JP7689801B2 - Containment device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a storage device for storing items, such as deliveries, inserted through a mail slot.

Examples of storage devices for storing deliveries and other items include the postboxes shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3096040 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 3803676.

The mail slot for inserting mail into a mailbox (in Patent Publication No. 3096040, mail slot 3 for inserting mail into mailbox body 1) has traditionally been a roughly horizontally rectangular shape with a maximum width of 290 mm and thickness of 40 mm.

In order to be able to accommodate items with a thickness greater than 4 cm (such as a rectangular box) through the insertion opening, the thickness of the insertion opening needs to be increased.

However, particularly in storage devices such as outdoor mailboxes that can accept mail 24 hours a day, enlarging the mail slot, and in particular the thickness, increases the likelihood that stored items will be illegally removed through the slot.

Patent No. 3096040 Patent No. 3803676

The present invention aims to provide a storage device that effectively prevents stored items from being illegally removed from the insertion slot.

The present invention can be expressed, for example, as follows:

(1) a designated portion for receiving the object; and
A partition section that separates an outside from a section including the predetermined portion;
An insertion port provided in the partition for inserting a target object from the outside into the predetermined portion;
an insertion passage provided on the exterior side such that a passage opening is opened at one end and the insertion opening is located at the other end or in the vicinity thereof;
The insertion passage is
The path by which an object held or pushed by hand is inserted from the outside into the predetermined portion through the insertion port is inserted from the passage opening, passes through the insertion passage, and passes through the insertion port;
Prevents a hand from being inserted into the insertion opening from the outside without passing through the passage opening and the insertion passage,
A storage device characterized in that it makes it difficult for a hand inserted from the passage opening from the outside to reach the specified portion through the insertion passage and the insertion opening.

(2) The storage device according to (1) above, in which the insertion passage separates the passage opening from the insertion port, making it difficult for a hand inserted from the passage opening from the outside to reach the specified portion through the insertion port.

(3) The storage device according to (1) or (2) above, in which the insertion passage has a curved path from the passage opening to the insertion port, making it difficult for a hand inserted from the passage opening from the outside to reach the specified portion via the insertion port.

(4) The insertion passage restricts the range of directions of a hand inserted from the passage opening from the outside toward the insertion opening, compared to the range of directions in which a hand can be inserted directly into the insertion opening, thereby making it difficult for a hand inserted from the passage opening from the outside to reach the specified portion through the insertion opening. The storage device described in any one of (1) to (3) above.

(5) A storage device as described in any one of (1) to (4) above, in which the insertion passage is in the form of a pipe.

(6) A storage device as described in (4) above, in which the insertion passage has a duct-like portion at least in the first half of the path from the passage opening to the insertion opening.

(7) A storage device according to any one of (1) to (6) above, in which the insertion passage has a passage opening portion below the insertion opening and extends upward from the passage opening portion to the insertion opening.

(8) A storage device according to any one of (1) to (7) above, in which the insertion passage is formed along the outer side of the partition.

(9) A storage device according to any one of (1) to (8) above, in which the insertion opening is provided at a position above the predetermined portion.

(10) A storage device as described in (9) above, which has a passageway that slopes downward as a whole in a predetermined direction from the insertion opening toward the back side of the predetermined part, as a part through which the target item inserted from the outside through the insertion opening passes before reaching the predetermined part.

(11) A storage device as described in (10) above, in which the entire passageway or the rear portion thereof in the specified direction covers a portion of the upper side of the specified portion on the insertion opening side in the specified direction.

(12) A storage device as described in (10) or (11) above, having a sorting and separation section in the passage for dropping and separating items that are smaller than the target item.

(13) The storage device according to (12) above, which has a hard material shield that can be moved to the rear side of the original position while being biased so as to return to the original position, and the shielding surface on the insertion opening side is located rearward of the upper side of the sorting and separation section.

(14) A storage device according to (13) above, in which several or more of the shields are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction so that they can be moved to the rear of the original position while being biased so that they can return to their original positions independently of each other.

The storage device of the present invention effectively prevents stored items from being illegally removed from the insertion slot.

FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the storage device. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the storage device. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the storage device. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the storage device, omitting the shielding plate. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the right side surface of the storage device. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the procedure for inserting a target item into the storage device. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the route for inserting a target item into the storage device and prevention of unauthorized removal. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another storage device. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another storage device.

[1] The storage device as an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[1-1] The storage device shown in Figures 1 to 9 has a box-shaped body A (partition), a first insertion opening M1 and a second insertion opening M2 for inserting target items from the outside into a predetermined part inside the box-shaped body A, a first storage section C1 (predetermined part) and a second storage section C2 (predetermined part) inside the box-shaped body A, and an insertion passage L on the outside side of the second insertion opening M2.

(1) Box-shaped body A

The box-shaped body A is a hollow, roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape made primarily of steel plate, and the inside of the box-shaped body A is partitioned off from the outside by being surrounded by the box-shaped body A.

(2) Insert hole

The first and second frame-shaped parts F1 and F2, which are rectangular with equal length and width dimensions and recessed toward the rear, are provided side by side on the left and right sides of the upper part of the vertical front part of the box-shaped body A. Both the first and second frame-shaped parts F1 and F2 form partitions. The first and second frame-shaped parts F1 and F2 are provided at the upper part of the first and second frame-shaped parts F1 and F2, which are both horizontally rectangular. The upper sides of the first and second frame-shaped parts F1 and F2 are provided with a forward-protruding eaves part Ac for protection from rain, etc.

(2-1) The first insertion opening M1 is a roughly horizontal rectangle with a horizontal width of 290 mm and a thickness of 40 mm, is located slightly behind the front part of the box-shaped body A, and opens with a slight forward tilt. The first insertion opening M1 is opened and closed by the first insertion opening lid D1 on the inside of the box-shaped body A rotating around the upper rotation axis. Since the first insertion opening lid D1 is subjected to its own weight in a direction to close the first insertion opening M1, in the absence of any other external force, the lid remains closed, and the first insertion opening M1 is opened by pushing the first insertion opening lid D1 into the inside of the box-shaped body A.

The upper portion F1a of the first insertion opening M1 in the first frame portion F1 slopes upward from the top of the first insertion opening M1 toward the front, and the lower upper end portion F1b of the lower upper end portion of the first insertion opening M1 in the first frame portion F1 slopes upward relatively gently toward the first insertion opening M1 so as to support the target item to be inserted into the first insertion opening M1. The lower lower portion F1c of the lower upper end portion F1b in the first frame portion F1 slopes steeply downward from the lower upper end portion F1b to the lower end of the first frame portion F1.

The two side surfaces F1d of the first frame portion F1 are inclined so that they widen slightly to the left and right from the first insertion opening M1 toward the front portion of the box-shaped body A.

The main target items for the first insertion slot M1 are relatively thin items such as envelopes and postcards that are approximately 5 to 6 cm in length and width or larger (large items). Items smaller than approximately 5 to 6 cm in length and width (small items including cigarettes, etc.) can be sorted and separated as non-target items after being inserted through the first insertion slot M1.

(2-2) The second insertion opening M2 is a generally horizontal rectangle with a horizontal width of 290 mm and a thickness of 75 mm, is located further back than the first insertion opening M1, and opens with a slight forward tilt. The second insertion opening M2 is opened and closed by the second insertion opening lid D2 on the inside of the box-shaped body A rotating around the upper rotation axis. Since the second insertion opening lid D2 is subjected to its own weight in a direction that closes the second insertion opening M2, in the absence of any other external force, the lid remains closed, and the second insertion opening M2 opens when the second insertion opening lid D2 is pushed into the inside of the box-shaped body A.

The upper portion F2a of the second insertion opening M2 in the second frame portion F2 slopes upward from the top of the second insertion opening M2 toward the front, and the lower upper end portion F2b of the lower upper end portion of the second insertion opening M2 in the second frame portion F2 slopes upward relatively gently toward the second insertion opening M2 so as to support the target item B2 to be inserted into the second insertion opening M2. The lower lower portion F2c of the lower upper end portion F2b in the second frame portion F2 slopes steeply downward from the lower upper end portion F2b to the lower end of the second frame portion F2.

The two side surfaces F2d of the second frame portion F2 are inclined so as to widen to the left and right from the second insertion opening M2 toward the front portion of the box-shaped body A.

The main items targeted for the second insertion port M2 are relatively thick items with a thickness of approximately 35 to 70 mm (items that cannot or are difficult to insert into the first insertion port M1).

Of the target items for the second insertion port M2, target item B shown in Figures 8 and 9 is a rectangular box measuring 240 mm wide x 170 mm deep x 70 mm high, in which the delivery object is packaged.

After being inserted through the second insertion port M2, items that are smaller than 6 cm in length and width (including cigarettes, etc.) can be sorted and separated as non-target items.

The first insertion opening M1 and the second insertion opening M2 are not limited to having the horizontal width and thickness dimensions described above. For example, the thickness or horizontal width of both insertion openings or one of them may be slightly reduced or increased, or other dimensions or shapes may be changed.

(3) Storage section

The box-shaped body A has a first storage section C1 on the left side for storing the target item inserted into the box-shaped body A through the first insertion opening M1, and a second storage section C2 on the right side for storing the target item B2 inserted into the box-shaped body A through the second insertion opening M2.

The first storage section C1 is configured such that the first bag-shaped body G1 is supported by a first frame support part E1 provided on the left side of the interior of the box-shaped body A in a state in which it opens upward, and the second storage section C2 is configured such that the second bag-shaped body G2 is supported by a second frame support part E2 provided contiguous with the first frame support part E1 on the right side of the interior of the box-shaped body A in a state in which it opens upward.

The first bag-like body G1 is made of a cloth-like material, and a linear material that constitutes a roughly rectangular first frame-like body R1 that can be folded in half by hinge parts Ra provided in the center of each of a pair of opposing sides is inserted into the insertion hole provided along the opening edge of the bag-like body.

The first frame-shaped body R1 opens horizontally into a roughly rectangular shape, and the outer periphery of the opening of the first bag-shaped body G1 is supported horizontally by the first frame support part E1 provided on the left side inside the box-shaped body A, so that the opening of the first bag-shaped body G1 opens upward to form the first storage section C1.

The two hinge parts Ra can only open and close at a specified 180-degree portion, and by removing the first bag-shaped body G1 from the first frame support part E1, the horizontal first frame-shaped body R1 can be folded in half with the hinge parts Ra lowering relatively and the pair of opposing sides that do not have the hinge parts Ra rising relatively close to each other, and the opening of the first bag-shaped body G1 can be closed.

The second bag-shaped body G2 also consists of a similar bag-shaped body and a second frame-shaped body R2, and is supported horizontally by the second frame support part E2, so that the opening of the second bag-shaped body G2 faces upward to form the second storage part C2.

(4) Delivery passageway

The insertion passage L is formed on the outside side of the second insertion opening M2 (i.e., along the outside side of the partition) by a second frame-shaped portion F2 recessed rearward from the front portion of the box-shaped body A and a passage-forming cover portion K made of a transparent synthetic resin material.

The passageway forming cover part K is composed of a horizontally rectangular upper cover plate part Ka that protrudes horizontally forward from the top side of the second frame part F2, a front cover plate part Kb that slopes downward from the front edge of the upper cover plate part Ka to a position slightly below the middle position between the top and bottom of the second frame part F2, and a vertical side cover plate part Kc that spans both side edges of the front cover plate part Kb, both side edges of the second frame part F2, and both side edges of the upper cover plate part Ka.

The insertion passage L formed by the second frame portion F2 and the passage forming cover portion K has a piping shape with a roughly square cross section, and opens at the front lower portion of the second insertion opening M2 at the passage opening La surrounded by the lower ends of the front cover plate portion Kb and both side cover plate portions Kc of the passage forming cover portion K, the lower lower portion F2c and both side portions F2d of the second frame portion F2.

The insertion passage L consists of a lower portion extending upward from the passage opening La, and an upper portion that is surrounded by the upper portions of the front cover plate portion Kb and both side cover plate portions Kc of the passage forming cover portion K, as well as the upper cover plate portion Ka, the upper portion F2a, the lower upper end portion F2b, the lower lower portion F2c of the second frame portion F2, and the upper portions of both side portions F2d, and leads to the second insertion opening M2.

The angle between the direction of the insertion passage L toward the second insertion opening M2 at the passage opening La (in this storage device, the direction along the lower lower portion F2c is inclined backward from the vertical upward by about 15 degrees [the minimum inclination angle taking into account the shape and dimensions of the insertion passage L and the thickness of the arm when a hand is inserted from the passage opening La is inclined backward from the vertical upward by about 55 degrees]) and the direction toward the inside of the second storage section C2 inside the box-shaped body A after passing through the second insertion opening M2 (in this storage device, the angle is about 35 degrees toward the rear from the vertical downward, which is a downward inclination toward the rear) is about 130 degrees [about 90 degrees when a hand is inserted as described above].

The passageway-forming cover portion K also has the effect of preventing rainwater and other water from entering the second insertion opening M2 (especially in the case of strong winds and rain).

The left and right side cover plate sections Kc can be marked with white or fluorescent pigments to make them easy to see (especially at night) and prevent collisions with pedestrians, or can be made of cushioning material in case of a collision (for example, white sponge-like materials such as polyethylene foam or polyurethane foam that have cushioning properties to prevent injuries due to collisions).

The insertion passage L is formed with a small cross section at each point so that the rectangular parallelepiped target object B2, measuring 240 mm wide x 170 mm deep x 70 mm high, can be manually inserted through the passage opening La at one end that opens downward, moved upward, and directed toward the second insertion opening M2 at the back of the second frame-shaped portion F2 at the top of the insertion passage L, and then inserted into (a specified portion of) the box-shaped body A through the second insertion opening M2.

When an arm is inserted upward from the passage opening La, which opens downward, toward the second insertion opening M2 at the back of the second frame-shaped portion F2 at the top of the insertion passage L and inserted into the second storage portion C2 inside the box-shaped body A through the second insertion opening M2, the passage opening La and the insertion opening M2 are separated, the path is bent as shown in FIG. 9(1), and the cross section of each part of the insertion passage L is made small to the extent possible, restricting the range of directions in which a hand inserted from the passage opening La from the outside can move toward the insertion opening M2 compared to the range of directions in which the hand can be inserted directly into the insertion opening, thereby preventing the insertion of a hand into the second storage portion C2 located below the insertion opening M2 inside the box-shaped body A, and preventing the removal of items from inside the box-shaped body A even if the hand could be inserted.

(5) Passage route

This storage device has a first passage P1 and a second passage P2 that slope downward from the first insertion opening M1 or the second insertion opening M2 toward the back of the box-shaped body A, respectively, as sections through which a target item inserted from the outside into the inside of the box-shaped body A through the first insertion opening M1 or the second insertion opening M2 passes before reaching the upward opening of the first bag-shaped body G1 constituting the first storage section C1 or the upward opening of the second bag-shaped body G2 constituting the second storage section C2, respectively.

The first passage P1 and the second passage P2 are capable of supporting the target object on the upper side in a state in which the target object can slide down, and in a predetermined direction from the first insertion opening M1 or the second insertion opening M2 toward the rear of the box-shaped body A, they slope downward from the first insertion opening M1 or the second insertion opening M2 toward the rear of the box-shaped body A. In the horizontal direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, the left and right side portions of the first passage P1 are located respectively outboard of the left and right ends of the first insertion opening M1, and the left and right side portions of the second passage P2 are located respectively outboard of the left and right ends of the second insertion opening M2.

The first passage P1 in the specified orientation has a rear portion located above a portion of the upward opening of the first bag-shaped body G1, which is the receiving portion of the first storage section C1, on the first insertion opening M1 side in the specified orientation, and covers a portion of the first insertion opening M1 side.

The second passage P2 in the specified orientation is located above a portion of the upward opening of the second bag-shaped body G2, which is the receiving section of the second storage section C2, on the second insertion port M2 side in the specified orientation, and covers a portion of the second insertion port M2 side. By having a rear-side downward inclined plate portion P2b on the rear side of the sorting and separation section S in the second passage P2 (right side in Figures 3, 8, and 9), it is more effectively prevented from inserting a hand through the second insertion port M2 and reaching the second storage section C2.

A vertical partition plate portion H is provided between the first passage P1 and the second passage P2.

(6) Sorting and separation section S

The first passage P1, other than the portion P1a near the end on the first insertion opening M1 side in the specified orientation, and the second passage P2, between the portion P2a near the end on the second insertion opening M2 side and the rear downward inclined plate portion P2b in the specified orientation, each have a sorting and separation section S for dropping and separating non-target items (small-sized items) such as lit cigarettes. The sorting and separation section S in the first passage P1 and the sorting and separation section S in the second passage P2 are substantially identical in configuration, and each sorting and separation section S spans the entire width of the first passage P1 and the second passage P2.

The sorting and separation section S is formed by disposing an inclined plate Va at the opening Vp of the receiving box V for non-target items.

Multiple identical inclined plates Va are inclined and protrude downward toward the rear side from the top of the receiving box V to the opening Vp, and are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the horizontal direction. The upper surface of the inclined plate Va is approximately an isosceles triangle (or an isosceles trapezoid), and the horizontal width of the upper surface of the inclined plate Va gradually decreases as it moves downward toward the rear side, which is the main inclination direction, and the lower end forms a pointed free end.

The lower end of the inclined plate Va is located slightly forward (towards the insertion opening) and above the lower edge Vf of the opening Vp of the receiving box V. The upper surface of each inclined plate Va is curved downward and convex upward from the center to both sides (left and right).

The depression angle of the main inclination direction (downward toward the back) of the upper surface of the inclined plate Va is approximately 40 degrees.

The drop gap Vg formed between the inclined plates Va is an isosceles trapezoid whose lateral width gradually increases as it moves downward in the main inclination direction. The drop gap Vg formed between the outer sides of the inclined plates Va at both ends and both side plates Vs of the receiving box V is a trapezoid whose lateral width gradually increases as it moves downward in the main inclination direction.

(7) Shielding body

(7-1) The upper end of a shielding plate Y1 made of hot-dip galvanized steel plate is rotatably supported at the rear upper position of the first passage P1 of a shielding plate mounting part U provided on the underside of the top plate Ab inside the box-shaped body A. A weight body W1 inclined downwards and rearwards is provided on the upper rear side (rear side) of the shielding plate Y1 to bias the shielding plate Y1 to tilt forward and downward. In a normal state except when a target object is passing through the first passage P1, the shielding plate Y1 remains stationary in an original position with the shielding surface (front side) sandwiched between the lower end of the inclined plate Va and the predetermined distance d (in this case, a distance slightly wider than the diameter of a cigarette).

The lower edge of the shielding plate Y1 in the original position is located above the lower edge Vf of the receiving box V at a position slightly higher than the lower end of the inclined plate Va (however, this does not necessarily mean that it is in a higher position in the original position). When the shielding plate Y1 rotates rearward from the original position as the target item passes through the first passage P1, the shielding plate Y1 returns to the original position due to the biasing force of the weight body W1.

By providing a stopper T1 on the front side of the upper end of the shielding plate Y1, the stopper T1 abuts against the shielding plate mounting portion U in the original position to prevent forward rotation and maintain the predetermined distance d. Note that the means for preventing the shielding plate Y1 from moving forward from the original position is not limited to this.

(7-2) Five substantially identical shielding plates Y2 made of hot-dip galvanized steel are supported at their upper ends in a rotatable manner independent of one another at a position above the second passage P2 in the shielding plate mounting portion U provided on the underside of the top plate Ab inside the box-shaped body A. The five shielding plates Y2, each with a relatively narrow width, are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction with a small gap between them, and span the entire width of the second passage P2.

A weight body W2 inclined downwards at the rear of the upper part of each shielding plate Y2 is provided on the rear side (rear side) to bias the shielding plate Y2 to tilt downwards and forwards. In the normal state, except when the target object is passing through the second passage P2, each shielding plate Y2 remains stationary in its original position with the shielding surface Y2f (front side surface) sandwiched between the lower end of the inclined plate Va and the shielding surface Y2f at a predetermined distance d (in this case, a distance slightly wider than the diameter of a cigarette).

The lower edge of each shielding plate Y2 in the original position is located above the lower edge Vf of the receiving box V at a position slightly higher than the lower end of the inclined plate Va (however, this does not necessarily mean that the position is higher in the original position). Of the five shielding plates Y2, the shielding plate Y2 that has rotated rearward from the original position due to the target item passing through the second passage P2 returns to the original position due to the biasing force of the weight body W2.

When each shield plate Y2 is in the original position, the stopper T2 at the upper end of each shield plate abuts against the shield plate mounting portion U to prevent forward rotation, and the predetermined distance d is maintained.

(7-3) When a lit cigarette (small-sized item lighter than a specified weight) is inserted through the first insertion opening M1 or the second insertion opening M2, as the cigarette passes from top to bottom toward the back on the inclined upper surface of the inclined plate Va in the sorting and separation section S, it falls from the upper surface of the inclined plate Va into the side drop gap Vg, or falls directly into the drop gap Vg, and is stored in the receiving box V, where it is separated from the target items (large-sized items) that cannot fall into the drop gap Vg.

The upper surface of the inclined plate Va, which is approximately an isosceles triangle, has a lateral width that gradually decreases as it moves downward in the main inclination direction, and has a drop gap Vg on the side whose lateral width gradually increases as it moves downward in the main inclination direction. Therefore, even if a cigarette moving downward on the upper surface of the inclined plate Va is a long cigarette that has just been lit, it falls more reliably into the drop gap Vg as it moves downward and is stored in the receiving box V, and the target item (large-sized item) and the cigarette can be separated with high reliability in the sorting and separation section S. Moreover, the upper surface of the inclined plate Va is curved downward from the center to both sides in a convex upward shape, and the curvature gradually increases as it moves downward, so that a cigarette moving downward on the upper surface of the inclined plate Va falls more reliably into the drop gap Vg as it moves downward.

Furthermore, even if the cigarette does not fall into the drop gap Vg and reaches the lower end of the inclined plate Va, the lower end of the inclined plate Va is pointed, so the small-sized object will fall into the drop gap Vg with high certainty. Therefore, even if the shield plate Y1 or the shield plate Y2 is rotated backwards due to another target object, the inserted cigarette will not fall into the drop gap Vg and will reach the first bag-like body G1 or the second bag-like body G2, and the contained target object will not be burned or damaged with high certainty. Also, if the shield plate Y1 or the shield plate Y2 is stationary in the original position, even if the cigarette hits the shield plate Y1 or the shield plate Y2, the shield plate Y1 or the shield plate Y2 will not rotate backward, and will be contained in the receiving box V by the specified distance d between the shield plate Y1 or the lower end of the inclined plate Va.

(7-4) On the other hand, among the target items (large-sized items) inserted through the first insertion opening M1 or the second insertion opening M2, those that are thick and heavier than a predetermined weight pass from top to bottom on the inclined plate Va of the sorting and separation section S, collide with the shielding plate Y1 or shielding plate Y2, causing the shielding plate Y1 or shielding plate Y2 to rotate backward, pass above the lower edge Vf of the receiving box V, reach the back side of the receiving box V, and fall through each opening into the first bag-like body G1 of the first storage section C1 or the second bag-like body G2 of the second storage section C2, respectively.

In addition, postcards, thin envelopes, and other target items (large items) inserted through the first insertion port M1 or the second insertion port M2 pass from top to bottom on the inclined plate Va of the sorting and separation section S, pass under the lower edge of the shielding plate Y1 or shielding plate Y2 above the lower edge Vf of the receiving box V, reach the back side of the receiving box V, and fall through each opening into the first bag-like body G1 of the first storage section C1 or the second bag-like body G2 of the second storage section C2.

(7-5) The second insertion opening M2 is large, with a horizontal width of 247 mm and a thickness of 75 mm, but the second passage P2 has five relatively narrow shielding plates Y2 that are supported independently and rotatably and are arranged in parallel across the entire width of the second passage P2 with a small gap between them.

Even if there were a single shield plate that rotates back and forth across the entire width of the second passage P2, and it were possible to insert a hand to move the shield plate toward the back and remove the target object B2 in the second storage section C2 or the target object B2 that has overflowed onto the second storage section C2, five relatively narrow shield plates Y2 that are supported independently and rotatably are arranged adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction with a small gap between them. As shown in FIG. 9(2) when the target object B2 is inserted (or more than in the case of the target object B2), the shield plate Y2 that cannot be moved toward the back even if a hand is inserted remains in its original position or nearby, so that the target object B2 that is being illegally removed from the second storage section C2 is prevented from moving toward the second insertion opening M2 by the shield plate Y2 that remains in its original position or nearby, and removal can be prevented.

(8) Removal section

The box-shaped body A has an opening/closing part Ad in the form of a single-leaf door on its left side, and when the opening/closing part Ad is open, the first bag-shaped body G1 and the second bag-shaped body G2 containing the target items can be removed, and the empty first bag-shaped body G1 and the second bag-shaped body G2 can be supported by the first frame support part E1 and the second frame support part E2 inside the box-shaped body A. In addition, when the opening/closing part Ad is open, it is also possible to insert and remove a receiving box V for non-target items (non-target item receiving part) and to discard non-target items inside the receiving box V.

[1-2] The storage device shown in Figures 10 and 11 has a second frame-shaped portion F2 that is recessed a certain distance rearward from the front surface of the box-shaped body A compared to the storage device shown in Figures 1 to 9, and has a lower lower end portion F2e that slopes gently downward toward the front below the lower lower portion F2c.

(1) The storage device in Fig. 10 aims to prevent collisions between pedestrians and the like by reducing the forward protrusion distance of the upper cover plate portion Ka and the side cover plate portion Kc of the passage-forming cover portion K from the front portion of the box-shaped body A compared to the storage device shown in Figs. 1 to 9, while maintaining the inclination of the front cover plate portion Kb, which slopes downward toward the front. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the storage device shown in Figs. 1 to 9.

The insertion passage L of the storage device in FIG. 10 has a considerable portion of the passage opening La located in the recess of the second frame-shaped portion F2, so it becomes more difficult to insert an arm inserted upward from the passage opening La toward the second insertion opening M2 at the back of the second frame-shaped portion F2 at the top of the insertion passage L and then insert the arm through the second insertion opening M2 into the second storage portion C2 in the box-shaped body A.

(2) In the storage device of Figure 11, the upper cover plate portion Ka and the side cover plate portion Kc of the passage-forming cover portion K hardly protrude forward from the front portion of the box-shaped body A, and the front cover plate portion Kb is vertical, so that the entire passage-forming cover portion K hardly protrudes forward, which effectively prevents collisions between pedestrians. The rest of the configuration is the same as the storage device shown in Figures 1 to 9.

In the insertion passage L of the storage device in FIG. 11, most of the passage opening La is located in the recess of the second frame-shaped portion F2, so it becomes even more difficult to insert an arm that is inserted upward from the passage opening La toward the second insertion opening M2 at the back of the second frame-shaped portion F2 at the top of the insertion passage L and then insert it through the second insertion opening M2 into the second storage portion C2 inside the box-shaped body A.

[2] Further explanation of the embodiments of the present invention, including embodiments other than those described above.

The storage device of the present invention has a specified portion for receiving the target item, a partition that separates the outside from a portion that includes the specified portion, an insertion port provided in the partition for inserting the target item from the outside to the specified portion, and an insertion passage provided on the side of the outside.

Examples of storage devices include, but are not limited to, mailboxes or other collection mailboxes for collecting items to be delivered for delivery by a delivery company or the like, and receiving mailboxes for receiving the delivered items at the delivery destination.

(1) Target items

The storage device of the present invention can store objects of a specified shape and size as target objects in the storage section through an insertion opening.

An example of an item of a specified shape and size is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped item of specified dimensions. More specifically, an example of an item is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped packaging box of specified dimensions made of paper or plastic cardboard, etc., containing various items.

The target items can be limited to items of a certain shape and size (this can be made a rule), but for example, all items that can be delivered by mail or home delivery and that can be stored in the storage section through the mail slot can also be considered target items.

Examples of non-restricted items include, but are not limited to, items that are too small (e.g., smaller than a certain length and width dimension) or too large (e.g., larger than a certain length, width or height) to be handled, items that contain fire such as an unlit cigarette, dangerous items such as flammable substances or explosives, and fragile items that are not safely packaged.

(2) Partition

The partition section partitions the area including the specified portion for receiving the target item from the outside, and is, for example, a part that partitions the outside from the inside of a box-shaped body or the like (e.g., a hollow approximately rectangular parallelepiped, hollow approximately polygonal columnar body, hollow approximately cylindrical body, hollow approximately elliptical columnar body, etc., which may be fixed to land, a building, etc., or may be movable) that surrounds the area including the specified portion (preferably without gaps), such as an outer wall section, bottom plate section, top plate section, etc. that constitute the box-shaped body; a part including the specified portion is located inside the building, etc., and the partition section may be, but is not limited to, a part that partitions the inside of the building, etc. from the outside, such as the outer wall of a building, etc.

(3) Specified part

The specified part is a part for receiving the target item. A common example of a specified part is a storage section for storing the target item. Another example of a specified part is an introduction section of an introduction path that receives the target item through an insertion opening and introduces the target item into another storage section.

The specified portion is a portion that is partitioned from the outside by a partition, and can be, for example, all or part of the interior of a box-shaped body or the like that surrounds the specified portion without any gaps, or it can be, for example, a part of the interior of a building or the like (for example, a portion of a partition such as the exterior wall of a building or the like that faces the location where the insertion slot is provided).

(4) Insert hole

The insertion opening is provided in the partition for inserting the target item from the outside into a specified portion. The insertion opening can be provided, for example, within the thickness of the partition, or it can be provided from the thickness to either or both the outside and inside sides, or it can be provided so as to protrude from the partition to the outside or inside side.

It is common and preferable for the insertion opening to be located above the specified part so that the object can drop from the insertion opening and be received in the specified part. To make it difficult for an outside hand to reach the specified part through the insertion opening, it is preferable for the insertion opening to be located as high as possible above the specified part.

A partition may have multiple insertion openings, and the multiple insertion openings may differ from one another in size or shape.

The insertion opening allows an object of the specified shape and dimensions to be inserted from the outside into the specified portion as the target object.

The insertion opening itself (i.e., when it faces the outside and there is no insertion passage, etc.) can be, for example, one through which a human hand, forearm, or part or all of the forearm and upper arm can be inserted from the outside, but is not necessarily limited to this.

The cross-sectional shape of the insertion opening (the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the target item is inserted from the outside into the specified part) can be, but is not limited to, a substantially rectangular shape (such as a rectangular shape or a rectangular shape with curved corners) or any other polygonal shape or shape surrounded by a closed curve, a substantially rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction being horizontal, or any other shape.

For example, if the partition has a vertical or nearly vertical portion and the insertion opening opens into that portion, it is preferable that the insertion opening be slightly inclined forward (the upper edge of the insertion opening is located further forward than the lower edge), and the insertion opening can be, but is not limited to, a recessed position in the vertical or nearly vertical portion of the partition, or within a recessed recess, or at the most recessed position within the recess. These configurations can have the effect of preventing, for example, rainwater, etc. from entering the partition through the insertion opening.

(5) Delivery passageway

The insertion passage is provided on the outside side of the storage device, separated from the part including the specified part by the partition, so that the passage opening is open at one end and the insertion opening is located at the other end or in the vicinity thereof.

(5-1) Passage entrance

The passage opening itself (i.e., when there is no portion of the insertion passage from the passage opening to the other end, no insertion opening, etc.) can be, for example, one through which a human hand, forearm, or part or all of the forearm and upper arm can be inserted from the outside, but is not necessarily limited to this.

(5-2) Functions of the delivery passage, etc.

The insertion passage is a path by which an object held or pushed by hand is inserted from the outside into a specified part; the object is inserted into the insertion passage from the passage opening at one end, passes through the insertion passage, and passes through an insertion port located at the other end or nearby. This allows an object (at least an object of a specified shape and size, for example, an object in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped of specified dimensions) to be inserted by a person (inserter) (for example, while being held by hand or pushed by hand) from the passage opening at one end, passes through the insertion passage, and is inserted into the specified part through an insertion port located at the other end or nearby.

The insertion passage also prevents someone from inserting a hand into the insertion opening from outside without passing through the passage opening and the insertion passage.

The insertion passage is designed to make it difficult (preferably impossible) for a hand inserted from the passage opening from outside to reach the specified portion through the insertion passage and the insertion opening, for example, by any one of the following (a), (b) and (c), or a combination of any two or three of (a), (b) and (c).

(a) Separating the passage opening from the insertion opening. For example, separating the passage opening from the insertion opening so that the shortest distance between the passage opening and the insertion opening is 100 mm or more (preferably 120 mm or more, more preferably 150 mm or more, even more preferably 200 mm or more, and even more preferably 250 mm or more).

(b) The path along which a hand inserted from the passage opening from outside travels toward the insertion port is bent. For example, the angle of the axis of the insertion port changes (bends) (for example, 30 degrees to 90 degrees) from the passage opening at one end to a predetermined position and from that predetermined position to the other end. The bend is not necessarily limited to one point on the path. The bend may also be curved. Examples of the passage opening at one end and the predetermined position include, but are not limited to, a case where the passage opening is below the insertion port and the predetermined position is in front of the insertion port, or a case where the passage opening is to the side of the insertion port and the predetermined position is in front of the insertion port.

(c) Restricting the range of directions of a hand inserted from the passage opening from outside toward the insertion opening, compared to the range of directions when the hand is inserted directly into the insertion opening. For example, when the insertion passage extends from the passage opening at one end at an upward incline (not necessarily limited to an upward incline) to the other end, restricting the range in which the inclination angle of the arm can be changed compared to when the hand is inserted directly into the insertion opening (for example, restricting the range of 80 to 90 degrees for direct insertion to 10 degrees to 20 degrees, such as 1/10 to 1/2, preferably 1/10 to 1/3, more preferably 1/10 to 1/4).

(5-3) Pipe-like insertion passage

The insertion passage can be, for example, tubular (e.g., tubular with a square cross section or other shape) (but is not necessarily limited to tubular). The peripheral wall portion forming the tubular shape is preferably impermeable, but all or part of the peripheral wall portion may be, for example, lattice-like or mesh-like with holes large enough that hands cannot be inserted or removed, and may be difficult to deform.

When the insertion passage is in the form of a pipe (not necessarily the entire insertion passage), it is preferable to use one or more of (a), (b) and (c) above in order to make it difficult for a hand inserted from the passage opening from the outside to reach the specified part through the insertion passage and the insertion opening.

An example of an insertion passage having a duct-like portion is one in which at least the first half of the path from the passage opening to the insertion port has a duct-like portion. In this case, (c) above is preferable in that it makes it difficult for a hand inserted from the passage opening from the outside to reach the specified portion via the insertion passage and the insertion port.

(5-4) Example of a delivery passageway

One suitable example of an insertion passage is one that opens below the insertion opening (e.g., below the front or below the side) and goes upward from the passage opening to the insertion opening (e.g., vertically upward, or sloping upward toward the front of the insertion opening, or sloping upward from the side toward the insertion opening) (e.g., one that has a pipe shape with a square cross section or other shape). In this case (particularly when the insertion opening is located above the specified part), it is effective in making it difficult for a hand inserted from the passage opening from outside to reach the specified part through the insertion passage and the insertion opening. In this case, the minimum elevation angle that connects the passage opening and the insertion opening in a straight line without intermediate obstructions can be, for example, 30 degrees or more (preferably 40 degrees or more, more preferably 50 degrees or more).

It is preferable that the insertion passage be more curved, particularly when a hand is inserted from the passage opening from outside and then passes through the insertion passage and the insertion opening (preferably located below the insertion opening) into the specified part, thereby more effectively preventing the hand from being inserted into the specified part.

When a hand is inserted from the passage opening from the outside and passes through the insertion passage and the insertion port toward the specified portion, the angle between the direction toward the insertion port at the passage opening and the direction toward the specified portion in the portion partitioned from the outside by the partition after passing through the insertion port can be, for example, 60 degrees or more. The angle is preferably 80 degrees or more, more preferably 100 degrees or more, and even more preferably 120 degrees or more, and can be 160 degrees or less.

(5-5) Example of how to create a delivery passageway

It is preferable that the insertion passage be formed along the exterior side of the partition (preferably as part of the partition that constitutes the insertion passage), in order to prevent as much as possible an increase in the area occupied by the exterior due to the provision of the insertion passage (for example, the creation of a protrusion from the partition to the exterior, or the protrusion becoming larger, etc.). For example, if the partition has a vertical or nearly vertical part and the insertion opening opens into that part, the insertion passage can be formed in an approximately vertical direction or in another direction along the vertical or nearly vertical part of the partition.

Examples of forming an insertion passage along the outer side of the partition include:
A method of forming an insertion passage along the outer side of a partition without using the partition as a part of the insertion passage;
One example is one in which a partition is used as a part of the insertion passage, and the insertion passage is formed along the outer side of the partition.

Examples of the latter include:
A recess constituting a part of a partition (for example, a recess formed in a part of a substantially vertical surface of the partition [for example, a substantially groove-shaped recess extending in the vertical direction or in other directions]) is used as a part constituting the insertion passage, and the other part constituting the insertion passage is constituted by a member other than the partition;
A portion other than the recess constituting a part of the partition (for example, a substantially vertical surface portion of the partition) is used as a part constituting the insertion passage, and the other portion constituting the insertion passage is constituted by a member other than the partition;
Examples of such a configuration include a recess that forms part of the partition and the portion other than the recess that forms part of the insertion passage, and the other portion that forms the insertion passage is made of a material other than the partition.Among these examples, when a recess that forms part of the partition is made part of the insertion passage, the recess can be made deeper so that the portion made of a material other than the partition protrudes to the outside from the portion of the partition other than the recess (such as the portion surrounding the recess), reducing the degree to which it protrudes or making it so that it does not protrude at all.

(6) Storage section

The storage device of the present invention can have a storage section for storing the target item inserted into a specified portion through the insertion opening.

The storage section can be, for example, bag- or box-shaped with an opening at the top, but is not limited to these.

The storage section may be, for example, entirely located in the specified portion, or at least the receiving section of the storage section that directly receives the target item inserted into the specified portion through the insertion opening may be located in the specified portion. Also, for example, the introduction section of the introduction path that introduces the target item inserted into the specified portion into the storage section may be located in the specified portion.

The distance from the insertion opening to the storage section (including the distance through any part that covers the storage section when the part is present on the way from the insertion opening to the storage section) can be, for example, 100 to 400 mm, preferably 130 to 300 mm, and more preferably 150 to 250 mm.

(7) Passage route

The storage device of the present invention can have an insertion opening located above the specified portion, and a passageway that slopes downward as a whole in a specified direction from the insertion opening toward the back side of the specified portion, through which the target item inserted from the outside through the insertion opening passes before reaching the specified portion (generally the storage section, or as another example, the introduction section of the introduction path leading to the storage section).

The passageway as a whole slopes downward in a specified direction, and can support an object of a specified shape and size on the upper side in a state in which the object can slide down. The passageway does not necessarily have to have a horizontal portion or the like in part (for example, the part on the insertion opening side in the specified direction that is from the insertion opening toward the back side of the specified part, or other parts).

In the specified orientation, the passageway may, for example, be such that all or a portion except for a portion on the insertion opening side (e.g., a horizontal portion) slopes downward from the insertion opening toward the back side of the specified portion.

The entire passageway or the rear part in the specified direction can be positioned so as to cover a part of the specified part located below the insertion opening on the side of the insertion opening in the specified direction. In this case, the distance from the insertion opening to the specified part is extended, so that the target item can be more effectively prevented from being illegally removed through the insertion opening. Also, the specified part can be positioned on the rear side of the passageway in the specified direction.

(8) Sorting and separation section

The storage device of the present invention can have a sorting and separation section in the passageway for dropping and separating non-target items, such as lit cigarettes.

The entire passageway or a specific portion (e.g., a portion including a part of the downward slope) in the specified direction can be the sorting and separation section. In the horizontal direction perpendicular to the specified direction, it is preferable that the passageway and sorting and separation section extend beyond both ends of the insertion opening.

The sorting and separation section preferably has several or more drop sections such as openings or gaps that open upward, and among the items supported on the upper side and attempting to pass through, the target items (for example, rectangular parallelepiped boxes of a specified shape and dimensions, large items such as envelopes and postcards that are at least a specified length and width dimension) can slide down to the end while supported on the upper side, while cigarettes and other small items that are smaller than the target items can be separated by dropping into the drop sections such as the openings or gaps.

More specifically, for example, a device for separating target articles from among articles passing from above to below on an inclined body with an inclined upper surface, the upper surface of the inclined body having an end on the lower side and inclining downward at least in the main inclination direction in which the articles pass, the width in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the main inclination direction, gradually decreasing as it moves downward in the main inclination direction, and a drop gap is provided on the side of the inclined body in the horizontal direction, the width in the horizontal direction gradually increasing as it moves downward in the main inclination direction, and among articles passing from above to below on the upper surface, cigarettes and the like that are smaller than the target articles fall into the drop gap and are separated.

Another example is one in which several or more wires aligned in the specified direction are arranged in parallel at intervals (e.g., at regular intervals), and all or a portion of the wires in the specified direction are inclined downward toward the back of a specified portion in the specified direction, and among the articles passing from above to below on the parallel wires, cigarettes and the like that are smaller than the target article fall into the gaps between the wires and are separated.

Furthermore, the device may have a non-target item receiving section (for example, a box-shaped body made of a heat-resistant and flame-retardant material that can receive non-target items that have fallen and been separated from the sorting and separation section through an upper opening) that receives the non-target items, or a receiving opening for introducing the non-target items into the non-target item receiving section.

(9) Shielding body

(9-1) The storage device of the present invention may have a shield made of a hard material (preferably fireproof) that is movable to a position deeper than the original position while being biased so as to return to the original position, and the shielding surface on the insertion opening side (front side) may be located deeper than the upper side (e.g., the top surface) of the sorting and separation section.

An example of a hard material is hot-dip galvanized steel sheet, but is not limited to this.

Means for biasing the shield to return to its original position include, but are not limited to, a weight provided on the rear side of the pivotally supported shield, a shield shape with the center of gravity located on the rear side of the shield, and biasing by an elastic body.

(9-2) If an object passes from above to below over the sorting and separation section and collides with the shielding surface of a shield stationary in the original position, the shield can be made to be lighter than a predetermined weight, and the object, i.e., a non-target object, can fall through a gap or the like that opens above the sorting and separation section and be received in the non-target object receiving section. If the colliding object is heavier than a predetermined weight, the shield can move to the rear and the object, i.e., a target object, can reach the rear of the sorting and separation section.

(9-3) The shielding surface of the shielding body located at the original position can be arranged to be spaced a predetermined distance from the upper lower end of the sorting and separation section (the upper lower end through which an article can pass from above to below). In this case, if an article that passes from above to below over the sorting and separation section and collides with the shielding surface of the shielding body stationary at the original position is a sheet-like article that is lighter than a predetermined weight, the sheet-like article can pass through the predetermined distance and reach the rear side of the sorting and separation section.

(9-4) In the storage device of the present invention, several or more shielding bodies are biased so as to be able to return to their original positions independently of one another and move rearward from the original positions in a direction intersecting (preferably substantially perpendicular) to the predetermined direction (preferably across both ends or the outer parts of both ends of the sorting and separation section, or across the entirety or a certain part of the space between both side plate portions provided on both sides in a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the predetermined direction in the part including the sorting and separation section to limit the passage path of the articles),
They may be adjacent and juxtaposed (preferably closely adjacent or adjacent with a small gap, for example, a gap through which tobacco or the like cannot pass).

Even if the shield moves as a single unit or as a whole and it is possible to insert one's hand and move the shield toward the rear to remove the target item in the storage section or the target item overflowing onto the storage section, by arranging several or more shields adjacent to each other in a direction intersecting the specified direction, the shield that cannot be moved toward the rear even if a hand is inserted will maintain its original position or its vicinity, so that the target item that is to be illegally removed is prevented from moving toward the insertion opening by the shield that maintains its original position or its vicinity, and removal can be prevented.

When the insertion opening is roughly rectangular horizontally, and the height of an object inserted into a specific part through the insertion opening is slightly smaller than the thickness of the insertion opening and can be held in one hand, but the width and height of the object are greater than the thickness of the insertion opening and cannot be held in one hand, it is extremely difficult to illegally remove such an object by grasping it in the height direction with one hand after passing through the passage opening and insertion passage and passing it through the insertion opening. It becomes even more difficult when there are several or more obstructions as described above.

(10) Removal section

The storage device of the present invention may have a removal section for removing a target item stored in the storage section, or for removing the storage section itself (with or without a target item stored therein).

The removal section can be opened and closed by an opening and closing section that is, for example, a hinged door (single or double swinging) or a sliding door, and removal can be made possible when the opening and closing section is open, but the structure of the removal section is not limited to these.

The removal section can be, for example, located in a part or member other than the part or member in which the insertion port is provided, or located in the part or member in which the insertion port is provided.

The removal section can be, for example, one for removing (the target item stored in the storage section or the storage section itself) from the outside, or one for removing (the target item stored in the storage section or the storage section itself) inside a building or the like partitioned from the outside. If it is for removing (the target item stored in the storage section or the storage section itself) inside a building or the like partitioned from the outside, it is not limited to one that can be opened and closed by an opening/closing section and allows removal when the opening/closing section is open, but can also be one that does not have an opening/closing section and allows removal at any time.

The objects to be removed by the removal section are not limited to the storage section and the target items, but can also include the non-target item receiving section and the non-target items in the non-target item receiving section.

A Box-shaped body Ab Top plate Ac Eaves-shaped part Ad Opening/closing part B2 Target article C1 First storage part C2 Second storage part D1 First difference entrance cover D2 Second difference entrance cover E1 First frame support part E2 Second frame support part F1 First frame part F1a Upper part F1b Lower upper end part F1c Lower lower part F1d Side part F2 Second frame part F2a Upper part F2b Lower upper end part F2c Lower lower part F2d Side part F2e Lower lower end part G1 First bag-like body G2 Second bag-like body H Partition plate part J Side plate part K Passage forming cover part Ka Upper cover plate part Kb Front cover plate part Kc Side cover plate part L Insertion passage La Passage opening part M1 First insertion inlet M2 Second entrance P1 First passage P1a Near end P2 Second passage P2a Near end portion P2b Rear downward inclined plate portion R1 First frame-shaped body R2 Second frame-shaped body Ra Hinge portion S Sorting and separating portion T1 Stopper T2 Stopper U Shield plate attachment portion V Receiving box Va Inclined plate Vf Lower edge portion Vg Drop gap Vp Opening Vs Side plate W1 Weight body W2 Weight body Y1 Shield plate Y2 Shield plate Y2f Shielding surface d Predetermined distance

Claims (14)

a portion for receiving an object;
A partition section that separates an outside from a section including the predetermined portion;
an insertion opening provided on a front side of the partition at a position above the predetermined portion for inserting an object from the outside into the predetermined portion;
an insertion passage provided along the outer side of the partition so that a passage opening is opened at a lower end and the insertion opening is located at the back side of an upper end or a portion near the upper end ;
The insertion passage is
The path by which a target object held or pushed by hand is inserted from the outside into the predetermined portion through the insertion port is inserted from the passage opening, passes through the insertion passage, and passes through the insertion port;
Prevents a hand from being inserted into the insertion opening from the outside without passing through the passage opening and the insertion passage,
A storage device characterized in that it makes it difficult for a hand inserted from the passage opening from outside into the insertion passage to pass through the insertion passage and reach the specified portion through the insertion opening. 2. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the front side of said insertion passage is transparent . The lower end of the insertion passage projects forward of the front side of the partition,
3. The storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the inner surfaces of the front side and the rear side of the insertion passage are inclined upward toward the rear side of the partition . 4. The container device according to claim 1, wherein the passage opening opens downward . A storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the insertion passage is in the form of a pipe. 5. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the insertion passage has a duct-like portion at least in a front half of a path from the passage opening portion toward the insertion opening. The insertion opening is capable of inserting thick objects that cannot or are difficult to insert into an insertion opening of 40 mm in thickness,
It is difficult for a hand inserted from the passage opening from the outside into the insertion passage to reach the predetermined portion through the insertion passage and the insertion opening,
7. A storage device according to claim 1, which facilitates the insertion of a thick object, inserted from the outside into said insertion passage from said passage opening, through said insertion passage into said insertion opening. 8. The storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the insertion opening is provided at a position on the front side of the partition below an upper end of the partition and above the predetermined portion . The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the insertion passage has a curved path from the passage opening to the insertion port, making it difficult for a hand inserted from the passage opening from outside into the insertion passage to reach the specified portion via the insertion port. 10. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion port cover for maintaining the insertion port in a closed state, the insertion port cover being capable of being opened by an object to be inserted into the insertion passage from the passage opening and inserted through the insertion passage . 11. A storage device as described in claim 1 , further comprising a passageway that slopes downward as a whole in a predetermined direction from the insertion opening toward the rear side of the predetermined portion, as a portion through which a target item that has been inserted into the insertion passage from the passage opening, passed through the insertion passage , and then passed through the insertion opening passes before reaching the predetermined portion below. 12. The storage device according to claim 11 , wherein the entirety or a rear portion of the passage in the predetermined direction covers a part of the upper side of the predetermined portion on the insertion opening side in the predetermined direction. A storage device as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a rectangular box having a width of 240 mm, a depth of 170 mm, and a height of 70 mm can be inserted into the specified part through the insertion opening after passing through the insertion passage, with the depth direction of the box being aligned with the front-to-rear direction when passing through the insertion opening, and the height direction of the box being aligned with the thickness direction of the insertion opening. 14. A storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a further insertion opening, the further opening having a smaller thickness than said insertion opening, through which the object can be directly inserted.