IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF LUCIFERS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Friedrich Hermann Felix Engel Civil Engineer and
Patent Agent, in the city of Hamburg Germany, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF LUCIFERS
a communication to him by Wilhelm Holmström of Westervik in the Kingdom
of Sweden
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Friedrich Hermann Felix
Engel at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th Juno 1883.
FRIEDRICH HERMANN FELIX ENGEL Civil Engineer and Patent Agent in the city
of Hamburg, Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFAC-
TURE OF LUCIFERS." a communication to. me by Wilhelm Holmström of
Westervik, in the Kingdom of Sweden,
This invention relates to certain improvements in machines to be used for
applying the igniting composition or substance to match-splints. Formerly such
splints, after being fastened in frames had to be dipped by hand with their lower
projecting ends into a solution or mixture of the igniting composition.
Instead of this method, and according to this invention the frames are brought
on to a machine and moved forward from one end of the machine to the other end
by means of one or two endless strap or straps and projecting arms.
Underneath
the moving frames, two or more rollers are placed in position diagonally to the
traverse of the moving frames, and said rollers dip partly into the igniting compo-
sition contained in receptacles or boxes, and while turning, carry with them a
coating of the composition which is pressed against the splint-ends, whilst those
are passing across the machine. To secure a good and efficient working of the
machine it is essential to give these rollers with reference to the direction of move-.
ment of the splint-frames, such diagonal position, that the rotation is directed
against the corners of the different square-splints whilst the same aro passing over
the rollers and not against plain sides of the splints. The composition is by this
means by each roller brought against two sides of each splint. By giving one of
the rollers a greater, and the other roller a lesser peripheral velocity than the
A

page_text: forward motion of the frames, the one roller deposits the composition against the
hinder sides of the square splints, whilst the other sides take up composition
by passing through the layer carried upward by the second or more slowly moving
roller. The composition is by this arrangement, with a certain pressure brought
onto the splints which is requisite to make it adhere to the splints. A continual
action of the machine can bo secured by continually feeding the frames on, at the
front end of the machine and by removing such frames at the hinder end of the
machine.
"
As the frames may become out of the level and to secure as far as possible
uniform heads of composition to the splints, the frames are placed on metal bars
supported by springs fastened to the machine-body, the weight of the frames, or if
necessary counter-springs press the frames downward towards the rollers so that
the ends of the splints whilst passing over the rollers, are in correct juxta-position
to the surface of the latter and receive a uniform quantity of composition.
The before described two rollers, carry composition against the sides of the
splints, and a third roller is applied that furnishes composition to the bottoms of
the splints. This roller may be placed in position transversely to the direction of
motion of the frames, but as it is desirable that the composition be not brought in
too thick, a layer onto the bottom ends, as the heads might otherwise broak off
whilst striking the matches, this third roller must carry upward at its circum-
ference only a very thin layer of composition, and this may be secured, by an
adjustable metal bar placed along the side of the roller so as to strip off all
superfluous composition, and leave only a thin layer remaining on the roller surface,
after having passed the bar.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Friedrich Hermann Felix Engel in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 27th December 1883.
FRIEDRICH HERMANN FELIX ENGEL Civil Engineer and Patent Agent in the city
of Hamburg Germany "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE
OF LUCIFERS a communication to me from Wilhelm Holmström of Westervik in
the Kingdom of Sweden
"
This invention relates to certain improvements in machines to be used for
applying the igniting composition or substance to match splints. Formerly such
splints after being fastened in frames had to be dipped by hand with their lower
projecting ends into a solution or mixture of the igniting composition.
Instead of this method and according to this invention the frames are brought
onto a machine and moved forward from one end of the machine to the other end by
means of one or two endless strap or straps and projecting arms. Underneath the
moving frames, two or more rollers are placed in position diagonally to the traverse
of the moving frames and said rollers dip partly into the igniting composition
contained in receptacles or boxes and while turning, carry with thom a coating
of the composition which is pressed against the splint ends whilst these are passing
across the machine. To secure a good and efficient working of the machine it is
essential to give theso rollers with reference to the direction of movement of the
splint-frames, such diagonal position, that the rotation is directed against the
corners of the different square splints whilst the same are passing over the rollers
and not against plain sides of the splints.
The composition is by this means by each roller brought against two sides of
cach splint. By giving one of the rollers a greater and the other roller a lesser
peripheral velocity than the forward motion of the frames, the one roller deposits
the composition against the hinder sides of the square splints whilst the other
sides take up composition by passing through the layer carried upward by the
second or more slowly moving roller. The composition is by this arrangement,
with a certain pressure brought onto the splints which is requisite to make it
adhere to the splints. The composition rollers before described may also be run in
opposite direction towards each other. A continual action of the machine is
secured by continually feeding the frames on at the front end of the machine and
by removing such frames at the hinder end of the machine.
As the frames may become out of the lovel and to secure as far as possible
uniform heads of composition to the splints, the frames are placed on metal bars
supported by springs fastened to the machine body; the weight of the frames or if
necessary counter springs press the frames downward towards the rollers so that
the ends of the splints while passing over the rollers, are in correct juxta-position
to the surface of the latter and receive a uniform quantity of composition.
The before described two rollers carry composition against the sides of the
splints and a third roller is applied that furnishes composition to the bottoms of
the splints. This roller may be placed in position transversely to the direction of
motion of the frames, but as it is desirablo that the composition be not brought in
to thick a layer onto the bottom ends, as the heads might otherwise break off
whilst striking the matches, this third roller must carry upward at its circumference
only a very thin layer of composition and this is secured by an adjustable metal
bar placed along the side of the roller so as to strip off all superflous composition
and leave only a thin layer remaining on the roller surface after having passed
the bar.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings is illustrated machinery constructed
according to this invention applied to a machine for bringing composition onto
match splints in a continual process.

page_text: Fig 1 is a side olevation, Fig 2 front elevation and Fig 5 ground plan of the
machine.
Fig 3 represents a longitudinal section on line a, b of Fig 5 and Fig 4 a
section on line c, d of Fig 3. Fig 6 is a ground plan detached of composition
roller and composition box for finishing the heads.
"
a...
designates the match splints framed between wooden bars D by means of
iron rods e (Fig 4) into dipping-frames of common and known construction.
These frames filled with match splints are at F, Fig 5 fed onto the machine by
placing the same on metal bars m, m³, that are by means of springs 8, attached to
the machine frame." The frames are by endless straps H, H' and catches i. carried
along the machine to end F¹ where they are received by an operative.
Two rollers L and L¹ placed underneath the bars m, m² transversely towards
line α,
bare rotated by straps or otherwise from main shaft R. These rollers
partly dip into composition contained in boxes b, b' out of which they carry layers
of composition upward the thickness of which may to a certain extent be regulated
by the circumferential velocity applied to the rollers and the splints passing with
their frames over the rollers take up composition in the before described manner.
The splints when passed over the rollers must with their ends touch the surfaco
of the latter and this is attained by pressure springs p (Figs 3, 4 and 5) that are
attached to the machino frame near to each roller.
The boxes b, b¹ together with the rollers can be turned and set in horizontal
plane, so as to alter or adjust the axial transverse position of the rollers towards.
the machine frame.
A roller G placed like rollers L, L' in a box 6ª containing composition, finishos
the splint-heads. By means of an adjustable bar this roller only carries upward
a layer of composition of a thickness corresponding to the distance apart between
bar and surface of roller. This distanco is marked in the drawing Fig 3. The
uniform layer of composition. carried upward. by.roller G forms the underside of
the splint heads, the thickness of which may be regulated by varying the
thickness of composition on roller G.
A grate z (Figs 3 and 6) placed at the descending side of the rollers across the
corresponding composition-box, prevents broken off splints; or other impurities to
come, or to be returned into the composition.
Having now described the nature and particulars of the said invention in such
wise that the same may be carried into practical effect I claim :-
Firstly. With machines for bringing igniting composition onto match splints the
application of feeding rollers for the composition, placed in position transversely to
the moving direction of the splint-frames, as and for the purpose herein set forth
and shown by the drawings.
Secondly. In machinery for applying igniting composition to match splint ends
the bars m, m² supporting the splint frames, which bars are carried by springs that
allow the frames to rise and descond according to irregularities in plane of the
framed splints whilst passing over the composition rollers as herein set forth.
herein
Thirdly. In a machine for forming the heads to match splints the herein
described parts constructed arranged and operating as and for the purpose
set forth and shown by the accompanying drawings
In Witness whereof I the said Friedrich Hermann Felix Engel havo hereunto
set my hand and seal this twenty-fourth day of December in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three.
FH FENGEL.
(L.S.)