Improvements in and relating to Machines for Filling Boxes with Matches.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 27'h Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 26th Oct., 1889-Accepted. 21st Dec.. 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Machines for Filling Boxes with
Matches.
I. GEORGE CHARLES GRIMES of Tidaholm. in the County of Westergötland,
Sweden, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists of a machine for filling matches into match boxes. The said
machine is provided with suitable magazines both for matches and for the empty
boxes. It also comprises suitable arrangements by which the matches in the match
magazine are measured and carried forward and placed into the boxes to be filled.
Arrangements are also provided by which the machine can be regulated so that it can
be used for the filling of boxes of a somewhat larger or smaller size if required. The
said machine comprises means by which the machine can be used with boxes that are
first fitted together in the usual manner, that is to say, with the empty inside box,
placed into the outside box or the machine can be used with boxes that have not been
previously fitted. The said machine also comprises arrangements by which the
machine keeps a control over the boxes that are properly fitted and those that are not,
and places them into suitable position. Also suitable means for levelling the matches
in the match machine. It moreover comprises an improved arrangement by which
the machine can also be used for emptying the matches out of clamp ready for
placing into the match magazine.
The action of the machine is somewhat as follows.
The necessary driving arrangements are brought in action and the magazines before
mentioned are kept supplied with matches and boxes by the attendant. If boxes that
have been previously fitted are placed into the box magazine a suitable pusher or bar
forces the inside box out of the outside box and carries it forward to a position over
a trough, which is also in connection with the under part of the match magazine. The
inside box is thus brought into a position (upside down) over the before mentioned
trough and the machine after levelling the matches in the match magazine by suitable
arrangements measures them into the desired quantity, which then is lowered to the
bottom of the trough and By another pusher is carried forward and under the before
mentioned inside box and finally lifted into this box.
The inside box thus filled is then forced by another pusher into the outside box,
which in its turn by guiding springs is placed into a suitable position for facilitating
the entrance of the inside box. Then the box is force home and another takes its
place. Every box thus filled is carried over a plate forming a controlling apparatus,
acting in the same manner as a weighing machine, in such a manner that every
box which is properly filled will by its own weight depress the plate and slide down
into another position, while a box, which is not properly filled or even empty will rest
on the controlling plate until it is pushed away by the next coming box into another
receptacle than that into which the boxes, properly filled are forced. The boxes
falling from the controlling plate are carried forward and placed into receptacles,
which when filled are removed for the purpose of making up the boxes into packages.
If the boxes have not been previously fitted together, only the outside boxes are
placed into the box magazine. The inside boxes are placed by the attendant on
plate between the match magazine and the box magazine. In this case the pusher
before mentioned passes through the outside box, but carries the inside box into position
over the trough as before mentioned.
a
The box magazine has suitable adjustable stops which while allowing the inside
box to be carried into position will not allow the outside box to follow in the same
direction. The outside box thus moves out of the magazine in a direction sideways
and is then held in a suitable position for the insertion of the filled inside box and
the box is forced to the controlling plate as before mentioned.

page_text: 4
By making the one side of the trough, through which the matches are conveyed
into the inside box, adjustable as well as the arrangement in the match magazine for
measuring of the inatches in suitable quantities; different sized. boxes can be filled
by the machine.
The improved arrangement, by which the machine can also be used for emptying
matches out of the clamps and ready to be placed in the match magazine for filling
into the boxes consists principally of a frame having upright guides into which the
clamp to be emptied is placed. In the frame there is also bars upon which the
lowest row of matches in the clamp can rest. Each row of matches is successively
acted upon by a bar or a pusher, which forces one or two rows at each motion of the
box filling machine out from between the clamp boards and places these matches
into hoxes or troughs, ready for placing in the match magazine of the box filling
machine.
Dated this 27th day of December 1888
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Machines for Filling Boxes with
Matches.
I, GEORGE CHARLES GRIMES, of Tidaholm, in the county of Westergötland, in the
Kingdom of Sweden, Engineer, 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:—
This invention relates to a machine for the filling of matches into matchboxes the
said machine being also provided with suitable means whereby control is kept over
the boxes that are properly filled, and those that are not so the boxes that are
properly filled pass into trays and are gathered together ready to be taken from the
machine and bound up into packets while the boxes, which are empty or not properly
filled, are carried in another direction and kept separate for future inspection.
Or
The machine can be used with boxes that have been previously fitted together in
the usual manner, that is to say, with the inside box placed into the outer one.
the machine can be used with boxes that have not been previously fitted together,
hereby saving the expense of fitting, and also saving material or waste of boxes,
which is evident, because the boxes are only fitted or inserted once, instead of twice,
which is otherwise the case.
The action of the machine is as follows. Upon the machine there are placed two
suitable receptacles or magazines, which are to be supplied, one with boxes and the
other with matches. If boxes. previously fitted together, are placed into the box-
magazine, the machine forces the inside box out of the outer box, which lies lowest
in the magazine and carries it into a suitable position so as to receive a suitable
quantity of matches, which by the action of the machine is measured off and
carried from the match magazine into the inside box. This box in its turn is then
by suitable a rangements placed into the outside box, which has been carried into a
suitable position, ready to receive the inside box, after which the box is carried io,
and passed over the controlling arrangement before mentioned and is thus separated
or controlled.
If boxes are used that have not been previously fitted, the attendant will have the
outside boxes on one side and the inside boxes on the other and feed the machine by
placing the outside boxes into position with one hand, and the inside boxes into
position with the other, in which case the filling of the boxes with matches is con-
tinued in the same manner as if boxes previously fitted had been used. The magazines
for the boxes can be movable and of different sizes and high or low as required. I
prefer to use high magazines, if boxes previously fitted are used, but low magazines
for boxes that have not been previously fitted together, such being more convenient
for feeding by hand.

page_text: size but sufficient to hold a considerable quantity of matches at one time. The bottom
of the magazine is so constructed, that a quantity of matches is measured off suitable
to fill the box. This quantity by suitable arrangements is placed in order, straightened,
and carried into the place where it is inserted into the box.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a plan of the machine without the match and box magazines.
Figure 2 is an end view of the machine.
Figures 3 and 4 are longitudinal sections of the machine, showing the stroke of
the machine in two positions.
Figure 5 is another longitudinal section and
Figures 6-12 show parts of the machine in detail.
The machine consists of a frame 2 Figures 1, 2 on which are fixed nearly all the
parts of the machine. On this frame there are two guides 80 Figure 2 for a slide 4
Figure 2 and another slide 5 situated under it. The slide 4 receives its motion by
means of a connecting rod 68, from the wheel 67. which is provided with cams 40.
The shaft of this wheel moves in bearings 71, fixed to the frame, and has on its end a
suitable driving pulley 69 with a connecting clutch for starting or stopping the
machine as required.
The matches in the match magazine 6 are assisted in their downward course by two
arms S, connected with each other and working backwards and forwards close under
the opening in the bottom of the match magazine transversely to the length of the
matches. By this arrangement the matches obtain a motion, which helps to level
them before the measuring apparatus is brought into action.
The matches are also kept in position lengthways by means of a movable arm 9
which receives its backward and forward motion by a bar 41, pivoted at 70. This
bar 41 receives its motion from the cam wheel 67 acting upon a roller, attached to
the end of the bir 41, which is also connected at its other end with the arm by a
connecting rod Figures 1, 2. The number of motions required is regulated by the
cams, which are fastened to the wheel 67. At one or the other side of the match
magazine is placed a plate of steel or other material, which plate is sufficiently wide
to prevent the matches falling out in any other position than the desired one.
plate 42 Figures 3, 4, 5 has a slight action similar to a spring and presses against
the ends of the matches during the action of the bar or arm 9.
This
Under the opening at the botto.n of the match magazine there are two thin plates
or springs 81, pressing preferably downwards, each of which is attached to the end
of a corresponding arm 39, one on each side of the slide 4 and parallel with its slide;
the other ends of the arms 39 turn freely on pins or studs Figure 1 thus working
with an opening and closing motion which is also transmitted to the springs or
"cutters off" 81. These springs 81 can be adjusted higher or lower by means of
set screws, thus regulating the cutting or measuring off from the magazine of more
or less matches as desired.
A flat spring 66 Figure 2 is fixed at each inside of the match magazine and
each of these springs is bent into a suitable form to assist the matches in their
downward passage; the ends of the springs are bent so as to rest upon the
movable pieces 8. These springs are preferably not quite so wide as the length of
the matches to be used, thus standing some little distance from the front of the
magazine, by which means such matches that may be crossways at the ends of the
other matches when placed into the magazine have an opportunity of gradually
working themselves out through the opening formed and fall from the magazine
out of the way to the table or upper part of the machine where they can afterwards
be gathered together. In the opening at the bottom of the match magazine
Figure 2, there are vertical guides forming a channel 1 Figure 2 somewhat shorter
than the length of the matches and also of somewhat less width than the inner box
to be filled. Under this channel is a trough 65 also of about the same width; lying
in the same direction as the guides 80 Figure 2. One of the sides 66 of the trough
should be adjustable as shown in Figure 2, so that the machine can be easily altered

page_text: for filling boxes of somewhat different widths. For this reason the width of the
channel 1, can also be adjuste, one of its sides being connected with the movable
side of the trough 65 Figure 2. In this case of course a broader match magazine
must be screwed to the machine. At the bottom of the trough 65 there are placed
in suitable positions two vertical slides 10, 11 Figure 3 working in guides and with
their tops wide enough to work easily in the trough. One of these slides works under
the opening through which the matches pass down from the channel 1 and the other
slide works under a rest or holder 18, which serves to hold the inside box in position
during the insertion of the matches therein. The slide 10 by suitable action of the
machine which is hereinafter described is lifted up towards the opening in the
bottom of the match magazine 6, and when at its highest position (which can be
regulated) the cutters off 81, open instantly allowing the matches to fall on the top of
the slide 10. The cutters off $1 as before mentioned are connected with the forward
ends of the arms 39, which are drawn towards each other by means of a spiral or
other spring 82 Figure 1. On each of these arms 39 is fixed an adjustable plate 60,
the inside edges of which are cut into a suitable shape. These plates in their turn
are acted upon by the slide 4, to which are attached two bars 59, one for each of the
plates 60. These bars are suspended on studs or pins fixed on the slide and are
adapted to exert a resistance in one direction but not in the other Figures 1, 3, 4.
Thus at the forward motion of the slide they pass freely under the plates 60 but at the
backward motion they press upon these plates and the arms 39 causing the cutters off
to open. As soon as the bars 59 have passed the plates 60, the cutters off are again
closed by the spring 82. The slide 10 is acted upon with a tendency to rise by
means of a spring 50 Figure 3 by which it is brought up near to the cutters off for a
moment, but it is then depressed by means of the slide 4 which in its alternate motion
controls the upward action of the slide 10. This slide 10 has at its lowest part a pin or
stud 2, which by the action of the slide 4 upon a movable cate 51 Figures 3, 4 locks
the slide 10 in its lowest position until it is released as required. On the one side
of the slide 4 are placed several plates two of which are adjustable viz. furthest a
plate 55 being somewhat horizontal and somewhat lower than the slide 4, in front of
this a slanting adjustable plate 54 placed somewhat higher, just before this plate a
similar adjustable plate 53, and before this plate another slanting plate 52, which at
its lowest end has an outward standing horizontal pin. Before the plate 52 there is
also placed another plate 56 slanting in an opposite direction. The action of these
plates are as follows. The slide 4 at its backward motion keeps the slide 10 pressed
down by the plate 55, but as soon as this plate has passed the stud on the slide 10
this slide is instantly lifted by the spring 50 towards the bottom of the match magazine
till the stud a strikes against the under side of the plate 54. The height to which
the slide 10 can rise is thus regulated by the plate 54 the situation of which also is
regulated by set screws. In the continued motion of the slide 4 the stud and its
slide, are forced downwards by the slanting side of the plate 53 to the point desired,
in which moment the cutters off are closed together by the action of the arins 39.
Then the slide 10 is still further forced down by the plate 52, the pin of which
forces the catch 51 over the stud e, which is thus kept firmly in position. Thus the
slide 10 is kept depressed until it is released by a bar 57 on the plate 55 Figures 3, 4,
which bar near the end of the forward motion of the slide 4 strikes against the
catch 51 and releases it, so that the slide 10 is only depressed by the plate 55.
The slide 10 sinking with the matches before the cutters off 81 are brought
together allows the machine to be used to fill boxes of a tolerably large size which
would scarcely be possible or advisable, if the matches had to fall such a long distance
from the match magazine as they would otherwise have to do, whereby they also
would be disordered and consequently the boxes would not be well or equally filled.
Besides this, there is also the advantage, that the cutters off can always be placed
sufficiently high to permit the arrangement, by which the matches, thus resting on
the top of the slide 10, are pushed forward in the trough 65 to the top of the
slide 11, to freely pass under the cutters off even if a match should be sticking
between them. If a match should afterward fall from the cutters off it would in the

page_text: most cases fall at the back of the arrangement mentioned above and not in the
trough 65 or that part of it, in which the matches are carried forward.
When the matches as before mentioned have thus been measured or cut off and
placed upon the top of the slide 10 and this is lowered to its lowest position, level
with the bottom of the trough 65, the matches are carried or pushed along the
trough 65 by means of a pusher 58, Figures 1, 3, 4, acting upon or against the
ends of the matches, carrying them forward. The width of the former end of this
pusher can be regulated according to the size and width of the box, intended to he
filled and so as to slide easily in the trough, which is also regulated as aforesaid. The
pusher 58, whose front part slides in the trough 65, is fixed at its rear end, by
suitable arrangements to the slide 4, and moves also in the same direction as this slide;
at the forward motion it removes the matches from the top of the slide 10 and leaves
them placed on the top of the other slide 11, which, at the proper instant lies level
with the bottom of the trough 65. The slide 11 is acted upon by a weight or spring,
which gives it a tendency (when not otherwise held up) to fall to its lowest position
with the top level with the bottom of the trough 65.
The slide 11 has, an up and down motion similar to that of the slide 10, but is put
in action by means of a bar 61 Figure 3 which is bent downwards, and connected
with the slide 4. On the lowest part of the slide 11 there is a stud or pin y
Figures 3, 4 on which a friction roll can be placed, if desired. On the machine
there is also a hinged plate 62 Figures 2, 4 acted upon in one direction by a
spring 63, Figures 2, 4. During the back motion of the slide 4 (when the stud a
on slide 10 is acted upon in succession by the plates 55, 54, 53, 52) the bent. arm 61
glides under the study of the slide 11 and lifts this slide into the position, shown in
Figure 4, thus pushing the matches resting on the top of the slide 11 into the inside
box, which meanwhile has been brought in position above the slide, ready to receive
the matches, as will be hereinafter described. At this time the spring 63 Figures 2, 4
presses the hinged plate 62 against the study of the slide 11, causing the stud or pin
when at its highest point to rest. on the bottom of a slot cut in the top of the plate 62.
The stud remains in this position during the rest of the back motion of the slide 4
and also during a part of its forward motion, until the upward bent bar 64 on slide 4
Figures 2, 3, 4 during its forward motion pushes open the hinged plate 62, Figure 2
thus releasing the study and allowing the slide 11, to fall again to its lowest position,
ready to receive the next quantity of matches from the slide 10.
The plate 56, before mentioned, in connection with the plates acting upon the
slide 10 is principally a kind of safety arrangement so as to insure the placing of the
slide 11 into its proper position to receive the matches, if from any reason the slide
should fail to fall to this position by partial failure of its weight or spring.
Having now followed the passage of the matches from the match magazine to their
position on the slide 11, ready to be inserted into the inside box above this slide, it
remains now to explain, how the boxes in the box magazine are acted upon and
placed into their proper positions. This is obtained principally by means of a
horizontal arm or bar 14 Figure 1 lying somewhat above the slide 4 and on its
underside, near the end provided with two rollers, which during the backward motion
of the bar 14 act upon two other arms or bars 17 and 29. The arm or har 14 also
carries a small bar or arm 16 which, when the machine is in motion, forces the inside
box from out of the outside box, which is lying lowest in the box magazine.
This magazine 7 Figure 9 consists of a vertical trough sufficiently high to contain
a number of boxes. It is fastened to the sides of another trough 20, Figure 1 lying
partly across the machine. On the bottom of the trough 20 and under the box
imagazine is a flat bar or arm 19, which receives a backward and forward motion from
its connection with the arm 17 and by its motion in one direction pushes the outside
box, situated before it, into another position, after which it returns to its former
position, ready to act upon the next falling box in the magazine.
On the upper side of this arm or bar 17, which at the one end turns on a pin or
stud, there is an adjustable plate 35 with a level edge. By the forward motion of the
i

page_text: bar 14 the arm 17 is drawn sideways by means of a spring 18 and at the same time
the arm 19 is drawn from under the opening in the box magazine and clear of the
next falling box. At the next backward motion of the bar 14, the roller on this bar
presses against the slanting part of the plate 35, turning the arm 17 in the other
direction, thus carrying the plate 19 forward and pushing the lowest, box in the box
magazine forwards in the trough 20. The boxes this moved are prevented from
travelling further than is intended and are kept in their place by a spring, which
keeps the box down on the bottom of the trough 20 and just in position to be acted
upon by the arm 16, which then strikes against the end of the inside box and pushes
it out from the outer box through an opening in the side of the trough 20 to a
plate 31. Figure 1. The outside box is prevented from travelling in the same
direction by means of a spring a Figure 1 and also by the bottom of the plate 31
lying a trifle higher than the hottom of the trough 20. just sufficient so as to give
a resistance to the edge of the outside box. By the bar 16 the inner box is carried
over the plate 31 to another plate or flat arm 30, where it is held in position by
means of a spring 34 Figure 10. The arm 30 which moves backwards and forwards
in its trough in right angles to the arm 16, is brought into action by means of a bar
or arm 29 which is parallel and similar to the arm 17 and also is drawn sideways by
means of a spring 83. It carries also an adjustable plate 35ª, acted upon by a roller
on the bar 14 in the motion of the slide 4 in exactly the same manner as the
plate 35 on the arm 17. When the bar 14 moves forward, the spring 83 comes
into action thus withdrawing the arm 30 from under the inside box, placed
thereon and quite clear of this box, which then falls a trifle lower than the surface
of the arm 30. At the backward motion of the bar 14 when its roller strikes against
the plate 35, the arm 30 is caused to force the aforesaid inside box into its position
under the rest 13 where the insertion of the matches into the box takes place. This
rest or holder 13 lies straight over the slide 11.
The inside box on its passage over the plate 31 is guided by means of two side
guides, the one of which can he adjustable so as to suit boxes of different widths.
The box in its passage to the rest or holder 13 is also guided by a spring 32
Figures 1, 10 which by means of set screws can be placed so as to suit the length
of the different sizes of boxes to be filled. The rest or holder 13 Figures 1, 3, 4 5 6
and 7 consists of a hinged block pressed down by a spring and being in line
with the arm 30. On one side of the rest or holder there is placed an iron
bar 75 at the one end pivotting on a screw or pin. To this bar is attached
a cross piece, which passing over the top of the holder 13 and depressed
by a spring rests on the top of the end of the spring 32 before mentioned.
The under edge of the bar 7 as also of the spring 32 act as guides for
the inside box, while passing under the rest or holder, and also to keep the box in
position during the insertion of the matches. The holder can be regulated by means
of a screw Figure 7 for pressing sufficiently on the inside box to keep it in a proper
position and at the same time allowing of the passage under it of the slide 12 which
forces the filled inside box into the outer one. This would not be possible, when the
lower edges of the guides 75 and 32 are lower than the under side of the holder, as
before described, to allow of the free passage of the slide 12 these guides thus must
both be lifted just before the passage of the slide 12 under the holder 13. This is
effected by means of the arm 43 having a slanting point Figures 5 and 6 and sliding
under and lifting the bent end of the spring 32, which also in its turn lifts the other
guides 75 as shown in Figure 7 thus allowing the passage of the slide 12. On the
return of this slide and of the arm 43 the guides 75 and 32 sink again to their lowest
position, ready for guiding the next inside box to its position under the holder. In
the inside box thus kept in position the matches are then placed by the using of the
slide 11, Figure 4, which is kept raised and in position until the slide 12 has carried
the filled inside box from under the holder 13 and towards the outside box to which
it is to be inserted as hereinafter described. The slide 11 then falls again into its
lowest position ready to receive the next quantity of matches which as before

page_text: mentioned is brought forward by means of the arm 58 and thus placed in position
for filling the box, which then is carried under the holder.
In Figure 7 is shown a side view of the holder 13 with an inside box in position
for receiving the matches from the slide 11, but the guides 75 and 32 are shown
lifted in position for the passage of the slide 12. On the arm 30 in the same Figure
there is shown an inside box, ready to be next brought into position for filling. The
inside box when under the holder 13 is prevented from being carried too far by means
of the stop ³. The slide 12 which inserts the inner box into the outer one, has a
backward and a forward motion in the direction of the length of the machine and is put
in action in the following manner. It is fixed on the top of the iron which carries the
hefore mentioned bar or plate 43 and which is fixed to the slide 5, working under the
slide 4. This slide 5 has a tendency to move forward in consequence of its con-
nection with a bent weighted lever 45 Figure 5 by means of a connecting rod 46.
This rod is connected with a plate 47 on the slide 5 the one end of which plate is
bent outwards and at a right angle forming a stop for a plate 48 on the slide
plate 48 at the back motion of the slide 4 strikes against the plate 47 compelling the
slide 5 to follow the backward motion of the slide 4, thus raising the weighted end
of the lever 45 and carrying the slide 12 back from under the holder 13 and into
its farthest backward position Figure 5.
which
When the slide 4 starts forwards the slide 5 also is pushed forward by the action
of the weighted bar 45 and thus the slide 12 is moved towards the holder 13 and
strikes against the filled inside box, forcing it forward from under the holder to the
outside box, which meanwhile has been moved forward out of the trough 20 and
placed into position ready to receive the filled inside box Figure 1.
If by any reason. the slides 5 and 12 should not be carried sufficiently forward
by means of the weighted lever 45, this is overcome by means of the arm or plate 49
Figure fixed on the slide. This plate 49 at its forward motion strikes against
the bent end of the plate 47 Figure 5, and thus carries the slide 12 to its proper
forward position.
The upward motion of the slide 11 by the action of the arm 61 commences
immediately after the beginning of the backward motion of the slide 12 from the
holder 13. Just as this slide during its backward motion has passed the holder the
next inside box is instantly placed into its position under the holder 13 ready to be
filled with matches and in its turn acted upon and placed into the outside box.
I have now described the course of the inside box until its arrival to the empty
outside box Figure 1. While the inside box obtains its various movements as before
described one of the outside boxes is faced forward nearly out of the trough 20 and
placed in line with the inside box, which is under the holder 13, the outside box
being then held in position by means of a slightly hollowed spring 72 Figures 1
and 6. The outside box above mentioned is placed into position, when the slide 4
is on its backward motion by means of a bar or arm 15 Figure 1, working within
guides and under the arm or bar 14. On the upper side of the bar 15 there is two
stops between which travels the arm 14 in its backward motion striking against
the stop forcing forward the bar 15 and at its forward motion striking against
the stop withdrawing the bar 15, the end of which thus is carried out of the way
of the outside boxes in their travel through the trough 20. The arm or bar 15
forces the outside box upon springs of thin metal or other materials. Figures 1, 3
and 6 two of which Ee flat and two standing up edgeways, one having a long spring
arm 73. The forward ends of these springs are closer together than the back ends.
The outside box is forced upon these springs which press one against each inside of
By their
the box, thus acting as guides for the entrance of the filled inside box.
forward motion the slides 4 and 12 carry the filled inside box from the holder 13 and
force it into the outside box between the springs s. The outside box during this
action is held in position by a spring 72. The striking or forcing part of the slide 12
is of about the same size as the inside box, but is wider at the top, the wider part
of it thus after the insertion of the inside box passing over the side springs s (which

page_text: are sufficiently low as to allow this), catches the sides of the outside box and returns
it, filled, to the position previously occupied by it in the trough 20. From this
position it is moved by the next. empty outside box another stage towards the con-
trolling arrangement, into which it ultimately arrives. The controlling apparatus
consists of a pivotting plate 21 Figures 1 and 6 at one side of which is a short lever
carrying an adjustable weight, which can be regulated so as to nearly balance the
weight of the box, that is to be controlled. Each box at its movement from the
trough 20 rests for a short time on the plate 21 and if properly filled and heavier
than the weighted lever, it depresses the plate 21 instantly and is overturned from this
plate into another position on a plate 22. The plate 21 then rises in its former
position ready to receive the next box. On the other hand, if the box placed on the
plate 21 should be empty or not properly filled the plate and the box remain in the
upright position and the faulty box is then forced away from the plate by the next
box and pushed on or into another trough 36 thus being separated from the boxes
properly filled. Every one of these boxes falls endways from the plate 21 and
remains on its end in a trough & resting upon a plate 21ª Figures 1 and 6 having a
backward and forward motion upon a plate or apparatus 22, shown in Figures 1
and 6 (the last mentioned showing also an elevation and end view of several parts
of the machine). The plate 21ª is connected to the end of a spring 78 acted upon
by a roller 79 at the end of the bar or arm 14. At the back motion of the slide 4,
with the arm 14 the roller 79 is pressed against the spring 78 forcing the plate 21"
forwards on the plate 22, but at the forward motion of the box 14, the roller passes
from the end of the spring 78, which then draws back the plate 21" allowing the
box previously resting upon it to sink into the plate 22 where it is by the next
motion forced a stage in advance by the plate 21 and so on, sufficiently to have clear
passage for the next box to fall unto this plate into position in its turn, ready to be
acted upon in a similar manner. In this manner the boxes are passed along and
gathered together in the kind of trough, whose bottom is formed by the plate 22
which turns on pivots similar to these in the controlling apparatus and at its back is
provided with a lever having an adjustable weight of suitablo dimensions. The
plate 22 having received the number of boxes, which it can conveniently contain, the
foremost box strikes against and releases a catch 23 Figure 1 which during the
passage of the boxes has kept the plate 22 locked in its proper position. After
the releasing of this catch the plate 22 allows the whole row of filled boxes to fall on
the plate 24 and then actuated by its weighted arm the plate is instantly raised into
its former position ready to receive other boxes in the order in which they are filled.
The catch which holds or locks the plate 22 in its horizontal position is shown in
Figures 1, 6, 12. It is placed into its locking position by means of an arm 25,
which is fixed on a slide 26 Figures 1 and 6 having a backward and forward motion.
This slide 26 receives its motion from a connecting rod, the one end of which is
attached to the slide and the other to an eccentric 70 fixed on the main shaft of the
machine. On the forward end of the slide 26 there is a frame 27 which is nearly of
the same breadth as the plate 24 and serves to move the row of boxes into position
on the plate 24 as shown in Figures 1 and 6 having a space clear for the next row
of boxes, when filled. This is continued until the tray 28 situated under the plate 24
is filled when this tray is removed and changed against another. A bar 37
Figures 1 and 2 fixed in a slanting position on the slide 26 drives the one arms S
by working between two rollers 38 placed on the underside of one of these arms.
The cams 40 preferably are adjustable and covering only about half of the side of
the wheel 67 Figures 5, 1, thus only acting upon the bar 41 at the forward motion of
the slide 4 and resting, when the cutters off are opened or closed. From this
description it is evident that the action of the 'machine is principally the same, if
loose inside boxes are used instead of those that have been previously fitted together.
The action of the machine in its moving of the outside boxes from the box magazine
being the same, but the inside boxes in this case having to be placed into their
position on plate 31 by hand.

page_text: It will of course be understood that if boxes of larger or smaller size than usual
are used, other plates to suit the width of the trough 65 and of the box to be filled
are to be screwed unto the top of the slides 10 and 11, and also on the end of the
pusher 58. Suitable larger springs are placed at s and also other box magazines
screwed on so as to suit the sizes of the box to be filled the opening at the bottom
of the box magazine is also adjusted to suit the size of the box to be delivered
therefrom.
;
The machine has also an improved arrangement for emptying suitable clamps used
in the manufacturing of the matches in such a manner that the matches are taken
out and placed ready to be transferred into the match magazine from which they are
filled into the boxes as described. The clamps containing the dipped matches are
emptied by the following arrangements shown in figures 13 and 14 which can be
placed on the frame of the box filling machine thus saving space and costs. Upon
the end of the slide 26 a bent plate or bar at its upper part carrying another hinged
bar or plate is fixed. On the latter bar there is screwed two adjustable bars a and b
with their ends bent or provided with fingers. Between these ends or fingers there
is placed a horizontal pivotting bar e which at one end is connected with a plate
by means of the connecting rod d. The plate e which worles in guides as shown in
figure 18 is a little wider than the width of the row of matches to be emptied and
the front or pushing edge of the plate e is somewhat thicker than the matches. The
upper edge of the plate also is slightly rounded so as to facilitate its passage under
the clamp board, resting above, while it is forcing out the matches therefrom. The
under part of the pushing edge of the plate e forms a thin ledge which, passing
under the row of matches to be removed from the clamp figure 13, prevents the
matches from falling during their passage to the trough or tray in which they are
ultimatly gathered together. The plate e has a tendency to be drawn from the
clamp by means of a spiral spring attached to the underside of the plate and
sufficiently back to allow of the free passage of the pushing edge, until it reaches
the position required in the tray 1. The other end of this spiral spring is attached to
the frame of the machine.
The clamp R to be emptied is placed between two vertical guides which while
guiding the ends of the claimp in its descent stands free from the matches. These
guides are connected by two cross bars i somewhat rounded at the top edges upon
which the lowest row of matches in the clamp rests in position ready to be pushed into
the tray by the plate c (fig. 14). These cross bars i are placed sufficiently apart to
allow of the free descent of the clamp when the undermost row of matches is pulled
in tray 1, after which the next row of matches with the clamp rests upon the cross
bars ready in their turn to be removed into the receiving tray. This tray is kept in
position by means of a sliding frame or rest . working in guides attached to the
guides and having a rising tendency imparted to it by means of weights and cords
passing over pulleys. It is yet prevented from rising higher than necessary by
means of a roller m which may be either plain or grooved in the feeding direction of
the matches. A pivotted bar g with a roller in its end acts upon the hinged plate
Supporting the bars a and b This bar acts so as to either put the emptying
apparatus in or out of motion in the last case permitting the box filling machine to
continue its work independent of the emptying arrangement. The action of the bar g
is as follows. In the position shown in fig. 13 the emptying machine is in action,
but if the handle of the bar g is depressed it raises the hinged plate supporting the
bars a and thus lifting these bars clear from the pivotted bar e which then remains
at rest until by the lifting of the handle of the bar y the bars a and b are lowered in
their former position, thus bringing the emptying arrangements in action.
At the forward motion of the plate e imparted to it by the forward motion of the
slide 26, the forward edge of the plate strikes against the undernost row of matches
in the clamp R, and pushes it out in the tray whereby the clamp is lowered a little
until the next row of matches is supported on the rods i. This row in its turn is
pushed out from the clamp by the next forward motion of the plate c which takes
".

page_text: l
is
place at the back motion of the slide 2€. Thus two rows of matches are pushed
away at every stroke of the slide 26 viz. :-during the filling of one box in the filling
machine. Of course if one of the bars a and b is removed the machine will empty
one row only during the same time. The arrangement of the emptying machine is
such that one person could attend to several machines. The action of the machine
is simply this. The clamp boards having been loosened by means of its nuts or
pins, as is well understood, the clamp is placed into the guides h, and the tray
placed in its position on the sliding rest k. The machine is then started by the
bar and the forcing edge of the plate e thus passes under and against the end of
the row of the matches, which is supported by the cross bars and pushes this row
out from the clamp and places the matches into the tray (which is open at the part
facing the machine) under the roller m. This roller is connected to the guides h by
thin arms and the matches then remain in the tray between the bottom of the same
and the roller m. The plate e is then drawn back by the action of the spiral
spring and the clamp board which was supported by the plate c now sinks clear
having no matches to rest upon, the clamp then descends somewhat until the next
row of matches meets the cross bars i and in their turn are removed by the pushing
plate This action is continued until the whole of the clamp has been emptied.
According as the tray is filled it is lowered as well as its rest in such a manner
that the upper surface of the matches therein is always at the same height. After
the last row of matches have been removed, the clamp by its own weight falls out
of the guides and out of the way; the attendant depresses the handle of the bar
and stops the action of the machine during the time necessary to place another
clamp in position for emptying. The machine is then again started with like results.
When the tray has received a sufficient quantity of matches it is removed and
another empty one put into its position on the rest k.
e.
I am aware that thin springs have before this been tried and used for the cutting
off of the quantities of matches from match magazines, but the arrangements by
which the said springs are actuated are in the present case different and easily con-
trolled and regulated by the attendants. The controlling arrangement, as also the
levelling, arrangement 9 Figure 1 and the arrangements by which boxes previously
filled together or not can be filled in the machine are of great importance.
I am also aware that machines for emptying of the clamps are already known.
For this reason I do not claim such a machine, but only the roller m and the using
of counterweights to the rest k, thus rendering the machine almost automatic and
very easy to attend permitting one person to attend to several machines at the same
time.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to he performed I declare that what I
claim is
First. A machine for filling boxes with matches, wherein suitable means are
provided for the delivery or discharge of the properly filled boxes and of the empty
or improperly filled boxes in different directions from the machine, for the purpose
above specified.
2%
Second. The improved mechanism for cutting or measuring off the desired
quantity of matches from the magazine, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third. The slides 10 and 11 arranged and operating substantially as, and for the
purposes, above specified.
Fourth. The improved mechanism for pushing the inner boxes to the holder 15,
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Fifth. The improved mechanism for pushing the filled inner boxes from the
holder 13 into the outer boxes, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Sixth. The controlling apparatus by which the empty or improperly filled boxes
are separated from the properly filled boxes, substantially as described with reference
to Figures 1 and 6 of the dawings.

page_text: Seventh. The combination of the roller m arranged to bear upon the matches in
the tray, and the counterweighted rest or support for the said tray, substantially as
described with reference to Figures 13 and 14 of the drawings, for the purpose
above specified.
Eighth. A machine having my improvements embodied therein or incorporated
therewith substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings
and operating as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Dated this 26th day of October 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.