Multi-compartment locker

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016286998-A1
Application number	US-201415038288-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 21, 2014
Priority date	Nov 21, 2013
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A locker for unattended storage and automated access of stored goods including a locker housing having at least one environmentally controlled compartment with an environmentally controlled access opening, an air inlet duct and an air outlet duct; a door sealingly engaging the environmentally controlled access opening; an automated latch engaging the door and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; an access control unit in communication with the automated latch; and an environmental control unit removably housed in the locker housing, the environmental control unit having duct interfaces engagable with the air inlet duct and with the air outlet duct for circulating air between the at least one environmentally controlled compartment and the environmental control unit, and the environmental control unit having an electric power connector engagable with an electric power outlet in the locker housing in communication with a source of electric power.

First claim

1 . A locker for unattended storage and automated access of stored goods comprising:
a locker housing having at least one environmentally controlled compartment having an environmentally controlled access opening, an air inlet duct and an air outlet duct; a door sealingly engaging the environmentally controlled access opening; an environmental control unit removably housed in the locker housing, the environmental control unit having duct interfaces engagable with the air inlet duct and with the air outlet duct for circulating air between the at least one environmentally controlled compartment and the environmental control unit, and the environmental control unit having an electric power connector engagable with an electric power outlet in the locker housing in communication with a source of electric power.

2 . A locker in accordance with claim 1 wherein the environmental control unit, when removed from the locker housing, is fully separated from the at least one environmentally controlled compartment.

3 . A locker in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein removal of the environmental control unit from the locker housing includes disengaging the duct interfaces and the electric power connector, and separating the environmental control unit from the locker housing and the at least one associated environmentally controlled compartment.

4 . A locker in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the at least one environmentally controlled compartment and the door include thermal insulation.

5 . A locker in accordance with any preceding claims wherein the environmental control unit comprises a refrigeration unit.

6 . A locker in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the environmental control unit comprises a heating unit.

7 . The locker in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the environmental control unit comprises one of: a humidifer unit; and a dehumidifier unit.

8 . A locker in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the environmental control unit includes an exhaust vent and a fresh air intake, and wherein the environmental control unit comprises a ventilation unit.

9 . A locker in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the environmental control unit includes a chassis and the locker housing includes a guide for guiding the chassis into and out of engagement with the locker housing, the air inlet duct, the air outlet duct and electric power outlet.

10 . A locker in accordance with claim 9 wherein the chassis and guide are disposed in sliding engagement.

11 . A locker in accordance with claim 9 wherein the duct interfaces are in sliding engagement with the air inlet duct, and with the air outlet duct.

12 . A locker in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the electric power connector is slidingly engagable with the electric power outlet.

13 . A locker in accordance with any preceding claim comprising a data interface between the environmental control unit and the locker housing for transferring one of:
data signals; and control signals between the environmental control unit and the locker housing.

14 . A locker in accordance with any preceding claim comprising at least one ambient compartment with an ambient access opening and wherein

15 . A locker in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the at least one environmentally controlled compartment comprises:
a refrigerated compartment with a refrigerated air inlet duct and a refrigerated air outlet duct; a freezer compartment a freezer air inlet duct and a freezer air outlet duct.

16 . A locker in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the locker housing includes a step deployable beneath the door.

17 . A locker in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the at least one environmentally controlled compartment includes a drawer.

18 . A locker in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the locker housing includes an automated latch engaging the door and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

19 . A locker in accordance with claim 17 wherein the locker housing includes an access control unit in communication with the automated latch.

20 . A locker in accordance with any preceding claim wherein at least one of the locker housing and the environmental control unit comprises an electromagnet which when active, secures the environmental control unit in an engaged position within the locker housing.

Assignees

• Ocado Innovation Ltd

Inventors

• Lindbo Lars Sverker Ture

Classifications

• A47G29/14 Primary

  Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk {, or large parcels}; Similar receptacles for {food or} large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles {, i.e. food or large parcels} · CPC title

• G07F11/62

  in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles · CPC title

• F25D2400/40

  Refrigerating devices characterised by electrical wiring · CPC title

• F25D17/06

  by forced circulation · CPC title

• F25D13/04

  the compartments being at different temperatures · CPC title