Improvements in the Manufacture of Matches.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 18th Sept.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Matches.
I, JUAN CRAVERI, of 420 Calle Belgrauo, Buenos Ayres, Argentine Republic,
Doctor in Chemistry and Pharmacy, 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 descriptive account specifies a process which I have invented, whereby the
use of phosphorus, live or amorphous, is entirely dispensed with in the manu-
facture of matches or wax tapers of whatever class.
The danger of using live phosphorus in this industry is well known, and the
serious troubles caused to the workers in the manipulation of the paste.
The effluvia which arises in spite of all the precautions which have been taken
in this industry, causes serious danger to the health of the workers, an infinite
number of cases of phosphoric necrosis of the bones, deformities in the jaw bones,
and other very serious infirmities, are cited by Broca, De Langenhagen, and other
authorities.
The facility with which phosphorus ignites in contact with the air is another
serious danger, which has required careful consideration in this industry, and
special precautions have been adopted which notwithstanding have not given the
desired result.
The packing itself of the matches causes daily losses which become felt at the
end of the month, for in spite of all the precautions which the packers may take
in removing the dried matches from the drier, very frequently they ignite, and
cause the total loss of all the contents on the apparatus, this, without considering
that lucifer matches are poisonous, and within the reach of all who are criminally
disposed, or for self poisoning, voluntary or involuntary.
With the substances which I employ for the manufacture of matches, all these
inconveniences disappear, no dangerous effluvia, injurious to the health of the
workers, arises during the manufacture of the matches, nor any danger whatever
of combustion, the matches are dried with greater rapidity and are quite unaffected
by a moist atmosphere.
Valuing the cost of manufacturing industrially shows results nearly 50 per cent.
less than the cost of the actual manufacture with the base of phosphorus, the
specific weight of my paste being much less, it results that with an equal weight
of paste a larger quantity is obtained.
I employ for the manufacture of my paste the compounds of sulfo-cyanogen,
of its isomeric and polymeric, alone, or in presence of aromatics nitro-derivatives,
and xantic compounds.
Thus, for example, the acid persulphocyanic, the cyanogen persulphide, the
nitro-naphthalene, the xanthate of potassium, and charcoal, form an excellent
combustible mixture which in contact with oxides or carbonides like the chlorate
of potassium and the peroxide of lead, form a mixture which can be ignited by
simple friction on any rough substance whatever.
With the object of causing the said compound to adhere to the wax tapers or
wood of the matches, I employ gelatine as a viscous or gelatinous medium.

page_text: An excellent poste can be produced, with all the advantages of phosphorus,
and without any of the dangers and inconveniences which occur in using it, hy
employing the following formula, in the proportions given, which however may
be varied:
P
vantages of prosp
and without any of the dangers and inconveniences which occur in using it, by
employing the following formula, in the proportions given, which however may
be varied:-
-
Acid Persulpho-cyanic
Cyanogen-persulphide
Nitro-naphthalene
Xanthate of Potassium
Charcoal
Chlorate of Potassium
Peroxide of Lead
Trisulphide of Antimony
FORMULA.
2 parts.
2421
"
"
"
1
"
-
20
"
50
"
-
10
"
10
33"
Gelatine, or Fine Glue
The paste is prepared by mixing these constituent parts in the order indicated
without the gelatine, though they can also be mixed indiscriminately. Proceed
then to dissolve a sufficient quantity of gelatine in warm water, and pour it warm
upon the mixture in order to obtain a pulp or paste of sufficient consistency io
adhere to the tapers or wood of the matches, drying these afterwards, first by
means of dry air produced by means of an artificial current, and then by drying
them in a stove in the manner used in this industry. When these matches are
ignited by friction on a rough surface, no dangerous sparks are produced, the
heads burn instantly as might be seen from the component parts which form the
paste, the quantity of nitro-naphthalene and xanthate of potassium is so small
that no intoxicating effects can be produced.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said n-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
In the elaboration of the paste in order to make matches and wax tapers, dis-
pensing entirely with the use of phosphorus in this industry, substituting instead
the compounds of sulpho-cyanogen and of its isomeric and polymeric, alone, or
in presence of aromatics nitro-derivatives, and xantic acid compounds, in
principle as has been aforesaid described and specified, and with the object
indicated.
Dated this 10th day of August 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.