US20090193606A1

US20090193606A1 - Scraping Device for Scratch Cards

Info

Publication number: US20090193606A1
Application number: US12/026,573
Authority: US
Inventors: Marie Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-06
Filing date: 2008-02-06
Publication date: 2009-08-06

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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

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.’
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.
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.
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

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.
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.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a scraping device which can be easily and conveniently carried.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a scraping device which is light in weight.
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.
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

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:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a scraping device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

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.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ‘α’ (as shown in FIG. 1) to the length of the elongated element 102. In one embodiment of the present invention, the angle ‘α’ is an obtuse angle.
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.
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.
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 ⅞ inches in diameter. Further, the scraping device 100 may be designed in a variety of colors.
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.
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.
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.

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.