Abstract: Structures for items such as promotional materials, game pieces, lottery tickets, security documents and other articles, which feature one or more thermal reactive layers that are activated by heat from a hidden image formed of infrared sensitive, heat generating material such as carbon black preprinted under the thermal reactive layers during manufacture. The thermal reactive layers permit transmission of radiant energy such as infrared to the heat generating, hidden layers. The heated image conducts heat to the thermal reactive layers which employ a coloring agent and a developer which, when exposed to the heat, react or act in concert in order to form a corresponding image on the face of the item.

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: Packages for sets of promotional or other articles (such as lottery tickets or coupons) which conceal information included on the articles, and methods of forming the packages, are disclosed. Embodiments of the package include even (or odd) numbers of integrated panels of equal size, pairs of which panels are separated by fold lines. A four-panel package may be folded along the first and third fold lines so that the inner face of each panel contacts the inner face of an adjacent panel. The package then may be folded along the second fold line so that the exposed outer faces of the remotest panels contact, thereby forming a package having the length and width of a single panel. Sets of tickets or articles equal to the number of panels (or multiples thereof) may then be formed simultaneously by creating areas in the folded package completely defined by lines of weakness.

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 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.