US3255868A

US3255868A - Match books

Info

Publication number: US3255868A
Application number: US420968A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kowarsky Isadore; Edward C Kozeny
Original assignee: Universal Match Corp
Current assignee: TRANS/MATCH Inc; Universal Match Corp
Priority date: 1964-12-24
Filing date: 1964-12-24
Publication date: 1966-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 1983-06-14

Description

June 14, 1966 l. KoWARsKY ETAL 3,255,863

MATCH BOOKS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Deo. 24, 1964 kle) FIG. 2

FIG.4

FIG. 3

INVENTORS iESIDVan.. KGWARSKY C. KTQZENY PEG. 5

June 14, 1966 l. KowARsKY ETAL 3,255,868

MATCH BOOKS 2 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 7.

i United States Patent O Filed Dec. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 420,968 2 Claims. (Cl. 20G-29) This invention relates to match books and similar packaged articles of merchandise. More particularly, this invention relates to a book-like package having a slim profile and possessing improved safety features.

Conventional match books usually consist of two match combs placed one on top of the other, each consisting of a plurality of match splints surrounded by a cover and provided with a staple driven through the return flap, the

base of the two match combs, and the back of the cover.

However, the wedge shape of such match books makes them diicult to pack in containers or to load or eject from dispensing hoppers and requires an excsive packing volume. Moreover, conventional match books are frequenty subjected to compressive forces on the lateral faces of the cover `and back which cause the match combs to spread or fan out and crack the heads which then break apart and throw burning particles into the air when struck.

It is, therefore, the prim-ary object of the present invention to provide match books of extremely thin flat profile which 'are particularly adapted for easy insertion in packing containers and dispensing hoppers.

It is another object ofthe present invention to provide a match book of the` type stated which embodies safety features not associated with conventional match books.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a match book which lends itself to mass production on automatic machinery without requiring the use of extensive manual labor.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a match book which is simple to close even after many of the matches have been removed, and which protects the match heads from the crushing effects to which they are so often subjected in conventional match books.

With the above objects in view,.our invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (two sheets)- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of 'a match book constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIGS. 3, 4 and S are sectional views taken along lines 3 3, 4 4, and 5 5, respectively, of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view of the book opened up flat; and

FIG. 7 is section similar to FIG. 2 showing howthe book is closed.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A designates a match book comprising two

identical match combs

1, 2 each being die-cut from thick cardboard and integrally including a base-strip or stub 3 and a plurality of spaced parallel match splints 4 extending from one edge of the base 3 constituting its inside edge provided at their upper ends with match heads 5. Full length spaces divide match `splints 4 to accommodate the lateral overhang or projection of the match heads 5. Generally, the width x of the space separating the match splints is slightly greater than twice the lateral projection y of match head 5 beyond thelateral marginof splint 4, all as best illustrated in FIG, 3. For purposes of clarification, but not by way of limitation, 0.110 inch represents a conventient dimension for the width of match splint 4 and the space between adjacent splints (i.e., the dimension x) is preferably 0.039 inch. In that case, dimension y, of course, would be approximately 0.019 inch. Thus, owing to the spacing between match splints 4, match heads 5 will lie in a flat layer without causing a :spreading or tanning of the splints 4 in relation to each other. In other words, the flat faces of the splints 4 and the stub 3 are respectively co-planar and parallel.

Provided for co-operation with

match combs

1 and 2 is rectangular cover 6, constructed preferably from cardboard or similar material. Parallel score lines 7, S, 9, 10 divide cover 6 into a rectangular closure-flap 11, end walls or

panels

12 and 13, a bottom panel 14, and a top panel 115.

A distance slightly greater than the combined thickness of the cardboard portion of

combs

1 and 2 separates score lines 7 and 8 and

score lines

9 and 10, while the A distances between

score lines

8 and 10, and between score line 9 and the opposite end of panel 15, are equal and greater in length than the overall length of one comb, that is to say the distance from the bottom or outside edge 3a of the stub 3 to the outermost end surface of the match heads 5, plus the length of match heads 5, as best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7.

The distance `between score line 7 and the opposite side of flap 11 is greater th-an the length of a match head 5 plus half the width of stub 3. The width of cover 6,

. which in effect is the remaining dimension of panels 11,

12, 13, 14, and 15, is somewhat greater than the transverse width of the

match combs

1, 2, as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

Comb 1 is preferably secured to interior face of panel 14 by a line 16 of adhesive which extends across the under face of the stub 3 thereof. The comb -1 is located in reference to the panel 14 in such a manner that match heads 5 rest in a line parallel and in close proximity to score line 8. The splints 4 of the match comb 1 thus lie atwise upon the interior face of panel 14, but are free from the panel 14 to facilitate easy removal of individual match splints 4. Similarly match comb 2 is secured to the interior face of panel 15 by a line 17 of adhesive which extends along one under face of stub 3 thereof, the comb being positioned in such a manner that the line of match heads 5 is parallel to score line 9 and in close proximity thereto. As will be seen by reference to FIG. 2, glue line 17 is located inwardly from the margin of stub 3 of comb 2 so that the terminal portion of the stub 3 is free from the panel 15 to form a slit-like recess or crack c for receiving the marginal portion of the flap 11, thereby holding the cover panel 14 in closed packet forming position. As shown the glue line 17 is narrower than the glue line 16 but this is not essential.

When the match book A is closed, the match combs 1, 2, alternately rest one on top the other with their respective match heads 5 extending slightly beyond the correspondingly opposite stub 3 of the opposite comb, as best illustrated in FIG. 2. In other words, match heads 5 of comb 1 fall within space 18 between stub 3 of comb 2 and panel =13, while match heads 5 of comb 2 fall within space 19, `between stub 3 of comb 1 and panel 12, thereby forming a match book of extremely thin at profile. A compressive force applied to

panels

14 and 15 therefore cannot seriously deform the components of the match book, and by reason of the spaces 18 and 19 and the alternate positions of the

match combs

1, 2, the match heads 5 are substantially free from crushing effects and are thus completely protected.

Inserting flap 11 in the slit-like recess or crack c formed between the unattached m-arginal section of stub Patented June 14, 1966 j 3 of comb 2 and the inwardly presented face of'panel keeps the match book tightly closed.

A striker strip is preferably imprinted or otherwise suitably applied upon the center of the outwardly presented face of panel 14 parallel to, and about midway between,

lines

8 and 10. This striker strip however can be located elsewhere than centrally of the panel 14 and, for that matter, can be located on the panel 15, if desired. When a user lights a match by striking it on striker strip 20, panel 14 will shield the matches remaining in the book from the open flame or any stray sparks, whether the match book be open or closed.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the Kform, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the match books may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature or principle of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A match book comprising first and second match combs and a cover for the combs, each comb comprising a flat rectangular base and a plurality of splints extending from one edge of the base constituting its in side edge, the opposite edge of the base constituting its outside edge, each -splint having a pyrotechnic head on its free end, said cover comprising an elongate foldable strip having a rst pair of relatively clo-sely spaced score lines extending transversely across the strip relatively closely adjacent one end of the strip and a second pair of relatively closely spaced score lines extending transversely across the `strip generally midway between the rst pair of score lines and the other end of the strip subdividing the strip into a back panel constituted by the portion of the strip between said pairs of fold lines, a rst end wall at one end of the back panel constituted by the portion of the strip between the first pair of score lines integrally hinged to said :one end of the back panel, a second end wall at the other end of the back panel constituted by the portion of the strip between the second pair of score lines integrally hinged to said other end of the back panel, a front panel constituted by the portion of the strip between the second pair of score lines and said other end of the strip integrally hinged to said second end wall, and a closure flap constituted by the relatively short portion of the strip between the first pair of score lines and the said one end of the strip integrally hinged to said first end wall, each of said front and back panels having a length somewhat greater than the length of a comb plus the length of the pyrotechnic heads, the .rst comb lying on the inside of the back panel with the outside edge of its base adjacent but spaced from said ysecond end wall and its splints extending toward the rst end wall and with the tips of the heads on its splints lying closely adjacent the first end wall, leaving a first head :space between said second end wall and the outside edge of the base of said first comb, and having its base secured to the back panel, the second comb lying on the inside of the front panel with the outside edge of :its base adjacent but spaced from said other end of the strip and its splints extending toward said :second end wall and with the tips of the heads on its splints closely adjacent to said second end wall, leaving a second head space between said first end wall and the outside edge of the base of said second comb, and having its base secured to the front panel in a region spaced inward from the outside edge of the base of said second comb, said closure llap being adapted to be tucked in between the base of said `second comb and said `front panel to close the book, said combs, in the closed condition of the cover strip, being offset endwise one from the other and reversed one with respect to the other with the heads of the second comb in said rst head space and the heads of the rst comb in said `second head space, whereby said panels lie substantially parallel so that the book is of flat profile and resistant to crushing of the heads,

2. A match book as set forth in claim 1 wherein, as to each comb, adjacent splints `are spaced such a distance in relation to the width of the pyrotechnic heads that they may lie flat in the plane of the base of the comb.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,154,586 9/1915 Parker 206--29 1,763,763 6/1930 Denmead 206--29 2,140,241 12/1938 Linker 206-29 2,160,180 5/1939 Stone 206-29 2,331,495 10/1943 Nolan 206*29 FOREIGN PATENTS 704,841 2/1931 France. 412,501 6/1934 Great Britain.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

I. M. CASKIE, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A MATCH BOOK COMPRISING A FIRST AND SECOND MATCH COMBS AND A COVER FOR THE COMBS, EACH COMB COMPRISING A FLAT RECTANGULAR BASE AND A PLURALITY OF SPLINTS EXTENDING FROM ONE EDGE OF THE BASE CONSTITUTING ITS INSIDE EDGE, THE OPPOSITE EDGE OF THE BASE CONSTITUTING ITS OUTSIDE EDGE, EACH SPLINT HAVING A PYROTECHNIC HEAD ON ITS FREE END, SAID COVER COMPRISING AN ELONGATE FOLDABLE STRIP HAVING A FIRST PAIR OF RELATIVELY CLOSELY SPACED SCORE LINES EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE STRIP RELATIVELY CLOSELY ADJACENT ONE END OF THE STRIP AND A SECOND PAIR OF RELATIVELY CLOSELY SPACED SCORE LINES EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE STRIP GENERALLY MIDWAY BETWEEN THE FIRST PAIR OF SCORE LINES AND THE OTHER END OF THE STRIP SUBDIVIDING THE STRIP INTO A BACK PANEL CONSTITUTED BY THE PORTION OF THE STRIP BETWEEN SAID PAIRS OF FOLD LINES, A FIRST END WALL AT ONE END OF THE BACK PANEL CONSTITUTED BY THE PORTION OF THE STIP BETWEEN THE FIRST PAIR OF SCORE LINES INTEGRALLY HINGED TO SAID ONE END OF THE BACK PANEL, A SECOND END WALLS AT THE OTHER END OF THE BACK PANEL CONSTITUTED BY THE PORTION OF THE STRIP BETWEEN THE SECOND PAIR OF SCORE LINES INTEGRALLY HINGED TO SAID OTHER END OF THE BACK PANEL, A FRONG PANEL CONSTITUTED BY THE PORTION OF THE STRIP BETWEEN THE SECOND PAIR OF SCORE LINES AND SAID OTHER END OF THE STRIP INTEGRALLY HINGED TO SAID SECOND END WALL, AND A CLOSURE FLAP CONSTITUTED BY THE RELATIVELY SHORT PORTION OF THE STRIP BETWEEN THE FIRST PAIR OF SCORE LINES AND THE SAID ONE END OF THE STRIP INTEGRALLY HINGED TO SAID FIRST END WALL, EACH OF SAID FRONT AND BACK PANELS HAVING A LENGTH SOMEWHAT GREATER THAN THE LENGTH OF A COMB PLUS THE LENGTH OF THE PYROTECHINIC HEADS, THE FIRST COMB LYING ON THE INSIDE OF THE BACK PANEL WITH THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF ITS BASE ADJACENT BUT SPACED FROM SAID SECOND END WALL AND ITS SPLINTS EXTENDING TOWARD THE FIRST END WALL AND WITH THE TIPS OF THE HEADS ON IT SPLINTS LYING CLOSELY ADJACENT THE FIRST END WALL, LEAVING A FIRST HEAD SPACE BETWEEN SAID SECOND END WALL AND THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE BASE OF SAID FIRST COMB, AND HAVING ITS BASE SECURED TO THE BACK PANEL, THE SECOND COMB LYING ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT PANEL WITH THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF ITS BASE ADJACENT BUT SPACED FROM SAID OTHER END OF THE STRIP AND ITS SPLINTS EXTENDING TOWARD SAID SECOND END WALL AND WITH THE TIPS OF THE HEADS ON IT SPLINTS CLOSELY ADJACENT TO SAID SECOND END WALL, LEAVING A SECOND HEAD SPACE BETWEEN SAID FIRST END WALL AND THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE BASE OF SAID SECOND COMB, AND HAVING ITS BASE SECURED TO THE FRONT PANEL IN A REGION SPACED INWARD FROM THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE BASE OF SAID SECOND COMB, SAID CLOSURE FLAP BEING ADAPTED TO BE TUCKED IN BETWEEN THE BASE OIF SAID SECOND COMB AND SAID FRONT PANEL TO CLOSE THE BOOK, AND COMBS, IN THE CLOSED CONDITION OF THE COVER STRIP, BEING OFFSET ENDWISE ONE FROM THE OTHERE AND REVERSED ONE WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER WITH THE HEADS OF THE SECOND COMB IN SAID FIRST HEAD SPACE AND THE HEADS OF THE FIRST COMB IN SAID SECOND HEAD SPACE, WHEREBY SAID PANELS LIE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL SO THAT THE BOOK IS OF FLAT PROFILE AND RESISTANT TO CRUSHING OF THE HEADS.