Abstract: A method and system for creating game cards incorporates a removable scratch-off coating to hide printed symbols. The card is constructed so that the scratch-off coating is selectively retained by the card, in the form of symbols, when the scratch-off coating is removed. The selective retention of scratch-off coating material to the card is accomplished by incorporating into the card, between the substrate and the scratch-off coating, a clear release coat laser-engraved to form symbols. A laser creates the desired symbols in the release coat. The laser may be manually controlled or computer-controlled using software and drivers for the laser assembly. When the scratch-off coating material is applied to the card during construction, it adheres directly to the substrate in the form of symbols. When a player rubs the scratch-off coating material, it releases from the release coat and remains adhered to the substrate to create the symbols.

Abstract: Matrices, devices and processes for identifying articles. The matrices employ a pattern of dots which may be decoded by an imager such as those use in CCD cameras. A reference marker, information dots corresponding to characters in a selected symbology system and a reference cue which may be part of the reference marker or information dots, or a separate mark, are interpreted by comparing distances between the reference marker and information dots, and the angles of the information dots to the reference cue relative to the reference marker in order to produce a series of vectors. The vectors may be scaled for distance and compensated for attitude of the matrices relative to the imager, and are compared to information in a database in order to identify characters in the symbology system that correspond to the information dots. The characters may be stored and compared to database information such as, for instance, a list of names and addresses.

Abstract: A method of producing a package having a built-in promotional piece by an extrusion lamination process, having the steps of providing a first web of first packaging wall material, placing a promotional piece on the first wall material, directing a first quantity of hot liquid plastic over the first wall material adjacent the piece, directing a second quantity of hot liquid plastic over the promotional piece to form a composite, the second quantity of liquid plastic being less than the first quantity of liquid plastic, attaching second wall material over the composite using an extrusion lamination process to form final packaging wall material and forming the final packaging wall material into a package.

Abstract: A method for producing a scrambled image for deciphering by a lenticular lens having a specific regular lineation, by exposing two photographic film negatives to two desired images and processing each film negative to form two image negatives, and by contacting and exposing one of said image negatives to a working negative through a first grating screen having the same regular lineation as the lenticular lens, to create a lineated image of said first image negative on said working negative, and then contacting and exposing the other image negative to said working negative through a second grating screen having the same regular lination as the lenticular lens, whereby said second grating screen is aligned with respect to said working negative complementary to the alignment of said first grating screen during said first contacting and exposing step such that lineated images of one negative are formed on said working negative which are parallel to and between the lineations of the image of the other image negati

Abstract: A receipt stock with integral game to promote the use of automated teller machines (ATMs) by bank customers. The reverse side of the receipt contains playing spaces contiguously disposed along a longitudinal edge of the receipt stock which does not contact the press rollers which convey the receipt through the ATM. Game indicia are printed on the playing spaces, and a protective coating of clear varnish is applied over the indicia. To conceal the game indicia from view until the receipt is distributed to a customer, an opaque masking layer of latex is applied over the playing spaces. The protective coating of varnish prevents the masking layer from penetrating the surface of the paper and thus promotes easy removal of the masking layer by the game player, e.g. by scaping with the edge of a coin. The selective application of the protective coating only to surfaces of the receipt which do not contact the press rollers prevents the receipt stock from slipping when engaged by the rollers.

Abstract: A promotional article made from a single sheet provides hidden indicia beneath tear-away panels. One panel of the sheet bears a pressure-sensitive adhesive and another bears a release coat. The sheet is folded to engage the adhesive with the release coat. One of these panels is perforated to provide removable portions, and the other is printed with indicia under either the adhesive or the release coat. Removable opaque mask areas can be applied to selected areas of the article to provide "scratch-off" game features. The promotional article can be in the form of a puzzle with a plurality of such removable portions which can be adhered to a puzzle assembly area of the article. The invention also provides a method of continuously manufacturing such articles from a web of sheet material.

Abstract: A game comprising a playing surface having first indicia thereon defining a plurality of game symbols. Second indicia on the playing surface define a plurality of game categories. The second indicia is arranged on the playing surface so that the game symbols are in spaced relationship with the game categories. Third indicia on the playing surface define a plurality of playing areas. Each playing area is in spaced register with one of the game symbols and one of the game categories so that selection of one of the playing areas associates the playing symbol with the game category. The game symbols are chosen and arranged with respect to the game categories and playing areas so that at least one desired combination of selected ones of the game symbols is associatable with each game category and at least one desired combination of playing areas associates all of the game symbols with the game categories.

Abstract: A contest game piece and a method of manufacturing same. A first portion of a first sheet of material is printed on at least one side with indicia. Perforations are formed through the first sheet of materials defining a boundary partitioning the portion of the first sheet of material printed with the indicia from the other portion of the first sheet of material. A second sheet of material is adhered to the first side of the first sheet of material at portions of the first sheet of material not printed with indicia. The adhered first and second sheets of material are formed into a cup bottom and adhered at its periphery to a side wall of a cup to form a seal therebetween. Apparatus for manufacturing the contest game piece is also disclosed.

Abstract: A secure contest card which is not susceptible to compromise by both simple and sophisticated techniques comprises printed indicia disposed on the upper surface of card stock material, a patterned intermediate layer disposed over the printed indicia and an opaque removable mask disposed over the intermediate layer and over the printed indicia. In a second embodiment of the invention a patterned background layer is disposed between the card stock and the printed indicia and the patterned intermediate layer is eliminated. In a third and preferred embodiment, the patterned background layer and the patterned intermediate layer are both employed. It has been found that the pattern in the background and intermediate layers creates an irregular relationship with the indicia and defeats certain new techniques for compromise of apparently secure contest cards.

Abstract: A composite envelope prepared from a multiple panel blank which is folded twice in overlapping relationship to produce a tab portion and a detachable envelope portion. The panels are glued together to form the tab portion and the envelope portion, with a perforation line separating the two. The envelope includes a removable section and a flap containing remoistening glue for sealing the envelope.

Abstract: A secure contest card which is not susceptible to compromise by both simple and sophisticated techniques comprises printed indicia disposed on the upper surface of card stock material, a patterned intermediate layer disposed over the printed indicia and an opaque removable mask disposed over the intermediate layer and over the printed indicia. In a second embodiment of the invention a patterned background layer is disposed between the card stock and the printed indicia and the patterned intermediate layer is eliminated. In a third and preferred embodiment, the patterned background layer and the patterned intermediate layer are both employed. It has been found that the pattern in the background and intermediate layers creates an irregular relationship with the indicia and defeats certain new techniques for compromise of apparently secure contest cards.