WO2014001909A1

WO2014001909A1 - Secure delivery containers

Info

Publication number: WO2014001909A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/001666
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dickory Rudduck
Original assignee: Telezygology Inc
Priority date: 2012-06-25
Filing date: 2013-06-25
Publication date: 2014-01-03

Abstract

A secure delivery container (20) including a compartment (22) for accepting an item (24) to be delivered to a recipient (10); a first closure (26) for the compartment (22) and a first locking means for locking the first closure (26). The first locking means is adapted to unlock upon receipt of a first signal associated with the recipient (10).

Description

Secure Delivery Containers

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a secure delivery container. In particular, the invention relates to a container which can enable secure delivery of an item, such as a documents or goods, from the point of packing, during transit and at delivery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The effective and secure delivery of items faces many difficulties. Items may be stolen or lost at many stages during the delivery process, whether at source, such as before leaving the merchant's premises, during transit, or at delivery. At source, the items need to be secured after packing to avoid pilfering or mistakes.

In transit, security of items to be delivered may also be a problem during the delivery process. A deliverer will usually have a number of items for delivery to a number of recipients at various addresses. While the deliverer is attempting to deliver one of the items and is away from the delivery vehicle, the remaining items in the vehicle may be at risk of theft.

Effecting delivery and maintaining security of delivery can be a problem in societies where the intended recipient is often not available to accept delivery. To effect delivery, a deliverer may have to make more than one attempt in order to hand over the item to the intended recipient. Each attempt at delivery after the first can erode or eliminate the profit obtained from the delivery. Security of delivery can be compromised if an item is left, unsecured, outside a recipient's door or in an unsecured letterbox.

The widespread practice of purchasing items through the internet means that the number of non-document items to be delivered is constantly increasing. The problem of effective and secure delivery of these items is becoming more urgent.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container which can enable secure and effective delivery of an item to a recipient. It is a further object of the invention to enable tracking and auditing of items from source, during transit and at delivery.

It is a further object of the present invention, at least in some embodiments, to provide a secure delivery container which may be secured at source, during transit and at delivery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides, in a first aspect., a secure delivery container which includes:

- a compartment for accepting an item to be delivered to a recipient;

- a first closure for the compartment; and a first locking means for locking the first closure; wherein the first locking means is adapted to unlock upon receipt of a first signal associated with the recipient.

In a second aspect, the secure delivery container further includes: a second closure for securing the container to an external element; and

- a second locking means for the second closure; wherein the second locking means for the second closure is adapted to unlock upon receipt of a second signal associated with the recipient or a deliverer.

The secur e delivery container of the invention may be of any suitable design or construction, Preferably, the secure delivery container of the invention is sufficiently small and light to be easily transportable by hand and takes the form of a satchel, bag, envelope or box. The secure delivery container of the invention may be provided in a range of sizes, to accommodate items of different size. The secure delivery container may be insulated, so that it can keep hot items, like cooked food, hot and cold items, requiring refrigeration or being sensitive to heat, cold. The secure delivery container of the invention is preferably made of strong but pliable material, such as Kevlar, and is resistant to unauthorized opening - it cannot be torn, ripped or slashed, for example, to access an item in the compartment.

The secure delivery container of the invention is preferably intended to be recirculated, in the sense that after use it can be returned to the same or a different deliverer or to a depot, for instance, for reuse. The recipient may purchase one or a number of secure delivery containers to enable delivery and after delivery return them for future use for that recipient.

Alternately, the delivery service may provide the secure delivery container, but require a container fee. Optionally, the container fee may be refunded, in whole or in part, when the secure delivery container is returned to the deliverer.

The compartment may take any suitable configuration. The compartment may for example be all or part of the inside of a satchel, bag, envelope or box.

The compartment has a first closure, which may take any desirable form, having regard to the intended function of the secure delivery container. For example, the secure delivery container may be a bag or envelope closed by a first closure in the form of a robust sliding clasp fastener. In this example, the locking means for the first closure may be a chamber for the 'pull' of the sliding clasp fastener, similar to the chamber in, for example, GB Patent 2355233, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. In this example, the locking means will allow access to the 'pull' in the chamber so that the sliding clasp fastener can be opened, upon receipt, of the signal associated with the recipient.

Another example of first closure and locking means can be found in the fixing and release systems of Telezygology, Inc., disclosed in the following International Patent Applications, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference: WO/ 1999/047819, WO/2005/047714, WO/2006/105585, WO/2007/019641 and WO/2007/068035.

Referring to WO/1999/047819, for example, the closure may have a pair of mating edges, one of which is a continuous channel and the other o f which has a continuous locking strip which can be received within the channel. Refer Figures 25 to 32 of WO/1999/047819. The first locking means takes the form of a locking element which traps the locking strip within the channel and which can be unlocked by a signal. These are merely examples of a wide range of closures and locking means which may be used in the aspects of the present invention.

It is preferred that the first closure may be locked passively, without the need for a locking signal, but that a signal is required to unlock the first closure.

The signal associated with the recipient may be derived from a wide variety of sources. It may be the input of a code, generated by the merchant and communicated to the recipient for this purpose. It may be transmission of or recognition of a chip which the recipient has in a credit card used for the purchase of the item to be delivered. It may be a signal generated by the recipient's mobile phone. It may involve interrogation of an RFID tag or SAW chip. The invention is not restricted to these examples.

The signal is preferably transmitted wirelessly. Wireless transmission can occur through any acceptable means.

The intention of the first aspect of the invention is that only the intended recipient may unlock the first locldng means and the first closure and access the item in the compartment. This provides a first level of security.

In connection with the second aspect of the invention, there is a second closure for securing the container to an external element and a second locking means for the second closure.

The second locking means for the second closure is adapted to unlock upon receipt of a second signal associated with the recipient or a deliverer. The purpose of the second aspect of the invention is to allow the secure delivery container of the invention to be transported securely and to be secured at the recipient's location, in the event that the recipient is not available to accept delivery,

Whereas the first closure is intended to lock the compartment containing the item to be delivered, the second closure is intended to prevent the secure delivery container of the invention from being stolen while in transit or at the recipient's location. The second closure therefore is preferably in the form of something which can be locked onto a rung or grid or similar retaining element during transit, and locked onto a doorknob or rung or similar at delivery. The second closure may take any convenient form to enable this, A simple closure is a loop which may be locked in place by the second locking means. Such a loop is described in connection with the drawings below, and may have a secondary function as handle for the secure delivery container. Another example of loop is based on a cable tie, which Iras a ratchet mechanism to tighten the loop around the doorknob, but which can be unlocked by the second locking means, upon receipt of the suitable signal

The second closure and second locking means may be based on the same principles as those of the first closure and first locking means, as already described, or may use any other suitable technology.

The second locking means for the second closure is adapted to unlock upon receipt of a signal associated with the recipient or a deliverer. The purpose of the ability for unlocking by the deliverer is so mat the del iverer may lock the secure delivery container of the invention to a rung or grid in the delivery vehicle, for example, until the deliverer has reached the recipient's location, whereupon the deliverer may generate the signal to unlock the second closure. The deliverer may lock the secure delivery container onto a suitable external element outside the recipient's door if the recipient is not able to accept delivery. The recipient may have a doorknob which suits this purpose, or a rung may be installed near the recipient's door for this purpose.

In high rise apartments, or where access to upper floors of a building is restricted, a grid may be available on the ground floor for securing deliveries in the secure delivery containers of the invention,

It is preferred that the deliverer advises the recipient that the delivery has been made. Such advice may be by SMS or email, for example.

It is preferred that the secure delivery container of the invention has means to enable geographic tracking so that the location of the container can be tracked at the source of tire item, once packed into the container, during transit and at delivery. The tracking means may take any suitable form. Some non-limiting examples are chips which are detectable by GPS technology or by cell phone (mobile phone) technology. Tracking technology is becoming more sophisticated and accurate and less expensive. Low-cost tracking means suitable for the present invention currently available and available in the future are within the scope of the invention,

It may be convenient and cost-effective to combine the first and second locking means (or source of their activation) and the t acking means on a single chip or device, which can be interrogated, recognised and located which can provide responses and reports.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a method of tracking an item during a process of delivering the item to a recipient, the method including the steps of: inserting the item in a secure delivery container which includes a compartment for accepting the item and a tracking means;

- secur ing the item in the compartment by a first closure for the compartment;

- locking the first closure by a first locking means adapted to unlock upon receipt of a first signal associated with the recipient; and tracking the secure delivery container via the tracking means.

Optionally, the method of the invention includes either or both the further steps of: securing trie container to an external element, in transit, by a second closure lockable by a second locking means adapted to unlock upon receipt of a signal associated with the recipient or a deliverer;

- securing the container to an external element, at delivery, by the second closure.

Using the method of the invention, the secure delivery container and hence the item may be tracked, in real time, at the source (eg, the merchant's premises), in transit during delivery and at delivery to the recipient. Real time tracking information can enhance security and improve efficiency of the delivery process. An audit trail or log may be generated regar ding the tracked container.

Other advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of the drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a recipient ordering an item to be delivered using the secure delivery container of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a secure delivery container of the invention according to both the first and second aspects of the invention, open;

Figure 3 shows three of the secure delivery containers of Figure 2, locked to a grid;

Figure 4 shows a deliverer about to make a delivery to the recipient;

Figure 5 shows the deliverer's device for sending confirmation of delivery to the · recipient;

Figure 6 shows tire recipient receiving confirmation of delivery;

Figure 7 shows the secure delivery container of Figure 2, after delivery, locked to an external doorknob at the recipient's residence;

Figure 8 is similar to Figure 7, but shows instead the security device locked to a security rung located beside the recipient's door;

Figure 9 is similar to Figure 7, but shows instead the security device locked to a security door at the recipient's residence;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the security device of Figure 2, closed;

Figure 1 1 shows the device in Figure 10 with the second closure unlocked; and

Figure 12 shows the same security device with the first closure unlocked and the item being extracted from the compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to Figure 1 , recipient 10 is shown in the process of ordering an item over the Internet, using computer 12 and credit card 14, Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of secure delivery container 20 in the form of a bag. Container 20 includes a compartment 22 for accepting an item 24 (see Figure 12) to be delivered to recipient 10, a first closure 26 for compartment 22 and a first locking means (not shown) for locking first closure 26. Figure 2 also shows a second closure 28 for securing container 20 to an external element (described later) and a locking means (not shown) for second closure 28.

The first closure 26, first locking means 8 and second locking means may be any of those described above, or any other suitable closure or locking means.

In this embodiment, second closure 28 is in two parts. Part 28a is a relatively flexible oval loop, which can be opened to fit around the shank of a doorknob or a rung as described later. Part 28b is rigid; once part 28a is in place around the external element, part 28b is locked to part 28a and prevents it being distorted or opened to release it from the external element.

Second closure 28 can also function as a handle when locked by the second locking means.

Turning now to Figure 3, three secure delivery containers 20 are locked onto rungs 30 of grid 32. Grid 32 may be located in a delivery vehicle or at an apartment building. When located in a delivery vehicle, grid 32 provides the framework for securing rungs 30. A secure delivery container 20 may be locked to each rung 30 to keep secure delivery containers 20 safe during transit. When one secure delivery container 20 is to be delivered to a recipient, the others remain locked to rungs 30.

When grid 32 is located in an apartment building or similar, deliveries may be made by locking secure delivery containers 20 to an appropriate rung 30, the apartment number (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.) being indicated near each rung.

In Figure 4. deliverer 34 is leaving delivery vehicle 36 and is carrying secure delivery container 20. If secure delivery container 20 was locked to grid 32 within vehicle 36, deliverer 34 has released secure delivery container 20 by sending a coded signal from device 38, which may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) PDA 38 may also contain delivery instructions, including the delivery address for recipient 10. PDA 38 is shown in more detail in Figure 5. Deliverer 34 may use PDA 38 to send confirmation of delivery to recipient 10, by email or SMS. Figure 6 shows recipient 10 receiving confirmation of delivery on her mobile phone 40.

Since recipient 10 is not available to take delivery of secure deliver)' container 20, deliverer 34 uses the second locking means to lock secure delivery container 20 to doorknob 42 of recipient 10's door 44. This is shown in Figure 7.

If recipient 10's doorknob is not suitable for locking secure delivery container 20, or if there is no doorknob, recipient 10 may have installed beside door 44 security rung 46, as shown in Figure 8.

If recipient 10 has a security door 48, secure delivery container 20 may be locked to security door 48, as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 10 shows secure delivery container 20 after item 24 (Figure 12) has been inserted into compartment 22 and locked therein.

Figure 1 1 shows secure delivery container 20 with second closure 28 unlocked. Recipient 10 will unlock second closure 28 by sending a signal, such as a security code, to the second locking means, in order to release secure delivery container 20 from doorknob 42 or security rung 46 or security door 48. The signal for unlocking second closure 28 is different from the signal required to unlock the first closure 26,

To access item 24, recipient 10 sends the correct signal to the first locking means in order to open first closure 26. This is the result shown in Figure 12, where item 24 may now be extracted from compartment 24,

In accordance with the method of the invention, secure delivery container 20 may have been tracked by a tracking chip (not shown) from the time item 24 is locked into secure delivery container 20 by the merchant or sender, during transit in delivery vehicle 36, to delivery at door 44 or grid 32 for recipient 10. An audit trail may be generated. The whereabouts of container 20 and hence item 24 can be ascertained at any time. It is to be understood that the description of the preferred embodiment is not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention and that the invention includes within its scope those adaptations and modifications which are within the spirit and concept of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY A secure delivery container of the invention and a method of the invention facilitates secure effective delivery to a recipient.

Claims

1. A secure delivery container including: a compartment for accepting an item to be delivered to a recipient; a first closure for the compartment; and a first locking means for locking the first closure, characterized in that the first locking means is adapted to unlock upon receipt of a first signal associated with the recipient.

2. The secure delivery container of claim 1, wherein the contamer includes insulation for reducing heat loss or gain.

3. The secure delivery container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is formed from a pliable material.

4. The secure delivery contamer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is reusable,

5. The secure delivery container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compartment forms at least a portion of the container.

6. The secure delivery container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first closure includes a sliding clasp fastener.

7. The secure delivery container of claim 7, wherein the first locking means includes a chamber configured to secure the sliding clasp fastener.

8. The secure delivery container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a signal is required to unlock the first closure.

9. The secure delivery container of claim 8, wherein the signal includes an input of a code transmissible to the recipient.

10. The secure delivery container of claim 9 or 10, wherein the signal is

transmitted wirelessly.

11. The secure delivery container of any one of claims 1 to 10, further including a second closure for securing the container to an external element, and a second locking means for locking the second closure, the second locking means being adapted to unlock upon receipt of a second signal associated with the recipient or a deliverer.

12. The secure delivery container of claim 1 1, wherein the second locking means is adapted to engage a retaining element during transit and upon delivery.

13. The secure delivery container of claini 12, wherein the second closure forms a loop lockable in place by the second locking means.

14. The secure delivery container of claim 12 or 13, wherein the second closure forms a handle.

15. The secure delivery container of any one of the preceding claims, including means to enable geographic tracking for locating the container once packed, during transit, and at delivery.

16. A method of tracking an item during a process of delivering the item to a recipient, the method including the steps of: inserting the item in a secure delivery container which includes a

compartment for accepting the item and a tracking means; securing the item in the compartment by a first closure for the compartment; locking the first closure by a fast locking means adapted to unlock upon receipt of a first signal associated with the recipient; and tracking the secure delivery container via the tracking means.

17. The method of claim 16, further including the step of: securing the container to a first external element, in transit, by a second closure lockable by a second locking means adapted to unlock upon receipt of a second signal associated with the recipient or a deliverer,

18. The method of claim 16 or 17 furtlier including the step of securing the container to a second external element, at delivery, by the second closure.