US2136051A - Safety book match - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 8, 1938 H. R. HOWLAND SAFETY BOOK MATCH Filed Dec. 24, 1957 I INVENTOR HEN/9V R. HOWlA/VD y ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. s, 1938- PATENT OFFi SAFETY BOOK MATCH lllenry Rowland, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application December 2d, 1937, Serial No. 181,483

1 mm.- (Cl. 206-29) My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in so-called paper match packets. My main object is to construct the packet in such a manner as to eliminate the danger of ignitl. ing the attached unused matches by the striking of a detached match on the striking strip of the packet.

In the accompanying drawing- Fig. 1' is a front elevation of the complete packet;

. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the packet shown in Fig. 1, looking from left to right;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation .of said packet, looking from right to left; 1 1 Fig. 4 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 1 with the parts in a different position.

The outside of the packet comprises what I will term an envelope. This is preferably made of suitable paper board folded to provide a front 90 I and a back 2. The ends of this strip are connected as by a fold 3 overlapping the lower end of the back 2 and secured thereto by any suitable means such as a staple 4, which as shown performs a double function as later described. 5 is ll another staple used to secure together the edges of the front and back at one side of the'envelope as shown in the drawing for the purpose later described. 6-6 represent a plurality of individual match ends connected to a base I. forming what I will term a match strip. In the drawing, two of these match strips are shown. These match strips are normally so positioned that 'all the match ends are within the envelope and protected thereby. In the particular form shown the staple l is so positioned at an angle that one leg penetrates the base i of each match strip near the open edge of the envelopeso as to serve as a pivot for the match strips whereby they may be swung or rocked from the normal safety position shown in Fig. 1 to the exposed or unprotected position shown in Fig. 4, in which position the individual match ends are accessible for use as required. The staple 5 holds the envelope walls sufficiently close together so that when the match strips are swung into the safety position shown in Fig. 1

they will be frictionally engaged between the inner surfaces of the envelope adjacent to the staple, thus preventing the packet from being accidentally opened.- A small portion of one or both of the base portions 1 of the match strips near the pivot end of the staple 4 may project slightly-beyond the edge of the envelope, as shown at 1, forming what may be termed a trigger for engagement by the finger to permit the match strips to be swung into the accessible position shown in Fig. 4. 8 represents the usual striker 5 surface on which safety matches may be struck. In the preferred form shown, this surface is formed on or located on the outer surface of the base I. When the match strips stand in the normal position with the match ends safely housed 1 within the envelope, access may be had to this striker strip 8 through a slot or window in the front I, whereby a detached match may be struck thereon. When the matches are exposed for detachment (Fig. 4), the striker strip is moved 15 away from the slot and is therefore inaccessible for striking purposes and the match cannot be ignited until the parts have been restored to the normal safety posltion.. Inits broadest aspect, my invention is not limited to locating the striker g strip as sh awn, since a reasonable degree of safety would be guaranteed if it were otherwise positioned. A

As already indicated, 1 have shown and described only one preferred form of my invention, fully realizing that modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claim and without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

In a safety match packet, a paper envelope so formed by a paper strip folded transversely intermediate its length to close the top end of said packet, one free end of said strip being folded over the other free end and united thereto by means penetrating the several thicknesses to close the lower end of said packet, a paper match strip comprising a plurality of detachable match ends connected to a transverse strip at the base of said match ends, said paper match strips being wholly enclosed within said envelope when in its safety 0 position, said strip being pivotally mounted near its edge on the aforesaid connecting means to permit said match strip to be rotated to a position to expose the match ends for detachment, a striker strip on one surface of the base of said 5 match strip extending transversely of said match ends, said envelope having a transverse passage I through one wall thereof registering with said striker surface only when said packet is closed.

HENRY HOWLAND.

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