Patent Publication Number: US-10779671-B1

Title: Package storage system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of package deliveries, and more particularly to bins for storing delivered package: 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As online shopping has grown, the number of package deliveries to the recipient&#39;s home has rapidly increased. Packages are often delivered when the recipient is not at home. In such instances, the delivery person leaves the package outside the recipient&#39;s porch. This phenomenon has given rise to porch package theft. Some thieves make their rounds around residential neighborhoods, looking for packages left outside houses; and steal the packages before the recipients return to their homes. Other thieves follow delivery trucks and wait until the delivery person has placed the package on the porch and has driven away, before stealing the package. 
     The present invention addresses this problem. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a package storage system that provides a solution to porch package theft. 
     Therefore, an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a storage system for receiving and storing a package; the storage system comprises a bin, a lid, a locking mechanism; and an unlocking mechanism. The bin is configured for receiving the package. The lid is hingedly joined to a back of the bin, and configured for closing the bin. The locking mechanism includes a first device joined to a front wall of the bin and a second device joined to the lid, and is configured for automatically locking the first device to the second device, thereby locking the lid with the front wall of the bin when the lid closes the bin. The unlocking mechanism is accessible to a recipient of the package and is configured for unlocking the first device from the second device in response to an action by the recipient, thereby unlocking the lid from the front of the bin. 
     In a variant, the bin is configured to be secured to a horizontal floor and/or a vertical wall outside a residence of the recipient. 
     In another variant, the storage system includes at least one hinge bracket joined to an outer surface of a back wall of the bin. The hinge bracket includes an elongated panel extending away from the back wall of the bin, the elongated panel extending substantially vertically and having a slit closed at both ends and extending vertically in the panel. The lid comprises a pin extending horizontally in proximity of a back of the lid. The slit of the hinge bracket is configured to be traversed by the pin, thereby joining the lid to the bin, while constraining a motion of the lid to vertical motion along the slit and rotational motion around the pin. 
     In yet another variant, the storage system further comprises a lid retainer joined to a first side or to a back of the bin in proximity of the first side, the lid retainer extending backwards away from the bin for a certain extension length and bending toward a second side of the bin opposite to the first side at an end of the extension length, such that the lid retainer prevents the lid from rotating backward when the pin of the lid is below the lid retainer. 
     The lid retainer may be above a bottom end of the slit and below a top end of the slit. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the first device of the locking mechanism comprises a latch joined to an inner surface of the front wall of the bin. The second device comprises a hasp joined to the lid and located near a front of the lid. The hasp comprises a flat panel extending away from lid toward the bin, the flat panel having an aperture. The latch comprises a bottom section a middle section, a top section, a prong. The bottom section is parallel to the front wall of the bin and is joined to an inner face of the front wall of the bin. The middle section is oriented diagonally backward with respect to the bottom section, at a first non-zero angle with respect to the bottom section. The top section is oriented diagonally forward with respect to the middle section, at a second non-zero angle with respect to the middle section. The prong extends forward from a front face of the top section to contact the front wall of the bin, the prong having a top side inclined downwards from a top of the top section toward the front wall of the bin and a bottom side. As the front of the lid approaches the front wall of the bin, the hasp is configured to slide along the inclined top side of the prong and move the top section and the middle section of the latch backwards, away from the front wall of the bin, until the aperture of the hasp is aligned with the prong, at which point, the prong traverses the aperture and the latch is configured to snap back to return toward front wall. Once the prong is caught in the aperture of the hasp, lifting the lid causes the hasp to be push upwards against the bottom side of the prong. The bottom side of the prong is oriented such that, when the hasp pushes upwards against the bottom side of the prong, the bottom side of the prong provides resistance against the upward movement of the prong and prevents the hasp from disengaging from the prong. 
     In a variant, the hasp comprises a flap extending at a third non-zero angle from a bottom of the panel downwards and backwards toward a back of the lid, the flap being configured to guide the hasp in a space between the latch and the front wall of the bin. 
     In another variant, the unlocking mechanism comprises a turning unit and an unlatcher. The turning unit is accessible to the recipient. The unlatcher is a located inside the bin, between the latch and the front wall of the bin. In a first mode of the unlocking mechanism, the unlatcher is located in a void between the latch and the front wall of the bin. In a second mode of the unlocking mechanism, the unlatcher is rotated to contact the top section of the latch and is configured to push the middle section and the top section backwards so the prong is pushed out of the aperture of the hasp, thereby disengaging the hasp from the prong and enabling the lid to be opened. The turning unit is configured to turn the unlatcher between the first mode and the second mode via an action of the recipient. 
     In yet another variant, the turning unit comprises a handle and a key mechanism. The handle is located outside the front wall of the bin, and configured to be rotated, the handle being joined to the unlatcher via an opening in the front wall of the bin, such that a rotation of the handle in a rotation direction causes the unlatcher to rotate in the rotation direction. The key mechanism has a keyhole associated with handle, such that the handle is able to be turned only when a key in possession of the recipient is inserted in the keyhole and turned. 
     In a further variant, the turning unit comprises an automatic unit or a keypad. The automatic unit is configured for turning the unlatcher in response to an electromagnetic signal emitted by a controller in possession of the recipient. The keypad is located outside the bin and configured to rotate the unlatcher when the recipient enters a predetermined code in possession of the recipient. 
     Another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a storage system for receiving and storing a package, the storage system comprising, a bin, at least one divider panel, a plurality of lids, a plurality of locking mechanisms, and a plurality of unlocking mechanisms. The bin is configured for receiving the package. Each divider panel is configured to divide the bin into distinct storage sections. The lids are hingedly joined to a back of the bin and configured for closing respective portion of the bin, each portion corresponding to one of a storage section or a part of one of the storage section. Each locking mechanism comprises a first device joined to a front wall of the bin the bin and a second device joined to a respective one of the lids, and each locking mechanism being configured for automatically locking the respective first device with the respective second device, thereby locking the respective lid with the front wall of the bin when the respective lid closes the bin. Each unlocking mechanism is accessible to a recipient of the package and configured for unlocking a respective one of the first devices from a respective one of the second devices in response to an action by the recipient, thereby unlocking a respective one of the lids from the front wall of the bin. 
     In a variant, the bin is configured to be secured to a horizontal floor and/or a vertical wall outside a residence of the recipient. 
     In another variant, the storage system includes at least one hinge bracket for each lid, the hinge brackets being joined to an outer surface of a back wall of the bin. Each hinge bracket comprises an elongated panel extending away from the back wall of the bin, the elongated panel extending substantially vertically and having a slit closed at both ends and extending vertically in the panel. Each lid comprises a pin extending horizontally in proximity of a back of the pin. The slit of the hinge bracket is configured to be traversed by the pin, thereby joining the lid to the bin, while constraining a motion of the lid to vertical motion along the slit and rotational motion around the pin. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the first device of the locking mechanism comprises a latch joined to an inner surface of the front wall of the bin. The second device comprises a hasp joined to the lid and located near a front of the lid. The hasp comprises a flat panel extending away from lid toward the bin, the flat panel having an aperture. The latch comprises a bottom section a middle section, a top section, a prong. The bottom section is parallel to the front wall of the bin and is joined to an inner face of the front wall of the bin. The middle section is oriented diagonally backward with respect to the bottom section, at a first non-zero angle with respect to the bottom section. The top section is oriented diagonally forward with respect to the middle section, at a second nonzero angle with respect to the middle section. The prong extends forward from a front face of the top section to contact the front wall of the bin, the prong having a top side inclined downwards from a top of the top section toward the front wall of the bin and a bottom side. As the front of the lid approaches the front wall of the bin, the hasp is configured to slide along the inclined top side of the prong and move the top section and the middle section of the latch backwards, away from the front wall of the bin, until the aperture of the hasp is aligned with the prong, at which point, the prong traverses the aperture and the latch is configured to snap back to return toward front wall. Once the prong is caught in the aperture of the hasp, lifting the lid causes the hasp to be push upwards against the bottom side of the prong. The bottom side of the prong is oriented such that, when the hasp pushes upwards against the bottom side of the prong, the bottom side of the prong provides resistance against the upward movement of the prong and prevents the hasp from disengaging from the prong. 
     In a variant, the hasp comprises a flap extending at a third non zero angle from a bottom of the panel downwards and backwards toward a back of the lid, the flap being configured to guide the hasp in a space between the latch and the front wall of the bin. 
     In another variant, the unlocking mechanism comprises a turning unit and an unlatcher. The turning unit is accessible to the recipient. The unlatcher is a located inside the bin, between the latch and the front wall of the bin. In a first mode of the unlocking mechanism, the unlatcher is located in a void between the latch and the front wall of the bin. In a second mode of the unlocking mechanism, the unlatcher is rotated to contact the top section of the latch and is configured to push the middle section and the top section backwards so the prong is pushed out of the aperture of the hasp, thereby disengaging the hasp from the prong and enabling the lid to be opened. The turning unit is configured to turn the unlatcher between the first mode and the second mode via an action of the recipient. 
     In yet another variant, the turning unit comprises a handle and a key mechanism. The handle is located outside the front wall of the bin, and configured to be rotated, the handle being joined to the unlatcher via an opening in the front wall of the bin, such that a rotation of the handle in a rotation direction causes the unlatcher to rotate in the rotation direction. The key mechanism having a keyhole associated with handle, such that the handle is able to be turned only when a key in possession of the recipient is inserted in the keyhole and turned. 
     In a further variant, the turning unit comprises an automatic unit or a keypad. The automatic unit is configured for turning the unlatcher in response to an electromagnetic signal emitted by a controller in possession of the recipient. The keypad is located outside the bin and configured to rotate the unlatcher when the recipient enters a predetermined code in possession of the recipient. 
     In a variant, at least one divider panel is removable. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the removable divider panel comprises a plate and a slab. The plate serves a wall between the storage sections. The slab is joined to a top of the plate, the slab having a first protrusion rising upwards at a left side of the plate and a second protrusion rising upwards at a right side of the plate. When one of two lids adjacent to the removable divider pant is closed over a side of the removable divider panel, one of the protrusions is covered by the lid, preventing the removal of the removable divider panel until both lids adjacent to the removable panel are open. 
     Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims attached hereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments of the invention. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the invention and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale. 
       Some of the figures included herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention from different viewing angles. Although the accompanying descriptive text may refer to such views as “top,” “bottom” or “side” views, such references are merely descriptive and do not imply or require that the invention be implemented or used in a particular spatial orientation unless explicitly stated otherwise. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a single-bin package storage system, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating a bin and a hinge bracket, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3 a -3 c    is an isometric view illustrating a single-bin package storage system of the present invention, in which the lid is shown detached from the bin for clarity purposes; 
         FIG. 4  is a top cross sectional view of the bin of a single-bin package storage system, according to some embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top cross sectional view of the bin and lid of a single-bin package storage system, according to some embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6-9  are cross sectional side views illustrating the closure of a single-bin package storage system, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional side view illustrating a locking mechanism for locking the lid on the bin is a package storage system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is front view of a hasp spacer of the locking mechanism, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are respectively a front view and a side view of a hasp of the locking mechanism, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are respectively a front view and a side view of a latch of the locking mechanism, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 16 a , 16 b , and 16 c    are front views of different examples of unlocking mechanisms configured to unlock the lid from the bin, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a side cross sectional view of the unlocking mechanism in a locked configuration thereof, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a side cross sectional view of the unlocking mechanism in an unlocked configuration thereof, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 19 a  and 19 b    are top cross sectional views of a multi-bin package storage system, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 20-22  are different views of a removable divider panel, according of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  is an isometric view of a bin of a multi-bin package storage system, having removable divider panels, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross sectional front view of a multi-bin package storage system having removable divider panels, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross sectional front view of a multi-bin package storage system having removable divider panels, showing how packages of different sizes are held by system, according to some embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 26  is top view of a base configured to anchor the package storage system of the present invention to a floor, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     From time-to-time, the present invention is described herein in terms of example environments. Description in terms of these environments is provided to allow the various features and embodiments of the invention to be portrayed in the context of an exemplary application. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art how the invention can be implemented in different and alternative environments. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in applications, published applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this document prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a package storage system that provides a solution to porch package theft. 
     The system of the resent invention is advantageous and practical for the following reasons: 
     1. The package is secure inside the system from theft, once delivered; 
     2. The delivery person is free from the burden of needing keys or combination to deliver the package; 
     3. The system is open to the delivery person and can be easily lockable by the delivery person; 
     4. The system&#39;s owner (i.e. the recipient of the package) is the sole custodian of the keys or combination needed to unlock and open the system; 
     5. The system is securable to the porch floor or the porch wall. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the system of the present invention also has one or more of the following features: 
     a. The system is able to accept multiple deliveries during the day, while securing previous deliveries from theft; 
     b. The system is adjustable to packages of different sizes; 
     c. The system is customizable to the needs of the recipient&#39;s needs, based on the daily deliveries the recipient expects. 
     Referring now the drawings,  FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a single-bin package storage system  100 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     The storage system  100  includes a bin  102 , a lid  104 , a lid guidance apparatus  106 , a locking mechanism  108 , and an unlocking mechanism  110 . 
     The bin  102  is open, to enable the delivery person to deposit a package in the bin  102 . The lid guidance apparatus  106  is joined to the bin  102  and configured for keeping the lid  104  coupled to the bin  102 , while allowing the lid  104  to move so as to cover the bin and uncover the bin. The lid guidance apparatus hingedly joins the lid  104  to the back of the bin  102 . 
     The locking mechanism is a keyless and codeless mechanism that locks the front of the lid  104  to front of the bin  102  when the lid  104  covers the top of the bin  102 . Once the bin  102  is closed, it is automatically locked and may be unlocked only by the recipient via the unlocking mechanism  110 . The unlocking mechanism  110  is only accessible to the recipient and is configured to unlock of the lid from the bin and requires an action of the recipient to be activated, such as using a key in the recipient&#39;s possession or entering a code in the recipient&#39;s possession. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating a bin  102  and a hinge bracket  200 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     One or more hinge brackets  200  form the lid guidance apparatus. The hinge bracket  200  includes an elongated panel  202  extending long a longitudinal axis. The panel  202  has an elongated slit  204  extending longitudinally and closed on both ends. The slit  204  is configured to be traversed by a pin joined to the lid, in order to enable movement of the pin within the slit  204 , thereby enabling the movement of the lid, as will be explained further below. 
     One or more brackets  200  are joined to an outer surface of the back wall of the bin  102 . In the embodiments in which more than one hinge bracket  200  is joined to the back of the bin  102 , the slits  204  of the hinge brackets  200  are aligned to each other, to enable movement of the lid. 
       FIGS. 3 a , 3 b , and 3 c    are isometric view illustrating a single-bin package storage system  100  of the present invention, in which the lid  104  is shown detached from the bin  102  for clarity purposes.  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    illustrate a first example of a lid, while  FIG. 3 c    illustrates a second example of a lid.  FIG. 4  is a top cross sectional view of the bin  102  of a single-bin package storage system  100 , according to some embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a top cross sectional view of the bin  102  and lid  104  of a single-bin package storage system  100 , according to some embodiment of the present invention. 
     The lid  104  include a sheet  300  and at least one pin  302  parallel to the sheet  300 . The sheet  300  has a surface substantially matching the surface of the top cross section of the bin  102 . In this manner, when the lid  104  closes the bin  102 , access to the contents of the bin  102  is denied. 
     The one or more pins  302  are joined to the panel via an external unit, such that the pins  302  do not touch the sheet  300 . The pins  302  are configured to traverse the slit(s) of the bracket(s)  200 , thus coupling the lid  104  to the bin  102 , while allowing the lid  102  to move along the slits. In the embodiments of  FIGS. 3 a   - 5 , the system includes two hinge brackets  200  that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the back surface of the bin  102 . 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the system  100  includes a lid retainer  112  joined to a first side of the bin  102  or to the back of the bin, proximal to the first side of the bin. The lid retainer  112  extends backwards for a certain extension length and, at the end of the extension length, bends horizontally toward the second side (opposite to the first side) of the bin  102  in order to provide support for the lid  104  to prevent the lid from rotating backwards. The height of lid retainer is between the height of the bottom end of the slit  204  and the height of the top end of the slit  204 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the system  100  includes two lid retainers  112 , each joined to a respective side of the bin  102  and bending toward the opposing side of the bin, as seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     In the example of  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , the lid  104  includes three walls extending from the perimeter of the sheet  300 : two side walls  304  and a front wall  306 . The back side of the sheet&#39;s perimeter does not have a wall. A wall at the back side of the sheet&#39;s perimeter would prevent the lid  104  from sliding along the slit. The pins  302  are held by the side walls  304 , near the back side of the sheet  300 . In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the side walls includes a hole  304   a , while each pin includes a pin head  302   a  having a cross section area larger than the cross sectional area of the rest of the pin. The pin  302  is configured for traversing the hole  304   a , except for the pin head  302 , which is too large to traverse the hole  304   a . The pins heads are joined to the walls, fear example by melding each pin head to the respective wall or by screwing a nut to the portion of the pin inside the lid and tightening the nut against the respective side wall  304 . In the embodiments in which the pins have pin heads extending laterally from the side walls  304 , the lid retainers  112  are shaped to accommodate the pin heads and allowing the pin heads to clear the lid retainers  112 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 c   , the lid does not have any walls. Instead, a coupling  308  joins two pins  302  the bottom face of the sheet  300  so that one of the pins  302  faces toward the left side of the lid, while the other one of the pins faces toward the right side of the lid. The coupling  308  keeps the pins  302  in place on the lid and keeps the pins  302  at a desired distance from the sheet  300 . 
       FIGS. 6-9  are cross sectional side views illustrating the closure of a single-bin package storage system  100 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the lid  104  is tucked behind the bin  102  and is in a substantially vertical orientation. The pin  302  is at the bottom end of the slit  204  of the hinge bracket  200 . The lid  104  can rotate around the pin in the slit  204 . Optionally, the lid retainer  112  is present to prevent the lid to rotate backwards (clockwise in the example) and maintain the lid vertical when tucked behind the bin  102 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , a parcel/package has been placed in the bin  102  and the bin  102  is to be closed. The lid  104  has been pulled upwards so the pin  302  is at the top end of the slip  204  of the bracket  200 . The lid has cleared the lid retainer  112  and the rim of the bin  102 . Thus, the lid  104  can now be rotated about the pin  302  in order to cover the top of the bin  102 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the lid  104  includes a handle  310  at the front of the lid. The handle  310  makes is a gripping point and makes it easier to handle the lid  104 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , the lid  104  has been rotated counterclockwise around the pin  302  to cover the top of the bin  102 . In  FIG. 9 , the lid  104  covers the bin  102  and is supported by the rim of the bin  102 . 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the system of the present invention includes a locking mechanism which locks the lid to the bin when the lid closes the bin. This obviates the need for the delivery person to have keys or a code to lock the system. Once the lid and bin are locked together, the lid can be unlocked from the bin via an unlocking mechanism accessible to the recipient via a key or a code.  FIGS. 10-18  relate to examples of the locking mechanism and unlocking mechanism. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross sectional side view illustrating a locking mechanism for locking the lid  104  to the bin  102  in the package storage system  100  of the present invention. The locking mechanism includes a hasp  500  and a latch  600 . 
     The hasp  500  is joined to the lid  104  and is located near the front of the lid  104 . If the lid  104  includes a front wall, the hasp  500  is joined to the inner face of the front wall. In some embodiments of the present invention, the locking mechanism includes a hasp spacer  400  located between the front wall and the hasp  500 , in order to place the hasp  500  at a desired distance from the front wall. 
     The latch  600  is joined to the inner side of the front wall of the bin  102 . When the lid  104  closes the bin  102  the hasp  500  and the latch  600  engage with each other and lock in with each other. Raising the lid  104  from the bin  102  does not disengage the hasp from the latch. An unlocking mechanism accessible to the recipient is needed for disengaging the hasp from the latch, thereby enabling the opening of the bin. 
       FIG. 11  is front view of a hasp spacer  400  of the locking mechanism, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     The hasp spacer  400  includes a panel having a desired thickness to place the hasp at a desired distance from the front wall of the lid. The hasp spacer is configured to be placed between the front wall of the lid and hasp, in order to set hasp at a desired distance from the front wall of the lid. 
     The hasp spacer  400  may joined to the front wall of the lid and to the hasp by any known mechanism. In some embodiments of the present invention, the hasp spacer  400  has at least one hole  402  traversing the panel and configured to be traversed by a screw or bolt. The front wall of the lid and the hasp have respective holes. The hold of the hasp spacer  400  is aligned to the hold of the hasp and of the lid&#39;s front wall, and screw or bolt is driven through the above holes to join the hasp spacer  400 , the lid&#39;s front wall, and the hasp together. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  are respectively a front view and a side view of a hasp  500  of the locking mechanism, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     The hasp includes a flat panel  502  having an aperture  504 . The hasp  500  is configured to be joined to the lid and extend towards the lid. In some embodiments of the present invention, the hasp is perpendicular to the lid. As will be shown later, the aperture  504  is configured to receive the prong of the latch. In the embodiment in which the lid has a front wall, the flat panel  506  has one or more holes  506  configured for being traversed by respective bolts or screws, for joining the hasp  500  to the front wall of the of the lid. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the hasp  500  includes a flap  508  extending downwards and inwards toward the back of the lid from the bottom of the flat panel  502  at a non-zero angle with the flat panel  502 . The flap is configured to guide and ensure that the hasp  500  is guided to the inside of the latch, so the latch can grab and lock the lid in place once the lid is closed. In a non-limiting example of the present invention, the angle α between the flat panel  502  and flap  508  is between 2 and 45 degrees, for example between 25 and 28 degrees. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  are respectively a front view and a side view of a latch  600  of the locking mechanism, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     The latch  600  has a bottom section  602 , a middle section  604 , and a top section  606 . Each section includes a flat panel. The bottom section  602  is parallel to the front wall of the bin and is configured to be joined to inner face of the front wall of the bin, for example via one more screws/bolts traversing one or more holes  603  on the first section. The middle section  604  is oriented diagonally backward (toward the back of the bin). According to a non-limiting example, the angle β between the bottom section  602  and the middle section  604  is between 0 and 160 degrees. For example, the angle β may be larger than 90 degrees, and optionally between 150 and 153 degrees. The top section  606  is oriented diagonally forward toward the front wall of the bin. According to a non-limiting example, the angle δ between the middle section  604  and the top section  606  is between 110 and 150 degrees, for example between 130 and 132 degrees. 
     A prong  608  extends forward (toward the front wall of the bin) from the front face of the top section  606 . The prong  608  has at least three sides, but may have more. A first side. A is joined flush with the front surface of the top section  606 . A second side B extends forward from the bottom of the first side A. A third side C extends forward from the top of the first side A. According to a non-limiting example, the angle ε between the sides A and B is between 70 to 90 degrees, for example between 80 and 81 degrees, while the angle θ between the sides A and C is between 38 and 55 degrees, for example between 46 and 47 degrees. 
     When the front of the lid approaches the front of the bin, the hasp  500  slides along the prong  608  and moves the prong  608  backwards, away from the front wall of the bin. This is due to the acute angle θ. Then, the prong  608  is caught inside and traverses the aperture  504  of the hasp  500  and returns to touch the front wall of the bin, thereby locking the lid to the bin. If a thief tried to open the lid by pulling the lid up, the prong  608  would still be caught in the aperture  504  of the hasp  500 . Because of the size of the angle ε, the bottom side of the aperture  504  would encounter resistance from the prong  608  and would not be able to slide along the side B of the prong  608 . In this manner, the system  100  would offer resistance to a thief trying to open the lid. The thief would have to resort to more violent, noisy, and time-consuming methods to try to open the lid to access a package. This would discourage many thieves, who would fear these methods would expose them. 
       FIGS. 16 a -16 c    are front views of different examples of unlocking mechanisms configured to unlock the lid from the bin, according to some embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 17  is a side cross sectional view of the unlocking mechanism of  FIG. 16 a    in a locked configuration thereof, according to some embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 18  is a side cross sectional view of the unlocking mechanism of  FIG. 16 b    in an unlocked configuration thereof, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     The unlocking mechanism includes a turning unit and an elongated unlatcher  702 . The turning unit is accessible to the recipient. The unlatcher  702  is located inside the bin  102 , in the void between the latch  600  and the front wall of the bin  102 . 
     In a first mode of the unlocking mechanism ( FIGS. 16 a , 16 b , 16 c   , and  17 ), the unlatcher is substantially horizontal, with the long side of the unlatcher being horizontal. In this manner, the unlatcher  700  remains in the void between the latch  600  and the front wall of the bin  102 . In a second mode of the unlocking mechanism ( FIG. 18 ), unlatcher  702  is rotated vertically via the turning unit  700 , so the long side of the unlatcher is vertical. In this manner the unlatcher contacts the top section  606  of the latch  600  and pushes the middle section  604  and the top section  606  away from the front wall of the bin  102 . In this manner the prong  608  is pushed backwards out of the aperture of the hasp. Thus, the hasp is released from the prong and the lid may be opened. 
     The turning unit is configured to be accessible to the recipient from the outside of the bin  102  and is configured to turn the unlatcher  702  inside the bin  102 . In a variant illustrated in  FIG. 16 a   , the turning unit includes a handle  700  configured for being manually rotated by the recipient. The rotation of the handle  700  is enabled only when a key in the possession of the recipient is inserted into a keyhole  704  associated with the turning unit. In another variant illustrated in  FIG. 16 b   , the turning unit includes an automatic unit  706  that is configured for rotating the unlatcher when activated by an electromagnetic signal  709  emitted by a controller  710  in possession of the recipient. In yet another variant illustrated in  FIG. 16 c   , the turning unit includes a keypad  710  outside the bin  102 , and is configured for rotating the unlatcher when the recipient enters a predetermined code onto the keypad  710 . It should be noted that the turning unit may have other configurations, and the scope of the present invention extends to any kind of turning unit that is accessible only to the recipient and is configured to be activated by the recipient to unlock the front of the lid from the front of the bin. 
       FIGS. 19-25  relate to a multi-bin package storage system  800 . 
       FIGS. 19 a  and 19 b    are top cross sectional views of a multi-bin package storage system  800 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. In the example of  FIG. 19 b   , the pins  302  of the lid include pin heads  302   a  extending laterally from the lids  104 . Therefore, the lids  104  and lid retainers  112  are distanced from each other to enable the pin heads  302  to clear the lid retainers  112 . 
     The system  800  includes a container  802  having an open top, a plurality of lids  104  and one or more dividers  803 . The lids  104  are the same as the lids  104  described above. The dividers  803  include panels placed between a front wall and back wall of the container  802  and divide the container into separate storage sections  802   a ,  802   b , and  802   c . Each lid closes a respective separate section and may be opened and closed independently of the other lids. 
     The system  100  also includes a plurality of hinge brackets  200 , configured to guide the lids  104  from a tucked mode behind the container  802  to a closed mode covering the top of container  802 , as explained above. The system  800  includes a plurality of locking and unlocking mechanism, each configured to lock and unlock a respective lid  104  with the container  802 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the system  800  includes a plurality of lid retainers  112 , as described above. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one divider  803  is removable. The divider is propped up inside the container by a pair of back retainer brackets  804  and a pair of front retainer brackets  806 . The back retainer brackets  804  are joined to the inner face of the back wall of the container  802 . The front retainer brackets  806  are joined to the inner face of the front wall of the container  802 . In some embodiments of the present invention, bottom retainer brackets  805  are bolted to the bottom of the bin and extend upwards. The back retainer brackets together with the bottom retainer brackets and the front retainer brackets formed a U-shaped pocket for the divider to reside in. 
       FIGS. 20-22  are different views of a removable divider  803 , according of the present invention.  FIG. 20  is a side view of the removable divider  803 .  FIG. 21  is a front view of the removable divider  803 .  FIG. 22  is an isometric view of the removable divider  803 . 
     The removable divider  803  includes a plate  810  that serves as a wall between storage sections. The plate  810  may be, for example, a metal plate. In some embodiments of the present invention, a slab  812  is joined to the top of the plate  810  and is wider than the plate  810 . Two protrusions  814  rise upward from the left end and the right end of the slab  812 . 
     Optionally, the slab  812  is deeper than the plate  810 , and includes a front tab  816  and rear tab  818 . The tabs  816  and  818  extend downward from the front and rear ends of the slab  812 . When removable panel  803  is joined to the container  802 , the void between the front tab  816  and the plate  810  front catches a portion of the front wall of the container  802  and the void between the rear tab  818  and the plate  810  front catches a portion of the read wall of the container  802 . In this manner, the removable divider  803  is solidly joined to the container  802 . 
       FIG. 23  is an isometric view of a bin of a multi-bin package storage system  800 , having removable divider panels  803 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 23 , the removable panel  803  on the right hand side is maintained in the container  802 , while the removable panel  803  on the left side is removed. 
       FIG. 24  is a cross sectional front view of a multi-bin package storage system  800  having removable divider panels; according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 24 , the right divider panel  803  is kept in the container and separates the first container portion  802   a  front the second container portion  802   b . The divider panel on the left hand side has been removed, so that the second container portion  802   b  and the third container portion  802   c  form together a single lager container portion configured to receive larger packages. It should be noted that while the lids are open, the divider panels are not locked and can be removed from the retainer brackets or placed in the retainer brackets by the delivery person. This enables the delivery person to adjust the size of the container portions according to a size of the package being delivered. 
     It should be noted that the removable divider panels  803  are located in the container  802 , so that when a lid  104  closes a container portion bounded by the divider panel  803 , one of the protrusions  814  covered by the by the lid. In this manner, even if the nearby lid is open, the divider panel is locked in place by the closed lid  104  and cannot be removed. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the container  802  has perforations  820  at the back wall of the container. The perforations  820  are configured to be traversed by bolts/screws or any other similar unit, so as to enable the container to be secured to a wall. 
       FIG. 25  is a cross sectional front view of a multi-bin package storage  800  system having removable divider panels  803 , showing how packages of different sizes are held by system, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     As mentioned above, the removable divider panel  803  separates the container portion  802   a  from the container portion  802   b , while the container portion  802   b  and container portion  802   c  are not separated and form a larger portion. Therefore, the container portion  802   a  can contain a smaller package  830 , while the container portion formed by the portions  802   b  and  802   c  may contain a larger package  832 . It should be noted that the larger portion formed by portions  802   b  and  802   c  is closed by two lids. 
       FIG. 26  is top view of a base  900  configured to anchor the package storage system of the present invention to a floor, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     The base  900  includes a perforated panel having perforations  902 . The perforations  902  are aligned with the perforations on the floor of a container of a multi-bin system  800 , and with perforations on the floor of a bin of a single-bin system  100 . In this manner, the base may serve as a base for a single multi-bin system  800  or a plurality of single-bin systems adjacent to each other. Screws, bolts, or any similar units may traverse the perforations  902  and the perforations of the systems  800  and  100 , to secure the system  800  and  100  to the floor of the recipient&#39;s porch.