U.S. patent application number 12/026573 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-06 for scraping device for scratch cards.
Invention is credited to Marie Martin.
Application Number | 20090193606 12/026573 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40930215 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090193606 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martin; Marie |
August 6, 2009 |
Scraping Device for Scratch Cards
Abstract
A scraping device capable of scraping a scratch-off coating off
a scratch card is disclosed. The scraping device includes an
elongated element, and an extension element inclined at an angle to
the elongated element. The elongated element includes a proximal
end portion and a distal end portion. Moreover, the extension
element includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first
end. The extension element extends from the proximal end portion of
the elongated element such that the first end of the extension
element is integral with the proximal end portion of the elongated
element. Further, the second end of the extension element is a flat
end.
Inventors: |
Martin; Marie; (Saint
Albans, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAY M. SCHLOFF;INTELLIPEX PLLC
30200 TELEGRAPH RD, SUITE 245
BINGHAM FARMS
MI
48025
US
|
Family ID: |
40930215 |
Appl. No.: |
12/026573 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/236.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2011/0037 20130101;
A63F 3/068 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/236.01 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/02 20060101
A47L013/02 |
Claims
1. A scraping device capable of scraping a scratch-off coating of a
scratch card, the scraping device comprising: an elongated element
comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and an
extension element inclined at an angle and extending from the
proximal end portion of the elongated element, the extension
element comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the
first end, wherein the first end of the extension element is
integral with the proximal end portion of the elongated element and
the second end of the extension element is a flat end, wherein the
flat end of the extension element is capable of providing uniform
scraping of the scratch-off coating of the scratch card.
2. The scraping device of claim 1, further comprising a hole
configured on the distal end portion of the scraping device, the
hole capable of securing a connector to the apparatus.
3. The scraping device of claim 1, wherein the scraping device is
made of a plastic material.
4. The scraping device of claim 1, wherein the scraping device is
made of an acrylic material.
5. The scraping device of claim 1, wherein the elongated element
and the extension element are cylindrical in shape.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a scraping
device, and, more particularly, to a scraping device capable of
scraping scratch-off coatings off scratch cards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] These days, various types of scratch cards such as gambling
cards, lottery cards, quiz cards and Personal Identification Number
(PIN) code cards are common in commercial and social activities.
Typically, a scratch card has a printed matter, such as prizes,
answers and codes, thereon. The printed matter may be concealed by
a removable coating formed on the printed matter. The removable
coating may be made of a material such as a latex material. The
removable coating of the scratch card may be scraped off the
scratch card, thereby revealing the printed matter. The removable
coating may be hereinafter referred to as a `scratch-off
coating.`
[0003] Conventionally, the scratch-off coating may be scraped off a
scratch card by means of various items including a coin, a key, a
fingernail and the like. These items are irregular in shape and
generally not designed for scraping the scratch-off coating off the
scratch card. Further, the use of the fingernail for scraping
purpose may be troublesome and hurt the fingernail. Moreover, the
use the items like the key, the coin or the fingernail may destroy
the printed matter on the scratch card.
[0004] Currently, a variety of scraping devices are available,
which are specifically designed for scraping a scratch-off coating
off a scratch card. However, these scraping devices have numerous
limitations. For example, these scraping devices include an
irregular end structure for scraping the scratch-off coating,
thereby limiting the use thereof. Moreover, these scraping devices
are not able to provide a convenient grip to a user for holding the
scraping device.
[0005] Accordingly, based on the foregoing, there is a need for a
scraping device, which avoids use of a coin, a finger nail, a key
or the like, for scraping a scratch-off coating of a scratch card.
Further, the scraping device should be capable of scraping the
scratch-off coating without destroying printed matter of the
scratch card. Furthermore, the scraping device should be of
lightweight construction and convenient to carry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior
art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a
scraping device configured to include all the advantages of the
prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a scraping device, which is capable of removing a
scratch-off coating off a scratch card without destroying printed
matter of the scratch card.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
scraping device which can be easily and conveniently carried.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
scraping device which is light in weight.
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention provides a scraping
device capable of scraping a scratch-off coating off a scratch
card. The scraping device comprises an elongated element and an
extension element. The elongated element comprises a proximal end
portion and a distal end portion. The extension element comprises a
first end, and a second end opposite to the first end. The
extension element is inclined at an angle to the elongated element
and extends from the proximal end portion of the elongated element
as the first end of the extension element is integral with the
proximal end portion of the elongated element. The second end of
the extension element is a flat end.
[0011] These together with other aspects of the present invention,
along with the various features of novelty that characterize the
present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims
annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a
better understanding of the present invention, its operating
advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses,
reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary
embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The advantages and features of the present invention will
become better understood with reference to the following detailed
description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols,
and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front view of a scraping device, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 is a front view of a scraping device along with a
string and a key ring, according to another exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0015] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
description of several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for
illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure
and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present
invention is not limited to a particular scraping device, as shown
and described. It is understood that various omissions and
substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may
suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the
application or implementation without departing from the spirit or
scope of the claims of the present invention.
[0017] The terms "first," "second," and the like, herein do not
denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to
distinguish one element from another, and the terms "a" and "an"
herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote
the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
[0018] The present invention discloses a scraping device for use
with a scratch card. More specifically, the scratch card includes a
printed matter, for example, codes, answers, PIN numbers, and the
like, thereon. The printed matter is concealed by forming a
removable scratch-off coating on the printed matter. The
scratch-off coating may be scraped off the scratch card by means of
the scraping device disclosed herein in a convenient and reliable
manner.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a scraping device 100,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The
scraping device 100 may be made of suitable materials such as
acrylic, plastic, metal and wood with sufficient strength for
carrying out a scraping operation. The scraping device 100 includes
an elongated element 102 and an extension element 104.
[0020] The elongated element 102 may be of any three dimensional
shape. In one embodiment of the present invention, the elongated
element 102 is cylindrical in shape. However, the elongated element
102 may also be made of other three dimensional shapes such as a
cuboid. The elongated element 102 includes a proximal end portion
106 and a distal end portion 108. A length of the elongated element
102 between the proximal end portion 106 and the distal end portion
108 is capable of providing a convenient grip to a user for holding
the scraping device 100. It will be apparent to a person ordinary
skilled in the art that due to an elongated structure of the
elongated element 102, the user can conveniently hold the scraping
device 100.
[0021] The scraping device 100 further includes the extension
element 104 extending from the proximal end portion 106 of the
elongated element 102. Moreover, the extension element 104 is
inclined at an angle `.alpha.` (as shown in FIG. 1) to the length
of the elongated element 102. In one embodiment of the present
invention, the angle `.alpha.` is an obtuse angle.
[0022] The extension element 104 includes a first end 110 and a
second end 112 such that the first end 110 of the extension element
104 is integral with the proximal end portion 106 of the elongated
element 102. The second end 112 of the extension element 104 is a
flat end. More specifically, the second end 112 of the extension
element 104 is parallel to a generally planar surface of the
scratch-off coating of the scratch card. Accordingly, the second
end 112 of the extension element 104 is capable of providing
uniform scraping of the scratch-off coating of the scratch card,
thereby facilitating easy removal of the scratch-off coating off
the scratch card without destroying the printed matter thereon.
[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the extension
element 104 is a separate add-on component. Accordingly, the
extension element 104 may be attached to the elongated element 102
such that the extension element 104 is integral to the elongated
element 102. Moreover, the extension element 104 may be constructed
in a three dimensional shape. Preferably, the extension element 104
is cylindrical in shape. Alternatively, the extension element 104
may assume any other three dimensional shape such as a cuboid.
[0024] As disclosed herein, the scraping device 100 may be
configured in variety of sizes and configurations. In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the elongated element 104 of
the scraping device 100 may be of about four inches in length and
about 7/8 inches in diameter. Further, the scraping device 100 may
be designed in a variety of colors.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of the scraping device 100
is shown, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment of the present invention, the distal
end portion 108 of the elongated element 102 includes a hole 114.
The hole 114 is capable of securing the scraping device 100 to a
connector, for example, a hook, a string, a clip and the like. The
connector facilitates suspension of the scraping device 100 at a
convenient location, for example, to a suspension hook. Moreover,
the connector, for example, a string 116 may be further attached to
a key ring 118, thereby facilitating easy accessibility of the
scraping device 100. The scraping device 100 may be conveniently
carried by a user either in a pocket, a bag or the like.
[0026] Various embodiments of the present invention offer following
advantages. The present invention provides an efficient and
reliable tool for removing the scratch-off coating off a scratch
card. More specifically, the scraping device disclosed herein is
capable of removing the scratch-off coating off the scratch card
without destroying the matter printed beneath the scratch-off
coating. Moreover, the scraping device provides a convenient grip
to a user holding the scraping device due to an elongated structure
thereof. Further, the scraping device of the present invention is
light in weight. Accordingly, the scraping device is convenient to
carry and use.
[0027] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously
many modifications and variations are possible in light of the
above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order
to best explain the principles of the present invention and its
practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the
art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments
with various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and
substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may
suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions
are intended to cover the application or implementation without
departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present
invention.
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