Improvements in Postal Envelopes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 4th May, 1896-Accepted, 6th June, 1896
Improvements in Postal Envelopes.
I, WILLIAM ORTON BANKS of 75, Meadow Street, Weston-super-Mare,
Somerset, Patent Medicine Dealer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of postal envelopes,
and has for its object to provide an envelope which cannot be tampered with without
indication being given.
In carrying out my invention, according to one arrangement I form the envelope
from a strip of paper having a flap at each side extending for a half of its length.
These flaps are gummed along the whole or part of their outer faces, and are turned
over on the strip, in forming the envelope. The other half of the strip is then
folded on these flaps and affixed to them completing the envelope.
A flap is also furnished at the end or top which is turned down to close the
envelope, being finished with the usual gummed surface.
The flap is preferably turned over on the front of the envelope, the address
being written to one side, and the stamp is affixed so as to cover the edge of the
flap. Any attempt to open the envelope surreptitiously will thus injure the stamp,
and in order to render the envelope more secure, the closing flap may be perforated
a short distance from the edge, so as to tear easily when opened.
Instead of gumming the two inside flaps, the edges of the lower half of the strip
may be gummed to complete the envelope, the lower edge of the flaps being also
gummed if found desirable.
Deted this 21ot dow of Inle 100%
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.
'Improvements in Postal Envelopes.
I WILLIAM ORTON BANKS of 75 Meadow Street, Weston-super-Mare,
Somerset, Patent Medicine Dealer, 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 improvements in the construction of postal envelopes,
and has for its object to provide an envelope which cannot be tampered with without
indication being given.
In carrying out my invention, according to one arrangement I form the envelope
from a strip of paper having a flap at each side extending for a half of its length.
These flaps are gummed along the whole or part of their outer faces, and are turned
over on the strip in forming the envelope. The other half of the strip is then folded
on these flaps and affixed to them completing the envelope.
A flap is also furnished at the end or top which is turned down to close the
envelope, being finished with the usual gummed surface.

page_text: The flap is preferably turned over on the front of the envelope, the address being
written to one side, and the stamp is affixed so as to cover the edge of the flap.
Any attempt to open the envelope surreptitiously will thus injure the stamp, and in
order to render the envelope more secure, the closing flap may be perforated a short
distance from the edge, so as to tear easily when opened.
Instead of gumming the two inside flaps, the edges of the lower half of the strip
may be gummed to complete the envelope, the lower edge of the flap being also
gummed if found desirable.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 shows the paper blank from which the envelope is formed,
Fig. 2 shows the envelope partly formed,
Fig. 3 shows the complete envelope, and
Figs. 4 and 5 show slightly modified arrangements.
The
The front or body A of the envelope is formed as shown in Fig. 1 with two
side flaps B which can be folded over on the dotted lines shown in Fig. 1.
extension A forms the back of the envelope, and is folded over the side flaps B.
after they have been placed in the position shown in Fig. 2, the end flap B¹ serving
to close the envelope being turned over the back piece A¹. In the arrangement
shown in the first three figures the whole of the side flaps B is covered with gum,
and the extension A¹ is affixed to them. The end flap or closing piece B' is also
gummed in the usual manner, and may be provided with a row of perforations b
allowing it to be torn more easily, on any attempts being made to open it. The edges
of the closing flap are preferably cut obliquely so as to cause the point to be formed
at the upper part where the stamp is affixed. The closing flap is thus covered by
the postage stamp, which has to be destroyed to open the envelope unless the flap
is cut.
The extension A¹ is preferably cut at a for convenience in inserting letters or
other objects.
The arrangement shown in Fig. 4 is similar, but instead of gumming the side
flaps B the extension A' is gummed at a' the gummed portion being shaded in the
drawing.
As shown in Fig. 5 the side pieces B' are of somewhat different shape to those
shown in the other figures, the edges being made square, and the edge 6 of one flap
being gummed so that it can be affixed in the other.
The gummed surface a' of the extension A' extends all round the edge, so that it
is affixed to the side pieces at top, as well as at sides and bottom.
The extension A¹ may fold over the back or front of the envelope as desired, the
stamp however being always affixed in the position shown in Fig. 3 so as to cover
the edge of the closing piece.
Owing to the position of the stamp it is impossible to send the envelope unclosed
through the post, as attention is at once drawn to the closing flap.
As the outer edges are gummed completely around the envelope, no room is left
for the insertion of any instrument which might be used as an opener, without
destroying or injuring the envelope.
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 improved postal envelope formed from a strip of paper having a flap at
each side a portion doubled over these flaps and affixed to them, and a closing flap
at the end over the edge of which the stamp is placed substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
(2.) An improved postal envelope formed from a strip of paper having a flap at
each side gummed over its surface, an extension doubled over the said flaps, and a
gummed closing flap adapted to receive the flap at its edge substantially as described
and shown in Figs. 1 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: (3.) The improved postal envelope formed from a strip of paper having a flap at
each side a portion gummed at the edges doubled over the said flaps, and secured to.
them, and a closing flap adapted to receive the stamp at its edge substantially as
described and shown in Fig. 4. & for the purposes specified.
Dated this 4th day of May 1896.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.