Year: 1886

page_text: We JACOB EDWARD KRUCKER, Grocer, and CHARLES GULATH, Druggist, both of
the City of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, one of the United States of North
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:
The following is a full, clear and exact description of our invention, reference being
had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.
Figure 1 is an inside view of our envelope opened out: Figure 2 is a perspective
view of the same, with the end flaps and the locking tongues projected, ready for
engagement.
ᎡᎥ
Figure 3 is a like view with the lower flaps folded, and the tongues projected out.
Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the upper flap folded and the locking tongues
passed through slots in the same, and folded down. Figure 5 is a like view with the
points of the upper flaps folded and secured over the points of the locking tongues, and
Figures 6 to 10 inclusive, show a modification of our preferred form.
Our invention relates to devices for safety attachments of envelopes; and our
invention consists in features of novelty hereinafter fully described and pointed out in
the claims.
Referring to the drawings, A represents the body of one of our improved safety
envelopes, B, B, the end flaps to the same, D the inner, and C the outer flap. The
points of the end flaps are slit to make a division and form locking tongues E, E.
The point of the outer flap is provided with slots G, in which the locking-tongues E
engage when the flaps are folded. It is also slit parallel with the slots, whereby
tongues F and F are formed, the tongue F having slots G.
The inner flap D is cut out at H to form a head I connected to the flap by a neck J.
The sealing edges of the inner and outer flaps and the gummed sides of the locking
tongues are shown by cross-lines at M, indicating the extent of the gummed surface.
The operation in fastening the envelope is as follows: (it being understood that the
gummed surfaces are moistened preparatory to attachment.)
The end flaps are first folded and the locking tongues E are turned up, (see Figure 2.)
The inner flap is then folded, the locking tongues fitting in the recesses H (see

page_text: Figure 3). The outer flap next being folded, the tongues pass through the slots in its
tongue F and are then folded down and attached, (see Figure 4.)
The supplemental tongues F¹ seen folded back in Figure 4, are then folded down
and attached over the locking tongues (see Figure 5) which completes the operation.
We have shown our safety attachment in use on an ordinary postal envelope, but we
do not confine ourselves to such use, for it is evident that it can and may be used as a
secure fastening to envelopes and packages for express and other purposes, of any form
or size without departing from the essential features of our invention.
With our improvement, it is impossible to open an envelope once sealed without
detection.
In the modification shown in Figures 6 to 10, the inner flap instead of having a head I
and neck J, has slots J¹ through which the locking-tongues E pass, as shown. We
however prefer the other form, as the whole envelope can be made folded and sealed
(with the exception of the outer flap, which of course is not sealed until the envelope
is used) by machinery, whereas it would be difficult with our modified form to insert
the tongues E through the slots J' in the inner flap by machinery.
The tongue F is susceptible of various designs, which do not affect the essential
feature of our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is :-
1. In an envelope, the combination of the end flaps having locking-tongues, and the
outer and inner flaps adapted to receive the locking tongues on the end flaps for the
purpose set forth.
2. In an envelope, the end flaps having locking tongues in combination with the
inner flaps having openings to receive the locking-tongues, and the outer flap having
a tongue provided with slots to receive the locking-tongues and supplemental tongues
to fold upon the locking tongues substantially as set forth.
3. In combination with the end flaps and side flap C provided with tongues, the side
flap D provided with a head substantially, as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In combination with the end flaps and side flap C provided with tongues, the side
flap D provided with a head connected to the flap by a neck that receives the tongues
on the ends of the envelope substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a safety envelope, the combination of the end flaps provided with locking
tongues, side flaps C provided with tongues, one of which is perforated to receive the
tongues on the end flaps and the others of which fold upon said end-tongues, and the
side-flap D having T head embraced by said end tongues, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
J. E. KRUCKER.
CHARLES GULATH.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings,
Agents.