IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF MATCH SPLINTS AND IN MACHINERY USED THEREIN.
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edmund Pace, of Phoenix Works, Bow Common, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF MATCH SPLINTS AND IN MACHINERY USED THEREIN.'
Scaled the 8th June 1877, and dated the 20th March 1877.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edmund Pace at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th March 1877.
CE
EDMUND PACE, of Phoenix Works, Bow Common, in the County of Middlesex.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCH SPLINTS AND IN MACHINERY
USED THEREIN.
"
My Invention relates, firstly, to improvements in the manufacture of match
splints, whereby the subsequent manufacture of such splints into matches is greatly
facilitated and cheapened. For this purpose I employ either square or round wood
splints made in the usual way, but, according to my Invention, I point the ends of
such splints, by which means I am enabled to effect the dipping thereof in the
bundle, and thereby dispense with the use of clamps for holding such splints when
dipping them in the composition.
Matches made of splints formed according to my Invention require less paraffin
and less composition than matches made in the usual way, whilst they are equally
sure in lighting.
'
In manufacturing my improved splints I first sort them, so as to get rid of all
short or otherwise imperfect splints. For this purpose I place them in a recipro-
cating box, having its bottom formed of a fixed plate provided with grooves or
channels to receive the splints. A series of wires or rods act in combination with
such grooves or channels to push the splints out therefrom in a similar manner to
the clamp-filling machine in ordinary use; these channels or grooves extend a short
distance beyond the front of the reciprocating box, and at their ends the bottoms of
such grooves are removed, and their place supplied by short pins or studs occupying
only a portion of the width thereof.

page_text: In connection with these open-ended channels or grooves I employ a sliding sup-
port, formed in a similar manner, with pins or studs to occupy a portion of the
bottom of its grooves or channels; and this slide, in addition to a reciprocating
motion in a horizontal direction, has also a rising motion imparted thereto at the
commencement of its reciprocating motion, and a falling motion at its end; thus as
the splints are pushed by the wires or pushers out of the grooves or channels at the
bottom of the reciprocating box, the slide rises so as to receive their ends on the
saine level, and thereby prevent the tilting up of the splints; and then at the end
of the motion of the slide the latter falls at the same moment that the ends of the
splints in the channels or grooves fall therefrom on to the short studs or pins. A
reciprocating brush is now employed to act on the splints to move the same in their
supports. By these means any short splints or splints with faulty ends will fall
down, whilst the good splints will remain supported by the short studs or pins;
then in the return motion of the slide the splints will run up inclines on the slide in
readiness at the next motion of the latter to be taken by delivery rollers, which
will deliver them on to a travelling web or into a suitable box or receptacle.
The splints thus sorted are fed into a reciprocating box or receptacle, the bottom
of which is formed by a fixed grooved plate, and the splints are by means of wires
or pushers pushed from beneath such box or receptacle along continuations of such
grooves or channels until they arrive in suitable position to have their ends pointed.
In this position they are gripped between reciprocating rollers or grippers covered
with india-rubber or other flexible material. A space or spaces in the grooves or
channels is or are left for the action of these reciprocating grippers, and the grooves
or channels have their vertical sides removed at the points occupied by the ends of
the splints, at which points the splints, whilst being rotated in the grooves or channels
by the grippers, are acted upon by reciprocating files or by means of rollers provided.
with a suitable cutting surface. A reciprocating blade is employed to cut the double
splints nearly into two. After being thus pointed the splints are pushed out of the
machine by other splints fed to such channels or grooves from the reciprocating box
or receptacle.
The reciprocating grippers, blade, and files or cutting rollers are moved into and
out of position for action as required, by which means the splints are enabled to bo
freely pushed into position to be pointed, and then the pointing means above men-
tioned aro brought into action.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edmund Pace in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th September
1877.
EDMUND PACE, of Phoenix Works, Bow Common, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCH SPLINTS AND IN MACHINERY
USED THEREIN."
My Invention relates, firstly, to improvements in the manufacture of match
splints, whereby the subsequent manufacture of such splints into matches is greatly
facilitated and cheapened. For this purpose I employ either square or round splints
previously made in the usual or any known way, but, according to my Invention, I
point the ends of such splints in the manner substantially as herein-after shown and
described, by which means I am enabled to effect the dipping thereof in the bundle,
and thereby dispense with the use of clamps for holding such splints when dipping
them in the composition.
At Figure 1 I have represented a side view of a splint of the ordinary form,
which may be either square or round, in cross section; and at Figure 2 I have

page_text: represented a side view of such splint after it has beon pointed according to my
Invention.
I would here remark that since filing my Provisional Specification I have dis-
covered that match splints have heretofore been pointed at their ends, but so far as
I am aware such pointing has been effected previous to the splints being separated
from each other, which mode of manufacture has necessitated the use of a special
class of machinery for first producing the pointed ends of the splints on the block of
wood, and then separating such block into splints.
Matches made of splints pointed according to my Invention require less paraffin
and less composition than matches made in the usual way, whilst they are equally
sure in lighting, and on account of the pointed ends being somewhat rough, retain
the composition more socurely thereon.
In manufacturing my improved splints I first sort them, so as to get rid of all
short or otherwise imperfect splints. For this purpose I employ machinery such as
that represented in end view at Figure 3; in vertical section at Figure 4; in
plan at Figure 5; in side view at Figure 6; and in detail views at Figures 7, 8,
9, 10, 11, and 12. I place the splints in a reciprocating box a, provided with pro-
jections a', which work on guide bars b. The box is prevented rising from such
guide bars b by guides a fixed to standards c carried by the fixed bed or table d of
the machine, and it is kept in position sideways by means of guides a² fixed to the
box a, and working against the sides of the guide bars b. The box a is provided
with divisions as in order the better to maintain a proper distribution of the splints
therein. The bottom of the box a is formed by a fixed plate e provided with
grooves or channels el to receive the splints. A series of wires or rods f mounted on
a rod fact in combination with such grooves or channels e¹ to push the splints out
therefrom in a similar manner to the clamp-filling machine in ordinary use. Tho
box a has fixed thereon an arm a³, on the end of which is mounted a truck or
roller a, which works in the groove of a cam g. The cam g is provided with necks
or axes working in bearings g' fixed to a bracket g³, and such cam receives rotary
motion by means of a belt, cord, or band passing partly around a grooved pulley g³
formed on or fixed to one end of the cam g, and partly around a grooved wheel or
pulley fixed on the main or driving axis h. By these means an endway recipro-
cating motion is given to the box a in order to agitate the splints therein, and
thereby ensure the grooves e¹ being properly filled with splints. The rod f', carrying
the pushing wires or rods f, is carried by brackets fixed to a reciprocating bed or
table i, which has a reciprocating motion imparted thereto by means of a lever j
mounted on an axis of motion at j¹, and provided with a truck or pulley ², which
works in the groove of a cam ² fixed on the driving axis h. By these means the
wires or rods are actuated to push out the splints from the grooves e', and then to
retire from underneath the box a to permit of such grooves being refilled. The
channels or grooves e¹ extend a short distance beyond the front of the box a, and
at their ends the bottoms of such grooves or channels e¹ are removed, and their
place supplied by short pins or studs e occupying only a portion of the width
thereof.
In connection with these open-ended channels or grooves e¹ I employ a sliding
support which may be formed in a similar manner with pins or studs to occupy a
portion of the bottom of its grooves or channels; or as I prefer, and as shown in the
Drawings, I form such sliding support, as shown more clearly at Figures 10, 11, and
12, of a series of straight wires or pins k and a series of wires or pins k' bent at their
points, so that their bent pointed ends shall partially cross the spaces between the wires
or pins k. These wires or pins k, k', are fixed in a bar k fixed to the slides ***, which
are capable of sliding to and fro in grooves d formed in the table or bed d, and
they are moved in the one direction by weights 4, connected thereto as shown, and
in the other direction by pushers fixed to the travelling bed, which pushers act
upon projecting plates fixed to the slides. By these means the reciprocating
supports k, k², and the travelling bed i and pushers f travel together in the one

page_text: direction until the travelling supports k, k', arrive at the box a, when the travelling
bed and pushers f continue their motion a short distance, and the motion of the
travelling supports k, k¹, is stopped for a time; then on the return journey of the
pushers the latter travel for a short distance alone, and then the latter and the
travelling supports k, k', move together for the remainder of the distance.
The sliding supports k, l, may have, as described in my Provisional Specification,
in addition to a reciprocating motion in a horizontal direction, a rising motion im-
parted thereto at the cominencement of its reciprocating motion, and a falling motion
at its end. by causing the slides 4³ each to travel in double parallel grooves or ways
provided with a switch spring at each end, or by other suitable means, as will be
readily understood. In this case as the splints are pushed by the wires or pushers f
out of the grooves or channels e¹, the sliding supports k, k², rise so as to receive their
ends on the same level, and thereby prevent the tilting up of the splints, and then
at the other end of the motion of the sliding supports k, k³, the latter fall at the same
moment that the ends of the splints in the channels or grooves e fall therefrom on
to the short studs or pins e². In the Drawings I have not however represented the
sliding supports k, k, as having a rising and falling motion imparted thereto, as
above described, as I find I can dispense with such arrangement. As the splints are
pushed out from the channels or grooves e¹, and fall on to the short studs or pins e²,
a reciprocating brush is caused to descend on to the splints, and thereby assist to
cause the faulty ones to fall therefrom. This brush is fixed to a lever l³, which is
mounted on a fixed axis, and the tail of the lever is acted upon by a block or
projection, fixed on the travelling bed i, so that as the travelling block or pro-
jection approaches the box a, it acts upon the tail piece, and raises the brush 1,
to permit the required motion of the sliding supports, l'; the drawing-off rollers 1³
are then caused to approach nearer to the sliding supports h, k, to ensure the proper
drawing off of the selected splints. These drawing-off rollers i³ are covered with india-
rubber or other elastic covering, and are mounted in bearings i, and rotated by a
strap or band acting upon a grooved pulley, fixed on the axis of one of such rollers,
motion being communicated from one to the other by toothed wheels 10 fixed on the
axes of such rollers. By these means any short splints, or splints with faulty ends,
will fall down, whilst the good splints will remain supported by the short studs
or pins 2, and the sliding supports k, k¹; then in the return motion of the travelling
bed, the splints will be taken by the delivery rollers, which may deliver them
on to a travelling web or into a suitable box or receptacle.
I would here remark that match splinis sorted in the manner above described
may afterwards be pointed at their ends in the manner herein-after described,
or they may be used for the manufacture of the ordinary description of matches.
The splints sorted in the manner above described, are fed into a reciprocating
box or receptacle m, forming part of the pointing machine, which is represented in
plan, but with the pointing rollers removed in Figure 13, in front view at Figure 14,
and in end view at Figure 15.
Figure 16 is a vertical section half full size of parts on the line A, B, of
Figure 14.
Figure 17 is a horizontal section of parts full size on the line C, D, of
Figure 14.
Figure 18 is a horizontal section of parts full size on the line E, F, of Figure 16,
and Figure 17 is a side view full size of one of the cams 5, for acting upon the
pointing rollers when required to raise them away from their working position.
The bottom of the box m is formed by a fixed grooved plate m³, into each of
which a splint is caused to enter by the reciprocating action of the box or receptacle
m, which action is obtained in the following manner. The bottom of the box or
receptacle m is provided with V pieces m³, which are capable of sliding in suitable
guides; to these V pieces is fixed a cross bar m³, provided at its centre with a truck
or roller m which works within the groove of a cam m³, mounted on the shaft or
axis m³, and motion is given to such shaft or axis m³ by a strap or band m³, which

page_text: passes partly around a groove forined on the boss of the cam m³, and partly around
a wheel or pulley n¹ fixed on the driving shaft or axis n, which receives rotary
motion by means of a strap or band from a steam engine or other motive power
acting upon the driving pulley n².
The splints are, in the arrangement of machine shown, placed in the box or receptacle
m in a vertical position, and are pressed towards the bottom of such box by rods or
wires m³, placed at the back of such splints, which rods or bars m³ work in slots m
formed in the sides of the box m, and are acted upon by springs m10. The splints are by
means of wires or pushers o' carried by a reciprocating bar o, pushed from beneath the
box or receptacle m along continuations of the grooves or channels in the plate m', and
in their course from beneath such box or receptacle m are first acted upon by spring
pistons m to retain them in the grooves or channels, and then before they have
left such spring pistons m", pressure is applied to them for a similar purpose by a
series of springs p carried by a fixed bar p'. The spring pistons mil also act to
prevent more than one splint passing from each groove at each action of the
wires or pushers o'. Those wires or pushers o¹ work in slots or channels formed
through the bottoms of the grooves or channels in the plate m', and the bar o is
acted upon in the following manner. The bar o is fixed to the lower ends of rods o²,
which at their other ends are fixed to a cross bar o³, the ends of which work within
grooves or channels of formed in plates 05. This cross bar o³ is by links or connecting
rods of connected to levers 07, which are fixed on a shaft or axis 08, on which is
also fixed a toothed wheel oº. This toothed wheel oº is taken into by and receives
motion from a toothed segment formed on a lever o10, fixed on one end of an axis o",
on the other end of which is fixed a lever o¹, which is provided at its end with a
truck or roller os, which rests upon the periphery of a cam o", and receives notion
therefrom. This cam o" is fixed to the arms of a wheel o¹5, fixed on one end of tho
driving shaft q, and receiving rotary motion by means of a strap or band from a steam
engine or other motive power. A weight o connected to one end of a cord or
chain o", which passes over a pulley o¹³, and is connected at its other end to the
cross bar o³, acts to raise the bar o³, and at the same time to keep the truck or
roller o¹s up to its cam o". And in order that the wires or pushers o' as they-
descend may be in position for pushing the splints down the grooves in the plate m'
and be free of the grooves in the rising or return motion, the bar o is caused in its
downward motion to travel in grooves o", and in its upward motion in grooves 020,
switch springs o" being employed to secure the transfer of the bar o from the
grooves o to the grooves o20, and vice versa.
In the further descent of the splints they fall between reciprocating grippers or
rubbers r, s, and in order that they may be correctly adjusted between such grippers
or rubbers a catch plate t is at such time pushed forward for the lower ends of the
splints to fall upon. This catch plate is mounted in or on suitable guides, and is
moved forward by one end of a lever t', the other end of which is acted upon by a
cam ť fixed on the shaft or axis q, whilst a spring or springs t³ move it in the
contrary direction.
To enable the splints readily to fall into position between the grippers or rubbers
r, 8, I mount such rubbers in frames 7, 8, capable of sliding a short distance away
from the splints, so as to leave a free space for the descent of the splints. The
frame is acted upon at each end by cams 72 fixed on the shaft or axis 9 to remove
the rubbers from the splints, and by springs to press them towards the splints,
and the frame s¹ is moved away from the splints by springs (not shown) and pressed
towards the splints by cams (not shown), also fixed on the shaft or axis q, and of a
somewhat similar character to the cams, but having the rise and fall thereof
reversed in position.
The reciprocating motion is imparted to these rubbers or grippers 7, 8, in the
following manner-The frame has projecting from one end thereof a stud 14
provided with a truck or roller which works in the groove of a cam³, and the
frame r, s, have formed or fixed thereon toothed racks, s³, which take into the

page_text: teeth of a pinion u placed between such racks; thus, as motion in the one direction
is given to the frame r¹, a similar motion, but in the contrary direction, is given to
the frame s¹, and consequently the splints which are held between the grippers or
rubbers 7, 8, are rotated first in one direction and then in the other.
During the rotation of the splints their ends are acted upon by pointing rollers v,
which are provided with suitable cutting surfaces. The axes v₁ of these rollers vare
mounted in frames v², which are mounted on axes ³, and on one end of each of the
axes vis fixed a grooved wheel v', and rotary motion is given to such cutting
rollers by a strap or band, which passes partly around a wheel v fixed on the
shaft n, thence partly around one of the wheels or pulleys v', thence partly around
a tension pulley v', and thence partly around the other pulley or wheel 4, whence
it returns to the wheel. These pointing rollers v are removed from contact with
the splints by means of cams v³ fixed on the shaft or axis q, which cams act upon
adjusting screws or projections v³, carried by the frames v², and the pointing rollers
are taken into position to act upon said splints by the weight 10 acting through the
lever 1, carrying the tension roller upon the cord or band v³. A blade w is
inounted in the frame r³, in oder to cut the double splints nearly into two.
In order to facilitate the discharge of the pointed splints from the machine a
wiper, consisting preferably of a strip of india-rubber mounted between the two
halves or parts of a shaft x, is employed to act upon the splints. Rotary motion
is given to such wiper by means of a strap or band ², passing partly around a
pulley fixed on the axis or shaft a¹, and partly around a pulley or wheel a³ fixed
on the shaft or axis n.
The action of the pointing apparatus is as follows:-The splints are fed to the
grooves in the plate m² in the manner before described; they are then by the wires
or pushers o¹ pushed downwards until thoy full on to the plate t, which is advanced
for such purpose, at which time the rubbers or grippers 7, 8, and the blade w and
pointing rollers v are held away from the splints to permit the latter to fall freely
on to the plate t and into the grooves or channels in the plates y; the grippers or
rubbers 7, 8, blade w, and pointing rollers v, are then caused to approach the splints
to act thereon, at which time the plate t moves away from the bottom ends of such
splints; then when the splints are pointed the grippers or rubbers 7, 8, blade w, and
pointing rollers are removed from the splints, when the wiper x in its rotation
projects the splints from the grooves or channels in the plate y, when the operations
are repeated in the manner before described.
The construction of pointing rollers I have found to answer well consists of
wooden rollers, with glass or emery paper or cloth fixed to the peripheries thereof,
but rollers formed of sharp cutting grindstone, reciprocating files, or other suitable
cutting or rasping surfaces may be employed.
I would here remark that considerable modifications may be made in the con-
struction of the mechanism without departing from the peculiar character of my
Invention.
Although I have represented and described the splint pointing machine as
operating upon the splints when the latter are in a vertical position, the mechanism
may with slight modifications be caused to work in an inclined or in a horizontal
position. In practice it has been found that the splints after being pointed cannot
practically be pushed out of the machine by other splints, as described in my Pro-
visional Specification, I therefore in all cases adopt a wiper for such purpose as
herein-before described.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the mode in which
I carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is,-
Firstly. Pointing the ends of match splints which have been previously manu-
factured in any known manner in the manner and for the purpose substantially as
herein shown and described.
Secondly. I claim sorting or separating perfect from imperfect match splints,
in manner substantially as herein shown and described.

page_text: And, Thirdly. I claim the employment of machinery substantially as herein shown
and described for pointing match splints which have been previously manufacturod
by separate machinery.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edmund Pace, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.