Improvements in or relating to the Manufacture and Packing of Matches.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Apr., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 6th Jan., 1900-Accepted. 31st Mar.. 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Manufacture and Packing of
Matches.
I, LOUIS COBBAERT, of Ninove, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to the continuous manufacture of matches of that
kind in which the match sticks or splints are held from the beginning in frames
which follow each other without interruption, passing through all the necessary
operations, being taken out of the frames only at the end of the operation to be
directly distributed or packed in boxes.
The new continuous process is characterised by the special manner in which the
match sticks are secured in the frames or holders; the sticks being fixed at one
of their extremities in simple perforations in the holder in which they are firmly
wedged, which is done from below so that the splints being once fixed they remain
extending vertically downwards during all the remaining operations, with the
exception of the one which consists in packing them in boxes, during which
operation they are placed horizontally, and further, by all the arrangements
resulting from such manner of fixing the match sticks and the movements which
it involves.
In order to render more clear the description of the different phases in the
manufacture based on this continuous system, the invention will be described with
reference to one form of mechanism adaptable for the manufacture of Swedish
matches.
The frame in which the match sticks or splints are fixed at one of their
extremities by being tightly wedged in, is preferably a sheet iron plate (of
sufficient thickness to give the necessary rigidity required for the various manipu-
lations) provided with a number of conveniently arranged holes of a diameter such
as is calculated to hold the splints securely.
In order to fix the splints in this frame in the manner indicated, they are first
introduced into an auxiliary frame the thickness of which corresponds to the total
length of the matches, less the thickness of the sheet iron plate, which frame
contains as many perforations or tubes of a diameter such as will permit the
splints to pass through freely or without friction, but still exactly guiding them
in such a manner as to cause them to coincide exactly with the perforations of the
sheet iron plate when the latter is exactly fitted on to the auxiliary frame. In
order to better distinguish henceforth these two kinds of frames or holders the
first will be called the holder and the other the auxiliary frame. The edges of the
material around the perforations of the holder are preferably slightly cut away
or bevelled in order to facilitate registration, and the entry of the splints into
the said holes when the frames are fitted on to each other in such a manner that
the register pin of one frame engages with the corresponding holes of the other
frame by which means an exact registration of the perforations of the two frames
is secured.
The construction of the frames having been thus described the order of the

page_text: different operations and the operations themselves as carried out in this apparatus
will now be explained. The apparatus consists principally of a long frame-work
consisting of two lateral guides or supports carried on a sufficient number of
standards so arranged as to support the different devices required for the various
operations. At the lower sides, the guides are provided with flanges or shoulders
on which rest the auxiliary frames and at their upper part with narrow grooves
or tracks in which are guided the holders. On the outer sides of the guides are
arranged two movable bars which receive a reciprocating longitudinal movement
through a mechanism as will be hereinafter described, and are provided with
arms or catches which serve for propelling the frames intermittently and accord-
ing to requirements. The framework is further provided with a bottom or table
arranged at certain places between the guides:..
The first operation of the process consists in placing the match-sticks or splints
in the auxiliary frame between the guides under a shaking case or hopper
divided into cells for filling, of ordinary construction in order to introduce by this
means a splint into each of the passages in the auxiliary frame, which is done
by shaking. or vibrating the said case by means of cams or rotating teeth which
give the case or the whole device a shaking or vibratory motion in order to cause
the match-sticks contained in the cells of the case to drop into the holes in the
auxiliary frame. The sticks then occupy a position in which they protrude to an
extent about equal to the thickness of the holder beyond the lower side of the
auxiliary frame, which for this purpose rests on the corresponding flanges of the
guides while the ends of the splints themselves rest on the table 'beneath.
The shaking case is then turned back on its hinge or removed so as to expose the
auxiliary frame, on which is then exactly fitted the splint holder by means of the
register pins so that the perforations of the holder exactly coincide with these of
the auxiliary frame. Then the two frames so connected are pushed forward by
hand on the supporting flanges until the first pair of catches raised for the passes
of the auxiliary frame bear against the rear edge. At the same time the two
lateral edges of the holder enter the grooves of the longitudinal guides.
The frame is now pushed forward a distance equal to its own length under the
pressure of the catches moved by the bars which are actuated to describe a
reciprocating movement by a loop ratchet device provided at one end with a
connecting rod pivotted to the bar while at its other extremity it is provided
with a roller which travels in a track which is so constructed that the point of
connection of the rod shall always follows a straight line under the action of a
toothed pinion acting upon one or the other branches of the loop ratchet device.
This loop ratchet device is preferably employed for the actuation of most of the
mechanisms of this machine, which all require a long actuating crank.
The forward movement of the bars having thus been accomplished by means
of the ratchet device the latter will move them back with the catches which have
placed the frames exactly into the position for the mechanism to drive and wedge
ihe splints or match-sticks into the holder.
This mechanism consists chiefly of two strong slabs or plates one of which is
fixed while the other is capable of an ascending and descending movement. The
fixed plate is securely united to two standards of the frame in such a manner
as to be in close contact with the upper face of the holder while the lower plate
which forms an independent part of the table is guided laterally in the frame-
work between the longitudinal guides and is supported by, say, four symmetrical
cams or projections keyed on two horizontal shafts actuated by means of a double
gearing arrangement and pinions carried on two shafts of which one also carries
a driving pulley and the other the two pinions of the loop ratchet devices as
already described, and situated on both sides of the machine.
It will be easily understood that when the gearing turns the cams (the extent
of travel of which is about equal to the thickness of the holder) into their upper-
most position the lower plate will press with considerable force on to the lower
ends of the match-sticks and thus wedge their upper ends into the corresponding

page_text: holes of the holder where they remain firmly wedged while the plate re-descends
with the cams and returns to the level of the table, ready to receive another
frame.
It is necessary now to withdraw the auxiliary frame so that the holder may now
advance alone, holding the match-sticks ready for the different operations required
by the process. For this purpose a second pair of catches of the bars which rested
on the frames during the time that the wedging of the match-sticks was being
carried out, moves the same forward while a fresh frame is introduced by the
first pair of catches to the mechanism where the removal of the auxiliary frame
takes place. This mechanism consists of four claws or arms symmetrically
arranged on both sides of the apparatus and to which can be imparted an ascending
and descending movement and an opening or releasing movement. The claw arms
which are provided at their upper inner surfaces with rectangular grooves to
fit the sides of the auxiliary frame are secured on two shafts pivotted in bearings
on a cross bar which can be moved vertically in slides or guides of the framework.
To the ends of the shafts are secured two levers provided at their lower ends with
rollers which travel in a double slide guide of peculiar construction, being divided
by a partition or guide plate against the ends of which two springs press, which
springs are fixed to the sides of the guide on one side, while on the other side
is the loop ratchet mechanism of which the connecting rod is pivotted on a pin
in the middle of the cross bar, to which it thus transmits the required ascending
and descending movement, produced by a pinion on a shaft actuated by one of
the shafts before referred to, by means of a chain. The claw arms can be placed
in recesses made for that purpose in the guides, which guides themselves are
independent in this part of the apparatus and are suspended by means of hinges
on a rod between the standards of the machine. In the middle of each of the
series of movable guides which thus form a kind of long claw or clutch rises
an arm carrying a roller which is in contact with the cam on a shaft actuated by a
chain driven from one of the shafts so that according to the position of the
cams the claws open out or are closed like the other claws.
In the normal position the claws are on a line with the guides and their flanges
in which position the claws are maintained by means of spring and the other pawls
by their rollers which in that position are in the outside partition of the guide.
The auxiliary frame moved forward by the catches is about to place its lateral
edges between the claws while the holder remains as before between the uninter-
rupted grooves. At this moment the cams open the claws while the other
claws remain closed and descend with the auxiliary frame, leaving the holder
until the rollers of the levers arrive at the lower springs which force the rollers
to the inner side of the guide, thus causing the claws to recede from each other,
and releasing the auxiliary frame when it is received by an endless chain or
band, the pinion of which is actuated by a chain driven from a shaft, which chain
takes the frame back to a table to be used again, while the claws rise again, and
place themselves in position to receive the next auxiliary frame to be treated in
like manner.
The holder with its splints or match sticks absolutely free and disengaged is
now again advanced by a pair of catches on the bars so as to be slowly passed
over a steam heater or any other heating device, for the purpose of getting rid of
any traces of humidity that may be present in the match sticks, and of. heating
them to the temperature necessary for steeping them afterwards in paraffin, which
operation immediately follows the heating operation. The apparatus for this
operation consists of a paraffin reservoir surrounded by a heated jacket to keep
the paraffin bath at the required degree of fluidity or heat, above which is arranged
a shallow basin of exactly the depth to which the match sticks are required to be
steeped in paraffin by passing them to the bottom of the basin; a movement
produced by the reciprocating vertical movement of the basin is imparted by two
loop ratchet devices as already described. actuated by a chain passing over a
pinion, the rods of which toothed loop device are pivotted to a cross-bar, guided in

page_text: slides of the paraffin reservoir. For every holder passing above the reservoir for
the purpose of being steeped in paraffin the basin descends and is filled with
perfectly fluid paraffin, after which it is elevated by the same ratchet mechanism
which lowered it, until the match sticks secured in the holder touch the bottom
of the basin, retiring again after having impregnated the sticks to the required
height.
Then further pairs of catches advance the holder until it arrives above the
apparatus for providing the match sticks with their ignition heads. For this
purpose the holder is introduced into a system of claws or catches actuated in the
same manner and by a similar mechanism to that described for the purpose of
releasing the auxiliary frame. which is actuated by the chain already mentioned
and a pinion.
This mechanism is placed at the end of the main framework and the grooves
of the claws correspond with the grooves in which the holder slides, which end
before the claws between which the holder carrying the paraffin-soaked match
sticks is introduced in order to lower them on to the apparatus when the match
sticks are provided with ignition heads of uniform dimensions, for which a special
arrangement is employed.
This apparatus consists of an endless metal band passing over two rollers
between which is arranged a fixed table on which rests the upper portion of the
endless band. At the sides of this table are located slides producing a reciprocat-
ing movement by means of the corresponding loop ratchet device and provided
with catches adapted to press against projections on the band, thus intermittently
advancing it. A vessel containing the paste and provided with an adjustable
out-flow ledge and suitably arranged at one extremity of the endless band, deposits
on the said band a coating of the ignition paste of equal thickness throughout, in
proportion as the band moves forward, thus carrying it under the holder which is
then caused to descend by means of the catch devices, which brings the ends of
the match sticks into the paste on the band. Finally, the band advances carrying
with it the holder which is then withdrawn, to be placed into another apparatus
for the purpose of packing the matches into boxes, after having been previously
dried.
A knife or scraper fixed to a lever with counter-weights presses against
the endless band and takes off any paste that may still remain on the band, while
the last traces are removed by the two circular brushes, the particles of paste
being received in vessels provided for that purpose.
The holder containing the finished matches is then introduced into the
apparatus for the purpose of releasing the matches which apparatus also serves,
at the same time, for the purpose of packing the matches into boxes. The
apparatus consists of a vertical frame provided at the sides with vertical grooves
into which fit the edges of the holder in such manner that the matches are brought
into a horizontal position, and in order to prevent the holder from moving down
by its own weight it is held in the grooves by springs attached to the framework
so as to permit the holder to be lowered to a certain extent, under the action
of a spring pawl actuated by an eccentric on a shaft and intermittently moving
the holder by engaging in the teeth on the edges of the holder. At each move-
ment the holder is lowered a distance equal to, say, that of two rows of matches.
a distance which is equal to that between the perforations in the edges of the
holder, which serve as a gauge for the device for driving out the matches.
This device consists of a plate reciprocating horizontally in the frame-work,
which movement is produced by an eccentric on the shaft, and in or to which
plate are firmly secured several rows of pins corresponding to as many rows of
matches, and projecting from the plate to only a small extent, having great
stiffness, and sufficiently to push the matches out of their holes in the holder,
while the outermost pins are stronger than the others, and also a little longer in
order to enter in advance into the two corresponding orifices, and thus exactly
register the ejecting pins, before the matches, which fall. on being pushed out

page_text: from the holder, directly into boxes arranged for that purpose in front of the
frame, by a device actuated in the following manner :-
Each series of boxes is placed on a shelf or frame of certain dimensions and
these frames are placed one upon the other to any required height and number
in a vertical chamber communicating at the bottom with a slide way, the slide of
which can be moved backward and forward by a toothed pinion acting on a rack
on the slide. In the forward position of the slide, the lower frame rests upon it,
and when the slide is drawn back the frame with its boxes drops to the bottom
of the slideway, and the slide, coming forward again, then pushes it on the
balance shelf placed in front of the holder for the purpose of receiving the boxes
as they are ejected, the frame being then withdrawn at the side by slightly
lowering the balance shelf, and replaced on the top of the column after having
been provided with empty boxes or shells, while the attendant places the filled
shells in their cases.
Dated this 6th day of April 1800
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Manufacture and Packing of
Matches.
I, LOUIS COBBAERT, of Ninove, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
The present invention relates to the continuous manufacture of matches of that
kind in which the match sticks or splints are held from the beginning in frames
which follow each other without interruption, passing through all the necessary
operations, being taken out of the frames only at the end of the operation to be
directly distributed or packed in boxes.
The new continuous process is characterised by the special manner in which the
match sticks are secured in the frames or holders; the sticks being fixed at one
of their extremities in simple perforations in the holder, in which they are firmly
wedged, which is done from below so that the splints being once fixed they remain
extending vertically downwards during all the remaining operations, with the
exception of the one which consists in packing them in boxes, during which
operation they are placed horizontally, and further. by all the arrangements
resulting from such manner of fixing the match sticks and the movements which
it involves.
In order to render more clear the description of the different phases in the
manufacture based on this continuous system, the invention will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent one form of mechanism
adaptable for the manufacture of Swedish matches.
In these drawings
Figure 1 is a plan view of the frame or holder placed on the introducing frame.
Figure 2 is a cross section of the two frames, shown at a distance from each
other.
Figure 3 is a similar view of a part of said frames on an enlarged scale.
Figure 4 is a side elevation, with parts in section, of the whole of the machine,
comprising the various devices and mechanisms employed in the different opera-
tions.

page_text: Figure 5 is a cross section on the line 1-1 of Figure 4, and shows the
mechanism for securing the match splints in the holding frame.
Figure 6 is a cross section on the line 2-2 (Figure 4), and shows the
mechanism by which the introducing frame is liberated.
Figure 7 is a cross section on the line 3-3 (Figure 4) and relates to the
apparatus for applying paraffin or the like to the splints.
Figure 8 is a cross section on the line 4-4 (Figure 4) and refers to the
apparatus in which the ends of the splints are covered with the ignition paste
or material.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of the device used for collecting the matches
from the holders, and packing them in boxes.
Figure 10 is a plan view of same and
Figure 10 a detail.
Figure 11 is a front view of the ratchet device provided with inner teeth,
with the track in plan.
Figure 12 is a side view of same with the track in section.
The frame in which the match sticks or splints are fixed at one of their
extremities by being tightly wedged in, is preferably a sheet iron plate (of
sufficient thickness to give the necessary rigidity required for the various manipu-
lations) provided with a number of conveniently arranged holes of a diameter such
as is calculated to hold the splints securely (Figure 1).
In order to fix the splints in this frame in the manner indicated, they are first
introduced into an auxiliary frame the thickness of which corresponds to the total
length of the matches, less the thickness of the sheet iron plate, which frame
contains as many perforations or tubes of a diameter such as will permit the
splints to pass through freely or without friction, but still exactly guiding them
in such a manner as to cause them to coincide exactly with the perforations of the
sheet iron plate when the latter is exactly fitted on to the auxiliary frame. In
order to better distinguish henceforth these two kinds of frames or holders, the
first will be called the holder C, and the other the auxiliary frame I both of which
are shown on an enlarged scale in cross section and at a distance from each other
in Figure 3, in which it will be observed that the edges of the material around
the perforations of the holder are slightly cut away or bevelled in order to facilitate
registration and the entry of the splints into the said holes when the frames are
fitted on to each other in such a manner that the register pins r of one frame
engage with the corresponding holes t, of the other frame by which means an exact
registration of the perforations of the two frames is secured.
The construction of the frames having been thus decided the order of the
different operations and the operations themselves as carried out in this apparatus
will now be explained. The apparatus consists principally of a long frame-
work consisting of two lateral guides or supports G carried on a sufficient number
of standards M so arranged as to support the different devices required for the
various operations. At the lower sides, the guides G are provided with flanges
or shoulders e on which rest the auxiliary frames I, and at their upper part with
narrow grooves or tracks k in which are guided the holders C. On the outer
sides of the guides G are arranged two movable bars L which receive a recipro-
cating longitudinal movement through a mechanism as will be hereafter described
and are provided with arms or catches Q which serve for propelling the frames
intermittently and according to requirements. The frame work is further pro-
vided with a bottom or table T arranged at certain places between the guides G.
The first operation of the process consists in placing the match-sticks or
splints in the auxiliary frame I between the guides G under a shaking case or
hopper B. divided into cells for filling, of ordinary construction in order to
introduce by this means a splint into each of the passages in the auxiliary frame,
which is done by shaking or vibrating the said case by means of cams or rotating
teeth which give the case or the whole device a shaking or vibratory motion in
order to cause the match-sticks contained in the cells of the case B to drop into

page_text: the holes in the auxiliary frame. The sticks then occupy a position as shown in
Figure 4, in which they protrude, to an extent about equal to the thickness of
the holder, beyond the lower side of the auxiliary frame, which for this purpose
rests on the corresponding flanges e of the guides while the ends of the splints
themselves rest on the table T beneath.
The shaking case B is then turned back on its hinge 6 or removed so as to
expose the auxiliary frame, on which is then exactly fitted the splint holder by
means of the register pins r so that the perforations of the holder exactly coincide
with these of the auxiliary frame I. Then the two frames so connected are
pushed forward by hand on the supporting flanges e until the first pair of
catches Q, raised for the passage of the auxiliary frame I bear against the rear
edge. At the same time the two lateral edges of the holder C enter the grooves
of the longitudinal guides G.
The frame is now pushed forward a distance equal to its own length under
the pressure of the catches Q moved by the bars L, which are actuated to
describe a reciprocating movement by a loop ratchet device B', provided at one
end with a connecting rod B2 pivotted to the bar L, while at its other extremity
it is provided with a roller g (Figures 11 and 12) which travels in a track which
is so constructed that the point of connection of the rod B2 shall always follow a
straight line under the action of a toothed pinion P¹ acting upon one or the
other branches of the loop ratchet device. This loop ratchet device is preferably
employed for the actuation of most of the mechanisms of this machine, which all
require a long actuating crank; and an example of such a construction together
with the track is represented for the sake of greater clearness in Figures 11
and 12. and will show the method of working without further explanation being
required.
The forward movement of the bars L having thus been accomplished by means
of the ratchet device B₁ the latter will move them back with the catches Q,
which have placed the frames C and 1 exactly into the position for the mechanism
to drive and wedge the splints or match-sticks into the holder C.
This mechanism consists chiefly of two strong slabs or plates one of which is
fixed while the other is capable of an ascending and descending movement. The
fixed plate D is securely united to two standards M of the frame in such a
manner as to be in close contact with the upper face of the holder C, while the
lower plate D which forms an independent part of the table T is guided laterally
in the framework between the longitudinal guides G and is supported by say
four symmetrical cams or projections & keyed on two horizontal shafts A actuated
by means of a double gearing arrangement E and pinions P carried on two
shafts A', of which one also carries a driving pulley and the other the two
pinions P of the loop ratchet devices as already described, and situated on both
sides of the machine, (Figures 4 and 5).
d
It will be easily understood that when the gearing E turns the cams d (the
extent of travel of which is about equal to the thickness of the holder) into
their uppermost portion so as to occupy the position shown, the lower plate D
will press with considerable force on to the lower ends of the match-sticks and
thus wedge their upper ends into the corresponding holes of the holder C, where
they remain firmly wedged while the plate re-descends with the cams and returns
to the level of the table, ready to receive another frame.
It is necessarily now to withdraw the auxiliary frame I so that the holder may
now advance alone, holding the match-sticks ready for the different operations
required by the process. For this purpose a second pair of catches Q¹ of the
bars L, which rested on the frames during the time that the wedging of the
match-sticks was being carried out, moves the same forward while a fresh frame
is introduced by the first pair of catches Q to the mechanism where the removal
of the auxiliary frame takes place. This mechanism (Figures 4 and 6) consists
of four claws or arms G¹ symmetrically arranged on both sides of the apparatus,
and to which can be imparted an ascending and descending movement and an

page_text: opening or releasing movement. The claw arms which are provided at their
upper inner surfaces with rectangular grooves to fit the sides of the auxiliary
frame are secured on two shafts A2 A2 pivotted in bearings h on a cross bar T
which can be moved vertically in slides or guides of the frame-work.
To the ends of the shafts A are secured two levers provided at their lower
ends with rollers g¹ which travel in a double slide guide K of peculiar construc-
tion, being divided by a partition or guide plate against the ends of which two
springs press, which springs are fixed to the sides of the guide K, as shown
on one side only of Figure 6, while on the other side of that figure is repre-
sented the loop ratchet mechanism B', of which the connecting rod B2 is pivotted
on a pin in the middle of the cross bar T to which it thus transmits the required
ascending and descending movement, produced by a pinion P2 on a shaft A
actuated by one of the shafts A before referred to, by means of a chain H
(Figure 4). The claw arms G¹ can be placed in recesses made for that purpose
in the guides G, which guides themselves are independent in this part of the
apparatus and are suspended by means of hinges on a rod T2 between the
standards M of the machine. In the middle of each of the series of movable
guides which thus form a kind of long claw or clutch which will be designated
by G³ rises an arm carrying a roller g² which is in contact with the cam d
on a shaft A³ actuated by a chain H¹ driven from the shaft A¹ so that according
to the position of the cams the claws G2 open out or are closed like the
other claws G¹.
In the normal position the claws are on a line with the guides G and their
flanges e in which position the claws G2 are maintained by means of spring and
the claws G¹ by their rollers g₁ which in that position are in the outside partition
of the guide ¹.
The auxiliary frame I moved forward by the catches Q is about to place its
lateral edges between the claws while the holder C remains as before between
the uninterrupted grooves k. At this moment the cams d¹ open the claws G2
while the other claws G remain closed and descend witli the auxiliary frame I,
leaving the holder until the rollers g of the levers arrive at the lower
springs which force the rollers g¹ to the inner side of the guide k¹, thus
causing as shown by the dotted lines, the claws G¹ to recede from each other,
and releasing the auxiliary frame I when it is received by an endless chain or
band H2 the pinion of which is actuated by a chain H³ driven from a shaft A4,
which chain takes the frame I back to a table T to be used again, while the
claws rise again and place themselves in position to receive the next auxiliary
frame to be treated in like manner.
The holder C with its splints or match sticks absolutely free and disengaged
is now again advanced by a pair of catches Q2 (shown in dotted lines in Figure 4)
on the bars L so as to be slowly passed over a steam heater V, or any other heating
device, for the purpose of getting rid of any traces of humidity that may be
present in the match sticks, and of heating them to the temperature necessary
for steeping them afterwards in paraffin, which operation immediately follows the
heating operations. The apparatus for this operation consists of a paraffin
reservoir R surrounded by a heated jacket to keep the paraffin bath at the required
degree of fluidity or heat, above which is arranged a shallow basin U of exactly
the depth to which the match sticks are required to be steeped in paraffin by pass-
ing them to the bottom of the basin; a movement produced by the reciprocating
vertical movement of the basin U imparted by two loop ratchet devices B', as
already described, actuated by a chain H4 passing over a pinion P3, the rods Bª
of which toothed loop device are pivotted to a cross bar N, guided in slides of
the paraffin reservoir R Figures 4 and 7. For every holder passing above the
reservoir for the purpose of being steeped in paraffin, the basin U descends and
is filled with perfectly fluid paraffin, after which it is elevated by the same
ratchet mechanism which lowered it, until the match sticks secured in the

page_text: holder touch the bottom of the basin, retiring again after having impregnated
the sticks to the required height.
Then further pairs of catches Q3 Q etc. advance the holder C until it arrives
above the apparatus for providing the match sticks with their ignition heads.
For this purpose the holder C is introduced into a system of claws or catches G³
G actuated in the same manner and by similar mechanism to that described for
the purpose of releasing the auxiliary frame, which is actuated by the chain H*
already mentioned and a pinion P4 (Figures 4 and 8) in which the same reference
letters denote the same parts of the devices with the exception of the claws and
of the chain H5 actuating the cams d..
This mechanism is placed at the end of the main framework and the grooves
of the claws correspond with the grooves k in which the holder slides, which
end before the claws between which the holder C carrying the paraffin-soaked
match sticks is introduced in order to lower them on to the apparatus where the
match sticks are provided with ignition heads of uniform dimensions, for which
a special arrangement is employed.
This apparatus consists of an endless metal band X passing over two
rollers Of O between which is arranged a fixed table F on which rests the upper
portion of the endless band. At the sides of this table are located slides L L'
producing a reciprocating movement by means of the corresponding loop ratchet
device B, and provided with catches ss adapted to press against projections on
the band, thus intermittently advancing it. A vessel X¹ containing the paste
and provided with an adjustable out-flow ledge R¹ and suitably arranged at one
extremity of the endless band, deposits on the said band a coating of the ignition
paste of equal thickness throughout in proportion as the band moves forward,
thus carrying it under the holder which is then caused to descend by means
of the catch devices, which brings the ends of the match sticks into the paste
on the band. Finally the band advances carrying with 1 the holder which is
then withdrawn, to be placed into another apparatus for the purpose of packing
the matches into boxes, after having been previously dried.
A knife or scraper R2 fixed to a lever with counterweights L2 presses against
the endless band and takes off any paste that may still remain on the band,
while the last traces are removed by the two circular brushes S S, the particles of
paste being received in vessels S S provided for that purpose.
The holder containing the finished matches is then introduced into the
apparatus for the purpose of releasing the matches, which apparatus also serves
at the same time, for the purpose of packing the matches into boxes (Figures, 9,
10 10). The apparatus consists of a vertical frame Y provided at the sides with
vertical grooves y into which fit the edges of the holder C, in such manner that
the matches are brought into a horizontal position, and in order to prevent the
holder from moving down by its own weight it is held in the grooves by springs n
attached to the frame-work so as to permit the holder to be lowered to a certain
extent, under the action of a spring pawl actuated by an eccentric E on a
shaft A5 and intermittently moving the holder by engaging in the teeth on the
edges of the holder C. At each movement the holder is lowered a distance equal
to, say, that of two rows of matches, a distance which is equal to that between the
perforations t in the edges of the holder, which serve as a gauge for the device Z
for driving out the matches.
This device consists of a plate reciprocating horizontally in the frame-work
which movement is produced by an eccentric E3 on the shaft A5, and in or to
which plate are firmly secured several rows of pins ¹ corresponding to as many
rows of matches, and projecting from the plate to only a small extent, having
great stiffness, and sufficiently to push the matches out of their holes in the
holder, while the outermost pins 2 are stronger than the others, and also a little
longer in order to enter, in advance into the two corresponding orifices t, and
thus exactly register the ejecting pins, before the matches, which fall, on being

page_text: pushed out from the holder, directly into boxes arranged for that purpose in
front of the frame, by a device actuated in the following manner.
Each series of boxes is placed on a shelf or frame of certain dimensions W
and these frames are placed one upon the other to any required height and
number in a vertical chamber W₁ communicating at the bottom with a slide way,
the slide W of which can be moved backward and forward by a toothed
pinion W3 acting on a rack on the slide. In the forward position of the
slide; the lower frame rests upon it and when the slide is drawn back the frame
with its boxes drops to the bottom of the slide way and the slide, coming forward
again, then pushes it on the balance shelf W placed in front of the holder for
the purpose of receiving the boxes as they are ejected, the frame being then
withdrawn at the side by slightly lowering the balance shelf, and replaced on
the top of the column after having been provided with empty boxes or shells,
while the attendant places the filled shells in their cases.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:―
1. The manufacture of matches consisting in inserting the ends of a number of
match sticks into holes of a carrier plate, passing said carrier plate with its
inserted match sticks over a drying device, thence over a vessel containing
melted paraffin or the like and inserting the ends of the sticks therein, then
moving the carrier plate further on and applying the ignition material to the
heads and finally discharging the matches from the carrier plate, substantially
as described.
2. Apparatus for use in the manufacture and packing of matches comprising
a perforated holder for carrying a number of match sticks, means for securing said
sticks in the holder, means for successively drying said sticks, applying paraffin
or the like thereto, providing said sticks with heads of ignition material and
discharging the matches so formed, into boxes or a receiver, and means for giving
an intermittent motion to said holder, substantially as described.
3. In a match making machine of the kind described apparatus for fixing the
ends of the match sticks in the perforated holder, comprising an auxiliary frame,
such as I, provided with passages for the match sticks, and means for causing
the perforations in the holder to coincide with those of the auxiliary frames, and
a movable plate, such as D¹, adapted to be applied against the lower ends of the
match sticks for the purpose of pressing their upper ends into the holder, the
latter being pressed against a fixed upper plate, such as D, substantially as
described.
4. In a match making machine of the kind described means for removing the
auxiliary frame, comprising an arrangement of catches, such as G1 G2, forming
a continuation of the guides G, one of which catches is pivotted for the purpose
of holding or liberating the holder while the other has besides its pivotting
movement a vertically reciprocating movement for placing the auxiliary frame
on a conveyor chain or the like, substantially as described.
5. In a match making machine of the kind described, in combination with
the match stick holder, a device for soaking the sticks in paraffin or the like,
comprising a vessel, such as U. and means for giving it a vertical reciprocating
movement, whereby it may be filled with hot paraffin from a reservoir, such as R,
and then raised to immerse the lower ends of the match sticks in the fluid
material, substantially as described.
6. In a match making machine of the kind described, the combination with a
match stick holder of mechanism for the purpose of covering the ends of the
natch sticks with ignition paste comprising an endless band having an inter-
mittent movement below a paste reservoir provided with means for regulating
the outflow, said reservoir spreading a coating of paste of uniform thickness on
said endless band, and catches, such as G3 G4, actuated to lower the holder so

page_text: as to provide the match sticks with uniform heads of ignition material sub-
stantially as described.
7. In match making and packing apparatus of the kind described, means for
expelling the matches from the holder and delivering them into receptacles com-
prising a frame, such as Y, for the intermittent lowering of the match holder,
arranged vertically in front of a match expeller, such as Z, provided with
horizontal pins for pushing the matches out of the holder and into receptacles
arranged below on a carrier, such as W, on a balanced carrier, a series of said
receptacles being preferably arranged in a pile and fed one by one as required
to the balanced carrier by a pusher such as W2, substantially as described.
8. The complete apparatus for making and packing matches substantially as
described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 6th day of January 1900.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.