Improvements in Boxes or Receptacles for Holding Matches and Means for Presenting them Singly, either Ignited or otherwise, for Use.
Year: 1888

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boxes or Receptacles for Holding Matches and
Means for Presenting them Singly, either Ignited or otherwise,
for Use.
We, THOMAS PICKUP of 43 Springfield Road, Burnley, in the County of Lancaster,
Grocer, and MARMADUKE EDMUNDSON of 8 Canning Street, Burnley, Tin and Copper
Smith, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what inanner tho samo
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
:-
This invention of improvements embraces several features of novelty in the
construction of match box devices, for presenting matches singly, and also in means
for the ignition of matches so presented.
The receptacle or box may be arranged with a slide plate, which may form the
bottom of such receptacles, and have a suitable groove or slit of convenient size to
contain one match only, so that by moving the slit or groove of the plate in and out
of the receptacle, a match will be presented each time. The receptacle or box may bo
constructed of thin sheet metal or other substance combining strength and lightness
and of suitable size to render it serviceable for pocket use.
The improvements also consist in arrangements of mechanism in combination with a
match box or receptacle for the ignition of the match, after it is singled out from the
rest. For this purpose a match box or receptacle may be mounted on a suitable frame
of any desired shape or ornamentation. The matches are discharged from the box
singly. This is effected by a plate, having a slit or groove of the size of a match cut
through it. The matches rest upon the plate, which, being moved inwards and
outwards by a pusher, brings to the exterior of the box a match, which is deposited in
a trough like cavity. The match is now pushed forward by the pusher actuating the
plate, to receive upon its ignitable end a slight blow from a spring, suddenly released
from compression, through the medium of a small lever, carried by the pusher bar, at
which time a lever, which may take the form of a bird, descends, and having a spring
clip beak seizes the match in a state of ignition, and rising, presents the match for

page_text: 11se. The hox or receptacle may be inclined or curved from the back towards the slit
or groove, the matches falling to it by gravitation, and to releive the matches while
being discharged singly from the weight of those above a plate suitably disposed
within the receptacle is caused to vibrate, while the pusher is in action, so as only to
allow the matches to pass down the incline or curve in single file; the pusher instantly
regaining its normal position by a spring, when the hand of the operator is withdrawn.
Or, the box or receptacle may have a groove formed in the bottom plate, of sufficient
size only as will admit of one match at a time, when it is immediately covered by a
vibrating plate actuated by the pusher simultaneously whilst the latter is discharging the
match longitudinally through the groove. The match is thus prevented from rising,
so as to ensure its proper entrance through an opening at the side of the box or
receptacle through which it is forced by the pusher between a pair of serrated or
roughened clips, which not only cause its ignition, but retain the match in position
with its lighted end projecting sufficiently away from the clips, so as to be readily
removed therefrom for use. In this arrangement, the inclined or curved portion,
described in the foregoing for the gravitation of the matches to the slit or groove,
may be dispensed with, a serrated carrier plate being substituted. to bring the
matches, from the rear to the groove or slit of the receptacle so long as any
remain.
And in order that our invention may be properly understood, and readily carried
into practical effect, we have hereunto attached the accompanying sheets of drawings,
marked with figures and letters of reference. Fig. 1, sheet 1 is a side elevation of an
apparatus, constructed in accordance with our invention, having a receptacle in com-
bination with mechanism to present matches, singly and ignited, ready for use.
Fig. 2, is a plan, and Fig. 3 an end elevation in section of the same apparatus.
Figs. 4 and 5 sheet 2 represent respectively an end and side elevation in section and
Fig. 6a plan of another apparatus for presenting matches singly and ignited for
use. Fig. 7 is a detached view of a lever which actuates the serrated carrier plate.
Fig. 8 is an elevation, Fig. 9 a plan, and Fig. 10 is an end elevation in section of a
match box, constructed in accordance with our invention, adapted for pocket use.
In the apparatus represented in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, A is a stand, to which is secured
the receptacle A', in which matches are stored, safe from ignition, and from being
carried away in unreasonable quantities. B is a carrier plate, seen in Fig. 3, to which
is fixed stud c, projecting through the slot C of bell crank lever D, seen in dotted
lines in Fig. 2, attached to pusher E, by which the carrier plate is actuated. The
pusher being pushed forward to its full extent by land in the direction of the machine
will bring slit or cell B' formed in the carrier from a position immediately over
trough F to the foot of curved plate A² to receive one match at a time, the rest is
pushed back by plate A³. This plate is moved for this purpose, by horns B attached
to horizontal bar B connected by side arms to the carrier plate B during the stroke
of the said carrier plate in the direction indicated by arrow.
The return movement of the pusher is effected by the action of spring E'; at which
time, the slit or cell of the carrier withdraws a match from the receptacle A', carrying
it through the side of the covering B², when it falls from the slit or cell 13', into the
trough F, being no longer supported by the under stationary plate B³. With each
return action of the pusher a match will be withdrawn in like manner from the
receptacle A and deposited in the trough F, in readiness for the next for ward action of
the pusher, when it is carried along the trough by the projecting armi E², attached to
the pusher E to a position, suitable to receive upon its ignitable end, a smart blow
from the end of spring G, to cause its ignition. The said spring is distended by the
notch lever ³, which liberates it upon the termination of the stroke of the pusher for
this purpose. Near the angle of the projecting arm E2 is jointed a lever E4, which
may take the form of a bird, having a spring beak or clip E. The bird is carried by
the pusher to the stop piece H over which it tilts, seizing with its beak the now
ignited match from the trough like cavity F the bird balancing or righting itself on
the return movement of the pusher by weight E, so as to present the match ready for
use in the manner seen in Fig. 1.

page_text: Figs. 4, 5 and 6 represent another arrangement of our improved apparatus. In
this arrangement, the matches are brought from the rear to the front of the receptacle
by means of the serrated carrier plate B, and deposited, one at a time, into the
groove or slit J, formed in the bottom of the receptacle, from which they are ejected
one at a time, by the forward motion of the pusher E; at which time, the carrier B is
made to cover the groove or slit J, to ensure safe guidance for the match to the spring
clip K, between which it is ignited, and presented ready for use, as seen in Fig. 5.
To the carrier plate B is fixed stud B¹, projecting downwards into the inclined slot B'
of the lever B³, attached to finger m, fixed to the pusher E, by which a to and fro
motion is imparted to the carrier B, to bring up the matches from the rear to the
groove or slit J, in succession, and to cover the groove or slit during the ejectment of
the match for its safe guidance. If desired, the inclined or curved plate A² and
movable plate A³, described in reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, may be substituted for the
serrated carrier plate B for the like purpose.
After the ejectment of the match, the pusher returns to its normal position by means
of spring n butting against the finger m, fixed to the pusher E; the groove or slit J
being now clear for the reception of another match.
Figs. 8, 9 and 10 represent a portable match box designed for pocket use. The box
or receptacle A' may be constructed of thin sheet metal blocked to any desired shape
or ornamentation. A² is a movable slide or bottom plate, having a transverse groove
or indentation D, to contain one match only at a time; the match is received in the
groove or indentation when the slide or bottom plate is in position seen in Fig. 8.
Upon drawing out the slide the transverse groove or indentation will be drawn to the
exterior of the box, as seen in Fig. 10, bringing with it a match. The whole contents
of the box may thus be withdrawn in succession, one at a time, by simply moving in
and out the slide A².
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is ;-
1. The arrangement and combination of parts of a match box device, substantially
as shown and described in reference to Figs. 1 2 and 3.
2. The carrier or plate B, having a slit or cell by which matches are conveyed
singly to the exterior of the receptacle.
3. The combination of the inclined or curved plate A² with movable plate A³ for
the separation relief and guidance of the match substantially as described.
4. Spring G acted upon by notch lever E³ substantially as described and set
forth.
5. The lever E acting in the manner described in reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
6. The arrangement and combination of parts substantially as shewn and described
in reference to Figs. 4, 5 and 6.
7. The apparatus represented in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 having a groove or indentation
in movable slide plate D, for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 12th day of March 1888.
THOS. RICHMOND,
Agent for the Applicants.