(19)
(11) EP 0 456 362 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
13.11.1991 Bulletin 1991/46

(21) Application number: 91303432.8

(22) Date of filing: 17.04.1991
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5C06F 3/04
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE ES FR IT LI NL SE

(30) Priority: 25.04.1990 GB 9009221

(71) Applicant: BRYANT & MAY LIMITED
High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP13 6EJ (GB)

(72) Inventors:
  • Cox, Michael
    Kingsley, Cheshire WA6 6LS (GB)
  • Worrall, Timothy
    Kingsley, Cheshire W6 8BY (GB)

(74) Representative: Goodanew, Martin Eric et al
MATHISEN, MACARA & CO. The Coach House 6-8 Swakeleys Road
Ickenham Uxbridge UB10 8BZ
Ickenham Uxbridge UB10 8BZ (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Matches


    (57) A match incorporating a fire-retardant material together with a method of manufacturing the match are disclosed. The splint (1) of the match is divided into three zones (5,7,9). The first zone (5) of the splint (1), adjacent the head (3) of the match, contains more absorbed paraffin wax than the adjacent second zone (7). The third zone (7) carries fire-retardant material. The paraffin wax in the zones (5,7) is applied by initially dipping the two zones (5,7) into cold, but molten, paraffin wax, and then dipping the first zone (5) into a hot paraffin wax bath.




    Description


    [0001] This invention relates to matches. In particular the invention relates to matches incorporating a fire-retardant material such that the match extinguishes itself soon after ignition. Such matches are safer than ordinary matches in that unintentional fires due to the continued burning of the match after the required use are avoided, thus reducing the incidence of, for example, forest fires or injuries to children.

    [0002] In U.S. Patent No. 4,072,473 there is described a process for the manufacture of cardboard book matches, the matches incorporating chemical fire-retardant material effective to extinguish the matches after ignition. In this patent the book matches are manufactured by a process in which one end of the cardboard match splints are impregnated with hot paraffin wax so as to assist the combustion of the matches, the opposite ends of the splints then being dipped into a fire retardant material. Such a process is, however, difficult to control due to the different absorption of the paraffin wax into the splints at different temperatures. Furthermore, where the flame-retardant material reaches the paraffin wax on the splints, spluttering of the wax may occur, thus inhibiting the extinction of the matches.

    [0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a match incorporating a fire-retardant material, together with a process for making such a match, wherein the above difficulties are, at least, alleviated.

    [0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a match includes the steps of: coating a portion of a porous match splint with a layer of paraffin wax at a temperature such that a substantial part of the paraffin wax remains on the surface of said portion of the splint, coating the splint with a fire-retardant material such that the material does not adhere to said portion of the splint, and coating part of said portion of the splint with paraffin wax at a temperature such that a part of said paraffin wax layer is absorbed into the splint.

    [0005] The splint is suitably coated with paraffin wax by means of a dipping process.

    [0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a match comprises: a porous match splint having a first portion coated with paraffin wax, a substantial part of the paraffin wax being absorbed into the first portion of the splint; a second portion of the splint coated with paraffin wax, the second portion of the splint containing less absorbed paraffin wax than the first portion of the splint; a third portion of the splint carrying a fire-retardant material; and a quantity of an ignition material carried on the free end of said first portion of the splint.

    [0007] The fire-retardant material is suitably monoammonium phosphate.

    [0008] One match in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, together with a process for making the match, will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figure which is a schematic diagram of the match.

    [0009] Referring to the Figure, the match in accordance with the embodiment of the invention comprises a wooden match splint 1 on which is carried a match head 3 of conventional pyrotechnic composition. The match splint 1 is divided into three zones 5,7,9. In the first zone 5, in the region of the head 3, a substantial amount of paraffin wax is absorbed into the splint 1. In the intermediate zone 7, next to the zone 5, a smaller amount of wax is absorbed into the splint 1 than in the first zone 5. Finally, at the end of the match remote from the head 3, the zone 9 is covered in fire-retardant material.

    [0010] The zone 5 is typically 5mms long, with the zone 7 also being typically 5mms long.

    [0011] The match is formed by the following process. Firstly, the match splint 1 is dipped into cold, but molten, paraffin wax so as to coat up to the first 10mm of the splint 1 including the zones 5,7. The whole splint 1, apart from the 6-8mm which is gripped by the match plate, is then coated with fire-retardant material, for example monoammonium phosphate. This material will not adhere to the zones 5,7 of the splint 1 previously coated with wax, thus leaving only zone 9 covered with fire-retardant material, part of the material being absorbed into the zone 9 of the splint 1. The splint 1 is then dipped in a conventional hot paraffin wax bath, so as to coat the 5mms of the splint 1 corresponding to the first zone 5, on top of the cold wax already provided on the splint 1. The hot wax ensures that the paraffin wax in the zone 5 is totally absorbed into the splint 1, conduction of the heat from the hot wax causing a smaller amount of wax in the zone 7 also to be absorbed into the splint 1. The head of the match 3 is then applied to the free end of the zone 5 by conventional means.

    [0012] It will be seen that by use of the above sequence of steps, the necessary adherence of both the wax and the fire-retardant material to the splint is achieved. Furthermore, as the fire-retardant material is provided only in the zone 9 remote from the zone 5 in which most of the wax is absorbed, the problem of spluttering of the wax necessary for efficient combustion of the match is avoided. The zone 7, in which only a small portion of wax is absorbed into the splint 1, provides an intermediate region which helps to resolve the conflicting requirements of the combustion of the match, as assisted by the zone 5, and the extinction of the combustion as assisted by the zone 9.

    [0013] It will be appreciated that any suitable flame- retardant material may be incorporated in the region 9, other than monoammonium phosphate. Suitable materials include, diammonium phosphate, ammonium sulphate, and ammonium chloride.

    [0014] Furthermore, any porous match splint may be used, for example cardboard or stiff paper.


    Claims

    1. A method of manufacturing a match including the step of coating a portion of a porous match splint (1) with a layer of paraffin wax, the method being characterised in that the layer of paraffin wax is at a temperature such that a substantial part of the paraffin wax remains on the surface of said portion (5,7) of the splint (1), and that the method also includes the steps of coating the splint (1) with a fire-retardant material such that the material does not adhere to said portion (5,7) of the splint (1), and coating part (5) of said portion (5,7) with paraffin wax at a temperature such that a part of said paraffin wax layer is absorbed into the splint (1).
     
    2. A method of manufacturing a match according to claim 1, in which the splint (1) is coated with paraffin wax by means of a dipping process.
     
    3. A method according to either one of the preceding claims in which the fire-retardent material is monammonium phosphate.
     
    4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims in which the porous match splint (1) is a wooden splint.
     
    5. A match comprising a porous match splint (1) having a first portion (5) coated with paraffin wax, a substantial part of the paraffin wax being absorbed into the first portion of the splint, the match being characterised in that a second portion (7) of the splint (1) is coated with paraffin wax, the second portion (7) of the splint (1) containing less absorbed paraffin wax than the first portion (5) of the splint (1); a third portion (9) of the splint (1) carries a fire-retardant material; and a quantity (3) of an ignition material is carried on the free end of said first portion (5) of the splint.
     
    6. A match according to claim 5 in which the fire-retardant material is monammonium phosphate.
     
    7. A match according to claim 6 or claim 7 in which the porous match splint (1) is a wooden splint.
     




    Drawing







    Search report