Improvements in Envelopes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 12th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 13th Apr., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Envelopes.
1, JAMES NELSON of Holme-next-the-Sea, Kings Lynn, in the County of Norfolk,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention refers to the manufacture of envelopos in such manner that they
cannot be opened without defacing them or shewing marks of having been tampered
with, while the contents of such envelopes cannot be injured by reason of the gum
(which is used in the manufacture thereof and for securing the same after the contents
have been inserted) over-running when it is pressed or squeezed on to the contents of
the envelope, and this is accomplished by making the envelope in such manner that the
flap which closes it is fastened by both its surfaces in said envelope and at the same
time all the other flaps are secured without any of the moistened gum coming in
contact in any way with the contents.
I will describe my invention with reference to envelopes having "tuck fastenings"
because the invention is particularly applicable to such kinds of envelopes.
According to my invention I make the two side flaps of quadrangular shape or very
slightly tapered, one flap being made somewhat larger than the other so that the
smaller of the two will slightly overlap or vice versa where the two flaps are
gummed together in a vertical line and centrally along the envelope; the bottom flap
is very slightly tapered and is secured by adhesive material on to the two side flaps
round the edges, thus leaving a space between the two inner flaps and folded over
lower flap, within the gummed edge of the said lower flap, which latter is provided
with a slot, sufficiently large to receive a tuck piece provided on the top or fourth
flap. This tuck is or may be provided with adhesive material on one or both sides of
the surface or edges thereof so that when securing the envelope, it (the tuck) is
inserted in the slot joining the three flaps inside the slot, the adhesive material thereon
having been first moistened and pressure being applied the fastening is made secure
and none of the adhesive material can by any possible means touch the contents. The
top flap may also be gummed as well as the tuck piece.

page_text: As an additional security there may be perforations made just above the tuck of the
flap and in the direction of a right angle therefrom, or the perforations may he
arranged in any other suitable or convenient manner, they may for example be made
to assume the form of letters, words, or other device whereby the envelope would tear
if tampered with.
Envelopes constructed according to my invention may be made of paper or partly
of paper and other substances, such as canvas, calico, muslin, linen or vegetable
parchment.

page_text: I, JAMES NELSON of Holme-next-the-Sea, Kings Lynn, in the County of Norfolk,
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
tallowing statement :-
My invention refers to the manufacture of envelopes in such manner that they
cannot be opened without defacing them or shewing marks of having been tampered
with, while the contents of such envelopes cannot be injured by the gum (which is
used in the manufacture thereof and also for securing the same after the contents have
been inserted) over-running when it is pressed or squeezed on to the contents of the
envelope, and this is accomplished by making the envelope in such manner that the
flap which closes it is fastened by both its surfaces in the said envelope and at the
same time all the other flaps are secured without any of the moistened gum coming
in contact in any way with the contents.
My invention will be best understood by describing same with reference to the
accompanying drawings which illustrate an envelope having what I may call a
"tuck fastening" to which description of envelopes the said invention is particularly
applicable.
Figure 1 shews a paper cut or shaped suitable for the manufacture of such an
envelope, and as it would appear before being folded.
Figures 2 and 3 shew the same envelope in different stages of manufacture, and
Figure 4 shews the envelope as it would appear when completed.
According to my invention I make the two side flaps A A¹ of quadrangular shape
or very slightly tapered, one flap A being made somewhat larger than the other
flap A so that the smaller of the two will slightly overlap or vice versa where the two
flaps are gummed together in a vertical line and centrally along the envelope as is
shewn at Figure 2, the bottom flap B is very slightly tapered and is secured round its
edges by adhesive material onto the two side flaps A A thus leaving a space between
the two inner flaps A A' and folded over lower flap B within the grimmed edge
of the said lower flap B which latter is provided with a slot B' sufficiently large
to receive a tuck piece C provided on the top or fourth flap C'. This tuck piece C
is or may be provided with adhesive material on one or both sides of the surface or
edges thereof so that when securing the envelope it, (the tuck C) is inserted in the
slot B joining the three flaps A A and B inside the slot B', the adhesive material
thereon having been first moistened and pressure being-applied the fastening is made
secure and none of the adhesive material can by any possible means touch the contents.
The top flap may also be gummed as well as the tuck piece C.
As an additional security there may be perforations D Figures 3 and 4 made just
above the tuck C of the flap and in the direction of a right angle therefrom, or the
perforations may be arranged in any other suitable or convenient manner, they may
for example be made to assume the form of letters, words, or other device, whereby the
envelope would tear if tampered with.

page_text: Envelopes constructed according to my invention may be made of paper or partly
of paper and other substances, such as canvas, calico, muslin, linen, or vegetable
parchment.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
In envelopes, the construction substantially as herein described, and wherein an
adhesive tuck piece C is provided, which being inserted in a slot Bi, secures tegether
internally the said tuck piece C, the flaps A A', and the flap B, the said envelopes
being made-with-or_without_perforations all as and for the purposes set forth.