Patent GB-190511953-A (GB)
Title: Machine for Automatically Filling Boxes with Matches.
Inventor: VICTOR CARASSALE
Filed: 1905-06-07
Abstract: 11,953. Carassale, V. June 25,1904, [date applied for under Patents Act, 1901]. Void. [Published under Patents Act, 1901.] Match-boxes, filling.-In a machine for filling matches and the like into boxes, matches falling into a hopper are directed alternately into one or the other of two inclined shoots leading to two separate series of box-filling devices so arranged that, while. one series is in operation, empty boxes are being supplied to the other series. Each filling-device includes apparatus for preventing the matches from entering the boxes crosswise, for lifting up the forward edges of the shells of the partly-opened boxes to facilitate the introduction of the matches, for positively forcing the last matches into the boxes, and for pressing down the matches to facilitate the entry of the drawers into the shells. The invention also includes a device for turning the matches end for end and thus presenting them to the boxes in the reverse order from which they are supplied to the machine. Matches falling into the hopper 21, Fig. 1, meet the switches 25, which are arranged between transverse partitions of the hopper and are mounted on the oscillating shaft 24. The switches 25 direct the matches alternately to the upper shoot 29 and to the lower shoot 29'. These shoots lead to two distinct series of box-filling devices, and are subdivided in such a manner that the matches are fed to each separate filler four at a time. The upper and lower series of fillers are alike in construction, and are so arranged that the filled boxes discharged from the upper series are carried away by the travelling belt 65, while those discharged from the lower series fall clear of the machine. Each filler is provided with a box container 48 from which the boxes are drawn off by apparatus shown separately in Figs. 14, 15, and 16. The base of the container 48 is slotted, as shown in plan in Fig. 15, and is cut away at its forward edge to allow the lowest box to be transferred, by the oscillating rod 60, to the spring holder j, k in which the boxes are held while being filled. The rod 60 is shaped as shown in Fig. 16, and is mounted on a carriage 59, which is oscillated by the cam-operated lever 62, Fig. 1, and has rollers at its ends adapted to guide it along the inclined grooves 58. As the rod 60 moves to the right, it first pushes the drawer of the lowest box partly out of its'shell and then pushes the box bodily forward through the guide 52, Fig. 14, until it is received by the spring holder j, k. When the rod 60 makes its return stroke, it cannot push aside the inclined spring fingers 53, Figs. 14 and 15, and these fingers therefore cause it to turn about the pivot 59<a>, Fig. 16, and pass beneath the bottom of the container 48 without disturbing the contents. The guide 52 is carried by rods 50 pivoted on either side of the container 48, and is adapted to be turned out of the way by the rod 56 carried by the oscillating lever 54 to permit the discharge of the filled box from the holder j, k. One of the two series of holders having been provided in this manner with empty boxes, the switches 25, Fig. 1, are automatically turned to permit matches to enter the corresponding shoot leading to the chambers 30, which open directly into the boxes. While matches are entering the boxes, the holders carrying the latter are vibrated horizontally by the grooved wheel 32 bearing against the rollers i, Fig. 3. When the required number of matches have entered the boxes, the switches 25 are reversed and the vibratory movement of the boxes is stopped by means of the oscillating bar 34, which presses the box-holders forward out of contact with the wheel 32. The packing of the matches into the boxes is facilitated by the spring-pressed pivoted parts p, q, r, Figs. 3 and 4, which are actuated by horizontally-moving rods 41, 42, 43, Fig. 1, bearing against their extensions p q<1>, r<1>. The piece r, which is pivoted to the longitudinal partition m in the chamber 30, serves to subdivide temporarily the boxes into compartments and thus ensure that the matches shall not enter the boxes crosswise. Pivoted to the piece r is a hook s, Figs. 3, 4, and 11, so arranged that, when the piece r is in the position shown in Fig. 3, a fixed stop causes the hook to force upwards the upper side of the box shell, thus facilitating the entry of the matches. The pieces p serve positively to force the last of the matches into the boxes, while the pieces q press on the matches and hold them in place while the boxes are being closed. The boxes are closed and ejected from the box-holders by pivoted fingers 47, Fig. 1, carried by oscillating levers 44. When it is desired to turn the matches end for end before introducing them into the boxes, either of the devices shown in Figs. 18 and 19 may be used. The device shown. in Fig. 18 consists of rotating star-wheels 73 arranged in the compartments of an extension 74 of the hopper 21, while that shown in Fig. 19 consists of bent plates 78 so arranged that matches striking them are caused to tilt before they meet the inclined plates 75 which complete their reversal. The machine may be modified to fill boxes of any shape and size.