Parcel storage box

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parcel storage boxes are unattractive, conspicuous, and prone to theft, with issues of water accumulation damaging plants and parcels due to lack of drainage, and difficulties in secure access and delivery verification.

Innovation Solution

A parcel storage box with a sloped upper surface barrier for water deflection, a separate planter with drainage apertures, a combination lock or keypad for secure access, and an authentication key for delivery verification, along with a camera and sensor system for monitoring and alerting the recipient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a planter is added to the parcel storage box to improve aesthetic appeal and disguise its function, then the likelihood of attempted theft is reduced, but water accumulation in the planter can damage parcels stored inside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidwater damage to parcel

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The planter is divided into two functional zones by an internal barrier: a planting area for water absorption and a parcel storage area protected from water. This segmentation allows the planter to maintain its aesthetic and disguise functions while preventing water damage to parcels through the barrier's water-deflecting upper surface and controlled drainage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The internal barrier acts as an intermediary element between the planter's water management system and the parcel storage space. It controls water flow by deflecting it away from the parcel area while allowing necessary drainage, thus mediating between the planter's water needs and parcel protection requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If drainage apertures are provided in the planter to prevent water accumulation, then plant health is improved, but water may still penetrate the storage box and damage parcels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant healthVSAvoidwater penetration to parcel

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The internal barrier has different functional qualities at different locations: the lower portion allows drainage apertures for plant health, while the upper sloped surface creates a water-deflecting shield that prevents water penetration to parcels. This local differentiation of quality resolves the contradiction between drainage needs and parcel protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a lockable storage box is provided to prevent theft, then parcel security is improved, but the box becomes conspicuous and may encourage attempted theft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparcel securityVSAvoidencouraged theft attempts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The planter and storage box are merged into a single integrated unit where the planter sits on top of the storage box. This merging creates a more aesthetically pleasing and less conspicuous appearance compared to a standalone lockable box, reducing the likelihood of attempted theft while maintaining security through the integrated lock mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If space is occupied by a parcel storage box in front of a home, then secure parcel delivery is enabled, but space availability is reduced in densely populated areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure deliveryVSAvoidspace availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The storage box serves multiple functions: secure parcel storage, planter base, and aesthetic garden feature. This multi-functionality justifies the space occupation by providing additional utilities (planting capacity) beyond mere storage, making the space more valuable and less of a burden in densely populated areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances aesthetic appeal, reduces theft likelihood, prevents water damage, ensures secure parcel storage, and allows for remote delivery verification and notification, improving both parcel safety and recipient convenience.

Implementation Method 1

the barrier having a front surface for contacting a rear surface of the door and an upper surface, the upper surface being sloped relative to the base for deflecting water away from the interior of the box

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater deflection:

Implementation Method 2

At least one drainage aperture may be provided in the parapet. The drainage aperture allows water or other fluid to drain from the planter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity-driven drainage: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3801140B1Parcel storage box

Publication Date: 2022.12.28 PARCERT LTD

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AI summary

A parcel storage box (10) comprises a base (12), a side wall (14) and a roof (16) joined to form a box (18) and a parapet (28) provided on an upper surface of the roof (16), the parapet (28) enclosing a volume for planting plants. An opening (20) is provided in the side wall (14) and a door (22) is hinged to the side wall (14) to close the opening (20). A lock (24) is provided for locking the door (22). A barrier (42) is provided on the base (12), the barrier (42) having a front surface (44) for contacting a rear surface of the door (22) and an upper surface (46), the upper surface (46) being sloped relative to the base (12), the upper surface (46) being closer to the base (12) at a front edge of the barrier (42).