A Machine for the Continuous Manufacture and Boxing of Matches.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 17th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 8th Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Machine for the Continuous Manufacture and Boxing of Matches.
I, LOUIS COBBAERT, of Rue de la Paix Grammont, Belgium, Match Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the construction of a machine, by means of which
the manufacture of matches is maue to constitute a single continuous operation, that is
to say, all the operations of this manufacture, such as the placing in presses frames of
the stems of the matches, the coating of the same with paraffin, the dipping thereof into
the chemical igniting compound, the drying, removing from the frames, and packing
in boxes, which up to the present time have been carried out by hand by means
of separate apparatus, are all effected by means of one and the same machine.
By this means not only is a considerable saving of time effected in the manufacture
by an improved construction of the various parts of the machine as compared with
those of existing machines, but also, there is no interruption between the successive
different operations, that is to say, the matches are subjected to such operations one
after the other without requiring to be handled, so that there results double economy
of time and manual labour.
The said machine is shewn on the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shews
a side elovation partly in section shewing the entire machine. Fig. 2 shews to a
larger scale the side of the machine at which the matches are fed or introduced, that
is to say, the first part of the machine. Fig. 3 shews a plan of this part. Fig. 4
shews a cross section on the line A B Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shews in elevation and section
the end of the machine at which the matches issue arranged in their boxes. Fig. 6
shews a plan of the same. Fig. 7 shows a section of the frame at the curved part
with the stopping mechanism for the bars during the removing from the frames. Fig. 8
is an elevation of detailed parts. Fig. 9 is a plan of the same. Fig. 10 is a
longitudinal section of the casing for filling the boxes. Fig. 11 is a horizontal section
of this. Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section of the bars, and Fig. 13 a plan of
the same.
The principal means by which I am enabled to effect, in a continuous manner, all
the operations to which the cut matches have to be subjected, consist in replacing the
ordinary pressed frames, in which the matches are contained at present and in which
they are subjected to the various operatious of dipping in paraffin, sulphur, and
chemical paste, and drying-by mechanisms which, after having received and secured
the matches, are made to travel in the machine in a continuous manner, and are,
during that time, made to subject the matches to all the various successive operations.
These mechanisms constitute a system of securing the matches for which I have
already received Letters Patent in Belgium 10th January 1887 No. 75891 and
12 Feby. 1887 No. 76327, and which I call the " 'system of bars" shewn in plan in
Fig. 13 and in longitudinal section at Fig. 12 of the accompanying drawings,
these Figs. being shewn with the bars cut through in the middle.
The construction consists of two bars B, B', each formed in a peculiar appropriate
manner, and which are superposed so as to form couples in such manner that they
can slide one over the other in a longitudinal direction. B¹ is the upper and B the
lower bar. The latter are of a deeper section than the upper bars and they are both
perforated with equidistant holes intended to receive the matches a a. The holes in

page_text: the upper bar B are enlarged on both sides while the holes of the lower bar are only
enlarged at the upper side. The number of the holes is dependent upon the length
of the bars, which is variable according to the size of the machine employed. The
size of the holes is rather larger than that of the matches, so that if the holes of the
two bars B and B are in such relative position that their axes coincide, each hole
will readily receive a match, as shewn in the left hand side of Fig. 12. For fixing
the matches in the bars it will be seen that it only requires to move the upper bar B
to a small extent in a longitudinal direction, whereby the upper parts of the matches
are slightly bent and are nipped on the one hand against the lower edge of the holes
of the lower bar, the enlargement of which holes allow the match to bend sufficiently
without breaking. For guiding the upper bar in its longitudinal motion it may be
provided with one or more dovetailed grooves engaging with corresponding tenons of
the lower bar; but any other known arrangement may be employed for this purpose.
The fixing of the matches in the bars takes place when the matches have entered
the same to a certain depth, and they are maintained in the nipped position by a
locking device applied at each end of the bars. This locking device consists of a
metal bolt V sliding in a rectangular notch or opening formed in the extremities of
the bars B B¹ The bolt V is of rectangular form at its upper part to a height equal
to twice the thickness of the upper bar, and its lower part is cut down to an extent
equal to the longitudinal motion of the bar B¹ required for nipping the matches. It
is provided in addition on the reduced side with a semicircular notch for receiving
the stop a', and on the other side with a groove sliding on the stop a²,
which limits the vertical motion of the bolt V; thus when the bars B and B₁
are so situated that their holes for the matches are in line with each other,
the notches of the bolt are also in line and the bolt V will occupy the position
shown on the left hand side of Fig. 12; but when the holes for the matches
are not in line with each other, the bar B' having been slid on the bar B for the
purpose of nipping the matches, the bolt V will occupy the position shewn on the
right hand side of Fig. 12. Before effecting the motion in one direction or the other
of the upper bar, the bolts V must be lifted in their grooves, which is effected by
mechanism which will be described later on. The lower bars B terminate at the two
ends in sliding blocks with inclined sides, as shewn at Fig. 13 for the purpose to be
presently described.
3.
as to slide in
The bars B B thus arranged are mounted with their ends so
longitudinal beams L with corresponding guides C Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, situated on the
inner side of the framing. The special construction for enabling all the bars placed
transversely one behind the other to slide from one end of the machine to the other
under the action of various mechanisins will be presently described.
The framing consists of two parallel side frames which are composed of the
longitudinal beams L placed horizontally at the entrance of the machine extending
nearly the whole of its length, with a quadrant curvature towards the exit end of
the machine, in order that during their passage the bars may be placed on their
side for the purpose of removing the matches from the frames, after which they
resume their position for continuing their motion in the final horizontal part
extending to the end of the machine. The parts of the framing are connected by
uprights M carrying the whole machine. The horizontal beans L constitute guides Ú,
closed at the outer side and open at the inner side of the frame. In these guides,
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, slide the block-shaped ends of the bars B, the longitudinal dis-
placement of which is prevented by Hanges r on the bars sliding against the guides
in order that the position of the bars may always be maintained exactly in the
transverse direction, and cannot be shifted obliquely. These flanges
formed on the upper face of the bars, in order not to interfere with the motion
of the upper bar B². In the part of the guides situated on the outer side are
adjusted the slides G with ratchet pawls and they are guided in their longitudinal
motion against the face which closes the outer side of the guides C, against which
they are made to bear by means of pawis hinged in a suitable manner upon the
slides on which are formed, either on the upper or lower side, toothed racks, with
r are not

page_text: which engage pinions projecting through openings formed in the corresponding part
of the guide C. Between the uprights M upon the ground is arranged a railway R
and a second railway R' is fixed to the uprights M, a certain beight above the
first railway, the two sets of railways being, however, in the same vertical planes.
On these two railways run the small trucks W in contrary directions, being pro-
pelled by pushers P' fixed on an endless pitch chain J passing over two corresponding
pitch wheels K mounted on shafts between the side frames, one of which is
connected by an auxiliary endless chain J' driven by gearing K¹ described further
on. The trucks W which run on the lower rails R and which are composed of
a simple platform with wheels, serve to receive the series of small bars which are
placed therein automatically in the manner to be presently described. The trucks
are then transported by one of the pushers P of the chain J on to a rack elevator E
situated on the right hand side, that is to say, at the entrance of the machine.
The elevator consists, as shewn at Figs. 1 and 2, of a platform E with rim to
which are fixed the two lateral toothe racks U U guided in eyes O fixed to the
machine. The racks are elevated and lowered by means of two pinions K* fixed
on the common shaft A which is rotated in bearings C¹, fixed on the framing, by
means of a crank handle M². The bars are placed on the trucks W in a transverse
direction and extend with their ends beyond the platform of the trucks, so that if
the elevator E is raised to the height of the beams L, the ends of the bars B
will be situated exactly in front of the guides C of the framing, which at this
point are cut out to a length corresponding to that of the truck, or rather, of the
series of bars which it carries, in order to admit them between the beams L. The
elevator is made to place the truck exactly in the desired position by means of the
rim which is sufficiently raised above the platform, and which strikes, in rising,
against stops suitably placed on the frame of the machine.
For causing the ends of the hars B to enter in the guides C there is employed
mechanism consisting of slides G with pawls 7 which are made to advance and recede
in the outer sides of the guides of the framing by means of the toothed racks U¹ and
pinions K rotated by means of a crank handle M' and carried in bearings fixed to the
inachine so that the pinion K' in this case passes through the corresponding opening
in the upper side of the guide, the toothed rack of the slide G being turned upwards.
At this moment the slides G are situated in their extreme position of the backward
motion, and the hinged pawls q on the rear ends of the slides G engage with the
inclined sides of the last bar of the series which is charged on the truck. If the
pinions K³ are then turned in a direction from right to left, the pawls g of the slides G
will cause the bars B on the truck to advance and to enter, with their extremities, in
the guides C one after the other. This operation is completed when the slide G bas
completed its entire stroke for this purpose. The elevator E is then lowered again
with the truck W to the height of the railway R', which then receives the empty
truck for transporting it to the other end of the machine by means of one of the
pushers P¹ of the chain J for the purpose to be presently described. The elevator E
then descends to the bottom and again raises a truck charged with bars B. The series
of bars, (35 in the present example), which the slides have caused to enter with their
ends in the guides (, on leaving the truck, has been advanced in such inanner that the
35 double bars B B₁ (of which each couple is perforated with 100 holes,) assume a
position exactly beneath the 35 rows of small vertical tubes t of which there are 100
in each row and which are fixed in a box Y arranged on a support S of the
machine.
The vertical tubes are filled with match stems by means of the known apparatus ;
the hars B are stopped in position by means of the stops Fadjustable on the machine,
that is to say the stops can be made to project into the guides and to be withdrawn by
means of two discs D connected by rods t₁ to the stops F. The discs D are provided
with projections which enter bends in springs which bear against the discs. The
latter are rotated by means of a crank handle M' fixed on the shaft A¹ which carries
the discs. If these parts are rotated in one direction or the other, the stops F are
made to project into or are withdrawn from the guides Cso as to either prevent or

page_text: allow the advance of the bars. At the bottom of the box Y is situated a movable
plate slidingin guides and containing as many holes as there are tubes in the box, a
small lateral motion of this perforated plate by means of a small lever 1, Fig. 1 closes
or opens the holes so as to intercept or permit the passage of the match stems for
allowing them to fall into the holes of the bars in which they are held at the required
depth by means of a horizontal plate P¹ arranged below the bars. Above the box Y
is suspended a plate P3 provided with 35 rows of pins 6 corresponding with the tubes
of the box and the holes of the bars. The plate P with its pins 6 can be raised and
lowered by means of a screw V passing through a bridge piece in which the plate is
guided. The screw is provided with a handle by means of which it is rotated, and
when the plate is made to descend the pins benter the tubes t and push out those
inatch stems which have not fallen out of themselves into the holes of the bars.
b
Now in order to fix the match stems in the bars B B¹ the upper bars B¹ are slid on
the lower bars B by means of a special mechanism, and after having raised the bolts V
by means of a system of levers L' projecting to the outside of the machine, Figs. 2 and 3,
while the inner ends of the levers are connected by a bar B3 which is situated exactly
below the bolts V of the bars, so that by slightly pressing down the handle m the
levers L are made to raise the bolts. The bars B₁ being then free, they are shifted in
the longitudinal direction, for the purpose of nipping the matches, by means of a sliding
bar I which is connected by screws I rotated by a crank handle M and corresponding
chain wheels, so that the sliding bar or plate I can be readily advanced for nipping
the matches and be withdrawn for replacing the bars B₁ in their original position.
These mechanisms are shown in Figs. 3 an 4. The matches being nipped in the
bars B B the stops F are withdrawn by the rotation of the discs D), whereupon another
set of slides G' with toothed racks U₁ and catches g' seize the series of bars and cause
them to advance by means of a pinion K* passing through the lower side of the
guides C and actuated by a pitch chain J2, provided with counter weights, which passes
over corresponding pitch wheels fixed on the same shaft as the pinions K' acting on the
toothed rack U. The counter weight is raised and the slide G¹ set in motion by
means of a crank handle M' fixed on the shaft of the pinions.
This mechanism with counter weights, in removing the bars from under the charging
box, delivers them to the last advancing mechanism, which consists of slides G' with
catches without toothed rack and having a to and fro motion. This motion is
produced by means of an eccentric Et fixed on a shaft A carried in suitable bearings
on the framing, the rods B2 and the eccentrics being pivotted to the slides G* carrying
the catches. Thus it will be seen that if the shaft A is continuously rotated by means
of a pulley, or other suitable device, the eccentric, in transmitting its motion to the
slides G, will cause all the bars which are situated in front of the catches to advance
regularly one after the other, while in its backward motion the catches slide on the
inclined faces of the bars. It is therefore from the moment which the bars engage
with the last described mechanism that they are made to advance in a continuous and
uniform manner until they issue from the machine, and it is during this time of their
motion that the matches are subjected to the action of coating with paraffin and
dipping into the chemical compound etc. in a perfectly automatic manner.
If the quantity of bars to be advanced by the catches should be too great, that is to
say too heavy, there might be placed at a convenient point a second advancing
mechanism identical with that above described in order to facilitate the advance of the
bars in the guides. This movement may either be a pushing one, as above described,
or it may be a pulling one and be situated in front of the machine, as shewn in
Figs. 5 and 6. In this case the catches are made in the form of hooks and they receive
their motion by means of eccentrics B³. Of course the to and fro motion of this
mechanism must be simulianeous and identical with that of the pushing catches
first described. The above described arrangements for advancing the bars have only.
been given as examples, as it will be readily understood that any other known
suitable mechanical contrivance can be employed for advancing the bars in the
guides without altering the essential feature of my invention.
The first operation that the match stems are subjected to, during this intermittent

page_text: advance, is the coating with paraffin, which can be effected in a practical manner
by the following arrangement:
Upon bearers P, fixed longitudinally on the uprights M, is placed transversely a
receptacle B containing the paraffin. In this receptacle is immersed horizontally a
piece N forming a trough, with shallow sides, (about inch), and which extends
lengthwise underneath the bars B and receives an up and down motion, which is
timed to correspond with the advancing movement of the bars. In order that these
movements may be identical, they are transmitted by means of mechanism similar
to that by which the bars are advanced, that is to say by means of eccentrics E³,
of which only the connecting rods change position. An identical description
of mechanism also actuates the arrangement for dipping into the chemical paste,
which operation will be presently described. The three mechanisms are actuated by
a chain J passing over similar pitch wheels K' fixed respectively on the three
shafts A A A carrying the eccentrics E' E' E', so that the intermission of these
movements is always produced simultaneously at the required moment.
In the apparatus for coating with paraffin, the eccentric rods are pivotted to
guide frames N¹ carrying the trough N which, when it is plunged into the paraffin,
that is to say, when it descends, allows the matches carried by the bars to pass over
its rim, but when it rises again, the bars being then stopped, it dips the lower ends of
the matches to a depth of about inch into the paraffin. After this operation, the
matches travel a considerable distance without being subjected to any operation, in
order to give time for the coating of paraffin on them to cool and harden before
arriving at the point where they are dipped into the chemical paste. This operation
is nearly identical with that of the paraffining and it is effected in the same manner
as above described by the eccentric mechanism Es; the only difference is that it has
three troughs P, carried by supports N2, instead of a single one, so that each row of
matches is dipped three times into the paste in order to produce a perfect and uniform
coating. It should be added that the rims of the troughs P only have a depth of
about 3 m.m. (1 inch). The receptacle B' and the framed guide N' are made of a
size to correspond with the number of troughs.
After having been dipped in the chemical paste, the separate bars, with their rows of
matches, are passed into the drying compartment, which extends to a length of from
20 to 30 metres. Immediately underneath the heads of the matches is situated a
heating apparatus B', which consists of a sheet metal casing in which are situated
steam pipes Z serving to heat the air which enters into and passes from the casing in
the direction of the arrows, such passage of air being promoted by openings in the
casing. The drying apparatus has a chimney Q, the lower end of which communicates
with a fan V, which serves to draw in air situated above the heating apparatus, that
is to say, the air which surrounds the heads of the matches, so that this air is con-
tinually being renewed above the heating apparatus, in order that the heads of the
matches shall always be surrounded by hot and dry air. After the matches have passed
through the drying compartment, they are ready to be placed in the boxes, and for this
purpose the matches have to be removed from the bars, which operation is effected
when the bars have arrived at the bottom of the quadrant curve of the guides C. It
will be observed that during this descent the bars will have become placed on their
sides so as to present the matches in a horizontal position. The bars are maintained
in this position by means of small spring catches el having the same shape as the
inclined faces of the bars, as shewn at Fig. 7, so as to fit acurately against the latter.
These catches move apart alternately under the pressure to which they are subjected
by the weight of the bars in the quadrant curve of the guide. While the catches hold
the bars stationary, the bolts of the bars are unlocked by means of a lever L³, while a
second lever L causes the upper bar B¹ to shift upon B, so that the holes in the two
bars are made to correspond and thus render the matches free to be pushed out of the
holes. The levers are actuated by means of cims D' at the desired moment,
while for unlocking the bolts the lever 12 acts directly upon these, the lever L³ being
made to bring back the bar B' in pushing against a bar 6 which slides in the framing.
The cams Dare placed on the same shaft A, which is rotated by a pitch wheel and

page_text: chain at the desired speed. It will be seen that this arrangement is similar to that
described for fixing the matches, the only difference being that in the latter case the
mechanism only acts upon a single bar at a time.
The matches, now held loosely in their bars, are situated before a series of 100 pins b³
which are secured in the slide G³ receiving a to and fro motion under the action of
two double ended levers L rocking at their middle upon a suitable bracket. on the
framing. The lower ends of the levers engage in a slot in the slide, while the upper
ends are actuated by two cams X'X' fixed on the shaft A. These pins are caused in
their forward motion to push the matches out of the bars B B', but before this
operation is effected, two tapering pins 63, which are shorter than the others and
placed at the ends of the slide G³ and, acting independently of this, upon a second
slide G, are made to enter corresponding conical holes in the bars by means of the
double ended levers L, which are actuated in the same manner as the levers L' by
means of two cams X'X' on the same shaft; but these levers have a longer stroke
than the others, so that the pius 3 in entering their holes before the pins 6 also do
not pass back again until after the latter. For bringing the pins out of the holes
again, their slides are moved backward by means of helical springs R2 acting on their
back ends, which springs cause them to move back, as soon as the cams X'X' do
not act any longer upon the levers L* IP.
It will be readily understood that the tapering pins serve for fixing the bars BB¹
and for adjusting them, so that the holes of the two bars B B containing the matches
shall be exactly opposite each other in order that the pins of the slide G³ can enter the
same freely for pushing out the matches. All these movements are carried out accurately
to the desired extent as they are transmitted from one common shaft A carried in the
upright M and having an eccentric E at each end, which by means of connecting
rods B act upon the slides with catches G2 performing a continuous to and fro inotion
under the action of the eccentrics E' so as to assist the continuous motion, as has been
above described, and as shewn more particularly at Fig. 5.
In order to continue the same regularity of motion in the movements of the barg
when these reassume their upright position in the lower horizontal part of the guides
into which the bars descend under the pressure of the feed motion above, being
allowed to pass by the spring catches e¹, the eccentric rod E' is pivotted to the upper
end of a vertical lever L, which rocks at its middle upon a bracket C, while its lower
end is connected by a link t to another slide with catches G' which acts in the lower
horizontal part of the guides in the same manner as in the upper part, so that the bars
continue to be advanced uniformly and intermittently until they can be again taken
hold of in sufficient quantity by a slide with catches G actuated by a toothed rack U
and pinion K which is rotated by a crank handle in the same manner as above
described for the introduction of the bars into the machine. The last mentioned slide
with toothed rack G is actuated every time that, by means of the lever L, the number
of 35 bars has been advanced in the slides of the lower part. These 35 bars are then
drawn upon a truck W of the same construction, as above indicated, and which is
placed between the beams of the framing in the same manner as with the feeding-in
apparatus, the truck being raised into this position by an elevator E' after having
received the same from the railway R'. After the truck is charged with the 35 bars,
the elevator lowers it again. This elevator is of the same construction as previously
described.
Returning again to the point where the pins 6 of the slide G³ have pushed the
matches out of the first bar arrived at the bottom of the quadrant curve of the guides;
at the moment when the pins & advance, they push simultaneously the 100 matches in
a single row out of the bar, causing them all to fall simultaneously in a row of empty
boxes or drawers suitably arranged for this purpose in front of and below the matches,
which are thus pushed out. The length of a series of 100 matches is equal to the
length of a series of 20 boxes placed side by side in such a position as to receive the
matches in the longitudinal direction as shewn at Fig. 5, so that each box receives five
matches from each bar. As each box is to contain about 60 matches, it results, that
for filling a series of 20 boxes, 12 bars have to be emptied. In order that each series

page_text: of 20 boxes shall be presented in front of the bars to be discharged in the regular
manner, the 20 boxes are placed on an iron plate P³ provided with 20 compartiments,
and which is placed at the top of a vertical guide C₁, in which it is suspended by
means of projections o formed at the two sides of the plate, which bear upon
catches e of corresponding form arranged in the guide C, such catches being
capable of moving apart when the plate P³ is to descend in the guide, as shewn
at Fig. 10.
The plates with boxes P' are superposed in the guide C', in which they are all held
by means of the catches e projecting on two springs u and situated one above the
other on each end of the guide, as at Figs. 10 and 11. The springs u carry the
catches e at their lower ends and support respectively the upper and lower plate, so
that the latter carries all the other plates situated between it and the upper plate.
The springs have two branches and behind them are guided at each end of the
guide C two flat bars u' provided at their upper end with a beak u², which hooks on
to the projection o of the upper plate, so that a downward motion exerted by the bar u'
causes the whole of the superposed plates in the guide to descend one stage, as by
means of this downward pressure, the projections o on the plates are made to force
the catches e apart so as to allow the plates P³ to pass, the springs u, with their catches e,
being made to close in again against the projections on the plates, as soon as the
downward pressure on u¹ ceases. This downward motion of the bars is effected by
means of a lever mechanism MT. The levers T are fixed on a common shaft A
arranged beneath the guide C₁ carried in suitable bearings and connected to the
bars by means of corresponding links T. A crank handle M is fixed upon one end
of the shaft A' whereby the shaft with the levers T is made to rock, and thereby to
act upon the bars u with their beaks u², the crank handle M being moved sufficient
to cause a plate to enter between the spring catches e Figs. 8 to 10, 11. When the
plates have descended, the crank handle is raised so as to bring the beaks back to
their original position. On one side of the guide C is arranged a hexagonal pulley H,
which by means of a belt or other driving gear is made to revolve continuously, and
during such motion it is made to give a succession of pushes to a pin b working in a
suitable guide d, and acted upon by a coiled spring r. The inner end of tho pin b
bears against the upper plate carrying the match boxes, while the outer end of the
pin carries a roller, which is kept in contact with the hexagonal pulley H, and is thus
made to impart a series of slight blows upon the plate, which are transmitted to the
boxes, in order to cause the matches which fall therein to arrange themselves in proper
order. A similar spring pin is arranged on the other side of the guide C¹ bearing
against the opposite end of the plate so as to cause this to move back again after each
blow received from the hexagonal pulley H, as shewn at Fig. 10. The fi.st plate P³
is fed forward through the horizontal guide C into which the plates P³ descend by
their own weight from a second vertical guide C³, which is situated behind the guide C
a distance equal to the length of two match boxes. In the horizontal guide C², is
situated a pusher P, to which is imparted a to and fro motion to the extent of the
length of one match box, such motion being imparted by a mechanism with crank
handle and rods M' Be. From the above it will be readily seen that for placing a
plate P with its 20 boxes in front of and underneath the bars to be discharged, it is
sufficient to turn through one revolution the crank M7 which causes the pusher P' to
advance through the required distance and thereby push one of the plates P³, furnished
with the boxes, into position upon the catches e of the springs u, where it is kept in
position a length of time requisite for discharging the matches from the twelve bars.
The plates Pare charged with the empty boxes introduced into the guide ( by hand.
The 20 boxes being filled with matches, the crank bandle Me is rotated, whereby the
plate P carrying the filled boxes is made to descend the distance of one box as above
described. At the same time another turn of the crank handle M' has caused
another plate P to be placed on the upper catches for receiving the matches from
another set of twelve bars, and so on.
When the plate P' first introduced into the guide (" has arrived at the depth of the
horizontal guides CC, the boxes are subjected to a further operation which consists

page_text: in introducing them into their sliding cases. For this purpose a plate P³ containing
20 cases, which are held between two springs rl fixed to the plate P*, as shown at
Fig. 5, is introduced into the horizontal guide (*, so that the 20 cases are situated
exactly in front of the extremities of the 20 boxes, the opposite ends of which are
placed exactly in front of the horizontal guide 0, in which a pusher P is actuated
as above described by the crank handle and rod B' M. Thus one turn of the crank
handle causes the pusher P to advance, whereby the filled box is pushed into the case
situated opposite it, after which the plate P containing the filled boxes in their cases
is withdrawn longitudinally from the guide (, while the empty plate P³ falls, under
the pulley of the beaks u³, upon the inclined plane I, from which it is taken to be
again charged with boxes and introduced into the guide . It will be seen that the
intermittent motion for advancing the plates P' with their 20 empty boxes destined to
receive the matches, and for causing the descent of the filled boxes one stage, and
also for introducing the filled boxes into their cases will have a duration equal to the
time required for discharging the matches from 12 bars, so that during this interval
of time there will be plenty of time for preparing a new plate with 20 boxes for being
introduced into the feeding guide C and also to withdraw the plate charged with the
filled boxes and their cases ready for the introduction of another set of empty cases.
The truck W charged with 35 empty bars, after being lowered by the elevator E³ is
transported to the elevator E by the pusher P of the chain J which causes it to travel
along the rails R. The elevator with the truck is then again raised to the position
between the beams L and the bars, and pushed into the guides by means of the slides
with catches G, which, under the action of the toothed racks U¹ and openings K³, push
the bars into the guides. The empty truck is again lowered to the height of the rail R¹
on to which it passes and on which it is transported by means of the pusher P³ with
the chain J towards the other end of the machine for being received by the elevator E'
situated on the level of the railway R', which elevator again raises the truck to the
position between the beams for receiving another set of emptied bars, and so on.
The bars introduced into the guide C by the slides with catches G will have been
placed by the latter exactly beneath the box Y with tubes t, serving for the introduction
of the match stems into the bars in the manner above described. The matches are
then fixed in the bars by the sliding of the upper one B¹ by the action of the bar I
operated by the screws I'. During these operations the bars have been held in place
by the stops F which are then withdrawn by turning the discs D. The bars are then
moved farther on in the guides, by means of the slides G, actuated by the chain J',
with counter weights, and which delivers them to the slides G having continuous to
and fro motion produced by the eccentric mechanism E¹ and rods B². During this
intermittent advance, the matches are subjected to the dipping in paraffin and in the
chemical paste by the up and down movement of the troughs N and P containing
respectively the paraffin and chemical paste. The dipped matches then pass through
the drying compartment in passing over the drying apparatus B and eventually
arrive at the bottom of the quadrant curve of the guides, entirely dried and ready for
being placed in the boxes. For this purpose, they are first loosened from the bars by
means of mechanism after having raised the bolts V by means of the levers L' L' and
the cams D', after which the pins 6, fixed on the bars B B¹, and the pins 6 then push
out the matches which fall into the boxes. The bars then fall-on to the lower horizontal
part of the framing and are made to travel forward by the slides with catches G
operated by the vertical lever L, the bars being eventually taken by a last slide
with catches G, actuated by hand by the toothed rack U and pinion K, rotated
by a crank handle, which slide causes the number of 35 bars to be moved on
to the empty truck W, raised between the beams of the framing by means of
the elevator E', which has received the same from the railway R and which then
descends to the ground where the truck is again conveyed, by the pusher P of the
chain. J, on to the elevator E for being raised by the latter up to the guides Cagain, in
order to go through the same operation as above described. While the bars are thus
being transported, after having been emptied of the matches, the latter are subjected
to the operation of being filled into boxes in the arrangement of guides O¹ C³ C³¸Cª,

page_text: by means of the pusher P' and the vibrating mechanism bg and hexagonal pulley H
until the pusher Pe pushes the boxes into their cases under the action of the crank
handle and rod B' M³, so that these boxes being closed can be withdrawn at the side
of the guide C ready for sale.
It will thus be seen that the main feature of the invention consists in the combina-
tion of the bars B B' with the framing, so arranged that the bars can be moved trans-
versely in a continuous manner, one behind the other, by suitable means, the match
stems held thereby being, during that time, subjected to all the operations necessary,
from the dipping into paraffin up to the packing in boxes. It will be evident that
other mechanical means might be used in place of those above described for causing
the advance of the bars in the framing without changing the essential features of the
invention.
Thus, for a complete installation, it will suffice to arrange a frame with guides of
suitable forin and length provided with advancing mechanism for the bars, and of a
suitable elevator at each extremity for the raising and lowering of the bars by two
trucks travelling on railways at the parts of the machine, and actuated by an endless
chain, the framing being provided with a number of bars corresponding to the length
of the machine, and having at the required places the mechanism for charging the
bars with matches, for holding the bars, for dipping in the paraffin and the chemical
paste, for the drying, for the discharging of the bars and for the packing of the matches
in boxes.
Although this apparatus may appear to be of a complex nature, it is nevertheless
much more simple than all other constructions intended to effect the same operations
and its cost is considerably less than those heretofore employed, in addition to
which all the operations are effected much more rapidly and with a much greater
precision.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Machine for the Continuous Manufacture and Boxing of Matches.
I, LOUIS COBBAERT of Rue de la Paix Grammont Belgium, Match Manufacturer
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 has for its object the construction of a machine by means of which
the manufacture of matches is made to constitute a single continuous operation, that
is to say, all the operations of this manufacture, such as the placing in presses frames
of the stems of the matches, the coating of the same with paraffin, the dipping
thereof into the chemical igniting compound, the drying, removing from the frames
and packing in boxes, which up to the present time have been carried out by hand by
means of separate apparatus, are all effected by means of one and the same machine.
By this means not only is a considerable saving of time effected in the manufacture
by an improved construction of the various parts of the machine as compared with
those of existing machines, but also there is no interruption between the successive
different operations that is to say, the matches are subjected to such operations, one
after the other without requiring to be handled, so that there results double economy
of time and manual labour.
The said machine is shown on the drawings-accompanying my Provisional Speci-
fication-in which Fig. 1 shows a side elevation partly in section shewing the entire
machine. Fig. 2 shews to a larger scale the side of the machine at which the matches
are fed or introduced, that is to say, the first part of the machine. Fig. 3 shews a
plan of this part. Fig. 4 shews a cross section on the line A. B Fig. 2. Figure 5
shews in elevation and section the end of the machine at which the matches issue,
arranged in their boxes. Fig. 6 shews a plan of the same. Fig. 7 shews a section of
B

page_text: the frame at the curved part with the stopping mechanism for the bars during the
removing from the frames. Fig. 8 is an elevation of detailed parts. Fig. 9 is a plan
of the same.
Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section of the casing for filling the boxes.
Fig. 11 is a horizontal section of this. Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section of the bars
and Fig. 13 a plan of the same.
The principal means by which I am enabled to effect in a continuous manner all
the operations to which the cut matches have to be subjected consist in replacing the
ordinary press frames in which the matches are contained at present-and in which
they are subjected to the various operations of dipping in paraffin, sulphur, and
chemical paste and drying—by mechanisms which after having received and secured
the matches, are made to travel in the machine in a continuous manner and are during
that time made to subject the matches to all the various successive operations. These
mechanisms constitute a system of securing the matches for which I have already
received Letters Patent in Belgium 10th January 1887 No. 75891 and 12th February
1887 No. 76327 and which I call the "system of bars" shewn in plan in Figure 13
and in longitudinal section at Figure 12, these Figs. being shewn with the bars cut
through in the middle.
The construction consists of two bars B B¹, each formed in a peculiar appropriate
manner and which are superposed so as to form couples in such manner that they
can slide one over the other in a longitudinal direction. B' is the upper and B the
lower bar. The latter are of a deeper section than the upper bars and they are both
perforated with equidistant holes intended to receive the matches a a. The holes in
the upper bar B¹ are enlarged on both sides while the holes of the lower bar are only
enlarged at the upper side. The number of the holes is dependent upon the length
of the bars which is variable according to the size of the machine employed. The
size of the holes is rather larger than that of the matches so that if the holes of the
two bars B and B are in such relative position that their axes coincide, each hole will
readily receive a match as shewn in the left hand side of Fig 12. For fixing the
matches in the bars it will be seen that it only requires to move the upper bar B' to
a small extent in a longitudinal direction, whereby the upper parts of the matches are
slightly bent and are nipped on the one hand against the lower edge of the holes of
the lower bar, the enlargement of which holes allow the match to bend sufficiently
without breaking. For guiding the upper bar in its longitudinal motion it may be
provided with one or more dovetailed grooves engaging with corresponding tenons of
the lower har; but any other known arrangement may be employed for this purpose.
The fixing of the matches in the bars takes place when the matches have entered the
same to a certain depth and they are maintained in the nipped position by a locking
device applied at each end of the bars. This locking device consists of a metal bolt V
sliding in a rectangular notch or opening formed in the extremities of the bars B B¹.
The bolt V is of rectangular form at its upper part to a height equal to twice the
thickness of the upper bar and its lower part is cut down to an extent equal to the
longitudinal motion of the bar B' required for nipping the matches. It is provided
in addition on the reduced side with a semicircular notch for receiving the stop a
and on the other side with a groove sliding on the stop a² which limits the vertical
motion of the bolt V; thus when the bars B and B are so situated that their holes
for the matches are in line with each other, the notches of the bolt are also in line
and the bolt V will occupy the position shewn on the left hand side of Fig. 12: but
when the holes for the matches are not in line with each other, the bar B¹ having
been slid on the bar B for the purpose of nipping the matches, the bolt V will occupy
the position shewn on the right hand side of Fig. 12: Before effecting the motion in
one direction or the other of the upper bar, the bolts V must be lifted in their grooves,
which is effected by a mechanism which will be described later on. The lower bars B
terminate at the two ends in sliding blocks with inclined sides as shewn at Fig. 13
for the purpose to be presently described.
The bars B B thus arranged are mounted with their ends so as to slide in longi-
tudinal beams L with corresponding guides C Figs. 1. 2, 3, 4 situated on the inner
side of the framing. The special construction for enabling all the bars placed

page_text: transversely one behind the other to slide from one end of the machine to the other
under the action of various mechanisms will be presently described.
The framing consists of two parallel side frames which are composed of the longi-
tudinal beams L placed horizontally at the entrance of the machine extending nearly
the whole of its length with a quadrant curvature towards the exit end of the
machine in order that during their passage the bars may be placed on their side
for the purpose of removing the matches from the frames after which they resume
their position for continuing their motion in the final horizontal part extending to the
end of the machine. The parts of the framing are connected by uprights M carrying
the whole machine. The horizontal beams L constitute guides C closed at the outer
side and open at the inner side of the frame. In these guides Figs. 1, 23, 4 slide
the block shaped ends of the bars B, the longitudinal displacement of which is
prevented by flanges on the bars sliding against the guides in order that the
position of the bars may always be maintained exactly in the transverse direction,
and cannot be shifted obliquely. These flanges are not formed on the upper face
of the bars, in order not to interfere with the motion of the upper bar B'. In
the part of the guides C situated on the outer side are adjusted the slides G with
ratchet pawls and they are guided in their longitudinal motion against the face which
closes the outer side of the guides Cagainst which they are made to bear by means of
pawls hinged in a suitable manner upon the slides on which are formed either on the
upper or lower side toothed racks with which engage pinions projecting through
openings formed in the corresponding part of the guide C. Between the uprights M
upon the ground is arranged a railway R and a second railway R' is fixed to the
uprights Ma certain height above the first railway, the two sets of railways being
however in the same vertical planes. On these two railways run the small trucks W
in contrary directions being propelled by pushers P fixed on an endless pitch chain J
passing over two corresponding pitch wheels K mounted on shafts between the side
frames one of which is connected by an auxiliary endless chain J' driven by gearing K¹
described further on. The trucks W which run on the lower rails R and which are
composed of a simple platform with wheels, serve to receive the series of small bars
which are placed therein automatically in the manner to be presently described. The
trucks are then transported by one of the pushers P of the chain J on to a rack
elevator E situated on the right hand side, that is to say at the entrance of the
machine. The elevator consists as shewa at Figs. 1 and 2 of a platform E with rim
to which are fixed the two lateral toothed racks U U guided in eyes O fixed to the
machine. The racks are elevated and lowered by means of two pinions K³ fixed on
the common shaft A. which is rotated in bearings C' fixed on the framing, by means
of a crank handle M¹. The bars are placed on the trucks W in a transverse direction
and extend with their ends beyond the platform of the trucks, so that if the elevator E
is raised to the height of the beams L, the ends of the bars B will be situated exactly.
in front of the guides C of the framing, which at this point are cut out to a length
corresponding to that of the truck or rather of the series of bars which it carries, in
order to admit them between the beams L. The elevator is made to place the truck
exactly in the desired position by means of the rim which is sufficiently raised
above the platform, and which strikes in rising against stops suitably placed on the
frame of the machine.
For causing the ends of the bars B to enter in the guides C there is employed
mechanisin consisting of slides G with pawls q which are made to advance and recede
in the outer sides of the guides of the framing by means of the toothed racks U¹ and
pinions K rotated by means of a crank handle M' and carried in bearings fixed to the
machine so that the pinion K' in this case passes through the corresponding opening
in the upper side of the guide the toothed rack of the slide G being turned upwards.
At this moment the slides G are situated in their extreme position of the backward
motion and the hinged pawls q on the rear ends of the slides G engage with the
inclined sides of the last bar of the series which is charged on the truck. If the
pinions K³ are then turned in a direction from right to left the pawls g of the slides G
will cause the bars B on the truck to advance and to enter with their extremities in

page_text: the guides Cone after the other. This operation is completed when the slide G has
completed its entire stroke for this purpose. The elevator E is then lowered again
with the truck W to the height of the railway R¹ which then receives the empty truck
for transporting it to the other end of the machine by means of one of the pushers P¹
of the chain J for the purpose to be presently described. The elevator E then
descends to the bottom and again raises a truck charged with bars B. The series
of bars (35 in the present example) which the slides have caused to enter with
their ends in the guides C, on leaving the truck has been advanced in such
manner that the 35 double bars B B (of which each couple is perforated with 100
holes) assume a position exactly beneath the 35 rows of small vertical tubest of which
there are 100 in each row and which are fixed in a box Y arranged on a support S of
the machine.
The vertical tubes are filled with match stems by means of the known apparatus,
the bars B are stopped in position by means of the stops F adjustable on the machine,
that is to say, 4 stops can be made to project into the guides and to be withdrawn by
means of two discs D connected by rods to the stops F. The discs D are provided
with projections t2 which enter bends in springs which bear against the discs. The
latter are rotated by means of a crank handle M' fixed on the shaft A' which carries
the discs. If these parts are rotated in one direction or the other the stops F are
made to project into or are withdrawn from the guides C so as to either prevent or
allow the advance of the bars. At the bottom of the box Y is situated a movable
plate sliding in guides and containing as many holes as there are tubes in the box a
small lateral motion of this perforated plate by means of a smail lever Fig. 1 closes
or opens the holes so as to intercept or permit the passage of the match stems for
allowing them to fall into the holes of the bars in which they are held at the required
depth by means of a horizontal plate F¹ arranged below the bars. Above the box Y
is suspended a plate P2 provided with 35 rows of pins & corresponding with the tubes
of the box and the holes of the bars. This plate 1" with its pins b can be raised and
lowered by means of a screw V passing through a bridge piece in which the plate is
guided. The screw is provided with a handle by means of which it is rotated and
when the plate is made to descend the pins enter the tubes t and push out those
match stems which have not fallen out of themselves into the holes of the bars..
Now in order to fix the match steuns in the bars B B¹ the upper bars B₁ are slid
on the lower bars B by means of a special mechanism and after having raised the
bolts V by means of a system of levers L' projects to the outside of the machine,
Figs. 2 and 3, while the inner ends of the levers are connected to a bar B' which
is situated exactly below the bolts V of the bars, so that by slightly pressing
down the handle m the levers L' are made to raise the bolts. The bars B' being
then free they are shifted in the longitudinal direction, for the purpose of nipping
the matches, by means of a sliding bar I which is connected by screws 11
rotated by a crank handle M and corresponding chain wheels, so that the sliding
bar or plate I can be readily advanced for nipping the matches and be withdrawn
for replacing the bars B in their original position. These mechanisms are shewn
in Figs. 3 and 4. The matches being nipped in the bars B B₁ the slips F are
withdrawn by the rotation of the discs D, whereupon another set of slides G' with
toothed racks U₁ and catches q' seize the series of bars and cause them to advance
by means of a pinion K* passing through the lower side of the guides Cand
actuated by a pitch chain J' provided with counter weights, which
passes over
corresponding pitch wheels fixed on the same shaft as the pinions K acting on
the toothed rack U. The counter weight is raised and the slide G₁ set in motion
by means of a crank handle M³ fixed on the shaft of the pinion.
This mechanism with counter weights in removing the bars from under the charging
box, delivers them to the last advancing mechanism which consists of slides G' with
catches without toothed rack and having a to and fro motion. This motion is
produced by means of an eccentric E¹ fixed on a shaft A carried in suitable
bearings on the framing the rods B and the eccentrics being pivotted to the slides G2
carrying the catches. Thus it will be seen that if the shaft A is continuously rotated

page_text: by means of a pulley or other suitable device, the eccentric in transmitting its motion
to the slides G will cause all the bars which are situated in front of the catches to
advance regularly one after the other while in its backward motion the catches slide
on the inclined faces of the bars. It is therefore from the moment which the bars
engage with the last described mechanism that they are made to advance in a
continuous and uniform manner until they issue from the machine and it is during
this time of their motion that the matches are subjected to the action of coating
with paraffin and dipping into the chemical compound etc. in a perfectly automatic
manner.
If the quantity of bars to be advanced by the catchers should be too great, that is
is to say too heavy, there might be placed at a convenient point a second advancing
mechanisin identical with that above described in order to facilitate the advance of the
bars in the guides. This movement may either be a pushing one as above described,
or it may be a pulling one and be situated in front of the machine, as shewn in
Figs. 5 and 6.
In this case the catches are made in the form of books and they
receive their motion by means of eccentrics B³. Of course the to and fro motion of
this mechanism must be simultaneously and identically with that of the pushing
catches first described. The above described arrangements for advancing the bars
have only been given as examples as it will be readily understood that any other
known suitable mechanical contrivance can be employed for advancing the bars in the
guides without altering the essential feature of my invention.
The first operation that the match stems are subjected to during this intermittent
advance is the coating with paraffin which can be effected in a practical manner by the
following arrangement.
Upon bearers P fixed longitudinally on the uprights M is placed transversely a
receptacle B* containing the paraffin. In this receptacle is immersed horizontally a
piece N forming a trough with shallow sides about inch and which extends length-
wise underneath the bars B and receives an up and down motion which is timed to
correspond with the advancing movement of the bars. In order that these movements
may be identical they are transmitted by means of mechanism similar to that by which
the bars are advanced that is to say by means of eccentrics E2 of which only the
connecting rods change position. An identical description of mechanism also actuates
the arrangement for dipping into the chemical paste which operation will be presently
described. The three mechanisms are actuated by a chain J passing over similar
pitch wheels K' fixed respectively on the three shafts A3 A4 A5 carrying the
eccentrics E E E³ so that the intermission of these movements is always produced
simultaneously at the required moment.
In the apparatus for coating with paraffin the eccentric rods are pivotted to guide
frames N carrying the trough N, which when it is plunged into the paraffin, that is
to say, when it descends allows the matches carried by the bars to pass over its rim
but when it rises again the bars being then stopped, it dips the lower ends of the
matches to a depth of about inch into the paraffin. After this operation the matches
travel a considerable distance, without being subjected to any operation in order to
give time for the coating of paraffin on them to cool and harden before arriving at
the point where they are dipped into the chemical paste. This operation is nearly
identical with that of the paraffining, and it is effected in the same manner as above
described by the eccentric mechanism E³, the only difference is that it has three
troughs P* carried by supports N' instead of a single one, so that each row of matches
dipped three times into the paste, in order to produce a perfect and uniform coating;
it should be added that the rims of the troughs Pt only have a depth of about 3 mm.
(inch). The receptacle B and the framed guide N' are made of a size to
correspond with the number of troughs.
After having been dipped in the chemical paste. the separate bars with the rows of
matches are passed into the drying compartiment which extends to a length of from
20 to 30 metres. Immediately underneath the heads of the matches is situated a
heating apparatus B which consists of a sheet metal casing in which are situated
steam pipes Z serving to heat the air which enters into and passes from the casing

page_text: in the direction of the arrows, such passage of air being promoted by openings in the
casing. The drying apparatus has a chimney Q the lower end of which communicates
with a fan V2 which serves to draw in air situated above the heating apparatus, that
is to say, the air which surrounds the heads of the, matches, so that this air is
continually being renewed above the heating apparatus in order that the heads of
the matches shall always be surrounded by hot and dry air. After the matches have
passed through the drying compartment they are ready to be placed in the boxes,
and for this purpose the matches have to be removed from the bars, which operation
is effected when the bars have arrived at the bottom of the quadrant curve of the
guides C. It will be observed that during this descent the bars will have become
placed on their sides, so as to present the matches in a horizontal position. The
bars are maintained in this position by means of small spring catches e¹ having the
same shape as the inclined faces of the bars as shown at Figure 7 so as to fit
accurately against the latter. These catches move apart alternately under the
pressure to which they are subjected by the weight of the bars in the quadrant
curve of the guide. While the catches hold the bars stationary, the bolts of the bars
are unlocked by means of a lever L³ while a second lever L³ causes the upper bar B¹
to shift upon B, so that the holes in the two hars are made to correspond, and thus
render the matches free to be pushed out of the holes. The levers L' L' are actuated
by means of cams D¹ at the desired moment, while for unlocking the bolts the
lever L² acts directly upon these, the lever L' being made to bring back the bar B¹
in pushing against a bar 6 which slides in the framing. The cams D' are placed on
the same shaft A which is rotated by a pitch wheel and chain at the desired speed.
It will be seen that this arrangement is similar to that described for fixing the
matches, the only difference being that in the latter case the mechanism only acts
upon a single bar at a time.
The matches now held loosely in their bars are situated before a series of 100
pins which are secured in the slide G³ receiving a to and fro motion under the
action of two double ended levers L rocking at their middle upon a suitable bracket
on the framing. The lower ends of the levers engage in a slot in the slide while the
upper ends are actuated by two cams X'X' fixed on the shaft A'. These pins are
caused in their forward motion to push the matches out of the bars B. B¹ but before
this operation is effected, two tapering pins B' which are shorter than the others and
placed at the ends of the slide G and acting independently of this upon a second
slide G* are made to enter corresponding conical holes in the bars by means of the
double ended levers L' which are actuated in the same manner as the levers L' by
means of two cams X2 X2 on the same shaft, but these levers have a longer stroke
than the others, so that the pins in entering their holes before the pins * also do
not pass back again until after the latter. For bringing the pins out of the holes
again their slides are moved backward by means of helical springs R¹ acting on their
back ends which springs cause then to move back as soon as the cams X'X' do
not act any longer upon the levers L* L*.
It will be readily understood that the tapering pins & serve for fixing the bars B B¹
and for adjusting them, so that the holes of the two bars B B₁ containing the
matches shall be exactly opposite each other in order that the pins 62 of the slide G³
can enter the same freely for pushing out the matches. All these movements are
carried out accurately to the desired extent as they are transmitted from one common
shaft A carried in the upright M and having an eccentric E' at each end which by
means of connecting rods B³ act upon the slides with catches C³ performing a
continuous to and fro motion under the action of the eccentrics E¹, so as to assist
the continuous motion as has been above described and as shewn more particularly
at Fig. 5.
In order to continue the same regularity of motion in the movements of the bars
when these re-assume their upright position in the lower horizontal part of the guides
into which the bars descend under the pressure of the feed motion above being
allowed to pass by the spring catches e¹ the eccentric rod E is pivotted to the upper
end of a vertical lever L' which rocks at its middle upon a bracket (³ while its lower

page_text: end is connected by a link t³ to another slide with catches Go which acts in the lower
horizontal part of the guides in the same manner as in the upper part so that the
bars continue to be advanced uniformly and intermittently until they can be again
taken hold of in sufficient quantity by a slide with catches G actuated by a toothed
rack U and pinion K which is rotated by a crank handle in the same manner as
above described for the introduction of the bars into the machine. The last mentioned
slide with toothed rack G is actuated every time that by means of the lever L the
number of 35 bars has been advanced in the slides of the lower part. These 35 bars
are then drawn upon a truck W, of the same construction as above indicated and
which is placed between the beams of the framing in the same manner as with the
feeding in apparatus, the truck being raised into this position by an elevator E' after
having received the same from the railway R¹. After the truck is charged
with the 35 bars the elevator moves it again. This elevator is of the same con-
struction as previously described.
Returning again to the point where the pins 62 of the slide G³ have pushed the
matches out of the first bar arrived at the bottom of the quadrant curve of the guides
at the moment when the pins b' advance they push simultaneously the 100 matches
in a single row while the bar causing them all to fall simultaneously in a row of
empty boxes or drawers suitably arranged for this purpose in front of and below the
matches which are thus pushed out. The length of a series of 100 matches is equal
to the length of a series of 20 boxes placed side by side in such a position as to
receive the matches in the longitudinal direction as shewn at Figure 5, so that each
box receives five matches from each bar. As each box is to contain about
60 matches, it results that for filling a series of 20 boxes, 12 bars have to be emptied.
In order that each series of 20 boxes shall be presented in front of the bars to be
discharged in the regular manner, the 20 boxes are placed on an iron plate 13
provided with 20 compartments and which is placed at the top of a vertical guide ('
in which it is suspended by means of projections o formed at the two sides of the
plate which bear upon catches e of corresponding form arranged in the guide C¹
such catches being capable of moving apart when the plate P³ is to descend in the
guide as shewn at Fig. 10.
The plates with boxes P³ are superposed in the guide C¹ in which they are all held
by means of the catches e projecting on two springs u and situated one above the
other on each end of the guide as at Figures 10 and 11.
The springs carry the catches e at their lower ends and support respectively the
upper and lower plate, so that the latter carries all the other plates situated between
it and the upper plate. The springs u have two branches and behind them are
guided at each end of the guide C¹ two flat bars u provided at their upper end with
a beak u which hooks on to the projection o of the upper plate so that a downward
motion exerted by the bar u' causes the whole of the superposed plates in the guide C
to descend one stage, as by means of this downward pressure, the projections o on
the plates are made to force the catches e apart so as to allow the plates P³ to pass
the springs u with their catches e being made to close in again against the projections
on the plates as soon as the downward pressure on u¹ ceases. This downward motion
of the bars is effected by means of a lever mechanism M* T. The levers T are
fixed on a common shaft A' arranged beneath the guide C₁ carried in suitable bearings
and connected to the bars u¹ by means of corresponding links T. A crank handle M
is fixed upon one end of the shaft A' whereby the shaft with the levers T is made
to rock, and thereby to act upon the bars u' with their beaks u, the crank handle M**
being moved sufficient to cause a plate to enter between the spring catches e,
Figs. 8 to 10, 11. When the plates have descended, the crank handle is raised so as
to bring the beaks back to their original position. On one side of the guide C₁ is
arranged a hexagonal pulley H, which by means of a belt or other driving gear
is made to revolve continuously, and during such motion it is made to give a
succession of pushes to a pin 6 working in a suitable guide d, and acted upon by a
coiled spring .r. The inner end of the pin b bears against the upper plate carrying
the match boxes, while the outer end of the pin carries a roller which is kept in

page_text: contact with the hexagonal pulley H, and is thus made to impart a series of slight
blows upon the plate, which are transmitted to the boxes, in order to cause the matches
which fall therein to arrange themselves in proper order. A similar spring pin is
arranged on each side of the guide C¹ bearing against the opposite end of the plate
so as to cause this to move back again after each blow received from the hexagonal
pulley H as shown at Fig. 10. The first plate P³ is fed forward through the hori-
zontal guide C into which the plates P3 descend by their own weight from a second
vertical guide C³, which is situated behind the guide C a distance equal to the length
of two match boxes. In the horizontal guides C is situated a pusher P to which is
imparted a to and fro motion to the extent of the length of one match box such
motion being imparted by a mechanism with crank handle and rods M' B. From
the above it will be readily seen that for placing a plate P with its 20 boxes in front
of and underneath the bars to be discharged it is sufficient to turn through one
revolution the crank M' which causes the pusher P₁ to advance through the required
distance and thereby push one of the plates P furnished with the boxes into position
upon the catches e of the springs u, where it is kept in position a length of time
requisite for discharging the matches from the twelve bars. The plates Pare charged
with the empty boxes introduced into the guide by hand. The 20 boxes being
filled with matches the crank handle M is rotated, whereby the plate P³ carrying
the filled boxes is made to descend the distance of one box as above described. At
the same time another turn of the crank handle M' has caused another plate P³ to
be placed on the upper catches for receiving the matches from another set of twelve
bars, and so on.
When the plate P³ first introduced into the guide C¹ has arrived at the depth of the
horizontal guides (C³, the boxes are subjected to a further operation which consists
in introducing them into their sliding cases. For this purpose a plate P6 containing
20 cases, which are held between two springs 1 fixed to the plate P³ as shewn
at Figure 5 is introduced into the horizontal guide C so that the 20 cases are situated
exactly in front of the extremities of the 20 boxes, the opposite ends of which are
placed exactly in front of the horizontal guide C, in which a pusher P is actuated
as above described by the crank handle and rod B7 Ms. Then one turn of the crank
handle causes the pusher P to advance, whereby the filled box is pushed into the
case situated opposite it, after which the plate P³ containing the filled boxes. in their
cases is withdrawn longitudinally from the guide while the empty plate P³ falls
under the pull of the beaks u³ upon the inclined plane I from which it is taken to be
again charged with boxes and introduced into the guide C. It will be seen that the
intermittent motion for advancing the plates P³ with their 20 empty boxes destined
to receive the matches and for causing the descent of the filled boxes one stage and
also for introducing the filled boxes into their cases will have a duration equal to the
time required for discharging the matches from 12 bars, so that during this interval
of time there will be plenty of time for preparing a new plate with 20 boxes for being
introduced into the feeding guide and also to withdraw the plate charged with the
filled boxes and their cases ready for the introduction of another set of empty cases.
The truck W charged with 35 empty bars after being lowered by the elevator E
is transported to the elevator E by the pusher P of the chain J which causes it to
travel along the rails R. The elevator with the truck is then again raised to the
position between the beams L and the bars and pushed into the guides by means of
the slides with catches G which under the action of the toothed racks U¹ and
openings K³ push the bars into the guides. The empty truck is again lowered to the
height of the rail R' on to which it passes and on which it is transported by means
of the pusher P2 with the chain J towards the other end of the machine for being
received by the elevator E' situated on the level of the railway R¹ which elevator
again raises the truck to the position between the beams for receiving another set of
emptied bars, and so on.
The bars introduced into the guide C by the slides with catches G will have been
placed by the latter exactly beneath the box Y with tubes t serving for the
introduction of the match stems into the bars in the manner above described. The

page_text: matches are then fixed in the bars by the sliding of the upper one B1 by the action
of the bar I operated by the screws 1. During these operations the bars have been
held in place by the stops F which are then withdrawn by turning the discs D.
The bars are then moved farther on in the guides by means of the slides G actuated
by the chain J, with counter-weights, and which delivers them to the slides G¹
having continuous to and fro motion produced by the eccentric mechanism E' and
rods B. During this intermittent advance the matches are subjected to the dipping
in paraffin and in the chemical paste by the up and down movement of the
troughs N and P containing respectively the paraffin and chemical paste. The
dipped matches then pass through the drying compartment in passing over the
drying apparatus B₁ and eventually arrives at the bottom of the quadrant enrve of
the guides entirely dried and ready for being placed in the boxes. For this purpose
they are first loosened from the bars by means of mechanism after having raised
the bolts V by means of the levers L² L³ and the cams D' after which the pins *
fixed on the bars B B' and the pins then push out the matches which fall into the
boxes. The bars then fall on to the lower horizontal part of the framing and are
made to travel forward by the slides with catches G³ operated by the vertical lever Lº,
the bars being eventually taken by a last slide with catches G actuated by-hand
by the toothed rack Vs and opening K rotated by a crank handle, which slide causes
the number of 35 bars to be moved on to the empty truck W raised between the
beams of the framing by means of the elevator E³, which has received the same
from the railway R and which then descends to the ground where the truck is
again conveyed by the pusher P of the chain J on to the elevator E for being
raised by the latter up to the guides C again, in order to go through the same
operation as above described. While the bars are thus being transported after
having been emptied of the matches the latter are subjected to the operation of
being filled into boxes in the arrangement of guides CCCC, by means of the
pusher P and the vibrating mechanism band hexagonal pulley H until the
pusher Pe pushes the boxes into their cases under the action of the crank handle
and rod B M so that these boxes being closed can be withdrawn at the side of the
guide (ready for sale.
It will thus be seen that the main feature of the invention consists in the combi-
nation of the bars B B with the framing so arranged that the bars can be moved
transversely in a continuous manner, one behind the other, by suitable means, the
match stens held thereby being during that time subjected to all the operations
necessary, from the dipping into paraffin up to the packing in boxes. It will be
evident that other mechanical means might be used in place of those above described
for causing the advance of the bars in the framing without changing the essential
features of the invention.
Thus, for a complete installation it will suffice to arrange a frame with guides of
suitable form and length provided with advancing mechanism for the bars and of a
svitable elevator at each extremity for the raising and lowering of the bars by two
trucks travelling on railways at the parts of the machine and actuated by an endless
chain, the framing being provided with a number of bars corresponding to the length
of the machine, and having at the required places the mechanisms for charging the
bars with matches, for holding the bars, for dipping in the paraffin and the chemical
paste for the drying, for the discharging of the bars and for the packing of the
Imatches in boxes.
Although this apparatus may appear to be of a complex nature, it is nevertheless
much more simple than all other constructions intended to effect the same operations
and its cost is considerably less than those heretofore employed, in addition to
which all the operations are effected much more rapidly and with a much greater
precision.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that I am aware of

page_text: C. R. E. Bell No. 5208 dated 26th March 1889, and I make no claim to any-
thing described and claimed in the Specifications to the said Patents, but what 1
claim is:-
1. In the machine for the continuous manufacture of matches:
a) A framing consisting of two beams L with guides Carranged parallel and
horizontally and formed at a suitable point of their length with a quadrant curvature
connected at its lower end with a second horizontal part, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
The bars for holding and conveying the matches consisting of two bars B B'
perforated with holes and so arranged that the upper bars B¹ can be slid horizontally
on the lower bars B and be maintained in position by bolts V for locking the matches
in their holes substantially as herein described and shewn on the drawings.
c) The combination of the bars B B with the guides C of the beams I of the
framing, in which the bars slide transversely while being held at their ends,
substantially as herein described and shewn on the drawings.
d) The combination with the framing carrying the bars B B', of mechanisms for
propelling the said bars, consisting of slides G, G, G2, G3, G the pawls or catches q
of which take into inclines on the bars and which are advanced by pinions K acting
on toothed racks U, or which receive a to and fro motion by means of eccentrics E' E'
aad suitable rods B substantially as herein described and shewn on the drawings.
e) The combination with the framing of the machine, of mechanism for disengaging
the bolts V of the bars, consisting of the bar B' levers L handle m and brackets ("",
as also the mechanism for securing the matches by the movement of the bars B¹ by
means of the bar I actuated by the screws I' and crank handle M*.
f) The combination with the travelling bars B B' carrying the matches, the arrange-
ments for dipping into the paraffine and the chemical paste, consisting of the
troughs N N having an ascending and descending motion in the respective receptacles
imparted to them by means of eccentrics E' E3 from which they are suspended by
their frames, substantially as hereby described with reference to the drawings.
g) In combination with the bars B B' the arrangement for discharging the matches
therefrom, consisting of the slides G³ G', with pins operated by the levers L L³
substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.
1) In combination with machine for making the matches, the mechanism for
packing the matches into boxes, consisting of the guides C C C C C with
plates Ps Ps and pushers P P substantially as herein described with reference to the
drawings.
In combination with the machine for making matches, the elevator E for
supplying the bars B B and the elevator E' for discharging them, substantially as
herein described with reference to the drawings.
k) In combination with the elevators E E the railways RR and the endless chain J
with pusher P substantially as and for the purposes described.
1) The improved machine for the manufacture of matches combined and operating
as herein described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 17th day of January 1890.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.