Letter Insertion Device

Abstract

To provide a posting device that can prevent a package in a collection box from being wet even in a case where it is installed outdoor.SOLUTION: A posting device 1 includes: a posting port 11 for a package; and an enclosure 2 having a storage space V for a collection box B that receives a package posted through the posting port 11. The enclosure 2 is provided with a bar code reader (an accepting part) 16 that accepts input of authentication information issued in advance, a lid part 12 that opens the posting port 11 by checking the authentication information, a water receiving cover 22 arranged below the lid part 12, and a watershoot 23 that guides water W accumulated in the water receiving cover 22 to the outside of the enclosure 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mailing device.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional mailing device, there is, for example, the mailing device described in Patent Document 1. This conventional mailing device is a so-called delivery box, which is mainly installed at the entrance of a house, a wall, etc., and is configured as a device for a delivery company to mail packages such as small parcels. The device has opening and closing plates on both the outdoor side and the indoor side. The outdoor opening and closing plate is provided with a locking device that can be locked from the outdoor side and unlocked from the indoor side. The indoor opening and closing plate is provided with a locking device that can be locked and unlocked only from the indoor side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, the modes of delivery have become diversified, such as the shipment of items by online sales and the shipment of items by online auctions between individuals. Conventional mailing devices have been installed indoors, such as in affiliated stores or inside stations, but in view of improving user convenience, installing mailing devices outdoors has been considered.

[0005] As existing mail - inserting devices, there are some that are provided with a lockable door at the mail - inserting opening for inserting packages, like the mail - inserting device described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above. However, in the door - type mail - inserting device, there is the annoyance that it takes time to open and close the door when inserting a package. On the other hand, in the lid - type mail - inserting device provided with an opening and closing lid at the mail - inserting opening, there is the convenience that a package can be easily inserted with one hand. However, when installing this type of mail - inserting device outdoors, it is necessary to fully consider the waterproof structure inside the device. If the waterproof structure is insufficient, the opening and closing lid may be opened by the wind or the like, and rainwater may penetrate through it, causing the packages in the collection box to get wet.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above - mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a mail - inserting device that can prevent packages in the collection box from getting wet even when installed outdoors.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The mail - inserting device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing having a mail - inserting opening for packages and an accommodation space of a collection box for receiving packages inserted through the mail - inserting opening. In the housing, a reception unit for receiving the input of pre - issued authentication information, a lid unit for opening the mail - inserting opening by collating the authentication information, a water - receiving cover disposed below the lid unit, and a gutter for guiding the water accumulated in the water - receiving cover to the outside of the housing are provided.

[0008] In this mail - inserting device, the lid of the mail - inserting opening is in a closed state at all times except during authentication. Thereby, the lid is not opened by the wind or the like, and water such as rainwater is prevented from entering the inside of the housing. Also, even when water adheres to the lid, the adhered water flows from the water - receiving cover to the gutter and is discharged to the outside of the housing, so that water is prevented from reaching the collection box in the accommodation space. Therefore, this mail - inserting device can prevent packages in the collection box from getting wet even when installed outdoors.

[0009] A sheet member for partitioning between the accommodation space and the gutter may be provided inside the housing. Thereby, it is possible to more reliably prevent the water flowing from the water - receiving cover to the gutter from reaching the collection box in the accommodation space.

[0010] The water receiving cover may be provided with a slit at a position facing the lid portion in the closed state. Thereby, the water adhering to the lid portion can be efficiently guided to the water receiving cover. Further, since the path of water is narrowed by the slit, splashing of water on the water receiving cover can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the goods in the shipping container from getting wet.

[0011] The water receiving cover may be inclined downward toward the gutter. Thereby, the water on the water receiving cover can be efficiently guided to the gutter.

[0012] The mail slot may be provided deeper inside than the front portion of the housing. In this case, it is possible to suppress water such as rainwater from reaching the mail slot as compared with the case where the mail slot is located in the front portion.

[0013] An inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front portion side may be provided between the lower portion of the mail slot and the front portion. In this case, since the water adhering in the vicinity of the mail slot flows to the front portion side, it is possible to avoid the water from reaching the mail slot.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the goods in the shipping container from getting wet even when installed outdoors.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a mail inserting device according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view of a mailing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a side view thereof. The mailing device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured as a device for collecting parcels such as documents and items. The mailing device 1 is managed by, for example, a delivery operator and is installed outdoors such as in the premises of a store or a parking lot.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mailing device 1 has, for example, a housing 2 made of metal. The housing 2 has a front portion 3, a rear portion 4, a pair of side portions 5, 5, a top portion 6, and legs 7, and has a generally vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The height of the housing 2 (the position of the top portion 6) is set to be, for example, around the chest level of an adult.

[0019] The housing 2 is provided with a parcel mailing opening 11 and a storage space V for a collection box B that receives parcels mailed through the mailing opening 11. The mailing opening 11 is provided at a position slightly higher than the center in the height direction of the front portion 3, for example, in consideration of the convenience of parcel mailing. A lid portion 12 is provided at the mailing opening 11. The opening and closing of the lid portion 12 is controlled by an electronic lock (not shown) built into the housing 2 and is normally in a closed state except during authentication.

[0020] The storage space V of the collection box B is set as a space from a position lower than the mailing opening 11 to the legs 7 inside the housing 2. The collection box B is, for example, a bottomed box-shaped member with an open upper surface. The collection box B is made of, for example, plastic cardboard. A collection door 13 is provided on the front portion 3 corresponding to the storage space V. The collection door 13 can be unlocked by a mechanical key such as a cylinder key, for example, and is opened when a delivery operator retrieves parcels from the collection box B in the storage space V.

[0021] An operation panel 14 is provided at a position higher than the mail slot 11 at the upper part of the housing 2. The operation panel 14 is provided with, for example, a touch panel 15, a barcode reader (reception unit) 16, an output port 17 of a label printer, and the like. The touch panel 15 is a part that, for example, displays guidance on the use of the mailing device 1 for the user and receives various input items.

[0022] The barcode reader 16 is a part that reads, for example, a two-dimensional barcode (authentication information) used for user authentication. The two-dimensional barcode is issued to the user from a system managed by a delivery company when using the mailing device 1 and is previously transmitted to a smartphone or the like owned by the user. The information of the two-dimensional barcode read by the barcode reader 16 is transmitted to the system managed by the delivery company. When the collation of the two-dimensional barcode information is completed, completion information indicating that the collation is completed, delivery information indicating the sender and the recipient, and the like are transmitted to the mailing device 1. When the completion information is received, the lid portion 12 of the mail slot 11 is opened by the electronic lock for a certain period of time.

[0023] The output port 17 of the label printer is a part that outputs a delivery note used for the delivery of the package. When the collation of the two-dimensional barcode information is completed, a delivery note with the sender and the recipient printed thereon is output from the output port 17 of the label printer based on the delivery information transmitted together with the completion information. The user can complete the delivery procedure by attaching the output delivery note to the package and then mailing the package into the mail slot 11.

[0024] The top surface portion 6 of the housing 2 located above the operation panel 14 can be used as a temporary package placement area. The user can proceed with the work with the package placed on the top surface portion 6 of the housing 2 from the reading of the two-dimensional barcode until mailing the package into the mail slot 11.

[0025] Next, the internal structure of the mailing device 1 will be described in more detail.

[0026] As described above, the mailing device 1 is installed outdoors and is excellent in convenience in that the user can mail a package without entering the building of the store building. On the other hand, the mailing device 1 installed outdoors may be exposed to wind and rain depending on the weather. Therefore, the mailing device 1 has a waterproof structure 21 so that the packages in the collection box B do not get wet.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the waterproof structure of the mailing device. As shown in the figure, the waterproof structure 21 of the mailing device 1 is composed of the lid portion 12, the water receiving cover 22, the gutter 23, and the sheet member 24 described above.

[0028] The lid portion 12 is rotatable about an axis between a closed position K1 for closing the mailing opening 11 and an open position K2 for opening the mailing opening 11 under the control from the electronic lock. In the present embodiment, the mailing opening 11 is provided deeper than the front portion 3 of the housing 2. Specifically, an opening 25 having a rectangular shape in plan view corresponding to the mailing opening 11 is formed in the front portion 3 of the housing 2 toward the back side (the back portion 4 side) of the housing 2.

[0029] A contact portion 26 that defines the closed position K1 of the lid portion 12 is provided at the back of the opening 25. In the closed position K1, the front end portion of the lid portion 12 abuts against the contact portion 26, so that the mailing opening 11 is always closed except during authentication. The bottom surface of the opening 25 located between the lower portion of the mailing opening 11 and the front portion 3 of the housing 2 is an inclined surface 27 that slopes downward toward the front portion 3 side.

[0030] With such a configuration of the mailing opening 11, even when the mailing device 1 is exposed to wind and rain, it is difficult for water W such as rainwater to reach the mailing opening 11, and even if the water W reaches the mailing opening 11, the lid portion 12 can suppress the intrusion of the water W into the housing 2. The water W that has entered the opening 25 is discharged to the front portion 3 side because the bottom surface of the opening 25 is the inclined surface 27.

[0031] The water receiving cover 22 is disposed below the lid portion 12 inside the housing 2. The water receiving cover 22 is a portion that receives water adhering to the lid portion 12. The water receiving cover 22 is provided integrally with the front portion 3 inside the front portion 3, for example. A slit 28 is provided at a position on the upper surface portion 22a of the water receiving cover 22 that faces the lid portion 12 in the closed state. The upper surface portion 22a may be inclined downward toward the slit 28.

[0032] An inclined portion 22c is provided between the bottom portion 22b and the upper surface portion 22a of the water receiving cover 22. The inclined portion 22c is inclined downward toward the front portion 3 at an angle approximately the same as the inclined surface 27 of the opening 25, for example. The bottom portion 22b is located on the tip side of the inclined portion 22c. Thereby, the water receiving cover 22 is in a state of being inclined downward toward the drain gutter 23 as a whole. The drain gutter 23 is disposed below the water receiving cover 22. In the present embodiment, the drain gutter 23 is disposed at a height near the upper edge of the loading door 13 and extends in the width direction (the direction connecting the left and right side portions 5, 5) of the housing 2. The tip of the drain gutter 23 is exposed to one side portion 5 of the housing 2, for example. The tip of the drain gutter 23 may be exposed to both of the left and right side portions 5, 5 of the housing 2.

[0033] With such a configuration of the water receiving cover 22 and the drain gutter 23, the water W adhering to the lid portion 12 in the closed state flows through the slit 28 to the water receiving cover 22 and moves to the bottom portion 22b via the inclined portion 22c. The water W accumulated in the bottom portion 22b flows into the drain gutter 23 and is then discharged to the outside from one side portion 5 of the housing 2 by the drain gutter 23. In the drain gutter 23, the height of the wall portion 23b on the back portion 4 side is higher than that of the wall portion 23a on the front portion 3 side. Thereby, even when water splashing occurs when the water W flows from the water receiving cover 22 to the drain gutter 23, it is possible to suppress the water W from heading toward the accommodation space V side of the loading box B.

[0034] The sheet member 24 is disposed so as to partition between the accommodation space V and the gutter 23. The sheet member 24 is formed of a sheet having water repellency or waterproofness such as vinyl, for example. When fixing the sheet member 24, a support member 29 extending in the width direction of the housing 2 is provided in the housing 2 at a height position approximately the same as that of the gutter 23, for example. Both end portions of the support member 29 are joined to the inner surface sides of the side portions 5, 5, respectively, for example. The upper end of the sheet member 24 is fixed to the support member 29. Thereby, the sheet member 24 hangs down from the support member 29 so as to partition between the accommodation space V and the gutter 23.

[0035] The lateral width of the sheet member 24 may be approximately the same as the lateral width of the loading box B placed in the accommodation space V, for example. The vertical width of the sheet member 24 is preferably at least larger than the vertical width of the gutter 23. In the present embodiment, the lower end of the sheet member 24 is positioned below the upper surface of the loading box B placed in the accommodation space V. That is, the sheet member 24 is disposed so as to partition between the upper surface side of the loading box B into which the luggage is inserted from the insertion opening 11 and the gutter 23.

[0036] As described above, in the insertion device 1, the lid portion 12 of the insertion opening 11 is always in a closed state except during authentication. Thereby, the lid portion 12 is not opened by wind or the like, and water W such as rainwater is prevented from entering the inside of the housing 2. Further, even when water W adheres to the lid portion 12, the adhered water W flows from the water receiving cover 22 to the gutter 23 and is discharged to the outside of the housing 2, so that the water W is prevented from reaching the loading box B in the accommodation space V. In the insertion device 1 adopting such a waterproof structure 21, even when installed outdoors, it is possible to prevent the luggage in the loading box B from getting wet.

[0037] In the insertion device 1, a sheet member 24 that partitions between the accommodation space V and the gutter 23 is provided in the housing 2. By the sheet member 24 partitioning between the accommodation space V and the gutter 23, it is possible to more reliably prevent the water W flowing from the water receiving cover 22 to the gutter 23 from reaching the loading box B in the accommodation space V.

[0038] In the mail insertion device 1, in the water receiving cover 22, a slit 28 is provided at a position facing the lid portion 12 in the closed state. Thereby, the water W adhering to the lid portion 12 can be efficiently guided to the water receiving cover 22. Further, since the path of the water W is narrowed by the slit 28, splashing of water in the water receiving cover 22 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to more surely prevent the packages in the shipping box B from getting wet.

[0039] In the mail insertion device 1, the water receiving cover 22 is inclined downward as a whole toward the drain gutter 23. Thereby, the water W in the water receiving cover 22 can be efficiently guided to the drain gutter 23. In the present embodiment, the water receiving cover 22 has an inclined portion 22c that is inclined downward toward the front portion 3 at an angle approximately the same as that of the inclined surface 27 of the opening 25. For this reason, the water W flowing from the slit 28 toward the bottom portion 22b of the water receiving cover 22 flows in a direction away from the accommodation space V. Therefore, it is possible to more surely prevent the packages in the shipping box B from getting wet.

[0040] In the mail insertion device 1, due to the opening 25 provided in the front portion 3, the mail insertion opening 11 is provided deeper inside than the front portion 3 of the housing 2. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the water W from reaching the mail insertion opening 11 as compared with the case where the mail insertion opening 11 is located in the front portion 3. Further, an inclined surface 27 that is inclined downward toward the front portion 3 side is provided between the lower portion of the mail insertion opening 11 and the front portion 3. Thereby, since the water W adhering to the vicinity of the mail insertion opening 11 flows toward the front portion 3 side, it is possible to avoid the water W from reaching the mail insertion opening 11.

[0041] The gist of the present disclosure is as follows in [1] to [6] below. [1] A mail insertion device comprising a housing having a mail insertion opening for packages and an accommodation space of a shipping box for receiving the packages inserted through the mail insertion opening, wherein the housing is provided with a reception unit for receiving input of pre-issued authentication information, a lid unit for opening the mail insertion opening by collating the authentication information, a water receiving cover disposed below the lid unit, and a drain gutter for guiding the water accumulated in the water receiving cover to the outside of the housing. [2] The mail insertion device according to [1], wherein a sheet member for partitioning between the accommodation space and the drain gutter is provided inside the housing. [3] The water receiving cover is provided with a slit at a position facing the lid portion in the closed state, the letter inserting device according to [1] or [2]. [4] The water receiving cover is inclined downward toward the trough, the letter inserting device according to any one of [1] to [3]. [5] The letter insertion port is provided deeper than the front portion of the housing, the letter inserting device according to any one of [1] to [4]. [6] An inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front portion side is provided between the lower portion of the letter insertion port and the front portion, the letter inserting device according to [5].

Explanation of reference numerals

[0042] 1... Letter inserting device, 2... Housing, 11... Letter insertion port, 12... Lid portion, 16... Barcode reader (reception portion), 22... Water receiving cover, 23... Trough, 24... Sheet member, 27... Inclined surface, 28... Slit, B... Consolidation box, V... Accommodation space, W... Water.

Claims

1. A casing having a parcel insertion opening and a storage space of a collecting box for receiving parcels inserted through the insertion opening, The casing is provided with, A reception unit for receiving the input of pre-issued authentication information, A lid for opening the insertion opening by collating the authentication information, A water receiving cover disposed below the lid, A drain for guiding the water accumulated in the water receiving cover to the outside of the casing. The parcel insertion device is provided with these components.

2. The parcel insertion device according to claim 1, wherein a sheet member for partitioning between the storage space and the drain is provided inside the casing.

3. The parcel insertion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water receiving cover is provided with a slit at a position facing the lid in the closed state.

4. The parcel insertion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water receiving cover is inclined downward toward the drain.

5. The parcel insertion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insertion opening is provided deeper than the front portion of the casing.

6. The parcel insertion device according to claim 5, wherein an inclined surface inclined downward toward the front portion side is provided between the lower portion of the insertion opening and the front portion.

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