IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BOXES FOR HOLDING MATCHES, EVERPOINTED LEADS, NEEDLES, PINS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Derry and Thomas Greaves
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th October 1877.
FREDERICK DERRY, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer,
and THOMAS GREAVES, of Birmingham aforesaid, Jeweller. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
METALLIC BOXES FOR HOLDING MATCHES, EVERPOINTED LEADS, NEEDLES, PINS,
AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES."
Our Invention has reference to metallic boxes for holding matches, everpointed
leads, needles, pins, and other like articles, that is, articles having generally a rod-
like figure; and our said Invention consists of the improvements, herein-after
described, in so constructing and arranging the parts of the said boxes that the
articles contained in them may be readily delivered from them one at a time.
We prefer to make the boxes of a cylindrical figure, but do not confine ourselves
thereto, as they may be made elliptical in cross section, as herein-after explained, or
of other figure.
$
In making the said boxes, according to our Invention, of a cylindrical figure, we
take two pieces of cylindrical tubing of equal length, the one being of so much
smaller diameter than the other, that when placed concentrically within the larger
one there is sufficient space between them to allow of the fixing of a series of small
tubes or holders, of a size proper for the reception of the matches or other articles.
The space between the two tubes is filled with these tubes or holders, the axes of
which are parallel to the common axis of the two larger tubes forming the box or
case. The holders are open at both ends. One end of the box is open and is
furnished with a moveable cap or cover, by removing which the central compart-
ment or reservoir, as well as the holders, may be filled with matches. The other
end of the box is fitted with a rotating covering disc. This disc is carried by a
central axis, having a ratchet spring which engages with a fixed circular ratchet
inside the box. The rotating covering disc has a hole near its edge, the said hole
being of the same diameter as the interior of the holders and at the same distance
from the axis of the box. By the rotation of the said covering disc the hole in it
is carried in succession over the end of each holder, and if the box be held with the
end having the rotating covering disc downwards and the said disc be turned, the
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page_text: matches contained in the several holders will fall in succession through the hole in
the rotating covering disc. By means of the spring and ratchet described the
rotating covering disc snaps into the position in which the hole in it is immediately
opposite to one of the holders, and it thus adjusts itself when pressed so as to
deliver freely one of the matches. By pressing the rotating covering disc, so as to
give it a partial rotation, it again snaps into the exact position required for the
free delivery of another match, and in this way the matches in the whole of the
holders may be delivered one at a time. The said spring and ratchet prevent the
rotation of the covering disc in the wrong direction.
Instead of making the holders of separate tubes they may be made of a large
corrugated tube, the corrugations forming the holders.
When the box is made of an elliptical figure in cross section the covering disc
containing the hole through which the matches are delivered is fixed, and the
tubular holders between the larger tubes forming the box are loose, that is, are
packed loosely, side by side, in the space between the tubes forming the box.
Portions of the outer tube are cut away, so that the thumb and finger can be
pressed through the openings thus made direct upon the holders, and the series of
holders made to travel through the space between the two larger tubes forming
the box, and each holder may thus be brought in succession opposite to the hole
in the covering disc, and by inclining the box a match will be delivered therefrom.
Boxes may be made, according to our Invention, sufficiently large to serve as
cigar and cigarette cases or boxes, capable of delivering cigars or cigarettes one at
a time.