Improvements in Machines for Making and Packing Matches.
Year: 1897

page_text: Reprinted as amended in accordance with the decision of the Comptroller
General dated the 19th day of September 1900.
Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 6th May, 1898-Accepted, 9th July, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Making and Packing Matches.
We, HENRI SÉVÈNE and EMILE DAVID CAHEN, of 24, Rue Lafayette, Paris,
France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a machine constructed with the view of solving the
problem of manufacturing matches in a continuous and complete manner by
machinery. The machine receives on one hand the primary materials of manu-
facture viz. the match splints or stems of wood or wax, the fire-producing sub-
stances (sulphur, paraffin, etc.) dipping-pastes (chemical, chlorated, etc.,)-and,
on the other hand, the completely manufactured cardboard boxes. The machine
delivers the matches, finished, counted, placed in boxes, and under slides; in a
word, the machine is arranged in such a manner as to produce a box of matches
ready for sale to the public.
All these operations are effected under the condition that the matches, from
the time of sulphuring or paraffining, are never at any time in contact with the
air of the workshop, so that no deleterious vapour can vitiate the atmosphere of
the latter.
In order that no doubt may arise as to the nature of our invention and as to
the manner in which it may be carried out, we shall now proceed to describe it
in detail.
A machine according to our invention comprises, in the first place, a dis-
tributor in which the undipped matches are thrown haphazard, and which has
for its object to arrange them in the grooves of a lower table, whence a set of
needles expels them into tubes of any suitable shape provided in a transporting-
carriage that brings them in front of the holes of a press or perforated endless
apron into which they are put by pressure.
This distributor consists of four principal parts, one of which is a receptacle
of hopper-shape closed at its lower part by a bottom formed of a series of semi-
cylindrical channels which are arranged side by side and in the forward parts
of which there are formed apertures intended to allow the matches to fall into
passages. This receptacle is hinged to the rear edge of the passages herein-
after referred to. It is fitted with two rollers which run on rails, which are
carried by the general framing of the machine and are formed with a bend.
The passages are formed by the juxtaposition of a series of cells having inclined
bottoms, each cell being situated under a corresponding channel of the case.
These passages are supported at the rear part of the arranger hereinafter referred to.
The arranger has the shape of a rectangular box subdivided by thin partitions
into a series of bottomless compartments which correspond to the cells of the
passages. The arranger is supported by a table connected to the general framing,
on which it slides. This sliding motion parallel to the general axis of the machine

page_text: is effected by means of a lever having its fulcrum on the framing and its free
end connected to a knob carried by the arranger. This lever is provided with a
roller rolling in the groove of a cam, which is mounted on a shaft receiving its
motion from the main driving shaft through the medium of a vertical shaft
connected at one end to the shaft through bevel-wheels and at the other end to
the main shaft by means of helicoidal toothed wheels.
The fourth main part of the distributor is a magazine which is situated under
the table above mentioned opposite an aperture formed in the latter. It is
supported by a grooved table hereinafter referred to, in such a manner as to be
capable of sliding on the said table. This magazine has the shape of a rectangular
box provided for a portion of its height with a series of vertical partitions inter-
sected by horizontal baffles. These vertical partitions extend from the top of the
magazine and terminate about half way from the bottom thereof. Other partitions
preferably placed further apart than the first ones, are arranged near the bottom
of the magazine in such a manner as to leave between them and the upper
partitions an entirely free space of some centimetres, and another free space of
about two centimetres between their bases and the bottom of the magazine.
The magazine is provided at its base and on its front with a brush fixed by
screws.
The magazine has imparted to it a horizontal trembling motion perpendicular
to the principal axis of the machine by means of a connecting rod jointed at
one end to a knob fixed on the side of the magazine and at the other end to a
knob forming part of a lever whose fulcrum is carried by the general framing
and whose free end is provided with a roller which slides in the groove of a cam
keyed on the shaft driven from the main shaft as hereinbefore described.
The operation of this distributor is as follows:-
The matches are thrown into the receptacle, which in its first position, has
its forward part lowered on to the passages. In this position it receives a series
of jolts from the first mentioned cam, which has for this purpose a portion of
its groove corrugated. These jolts have for object to cause a certain number
of matches to move down in each of the passages through the slits. A slightly
greater corrugation of the cam-groove causes the entirety (receptacle, passages,
and arranger) to move forward several centimetres in such a manner that the
rollers of the receptacle mount the bend of the rails and cause the receptacle
to tip backwards with the objects of gathering the matches together in the rear
portion thereof and arresting their fall into the passages. A new series of jolts
produced by a series of other short corrugations of the cam acts upon the matches
that are in the passages and has for object to cause them to fall and be arranged
in the arranger.
· A last corrugation of the cam, which is greater than the others, pushes the
arranger and the matches that it contains over the magazine, which at that
moment is stopped by means of a rest or circular part formed in the secondly
mentioned cam, which produces the movements of the magazine. The receptacle
the passages, and the arranger return to their initial position, and this operation
is repeated indefinitely.
The rocking movement of the receptacle has for object to stop the delivery of
matches during their arrangement in the arranger, and to prevent this arrange-
ment from being interfered with by the continual fall of fresh matches.
The magazine which has received the matches receives in its turn a shaking
movement in the direction indicated. For the proper working of the machine
it is advisable first of all to fill the magazine up to the level of the lower part
of the baffles. When this filling has been once done, the shaking imparted to
the magazine causes the matches to move down between the partitions and the
baffles, so as to keep up the supply of undipped matches, which tends to become
exhausted through the delivery of the machine. All that is necessary therefore,
is to keep the level of the matches between the first and the last baffle.
To effect this result, the orifices of the channels of the case must he made such

page_text: that the delivery is copious enough to suffice for feeding the machine and small
enough not to choke the baffles of the magazine.
The magazine herein before described is placed on and slides along a table in
which are formed grooves the axes of which coincide with those of the holes in
the endless apron or press at the moment of stoppage of the latter. This grooved
table is carried by the general framing.
At the rear of this table there is arranged a set of needles carried by a cross-
beam or needle-carrier, which is provided on each side with a guiding rod
sliding in slide-ways in the general framing. As, on the other hand, the ends
of the needles never leave the grooves of the table, the result is that this entirety
is suitably guided. This set of needles has a horizontal alternating motion as will
be hereinafter described. In the forward movement of the needles, their ends
drive out the matches that have fallen into the grooves of the table, and convey
them into the corresponding grooves of the transporting carriage hereinafter
described.
This transporting carriage consists of a grooved plate forming part of a frame
provided with ears through each of which there extends a guide rod connected
to the general framing. This carriage has a horizontal to-and-fro motion as
hereinafter described, and at its rear there is arranged a bar terminating in two
rollers which in the to and fro motion run on a fixed ramp carried by the general
framing. The slope of this ramp is made such as to cause the said bar to move
up and down. It is guided by two angle-pieces which are fixed at the rear of
the carriage and thus form a vertical slide-way for the said bar.
In front of the carriage and quite close up against the press is arranged a fixed
ceiling carried by the general framing and having its lower face flush with the
upper face of the grooved plate of the transporting carriage. At the rear of this
ceiling "there is arranged a comb whose teeth correspond to the grooves in
the plate. This comb is carried at the rear of the "ceiling" by means of two
or more nipples which are provided on the ceiling" and upon which slides
the comb, in which are formed "button-holes" corresponding to the nipples.
The comb may thus receive an alternating motion in a vertical plane. For this
purpose it is provided at each end with a small pivoted latch. Opposite this
latch there is arranged a ramp which is fixed to the grooved plate of the trans-
porting carriage.
The transporting carriage is further provided at each of its edges with a pin
carrying a series of teeth, the vertical distance separating these teeth being equal
to the distance between two consecutive rows of holes in the press. The press
itself has, at its edges, series of holes of a section equal to that of the teeth and
arranged exactly in front of each row of matches. The press is supported, at
the moment of forcing the matches, by a cross-piece of the general framing
situated opposite the row of grooves of the transporting carriage.
The operation of this portion of the machine is as follows:-
Each groove of the table is charged with a match as a result of the movement
of the magazine. At the moment when the carriage reaches its extreme rear
position, near the table, the needles push the matches into the grooves of the
said carriage; then the needles are moved back so as to free the grooves of the
table and to make room for a fresh series of matches coming from the magazine.
At the same time the carriage moves forward towards the press, moving with it
its bar, whose end rollers roll on the ramps. Before the carriage charged with
matches passes under the "ceiling," the ramps of the said carriage, acting upon
the latches of the comb, have caused the latter to rise in such a manner as to
give free passage to the matches contained in the grooves of the carriage. The
carriage then moves forward under the "ceiling," and, when it is completely
engaged, its rear bar is raised by the ramp. Each match is thus completely
imprisoned in a tube which is open only at its forward part and is formed by
the groove of the carriage, the ceiling," and the rear bar, which forms the
bottom. The carriage continues its advance, and the teeth of the pin engage in

page_text: the holes of the press and ensure the fixing of the press at the exact place it.
ought to occupy for charging—that is to say, at that moment a row of counter-
sunk holes of the press is stopped just opposite the grooves of the plate of the
carriage. The carriage, continuing its forward movement, pushes the row of
matches into the corresponding countersunk holes of the press. In consequence
of the special arrangement just described, by means of which each match is com-
pletely imprisoned in a tube formed by the plate with grooves and the ceiling,
it is capable of resisting the rather considerable pressure exerted by the rear bar
that is necessary for fixing the match firmly in the press. At this moment, the
rear end of the ramp of the carriage having moved beyond the nose of the latch,
the latter falls behind the said ramp and moves with it in its fall the comb in
such a manner as to return the lower ends of the teeth of the comb to the level of
the bottom of the grooves of the carriage.
The carriage then returns to the rear, leaving the matches fixed in the press.
The rear bar moves down again and uncovers the rear end of the grooves. The
carriage continuing its return movement, the teeth of the comb engage in the
said grooves and clean them completely. The comb has, in fact, remained
lowered in consequence of the hinge of the latch, which allows it to assume an
inclination towards the rear and become of no effect in the return movement of
the ramp, whereas in the forward movement of the said ramp the latch bears
against the rear of the ceiling" and thus forms a rigid connexion which compels
the comb to rise under the action of the inclined portion of the ramp. The
carriage continues its rearward movement until it is close to the fixed grooved
table, and the series of movements is repeated indefinitely. The movements of
the needle-carrier and of the transporting carriage may be effected in any
suitable manner, for instance as follows:-
"
Upon the base-plate of the general framing there are fixed four caps or blocks
serving as fulera to two jointed parallelograms composed of levers and cross
pieces each carrying two rollers. These rollers are operated by a double cam
keyed on the main shaft of the machine, which imparts to the said parallelogram
a to-and-fro motion which is transmitted by the free ends of a pair of the levers
and connexions to a knob of the needle-carrier.
The base-plate carries two other caps or blocks which serve as points of
attachment for levers, each of which carries two rollers rolling on the peripheries
of double cams keyed on the main shaft of the machine. The free ends of these
levers drive, through the medium of connexions, knobs carried by the lugs of
the carriage for conveying into the press.
It is to be well understood that the driving mechanism the details of con-
struction of the carriage, and the mode of combining the grooved plate with
the ceiling" may be varied, the latter being capable of being fixed as described,
or in one piece with the carriage, and in the latter case it may form complete
tubes throughout the transport of the undipped matches. Instead of a single
row of tubes there may be provided in the transporting carriage several parallel
rows of complete tubes for fixing simultaneously several lines of match splints
or stems in several rows of holes of the press. The mode of mounting the bar
may also be varied, as also its motion, which may be produced by translation or
by rotation in any suitable manner, and there may even be substituted for the
bar a series of needles or a bar with needles corresponding to the grooves of
the carriage. Further, all the accessory details of the mechanism may be varied
generally. The essential point is to form complete tubes which will imprison
the matches at least at the moment when they receive the push from the rear
for forcing them into the press.
The press herein before referred to, consists of a continuous succession of metal
plates perforated with several rows of holes countersunk at both ends, each line
of holes corresponding to the row of matches brought by the transporting carriage.
At each end of the plate and in front of each row of small countersunk holes there
is formed a hole of larger size and of oval or other suitable shape corresponding

page_text: to the teeth of the pin of the carriage. The rows of holes are equidistant from
one another in each plate, and the distance that separates the last row of one
plate from the first row of the following plate is equal to the distance between
two consecutive rows in a plate.
The plates are connected together in the form of an endless apron or continuous
press by means of links, which stay together two adjacent plates. For this
purpose the ends of each plate are terminated by trunnions the shoulder of which
has an elongated, flattened, oval, or generally non-circular section the body of
the same being cylindrical. Each link is doubly bent and has two holes (one
being flattened or elongated and the other being circular) corresponding respec-
tively to the shoulder and the body of the journal. Rollers mounted on the ends
of the journals facilitate the running of the press on the rails and the guide-
wheels. The elongated or flattened part formed on the shoulders of the journals
has for object to prevent the relative shifting of the plates with reference to the
links, the latter having a perfectly defined position whatever may be the position
of the chain. The central plane of each link coincides with that of the axes of
two successive plates, so that the plates cannot accidentaly turn separately
and cause sticking of the matches of two adjacent plates.
At each change of direction of the press, it passes round guide wheels or drums
provided with notches or sockets corresponding to the rollers of the press. These
wheels are mounted in pairs upon shafts which are carried in any suitable manner
by the general framing.
At each revolution of the main shaft, immediately after the introduction of a
row of matches, the press advances to an extent equal to the distance between
two successive rows of holes. The regularity of this intermittent forward
movement is ensured in the following manner:-
At one end of each of the shafts on which the guide wheels or drums are
mounted are keyed two ratchet wheels, the one with a running-detent-i.e., with
ordinary teeth and the other with a rest-detent-i.c., with double-flank teeth.
Rods which have an oscillating movement, carry two spurs; the first of which
operates a lever mounted loosely on the guide-wheel shaft, and carrying a driving-
pawl acting on the ratchet-wheel with running-detent. The second spur operates
à second lever which has a pivot supported by the framework and whose nose
becomes engaged, at the desired moment, in the spaces between the teeth of the
second ratchet-wheel. A stop-pawl, pivoted to the frame-work, keeps the first
named ratchet-wheel in its position of rest.
'
This collection of parts repeated at each change of direction of the press.
The oscillatory rods are connected together by means of simple levers or belt-
crank levers according to circumstances and in such a manner that they will all
move quite rigidly together; it is therefore sufficient to operate a single one
placed in proximity to the main shaft. For this purpose the rod is jointed to the
free end of a lever which is fixed to the base-plate and whose other end carries a
roller that travels in the groove of a cam keyed on the main shaft.
The operation of this arrangement is as follows:-
:-
When a row of matches has been put into the press and the oscillatory rods
are commencing their forward movement, spurs push the socket levers and
communicate to the chain, through the pawls and the ratchet-wheels a general
movement equal to the distance between two rows of matches; the movement of
the other spur permits the second lever to advance into contact with the periphery
of the teeth of the second ratchet wheel and at the precise moment when the
driving pawl has terminated its stroke, the nose of the lever is opposite a space
of the said ratchet wheel and engages therein under the influence of its spring.
The chain is then stopped suddenly and cannot pass its stopping-point whatever
be the inertia of the parts in motion. At the same time the stopping-pawl passes
into a tooth-space of the first ratchet-wheel. In the return-movement of the
rods, the first spur, in receding, allows the driving-pawls to return, then the
other spur bears in its turn upon the second lever so as to disengage, its nose

page_text: from the second wheel, and then the entirety of the wheels is held merely by the
stopping-pawl. The series of movements is reproduced in this manner indefinitely.
After the match splints or stems have been put into the press, the chain carry-
ing them becomes horizontal and passes over the burning, sulphuring or paraffin-
ing, and steeping vat.
The burning and sulphuring table forms an entirety constituted by a metallic
vat, which is flat and supported by an auxiliary frame on a base-plate of the
general framework. This vat is furnished on its sides with reservoirs or pockets
in each of which works an archimedean screw carried by a small support and
rotating within a sheath at the upper end of which is arranged a weir whose
level slightly higher than that of the edge of the general vat. A set of pulleys,
of which one is fixed on the axle of the Archimedean screw and the two others
are on an auxiliary axle, serves for turning the screw by means of a cord, which
also passes round a pulley keyed on the main shaft.
In the vat and the lateral reservoirs are arranged a series of almost juxtaposed
steam-pipes, whose joints are all at the two ends of the vat. All these joints are
embedded in metallic masses which are cast at each end and which protect them
against the corrosive action of the molten sulphur. One of these metallic masses
constitutes the burning-table and the sulphur-bath is situate between the vertical
sides of the two metallic masses, which form its end walls, the side walls being
formed by the partitions that separate the vat properly so called from the
reservoirs.
Rails are arranged at the sides of the vat to form a way for the press Their
profile exhibits first of all a horizontal part corresponding to the metallic mass
that forms a burning-table, they being placed at a height such that the matches
are flush with the upper part of this metallic mass, then the rail is deflected
towards the base at the commencement of the sulphur-bath, afterwards their
profile exhibits a horizontal part, and then rises, at the exit of the sulphur-bath,
over the other metallic mass.
The object of this arrangement is to secure a constant level in the rat in the
following manner:
The upper edge of the partitions forming a weir ensures the fixity of the level
of the sulphur or of the paraffin in the vat; the distance between this edge and
the rail has been determined in such a manner as to limit the sulphuring or the
paraffining to a suitable height on the head of the matches.
The archimedean screw, drawing the melted sulphur from the lateral reser-
voirs, constantly spreads it over the weirs, whence it escapes into the vat properly
so called. The quantity of sulphur or of paraffin thus introduced is slightly
greater than that which is carried away by the matches. The excess returning
over the edges of the partitions into the lateral reservoirs or pockets, the desired
permanent arrangement for the automatic feeding with constant level is thus
established.
With the sulphuring is combined a cleaner situated in front of the sulphuring-
vat and intended to remove any matches that may accidentally become stuck on
the heads of the matches that are properly fixed in the chain. This device com-
prises a shaft which is mounted in two supports attached to the framing in any
suitable manner and carries at one end a pulley connected by means of a belt
with a shaft for driving the dipping-mechanism. Needles are fixed radially
to the said shaft and are arranged in the middles of the intervals between the
longitudinal lines of matches in such a manner as not to meet any good match
during their rotation and to eliminate all badly arranged matches. A circular
brush mounted on an axle journalled in the same supports and connected to
the axle by means of a train of toothed wheels, effects the elimination of the bad
matches by causing them to fall into a vessel containing water or
other liquid.
After having passed over the cleaner, the chain passes through a completely
closed passage to the dipping-mechanism which comprises a trough having a
double bottom and mounted on the base-plate of the general framing by means

page_text: of any suitable support. Upon the outer wall of the double bottom are mounted
pipe-unions for the entry and exit of hot water respectively. This trough is
provided laterally with two cast-iron cheeks, which are fitted internally with two
guiding sockets or slide-ways and on one side with a bracket intended to carry
the parts for driving the dipping-plate as hereinafter described.
In these guide-sockets there slide two rods carrying at their base a plate of
prism-shape, the upper face of which is flat and horizontal, whilst its lower part,
is wedge-shaped.
The trough is also provided with two supports forming guide-rails for the press
and each carrying a pivoted rocking-lever. The ends of each lever are both in
the form of forks, the outer end embracing the guide-rods which carry a corre-
sponding projection, the inner end being adapted to embrace the rollers of the
plates of the press at the moment of dipping.
The alternating motion or intermittent raising of the plate may be effected
in any suitable manner, as by the following means:-
Each bracket carries a pivoted lever. This lever has its free end in the form
of an eye embracing a knob fixed to the corresponding guide-rod. The lever
further carries a roller running on a cam keyed on a shaft mounted on the brackets
and connected to an auxiliary shaft by means of a pair of wheels and a pitch-
chain.
This auxiliary shaft is situated under the base-plate and is connected to a
driving shaft corresponding to the main shaft by means of a pair of wheels and a
pitch-chain. This driving shaft is itself connected to the main shaft by reans
of a pair of toothed wheels and a pitch-chain.
A sheet-metal casing fixed to the checks and to the trough closes the upper
part of the apparatus on all sides and shuts it off from the atmosphere in the
work room.
It has only an aperture at the rear upon which is fitted the inlet-
passage for the matches, an aperture in front for the exit of the matches, and
two small side apertures for the passage of the operating levers.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
The press, in its general movement, passes over the rails above the dipping-
trough, which is filled with chlorated or other chemical paste through apertures,
which are closed by air-tight plugs. At the moment of the stoppage of the
press, the cams raise the levers on the brackets, which move with them the rods
and therefore also the prism plate, the upper surface of which has retained a
uniform and sufficient layer of paste. When the plate is about to complete it's
ascent, the projections, acting on the outer ends of the rocking levers, depress
the forks which imprison the rollers and ensure the fixity of the press.
that instant the prism plate comes into contact with the ends of the matches to
effect the dipping. The plate then moves down again. The projections release
the rocking levers which then rise again and release the press and allow the latter
to receive a fresh forward impulse. This operation is repeated indefinitely.
At
The width of the plate may be equal to that of one or more chain-plates, and
the relative velocity of the shafts is such that at each ascent of the prism plate,
the press is moved forward to the extent of the width of the plate.
The shape of the cam may be such as to cause the plate to remain stationary
for a moment at the instant of dipping, or it may receive at that instant a
series of small vertical movements in such a manner as to cause the match-heads
to be drawn out.
The advantage of this arrangement consists in effecting dipping with a plate
by mechanical means whilst avoiding the scum of the paste. and is due to the
very slow motion and to the rational shape of the plate. The most favourable
result is obtained when the travel of the prism plate is regulated in such a
manner that its lower part remains always in engagement with the paste so as
to obviate shock at the moment of the descent of the plate.
The press passes out of the dipping-apparatus through the extension of, the
passage which is fitted on the exit-orifice and passes in front of a cleaner which

page_text: is just like that which is combined with the sulphuring-apparatus so that the
description given above is applicable in all respects to this cleaner, which is
situated in a bulged part of the passage.
After leaving the cleaner, the press, still imprisoned in the passage, first follows
a horizontal path in which it is guided by rails fixed to the vertical sides of the
passage then it passes over drums actuated by the combined arrangement of
ratchet-wheels herein before described after the matches have been placed in the
press the press and the passage rise vertically up to the top of the machine;
the chain passes again over drums which lead it horizontally backwards and in
this horizontal path it travels on other rails like those hereinbefore mentioned;
when it has arrived at the back of the machine it descends vertically, then
returns horizontally forwards as far as the stripping-apparatus. At the stripping-
apparatus the passage is transformed into a large glazed case, which completely
envelops the packing-apparatus and is supported on the base-plate of the general
framework of the machine. After being stripped and issuing from the packing-
case the press passes through a small opening and returns to the apparatus for
charging it with match splints or stems, after having passed through free air over
the last pulleys.
The passage thus forms a closed chamber in which the matches circulate from
the dipping-apparatus to the packing-apparatus, which serves as a drying-chamber
and. in which there is maintained a reduction of pressure produced by a fan or
other apparatus for withdrawing air connected with the passage. This reduction
of pressure produces the current of air necessary for the drying; the air enters
into the chamber through the openings that have been arranged at the dipping-
apparatus for the entry of the press and at the packing-apparatus for the move-
ment of the boarding as will hereinafter be indicated; and the reduction of
pressure, which determines the direction of the gaseous current, prevents the
viciated air from re-entering the workroom.
The general form of the passage and the press that circulates within it is,
from the dipping-apparatus to the stripping-apparatus, that of a convex polygonal
line. This arrangement enables the match-heads to be exclusively on the exterior
of this polygonal line, which limits as much as possible the danger of the spread
of fire in case of taking fire and which renders it possible to use only drums of
small diameter where the direction of the chain is changed.
After having circulated in the drying-chamber, the press arrives opposite the
punches of the stripping-apparatus.
These stripping-punches are mounted in one or more of the cross pieces of a
frame, which has an alternating vertical movement. This cross piece is guided
at its ends by rods, mounted on a table carried by a base-plate. The alternating
movement can be communicated to the frame in any suitable manner and for
example by two connecting rods attached to lateral projections of the frame and
terminated at their base by a strap operated by an eccentric keyed on a shaft,
which operates the stripping-apparatus and the packing-apparatus. The said
shaft is mounted on supports of the base-plate and receives its motion. from an
auxiliary shaft through a pair of wheels and a pitch-chain. This auxiliary shaft
is itself connected to a driving shaft by another pair of wheels and a pitch-chain.
At each end of the cross pieces is fixed a pin with teeth, like those described
with reference to the apparatus for putting the match splints or stems into the
press the pins in penetrating into the holes have not only for object to fix the
press but also, is virtue of their conicity, to bring it back to its exact position for
stripping if there should be produced a certain play as a result, of the wear of the
moving parts.
Below the row or rows of punches, there are arranged funnels situate above a
rotary carrier hereinafter described. These funnels are arranged in such a manner
that the distance between two adjacent upper edges may be a little greater than
the length of a match in order that the matches may not find two stopping-points
at once on which they can be stopped in their fall.

page_text: A shaft is carried by two supports fixed to the framework. This shaft carries
radially any number of pockets (in the arrangement being described this number
is four but it may be any whatever and may be even one) composed of a plate
rigidly fixed to the shaft and a movable wall carrying strips perpendicular to
the plane of this wall, which is itself parallel to that of the plate. The whole.
made up of the wall and the strips is mounted on a slide having preferably the
form of a dovetail and sliding longitudinally in a groove of corresponding form
in the shaft. The slide carries at its end a stud. A lever jointed at one of its.
ends to the base-plate carries a roller that follows the groove of a cam keyed on
the shaft that operates the stripping-apparatus; in the free end of this lever there
is a groove in which the stud of the slide passes during the rotary movement of the
carrier about the moment when the plate remains horizontal, as will be explained.
The fixed plates and the movable walls have one or more grooves or slots made
in them opposite to the intervals between two orifices of the funnels.
The carrier has an intermittent rotary movement so as to be displaced at each
stripping-stroke by an angle corresponding to the distance between two pocket
linos.
This movement may be produced for example by the following means.
The shaft carries a ratchet-wheel the number of whose teeth is equal to that
of the lines of pockets. A lever is mounted loosely on the shaft and carries a
pawl that acts on the ratchet-wheel; the free end of the lever is jointed to an
eccentric rod operated by an eccentric fixed to the shaft that operates the stripping-.
apparatus and the packing apparatus.
Under the grooves or slots of the fixed plate and the movable walls are arranged
shafts or vertical passages opposite to which passes the feeding-chain of drawers,
which will be hereinafter described.
The following is the operation of this combination of parts:
The matches, pushed by the stripping-punches, fall almost vertically into the
funnels, which collect them into the pockets constituted by the fixed plate, the
movable wall, and the strips. At this moment the pockets are disposed vertically.
opposite to the funnels. The rotary movement of the carrier causes cach plate
to pass from the vertical position into the horizontal position.
This lowering-movement having been effected, the lever one of whose ends is
jointed to the base plate acting on the stud, which at this moment is engaged.
in its groove, displaces, by a distance equal to that between two successive shafts,
the slide and, consequently, the wall and the strips that it carries.
The said strips which form a rake, move forward the matches arranged on the
plate and cause them to fall through the shafts into the.chain with drawers. The
rotary movement of the shaft continuing, the lever is brought back and the parti-
tions consequently return into their original positions, and this succession of
movements is reproduced indefinitely.
In the carrier-arrangement that has just been described, the strips serve both
for separating the matches during the rotary movement and also for pushing them
into the shafts. It is however, to be understood that we reserve to ourselves the
right of employing a double set of parts, a first series of strips fixed to the wall
and serving simply for the separation of the matches and being removed when
the plates are horizontal, and a second series of strips or rakes circulating between
the tablet and the blades that are removed from it, in order to cause the matches
to fall into the shafts.
The drawers are brought under the shafts by a chain constituted by a series of
cells fixed on plates connected together, like those of the endless press by a series.
of links and carried likewise by rollers. This chain passes round two drums
furnished with notches, which serve for moving the rollers of the chain. These
drums are mounted on shafts mounted in bearings which are capable of moving
horizontally in two slide-ways formed in supports carried by the base-plate. These
shafts are stayed at their ends by two longitudinal members, which are themselves
connected together by a cross piece. These longitudinal members consist of two

page_text: parts connected together by means of a sleeve having right and left handed screw-
threads so as to enable the chain to be stretched, as required, between its drums.
The whole of this arrangement receives a shaking motion in a longitudinal direc-
tion through the medium of a lever which has its fulcrum on the base-plate and
whose free end terminates in an eye which embraces the cross piece. This lever
carries a roller which runs in the groove of a cam fixed on one of the shafts.
At each stripping-stroke, the entire chain receives a forward movement of a
speed corresponding to the number of matches desired to be placed in each box.
This forward movement may be imparted by the following means:-
Upon the shaft of the forward drum there is keyed a ratchet-wheel. In front of
this ratchet-wheel there is arranged a pawl pivoted on the base-plate and carrying
a roller actuated by a cam whose groove is arranged so as to transmit to the chain
its forward movement at the times when it is not subjected to any shaking.
The upper stretch of the chain is supported during a great part of its length
by a table fixed to the base-plate by feet.
To introduce the drawers into the cells of the chain we employ the following
arrangement.
The drawers are brought by a belt into a way which is situated above the
drawers and in which there is formed an aperture through which a plunger
introduces in succession each drawer into a cell of the chain.
The belt passes round two drums fixed on shafts carried by two supports of
the base-plate. One of the shafts carries a toothed pinion driven by another
pinion keyed on an auxiliary shaft. This shaft receives its motion from a
shaft through the medium of two pinions.
The belt is on a level with a fixed passage which at its end that is opposite
to the belt, has a rectangular opening upon the lateral edges of which are fixed
two small springs. Opposite the opening there moves vertically a plunger whose
rod slides in a support. In order to produce this to-and-fro movement of the
plunger there may be employed a lever jointed to the support and at its other
end to the rod of the plunger piston. This lever is connected by a rod, with an
eccentric fixed on the last mentioned shaft.
The operation is as follows:-
The drawers are placed in line on the belt, which leads them to the fixed
passage the first of the drawers of the line is held back by the springs and is
forced into the corresponding cell of the chain by the descent of the plunger..
The slides are carried along by another belt into a passage placed opposite
to a barrel and at the height of its axis of rotation. On opposite sides of the
passage are arranged two forwarding-rollers in the form of sectors intended to
push the slides into the corresponding cell of the barrel. The last mentioned
belt and rollers are operated by means of a shaft by bevel-wheels; on this
shaft are placed a drum, over which passes the belt, and a pulley connected by a
cord to another pulley carried by the shaft of one of the forwarding rollers, the
shaft of the other roller being connected to the preceding by toothed wheels.
The shafts of the two rollers are supported by a bracket of the base-plate.
The barrel is keyed on a shaft journalled in two supports of the base-plate.
The barrel has an intermittent rotary movement imparted to it by a ratchet-
wheel whose teeth are lateral and opposite to which is arranged a pawl loose on
the barrel shaft and operated by a rod connected to an eccentric rod moved by
an eccentric. A spring presses the pawl against the ratchet-wheel.
The barrel is hollow and in its hollow is located a cam rigidly fixed to a
support of the base-plate. The bottom of the cells is movable radially and has
as an extension a rod terminated by a roller circulating on a cam; a spring tends
constantly to press the roller against the cam.
Opposite the upper part of the barrel is arranged a pusher that slides in guides
supported by the framework. This pusher is jointed at one end to a lever pivoted
on the base plate and jointed to a rod operated by an eccentric. Ramps fixed

page_text: to the pusher are displaced relatively to the end furnished with rollers of two
levers jointed to the support. The opposite ends of these levers are curved back
in the form of lips which are turned towards each other.
The following is the general operation of this arrangement of parts:-
The drawers introduced into the cells of the chain pass successively under
the shafts above referred to where they are filled with matches during the
stoppage of the chain; after the matches have fallen the chain receives its longi-
tudinal shaking movement so as to arrange the matches parallelly to one
another; the chain afterwards receives a new forward impulse, then is stopped in
order to be charged with a new supply of matches, and so on. The drawers
charged with matches continue their movement until they come opposite the
barrel.
The slides brought by one of the belts are introduced into the cells by the
circular part of the sectors when the said sectors present on the contrary their
notch, their engagement with the slides stops, thus allowing free movement
to the barrel. The latter in its rotation conducts the slides opposite to the
drawer that has been brought by the chain opposite to the pusher.
At this moment, the pusher advancing, the ramps with which it is in rigid
connexion, cause lovers above mentioned to oscillate, separating their lips;
the latter penetrate into the slide and spread out its edges; the pusher con-
tinuing to advance, introduces the drawer into the slide; the barrel continuing
its movement, the cam within it pushes back the bottom of the cell and causes
it to move outwards the corresponding box until it has arrived towards the lower
part of the barrel. All that is now to be done is to collect the finished boxes in
receptacles of any kind placed under the barrel.
:
There may be substituted for the combination consisting of the drawers-chain
and the barrel, a single chain with a double series of cells; one of the series
intended to receive the drawers is absolutely identical with the cells of the
drawers-chain the cells of the other series, intended to receive the slides, are
placed respectively opposite to the preceding ones and are each constituted like
the cells of the barrel. When a full drawer passes opposite to the pusher, it
is introduced into the corresponding slide, as hereinbefore indicated. In this
modification in fact, the construction remains the same except that the barrel
is dispensed with and there is substituted for it a chain that is parallel to,
and forms one with, the chain.
When the movement of the machine is rapid, there is danger of the production
of fire at the packing-apparatus and in order to diminish or entirely do away
with this danger, we diminish the speed of the packing-apparatus in relation
to that of the apparatus for putting the match stems or splints into the press, by
multiplving at will the packing-places by a method which we call "inter-
calary."
In general, if we wish to strip at n points, we make the distance between two
consecutive lines of punches equal to (m n + 1) d, in which m represents any co-
efficient whatever and the distance between two successive lines of holes of
the press.
Suppose, for example, that we wish to reduce to one third the speed of the
packing, and consequently pack at three places (n = 3). We employ three lines
of punches under which are arranged respectively three series of main parts like
those hereinbefore described.
The shaft that operates the stripping-apparatus is connected to the rest of the
machine in such a manner as to turn at a speed three times less than that of
the main shaft.
It is indispensable, in order to strip the chain regularly at the places desired,
to separate the lines of punches by an interval equal to some multiple of three'
times the distance between two consecutive lines of holes of the press plus once
this distance. Under these conditions the first line of punches causes the fall

page_text: of the rows of matches 1, 4. 7, . . 3 n+1, the second line of punches the
rows 2, 5, 8.
3+2, and the third line 3, 6, 9 . . 3 n, so that after
the passage under the three lines of punches the press is completely stripped.
Dated this 6th day of August 1897.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.
Improvements in Machines for making and racking matches.
We, HENRI SÉVÈNE and EMILE DAVID CALEN, of 24, Rue Lafayette, Paris,
France, Engineers, 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 constructed with the view of solving the
problem of manufacturing matches in a continuous and complete manner by
machinery. The machine receives on one hand the primary materials of manu-
facture, viz. the match splints or stems of wood or wax, the fire-producing
substances (sulphur, paraffin, etc.,), dipping-pastes (chemical, chlorated, etc.,)
and, on the other hand, the completely manufactured cardboard boxes.
machine delivers the matches, finished, counted, placed in boxes, and under
slides; in a word, the machine is arranged in such a manner as to produce a box
of matches ready for sale to the public.
The
All these operations are effected under the condition that the matches, from
the time of sulphuring or paraffining, are never at any time in contact with the
air of the workshop, so that no deleterious vapour can vitiate the atmosphere of
the latter.
In order that no doubt may arise as to the nature of our invention and as to
the manner in which it may be carried out, we shall now proceed to describe it
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 of these drawings is a longitudinal elevation of the entire machine,
certain parts being shown in section.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of that part of the machine which is designed to
receive the undipped matches, to arrange them, and to fix them in the continuous
press or chain;
of Fig. 4, which is a
Fig. is a vertical section according to the line 3
horizontal section according to the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a vertical section according to the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, the view being
taken from the left-hand side of the plane of section; certum parts bang omitted.
Fig. 6 is a vertical section according to the line 66 of Fig. 3, the view being
taken from the right-hand side of the plane of section:
Fig. is a vertical section, drawn to a larger scale, of a portion of the parts
shown in Fig 3, showing the carriage for placing into the press, at the end of
its return movement;
Fig. 8 is a section corresponding to Fig. 7 but showing the carriage at the end
of its forward movement towards the chain;
Fig. 9 is a vertical section drawn to the same scale and according to the line
9-9 of Fig. 7, the view being taken from the left-hand side of the plane of
section;
Fig. 10 is a vertical section drawn to the same scale and according to the

page_text: line 10-10 of Fig. 7, the view being taken from the right hand side of the
plane of section;
Fig. 11 shows in front elevation. side elevation, and plan, to a still larger
scale, a portion of the chain or press, and represents the connexion of the plates
with their links;
Fig. 12 is 11 vertical longitudinal section on-the-axis of that part of the
machine which is designed to effect the burning and the sulphuring or paraffining
of the matches;
Fig. 13 is a half plan of the same;
Fig. 14 is a cross section according to the line 14-14 of Fig. 12;
Fig. 15 is a vertical section according to the line 15-15 of Fig. 16, of that
part of the machine which corresponds to the dipping of the matches;
Fig. 16 is a vertical section according to the line 16-16 of Fig. 15;
Fig. 17 is a vertical section of that part of the machine which is designed to
carry out the clearing and boxing of the matches, this section being taken accord-
ing to the line 17-17 of Fig. 20;
Fig. 18 is a corresponding vertical section of part of the same mechanism
according to the line 18-18 of Fig. 19, and showing the means for operating
the rotary carrier;
Fig. 19 is a vertical section of the same part of the machine according to the
line 19 19 of Fig. 20, which is a corresponding plan;
Fig. 21 is a vertical section according to the line 21-21 of Fig. 20 and showing
the feed of the drawers to of the drawers-chain;
Fig. 22 is a vertical section according to the line 22-22 of Fig. 20 and show-
ing the slide barrel and the pusher serving for the introduction of the drawers
into the slides:
Fig. 23 is a vertical section of the barrel according to the line 23-23 of
Fig. 22:
Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic view showing the operation of the "intercalary"
clearer.
The machine comprises in the first place, a distributor in which the undipped
matches are thrown haphazard, and which has for its object to arrange them in
the grooves of a lower table, whence a set of needles expels them into tubes of
any suitable shape provided in a transporting-carriage that brings them in
front of the holes of a press or perforated endless apron into which they are
put by pressure. This distributor (Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6) consists of four principal
parts, one of which is a receptacle A of hopper-shape closed at its lower part by
a bottom formed of a series of semi-cylindrical channels a which are arranged
side by side and in the forward parts of which there are formed apertures al
intended to allow the matches to fall into passages A¹. This receptacle is hinged
at a to the rear edge of the passages hereinafter referred to. It is fitted with
two rollers which run on rails, which are carried by the general framing of
the machine and are formed with a bend at .
The passages A are formed by the juxtaposition of a series of cells having
inclined bottoms, each cell being situated under a corresponding channel a of
These passages are supported at the rear part of the arranger A² herein-
the case.
after referred to.
The arranger A2 is has-the-shape-of-a-rectangular-box subdivided by thin parti-
tions a into a series of bottomless compartments which correspond to the cells aⓇ of
the passages. The arranger is supported by a table A³ connected to the general
framing, on which it slides. This sliding motion parallel to the general axis of the
machine is effected by means of a-lever levers as having its fulerum fulcra at aº on
the framing and its their free end ends a 10 connected-to-a-knob slotted to receive
pins al carried by the arranger A². This-lever-is These levers are provided with a
Feller rollers a rolling in the groove grooves of a-cam cams a¹³, which is mounted
on a shaft shafts a receiving its motion from the main driving shaft X through the

page_text: medium of a vertical shaft shafts a¹5 connected at one end to the shaft lufte a¹4
through bevel-wheels 16 and 17 and at the other end to the main shaft by means of
helicoidal toothed wheels 18 and a 18.
The fourth main part of the distributor is a magazine A, which is situated
under the table A opposite an aperture 20 formed in the latter. It is supported
by a grooved table B hereinafter referred to, in such a manner as to be capable
of sliding on the said table. This magazine has the shape of a rectangular box
(see Figs. 3 and 6) provided for a portion of its height with a series of vertical
partitions with intersected-by borizontal baffles 2. These vertical partitions
extend from the top of the magazine and terminate about half way from the
bottom thereof. Other partitions a², preferably placed further apart than the
first ones, are arranged near the bottom of the magazine in such a manner as to
leave between them and the upper partitions an entirely free space of some centi-
metres, and another free space of about two centimetres between their bases and
the bottom of the magazine.
The magazine is provided at its base and on its front with a brush fixed by
screws 25
The magazine has imparted to it a horizontal trembling motion perpendicular
to the principal axis of the machine by means of a connecting rod a jointed at
one end to a knob a fixed on the side of the magazine and at the other end to a
knob a forming part of a lever whose fulcrum 30 is carried by the general
framing and whose free end is provided with a roller which slides in the
groove of a cain a keyed on one of the shufts shaft a driven from the main
shaft as herein before described.
The operation of this distributor is as follows (see Figs. 2, 3, 5, and 6):-
The matches are thrown into the receptacle A, which in its first position,
shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, has its forward part lowered on to the passages A'.
In this position it receives a series of jolts from the cam 3, which has for this
purpose a portion of its groove corrugated at These jolts have for object
to cause a certain number of matches to move down in into each of the passages A¹
through the slits a'. A slightly greater corrugation of the cam-groove causes
the entirety A A'A to move forward several centimetres in such a manner that
the rollers of the receptacle mount the bend of the rails and cause the
receptacle to tip backwards with the objects of gathering the matches together
in the rear portion thereof and arresting their fall into the passages. A new
series of jolts produced by a series of other short corrugations of the cam a¹³
acts upon the matches that are in the passages and has for object to cause them
to fall and be arranged in the arranger.
A last corrugation of the cam, which is greater than the others, pushes
the arranger and the matches that it contains over the magazine As, which at
that moment is stopped by means of a rest or circular part a formed in the
cam, which produces the movements of the magazine. The receptacle, the
passages, and the arranger return to their initial position, and this operation is
repeated indefinitely.
The rocking movement of the receptacle A has for object to stop the delivery
of matches during their arrangement in the arranger A³, and to prevent this
arrangement from being interfered with by the continual fall of fresh matches.
The magazine which has received the matches receives in its turn a shaking
movement in the direction indicated. For the proper working of the machine
it is advisable first of all to fill the magazine up to the level of the lower part of
the baffles a. When this filling has been once done, the shaking imparted to
the magazine causes the matches to move down between the partitions and
the baffles a, so as to keep up the supply of undipped matches, which tends
to become exhausted through the delivery of the machine.
All that is necessary,
therefore, is to keep the level of the matches between the first and the last
baffle a

page_text: To cffect this result, the orifices a' of the channels of the case A must be made
such that the delivery is copious enough to suffice for feeding the machine and
small enough not to choke the baffles of the magazine.
The magazine herein before described is placed on and slides along a table B
(see Figs. 3, 4, 7, 8, and 10) in which are formed grooves b, the axes of which
coincide with those of the holes in the endless apron or press at the moment of
stoppage of the latter. This grooved table is carried by the general framing.
At the rear of this table there is arranged a set of needles B carried by a
crossbeam or needle-carrier b', which is provided on each side with a guiding
rod sliding in slide-ways in the general framing. As, on the other hand,
the ends of the needles B never leave the grooves of the table B, the result is
that this entirety B₁ is suitably guided. This set of needles has a horizontal
alternating motion as will be hereinafter described. In the forward movement
of the needles, their ends drive out the matches that have fallen into the grooves
of the table, and convey them into the corresponding grooves of the transporting
carriage hereinafter described.
This transporting carriage (see Figs. 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10) consists of a grooved
plate forming part of a frame C provided with ears 4 through each of which
there extends a guide rod c¹s connected to the general framing E. This carriage
has a horizontal to-and-fro motion as hereinafter described, and at its rear there
is arranged a bar C² terminating in carrying two rollers which in the to and
fro motion run on a fixed ramp carried by the general framing. The slope of
this ramp is made such as to cause the said bar to move up and down. It is
guided by two angle-pieces which are fixed at the rear of the carriage and thus
form a vertical slide-way for the said bar. In front of the carriage C and quite
close up against the press is arranged a fixed ceiling C2 (see Figs. 7, 8, and 9),
carried by the general framing and having its lower face flush with the upper
face of the grooved plate c of the transporting carriage. At the rear of this
ceiling" C² there is arranged a comb C3 whose teeth correspond to the grooves
in the plate. This comb is carried at the rear of the "ceiling" by means of
two or more nipples 3, which are provided on the ceiling" and upon which
slides the comb, in which are formed "button-holes corresponding to the
nipples The comb may thus receive an alternating motion in a vertical plane.
For this purpose it is provided at each end with a small latch pivoted at .
Opposite this latch there is arranged a ramp which is fixed to the grooved
plate c of the transporting carriage.
6
"
The transporting carriage is further provided at each of its edges with a
lug C (Figs. 7, 8, and 10) carrying a series of teeth 68, the vertical distance
separating these teeth being equal to the distance between two consecutive rows
of holes in the press D. The press itself has, at its edges, series of holes d of a
section equal to that of the teeth and arranged exactly in front of each row
of matches. The press D is supported, at the moment of forcing the matches,
by a cross-piece of the general framing situated opposite the row of grooves
of the carriage c.
The operation of this portion of the machine is as follows:-
Each groove of the table B is charged with a match as a result of the movement
of the magazine A At the moment when the carriage C reaches its extreme
rear position, near the table B, the needles B¹ push the matches into the grooves c
of the said carriage: then the needles are moved back so as to free the grooves b.
and to make room for a fresh series of matches coming from the magazine. At
the same time the carriage C moves forward towards the press D, moving with
it the bar C, whose end rollers c¹ roll on the ramps Before the carriage
charged with matches passes under the "ceiling" C³, the ramp of the said
carriage, acting upon the latches of the comb 03, have caused the latter to rise
is such a manner as to give free passage to the matches contained in the grooves
of the carriage. The carriage then moves forward under the "ceiling" C2, and.
when it is completely engaged, the rear bar C¹ is raised by the ramp. Each

page_text: match is thus completely imprisoned in a tube which is open only at its forward
part and is formed by the groove c of the carriage C, the "ceiling" C2, and the
rear bar C¹, which forms the bottom. The carriage continues its advance, and
the teeth c of the pin lug C+ engage in the holes d of the press and ensure the
fixing of the press D at the exact place it ought to occupy for charging-that
is to say, at that moment a row of countersunk holes of the press D is stopped.
just opposite the grooves of the plate of the carriage. The carriage C, continuing
its forward movement, pushes the row of matches into the corresponding counter-
sunk holes d' of the press D. In consequence of the special arrangement just
described, by means of which each match is completely imprisoned in a tube
formed by the plate with grooves c and the ceiling C³, it is capable of resisting
the rather considerable pressure exerted by the rear bar C¹ that is necessary for
fixing the match firmly in the press. At this moment, the rear end of the
ramp of the carriage having moved beyond the nose of the latch, the latter
falls behind the said ramp and moves with it in its fall the comb C3 in such a
manner as to return the lower ends of the teeth of the comb to the level of the
bottom of the grooves c of the carriage C.
The carriage then returns to the rear, leaving the matches fixed in the press D.
The rear bar C¹ moves down again and uncovers the rear end of the grooves.
The carriage continuing its return movement, the teeth of the comb engage
in the said grooves and clean them completely. The comb has, in fact, remained
lowered in consequence of the hinge of the latch c, which allows it to assume
an inclination towards the rear and become of no effect in the return movement
of the ramp c, whereas in the forward movement of the said ramp the latch bears
against the rear of the "ceiling" and thus forms a rigid connexion which compels
the comb to rise under the action of the inclined portion of the ramp. The
carriage continues its rearward movement until it is close to the fixed grooved
table B. and the series of movements is repeated indefinitely. The movements
of the needle-carrier and of the transporting carriage may be effected in any
suitable manner, for instance as follows (Figs. 2, 3, and 4):
Upon the base-plate e of the general framing E there are fixed four caps or
blocks e serving as fulcra to two jointed parallelograms composed of levers b f3
and cross pieces 66 each carrying two rollers 67. These rollers are operated by
a-double-eam cams b keyed on the main shaft X of the machine, which imparts
to the said parallelogram a to-and-fro motion which is transmitted by the free
ends of the levers and connexions 6° to the knobs pins 610 of the needle-
carrier b¹.
The base-plate e carries two other caps or blocks which serve as points of
attachment for levers c499, each of which carries two rollers c10 rolling on the
peripheries of double cams c keyed on the main shaft X of the machine. The
free ends of these levers 0 9 drive, through the medium of connexions c¹²,
knobs pins cls carried by the lugs c4 of the carriage C for conveying matches
into the press.
It is to be well understood that the driving mechanism, the details of con-
struction of the carriage, and the mode of combining the grooved plate C with
the ceiling C may be varied, the latter being capable of being fixed as
described, or in one piece with the carriage, and in the latter case it may form
complete tubes throughout the transport of the undipped matches. Instead
of a single row of tubes there may be provided in the transporting carriage
several parallel rows of complete tubes for fixing simultaneously several lines
of match splints or stems in several rows of holes of the press. The mode of
mounting the bar C¹ may also be varied, as also its motion, which may be pro-
duced by translation or by rotation in any suitable manner, and there may even
be substituted for the bar a series of needles or a bar with needles corresponding
to the grooves of the carriage. Further, all the accessory details of the mechanism
may be varied generally. The essential point is to form complete tubes which

page_text: will imprison the matches at least at the moment when they receive the push
from the rear for forcing them into the press.
The press (Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 11) hereinbefore referred to, consists of a cou-
tinuous succession of metal plates 1) perforated with several rows of holes d¹
countersunk at both ends, each line of holes corresponding to the row of matches
brought by the transporting carriage. At each end of the plate and in front of
each row of small countersunk holes there is formed a hole of larger size
and of oval or other suitable shape corresponding to the teeth of the pin lug C
of the carriage C. The rows of holes are equi-distant from one another in
each plate D, and the distance that separates the last row of one plate from
the first row of the following plate is equal to the distance between two consecu-
tive rows in a plate.
is
The plates are connected together in the form of an endless apron or con-
tinuous press by means of links, which stay together two adjacent plates (see
Fig. 11). For this purpose the ends of each plate are terminated by trunnions ³,
the shoulder d of which has an elongated, flattened, oval, or generally non-
circular section, the body of the same being cylindrical. Each link
doubly bent and has two holes (one being flattened or elongated and the other
being circular) corresponding respectively to the shoulder and the body of the
journal. Rollers mounted on the ends of the journals facilitate the running
of the press on the rails and the guide-wheels D. The elongated or flattened
part formed Onl
the shoulders of the journals has for object to
prevent the. relative shifting of the plates with reference to the links, the latter
having a perfectly defined position whatever may be the position of the chain.
The central plane of each link coincides with that of the axes of two successive
plates, so that the plates cannot accidentally turn separately and cause sticking
of the matches of two adjacent plates.
At each change of direction of the press, it passes round guide wheels or
drums D provided with notches or sockets corresponding to the rollers
of the press.
These wheels are mounted in pairs upon shafts, which are
carried in any suitable manner by the general framing.
At each revolution of the main shaft X, immediately after the introduction
of a row of matches, the press advances to an extent equal to the distance between
two successive rows of holes. The regularity of this intermittent forward move-
ment is ensured in the following manner (see Figs. 1, 3 and 53:
At one end of each of the shafts are keyed two ratchet-wheels, the
one with a running-detent i.e with ordinary teeth-and the other with a rest
detentie, with double-flank teeth. The rods 10, which have an oscillating
movement, carry two spurs ", the first operates a lever mounted
loosely on the shaft and carrying a driving-pawi acting on the ratchet-
wheel with running-detent. The second spur operates a second lever d
which has a pivot 16 supported by the framework and whose nose becomes
engaged, at the desired moment, in the spaces between the teeth of the second
ratchet-wheel P. A stop-pawl, pivoted to the framework, keeps the ratchet-
wheel in its position of rest.
This collection of parts is repeated at each change of direction of the press.
The rods are connected together by means of simple levers 18 or bell-crank
levers according to circumstances and in such a manner that they will all
move quite rigidly together it is therefore sufficient to operate a single one
placed in proximity to the main shaft X. For this purpose the rod do is jointed
to the free end of a lever 20 which is fixed to the base-plate e and whose other
end carries a roller that travels in the groove of a cam keyed on the
main shaft X.
.
The operation of this arrangement is as follows:-
When a row of matches has been put into the press and the rods 10 are com-
mencing their forward movement, the spurs du push the levers d¹³ and communicate

page_text: to the chain, through the pawls d¹ and the ratchet-wheels d³, a general movement
equal to the distance between two rows of matches; the movement of the spur dis
permits the lever 15 to advance into contact with the periphery of the teeth
of the wheel ; and at the precise moment when the driving-pawl d has ter-
minated its stroke, the nose of the lever is opposite a space of the wheel
and engaged thercin under the influence of its spring. The chain is then stopped
suddenly and cannot pass its stopping-point whatever be the inertia of the parts
in motion. At the same time the stopping-pawl passes into a tooth-space.
of the ratchet-wheel d. In the return movement of the rods 10, the spur du,
in receding, allows the driving-pawls to return, then the spur 13 bears in its
turn upon the lever d so as to disengage its nose from the wheel, and then
the entirety of the wheels is held merely by the stopping-pawl. The
series of movements in reproduced in this manner indefinitely.
After the match splints or stems have been put into the press, the chain
carrying them becomes horizontal and passes over the burning, sulphuring or
paraffining, and steeping vat (Figs. 12, 13, and 14).
The burning and sulphuring table forms an entirety constituted by a metallic
vat F, which is flat and supported by an auxiliary frame f on a base-plate e
of the general framework. This vat is furnished on its sides with reservoirs or
pockets in each of which works an Archimedean screw carried by a small
support and rotating within a sheath f4, at the upper end of which is arranged
a weir f whose level is slightly higher than that of the edge of the general vat.
A set of pulleys ff, of which one f" is fixed on the axle of the Archimedean
screw and the two others are on an auxiliary axle f8, serves for turning the
screw by means of a cord f³, which also passes round a pulley f10 keyed on the
main shaft X.
In the vat and the lateral reservoirs fl are arranged a series of almost juxta-
posed steam pipes f", whose joints are all at the two ends of the vat. All these
joints are embedded in metallic masses f12 13, which are cast at each end
and which protect them against the corrosive action of the molten sulphur.
One of these metallic masses f12 constitutes the burning-table and the sulphur-
bath is situate between the vertical sides of the two metallic masses f13 f¹³, which
form its end walls, the side walls being formed by the partitions that separate
the vat properly so called from the reservoirs.
Rails are arranged at the sides of the vat to form a way for the press.
Their profile exhibits first of all a horizontal part corresponding to the metallic
mass that forms a burning-table they being placed at a height such that
the matches are flush with the upper part of this metallic mass, then the rail is
deflected towards the base at the commencement of the sulphur-bath; afterwards
their profile exhibits a horizontal part, and then rises, at the exit of the sulphur-
bath, over the metallic mass f¹³.
The object of this arrangement is to secure a constant level in the vat in the
following manner:-
The upper edge of the partitions f forming a weir ensures the fixity of the
level of the sulphur or of the paraffin in the vat; the distance between this edge
and the rail fhas been determined in such a manner as to limit the sulphuring
or the paraffining to a suitable height on the head of the matches.
The Archimedean screw, drawing melted sulphur from the lateral reservoirs,
constantly spreads it over the weirs f, whence it escapes into the vat properly
so called. The quantity of sulphur or of paraffin thus introduced is slightly
greater than that which is carried away by the matches. The excess returning
over the edges of the partitions 1 into the lateral reservoirs or pockets f¹, the
desired permanent arrangement for the automatic feeding with constant level
is thus established.
With the sulphuring is combined a cleaner G (see Fig. 1) situated in front of
the sulphuring-vat F and intended to remove any matches that may accidentally
become stuck on the heads of the matches that are properly fixed in the chain.

page_text: This device comprises a shaft g which is mounted in two supports gl attached
to the framing in any suitable manner and carries at one end a pulley 9 con-
nected by means of a belt with a shaft X for driving the dipping-mechanism.
Needles are fixed radially to the said shaft and are arranged in the middles
of the intervals between the longitudinal lines of matches in such as manner
as not to meet any good match during their rotation and to eliminate all badly
arranged matches." A circular brush mounted on an axle g journaled in the
same supports and connected to the axle g by means of a train of tootlied
wheels, effects the elimination of the bad matches by causing them to fall
into a vessel containing water or other liquid.
After having passed over the cleaner, the chain passes through a completely
closed passage E to the dipping-mechanism (see Figs. 1, 15 and 16), which com-
prises a trough H having a double bottom and mounted on the base-plate e of the
general framing E by means of any suitable support h. Upon the outer wall of
the double bottom are mounted pipe-unions h and for the entry and exit of
hot water respectively. This trough H is provided laterally with two cast-iron
cheeks h³, which are fitted internally with two guiding sockets or slide-ways h', and
on one side with a bracket intended to carry the parts for driving the dipping-
plate as hereinafter described.
In these guide-sockets there slide two rods 6 carrying at their base a plate H¹
of prism-shape, the upper face of which is flat and horizontal, whilst its lower
part is wedge-shaped.
The trough is also provided with two supports forming guide-rails for the
press D and each carrying a rocking lever 8 pivoted at h. The ends of each
lever 8 are both in the form of forks, the outer end embracing the guide-
rods which carry a corresponding projection, the inner end 12 being adapted
to embrace the rollers of the plates of the press at the moment of dipping.
The alternating motion or intermittent raising of the plate H¹ may be effected
in any suitable manner, as by the following means:-
Each bracket ho carries a lever 13 pivoted at 4. This lever has its free end
in the form of an eye embracing a knob 15 fixed to the corresponding guide-rod h.
The lever further carries a roller running on a cam h keyed on a shaft X¹
mounted on the brackets 5 and connected to an auxiliary shaft Y by means of a
pair of wheels and a pitch-chaine (see Fig. 1).
This auxiliary shaft is situated under the base-plate e and is connected to a
driving shaft corresponding to the main shaft X by means of a pair of wheels and
a pitch-chain y. This driving shaft Y is itself connected to the main shaft X by
means of a pair of toothed wheels and a pitch-chain r.
A sheet-metal casing H2 fixed to the cheeks and to the trough H closes the
upper part of the apparatus on all sides and shuts it off from the atmosphere in
the workroom. It has only an aperture at the rear upon which is fitted the
inlet-passage E for the matches, an aperture e in front for the exit of the matches,
and two small side apertures h8 for the passage of the operating levers h¹³.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
The press, in its general movement, passes over the rails above the dipping-
trough H, which is filled with chlorated or other chemical paste through aper-
tures ho, which are closed by air-tight plugs. At the moment of the stoppage of
the press, the cams 7 raise the levers h3, which move with them the rods and
therefore also the plate H', the upper surface of which has retained a uniform and
sufficient layer of paste. When the plate is about to complete its ascent, the
projections, acting on the outer ends h¹ of the levers 78, depress the forks 12
which imprison the rollers and ensure the fixity of the press. At that instant
the plate H comes into contact with the ends of the matches to effect the dipping.
The plate then moves down again. The projections to release the levers h³ which
then rise again and release the press and allow the latter to receive a fresh forward
impulse. This operation is repeated indefinitely.
The width of the plate may be equal to that of one or more chain-plates, and

page_text: the relative velocity of the shafts X and X is such that at each ascent of the
plate H, the press is moved forward to the extent of the width of the plate.
The shape of the cam may be such as to cause the plate to remain stationary for
a moment at the instant of dipping, or it may receive at that instant a series of
small vertical movements in such a manner as to cause the match-heads to be
drawn out,
The advantage of this arrangement consists in effecting dipping with a plate
by mechanical means whilst avoiding the scum of the paste, and is due to the
very slow motion and to the rational shape of the plate. The most favourable
result is obtained when the travel of the plate H¹ is regulated in such a manner
that its lower part remains always in engagement with the paste so as to obviate
shock at the moment of the descent of the plate.
The press passes out of the dipping-apparatus through the extension of the
passage E which is fitted on the exit-orifice e and passes in front of a cleaner G,
which is just like that which, is combined with the sulphuring-apparatus so that
the description given above is applicable in all respects to this cleaner, which is
situated in a bulged part of the passage, (see Figs. 1 and 15).
After leaving the cleaner, the press still imprisoned in the passage E, first
follows a horizontal path (see Fig. 1) in which it is guided by rails e fixed to the
vertical sides of the passage E¹ then it passes over drums 1) actuated by the
combined arrangement of ratchet-wheels herein before described after the matches
have been placed in the press; the press and the passage rise vertically up to
the top of the machine; the chain passes again over drums 1', which lead it
horizontally backwards and in this horizontal path it travels on other rails e like
those herein before mentioned; when it has arrived at the back of the machine it
descends vertically, then returns horizontally forwards as far as the stripping-
apparatus. At the stripping-apparatus the passage is transformed into a large
glazed case, which completely envelopes the packing-apparatus and is supported
on the base-plate e of the general framework of the machine. After being stripped
und issuing from the packing-case E, the press passes through a small opening e
and returns to the apparatus for charging it with match splints or stems, after
having passed through free air over the last pulleys D¹.
The passage E thus forms a closed chamber in which the matches circulate from
the dipping-apparatus to the packing-apparatus, which serves as a drying-chamber,
and in which there is maintained a reduction of pressure produced by a fan or
other apparatus for withdrawing air connected with the passage for example at 8.
This reduction of pressure produces the current of air necessary for the drying;
the air enters into the chamber through the openings that have been arranged at
the dipping-apparatus for the entry of the press and at the packing-apparatus for
the movement of the boarding as will hereinafter be indicated; and the reduction
of pressure which determines the direction of the gaseous current, prevents the
viciated air from re-entering the workroom.
As represented in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the general form of the passage and
the press that circulates within it is, from the dipping-apparatus to the stripping-
apparatus, that of a convex polygonal line. This arrangement enables the match-
heads to be exclusively on the exterior of the polygonal line, which limits as much
as possible the danger of the spread of fire in case of taking fire and which renders
it possible to use only drums of small diameter where the direction of the chain is
changed.
After having circulated in the drying-chamber, the press arrives opposite the
punches of the stripping-apparatus (see Figs. 17 and 19).
These stripping-punches are mounted in one or more of the cross pieces of a
frame I, which has an alternating vertical movement. This cross piece is guided
at its ends by rods, mounted on a table carried by a hase-plate e. The
alternating movement can be communicated to the frame in any suitable manner
Hd for example by two connecting rods 3 attached to lateral projections of the

page_text: frame and terminates terminate at their base by a strap operated by an
eccentric keyed on the shaft X2, which operates the stripping-apparatus and the
packing-apparatus. The shaft X is mounted on supports e of the base-plate e
and receives its motion from the auxiliary shaft Y through a pair of wheels and
a pitch-chain. This auxiliary shaft Y2 is itself connected to the driving shaft Y
by another pair of wheels and a pitch-chain y (see Fig. 1.)
At each end of the cross pieces L is fixed a bug pin with teeth, like those
described with reference to the apparatus for putting the match splints or stems
into the press; the pins teeth in penetrating into the holes d have not only for
object to fix the press but also, in virtue of their conicity, to bring it back to its
exact position for stripping if there should be produced a certain play as a result
of the wear of the moving parts.
Below the row or rows of punches, there are arranged funnels situate above
a rotary carrier J hereinafter described (Figs. 17, 18, and 19). These funnels are
arranged in such a manner that the distance between two adjacent upper edges 77 78
may be a little greater than the length of a match in order that the matches may
not find two-stopping-points at once on which they can be stopped in their fall.
A shaft J is carried by two supports ¹ fixed to the framework-E table i².
This shaft carries radially any number of pockets J2 (in the drawing this number
is four but it may be any whatever and may be even one) each composed of a
plate rigidly fixed to the shaft J' and a movable wall carrying strips j
perpendicular to the plane of this wall, which is itself parallel to that of the plate.
The whole made up of the wall and the strips 4 is mounted on a slide ja having
preferably the form of a dove-tail and sliding longitudinally in a groove of corre-
sponding form in the shaft J. The slide carries at its end a stud. A lever j
jointed at one of its ends to the base-plate e carries a roller 2 that follows the
groove of a cam 13 keyed on the shaft X that operates the stripping-apparatus;
in the free end of this lever there is a groove in which the stud of the
slide passes during the rotary movement of the carrier about the moment wlien
the plate remains horizontal, as will be explained.
The fixed plates and the movable walls have one or more grooves or slots
made in them opposite to the intervals 10 between two orifices of the funnels j.
The carrier J has an intermittent rotary movement so as to be displaced at each
stripping-stroke by an angle corresponding to the distance between two pocket
lines.
This movement may be produced for example by the following means (see
Fig. 18):-
The shaft carries a ratchet-wheel the number of whose teeth is equal
to that of the lines of pockets. A lever is mounted loosely on the shaft and
carries a pawl that acts on the ratchet-wheel: the free end of the lever 716
is jointed to an eccentric, rod 18 operated by an eccentric 19 fixed to the shaft: X.
Under the grooves or slots of the fixed plate and the movable walls
are arranged shafts or vertical passages 20 opposite to beneath which passes the
feeding chain of drawers K, which will be hereinafter described.
The following is the operation of this combination of parts:-
The matches, pushed by the stripping-punches i, fall almost vertically into
the funnels which collect them into the pockets Je constituted by the fixed
plate plates, the movable wall walls, and the strips *.
At this moment
the pockets J2, are disposed vertically beneath opposite-to the funnels. The
rotary movement of the carrier causes each plate, to pass from the vertical
position into the horizontal position.
This lowering-movement having been effected, the lever j", acting on the
stud 6, which at this moment is engaged in its groove, displaces, by a distance
equal to that between two successive shafts, the slide and, consequently,
the wall and the strips that it carries.
The strips, which form a rake, move forward the matches arranged on the

page_text: plate and cause them to fall through the shafts onto inte the drawer chain
with-drawers K. The rotary movement of the shaft J¹ continuing, the lever j
is brought back and the strips partitions j consequently return into their original
positions, and this succession of movements is reproduced indefinitely.
In the carrier-arrangement that has just been described, the strips serve both
for separating the matches during the rotary movement and also for pushing
them into the shafts. It is however, to be understood that we reserve to ourselves
the right of employing a double set of parts, a first series of strips fixed to the
wall, and serving simply for the separation of the matches and being removed
when the plates are horizontal, and a second series of strips or rakes circulating
between the tablet and the blades that are removed from it, in order to cause the
matches to fall into the shafts.
The drawers are brought under the shafts 0 by a chain K (see Figs. 19 and 20)
constituted by a series of cells & fixed on plates ¹ connected together, like those
of the endless press D, by a series of links and carried likewise by rollers k
analogous respectively to the links and the rollers . This chain passes
round two drums K furnished with notches ³, which serve for moving the
rollers of the chain. These drums are mounted on shafts k mounted in bear-
ings, which are capable of moving horizontally in two slide-ways formed in
supports carried by the base-plate e. These Those shafts are stayed at their
ends by two longitudinal members 49, which are themselves connected together
by a cross piece 10. These longitudinal members consist of two parts connected
together by means of a sleeve 6 having right and left handed screw-threads so
as to enable the chain to be stretched, as required, between its drums K¹. The
whole of this arrangement receives a shaking motion in a longitudinal direction
through the medium of a lever, which has its fulcrum at 12 on the base-
plate e and whose free end terminates in an eye which embraces the cross-piece 10.
This lever carries a roller which runs in the groove of a cam k¹ fixed on the
shaft X'.
At each stripping stroke, the entire chain K receives a forward movement of at
a speed corresponding to the number of matches desired to be placed in each box.
This forward movement may be imparted by the following means: -
Upon the shaft of the forward drum K' there is keyed a ratchet-wheel 13.
In front of this ratchet-wheel there is arranged a pawl pivoted at 18 o to
the base-plate and carrying a roller 19 actuated by a cam 10 whose groove is
arranged so as to transmit to the chain K its forward movement at the times
when it is not subjected to any shaking.
The upper stretch of the chain K is supported during a great part of its length
by a table fixed to the base-plate e by feet.
To introduce the drawers into the cells of the chain K we employ the following
arrangement (see Figs. 19, 20, and 21):-
The drawers are brought by a belt into a way which is situated above the
drawers chain and in which there is formed an aperture through which a plunger
introduces in succession each drawer into a cell of the chain.
The belt L passes round two drums (one. only of which is shown in the
drawings) fixed on shafts (carried by two supports 12 of on the base-plate c.
One of the shafts (the one that is shown in the drawings) carries a toothed
pinion driven by another pinion keyed on an auxiliary shaft fixed to the
supports 12. The shaft receives its motion from the shaft X2 through the
medium of two pinions 16 and 17.
The belt is on a level with a fixed passage 8 which at its end that is opposite
to the belt, has a rectangular opening upon the lateral edges of which are fixed
two small springs 10. Opposite the opening there moves vertically a plunger L',
whose rod slides in a support 711. In order to produce this to-and-fro movement
of the plunger L' there may be employed a lever 112 jointed to the support
at 13 and at its other end to the rod of the plunger L' at 14. This lever is con-
nected at 715, by a rod 717, with an eccentric fixed on the shaft X³.

page_text: The operation is as follows:-
The drawers are placed in line on the belt L, which leads them to the passage 18;
the first of the drawers of the line is held back by the springs 10 and is forced
into the corresponding cell of the chain K by the descent of the plunger.
On
The slides are carried along by a belt M (see Figs. 19 and 20) into a passage m
placed opposite to a barrel N and at the height of its axis of rotation.
opposite sides of the passage are arranged two forwarding-rollers m in the form
of sectors intended to push the slides into the corresponding cell n of the
barrel N. The belt M and the rollers m are operated by means of a shaft m³
connected to the shaft X by bevel-wheels mm; on this shaft are placed a
drum m over which passes the belt, and a pulley m² connected by a cord m³ to
another pulley m³ carried by the shaft m10 of one of the rollers m, the shaft m
of the other roller being connected to driven from the preceding by the toothed
wheels m¹ and m3. The shafts m⁰ and m are supported by a bracket m of
the base-plate e.
The barrel N (see Figs 19, 20, 22, and 23) is keyed on a shaft n¹ journalled
in two supports of the base-plate e.
The barrel has an intermittent rotary
movement imparted to it by a ratchet wheel whose teeth are lateral and
opposite to which is arranged a pawl loose on the shaft and operated by a
rod connected to an eccentric-rod moved by an eccentric keyed on the
shaft XA spring 8 presses the pawl against the ratchet-wheel.
The barrel is hollow and in its hollow is located a cam # rigidly fixed to
the support 10 of on the base-plate e (Figs. 22 and 23). The bottom of the
cells is movable radially and has as an extension a rod 12 terminated by a
roller circulating on the cam ; a spring n¹ tends constantly to press the
roller against the cam º.
Opposite the upper part of the barrel is arranged a pusher 0 (Fig. 22) that slides
in guides o supported by the framework E. This pusher is jointed at one end.
to a lever o pivoted at on to the base-plate e and jointed at ³ to a rod o
operated by an eccentric o keyed on the shaft X. Ramps o", o fixed to the
pusher are displaced relatively to the end furnished with rollers os of two
levers 10 and o jointed at o¹ and to the support 10. The opposite ends o¹
and of these levers are curved back in the form of lips which are turned
towards each other.
The following is the general operation of this arrangement of parts:-
The drawers introduced into the cells of the cham K pass successively under
the shafts, where they are filled with matches during the stoppage of the
chain; after the matches have fallen the chain receives its longitudinal shaking
movement so as to arrange the matches parallelly to one another; the chain
afterwards receives a new forward impulse, then is stopped in order to be charged
with a new supply of matches, and so on. The drawers charged with matches
continue their movement until they come opposite the barrel N.
The slides brought by the belt M are introduced into the cells by the circular
part of the sectors m'; when the said sectors present on the contrary their notch,
their engagement with the slides stops, thus allowing free movement to the
barrel N. The latter in its rotation conducts the a slides opposite to the drawer that
has been brought by the chain K opposite to the pusher O.
At this moment, the pusher 0 advancing, the ramps oo, with which it is in
rigid connexion, cause the levers 10 to oscillate, separating their lips o¹³;
the latter penetrate into the slide and spread out its edges; the pusher 0, con-
tinuing to advance, introduces the drawer into the slide; the barrel continuing
its movement, the cam ³ pushes back the bottom of the cell and causes it
to move the corresponding box outward's until it has arrived towards at the lower
part of the barrel. All that is now to be done is to collect the finished boxes in
receptacles of any kind placed under the barrel.
There may be substituted for the combination consisting of the drawers-chain K

page_text: and the barrel N, a single chain with a double series of cells; one of the series
intended to receive the drawers is absolutely identical with the cells of the drawers-
chain ; the cells of the other series, intended to receive the slides, are placed
respectively opposite to the preceding ones and are each constituted like the cells
of the barrel N. When a full drawer passes opposite to the pusher O, it is intro-
duced into the corresponding slide, as herein before indicated. In this modifica-
tion, in fact, the construction remains the same except that the barrel is dis-
pensed with and there is substituted for it a chain that is parallel to, and forms
one with, the chain K.
When the movement of the machine is rapid, there is danger of the production
of fire at the packing-apparatus and in order to diminish or entirely do away with
this danger, we diminish the speed of the packing-apparatus in relation to that
of the apparatus for putting the match stems or splints into the press by multi-
plying at will the packing-places by a method which we call intercalary."
In general, if we wish to strip at points, we make the distance between two
consecutive lines of punches equal to (m.n + 1) d, in which m represents any co-
efficient whatever and d the distance between two successive lines of holes of the
press.
=
Suppose, for example, that we wish to reduce to one third the speed of the
packing, and consequently pack at three places (n 3). We employ three
lines of punches i under which are arranged respectively three series of parts
I J K L M N O like those herein before described.
The shaft X2 is connected to the rest of the machine in such a manner as to
turn at a speed three times less than that of the shaft X.
It is indispensable in order to strip the chain regularly at the places desired,
to separate the lines of punclies by an interval equal to some multiple of three
times the distance between two consecutive lines of holes of the press plus once
this distance.
Under these conditions the first line of punches causes the fall of the rows of
matches, 1, 7. 3mm+1, the second line of punches the rows 2, 5
8 . . 3 nm + 2, and the third line 3, 6, 9 . . . 3 mm, so that after the passage
under the three lines of punches the press is completely stripped.
Fig. 24 is a diagram illustrative of this method. The three lines of stripping-
punches I, II, III and the corresponding packing-parts are supposed at a certain
moment to be placed opposite to the rows of matches 1, 32, and 63 (consequently,
in the general formula that has been chosen m = 10 and n 3); it will be seen
=
that, according to this diagram, during the movement of the chain, which has
advanced to the extent of three impulses at each simultaneous lowering of the
three lines of stripping-punches, the line of punches. I has stripped the rows
1, 4, the line II has stripped the intercalary rows 32, 35, 38
the line of punches III has stripped the last rows of matches 63, 66, 69
has completely cleared the chain.
and
and
In this diagram we have represented by dotted lines the matches that have been
last expelled by the nearest series of punches; these dotted lines are afterwards
omitted in order not to leave on the chain only the matches that still pro-
visionally remain there. The arrow Z indicates the sense of the movement of the
chain.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
4.A machine-for-the-complete-and-continuous manufacture of boxes-of-matches,
comprising an-endless-chain-or-press-pussing successively over the different opera
tive parts of the machine and a closed passage or sheath communienting with-an
exhausting passage and isolating the chemically treated-matches-from-the-ntmos-
phere of the workroom.

page_text: the
2. In-a-machine recording to Chum 1, a framework and sheath-or-passage-to
continuous-press-having-a-general form-such that over the whole of the length-where
the press is furnished with matches it affects the form of a portion of a convex
polygon, substantially as described with reference to Fig. 1-of the drawings annexed.
3. In machines for the continuous-manufacture of matches, a chain or press-com-
prising plates-and-extreme links, each link-being rigidly connected with one of the
plates and loose us regards an adjacent-plate.
4. In machines for the continuous-manufacture-of matches, the combination of a
chain or press, whose plates have-orifices-d-ut-ench end of the rows of holes d' for
the-matches, with pins having conical-multiple-teeth-c", substantially us and for the
purpose-set forth.
8. In machines-for-the-continuous manufacture of matches, a chain comprising
plutes-D with trunnions d³ furnished with non-circular-shoulders-d', in combination
with links d' substantially as described.
1 . In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, a distributor
comprising a pivoted case, whose bottom is perforated, in combination with an
arranger and a magazine, substantially as herein before described.
7. In machines-for-the continuous manufacture of matches, the combination with
a-perforated-press-of-a-series of tubes or tubing of any form whatever and consti-
tuted either-in-a-complete-state-or-of parts which-unite-together-at-the-moment
when-the-match-splints or stems are to be forced into the press-the-suid-tubes
corresponding to one or more rows of holes of the press and firmly containing the
matches-when they are forced into the press, substantially as described.
"
28. In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combination
with a perforated press, of a grooved carriage, a rear bar or bars with needles
corresponding respectively to the grooves, a ceiling and means adapted to
enable the rear bar to be brought against the rear end of the tubes constituted
by the union of the grooved carriage and the "ceiling" when the matches are
to be forced into the press, substantially as described.
3. In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combination
with a perforated press of a grooved carriage, a movable bar carried at the back
of this carriage, a ceiling "and a movable comb arranged at the back of the
ceiling," the said comb penetrating into the grooves of the carriage during the
return of the latter when emptied, substantially as described.
"
4. 10. In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combina-
tion with a perforated press D of a shaking magazine A', a grooved table B
arranged below the magazine, a set of needles B₁ arranged opposite to the
grooves of the table, a grooved carriage C having a to-and-fro movement, a sup-
porting bar C sliding at the back of the said carriage, a stationary "ceiling" 0³
situate in proximity to the perforated press, and a comb C³ sliding at the rear
of the stationary "ceiling," substantially as described.
5. In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combination
of a grooved carriage C having a to-and-fro movement, a supporting bar C¹
sliding at the rear of the said carriage, a pin with conical teeth arranged in
front of the carriage, and a stationary "ceiling," with a continuous perforated
press D whose plates have orifices d at each end of the rows of holes for the
inatches, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12. In-machines for the continuous-manufacture of matches, the application, to
the burning, sulphuring, or paraffining parts, of steam pipes--whose joints-are placed
ut the two ends of the receptuele that contains them, the said joints being embedded
in-a-metallic-mass; substantially-us-described.
6 13. In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combina-
tion of constant-level sulphuring or paraffining vat F, and one or more auxiliary
reservoirs f¹, in each of which is an Archimedean screw f arranged in the
interior of a sheath ft, the whole arranged and operating substantially as
decoribed

page_text: 14. In-machines for-the continuous manufacture of matches, the combination of
a-sulphuring-or-paraffining vat F, and a series of steam pipes-/11 whose joints are
need at the ends of the rat and-embedded-in-metallic-masses / -713, with one-or
more auxiliary reservoirs / ench containing an Archimedean cerew disposed
in the interior-of-a-sheath-f-substantially as described.
46. In-machines-for-the-continuous-manufacture of matchee, the combination-of
n-chain-or-press-with-a-paste vat-and-n dipping plate, the said plate having its upper
fage horizontal and its buse of wedge form, the said plate having an alternating
vertient-movement, substantially-as-described.
746. In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combination
of a chain or press D) with a paste-vat H and a dipping-plate H₁ of prismatic
form, the vat H being furnished with guides for the chain, levers 8 with
forks, and means for causing the forks to embrace the rollers of the plates of the
chain D and stopp them at the moment of dipping, substantially as described.
17. In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combination of
the-continuous-press-with-a-cleaner comprising an axle-g, carrying radial bludes g*;
arranged-between the longitudinal-lines of muteles, and a circular brush-g'-dipping
into-water-or-other-liquid, substantially as described.
18. In machines-for-the-continuous manufacture-of-matches, the combination
with-a-perforated-press-furnished-with-orifices d-at-each-end of the rows of holes d'
for-the-matches, of one or more rows-of-stripping-punches-i-and-pins-with-teeth-c³;
substantially as described.
8 10. In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combina-
tion with a perforated press, and one or more rows of stripping-punches, of one
or more rotary carriers, each comprising one or more lines of pockets formed by
a plate furnished with slits or openings at suitable distances apart and a wall
which is furnished with strips placed at right angles thereto and which is mov-
able in relation to the plate, the whole operating substantially in the manner
and for the purpose set forth.
920. In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combina-
tion with a perforated press and one or more rows of stripping-punches i, of
vertical funnels j, one or more rotary carriers each comprising one or more lines
of pockets mounted radially on a shaft and formed by plates fixed to the shaft
and perforated at opposite vertical shafts, and walls 3 furnished with strips j',
the walls and the strips being all mounted on a slide 5 adapted to slide in a groove
of the shaft and capable of receiving a movement of longitudinal translation by
any means whatever, substantially as described.
10. In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combina-
tion of a continuous press, stripping-punches i, vertical funnels j, rotary
carriers J, and shafts 20, with a chain with drawers K, a barrel N, means for
charging the chain and the barrel, and a pusher 0, substantially as described.
11 22 In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combina-
tion of a continuous press, stripping-punches i, vertical funnels, rotary
carriers J, and shafts with a chain with two series of cells containing the
drawers and the slides, and a pusher 0, substantially as described.
12 In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combina-
tion of a pusher 0, and ramps 0, o rigidly connected to the pusher, with
levers oo, terminated by lips o, 13 designed to open the slides at the moment of
the introduction of the drawers, substantially as described.
13 In machines for the continuous manufacture of matches, the combina-
tion with a perforated press and parts for putting the match splints or stems
into the press, of several rows of stripping-punches and several chains with drawers
spaced apart from axis to axis according to the formula herein before given, the
speed of these parts being consequently capable of being reduced at will in relation
to that of the apparatus for putting the match splints or stems into the press,
substantially as herein before set forth.

page_text: 14 25 A machine for the complete and continuous manufacture of boxes of
matches constructed arranged and operating substantially as described with
reference to and shown in the annexed drawings.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.