A match is a thin wooden handle, equipped with an incendiary head on top. The main purpose of this wand is to receive open fire. Not a single person can do without matches today. With their use, light gas in the kitchen, make a fire in the woods, smoke, etc. The dimensions of the matches are small, and therefore they are usually used in large quantities. It would be extremely inconvenient to store them in bulk. Therefore, they are stacked in small boxes. The latter can accommodate them in a few tens, hundreds or even thousands of pieces. The size of the matchbox, respectively, may be different. However, certain standards of height, width and length are still available.
A bit of history
The matches themselves were invented in 1805 by the physicist J. Chansel. For a long time they were sold without a box. The dimensions of the matches at that time were larger than now, and they lit up on any hard surface. The first box for their storage allegedly appeared in 1833. Initially, the grater was located inside. Of course, it was not too convenient that the matches in such boxes were sometimes ignited spontaneously simply because of friction against each other.
Safe matches began to be released only in the middle of the 19th century. in Sweden. They appeared in Russia in the 1880s. Matches delivered from Sweden were initially very expensive in our country; only wealthy people could use them.
Standard size matchbox
Such products are made today most often from ordinary thick cardboard. On sale there are pocket versions of matchboxes, household, fireplace, etc. But most often, of course, the first variety of such cardboard products is used.
The size of a matchbox is standard by GOST 1820-2001. What exactly should be the dimensions of this product, see the table below.
Index | Value (mm) | Tolerance (mm) |
Length | 50.5 | one |
Width | 37.5 | 0.5 |
Height | 14.5 | one |
As you can see, the length of a standard box is not five centimeters, as everyone is used to thinking. This figure is slightly larger. The size of the matchbox in centimeters is 5.05x3.75x1.45. Matches themselves are produced with a length of 42.5 mm and a thickness of 2.05 mm. In a box they should be packed 45 pcs., But in some cases it is allowed to reduce their number to 38. It is interesting that in Soviet times, according to standards, matches in boxes of this size should have been packed at least 60 pcs.
Label Design and Usability
The matchbox is a regular cardboard box, both sides of which are glued with labels. The design of the latter can be any, but it is not the same. The labels are positioned so that the consumer can immediately understand how the inside of the box is turned. If they had the same design, opening matches would be very easy to sprinkle. Most often, the front labels of modern boxes show logos of different companies, and on the reverse side their contact information.
What other standards exist
GOST standards, in addition to different label designs, the following are observed in the manufacture of matchboxes:
Instead of two, one label is allowed (on the top).
The inner part of the box should hold tightly in the outer and not fall out at any change in its position.
The leakage of phosphate grater on the wide side of the box should not exceed 4 mm.
The label should not go into the narrow part more than 1 mm.
The total area of the phosphorus mass of the grater should provide free ignition of the double number of matches in the box.
As for the matches themselves, it is not allowed to fly off sparks and burning slag when they are ignited. The head must have a minimum length of 2.5 mm. Sulfur streaks are not allowed. Below we present to your attention a drawing of a matchbox with dimensions (standard).
How to store and transport
Filled matchboxes are packed according to GOST 13511-91. First, they are wrapped in paper packs of 10 pieces. Then put in cardboard boxes. The latter is transported in packaged transport in covered vehicles. On open platforms, such products cannot be transported. After all, when wet, matches for use will become unusable. Matches are stored at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees and a humidity of 85%.
Other sizes
Standard matches are sold at every grocery store and tobacco shop. But sometimes in the shopping center you can see boxes of other sizes. For example, on sale sometimes there is a similar in shape and design to the standard version of "700" or "500". The size of a matchbox of this variety can be 92x80x46 mm (for 700 pcs.) Or 52x70x132 (for 500 pcs.). Of course, you won’t put such a product in your pocket, but it can be quite convenient for the kitchen.
You can also purchase Household matches in very large boxes - 75x225x155 mm or 47x196x130 mm. This option has a slightly different design than a regular one. There is no retractable part in it. It is mounted vertically and opens from above. Such sizes of matchboxes allow to put in them 2000 pcs. matches (in both).
Matches can be sold not only in boxes, but also in beautiful jars. This option is also well suited to thrifty housewives. Matches in such cans can be poured 1100-1500 pieces. Among other things, this option in the kitchen will look very good.
How to make a beautiful matchbox with your own hands
Such a souvenir is perfect as a gift to guests if the celebration is organized, for example, in nature. The invitees will be able to use it for its intended purpose or take it with you home as a keepsake. It is best if the size of the matchbox used in this case as the frame will be standard. But you can use any other option. You should also prepare beautiful paper, ribbons and invisibility (hair clips).
The box is removed and the upper part unfolds. Beautiful inscriptions are applied to the paper. You can make them by hand. But it’s better to find a template on the Internet and print it on a printer. Next, the paper is cut to size in a box (2 large walls and 1 small). Stick it in such a way that 1 grater remains in sight. Rough edges can be cut using scissors and a ruler. Next, the box must be carefully glued again. In order to keep the paper from moving, you can use invisibility. After the glue dries, you can insert the box with matches into a beautiful shell.
To make the souvenir look even more attractive, it should be tied with a beautiful ribbon, making a bow or a rose. Sometimes, in such gift boxes, instead of matches, a suitable piece of bright soap is placed in size. In this case, a very interesting souvenir is also obtained. What size matchbox to choose in this case is not a very important question. Both a small souvenir with soap and a large one will look beautiful.
Fancy Boxes
Of course, if you wish, you can buy a ready-made model of such an original souvenir. For example, calendars, items divided into two parts (for whole matches and burnt ones) or with holes for candles look very nice. An interesting gift can also be, for example, wooden boxes intended for only one match, a cowboy, etc.