Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02554896 2006-07-28
r
DIGITALLY PRINTED BREAK-OPEN LOTTERY TICKET
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
Serial Number 60/703,128, filed July 28, 2005. This application is a
continuation-in-
part of U.S. Application Serial Number 11/385,090, filed March 21, 2006, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial Number 60/663,824,
filed
March 21, 2005. Each of the foregoing applications is hereby incorporated
herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to break-open tickets for a game of
chance, and more particularly to digitally printed break-open tickets for a
game of
chance, amusement, promotional, or advertisement purposes.
Description of Related Art
[0003] Jar tickets are folded tickets for a game of chance. They are small,
paper, folded and banded tickets that are purchased by a player for a
predetermined
amount. They are typically stored in a jar or other receptacle prior to
purchase by a
player. They can be produced and purchased in a single ticket format or
bundled in
groups, such as groups of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10's. Tickets can be stapled or glued
together
when in bundles. The jar ticket is traditionally a single ply folded and
banded paper
ticket, featuring symbols, letters or numerals. Tickets can be sold to a
player in
bundles or mounted on a board. Players reveal the symbols by ripping or
breaking
open the ticket from a banded bond.
[0004] After the player opens the banded section to reveal the symbol(s),
they compare the ticket to a "flare" or display card to determine if they have
a
winning or losing ticket. The flare, which is enclosed with each set of game
tickets,
illustrates the pre-determined winning symbol(s), letters) or number(s), their
associated prize amounts and the quantity of each contained in the set. The
flare
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card also specifies the game name, cost per ticket to players, the
manufacturer's
form number and set serial number.
[0005] Jar tickets are often not used in the charitable bingo games and state
lottery games because their small size and non-sequential packaging makes it
difficult to track and sell them.
[0006] Break-open tickets are constructed of two plys of material connected
together by adhesive with perforated windows on one side that break-open when
the
ticket is played. Break-open tickets often have multiple play combinations on
a
single ticket. Break-open tickets are often used in the charitable bingo games
and
state lottery games. The size and construction of a break-open ticket is more
conducive to handling and tracking of product during its pre-sale and sale
than that
of a jar ticket. Traditionally break-open tickets are packaged in sets of 100
with an
elastic band around them for easy counting.
[0007] Traditional gaming tickets are manufactured in a sheet-fed printing
plant using multiple printing plates of static images to produce press sheets.
Normally, there are a limited number of press sheets produced to make a volume
of
tickets because each press sheet requires a plurality of plates and additional
set-ups
and wash-ups on the printing press. This process can be expensive, which may
make it uneconomical to produce small quantities of tickets or completely
unique
sets of tickets. In the traditional process, the use of serial numbers is
important to
differentiate a ticket from one set from a ticket from a different set,
primarily because
each set of tickets in a specific product are exactly the same but shuffled
into a
different order. In some instances, gaming tickets make use of a variable
print
technology that depend on the use of databases at the time of printing to
randomize
the product. This method of manufacture is still not utilized to its full
capacity
because of the high cost of variable printing and the low quality of the
printed
images.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Provided is a method of forming a plurality of break-open tickets for a
game of chance. The method includes the steps of generating data that includes
a
randomized plurality of tickets, printing the tickets on a substrate,
unwinding the
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substrate including the printed tickets from a roll, and folding the substrate
to form a
first ply and a second ply.
[0009] Further provided is a break-open ticket for a game of chance that
includes a first ply, a second ply and a break-open portion on one of the
first ply and
the second ply for revealing a play combination. The play combination is
printed by
a printer based on data that includes a randomized plurality of tickets. The
printer
does not perform a further randomization of the plurality of tickets.
[0010] Further provided is a method of forming a plurality of break-open
tickets for a game of chance. The method includes the steps of generating data
that
includes a randomized plurality of tickets, providing the data to a printer,
wherein the
printer does not perform a further randomization of the plurality of tickets,
printing the
plurality of tickets on a substrate, cutting break-open portions into the
substrate, and
forming a first ply and a second ply from the substrate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(0011 FIG. 1 shows front and rear elevation views
] of a game ticket;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view of a game
ticket;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a front elevation view of a game
ticket;
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a front elevation view of a game
ticket;
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a front elevation view of a game
ticket;
[0016] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a game ticket;
[0017] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a game ticket;
[0018] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a game ticket
in an unopened
position;
[0019] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a game ticket
in an unopened
position;
[0020] FIG. 10 shows a digital press sheet;
(0021] FIG. 11 shows outer sides of attached break-open
tickets; and
[0022] FIG. 12 shows inner sides of attached break-open
tickets.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Described herein is a ticket for amusement purposes, advertisement
purposes, promotional purposes andlor a game of chance, such as a lottery, and
a
method of manufacturing said ticket. In Fig. 1, it can be seen that the ticket
13
includes two sides, an "A" side and a "B" side. Side A is the rear side of the
ticket 13
and side B is the front side of the ticket 13. In an embodiment, the ticket 13
is
constructed from a single-play material, such as paper or card stock, and
includes
printing on both sides of the single-ply material. In an embodiment, the
ticket 13
forms an elongated strip wherein the strip's length exceeds its height. The
height of
the ticket 13 can be any desired height, for example, 3.75 inches, 3 inches,
2.5
inches, 2 inches, 1.5 inches, 1 inch, 0.75 inches, or 0.5 inches. A series of
folds
along fold lines 1, 2, 3, 4 divide the ticket into several panels 5, 6, 7, 8,
9. The ticket
13 is shown in an unfolded or completely opened position
[0023] Panel 5 is an identification panel. Printed on side A of the
identification panel 5 is the game's name and form number. For example, the
game
shown in Fig. 1 is called "BILL FOLDS" and has form number 12345. The form
number corresponds to the name of the game, the number of tickets in the game
and
the game's payout. The form number functions as a model number.
[0024] Panels 6, 7 and 8 are game panels. Printed on side B of the game
panels 6, 7, 8 are play combinations that can include symbols, characters,
images,
numbers or other markings that provide winning or losing game plays. Game
plays
can also include an instant win indication, as can be seen in game panel 8. In
Fig. 1,
each game panel, 6, 7 and 8 includes two play combinations or one play
combination and one instant win indication, for a total of six plays on the
ticket 13. A
ticket 13 can include any number of game panels, for example, one, two, or
three or
more game panels. A ticket 13 can include any number of game plays per game
panel, such as one game play per panel, more than one game play per panel, or
combinations of single and multiple game plays per panel on one ticket 13.
[0025] A code, for example a serial number or alphabetic serial code 15 is
printed on each game panel 6, 7 and 8. The alphabetic serial code 15 is a
series of
letters that uniquely identifies a particular deal of a game. For example, the
same
form number may be repeatedly printed and played, that is, dealt, over a given
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period of time. However each repetition has a unique alphabetic serial code 15
so
that only winning tickets for that deal, bearing the correct alphabetic serial
code 15,
can be used to collect a prize. By printing the alphabetic serial code on each
game
panel 6, 7, and 8, a winning ticket can be accidentally or intentionally
ripped, for
example, ripped along a fold line 1, 2, 3, 4, and a winning portion of the
ticket 13
submitted to claim a prize.
[0026] Printed on side A of game panel 6 is the alphabetic serial code 15,
which is visible when the ticket 13 is folded up along fold lines 1, 2, 3, 4
as described
further below. Also printed on side A of game panel 6 are the game's payout
scheme and winning symbols 16.
[0027] Printed on side B of panel 9 is a winner/loser and total win indication
17. Further printed on side B of panel 9 is an advertisement, coupon, or other
message, such as a message regarding a charity 18. For example, panel 9 can
include a warning message about compulsive gambling andlor information about
sources of help for compulsive gamblers. Panel 9 can include one or both of
the
advertisement, coupon, or other message 18 and the winner/loser and total win
indication 17. In an embodiment, panel 9 is not provided and the ticket 13
includes
an identification panel 5 and one or more game panels 6, 7, 8. In an
embodiment,
the advertisement, coupon, or other message extends inward from an end of the
ticket 13 to at least 0.25 inches from the end.
[0028] The ticket 13 is folded up prior to playing to form an unopened
position and held shut by glue, for example, fugative glue 10. The glue 10 may
be
placed on the ticket 13 in dots, lines or other configurations. The ticket 13
may also
be held shut by other methods including crimping, stapling and banding. The
ticket
13 is folded up by panel 9 being folded over panel 8 along fold line 4. Then
panels 9
and 8 are folded over panel 7 along fold line 3. Then panels 9, 8 and 7 are
folded
over panel 6 along fold line 2. Then panel 5 is folded over panels 6, 7, 8 and
9 along
fold line 1 and glued to side A of panel 7. When the ticket 13 is completely
folded up
prior to playing, side A of panels 5 and 6 are visible, along with part of
side A of
panel 7. Panel 5 is not as wide as panels 6, 7, 8 and 9 and, therefore, does
not
completely cover panel 7 when folded over and glued to panel 7.
CA 02554896 2006-07-28
x
(0029] The ticket is played by unfolding the ticket in a manner opposite from
the folding process described above.
[0030] The ticket 13 includes a blockout area 11, which can be formed by
printing one or more colors on top of each other to increase the opacity of a
portion
of the ticket 13 and reduce the ability of light to pass through the folded
ticket 13.
[0031] In an embodiment, one or more panels of the ticket 13 include
printing 12 that defines a perimeter area within a panel. For example, the
perimeter
area 12 can surround the play combinations within a game panel. The perimeter
area 12 is printed with a metallic ultra violet (UV) ink and/or coating that
acts as a
security strip, and which will stop the glue 10 from bleeding into the play
area and
hinder the ability for duplicating of the ticket 13 on a photocopier. Wording
can be
applied to the UV metallic ink security strip to ensure that a ripped ticket
is re-
assembled in a correct order.
[0032] In addition to the embodiment described above, Fig. 1 shows a ticket
13b having a single play combination of three symbols spread over several game
panels 6, 7, 8.
[0033] Fig. 1 further shows a ticket 13c having a progressive/digressive play
scheme in which successive game panels provide increased or decreased
winnings.
Game panel 6 shows a play combination that results in a $100 win. However,
game
panel 7 shows a play combination that results in a $50 loss. Game panel 8
shows a
play combination that results in a $10 win. A total win of $60 is displayed in
panel 9,
which is the sum of the winnings and losses provided by all of the game panels
6, 7,
8.
[0034] Fig. 1 further shows a ticket 13d having a progressive play scheme in
which a condition provided in one game panel must be met by another game panel
to result in increased winnings. For example, game panel 6 provides that a
$100 win
will be doubled if the play combination of game panel 7 is less than the play
combination of game panel 6. Because the play combination of game panel 7 is
less
than the play combination of game panel 6, game panel 7 provides an indication
that
the total winnings have been doubled to $200. Game panel 7 provides that the
$200
win will be doubled if the play combination of game panel 8 is more than the
play
combination of game panel 7. Because the play combination of game panel 8 is
less
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than the play combination of game panel 7, game panel 8 provides an indication
that
there is no increase in winnings. Panel 9 provides a total win indication of
$200. In
an embodiment, game panels 6, 7, 8 include conditions that, if met, result in
decreased winnings. In an embodiment, if the condition for a game panel 6, 7,
8 is
not met by another game panel, then there is a win of $0 for said game panel
6, 7, 8.
[0035] Fig. 2 shows side B of a ticket 13 having an identification panel 5
with
block out area 11, a single game panel 6 with two play combinations on the
game
panel 6, and a panel 9 that includes a winner/loser and total win indication
17and a
coupon 18. The ticket 13 includes fold lines 1, 2 that divide the ticket 13
into panels
5,6,9.
[0036] Fig. 3 shows side B of a ticket 13 having an identification panel 5
with
block out area 11, two game panels 6, 7 with two play combination on each game
panel 6, 7, and a panel 9 that includes a winner/loser and total win
indication 17 and
an advertisement 18. The ticket 13 includes fold lines 1, 2, 3 that divide the
ticket 13
into panels 5, 6, 7, 9.
[0037] Fig. 4 shows side B of a ticket 13 having an identification panel 5
with
block out area 11, four game panels 6, 7, 8, 19 with two play combination on
each
game panel 6, 7, 8, 19 and a panel 9 that includes a winner/loser and total
win
indication 17 and an advertisement 18. The ticket 13 includes fold lines 1, 2,
3, 4, 41
that divide the ticket 13 into panels 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 9.
[0038] Fig. 5 shows side B of a ticket 13 having an identification panel 5
with
block out area 11, a single game panel 6 with five play combinations on the
game
panel 6, and a panel 20 with a block out area 11. The ticket 13 includes fold
lines 1,
2 that divide the ticket 13 into panels 5, 6, 20.
[0039] Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 each show perspective view of a substantially
unfolded ticket 13. Fig. 8 shows the ticket 13 folded up into the unopened
position.
As discussed above, the ticket 13 can be held in the unopened position by
glue. The
ticket 13 can also be held in the unopened position by stapling or crimping,
for
example, crimping along one or more of the folded ticket's 13 edges. As shown
in
Fig. 9, the ticket 13 can also be held in the unopened position by a band 21
wrapped
around the folded ticket 13.
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[0040] The ticket 13 can be constructed so that it can be played in both the
traditional jar ticket market as well as the break-open ticket market. It can
be
constructed from heavier paper stock than a jar ticket but lighter than a
break-open
ticket. Tickets 13 can be packaged and sold in a receptacle, such as a jar or
a bag,
or assembled in a joined set, such as a banded set of 100 tickets, for
example.
[0041] The multi-fold design of the ticket 13 allows for a single play ticket
with increased play value or a multi play ticket with multiple chances of
winning.
Tickets 13 having a single game panel 6, such as those of Fig. 2 and Fig. 5,
can be
constructed with a card stock similar to a break-open ticket to match the size
and
feel of a break-open ticket but with a unique flip open style. The multi-fold
ticket 13
also allows for a self-promotion or advertising panel at one end of the
ticket, which is
viewable after the ticket is completely open. This panel will provide
increased value
to the marketers by giving the ability to advertise new games, provide
charitable
messages, as well as relationship marketing techniques like a mail in coupon.
[0042] A method for manufacturing tickets for a game of chance discussed
above will now be described. The printing techniques discussed below can be
used
to print the ticket 13 discussed above or other types of tickets, such as a
break-open
tickets, discussed further below.
[0043] The folded jar tickets and break-open tickets disclosed herein will
take advantage of traditional printing for portions of the ticket that are
static but
incorporate digital printing for other portions, such as gaming and
advertising
portions. For example, portions of the ticket that are static, that is,
portions that are
the same from ticket-to-ticket can be printed using traditional plate-based
static
printing techniques. Portions that change from ticket-to-ticket can be printed
using
digital printing techniques discussed in detail below. Alternatively, all
portions of the
ticket can be printed using digital printing techniques without using any
traditional
plate-based static printing techniques.
[0044] As used herein, the terms "digital printing" and "digital printing
techniques" refer to printing processes in which data is provided to a
printer, such as
via a downloaded file. The printer then prints an image or images based on
information contained in the provided data.
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[0045] The digital printing portions of a ticket are not printed using
variable
data printing in which databases of symbols must be used to populate the print
stream during the process of printing. Instead, a data file is provided to the
printer.
The data in the file represents a full game set to be printed onto one or more
sheets
of paper, card stock, etc. The game set is already randomized when the data
file is
provided to the printer. The printer does not randomly print play combinations
selected from a database, but prints the full, already randomized game set
from the
provided data file.
[0046] The data, which represents a full game set, provides a collection of
viewable digital press sheets that can be viewed using an appropriate software
package. The digital press sheets can be viewed electronically and
checked/verified
prior to printing. In an embodiment, the data is in the form of a PORTABLE
DOCUMENT FORMAT (.pdf) file and can be viewed via the ADOBE READER
software package.
[0047] A method for creating digital press sheets will now be described. An
example digital press sheet 22 having three tickets 13 can be seen in Fig. 10.
[0048] A game symbol set is picked from a pre-determined set of ticket
symbol sets, or a new set is developed and entered into a database. The game
rules are set by the operator of a program for generating digital press
sheets, which
includes factors such as what constitutes a winning or losing play combination
and
the number of tickets in a game set. Other rules may include special symbols
or
number combinations that would be omitted, for example, per a customer
request.
[0049] The program then goes into a loop that will create one ticket at a time
and compare it against the rules that have been set. If the ticket passes the
rules
test it is stored and the number of need tickets is decreased by one. If the
ticket fails
the test it is discarded and a ticket counter does not advance.
[0050] Once a game set has been generated, the program creates a random
placement list. This is a table of data that reorders the ticket output for
subsequent
game. This allows for per-ticket tracking for easy reprinting or checking.
Each list
can be identified by the batch serial number allowing for easy retrieval of
the data.
[0051] Next the individual tickets are generated and saved in a folder. Each
ticket's data is read from the database and the ticket symbols are arranged on
the
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CA 02554896 2006-07-28
digital press sheet template and saved. These tickets are used in the next
phase of
the process. Generating tickets in this manner reduces the processing time
because
the tickets need only be created once.
[0052] The process continues with the creation of single or multi page .pdf
documents. Each page of the .pdf document contains at least one and preferably
contains at least 2 or more tickets. The process is done by loading a
placement list
and using it to determine the order in which the pre-generated tickets are
imposed
onto the digital press sheet. The placement and number of tickets placed on
the
press sheet is determined by a calculation based on the size of the final
press sheet
and the number of tickets that can fit on the preset size. Each placement list
is
processed in the same manner thus giving each box of tickets a unique ticket
order.
In this phase the serial number or alphabetic serial code is applied, the
correct serial
number is always used because the only number available is the one stored with
the
placement list.
[0053] The .pdf documents are digitally stored as complete press sheets for
printing on the digital printer/press. Once the .pdf document is complete, no
further
randomization of ticket placement on the press sheet occurs. Each digital
press
sheet can be printed off for final customer approval before the printing
process and
all approved press sheets can then be printed on the digital printer based on
the
operators instructions to download specific sheets to the digital printer. The
operator
can choose to print a complete multipage file on the printer with a full or
partial game
set or he/she can choose to print single pages.
[0054] Digital press sheets are not limited to any particular file format. All
acceptable storage formats including, .pdf, 1 bit tiff, jpg, tif, postscript,
ppml, xml, or
any other digital formats that can be used to store a set of tickets digitally
in a pre-set
sequence on a page is included in this method of printing tickets.
[0055] It is important to note that the process discussed above for creating
digital press sheets does not interact directly with the digital printer and
singe tickets
are not sent to the printer in random format for population an the Raster
Image
Processor (RIP) of the digital printer/press. The process creates the final
digital
press sheet before the data is sent to the RIP allowing for customer
verification and
CA 02554896 2006-07-28
approval. Absolutely no variable data is applied to the press sheets after the
sheets
have.been generated.
[0056] This sytem allows for easy duplication of a game set during a
subsequent printing. Digital press sheets can eliminate the need for multiple
films
and plates and press runs. The pre-generation of digital press sheets into
multi-
page documents will allow for the printing of one set of tickets for review
and
approval before printing a full game set or printing just the game and
advertising
information for that set of tickets onto an approval proof sheet for the
customer to
approve before the job is printed. The use of online digital sign-offs by a
customer
on complete ticket sets can also be accomplished.
[0057] Digital press sheets, in single page or multi-page format, having a
ticket or tickets imposed on each sheet can be downloaded to the printer in
the page
description format of that printer. Example page description formats include
postscript, pcl, ppml, xml, and other page description formats used to
describe to the
digital printer how to image the contents of the data file to the substrate
media on
which printing is to occur. Digital press sheets can be provided in other
formats,
such as bitmapped formats or vector-based formats, for example. In some
instances
the complete ticket will be digitally printed including all information
included on both
sides of the ticket, and no portion of the ticket will be printed statically.
[0058] The printing of a data file discussed above differs from a variable
print
process in that variable printing requires a database that is accessible by a
printer at
the time of printing. Population of a game ticket with various play
combinations
happens at the time of actual printing via the printer's accessing of the
database, so
customer pre-approval of a game set cannot be achieved. Database errors can
occur and an incorrect ticket set can be produced and sealed with no digital
verification. Digital construction of press sheets into multi-page files
ensures that all
game sets can be checked and approved before the digital press is used to
apply the
data.
[0059] The static portion of the printing can be applied using traditional
forms
of printing such as offset or flexo printing. In some instances rolls of paper
are pre-
printed on a web press and in other instances sheet-fed presses are used. This
portion of the printing may require films, plates or digital plates. On one
side of the
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ticket, the ticket identification information is pre-printed. On the other
side of the
ticket a blockout portion is printed along with a metallic ink security strip
to
discourage photocopy duplication of the ticket. The blockout portion will be
printed
with one or more colors printed on top of each other to form a substantially
or
completely opaque barrier. One of the colors used may be a metallic ink to
provide
further opacity as well as further security features. In some instances, the
security
blockout area can be printed on the identification side of the ticket and/or
on the
game play and advertising side of the ticket. UV inks can be used in the
static
printing process. UV inks sit on top of the paper and are generally more
opaque
than traditional offset and waterbased inks. Glue does not stick to UV ink, so
when
the glue is applied to seal the tickets, the metallic security strip 12 on
side B of ticket
13 will act as a barrier for the glue, not to encroach on the game
play/advertising
areas of the ticket 13. This will help for minimal destruction of the play
areas when
the ticket is opened.
[0060] Figs. 11 and 12 show twelve attached break-open tickets, three
across and four down, printed on a substrate as discussed below, but prior to
folding
and gluing the tickets, cutting the break-open portions or windows, and
separating
individual tickets. Fig. 11 shows outer sides of the tickets prior to folding.
Fig. 12
shows inner sides of the tickets prior to folding. The terms "outer side"
refer to the
sides of ticket that are accessible to a player prior playing the game of
chance, that
is, prior to opening any break-open windows. The terms "inner side" refer to
the
sides of the ticket that are not accessible to a player prior to playing the
game of
chance.
[0061] The tickets include a front outer side 30 and a rear outer side 31.
The front outer side 30 includes information printed thereon, such as a name
of the
game, payout information and a game serial number. The rear outer side 31
includes a plurality of break-open portions or windows 33 for revealing
corresponding
game play combination 34 that are printed on front inner side 35. The break-
open
portions or windows 33 can be formed by cutting several lines of weakness into
the
ticket, so that the break-open portion 33 is partially or completely separated
from the
ticket when played.
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[0062] The rear inner side 36 includes a plurality of blockout areas 37
printed on the break-open portions 33. In an embodiment, the blockout areas 37
are
created with metallic UV ink.
(0063] As discussed below, glue is applied to the rear inner side 36 of the
tickets, the attached break-open tickets are folded along fold line 38, and
the front
inner side 35 is glued to the rear inner side 36. The attached tickets are
then
separated into individual single tickets.
[0064] A method of digitally printing break-open tickets will now be
described. A substrate comprising a roll of paper is pre-printed on an offset
web or
flexo press, providing a static printing step. At this point, static printing
is completed.
The substrate is re-wound at the end of the static print step. If desired, the
tickets
can be completely digitally printed and no portion statically printed.
[0065] The roll of substrate is then transferred to a digital printer. The
digital
printer prints images onto the substrate. The images are represented by
digital
information or data provided to the digital printer. The data is pre-generated
and
sent to the digital printer as a data file. The data in the file represents a
complete,
randomized game of chance set. The printer does not perform a further
randomization of the tickets or play combinations. In an embodiment, the data
is in
the form of digital press sheets. After images corresponding to the game set
are
printed onto the substrate, the substrate is re-wound onto a roll at the end
of the
digital printer. The roll of substrate is then introduced to a finishing line
where the
substrate is scored along its center, in the direction of the web. The score
line is
provided along fold line 38 and is used to fold the web of substrate onto
itself.
[0066] Break-open portions 33 are diecut into rear outer side 31 of the web
of substrate. Cutting the break-open portions 33 may occur at the time of
scoring the
substrate along its center. Glue is then pattern applied to rear inner side 36
of the
substrate to areas that surround the break-open portions 33. The glue is
applied so
as to avoid the break-open portions 33, allowing the break-open windows 33 to
be
pulled open.
[0067] The web enters a plow fold, which folds the left side of the web onto
the right side of the web along scored fold line 38. It then passes through
two nipper
rollers that press the two sides of the single substrate and seals them
together. The
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substrate has been folded to form a first ply and a second ply and the web is
half its
original width.
[0068] If desired, a decorative die can be introduced for specially shaped
tickets. The die would cut through the laminated substrate leaving nicks to
hold the
tickets in place. Laser die cutters could be used to cut the windows 33 and
the
decoratively shaped tickets.
[0069] The folded and glued web then passes through a slitter that slits the
folded and glued web into ribbons of tickets. The ribbons of tickets are then
cross
cut using a sheeter into single tickets and delivered shingled on a conveyor.
Alternatively the sheeter can sheet the tickets into sheets of tickets that
can then be
placed on a guillotine cutter to cut them into individual tickets.
[0070] It should be evident that this disclosure is by way of example and that
various changes may be made by adding, modifying or eliminating details
without
departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained in this disclosure.
The
invention is therefore not limited to particular details of this disclosure
except to the
extent that the following claims are necessarily so limited.
14
