Secure lottery ticket and method of operating raffle

Abstract

A security device is used to protect the number or numbers disposed on a raffle or pool ticket. The security device prevents the numbers from being viewed until the owner of the ticket or the operator of the game need to reveal the number. In one embodiment, a lottery ticket has first and second portions with related numbers printed on the portions. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a raffle using raffle tickets having security devices wherein the winning raffle tickets are drawn before the tickets are sold. Another embodiment of the invention provides a pool ticket having at least one number covered by a security device that prevents the number from being viewed until the security device is removed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELTED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent applications 60/550,083 filed Jun. 3, 2004, 60/555,244 filed Mar. 22, 2004, and 60/573,122 filed May 21, 2004; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to lottery tickets and, more particularly, to raffle and pool tickets wherein the ticket numbers are hidden from view by a security feature that prevents the numbers from being seen until the security feature is removed. The invention also relates to a method of operating a raffle using the secure raffle ticket.

2. Background Information

One type of a lottery is a raffle wherein participants purchase raffle tickets. A typical raffle ticket has two parts with identical raffle numbers printed on each part of the ticket. When the participant purchases the raffle ticket, the ticket is divided into its first and second parts with the participant keeping the first part and the sponsor of the raffle keeping the second part. The raffle sponsor typically places all of the second parts into a container where the second parts are randomly mixed. A ticket is then drawn from the randomly mixed collection of second parts to determine which participant wins a prize or is eliminated from the drawing.

Some participants have expressed concerns about the randomness of the ticket mix. Other participants express concern about whether the person drawing the tickets can select certain tickets by viewing the numbers on the tickets while reaching into the container to draw a ticket. There is thus a desire in the art for a lottery ticket that hides its number so that there is no appearance of impropriety when the person is drawing the lottery ticket out of the randomly mixed group of tickets.

Another type of a lottery is a pool wherein participants purchase numbers that are related to an event such as a ball game, a race, or the like. Such pools are often used at charitable events as an effective means to raise money. When the pool is a race or a golf event, a single number representing a single participant is purchased. When two teams are competing, the player purchases two numbers that may indicate the team points or the last digit of the points scored per quarter or half. For example, a player in a football pool purchases two numbers that represent the last digit in the scores for the team in each quarter. Prizes are awarded if the teams' score matches the numbers purchased by the player. Numbers are purchased by picking numbers from a fixed allotment such that the player knows what numbers he is receiving. The present invention relates to the method of purchasing numbers through a random system wherein the player purchases a ticket or the right to draw a ticket from a pool of tickets. Some participants express concern about whether the person drawing the tickets can select certain tickets by viewing the numbers on the tickets while reaching into the container to draw a ticket. Obviously, certain numbers are more desirable than others based on the sport being used to score the game. There is thus a desire in the art for a pool ticket that hides its number so that there is no appearance of impropriety when the person is drawing the pool ticket out of the randomly mixed group of tickets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One characteristic of the present invention is the use of a security device to protect the number or numbers disposed on a raffle or pool ticket.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a lottery ticket having first and second portions with related numbers printed on each of the first and second portions. At least the number on the second portion of the ticket that is kept by the sponsor of the lottery is covered by a security device that prevents the number from being viewed until the security device is removed.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a raffle using raffle tickets having security devices wherein the winning raffle tickets are drawn before the tickets are sold.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a pool ticket having at least one number covered by a security device that prevents the number from being viewed until the security device is removed. A group of the pool tickets may be numbered with consecutive serial numbers to prevent a ticket from one event from being used in another event. In another embodiment, the invention provides a pool ticket having two numbers covered by a security device or a pair of security devices that prevent the numbers from being viewed until the security device is removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary ticket made in accordance with the concepts of the present invention showing one embodiment of the security device protecting the numbers on the ticket.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the security device removed so that the ticket numbers may be viewed.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an exemplary pool ticket made in accordance with the concepts of the present invention showing one embodiment of the security device protecting the number on the ticket.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the security device removed so that the ticket number may be viewed.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another exemplary pool ticket made in accordance with the concepts of the present invention showing an embodiment of the security device protecting the numbers on the ticket.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the secure raffle ticket of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1. Ticket 10 includes a body 12 having a first portion 14 and a second portion 16. Body 12 may define a perforated line of separation 18 that allows first portion 14 to be readily separated from second portion 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, each portion 14 and 16 includes a number 20. Numbers 20 on portions 14 and 16 are related in a known manner. One known manner is to make numbers 20 identical. Another known manner is to make to one number 20 a multiple or the result of a defined formula of another number 20. In this situation, an entire series of tickets will have sets of related numbers. As shown in FIG. 1, a security device 30 is disposed over each number 20 to prevent numbers 20 from being viewed before security devices 30 are removed. Security devices 30 may be in the form of a removable coating that is attached to body 12. Such a coating may be peeled or scratched from body 12 without removing or damaging numbers 20 disposed below devices 30. In this embodiment, devices 30 may be any of the known scratch-off or peel-off materials that are used to protect the information on a typical lottery ticket. Each security device 30 may be a cover that is adhesively connected to body 12 with a peelable adhesive or with stitching about its perimeter. The cover also may be connected to body 12 with an adhesive disposed only at the perimeter of the cover.

Ticket 10 prevents a person from drawing a ticket portion 14 or 16 from a randomly mixed plurality of ticket portions 14 and 16 from viewing number 20 before removing ticket portion 14 or 16 from the random mix and removing security device 30.

Ticket 10 also may include a serial number 40 that appears on both sections 14 and 16. Numbers 40 may be consecutive on a roll or package of tickets 10 so that the sponsor of the raffle can identify what numbers have been sold. Number 20 may function as the serial number.

The secure raffle tickets described above may be used to operate a raffle in a unique manner. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a raffle operator may select a group of secure raffle tickets that define a raffle. For instance, there may be 1,000 tickets with three defined prizes for the winning tickets. The tickets may be sold at $1 each with the defined prizes being $500 for first prize, $250 for second prize, and $50 for third prize. The entire group of tickets (all 1,000) are separated into first and second portions with the entire group of first portions being randomly mixed and placed in a receptacle. The first prize ticket is drawn from the randomly mixed first portions and opened with the winning ticket number being recorded in a publically-viewable location so that potential participants know the prize ticket. The second and third place tickets are then drawn accordingly. After the winning prize tickets are drawn and publically announced, the raffle operator then sells the unopened second portion of the raffle ticket to the raffle participants. The raffle participants can immediately open their second portion to determine if they have selected a winning ticket. If the ticket is not a winner, the participant may choose to buy another ticket. The raffle operator may thus increase its sales using this method of operating the raffle. The security features of the raffle tickets allow this method to be conducted fairly because no one knows where the winning tickets are located until the security features are removed.

A first embodiment of the secure pool ticket of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 110 in FIG. 3. Ticket 110 includes a body 112. Body 112 includes a number 120. Number 120 may be a single digit number used in events with a small number of participants such a horse race having only nine horses. Number 120 may be a two digit number and used to identify a participant in an auto race. Number 120 may be a three, four, five, six, or seven digit number depending on how many participants need to be identifies in a given event. In the embodiment of the ticket 111 shown in FIG. 5, two numbers 120 and 121 are shown. These types of tickets 111 are used for events where two teams are scoring points and numbers 120 and 121 are used to represent the scores of the teams. The numbers may represent the last digit in a two or three digit score for the team such as in football or basketball pools.

As shown in FIG. 3, a security device 130 is disposed over number 120 to prevent number 120 from being viewed before security device 130 is removed. Security device 130 may be in the form of a removable coating that is attached to body 112. Such a coating may be peeled or scratched from body 112 without removing or damaging number 120 disposed below device 130. In this embodiment, device 130 may be any of the known scratch-off or peel-off materials that are used to protect the information on a typical lottery ticket. Each security device 130 may be a cover that is adhesively connected to body 112 with a peelable adhesive or with stitching about its perimeter. The cover also may be connected to body 112 with an adhesive disposed only at the perimeter of the cover.

Ticket 110 prevents a person from selling or drawing ticket 110 from viewing number 120 before removing security device 130.

Ticket 110 also may include a serial number 140. Number 140 may be consecutive on a roll or package of tickets 110 so that the sponsor of the pool can identify what numbers have been sold.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A secure raffle ticket comprising:

a ticket body having first and second portions;

a first number printed on the first portion and a second number printed on the second portion; and

a security device connected to each of the first and second portions; the security device preventing the first and second numbers from being viewed until the security devices are removed.

2. The ticket of claim 1, wherein the first number is the same as the second number.

3. The ticket of claim 1, wherein the body defines a perforated separation line to enable the separation of the first portion from the second portion.

4. The ticket of claim 1, wherein the security device is removably attached to the body of the ticket.

5. The ticket of claim 4, wherein the security device is not reattachable to the body of the ticket so that it may only be used once.

6. The ticket of claim 1, wherein the security device is an opaque coating removably connected to the body over the numbers.

7. The ticket of claim 1, wherein the security device is a cover connected to the body about the perimeter of the cover; the cover being opaque and preventing the number on the body of the ticket from being viewed.

8. The ticket of claim 1, wherein the first number is related to the second number by a defined relationship.

9. A secure pool ticket comprising:

a ticket body;

a number being printed on the ticket body; and

a security device connected to the ticket body; the security device preventing the number from being viewed until the security device is removed.

10. The ticket of claim 9, wherein the security device is removably attached to the body of the ticket.

11. The ticket of claim 10, wherein the security device is not reattachable to the body of the ticket so that it may only be used once.

12. The ticket of claim 9, wherein the security device is an opaque coating removably connected to the body over the numbers.

13. The ticket of claim 9, wherein the security device is a cover connected to the body about the perimeter of the cover; the cover being opaque and preventing the number on the body of the ticket from being viewed.

14. The ticket of claim 9, wherein the ticket body has two numbers; each of the numbers being covered by a security device.

15. A method of operating a raffle comprising the steps of:

selecting a group of raffle tickets having first and second portions with security features;

dividing each of the tickets in the group into first and second portions;

randomly mixing each of the first portions;

drawing at least one winning ticket from the randomly mixed first portions; and

selling the second portions to participants after the winning ticket is selected and announced to potential participants.