MXPA97007148A - Integr overprint card - Google Patents

Abstract

Cards and methods to secure the symbols on the cards are described. The cards, such as instant lottery tickets, use continuous overprint inks that frame the boundaries between their "safe" and "unsafe" portions to inhibit unscrupulous players from successfully altering them. By reformatting overprint inks to allow an individual set to be applied to both portions of a card, more vibrant and aesthetically pleasing graphics can be displayed while using fewer print stations during the printing process.

Description

CARD WITH INTEGRATED OVERPRINT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a card (such as a lottery ticket or a game piece) in which inks are applied continuously on their portions both "safe" and "unsafe".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many existing cards or instant lottery tickets comprise a paper substrate to which a sheet is laminated. The sheet is then coated both to minimize oxidation and to provide a surface that retains the ink on which symbols can be printed in a selected area. At least one additional sealant may be applied to the surface covered with ink to protect the printed symbols, and a single, opaque, metallic latex cover used to obscure it from view. After purchase or distribution, the ticket holder, or player, typically removes ("peels off") the latex cover to reveal the hidden symbols. Tickets REF: 25662 often additionally include at least one "release" coating interposed between the latex shell and the protective coating to facilitate removal of the latex shell in use. The area of the ticket on which the symbols are printed and the latex cover applied is often called the "safe" region of the ticket. Because it contains the symbols that ultimately determine whether a player has won a prize, this region is typically protected from certain types of alteration or forgery, both before and after the purchase. The use of an opaque latex cover helps in itself to protect the secure ticket region from certain optical alteration such as clarification. To ensure proper adhesion to the latex shell, specifically formulated "overprint" inks, which typically require separate printing stations, are used. In contrast, the rest of the ticket is known as the "unsafe" portion or area. It often includes aesthetic graphics or vibrant paints, printed with inks different from those used in the safe region, designed to enhance the total attraction of the ticket to potential buyers. The unsecured region does not need to include an opaque latex cover, such as clarification or alteration in another way, which will not reveal the nature of the content of the hidden symbols. In addition, because the latex cover increases ticket manufacturing costs, the application is covered to the unsafe region is not economical. However, the security devices used in conjunction with these tickets, there remains some possibility that unscrupulous players may try to alter the characteristics of the tickets. The results that are sought in these cases include changing a "losing" ticket to a "winning" ticket, increasing the value of the prize awarded on a "winning" ticket, or determining, in advance of the purchase, if a ticket is a " winner "and the nature of the prize. The people to whom the tickets are accessible, for example, may try to locate the boundaries of the latex covers and remove those intact covers so that they can observe the symbols (then visible), and if necessary, gather the covers without encouraging the You suspect that an alteration has occurred. The structures of the resistant tickets do not necessarily completely stop these attempts, since the different inks used in the safe and unsafe regions often distinguish (rather camouflage) the boundaries of the latex cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention addresses these and other problems with respect to existing tickets by continuously applying ink on their portions some safe as unsafe. Unlike ordinary techniques, which use different ink formulations for corresponding portions of the tickets, the present invention uses an individual formulation adapted to print adequately in both areas. The proportion of graphic continuity over both regions of a ticket inhibits inappropriate removal of the latex cover, since the limits of the cover are "masked" and in this way it is substantially more difficult to locate them. Doing so also improves the registration of the total design components, usually resulting in an improved aesthetic appeal, and eliminates the need for some of the different inks and printing stations now required to produce the existing tickets.

Frequently four-color inks (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are used as part of the present invention. Typical formulations of inks include, by weight: Ethyl acetate 19-58% Nitrocellulose chips Colored 1-25% Acrylic resin 15-25% Propyl acetate 20-60% with a preferred embodiment having, by weight, 30% ethyl acetate, 11% swarf colored nitrocellulose, 19% acrylic resin and 40% propyl acetate. The reformulation of inks in this way produces acceptable results, including vibrant graphics, on paper, sheet metal, and latex, allowing continuous printing in both safe and unsafe areas of a ticket. These formulations also reduce "blocking", an industry term that describes the transfer of ink from the front of a ticket to the back of another ticket when the tickets are rolled up in a roll. The polyamide resins (in amounts typically varying between 1-35% by weight) and alcohol-soluble nitrocellulose (in amounts typically varying between 5-30% by weight having the viscosity of about 18-25 cps) can also be add (or replace with acrylic resin) if desired, and between the colored nitrocellulose chips, suitable for use are: Amarillo MX of diarylide (color index 13); Diaryilid yellow (color index 14); Litol rubina red (color index 54: 1); Phthalocyanine blue (index color 15: 3); Carbon black (color index 7); Red, scarlet (color index 22); and Phthalocyanine green (color index 7). Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a card in which inks are applied continuously on both their safe and unsafe portions. It is another object of the present invention to provide ink formulations suitable for application to both paper and sheet used in the unsafe area of a ticket and latex or other synthetic rubber applied to the secure portion of a ticket. It is also an object of the present invention to provide techniques that eliminate the need for multiple sets of printing stations corresponding to multiple formulations of inks.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a card that masks the boundaries between its secure and unsecured portions. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide inks that include (but are not limited to), by weight, 19-58% ethyl acetate, 1-25% colored nitrocellulose chips, and 20-60% ethyl acetate. propyl, for use in conjunction with a card such as a lottery ticket or a game piece. It is a further object of the present invention to provide inks consisting essentially of, by weight, 30% ethyl acetate, % colored nitrocellulose chips, 19% acrylic resin, and 40% propyl acetate. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the remainder of the text and drawings of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view with separation of parts of a card of the present invention having a paper base.

Figure 2 is a perspective view with separation of parts of an alternative card having a sheet metal base, rather than a paper base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the card 10 of the present invention. If desired, the card 10 can be divided into "safe" and "unsafe" areas 14 and 18, respectively, with the symbols 22 printed in the secure area 14. These symbols 22, initially covered by the opaque material (and by thus hidden from view), they provide the information sought by the player or purchaser of the card 10. As shown in Figure 1, the card 10 comprises a base 26 of paper, which can be (but does not need to be) cardboard of eight or ten points. Different from the card 10A of Figure 2, the sheet is not laminated to the base 26 or is used instead as the base 26A. As a result, the card 10 can be easily recycled, and the base 26 can be formed by itself from recycled fibers. However, the card 10 provides many of the advantages of the sheet-based 10A card, which include resistance to known optical, magnetic, chemical, physical, artistic, and electrical compromising techniques, and, when subjected to some chemical alteration. , the evidence that this alteration or falsification has occurred. Alternatively, a synthetic substrate such as base 26 or 26A can be used instead of either paper or sheet. Figures 1-2 show various layers of ink and coatings that can be applied to the bases 26 and 26A to improve the security of the cards 10 and 10A. As detailed in Figure 1, the reinforcement liner 30 covers the portion of the base 26 in the secure area 14. The reinforcement liner 30 increases the opacity of the card 10, reducing the possibility of successful optical compromise through clarification . Cards 10 and 10A may also include contrast coatings 34, if desired, typically a white or transparent material on which darker symbols are printed. Both the reinforcement liner 30 and the contrast liner 34 (when present) are adapted to receive the ink used to print the symbols 22 and for the card 10, providing a durable surface to replace the one terminated by the sheet of the 10A card .

The reinforcing coating 30 comprises a solvent-soluble ink, dark in color (eg, blue) with a high metallic content (typically aluminum, bronze, or copper) and a resin based on vinyl chloride. The reinforcement liner 30 may additionally, but not necessarily, include carbon black to inhibit electrostatic alteration of the bottom side 36 of the card 10. Same as the card sheet 10A, the colored ink and the other contents of the liner 30 reinforcement additionally prevents unscrupulous players from seeing the symbols 22 by removing the fibers from the base 26. Fugitive ink from the backing 30 (if present) is also designed to widen through the bottom side 36 of the card 10 when immersed in chemical products, evidencing an attempt to puncture the ink of the symbols 22 to the bottom side 36 for the view by an unscrupulous player. A contrast coating 34, suitable for card 10 is a vinyl chloride resin (and released in acetate solvent) with titanium dioxide pigment. The seal liner 38 covers the seals 22 and functions as a barrier to seal the symbols 22 of the other coatings applied to the cards 10 and 10A and protects against chemical alterations or unscrupulous players. The cards 10 and 10A may additionally include a second sealer (not shown) for similar purposes and to reduce security in the automatic equipment that automatically covers the symbols 22 with the seal liner 38. In these embodiments, either of the seal liner 38 and the second sealer, or both, may be a water color solution of vinyl chloride resin. Although it is transparent, either seal or seal liner 38. the second sealer can be had if desired to inhibit or stop photocopy of the symbols 22. At least one vibration liner 46, applied over the seal liner 38, allows the first and second latex covers 54 and 58, when are present, are removed by the player to reveal the symbols 22. The release liner 46 typically contains polyamide resin soluble in alcohol and zinc stearate, and may also contain silicone. This structure allows the card 10 to withstand higher temperatures without degradation than other, sheet-less, typical parts, reducing the possibility of heat-based alteration, successful by unscrupulous players. Authorization of more than one release liner 46 allows each to be thinner than an individual liner, additionally, drying in this way more quickly allowing faster processing through the automatic equipment. The multiple release liner 46 also promotes full coverage of the secure area 14 facilitates faster and easier removal of the first and second decks 54 and 58 (of latex), respectively, by the player. Alternatively, the release liner 46 may be a UV cured varnish to improve the brightness of the card 10 and further seal the layers of the card 10 from contaminants or abrasion. Because this coating 46 does not dry with air, it remains non-fixed until it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, non-uniformities in the thickness of the applied coating 46 remain treatable for a longer time for correction, providing a glossier, smoother result than many air-dried coatings. Exemplary compositions for this release coating 46 include (by weight) about 55-65% monomer, 15-25% epoxy oligomer, 8-10% benzophenone, and if appropriate, various antifoaming agents, flow agents / equalization photoinitiators, and synergistic products. Because these components crosslink when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, this alternative release liner 46 typically cures to a hard and durable finish. The alternative release liner 46 may additionally replace either the seal liner 38 or the second sealer (and therefore may also include a colorant) or both. Applied to the top of the release liner 46 is the first cover 54. The first cover 54 is a latex typically black (though not necessarily, opaque, comprised of solvent-soluble synthetic rubber with predispersed pigment and available from KVK USA, 19A Home News Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901. The second cover 58, applied at the top of the first cover 54 of Figure 1, is also a solvent-soluble, opaque synthetic rubber containing predominantly metallic particles (such as aluminum). , copper or bronze) and black pigment The first and second covers 54 or 58 combine to inhibit the planning of the card 10, with the metallic composition and the black pigment present that additionally stop certain alteration or chemical falsification of both cards 10 and 10A Because the synthetic rubber of the first and second covers 54 or 58 is an electrical insulator and does not react with acid s or bases, and cards 10 and 10A are probably less compromised electrically or chemically also by an unscrupulous player. In some embodiments of the cards 10 and 10A, the first cover 54 may also include metallic particles to improve the opacity, or is otherwise appropriately formulated to provide a removable means for obscuring the symbols 22 of the view. The overprint 62, finally, can also be applied to the cards 10 and 10A. The overprint 62 comprises one or more inks 64, each adapted to properly adhere to each of the base 26 (paper), base 26A (sheet), and the latex or other material used as either the first cover 54 or the second. cover 58. Consistent with Figures 1-2, the use of no more than four 64A-D inks (and only three if 64D black ink is excluded) allows the creation of vibrant graphics in virtually all colors for both the secure area 14 as for area 18 unsafe cards 10 and 10A. In contrast, existing cards require twice the number of inks and thus twice the number of printing stations, to achieve this purpose, one set for the secure area 14 and the unsecured area 18. Of course, if desired, more than four inks 64 may be used in conjunction with the present invention. Typical ink formulations 64 include, by weight: Ethyl acetate 19-58% Colored nitrocellulose chips 1-25% Acrylic resin 15-25% Propyl acetate 20-60% With flowered nitrocellulose chips that determine the color of each 64 ink (for example, yellow for 64a ink, magenta for 64B ink, cyan for 64C ink, black for 64D ink). These chips are commercially available from numerous manufacturers, including BASF, KVK USA, and PennColor. In a preferred embodiment, each ink 64 has, by weight, 30% ethyl acetate, 11% colored nitrocellulose chips, 19% acrylic resin, and 40% propyl acetate. The polyamide resins, (in amounts typically varying between 1-35% by weight) and also alcohol-soluble nitrocellulose (in amounts ranging typically between 5-30% by weight and having a viscosity of approximately 18-25 cps) (or if it is replaced or replaced by acrylic resin). By operating in both the secure area 14 and the unsecured area 18, the inks 64 allow continuous printing, and thus graphic continuity or integration, in both areas. Also doing but masking the boundaries of the first and second covers 54 and 58, inhibiting their inappropriate removal by making the boundaries more substantially difficult to locate visually. The use of the inks 64 to provide the integrated overprint 62 further improves the registration of the components of the overall design, usually resulting in improved aesthetic appeal. When formulated, the inks 64 further reduce the blocking when the cards 10 or 10A are wound on a roll. The use of inks 64 provides other advantages for printing processes by gravure, flexo, press, and possibly screen printing as well. By eliminating the need for additional printing stations, for example, inks 64 reduce both the cost and time "readiness" for a printing effort. Unused print stations are also available for other jobs or efforts that work normally. The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustration, explanation and description of the embodiments of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In particular, the white ink 64 can also be formulated and applied to the top of the first cover 54 or the second cover 58 if desired.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the present invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it refers. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property:

Claims (14)

1. A card characterized because it comprises: a. a base comprising a first area and a second area; b. symbols applied in the first area of the base; c. a removable medium, applied in the first area, to obscure the symbols of the view; and d. at least one ink of a specific formulation applied on both the darkening medium and the second area of the base.

2. A card according to claim 1, characterized in that the ink comprises ethyl acetate, colored nitrocellulose chips, and propyl acetate.

3. A card according to claim 2, characterized in that the ink consists essentially of ethyl acetate, colored nitrocellulose chips, acrylic resin and propyl acetate.

4. A card according to claim 3, characterized in that the ink consists essentially of, by weight, 19-58% ethyl acetate, 1-25% colored nitrocellulose chips, 15-25% acrylic resin, and 20- 60% propyl acetate.

5. A card according to claim 4, characterized in that the ink consists essentially of, by weight, 30% ethyl acetate, 11% colored nitrocellulose chips, 19% acrylic resin, and 40% propyl acetate.

6. A card according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable darkening means comprises at least one opaque synthetic rubber containing metallic particles.

7. A card according to claim 6, characterized in that it additionally comprises a coating, interposed between the first area of the base and the symbols, to provide visible contrast between the base and the symbols.

8. A card according to claim 7, characterized in that it additionally comprises a release liner interposed between the symbols and the removable darkening means.

9. A card according to claim 8, characterized in that the base is made of paper.

10. A card according to claim 8, characterized in that the base comprises plates.

11. A card characterized because it comprises: a. a base that has a first area and a second area; b. a contrast coating, comprising vinyl chloride resin with titanium dioxide pigments, applied in the first area of the base; c. symbols printed on the contrast coating; d. a sealer applied to the symbols; and. a release coating applied to the sealant; F. at least one opaque cover applied to the release coating and comprising a solvent-soluble synthetic rubber; and g. at least one ink applied to both the second area of the base and the opaque coating, ink consisting essentially of weight, 19-58% ethyl acetate, 1-25% colored nitrocellulose chips, 20-60% acetate of propyl, and at least one of the following: 15-25% acrylic resin, 1- 35% polyamide resin, and 5-30% nitrocellulose.

12. A card characterized because it comprises: a. a base comprising a first area and a second area; b. symbols applied in the first area of the base. c. An opaque, removable cover applied in the first area of the base to obscure the symbols of the view, cover defining a visible boundary between the first area of the base and the second area of the base; and d. A means to mask the limit of sight.

13. A card according to claim 12, characterized in that the masking means comprises at least one ink applied to both the second area of the base and the coating, ink comprising ethyl acetate, colored nitrocellulose chips, and propyl acetate.

14. A card according to claim 13, characterized in that the ink consists essentially of, by weight, 19-58% ethyl acetate, 8-17% colored nitrocellulose chips, 15-25% acrylic resin, and 20- 60% propyl acetate.