US20090184159A1

US20090184159A1 - Mail Slot Receptacle Bag

Info

Publication number: US20090184159A1
Application number: US12/358,155
Authority: US
Inventors: Camie Amber Crawford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-22
Filing date: 2009-01-22
Publication date: 2009-07-23

Abstract

A new and improved mail slot receptacle bag is provided for use with a door that has a mail slot therein. The top of the shorter panel of the bag adheres just below the mail slot, and the top of the longer panel of the bag adheres just above the mail slot. It is made of lightweight, yet sturdy fabric. There are slits on both sides of the sack to allow for easy accessibility to your mail. The slit openings also allow for more flexibility in the fabric when longer mail items are placed through the mail slot. The bag adheres to the door or wall using Velcro strips (which are concealed when bag is mounted). The Velcro strips allow for easy installation, easy removal of the bag whenever needed and avoids the damage that screws or nails would make to the door or wall. Below the side slits, the bottom ⅓rd of the bag's sides are sewn or closed so that mail will sit easily within.

Description

This application emanates from a previously filed application 61022763 Filed 22 Jan. 2008

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for receiving mail delivered to a residence or business, and, more particularly, to a pouch especially adapted for receiving mail deposited through a mail slot within a door or wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many devices have been used for receiving mail delivered to residential and commercial locations. Outdoor mailboxes have a number of disadvantages. They are exposed to extremes of weather, and they are often susceptible to unauthorized entry. Moreover, when an occupant of a dwelling goes on an extended vacation, the amount of mail that is received may cause an outdoor mailbox to overflow. For these reasons, mail slots in doors are especially desirable.
Over the years, a handful of innovations have been developed relating to receptacles for receiving mail deposited through mail slots within a door, and the following U.S. patents are representative of some of those innovations: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,069,965; 4,776,512; and 5,029,753. More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,965 discloses a mail slot pouch assembly that is affixed adjacent to a mail slot in a door. A separate and distinct planar support bracket is attached to the rear panel of the mail slot assembly. Moreover, a framework is provided for a bag receptacle, and the framework fits onto the planar support bracket. In this respect, it would be desirable if a device were provided for receiving mail from a mail slot in a door which does not require a separate and distinct planar support bracket attached to the rear panel of the mail slot assembly. Also, in this respect, it would be desirable if a device were provided for receiving mail from a mail slot in a door which does not require a framework for a bag receptacle that fits onto a separate planar support bracket.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,512 discloses a mail chute pouch that employs a flaccid pouch that has its opening end pressed against the door with the backplate for the mail slot. It is a difficult chore to place a flaccid opening of a bag under a metal plate and secure the metal plate in such a way that the opening of the flaccid bag remains properly open during installation and use. A heavy load of mail received by the flaccid bag may pull a portion of the opening of the bag out from between the backplate and the door. In this respect, it would be desirable if a device were provided for receiving mail from a mail slot in a door which provides for keeping the flaccid opening of a mail receiving bag in a open position during installation and use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,753 discloses a garage door mail drop box that includes a receptacle with a sliding door. This mail box does not work with a door that is equipped with a mail slot.
The following U.S. patents may be of interest for their disclosure of receptacles that are associated with doors for the admittance of objects into the receptacles: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,211,367 and 5,082,171.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The mail slot receptacle bag lies flatly against the interior side of a door or wall with a mail slot/letter box. The top of the shorter panel of the bag adheres just below the mail slot, and the top of the longer panel of the bag adheres just above the mail slot. It is made of lightweight, yet sturdy fabric. There are slits on both sides of the sack to allow for easy accessibility to your mail. The slit openings also allow for more flexibility in the fabric when longer mail items are placed through the mail slot. The bag adheres to the door or wall using Velcro strips (which are concealed when bag is mounted). The Velcro strips allow for easy installation, easy removal of the bag whenever needed and avoids the damage that screws or nails would make to the door or wall. Below the side slits, the bottom ⅓rd of the bag's sides are sewn or closed so that mail will sit easily within.
My invention improves how people receive their mail. This invention allows all individuals with mail slots to receive their mail in a neat, accessible, aesthetic and private manner. Without it, mail ends up on the floor where it is subject to privacy issues, physical strain in having to bend over to pick up the mail, and damage to the mail from foot traffic and pets. This item conceals what you've received because it is opaque and compact, lies flatly against the wall or door for great space efficiency, and keeps mail elevated from the floor so that's it's better accessible and away from potential damage. It uses Velcro for mounting which is simple to install, allows for ease in changing out the product for other styles or for washing, and requires no tools. The only other mail slot receptacle devices observed on the market are bulky baskets that project significantly from the door or wall, do not conceal the mail for privacy, and require installation of brackets, nails or screws into the mounted surface. These alternate devices are not a solution for tight spaces, nor places that require privacy of what's been received, nor would they typically be appropriate for a household or office setting as most appear either industrial or of cheap, plastic quality. In comparison to other mail bag devices patented but not on the market, my invention is an improvement to those in that mine uses Velcro for mounting (no brackets), provides privacy by being opaque (no windows or translucency), gives easy accessibility to the mail (from either the sides, or from pulling down the top tab, or from dismounting the bag entirely), is intended solely for common entry doors or walls (not for garage doors), has no detachable trinkets which could be a washing hazard or choking hazard for kids (no zippers, latches, etc.), requires no tools for installation, can be easily changed out with other colors/styles of the same product, and it expands naturally when mail is inserted (rather than using a devise of sorts).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front view perspective thereof;

FIG. 2 (1) is a inside view of a mail slot

FIG. 2 (2) is the back view of the device

FIG. 2 (3) is the front view of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a front view of my new mail slot receptacle bag with the top right corner pulled downward to reveal how it would be mounted onto the interior side of a door or wall using Velcro (2) across the top of both panels of the bag (1) to hold it firmly in place above and below a mail slot. (C) designates the strips of velcro attached to the top, backside of both the longer and shorter panels of the bag. (C) adheres to (A) which are the strips of adhesive Velcro adhered to the door or wall with a mail slot. (B) refers to the mail slot itself; And, (D) refers to the whole mail bag invention. The longer and shorter panels of the bag are sealed or sewn together (E) along the sides towards the bottom portion of the bag, leaving the upper portion open for access into the bag from the sides.
FIG. 2 first displays the interior side of a standard mail slot (B) with adhesive Velcro pieces (A) adhered above and below it (1). Next, the back view of my invention is displayed (2). Here we see both pieces of Velcro (C) sewn along the top portions of both the longer and shorter panels of the bag. Again, (D) designates the invention as a whole and (E) represents where the front and back panels are sealed or sewn together. Lastly, (3) is the front view of the bag. It also shows where the back and front panels are joined (E) and is designated with a (D) to represent the invention as a whole

Claims

1. I claim a mail slot receptacle bag for use with a door or wall having a mail slot therein, said apparatus comprising:

a. Velcro (2) across the top of both panels of the bag (1), two panels attached at their outer most outside edges and bottom, one being shorter that the other.

b. Temporary door attachment device along the inside, top of the longest panel.

2. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said mail slot receptacle bag includes a plurality of pouch attachments that are placed in registration with said frame for installation of said bag assembly frame element onto the door by said fastening assemblies.

3. The receptacle bag described in claim 1 wherein said second opening includes a Velcro release.

4. The receptacle bag described in claim 1 wherein said Velcro attachments are located on the top most frame of the inner most panel for easy access.

5. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said panels can be constructed of textiles, natural materials or resin based material.