Method and apparatus for receiving packages

Apparatus comprising:

• flexible containment means for surrounding an article;
• a bracket which includes retaining means for retaining the flexible containment means, the bracket including a first portion and a second portion;
• a door movable between an opened position and a closed position relative to a door frame;
• means for removably securing the bracket to the door in such a manner that the first portion of the bracket overlies a first side of the door and the second portion of the bracket overlies a second side of the door;
• means for locking the door in the closed position;
• means for preventing the removal of the bracket from the door when the door is in its closed condition;
• and
• securing means for securing the flexible containment means to the retaining means, wherein the securing means comprises a lock and the flexible containment means comprises a sack.

A method of securing an article to a door mounted within a door frame, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing containment means for surrounding the article;
• providing securing means for securing the containment means to the door, the securing means comprising receiving means for receiving the containment means and a combination lock for securing the containment means to the receiving means;
• surrounding the article with the containment means;
• manipulating the containment means so as to position the containment means on the receiving means;
• employing the combination lock to secure the containment means to the receiving means, whereby unauthorized removal of the article is prevented;
• further comprising the steps of:
• opening the door;
• securing a bracket to the open door in such a manner that a first portion of the bracket overlies a first side of the door and
• a second portion of the bracket overlies a second side of the door;
• closing the door so as to secure the bracket between the door and the door frame;
• wherein the securing means is integral with the bracket and the containment means is secured to the bracket;
• wherein the containment means is flexible;
• wherein each one of the surrounding, manipulating, and employing steps is performed by an article carrier, wherein the method further comprises the step of providing the article carrier with a combination to the combination lock;
• and
• wherein the step of providing the article carrier with the combination that opens the combination locking means includes placing an indication of the combination on the exterior of the article to be delivered.

A method for insuring safe delivery and receipt of a package at an address comprising the steps of:

• providing a combination lock retaining member in a vicinity of the address;
• retaining a combination lock on the combination lock retaining member;
• providing a containment means for receiving the package;
• interconnecting a locking member of the combination lock with the containment means in such a manner that the locking member is effective to hold the containment means in a closed condition in which the containment means substantially surrounds the package;
• locking the combination lock;
• and
• providing a package carrier with a combination to the combination lock;
• wherein upon delivery, the package carrier performs the steps of:
• unlocking the combination lock;
• opening the containment means;
• depositing the package within the containment means;
• closing the containment means;
• and
• relocking the combination lock so as to secure the package within the containment means, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the package from the containment means;
• wherein the step of providing the package carrier with the combination includes:
• reproducing the combination in perceptible form and providing the carrier with a reproduction of the combination.

Apparatus, comprising:

• a door movable between an opened position and a closed position relative to a door frame;
• means for locking the door in the closed position;
• a bracket attached to the door for removably securing a sack to the door in such a manner that a mouth of the sack is closed by the bracket when the sack is secured to the bracket;
• and
• sack locking means for selectively locking the sack to the bracket in such a manner that an article within the sack may be secured therein by the sack locking means;
• wherein the sack locking means comprises a lock which is lockable by an article carrier after the article has been deposited within the sack.

A method for insuring safe delivery and receipt of a package at an address comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a combination lock retaining member in a vicinity of the address;
• b) retaining a combination lock on the combination lock retaining member;
• c) interconnecting an open locking member of the combination lock and a containment means for receiving the package in such a manner that the locking member is effective to hold the containment means in a closed condition in which the containment means substantially surrounds the package;
• d) locking the combination lock;
• and
• c) providing a package carrier with a combination to the combination lock;
• wherein upon delivery, the package carrier performs the steps of:
• d) unlocking the combination lock;
• e) opening the containment means;
• f) depositing the package within the containment means;
• g) closing the containment means;
• and
• h) relocking the combination lock so as to secure the package within the containment means, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the package from the containment means;
• wherein the step of providing the package carrier with the combination includes:
• electromagnetically transmitting the combination to the package carrier.

A method for insuring the safe delivery and receipt of packages at an occupant's address comprising the steps of:

• a) employing means for installing a combination locking member in a secure fashion in the vicinity of the occupant's address;
• wherein, the combination locking member is provided with a generally J-shaped pivoted link adapted to form a closure in cooperation with the combination locking member;
• b) attaching a containment means to said combination locking member, wherein the containment means comprises a sack;
• and,
• c) providing package carrier with the combination to said combination locking member so that the pivoted link can be partially disengaged from said combination locking member to allow the containment means to receive a package;
• and,
• d) re-engaging the pivoted link with the combination lock member to close the combination lock;
• e ) wherein the sack includes a plurality of holes along a perimeter of an opening, and wherein the method further comprises the step of:
• threading the generally J-shaped pivoted link through the holes.

A method for insuring the safe delivery and receipt of packages at an occupant's address comprising the steps of:

• a) employing means for installing a combination locking member in a secure fashion in the vicinity of the occupant's address;
• wherein, the combination locking member is provided with a generally J-shaped pivoted link adapted to form a closure in cooperation with the combination locking member;
• b) attaching a containment means to said combination locking member, wherein the containment means comprises a sack;
• and,
• c) providing package carrier with the combination to said combination locking member so that the pivoted link can be partially disengaged from said combination locking member to allow the containment means to receive a package;
• and,
• d) re-engaging the pivoted link with the combination lock member to close the combination lock;
• e) wherein the step of providing the package carrier with the combination includes using a telephone to provide the carrier with the combination.