Improvements in the Design, Shape, and Construction of Envelopes, Letter-flaps, Postal-wrappers, Newspaper-bands, Fastenings of Card-board Boxes and Cases, Capsules and the like, to Prevent Clandestine Opening thereof or Tampering with their Contents, and for Affording Suitable Space for Ornamental, Heraldic, or other Designs, and for Embossing Purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 8th Nov., 1890--Accepted, 17th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Design, Shape, and Construction of Envelopes,
Letter-flaps, Postal-wrappers, Newspaper-bands, Fastenings of
Card-board Boxes and Cases, Capsules and the like, to Prevent
Clandestine Opening thereof or Tampering with their Contents,
and for Affording Suitable Space for Ornamental, Heraldic, or
other Designs, and for Embossing Purposes.
I ALEXANDER THUEY of Palace Chambers Westminster Civil Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DESIGN, SHAPE,
AND CONSTRUCTION OF ENVELOPES, LETTER FLAPS, POSTAL WRAPPERS, NEWSPAPER
BANDS, FASTENINGS OF CARD BOARD BOXES AND CASES, CAPSULES AND THE LIKE,
TO PREVENT CLANDESTINE OPENING THEREOF OR TAMPERING WITH THEIR CONTENTS,
AND FOR AFFORDING SUITABLE SPACE FOR ORNAMENTAL, HERALDIC, OR OTHER
DESIGNS, AND FOR EMBOSSING PURPOSES to be as follows:-
"
The improvements in envelopes and so forth forming the subject of the present
invention, are essentially to safeguard such covers, or cases from being surreptitiously
opened.
With this view the envelope, letter flap, wrapper, band or fastening as the case
may be, is specially fashioned in such manner that when the side and end flaps, of an
envelope for example are folded down, and the connection between the upper flap
and the body of the envelope is made, the whole is firmly and securely held together,
and will offer an effective impediment to the attempts of any unscrupulous person
who may wish to obtain access to the contents and as any attemps to tamper with the
cover would not fail to leave obvious traces, it is clear that the apprehension of such
conclusive evidence would act as an effective deterrent to the illicit opening of such
covers.
In order to afford the utmost strength to the fastening I avoid cutting the paper,
parchment, card board or other material of which the article is made, in such parts,
or manner as may tend to weaken the same.
As an illustration of my principle, I have hereto annexed two sheets of drawings,
clearly representing the method and means I employ to secure the important
desideratuin, which it is the object of my invention to effect.
The description of the invention may be more clearly stated under the following
heads iz
2. THE TONGUE OR LAPEL.
3. THE CUTS OR SLITS.
4. THE BANDS OR COLLARS.
Fig. 1 Sheet 1 represents an envelope embodying my invention shown opened, and
Fig. 2 Sheet 1 shows the same as it would appear when all the parts are folded down
and in situ, as would occur when the envelope is completely closed.
Figs. 3, and 4, are respectively a front view, and a plan of a collar or ribbon of
strong paper or other material, which together with the cuts or slits specially
designed for its secure retention, form a principal feature of iny invention, hereafter
described.
The same letters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures where such

page_text: A A¹ are gummed flaps B, B', are the top and bottom flaps, the upper flap B,.
terminates in a tongue which may be of trefoil or other shaped figure. I do not
restrict myself to the employment of that here represented, as any other appropriate
device such as fleur de lis, shield, heart and so forth may be used, provided always
that it is shaped with projecting shoulders which after being passed through the band
or collar together form an effectual lock, which cannot be opened without rupturing
the band or tongue.
On the side flaps A A¹ the slits a a' are cut, these are to allow of the insertion of
the band or collar A".
These slits are so designed that once the band or collar is in the proper position on
the throat a it cannot be removed without breaking it.
The collar or band may be of ribbon, tape, cloth, paper, parchment, or any strong
material, and may be made in the form of a buckle, garter and so forth.
To place the band or collar in its position, I first fold down the flaps A. A¹, and
then insert the band into the slits a, a', which being slightly contracted admits of the
passage of the band over the points CC of the flaps A, A1. 1 then fold down the
lower flap B, and gum, or otherwise fasten it on the two flaps A, A¹, having done
this, and presuming a letter is in the envelope or cover, I take the trefoil or other
tongue and fold or bend the shoulders so that they can be passed through the band
or collar A", this ornamental tongue is previously gummed (as is also the upper flap)
so that when opened out again, it may be moistened and the contents of the envelope
secured against any surreptitious handling.
Fig. 5, Sheet 2, is a modification of my invention, and the envelope is seen opened
out. Fig. 6 represents the same closed and Figs. 7, and 8, are views of a band or
collar similar to those of Figs. 3, and 4, of Sheet 1, but in this case a strip or ribbon
of paper or other material is used, which is formed into a band or collar when it is
placed in its proper position.
In this case the through slits a, a' in Figs. 1, and 2, Sheet 1, are done away with,
and narrower slits slightly exceeding the width of the band or collar are cut in the
side flaps.
Through these slits a strip (having its ends previously gummed) is passed and
joined to form a band the object of this band is as in the preceding case to form a
close fitting collar to the neck all of the tongue.
.It will be observed that by the use of the band A", in both cases I avoid cutting
the lower flap B, which thus escapes being weakened unnecessarily at a point where a
tearing asunder of the parts might be expected.
The method of passing the tongue through the collar, and closing the envelope is
the same as before described for the figures on Sheet 1.
With regard to the application of the principle to securing wrappers, card board
cases and such like covers, one of the ends or sides would have slits cut in it, in the
manner previously described for Fig. 5, Sheet 2, and the strips would be passed
through the same and joined to form the band or collar, through which the tongue
would be passed as already mentioned.
In applying my invention to capsules the neck would be longer and provided at
each end with a tongue, these tongues would be passed through the collar on either
side and fixed by gunming to the neck of the bottle or other article.
Dated this 8th day of February 1890.
A. HENDERSON & Co.,
Patent Agents, 46, Southampton Buildings, Agents for the Inventor.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Design, Shape, and Construction of Envelopes,
Letter-flaps, Posta-wrappers, Newspaper-bands, Fastenings of
Card-board Boxes and Cases, Capsules and the like, to Prevent
Clandestine Opening thereof or Tampering with their Contents,
and for Affording Suitable Space_for Ornamental, Heraldic, or
other Designs, and for Embossing Purposes.
I ALEXANDER THUEY of Palace Chambers Westminster Civil Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DESIGN, SHAPE, AND
CONSTRUCTION OF ENVELOPES, LETTER FLAFS, POSTAL WRAPPERS, NEWSPAPER BANDS,
FASTENINGS OF CARD BOARD BOXES, AND CASES, CAPSULES, AND THE LIKE, TO PREVENT
CLANDESTINE OPENING THEREOF, OR TAMPERING WITH THEIR CONTENTS, AND FOR
AFFORDING SUITABLE SPACE FOR ORNAMENTAL HERALDIC OR OTHER, DESIGNS, AND FOR
EMBOSSING PURPOSES," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The improvements in envelopes and so forth forming the subject of the present
invention, are essentially to safeguard such covers, or cases from being surreptitiously
opened.
With this view the envelope, letter flap, wrapper, band or fastening as the case may
be, is specially fashioned, in such manner that when the side, or upper and lower flaps
of an envelope for example are folded down, and the connection between the upper
and under flaps and the body of the envelope is made, the whole is firmly and
securely held together, and will offer an effective impediment to the attempts of any
unscrupulous person who may wish to obtain access to the contents; and as any
attempts to tamper with the cover could not fail to leave obvious traces, it is clear that
the apprehension of such conclusive evidence would act as an effective deterrent to the
illicit opening of such covers.
In order to afford the utmost strength to the fastening, I avoid cutting the paper
parchment, card board, or other material of which the article is made, in such parts,
or manner as may tend to weaken the same. As an illustration of my principle,
reference should be made to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification
which clearly represent the method and means I employ to secure the important
desideratum, which it is the object of my invention to effect. The description of the
invention may be more clearly stated under the following heads.
1. ENVELOPES AND FLAPS OR COVER.
2. THE TONGUES OR LAPEL ENDS.
3. THE CUTS OR SLITS.
4. THE BAND OR COLLAR.
Fig. 1 Sheet 1 represents an envelope embodying my invention shown open as
having a single tongue, the bottom flap may also be similarly provided.
Fig. 2 Sheet 1, shows the same as it would appear when all the parts are folded
down and in situ, as would occur when the envelope is completely closed.
Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a front view and a plan of a collar or ribbon of
strong paper, parchment ribbon, or other material which together with the cuts or slits
specially designed for its secure retention, form a principal feature of my invention
hereafter described.
A. A¹ are gummed flaps, B B¹, are the top and bottom flaps, these upper and under
flaps may each terminate in tongues of trefoil or other shaped figure. In Fig. 9
Sheet 3 these flaps are each shown as having tongues, the lower one B1 being provided
with slits CC to facilitate inserting the tongue in the collar A¹ shown in
Figs. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8.
I do not restrict myself to the employment of the shape of tongue represented, as
any other appropriate device, such as fleur-de-lis, shield, heart, spade and so forth may

page_text: passed through the band or collar together form an effectual lock which cannot be
opened without rupturing the band A¹¹.
On the side flaps A. A' Fig. 1 the slits a. a¹, are cut, these are to allow of the
insertion therein of the band or collar A". These slits are so designed that once the
band or collar is in the proper position on the throat a¹¹ it cannot be removed
without breaking it.
To place the band or collar in its position, I first fold down the flaps A. A', and
then insert the band into the slits a. a', which being slightly contracted admits of the
passage of the band over the points c. c' of the flaps A. A. I then pass the tongue
of the flap B' through the band or collar, and gum or otherwise fasten it on the two
flaps A. A having done this, and presuming a letter is in the envelope or cover,
take the trefoil or other tongue B" and fold or bend the shoulders so that the same
can be passed through the band or collar, A", in a similar manner to the tongue B¹.
This ornamental tongue is previously gummed, so that when opened out again it
may be moistened, and the contents of the envelope secured against any surreptitious
handling.
Fig. 5 Sheet 2 is a modification of my invention, and the envelope is seen opened
out. Fig. 6 represents the same closed, and Figs. 7 and 8 are views of a band
or collar similar to those of Figs. 3 and 4 of Sheet 1, but in this case the through
slits a. a', in Figs., 1 and 2 Sheet 1 are done away with, and narrower slits b. 6',
slightly exceeding the width of the band or collar are cut in the side flaps A. A¹.
Through these slits a strip (having its ends previously gummed) is passed and
joined to form the band (A" Figs. 7 and 8) this latter is, as in the preceding case, to
form a close fitting collar to the neck a¹¹ of the tongue when the ends of the band
have been fastened.
The method of passing the tongue or tongues through the collar and closing the
envelope is the same as before described for the figures on Sheet 1.
With regard to the application of the principle to securing wrappers card board
cases, and such like covers, one of the ends or sides would have slits cut in it, in the
manner previously described for Fig. 5 Sheet 2, and the strips would be passed
through the same and joined to form the band or collar through which the tongue or
tongues as the case may be, would be passed as already mentioned.
The same letters of reference indicate like parts where such parts occur in the
several figures.
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
An improved envelope with tongues of lapels locking through an immovable collar
band, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein set forth, and as
illustrated by the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.
Dated this Eighth day of November 1890.
A. C. HENDERSON & Co.,
46, Southampton Buildings, Agents for the Applicant.