US2007891A - Envelope - Google Patents

Description

I July 9, 1935.

E. DREISBACH ENVELOPE Filed Nov. 25, 1955 EJUEKEM Figure 2 IN V EN TOR.

Patented July 9, 1935.

PATENT OF FlCE ENVELOPE Ernst Dreisbach, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor of one-fifth to Robert W. Englehart, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application November 25, 1933, Serial No. 699,642

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a new type of envelope in which the single sealing flap of ordinary envelo'pes is replaced by a double safety flap.

The envelopes in ordinary use have been found to possess certain disadvantages. In order to in sure ease in opening, the flap is usually left unglued near the top on both sides so that the envelope when sealed Will'allow the insertion of a letter opener. When it is desired to seal the envelope tightly all around, as is done in registered mail, it has been noted that when the letter carries money or other valuable contents, itis necessary to deposit an adhesive on the unglued spots along the edge of the flap to insure a tightly closed envelope. Ordinary envelopes can be readily tampered with since it is a comparatively easy matter to insert a pencil or letter opener and ease open the flap and later add glue and seal it again. In the case of ordinary envelopes it is possible too for anyone to ascertain, without very much difficulty, the contents of the envelope. Another failing of the flap used on ordinary envelopes is that it does not protect the contents of injured by the letter opener.

the envelope on the opening of the letter, and the there is no space for the insertion of a letter opener.

Now I have invented a new kind of envelope which has none of the disadvantages stated.

The new envelope is distinguished by having a double sealing flap, so to speak, instead of the single sealing flap now used.

l as any ordinary envelope.

by bending part 0 over part D on line c.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the blank.

Fig. 2 is a rear face view of the sealed envelope. This envelope has the same side flaps B and E Instead of the usual single sealing flap, however, it has a double flap consisting of parts C and D which may be made Part C having glue all around the sealing lines seals the envelope. Once sealed, the envelope is tightly closed all around. The upper surface of part C and the lower surface of part D afford, however,

a space which can be small enough to allow for the insertion of a letter opener or can be large enough if desired to allow for the insertion of a finger for opening the letter. In either event the envelope is opened cleanly with no ragged edge and the contents cannot possibly be cut or damaged. Part C sealing all the way up to line at gives full protection to the contents of the letter, since no part of the contents can be touched by the instrument used in opening the letter. The 5 double flap formed by part C and D may if desired be extensive enough to hold considerable parts of flaps B and E under cover making it possible to tamper with the contents only if the double flap is opened. Such tampering is almost 10 certain to leave evidence of itself since the double flap extends, in the preferred form of the invention, the whole width of the envelope. The double flap envelope will further confer greater sturdiness on the envelope and damage through bending and tearing is greatly lessened.

It is understood that the drawing and the foregoing description are only illustrations of the invention and are not meant to limit it in any way. The envelope can be made in any desired manner. It is possible to make envelopes of a wide variety of design within the scope of the invention. For example the edge of the top portion of the. sealing flap need not extend the full Width of the envelope. It may be desired to leave this top portion of less width than the envelope to aid in ease of opening. Both parts of the double flap may extend the full width of the envelope if desired, or only the top portion, or only the bottom portion, depending on the particular design intended to be produced.

In the broad form of this invention it is only necessary that the envelope, of any design whatever, have a double sealing flap with the bottom portion, of any desired width, length or design, adapted to seal the envelope, and that there be a top portion connected to the bottom portion so that there is'a space between the two, which allows for insertion of the instrument used to open the letter. 40 g It is understood that the scope of the invention is limited only by the following claims.

I claim:

1. An envelope comprising a sealing flap, half of which is doubled under, the under portion containing an adhesive along the edges of its under surface to permit of sealing the envelope, and the space between the upper and lower portions of the sealing flap allowing for the insertion of an instrument to open the letter, the lower portion of the flap preventing contact of the opener with the contents of the letter.

2. An envelope comprising a double sealing flap, the under portion of which extends substantially to the top of the envelope, the under surface of said under portion containing an adhesive along the edges to permit of sealing the envelope and the space between the upper and lower portions of the sealing flap allowing for the insertion of an instrument to open the letter, the lower portion of the flap preventing contact of the opener with the contents of the letter.

3. An envelope as described in claim 2, in which

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