Improvements in Envelopes for Postal and other Purposes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Aug., 1897-Accepted, 4th Sept.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Envelopes for Postal and other Purposes.
I, CLAUD PERCIVAL FYANS CUMMING, of Mount Fyans, Camperdown, in the
Colony of Victoria, Grazier, 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 object of my invention is to render envelopes less easy of illicit or accidental
opening, and to gain other advantages hereafter set forth.
Neither the weight nor the cost of the envelope is increased appreciably by my
invention.
In the drawings, which illustrate my envelope Figures 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 show
the side on which is the "flap" and Figures 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9 show views of the
reverse side viz., the side for the address.
Figure 2 shows the reverse side of the envelope shown in Figure 1; Figure 4
the reverse of Figure 3; Figure 6 of Figure 5; Figure 8 of Figure 7; and
Figure 9 of Figure 10.
The principle on which I have proceeded is to make the envelope in all respects
as ordinarily, except as to the flap, and this flap I extend so that it will reach to
the address side of the envelope, its end being folded and fastened down thereon.
The extension of the flap is gummed completely (or around its edges) and as this
gumming is on the said side as the ordinary gumming of the flap, it can be
effected easily by an envelope making machine.
In the drawings A shows that part of the flap which is common to ordinary
envelopes, B my extension thereof, having the end C which folds over on to the
address side D. The hatched lines show the position of the gumming, which,
however, is on the under surface of the parts hatched in the drawings.
The end C is made (for ordinary letters) of smaller size than that of the ordinary
postage stamp E which it is intended shall be so attached to the envelope as to
cover up the said end and render it practically impossible to tamper with the
envelope (after it has been sealed and stamped) without liability of detection.
Although gummed envelopes are often used for posting open packets, gummed
flaps are then unnecessary. Usually unsealed packets have their contents secured
from falling out by a paper fastener. My envelope is peculiarly suitable for use
with a paper fastener, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 7 and 8 because it enables a
strong fastening to be provided, which is not always the case in the use of ordinary
envelopes. The fastener F passes through the folded down end C that is through
three thicknesses of material. It is not necessary that the end C should be of
smaller than postage stamp size when the envelope is intended for enclosing
packet matter as in that case the stamp is not affixed over the said end. Where
the envelope is to be used with fasteners the extension B is preferably broad as
in Figures 1 and 7, whilst for envelopes which are to be sealed by gumming the
extension is purposely made narrow, as seen for example in Figures 3, 5 and 10.
Any attempt to tamper with the narrow extension will be the more difficult owing
to the weakness of the material.
i

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An envelope constructed with an extension of the flap said extension having
an end adapted to be fastened down on the address side of the envelope sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In an envelope a flap extension B having an end C of less than postage stamp
size and adapted to be fastened down on the address side of the envelope sub-
stantially as illustrated and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of August 1897.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.