IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCH-BOXES OR CASES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Carl Kesseler, of 63, Mohrenstrasse, Berlin, W., in the
Empire of Germany, Civil Engineer and Patent Solicitor, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCH-BOXES OR CASES." A communication from Carl
Brämer, of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Carl Kesseler at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th July 1880.
CARL KESSELER, of 63, Mohrenstrasse, Berlin, W., in the Empire of Germany,
Civil Engineer, and Patent Solicitor. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCH-BOXES OR
CASES."
A communication from Carl Brämer, of Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany.
The object of this Invention is to produce a box or case, or both, for containing
matches, wax-lights, and the like (all of which are hereinafter included under the
Dame of matches), separately in recesses, so that no two matches touch each
other; also that each match will be struck or ignited by the act of withdrawing
it from its recess without igniting any adjacent match, which object I attain as
follows:-
1
I take a number of pieces of suitable paper cut to the requisite length and
breadth, and corrugate them lengthwise; between these corrugated papers I place
or paste strips of plain paper of the same dimensions as the corrugated paper, when
corrugated, and then surround the whole, except the front end, with similar
material, thereby forming a case having within it a number of separate cells, in
which the matches are placed, so that each match is completely isolated. This case
is made a little shorter than the length of the match, in order that the latter may
project beyond the open end of the case and be more readily withdrawn therefrom
when wanted. This charged case may be put into a box of cheap and simple
construction, or into stronger or ornate boxes, cases, stands, pockets, or the like
coverings as desired.
·

page_text: The inside of these corrugations or recesses, near their outer ends, is prepared or
lined with a rough material, as glass or sand-paper, or with an igniting com-
position. The external box or envelope is fitted with a spring on each side at or
near the open end of the inner case, where the igniting material is placed, for
the purpose of pressing the said corrugations against the matches, so that on
withdrawing a match the friction caused by these springs ignites the match in
passing out.
In some cases only the lower ends of the matches need be isolated, when they
would be ignited by passing between two flat surfaces prepared and pressed as
previously herein described.
-Matches stowed in these improved boxes or cases are perfectly safe from ignition,
and cannot be purloined.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and of
an Order of the Lord Chancellor, filed by the said Carl Kesseler in the Great
Scal Patent Office on the 1st February 1881.
CARL KESSELER, of 63, Mohrenstrasse, Berlin, W., in the Empire of Germany,
Civil Engineer and Patent Solicitor. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCH-BOXES OR
CASES." A communication from Carl Brämer, of Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany.
The object of this Invention is to produce a box or case, or both, for containing
matches, wax-lights, and the like (all of which kinds are hereinafter included under
the name of "matches"), separately in recesses, so that no two matches touch each
other;
also that each match will be struck or ignited by the act of withdrawing it
from its recess without igniting any adjacent match.
In order that the said Invention may be more fully understood and be more
readily performed, I will explain the same with the aid of the accompanying
Drawing which forms part of this Specification, reference being made thereto by
the numerals and letters marked thereon; the same index letter refers to similar
parts in each Figure of the said Drawing.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section; Fig. 2, a transverse section; and Fig. 3, a
horizontal plan of the upper end of the said match-box.
Fig. 4 shows the match-box fitted or fixed to or upon a stand.
Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, in isometrical perspective, show other forms of the
match-box, with different arrangements for stowing matches therein.
On reference to the said Figures of the Drawing it will be seen that each match
is completely isolated, so that any one match can be easily taken hold of, drawn
out, and ignited in such operation, and that without the risk of igniting any
neighbouring matches.
The boxes are made and the isolation of the matches is effected thus:-I take a
number of pieces of suitable paper cut to the requisite length and breadth, and
corrugate them lengthwise; between these corrugated papers I place or paste strips
of plain paper of the same length and breadth as the corrugated strips (see Fig. 7),
and then surround the whole, except the front end, with similar material, thereby
forming a case g, having within it a number of seperate cells, in which the matches
are placed, each match being thereby completely isolated. The case or cover is
made a little shorter than the length of the match, as shown, so that the latter may
project beyond the open end of the case and be more readily withdrawn therefrom
when required. The charged case may be put into a box of cheap and simple
construction, or into stronger or ornate boxes, cases, stands, pockets, or the
like coverings, as desired, a few specimens of which are given in the Drawing.
A portion of the inside of these corrugations or recesses, near their outer or
upper ends, is prepared or lined with a rough material, such as glass or sand-paper,
or with igniting composition. The external box or envelope is fitted with a
spring a, a, on each side at or near the open end of the inner case where the
igniting material is placed, for the purpose of pressing the said corrugations against
the matches, so that on withdrawing a match the friction caused by the pressure of
these springs ignites such match in passing out.
In some cases, as shown in Fig. 6, only the lower ends of the matches need be
isolated, when they would be ignited by passing between flat springs b, prepared as
previously herein described.
Some of the advantages of the said improved match-box are security from
explosion or ignition generally, and security from being taken away in an illicit
manner.
Having thus fully described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention,
and the method of performing the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not

page_text: restrict myself to the precise form of box or case, nor to the dimensions thereof as
now specified for example, as they admit of considerable variation, according to
taste or ornamentation, or to the several uses to which they are to be applied; for
instance, in Figs. 5 and 6 a different style of construction is shown, wherein the
matches are contained in separate divisions, which, on the box or case being shut,
are kept close by the spring b, which spring and the rubbing or lighting composition
causes the ignition of the matches on their being drawn out. Also Figs. 8, 9, and
10 show an arrangement for a pocket match-box, with a case open at both ends
(Fig. 9), having a slit at c and a lid e moveable on a hinge at d, d; this box is
operated by pressing inwards the pin 8, which is fastened on the inner part; the
lide then opens or closes by itself. The case shown in Fig. 7 may be inserted within
this box.
But I claim as new, and desire to secure by the herein-before-mentioned_in_part
recited Letters Patent,-
Firstly. A match-box with or without an inner case for igniting matches and the
like on their being drawn out of such box or case.
Secondly. The arrangement for keeping each match isolated by means of a
separate cell for each match, formed by corrugated and plain strips of paper or
other suitable material, united, as shown more distinctly in Figure 7 of the
Drawing.
Thirdly. The method of forming such separate cells, as shown in Figures
5 and 6.
Fourthly. Providing the interiors of such cells with rubbing material or igniting
composition.
Fifthly. Fitting the said match-boxes or cases with springs, as shown in Figures
2, 5, and 6.
Sixthly. Providing such match-boxes or cases with hinged lids or covers, as shown
in Figures 5, 8, and 10.
All substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Carl Kesseler, have hereunto set my hand:
and scal, this Twenty fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
CARL KESSELER, (L.S.)