IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCH BOIES OR HOLDERS
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Louis Urion, of Nancy, in the Empire of France,
Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCH BOIES OR
HOLDERS."
Sealed the 3rd March 1857, and dated the 30th October 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Louis Urion at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th October 1856.
1, LOUIS URION, of Nancy, in the Empire of France, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCH
BOXES OR HOLDERS," to be as follows:-
My improvements in match boxes consists in adapting and fitting those
receptacles so that they may be discharged from the box one or two at a time,
as required, and as they are being removed will be ignited.
For this purpose I place the matches in a box in which they are all placed
in the same plane and one above another. In this position they are pressed
on by arched-formed pieces, which are so placed and weighted, or otherwise
acted on, as to press all the matches to a certain position. The matches when
so pressed are forced against the sharp teeth of a wheel which is turned by a
suitable key applied to its spindle. The match next this wheel comes at the
same time against a curved spring placed nearly parallel with the match, the

page_text: end of which spring proceeds to the apperture at which the matches are
projected.
The match next and in contact with the toothed wheel arrives at a position
opposite to this aperture, and when the wheel is caused to rotate the teeth
bite the match in contact and cause it to be projected out of the box. In its
passage out it is pressed upon by the spring, which has a number of blades
or teeth, which press upon the match in its passage out; so soon as the
match has been projected a short distance it is pulled out by the end projected.
The last end to escape is that on which the phosphorus or other material
to cause ignition is placed. When this is drawn through the aperture of emission,
the phosphorated part, as it is drawn between the blades before mentionned,
and the part against which the match is pressed, it is ignited. If two separate
parcels of matches are pressed simultaneously against the same wheel at
opposite diameters two matches may be discharged in opposite directions by
the same action, or two separate toothed wheels may be moved simultaneously
by the first mover, so as to discharge or project two matches in opposite or in
the same direction. Two or moro toothed discharging wheels may be
placed in the same box and actuated at different times by the same key
applied to the arbor of each, or two toothed wheels may be caused to act
simultaneously to discharge one match. Instead of pressing the matches
up to the tooth wheel by the direct action of a weight, the same may be
effected by the direct action of springs, or by a weight or springs, through
the intervention of a cord or other medium, to give the desired pressure. In
this way the matches may be pressed upwards, or in any direction required.
Two discharging wheels may be used to act on the same match at the same
time, and both may be driven by the key and one prime mover. Instead of
causing the spring blades or teeth to exert the pressure to ignite the match,
those teeth may be fixed, and the pressure of the matches against them be
made sufficient. The box is of a flat shape, and has a moveable hinged side
which opens for the introduction of the matches. In public houses and other
places of resort this may be used either for matches to be ignited by friction,
or as for a receptical for splints, which may be discharged in the same way.
A further improvement in match boxes or holders for such places refers to
a holder or clamp in which a quantity of matches are held, the holder being
secured to the table, or in any other suitable position. The matches are
formed of a block of wood, but from which the matches are not entirely
severed; the solid part is held in the clamp, and the matches are broken off as
required.
Another nort of me

page_text: consists in placing a spring or other presser inside the box, which forces the
matches constantly towards one side of the box, where there is a slide and
projecting knob, by which tho match nearest to the slide can be projected out
at the end, and from which it is then completely withdrawn by hand; another
then assumes a position to be discharged, and so on. In passing out the
match is ignited by reason of the spring pressing blades or teeth. The end
that leaves the box last is the ono ignited, as before explained.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Louis Urion in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
April 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, LOUIS
URION, of Nancy, in the Empire of France, Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Louis Urion, Iler special licence that I, the said Louis Urion, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Louis
Urion, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MATCH BOXES
OR HOLDERS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Louis
Urion, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Louis Urion, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement,
reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
The Invention is illustrated in the. annexed Drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows

page_text: an open box having a double distributor of flat matches. In this Figure, as
in the fifteen following Figures, the same letters of reference indicate the
same parts where they recur, or parts performing analogous functions. A is
the frame of the box, provided with a bottom and hinged cover; B, B, two
ratchet wheels; C, D, C, D, two wood blocks of an arched shape; E, hook,
by means of which the two blocks are united to a moveable counterpoise or
weight placed behind; F, slanting slot openings through which the flat matches
pass; G, spring, having blades at its extremity; H, H, two separating boards.
These parts are disposed as shewn in the Figure. If a bundle of matches
arranged one above the other between one of the two wheels B and one of
the two blocks C, D, so that the phosphorated ends are next the board H,
and one of the wheels B is made to turn by means of a square barrelled key,
this will cause the end of the match to pass out by the slot F. When the
match is projected about half an inch it may then be entirely withdrawn by
hand, the phosphorated part on passing over the blades of the spring G is
caused to light by the friction produced. Each movement of rotation of the
wheels B will push forwards and project a match at the slot F, as the counter-
poise which descends presses constantly on the block C, D, and keeps it up
against the matches, and thereby constantly forces the matches against the
teeth of B. If the wheels B are turned in the opposite direction, the match
next the wheel will abut against the board H, and no inconvenience will
result.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of a match holder having a single distributor of the
same kind. Instead of the separating board a buffer H is substituted. I is the
weight or counterpoise, seen in dotted line.
Fig. 3 represents an elevation of a match holder of the same kind. The
counterpose or weight I is arranged so as to exert its force laterally; it acts
upon the blocks C, D, by the means of a cord passing over pullies I', M; the
said cord supports at one end the counterpoise, and by the other end is fixed
to the frame of the box.
Fig. 4 represents the elevation of a match holder having a double dis-
tributor and one toothed wheel for non-phosphorated matches or splints. Here
in this case the spring G has no grooved blades at its extremity.
Fig. 5 is the elevation of match holder having a single distributor. The
counterpoise I presses directly against the matches; they are provided with
rollers to act as guides, which bear along the sides of the box A; their
pressing effect is increased by the action of a spring K. L is the bundle of
Alat matches. There are two ratchet wheels B actuated by the same pinion C.
The o ratchet wheels have cach a toothed wheel, which gears with the pinion C

page_text: acted on by the key. F is the slot through which the match passes out; the
part G is moveable and lifted by the spring G.
Fig. 6 represents an elevation of a match holder having a double dis-
tributor with one ratchet toothed wheel. The matches are pressed at the top
and the bottom by suitable parts (pressing surfaces or weights) which slide
throughout the grooves E, E, formed in a board placed in the middle of the
box, Fig. 7.
The Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are elevations of match holders having means of
distributing or discharging the matches singly. The wheelwork for dis-
charging the matches singly is the same as in Fig. 5. In all these match
holders, instead of the counterpoise or pressing weight a spring or springs
may be substituted.
Fig. 11 shows the interior, Fig. 13 a horizontal section, and Fig 12 the
side view, of a match box in which the counterpoise or pressing weight is
separated from the matches by a partition board Q, having a groove E to
guide the counterpoise and the curved block; the pressure of the counterpoise
I is exerted upon block C, D, by the means of a cord and a pulley R. T is
a blade guide for the block.
Figs. 14, 15, and 16 represent in section part of the details of a match
holder somewhat differing from the foregoing. The matches pass out by
pressing the external knob B, which slides in an arched groove U, U.
S, S, are india-rubber bands to bring back the knob to its original position.
Provided with a suitable stand these match holders will form an ornament to
be placed on a table or counter.
Fig. 17 represents a vertical section, Fig. 18 a plan, and Fig. 19 the end
view, of a portable match holder, the construction of which embraces the
same principles. A is a small rectangular box of the same length and width
as a flat match; B is a spring fixed to the interior of the box; C is a slot cut
in the opposite side; D is a knob moving in this slot; E is a slot of the same
width as the match, and provided with small igniting blades; F is a small
board upon which the spring B presses; G is a small india-rubber band,
attached at the back end of the groove and to the knob D. The flat matches
are superposed one upon the other in this box; the spring presses against them,
so that the upper one presses the knob D. If this knob is made to traverse
in the groove or slot C it will carry out the match against which it is pressed;
when projected half an inch, or so, it may be pulled out by hand, and will be
lighted by the friction on the knives of the slot E; in the meantime the
knob D being released, the spring of india-rubber or other material brings it

page_text: back to its former position in the slot or groove C. These boxes may form a
part of cigar holders, pipe holders, &c.
My Invention also relates to another kind of match holders suitable for
tobacconists, coffee rooms, smoking rooms, hotels, public houses, & in all places
where they work at night, and generally in all public places of resort. The
match holder is represented at Fig. 20 in the annexed Drawings, which is an
elevation of the same; it is provided with a bundle of matches. Fig. 21 is a
plan of the same. A is a square iron frame, having cramps pierced with two
holes a, a, which serve to fix the apparatus to the wall, or in other suitable
position; B is a moveable piece sliding between the two lateral sides of the
frame A; C is a binding screw serving to work this piece B; D is the parcel
of matches. The bundle of cut matches are arranged straight on their
block; this block is fixed in the frame A, A, by means of the screw C, and
the slide B. These matches being placed near a light are thus very conve-
nient for smokers, who have only to separate a match from the bundle or
block by simply breaking it off.
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which the
same may be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself
to the details, shapes, sizes, or arrangement of the parts which I have
indicated, which may be varied indefinitely without departing from my Inven-
tion; and I declare that what I do claim as my Invention, intended to be
secured by the Letters Patent, is,―
First, match boxes or holders which have for their object to inclose the
matches and to deliver them separately and to light each match when passing
out, as herein-before described.
Secondly, the above-described match holder, represented in Figs. 20 and 21
of the annexed Drawings, adapted for smoking rooms, tobacconists' shops,
public houses, and places of resort.
In witness whereof, I, the said Louis Urion, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
LOUIS UKION. (L.S.)