Patent GB-294231-A (GB)
IPC: C06F1/08
Abstract: 294,231. Aktiebolaget Siefvert & Fornander. July 22, 1927, [Convention date.]. Matches.-Mechanism which lowers the collecting boxes of a match-making machine or the pile of finished matches within them is controlled by a feeling member which is caused to contact at intervals with the headed ends of matches on the top surface of the pile in order that the variation of level may be kept within definite limits. Matches 1 are ejected from bars 2 on to loose bottoms 5 of collecting boxes 6. A feeling member 9 is carried by two levers 8 pivoted on a shaft 10 to which levers 11, 13, 14 are rigidly secured. Movement of a link 12 to rock the shaft causes a downward and upward movement of the levers 13, 14 the curved ends of which support the levers 8. Descent of the member 9 is stopped by the match pile 7 and its ascent is effected by the return of the levers 13, 14. A link 17 connects one lever 8 to a rocking arm 19 carrying at its other end a curved plate 21 covering a number of the teeth of a ratchet 20. A pawl 22 is secured to a lever 24 which is pivoted on a shalt 18 and reciprocated by a link 23 to rotate the ratchet and with it a toothed wheel at each side of the machine meshing with racks 27 connected by a cross piece 28 supporting the loose bottoms 5. The extent to which the bottoms are lowered is determined by the position of the plate 21 operated by the feeling member since the pawl 22 engages the ratchet immediately above the plate. The match pile is counterbalanced by a weight 31. When full the collecting boxes, comprising three in a row constituting a single car, are drawn aside on rails 33. Ejected matches during this operation are received on a plate 34 which is moved inwards to the working position (Fig. 3) after the pile has been rapidly lowered below the level of the plate by means of a hand wheel 35 geared to the shaft 18. The plate 34 is supported by guide plates 42, 43 secured to racks 44, 45 and is capable of moving vertically on bolts 36 secured to a beam 37. It is brought to the working position by means of a lever 57 which rotates toothed segments 59, 60 meshing with racks 40, 41. The lowering of the plate in accordance with the raising of the match pile is controlled by the feeling member 9 in a similar way to the loose bottoms 5 through the agency of a cover plate 67 in conjunction with a ratchet 51 and pawl 55. In a modification the feeling member 9 controls the action of the pawl 22 by closing and breaking an electric circuit the pawl being influenced by an electromagnet. In a simplified construction for matches withstanding greater pressure, the levers 8 are rigidly secured to the shaft 10 and the feeling member transmits pressure through the header ends of the match pile to the loose bottoms to overcome the reaction of the weight 31. The collecting plate 34 is also directly controlled by the feeling member. In an embodiment in which the collecting boxes are moved laterally past the collecting means and the bottoms are uniformly lowered, the feeling member controls the travel of an endless chain on which the bottoms are carried, movement of the bottoms being proportional to this rotation. Alternatively the feeling member may disconnect the driving mechanism at or during greater or less intervals. Specifications 26429/12 and 183,814 are referred to.