US2344059A - Match packet and method of making it - Google Patents

Description

March 14, 1944. R. s. PULLEN MATCH PACKET AND METHOD OF MAKING IT Filed Agg. 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 14, 1944. R. s. PULLEN MATCH PACKET AND METHOD OF MAKINq IT Filed Aug. 20, 1941v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 14, 1944 MATCH PACKET AND METHOD OF MAKING IT Rodney S. Pullen, Akron, Ohio Application August 20, 1941, Serial No. 407,541

15 Claims.

My invention relates to match packets made of paper matches or wooden matches and to mechanism and methods by which match packets may be constructed.

The main purpose of my invention is to simplify and cheapen the manufacture of the packet.

A further purpose is to reduce the weight and bulk of the packet.

A further purpose is to hold the parts together simply and effectively during handling so as to avoid the necessity for separate holding mechanism.

A further purpose is to use a separate strip between the staggered matches of two rows of matches in a packet section of match comb and temporarily to fasten the strip to some of the matches as an intermediate means of holding the parts together during manufacture.

A further purpose is to apply a corrugated bale about the matches of a match packet, holding the bale in closed position, as an intermediate step before the cover is put on, by pressing parts of the corrugations into gripping engagement with the edges of adjacent matches in the same row.

A further purpose is to provide match withdrawal interference or resistance at two spaced points between the heads of the matches and the ignition material, crowning corrugated bale material between the two sets of holding points so as to free the heads from engagement at these intermediate points during withdrawal and providing a holding part of the packet where the pressure of the fingers will not increase the resistance to match withdrawal.

A further purpose is to provide a floating intermediate strip between adjacent rows of staggered matches, to place scratcher material upon this strip and to retain the strip againstwithdrawal in the direction of match movement by turning the edge of the strip across one row of match heads.

A further purpose is preliminarily to print or paint heatsealing material upon the inside of a match packet cover or on the outside of a bale in juxtaposition therewith, which can be handled freely without any objectionable tackiness during the intermediate steps of manufacture and which can finally besealed, the cover to the bale, to hold the packet together.

The invention relates to the method involved and to the packet produced by the practice of the method.

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

I have preferred to illustrate a few only of structures and methods by which the operation can be carried out, applying the invention to paper strip matches. The invention is applicable also to wood strip matches using strips of proper thickness similar to veneers.

The front has been considered as set by the head ends of the match, and the side has been taken as the side of the match.

Figure l is a perspective view showing in separated position a section of a match comb along with a roll-carried spacing insert carrying scratcher material and intended to be fed between the rows of the staggered matches.

Figure 2 is a perspective View corresponding with Figure 1 except that the parts have been fed into union.

Figure 3 is a perspective corresponding with Figure 2 except that the scratcher insert between the rows of staggered matches has been cut from the roll of which it formed a part.

Figure 3 is a vertical side elevational section of a composite tool by which the scratcher insert may be impacted into temporary union with some of the matches and the spacing insert is cut off.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation of the matches of Figure 3 taken lengthwise of one of the matches and through a clinching cut uniting the match and insert.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a match comb section and scratcher insert before they are enclosed by the front bale of a roll of bales.

Figure 5 is a view corresponding with Figure 4 except that one bale has been fed beneath a comb section and has been cut from the roll of bale material of which it formed a part. It is ready to be folded about the comb section and insert.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing intermediate steps in the operation of folding the bale about the section of comb and about the insert.

Figure 7 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 6 except that the bale has been folded into closed position.

Figure '7 is a transverse section taken through the comb material, insert and bale upon a line shown generally at I -I of Figure 7.

Figure 7 is ,a section corresponding generally to Figure '7 except that it has been takenoupon line I -l 1 I f N Figure 8 is a perspective view of a cover which is to be used about the wrapped sectionof Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of. a finished packet made by the process or method involved.

In the drawings similar numerals indicate like parts.

In the manufacture of match packets the tendency in the recent past has been toward performing all of the operations in a single machine in order that the match material may be fed in at one point and the various parts of the packet at other points and the packet may be completed from what might be considered raw materials, all in this same machine. This has been varied of course in paper book match manufacture because the combs of matches neces: sarily have been prepared outside and have been fed to the machine in comb sections, each.

sufficient for one packet, everything else entering into the book match being fed from rolls.

Book match manufacture, as new practiced, involves the use of a long and very complicated mechanism and presents difiiculties which are avoided in my invention by further splitting up the manufacture into parts which are prepared in separate machines and which are used as raw materials in the present invention.

I plan to prepare the comb as usual, to divide it into comb sections, to use an intermediate strip between the rows of staggered matches of the comb, preparing the strip by placing layers of scratch material upon opposite sides of the strip at one edge, and feeding the strip with striking material on it as raw material to the machine.

Corrugated bale material likewise is cut into strips so that individual bales can be fed from a roll to positions about the match sections and scratcher strips. The Wrapper is then applied.

The views are intended to be largely diagrammatic and to show a succession of operations which may be performed by hand but which preferably are carried out by a machine. The successive positions of the operating parts are illustrated with little complication by mechanism for effecting the several movements of the parts. This is done for two reasons: to indicate that the method involved may be carried out by hand, and because there are many ways in which the movements can be eifected.

In Figure 1, and for convenience in handling where a machine is used, a comb section sufficient for one packet is held by a link 2i of a chain by which the section is advanced in the direction of the arrow 22- for successive operations at different stations. Considering Figure l as station I the match comb is in position to receive the end match scratcher insert 23 of a roll 24. of match scratcher inserts 23, 23', 2 3 23 each comprising a spacing band or strip 25- and scratcher material 26, 21 on opposite sides of the strip.

The match scratcher insert is fed between the rows of matches, as seen in Figure 2, after which the scratcher strip and some of the matches are pierced under such conditions that a part 28 of the strip is carried into each of the matches pierced and concurrently or separately therewith the strip is cut from the roll.

The scratcher insert lies between two rows 29 and 30 of staggered matches and the impaling is preferably effected by cutting through the striker strip and into selected matches of the lower row. The scratcher strip is also cut from the roll adjacent each successive second strip 23 of scratcher material and along any such line as 3! For the purposeof effecting es mpa ng, and cutting operations by machine a tool of the character of that in Figure 3 may be used. This tool as shown comprises a holder 32 carrying a shearing knife 33 in position to out along line 3| of the scratcher strip. The holder carries also an impaling punch 34. The latter as shown is flattened on opposite sides at 35 and V pointed at 35 and is backed up by a spring 31 pressing the body 38 of the impaling punch downwardly to exert a holding function during the cutting and finally to punch the strip and matches. By whatever means the impaling is effected it results in carrying portions 28 of the body of the strip into the matches so as slightly to retard movement of the strip of scratcher material with respect to the matches.

The. interfitting of the pressed-out parts of the scratcher strip within the body of the match tentatively holds the strip against movement in any direction in planes parallel to the face of the strip, but does not offer enough engagement to interfere with withdrawal of the match lengthwise, during which ignition takes place.

The impaling is not intended to hold the parts together permanently but instead to hold the strip to some matches of the match comb while the next few operations are taking place.

The Width of the strip carrying the scratcher material is desirably such that the side of the strip will project slightly at 39 so as to perform a further function later described.

The. next operation is the enclosure of the comb section and spring scratcher strip within a bale.

In Figure4 the match section with the scratcher. strip in position is shown spaced from the end of the roll carrying bales 40, 40, 40 the end one 40 of which is to be used as a bale for the particular match comb section shown. In Figure 5 this end bale portion 40 underlies the match comb section and striker strip. Its ends project at 4land 42 beyond the match section sides andthe bale has beencut from the roll.

The bale comprises corrugated interior facing 43 and backing 44, the corrugation channels preferably being of extra Width at 45 and 46, corresponding in spacing, one from the other, to the width of the comb section, so as to facilitate bending of the-ends of the bale at these channel positions, through successive folding positions of which twoare seen in Figure 6. The folding continues from the positions seen in Figure 6 until the ends 4| and 42 have been pushed down into the positions seen in Figure '7.

As will be seen the interiorly facing ribs 48 upon the ends of the bale lie in such position when closed upon the section of. match comb that they fit within the spaces between the adjoining. matches of one row of matches; and the ribs 48' upon the body of the bale interfit with the matches of the other row. If now a presser head 49 be pressed down upon the outside surfaces of the folded ends 4| and 42 of the bale While the body of the bale is supported by a platen 50, the ribs Will be forcedbetween the match sticks into side-stick gripping engagement much as seen in Figure 7 It is not the intention to engage the ribs with the match sticks throughout all of that part of the lengths of the matches which is covered by the width of the folded bale. Instead the ribs are forced into the spaces between the matches at spaced points only along the match lengths, at or near opposite edges 5| and 52 of the bale so as to leave the central part 53 ofthe width of the bale, both above and-below the bale in Figure 7, relatively crowned and with but light pressure upon the surfaces of the matches.

The spaced frictional engagements (constrictions) of the walls of the corrugation ribs with the edges of the matches adjacent in the same leased to give the match the necessary rapid passage across the ignition material and out from the interior of the packet. If there were no retardation or if the match were pulled out slowly the head might not ignite with the friction material and if it did ignite, the match would not be pulled out with suiiicientrapidity to protect against fiash from the match head reaching the adjacent matches. For the above reasons the use of some retardation is not only desirable but is essential to reliable operation of the match packets.

The relatively crowned intermediate part of the bale width is located at a part of the packet at which the packet conveniently is held by one hand during withdrawal of the matches and protects against undue pressure of the fingers in holding bringing corresponding pressure upon the matches.

- The relative crowning of the laterally middle part of the bale results in the match heads having comparatively free space for travel after the first constriction is passed before the head reaches the second constriction and the resultant pressure in the free space is but little affected by pressure from the holding hand.

The second constriction, easily passed by the head of thematch after it has jumped free from the first constriction, is nevertheless a protection against flame from the igniting head flashing back and igniting other match heads.

I have found in practice that ample frictional resistance and proper retardation can be given by crimping the ribs of the corrugations into the spaces between the matches at the two points indicated, spaced along the lengths of the match sticks and both lying between the match heads and the friction material, the one point close to the match head and the other point comparatively close to the friction material.

The holding strength of rib engagement with the comb section not only holds the bale ends biased against the comb section but retains the parts during the subsequent handling of the baled comb section to form the match packet.

Preferably during the operation of piercing the striker insert material into some of the matches or the cutting of the striker strip from its roll, but permissibly during the pressing of the bale ribs into the spaces between the matches the projection 39 is turned across the headsof one row of the matches, assisting in holding the strip carrying striker material against dislodgement when the matches are withdrawn. Obviously here as in the other figures of my illustration the movements of the parts are relatiVe and either part may move toward the other or both may be movedexcept as convenience of placement and of providing the motions and handling of the packet parts may affect the construction of a machine to accomplish the results. It is the intention to have heat sealed fastening between the bale and the cover to hold the cover fast and thus complete the package.

The heat sealing material may be applied by printing or painting it in strips upon either of the facing surfaces of the bale and cover 54. Thus, the strips 55 of heat-set material. may be placed upon the outside of the folded ends of the bale as shown and upon the back of the bale or upon the cover as shown or both. v

The imprint of heat sealed material is most desirably applied to the cover or bale before the cover or bale is supplied to the machine by which the parts are to be brought together.

The heat sealed material is very desirable for use in this connection because of the fact that when cold it is without adhesive character and the parts can be fed and handled freely without complication by the adhesiveness of the compound. When the parts are all together the packet is pressed between heated surfaces 56, 51 and is held between them long enough for the heat sealed coatings to adhere to the adja cent parts. Feeding of the several strips comprising insert material, bales and cover may be effected in well known ways, differing somewhat according to whether the sections fed be delivered in separate sheets from a hopper, for example, or from a roll. Where the strips form parts of a roll it is convenient to facilitate both guiding and feeding and insure accurate extends of feed by use of sprocket wheels not shown engaging in strip holes 58 as in the feeding of film for projection purposes.

In View of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I therefore, claim all such in so far as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

.1. In a pull and light match packet having a cover and a bale inside the cover, two rows of staggered matches within the bale, an insert strip between the two rows carrying scratcher material and retarding means for opposing movement between one of the rows of matches and the strip, comprising impaled material from the strip entering into the matches. v

2. In a pull and light matchpacket having a cover and a bale inside the cover, two rows of staggered matches within the bale, a spacing strip between the rows, scratcher material upon the strip adapted to engage the matches as they are withdrawn and match impaling means between the matches and the strip whereby movement of the strip with respect to the matches is retarded.

3. In a pull and light match packet having a cover and a bale inside the cover, two rows of sta gered matches within the bale, a spacing strip be tween the rows, scratcher material in the path of withdrawal movement of the matches adapted to engage the matches as they are withdrawn and means for retarding movement of the spacing strip along with the matches as they are withdrawn, comprising a lateral extension of the spacing strip in adirection across the heads of one row' of matches.

4. In a pull and light packet having a longitudinally extending cover and a transverse bale inside the cover, tworows of staggered matches extending lengthwise of the cover within the bale, a spacing strip within the rows, scratcher material upon the spacing strip adapted to engage the matches as they are withdrawn and means for retarding movement of the spacing strip along with the matches as they are withdrawn, comprising match material extending laterally from the match stick into thespacing material from some of the matches of the rows.

5. In a pull and light packet having a longitudinally extending cover and a transverse bale inside the cover, two rows of staggered matches extending lengthwise of the the cover within the bale, a spacing strip between the rows, scratcher material upon the spacing strip adapted to engage the matches as they are withdrawn and means for retarding movement of the spacing strip along with the matches as they are withdrawn, part of the spacing material extending toward a side of the cover and engaging matches of the packet.

6. In a pull and light match packet having a cover, two rows of staggered matches, a division sheet between the rows, scratcher material in line with the withdrawal of the matches and a corrugated bale extending transversely about the rows of matches, having the ribs of the corrugations lengthwise of the match sticks fitting between adjacent match sticks, the ribs adjacent the heads of the matches fitting more tightly between the sticks than these ribs fit at the middle of the width of the bale.

7. In a pull and light match packet having a cover, two rows of staggered matches within the cover extending lengthwise of the cover, a division sheet between the rows, scratcher material upon the division sheet in line with the direction of withdrawal of the matches and a corrugated bale extending transversely about the rows of matches and having ribs of the corrugations lengthwise of the match sticks fitting into the spaces between adjacent match' sticks of the rows and pressing laterally against the side surfaces of the match sticks to resist removal of these corruga tion ribs from their spaces between the adjacent match sticks.

8. In a pull and light match packet having a cover, two rows of staggered matches, an. insert strip between the two rows, scratcher material engaged by the matches during withdrawal and a bale of corrugated material about the tworows of matches having the ribs of the corrugations extending laterally between adjacent matches in each row to a greater extent near opposite edges of the width of the bale than at intermediate points in the width of the bale, whereby aspace is provided near the heads of the matches at which the packet may be grasped by the fingers when pulling the matches, relieving the matches from increased resistance against pullingby reason of the pressure involved in grasping the packet.

9. In a pull and light match packet having a cover, two rows of staggered matches. an insert strip between the two rows, scratcher material upon the insert strip engaged by the matches during withdrawal and a bale of corrugated material extending about the insert and transversely point near the heads of the matches to receive pressure of the user of the packet and relieve the match sticks of this pressure, the bale approaching the match sticks more closely at points nearer to the heads than the arched portion and farther from the heads at-the arched portions whereby a gripping portion of the packet is provided 10. In a pull and light match packet having a cover, two rows of matches staggered, the matches of one row with respect to the matches of the other row, spacing material between the two rows and a corrugated bale transverse to the packet having the ribs of the corrugations extending laterally-into the spaces between adjacent matches to an extent greater near opposite edges of the bale than at the intervening width of the bale and striking material on the spacing material in line of withdrawal of the matches, whereby resistance to withdrawal of the matches is met with chiefly adjacent to the two edges of the baleat points spaced along the lengths of the matches and the intermediate portion of the width of the bale relatively is relieved from pressure against the matches during withdrawal.

11. In a pull and light match packet having a cover, two rows of staggered matches, a division sheet between the rows having striking material at one edge of the division sheet on each of opposite sides of the sheet and having the opposite edge extended and transversely directed with respect to the match heads of one of the rows and a bale extending transversely about the match sticks near the match heads and to the match sticks, having the bale archedat a v crowned relatively across the width of the bale, whereby a middle portion of the bale is adapted to resist pressure of the holding fingers while the matches are being withdrawn.

12. In a pull and light match packet having spaced. rows of staggered matches, a spacing strip between the rows having striking material on the strip, a corrugated bale about the matches, the bale being held closed by engagement of corrugation ribs located at the ends of side surfaces of the bale against the sides of adjacent matches and a cover about the bale held in position by heat set agglutinant between the cover and bale.

13. The method of stiffening a transversely directed corrugated bale which surrounds rows of staggered matches in a match book, which consists in arching the middle of the bale section betweenv its edges.

14. The method of stiffening a transversely directed corrugated bale which surrounds rows of staggered matches in a match book, which consists in arching the middle of the bale section between its edges and in anchoring the bale in arched position by holding the ribs of the corrugations at the lateral edges of the bale between adjacent match sticks of an adjacent row of matches.

15. The method of protecting matches of a match packet during withdrawal of a match against excessive pressure upon the matches due to holding the match packet, which consists in arching thematerial of the packet lying in the path of withdrawal of the match heads while providing resistance to match withdrawal near the match heads and at a distance from the match heads.

' RODNEY S. PULLEN.

Images