US2138819A - Match box - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 6, 1938. T. H. JOHNSON MATCH BOX Filed June 10, 1957 INVE NTOE Patented Dec. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE MATCH BO-X Thomas H. Johnson, Wheeling, W. Va.

Application June 10, 1937, Serial No. 147,503

2 Claims.

This invention relates to cardboard match boxes in which matches are packed, shipped and stored, which is so constructed that it may readily and conveniently be converted into a match holder and dispenser. Thus, the necessity for transferring the matches, or that portion of the match box containing the matches, to another separate holder and dispenser is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a box of the character mentioned which, when packed and ready for shipment, has substantially the same outward appearance as those match boxes now commonly used in the industry.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a box so constructed and assembled that there results a savings in the cardboard stock required to produce the same compared with boxes now commercially used.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain constructions arrangement and combinations of parts that will hereinafter be fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective View of a combined match box and dispenser constructed in accordance with my invention, the tray being depicted in dispensing position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rectangular match receptacle illustrating the construction of the tray;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the casing;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the assembled match box in closed shipping position; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the assembled box.

The match receptacle consists of an open top, rectangularly shaped, cardboard container consisting of a bottom 2; opposite side walls 3, and end walls 4 and 5, respectively.

The tray 6 has a bent angular portion 1 attached, as by means of staples 8, interiorly of the end wall 5, and, as shown in Fig. 4, the tray occupies the same plane as the outer edge of said end wall 5 when in non-dispensing position. Opposite, angularly disposed arms l0" are formed integrally with the tray and are disposed exteriorly of the side walls 3 of the receptacle. A notch 12 is provided in each arm for a purpose later to be made apparent, and a perforated semi-circular finger hole I3 is provided in the tray 6 at the free edge thereof.

The cover casing consists of a backless, rectangularly shaped, cardboard member comprising opposite side walls l5 and a front It, the

latter having a portion thereof removed so as to accommodate the tray 6.

In practice, the match receptacle is filled with matches and the tray thereafter folded inwardly to the position depicted in Fig. 4. The casing is then placed over the receptacle and the side walls I5 thereof are glued to the exterior of the side walls 3 of the receptacle, it being understood that the receptacle and the casing are not glued together in that space occupied by the arms H], the latter, when the box is assembled, being located intermediate the side walls 3 of the receptacle and the side walls I5 of the casing. When assembled, the front l6 of the casing is of such length that it overlies the inner free edge of the tray 6, thus to maintain the tray in position and together completely covering the open top of the match receptacle.

When it is desired to open the box for access to the contents, the perforations outlining the finger hole [3 are completely ruptured and that area removed. A finger may then be inserted in the aperture l3 and the tray 3 pulley outwardly to dispensing position, as shown in Fig. l, the notches [2 of the arms In engaging the cover It and limiting outward movement. It will, of course, be understood that so slight a portion of the free edge of the tray underlies the cover It that but comparatively slight resistance is ofiered to movement of the tray to dispensing position.

An aperture 20 is provided in the bottom 2 whereby the match box may be suspended on a nail driven into a wall.

One of the side walls 15 of the casing is preferably provided with the usual match scratching abrasive strip (not shown).

What is claimed is- 1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a rectangular match receptacle having an open top, a dispensing tray having a portion attached to an end of said receptacle, the remaining portion of said tray being formed at a right angle to afford a cover for a portion of the open top of the match receptacle during shipment and storage, and a complemental backless casing for housing said receptacle consisting of side walls of a length substantially equal to the length of the match receptacle and a front face having a length sufiicient to cover that portion of the match receptacle left exposed by the dispensing tray, said tray being adapted to be withdrawn outwardly from covering relation to the receptacle to form a match dispensing tray, and arms extending inwardly from said tray and disposed intermediate the side walls of the match casing for housing said receptacle consisting of side walls of a length substantially equal to the length of the match receptacle and a front face having a length sufficient to cover that portion of the match receptacle left exposed by the dispensing tray, said tray being adapted to be withdrawn outwardly from covering relation to the receptacle to form a match dispensing tray, and adhesive means interposed between the side walls of the match receptacle and the casing for permanently' attaching the same together.

THOMAS H. JOHNSON.

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