Match distributing container

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a match distributing container, comprising a box-like body (1), having any suitable shapes, which is provided with a lug (2) defining a dihedral surface (3), located on an extension of the side surface of the box-like body (1).
Atthe dihedral surface (3) there is provided, on the closure bottom (4) of the box-like body (1), an opening effective to allow a single match to pass therethrough.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a container distributing or dispensing unit for matches, in particular wood matches.

[0002] As it is known, matches are packaged and sold in small boxes,envelopes or the like,which containers are provided,on the sides whereof, with one or more strips provided with a roughened and suitably processed surface effective to allow for matches to be struck.

[0003] It is also known that conventional wood matches,which are usually used in kitchens,are contained in poor strength box-like members which,upon opening and handling,are susceptible to quick destruction.

[0004] Moreover,because of the mentioned poor strength of the known match boxes, also the roughened strips applied thereon are susceptible to easy destruction,thereby loosing their efficiency.

[0005] In order to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks,match holders are presently used which latter,however,are arranged at a fixed position near to the gas stove or the like cooking apparatus.

[0006] Moreover,in conventional match holders, which usually consist of a box-like body open at the top, the drawback further usually arise that more than a single match may be removed, and some matches are susceptible to fall on the underlying surfaces and into pots located on the cooking plate.

[0007] Accordingly, the task of the present invention is to overcome the thereinabove mentioned drawbacks by providing such a match distributing or dispensing container which is effective to contain in the inside whereof a number of matches, while being effective to be brought to the match use position without any dangers of matches exiting therefrom.

[0008] Within that task, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide such a match distributing or dispensing container which is effective to allow for a single match at a time to be dispensed.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a match dispensing container which is provided with means effective to allow for the dispensed match to be easily struck.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a match dispensing container whereinto matches may be easily introduced from the starting package thereof.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a match dispensing container which is of great constructional strength and which,accordingly,may be used for a long period.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention,the thereinabove mentioned task and objects,as well as yet other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter,are achieved by a match distributing or dispensing container, characterized in that it comprises a box-like body provided with a lug defining at least a dihedral surface,coplanarily extending with respect to the walls whereof and thereto a closure bottom member is effective to be coupled which is provided with at least a perimetrical interrupted portion.

[0013] more specifically the mentioned box-like body may have either a triangular,square,pentagonal, hexagonal or a generally prismatic cross-section, or a substantially round cross-section as provided with longitudinally extending innet siots effective to define at least a gulaing channel for guiding the individual matches.

[0014] The mentioned closure bottom for said box-like body,as it is or poligonal cross-section, is provided,at one at least of the corners thereof, witn an interrupted or cut througn portion effective to allow for an individual match to pass therethrougn.

[0015] moreover said box like body is preferably made by injection moulding a plastics material having such a hardness which,in combination with a suitably roughened portion,at the corner of the mentioned dinedral lugs,is effective to assure a great duration.

[0016] It should also be noted that,at the corner of the mentioned aihedral lugs, a suitable phosphoric mixture layer may be applied for striking amorphous or safety matches.

[0017] Finally,the mentioned box-like body with a lug defining one or more dihedral surfaces,and the related closure bottom member,may also be obtained as a single piece.

[0018] Further characteristics and avantages of the match distributing or dispensing container according to the present invention will become more apparent tnereinafter from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof,being illustrated in the several figures of the accompanying drawing,where:

Fig.l is a perspective view illustrating a typical and preferred embodiment of the match distributing or dispensing container according to the present invention,with the bottom member disengaged from the box-like body of the container;

Fig.2 illustrates that same dispensing container with the bottom member thereof associated with the box-like body;

Fig.3 illustrates the use procedure for practically using the match dispensing container according to the present invention;

Figs.4 and 5 illustrate a dispensing container provided with a lug defining a double dihedroa;

Fig.6 illustrates a round-cross section match distributing or dispensing container; and

Fig.7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the match dispensing container according to the present invention,with the cover member thereof separated from the box-like body;

Fig.8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the matcn dispensing container of fig.7;

Fig.9 illustrates a perspective view of the match dispensing or distributing container illustrated in fig.l.

[0019] With reference to the numbers of the figs 1 to 5,the match distributing or dispensing container according to the present invention comprises a box-like body (1) having a square cross-section,which is provided with a lug 2, defining one or more dihedral surfaces 3,extending at corresponding corners thereof and with faces coplanarily extending with respect to the walls thereof.

[0020] With the mentioned box-like body 1 there is associated a closure bottom member 4, having a related shape to the cross-section of said box-like body 1 and provided,at at least an apex whereof,with a structural interruption 5 effective to define a port or opening for the passing therethrougn of one of the matches 6,as preliminarily arranged inside said box-like body.

[0021] On the inner portion of the mentioned dihedral surfaces there are formed,at the corner thereof,roughened portions 7 effective to allow for matches to be struck by rubbing.

[0022] More specifically,the above mentioned roughened portions may be either directly formed on said dihedral surfaces,oy means of a suitable surface finishing operation,or they may be realized by applying strips of a suitable material,as coated by suitable phosphoric mixtures.

[0023] Moreover,in the case of a matcn container provided with a double dihedron forming lug (see figs.4 and 5),the bottom member may be rotated in such a way as to present its opening or port 5 at either one or the other roughened surface (7).

[0024] That approach allow for tne duration of the match dispensing container to be extended up to the complete consumption of the rubbing surfaces.

[0025] In fig.3,in particular,there is illustrated a match dispensing container 1' of cylindrical shape,with related closure bottom member 4' and concave lug 2'.

[0026] In this embodiment,there is provided a box-like body having at least an inner longitudinal slot, as formed at the axis of the mentioned concave lug and effective to guide matches toward the opening or port 5 of said bottom member.

[0027] Finally,with reference to figs.7,8 and 9 there is illustrated a match distributing or dispensing container provided with a box-like member 10 open at the top and tnereto a cover member 11 may be snap applied.

[0028] Said box-like member 10 is provided with a first portion defined by the small walls 12 and 13 for containing matches and a secona portion having an abrading surface 14 for striking matches.

[0029] ln the first portion there is provided a lower panel 15 which,cooperating with an upper panel 16 extending from the cover 11, is effective to define a labyrinth path for causing individual matches to exit an opening consisting of an interrupted portion 17 provided on the small wall 13 located on the side of the abrading surface 14.

[0030] Moreover, in order to further broaden the match striking zone,roughened portion 20 are provided also on the outer surface of the box-like member 10.

[0031] From the above disclosure and the several figures of the accompanying drawings the great functionality and use facility characterizing the match distributing or dispensing container according to the present invention will be self-evident.

Claims

1- A match distributing or dispensing container, characterized in that it comprises a box-like body (1) provided with a lug (2) defining at least a dihedral surface (3),coplanarily extending with respect to the wails whereof and thereto a closure bottom member (4) is effective to be coupled which is provided with at least a perimetrical interrupt- eα portion (5).

₂- A match distributing container,according to the preceding claim,characterized in that said box-like body (1) has a triangular,square,pentagonal, hexagonal or a generally prismatic cross-section, or a substantially round cross-section as provided with longitudinally extending inner slots effective to define at least a guiding channel for guiding the individual matches (6).

3- A match distributing container,according to claim l,characterized in that said closure bottom member (4),as it is of poligonai cross-section, is provided,at one at least of the corners thereof, with an interrupted or cut through portion (5), effective to allow for an individual match to pass therethrough.

4- A match distributing or dispensing container, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said box-like body (1) is preferably made by injection moulding a plastics material having such a hardness that,in association with a suitable roughness at the corner of said dihedral lugs (2),is effective to allow for a match to be struck.

5- A match distributing or dispensing container, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that,at the corner of said dihedral lugs (2),a phosphoric mixture layer may be applied for striking amorphous matches.

6- A match distributing or dispensing container, according to the precding claims,characterized in that said box-like body (1) with lug (2) and related closure bottom member (4) are obtained as a single piece.

7- A match distributing container,according to any preceding claims,characterized in that it comprises a box-like member (10) effective to closed by a cover member(11),said box-like body (10) comprising a first match (6) containing portion and a second abrading surface portion (14),in said first portion a lower panel (15) being provided defining,in cooperation with a top panel (16),a, labyrinth path for introducing each individual match into an outlet port consisting of an interrupted portion (17) of tha wall defining said first portion.

8- A match distributing container,according to claim 7,characterized in that said cover (11) is effective to be snap associated with said box-like member (10).

9- A match distributing container,according to one or'more of the preceding claims,characterized in that it comprises roughened portions (20) on the outer surface of said box-like body (10). 10-A match distributing or dispensing container, according to the preceding claims,and substantially as broadly disclosed and illustrated for the intended objects.

Drawing