BACKGROUND ART Random number and/or code generating devices for giving a random result in an associated game are known.

One example, which dates back to ancient times, is the dice, which provides for generating a random number of 1 to 6.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for randomly generating numbers and/or codes to give a random result in an associated game, and which is of straightforward design, inexpensive, and of considerable consumer"appeal".

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for randomly generating numbers and/or codes, characterized by comprising: a number of sheet elements stacked to form a pack structure; and a retaining and covering device preventing the pack structure from being opened and/or relative displacement of the sheet elements, and only permitting sequential

extraction, one by one, of the sheet elements at a first end of the pack structure; at least some of said sheet elements bear a randomly generated number and/or a symbol on a face facing inwards of the pack structure.

A player therefore removes the sheet element at the end of the pack structure to randomly extract the number and/or symbol associated with the sheet element. Safe, random extraction is guaranteed by the retaining and covering device, which prevents access by players to the sheet elements, e. g. by uopeningZ the pack structure to discover the sequence of the numbers and/or symbols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings ; in which : Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of a device for randomly generating numbers and/or codes in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; Figures 2a and 2b show two sheet elements of the Figure 1 device ; Figure 3 shows an element forming part of the Figure 1 device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a device for randomly generating numbers and/or codes.

More specifically, device 1 comprises a number of sheet elements 3 stacked to form a pack structure 4; and a retaining and covering device 7 preventing the pack

structure from being opened and/or relative displacement of the sheet elements, and only permitting sequential extraction, one by one, of the sheet elements at a first end of pack structure 4.

Each sheet element 3 has a randomly generated number 9 (Figure 2a) and/or a randomly generated or randomly located symbol 9 (Figure 2b) on a face facing inwards of the pack structure. The symbol may, for example, represent an event, such as a price variation (e. g. the price of oil).

Alternatively, only. a subgroup of sheet elements 3 have a randomly generated number and/or a randomly generated or randomly located symbol on a face facing inwards of the pack structure.

Sheet elements 3D for example, may bear the numbers one, two, three, four, five and six, arranged randomly on sheet elements 3 so that extraction of a sheet element corresponds to throwing a dice (as is known, a dice has six faces bearing the numbers one, two, three, four, five and six).

Alternatively, sheet elements 3 may bear numbers other than those indicated above, e. g. consecutive numbers from zero to N°, so that extraction of a sheet element corresponds to throwing a dice with N° faces.

In the embodiment shown, sheet elements 3 are square, and form a cube-shaped pack structure 4.

Sheet elements 3, however, may obviously be of any shape, e. g. round, rectangular, triangular, star-shaped,

etc. , without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Adjacent superimposed sheet elements are preferably connected removably along a straight edge 3b, so that one face of pack structure 4 forms a fastening band of sheet elements 3.

Retaining and covering device 7 comprises a lateral sheet element 12 glued to three adjacent consecutive lateral faces 4a, 4b, 4c of cube-shaped pack structure 4 to prevent pack structure 4 from being opened and/or . relative displacement of sheet elements 3, and to only permit sequential extraction, one by one, of sheet elements 3 forming the first end of pack structure 4.

Lateral sheet element 12 therefore comprises three consecutive square portions 12a, 12b, 12c (see also Figure 3) glued to respective lateral faces 4a, 4b, 4c of cube-shaped pack structure 4. The sheet element 3 at the end of the pack structure is also glued along three edges 3a, 3b, 3c to consecutive square portions 12a, 12b, 12c, but the glued portion can be detached easily by gripping the sheet element along a front edge 3f and tearing it off pack structure 4.

Device 1 may be complete with a sheet element 13 integral with lateral sheet element 12, and which is placed lid-fashion over the sheet element 3 forming the first end of pack structure 4.

Device 1 may also comprise a sheet element 16 integral with lateral sheet element 12 and having two

portions: a first portion 16a permanently covering (e. g. glued to) a second end of pack structure 4 ; and a second portion 16b temporarily covering a front face 4f of the pack structure.