An Improved Process for the Manufacture of Matches.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Nov., 1898 -Accepted, 10th Dec., 1898
T
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for the Manufacture of Matches.
We, SÖREN LEMVIG FOG, Engineer, and AAGE GEORG KIRSCHNER, Chemist,
both of Stockholmgade 43, Copenhagen, Denmark, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be parti-
cularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement; —
The methods hitherto employed for the production of matches free from phos-
phorus consist in the use of cold solutions containing a mixture of chlorate of
potassium, sulphur, antimony sulphate, powdered glass or quartz, salts of ammonia,
peroxide of manganese and the like, together with some cementitious material,
into which solutions the matches are dipped. All matches made with such com-
positions, whatever their nature, have had to be saturated with paraffin or similar
hydrocarbon, as, without such means, they would ignite at the moment of being
struck but would not continue to burn.
Now this invention has for its object a process in which chlorates are employed
in a more convenient manner and without any admixture for the manufacture of
matches. Various chlorates may be used, for instance chlorate of sodium or of
potassium, &c., but, barium chlorate has proved most suitable.
According to the present process, matches are made as follows;-
The ready cut wood or sticks of cellulose or the like are put straight by means
of a shaking apparatus in the usual manner and made into bundles containing
any desired number so that the several sticks touch, (in contradistinction to the
method ordinarily employed in match factories in which the several matches are
set at a little distance apart), and are then immersed in a hot and preferably
concentrated solution of the chlorate or chlorates used. At ordinary pressures,
this solution has a temperature of about 100-111° Celsius, according to the
degree to which it is concentrated. The process may also be carried out under
pressure, or in vacuo, in closed receivers, in which case the temperatures will
vary accordingly.
If the sticks were dry at the time of being immersed, it might happen that the
solution of chlorate or chlorates would be absorbed too far up the sticks; but to
prevent this and to exactly determine the height to which impregnation takes
place the sticks are preferably saturated with water before immersion. By the
length of time during which the boiling is continued and the depth of immersion
of the sticks the extent of impregnation can then be exactly predetermined.
After drying and the crystallization that takes place during the same, and after
removal of the superfluous salt adhering to the surface, the sticks are perfectly
ready for use and present an almost smooth surface.
Matches produced in this manner may be impregnated on one side only or on
both sides; in the former case, it is well to mark the impregnated side by colour-
ing it.
Shortly stated, the advantages presented by this process as the following:
(1) No paraffining is necessary, without which procedure no matches fit for
use and free from phosphorus have hitherto been produced;

page_text: (2) All that is required is a hot solution produced from simple materials
whereby the entire process is rendered exceedingly simple and cheap;
22
(3) The "heads are done away with and the inflammable material leaves an
ash which cools very rapidly. In matches as hitherto made, the "heads" parti-
cularly leave a mass that, although impregnated, continues to glow for some time
after the flame has been blown out;
(4) The matches produced by the new process can be readily "boxed" by the
machines adapted for this purpose, without danger of explosion;
(5) The igniting material is principally contained in the interior of the wood
so that we may speak of a head impregnated internally;
(6) These matches burn entirely without smell and evolve no noxious gases or
vapours.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. A process for the production of matches without phosphorous or sulphur
characterized by the immersion of sticks of wood, compressed cellulose or the like
in a hot solution of suitable chlorates.
2. A modification of the process characterized in Claim 1, in which the sticks
are immersed under pressure or in vacuo so as to permit variation of the
temperature.
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'3. A. modification of the process characterized in Claim 1, in which barium
chlorate is the chlorate employed.
4. A further modification of the process characterized in Claim 1, in which the
sticks are saturated with water before immersion.
Dated this 1st day of November 1898.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.