons. Safety measures may include a suitable base 7, constituting its foundations, preventing dislocation of the device 1 for storing parcels. Another version may avail of other safety measures, coupling the device 1 for storing parcels to the ground using, in particular, suitable sets of screws and sockets, hooks, or any other mechanical tools used to create durable mechanical connections .

[028] Every locker 2 is visibly labelled, preferably from the front, on the door 4, with an identifiable individual number of the locker 5, so that its location can be easily identified by customers (as shown in Fig. 1-2) .

[029]Furthermore, according to the invention, one of the side walls of the device 1, which is one of the walls of the housing of the whole device 1 for storing parcels, is a surface 9, to which the means for blocking 11 a large parcel 13 and means for retaining 12 position of a large parcel 13 are fitted.

[030] According to an embodiment of the invention, a device 1 for storing parcels may be manufactured already fitted with a required number of lockers 2 and with a surface 9, to which the means for blocking 11 a large parcel 13 and means for retaining 12 position of a large parcel 13 are fitted. In other words, in one of embodiments, the surface 9 of the device 1 for storing parcels is an integral element of the housing manufactured simultaneously to the manufacture of the whole device 1 for storing parcels .

[031] In another embodiment, a device 1 for storing parcels may be a modular device, i.e. it may be composed of several cuboids, which are modules 8, where every module 8 is fitted with a separate basis 7. Thanks to the above, the device 1 may be adjusted to local needs regarding the collecting/shipping services, for instance by increasing or decreasing the number of lockers 2, or to configure locker sizes.

[032] In one of the embodiments, the device 1 for storing may be a single module 10 (not shown) . The module may be another version of a typical module 8 for storing parcels, in which one of the walls of the housing is a surface 9, to which the means for blocking 11 a large parcel and means for retaining 12 position of a large parcel are fitted.

[033] In yet another embodiment, a module 10 {see Fig. 3-4) may constitute a separate cuboid of some width smaller than the width of a single module 8 with lockers 2, in which one of the side walls is a surface 9, to which the means for blocking 11 a large parcel 13 and means for retaining 12 position of a large parcel 13 are fitted. Both the first type of the module 10 and the second type of the module 10 may be attached to new or already existing and functioning devices 1 for storing parcels. In other words, in some embodiments, the side wall which becomes a surface 9 is a side wall of a separate module 10 for storing parcels, attachable to the device 1 for storing parcels. [034]A large size parcel 13 may be, for example, a bicycle, as shown in Fig. 1 or 3, or a snowboard or skis, as demonstrated in Fig. 2 or 4.

[035}Preferably, in any of the embodiments, means for blocking 11 a large parcel 13 may include cords 11 or belts 11 with locking mechanisms 11. For instance, one end of a cord 11 or a belt 11 is secured to the surface 9 of the device 1, and the other end is fitted with elements of a locking mechanism 11. A person skilled in the art will know that the cord 11 or the belt 11 may be made of any material (such as metal, plastic, rubber etc.) and that the cord 11 or the belt 11 may be of any length, in particular of adjustable length, and of a diameter which guarantees large parcel 13 storage safety. A person skilled in the art will know that in order to ensure effective adjustment, one end of the cord 11 or the belt 11 secured to the device 1 may be placed in a cord winding machine and be automatically wound/rolled if the cord 11 or the belt 11 is not used. A person skilled in the art will know that the lock 11 may be an electronic lock or any other closing mechanism. The device 1 or module 10 may be fitted with varying blocking devices 11 adjusted to the size of a large parcel 13. A person skilled in the art will know that blocking devices 11 must prevent any prohibited detachment of a large parcel 13 from the device 1 for storing parcels.

[036]Preferably, in any of the embodiments of the device 1 or the module 10 in accordance with the invention, the means for retaining 12 may be shaped elements 12 which remain attached to the surface 9 , as presented in Fig. 1 or 2. They are exterior projections of the surface 9 and their function is to limit the space taken up by the large parcel 13. The means for retaining 12 guarantee stable and predictable positioning of a large parcel 13. A person skilled in the art will know that the shaped elements 12 may be closed or open, hollow or solid, and that they may be of any shape, diameter, and material. In addition, the means for retaining 12 position of a large parcel 13 may be distributed over the surface 9 in any way, i.e. on the top, at the bottom, in the middle, at various angles. [037] In addition, the means for retaining 12 may be adjustable. A person skilled in the art will know that the distance between the means for retaining position 12, for example shaped elements 12, may be adjusted according to the size of large parcels to be deployed in a given device 1 for storing parcels. For example, means for retaining position 12 may be adjusted with the application of tracks or other adjusting devices (not shown) which allow movement and fixing of the means for retaining position 12.

[038] Additionally, labels 5 identifying the number of a post for large parcel 13 storage may be attached to the surface 9 of the device 1. Preferably, these are numbers, but a person skilled in the art will know that they may be any symbols: letters, pictures, patterns, arranged in any manner. The labels 5 are distributed over the surface in any manner: on the top, at the bottom, in the middle, at an angle.

[039]Additionally, on the surface 9 of the device 1 for storing parcels there are also labels 6 regarding the type of large parcels 13 for which the blocking devices 11 and/or the means for retaining 12 position are designed. For instance, it may be a symbol of a bicycle, whenever the means for blocking 11 and/or means for retaining 12 position are designed for bicycle storage. A person skilled in the art will know that there may be various symbols, e.g. of skis, snowboards, bags/suitcases etc.

[040]Additionally, on the surface 9 of the device 1 for storing parcels there may be a special advertising/information space (not shown) of any size and shape.

[041] In accordance with another embodiment, a device 1 for storing parcels according to the invention may be equipped with means for blocking 12 in the form of a mechanical lock with a key or a combination lock. What is more, in the above embodiment the means for retaining 12 position of a parcel are composed of a concave space 12 in the surface 9, in addition to shaped elements 12. A person skilled in the art will know that one mean for retaining 12 position could be a properly shaped concave space 12 alone. Favourably, it may be a space in the form of a slit suited to storing, for instance, a bicycle wheel. A person skilled in the art will know that it may be any other form suited to the size and shape of a large parcel 13, e.g. to skis, a snowboard, or a travel bag.

[042JA11 walls of the device 1 and the module 10 and the doors 4 are preferably made of metal. Favourably, metal can be covered with suitable protective layers or layers adding aesthetic value to the device 1 and the module 10.

[043] The method of operating a device 1 for storing parcels and the module 10 in accordance with the invention will be subject to the type of the device and the availability of electrical and telecommunication networks. For example, the method of operating blocking devices 12 and the site for storing large parcel 13 may be the same as the method of operating lockers 2 provided for in PL412568.

[044] Thanks to the device 1 for storing parcels according to the invention, picking up large parcels 13, such as skis or other sport equipment, from any place, such as a place close to one's family trip destination, becomes particularly convenient. Thanks to the invention, one can save up a lot of space in a means of transport or pick up a parcel at any time, which is not guaranteed by any typical courier service.