Abstract:
A ticket scraper and method for the efficient production thereof using conventional plastic sheet printing and die-cutting techniques. Multiple scrapers of the same or varied designs are produced from a single sheet of plastic. The ticket scraper is effective for removing the obscuring surface of scratch-off tickets, but can be safely handled without risk to the user, the user&#39;s personal effects, or others. Production costs are minimized, while flexibility with respect to the appearance of the scraper produced is retained. Using conventional plastic sheet printing techniques, indicia comprised of a variety of shapes, designs and/or promotional logos/advertising are printed on a plastic sheet. Conventional die-cutting techniques are used to cut the scrapers from the printed plastic sheet. Using this approach, indicia appearing on the scrapers can be quickly and inexpensively changed, thereby allowing the scrapers to serve as a new, inexpensive media for advertisers and promoters targeting a specific customer base.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention pertains to the scraping implement art, and more particularly, to an implement, manufactured from die-cut plastic sheeting, for scraping an obscuring coating off a game card or lottery ticket.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Many game cards and lottery tickets have obscuring coatings over portions of the cards or tickets that can be scraped away to expose numbers, letters, and/or symbols underneath. Fingernails or coins are often used to remove the coatings.  
           [0005]    Sharp instruments such as knives or metal scrapers can also be used to remove the coatings if care is taken to avoid cutting or scraping the underlying printing and paper. However, such sharp instruments can also cause damage to the user, or the user&#39;s personal effects, such as clothing, and, in the case of accident or abuse, can cause damage to others and their property.  
           [0006]    A variety of scraping devices have been developed, however, the designs of these scrapers are, typically, overly complex, thus precluding their manufacture using simple and inexpensive techniques.  
           [0007]    A further deficiency with existing scraping devices is that they are void of smooth surfaces upon which idicia such as designs, logos, or advertising can be printed. Further, the manner in which the existing scrapers are manufactured, typically using casting molds, is not compatible with the use of traditional sheet printing processes to print indicia upon the scrapers as part of the manufacturing process.  
           [0008]    Such characteristics, common to existing ticket scrapers, result in increased production costs and limit the use of existing scrapers as low cost promotional tools, bearing the slogans and logos of promoters and/or advertisers.  
           [0009]    Therefore, a need exists for a ticket scraping tool that can be produced inexpensively, and that is capable of being easily tailored for promotional use by different advertisers/promoters.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    Therefore, in light of the above, and for other reasons that become apparent when the invention is fully described, an object of the present invention is to produce a ticket scraper that can be inexpensively manufactured.  
           [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to produce a ticket scraper that is effective, yet can be used safely and carried as a personal item without risk of injury to clothing, the carrier or to others.  
           [0012]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ticket scraper that serves as an inexpensive retail keychain-type product and/or promotional/advertising tool and can be readily adapted to meet the varying needs of different retail vendors and their customers. Additionally, the present invention provides advertisers/promoters a product that can be imprinted with a specific marketing logo and/or sales message.  
           [0013]    The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination, and it is not intended that the present invention be construed as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto.  
           [0014]    The present invention is a ticket scraper and method for the efficient production thereof using conventional plastic sheet printing and die-cutting techniques. Multiple scrapers of the same or varied designs are produced from a single sheet of plastic. The ticket scraper is effective for removing the obscuring surface of scratch-off tickets, but can be safely handled without risk to the user, the user&#39;s personal effects, or others. Production costs are minimized, while flexibility with respect to the appearance of the scraper produced is retained. Using conventional plastic sheet printing techniques, indicia comprised of a variety of shapes, designs and/or promotional logos/advertising are printed on a plastic sheet. Conventional die-cutting techniques are used to cut the scrapers from the printed sheets. Using this approach, indicia appearing on the scrapers can be quickly and inexpensively changed, thereby allowing the scrapers to serve as a new, inexpensive media for advertisers and promoters targeting a specific customer base.  
           [0015]    The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof, particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1A presents a top plan view of a representative ticket scraper, with an arcuate scraping protrusion, produced from a sheet of die-cut plastic, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1B presents a longitudinal sectional view of the scraper taken along lines  1 B- 1 B in FIG. 1A.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 presents a top plan view of a representative ticket scraper, with an “A” shaped scraping protrusion, produced from a sheet of die-cut plastic, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 presents a top plan view of a representative ticket scraper, with a “V” shaped scraping protrusion, produced from a sheet of die-cut plastic, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]    FIGS.  4 A- 4 I present a top plan view of an arrangement of ticket scraper shapes with curved scraping protrusions, arranged in a uniform pattern on a single sheet of plastic, in preparation for printing and die cutting, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    FIGS.  5 A- 5 I present a top plan view of an arrangement of ticket scraper shapes with “A” and “V” shaped scraping protrusions, arranged in a uniform pattern on a single sheet of plastic, in preparation for printing and die cutting, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 presents a procedural flow-chart illustrating the manner in which scrapers can be produced using conventional printing and die-cutting techniques, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    The following detailed explanation of the figures and of the preferred embodiments of the present invention reveal a novel ticket scraping device used for scraping an obscuring coating off a game card or lottery ticket and methods for producing said ticket scraping device using conventional sheet printing and die-cutting techniques.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1A presents a top plan view of a representative, non-limiting ticket scraper  100  typical of the style of scraper produced as described here. As shown in FIG. 1A, the scraper  100  has a substantially planar body  102 , having a peripheral edge  104  with an arcuate planar scraping protrusion  106 . Arcuate planar scraping protrusion  106  extends co-planar with planar body  100  and is bounded by two edges, an exposed first or scraper edge  108  that is substantially curved, and a second edge  110  serving as the junction between protrusion  106  and peripheral edge  104  of planar body  102 , and therefore shown with a representative dotted line. In use, the planar body  102  is grasped by a user and arcuate protrusion  106  with edge  108  is scraped forcefully along a coated layer on the surface of a game card or ticket to remove the obscuring coated layer. A hole or perforation  116  through planar body  102  allows the scraper  100  to be attached to a key chain so that the scraper remains conveniently available for use.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1B provides a longitudinal sectional view of scraper  100  taken along the lines B 1 -B 1  indicated in FIG. 1A. Ticket scraper  100  has a front planar surface  112  and a corresponding back planar surface  114  that typically bear printed indicia, such as colorful designs and/or writing, and can be used for presenting promotional material and advertisements.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 presents a top plan view of a ticket scraper with a substantially planar body  202 , having a peripheral edge  204 , with a generally “A” shaped planar scraping protrusion  206 . Planar protrusion  206  is coplanar with planar body  202  and is bounded by four edges: an exposed first or scraping edge  208  being an outer linear segment; an exposed side or second edge  210  connecting a first point  214  on peripheral edge  204  of planer body  202  to a first end  212  of linear first edge  208 ; an exposed side or third edge  218  connecting a second point  222  on peripheral edge  204  of planer body  202  to a second end  220  of linear first edge  208 ; and a fourth edge  228  serving as the junction between protrusion  206  and peripheral edge  204  of planar body  202 , and therefore shown with a representative dotted line. “A” shaped, as used herein, means that protrusion side edges  210  and  218  of planar scraping protrusion  206  diverge from their respective junctures with planar body  202  to their respective ends of outer linear scraping edge  208 . A hole or perforation  228  through planar body  202  allows scraper  200  to be attached to a key chain so that the scraper remains conveniently available for use. Edge  208  serves as the scraper edge for the device.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 presents a top plan view of a ticket scraper with a substantially planar body  302 , having a peripheral edge  304 , with a generally “V” shaped planar scraping protrusion  306 . Planar protrusion  306  is coplanar with planar body  302  and is bounded by four edges: an exposed first or scraping edge  308  being an outer linear segment; an exposed side or second edge  310  connecting a first point  314  on peripheral edge  304  of planer body  302  to a first end  312  of linear first edge  308 ; an exposed side or third edge  318  connecting a second point  322  on peripheral edge  304  of planer body  302  to a second end  320  of linear first edge  308 ; and a fourth edge  328  serving as the junction between protrusion  306  and peripheral edge  304  of planar body  302 , and therefore shown with a representative dotted line. “V” shaped, as used herein, means that protrusion side edges  310  and  318  of planar scraping protrusion  306  converge from their respective junctures with planar body  302  to their respective ends of outer linear scraping edge  308 . A hole or perforation  328  through planar body  302  allows scraper  300  to be attached to a key chain so that the scraper remains conveniently available for use. Edge  308  serves as the scraper edge for the device.  
         [0028]    The scraper described in FIGS.  1 - 3  is typically die-cut from a sheet of pre-printed sheets of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic of a uniform thickness between 1 and 4 millimeters thick, however, any type of plastic or composite fiber sheet can be used so long as the material used is stiff and sufficiently hard not to malform when used to scrape an obscuring coating from a game card or ticket.  
         [0029]    As described in relation to FIG. 1B, the scraper has a substantially smooth front planar surface and back planar surface that is typically printed with indicia such as colorful designs and/or writing and can be used for presenting promotional material and advertisements. In one non-limiting, representative embodiment, a scraper is produced by first printing decorations and/or promotional material on a sheet of plastic of a thickness between 1 and 4 millimeters thick and then cutting the pre-printed scraper from the sheet of plastic using conventional die-cutting techniques. The scraper can be cut entirely from the plastic sheet and removed or the depth of the cut can be limited at points along the perimeter of the scraper, so that the scraper remains part of the sheet until manually punched out and removed. Alternatively, the sheet can be scored with spaced through-cuts to facilitate manual punch out of individual scrapers.  
         [0030]    Given that the scrapers are produced from plastic sheets that can be printed with a variety of designs and colors, and content, the scrapers described here offer significant advantages over conventional scrapers with respect to their use for promotional uses. For example, a single generic die-cut scraper shape can be printed in an unlimited number of ways, allowing unlimited variations in the appearance of the scraper without modification to the die-cutting portion of the manufacturing process.  
         [0031]    In a non-limiting variation of the above embodiment, multiple scrapers of the same or varied designs are produced from a single sheet of plastic. The selected designs are first printed upon the plastic sheet and a die-cutting device is then used to cut the multiple scrapers from the single sheet. Embodiments in which the scrapers remain attached to the plastic sheet after the die-cutting process, as described above, allow the scrapers to be distributed and marketed in easily managed sheets, with individual scrapers being detached shortly prior to use or distribution.  
         [0032]    The scrapers, described here, are produced from relatively thin, uniform sheets of plastic. These sheets of plastic sheets, the sheets of stock material can be printed upon using conventional printing techniques, either prior to die-cutting, or after die-cutting, in embodiments in which the scrapers remain substantially attached to the plastic sheet after cutting. Alternatively printed decals can be applied to a plastic sheet prior to, or after, die-cutting.  
         [0033]    Texture can be added to the front and back sides of the scraper to improve a user&#39;s ability to grasp the scraper without the scraper slipping from the user&#39;s hand. Such texture can be introduced by using sheets of plastic that are textured on one or both sides, or by applying a slip resistant or textured finish. In one embodiment, ink used to print designs and/or logos upon the scraper, dries to slip resistant finish. In another embodiment, printed, textured stickers are applied to the scraper, providing the user with an improved grip.  
         [0034]    FIGS.  4 A- 4 I present a top plan view of an arrangement of ticket scraper shapes, arranged in a uniform pattern on a single sheet of plastic, in preparation for printing and die cutting, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIGS.  4 A- 4 I are a variety of scraper bodies, each associated with the circular scraping protrusion first presented in FIG. 1A. The scraper described here, however, is not limited to any specific scraper body design or scraper protrusion, nor is the scraper described here limited to any body design/protrusion combination. Any protrusion shape including, but not limited to, the “A” shaped protrusion and/or the “V” shaped protrusion described above, can be used in association with any of the scraper bodies presented in FIGS.  4 A- 4 I.  
         [0035]    Shown in FIGS.  4 A- 4 I are multiple non-limiting, representative scraper embodiments, each with its own printable area that fits within the contour of the scraper body. The non-limiting, representative embodiments include: a circular scraper body design  402  with corresponding circular scraper body/protrusion printable area  404 ; a square-shaped scraper body design  406  with corresponding square-shaped scraper body/protrusion printable area  408 ; an oval-shaped scraper body design  410  with corresponding oval-shaped scraper body/protrusion printable area  412 ; a double-edged circular scraper body design  414  with corresponding double-edged circular scraper body/protrusion printable area  416 ; a rectangular scraper body design  418  with corresponding rectangular scraper body/protrusion printable area  420 ; a generally tree-shaped scraper body design  422  with corresponding tree-shaped scraper body/protrusion printable area  424 ; a tall oval-shaped scraper body design  426  with corresponding tall oval-shaped scraper body/protrusion printable area  428 ; a four leaf clover-shaped scraper body design  430  with corresponding four leaf clover-shaped scraper body/protrusion printable area  432 ; and a horseshoe-shaped scraper body design  434  with corresponding horseshoe-shaped scraper body/protrusion printable area  436 .  
         [0036]    FIGS.  5 A- 5 I present a top plan view of an arrangement of ticket scraper shapes, arranged in a uniform pattern on a single sheet of plastic, in preparation for printing and die cutting, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0037]    Shown in FIGS.  5 A- 5 I are multiple non-limiting, representative scraper embodiments, each with an “A” or “V” shaped scraping protrusion first presented with respect to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, respectively. As described above, each scraper includes a printable area that fits within the contour of the scraper body. The non-limiting, representative embodiments include: a circular scraper body design  502  with corresponding circular scraper body/protrusion printable area  504 ; a square-shaped scraper body design  506  with corresponding square-shaped scraper body/protrusion printable area  508 ; an oval-shaped scraper body design  510  with corresponding oval-shaped scraper body/protrusion printable area  512 ; a double-edged circular scraper body design  514  with corresponding double-edged circular scraper body/protrusion printable area  516 ; a rectangular scraper body design  518  with corresponding rectangular scraper body/protrusion printable area  520 ; a generally tree-shaped scraper body design  522  with corresponding tree-shaped scraper body/protrusion printable area  524 ; a tall oval-shaped scraper body design  526  with corresponding tall oval-shaped scraper body/protrusion printable area  528 ; a four leaf clover-shaped scraper body design  530  with corresponding four leaf clover-shaped scraper body/protrusion printable area  532 ; and a horseshoe-shaped scraper body design  534  with corresponding horseshoe-shaped scraper body/protrusion printable area  536 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 6 presents a representative, non-limiting procedural flow-chart illustrating the manner in which the scrapers described here can be produced using conventional printing and die-cutting techniques. As shown in FIG. 6, a die-cutting blade is selected, at step  600 , that includes one or more shaped cutting blades for one or more scraper designs. Such a die-cutting blade could be designed to cut a single scraper from a sheet of plastic, or multiple scrapers from a sheet of plastic. In one embodiment, the die-cutting blade is configured in a roller configuration that allows the die-cutting blade to be fed a continuous sheet of plastic from a spooled roll of plastic sheeting. In another embodiment, the die-cutting blade is configured to cut through one plastic sheet or a stack of multiple vertically aligned sheets.  
         [0039]    Next, at step  602 , a sheet of plastic material is selected having characteristics sufficient to render at least portions of the sheet effective to function as a scraper. Typically, this involves choosing a sheet of plastic of a type that is sufficiently rigid and hard to serve as an effective scraper. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic sheeting of a thickness between 1 and 4 millimeters has such appropriate characteristics and is a preferred material for the manufacture of ticket scrapers, as described here.  
         [0040]    Once a die-cutting blade and plastic sheet material is selected, designs and or lettering must be selected and arranged, at step  604 , so that the designs and letter are printed upon the plastic sheet in a manner that can be aligned with the selected die-cutting blade. For example, if die-cutting blade is selected that is configured to cut three scrapers side-by-side wherein the first scraper uses a circular body and a curved protrusion, the second scraper uses a tree body and an “A” style protrusion, and the third uses a horse shoe body with a “V” style protrusion, appropriate designs must be selected and arranged so that the designs are printed on the plastic sheet at locations that correspond to the printable area associated with each scraper body/protrusion combination as arranged on the selected die-cutting blade.  
         [0041]    At step  606 , the selected designs are printed to the plastic sheet, arranged as described above. The printed plastic sheet is then aligned, at step  608 , with the die-cutting blade and, at step  610 , the plastic sheeting is cut. Depending upon the configuration of the die-cutting blade selected the technique used to align the plastic sheet material with the die-cutting blade and to cut the plastic sheet material can vary. In one embodiment, in which a roller configured die-cutting blade is used, a streaming roll of printed plastic sheeting is aligned with the roller blade prior to cutting. In another embodiment, one plastic sheet or a stack of multiple vertically aligned sheets is aligned with the selected die-cutting blade prior to cutting.  
         [0042]    If, as indicated at step  612 , a die-cutting blade was selected that cuts entirely through the plastic sheet along the entire perimeter of the scraper edge, the individual printed scrapers are removed, at step  616 . If, as indicated at step  612 , a die-cutting blade was selected that cuts a perforated scraper edge, the sheet of plastic is removed, at step  614 , containing one or more scrapers.  
         [0043]    The scrapers, described above, are constructed from plastic sheet of a thickness that is sufficiently stiff when cut to small dimensions, yet is capable of providing an edge of sufficient hardness to repeatedly remove the opaque surfaces of game cards without significant malformation. In one embodiment the die-cutting process is performed with the plastic sheet in a plane perpendicular to the die-cutting blade, resulting in a scraper with scraping edges at right angles to the front and back planar surfaces of the scraper. Such an approach produces an instrument that is an effective ticket scraper, yet can be safely handled without risk to the user, the user&#39;s personal effects, or others.  
         [0044]    In another embodiment the die-cutting process is performed with the plastic sheet held at an angle from a plane perpendicular to the die-cutting blade, resulting in a scraper with one or more tapered scraping edges, depending upon the scraper design.  
         [0045]    In yet another embodiment, the die-cutting process is performed in two steps: a first partial cut is performed with the plastic sheet in a plane perpendicular to the die-cutting blade, resulting in edges at right angles to the planar surfaces of the sheet; then, a second partial cut with the plastic sheet held at an angle from a plane perpendicular to the die-cutting blade, resulting in a beveling of the corners of the first cut, and/or in one or more fully tapered scraping edges.  
         [0046]    Having described preferred embodiments of apparatus for scraping coated surface tickets and method of manufacture, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.