An Improved Machine for Filling Match-boxes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 14th Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION:
An Improved Machine for Filling Match-boxes.
I, ANDERS PAULSON, of Breda, in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, 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 :-
My invention relates to an improved machine for filling match-boxes, the prepared
or finished matches being transferred from frames filled therewith into the boxes,
which are fed to the other side of the machine in a closed condition (i.e. with their
inner sliding parts pushed completely into their sheaths).
The said frames empty themselves into a filling-box, from which a conveyor or
transporter and a so-called distributor transfer a sufficient number of matches for each
box into open carriers consisting of different compartments.
These carriers then move to the proper filling apparatus which receives, from the
other side, the empty boxes and these are pushed open in the machine.
This apparatus thus fills the inner sliding parts of the boxes with the matches
from the carrier and pushes the said sliding parts of the boxes partly into their
sheaths again.
The filled boxes are then removed from the machine after being again completely
closed at the end of their travel.
The machine automatically regulates the number of matches for each box and
permits an efficient supervision as to whether the boxes are sufficiently filled or
are overfilled.
The only work of the attendants, therefore, consists in the introduction and
removal of the frames filled with matches and in the feeding of the machine
with empty boxes.
My improved machine therefore differs advantageously from other machines, in
which the filling is effected, as is known, in quite a different way and not so
completely by the machine itself.
The machine is shown in the four accompanying sheets of drawings in which,
Figure 1, Sheet I, is a plan omitting the filling-box and the distributor.
Figure 2, Sheet II, a front elevation, and
Figure 3, Sheet III, a side elevation looking from the left of the machine; whilst
the remaining figures on Sheets II and III, show details of the machine and more
especially the figures on Sheet IV which show the irregular wheels or cams mounted
on the shaft of the machine, with the moving parts for the various apparatus belonging
thereto.
.. I will next describe the machine and its operation in the sequence of the
phases of operation mentioned at the beginning of this specification.

page_text: In the various figures, like parts of the machine are indicated by like reference
characters connected thereto by lines. The concealed parts, which are shown in
dotted lines, are however, for the sake of clearness, connected by dotted lines with the
corresponding reference characters.
The machine comprises a flat table T on which the driving shaft H is mounted
longitudinally. This shaft receives the motion and communicates it by means of
cams to the various operating devices.
At the 'left-hand side, a second table or plate T3 is arranged. above the first, and
onto this table T3, which I will hereinafter call the "match-box table," are fed the
empty boxes which are filled and the full boxes then removed. On the right-hand
side there is an inclined table T2 with the carriers S from which the boxes are fed
into the filling apparatus, and above this but more towards the rear, is the filling-box
A and the transporter or conveyor T¹ arranged on two brackets C C resting on the
lower table T; whilst between the transporter or conveyor and the said inclined
table T2 is arranged the distributor A².
The frames in which the matches are phosphorised or "tipped" contain, as is
known, a number of laths or strips between which the pieces of wood or match-sticks
are clamped. Each of these frames is now laid with the heads of the matches
downwards on the filling-box A of the machine, Figures 2, 3 and 5, and the clamps
of the frame then slackened or released.
The filling-box A is quadrangular and of the size of the frame, and is mounted in
four hinged arins on transverse bars C of the brackets C. The box A contains 81
or other suitable number of compartments f which are closed at the bottom by a
movable perforated bottom plate b, Figures 2, 5 and 6; it has a shaking or jolting
motion imparted to it by the cam n mounted on 'the shaft A¹ which cam, by means
of two projections, strikes each time against the front edge of the filling-box, Figure 3,
so that all the matches fall out of the frame into the filling-box, and distribute
themselves approximately uniformly over the 81 compartments f of the filling-box.
The cam is driven by belting from the main shaft.
Beneath the filling-box is arranged a transporter or conveyor T on two octagonal
drums D, the shafts H' of which are mounted on the transverse bars C.
The transporter or conveyor consists of 36 links, each link consisting of a long sheet-
metal plate d, Figures 2 and 3, on which are constructed compartments f¹, between 2
shorter sheet-metal plates e, g¹ secured along the same perpendicularly thereto. The
*transporter or conveyor moves like an endless chain around the two drums D. The
several links are arranged loosely near each other on the small angle-iron g, which
tbus serves as a guide for the upper part of the chain, whilst in a similar manner, an
angle-iron g' forms the lower path or guide, and the links are guided at the side of
the drum by the round plates E.
On each of the eight faces of the drums, on both sides, is 'arranged a pin, and in
each of the bottom plates d of the loose links of the chain, is formed a corresponding
hole, Figure 3. By turning the drums, the links are carried along by these pins and
reach link pushes the next one forward both in the upper and in the lower parts of
the path or track.
T:
The rotation of the drums is effected as follows:-On the front shaft H' is mounted
a ratchet-wheel G, Figures 3 and 9, and on the driving-shaft, a cam N; and by
means of a bell-crank-lever L, connecting-rod Z and pawl V, the chain is moved
forward one link at each revolution of the main shaft H.
The matches must now be first fed out of the compartments of the filling-box
into the compartments 1 of the transporter or conveyor.
In addition to this the
sheet-metal bottom b of the said box must open and the box itself be depressed onto
the transporter or conveyor in such a manner that the compartments flie exactly
over the compartments f¹.
The sheet-metal bottom has as many rectangular holes o as the filling-box has
compartments f, which holes, in the normal position of the sheet-metal bottom, lie
beneath the dividing walls of the compartment's'; however, in moving the bottom
towards the left-hand, the compartments open from beneath.

page_text: The depression of the box and the opening of the sheet-metal bottom b, take place
as follows:-Each ninth or other suitable link of the transporter-chain is provided on
the right-hand side with a pin or projection n². This pin lifts an oscillating cam or
pawl n' which actuated by the main shaft, and which, during its forward motion,
brings the box towards the left into the position shown by dotted lines in Figure .3,
this being effected by the following means:-At the upper end of a bell-crank-
lever R, Figure 3, is pivotally mounted the cam n¹ which rests on the bottom-plate
of the chain links. The bell-erank-lever R is operated by means of a connecting-
rod O and bell-crank-lever M from the cam N on the main-shaft, Figure 9, and moves
to-and-fro on the bottom-plate d during eight revolutions of the shaft without effect.
In the ninth revolution, however, the cam n¹ is somewhat raised by the projection n
and in its motion engages the projection on the lever 1, and, in its further motion,
moves the box A back until the compartments of the said box lie exactly over those of
the transporter or conveyor.
The lever always presses the sheet-metal bottom b towards the right against the
action of the spring F, Figures 5 and 6, since the said lever engages with the
projection on the sheet-metal bottom b. In this position, in which the lever l¹ is
held in a notch or recess in the plate g², the bottom is closed. In moving back the
box A, the lever comes into contact with a stop a, Figure 3, and is thus raised from
the notch or recess in the plate 92. This enables the spring F to come into action,
and the sheet-metal bottom b moves towards the left, the apertures o come beneath
the compartments f and the matches fall out of the box into the transporter or
conveyor.
It will be seen that, in 9 revolutions of the main shaft, the filling-box is emptied
once, and in this period, a full frame must accordingly be again introduced into the
machine each time and be emptied into the filling-box.
From the transporter or conveyor T¹ the matches must now be transferred into the
carriers S, which are mounted on the inclined table T2 and feed the filling apparatus.
For this purpose the distributor A² is provided. The several links of the chain empty
themselves, in their lowermost position, one after the other, into this distributor, one
link in each revolution of the main shaft. A curved plate e¹ Figure 3, is moreover
provided in order that the matches shall not fall out of the compart-
ments f¹ during the time that the links describe the arc of a circle round the front
drum D.
The distributor A2, Figures 2, 3 and 10, comprises a front or bottom plate bl
moving before a row of nine compartments f2. The apparatus turns about the
shaft H2 and is shown in its outermost position.
The motion of the distributor is obtained from the cam N¹ on the main shaft by
means of a bell-crank-lever L' and connecting-rod Z, Figure 10. In the lowermost
position of the distributor, the compartments f2 are exactly above the carriers S and
can empty themselves into the said carriers as soon as the bottom-plate 61 is drawn
away.
The distributor is extended at the bottom by a rod e2 on which a block or
piece k¹, secured to the bottom-plate b¹, can slide to-and-fro, Figure 3.
On the said block or piece is a tooth c, Figure 10, and on the shaft H2 an arm m
which is pressed against the said block or piece by a spring, and a recess m¹ in the
arm m holds fast the tooth c on the said block or piece, and therefore also the
bottom-plate b¹, in the position shown in Figure 3, wherein the said bottom-plate
consequently closes the compartments f2 in the distributor at the side.
As soon, however, as the distributor has turned and has reached its lowermost
position, the arm m is pressed down by the stop a', the block or piece k¹ is free and
the bottom-plate 6¹, under the action of the spiral spring F', moves backwards as
shown by dotted lines in Figure 10. The matches then fall out of the nine com-
partments f into the carriers S.
When the parts move upwards again, a roller r mounted on the block or piece k¹,
runs along the guide are R¹, whereby the block or piece k¹, together with the bottom.

page_text: plate b¹, is forced back until the tooth c again engages with the recess m² in the
arm m and the original condition of the parts again exists. The rod e2 has a buffer-
wheel, provided with a leather ring, at its rear end, which limits the motion of the
block or piece k¹.
It will be seen that the distributor, which receives, at each revolution of the shaft,
the contents of one link of the transporter or conveyor-chain, likewise empties itself
once in each revolution, into the carriers.
The carriers, into which the distributor empties itself, are arranged in depressions
in the inclined table T2 in two rows, of which the upper moves from left to right
exactly beneath the distributor and receives the matches from the distributor, whilst
the lower row, which receives the filled carriers from the upper row, at the right-hand
side, is to be moved more towards the front on the table from right to left to the
filling apparatus.
The carriers emptied into the filling apparatus are again transferred into the upper
row at the end of their travel. It will be seen that the carriers move in an endless
path, the motion, in each revolution of the main shaft, corresponding to the length
of one carrier. Each carrier S, of which there are twelve in all, has three compart-
ments. In each revolution of the main shaft H, the nine compartments f¹ of the
distributor empty their contents into nine of the carrier-compartments, consequently
into three carriers S. Each carrier therefore, during three revolutions of the shaft H,
is beneath the distributor A2 and each carrier-compartment consequently receives
three times the contents of one distributor-compartment f².
The inclined table T2 (which, for the sake of clearness is not shown in Figure 2)
moves about four levers 13, Figures 1 and 3, and abuts against a cam n³ provided with
two projections which impart a shaking motion to the table. The shaft H³ on which
this cam is mounted is driven by means of the belt-pulley R².
This shaking motion is required for removing the superfluous matches from the
somewhat overfilled carriers S. For this purpose, the depression for the upper row
of carriers at the left-hand side, is not so deep as that on the right-hand side, and
inversely, that for the lower row is not so deep at the right-hand as on the left-hand
side. From left to right in the upper row and from right to left in the lower
there are always a few matches, from the superfluous ones sliding out from
the carriers.
row,
The carriers from the upper row pass those of the lower row and gradually reach
the inclined table, first sliding down into one row of compartiments f³ and as soon as
this row is filled, into the next ft. The compartments f³ and f¹ can be afterwards
emptied into the filling-box.
The method whereby the longitudinal and transverse motions of the two rows of
carriers S are obtained, will be hereinafter described.
.. If the left half of the machine, Figure 1, be looked at, there will be seen the
match-box table T3 in depressions on which there likewise move twelve carriers S¹
arranged in two rows. Each carrier S¹ has here also three compartments. In the
lower row, the empty match-boxes are fed to the filling-apparatus A3, whilst the
filled match-boxes coming out of this apparatus, are fed, in the upper row, towards
the left to an apparatus A which removes them out of the machine, and which is
arranged at the extreme left-hand side of the table T. This apparatus likewise serves
to bring the empty match-boxes from a transporter or conveyor-band B into the
carriers S1, Figures 1 and 3.
I will now more fully describe the motion-mechanism of these two double rows of
carriers. The said mechanism comprises a cam N2 with transverse projections n*,
Figure 2. This cam, by means of a bell-crank-lever L2 and connecting-rod Z²,
imparts a reciprocating motion to a flat rod or bar S2 which is mounted beneath the
inclined table 12 and the match-box table T³.
When the flat rod or bar S2 is moved towards the left, this motion is transmitted,
in the two middle rows of carriers, through the arm W to the carriers S₁ with the
filled match-boxes, and through the arm V₁ to the lower carriers S, Figures 1,2

page_text: and 12, whilst in the two outer rows the motion takes place in the opposite direction
(see the arrow Figure 1) by means of the double-armed levers M and M turning.
about the fixed points and P. The lever M transmits the motion directly to the
upper row of carriers S by means of the rod or bar S moving on the table, and the
lever M to the front carriers S¹ with the empty match-boxes by means of the bar S¹
guided against the table underneath.
The arins W, V₁ and a pin W¹ on the bar S' extend through slots 1, 2 and ³ in
the table and lie against the carriers in the motion of the bar.
The completely-filled carriers S on the inclined table in the upper row coming from
the left are brought into the lower row by the bar M, and the notion of this bar is
obtained from a cam N³ mounted on the shaft by means of the double lever L³ and
connecting-rod 73, Figure 12. The carriers S are thus moved over the plate 72 which
forms an extension of the inclined table 12.
As above mentioned, the inclined table T2 has a shaking motion imparted to it
from the shaft Hs by means of the cam n³, in order to remove the superfluous
matches from the somewhat over-filled carriers S, Figures 1, 2 and 3, for the sake of
safety. In this arrangement, the table moves about the levers 13.
This shaking motion must, however, cease at the moment when the carriers S are
moved longitudinally by the rod or bar S2, whereby at the right-hand side a filled
carrier comes onto the plate 62 or from this plate into the lower row of the table, and
on the left-hand side a filled one comes into the filling apparatus A3, or an empty
one out of this apparatus into the upper row of the table.
For this purpose, the lever-arm is turned back, at this moment, by means of the
cam N and connecting rod L, Figure 2, and thus the contact of the table with
the cam 3, maintained by the spiral spring F², is stopped.
The other cams N, No, N on the main shaft belong to the mechanism of the
filling-apparatus A3 which I will now more fully explain.
In Figure the four carriers are specially shown in transverse section. The right-
hand carrier S is just emptied, the left-hand carrier S¹ carries the now filled
match-boxes with the inner parts thereof still pushed out of the sheaths in the
position in which the filling of the boxes took place.
On the inclined table, the plate 63 reciprocates above the carriers between the
guide-bars
On the plate 63 are secured three slides which move in the three compartments
of the carrier S.
In Figure 3, these slides ³ are shown in their highest position, in which they lie
between the two carriers, and in Figure 4 the said slides are shown in their lowermost
position.
In their downward motion, these slides take the matches from the carrier S and
push them into the boxes.
This motion is effected from the main shaft by means of the cam N³, bell-crank-
lever L³ and connecting rod 75 which is hinged to the plate 63, Figure 11.
On the guide-strips 15 slides a bar 16, Figures 3 and 4, which is drawn, by means of
a spiral spring f, against the guide-plate 64 connected to the plate b³.
To the bar are connected three blocks or pieces, the lower edges of which lie
exactly over the slides, Figure 3.
The function of these blocks or pieces is to prevent working upwards of the matches
as they are being pushed into the boxes:
The slides and the blocks or pieces thus move into the opposite position
shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, wherein the bar fits close up against the guide-
plate b at the bottom. Before the slides have reached their lowermost position,
the bar strikes against a stop a², Figure 3, so that the blocks or pieces stop or
come to rest. The slides, however, move further beneath the blocks or pieces up
to the presser D1, Figure 4, which serves to press the matches into the boxes. The
arresting of the motion of the blocks or pieces is necessary for the free motion of
this presser..
In the backward motion of the plate b³, a pawl m², hinged to the said plate,

page_text: engages in a recess in the upper edge of the carrier S so as to guide the
empty carrier over into the upper row, Figure 4, wherein the said carrier is then
again conveyed to the distributor by means of the bar S3 which lies directly
against the carrier on the inclined table, Figures 1 and 2.
The three pressers D¹, Figures 1, 3 and 4 are loosely placed on arms or
projections n, which are mounted on the rock-shaft H4 and are connected by a
spiral spring with the said arms or projections. These pressers each have a sharp
extension at the bottom which engages under the top of the sheath of the match-
box and maintains the same in its correct position during the introduction of the
matches.
When the matches are placed in the boxes, the pressers are turned over by the
action of the cam No, double-lever L, connecting-rod Z and lever on the shaft H*.
The projection m³ on the presser D¹ then lies against the rigid transverse strip no
arranged above the match-box, whereby the sharp extension is pushed back out of
the sheath and the box is completely released and consequently comes into the
position shown in Figure 3. After this, the inner sliding parts of the match-boxes
are partly pushed into the sheaths by the three fingers P2, Figure 4.
In order to hold the match-boxes during this pushing-in of the inner parts
into the sheaths, a tumbler D2 is mounted on the shaft. H. This ambler is
provided with a transverse strip or bar 8 having a sharp projection or ledge.
In the depression of the tumbler, this ledge lies behind the sheaths of the three
match-boxes and holds them fast until the inner sliding parts thereof are pushed in
far enough. The connecting-rod Zª is extended up to the tumbler and is connected
with the shaft. H³ thereof by a lever h¹. The presser D¹ and tumbler D2 thus move
simultaneously.
The fingers P2 receive their motion from the cam N', Figure 13, by means of a
bell-crank-lever L7 and connecting-rod Z. As soon as the inner sliding part of the
box is sufficiently pushed in, the presser D¹ and tumbler D2 rise and thus release the
match-boxes; in the further motion of the finger P2, the filled match-boxes are
pushed forward, in a slightly opened condition, partly by means of the carriers and
the carrier S is now seized by the arm W and moved out of the filling apparatus
again onto the match-box table T³.
In this position of the match-boxes in the carriers, Figure 1, the sheaths
consequently stand partly open, so that it can be seen at any time whether they are
properly filled.
At the other end of the tumbler D2, is arranged a second bar & likewise provided
with a sharp projection or ledge. This bar serves to hold the empty match-boxes
out of the front row of carriers S¹ in the pushing out of the inner sliding
parts of the boxes from the sheaths before they are filled with matches in
the above-described filling apparatus. Its operation will be hereinafter more
fully explained.
I will now give a description of the mechanism of the apparatus A+ which
feeds the empty match-boxes into the lower row of carriers S', partially pushes
out the inner sliding parts of the boxes and lifts off the filled boxes from the table T³
and brings them into a discharge-chute or channel; and also of the mechanism
which pushes the empty inner parts of the boxes into the filling apparatus A³, pushes
the inner parts of the boxes almost entirely out of the sheaths in order to be filled,
and moves the carriers S¹ from the front into the rear row; and finally of the
mechanism at the extreme left-hand side of the table T3, which brings the carriers S¹
with the filled match-boxes, from the rear into the front row of carriers S¹, and
afterwards completely pushes in the inner parts of the boxes and discharges the
match-boxes from the machine.
On the left-hand side, the cam N1, Figure 14, is arranged on the main shaft.
This cam actuates the before mentioned apparatus A+ by means of a bell-crank-
lever L10 and connecting-rod Z¹º. The apparatus A* comprises a plate P³ which turns
about the shaft H along the bent plate 65, Figure 3. In Figure 14, the two end

page_text: ,positions of this plate are shown.
On the right-hand side of the plate P³ are
arranged clamps with small flat springs f. In the position shown in dotted
lines in Figure 14, three empty match-boxes, which are fed into position by the
conveyor-band B, are held by the clamps and flat spring and are then,
whilst they are held on the plate P3, turned down until they come on to the
table T3.
The plate then comes into the position shown in Figure 3. In this position of
the apparatus, three fingers P, of which the extended centre one is guided in the
transverse bar p¹, push these three empty match-boxes onto the carrier S', and
simultaneously push the inner parts of the boxes somewhat out of their sheaths,
Figure 1. The front parts p of these fingers fit exactly into the sheaths of the
match-boxes and, after the match-boxes have been brought into the carriers and abut
against the projecting edge of the depression in the table T³, in their further motion,
push the inner parts of the boxes to a short distance out of the sheaths into the
position shown in the first row in Figure 1. In this position of the apparatus on the
left-hand side of the plate P3, three filled boxes are pushed out of the rear row of
carriers S¹ by means of the fingers P. These boxes, in the upward motion of the
plate P³, are fed along the plate 65 and conducted away near the transporter.or
conveyor band B into a guide-groove or channel. The motion of the three fingers 1+
is effected by the cam No by means of the bell-crank-lever L and connecting rod Zº,
Figure 8.
:
The transporter band B, on which the empty match-boxes are placed closely behind
each other in rows of three, must move forward through a distance equivalent to. the
thickness of one match-box in each oscillation of the plate P³.
For this purpose, a
rotary one-armed lever 2 is mounted on the shaft Ho of the plate P3, Figures 1 and 3.
This lever each time strikes against a rod s guided in the fork g³ and the band-drum
is thereby turned, by means of a ratchet-wheel tand pawl t, through such an angle
that the band moves through a distance equivalent to the thickness of one match-box.
In each revolution of the shaft, three match-boxes are thus reinoved from the band B
and transferred into the carriers S¹.
In Figure 7 is shown the mechanism which transfers the carriers $1 at the right-
hand side of the table T3, from the front into the rear row, and pushes the inner parts
of the boxes out of the sheaths, and, at the left hand side, from the rear into the
front row, and pushes the inner parts of the boxes entirely in, and feeds the finished
filled boxes onto the plate P. The left-hand side of this figure, shows the table T3
in side elevation (looking from the left) and the right-hand side shows the same.ip
section through the filling apparatus A. These motions are effected by three fingers
P5 with a transverse bar 3 for the carriers with the empty match-boxes, and also by
three fingers P with a transverse bar & for the carriers with the filled inatch-boxes,
The movement of the fingers 1 and P is effected by the cam NS together with the
bell-crank-lever L³, connecting-rod 7, lever h³ and auxiliary shaft H which, at the
right hand side (Figures 1 and 7) by means of the lever and connecting-rod s
communicates reciprocating motion to the fingers P; and at the left-hand side
(Figures 1 and 7), by means of the lever ³, connecting-rod 5, double-lever hand
connecting rod 87, imparts reciprocating motion to the fingers 1.
to
The fingers P5, P are connected to blocks or pieces K, K¹ respectively, to which
the connecting-rods 85, s are respectively connected.
Between the block K and transverse bar 83 of the fingers P, and between the
block K¹ and transverse bar of the fingers Po, are arranged spiral springs f, fo
respectively. These springs press the transverse bar s against a projection. a³ at
a short distance from the widened front parts ps of the fingers P. and the
transverse bar directly against the widened front parts p of the fingers: P6.
The widened front parts p and p fits into the sheaths of the ..match-
boxes.
The block K¹ is guided in guide-bars on the table T3 and the block. K in
slot in the table.
.1

page_text: Before the fingers På are moved, the tumbler D2 is turned by means of the
aforesaid cam N6 and the intermediate mechanism belonging thereto, Figure 4.
During this operation, the bar s¹ lies with its sharp projecting edge on the match-
boxes, resting against the sheaths thereof; the three match-boxes are thus held
fast. In the motion of the fingers P, the front parts p press into the match-boxes
and almost entirely push out the inner parts thereof into the position shown in
Figure 4. The tumbler D2 then turns up the transverse rod s³, strikes against the
carrier S¹ and moves it, in its further motion, together with the pushed-out inner
parts of the boxes, into the upper row of carriers where the said carrier is filled
with matches and the boxes are held by the tumbler D2 and presser D¹ in the manner
above described.
At the left-hand side of the table T³, in the motion of the fingers P, the front
parts p (since they lie against the drawn-out sheaths) push the match-boxes slightly
towards the carriers, then the carrier S¹ is itself seized by the transverse bar and
moved into the front row wherein the carrier strikes against a strip secured to the
table T3. Further motion is made by the fingers Po alone and thus they push the
three match-boxes onto the plate P³ of the apparatus A', until these strike against
the guide-plate 65 and, in the last part of the motion of the fingers P, the inner parts
of the match-boxes are pushed completely into the sheaths.
The whole of the machine being now explained, it will be seen that the machine,
in each revolution of the main shaft, takes three empty match-boxes from the
conveyor-band, pushes out the inner parts thereof, fills them with matches, again
closes them and finally moves them into the discharge-channel or chute; whilst, in
nine revolutions of the shaft, the filling-box will be supplied once with finished
matches from the frame.
The placing of the match-boxes on the conveyor-band in rows of three, and the
placing in position and removal of the frame on the filling-box, is thus the only hand
labour which is necessary in filling match-boxes with matches on this machine,
and thus a heretofore unknown high grade of mechanical filling of match-boxes is
obtained.
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
First. A machine for filling match-boxes from frames filled with dipped match-
sticks, wherein the matches are emptied from the frames into a filling-box and are
transferred thence by means of a transporter or conveyor into a rotary distributor,
whereby they are placed in carriers arranged on an inclined table, and the said
carriers are then moved to a filling-apparatus wherein the matches are pushed out of
the compartments of the carriers by means of slides, into the open match-boxes,
which are fed, in a second series of carriers, to the said filling-apparatus, after the
inner parts of the match-boxes have been pushed, by sets of fingers, out of their
sheaths, the filled match-boxes being then pushed back into their sheaths by other
sets of fingers, and being finally removed by means of a reversing or turning-over
plate which places the closed match-boxes on a table, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Second. The filling-box made with a large number of compartments for the
reception of the matches from the frames, adapted to swing on supporting levers and
to be shaken by a cam, and having a perforated bottom which, when moved laterally,
opens the said compartments at the bottom, as soon as the filling-box is moved down-
wards onto the transporter or conveyor by an oscillating cam or pawl engaging with a
projection on one of the said supporting levers, the closing lever of the bottom
being released by a fixed projection, and the compartments opened by a spring
acting on the said bottom, substantially as, and for the purposes, herein before
described.
Third. The transporter or conveyor comprising loose compartment-links arranged
near each other on guide-bars and guided around drums, and serving for transferring

page_text: the matches from the filling-box, for which purpose the said drums, turning on
intermittently rotated drum-shafts, engage by means of pins in apertures arranged
on both sides of the bottom-plate of the compartment-link, and, for the purpose of
ensuring the depression and emptying of the filling-box, each ninth or other suitable
compartment-link is provided with a pin which lifts the oscillating cam or pawl up to
the projection on the said supporting lever of the filling-box, substantially as
described.
Fourth. The distributor having the row of compartments and mounted upon the
rock-shaft, which distributor, in its highest position, receives the matches from a
compartment-link of the transporter or conveyor, and, in its lowermost position, lays
the said matches in carriers arranged on an inclined table, the movable front wall of
the distributor being drawn back in the downward movement of the said distributor
and being moved back to its original position in the upward motion of the said
distributor, substantially as described.
Fifth. The carriers provided with compartments for the reception of the matches
from a distributor, and arranged in two rows in depressions in an inclined table
adapted to swing on levers, which carriers are arranged beneath the distributor and
move into the filling apparatus full, and out of the same emptied, the filled carriers
from the upper row being moved transversely into the lower row by means of a
reciprocating rod mounted on a plate forming an extension of the table, and the
table, for the purpose of removing the superfluous matches from the carriers into
compartments in removable frames arranged at the lower end of the table, having
imparted to it by means of a cam a shaking motion which is interrupted by suitable
means at the moment when the carriers are moved in the transverse direction,
substantially as described.
Sixth. The second series of two rows of carriers arranged in depressions in the hori-
ontal table and provided with compartments into which empty match-boxes from a
transporter or conveyor-band are transferred by means of a reciprocating reversing or
turning-over plate, the front row of carriers being adapted to feed to the filling apparatus
the match-boxes which are pushed into the said carriers and are partly opened by means
of intermittently-actuated fingers, and the carriers of the other row being adapted to
be again fed with the filled and also partly-opened match-boxes, at the end of their
travel in the transverse direction, into the front row by means of an intermittently-
actuated bar provided with fingers whereby the match-boxes are pushed onto the
reversing plate and have their inner sliding parts pushed-in against a guide-plate, the
match-boxes being then raised by means of the reversing-plate from the table,
substantially as described.
Seventh. The mechanism for effecting the longitudinal motion of the two double
rows of carriers, comprising a flat bar provided with arms and arranged beneath the
tables and reciprocated in such a manner that it moves the lower row of the match-
carriers and the rear row of match-box carriers to the left, and, in conjunction with
two other sliding bars provided with projections or pins, moves the upper row of
match-carriers and the front row of match-box carriers to the right, substantially as
described.
Eighth. The apparatus for filling the match-boxes brought into position by the
match-box-carriers, with the matches from the match-carriers, whereiu, in the first
place, the inner parts of the boxes are almost entirely pushed, by means of fingers,
out of their sheaths, which are held by means of a bar on a tumbler, after which the
match-box carriers, together with the match-boxes therein, are transferred from the
front to the rear row by means of a rod connected with the said fingers, the matches
are then pushed by slides into the open match-boxes, the said match-boxes being at the
same time engaged by pressers which are guided by blocks movably connected with
the said slides, and are themselves inovably connected to projections or arms on a
rock-shaft, the sharp extensions of the said pressers engaging beneath the top of the
sheaths, and, after one bar of the tumbler has held the sheaths fast, the inner parts
of the match-boxes are partly pushed in again by fingers, whilst, in the backward

page_text: motion of the said slide, a pawl seizes the carriers and moves them into the upper
row, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Ninth. The improved machine for filling match-boxes constructed substantially as
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and operating as above
specified.
898.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
1 and 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Led this 24th day or tower 1898.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
1 and 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.