DOCUMENT HOLDER

Abstract

A document holder adapted to be releasably secured to a surface, said document holder including sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal between at least a portion of the holder and the surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a document holder for displaying documents, photographs or similar objects. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display holder adapted to be releasably secured to a wall or other surface, so as to hold a document or a similar item on the wall or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Display holders (eg display envelopes, photo frames, transparent folders, etc) are well known in the art. Although the design of display holders can significantly differ, certain components are common to all display holders. Thus one of the main components of a display holder is one or more transparent portions allowing the user visual access to a document placed in the display holder. Alternatively, a display holder (eg, a photo frame) can include a window formed in a front surface of the display holder.

A display holder can include means which enables the holder to be hung or to be secured to an object. To this end, a display holder is typically provided with means for erecting said display holder into an upstanding structure (eg, photo frames).

Typically, a fold-out support portion is used to maintain a display holder in an upstanding position. Such a display holder often presents as a bulky structure that is unnecessarily large and visually unattractive.

It has been observed that photographs contained in known display holders can become discoloured in some environments, such as kitchens.

Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The term “magnetizable” is used herein to include ferro-magnetic and ferri-magnetic materials and includes soft magnetic materials.

The term “substantially airtight’ as used herein refers to a significant limitation or reduction of the transfer of the atmosphere across the seal. This retards the exposure of the document to potentially damaging or discolouring gases in the atmosphere.

The present invention provides a document holder adapted to be releasably secured to a surface, said document holder including sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal between at least a portion of the holder and the surface.

The present invention also provides a document holder adapted to be releasably secured to a surface, said document holder including: at least one pocket adapted to retain a document therein, said pocket having an opening adapted to receive the document, and sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal between the opening and the surface.

The present invention provides a document holder adapted to be releasably secured to a ferrous or magnetizable surface, said document holder including sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal between at least a portion of the holder and the ferrous surface.

The present invention also provides a document holder adapted to be releasably secured to a ferrous or magnetizable surface, said document holder including: at least one pocket adapted to retain a document therein, said pocket having an opening adapted to receive the document, and sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal between the opening and the ferrous surface.

The document holder can include a front panel and a rear panel, said panels being sealed together along their respective peripheral edges to create a contiguous sealed seam around the periphery of the document holder.

The front panel can include a see-through portion adapted to allow a user to see through said front panel, the arrangement being such that, in use, said see-through portion provides a viewing area for viewing at least a portion of the document placed in the holder.

The see-through portion can include a transparent material or a semi-transparent material.

The see-through portion can include a translucent material.

The see-through portion can include a plastic material.

The front panel can include a peripheral border, said peripheral border being adapted to at least partially surround a display item.

Preferably said peripheral border is adapted to completely surround a display item.

Preferably said peripheral border is non-transparent.

The front panel can include a foldable flap cover.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flap cover extends from an upper portion of said front panel.

The flap cover can extend from a lower portion of said front panel.

The flap cover can extend from a side portion of said front panel.

The flap cover is foldable over a portion of said rear panel.

The rear panel can include a magnetic material.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the rear panel includes a magnetic material, and said flap cover includes a non-magnetic material.

The rear panel can include a cling material.

The rear panel can include an adhesive material.

The rear panel can include an adhesive backing removably covered with a release liner.

The release liner can be a peel away release liner.

The rear panel can include a reusable adhesive backing.

The rear panel can include a foldable flap cover.

The flap cover can be adapted to be grasped by a user.

The flap cover can extend from an upper portion of said rear panel.

The flap cover can be foldable over a portion of said rear panel.

The flap cover can extend from a lower portion of said rear panel.

The flap cover can extend from a side portion of said rear panel.

The rear panel can include a sheet of magnetic material, said sheet having the opening adapted to receive a document.

The sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal can include magnetic material, said magnetic material being disposed around the periphery of said portion to provide in use a sealing region between the holder and the ferrous surface.

In other embodiments, said magnetic material surrounds the opening to provide in use a sealing region between the holder and the ferrous surface.

Said sealing means can include a plurality of strips of magnetic material, said strips being disposed around the periphery of said portion to thereby provide a sealing member.

In other embodiments, said means for forming a substantially airtight seal can include a plurality of strips of magnetic material, said strips surrounding the opening to provide a sealing member.

The sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal can include an adhesive material, said adhesive material being disposed around the periphery of said portion to provide in use a sealing region between the holder and the surface.

In other embodiments, said adhesive material surrounds the opening to provide in use a sealing region between the holder and the surface.

Said sealing means can include a cling material, said cling material being disposed around the periphery of said portion to thereby provide a sealing region between the holder and the surface.

In other embodiments, said cling material surrounds the opening to provide a sealing member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a magnetic document holder;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the magnetic document holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is a side view of a rear panel of the magnetic document holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the magnetic document holder of FIG. 1 set up into a display for displaying a photograph inserted into a pocket of the document holder;

FIG. 3a is a schematic perspective view of the magnetic document holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of another magnetic document holder;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the magnetic document holder of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a further magnetic document holder;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the magnetic document holder of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of an alternative magnetic document holder;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the magnetic document holder of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a front view of another magnetic document holder;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the magnetic document holder of FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 is a side view of the magnetic document holder of FIG. 10,

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the magnetic document holder of FIG. 10, showing the holder in a folded configuration,

FIG. 14 is a front view of a further document holder,

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the document holder of FIG. 14,

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the document holder of FIG. 14, showing the holder in a folded configuration,

FIG. 17 is a front view of an alternative a document holder,

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the document holder of FIG. 17, and

FIG. 19 is a side view of the document holder of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS

Illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a magnetic document holder 10 releasably attachable to a ferrous or magnetizable surface such as a refrigerator door (not shown). The magnetic document holder 10 includes a front panel 12 and a rear panel 14.

The front panel 12 is made of a see-through water-impervious material such as a transparent plastic material or the like to provide visual access to an item placed into the document holder 10.

The front panel 12 is of a generally rectangular shape and has a plurality of peripheral edges: a top edge 16.1, a bottom edge 18.1, a left-hand side edge 20.1, and a right-hand side edge 22.1. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the front panel 12 can have any other suitable shape. In general, the size and shape of the panel 12 is preferably complementary to the size and shape of a display item, document or photo 26 to be displayed in the holder 10. Preferably the holder 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, has a length of the panel 12 of about 165 mm, and the width is about 110 mm.

The rear panel 14 has an interior surface 28 and an exterior surface 30, with the interior surface 28 of the rear panel 14 being the visible surface as the holder 10 is shown in FIG. 1.

Similar to the front panel 12, the rear panel 14 includes a plurality of peripheral edges 16.2, 18.2, 20.2, and 22.2 which are parallel to and coterminous with the edges 16.1, 18.1, 20.1, and 22.1 respectively.

As best shown in FIG. 2a, the rear panel 14 comprises two generally rectangular sheets of equal size: a sheet of a non-transparent plastic material 32 and a sheet of a magnetic material 34. The sheets 32 and 34 are coterminous and joined together by a conventional prior art process so that a surface of the sheet 32 forms the interior surface 28 and a magnetic surface of the sheet 34 forms the exterior surface 30 of the holder 10. Preferably, the colour of the interior surface 28 of the sheet 32 is white.

The front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 are sealed together along the peripheral edges 16, 18, 20, 22 applying high frequency energy to thereby create a contiguous sealed seam 24 around the periphery of the document holder 10. Preferably the width of the seam 24 is about 2.5-3 mm.

As a result, the front panel 12, the rear panel 14, and the seam 24 define an enclosed pocket 25 for receiving a display item 26 (eg a document or photograph) therein.

The rear panel 14 includes a generally rectangular flap 36 formed in an upper portion thereof. In other embodiments (not shown), the flap 36 extends from a lower portion of the rear panel 14. The flap 36 can be formed in a side portion of the rear panel 14. The flap 36 is sized and shaped to be grasped by the user when opening the holder 10. The flap 36 can include means for grasping by the user (eg, a second flap member (not shown) attached to the flap 36).

The flap 36 has a left-hand side edge 38, a right-hand side edge 40, and a bottom edge 42. The edges 38, 40 are spaced away from the edges 20, 22 respectively by a short distance, eg 5 mm. The edges 38 and 40 terminate at end points 44, 46 adjacent the seam 24. Preferably the holder 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, has a length of the flap 36 of about 155 mm, and the width is about 20 mm. The length of the flap 36 generally depends on the dimensions of the display item 26.

The flap 36 can be formed by cutting the rear panel 14 along the edges 38, 40, and 42 using a conventional cutting process. The flap 36 can further include a score line (not shown) running across the length of the flap 36 and adjacent to and parallel to the top edge 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the photograph 26 is inserted into the pocket 25 of the holder 10 through an opening 48 defined by the flap 36, the front panel 12, and the rear panel 14 to thereby form a display item as the photograph 26 is approximately the same size as the display pocket or slightly smaller. As a result, the item 26 is visible to the user prior to opening the holder 10.

The flap 36 is then folded downwardly, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the holder 10 is then attached to a ferrous surface (eg, a refrigerator door). The magnetic material of the rear panel 14 surrounds the edges 38, 40, 42 of the flap 36 to thereby form sealing means enclosing the opening 48 of the document holder 10 and providing in use an airtight, moisture-proof interior pocket 25.

The magnetic surface 30 thus allows the document holder 10 to be sealingly secured to a ferrous surface without using a fold-out component.

Illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is another magnetic document holder, and like parts have been like numbered with respect to those described above with a 100 prefix. The rear panel 140 includes a plurality of magnetic strips—a top strip 142, a bottom strip 144, a right-hand side strip 146, and a left-hand side strip 148. The strips 142, 144, 146, 148 surround an opening 150 formed in the rear panel 140 thereby providing a sealing member enclosing in use the opening 150 in an air-tight or substantially air-tight manner.

The magnetic document holder 200 illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 is similar to the magnetic holder 100 of FIGS. 4, 5 and like parts have been like numbered with a 200 prefix. The top strip 242 has a flap member 252 defining, together with a front panel 120 and the rear panel 240, an opening 250 adapted to receive a display item.

Illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 is a holder 300 similar to those previously described with like numbering by means of a 300 prefix. The holder 300 has a flap member 352 of the top strip 342 overlapping a portion of a bottom magnetic strip 344. In this arrangement, one of the flap member 352 and the strip 342 can include permanent magnetic material, and the other can include soft magnetic material.

Illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 13 is another magnetic document holder, and like parts have been like numbered but with a 400 prefix.

The magnetic document holder 400 includes a front panel 412 and a rear panel 414.

The front panel 412 is made of a see-through material such as a transparent plastic material or the like to provide visual access to an item placed into the document holder 400. The material can be air or gas impervious or water-impervious or both. Preferably the front panel 412 includes a non-transparent peripheral border 413.

The front panel 412 is of a generally rectangular shape and has a plurality of peripheral edges: a bottom edge 418.1, a left-hand side edge 420.1, and a right-hand side edge 422.1.

The front panel 412 includes a generally rectangular flap 436 formed in an upper portion thereof. In other embodiments (not shown), the flap 436 extends from a lower portion of the front panel 412. It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the flap 436 can be formed in a side portion of the front panel 412. The flap 436 is sized and shaped to be grasped by the user when opening the holder 400.

The flap 436 has a left-hand side edge 438, a right-hand side edge 440, and a bottom edge 442. The edges 438, 440 are spaced away from the edges 420.1, 422.1 respectively by a short distance, eg 3 mm. The side edges 438 and 440 terminate at end points 444, 446 adjacent a seam 424. Preferably the length of the flap 436 is about 160 mm, and the width is about 20 mm. The length of the flap 436 generally depends on the dimensions of the display item.

The flap 436 preferably includes a fold line 437 running across the length of the flap 436 and adjacent to and parallel to a top edge 416 of the front panel 412.

The rear panel 414 has an interior surface 428 and an exterior surface 430, with the interior surface 428 of the rear panel 414 being the visible surface as the holder 400 is shown in FIG. 10.

Similar to the front panel 412, the rear panel 414 includes a plurality of peripheral edges 418.2, 420.2, and 422.2 which are parallel to and coterminous with the edges 418.1, 420.1, and 422.1 respectively.

The rear panel 414 comprises two generally rectangular sheets of equal size: a sheet of a non-transparent plastic material 432 and a sheet of a magnetic material 434. The sheets 432 and 434 are coterminous and joined together so as to be air tight and or water tight or substantially so, by a conventional process so that a surface of the sheet 432 forms the interior surface 428 and a magnetic surface of the sheet 434 forms the exterior surface 430 of the holder 400. Preferably, the colour of the interior surface 428 of the sheet 432 is white.

The front panel 412 and the rear panel 414 are sealed together along the peripheral edges 418, 420, 422 by applying high frequency energy to thereby create a contiguous sealed seam 424 around the periphery of the document holder 400. The width of the seam 424 is preferably about 2 mm.

In this holder 400 the flap 436 is made of a non-magnetic material. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiment will operate with any material whose properties and thickness are such that the magnetic field created by the magnetic surface 434 can pass through to effect the attaching of the holder 400 to a ferrous surface. It will be further appreciated that the magnetic field created in the vicinity of the seam 424 can be sufficient to achieve the same result, that is the whole of the back surface need not be magnetic just that portion in the vicinity of the seam.

As a result, the front panel 412 and the rear panel 414 define a pocket 425 for receiving a display item (eg a photograph, not shown) therein. The display item is inserted into the pocket 425 of the holder 400 through an opening 448 defined by the flap 436, the front panel 412, and the rear panel 414. As a result, the display item is visible to the user prior to opening the holder 400.

The flap 436 is then folded downwardly, as is indicated by arrow A in FIG. 12, and the holder 400 is then attached to a ferrous surface (eg, a refrigerator door). The magnetic material 434 of the rear panel 414 and the flap 436 form sealing means substantially closing the opening 448 of the document holder 400 and providing, in use, a substantially airtight, moisture-proof interior pocket 425.

Illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16 is another magnetic document holder 500, and like parts have been like numbered with respect to previously described holders with a 500 prefix being used.

The magnetic document holder 500 includes a front panel 512 and a rear panel 514.

The front panel 512 is made of a see-through material such as a transparent plastic material or the like to provide visual access to an item placed into the document holder 500. The material can be air or gas impervious or water-impervious or both. Preferably the front panel 512 includes a non-transparent peripheral border 513.

The front panel 512 is of a generally rectangular shape and has a plurality of peripheral edges: a bottom edge 518.1, a left-hand side edge 520.1, and a right-hand side edge 522.1.

The front panel 512 includes a generally rectangular flap 536 formed in an upper portion thereof. In other embodiments (not shown), the flap 536 extends from a lower portion of the front panel 512. It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the flap 536 can be formed in a side portion of the front panel 512.

The flap 536 preferably includes a fold line 537 running across the length of the flap 536 and adjacent to and parallel to a top edge 516 of the front panel 412.

The rear panel 514 includes a sheet of a magnetic material 534. Similarly to the front panel 512, the rear panel 514 includes a plurality of peripheral edges 518.2, 520.2, and 522.2 which are parallel to and coterminous with the edges 518.1, 520.1, and 522.1 respectively.

The front panel 512 and the rear panel 514 are sealed together along the peripheral edges 518, 520, 522 applying high frequency energy to thereby create a contiguous sealed seam 524 around the periphery of the document holder 500.

In this holder 500 the flap 536 is made of a non-magnetic material. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the holder 5000 will operate with any material whose properties and thickness are such that the magnetic field created by the magnetic surface 534 can pass through to effect the attaching of the holder 500 to a ferrous surface.

As a result, the front panel 512 and the rear panel 514 define a pocket for receiving a display item (eg a photograph, not shown) therein. The display item is inserted into the pocket of the holder 500 through an opening defined by the flap 536, the front panel 512, and the rear panel 514. The flap 536 is then folded downwardly, as is illustrated in FIG. 16, and the holder 500 is then attached to a ferrous surface (eg, a refrigerator door). The magnetic material 534 of the rear panel 514 and the flap 536 form sealing means substantially closing the opening of the document holder 500.

Illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 19 is a further magnetic document holder 600, and like parts have been like numbered compared to previously described holders but a 600 series prefix is used.

The magnetic document holder 600 includes a front panel 612 and a rear panel 614.

The front panel 612 is made of a see-through material such as a transparent plastic material or the like to provide visual access to an item placed into the document holder 600. The front panel 612 includes a non-transparent peripheral border 613. As best shown in FIG. 14, the border 613 is adapted to completely surround a display item (not shown).

The front panel 612 is provided with a strip of an adhesive material 620.1. The strip 620.1 is preferably of a rectangular shape. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the strip 620.1 is mounted to the front panel 612 at a side edge 622 of the front panel 612. The strip 620.1 can be covered by a pull-off protective strip.

The rear panel 614 includes a sheet of a magnetic material 634. Similarly to the front panel 612, the rear panel 614 can be provided with a strip of adhesive material 620.2.

The front panel 612 and the rear panel 614 form a pocket for receiving a display item (not shown) therein. The display item is inserted into the pocket of the holder 600 through an opening defined by the front panel 612 and the rear panel 614. The strips 620.1 and 620.2 are then joined to form sealing means substantially closing the opening of the document holder 600.

In other embodiments of the present invention (not shown), the sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal between the document holder and a surface can include an adhesive material. In particular, the rear panel of the document holder can be in the form of an adhesive backing. The adhesive backing can be removably covered with a peel away release liner. Preferably, the rear panel comprises a reusable adhesive backing.

Alternatively, the adhesive material can be arranged to surround the opening in a manner similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 9 or other figures to provide in use a sealing region between the holder and the surface.

In other embodiments (not shown), the rear panel of the document holder is constructed, in whole or in part, from a cling material. The cling material can cover the entire exterior surface of the rear panel of the document holder.

Alternatively, the cling material can surround the opening in a manner similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 9 or other figures to thereby provide sealing means between the opening of the document holder and the surface.

The words “cling material”, when used herein, means any material which is capable of connecting to a surface and/or itself upon contacting engagement between the material and the surface/the material (eg, Saran wrap (a brand of S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc), Glad wrap made by GLAD®, First Brands Corporation, Danbury, Conn.).

Preferably, the document holder includes a cling material known as Clingit®. The cling material is distributed by Ad-Mag Pty Ltd. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, depend upon the size of the document holder. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any thickness of cling material may be used in accordance with the present invention which permits the cling material to function as described herein.

Where ever it is used, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A document holder adapted to be releasably secured to a surface, said document holder including sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal between at least a portion of the holder and the surface.

2. A document holder adapted to be releasably secured to a surface, said document holder including:

at least one pocket adapted to retain a document therein, said pocket having an opening adapted to receive the document, and

sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal between the opening and the surface.

3. A document holder adapted to be releasably secured to a ferrous or magnetizable surface, said document holder including sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal between at least a portion of the holder and the ferrous surface.

4. A document holder adapted to be releasably secured to a ferrous or magnetizable surface, said document holder including:

at least one pocket adapted to retain a document therein, said pocket having an opening adapted to receive the document, and

sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal between the opening and the ferrous surface.

5. A document holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said document holder includes a front panel and a rear panel, said panels being sealed together along their respective peripheral edges to create a contiguous sealed seam around the periphery of the document holder.

6. A document holder as claimed in claim 5 wherein said front panel includes a see-through portion adapted to allow a user to see through said front panel, the arrangement being such that, in use, said see-through portion provides a viewing area for viewing at least a portion of the document placed in the holder.

7. A document holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein the see-through portion includes a transparent material.

8. A document holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein the see-through portion includes a translucent material.

9. A document holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein the see-through portion includes a semi-transparent material.

10. A document holder as claimed in claim 6, wherein the see-through portion includes a plastic material.

11. A document holder as claimed in claim 5 wherein said rear panel includes a magnetic material.

12. A document holder as claimed in claim 5 wherein said rear panel includes a foldable flap cover.

13. A document holder as claimed in claim 12 wherein said foldable flap cover is adapted to be grasped by a user.

14. A document holder as claimed in claim 12 wherein said flap cover extends from an upper portion of said rear panel.

15. A document holder as claimed in claim 12 wherein said flap cover extends from a lower portion of said rear panel.

16. A document holder as claimed in claim 12 wherein said flap cover extends from a side portion of said rear panel.

17. A document holder as claimed in claim 14, wherein said flap cover is foldable over a portion of said rear panel.

18. A document holder as claimed in claim 5 wherein said rear panel includes a sheet of magnetic material, said sheet having the opening adapted to receive a document.

19. A document holder as claimed in claim 3 wherein said sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal includes magnetic material, said magnetic material being disposed around the periphery of said portion to provide in use a sealing region between the holder and the ferrous surface.

20. A document holder as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for forming a substantially airtight seal includes magnetic material, said magnetic material surrounding the opening to provide in use a sealing region between the holder and the ferrous surface.

21. A document holder as claimed in claim 3 wherein said sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal includes a plurality of strips of magnetic material, said strips being disposed around the periphery of said portion to thereby provide a sealing member.

22. A document holder as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for forming a substantially airtight seal includes a plurality of strips of magnetic material, said strips surrounding the opening to provide a sealing member.

23. A document holder as claimed in claim 5 wherein said rear panel includes a sheet of a cling material, said sheet having the opening adapted to receive a document.

24. A document holder as claimed in claim 5 wherein said rear panel includes a sheet of an adhesive material, said sheet having the opening adapted to receive a document.

25. A document holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal includes a cling material, said cling material being disposed around the periphery of said portion to provide in use a sealing region between the holder and the surface.

26. A document holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for forming a substantially airtight seal includes a cling material, said cling material surrounding the opening to provide in use a sealing region between the opening and the surface.

27. A document holder as claimed in claim 5 wherein said rear panel includes a cling material.

28. A document holder as claimed in claim 5 wherein said rear panel includes an adhesive material.

29. A document holder as claimed in claim 5 wherein said rear panel includes an adhesive backing.

30. A document holder as claimed in claim 29 wherein said adhesive backing is removably covered with a release liner.

31. A document holder as claimed in claim 30 wherein said release liner is a peel away release liner.

32. A document holder as claimed in claim 29 wherein said adhesive backing is a reusable adhesive backing.

33. A document holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said document holder includes a front panel and a rear panel, said panels being sealed together along their respective peripheral edges to create a contiguous sealed seam around at least a portion of the periphery of the document holder, said front panel including a foldable flap cover.

34. A document holder as claimed in claim 33 wherein said flap cover extends from an upper portion of said front panel.

35. A document holder as claimed in claim 33 wherein said flap cover extends from a lower portion of said front panel.

36. A document holder as claimed in claim 33 wherein said flap cover extends from a side portion of said front panel.

37. A document holder as claimed in claim 33 wherein said flap cover is foldable over a portion of said rear panel.

38. A document holder as claimed in claim 33 wherein said front panel includes a see-through portion adapted to allow a user to see through said front panel, the arrangement being such that, in use, said see-through portion provides a viewing area for viewing at least a portion of the document placed in the holder.

39. A document holder as claimed in claim 38 wherein the see-through portion includes a transparent material.

40. A document holder as claimed in claim 38 wherein the see-through portion includes a translucent material.

41. A document holder as claimed in claim 38 wherein the see-through portion includes a semi-transparent material.

42. A document holder as claimed in claim 33 wherein the see-through portion includes a plastic material.

43. A document holder as claimed in claim 33 wherein said rear panel includes a magnetic material.

44. A document holder as claimed in claim 43 wherein said rear panel includes a sheet of magnetic material.

45. A document holder as claimed in claim 33 wherein said sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal includes magnetic material, said magnetic material being adapted to provide in use a sealing region between the holder and the ferrous surface.

46. A document holder as claimed in claim 45 wherein said means for forming a substantially airtight seal includes magnetic material, and wherein said flap cover includes a non magnetic material.

47. A document holder as claimed in claim 45 wherein in use said magnetic material surrounds the opening and or the flap cover to provide in use a sealing region between the holder and the ferrous surface.

48. A document holder as claimed in claim 33 wherein said rear panel includes a sheet of a cling material.

49. A document holder as claimed in claim 33 wherein said rear panel includes a sheet of an adhesive material.

50. A document holder as claimed in claim 33 wherein said sealing means for forming a substantially airtight seal includes a cling material, said cling material being adapted to provide in use a sealing region between the holder and the surface.

51. A document holder as claimed in claim 33 wherein said front panel includes a peripheral border, said peripheral border being adapted to at least partially surround a display item.

52. A document holder as claimed in claim 51 wherein said peripheral border is non-transparent.

53. A document holder as claimed in claim 51 wherein said peripheral border is adapted to completely surround a display item.