Scannable fraud preventing coupon

• US 4,880,964 A
• Filed: 06/14/1984
• Issued: 11/14/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Webcraft Technologies Incorporated Route One Adams Station North Brunswick NJ 08902
• Original Assignee: Beatrice Foods Company (Conagra Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Donahue, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAFTON, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US06/620,741
• Time in Patent Office: 1,979 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/462, 235/468, 235/488, 235/412, 235/494, 283/77, 283/94, 283/105, 283/901, 283/903, 283/904
• US Class Current: 235/488
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/02 characterised by the selection of materials, e.g. to avoid wear during transport through the machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 283/903 Lottery ticket

Abstract

A scannable fraud preventing coupon or the like, comprising a first panel having a plurality of parallel bars providing a coded scannable image on a first surface thereof; a second panel secured to said first panel and including a portion thereof overlying said image; said image being scannable through said first and second panels; a series of lines disposed on said at least a portion of said second panel altering said image whereby scanning of said image is disrupted is disclosed.

Claims

1. An optically scannable fraud preventing coupon or the like, comprising:

(a) a first panel having a plurality of parallel bars providing a first coded optically scannable image on a first surface thereof;

(b) a second panel secured to said first panel and including at least a portion thereof overlying said first coded scannable image;

(c) said first coded scannable image being scannable through said first and second panels;

(d) a series of parallel lines providing a second coded optically scannable image scannable through said first and second panels is disposed on said at least a portion of said second panel juxtaposed to said first image and the lines of said second image are angularly disposed relative to said bars for altering said first coded scannable image by creating a composite scanning image preventing scanning of said first coded scannable image through said secured together first and second panels;

(e) means for indicating removal of said at least a portion of said second panel from overlying relation with said first coded scannable image; and

,

(f) means for removing said overlying at least a portion of said second panel to thereby permit scanning of said first coded scannable image.

2. The coupon as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said lines being transverse of said bars.

3. The coupon as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said lines include a plurality of line sets;

(b) each of said line sets including two of said lines; and

,

(c) said line sets being equally spaced.

4. The coupon as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) a plurality of arrayed perforation means in said second panel define said at least a portion of said second panel; and

,

(b) said perforation means define a weakened web adapted for being severed whereby removal of said at least a portion from overlying said image is irreversible indicated by tufts.

5. The coupon as defined in claim 4, wherein:

(a) a notch is provided for facilitating removal of said at least a portion from overlying said image.

6. The coupon as defined in claim 4, wherein:

(a) said at least a portion is flexibly secured to said second panel after removal from overlying said image.

7. The coupon as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said first and second panels are adhesively secured.

8. The coupon as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said second panel is integral with said first panel; and

,

(b) said second panel extends from and is folded along a first fold line.

9. The coupon as defined in claim 7, wherein:

(a) a plurality of said first panels are interconnected for providing a first strip;

(b) perforation means are disposed between each of said first panels for permitting severing of each of said first panels from said strip;

(c) a plurality of said second panels are interconnected for providing a second strip;

(d) perforation means are disposed between each of said second panels for permitting severing of each of said second panels from said strip; and

,

(e) said first strip and said second strip are secured together for providing a plurality of said coupons.

10. The coupon as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said lines are disposed on a first surface of said second panel; and

,

(b) said second panel first surface is disposed adjacent said first panel first surface.

11. The coupon as defined in claim 8, further comprising:

(a) a third panel integral with said first panel; and

,

(b) said third panel extends from and is folded along a fold line whereby said third panel overlies said second panel.

12. The coupon as defined in claim 11, wherein:

(a) a plurality of perforation means are disposed along said first fold line; and

,

(b) said perforation means are adapted for being severed for irreversibly indicating removal of said second panel from overlying said first panel.

13. The coupon as defined in claim 12, wherein:

(a) tear string means are secured to said first panel adjacent said first fold line for tearing said perforation means whereby removal of said second panel from overlying said first panel is facilitated.

14. The coupon as defined in claim 11, wherein:

(a) said first and second panels are adhesively secured; and

,

(b) said second and third panels are adhesively secured.

15. The coupon as defined in claim 11, further comprising:

(a) said first, second and third panels define a coupon blank; and

,

(b) at least a pair of spaced parallel adhesive means are disposed on said blank parallel to said lines for adhesively securing said panels when folded.

16. The coupon as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) adhesive means are peripherally disposed on one of said first and second panels for securing said first and second panels.