The object of the invention is a device for storing, receiving and sending parcels and a method for loading parcels into the device for use in commercial spaces of small area and height in the sales industry.

A parcel locker is known from the description of the utility model W.121349. The object of the utility model is a parcel locker designed to be installed outdoors, that is resistant to atmospheric conditions such as rain or snowfall and solar radiation, and takes the form of a free-standing device equipped with a web-operated control unit that cooperates with a system of compartments used to send and receive parcels by customers without any involvement of third parties. Information about both sending and receiving parcels is generated via the Internet based on the account of a person logged into the system/portal of the parcel locker owner. The parcel locker consists of a compartment-control module (24) placed inside a spatial frame encased by outer walls and a wall with compartments. The base of the parcel locker rests on adjustable feet and is detachably connected to a spatial frame protected on both sides by side walls and at the rear by a bottom cover, a middle cover, a top cover and a central cover. From the front, the parcel locker is equipped with large compartments (34), medium compartments (35), small compartments (36) and is covered from above with a roof that is detachably fastened with bolts placed in sockets.

A modular parcel locker is known from the patent description P.400838. The object of the invention is a modular parcel locker which is a device allowing cooperation with an ATM, a payment terminal, a control module of the parcel locker and any computer device with access to the Internet provided with a monitor or touch screen monitor allowing remote communication, while maintaining the functionality of a common parcel locker and its visual monitoring, and its visual and audible alarm. The modular parcel locker has a control panel (1 ) connected to compartment modules (11 ), (12), (13), (22), (23) which have one communication cable (3) and one power cable (4) and are equipped with one compartment comprising one master module (2) consisting of at least a system power supply, an image recording device (6), a modem/router with extended functionality (7), an alarm siren (8) and a cooling and heating system (9).

A parcel terminal for inserting and receiving parcels is known from the patent description CN210133562. A parcel terminal for inserting and receiving parcels comprises at least one insertion and unloading area for identifying the user and inserting or removing a parcel, a frame comprising two rows of columns, each of equal width and suitable for holding multiple platforms, each platform being configured to hold a parcel, with at least one column readily connected to at least one insertion and unloading area; and a mast configured to move along a passage between two rows and consisting of two loaders attached on opposite sides of the mast in the direction of the passage and capable of independently moving vertically along the mast and extending horizontally perpendicular to the direction opposing the passage of one of the rows of columns; in which the combined width of the loaders measured in the direction of the passage and the width of the mast is such that when one of the loaders is positioned at a column with access to at least one insertion and unloading zone, the second loader on the opposite side of the mast is by default positioned at a fast-loading column, thus enabling simultaneous loading in at least one loading and unloading area and unloading in the fast-loading column.

Devices in the form of parcel terminals are known which consist of a system of compartments in which parcels (individually or in quantities of several pieces) are stored and a computer system that manages the identification of users and their access to the compartments. The process of sending a parcel in a known device includes the following actions: after scanning the barcode on the parcel label, the computer system informs the operator/parcel locker network employee (courier) or the end customer of the location of the compartment in which the is to place the delivered parcels and opens its door. The courier goes to the indicated place and places the parcel in the compartment in question, as instructed by the system. This operation can be repeated many times for a given compartment, depending on the number of parcels to be placed therein for a given recipient. The process of collecting a parcel at a known parcel terminal includes the following actions: once the user has scanned the barcode or entered the collection code (via the user interface), the computer system opens the door of the compartment that contains the parcel associated with the scanned barcode. Once the consignment is removed from the compartment, the collector closes the compartment door.

In known parcel terminals, the main challenge for the terminal operator is the duration of loading parcels into the device, which is time-consuming and labour-intensive. What is more, the well-known machines, by virtue of their design, have a restricted height and depth, limited by the reach of the consumer's hands, and therefore also have a specific, often insufficient capacity, which causes them to be overloaded and unable to be loaded with new parcels until they are emptied by the end consumer. Such overloading causes downtime and inefficient use of the device.

The aim of the invention is to reduce the time needed to load parcels into the device. The loading of parcels takes place via a dedicated loading gate, where the operator, after scanning the parcel, places it in a tray on a tray conveyor which is divided into independently driven segments in the parcel insertion and removal zone and which is also located under a set of parallel parcel storage racks, closed in the form of a loop, that moves the tray with the parcel to the next segment, with the simultaneous movement, within the tray conveyor, of the next empty tray previously fed by a tray storage feeder onto a conveyor segment. Such a solution allows accelerated loading of parcels in one location without the need to move around and search for the loading location of a particular parcel. What is more, it eliminates the need to open and close successive compartments, as is the case in known devices, so that loading proceeds smoothly with the doors open until all the parcels are loaded. In addition, buffering the trays on the tray conveyor in the lower part under the set of parallel racks throughout the device in the form of a closed loop ensures the separation of the work cycles of a stacker crane and the cycle of loading parcels into the system by the operator, eliminating downtime, which also contributes to the loading speed of the device.

In addition, the device solves the problem of placing a large number of parcels per m3 of available space and allows the parcel storage zone to be separated from the dispensing area, i.e. the storage zone being located inside the building (on the same or another level as the dispensing zone) and the dispensing zone being flush with the front wall of the building.

The essence of the invention is a device for storing, receiving and sending parcels, consisting of at least one parcel insertion and removal zone, with a graphical user interface, integrated with a set of parallel parcel storage racks, at least one stacker crane moving longitudinally between two parcel storage racks and a main controller in the form of a computer controlling the operation of the device, characterised in that it has a tray conveyor divided into independently driven segments closed in the form of a loop under the set of parallel parcel storage racks and the at least one parcel insertion and removal zone has at least one separate loading gate and has at least one tray conveyor divided into independently driven segments and has at least one tray storage with a feeder and at least one loading/receiving access lock and/or at least one loading/receiving box.

Preferably, the loading/receiving access lock has an external door and an internal door that are opened alternately.

Preferably, the loading/receiving access lock has a sliding external door and a sliding internal door.

Preferably, the loading/receiving access lock has a hinged external door and a sliding internal door.

Preferably, the external door of the loading/receiving access lock is a glass with a transparency control system.

Preferably, the loading/receiving access lock and the separate loading gate have a parcel presence sensor at the place where the container is inserted.

Preferably, the parcel presence sensor is a weighing module.

The essence of the invention is a method for loading parcels into the device, characterised in that the parcel is scanned in the parcel insertion and removal zone on the graphical user interface, the external door of the separate loading gate is opened, the parcel is deposited on a tray placed on the tray conveyor divided into independently driven segments in the parcel insertion and removal zone. Then, the parcel presence sensor detects the presence of the parcel on the tray and sends information to the main controller in the form of a computer controlling the operation of the device, which sends a signal to the tray conveyor and the tray moves to the next segment of the tray conveyor outside the parcel insertion and removal zone, with the simultaneous movement, on the tray conveyor, of another empty tray fed earlier by the tray storage feeder, onto the conveyor segment which precedes the parcel loading zone in the parcel insertion and removal zone. Then, the trays with the parcel from the tray conveyor divided into independently driven segments closed in the form of a loop, located under the set of parallel parcel storage racks are picked up by the stacker crane, conveyed and deposited on a parcel storage rack.

The device according to the invention allows a significant reduction in time taken by the operator to load parcels into the device. The operator of the device according to the invention has access to load the parcel locker via a dedicated separate loading gate, where, after scanning the parcel, he places it on a tray on the tray conveyor which is divided into independently driven segments in the parcel insertion and removal zone. The use of the tray conveyor divided into independently driven segments, closed in the form of a loop, under the set of parallel parcel storage racks, and the conveyor in the parcel insertion and removal zone allows the tray with the parcel to move independently of the other trays. In the device during its loading, it is not necessary to close and open the door of the separate loading gate when the tray is moved to the next segment of the tray conveyor, the whole process proceeds smoothly. Once loaded, the trays are picked up and deposited onto the rack by means of the stacker crane. Buffering the trays on the tray conveyor divided into independently driven segments, closed in the form of a loop, under the set of parallel parcel storage racks throughout the device according to the invention ensures the separation of the work cycles of a stacker crane and the cycle of loading parcels into the system by the operator. Such a solution allows a large number of parcels to be quickly introduced into the system, thus facilitating the operator's work, which are then distributed by the stacker crane to the location on the rack indicated by the control system. Due to the operation of the stacker crane which works at a slower pace, the buffering of the parcels on the moving tray conveyor divided into independently driven segments throughout the device does not block the possibility to load the parcels quickly by the operator who can work at his own pace independently of the speed of the stacker crane.

In addition, the device according to the invention allows a high concentration of parcels per m3 of available space as it offers the possibility to use the space above the height of the conventional device which in the conventional solution is limited by the reach of the hands of the person dealing with the device. The device according to the invention also facilitates the collection and sending of parcels, by placing the parcel insertion and removal zone with the graphical interface at an ergonomic height for the consumer. The structure according to the invention allows the parcel storage zone in the form of racks to be placed in separation from their dispensing area, i.e. the storage zone being located inside the building, on the same or different level as the dispensing area, and the dispensing zone being flush with the front wall of the building.

The object of the invention is depicted in the drawing, where Fig. 1 shows the device in an axonometric view, Fig. 2 shows the device in an axonometric view, Fig. 3 shows the interior of the device in a side view with the visible stacker crane, Fig. 4 shows the device in a top view, Fig. 5 shows the parcel insertion and removal zone of the device in an axonometric view, Fig. 6 shows a view of the loading/receiving access lock of the device, Fig. 7 shows a diagram of the parcel insertion and removal system in the device.

Embodiment I

A device for storing, receiving and sending parcels 1 consists of a parcel insertion and removal zone 2, with a graphical user interface 3, integrated with a set of parallel parcel storage racks 4, a stacker crane 5 moving longitudinally between two parcel storage racks 4 and a main controller 6 in the form of a computer controlling the operation of the device. The device 1 has a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments closed in the form of a loop under the set of parallel parcel storage racks 4. The parcel insertion and removal zone 2 has a separate loading gate 7 for the operator and a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments and a tray storage with a feeder 8 and a loading/receiving access lock 10. Embodiment II

A device for storing, receiving and sending parcels 1 consists of a parcel insertion and removal zone 2, with a graphical user interface 3, integrated with a set of parallel parcel storage racks 4, a stacker crane 5 moving longitudinally between two parcel storage racks 4 and a main controller 6 in the form of a computer controlling the operation of the device. The device 1 has a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments closed in the form of a loop under the set of parallel parcel storage racks 4. The parcel insertion and removal zone 2 has a separate loading gate 7 for the operator and a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments and a tray storage with a feeder 8 and a loading/receiving box 14.

Embodiment III

A device for storing, receiving and sending parcels 1 consists of a parcel insertion and removal zone 2, with a graphical user interface 3, integrated with a set of parallel parcel storage racks 4, a stacker crane 5 moving longitudinally between two parcel storage racks 4 and a main controller 6 in the form of a computer controlling the operation of the device. The device 1 has a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments closed in the form of a loop under the set of parallel parcel storage racks 4. The parcel insertion and removal zone 2 has a separate loading gate 7 for the operator and a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments and a tray storage with a feeder 8 and a loading/receiving access lock 10, and a loading/receiving box 14. The loading/receiving access lock 10 and the separate loading gate 7 have a parcel presence sensor 13 at the place where the container is inserted.

Embodiment IV

A device for storing, receiving and sending parcels 1 consists of a parcel insertion and removal zone 2, with a graphical user interface 3, integrated with a set of parallel parcel storage racks 4, a stacker crane 5 moving longitudinally between two parcel storage racks 4 and a main controller 6 in the form of a computer controlling the operation of the device. The device 1 has a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments closed in the form of a loop under the set of parallel parcel storage racks 4. The parcel insertion and removal zone 2 has a separate loading gate 7 for the operator and a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments and a tray storage with a feeder 8 and a loading/receiving access lock 10. The loading/receiving access lock 10 has a hinged external door 11 and a sliding internal door 12 that are opened alternately. The loading/receiving access lock 10 and the separate loading gate 7 have a parcel presence sensor 13 at the place where the container is inserted.

Embodiment V

A device for storing, receiving and sending parcels 1 consists of a parcel insertion and removal zone 2, with a graphical user interface 3, integrated with a set of parallel parcel storage racks 4, a stacker crane 5 moving longitudinally between two parcel storage racks 4 and a main controller 6 in the form of a computer controlling the operation of the device. The device 1 has a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments closed in the form of a loop under the set of parallel parcel storage racks 4. The parcel insertion and removal zone 2 has a separate loading gate 7 for the operator and a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments and a tray storage with a feeder 8 and a loading/receiving access lock 10. The loading/receiving access lock 10 has a sliding external door 11 and a sliding internal door 12 that are opened alternately. The loading/receiving access lock 10 and the separate loading gate 7 have a parcel presence sensor 13 in the form of a weighing module at the place where the container is inserted.

Embodiment VI

A device for storing, receiving and sending parcels 1 consists of a parcel insertion and removal zone 2, with a graphical user interface 3, integrated with a set of parallel parcel storage racks 4, a stacker crane 5 moving longitudinally between two parcel storage racks 4 and a main controller 6 in the form of a computer controlling the operation of the device. The device 1 has a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments closed in the form of a loop under the set of parallel parcel storage racks 4. The parcel insertion and removal zone 2 has a separate loading gate 7 for the operator and a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments and a tray storage with a feeder 8 and a loading/receiving access lock 10. The loading/receiving access lock 10 has a sliding external door 1 1 and a sliding internal door 12 that are opened alternately. The external door 11 of the loading/receiving access lock 10 is a glass with a transparency control system.

Embodiment VII

A device for storing, receiving and sending parcels 1 consists of a parcel insertion and removal zone 2, with a graphical user interface 3, integrated with a set of two parallel parcel storage racks 4, two stacker cranes 5 moving longitudinally between two parcel storage racks 4 and a main controller 6 in the form of a computer controlling the operation of the device. The device 1 has a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments closed in the form of a loop under the set of parallel parcel storage racks 4. The parcel insertion and removal zone 2 has a separate loading gate 7 for the operator and a tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments and a tray storage with a feeder 8 and a loading/receiving access lock 10. The loading/receiving access lock 10 has a sliding external door 11 and a sliding internal door 12 that are opened alternately. The external door 11 of the loading/receiving access lock 10 is a glass with a transparency control system.

Embodiment VIII

A method for loading parcels into the device consists in that the parcel is scanned in the parcel insertion and removal zone 2 on the graphical user interface 3. The external door of the separate loading gate 7 is opened and the operator deposits the parcel on an empty tray placed on the tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments in the parcel insertion and removal zone 2. The parcel presence sensor 13 integrated in the loading gate 7 detects the presence of the parcel on the tray and sends information to the main controller 6 in the form of a computer controlling the operation of the device 1 , which sends a signal to the tray conveyor 9 and the tray moves to the next segment of the tray conveyor 9 outside the parcel insertion and removal zone 2 onto further segments of the tray conveyor located under the set of parallel parcel racks 4, with the simultaneous movement, on the tray conveyor 9, of another empty tray fed earlier by the tray storage feeder 8, onto the conveyor 9 segment which precedes the parcel loading zone in the parcel insertion and removal zone 2. The trays with the parcel from the tray conveyor 9 divided into independently driven segments closed in the form of a loop throughout the device 1 , located under the set of parallel parcel storage racks 4 are picked up by the stacker crane 5 which conveys and deposits them on a parcel storage rack 4 corresponding to the dimensions of the parcel.