Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1886.
Complete Left, 15th Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 17th May, 1887.
We FRANCIS ROBERT BAKER of Arcade Chambers, Snow Hill Birmingham in
the County of Warwick, Engineer, and JOSEPH WALKER of Augusta Works Regent
Parade Birmingham aforesaid, Brassfounder, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our invention consists in so constructing match boxes that the act of extracting a
match therefrom ignites it without the necessity of opening the lid or cover, as is
common with match boxes of the ordinary construction, and our said invention
consists essentially of an ordinary rectangular match box, with a slit or opening at
one end through which the matches to be extracted from the box are drawn, and at
the same time ignited, by the heads of the matches coming in contact with a flexible
striker plate.
In carrying out our invention, we take an ordinary rectangular box preferably
raised from sheet metal, with a lid or hinged cover upon one side, for the purpose of
gaining access to, or for introducing matches into the box; and which said cover or
may if necessary, be made in one piece with, or out of the same metal as the body
lid
of the box.
The top, or top end of the box is provided with a slit or opening through which the
matches, stems forward, are extracted, either one at a time, or several together if
necessary; and at the mouth or entrance of this said opening, a yielding or spring
striker or ignition plate is disposed, and between the serrated or roughened surface of
which, and the inside face of the body of the box the head of a match is drawn and
thereby ignited. The space or distance between the yielding ignition plate and the
side of the box is sufficient for the free movement or dropping of the stem of a match
therethrough, but is too small for the head to pass, unless sufficient force is exerted,
that will press aside the yielding plate which consequently bears upon the head of the
match with sufficient force to strike it, when a match is withdrawn.
The ignition or striker plate extends to the full length of the slit, which latter may
extend entirely or partially across the end of the box, or an aperture only of sufficient
size for a single match at a time to pass through, may be employed.

page_text: The striker plate is made angular in cross section, with the one side which is
roughened, serrated, toothed or otherwise prepared for striking, presented to the inside
face of the body of the box opposite to the lid, while the other angular portion of the
plate, is secured at its ends, by rivetting or clenching to the ends of the box, which
thus allows the roughened face part, to yield or give, on the passage past it and
through the slit by a match. The plate has also turned ends to keep it at a proper
distance from the side of the box and also a yielding lip at or about its middle upon
which a heel carried by a supplementary or hinged cover, presses. This cover shields
over or covers up the match aperture when the box is not in use or a match required
to be extracted.
The slit is upon one side of the end of the box, so that matches can be extracted on
the box being turned with the aperture in the lowest position.
The matches are placed in the box with their heads downward or with their stems
presented to top of the box or towards the slit in the top.
To extract a match and ignite it, first remove or throw back the lid or cover which
closes up the slit or aperture, then turn the box with the slit or aperture presented
downwards and undermost, when by gravity, one or more of the match stems fall
through the slit (and are suspended by their heads) which are then taken hold of by
the hand, and forcibly withdrawn, the act of withdrawal causing their ignition, either
one at a time or collectively. This is repeated until the whole of the matches in the
box have been extracted and ignited, as they may be required, without the necessity
of opening the lid of the box.
1

page_text: We, FRANCIS ROBERT BAKER of Arcade Chambers, Snow Hill, Birmingham in the
County of Warwick, Engineer, and JOSEPH WALKER of Augusta Works Regent
Parade Birmingham, aforesaid, Brassfounder do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object improvements in match boxes and consists in the
adaptation thereto of an igniting surface at the opposite end to the heads of the
matches. At or near the said igniting surface and in the end of the box we provide
one or more openings which when uncovered and the box inverted will allow the
stems to protrude through the slot or openings before referred to.
The ignition plate or surface is of a sufficient distance from the base or side of the
box as not to allow the heads to freely pass but so that when the stale or end of the
match is pulled by the hand from out of the box the match is simultaneously ignited
by the friction caused to bear thereon consequent upon its withdrawal.
The ignition takes place within the box but at that end opposite to the heads.
In carrying out our invention we take a rectangular box advantageously formed.
from sheet metal and with the lid or hinged cover upon one side or end for the purpose
of gaining access to, or for introducing matches into the said box.
One end of the box, is provided with a slit or opening, through which the matches
are extracted, stales or stems foremost, either one at a time, or it may be several
together.
In conjunction with the slit or opening as aforesaid, is a yielding striker plate at its
mouth contained within the box and it is between the striker plate, and the inside
surface of the body of the box, that the head of a match is ignited, by the pulling
thereof through the aforesaid opening or openings.
In some cases we may roughen the box for effecting the ignition and make, instead
of the striker plate before described, a plain or it may be a roughened tension or
friction plate.
The space or distance between the pliant ignition plate, and the plain part of the
box opposite to it, is just sufficient for the free movement, or dropping of the stales
or stems of the matches therethrough, on the box being inverted.
The aperture as aforesaid, is too small for the match heads to pass, unless force be
exerted that will press aside the yielding plate, which consequently bears upon the
heads of the matches, with a force sufficient to strike them.

page_text: The slit or aperture, and the striker plate may if necessary, extend to nearly the full
breadth of the end of the box. Or an aperture only suitable for the passage of a
single match, may be employed if necessary.
The striker plate is preferably made rectangular in cross section, (and from folded
sheet metal) with one side which is roughened or serrated or otherwise prepared for
striking, presented to the entrance of the box, while the opposite portion of the plate
is secured by clenching, rivetting or otherwise, to the opposite sides of the box,
thereby allowing the roughened face part to yield or give, on the passage through the
slit of the head aforesaid.
The lid proper of the box, is provided at its catch end, with a supplementary hinged
covering plate or flap, which covers over, and shields the extracting and igniting
aperture to the box, when matches are not required to be withdrawn for use.
The matches are placed in the box with their heads downmost, or with their stems
or stales presented towards the slit or aperture.
We will now proceed to describe our invention with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section. Figure 1ª is a perspective view of a match box
constructed according to our invention and Figure 1b is another view of a modification
having two separate lids for use in like manner. Figure 2 represents a similar view
but with the supplementary cover to the match extracting aperture of the box thrown
back. Figure 3 shows the box inclined or turned on end, and with the stem or stale
of a match hanging from the aperture, and retained by its head, and when in this
position, the said match is ready to be withdrawn for ignition. Figure 4 is a horizontal
section of the match box, showing the striker plate, or the roughened yielding surface,
at the entrance to the extracting slit or aperture as aforesaid. Figure 5 is a transverso
section of the match box, upon the dotted lines A B Figure 4; while Figure 6 is an
end view of the said match box showing the extracting slit, and also the supplementary
hinged cover or lid open. Figure 7 is a vertical section of the match box case, and
Figure 8 is the blank from which the said case is made. Figure 9 is the igniter or
striker plate in plan, and Figure 10 is the blank from which it is made.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
a is the box, and is the hinged lid of the same, e is a slit or aperture at one end
of the box, through which the niatches, are extracted, and covered by a supplementary
hinged cover d, jointed at the extreme front or catch end of the lid b. This supple-
mentary hinged cover, has a lip d² at its front end, which covers over, or takes the
bend of the junction of the end; with the bottom of the box. d³ is a flat spring, cut
out of the metal of the joint end of the supplementary lid, and whose free end bears
upon the end of the box. e is a yielding striker plate, secured within the end of the
box, and adjacent to the slit or extracting aperture c. This igniter consists of a
yielding roughened or serrated plate e², foot e³, and attachment ears e.
The distance between the underside of the said striker plate e², and the bottom of
the box, is sufficient for the stem or stale of a match to pass through, but of less depth
than the size of a head, as represented in Figure 3, where a match is suspended and
caught by its head, and can only be extracted, on force being applied.
To extract a match, and ignite it, first remove or throw back the lid or cover which
closes up the slit or aperture, then turn the box with the slit or aperture inverted when
by gravity, one (or more) of the match stems will protrude through the mouth, they
are then taken hold of by the hand, and withdrawn thereby effecting their ignition,
either one at a time or it may be collectively. This can be repeated until the whole
of the matches in the box have been extracted and ignited, as they may be required,
without the necessity of opening the lid of the box.
Instead of the extraction and ignition opening being made in one of the ends of
the box, it may be made in one of the ends of a supplementary chamber, on the side,
leading from the box; so that on matches being extracted, the box is turned obliquely
on its side; and instead of the opening as aforesaid being covered up or enclosed

page_text: by a supplementary hinged lid, connected to the lid b, it may be covered by a lid,
connected to the end of the box, or by a lid or covering plate, which slides.
We have found that according to the method illustrated in the drawings that in
some cases the bottom of the box at or near the mouth end may be doubled over or
corrugated so as to stiffen and make more rigid any part that may be susceptible to
pressure and in a similar manner the supplementary lid may be so formed in order to
prevent its becoming bent.
With regard to the stiffening of the mouth the roughening thereof for the purpose
of striking the match may serve to stiffen the box at that end or side for the purposes
before referred to.
We do not limit ourselves to the use of wax matches as wood matches or safeties
can be employed with equal advantage by arranging the striking arrangement according
to the particular requirement.
In cases where this invention is applied to expensive boxes and in order that they
may be adapted for all ordinary sizes of vestas, the striker or friction plate may be
released or adjusted to suit the particular size of match such improvements being
advantageously applied to boxes of the type shown in Figure 1.
We would have it understood that in match boxes with automatic ignition or striking
arrangements heretofore produced, that the matches were forced or impelled by
suitable means with their heads foremost but to no portion of such devices do we lay
any claim.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is :-
First. In match boxes having automatic ignition or striking plates or surfaces the
combination therewith of openings for the free exit of the stems or stales of the
matches substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein set forth and
illustrated.
Second. In match boxes having ignition or striking surfaces the method and means
for lighting the match simultaneously with the withdrawal thereof substantially in
the manner and for the purpose herein set forth and illustrated.
Third. The general arrangement and construction of the yielding striker plate for
attachment to match boxes substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein
set forth and illustrated.
Fourth. The hinged or sliding lid 6 in combination with the supplementary lid d
hinged thereto substantially in the manner herein set forth and illustrated.
Dated this 15th dovr of Annil 1887
JAMES C. PHILLIPS,
11, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Patentees.