US185727A - Improvement in envelopes - Google Patents

Description

J. COLLINS.

ENVELOPE.

N.185,7Z7. Patented Dec. 26. 1876.

TH E GRAPHIC CD-N-Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES COLLINS, OF CENTRAL CITY, COLO., ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS HIS RIGHT TO NATHAN A. SEARS AND WM. C. HENDRICKS, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN ENVELOPES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 185,727, dated December 26, 1876; application filed October 20, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES COLLINS, of Central City, Gilpin county, State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Combined Envelope Opener and Protector; and I do declare that the following is a clear and exact description, which will enable others to make and use my improved combined envelope opener and protector.

My invention consists in bending a narrow strip of parchment, placed under the flap of the envelope, down over said flap to near the middle of the envelope, where they are crossed and secured together or sealed.

I prefer to make two incisions, one in each side of the lap, near to the corners; but these incisions are not absolutely required. If desired, they can be dispensed with.

After the envelope has been scaled, and the ends of the strip are projecting from each corner of the envelope under the closed lap, l bend these ends over the lap edge of the envelope, the strips at the bends being inserted in the aforementioned incisions in the flap, and let them cross each other over the central point. On this point the ends are fastened by aid of mucilage or any other convenient adhesive material, which may be applied to the ends of the strip before it is used. After the ends are fastened down, a seal made of sealing'wax or stamped wafer, or made in any other suitable manner, is placed over the ends, which prevents the letter being opened without injuring the seal. The strip covering the edge of the flap or lap, where it is fastened down to the back of the envelope, prevents the edge of the lap from being moistened, and

access gained into the interior of the envelope. On the outside of that part of the strip covering the edge of the lap is printed Combined Envelope Opener and Protector, indicating its purpose to the public.

The envelope is opened by destroying the seal and loosening one .of the ends of the strip, or one end of the strip may be cut by a pair of scissors. By taking hold of the loosened end of the strip and ripping up the top edge of the envelope, access is gained to the interior of the same.

In order to more fully describe my invention, I refer to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

Figure I is a back view of an envelope with the lap opened, showing the position of my improved combined envelope opener and protector before the letter is placed into the envelope. Fig. II is a back view of an envelope with the lap fastened down, showing the position of my combined envelope opener and protector.

A is the envelope; B, the lap, with the incisions b b; C, the envelope opener and protector; D, the seal.

Having thus described my invention, I desire to claim:-

The combined envelope opener and protector, consisting of the strip C and seal D, in combination with the envelope A B, substantially as described.

JAMES COLLINS. Witnesses:

ROBERT CAMERON, JAMES NIcHoLsoN.

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