EP0576311B1 - Device for collecting mail items - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for collecting mail items that consists of a fixed box comprising a lower compartment accessible through a front door (3) fitted with a device (4) for controlling its opening and comprising above said lower compartment a volume closed at the front by a panel (10) and at least one flap (11, 12) which is mounted on the panel and has a device (15) for controlling its opening and preventing unauthorised persons from gaining access to openings through which items of mail can be introduced, said openings being provided on the panel behind the flap or flaps, which openings for the introduction of mail items comprises an opening for the introduction of parcels (19) as well as at least one opening for the introduction of postal items (21, 22, 23) and an opening for the introduction of tubes (20), each extended by chutes situated inside said volume and sloping downwards to guide the postal items and tubes towards said lower compartment, which parcel introduction opening leads to a floor (26) defining the lower surface of a horizontal passage closed at the back by a swing door (27) pivoting about a horizontal axis (28) and intended to be turned down onto the floor for the introduction of parcels, which passage opens out beneath, beyond the door, over said lower compartment (2).

Description

The present invention relates to the field of devices for collecting messaging objects, and more particularly a device allowing both the collection of packages, tubes, and different types of mail. Such a device is, for example, known from document CH-A-325 361.

Faced with the growing number of exchanges of messaging objects between companies, the Applicant offers a device allowing the collection of these objects in a single place for different authorized companies, grouped in the same building or group of buildings, so as to facilitate their lifted by the company responsible for their transportation.

Such a device must of course only allow the deposit of objects by the only authorized companies, ensure the confidentiality of the deposited objects and prove to be robust.

The present invention relates to a device for collecting messaging objects which meets these requirements.

According to a first characteristic of the invention, this device consists of a fixed box comprising a lower compartment accessible by a front door provided with an opening control device and comprising above said lower compartment a volume closed frontally by a partition and at least one flap mounted on the partition, provided with an opening control device to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the openings for introducing messaging objects provided on the partition behind the or the flaps, the said messaging object introduction openings comprising a package introduction opening and at least one mail introduction opening and a tube introduction opening each extended by troughs located in said volume and tilted downward to guide mail and tubes to said lower compartment, said package introduction opening leading to a tray closed at the back by a hinged door pivoting about a horizontal axis and to be folded down on the tray for the introduction of packages.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the mail guide chute (s) open into at least one receptacle removably mounted in said lower compartment, the packages and the tubes falling into a free space in the lower compartment covered with a material intended to absorb their fall. .

According to another advantageous characteristic, the device comprises at least two separate mail introduction openings, each extended by a mail guide chute, opening into an associated receptacle, located in said lower compartment.

Preferably, the device has three mail introduction openings, including two horizontal rectangular openings arranged one under the other and a vertical rectangular opening located on the side, opposite the opening for the introduction of packages. and in a plane extending obliquely in front of a plane containing the two horizontal rectangular openings and three receptacles supplied respectively through mail guide troughs, by the three mail introduction openings.

• la figure 1 est une vue de face du dispositif selon l'invention, les volets d'accès aux différentes ouvertures d'introduction étant fermés,
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue à la figure 1, les volets donnant l'accès aux différentes ouvertures d'introduction étant cette fois-ci ouverts,
• les figures 3 à 5 sont des sections schématiques partielles du dispositif représenté sur la figure 2, respectivement selon les traits de coupe III-III, IV-IV, V-V,
• la figure 6 est une vue analogue à la figure 5 montrant le blocage automatique de la porte battante par les colis introduits lorsque le compartiment inférieur est plein, selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessus schématique prise au niveau du trait de coupe VII-VII de la figure 2,
• la figure 8 est une vue schématique en perspective de la structure supportant les réceptacles présentés sur la figure 7,
• la figure 9 est une vue partielle de dessus prise au niveau de trait de coupe IX-IX de la figure 2,
• la figure 10 est une vue de côté schématique partielle prise au niveau du trait de coupe X-X de la figure 9,
• la figure 11 est une vue analogue à la figure 3, montrant une variante de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 12 est une vue analogue à la figure 7, montrant vue de dessus la disposition relative des réceptacles représentés sur la figure 11,
• la figure 13 est une vue en perspective schématique d'un réceptacle tel que représenté sur les figures 11 et 12,
• la figure 14 est une vue en perspective schématique partielle éclatée du dispositif selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 15 est une vue de côté, schématique, du dispositif représenté sur la figure 14, le plateau escamotable étant montré en position sortie,
• la figure 16 est une vue analogue à la figure 15 montrant le plateau en position retractée.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description which follows, of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments of the invention and on examining the appended drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is a front view of the device according to the invention, the access flaps to the various introduction openings being closed,
• FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, the flaps giving access to the various introduction openings being this time open,
• FIGS. 3 to 5 are partial schematic sections of the device shown in FIG. 2, respectively along the section lines III-III, IV-IV, VV,
• FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the automatic locking of the hinged door by the packages introduced when the lower compartment is full, according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 7 is a schematic top view taken at the level of the section line VII-VII of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the structure supporting the receptacles presented in FIG. 7,
• FIG. 9 is a partial top view taken at the level of section line IX-IX of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 10 is a partial schematic side view taken at the level of the section line XX of FIG. 9,
• FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing an alternative embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing a top view of the relative arrangement of the receptacles shown in FIG. 11,
• FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a receptacle as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12,
• FIG. 14 is an exploded partial schematic perspective view of the device according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of the device shown in FIG. 14, the retractable plate being shown in the extended position,
• Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 showing the tray in the retracted position.

FIG. 1 shows a device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, consisting of a fixed box 1 comprising a lower compartment 2 accessible by a front door 3 provided with an opening control device 4.

The housing 1 has rounded corners 5 and on its two lateral sides 6 an external surface which is convex towards the outside.

The height of the box 1 is typically between 1.80 m and 2.20 m, its width between 1.40 m and 1.80 m and its depth between 0.70 m and 0.90 m, the height of the lower compartment 2 being between 1.10 m and 1.80 m.

The front door 3 opens by pivoting along the axis of a hinge 7 extending vertically along the side opposite to the side carrying the opening device 4 and the front door 3 is advantageously provided on its external face with a door formed by a frame 8 supporting a translucent plate. The frame 8 is capable of pivoting on one of its sides when the front door 3 is open to receive a display panel not shown.

Preferably, the housing 1 and the front door 3 are arranged so as to prohibit the removal or introduction of this display panel when the front door 3 is closed.

It will be noted that the housing 1 has externally three annular stiffening ribs 16, 17, 18 extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the housing 1, and more particularly, the lower compartment 2 is delimited in height by the ribs 16 and 17.

Above the lower compartment 2 and substantially in the extension of the front door 3, extends a front partition 10 on which is articulated two flaps 11 and 12, these flaps being provided with a common opening control device 13. The partition 10 extends between the ribs 17 and 18.

The flaps 11 and 12 are articulated around vertical hinges 13 and 14 provided on their opposite edges and hide, in the folded position as shown in FIG. 1, openings for introducing messaging objects which will be described more precisely in reference to FIG. 2, which is a view similar to FIG. 1, the flaps 11 and 12 being shown in the open position. The flaps 11 and 12 make it possible to prohibit access to the entry openings to unauthorized persons.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the partition 10 has openings for introducing messaging objects which preferably are arranged as shown in FIG. 2, that is to say going from left to right: a package introduction opening 19, one tube introduction opening 20, and three mail introduction openings 21, 22 and 23. The tube introduction opening 20 is therefore located between the introduction opening 19 and the mail opening 21, 22 and 23.

Preferably, in accordance with an advantageous characteristic of the invention, among these three mail introduction openings are two horizontal rectangular openings 21 and 22, arranged one under the other and a vertical rectangular opening 23 located on the right side of these openings 21 and 22, that is to say opposite to the package introduction opening 19.

Preferably, as shown, the vertical rectangular opening 23 is cut in a plane 24 extending obliquely with an angle close to 45 °, in front of the plane 25 containing the openings 21 and 22.

Advantageously, the openings 21, 22 and 23 are allocated to particular categories of mail: thus the opening 21 can be attributed to a mail whose destination is local, the opening of introduction 22 can be attributed to a mail whose destination is more distant and the opening of introduction 23 is advantageously attributed to a courier whose delivery will be done under special conditions, for example the envelopes sent by registered mail.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the package introduction opening 19 leads to a horizontal plate 26, this plate 26 being closed at the rear by a hinged door 27, pivoting about a horizontal axis 28, the swing door 27 being folded down on the plate 26 during the introduction of the packages.

The opening for introducing tubes 20 is preferably oval, bordered laterally by two straight edges extending vertically 29, these straight edges 29 connecting at their ends on two semicircular portions 30, the concavity of which is oriented towards the interior.

As an indication, the opening for the introduction of packages 19 has a width between 26 and 30 cm and a height between 38 and 42 cm, the opening for the introduction of tubes 20, a width between 8 and 12 cm and a height of between 16 and 20 cm, and the rectangular mail introduction openings 21, 22 and 23 advantageously have a width between 12 and 16 cm and a length between 28 and 32 cm.

Preferably, it is mentioned on the front of the housing 1 the time at which the lifting is carried out by the company responsible for the delivery of mail.

The housing 1 is advantageously produced by assembling two half-shells made of composite materials and the generally ovoid shape of the housing 1 makes it possible to obtain a very robust structure as well as good sealing of the internal volume of the housing vis-à-vis possible splashing of water, or even infiltration by the soil.

Also preferably, the housing 1 is made of composite materials with glass fibers cold agglomerated using self-extinguishing resins.

Good fire resistance is thus obtained.

The thickness of the composite material constituting the housing 1 is typically of the order of 8 mm.

The box 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is intended to be applied against a wall, but it is possible without departing from the scope of the present invention, to mount the box 1 at the top of a column anchored in the ground, for example .

According to a characteristic of the invention, the tube introduction opening 20 and the mail introduction openings 21, 22, 23 are each extended by troughs located in the volume extending inside the case. 1 above the lower compartment 2 and closed frontally by the aforementioned partition 10.

If we now refer more particularly to FIG. 3, which is a very schematic view taken in section along the section line III-III of FIG. 2, we see two chutes 30 and 31, inclined downward to guide mail to the lower compartment 2.

In accordance with an advantageous characteristic of the invention, there is provided at least one receptacle fed by the chute (s) opening onto the corresponding opening or openings for introducing mail, this or these receptacles being preferably removably mounted in the compartment lower 2, while the packages and tubes fall into a free space in the lower compartment 2 covered by a material intended to absorb the fall.

In the particular case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, which comprises two horizontal mail introduction openings 21 and 22, arranged one under the other, the chutes 30 and 31 feed two receptacles 35 and 36 located side by side in FIG. 3, that is to say one behind the other in front view when the front door 3 is open to allow access to these receptacles 35 and 36.

The chutes 30 and 31 are arranged so as to ensure the confidentiality of the deposits made, that is to say prevent any unauthorized person from accessing the mail introduced into the chutes 30 and 31.

For this purpose, the chute 31 has a wall 32 extending obliquely downward and forward, that is to say in the direction of the lower free edge of the lower wall 33 of the chute 31, thus forming at level of the outlet plane of the chute 31 a narrowing preventing an individual from accessing with his hand the interior volume of the receptacle 35 from the mail introduction opening 22.

The chute 30, for its part, extends rectilinearly over a length sufficient to prevent an individual from accessing the interior volume of the receptacle 36.

The receptacles 35 and 36 are preferably mounted on a support capable of extending outside the lower compartment 2, when the front door 3 is open, as will be explained below. For this purpose, there is provided in the housing 1 a floor 98 whose contour is engaged in an annular housing provided in the lower stiffening rib 16, this floor supporting telescopic guide rails serving to guide a support structure for the receptacles 35 and 36 not shown.

If we now refer to Figure 4 which is a view similar to Figure 3 taken along the section line IV-IV of Figure 2, we see a chute 40 extending downward the opening for the introduction of tubes 20.

In accordance with an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the chute 40 for guiding the tubes has a section which is progressively reduced, from an inlet 20 of oval shape as previously mentioned to an outlet section 41 of a substantially circular shape.

More precisely, the tangent planes lower 42 and upper 43 to the chute 40 make angles _a and _b respectively close to 50 ° and 38 °.

There is shown in Figure 5, in a view similar to Figures 3 and 4, a schematic partial view in section along the section line V-V of Figure 2 showing the aforementioned swing door 27.

Note on examining FIG. 5 that the hinged door 27 is provided on its external face with a handle 50 allowing the user to fold the door towards the plate 26 to introduce the packages.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the hinged door 27 comprises below the horizontal axis 28 a lower part of the door 27 _a , which enters the lower compartment 2 and which prevents pivoting of the hinged door 27 when compartment 2 is full, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

If we examine Figure 6, we notice that the packages, represented schematically by objects of parallelepiped shape, referenced O, pile up in the lower compartment 2 until they reach or exceed the level of the lower edge 27 _b of the door 27, thus preventing the latter from pivoting anti-clockwise in FIG. 6 by interposition between the rear wall of the housing 1 and the rear face of the hinged door 27.

The device according to the invention thus ensures the confidentiality of the packages deposited inside the lower compartment 2.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the hinged door 27 is returned to the closed position by a counterweight effect towards the front.

More specifically, a counterweight 51 is attached or molded in formation at the lower end of the swing door 27 and exerts a return torque oriented clockwise in Figures 5 and 6, that is to say tending to fold the door upwards, to a closed position where the upper end of the hinged door 27 meets a horizontal face 54 extending opposite the plate 26.

Preferably, in accordance with another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the hinged door 27 is tilted forward in the closed position and in the particular case of the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, the hinged door made in closing position an angle of approximately 15 ° with the vertical.

The tubes and the packages fall in the same region of the lower compartment 2, which is preferably padded to absorb the fall of these objects.

FIG. 7 shows a partial schematic top view taken at the level of the section line VII-VII of FIG. 2, the two receptacles 35 and 36 previously described with reference to FIG. 3.

As previously mentioned, the receptacles 35 and 36 are preferably mounted on a structure supported by telescopic rails able to extend obliquely outside the lower compartment 2 when the front door 3, not shown in FIG. 7, is opened.

A structure 60 used for this purpose is shown diagrammatically by way of illustration in FIG. 8.

The structure 60 rests by a base plate 61 on the aforementioned telescopic rails and comprises vertical uprights 62 extending parallel upwards from the edges of the base plate 61 of the carriage 60, extended at their upper part by two beams horizontal 63 extending opposite the base plate 61 of the carriage and serving for the attachment of two bags forming receptacles 35 and 36.

It is also noted on examining FIG. 7 that there is provided a third receptacle 39 intended to receive the mail introduced by the introduction opening 23.

The receptacle 39 preferably has, as shown, a cross section of substantially triangular shape, and is hooked at its upper part on two horizontal beams 70 and 71 forming a dihedral at the top 72, these two beams 70 and 71 connecting together at their end opposite to the edge 72 by a curved portion 73 substantially matching the concavity of the side wall 6 of the housing 1. The beams 70 and 71 are made integral with the structure 60, beams 63 and 70 located side by side, so that all three receptacles 35, 36 and 39 can be removed simultaneously from the housing 1.

The receptacle 39 is fed by the mail introduction opening 23 by means of a chute 80 which has been shown in plan view schematically in FIG. 9.

The chute 80 is located near the lateral side 6 of the box 1 located opposite the opening for introducing packages 19, conforms to its concavity and has a length and an inclination such as the mail introduced by the opening 23 can be manually pushed to a position where the chute 80 becomes substantially vertical, guiding the mail to the aforementioned receptacle 39.

More precisely, the chute 80 comprises a rectilinear portion _80a leading to a fall 80 _b. FIG. 10 is also shown very schematically in side view, the receptacle 39 and the chute 80 supplying this receptacle 39.

Of course, one can propose to arrange the aforementioned chutes and receptacles differently inside the housing 1 without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, there is shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13 an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the chutes and the receptacles are arranged differently.

The same reference numerals have been used in FIGS. 11 to 13 as in the preceding figures to designate similar elements, the description of which is not repeated.

It will be noted on examining these figures that the receptacles are constituted by tanks 90, 91, 92 preferably identical and we have represented one of these tanks in isolation in diagrammatic perspective in FIG. 13.

If we examine more particularly FIG. 13, we note that the tank 90 has a generally parallelepiped shape, opposite longitudinal walls 90 _a and side 90 _b slightly inclined towards each other in approach to the bottom of the tank and, at its upper part, a rim 93 projecting from the external surface of the side walls 90 _b and longitudinal 90 _a , for retaining the tray between two support bars extending in parallel.

The tanks 91 and 92 were placed on two different levels using a frame 95 shown very schematically in FIG. 11.

The tanks 91 and 92 are respectively supplied by troughs 96 and 97, associated with the introduction openings 22 and 21.

The chute 97 has a geometry substantially similar to the geometry of the chute 30 previously described while the chute 96 has a shape different from the chute 31 since in this particular embodiment, the upper part of the tank 91 is sufficiently set back from the outlet section of the chute 96 to be inaccessible for an individual from the introduction opening 22.

The chute 96 has a rectilinear part 96 _a fairly short opening onto a vertical part 96 _b disposed above the tank 91.

Note on examining FIG. 11 that the container 90 used to collect the letters introduced by the introduction opening 23 is positioned precisely with respect to the containers 91 and 92 at a lower level thanks to a frame 99, the interior forms a clean housing to accommodate the base of the tank 90.

There is shown schematically, in top view, in FIG. 12, the respective positioning of the different tanks 90, 91 and 92.

Note on examining this FIG. 12, that the container 92, placed at the upper level, is arranged with its side of greater length oriented parallel to the front and rear faces of the housing 1, and near the rear face of the housing , while the housing 91 is arranged with its side of shorter length extending parallel to the front face of the housing and close to the latter.

The tray 90 used to receive the mail introduced by the introduction opening 23 is for its part disposed obliquely with respect to the trays 91 or 92, with one of its edges disposed near the wall on the lateral side 6 of the box. 1, the outlet section of the chute 80 being shown diagrammatically by dotted lines in this figure.

In this exemplary embodiment, the chute 80 preferably extends further downward with respect to what is shown in FIG. 10, to guide the mail introduced through the opening 23 with more precision. It will of course be ensured that that the chute 80 does not hinder the exit of the tanks.

Preferably, the tanks 90, 91 and 92 have a shape suitable for automatic sorting machines.

Figures 14 to 16 relate to a second embodiment of the invention, in which the package introduction opening is equipped with an improved device 100 for introducing messaging objects, which leaves the compartment for collects a large volume useful for receiving messaging objects and which safely prohibits the removal of objects from said compartment by unauthorized persons. The device 100 is placed above the compartment 2 partially shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The device 100 has a passage 103 having the shape of a duct of quadrangular section, the inlet of which opens onto the front face of said case. The passage 103 is closed at the rear by the door 27, preferably produced in this embodiment of the invention in a transparent material, articulated around a horizontal axis 105. The horizontal axis 105 is located set back from the lower front edge 106 of passage 103 to provide a flat surface forming the plate 26 and making it possible to fold, by means of the handle 50, the door 27 forwards, in the direction of the arrow R in FIG. 14, for the introduction of objects. In the closed position, the door 27 is located in a substantially vertical plane and bears, by its upper edge 108, against a shoulder 109 formed on the upper wall of the passage 103.

The passage 103 opens out below, beyond the door 27 above the collection compartment 2. A retractable plate 110 is slidably mounted under the bottom wall of the passage 103 defining the plate 26, in the direction indicated by the arrows D on the Figure 14. The plate 110 is controlled in movement by the pivoting of the door 27 by means of a link mechanism which will be described in more detail below, between an extended position, shown in FIG. 15, which corresponds to a position folded towards the front of the door 27 and a retracted position, visible in FIG. 16, corresponding in a closed position of the door 27. In the extended position, the upper face of the tray 110 serves as a receiving surface for placing P objects to be deposited in the collection compartment 2. When the tray 110 retracts, the P objects deposited on the tray falls into the collection compartment 2. It should be noted that in the extended position, the tray 110 effectively prohibits access to the collection compartment and prevents unauthorized persons from recovering the objects present in the latter.

Preferably, in accordance with an advantageous characteristic of the invention and as shown in the figures, the plate 110 comprises two angles 111 parallel to the direction of sliding of the plate and between which extend, perpendicular to the angles 111, rollers 112 constituting the aforementioned receiving surface. The displacement of the objects deposited on the plate 110 during the retraction of the latter is facilitated by the rolling of the objects on the rollers 112.

The angles 111 move on slides not shown in a manner known per se. The movement of the plate 10 is controlled by the pivoting of the door 27 under the action of a link mechanism which preferably comprises two linkages, only one of which is shown in the figures, articulated in vertical planes and located on either side on the other side of passage 103, on the outside of its side walls. More particularly, each linkage comprises a first link 121 articulated at one end on a horizontal pivot 126 secured to the door 27 and the other end of which carries a pivot 127 engaged in a buttonhole 129 provided on a tab 122 fixed to one end of a second link 123. The buttonhole 129 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second link 123. The tab 122 is articulated around a horizontal axis 125 situated above the passage 103 by means of a pivot 133 carried by the lug 122 and engaged in a bearing 132 fixed on the upper wall of the passage 103, against the abovementioned shoulder 109. The second link 123 preferably comprises, as shown, two branches 128 parallel to each other, connected at one end by the lug 122 and by bridges of material 134 spaced along its length. The two branches 128 enclose, in the vicinity from their end opposite to the lug 122, a lug 124 for driving the plate 110, mounted on the angle iron 111. The lug 124 is able to move along the branches 128 during the pivoting of the second link 123 and the sliding of the plate 110. The articulation axes of the door 27 and of the links 121 and 123 are arranged relative to one another as shown so that a pivoting of the door 27 clockwise in FIG. 15 causes a downward movement of the first link 121 and a clockwise pivoting of the second link 123 and vice versa.

Finally, a device for collecting messaging objects according to the present invention offers great security vis-à-vis the deposits made, thanks to the chutes preventing access to the mail deposited as well as the hinged door preventing access to the part of the lower compartment where the packages and tubes pile up. Such a device, due to its small number of constituent elements, also proves to be particularly robust.

In particular, this device is simple to operate and perfectly autonomous, does not require any power connection and its installation can be easily carried out without the use of sophisticated handling equipment.

Claims (15)

1. A device for collecting mail items, the device being constituted by a fixed box including a bottom compartment accessible via a front door (3) provided with a device (4) for controlling opening, and including above said bottom compartment (2), a volume that is closed in front by a partition (10) and by at least one shutter (11, 12) mounted on the partition, which shutter is provided with a device (15) for controlling opening to prevent non-authorized persons gaining access to mail item insertion openings provided in the partition behind the shutter(s), said mail item insertion openings comprising a parcel-insertion opening (19), together with at least one letter-insertion opening (21, 22, 23), and a tube-insertion opening (20) each extended by a chute (30, 31, 40; 96, 97, 40) situated inside said volume and sloping downwards to guide letters and tubes towards said bottom compartment, said parcel-insertion opening leading to a tray (26) defining the bottom surface of a horizontal passage (103) that is closed at its rear end by a flap (27) that pivots about a horizontal axis (28) and that comes down on the parcel-insertion tray, said passage opening out downwards, beyond the flap, over said bottom compartment (2).
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes:
      a retractable tray (110) slidably mounted beneath said passage (103) and controlled in displacement by the pivoting of the flap (27) by means of a linkage so as to move between an extended position corresponding to the flap being in a folded-down forwards position, in which the retractable tray extends the bottom of said passage rearwards, thereby preventing access to the bottom compartment and defining a reception surface for objects to be placed in the compartment, and a retracted position corresponding to a closed position of the flap, causing objects placed on said reception surface to drop.
3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the retractable tray includes two angle strips (111) extending parallel to the tray sliding direction with rollers (112) constituting said reception surface extending between the angle strips and perpendicularly thereto.
4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the linkage comprises a first link (121) hinged at one end about a horizontal axis (126) secured to the flap (27) so as to move vertically under pivoting of the flap, and a second link (123) hinged at one end about a horizontal axis (125) situated above said passage (103), the first and second links (121, 123) being hinged to each other so that vertical displacement of the first link (121) pivots the second link (123), the other end of the second link having two parallel branches (128) between which a drive stud (124) carried by the retractable tray (110) is received so that pivoting of the second link (123) causes said retractable tray to move by sliding.
5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said flap (27) includes a bottom flap portion (27_a) beneath said horizontal axis (28), which portion penetrates into said bottom compartment (2) and prevents subsequent pivoting of the flap when the bottom compartment is full.
6. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that the flap (27) is urged towards its closed position by a forwardly-directed counterweight effect.
7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flap (27) slopes forwards in its closed position.
8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tube-insertion opening (20) is situated between the parcel-insertion opening (19) and the letter-insertion opening(s) (21, 22, 23).
9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tube guide chute (40) is oval in section at its inlet end and tapers progressively to a circular section at its outlet end (41).
10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the letter guide chutes open out into at least one receptacle (35, 36, 39; 90, 91, 92) removably mounted inside said bottom compartment (2), while parcels and tubes fall into an empty space of the bottom compartment that is lined with material for damping their fall.
11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it includes at least two different letter-insertion openings, each extended by a corresponding letter guide chute opening out into a respective receptacle, both situated inside said bottom compartment.
12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it has three letter-insertion openings (21, 22, 23), including two horizontal rectangular openings (21, 22) disposed one above the other, and a vertical rectangular opening (23) situated on one side, remote from the parcel-insertion opening (19) and in a plane (24) that extends obliquely in front of a plane (25) containing the two horizontal rectangular openings (21, 22), and three receptacles respectively fed from the three letter-insertion openings via letter guide chutes.
13. A device according to claim 12, characterized in that it includes two receptacles (35, 36) situated one behind the other, and fed from guide chutes that communicate with said horizontal openings, and a third receptacle (39) fed by the chute that communicates with the vertical insertion opening.
14. A device according to claim 12, characterized in that the receptacles (90, 91, 92) are constituted by three bins (90) each situated at a different level, the bin for receiving letters inserted via the vertical letter-insertion opening (23) being situated at the bottom level and the other bins being situated higher up.
15. A device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the receptacles are mounted on a structure (60, 70, 71) supported by telescopic rails suitable for extending obliquely outside the bottom compartment (2) when said front door (3) is open.

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