BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a method of making or manufacturing gaming dice and to a die which is made by the method. The invention can be used to make any kind of dice, e.g., board game dice, but has particular application to making gaming dice (whether a single die or a pair of dice) which are used in major casinos or professional gambling establishments.

[0003] It should be noted that the term gaming dice, as used throughout this application, is intended to encompass either a single die or a pair of dice, whether used for gaming or otherwise. Moreover, the invention is not limited to dice which are cube shaped, and may have application to dice which have more or less than 6 sides, e.g., 4-sided, 5-sided pyramid shaped dice or dice having more sides, e.g., 8, 10, 12, sides etc., whether cube-shaped or otherwise.

[0004] 2. Discussion of Background Information

[0005] The gaming dice used in casinos in the United States typically are used for approximately 8 hours, after which they are destroyed. When such dice fall on the floor, or are otherwise removed from the gaming table by a player, they are typically checked to make sure they have not been switched and/or otherwise replaced by counterfeit dice. Casinos are willing to go to great lengths to ensure that the dice they use are those which they approve of. As a result, casinos usually require dice that have security features and/or properties which they can verify.

[0006] FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a conventional method of making gaming dice. In FIG. 1, a section 1 is removed or cut from a bar of plastic, resin, or polymer, such as cellulose acetate. Cellulose acetate is available in extruded rods as well as in extruded slabs which can be cut into bars. Both the rods and the bars can be cut and/or sawed into cubes to form cube sections 1. Bars having a square cross-section are also commercially available in various lengths. Rough cubes or cube-shaped sections or cellulose acetate are also commercially available. With regard to the invention, dice are currently manufactured by processing the rough cube sections which arrive as the raw material from which each die is made.

[0007] With reference to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the section 1 is substantially cube-shaped and has six sides, with the front side 6 being clearly visible. Because it is cube-shaped, the back side 7, which is not visible, is arranged opposite and parallel to the front side 6. The cube also has a left side 5 and a right side 3, as well as a top side 2 and a bottom side 4. As is evident from FIG. 1, the left side 5 and right side 3 are parallel to one another, and so are the top and bottom sides, 2 and 4, respectively. At this stage in the manufacturing of the dice, each cube section 1 is oversized, i.e., the cube section 1 which will form a die of a finished pair of dice has sides which are larger in dimension that the sides of a finished cube. This can be seen when comparing the relative rough size shown in FIG. 1 to that of the dashed lines corresponding to the final die size.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows the rough cube after being subjected to a first cutting or rough cutting, i.e., material is removed (e.g., by machining) from each side until the cube reaches a predetermined size, which can be accurately positioned for the next procedure, i.e., drilling (see FIG. 3). In performing this cutting, typically, the two opposite sides of each die are cut simultaneously using automated machines. The importance of this first cutting procedure is to accurately size the cube for fixturing, but the procedure also has the advantage of removing enough material from the surfaces so that the surfaces are clean, i.e, free of imperfections, dents, scratches, bumps, etc. One efficient way of sizing the cube in this first cutting procedure is to utilize three jigs (i.e., one for each stage of simultaneous cutting of two sides). Each jig is used to hold a number of dice and is configured to secure one die at a time while a cutting machine having two cutting disks simultaneously cuts two opposite sides of the die, e.g., by machining sides 2′ and 4′, in the same pass of a twin cutting disks. The cube is then moved to another jig to have two other opposite sides machined, e.g., sides 5′ and 3′ are then cut. Finally, a third jig is used to cut the remaining two opposite sides, e.g., 6′ and 7′.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows the cube being subjected to drilling, i.e., material is removed from specific locations to create the recesses which will form the spots for the finished die or dice. Typically, each of the six sides or surfaces of the cube or die requires a different number of spots and at certain locations, i.e, one centered spot on side 2, two opposite corner spots on side 7, one center and two opposite corner spots for a total of three spots on side 5, four corner spots on side 3, one center and four corner spots on side 6, and two rows of three spots for a total of six spots on side 4.

[0010] The drilling in this procedure may occur as follows: the cube is placed in a fixture and a drill or a flat bottom milling cutter is plunged into a side of the cube to form each hole until the required number of circular recesses or holes are formed, i.e., one for each spot. It is preferred that the holes have a flat bottom and that the hole be relatively shallow, i.e., not very deep. The purpose of the holes is merely to retain the paint that will be poured into them later on to define the spots (see FIG. 4). Moreover, if the holes are made too deep on a particular side, i.e., thereby removing even more material from the sides, this can make the die or dice unbalanced. Accordingly, in order to remove enough material to retain a significant amount of paint, but not so much that the dice become unbalanced, it is preferred that the holes be between approximately 0.010 to 0.030 inches deep. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the front side 6′ has been drilled with five holes, of which only two and half holes 8 are shown. Side 3′ has four corner holes which have been drilled to a depth, of which two holes 8 can be seen (by virtue of the die being partially sectioned) to have approximately the same depth “d”. However, since the sides will be subjected to further material removal later on, the particular depth of the holes is not critical at this point. Nevertheless, it is important that whatever depth “d” is used for the holes 8, that such depth be consistently maintained from hole to hole on each of the sides and from side to side, in order to avoid causing the dice to be unbalanced.

[0011] The drilling is typically performed manually by an operator and is very labor intensive. The operator usually places a die into a right angle (90 degree) stop or fixture and pushes the die against the stop with one hand. With the other hand, the operator brings down the drilling unit, thereby drilling one hole at a time. The drilling machine is first set to drill corner holes of sides which require such, i.e., sides which will have two or more holes. Thus, sides which are to have 2 and 3 spots will have only their opposite corner holes drilled, whereas sides which are to have 4, 5 and 6 spots will have all four corner holes drilled. The operator will typically drill up to as many as 800 dice in a batch, e.g., 8 boards of 100 dice each. Then, the operator changes the drill position so that the outer middle holes of the side which will have 6 spots can be drilled. Finally, the drill is positioned and/or set to a position wherein the middle holes can be drilled on the sides that will have 1, 3 and 5 spots.

[0012] In particular applications of the dice, such as those used in professional gambling houses, it is important to drill the holes to a consistent depth. This allows for the production of dice which can be more substantially balanced. If the differences between the depths of the holes on different sides is too great, there may result a weight difference between the sides or faces of the die which can produce a die which is biased and/or otherwise unbalanced, i.e., one or more sides of the die may have greater or lesser weight and one of more other sides of the die.

[0013] FIG. 4 shows the cube after all the drilled holes 8 are filled with a paint 9. This procedure is commonly called spotting and can be accomplished in any number of known ways. One way is to inject or deposit a specific amount of paint 9 into each hole 8. Preferably, the paint 9 will have a color that contrasts with the color of the die material. In one embodiment, each of the dice are made from a translucent type red plastic while the paint is white. As can be seen from side 3′ of FIG. 4, the paint 9 is applied in sufficient amount to more than fill the holes 8, i.e., side 3′ of FIG. 4 shows excess paint protruding an amount “p” from two corner holes 9. This amount “p” can be any amount, and is typically between approximately 0.003 to 0.015 inches. The reason for this is that the paint may have a tendency to shrink during the drying or solidification process. Moreover, the paint may need to be subjected to a polymerizing process or treatment, which can further cause the paint 9 to shrink. Thus, a certain amount of overfilling is desirable to ensure that when the paint 9 is fully dry, cured, or otherwise solidified, there is a sufficient amount of paint remaining in each hole 8. In many instances, the paint that is disposed in at least one spot on one or more sides of the die, will usually include security features such as UV pigments and/or laser pigments.

[0014] Spotting is typically a hand operation performed by an operator and is similarly very labor intensive. The operator usually places a batch of boards (with each board containing 100 dice), all of whose same sides face in the same direction, e.g., such that all of the sides that will receive 5 spots face upwards. Next, the operator uses a manual dispenser and drops a sufficient quantity of the appropriate paint, e.g., white paint, into each hole of the dice. When all of the upward facing holes of all of the dice in the batch are filled with paint, the operator places the boards of dice into a cabinet in order to allow the paint to dry for a certain time. In the case where the curing is to occur at room temperature, the paint can take overnight to cure and/or dry. In the case where it is desired to dry or cure the paint in a quicker manner, an oven can be used to reduce the curing time down to a few hours or less, e.g., by heating in an oven for 15 minutes at a temperature of approximately 150 degrees F. The curing can also be accomplished using a UV curing process and the appropriate UV sensitive paint. It should be noted that curing or drying, as used herein, refers to the solidifying of the paint. The spotting process is repeated for each side of the dice that is to have its holes filled with paint, until all of the sides of all of the dice are spotted.

[0015] The paint is usually a white very opaque type resin that does not shrink away with age and that bonds well with the cellulose acetate. It is also important that the paint is of the type which does not fall out of the spot holes when the dice are in use.

[0016] In particular applications of the dice, such as those used in professional gambling houses, it is important to use paint that has a density which is very close and/or substantially equal to the density of the material from which the dice are made. This allows for the production of dice which are substantially balanced. If the differences between the density of the paint versus that of the dice material is too great, there may result a weight difference between the sides or faces of the die, resulting in the die being biased and/or otherwise unbalanced, i.e., one or more sides of the die may have greater or lesser weight and one of more other sides of the die.

[0017] FIG. 5 shows the cube after all the paint 9 protruding from the holes 8 is subjected to material removal or cutting. This procedure is commonly called scalping and can be accomplished in any number of known ways. In performing this scalping, typically, the two opposite sides of each die are scalped simultaneously using automated machines. One way is to scrape, broach or otherwise shave off some amount of the paint 9 that protrudes from the holes 8. The result is that the paint 9 protruding from each hole attains a flattened outer surface 10. As can be seen from side 3′ of FIG. 5, the flattened surfaces 10 have reduced the amount of projection “p” (see FIG. 4) from each painted hole. The projecting height of the flattened surfaces 10 shown in side 3′ of FIG. 5 is exaggerated, and it is preferred that the flattened surfaces 10 be reduced to the point where they are level with surface 3′, i.e., to the point where the flattened surfaces 10 are essentially and/or approximately flush with surface 3′. Of course, this should also be the case for each of the other sides, since they will all have one or more paint filled holes. Because the dice have not yet reached their exact final size or dimensions, this procedure allows for some amount of material removal from each of the sides 2′-7′. Thus, each side can be scalped to an extent wherein a very small amount of material is removed from each side 2′-7′ simultaneously with the removal of the projecting portion “p” of the paint 9. In such case, the sides of dice would resemble those shown in FIG. 6, with the flattened surfaces 11 being flush with the sides, e.g., side 3″. However, a preferred way to perform the spot scalping is to use a machine like that shown in FIG. 42, whose detailed operation will be described in detail later on. For this scalping operation, the disk pads 55 and 56 would have a rougher grit than those used for finishing.

[0018] FIG. 6 shows the cube after all of the sides are subjected to material removal or cutting. This procedure is commonly called diamond cutting and can be accomplished in any number of known ways. In performing this cutting, typically, the two opposite sides of each die are cut simultaneously using automated machines. One way is to subject each of the surfaces 2′-7′ of FIG. 5 to cutting in a manner similar to that of FIG. 2, except that the resulting surfaces 2″-7″ are made to have a finer or a smoother surface finish. This can also be accomplished by using a cutter that has more and/or finer teeth than the ones used in the cutting described with respect to FIG. 2. This smoother surface finish can also be accomplished by increasing the cutter speed, and/or decrease the feed rate, and/or any combination thereof. The result is that each of the dice is substantially sized to a final cubic dimension. This procedure also results in all of the painted spots 11 being made flush with each respective surface 2″-7″. Typically, approximately 0.010 inches is removed from each side 2′-7′ to arrive at a final cubic dimension of approximately 0.750 or 0.775 (depending of the size of die required) inches between any two opposite sides 2″-7″.

[0019] FIG. 7 shows the cube after one or more of the sides is provided with a logo or text. Typically, side 2″ of each of the dice, i.e., the side which has the single center spot, will have some text provided thereon because it is the side having the most area that is not obstructed by spots. This procedure is commonly called logo stamping or monogramming and can be accomplished in any number of known ways. In performing this stamping, typically, one side at a time of each die is stamped using automated machines. Preferably, the text will have a color that contrasts with the color of the plastic. In one embodiment, each of the dice is made from a translucent type red plastic while the text is gold. One way is to subject the side 2″ to hot stamping wherein the desired text 12 is impressed into the surface 2″ using a hot press die. However, this has the effect of displacing material from the surface 2″ outwardly, thereby causing some of the displaced material to project from the surface 2″, i.e., the surface 2″ is no longer flat and smooth as a result of the logo stamping. Moreover, this logo stamping or monogramming procedure also tends to produce text 12 which is too thick, i.e., each letter has the appearance of being made by wide lines, thereby giving an appearance of smudged letters.

[0020] FIG. 8 shows the cube after the side or sides which were subjected to logo stamping is subjected to scalping. This procedure is commonly called logo scalping and can be accomplished in a manner similar to that shown and described in FIG. 5. In performing this logo scalping, typically, the two opposite sides of each die are scalped simultaneously using automated machines. One way is to subject the side 2″ to scraping, broaching, or shaving in order to render surface 2′″ flat and smooth, except for the text 13 and spots 11 which will have a desired depth but which will not protrude above the surface 2′″. Moreover, this logo scalping also tends to produce text 13 which is thinner, i.e., each letter has the appearance of being made by lines which are thinner than those made in the previous procedure, thereby giving an appearance of thin, crisp, and clearly defined letters. However, a preferred way to perform the logo scalping is to use a machine like that shown in FIG. 42, whose detailed operation will be described in detail later on. For this operation, the disk pads 55 and 56 would have a rougher grit than that used for finishing.

[0021] FIG. 9 shows the cube 15 after each of the sides is subjected to finishing which can include sand finishing, sanding, or polishing, in order to render the surfaces smooth, improve their shine, and otherwise remove any apparent surface imperfections and/or scratches. Finishing can be accomplished in any known manner. In performing this finishing, typically, the two opposite sides of each die are finished simultaneously using automated machines. One way is to subject each side to sanding in order to render each surface flat and smooth, except for the text 14 and spots 11, which will have and/or maintain a desired depth but which will not protrude above the surface 2_IV. Moreover, this surface finishing also tends to produce text 14 and spots 11′ whose upper surfaces are flush with each corresponding surface, e.g., surface 2^IV, thereby giving an appearance that the spots and text were not merely painted on the surfaces 2^IV-7^IV. The finishing may also include buffing and/or cleaning, as necessary.

[0022] FIG. 39 illustrates one preferred way to perform the finishing of the dice. Each die, e.g., 15 and 15′, of a plurality of dice 15 (usually around 26) are placed in a finishing apparatus 50. The apparatus 50 is designed to sand opposite sides of the 26 dice. As can be seen in FIG. 39, the apparatus 50 includes a disk, basket or carriage 54 which has as many openings as the number of die to be finished (in this case 26 openings for 26 dice). Only two of the openings 54a and 54b are shown. Each opening 54a and 54b is circular and has a diameter which is adapted to receive a die. Two dice are shown, respectively 15 and 15′. The openings 54a and 54b are sized to retain a respective die snugly so that the die will not move more than slightly when it is positioned in the opening. As can be seen, the carriage 54 has a thickness which is significantly less than a thickness of the dice 15 and 15′, and is designed to retain (in a respective opening) the dice substantially around each die's center of gravity. The carriage 54 is loosely engaged by (i.e., dragged by) and/or loosely coupled to a shaft 57, which is in turn coupled to a moving device (not shown) or which is otherwise movable by the operator. The carriage 54 can be moved laterally, e.g., back and forth and/or side to side, as well as in a circle within opening O (such movement being designated by the arrows). A top plate 51 is arranged above the carriage 54 and is coupled and/or otherwise attached to a shaft 58. The top plate 51 is designed to be movable up and down and is otherwise adjustably and/or controllably movable in a downwardly direction. This movement allows the top plate 51 to be moved upwardly a sufficient amount so as to allow an operator to easily place (and/or otherwise access) each of the die into the openings of the carriage 54. Movement of the top plate 51 downwardly can be made controllable and/or otherwise controlled by an operator so that the proper amount of finishing can be precisely controlled. Arranged below the carriage 54 is a bottom plate 52 which is designed to be statically mounted to a support table 53. Both the top plate 51 and the bottom plate 52 have an abrasive pad mounted thereto that is designed to abrade a corresponding opposite surface of the dice. In this regard, an upper disk pad 55 is mounted to a bottom surface of the top plate 51 and a bottom disk pad 56 is mounted to a top surface of the bottom plate 52.

[0023] The finishing operation will now be described. Each die, e.g., 15 and 15′, is placed into a corresponding opening 54a and 54b of the carriage 54. At this point, each die has its bottom surface that is supported on bottom pad 56. Then, the top plate 51 is lowered until the upper pad 55 contacts the top surfaces of the dice. Next, the carriage 54 is caused to move in any number of directions, e.g., side to side and/or in a circular or partially circular direction, for a desired time interval. While this movement is occurring, the top plate 51 is lowered in a controlled manner until the desired amount of material is removed from the opposite sides of the dice and/or until these sides of the dice have achieved the desired finishing. Water and/or oil are poured on the dice during the finishing. Normally, an amount in the range of between approximately 0.0005″ to approximately 0.015″ can be removed from each side of the dice using this apparatus 50. Dice which are designated as ¾ inch dice will usually be finished to a final size dimension of 0.750 inches+/−0.003. Other gaming dice may be made to a dimension such as, e.g., 0.775 inches+/−0.003 inches.

[0024] Thereafter, each die is removed and re-positioned into the carriage 54 so that another two opposite sides can be finished in the same manner. Next, the dice are removed and re-positioned into the carriage 54 so that the last two opposite sides of the dice can be finished in the same way. Finally, the dice are removed from the apparatus 50 so that another set of 26 dice can be subjected to finishing.

[0025] FIG. 41 illustrates some of the prior art die designs. Design A illustrates a plain die configuration, as evidenced by the use of plain and solid circular spots. Additionally, design B illustrates a single-ring bird's eye die configuration, as evidenced by the use of spots having an outer painted ring and an inner painted small spot. Finally, design C illustrates a double-ring bird's eye die configuration, as evidenced by the use of spots having an outer painted ring and an inner painted ring.

[0026] FIG. 42 shows some of the currently available die sizes in approximate scale. Design I shows a ⅝ inch cube size, while design II shows an {fraction (11/16)} inch cube size. Additionally, design III shows an ¾ inch cube size and design IV shows a 0.775 inch cube size.

[0027] Prior art gaming dice are also available in many colors such as medium red, dark red, green, pink, blue and amber. They are typically made of a cellulose acetate material that is formulated to give the dice ultimate clarity, harness, and dimensional stability. Moreover, they may be made to have various finishes such as a sand finish, which is considered to be a standard finish, or a polished finish. The dice can even be micro-lapped to {fraction (1/10,000)}th of an inch to produce very fine and smooth dice. The edges of the dice may also be made such that they are razor sharp or slightly beveled with either a feather, rounded, or beveled edge. However, razor sharp edges are standard. In games such as Chuck-A-Luck and Pai-Gow Poker, rounded edges are preferred. Dice which are classified as polished finish are made such that the logo scalping and finishing are two distinct procedures, whereas dice which are classified as sand finish will be made such that the logo scalping and finishing are performed as a single procedure.

[0028] Conventional gaming dice may also utilize hidden letter keying in which a letter is placed under a spot on one side of the die (i.e., a letter is stamped at the bottom of the hole before the hole is filled with paint), such as the “Ace spot” (i.e., the center spot of side 3), and is viewable from an opposite side of the die. The use of glow-spot keying (i.e., a UV or laser pigment is mixed with the paint) is also common, with each die having a single glow spot, i.e., only one side of the die has the spot, such that the spot is able to glow in the presence of a black light. Finally, it is common for different casinos to require that the dice have a particular casino name, logo, and/or serial number embossed thereon. This information can be hot stamped in colors such as blue, black, silver, gold, etc. Many and/or most casinos even require that sets of dice (e.g., 5 die in a set) have the same serial number. A typical delivery order will be in the range of 100 to 1000 pairs of dice or more, all having the same logo, and with each set of five die being sequentially serial numbered such that each set of five have the same serial number.

[0029] Typically, the die which are used in the gaming industry will have a total of 21 spots. These are arranged in such a manner that side 1 (“1” designating the number of spots) is opposite side 6 (“6” designating the number of spots). Side 2 (“2” designating the number of spots) is arranged opposite side 5 (“5” designating the number of spots) and side 3 (“3” designating the number of spots) is opposite side 4 (“4” designating the number of spots). The spots are usually no deeper than 0.015″ and are filled with paint of the same density as that of the die material. The width across each of the three opposite sides should be uniform and held to a dimensional tolerance of +/−0.0005″. Parallelism between opposite sides is also controlled to within +/−0.0005″. The finish on all sides should be of the same texture, and the logo text is typically embossed in gold lettering.

[0030] Throughout the process, the dice are also subjected to quality checks and inspections, including a final inspection. These inspections can occur between the rough cutting and the diamond cutting and also after each or all of the later stages in order to ensure that the dice are being made properly.

[0031] As should be apparent, such a large number of procedures and/or such elaborate procedures for making gaming dice tend to make such dice made thereby relatively expensive. Moreover, a direct result of having so many procedures means that less dice can be produced in a given manufacturing area and in a given time period.

[0032] Accordingly, the invention is directed to the manufacture gaming dice using a more efficient process. Moreover, the present invention is directed to more inexpensively manufactured gaming dice. Because the spots are provided on the dice when it is in its final stage of manufacturing, unlike in the prior art, one can maintain a smaller inventory of unfinished dice and customize the spot printing to the customer's needs. For example, using the prior art method, one cannot change dice which have been drilled to have bird's eye spots into dice having plain spots.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0033] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, the invention provides for a method of making dice which avoids hole drilling, spotting and scalping of the spots and instead utilizes pad printing techniques to place the spots on each of the dice.

[0034] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, the invention provides for a method of making dice which avoids rough cutting, hole drilling, spotting and scalping of the spots and instead utilizes pad printing techniques to place the spots on each of the dice.

[0035] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the invention provides for a method of making dice which avoids hole drilling, spotting, scalping of the spots, logo stamping and logo scalping, and instead utilizes pad printing techniques to place the spots and the text on each of the dice.

[0036] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, the invention provides for a method of making dice which avoids rough cutting, hole drilling, spotting, scalping of the spots, logo stamping and logo scalping, and instead utilizes pad printing techniques to place the spots and the text on each of the dice.

[0037] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention, the invention provides for a method of making dice which avoids rough cutting, hole drilling, spotting, scalping of the spots, logo stamping, logo scalping and finishing, and instead utilizes pad printing techniques to place the spots and the text on each of the dice.

[0038] In accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention, the invention provides for a method of making dice which avoids cutting from stock, rough cutting, hole drilling, spotting, scalping of the spots, logo stamping, logo scalping and finishing, and instead utilizes pad printing techniques to place the spots and the text on each of the dice.

[0039] The invention further provides a method of making one or more die of a pair of dice that includes pad printing at least one of spots and text on at least one surface of the die.

[0040] The invention also provides a method of making one die or a pair of dice that includes sizing at least one die and pad printing at least one of spots and text on at least one surface of the die.

[0041] The invention also provides a method of making one die or a pair of dice that includes cutting a section from bar stock, shaping the section to form at least one die, and pad printing at least one of spots and text on at least one surface of the at least one die.

[0042] The invention additionally provides a method of making one die or a pair of dice that includes cutting a section from bar stock, shaping the section to form at least one die, and pad printing at least one of spots and text on at least one surface of the at least one die.

[0043] Further, a method of making one die or a pair of dice wherein the method includes cutting a section from bar stock, shaping the section to form at least one die, pad printing at least one spot on at least one surface of the at least one die, and pad printing text on at least one surface of the at least one die.

[0044] The invention also provides a method of making one die or a pair of dice wherein the method includes cutting a section from bar stock, shaping the section to form at least one die, stamping text on at least one surface of the at least one die, subjecting the at least one surface to finishing, and pad printing at least one spot on at least one surface of the at least one die.

[0045] The invention also provides a method of making one die or a pair of dice wherein the method includes cutting a section from bar stock, shaping the section to form at least one die, stamping text on at least one surface of the at least one die, subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to scalping, subjecting the at least one surface to finishing, and pad printing at least one spot on at least one surface of the at least one die.

[0046] The invention also provides a method of making one die or a pair of dice wherein the method includes cutting a section from bar stock, first cutting the section to form at least one die, second cutting the section, stamping text on at least one surface of the at least one die, subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to scalping, subjecting at least one surface of the at least one die to finishing, and pad printing at least one spot on at least one surface of the at least one die.

[0047] The invention additionally provides a method of making one die or a pair of dice wherein the method includes cutting a section from bar stock, first cutting the section to form at least one die, second cutting the section, stamping text on at least one surface of the at least one die, subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to scalping, subjecting at least one surface of the at least one die to finishing, and pad printing at least one spot on at least one surface of the die.

[0048] The invention additionally provides a method of making one die or a pair of dice wherein the method includes cutting a section from bar stock, first cutting the section to form at least one die, second cutting the section to finally size the at least one die, stamping text on at least one surface of the at least one die, subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to scalping, subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to finishing, and pad printing at least one spot on at least one surface of the at least one die.

[0049] The invention additionally provides a method of making a die of a pair of dice wherein the method includes cutting a section from bar stock, first cutting the section to form a cube having a first size, second cutting the section to substantially finally size the cube, stamping text on at least one surface of the cube, subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to scalping, subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to finishing, and pad printing at least one spot on the at least one surface having text stamped thereon.

[0050] Thus, the invention provides a method of making one die or a pair of dice, the method comprising pad printing at least one of spots and text on at least one surface of the die.

[0051] The method may further include sizing, before pad printing, the at least one die. The method may further include finish cutting, before pad printing, a section from bar stock. The method may further include rough cutting, before finish cutting, the section to form at least one die. The method may further include subjecting, before pad printing, the at least one surface to finishing. The method may further include before pad printing, cutting a section from bar stock, shaping the section to form the at least one die, and subjecting the at least one surface to finishing.

[0052] The method may further include, before pad printing, cutting a section from bar stock, shaping the section to form the at least one die, stamping text on at least one surface of the at least one die, and subjecting the at least one surface to finishing.

[0053] The method may further include, before pad printing, finish machining a section of material to form at least one die, stamping text on at least one surface of the at least one die, subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to scalping, and subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to finishing.

[0054] The method may further include, before pad printing, cutting a section from bar stock, first cutting the section to form at least one die, second cutting the section, stamping text on at least one surface of the at least one die, subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to scalping, subjecting at least one surface of the at least one die to finishing.

[0055] The method may further include, before pad printing, cutting a section from bar stock, first, cutting the section to form at least one die, second, cutting the section to form a cube, stamping text on at least one surface of the cube, subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to scalping, and subjecting at least one surface of the at least one die to finishing.

[0056] The method may further include, before pad printing, cutting a section from bar stock, first, cutting the section to form at least one die, second, cutting the section to finally size the at least one die, stamping text on at least one surface of the at least one die, subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to scalping, and subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to finishing.

[0057] The method may further include, before pad printing, machining a section from bar stock, first machining the section to form a cube having a first size, second machining the section to substantially finally size the cube, stamping text on at least one surface of the cube, subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to scalping, and subjecting the at least one surface having text stamped thereon to finishing.

[0058] The invention still further provides for a method of making gaming die that includes forming the gaming die with a plurality of sides, and pad printing at least one spot on at least one of the plurality of sides.

[0059] According to the invention, the forming may include sizing the gaming die. The forming may include finish cutting a section from bar stock to form the gaming die. The forming may further include rough cutting, before finish cutting, the section. The forming may include subjecting at least one of the sides to finishing. The forming may include cutting a section from bar stock, shaping the section to form the gaming die, and subjecting at least one side to finishing. The forming may include cutting a section from bar stock, shaping the section to form the gaming die, stamping text on at least one side, and subjecting the at least one side to finishing. The forming may include finish machining a section of material to form the gaming die, stamping text on at least one side, scalping the at least one side having text stamped thereon, and finishing the at least one side having text stamped thereon. The forming may include cutting a section from bar stock, first, cutting the section to form the gaming die, second, cutting the section, stamping text on at least one side, scalping the at least one side having text stamped thereon, and finishing the at least one side having text stamped thereon. The forming may include cutting a section from bar stock, first, cutting the section to form a cube, second, cutting the cube to form the gaming die, stamping text on at least one side of the gaming die, scalping the at least one side having text stamped thereon, and finishing the at least one side having text stamped thereon. The forming may include cutting a section from bar stock, first, cutting the section, second, cutting the section to finally size the gaming die, stamping text on at least one side of the gaming die, scalping the at least one surface having text stamped thereon, and finishing the at least one side having text stamped thereon. The forming may include machining a section from bar stock, first, machining the section to form a cube having a first size, second, machining the section to substantially finally size the cube, stamping text on at least one surface of the cube, scalping the at least one surface having text stamped thereon, and finishing the at least one surface having text stamped thereon. The forming may include machining a section to substantially finally size a cube, stamping text on at least one surface of the cube, scalping the at least one surface having text stamped thereon, and finishing the at least one surface having text stamped thereon. The forming may include machining a section to substantially finally size a cube, and the method may further include pad printing text on at least one of the plurality of sides.

[0060] The invention also provides for a die which is made by any of the above-noted processes.

[0061] Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawing.