Safety insertion apparatus and parcel box
An apparatus for one-way filling, in particular a secure reception box or a parcel box is provided. The apparatus comprises a tubular filling shaft having a filling end (F) for sequentially receiving multiple objects, in particular parcels (P 1 , P 2 , . . . ), in a filling direction (FD) within the shaft, and a plurality of dividers. Each divider 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 forming the thus closed off part into a compartment (C 1 , C 2 ) 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 (C 1 , C 2 ).
1 . An apparatus for one-way filling, the apparatus comprising
a tubular filling shaft having a filling end (F) for sequentially receiving parcels (P 1 , P 2 , . . . ) in a filling direction (FD) within the shaft;
a plurality of dividers;
wherein each divider is movably lockable or movably locked to the shaft, movable in the filling direction (FD), closes off part of the shaft thereby forming a compartment (C 1 , C 2 ) for storing a received parcel, and prevents access, at least from the filling end (F) and in the filling direction (FD), to the respective compartment (C 1 , C 2 ); and
a dispenser at said filling end and configured to sequentially dispense the dividers.
2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of dividers is movably lockable or locked to the shaft at or near the filling end (F).
3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein at least one divider of the plurality of dividers comprise one or more latches and the shaft comprises one or more matching engagement portions for locking the at least one divider to the shaft.
4 . The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the one or more latches allow movement of the at least one divider locked to the shaft in the filling direction (FD) but prevent movement in the opposite direction.
5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein movement of the dividers movably locked to the shaft is substantially limited to translation within the shaft,
wherein the shaft and dividers comprise one or more cooperating guide structures.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the dispenser comprises a lid, wherein opening and closing of the lid, respectively, opens or closes access to the filling end (F).
7 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the dispenser is configured for dispensing a divider of the plurality of dividers upon closing of the lid.
8 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein opening and closing of the lid, respectively, opens or closes access to the filling end (F) in the filling direction (FD).
9 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the dispenser is arranged for movably locking a dispensed divider to the shaft.
10 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the dispenser comprises a first part configured to hold at least one of the dividers, and a second part comprised by the filling end configured to release the at least one of the dividers held in the first part,
wherein the first part comprises first coupling members configured to hold the at least one of the dividers, and the second part comprising first decoupling members configured to decouple the first coupling members.
11 . The apparatus according to claim 10 and further comprising a lid, wherein opening and closing of the lid, respectively, opens or closes access to the filling end (F), wherein the lid comprises the first part of the dispenser and the filling end comprises the second part of the dispenser.
12 . The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the dispenser is configured such that in a closed configuration of the lid and the shaft, the first decoupling members decouple the first coupling members.
13 . The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the dividers are arranged in a stack,
wherein the first coupling members comprise one or more clamps and/or latches for engaging the at least one of the dividers, and the first decoupling members are configured for engaging and detaching the one or more clamps and/or latches when engaging the at least one of the dividers.
14 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , and further comprising a system for authorized unlocking the dividers from the shaft.
15 . The apparatus according to claim 14 , and further comprising a door for accessing at least some of the compartments (C 1 , C 2 ) and/or at least some of the dividers from another direction than the filling direction (FD), wherein the door provides access to the system for authorized unlocking.
16 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a bottom closing an end of the shaft opposite to the filling end, the apparatus being formed as a container for stored parcels.
17 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , and further comprising a door for accessing at least some of the compartments (C 1 , C 2 ) and/or at least some of the dividers from another direction than the filling direction.
18 . An apparatus for one-way filling, the apparatus comprising:
a filling shaft having a filling end (F) for receiving parcels (P 1 , P 2 , . . . ), in a filling direction (FD) within the shaft, and
at least one divider movably lockable or movably locked to the shaft to be movable in the filling direction (FD), and
a dispenser at said filling end configured to dispense a divider of the at least one divider following delivery of a parcel at the filling end, the dispensed divider forming a compartment for storing said parcel.