US55955A - Ralph s - Google Patents

Description

- lierre RALPH S. JENNINGS,`OF NEW YORK; N. `Y., ASSlGNOR TO HIMSEJF AND NORMAN G. KELLOGG.

Specillcation forming part of Letters Patent No. 55,955. dated June 26, 1-866.

To all whom it may concerm" Be it known that l, RALPH S. JENNINGS, of the city, county, and State ot' New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Metallic-Seal Envelopes; and l -do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figures l and -2 show perspective views of the two parts which form the seal ot1 the envelope. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of my metallic-seal envelopes as ready for sale or use. Fig. 4 shows a section of the two parts ot' the seal brought together as in the act of scaling the envelope. Fig. 5 shows a similar section as Fig. 4, the two parts being` riveted together upon the back and fly of the envelope by around pointed key or instrument, as illustrated. Fig. 6 is the metallic-seal envelope as it appears when sealed or riveted together.

Similar letters of reference in the several iigures indicate corresponding parts.

Attempts have been made to use metallic s eals for packages and envelopes instead of mucilage, wafers, and wax, but as yet but little success has been experienced; but the necessity which prompted these attempts still exists, because very little security from mucilage-seal envelopes is warranted, it being a very easy matter to open such envelopes without detection after the seal has been steamed or otherwise moistened.

To lessen the inconvenience and cost of metallic-seal envelopes is the object oi' my invention, and to this end l malte with dies two metal devices, such as are represented in Figs. l and 2, and lettered A The device A has two or more sharp points, a a, projecting up at its rim or circumference, and a tubular conic protuberance, b, at its center. This protuberance is open at top and bottom, so that there is a passage entirely through the device A. The device B has two sharp point-s, c o, extending down at its circumference, and a circular hole cut through it atits center. Around this hole on top ofthe device B a depression, d, is made, as represented. l use thin sheet metal which is sut'ticiently ductile to bend under a moderate pressure upon the points and the protuberance above described.

The upper device, B, I ornament in any neat and chaste manneijand both devices may loe dipped or coated, so as to have the appearance of silver or gold, and thus present an attractive appearance.

The device A is attached to the back of the envelope by forcing its points up through the paper, and then clinehing these points on the outer surface ofthe said back. At the same time that the points are forced through the paper the tubular protuberancc is passed up through a hole which has been prepared in the paper` previously.l

The device B is attached to the lily or ap of the envelope by forcing its points down through the paper and clinching them on the under surface of the ilap. V

The attachment of the devices A B may be made before the envelope-Ieper is pasted into the form of envelopes, or it might be done afterward.

When the attachment of the devices A B has been effected as above described, and the envelope-paper is cut and pasted into forni ot' envelopes, the trade will be provided with metallic-seal envelopes, which can be sealed almost as readily as the mucilage-seal envelopes, which are now so commonly used. The cost will be slightly enhanced 5 but this is not to bc regarded when the question of security is involved.

To seal the metallic-seal envelopes it is only necessary to press the iiap down to its place, as this action will cause the device B to encircle the tubular protuberance oi' the device A and to stand down below the upper edge of the said protuberance. y This accomplished, the letter-writer takes a key with. rounded point and inserts said point into the tubular protuberance with a downward pressure, a slight twisting movement being at the same time imparted to the key. This operation causes the upper end of the protuberance to bend over into the recess or depression d in such a manner as to just till said recess and form a level surface on the surface of the inetallic seal. The envelope thus sealed cannot, without teaiing out the seal, be opened, and hence the safety ot' the contents ot' the envelope may be relied upon during its transmission through the mails.

I make the protuberanee b of conical forni, in order that it mayreadly pass through the round hole in the center of' the device B, and also that it shall be spread over into the recess or depression d in a more perfect ina-nner.

The great advantage of my metallic seal is this: It can be applied to the envelopes in their man ui'acture, and When the envelopes are bought they are selfsealing metallic-seal enl velopes in substantially the same sense as inuF cilage-euvelopes are selfsealing, pressure in both styles 0f envelopes being;1 neeessar)7 to effect the end desired.

The letter-writer, when using' my envelopes, Willbe saved the unpleasantoperationof meistening the sealing substance with his monili, which is a matter of some consideration when RALPH S. JENNINGS.

Witnesses:

EDW. ScHAFEn, R. T. CAMPBELL.

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