# US 12,004,671 B2 · Temperature-controlled delivery box with sanitization assembly and security features > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,671 B2 - Document ID: US12004671B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/094,168 - Filed: 2020-11-10 - Published: 2022-05-12 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-11-10 - Assignees: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. - Applicants: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. - Inventors: Ronald Gary Foster - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004671B2 ## CPC - A47G 29/141: {comprising electronically controlled locking means} - A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation - A61L 2/202: Ozone - A61L 2/24: Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation - A47G 2029/142: {the receptacle interior being adapted to receive a transportable deposit container for food or large parcels} - A47G 2029/144: {the receptacle being transportable and attachable to a building} - A47G 2029/145: {the receptacle comprising means for identifying a deposit; Deposits carrying identification means, e.g. a bar code} - A47G 2029/147: {the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means} - A47G 2029/149: {with central server link} - A61L 2101/02: Inorganic materials - A61L 2202/11: Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps - A61L 2202/121: Sealings, e.g. doors, covers, valves, sluices - A61L 2202/122: Chambers for sterilisation - A61L 2202/14: Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs - A61L 2202/16: Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles - A61L 2202/182: Rigid packaging means - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) ## Abstract A temperature controlled delivery appliance and a method of operating the same are provided. The temperature-controlled delivery appliance includes a storage container, a climate control system, a sanitization assembly, and a locking mechanism. The sanitization assembly may include an ultraviolet light assembly or an ozone generator that may be selectively activated after a delivery to sanitize the delivered items. The locking mechanism locks the door of the temperature-controlled delivery appliance to prevent user access during a sanitization cycle, as well as to prevent other unauthorized access. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A temperature-controlled delivery appliance comprising: a cabinet; a storage container positioned within the cabinet for receiving delivered items for storage; a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet for providing selective access to the storage container; a locking mechanism for selectively locking the door in the closed position; a sanitization assembly for selectively sanitizing the storage container or the delivered items; and a controller operably coupled to the sanitization assembly, the controller being configured to: determine that a sanitization cycle is needed; determine that the door is closed; lock the door using the locking mechanism prior to performing the sanitization cycle; and perform the sanitization cycle in response to determining that the sanitization cycle is needed and the door is closed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 1, wherein the sanitization assembly is a sanitizing light assembly configured for illuminating the storage container with sanitizing light. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 2, wherein the sanitizing light assembly is mounted on a bottom of the door. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 2, wherein the sanitizing light assembly comprises: an ultraviolet light. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 4, wherein the ultraviolet light is UV-C light having a wavelength of between 100 nanometers and 280 nanometers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 1, wherein the sanitization assembly comprises: an ozone generator for selectively generating and distributing an ozone gas within the storage container. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: determine that a delivery has occurred; and perform a sanitization cycle immediately after the delivery occurs using the sanitization assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to: determine that an unlock condition has occurred; and unlock the locking mechanism in response to determining that the unlock condition has occurred. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 8, wherein the unlock condition is based on a keypad entry. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 8, wherein the unlock condition is based on a user input from a remote device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 1, further comprising: a wireless communication module in communication with a wireless network, wherein the controller is operably coupled to the wireless communication module and is configured to: determine that the cabinet has been moved out of range of the wireless network; and provide a user notification or security alert. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 11, further comprising: a motion sensor for detecting when the cabinet is being moved, wherein the user notification is provided when the motion sensor detects movement. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 1, further comprising: a seating area mounted on a top of the cabinet. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 1, wherein the door is mounted to a top of the cabinet, and wherein a seating area is defined on a top surface of the door in a closed position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 1, wherein the temperature-controlled delivery appliance further comprises: a camera mounted to the cabinet or a lid for obtaining an image of a user of the appliance or of the storage container. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 1, further comprising: a climate control system in thermal communication with the storage container for regulating a temperature of the storage container, wherein the controller is operably coupled to the climate control system, the controller being configured to: obtain a target temperature; and operate the climate control system to regulate a container temperature to the target temperature. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 16, wherein the storage container is one of a plurality of storage containers positioned within the cabinet, wherein the climate control system is configured for regulating a first storage container of the plurality of storage containers to a first temperature and a second storage container of the plurality of storage containers to a second temperature different than the first temperature. ### Claim 18 A temperature-controlled delivery appliance comprising: a cabinet; a storage container positioned within the cabinet for receiving delivered items for storage; a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet for providing selective access to the storage container; a locking mechanism for selectively locking the door in a closed position; and a controller operably coupled to the locking mechanism, the controller being configured to: determine that an unlock condition has occurred; and unlock the locking mechanism in response to determining that the unlock condition has occurred. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The temperature-controlled delivery appliance of claim 18, further comprising: a wireless communication module in communication with a wireless network, wherein the controller is operably coupled to the wireless communication module and is configured to: determine that the cabinet has been moved out of range of the wireless network; and provide a user notification or security alert.