US2056472A

US2056472A - Envelope

Info

Publication number: US2056472A
Application number: US41790A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lewis Addison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1935-09-23
Filing date: 1935-09-23
Publication date: 1936-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 1953-10-06

Description

Patented Oct. 6, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICEl Application September 1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in envelopes of the type comprising a wall having means therein to facilitate operiing the envelope to remove its contents.

An object of the present invention is to provide an envelope having score marks or rows of perforations, or both, in a wall thereof extending crosswise of the envelope, and said rows of bperforations or score marks `forming weakening lines which are arranged atl a slight incline with respect to one another, whereby the portion of the paper lying between said weakening lines may readily be removed by tearing the paper along said lines to thereby open the envelope.

A further object is to provide an envelope having rows of perforations in its front wall adjacent one end thereof. and said rows of perforations being angularly disposed with respect to one another, whereby they are spaced relatively closer together atl one edge of the envelope than at the opposite edge thereof, and arcuately formed slits extending from one end to each row of perforations in an inward direction and having their inner ends terminating in spaced relation, whereby a bond is provided between the adjacent ends of the slits, said slits providing means whereby a fingernail may readily be inserted under a portion of the front wall of the envelope to facilitate grasping it and tearing it along the rows of 'perforations thereby to open the envelope.

A further object is to provide an envelope having a cord embodied in the construction of one end thereof, one end of which protrudes from the envelope, whereby it may begrasped by the fingers and pulled outwardly to thereby sever the paper for the purpose of opening one end of the envelope.

Other objects of the invention will appear 4 ing drawing and will be pointed out in the annexed claim.

In the accompanying drawing there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawing:

Figure l shows a front view of an envelope with the invention embodied therein;

Figure 2 is a detail view showing the envelope partially opened in accordance with the invention;

from the following description and accompany--A 2s, 1935, 'serial No. 41,790

Figure 3 is a view showing a modified construction whereina cord is embodied in the construction of the envelope;

Figure 4 is a view partially `broken away to show the preferred manner of securing the cord in position Within the envelope; and

Figure 5 is a view showing a construction wherein a portion of each row of perforations is also scored to further weaken the paper.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, there is illustrated in Figure 1, for purposes of disclosure, an envelope constructed of a single blank, in the usual well-known'manner, and comprising a front 2 and

flaps

3, 4, and 5, folded inwardly and suitably secured together to-provide the back of the envelope, and having a flap 6 for closing and sealing the envelope.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the provision of means whereby the operation of opening the envelope to remove its contents, is facilitated. In Figure 1, I have shown the front wall provided with two rows of perforations l and 8, extending from the bottom to the top of the envelope adjacent one end thereof. Slits 9 and Il are provided at the upper end of the envelope at the ends of the rows of perforations I and 8. These slits are shown curving inwardly and have their inner ends terminating in spaced relation to provide a bond l2, or unslitted portion which connects the portion of the front wall disposed between the rows of perforations 'i and 8 and the slits Q and il, and the portion of the front wall of the envelope above the slits 9 and ii.

Another important feature resides in angularly disposing the rows of perforations with respect to one another, as shown in Figure l. By thus arranging the two rows of perforations, when a fingernail is inserted through one of the slits 9 or in, and the bond |2is torn or severed, the paper may readily be grasped by the fingers and torn downwardly along the rows of perforations, as shown in Figure 2, until the portion i3-is completely removed from the envelope, after which the contents may readily be removed from the envelope.

I have found that if the rows of perforations are arranged in parallel relation, the paper does not always tear along the rows of perforations, which, obviously, is objectionable. To cause the paper to tear along the rows of perforations, when a pull is exerted on the wider end of the portion I3, it is necessary that the rows of perforations be angularly disposed, as herein disclosed.

Otherwise, the tears have a tendency to run oil' at an angle from the rows of perfol'ations.

In Figures 1 Aand 2, I have shov-fn the row of perforations, indicated by the numeral 8. as being disposed in substantially parallel relation to the right-hand edge of the envelope, while the row of perforations 'I is angularly disposed with respect thereto. It is to be understood that the rows of perforations need not be arranged in the identical manner shown, that is, with the row 1 arranged in parallel relation to the adjacent edge of the envelope, as they may be symmetrically disposed with respect to the centerline of the portion I3, without, in any way, aifecting the tearing action of the paper, it being necessary, however, that they be angularly disposed with respect to one another, as hereinbefore stated.

The slits 9 and II, provided at the upper end.v

of the portion I3 are also important in that they provide means whereby a iingernail may readily be inserted beneath the portion I3 to start the tearing operation. The bond I2 prevents the slits from opening up, and functions to keep the envelope substantially completely sealed when the envelope is in its normal condition, as shown in Figure 1.

In actual use, a postage stamp may be placed over the upper ends of the rows of perforations substantially as indicated by the dotted-lines I4 in Figure 1, so that when the portion I3 is removed, the stamp may be removed therewith.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a. form in which a small cord I5 is inserted into one end of the envelope during the construction thereof, whereby it is normally concealed within the envelope, with the exception of the end portion I6 thereof, which normally projects from an upper corner of the envelope, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3. The opposite end portion I1 of the cord or string I5 is secured between the flaps 5 and l, as shown in Figure 4.

To open the envelope, illustrated in Figures :iI and 4, the end portion I6 of the cord I5 is grasped with the fingers and pulled outwardly, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 3, whereby the paper is torn or severed along the end of the envelope to thereby permit the contents to be readily removed therefrom.

Figure 5 illustrates another form wherein'rows of perforations I9 and 20 are provided in the front wall of the envelope, the upper portion of which are scored as shown at 2l and 22, for a distance extending substantially half the length of each row. These score marks cooperate with the perforations to weaken the paper, even though comparatively heavy, may readily be torn along the rows I9 and 20 to open the envelope.

The novel means herein disclosed for facilitating thevopening of envelopes is very simple and does not materially increase the cost of manufacturing the envelope. The rows of perforations 1 and 8 and slits Sand II may readily be made at one operation in the blank before the latter is folded to provide the completed envelope. Perforating and slitting the paper, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, does not, in any way, interfere with the normal use of the envelope, as the paper has suiilcient strength along the rows of perforations to prevent it from accidentally tearing when in normal use. The same applies to the form shown in Figures 3 and 4. In the form here shown, it may be necessary to secure the upper end of the cord I5 to the body of the envelope with a small quantity of gum, as indicated at I8v in Figure 4, so that the cord will be held in position when the envelope is open and before it has been sealed.

I claim as my invention:

An envelope of the character set forth having the front wall thereof provided with converging perforated lines defining a tear portion, said tear portion being located adjacent the end ofthe front wall where the postage stamp is normally positioned and including the portion receiving the stamp, said tear portion extending transversely across said front wall to a point adjacent the bottom edge of the envelope, and the portion above said stamp being formed with arcuate slits having a tie web separating said slits to form a bond to retain said slitted portion in sealing position.

ADDISON LEWIS.