Year: 1899

page_text: I, FRANK SIRETT MATHWIN, of Nathalia, in the Colony of Victoria, Physician
and Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has been devised to provide a-cheap and efficient cutting
appliance or apparatus for neatly opening envelopes for the removal of their
contents.
By the employment of my invention the danger, at present existing of injuring.
the letter or other contents in the envelope, is obviated.
Between two casing plates of metal I place a knife having a keen edge, and
arranged to slide in a diagonal direction for a short distance, the slide being
permitted by projecting blocks sliding in channels between the said casing
plates. On the butt of the blade is mounted milled thumb-piece almost flush
with, but sliding in a diagonal groove in one or both of the plates and so arranged
that the thumb can by pressure cause the blade to project forward for use, or
vice versa backward for disuse.
The two casing plates of metal forming a case or body in which the knife
slides are preferably about 14 inches in length by about of an inch in width,
their ends being slightly curved or rounded so as not to unduly catch or wear
the pocket in which the instrument might be carried.
Between the two cheeks is a distance piece or plate of metal in which are
the grooves for the projecting blocks to slide in. The two outer plates are held
to the inner one by rivets, pins or analogous fastenings and preferably arranged
so that one outer plate may be removed so that the knife may be taken out and
sharpened when blunted by use.
The whole of the three plates are Hush with one another at the two ends and
the back, but at the front the inner plate terminates about 4inch inside for
the whole of its length, and from it outward, the two casing plates are cut so
as to form a somewhat "V" shaped channel and in the top portion the sliding
knife projects and operates.
When it is desired to open an envelope the blade is pushed forward by the
thumb operating on the milled thumb-piece and the latter held in its forward
position. This causes the end of the knife to project about inch outside the
outer edges of the "V" shaped groove. The projecting point of the knife is
then introduced into the top right hand corner of the back of the envelope and
under the flap thereat, and the envelope thus enters into the "V" shaped
channel: the instrument is then pushed forward to the outer end of the envelope
and during its movement the knife cuts the envelope open in a clean and uniform
manner.
If it be desired to use the interior faces of the envelope for scrap or note
paper, my cutter may be continued in its travel right round the other threr
edges of the envelope with the result that such envelope will be neatly, divided

page_text: into two pieces and thus be made available for neat memorandum slips. The
knife in some cases may be a fixture.
Date : 10L
1040
I, FRANK SIRETT MATHWIN, of Nathalia, in the Colony of Victoria, Physician
and Surgeon, 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 following statement:;
1577A
This invention has been devised to provide a cheap and efficient cutting
appliance or apparatus for neatly opening. envelopes for the removal of their
contents. By the employment of my invention, the danger, at present existing
of injuring the letter or other contents. in the envelope is obviated.
I will now refer to the accompanying sheet of drawings illustrating the
invention.
Sa
wir
Figure 1 represents a view of the appliance as in use in opening an envelope.
Figure 2 is a front view of the appliance witli adjustable knife.
Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2 but with the face plate removed.
Figure 4 is a view looking on to the top of the appliance.
Figure 5 is a detached edge view of the knife and, .
Figure 6 is a view corresponding with Figure 3 but with a fixed knife.
Figures 2 to 5 both inclusive are drawn to an enlarged scale.
..
Between two casing plates of metal A, B, I place a knife Chaving a keen
edge and arranged to slide in a diagonal direction for a short distance, the slide
being permitted by projecting blocks on the knife base sliding in channels
between the said casing plates: On the butt of the blade is formed or mounted a
milled thumb piece projecting through and sliding in a diagonal groove, in
the plate B (or in both of the plates A and B) and so arranged that the thumb
cau by pressure cause the blade to project forward for use, or vice versa backward
for disuse. The two casing plates of inetal A, B, form a case, or body in which
the knife slides and these are preferably about one and a half inches in length
by about seven eighths of an inch in width, their 'onds" being slightly curved, or
rounded so as not to unduly catch or wear the pocket in which the instrument
might be carried.'
:
,}
+
1
Between the two plates A, B, is a distance piece or plate of metal D in which is a
groove with side ways d, for the blocks e, to slide in, The two outer
plates A. B. are held to the inner one by rivets, pins, screws. or analogous
fastenings (G represents holes for same) and preferably arranged, so that one
outor plate may be removed in order that the knife may be taken out and
sharpened when blunted by use. If desired the plate D.may be formed in one
with the plate A.
The whole of the three plates are flush with one another at the two ends and
the back, but at the front the inner plate terminates about a quarter of an inch
inside for the whole of its length (see Figure 4),. and from it outward. The two
casing plates at a¹, 61, are cut so as to form a somewhat V shaped channel and
in the top portion of same the sliding knife C projects, and operates.
T
F represents an envelope being opened. H represents open cuts in the plates A

page_text: ánd B which allow any trimmings from the envelope during the action of opening
to pass out so as not to obstruct the cutting.
When it is desired to open an envelope the blade is pushed forward by the
thumb operating on the milled thumb pièce C and the latter held in its forward
position. This causes the end of the knife to project about a quarter of an inch
outside the outer edges of the V shaped groove. The projecting point of the
knife is then introduced into the top right hand corner of the back of the envelope
and under the flap thereat, and the envelope thus enters into the V shaped
channel (see Figures 1 and 4). The instrument is then pushed forward to the
other end of the envelope and during its movement the knife C cuts the envelope
open in a clean and uniform manner.
C
The knife may if desired be fixed in position by screws E (or otherwise see
Figure 6) in which case the milled thumb piece and the sliding blocks c¹, c³,
are dispensed with. In this construction the appliance is not designed for the
pocket but to remain on table or desk.
If it be desired to use the interior faces of the envelope for scrap or note
paper, my cutter may be continued in its travel right round the other three
edges of the envelope, with the result that such envelope will be neatly divided
into two pieces and thus be made available for neat memorandum slips:
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:-
1. A casing having V channel along one edge and a knife diagonally passing
into the said V channel substantially as and for the purposes described.
2. In combination casing plates as A, B, having bevelled edges a¹, b¹, form-
ing V channel, plate B having diagonal slot, central plate D having diagonal
slot with side ways d, d, knife as C having blocks to slide in the side ways,
and milled thumb piece as e projecting through the slot of plate B substantially
as and for the purposes described.
3. In combination casing plates as A, B, having bevelled edges as a¹, b', form-
ing V channel, central plate as D having diagonal slot, fixed knife as C set in
the slot of plate. D and projecting into the V channel substantially as and for
the purposes described.
4. The combination and arrangement of the whole of the parts substantially
as illustrated on Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying sheet of drawings and for
the purposes described.
Dated this 5th da
1000