EP0975401A1 - Scratch-off lottery game with dual transparent layers - Google Patents
Scratch-off lottery game with dual transparent layersInfo
- Publication number
- EP0975401A1 EP0975401A1 EP99900102A EP99900102A EP0975401A1 EP 0975401 A1 EP0975401 A1 EP 0975401A1 EP 99900102 A EP99900102 A EP 99900102A EP 99900102 A EP99900102 A EP 99900102A EP 0975401 A1 EP0975401 A1 EP 0975401A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- layer
- scratch
- transparent layer
- colored
- transparent
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F3/00—Board games; Raffle games
- A63F3/06—Lottos or bingo games; Systems, apparatus or devices for checking such games
- A63F3/062—Bingo games, e.g. Bingo card games
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F3/00—Board games; Raffle games
- A63F3/06—Lottos or bingo games; Systems, apparatus or devices for checking such games
- A63F3/065—Tickets or accessories for use therewith
- A63F3/0665—Tickets or accessories for use therewith having a message becoming legible after rubbing-off a coating or removing an adhesive layer
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a scratch-off lottery ticket and particularly to a
- Scratch-off games comprising a substrate on which a scratchable rub-off
- coating is applied in order to hide instant prices in the form of a price amount, or a
- a game called Bingo is also well known. This game makes use of cards on
- Bingo random numbers are drawn by some authority. A player marks the corresponding numbers on their card, trying to get a
- Another scratch-off game comprises a substrate having a first grid of boxes
- the first grid is hidden by a scratchable rub-off coating upon which
- a second grid contains the same randomly selected numbers as the first grid.
- One aspect of the game is conducted as a standard Bingo type game in which selected numbers are scratched off by removing the second grid to reveal the same numbers in the underlying first grid. If the selected numbers form a row (horizontal,
- winning game symbols e.g. price amounts
- play area or "user's card” of the bingo game has numbers printed on a substrate.
- the play area has a printed matrix which is covered by a single layer of material
- the single layer of material is translucent which allows viewing of the printed
- the coating is colored such that those
- portions of the colored layer when viewed after removal of the coating are visually
- the scratch-off area and/or is relatively expensive to implement.
- the non-scratch-off layer is joined to the
- scratch-off layer e.g. by imprinting directly thereon
- transparent scratch-off layer also removes the transparent non-scratch-off layer.
- the present invention can be applied to any game in which it is desirable to
- Such games include, for example, BINGO, crossword puzzle type games and the like.
- Patent No. 5,704,647 incorporated herein by reference.
- the present invention is generally directed to scratch-off lottery tickets in
- present invention comprises:
- a scratch-off lottery game comprising a substrate having at least one area
- said clear transparent layer which is colored, transparent and made of a non-
- Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a Bingo type lottery ticket
- FIG. 1 there is shown a bingo type lottery ticket in which a
- transparent layer scratch-off system shall mean the employment of at least one
- a bingo ticket 2 includes a substrate 4 made of material such as paper, foil, coated board or other and customarily used materials. On all or a portion of the
- optional layer 10 may be placed on the designated area 6 to provide a desirable
- the layer 10 can, for example, be a lily pad layer when the
- substrate is a foil, since foils do not provide a desirable printing surface. If the substrate provides a desirable printing surface (e.g. when the substrate is made of
- the layer 10 may be omitted.
- Printed indicia 12 in the form of prize symbols, numbers and the like is then printed over the layer 10 or directly on the substrate if the layer 10 is omitted, followed by a clear release coating 14 customarily employed on lottery tickets.
- a clear release coating 14 customarily employed on lottery tickets.
- a clear, transparent layer 16 made of a scratch-off material. Placed over the layer 16 is a transparent colored layer 18 made of an overprint ink.
- the clear transparent layer 16 employed in the present invention is typically a
- rubber based layer such as block copolymers made from polystyrene and a suitable
- copolymer such as poly (ethylene-butylene) or polybutadiene.
- poly(ethylene-butylene) or polybutadiene Such block
- copolymers can be obtained from the Shell Chemical Company under the Kraton ®
- Blends of such block copolymers may be employed to vary the
- the transparent layer can also be used based on a fully saturated elastomeric terpolymer such as HYSTRECH ® from BF Goodrich Company.
- the transparent layer may typically
- fillers contain one or more of the following materials selected from fillers, dispersing
- the transparent colored layer 18 has two purposes. The first is to provide
- the transparent colored layer which itself is a
- non-scratch-off layer must be sufficiently affixed to the clear transparent layer 16
- preferred transparent colored layer 18 is a flexographic ink layer, preferably a
- nitrocellulose based ink a polyamide based ink, or an acrylic based ink.
- a polyamide based ink a polyamide based ink
- an acrylic based ink a polyacryl based ink.
- the ink layer 18 is also available as a waterbased ink.
- the dual transparent system provided by the combination of the layers 16
- the dual transparent system may be used in conjunction with a conventional
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Educational Technology (AREA)
- Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
A scratch-off lottery game including a substrate having at least one area having printed indicia thereon, the printed indicia being covered by at least one clear, transparent layer which can be removed by scratching, and at least one layer on said clear transparent layer which is colored, transparent and made of a non-scratch-off material, the colored transparent layer being affixed to the clear transparent layer in a manner in which removing the clear transparent layer by scratching results in removal of the colored transparent layer.
Description
SCRATCH-OFF LOTTERY GAME WITH DUAL TRANSPARENT LAYERS
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a scratch-off lottery ticket and particularly to a
ticket having at least a portion thereof having printed indicia covered by a dual
transparent layer scratch-off system enabling viewing of the printed indicia
therethrough.
Background of the Invention
Scratch-off games comprising a substrate on which a scratchable rub-off
coating is applied in order to hide instant prices in the form of a price amount, or a
game symbol which is printed directly onto the substrate, are well known and commonly used by lotteries and advertising companies for promotional purposes. With such scratch-off games, the play essentially consists of scratching the rub-off
coating or a part thereof in order to hopefully find that one of the instant prices has
been printed on the substrate. If an instant price is found, the possessor of the
scratch-off ticket wins that amount.
A game called Bingo is also well known. This game makes use of cards on
which two dimensional grids form individual boxes. Each box has a randomly
selected number printed therein. Bingo random numbers are drawn by some authority. A player marks the corresponding numbers on their card, trying to get a
complete horizontal, vertical or diagonal row of the numbers marked. When a player
accomplishes this objective, they win a price amount that is usually predetermined before the drawing of numbers starts.
Another scratch-off game comprises a substrate having a first grid of boxes
printed thereon, containing winning or losing symbols which are randomly
distributed. The first grid is hidden by a scratchable rub-off coating upon which
another, second grid is printed and superimposed over the first grid. The second
grid contains numbers sequentially printed in its boxes to allow identification of the
boxes. In use, a plurality of numbers are drawn at random by some authority. Then,
each player scratches the rub-off coating of the boxes bearing the numbers that are
drawn in order to uncover the symbols printed within the corresponding boxes of the
first grid. If a given number of winning symbols are uncovered, the player will win a
specific price amount.
The second grid of numbers printed on the rub-off coating of all of these
games is always the same, and only the first grid of randomly selected winning and losing symbols vary from one card to the other. In addition, there is only a single
way of playing this scratch game.
A game of this type is disclosed in the Desbiens Reissue Patent No. 34,673,
incorporated herein by reference. A two level scratch-off game is disclosed in which
a second grid contains the same randomly selected numbers as the first grid. The
second grid of numbers is printed on an opaque scratch-off coating covering the first
grid. One aspect of the game is conducted as a standard Bingo type game in which
selected numbers are scratched off by removing the second grid to reveal the same numbers in the underlying first grid. If the selected numbers form a row (horizontal,
vertical or diagonal) a prize may be won. The second level of the game results from
the presence of winning game symbols (e.g. price amounts) in the exposed first grid.
If the appropriate number or type of symbols are exposed a prize may be won.
The removing of the second grid to reveal the same numbers in the first grid
enables the playing to visually observe all of the numbers that have been selected.
In Pollard, U.S. Patent No. 5,193,815 the opaque layer of the second grid is
replaced with a scratch-off, translucent, colored layer. According to this patent, the
play area or "user's card" of the bingo game has numbers printed on a substrate.
The play area has a printed matrix which is covered by a single layer of material
which is translucent, removeable by scratching and colored.
The single layer of material is translucent which allows viewing of the printed
symbols and the colored layer therethrough. The coating is colored such that those
portions of the colored layer when viewed after removal of the coating are visually
distinct from those portions of the colored layer when viewed through the coating.
Each of the above-mentioned patents provides a system by which the
removal of the scratch-off layer in certain play areas or boxes provides a visual
distinction with these areas in which the scratch-off layer has not been removed.
However, each of the prior art systems places limits on the overall appearance of
the scratch-off area and/or is relatively expensive to implement.
It would therefore be a significant advance in the art of producing scratch-off
tickets, especially for a Bingo game type of format if a system of differentiating
numbers in play from numbers which are not in play can be implemented in a cost
efficient and effective manner.
It would be a further advance in the art of producing such scratch-off tickets if
a system of differentiating numbers in play from those not in play could be
developed which will enable elaborate graphic designs to be printed on the ticket
such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5, 704,647.
Summary Of The Invention
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a dual transparent
layer system which employs at least one clear, transparent scratch-off layer covering
a matrix of numbers and at least one colored, transparent layer thereover which is
made from a non-scratch-off material. The non-scratch-off layer is joined to the
scratch-off layer (e.g. by imprinting directly thereon) such that removal of the
transparent scratch-off layer also removes the transparent non-scratch-off layer.
The present invention can be applied to any game in which it is desirable to
have a visual display of play indicia (e.g. numbers) through a layer which can be
removed by scratching. Such games include, for example, BINGO, crossword puzzle type games and the like.
The employment of the dual transparent layer system of the present invention
enables the use of a plurality of transparent inks which can be used to print a wide
variety of designs including the multicolor printing techniques disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 5,704,647 incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention is generally directed to scratch-off lottery tickets in
which printed indicia are observable through scratch-off layers. In particular the
present invention comprises:
a scratch-off lottery game comprising a substrate having at least one area
having printed indicia thereon, the printed indicia being covered by at least one
clear, transparent layer which can be removed by scratching, and at least one layer
on said clear transparent layer which is colored, transparent and made of a non-
scratch-off material, said colored transparent layer being affixed to the clear
transparent layer in a manner such that removing the clear transparent layer by
scratching results in the removal of the colored transparent layer at the same time.
Brief Description of the Drawing
The following drawing is illustrative of an embodiment of the present invention
and is not intended to limit the invention as encompassed by the broader description
provided herein.
Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a Bingo type lottery ticket
employing the dual transparent layer system of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a bingo type lottery ticket in which a
designated area as hereinafter described employs a dual transparent layer scratch-
off system in accordance with the present invention. As used herein the term "dual
transparent layer scratch-off system" shall mean the employment of at least one
clear (i.e. non-colored) transparent layer having thereon at least one colored transparent layer.
A bingo ticket 2 includes a substrate 4 made of material such as paper, foil, coated board or other and customarily used materials. On all or a portion of the
substrate 4 (a designated area 6 is shown) there is printed various graphics 8. An
optional layer 10 may be placed on the designated area 6 to provide a desirable
printing background. The layer 10 can, for example, be a lily pad layer when the
substrate is a foil, since foils do not provide a desirable printing surface. If the substrate provides a desirable printing surface (e.g. when the substrate is made of
paper) then the layer 10 may be omitted.
Printed indicia 12 in the form of prize symbols, numbers and the like is then printed over the layer 10 or directly on the substrate if the layer 10 is omitted, followed by a clear release coating 14 customarily employed on lottery tickets.
In accordance with the present invention there is then provided at least one
clear, transparent layer 16 made of a scratch-off material. Placed over the layer 16 is a transparent colored layer 18 made of an overprint ink.
The clear transparent layer 16 employed in the present invention is typically a
rubber based layer such as block copolymers made from polystyrene and a suitable
copolymer such as poly (ethylene-butylene) or polybutadiene. Such block
copolymers can be obtained from the Shell Chemical Company under the Kraton®
brand name. Blends of such block copolymers may be employed to vary the
cohesive strength, viscosity and adhesion of the transparent layer. A water based
layer can also be used based on a fully saturated elastomeric terpolymer such as HYSTRECH® from BF Goodrich Company. The transparent layer may typically
contain one or more of the following materials selected from fillers, dispersing
agents, and defoamers known to those of ordinary skill in this art.
The transparent colored layer 18 has two purposes. The first is to provide
color over the printed indicia, preferably a different color than the background color
around the printed indicia. Second, the transparent colored layer, which itself is a
non-scratch-off layer must be sufficiently affixed to the clear transparent layer 16
that it is removed when the layer 16 is scratched and removed from the ticket. The
preferred transparent colored layer 18 is a flexographic ink layer, preferably a
nitrocellulose based ink, a polyamide based ink, or an acrylic based ink. Such inks
can be obtained from Flint, Inc. and adhere to the clear transparent layer to a
sufficient extent that removal of the layer 16 by scratching also results in the removal
of the layer 18. The ink layer 18 is also available as a waterbased ink.
While fiexographic printing is a preferred method of applying the layers 16
and 18, it will be understood that other printing methods known to those skilled in the art could be used including silkscreen and rotogravure printing.
The dual transparent system provided by the combination of the layers 16
and 18 enables the holder of the ticket to view the printed indicia therethrough.
When the layers 16 and 18 are removed by scratching, the printed indicia are seen,
preferably with a different color background than provided by the layer 18. As a
result the holder of the ticket can keep a visual record of the printed indicia which
has been exposed.
The arrangement of layers 16 and 18 and particularly the employment of a
separate colored, transparent layer made of overprint ink enables exceptional
designs to be printed onto the lottery ticket including the printing techniques shown
and described in U.S. Patent No. 5,704,647.
The dual transparent system may be used in conjunction with a conventional
system for hiding numbers such as at least one opaque layer 20 as shown in Figure
1 which in a Bingo type game is used in association with the Caller's Card.
Claims
1. A scratch-off lottery game comprising a substrate having at least one
area having printed indicia thereon, the printed indicia being covered by at least one
clear, transparent layer which can be removed by scratching, and at least one layer
on said clear transparent layer which is colored, transparent and made of a non-
scratch-off material, said colored transparent layer being affixed to the clear
transparent layer in a manner in which removing the clear transparent layer by
scratching results in removal of the colored transparent layer by scratching.
2. The scratch-off lottery game of claim 1 wherein the printed indicia are
in a first color and the color of the colored transparent layer is of a second color
different than the first color.
3. The scratch-off lottery game of claim 1 which is in the form of a bingo
type game.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US208228 | 1980-11-19 | ||
| US7193998P | 1998-01-20 | 1998-01-20 | |
| US71939P | 1998-01-20 | ||
| US09/208,228 US6076860A (en) | 1998-12-09 | 1998-12-09 | Scratch-off lottery game with dual transparent layers |
| PCT/IB1999/000071 WO1999036143A1 (en) | 1998-01-20 | 1999-01-18 | Scratch-off lottery game with dual transparent layers |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0975401A1 true EP0975401A1 (en) | 2000-02-02 |
| EP0975401B1 EP0975401B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 |
Family
ID=26752841
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP99900102A Expired - Lifetime EP0975401B1 (en) | 1998-01-20 | 1999-01-18 | Scratch-off lottery game with dual transparent layers |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0975401B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU720944B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2284567C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1999036143A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5074566A (en) * | 1990-08-07 | 1991-12-24 | Les Technologies Babn Inc. | Two level scratch game |
| US5193815A (en) * | 1992-04-22 | 1993-03-16 | Pollard Banknote Limited | Instant bingo game and game card therefor |
| US5569512A (en) * | 1994-02-14 | 1996-10-29 | Dittler Brothers Incorporated | Card with integrated overprinting |
| GB9511499D0 (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1995-08-02 | Babn Technologies Corp | 4-Colour process security overprinting of scratchable instant lottery tickets |
-
1999
- 1999-01-18 EP EP99900102A patent/EP0975401B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-01-18 WO PCT/IB1999/000071 patent/WO1999036143A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1999-01-18 CA CA002284567A patent/CA2284567C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-01-18 AU AU17792/99A patent/AU720944B2/en not_active Expired
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| See references of WO9936143A1 * |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1999036143A1 (en) | 1999-07-22 |
| EP0975401B1 (en) | 2004-09-22 |
| CA2284567C (en) | 2004-08-17 |
| AU1779299A (en) | 1999-08-02 |
| CA2284567A1 (en) | 1999-07-22 |
| AU720944B2 (en) | 2000-06-15 |
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