Improvements in Envelopes.
Year: 1894

page_text: TRUVIDIONAL SIMULTION
Improvements in Envelopes.
WILLIAM JAMES PARKER 12 Courtenay Street Newton Abbot Devonshire,
Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This is a paper envelope similar to the envelope at present used for postal and
other purposes, having four half-diamond shaped flaps to form the back of the
envelope; but differing in the respects herein after stated. In the envelope as at
present made three of these flaps are gummed down, so as to form the receptacle
for the letters &c., and the fourth flap when the envelope
used for the purpose
of the half penny invoice or circular post is simply folded between the other flaps,
and the contents of the envelope, thus leaving at the back an opening the full width
and depth of the envelope, in which, in the course of postal transit letters, post
cards, &c. are liable to get.
My invention is for the purpose of doing away with this opening at the back,
while leaving the envelope perfectly free for inspection by the officers of the
post office. This is done by cutting the flaps in such a manner, that when the
upper flap is pushed into its place it will dovetail into slits cut in the other flaps, so
that no opening will be left at the back of the envelope, while it will be perfectly
easy for any postal official to open it if necessary to examine the contents.
invention also includes the furnishing of the envelope with a small dovetail fastener
made by cutting slits in the flaps of the envelope. This may or may not be used;
if used, it will make the envelope very secure for the conveyance of invoices,
circulars &c. while it still will be open for inspection.
My
The process of fastening the flap is quite as easy and may be done as quickly as
gumming an ordinary envelope to close it.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1894.
Improvements in Envelopes.
WILLIAM JAMES PARKER Builder, 12 Courtenay Street Newton Abbot
Devonshire 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 is an improvement in envelopes, designed for enclosing letters,
circulars, and such like for transmission, either for postal, or other purposes, and
which without the use of any adhesive, such as gumming it, is made very secure, so
that it cannot be opened very readily without the use of the hands, and this is done
by taking the envelope between the fingers and thumb of the left hand, and raising
the horizontal circular shaped slit, or opening with the thumb, this opening is cut
in the side flaps, so that when the top flap, together with the small slits, or cuts on
the side, and the small half round shaped flap on the top part of the flap is pushed
into this opening, it completely covers over the part of the envelope left opened for
the purpose of depositing letters, &c., in a receptacle formed by gumming together

page_text: the other three flaps, so that letters, post cards, and such like, cannot possibly get
in at the back of the envelope, it is also made to open very quickly by lifting the
edge of this opening in the manner already described, for closing it quickly, this
will loosen the small slits on the edge of the top flap so as to be most readily
opened for inspection.
"
The drawings which accompany this are about the size of the envelope,
so generally used for letters &c. the length of which is 5 inches, and the
depth 3 inches.
Sheet 1. Figure 1. is the shape or form of the envelope opened out. A is the
top flap. B. C. D. are the bottom and side flaps. My improvements are on the top
flap A and the side flaps C. D. E is the square which forms the front of the
'envelope. F is the square which forms the back middle part of the envelope. The
side flaps C. D. have an horizontal shaped slit or opening from K to K. G. H. are
the small slits on the edge of the top flap A. which together with the small_half
round flap 1. when pushed into this opening dovetails into the side flaps B. C. D.
Figure 2. shews the envelope with the top flap A. opened, yet ready for closing
the flaps. C. D. is the shape or form of them shewing parts of it are on the
outside with plain lines the dotted lines shews how the form of them are, when
covered over with the other flaps. The top flap A is shewn in like manner.
K to K is the horizontal shaped slit or opening.
Figure 3. shews the envelope as it is when sealed or covered over. A. B. C D and
I are the flaps which have been already made mention of.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is performed I declare that what I
.claim is
1. Improvement in the method of opening, and closing envelopes, so to afford
security for contents, the construction of my envelope being such that it can be
securely closed without the use of adhesive material.
2. Construction and shape of the flaps for the closing of the envelope, and of the
circularly shaped slit, or opening into which it is received.
Dated this 31st day of October 1894.
WILLIAM JAMES PARKER.