IMPECVEMENTS IN ENVELOPES.
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Michael Grouse, of Southampton Row, in the
County of Middlesex, Tailor, for the Invention of "IMPECVEMENTS
IN ENVELOPES.".
Sealed the 1st January 1870, and dated the 14th September 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Michael Grouse at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th September 1869.
I, MICHAEL GROUSE, of Southampton Row, in the County of Middle-
sex, Tailor, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ENVELOPES," to be as follows:-
Instead of cutting, folding, and gumming envelopes as heretofore
commonly done, and instead of trusting to the adhesiveness of the gum
or of a wafer or sealing wax for the purpose of fastening or securing the
upper flap or closing piece of the envelope, I so cut, arrange, fold, and
interpose or introduce one portion of the envelope between and through
other portions and combine the parts thereof together by means of slots
or slits and tongues or interlocking pieces as to combine the folded parts
of the envelope together, and fix or secure them when the contents are
Price 8d.1

page_text: placed within the envelope so as to insure detection in case of any
attempt being made to surreptitiously remove or abstract the contents.
The three thicknesses
In making my improved envelopes, say, of the usual shape or form
I prefer to cut the side flaps or folds about the same size and shape as
the envelope, and the tongue of the lower flap or fold may be of the
same length as the width or depth of the envelope, although in width
it need not be of the length of the envelope.
forming the back of the envelope (without the top flap or covering fold,
which when closed would make a fourth thickness) are thus made to
overlap, interlock, and take into one another, and by means of suitable
slots or slits made therethrough the four thicknesses are combined or so
arranged as to be interlocked or secured by means of the spring clip or
expanding fastener by which the top flap or fold is combined with and
fixed to the other portions of the envelope. Each flap forming the back
of the envelope is similarly or correspondingly pierced with slits or slots,
so that when the envelope is folded they are opposite to each other or
that one set of slots is below the other, so that the tongue or tongues
and the strip of material forming the interlocking or fastening piece is
slipped through the corresponding slots, and by being made to interlace
and fix the several thicknesses together so secure the contents within the
envelope that any attempt to abstract them would so injure the envelope
and leave such visible marks of damage as would not escape detection,
and the envelope could not be refastened. The final fastening is effected
by inserting through suitable slots made in the several flaps or back
folds of the envelope a springy or expanding strip of metal or other
material having a clip, tongue, or catch piece, which being slid or sprung
into its place expands and produces an interlocking within the envelope
or beneath the folds of the flaps, and cannot be withdrawn without
destroying the envelope.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Michael Grouse in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 14th March 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MICHAEL
GROUSE, of Southampton Row, in the County of Middlesex, Tailor, send
greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her: "most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters: Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of September!" initiie
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the
thirty-third year of Her reign, did; for Herself; Her heirs and successors;
give and grant unto me, the said Michael Grouse, Her special licence that
I, the said Michael Grouse, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Michael Grouse, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ENVELOPES,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Michael Grousė, my
executor's or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
Bame was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Michael Grouse, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement and the accompanying three Sheets of Drawings:-
.....
Instead of cutting, folding, and gumming envelopes as heretofore
commonly done, and instead of trusting to the adhesiveness of the gum
or of a wafer or sealing wax for the purpose of fastening or securing the
upper flap or closing piece of envelopes, I so, cut, arrange, fold, and
interpose or introduce one portion of the envelope between and through
other portions and combine the parts thereof together by means of slots
or slits and tongues or interlocking, pieces as to combine the folded-parts
of the envelope together and fix or-secure them when the .contents are
placed within the envelope so as to insure detection in case of any
attempt being made to surreptitiously remove or abstract the contents..
In making my improved envelopes, say, of the usual shape or form
I prefer to cut the side flaps or folds about the same size and shape as
the envelope, and the tongue of the lower flap or fold may be of the
same length as the width or depth of the envelope, although in width it
need not be of the length of the envelope. The three thicknesses

page_text: forming the back of the envelope, without the top flap or covering fold,
which when closed
closed would make a fourth thickness, are thus made do
overlap, interlock, and take into one another, and by means of suitable
slots or slits made therethrough the four thicknesses are combined or so
arranged as to be interlocked or secured by means of the spring clip or
expanding or other form of fastener, by which the top flap or fold is
combined with and fixed to the under portions of the envelope. Or where
by the peculiar cutting or shaping of the flaps or back portions the
overlapping and interlocking is so secure in itself or they would when
combined together interpose such difficulty to the surreptitious opening
for the purpose of abstracting the contents as to leave traces of any such
attempt, the three portions of the back of the three flaps may, in
addition to the said overlapping or interlocking, be gummed or secured by
adhesive cement with or without a metallic or mechanical fastening
passing throughout their entire length, although such metal fastener or
mechanical fastening may be introduced for the purpose of securing the
fourth flap or the one usually left open for the purpose of allowing the
contents to be placed within the envelope. Each flap forming the back
of the envelope is or may be similarly or correspondingly pierced with
slits or slots, so that when the envelope is folded they are opposite to
each other, or that one set of slots is below the other, so that the tongue
or tongues and the strip of material which may be employed for the
purpose of forming the interlocking or fastening piece is slipped through.
the corresponding slots, and by being made to interlace and fix the
several thicknesses together so secure the contents within the envelope
that any attempt to abstract them would so injure the envelope and
leave such visible marks of damage as would not escape detection, and
the envelope could not be refastened. The final fastening may be
effected either by inserting through suitable slots made in the several
flaps or back folds of the envelope a springy or expanding strip of metal
or other material having a clip, tongue, or catch piece, which being slid
or sprung into its place expands and produces an interlocking within the
envelope or beneath the folds of the flaps, and cannot be withdrawn
without destroying the envelope. Or the envelope may be so cut, as
herein-after described, as by the act of folding or closing the parts or
flaps forming the back that an interlocking or interlacing is thereby
effected without necessitating the slotting of those parts for the purpose
of interlocking or interlacing them together, although such parts or flaps
may be cut, slit, or slotted for the purpose of receiving a tongue or

page_text: portion of the fourth flap when the letter or other article has been
inserted within the envelope and irrespective of the fastener
191191281 0
means
of fastening, the fourth flap for the pu
for the purpose...
of securely, closing and
completing the envelope in accordance with the present.. Invention.
In the accompanying three Sheets of Drawings I have shewn, first,
several sizes of envelopes, and variations in the proportions of length to
the breadth thereof, which necessitate variations in the mode of shaping
and cutting the flaps thereof; and secondly, I have shewn the modes
of shaping the different parts as well as the mode of combining the
several parts together; I have also shewn in some cases by means of
faint and dotted lines the construction and mode of combining envelopes
of the same proportions so as to produce the same effect; and further-
more I have shewn the several modes of fastening the parts of envelopes
and various forms, constructions, and arrangements of parts of fasteners
suited to the various forms and descriptions of envelopes which it may
be convenient or useful to make for the purpose of ensuring the'greatest.
amount of safety and security; and lastly, I shew several detached views
of metal clips or fasteners which are adapted to the combining together
and securing of the four parts. or flaps forming the back of an envelope.
In Sheet 1, Figure 1 shews a bankers' safety envelope with a fastener
or metallic clip applied to the flaps. B, C, D, are the three flaps, which
are cut or shaped as shewn that when combined with the female portion
of the fastener after flap C has been combined with B and D by means
of the slots then when the letter or other article or articles have been
placed within the envelope the tongue of flap A has been passed in to
and through the slots a; a¹, and so the male portion of the fastener
which is attached to A is caused to enter into the other portion of the
fastener which is concealed beneath the flap, and is there secured, and
thus the four flaps are combined together and secured. Figure 2 shews
an envelope of "official" proportions or for, receiving letters or docu-
ments at the narrow end, a similar fastening being applied thereto. In
this instance, consequent upon the alteration in the proportions of length-
to breadth, the mode of forming and combining together the flaps has
to be varied when, in this instance, the flaps also are first combined
together, and the lower end flap D has to be prolonged sufficiently to
carry it up to the flap A, and by passing through the lower slot b passes
beneath the two flaps B and C, and it is with the other flaps pierced or
slotted at the other end close to A, so that the point or tongue of the

page_text: flap A is caused to pass through the slots ay aand so interlace with the
other three and by means of the fastener the whole areivcombinedi
together and secured Figure 3 shews an ordinary commercial envelope
as adapted to the use of a metallic fastener; the locking as in the
former cases of the flaps B, C, and D being effected by the tongue of the
fourth flap A. Figure 4 is an envelope somewhat similar to Figure 3,
but varying in its proportions and in the fastener connected thereto.
Figure 5 is an arrangement, similar in principle of cutting and combining,
but varying in the shape of the flaps as well as in the proportion of the
slots. Figure 6 shews
a combined envelope and writing sheet; the full
lines shew the envelope when folded having á horizontal fastener partly
shewn in dotted lines, the surrounding dotted outline being intended
to shew it before it is folded; the four flaps are lettered A, B, C, and D,
and the slots are shewn partly in dotted lines at a, b. Figure 7 is a
somewhat similar arrangement to the last mentioned as regards the
horizontal fastener e, f, and the interlocking of the three flaps A, B, and.
D by means of the side flap C, a double male portion e¹, allowing the
fastener to slide in the groove by reason of the male portion being
admitted at a¹ and coming out at a", the interlocking of the flaps being
effected as in the former Figure. Figure 9 is generally similar to Figure 8
the horizontal fastener the male portion of which e¹ is fastened between
the slots a', a¹¹, from the inside, the same effect is obtained by making
three flaps interlace or lock by the fourth flap, passing through the
short cut in flaps A, B, D. Figure 10 is somewhat similar in proportion
to Figure 9; the shape into which flaps are cut is varied. Figure 11 is a
detailed view of one of the fasteners, shewing the male and female
portions, part e being entered into part f, and the internal catch on being
expanded holds the internal portion securely. Figure 12 shews detailed
views of the parts of a fastener shewing female portions f, and f, t,
f fitting into f¹ and so covering the catch k or protecting it. Figure 13
shews a complete view of the male fastener e and is single-acting.
Figure 14 shews a similar portion of the male fastener e¹ having a double
action.
In Sheet 2, Figure shews an envelope with vertical fastener; the
flaps B, C, and D, are interlaced in the manufacture or combining
together, having the female portion of the fastener f'fitted thereto; the
flap A is passed through the slot a, as shewn by dotted lines; the flap D
passes through the slot band is carried beyond so as to allow of the

page_text: male portion e passing through the three flaps and being brought out
again at a¹, from whence it passes in again at a" and into the female
portion of the fastener f so as to interlace and lock the other flaps..
Figure 2 is similar in principle, although different in details of its con-
struction from Figure 1, and has a horizontal fastener applied, the letter
or article being inserted at C, and the fastening taking place by means
of the tongue of the flap C. Figure 3 is somewhat similar in the con-
struction of the flaps of Figure 2, but differs slightly therefrom, but the
male portion e of the fastener is secured in the centre instead of at one
end by taking the female portion f of either of the flaps B or C, and as
heretofore three flaps are fastened by means of the interlacing of the
fourth. Figure 4, a similar arrangement of fastening as in Figure 7,
having a vertical fastener, but applied to a long envelope. like Figure. 2
on Sheet 1. Figure 5 is a large bankers' envelope somewhat similar to
Figure 1 of Sheet 1, with a vertical fastener somewhat similar to Figure
4. In Figure 6 I have shewn a complete view of a fastener with the
male portion e secured within the female portion f, there being five.slots
by which an adjustment may be effected, and a somewhat rack-like
action is ensured in this Figure, as in Figures 8 and 9; a single slot of
nearly the whole width of the male portion is shewn, whilst, 10, 11, &c.,
the slots are divided into two parts, so that a double claw in the male
portion may be employed instead of a single one. Figure 7 is a view
of the male portion e with the hook taking into one of the slots of:f.
Figure 8 shews a similar fastening to Figure 7, but with a star-shaped
fastening for the purpose of securing it to the flap of the envelope:
Figure 9 shews the female portion of the fastener. Figure 10. shews: a
modification of the female portion of the fastener, but having a double
rack-like series of slots on one side of the sheath and a single now on
the other side of the sheath, the form of claws for taking, thereintof being
produced by cutting the end of the fastening into three points, and two
heing turned into one direction, and one into the other Figure 11. is a
similar fastening the one side being lettered g, the opposite side being
marked g¹. Figure 12 shews the male portion in two views, the one
side having two lips turned down h' as in h, and one lip turned up in
In Sheet 3 I have confined myself to a series of views shewing various
forms of envelopes, and several variations in the proportions of length
to. breadth, variations in the form of cutting and combining together the
parts, and modifications in the form of the flaps as well, as in the

page_text: fasteifing or means of securing. Figure 1 shews an envelope having
carved slots or slits to admit of the tongue or tongues being interlocked,
as herein before described; and it also shews. a rack-like fastener.
Figure 2 shews in envelope having a curved slot at the centre, which
has corresponding slots also cut in the upper and lower flaps, the side
flap C, being the one left open' and it locks or fastens the other three
in the manner shewn by means of the rack fastening dotted in Figure
3is an envelope similar to those previously described, but varying in
the shape of the flaps. The-side flaps are so made as to correspond,
so that when fastened it cannot be distinguished at the back of the letter
which is the top or bottom, or by means of which flap the whole has
been locked or fastened. Figure 4 shews an envelope having two
parallel slots or slits cut in the two side flaps B and C. The lower flap
liás a tongue cut as shewn; so that it interlaces through the slots a, a':
The projecting tongue of the lower flap d is guided and secured. by
"6.6°
stud over the stud A Figure 5 shews a similar arrangement as
regards two parallel slots and the tongue or tongues also fastening in a
sir maine, but the side flaps B and C are cut, as there shewn by
full and dotted lines, so that they interlace alternately at the centre
thereof! Figure 6 is a larger sized envelope than the foregoing and
shews 'another arrangement of fastener or fastening on the principle of a
Slipknot having a long locking arrangement, which takes into the
catch at the other end, and which after being threaded into the slot pre-
iously having curved tendency by pressure will be bent sharp back,
thus locking the whole arrangement of the upper and lower flaps, being
Similar to those in Figure 5. Figure 7 shews a long envelope intended
receive the retter at the end, generally similar to Figure 2 in Sheet 1,
and Figure in Sheet 2, but it has curved slots and the fastener is
placed in the centre of the envelope. Figure 8 is similar to the pre-
the locking lap A does not pass through a Figure 9 shews
an official envelope with the upper and lower flaps overlapping the
Tower flap D being cut as shown in the Drawing, and is secured over,
the upper ap' A whilst the side flaps B and C interlock and fasten, as
shewn Figure 10 shews an envelope opened out so as to shew a mode
of cutting out, so that the side and upper and lower flaps are made to
interlace, with parallel slots.
to
ceding
Having shewn in the accompanying Sheets of Drawings several novel
forms or shapes of envelope "blanks," so far as relates to the flaps or
hallow

page_text: back portions of the envelopes suited to or in accordance with the
requirements of each particular pattern, kind, or description of envelopes,
and each of such envelopes is shewn as having a fastener also suited
thereto, I do not propose to leave the edges of the overlapping portions
of the back flaps uncemented or without the application of some suitable
adhesive substance in lieu of paste or gum, and I prefer to use some
one of the well-known preparations which whilst not becoming brittle
(after long use or application between the surfaces of the materials
of which such envelopes may be made) is not soluble in hot water
nor by dry heat under a temperature that will singe or scortch and
injure the paper, cloth, or other material of which the envelopes are
made.
66
I prefer in most cases to make the envelope of linen, covered with
paper only, and I find that the best quality of engineers' tracing cloth
made opaque on the inside is a serviceable and economical material for
such safety envelopes, but the paper material (prepared with acid) known
as vegetable parchment" forms an excellent substitute for parchment
or vellum, which, however, I prefer to employ for some purposes.
For the more important purposes for which such envelopes are required
I form all the outside or surrounding edges double, that is, with a
fillet or folded strip all round of material, as herein-after described, by
which, when, should a knife or sharp instrument be employed to cut
the edges of the envelope, it will besides offering additional difficulty,
to the operator the more readily be observed, and the envelope cannot
practically be restored to its original appearance, so that detection
should ensue during the period of its transmission or at the time of
its delivery. I have not, however, considered it necessary to further
complicate the Drawings by the addition of more dotted or broken lines
to shew these internal edgings, folds, or fillets.
The mechanical fastenings or fasteners which I have designed for the
purpose of securing the flaps of the envelopes together are shewn
on Sheet 1, applied at Figures 1 to 10 inclusive, and separately in detail
at Figures 11 to 14 inclusive, and on Sheet 2 I have shewn some modi-
fications in the details of the mechanical fasteners applied to envelopes
at Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, whilst at Figures 6 to 12 inclusive I have
shewn the parts of the fasteners separately and in various stages of
construction and combination, which will be readily understood, on
reference to the Figures. Where the female portion is shewn open

page_text: at Figure 10 the right hand flap m (g') pierced with single slots or
holes is first folded over on g, and then the left-hand flap n is folded
over short to secure firmly the sheath for receiving the male portion,
when the envelope has be closed over its contents and secured, the
one side of which sheath is shewn by Figure 11 at g, and the other
side by g¹. The male portion is shewn by Figure 12, h being the one
side having two claws h¹ and i, the other side having one claw ;
thus the double claw (h) will take into the g side of the sheath;
and the single claw will take into the side g¹ of the sheath; and
these claws may enter either the first or any other row of holes or
slots as may be found best suited in each particular case, and a gentle
blow or pressure administered at the proper place will secure these
fasteners.
In some cases I propose to employ the bracelet or necklace form of
clasps as fasteners, say, for instance, when the envelope is formed
wholly or partially of sheet metal. As I do not propose to confine
myself to the use or employment of paper or linen-lined paper, nor to
parchment or vellum, as I can by employing very thin sheets of some of
the metals, or of the brass compositions, or of the compositions of tin or of
lead hardened with antimony cut out from such sheets at one operation
any of the shapes of envelope blanks which I have shewn in the three
sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, having the requisite slots or slits
and tongues and holes cut or punched before the flaps or other parts of
the envelope are folded, and where the fasteners have in such metallic
envelopes to be added or attached thereto, they would be applied and.
secured to the proper parts before the folding, and in some cases after
the first folding has been made and before the finishing or final pressing
or folding has been effected. But when the envelope is cut out of or
from a sheet of this metal the two portions of the mechanical fastener
or fastening may be stamped out of the same sheet, and each may form
a portion of the covering flaps and one of the other flaps respectively,
and by being afterwards subjected to the requisite shaping and bending
and punching so as to form the self-locking or snap or clasp form the
necessity for soldering or otherwise fastening on will be avoided. I
prefer to place the female portions of the fastener or the sheath for
receiving the other portions of the fastener beneath the fold of one
of the flaps or between the topmost of the, three overlapping or inter-
locking pieces of the back portion of the envelope, and in some cases

page_text: it. may be placed entirely beneath the three folds or flaps and inside the
envelope, and the other portion of the fastener is attached to the under
side of the fourth or closing flap or in such a manner as to ensure its
being covered and protected.
For some purposes, as for a cheaper description of safety envelope, I
propose to employ paper, cloth, or linen-lined paper, with an inner
coating of tinfoil or other equally thin sheeting of metallic or composite
material made to adhere thereto, and from which composite sheets the
envelope blanks are cut according to the requisite shape, as shewn in
the several Figures of the Drawings, and they are afterwards folded, as
shewn in the Drawings and as herein-before described. The under
face of the fourth or covering flap may be coated with cement, or the
two faces of the point of the tongue may be covered with a gum or
cement, and on being inserted into or through the slot or slots be
caused to adhere to the several portions of the back flaps, through or
between which it is made to pass.
Having now described my Invention of "Improvements in Envelopes,"
and the manner of putting the same into practice, and having in the
accompanying three Sheets of Drawings illustrated several of the modes
or methods of forming the parts of the envelopes and of combining the
overlapping or the back flaps together, I wish it to be understood that
what I claim as my Invention is,
First. The improvements in envelopes herein described so far as
relates to the combining of the several parts together, in manner herein
set forth.
Secondly. The modes or methods herein described of shaping, cutting,
and combining parts of envelopes in conjunction with the modes or
methods of fastening or securing them, as herein set forth and as shewn
in the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. Forming the "blanks" of envelopes and combining the back
parts or flaps thereof together as in Figure 5 of Sheet 3.
Fourthly. The modes or methods herein described of effecting the
overlapping and interlocking of the back portions of envelopes in con-
junction with the use or employment of the mechanical fastening or
fasteners herein described, and as illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings, applied as therein shewn and as herein-before described.

page_text: Fifthly. The modes or methods of constructing and applying me-
chanical fastenings or fasteners to envelopes, as herein described and
as illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
Twelfth day of March One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
WILLIAM SMITH, C.E.,
19, Salisbury St.,
Strand.
MICHAEL GROUSE. (L.S.)