Improvements in or connected with Match Vesta Boxes and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 18th Dec., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Match Vesta Boxes and the like.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD POSTLETHWAITE of, Elkesley Retford, Nottinghamshire.
Gentleman. do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in or connected with match boxes, vesta
boxes, and the like, the object being to arrange or construct same in combination with
a wind shield or screen in such a manner as to allow of a match or vesta being easily
lighted in windy or exposed situations, the whole device being further arranged to
facilitate the application of the light to a pipe, cigar, cigarette or the like, while my
improved match or vesta box is of few and simple parts small and compact, and there
is nothing liable to get out of order.
In carrying my invention into practical effect, I provide a box or receptacle designed
to contain the matches or vest as which is hinged to a hollow outer case in such a
manner that when not required for use the box or receptacle can be turned back
within same, while when it is required to light a match, the box or receptacle is swung
out and a match or vesta lighted within the hollow case by passing, pressing, or
pushing the match or vesta through an automatic lighting contrivance arranged at
the side of the case, said case acting as a guard or shield and preventing the wind
from acting directly on the match, it being further provided with a suitable opening
or openings at the bottom to allow of the match being applied to a pipe or
cigar etc.
In order that my invention may be more fully understood, I will now proceed to
describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side
elevation of my improved match or vesta box in the closed position, Fig. 2
being a similar view of the box opened out ready for igniting a match or
vesta, and Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a sectional plan of the match box proper showing the hinging
arrangement, Fig. 6 being a vertical side view of same.
Fig. 7 illustrates in side elevation and longitudinal section the automatic lighting
contrivance.
According to my invention I provide a suitable match box or receptacle a furnished
with a lid secured by means of any suitable catch or fastening such as b said box
being hinged at c to a suitable hollow case or shield d, to the side of which is pivoted
an automatic lighting device e.
When not required for use the box a is turned back into the case or shield d, the
automatic lighter e then lying in a vertical position against the side of the case as
shown (Fig. 1). When however it is required to ignite a match to light a pipe, cigar,
or the like, the match box a is swung out (Figs. 2 and 3) and the automatic lighter e
turned down into a horizontal position, in such a manner that the end of the automatic
lighter is within the case or shield. A match or vesta is then pushed through said
automatic lighter e which causes it to ignite, the light being then applied to a pipe,
cigar, cigarette or the like through the opening o in the bottom 9 of the case or
shield d.
In order to facilitate the sliding of the box a within the case or shield d, I provide

page_text: a suitable hinging contrivance which consists of a plate of metal h (Figs. 5 and 6)
free to move ap and down under side flanges or within grooves k, formed in the side
of the box a, the plate h having a projecting tongue m which is hinged to the
outer case or shield d as shown at c, and by this means I provide a sliding connection
between the match box a and the case or shield d.
The automatic lighting contrivance preferably comprises a short length of
tubing, or hollow U-shaped piece furnished with a tongue p (Fig. 7), the end of
which is curved or bent round in a downward direction and roughened or serrated
upon its under surface, so that the match or vesta is lighted by the friction caused in
forcing the match or vesta past or under this tongue.
According to a slightly modified form of my invention the case or shield d may be
formed with a recess or pressed in part designed to contain the automatic lighted e
as shown in Fig. 4, the object being to have no outer projecting part as is the case
where the form of construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 is employed and where this
modified form is employed the the match box proper has to be formed with a
corresponding recess or inwardly pressed portion.
In order to facilitate the lighting of cigars, cigarettes and the like, an opening
may be formed in the side of the case to be covered with a hinged or pivoted flap or
cover as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1/. The combination of a match box with an outer case forming a wind guard or
shield and an automatic lighting contrivance, substantially as herein described and
shown in the accompanying drawings.
2/. In the combination of a match or vesta box and an outer case or shield, the
special form of sliding connection substantially as herein described and shown with
reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5, and 6 of the accompanying drawings, and for the
purposes specified.
3/. The application to a match box, of an outer case forming a wind guard or shield
and having an opening at the bottom by means of which the light may be applied
to a pipe, cigar, cigarette or the like in combination with an automatic lighting
device, the whoe combined and arranged substantially as herein described and shown,
and for the purposes specified.
4/. The improvements in or connected with match or vesta boxes and the like,
substantially as herein described and shown, and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 4th day of November 1807
F. G. CASSELL.
(of Cassell & Co)
22 Glasshouse St. Regent St. London, W.
Agent for the applicant.