An Improvement in Match Boxes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 10.h Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 10th July, 1894-Accepted, 11th Aug.. 1894
An Improvement in Match Boxes.
I, ROBERT URIE BIRRELL, of Mentone, in the County of Bourke, Colony
of Victoria, Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
The description of match-box to which my improvement relates is made of tin,
brass, sheet-iron or any other suitable metal or alloy and is provided with a
hinged lid.
The object of my invention is to provide a match box, which, when opened will
raise the matches contained therein to a sufficient height, in order that they
may be taken therefrom with a greater facility, instead of as at the present
time, having to overturn the whole of the contents of the box to procure one
match.
Now my invention consists of forming within the said match-box a vertical casing
or box, a false bottom which is seated upon a flat or spiral spring and is retained
in position by means of a projecting rim. A flat stem or lifter on the inner casing
is secured to said false bottom, for the purpose of engaging with a hinged cover
which is provided with a suitable clasp. A modified arrangement may be employed
whereby the false bottom may be lifted by a connecting rod or link attached to
the lid. One or more ridge pieces are introduced across the interior of the inner
casing to prevent matches when falling anglewise becoming inaccessible as their
number diminishes.
To operate my invention the clasp or catch holding the lid is compressed or
released and the lid flies back by reason of the spring acting upon the false bottom
and the stem or lifter which engages with said lid. The spring now being free
raises the false bottom about th (three sixteenths) of an inch, or any suitable
distance, consequently the heads of the matches protrude above the upper edge of
the box from which they can be taken with great facility.
Dated this 10th day of October 1802
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Match Boxes.
I, ROBERT URIE BIRRELL, of Mentone, in the County of Bourke, Colony of
Victoria, Clerk, 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 :-
The description of box to which my improvement relates is stamped, cast or
formed of iron, steel, aluminium, tin, or any other metal or alloy.
The object of my invention is to provide a box which when opened will expose
the matches therein contained, so that they may be removed therefrom without the
necessity of having to overturn the whole of the contents in order probably to
obtain one.
My invention consists in forming within the interior of the said box a false
bottom with liner on which the contents repose. Said false liner being automatically
elevated or depressed by the opening or closing of the lid.

page_text: But in order that my invention may be better understood, I will now refer to
the accompanying sheet of drawings which are to be taken as part of this
Specification and read therewith.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar or corresponding parts where they
occur in the several views.
Fig. 1. is a sectional elevation of a box with false bottom and the liner A and
flat spring B, stop C, and partition piece or pieces H.
Fig. 2. is a plan of Fig. 1, shewing the spring B and liner A.
Fig. 3. is a sectional elevation with the false bottom and liner A elevated or
depressed by a link D coupled to pins I.
Fig. 4. is a sectional elevation with false bottom and liner A (on which is lip F)
one or more spiral springs G, and partition piece or pieces H.
In my first modification the liner A (which is one continuous strip of metal)
loosely fits the box on the two sides whilst on its bottom it comes into contact with
a spring. This spring may be either a portion of the bottom of the box itself
(as shewn) or a distinct spring introduced into the interior of the box and attached
to or separate from the same. The stop or striker C when the lid is closed engages
with the top of the liner A and compresses it onto the yielding spring B.
In my second modification as shewn in Fig. 3, the liner A is actuated in its
ejecting movement by a link D coupled onto the lid and liner respectively. Across
the lid is passed a pin I to which is attached the top end of the link D. The
bottom end of this link D is coupled onto the top of the liner A.
In my third modification as shewn in Fig. 4, the liner A is elevated by one or
more springs G. Said springs may be attached to or independent of either the
false bottom or case. The compression of the springs is effected by closing the lid
whereby the striker E engages with the lip F.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1stly. The combination and arrangement (as shewn in Fig. 1) of a match box
with one or more partition pieces, a loose bottom and liner A elevated and depressed
by a striker C situated on the cover substantially as illustrated and described.
2ndly. The combination and arrangement (as shewn in Fig. 3) of a box with
one or more ridge pieces H, elevated or depressed by a link D coupled onto the
lid and liner respectively.
3rdly. The combination and arrangement of a box (as shewn in Fig. 4) with one
or more partition pieces H a loose bottom and liner elevated by one or more
springs G and depressed by a striker E on the lid engaging with a lip F on the
liner A substantially as herein illustrated and described.
Dated this 25th day of May 1894
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
67-69, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
67-69, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agent for Applicant.