Abstract: A fluid diode makes use of passive airflow structures to introduce differential flow resistance to airflows moving in forward and reverse directions. The use of a fluid diode in a vaping device and pod allows for an increased flow resistance to airflows moving through the pod in the reverse direction. These airflow in a reverse direction are often associated with a user blowing into the pod, and pushing moisture laden air out of the pod and into the device. By increasing the flow resistance to these reverse airflow, user exhalation into the pod will be resisted and redirected at source.

Abstract: Reductions in flow resistance, associated with the results of a turbulent airflow in the atomization chamber, are provided through the use of at least one of air inlets and pre-wick airflow passages that make use of a curved sidewall connecting an input face larger than an output face. In some embodiments, a hyperboloid shaped inlet is used to reduce the turbulence associated with forcing an airflow around sharp corners. These shaped inlets and shaped pre-wick air flow passages can be used together or independently.

Abstract: A machine for forming a carton from a carton blank using a forming cavity uses at least one gripper for gripping and transporting the carton blank toward the forming cavity along a path of travel (such as from the hopper to a transporter in a linear fashion). A plurality of grippers may be provided for gripping and transporting the carton blank toward the forming cavity along the path of travel. The or each gripper may be adapted for gripping a lateral side of the carton blank, and the gripper(s) may be connected to a transporter adapted for moving in a reciprocal fashion along a linear path of travel. The machine may also include a forming cavity adapted for being raised and lowered, as well as a low level hopper for holding the carton blanks such that each is raised to associate with the gripper(s). Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting a terminal based lottery game having an instant game component and raffle component includes point of sale terminals where paying players are issued a game ticket having an instant lottery game play. A randomly generated raffle number is assigned to each game ticket, with all assigned raffle numbers being eligible to win in a subsequent raffle drawing. The raffle drawing is conducted in conjunction with an independent third party event, such as a televised game show, wherein the raffle prize is a function of a prize awarded in the event independent of the lottery game.

Abstract: An improved multiplier for a lottery game is provided. In connection with a base lottery game, each player receives or selects a multiplier indicia (or other bonus indicia) from a pool of multiplier indicia. In addition to drawings for the base game, a drawing of multiplier indicia and a determination of associated multiplier values is also conducted. For those players winning the base game who also received a multiplier indicia matching the drawn multiplier indicia, the base game prize is multiplied by the associated multiplier value.

Abstract: A lottery game system and methodology involves, for each play of the game, a player choosing a number of player indicia from a field of the indicia. A subset of the indicia is randomly generated, and the player's indicia is compared to the subset to determine a winning game play. The number of indicia in the subsets is varied between different game plays such that a blend of the winning probabilities for each subset for all of the game plays produces a desired overall winning probability.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for achieving a desired payout over a totality of individual game plays of a lottery game with a computer system involves establishing a deck of payout records, with each of the records in the deck having a payout value assigned thereto. The number of records in the deck is determined as a function of a total number of winning game plays in the totality of the individual game plays of the lottery game. The payout values are assigned to the payout records such that a total sum of the payout values corresponds to a defined payout for the lottery game. The payout records are applied to the respective winning game plays in the lottery game to achieve the overall desired payout over the totality of individual game plays.

Abstract: An improved multiplier for a lottery game is provided. In connection with a base lottery game, each player receives or selects a multiplier indicia (or other bonus indicia) from a pool of multiplier indicia. In addition to drawings for the base game, a drawing of multiplier indicia and a determination of associated multiplier values is also conducted. For those players winning the base game who also received a multiplier indicia matching the drawn multiplier indicia, the base game prize is multiplied by the associated multiplier value.

Abstract: A lottery game system and methodology involves, for each play of the game, a player choosing a number of player indicia from a field of the indicia. A subset of the indicia is randomly generated, and the player's indicia is compared to the subset to determine a winning game play. The number of indicia in the subsets is varied between different game plays such that a blend of the winning probabilities for each subset for all of the game plays produces a desired overall winning probability.

Abstract: An online lottery game system and methodology involves, for each play of the game, a player choosing a number of player indicia from a field of the indicia. A subset of the indicia is randomly generated, and the player's indicia is compared to the subset to determine a winning game play. The number of indicia in the subsets is varied between different game plays such that a blend of the winning probabilities for each subset for all of the game plays produces a desired overall winning probability.

Abstract: An improved multiplier for a lottery game is provided. In connection with a base lottery game, each player receives or selects a multiplier indicia (or other bonus indicia) from a pool of multiplier indicia. In addition to drawings for the base game, a drawing of multiplier indicia and a determination of associated multiplier values is also conducted. For those players winning the base game who also received a multiplier indicia matching the drawn multiplier indicia, the base game prize is multiplied by the associated multiplier value.

Abstract: An online lottery game system and methodology involves, for each play of the game, a player choosing a number of player indicia from a field of the indicia. A subset of the indicia is randomly generated, and the player's indicia is compared to the subset to determine a winning game play. The number of indicia in the subsets is varied between different game plays such that a blend of the winning probabilities for each subset for all of the game plays produces a desired overall winning probability.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting a terminal based lottery game having an instant game component and raffle component includes point of sale terminals where paying players are issued a game ticket having an instant lottery game play. A randomly generated raffle number is assigned to each game ticket, with all assigned raffle numbers being eligible to win in a subsequent raffle drawing. The raffle drawing is conducted in conjunction with an independent third party event, such as a televised game show, wherein the raffle prize is a function of a prize awarded in the event independent of the lottery game.

Abstract: New methods of conducting games are provided that allow for a more interactive experience for the player so as to increase player participation. New methods of conducting a lottery as well as new games (for example, new playing cards) that may be used with such methods are disclosed. Both predetermined and random results may be included in versions of the present inventive methods and, in a preferred embodiment, the new lottery game combines instant results with subsequent results determined by one or more drawings.

Abstract: An improved multiplier for a lottery game is provided. In connection with a base lottery game, each player receives or selects a multiplier indicia (or other bonus indicia) from a pool of multiplier indicia. In addition to drawings for the base game, a drawing of multiplier indicia and a determination of associated multiplier values is also conducted. For those players winning the base game who also received a multiplier indicia matching the drawn multiplier indicia, the base game prize is multiplied by the associated multiplier value.