Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 8th May, 1897
I, GARDNER MILTON FOSSETT, Trader, of the Town of Medomak, in the County of
Lincoln, State of Maine, one of the United States of America, 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:—
My invention relates to improvements in envelopes and has for its object the
production of an envelope which may be quickly opened or unsealed without
endangering its contents.
To the accomplishment of this object, my invention consists in providing an
envelope of ordinary size with a stiffening cord entirely enclosed within the envelope
adjacent to one edge, and designed to enable the entire end of the envelope to be torn
off with a single effort, thereby saving time as well as insuring the integrity of the
contents.
Referring to the drawings:
Figure 1 is a view of my envelope sealed, the stiffening strip being indicated in
dotted lines.
Figure 2 is a view of the envelope showing an end flap and the two side flaps
turned back, my stiffening strip being shown secured to the body of the envelope
adjacent to the end flap.
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the end flap turned down,
and the side flaps in the act of being so turned.
Figure 4 is a view of the sealed envelope showing a part of the stiffened end torn
away from the envelope.
Referring to the numerals on the drawing, 1 indicates an envelope composed of a
preferably rectangular body 2, end flaps 3 and 4 and side flaps 5 and 6. 7 indicates
my securing strip which preferably consists of a thin strip of fabric extending
across the end of the body 2, adjacent to the end flap 3 and secured by means
of any adhesive substance." The strip 7 does not extend entirely to the edges of the
body part from which the side flaps spring, but is of such length that when the end
flap 3, is turned down to the position indicated in Figure 3 of the drawings, the strip will
be entirely covered. It will, therefore, be apparent that when the side strips 5 and 6
are turned down upon the end strips as illustrated in Figure 1, the stiffening strip
will be entirely inclosed within the envelope, and its location can only be determined
by feeling the stiffened edge. Whenever it is desired to open the envelope, it is
simply necessary to grasp the envelope firmly in the hand, take the upper end of the
stiffened corner between the fingers, and entirely separate the stiffened end from
the envelope by a single swift movement.
From the foregoing it will appear that I have produced a simple device of the
character described, designed to facilitate the opening of the envelopes, and thereby
economize time and labour, which is a matter of considerable importance where a
large mail is handled.
I do not desire to limit myself to the details of construction herein shown and
described, but reserve to myself the right to change, modify and limit them within
the scope of my invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
-claim is :
1. An envelope provided with a stiffening strip entirely enclosed within the
envelope, substantially as specified.
2. In an envelope the combination with its body, end flap and side flaps of a
stiffened strip secured to the body adjacent to an end flap, and of less extent than the
width of the end flap; said end flap being folded down entirely covering the
-stiffening strip, and said side flaps being folded down over the end flap, and entirely
closing the envelope beyond the ends of the stiffening strip, substantially as
-specified.
Datad this 18th dan CL 1007
JENSEN & SON,
77 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.