IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR LIGHTING CIGARS AND PIPES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES OF IGNITION
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Phillip Hansen, of Commercial Road, Pimlico, in
the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR LIGHTING CIGARS AND PIPES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES OF IGNITION."
Sealed the 3rd June 1879, and dated the 4th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Phillip Hansen
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th December 1878.
ANDREW PHILLIP HANSEN, of Commercial Road, Pimlico, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR LIGHTING
CIGARS AND PIPES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES OF IGNITION."
This Invention relates to a peculiar construction and arrangement of selfacting
apparatus for lighting cigars and pipes and for other purposes of ignition, and
consists essentially of a metal or other box or case of any convenient form con-
taining a coil of narrow tape or ribband of cotton or other suitable material,
such tape being coated on one or both sides with wax or other suitable inflam-
mable material, which will also tend to render the said tape perfectly pliable.
On one side of this prepared tape there are deposited, so as to adhere thereto at
regular intervals, dots of any igniting composition capable of ready ignition by
friction. This coil is introduced into a closed chamber in the box or case, and one
end is drawn out through a slit in the top of the said chamber to be acted upon in
the manner hereinafter explained. The lid or cover of the box or case is hinged
and held down or closed by a spring catch. The mechanical appliances for igniting
the tape or continuous match are entirely contained within the said hinged lid or
cover. They consist essentially of a single main blade spring acting at one end
upon the arm of a small pincers, hook, or catch which seizes the protruding end of
the type when the lid is closed, whilst the other end of the same spring serves to
hold the tape firmly against a friction or rubbing surface. The same spring also

page_text: serves to open the lid of the box the moment it is released. The action of this
apparatus is as follows:-
A coil of any length of the above prepared tape or ribband is introduced into the
closed chamber of the box, one end is drawn out through the slit in front of the
igniter, and this end is by the act of closing the lid engaged or seized by the
pincers, which are opened by pressing upon a small button in the act of closing the
lid. The apparatus is now ready for use, and when a light is required it is simply
necessary to release the spring when the lid flies open and the pincers draw out a
length of the tape sufficient for the purposes of ignition, and accomplishes the
ignition by one and the same operation. The length of tape then continues to burn
down to the slit, giving a flame similar to that of a wax vesta match, and free from
disagreeable smell and residue.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Andrew Phillip Hansen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th June
1879.
ANDREW PHILLIP HANSEN, of Commercial Road, Pimlico, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer. ." IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR LIGHTING
CIGARS AND PIPES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES OF IGNITION."
First. A box of any convenient size made of brass or other suitable material, and
principally constructed like an ordinary box made for containing matches or other
similar articles, such box being divided in two compartments, b, the igniting com
partment; a, the magazine by the bottom plate c.
Second. A tape or ribband waxed on one or both sides, and dotted at regular
intervals with ordinary match composition.
Third. A pair of clipper or pincers being placed in the lid or top part of the box,
such lid forming at the same time as above mentioned the igniting compartment;
one end of such pincers bearing a small stud d, such stud to go through the top of
the lid and to project out about 1/8 of an inch.
The pincers are constructed so that only one arm is required, such arm turning
on the pivot e. Instead of the other arm a pin f is driven through both plates of
the box so as to form a permanent point; the object of having this pin acting for
a real arm is mainly cheapness in manufacturing.
Fourth. A spring fixed on the dividing plate, so that one end of such spring
presses against the one arm of the pincers g, whereas the other end presses against
a rough plate h, such plate forming the igniting plate.
This being all I do claim, I do now continue to describe the operation of my
Invention.
After a coil of the above mentioned tape is put on the pivot k, and one end
drawn through the slit formed by the one end of the spring, and the rough plate

page_text: turn the plate i so as to cover the coil, such plate forming at the same time part
of the box.
Now close the lid by also pressing with your finger on the stud d. By this
latter action the pincers will open directly, and if the lid is closed and the finger
removed will also close and grasp the end of the tape. The lid or cover is held
down by means of an ordinary catch.
The apparatus may be carried so without danger in the pocket, and if a light is
required a slight pressure against the stud will release the spring m, by which
action the cover or lid flys open, the pincers at the same time draw out a certain
length of tape (about 3 of an inch) which ignites by being drawn through the
slit.
This operation may be continued about a hundred times, and the magazine
refilled again with a new coil simply by turning the plate i backwards and by
putting on the pivot k a new coil.
The light is similar to a wax match.
Having now described my said Invention I declare that what I claim and desire
to be secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
-
The combination, construction, and arrangement of self acting apparatus or mearis
for lighting cigars and pipes, and for other purposes of ignition, substantially as
hereinbefore described, and shewn on the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Andrew Phillip Hansen, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
ANDREW PHILLIP HANSEN. (L.S.)