Abstract:
My match container and striker for a match handle or holder enables self-sufficient functionality. It does so by incorporating match containment and striking within the application device itself. No secondary component such as a disconnected box of matches is necessary. Within one device a match can be lit and applied with convenience, efficacy, and safety.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Ser. No. 13/151,212 
     FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMS 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field 
     This application relates to the mechanical holding of a match throughout its use. 
     2. Prior Art 
     The prior art involves a user holding an entirely flammable match while aflame. If the user holds the match long enough there is a risk of being burned. Longer matches help reduce this risk and aid in effective application. However they are costly and wasteful. The majority of such a match is wasted with each use. Devices identified as a match holder or match handle have been disclosed in prior art to address this deficiency. These devices are designed to hold a match while in use. However none of these devices include a means by which to integrate a match container or striker. These devices have been identified as both a match holder and match handle. For the purposes of this disclosure the term match handle will be used to encompass all such devices. 
     Several types of match holders are described in U.S. patents. The Wilder U.S. Pat. No. 407,883, Stegner U.S. Pat. No. 2,822,204, Gibson et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,051, and Luberacki U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,029 all disclose devices for holding a match while in use. None however provide an integral means by which to contain and strike matches. 
     The Bussone U.S. Pat. Application No. 13,151,212, by the present inventor, discloses a match handle with advantages over the prior art. It presents these advantages independent of a match container and striker. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment my match container and striker for a match handle enables self-sufficient functionality of a match handle. Incorporating match containment and striking with a match handle enables a fully equipped device. No secondary component such as a disconnected box of matches is necessary. This prevents a match handle from being without matches to make it functional. It also supports efficiency as handling of all essential elements is integrated. Additionally, a more substantial device body to grip during use is provided. 
     Match handles or holders have been described in prior art, however none provide all the benefits of this disclosure. My match container and striker provide a means of storing matches with a match handle or holder, and striking a match by means of the device itself. These and other benefits are provided in a practical and user friendly manner. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
       The following Figures are included: 
         FIG. 1 : is a perspective view of a match handle with a compartment for match storage and another for storing a replaceable striker, shown with a partially exploded match and striker 
         FIG. 2 : is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  emphasizing exposure and utility of a match striking surface 
         FIG. 3 : is a perspective view of a match handle with a compartment for match storage and a magnetically attached striker 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               10  prior art matches 
               12  prior art match handle 
               14  a match container 
               16  prior art match box used as a striker 
               18  a hinged lid for a match container 
               20  a hinged lid for a striker container 
               22  a striker container 
               23  prior art screw 
               24  a striker slot in container to allow for match striking without removal of striker 
               26  a magnetic striker 
               28  a magnetic strip attached to a match container 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Embodiment—FIG.  1  and FIG.  2   
     A match handle  12  is shown in  FIG. 1  with a set of matches  10  in an integrated match container  14 . It is shown in a perspective view in  FIG. 2  to display a striker  16 .  FIG. 1  shows a hinged lid  18  attached to match container  14 . It also shows a hinged lid  20  attached to a striker container  22 . To assembly the embodiment of  FIG. 1  two equal sized hinge-top plastic containers at attained. It is presently contemplated to use rectangular polypropylene hinge-top containers with relative outside dimensions of 16×43×59 millimeters. One container is used for match container  14  and is connected to another used as striker container  22 . They are connected by screws, adhesive, welding, or another suitable means. They are connected end-to-end to create an assembly that can be comfortably held by hand. The hinged openings will face opposite directions. Match handle  12  is then connected to match container  14  by a means suitable for the match handle being integrated. This will vary depending on the match handle geometry and will be evident to one skilled in the art. This embodiment shows the match handle  12  passing through a hole in the face of the match container  14 . It is then held by a screw  23  at one end of match handle  12 . Striker container  22  will then have a striker slot  24  cut into to it. This can be accomplished by a razor knife, thin powered grinding wheel, or another suitable means. Once these components are assembled matches  10  are loaded into match container  14 . A striker  16  is loaded into striker container  22 . In this embodiment a conventional  32  count penny match box is accommodated as striker  16 . This affords easy replacement. 
     Construction of this embodiment involves the following primary steps:
         1. Two equal sized hinge-top plastic containers at attained. It is presently contemplated to use rectangular polypropylene hinge-top containers with relative outside dimensions of 16×43×59 millimeters. One container is used for match container  14  and is connected to another used as striker container  22 . They are connected by screws, adhesive, welding, or another suitable means. They are connected end-to-end to create an assembly that can be comfortably held by hand. The hinged openings will face opposite directions.   2. Match handle  12  is then connected to match container  14  by a means suitable for the match handle being integrated. This will vary depending on the match handle geometry and will be evident to one skilled in the art. This embodiment shows the match handle  12  passing through a hole in the face of the match container  14 . It is then held by a screw  23  at one end of match handle  12 .   3. Striker container  22  will then have a striker slot  24  cut into to it. This can be accomplished by a razor knife, thin powered grinding wheel, or another suitable means.   4. Once these components are assembled matches  10  are loaded into match container  14 . A striker  16  is loaded into striker container  22 . In this embodiment a conventional  32  count penny match box is accommodated as striker  16 . This affords easy replacement.   5. The device is now ready for use.       

     Although specific materials, sizes, forms, and other details are currently contemplated in the description of this embodiment, various other materials, sizes, forms, etc. may be applied. Particularly, the use of pre-formed hinge-top plastic containers could be replaced with a single injection molded body. This body could include both container sections and all necessary features. 
     Operation 
     First Embodiment—FIG.  1  and FIG.  2   
     My match container and striker enable efficient functionality of a match handle. To achieve this, a match is selected from the match container from the hinge-top opening. The user can then strike the match on the integrated striker. The match can then either be inserted into the match handle or be applied independently if convenient. 
     It can also be used by selecting a match from the match container and inserting into the match handle before striking. The user can then remove the striker from its container and strike the match on the striker while the match is being held by the match handle. The striker is then replaced back in the striker container. 
     Operation of this embodiment involves the following steps:
         1. A match is selected from the match container   2. It is struck on the striker while the striker remains in the striker container   3. The match is then inserted into the match handle, or applied directly if convenient
 
Operation of this embodiment may alternatively involve the following steps:
   1. A match is selected from the match container   2. The match is then inserted into the match handle   3. The striker is drawn from the striker container   4. The match is then struck on the striker while being held in the match handle       

     Detailed Description 
     Second Embodiment—FIG.  3   
     A match handle  12  is shown in  FIG. 3  with a set of matches  10  in an integrated match container  14 .  FIG. 3  shows a hinged lid  18  attached to match container  14 . Also shown is a magnetic strip  28  used to attach a striker  26  to match container  14 . To assembly the embodiment of  FIG. 3  a match handle  12  is connected to match container  14  by a means suitable for the match handle being integrated. This will vary depending on the match handle geometry and will be evident to one skilled in the art. This embodiment shows the match handle  12  passing through a hole in the face of the match container  14 . It is then held by a screw  23  at one end of the match handle  12 . Magnetic strip  28  is then attached by adhesive or other suitable means to match container  14 . Striker  26  is then created by applying a match strike surface to a magnetic strip, such as a thin sheet of steel. It is presently contemplated that steel shim stock be used. The match strike surface can be cut from a conventional box of matches or produced from raw materials. Once all components are assembled the match container  14  is loaded with matches  10 . The striker  26  is attached to magnetic strip  28  and the device is ready for use. 
     Construction of this embodiment involves the following primary steps:
         1. A hinge-top plastic container is used as match container  14 . The embodiment currently contemplates using a rectangular shape container. It should have a suitable length to hold matches  10 . It is connected to match handle  12  by a means suitable for the match handle being integrated. This will vary depending on the match handle geometry and will be evident to one skilled in the art. This embodiment shows the match handle  12  passing through a hole in the face of the match container  14 . It is then held by a screw  23  at one end of the match handle  12 .   2. Magnetic strip  28  is attached to match container  14 . This embodiment currently contemplates using conventional magnetic strip with adhesive backing.   3. Striker  26  is constructed by attaining a thin piece of magnetic material. This could also be magnetic strip with adhesive backing, or a piece of steel shim stock. A piece of match strike surface is cut from a conventional box of matches. These two pieces are then bonded by adhesive or other suitable means.   4. Striker  26  is then attached to magnetic strip  28  and match container  14  is loaded with matches  10 .   5. The device is now ready for use.       

     Although specific materials, sizes, forms, and other details are currently contemplated in the description of this embodiment, various other materials, sizes, forms, etc. may be applied. 
     Operation 
     Second Embodiment—FIG.  3   
     A match is selected from the match container from the hinge-top opening. The user can then strike the match on the integrated striker. The match can then either be inserted into the match handle or be applied independently if convenient. 
     It can also be used by selecting a match from the match container and inserting into the match handle before striking. Follow by removing the striker from the magnetic strip. The user can then strike the match on the striker while the match is being held by the match handle. The striker is then replaced back on the magnetic strip. 
     Operation of this embodiment involves the following steps:
         1. A match selected from the match container   2. It is struck on the striker while the striker remains attached to the match container   3. The match is then inserted into the match handle, or applied directly if convenient
 
Operation of this embodiment may alternatively involve the following steps:
   1. A match selected from the match container   2. The match is then inserted into the match handle   3. The striker is removed from the magnetic strip   4. The match is then struck on the striker while being held in the match handle       

     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     According to the disclosed, I have provided means to integrate a match container and striker with a match handle or holder. While the above description contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment. They serve only as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments. Many ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of this disclosure. For example:
         The containers could be composed of shapes other than rectangular. These could include, but are not limited to; circular, square, triangular, or hexagonal cross-sections. Alternate shapes and configurations could also include means to provide for alternate holding methods of the device by the user.   Various closure mechanisms could be employed other than a hinge-top for the containers. These could include, but are not limited to; a sliding lid, a threaded cap, a squeezable opening, etc.   An additional match container could be included specifically for used matches.   The arrangement of the match container and striker container could take various other forms. For instance, the striker container could be toward the front, with the match container toward the rear of the device. The two containers could be side-by-side, as opposed to end-to-end. They could also be in an over-under configuration. These and many other configurations could be applied within the scope of this disclosure.   The magnetically attached striker could be on any other surface than what is shown in  FIG. 3  of the device. This could include an internal container surface.   The magnetically attached striker could be attached by other means than magnetic force. These could include, but are not limited to; Velcro® or similar material, snap button(s), a tongue-and-groove interface, etc.   The match handle could be detachable from the match container and striker assembly.   A striker could also be contained within the match container along with the matches as opposed to having a separate container or being attached to the outside surface.   A striker, utilizing a conventional match box, could also be attached by means of a boss that a match box sleeve can slide over.   A striker surface could be directly adhered to the match container or match handle body.   The lid for one or more containers of the device could be attached by a means other than a hinge. A lid could slide within and be retained by grooves or similar means. A lid could also be free to be removed from its respective container.   The containers could be fabricated from raw materials as opposed to using preformed containers. Particularly injection molding could be used to produce the container components. This could be as a single unit or multiple components to be assembled.       

     Similar ramifications and variations to the ones listed would be obvious to one skilled in the art. Thus the scope of the disclosed should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.