Patent Application
20060220311
1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates to a lottery organizer kit and method; and more particularly, to a lottery organizer system and method for housing a plurality of lottery print-out sheets.
2. Description Of The Prior Art
Lottery game playing is a popular hobby in today's society. In particular, such lottery games as the “Pick Three”, “Pick Four”, “Pick Five”, “Pick Six”, and “Mega Millions” are common types of lottery games played in the United States. The format of these games is utilized all over the world and generally involves a player selecting a series of random, or sentimental numbers on a “scantron sheet”, or other type of game selection sheet that lists numerical numbers each having a selection box. The player makes his/her number selection, or “pick”, by marking the “scantron sheet” numbers in pencil. This number selection may be purely random, such as by using a computerized or spin. When the player completes his/her “pick”, the player receives a lottery ticket print-out listing the player's “pick” or “picks” (if the player is playing a plurality of “picks” for a specific game). Another popular type of lottery game playing involves scratch-off playing card, wherein the player scratches off a thin polymeric layer to reveal whether the player won.
The lottery ticket print-outs, as well as the scantron sheets are generally composed of single ply, and therefore have a tendency to bend, crinkle, or even tear and rip. Additionally, the print-outs and scantron sheets, as well as the scratch-off playing cards, are vulnerable to being lost and misplaced. Furthermore, certain tools, such as a scratching device for use in scratching off playing cards, and a plying pencil for selecting numbers on the scantron sheets are extremely useful when playing scratch off game playing cards and should be located in the vicinity of the lottery game playing cards, tickets, and scantron sheets. A holder for holding a plurality of different game lottery tickets, scantron sheets, scratch-off cards, a scratching device, and a playing pencil would be highly advantageous to a lottery player.
Accordingly, there are various types of holders heretofore disclosed and utilized that provide housing of general documents, coupons, and even lottery tickets. However, none of the holders heretofore disclosed and utilized provide an all inclusive lottery organization system that can house a plurality of different game lottery tickets, scantron sheets, and scratch-off cards while at the same time providing the convenience of a scratching device, a playing pencil, and spinner for randomly selecting play numbers.
The most basic type of general document holders heretofore disclosed and utilized have housing sections provided with storage pockets that are hingedly connected to one another in an accordion fashion. For example U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,690 to Giarritta and U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,393 to Green disclose coupon holders broadly comprising pocket means that are hingedly secured to one another and further hingedly secured to opposable panel supports. U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,795 to Questel, et al. and Des 358,116 to Deuitch disclose a home organizer and a card holder, respectively, generally including plies or pockets that are hingedly connected to one another, and further connected to a panel support. None of these disclosures provides an all inclusive lottery organization system that can house a plurality of different game lottery tickets, scantron sheets, and scratch-off cards while at the same time providing the convenience of a scratching device, a playing pencil, and spinner for randomly selecting play numbers.
Another basic type of document holder heretofore disclosed and utilized involves a divider adapted to be used in a binder and including pockets and an inner cavity. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,729,790 and Des 462,715 S both to Moor, et al. disclose a divider apparatus and corresponding ornamental design, respectively, for use in a binder having a binding mechanism coupled to a rigid inner portion and including a pocket outer portion further coupled to the inner portion to form a cavity for storing loose items. Neither of these patents discloses a folder adapted to house lottery tickets in an orderly fashion. Furthermore, the patents do not disclose a scratching device, a playing pencil, and spinner for randomly selecting play numbers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,867 to Williams and U.S. Pat. No. 2,161,015 to Buxton discloses document holders generally comprising a bi-panel construction provided with a plurality of slots for housing documents. U.S. Pat. No. 2,161,015 to Buxton discloses a memorandum book having a plurality of memorandum pads that are each detachably held in place on the cover of a folder of a book via the insertion of a tongue-liked back of the pad into a socket provided on the cover of the folder. U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,867 to Williams discloses an improved information organizing device having parallel slits adapted to receive a document's corner so that a document can be securely housed in the organizer. None of these patents discloses a folder adapted to house lottery tickets in an orderly fashion. Furthermore, the patents do not disclose a scratching device, a playing pencil, and spinner for randomly selecting play numbers.
Still other document holders disclose a holder having a multi-panel construction providing storage compartments adapted to house coupons, cards, and the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,958 to Jones, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,627 to Wolff, et al. disclose multi-paneled organizers for housing coupons and the like, being generally comprised of multi-connected panels having storage compartments, an area for advertising indicia, and a writing paper area. This multi-paneled construction results in a bulky organizer that can be difficult to carry in such containments as purses and the like. Furthermore, none of these organizers provides a scratching device, a playing pencil, and spinner for randomly selecting play numbers.
Certain organizers or document holders do come with a pen or pencil. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 591,746 to Dusart, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,728 to Grimsely; Des 259,221 to Gebbia; and Des 314,976 to Loredo each disclose a document holder or ornamental design for an organizer, having a pen or pencil holder. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 591,746 to Dusart, Jr., discloses a pocket-book comprising covers 1 and 2 connected together, and provided with pockets, writing sheets, and a pencil inserted in an loop located on the outside of the covers 1 and 2. U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,728 to Grimsely discloses a travel kit having a foldable multi-panel base provided with multi-page insert means having pockets to hold a plurality of different objects such as documents, passports, paper, and coin currency. U.S. Pat. Nos. Des 259,221 to Gebbia and Des 314,976 to Loredo claim ornamental designs for a coupon holder and a racing form holder, respectively, having a pen or pencil holder means and pockets for holding the specific documents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,679 to Russell et al. discloses an information organizer including a vertically elongated open front housing having vertically aligned storage compartments therein and provided with a calendar-receiving pocket, a digital timepiece, small pockets, and an upper enlarged analog clock and adapted to provide a writing surface. None of these patents provides an organizer equipped with a scratching device, a playing pencil, and spinner for randomly selecting play numbers.
Even where the document holders heretofore disclosed and utilized are provided specifically to be utilized in organizing lottery tickets, these holders do not provide a lottery organizer adapted to house and classify a plurality of lottery tickets, while at the same time providing a pencil, a quarter slot (scratching device), and a spinner for choosing numbers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,823 to Windish discloses a lottery kit comprising a scraping tool for removing particle covering materials from a lottery ticket, a collection mat for collecting the particles, a pocket size foldable panels that contain slash type pockets for frictionally holding a lottery ticket, scraping tool, and a collection mat.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,383 to Gross discloses a lottery ticket holder having two compartments housing an elongated flat lottery slip and a truncated flat lottery ticket, respectively. U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,265 to Fugit, et al. discloses a lottery ticket holder having a pair of planar members interconnected by and through a pair of partition members to form a hollow body where through a lottery ticket slide into. U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,137 to Holt discloses a lottery organizer having pockets to hold various lottery game materials and a pocket to hold a coin for use with “scratch off” tickets, and holds a pen or pencil.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,509 to Dull discloses a lottery play slip and lottery ticket jacket for holding a plurality of lottery tickets or play slips, being comprised of three preferably transparent flat panels connected along three edges so that a lottery ticket can slip there between. In addition, German Patent No. DE 4438348 A1 to Hahn discloses a folding protective cover adapted to be utilized to protect lottery tickets and having a folder made from transparent plastics with clear windows and pockets to house tickets or cards. None of these patents discloses a folder adapted to house lottery tickets in an orderly fashion that conveniently includes a scratching device, a playing pencil, and spinner for randomly selecting play numbers.
None of the holders heretofore disclosed and utilized specifically provides a convenient, readily accessible folder that includes a plurality of slots having pouches for receiving and categorizing a plurality of lottery tickets and game playing cards. Even where the holders heretofore disclosed and utilized provide a plurality of storage compartments, they do not provide certain equipment and tools that are useful when playing lottery games. Specifically, none of the holders heretofore disclosed and utilized provides a scratching device in the form of a lucky coin, a playing pencil, and spinner for randomly selecting play numbers. Advantageously, a lottery organizer kit and method allowing a player to conveniently organize his or her lottery tickets, while at the same time providing the player with a quarter scratching device, a pencil, and a spinner for selecting numbers enhances one's overall enjoyment while playing lottery games.
For the foregoing reasons, there exists a need in the art for a lottery organizer kit and method that provides organization means and specific tools utilized when playing the lottery. Specifically, there exists a need in the art for a lottery organizer kit and method that provides a durable folder adapted to receive and house a plurality of lottery tickets and game playing cards. Additionally, there is a need in the art for a lottery organizer kit and method that further includes a scratch-off device in the form of a lucky coin or quarter, while at the same time providing a pencil conveniently nested within the organizer. Moreover, there is a need in the art for a lottery organizer kit and method that further includes a spinner having an arrow and a number face plate that can be readily utilized by a player to assist the player in selecting his or her game play number picks. Advantageously, the quarter, pencil, and spinner set forth in the lottery organization kit and method are adapted to be utilized in conjunction with the lottery tickets and lottery related sheets, while the slots and pouches provide for convenient organization of the lottery tickets and lottery related sheets. For the forgoing reasons there exists a need in the art for a lottery organizer kit for housing a plurality of lottery tickets and related paraphernalia
The present invention provides a lottery organizer kit for housing a plurality of lottery tickets and related paraphernalia. The lottery organizer kit includes a first panel having a first exterior portion fixedly attached to a first interior portion and being hingedly connected to a second panel having a second exterior portion fixedly attached to a second interior portion to form a lottery organizer folder. The first interior portion is provided with a plurality of lottery ticket slots. Each of the lottery ticket slots has a lottery ticket pouch integrally connected thereto. The lottery ticket pouch extends between the first interior portion and the first exterior portion of the first panel. The lottery ticket pouch has a top opening located integrally with each of the lottery ticket slots. The lottery ticket pouch is adapted to receive and house a plurality of lottery tickets.
The second interior portion is provided with an elongated slot having an elongated pouch. The elongated pouch extends between the second interior portion and the second exterior portion of the second panel. The elongated pouch has a pouch top opening located integrally with the elongated slot. The elongated pouch is adapted to receive a plurality of lottery related sheets, preferably being scantron sheets.
In addition, the lottery organizer kit includes a spinner. The spinner is fixed onto the second interior portion. The spinner is comprised of a rotating arrow and a number face plate. The number face plate has a central portion and an outer perimeter having numbers. The rotating arrow is located on the central portion and rotates about the outer perimeter when rotation force is applied to the arrow. The arrow stops at random numbers located on the outer perimeter and aids the player in choosing his or her game playing numbers. The lottery organizer kit also includes a quarter slot that is adapted to house a quarter, and also includes an interior loop for holding a pencil. The interior loop is located between the first panel and second panel.
Optionally, the lottery organizing kit comprises at least seven of the lottery ticket slots and at least seven of the lottery ticket pouches. The lottery ticket slots may be at least 3½ inches in length. Each of the lottery ticket pouches has a top opening that is integral with the each of the corresponding lottery ticket slot and is adapted to receive a plurality of lottery tickets. The lottery ticket pouch may be comprised of a polymeric material. The lottery ticket pouch may be removably housed within the lottery ticket slot. Preferably, the lottery ticket pouch is permanently fixed within the lottery ticket slot. The lottery ticket pouch ranges in height from 3 to 4 inches tall and ranges in length from 3 to 3½ inches wide. The top opening of the lottery ticket pouch ranges from 1/16 to ⅛ inches wide. Optionally, the elongated slot is at least 3 7/16 inches in length. The elongated slot and contains an elongated pouch. This elongated pouch has a pouch top opening that is integrally connected to the elongated slot and is adapted to receive a plurality of lottery related sheets. In particular, the lottery related sheets preferably are scantron sheets. The elongated pouch may be comprised of a polymeric material.
The elongated pouch has a height ranging from 8⅝ to 9 inches and has a length ranging from 3⅝ to 4 inches. The top opening of the elongated pouch has a width ranging from ⅛ to ¼ inches and is adapted to receive and house at least ten scantron sheets. The elongated pouch may be removably housed within the elongated slot. Alternatively, the elongated pouch is permanently fixed within the elongated slot. Each of the lottery ticket pouches and the elongated pouch optionally includes a notch located at the top opening and the pouch top opening, respectively, for easy access to the lottery tickets and the lottery related sheets, respectively, housed therein.
The rotating arrow of the spinner ranges from ¾ to 2 inches in length. The number face plate of the spinner has a diameter proportionate to the rotating arrow, ranging from ¾ to 2 inches. The numbers on the outer perimeter of the number face plate may range from 1 to 52.
Optionally, the quarter slot is located on the first interior portion to form a quarter pocket adapted to receive a quarter. The quarter slot has a length ranging from 1 to 1½ inches and a height ranging from ¾ to 1½ inches. The quarter operates as a scratching device when the player is playing scratch-off lottery game cards.
The interior loop is comprised of a first interior slot and a second interior slot. The first and second interior slots are located at least ¼ inch apart, and preferably at least 1 inch apart. A pencil is housed in the slots of the interior loop and is specifically utilized to fill out game playing sheets or scantron sheets.
Optionally, the lottery organizer kit further includes a plurality of external attachments located on the first exterior portion and the second exterior portion. These external attachments are adapted to attach the lottery organizer kit to an object. The external attachments are selected from the group consisting of magnetic strips, snaps, clips, or Velcro. The lottery organizer kit may further include a scratch pad for use with any writing device or dry erase markers. Moreover, the lottery organizer optionally includes a LCD digital solar powered device adapted to electronically select random numbers.
The present invention also provides a method for organizing lottery paraphernalia. The method includes the step of constructing a holder that has a first panel having a first exterior portion fixedly attached to a first interior portion and being hingedly connected to a second panel having a second exterior portion fixedly attached to a second interior portion. The method also includes the step of providing the first interior portion with a plurality of lottery ticket slots. Each of the lottery ticket slots has a lottery ticket pouch. The lottery ticket pouch extends between the first interior portion and the first exterior portion of the first panel. The lottery ticket pouch has a top opening located integrally with each of the lottery ticket slots to which the lottery ticket pouch corresponds. The lottery ticket pouch is adapted to receive and house a plurality of lottery tickets.
The method further involves the step of providing the second interior portion with an elongated slot having an elongated pouch. The elongated pouch extends between the second interior portion and the second exterior portion of the second panel. The elongated pouch has a pouch top opening located integrally with the elongated slot. The elongated pouch is adapted to receive a plurality of lottery related sheets, preferably being scantron sheets.
The method also comprises the step of providing the second interior portion with a spinner. The spinner is comprised of a rotating arrow and a number face plate. The number face plate has a central portion and an outer perimeter. The rotating arrow is located at the central portion and the outer perimeter has numbers.
Additionally, the method comprises the steps of providing a quarter slot that is adapted to house a quarter, and an interior loop. The interior loop is located between the first panel and the second panel. The interior loop is adapted to house a pencil.
Each of the lottery ticket slots and the lottery ticket pouches and the elongated slot and the elongated pouch are adapted to receive and house a plurality of lottery tickets and lottery related sheets, respectively, within the lottery organizer kit and method. The quarter, pencil, and spinner set forth in the lottery organization kit and method are adapted to be utilized and housed in conjunction with the lottery tickets and lottery related sheets when the lottery organizer kit and method is being utilized.
The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, in which:
This arrangement provides for a lottery organizer kit and method for housing a plurality of lottery tickets and related paraphernalia. The lottery organizer kit comprises a first and second panel having a plurality of slots having pouches that are adapted for receiving and housing lottery tickets and the like. The first and second panels are hingedly connected to one another to form a folder. The lottery organizer kit further comprises a spinner, a quarter slot, and an interior loop adapted to house a pencil. Advantageously, the quarter, pencil, and spinner set forth in the lottery organization kit and method are adapted to be utilized in conjunction with the lottery tickets and lottery related sheets, while the slots and pouches provide for convenient organization of the lottery tickets and lottery related sheets.
The exterior cover 16 may be composed of any manmade material, such as vinyl, plastic, mesh, fabrics, or polymeric blends. Alternatively, the exterior cover 16 may be composed of a natural material such as animal leather, snakeskin, alligator skin, pigskin, sued, or a plant derived material such as bamboo, straw, or paper. The exterior cover 16 can be designed in a variety of any known colors, patterns, and can be gender related, zodiac sign related, ethnically related, or contain a logo. The lottery organizer kit may include written indicia or logos in any language, country flag, or state or country logo. Both the first exterior portion 14 and a second exterior portion 15 have a provision for printing a logo 17. Optionally, the lottery organizer kit further includes a plurality of external attachments 18 located on the first exterior portion and the second exterior portion. These external attachments are adapted to attach the lottery organizer kit to an object. The external attachments are selected from the group consisting of magnetic strips, snaps, clips, or Velcro. The lottery organizer kit optionally includes a strap 19a and loop 19b for closing lottery organizer kit.
The lottery organizer kit optionally includes magnetic attachments, snaps or clips on the exterior cover 16 to attach the lottery organizer kit to any object for ease in carrying. The connection means 13 hingedly connecting the first panel 11 and the second panel 12 may comprise a hinged metal means, wire, staples, thread, cords, glue, or flexible plastic. The lottery organizer kit may contain tabs and inserts. The lottery organizer kit can come in an array of shapes and sizes, including rectangular, square, oval, circular, or diamond shaped. Optionally, the lottery organizer kit may contain a scratch pad for use with any writing device or dry erase markers.
The first interior portion 21 of the first panel 11 is provided with a plurality of lottery ticket slots 25 to form a plurality of openings 26 located between the first interior portion 21 and the first exterior portion of the first panel 11. Each of the plurality of lottery ticket slots 25 is provided with a lottery ticket pouch 27 integrally connected thereto. Each of the lottery ticket slots 25 has an opening 26 allowing access to the lottery ticket pouch 27 therein. The lottery ticket pouch 27 extends between the first interior portion 21 and the first exterior portion (14 in
The lottery ticket pouch 27 is only shown in the figure for the last slot for clarity; even though each lottery ticket slot 25 is provided with a lottery ticket pouch 27. Each lottery ticket pouch 27 has a top opening 28 and is adapted to receive a plurality of lottery tickets. Optionally, there are at least seven lottery ticket slots 25. The lottery ticket slots 25 may be at least 31/2 inches in length. Each of the lottery ticket slots 25 and lottery ticket pouches 27 are adapted to receive a plurality of lottery tickets. The lottery ticket pouch 27 may be comprised of a polymeric material. The lottery ticket pouch 27 may be removably housed within the lottery ticket pocket and lottery ticket slot 25. Alternatively, the lottery ticket pouch 27 may be permanently fixed within the lottery ticket pocket and lottery ticket slot 25.
The lottery ticket pouch 27 ranges in height from 3 to 4 inches tall and ranges in length from 3 to 3½ inches wide. The top opening of the lottery ticket pouch 27 ranges from 1/16 to ⅛ inches wide. The lottery ticket slots 25 can be dated for the days of the week. There may be a slot for receiving and housing winning tickets. The lottery ticket pouch 27 is adapted to receive and house a plurality of lottery tickets for organization and storage. Specifically, lottery ticket slots 25 are preferably utilized to categorize specific lottery game tickets or cards. For example, the following individual game tickets can be provided with their own unique lottery ticket slot 25: (i) a lottery ticket slot 25 for housing “Pick Three” straight drawing tickets; (ii) a lottery ticket slot 25 for housing “Pick Three” Box drawing tickets; (iii) a lottery ticket slot 25 for housing “Pick Four” Straight drawing tickets; (iv) a lottery ticket slot 25 for housing “Pick Four” Box drawing tickets; (v) a lottery ticket slot 25 for housing “Pick Five” drawing tickets; (vi) a lottery ticket slot 25 for housing “Pick Six” drawing tickets; and (vii) a lottery ticket slot 25 for housing “Super Jackpot” or “Mega Millions” drawing tickets. Optionally, the lottery organizing kit comprises at least seven of the lottery ticket slots 25.
The second interior portion 12 is provided with an elongated slot 29 to form an opening 30. The elongated slot 29 has an elongated pouch 31 located therein. The elongated pouch 31 extends between the second interior portion 23 and the second exterior portion (15 in
The opening 30 allows access to the elongated pouch 31 located therein the elongated slot 29. Optionally, the elongated slot 29 is at least 3 7/16 inches in length. The elongated pouch 31 has a pouch top opening 32 and is adapted to receive a plurality of lottery related sheets. In particular, the lottery related sheets preferably are scantron sheets. The elongated pouch 31 may be comprised of a polymeric material. The elongated pouch 31 ranges in height from 8⅝ to 9 inches and ranges in length from 3⅝ to 4 inches. The top opening 32 of the elongated pouch 31 ranges in width from ⅛ to ¼ inches and is adapted to receive and house at least ten scantron sheets. The elongated pouch 31 may be removably housed within elongated slot 29. Alternatively, the elongated pouch 31 is permanently fixed within elongated slot 29. Each of the lottery ticket pouches 27 and the elongated pouch 31 optionally includes a notch (51 and 52, respectively, see
In addition, the lottery organizer kit includes a spinner 33. The spinner 33 may be fixed onto the second interior portion 23. The spinner 33 is comprised of a rotating arrow 34 and a number face plate 35. The number face plate 35 has a central portion 36 and an outer perimeter 37 having numbers. The rotating arrow 34 is located on the central portion 36 and rotates about the outer perimeter 37 when rotation force is applied to the rotating arrow 34. The rotating arrow 34 stops at random numbers located on the outer perimeter 37 and aids the player in choosing his or her game playing numbers. The rotating arrow 34 of the spinner 33 ranges from ¾ to 2 inches in length. The number face plate 35 of the spinner 33 has a diameter proportionate to the rotating arrow 34, ranging from ¾ to 2 inches. The numbers on the outer perimeter 37 of the number face plate 35 may range from 1 to 52. The numbers on the outer perimeter 37 of the number face plate 35 may have any numbers which represent a particular state or country's lottery system in any language. The lottery organizer kit may include an LCD digital solar powered device which will pick numbers in groups of any numbers or single numbers of which device may be in any language.
The lottery organizer kit also includes a quarter slot 38 that is adapted to house a quarter. Optionally, the quarter slot 38 is located on the first interior portion 21 of the first panel 11. The quarter slot 38 has walls and a bottom to form a quarter pocket 39. The quarter pocket 39 is adapted to receive a quarter. The quarter received and housed in the quarter pocket 39 is utilized to scratch-off the polymeric coating located on scratch-off playing game cards. The quarter pocket 39 may contain written indicia thereby reading “lucky coin”, or the like. The quarter slot 38 and visa vie quarter pocket 39 has a length ranging from 1 to 1½ inches and a height ranging from ¾ to 1½ inches. The quarter operates as a scratching device when the player is playing scratch-off lottery game cards.
The lottery organizer kit also includes an interior loop 40 for holding a pencil 41. The interior loop 40 is located between the first panel 11 and second panel 12. The interior loop 40 is comprised of a first interior slot 42 and a second interior slot 43. The first and second interior slots, 42 and 43, respectively, are located at least ¼ an inch apart, and preferably at least 1 inch apart. The pencil 41 is housed in the first and second interior slots, 42 and 43, respectively, of the interior loop 40 and is specifically utilized to fill out game playing sheets or scantron sheets. The lottery organizer kit may further include a scratch pad for use with any writing device or dry erase markers.
Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to but that various changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.
