Container arrangement for depositing a mail, parcel or goods shipment

Abstract

Container arrangement for depositing a shipment, comprising a container (1) with a container entrance portal (2) through which a user can enter or exit a container interior (3), and a shipment terminal (4) in which the shipment can be deposited by a user, wherein the shipment terminal (4) is arranged in the container interior (3), characterized in that the container (1) is a standardized freight container, comprising a temperature control system with which the shipment terminal (4) can be temperature controlled, wherein the temperature control system has a temperature control channel (5) arranged in or on the shipment terminal (4) through which a temperature control medium can be conveyed for temperature control of the shipment terminal (4), wherein the shipment terminal (4) comprises a first shelf (11, 12) with storage compartments (50), wherein a user can access the storage compartments (50) via a shelf front (V).and wherein the temperature control channel (5) is arranged in the area of ​​one of the shelf rear sides (R) opposite the shelf front side (V).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a container arrangement for depositing a shipment, in particular a mail, parcel, or goods shipment, comprising a container with a container entrance portal through which a user can enter or exit a container interior, and a shipment terminal in which the shipment can be deposited by a user, wherein the shipment terminal is arranged in the container interior. Furthermore, the invention relates to a shipment terminal arrangement.

[0002] Portable containers are well known. For example, US 2023 / 0030774 A1 discloses a portable post office housed in an intermodal container. Such a structure may comprise a rack movably attached via a trolley to a rail mounted in the ceiling of the container. The rack may be configured to accommodate a plurality of mailboxes, each compartment 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 attached to an interior side wall of the container and secured by a locking mechanism to prevent access to the open ends of the mailboxes. A person may release the locking mechanism and move the rack along the rail into the center aisle to access the open ends of the mailboxes.The shelf element can then be moved back along the rail and reattached to the side wall.

[0003] In the present context, a “shipment” is understood to mean, in particular, a postal or parcel consignment that may contain a consignment (e.g., a document, an object, a food item, etc.). The consignment is usually enclosed in packaging, which may be, for example, an envelope (e.g., a letter envelope) or a cardboard box. The packaging often contains identification features for the consignment (e.g., in the form of a barcode, a shipment number, or address data) to enable the shipment to be identified. These identification features can also be provided directly on an object or product to be sent. These identification features enable a sender and / or recipient to be identified in relation to a shipment. Deliverers, in particular, make use of such identification features. A shipment addressed to a specific recipient is often picked up by a deliverer or courier.The delivery service (postal delivery service, parcel delivery service) delivers the shipment directly to the addressee (e.g., by personal delivery to the addressee). If the addressee cannot be found, the shipment is alternatively handed over to a person authorized to receive the shipment (e.g., another household member, a neighbor, a work colleague, or the like).

[0004] To remedy these disadvantages, shipment terminals (e.g., parcel stations, post office box systems, letter stations) have been developed in the past, where shipments can be deposited and picked up. Such shipment terminals are known to have deposit compartments (i.e., pickup compartments) that function like a locker and allow an authorized person to pick up the shipment deposited in the deposit compartment. A deposit compartment can be locked with a locking flap, a locking door, or another locking device (e.g., a locking lid). The deposit compartment can be opened using an opening device (e.g., an opening code, an opening card, a smartphone). Such systems are independent of opening hours and offer a high degree of flexibility for the customer (user). Furthermore, they reduce the burden on delivery services.It is also known to use shipment terminals for sending shipments. A person deposits a shipment to be sent into the shipment terminal. This shipment can then be picked up and delivered by a delivery person or transport service provider.

[0005] Furthermore, the present invention can also relate to shipping terminals in which goods are held or stored (e.g., without assigning a specific addressee), e.g., in the manner of a magazine or warehouse. For this purpose, the goods can be held in said storage compartments. Such shipping terminals can also have registers or other storage systems in which the goods can be stored.

[0006] The shipment terminal can have a transport system with which the goods or shipments can be moved, e.g., to a shipment drop-off facility (this can be, for example, a deposit compartment or an output area, but also a robotic output unit). Likewise, the transport system can be designed to transport the goods / shipments picked up in a shipment receiving facility (this can be, for example, a deposit compartment or a receiving area, but also a robotic receiving unit) within the shipment terminal. A shipment terminal can function like a "micro warehouse," in which goods are stored and assigned to a recipient only upon receipt of an order.

[0007] It should be emphasized that the present invention may relate to any type of transmission terminals (including those described above).

[0008] It is known to use shipment terminals both indoors (e.g., in a department store) and outdoors (e.g., outside a department store). It is also already known to install shipment terminals in containers. This provides the user with weather protection, for example, when depositing or picking up a shipment. Previously known containers, including the shipment terminals located within them, are generally permanently installed, meaning they can only be relocated with relatively high effort.

[0009] It is also known that by controlling the temperature of a container interior (in which a shipment terminal is located), the shipment terminal can also be indirectly temperature-controlled, i.e., it can be cooled (e.g., at high outside temperatures) or heated (e.g., at low outside temperatures). However, this requires a relatively large amount of energy, which is disadvantageous in times of rising energy costs. Furthermore, such temperature control is relatively imprecise, which is why it is difficult to set a constant temperature in the shipment terminal in this way. However, temperature control of the shipment terminal can be particularly necessary so that perishable or temperature-sensitive shipment contents (e.g., food or electronic devices) can be safely stored in a shipment terminal.

[0010] There is a growing need to deploy such shipping terminals in sparsely populated, poorly accessible areas, or in regions with poorly developed infrastructure, in order to enable users living there to receive and send shipments. However, such areas often lack sufficient technical infrastructure, particularly the power supply, to operate such a shipping terminal. It can also be advantageous in such areas to be able to flexibly change the location of a shipping terminal based on regional conditions. For conventional (stationary) shipping terminals (including the well-known container solutions), a change of location is associated with considerable effort and requires the availability of certain technical (infrastructural) requirements.

[0011] Furthermore, it is known to temperature-control individual storage compartments of a shipping terminal using temperature control units arranged in the storage compartments, regardless of whether the shipping terminal is located inside an interior space (e.g., a container interior) or outside. Such temperature control has proven to be inefficient, cost-intensive, and unsustainable. Accordingly, there is a need to develop more efficient and sustainable temperature control systems for shipping terminals as a whole.

[0012] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a container arrangement that can be flexibly transported between different locations and that can be operated reliably and energy-efficiently even at high or low outside temperatures.

[0013] This problem is solved with a container arrangement having the features of claim 1.

[0014] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a shipment terminal arrangement which can be efficiently tempered regardless of its arrangement in an interior or exterior space and which can be operated reliably and energy-efficiently even at high or low exterior temperatures.

[0015] This object is achieved with a shipment terminal arrangement having the features of claim 8.

[0016] Accordingly, the present invention initially relates to a container arrangement for depositing a shipment, comprising a container with a container entrance portal through which a user can enter or leave a container interior, and a shipment terminal in which the shipment can be deposited by a user, wherein the shipment terminal is arranged in the container interior.

[0017] The container arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that the container is a standardized freight container, comprising a temperature control system with which the shipment terminal can be temperature controlled, wherein the temperature control system has a temperature control channel arranged in or on the shipment terminal, through which a temperature control medium can be conducted for temperature control of the shipment terminal, wherein the shipment terminal comprises a first shelf with storage compartments, wherein a user can access the storage compartments via a shelf front side, and wherein the temperature control channel is arranged in the region of a shelf rear side opposite the shelf front side.

[0018] The container can have a cuboid shape, wherein the container preferably has a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls, and a roof. The container entrance portal can be formed in one of the walls, for example in the form of a material recess. For example, the container entrance portal can be formed in the front wall, in the rear wall, or in one of the side walls. The container can also have multiple container entrance portals, for example on the front wall and one of the side walls, or on the front wall and the rear wall. Any combinations are possible, so that each of the aforementioned walls can have a container entrance portal. The container, including the floor, the front wall, the rear wall, the two side walls, and the roof, can be made of metal, in particular steel.

[0019] As mentioned above, it is advantageous according to the invention for the container to be a standardized freight container, for example, an ISO container. Standardized freight containers, in particular standardized sea freight containers, so-called ISO containers, are well known and are used as containers for the storage and transport of commercial goods. The importance of ISO containers arises primarily from the fact that they close the transport chain over land and water without the need to reload individual containers at ports and train stations. ISO containers are standardized large-capacity steel containers that enable the simple and rapid loading, transport, storage, and unloading of goods.

[0020] The relevant standards (e.g., dimensions, mountings, stackability) were coordinated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and are defined in ISO 668. This standard is incorporated into the disclosure of this application.

[0021] Air freight containers are standardized according to the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and are subject to other regulations. Such a standardized container can also provide the container used in the invention.

[0022] The most common ISO containers are 8 feet wide, 8 feet 6 inches high, and either 20 feet or 40 feet long. This results in the abbreviations "TEU" (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) and "FEU" (Forty-foot Equivalent Unit), which are used as loading units. Containers with these dimensions can be used within the scope of the invention.

[0023] The use of a standardized freight container within a container arrangement according to the invention enables simple and flexible transport and thus opens up the possibility of using the shipping terminal at any location. The use of a freight container reliably protects the shipping terminal from external weather influences such as rain, wind, storms, hail, snow, frost, and sunlight. Furthermore, due to its own weight, a freight container provides the shipping terminal located within it with good mechanical stability against vibrations. Compared to other containers, freight containers are also available in large quantities and relatively inexpensive. Existing freight containers can be used in the container arrangement according to the invention, so that a new freight container is not necessarily required.

[0024] Further embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and in the following description. The features of the subclaims and further embodiments are described in detail below.

[0025] According to the invention, the container arrangement further comprises a temperature control system with which the shipment terminal can be temperature-controlled. In particular, the temperature control system can enable direct temperature control (heating and / or cooling) of the shipment terminal, which is more energy-efficient and efficient than indirect temperature control via the ambient air in the container or separate temperature control of storage compartments in the shipment terminal.

[0026] The temperature control system can be based on an automatic control system that can take into account the temperature in the shipment terminal, in the container, or outside the container. A suitable temperature sensor can be provided to measure the actual temperature. The control system can be predefined with a target temperature for a required temperature in the shipment terminal. The target temperature can be flexibly adjusted, for example, depending on available information about the type and nature of the shipments stored in the shipment terminal. If information is available that a particular shipment should be stored below or above a certain temperature, the target temperature can be adjusted accordingly.

[0027] According to the invention, the temperature control system comprises a temperature control channel arranged in or on the shipment terminal, through which a temperature control medium can be conducted to control the temperature of the shipment terminal. This ensures that the shipment terminal can be directly temperature controlled. The temperature control channel can be arranged on an outer wall of the shipment terminal, embedded (integrated) in an outer wall of the shipment terminal, or arranged on an inner wall of the shipment terminal. The temperature control channel can also be arranged on an intermediate wall of the shipment terminal or embedded (integrated) in such a wall. The temperature control system can comprise a plurality of independent temperature control channels through which the same or different temperature control media can be conducted. Multiple temperature control channels can be provided, wherein the temperature control channels can be fluidically connected to one another.A temperature control channel can guide or conduct a temperature control medium along a flow direction. A temperature control channel forms a flow channel for a temperature control medium, but can also accommodate a temperature control medium statically (i.e., without circulation or flow). A temperature control channel is preferably thermally insulated. A temperature control channel can be formed, for example, by a tube (e.g., made of metal or plastic) or a fin.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of a container arrangement according to the invention, the temperature control channel can form a temperature control circuit that originates from and ends in a temperature control unit, which is located in particular outside the shipment terminal and is part of the temperature control system. The temperature control unit can store (reserve) the temperature control medium in a reservoir. The temperature control medium can flow through the temperature control unit. The temperature control medium can be heated to a desired temperature in the temperature control unit. The temperature control unit can comprise a pump with which the temperature control medium is transported through the temperature control channel or several temperature control channels. The temperature control unit can be a cooling or heating unit. The temperature control unit can be a combined cooling and heating unit with which the temperature control medium can be both cooled and heated.The temperature control unit can comprise a heat exchanger through which the temperature control medium flows for temperature control. The temperature control unit can be mounted on the roof of the container. It can also be mounted on one of the side walls, the rear wall, or the front wall of the container. The temperature control unit is attached to the container using suitable fastening devices (e.g., screws). Instead of being mounted outside the container, the temperature control unit can also be mounted inside the container.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, the container can have a functional room separated from the container interior and not freely accessible to the user. Several such functional rooms can also be arranged within the container. A functional room can be understood as a room that can be used both as a storage room (depot) and as a technical room, but also as a room that can be used exclusively as a storage room or exclusively as a technical room. Other uses can also be provided, for example, as a recreation room or warm-up room. If used exclusively as a storage room or combined as a technical room and storage room, the functional room can be used as a micro-hub.

[0030] The temperature control unit, associated electronics, or associated control and regulation units can be located in said functional space. Lines from the temperature control channel to the temperature control unit can be routed through the functional space. The functional space can be separated from the container interior (in which the shipment terminal is located) by one or more partition walls. A partition wall can be made of metal (e.g., steel). The partition wall can also be made of a thermally insulating material. The partition wall can be made of plastic or another suitable material.

[0031] The functional space can be accessed from outside the container through one or more (lockable) doors, for example, by technical personnel (operating personnel) for maintenance / operational purposes or, when used as a storage space (e.g., a micro-hub), by freight forwarding company personnel, delivery personnel, or other authorized persons. The functional space can also be accessed through a (lockable) door, which can be located in a partition wall. In the latter case, authorized persons can also enter the functional space from inside the container. The door(s) can be conventional doors, swing doors, sliding doors, swing-sliding doors, roller doors, rolling doors, rolling grilles, revolving doors, or roller shutters.

[0032] For example, one (or more) computers, electronics, communications equipment, or other devices for operating the shipment terminal can be located in the functional space. A communications device can enable communication and data exchange with a communications unit or server located outside the container. This can be wireless. Communication can also be wired.

[0033] When using the functional room as a storage room or micro-hub, shelves, registers, compartments, lockers, etc. can be arranged in the functional room in which shipments, goods, etc. can be kept / stored.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of a container arrangement according to the invention, the temperature control medium can be liquid or gaseous. The temperature control medium can be a refrigerant. The temperature control medium can be, for example, ammonia, CO2, water, air, a hydrocarbon, a mixture of hydrocarbons, a halogenated hydrocarbon, or a mixture of halogenated hydrocarbons. A halogenated hydrocarbon can be an HCFC (hydrogen-chlorofluorocarbon), an HFC (hydrogen-chlorofluorocarbon), a CFC (chlorofluorocarbon), or an HFC (hydrogen-chlorofluorocarbon). Mixtures of hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons are also conceivable. In principle, any suitable natural or synthetic refrigerant can be used in this case. Refrigerants can be used not only for cooling but also for heating.

[0035] According to a further embodiment of a container arrangement according to the invention, it can be provided that the temperature of the tempering medium can be adjusted using the tempering unit. As already explained above, the temperature of the tempering medium can be automatically controlled. The control can be carried out using a computer or another control unit. The control can be analog or digital. Manual setting of a desired temperature of the tempering medium is also possible.

[0036] According to the invention, the shipment terminal comprises a first shelf with storage compartments, wherein a user can access the storage compartments via a shelf front, and wherein the temperature control channel is arranged in the region of a shelf rear opposite the shelf front. In this case, the temperature control channel (or several temperature control channels) are arranged in an area invisible to the user. The said "shelf" is preferably constructed like a cabinet, i.e., a shelf cabinet. The shelf (i.e., the shelf cabinet) preferably has a shelf housing. A respective storage compartment can extend from the shelf front to the shelf rear and be delimited at the rear by a wall (housing wall) of the shelf rear. By means of a temperature control channel arranged in the region of the shelf rear, the storage compartment can be efficiently temperature-controlled (via the rear wall).The cooling channel can be integrated into the rear wall (of the housing) or arranged on it. The cooling channel can extend across the rear of the shelf like a cooling loop or coil. The cooling channel can extend across the rear of the shelf in a meandering, spiral, or zigzag pattern.

[0037] According to a further embodiment of a container arrangement according to the invention, it can be provided that the shipment terminal comprises a second shelf with storage compartments, wherein the temperature control channel is arranged between the first and second shelves. The first shelf and the second shelf are preferably designed as a shelf cabinet. The first and second shelves (or the shelf cabinets) preferably have a shelf housing. The first shelf and the second shelf can each have a shelf housing or a common shelf housing. Both the first shelf and the second shelf can have a plurality of storage compartments or only a single storage compartment. For example, it can be provided that both the first shelf and the second shelf each have a shelf front and a shelf rear.The first and second shelves can be arranged such that the respective rear sides (rear walls) face each other, i.e., are opposite each other. With such an arrangement, the temperature control channel can extend between the rear sides (rear walls) of the shelves. With such a structure, energy losses can be minimized because heat loss to the environment is reduced. With this arrangement, too, the temperature control channel can extend along the rear of the shelf in the manner of a cooling loop or cooling coil, i.e., through the space between the first and second shelves. The space can be sealed / insulated from the outside. The temperature control channel can extend across the rear of the shelf in a meandering, spiral, or zigzag pattern. An integrated arrangement of the temperature control channel in a rear wall of the first or second shelf is also conceivable.

[0038] Regardless of whether the shipment terminal has a single shelf or a first and a second shelf, the shipment terminal can have a plurality of storage compartments, but also only a single storage compartment. The shipment terminal can have an operating panel, wherein the operating panel can have a display unit and an operating unit. The display unit and operating unit can also be embodied in a common unit (e.g., as a touchscreen). The operating panel can also have only a display unit and be operated via a wireless connection with a user's mobile device. The operating panel can be arranged near the front of the shelf or at one end of the shelf. If the shipment terminal comprises two shelves (shelf cabinets), e.g., the first shelf and the second shelf, each of the shelves (shelf cabinets) can have an operating panel.A common control panel can also be provided for both shelves (shelf cabinets).

[0039] According to a further embodiment of a container arrangement according to the invention, the container entrance portal can be closed with a locking unit such as a door or a roller shutter. The door can be a conventional door, a swing door, a sliding door, a swing-sliding door, or a roller shutter. A rolling grille, a revolving door, or a roller shutter can also provide a locking unit.

[0040] In principle, the container arrangement can be operated in an energy-autonomous manner. The shipping terminal located in the container, as well as all other components that require electrical power, can be supplied with electrical power via an energy generation unit belonging to the container arrangement. For example, an energy generation unit can comprise one or more solar units. Solar units can be arranged, for example, on the roof of the container. This is advantageous for freestanding containers, as it allows favorable angles of incidence of solar radiation to be utilized. It is also conceivable for the energy generation unit to be another unit for generating electrical energy. A battery, accumulator, etc. can also be used for energy supply.A power generation unit can be connected to an energy storage unit such as a battery or accumulator to store electrical energy that is not currently needed for later use.

[0041] It can also be provided that the shipping terminal located in the container and all other components that require electrical power are supplied with electrical power via a conventional grid connection, i.e. via a conventional electrical supply network.

[0042] As already mentioned, the object underlying the invention is also achieved by a transmission terminal arrangement.

[0043] Such a shipment terminal arrangement comprises a shipment terminal and a temperature control system with which the shipment terminal can be temperature controlled, wherein the temperature control system has a temperature control channel arranged in or on the shipment terminal, through which a temperature control medium can be conducted for the temperature control of the shipment terminal and wherein the shipment terminal comprises a first shelf with deposit compartments, wherein a user can access the deposit compartments via a shelf front side, and wherein the temperature control channel is arranged in the region of a shelf rear side opposite the shelf front side.

[0044] The shipment terminal is not necessarily located in a container or other interior space of a building, but such an arrangement is still possible.

[0045] As already mentioned in the description of the container arrangement, a temperature control channel ensures that the shipment terminal can be directly temperature controlled, even in a shipment terminal proposed by the present invention (regardless of its arrangement in a container). The temperature control channel can be arranged on an outer wall of the shipment terminal, embedded (integrated) in an outer wall of the shipment terminal, or arranged on an inner wall of the shipment terminal. The temperature control channel can also be arranged on an intermediate wall of the shipment terminal or embedded (integrated) in such a wall. The temperature control system can have a plurality of independent temperature control channels through which the same or different temperature control media can be conducted. Multiple temperature control channels can be provided, wherein the temperature control channels can be fluidically connected to one another.A temperature control channel can guide or conduct a temperature control medium along a flow direction. A temperature control channel forms a flow channel for a temperature control medium, but can also accommodate a temperature control medium statically (i.e., without circulation or flow). A temperature control channel is preferably thermally insulated. A temperature control channel can be formed, for example, by a tube (e.g., made of metal or plastic) or a fin.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the temperature control channel can form a temperature control circuit that originates from and ends in a temperature control unit, which is located in particular outside the shipment terminal and is part of the temperature control system. As already mentioned in the description of the container arrangement, the temperature control unit can also store (reserve) the temperature control medium in a reservoir in a shipment terminal proposed by the present invention (regardless of its arrangement in a container). The temperature control medium can flow through the temperature control unit. The temperature control medium can be heated to a desired temperature in the temperature control unit. The temperature control unit can comprise a pump with which the temperature control medium is transported through the temperature control channel or several temperature control channels. The temperature control unit can be a cooling or heating unit.The temperature control unit can be a combined cooling and heating unit, allowing the temperature control medium to be both cooled and heated. The temperature control unit can include a heat exchanger through which the temperature control medium flows for temperature control. The temperature control unit can be located outside the shipping terminal, but can also be attached to it. Installation on a wall or roof of the shipping terminal is also possible. The temperature control unit can be attached to the shipping terminal using suitable fastening devices (e.g., screws). Instead of being located outside the shipping terminal, the temperature control unit can also be located inside the shipping terminal or integrated into it.

[0047] According to the invention, the shipment terminal comprises a first shelf with storage compartments, wherein a user can access the storage compartments via a shelf front, and wherein the temperature control channel is arranged in the region of a shelf rear opposite the shelf front. As already mentioned in the description of the container arrangement, in this case the temperature control channel (or several temperature control channels) are arranged in an area invisible to the user. The said "shelf" is preferably constructed like a cabinet, i.e., a shelf cabinet. The shelf (i.e., the shelf cabinet) preferably has a shelf housing. A respective storage compartment can extend from the shelf front to the shelf rear and can be delimited at the rear by a wall (housing wall) of the shelf rear.A temperature control channel located at the rear of the shelf allows the storage compartment to be efficiently temperature-controlled (via the rear wall). The temperature control channel can be integrated into the rear wall (of the housing) or located on it. The temperature control channel can extend across the rear of the shelf like a cooling loop or coil. The temperature control channel can extend across the rear of the shelf in a meandering, spiral, or zigzag pattern.

[0048] According to a further embodiment, the shipment terminal can comprise a first shelf with storage compartments and a second shelf with storage compartments, wherein the temperature control channel is arranged between the first and second shelves. As already mentioned in the description of the container arrangement, the first shelf and the second shelf can also be designed as a shelf cabinet in a shipment terminal proposed by the present invention (regardless of its arrangement in a container). The first and second shelves (or the shelf cabinets) preferably have a shelf housing. The first shelf and the second shelf can each have a shelf housing or a common shelf housing. Both the first shelf and the second shelf can have a plurality of storage compartments or just a single storage compartment.For example, it can be provided that both the first shelf and the second shelf each have a shelf front and a shelf rear. The first and second shelves can be arranged such that the respective shelf rears (rear walls) face each other, i.e. are opposite each other. With such an arrangement, the temperature control channel can extend between the shelf rears (rear walls). With such a structure, energy losses can be minimized because heat loss to the environment is reduced. With this arrangement, too, the temperature control channel can extend like a cooling loop or cooling coil along the shelf rear, i.e. through the space between the first and second shelves. The space can be sealed / insulated from the outside. The temperature control channel can extend across the shelf rear in a meandering, spiral, or zigzag pattern.An integrated arrangement of the temperature control channel in a rear wall of the first or second shelf is also conceivable.

[0049] In principle, the shipping terminal arrangement can be operated in an energy-autonomous manner. The shipping terminal can be supplied with electrical energy via an energy generation unit arranged at or near the shipping terminal. For example, an energy generation unit can comprise one or more solar units, which can be arranged on the roof of the shipping terminal. This is advantageous for free-standing shipping terminals, as it allows favorable angles of incidence of solar radiation to be utilized. It is also conceivable for the energy generation unit to be another unit for generating electrical energy. A battery, accumulator, etc. can also be used for the energy supply. An energy generation unit can be connected to an energy storage unit such as a battery or accumulator in order to store electrical energy not currently needed for later use.

[0050] It can also be provided that the shipment terminal is supplied with electrical energy via a conventional mains connection, i.e. via a conventional electrical supply network.

[0051] Further advantages and embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container arrangement according to the invention, wherein a front wall of the container forms a container entrance portal; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a Fig. 1 similar container arrangement, whereby one of the side walls has been omitted to better identify the shipment terminal; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a container arrangement according to the invention, wherein a temperature control unit is arranged on the roof of the container; Fig. 4 a schematic front view of the container arrangement according to Fig. 3, where the course of the tempering channel is shown in dashed lines; Fig. 5 a schematic side view of the container arrangement from Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

[0052] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container arrangement for depositing a shipment, in particular a mail, parcel, or goods shipment. The container arrangement comprises a container 1 with a container entrance portal 2, through which a user can enter or exit a container interior 3. A shipment terminal 4, in which the shipment can be deposited by a user, is arranged in the container interior 3.

[0053] Container 1 is a standardized freight container, for example, a sea freight container. Container 1 has a floor 200, side walls 201, 202, a roof 203, a rear wall 204, and a front wall 205. As shown, the container entrance portal 2 is formed in the area of ​​the front wall 205. Container entrance portal 2 can be lockable. Container 1 has a functional space 10 separated from the container interior 3 and not freely accessible to the user. Functional space 10 is accessible via a door 15, for example, by technical personnel for maintenance purposes. In functional space 10, for example, one (or more) computers, communication devices, or other equipment for operating the shipment terminal 4 can be arranged. Functional space 10 can be used as a storage space, e.g., a micro-hub. In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, solar units 300 are arranged on the roof 203 of the container 1, with which those components arranged in the container 1 that need to be supplied with electrical energy (e.g., the shipment terminal 4) can be supplied with electrical energy. Fig. In Figures 3 to 5, the solar units 300 are not shown or provided. It should be noted that the container 1 or the components arranged therein do not necessarily have to be supplied with electrical energy via solar units 300, but can also be supplied, for example, via a conventional electrical supply network. For this purpose, the container 1 can have a conventional grid connection.

[0054] The container arrangement also includes a temperature control system with which the shipment terminal 4 can be temperature controlled. The temperature control system has a temperature control channel 5 arranged on the shipment terminal 4, through which a temperature control medium can be passed to temperature control the shipment terminal 4. The temperature control channel 5 is in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The temperature control channel 5 forms a temperature control circuit, which originates from a temperature control unit 6 located outside the shipment terminal 4 and belonging to the temperature control system and ends in this, cf. Fig. 4. The temperature control unit 6 is arranged on the roof 203 of the container 1. In the Fig. 4, the temperature control channel 5 is shown in dashed lines. The temperature control channel 5 extends between a first shelf 11 and a second shelf 12, see. Fig. 5. The temperature control channel 5 has a meandering design and runs in a continuous circuit across almost the entire width and height of the shipping terminal 4. A temperature control fluid flowing through the temperature control channel 5 can undergo multiple reversals of direction. As shown, the meandering temperature control channel 5 is a channel system comprising vertically extending channel sections connected by horizontally extending channel sections.

[0055] The first shelf 11 and the second shelf 12 each have a front side V and a rear side R. The rear sides R of the first shelf 11 and the second shelf 12 are opposite each other and separated by a gap Z. The temperature control channel 5 is arranged in the gap Z. The gap Z can be closed off from the outside and thermally insulated.

[0056] A user can access storage compartments 5 via the shelf fronts V. The storage compartments 5 can be closed with flaps. The temperature control channel 5 is clearly arranged in the area of ​​one of the shelf rears R opposite the shelf fronts V. In the design according to Fig. 1, a control panel 333 is arranged on a shelf front V. In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the control panel is arranged on a front side S of the shipment terminals 4. As shown in the Fig. 2, can be compared to the design according to Fig. 1 a container entrance portal 2 may also be formed in a side wall 202.

Claims

[1] Container arrangement for depositing a consignment, comprising a container (1) with a container entrance portal (2) through which a user can enter or leave a container interior (3), and a consignment terminal (4) in which the consignment can be deposited by a user, wherein the consignment terminal (4) is arranged in the container interior (3), characterized byin that the container (1) is a standardized freight container, comprising a temperature control system with which the shipment terminal (4) can be temperature controlled, wherein the temperature control system has a temperature control channel (5) arranged in or on the shipment terminal (4), through which a temperature control medium can be conducted for temperature control of the shipment terminal (4), wherein the shipment terminal (4) comprises a first shelf (11, 12) with deposit compartments (50), wherein a user can access the deposit compartments (50) via a shelf front side (V), and wherein the temperature control channel (5) is arranged in the region of a shelf rear side (R) opposite the shelf front side (V). [2] Container arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control channel (5) forms a temperature control circuit which starts from and ends in a temperature control unit (6) arranged outside the shipment terminal (4) and belonging to the temperature control system. [3] Container arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tempering medium is liquid or gaseous. [4] Container arrangement according to claim 3, wherein a temperature of the tempering medium is adjustable using the tempering unit (6). [5] Container arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shipment terminal (4) comprises a second shelf (12) with deposit compartments (50), wherein the temperature control channel (5) is arranged between the first and second shelves (11, 12). [6] Container arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container entrance portal (2) can be closed with a closing unit. [7] Container arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (1) has a functional space (10) separated from the container interior (3) and not freely accessible to the user. [8] A shipment terminal arrangement comprising a shipment terminal (4) and a temperature control system with which the shipment terminal (4) can be temperature controlled, wherein the temperature control system has a temperature control channel (5) arranged in or on the shipment terminal (4), through which a temperature control medium can be conducted for temperature control of the shipment terminal (4), and wherein the shipment terminal (4) comprises a first shelf (11, 12) with deposit compartments (50), wherein a user can access the deposit compartments (50) via a shelf front side (V), and wherein the temperature control channel (5) is arranged in the region of a shelf rear side (R) opposite the shelf front side (V). [9] Shipment terminal arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the tempering channel (5) forms a tempering circuit which starts from and ends in a tempering unit (6) arranged outside the shipment terminal (4) and belonging to the tempering system. [10] Shipment terminal arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the shipment terminal (4) comprises a second shelf (12) with deposit compartments (50), wherein the temperature control channel (5) is arranged between the first and second shelves (11, 12).

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