IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCHES, LIGHTERS, OR SIMILAR ARTICLES FOR IGNITING COMBUSTIBLE BODIES, IN THE MODE OR MODES OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND IN MACHINERY APPLICABLE THEREIN; ALSO IN MATCH AND OTHER BOXES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JARVIS
PALMER, of Camberwell, in the County of Surrey, Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twelfth day of February, in the
twelfth year of Her reign, did give and grant unto me, the said Jarvis Palmer,
my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said Jarvis Palmer, my exors, adñiors, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Jarvis Palmer, my exors, adññiors, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term of years therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MATCHES, LIGHTERS, OR SIMILAR ARTICLES FOR IGNITING COMBUSTIBLE BODIES, IN
THE MODE OR MODES OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND IN MACHINERY APPLICABLE
THEREIN; ALSO IN MATCH AND OTHER BOXES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING
THE SAME," within that part of Her said Majesty's United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and
Man, and also in Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad; in which said
Letters Patent there is contained a proviso, requiring that I, the said Jarvis
Palmer, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, and cause the same to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and imme-

page_text: diately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Jarvis Palmer, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described
and ascertained in and by. this present Specification or instrument in writing,
reference being had to the five several Sheets of Drawings hereunto belonging,
and forming part hereof, that is to say:-
My improvements in matches, lighters, or similar articles for igniting com-
bustible bodies relate to slow fire matches which burn without flame, and are
principally used for igniting cigars, and consist,―
Firstly, of an improved single or double match which on being ignited and
applied or pressed to and against the end of a cigar or other combustible body
and quickly removed will leave a portion of slow fire adhering to the end of the
cigar, whereby it may be thoroughly lighted, and the keeping the cigar and
match in contact while the former is lighting rendered unnecessary.
Secondly, of an improved match or lighter which when forced (before being
ignited) into the end of a cigar will not burst the end, but be sufficiently held
by the folds of-the-tobacco leaf to enable the match to be ignited by being
rubbed against any rough surface.
My improvements in the modo or modes of manufacturing matches, lighters,
or similar articles for igniting combustible bodies, consist in forming the splints
of matches of metal wire or other suitable material dipped in an improved
slow fire composition and cut into lengths. .
My improvements in machinery applicable in manufacturing matches,
lighters, or other similar articles for igniting combustible bodies consist,-
Firstly, of an improved frame for holding splints while being dipped in or
tipped with slow fire composition, whereby each splint placed in it may be
securely held and prevented from moving, or by which all the splints may be
simultaneously loosened and shifted, and again made fast.
Secondly, of an improved perforated shears or cutting apparatus, whereby
any required lengths of match, after the splints are dipped, may be simul-
taneously cut off.
Thirdly, of an improved apparatus, whereby round splints of wood may be
cut and at the same time polished by means of pairs of suitably grooved rollers
revolving at different speeds.
My improvements in match and other boxes relate to boxes formed of wood,
with bottoms of wood, metal, or other suitable material, and consist of im-
proved modes of forming and securing slices of wood suitably V'd or grooved

page_text: by any of the present modes now practised, or by the several machines here-
after described, so as such pieces of wood, when folded, surround and hold in
the bottoms of wood, metal, or other suitable material.
My improvements in machinery for manufacturing match and other boxes
consist,―
Firstly, of an improved apparatus for applying pins or wires for securing the
edges of wooden boxes.
And, secondly, of an improved V'ing or ploughing apparatus, having fixed
cutters so disposed as to form all the parallel V grooves simultaneously.
Thirdly, of an improved machine for forming jammed V's or identations in
wood for match and other boxes by revolving rollers.
Fourthly, of an improved apparatus for making up boxes, having jammed
V's or indentations by means of a revolving block or mandril.
And, fifthly, of an improved machine or apparatus for V'ing wood for match
and other boxes by means of revolving circular cutters, which form all the
parallel V cuts simultaneously.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and of what the same
consists, I will now proceed to describe the means whereby I carry the several
parts of my Invention into practical effect.
With reference to my first improvement in matches, lighters, or similar
articles for igniting combustible bodies, I use the common round or square
wooden splints, but of sufficient length only to be held by the thumb and
finger, and dip one end twice, in the manner ordinarily practised by match
makers, in a composition formed of the following materials, finely ground
and thoroughly mixed-Eighteen parts by weight of vegetable charcoal or
vegetable material reduced to a powdered or pulpy form, thirty-two parts sal-
prunella, eleven parts oxymuriate of potash, eight parts Venetian red; ten
parts cascarella bark, fourteen parts water, to which must be added, when
mixed together, one pound of gum arabic, senegal, glue, or other suitable,
mucilaginous or gelatinous material, which has been previously dissolved in
sixteen parts of water. Or, I use splints of about an inch and an eighth in
length, and dip both ends twice in such composition, so as to form a double
match, of which each end can be used in succession.
.
In Figure 1 is shewn a splint about 'five-eighths of an inch in length for a
single match, and in Figure 2a single match finished ready for use; in
Figure 3 is shewn a splint for a double match, and in Figure 4 a double finished
match applied to the outer or lighting end of a cigar after it has been ignitcil.
The splints for the double matches will be somewhat less than double
the length of the single matches, as in use; the match can be held by

page_text: the composition at one end while the other end is ignited. In using these
matches it is only necessary to ignite them and quickly press the lighted end
to a cigar, as shewn in Figure 4, and then remove the match, when a portion
of the composition will be found detached from the match and adhering to the
cigar, which will quickly light it on the air being drawn through.
With reference to my second improvement in matches, lighters, or similar
articles for igniting combustible bodies, in place of splints of wood, as
ordinarily used, I make use of splints of fine metal wire, or other suitable
material, to which the herein-before described, or any other suitable com-
position is to be applied in any way that may be found most convenient for
dipping such splints.
⚫ In. Figure 5 is shewn a splint for one of these matches, which I prefer to
make about seven-sixteenths of an inch in length, and in Figure 6 is shewn
one of these matches complete; and in Figure 7 a match as forced into the end
of a cigar, which, is shewn partially in section. In using these matches. it is
only necessary to force one of them into a cigar, as shewn in the Drawing,
and then ignite the lighter by rubbing it against any suitable rough surface,
holding the cigar as. near the lighter as possible to guard against its bursting
the folds of the tobacco, should the lighter be too forcibly struck. In both
the matches-or-lighters herein-before described the slow fire composition must
be tipped with the ordinary igniting composition. __
With reference to. my improvements in the mode or modes of manufacturing.
matches, lighters, or similar articles for igniting combustible bodies, in place
of dipping, them in lengths to form two matches, as is ordinarily practised, I
make use of splints of metal wire or other suitable material, of about six
inches in length, and as straight as possible, and place them in improved
frames, hereafter particularly described, so as to project about an inch and a
quarter on one side.. I then proceed twice to dip the lengths (so projecting
about an inch and a quarter) in the slow fire composition, the first time about
one-eighth of an inch,. and the second time about five-sixteenths of an inch,
and in the usual manner, after which I cut off (with the improved shears
hereafter described) about half an inch from each splint, and then force
forward the whole of the splints the half an inch, and again dip them twice,
and cut off another length, and so proceed until no more of the splint remains
eyond what is necessary to hold it in the frame.
This particular part of iny Invention will be more easily understood after 1
bave described the improved frame and shears which constitute two of my
improvements in machinery applicable in the manufacture of matches, lighters,
or sin:ilar articles for igniting combustible bodies.

page_text: Figure 8 is a top or plan view of an ordinary frame, and Figure 9 an-edge
view, with wooden splints inserted, suitable for double matches, 'as shewn in
Figure 4, the only novelty in which is the application of a strip of vulcanized
india-rubber, which is partially laid in a groove in the back of each bar of the
frame. One of these bars is shewn in Figure 10, and the piece of india-
rubber in Figure 11, and in Figure 12 a transverse section is shewn of two
bars not pressed up. The india-rubber is secured to the bar at cach end, as
shewn. In Figure 13 is shewn an end view of the frame, and in Figure 14:a
transverse section, with the finished matches inserted, and with the bars forced
up tight, so as to cause the india-rubber to hold the matches tight. In
Figure 15 is shewn a plan view, and in Figure 16 an end view (with 'an
ordinary dipping frame in section) of a frame, which is similar to the frame
already described, with the exception of the india-rubber strips, which are
somewhat broader and thicker, as shewn in Figure 17, in order the more
securely to hold the splints of wire which are so much smaller than those of
wood. This is also shewn in Figure 18, which is a transverse section through
three bars when not pressed up. When it is wished to shift the splints it is
only necessary to unscrew the two nuts at the corners of the frame, and press
all the splints forward by a level plate, and when shifted, they are all fixed by
merely screwing up the nuts.
In Figure 19 is shown a sectional view of my improved perforated shears,
which are formed of two plates of cast iron a and b, having perforations to
suit the match frames already described, and which correspond exactly in both
plates, as they are drilled through the two plates when fixed together. In
Figures 20 and 21 are shewn a face view and a section of a portion of the
plate b, with some of the holes bushed with steel, and in Figure 22 is shown a
top view of Figure 19, with the lever removed.
In using this shearing machine, the handle is to be raised until the perfora-
tions in the two plates correspond, when a frame is to be applied so as to pass
the dipped ends of the splints through the perforations, as shewn in Figure 19,
when the lever being depressed, the splints will all be pressed, and on lowering
the lever still further, the whole of the matches or lighters will be simul-
taneously cut off of uniform length. The main plate a is cast with a foot, by
which it may be.secured in any convenient manner.
With reference to my third improvement in machinery applicable in the
manufacture of matches, lighters, or similar articles for igniting combustible
bodies, Figure 23 is a side elevation, Figure 24 an end view, and Figure
25 a transverse section of my improved apparatus, in which c, c, are the
framing, which is held together by the rods d, d, and also by the guide piece e.

page_text: In these frames four rollers work, which are suitably grooved according to the
size of the splint required, and each pair of these rollers is caused to revolve
at different speeds by means of the wheels 1, 2, 3, 4, which are set in motion
by the pinion wheel and shaft f. In practice I prefer making the speeds of
1 and 2 and of 3 and 4 in the proportion to each other of one to four and
four to one. The action of this machine is as follows:-A piece of wood, of
the width of the machine and of the thickness that the splints are intended to
be in diameter, is to be inserted, with the grain of the wood at right angles
to the machine, between the pair of rollers 1 and 2, by which it will be quite
or nearly separated by the compression of the edges of the grooves into as
many round splints as there are grooves in the rollers, and will be passed
through the middle conducting bar into the second pair of rollers, which will
completely separate the splints from each other, while at the same time, from
each of the two pairs of rollers travelling at different speeds as regards each
other, the surface of the splints will be smoothed and polished, the upper part
by the roller 1 and the lower part by the roller 4. The effect of polishing
will be much increased by the application of wax to the wood before passing
it through the machine.
With reference to my improvements in match and other boxes, I prefer
using what I call "sliced" wood or wood cut (without being sawn)-of-about
an eighth of an inch in thickness, for boxes intended to contain about one
hundred matches, and the bottom having been cut of the required size, and
the slice of wood having been V'd by any of the well-known means, or by
any one of the machines hereafter described, is to be bended at the three
grooves around the bottom of the box, and the two half grooves brought
into contact. This will be at once understood on reference to the Draw-
ings, in which Figure 36 represents a slice of wood with three right
angle V's, and two half right angle V's across the grain of the wood, and
two V's in the direction of the grain for the bottom and lid, with one side per-
pendicular, and the other side sloping at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
Figure 27 shews an edge view of the same slice of wood.
In Figures 28 and 29-an end and side view are shewn of the slice of wood
partially bent against two sides of the bottom, and in Figures 30, 31, and 32,
the box is shewn complete, with the lid partially drawn out; Figure 30 being
a side view, Figure 31 a top view, and Figure 32 a plan of the bottom. The
two balf V's or ends of the slice, when brought in contact, are to be held together
by pins, pegs, or wires, which are to be inserted by any convenient means, or
by the machinery hereafter described. In Figure 33 is shown a longitudinal
section of the box, and in Figure 34 a transverse section taken through the V

page_text: formed for the lid, so as to shew the thickness of wood left, and in Figure 35
is shewn an edge view of the lid itself.
In Figure 36 is shown a side clevation of the box with the top of the side
removed to admit the lid; Figure 87 is a section taken through the box at the
bottom of the groove which holds the bottom, and which shews the thickness
of wood round the outside of the bottom, when it is inserted; in Figure 38
is shewn an edge view of the bottom itself; in Figure 39 are shown an
edge and plan. view of a slice of wood for forming the outer portion of a
shoulder box; in Figure 40 an edge and plan view of the slice of wood for
forming the shoulder, and in Figure 41 an edge and plan view of a slice of
wood for forming the lid; Figure 42 shews two views of the outer portion
formed into a box with a bottom inserted; Figure 43 shews two views of
the inner portion bent,-up, but not having any bottom; Figure 44 shews tho
lid formed with the top inserted; Figure 45 shows the outer portion with the
inner part inserted, but with the lid raised so as to shew the shoulder finished;
Figure 46 shows the box with the lid in its place; Figures 49 and 50 show a
plan and edge view of a slice of wood which is to form a box intended to
have a lifting instead of a sliding lid, and to have a lap joint in one of the
sides instead of the ends being brought together at one corner as previously
described; and in Figure 51 are shewn four views of the box when put
together, 1 being the side view with the lid raised, 2 a longitudinal section
with the lid closed, 3 a top view, and 4 the lid, shewing the pins on which
it works.
In Figures 52 and 53 are shewn an edge and plan view of a slice of wood
grooved suitably for a six-sided box; Figures 54 and 55 shew an edge view
and plan of a metal bottom; Figures 56 and 57 an edge view and plan of
a metal top which is intended to slide sideways on a pin; Figure 58 shows
a longitudinal section through the same box fitted with a wooden bottom; and
Figure 59 a top view of the sliding lid; Figure 60 shews an exterior view
of the same box; and Figure 61 a top view with a pivot lid nearly open.
In Figures 62, 63, 64, 65 are shewn five views of a slice of wood; and Figure
66 shews a triangular box formed from it with the lid working on a pin, as
shewn by the dotted lines in Figure 66; in Figures 67, 68, and 69 are shewn
three views, two of a slice of wood, and one of a box having twelve sides.
The angle of the grooves or V's must in all cases be varied according to the
number of sides to be given to the box.
With reference to my first improvement in machinery- for manufacturing
match and other boxes, I use an apparatus for inserting and fixing the pins or

page_text: pegs for fastening the two ends of the slice of wood when brought together.
In Figure 70 a box is shewn placed endwise ready for being secured, when a
pin is inserted and forced home by the punch being pressed by the hand.
The pins are to be placed at an angle across the corner of the box and in
different directions, as shewn in Figure 71.
With reference to my second improvement in machinery for manufacturing
match and other boxes, Figures 72 and 73 are front and sido views of a
ploughing or grooving apparatus for Ving slices of wood for boxes. The
points of the cutters are so arranged as to take. successive cuts, so that one
movement of the machine will cut the v. A is a frame, carrying twenty
cutters, so as to cut five V's simultaneously, and having four cutters to each
groove, and a slice or sheet of wood is laid in a recess on a table, in which it
is retained while being cut by the frame A, which passes over it, and is worked
by a crank or any other convenient means.
With reference to my third improvement in machinery for manufacturing
match and other boxes. Figures 74 and 75 shew a side elevation, with part
in section, and an end view of a machine for indenting slices of wood for boxes
by-rolling-or jamming the wood across the grain of the wood only. This
apparatus consists of a framework G, carrying-a-roller Hand a spindle 1,
fitted with indenting rings K, and short cylinders L, so as to form a cylinder
having V projections, as shewn. M, M, are set screws for regulating the
pressure on the slice of wood, and N is one of two springs for keeping the edges
of the indenting rings from the cylinder H. Motion is communicated by the
handle O, and the pair of wheels-P₁, P. One of the indenting rings is shewn
in plan and edge view at Figure 76.
With reference to my fourth improvement in machinery for manufacturing
match and other boxes. In Figure 77 is shewn a face view, and in Figure
78 an edge view and partial section of a machine for bending up and bringing
together the ends of a slice of wood for making a box, the V's of which have
been indented or jammed across the grain to form the angles, and cut out for
the reception of the lid and bottom. Q is the framework, carrying a revolving
mandril of the form of the inside of the box, intended to be bent upon it, and
parallel to one corner of which, but distant the thickness of the slice of the
wood, is securely fixed a clip or holdfast; S, T is a solid roller, which is kept
pressed down by springs V, V; and W is a bandle for turning the mandril.
The action of the machine is as follows:-The intended bottom of the box a
having been placed against the end of the mandril, and held there by two
small pins i, i; the V'd slice of wood is to be pushed forward in the direction of

page_text: the arrow a, until the end of it is forced in between the mandril. R and the
clip S, and until the V for the bottom fits one side of the bottom of the box.
The mandril is then to be turned by the handle in the direction of the arrow &,
until the four divisions of the slice of wood are brought round the four sides
of the mandril, when pins are to be inserted through the holes m, m, in the
manner directed when describing Figure 70 and 71. In Figure 79 the
mandril R and the clip S arc shewn without the slice of wood, and in Figuro
80 the box is shewn formed upon the mandril, from which it inay be removed
by simply pulling it off the mandril, when the handle is slightly turned so as
to bring the weight upon the clip S, as shewn in Figure 77.
With reference to my fifth improvement in machinery for manufacturing
match and other boxes. Figure 81 is a side clevation in partial section,
Figure 82 a transverse section, and Figure 83 is an end view of an apparatus
for dividing slices of wood and cutting V's for the reception of the bottoms and
lids of boxes. A¹, A¹, are two frames held firmly together by the four
shouldered rods 1, 2, 3, 4; B¹ is a roller fitted upon the axle C', which works
through the two frames, and to one end of which is keyed the driving wheel
D'. Over the centre of the axle C' a shaft E' works on fixed centres, one of
which is carried by the arm F, which is cast with the frame. Upon the axle
E' arc bolted four pairs of circular cutters, with a circular knife between each
pair, and the two single cutters and knives; and between the cutters
shouldered tubes G' are placed, so as to keep the cutters the required distance
apart, and all are made fast by the nut H. Around the spindle E', and
between the cutters, are placed five short lengths of cylinder K, which are held
in their places, as regards the spindle E', by the three revolving spindles
1, L, L, while they are prevented from coming in contact with the sides of
the cutters by the shoulders or projectors of the spindle L; M³ is a pulley for.
driving the shaft E', and M' is a table for carrying the slice of wood under-
neath the cutters.
It will be noticed in Figure 82 that the cylindrical rollers K' are not
concentric to the shaft E', the object intended by so placing them being to
cause the slice of wood to be drawn in before the cutters come into operation.
Two views of one of the rollers K'are shewn in Figure 84, and detached views
of a circular knife and pair of cutters are also shewn in Figure 85, and an
enlarged view of part of one of the cutters in Figure 86.
In Figures 87 and 88 are shewn detached views of the revolving spindles.
The action of this machine is as follows:-The wood on being forced along the
table will be caught and drawn in between the cylinder B' and rolling collars K',

page_text: and cut by the knives and cutters into strips, having a V at each edge in the
direction of the grain, as shewn in Figures 89 and 90. In order that the V's
may be clean cut, the spindle E' should revolve at a speed of not less than five
hundred revolutions per minute, while the speed of the cylinder B' should be
about ten feet per minute, and which speed will also be communicated to the
rolling collars K' by the wood passing between them. The cylinder B' is
grooved opposite to each circular cutter, to allow the knives to make a clean
cut. When it is intended to cut the strips of wood shown in Figure 90
across the grain, so as to form the V's for the angles or corners of the boxes,
a shaft with suitable cutters, pressing cylinders, and distancing collars is to be
substituted for the spindle E'; and pressing rollers K'; already described,
and the spindles I and I³, and others adapted to Figure 91, are to be put in
their places, when each strip of sliced wood is to be passed through the
machine, which will cut it into the form shewn in Figure 92, which will form
the four sides of two boxes, such as described in Figures. 26 to 38 inclusivo.
In Figure 92 are shewn two views of a cutter when detached from the
machine.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it-to-bo-understood that I claim as
my Invention,
Firstly, the two improvements in matches, lighters, or similar articles for
igniting combustible bodies, as herein set forth and described.
Secondly, the improvements in the mode or modes of manufacturing
matches, lighters, or similar articles, as herein set forth and described.
Thirdly, the thrce several improvements in machinery applicable in
inanufacturing matches, lighters, or similar articles for igniting combustible
bodies, as herein set forth and described.
Fourthly, the improvements in match and other boxes, as herein set forth
and described.
And, fifthly, the five several improvements in machinery for manufacturing
match and other boxes, as herein set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jarvis Palmer, have hereunto set my hand-
and seal, this Eleventh day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-nin c.
JARVIS (L.S.) PALMER..

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eleventh day of August in the
year of our Lord 1849, the aforesaid Jarvis Palmer came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Eleventh day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.