IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO MATCH FILLING MACHINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Robert Edward Bell, of the Firm of R. Bell
and Co., of Knightrider Street, in the City of London, Wax Vesta
Manufacturers, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO
MATCH FILLING MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Robert Edward Bell
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd January 1881.
CHARLES ROBERT EDWARD BELL, of the Firm of R. Bell & Co., of Knightrider
Street, in the City of London, Wax Vesta Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND APPLICABLE TO MATCH FILLING MACHINES."
This Invention relates to improvements in that class of match filling machines
chiefly employed in the manufacture of wax vestas, the improvements having for
object to economise labour and avoid waste.
In carrying out my improvements I adapt to the machine two counterweighted
treadles, such treadles being connected respectively to the lower feeding roller and to
the knife in such a manner that when one of the treadles is depressed, the levers
connecting it with the hereinbefore described feed roller will be operated so as to
pull forward the desired length of wax tapers to be cut off; the other treadle being
now depressed, the knife by means of a suitable arrangement of levers is brought
down so as to cut off the length of wax tapers brought forward, as herein before
described, and the lengths cut off rest on the board in the usual manner. The frame
is then lowered and a fresh board placed in position. The treadles being relieved
from pressure are raised to their normal position by their counterweights ready for
the next operation. Further, in order to facilitate the feeding of the tapers and to
avoid the same bending and breaking, as now frequently occurs, between the rollers
and the front perforated plate, I place the feed rollers in close proximity to the said
plate, and construct the same so that it shall conform to the shape of the space
between the rollers.
A machine of this construction can be worked by a boy or girl, whose hands will
be free for attending to the dropping of the boards of the frame as they are filled,
so that the apparatus being almost automatic in its action allows of a larger number
of frames being filled and with less labor than by the machines hitherto in use.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Robert Edward Bell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd July 1881.
CHARLES ROBERT EDWARD BELL, of the Firm of R. Bell & Co., of Knightrider
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
Street, in the City of London, Wax Vesta Manufacturers.
AND APPLICABLE TO MATCH FILLING MACHINES."
This Invention relates to improvements in that class of match filling machines
chiefly employed in the manufacture of wax vestas, the improvements having for
object to economise labour and avoid waste.
In carrying out my improvements I adapt to the machine two treadles having
springs or counterweights, such treadles being connected respectively to the lower
feeding roller and to the knife in such a manner that when one of the treadles is
depressed the levers connecting it with the herein before described feed roller will be
operated so as to pull forward the desired length of wax tapers to be cut off; the
other treadle being now depressed, the knife by means of a suitable arrangement of
levers is brought down so as to cut off the length of wax tapers brought forward, as
hereinbefore described, and the lengths cut off rest on the board of the dipping
frame in the usual manner. The frame is then lowered, and a fresh board placed
in position. The treadles being relieved from pressure are raised to their normal
position by their counterweights or springs ready for the next operation. Further,
in order to facilitate the feeding of the tapers and to avoid the same bending and
breaking, as now frequently occurs between the rollers and the front perforated
plate, I place the feed rollers in close proximity to the said plate, and construct
the same, so that it shall conform to the shape of the space between the
rollers.
In order to make my Invention better understood, I will proceed to describe
the same by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1 is a front
view of a match filling machine provided with my improvements, Figure 2 is a side
elevation of same, and Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line A, B, of Figure 1.
Similar letters in all the Figures. represent similar parts.
a is the frame or stand of the machine; b, the sliding frame; c, the knife;
c1, c2, the feed rollers; d, the grooved back plate; e, e, the grooved wheels or pullies
over which run the cords f, to which the counterbalance g of the sliding frame b is
suspended, all of which parts are of ordinary construction.
To this machine I adapt two treadles, one of such treadles h serving to actuate
the lower feed roller C. The said treadle h is fixed to and operates the shaft j
working in bearings k cast or formed on the frame of the machine; on the outer
end of the shaft j is keyed the lever l, the forward end of which is jointed to the
vertical connecting rod m; the upper end of this rod is connected to a clutch or
friction brake n turning loosely on the axis of the lower feed roller c³, and actuating
the clutch or friction wheel o fixed on the said axis; n¹ is a clutch on the back of
the pulley o, the better to prevent any backward motion of the same; the treadle h
moves in a guide bracket p, and the extent of movement of the treadle h is
regulated by the set screw q; c' is the upper feed roller which receives its motion
from contact with the tapers 8, as usual, passing between it and the roller c²; a¹ is
a spring for automatically raising the treadle h when relieved from the pressure
of the foot (or a counterweight may be employed);t is the front perforated plate
-formed, as shewn, so that it shall conform to the shape of the rollers c' and c², and
placed in close proximity thereto; u is the treadle which actuates the knife c; it
is fixed on the shaft v, and communicates vertical motion to the knife c by means
of the levers w and connecting rods x; y is the spring for automatically raising

page_text: the treadle u and knife c (or a counterweight may be employed); z and 2¹ are the
usual set screw and eccentric for regulating the pressure of the top roller c'.
By this improved construction of match filling machine it will be understood
that when the treadle h is depressed the rollers c¹ and c² will, by means of the
lever 1, connecting rod m, and pulley o, be operated so as to pull forward the
desired length of wax tapers to be cut, such length being determined by means of
the set screw 9, which allows of regulating the extent of movement of the treadle h,
and consequently that of the clutch n and rollers c¹ and c²; the other treadle u
being now depressed the knife c will, by means of the levers w and connecting
rods, be brought down so as to cut off the length of wax tapers brought forward
as herein before described, and the lengths cut off will rest on the board of the
dipping frame in the usual manner; the frame b is then lowered and a fresh board
placed in position. The treadles h and u being relieved from pressure are raised
to their normal position by their springs a¹ and y (or by counterweights) ready
for the next operation. The front perforated plate t is constructed as herein before
described so as to conform, as shewn, to the shape of the space between the feed
rollers, which allows of its being placed in close proximity to the rollers, whereby
the feeding of the tapers is facilitated, and they are not liable to bend or break
between the rollers and the front perforated plate which hitherto has been of .
frequent occurrence.
A machine of this construction can be worked by a boy or girl, whose hands
will be free for attending to the dropping of the boards of the dipping frame as
they are filled, so that the apparatus being almost automatic in its action allows
of a larger number of frames being filled, and with less labour than by the
machines hitherto in use.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the best means
with which I am acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I would have it
understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein laid down,
as the same may be varied without departing from the peculiar character of my
Invention, but what I claim is,―
Firstly. The improved match filling machine herein described, in which the feed
rollers and knife are operated by means of an arrangement of treadles and levers,
substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before described and
represented in the accompanying Drawing, or any mere modification thereof.
Secondly. Constructing the front perforated plate of match filling machines of
a shape to conform to the shape of the space between the feed rollers, substantially
as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and represented in the accompanying
Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Robert Edward Bell, have hereto
set my hand and seal this Twenty second day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
CHAS. R. E. BELL. (L.S.)