Improvements in Envelopes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 16th Sept., 1893
Improvements in Envelopes.
I SIMON. PINCOFFS, of Minehead, in the County of Somerset, Gentleman, 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 to so
construct such envelopes that the contents of same will be rendered much more
secure and the envelopes unable to be tampered with without plainly showing that
such has been attempted.
In carrying my invention into practice I construct such envelopes with the
usual number of flaps or tabs, but instead of forming the outer or closing flap
or tab in the usual form I extend same downwardly so as to form a deeper and
safer flap or tail. This extended portion may be of a square, circular or of any
desirable or convenient form, and will be provided on its under side with gum or
other mucilage, as will also be the under edges of the closing flap or tab.
The extended portion of the said closing flap or tab is perforated with any
desirable number of perforations. These perforations can be arranged in the form
of a monogram, crest, business address, or in any other desirable pattern, ornamental
or otherwise.
It will be readily understood that whenever an attempt is made to tamper with
an envelope so constructed when once same has been closed or stuck down, the
perforated parts will tear and so advertise the fact that an attempt has been made
to tamper with the envelope.
As an alternative method of accomplishing the same object I may provide a disc
or other piece of paper or other suitable material which will be perforated with a
suitable number of perforations arranged in the form of a monogram, crest, business
address or any other desirable pattern, ornamental or otherwise, and be provided on
its under side with gum or other mucilage.
This disc or the like will be applied to the back of the envelope when the outer
flap or tab is closed, and by the fact of the said disc or the like being stuck partly
over the flaps or tabs of the envelope, it will prevent same being tampered with
without showing evidence of such tampering.
And in order that my said invention may be the more readily understood, I have
shewn same upon the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein :
Fig. 1 is a view of an envelope constructed according to my invention, as it
appears after being stamped or cut out of the blank and before it is folded.
Fig. 2 shews same folded and closed.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the alternative protecting arrangement, and Fig. 4
shews the application of same.
The outer or closing flap or tab a of an envelope is extended downwardly as at a¹
so that same will cover the under flaps or tabs a more effectually than heretofore
and when stuck down or closed, will hold them more securely.
The perforations b will cover all this extended portion of the outer or closing-
flap a and can be in any desired form.
The alternative form of protecting arrangement c shewn in Figs. 3 and 4 may
be varied as regards shape, in any suitable manner, and may also, if found desirable
be formed with thin extending wings or strips, strongly perforated to cover the
terminating edges of the closing flap or tab a and the lower flap or tab a³.
The said strips can also be formed separate if desirable or convenient.

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. In envelopes, the extended outer or closing flap or tab perforated in any
suitable manner, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and
illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.
2. In combination with an envelope the perforated protecting arrangement.
substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of
the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 10th day of August 1893.
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.