Improvement in Envelopes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th June, 1891-Accepted, 12th Sept., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
.Improvement in Envelopes.
I, JOSEPH F. STOKES, of the City and County of 'Philadelphia, and "State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Jeweller, 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 an improvement in envelopes, in which. a cord or thread
is inserted within either side or end thereof, of sufficient length to project outward
so as to be easily grasped by the fingers and the envelope readily.torn open by the
recipient.
My present invention consists in making an oval or oblong perforation on a line
with the crease at one end and midway between the upper and lower corners of the
envelope, and inserting and securing the ends of a cord, thread or other suitable
material, inside of the envelope, the loop or centre portion of the cord being cut so
as to allow two projecting ends to remain.
The object of my invention while it is intended to facilitate the opening of a
letter, is also to guard against the possibility of its being torn open accidentally by
the cord or thread catching in anything while the letter is being handled in passing
through the mails; and also in having two cords to rely on in case one should
break or pull out. My invention further consists in adapting it for use on fancy
envelopes used on especial occasions, and for this purpose a cord or thread or ribbon
of any appropriate color is selected-for instance, a silk cork or thread of old gold
color for golden weddings, a cord or thread of white silk for silver weddings or a
fancy cord of rope silk tied with a bow of ribbon, on which may be stamped crests,
monograms, mottoes, initials, or other devices, as found appropriate, may be used.
For wedding notices the cord or thread may consist of two colors and tied with a
suitable knot or bow having the initials or other appropriate device stamped thereon,
or attached thereto.
In referring to the drawing
:-
Figure 1. is a front view of an envelope showing my invention applied.
Figure 2. is also a front view of an envelope with the end flap thrown back
showing the manner of inserting the cord or thread.
Figure 3. is a fancy envelope (front view) showing the appropriate cord thread or
ribbon arranged for especial occasions.
Figure 4. is a front view of an envelope showing a modification of my invention.
A, Figure 1. of the drawing represents an ordinary envelope with my invention
applied at one end thereof; it may be applied to the sides if desired, but for con-
venience I prefer to place it on one end. B, Figure 2-is an oval or oblong shaped
perforation, made on a line with the crease, c, and midway between the upper and
lower corners of the envelope, through which is passed the ends of a cord or
thread, D, of suitable material. In passing the said cord through the opening B,
the ends are carried upward and downward inside the envelope, within the crease c,
and are gummed or secured in any suitable manner to the corners. The centre
portion or loop of the cord is cut, leaving two ends, as shown in Figure 1, which
are grasped and pulled upon towards the upper and lower corners of the envelope.
In arranging the cord in this manner, with the projecting ends in the centre of the
envelope, the possibility of its catching and tearing out while the letter is being
handled in the mail, is greatly lessened, owing to the fact that the two sections of
the cord must be pulled in opposite directions to cut the envelope open.
The efficiency of the cord or thread, D, is also greatly increased by making it in
two parts for instance, if one of the parts should break or pull out, the other

page_text: section could be relied on to cut an opening large enough to insert the fingers and
tear the envelope completely open.
The cord or thread E, used on a fancy envelope; as shown in Figure 3, may be
of rope silk of a color suitable for gold or silver weddings, of black for mourning
and of any fancy color to suit the taste, for anniversary or festival notices. For
envelopes for wedding notices the cord or thread at the projecting ends may be tied
together, as stated, with a fancy bow of ribbon with initials stamped thereon, or
crests, mottoes, monograms or other appropriate devices of papier maché, may be
secured on the ends in any suitable manner.
My invention, as shown in Figure 4, consists in stitching or sewing the envelope
with a cord or thread, D', along one end, which when pulled upon will tear off a
portion of the paper and leave a rough or serrated edge F, which will be impossible
to close up to escape detection in case the letter should be surreptitiously opened.
The cord or thread may be of plain or fancy colors and should project beyond the
corners of the envelope to be easily grasped by the fingers.
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 1
claim is :-
1st. The combination in an envelope for opening the same, of an oval or oblong
perforation made in the end or side thereof, and cord or thread of any suitable
material or color, substantially as shown and described.
2nd. The combination in a fancy envelope, of the perforation B, and silk cord or
thread D, of bright or plain color, having attached thereto the bow of ribbon E, or
other suitable device, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 15th day of June 1891.
HERBERT J. ALLISON,
Agent for the Applicant.