United States Patent (19)
`Ondis
`
`11
`45
`
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`4,643,454
`Feb. 17, 1987
`
`54) LOTTERY TICKET
`
`75) Inventor: Albert W. Ondis, North Kingstown,
`R.I.
`
`73) Assignee: Astro-Med, Inc., West Warwick, R.I.
`
`21 Appl. No.: 819,109
`
`22 Filed:
`
`Jan. 14, 1986
`
`51) Int. Cl. ....................... G09C 3/00; G01D 15/00;
`B42D 15/00; B41L 1/20
`52 U.S.C. ........................................ 283/74; 283/99;
`283/903; 282/11.5 R; 346/163
`58) Field of Search ....................... 283/74, 84, 95, 99,
`283/108, 111, 901, 903; 346/76 PH, 163, 136.1;
`428/402.24; 282/11.5 R
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,789,425 l/1974 Matsushima ........................ 346/163
`3,861,952 1/1975 Tokumoto et al. .
`... 346/163
`3,945,870 3/1976 Johnsen ...........
`283/903
`4,299,637 11/1981 Oberdeck et al. .................... 283/99
`4,305,082 12/1981 Kusakawa ...........
`... 346/76 PH
`4,460,676 7/1984 Fabel .............................. 282/11.5 R
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1275929 6/1972 United Kingdom ............. 346/76 R
`Primary Examiner-Paul A. Bell
`Assistant Examiner-Paul M. Heyrana, Sr.
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Salter & Michaelson
`57
`ABSTRACT
`An instant-game-type lottery ticket comprises a card
`having a coating on the front side thereof which in
`cludes a first metallic layer and an outwardly facing
`layer of thermally responsive chemicals, a removable
`opaque layer over at least a portion of the thermally
`responsive chemical layer and a second metallic layer
`on the back side of the card. The metallic layers prefera
`bly comprise vacuum deposited silver-colored metal
`lized layers having protective transparent plastic films
`thereon. Game-playing indicia can be imprinted on the
`lottery ticket at the point of sale without damaging the
`removable opaque layer by selectively activating the
`thermally responsive chemicals under the removable
`opaque layer with a thermal printhead. The transparent
`plastic films allow the card to be thermally imprinted
`with a thermal printhead without damaging the print
`head and the metallized layers add opacity to the lottery
`ticket.
`
`4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`ABCDE-9' 1
`
`ABCD,
`
`''
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Feb. 17, 1987
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`4,643.454
`
`
`
`FIG. 2
`
`
`
`
`
`yx,
`Z/2Z2
`SNNNYNNYYYNNYNYNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNS
`
`
`
`
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Feb. 17, 1987
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`4,643.454
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2
`
`FG.5
`
`52
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 3
`
`

`

`1.
`
`LOTTERY TCKET
`
`4,643,454
`2
`game-type tickets of this general type after the remov
`able opaque layers have been applied thereto. However,
`in the only known previous attempt to make lottery
`tickets having thermally imprinted indicia thereon, the
`cards which were utilized did not have sufficient opac
`ity; and as a result, it was possible to read the thermally
`imprinted game-playing indicia on the cards without
`damaging the removable opaque layers thereon by
`holding the cards up to intense light sources or by utiliz
`ing X-ray equipment. Further, although it has been
`recognized that the public generally prefers lottery
`tickets comprising cards having metallic silver-colored
`coatings on both the front and back surfaces thereof, it
`has generally not been considered to be possible to
`construct cards of this type for thermal printing applica
`tions. In this regard, it has generally been known that
`the metallic layers which are utilized for producing
`silver-colored coatings on cards are prone to oxidation,
`and it has also generally been known that many metallic
`oxides are highly abrasive and can therefore be ex
`tremely damaging to the relatively delicate printheads
`of thermal printers. For example, when aluminum is
`utilized in the metallic coatings on the surfaces of lot
`tery tickets, aluminum oxide can be formed on the sur
`faces of the tickets; and since aluminum oxide is an
`extremely hard and abrasive material, it has been as
`sumed that it would quickly damage the printheads of
`thermal printers. Hence, while the benefits of providing
`lottery tickets which can be thermally imprinted with
`game-playing indicia at the point of sale and which have
`silver-colored coatings on the front and back surfaces
`thereof have generally been recognized, an effective
`lottery ticket embodying these characteristics has not
`been heretofore available.
`The instant invention provides an effective instant
`game-type lottery ticket which can be effectively im
`printed with game-playing indicia at the point of sale.
`Further, the lottery ticket of the instant invention has
`sufficient opacity to prevent dishonest vendors from
`reading the indicia thereon, and the lottery ticket can be
`embodied with silver-colored coatings on the front and
`back surfaces thereof in order to make it more attractive
`and desirable from a marketing standpoint. Specifically,
`the lottery ticket of the instant invention comprises a
`card having a front side and a back side, a coating on the
`front side of the card comprising a first opaque silver
`colored metallic layer in at least a portion of the coat
`ing, and an outwardly facing layer of a thermally re
`sponsive chemical in at least a portion of the coating, a
`removable opaque layer on at least a portion of the
`chemical layer, and a second opaque silver-colored
`metallic layer on the back side of the card in at least the
`area thereof which is opposite from the removable
`opaque layer. The removable opaque layer is preferably
`made of a latex material, it is removable by scratching it
`with a coin or the like, and it has a melting point which
`is greater than the response temperature of the ther
`mally responsive chemical; and accordingly the remov
`able opaque layer can easily be removed by a game
`player, but it is not damaged by a thermal printhead
`when the printhead is utilized for imprinting indicia on
`the chemical layer behind the removable opaque layer.
`In a first embodiment of the lottery ticket, the first
`silver-colored metallic layer is applied on the front side
`of the card, and the thermally responsive chemical layer
`is applied over the metallic layer so that when portions
`of the thermally responsive chemical layer are acti
`
`50
`
`O
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`The instant invention relates to lottery games, and
`more particularly to a lottery ticket which is imprinta
`ble with gameplaying indicia at the point of sale.
`Lottery tickets of the type known as instant-game
`tickets comprising a card having game-playing indicia
`imprinted on a window thereon and a removable
`opaque layer covering the window have been available
`for a number of years. Further, lottery tickets of this
`general type have been found to be extremely popular
`since they allow game players to immediately determine
`whether or not their tickets are winning tickets. Specifi
`cally, a purchaser of a lottery ticket of this general type
`can scratch off the removable opaque layer covering
`the window thereon with a coin or the like to immedi
`ately determine whether or not the game-playing indi
`20
`cia in the window represents a winning combination
`which entitles the ticket holder to a predetermined
`prize. It has also been found that although instant-game
`type lottery tickets having various different appear
`ances have been heretofore available, those having sil
`25
`ver-colored layers on the front and back surfaces
`thereof have had the greatest appeal. However, while
`lottery tickets of this general type have been extremely
`popular with game players, they have created certain
`problems for those involved in the administration and
`30
`sale of lottery tickets. Specifically, it has been found
`that because the heretofore available lottery tickets of
`this general type have been preprinted with game-play
`ing indicia, they have inherently had cash values which
`have corresponded to their prices as lottery tickets; and
`35
`hence, it has been necessary for venders to treat tickets
`of this type as currency. In addition, it has been found
`that because tickets of this type have been preprinted
`with game-playing indicia, vendors thereof have fre
`quently been tempted to determine whether or not the
`40
`tickets in their possession are winning tickets before
`they are sold. For example, vendors have been known
`to utilize high intensity lamps and even X-ray equip
`ment to read the indicia imprinted on lottery tickets
`without removing the removable opaque layers which
`45
`cover the indicia. Accordingly, while the heretofore
`available instantgame-type tickets of the above de
`scribed type have proven to be highly popular with
`game players, the administration and handling of tickets
`of this type has been a problem.
`The lottery tickets and articles disclosed in the U.S.
`patents to SANDEN, U.S. Pat. No. 3,930,673; KOZA,
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,856; and CARRIER et al, U.S. Pat
`No. 4,273,362, are generally exemplary of the types of
`articles which may be embodied as lottery tickets but
`55
`which must be preprinted with concealed indicia. How
`ever, while the articles disclosed in these patents repre
`sent the closest patented prior art to the instant inven
`tion of which the applicant is aware, they all have the
`hereinabove described disadvantages of preprinted lot
`tery tickets.
`While the concept of providing instant-game-type
`lottery tickets which can be effectively imprinted with
`game-playing indicia at the point of sale has previously
`been proposed, an effective solution to this problem has
`65
`not been heretofore available. In this connection, it has
`previously been proposed to apply thermal printing
`techniques to imprint game-playing indicia on instant
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 4
`
`

`

`4,643,454
`3
`4.
`vated, game-playing indicia are imprinted on the silver
`FIG. 1 is a plan view of the front side of a first em
`bodiment of the lottery ticket of the instant invention;
`colored metallic layer. In this embodiment, the first
`silver-colored metallic layer preferably comprises a
`FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rear side thereof;
`FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in
`vacuum deposited silver-colored metallized layer
`which is preferably made of vacuum-deposited alumi
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a plan view of the front side of a second
`num, and a first transparent film over the metallized
`embodiment of the lottery ticket; and
`layer which protects the metallized layer and which
`FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in
`also protects a thermal printhead from being damaged
`FIG. 4.
`by metallic oxides therefrom. The second silver-colored
`metallic layer preferably also comprises a vacuum
`1O
`DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`deposited silver-colored metallized layer and a trans
`Referring now to the drawings, a first embodiment of
`parent plastic film over the metallized layer. In a second
`the lottery ticket of the instant invention is illustrated in
`embodiment of the lottery ticket, the first silver-colored
`FIGS. 1-3 and generally indicated at 10; and a second
`metallic layer on the front side of the card is formed
`embodiment of the lottery ticket of the instant invention
`15
`with a window therein, the thermally responsive chemi
`is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and generally indicated at
`cal is applied in the window, and the removable opaque
`12. The lottery tickets 10 and 12 are both instant-game
`layer is applied over the thermally responsive chemical
`type lottery tickets, and they are adapted to be im
`in the window. In this embodiment, the silver-colored
`printed with game-playing indicia by means of a ther
`metallic layer on the front side of the card preferably
`mal printer at the point of sale as will hereinafter be
`20
`also comprises a vacuum-deposited silvercolored metal
`more fully set forth.
`lized layer, preferably an aluminum metallized layer,
`The lottery ticket 10 comprises a card 14 having a
`and a transparent plastic film over the metallized layer.
`front side 16 and a rear or back side 18, a coating 20 on
`The second silver-colored metallic layer on the back
`the front side 18, a removable opaque layer 22 on a
`side of the card preferably also comprises a vacuum
`portion of the coating 20, and a coating 24 on the back
`25
`deposited silver-colored metallized layer and a trans
`side 18. The card 14 preferably comprises a sheet of
`parent plastic film over the metallized layer.
`between 10 and 14 point card stock. The coating 20 on
`Accordingly, the lottery ticket of the instant inven
`the front side 16 comprises a silver-colored metallic
`tion effectively overcomes the disadvantages of many
`layer comprising a first metallized layer 26 which is
`of the heretofore available instant-game-type lottery
`applied on the front side 16 and a first transparent plas
`30
`tickets. Specifically, the lottery ticket of the instant
`tic film 28 on the outer surface of the layer 26. The first
`invention can be effectivley imprinted with game-play
`metallized layer 26 preferably comprises a metal, such
`ing indicia at the point of sale so that it has little or no
`as aluminum or zinc, which is applied to the card 14 by
`value before it is imprinted and so that venders are not
`vacuum deposition, and the first transparent plastic film
`tempted to try to read the game-playing indicia before
`28 preferably comprises a polyester film or a litho
`the card is sold. Further, the lottery ticket of the instant
`graphic varnish which is applied to the first metallized
`invention comprises an opaque metallic layer on the
`layer 26 to provide a protective outer covering there
`back surface thereof which prevents persons from read
`for. The coating 20 further comprises a chemical layer
`ing the game-playing indicia on the lottery ticket with
`30 which comprises a conventional thermally respon
`out removing the removable opaque layer. Still further,
`sive chemical of the type utilized in conventional heat
`40
`in the preferred embodiment of the lottery ticket of the
`sensitive recording papers, such as the chemicals and
`instant invention, the metallic layers on the front and
`recording papers disclosed in the U.S. Patent to MORI
`back surfaces of the card are covered with plastic films
`SHITA et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,376. In this connec
`to protect the metallized layers and also to prevent
`tion, the chemicals 30 are preferably transparent when
`oxides from the metallized layers from damaging a ther
`they are applied to the first transparent layer or film 28,
`45
`mal printhead utilized for imprinting indicia on the
`and they are responsive to the selective application of
`lottery ticket.
`thermal energy thereto so that they become visible in
`Accordingly, it is a primary object of the instant
`localized areas where the energy is applied. Accord
`invention to provide an improved instant-game-type
`ingly, when a thermal printhead is utilized to apply
`lottery ticket.
`localized thermal energy to the chemicals in the layer
`Another object of the instant invention is to provide
`30, preselected indicia can be imprinted on the lottery
`an instant-game-type lottery ticket which can be effec
`ticket i0. The removable opaque layer 22 preferably
`tively imprinted with game-playing indicia at the point
`comprises an opaque layer of an easily removable mate
`where it is sold to a customer.
`rial, such as a latex material of the type utilized in con
`A still further object of the instant invention is to
`ventional instant-game-type lottery tickets which are
`55
`provide an opaque lottery ticket which can be ther
`currently available in many lotteries. In this connection,
`mally imprinted with game-playing indicia without
`the removable opaque layer 22 comprises a material
`damaging a thermal printhead utilized for imprinting
`having a melting point which is higher than the thermal
`the indicia.
`response temperature of the chemicals in the layer 30 so
`Other objects, features and advantages of the inven
`that the layer 22 is not melted when the chemicals 30
`60
`tion shall become apparent as the description thereof
`are thermally activated. The layer 22 is, however, pref
`proceeds when considered in connection with the ac
`erably easily removable, such as by scratching with a
`companying illustrative drawings.
`coin or the like, to expose indicia imprinted on the layer
`30 behind the layer 22. The layer 22 is preferably only
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`applied in a preselected portion of the lottery ticket 10
`65
`In the drawings which illustrate the best mode pres
`where game-playing indicia are to be applied via the
`ently contemplated for carrying out the present inven
`chemicals 30 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The coating 24 on
`the back side 18 of the card 14 preferably comprises a
`tion:
`
`50
`
`35
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 5
`
`

`

`5
`
`O
`
`15
`
`4,643,454
`5
`6
`metallic silver-colored coating comprising a second
`The removable opaque layer 50 is applied on the front
`metallized layer 32 on the back side 18 and a second
`side of the card 36 in the window 56 over the portion of
`transparent protective layer 34 on the outer surface of
`the thermally responsive chemical layer 44 which is
`the layer 32. The layer 32 is preferably opaque to light
`located in the window 56. The removable layer 50 pref.
`and most X-rays, and it preferably comprises a metal
`erably comprises an opaque removable material of the
`type utilized in conventional instant-game-type lottery
`lized layer of a metal, such as aluminum or zinc, and it
`is preferably applied to the back side 18 by conventional
`tickets, and it has a melting point which is greater than
`vacuum deposition techniques, although the use of
`the response temperature of the chemicals in the ther
`mally responsive layer 44.
`other types of metallic layers for the layers 26 and 32,
`such as silver-ink layers, is contemplated. The second
`For use of the lottery ticket 12, indicia is imprinted on
`layer 34 preferably comprises a transparent plastic ma
`the front surface 38 by thermally energizing the chemi
`terial, such as a polyester film or a lithographic varnish,
`cals in the thermally responsive chemical layer 44
`through the removable opaque layer 50. Accordingly,
`and it is applied over the second metallized layer 32 to
`provide a protective outer covering therefor and to
`indicia can be imprinted on the card 36 at the point of
`prevent oxidized particles of the second layer 32 from
`sale, and a purchaser can immediately remove the re
`damaging a thermal printhead. For use of the lottery
`movable opaque layer 50 in order to determine whether
`ticket 10, it is supplied to a vender without the neces
`or not the lottery ticket 12 is a winning ticket. In this
`sary gameplaying indicia on the portion of the transpar
`connection, the metallized layer 52 makes the lottery
`ent plastic film 28 which is beneath the removable
`ticket 12 opaque to light and most X-rays, and the first
`opaque layer 22, although instructions, etc., can be
`and second transparent plastic layers 48 and 54 protect
`20
`preprinted on both of the first and second transparent
`their respective first and second metallized layers 46
`layers or films 28 and 34. Thereafter, when a purchaser
`and 52, and they also prevent damage to a thermal
`purchases the ticket 10, a thermal printer which is elec
`printhead utilized for printing indicia on the lottery
`tronically controlled through a central lottery com
`ticket 12.
`puter terminal operates to selectively thermally ener
`It is seen, therefore, that the instant invention pro
`25
`vides a significant improvement in instant-game-type
`gize portions of the chemical layer 30 which are be
`neath the removable opaque layer 22 so that predeter
`lottery tickets. The tickets 10 and 12 can be effectively
`mined game-playing indicia are imprinted on the trans
`imprinted with game-playing indicia at the point of sale,
`parent film 28. In this connection, the first and second
`and they are also highly opaque to light and most X
`transparent films or layers 28 and 34 protect the thermal
`rays. Further, the tickets 10 and 12 can be effectively
`30
`printhead from abnormal damage due to abrasion from
`imprinted with a thermal printhead without causing
`damage to the printhead. Accordingly, for these rea
`oxidized particles of the first and second metallized
`layers 26 and 32. In addition, the second metallized
`sons as well as the other reasons hereinabove set forth,
`layer 32 on the back side 18 of the card 14 renders the
`it is seen that the instant invention represents a signifi
`card 14 opaque to light and most X-rays. In any event,
`cant advancement in the art, which has substantial com
`35
`once the card 10 has been sold to a purchaser, the pur
`mercial merit.
`chaser can easily remove the removable opaque layer 22
`While there is shown and described herein certain
`to expose the game-playing indicia imprinted in the
`specific structure embodying the invention, it will be
`chemicals 30 on the layer 28 so that the purchaser can
`manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifica
`tions and rearrangements of the parts may be made
`determine whether or not he or she is a game winner.
`without departing from the spirit and scope of the un
`The lottery ticket 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5
`and it comprises a card 36 which is preferably similar to
`derlying inventive concept and that the same is not
`limited to the particular forms herein shown and de
`the card 14 and has a front side 38 and a back or rear
`side 40, a coating 42 on the front side 38 comprising a
`scribed except insofar as indicated by the scope of the
`layer 44 of thermally responsive chemicals, a first metal
`appended claims.
`45
`lized layer 46 and a first transparent plastic layer 48, and
`What is claimed is:
`an outwardly exposed removable opaque layer 50 on at
`1. A thermally imprintable ticket for use in lotteries
`least a portion of the chemical layer 44. The lottery
`comprising a card having a front side and a back side, a
`ticket 12 further comprises a second coating on the rear
`coating on the front side of said card, said coating com
`side 40 comprising a second metallized layer 52 and a
`prising a first metallic layer extending over at least a
`50
`second transparent plastic layer 54. The thermally re
`portion of said card, a first transparent plastic film layer
`sponsive chemical layer 44 preferably comprises a layer
`extending over said first metallic layer and an out
`wardly facing layer of a thermally responsive chemical
`of chemicals similar to those of the type utilized for the
`thermally responsive layer 30 in the lottery ticket 10,
`extending over at least a portion of said film, an opaque
`although it will be understood that the chemicals may
`removable layer extending over at least a portion of said
`55
`be absorbed or impregnated into the card 36 to varying
`thermally responsive chemical layer, said removable
`layer being easily removable to expose said thermally
`degrees. The first and second metallized layers 46 and
`52 preferably comprise layers of silver-colored metals,
`responsive chemical layer and having a melting point
`such as aluminum or zinc, which are applied to their
`which is greater than the response temperature of said
`respective surfaces by vacuum deposition, although the
`thermally responsive chemical to enable game playing
`use of other types of metallized layers is contemplated.
`indicia to be thermally imprinted in said thermally re
`sponsive chemical layer through said removable layer
`In this regard, a portion of the front side of the card 36
`is preferably masked to define a window 56 thereon for
`without altering the appearance of said removable
`receiving the removable opaque layer 50 during the
`layer, and an opaque second metallic layer extending
`application of the first metallized layer 46 thereto. The
`over the back side of said card in at least the area
`65
`first and second transparent plastic layers 48 and 54
`thereof which is opposite said removable layer.
`preferably comprise layers of transparent plastic materi
`2. In the lottery ticket of claim 1, said second metallic
`als, such as polyester films, or lithographic varnishes.
`layer comprising a vacuum deposited silver-colored
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 6
`
`

`

`4,643,454
`7
`8
`metallized layer and a transparent plastic film over said
`extending over at least a portion of said thermally re
`metallized layer.
`sponsive chemical layer, said removable layer being
`3. In the lottery ticket of claim 1, said second metallic
`easily removable to expose said thermally responsive
`layer comprising a second vacuum deposited silver-col
`chemical layer and having a melting point which is
`ored metallized layer and a transparent plastic film over
`greater than the response temperature of said thermally
`said second metallized layer.
`responsive chemical to enable game playing indicia to
`4. A thermally imprintable ticket for use in lotteries
`be thermally imprinted in said thermally responsive
`comprising a card having a front side and a back side, a
`chemical layer through said removable layer without
`coating on the front side of said card, said coating com
`altering the appearance of said removable layer, and an
`prising a first metallic layer extending over at least a
`opaque second metallic layer extending over the back
`portion of said card and having a window therein, a first
`transparent plastic film layer extending over said first
`side of said card in at least the area thereof which is
`metallic layer, and a layer of a thermally responsive
`opposite said window.
`chemical in said window, an opaque removable layer
`
`k
`
`k
`
`s
`
`O
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1014
`Page 7
`
`