US200442A - Improvement in envelopes - Google Patents

Description

M. J. DUFFEE.

- Envelope.

No.-200 ,442. Patented Feb. 19,1878.

ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. PHOTO-UTHOGRAFHEH, WASHINGTONv D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MANLY J. DUFFEE, OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND JOHN W. MILLER, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN ENVELOPES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 200,442, dated February 19, 1878; application filed October 16, 1877.

The object of this invention is to produce an envelope that cannot be opened after it is once sealed and be reclosed and sealed again without being torn or so much injured thereby as to exhibit evidence of such opening.

The invention consists of an improved article of manufacture, to Wit: an envelope in which the edges of the flaps are subdivided in the manner hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an open envelope embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is the same closed. Fig. 3 is a modified form of the envelope shown in Fig. 1, also open; Fig. 4, the same as Fig. 3 closed.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. My invention is applicable to all envelopes that are sealed by the adherence of overlapping and underlapping edges of the paper or other material of which they are composed.

In the envelope shown in the drawing, as in those in ordinary use, the back of the envelope consists of two end flaps, A, and a lower flap, also marked A, the lapping edges of which are joined by the manufacturer, and of a fourth or upper flap, B, which serves to close and seal the envelope. In my improved envelope the lapping edges of the flaps A and B are subdivided into several parts, as shown in the drawing, in such a manner that nine overlapping and nine underlapping edges are formed, as indicated by numerals 1 to 9, or

any other convenient number of such edges may be produced by similar subdivisions.

The said edges so produced alternately overlap and underlap, or interlock, as shown in the drawings. Mucilage or other similar adhesive substance is applied alternately to the outer or inner face of the flaps, as required.

D indicates where the mncilage is applied on the outer face, and C where applied to the inner face, of the flaps in the present example.

In the ordinary envelope the mucilage is all applied to the inner edges of the flaps A and B, and the security of the envelope depends on the adherence of two overlapping edges with the respective underlapping edges or parts-0n tl e line a b 0. With such said ordinary construction the envelope may be opened Without difficulty by holding'the edge of flap B over a jet of steam to slightly moisten the muoilage, and inserting a common pen-holder under said edge and moving it carefully along the line a b 0,- but with the subdivisions 'described a pen-holder could not be inserted or moved along between the adhering edges without tearing or otherwise injuring the paper or material of the envelope.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- An envelope the edges of whose flaps A B MANLY J. DUFFEE.

Witnesses RICHARD B. OWEN, WM. Z. MOORE.

Images