Self-service parcel terminal
Self-service parcel terminal for storing parcels of different sizes high up in the terminal comprises means for loading postal parcels, loading parcels of varying sizes to the door, measuring and weighing parcels, inserting parcels, storing and delivering parcels. The self-service parcel terminal is also suitable for using as a vending machine, mailbox, storage locker, for delivering goods from e-stores, etc. Gripping mechanism and lift system are used for moving parcels in the terminal, which allows to move parcels in groups or as single items between the shelves and the slot for inserting/delivering parcels.
1. A self-service parcel terminal comprising:
a body;
a frame forming a shelving system for parcel containers, said containers having a multitude of storage slots for storing a multitude of parcels;
a lift module; and
a gripping mechanism;
the body comprising front covering panels, rear covering panels, and side covering panels;
the front covering panels forming a slot for a door module to receive and load one or more parcels into a parcel container; a payment module; a computer module, and a user interface;
the door module further having a frame, two horizontally slidably opening door panels and one vertically slidably opening door panel;
the frame forming the shelving system being located inside the body and comprising a base frame, a roof and at least eight vertical support poles having two ends and being attached to the base frame from one end and to the roof from the other end;
four of said support poles being attached to each other with horizontal buses to form a shelf tower, and four poles attached to each other with horizontal buses to form another shelf tower, and the two shelf towers being attached together with multiple brackets to form the shelving system with a space between the shelf towers for the lift module;
the lift module comprising a pulley module, a main boom and a carriage connected to a positioner;
the main boom having a lower end and an upper end and the pulley module being fastened to the upper end of the main boom and a pulling module being attached to the lower end of the main boom, a belt being fitted on a belt pulley and the pulling module, a counter weight being fastened to the belt and the carriage is moving up and down with rollers along the main boom upon operation of the motor; and
the gripping mechanism comprising a loader and a magnetic mechanism,
the loader comprising a frame, a pulling belt and being attached on top of the positioner in a manner that it can move sideways to left and right and being capable of receiving a parcel container, and
the magnetic mechanism comprising a covered sensor stay bolt, and an electromagnet; said magnetic mechanism being capable of attaching to the parcel container and enabling pulling a parcel container onto the loader, or pushing the container onto a shelf, and said magnetic mechanism further providing feedback of distance of a parcel container loaded on the loader;
wherein upon initiation of a loading or receiving service at the user interface a user receives or loads the parcels at the door module into or from a parcel container that has been delivered to the door module by the lift module.
2. The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises an automated system to measure the parcels before loading in, and based on the obtained measures the system delivers a parcel container with measurements suitable for the measured parcels at the door module.
3. The terminal according to claim 2 , wherein the two horizontally moving door panels and the one vertically moving door panel comprise sensors to measure the parcel when inserted between open door panels.
4. The terminal according to claim 2 , wherein the horizontal and vertical doors may open to expose one slot or several slots on the parcel container and thereby the user may insert or receive one or several parcels at a time.
5. The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the base frame comprises slots on its front vertical side for allowing easy transportation of the frame without a need to disassemble the frame.
6. The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the base frame comprises absorbers on its inner horizontal side for guiding the positioner at its lowest position.
7. The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the carriage comprises two connecting plates attached to two L-shaped side supports and to a supplementary support to attach the positioner.
8. The terminal according to claim 7 , wherein the positioner comprises two shoulders having two ends and being attached to the carriage from one end and a bracket attached to the other ends of the shoulders and rollers fastened to each end of the bracket.
9. The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the parcels are being stored in parcel containers having a multitude of storage slots and located on shelves inside the terminal body.
10. The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the terminal additionally comprises a facial recognition camera for identification of the user.