IMPROVEMENTS IN FRICTION MATCHES, LUCIFER MATCHES, AND MATCHES FOR RE-LIGHTING, CALLED TAPER MATCHES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Gideon G. Dennis, of Boston, in the' County of
Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, in the United States of America,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FRICTION MATCHES, LUCIFER
MATCHES, AND MATCHES FOR RE-LIGHTING, CALLED TAPER MATCHES."
Sealed the 5th December 1865, and dated the 21st August 1865.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Gideon G. Dennis at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Declara-
tion, on the 21st August 1865, pursuant to the 9th Section of the
Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GIDEON G.
DENNIS, of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, in
the United States of America, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FRICTION MATCHES, LUCIFER MATCHES, AND MATCHES POR RE-LIGHTING, CALLED,
TAPER MATCHES," and have petitioned Her Majesty to graut unto me, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same,
and have made solemn Declaration that I am the true and first Inventor
thereof.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Gideon G. Dennis, do hereby declare
that the following Complete Specification under my hand and seal, fully
describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, in and by the following statement, reference being

page_text: had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say):-
My said Invention consists in applying and arranging the inflammable and
igniting materials to each or both ends of the match stock, splint, or stick, so
that one end can be fired or ignited to serve one occasion, and the other end
ignited to serve another occasion, thereby making the stocks or splints do
double the service they have heretofore done. Also in making match stocks
or splints by cutting or sawing into each end of the block, sheet, or card of
match stuff or material, so as to leave the match stocks or splints joined in the
middle by a portion of the wood or other materials so narrow that the splint
can be easily and readily split, broken, or torn off when the matches are
wanted for use.
In the accompanying Drawings Fig. 1 is a match stock or splint with the
inflammable and igniting materials or composition applied to both ends;
Fig. 2 is a card or sheet of match material cut or sawed in at each end, and
left joined in the middle so slightly that the sticks or splints may be easily
separated with the fingers when wanted for use; Fig. 3 is a block cut or
sawed in at each or both ends, so as to form stocks or splints upon both
ends of the block, and leave them joined in the middle by a small portion of
the materials, just strong enough to hold them together during the subsequent
processes of dipping or charging both ends with inflammable or igniting
materials or composition, yet leaving the middle connection A so small and
slight that the splints B. B, may be easily and readily split or broken off, to
separate them when wanted for use.
In making my improved matches either of the well known highly com-
bustible compositions used in making friction matches may be used; that is,
compositions which will readily take fire by friction when rubbed either on
prepared or unprepared surfaces. The merit of the Invention consists in
applying the inflammable and igniting materials or composition to both ends
of the splints. The following is probably the best and cheapest composition
for common use: It consists simply of phosphorus, chalk, and glue; and in
applying it I use the ingredients in the following manner and proportions:―
I take one ounce of glue and dissolve it in water by heat, and add four ounces
of finely pulverized chalk or Spanish white, stirring it in to form a thick paste;
I then put in one ounce of phosphorus, maintaining the heat at a proper
temperature to melt the phosphorus and incorporate the whole together. The
ends of the match spliuts, after being dipped in sulphur, are dipped in this
composition, which prepares them for lighting by slight friction, on slightly
rough or gritty substances. Gum arabic and some other guns may be

page_text: substituted for the glue, and other absorbent earths may be used instead of
chalk. The stocks or splints of my improved matches may be made of wood,
paper, twine, straw, rushes, and such other materials as will answer the
purpose. As matches are now generally used only about one-quarter or one-
third at most of the splint or stick is usually burnt, so that by applying the
igniting materials or composition to both ends of the splint or stick, it is made
to do double service, and answer or serve for two lightings instead of one.
Hence in making my improved matches for a given number of lightings or
kindlings, one half of the lumber or other material, and one half of the labor
in making the splints may be saved. And in all the subsequent processes of
manufacture there will only be one half of the number of splints or blocks to
manipulate or handle to produce a given number of lightings. Besides one
half the boxes, both large and small, one half of the paper and twine, and
one half of the labor of packing, and one half of the transportation may be
saved also. And with all these savings the matches for a given number of
lightings can be afforded far cheaper to the consumer.
What I claim as my Invention and improvement in friction and other
matches is arming or applying the inflammable and igniting materials or
composition to each or both ends of the match stocks or splints, so as to make
each splint or stick serve for two lightings instead of one.
I also claim making matches by cutting or sawing into each or both ends of
the block, card, or sheet of match material so as to leave the splints joined
slightly in or near the middle, substantially as described, and then applying
the inflammable and igniting material or composition to both ends of the stocks
or splints so made or formed.
Witnesses,
S. JAMES DENNIS.
HENRY LEEDS, JR.
GIDEON G. DENNIS. (L.S.)