U.S. patent application number 09/747479 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-24 for candle decorating kit and method.
Invention is credited to Orlandi, Janice.
Application Number | 20010001706 09/747479 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22737909 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010001706 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Orlandi, Janice |
May 24, 2001 |
Candle decorating kit and method
Abstract
The kit consists of a container holding a plurality of candles
of a first predetermined size and shape such that the candles can
be assembled together to form a regular geometric solid of a
geometric shape different from that of the individual candles.
Specific embodiments of the invention include candles shaped like
triangular prisms forming a square-cross-section solid when
assembled together, combinations of L-shaped and cylindrical
candles forming a solid of square-cross-sectional shape, as well as
candles forming solids having octagonal, hexagonal, circular, etc.
cross-sectional shapes when assembled in the kit. When removed from
the container, the candles in the kit can be arranged in a variety
of decorative patterns, including the pattern used in the kit.
Inventors: |
Orlandi, Janice; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Attention: Gregor N. Neff, Esq.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
38th Floor
919 Third Avenue
New York
NY
10022-3852
US
|
Family ID: |
22737909 |
Appl. No.: |
09/747479 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09747479 |
Dec 22, 2000 |
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09199527 |
Nov 25, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
431/289 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C11C 5/008 20130101;
B65D 85/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/289 |
International
Class: |
F23D 003/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A candle decorating kit, said kit comprising, in combination, a
container for a plurality of candles having a predetermined size
and shape such that said candles can be assembled together to form
a geometric solid of a geometric shape different from that of said
candles.
2. A kit as in claim 1 in which said shape of said solid is
selected from the group consisting a rectangular prism; hexagonal
prism; an octagonal prism; a cylinder; a pyramid; a solid with at
least one hemispherical element; a solid with at least one
frustro-conical element; an ellipsoid; and a heart-shaped
solid.
3. A kit as in claim 1 in which said container has at least one
vertical side wall and a central vertical divider wall which
extends upwardly between and above the tops of the candles in said
container and is adapted to be used as a carrying handle.
4. A kit as in claim 1 in which said container has a compartment
for holding said candles in which said compartment is shaped to
conform with the shape of said geometric solid.
5. A kit as in claim 1 in which said candles have a right
triangular cross-section and said shape is a rectangular
parallelpiped.
6. A kit as in claim 1 in which each of said candles has a flat top
wall and a flat bottom surface, at least one wick, a recess in said
top wall, and said wick being located within said recess, whereby
said candles can be stacked on top of one another with said bottom
wall of one of said candles resting on said top wall of the other
of said candles.
7. A kit as in claim 1 in which each of said candles has a
projecting part which is shaped and sized to fit into a receiving
cavity of another one of said candles, whereby said candles can be
nested together to form said geometric solid.
8. A kit as in claim 1 in which said candles have diamond and
triangular cross-sections and fit together to form a solid with a
hexagonal cross-section.
9. A kit as in claim 1 in which said candles comprise a pair of
generally L-shaped candles, each having a notch, and being of a
given height, and a rectangular candle of twice said height and
with a cross-section dimensioned to fill said notch, whereby said
candles can be assembled to form a rectangular parallelpiped with
one of said L-shaped candles being positioned atop the other and
said notches being aligned vertically, and said rectangular candle
filling said notches.
10. A method of making a candle decorating kit, said method
comprising the steps of (a) providing a plurality of candles of
size and shape predetermined to allow said candles to be assembled
together into a geometric solid of a larger size than, and a shape
different from, at least some of said candles, (b) providing a
container having a shape conforming to the shape of said solid, (c)
assembling said candles to form said solid in said container.
11. A method as in claim 10 in which said shape is selected from
the group consisting of; an octagon; a hexagon; a cylinder; a
pyramid; a cube; a solid with at least one hemispherical or
dome-shaped or frustro-conical or frustro-pyramidal element.
12. A method as in claim 10 in which said container has a central
upstanding separator wall and said assembling step comprises
positioning said candles symmetrically below the top of and on
opposite sides of said separator wall.
13. A method as in claim 10 in which each of said candles is a
prism which has a right triangular cross-section, with two
equal-length legs defining short side surfaces of the candle, and a
hypotenuse defining a wide side surface of said candle, said
container having a receiving chamber of square cross-section, said
assembling step comprising a procedure selected from the group
consisting of; placing two of said candles in a container with
their wide surfaces abutting one another, said chamber of said
container having sides whose widths are approximately equal to the
length of the legs of said triangular cross-section; and placing
four of said candles in a container whose sides have approximately
the length of the hypotenuse of said triangle, with the short side
surfaces of each candle abutting the short side surface of two
adjacent candles.
14. A method as in claim 10 in which each of said candles is a
prism which has a right triangular cross-section, with two
equal-length legs defining short side surfaces of the candle, and a
hypotenuse defining a wide side surface of said candle, said
container having a receiving chamber of square cross-section, said
assembling step comprising assembling said candles to form a
rectangular prism in said receiving chamber.
15. A method as in claim 14 in which the number of candles in said
kit is an even number and the widths of the sides of said chamber
are a multiple of the width of one of the sides of said
candles.
16. A method as in claim 14 in which the candles comprise two
L-shaped parallelpipeds with a notch and one rectangular
parallelpiped sized to fill said notches, said L-shaped candles
having flat tops with recessed wicks, said assembling step
comprising stacking said L-shaped candles atop one another and
fitting said rectangular candle into said notches whereby the
geometric solid formed is a cube.
17. A method as in claim 10 in which said candles have side walls
with a re-entrant curved shaped to nest with others of said candles
to form said solid, and said assembling step comprises nesting said
candles together.
18. A method as in claim 10 including the step of removing said
candles from said container and arranging them in a display for
decoration of an enclosed space.
19. A method as in claim 10 in which said shape is selected from
the group consisting of; a pyramid; a truncated pyramid; a stacked
array of a pyramid atop a truncated pyramid with a flat top area
the same side as the bottom of said pyramid; a heart shape; an
ellipsoid; and a star.
20. A method as in claim 10 in which at least one candle in said
plurality has a flat top surface and multiple recesses and wicks in
said top surface.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to candle decorating kits and
methods, that is, kits containing specially shaped candles which
can be used to make a variety of candle arrangements, assemblages
or tableau.
[0002] Decorative candles are produced which have widely varying
and imaginative shapes. Individual candles having a triangular,
square or cylindrical cross-sections, as well as candles molded
into a vast variety of symbolic and artistic forms, are
well-known.
[0003] Candles often are clustered together in groups to form a
decorative assemblage or array. However, the grouping usually is
selected at random by the individual decorator, and the candles are
purchased separately for assembly into a decorative array.
[0004] One problem with this approach is that the packaging and
time needed to gather the candles for such arrays can be wasteful
in terms of time and money so that the most effective decoration
using such candles can be relatively costly and time consuming.
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
overcome or alleviate the foregoing problems, and to provide a
candle decorating kit in which the candles are predesigned as a
group and packaged in a compact, efficient and relatively low cost
container so that decorative arrays can be composed from the
contents of the kit quickly, easily and at a relatively modest
cost.
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing
objects are met by the provision of a candle decorating kit and
method which preferably includes a plurality of candles fitted into
a container-in an arrangement in which they form a geometric solid
of a shape different from that of at least some of the candles in
the container.
[0007] For example, a kit is provided in which candles with
triangular and other cross-sections are assembled together in a
container to form a rectangular prismatic solid, such as a
rectangular parallelpiped, preferably a cube. This combination
provides the maximum in packaging efficiency and, unexpectedly,
provides added versatility in decoration. The added versatility
comes from the fact that the geometric solid formed by the candle
array in the package is one option for use of the candles in a
decorating scheme, in addition to using the triangular candles in
other arrays.
[0008] Also, a candle having one side wall with a re-entrant curved
surface is matched with another candle of having the mirror image
of that surface so that when fitted or "nested" together the
candles again form a rectangular parallelpiped, such as a cube.
[0009] Similarly, the candles in the kit can form a cylinder or an
octagon, or a hexagon or an ellipsoid or other geometric solid,
such as a heart, pyramid, and can include a truncated pyramid,
truncated cone, hemisphere, etc.
[0010] Another feature of the invention is that the candles have
flat tops with recessed wicks in order to permit the stable
stacking of the candles atop one another, if desired, either for
decorative effect or packaging in the kit.
[0011] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the
invention are set forth in or will be apparent from the following
descriptions and drawings.
IN THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a candle decorating kit
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another candle decorating
kit of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional view of one of the
candles in the kit of FIG. 2, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 2, showing the bottom left corner of the container of the kit
shown in FIG. 2 and the handle structure of the kit;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view which shows an alternative
handle construction for the kit;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another candle decorating
kit of the present invention;
[0018] FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22 are
top plan views of other candles arranged in decorating kits in
accordance with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
14;
[0021] FIG. 20 is a top plan view of a decorative array of
candles;
[0022] FIG. 21 is a side-elevation view of a candle decoration kit
filled with the candles shown in FIG. 20; and
[0023] FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of another kit constructed
in accordance with the present invention.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a candle decorating kit
30 constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0025] The kit 30 includes first and second triangular candles 32
and 34, and a container 36 of square cross-section and having a
handle 38 extending upwardly through a crevice 40 between the two
candles 32 and 34. The container can be made of cardboard, plastic
or other relatively inexpensive materials.
[0026] The cross-section of each of the candles 32 and 34 is a
right triangle; that is, the angles of the candle tops at the
corners 33 and 35 are 90 degrees, and each of the other angles A is
a 45 degree angle.
[0027] The surface formed at the hypotenuse of each triangle
forming the cross-section of each candle abuts against the surface
formed by the hypotenuse of the other candle, except for the fact
that the material of handle 38 separates the two.
[0028] Preferably, the height H of each candle is equal to the
width S of the assembled candle structure. Since the top of the
candles is formed of two right triangles, the top is a square so
that all four sides of the assembled candle structure are of equal
length S, and the candle array forms a cube.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 3 as well as FIG. 1, each of the
candles 32 and 34 (as well as all other candles described in this
patent application, except as noted) has a wick 44 located in a
recess 42 in the flat top of the candle.
[0030] The candle kit 30 rests upon a platform 41 with legs 46
which can be used to support the candle structure, if desired.
[0031] When the candles are removed from the container 36, they can
be arranged in any pattern desired. In fact, if desired, the two
triangle candles can be arranged in the same pattern as when they
were when contained in the kit; that is, forming a cube having two
wicks. That cube can rest on the platform 41, or can be placed on
any other flat surface desired.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows another kit 47 of the invention with four
triangular candles like those in FIG. 1. Accordingly, two of the
candles are indicated by reference numerals 32 and 34. The other
two candles 48 and 50 are of identical triangular shape. Each has a
wick 44 in a recess 42 on a flat top.
[0033] The triangular candles are arranged with their short sides S
abutting rather than their long sides or hypotenuses abutting as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0034] A square cross-section container 52 is provided with a
handle 54 extending upwardly into the gap between opposite pairs of
candles. The width W of the candle array is equal to the length W,
and the height H is also equal to the width so that the candle
structure 47 again is a cube. For the sake of clarity in the
drawings, the candles shown in FIG. 2 are larger than those shown
in FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2
through the candle 50. The candle 50 and each other candle in this
patent application has a flat top 51 and a flat bottom 53. The top
of the wick 44 of the candle extends upwardly through a recess 42
in the top of the candle and is trimmed so that its tip is even
with, or slightly below or slightly above the top of the candle. By
this means, a flat top surface is formed so that two candles can be
stacked on top of one another without interference by the wick.
Thus, the candles can be stacked stably to form an array for
packaging in the kit, or for decoration.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, two alternative structures
for the formation of the handle 54 or 38 are shown.
[0037] In the FIG. 4 structure, the handle 54 is formed by two
panels 60 and 62 integral with the container and folded over on one
another. The two side walls of the container adjacent the rear left
corner of the container are shown by reference numbers 57 and 58.
Reference number 56 indicates the bottom wall of the container. A
flap 59 extends outwardly from the rear edge of the panel 62 and is
wrapped around the rear edge of the panel 60 and bears against the
wall 58.
[0038] A further flap 61 extends from the flap 59 and rests on the
bottom wall 56 underneath the candles 50 and 32 and the lower edges
of the panels 60 and 62.
[0039] The opposite edges of the panels 60 and 61 (not shown) are
attached to the side walls of the container. Thus, when the kit is
lifted by the handle 54, the weight of the candles is supported by
the flap 61 and this holds the container together. Thus, the
container walls and the handle can be made of a single folded piece
of cardboard.
[0040] The alternative structure down in FIG. 5 shows the panels 60
and 62 as separate panels secured by adhesives at 64 to the bottom
panel 58 of the container 52.
[0041] The central location of the handle 54 or 38 makes it
convenient for carrying the decoration kit. Of course, the
centrally located slot between pairs of candles or between candles
themselves provides a central location for the handle, thus
allowing the structure to be well balanced when being carried.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another candle kit 66
constructed in accordance with the invention. The candle kit 66
consists of a pair of L-shaped candles 68 and 70 of the same size,
and a rectangular candle 72 which is twice the height of the other
two candles and has a width Y such as to fit into the notch
indicated generally at 75 cut into the otherwise square shapes of
the candles 68 and 70. Thus, when the individual candles are
assembled in the shape shown in FIG. 6, they again form a
rectangular parallelpiped structure. Preferably, the height N of
the structure is equal to the width Z of the structure so that
again the package of assembled parts forms a cube. The thickness M
of each of the two L-shaped candles is equal to one-half of the
height N of the rectangular candle 72. When these candles are
removed from the package, they can be used in many different
arrangements, such as one in which each of the L-shaped candles
surrounds a portion of the base of the rectangular candle, with the
L-shaped candles on opposite sides. Many other arrangements are
possible, including ones with one of the candles 68 remaining atop
the other.
[0043] Each of the candles 68 and 70 has three receptacles 42 and
wicks 44.
[0044] Additional wicks can be added to or subtracted from each of
the candles shown in this patent application as long as proper
candle construction principles are adhered to so as to not place
the wick too close to one side of the candle and create
melt-through or other damage to the candles.
[0045] FIG. 7 shows an octagonal kit 76 of the present invention.
Each of the individual candles 78 is a triangle 78 with a wick 44
and recess 42 in the top. Each triangular cross-section of each
candle has an included angle of B which is equal to 45 degrees.
[0046] Although it is not shown, the container holding the kit 76
also preferably is of octagonal shape and can have a handle, such
as the handle 38 or 54, extending upwardly through the gap between
two halves of the array of candles.
[0047] Again, the candles 78 can be arranged in a variety of
different patterns pleasing to the individual eye and tastes,
either in the pattern shown in FIG. 7, or another pattern.
[0048] FIG. 8 shows a cylindrical array 80 of four triangular
candles 82, each of which has an included angle C equal to 90
degrees. The cross-section of each candle has essentially the shape
of a sector of a circle. Preferably, the container (not shown) for
the candle array 80 is cylindrical, and a handle also is provided,
as in the preceding embodiments of the invention.
[0049] FIG. 9 shows a variation of the candle structure shown in
FIG. 2. The arrangement of four candles 47 shown in FIG. 2 is at
the center of the array 84. Another row of identical triangular
candles is arranged as shown around the perimeter of the array 47.
These candles 86 thus form a new and larger array of square
cross-section whose dimensions are 2L and 2W, respectively.
[0050] It can be seen readily that the square formed by the
triangular candles shown in FIG. 2 can be increased in size almost
indefinitely simply by adding circumferential rows of suitably
arranged candles or the same shape. Thus, the kit can have a length
and width equal to multiples of the length L and width W of the
unit shown in FIG. 2. The size of the array in FIG. 1 also can be
increased in the same way, except that the cross-section of the
resulting solid will be a rectangle instead of a square.
[0051] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a candle array 86 of
hexagonal shape. The container for the array 46 preferably is
hexagonal in shape, and has a centrally-located handle.
[0052] The array 86 includes two triangular shaped candles 88 and
90 whose included angle D is equal to 60 degrees, and two candles
92 and 94 with diamond shaped cross-sections, arranged between the
candles 88 and 90 as shown. The included angle of each of the
diamond shaped candles is equal to 2D or 120 degrees.
[0053] Each of the diamond shaped candles has two wicks 44 and
recesses 42.
[0054] FIG. 11 shows another candle decoration kit 96 comprised of
two nesting candles 98 and 100 and a container (not shown). Each of
the two halves of the candle has one wall having a re-entrant
shape, such as at 102 and 104, which perfectly matches a wall of
the other half of the other candle structure so that when the two
halves are mated together or nested, as shown in FIG. 11, they
again form a square in which the length L and the width W are the
same.
[0055] A handle similar to handle 54 is provided. It is bent to
conform to the curves 102 and 104.
[0056] Each of the candles 98 and 100 has at least two wicks 44 and
recesses 42.
[0057] FIG. 12 shows another example of a nesting candle pair. The
kit 102 consists of two candles 104 and 106 shaped on their outside
surface so that when they are assembled together with the curved
surfaces at 108 nested into one another, the overall outline of the
candle assembly is that of a heart. Again, two wicks 44 and two
recesses 42 are provided for each half of the candle.
[0058] Preferably, the container for the candle assembly 102 also
is heart-shaped so that the assembly shown in FIG. 12 will quite
often be used as the decoration provided by the kit. Again, as with
the FIG. 11 embodiment, a bent handle can be used.
[0059] FIG. 13 shows a kit 110 with a cylindrical candle assembly.
A cylindrical container (not shown) is used. The assembly consists
of a cylindrical core candle 122 and four segments 112, 114, 116
and 118 forming a circle on the outside surface when assembled
together along curved lines 120. Each of the segments 120 is
separable from the core and from the other segments to form
individual candles in a decorative array.
[0060] Preferably, each of the five segments of the candle kit 110
has at least one wick and recess 42.
[0061] FIG. 14 shows a stacked candle kit 122 consisting of a top
pyramid 124 with a wick 44 extending from the top (and a recess 42,
if necessary) stacked atop of a truncated pyramid 126 whose top
surface area and shape match that of the bottom surface of the
pyramid 124.
[0062] The truncated pyramid 126 is stacked on top of rectangular
candle arrays 128 and 130 whose cross-section matches that of the
bottom of the pyramid 126.
[0063] The kit 122 preferably has a specially-shaped container (not
shown) to hold the pyramid 124 in place to keep it from sliding
around in the package. The kit forms a unique pyramidal structure.
The array can be left in that form, if desired for decorative
purposes, or the parts can be arranged in other patterns.
[0064] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the candle array in the kit
122 illustrating the fact that there are several wicks and recesses
42 in each of the rectangular candle arrays 128 and 130, and a
single recess 42 and wick 44 in the top surface of the candle
126.
[0065] Although each candle array 128, 130 can be solid, preferably
the candle 128 array is made, like the array 30 of FIG. 1, of two
right triangular candles 123 and 125. Similarly, candle array 130
is made of four right triangular candles 127, 129, 131 and 133,
like the array shown in FIG. 2.
[0066] FIG. 16 shows another group of nested candles consisting of
a triangular base 133, a smaller triangle 136 with a recess 140
into which the upper point of the triangle 138 fits, and a third
triangle 134 with a recess 142 into which the top of the triangle
136 fits. Each of the candles has from one to three recesses and
wicks.
[0067] As it can be seen in FIG. 16, the assembled candles form a
shape imitating that of a Christmas tree. Again, the candle 138 is
a triangular prism, as are the candles 134 and 136 except for the
presence of a notch 140 or 142 into which the other candle parts
are nested.
[0068] FIG. 17 shows an elliptical candle kit 144 consisting of two
individual candles 146 and 148. Each has a curved surface 150 which
nests with a matching surface so that when the halves are assembled
together they form a candle array with an elliptical cross-section.
Preferably, the container (not shown) also has an elliptical
cross-sectional shape, and a bent handle can be used.
[0069] FIG. 18 shows a candle decorating kit 152 in which the
candles also form a cube when assembled together. The
cross-sections of the candles match the shapes of the components of
an old Chinese puzzle known as a "tangram". Specifically, the array
contains two right triangles 154 and 156 occupying half of the
space of the square cross-section of the array, three other smaller
right triangles 158, 160 and 164, a square 162, and a parallelogram
166.
[0070] As it is well known, these specific shapes may be assembled
together to form various figures, such as human imitations and
imitations of animals, etc. This is merely another example of
diverse candle shapes which can be planned and selected as to size
and shape so as to form other geometric solids when assembled
together.
[0071] FIG. 19 is another cubic candle kit 168, also with a square
container (not shown) with four candles 167, 169, 170 and 171. Two
of the candles 169 and 170 are rectangular, and two, 169 and 170,
are L-shaped. When they candles are nested together, as shown in
FIG. 19, they form a square.
[0072] FIG. 20 shows a decorative array 172 of candles formed by
use of a cylindrical candle kit 184 shown in FIG. 21. The candle
kit 184 consists of a cylindrical container 185 containing five
short cylindrical candles 174, 176, 178, 180 and 182.
[0073] FIG. 21 shows those candles arranged in the array 172 in
which the candle 182 rests atop a portion of each of the other four
candles to elevate it above the other candles. Thus, all five
candles can burn simultaneously and form a pleasing display. This
is only one example of the many ways in which the candle components
can be assembled into a decorative structure.
[0074] FIG. 22 shows a candle decoration kit 186 including rounded
or hemispherical elements and vertically nested elements. The first
candle 188 is dome-shaped with a wick 44 and a flat bottom which
rests in a recess 192 in the top of a truncated inverted, rounded,
frustro-conical candle 190. The flat bottom of the candle 190 fits
into a recess 194 in the top of a hemispherical candle 196 with a
flat bottom 197 which rests on the flat top of a frustro-conical
candle 198. Each candle 190, 196 and 198 has at least one recessed
wick.
[0075] The recesses 192 and 194 which also can be used with other
candles to be stacked on top of one another, are provided to
prevent the top candle from easily sliding off the candle upon
which it rests.
[0076] As it is readily apparent from the foregoing, the invention
satisfies the objectives set forth above admirably. The fact that
each of the arrays of candles forms a compact geometric solid makes
it efficient in the usage of packaging materials and shipping and
storage space until it is removed from the package for use in
decoration.
[0077] An added benefit is obtained when the geometric solid formed
by the array of candles in the kit container is useful itself in
decorating. Therefore, a dual purpose is served by the unique
candle decorating kits provided by the present invention.
[0078] The candle decorating kits also have symmetry and balance in
appearance. This is apparent in many of the embodiments of the
invention, such as those shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6-17, and 19-22.
[0079] The kits also maintain a sense of proportion of components
in the kits to the whole solid structure or tableau formed by the
candles. Harmony thus is maintained.
[0080] The above description of the invention is intended to be
illustrative and not limiting. Various changes or modifications in
the embodiments described may occur to those skilled in the art.
These can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention.
* * * * *