Patent GB-790265-A (GB)
IPC: C06F1/26
Abstract: 790,265. Matches. S.A.F.F.A. SOC. PER AZIONI FABBRICHE FIAMMIFERI ED AFFINI Oct. 13, 1955 [Oct. 14, 1954], No. 29240/55. Class 50. [Also in Group XVII] A machine for making wax matches and boxing them, comprises drums 1 carrying supply-coils of waxed threads which are passed around an uncoiler drum 23, over a jockey 25 and between feed rollers 24, 24<SP>1</SP> which insert the ends of the threads into holes in shank-holder blocks 2 moving as an endless assembly. The inserted wax threads are immediately cut-off into shank-lengths by a guillitone and the cut-off shanks are pushed further into the holes in the blocks 2 by a pusher. The blocks 2 and the shanks projecting therefrom are then passed to a bath 56, where the tips of the shanks are wetted with hot water, and to rotating brushes 57 which remove drops of water adhering to the shanks. The shanks are dipped in the heading mixture at 68, means 63, 79 then receiving the blocks 2 and inverting them, so that heading material does not gravitate into an attenuated shape, but settles into a rounded form on the tip of the shank, and then turns the blocks back again so that the matches move into the drying- chamber 84 with the heads downward. The blocks emerge from the drying-chamber 84 and the matches are ejected from the blocks by means 4 (see Group XVII), which boxes them, the empty blocks returning to the rollers 24, 241 for refilling. The drums 1 are arranged according to the number of holes in each block 2, e.g. ten transverse rows of ten drums when the block 2 has one hundred holes. The drums are supported by rollers 17, 18, 19, the absence of a central shaft facilitating removal and replacement of drums during the working of the machine. The uncoiler roller 23 rotates continuously and the feed rollers 24, 241 intermittently, the jockey 25 permitting this. The holes 5 in the blocks 2 are flared at each end to facilitate the entry of the ends of the wax threads, and, subsequently, the ends of the ejectors. The wax thread shanks are retained in position by leaf-springs which are housed in recesses cut in the side or sides of the holes 5. The spring may press on the whole length of the shank in the hole, or two springs may press on opposite sides of the shank. The spring may be arranged to press only on part of the length of the shank in the hole and the face of the spring, or springs, may be hollowed to fit the sides of the shanks. The blocks 2 have holes 7 for aligning the holes 5 with the wax threads at the time of insertion and subsequently with ejectors. The blocks are supported on side guides by T-shaped ends 6 which are engaged by sprockets for driving the assembly forwards. The wax threads are inserted in one longitudinal line of holes 5 in a block 2, are cut-off into shank-lengths by a cam-operated guillotine which then rises to allow another line of holes 5 to become aligned with and receive the ends of the wax threads which are then themselves cut off, and so on. After passing the wetting, brushing and heading positions 56, 57, 58, the blocks 2 are moved in gangs, e.g. three in a gang, by a pusher 60, 61, into recesses 62 in discs 63, one disc being at each end of the gang of blocks. The discs 63 are rotated through one-half of a revolution, thereby inverting the blocks, the inverted blocks being removed from the recesses 62 by a reciprocating pusher 78 which moves them into similar recesses 80 in similar discs 79, whereby the blocks are restored to their original position preparatory to being moved by the pusher 81 and sprocket 83 to the drying chamber 84. The pushers 60, 61, 78, 81 are operated from the cam 66. A guide 69 engages a pin 68 on the pusher 61 during the return stroke and lifts the pusher over the blocks, but during the forward stroke the pin 68 travels under the guide 69 so that the pusher engages blocks beyond the heading station 58 and the pusher 60 engages other blocks and moves them to the station 58.