Improvements in Matches, and in the Method of and Apparatus for Producing same.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Matches, and in the Method of and Apparatus for
Producing same.
I, CHARLES ARTHUR ALLISON, of 52, Chancery Lane, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by Philip Hathaway, of 136, Liberty
Street, in the City, County and State of New York, United States of America,
Attorney and Counsellor at Law), and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement;-
My invention relates to a new method of making friction matches with tubular
paper stems and to the machinery for manufacturing the same.
The method of the manufacture consists essentially of the following successive
steps; drawing and unwinding in a single thickness paper by and between a
pair of drawing rollers; passing the paper between a pair of rotary cutters and
cutting the paper in longitudinal strips; thereafter passing each of said strips
through a spiral guide or conductor over an interior mandrel thereby coiling the
strip into a tubular form for the match stick; and then passing the coiled strip
between several grooved rollers with grooves of successive smaller diameter,
thereby coiling and pressing the coiled strip closer and closer to a smaller diameter
and so stiffening such coiled strip from which as hereafter shown the match
sticks are cut; the coiled strip now forming an endless tube is then passed
between rotary brushes or elastic rollers, of which one dips in a liquid compound
of paraffin, wax or other similar material with a suitable proportion of rosin,
shellac, glue, starch or other solidifying or stiffening material and deposits a
coating of such compound on the tubes; the coated tube is then passed through
an equalizing gauge which scrapes any surplus compound therefrom; the tube
is then passed between a pair of pressing and polishing rollers, and is forwarded
between open vertical cutters into a horizontal match guide when it comes to a
momentary stop and is provided on its end with a friction head for a match while
its stick is cut from the tube, and thereupon the match guide is turned vertically
and delivers the match through a guide, under which passes a common drying
belt having upon it transverse tray bars which receive the matches upon then:
for drying, after which they are gathered and boxed. The manner in which my
invention is carried out and the machinery by which it is operated are set forth
and described in the following specification and accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 represents a top view of a machine for producing my improved match."
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same.
The remaining figures are detail views of parts of the machine shown on a
larger scale.

page_text: Figure represents a vertical longitudinal section of the portion of the
machine by which the paper is unwound from the roll and passed through the
rotary cutters to cut it into longitudinal strips, and showing the spiral conductor
and a central mandrel to coil the strip and the successively closer pressing pairs
of rollers to form the strip into a hollow rod or tube.
Figure 4 is a detached cross section of the hollow spiral conductor to coil the
paper strip.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the same.
Figure G is a face view of the paper pressing and feed roller driving gear
wheels.
Figure 7 is a vertical central section of the same.
Figure 8-is a vertical lateral section of the match guides and drop mechanism
in position of dropping the matches therefrom.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal vertical section of one of the same guides in the
same position.
Figure 10 is a vertical cross section of one of the same guides in position while
receiving the match before being cut off.
Figure 11 is a detached side view of the mechanism for operating the cut off
or vertical cutters.
Figure 12 represents a face view of the main driving gear mechanism of the
machine.
Figure 13 is a longitudinal section of the end portions of the endless_match
drying belt, and showing the lateral strips or trays on the belt upon which each
match is deposited for drying to keep its head while yet soft from attaching to
the belt, and also exhibits the mechanism for delivering the matches from the
first to the second belt D.
Figure 14 represents a detached side elevation of a portion of the pair of cutting
rollers.
Figure 15 is a similar view of a portion of the rotary brushes.
Figure 16 is a detached longitudinal section of the coat equalizing guide.
Figure 17 is a perspective view of a portion of the friction compound dis-
tributing dippers and their arbor.
Figure 18 is a detached top view of the portion of the flat paper strips passing
through the spiral guide and being coiled.
Figure 19 is a cross section of the same at the coiled portion.
My machine for making my paper match is constructed with two opposite
vertical parallel longitudinal side frames A A, which are suitably connected
solidly together by braces and cross bars. Between these frames the paper from
which the matches are made is guided to travel longitudinally from the rear to
the front end of the machine and is drawn and forwarded between pressing
rollers guided in bearings B B in each frame. The motion of the paper is
periodical, each period feeding the paper a distance equal to the length of the
match being made.
The paper roll P is furnished mounted upon an arbor by the paper mill and is
placed into the bearings provided on the side frames A of the machine so as to
turn loosely thereon. Said roll of paper is of a suitable width to form the
required number of matches together at one time, which number may be fifty,
more or less, such number being regulated in practice by the number of matches
which it is desired to pack in a single box. From the paper roll the paper
passes between a pair of pressing and feed rollers E and from them between a
pair of cutting rollers F; by which the sheet of paper is cut and
separated longitudinally into strips, and each strip is required to be of a width
sufficient to coil up to the diameter of the match stick to be made. In front of
said cutting rollers is placed the hollow spiral conducting guide G for each
strip, having a fixed central cone mandrel M around which the paper in feeding
forward passes and is wound in a tubular form, forming one complete coil before
leaving the guide G. The paper strip so coiled now passes between a pair of

page_text: pressing rollers I having a circular groove i of a little less diameter than that
attained by the coil in passing the guide G, thereby reducing the diameter of
such coiled strip to that of the groove i. The coiled strip now passes between
a secondary pair of pressing rollers I having a more reduced diameter groove i
whereby the coil of the strip is again contracted, and it finally passes between a
third pair of pressing rollers I", by which the strip is formed into a compactly
pressed rod or tube which may be still more or less hollow; but is sufficiently
Jard and stiff for its purpose. Forward, ahead of said last pair of grooved
pressing rollers, I", are arranged a pair of rotary brushes J revolving
in contrary direction to said rollers I. Below said brushes is arranged
a trough K constructed with a steam jacket for heating the same and
in the trough K is contained a compound of paraffin, wax or other suitable
material to which a small quantity of stiffening or solidifying matter, such as
rosin, shellac, glue or starch is added and the compound is kept liquid by the
steam in the jacket. The lower brush touching the solution carries the same in
proper quantity to the paper tube and to the upper brush, whereby the coating
of the tube is successfully completed. By means of a take off scraper or brush L
applied on the lower brush nearly all surplus solution is dropped back into the
trough. Ahead of the brushes is provided a stationary scraper or drawing
guide M for each paper tube, which scrapes off any surplus coating. Forward of
said guides M¹ are arranged a pair of grooved drawing rollers N which polish
and draw the coiled strips or tubes and forward the same. Ahead of the draw-
ing rollers N are provided a pair of cutting shears or cutters O, the plates of
which extend completely across from one side frame A to the other to cut off all
strips passing between the side frames A A at one time. Each shear plate of
the shear Ois properly secured to a guide plate which passes and is guided in
vertical guide slots in the frames A A. The upper shear plate is held stationary
in the frames but is made adjustable by vertical adjusting screws o, and the lower
shear plate rises against the upper plate when cutting off the tubular strips.
Ahead of the shear O are arranged longitudinal horizontal match guides Q, one
for each paper tube. Each match guide Q is constructed with a cylindrical longi-
tudinal body having a longitudinal radial slot 7 to receive the tube while in
horizontal position and allow it to drop from the slot when cut off by the shears O),
and as soon as the guide is turned with the slot q to a vertical position, as shown
in Figures 8 and 9. Said match guides are held in two vertical downward
hangers R, each secured or formed on a common lateral cross guide plate S
secured and extending from one frame A to the other opposite, and said hangers
nearly circumscribe the match guide Q which is grooved to a smaller diameter
at the portions engaged by the hangers to allow the guide to turn easily in the
hangers, but being held from longitudinal motion. Each hanger has a central
vertical slot or opening k to pass the match as shown in Figure 8. Each match
guide Q has a central upward arm which passes without engagement through
the plate S, but upon said plate S is provided a lateral sliding bar T held in
lateral grooves n n formed in upward rails attached to the top side of the plate S
shown in Figure 9, and said bar T has a slot engaging the arm of each match
guide, thereby causing by sliding the turning of the match guide from a vertical
to a horizontal position to receive the tube for cutting it, and to turn it vertically
to deliver the cut match. Forward of the match guides Q is provided a
secondary common trough U also furnished with a steam jacket, and in it are
contained the match igniting or phosphorous compound, and a series of com-
pound distributing spoons V operated by a common oscillating arbor.
The paper tubes are forwarded by the drawing and polishing rollers N while
the shears are open, and the cut ends of said tubes enter into the match guide
while its guide slot q is in horizontal position, as shown in Figure 10, and said
tubes pass on through said guides until their ends stop for a short period, during
which the spoons V carry and place the required amount of igniting compound to

page_text: form the friction head on the ends of the tubes; the shears thereupon close and
cut match lengths off the tube, and the match guides turn to a vertical position
to drop the matches. Centrally below each match guide is arranged a vertical
guide box W to conduct the fall of the cut off matches upon the before men-
tioned longitudinal endless drying belt C, which passes over a lateral drum X
guided in bearings in the forward lower part of the frames A and a lateral
drum X guided in bearings in the rear lower part of the frame A; and between
said drums X and X are also loose revolving drums employed to support said
belt as shown. Upon the receiving or top side of the belt Care provided lateral
tray rods
The belt C has the same periodical motion as that of the paper and
tubes above it, and said motion is made to harmonize with the length of the
match stick. The tray rods Z are located and secured upon said belt at the
proper distances apart for each delivery, and so as to receive and carry the match
a little from the belt when delivered from the box guide W upon the tray rods,
and so that the match while not yet dry be clear from the belt to prevent its
attaching to the belt, as shown in Figure 13. Said belt C is made to carry the
match until dry and may extend beyond the machine. Wherever the belt C
passes over its drum X¹ a secondary belt 1) travelling in right angular direction
is employed to receive the dry matches, and all matches delivered together upon
the belt C are together delivered upon the belt 1), and both move at the same time..
Each pair of feed, pressing and cutting rollers is furnished with gear wheels
to engage one another to forward the paper with equal feed motion and in like
direction, while the motion of the brushes is in opposite direction. The bottom feed,
cutting and pressing roller arbor of each pair is furnished with a worm gear 30,
engaging in a worm 31, for each upon one worm shaft Y causing their equal
speed. For the motion of the brushes the worm gear is on a separate stud below
the worm of the shaft, and the motion of the brushes is caused by pulleys and
a cross belt and pinion gear on the brush arbor engaging a gear wheel having
worm gear to engage the worm of said worm shaft, whereby the brushes are
moved with quicker speed in reverse direction to the feed rollers. The rearward
end of the worm shaft Y is furnished with a fixed ratchet wheel shown in
Figure 12, and with vibrating pawl t. , Figure 12, represents the driving
shaft of the machine; it may be operated by pulleys or gear wheels; it is
arranged below the worm shaft Y in suitable bearings on the same frame shown
in Figures 11 and 12. A shaft has upon it a spur gear e which engages in a
pinion, d, upon the driving shaft a, and said shaft has a crank più e con-
nected by the rod f with the stud of the pawl t, so that by the rotary motion
of the driving shaft a the spur gear e and shaft b and crank pin e are rotated and
cause the pawl to vibrate and periodically rotate the worm shaft Y, which
operates all the feed, cutting and pressing rollers, and the brushes. The shaft
is provided with a grooved cam h, and to the frame A is pivoted a lever arm j
carrying a stud which is engaged in the groove of the cam h, said lever arm j
being operated by the shaft b and cam h. Below the shears 0 is arranged a
lateral shaft 1, guided in bearings in the frame A A and a crank 2. The crank
pins of said crank are connected by suitable links 3, to the bottom shear plate.
The same shaft 1, has on its outside end a fixed arm 4, and on the outside of
the frame is pivoted a vertical bell crank lever 5, the short arm 6 of which is
connected with the fixed arm 4, by a link 7, and the long arm of said lever 5
is connected by a long rod 8, with the lever j, by which means the motion of
the lower shear plate of the shear is operated. The same shaft 1, has also a
fixed arm 9, on the outside extending forward, and the oscillating arbor carrying
the distributing spoons V, has outside of the frame A, a short crank arm 10,
which is connected by a rod 11, with the arm 9 of the shaft 1 thus operating the
distributing spoons V. The arm 4, is also connected to one end of a two armed
lever 12, by a link 15, and a secondary arm of lever 12 is connected with a

page_text: crank 13, and the sliding bar 5 is connected by the link 14 with the crank 13,
by which means the sliding bar T and match guides Q are operated.
To deliver the matches after they are dry from the first belt C to the second
belt D, I provide upon the belt between the strips Za hinged flap 16, the
arbor of this hinge is made solid with the flap and turns loose in the hinge, and
the arbor has an arm 17 on the edge of the band projecting downward. Near
the junction of the belt C with the belt D is provided a stationary projecting
stud 18 to come in contact with the arm 17, thereby turning the Hap upward,
picking up the lateral row of matches together, causing them to drop together in
row on the belt D.
row,
When the machine is made for a large number of matches in one series in one
the paper requires to be very wide and the pressing and feeding rollers will
be very long and liable to spring and twist by torsion, in such cases it is desir-
able to apply a worm shaft and gears on each side of the machine as shown in
Figure 1.
The driving mechanism may be easily changed and substituted and I do not
limit myself to any particular mechanism of the driving and operating gear.
It will be readily understood that any suitable words or figures may be printed
on the paper forming the stem of the "match.
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:-
1. As a new article of manufacture a friction match having a stem of paper
coiled into a cylindrical or tubular form, coated with a compound for increasing
the combustibility and stiffness of such stem, and provided with a
igniting head substantially as described.
friction
2. A friction match having a stem of paper coiled into a cylindrical or tubular
form, such paper being first printed with any required words or figures and then
coated with a transparent inflammable compound.
3. The process of making tubular paper friction matches as hereinbefore
described which consists, first in drawing paper from a roll through cutting
rollers and cutting it into strips of suitable width, then coiling such strips into
a cylindrical or tubular form, then coating the tubes with an inflammable com-
pound, then applying igniting compound to form the friction head, and cutting
the tubes into suitable match lengths in the manner described and for the pur-
poses specified.
4. A machine for making paper matches comprising means for unrolling from
a paper roll the amount of paper for each of a series of matches made together;
means for drawing said paper in single thickness through cutters and separating
the sheet of paper in strips to make the match sticks in tandem rows of a series
of sticks; means for passing and drawing each paper strip through a spiral
guide and coiling the paper strips into tubes while advancing, and for drawing
the same between grooved pressure rollers for the purpose of reducing the
diameter of such coils or tubes, means for passing such tubes between rotating
brushes or elastic rollers over a tank containing liquid paraffin or wax compound
and thereby coating such tubes; means for removing the surplus compound from
the tubes and means for pressing and polishing the tubes when coated; means
for distributing igniting compound on the ends of such tubes, and means for
cutting off the tubes to the required length so forming completed tubular paper
matches coated and polished and provided with igniting heads, substantially as
herein set forth and described.
5. In a machine for making paper matches the combination with a roll of
paper and feed rollers for unrolling the same, of rotary cutters for cutting the
paper into longitudinal strips, spiral guides for coiling the paper strips into
tubular form, grooved rollers for drawing and compressing the coiled strips,
brushes or rollers for coating the tubes with an inflammable compound, vibrating

page_text: spoons or dippers for applying igniting compound to the ends of such tubes,
and cutting machinery for cutting the tubes into suitable match lengths all
substantially as described and shown.
6. The improved machine for making tubular paper friction matches as
herein described and shown.