Improvements in Machines for the Manufacture of Matches, and for Packing the same in Boxes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 17th Feb., 1900
[Communicated from abroad by GEORGE ASA BARNES, of 71, Dickerman Street,
New Haven, in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut, United
States of America, Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Machines for the Manufacture of Matches, and for
Packing the same in Boxes.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 invention which forms the subject of my present application is a machine
of novel construction adapted to make and box friction matches in unlimited
quantities and by a continuous operation, the said machines requiring only to
be actuated by a suitable source of power and to be supplied with the materials,
of which the matches are composed, and boxes to receive them.
The general plan of the machine as a whole may be gathered from the follow-
ing brief outline of the series of operations which the elements are constructed and
organized to perform.
Any suitable material, such as wood, in the form of a long thin strip of
veneer, of a width determined by the special construction of the machine, or in
two or more such strips, is fed into the machine and by suitable cutters is
divided up longitudinally into narrow strips suitable for the making of splints
for the matches. The said strips, as they are fed forwards, are cut cross-wise
into splints of the proper length, and these latter are caused to enter perfora-
tions in a series of carrier-bars by which they are conveyed to a receptacle into
which their ends are dipped to receive a coating of paraffin and to another from
which their ends receive a suitable composition. They are then conveyed, while
drying, to the point at which are located the mechanisms for detaching the
matches from the carrier-bars and depositing them in regulated quantities in
boxes.
In connection with the means for ejecting the matches, or detaching them
from the carrier-bars, is arranged a device for receiving the matches as they are
detached and depositing them in boxes ready to receive them; for removing
the boxes as soon as they are filled to a predetermined level, and supplying empty
boxes in their place.
The mechanism which I have devised for carrying out the several operations
above described involves numerous features and combinations which I under-
stand to be new in this art and original with myself, and in these reside the
invention or improvements for which I now seek protection by Letters Patent.
I shall describe the mechanism as a whole by reference to the accompanying
drawings, indicating the novel features of the same, as far as possible, in the
description and claims.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine for making and boxing
matches.

page_text: Figure 2 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of the mechanism for cutting
and feeding the splints.
Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the same mechanism taken on the
line aa of Figure 4.
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the splint cutting and feeding mechanism with
parts omitted to exhibit underlying devices.
Figure 5 is a view in elevation of the same mechanism as seen from the left in
Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a similar view of the same mechanism as seen from the right in
Figure 1.
Figure is an enlarged view partly in section of a portion of the carrier-bars
with the mechanism for feeding, cutting and inserting the splints
Figure 8 is a front view of a portion of the carrier-bars.
Figure 9 is a section and front elevation of the guide bar through which the
splints pass to a reciprocating cutter-bar.
Figure 10 is a detail in front elevation and section of a device for directing
the match strips into perforations in the carrier-bars the parts being shown on an
enlarged scale.
Figure 11 is an enlarged detail of a portion of one of the rotary cutter-heads
for forming the strips.
Figure 12 is a similar view of a modified form of cutter-head.
Figure 13 is an enlarged sectional view of the track for the carrier-bars taken
on line bb Figure 14.
Figure 14 is a plan and part section of a portion of a portion of the track and
mechanism for propelling the carrier-bars.
Figure 15 is a sectional view of the paraffin tank and means for dipping the
splints.
Figure 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of the composition tank and rolls.
Figure 17 is a partial cross-section of the same.
Figure 18 is a top plan and part sectional view of the mechanism for ejecting
the matches from the carrier-bars.
Figure 19 is a front view of the carrier-bars as they appear in passing in
front of the ejectors.
Figure 20 is a vertical section on lines c-c of Figure 18 of the ejecting
mechanism and a portion of the boxing mechanism.
Figure 21 is a side elevation and part section of the boxing mechanism of
which a portion only is shown in Figure 20. In Figure 21 the position of the
parts is different from that shown in the preceding figure.
Figure 22 is a view of the boxing mechanism looking from the left in Figure 1,
the left hand portion being a section on the lines d-d of Figure 21, while the
remaining portions are in elevation.
Figure 23 is a sectional elevation of the same mechanism on the planes of
the broken line e-o of Figure 21.
Figure 24 is a top plan view of the boxing mechanism with portions removed
to exhibit the construction of underlying parts.
Figure 25 is a plan view of the same mechanism with the upper portions and
some of the under portions removed to show the construction of the box feeding o
transferring mechanism.
Figure 26 is an enlarged central vertical section of the devices for ejecting
the matches and depositing them in boxes.
Figure 27 is an enlarged view in elevation of a portion of a carrier-bar and
the devices for receiving the matches ejected therefrom.
Figure 28 is an enlarged view partly in section, of a detail of the boxing
mechanism.
Figure 29 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the device for receiving
the ejected matches and transferring them to the hoxes.

page_text: Figure 30 is a front view of the portion of the plate in which are set the
ejecting pins.
Figure 31 is an enlarged detail view of the mechanism for transferring the
boxes, when filled, to the delivery belt.
Figure 32 is a section on line f-f of Figure 22.
Figure 33 is a section on line g-g of Figure 31.
Figure 34 is a detailed view and perspective of a tripping mechanism controlling.
the removal of filled boxes and the substitution of empty boxes.
Figure 35 is an enlarged view of a portion of the box feeding device.
Figure 36 is a section on line h-h of Figure 35.
The general plan of construction and arrangement of the machine as a whole
is shown in Figure 1, in which 1, 1, indicate the iron or steel bars or tubes of
a frame affording a substantial and rigid support for an extended sinuous track
or guide, along which a series of carrier plates or bars are continuously pro-
pelled by means hereinafter described. The mechanism for preparing the splints
and inserting them in the moving carrier-bars is shown at A, and those for
receiving and boxing the matches after they have been dipped, dried and ejected
from the carrier-bars at B, each of said mechanisms being mounted on suitable
stationary supports.
The carrier-bars and the means employed for conveying the same to the
machine, are illustrated in Figures 7, 8, 13, 14 and 16. Said bars are composed
of comparatively narrow metal plates 3, of a length to fit in the track provided
for them, which latter is formed by a series of horizontal angle-bars 2, with
suitable channels or grooves to receive and confine the ends of the bars; semi-
circular guides 4 connecting the horizontal guides; vertical guide bars 30, at
the forward end of the frame, and rounded guides 5, 5, at the forward corners.
The carrier-bars 3 are laid side by side in the guides or track in contact with
each other, or substantially so, in order that there may be little or no play
between them, and consequent lost motion in propelling them. The ends of
the bars are serrated, as shown in Figures 8 and 14, so as to form a series of
teeth, which mesh with worm-gears 6, 6, located at suitable intervals along the
line of the tracks, and carried by shafts 7 rotated through suitable gearing by
power derived from the main driving shaft.
The carrier-bars are also provided near their ends with notches which, in
adjacent bars, register to form openings through which project the teeth 8 of
spur-gears 9 mounted in the frame and adapted to rotate within the circular
portions of the tracks or guides. Power may be applied to the spur-gears which
enter the rounded guides 5, to assist the worm-gear 6 in propelling the carrier-
bars.
In the normal operation of the machine, the series of carrier-bars is maintained
in constant and uniform movement through the endless guides or track by the
propelling mechanism above described. In Figure 2 is shown the means for
applying the power which maintains said carrier-bars in motion. This consists
of a belt pulley 10, in gear with a vertical shaft 11, through bevelled gears 12.
On the shaft 11 are arranged worms 13, which impart rotation to the spur-gears 9,
and also bevelled gears 14, which impart rotation to the horizontal shafts 7.
In the machine which is illustrated in the drawings, provision is made for
the simultaneous reception and utilization of two strips of veneer, the machine,.
in fact, being double, but the operation of the machine with respect to one strip
of veneer is the same as with the other, and either half or side of the machine
may be used independently of the other.
I now refer to Figures 2 to 6, for an explanation of that portion of the
mechanism which prepares the splints and inserts them into the perforations pro-
vided for them in the continuously moving carrier-bars. A strip of veneer is
fed into the machine, or two strips side by side, as above explained, and being
gripped by two pairs of feed-rolls 16, is advanced over a bed-plate 18, to a high
speed rotary cutter 17, by which a series of parallel grooves is cut in its upper

page_text: surface. The strip thence passes under a plate 20, and over a similar rotary
cutter 21, by which another series of parallel grooves in the under surface is
cut, immediately under those on its upper surface, the depths of the grooves"
being such as to divide the veneer longitudinally into separate strips.
1--
The character or special construction of the rotary cutters may be varied.'
For example, referring to Figures 9 to 12, the cutters may be composed of a
series of thin circular saws 22, in which case the veneer will be cut into
squaré strips, or the cutter-heads may carry serrated plates 19, the teeth being,
so formed as to cut grooves that will result in round strips. "In any case, low-
ever, the cutters are virtually saws which rotate at a high speed.
The strips of veneer advancing from under the plate 20, pass between two
corrugated rolls 23, by which they are forced forward through stationary:
guides 24, the passages through which are slightly inclined upwards. At suit-
able intervals the strips, as they issue from the guides 24, are divided in short
lengths or splints by means of a reciprocating cutter-bar 25. This blade or.
cutter-bar is designed to have a reciprocating motion and also an oscillating
movement with variable speed, in order that it may descend across the path of
the strips just as they issue from the guides 24, and at the same time swing.
forward at the same rate of speed as that at which the strips are fed. This
downward and forward motion continues until the cutter-bar 25 has passed com-
pletely through the strips when its forward motion is accelerated in order that.
it may be raised out of the path of the stock or strips advancing from the guides, 24
without contact therewith. To secure this result the cutter-bar is secured to
a head 26, which is actuated by two sets of cam-levers, one .set 27, imparting to
it a reciprocating motion while the other set 28 operates to oscillate the supports
of the cutter-bar on 29, as a centre.
The head 26 is adapted to slide on the vertical side-bars 122 of a frame which
is mounted on the shaft 29 by the arms 123. The cam-levers 27 are connected
by links or bars 124 to the head 26, and the cam-levers 28 by links or bars 125
to the upper end of the frame 122, the cams 126 for levers 27 and cams 127
for levers 28 being properly formed to impart the desired movements to the
cutter-bar. The two positions of the latter are indicated in Figure 7.
«
The ends of the strips after issuing from the guides 24, enter a device, which
is known as a 'staggerer." The function of this device is to deflect the splints
alternately out of the plane in which they issue from the guides in order that
each row may be diverted into two rows of staggered perforations in the carrier
bars. The movement of the cutter-bar is so timed that it serves the splints from
the strips approximately at the instant when the advancing ends of the splints
enter the perforations in the carrier-bars. It will be borne in mind that the.
movement of the carrier-bars is continuous and that the strips from which the
splints are cut are constantly advancing at a uniform rate. In order therefore
that the splints at the instant when they are severed from the stock or strips
may be removed from the path of the advancing stock, I so construct the
staggerer that simultaneously with the severing of the splints the rear ends of
the same will be moved downward out of the path of the advancing stock. This
device is constructed in the following manner:
Between the cutter-bar 25 and the series of carrier-bars is a part 31, see
Figure 10, mounted on trunnions in stationary bearings 32, 32, in which it is
capable of partial rotation. The ends or trunnions of the plate 31, are extended
beyond the bearings and provided with arms 33, to which are connected spiral
springs 34, the other ends of which are connected to projections 111, from the
stationary frame. The arms 33, are also connected to plungers 112, passing
through perforations in the projections 111, and carrying adjustable lock-nuts 113,-
which serve to limit the downward movement of the cutter-bar.
A rod 35, operated by a cam 36, is pivoted to the middle of the plate 31,.
and serves to tilt the same and lower its receiving edge. The springs 34, act
upon the plate 31, exerting a force which tends to lower the bar 35, which is

page_text: held up by the cam 36, except for a very brief interval when a depression in
the cam permits the rod 35 to drop and thereby lower the receiving edge of the
plate 31. This movement of the plate depresses for an instant the rear ends
of the splints below the level of the advancing stock, so that when the plate 31
is restored to its normal position, the splints will have had time to be carried
forward by the moving carrier-bars sufficiently to permit of the free entrance of
the advancing strips.
The under surface of the plate 31 is formed with a series of grooves or chan-
nels 37, 38, forming guides which diverge at opposite angles from the receiving
edge of the plate, so that when a row of strips enters the said channels or
grooves they will be alternately deflected and caused to enter the perforations
of two adjacent rows in the carrier-bars. The strips being advanced by the feed
rolls, pass through the staggering device and enter the perforations in the carrier-
plates, which latter, as shown in Figure 27, are countersunk so as to insure
the proper insertion of the splints at the instant when the cutter-bar descends,
and by the accelerated motion of the latter at the end of its stroke, the splints
are forced securely home into said perforations. This operation is repeated as
long as a veneer is supplied to the machine.
The splints inserted in the carrier-bars in the manner above described, are
conveyed by said bars along the track to a receptacle 39, containing melted'
paraffin. Immediately over this receptacle there is a depression in the track 2,
as indicated at 40, in Figure 15, by reason of which the ends of the splints are
dipped into the paraffin.
From this point the splints are conveyed to the device which applies the com-
position. This consists of a receptacle 41, Figure 16, heated by a steam pipe 42,
and containing a roll 43, and a stirrer 44. The roll takes up on its surface a
film of composition from the receptacle 41, the thickness of which is regulated by
scrapers 113, carried by adjustable supports 114, and as the splints pass over the
roll 43, they take off the proper quantity of the composition to form the igniting
heads.
After receiving their heads of composition, the matches are conveyed by the
carrier-bars along the sinuous track, sufficient time being occupied by them in
their advance towards the ejecting devices to permit them to thoroughly dry.
It will be understood that any of the usual devices for facilitating the drying
of the matches may be employed, and in this connection I may state that in
practice I employ not only such devices, but also means, such as air-blast, for
carrying off the saw dust produced by the rotary cutters and other devices for
similar purposes which are well known in the art, and which I do not deem it
necessary to describe in detail herein.
As the carrier-bars, charged with the dried matches, approach the end of their
course, they pass in front of a device which detaches the matches from them.
This device which, for convenience, may be termed the ejector, is best shown
in Figures 18 and 20. It comprises a plate or bar 46, in the face of which
are set a number of pins 47, and which forms the forward end of a rectangular
frame, the opposite end of which is a bar 48, carrying rollers 49, and the sides
of which are composed of bars 45.
Between the sides of the said frame is a rectangular frame 115, mounted so as
to turn freely on a shaft 51. Arms 50 extend from the frame 115, towards the
series of carrier-bars and are provided with projections carrying studs 116, which
pass through the sides 45, of the outer frame and so as to slide therein, and
afford. supports for the forward end of said frame. The sides 45 also contain
slots, or. said sides are formed of parallel bars which permit the free passage
between them of the shaft 51, and a shaft 117. An arm 52 extends rearwardly
from the frame 115 and is provided at its end with rollers which run on a cam 54.
As the shaft 117 revolves, the arm 52 is raised and depressed, and this motion
is communicated to the plate 48, which undergoes an oscillation of limited extent.*
At the same time, cams 118, on the shaft 117, upon which bear the rollers 49,

page_text: impart to the frame, of which the plate 46 forms a part, a reciprocating motion.
Springs 56 connected at one end to the stationary frame and at the other end
to pivoted levers 120, bearing against rollers 119, mounted on studs set in the
sides 45, act against the cams 118, so that the combined action of the springs
and cams effects a reciprocation of the plate 48 towards and away from the
carrier-bars. The parts described are so arranged and their movements so timed
that the plate 46, which carries the pins 47, is advanced at the proper instant
towards the series of travelling carrier-bars to cause the pins to engage with the
rear ends of one or more rows of matches and force the latter out of said bar.
But inasmuch as the carrier-bars are in constant motion and the matches to be
ejected require a complete thrust of the pins 47, the plate 46 is given a down-
ward motion corresponding to that of the carrier-bars by the mechanism above
described. The movement of the plate 46 therefore is an orbital movement, due
to the conjoint action of the springs 56, and cams 118, on the one hand, and
the frame 115 on the other hand, which is oscillated by the cam 54.
The arrangement of the ejecting pins 47, in the plate 46, is in large measure
arbitrary, but since the matches ejected from the carrier-bars are to be deposited
in boxes, and a special mechanism for this purpose is necessary, I prefer to
arrange the pins 47 in a certain definite order, as is shown in Figure 30. The
purpose of this will be made evident by the description of the boxing mechanism
to which I now pass.
In front of the series of carrier-bars and somewhat below the level at which
the matches are ejected from the same, a number of boxes 55, on supports, here-
inafter to be described, are held ready to receive the matches. Above each of
the said boxes and supported by a table or platform 121, is a chute 57, through
which the matches drop into the boxes. Immediately over the series of chutes
on each side of the machine, is a frame or box without bottom with front and
rear sides or plates 58, 59. Below the said boxes, and on a level just below
that at which the matches are ejected from the carrier-bars, is a series of
reciprocating troughs or conveyors 63, which, by means of a cam, or eccentric 60,
levers 61, and connecting link 62, are caused to advance until their forward
ends nearly reach the carrier-bars and are then retracted until they pass beyond
the plates 59.
The construction and relation of these parts are shown in Figure 29. The con-
veyors or troughs 63 are secured to suitable blocks or heads 64.
The rear
plates 59 are formed at their lower edges with V-shaped projections, that conform
to the shape of the troughs and extend down into the latter, while the lower
edges of the plates 58 lie above the upper edges of the said troughs.
These parts are so arranged and their movements are so timed that at the
instant when the ejector is thrust forward in the operation of detaching the
matches, the series of troughs 63 will be at or near their extreme forward posi-
tion, and directly under the matches. The latter, therefore, in dropping, fall
into the troughs, and by the latter are conveyed away from the carrier-bars
and under the plates 58.
When the matches encounter the projections on the lower edges of the plates 59,
their movement is arrested, but as the troughs continue their travel, the matches
are scraped off from the latter and dropped down into the boxes 55.
I have stated that I arrange the ejecting pins 47 in a special manner, and the
purpose of this will be now understood from a consideration of Figures 27 to 29.
It is obviously a practical necessity that the matches should be deposited in the
boxes as nearly as possible parallel. For this reason I use the narrow V-shaped
troughs 63, in which the matches have no chance of displacement, and in order
that the matches may be detached from the carrier-bars, as near to the bottom
of the troughs as practicable, so as to have but a short distance to fall, the
ejecting pins are arranged in a zig-zag line or in a series of Vs. Assuming
Figure 27 to illustrate the conditions at the instant when the pins 47 have com-

page_text: pleted their forward thrust, it will be seen that three of the matches ejected into
each trough were below the level of the edges of the trough and one just above
the junction of two troughs. To insure that these latter shall fall into the
troughs and not lodge on the adjoining edges of two troughs, bars 65, with
knife edges, are secured to the plate 58, and occupy the spaces between adjacent
troughs.
The form and construction of the eccentric and the arm 61, which it operates,
are such that the retrograde movement of the troughs 63, after receiving a
charge of matches, is at first slow and is gradually accelerated in order that the
matches may not be caused to slip out of the troughs by reason of their inertia.
As a further precaution against the irregular disposition of the matches in their
boxes, and their displacement from parellelism therein, I employ a device which
is illustrated in Figures 21, 22, and 28. This consists of a series of thin metal
plates 67, secured to blocks or heads 68 and parallel with the matches. The
blocks 68 are suspended by rods 66 from arms 69, turning freely about a shaft 70,
and rocked by cams 71. The said arms 69 are depressed by one or more spiral
springs 72, and by their motion carry the series of plates 67 down into the
boxes 55. The motion of the plates is so timed that they will be at their lowest
point while the matches are dropping into the boxes from the receding troughs 63.
The plates 67 pass freely between the edges of adjacent troughs 63, and do not
interfere with the to and fro movement of the latter. As the matches accumu-
late in the boxes the downward movement of the plates 67 is opposed, but
although the lower edges of the plates encounter the matches in the boxes, the
springs 72 yield so as to prevent injury to the plates or to the matches.
I also provide means for withdrawing the boxes as soon as they are filled to
a predetermined level, and supplying empty boxes in their place. The mechanism
for this purpose comprises, primarily, a tripping device which is called into
operation when the matches in any one of the boxes have reduced the desired
level. This mechanism is shown in Figures 20, 21 and 26, and in detail in
Figure 34.
What may be termed plungers, and which consist of boxes with ends 73 and
sides 74, Figure 22, but without top or bottom, are supported by rods 75, from
the end of arms 76, loosely mounted on the shaft 70, and caused to reciprocate
between the plates 58, 59, in the space surrounding the heads 68, which carry
plates 67, by the combined action of cams 77, and springs 78. The rods 75
pass freely through the ends of arms 76, and are provided with movable sleeves 79.
which are held up in contact with the arms 78, by the force of spiral springs 80
surrounding the rods and interposed between the plungers and the said sleeves.
The length and play of the plungers and so adjusted that at each revolution of
the cams 77, the lower ends of the plungers descend to the predetermined level
of the matches in a full box.
The movement of the plunger is moreover so timed that it is below the path
of the reciprocating troughs or conveyors 63, only in the interval during which
the said troughs are withdrawn beyond the plate 59, after having deposited
their charge of matches. So long as the lower ends of the plungers encounter
no resistance, they do not affect the operation of the apparatus, but when the
successive charges of matches deposited in the boxes have filled the latter to a
level above that to which the plungers descend, the downward movement of the
latter is arrested and the springs 80 yield to permit the arms 76 to complete
their downward movement in obedience to the tension of spring 78, so that the
arms move downward over the rods 75, as indicated in Figure 20.
The plates 74, which constitute the sides of the plungers are cut away, as
shown in Figure 22. to permit the plates to pass down through the chutes 57
into the boxes beneath them.
To the end of one of the arms 76, on each side of the machine, is pivoted a
bell-crank lever 81, the upper end of which engages with the upper end of a

page_text: rod 75, so that when the arm 76 moves downward over the said rod, the lever 81
is turned on its pivot, shifting the lower end over towards the right, assuming
the machine to be in the position shown in Figure 21.
1.
In the path of the said lower end of lever 81 is the arm. 82. of a bell-crank
lever pivoted to the stationary frame, and a predetermined movement of lever 81
depresses this arm 82, causing its other arm 83 to impinge upon the end of a
rod 84 connected with an arm 85 of a rock-shaft 86, and to impart a partial
rotation to the latter.
A second arm 87, on rock-shaft 86, is connected by. means of a link 88 with a
sliding bar 89, and imparts a movement to said bar against the tension of a
spiral spring 90 connected to said bar and to a fixed support, respectively. When
the bar 89 is thus moved, a projection 91 thereon is shifted out of the path of a
catch 92 on a bar 93, with which it is normally in engagement. The effect of
this is to release the mechanism which withdraws the filled boxes and inserts
empty ones in position to receive matches.
→
As will be seen, the machine, in the form shown, is double. It would be
possible to use a single tripping device for the entire machine," provided both
sides are in constant use, for, since the number of matches which fall into the
several boxes in a given time is approximately equal in all, the whole series of
boxes will be filled to approximately the same level at the same instant. But
as it may be desirable to use only one-half of the machine, two tripping devices
are employed one for each of the two plungers and each of which, acts inde-
pendently of the other to release the box feeding mechanism on its own side of
the machine.
The bars 93, as will be seen by reference to Figures 20, 21 and 25, connect
the arms 94 of two rock-shafts, or sleeves 95, which turn, on shafts 96. Spiral
springs 97 are connected with said bars or arms and exert a constant pull upon
the same which becomes effective to partially rotate the said arms or sleeves when
the catches 92 are released, as above explained.
Referring still to the figures mentioned, 98, 98, are the sides of rectangular
frames with cross bars 99, each of said frames being connected with the ends
of plungers 100 working through holes drilled in the sleeves 95, and connected
to said sleeves by springs 101. The side-bars 98 are provided with projections
carrying rollers that extend into openings in plates 102 fixed to the machine on
opposite sides of the frames. In each of said openings, and near one end of
the same, there is pivoted to a stationary part of the frame of the machine, a
tongue 103, which, by a spring 104, shown in dotted lines in Figure 21 and in
detail in Figures 35 and 36, is normally held up against the upper edge of the
said opening, as indicated in full lines in Figure 20.
97
The edges of these openings, together with the pivoted tongues" 103, constitute
tracks or cams which, when the catch 92 is released, and the springs 97 and 100
are brought into play, impart to the frames 98 a peculiar movement, first back-
ward horizontally, then obliquely downwardly, then horizontally backward and
then upward. "When the frame has reached this latter point in its course,
arms 105, fixed to one of the rock-shafts 96 force the arms 94 back to their normal
position, and this brings the frame '98 forward horizontally, and causes the
catch 92 to again engage with the stop 91 on the sliding bar 89. "It will be
observed that the movement of the frame 98, as above described, is produced
by the oscillation of the plungers 100 and their simultaneous movement through
the sleeves '95, and that while the tongues 103 vield and permit the, rollers,
carried by the frames 98, to pass above them to the left, the said rollers must
pass below the tongues in moving to the right.
It having been now explained that when any box has been filled with matches
the tripping mechanism is caused to set in operation the means which impart the
movement described to frames 98, the part which these mechanisms, play in
removing full boxes and substituting empty ones, will be readily understood..
г

page_text: Each cross bar 99 of the frames 98 is provided with a series of fingers 106 or 107,
which project upwards between the slats 108 of a platform or table. By means
'to be described, rows of empty boxes are fed on to said platform in certain
definite positions, and so that when a frame 98 is caused to go through its described
cycle of movement, each row of the said fingers drops from behind one box of
a given row, rises behind the box immediately in its rear and forces it forward
the required distance. The fingers 107 are straight and operate merely to shift
the boxes step-by-step along the platform 108 towards the chute through which
the boxes receive the matches. The fingers 106, however, are peculiarly shaped,
as shown in Figures 20 and 21, and have horizontally extended ends with a
shoulder at the rear so as to pick up the boxes bodily and convey them over to
points immediately under the chutes, holding them in such positions until they
are filled with matches."
It being borne in mind that the boxes are not moved by the operation of any
mechanism until the tripping device comes into play, it will be seen that the
necessary support for the boxes while filling is afforded by the fingers 106. The
moment, however, that the trip is operated, the fingers 106 are withdrawn from
under the full boxes, and this requires another support to receive the full boxes
and convey them away to make room for the empty boxes which are immediately
after brought into position. The means for this will now be described.
Extending parallel with the carrier-bars, and under the row of boxes which are
receiving matches, are two bars 109 constituting the sides of a frame which has
the following function. As soon as the fingers 106 are withdrawn from the full
boxes, the latter are received by supports carried by the bars 109, and are
lowered with a gradually accelerated motion onto a conveyor or travelling belt.
The bars then spread to release the boxes, and passing up alongside of them
resume their original position ready to receive others. For accomplishing this
I have devised the following devices:
To the bars 109 are secured a series of upright springs or blades 110 bent
inwardly, or provided with shoulders near their ends, to afford a seat for the
boxes. The fingers 106, at the end of the movement which conveys the boxes
into position to be filled, pass down through the spaces between the springs 110
without interference therewith, and when withdrawn leave the boxes to settle
down into the seats which said springs afford. The bars 109 go through the
cycle of operations above described at regular intervals, whether the boxes are
deposited on the springs 110 or not, but, as will be seen from the above explana-
tions, this is possible without any interference between the different parts,
while the operation of each is so timed that the withdrawal of the fingers 106
always precedes by just the proper interval the downward movement of the
bars 109.
The devices for removing the filled boxes, to which I shall now refer, are
shown in Figures 22 to 25 and 31 to 33. As above stated, the blades 110 are
mounted on parallel bars 109. Each of said bars is pivotally connected to, and
supported at its ends by arms 126, extending from sleeves 127, keyed to rock-
shafts 149 and 128 respectively, but capable of sliding thereon. Mounted. also
on said rock-shafts 149 and 128, but free to turn thereon, are plates 129 rigidly
connected by cross-bars or hoods 130. The sleeves 127 are located between the
plates 129 and by the pressure of spiral springs 131, interposed between them
are subjected to a constant tendency to spread apart. This tendency is opposed
and normally prevented by the engagement of projections 132 on the plates 129,
and 133 on the sleeves.
At a convenient point on the frame of the machine, as on a shaft. 134, and
fixed thereto, are two cam discs 135 and 136. Levers. 137 and 138 pivoted to
a stationary bar 139, carry rollers which bear upon the two cams respectively.
Lever 137 operates the plates 129 through a bar 140 which connects the
lever 137 with the end of an arm 141, which latter has a second arm 143 connected
eccentrically by a link 144 with one of the plates 129 on shaft 128. The other

page_text: plate 129, on said shaft, is connected by a bar 150 with its corresponding plate on
shaft 149.
Lever 138 operates the arms 126 through a bar 145, which connects it with
one end of a bell-crank lever 146, turning loosely on a shaft 142. Lever 146
is connected by a link 151, pivoted at its other end, to an arm 152, fixed to the
shaft 128. A bar 153 connects arm 152 to the end of the corresponding arm 154,
fixed to the shaft 149.
Spiral springs 155, connected at one end to a stationary part of the machine,
and at the other to the two bell-crank levers 141 and 146 respectively, maintain
the levers 137 and 138 in contact with the cams 135 and 136.
It will be observed that cams 135 and 136, while generally of the same contour,
differ from each other at one point, and will consequently impart to the arms 126
and plates 129 movements of different amplitudes at certain portions of the cams.
This results in the following action: Normally, as has been explained, the
engagement of the projections 132 and 133 keeps the sleeves 127 forced closely
together, and this continues for all positions of the cams 135 and 136, except
when the portions of different contour are presented to the rollers on the
levers 137 and 138. At such times the relative positions of the arms 126 and
the plates, 129, normally that shown in Figure 32, are changed, so that the pro-
jections no longer engage, but passing by one another, permit the springs 131 to
expand and spread the arms 126, as shown in Figure 33. By the subsequent
movement of the cams 135 and 136, which rocks or oscillates the plates 129
and arms 126. the projections are again brought into engagement, their faces
being bevelled as shown, to permit them to slide readily upon each other.
As the ends of arms 126 swing through the arc of a circle, every point on
hars 109, as well as the supports for the boxes 55, must do the same. The
latter, by such movement, are therefore conveved from the level at which they
were filled, through the arc of a circle, to a lower level where they encounter
a belt 156. At the instant of reaching such belt, the boxes are released by the
spreading of the bars 109 and are conveyed off by the travelling belt 156.
The bars 109 remain spread until they have passed up above the boxes on
the travelling belt, when they are again brought to their normal position.
Means for conveying the filled boxes and depositing them upon the belt 156
are specially designed to prevent the displacement of the matches within or
from the boxes. Starting from a state of rest, the boxes must first move slowly
so as not to drop away from the matches. They must, moreover, have acquired
the same speed as the belt 156, and must be moving in the same direction as the
latter at the instant when they are deposited thereon. These results are secured
by moving the boxes through the arc of a circle, as described, the belt being
tangential to the arc, and by giving to the cams such shape that the movement
of the box supports will be gradually accelerated from the time of starting to
the moment when the boxes are deposited on the belt.
As the belt 156 must have a comparatively rapid motion, I make it of two bands
which run over pulleys 157. On the shaft upon which said pulleys are mounted,
are loose pulleys 158 carrying two other bands 159, composing a belt which has
a slower motion. This latter receives the boxes from the rapidly travelling
belt and conveys them to a point where they can be conveniently taken off by
attendants, or passed to another machine for putting covers on them.
It remains now to describe the means for feeding the empty boxes into the
machine, and for this purpose I now refer to Figures 24 and 25. A series of
pulleys 160 support carrier belts 161 in the plane of the table formed by the
bars 108. These belts have a movement in said plane towards the table, as
indicated by the arrows in Figure 24, and bring up empty boxes to the table.
When the boxes reach the edge of the table they are forced on to it by those
on the belts, the friction of a long row of boxes accumulating on the belts being
greater than that of the few on the table. Suitable guides are provided for the

page_text: boxes which pass over the table through said guides until they encounter a trans-
verse partition, by which their movement is arrested.
Figure 24 shows six belts for conveying boxes to the machine, but with boxes
of the size shown only four of the belts should be used, two for each side of the
machine. The platform 121 has depending guides 163 over the table 108, the
guides being formed so as to provide paths Irom each one of the belts in use,
and four paths at right angles to the line of the belts, in which latter the fore-
most box of each row is arrested, and through which it passes to the filling
mechanism.
The boxes as they are delivered by the belts pass forward between the guides
until they reach one of the transverse partitions 163, and in the position where
it stops the foremost box of each row is exactly in position to be taken up and
advanced by the arms 106 on cross bars 99, as herein before explained, and it is,
moreover, evident that as soon as one box of a row has been displaced along its
appropriate transverse path, its place will be immediately taken by the next box
of the row advanced by those in the rear.
If smaller boxes be used, all of the belts 161 will be employed, the transverse
paths which convey the boxes to the filling mechanism being arranged accordingly.
In the description of the machine given above, I have omitted specific reference
to many parts, such as supports, belts, pulleys, gears and the like, as these
are, or may be, capable of wide variation in construction and mode of operation,
and are well understood by those skilled in the art. I have also refrained, as far
as possible, from assigning to the various elements described specific locations,
as these are matters largely of design, and in many respects not essential to the
invention. I would also state that I do not limit myself to the specific form of
the various elements comprising the machine, and in some respects I may, without
departing from the invention, use other means which are now recognized as
equivalents in the art for effecting certain of the operations necessary to the
general result. For example, I may use any suitable mechanism for preparing
the splints and inserting them into the carrier-bars, or other means than those
shown for dipping and drying the matches, but in these respects the features
which I regard as of my invention will be pointed out by the claims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to be by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a machine for making matches, the combination with means for feeding
a row of extended match strips, of a cutter-bar, means for moving said bar at
predetermined intervals across the path of the advancing strips and, at the same
time, in the direction of travel of the same, and a carrier for the splints or
severed portions of the strips, as set forth.
2. In a machine for making matches, the combination with means for feeding
a series of extended match strips, of a cutter adapted to divide said strips into
splints suitable for matches, means for moving said cutter at predetermined
intervals across the path of the advancing strips and, at the same time, in the
direction of and at the same rate of travel of the strips, and a carrier for the
splints or severed portions of the strips, as set forth.
3. In a machine for making matches, the combination with means for feeding
a row of extended match strips, of a cutter-bar, means for simultaneously recipro-
cating and oscillating said bar at predetermined intervals, whereby it is moved
vertically across the line of strips and at the same time horizontally in the
direction of movement of said strips, and a carrier for the splints or severed
portions of the strips, as set forth.
4. In a machine for making matches, the combination with means for feeding
a series of extended match strips, of a cutter-bar adapted to divide said strips into
splints suitable for matches, and means for imparting to said cutter-bar a recipro-

page_text: t
cating movement across the line of the strips and an accelerated movement in
the direction of travel of the strips, after it has passed through the same, as set
forth.
5. In a machine for making matches, the combination with means for feeding
a series of extended match strips, of a cutter adapted to divide said strips into
splints suitable for matches, and means for imparting to the cutter a movement
across the path of the advancing strips, and an accelerated movement in the
direction of travel of the strips, after said cutter has passed through the same,
as set forth.
6. In machine for making matches, the combination with means for feeding
a series of extended match strips, of a cutter adapted to divide said strips into
splints suitable for matches, a carrier, and means for imparting to the cutter
a movement across the path of the advancing strips, and means whereby the
cutter is caused to thrust the splints or severed portions of the strips into the
carrier, as set forth.
7. In a machine for making matches, the combination with means for feeding
a series of extended match strips, a cutter for dividing said strips into splints
of predetermined length, a carrier for the splints, and a movable guide adapted
to deflect the several splints from the plane of the advancing stock as
forth.
set
8. In a machine for making matches, the combination of mechanism for feed-
ing extended match strips, a stationary guide through which said strips pass,
a series of continuously moving carriers, a movable guide for directing the ends
of the strips into perforations therein and a reciprocating cutter located between
the stationary and movable guides, as set forth.
9. In a machine for making matches, the combination with means for feeding
a series of extended match-strips, of a cutter-bar for dividing said strips into
splints of predetermined length, a series of carrier-bars a staggerer or guide for
directing the advancing ends of the strips into two rows of perforations in the
carrier-bars, and means for moving the staggerer so as to deflect the severed
ends of the splints therein out of the plane of the advancing stock.
10. In a machine for making matches, the combination with a series of con-
tinuously moving carrier-bars, and means for feeding a series of extended match-
strips, of a cutter-bar for dividing the strips into splints, a guide for directing
the advancing ends of the strips into perforations in the carrier-bars, and means
for moving the guide so as to deflect the ends of the splints therein out of the
plane of the advancing stock, as set forth.
11. In a machine for making matches, the combination with a series of con-
tinuously moving carrier-bars, and means for feeding a series of extended match-
strip, of a cutter-bar for dividing the strips into splints, a staggerer for directing
the ends of the strips into alternately disposed perforations in adjacent lines
in the carrier-bars, and means for imparting to the cutter-bar an accelerated
side movement towards the carrier-bars whereby the splints, when severed from
the stock, will be forced home in the perforations in the carrier-bars, as set forth.
12. In a machine for making matches, the combination with a series of con-
tinuously moving carrier-bars, and means for feeding a series of extended match-
strips, of a stationary guide through which the strips pass to the carrier-bars,
a cutter bar adapted to cut the strips at predetermined intervals as they issue
from said guide, a staggerer for directing adjacent strips alternately to two rows
of perforations in the carrier-bars, and means for moving the staggerer to deflect
the ends of the splints therein out of the plane of the advancing stock, as set
forth.
13. In a machine for making matches, the combination with a series of con-
tinuously moving carrier-bars, a stationary guide, and means for feeding extended
match-strips through the same to the carrier-bars, of a cutter-bar capable of both
vertical and side movements and a movable guide for deflecting the splints out

page_text: of the plane of the advancing stock and located between the cutter-bar and the
carrier-bars, as set forth.
14. In a machine for making matches, the combination with a continuously
moving carrier for the matches, of an ejector for detaching the matches from
the carrier, and means for simultaneously moving the ejector transversely through
the carrier and in the direction of the movement of the same, as set forth.
15. In a machine for making matches, the combination with a series of con-
tinuously moving carrier-bars of ejector pins for detaching matches from the
bars, a support for said pins and means for reciprocating and at the same time
oscillating the said support, as set forth.
16. In a machine for making matches, the combination with a series of con-
tinuously moving carrier-bars, of a frame supporting a plate, pins set on said
plate, a cam for reciprocating the frame towards and away from the carrier-bars,
and a cam for oscillating the frame, whereby the pins will be caused to eject
the matches from perforations in the carrier bars, and at the same time move
with the bars, as set forth.
17. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the devices
which carry and discharge the matches, of a series of reciprocating troughs
for receiving the matches as they are detached from the carriers, a series of
vertical plates intermediate to the troughs and the boxes for receiving the matches,
and forming guides through which the matches fall into the boxes, and means
for emptying the matches from the troughs into the said guides, as set forth.
18. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the devices for
carrying and discharging the matches of a series of troughs for receiving the
matches and depositing them in boxes, and means for imparting to the troughs
a reciprocating movement with variable speed, the motion of the troughs being
accelerated from the point at which they receive the matches, as set forth.
19. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the devices
for carrying and discharging the matches and a series of reciprocating troughs
for receiving the matches as they are detached from the carriers and depositing
them in the chute, of a series of vertical guide-plates extending through the
chute between the reciprocating troughs to prevent displacement of the matches
as they drop through the chute into the boxes, as set forth.
20. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the devices for
carrying and discharging the matches, a chute through which the matches
drop into boxes, and a series of reciprocating troughs for receiving the matches
as they are detached from the carriers and depositing them in the chute, of a
series of guide-plates extending between the reciprocating troughs, through the
chute and into the boxes beneath the same, and means for raising the said plates
to permit the removal and substitution of boxes, as set forth.
21. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the devices
which carry and discharge the matches and a reciprocating conveyor for receiving
charges of matches and transferring them to boxes, of a reciprocating plunger
adapted to descend into the boxes at intervals while they are being filled, and
a tripping mechanism set in operation by the stoppage of the plunger when the
boxes are filled to a predetermined level, as set forth.
22. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the device for
depositing the matches in boxes, of a reciprocating plunger entering the boxes
at intervals, a tripping device operated by the plunger when the boxes are filled
to a predetermined level, and box-feed mechanism controlled in its operation by
said tripping device, as set forth.
23. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the devices for
depositing matches in boxes, of a travelling belt, and supports for transferring
the boxes from the positions in which they receive the matches and depositing
them on the belt, and means for imparting to said supports an accelerated
motion, as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 24. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the devices for
depositing matches in boxes, of a conveyor, and supports, for transferring the
boxes from the positions in which they receive the matches and depositing them
on the conveyor, the said supports being movable for such purpose through the
are of a circle, and means for imparting to said supports an accelerated motion,
as and for the purpose set forth.
25. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the devices for
depositing matches in boxes, of box-feeding mechanism, an automatic tripping
device controlling the same and dependent for operation upon the accumulation
of a predetermined quantity of matches in the boxes, and supports for receiving
the filled boxes and depositing them on a conveyor, and adapted to go through
their cycle of movement at regular intervals, as set forth.
26. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with devices for
feeding long lengths of match-strips into the machine, of an oscillating frame,
a head adapted to slide on bars or guides forming a part of said frame, a cutter-
bar secured to said head, levers connected to the frame, and cams for oscillating
the frame through said levers, levers connected with the sliding head and cams
for reciprocating the head through the levers connected therewith, as set forth.
27. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the carrier-
bars and the means for feeding match-strips to the same, of a guide-plate sup-
ported on trunnions parallel to the carrier-bars, and formed with channels or
grooves which diverge from its receiving edge to deflect the strips of a single
row into two rows of perforations in the carrier-bars, and a rod actuated by a cam
and connected with the said guide plate for oscillating the same, substantially
as set forth.
28. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the series of
continuously moving match carrying plates, a frame, the forward end of
which carries a series of ejector pins, a second frame mounted within the first
so as to be capable of oscillation and supporting by a sliding connection the
forward end of the outer frame, a rotary shaft, a cam thereon which oscillates
the inner frame and other cams which reciprocate the outer frame, as set forth.
29. In a machine for making matches, the combination with means for feeding
a strip of veneer, of rotary cutter-heads driven at a high speed and adapted to
saw the veneer into parallel strips, the cutter-heads being located on opposite
sides of and at different points along the veneer, a series of carriers, a reciprocating
cutter for dividing up the strips into splints of proper length for matches, and
means for forcing the ends of the splints into perforations in the carrier, as set
forth.
30. In a machine for making matches, the combination with means for feeding
a strip of veneer, of rotary saws driven at a high speed and located on opposite
sides of, and at different points along the veneer, and adapted to saw the vencer
into parallel strips, a bed plate opposite each saw over which the veneer passes,
a series of carriers, a reciprocating cutter for dividing up the strips into splints
of proper length for matches, and means for forcing the ends of the splints into
perforations in the carriers, as set forth.
31. In a machine of the 'kind described, the combination with the devices for
depositing matches in boxes, of means for feeding a series of boxes to given points
on a table, frames carrying fingers and means for imparting to said frames an
intermittent orbital movement whereby said fingers will be caused to engage
with and advance the boxes to the box filling mechanism, as set forth.
32. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the devices for
depositing matches in boxes and the box feeding mechanism, of a high speed.
conveyor for receiving and conveying the filled boxes away from the box filling
mechanism, and a low-speed conveyor forming a continuation of, and receiving
boxes from, the high speed conveyor, and conveying them away from the machine,
as set forth.
33. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the devices for

page_text: depositing matches in boxes, of supports for the filled boxes adapted to deposit
the same on a conveyor and means for spreading the said supports and dis-
engaging them from the boxes when the latter have been deposited on the con-
veyor, as set forth.
34. In a machine of the kind described, the means for transmitting the filled
boxes onto a conveyor, comprising in combination parallel bars provided with
seats for the boxes, means for swinging said hars to transfer the boxes to the
conveyor and means for spreading the bars at the end of their path of movement
to permit the release of the boxes from their seats, as set forth.
Dated this 28th day of November 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant