US307291A - William goodbqdy - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

W. GOODBODY.

BNVBLOPE POR MAILING SAMPLES, 6170., No. 307,291. Patented Oct. 28, 1884..

N. PEYERS Phom-L'vlhngraphsf. Walhnihll. ILC.

WILLIAM Goonnonv, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

ENVELOPE FOR MAILING SAMPLES, 85C.

TJFEGEFIQATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 30"7,291, dated October 28, 1884.

i Application filed March 1, 1884. (No model.) J

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM Goonnonv,

of the city, county, and State of New York,

' letterslof reference marked t-hereon, making a part of this specification.

My invention relates to open-ended unsealed envelopes or boxes for mailing samples, circulars, &c. Its object is to simplify the construction of the envelope or box and provide a simple, secure fastening for its unsealed end, which will admit of its being readily opened and closed again.

It consists of an envelope provided with a tongue upon the closed and sealed back thereof, whose free end extends toward the outer edge of the envelope in position to pass through slits socut both in the overlapping flaps and in the back of the envelope as that they will register, when the liap is closed, both with each other and with the tongue. The tongue, when inserted through the slit, will lock and fasten down the flap, rand admits of being readily Withdrawn to liberate the iiap in order to open the package.l

The envelope may be constructed with a locking-tongue, as described, at `each end thereof, and may also be constructed not only in fiat form, but also in the form of a box, as hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the blank which, properly folded, will constitute my improved envelope. Fig. 2 is a similar `view of the back of said 4blank when folded to form the envelope, the

envelope being shown as completed, with its unsealed end locked. Fig. 3 illustrates my invention as applied to an envelope made to open at the sides instead of the ends. Fig. 4 illustrates its application to an envelope in box form unsealed at both ends; and Fig. 5, a modication in which the tongue is fastened upon the envelope, instead of being made integral therewith, and is notched to lock in the slits.

A, Fig. l, represents the paper blank cut out ready for folding into an envelope; B B',

its main folds, which are brought together to overlap on the back of the envelope, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, and are then pasted down the one upon the other along their line of intersection at b, to form the body of the envelope; C, itsgummed sealing-flap, and D the liap for closing its unsealed end.

At one end or side of the outer fold, B', if the envelope is to be left unsealed at one end only, (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3,) or otherwise at both ends thereof, (see Fig, 4,) a narrow tongue or strip, E, is separated from the body the flap D to be left` unscaled and through the v body of the underlying fold B, in such position as that when the iiap D is folded vover to close the open end or side of the envelope the slits XV XV shall register with each other and with the tongue E, so that the latter may be readily inserted through them both, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5, and at one end of Fig. el. For mailing purposes it is sufficient to leave one ilap, D, only, unsealcd, to be locked by a tongue, E, the remaining flap, C, being sealed after the envelope is filled; but, if preferred, both ends may be arranged to be secured by the tongue and slits, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

Instead of forming the tongue integral with the outer fold, B', on the back of the envelope by dividing a strip, E, from the fold, as described, the tongue may consist of a separate l piece, FX, Fig. 5, pasted or otherwise secured `at one end upon theouter fold, B, in line with the slits XV IV, so as to admit of ready insertion therein. lVhere the flaps are placed at the sides of the envelope, as shown in Fig. 3, instead of at its ends, as shown in Fig. 2, the tongue E becomes re-enforced by the sealing of the gummed liap C, which, when it is closed, will overlap the tongue, and being pasted down thereon, as illustrated in Fig. 3, will stiften and strengthen it. If desired, the tongue may be made to look itself when it enters the slit by means of a notch, m, (see dotted lines, Fig. 5,)

IOO

cut on one edge of the tongue, leaving an offset, n, on said edge, and the slits W' W are so out as that one end of the slit, When the tongue is entered therein, shall be in line with the bottom of the notch only, instead of with the outer edge of the tongue or of its offset on that side. Hence, when the tongue is slipped into the slits, the offset n will lock with the end of the slit, and thus prevent a withdrawal of the tongue except it be moved laterally far enough to permit the offset to clear the end of the slits.

In the manufacture of the envelopes they are made ready for use by closing the flap D at the unsealed end or side and inserting the tongue E in the slits XV W, the end or side covered by the gunimed iiap C being left open. In use the articles to be mailed are placed in this iinished envelope through its open end or side, which is then closed by pasting down the gummed ap C in the customary manner.

If the postal authorities wish to examine the contents of the envelope, they can readily do so by withdrawing the tongue E at the unsealed end, thus liberating the flap D and opening the envelope, and may as easily close and secure the same by folding down the flap andreinserting the tongue E.

I do not herein claim the construction of an envelope with an unsealed or open flap provided with a tongue projecting therefrom to pass into a slit in the body of the envelope, as various forms of envelopes have been designed and used provided with a tongue upon the open flap. My improvement differs from these, in that the tongue for locking the open flap is formed upon the body of the envelope and in position to pass and extend toward the outer edge of the envelope, instead of toward the center, as it engages the liap, so that the contents of the envelope shall, in bearing upon the end of the tongue, have a tendency to draw it inward and retain it securely.

I claim as my inventionl. An envelope constructed .with a tongue made to project from the back and to extend toward its open end, and with transverse slits to receive said tongue, cut, the one in the body of the envelope between the tongue and the open end, and the other in the ap adapted to close said open end, and in position Yto register with the first when the flap is closed, all substantially in the ina-nner and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. An envelope-blank constructed of a body, A, back folds, B B', flaps C D, and a tongue, E, upon the outer edge of the outer or overlapping bacl; fold, B', formed by a slit, f, eX- tending inward from the lateral edge parallel with the outer edge of said fold. and which is provided with transverse slits WV W, cut respectively in the inner or underlying back fold, B, and in the iiap D, closing over thereon in position to register with each other and with the tongue when the envelope is folded and closed, all substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony whereofl have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NVM. GOODBODY. W'itnesses:

l?. ELBERT NosTRAND, A. B. MOORE.

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