Mechanically Expandable/Collapsible and Electronically Secured Container

Abstract

This invention describes a container that is easily collapsible and expandable mechanically according to the dimensions of the assets to be contained in it. Boxing a small asset into a large container proves very storage inefficient. It also contains an electromechanically controlled locker to prevent unauthorized access to the contained assets.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to supply-chain management systems in general, and in particular to design of an asset container that is mechanically expandable and electronically secured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Boxing a small asset into a large container proves very storage inefficient. This inefficiency can be overcome, if dimensions of asset containers can be adjusted dynamically based on the dimensions of the assets they are to be filled with. In this invention, design of a new asset container is described. The new asset container is mechanically expandable and collapsible. It also contains an electromechanically controlled locker to prevent unauthorized access to the assets in it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the asset container in collapsed and fully expanded forms according to the invention

FIG. 2 shows the top and left side views of the expanded asset container according to the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates step by step how the asset container is converted from a collapsed form into a basis box

FIG. 4 illustrates step by step how the basis box is expanded horizontally according to the invention

FIG. 5 illustrates step by step how the basis box or its horizontally expanded form can be further expanded vertically

FIG. 6 shows loaded asset container in various expansion levels

FIG. 7 illustrates that multiple collapsed asset containers can be stacked-up.

FIG. 8 denotes locking mechanism for the asset container according to the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This invention describes design of an asset container that is able to take a space saving collapsed form 100 and easily convertible to a box 110. Beams 113 between the top 112 and bottom 111 panels of the box 120 provide structural support. The separation between beams should be shorter than dimensions of the smallest box that is to be stored in the container 110. FIG. 1 illustrates two cases: one case 110 in which only two beams are used on each side of the asset container for storage of large boxes and another case 120 in which four beams are used per side in the asset container for storage of relatively small size boxes.

FIG. 2 shows the top view of the collapsed asset container 100, and also side view of the basis frame 110 when fully expanded. Also as illustrated in FIG. 2, each asset container has wheels 200 to ease movement. The beams 210 at their shortest are used to hold multiple collapsed containers on top of each other tight preventing displacements of the stacked collapsed containers.

The height and the width of the asset container can be adjusted according to the dimensions of the boxes to be stored. In FIG. 3, a single collapsed asset container 100 is shown on its horizontal expansion plane 301. By unfolding the main side beams 300, a first step 304 towards a standing container is made. Once all the side beams 300 are rectified, a second rectangular frame 320 can be pulled up. This second frame 320 serves as the top of the asset. The top rectangular frame 320 has an inner frame 330 that serves as cover for the frame 320 as illustrated in 308 in FIG. 3.

Both the main top rectangular frame 320 and its inner frame 330 and the base frame 400 can be stretched outward on a two-dimensional plane in two directions to increase the dimensions of the asset container as shown in 410 and 411 of FIG. 4. As a result, a wider asset container is obtained.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, it is also possible to enlarge the asset container 120 further when essential to store taller boxes. The side beams can be stretched forth 502 and the top rectangular frame 320 can be pulled up further to allow more space for bigger and taller boxes. This process is shown in 503 of FIG. 5. The base frame 400, the top frame 320 and the inner part 330 of the top frame are shown in 504 of FIG. 5 after the expansion process is completed Expansion can be performed on a need basis. Thus, it provides very high flexibility in adjusting the container dimensions and lowers underutilization of space. FIG. 6 illustrates that the asset container is filled with assets 600, 601603 and 604 incrementally until its full capacity is utilized.

Multiple collapsed asset containers 210 can be easily arranged in stacks for space saving storage and carry as illustrated in FIG. 7. Each asset container 120 also contains an electromechanical locker 800 that fastens the inner frame 330 of the top rectangular frame to the body of main rectangular frame 320 to prevent unauthorized opening of the container. Locking and unlocking can be controlled via a smart card 801. When the right card is swiped, authorization is granted and the locker unfastens. A traditional key based access would not be secure, because the key for the asset container locker can be easily duplicated, whereas it is not easy to duplicate smart cards. In another embodiment of the invention, an RF based switch can also be used for the asset container locker operations.

Claims

1. An asset container that is able to take a space saving collapsed form and easily expandable and resizable, comprising a basis box, an upper panel, a lower panel, beams between the upper panel and the lower panel, rectangular frames.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the said beams provide means for structural support

3. The system of claim 1, wherein spacing between the said beams is shorter than the dimensions of the smallest asset to be contained in the container.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least two of the said beams are deployed on every side of the said container.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the said container further comprises wheels, providing means for easy movement of the said container.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the said beams at their shortest provide means for holding multiple collapsed said containers and means for preventing displacements of the said stacked containers.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the height and width of the said container can be adjusted according to the dimensions of the said assets to be contained.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein after unfolding the said side beams, a said standing container is made.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the said basis-box is horizontally expandable.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein a rectangular frame is pulled up above the said beams, providing means to serve as the top of the said container.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the said top rectangular frame comprises an inner frame that provides means as a cover for the said frame.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the said rectangular frame, the said inner frame and the said base frame can be stretched outward on a two dimensional plane in two directions, providing means for increasing the dimensions of the said container.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the said container further comprises an electromechanical locker, providing means for security by fastening the said inner frame of the said upper rectangular frame to the body of the main rectangular frame.

14. The system in claim 1, wherein locking and unlocking of the said electromechanical locker is controlled via a smart card.