Improvements in Envelopes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 27th July, 1892-Accepted, 3rd Sept., 1892
Improvements in Envelopes.
I, EDWARD ARCHER, of Nicholson Road, Umballa, in the Empire of British
India, Clerk in the Military Works Department, 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 :-
This invention relates to the manufacture of envelopes; its object being to enable
the envelope to be readily reversed and remade after having been once used, thus
effecting considerable economy.
In the accompanying discrums which serve to illustrate this invention.
Fig. 4 representing the envelope completed and ready for use.
Fig. 5 illustrates the completed envelope after having been used and opened.
Fig. 6 is a view explaining the manner in which the envelope is remade after
having been once used.
The new pattern of envelope differs from the old pattern in having six flaps
instead of four, and in having the longitudinal join at the side instead of down the
centre of the back.
The six flaps A, B, C, D, E and F are first cut to the shape desired, as indicated
in Fig. 1. The flaps D, E and F are then folded down (Fig. 2) but not pasted;
the flap D being placed under the flap E to prevent damage to the former while
the flap C is being cut away, as hereinafter explained. The blank is then folded
along the centre, as indicated in Fig. 3. A string having been attached to the
blank and placed under the flap B, the latter is pasted down. The free end of the
string is then turned at right angles to the other part and placed under the flap A,
which is thereupon pasted down the end of the string protruding, as represented
in Fig. 4. The flap C corresponds with the gummed Hap of the ordinary envelope,
and is fastened down after the insertion of the letter or other enclosure. The
envelope is opened by pulling the end of the string, which tears the paper along
the fold of the flap A from W to X (Fig. 5).
In remaking the envelope, the string is pulled so as to tear the paper along the
fold of the flap B from X to Y; leaving the string attached at the corner near Y.
The flap is then cut along the fold from Y to Z with a paper-knife; care being
taken that the flap D is not also cut. The envelope is then reversed and the
flaps D, E and F opened out (Fig. 6); these flaps being subsequently pasted down.
The string is placed under the flap D; the surplus length being cut off. In the
remade envelope, however, the string may be dispensed with. The flap F is left
open to be subsequently fastened down in the ordinary way.
These improved envelopes may be made of any suitable material and of any
size or shape. They are intended for use in all large establishments, such as the
various Government offices and banks.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The improved reversible envelope, formed substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
2. An envelope having three spare flaps, such as D, E and F, turned in ready
for use in remaking the envelope after reversing it, substantially as herein described.
3. An envelope blank folded down the centre, and whereof each half has three

page_text: Haps A, B and C, or D, E and F ; one set of flaps being utilized when the envelope
is made and the other set when the envelope is remade.
Dated the 25th day of July 1892.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Chartered Patent Agent.