Improvements relating to the Manufacture of Safety Matches and Rubbing Surfaces therefor.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Nov., 1897-Accepted, 1st Jan., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Manufacture of Safety Matches and
Rubbing Surfaces therefor.
I, JUAN CRAVERI, of 745 Calle Tucuman, Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic,
Doctor in Chemistry and Pharmacy, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
This descriptive account refers to a process for entirely dispensing with the use
of amorphous phosphorus in the manufacture of that class of matches called
safety matches" employing instead the compounds of sulpho-cyanogen and of
its isomeries and of its polymerics.
"
The amorphous phosphorus of commerce employed in the manufacture of the
said safety matches is not absolutely innocuous since it contains, according to
Iolin, about 1% of arsenic and 20% of live phosphorus (Dragendorffs Manual of
Toxicology, French translation by Gautier page 149). Its cost besides, varies
from 6 to 8 francs per kilo.
I dispense entirely with the use of amorphous phosphorus in the friction
surface used with these safety matches, substituting therefor the compounds of
sulpho-cyanogen and of its isomerics and of its polymerics, with which compounds
I form a paste on which upon scratching the heads of the matches formed of
other compounds of my invention hereinafter enumerated, combustion of the
matches is produced.
Thus, for example:-mixing the following substances:-
Cyanogen Persulphide
Acid Persulpho-cyanic
Xanthate of Potassium
Sulphide of Antimony
Gelative
2
parts
"
05
"
"
1
"
In these proportions, which may be varied, a paste is obtained which will adhere
to the side of the box to serve as a friction surface for the matches.
This paste is made by dissolving first the gelatine in a sufficient quantity of
warm water and mixing with it afterwards the other substances, forming thus a
sort of pulp which is then applied with a brush to one side of the box."
The heads of the matches or tapers are prepared with the following sub-
stances:-

page_text: This paste, formed like the first mentioned, is obtained by dissolving the gelatine
in a sufficiency of warm water, with which the other substances are afterwards
mixed, and applying the same to the wood or tapers of the matches by the usual
methods, drying them afterwards, first in dry air by means of an artificial current,
completing then the drying process in an oven in the manner practiced in this
industry.
These matches can not he ignited except upon the especial friction surface above
mentioned, since the act of combustion is produced by the compounds of sulpho-
cyanogen and of its isomeries and of its polymerics which constitute the com-
bustible. Placing this combustible on the friction surface, the elements which
constitute the head of the match can not be ignited in any manner when not in
frictional contact with the said compound.
The cost of the products with which I substitute the use of amorphous phos-
phorus to form the base of the friction surface, is much less than that of the
amorphous phosphorus itself, and I obtain a match entirely safe and harmless,
either of wood or wax, at a much less cost.
י
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:--
"
or
In the manufacture of that class of matches known as "safety matches'
"Swedish matches," whether of wood, wax or whatever material, a process for
substituting entirely the use of amorphous phosphorus in the friction surface
used with these matches, by means of the compounds of sulpho-cyanogen, of its
isomerics and of its polymerics, as has been herein before described and specified,
and with the objects indicated.
Total 10% 1
1
1004
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
JUAN CRAVERI.
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.