US2546542A - Snap seal fastener - Google Patents

Description

.March 27, 1951 5. HURT 2,546,542

SNAP SEAL FASTENER Filed 001:. 20, 1947 Fig.2.

Fig. 4

/8 will! /6 Mil Fig. 5.

George C. Hurt Inventor Patented Mar. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES FA'EENT OFFICE SNAP SEAL FASTENER George C. Hurt, Warrenton, Oreg.

Application October 20, 1947, Serial No. 780,816

2 Claims.

This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in envelopes particularly those conventionally used in the mails.

The general object of this invention is to seal a body portion and flap of an envelope by mechanical means obviating the use of glue and the like.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide receptacle means on the flap engageable with complemental locking means partially projecting Within the envelope.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide the receptacle means of such configuration as to import guide means for urging selected legs of the locking means in the closed, latched posi tion.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide a device of the nature to be described which is extremely simple to actuate, thereby rendering utility of the present invention economical from a time standpoint.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty including commercial feasibility, will become apparent to those skilled in the art in following the description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View of the clamp in one phase of operation;

Figure 3 is an elevational end view of the bendable locking means positioned on the flap of the envelope;

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the receptacle positioned mostly within the envelope and provided for the purpose of receiving the bendable locking means therein, and;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the locking means shown in a flat or open position, prior to installation on the flap of the envelope.

Referring now in detail to the illustrated preferred embodiment of the present invention, like reference characters are used throughout to indicate similar elements thereof.

This invention has been developed to provide an embodiment which is capable of rendering the task of sealing envelopes far more desirable, expedient and easy. As is Well known to those having the task of sealing numerous envelopes throughout many hours of the day, the operation of either licking or sponging the mucilage on the envelope becomes rather difiicult. In this invention, the only requisite for sealing an envelope efficiently is simply squeeze the flap in the proper position and the job is completed. In carrying out this function, the following structure is provided.

An envelope is provided with a body portion it and a conventional flap i2. Complemental portions of the locking means are provided on the body portion Iii and flap, respectively.

Going to Figure 4, the receptacle which is received on the body portion is shown in detail. Here, a receptacle it having a concave inner surface is provided with a marginal flange it therearound. Extending from this marginal flange is a plurality of lugs it.

Going now to Figure 2, it will be noted that the said lugs it are bendable about their inception points for the purpose of retaining in frictional engagement therewith, the body portion It. Of course, a suitable hole may be punched in the said body portion prior to the insertion of the receptacle id in order to facilitate manufacture of the invention. It is also noted that the majority of the said receptacle i4 is received entirely within the said envelope.

Going now to Figures 3 and 5, there is disclosed a locking means which has the preferable configuration as follows: A rounded central section 28 is provided with a plurality of prongs 22 extending therefrom in a radial manner. Also extending from the said rounded central portion 2i! is a pair of oppositely aligned prongs 24 and 26, respectively. These prongs 2e and 26 are bent first 180 thence in the opposite direction. .The next bend is preferably about in the same direction as the 90 bend, This last mentioned bend provides extensions 28 and 30 on the said prongs 2e and 25, respectively. These last mentioned prongs 2d and 25 are adapted to extend in the receptacle is and be bent therein. The inner concave surface of the receptacle i4 assists in bending as well as guiding the said prongs in the said receptacle. The members 22 are bent at substantially 90 as shown in Figure 3 for the purpose of inserting the same in the flap 12 of the envelope. After insertion, these members 22 may be bent back again in the original position or if desired, bent at an angle of substantially to the original position disclosed in Figure 5.

In operation of the invention it will be noted that the preferential material of construction is bendable and pliable. Accordingly, after insertion of the said legs or prongs 2d and 26, respectively, into the receptacle i l, the entire assemblage of locking means may be squeezed together to any desired thickness. This, of course, renders utility of the invention extremely rapid since all that is necessary to effect a seal between the flap and body portion is simply place the complemental locking means together and flatten the same by a simple press of the finger. Further, assurance against unauthorized inspection of the contents of the envelope is provided since substantially the only method of entry to the envelope is by tearing the flap or other associated marginal edge of the envelope.

It will be noted that there is illustrated an embodiment of the invention disclosing only one set of complemental locking means. However, if desired, any number may be utilized on a single envelope in accordance with the dictates of sound engineering or design principles. Further, the locking means are so placed as not to interfere with the efficient operation of mechanical envelope opening devices.

Due to the extreme simplicity achieved by the present invention, a further description thereof is deemed unnecessary. However, it is apparent that various departures might be made herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, limitation is sought only in accordance with the scope of the following claims.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. An envelope including a body portion having a flap secured thereto, a receptacle secured to said portion and bendable locking means secured to said flap lockingly engageable with said receptacle, said receptacle having a concave wall and a marginal flange extending therearound invention, What is said marginal flange having an opening to receive said locking means, bendable lugs extending from said flange and cooperating therewith to frictionally engage said body portion, said bendable lugs being substantially U-shaped, one of the legs of each of said U-shaped lugs being a portion of said flange and the other leg being substantially parallel thereto, terminating inwardly of the outer edge of said receptacle.

2. An envelope including a body portion having a flap secured thereto, a receptacle secured to said portion and bendable locking means secured to said fiap engageable with an opening in said receptacle, said locking means including a base, means for securing said base to said flap, prongs having angular extensions projecting and bendable within said receptacle, said receptacle having a concave wall for guiding said prongs, a marginal flange around said wall with said opening therein, bendable lugs remote from said concave wall extending from said flange at the edge of said opening for lockingly engaging said body portion.

GEORGE C. HURT.

REFERENCES s ren The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 411,045 Miller Sept. 17, 1889 1,095,562 Dunmyer May 5, 1914 1,836,459 Fitzgerald Dec. 15, 1931 1,945,965 Behrman Feb. 6, 1934

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