US1773671A - Envelope - Google Patents

Description

E. D. GLASS ENVELOPE Filed Jan. 2.3, i928 E GZzzs., .NVENTOR ATTORN EY WITNESS: Y

Patented Aug. 19, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EN VEL'OPE Application led January 23, 1928. Serial No. 248,816.

The present invention relates to an improved envelope and the purpose ofthe invention is to provide a self-contained opening means, which is substantially of an invis- 5 ible nature.

Another purpose is to provide an opening means foran envelope which consists of a relatively heavy paper disc adhesively fastened to the envelope preferably adjacent the closure flap, the disc having a tongue which may be bent up when the envelope and the disc are bent to a particular position, which may,be designated, the tongue being connected td an invisible opening thread', which when the tongue is bent up and then detached from the disc, will act to pull upon the thread and thereby tear open or cut the edge of the envelope permitting access to the contents thereof.

Another purpose is to provide a disc, which is an indication that the envelope may be torn open bjymeans of a thread, directions being applied to the disc showing that the dise is a means for opening the envelope by means of a thread.

It is to be understood that the particulars herein given are in no way limitive, and that while still keeping within the scope of the invention, any desired modification of details and proportions may be made in the construction of the appliance according'to circumstances.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts to be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an envelope showing the disc and the tongue formed therewith, the tongue being so positioned as to enable it to be bent and then grasped to allow the thread to cut open the envelope.

Figure 21s a view of a tongue partly moved, with the envelope bent.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view through the disc and the tongue more clearly showing the construction and arrangement of the parts.

Figure 4 is a detailed view on one corner of the envelope showing how the envelope is first cut prior to gpplying the disc.

Figure 5 is a view showing the disc in a position to be applied to the envelope adjacent the slot cut in the envelope.

Referring to the drawings, l identifies a conventional construction of envelope provided with a slot 2 in its front wall adjacent the closure flap and 3 is a disc of relatively heavy material, preferably paper, though not necessary, the disc being cut at 4 to form a tongue 5, leaving an opening in the disc, which opening registers with the slot in the Wall of the envelope. Beyond the tongue 5 the disc is additionally cut to form a tongue 6, the two tongues 5 and 6 still remaining attached to the disc as at 7. However the tongue 6 is bent upon itself and adhesively secured to itself on the interior of the envelope. Secured adhesively in the fold of the closure flap 9 is a thread 10, which may extend through the entire edge of the envelope at its fold. One end of the thread is fastened adhesively in the fold of the tongue, so that when the tongue 6 is bent away from the operator or receiver of the envelope, partly bending the disc by bending the tongue 6, the tongue 5 will flap toward the operator allowing the operator to grasp the tongue 5 and detach it from the disc and since the tongue is attached to the thread, the thread may be pulled and torn through the edge of the envelope, thereby opening the same and permitting access to the contents.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed is:

l. An opening means for an envelope, comprising a thread disposed and completely concealed within the crease of the closure flap and extending approximately to the opposite `corners of the edge, a relatively heavy paper disc carried by the` address wall of the envelope adjacent one corner thereof and provided with a bending up tongue, and an additional tongue operatively associated with the first tongue and attached to the thread. whereby the thread may act as a cutting means for the crease of the envelope.

2. An opening means for an envelope` comprising a thread disposed and completely concealed within the crease of the closure flap and extending substantially/to the opposite corners of the edge of the envelope, a paper member relatively heavier than the address face of the envelope, said member having a loop or bending tongue, and means operatively associated with the tongue and connected with the thread whereby upon bending said means the bending tongue may be moved outwardly for detaching it and thereby using the thread as an opening medium.

3. In an opening means for an envelope, the combination with an envelope being slotted in the address face adjacent the closure flap. of a member constructed of paper relatively heavier than the address face of the envelope and carried by the face, said member having an outwardly bending tongue struck up therefrom. the tongue registering with the slot said member having an additional tongue folded over and adhesively fastened to itself and also fastening with said slot. and a thread disposed and completely concealed within the crease'of the closure flap and extending substantially the entire length'of the crease. with one end connected to the additional tongue whereby upon bending the additional tongue. the first tongue may be bent outwardly so as to detach from the envelope and cause the thread to out said crease.

4. An opening means for an envelope comprising a thread disposed and completely concealed within the creased edge of one of the flaps of the envelope and extending substantially to the opposite corners of the edge, a paper member relatively7 heavier than the address face of the envelope and attached to the envelope face and adapted for detaching a portion ofthe envelope face b v bending said member` and means operatively associated with one end of the member and connected with a thread. whereby upon bending said member said means may be bent outwardly for detaching it and thereby using the thread as an opening medium.

5. An opening means for an envelope` comprising a thread disposed and completely concealed within the creased edge of one of the envelope flaps and extending substantially to the opposite corners of the edge. the address face ofthe envelope at a point adjacent one of the corners of the envelope having a relativelv heavier portion than the body of the address face of the envelope and attached to the address face of the envelope by perforations. and means operatively associated with the relatively heavier portion of the address face and connected with the thread, whereby upon bending said relatively heavier portion ot' the address face to move it outwardly for detaching said means. the thread may be used as an opening medium for the envelope.

ln testimony whereof he atlixes his signature.-

ELMER D. GLASS.

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