US2092149A - Envelope - Google Patents

Description

atented Sept. 7, 1937 FFICE acorn application Juny c, rese, sensi No. 88,992

il Claims.

This invention relates to envelopes and similar containers particularly to those employing rubber gum solutions, known as latex, for eiecting seal thereof. Envelopes of this character have a gummed area on the sealing flap adapted to register with a similar gummed area on the bottom of the envelope on the ap that is folded there# over and adapted to adhere or coalesce with each other responsive to slight pressure applied to the overlapped areas. Such seals are very effective and desirable in that they do not require the use of moisture in edecting a seal, however,v the latex gum is readily soluble in certain solvents so that the envelope may be readily opened by unauthorized persons and resealed without leaving sumcient telltale marks to show that the envelope has been tampered with.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide an envelope or container of this character with means for disclosing whether or not the seal has Ibeen tampered with after the seal has been eiected.

In accomplishing this and other objects of the invention, as hereinafter pointed out. I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an envelope equipped with sealing areas embodying the features of the present invention and showing the sealing flap in opened position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the sealing ap in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 showing the color change in the sealing areas after the envelope has been opened with the ald of a solvent.

Fig. 4 is a section through the envelope on the line t-- of Fig. 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

l designates a type of envelope employing latex seals and which includes a blank folded to provide front and back portions 2 3, side flaps @-5 and a sealing flap 6, the back portion 3 being sealed to the side aps il and 5 as in conventional envelope construction. The seals between the back portionl and side aps, however, terminate short of the upper edge 1 to provide a supplemental ap t that is adapted to be folded back against the outer face of the portion 3 on a score line 9 so that the gum lil thereon may be folded against the bodv portion oi the envelope to prevent adhesion of the gum area Il on the 5' sealing flap when the sealing nap is folded on its (Cil. 229-83) score l2, aswhen packaging the envelopes prior to use.

When the envelope is to be sealed the supplementary ap B is turned back to expose the gum area l@ which then registers with the corresponding gum area ll on the sealing flap when the sealing ap is folded thereover to close the envelope. Then when slight pressure is applied to the overlapped areas, the gums coalesce to produce a seal Without the use of moisture. When ordinary latex solutions are used, the gum mayY be dissolved by various rubber solvents and the envelope opened, after which it may be resealed without any indication that it has been opened.

The envelope as thus far described is of conventional construction and specifically forms no part of the present invention.

As above pointed out, it is the purpose of the present invention to provide means whereby any tampering with the seal is readily distinguishable. In carrying out this object I, therefore employ latex solutions which are distinguishably aiected by rubber solvents. For example, one form of the invention consists in employing a latex gum on one of the areas which has a distinguishing characteristic from the latex gum on the other area, that is the gum area on the sealing flap may be coated with a gum of one color while that on the other flap 8 may be coated with a gum of diierent color so that in case an attempt is made to dissolve the gums, the colors become mixed or blended by the solvent to produce a third color thereby indicating that the envelope has been opened.

In carrying out this form of the invention, I preferably color the gum solutions with primary coloring matter that is readily mixed therewith to produce red. blue and yellow gum solutions. In the illustrated instance, the gummed areas on the aps and 8 are lined to indicate gum solutions of red and blue colors respectively which, when sealed, will show a definite line of division between the colors, however, should an attempt be made to dissolve the' gums, the solvent being misclble with the gums, will cause the mixing and blending of the gums to produce a purple color, thereby indicating that the envelope has been opened with the aid of a solvent after it has been initially sealed.

Latex solutions of other colors may be em- V ployed, such as red and yellow which will produce an orange when the colors become mixed by means of a solvent, or blue and yellow which will produce a green. While basic or primary colors are preferable, other colors may be used providing they produce a blend or mixture when reaed upon by a solvent. f

Attention is here directed to the fact that should the sealing areas be recoated with gum solutions of the original colors, there is sumcient absorption of the resulting color in the fibers of the paper to give evidence that the envelope has been opened.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that E have provided an envelope or similar container which may be equipped with latex seals that will give indication that the envelope has been tampered with in case an attempt is made to open it by means of a solvent.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A container provided with interengageable sealing areas respectively coated with latex. gums of different color whereby said colored gums are blended to produce a different color when the gums are acted upon by a solvent.

2. A container provided with corresponding sealing areas respectively coated with latex gums of dierent primary colors whereby said gums acca, ma

are blended to produce a different shade when acted upon by a solvent.

3. An envelope including a body portion having a sealing area provided with latex gum of one color. and a sealing ap on the body portion having e, sealing area provided with latex gum of a different color that is adapted to coalesce with the rst mentioned gum when the sealing ap is folded over the body portion to bring said sealing areas into registry, said latex gums being miscible whenacted upon by a solvent to form a color different than the original colors of the latex gums.

4. An envelope including a body portion havingl a sealing area provided with a. latex gum of primary color, and a. sealing ilap on the body portion having a sealing area provided with latex gum oi a. different primary color that is adapted to coalesce'with the rst mentioned gum when the sealing flap is folded over the body portion to bring said sealing areas into registry, said latex gums being miscible when acted upon by a solvent to form a 'secondary color.

WALTER J. BERKOWITZ.

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