Systems and methods for delivering goods

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for delivering containers filled with goods (such as groceries and foodstuffs). According to embodiments of the invention, a delivery order is taken from a customer for a set of goods; the set of goods ordered by the customer are packed in a container; the container with the stored goods is transported to the residence of the customer; and the container is locked to a docking station at the residence of the customer. Thereafter, using a key, the customer may unlock the container and remove the ordered goods from the container. Additional embodiments for facilitating the delivery and ordering of goods are also provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of delivering goods to customers, comprising: 
 receiving a delivery order from a customer for the delivery of a set of goods, the delivery order including a delivery address for the customer;    packing the set of goods in a container;    transporting the container with the packed goods to the delivery address of the customer; and    locking the container to a docking station provided at the delivery address of the customer.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 providing a unique identification code to the customer when the customer registers with a supplier of the goods.    
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 permanently attaching the docking station at the delivery address of the customer to provide a docking and locking location for the container.    
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 securing the container with a tamper-evident seal after packing the goods in the container and before transporting the container to the delivery address of the customer.    
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of locking includes locking the container to the docking station with a master key.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the container is locked to the docking station such that it cannot be unlocked thereafter by the master key.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the container is locked to the docking station such that it cannot be unlocked thereafter by a master key until it has been unlocked by a specific key for the docking station.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 providing a specific key for the docking station to the customer.    
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 delivering a specific key for the docking station to the customer at the time of transporting the container to the delivery address.    
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 notifying the customer of a unique code for unlocking a lock of the container.    
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving a delivery order includes scheduling the delivery of the set of goods to the delivery address of the customer at a predetermined time in the future.  
     
     
         12 . A method of providing receipt-acknowledged delivery of goods, comprising: 
 providing a docking station at a residence of a customer;    notifying the customer of a unique identification code;    packing a set of goods in an security box, the security box including a lock;    transporting the security box to the residence of the customer;    locking the security box to the docking station at the residence of the customer;    in response to receiving the unique identification code from the customer, providing the customer with a code to unlock the lock of the security box; and    recording receipt of the delivery of goods to the customer.    
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 providing the security box with a tamper-evident tag before the security box is transported to the residence of the customer.    
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the unique identification code comprises a telephone number of the customer.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing a docking station includes attaching the docking station to an external door of a residence of the customer, the external door being provided with a hole to allow access to a lock of the security box.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing includes attaching the docking station on an exterior wall of the residence of the customer.  
     
     
         17 . A system for delivering goods to the residences of customers, the system comprising: 
 at least one container, each container comprising a plurality of trays for storing goods ordered by customers;    a docking station permanently attached to the residence of each customer, wherein each container includes a locking device to permit the container to be locked to the docking station by a delivery person;    at least one distribution hub where goods are received and packed into containers according to delivery orders placed by customers; and    at least one zone depot where packed containers are received and then delivered to the residences of customers.    
     
     
         18 . A hub and zone distribution method for delivering groceries to customers, comprising: 
 delivering food products to at least one distribution hub;    packing, at each distribution hub, a set of food products into containers according to delivery orders for customers;    transporting the packed containers to a plurality of zone depots; and    receiving, at one of the zone depots, the transported containers and, thereafter, delivering the containers to the residence of customers in accordance with the delivery orders.    
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 providing a docking station at the residence of each customer; and    upon delivery of a packed container at the residence of the customer, locking the container at the docking station.    
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the step of packing includes providing the container with a tamper-evident tag before the container is delivered to the residence of the customer.