Improvements in the Manufacture of Friction-matches.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 11th Apr., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Friction-matches.
I, WILLIAM MYRES NIX, of Fulton, in the County of Fulton and State of
Kentucky, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FRICTION-MATCHES,
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 the manufacture of friction-matches, or what are termed
"safety matches."
The object of the invention is to produce safety-matches which shall be water-
proof and readily lighted in wet weather or damp climates.
A further object of the invention is the prevention of the glowing of the splint
after the match has been extinguished, and the scattering of live coals from the
same cause when the extinguished match is thrown aside.
A further object of the invention is the production of a match-head which does
not scatter itself about on scraping and ignition.
To accomplish these results 1 employ the following ingredients, and in the manner
which will be hereinafter described.
The composition used upon the improved safety-match consists of the following
ingredients, used in the following proportions, ci.: glue, six hundred and seventy
parts hard or soft paraffine, two hundred and fifty parts; chlorate of potassium,
two thousand parts; peroxide of lead, or bioxide of lead, or puce-coloured oxide of.
lead, eleven hundred and fifty parts; native sulphide of antimony, twelve
hundred and fifty parts; bichromate of potash, thirteen hundred and eighteen
parts Prussian blue, two thousand five hundred parts, and a sufficient quantity
of water; or, the bichromate of potash may be omitted where a water-proof
match is not desired, and one thousand additional parts of peroxide of lead
added. These materials must be combined with great care and intimacy after
the following manner: The glue is soaked in water for several hours and until
thoroughly swollen. It is then melted at a gentle heat over a water bath with
sufficient water to give the proper consistency to it. When cool, the chlorate
is added in fine powder, and gradually the other materials, thus forming a syrupy
mass. The syrupy mass is then manipulated until it is homogeneous and the
ingredients intimately mixed. Into this preparation the splint is dipped, and
then dried in any suitable manner. I prefer to dry the splint by artificial heat.
For the production of the water-proof match-head these operations must all be
conducted in the dark after the addition of the bichromate of potash, upon the
well-known principle of the rendering insoluble of glue by light in the presence
of bichromate of potash.
These matches are ignited by scraping on the well-known surface prepared with
amorphous phosphorus, &c.
For the production of the non-glowing splint a solution of commercial phosphate
of soda is used for a dipping-bath for the splints before dipping them in the
paraffine bath in the usual way. The strength of this solution may vary within
wide limits without injuring its efficiency.
Matches thus made are water-proof and not affected by wet or damp weather.
The heads do not come off even after long soaking in water, nor disintegrate under
such condition like ordinary matches. No unpleasant gases are generated by my
improved composition, and the process can be carried out without changing of
existing plant, and the artificial drying chambers may be omitted, since the
material I use dries quickly in any ordinary temperature, thereby enabling the
matches to be manufactured, packed, and delivered in a few hours.
1 can use any
kind of wood for the match splints.

page_text: There is no cracking or other unpleasant noise made when lighting matches made
in accordance with my invention.
I propose to dip both ends of the splint in the manufacture of the matches, thus
producing a double-headed match.
Inasmuch as I propose to manufacture matches having two heads-one at cach
end of the splint-it is very important that the splint be so treated as to render the
uncovered portion thereof non-glowing, because if such were not the case the head
at the other end of the splint would probably become ignited by the glowing of the
match-splint, if carelessly thrown aside before being put out or extinguished.
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 1
claim is :-
1. A double-headed water-proof match having its heads composed of glue or
other gelatinous binding material, paraffine, chlorate of potassium, peroxide of lead,
sulphide of antimony, combined with bichromate of potash in the absence of light
as to make the match-head impervious to water, as set forth.
2. A double-headed damp or water-proof match which will not carbonize when
extinguished, having its heads composed of glue or other gelatinous binding
material, paraffine, chlorate of potassium, peroxide of lead, sulphide of antimony,
bichromate of potash, (added in the absence of light,) and Prussian blue or other
colouring matter.
3. A match-splint previously soaked in a bath of phosphate of soda, and having
its two heads composed of glue or other gelatinous binding material, paraffine,
chlorate of potassium, peroxide of lead, and sulphide of antimony, in the proportion
above stated.
4. A match-splint previously soaked in a bath of phosphate of soda, and having
its heads composed of glue or other gelatinous binding material, paraffine, chlorate
of potassium, peroxide of lead, sulphide of antimony, and bichromate of potash in
the proportions above stated.
Dated this 25th day of November 1890.
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.