Improvements in or relating to Envelopes, Letter Cards, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 11th Feb., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Envelopes, Letter Cards, and the like.
A communication from GEORG KÜHNE, of 25, Fürstenstrasse, Dresden, in Germany,
Merchant,
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 consists in thickening or strengthening or reinforcing one flap
of the envelope letter card or the like preferably the closing flap, by securing to it
a. piece of paper, fabric, celluloid or other material, the Hap being thus formed
with thin and thick or strong and weak portions. The point of the stronger
part is left free or exposed in such way that it can be seized with the fingers and
pulled out from the flap. By this movement the thinner portion of the flap is torn
along the edges of the thicker portion, and the flap is thus divided into two parts,
one of which remains adhering to the envelope, while the other can be folded back
in order to withdraw the contents of the envelope.
The invention may be carried into effect in various ways. According to the
manner in which the thicker and thinner portions of the flap are produced, the
envelopes may be, for instance, divided into those with strengthening or reinforcing
parts hereinafter referred to as linings-on the inner surface of the flap and those
on the outer surface of the flap. In the first case the reinforcement will be
generally made stronger or more rigid than the material of the flap, in the second
case thinner or not so strong. The lining on the lower surface is generally made
a little smaller, as to its outline, than the flap, and the edges which effect the
tearing or opening of the envelope extend to the edges of the flap and coincide
with or intersect them. Linings on the upper surface on the contrary are made
to partially project beyond the flap, and the original edges of the flap coincide
with the operative edges of the stronger portion. In the second case the surface of
the original flap is, therefore, increased by the lining, and the original flap is
torn out as a part of the total area thus produced, while in the first case the portion
torn out is a portion of the original flap. The construction admits also of many
variations as to the shape and arrangement of the strengthening part or lining.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the two constructions of envelope in various
forms and modifications according to this invention with the lining on the lower
surface of the flap. The construction with the lining on the upper surface will
be explained hereinafter during the description of some of the figures, and does
not require separate drawings.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings, a being the closing
flap of the envelope, b the reinforcing part or lining, bits uncovered or projecting
point. The lining, at least in its operative part, is preferably triangular in
shape although it will be hereinafter shown that deviations from this shape are
nermissible.

page_text: The constructions illustrated by way of example in Figs. 1 to 5. are all more
or less similar as in all them the flap is opened from the top downwards.
In Fig. 1 the lining b, outlined by the Figures 1 2 3 4 coincides at the bottom
with the point of the flap a. The point b projects through a slot a¹ in the flap a.
The portion shaded by dotted lines represents the gum on the inner side of the
lining and serves to secure the envelope. If the point is seized with the
fingers and pulled over in the direction of the arrow, that is to say downward, then
the edges 1, 4 and 1, 2 cut through the paper of the flap consequently a
triangle 412 will be cut out of the flap a, while the triangle 4 3 2 remains
sticking to the envelope. The flap thus cut through can then be folded back.
Thus only the triangular portion 4 12 of the flap lining is operative. If the
part played by the triangular shape is considered it will be seen that this shape
provides without any further arrangements the point b₁ required for seizing in
order to open the envelope. Then, owing to such shape, the cutting through of
the flap on the lines 14 and 12 takes place gradually. If the lining had been
of a shape limited at the top by lines 4 5 6 1 7 8, instead of 14 and 1 2, that is
to say by a horizontal edge 5 8 with a projecting point 6 17 it would have been
necessary to sever the flap along the line 5 8 all at once, which is obviously not
easily possible. But the severing will be gradual if the straight lines 14 and 12
be replaced by curved lines, such as for instance 19 and 1 10.
b
It is clearly not imperative that the point 4, 3, 2 of the flap a should coincide with
a portion of the lining, as only the triangular portion 4 12 is operative. In
order to economise in weight, either the lower portion of the flap may be removed
or the part 6 may be made shorter, provided that the cutting edges extend to or
pass into the edges of the flap so as to cut it throughout the whole of its width.
Fig. 2 shows the lining again as a rectangle 1, 2, 3, 4, but the flap a terminates
at the bottom at the line 4, 2, so that the portion 4, 2, 3 of the lining b which is
gummed on its underside is exposed. As long as the lining 6 has a part projecting
beyond the flap and the triangle 4, 1, 2, is operative in cutting, said part may be of
any desired shape, therefore it may be of a different shape from the part 4, 2, 3
of Fig. 2. Two constructions to illustrate this are shown in Figs. 3 and 3", only
half of each being shown. In Fig. 3 the whole lining has the shape of an equi-
lateral triangle and the severing taking place along the sides of the triangle, the
flap will be cut from the point a down to the two lower corners. In Fig. 3" the
operative edge 1, 3 reaches the lateral edge of the flap a little above the corner then
continues along the edge of the flap down to 4, and then joins a projecting
portion 62 gummed on the inner side.
In Figs. 2, 3 and 3" the lining effects both the closing and the opening of the
letter, the former with its lower and the latter with its upper portion.
In Fig. 4 the lining is made lower. It has a shape of a triangle 1, 2, 3 the
base of which is above the gummed portion of the point of the flap.
The same applies to the example illustrated in Fig. 5, except that in this case
the corners of the triangle are cut off at 2 and 3. In envelopes with short linings as
in Figs. 4 and 5, the part of the flap projecting beyond the base of the opening
device may have any desired shape Fig. 5 showing an example in the part
extended beyond the points 2 and 3.
Unlike the preceding examples, the severing of the flap may be effected in a
transverse direction of the flap. In Fig. 5. such a construction is shown by the
lining indicated by dotted lines 4, 5, 6, the tongue of which projects at the side of
the flap at 5. The shape of this lining may be that of a narrow triangle or of a
narrow strip with parallel edges. If the projecting point of the lining is seized and
pulled to the right, a strip of the same shape as the lining will be torn out of the
flap, whereby in this case also the flap will be divided into two parts, one of which
remains adhering to the envelope, whereas the other is free to be folded back.
The second series of examples shown in Figs. 6 to 10 has the common feature
that the lining has its point & projecting downwards. Owing to this fact and
als to the shape of the flap and lining made to suit the special purpose, a new

page_text: flap, although a shorter one, is produced when tearing the closed flap, by means of
which shorter flap and a layer of gum on its inner side, which is not utilised when
the envelope is first used, the envelope can be again closed after tearing the outer
covering. The person receiving the letter can therefore, after having read it, close
it again in the original envelope in order to prevent unauthorised persons from seeing
it. The letter can be therefore retained closed in the original envelope and with
the original postal stamp which may have a legal importance as in fixing the
date of receipt or posting.
This series shown in Figs. 6 to 10 may be subdivided into two groups: one in
which the point of the lining projects through a slot a Figs. 6 to 8 (as in the
preceding examples) and one in which the projecting point is produced by a
special shape of the flap corresponding to that of the lining; Figs. 9 and 10. It
will be seen that in constructions according to Figs. 9 and 10 the lining on the
under surface of the flap can be readily replaced by a lining on the upper surface,
as the lines which first formed the outline of the lining, will form the outline,
of the flap, and vice versa.
In Figs. 6 the lining has the shape of an equilateral triangle 1, 2, 3, the base
of which is situated in the fold or joint of the flap a, the point b¹ protruding
between the fold and the gummed portion through a slot a¹. In opening, the
flap is torn along the lines 1, 2 and 1, 3, the lower portion of the flap remaining
adhering to the envelope while the upper one can be bent back. The part 1, 2, 3
forms also a new flap which can be closed as its point projects beyond the lower flap c
and is provided on its inner face with a layer of gum indicated by the horizontal
dotted lines. Of course this layer of gum must not be used when the envelope
is closed for the first time.
Fig. 7 shows that the base 2, 3 of the lining need not reach the fold of the
flap (its joint with the rest of the envelope) when the operative edges 1, 2, and 1, 3
coincide with the edges of the flap. As regards the sealing for the second time,
the same remarks apply to the constructions shown in this and the following
figures, as have been made with reference to Fig. 6.
On examining Fig. 8 it will be seen that one is not bound to keep to the
hitherto assumed shape of the portions of the flap projecting beyond b. The
recesses of the flap a at a³ ³ which must extend at least as far as the edges 1, 2
and 1, 3, limit the gummed portion of the flap a at the top and prevent the upper
portion of the flap from sticking after the flap has been torn asunder.
According to Fig. the point b on the back of which of course no gum must
be put, is left uncovered by the flap a. In this case the flap may be considered as
constituted by a triangular chief portion the lining coinciding with a part of said
portion from 1 to the line 2, 3 and by the two lateral portions or wings c
These lateral portions serve to effect the first sealing of the envelope. When
the envelope is opened, the two lateral portions at which remain adhering to the
envelope become separated from the main portion, and a large flap becomes
available for the second sealing.
In Fig. 10 a point according to Fig. 9 is combined with a flap having an
outline according to Fig. 8. Otherwise of course, the constructions according to
Figs. 9 and 10 are very similar.
These two constructions are the most suitable for illustrating the already
mentioned substitution, for the lining on the inner surface of the flap, of a lining
on the outer surface of the flap, projecting beyond the flap and made of less
strong material.
According to Fig. 9 the outline of the flap follows the
lines 4, 2, 5, 6, 7, 1, 8, 9, 10, 3, 11 and that of the lining b the lines 2, 1, 3,
consequently the portions at of the flap, situated between 2, 5, 6 and 7
and 8, 9, 10 and 3, project beyond the lining. But 1, 7, 2, 4 and 1, 8, 3, 11 can
represent the edges of the flap and an outer lining of the shape 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 3
gummed to the top of it. While the gummed layer indicated by the dotted
horizontal lines, of the assumed flap would remain unutilised, the upper lining
would be stuck fast by means of the gum on the portions a* indicated by vertical

page_text: dotted lines. The top or outer lining must be made of comparatively thin and
not strong paper or material. Then when the point 7 1, 8 of the flap is seized
and pulled upwards the flap will be torn out from the top lining in the same
way as before the bottom lining was torn out of the flap. In the same manner
the outline 4, a³, 5, 1, 6, a³, in Fig. 10 could be the outline of the flap
and a³, 8, 5, 9, as that of an outer lining. The operative edges of the flap having
a top lining need not be straight lines nor form sides of a triangle, as was
shown before that there was no necessity for the bottom lining to be in the form
of a triangle.
Of course the examples illustrated by no means exhaust the possible constructions
according to this invention, as the lining and the flap could be infinitely varied
as to their shape and relative positions. The arrows drawn in all the figures
on the point b¹ may be printed on the envelopes so as to indicate how to manipulate
them. The point 1 need be exposed or left free only to a sufficient extent to
enable it to be seized with two fingers. If it projects considerably a slot a³ (as in
Fig. 4) may be arranged into which its point may be introduced to prevent it from.
being bent and injured in transport. The tearing may be facilitated by recesses
or notches a (Figs. 2 and 9) or perforations along the lines on which the tearing is
to be effected. If the point b projects from a slot al the perforations lying in the
direction of the operative edges, adjoin said slot (as in Fig. 2). If the point is free
and does not project through a slot, said perforations cut off the portions of the
flap projecting beyond the lining (portions a Fig. 9). These recesses or perfora-
tions prevent the point 6' from becoming torn off by the first pull and cause the
severing to keep to the lines prescribed.
Letter-cards or the like may be formed in accordance with this invention, as
they are nothing but a sheet of paper and envelope combined, so that no inventive
idea is involved for such modifications several constructions of letter cards
according to this invention are illustrated in Sheet II in which.
Fig. 11 shows a letter sheet with an opening device spread out flat.
Fig. 12 showing the same closed.
The scaling is effected by means of the two lateral portions d and the flap a to the
lower surface of which is secured the opener b. The latter has in this case its
point 61 projecting upwards (as in Figs. 1 to 5). The sealing is effected by the gum
layer indicated by dotted lines at the base of the opener b, which (somewhat as in
Figs. 3 and 3") projects beyond the lower edge of the flap a. The recesses or
cut away parts at 63 enable the central portion of the gummed part which is to be
secured on to the back of the sheet e, situated below the portions d, to be properly
fastened in spite of the part e being lower than the parts d; or vice versa, enable
the corners 2 to be properly secured on to the flaps d situated on a slightly higher
level.
In the letter-cards shown in Figs. 13 and 14 in their closed positions but with
the developed positions of the flaps indicated by dotted lines, the opener has
its point b projecting downwards (as in Figs. 6-10). According to Fig. 13 the
point projects through a slot a¹ in the flap whilst according to Fig. 14 it
projects beyond the lower edge of the flap. The portions to be gummed of the flap
appear accordingly in Fig. 13 as in Fig. 6, and in Fig. 14 as in Fig. 9.
Of course the opener if provided with gum on the back can form, when the
envelope has been once opened, a flap for a second closing. The opening takes
place in the same manner as in an envelope, only the two lateral portions d
must be also opened which is easily done.
The back of the opener may be provided in all constructions with printed matter
or the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. An envelope provided with an opening device characterised by the flap of

page_text: the envelope being formed with stronger and weaker portions by means of a sheet
gummed on its upper or under surface, the stronger portion having a projecting
point so as to enable it to be seized, the stronger portion severing the flap by pulling
said point, along its edges between the fold and the gummed portion.
2. A construction of envelope of the kind described characterised by the stronger
portion of the flap being formed by means of a lining b, the edges of which
delimitate it from the weaker portion.
3. A construction of envelope of the kind described characterised by a triangular
shaped lining b, of the flap having its point directed upwards and projecting through
a slot a¹ of the weaker portion.
4. A construction of envelope of the kind described characterised by a lining
having its point directed upwards, being gummed on the back and remaining
sticking to the envelope when the stronger portion is torn away.
5. A construction of envelope of the kind described characterised by a lining
having the shape of a strip being arranged transversely beneath the flap, between
the fold and the gummed portion, and having a point projecting beyond the edge
of the flap.
6. A construction of envelope of the kind described characterised by a lining
having its point projecting downwards and of such shape that after the tearing
away of the stronger portion limited by the lining, said stronger portion forms a new
flap for a second closing of the envelope, a layer of gum not used in the first closing
being provided for the purpose on the back of the lining.
7. A construction of envelope of the kind described characterised by a lining
coinciding with the flap, except at the two lateral portions which leave a point bi
free between them and are provided on their inner surfaces with a layer of gum
for the purpose of closing the envelope.
8. A construction of envelope of the kind described characterised by a lining
applied on the top of the flap and projecting beyond its outline, said outer lining
forming with its projecting parts the weaker portion, while the stronger portion
is constituted by the original flap with that portion of the outer lining which
coincides with it.
9. Letter-cards or sheets provided with any of the opening devices set forth in
the preceding claims.
10. A letter-card of the kind described characterised by the parts 62 of the
stronger portion simultaneously securing the lateral closing flaps d of the letter
card.
11. A construction of letter card of the kind described characterised by the
parts of the weaker portion at the same time securing the lateral closing flaps d
of the letter-card.
12. A closing device for envelopes, letter cards or the like substantially as
described and illustrated in Figure 1 or in Figure 2, or in Figure 3 or in
Figure 3, or in Figure 4 or in Figure 5, or in Figure 5, or in Figure 6, or in
Figure 7, or in Figure 8, or in Figure 9, or in Figure 10, or in Figures 11 and 12
or in Figure 13 or in Figure 14 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 24th day of October 1898.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.