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EP-4735342-A1 - REUSABLE PACKAGE WITH AN ELECTRONIC SEAL FOR USE IN A PARCEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

EP4735342A1EP 4735342 A1EP4735342 A1EP 4735342A1EP-4735342-A1

Abstract

A reusable package (10) for use in a parcel distribution system, the package (10) comprising - a base (20) and an opposite lid (30) defining an internal space (12), wherein the package (10) comprises a closable opening (32) for enabling access to the internal space (12), the closeable opening (32) being closable along a strip (50) by a reversible slide fastener (52) or hook and loop tape (58); - a first mating unit (14) positioned on the package (10); - a flap (60) extending from the package (10), wherein the flap (10) and the first mating unit (14) are positioned on opposite sides of the strip (50), the flap (60) including a second mating unit (62) complementary to the first mating unit (14); - an electronic seal (70) including a sensor (72) configured for detecting whether the mating units (14,62) are coupled and/or uncoupled; - a smart tag (80) connected to the sensor (72), the smart tag (80) comprising a local power storage (81), a communication module (82), a processor (84) and a computer-readable medium (86) having stored thereon a computer program causing the processor (84) to determine a change of state as a function of data from the sensor between - a broken seal state (100), wherein the mating units (14,62) are uncoupled; and - a connected seal state (200) wherein the mating units (14,62) are coupled, wherein the computer program further causes the processor to store state history on the com- puter-readable medium (86).

Inventors

  • KACZMAREK, ALLAN

Assignees

  • SwipBox Development ApS

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240625

Claims (13)

  1. 1. A reusable package (10) for use in a parcel distribution system, the package (10) comprising - a base (20) and an opposite lid (30) defining an internal space (12), wherein the package (10) comprises a closable opening (32) for enabling access to the internal space (12), the closeable opening (32) being closable along a strip (50) by a reversible slide fastener (52) or hook and loop tape (58); - a first mating unit (14) positioned on the package (10); - a flap (60) extending from the package (10), wherein the flap (10) and the first mating unit (14) are positioned on opposite sides of the strip (50), the flap (60) including a second mating unit (62) complementary to the first mating unit (14), wherein the flap (60) is configured to extend past the strip such that the mating units (14,62) can couple; - an electronic seal (70) including a sensor (72) configured for detecting whether the mating units (14,62) are coupled and/or uncoupled; - a smart tag (80) connected to the sensor (72), the smart tag (80) comprising a local power storage (81), a communication module (82), a processor (84) and a computer-readable medium (86) having stored thereon a computer program causing the processor (84) to determine a change of state as a function of data from the sensor between - a broken seal state (100), wherein the mating units (14,62) are uncoupled; and - a connected seal state (200) wherein the mating units (14,62) are coupled, wherein the computer program further causes the processor to store state history on the computer-readable medium (86).
  2. 2. A package (10) according to claim 1, wherein the flap (60) comprises a width greater than the length of the slider (54) and the puller (56) of the slide fastener (52), such that the slider (54) and the puller (56) are inaccessible without uncoupling the mating units (14,62).
  3. 3. A package (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - the sensor (72) is a hall sensor (74) positioned on the flap (60) at or near the second mating unit (62) and the package (10) comprises permanent magnetic material (57) at or near the first mating unit (14); or - the sensor (70) is a hall sensor (74) positioned on the package (10) at or near the first mating unit (14) and the flap (60) comprises permanent magnetic material (57) at or near the second mating unit (62).
  4. 4. A package (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mating units (14,62) include complementary button parts (59), wherein the electronic seal (70) comprises an electronic circuit (76) going through the button parts (59) and the sensor (72) is configured to measure the voltage drop and or resistance of the electronic circuit (76).
  5. 5. A package (10) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mating units (14,62) comprise complementary hook and loop tape (58).
  6. 6. A package (10) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the smart tag (80) includes a display (88), and the computer program is further configured to cause the display (88) to show the state history.
  7. 7. A package (10) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the smart tag (80) is further configured to receive unique identifiers about the person or legal entity causing a change of state before or after the change of state.
  8. 8. A package (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the smart tag (80) is further configured to reset the state history as a function of received instructions.
  9. 9. A package (10) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the slider (54) and/or the puller (56) of the slide fastener (52) include permanent magnetic material (57), and the sensor (72) is a hall sensor (74) positioned on the flap (60) at an overlap with the slide fastener (52) during use.
  10. 10. A package (10) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electronic seal (70) includes one or more tilt sensors and/or gyroscopes and/or accelerometers attached to the closeable opening (32) and the computer program is further configured to cause the processor to determine a change of state as a function of data including data from the one or more tilt sensors and/or gyroscopes and/or accelerometers.
  11. 11. A package (10) according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the package (10) comprises one or more walls (40) extending between the base (20) and the lid (30).
  12. 12. A package (10) according to any of claims 9 or 10, wherein the closeable opening (32) forms part of the lid (30) and the electronic seal (70) further includes one or more tilt sensors and/or gyroscopes and/or accelerometers attached to the base (20) and/or the one or more walls (40), wherein the computer program is further configured to cause the processor to determine a change of state as a function of comparing data between tilt sensors and/or gyroscopes and/or accelerometers attached to the closeable opening (32) and attached to the one or more walls (40) and/or base (20).
  13. 13. A package (10) according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the package is made of recyclable plastics or fabrics such as cloth.

Description

Reusable package with an electronic seal for use in a parcel distribution system Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reusable package for use in a parcel distribution system, where the package is provided with an electronic seal to detect whether the package has been opened, and the electronic seal is reversible. Background of the Invention The number of parcels globally is increasing year by year and presently cardboard is used for constructing the parcels as it is a relatively cheap material with proper material properties for transportation. However, the material is in general used once before at least part of the cardboard is recycled. Thus, the carbon footprint stemming from cardboard use in the parcel distribution industry is too high and there is an increased focus on finding alternative solutions. The cardboard parcel is in most cases sealed using tape, which is cheap and easy to handle, while providing a minimum of security. However, any person can open a taped cardboard parcel and afterwards reapply the tape. In some cases, national customs or courier services are required to open a parcel and thus the parcel should be openable. The need for a parcel which has a basic level of security, but can still be opened by customs and/or courier services, has prevented widespread integration of alternative solutions. LivingPackets proposes a collapse package of expanded polystyrene including a computer with additional features in an attempt to offset the increased costs of the package. The package includes an electronic lock and a TSA lock for allowing access to customs. This solution is reversible but requires the user to have the correct key or means for communicating with the electronic lock. Returnity (US) proposes various reusable bags and packages which can be reused a multiple number of times. The package is made more tamper proof by a colored cable tie or strip lock while allowing for easy access and application of a new cable tie or strip lock. Limeloop also proposes various reusable packages which can be reused a multiple number of times. The package is made more tamper proof by a colored cable tie or strip lock while allowing for easy access and application of a new cable tie or strip lock. These packages are to be reused several times and rarely will the item or items to be shipped match. In many cases, these packages must be used more than 20 times to be able to compete with the cost of cardboard. However, the solutions from Returnity and Limeloop still generate waste when breaking the cable tie or strip lock, while the LivingPackets solution is time consuming and requires additional items to open. Thus, there is a need for an alternative solution, which generates zero waste while allowing opening of the parcel or package without additional tools. Furthermore, CO2-wise, the most efficient distribution system would be a decentralized system where the reusable packages are not required to return to the sender but instead can flow freely between various couriers, recipients and senders. Solutions proposed by Returnity and Limeloop are not suitable for use in decentralized systems as they require cable ties or strip locks, which a person would then be required to apply. Thus, there is a need for a package for shipping in a parcel distribution system with a reusable and reversible seal, where no additional items are needed to open the package. Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a reusable package for use in a parcel distribution system, where the package is provided with an electronic seal to detect whether the package has been opened, and the electronic seal is reversible. Description of the Invention An object of the invention is achieved by a reusable package for use in a parcel distribution system. The package comprises - a base and an opposite lid defining an internal space, wherein the package comprises a closable opening for enabling access to the internal space, the closeable opening being closable along a strip by a reversible slide fastener or hook and loop tape; - a first mating unit positioned on the package; - a flap extending from the package, wherein the flap and the first mating unit are positioned on opposite sides of the strip, the flap including a second mating unit complementary to the first mating unit, wherein the flap is configured to extend past the strip, such that the mating units can couple; - an electronic seal including a sensor configured for detecting whether the mating units are coupled and/or uncoupled; - a smart tag connected to the sensor, the smart tag comprises a local power storage, a communication module, a processor and a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a computer program causing the processor to determine a change of state as a function of data from the sensor between - a broken seal state, wherein the mating units are uncoupled; and - a connected seal state wherein the mating units are