AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 65 



The interior of this frame is filled up with a double piece of 

 lignumvitse, having between them a thin sheet of gum elastic to 

 act as a spring in holding the matches. The wood is then covered 

 on botli sides by a piece of zinc. It is then pierced to receive 

 the matches in rows of 16 holes, and about 100 such rows, so that 

 each frame will hold about 1,600 matches. 



Behind this frame, and distant from it the length of a match, 

 is placed a row of 16 cutters, like a row of punches, resting on a 

 metal plate. Immediately behind these cutters, and resting on 

 the same plate, is placed a block of wood of the proper length to 

 form a match. The crank being turned, this wood is forced 

 forward and the lower surfacs is cut into 16 matches, which are 

 compressed in passing the punches, so as to leave no surplus, 

 and then slightly spread like a fan by means of steel guides, and 

 having their ends presented towards the holes in the frame. The 

 next motion of the crank cuts oflf 16 new sticks, and as tliey ad- 

 vance they push the former into the corresponding holes in the 

 lignumvitse frame. The frame advances one tooth, presenting a 

 new row of holes, that are filled by the last row of matches as 

 as they are pushed on by their successors. 



This frame having been filled, presents the appearance of a 

 brush with sticks instead of bristles. It is then removed from 

 the wheel, the ends all at once dipped into the combustible mate- 

 rial, and laid upon a shelf in order to become hard. Another 

 frame is served in the same manner, and thus on for 25 or 30 

 frames. By the time that they are all filled the first is ready for 

 packing. It is then placed again in the wheel and filled as be- 

 fore, the new sticks pushing out the finished matches into the 

 hands of an attendant, and hy him placed in boxes. It is neces- 

 sary that these holes should be acciu-ate, and in their proper 

 places, and this is very simply effected. In preparing the frame 

 a number of steel points are placed where the matches will come. 

 The machine being put to work as if by making matches these 

 points are forced against the frame, making marks in the zinc 

 where each hole must be drilled. 



.d silver medal cnvarded. 



JVo. 1413. — ^ Machine for Tuniins' Irremdar Forms. 

 Crane & Tompkins, Newark, N. J. Very ingenious for turning 

 carriage spokes, squares, kc. In this machine the form is pro- 

 duced by the position of the cutters projecting more or less. The 



[Am. Inst.] 5 



