Match container

A match package having a match element and a cover therefor including a match striking element associated with the said cover, said cover being formed from a single strip of flexible, foldable, paper-like material having a flat central back portion to cover one side of the match element and a foldable portion at one end of the cover to cover the outer free ends and opposite side of the match elements, wherein the match elements consist of at least a single sheet having a base portion and a plurality of individual matches extending outwardly from one side of the base having one end of each of the matches attached to the base portion and an ignitible compound in the form of a head carried on the opposite free end of each of said matches, the improvement, which comprises:

• a. the opposite end of the cover extending outwardly below the base of the match element and folded to form a pocket outwardly from the bottom of the base portion of the match element, the end of the cover extending outwardly below the base of the match element having a match igniting surface extending across the extreme outer edge thereof and on the same side of the cover as the match element, the outer end of the cover being folded upon itself toward the pocket and of such length as to extend in close proximity of the bottom of the pocket, staple means extending through the folded side of the pocket, the base of the match element and the back portion of the cover to form a single package unit
• whereby the pocket is movable towards the folded end portion of the cover carrying the igniting surface without moving the said end to provide a sufficient space between the igniting element and the inner side surface of the pocket to insert a match head for igniting said match head when the head is withdrawn from the said space in contact with the igniting surface.