Patent Publication Number: US-10758812-B2

Title: Portable lottery ticket holder

Description:
FIELD 
     This patent application generally relates to lottery ticket apparatuses, and more specifically to lottery ticket holders having a tray configured to collect coating particulates scratched off of the lottery ticket by a user of the holder. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For various reasons, it may be desirable to have a portable surface on which to scratch coatings off of lottery tickets, for example as may be useful to help prevent damaging the ticket with a scratching-edged pen, or the like. Conventional systems for scratching lottery tickets have included containers, podiums, clipboards, etc. However, such systems have not been designed to be simple, lightweight, stackable, or otherwise convenient for on-the-go use. Rather, they have been heavy, bulky, and/or cumbersome to use. For example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0278540A1 to Schacht, for a Lottery Ticket Scratch Container, teaches “a hinged container, connecting a lid portion to a container base portion” and “gutters within the container base portion.” U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,720 to Shultz, for Lottery Ticket Tray, teaches a “surface surrounded by four walls,” including a “slidable drawer which serves as the storage compartment.” U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,959 to Allen et al., for Lottery Ticket Scrapings Catcher, teaches “a base surface for supporting lottery tickets . . . and a moat surrounding at least a substantial part of the base surface for catching the coatings scraped from the tickets.” And, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0007086A1 to Keatts et al., for Scratch Off Lottery Ticket Accessory, teaches a surface including “a planar surface disposed in a well between sidewalls” and “a movable gate and a cup for retaining debris.” 
     Further, the foregoing disclosures have presented surfaces for lottery ticket scratching that have been relatively expensive and complicated to manufacture, including requiring the assembly of multiple components using different materials. Thus, it would be desirable to further reduce manufacturing costs and lead time for the production of surfaces for the scratching of lottery tickets. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present teachings disclose a portable lottery ticket holder comprising a substantially planar surface having a perimeter having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge, wherein the top edge is opposite to the bottom edge, and the left side edge is opposite to the right side edge. The lottery ticket holder also includes at least one slot disposed along the surface and configured to hold a lottery ticket thereon. Additionally, the lottery ticket holder includes a tray attached to the bottom edge of the surface and configured to collect particulates disposed there within. Further, the surface may be configured to support the scratching off of a coating from a lottery ticket disposed on the surface and held there by the at least one slot. In some embodiments, the at least one slot may be disposed along the top edge of the surface. Some embodiments may include only one slot while other embodiments may include two or more slots. For example, the at least one slot may include two slots, a first slot being disposed along the left side edge of the surface, and a second slot being disposed along the right side edge of the surface. 
     In embodiments having two or more slots, the first slot and the second slot may be configured to enable the lottery ticket to slide longitudinally onto the surface and toward the tray. In such embodiments, a first root of the first slot may be spaced apart from a second root of the second slot at a distance corresponding to a width of the lottery ticket that may be held on the surface. Additionally, in such embodiments, the first slot and the second slot may be disposed substantially parallel with the left side edge and the right side edge of the surface, respectively. 
     In some embodiments, the surface of the lottery ticket holder may include at least one raised portion on which the at least one slot is disposed. For example, the lottery ticket holder may include two or more raised portions, including a first raised portion on disposed the left side edge of the surface, and a second raised portion disposed on the right side edge of the surface. In such embodiments, the first slot may more specifically be a groove disposed along the left side edge, and the second slot may similarly be a groove disposed along the right side edge. Additionally, in some embodiments, the lottery ticket holder may include at least one high-friction material disposed on the surface and configured to reduce slippage of the lottery ticket on the surface. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one slot of the lottery ticket holder may be at least partially rubberized to thereby reduce slippage of the lottery ticket within the at least one slot. 
     In some embodiments, the tray may extend upward and away from the surface and inward from the perimeter of the surface. In some embodiments, the tray may be generally U-shaped in cross-section. In other embodiments, however, the tray may be generally V-shaped or L-shaped in cross-section. In some embodiments, the surface, the at least one slot, and the tray of the lottery ticket holder may form one continuous piece composed of substantially the same materials. In some embodiments, lottery ticket holders may be stackable with each other. For example, a first tray of a first lottery ticket holder may be stackable with a second tray of a second lottery ticket holder, such that the first tray fits on top of the second tray. 
     In some embodiments, at least one notch may be used instead of the at least one slot. That is, the present disclosure also teaches a lottery ticket holder comprising a substantially flat surface having a perimeter including a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge, wherein the top edge is opposite to the bottom edge, and the left side edge is opposite to the right side edge. This lottery ticket holder also includes at least one notch disposed on the surface and configured to hold a lottery ticket on the surface, as well as a tray disposed along the bottom edge of the surface and configured to collect particulates disposed there within. In some embodiments, the at least one notch may include a first notch disposed near the left side edge of the surface and a second notch disposed near the right side edge of the surface. Embodiments having the at least one notch instead of the at least one slot may be otherwise substantially similar. Some embodiments may include both the at least one slot and the at least one notch. 
     Thus, various aspects of the present disclosure teach a novel approach to lottery ticket holders designed to reduce the complexity, weight, and/or bulkiness that may be associated with conventional lottery ticket scratching surfaces. Features, functions, and advantages of the present disclosure may be achieved independently in various embodiments, or may be combined in yet other embodiments. Further details of the disclosure may be seen in reference to the following Detailed Description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a front plan view of an exemplary lottery ticket holder, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional side view of the lottery ticket holder of  FIG. 1 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of another exemplary lottery ticket holder, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of the lottery ticket holder of  FIG. 3 , including a lottery ticket (as indicated by dotted lines) inserted therein, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the lottery ticket holder of  FIGS. 3-4 , including the lottery ticket and a coating scratched off therefrom, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of another exemplary lottery ticket holder, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     The present disclosure contemplates portable lottery ticket holders for enabling scratching of an obscuring coating off of lottery tickets by a user with a scratching device to disclose hidden information on the tickets and that address the problem of conventional holders being relatively heavy, bulky, expensive, cumbersome to use, and/or complicated to manufacture. As disclosed herein, the lottery ticket holders offer a simple, lightweight, convenient, and economical alternative to such conventional systems, while still offering users suitable surfaces for supporting lottery tickets and the scratching off of a coating therefrom, as well as a solution for collecting the scratched-off coatings. The disclosed lottery ticket holders may be manufactured at relatively low costs, and require relatively low lead times to produce. Additionally, the lottery ticket holders are easily pocketable and carried around for use while on-the-go, stowed away in a desk drawer or glove compartment, and/or stacked together to save space. In fact, the slim design and portability of the disclosed lottery ticket holders may even offer significant opportunities for lottery ticket retailers to sell the holders along with lottery tickets, such as by making the holders available for purchase at lottery ticket vending kiosks. 
     Various aspects of the present disclosure are described below and illustrated in the associated drawings, using certain embodiments and examples intended to illustrate but not limit the disclosure. Additionally, certain aspects of the disclosure may be described as a “first”, a “second,” a “third,” and so forth. However, this numbering scheme is not intended to limit the disclosure to only the numbers described herein, nor to imply that any particular sequence or number of elements are necessary to the disclosure. The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed representing the scope of the invention in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following descriptions taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. 
     Examples, Components, and Alternatives 
       FIG. 1  shows a front plan view of an exemplary lottery ticket holder  10 , adapted for enabling scratching of and easy collection and disposal of coating particles otherwise obscuring information on the lottery ticket according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the lottery ticket holder  10  may include a substantially planar surface  12  having a perimeter  14  including a plurality of edges—such as but not limited to a top edge  16 , a bottom edge  18 , a left side edge  20 , and a right side edge  22 . The top edge  16  may be opposite to the bottom edge  18 , and the left side edge  20  may be opposite to the right side edge  22 . Although the holder  10  is shown as rectangular in shape, the holder  10 —and correspondingly, the surface  12 —may be any shape suitable for supporting lottery tickets on the surface  12  and the scratching off of coatings from the lottery tickets. For example, the holder  10  may be square, parallelogramical, trapezoidal, circular, and so on. In preferred embodiments, the surface  12  may be substantially smooth—i.e., free from perceptible projections, lumps, or indentations—for ease using scratching off coatings from lottery tickets placed on the surface  12 . 
     Additionally, the holder  10  may include at least one slot and/or groove  24  disposed along the surface  12  and configured to hold lottery tickets on the surface  12 . The term “slot” is generally defined as an elongated aperture or slit in which an object may be inserted. Similarly, the term “groove” is generally defined as an elongated cut or depression, especially one made to guide motion or receive a corresponding “ridge” of an object (such as an edge or corner of a lottery ticket). For purposes of this disclosure, the at least one slot may be synonymous with the at least one groove, and the terms “slot” and “groove” may therefore be used interchangeably. However, for simplicity, the present disclosure will generally use the term “slot” to describe the embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the at least one slot  24  may be disposed along the top edge  16  of the surface  12  and be substantially parallel with the top edge  16 . In such embodiments, the slot  24  may be configured to receive and hold a top edge of a lottery ticket. However, different embodiments may include a plurality of slots in any suitable configuration. For example, some embodiments may include four slots disposed along the surface  12 , wherein each slot is configured to hold a corner of a rectangular lottery ticket (similar to how business card slots are often configured in a standard two-pocket folder). Yet other embodiments may include two parallel slots disposed diagonally along the surface  12 , wherein each slot is configured to an opposite corner of a rectangular lottery ticket. However, there may be benefits to certain slot configurations with respect to accommodating lottery tickets having a wider range of sizes. This is discussed further below. 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the holder  10  also includes a tray  26  attached to the bottom edge  18  of the surface  12 . In some embodiments, the tray  26  may extend upward and away from the surface  12  and inward from the perimeter  14 . The tray  26  is configured to collect any particulates disposed there within, such as any coatings that may be scratched off of lottery tickets disposed on the surface  12 .  FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional side view of the holder  10  taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tray  26  may be generally V-shaped or U-shaped in cross section. However, in other embodiments, the tray  26  may be generally L-shaped in cross section, or any other suitable shape for collecting particulates. Additionally, the tray  26  may include one or more sidewalls to aid containment of any particulates disposed there within. However, trays having only one sidewall (or no sidewalls) may provide an added benefit of easier cleaning, such as by allowing a user to simply sweep particulates toward the left side edge  20  or the left right side edge of the surface  12  and out of the tray  26 , for example into a garbage receptacle. Such embodiments may also be easier and cheaper to manufacture, and potentially more lightweight and stackable, than embodiments having sidewalls. 
     In some embodiments, the surface  12 , the at least one slot  24 , and the tray  26  of the holder  10  may be one continuous piece composed of substantially the same materials. For example, the holder  10  may be composed of one or more plastics commonly used in injection molding and/or additive manufacturing, such as but not limited to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene, polylactic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyoxmethylene (POM), polycarbonate, PVC, nylon 32% glass fiber, acrylic (PMMA), styrene, polyether imide (PEI), acrylonitrile, and/or other mixtures thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the holder  10  may be composed of one or more pure metals, metal alloys, woods, or any other suitable material(s). In some embodiments, the holder  10  may also include at least one high-friction material disposed on the surface and configured to reduce slippage of any lottery tickets thereon. Likewise, the surface  12  may be at least partially coated with rubber, silicone, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the slot(s) of the holder  10  may be at least partially rubberized to reduce slippage of the lottery ticket there within. In some embodiments, the slot(s) may be composed entirely of a high-friction material or mixture of materials. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an exemplary lottery ticket holder  28 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the holder  28  may include a substantially flat surface  30  having a perimeter  32  including—for example—a top edge  34 , a bottom edge  36 , a left side edge  38 , and a right side edge  40 . As also shown in  FIG. 3 , the holder  28  may include one or more slots disposed on the surface and configured to collect particulates disposed therein. Specifically, the holder  28  may include a first slot  42  disposed along the left side edge  38  and a second slot  44  disposed along the right side edge  40 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first slot  42  may be substantially parallel with the left side edge  38 , and the second slot  44  may be substantially parallel with the right side edge  40 . 
     Generally, the slot(s) may extend in any suitable direction along the surface  30 , such as longitudinally, transversely, and/or diagonally. Although  FIG. 3  shows the slots  42  and  44  as spanning an entire length of the holder  28 , other embodiments may include one or more slots that are shorter in length. For example, instead of two slots that span the entire length of the holder, some embodiments may include two slots spaced apart from each other along the left side edge, and another two slots spaced apart from each other along the right side edge—for a total of four slots disposed on the surface. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 3  may be suitable for accommodating lottery tickets having varied lengths. For example, if standard lottery tickets are four inches wide and up to nine inches long, then it may be desirable for the first slot  42  to be approximately four inches apart from the second slot  44 , and for the top edge  34  to be approximately nine inches apart from the bottom edge  36 . Such embodiments may thus be suitable for holding lottery tickets having dimensions such as but not limited to 4″×9″, 4″×8″, 4″×7″, and so on. Alternatively, configuring the holder  28  to have a slot disposed near or along the top edge  34  and another slot disposed near or along the bottom edge  36  may provide the benefit of being able to accommodate lottery tickets having varied widths. As an alternative to disposing a slot along the bottom edge  36 , some embodiments may use the tray  46  itself as a bottom boundary for a lottery ticket. That is, the bottom edge of the lottery ticket may “sit” inside the tray and thus obviate the necessity for a slot disposed along the bottom edge  36  of the surface  30 . 
     In some embodiments, the holder  28  may accommodate lottery tickets having varying widths. Specifically, a first root of the first slot  42  and a second root of the second slot  44  may be spaced apart from each other at a distance corresponding to a width of a lottery ticket that the holder  28  is configured to hold. The term “root” may generally be defined as the deepest portion of a slot or groove. For example, the slots  42  and  44  may each be one-half inch deep. Accordingly, the slots  42  and  44  may be suitable to hold lottery tickets having widths that vary by approximately one-half inch or less. That is, the holder  28  may be suitable for holding lottery tickets having dimensions such as but not limited to 3.6″×9″, 3.8″×7″, 4.1″×6″, and so on. Different embodiments of the holder  28  may be configured to hold lottery tickets of different sizes. 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of the lottery ticket holder  28  taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 , including a lottery ticket  48  (as indicated by the dotted lines) inserted therein, according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the slots  42  and  44  may hold a lottery ticket  48  on the surface  30 . Although  FIG. 4  shows only one lottery ticket within the slots  42  and  44 , the holder  28  may be configured to hold more than one lottery ticket at a time, depending on how wide the slots  42  and  44  are. For example, wider slots may accommodate a stack of lottery tickets, whereas narrower slots may accommodate only a single lottery ticket at a time. 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 4 , some embodiments may include at least one raised portion of the surface  30 , on which at least one slot is disposed. In other words, the surface  30  may be substantially but not entirely flat. Specifically, the at least one portion may include a first raised portion  50  disposed on the left side edge  38  and a second raised portion  52  disposed on the right side edge  40 . Additionally, the first slot  42  may be a groove disposed along the first raised portion  50  and the second slot  44  may be a groove disposed on the second raised portion  52 . However, not all embodiments may include raised portions, such as but not limited to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . And, other embodiments may use at least one notch instead of at least one slot or groove—notches are discussed further below. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the lottery ticket holder of  FIGS. 3-4 , including the lottery ticket  48  and a coating  54  scratched off therefrom, according to aspects of the present disclosure. In preferred embodiments, the surface  30  may be configured to support the lottery ticket  48  and the scratching off of the coating  54 . Accordingly, it may be desirable for the surface  30  to be composed of an at least semi-rigid material or mixture of materials. In some but not all embodiments, the surface  30  may be flexible. Additionally, some embodiments may be non-porous and/or dishwasher-safe to facilitate ease of cleaning with respect to the coating  54  and any other particulates that may be disposed in the tray  46 , in the slot(s)  42  and/or  44 , or anywhere else on the holder  28 . 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the lottery ticket  48  may be disposed on the surface  30  by inserting the lottery ticket  48  into the slots  42  and  44  at the top edge  34  of the surface. The lottery ticket  48  may then slide along the surface  30  and toward the tray  46 , whereupon the tray  46  may serve as a bottom boundary for the lottery ticket  48 . The lottery ticket  48  may be removable from the holder  28  by sliding the lottery ticket  48  back toward the top edge  34  and out from the slots  42  and  44 . Alternatively, the lottery ticket  48  may be disposed on the surface  30  by slightly bending the lottery ticket  48  and inserting the sides of the lottery ticket into the slots  42  and  44 , lengthwise. The lottery ticket  48  may then be flattened to be flush against the surface  30 , once its sides are inserted into the slots  42  and  44 . An example of how this may be achieved is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of another exemplary lottery ticket holder  56  (taken of a lottery holder from a similar perspective to the cross section of FIG.  4 ), according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the holder  56  may include a substantially flat surface  58  having a left side edge  60  opposite to a right side edge  62 . The holder  56  may also include at least one notch—as opposed to at least one slot or groove—disposed on the surface  58 . The term “notch” may generally be defined as an indentation, incision, or V-shaped cut in a surface. Accordingly, it may not be necessary for the surface  58  to have any raised portions on which a slot or notch is disposed. 
     Specifically, the holder  56  may include a first notch  64  disposed, or located, near the left side edge  60  and a second notch  66  disposed along the right side edge  62 . Like the slot(s) and/or groove(s) of other embodiments, the notches  64  and  66  may be configured to hold a lottery ticket  68  on the surface  58 . The lottery ticket  68  is shown as slightly bent, or curved, and may be flattened to be flush against the surface  58  and more fully inserted into the slots  64  and  66 . Embodiments may include any suitable mixture of slots, grooves, and/or notches. In fact, some embodiments may include one or more series of slots, grooves, and/or notches so that the lottery ticket holder may be “one size fits all” by accommodating various sizes of lottery tickets. 
     Advantages, Features, Benefits 
     The different embodiments of lottery ticket holders described herein may provide several advantages over previous systems. For example, the illustrative embodiments described herein provide a simple, lightweight, and portable solution for supporting the scratching off of coatings from lottery tickets, as well for collecting the scratched-off coatings. 
     Additionally, and among other benefits, illustrative embodiments described herein allow for relatively low manufacturing costs and assembly lead times, depending on the material(s) from which the holders are formed. The disclosed embodiments offer significant advantages over conventional systems because they may be mass manufactured through injection molding and/or 3D printing, in addition to conventional manufacturing methods. Furthermore, certain embodiments may be slim and stackable, thereby allowing opportunities for retailers to sell the disclosed holders in lottery ticket vending kiosks. No known systems can produce these results, particularly bulky systems having multiple and/or moving parts. 
     Thus, the illustrative embodiments described herein are particularly useful for the scratching of lottery tickets in locations where no other suitable structure (e.g., a desk, table, countertop, platform, or similar) may be available. However, not all embodiments described herein provide the same advantages or the same degree of advantage. 
     Conclusion 
     The disclosure set forth above may encompass multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. Although each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form(s), the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. To the extent that section headings are used within this disclosure, such headings are for organizational purposes only, and do not constitute a characterization of any claimed invention. The subject matter of the invention(s) includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. Invention(s) embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed in applications claiming priority from this or a related application.