Abstract: In the manufacture of cellulose ester fibers, a dope is extruded into filaments. Extrusion occurs in an elongated cabinet having an outlet for the filaments. The filaments are taken up after exiting the outlet. The filaments are lubricated at the outlet of the cabinet.

Abstract: A method of creating a functional utility-surface on a thermoset composite component, including the steps of: fixing the position of a cured thermoset polymer composite component, the thermoset polymer composite component having a thermoplastic polymer surface layer attached to at least a portion of one surface thereof, the thermoset polymer composite component being fixed in position to allow access to the thermoplastic polymer surface layer; and shaping the thermoplastic polymer surface to form a functional utility-surface.

Abstract: The invention resides in enabling biodegradable filament of polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid and the like to manufacture biodegradable micro-filament by simple and convenient means without needing special, high-accuracy and high-level apparatus; it is characterized in that highly molecular oriented micro-filament those of 12 ?m or less and generally from 2 ?m to 3 ?m can be obtained by heating biodegradable filament by infrared beam and the heated original filament is drawn to 100 times or more by tension of 10 MPa or less.

Abstract: Methods of extruding polyurethane composite materials are described. One method includes introducing at least one polyol and inorganic filler to a first conveying section of the extruder, transferring the at least one polyol and inorganic filler to a first mixing section of an extruder, mixing the at least one polyol and the inorganic filler in the first mixing section, transferring the mixed at least one polyol and inorganic filler to a second conveying section of the extruder, introducing a di- or poly-isocyanate to the second conveying section, transferring the mixed at least one polyol and inorganic filler and the di- or poly-isocyanate to a second mixing section, mixing the mixed at least one polyol and inorganic filler with the di- or poly-isocyanate in the second mixing section of the extruder to provide a composite mixture, and transferring the composite mixture to an output end of the extruder. Other related methods are also described.

Abstract: Methods of extruding polyurethane composite materials are described. One method includes introducing at least one polyol and inorganic filler to a first conveying section of the extruder, transferring the at least one polyol and inorganic filler to a first mixing section of an extruder, mixing the at least one polyol and the inorganic filler in the first mixing section, transferring the mixed at least one polyol and inorganic filler to a second conveying section of the extruder, introducing a di- or poly-isocyanate to the second conveying section, transferring the mixed at least one polyol and inorganic filler and the di- or poly-isocyanate to a second mixing section, mixing the mixed at least one polyol and inorganic filler with the di- or poly-isocyanate in the second mixing section of the extruder to provide a composite mixture, and transferring the composite mixture to an output end of the extruder. Other related methods are also described.

Abstract: A primary dope is obtained by mixing a solvent and a polymer, and an additive is added to the primary dope, and thus a second dope for a main layer, a first dope for a contact layer and a third dope for an exposure layer are prepared. Only in the second dope is contained at least one of retardation controller, UV absorbing agent and deterioration inhibitor. The first-third dopes are cast from a casting die onto a casting belt to form a casting film of a three layer structure having the base, contact and exposure layers. Since the volatile compound is contained in the main layer, a precipitation of the volatile compounds on a surface of a produced film is prevented.

Abstract: Aromatic polyimide composition and articles manufactured therefrom. This invention relates to an aromatic polyimide molding composition, comprising at least one aromatic polyimide (A) chosen from the group consisting of aromatic polyamide-imide, aromatic polyesterimides and aromatic polyimide free of any ester and amide group of specific type and typically from 0.5 to 30% wt of at least one fluoroelastomer (B), with respect to the total weight of (A) and (B), to a method for manufacturing the same, to a molding process of the same, and to the articles manufactured therefrom. Preferably, the component (A) of the composition is at least one aromatic polyamide-imide manufactured by a process including the polycondensation reaction between (i) at least one acid monomer chosen from trimellitic anhydride and trimellitic anhydride monoacid halides and (ii) at least one commoner chosen from the group consisting of 4,4?-diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4?-diaminodiphenylether, m-phenylenediamine and mixtures therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing an oral care device, such as a toothbrush, having a body, which comprises a handle region, a head region and a neck region located between the handle region and the head region, and having functional elements which are arranged, at least in part, within the body and comprise an electrically operated functional unit and an electric supply device which has an energy store and is intended for the functional unit, in the case of which the body is produced, by injection molding, from at least one hard component, which serves as a reinforcement, and at least one soft component, and at least some of the functional elements, during the production of the body, are encapsulated, at least in part, directly by the plastic which forms the soft component.

Abstract: An ornament is manufactured by a method including following steps: first, injecting materials into a bottom one of material channels of a mold to form a connecting base, which material channels are in open communication with each other; second, injecting materials from an outer periphery of an upper end of the connecting base into the mold to form several branches, which lead away from the connecting base, and which are formed such that joints between the branches and the connecting base being flexible; third, moving tail ends of the branches so that the branch tail ends are close together right above a middle of the connecting base; finally, fastening the branch tail ends together.

Abstract: Apparatus for injection molding a multilayer container or a multilayer container preform includes an injection mold cavity and a nozzle for injecting resin into the cavity from at least first and second resin sources in sequence to form a multilayer container or preform in which at least one layer of resin from the second source is disposed between layers of resin from the first source. A deflector element is selectively positionable within the mold cavity during injection of resin from the second source to distribute the resin from the second source during injection such that the layer of resin from the second source is disposed between layers of resin from the first source that preferably are of substantially equal thickness. The mold cavity preferably has a gate through which the resins are injected, and the deflector element preferably is selectively positionable within the cavity adjacent to the gate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of latent heat storage composites is provided. The process comprises the steps of preparation of an expanded graphite material with a bulk density between 5 and 200 grams/liter which is readily wetted by a liquid phase change material, preparation of a pre-compressed matrix or a packed bed of the expanded graphite material, and manufacture of a latent heat storage composite by infiltration of the matrix or a packed bed with a phase change material in a liquid state.

Abstract: A gas-permeable plug is adapted to be inserted in an insertion hole formed through a part of a casing in an inward-outward direction. The gas-permeable plug has a plug body and a permeable sheet including therein countless minute permeable pores. The plug body is injection molded from a material having rubber-like elasticity and the permeable sheet is integrally bonded to a sheet bonding portion by an anchor operation such that when the plug body is injection molded, at the sheet bonding portion, a part of a heat-melted liquid resin enters the minute permeable pores and/or the permeable gaps in irregular directions by the injection molding pressure and is solidified.

Abstract: A mold assembly and method of forming a surgical implant from bone cement. The method has the steps of connecting a plurality of mold segments to approximate the size of a patient implant. Each mold segment has an open channel. The method may further include aligning the channels of connected mold segments, positioning a centralizing holder on a reinforcement member, mixing bone cement, pouring at least some bone cement through the channels and into connected mold segments, fitting the reinforcement member into the mold segments, curing the bone cement; and removing the cured surgical implant.

Abstract: In a method for making an inspection fixture, a detachable mold assembly (20) and a hardenable fluid are firstly prepared. Secondly, the hardenable fluid is poured into the mold assembly, and a plurality of molding pins (23) are inserted into the mold assembly. Thirdly, a main body (21) with a plurality of positioning holes (2122) corresponding to the molding pins (i.e., the locations thereof) are formed in the mold after the hardenable fluid hardens. Fourthly, the mold assembly is detached, and the part is removed from the mold. Finally, a plurality of positioning pins is mounted into the positioning holes of the molded part, the positioning holes having remained upon removal of the molding pins.

Abstract: This invention discloses improvements that can be achieved in thermal or mechanical performance of aerogel composites via densification. Densified aerogels and aerogel composites can display higher compressive strength, modulus, flexural strength, and maintains or insubstantially increases the thermal conductivity relative to the pre-densified form. In the special case of fiber reinforced aerogel composites densification via mechanical compression can prove highly beneficial.

Abstract: A moulding compound comprises a copolymer (I)a), produced by polymerisation of 90-100% by weight methylmethacrylate, styrene and malic acid anhydride, and optionally 0-10% by weight additional monomers which can be copolymerised with methylmethacrylate, a (co)polymer (II)b), produced by polymerisation of 80-100% by weight methylmethacrylate and optionally 0-20% by weight additional monomers which can be copolymerised with methylmethacrylate, and has a solution viscosity in chloroform at 25° C. (ISO 1628 Part 6) of 50 to 55 ml/g, as well as c) optional conventional additives, auxiliary agents and/or fillers. The moulding compound is characterised in that the copolymer (I) has a solution viscosity in chloroform at 25° C. (ISO 1628 Part) of 55 ml/g or less. Also disclosed are mouldings produced by thermoplastic processing of the moulding compound and their uses.

Abstract: In a method of injection molding a plastic product having a base wall and a sidewall (24), wherein plastic injected into a base-wall section of the mold cavity is conducted through a flow guide (28) in the base-wall section and thence into a sidewall section (24) of the mold cavity, a portion of a base-wall section flow guide is shaped by partially opposing a row of successive recesses (33) in a first mold part with a series of successive recesses (34) in a second mold part, with the recesses in the first mold part being so staggered with respect to the recesses in the second mold part as to provide a chain of overlapping recesses that form a sequence of variable-opening throttles (30) having openings that can vary whenever the alignment between the first and second mold parts varies. The recesses (34) in the second mold part are more than the recesses (33) in the first mold part.

Abstract: An electret article that includes a polymeric material that has electric charge imparted thereto, that has one or more heteroatoms, that has a fluorosaturation ratio of less than 200, and that has an atomic percent fluorine of greater than about 40%. The inventive electret article is resistant to charge degradation upon exposure to high temperatures for prolonged time periods.

Abstract: A method of forming a golf ball is disclosed herein. The method includes placing a golf ball precursor product comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane cover further comprising an isocyante or hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene in an isocyanate solution. The precursor product is then removed and heated to remove solvent. The precursor product may then be subjected to gamma or electron beam irradiation.

Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of an embossing due for the cold and hot embossing of paper and cardboard a plane material impregnated with a duroplastic resin is brought into close contact with a shaping die, both are pressed together to obtain a press die from a plane material impregnated with duroplastic resin after hardening of the materials brought into contact with each other.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a brightened composite shell includes step of (a): providing an uncured composite material on a surface of a metallic mold; step (b): curing the composite material by vacuum molding to form a consolidated composite embryo via the vacuum molding process; and step (c): machining the cured composite embryo so as to fabricate the final brightened shell shape. The present invention employs non-painting method and provides a brightened composite shell having a smooth and stereo surface without blisters and pin-holes being generated thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of containers (2) comprising a narrow opening and a long body, such as bottles or similar, from polypropylene by means of blow moulding or stretch blow moulding. According to the invention, during the blow moulding or stretch blow moulding step, the polypropylene preform (1) undergoes longitudinal stretching at a ratio (L/1) of between approximately 2 and 3.5 and radial stretching (D/d) at a ratio of between approximately 2 and 3.

Abstract: A mould holding cross member (9) according to the invention comprises a support base (91) a suitable to compress the mould (S) and more projecting, in the mould closing direction, than the ends (90) with which the cross member is connected to the moving columns (6) of the press on which it is fitted. The base (91) is connected to the rest of the cross member by a narrow portion (99) which extends in the central area of the base and between the projections of the hinging areas (7, 8) of the double toggle of the press on the press bed (2), and substantially not outside those projections. In this way the pressures are more uniformly distributed on the mould (S). The present invention also concerns a press fitted with a cross member (9) as defined above.

Abstract: A plasticizing cylinder for processing plasticizable material includes a pressure jacket, at least one heating element disposed at one area of the pressure jacket, and at least one cooling element disposed at another area of the pressure jacket. Extending within a wall of the pressure jacket between the area of the heating element and the area of the cooling element is a plurality of heat pipes, with each heat pipe having at least one section constructed with a capillary structure.

Abstract: A vibration-reducing connection structure that can significantly reduce forced vibration at a specific frequency is provided. A vibration-reducing connection structure 1, which inhibits transmission of forced vibration from a main structural object 10 to a sub structural object 11, includes a plurality of elastic bodies 2 that connect the sub structural object 11 to the main structural object 10 at connection sections 2a, and dynamic vibration absorbers 3 including springs 31 and weights 32. The springs 31 are connected to the sub structural object 11 at connection points 3a, which are substantially aligned with the connection sections 2a. Each spring 31 has one end connected to the corresponding connection point 3a. The weights 32 are attached to free ends of the springs 31.

Abstract: A shock absorber mounting system for a golf car includes a shock absorber having a connecting sleeve. A bushing is disposed within the connecting sleeve. A spacer sleeve having a through-aperture is received within and in contact with the bushing. A fastener having a shank with a threaded end is inserted through the through-aperture of the spacer sleeve with the threaded end engaged with a threaded aperture of a structural member of the golf car.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator having: a stator and a movable member disposed in a central hole of a coil member of the stator movable in an axial direction; a coupling rod fixed to the movable member; and an elastic stopper having a ring shaped sealing unit at its outer periphery part, a first stopper unit at its center part, a coupling unit that mutually couples the sealing unit and the first stopper unit, and second stopper units located radially between the sealing unit and the first stopper unit at respective circumferential positions. The sealing unit is compressed between the bottom wall of a housing and a lid member to form a sealing mechanism that fluid-tightly close an opening of an adjustment hole. The first stopper unit axially faces the coupling rod bottom with a first separation distance, and the second stopper units axially face the movable member bottom with a second separation distance greater than the first.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating vibration in plural pipes or tubes includes one isolator and according to the apparatus for isolating vibration, isolating performance is improved and cost is reduced because of a simple scheme thereof.

Abstract: A quick release mechanism is adapted to actuate a stack of at least one clutch plate of a clamp assembly. The assembly includes a beam and a jaw with a housing having the stack disposed therein. The quick release mechanism is positioned around an outer surface of the housing. The quick release mechanism also includes a handle and a clutch plate engaging portion adapted to engage the stack.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus includes a support sheet placed on an upper surface of a heat-treating plate. The support sheet has, formed on an upper surface thereof, projections for contacting and supporting a substrate, and a lip for contacting edge regions of the substrate. The support sheet is formed by an etching process, and therefore areas of the sheet around the projections are recessed, rather than being perforated as in the case of laser processing. These heat-treating plate and support sheet constitute a substrate support structure capable of supporting the substrate properly.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for batches of elongate flimsy members includes batch handling portion and a coating portion. The batch handling portion having an array support portion and an array alignment portion. The array support portion secures and vertically moves an array of elongate flimsy members to be lowered into an array of inlets of the coating portion, the inlets aligned in an array. The array alignment portion provides removable discrete position locating of the individual flimsy members by a guide portion that moves from an upwardly position downwardly to position each member of the array in alignment with the array of inlets. The support portion then lowers the flimsy members into the coating portion through the array.

Abstract: A method is provided for centring semi-finished parts which are to undergo mechanical machining, including the steps of preparing a centring device including three centring elements spaced apart angularly at a regular pitch, capable of coming into contact with the semi-finished part to move it into a centred position, each of the centring elements being movable along a preset radial direction (Y), the radial directions intersecting at geometrical axis (X) for centring the part.

Abstract: There are provided a pair of rollers (W, W1; W, W2; W2, W3; W3, W4) for taking a sheet in a buckle zones (b1-b4), and a pair of rollers (W, W2; W2, W3; W3, W4; W4, W5) for folding a portion of the sheet deflecting from the buckle zones (b1-b4). A rotating shaft of at least one of the rollers of each of the roller pairs is carried by one end of a lever (6). The lever (6) is arranged for swing around a supporting point (8), and the other end of the lever (6) is provided with a spring resiliently biasing the roller carried by the lever (6) in a direction in which the roller is pressed against the counter roller. One end of an adjustment rod (15a-15e) is brought into contact with the other end of the lever (6). The adjustment rod (15a-15e) is guided by a guide (14) in a direction of its axis. The other end of the adjustment rod (15a-15e) is provided with a pulse motor (M1-M5) moving the adjustment rod (15a-15e) through the guide (14).

Abstract: A device for processing and for transporting flat mail items such as documents and/or letters inserted into envelopes, samples, cards, etc., includes a transport route, formed by transport rolls (5, 6, 7) of a transport mechanism (3), one end of this route being configured to load a separation unit (9) with mail items (2) for individual processing. The device includes a separation unit (9), which is designed with a drive roll (6), supported rotatably on a horizontal axis of rotation and extending transversely to the transport direction. The drive roll acts frictionally on the bottom surface of the mail item (2) and cooperates with a queuing mechanism (11), which is installed above (6) and offset from the drive roll in the downstream direction to hold back excess mail items.

Abstract: A medium feeding apparatus includes a main body, and a medium placing unit at least a part of which can be housed in the main body. The medium placing unit includes a first placing unit held by the main body in such a manner that the first placing unit is shiftable between a housed position where at least one of the first placing unit is housed in the main body and a placing position where the medium can be placed on the first placing unit, a second placing unit has a first shifting condition where the medium can be placed on the first and second placing units and a second shifting condition where the second placing unit is overlapped with the first placing unit, and an auxiliary member disposed on a boundary between the first placing unit and the second placing unit when the second placing unit is in the first shifting condition.

Abstract: A sheet takeout device includes a takeout belt brought into contact with a sheet set in a takeout position to generate negative pressure to adsorb the sheet, and traveled in a direction of an arrow T, and a separation roller which separates second and following sheets associatively taken out with the sheet. Triggered by detection of its leading end at a second sensor, an opposite-direction separation force is applied to the sheet to be conveyed via the separation roller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device includes a sheet tray 2 to place sheets thereon, a nozzle 9 which blows air onto the sheets supported by the sheet tray 2, a conveyance belt 10 to adsorb and convey a sheet floated by blowing air by the nozzle 9, a pulling roller pair 16 which is arranged on a downstream side of the conveyance belt in a sheet conveyance direction and conveys the sheet conveyed by the conveyance belt 10, and a conveyance guide 17 which guides the sheet conveyed from the conveyance belt 10 to the pulling roller pair 16. The conveyance guide 17 has slope portions 17a, 17b which are sloped from an upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction to the downstream side to extend from a central portion in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction to both the end portions.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device that draws out a sheet from a pile of sheets, including: a sheet tray on which the pile of sheets is placed; a sheet feeding roller whose peripheral surface is pressed to abut on a top surface of an uppermost sheet in the pile of the sheets at a downstream end in a sheet feeding direction of the pile of sheets; a friction pad disposed oppositely to the sheet feeding roller to form a nip portion for the sheet with the sheet feeding roller; and a pushing member that pushes the friction pad in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus has: a tray on which sheets to be fed are stacked; a sheet feeding portion which separates and feeds the sheets stacked on the tray one by one; and a sensor which discriminates a type of sheet. In a state in which one sheet of the sheets stacked on the tray is protruded from the tray by the sheet feeding portion, the sensor discriminates the type of the protruded sheet.

Abstract: There are provided an image forming apparatus, an image input/output apparatus, a paper feed control method, a memory medium, and a program, in which lengths of one side of sheets of image formed paper can be aligned, and even in case of outputting the image formed paper in which different paper sizes exist mixedly, a post-process such as stapling or the like can be smoothly performed. A core portion of the image I/O apparatus has a paper feeding direction specifying control unit which is constructed in a manner such that when a plurality of paper sizes exist mixedly in one image forming job, on the basis of paper mixture information which is set on a printer driver of a PC/WS and shows which paper sizes exist mixedly in the one image forming job, the paper feeding direction for performing a paper feed in the vertical direction or a paper feed in the lateral direction to the paper which can be fed in both of the vertical direction and the lateral direction is specified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a registration system for sheet fed processing machines that reduces or eliminates the need to calibrate the register and/or timing dials of such a machine. The system uses known measurements and the elapsed time between electrically generated pulses to determine the relative position of processing cylinders in the machine relative the timing of a feed mechanism. The relative positions are displayed in real-time and can be adjusted by an operator. The machine need not be ‘in time’ to properly register the machine.

Abstract: A holding member is rotatably axially supported to the apparatus main body, holds the sheet feeding unit to a rotational edge, and moves the sheet feeding unit to one of a sheet feeding position and a standby position and a gear train. By transferring the rotation of the opening/closing operation of the feed tray to the holding member through the gear train so that the sheet feeding unit is moved along with the opening/closing operation of the feed tray.

Abstract: Positioning in the width direction of a sheet is performed by a skew correcting unit which is provided on a re-conveying path for reversing the sheet and conveying it again to an image forming unit and which has a reference surface that is come into contact with a side edge of the sheet and a plurality of diagonal feed units which obliquely convey the sheet so as to be come into contact with the reference surface. The pressures in nip portions of the other diagonal feed units excluding one of the plural diagonal feed units are reduced or cancelled by a reducing/cancelling unit according to a length in the sheet conveying direction of the sheet which is conveyed.

Abstract: A method for arranging indicia on a game surface and on an associated roulette wheel includes arranging indicia indicating numbers from 1 through 36 on the game surface. The numbers are arranged in ascending order with half of the numbers associated with a first color and a remaining half associated with a second color, The numbers are arranged in three groups of twelve numbers each with each group having three even numbers and three odd numbers associated with each of the two colors. Indicia indicating each of the numbers are arranged on a roulette wheel such that no two adjacent numbers on the roulette wheel are associated with a same color, are disposed in a same group, are disposed in a same column, are disposed in a same row, or are disposed adjacent one another on the game surface.

Abstract: A method for arranging indicia on a game surface and on an associated roulette wheel. Indicia indicating numbers from 1 through 36 are arranged on the game surface in ascending order with half of the numbers associated with a first color and half associated with a second color. The numbers are arranged in three groups of twelve, each group having three even numbers and three odd numbers associated with each of the two colors. Indicia indicating each of the numbers are arranged on a roulette wheel such that no two adjacent numbers on the roulette wheel are associated with a same color, are disposed in a same group, are disposed in a same column, are disposed in a same row, or are disposed adjacent one another on the game surface and such that each pair of numbers disposed substantially diametrically across from one another on the roulette wheel is disposed in a same group and column on the game surface.

Abstract: A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system is disclosed. The system includes a card input department with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes towards the front wall at an angle between 12 and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.

Abstract: A board (20) game includes kill zone spaces (32) on the board for allowing players, upon landing on a kill zone space (32), to hire an assassin to make an assassination attempt on another player. The player exchanges play money for an assassination card that is categorized into one of multiple levels representing the skill level of the assassin hired. The higher skilled assassins require more play money and are more likely to succeed in assassinating their target player. Similarly, the lower skilled assassins require less play money and are less likely to succeed. To succeed in assassinating a target player, the player making the assassination attempt rolls a pair of dice and compares the number shown on the dice to the numbers listed on the assassination card. If the number shown on the dice equals one of the numbers listed on the assassination card, the attempt is successful and the target player is eliminated.

Abstract: A Bingo-type game and method for playing which incorporates various exercises as part of the game. The Bingo-type game generally includes a plurality of matrices having different exercises listed in the squares thereof and call-off pieces each corresponding to one of the exercises listed in the squares. A matrix is given to each game participant. As a call-off card is drawn, the exercise listed on the call-off card is called out, whereby the corresponding exercise is covered, if present, on the matrix of each participant and the exercise is subsequently performed by each participant having the exercise listed on their matrix. The game is won when one of the participants marks each space in a horizontal row, a vertical column, or a diagonal line on the game board.

Abstract: A method for awarding a prize is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining (5) a trigger value T (preferably related to an operating parameter such as a turnover meter or the number of games played) from within a predetermined range of values (Lmin . . . Lmax); generating (6) a number n of random values Ra, each within the predetermined range of values; comparing (7) each of the random values with the trigger value; and awarding the prize if a predetermined relationship exists between at least one of the random values and the trigger value. In the preferred embodiment, the method is performed at the gaming machine level in a network of linked gaming machines, and the prize is awarded in the event of one of the random values being equal to the trigger value.

Abstract: A gaming method and system which allows a player to wager varying amounts on whether that player will have multiple consecutive wins, losses, or ties of a game of chance and having the option of withdrawing from a consecutive wins, loss or tie bet before reaching the number of consecutive wins, losses or ties originally selected and select a reduced payoff or to make a consecutive wins, losses or ties bet without selecting a predetermined number of consecutive wins, losses or ties and which provides a simplified arrangement for monitoring the progress of such bets made by one or more players, as well as providing a multiple outcome bet tracking system and mark matching system to protect against bet tampering.