Improvements in and relating to Machines for Making Matches.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 5th May, 1896-Accepted, 6th June, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Machines for Making Matches.
I, GEORGE MALTBY HATHAWAY, a citizen: of the United States of America,
residing at Wellsborough, in the County of Tioga, and State of Pennsylvania, one
of the United States of America, Gentleman, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in machines for making matches; and it
consists in the arrangement and combination of certain novel mechanisms in such a
manner that each step, of the several steps necessary to make and finish a match,
shall follow. the other in continuous.and regular order until the match is completed
and ready for boxing.
The principal object of the invention is to provide a machine by means of which
a maximum number of perfectly finished matches may be produced with a minimum
expenditure of labor. This object is accomplished by the mechanisin illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure 1 represents a front elevation of my improved machine ;
Figure 2 a front elevation of the pushing and ejecting mechanism; Figure 3 a
side elevation of the same, partly in section;
Figure 4 a vertical section through the veneer receiving tube ou the line - of
Figure 6;
Figure 5 a side elevation similar to Figure 3, partly in section, on line y-y of
Figure 6;
Figure 6-a top plan view of the cutting, pushing and ejecting mechanism;
Figure 7 an enlarged front elevation of the dipping and drying apparatus and
the supports therefor;
Figure 8 a vertical cross section of one of the dipping-receptacles;
Figure 8 a longitudinal vertical section of one of the supply receptacles;
Figure 9 a longitudinal vertical section of one of the dipping-receptacles;
Figure 10 a perspective view of a bunch of veneers;
Figure 11 a detail perspective of a section of the match-carrying belt;
Figure 12, details of a portion of one of the plates forming the match-carrying
belt, showing the interior formation of the match-receiving slots;
Figure 13, a detail plan of the forks for pushing the matches, simultaneously in
opposite directions, into the slots in the belt, and
Figure 14 a plan of the ejectors for forcing the matches out of the slots in the
belt.
For convenience in hereafter referring to the several mechanisms which go to
make up the whole of my invention, I will proceed to describe it under the
following heads, viz. :-
FIRST MECHANISM FOR CUTTING THE MATCH-SPLINTS.
A indicates a magazine for receiving the veneers B, which are of a uniform
thickness, suitable, when cut, to form a match splint of proper size. These
veneers are made into bundles and the bundles placed end wise, one on top of
another, in the magazine. Located beneath the magazine in suitable guides is a
cutter C, operated by a lever C, pivoted on an arm c of the frame of the machine.
Immediately beneath the cutter is a slide-support, D, operated by a lever,. D', also
D

page_text: pivoted on the arm c. The free end of each of these levers works in cam slots 2
and 3, respectively, made in a wheel, E, mounted on a shaft, F, journaled in
suitable bearings made in the main frame of the machine. The cutter serves
alternately, with the slide, to support the veneers. As the shaft F is rotated the
lever C is caused, by the cam-groove 2, to withdraw the cutter from beneath the
veneers, at the same time, the lever D¹ is caused, by the cam-groove, 3, to force
forward the slide D. The withdrawal of the cutter permits the veneers to drop
down upon the slide in position to be operated upon by the cutter to cut the
match-splints. The shaft continuing to revolve, the lever C is caused by the
peculiar action of the cam-groove 2 to force forward the cutter, cutting a row of
match-splints. During the cutting operation the slide support remains stationary,
supporting the match splints. This non-action upon the part of the slide-support
is due to the straight part of cam-groove 3, which permits the levers D' to remain
at rest during the cutting operation and also during the operation of pushing the
matches into the slots in the carrying-belt, as will be hereinafter described.
SECOND: ENDLESS BELT FOR HOLDING AND CARRYING THE MATCH-SPLINTS,
AND THE SUPPORTS THEREFOR.
Mounted upon suitable shafts journaled in bearings made in the main and other
parts of the machine, are two sets of polygonal drums, four in each set, J, J', J³, J³,
a match-carrying belt passing over each set. These belts are properly supported
at intervals, and are composed of hinged plates, 4, provided with transverse slots 5
-to receive the ends of the matches when pushed into them by the push-forks, as
will be presently described. The slots 5 are formed with inwardly tapering sides
which are serrated to insure a more rigid holding of the match, as shown in
Figure 12.
THIRD MECHANISM FOR PUSHING THE MATCH-SPLINTS INTO THE SLOTTED
BELT; MEANS FOR EJECTING THE FINISHED MATCHES FROM SAID BELT,
AND MEANS FOR OPERATING THE DRUMS.
Mounted in suitable bearings on the main frame of the machine, is a pitman H,
to the upper end of which is connected one end each of two ratchet levers I, I,
each journaled on the shaft of the respective drums J³, and provided with pawls a, a.
A ratchet-wheel K, is mounted on each drum-shaft and keyed thereto, between the
drum and ratchet-lever, and spring-actuated pawls, L, L, serve to prevent reverse
Inovement of the ratchet-wheels, and consequently the drums J, J. Journaled on
the end of the shaft of each of the drums J, is a ratchet-lever I', provided with
pawls, p, p. Mounted on each drum-shaft and keyed thereto, is a ratchet-wheel, K',
provided with a pawl, L', serving to prevent reverse movement of the ratchet
wheel and drum. Pivoted on the main frame of the machine, are two ratchet-
wheels, W, W1, a small and large one, rigidly fastened together, the smaller
one, W¹ being engaged by a spring-actuated pawl o pivoted on the pitman-rod.
On opposite sides of the ratchet-wheel W, and adapted to engage therewith, is a
spring-actuated rod, w³, provided with a pin y, which, passing through, operates in
a slot made in the main frame of the machine, Figure 4. Fulcrumed to the main
frame, on the side opposite to that on which are located the ratchet-wheels and
spring-actuated rods, are two sets of levers, N, N', and N2, N3, with the adjacent
ends of each set pivoted on the pins y respectively, of the spring-actuated rods.
To the lower end of each lever, N' and N³, is attached a reciprocating push-fork, O,
operating in suitable guides, towards and from each other and at right angles to
the movement of the cutter and support; and to the upper end of each lever, N
and N2, is attached an ejector, ae, operating in suitable guides. The lower end of

page_text: observed that each alternate groove in the cylinder f is somewhat deeper than the
other, so that when it is rotated by the cog-wheel or cylinder e¹ it will be given a
rising and falling motion. Each paraffine supply-tank is connected with its
dipping vessel by a pipe 11, fitted with a cut-off cock 12, and each igniting-
composition supply-tank is connected with its dipping vessel by a pipe 13, fitted
with a cut-off cock 14. A steam pipe t, leading from a supply pipe which receives
its supply of steam from any suitable source, enters the steam-space of each
igniting-composition tank, and a pipe, 15, connects the steam space of said tank
with that of the paraffine-tank. The supply and connecting pipes are each fitted
with cut-off cocks 16 and 17, respectively. Reciprocating rods V mounted in
suitable bearings fixed upon the respective dipping-vessels and main frame of the
machine, connect each set of vessels with a cam-wheel 18 mounted on the shaft F.
The shafts are provided with pawls, aa, which engage the ratchet-wheels on the
shafts of the respective dipping-vessels. As the cam-wheel is rotated the rods V
are caused to reciprocate, and on each forward movement of the cam-wheel the
pawls push the ratchet-wheels around, causing the cog-wheel or cylinder el to
rotate the grooved cylinder to the extent of two cogs, said cylinder being so
arranged that the deeper groove will always be presented with a paraffine or
igniting-composition to the match-splint. The cog-wheels or cylinders in their
revolutions keep the contents of the vessels in a constant state of agitation, so that
the material is maintained at an even consistency.
SIXTH THE DRYING MECHANISM.
Each drying box is constructed with a suitable steam-space, provision being
made for both admission and escape of the steam. The drying-boxes S are located
directly under the supply-tanks, and the drying boxes R are located under the
boxes S, at a suitable distance from the paraffine lipping vessels. Steam is
received into the steam-space beneath drying-box S from the supply pipe t, and a
pipe, 19, fitted with a cut-off cock 20, connects the steam-space of the box S with
that of the box R.
SEVENTH THE APRON FOR CONVEYING THE FINISHED 'MATCHES TO THE
RECEIVING-BOX, AND THE MECHANISM FOR OPERATING SAID BOX.
An endless apron A*, running on rollers 21, is located immediately below the
ejectors for ejecting the finished matches, and a receiving-box B, is arranged at
the outer end of the endless apron just below the same. The receiving box is
reciprocated by a pitman B operated by a crank 22 on the inside of the wheel B',
which is driven by a belt 23 from a driving-pulley mounted on the shaft F. A
belt 24, running over a pulley mounted on the outer aprou roller and a pulley on
the shaft of the wheel B serves to drive the rollers carrying the endless apron.
From the foregoing description it will be necessary to describe the operation of
the machine only in a general way, which is as follows:-
Power being applied to the main shaft F through the medium of the pulley
mounted thereon, the cam-wheel E imparts motion to the levers C', D', which
operate the cutter and slide-support, respectively. As the cut is being made, an
upward movement is being given to the pitman H, which on its descent, imparts
motion to the two sets of ratchet-levers and their pawls to operate the drums J
and J and cause the same to turn one notch, feeding the belts downward the same
distance. At the same time, the ratchet-wheel W by means of the pawl wol, and
the ratchet-wheel W' forces the spring-actuated rods outward, thereby imparting
motion to the two sets of levers N, N and N2, N3, which operate the push-forks
to insert the match-splints into the slots in the belts, and the ejectors to eject the
finished matches onto the apron. After the match-splints have been inserted into
the slots in the belts, the latter are fed, step by step, as the cutting continues, to

page_text: the paraffine-dipping vessel, where the matches are properly coated with paraffine;
thence conveyed, by the same step by step movement, to the drying-boxes R,
through which they pass; thence to the composition vessel, where the matches
receive the igniting composition, up over drums J2 and through the drying-boxes S;
thence around drums J to the ejector mechanism where they are ejected, as before
stated, onto the traveling apron and discharged into the receiving boxes.
It will be apparent that the double machine will produce matches very rapidly,
and, at the same time, perfectly; each match being free from ragged edges, and
the usual irregular coating of the igniting composition, as by my manner of
applying the composition, by a straight upward movement, I am enabled to
Each match
deposit just the required amount in a regular and uniform manner.
being separated from its neighbour, when the composition is applied they do not
stick together.
I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact construction and
arrangement of the several mechanisms, as they may be varied almost indefinitely
without departing from the spirit of my invention, or sacrificing the principle
thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim, is:
I. In a machine for making matches, the combination, with a magazine for
holding veneers, of a reciprocating cutter located beneath the magazine, a recipro-
cating support for the match-splints, the driving cam wheels having cam-grooves
which actuate the reciprocating cutter and reciprocating support, a suitably
supported traveling belt composed of a series of plates hinged together and slotted
to receive the ends of the match-splints, a splint-pushing mechanism, the operating
levers, and mechanism whereby motion is imparted to the same, substantially as
specified.
2. In a machine for making matches, the combination of a magazine for holding
veneers, a reciprocating cutter-mechanism, a reciprocating match-splint support,
the cutter and support operating levers, a driving cam-wheel having cam-grooves
which actuate said levers, and a push-fork operating between said cutter and
support at right angles to the movement of the same, substantially as specified.
3. The combination, with the reciprocating cutter and a reciprocating match-
splint support, of two push-forks, moving in opposite directions between said cutter
and support to insert the splints into the slots in two belts at opposite sides of the
machine at one and the same operation, and the two belts supported by and traveling
over the drums, substantially as specified.
4. In a continuous match-making machine, with an endless belt and supporting
drums therefor, of a pitman-rod, the cam-wheel mounted on the driving shaft a
ratchet-mechanism operated by a pawl attached to said rod, spring-actuated rods
operated by the ratchet mechanism, and two sets of fulcrumed levers, one set
carrying push-forks, and the other ejectors, said levers operated by the spring-
actuated rods, substantially as specified.
5. The combination of the veneer magazine, the reciprocating cutter, the recipro-
cating support, each reciprocated by a separate lever actuated by a separate cam-
groove formed in a driving-wheel, a push-fork reciprocating between said cutter
and support, and a conveyor-belt provided with transverse serrated slots,
substantially as specified.
6. The combination, with the veneer-magazine, the reciprocating-cutter, the
reciprocating-support, a separate lever for reciprocating each the cutter and
support, a driving-wheel having a cam-groove for actuating each lever; of two
push-forks operating in opposite directions and at right angles to the movement of
said cutter and support, and two conveyors provided with transverse slots tapered
in opposite directions and having serrated holding surfaces, substantially as
specified.

page_text: 7. The combination with a single magazine for holding the veneers, a single
cutter mechanism and splint support; of two endless slotted belts suitably
supported and arranged to travel at opposite sides of the veneer magazine, and two
splint-inserting mechanisms, substantially as specified.
8. The combination, with a single magazine for holding the veneers, a single
-cutter mechanism and splint-support; of two endless slotted belts supported on
rotating drums, two splint inserting mechanisms, located at opposite, sides of the
magazine, and two ejector mechanisms, substantially as specified.
9. The combination, with a single magazine for holding the veneers, a single
cutter-mechanism and splint-support; of two slotted endless belts supported by
rotating drums, two match-inserting mechanisms, two ejector-mechanisms, two sets
of paraffining vessels, two sets of mechanisms for applying the igniting composition,
and two sets of drying boxes, the respective sets of belts and their supports,
splint-inserting mechanisms, ejector mechanisms, paraffining-vessels, composition
applying-vessels and drying-boxes being located on opposite sides of the magazine.
10. The combination with a single magazine, a single cutting-mechanism and
splint-support; of a splint-sticking mechanism located at opposite sides of said
magazine and arranged to push a row of alternate splints in opposite directions,
and a slotted-conveyor belt for each splint-sticking mechanism, and separate
mechanism for moving each belt, substantially as specified.
11. In a continuous match making machine, the combination with a single veneer
magazine, and the splint-cutting and sticking mechanism located below the same,
of the polygonal drums in two sets located respectively at opposite sides of the
mechanism and the splint cutting and sticking mechanism, and the mechanism for
imparting a step by step movement to the belt, and mechanism for operating the
cutter and pushing forks to cut and insert the splints in the plates of the respective
belts, substantially as specified.
12. In a match making machine, the combination with a single veneer magazine,
the polygonal drums located at opposite sides thereof, and the conveyor belts; of
the pitman located between the respective sets of drums, the ratchet levers.mounted
on the shafts of the drums and pivoted to the said pitman, and pawls pivoted to
the said levers and adapted to engage and move the ratchet wheels, and the stop
pawls, also engaging said ratchet wheels, to prevent reverse movement, the whole
arranged to impart a step by step movement to the belts in one direction,
substantially as specified.
13. The combination in a match making machine, of a single veneer magazine, a
single cutting mechanism and splint support, splint sticking mechanism located at
opposite sides of the magazine and adapted to work at right angles to the cutting
mechanism and mechanism for operating the cutting and sticking mechanism to
cut the splints from the veneer bundle, the conveyor-belts, and mechanism for
inserting the splints into the same, substantially as specified.
Dated this 5th day of May 1896.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.