Collection And Delivery Patents (Class 232/27)
  • Patent number: 11859398
    Abstract: A portable post office contained within an intermodal container is disclosed. Such a structure may include a rack movably secured to a track mounted in the ceiling of said container via a trolley. The rack may be configured to hold a plurality of post office boxes, each box having a lockable door facing the center aisle of the container, and an open end facing the rear of the rack. The rack may be positioned against an interior side wall of the container and secured in place via a locking mechanism to prevent access to the open ends of the post office boxes. An individual may release the locking mechanism and move the rack into the center aisle along the track to access the open ends of the post office boxes. The rack member may then be moved back along the track and re-secured against the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Joe Paretti
  • Patent number: 11166579
    Abstract: A mailbox comprises a box body with a door having a lock, a mailbox unlocking code input device for inputting an unlocking code to unlock the mailbox, a communication module for communicating with a remote management terminal, a storage at the mailbox or the remote management terminal for storing one or more preset mailbox unlocking codes, and a processor at the mailbox or the remote management terminal for identifying whether the input mailbox unlocking code matches the one or more preset mailbox unlocking codes, and issuing a mailbox unlocking instruction if matching. The processor comprises a mailbox unlocking code management circuit used to invalidate the matched mailbox unlocking code after the mailbox is unlocked, generate a new mailbox unlocking code when no valid mailbox unlocking code is currently available, and store the new mailbox unlocking code in the storage. The mailbox can safely, conveniently and automatically receive and/or send mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Suzhou Dewo Smart System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaoju Geng
  • Patent number: 10885479
    Abstract: In some examples, a service provider may determine, for a time of day and a day of a week, orders received by individual merchants of a plurality of merchants over a past period of time. The service provider may further determine, for the time of day and day of the week, based at least in part on the orders received over the past period of time, a first merchant predicted to receive an order. Based at least in part on a pickup location of the first merchant, the service provider may send a communication to a first courier device associated with a first courier of a plurality of couriers. For example, the communication may include location information for a recommended location to which the first courier is to move to be in position for picking up an order from the merchant that is predicted to receive the order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: DOORDASH, INC.
    Inventors: Jesse Lee Reiss, Ajit Kalidindi Varma, Jeffrey Frank Iacono, Richard David Din
  • Patent number: 10733564
    Abstract: Methods, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are described for proactively reporting a content status of a node-enabled logistics receptacle in a wireless node network. Generally, the node-enabled logistics receptacle may update the content status stored in memory onboard the node-enabled logistics receptacle based upon whether the node-enabled logistics receptacle has received a package and is temporarily maintaining custody of the package. The receptacle may then broadcast status information related to the updated content status for the node-enabled logistics receptacle. In more detail, a node assembled within the node-enabled logistics receptacle may detect a signal broadcast from a master node in the wireless node network, access the content status stored in memory onboard the receptacle, and broadcast status information to the master node related to the content status for the node-enabled receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Ole-Petter Skaaksrud
  • Patent number: 10629017
    Abstract: Methods and systems for retrieving or depositing a package using a beacon are described. A locker and parking space are assigned to a user or selected by the user, and the user is able to access the locker using a mobile device. The mobile device transmits identification information to a beacon associated with the locker. This information is passed to a service provider, who identifies the user or the locker and causes the locker to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: PayPal, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Ogishi, Darren Michail Endo
  • Patent number: 10198887
    Abstract: Methods and systems for retrieving or depositing a package using a beacon are described. A locker and parking space are assigned to a user or selected by the user, and the user is able to access the locker using a mobile device. The mobile device transmits identification information to a beacon associated with the locker. This information is passed to a service provider, who identifies the user or the locker and causes the locker to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventors: Tracy Ogishi, Darren Michail Endo
  • Patent number: 9955812
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to a parcel receiving apparatus that may comprise a parcel bin, a frame assembly, and a locking system. The frame assembly may be configured to fit inside a support structure aperture and circumscribe the parcel bin. Additionally, the parcel bin may be rotatably attached to the frame assembly along a fixed axis. The locking system may be operable to permit or deny a user from rotating the parcel bin into an open position. Applications of the parcel receiving apparatus may include remote access and automatic rotating functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Patrick Charbeneau
  • Publication number: 20110259950
    Abstract: A receptacle for secure mail and parcel receipt and storage. The receptacle includes a top which provides a roof for the receptacle, a base, and a housing connected to the top and the base. The housing includes an upper compartment into which mail is first placed, a lower compartment into which mail is deposited from the upper compartment, a front door, located on a front of the receptacle, which is opened to provide access to the upper compartment and through which mail is placed into the upper compartment, a trap door, operatively connected to the front door, in the upper compartment, and an access door that includes a lock. The trap door rests in an open position when the front door is closed, allowing communication between the upper and lower compartments. The trap door is moved to a closed position by the opening of the front door, thereby preventing access to the lower compartment from the upper compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Bobbie COX, Jeffrey KALMAN, Craig SAUNDERS, Paul Stephens, Lindsey Tufts, JR., Chuck Hosier
  • Patent number: 7694873
    Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing products includes a germicidal light for disinfecting a product dispensed by the vending machine. The germicidal light is positioned adjacent an exit chute of the vending machine such that it exposes the product to a sterilizing frequency of light when the product is dispensed. Alternatively, the products may be intermittently exposed to the sterilizing light while the products are on display in accordance with a predetermined exposure schedule. The invention is particularly effective when it is used in connection with a canned drink machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Taylor Wesley Jones
  • Patent number: 7607569
    Abstract: A securable storage container comprising: a hollow housing having a front wall, a back wall, side walls, a top and a bottom for defining a first compartment and a second compartment; a first door rotatably connected to the housing and providing access to the first compartment, the first door being reversibly movable between an open position and a closed position; a second door rotatably connected to the housing and providing access to the second compartment, the second door being lockable to the housing; two opposing trap doors, each trap door being rotatably coupled to one of the side walls of the housing for dividing the first compartment from the second compartment; and a deployment means for moving the trap doors between a closed position in which the first compartment is separated from the second compartment and an open position in which the first compartment is in communication with the second compartment; wherein opening the first door forces the deployment means to move the trap doors to the closed po
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Jack Van Rossum
  • Patent number: 7487907
    Abstract: A security mailbox system known as Safe “T” Box being a fully enclosed square mailbox that can be designed from PVC or some fabricated material, the Safe T Box is easy to install, environmentally friendly and will provide long service life. The mailbox includes chambers for incoming and outgoing mail being delivered via the U.S. Postal Service, it also has a chamber for newspapers/advertisements not delivered via U.S. Postal Service. The incoming mail chamber is designed for mail to go down a mail chute into a basket for pick-up through back of the locked mailbox. Outgoing mail can be placed from the back for pick-up from the front by postal worker. The mailbox is attached to the ground though internal poles extending from the bottom of the mailbox into the ground and cemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventor: Sheila Roxann Miller
  • Publication number: 20090001152
    Abstract: Door stop and impact absorber bracket for restraining mailbox doors from opening beyond a selected swing radius. The bracket can fit underneath the mailbox behind an existing lower hanging lip. The door stop bracket is positioned such that it limits the door from swinging beyond a desired point (for example approximately 90 degrees) when the door is opened. The bracket can have an elongated rectangular planar central portion, with bent ends, together forming a generally C-shape. The bracket can have cushion pad to protect both the door, hinges other components and even the body of the mail box from being damaged from excessive vibrations when the door reaches the maximum opening point. The pad can also reduce objectionable impact noise effects that are created when a mailbox door accelerates in a free fall to a stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: EUROASIA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: John M. Bowers, Craig W. Walker
  • Patent number: 7436536
    Abstract: A record of a document is transmitted to a receiver so as to provide proof of transmission of the document by delivery of the to be transmitted document to a secure delivery box which provides a copy of all documents being transmitted to the sender and/or the recipient and/or the service provider of the delivery box by a hard copy or electronic copy of the documents inserted into the delivery box with the sender's address being visible through a transparent window of the to be delivered document or entered by an external keyboard of the delivery box so that copies and confirmation of delivery of transmitted documents is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Marvin R. Blumberg
  • Patent number: 7201307
    Abstract: A high security mail box which comprises an elongated housing having a front wall, a rear opening and a chamber therein to receive and store incoming mail items. A facility in the elongated housing, is for depositing the incoming mail items within the chamber by a mail person. An access door is hinged to the rear opening of the elongated housing, wherein the access door will move between an open position and a closed position. A mechanism operatively associated with the access door, is for locking the access door in the closed position. An authorized person can disengage the locking mechanism to move the access door from the closed position to the open position, so that the authorized person can remove the incoming mail items from the chamber of the elongated housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Mark J. Fleming
  • Patent number: 6961711
    Abstract: The present system facilitates delivery and pickup of goods by providing a locker module at a location near a customer's residential site. For a vendor to deliver a good to the customer, the vendor leases a unit in the locker module from the system controller by accessing the system controller's website and providing details of the customer and a delivery agent. The vendor then notifies the delivery agent to make the delivery. The delivery agent provides the system controller the particulars of its delivery person. The designated delivery person accesses the leased locker unit using a registered smart card and delivers the good. The system controller notifies the customer of the delivered good. The customer accesses the locker unit containing the good by using a registered smart card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Fong Fatt Chee
  • Patent number: 6816074
    Abstract: An automated, flexible and programmable system to update delivery and inventory status for an aggregate of remote mailboxes, bins, shelves, sorter bins, and/or a plurality of bins to distant customers and vendors through email, pager, personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular phone mail, voice mail at call centers and/or web site mailboxes. It can function as a delivery notice to mailbox recipients or as inventory stock management to store owners and vendors at remote locations. Various sensors mounted on flexible circuit boards located on the mailboxes, bins, or shelves together with distributed microcontrollers report status through a common bus to a master controller and then to a computer system. The computer in turn dispatches reports and information to various owners and vendors via a remote network operation center accessed through a dedicated line, a wireless service or an Internet Service Provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Chon Meng Wong
  • Patent number: 6722561
    Abstract: A curbside mailbox wherein the outgoing mail compartment is located under the incoming mail compartment behind a single carrier service door. The incoming mail, when inserted, drops behind the outgoing mail compartment and falls into a deep mail storage area, to be retrieved by the owner through a locking rear access door. The rear access door retains a mechanical key lock and acts like a hasp fitting over a flange that is built into a upper rear wall. This feature allows the owner to double lock for added security or single lock placing a combination lock on the flange if the owner desires not to carry a key or give access to key for someone authorized to remove mail. The locking mailbox further includes a channel on top for a highly visible address display, a mounting channel on lower front to allow for quick and easy engagement, and a post cover assembly for safe and attractive installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: Eva M. Thomas, William J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6662997
    Abstract: An improved mail receptacle that expands to accommodate a large volume of mail, which volume could include a parcel. To attain this, the mail receptacle has an expandable pouch. In an embodiment, the pouch is configured to be stored in a pouch box, which box is affixed to or integral with the mail compartment. In an embodiment, the mail receptacle has a flexible post. In an embodiment, the mail receptacle has a mounting plate incorporated into the mail compartment; such mounting plate couples the mail receptacle to the post such that the mail compartment can rotate about the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventors: Diane Smith, Patricia L. New
  • Publication number: 20030085266
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for enhancing the safety of postal and other services, and in particular, that of mail-processing and mail-delivery personnel. The apparatus and method provide for the neutralization of various harmful substances that may have been inserted into or adhere to the outside a piece of mail. The apparatus includes conventional neutralization devices, such as UV light emitters, heaters, fogging or misting devices, ultrasonic emitters, ionizers, face masks and gloves. Furthermore, the apparatus and method enable identification of the place of origin of each individual piece of mail deposited with the service and the identity of the person who deposited it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Rudy J. Simon
  • Patent number: 6375070
    Abstract: A postal delivery apparatus and method for delivering and removing parcels to residential and commercial customer is provided. The postal delivery apparatus preferably has a base including a bottom, a plurality of outer walls connected to and extending upwardly from the bottom, a substantially hollow portion positioned within inner confines of the outer walls so as to define an inner cavity, and an open upper end positioned for providing access to the inner cavity. At least one of the plurality of outer walls preferably includes a wall opening formed therein for inserting letter-type parcels through the wall opening into the inner cavity of the base. The wall opening preferably is sized and positioned for inhibiting access by a user to letter-type parcels positioned in the inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: American Industrial Design Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip Jack Snoke
  • Publication number: 20010045450
    Abstract: A package storage and delivery system includes electronically controlled lockers disposed at or near customer locations. Each locker is unlocked by a courier, preferably by means of a short-range transceiver or transmitter carried on the courier's person. The customer can unlock the locker and receive the delivered package. Cryptographically signed communications are employed along with nonvolatile usage logs to minimize the risk of loss of a package or fraud by courier or customer. The lockers may be stackable, permitting a delivery courier to add lockers in the event a customer receives too many deliveries to fit into a single locker. Each box has, of course, a physical location, and has associated with it an address code indicative of the physical location, for example by means of a human-readable or compressed representation of the precise latitude and longitude. A package delivered to such a box preferably bears the address code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: John K. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6003761
    Abstract: A drive-up mail distribution, storage and pick-up assembly comprising a plurality of mail boxes, the boxes arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns and retained in the assembly in an outer frame, each box defined by a central storage container bound at opposite ends by a lockable front door and rear access opening, the front doors of the boxes facing outward at heights above ground accessible from the window adjacent the driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Glen E. Chapman
  • Patent number: 6003010
    Abstract: Packages are received from multiple sources at one central facility. The approved and verified packages are then transported to different airlines for expedited transport. The method features receiving self-reported identification and objective security information about the source and/or the package, and maintaining a database of this information. The security information is evaluated for each of the packages, and they are selectively approved based on this evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventors: Robert A. Scolly, James J. Tufts
  • Patent number: 5617993
    Abstract: A locking mailbox (5) for receiving mail and other deliveries, to include newspapers and magazines, in a weather and theft resistant enclosure having a generally upright housing (7), a bottom compartment (8), and a separate top compartment (9), defined within the housing. An elongated mail slot (26) is closed on the bottom compartment by an elongated flap (28) through which mail and deliveries are passed into the bottom compartment. Bottom compartment (8) has a generally rectangular side opening (32) defined therein, opening (32) having a pair of parallel and spaced part recessed side edges (33) and a recessed top edge (34) for receiving lockable door (36) flush on the housing, the door being movable from an open position into a closed position locked on housing (7) for enclosing bottom compartment (8). Top compartment (9) is formed as an elongated tubular body above the bottom compartment and is completely separate from bottom compartment (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Glenn Morris
  • Patent number: 5597116
    Abstract: A top opening locking mailbox (5) for receiving mail and other deliveries, to include newspapers and magazines, in a weather and theft resistant housing (7) having a top panel (22) pivotally supported on the top of housing (7), the top panel being movable from an open to a closed position. Top panel (22) is locked onto the housing by a locking mechanism (26) in a closed position on top of housing (7), forming a first enclosed compartment (9) for the receipt of mail and other deliveries. A second and external compartment (10) is mounted on the exterior of housing (7), second compartment (10) holding mail for pickup. Top panel (22) extends beyond front panel (14) of housing (7), forming a protective lip (56) for sheltering mail slot (34) defined in the front panel. Mail slot (34) extends the width of front panel (14) and is enclosed by a flap (36) which is pivotally supported on the inside of the housing within first compartment (9). Top panel (22) is sealed on the top horizontal edges of housing (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: Glenn Morris
  • Patent number: 5308058
    Abstract: A dynamic "mailboxing" unit and system for separating by users the sheet outputs of various users of a shared users printer (including facsimile receivers, copiers or combination units). It provides for stacking the sheets sequentially outputted from the printer in separate job sets into one or more temporarily and variably assigned "mailboxes" of a "mailboxing" job sorting accessory unit. The "mailboxing" unit has locking "privacy doors" for restricting access to at least some of the mailbox bins, with electrical unlocking of selected bin doors in response to entry of a user access code, and in particular, automatic lifting of one edge of the sheets in that bin in coordination with the bin door opening to assist user removal of their sheets from the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Barry P. Mandel, Michael K. Sabocheck, Richard Van Dongen, Harold Halvorson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5233532
    Abstract: A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier may include a storage area which is defined by an outer housing, and a customer interface area that includes a weighing unit and a unit, such as a magnetic card reader, for accepting payment from a customer. The system may also include a control system that accepts address information from the customer through a key pad, and then instructs a printer to print an address label for the item. The system includes safeguards which prevent unauthorized access to the storage area, and will not provide a receipt to the customer until internal sensors verify deposit of the item. A manifest printer may also be provided for the benefit of the commercial carriers who service the system, to print out a summary of the transactions that pertain to each carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: U-Ship USA, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gary W. Ramsden
  • Patent number: 4836352
    Abstract: An express package collection locker capable of automatically calculating the portage fee of a package. The locker comprises a plurality of boxes for storing packages, a plurality of weight sensors incorporated in the boxes, respectively, and a plurality of push buttons for selecting regions from a map which correspond to possible destinations of the package. The locker further comprises a CRT display for displaying operating instructions, and a main controller. The main controller calculates the portage fee of a package placed in any one of the boxes, in accordance with the weight of the package measured by the weight sensor provided within the box, and the region destination of the package, which has been selected by operating the desired button. The portage, thus calculated, is displayed by the CRT display. The main controller locks the door of the box when the portage is duly paid into the locker, and then prints and issues a voucher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignees: UPL Co. Ltd, Koto Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Tateno, Yoshio Shimotori
  • Patent number: 4509676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an equipment (12) enclosure which is particularly adapted for post office use is described. In particular the present invention relates to a post office box or related equipment (12) enclosure which has an inner unit (11) which rotates in a housing (10) so that the inner unit can expose equipment on one side (10b) for customer use and provide secure access for reloading of the equipment by means of doors (31) or the like on the back side of the equipment. The equipment is particularly adapted to mount standard mailbox inserts (12) having locking doors (12a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: HSS Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: George F. Stacy
  • Patent number: 4508259
    Abstract: The subject invention is a multiple access mailbox and parcel receptacle, which comprises, in general, a longitudinally extending housing with a correspondingly internally disposed hollow chamber. Said hollow chamber conforms, in general, to the external shape of the mailbox, and there is dual entry access to this hollow chamber. First, there is a hinged door for entrance from what is considered to be front of the box, with a second access door on either the sides, back, or front of said mailbox. A spring-loaded hinge member is integrally interconnected with said second door whereby said second access door automatically swings shut after opening, and there is a one-way locking device by which arrangement such second door cannot be pushed open from the inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Inventor: Robert R. Hicks