Improvements in Openers for Envelopes, Wrappers, Boxes, and other Receptacles.
Year: 1898

page_text: 47 3
Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 14th Jan., 1899
.
Improvements in Openers for Envelopes, Wrappers, Boxes, and
other Receptacles.
I, FRANK EUGENE MUNN, Manufacturer, of 326, 5th Avenue, in the City of New
York, Borough of Manhattan, in the County and State of New York, United States
of America, 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:.
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=
This invention relates to an opener especially adapted for application to
envelopes, wrappers of any description, boxes, and other receptacles.
.1. .
According to this invention the opener is formed of wire preferably in the shape
of a single thread or strand of which the greater part will be concealed within the
envelope adjacent to an edge and likewise the terminals of the strand, but
wherein portions of the strand will be visible at the exterior of the envelope in the
form of loops, said loops being located at the corners of the envelope and extending
around the corners so as to render it possible, upon withdrawing the strand, to
effect a clean and full opening at the edge of the envelope adjacent to which the
strand is located. Means are also provided whereby the wire, even if of an exceed-
ingly fine gauge, may be successfully and expeditiously threaded into the envelope
either by hand or by means, of a suitably constructed machine, without in any
manner being rendered rough or unmanageable.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several
parts as will be hereinafter fully set forth and pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
specification in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding, parts
in all the figures. Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of an envelope blank,
illustrating the manner in which said blank is prepared for the reception of the
wire opener. Figure 2 is a rear view of an envelope, illustrating an opener applied
thereto. Figures 3 and 4 are rear views of portions of envelopes, illustrating the
application of modified forms of the opener shewn in Figure 2...
The opener in every instance consists of a single strand of wire, and the wire
employed is usually of a very fine gauge. The wire strand A is mainly located
within the envelope B, and is preferably placed at or near an end, or adjacent to
the bottom or top edge, although it may be located otherwise if desired.
J
The wire is carried out through the material of the envelope at one or more
points in its length, and is bent upon itself to form one or more exterior loops C,
the loop or loops being brought quite close to the exterior surface of the envelope;
and after a loop is formed the wire is again returned within the envelope and
retained in place in any suitable or approved manner.
•
The envelope B is preferably provided with openings D and D,, as shown in
Figure 1, arranged in pairs and located adjacent to the edge of the envelope at
which the wire strand is to be placed. These openings, D and D¹ facilitate the
passage of the wire out through the envelope and the return of the wire within the
envelope. For example, as illustrated in Figure 1, the wire strand A, the body of

page_text: which is within the envelope, is carried out through the openings D, and returned
within the envelope through the openings D', the outer portions of the wire con-
stituting the loops C.
In the form of the opener shown in Figure 2, the strand A extends out through
the edge of the envelope adjacent to the corners, forming the loops C. After the 5
formation of the loops the wire is returned within the envelope through the edges
that are at an angle to the edge parallel with the body of the wire strand. The
terminals a of the wire strand within the envelope are carried in direction of each
other, and toward the initial rise b of the loop they assist in forming. When the
loops are disposed as above set forth, if either one of the loops is grasped and drawn
toward the operator, the wire strand will leave the envelope and in leaving will
open the edge near which it is placed, the result being a clean cut extending the
full length of the edge, enabling the contents of the envelope to be removed with-
out meeting the slightest obstruction.
Under the form of opener shown in Figure 3, the wire strand A is carried out
through the top and bottom edges of the envelope at a point near the end edge
near which the body of the strand is located. The wire strand is now carried
around the adjacent corners of the envelope, and is again passed into the envelope
through the end edge at a predetermined point near the corners, forming loops C,
while the terminals b¹ of the strand are in this instance made to lie between the
body of the strand and adjacent end of the envelope, extending one in direction of
the top and the other in direction of the bottom of said envelope.
Under the construction shown in Figure 4, the body of the wire strand is dis-
posed of in the same manner as illustrated in Figure 2, and the loops C are also
equivalently formed, but the terminals of the strand are differently disposed of,
being made to lock with the initial rises in the loops. To this end the returned
portions 6 of the strands, corresponding to the terminals a in Figure 2, are looped
over the rises 6 of the main loops, and the terminals 6s are carried in opposite
directions between the return portions and the edge of the envelope, being dis-
posed of in similar manner as the terminals 61 shown in Figure 3.
I do not confine myself to any particular location for the strand A, or to any
particular disposal of the terminals of the strand, and it is obvious that the opener
may be applied to wrappers, boxes and other packages as advantageously as to
envelopes.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An envelope or package opener, constructed substantially as herein shown and
described.
2. In an envelope, wrapper or the like, an opener consisting of a wire located
partially interiorly and partially exteriorly in and upon said envelope or wrapper,
the exterior portions being in the form of loops capable of embracing corners of
the envelope, as described.
3. In an envelope, wrapper, or the like, an opener consisting of a wire located
partially interiorly and partially exteriorly in and upon said envelope or wrapper.
the exterior portions being of loop formation, which loops are of such construction
that they may extend along an edge of the envelope and embrace corners thereof
adjacent to said edges, as described.
4. In an envelope, wrapper or the like, an opener consisting of a wire located
partially within and partially without the envelope or wrapper, the exterior por-
tions of the wire being formed in loops adapted to extend along an edge of the
envelope and being capable of embracing a corner thereof, and means for securing
the terminals of the wire within the envelope, as set forth.
5. In an envelope, wrapper or the like, an opener consisting of a wire located
partially within and partially without the envelope or wrapper, the outer portions
of the wire heing formed in loops adapted to extend along an edge of the envelope

page_text: and to embrace a corner of the same, said wire having an end bent upon itself
within the envelope or wrapper, forming an anchorage, as described.
6. An envelope blank adapted to receive a wire opener, said blank being pro-
vided with openings adjacent to the line of the blank near which the opener is to
be placed, said openings being arranged in pairs, substantially as described.
Dated this 15th day of November 1898.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.