Improvements in or Applicable to Apparatus for Delivering Cigars, Cigarettes, or Packets of Tobacco by the Operation of Coins or Equivalents.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1886
Complete Left, 8th Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1887
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Applicable to Apparatus for Delivering Cigars,
Cigarettes, or Packets of Tobacco by the Operation of Coins or
Equivalents.
We EDWARD GARDNER COLTON of 11 Neeld Terrace Hendon in the County of
Middlesex Consulting Engineer and JOSEPH FREEMAN of 13 Stanbridge Terrace
Putney in the County of Surrey Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our Invention has for its object so arranging the well known apparatus in which
cigars cigarettes or packets of tobacco are delivered to the purchaser by inserting a coin
or equivalent into the apparatus so that a light can be obtained at the same time, or if
such tobacco in any form is not required and only a light wanted the same can be
supplied by putting in a coin of less value.
According to our invention and in its simplest form we connect to the pull or push
operating the delivering mechanism and ejecting the cigar cigarette or packet on the
insertion of the coin or equivalent, a lever link or equivalent operating a valve or tap
on a pipe or tube leading from a bottle or receptacle in which we generate or store
hydrogen. Such pipe or tube has a nozzle leading near an orifice in the box or case
in which we place a platinum sponge.
As the coin or equivalent is dropped in, the locking mechanism as usual in such
machines is released, and the delivering apparatus being operated by the pull or push
(which we arrange to be restored to its normal position by a spring or otherwise when
released) works the gas tap igniting the platinum sponge and so long as the pull is
held off, or the push pressed in, a light can be obtained.
We prefer to enclose the platinum sponge and the end of the gas nozzle in a porcelain
or metal chamber to prevent risk of fire.
If desired the apparatus may operate a plug door valve or flap to close the lighting
chamber when not in use. Where only a light is required we arrange the pull or
push mechanism to operate the lighting gear by the insertion of a coin and such
D11/1

page_text: mechanism can be arranged as that in apparatus well known which may be applicable
for the purpose.
A modification of our invention would be to arrange the pull or push mechanism
as understood so as to move an electric switch and thus light carbon platinum or other
electrodes in the case or box or preferably to arrange a sliding bolt or part carrying
at its end a platinum coil strip or filament, or carbon rod strip or filament operated
by such mechanism so that the sliding bolt or part shall besides projecting from the
box or case when the apparatus is operated cause its light giving part to furnish light
electrically such light being extinguished on the retrograde motion of the bolt
.or part.
A further modification of our invention would be to arrange our apparatus to feed
forward by gripping devices a match or fusee when the coin was dropped in such
match or fusee being arranged to rub against an igniting surface as fed forward.
The matches or fusees could be laid in a line with their heads following each other,
and a pair of gripping jaws he pushed forward by the pull or push, a pivotted pawl
dropping behind each match as seized by the jaws and keeping the following match
back till the jaws are released by their retrograde motion striking an incline or
catch releasing the used match stem. On the forward motion of the gripping jaws
the pawl is again released allowing a fresh match to be seized and stopping the
following one.
TIL
L
C

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Applicable to Apparatus for Delivering Cigars,
Cigarettes, or Packets of Tobacco by the Operation of Coins or
Equivalents.
We EDWARD GARDNER COLTON of 11 Neeld Terrace Hendon in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and JOSEPH FREEMAN of 380 Brixton Road in the
County of Surrey 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 :-
.
Our Invention has for its object arranging the well known apparatus in which
cigars, cigarettes or packets of tobacco are delivered to the purchaser by inserting a
coin or equivalent into the apparatus, so that a light can be obtained at the same time
or if such tobacco in any form is not required and only a light wanted the same can
be supplied by putting in a coin of lesser value.
According to our invention and in its simplest form we connect to the pull or push
operating the delivering mechanism and ejecting the cigar, cigarette or packet on the
insertion of the coin or equivalent, a lever link or the like operating a valve or tap on
a pipe or tube leading from a bottle or receptacle in which we generate or store
hydrogen. Such pipe or tube has a nozzle leading near an orifice in the box or case
in which we place a platinum sponge.
As the coin or equivalent is dropped in, the locking mechanism as usual in such
machines is released and the delivering apparatus being operated by the pull push or
actuating device (which we arrange to be restored to its normal position by a spring
or otherwise when released) works the gas tap igniting the platinum sponge and so
long as gas is being generated or released and the pull is held off or the push pressed
in or the actuating handle manipulated a light can be obtained.
We prefer to enclose the platinum sponge and the end of the gas nozzle in a
porcelain or metal chamber to prevent risk of fire.
If desired the apparatus may operate a plug, door, valve or flap to close the lighting
chamber when not in use. Where only a light is required we may arrange the pull
or push mechanism or separate pull or push mechanism to operate the lighting
gear by the insertion of a coin and such mechanism can be arranged as that in
apparatus well known which may be applicable for the purpose.
A modification of our invention would be to arrange the pull or push mechanism
(as understood) so as to move an electric switch and thus light carbon platinum or
other electrodes in the case or box, or we may arrange a sliding bolt part or case
carrying at its end a platinum coil strip or filament, or a carbon rod strip or filament
operated by such mechanism so that the sliding bolt part or case shall besides projecting
from the box or case when the apparatus is operated, cause its light giving part to
furnish light electrically such light being extinguished on the retrograde motion of
the bolt or part.
A further modification of our invention would be to arrange our apparatus to feed
forward by gripping devices, a match or fuzee when the coin was dropped in, such
match or fuzee being arrange to rub against an igniting surface or surfaces as fed
forward.

page_text: The matches or fuzees could be laid in a line with their heads following each other
and a pair of gripping jaws be pushed forward by the pull, push, or actuating handle;
a pivotted pawl dropping behind each match as seized by the jaws, and so the
following match is kept back till the jaws are released by their retrograde motion
striking an incline or catch and so releasing the used match stem. On the forward
motion of the gripping jaws the pawl again rises and so allows a fresh match to be
seized and the following one is stopped.
We can of course considerably vary the details of our invention.
And in order that our invention may be understood and carried into practical effect
we have caused to be annexed to this specification the accompanying three sheets of
drawings. Reference is now made to the same.
On sheet I Figure 1 is an exterior perspective view of a box for delivering cigars,
cigarettes or packets of tobacco constructed according to our invention in that method
when we furnish the light by the ignition of hydrogen or inflammable vapour.
Figure 2 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale through the box showing the
method of working the light-giving mechanism, a coin balance also being shewn and
locking gear. In this figure the gas generator is not shewn for the purpose of not
overcrowding the drawing.
The coin balance is shown locked or in the normal position and the dotted lines
shew its position when tilted by the insertion of a coin or equivalent so releasing the
locking gear.
Figure 3 is a back elevation of the apparatus the end plate being removed to clearly
shew the working parts, the end plate is broken off at the hopper and delivery side,
no hopper or delivery mechanism being shewn in any of these figures as there are
many forms of such mechanisin now in use applicable for the purpose.
On sheet II Figure 4 shews a similar view to Figure 2 but the gas generator is
shewn in position in sectional elevation, and the apparatus is shewn in the act of
delivering the light, the depressed coin balance being shewn in dotted lines behind
the gas generator. The coin balance is shewn as being in the act of restoration to
the normal position.
Figure 5 shews on an enlarged scale a side elevation (partly in section) of an
alternative method (as applied to these boxes) of igniting the hydrogen or inflammable
vapour.
Figure 6 shows a view similar to Figures 2 and 4 but employing electricity alone
to furnish the lighting medium.
On sheet III Figuro 7 is a view similar to Figures 2. 4. 6. but shewing the box
fitted to fire out a lighted match or fusee. The dotted lines shew the working parts
as being operated.
Figure 8 is a plan of the arrangement we find it advantageous to use for
automatically feeding and striking the match or fusee.
Referring now to Figures 1. 2. 3. 4 A is the box or case having a coin slit B
mounted therein and C is the coin shoot leading from the same to the coin balance D
operating the locking gear. The form of coin balance and locking gear shewn is not
claimed in this specification it forming part of the subject matter of an application
for Letters Patent by one George Jeffery and not yet granted.
This coin balance or tray is pivoted on a pin E fixed on the plate F dividing
the releasing gear from the hopper and delivering gear which as before stated is
not shown.
The coin balance is adjusted by a sliding and adjustable weight G as usual in such
machines. It carries a pin H which pin is adapted to drop into or abut on the
reduced portion of a slide or bolt I which has a slot J formed therein to ride on the
pin E and its outer end carries a stem K sliding in a boss L fixed on the plate F.
M is a bell crank lever pivoted on the plate F on a pin N and so arranged that in the
normal position its short end abuts on the reduced end of the slide or bolt I, but if
the coin balance be tilted and its pin H be freed from the slide or bolt I the long end
will be forced against the depressed coin balance and gradually return to the normal
position as hereinafter described.
.

page_text: On the slide or bolt I we fix a pin O, and on the plate F we fix a stud or pin P.
On this stud or pin P oscillates a lever or arm R jointed at S to a sliding bolt T
pulled back by a spring U attached to the plate F or otherwise. The lever or arm R
has its lower end slotted to engage with the pin O.
The upper end of the lever or arm R carries a link V its end a being threaded and
passing through a slot b in an arm W connected to the spindle of a tap or valve X.
c. c. d. are nuts or screwed washers on the end a of the link V to regulate the play of
the same and consequently the motion of the tap or valve.
The tap or valve communicates by a tube Y with a bell or chamber Z in which
we hang a piece of zinc e which bell or chamber Z is enclosed in a tank or vessel f
filled with dilute acid as usual in the "hydrogen light."
From the tap or valve ✗ runs a pipe g to a nozzle h projecting through a
metal porcelain or other tube or socket through the top of the box. Over the
nozzle we suspend the bridge piece; of thin metal (see Figure 3) carrying the
tube k for holding the spongy platinum 1. We find it advantageous to place a
perforated cap or dome m over the spongy platinum and the orifice n admits of
the introduction of the cigar cigarette or pipe to the flame.
If desired we could arrange a sliding shutter to cover this orifice when not in
actual use and opened from the operating mechanism by a link or connection.
On dropping a coin of predetermined value or equivalent in the slot B it traverses
the coin shoot C and falls into the coin balance D tilting it as shown in dotted
lines Figure 1.
The moving pin H mounted thereon has now left the reduced portion of the slide
or bolt I which can now be pulled forward by the knob or handle on the bolt T to
deliver the cigar cigarette &c.
The pin O retreating with the slide or bolt I causes the lever or arm R to rock on
its centre P and move the link V at its upper end thereby pulling the arm W con-
necting with the spindle of the tap or valve X. The hydrogen now passes through
the tap or valve and rushes against the spongy platinum in the tube k and is so
ignited.
The cigar cigarette &c. is delivered at or about the same time from the hopper or
delivery side of the apparatus, a pin or stud o on the slide or bolt I passing through
a slot in the plate F to work the delivery mechanisın.
The slide or bolt I retreating, its end strikes the short end of the bell crank M
which oscillates on its pin N. The upper end of the bell crank is pushed down and
its lower and longer limb rises, catching the coin balance D and elevating it till its
pin H rides on the top of the slide or bolt I. On releasing the handle of the bolt T
the spring U pulls it back and the slide or bolt I forward and the arm R forward also
which shuts the tap or valve X and so puts out the light owing to the hydrogen being
cut off.
We may place a piece of platinum foil or wire in the tube or socket i to become
incandescent in the flame and so give brilliancy thereto.
Instead of using spongy platinum to ignite the hydrogen we may use the method
shown in Figure 5. We make the tube or socket i of porcelain or like non conducting
material and put a strip of platinum wire or foil p across the same.
-
-
In place of the simple hydrogen generator we may use a galvanic battery suitably
sealed and of such construction as to generate hydrogen more or less rapidly such for
instance as battery using zinc iron and caustic soda. The tube Y from the tap X leads
to the battery and the wire say + to one pole of the same, the other wire going to a
plate or stud r. The upper end of the lever or arm R is insulated at s and is connected
by wire t to the other pole say of the battery. u is a platinum or like stud on the end
of the lever or arm R. Link V, arm W tap X &c. operate precisely as in the before
mentioned arrangement, but the forward motion of the bolt T and consequent back-
ward motion of the slide or bolt I causes the forward motion of the lever or arm R
which opens the tap X and the stud i on it making contact with the fixed plate or
stud r completes the battery circuit, rendering the strip of platinum wire or foil p
incandescent and so igniting the issuing stream of gas from the nozzle-h. The

page_text: release of the bolt T of course breaks the circuit and also shuts the tap so extinguishing
the light.
"
We might arrange the mechanism to strike what is known as a continuous
match" or operate a flint and steel or a generator of static electricity so as to give off
a spark and so light the escaping gas. And the hydrogen or inflammable
gas may be stored in or be conveyed to the apparatus instead of being generated
therein or thereby.
We may as before stated use an electric current from a dynamo, battery, or other
generator of electricity of sufficient intensity to render incandescent carbon platinum
or other electrodes. Figure 6 illustrates such a method. The lever or arm R is
insulated from the other metallic parts and its end may carry a spring v, advan-
tageously made of platinum wire, arranged to make contact with a plate w carrying
one end or ends of the strips or electrodes the upper plate y being connected with
the other pole of the battery or circuit. The plates w. y. are insulated from each other
in a box or case which may be arranged to be pushed outward from the box A,
so as to present the light by the lever or arm R or by the bolt T and retracted by a
spring or be advantageously left as a fixture as shewn in the drawings.
X
The spring on the end of the lever or arm R is proposed as a buffer on the plate w
if the knob or handle on the bolt T be pulled too suddenly forward. The same can
be applied to the contact making device in Figure 5. The box or case z could of
course be covered by a plug, door valve or flap when not in use to be opened by the
bolt T or otherwise.
In this figure the principal letters of reference in Figures 1. 2. 3. 4 of course
apply.
On Figures 7 and 8 the same principal letters obtain, but as this arrangement is
designed to fire or feed out a match or fusee the details are slightly modified. The
bolt T is notched or serrated at A' and works in a boss or bearing B¹, which may
carry a toothed roller to lessen friction.
The lever or arm R has a tooth C¹, engaging with the said notches so that on the
forward motion of the holt T, the arm R is caught by its tooth C¹ with these
notches and the slide or bolt I runs back to deliver the cigar cigarette &c. and the
match or fusee.
Or we may use a link or like attachment to connect T and R and we may arrange
the bolt to be pressed in instead of being pulled out.
D' is a plate fixed in the box A and having a slot E¹. F¹ is a pin carried by the
bolt T, and serving as the fulcrum of links G¹, G2 jointed by pins H' H³ to toggle
levers I¹ I connected by a spring J'. These levers are pivoted at K₁ and prolonged
to form gripping jaws L' L' which work through a slot M¹ below a match or fusee
case or slide N¹ in which the matches or fusees are laid with their heads following
each other. We find it advantageous to place a sliding weight such as N' on the
top of the pile of matches or fusees to feed the same downwards or a spring could
be used.
O is a pivoted pawl arranged to drop on each match as advanced by the forward
motion of the jaws and while being seized by them and P1 P2 are two roughened
spring jaws fixed to the box between which the match or fusee ends are forced
and so ignited. An incline or catch Q₁is fixed on the plate D₁ against which
the links G¹ G' operating the toggles I¹ 12 are forced so opening the jaws.
Assuming the apparatus to be in the position shewn in firm lines the bolt T is
supposed to have been pulled back by the spring U. and the machine locked.
On releasing the coin balance the bolt T can be pulled forward. The pin F¹
advances causing the links H¹ H2 to move thereon which contracts the toggles
and closes in the jaws gripping L' L' which seize the lowest match or fusee in
the receptacle N'. The pivoted pawl O' drops on the match or fusee as fed
forward and rests thereon and thus only one is fed forward. As the match or
fusee advances it rubs between the roughened spring jaws P1 P2 and is presented
in an ignited state. On releasing the bolt T the gripping jaws L' L' run back
and the match or fusee stem is held by the pivoted pawl O till the links H¹² H³

page_text: strike the incline or catch Q¹ when the gripping jaws open as shown in Figure 8
and the pawl dropping allows the match or fusee stem to fall advantageously into
a metal tray S¹.
The dotted lines shew the position of the parts when firing the match or fusee.
Of course by omitting the frictional surface or surfaces to ignite the matches
or fusees the same could be automatically delivered one by one to the purchasers of
the Cigarettes &c.
We may so arrange a double set of locking gear in our apparatus that a coin
say of the value of one halfpenny will deliver the Cigarette and another halfpenny
will deliver the light. For example this could be very easily accomplished and will
be readily understood by supposing the mechanism shewn as adapted to deliver the
light by the operation of a coin or equivalent and by supposing a coin lock such as
before described or other suitable form to operate the hopper and delivery mechanism
by another coin or the like. By this means a light only could be obtained at will by
inserting a coin or the like.
It is obvious that the details of our invention could be greatly varied to suit different
boxes.
We are given to understand that matches singly have been dropped from automatic
coin Cigarette or Cigar selling machines to be struck by the purchaser but not as far
as we are at present aware singly held out to the purchaser or smoker by such
automatic coin apparatus in a lighted or unlighted state.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is-
1. The application to a box or apparatus for automatically delivering cigars,
cigarettes or packets of tobacco in exchange for coin or equivalent, of means
whereby on such coin or equivalent being placed in or on the box or apparatus
to release the locking or delivering mechanism, a light can automatically be obtained
substantially as described.
2. In combination with the operating mechanism of such boxes or apparatus, a
lever, link or equivalent operating the tap or valve of a hydrogen or inflammable
gas supply or storage device, and means for igniting the gas, so that the flame is
produced when the mechanism is operated through or by a coin or equivalent,
substantially as described.
3. In combination with the operating mechanism of such boxes, a device to control
an electric circuit when the box is operated, and so heat or light a conductor
of electricity to furnish the lighting power and extinguish the same, substantially as
described.
4. In combination with the operating mechanism of such boxes a device for
automatically delivering a lighted match or fusee when the mechanism of the box is
worked substantially as described.
5. In a match or fusee firing or feeding apparatus for use in automatic boxes the
combination of links H¹ H' toggles I' I' gripping jaws L L' case N' pivoted pawl O'
(and with or without striking surfaces P1 P³) fixed incline or catch Q' and
pin F for operating the apparatus from the automatic gear substantially as
described.
6. The general arrangement and combination of apparatus illustrated in the
accompanying drawings for giving a light in connection with automatic boxes
substantially as and for the purposes described.
Dated this 8th day of October 1887.
POPPLEWELL, COLTON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.