Device for distributing objects

Abstract

The invention relates to an object distribution device (2) comprising: a parallelepiped housing (20) defined by a plurality of outer walls, arranged to form at least one first hollow compartment; a front wall (21) having at least one hole (210); a receiving space (211) arranged in the hollow compartment, at least one portion of which is positioned opposite said hole (210) and suitable for receiving an object storage device; and a closure means (22) arranged in the front wall (21) and configured to be movable between an open position and a closed position.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Object dispensing device technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of object distribution devices. State of the art

[0002] It is known in the state of the art to use for the storage of objects, systems of compartments forming a portion of a wall, each compartment having a door adapted to open and close when a user wishes to deposit or take an object stored in said compartment.

[0003] However, this type of storage device is not optimal because if you want to increase the storage capacity, you need to increase the surface area in width and height, which can cause space problems and also ergonomic problems if they are too high for users.

[0004] Systems exist that offer this type of storage in the form of containers where lockers are moved by automated robots. However, these lockers are all the same size to facilitate the retrieval of their contents. This solution is not practical since all the lockers have the same capacity. Furthermore, the space within the container is not optimized because small items take up the entire space of a large container.

[0005] The invention is therefore situated within this context and seeks to resolve all the aforementioned drawbacks. Thus, the invention aims to provide a storage device for objects whose dispensing mechanism is adapted to various door sizes within the same container, while ensuring secure opening. Presentation of the invention.

[0006] The invention relates to an object distribution device comprising a parallelepiped-shaped casing defined by a plurality of external walls, arranged to form at least one first hollow compartment; a front wall having at least one hole; a cavity mounted in the hollow compartment, at least a portion of which is positioned opposite said hole and adapted to receive an object storage device; a closing means arranged in said front wall and arranged to be movable between an open position and a closed position.

[0007] The rectangular box may have multiple parallel walls. It may have two parallel side walls perpendicular to a rear wall. The box may also have a top and a bottom wall. The outer walls of the box may form a hollow compartment. This hollow compartment can be adapted to hold various storage devices, such as clothing, packages, or shopping bags.

[0008] The housing may have a front panel with a hole. The housing may have a cavity mounted within the hollow compartment, such that at least a portion of this cavity is aligned with the hole. The cavity may be adapted to receive at least part of the hole. The hole may be closed by a closure. The closure may be a door or a hatch. The closure may be movable between an open and a closed position. The closure may be adapted to fit different opening sizes.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, the closing means can be adapted to open onto the cavity and therefore onto an object storage device by adapting to the desired opening.

[0010] Advantageously, the cavity is configured to adopt an empty configuration in which it is devoid of the object storage device and a full configuration in which it includes the object storage device.

[0011] The cavity can be adapted to accommodate a storage device. When the cavity is in a solid configuration, the closing mechanism can be moved from the closed position to the open position, allowing the opening to be made in the cavity and thus to accommodate the storage device.

[0012] Advantageously, the closing means comprises at least an upper portion and a lower portion arranged to cooperate together.

[0013] The closing means may comprise an upper portion and a lower portion, such that said upper and lower portions may form a jaw. Said upper and lower portions may cooperate so that, when in the open position, the bore can be opened onto said cavity and thus onto the object storage device that can be housed in said cavity, and when they are in the closed position, the bore is concealed.

[0014] Advantageously, the front wall has a drive system adapted to drive the upper portion between a first configuration called closed and a second configuration called open.

[0015] The drive system may include a worm gear. The drive system may be adapted to move the upper portion of the closing means from a closed position to an open position and from an open position to a closed position.

[0016] Advantageously, the training system is adapted to train the upper portion in a third configuration known as intermediate.

[0017] In one embodiment, the drive system can cause the upper portion of the closing means to move from the closed position to the intermediate position and from the intermediate position to the closed position. The intermediate position can be defined as a semi-open position located between the closed and open positions.

[0018] Advantageously, the drive system includes a lower portion drive element arranged to drive said lower portion between a first position called closed and a second determined position.

[0019] In one embodiment, the drive element of the lower portion is arranged to drive the lower portion between a first, so-called closed, position and a second, predetermined position, independently of the drive of the upper portion. That is to say, in this embodiment, the upper portion can be in the open position while the drive element is driving the lower portion.

[0020] The drive system may include a drive element specifically used to move the lower portion. This drive element can connect and hold the upper and lower portions together. In fact, it is the drive element that can be adapted to move the lower portion between a closed position and a second, predetermined position. The closed position can be a low position of the lower portion. The predetermined position can be an intermediate or a high position.

[0021] Advantageously, the drive system is configured to drive the upper portion simultaneously with the drive element driving the lower portion, up to the second determined position of said lower portion, and to drive only the upper portion from said determined position of said lower portion up to the second or third configuration of said upper portion.

[0022] Initially, the drive system and the drive element can simultaneously drive the upper and lower portions. When the lower portion reaches the predetermined position, the drive element can be stopped. Alternatively, when the lower portion reaches the predetermined position, the drive system can continue its movement, driving only the upper portion to the second or third position—namely, the open or intermediate position—leaving the lower portion in its predetermined position.

[0023] In an embodiment where the closing means moves from the open position to the closed position, the drive system can only drive the upper portion from the open or intermediate position to the first closed position. As soon as the upper portion reaches the lower portion in its determined position, the drive system simultaneously drives the upper portion, the drive element, and the lower portion to the closed configuration of the closing means.

[0024] Advantageously, the object distribution device includes a control unit configured to communicate with a computer terminal of said device and adapted to control the drive system and the drive unit following an opening instruction transmitted by said computer terminal.

[0025] The precise position of the lower portion of the closing mechanism can be determined and dictated by the control unit. In fact, the control unit can provide an opening size instruction to the drive system and the drive element.

[0026] When a user activates the computer terminal, it can send an opening signal for the closing mechanism to the control unit, which can then be adapted to control the drive system and the drive element.

[0027] Similarly, when a user activates the computer terminal, it can send a closing information from the closing means to the control unit, which can then be adapted to control the drive system and the drive element.

[0028] Advantageously, the lower portion includes at least one first unlocking mechanism.

[0029] The first unlocking mechanism can unlock an object storage device when the object is in the cavity in a full configuration. The first unlocking mechanism may include an actuator.

[0030] Advantageously, the lower portion includes a second unlocking mechanism.

[0031] In this embodiment, the lower portion may include two unlocking members adapted to unlock locking members of an object storage device when the latter is in the cavity in full configuration.

[0032] Advantageously, the control unit is capable of controlling at least one unlocking element of the object storage device following an unlocking instruction transmitted by the computer terminal.

[0033] When a user activates the computer terminal, it can send an unlock signal to the control unit, which can then be configured to control the unlocking mechanism. Upon receiving the unlock signal, the unlocking mechanism can be activated to unlock an object storage device when it is in the cavity in a full configuration.

[0034] Advantageously, the cavity includes a retaining element configured to retain the object storage device when the cavity is in the full configuration.

[0035] The retaining element can be configured to retain the object storage device in the cavity when it is in a full configuration, so that when the closing means is open, the bore can lead to the object storage device and not to the cavity in an empty configuration.

[0036] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for depositing an object comprising the following steps: transitioning the cavity from an empty configuration to a full configuration by cooperation of said cavity with the object storage device; following the receipt of an opening instruction by the control unit from the computer terminal, simultaneous movement of the upper portion from the first configuration and of the lower portion from the first position to the second determined position; following the movement of the lower portion to the determined position, movement only of the upper portion to the second or third configuration.

[0037] Advantageously, following the movement of the upper portion to the second or third configuration, the control unit receives an instruction to unlock the object distribution device via the unlocking mechanism.

[0038] When a user operates the computer terminal, it can send an opening instruction to the locking mechanism and an unlocking instruction so that an object storage device can be placed in the cavity, thus changing the cavity from an empty to a full configuration. Once the cavity is full, the retaining element can hold the object storage device in place. The control unit then sends an opening instruction to the drive system and the drive element, which can simultaneously actuate the upper and lower portions.When the lower portion reaches the predetermined position, the drive mechanism can be stopped, and the drive system can continue its movement, driving only the upper portion to the second or third position—namely, the open or intermediate position—leaving the lower portion in its predetermined position. The control unit can then control the unlocking mechanism. When the control unit receives the unlocking signal, the unlocking mechanism can be actuated to unlock the object storage device when it is in the cavity in its full configuration.

[0039] The invention also relates to an object storage device comprising: a parallelepiped-shaped casing defined by a plurality of outer walls arranged to form at least one first hollow compartment; a front wall comprising at least one closing element for the first hollow compartment, said closing element being movable between an open and a closed position; and at least one locking element movable between a locked and an unlocked configuration under the action of an actuator, said locking element being adapted to cooperate with the closing element. The invention is notable in that two of the walls of the plurality of outer walls are side walls and in that the casing comprises, on at least one of said side walls, a gripping element.

[0040] The rectangular box may have multiple parallel walls. The box may have two parallel side walls perpendicular to a rear wall. The box may also have a top and a bottom wall. The outer walls of the box may form a hollow compartment. This hollow compartment can be adapted to receive objects such as clothing, packages, or shopping bags. It can also be adapted to store objects and to dispense objects that have previously been received and stored.

[0041] The housing may include a front panel with an opening closed by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be a door or a hatch. The locking mechanism may be movable between an open and a closed position.

[0042] The housing may include a locking mechanism configured to cooperate with the closing mechanism. The locking mechanism may have a locked and an unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration, the locking mechanism may be adapted to hold the closing mechanism in the closed position. In the unlocked configuration, the closing mechanism is not locked. Thus, when an actuator moves the locking mechanism from the locked to the unlocked configuration, the closing mechanism may be unlocked so that it automatically moves from the closed to the open position. Similarly, when a user pushes the closing mechanism from the open to the closed position, the locking mechanism may move from the unlocked to the locked configuration to hold the closing mechanism in the closed position.In this case, the user can act as an actuator.

[0043] The front panel may include a return mechanism designed to return the closing mechanism to its open position when the locking mechanism is unlocked. Thus, the return mechanism allows the door to open automatically when the locking mechanism is unlocked by the actuator.

[0044] At least one of the side walls of the housing may include a gripping element. The gripping element may allow the storage device to be moved easily. In a particular embodiment, the gripping element may cooperate with a complementary gripping element mounted on an object dispensing device. The gripping element may have a right-angled angled structure.

[0045] Advantageously, the gripping member projects beyond the outer wall on which it is mounted. The outer wall being free of any other protruding elements. CORRECTED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP

[0046] Thanks to the invention, the object storage device can have standardized external dimensions while still allowing for different storage sizes within the same device. Furthermore, the gripping mechanism makes it easy to move the object storage device.

[0047] Advantageously, the case includes at least one first inner wall arranged to separate the first compartment and a second compartment, and the front wall includes at least two closing mechanisms.

[0048] The case may include at least one first inner wall.

[0049] In one embodiment, the first inner wall can be vertical so that it delimits the first compartment and a second compartment so that they can be positioned next to each other.

[0050] In another embodiment, the first inner wall can be horizontal so that it delimits the first compartment and a second compartment so that they can be positioned one above the other.

[0051] In both of these embodiments, each of the first and second compartments can include its own closing mechanism.

[0052] Advantageously, the first inner wall is a vertical wall.

[0053] The first vertical wall can delimit the first compartment and the second compartment so that they can be juxtaposed.

[0054] In this embodiment, the front wall may include a cavity from which the locking mechanism can be manually accessed. Indeed, in the event of a malfunction, it may therefore be possible to manually unlock the locking mechanism from the cavity and thus access the contents of the corresponding hollow compartment.

[0055] Advantageously, the case includes at least a second horizontal inner wall arranged to separate the first and a third compartment and to separate the second and a fourth compartment.

[0056] In this embodiment, the housing may include a first vertical wall and a second horizontal inner wall. The second inner wall may be perpendicular to the first vertical wall. The second horizontal wall, together with the first vertical wall, may form four hollow compartments.

[0057] In another embodiment, the housing may include a third internal wall, which may be horizontal. In yet another embodiment, the housing may include a fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth horizontal internal wall.

[0058] In this embodiment, the case may have two columns of compartments. The case may have between one and eight rows of compartments. Therefore, in this embodiment, the case may have between two and sixteen compartments.

[0059] In this embodiment, the front panel may include a cavity designed to allow manual release of each locking mechanism. Indeed, in the event of a malfunction, it may be possible to manually release each locking mechanism from the cavity, thus providing access to the contents of the corresponding hollow compartments.

[0060] Advantageously, the first inner wall is a horizontal wall.

[0061] The first horizontal wall can delimit the first compartment and the second compartment so that they can be positioned one above the other.

[0062] Advantageously, the case includes at least one second horizontal internal wall arranged to separate the second compartment from another compartment.

[0063] In this embodiment, the housing may include a first horizontal wall and a second horizontal inner wall. The second inner wall may be parallel to the first horizontal wall. The second horizontal wall, together with the first horizontal wall, may form three hollow compartments.

[0064] In another embodiment, the housing may include a third internal wall, which may be horizontal. In another embodiment, the housing may include a fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh horizontal internal wall.

[0065] In this embodiment, the case may have one column of compartments. The case may have between one and eight rows of compartments. Therefore, in this embodiment, the case may have between two and eight compartments.

[0066] Advantageously, one of the walls of the plurality of external walls is a rear wall, opposite to the front wall, comprising a fastening element and in that the storage device comprises a guiding means comprising a complementary fastening element adapted to cooperate with the fastening element of said rear wall.

[0067] The housing may include a rear wall opposite the front wall. The rear wall may include an upper end with a fastening element. A guide element may be mounted on the rear wall, and the guide element and the rear wall may be continuous. The guide element may include a complementary fastening element adapted to cooperate with the fastening element of the rear wall.

[0068] The guiding means may comprise a first portion continuous with the rear wall of the housing and a second portion perpendicular to said first portion so as to form an angle between them. The angle formed by the guiding means may be forward or backward. In a preferred embodiment, the angle is forward. The guiding means may facilitate the movement of the object storage device by cooperation with an object distribution device.

[0069] Advantageously, each side wall has a gripping device.

[0070] In one embodiment, the object storage device may include a gripping element on each of its side walls. The use of two gripping elements can increase the standardization of the object storage device, since it is then possible to move it from either side with a complementary gripping element mounted on an object distribution device.

[0071] Advantageously, one of the outer walls includes a recognition device for said device.

[0072] The presence of a recognition device allows for the determination of both the number of compartments, and therefore the presence or absence of vertical walls, and the number of horizontal walls. The recognition device can automatically identify the device's configuration, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The recognition device can also allow for quick and easy identification of the device based on the number of compartments it contains.

[0073] The recognition device can be mounted on one of the outer walls of the housing. The recognition device can be mounted on one of the side walls. Advantageously, the recognition device can be mounted on each of the side walls.

[0074] In one embodiment, the recognition element can be produced by printing on one of the housing walls. In another embodiment, the recognition element can be produced by engraving on one of the housing walls. In yet another embodiment, the recognition element can be produced by drilling into the housing. In yet another embodiment, the recognition element can be produced by embossing on one of the housing walls. Brief description of the figures.

[0075] Other advantages and features of the present invention are now described by means of purely illustrative and in no way limiting examples of the scope of the invention, and from the accompanying drawings, in which the various figures represent:

[0076] [Fig. 1] schematically represents a perspective view of an object distribution device according to one embodiment.

[0077] [Fig. 2] schematically represents a front view of a portion of a front wall of an object distribution device comprising a closing means in an open configuration according to one embodiment.

[0078] [Fig. 3] schematically represents a front view of a portion of a front wall of an object distribution device comprising a closing means in a closed configuration according to an embodiment. CORRECTED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP

[0079] [Fig. 4] schematically represents a front view of a portion of a front wall of an object distribution device comprising a closing means in a closed configuration according to an embodiment.

[0080] [Fig. 5] schematically represents a front view of a portion of a front wall of an object distribution device comprising a closing means in an intermediate configuration according to one embodiment.

[0081] [Fig. 6] schematically represents a rear view of a lower wall of a closing means and an unlocking device according to one embodiment.

[0082] In the description that follows, identical elements, by structure or by function, appearing on different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.

[0083] Description of a method of implementation.

[0084] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an object distribution device 1 according to one embodiment. The object distribution device 1 is also described in relation to Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, which show a front view of a portion of the front wall 21 of said object distribution device 1 according to one embodiment, and in relation to Figure 6, which shows a rear view of a lower portion 221 of a closing means 22 and an unlocking member 2210 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0085] The object dispensing device 1 comprises a parallelepiped-shaped housing 20 defined by a plurality of outer walls arranged to form at least one hollow compartment. The parallelepiped-shaped housing 20 has a plurality of parallel walls. The housing 20 has two parallel side walls orthogonal to a rear wall. The housing 20 has an upper wall and a lower wall. The outer walls of the housing 20 form a hollow compartment. The hollow compartment is adapted to receive an object storage device.

[0086] The housing 20 has a front wall 21 having at least one hole 210. The housing has a cavity 211 mounted in the hollow compartment such that at least a portion of this cavity 211 is opposite said hole 210. The cavity 211 is adapted to receive at least a portion of said hole 210. The hole 210 is closed by a closing means. The closing means 22 is arranged in said front wall 21. The closing means 22 is a hatch. The closing means 22 is movable between an open position and a closed position. The closing means 22 is adapted to fit different opening sizes. The closing means 22 has at least an upper portion 220 and a lower portion 221 arranged to cooperate together and can form a jaw.The said upper portions 220 and lower portions 221 cooperate so that when they are in the open position the bore 210 is open to said cavity 211 and therefore to the object storage device which is housed. in said cavity 211 and when they are in the closed position, the drilling 210 is obscured.

[0087] The lower portion 221 includes two unlocking members 2210 described in [Fig. 6] which allow the object storage device to be unlocked when it is in the cavity 211 in its full configuration. Each unlocking member 2210 includes an actuator.

[0088] The front wall 21 includes a drive system 212 adapted to drive the upper portion 220 from a first configuration called closed as described in [Fig. 3] and a second configuration called open as described in [Fig. 2] and vice versa.

[0089] The cavity 211 is configured to adopt an empty configuration, in which it lacks the object storage device, and a full configuration, in which it includes the object storage device. The cavity 211 is adapted to receive the object storage device. When the cavity 211 is in a full configuration, the closing means becomes movable from the closed position to the open position, so that the bore 210 is open to the cavity 211 and thus to the object storage device housed within it.

[0090] The object distribution device 2 includes a control unit configured to communicate with a computer terminal of said device 2 and adapted to control the drive system 212 and a drive element following an opening instruction transmitted by said computer terminal.

[0091] The drive system 212 includes a drive element specifically used to drive the movement of the lower portion 221. Indeed, it is the drive element which is adapted to drive the movement of the lower portion 221 between a so-called closed position as described in [Fig. 3] and a second determined position as described in [Fig. 4] and [Fig. 5]. The closed position is a low position of the lower portion 221. The determined position is an intermediate position.

[0092] When a user operates the computer terminal, it sends an opening instruction to the locking mechanism 22 and an unlocking instruction, causing the cavity 211 to change from an empty to a full configuration. The control unit sends an opening instruction to the drive system 212 and the drive element. The locking mechanism 22 is then in a closed configuration in which the upper portion 220 and the lower portion 221 are in a closed position as described in [Fig. 3]. The drive system 212 and the drive element simultaneously drive the upper portion 220 and the lower portion 221. When the lower portion 221 reaches the predetermined position as described in [Fig. 4], the drive element is stopped and the lower portion remains in this predetermined position. The drive system 212 continues its movement, driving only the upper portion 220 towards the second position, namely the open position, and leaving the lower portion in its determined position as described in [Fig. 5],

[0093] The control unit then controls the unlocking mechanism. When the control unit receives the unlocking signal, the unlocking mechanism 2210 is then activated to unlock the object storage device when it is in the cavity 211 in a full configuration.

[0094] When the control unit receives the unlocking information, the unlocking device 2210 is actuated to unlock an object storage device when it is in the cavity in full configuration.

[0095] In the embodiment described in [Fig. 2], the control unit sends an opening instruction to the drive system 212 and the drive element. The closing means 22 is in a closed configuration in which the upper portion 220 and the lower portion 221 are in a closed position as described in [Fig. 3]. The drive system 212 alone drives the upper portion 220 to the open position, and the drive element leaves the lower portion 221 in the closed position.

[0096] The preceding description clearly explains how the invention achieves its objectives, namely, to provide an object storage device whose dispensing mechanism is adapted to various door formats within the same container while ensuring secure opening. This is achieved by proposing an object dispensing device comprising a parallelepiped-shaped housing defined by a plurality of outer walls arranged to form at least one first hollow compartment; a front wall having at least one opening; a cavity mounted within the hollow compartment, at least a portion of which is positioned opposite said opening and adapted to receive an object storage device; and a closing mechanism arranged within said front wall and designed to be movable between an open and a closed position and to open onto the cavity and thus onto the object storage device, adapting to the desired opening.

[0097] In any event, the invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, and extends in particular to all equivalent means and to any technically feasible combination of these means. For example, a specific position of the lower portion may correspond to a specific upper position.

Claims

Demands

1. Object distribution device (2) comprising a parallelepiped housing (20) defined by: a plurality of outer walls, arranged to form at least one first hollow compartment, a front wall (21) comprising at least one hole (210); a cavity (211) mounted in the hollow compartment, at least a portion of which is positioned opposite said hole (210) and adapted to receive an object storage device; a closure means (22) arranged in said front wall (21) and arranged to be movable between an open position and a closed position, said closure means comprising at least an upper portion (220) and a lower portion (221) arranged to cooperate together; a drive system (212) for the closure means (22), mounted in said front wall (21).

2. Object dispensing device (2) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the cavity (211) is configured to adopt an empty configuration in which it is devoid of the object storage device and a full configuration in which it includes the object storage device.

3. Object distribution device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the drive system (212) is adapted to drive the upper portion (220) between a first so-called closed configuration and a second so-called open configuration.

4. Object distribution device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the drive system (212) comprises a drive element of the lower portion (221) arranged to drive said lower portion (221) between a first position called closed and a second determined position.

5. Object distribution device (2) according to claim 4 characterized in that the drive system (212) is configured to drive the upper portion (220) simultaneously with the drive member driving the lower portion (221), up to the second determined position of said lower portion (221), and to drive only the upper portion (220) from said determined position of said lower portion (221) up to the second or a third configuration of said upper portion (220).

6. Object dispensing device (2) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises a control unit configured to communicate with a computer terminal of said device (2) and adapted to control the drive system (212) and the drive element. following an opening instruction transmitted by said computer terminal.

7. Object distribution device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the lower portion (221) comprises at least one first unlocking member (2210).

8. Object distribution device (2) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the control unit is capable of controlling at least one unlocking member (2210) of the object storage device (2) following an unlocking instruction transmitted by the computer terminal.

9. A method for depositing an object implemented by an object dispensing device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: Transition of the cavity (211) from an empty configuration to a full configuration by cooperation of said cavity (211) with the object storage device; Following the receipt of an opening instruction by the control unit from the computer terminal, simultaneous movement of the upper portion (220) from the first configuration and of the lower portion (221) from the first position to the second determined position; Following the movement of the lower portion (221) to the determined position, only the upper portion (220) moves to the second or third configuration.

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