Package with digital display means

Abstract

The present invention relates to a package (1) for the transport of objects, the package (1) comprising: a case (2) having a bottom (21) and a peripheral edge formed by adjacent panels (4), - digital display means (5) making it possible to display delivery information on the package (1), The digital display means (5) is provided with a damping system, characterized in that the damping system comprises an elastically deformable cover that dampens movement of the digital display means (5) from the outside to the inside of the package (1) and from the inside to the outside of the package (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The field of invention is logistics.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to the design and manufacture of connected packages for the transportation of objects. [Background technology]

[0003] To transport an object between two destinations, users often use packages that can be tracked in real time via a computing platform.

[0004] Packages are becoming increasingly connected: not only can their geographic location be located, but they also facilitate their delivery by displaying information to delivery personnel in real time.

[0005] For this purpose, packaging has been developed which is particularly equipped with means for the digital display of delivery information.

[0006] This conventionally known digital display means comprises a screen on which information is displayed in real time.

[0007] In particular, the package includes a case having a base and a periphery formed from abutting panels.

[0008] The perimeter extends from the bottom to form a storage space.

[0009] The digital display means is integrated into one of the panels so that it is accessible to the sender, delivery person or recipient from the outside of the package.

[0010] Furthermore, the display means is connected to a computer or electronic chip for receiving and exchanging information with a remote server as well as for generating specific displays depending on the usage of the package.

[0011] For example, depending on the geographic region where the package is located, the information displayed on the screen may be adapted.

[0012] In other words, when the package is in a container during a stage of transport, for example on international waters, the information displayed on the display or screen may be minimal, i.e., include only a bar code to identify the package and the country of destination.

[0013] On the other hand, if the package is at a logistics center, the information displayed on the screen will be more accurate and may include, in addition to the package identification barcode, detailed information about the package's destination, i.e., prefecture, city, or even street and house number.

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

[0015] For this reason, the screen is generally associated with physical buttons that the delivery person can operate, or increasingly is a touch screen.

[0016] During use, repeated pressing of the physical buttons and / or screen can quickly degrade them.

[0017] Furthermore, if packages are stored within the vehicle during their transport, in the event of bumpy roads or sudden turns in the vehicle, the packages may move uncontrolled within the vehicle and, for example, bump into other packages.

[0018] This may cause destruction of the screen or at least partial degradation of the screen, which prevents either identification of the package or reading of the delivery information and therefore, if appropriate, correct delivery of the package to its recipient.

[0019] Additionally, if damage to the digital display means occurs during delivery of a package, the package may not be delivered to its recipient, by chance, due to failure to identify the package or failure to provide delivery instructions legible to the delivery person.

[0020] In that case, it is necessary to return the package to the sender for a new package to be made for the same recipient.

[0021] This is not good for the brand image of the package sender, the brand image of the delivery company, and it is not something that recipients like to experience delays in the delivery of their packages.

[0022] Furthermore, it is necessary to replace at least the screen of the digital display means to allow a new use of the package.

[0023] This generates repair costs that can be significant and potentially constitute a risk of environmental pollution when recycling the replaced digital display means, since not all of its parts may be fully recyclable.

[0024] Conventional solutions of the protective film type placed on the screen make it possible to limit the occurrence of scratches on the screen for example, but do not offer any guarantee of sufficient protection against the impacts that the digital display means may be subjected to. Summary of the Invention

[0025] The present invention aims, inter alia, to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0026] More specifically, the present invention aims to propose a solution that makes it possible to protect a digital display means integrated in a package from shocks that it may be subjected to during the delivery of the package, or at least to limit the harmful effects of shocks on the digital display means.

[0027] The present invention further aims to provide such a solution that is easy to integrate into a package.

[0028] The present invention further aims to provide such a solution which is lightweight and makes it possible to maintain sufficient internal storage space within the package.

[0029] These objects, as well as others that will appear later, are achieved thanks to the invention, which relates to a package for the transport of objects, which package: a case having a bottom and a periphery formed from panels that abut each other; - digital display means that allow delivery information to be displayed on the package, The digital display means is integrated into one of the panels so that it is accessible from the outside of the package. The digital display means a shell having a front wall on the outside of the package and a rear wall on the inside of the package; a screen movably mounted within the shell between the front and rear walls; a damping system comprising a shock absorber inserted between the screen and the shell so as to damp the movement of the screen from the front wall towards the rear wall, The damping system further comprises a resiliently deformable cover surrounding the shell, the cover being characterized in that it damps movement of the digital display means from the outside to the inside of the package and from the inside to the outside of the package.

[0030] The shock absorber and cover form the first and second damping levels of the digital display means, respectively.

[0031] Therefore, if not all the force applied to the screen is absorbed by the shock absorber, the cover can deform to absorb the other part of the force and thus protect the screen of the digital display means.

[0032] According to one advantageous aspect, the panel in which the digital display means are integrated comprises: - a framework to which the cover is fixed; a skin in which a framework is embedded; The outer skin is made from an elastically deformable material.

[0033] This panel structure allows the creation of a third attenuation level for the digital display means.

[0034] In fact, the skin of the panel can deform in such a way that it can absorb part of the force applied to the screen in parallel with the two initial damping levels.

[0035] Furthermore, the framework ensures good rigidity of the panel by allowing a good mechanical connection, in particular a good transmission of forces, between all elements of the panel. This therefore prevents the mechanical stresses from concentrating in only a few points when forces are applied, for example, to a screen, which could cause the panel to break.

[0036] According to another advantageous embodiment, the outer skin is made from expanded polypropylene.

[0037] Expanded polypropylene offers excellent mechanical resistance while maintaining flexibility that allows it to be deformed.

[0038] The panels are therefore both robust and flexible, ensuring their deformation and thus protecting the digital display means.

[0039] According to another advantageous aspect, the shock absorber comprises a shock-absorbing compressible foam.

[0040] The compressible shock absorbing foam provides low weight while ensuring absorption of impact energy to the screen, for example, when a user exerts force when interacting with the screen or during an impact to the screen.

[0041] According to another advantageous embodiment, the compressible foam has a Shore O hardness comprised between 16 and 22.

[0042] Such hardness ensures good absorption of forces applied to the screen of the digital display means without allowing the screen to be pressed too far down into the package.

[0043] This also highlights a qualitative aspect of the package, since if the screen is depressed following an impact or too much pressure from the user, it will resume its initial position once the applied force is discontinued, thereby preventing damage to the appearance of the package.

[0044] According to another advantageous aspect, the digital display means further comprises: - an electronic card fixed to the rear wall of the shell; a metal plate extending between the screen and the electronic card, the shock absorber being inserted between the metal plate and the screen.

[0045] Thanks to this structure, a digital assembly can be formed comprising an electronic card, a metal plate, a screen and a damping system, and the electronic card can be fixed to the metal plate.

[0046] Thus, in the case of repair of the digital display means, for example if only the shell is damaged or if only the screen is damaged, it is possible to replace only a part of the digital display means, for example the aforementioned digital assembly, in order to reduce repair costs but also to minimize the waste generated.

[0047] According to another advantageous aspect, the rear wall of the shell has a reinforcing bar projecting towards the inside of the shell, the reinforcing bar forming a support for the electronic card.

[0048] Thus, when the electronic card is mounted within the shell, it is supported by the rear wall of the shell, at least around the periphery of the screen, thereby avoiding gaps between the shell, and more particularly the rear wall of the shell, and the electronic card, which may eventually damage the electronic card, especially due to vibrations associated with transporting the package.

[0049] On the other hand, under the screen, the electronic card is sandwiched between a metal plate and a reinforcing bar, which allows the shell to be more resistant and provides better resistance and better protection for the electronic card and screen.

[0050] According to another advantageous aspect, the reinforcing bars are arranged in the form of a grid forming a housing for accommodating electrical components fixed on the electronic card.

[0051] Such a grid increases the mechanical resistance of the assembly, in particular between the front and rear shells around the periphery of the screen, and between the rear shell and the metal plate below the screen.

[0052] According to another advantageous aspect, the display means comprises a tempered glass protection covering the screen, the tempered glass protection being inserted between the screen and the front wall of the shell.

[0053] Such a tempered glass protection makes it possible to protect the screen from possible breakage due to impacts (especially due to bending of the screen or localized impacts).

[0054] Moreover, the tempered glass protection can be removed and replaced, if appropriate, when it becomes worn out.

[0055] According to another advantageous aspect, the cover is made from an elastomeric material.

[0056] Thus, the cover can deform and regain its original shape despite numerous deformations.

[0057] Furthermore, the use of an elastomeric material provides compliance for the movement of the digital display means, so that it follows the user's movements, for example when the user presses the screen.

[0058] According to another advantageous embodiment, the elastomeric material is of the thermoplastic type having a hardness Shore A comprised between 25 and 35.

[0059] This type of material provides the desired resilience and lightness to ensure good protection of the digital display means while keeping the package low weight.

[0060] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given as an illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0061] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a package according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a package display means according to the present invention, according to a second embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a digital display means of a package according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a package 1 according to the invention.

[0063] Such a package 1 comprises a case 2 .

[0064] The case 2 comprises a bottom 21 and a periphery formed from a number of panels 4 that abut one another.

[0065] Furthermore, the package 1 comprises a lid 3 making it possible to close the internal storage space of the package, the extent of which is delimited by the base 21 and the periphery formed by the panel 4.

[0066] This internal storage space allows for the storage of objects being transported between the source and destination.

[0067] To allow package 1 to be delivered to its destination, package 1 is provided with an area for displaying destination information.

[0068] In particular, this display area comprises digital display means 5 fixed to one of the panels 4 of the case 2 .

[0069] 2 and 3, the digital display means 5 is -Shell 51 and -Screen 52 and an electronic card 53 to which the screen 52 is electrically connected and which is intended to transmit display instructions to the screen 52; a metal plate 7; - The tempered glass protection part 55 is provided.

[0070] More specifically, the shell 51 has a front wall 51a located on the outside of the package 1, and a rear wall 51b located on the opposite side of the front wall 51a and on the inside of the package 1.

[0071] The front wall 51a and the rear wall 51b each have side edges intended to abut each other so as to form a space inside the shell for accommodating at least the screen 52 and the electronic card.

[0072] Additionally, the front wall 51 a has an opening 511 that allows access to and visibility of the screen 52 housed in the shell 51 .

[0073] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a tempered glass protection portion 55 is disposed between the front wall 51 a of the shell 51 and the screen 52 .

[0074] More specifically, the tempered glass protection portion 55 is disposed against the front wall 51 a of the shell 51 to cover the opening 511 and thus prevent direct access to the screen 52 from outside the shell 51 .

[0075] In other words, the tempered glass protection part 55 covers the screen 52 .

[0076] As can be seen in the exploded view of FIG. 2, the rear wall 51b of the shell 51 has a reinforcing bar 512 that forms a rib that projects towards the inside of the shell 51.

[0077] The reinforcing bar 512 forms a support for the electronic card 53 that holds it in place within the shell 51 and makes it possible to increase the mechanical resistance of the digital display means 5 under the screen 52 .

[0078] More specifically, the reinforcing bars 512 are arranged in the form of a grid that forms a housing for accommodating electronic components fixed to the electronic card 53 .

[0079] The mechanical resistance of the digital display means 5 is further improved around the periphery of the screen 52, in particular between the reinforcing bars 512, which catch the electronic card 53 between them.

[0080] The electronic card 53 is secured to the rear wall 51b by a flexible fastener that allows unrestrained movement of the electronic card 53, minimizing stretching of the electronic card in sensitive component embedding areas. Beneath the screen 52, the electronic card 53 is advantageously sandwiched between the metal plate 7 and the rear wall 51b.

[0081] For example, the flexible fastening is obtained by the presence of an oblong hole on the electronic card 53 and a retaining member fixed to the rear wall 51b of the shell 51, the retaining member being received in the oblong hole and allowing controlled movement of the electronic card 53 relative to the rear wall 51b.

[0082] To avoid deterioration of the screen 52 caused by strong pressure from the user or by an object hitting the screen 52 , the digital display means 5 further comprises a damping system 6 .

[0083] This damping system 6 is inserted between the screen 52 and the shell 51 and tends to damp the movement of the screen 52 from the front wall 51a towards the rear wall 51b.

[0084] The damping system 6 comprises a shock absorber 61. The shock absorber 61 is advantageously formed from a layer of shock-absorbing compressible foam.

[0085] Preferably, the compressible foam has a Shore O hardness comprised between 16 and 22.

[0086] The use of a shock-absorbing compressible foam allows the foam to gradually, i.e. gradually over time, regain its original shape after deformation, thus preventing too violent movement of the screen 52 towards the front wall 51 a. In other words, the shock-absorbing compressible foam forms a reusable shock absorber, allowing permanent protection of the digital display means 5.

[0087] Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 2, the digital display means 5 further comprises a metal plate 7 .

[0088] The metal plate 7 is disposed between the screen 52 and the electronic card 53 .

[0089] The metal plate is made for example from aluminum or an aluminum alloy and ensures protection of the electronic card 53. By using aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the weight of the digital display means 5 can be limited.

[0090] Alternatively, the metal plate may also be made from a magnesium alloy, which offers higher stiffness while having a lower weight than aluminum or aluminum alloys.

[0091] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the damping system 6 is inserted between the screen 52 and the metal plate 7 .

[0092] Referring to FIG. 3, the shell 51 is arranged as follows: - a tempered glass protection part 55; -Screen 52 and - shock absorber 61; a metal plate 7; - an electronic card 53;

[0093] This assembly makes it possible to provide a first damping of the digital display means 5, since when a force is applied to it, this force is damped by different factors, as follows: - a tempered glass protection part 55; -Screen 52 and - shock absorber 61; a metal plate 7; -This is because the power is attenuated by being continuously applied to the electronic card 53.

[0094] Thanks to the presence of the tempered glass protection 55, the screen 52 is protected from excessively intense forces, and the electronic card 53 is protected by the presence of the shock absorbers 61 of the damping system 6. Moreover, the metal plate 7, by its rigidity, makes it possible to limit the deformation of the electronic card 53.

[0095] The shock absorber 61 therefore forms the first damping level of the digital display means 5 .

[0096] To further improve its protection against large forces, the damping system 6 further comprises an elastically deformable cover 62. The cover 62 surrounds the shell 51 as can be seen in FIGS.

[0097] The cover 62 can damp movement of the digital display means 5 from the outside to the inside of the package 1 and from the inside to the outside of the package 1 .

[0098] 2 and 3, the cover 62 has a plurality of lugs 621 around its periphery.

[0099] These lugs 621 make it possible to hold the cover to the panel 4 .

[0100] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lugs have a frustoconical shape, but other shapes can also be used.

[0101] The cover 62 is advantageously made from an elastomeric material.

[0102] For example, the elastomeric material is of the thermoplastic type having a hardness Shore A comprised between 25 and 35.

[0103] Advantageously, this type of material is more broadly chosen from the TPU family, that is to say the family of elastomeric thermoplastic materials that combine the elastic properties of elastomers with the mechanical properties of thermoplastics.

[0104] The cover 62 therefore forms a second attenuation level for the digital display means 5 .

[0105] Referring to FIG. 3, the panel 4 in which the digital display means 5 is integrated is a framework 41 to which a cover 62 is fixed, - an outer skin 42 in which the framework 41 is embedded.

[0106] The outer skin 42 is made in particular from an elastically deformable material.

[0107] For example, the framework 41 is made from injected polypropylene and the skin 42 is made from expanded polypropylene.

[0108] The use of polypropylene makes it possible to give the panel 4 good mechanical resistance while limiting its mass.

[0109] The use of expanded polypropylene can provide the panel 4 with flexibility in addition to excellent rigidity.

[0110] The flexibility of the panel 4 then forms a third attenuation level for the digital display means 5 .

[0111] Indeed, if a force is applied to the digital display means 5, it is partly absorbed by the flexibility of the outer skin 42.

[0112] The damping system 6 allows movement of the screen 52 if too much force is exerted on the screen 52 , limiting the damage this force may cause to the screen 52 .

[0113] In other words, the damping system makes it possible to absorb large extraneous forces applied to the screen 52 in the interest of the life of the screen 52 and therefore of the readability of the delivery information on the screen 52 .

[0114] The package 1 according to the invention therefore provides a triple level of attenuation for the digital display means 5 allowing protection of the screen 52 .

[0115] The first level of damping is achieved by the shock absorber 61 which directly absorbs part of the force applied to the screen 52 .

[0116] A second level of damping is achieved by the cover 62 absorbing another part of the force applied to the screen 52 when the shock absorber 61 can no longer absorb the force. The shock absorber 61 then acts as a simple element for transmitting the force to the rear wall 51b of the shell 51.

[0117] However, the second attenuation level is achieved in parallel with the first attenuation level, and in fact the activation of each attenuation level is not sequential, but sequential until the first attenuation level is saturated (in which case it is no longer activated).

[0118] The third level of damping is achieved by the panel 4, and in particular by the skin 42 of the panel 4, which absorbs the remainder of the force applied to the screen 52. If the damping system 6, i.e. the shock absorber 61 and the cover 62, cannot fully absorb the force, the skin 42 of the panel 4 will now elastically deform to absorb the remainder of the force applied to the screen 52.

[0119] However, this triple level of attenuation does not provide protection for the package 1 against vandalism or large impacts (especially in the event of an accident), in which case the package may be irreversibly destroyed.

[0120] In a variant, the digital display assembly 5 may have a shell 51 extending from the front wall 51a to the rear wall 51b as follows: - a tempered glass protection part 55; -Screen 52 and a metal plate 7; - shock absorber 61; an electronic card 53;

Claims

1. A package (1) for the transport of an object, comprising: a case (2) having a bottom (21) and a periphery formed from adjacent panels (4); and digital display means (5) that allow delivery information to be displayed on the package (1), said digital display means (5) being integrated into one of said panels (4) so ​​as to be accessible from the outside of said package (1); The digital display means (5) a shell (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 within the shell (51) between the front wall (51a) and the rear wall (51b); a damping system (6) comprising a shock absorber (61) inserted between the screen (52) and the shell (51) so as to damp movement of the screen (52) from the front wall (51a) towards the rear wall (51b); The package (1), wherein the damping system (6) further comprises an elastically deformable cover (62) surrounding the shell (51), the cover (62) damping movement of the digital display means (5) from the outside to the inside of the package (1) and from the inside to the outside of the package (1).

2. The panel (4) in which the digital display means (5) is integrated is a framework (41) to which the cover (62) is fixed; an outer skin (42) in which the framework (41) is embedded; 2. A package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer skin (42) is made from an elastically deformable material.

3. 3. A package (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer skin (42) is made from expanded polypropylene.

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

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

6. The digital display means (5) further includes: an electronic card (53) fixed to the rear wall (51b) of the shell (51); 2. The package (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a metal plate (57) extending between the screen (52) and the electronic card (53), wherein the shock absorber (61) is inserted between the metal plate (57) and the screen (52).

7. 7. The package (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the rear wall (51b) of the shell (51) has a reinforcing bar (512) protruding towards the inside of the shell (51), the reinforcing bar (512) forming a support for the electronic card (53).

8. 8. The package (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the reinforcing bars (512) are arranged in the form of a grid forming a housing for accommodating electrical components fixed to the electronic card (53).

9. 2. The package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the display means (5) comprises a tempered glass protection (55) covering the screen (52), the tempered glass protection (55) being inserted between the screen (52) and the front wall (51a) of the shell (51).

10. 2. A package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover (62) is made from an elastomeric material.

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

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