1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to matchbooks and more particularly is directed towards a new and improved matchbook which is difficult for a child to use and designed to prevent accidental ignition of one or more matches.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a conventional book of safety matches, a stick of typically 20 cardboard matches is mounted in a double row to a cardboard cover wherein the flap is normally closed behind a lower fold. Typically, an abrasive strip is applied to the lower fold by means of which the match may be ignited by striking the head of the match across the abrasive strip. Many children find matches fascinating to play with and, as a result, often suffer burns by lighting matches that are easy to strike. Also, despite printed warnings on almost all matchbooks of this type to close the cover before striking, many persons persist in striking the match with the cover open. This practice, in many instances, results in all of the matches being accidently ignited when only a single match is intended to be struck. The sudden ignition of one match in such close proximity to other exposed matches frequently will ignite all of the other matches often causing serious burns, fires or other mishaps to those involved. While various types of matchbooks and match cases have been devised in an attempt to resolve this problem, none of these has been entirely satisfactory from the standpoint of effectiveness and cost.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, low cost means for reducing the risk of accidental ignition of matches in a book of matches. Another object of this invention is to provide a safety book of matches which is difficult to ignite by a child and also to provide protection against accidental ignition of other matches remaining in the book.