IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY, PROCESSES, AND APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Jex Long, of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY, PROCESSES, AND APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF MATCHES AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
Sealed the 28th October 1868, and dated the 29th April 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Jex Long at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th April 1868.
I, JOHN JEX LONG, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY, PROCESSES, AND APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THE MANUFAC-
TUBE OF MATCHES AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES," to be as follows, that
is to say :-
This Invention has for its object an improved construction and
arrangement of machinery or apparatus as well as certain processes to
be used in the manufacture of matches and other similar articles.

page_text: The first part of this Invention consists of an improved circular saw
bench, by which the logs or planks are cross cut to the proper lengths
required for the splits or splinters used in the manufacture of matches.
The saw is fixed on a spindle in the usual manner, and supported 'in
suitable plummer blocks carried on slides attached to a frame. One or
more racks are or may be attached to the frame, into which a pinion
gears, which may be actuated by manual or other motive power, and
thus cause the circular saw to be carried backwards and forwards. In
consequence of the reciprocating motion given to the saw spindle the
saw cannot be driven direct from a fixed pulley in the usual manner,
but the following arrangement is adopted whereby the saw is driven
while it performs a backward and forward movement :-A pulley is fitted
on the saw spindle, and a drum is placed alongside the saw table, the
axis being in a plane parallel to that in which the saw spindle moves ;
this drum is driven by a pulley fitted on its axis, and the saw is
actuated by a cross belt passing round the drum and the pulley on the
saw spindle, and while the saw is moved to and fro the belt slides along
the drum, so that the rotation of the saw is effected. The log or plank
to be cross cut is or may be carried upon a truck or trucks, and the
end passed between guide rollers, which may be grooved or fluted so
that they may bite the wood.
Another part of the Invention consists of improvements on the
machine by which the splits or splinters of wood used in the manu-
facture of matches or other similar articles are formed by providing the
front part of the machine with a series of racks or guide bars for the
purpose of retaining the splits or splinters in the proper position between
the laths of the frame into which they pass from the "hopper" as the
frame descends whilst being filled.
Another part of this Invention consists in a method of guiding the
splits or splinters into the spaces between the rack or guide bars as they
pass from the hopper into the frames in which they are placed for
having the igniting compound attached to them. To effect this a
moveable bar having a groove or grooves, ribs, or teeth formed on its
under side arranged parallel to and corresponding with the spaces
between the guide bars is used. The moveable bar is placed in front
of the machine above the lath in the frame upon which the splits or
splinters are discharged from the hopper. The ribs or teeth of the
moveable bar are pointed or tapered, so that as the bar is brought into

page_text: contact with the splits or splinters they are arranged by the ribs or
teeth, and when forced forward by the machine they enter the spaces
between the guide bars.
Another part of this Invention consists in drying the splits in the
frames previous to being dipped in sulphur or other substance, and for
this purpose an oven, stove, or passage heated in any convenient manner
may be used, and through which the frame containing the splits or
splinters is passed.
Another part of this Invention consists in heating the splinters in a
bath of hot sand or fusible metal or an oven at a higher temperature
than the melting point of paraffine and sulphur, so that when the
splinters are dipped into the sulphur, paraffine, or other substance, the
splinters being previously heated to a higher temperature than the
melting points of these substances, these latter drop off, except what
is retained on the splinters by capillary attraction. In using the hot
sand a revolving brush is employed to brush off any sand or other
particles which may adhere to the splinters before being dipped in the
sulphur, paraffine, or other substance.
Another part of this Invention consists in melting the sulphur in
a bath of fusible metal or by steam of a high pressure, and also in
melting the paraffine by steam or hot water.
Another part of this Invention consists of an improved mode of
applying the sulphur or paraffine or other substance to the splinters;
this is effected by dipping the splinters while they are arranged in the
frame herein-before referred to, or a web or band of cloth travelling
on rollers or rollers covered with cloth may be used, the web or rollers
passing through the bath of melted paraffine, sulphur, or other
substance.
It is intended to claim the general arrangement of the whole process
as herein-before described, viz., the improved circular saw bench on
which the logs are cross cut; the improvements on the machine by
which the splits or splinters are more securely retained in the frames;
and also an improved method of arranging the splinters by means of a
moveable toothed bar; the drying of the splinters in the frames
containing the splinters in a suitable oven, stove, or passage heated
in any convenient manner; also heating the splinters in hot sand or
fusible metal, or in an oven, and removing any particles of the same

page_text: which may remain on the splinters by means of a revolving brush
before being dipped into the paraffine, sulphur, or other substance;
also melting the sulphur in a bath of fusible metal or by high-pressure
steam and the paraffine by steam or hot water; also coating the splinters
while they are arranged in the frame, and also by a travelling band
of cloth or rollers covered with cloth.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Jex Long in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 28th October 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
JEX LONG, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the
thirty-first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Jex Long, Her special license
that I, the said John Jex Long, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Jobn Jex Long, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY, PROCESSES, AND APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF MATCHES AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Jex Long, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Jex Long, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:-
My said Invention has for its object an improved construction and
arrangement of machinery or apparatus as well as certain processes
to be used in the manufacture of matches and other similar articles.
The first part of this Invention consists of an improved circular
saw bench by which the logs or planks are cross cut to the proper
lengths required for the splits or splinters used in the manufacture
of matches. The saw is fixed on a spindle in the usual manner, and
supported in suitable plummer blocks carried on slides attached to
a frame. One or more racks are or may be attached to the frame,
into which a pinion gears, which may be actuated by manual or
other motive power, and thus cause the circular saw to be carried
backwards and forwards. In consequence of the reciprocating motion
given to the saw spindle the saw Innot be driven direct from a
fixed pulley in the usual manner, but the following arrangement is
adopted whereby the saw is driven while it performs a backward and
forward movement:-A pulley is fitted on the saw spindle, and a
drum is placed alongside the saw table, the axis being in a plane
parallel to that in which the saw spindle moves; this drum is driven
by a pulley fitted on its axis, and the saw is actuated by a cross belt
passing round the drum and the pulley on the saw spindle, and
while the saw is moved to and fro the belt slides along the drum,
so that the rotation of the saw is effected. The log or plank to be
cross cut is or may be carried upon a truck or trucks and the end
passed between guide rollers, which may be grooved or fluted so that
they may bite the wood.
Another part of this Invention consists of improvements on the
machine by which the splints or splinters of wood used in the
manufacture of matches or other similar articles are formed, framed,
or arranged by providing the front part of the machine with a
series of racks or guide bars for the purpose of retaining the 'splits-
-or-splinters in the proper position between the laths of the frame,

page_text: "
into which they pass from the "hopper as the frame descends
whilst being filled.
Another part of this Invention consists in a method of guiding
the splints or splinters into the spaces between the rack or guide
bars as they pass from the hopper into the frames in which they are
placed for having the igniting compound attached to them. To
effect this a moveable bar having a groove or grooves, ribs, or teeth
formed on its under side arranged parallel to and corresponding with
the spaces between the guide bars is used. The moveable bar is
placed in front of the machine above the lath in the frame upon
which the splits or splinters are discharged from the hopper. The
ribs or teeth of the moveable bar are pointed or tapered, so that as
the bar is brought into contact with the splits or splinters they
are arranged by the ribs or teeth, and when forced forward by the
machine they enter the spaces between the guide bars.
Another part of this Invention consists in drying the splits in the
frames previous to being dipped in the sulphur or other substance, and
for this purpose an oven, stove, or passage heated in any convenient
manner may be used, and through which the frame containing the
splits or splinters is passed.
Another part of this Invention consists in heating the splinters in
a bath of hot sand or fusible metal or an oven at a higher temperature
than the melting point of paraffine and sulphur, so that when the
splinters are dipped into the sulphur, paraffine, or other substance,
the splinters being previously heated to a higher degree of temperature
than the melting points of these substances, these latter drop off,
except what is retained by capillary attraction. In using the hot
sand a revolving or stationary brush is employed to brush off any
sand or particles which may adhere to the splinters before being dipped
into the sulphur, paraffine, or other substance.
Another part of this Invention consists in melting the sulphur in a
bath of fusible metal or by steam of a high pressure, and also in
melting the paraffine by steam or hot water.
Another part of this Invention consists of an improved mode of
applying the sulphur or paraffine or other substance to the splinters;
this is effected by dipping the splinters while they are arranged in
the frame herein-before referred to, or a web or band of cloth travelling

page_text: on rollers or over a flat table, or basin, or pan, or rollers covered
with cloth may be used, the web or rollers passing through the bath
of melted paraffine, sulphur, or other substance.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood
I now proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or
manner in or under which the same is or may be used or practically
carried into effect, reference being had, for the sake of more complete
elucidation, to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of an improved circular saw bench
which constitutes the first part of this Invention, and Figure 2 is a
plan of the same.
The circular saw a is fixed on a spindle 6 in the usual manner,
which is carried in suitable bearings fixed to a sliding frame c
supported on the framing of the saw bench d. To the frame c one
or more toothed racks (not shown on the Drawing) are attached
and actuated by spur pinions e fitted on a shaft e placed across the
saw bench for the purpose of moving the circular saw a backwards
and forwards. The saw a is driven by a pulley f fixed on the saw
spindle b, which is driven by a cross belt / from the drum g situated
at the back of the saw bench, its axis being in a plane parallel to
that in which the saw spindle b moves, so that while the saw a is
moved to and fro the belt n slides along the drum g, and the rotation
of the saw is uninterrupted. The cross shaft e¹ on which the pinions e
are carried is also actuated from the drum 9, which is formed in
three parts of different diameters, as shown. A forward motion is
communicated to the saw by a cross belt i passing round the part j
of the drum and rotating the pulley k, and a reverse or backward motion
is obtained by an open belt passing round the part of the drum
and rotating the pulley m, the respective movements being communi-
cated to the cross shaft e¹ by the intermediate shafts p and the
bevel wheels p'; loose pulleys k¹, m³, are fitted on the same spindle,
and the belts are shifted by a double fork n attached to the sliding
rod o, which is actuated by the lever x. The log or plank q which
is to be cross cut is carried upon a truck r and the end passed under
the grooved pressure rollers which is rotated by the hand wheel t.
The length of the pieces into which the log q is cross cut is regulated
by a fence .
:

page_text: 9
The mode of operating with the saw is as follows:-The log or
plank is placed upon the truck and the end passed under the feed
roller 8 ; the fence u is now set by means of the screw according to
the length of the pieces into which the log q is to be cross cut, the
feed rollers is now turned by the hand wheel till the end of the
log q is brought forward to the face of the guage u, when the saw a
is set in motion by shifting the main driving belt from the loose
pulley to on to the fast pulley 10', and tho saw is then moved forward
by shifting the cross belt i on to the forward motion pulley k.
When the log q is cut through a horn which is fixed to the sliding
frame c overbalances the tumbling lever x so as to throw the forward
motion pulley out of gear and the reversing pulley ¹ into gear,
and while the saw a moves backwards the piece which has been cut
off the log is drawn back and removed from the bench by a spring
hook & attached to the sliding frame c. When the saw has travelled
back to its normal position a catch in the sliding frame pulls the
tumbling lever x into a vertical position, so as to throw both the
cross and open belts on to the loose pulleys k³, m³, and the frame c,
remains stationary till the log q is drawn forward ready for another
forward movement of the saw, when the attendant again throws the
forward motion pulley into gear.
Another part of this Invention consists of improvements on the
machine used in arranging the splits, splints, or splinters of wood (known
in the trade by the name of splints) in the frames into which they are
placed for having the igniting compound attached to them. Figure 3
is a front elevation of the machine; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the
machine; and Figure 5, a plan of the same.
The improvements on this machine consists in placing a series of
guide wires a in front of the machine, as shown in Figures 3 and 5.
To the top of the frame in which the wires a are fixed a grooved bar 6,
Figures 6 and 7, is hinged, the grooves being arranged so that when the
bar 6 is turned to a horizontal position with the grooved side under,
the grooves will coincide with the spaces between the vertical guide
wires a, c, Figure 5. d is a hopper into which the splints are placed; e
are wires mounted on a slide f, by which the splints 9 are pushed
forward into the frame h; and i is a lath, one of which is placed in the
frame / between each row of splints, a series of holes being formed in.

page_text: the lath i, as shown on Figure 5, to permit a current of air to pass
through and dry the middle of the splints as quick as the ends; &
corresponding series of holes are also formed in the frame in which the
splints are held. On both sides of the lath i a strip of cloth is fastened
which retains the matches in their position, the other parts of the
machine are the same as in machines usually employed to arrange the
splints.
The action of the machine is as follows:-The hopper d is filled
with splints, and a frame in which they are to be arranged is placed
in the sliding frame , which is balanced by the weights j. The
attendant now places his foot on the treadle and jerks the hopper d
to and fro so as to shake down the splints into the grooves in the
plate below the hopper. The grooved bar 6 is now turned down, and
the attendant places his foot on the treadle and pushes forward the
slide, to which the wires e are attached, by which means the splints
in the grooves under the hopper d are projected forward into the
frame h, the grooved bar guiding the splints as herein-before
described between the vertical guide wires a, c, between which the
ends of the splints g are retained while the frame h is being filled.
The bar is now raised, a lath i, Figure 5, is placed in the frame h
above the row of splints, and the bar is turned down, in doing which
the balanced frame is pushed down sufficiently in order to allow the
next row of splints to rest upon the upper side of the lath. The
hopper is again jerked to and fro to shake down the splints into the
grooves below it and projected forward in the manner herein-before
described; this machine may also be arranged so that it may be driven
by motive power. When the frame is filled with splints the top of the
frame is fastened down with two wedges and removed by the attendant
and placed in the heated gallery or oven where the splints are dried.
Figure 8 represents a longitudinal section of the gallery or oven, and
Figure 9 an end elevation. The gallery A. is formed at a suitable
inclination to facilitate the downward movement of the frames, which
are placed inside of the rectangular iron tube B built inside of the
gallery A. At each end of the tube cross shafts b, c, are fitted, on
cach of which four pulleys d are fixed, as shown in one division of the
tube, on which endless travelling bands e (with holes about six inches
apart, corresponding to pins in the rollers by which they are driven)
are carried and supported between these in the grooves or channels

page_text: formed in the rails f, on the upper edge of which the frames g rest, as
shown, and are moved down the incline by pins fixed in the heads of
the frames g, which fit into the holes formed at suitable distances apart
in the travelling bands e. is a coke furnace by which the gallery is
heated, the products of combustion passing through the flues i into the
tube A, and passes out by the chimney j. To prevent sparks from
passing into the gallery and igniting the splints in the frames, two
wire gauze partitions or spark catchers are fitted in the chamber c,
and between these a damper is hung so as to regulate the quantity
of heated air passing into the tube B, and cut off all communication
between the furnace and tube when necessary. To assist in heating
the tube or oven B furnaces m are placed beneath it, as shown on
Figure 8; these are constructed with arched fire-brick roofs to protect
the iron tube B from the flames. In the furnaces m chips of wood and
other waste material may be burned; the products of combustion
circulate round the tube, and pass out by the chimney j, but do not
communicate in any way with the interior of the iron tube or oven B.
The frames g containing the splints are placed in the gallery on the
travelling bands e at the end furthest from the furnace, and are moved
downwards by the travelling bands as herein-before described. The
cross shafts b, c, are rotated by the spur wheels n, which are actuated by
the pinions o turned by the handle p, or an endless screw may be
adopted. The upper end of the gallery is closed by a sliding door r,
except when frames are being put in, and the frames are taken out of
the gallery at the bottom end by the fire-proof doors opening into the
chamber C; while that is being done the damper Z is lowered to cut off
communication between the furnace and the tube B.
Another part of this Invention consists in heating the framed splinters
in an oven or bath of hot sand or fusible metal heated to a higher
temperature than the melting point of paraffine and sulphur or other
substance. Figure 10 is a front elevation, and Figure 11 is a plan
showing the arrangement of the baths in the dipping room. a is a hot
sand bath into which the ends of the splints are placed previous to
being dipped into the molten sulphur or paraffine in the baths b, b¹,
the bath b containing the paraffine being heated by hot water or steam,
and its bottom is composed of a flat metal plate covered with cloth
and saturated with the melted paraffine. The bath 6' containing the
sulphur rests in a bath of hot sand or molten metal or high-pressure

page_text: steam, and is also formed with a flat metal bottom. c, c, are melting
pots in which a supply of molten sulphur or paraffine is kept to replenish
the baths b, b. After the splints have been dipped in the sulphur,
paraffine, or other substance the frame d in which they are held is carried
on the railway e to the room where the igniting compound is attached.
Figure 12 is a side elevation of a machine which may be employed
to apply the paraffine or other substance to the splints; Figure 13
is a plan of the same. In this case the frame a containing the splints
is placed on a slide supported on the framing b; to each end of the slide
a rope c is attached and carried round the pulleys d; a shaft e is placed
across the machine, which is rotated by the handle f. The paraffine or
other substance is held in a box g in which a hollow drum / covered
with cloth or felt is fitted; the box g is formed with a double bottom,
into which a steam pipe i is inserted for the purpose of melting or
keeping melted the paraffine or other substance. The drum h is also
heated by steam supplied by the pipe j, the exhaust steam passing out
by the pipe k, Figure 13.
The mode of operating with this machine is as follows:-The framed
splints after being heated in a bath of hot sand or fusible metal or oven
are brought to a uniform level by tapping them on the smooth plate
placed at one end of the machine, and the rope c is attached to the slide
on which the frame a rests; the handle f is now turned and as the frame
a is drawn forward over the brush mit removes any particles of sand
or dust which may adhere to the splints before they come in contact with
the drum, the covering of which lifts the liquid paraffine and applies
it to the ends of the splints as they pass over it and cause it to revolve.
As the splints are heated to a higher temperature than the melting
point of the coating substances these drop off the splints on the sloping
side of the box g and run back into the box, except what is retained by
capillary attraction.
Having now described. the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in or under which the same is or may be used or practically
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the whole
of the machinery or apparatus herein-before described, excepting with
regard to the framing machine shown at Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, in

page_text: which the only new parts are the notched bar or rack 6 and the guide
wires a in the front part of the macliine, both of which I claim as new
and therefore constituting part of my Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Jex Long, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of October, One 5
thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.