Document container

Abstract

There is provided a container useful to hold a document such as a photograph for transport such as mailing. The container comprises a first panel, a second panel and securing means. The first panel has a peripheral edge and includes a document securing face. The second panel is hingedly secured to the peripheral edge of said first panel. The first and second panels are moveable between an open position wherein the document securing face is spaced apart from said second panel such that in operation a document secured thereto would be visible, and a closed position wherein the document securing face is substantially covered by said second panel such that in operation a document secured thereto would not be visible and would be secured between said panels. The securing means is adapted to releasably secure said first and second panels in the closed position. The document container may further include a peripheral lip secured to one of the panels and adapted to substantially surround and frictionally engage an edge of the other panel in the closed position.

What I claim as my invention:  
     
         1 . A container comprising: 
 a first panel;    said first panel having a peripheral edge and including a document securing face;    a second panel hingedly secured to the peripheral edge of said first panel;    said first and second panels being moveable between an open position wherein said document securing face is spaced apart from said second panel such that in operation a document secured thereto would be visible, and a closed position wherein said document securing face is substantially covered by said second panel such that in operation a document secured thereto would not be visible and would be secured between said panels; and    securing means adapted to releasably secure said first and second panels in the closed position.    
     
     
         2 . The document container of  claim 1  further including a peripheral lip secured to one of said panels and adapted to substantially surround and frictionally engage an edge of the other panel in the closed position.  
     
     
         3 . The document container of  claim 1  further including a brace having a first end securable to said document panel and a second end securable to said second panel and adapted to allow said panels to be maintained in the folded position.  
     
     
         4 . The document container of  claim 1  wherein said closure includes a strong flexible strap restraint fixedly secured to one said panel, and a strap having a first end secured to the other said panel and a second end adapted to releaseably engage said strap restraint so as to maintain said panels in the closed position.  
     
     
         5 . The document container of  claim 3  wherein said strap has a length of between about one-third and five-thirds the width of said second panel;  
     
     
         6 . The document container of  claim 5  further including a strap catch fixedly secured to the same panel as the strap restraint and being adapted to releaseably engage said strap so as to maintain said panels in the open position.  
     
     
         7 . The document container of  claim 1  further including a hanger operatively secured to said first panel and adapted to permit said container to be hung in the open position.  
     
     
         8 . The document container of  claim 1  further including a hanger operatively secured to said first panel and adapted to permit said container to be hung in the closed position.  
     
     
         9 . The document container of  claim 1  further including document mounting slits adjacent to at least two opposed corners of said document securing face and adapted to receive document corners such that in operation a document may be secured by inserting the corners of the document in said slits.  
     
     
         10 . The document container of  claim 1  further including sealing means adapted to be adhesively secured to a portion of said closure in the closed position to resist unintentional opening.  
     
     
         11 . The document container of  claim 1  wherein said second panel includes: 
 an inner face proximal to said document securing face in the closed position;  
 said document container further including a message panel securable to said inner face.  
 
     
     
         12 . The document container of  claim 1  further including a frame region secured to the perimeter of said document securing face.  
     
     
         13 . A container comprising: 
 a first panel;    said first panel having a peripheral edge and including a document securing face;    a second panel hingedly secured to the peripheral edge of said first panel;    said first and second panels being moveable between an open position wherein said document securing face is spaced apart from said second panel such that in operation a document secured thereto would be visible, and a closed position wherein said document securing face is substantially covered by said second panel such that in operation a document secured thereto would not be visible and would be protected from abrasion;    securing means adapted to releasably secure said first and second panels in the closed position.    said securing means including a strong flexible strap restraint fixedly secured to one said panel, and a strap having a length of between about one-thirds and five-thirds the width of said second panel and having a first end secured to the other said panel and a second end adapted to releaseably engage said strap restraint so as to maintain said panels in the closed position;    said document container further including a strap catch fixedly secured to the same panel as the strap restraint;    said strap catch being adapted to releaseably engage said strap so as to maintain said panels in the open position;    a brace having a first end securable to said document panel and a second end securable to said second panel and adapted to allow said panels to be maintained in the open position;    such that in operation a document may be secured to the document securing face and the first panel moved into the closed position and secured by said closure for safekeeping or transport, following which the closure may be released and the panels may be moved into the open position and secured using said brace to permit viewing of the document.