Composite gaming chip and method of manufacturing

Abstract

A gaming chip is formed of a composite material comprising a polymer and from about 5 to 50% by weight of organic filler. The gaming chip may be formed by injection molding. In a specific embodiment, the gaming chip comprises at least one first portion in which the composite material comprises a first colored pigment and at least one second portion in which the composite material comprises a second colored pigment different from the first colored pigment to thereby provide a multicolor gaming chip.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is directed to a gaming chip, and, more particularly, to a gaming chip formed of a composite material and having an improved combination of look, feel and durability. The invention is also directed to methods of manufacturing a gaming chip. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Gaming chips or tokens are well known for use in card games and the like. Many times, such gaming chips are formed entirely of plastic, for example by injection molding, and are therefore easily mass produced. However, such chips are relatively light weight and often are not preferred for use where a heavy, more substantive feeling chip is desired. Chips formed of clay typically have a heavy, substantive feel. However, clay chips are relatively fragile and often crack or break when they are dropped, or even during normal handling, and therefore require careful handling to avoid chip destruction. Such careful handling is often inconvenient during card playing an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide novel gaming chips which have a good substantive feel. It is an additional object of the invention to provide gaming chips and methods for manufacturing gaming chips which are amenable to mass production.

[0008] The gaming chips according to the present invention are advantageous in comprising plastic material while exhibiting a good substantive look and feel, and exhibiting improved resistance to cracking and breakage as compared, for example, with clay chips. Additionally, the gaming chips may be manufactured according to a method which facilitates mass production. These and additional objects and advantages will be more fully apparent in view of the following detailed description.

Problems solved by technology

However, such chips are relatively light weight and often are not preferred for use where a heavy, more substantive feeling chip is desired.

However, clay chips are relatively fragile and often crack or break when they are dropped, or even during normal handling, and therefore require careful handling to avoid chip destruction.

Such careful handling is often inconvenient during card playing and associated activities.

However, metal chips are significantly more expensive to produce as compared with injection molded plastic chips.

However, gaming chips or tokens which are formed of a plurality of components are often of a construction which does not facilitate mass production.

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