A flap on the front is lifted to access the matches , which are attached to the interior base in a comb-like pattern and must be torn away before use . ( In the matchbox , by contrast , the matches are arranged loosely in the interior tray . ) The folder is opened to access the matches , which are attached in a comb-like arrangement and must be torn away before use in contrast to a matchbox where the matches are loosely packed in the interior tray .