Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Match-making Machinery.
1, AUGUSTUS ELFONZO ELLINWOOD, Machinist, a citizen of the United States,
residing in 142, North Broadway, Akron, in the County of Summit, and State of
Ohio, U.S.A., 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 :-
My invention relates to a machine that gathers the match-splints from a
receptacle by means of an inclined elevator-table extending upwardly from the
receptacle and which is provided with a moving elevator-carrier operating auto-
matically to gather and carry the match-splints from the receptacle, and deliver
the same in regular order to the main passage-way or mouth of the match-making
machine, which is provided with a chute or passage-way to receive and guide the
splints in a single column or layer to an expansible, separating-device through
which the splints continue on their travel, and are separated equal distances apart
that they may be properly situated or disposed in relation to each other, that the
combustible material may be applied to the ends of the splints without liability of
contact, and, thus separated, the splints continue over fluted rollers, the grooved
surface receiving the splints, on which they are held by the pressure of a wire belt,
a corresponding wire belt also encircling the cylinder or roller in a groove below
the surface of the flute, which contains and firmly holds the match-splints while
upon the cylinder, and this wire belt aids in the transfer to the next cylinder or
roller and becomes the outer wire to press and hold the splint in the flute on said
cylinder, and thus continuing successively through the machine during the drying
process, and the final delivery of the completed match from the machine.
In the drawings-
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved machine ;
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same, which substantially represents my
double machine, which I construct for large manufacturers of matches at a much
less cost or expense than two single machines, and which are in demand, as they
require no additional force of attendants in the manufacture of matches, more than
a single machine.
Figure 3 represents a sectional view or side elevation of the expansible splint-
separating device, operating in connection with the delivering-carrier, and with the
chute or passage-way, to deliver the splints to the expansible separator, and the
manner of delivering the match-splint therefrom to the fluted roller.
Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of same, showing the gearing actuating the
same.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the same.
Figure 6 is a sectional plan view of the elevator-table and its carrier.
Figure 7 is an end sectional view of the same.
Figures 8 and 9 are sectional views of the carrier-chain and connecting-link.
Figure 10 is a plan view of the paraffine-rollers and reservoir.
Figure 11 is an end elevation of the same.
Figure 12 is a plan view of the wax vibratory reservoir, and the roller revolving
therein, applying the material therefrom to the end of the match-splint, and the
vibratory arm causing the agitation of the wax.
Figure 13 is a sectional plan view of the adjustable friction-clutch that auto-
matically operates the delivery-carrier.
Figure 14 is a sectional end view of the modification of my separating-device.
In the drawings: 1 represents the main frame of the machine, which I const.act
in sections and bolt the same together; 2 represents the match-splint receptacle;
3 is the inclined elevator-table; 4 is the chute or passage-way; 5 and 6 are the

page_text: ;
elastic carrier and separating belts; 7 represents the first of the series of the fluted
cylinders; 8 is the second of the series of the fluted cylinders; 9, 9 are the
succeeding cylinders; 10 and 15 are the endless carrying-belts; 11 is the paraffine
reservoir; 16, 17 are the paraffine saturating-wheels; 18, 53, are steam-heating
pipes 12 is the heating reservoir; 47 is the wax reservoir; 19 is the wax dis-
tributing wheel; 20 is the driving-pulley; 21 is its driving-belt; 22 is a pivoted
attachment of the vibrating-arm 54; 13 is the match-receiving table; 14 is the
rotary knife which cuts the splint in two parts; 23 is the main driving-pulley;
24 is the driving-belt; 49 is a pulley over which the belt 24 extends; 25, 26, 27,
28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 are driving-gear; 34, 35, 36, the hand clutching device; 38 is
the friction-pulley journaled on the shaft; 39 is the friction hub secured fast to the
shaft 40 is the adjustable spring-nut.
In my invention the elevator-carrier is supported and actuated by two rollers,
the upper one 41 being somewhat larger than the lower one, 52, the latter one
being pivoted in an adjustable sliding plate at each end, which is provided
with bolts passing through slots in the plates and secured to the base of the
elevator-table, to admit of the adjusting or tightening of the elevator-carrier, these
rollers are provided with endless belts or chains which run in suitable grooves cut
in the base of the elevator-table, as shown in Figure 7, at 33; the rollers being
provided with corresponding grooves and projections therein to form sprocket-
teeth, which engage with the chains or belts thus giving positive motion to the
elevator-carrier; these chains or belts are provided with bars, as shown at 58,
Figure 6, connecting the two chains or belts together, at intervals of two inches or
more apart; the face or upper side of these bars being thus held in fixed position
at right angles with the elevator-carrier and its table.
At the base of the elevator-carrier is a receptacle for the loose match-splints, the
elevator-carrier and its stationary table forming one surface thereof, this receptacle
being filled with match-splints which come in contact with the elevator-carrier and
the stationary table over which it moves, and are carried up in single layers and
delivered over the upper roller to the main machine by being forced down the
chute or guide of the passage-way 4, extending from the upper carrier-roller to
the elastic belts or separating-device; the elevator gathering the splints from the
receptacle as each bar of the carrier passes through the mass of splints will usually
carry forward a single compact layer, all surplus splints falling back into the
receptacle, but sometimes the elevating stream of splints may not be full, and I
have provided against irregular supplies to the chute or passage-way, which
requires to be filled by the accumulating splints, which are brought in contact
therewith and forced therethrough by the elevator-carrier, by arranging an auto-
matic self-regulating clutch that connects the driving-shaft of the elevator-carrier
with its motive power, by means of which the movements of the elevator-carrier
is increased as the uniform supply of splints is decreased, in consequence of the
carrier not being filled to force the splints into the chute or passage-way, when the
increased or accelerated movement of the carrier rapidly regulates or restores
the supply and the action of the clutch then causes the driving-shaft to move the
carrier at its normal rate of speed, which is suitable to the action required therefor
by the pressure of the carrier and its moving splints, as thus brought in contact
with each other and forced into the chute or passage-way and towards the separating-
device; the clutch will also yield against any unusual pressure and prevent
breakages.
This automatic feed I consider important as it insures a constant regular supply
of splints to the machine and does not admit of any obstruction by an over
supply of splints, while, on the other hand, the increased or accelerated speed
of the carrier will keep the supply fully up to the requirements of the machine.
In making the chute or passage-way in connection with the upper roller of the
carrier, I place suitable guides, consisting of strips of steel, the lower strips being
slightly curved at the upper ends and resting against the face of the roller 41, at a
point which is slightly smaller in diameter than the other part of the roller, to

page_text: allow the ends of the steel strips or guides to pass underneath the match-splint,
being carried forward on the surface of the roller by the elevated carrier, and thus
receive the splint from the roller as it is forced upward by the carrier to the
separating-device; corresponding upper guides formed of similar strips held
in position by adjustable bearings extending upward over the upper elevator and
carrier, aid to receive the splint and hold it down in proper position on the
lower guide.
These guides are placed at a proper position apart to allow the match-splints to
pass between in a solid column, and to prevent the splints from passing on top or
over one another.
At the lower end of this chute or passage-way is the expansible splint-separating
device, as shown in Figure 3, consisting of four rollers, each roller journaled on
independent bearings and of practically equal diameter, are provided with expanding
carrier-belts, each roller being provided with a spur gear-wheel of substantially
equal diameter, as 31, 32, of the wheels near the chute or guide 4, which inter-
mesh with each other, the upper gear 31, being on the shaft at the side of a larger
spur-wheel 27, which receives its motion from the main pulley-shaft and spur
pinion 28, actuated by the pulley 23, while the two lower rollers are provided with
similar gear of equal size 29, 30, also intermeshing with each other; the lower
roller 45, being provided with a smaller spur-pinion, is actuated by a larger wheel 27,
thereby giving the desired increase of speed to the two lower rollers 43 and 45, of
Figure 3.
My proportion, as shown in the present drawings, is four to one, the object of
this arrangement of varied speed is to give to the outer rollers 43 and 45, a
greater speed than the rollers 42 and 44, in order that the expansible carrier-
belts 5, 6, may be elongated or stretched in its movement away from the chute or
passage-way delivering the splints thereto, that the splints may thus be separated
from the solid incoming column as they are conveyed therefrom by the expanding
carrier-belts, and being thus separated admit of the application of the combustible
material, and the continued onward movement of the splints in the process of
seasoning and drying, without contact with each other in passing through the
machine.
more idle
I also provide said expanding separating-device with one or
rollers 46, 46, 46, located on the outer side of the belt and pressing against the
separating-belts; this ensures the contact of the expanding-belt with varied sizes of
splints, thus positively holding the splint, and thus carrying the splint forward by
the expanding separator, as it travels in a line between the receiving and delivery
point in the separating-device.
I have also shown a modification of my separating-device in Figure 14, wherein
I employ a single expansible belt 5, passing over two rollers and receiving the
match-splints from the chute or passage-way, and pressing on the splint which is
supported on a smooth surface, and thus carries or forces the splint forward and
separates the same from contact, and delivers the splints in separated condition to
the fluted cylinder 7, and its carrier-belt 10. The gearing actuating the expansible
belt is substantially the same in both devices.
A series of fluted and grooved rollers or cylinders provided with two sets of
endless belts or cords, one set passing over the under roller 45, the other set passing
over and around the upper roller 43, of the separating-device, as shown in Figure 3,
serve to receive and convey the match-splints from the elastic belts to the first of
the series of fluted rollers or cylinders which is provided with grooves or channels
on the face of the cylinder, said grooves or channels being of sufficient depth to
receive the endless belt or cord below the surface of the fluted groove, perfectly free
from contact with the match-splint, while the outer belt holds the splint by
pressing it down firmly in the flute or groove upon the face of the cylinder, said
grooves or flutes are of equal space apart and at right angles with the face of the
cylinder and serve to positively hold the match-splints and convey them onward
as the wheel revolves, and that they may not be liable to become displaced

page_text: so that the matches may be kept separate as they pass through the machine in
the process of seasoning and drying after the combustible matter has been applied
to their ends.
As the splints are received upon the first fluted cylinder 7, a guide-plate
adjustably secured to the main frame serves to adjust the ends of the splint
to proper position upon the cylinder before the application of the combustible
material.
In the process of making a match in my machine, I have provided for the
application of paraffine to the ends of the splint as it is being conveyed through
the machine, the paraffine is contained in a reservoir, in which revolves a roller
provided with a soft absorbing material which serves to carry the paraffine against
the splint, which is supported on the opposite side by a similar prepared smaller
roller, and as the ends of the match-splint passes between these rollers, they are
saturated with paraffine, and as they move on to another larger similar cylinder
below, the line of splints are brought in contact with rollers revolving at right angles
to the travel of the match-splint, which rollers are partially immersed in a mixture
of combustible material which forms the head of the match.
These rollers are actuated by separate driving-belts and revolve in the reservoir
which contains the combustible material, and which is always kept at proper
temperature as it rests in the heating reservoir 12, which is connected with a
steam-supply pipe, and is continuously agitated by a reciprocating movement of the
reservoir, which movement imparted by the vibrating-arms 54, receiving motion
by means of an eccentric 50, 51, placed upon the hub of one of the wheels.
The journals of each of the cylinders or rollers are provided with proper means
of adjustment for the purpose of taking up the wear. Each roller or conveying
cylinder is provided with a sheave or pulley fixed upon the hub of the cylinders 9,
and this sheave or pulley 48, is provided with an endless belt 15, thus communi-
cating the power to revolve each cylinder and relieving the match-carrying belts
of this strain.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is―
1. In a match-making machine, the receiver for the match-splints, the inclined
elevator-table or surface forming one side of the receptacle and extending upwardly,
combined with an elevator carrier-belt at each side thereof, provided with carrier-
bars which are at alternate distance apart, and in their passage through the
receptacle and over the table carry the match-splints upwardly in regular order and
deliver the same to the match-machine.
2. The carrier-table 3, provided with grooves 33, 33, for the passage of the chain
beneath its surface, combined with the carrier-bar 48, operating substantially as
set forth.
3. The automatic carrier provided with the chute or passage-way supplying the
machine with match-splints, and the self-regulating driving-pulley 38, to secure a
constant supply of splints to the machine, operating substantially as set forth, and
described.
4. In a match-making machine, the receiver for the match-splints, the elevator-
carrier combined with the automatic clutch or driving mechanism, to regulate the
movements of the carrier, substantially as shown and described.
5. In a match-making machine, the receiver for the match-splint, the elevated
carrier combined with the automatic clutch mechanism, and the chute or passage-
way 4, operating substantially as shown and described.
6. In combination with the elevator-carrier supplying the machine with match-
splints, its driving-pulley 38, the friction-clutch 39, and the adjustable spring and
pressure-regulating nut 40, for the purpose of adjusting the pressure or force of the
friction-clutch.
7. In a match-making machine, the combination of the feeding-device, the chute

page_text: or passage-way 4, guiding the match-splints to the separating-device which delivers
the same to the continuously-moving transfer belts or carriers, operating in
connection with the match-holding flutes of the cylinders of the main machine.
8. In a match-making machine, the combination of the fluted carrying cylinders
for positively holding and carrying the splint and preventing its contact with the
lower carrying-wire or belt which moves in a groove beneath the surface of the
cylinder and the match-holding flute.
9. In a match-making machine, the fluted cylinders for positively holding and
carrying the splint and preventing its contact, while on the cylinder, with the lower
carrying-wire or belt which moves in a groove beneath the surface of the cylinder,
and the match-holding flute, combined with the outer pressure wire, said wires or
endless carrier-belts 10 and 15 serving to transport the splint alternately to the
grooves of the successive rollers or cylinders, which causes the onward moving of
the splints in positive relations to each other while passing through the machine in
the process of drying.
10. In a match-making machine, the splint receptacle 2, the inclined elevator-
table 3, and its automatic carrier, the chute or passage-way 4, the endless splint-
separating device, the fluted cylinders, and their endless carrying-belts 10 and 15,
the paraffine reservoir 11, its wheels 16, 17, for saturating the ends of the splints,
the wax reservoir 47, and its wax-distributing wheels 19, 19, revolving against the
ends of the splint during the continuous movement of the match, by means of the
mechanism operating substantially as shown and described.
11. In a match-making machine, the combination of the heating reservoir 12, the
vibrating wax receptacle 47, provided with its agitating arm 54, its actuating
eccentric 50, for reciprocating the receptacle and keeping the wax in a pliable
condition, and the immersed wax-applying roller operating substantially as shown
and described.
Dated this 3rd day of December 1890.