Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to apparatuses to facilitate the playing of lottery games. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses for marking or puncturing lottery play slips.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/903,211, filed Nov. 12, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to apparatuses to facilitate the playing of lottery games. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses for marking or puncturing lottery play slips. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many states in the United States operate lotteries as a means of generating revenue. One common type of lottery game involves the selection of a series of numbers by a user, which are then submitted for entry into the lottery game. The selected numbers are indicated on a lottery play slip, which typically features an array of numbered entry boxes. The traditional method of selecting the desired numbers has been for the user to manually mark the selected entry boxes on the play slip (e.g., with a pencil, pen, or similar instrument). However, because the boxes on a lottery play slip are often small and tightly spaced, this method requires that a user have both a relatively high degree of manual dexterity and good eyesight, one or both of which are often lacking in some users (e.g., senior citizens, people suffering from arthritis or injuries, etc.). 
         [0004]    To address this issue, various devices have been invented to facilitate the marking of lottery play slips and/or cards. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,487 to Milbourne, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a handheld lottery play slip holder with attached brackets for holding writing instruments for manually marking the play slip. U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,710 to Beam, U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,906 to Buccieri, U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,884 to Burton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,268 to Sutherland et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,294 to Piro, U.S. Design Pat. No. D383,502 to Schmidt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,401,782 to Dragotta et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0056372 to De Castro, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, all disclose handheld lottery play slip marking devices featuring stencil-type templates to facilitate the manual marking of the entry boxes by the user. A disadvantage of the devices of the prior art is that they still require the user to manually mark the selected entry boxes on the play slip with a writing instrument such as a pen. 
         [0005]    Embodiments of the present invention provide novel apparatuses for marking or puncturing lottery play slips that overcome the disadvantages of the lottery play slip marking devices of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates generally to apparatuses to facilitate the playing of lottery games. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses for marking or puncturing lottery play slips. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, provided herein is an apparatus for marking or puncturing lottery play slips comprising a main body comprising a top cover and a bottom tray. In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are pivotally connected via a hinge and arranged in a clamshell configuration. In other embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are secured together without the use of a hinge. In yet other embodiments, the main body is a unitary structure without a separate top cover and bottom tray. In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are separate structures that are not connected to each other. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are made of one or more thermoplastic materials, such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, nylon, vinyl, acrylic, or other plastics. In other embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are made of metal, glass, rubber, cardboard, paper, and/or other suitable material(s). In yet other embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are made of a combination of two or more materials. In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are made from the same material(s). In other embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray have different material compositions. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the top cover and/or bottom tray may be partially or entirely opaque. In other embodiments, the top cover and/or bottom tray may be partially or entirely translucent. In yet other embodiments, the top cover and/or bottom tray may be partially or entirely transparent. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are arranged in a clamshell configuration that may be opened or closed. In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are pivotally connected via a hinge affixed to the top edges of the top cover and bottom tray. In other embodiments, the hinge is affixed to the left or right side edges of the top cover and bottom tray. In yet other embodiments, the hinge is affixed to the bottom edges of the top cover and bottom tray. In some embodiments, two or more hinges are used to connect the top cover and bottom tray. In other embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are not pivotally connected. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray of the main body are secured together in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the main body is configured to remain in a closed configuration. In other embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are permanently affixed to each other. 
         [0012]    If the top cover and bottom tray are arranged in a clamshell configuration, any suitable means may be used to pivotally connect the top cover and bottom tray. In some embodiments, the top cover and bottom tray are pivotally connected via a hinge, such as a butt hinge, piano hinge, barrel hinge, or other suitable hinge configuration. In other embodiments, a living hinge is used to pivotally connect the top cover and bottom tray. The hinge may be made of any suitable material(s), examples of which include plastic, metal, rubber, cardboard, paper, or a combination of two or more materials. In some embodiments, the hinge is a living hinge comprising a thin, flexible plastic strip. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the top cover, bottom tray, and hinge are constructed as a single unit. For example, the top cover, bottom tray, and hinge may be molded from plastic as a single unit, such as by injection molding using conventional means. In other embodiments, the top cover, bottom tray, and hinge are constructed separately and then assembled into a unit. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the main body can be moved from an opened configuration to a closed configuration by pivoting the top cover and bottom tray about a rotational axis via a hinge, such that the top cover and bottom tray are brought together. The top cover and bottom tray may feature means for releasably securing the main body in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the means comprises one or more studs projecting from the bottom surface of the top cover that are configured to fit into one or more sockets correspondingly positioned on the top surface of the bottom tray. When the top cover and bottom tray are brought together in a closed configuration, the studs and sockets function as snap fasteners to releasably secure the main body in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the studs and sockets are configured to allow the main body to be easily moved from a closed configuration to an opened configuration with minimal effort (e.g., a small amount of force applied by the hands of a user). In other embodiments, other means may be used to releasably secure the main body in a closed configuration, such as one or more latches, clasps, magnets, snaps, hinges, springs, brackets, struts, or other mechanisms. In some embodiments, two or more different means may be used to releasably secure the main body in a closed configuration 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the bottom tray features a recessed portion that is sized and shaped to receive and secure in place one or more lottery play slips. In some embodiments, the main body is configured such that an inserted lottery play slip is both visible to and accessible by a user when the main body is in a closed configuration. For example, the top cover and the recessed portion of the bottom tray may define an aperture through which the inserted lottery play slip is visible. In some embodiments, the top cover and/or the bottom tray may feature one or more indented portions that serve to expose a portion of the inserted lottery play slip such that the inserted lottery play slip may be grasped by the user and removed from the main body. In other embodiments, the main body is sized and shaped such that an end portion of the inserted lottery play slip extends from the main body when the main body is in a closed configuration. In yet other embodiments, the main body is configured with other means of accessing the inserted lottery play slip, such as apertures, levers, slots, etc. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the top surface of the top cover features a plurality of buttons, each button having a top surface and a bottom surface. The buttons are arranged in an array, and are configured to align with a corresponding array of boxes on the lottery play slip. In some embodiments, the buttons are made of rubber. In other embodiments, the buttons are made of plastic, metal, wood, or other suitable material. In yet other embodiments, the buttons are made of a combination of two or more materials. 
         [0017]    The top surfaces of the buttons are marked with numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols that correspond in both position and content to the numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols arranged in the array of boxes on the face of the lottery play slip. The bottom surfaces of the buttons are configured to have a means of marking and/or puncturing the corresponding boxes on the lottery play slip. When the main body is in a closed configuration and the top surface of the desired button is pressed by a user, the button is depressed and the bottom surface of the button is brought into contact with the corresponding box on the inserted lottery play slip. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the bottom surface of each button is configured with a tip that is configured to mark or puncture the corresponding box on the lottery play slip. In some embodiments, the tip deposits a marking substance (e.g., ink, dye, graphite, pencil lead, pigment, paint, etc.) on the corresponding box on the lottery play slip to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box. In other embodiments, the tip punctures the corresponding box on the lottery play slip to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box. In yet other embodiments, the tip simultaneously deposits a marking substance and punctures the corresponding box on the lottery play slip in a manner sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box. In some embodiments, the tip marks the corresponding box on the lottery play slip by one or more means in addition to depositing a marking substance and/or puncturing the box. In other embodiments, the tip marks the corresponding box on the lottery play slip by one or more means other than by depositing a marking substance and/or puncturing the box. 
         [0019]    The array of buttons is configured to correspond to the numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols arranged in the array of boxes on the face of a lottery play slip. In some embodiments, different button configurations may be used to correspond to the different layouts of different lottery play slips. In some embodiments, the button array may be removed from the top cover and replaced with a different button array. In other embodiments, the top cover may be removed from the main body and replaced with a different top cover having a different button array. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, with the apparatus of the invention shown in a closed configuration, and a lottery play slip awaiting insertion. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, with the apparatus of the invention shown in an opened configuration, and a lottery play slip awaiting insertion. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, with the apparatus of the invention shown in an opened configuration, and a lottery play slip inserted. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, with the apparatus of the invention shown in a closed configuration, and a lottery play slip inserted. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]      FIGS. 1-4  show an apparatus  100  for marking or puncturing lottery play slips in one embodiment of the present invention. As used herein, the term “lottery play slip” refers to a play slip, card, ticket, entry form, or other medium or device that can be used to indicate a user&#39;s selected entries in a lottery or similar game of chance. In one embodiment, the apparatus  100  comprises a main body  101  having a top cover  102  and a bottom tray  103 . The top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  are preferably made of one or more thermoplastic materials. Suitable thermoplastic materials include Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, nylon, vinyl, acrylic, or other plastics. In other embodiments, the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  are made of metal, glass, rubber, cardboard, paper, and/or other suitable material(s). In yet other embodiments, the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  are made of a combination of two or more materials. The top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  may be made from the same material(s), or may have different material compositions. Depending on the material(s) used, the top cover  102  and/or bottom tray  103  may be partially or entirely opaque, translucent, or transparent. 
         [0025]    The top cover  102  has a top edge  104 , a bottom edge  105 , a top surface  106 , and a bottom surface  107 . The bottom tray  103  has a top edge  108 , a bottom edge  109 , and a top surface  110 . The top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  are pivotally connected via a hinge  111 . In some embodiments, the hinge  111  is affixed to the top edges  104  and  108  of the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103 . In other embodiments, the hinge  111  may be affixed to one or more different regions of the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103 . 
         [0026]    The hinge  111  may employ any suitable means for pivotally connecting the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103 . In some embodiments, the hinge  111  is a living hinge comprising a thin, flexible plastic strip that pivotally connects the top cover  102  and the bottom tray  103  at the top edges  104  and  108 . In other embodiments, the hinge  111  may comprise a butt hinge, piano hinge, barrel hinge, or other suitable hinge configuration. In some embodiments, the hinge  111  is made of plastic. In other embodiments, the hinge  111  is made of metal, rubber, cardboard, paper, or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the hinge  111  is made of a combination of two or more materials. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the top cover  102 , bottom tray  103 , and hinge  111  are constructed as a single unit. For example, the top cover  102 , bottom tray  103 , and hinge  111  may be molded from plastic as a single unit, such as by injection molding using conventional means. In other embodiments, the top cover  102 , bottom tray  103 , and hinge  111  are constructed separately and then assembled into a unit. 
         [0028]    The top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  pivot about a rotational axis relative to each other via the hinge  111 , which allows the main body  101  to move from the closed configuration shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  to the opened configuration shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The main body  101  is configured to have a means of releasably securing the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the top cover  102  has one or more studs  112  projecting from the bottom surface  107 . The one or more studs  112  are configured to fit into one or more sockets  113  that are correspondingly positioned on the top surface  110  of the bottom tray  103 . When the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  are brought together in a closed configuration, the studs  112  and sockets  113  function as snap fasteners to releasably secure the main body  101  in a closed configuration. The studs  112  and sockets  113  are configured to allow the main body  101  to be easily moved from a closed configuration to an opened configuration with minimal effort (e.g., a small amount of force applied by the hands of a user). 
         [0029]    The top surface  110  of the bottom tray  103  has a recessed portion  114  that is sized and shaped to receive and secure in place a lottery play slip  200 . When the main body  101  is in an opened configuration with the top cover  102  raised, the lottery play slip  200  is inserted into the recessed portion  114  of the bottom tray  103 . When the main body  101  is in a closed configuration, the recessed portion  114  and the bottom edges  105  and  109  of the top cover  102  and the bottom tray  103  align to define an aperture  115  through which the inserted lottery play slip  200  is visible. The bottom edges  105  and  109  of the top cover  102  and the bottom tray  103  respectively feature central indented portions  116  and  117 . When the main body  101  is in a closed configuration with an inserted lottery play slip  200 , a portion of the inserted lottery play slip  200  is exposed by the central indented portions  116  and  117  such that the inserted lottery play slip  200  may be grasped by the user and removed from the main body  101 . The central indented portions  116  and  117  and the aperture  115  further provide a visual indication of the presence or absence of an inserted lottery play slip  200 . 
         [0030]    The top surface  106  of the top cover  102  features a plurality of buttons  118 , each button  118  having a top surface  119  and a bottom surface  120 . The buttons  118  are arranged in an array, and are configured to align with a corresponding array of boxes  201  on the lottery play slip  200 . In some embodiments, the buttons  118  are made of rubber. In other embodiments, the buttons  118  are made of plastic, metal, wood, or other suitable material. In yet other embodiments, the buttons  118  are made of a combination of two or more materials. For example, the buttons  118  can have top surfaces  119  made of rubber and bottom surfaces  120  made of plastic. 
         [0031]    The top surfaces  119  of the buttons  118  are marked with numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols that correspond in both position and content to the numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols arranged in the array of boxes  201  on the face of the lottery play slip  200  that has been inserted into the recessed portion  114  of the bottom tray  103 . The bottom surfaces  120  of the buttons  118  are configured to have a means of marking and/or puncturing the corresponding boxes  201  on the lottery play slip  200 . When the main body  101  is in a closed configuration and the top surface  119  of the desired button  118  is pressed by a user, the button  118  is depressed and the bottom surface  120  of the button  118  is brought into contact with the corresponding box  201  on the lottery play slip  200 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the bottom surface  120  of each button  118  is configured with a tip that deposits a marking substance (e.g., ink, dye, graphite, pencil lead, pigment, paint, etc.) on the corresponding box  201  on the lottery play slip  200  in an amount sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box  201 . In other embodiments, the bottom surface  120  of each button  118  is configured with a tip that can puncture the corresponding box  201  on the lottery play slip  200  in a manner sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box  201 . In yet other embodiments, the bottom surface  120  of each button  118  is configured with a tip that can simultaneously deposit a marking substance and puncture the corresponding box  201  on the lottery play slip  200  in a manner sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box  201 . 
         [0033]    To operate the apparatus  100  for marking or puncturing lottery play slips, the main body  101  is moved into an opened configuration by raising the top cover  102  via the hinge  111 . A lottery play slip  200  is inserted into the recessed portion  114  of the bottom tray  103 . The main body  101  is moved into a closed configuration by lowering the top cover  102  until the bottom surface  107  of the top cover is adjacent to the top surface  110  of the bottom tray  103 . The top cover  102  is secured in place by aligning the studs  112  with the sockets  113  and snapping the studs  112  and sockets  113  together. Once the main body  101  is secured in a closed configuration with a lottery play slip  200  inside, the user selects the desired numbers, letters, or symbols to be marked on the lottery play slip  200  by pressing the top surfaces  119  of the appropriate buttons  118 . When each button  118  is pressed by the user, the bottom surface  120  of the button  118  is brought into contact with the corresponding box  201  on the lottery play slip  200 . Upon contacting the corresponding box  201 , the tip of the bottom surface  120  of the button  118  indicates the user&#39;s selection by marking and/or puncturing the corresponding box  201  on the lottery play slip  200 . When all of the appropriate markings and/or punctures have been made on the lottery play slip  200 , the lottery play slip  200  is removed from the main body  101  for submission of the lottery play slip  200 . The lottery play slip  200  can be removed either by grasping the end of the lottery play slip  200  that is exposed by the central indented portions  116  and  117  of the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  and withdrawing the lottery play slip  200  from the main body  101  through the aperture  115 , or by moving the main body  101  to an opened configuration by raising the top cover  102 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 1-4  show an apparatus  100  for marking or puncturing lottery play slips in another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  100  comprises a main body  101  having a top cover  102  and a bottom tray  103 . The top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  are preferably made of one or more thermoplastic materials. Suitable thermoplastic materials include 
         [0035]    Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, nylon, vinyl, acrylic, or other plastics. In other embodiments, the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  are made of metal, glass, rubber, cardboard, paper, and/or other suitable material(s). In yet other embodiments, the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  are made of a combination of two or more materials. The top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  may be made from the same material(s), or may have different material compositions. Depending on the material(s) used, the top cover  102  and/or bottom tray  103  may be partially or entirely opaque, translucent, or transparent. 
         [0036]    The top cover  102  has a top edge  104 , a bottom edge  105 , a top surface  106 , and a bottom surface  107 . The bottom tray  103  has a top edge  108 , a bottom edge  109 , and a top surface  110 . The top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  may be pivotally connected via a hinge  111 . In some embodiments, the hinge  111  is affixed to the top edges  104  and  108  of the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103 . In other embodiments, the hinge  111  may be affixed to one or more different regions of the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103 . In yet other embodiments, the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  are connected without the use of a hinge  111 . 
         [0037]    If present, the hinge  111  may employ any suitable means for pivotally connecting the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103 . In some embodiments, the hinge  111  is a living hinge comprising a thin, flexible plastic strip that pivotally connects the top cover  102  and the bottom tray  103  at the top edges  104  and  108 . In other embodiments, the hinge  111  may comprise a butt hinge, piano hinge, barrel hinge, or other suitable hinge configuration. In some embodiments, the hinge  111  is made of plastic. In other embodiments, the hinge  111  is made of metal, rubber, cardboard, paper, or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the hinge  111  is made of a combination of two or more materials. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the top cover  102 , bottom tray  103 , and hinge  111  are constructed as a single unit. For example, the top cover  102 , bottom tray  103 , and hinge  111  may be molded from plastic as a single unit, such as by injection molding using conventional means. In other embodiments, the top cover  102 , bottom tray  103 , and hinge  111  are constructed separately and then assembled into a unit. 
         [0039]    The top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  pivot about a rotational axis relative to each other via the hinge  111  prior to assembly of the main body  101 . Upon assembly of the main body  101 , the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  are permanently affixed to each other, and do not pivot about a rotational axis relative to each other via the hinge  111 . The main body  101  is thus configured to remain in the closed configuration shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  upon assembly, and is not configured to be opened by the user. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the top cover  102  has one or more studs  112  projecting from the bottom surface  107 . The one or more studs  112  are configured to fit into one or more sockets  113  that are correspondingly positioned on the top surface  110  of the bottom tray  103 . When the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  are brought together in a closed configuration during assembly of the main body  101 , the studs  112  function as anchors that are permanently affixed to the sockets  113 . The studs  112  and sockets  113  may be permanently affixed via frictional force, an adhesive (e.g., glue), a molding process, or any suitable means. 
         [0041]    The top surface  110  of the bottom tray  103  has a recessed portion  114  that is sized and shaped to receive and secure in place a lottery play slip  200 . The recessed portion  114  and the bottom edges  105  and  109  of the top cover  102  and the bottom tray  103  align to define an aperture  115  through which the lottery play slip  200  may be inserted. The bottom edges  105  and  109  of the top cover  102  and the bottom tray  103  respectively feature central indented portions  116  and  117 . When a lottery play slip  200  is inserted into the main body  101 , a portion of the inserted lottery play slip  200  is exposed by the central indented portions  116  and  117  such that the inserted lottery play slip  200  may be grasped by the user and removed from the main body  101 . The central indented portions  116  and  117  and the aperture  115  further provide a visual indication of the presence or absence of an inserted lottery play slip  200 . 
         [0042]    The top surface  106  of the top cover  102  features a plurality of buttons  118 , each button  118  having a top surface  119  and a bottom surface  120 . The buttons  118  are arranged in an array, and are configured to align with a corresponding array of boxes  201  on the lottery play slip  200 . In some embodiments, the buttons  118  are made of rubber. In other embodiments, the buttons  118  are made of plastic, metal, wood, or other suitable material. In yet other embodiments, the buttons  118  are made of a combination of two or more materials. For example, the buttons  118  can have top surfaces  119  made of rubber and bottom surfaces  120  made of plastic. 
         [0043]    The top surfaces  119  of the buttons  118  are marked with numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols that correspond in both position and content to the numbers, letters, or other alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric symbols arranged in the array of boxes  201  on the face of the lottery play slip  200  that has been inserted into the recessed portion  114  of the bottom tray  103 . The bottom surfaces  120  of the buttons  118  are configured to have a means of marking and/or puncturing the corresponding boxes  201  on the lottery play slip  200 . When the top surface  119  of the desired button  118  is pressed by a user, the button  118  is depressed and the bottom surface  120  of the button  118  is brought into contact with the corresponding box  201  on the lottery play slip  200 . 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, the bottom surface  120  of each button  118  is configured with a tip that deposits a marking substance (e.g., ink, dye, graphite, pencil lead, pigment, paint, etc.) on the corresponding box  201  on the lottery play slip  200  in an amount sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box  201 . In other embodiments, the bottom surface  120  of each button  118  is configured with a tip that can puncture the corresponding box  201  on the lottery play slip  200  in a manner sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box  201 . In yet other embodiments, the bottom surface  120  of each button  118  is configured with a tip that can simultaneously deposit a marking substance and puncture the corresponding box  201  on the lottery play slip  200  in a manner sufficient to indicate the selection of the number, letter, or symbol in the box  201 . 
         [0045]    To operate the apparatus  100  for marking or puncturing lottery play slips, a lottery play slip  200  is inserted through the aperture  115  of the main body  101 . Once the lottery play slip  200  has been inserted, the user selects the desired numbers, letters, or symbols to be marked on the lottery play slip  200  by pressing the top surfaces  119  of the appropriate buttons  118 . When each button  118  is pressed by the user, the bottom surface  120  of the button  118  is brought into contact with the corresponding box  201  on the lottery play slip  200 . Upon contacting the corresponding box  201 , the tip of the bottom surface  120  of the button  118  indicates the user&#39;s selection by marking and/or puncturing the corresponding box  201  on the lottery play slip  200 . When all of the appropriate markings and/or punctures have been made on the lottery play slip  200 , the lottery play slip  200  is removed from the main body by grasping the end of the lottery play slip  200  that is exposed by the central indented portions  116  and  117  of the top cover  102  and bottom tray  103  and withdrawing the lottery play slip  200  from the main body  101  through the aperture  115 . The marked lottery play slip  200  may then be submitted for playing. From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes, and modifications. Such improvements, changes, and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims. All references, publications, and patents cited in the present application are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.