IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCHES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Eugene Hay Cameron, of the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich,
Major, Royal Artillery, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCHES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Eugene Hay Cameron at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st February 1878.
EUGENE HAY CAMERON, of the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, Major, Royal Artillery.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCHES."
This Invention relates to the rendering of what are known as lucifer matches
waterproof, or to supply them with such a protective coating as that the priming or
igniting portion of the match is rendered waterproof; and in such cases where wood
constitutes the stem of the match, the stem also may be rendered capable of
withstanding a moist or damp atmosphere, and may be rendered capable of being
immersed in water without injury, and it consists, 1st, where the stem itself is
waterproof, in dipping or immersing the ends or priming or igniting portion into
either paraffin or into wax, or into a mixture of the same, the melting point of
which is sufficiently low so as not to ignite the inflammable materials constituting
the igniting portion of the match, and which upon cooling will assume a solid form.
When the stem consists of wood or of a non-waterproof substance, I prefer to
immerse the entire match into the waterproofing material or materials before-
mentioned.
In carrying out the first part of my Invention, the igniting ends of the match
are immersed in the waterproofing material or mixture, and the film adhering
thereto is allowed to cool and consolidate so as to afford a protective coating.
In carrying out the second part of this Invention, when the stem of the lucifer
match is composed of a non-waterproof material, I prefer to immerse the whole of
the match in the waterproofing material or mixture, and after the match has
become impregnated and coated with the waterproofing agent, withdrawing the
same and allowing such absorbed and adhering agent to cool and consolidate.
Matches thus treated will be found not to be effected by damp or wet, and for
security of transport they may be packed in cases containing water.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Eugene Hay Cameron in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th August 1878.
EUGENE HAY CAMERON, of the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, Major, Royal Artillery.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCHES."
My said Invention relates to the rendering of what are known as lucifer matches,
under which term I include wax matches or vestas, waterproof, or capable of
withstanding a moist or damp atmosphere, and of being immersed in water without
injury by means of a coating of paraffin.
My Invention may be carried out as follows:-
Firstly. Where the stem of the match itself is waterproof the priming or igniting
end of the match is, and where the power of withstanding long immersion in water
is desired the other end also is dipped in melted paraffin, the temperature of which
is so low as not to ignite the inflammable materials constituting the igniting
portion of the match, the coating of paraffin will upon cooling assume a solid form
and so constitute the waterproof protection desired.
Secondly. Where the stem consists of a non-waterproof material, the stem itself
should be first soaked in the molten paraffin so as to allow it to become impregnated
and lightly coated with the paraffin before applying the priming or igniting
composition, and after the latter has been applied, that end of the match which
carries the priming should be again dipped in the molten paraffin so as to form a
waterproof coating over it, when the paraffin on cooling assumes the solid form.
I have found a temperature of from 140° to 180° Fahrenheit to be very suitable
for the bath of paraffin into which the matches are dipped, I do not however confine
myself to these precise temperatures. Matches thus treated will be found not to
be effected by damp or wet.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is, rendering the igniting material applied to lucifer matches,
and in the cases herein-before mentioned also the matches themselves waterproof by
applying to the same molten paraffin in the manner herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Eugene Hay Cameron, have to this my Specifi-
cation set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of August, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
EUGENE HAY CAMERON. (L.S.)