US2601530A

US2601530A - Envelope

Info

Publication number: US2601530A
Application number: US781550A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert I Kegan; Wayne A Neely
Original assignee: SAMUEL W KIPNIS
Current assignee: SAMUEL W KIPNIS
Priority date: 1947-10-23
Filing date: 1947-10-23
Publication date: 1952-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 1969-06-24

Description

June 24, 1952 A. l. KEGAN ETAL ,530

ENVELOPE Filed Oct. 25, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet l I 30/ fire/21hr?! Albert I {$012 M AZ 86 37$? June 24, 1952 Filed 001;. 25, 1947 A. l. KEGAN ET AL ENVELOPE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 .izz/eniazs I June 24, 1952 A. KEG-AN ET AL 2,601,530

ENVELOPE Filed 001;. 25. 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 24, 1952 A. l. KEGAN ET AL 2,601,530

ENVELOPE Filed Oct. 25, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Customer-3s Address 3% 47 fizz @6913- A/ben I a $.15 lz/alzeA. eel

June 24, 1952 A. l. KEGAN Em. 2,601,530

ENVELOPE Filed 001;. 23, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventors:

Alben [Kggazz 13 M 226 flflgeef J 2% June 24, 1952 A. KEGAN ET AL 2,601,530

ENVELOPE Filed Oct. 25, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet s Patented June 24, 1952 ENVELOPE Albert I. Kegan, Chicago, and Wayne A. Neely, Oak Park, 111., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to Samuel W. Kipnis, Chicago,

Ill., trustee Application October 23, 1947, Serial No. 781,550

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in envelopes, and more particularly to envelopes for conducting mail-order transactions involving the transmittal of small objects, such as coins, keys, charms, buttons and the like.

Insits broad aspect, the present invention comprises novel envelope blanks and envelopes made therefrom having dry sealing cohesive disposed on one surface of the blank only, An envelope blank conformingyto the instant invention may be folded into a closure for shipment by one party to another for the purpose of transmitting small 'objectssuch as coins or keys, in which event the objects are securely retained between abutted portions of the cohesive, the closure being further characterized by the provision of at least a double ply of envelope stock on either side of said objects. Advantageously, preferred embodiments of our invention may also serve as a means for'transmitting an advertising message or other copy from one party to another,- in which event the various portions of cohesive are enclosed within the closureout of contact with each other. It is therefore apparent that a single closure conforming to the present inven-- tion may be used, among other things, both as a meansfor initially approaching a prospective customer through the mail and as a medium for the return of the customer's order and money or the like.

Many business establishments,'and especially manufacturers of novelties, have found it advantag'eous to conduct all phases of sales transactions through the mail, including the sending of coins and other small objects. In addition,

charitable organizations havefound it convenient to solicit money contributions through the mail. Wherever such transactions involve the transmitting of small objects, it is of primary importance that they are not shipped loose within an envelope, since this practice is apt to result in damage to the envelope and. loss of the object during transit. Much of this damage may be traced to the heavy pressure exerted by the platens ofautomatic stamp-cancelling machines. However, even manual cancellation of the stamp does notentirelyeliminate this difiicu1ty,"since it is not uncommon for such objects as coins to tear or abrade their way through theenvelope during other phases of postal handling.

In an attempt to circumvent these difficulties, business and other organizations have resorted totheuse of mailing devices employing pockets, slots or other mechanical contrivances for holdingcoins, keys and similar objects. One disadvantage of these devicesresides in thefact that as a mailing device they can be shipped only one way, theusual practice being to enclose the objectretaining device-within a second,se parate envelope for purposes of initially approaching the customer. Over and abovethetwinfold material cost involved, the use of two separate envelopes necessitates the customers address on both the second envelope object and the mailing device since the sender must be identified with the latter when it is returned. It follows that an additional addressing. operation is required when the material ordered by the customer is shipped to him. This entire procedure is 0b,- viously inefficient and. time consuming; however, it cannot be avoided when using the prior'art devices.

Another disadvantage inherent to all mechanical coin retaining devices stems from the necessity of providing pockets, slots, etc., which correspond to the exact size and shape of the coins or other object which are to be inserted therein. This requirement constitutes a particularly. serious drawback in the shipment of coins, since the customer must insert only the exact coin or combination of coins which the mailing device is capable of retaining. Ideally, however, thecustomer should be allowed to choose any one of-the totalv number of combinations of coins which add .up to the required sum of money; otherwise many potential customers may be lost if they do not have at hand the exactcoin or combination of coins which the mailing device holds. Simply as.

a matter of manufacturing costs and envelope size, however, it is usually impractical to provide mechanical coin retaining devices with asuflicient number of slots, pockets, etc., to encompass.

all possible combinations of coins which add up to the required total. Thi shortcoming, moreover, is not of a secondary nature, since con,- venience to the customer is unquestionably the salient advantage of mail-order transactions.

Our invention, on the other hand, eliminates all of the disadvantages inherent to mailing devices using mechanical contrivances 'to retain coinsor thelike. Preferred embodimentsof our invention serve the dualpurpose of transmitting an. advertisingmessage to prospective customers and providing the customer with a convenient means for returning his order and money-or other articles. Advantageously, all embodiments of our invention transmit an almost endless variety of coins or like articles safey through the mail by th simple expedient of sandwichin them between abutted areas-of dry-sealing cohesive. Thus, our invention obviates the necessity of providing mechanical contrivances which take the exact size and shape of the article to be shipped. structurally, each of these embodiments comprises a wall portion from which a flap portion extends, the flap portion containing at least one line of folding on either side of which is disposed cohesive. The wall portion may be used to either separate the cohesive upon folding or, alternately, act as a wrapper or reinforcing flap when the cohesive is butted together. At the same time, this novel arrangement permits the addresses of the two communicating parties to be arranged on the blank in such a manner that the address of the sender is always within the envelope proper.

It is an object of our invention, therefore, to provide a dual purpose envelope blank which may be optionally folded either for the purpose of conveying a printed or written message through the mail, or for the purpose of conveying coins or other small articles through the mails.

Another object is to provide an envelope for shipping coins, keys or similar objects through the mail without damaging either the envelope or article contained therein when the envelope is processed through a stamp cancelling machine.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a dual purpose envelope for mail order transactions or the like in which the customers address, as initially placed on the closure by the vendor for the purpose of transmitting said closure to the customer, may be used as a means of identifying the customers order upon return of the closure, and, in addition, may also be used to address merchandise ordered by the customer.

Another object of our invention is to provide an envelope blank of the class set forth in the above objects which is adapted to automatic machine folding and processing.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide envelope blanks and envelopes made therefrom for transacting mail-order business which are safe, convenient to use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

In order that our invention may be more fully disclosed, reference is had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate envelopes and envelope blanks embodying the foregoing and such other principles, advantages or capabilities as may be pointed out as this description proceeds, or as are inherent in the present invention. For purposes of clarity in exposition, the following description is explicit, and the accompanying drawings are detailed, but it is distinctly to be understood that said exposition is illustrative only, and that our invention is not restricted to the particular detailsrecited in the Specification or shown in the drawings.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 are front and rear elevational views, respectively, of one embodiment of the instant invention;

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a preferred method of manufacturing the embodiment of our invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 from a web of paper in a single continuous operation;

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are views in perspective illustrating steps in folding the embodiment shown in Figure 1 for mailing to a prospective customer;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a closure tab which may be used to secure the folded envelope of Figure 7 for shipment to the customer;

Figures 9,10, 11 and 12 are views in perspec- 4 tive illustrating steps whereby the customer folds the embodiment shown in Figure 1 for returning coins or the like to the vendor, Figure 11 having portions thereof broken away to illustrate the manner in which coins or the like are positioned within our invention;

Figure 12a is a sectional side elevational section taken along the line l2a-l2a of Figure 12;

Figures 13 and 14 are front and rear elevational views, respectively, of a second embodiment of our invention;

Figure 15 illustrates schematically a preferred method of cutting the embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14;

Figures 16, 1'7, and 18 are views in perspective illustrating a preferred sequence of operations whereby the embodiment shown in Figure 13 is folded for shipment to the customer;

Figures 19, 20, and 21 are views in perspective illustrating a preferred method by which the customer folds the embodiment shown in Figure 13 for shipping coins or the like through the mail;

Figure 22 is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of our invention;

Figure 23 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 22 after said embodiment has been folded for storage or shipment to a customer;

Figure 24 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 22 after said embodiment has been folded for transmittal of coins or the like through the mail to the vendor;

Figure 25 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in Figure 22 after said embodiment has been folded in the manner shown in Figure 24;

Like reference characters designate similar parts in the drawings and in the description of our invention which follows.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a substantially T-shaped envelope blank 30 particularly well suited to the shipment of coins or like articles. The envelope blank 30 is adapted to be creased or scored along two horizontal score lines 3| and 32, which scoring,

divides the blank 30 into an inner portion 33, an outer front wall portion 35 and a closure flap 35. Adjacent the free end of the closure flap 35 is a gummed area 36 preferably composed of a water soluble adhesive. The envelope blank 30 may be further folded along the two

vertical score lines

37, 31, which lines act to divide the inner portion 33 into an inner rear wall portion 38 and two retaining

flaps

39, 39. We prefer to dimension the envelope blank 39 such that the width of the retaining flaps 39, 39 is somewhat greater than one-half the width between the vertical score lines 31, 31'. The advantages derived from this particular proportioning will be more apparent as this description proceeds.

The blank 30 is entirely composed of plain envelope stock. It is substantially imperforate, that is, devoid of any of the slits and similar coin retention devices previously used in paper envelopes and the like. It is also single-ply, that 'is, devoid of such other structural features as cardboard walls punched out for certain coins and laminated with paper or the like on one side of the punch holes. Such conventional slits or punch holes or the like were expensive and nevertheless insecure and cumbersome. We have discovered that considerable improvement and savings can be achieved as compared with said earlier devices, by a modified adaptation of principles disclosed in Patent No. 2,168,873 issued on'August 8, 1939, to Albert I. Kegan, co-inventor herein, and entitled Dry Sealing Container, and Patent No. 2,329,055, issued on September '7, 1943, to the same A. I. Kegan,-entitled Envelope or The Like. The deviceof said Patent 2,168,873 has been modified extensively as to materialused, configuration thereof, imprinting thereon and otherwise and likewise the device of Patent 2,329,055 has been modified greatly as to the manner of combining and utilizing the'different materials, the configuration. of the envelope blank, and various'other features. We believe that in thismanner therehas been produced a novel, unitary, remailable, .tamperproof mailing device-in accordance with the principles. andobjects stated above. The inner portion 33*contains a dry sealing area 40 thereonpreferably of the configuration shown .inlFi'gure 1... By .the term dry sealing area is meant those surfaces sotreated that portions thereof cohere to. similarly treated portions but do not cohere to untreated surfaces. In our invention, we prefer to use repeat sealing compounds sothat-the folded envelope maybe opened conveniently. While any'repeat sealing cohesive may beused, the different latex aqueous dispersions set forth in said Patent No. 2,329,055, issued September 7, 1943, to Albert I. Kegan, are particularly advantageous, since they possess superior dry sealing characteristics, aredurable', and arecomparatively simple to apply to envelope surfaces. The polyvinyl acetate. emulsions set forth in Patent No. 2,371,001., issued to Raymond Stone onMarch 6, 1945, may alsobe used toadvantage as a. dry sealing compound in conjunction with our invention. Emulsionsof polyvinyl acetate yield a coatinghaving a soft and appealingtexture and, in addition, envelopes coated with such compounds may bestored for extended periods of time without the dry sealing areas losing, their tenacious properties.

The reverse side of the envelopeblank 30 is illustrated in Figure 2, said side forming'the exterior. of. the envelope blank both when the envelope blank 30. is folded for.shipment to, av potential customer and when said customer refolds it for return shipment. Hence,,the address of the potential customer ispreferably placed on the inner rear wall portion 38 of the envelope blank 30 while the vendors return address is preferably placed on the exterior of the outer front wall portion 34.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a preferred method of cutting the envelope blank 30 from a web or roll of paper stock 4|. It is apparent that this particular method of grouping the blanks 30 results in a highly efiicient utilization of the paper stock, since the only waste incurred is that due to tapering the closure flaps 35 and the retaining flaps 39, 39. Furthermore, the inter-locking of the alternate rows of the blanks 3!] permits the'dry sealing cohesive compound to be calendered, sprayed, oriotherwise applied in two continuous strips as the paper stock 4| moves continuously in the direction indicated. After applying the cohesive, the paper stock 4| is preferably passed over a source of heat todrive excess moisture from the cohesive compound and thereby assist in setting the same. After the coated paper stock 4| passes the heating'station, it may be conveniently cut into envelope blanks of the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2. If desired, advertising matter may beprintedon the paper stock either prior'toor after theaplplication of the cohesive, since the cohesive upon setting is transparent and does not block off any printed matter.

.When the envelcpeblank 30 is folded for shipment to a prospective customer, itis desirable that the various portions of the cohesiveareas 40 do not come in contact with each other. It is also desirable that the folding sequencebe adaptable to automatic machine folding. The folding sequence shown in Figures 4 through 7 lends itself well to both of these requirements; The first step of this preferred method comprises folding the closure fiap 35 either manually or by machine about the horizontal score lline 3-l until the flap 35 abuts the outer front wall portion- 34. The outer front wall portion 34 and the closure fiap 35 are then folded about the score line 32in the manner shown in Figure 5. After this operation is completed, it is apparent that the dry sealing areas bounded by the

vertical score lines

31, 37 and the gummed area 36 are both shielded by at least one layer of paper. Accordingly, when the retaining flaps 39,39 are folded about the score lines 31, 31 as shown in Figure 6 all of the cohesive areas 40, as well as the gummed area '35, is enclosed within and adequately protected by the external layers of the folded envelope blank 30.

Advanta-geously, the entire foregoing folding technique is progressive, i. e., all folding steps are in the same rotational direction with respect to the inner rear wall portion .38. For that reason, it is particularly well adapted to automatic machine folding. After folding the blank 33 either by manual or machine methods it" is sealed. One exemplary means of sealing the foldedblank 30 is the closure seal 42 shown in Figure81- A plurality of perforations 43 traverse the closure seal 42 in a V-shaped configuration. Those portions of the closure seal .2 extending outwardly from the perforations 43 are preferably coated with a permanent adhesive and constitute two gummed

areas

44, 44. The other portion of the closure seal 42 is uncoated and constitutes a tab 45. To seal the folded envelope 30, the gummed

areas

44, 44 are first moistened and then the closure seal 42 is straddled across the retaining flaps 39, 39. The tab 45 is uncoated and for that reason can be readily grasped by the fingershence, when desired the seal maybe easily broken by simply stripping the tab 45 away from the gummed

areas

44, 44 along the perforations 43. After the folding and sealing operations are completed, the next step comprises plaeing the customers address upon the folded envelope. This operation is conveniently performed by an addressograph machine, although a typewriter may also be used to advantage.

The customer, upon receiving the folded envelope 3|],pulls the tab 45, thereby breaking the seal, and then unfolds the envelope blank. The envelope blank 30 already contains the name and address of the customer and for that reason the mere return of the blank 30 identifiesthe customer. Hence, our novel envelope blank 30 both eliminates the usual necessity on the part of the customer of filling in an order blank and eliminates'entirely errors arising due to illegibility of addressing, incomplete identification of the customer, etc. To pay for the merchandise being ordered, the customer preferably places the required sum of money on the cohesive area 40 as shown in Figure 9. The required sum of money may, of course, be composed of-different combinations of'coins. When the retaining flaps 39, 39 are folded over along the score lines 31, 31 and pressed into contact with the inner rear wall portion 38, the paper surrounding the coin or coins is securely cohered together. Thus the

coins

46, 46 are enveloped in the manner shown in Figure 10. After the

flaps

39, 39 are folded over, the entire inner section is hinged about the score line'32 so that the

flaps

39, 39 abut the outer front wall portion 34. Following this folding operation, the envelope blank 38 is sealed by moistening the gummed area 36 and pressing the closure flap 35 against the inner rear wall portion 38.

Advantageously, the surface of the inner rear wall portion 38 which carries the customers address is completely enclosed upon folding the blank 30 in the above manner. Conversely, the surface of the outer front wall portion 34 which carries the vendor's address and return postage or permit legend, and which also is enclosed during the initial transmittal to the customer, is posted on the exterior of the envelope. Thus no further addressing or franking of the envelope is necessary so that the customer need only drop the folded envelope blank 38 into a mail box.

The manner in which the coin 46 reposes within the folded blank 38 during shipment is best shown in Figure 12a. It is apparent that the double thickness of paper on either side of the coin 46, and especially the cohered inner portion, gives ample protection against rough or careless postal handling. In manufacturing the envelope blank 30, moreover, it has been found advantageous to proportion the

flaps

39, 39 in such a way that they overlap one another slightly upon folding. This feature acts to increase the envelopes resistance to bending and also acts to give the same appearance to the envelope whether it is empty or loaded. We have found that coin mailing envelopes constructed and prepared in the foregoing manner may be processed through stamp cancelling machines without in any way damaging the folded envelope blank 36 or otherwise impairing its utility.

The vendor, upon receiving the envelope from the customer, may open the folded blank 30 and take out the enclosed money in a variety of ways. One preferred method is to first slit the envelope along the score line 3|, strip off the closure flap 35 and then pull the

flaps

39, 39 away from the inner rear wall portion 38. When dry sealing cohesive compounds possessing repeat sealing characteristics are used, the

flaps

39, 39 may readily be pulled away from the wall portion 38 without tearing the paper. And since edge portions of the inner portion 33 are not coated with dry sealing cohesive, these edge portions may be used as a tab to assist in separating the cohered surfaces, Because the enclosed coins are not adhered to the dry sealing area they present no problem of ejection. It is of course desirable not to tear the wall portion 39, since the customer's address may then be clipped or stamped from the undamaged wall portion 38 and used to address the packaged merchandise ordered by the customer. However, tearing that portion of the wall portion 38 to which the closure flap 35 is glued is not objectionable, since the customers address is preferably placed in the lower section of the wall portion 38 as Shown in Figure 2. Thus when the closure flap 3!: is stripped away from the upper section of the wall portion 38, there is no danger of mutilating that portion of the wall portion 36 which contains the customers address. Advantageously, the reverse side of that section of the wall portion 38 which bears the customers address is coated with repeat dry sealing cohesive (as shown in Figures 1 and 2) so that the addressed section may be conveniently cohered to a corresponding dry sealing area on the shipping container.

Referring now to Figure 13, the envelope blank 41 illustrates a further embodiment of my invention. The blank 41 may be conveniently folded along two

horizontal score lines

48 and 49. It is also adapted to be further folded along two vertical score lines 58 and 5|, the

horizontal score lines

48, 49 and the vertical score line 58 dividing the blank 41 into an exterior front wall portion 52, an exterior rear wall portion 53, a closure flap 54, and a retaining flap 55. The vertical score line 5| in turn acts to separate the retaining flap 55 into an interior rear wall portion 56 and an interior front wall portion 51. Both the wall portions 56 and wall portion 51 are preferably coated with a dry sealing cohesive compound of the class set forth hereinabove, the areas defined by this coating being designated by the numeral 58. In addition, the closure flap 54 contains a gummed area 59 preferably composed of a water-soluble adhesive. Th mailing devices shown in Figs. 1 and 13 are quite similar in that each has a

body portion

38 or 41 and a foldable

transverse extension

39 or 51 upon which the dry sealing cohesive is carried.

Like the envelope blank 38, the blank 41 lends itself well to quantity production methods. As shown in Figure 15, the blanks 41 may be continuously cut from a sheet of paper 6|. As the paper 6| moves to the left, a single broad central band of dry sealing cohesive compound is disposed thereon while the gummed areas 59 are applied intermittently. While Figure 15 illustrates a double row of alternatively spaced envelope blanks 41, it is apparent that any even number of rows of envelope blanks may be processed in a similar manner from a proportionately larger web of paper.

Like the T-shaped envelope blank 30, the envelope blank 41 is adaptable for shipment both to and from a customer. The manner in which the envelope blank 41 is folded for shipment to said customer is shown in Figures 16 through 18. The initial step comprises folding the coin retaining flap 55 in the manner shown in Figure 16 either by manual or machine methods, after which the folded flap 55 is hinged about the score line 58 so that the interior front wall portion 51 abuts the exterior front wall portion 52. Next, the closure flap 54 is folded about the score line 48 so that it abuts the interior rear wall portion 56. When this latter folding operation is completed, the envelope blank 41 appears as shown in Figure 1'7. Since the gummed area 59 extends only along the free end of the closure flap 54, it is apparent that the exterior rear wall portion 53 completely covers the gumming compound disposed thereon. After completion of the folding operation, the envelope 41 is preferably sealed by applying a closure seal 6| in the position shown in Figure 18.

Upon receiving the folded envelope blank 41, the customer slits or tears the closure seal 60 and unfolds the envelope 41. The preferred manner whereby the customer refolds the blank 41 for returning both the order and the required money to the vendor is shown in Figures 19 through 21. The initial step comprises placing the necessary sum of money, as represented by the coins 46, upon the dry sealing area 56, folding the front wall portion 51 about th score line and lightly pressing the wall portion 56 and the wall portion 51 together toinsure securing of the coins 46. Following this step, the folded flap 55 is hinged about the score line 50, after which the blank 41 appears as shown in Figure 20. To complete the folding, the exterior rear wall portion 53 and the closure flap 54 are folded about the score lines 49 and 48, respectively. The coin containing package is then sealed by moistening the gummed area 59 and pressing it against the exterior rear wall portion 53.

As in the case of the T-shaped envelope blank 30, the blank 41, when folded in the above designated manner, places a double thickness of paper on either side of the coins or other objects which are to be shipped. Advantageously, after the closur flap 54 is once sealed the coins 46 cannot be extracted from the folded envelope except by slitting or tearing the blank 41. This feature is especially desirable since it precludes thievery of money from the envelope during shipment. Also, it is apparent that the Vendors address and return postage are totally enclosed during shipment to the customer; conversely, the customers address, as well as the cancelled stamp or postal legend, is totally enclosed during shipment to the vendor.

Upon receipt of the sealed envelope 4'! from the customer, the vendor first slits the envelope along the score line 48, unfolds the envelope to a position similar to that shown in Figure 19, and then peels the interior front wall portion 51 away from the interior rear wall portion 56 to obtain the enclosed money. Since the dry sealing area 58 does not extend across the full width of the retaining flap 55, the free end of the interior front wall portion 5'! is in effect a tab which the vendor may grasp to assist in this peeling operation. The customers address can then be conveniently stamped or cut from the blank 41 and used to address the packaged merchandise delivered to the customer.

Referring now to Figure 22, the envelope blank 62 shown therein illustrates yet another embodiment of the instant invention. The envelope blank 62 is essentially diamond-shaped and, like conventional diamond-shaped envelopes, affords a high degree of safety for shipping items through the mail since all of the exposed edges are permanently sealed. As shown in Figure 22, the envelope blank 62 is preferably creased along two

vertical score lines

63, 63, which score lines define the inboard boundaries of the two outwardly extended side flaps 64, 64. The blank 62 may also be creased along the

horizontal score lines

65 and 66 which, along with the

vertical score lines

63, 63, delineate a rectangular front wall 61. That portion of the blank 62 extending above the score line 65 constitutes a closure flap 66. A bottom flap 69 extends downwardly from the front wall 61 and is preferably divided by a score line into an inner rear flap portion H and an inner front flap portion 12. The closure flap 68 and the inner rear flap portion H include a top gummed area 13 and two side gummed areas T4, 14 respectively, all of said areas preferably carrying a water-soluble adhesive. A dry sealing compound of the class designated hereinabove is applied to the bottom flap 69 in the pattern shown in Figure 22. It will be noted that the dry sealing area, designated as 75, does not extend over the entire surface of the inner front flap portion 12. Also the vertical dimensioning of the closure flap 68 is somewhat greater than that of the inner front flap portion 12. The advantages resulting from these two particulars will become more apparent as this exposition proceeds.

It is often desirable to box or store envelope blanks such as that shown in Figure 22 in a partially folded condition, in which case it becomes essential to fold the envelopes in such away as not to become attached to one another. In the instant case, it is important that the dry sealing area 15 does not come in contact with similar dry sealing areas on other envelopes. Further, it is desirable to shield the area 15 from dust and other impurities dispersed in the air. One manher in which the blank 62 may be folded for storage which satisfies these requirements is illustrated in Figure 23. In the arrangement shown, the closure flap 66 completely covers the front portion 12, by virtue of its greater vertical length. Thus, the dry sealing area 15 is completely enclosed and shielded so that dust cannot settle upon it and reduce its cohesive properties. Advantageously, this latter folding ar rangement lends itself well to automatic machine folding. Specifically, the bottom flap is initially folded about the score line 66 so that the dry sealing area 75 abuts the front wall 61 and the closure flap 68. After this operation, the inner front flap portion 12 and the closure flap 68 are simultaneously hinged about the score line 10 and the score line 65 is a rotary direction opposite to that used initially.

To prepare the envelope blank 62 for shipment of coins or other objects, it is only necessary to reverse the foregoing folding operation, whereupon the blank 62 once again assumes the position shown in figure 22. The coins or other objects are then placed upon the coated portion of the inner rear flap portion H. The inner front flap portion 12 is then folded about the line of folding '10 and pressed against the flap portion ll, thereby enveloping and securely retaining the coins or other objects. Following this step, the two

side flaps

64, 64 are folded about the

score line

63, 63 so that they abut that surface of the envelope blank 62 upon which the water-soluble adhesive is disposed. Next the side gummed areas 74, 14 are moistened and the folded bottom flap 69 hinged about the score line 66, thereby bringing the moistened areas 14, 14 into contact with the

side flap

64, 64. At this stage, if desired, a letter, check or other accompanying mater may be inserted into the partially sealed envelope 62. The folding and sealing operation is then completed by moisteningthe top gummed area 13 and folding the closure flap 68 over and against both the side flaps 64, 64 and the inner rear fiap- T6. The appearance of the sealed envelope 62 is shown in Figure 25. Since the closure flap 66 completely covers the iner front flap portion 12, a double layer of paper is positioned on each side of the coins or other objects regardless of the manner in which they are sandwiched between portions of the dry sealing area 15. The appearance of a coin 46 within the folded envelope blank 62 is illustrated in Figure 24. Removal of coins or the like from the folded blank 62 by the vendor'is, of course, expedited by the uncoated free end of the inner front flap portion 12, since this tab-like portion may :be easily grasped to facilitate pulling the flap portion 12 away from the inner rear flap portion H.

Yet another embodiment of the instant invention is illustrated by the substantially rectangular envelope blank 18 shown in Figure 26. A minor digression from a rectangular configuration is caused by the closure flap 11, said closure flap 11 being preferably hinged to the blank 18 along the horizontal score line 18. The blank 16 is also adapted to be folded along a horizontal score line 19 positioned substantially intermediate the two horizontal edges of the blank 16. In addition, the blank 16 is preferably creased or scored along the vertical score lines 88, 80 which score lines are positioned from the two vertical edges of theblank 16 a distance equal to at least onequarter of the distance between said two edges. Thescore lines l8, I9, 88, 88 define a front wall 8|, while the score lines 19, 88, 80 and the lower edge of the envelope blank 16 define a rear wall 82. The envelope sections extending sideways from the vertical score lines 88, 80 are in turn divided by the score line 19 into lower side flap portions 83, 83 and upper side flap portions 84, 84. A dry sealing cohesive area 85 is disposed on the rear wall 82 and the side flap portions 83, 83, preferably in the pattern shown in Figure 26. In addition the closure flap l1 contains a gummed area 86 composed of a water-soluble adhesive. The reverse side of the envelope blank I8 is shown in Figure 27.

The envelope blank 18 is particularly well suited to the transmittal of relatively heavy and irregularly shaped objects, as exemplified by a set of keys 81, 81. When the envelope is to be folded for shipment, the keys 87, 8! are preferably placed on the dry sealing area 85 as shown in Figure 28. One of the keys 8! is shown already sandwiched between the le'fthand lower flap portion 83 and the lefthand portion of the rear wall 82. The other key 8'! placed on the righthand portion'of the rear wall 82 may also be sandwiched between abutted dry sealing surfaces upon folding the righthand side flap portions 83, 84 about the righthand score line 88. Following this operation, that portion of the envelope blank 16 extending below the score line 19 is folded about said score line so that the lower side flap portions 83, 83 abut the upper side flap portions 84, 84. The folded envelope blank I8 is then sealed by moistening the gummed area 86 and folding the closure flap 1'! over against the rear Wall 82.

Upon folding and sealing the envelope T8, the

closure flap H is proximate to the enclosed keys 81, 81, thereby effectively re-enforcing that portion of the envelope blank 76 which generally receives the harshest treatment during automatic cancellation of the stamp or postal legend. Accordingly, it is apparent that the enclosed keys 81, 81' have in eifect a double layer of protective paper on one side thereof and a triple layer of paper on the other side thereof.

When even greater protection of the enclosed device is desired, the rectangular envelope blank 88 shown in Figure 29 proves advantageous. Many portions of the blank 88 have identical counterparts in the envelope blank I6; accordingly, these corresponding parts are distinguished numerically only by prime markings. For example, the front wall portion 8| of Figure 26 is similar to the front wall portion shown in Figure 29, hence said wall portion of Figure 29 is designated by the numeral 8|.

However, whereas the main body of the envelope blank 18 is divided horizontally only by the score line 19, the envelope blank 88 i preferably adapted to be folded about the horizontal score line 89 as well as the score line 18', that 12 portion of the envelope blank 88 which falls below the score line 89 constituting a retainer flap 80. The blank 88 is coated with dry sealing cohesive compound preferably in the pattern shown in Figure 29, these areas being designated by the numeral 9|, 9|.

When the envelope blank 88 is to be used for mailing coins or the like, they are initially placed on those portions of the dry sealing areas 9|, 9| which lie between the score line 19' and the score line 89. The retainer flap 98 is then folded over against the rear wall portion'82', after which the side flap portions 84, 84, 83', 83' are hinged about the score lines 88'. Following this step the entire folded portion of the blank 89 lying below the score line 19' is folded against the side flaps 84, 84'. When this operation is completed,- it is apparent that the envelope blank 88, with the exception of the closure flap H, is folded into a rectangular area which corresponds to that of the front wall portion 8|. Therefore the envelope blank 89 may be prepared for mailing simply by moistening the gummed area 85' and sealing the closure flap l9 against the rear wall portion 82.

Advantageously, objects contained within the folded blank 88 have three layers of paper on each side therefor exclusive of the re-enforcing action of the closure flap ll. This multiplicity of plies of paper on each side of the object is particularly advantageous where rough-edged or irregularly-shaped objects are being shipped. The usefulness of the blank 88 therefore extends to many fields in which conventional closure blanks, due to their fragile nature, have heretofore proven inadequate.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that all of the above modifications of the present invention are suitable for conveniently transmitting small articles through the mail. In addition, the embodiments shown in Figures 1 through 21 may also be printed or written upon for the purpose of transmitting messages, advertising, etc. The embodiment shown in Figures 13 through 24 give complete protection against thievery or unintentional extraction of the article from the folded envelope blank during shipment. Where rough-edged or irregularly-shaped objects are to be shipped, then the embodiment shown in Figures 26 through 28 is preferred. Regardless of the particular embodiment employed, however, all of these envelope blanks are inexpensive to produce, extraordinarily simple to use, and make possible a greatly simplified mail order business procedure. However, while we have shown and described in detail certain embodiments of our invention, it is distinctly to be understood that these embodiments have been given by way of example only and that various changes and rearrangements of the details shown herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A mailing sheet adapted to be used for twoway shipment between two parties, wherein one shipment comprises sending a message to one party, while the other shipment comprises sending coins or other small objects to the other party, said mailing sheet comprising: a rectangular wall portion and a foldable flap depending therefrom, dry sealing cohesive applied to corresponding areas of said foldable flap, a reinforcing flap extending from an edge of said wall portion and perpendicular to said foldable flap,

a sealing flap extending from that edge of said wall portion opposite said edge, and written material on said device including the address of said one party on that surface of said wall portion which is a continuation of that surface of said foldable flap to which said cohesive is applied, and the address of said other party on the other surface of said wall portion, said mailing sheet being so proportioned and creased that it may be (a) folded for shipment to said one party with said corresponding areas out of contact with one another, said address of said other party covered by said foldable flap, and said foldable flap interposed between said wall portion and said reinforcing flap, or (b) folded for shipment to said other party with said corresponding areas abutting one another to retain said coins or the like inserted therebetween, said address of said one party covered by said foldable flap, said foldable flap interposed between said wall portion and said reinforcing flap, and said sealing flap sealed to said reinforcing flap.

2. A one-piece mailing device which may be used by a first party to convey a message to a second party, and thereafter used by said second party to transmit coins and other small articles to said first party, said device comprising: a wall portion, a flap integral with an edge of said wall portion, said flap being foldable to surround said wall portion, at least one wing extending from said wall portion, said wing being foldable to overlie at least a part of said wall portion, and dry sealing cohesive covering a portion of said wing and on that surface of said Wall portion against which said cohesive covered portion of said wing abuts upon folding, the abutting areas of dry sealing cohesive being sufficiently large to retain coins and other small articles placed therebetween.

3. A shipping device adapted to be used as an envelope for shipment by a vendor to a prospect, and adapted to be used thereafter as a combination order blank and closure for small objects for shipment by said prospect to said vendor, said device comprising: a substantially rectangular wall portion, a substantially rectangular flap integral with an edge of said wall portion, said flap being foldable to surround said wall portion, one or more wings extending from said wall portion, said wings being foldable to overlie substantially all of said wall portion, dry sealing cohesive on one surface of said wall portion, and dry sealing cohesive on those surfaces of said wings which are adapted to contact said one surface of said wall portion, the abutting areas of dry sealing cohesive being sufficiently large to retain small objects placed therebetween.

4. An envelope blank for shipment to a prospect and reshipment with small flat objects such as coins, said blank including a first substantially rectangular, imperforate, singleply wall portion of envelope stock with a printed address and a space for postal cancellation on one side of said first wall portion; a second substantially imperforate, single-ply wall portion of the same stock, hinged to said first wall portion along a side of said first wall portion and having parts hinged together along at least one line, each of said parts being slightly smaller than said first wall portion; a dry sealing cohesive substantially covering such parts, on the side of the blank opposite that of said printed address, whereby folding of said parts along said line provides a two-ply container and subsequent folding of said portions along said side reinforces the container at least by the first wall portion; one of said wall portions having printed matter and a space for a second address on the side of the blank opposite that of said printed address and also having a flap hinged to one of its sides and adapted to seal the blank as an envelope pursuant to folding of said parts along said line and subsequent folding of said portions along said side.

5. An envelope blank for shipment to a prospect and reshipment with small flat rigid metallic objects, including a substantially T-shaped, imperforate and single-ply wall of envelope stock, with a printed address and a space for postal cancellation on one side of the leg of the T and printed matter and a space for another address and postal cancellation on the opposite side of the blank; a dry seal cohesive coating on said opposite side, extending substantially across the arms and the top of the leg of the T; and a gummed flap hinged to the leg of the T and adapted to seal the blank as an envelope, pursuant to folding of the arms over the top of the leg and subsequent folding of the bottom over the top of the leg.

6. An envelope blank as described in claim 5 wherein. the arms of the T are slightly more than half as wide as the top of the T.

7. An envelope blank as described in claim 5 wherein the leg of the T is approximately twice as high as the arms of the T.

8. An envelope blank as described in claim 4, wherein said two wall portions together form a substantially L-shaped figure, with the printed address and space for postal cancellation on one side of the angle portion of the L and printed matter and a space for a second address on the opposite side of the blank; the dry seal cohesive substantially covering one arm of the L; the flap to seal the blank as an envelope being hinged to the other arm.

9. An envelope blank as described in claim 8 wherein the dry seal arm of the L is slightly less than twice as long as the rectangular angle portion of the L.

ALBERT I. KEGAN. WAYNE A. NEELY.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 136,666 Orton Mar. 11, 1873 666,924 DOpdorp Jan. 29, 1901 751,423 Throop Feb. 2, 1904 769,136 Henderson Aug. 39, 1904 878,234 Bridmore Feb. 4, 1908 1,943,022 Koster Jan. 9, 1934 1,965,389 Parr July 3, 1934 2,168,873 Cohen Aug. 8, 1934 2,169,436 Swift Aug. 15, 1939 2,362,496 Mess Nov. 14, 1944