Package including digital display device

Abstract

The invention relates to a package (1) for transporting items, comprising: a shell (2) having a bottom (21) and an outer peripheral frame formed by panels (4) adjacent to each other, a digital display device (5), the digital display device enabling the display of delivery information on the package (1), the digital display device (5) comprising a damping system, characterized in that the damping system comprises an elastically deformable cover, which damps the movement of the digital display device (5) from the outside of the package (1) to the inside and from the inside of the package (1) to the outside.

Description

[0001] The field of the invention is that of logistics.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to the design and manufacture of connected packages for shipping items.

[0003] To transport items between two destinations, users typically use packages that they can track in real time via a computing platform.

[0004] Packages are increasingly connected, that is, not only can they be geolocated, but they also allow information to be displayed to the delivery personnel in real time to facilitate their delivery.

[0005] To this end, packages have been developed which include in particular means for digital display of delivery information.

[0006] These conventionally known digital display devices include a screen on which information is displayed in real time.

[0007] More specifically, the package includes a box having a bottom and a peripheral frame formed by panels abutting each other.

[0008] A peripheral frame extends from the bottom to form a stowage volume.

[0009] The digital display is integrated into a panel so that it is accessible from the outside of the package by the sender, courier or recipient.

[0010] Furthermore, these display devices are coupled to a computer or electronic chip not only for receiving information and exchanging information with a remote server, but also for generating specific displays according to the usage conditions of the package.

[0011] For example, depending on the geographical area where the package is located, the information displayed on the screen will be adjusted.

[0012] In other words, when the package is in transit, such as in a container in international waters, the display or information displayed on the screen may be minimalistic, that is, only include a barcode identifying the package and the country of destination.

[0013] On the other hand, when the package is at a logistics center, the information displayed on the screen can be more accurate and include, in addition to the package identification barcode, detailed information about the package's destination, namely the department, city, and even the street and house number.

[0014] During the cycle of delivering the package to its final destination, a delivery person may be required to interact with the package.

[0015] To this end, the screen is usually associated with physical buttons that can be manipulated by the delivery personnel or becomes increasingly a touch screen.

[0016] During use, repeated pressing of the physical buttons and / or screen may cause them to degrade rapidly.

[0017] Furthermore, the storage of packages in a vehicle during transport may, in the event of rough roads or sudden changes in direction of the vehicle, result in uncontrolled movement of the packages in the vehicle which could then, for example, impact other packages.

[0018] This may result in destruction of the screen, or at least in partial degradation of the screen, which prevents the reading of the identification or delivery information of the package and thus, where appropriate, prevents the correct delivery of the package to its recipient.

[0019] Furthermore, when damage to the digital display device occurs during package delivery, a situation may occur where the package cannot be delivered to its recipient due to failure in package identification or failure in a delivery record readable by the deliverer.

[0020] The package must then be returned to the sender so that a new package can be made for the same recipient.

[0021] This is detrimental to both the brand image of the sender of the package and the brand image of the courier company, and it is not to the liking of recipients who experience delays in the delivery of their packages.

[0022] Furthermore, at least the screen of the digital display device must be replaced to allow new use of the package.

[0023] This generates repair costs which may be significant and potentially constitutes a contamination risk during the phase of recycling the replaced digital display devices, since all of their components may not be fully recyclable.

[0024] Conventional solutions of the protective film type provided on the screen make it possible to limit the appearance of scratches on the screen, for example, but do not guarantee sufficient protection against the shocks to which the digital display device may be subjected.

[0025] The invention has for example an object to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0026] More specifically, the object of the present invention is to propose a solution capable of protecting digital display devices integrated into packages from the shocks to which they may be subjected during delivery of the package, or at least limiting the detrimental effects of shocks on the digital display devices.

[0027] It is also an object of the invention to provide a solution that is easy to integrate into a package.

[0028] The invention also aims to provide a solution that is light in weight and allows maintaining a good internal storage volume in the package.

[0029] These objects and others that follow are achieved by the present invention, which relates to a package for transporting articles, comprising:

[0030] - a box having a bottom and a peripheral frame formed by panels adjoining one another,

[0031] - a digital display device, which enables the display of delivery information on the package,

[0032] The digital display is integrated into a panel so that it can be accessed from outside the package.

[0033] The digital display device includes:

[0034] - a housing having a front wall on the outside of the package and a rear wall on the inside of the package;

[0035] - a screen, which is movably mounted in the housing between the front wall and the rear wall, and

[0036] a damping system comprising a shock absorber interposed between the screen and the housing to damp the movement of the screen from the front wall to the rear wall,

[0037] Characterized in that the damping system further comprises an elastically deformable cover surrounding the housing, the cover damping the movement of the digital display device from the outside of the package to the inside and from the inside of the package to the outside.

[0038] The shock absorber and the cover respectively form a first damping level and a second damping level of the digital display device.

[0039] Therefore, when all the force applied to the screen is not absorbed by the shock absorber, the cover can be deformed to absorb another part of the force and thus protect the screen of the digital display member.

[0040] According to an advantageous aspect, the panel on which the digital display device is integrated comprises:

[0041] - a frame to which the cover is fixed,

[0042] - a skin in which the frame is embedded, the skin being made of an elastically deformable material.

[0043] This panel structure makes it possible to form a third damping level for the digital display device.

[0044] In practice, the outer shell of the panel may be deformed so as to allow absorption of a portion of the forces applied to the screen parallel to the two first damping levels.

[0045] Furthermore, the skeleton ensures good rigidity of the panel by allowing good mechanical connection and in particular good transmission of forces between all the elements of the panel. This thus avoids concentrations of mechanical stresses at only a few points, for example when forces are applied to the screen, which concentrations could lead to breakage of the panel.

[0046] According to another advantageous aspect, the housing is made of foamed polypropylene.

[0047] The expanded polypropylene offers good mechanical resistance while maintaining a flexibility that allows it to deform.

[0048] The panels are therefore both strong and flexible to ensure their deformation and thus protect the digital display device.

[0049] According to another advantageous aspect, the shock absorber comprises a compressible foam of the shock-absorbing type.

[0050] The compressible shock-absorbing foam ensures absorption of impact energy on the screen, while providing low weight, for example when a user applies force to interact with the screen or during shocks occurring on the screen.

[0051] According to another advantageous aspect, the compressible foam has a Shore O hardness comprised between 16 and 22.

[0052] This hardness ensures good absorption of forces applied to the screen of the digital display device without subjecting the screen within the package to excessive stress.

[0053] This also reveals the quality aspect of the wrap, since when the screen is pressed after an impact or too strong a press by the user, it returns to its initial position once the applied force is interrupted, which avoids a damaged appearance of the wrap.

[0054] According to another advantageous aspect, the digital display device further comprises:

[0055] - an electronic card fixed to the rear wall of the housing;

[0056] - a metal plate extending between the screen and the electronic card, the shock absorber being interposed between the metal plate and the screen.

[0057] Thanks to this structure, a digital assembly comprising an electronic card, a metal plate, a screen and a damping system can be formed, and the electronic card can then be fixed to the metal plate.

[0058] Therefore, in the case of repairing the digital display device, such as when a separate housing is damaged or when a separate screen is damaged, only a portion of the digital display device, such as the aforementioned digital component, can be replaced to facilitate repair costs and minimize the waste generated.

[0059] According to another advantageous aspect, the rear wall of the housing has reinforcing ribs protruding towards the interior of the housing, the reinforcing ribs forming a support for the electronic card.

[0060] Thus, when the electronic card is mounted in the housing, it is supported by the rear wall of the housing at least around the screen, which allows avoiding gaps between the housing and, more specifically, between the rear wall of the housing and the electronic card, which could ultimately cause damage to the electronic card, in particular due to the vibrations associated with the transport of the package.

[0061] On the other hand, under the screen, the electronic card is clamped between the metal plate and the reinforcing ribs, making the shell more resistant and providing better resistance and protection for the electronic card and the screen.

[0062] According to another advantageous aspect, the reinforcing ribs are positioned in the form of a grid, thereby forming cavities for receiving electrical components fastened to the electronic card.

[0063] This grid increases the mechanical resistance of the assembly, in particular around the screen between the front and rear shells, and between the rear shell and the metal plate under the screen.

[0064] According to another advantageous aspect, the display device comprises a tempered glass protector covering the screen, the tempered glass protector being interposed between the screen and the front wall of the housing.

[0065] Such a tempered glass protector makes it possible to protect the screen from possible breakages due to impacts, in particular due to bending of the screen or due to local stamping.

[0066] Furthermore, the tempered glass protector can be removed when appropriate so as to be replaced during use.

[0067] According to another advantageous aspect, the cover is made of an elastomeric material.

[0068] Thus, despite multiple deformations, the cover can still deform and return to its original shape.

[0069] Furthermore, the use of an elastomeric material provides flexibility in the movement of the digital display device, for example, when the user presses on the screen, it accompanies the movement of the user.

[0070] According to another advantageous aspect, the elastomeric material is of the thermoplastic type having a Shore A hardness comprised between 25 and 35.

[0071] This type of material provides the desired flexibility and lightness to ensure good protection of the digital display device while keeping the weight of the package low.

[0072] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0073] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a package according to the present invention;

[0074] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a package display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0075] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a wrapped digital display device according to the present invention.

[0076] Figure 1 A package 1 according to the invention is shown.

[0077] Such a package 1 comprises a box body 2 .

[0078] The box body 2 includes a bottom 21 and an outer peripheral frame formed by a plurality of panels 4 adjacent to each other.

[0079] Furthermore, the package 1 comprises a cover 3 making it possible to close a loading space inside the package. This internal loading space is defined by a bottom 21 and an outer peripheral frame formed by a panel 4.

[0080] The internal loading space makes it possible to receive items to be transported between an originating address and a destination address.

[0081] In order to allow the package 1 to be delivered to its destination address, the package 1 comprises an area for displaying destination information.

[0082] More specifically, the display area comprises a digital display device 5 fixed to one of the panels 4 of the cabinet 2 .

[0083] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the digital display device 5 comprises:

[0084] - housing 51;

[0085] - screen 52;

[0086] - an electronic card 53, to which the screen 52 is electrically connected, and the electronic card 53 is used to send display instructions to the screen 52;

[0087] - a metal plate 7;

[0088] -Tempered glass protection 55.

[0089] More specifically, the housing 51 includes a front wall 51 a located on the outside of the package 1 and a rear wall 51 b opposite to the front wall 51 a and located on the inside of the package 1 .

[0090] The front wall 51a and the rear wall 51b each comprise a side edge intended to abut against one another to form a space inside the housing for receiving at least the screen 52 and the electronic card.

[0091] In addition, the front wall 51 a has an opening 511 that allows access to and visibility of the screen 52 housed in the housing 51 .

[0092] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the tempered glass protection member 55 is positioned between the front wall 51 a of the housing 51 and the screen 52 .

[0093] More specifically, the tempered glass protector 55 is positioned against the front wall 51 a of the housing 51 to cover the opening 511 and thus prevent direct access to the screen 52 from outside the housing 51 .

[0094] In other words, the tempered glass protector 55 covers the screen 52 .

[0095] like Figure 2 As shown in the exploded view of , the rear wall 51 b of the housing 51 has a reinforcing rib 512 forming a rib, which protrudes toward the inside of the housing 51.

[0096] The reinforcing ribs 512 form a support for the electronic card 53 , so that the electronic card can be kept in a proper position in the housing 51 , and increase the mechanical resistance of the digital display device 5 below the screen 52 .

[0097] More specifically, the reinforcing ribs 512 are positioned in a grid pattern to form cavities for receiving electrical components secured to the electronic card 53 .

[0098] The mechanical resistance of the digital display device 5 is also improved around the screen 52, in particular between the reinforcing ribs 512 which confine the electronic card 53 therebetween.

[0099] The electronic card 53 is fixed to the rear wall 51b by flexible fasteners. These flexible fasteners then allow unconstrained movement of the electronic card 53 so as to minimize the elongation of the electronic card in the area where sensitive components are implanted. Below the screen 52, the electronic card 53 is advantageously sandwiched between the metal plate 7 and the rear wall 51b.

[0100] For example, the flexible fastener is obtained by providing an oblong hole on the electronic card 53 and a retaining member fixed to the rear wall 51 b of the housing 51 , the retaining member being received in the oblong hole to allow a controlled movement of the electronic card 53 relative to the rear wall 51 b .

[0101] In order to prevent the screen 52 from being deteriorated due to strong pressure from the user or due to collision of objects with the screen 52 , the digital display device 5 further includes a damping system 6 .

[0102] This damping system 6 is interposed between the screen 52 and the casing 51 and tends to damp the movement of the screen 52 from the front wall 51 a to the rear wall 51 b .

[0103] The damping system 6 comprises a shock absorber 61. The shock absorber 61 is advantageously formed by a compressible foam layer of the shock-absorbing type.

[0104] Preferably, the compressible foam has a Shore O hardness comprised between 16 and 22.

[0105] The use of a shock-absorbing compressible foam allows that after deformation, the foam tends to recover its original configuration in a gentle manner, that is, gradually recovers over time, thereby avoiding too violent movement of the screen 52 in the direction of the front wall 51a. In other words, the shock-absorbing compressible foam forms a reusable shock absorber, allowing the digital display device 5 to be protected permanently.

[0106] In addition, if Figure 2 As can be seen in the figure, the digital display device 5 further includes a metal plate 7.

[0107] The metal plate 7 is located between the screen 52 and the electronic card 53 .

[0108] The metal plate is made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy to ensure protection of the electronic card 53. The use of aluminum or an aluminum alloy makes it possible to limit the weight of the digital display device 5.

[0109] As a variant, the metal plate can also be made of a magnesium alloy, which offers greater rigidity than aluminium or aluminium alloys while having a lower weight.

[0110] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the damping system 6 is inserted between the screen 52 and the metal plate 7 .

[0111] Reference Figure 3 , then observe that the housing 51 includes from the front wall 51a to the rear wall 51b:

[0112] -Tempered glass protection member 55;

[0113] - screen 52;

[0114] - shock absorber 61;

[0115] - a metal plate 7, and

[0116] -Electronic card 53.

[0117] This assembly makes it possible to provide a first damping of the digital display device 5, since when a force is applied to them, this force is attenuated by being applied successively to the different elements as follows:

[0118] -Tempered glass protection member 55;

[0119] - screen 52;

[0120] - shock absorber 61;

[0121] - a metal plate 7, and

[0122] -Electronic card 53.

[0123] The screen 52 is protected from excessive forces thanks to the presence of the tempered glass protector 55 , and the electronic card 53 is protected by the presence of the shock absorbers 61 of the damping system 6 , and moreover, the metal plate 7 makes it possible, through its rigidity, to limit the deformations of the electronic card 53 .

[0124] The shock absorber 61 thus forms a first damping level of the digital display device 5 .

[0125] In order to further improve their protection against significant forces, the damping system 6 also comprises an elastically deformable cover 62. The cover 62 surrounds the housing 51, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown.

[0126] The cover 62 makes it possible to inhibit the movement of the digital display device 5 from the outside of the package 1 to the inside, and vice versa.

[0127] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the cover 62 has a plurality of protrusions 621 on its periphery.

[0128] These projections 621 allow the cover to be retained in the panel 4 .

[0129] according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the projection has a frustoconical shape. However, other forms may also be used.

[0130] The cover 62 is advantageously made of an elastomeric material.

[0131] For example, the elastomeric material is of the thermoplastic type with a Shore A hardness comprised between 25 and 35.

[0132] Advantageously, materials of this type are chosen more generally from the family of TPUs, that is to say from the family of elastomeric thermoplastic materials which combine the elastic properties of elastomers with the mechanical properties of thermoplastics.

[0133] The cover 62 thus forms a second damping level of the digital display device 5 .

[0134] refer to Figure 3 , the panel 4 on which the digital display device 5 is integrated comprises:

[0135] - a frame 41, a cover 62 is fixed to the frame 41,

[0136] A housing 42 in which the frame 41 is embedded.

[0137] The housing 42 is made in particular of an elastically deformable material.

[0138] For example, the skeleton 41 is made of injected polypropylene, while the shell 42 is made of foamed polypropylene.

[0139] The use of polypropylene makes it possible to provide the panel 4 with good mechanical resistance while limiting its mass.

[0140] The use of foamed polypropylene makes it possible to provide flexibility to the panel 4 in addition to good rigidity.

[0141] The flexibility of the panel 4 then forms a third damping level of the digital display device 5 .

[0142] In fact, when a force is exerted on the digital display device 5 , it is then partly absorbed by the flexibility of the housing 42 .

[0143] When excessive forces are exerted on the screen 52 , the damping system 6 allows movement of the screen 52 in order to limit damage that the forces may cause on the screen 52 .

[0144] In other words, the damping system makes it possible to absorb significant extraordinary forces applied to the screen 52 , to the advantage of its lifespan and therefore of the readability of the information delivered on the screen 52 .

[0145] The package 1 according to the invention thus provides a triple damping level of the digital display device 5 , allowing the screen 52 to be protected.

[0146] The first level of damping is achieved by the shock absorbers 61 directly absorbing a portion of the forces applied to the screen 52 .

[0147] The second damping level is achieved by the cover 62, which absorbs another part of the force applied to the screen 52, when the shock absorber 61 no longer absorbs the force. The shock absorber 61 then acts as a simple element for transmitting the force to the rear wall 51b of the housing 51.

[0148] However, the second damping level is implemented in parallel with the first damping level. In fact, the action of each damping level is not performed sequentially, but continuously until the first damping level is saturated, in which case the first damping level becomes ineffective.

[0149] The third damping level is achieved by the panel 4, and in particular by the housing 42 of the panel 4, which absorbs the remaining forces applied to the screen 52. When the forces cannot be completely absorbed by the damping system 6, that is to say by the shock absorbers 61 and the cover 62, the housing 42 of the panel 4 then deforms elastically in order to absorb the remaining forces applied to the screen 52.

[0150] However, this triple damping level cannot protect the package 1 from acts of vandalism or large-scale impacts (particularly during accidents), in which case the package may be irreversibly destroyed.

[0151] As a variation, the digital display assembly 5 may be arranged such that the housing 51 includes, from the front wall 51a to the rear wall 51b:

[0152] -Tempered glass protection member 55;

[0153] - screen 52;

[0154] - a metal plate 7;

[0155] - shock absorber 61, and

[0156] -Electronic card 53.

Claims

1. A package (1) for transporting articles, comprising: - a housing (2) having a bottom (21) and an outer peripheral frame formed by panels (4) adjoining one another, - a digital display device (5) enabling the display of delivery information on the package (1), the digital display device (5) being integrated into one of the panels (4) so ​​as to be accessible from the outside of the package (1), The digital display device (5) comprises: - a housing (51) having a front wall (51a) on the outside of the package (1) and a rear wall (51b) on the inside of the package (1); - a screen (52) movably mounted in the housing (51) between the front wall (51a) and the rear wall (51b), and a damping system (6) comprising a shock absorber (61) interposed between the screen (52) and the housing (51) to damp the movement of the screen (52) from the front wall (51a) to the rear wall (51b), Characterized in that the damping system (6) further comprises an elastically deformable cover (62) surrounding the shell (51), wherein the cover (62) damps the movement of the digital display device (5) from the outside of the package (1) to the inside and from the inside of the package (1) to the outside.

2. The package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The panel (4) on which the digital display device (5) is integrated comprises: - a frame (41) to which the cover (62) is fixed, - a housing (42), in which the frame (41) is embedded, The housing (42) is made of elastically deformable material.

3. The package (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The housing (42) is made of foamed polypropylene.

4. The package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The shock absorber (61) comprises shock absorbing compressible foam.

5. The package (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The compressible foam has a Shore O hardness comprised between 16 and 22.

6. The package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The digital display device (5) further comprises: - an electronic card (53) fixed to the rear wall (51b) of the housing (51); - a metal plate (7) extending between the screen (52) and the electronic card (53) and wherein the shock absorber (61) is inserted between the metal plate (7) and the screen (52).

7. The package (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The rear wall (51b) of the housing (51) has a reinforcing rib (512) protruding toward the interior of the housing (51), and the reinforcing rib (512) forms a support for the electronic card (53).

8. The package (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The reinforcing ribs (512) are positioned in a grid pattern to form cavities for receiving electrical components fixed to the electronic card (53).

9. The package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The digital display device (5) comprises a tempered glass protection member (55) covering the screen (52), and the tempered glass protection member (55) is interposed between the screen (52) and the front wall (51a) of the housing (51).

10. The package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The cover (62) is made of an elastomeric material.

11. The package (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The elastomeric material is of the thermoplastic type, comprising a Shore A hardness between 25 and 35.

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