An Improved Automatic Match Delivery Box.
Year: 1898

page_text: An Improved Automatic Match Delivery Box.
I, BENJAMIN COOK, of No. 2, Armoury Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to the class of match delivery boxes usually used on hotel
tables for convenience of smokers and my invention also relates to match delivery
boxes suitable for use in railway stations and other public places.
The principal object of my invention is to provide a storage for matches from
which one match can be quickly taken for use by a smoker or for other uses.
In carrying out my invention I form a match-box or receptacle of
any suitable
dimensions to receive the matches, and below such match-box I provide a space
within which the match delivery slide can be operated.
The match box is formed with two vertical sides situated parallel with each
other, the distance between the two vertical sides being such as to receive the
matches endways; the front and back faces of the match-box are in some cases
situated parallel with each other to a convenient depth, such parallel faces then
incline towards the centre, the inclines may be flat or they may be curved; these
inclined surfaces are provided to lead and deliver each match on to the centre of
the match-box bottom, ready to be lifted and delivered to the outside of box; a
match-box so constructed would form a suitable chamber into which to empty
a box full of matches which would when so put in be exposed to view, we do not
leave the matches exposed but provide hinged flaps as hereinafter described, the
hinged flaps consist of pieces of wood, metal, or other suitable material of such
transverse section that when hinged to the upper part of match box, (one near
the front face and one near the back face) such hinged flaps can be turned on their
hinges to close over and cover the matches in the match-box, but when so closed
over the flaps would not meet at the centre but would leave a space of suitable
width through which the delivery slide can operate and the transverse section
of the hinged flaps is also such that when they are radiated on their hinges they
can be either moved vertically to expose a large opening into the match-box or
they can be moved so that each flap will be situated at an angle so as to form an
open bottomed hopper into which matches can be placed such matches will slide
down the inclined faces of the hopper and fall into the desired position within
the match box.
I next provide the match delivery slide which consists of a piece of wood, metal,
or other suitable material in thickness about equal to the thickness of a match
more or less, the hopper end of such slide is grooved by preference to form a
hollow the centre of which tapers outwards to correspond with the inclined
bottom of the match-box, the two inclined sides forming a juncture or complete
angle at the centre of the V shaped groove of slide; the slide is mounted to move
within and through the match-box; a suitable spring or springs is or are con-

page_text: nected to the delivery slide in such a manner that the normal action of the spring
or springs with the delivery slide is to push the delivery slide outwards.
The ends of the match-box are extended downwards any suitable distance to
form supports which may be connected to any suitable circular or other shaped
pedestal or bottom support so that the delivery slide can be moved below the
match-box; the front and back parts of the pedestal below the match-box may be
open or closed and when closed can be formed into a suitable money-box, the
bottom end of delivery slide may be pierced with a hole to receive the operator's
finger or a suitable knob may be secured to the bottom end of the delivery slide
and carried to the outer surface of the pedestal.
In using my improved automatic match-deliver-box the hotel-keeper or other
person utilizing my invention would move the hinged flaps at mouth of match-
box into the hopper shaped position and then fill the hopper through which the
niatches would fall into the match-box of my improved structure, ready for use,
the hinged flaps would next be moved into the covered position where they could
be locked by means of any suitable secret fastenment; my improved. automatic
match deliver box so charged could be used continuously to deliver one match at
a time in the following manner: -
The action of the spring or springs against the delivery slide moves such slide
through the mass of matches contained in the match-box; the groove formed in
the delivery end of the slide will only receive one match but the match caught
in the slide-groove does not roll out of the groove but acts as a part of the deliver
slide "for the time being" forming a sort of dividing wedge to push against the
loose matches and form an opening in the loose matches to permit the delivery
slide to pass upwards by the action of the spring or springs, thus shooting the
deliver slide to top of my improved delivery box ready for the matches to be picked
off by the person who needs it.
By a continual repetition of the movement of the delivery slide by means of
the knob between the thumb and finger or by means of a finger passed through
the hole pierced in the bottom end of delivery slide, the whole of the matches
contained in the match-box can be delivered at the top outer end of match-box
ready for use and even when only one match remains in the match-box, such
match will roll down the tapered sides of the box into the groove provided to
receive it in the upper end of delivery slide.
For convenience of striking the matches I secure to any outer face of the match-
box or its pedestal a roughened surface formed from metal, emery or any other
suitable substance.
The mechanism herein before described can be duplicated, triplicated or multi-
plied so as to form a row or nest of my improved automatic match delivery boxes.
Dated this 17th day of May 1898.
ALFRED WILLIAM TURNER,
Cobden Buildings, 67, Corporation Street, Birmingham,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Automatic Match Delivery Box.
I, BENJAMIN Cook, of No. 2, Armourey Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to the class of delivery boxes usually used on hotel tables
An Improved Automatic Match Delivery Box.
I, BENJAMIN Cook, of No. 2, Armourey Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to the class of delivery boxes usually used on hotel tables

page_text: for convenience of smokers and my invention also relates to match delivery boxes
suitable for use in railway stations and other public places.
The principal object of my invention is to provide a storage for matches from
which one match can be quickly taken for use by a smoker or for other uses.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings
the manner in which my invention is constructed and used.
Figure 1 represents a sectional end elevation of match delivery box on the
line A B.
Figure 2 represents a sectional elevation of the lower part of match delivery
box shewing means provided for pulling down the delivery slide by means of an
inserted finger.
Figure 3 represents a side elevation of Figure 1 half in elevation and half in
section.
Figure 4 represents a plan of Figure 3 half in section on the line C D.
In carrying out my invention I form a match box or receptacle (a) of any suit-
able dimensions to receive the matches (b) and below such match box I provide a
space within the match delivery slide (c) can be operated.
The match box is formed with two vertical sides (d) parallel with each other,
the distance between the vertical sides (d) being such as to receive the matches
end ways; the front and back faces (e) of the match delivery box are by pre-
ference situated parallel with each other to a convenient depth, such parallel faces
then incline towards the centre.
The incline (f) may be flat as shewn or they may be curved these inclined
surfaces (f) are provided to lead and deliver each match to the centre of the hopper
shaped match box, ready to he lifted and delivered to the outside of box.
-
A match box so constructed would form a suitable chamber into which to empty
matches, from ordinary match boxes and the matches when so put in the hopper
would be exposed to view, we do not leave the matches exposed to view but pro-
vide hinged or pivoted flaps as hereinafter described, the hinged or pivoted flaps
consists of pieces of wood, metal, or other suitable material, of such trans-
verse section that when hinged to the upper part of match box, such
hinged or pivoted flaps can be turned on their hinges or pivots to
close over and cover the matches in the match box, but when so closed over
the flaps would not meet at the centre but would be situated in the position shown
at (g) Figure 1 leaving a space of suitable width through which the delivery
slide (c) can operate, the transverse section of the pivoted or hinged flaps is such
that when they are radiated on their pivots or hinges they can be moved verti-
cally to expose a large opening in the match box or they can be moved into posi-
tion shewn at (91) Figure 1 so that the lower arm (92) of each flap will be situated
at such an angle with the sides of the match box as to form an open bottomed
hopper into which matches can be placed and matches so placed will slide down
the inclined faces (93) of the hopper and fall into the desired position within the
match box ready for delivery.
I next provide the match delivery slide (c) which consists of a piece of wond,
metal, or other suitable material in thickness about.equal or exceeding the thick-
ness of a match, the upper end of such slide (c) is grooved by preference in a (V)
shape tapering outwards to correspond with the inclined delivery surfaces (f) of
match box bottom, the two inclined sides forming a juncture at the centre of the
(V) shaped groove of the delivery slide (c) the delivery side (c) is mounted to
move within and through the match box, a suitable spring (h) is connected to
the delivery slide in the manner shewn at Figure 3 or two of such springs may be
connected to the delivery slide opposite each other or one spring can be connected
in the centre in lieu of the two side springs, in either of such cases the normal
action of the spring or springs (h) is to push the delivery slide outwards.
The sides (d) of the match box are extended downwards any suitable distance
so likewise are the front and back faces (e) and such extended parts may be con-
nected to any suitable circular or other shaped pedestal or bottom support, so

page_text: that the delivery slide can be moved below the match box I have shewn one suit-
able bottom support consisting of a basement slab (j) made from wood to which is
secured a projecting metal plate (k) the weight of the metal plate (k) may be
sufficient to retain the completed match delivery box in a suitable position so
that the match delivery box can be moved about from place to place as desired
or screws may be provided and the match delivery box screwed permanently
through the screw holes (I) shewn at Figure 3; the front and back parts (e)
below the match box (a) may be extended to form a continuous closed box as
shewn at Figure 1 and on such cases the lower chamber (m) on either side of the
delivery slide (c) can be formed into a money box.
The bottom end of delivery slide may be pierced with a hole to receive the
operator's finger, the finger of the operator would pass through as shewn in dotted
lines in other cases the bottom end of the delivery slide is provided with a bar
as shewn at (n) Figure 2 and in such cases the operator's finger can be used on
either side in other cases the bar (n) is provided with knobs (o) such knobs (0)
being moved by the operator's finger from the outside of the box the slot (p)
shewn at Figure 3 is of suitable width to receive the shank end of knob (o) but
when my improved match delivery boxes are constructed without the knobs (o)
the slot (p) is of a suitable width for the operator's finger to move up and down
comfortably.
"
In using my improved automatic delivery box the hotel keeper or other person
utilizing my invention would move the hinged or pivoted flaps at the mouth of
match box until such flaps were in the position shewn in dotted lines at (9¹),
Figure 1, matches would then be passed through the hopper into the match box
of my improved structure ready for use, the covered position shewn at (g) Figure 1
where they would be locked or secured by means of any suitable fastenment or
used without being locked my improved automatic match delivery box so charged
would be used continuously to deliver one match at a time in the following
manner the action of the spring or springs (h) against the delivery slide (c) moves
such slide through the mass of matches contained in the match box, the groove
formed in the delivery end of the slide will only hold, one match but the match
caught in the slide groove does not roll out of the groove when pushed against
the mass of matches, but acts as a part of the delivery slide "for the time being
forming a sort of dividing wedge to push against the loose matches and thereby
make an opening in the loose matches to permit the delivery slide and its one
lifted match to pass upwards by the action of the spring or springs (h) thus shoot-
ing or delivering the slide to the top of my improved match delivery box present-
ing a match ready to be picked off by the person who needs it; by a continual
repetition of the movement of the delivery slide (c) by means of either of the
knobs (o) or by means of a finger passed through a hole in the bottom end of delivery
slide or by means of a finger passed on the bar (n) as shewn at Figure 2 the
whole of the matches, contained in the match delivery box can be delivered at
the top outer end thereof ready for use and even when only one match remains
in the match box such match will roll down the tapered sides (f) of the box into
the groove, provided to receive it in the upper end of delivery slide for convenience
of striking the matches I secure to any outer face of the match box or its pedestal
a roughened surface, formed from metal, emery or any other suitable substance.
I have shewn a metal plate at (g) Figure 3 one portion of which is roughened
as shewn at Figure 2.
In some cases I provide pockets (s) as shewn at Figures 3 and 4 and secure
such pockets to the improved match delivery box, the pockets I do not claim as
new in themselves but I utilize them to receive the matches after they have been
lighted and used.
The mechanism hereinbefore described can be duplicated triplicated, or other-
wise multiplied so as to form a row or nest of my improved automatic match i
delivery boxes.

page_text: 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:-
1st. A match delivery box consisting of a stationary receptacle into which
matches are placed, the bottom of such receptacle being formed with inclined
surfaces and pierced with a passage through which travels a spring actuated
delivery slide the matches being delivered out of the match box by the upward
action of the moving delivery slide which passes through the mass of matches
lying on the bottom of stationary match box receiving one of such matches on
the upper grooved end of the delivery slide and delivering such match to the
upper outside surface of the stationary match box, as illustrated and described in
relation to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.
2nd. In a stationary match delivery box the operation of the moving slide by
means of outer knobs or by means of a finger hole or bar at bottom end of slide
as illustrated and described in relation to Figures 1 and 2.
Dated this 27th day of June 1898.
ALFRED WM. TURNER.
Cobden Buildings, 67, Corporation Street, Birmingham.