Gaming chip and method of manufacturing

Abstract

Gaming chips, for example, poker chips, comprise an inner metal coin provided with at least one aperture therethrough, and a plastic casing including a first plastic casing portion extending around a perimeter of the inner metal coin and a second plastic casing portion extending through the aperture and over opposite faces of the inner metal coin. The gaming chips may be manufactured using injection molding techniques.

1 . A gaming chip, comprising (a) an inner metal coin provided with at least one aperture therethrough, and (b) a plastic casing including a first plastic casing portion extending around a perimeter of the inner metal coin and a second plastic casing portion extending through the aperture and over opposite faces of the inner metal coin.  
   
   
       2 . The gaming chip of  claim 1 , wherein the first plastic casing portion is injection molded on the perimeter of the inner metal coin.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming chip of  claim 2 , wherein the first plastic casing portion extends over a perimeter area of each opposite face of the inner metal coin.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming chip of  claim 3 , wherein the first plastic casing portion presents a raised edge on each opposite face relative to the second plastic casing portion.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming chip of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic casing completely encases the inner metal coin.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming chip of  claim 1 , wherein the first plastic casing portion and the second plastic casing portion are formed of different plastic compositions.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming chip of  claim 6 , wherein the first plastic casing portion and the second plastic casing portion are injection molded onto the coin.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming chip of  claim 1 , wherein the first plastic casing portion is multicolored.  
   
   
       9 . The gaming chip of  claim 1 , further comprising a decorative sticker on at least one surface of the second plastic casing portion.  
   
   
       10 . The gaming chip of  claim 9 , comprising a decorative sticker on each surface of the second plastic casing portion.  
   
   
       11 . A method of manufacturing a gaming chip, comprising (a) providing a metal coin having at least one aperture extending therethrough, (b) injection molding a first plastic casing portion around a perimeter of the metal coin, and (c) injection molding a second plastic casing portion over opposite faces of the metal coin, the second plastic casing portion extending through the aperture.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the metal coin is positioned for injection molding of the first plastic casing portion by inserting a pin through the aperture.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pin is removed prior to injection molding of the second plastic casing portion.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first plastic casing portion extends over a perimeter area of each opposite face of the inner metal coin.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first plastic casing portion presents a raised edge on each opposite face relative to the second plastic casing portion.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plastic casing completely encases the inner metal coin.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising adhesively securing a decorative sticker to at least one surface of the second plastic casing portion.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising adhesively securing a decorative sticker on each surface of the second plastic casing portion.