Improvements in Match Making Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Dec., 1899-Accepted, 10th Mar., 1900
Improvements in Match Making Machines.
I, FRANK LESTER VAN DUSEN, of 130, Middle Street, Ottawa, in the Province
of Ontario, and Dominion of Canada, Millwright, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an automatic machine adapted to cut match splints or
sticks from a block of wood, dip the same in igniting compositions, and dry the
latter, thus producing matches complete and ready for immediate use.
objects are:-
The chief
(1) Shortening the throw of the cutter head and increased rapidity and
production.
(2) Means for sticking the splints in a travelling carrier;
(3) Reduction of size and cost of the machine;
(4) Automatic rejection of half splints and utilization of three-quarter splints;
(5) Means for preparing for final ejectment of the matches from the carrier;
(6) Means for moving the carrier intermittently;
(7) Match-ejecting mechanism;
(8) Removal of composition vats in case of ignition, without preventing the
operation of the other vats.
The match sticks or splints which are severed from rectangular blocks are
inserted into sockets in an endless chain carrier composed of metal slats or bars
by which the splints are successively carried through or dipped in the sulphur or
patatine bath, then over rolls working in vats containing the igniting composi-
tion, then through a drying room, thence over rolls so arranged as to force the
matches partly out of the carrier, then to ejecting mechanism whereby they are
delivered upon a belt, the slat chain or carrier then passing to the splint cutting
and severing apparatus where the operation begins anew. The block-feeding,
splint-severing, and match-ejecting mechanisms and other related or co-operating
parts are arranged in a skeleton frame.
The blocks are placed successively end to end on endless chains which are
arranged to travel in parallel guideways arranged diagonally with reference to
cutter heads that reciprocate vertically at one side of said frame. These chains
or carriers are composed of sprocket links provided on the upper side with trans-
verse ribs or teeth that engage the splint blocks. The carriers are driven by
sprocket wheels upon parallel horizontal shafts receiving intermittent movement
whereby the carriers are advanced only at the time when the splint-cutting
mechanism is receding from a block. Intermittent rotation is imparted to the
sprocket shafts by pendent pawl levers, the lower ends of the levers being coupled
to a bar reciprocated by a cam. As the carriers advance intermittently, they
carry the blocks beneath a plate that covers the guideways up to the cutting
mechanism, the blocks being held between said cover and the base while being
cut up into splints.
In order to ensure the uniform feed of the blocks I provide means for adjusting

page_text: the chains higher, say, when required to take up wear, consisting of a screw-
adjusted plate arranged in the bed of each guideway close to the place where the
chains turn down through the beds of the guideways. There is for each guide-
way and carrier a cutter-head which may consist of a solid block having a
laterally projecting ledge in which the row of annular cutters proper are formed.
These cutter-heads are connected and reciprocated vertically by means of con-
necting rods and the driving crank shaft, the combined cutter-heads working in
parallel guides across the mouths or exits of the block guideways. When a
cutter-head is at the top of its stroke, its row of circular cutters proper projects
over a splint block, ready to begin a downward cut and when the cutter-head is
at the limit of its down stroke, a series of splints have been severed and stand in
the cutters proper. The splints thus severed are next to be guided into the
sockets of the splint carrier composed of a chain of transverse parallel slats or
bars each having a series of vertical sockets for match splints. The splint carrier
is moved intermittently and at the moment when a row of splints has been
severed, as just mentioned, a section of the splint carrier is directly over the
cutter-head and the splint sockets in one slat are empty. The splints severed,
as before described, by the downstroke of the cutters, are pushed upward into the
sockets of such slat at the next upstroke of the cutter-head. For this purpose a
slidable plate is arranged in a transverse slot in the cutter head. It has a flat
body and a raised oblique portion or flange having an acute edge that comes
under the row of severed splints when the plate is slid forward and then, the
cutter head being raised, the said flange prevents the splints from sliding back
through the cutters while they are being forced up into the slat sockets. The
reciprocation of said plate is effected by levers operated by cams on the drive
shaft, said levers being pivoted to the cutter-heads so as to move with them and
their lower ends having yokes that embrace the cams. On the top of the cutter
head is a splint guide plate having vertical splint guide grooves in its front or
inner edge and splint holes in its body portion. By the grooves the
splints are supported and guided into the sockets of the slat that lies
directly over them, and when the cutter-head descends the slat chain
or carrier advances a distance equal to the pitch of the slats and,
consequently, when the cutter head again rises, the row of splints that were last
inserted in the slat sockets enter the holes in said plate and are thereby guided
while being forced farther into the slat sockets so that they project therefrom
equidistantly on opposite sides. From such splint-sticking mechanism the carrier
takes the splints to the paraffine or sulphur dipping vat where the carrier is
depressed in order to dip the splints by means of guides. Thence the dipped
splints are carried to and over rollers working in composition vats and then
through the drying room where the carrier travels in vertical festoons over
pulleys. The carrier then takes the now complete matches over an inclined plane
composed of a set of successively higher horizontal rollers which push the matches
upward in the slat sockets preparatory to their final ejectment therefrom. The
carrier is moved intermittently by worm wheels mounted on horizontal and ver-
tical shafts geared intermittently with the drive shaft. The two spiral flanges of
these worm wheels engage the ends of the slats and although constantly revolved
act on the slats intermittently, to force the same forward. Thus the carrier has
dwells of sufficient length to allow insertion of splints therein and during the
same time the match-ejecting mechanism operates.
At the point where the match-ejecting mechanism operates, the carrier passes
down in guides and as each slat comes opposite the ejecting devices it dwells for
a moment. The said ejecting devices consist of a box-like holder and guide con-
taining a plunger guide bar having holes and coincident conical nipples adapted
to enter the conical sockets in the slats of the carrier. Fixed in the bottom of the
guide box and working in the holes in the bar are plungers, springs being inter-
posed between the bottom of the box and the plunger guide bar which works
yieldingly between the sides of the box and acts as a taker off. The guide box,

page_text: of which the sides are spaced to receive a carrier slat between them, is fixed on a
horizontal slide reciprocated by cam-operated levers whereby at the proper time
the ejecting mechanism is moved forward; the sides of the guide box embrace the
opposite alat; the conical nipples of the bar centre the plungers in the sockets in
said slat, and the plungers are forced forward and push out the matches which
fall upon an endless delivery belt with their heads all lying in one direction,
whereupon the cam retracts the ejector guide box and its attachments and the
carrier moves until another match-carrying slat comes opposite the ejecting
devices.
The composition vats are circular and the chief feature is the adaptation for
speedy removal in case of accidental ignition of the composition. For this
purpose each has a flange that rests on the top of a water-bath and is prevented
from rotation by dowel pins. An annular spur gear ring surrounds each vat
flange, the two being so rebated that if the gear ring be raised the vat will be also.
Stirrers and scrapers formed of bars that work close to the bottom and sides of
the vat are attached to the gear ring and are pivoted at the centre of the vat.
The gears of the several vats mesh so as to be rotated together by driving gears
at opposite sides so that when the composition becomes ignited, or it is desired
to remove the vat for any other reason the operation of the apparatus may be con-
tinued with the other vats. A horizontal roller runs in each vat to take com-
position and apply it to the dipped splints as they travel over it, the roller shafts
being driven from a common shaft through worm gear, these roller shafts being
easily dismountable to allow removal of the vats.
The splint and match sockets in the slats of the carrier are made either square
or triangular in cross section at any point between their funnel or flaring mouths.
These shapes have been found to be practically efficient for holding a round or
three-quarter match splint but will not hold a half splint. In other words, a
perfect splint sticks in such sockets and so does a three quarter splint, but a half
splint falls out. Thus the carrier automatically selects and retains such splints
as are suitable but rejects the half or worthless splints.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Match Making Machines.
I, FRANK LESTER VAN DUSEN, of 130, Middle Street, Ottawa Province of
Ontario, Dominion of Canada, Millwright, 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:―
This invention is an improvement in that class of automatic machines which are
adapted to cut match splints or sticks from a block of wood, dip the same in
igniting compositions, and dry the latter, thus producing matches complete and
ready for immediate use.
The chief objects aimed at and attained in my invention are (1) shortening the
throw of the cutter-head and securing increased rapidity of operation of the
machine and a consequently increased production of matches within a given time.
without additional cost; (2) improved means for sticking the splints in a travel-
ing carrier; (3) reduction of size and cost of construction of the machine as com-
pared with others of its class; (4) automatic rejection of half splints and utili-
zation of three-quarter splints; (5) production of improved means for moving
the matches outward in the slats or cross bars of the carrier, preparatory to their

page_text: final ejectment therefrom; (6) improvement in the construction and arrangement
of parts for moving the splint and match carrier intermittently; (7) improvement
in match-ejecting mechanism; (8) adaptation for speedy detachment or removal
of one or more of composition vats or receptacles in case of the composition
becoming ignited, so that the operation of the other vats may be continued while
such vat is cooling and being cleaned. These and various other objects and
improvements are effected by the construction, arrangement and combination of
parts hereinafter described and illustrated in accompanying drawings-8 sheets,
in which
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the entire machine.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the wooden blocks-half size-from
which match splints are cut.
Figure 3 is a plan view of a portion of the machine which includes block-
feeding, splint-cutting, and other important mechanism-part being broken away.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of ratchet, pawl and lever mechanism for feeding
the wooden blocks to the splint cutters.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the portion of the machine shown in plan in
Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a perspective in plan and side view, part being broken away of
one of the links composing the endless chain or carrier employed for feeding the
wooden blocks to the splint cutters.
Figure 7 is an end or front face view of the portion of the machine shown in
plan in Figure 3.
Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section on line 8-8 of Figure 3.
Figure 8 is a detail section more specifically hereinafter referred to.
Figure 9 is a detail section of a block carrier on line 9-9 Figure 8.
Figure 10 includes perspective and sectional views of portions of the cutter-
head detached from each other.
Figures 11, 12, and 13 are vertical sections illustrating the operation of the
splint cutting mechanism and attached devices for forcing and guiding splints
severed from a block into the sockets in the slats of an endless travelling chain
or carrier.
Figure 14 includes a plan and end view of one of the slats of the splint and
match carrier.
Figure 14ª is a plan view of a slat showing a modified form of splint and match
socket.
Figure 15 includes two perspective views of the worm wheel employed for
moving the endless splint and match carrier.
Figures 16 and 17 are enlarged vertical sections illustrating the construction
and operation of the mechanism for ejecting the completed matches from the end-
less travelling carrier.
Figure 18 is a detail partly sectional plan of the match ejector proper.
Figure 19 is a plan view of the portion of the machine for applying composition
to the splints previously dipped in a sulphur or paraffine vat.
Figure 20 is a side view of such composition applying apparatus.
Figure 21 is a vertical cross section on line 21-21 of Figure 19.
Figure 22 is an enlarged perspective section of one of the composition vats and
the annular gear for rotating it.
Referring in the first instance to Figure 1, it will be seen that the match sticks
or splints, which are severed from rectangular blocks such as shown in
Figure 2, are inserted into sockets in a carrier A, composed of metal slats or bars
that are loosely connected to form an endless travelling chain by which the
splints are successively carried through or dipped in the sulphur or paraffine
bath B, then over rolls working in vats containing the igniting composition,
then over a series of pulleys a arranged in a drying room, thence over rolls C
arranged in an inclined plane for the purpose of forcing the matches ¹ up in the
slats or bars of the carrier A, then over a pulley a from which they descend to

page_text: the ejecting mechanism at D, whereby they are delivered upon a transverse travel-
ing belt E that conveys them to the packing department.
From such point of ejectment of the completed matches ¹, the slat chain or
carrier A, passes downward then upward over pulleys a by which it is guided
to the splint cutting and severing apparatus, where the operation begins anew.
The block-feeding, splint-severing, and match-ejecting mechanisms and other
related or co-operating parts are arranged in a strong vertical skeleton frame G,
which is shown enlarged in Figures 3, 5, 7, and 8. I will proceed to describe
the said mechanism and parts with the requisite detail.
The blocks X from which the match splints or sticks are to be severed are
placed successively end to end on endless chains H, see Figure 3, which are
arranged to travel in parallel guideways 1, forming a horizontal attachment of
the top portion of the skeleton frame G, and arranged diagonally Figure 3 with
reference to the several cutter heads, Figures 7 and 8, that reciprocate vertically
at one side of said frame G. As shown in Figure 6, those several chains or
carriers, in this instance four are employed-are composed of a series of similar
links, such having a rounded tenon 2 at one end and a recess or socket 3 at the
other adapted to receive such a tenon, whereby the links are adapted to be pivot-
ally connected by transverse rivets or bolts. Each link 1 is provided on its upper
side with transverse ribs or teeth 4, that abut or take into the splint blocks X,
and prevent the latter slipping backward while being carried along by the
chains H. The under sides of the links 1 are also provided with a recess 5
Figure 6. adapted to receive a tooth of sprocket or feed-wheels 6 over which the
chains H pass. Such sprockets 5, are shown in dotted lines Figure 3, and are
keyed upon horizontal parallel shafts 7, Figure 4, having ratchet disks 8, fixed
on their outer ends. One sprocket and shaft are required for each block carrier
or chain H. The latter obviously requires to remain motionless when the cutting
or splint, severing mechanism is operating, and hence intermittent movement
must be imparted to it. In other words, it is advanced only at the time when
the splint-cutting mechanism is receding from a block X. To impart inter-
mittent rotation to the sprocket shafts 7, pendent levers 9 Figure 4, are pivoted
on the latter and carry pivoted gravity pawls 10 that engage the ratchet disks.
while the lower ends of such levers are pivoted to a bar 11 which is reciprocated
by means of a cam 12, Figures 3 and 5, mounted on a vertical shaft 13, geared
at 14 Figure 5 with a shaft that derives motion from the drive shaft 16, (see also
Figure 8). The means for connecting bar 11, with the cam 12 is horizontal
arms 17, Figure 3, carrying anti-friction rollers that run in contact with said
cam as shown.
As the chains or carriers H, advance intermittently, they carry the wooden
blocks X forward beneath a plate 18, that covers the guideways
up to the cut-
ting mechanism. The chains H do not extend so far as the cover 18 and the
blocks X are held firmly between said cover and the base piece 19, Figure 8, while
being cut up into splints.
In order to ensure the uniform forward feed of the blocks X, I provide means
for adjusting the chains H higher, say, when required to take up wear, the same
consisting of a plate 20, Figures 8 and 9, arranged in the bed or floor of each
chain guideway I, and set screws 21 arranged beneath such plate 20, and sup-
porting the same as shown. It is apparent that by rotating said screws 21, the
plate and chain H will be adjusted accordingly. This plate 20 is arranged as
close as practicable to the place where the chains turn down through the beds
of the guideways.
I come now to description of the cutting or splint severing mechanism. There
being four block guideways I and carriers H, there is necessarily a like number
of cutter-heads J and these, as shown best in Figures 11, 12, 13 may consist of a
solid block, having a laterally projecting ledge in which the cutters proper 23 are
formed. These blocks J are rigidly connected and they are reciprocated verti-
cally by means of thick pitmen or connecting rods 24 and the driving crank

page_text: shaft 16. The latter is arranged horizontally in bearings at one side of frame G,
and provided with a band wheel 24. The combined cutter-heads J are guided
vertically in parallel ways and work across the mouths or exits of the four guide-
ways 1, see Figure 8.
As shown in Figure 11, a cutter-head J is at the top or upward limit of its
stroke, and a row of circular cutters proper 23 forming an attachment or part of
1t, are shown projecting over a splint block X, and ready to begin a downward cut.
In Figure 12, the cutter-head J is shown at the limit of its down stroke, and
a series of splints have been severed and are standing in the cutters proper 23.
The splints thus severed are next to be guided and projected into the sockets of
the splint carrier A. The latter is composed of transverse parallel slats or bars 24
hinged together or flexidly connected by means of lateral perforated ears that are
pivoted together as shown in Figures 12, 13. Each slat or bar 24 has a series
of vertical apertures adapted to serve as sockets or holders for match splints, and
sad sockets have a peculiar form for a purpose hereinafter stated. The carrier A
is moved intermittently, in one direction, by means that will also be described
hereinafter.
It will be noted in Figure 12, that a section of the splint carrier A, is directly
over the cutter-head J, and that the splint sockets 24 in one slat are empty. The
splints severed as before described by the down stroke of the cutters, are now
to be pushed upward into the sockets of such slat, and this is done in the next
up stroke of the cutter-head J represented in Figure 13. The chief means for
effecting this result, is a slidable plate 25 arranged in a transverse slot in the
cutter-head J. The same is shown detached in Figure 10. It has a flat body and
a raised oblique portion or flange 25", having an acute-angled edge, that wedges
under the row of severed splints x, when the abutment plate 25, is slided forward
as shown in Figure 13, and then the cutter-head J, being raised, the said
flange 25 rises with the row of splints and prevents them from sliding back
through the cutters 23 while they are being forced into the slat sockets 24 as
shown. The means for reciprocating said plate 25 horizontally as required to thus
project and then retract it to the position shown in Figures 11 and 12, are
levers 26, Figures 5, 7, 8 and 8, which are operated by cams 27 on the drive
shaft 16. Said levers 26 are pivoted to the cutter-heads J and necessarily move
with them and their lower ends are slotted or provided with elongated yokes 26ª,
Figure 8, that embrace the shaft 16. It is obvious that the elongations of the
slots or yokes 26" allow the levers 26 to reciprocate with the cutter-heads J with-
out affecting the action of the cams 27 required to vibrate said levers and reci-
procate the plates 25.
In other match machines of this particular class, the arrangement of parts,
more especially of the abutment plate or block with the cross head, has required
a longer traverse by the latter and consequently the cutters were required to do
their work in a short space of time in order to produce a maximum number of
gross of matches in a given time. This necessarily resulted in the cutters becom-
ing heated more than if they made their cut in a longer time, as in my machine.
On the top of the cutter-head proper J, is secured a flat splint guide plate 28,
see Figures 8 and 10 to 13. The said plate 28 has vertical splint grooves 29 in its
front or inner edge, and a series of splint sockets 30 in its body portion. As the
plate 25 raises a row of splints as before described as shown in Figure 13, the
sad splints are supported and guided into the sockets 24 of the slat that lies
directly over the aforesaid guide grooves 20. Further, when the cutter-head J
descends the guide plate 28 moving with it-the slat chain or carrier A advances
the length of the space between two slat sockets 24, and consequently when the
cut'er-head again rises, the row of splints that were last guided by grooves 29
end inserted in slat sockets 24, enter the sockets 30 in said plate 28 as shown in
Figure 13, and are thereby held or guided while being forced farther into the
slat sockets 24 as shown in Figure 12. In other words, in the first instance the

page_text: plate or splint-sticket 25 forces the splints about one third their length into the
sockets of a slat, and at the next operation, i.e. rise of the cutter-head, the same
splints are projected further through the sockets so that they project therefrom
equidistantly on opposite sides, as shown in Figure 12.
From such splint-sticking mechanism the carrier A takes the splints to the
paraffine or sulphur dipping vat B, shown in Figure 1, where the carrier A is
depressed about % of an inch in order to dip the splints to the proper depth, by
means of fixed and downwardly curved side guides 31. Thence the dipped
splints are carried to and over rollers 32 working in composition vats 33, which
are more fully described hereinafter, and then to and through the drying room,
where the carrier is disposed in parallel vertical convolutions and travels on
pulleys a, as shown. From the drying room, the endless carrier A. takes the now
complete matches ¹ over an inclined plane, composed of a set of rollers C,
Figure 1, which are arranged to successively push the matches ¹ upward and
outward in the slat sockets 24, preparatory to their final ejectment therefrom.
Said rollers C are preferably three in number, and are arranged horizontally
parallel but in successively higher planes, the first being located lowest, the
second higher, and the third highest, as shown. The first roller serves to push the
matches upward a certain distance, the second roller a greater distance, while
by the third or highest roller they are pushed up until their shanks are flush
with the under side of the slat sockets 24 of the carrier A.
The means for moving the carrier A intermittently are worm wheels 34-see
especially Figures 3 and 5, mounted on shafts 35, 35" that are arranged respec-
tively horizontal and vertical in bearings in frame G, and geared intermittently
with the drive shaft 16. The two spiral Hanges of these worm wheels 34, 34,
engage the ends of the splint and match carrying slats of carrier A, and although
constantly revolved, they act on the slats intermittently, to force the same
forward. Thus the carrier has dwells of sufficient length to allow insertion of
*plints therein, and during the same time the match-ejecting mechanism also
+perates as hereinafter described.
The match-ejecting mechanism is constructed and operates as follows-
As shown in Figures 18, 16, and 17, the carrier A passes down the front of
the frame G in suitable side guides and each slat comes opposite the ejecting
devices D, and dwells for a moment. The said devices D consist of a box-like
holder and guide 37, Figure 18, for a metal bar 38 having a series of transverse
holes and coincident conical projections 39 that are the same in number as and
are adapted to enter the conical sockets 25 in the slats of carrier A. A series of
parallel horizontal pins 40 are fixed in the bottom of the box 37, and are coin-
cident with and work in the holes in the bar 38. A spiral spring 41 encircles each
pin 40. The outer ends of the pins are normally flush with the apexes of the
cones 39, of bar 38, and the sides of the box 37 are spaced so as to receive a
carrier slat between them.
The box 37 is fixed on a horizontal plate 42, which is adapted to slide hori-
zontally in suitable guide ways in frame G. The means for reciprocating said
plate 42 and thereby the ejecting mechanism proper, are levers 43 shown best in
Figure 8, which are arranged vertically and pivoted at the middle of their length
and slotted at their lower ends to adapt them for engagement with the flanges of
a cam wheel 44 keyed on horizontal shaft 15. It will now be understood that as
the match carrier A is arrested at the proper time, the cams 44 cause the lever 43
to throw the plate 42 and attached ejecting-mechanism forward into the position
shown in Figure 12, whereby the sides of box 37 embrace or enclose the opposite
slat of said carrier, the conical points 39 of the bar 39 enter the sockets in said
slat, and the pins 40 are guided and forced into the sockets 24, thus pushing out
the matches which fall upon an endless traveling delivery belt E, with their
heads all lying in one direction. It will be noted that the springs 41 allow the
bar 38 to be pushed backward in box 37, to the distance the pins 40 require to

page_text: pass through the slat sockets 24. So soon as the matches ¹ have been thus
ejected, the cam 44 retracts the box 37 and its attachments, and the carrier A
moves down the distance required to bring another match-carrying slat opposite
the ejecting devices D, when the latter repeat the operation above described.
The correspondence in construction and arrangement between the conical pro-
jections 39 of bar 38 and the funnel-shape sockets 24 of a carrier slat, hold the
latter steady in place and enable the ejecting pins 40 to be guided exactly into
the sockets 24, so that there is no danger of mischance in the ejecting operation.
The composition vats 45-Figures 19-23-are circular, and arranged in a hot
water-bath 33 as usual. The chief feature of the apparatus is the adaptation for 1
speedy and convenient removal of one or more of such vats 45 in case it becomes
necessary by accidental ignition of the composition. For this purpose, each
vat 45 is provided with a circular horizontal flange or ledge 46, Figure 22, that
rests on the adjacent edge of the top 47 of the water-bath. To hold the vat 45
from rotation, dowel pins 48 are fixed in the said top 47 and project vertically into 1
sockets in the ledge 46 as shown. An annular spur gear 49 surrounds each vat
ledge 46, the two having engaging rabbets or shoulders as shown that of the
ledge overlapping the gear, so that if the latter be raised the vat will be also.
Stirrers and scrapers 50 are arranged in cach vat 45, the same being angular
bars that work close to the bottom and sides of the vat and are attached to the 2
upper side of the gear 49. The stirrers 50 intersect and are pivoted at the center
of the vat. The gears 49 of the several vats--four in number mesh Figure 19,
and therefore rotate together. Rotation is imparted to all simultaneously by the
small gears 51 arranged at diagonally opposite points on the water bath 33. These
gears are keyed on vertical shafts 52 that derive rotation from a drive shaft 53:
carrying a band pulley 54 as shown in Figure 19.
When the composition of a vat 45 becomes ignited, or it is desired to remove
the vat for any other reason, the rotation of said drive shaft 53 is arrested, and a
suitable hoisting device or apparatus is applied for raising a gear 49 and vat 45
together. Then the operation of the apparatus may be continued with the other
vats, so that the machine may be run at 3 capacity. It is apparent, that one
of the end gears and vats may be removed or both center gears and vats at the
same time, without preventing operation of the others.
A roller 55 runs in each vat 45, to take composition and apply it to the dipped
splints as they travel over it. Each roller 55 is mounted on a shaft 56 that is
geared with a shaft 58 arranged alongside the water bath and deriving motion
from one of the vertical shafts 52, before referred to. These roller shafts are
made easily detachable from their bearings, to allow removal of the vats and
annular gears as before described.
As shown in Figures 14 and 14, the splint and match sockets 24 in the slats
of the carrier A, are made either square or triangular in cross section at any
point between their funnel or flaring mouths. These shapes have been found to
be practically efficient for holding a round or three quarter match splint but will
not hold a half splint.
In other words, a perfect splint sticks in such sockets with due friction, and
so does a three quarter splint, since it is in contact with and compressed between
a sufficient number of sides of the sockets, but a half splint fails to find due com-
pression and support, in the sockets, and hence falls out. Thus the carrier A
automatically selects and retains such splints as are suitable for use as matches
when dipped and tipped, but rejects the half or worthless splints, so that the
expense incurred in other machines of removal of the same, manually, from the
perfect matches is avoided.
In some machines of this class, the splint, and match carrier is caused to
travel in the opposite direction from mine, in order to prevent the top of the
cutter-head striking the lower ends of the splints upon making the stroke directly
after that in which the splints have been forced up and stuck into the carrier
"

page_text: and the splints also have to be raised high enough to clear the top of the cutter-
head guideways and feed works. I have overcome this difficulty by the provision
of the guide and socket plate 28, which forms practically the top of the cutter
head and stiffens and braces the comparatively thin cutter proper. This plate 28
allows the splints to be carried over the cutter-head without being interfered with
and permits the cutter head to come close up to the bottom of the carrier leaving
the splints Figure 13-in the proper position for dipping. Another reason why
I am able to shorten the stroke of the cutter is that the abutment plate 25 has a
raised or angular thin-edged flange which is moved forward by positively acting
means so that at the time the cutter head completes its stroke, said flange
instantly engages the splints just severed and begins to raise them as the cutter
recedes; whereas, in other machines of this class, the sliding abutment plate
ordinarily has a straight or vertical edge and cannot be shoved forward until
carried down far enough to clear the lower edge of the block from which the
splints are cut; or if provided with an angular edge, it is pivoted in such manner
that it is impossible it can engage and begin to raise the splints at the instant
the cutter has completed its stroke, since (for one reason) it must swing in the
arc of a circle for which movement due space must be provided underneath the
cutter.
When the splints are raised, they enter the carrier socket before the cutter head
has made half its up stroke, and are pushed about half way in said sockets, and
since it is impossible for them to come back more than 1/16 inch (which is the
space allowed for the cutter to clear the top of the block from which the splints
are severed), they need not be held very tight in the sockets, or only sufficiently
so to sustain them while finished and dried. To avoid having the cutter headl
strike the lower ends of the splints and above them up flush with the cutter, I
provide the plate 28, whose sockets receive the support and guide the splints as
they are crossing over the cutter head, which movement would otherwise be
impossible, since the cutter-head is necessarily wider than the space between the
rows of splints. If the cutter head specified be made as narrow as the space, it
would require a carrier 600 feet in length to hold as many splints as one 300 feet
long suffices for in my machine, and less than this would not allow time for the
matches to dry after dipping.
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:-
1. The combination with guideways and rotating sprockets of endless traveling
splint block carriers or chains composed of links having end tenon and socket and
pivoted together as specified, and each link having in its under side a recess
adapted to receive a tooth of the sprocket for impelling or feeding the chains, as
shown and described.
2. The combination with a series of guideways and a series of endless block
carriers or chains adapted to travel in the same, of a like series of sprockets and
shafts having ratchet disks keyed on their outer ends, pendent levers pivoted on
said shafts and having pawls that engage the ratchets, a bar connecting the lower
ends of said levers, and having parallel lateral arms, and a rotatable cam arranged
between said arms substantially as set forth and for the purpose specified.
3. The combination with the guideways and endless block carriers or chains
adapted to travel therein, of a vertically adjustable plate arranged in the bottom
of said guideways, and means for adjusting the same, substantially as set forth
and for the purpose specified.
4. The combination with a rigid frame having guideways as specified an endless
splint and match carrier adapted to travel in said guideways, and composed of a
series of parallel slats or bars which are flexibly connected and spaced apart
equidistantly, of means for intermittently moving said carrier, the same consist-

page_text: ing of worm wheels which are arranged on opposite sides of the carrier, and
having double flanges which are adapted to engage both sides of the carrier slats
so as to ensure accurate position of the latter while the splints are being forced
into the sockets and the matches being ejected, as shown and described.
5. The combination with guideways along which the splint blocks are fed, of 5
cutter heads reciprocating vertically across said guideways, abutment plates
arranged in and adapted to slide horizontally in the cutter heads, and means for
reciprocating the plates during the movement of the cutter heads, all operating
automatically, substantially as shown and described.
6. The combination with block guideways, and cutter-heads adapted to reci- 1
procate across the same, of abutment plates working horizontally in the cutter-
heads, and having an acute-angle ledge or flange to take under and raise a series
of splints and means for reciprocating said plates while the cutter-heads make a
vertical stroke, as shown and described.
7. The combination with block guideways and cutter-heads adapted to reci-
procate as specified and having a series of circular cutters projecting laterally, of
the splint abutment plates adapted to slide transversely in the cutter-heads and
having a raised acute-angle flange adapted to project beneath said cutters, and
means for reciprocating both cutter-heads and abutment plates simultaneously, as
shown and described.
8. The combination with block guideways and cutter-heads proper that recipro-
cate vertically, the socket and guide plate 28 secured on the tops of the cutter-
heads and having vertical groove guides in alignment with the cutters proper, a
splint carrier having a series of slats provided with a series of splint sockets, and
means for imparting a step-by-step movement to said carrier and a reciprocating
movement to the cutter-heads and guide plate as shown and described.
9. The combination with block guideways, endless traveling splint carrier, and
cutter heads operating across the guideways, of slidable abutment plates working
through the cutter-heads transversely and having a flange adapted to project
laterally therefrom, a series of cutters proper projecting laterally and a socket and
guide plate having vertical grooves arranged in vertical alignment with the cutters
for guiding the splints as the flange of the abutment plates forces them up through
said cutters, as shown and described.
10. The combination with the block guideways and cutter-heads reciprocating
as specified, of a crank shaft and pitmen abutment or splint elevating plates
arranged in slots in the cutter-heads as specified, levers pivoted to said cutter-
heads and having their lower ends formed as elongated yokes, and cams on said
crank shaft which are embraced by said yokes, as shown and described, whereby
the levers reciprocate the abutment plates horizontally, while the cutter-heads
reciprocate vertically as shown and described.
11. A carrier for match splints having splint securing sockets which are poly-
gonal in cross section throughout their length substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
12. A carrier for match splints having splint receiving sockets which are poly-
gonal in cross section throughout their length, the polygon having at least three
sides with which the splints are held in contact by friction, substantially as shown
and described.
13. An endless carrier for match splints which is composed of a series of con-
nected parallel slats or bars having splint-receiving sockets which are triangular
in cross section throughout their length, substantially as shown and described for
the purpose specified.
14. A carrier for match splints which is composed of connected parallel slats or
hars each having one or more rows of splint receiving sockets which are funnel-
shape at the end, substantially as shown and described.
15. A carrier for match splints composed of a series of connected slats having
a series of splint-receiving sockets which are polygonal in cross section throughout
their length and have funnel-shape mouths or ends, as shown and described.

page_text: 16. The combination with a splint and match carrier having match receiving
sockets of metal ejecting mechanism comprising in part a pin guide having pro-
jections adapted to engage such sockets, and pins working through said bar and
adapted to project into the sockets, substantially as shown and described.
17. The combination with a guide frame and a splint and match carrier com-
posed of slats or bars loosely connected and having a series of match sockets which
having funnel like entrances, of the ejecting mechanism comprising a bar having
& series of conical projections coinciding with the aforesaid sockets
and adapted to enter the same, pins working through the said projections and
adapted to enter the sockets, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
18. The combination with a guide frame and a splint and match carrier com-
posed of slats or bars loosely connected and having a series of match sockets which
have funnel like entrances, of the ejecting mechanism comprising a bar having a
series of conical projections coinciding with the aforesaid sockets and adapted to
enter the same, a series of pins working through the said projections and adapted
to enter the sockets, a guide frame to which said pins are attached and springs
interposed such frame and the bar having conical projections, as aforesaid, sul-
stantially as shown and described, for the purpose specified.
19. The combination with a guide frame and a splint and match carrier com-
posed of slats or bars loosely connected and having a series of match sockets which
have funnel like entrances, of the ejecting mechanism comprising a bar having a
series of conical projections coinciding with the aforesaid sockets and adapted to
enter the same, a box like guide frame whose top and bottom sides are adapted
to embrace a carrier slat, pins fixed to the bottom of such frame interiorly anil
adapted to work through the conical projections and slat sockets and spiral springs
encircling the pins and arranged as shown and described.
20. The combination with a carrier having slats provided with a series of match
sockets, a horizontal slidable plate and a lever and cam shaft for reciprocating
said nlate, ejecting mechanism proper which is attached to and carried by said
plate, and consists of a guide frame, a series of pins, a bar through which said
pins work and a series of springs that encircle the pins and support the said bar,
substantially as described.
21. The combination with a traveling match carrier having match sockets as
specified, of means consisting essentially of an inclined plane for gradually fore-
ing the matches upward or outward in the slat sockets until the ends of their
shanks are flush with the lower or under side of said sockets, substantially as
shown and described.
22. The combination with a traveling match carrier having sockets for matches
as specified, of a series of rollers arranged in an inclined plane parallel to each
other and beneath the carrier, whereby the shanks of the matches strike first upon
the lowest roller and riding over it are forced up in the sockets a certain distance
then successively upon the higher roller by which they are raised still higher, as
shown and described.
23. The combination with a series of splint carriers and a water-bath, of a
series of composition vats which are independent and removable vertically, sub-
stantially as shown and described.
24. The combination with a series of splint carriers and a water-bath, of a
serics of composition vats, a series of annular gears surrounding the respective
rats and meshing as shown, stirrers attached to the gears and working in the vats
the vats and gears being so connected that both may be raised together from the
water-hath as shown and described.
25. The combination with a water-bath and splint carrier, of a series of
removable composition vats, meshing annular gears surrounding the vats and
having a shoulder that engages a ledge on the vats. stirrers attached to the gears
and working in the vats and a series of removable composition take-up rolls, one
for each vat, substantially as shown and described.
26. In a match machine a heater having a series of openings of a series of

page_text: removable composition vats supported in said openings and arranged for align-
ment with a corresponding number of match carriers, substantially as shown and
described.
D1 0111900
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.