BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention relates to receptacles used for the collecting and temporary storage of mail, specifically through mail slots that are secured to a private dwelling or commercial structure.

[0003] 2. Discussion of Prior Art

[0004] A number of receptacle solutions have been proposed in prior art. Nearly every private dwelling and commercial building has some means of receiving and collecting the mail in one place. One of the most common devices used for this purpose is a mail slot. Mail slots are mounted to a structure such as a door, garage door or wall. Most mail slots are designed with a spring loaded hinged door that stays closed when not in use. The user opens the door then passes mail through the slot where by gravity it falls randomly onto the floor. This may cause the mail to be difficult to pick up or be lost and damaged. To approach this problem there are several devices designed to collect and store mail, but these have significant problems with ease of attachment, security and mail retrieval. Prior U.S. patented examples are listed below:

[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,492,272; 4,826,075; 4,776,512; 4,694,503; 4,069,956; and 3,653,620.

[0006] More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,272 to Fewer, Feb. 20, 1996 the invention is mounted below the mail slot, which may jeopardize security by not obscuring the view of the area behind and below the mail slot. The mounting below the slot may cause structure damage and be intrusive to the surrounding structure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,4776,512 to Moore and Moore, Jul. 2, 1987 the invention shows in FIG. 2 a pouch with a restricted opening leading into the pouch. Mail inserted and passed through the opening may bend against pouch sides and become damaged. An added inconvenance is limited accessibility to which the contents of the pouch are retrieved, the unziping and zipping again of the pouch.

[0007] 3. Objects and Advantages

[0008] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention are to achieve a new invention for collecting the mail in a private dwelling or commercial structure.

[0009] It is an object to improve ease of attachment by using an existing mail slot to position and attach to.

[0010] It is an object to provide greater security for the area located behind and below the invention by obscuring the view through a mail slot.

[0011] It is an object to provide greater security for mail storage.

[0012] It is an object to mount and attach in a less intrusive manner to a suporting structure.

[0013] It is an object to able the user an effortlessly easy operation for mail retrevail such as for those confined in a wheel chair.

[0014] It is an object to store mail while the invention is attached to a garage door that operates with tracks or hinges as it opens open and closes.

[0015] Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.