US2009232582A1PendingUtilityA1

Method and Instrument for Removing Scratch-Off Coatings

29
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Mar 17, 2008Filed: Mar 17, 2008Published: Sep 17, 2009
Est. expiryMar 17, 2028(~1.6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Andy K. Fuqua
A63F 3/068
29
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

An instrument and method for the removal of a scratch-off coating of a scratch-off card or device utilizes a barrel having a hollow interior and an exterior configured for grasping in the hand. A solvent capable of dissolving the scratch-off coating upon contact therewith is contained within the interior of the barrel. A nib is coupled to and extending from the barrel and is in fluid communication with the solvent within the interior of the barrel. The nib is configured for delivering an amount of solvent to an exposed tip of the nib sufficient to dissolve the scratch-off coating when applied thereon. By contacting the nib of the instrument to a scratch-off coating of a scratch-off card or device, the nib delivers an amount of solvent to the exposed tip of the nib to dissolve the scratch-off coating to reveal an underlying substrate of the card or device without forming numerous particles or loose portions of the removed coating.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A method for removing of a scratch-off coating of a scratch-off card or device, the method comprising:
 providing a handheld scratch-off removal instrument comprising:   a barrel having a hollow interior and an exterior configured for grasping in the hand;   a solvent capable of dissolving the scratch-off coating upon contact therewith contained within the interior of the barrel; and   a nib coupled to and extending from the barrel, the nib being in fluid communication with the solvent within the interior of the barrel and having an exposed tip; and   contacting the nib of the instrument to a scratch-off coating of a scratch-off card or device so that the nib delivers an amount of solvent to the exposed tip of the nib to dissolve the scratch-off coating to reveal an underlying substrate of the card or device without forming numerous particles or loose portions of the removed coating.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 providing an indication or suggestion in connection with the instrument that said instrument is useful for the removal of the opaque coating of a scratch-off card or device.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 providing the indication or suggestion of use includes providing indicia on the instrument.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 wherein providing the indication or suggestion of use includes displaying the instrument in proximity to at least one of a scratch-off card or device or advertising for the scratch-off card or device.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the solvent is substantially colorless.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 providing a handheld scratch-off removal instrument further comprises providing a tip cover that couples to the barrel for selectively covering and uncovering the exposed tip of the nib.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the exposed tip of the nib is configured as a chisel tip.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tip of the nib is at least one of substantially black, gray, brown, dark blue or other color that facilitates hiding of stains or discoloration.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the solvent is an organic solvent.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the solvent is selected from at least of acetone, tetrahydrofuran, methanol, ethanol, cyclohexane, xylene, toluene, cresol, isopropanol, n-propanol, butanol, a glycol ether, dimethyl ketone, a phenol, valeraldehyde, mesityl oxide, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), 2-pyrrolidinone, diethyl acetyl, and combinations of these.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 providing a handheld scratch-off removal instrument further comprises providing a filler material disposed within the interior of the barrel for absorbing the solvent contained within the interior of the barrel.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the scratch-off card or device is a lottery-game card or device.   
   
   
       13 . An instrument for removal of a scratch-off coating of a scratch-off card or device, the instrument comprising:
 a barrel having a hollow interior and an exterior configured for grasping in the hand;   a substantially colorless solvent capable of dissolving the scratch-off coating upon contact therewith contained within the interior of the barrel; and   a nib coupled to and extending from the barrel, the nib being in fluid communication with the solvent within the interior of the barrel and being capable of delivering an amount of solvent to an exposed tip of the nib sufficient to dissolve the scratch-off coating when applied thereon.   
   
   
       14 . The instrument of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a tip cover that couples to the barrel for selectively covering and uncovering the exposed tip of the nib.   
   
   
       15 . The instrument of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 indicia formed on the instrument for indicating the use of the instrument.   
   
   
       16 . The instrument of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the exposed tip of the nib is configured as a chisel tip.   
   
   
       17 . The instrument of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the tip of the nib is at least one of substantially black, gray, brown, dark blue or other color that facilitates hiding of stains or discoloration.   
   
   
       18 . The instrument of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the solvent is an organic solvent.   
   
   
       19 . The instrument of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the solvent is selected from at least of acetone, tetrahydrofuran, methanol, ethanol, cyclohexane, xylene, toluene, cresol, isopropanol, n-propanol, butanol, a glycol ether, dimethyl ketone, a phenol, valeraldehyde, mesityl oxide, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), 2-pyrrolidinone, diethyl acetyl, and combinations of these.   
   
   
       20 . The instrument of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a filler material disposed within the interior of the barrel for absorbing the solvent contained within the interior of the barrel.

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