Improvements in Match Receptacles, adapted for Delivering Matches Singly.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Match Receptacles, adapted for Delivering
Matches Singly.
I ANTON EATON, a citizen of the Republic of Switzerland, and residing at
218 Bleecker Street Brooklyn, in the County of Kings, and State of New York,
U.S.A. Pork Butcher 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 relates to improvements in match boxes, the object thereof being
to supply an article of this character which will deliver but one match at a time,
and automatically strike the same, whereby matches may be kept from legitimate
consumption in hotels or other public places, and unscrupulous persons will be
prevented from appropriating quantities thereof. The device comprises few and
simple parts which are inexpensive and susceptible of affording ornamentation,
whereby a practical and useful article of manufacture is provided.
The invention will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the
annexed claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved match box..
Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation thereof taken on a line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the operation of the device.
Fig. 4 is a front view of a modified form of my device; and
Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation thereof.
In the practice of my invention, I provide primarily, a vertical movable
plunger A, this said plunger has a flaw a in the upper edge thereof and upon the
lower end thereof is an extended ledge a' which communicates with a vertical
groove a, also forming part of the plunger. Located immediately above the
groove a² is a recess a³ into which recess is set the head 6 of a spring pressed rod B,
which said rod is maintained in a normally outward position by means of a spiral
spring C located in the recess c in the plunger A. The said head of the rod B is
roughened upon its face for contact with a match, whereby the same may be
exploded. As a further means for exploding and striking the match, I provide a
roughened disc D. This said disc revolves within the front face of the casing E
which encloses the plunger A, the object of revolving the disc being to alternately
bring different portions of the roughened surface thereof in the line of gravity
of the match, whereby the disc may be used for a long period of time. The
plunger A is normally maintained in an upward position as illustrated by Figures 1
and 2 of the drawings, by means of a weight For a spring För both if desired,
and to prevent too much friction, the weight F is attached to a cord f which passes
over pulleys and 12, secured respectively to the plunger and the casing. Secured
to the upper end of the device is a hopper E' adapted to contain the mechanism.
This said hopper is closed at the top thereof by means of a lid E2, which said lid
may be locked to the hopper when it is closed if desired. Projecting inwardly
from the upper front wall of the hopper E' is a stop e adapted for tripping the
matches, and dropping them into the slot a² of the plunger, as illustrated in
Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. In the operation of the device, the hopper E¹
will be filled with matches upon each side of the plunger A, and to secure a match,
it will be necessary to carry the plunger downwardly until its grooved upper
surface is on a line with the bottom of the hopper. The plunger is then released

page_text: when its weight or spring will automatically carry it upward, and in its upward
movement, the end of the match will contact with the stop e, whereby the match
will be automatically thrown into a vertical_position and dropped down upon the
ledge a¹ of the plunger A, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings.
Now to secure the match and at the same time strike the same, it must be grasped
between the finger and thumb, and pulled downwardly with the plunger and this
said action will not only strike and deliver the match but will automatically place
another match in position for striking by the upward movement of the plunger after
the lighted match is removed therefrom.
In the modified structure illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, I do
not provide a means for igniting the match, but I use a spring pressed plunger A¹
which is normally maintained in an upward position within the hopper E³, whereby
one match at a time can be delivered through the slot el of the said hopper, which
said slot is formed of the adjacent edges of the doors E' and these said doors may
be locked in their closed position by any suitable means desired. The hopper in
this instance is supplied with a casing E and the plunger is connected to a spring F
which passes through a slot 2 of the said casing.
I do not confine myself to the specific details of mere mechanical construction as
herein described, as it is obvious that under the scope of my invention I am entitled
to slight modifications of structural detail.
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. A match box comprising a hopper and an upwardly extended plunger which
normally divides the same, said plunger having a groove in the upper edge thereof
for engagement with a match, and means for maintaining the plunger in an upward
position, substantially as shown and described.
2. The combination of a spring pressed plunger having a groove in the upper
edge thereof, and a casing for enclosing the same, and a hopper for containing
matches, and a stop located within said hopper for tripping the matches and throwing
them out of engagement with the groove of the spring pressed plunger, substantially
as shown and described.
3. The combination of a normally raised plunger and means for maintaining it
in an upward position, said plunger having a groove in the top thereof and a groove
in the face thereof for engagement with a match, and a hopper having a stop
therein for tripping the match, and a spring pressed mechanism located within the
plunger for contact with the head of the match, whereby the same may be
automatically struck or ignited, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 14th day of September 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.