GB2358223A

GB2358223A - Code protected home delivery system

Info

Publication number: GB2358223A
Application number: GB9928886A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hamish Hutton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-12-08
Filing date: 1999-12-08
Publication date: 2001-07-18
Also published as: GB9928886D0

Abstract

A delivery system comprises a secure box having a combination lock accessable via a four digit code. In use, the access code is communicated to the goods deliverer, preferably via the internet, prior to the delivery and the access code may be changed by the purchaser of the goods.

Description

2358223

Description

CODE PROTECTED DELIVERY SYSTEM The invention relates to purchases of goods and services made over the Internet, by telephone, by fax or by mail order and, specifically, the means by which goods and services so purchased are delivered to the purchaser.

Several methods are currently available which enable purchasers to order or buy goods and services by means of the provision of a name, delivery address, and credit / debit card number to a vendor of goods without the purchaser leaving his or her home or office. Examples of such methods are mail order, telephone or fax ordering, or, more recently, the Internet. The goods so purchased are ordinarily delivered to the delivery address by a postman or courier ("the deliveror").

However, in the event that the purchaser is not present at the delivery address, it is frequently the case that delivery of the goods is prevented by reason of the fact that the goods purchased are of a size and / or shape such that they cannot be delivered through an ordinary letterbox.

The object of the invention is to enable those goods purchased (via one or other of the methods identified above) which cannot be delivered through an ordinary letterbox, to be securely delivered to the delivery address regardless of whether the purchaser (or a representative of the purchaser) is present at the delivery address.

Accordingly, the invention comprises the entry of a four digit code ("the code") as part of the delivery address when placing a order by any of the methods identified above. The code corresponds to the combination of a combination lock which controls entry to a box securely fastened to the exterior of the premises which comprise the delivery address. The box itself comprises a secure, weather-proof container to which access is gained by means of an opening which is fastened with a combination lock.

1 The code, once communicated by the purchaser to the vendor of the goods, is entered the vendor onto the delivery slip which is ordinarily attached to the goods. The code thus communicated to the deliveror who can thus open the box at the delivery addre and place the goods inside. The deliveror can then securely refasten the opening of tti box.

The goods are thereby securely delivered to the delivery address, the purchaser being ale to access the goods in the box by means of entering the code to unlock the combinati(ri lock.

Preferably, the box is fastened by means of a combination lock the combination of whil h can be altered by the purchaser as often as is desired.

By way of example, the Intemet enables purchasers to buy goods and services by mea! of the entry of a name, delivery address, and credit / debit card number into a persoria computer which is linked up to the website of any seller who is offering goods for sgI over the Internet. The purchaser can simply enter the four digit code into a persorfa computer which is linked up to the vendor's website at the time of purchasing the goo(s 1 The code, once entered by the purchaser on the website of the vendor of the goods," entered by the vendor onto the delivery slip which is ordinarily attached to the goods. Th code is thus communicated to the deliveror who can thus open the box at the deliv address and place the goods inside. The deliveror can then securely refasten the openthl of the box.

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Claims

1. A delivery system for the delivery of goods in which a secure receptacle located at the premises to which goods are to be delivered is accessed by a four digit code in a combination lock, the code having been communicated to the deliveror of the goods in advance of the delivery.

2. A delivery system as claimed in Claim 1 where the code is communicated to the deliveror via the internet.

3. A delivery system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the code is incorporated within the delivery address of the premises to which the goods are to be delivered.

4. A delivery system as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2, or Claim 3 where the combination and the code can be varied by the purchaser of the goods.

5. A delivery system substantially as herein described.