AN IMPROVED DEVICE OR APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE CLOSING AND OPENING OF ENVELOPES FOR POSTAL OR SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake
& Co Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings London for an Invention
of "AN IMPROVED DEVICE OR APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE CLOSING
AND OPENING OF ENVELOPES FOR POSTAL OR SIMILAR PURPOSES "-communi-
cated to him from abroad by James Robert Bissex of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th September 1888.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London "AN IMPROVED DEVICE OR APPARATUS FOR
FACILITATING THE CLOSING AND OPENING OF ENVELOPES FOR POSTAL OR SIMILAR
PURPOSES "[A communication to him from abroad by James Robert Bissex of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States of America]
This invention consists in a device or implement adapted to be applied to the
flap of an envelope, first for moistening the gum or adhesive material thereon, and
next for pressing down the flap so that it adheres to the body, and the envelope
is thereby closed, the said implement having also a knife or blade for opening
envelopes.
In carrying the said invention into practice I provide a device or implement
formed of a hollow body of metal or other suitable material of wedge form,
constituting a chamber for the reception of sponge or other absorbent material.
The side of the body which is the top when the implement is in use, has one or
more openings or passages which communicate with the said chamber the absorbent
material therein protruding somewhat through said openings
Attached to this side of the body is a spring-finger which overhangs the openings
and has the end next to the point of the body separable from the body so that the
flap of an envelope may be inserted between said finger and body.

page_text: On the said finger is formed a longitudinally extending bead which projects
inwardly and ensures a well defined contact of the finger with the outside of the
flap of the envelope.
The butt of the body is open so that the sponge or other absorbent material
may be readily inserted therein, and said material is properly supplied with water
and kept in moist condition so as to present a wet surface at the openings.
The implement is applied to the flap of an envelope so that the sponge of the
implement and adhesive material of the envelope are in contact and the implement
is drawn along the flap, the pressure of the finger causing water to ooze from the
sponge at the place of the openings and spread over the adhesive material of the
flap of the envelope, thus wetting or moistening the same. The implement is then
withdrawn and its underside run along the back or outside of the flap over the
moistened adhesive material, whereby the flap is pressed down on the body and
caused to adhere, the envelope thus being closed.
Attached to the side of the body is a blade or knife adapted for cutting envelopes
along the edges thereof and opening the same.
When the blade is to be used, the body forms the handle thereof, and when the
¡moistener and closer is in service the blade provides increased hold for the fingers
of the hand on the implement, the butt end of the body being extended outward,
providing a ledge with flanged sides, which serves as a convenient handle for the
implement and prevents water from the chamber dripping from the bottom thereof
on the envelope.
Should it be desired to omit the spring-finger, the finger of the human hand
may be employed to press the flap of the envelopes against the sponge in the
openings.
The passages or openings are arranged diagonally so as to present long surfaces
of the sponge which protrudes through said openings.

page_text: Should it be desired to omit the spring finger B, the finger of the human hand
may be employed to press the flap of the envelopes against the sponge in the
openings o
The passages or openings c are arranged diagonally so as to present long surfaces
of the sponge which protrudes through said openings
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
Foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim
First. An envelope moistener and closer consisting of a wedge shaped body
having passages in its upper side, and its butt end open, the said body forming
a chamber to contain absorbent material, substantially as, and for the purpose, set
forth.
· Second. A spring finger secured to a wedge shaped body which is formed with
openings, the said body containing absorbent material which protrudes through the
said openings so that the flap of an envelope may be pressed against the body and
have its adhesive material moistened by said absorbent material.
Third. An envelope moistener and closer consisting of a wedge shaped body
containing absorbent material and having passages in its upper side and a ledge at
its butt end, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Fourth. A spring. finger secured to a wedge shaped body, which is formed with
openings on the side adjacent to the said finger, and receiving absorbent material,
the said finger having a bead projecting inwardly, substantially as, and for the
purpose, set forth.
Fifth An envelope moistener and closer provided with an envelope opener,
substantially as set forth.
Sixth. A wedge shaped body having openings in one face and an open butt end,
in combination with an attached blade, the said body receiving absorbent material,
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
In witness whereof I the said William. Robert Lake have hereunto set my
haud and seal this thirteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty four.
WM DORT LA
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