An Improvement in the Formation of Envelopes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 4th July, 1889-Accepted, 10th Aug., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in the Formation of Envelopes.
I, THOMAS DURRANS, of 43, Upper Baker Street, London, N.W. in the County of
Middlesex, Architect, do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 relates to an improvement in the formation of envelopes.
The accompanying diagram represents an envelope formed or adapted in accordance
with the present improvement.
The principal objects of the improvement are to facilitate the sealing and closing
and the opening of envelopes, to protect any enclosure from surreptitious extraction
or inspection and so to enclose the contents as to prevent the cutting thereof by
the insertion of any instrument for the purpose of cutting apart or opening the
envelope.
To such end the Invention consists essentially in so forming the closing flap, 1, which
folds along the edge, b, with two free edges, 2, 3, arranged relatively to each other
substantially as illustrated on the accompanying drawing; i.e. in such a manner as
that but the one edge or side, 2, thereof, will be gummed and when closed down will
be secured to and will secure the under lappets, 4, 5, 6, which respectively fold along
the edges, c, d, e, and as that the other edge or side, 3, thereof will be at about right
angles to the edge or side, 2, and will not be gummed otherwise than by the lineal
continuation of the gummed edge, 2, and will, when the flap, 1, is closed down, cause
an opening at, 7, to be presented between the flap, 1, and the lappet, 4, such opening
being adapted for the ready insertion of the thumb or finger or of any suitable opening
instrument for the tearing apart or cutting of the envelope at its top folded edge, b.
The Invention also consists in so forming the upper part of the lappet, 4, relatively to
the flap, 1, by cutting it so as to nearly reach the said folded edge, b, as at, 8, so as to
cause the opening instrument to be confined between the said flap and such lappet
and to prevent it from obtaining access (otherwise than through the substance of the
lappet if the instrument be carelessly inserted,) to within the envelope, i.e. between
the inner surfaces of the lappet and of the front part of the envelope, and from
getting at, cutting or injuring the enclosure or contents. The other lappets, 5, 6, in
commercial size envelopes are preferably so formed relatively to the flap, 1, and
lappet, 4, as that the lappet, 6, will close down upon and will seal both the lappets,
4, and, 5, along the respective edges, 10, 11, and as that the single gummed edge, 2,
of the flap, 1, which will need but one lick or moistening by the tongue or otherwise
will seal the top edge of the lappet, 5, and will overseal the overlapping parts of the
lappets, 4, 5, and, 6; but in court, foolscap or envelopes of other shapes or sizes than
that illustrated on the accompanying drawing, the lappets, 5, and, 6, may be made of
any usual formation. The part, 8, of the lappet, 4, may also extend up to the fold, b,
vide the dotted lines, f, but the formation represented relatively to the open ended
Hap, 1, will give all necessary security and is of advantage in allowing of a space, 9,
being left about centrally of the length of the envelope for the insertion (upon the
opening of the envelope) of the finger and thumb, thus permitting all necessary
acility of catching hold of and withdrawing the contents or enclosure. The lappet, 4,
nay, however, also be made of an ordinary formation in such cases wherein only the
foresaid facilities of sealing, closing and opening the envelope are required.
The flap, 1, may be made either right or left handed, the said lappet, 4, and the
ther lappets being correspondingly arranged.

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. The herein before described improved envelope.
2. In envelopes, in combination, a flap, 1, and a lappet, 4 respectively formed sub-
stantially in the improved manner herein before described.
3. The formation of envelopes with a closing flap substantially of the peculiar
formation herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 4th day of July 1889.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.