Delivery system and method

A delivery system and a method of delivering articles are provided. The system has a secure box having a planar top wall and a cylindrical sidewall, and a reclosable opening in the top wall, at least one reclosable opening in the sidewall. The system is configured to open the top wall opening for receiving an article into the secure box and for closing and locking the top wall opening, upon the article being received in the secure box. A round conveyor having at least two partitions and is configured and disposed to hold the article and to rotate and dispose the article proximate the sidewall opening for a recipient of the article.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention relates to a delivery system, method, and drone landing station for the landing of a drone and the delivery of articles, letters, packages, goods, freight, and the like.

BACKGROUND

Aerial vehicles such as drones may be used to carry or deliver articles, letters, packages, goods, freight, and the like. The use of such drones for delivery may present challenges such as providing designated areas for the take-off, landing, and the secure delivery or holding of articles, letters, packages, goods, freight, and the like. The presently disclosed delivery system, method, and drone landing station or secure box may overcome one or more of the above challenges.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first broad aspect there is provided, a delivery system comprising: a secure box having a planar top wall and a sidewall; a reclosable opening in the top wall; at least one reclosable opening in the sidewall; the top wall opening being configured and disposed to open and receive an article into the secure box, and to close and lock, upon the article being received in the secure box. The secure lock box has at least one locking sidewall opening configured and disposed to be opened and for the removal of the delivered article.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a delivery system comprises a secure box having a planar top wall and a cylindrical sidewall; a reclosable opening in the top wall; and at least one reclosable opening in the sidewall. The system is configured and disposed to open the top wall opening for receiving an article into the secure box and for closing and locking the top wall opening, upon the article being received in the secure box. A round conveyor having at least two partitions is configured and disposed to hold the article and to rotate and dispose the article proximate the sidewall opening. The at least one sidewall opening is configured and disposed to be unlocked and opened for the removal of the delivered article from the conveyor and to close and lock, upon the retrieval of the article by a user or recipient of the article.

In another aspect, a method of delivering articles is provided. The method comprises the steps of: moving an article being delivered to a secure box and placing the article on a top wall of the secure box or in a reclosable opening in the top wall, with an aerial drone, and moving the article into the secure box; opening a reclosable opening in a sidewall of the secure box; and removing the article from the secure box by a recipient.

In at least one other embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of delivering articles is provided. The method comprises the steps of: opening a portion of a top wall of a secure box; moving an article being delivered through the opening in the top wall and into the secure box; holding the article on with a round conveyor having partitions extending up from a bottom wall; closing and securing the top portion of the top wall; receiving a communication from a recipient of the article; rotating the round conveyor and disposing the article proximate a sidewall opening in the secure box; opening the sidewall opening and retrieving the article held on the conveyor between the partitions, by the recipient; and closing and securing the opening in the sidewall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows an illustrative view of a delivery system of the present disclosure having a delivery vehicle, a drone, and a secure box. The delivery vehicle may transport articles, letters, packages, goods, freight, and the like proximate delivery sites or one or more secure boxes. For example, one or more of the delivery sites may have a secure box for the delivery of articles. A drone may make a delivery by moving the articles to be delivered from the delivery vehicle to a secure box.

The delivery vehicle, drone, and/or secure box may have sensors and communication links with one another and/or with the internet. For example, the secure box may communicate to the drone its location for landing. The secure box may sense, or receive a signal from the drone that an article is being, or has been, delivered to the secure box. Upon receiving one or more articles into the secure box, the secure box may communicate to a recipient of the article that an article has been delivered to the secure box. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a delivery system comprises a secure box for the receipt of articles being delivered.

FIG.1shows delivery system100having secure box106. Secure box106has a planar top wall116and a cylindrical sidewall107. Reclosable opening114is disposed in top wall116and at least one reclosable opening108is in sidewall107. System100is configured and disposed to open top wall opening114for receiving an article132into secure box106and for closing and locking top wall opening114, upon article132being received in secure box106. A round conveyor having at least two partitions configured and disposed to hold article132and to rotate and dispose article132proximate sidewall opening108may be housed in secure box106.

At least one sidewall opening108may be configured and disposed to be unlocked and opened for the removal of the delivered article132from the conveyor and to close and lock, upon the retrieval of article132by a user or recipient112. Delivery system100may have aerial drone102configured to deliver article132to secure box106. Delivery system100may also have delivery vehicle104configured to move article132to be delivered, or a plurality of the articles132to be delivered, and to supply the articles132to be delivered to aerial drone102.

Delivery system100may have at least one sensor, communication link, or internet connectivity110which may configure delivery system100to guide or navigate aerial drone102for the delivery of article132through reclosable opening114in top wall116and into secure box106. Delivery system100may be configured to guide or navigate aerial drone102for landing on planar top wall116of secure box106. Delivery system100may be configured to communicate to recipient112of article132that article132has been delivered to secure box106.

In at least one embodiment, system100is configured to move article132proximate at least one opening in a cylindrical sidewall107and open opening108, upon recipient112of article132inputting or wirelessly sending a code or password to delivery system100. In at least one other embodiment of the present disclosure, delivery system100has aerial drone102configured to place article132being delivered on top wall116of secure box106, or in an opening114in top wall116.

FIGS.2and3are illustrative views of other embodiments of the delivery system, or portions thereof, of the present disclosure. In at least one embodiment of the delivery system of the present disclosure, solar panels133are disposed on top wall116. An upper chute125configured to aid in delivery of articles may be disposed about a top wall opening. Upper chute125may aid in the delivery of articles132to the secure box, delivery by hand or by drone102. A user delivery chute136may be disposed about a sidewall107opening to aid in the delivery of articles to recipient112. A package delivery computer134may be disposed with the secure box106. Article delivery opening138may be disposed in top wall116.

FIG.4shows an illustrative view of secure box106aof the present disclosure. Secure box106ahas planar top wall116and sidewall107a.For example, secure box106amay be configured for the landing of drone102and/or the receipt of article132being delivered. In at least one embodiment, secure box106ahas a circular top wall116.

Secure box106amay have at least one reclosable opening114ain top wall116. Top wall opening114amay be configured and disposed to open and receive article132into secure box106a,upon the article being delivered to secure box106a,and close, upon article132being received in secure box106a.The reclosable opening114amay be configured to receive articles132being delivered. For example, secure box106a,or system100, may sense the delivery of article132, or receive communication from drone102or delivery vehicle104, that an article132is being moved to the secure box. Opening114ain top wall116may be opened to receive article132directly from drone102or secure box106amay be configured to move article132into opening114a,upon article132being placed on top wall116by drone102.

Secure box106amay have one or more sidewall openings108aconfigured and disposed to be opened and for the removal of delivered article132. In at least one embodiment, secure box106ahas a lock configured and disposed for securing reclosable opening108a,in sidewall107a,closed and securing article132in secure box106a.For example, the recipient of article132may have a key or electronic code for the opening of sidewall opening108a.Secure box106amay be configured to receive an electronic code wirelessly from recipient112. For example, a portable electronic device, such as a smart phone, may be used by recipient112to receive their delivery. Upon opening sidewall107a,recipient112may retrieve their delivered articles132from the secure box106a.

Top wall116of secure box106amay be circular. However, other configurations such as rectangular, square, angular, or rounded may provide a surface for the receipt of articles132being delivered and/or the landing of drone102and for the securing of delivered articles132therein.

In at least one embodiment, secure box106ais cylindrical. One or more circular platforms or conveyors may be housed in secure box106a.The circular platform may hold articles to be delivered and may be rotated to move the articles to sidewall opening108afor retrieval by recipient112. For example, upon recipient112entering a code to secure box106a,either manually or wirelessly, the platform may rotate their articles132proximate sidewall opening108aand sidewall107amay be opened for retrieval, by the intended recipient112, and final delivery of the articles132may be made.

FIG.5is an illustrative view of another embodiment of the secure box of the present disclosure. The secure box of the present disclosure may be modular wherein two or more secure boxes may be stacked one upon the other. For example, secure box106cmay be disposed on secure box106bto provide a secure box having an upper level and a lower level. In at least one embodiment, the secure box of the present disclosure has a first conveyor and a second conveyor, the first conveyor is disposed on top of the second conveyor and has a bottom wall with an opening configured and disposed to pass the delivered article therethough and to the second conveyor. Upper secure box106cmay dispose upper sidewall opening108cand lower secure box106bmay dispose lower sidewall opening108b,for the retrieval of articles132from an upper conveyor or a lower conveyor.

FIG.6shows an illustrative view of an illustrative article moving system or conveyor118that may be placed in secure boxes106,106a,and106b.As shown inFIG.6, conveyor118may have dividers or partitions120configured to isolate articles132contained in the secure box for each intended recipient112. For example, an intended recipient112may have access to only the articles132that are placed in an isolated area of conveyor118for delivery to the intended recipient112.

In at least one embodiment, secure box106,106a,and/or106bhas conveyor118. For example, the secure box of the present disclosure may have a first conveyor and a second conveyor, the first conveyor is disposed on top of the second conveyor. The lower conveyor may have a bottom wall126void of openings to hold all articles132placed thereon.

In at least one embodiment, conveyor118is round and has at least two partitions120and is configured and disposed to hold articles132and to rotate, as shown with rotation arrow130, and dispose article132proximate sidewall opening108b.Conveyor118may have three or more partitions120. One or more partitions120may be substantially equally angularly spaced about the round conveyor bottom wall126.

FIG.7shows article moving system or conveyor118athat may be placed in secure box106,106b,or the upper level of a secure box, such as secure box106c,shown inFIG.5. For example, conveyor118amay be a round conveyor having at least two partitions120and configured and disposed to hold article132on bottom wall126and to rotate, as designated with rotation arrow130, and dispose article132proximate sidewall opening108c.

In at least one embodiment, at least one of the partitions120is angularly spaced differently, about round conveyor118a,than the other of the at least three partitions120, configuring the conveyor to receive and hold articles132of different sizes. Conveyor118amay be disposed above one or more conveyors in a modular fashion and may have bottom wall126with an opening124configured and disposed to pass delivered articles132therethough and to a lower conveyor.

In at least one embodiment, secure box106,106a,and/or106bhas conveyor118. For example, the secure box of the present disclosure may have a first conveyor and a second conveyor, the first conveyor is disposed on top of the second conveyor and has a bottom wall with an opening configured and disposed to pass the delivered article therethough and to the second conveyor.

In at least one embodiment of the delivery system of the present disclosure, solar panels133are disposed on top wall116. An upper chute125configured to aid in delivery of articles may be disposed about a top wall opening. Upper chute125may aid in the delivery of articles132to the secure box, delivery by hand or by drone102. Article delivery opening138may be disposed in top wall116. Sliding rails135may be disposed with the chute. A user delivery chute136may be disposed about a sidewall107opening to aid in the delivery of articles to recipient112. A package delivery computer134may be disposed with the secure box106. Partitions120may be disposed with the conveyor or carousel. Compartments121may be formed with partitions120or otherwise provided.

The presently disclosed delivery system may have a delivery vehicle configured move an article to be delivered, or a plurality of articles to be delivered, and to supply the article(s) to be delivered to an aerial drone.

Presently disclosed is a method of delivering articles comprising the steps of: moving an article being delivered to a secure box and placing the article on a top wall, or in a reclosable opening therein, of the secure box, with an aerial drone; moving the article into the secure box and securing the article therein; opening a reclosable opening in a sidewall of the secure box; and removing the article from the secure box by an intended recipient of the article.

The method may also include moving a plurality of articles to be delivered to one or more recipients to within a range of a delivery drone to one or more secure boxes. For example, a delivery vehicle may stop within a delivery range wherein a delivery drone may move articles to one or more secure boxes.

In at least one embodiment, a method of delivering articles comprises opening a portion of a top wall of a secure box; moving an article being delivered through the opening in the top wall and into the secure box; holding the article on with a round conveyor having partitions extending up from a bottom wall; closing and securing the top portion of the top wall; receiving a communication from a recipient of the article; rotating the round conveyor and disposing the article proximate a sidewall opening in the secure box; opening the sidewall opening and retrieving the article held on the conveyor between the partitions, by the recipient; and closing and securing the opening in the sidewall.

The method may further comprise moving a first article having a first size and a second article having a second size through the opening in the top wall and holding the first article between a pair of partitions having a first space therebetween and holding the second article between a pair of partitions having a second space therebetween, the first size being different than the second size and the first space being different than the second space.

The method may also comprise passing the article through an opening in the conveyor and moving the article to a lower conveyor, the step of rotating the round conveyor may comprise rotating the lower conveyor and the step of opening the sidewall may comprise opening a lower sidewall opening.

The method may further comprise moving and delivering the article to the secure box with an aerial drone. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of articles may be moved proximate the secure box with a vehicle for supplying the articles to the aerial drone for moving to the secure box.

The method may comprise sensing or communicating at least one parameter and guiding or navigating the aerial drone for delivering the article through the reclosable opening in the top wall and into the secure box. In at least one embodiment, the method comprises communicating to a recipient of the article that the article has been delivered to the secure box.

The presently disclosed delivery system may incorporate, or include, wireless communication devices or capabilities, such as smartphones, portable computers, tablets, etc. For example, wireless communications systems such as (3G) carrier networks, fourth generation (4G) carrier networks, WiFi local area networks (LANs), Bluetooth, etc., may be used for communication between components of the presently disclosed delivery system and optionally the internet or cloud. For example, a drone or delivery vehicle may communicate to a secure box that a delivery to the secure box may be arriving. Upon receiving this communication, the secure box may automatically prepare for the receipt of the articles being delivered. For example, the secure box may send a signal to notify the drone of a precise landing or drop location and prepare to receive the articles. The secure box may open a portion of a top wall for receipt of the delivery and/or may position an area or volume for the receipt of the article(s) for an intended recipient. For example, a partitioned section of the secure box may be moved into position to receive the article(s) being delivered to the recipient. The identity of the intended recipient may be communicated to the secure box with the drone, delivery vehicle, or other portion of the system which may reside in the cloud. Upon receipt of articles into the secure box, a notification may be sent to the intended recipient via the internet or email, or other wireless communication system. It is to be understood that one or more of the delivery vehicle, drone, and secure box may be configured to electronically communicate with the internet, intended recipient, each other and/or other aspects of the delivery system. For example, the secure box may be configured to communicate with a drone, delivery vehicle, intended recipient(s), or a remote controller via the internet. The remote controller of the system may reside in the cloud.

While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

NOMENCLATURE

delivery system100aerial vehicle or drone102delivery vehicle104secure box106,106a,106b,106csidewall107.107areclosable sidewall opening108,108a,108b,108cwireless connectivity or electronic input device110recipient of article112reclosable top wall opening114,114aplanar top116conveyor or carousel118,118apartition120compartment121large article or package area122open bottom or chute124upper chute125bottom wall126key lock or keypad127rotation130article132solar panels133package delivery computer134sliding rails for chute135user delivery chute136article delivery opening138