Patent GB-189728119-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Match-making Machines.
Inventor: KELLEY ALEXANDER
Filed: 1897-11-29
Granted: 1898-01-15
Abstract: 28,119. Kelley, A. Nov. 29. Matches.-Relates to match-making machinery comprising splint-carrying mechanism, splint-cutting apparatus, and means for paraffining and dipping the splints. The cutting and part of the splint-carrying mechanisms are shown in Fig. 3, the dipping-vat and parts connected therewith are shown in Fig. 16, and the paraffin pan in Fig. 17. An endless chain 31, for carrying the splints, passes under sprocket-wheels 22, then over sprocketwheels 249, and onwards over the paraffining and dipping vats, whence the matches are carried through a long distance over a series of pulleys mounted within the framing of the machine. The chain is made up of a series of bars 2, preferably rectangular in cross-section and having cylindrical ends for engaging with the teeth of the sprocketwheels ; the bars are formed with grooves, depressions, or the like, running around them at right-angles to the length, and adapted to hold the splints between adjacent bars. The sprocketwheels 22 are driven by sprocket -wheels 20 mounted upon a shaft 19 which is driven from the main shaft by means of gearing 18, 16, 15, and gearing not shown in Fig. 3. The splints are cut from a block of wood 125, Fig. 3, placed in a trough 124, which may be adjusted laterally and longitudinally by means of screws, such as 133 ; the block 125 is held by springs 135 carried by a support 134 which is mounted upon the plate 126 carrying the trough 124. A pair of adjustable feed - rollers, actuated by pawl and ratchet mechanism connected to a rocking shaft 149 by a crank 148 and link 147, serves to feed the block 125 forwards. The trough 124 extends across but in a direction inclined to the length of the machine. A series of removable cutters, comprising rods 183 with circular cutters formed in their operative ends, is held in position by a locking-bar 188 upon a vertically-reciprocating cutter head 172, which is mounted to slide within guideways by the action of a crank and connecting-rod. As the cutter-head is raised, the upper ends of the splints are delivered into the grooves of a pair of carrier bars, the rear one of which is forced against the other, so as to grip the splints, by a knocker 218 actuated by a link 215 and rocking lever 213. During the greater part of the course of the carrier 31, its cylindrical ends are encircled by the perforated links of two main travelling chains, but, during that part of the course shown in Fig. 3, the main chains are moved laterally, by suitable means, out of engagement with the carrier bars which temporarily engage with the curved links of auxiliary chains 241, and small chains 250. The chains 241 pass over wheels 242, 244, and are deflected near the cutting-mechanism by intermediate wheels 248, the action of which allows the ends of the carrier bars to be free from the chains while the splints are being inserted. The carrier bars are pushed apart by tapering separators or cleansers 227 which are pressed downwards by springs 225 and actuated by means of an oscillating arm 219. When the splints are inserted within the carrier, they are cleansed from dust or splinters by means of a pipe connected to an air exhauster and a set of rotary brushes mounted in the upper part of a second pipe also connected to the exhauster. The splints are next carried over a steam chest or heater, and then to the paraffining- apparatus, Fig. 17. This comprises a steamjacketed tank 59 into which paraffin is pumped from a steam-jacketed reservoir 62 ; the pump is fitted within the reservoir, and its piston-rod 66 is actuated by any suitable means. As the splints are carried over the tank 59, they are depressed by the action of a roller 76 mounted upon two bars 70 which carry two pairs of rollers 72 carried by the bars 70. The bars 70 are pivoted at 71 to a part of the machine framing, and are connected by links 79, 82 and cranks 81 to a bar 43, which can be moved by the attendant so as to lift the splints from the tank 59, when the machine is stopped. Fumes are withdrawn from the paraffining-apparatus by means of a hood connected to an exhausting-apparatus. The apparatus for use in tipping the splints with igniting-composition comprises a receptacle 88 fitted with a pan 90, Fig. 16, an agitator 92, and a dipping-roller 95, which may be rotated by any suitable means. The pan 90 is heated by steam introduced into the space between the receptacle 88 and pan. The rollers supporting the splint carrier above the apparatus shown in Fig. 16 are mounted upon sliding bars or a sliding frame actuated by the rod 43, Fig. 17, so as to draw the splints from above the apparatus when the machine is stopped, or a fire accidentally occurs.