US1172283A - Envelop-sealing device. - Google Patents

Description

C. HANES.

ENVELOP SEALING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. e, um.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

wi/lmwoao THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., \VASHINGTDN,

CHARLES EANES, 0F STIRLING, CALIFORNIA.

ENVELOP-SEALING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 6, 1914.

cation.

This invention relates to envelope, and the object of the same is to provide an improved sealing means whereby an envelop cannot be opened after once being sealed without destroying the same or rendering it of no further use.

Another object of this invention is the production of an envelop sealing device that comprises a pair of staple members so arranged in combination with a retaining plate as to securely hold the topflap of the envelop in engagement with the bottom flap and side flaps that the same cannot be withdrawn from engagement with the abovementioned flaps after once being sealed without destroying the envelop.

A still further object of this invention is the production of an envelop sealing means as above described that is simple in construction, eflicient in operation, consists of the minimum number of parts and therefore can be manufactured for the minimum amount.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing :-Figure 1 is a plan view of the reverse side of an envelop showing the improved device mounted thereon. Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detailed perspective View of one of the staple members used with this device. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the retaining plate used with this device. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the staple members used with this device.

Referring to the parts by reference numerals, the top flap of an envelop as shown is designated by the numeral 10, the bottom flap by the numeral 11 and the side flaps by the numeral 13. It is, of course, understood that this envelop can be of any size or form.

The improved sealing device for an envelop is, as will be seen by referring to Fig. 1, used adjacent the lower edge of the upper flap intermediate the length of the same and Patented Feb. 22, 191$.

Serial No. 870,658.

adjacent the upper edge of the lower flap 11 intermediate the length of the same and is in engagement with the side flaps 18 adjacent their meeting edges.

This sealing device comprises a primary staple member 1% that has a substantially elongated body 15 and the ends of the same are bent at an angle thereto forming angularly extending portions 16 terminating in tines 17. This member 1% is positioned on the interior of the envelop, and hasthe tines 17 passing through the side flaps 13 of the envelop, but the body portion 15 of the staple member 14 is held in spaced relation to the inner faces of the side flaps 13 because of the fact that the shoulders formed at the juncture of the tines 17 and the angularly extending portions 16 engage the same, and

the body portion 15 is, of course, as described, held in spaced relation to the flaps 13. Interposed between the flaps 13 and the lower or bottom flap 11 is a retaining plate 18 that is provided with a pair of apertures 19 adjacent the ends thereof and a pair of enlarged interinediately arranged apertures 20. As will be seen upon reference to Fig. 2, the apertures 19 adjacent the ends of the retaining plate 18 are in a path of the tines 17 of the primary inserted staple let, and the tines 17 pass through said apertures 19 and also through the lower flap 11 that is positioned on the outer side of the flaps 13, and portions of the tines 17 are bent upon the outer face of the flap 11, as is clearly shown. A second staple member 21 is provided, and shown to advantage in Fig. 5, said member 21 having an upwardly extending tongue 2:2 and also a pair of inserting tines 23 bent from the body portion of the device. This second staple member 21 is positioned in the upper flap 10 of the envelop, and the tongue 22 is inserted therethrough, while the inserting tines are passed through the flap 10 and the lower flap 11, and inasmuch as the enlarged apertures 20 of the retaining plate 18 are in the path of the same, the tines 23 are passed therethrough and come into engagement with the outer face of the body 15 of the primary inserted staple 14': that is already securely held to the flaps 11 and 13, and by pressure upon the body portion of the second staple member 21, the tines 23, that are in engagement with the body 15 of the primary inserted staple member 14 are bent so as to prevent the withdrawal of the member 21 from the envelop. 'lhis last operation, that of the insertion of the second staple member, is, of course, done when the envelop is filled.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that an envelop sealing means has been provided that will securely hold the cover or upper flap of the same in engagement with the rest of the envelop and the only way to open the same is to sever some part of the envelop, and thus render the same of no further use.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of this invention without departing from the material parts thereof. It is therefore not wished to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is wished to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

I claim The combination with an envelop having top, bottom and side flaps, of a sealing means therefor comprising a primary staple, said primary staple having an elongated body portion, angularly extending portions at the ends of said portion of said staple, tines running from said angularly extending portions, said tines inserted through said side flaps and said angularly extending portions engaging said side flaps and retaining said body portion of said retaining member in spaced relation thereto, a retaining plate inserted between said side and bottom flaps,

said tines of said primary staple member passing through said plate and through said bottom flap and bent so as to prevent the withdrawal of the same, and a second staple member having insertible tines passing through said upper flap and said lower flap and said retaining plate and in engagement with said primary inserted staple, whereby the same are bent to prevent their withdrawal. V

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES HANES. Witnesses CLAY K. BUCHANAN, A. J. STOREY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents. Washington, I). G.

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