Patent Description:
Parcel reception boxes and mailboxes allowing insertion of objects into the box but preventing unauthorised access and/or removal, without relying on electronic surveillance and/or actuation, are known.

Generally, such boxes rely on swinging doors and/or chutes, e.g., see <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>. Further, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose a parcel box suitable for receiving and keeping a single parcel in a theft-proof manner, if and when the parcel is heavy enough to activate a locking system. Some known parcel boxes are expandable to accommodate large shipments and/or differently shaped parcels, e.g., see <CIT> and <CIT>. Document <CIT> discloses an apparatus in accordance with the preamble of claim <NUM>.

It has been found that existing safety parcel boxes tend to have several drawbacks, e.g.: they require significant space for the locking mechanism whereas the storage space is comparably small; they comprise a locking system which relies on activation by the parcel itself, which requires certain parcel properties for the activation, in particular requiring a minimum parcel weight; they can only accept a parcel once before requiring authorised access for emptying, thus preventing (use for) a subsequent delivery; in case they can accept parcels in multiple instances (multiple deliveries) they do not reliably close off the storage space after the first and/or the subsequent instance; introducing a parcel into a parcel box may entail dropping the parcel into the storage space which may cause damage to a delicate parcel, or its contents, from the fall itself and/or which may cause damage to an earlier received parcel and/or its contents, onto which the (subsequently inserted) parcel falls.

Therefore, further improvements in the field of parcel reception boxes and mail containers are desired. Similar considerations may apply to safety deposit boxes and other one-way insertion apparatus.

The invention is defined by an apparatus in accordance with claim <NUM>. In view of the above, herewith is provided an apparatus for one-way filling, which apparatus is a secure reception box or a parcel box. The apparatus comprises a tubular filling shaft having a filling end for sequentially receiving multiple objects, in particular parcels, in a filling direction within the shaft, and a plurality of dividers.

Each divider of the plurality of dividers is movably lockable or movably locked into the shaft. Thus locked, each divider is movable in the filling direction, closes off part of the shaft forming the thus closed off part into a compartment for storing a received object, and prevents access, at least from the filling end and in the filling direction, to the respective compartment.

By the locking the dividers to the shaft and dividing the shaft into separate compartments closed off by the thus locked dividers, multiple objects may be received and stored securely, and unauthorised access to the previous object may be prevented. By providing plural dividers, plural such compartments may be formed and plural objects may be stored securely in the shaft. By the movability of the dividers in filling direction, a formed compartment may be sized in accordance with the object to be stored in it, so that volume of the shaft may be preserved for reception and storage of further objects in further compartments. Further, since a compartment once closed need not be opened again for receiving a subsequent object, the dividers may be of relatively simple construction and no space need be reserved for opening, in particular no space in the shaft.

The tubular shaft may don to a container and/or be part of a container itself. In particular, the shaft may be closed in the filling direction, e.g. with a bottom wall, so that one enclosed compartment may be formed by the shaft and a first divider locked into the shaft.

The filling end may preferably be formed as an end of the shaft. The shaft may preferably be sized for receiving mail-size parcels. Typically, mailed objects up to about <NUM> x <NUM> x <NUM> and up to <NUM> in weight may be considered as regular mail, and larger objects are considered mail-size parcels; mail size parcels may have sizes of up to <NUM> x <NUM> x <NUM> and up to about <NUM> in weight. A parcel box could therefore be sized to accommodate one or more such parcels. However, most mailed parcels are substantially smaller than such maximum size. It is considered that a parcel box having a shaft sized for receiving parcels of up to about <NUM> x <NUM> x <NUM> or up to about <NUM> x <NUM> x <NUM> can accommodate most mailed parcels and in particular may accommodate up to three average parcels.

The shaft and/or one or more of the dividers may be formed substantially aperture-free and/or opaque, for minimizing visibility and/or accessibility of a compartment formed by the shaft and such divider. However, one or more openings in a divider and/or between a divider and at least part of the shaft for ventilation may be provided if so desired, also facilitating movement of the divider by preventing air pressure build-up in the compartment at least partly defined by such divider. One or more, preferably each, compartment may be enclosed on all sides, e.g. having one or more circumferential walls and opposite end walls, such as having three pairs of mutually opposite walls.

At least one, preferably all, of the plurality of dividers may be movably lockable or locked to the shaft at or near the filling end. Thus, interior volume of the shaft used, or at least usable, for locked storage compartments may be optimised. Further, inspection of the shaft may provide little to no information about a size and/or number of any objects in the shaft behind the divider(s).

The apparatus may comprise one or more latches for locking a divider to the shaft. Latches may facilitate locking a divider to the shaft. At least one of such latches may comprise an at least partly resilient member, which may provide snap lock latching.

At least one, preferably all, of the plurality of dividers and/or the shaft may comprise one or more such latches for the locking. In particular, at least one, preferably all, of the plurality of dividers may comprise one or more latches and the shaft may then comprise one or more matching engagement portions. By providing the dividers with the one or more latches, the shaft may be constructed relatively simple. Also or alternatively, maintenance and/or repair may be facilitated by removal of a divider for improving access to the divider and/or for replacement of the divider. Further, as also explained below, such construction may facilitate (authorised) unlocking of a divider from the shaft. Reliability of such latching and/or of definition of one or more particular relative positions may be improved by providing engagement portions matching the latches.

The one or more latches, and possibly the one or more matching engagement members, when present, may allow movement of a divider locked to the shaft in the filling direction but prevent movement in opposite direction. Thus, a divider may be inserted further into the shaft but access to and/or removal of the divider may be prevented more and/or better than if movement in the opposite direction were allowed and locking is limited to a single position.

Allowing movement in the filling direction but prevention of movement in the other direction may be provided by a ratchet-and-pawl mechanism, but other mechanisms may also be provided.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may be configured for releasably holding a divider in at least one predetermined position relative to the shaft when movably locked to the shaft. The at least one predetermined position may be at or near the filling end. Holding the divider in the predetermined position may facilitate entering objects into the shaft. It may further prevent a divider from falling into a vertically arranged shaft. Also or alternatively, it may assist in obscuring information regarding size, number, appearance etc. of one or more objects which was/were introduced into the shaft earlier and/or which is/are contained behind the divider.

Then, at least one, preferably all, of the plurality of dividers and the shaft may comprise cooperating magnetic and/or magnetisable elements for releasably holding the divider in at least one of the predetermined positions relative to the shaft. Magnetism provides a reliable force for attracting objects and maintaining such objects in a particular (relative) position, without requiring an energy source and/or without (noticeable) weakening. Further, the magnetic holding strength and a force for "breaking" the hold and moving the divider may be reliably determined.

Movement of the dividers movably locked to the shaft may be substantially limited to translation within the shaft, in particular translation in the filling direction. In particular, the shaft and dividers may comprise one or more guide structures such as one or more rails. By restricting the movement to translation, in particular along an axis of the shaft and/or in particular in case of a straight shaft, the divider can be made to fit closely in the shaft and space between the divider and the shaft may be prevented, which space might otherwise have allowed unauthorised access to the compartment behind the divider. Such unauthorised access might comprise (use of) tools, such as prying and/or hooking tools, and should preferably be prevented. Tilting of a divider will generally create or enlarge any space between a perimeter of the divider and an inner wall of the shaft perpendicular to an axis of rotation about which the divider is so tilted. Translation in the filling direction facilitates adjusting the size of the compartment defined by the divider as well as providing space for the next compartment.

Guide structures such as one or more rails may facilitate determining the direction of translation and/or prevention of tilting. Rails and possibly one or more cooperating sliders, rollers, trolleys, complementary rail(s), etc. may further facilitate prevention of rotation in plural directions (i.e. about plural axes of rotation). Also or alternatively, one or more rails may serve as part in and/or be combined with a locking arrangement. In particular, the shaft may comprise one or more rails and one or more dividers may comprise such cooperating sliders, rollers, trolleys, and/or complementary rail(s), which may form or provide at least part of the connection and/or locking mentioned elsewhere herein.

The apparatus may comprise a door, wherein opening and closing of the door, respectively, closes or opens access to the filling end, in particular in the filling direction. The door may close a compartment but generally does not form a divider as specified herein; the door should be openable repeatedly for providing access to the filling end for entering successive objects into the shaft. The door may provide the access in the filling direction, in accordance with (movability of) the dividers. The door may serve for protection against weather etc. for locations outside. The door may form a lid.

The apparatus comprises a dispenser for sequentially dispensing the dividers.

Such dispenser may provide a controlled storage and/or provision of dividers and it may reduce or prevent losing of dividers. Dispensing dividers sequentially facilitates determining successive compartments. The dispenser may be comprised in one part of the apparatus or be provided by plural cooperating parts of the apparatus distributed in the shaft and a door. Possibly, the dispenser is arranged to operate in dependence of and/or associated with at least some part of a divider, e.g. one or more latches for engaging at least part of the shaft.

The dispenser may be arranged for, associated with dispensing at least one divider, movably locking the divider into the shaft.

Such dispenser may in particular reduce or prevent losing of dividers. Also or alternatively, the dispenser may lock one or more, in particular each dispensed divider in at least one predetermined position relative to the shaft when movably locked to the shaft, wherein preferably the at least one predetermined position is at or near the filling end. Note that once a divider is moved in the filling direction for closing off part of the shaft forming a compartment, the aforementioned predetermined position may become available for a subsequent divider. Thus, the apparatus may provide consistent operation.

The dispenser may be configured for dispensing a divider associated with the opening and/or the closing of the door, preferably one divider per opening and/or closing. In such case, sequential filling of the shaft may be facilitated since opening and closing of the door may be in particular be associated with introduction of an object into the shaft, e.g. for therewith defining and closing a closed compartment. Dispensing one divider per opening and/or closing assist dosing the dispensing.

Also, dispensing of a divider may be prevented if no object has been introduced and when opening and/or closing the door; this may prevent inadvertently dispensing dividers. This may also or alternatively prevent that dividers are dispensed without being receivable into the shaft and/or without being (possible to be) locked to the shaft in which case the respective not-locked divider may become displaced and/or lost.

The dispenser may comprise a first part for holding one or more dividers, the dividers preferably being arranged in a stack, and a second part for releasing at least one of the one or more dividers held in the first part. Then the first part may comprise first coupling members for holding at least one of the dividers, e.g. one or more clamps and/or latches for engaging the at least one of the dividers. The second part may then comprise first decoupling members for decoupling the first coupling members, in particular being configured for engaging and detaching the one or more clamps and/or latches when engaging the at least one of the dividers. The first part of the dispenser may be closed so as to prevent access to the dividers. The dividers may be plate-like. Stacking of dividers, in particular plate-like dividers may reduce volume. The first part may be fixed with respect to the shaft, or it may be at least partly movable with respect to the shaft; in the latter case dispensing of a divider relative to the shaft and/or locking of the divider to the shaft may be facilitated. The second part and the first part may be movable with respect to each other. The second part may comprise a handle or a lever. However, a passive construction comprising cooperating portions engaging each other for decoupling the coupling members may be preferred. Such cooperating portions may comprise one or more bent and/or inclined surface portions.

The dispenser, and in particular the second part, may be operated substantially automatically associated with introduction of an object into the shaft, e.g. with opening of a door and/or with movement of a divider into the shaft causing dispensing of a subsequent divider.

Clamps and/or latches may facilitate holding one or more dividers in the first part. Configuring the second part to decouple the first coupling members may facilitate reliable operation of (the dispenser of) the apparatus.

In an embodiment comprising a door and a dispenser comprising a first part and a second part, the door may comprise the first part and the filling end may comprise the second part. Then in particular the dispenser may be configured such that in closed configuration of the door and the shaft, the first decoupling members decouple the first coupling members. Such apparatus facilitates use since it allows that with each closing and opening of the door a divider is dispensed. Thus, when closing the door after introduction of an article, a divider may be dispensed for defining and closing a compartment.

Note that in some cases apparatus may be configured so that the first decoupling members are configured to undo the decoupling and/or to recouple the first coupling members when a divider need not be dispensed and/or when a predetermined position into which the divider should have been dispensed is blocked, in particular being blocked by a previously dispensed divider which may cover one or more large parcels. This may prevent accidental and/or untimely dispensing of a (subsequent) divider, e.g. in case no object is inserted (after all).

The apparatus may comprise a second door. This door may facilitate emptying at least some compartments of the shaft, without requiring interaction with a locking system for locking a divider in and/or to the shaft. Also, different mechanisms for this second door and the above-referenced (first) door may be provided, allowing optimizing each of the doors for particular purposes. The second door may be provided with a lock and/or another system for preventing unauthorised access to at least some of the compartments and/or at least some of the dividers. Authorisation may require a suitable combination of a lock and one or more of a key, a code, and some other identifier, as set out elsewhere herein.

The apparatus may comprise a system for authorised unlocking and possibly decoupling the dividers from the shaft. In particular, the system for unlocking the dividers from the shaft may be controllably accessible, wherein access to the system may require authorisation. Then, once accessed the system may be free for operation. Thus, operation of the apparatus may be undone and/or the apparatus may be restored to operative condition, e.g. after at least partial emptying of at least some of the compartments. Requiring authorisation for the unlocking, and in particular the decoupling provides security against theft. Authorisation may require a suitable combination of a lock and one or more of a key, a code, and some other identifier. In particular, access authorisation may be provided by a locked or lockable door. any key and/or code referred to in this text may comprise a physical part (e.g. one or more of keys, tokens, dials, punch code buttons, etc.) and/or an electromagnetic part (e.g. relying on one or more of electronic-, magnetic-, optical-, and RFID-signals, which may require communication with a handheld device and/or a remote server possibly via the Internet, etc.). Also or alternatively identification on the basis of one or more biologic features could be used as at least part of such key and/or code, e.g. fingerprint and/or retina, etc..

The apparatus may comprise a door for accessing at least some of the compartments and/or at least some of the dividers from another direction than the filling direction, which door provides access to the system for authorised unlocking and possibly decoupling the dividers from the shaft. This door may be the second door mentioned before. Thus, construction of the apparatus may be simplified by integrating constructions. Also, the apparatus may be provided more robust.

Although the present concepts of provision of sequences of dividers to define sequences of compartments may be used for separating secure transport through the shaft, it is preferred that the apparatus comprises a bottom, the apparatus being formed as a container for stored objects. Thus a safe storage may be provided.

The apparatus may comprise a mail compartment for receiving mail, like a letter slot and/or a newspaper receptacle, since the apparatus may be formed for placement outside and/or the apparatus may be formed for receiving deliveries like mailed packages. Such mail compartment may be closed or closable against theft of received mail in one configuration and accessible for retrieval of received mail in another configuration.

An embodiment may then comprise a door for accessing at least some of the compartments and/or at least some of the dividers from another direction than the filling direction which door comprises at least part of the mail compartment. Thus, emptying of one or more compartments defined by a divider and emptying of the mail compartment may be combined.

The above-described aspects will hereafter be more explained with further details and benefits with reference to the drawings showing a number of embodiments by way of example.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. The terms "upward", "downward", "below", "above", and the like relate to the embodiments as oriented in the drawings, unless otherwise specified. Further, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform an at least substantially identical function are denoted by the same numeral, where helpful individualised with alphabetic suffixes.

Further, unless otherwise specified, terms like "detachable" and "removably connected" are intended to mean that respective parts may be disconnected essentially without damage or destruction of either part, e.g. excluding structures in which the parts are integral (e.g. welded or moulded as one piece), but including structures in which parts are attached by or as mated connectors, fasteners, releasable self-fastening features, etc. The verb "to facilitate" is intended to mean "to make easier and/or less complicated", rather than "to enable".

<FIG> show a parcel box <NUM> (hereafter also briefly: "box") as an exemplary apparatus according to the concepts set out herein. The box <NUM> is generally tubular, here comprising four walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, together forming a tubular shaft <NUM>. The tubular shaft <NUM> is closed by a bottom wall <NUM> of the box <NUM>, thus forming a container for objects such as parcels. As will be set out in more detail below, the box <NUM> further comprises a lid <NUM> as a door by which the shaft <NUM> can be opened and closed at a filing end F for introducing objects into the shaft <NUM> in a filling direction FD. For ease of reference, the four walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the box <NUM> may be called a front wall, side walls opposite each other, and a rear wall, respectively. On an inside of the side walls <NUM>, <NUM>, rail segments 15B, 15C are provided.

The box <NUM> is optionally provided with a (second) door <NUM> allowing sideways opening of at least part of the shaft <NUM> of the box <NUM>. Here, as an option, the door <NUM> provides the front wall <NUM>. The door <NUM> comprises a grip <NUM> and it is lockable against unauthorised opening, the box being provided with a lock <NUM> requiring a key (not shown). Due to the door <NUM>, at least part of the contents of the shaft <NUM> may be accessed from another direction than the filling direction FD.

The shown shaft <NUM> is generally rectangular in cross section. However, other rectangular dimensions and/or other shapes altogether may be provided as well, e.g. a generally square or a generally rectangular shape with transverse length ratios of <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, etc. may be provided, as well as any other polygonal and/or at least partly rounded shape.

The box <NUM> comprises an optional mail compartment <NUM>, integrated into the door <NUM>. However, a mailbox could be mounted elsewhere in the box <NUM>, e.g. in or on another wall. In the exemplary embodiment, the shown mail compartment <NUM> comprises a mail slot <NUM> and an optional receptacle <NUM> for receiving mail inserted into the mail slot <NUM>, e.g. a box or a basket. The mail slot <NUM> is closable, e.g. against rain, by an optional lid <NUM> (<FIG>). Received mail may be accessed when the door <NUM> is opened (<FIG>). For ease of emptying at least part of the mail receptacle <NUM> may be one or more of movable, openable and/or deformable; in the shown embodiment the mail receptacle <NUM> comprises a rotary box tiltable from an upright reception position to a tilted emptying position (<FIG>).

<FIG> show introducing a parcel P1 into (the shaft <NUM> of) the box <NUM>. Note that in <FIG> the side door <NUM> is only shown in phantom, for clarity of the operation.

For introducing a parcel or other object into the shaft <NUM> the lid <NUM> should be opened. In the shown embodiment, the lid <NUM> is rotary, hinged to at least part of the remainder of the box <NUM>, here to a side wall <NUM>, by hinges <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may be closable and/or held closed (i.e. the shaft being closed by the lid, the lid hindering access to the interior of the box) by gravity and/or by a closure mechanism such as one or more of latches, springs, levers, magnets, etc. (not shown) Although it is preferred that the lid <NUM> is openable without authorisation requirement, the lid may be lockable against accidental and/or unauthorised opening like the door <NUM>.

For the introduction, the lid <NUM> is opened to gain access to the filling end F of the shaft <NUM> accommodating a parcel P1 into the shaft <NUM> along the filling direction FD (<FIG>). After introduction of a parcel P1, the lid <NUM> may be closed.

The lid <NUM> serves as a dispenser for dividers <NUM> stored as a stack in the lid <NUM>, see below. Closing the lid <NUM> dispenses a first divider 30A of the dividers <NUM> into the shaft <NUM> (see below). The bottom <NUM> may be provided with a cushion <NUM> or other system preventing damage to the parcel P1. The first divider 30A is movably locked to the shaft <NUM> and is substantially limited to translation within the shaft <NUM> in the filling direction FD, so that the divider 30A does not tilt. The divider 30A may travel into the shaft <NUM> until it rests against the parcel P1. Thus, the first divider 30A closes off part of the shaft <NUM> forming the thus closed off part into a first compartment C1 for storing the (first) parcel P1 and preventing access to that parcel P1 from the filling end F shaft <NUM>, see <FIG>. Above the divider 30A the shaft <NUM> provides space for a subsequent parcel.

Then, a second parcel P2 may be introduced into the shaft <NUM>, just as before, by opening the lid <NUM>. Then, the available space in the shaft <NUM> above the divider 30A for accommodating the second parcel P2 may be assessed. After introduction of the second parcel P2 into the shaft <NUM> (and on the first divider 30A), the lid <NUM> may be closed. Note that the weight of the second parcel P2 may push the first divider 30A further into the shaft <NUM> if needed and if possible. Upon closing, the lid <NUM> dispenses a second divider 30B of the dividers <NUM> into the shaft <NUM> (see below). The second divider 30B is also movably locked to the shaft <NUM> and is substantially limited to translation within the shaft <NUM> in the filling direction FD. Hence, after introduction of the second parcel P2, the second divider 30B closes off part of the shaft <NUM>, forming the thus closed off part into a second compartment C2 between the first and second dividers <NUM>, <NUM> for storing the (second) parcel P2 and preventing access to that parcel P2 from the filling end F shaft <NUM>, see <FIG>.

Each compartment C1, C2 has a volume associated with the volume and/or size of the respective parcel P1, P2.

The sequence may be repeated for introducing further parcels Px separated by respective dividers 30x in respective compartments Cx (x = <NUM>, <NUM>,. ) until the shaft <NUM> is filled and/or the dispenser runs out of dividers <NUM>. All dividers may be the same or one or more of them may differ. , the last divider <NUM> in the dispenser to be dispensed may differ by being immovably lockable to (the filling end F of) the shaft <NUM> (not shown).

For retrieving one or more of the parcels P1, P2 and emptying the respective compartments C1, C2, the door <NUM> may be opened (<FIG>, <FIG>, see also <FIG>) which provides access to the compartments C1, C2, and the dividers <NUM> from another direction than the filling direction FD.

One or more of the dividers <NUM> may then be returned into the dispenser for restoring the apparatus to a default state for receiving further parcels. Realisation of that in the present embodiment will be explained later herein. First, construction and operation for filling and sequentially dispensing dividers <NUM> associated with the opening and/or the closing of the lid <NUM> will be discussed in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows in partly exploded view the lid <NUM>; serving as a dispenser for dispensing dividers <NUM>. The lid <NUM> comprises a space <NUM>S for holding a number of dividers <NUM>, here first and second dividers 30A, 30B, which here are identical as an option. <FIG> shows in perspective view an embodiment of a divider <NUM>. <FIG> is a top view of the embodiment with section planes A, B and XVI indicated, which are used in the following figures. <FIG> is a partial cut-away view of the apparatus <NUM> along section plane XVI, showing only a single divider <NUM>. <FIG> are partial cut-away views of the apparatus <NUM> along section plane A. <FIG> are partial cut-away views of the apparatus <NUM> along section plane B, in different configurations, each of these Figures showing two dividers <NUM>. In <FIG> a rim <NUM> and bracket <NUM> are shown not cut away.

Referring primarily to <FIG>, The divider <NUM> comprises a divider panel <NUM> comprising connectors <NUM> for coupling to associated rails 15A in the lid <NUM> and the rails <NUM> in the shaft <NUM> which comprise rail portions 15B of the rim <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> and further rail portions 15C. Note that, when the lid <NUM> is closed as shown in <FIG>, the rail portions 15A, 15B, 15C provide a substantially continuous rail <NUM>. The connectors <NUM> comprise openings 32A for accommodating (the respective portions of) the rails <NUM>. The connector is provided with wheels <NUM> for cooperating with the rails <NUM>, 15A for moveably coupling the divider <NUM> to (the rails <NUM> of) the shaft <NUM>. Here, the wheels <NUM> and rails <NUM> have, as a preferred option, at least partly complementary shapes for at least partly locking the divider <NUM> to the rails 15A, <NUM>. Due to the number and arrangement of wheels <NUM> on opposite sides of the divider <NUM> and the rails 15A, <NUM>, respectively, tilting of the divider <NUM> relative to the rails <NUM>, 15A, and therewith tilting with respect to the shaft <NUM> and the lid <NUM>, respectively, is prevented, see <FIG>.

In another embodiment, not shown, at least part of the connectors <NUM> may be formed as openings having a relatively narrow entrance, as a C-shape, so that the divider <NUM> can be locked to rails having an associated shape by the connectors; the associated shape may e.g. comprise a rod and/or a rail having a relatively broad portion connected with a narrow neck to a support along its length. The connectors may comprise an additional locking portion and/or a guide portion increasing prevention against tilting of the divider when coupled with an associated rail.

The divider <NUM> comprises further optionally recesses <NUM> and ridges <NUM> as coupling structures for operably coupling with at least part of the dispenser, and it comprises latches <NUM> rotary attached to the panel <NUM> (compare <FIG>) for locking the divider <NUM> to the shaft <NUM>, see below. A flange <NUM> or other structure (not shown) overlaps part of each latch <NUM>. As a further option the divider <NUM> is provided with a grip <NUM>.

In <FIG> and <FIG>-<NUM> are visible: hinges <NUM> and grip <NUM> for opening the lid <NUM> with respect to the shaft <NUM>, and, as an option, a rim <NUM> to be arranged at the filling end F of the shaft <NUM>. As shown, the rim <NUM> may be a separate member or it may be, at least partly, integrated into the shaft <NUM> at the filling end F thereof.

As shown in, and discussed for, <FIG>, the lid <NUM> proper is hollow, providing a space <NUM> for holding plural dividers <NUM> arranged in a stack. The lid <NUM> comprises latches <NUM> forming first coupling members for engaging and holding the dividers <NUM>. As an option, the latches <NUM> are formed as levers pivotally about hinges <NUM>, and an optional spring <NUM> biases the latch <NUM> about the hinge <NUM>. Also or alternatively the latches <NUM> may comprise a resilient portion, e.g. at least part of the latch <NUM> being resilient.

The latches <NUM> and the recesses <NUM> and ridges <NUM> of the dividers <NUM> form portions mated to each other for engagement and supporting each divider <NUM> in the dispenser and sequentially freeing and dispensing successive dividers <NUM>.

At the filling end, ledges <NUM> are provided as first decoupling members for decoupling the first coupling members (i.e. the latches <NUM> in this embodiment).

<FIG><FIG>show stages of closing of the lid <NUM> onto (the filling end F of) the shaft <NUM> (<FIG>) and dispensing a divider <NUM> into the shaft <NUM> (<FIG>).

In <FIG>, the lid <NUM> is opened relative to the shaft <NUM>. This configuration corresponds to <FIG> for introducing a parcel P into the shaft <NUM>. The latches <NUM> are arranged such that a first end 40A of the latch <NUM> engages and supports the first divider 30A by gripping around and engaging the ridges <NUM> of the divider 30A. The recesses <NUM> accommodate part of the latches <NUM>. Thus, the latches <NUM>, recesses <NUM> and ridges <NUM> form cooperating coupling members for, thus arranged, retaining the dividers <NUM> in the lid <NUM>.

In <FIG> the lid <NUM> is closed onto (the rim <NUM> of) the shaft <NUM>. This configuration may correspond to <FIG> after introducing a parcel P into the shaft <NUM>.

The ledges <NUM> of the rim <NUM> each are aligned to a latch <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and are configured for, upon closing of the lid <NUM>, engaging an associated one of the latches <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and moving at least part of the respective latch <NUM> to decouple it <NUM> from at least one divider <NUM>. In particular, by the engagement of (the first end 40A of) the latches <NUM> and the ledges <NUM>, the latches <NUM> are pivoted about their hinges <NUM> by which the first ends 40A of the latches <NUM> are decoupled from the first divider 30A in the lid <NUM>. Therewith, this first divider 30A is freed at least partly from the lid <NUM>, and thus released, the first divider 30A may couple with, and be locked to, the shaft <NUM> see below. At the same time, by the pivoting of each latch <NUM>, the second end 40B of the latch <NUM> is caused to engage the second divider 30B and retain the divider 30B (and any further dividers <NUM> in the stack in the lid <NUM> - but the shown embodiment does not contain such further dividers <NUM>). Thus, only one divider <NUM> is freed.

Note that, on opening of the lid <NUM>, due to the resilient spring <NUM>, the latches <NUM> may return to the position shown in <FIG> to engage (or possibly: re-engage) the lowermost one of the dividers <NUM> so that it/they remain in the lid <NUM> (and any further dividers <NUM> in the stack in the lid <NUM>, if present), cf. Thus, closing and opening the lid <NUM> once may free and dispense one divider <NUM>. Thereafter, any remaining divider(s) <NUM> in the stack may be dispensed sequentially in its/their turn.

On dispensing a divider <NUM>, the divider <NUM> drops along the rails <NUM> into the shaft <NUM>; the connectors <NUM> of the divider <NUM> (i.e. the opening 32A and the wheels <NUM>) are connected to rail portions 15B and rails 15C of the shaft rail portions 15A in the shaft <NUM>. Thus, the divider <NUM> is movably coupled to the shaft <NUM> wherein the movement is limited to translation along the rails <NUM>.

In some embodiments, not shown, a divider may be held in a predetermined position relative to the shaft. , associated with the divider <NUM> being freed and dispensed from the dispenser, the divider <NUM> may be positioned and held in the shaft <NUM> in a predetermined position at the filling end. The predetermined position may be defined by paired magnetic and/or magnetisable members in the divider <NUM> and (the rim <NUM> of) the shaft <NUM>, respectively. Also or alternatively, a predetermined position may be determined by one or more of (preferably at least partly resilient) interlocking features like protrusions and recesses, latches etc. From such predetermined position, the divider <NUM> may be released for movement into the shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> show locking a dispensed divider <NUM> to the shaft <NUM>, partly cut away along section plane B. In the shown embodiment, in each divider 30A, 30B, the respective latch 36A, 36B is connected to the respective divider panel 31A, 31B via a pivoting hinge 48A, 48B. Associated with the lid <NUM> being closed, the divider 30A is freed and dispensed from the dispenser and the divider 30A may move down into the shaft <NUM> in the filling direction FD along the rail <NUM>. In the filling portion of the shaft <NUM>, the shaft <NUM> comprises engagement structures such as a locking ledge <NUM>, in particular on opposite sides (<FIG> showing only one side). The locking ledge <NUM> may in particular be arranged in the rim <NUM>. Associated with the movement of the divider 30A in the filling direction FD, the latches 36A latch behind the ledges <NUM>. Thus, the latch 36A and ledge <NUM> cooperate and lock the divider 30A to the shaft <NUM> so that the divider 30A may move further into the shaft <NUM> along the rails <NUM> in the filling direction FD but also so that the divider <NUM> cannot be removed from the shaft <NUM> from above, since the latch <NUM> engages the ledge <NUM> (<FIG> - upper divider 30B). Note that divider <NUM> is, optionally, formed such that access to the latches <NUM> from the filling end is hindered or prevented at least when locked to the filling end (e.g. <FIG>) and preferably also when the divider <NUM> is moved further into the shaft <NUM>. Here, the flange <NUM> of each divider <NUM> blocks access from to the respective latch <NUM> along the filling direction.

<FIG> shows a configuration wherein both the first and the second divider 30A, 30B are dispensed from the lid <NUM> and are locked to the shaft <NUM> via the latches 36B being (arranged to be) blocked by the ledges <NUM> when moved against the filling direction.

In any divider <NUM>, latches <NUM> may be provided with a resilient portion, e.g. by provision of a spring member (not shown) and/or at least part of the latch <NUM> being resilient, for urging the latch <NUM> into a locking position, e.g. for urging the latch <NUM> outward with respect to the divider panel <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>). Note that in some embodiments the divider <NUM> may be supported on the latches on the ledge or some other feature for defining a predetermined position with respect to the shaft <NUM>, and that upon some force on the divider, e.g. due to the weight of a parcel, the divider may be pushed down into the shaft operating the latches to latch onto the ledges. Also or alternatively, at least part of the latch <NUM> may be formed for urging the latch <NUM> into a locking position by gravity and/or by other means, e.g. a magnet. Due to the locking, the divider <NUM> cannot be removed from the shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> show (operation of) an optional lid locking system for locking the lid <NUM> to the shaft <NUM> after the last divider <NUM> is dispensed and moved into the shaft <NUM>, e.g. after receiving a package on the last divider 30B. <FIG> are details of the box <NUM> in cross section A-A in <FIG>.

In a first configuration (<FIG>) of the lid locking system, the lid <NUM> is free to open for receiving packages as discussed above, and in a second configuration (<FIG>) the lid <NUM> is locked to the shaft <NUM> in a closed position preventing opening of the lid <NUM>. Thus, a package may be filled into the shaft <NUM> on the last divider 30B and be made inaccessible.

The lid locking system comprises a first locking device <NUM> and a second locking device <NUM>, associated with the dispenser and/or the lid <NUM>, and with the shaft <NUM>, respectively. the first locking device <NUM> engages the second locking device <NUM> to lock the lid <NUM> to the shaft <NUM>. The first and/or second locking devices <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided with one or more resilient and/or magnetic portions for urging the lid locking system into the first and/or second configuration.

In the shown embodiment, the first locking device <NUM> is movably arranged in and/or against the dispenser and cooperates with the last divider 30B to operate the second locking device <NUM>. In the shown embodiment the first locking device <NUM> comprises a follower <NUM> engaging the last divider 30B. The second locking device <NUM> comprises a latch <NUM> movably arranged in (the rim <NUM> of) the shaft <NUM>, e.g. resiliently deformable and/or rotary about an axis 63A as shown. At least part of the first locking device moves from a first position (<FIG>) and/or orientation to a second position (<FIG>) and/or orientation by movement of the divider 30B in the dispenser dispensing the dispensers 30A, 30B; in the shown embodiment part of the follower rests on (the last (i.e. upper) of) the dividers <NUM>. A portion of the follower <NUM> is configured to engage, in the second position (<FIG>), a portion of the latch <NUM> to urge the latch <NUM> into locking arrangement with the lid <NUM>. In particular, the follower <NUM> and the latch have cooperating portions, here a wedge portion 62W and a slanted surface <NUM>, respectively, to urge (a rotation of) at least part of the latch <NUM> into operable engagement with part of the lid <NUM>. Here, the latch <NUM> hooks onto an engagement portion 14E of the lid <NUM>, wedged-shaped to secure engagement of the latch <NUM> and the lid <NUM>.

Also or alternatively, in another embodiment (not shown), a portion of the follower <NUM> may be configured to latch itself, in the second position (<FIG>), onto a portion of (the rim <NUM> of) the shaft <NUM>.

In the shown embodiment, the second locking device <NUM> is provided with a spring <NUM> or other resilient device (not shown) urging the latch <NUM> into an unlocking position and/or orientation in the first configuration (<FIG>), so that the lid <NUM> is free to open. The first locking device <NUM> comprises optional magnets <NUM>, <NUM> in the follower <NUM> and the lid <NUM>, cooperating to hold the follower <NUM> in a predetermined position for operably urging the latch <NUM> against the spring force of the spring <NUM> in a locked position in the second configuration (<FIG>). The latch <NUM> may comprise a barb (not shown).

For returning one or more of the dividers <NUM> into the dispenser after removing any parcels from the apparatus (cf. <FIG>), thus restoring the apparatus to a default state for receiving further parcels, the dividers <NUM> must be unlocked and decoupled from the shaft <NUM>. For that the box <NUM> may be opened using the door <NUM>. After removal of any parcels Px and/or other contents of one or more of the compartments Cx, the respective dividers <NUM> may be slid back up along the rails <NUM> opposite to the filling direction FD. To unlock the dividers <NUM> from the shaft <NUM>, the locking of the latches <NUM> must be undone; this can be done from behind each divider <NUM> as seen in the filling direction FD (i.e. from below in the Figs. ), e.g. by tilting each latch <NUM> and passing it past the ledge <NUM> or other latching structure (cf. <FIG> => <NUM>).

However, the shown embodiment comprises another system for authorised unlocking the dividers <NUM> from the shaft <NUM> and allowing returning the dividers <NUM> to the lid <NUM> in simplified manner. This is indicated in <FIG><FIG>and <FIG><FIG> is partial cut-away view of the apparatus <NUM> along section plane A (cf. <FIG> is a partial cut-away view of the apparatus <NUM> along section plane B (cf.

The shown apparatus comprises an unlocking bracket <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is arranged inside the box <NUM> and is only accessible upon opening the door <NUM>. Thus, access to the bracket <NUM> is controllable (here, requiring use of the lock <NUM>). <FIG> show that after removing any parcels from the apparatus (cf. <FIG>), the dividers <NUM> may be moved towards the lid <NUM>. As shown in more detail below, the bracket <NUM> may be moved, here: pulled out (see arrow), to move the ledges <NUM> from their respective engagement positions and clear the way for (the latches <NUM> of) the dividers <NUM>. Then, the dividers <NUM> may be moved into the lid <NUM> unhindered. Thereafter the bracket <NUM> may be returned into position returning the ledges into position and thus preparing the apparatus for receiving new parcels (<FIG> and further).

In particular, best seen in <FIG>, <FIG>, the apparatus comprises a bracket <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is movably accommodated in the rim <NUM>. In the presented embodiment, the bracket <NUM> is generally U-shaped having a grip portion <NUM> and two legs <NUM> bound by a back providing the grip <NUM> so as to move ledges <NUM> on both sides of the shaft <NUM> and allow decoupling the dispensers <NUM> from (the rails <NUM> of) the shaft <NUM> and moving the dividers <NUM> unhindered back into the dispenser <NUM>. In particular, the ledges <NUM> are supported on the legs <NUM>, here, the ledges <NUM> are movable along part <NUM> of the legs <NUM> which part may be defined by stops such as here provided by a step edge in a size (e.g.: diameter) of the legs <NUM>; a resilient member, such as here spring <NUM> is provided to urge the ledge <NUM> toward a predetermined position along (the part <NUM> of) the leg <NUM> (on the left hand side of <FIG> the spring <NUM> is omitted showing that part of the respective leg <NUM> has a stepwise reduced diameter).

Also, see <FIG>, the ledges <NUM> are supported on (the legs <NUM> of) the bracket <NUM>. The ledges <NUM> may be fixed to the legs <NUM>.

Moving the bracket <NUM> with respect to the rim <NUM>, here: pulling the bracket <NUM> partly out of the rim <NUM>, causes associated movement of the ledges <NUM> and <NUM>, lateral to the filling direction FD. By this, the ledges <NUM> are moved from their respective engagement positions (<FIG>) to another position (<FIG>) wherein the latch 36B, 36A of a divider 30B, 30A may unhindered pass the ledge <NUM> and the divider 30B, 30A is unlocked from the shaft <NUM>, so that the divider 30B, 30A can return to the space <NUM> of the lid <NUM>.

At the same time, the ledges <NUM> are moved from their respective engagement positions (<FIG>) to another position (<FIG>). In this position, the ledges <NUM> are arranged adjacent the latches <NUM> of the lid <NUM>, so that the latches <NUM> may pivot about their respective hinges <NUM>, biased by the springs <NUM>, allowing the dividers <NUM> to pass the first part 40A of the latches <NUM> (<FIG>) and be retained by the latches <NUM> thereafter in the lid <NUM> (cf. Note that although in in <FIG> the lid <NUM> is shown opened for clarity, for restoring the dividers <NUM> into the dispenser (here: restoring the dividers <NUM> into the space <NUM> of) the lid <NUM> should actually be closed as shown in <FIG>. A stack of plural dividers <NUM> may thus be returned to (the space <NUM> of) the lid <NUM> as a whole. Therewith, the follower <NUM> of the lid locking system is moved back from its second position (<FIG>) to the its first position (<FIG>) so that the latch <NUM> is freed to move subject to the spring force of the resilient member (spring <NUM>). Thus, the lid locking system is returned from the second configuration (<FIG>) into the first configuration (<FIG>) and the lid <NUM> is unlocked from the shaft <NUM> again for operation.

Once the dividers <NUM> are returned into (the space <NUM> in) the lid <NUM>, the bracket <NUM> is pushed back into the rim <NUM> (<FIG>). Therewith, the ledges <NUM> and <NUM> are aligned again for locking a divider <NUM> to the shaft <NUM> (cf. Also, the ledges <NUM> are urged laterally against the respective associated latches <NUM> by the springs <NUM>. Thus arranged laterally adjacent each other, the ledges <NUM> do not affect the latches <NUM> engaging and supporting the dividers <NUM> to retain them in the lid <NUM>.

After returning the bracket <NUM> to its pushed-in position, the door <NUM> may be closed and the box <NUM> is ready again for receiving parcels (<FIG>, and <FIG> and further).

Then, upon opening the lid <NUM> for the first time after such restoration (<FIG>), the latches <NUM> become separated from the ledges <NUM> so that the ledges <NUM> are free to return, urged by the springs <NUM>, into operable alignment with the latches <NUM> for operably engaging the latches <NUM>. Thus, upon closing the lid <NUM> again thereafter the first divider 30A may be dispensed as discussed above, see <FIG> and <NUM>-<NUM>.

The disclosure is not restricted to the above-described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims. For instance the box could have a different shape. More or less dividers could be provided. One or more dividers could be provided with a protruding portion, in particular an upward and/or downward protruding rim, to provide a receptacle and/or maintain a minimum separation between portions of adjacent dividers.

Claim 1:
Apparatus (<NUM>) for one-way filling, which apparatus is a secure reception box or a parcel box (<NUM>), the apparatus comprising
a tubular filling shaft (<NUM>) having a filling end (F) for sequentially receiving multiple objects, in particular parcels (P1, P2, ...), in a filling direction (FD) within the shaft (<NUM>), and
a plurality of dividers (<NUM>; 30A, 30B);
wherein each divider (<NUM>; 30A, 30B) is movably lockable or movably locked into the shaft and thus locked
is movable in the filling direction (FD),
closes off part of the shaft (<NUM>) forming the thus closed off part into a compartment (C1, C2) for storing a received object, and
prevents access, at least from the filling end (F) and in the filling direction (FD), to the respective compartment (C1, C2), characterized in that
the apparatus comprises a dispenser for sequentially dispensing the dividers (<NUM>; 30A, 30B).