
Overview Patent drawing of Americus Callahan's windowed envelopeĪ folding sequence such that the last flap closed is on a short side is referred to in commercial envelope manufacture as a pocket – a format frequently employed in the packaging of small quantities of seeds.

In this manner, a rectangle-faced enclosure is formed with an arrangement of four flaps on the reverse side. These shapes allow the envelope structure to be made by folding the sheet sides around a central rectangular area. Traditional envelopes are made from sheets of paper cut to one of three shapes: a rhombus, a short-arm cross or a kite. It is designed to contain a flat object, such as a letter or card. Mailed envelopes are collected by philatelists and the philatelic terminology is a cover Blue square envelopeĪn envelope is a common packaging item, usually made of thin, flat material.
