IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING LETTER, NOTE, MEMORANDUM, BILL-HEAD, AND OTHER FORMS OF CORRE- SPONDENCE PAPER AND ENVELOPES TO FACILITATE THE OPENING OF THE PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION OF THE SAME WHEN CLOSED FOR POST OR OTHERWISE
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Walter Simmons of 321 High Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING
LETTER, NOTE, MEMORANDUM, BILL-HEAD, AND OTHER FORMS OF CORRE-
SPONDENCE PAPER AND ENVELOPES TO FACILITATE THE OPENING OF THE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Walter Simmons at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th August 1882.
GEORGE WALTER SIMMONS of 321 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING LETTER, NOTE, MEMORANDUM, BILL-HEAD, AND
OTHER FORMS OF CORRESPONDENCE PAPER AND ENVELOPES TO FACILITATE THE
OPENING OF THE SAME WHEN CLOSED FOR POST OR OTHERWISE
"
Postal and other printed and written paper forms cut out of one piece or sheet of
paper are extensively used for savings bank and other like correspondence the
paper being so folded as to be readily closed by a flap (forming part of the sheet)
which is gummed down or sealed in like manner to an envelope.
When letters notes postal forms and other correspondence closed in the above
manner are carelessly or hastily opened that part of the sheet of paper with the
communication printed or written thereon is very liable to be torn and mutilated
and the object of my Invention is to so prepare the paper flap where it folds over
that in the act of opening it shall tear straight along the edge, without injury to
the part or body of the sheet containing the correspondence.
For this purpose I perforate the flap along the line where or near where it folds
over in like manner to the perforated divisions of postage stamps or the paper may
be weakened on that line by sulphuric or other acids or otherwise weakened on the
Jine of severance.
The flaps of envelopes where they fold may be perforated or prepared in like
manner in order that they may be readily severed in the act of opening.
By this means letters, postal forms, memorandums, and other correspondence can
be readily opened without injury to the contents.
Letter and note paper can be greatly economized by cutting or forming the same
with flaps perforated or prepared in accordance with my Invention and potal
correspondence on this form of paper has the advantage of always bearing the post
mark date and district.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor filed by the said George Walter Simmons
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th March 1883.
GEORGE WALTER SIMMONS of 321 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING LETTER, NOTE, MEMORANDUM, BILL-HEAD, AND
OTHER FORMS OF CORRESPONDENCE PAPER AND ENVELOPES TO FACILITATE THE
OPENING OF THE SAME WHEN CLOSED FOR POST OR OTHERWISE"
Postal and other printed and written paper forms cut out of one piece or sheet of
paper are extensively used for savings banks and other like correspondence the
paper being so folded as to be readily closed by a flap (forming part of the sheet)
which is gummed down or sealed in like manner to an envelope.
When letters notes postal forms and other correspondence closed in the above
manner are carelessly or hastily opened that part of the sheet of paper with the
communication printed or written thereon is very liable to be torn and mutilated
and the object of my invention is so to prepare the paper flap where it folds over
that in the act of opening it shall tear straight along the edge without injury to
the part or body of the sheet containing the correspondence.
For this purpose I perforate the flap along the line where or near where it folds
over in like manner to the perforated divisions of postage stamps or the paper may
be weakened on that line by sulphuric or other acids or otherwise weakened on the
line of severance
The flaps of envelopes where they fold may be perforated or prepared in like
manner in order that they may be readily severed in the act of opening.
By this means letters, postal forms, memorandums, and other correspondence can
be readily opened without injury to the contents.
Letter and note paper can be greatly economised by cutting or forming the same
with flaps perforated or prepared in accordance with my invention and postal
correspondence on this form of paper has the advantage of always bearing the post
mark date and district.
The form or shape of the paper which I find it most advantageous to employ in
carrying out my invention is shown in outline on the Drawing hereto annexed the
folds for folding and closing it being indicated by dotted lines. From this it will
be seen that the whole of the interior surface of this form with the exception of the
flap a can be utilised for correspondence or for postal or other forms which can be
readily opened without tearing the paper or injury to the contents.
By experience I find that if the perforations a' a' in the flap a are placed too
close together that in transit through the post or by being otherwise exposed to
friction they are liable to be severed as the number of the perforations may be
considerably varied the width of the divisions between them should be about 1/8 of
an inch more or less depending upon the quality of the paper used.
Having thus described the nature of my invention and the manner of carrying
the same into practice I would remark that I make no claim to any of the parts
separately which are well known and in common use but what I claim is;
The improved methods of preparing and arranging the flaps or parts which fold
over and secure letter note memorandum bill head and other forms of correspondence
paper and envelopes so as to facilitate the opening of the same when closed for post
or otherwise substantially in the manner herein before described.
I also claim the improved form of memorandum paper when combined with and

page_text: secured by my improved closing flap a al arranged to facilitate the opening thereof
substantially as liereinbefore described and represented in the drawing hereto
annexed.
In witness whereof I the said George Walter Simmons have hereunto set my
hand and seal this sixth day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
G. W. SIMMONS (L.S.)