U.S. patent application number 09/726489 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-13 for spray dispensing device with nozzle closure.
Invention is credited to Meshberg, Philip.
Application Number | 20010020627 09/726489 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24918815 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010020627 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meshberg, Philip |
September 13, 2001 |
Spray dispensing device with nozzle closure
Abstract
Nozzle closures which are mounted for pivoting movement from a
closed to an open position are used with a spray dispensing device.
In the open position, the nozzle closure moves away from the spray
nozzle on an actuator and a spray opening in a surrounding wall,
allowing fluid to dispensed through the nozzle from a pump or
aerosol valve, as the actuator is depressed. In the closed
position, the nozzle closure pivots into a position where a first
projection enters at least partially into the spray nozzle. The
projection acts to seal the spray nozzle against air, thereby
preventing drying of any fluid in the nozzle and reducing the
chance that the spray nozzle will become clogged. The nozzle
closure also includes a second projection which fits into a recess
in the actuator and serves to provide resistance against depression
of the actuator, thereby providing a locking function for the
actuator to prevent accidental discharge from the spray nozzle. The
sealing finger completely covers a spray opening in a wall
surrounding the actuator.
Inventors: |
Meshberg, Philip; (Boynton
Beach, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENYON & KENYON
ONE BROADWAY
NEW YORK
NY
10004
US
|
Family ID: |
24918815 |
Appl. No.: |
09/726489 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09726489 |
Dec 1, 2000 |
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09258945 |
Mar 1, 1999 |
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6247613 |
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09258945 |
Mar 1, 1999 |
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08774338 |
Dec 30, 1996 |
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5875932 |
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08774338 |
Dec 30, 1996 |
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08419499 |
Apr 10, 1995 |
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5620113 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/1 ;
222/153.13; 222/321.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 11/0097 20130101;
B05B 11/3046 20130101; B05B 11/0037 20130101; B05B 11/0059
20130101; B05B 11/3018 20130101; B05B 11/3059 20130101; B05B
11/0013 20130101; B05B 11/3047 20130101; B05B 11/0038 20180801;
B05B 11/3074 20130101; B05B 15/30 20180201; B05B 11/3077 20130101;
B05B 11/0032 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/1 ;
222/153.13; 222/321.9 |
International
Class: |
G01F 011/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A spray dispensing device, comprising: an actuator, the actuator
including a spray nozzle and an opening adjacent the spray nozzle,
the actuator dispensing spray through the spray nozzle when the
actuator is depressed; a wall at least partially surrounding the
actuator, the wall including a spray opening, the spray nozzle
being aligned with the spray opening during dispensing whereby
spray exiting the spray nozzle passes through the spray opening; a
nozzle closure, the nozzle closure including a first projection,
the first projection fitting into the opening adjacent the spray
nozzle thereby sealing the spray nozzle, the nozzle closure further
including a hinge allowing pivotal movement of the nozzle closure
from a closed position, at which the projection fits into the
opening in the wall adjacent the spray nozzle and the nozzle
closure closes the spray opening, to an open position, where the
spray opening is open to permit the spray to pass through the spray
opening when the actuator is depressed; a second projection on the
closure between the hinge and the projection; and a recess in the
actuator, the projection engaging the recess when the nozzle
closure is in a closed position, the second projection preventing
actuation of the actuator when the nozzle closure is closed.
2. The spray dispensing device of claim 1, wherein: the hinge
pivots about an axis parallel to a direction of actuation of the
actuator.
3. The spray dispensing device of claim 1, wherein: the hinge
pivots about an axis perpendicular to a direction of actuation of
the actuator.
4. The spray dispensing device of claim 4, wherein: the wall
opening is defined by two parallel edges, the edges having formed
therein opposed slots, the hinge inserted and retained in the
slots.
5. The spray dispensing device of claim 1, wherein: the actuator is
coupled to an aerosol valve.
6. The spray dispensing device of claim 1, wherein: the first
projection is an annular sealing rim.
7. The spray dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the second
projection is tapered.
8. A method of dispensing spray, comprising: providing an actuator
including a spray nozzle and an opening adjacent the spray nozzle,
surrounding the actuator with a wall including a spray opening with
which the spray nozzle is aligned, and a nozzle closure including a
first projection; pivoting the nozzle closure away from the spray
nozzle and the spray opening to an open position; depressing the
actuator to thereby dispense spray through the spray nozzle and the
spray opening; pivoting the nozzle closure toward the spray nozzle
and spray opening to a closed position so that the projection fits
into the opening adjacent the spray nozzle thereby sealing the
spray nozzle and the nozzle closure closes the spray opening in the
wall; engaging a second projection on the nozzle closure with a
recess in the actuator to prevent accidental discharge when in the
closed position.
9. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of pivoting comprises
pivoting about an axis parallel to a direction of actuation of the
nozzle.
10. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of pivoting comprises
pivoting about an axis perpendicular to a direction of actuation of
the nozzle.
11. A spray dispensing device, comprising: an aerosol dispenser
including a closed container having an aerosol valve mounted
thereon; an actuator, the actuator including a spray nozzle and an
opening adjacent the spray nozzle mounted on the aerosol valve, the
actuator operating the aerosol valve and dispensing spray through
the spray nozzle when the actuator is depressed; a wall at least
partially surrounding the actuator, the wall including a spray
opening, the spray nozzle being aligned with the spray opening
during dispensing whereby spray exiting the spray nozzle passes
through the spray opening, the wall mounted to the container; a
nozzle closure, the nozzle closure including a first projection,
the first projection fitting into the opening adjacent the spray
nozzle thereby sealing the spray nozzle, the nozzle closure further
including a hinge allowing pivotal movement of the nozzle closure
from a closed position, at which the projection fits into the
opening in the wall adjacent the spray nozzle and the nozzle
closure closes the spray opening, to an open position, where the
spray opening is open to permit the spray to pass through the spray
opening when the actuator is depressed; a second projection on the
closure between the hinge and the projection; and a recess in the
actuator, the second projection engaging the recess when the nozzle
closure is in a closed position, the projection preventing
actuation of the actuator when the nozzle closure is closed.
12. The spray dispensing device of claim 11, wherein: the hinge
pivots about an axis parallel to a direction of actuation of the
actuator.
13. The spray dispensing device of claim 11, wherein: the hinge
pivots about an axis perpendicular to a direction of actuation of
the actuator.
14. The spray dispensing device of claim 13, wherein: the wall
opening is defined by two parallel edges, the edges having formed
therein opposed slots, the hinge inserted and retained in the
slots.
15. The spray dispensing device of claim 1, wherein: the first
projection is an annular sealing rim.
16. The spray dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the second
projection is tapered.
17. The spray dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the wall is
part of a mounting cap that is press fit onto the container.
18. The spray dispensing device of claim 17, wherein the aerosol
valve is mounted to the contained with a mounting cup and the
mounting cap is press fit onto the mounting cup containing the
aerosol valve.
19. A spray dispensing device, comprising: a pump dispenser
including a closed container having pump with a projecting stem
mounted thereon; an actuator, the actuator including a spray nozzle
and an opening adjacent the spray nozzle mounted on the pump stem,
the actuator operating the pump and dispensing spray through the
spray nozzle when the actuator is depressed; a wall at least
partially surrounding the actuator, the wall including a spray
opening, the spray nozzle being aligned with the spray opening
during dispensing whereby spray exiting the spray nozzle passes
through the spray opening, the wall mounted to the container; a
nozzle closure, the nozzle closure including a first projection,
the first projection fitting into the opening adjacent the spray
nozzle thereby sealing the spray nozzle, the nozzle closure further
including a hinge allowing pivotal movement of the nozzle closure
from a closed position, at which the projection fits into the
opening in the wall adjacent the spray nozzle and the nozzle
closure closes the spray opening, to an open position, where the
spray opening is open to permit the spray to pass through the spray
opening when the actuator is depressed; a second projection on the
closure between the hinge and the projection; and a recess in the
actuator, the second projection engaging the recess when the nozzle
closure is in a closed position, the projection preventing
actuation of the actuator when the nozzle closure is closed.
20. The spray dispensing device of claim 19, wherein: the hinge
pivots about an axis parallel to a direction of actuation of the
actuator.
21. The spray dispensing device of claim 19, wherein: the hinge
pivots about an axis perpendicular to a direction of actuation of
the actuator.
22. The spray dispensing device of claim 21, wherein: the wall
opening is defined by two parallel edges, the edges having formed
therein opposed slots, the hinge inserted and retained in the
slots.
23. The spray dispensing device of claim 19, wherein: the first
projection is an annular sealing rim.
24. The spray dispensing device of claim 19, wherein the second
projection is tapered.
25. The spray dispensing device of claim 19, wherein the wall is
part of a mounting cap that is snapped onto the container.
26. The spray dispensing device of claim 19, wherein the wall is
part of a mounting cap that is screwed onto a neck of the
container.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/258,945, filed Mar. 1, 1999, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/774,338, filed Dec. 30, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,932,
issued Mar. 2, 1999, which is a division of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 08/419,499, filed Apr. 10, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No.
5,620,113, issued Apr. 15, 1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a spray dispensing device
with a closure for the spray nozzle. In particular, the present
invention relates to a closure which includes structure to provide
a seal for a dispensing nozzle to prevent air or contaminants from
causing clogging, and which also includes separate structure to
lock the dispensing actuator when it is not in use.
[0003] In my previous applications listed above, embodiments of
nozzle closures which are mounted for pivoting movement from a
closed to an open position are used with a spray dispensing device.
In the open position, the nozzle closure moves away from the spray
nozzle on an actuator and a spray opening in a surrounding wall,
allowing fluid to dispensed through the nozzle, as the actuator is
depressed. In the closed position, the nozzle closure pivots into a
position where a projection enters at least partially into the
spray nozzle. The projection acts to seal the spray nozzle against
air, thereby preventing drying of any fluid in the nozzle and
reducing the chance that the spray nozzle will become clogged. The
nozzle closure in these embodiments also serves to provide
resistance against depression of the actuator, to prevent
accidental discharge from the spray nozzle.
[0004] Although, these embodiments have proven effective, I have
found that, in some cases, the projection does not provide
sufficient resistance against accidental discharge, particularly in
the case where the source of material for the spray nozzle is an
aerosol valve. Thus, there is a need for a better nozzle closure
which more positively prevents accidental discharge.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a
spray dispensing device includes an actuator with a spray nozzle
and an opening adjacent the spray nozzle. The actuator dispenses
spray through the spray nozzle when the actuator is depressed to
operate a pump or an aerosol valve. A wall including the spray
opening at least partially surrounds the actuator and the spray
nozzle is aligned with the spray opening during dispensing whereby
spray exiting the spray nozzle passes through the spray opening.
Also included is a nozzle closure, with a first projection and a
second projection. The first projection fits into the opening
adjacent the spray nozzle thereby sealing the spray nozzle. The
nozzle closure has a hinge allowing pivotal movement of the nozzle
closure from a closed position, at which the projection fits into
the opening in the wall adjacent the spray nozzle and the nozzle
closure closes the spray opening, to an open position, where the
spray opening is open to permit the spray to pass through the spray
opening when the actuator is depressed. The second projection is
placed on the closure between the hinge and the first projection
and fits in a recess in the actuator, engaging the recess when the
nozzle closure is in a closed position and preventing actuation of
the actuator when the nozzle closure is closed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled package
including a first embodiment of a nozzle closure of the present
invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a top view of the actuator and mounting cap of the
embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section of the view of FIG. 2;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the actuator and mounting
cap of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the upper end of a
container, showing two positions of a second embodiment of a nozzle
closure of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through line 6-6 of FIG. 7,
of the spray nozzle closure of the embodiment of FIG. 5;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a front view of the spray nozzle closure of the
embodiment of FIG. 5;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a top cross-sectional view through line 8-8 of the
spray nozzle closure of the embodiment of FIG. 5;
[0014] FIG. 9 is a front view of the of the upper end of a
container, showing the spray nozzle closure of the embodiment of
FIG. 5;
[0015] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a
nozzle closure of the present invention, in an open position;
[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11,
in a closed position;
[0017] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 10,
from below showing an internal thread.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a fourth
embodiment of a nozzle closure of the present invention, in an open
position.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of
FIG. 13 in a closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIGS. 1-4 show a container 402 with a mounting cap 417 which
includes a first embodiment of the nozzle closure of the present
invention. Details of the container 402 and mounting cap are
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,875,932 and 5,620,113, the
disclosures of which patents are incorporated herein by reference.
The mounting cap 417 shown in FIGS. 1-4 is particularly effective
in ensuring a leakproof and easy-to-assemble mounting of pump 12
onto container portion 402 without the need for complicated molding
of container portion 402. Mounting cap 417 includes an interior
piston portion 480, which slides in and seals against an interior
sealing surface of container portion 402.
[0021] Container portion 402 also includes, at its upper end, an
angled snap rim extending around the entire circumference of
container portion 402. The snap rim includes a lower snap surface,
and mounting cap 417 includes an exterior snap flange 486 which is
used to secure and seal mounting cap 417 to container portion 402.
The container portion 402 may include a bottom closure 217 with an
inner piston portion 200 and an exterior snap flange 286.
[0022] FIGS. 2-4 show the details of the first embodiment of spray
nozzle closure for sealing the nozzle 9 on actuator 6. An
upstanding wall 403 on mounting cap 417 has mounted thereon, by way
of a vertical hinge 440, a sealing finger 404. Hinge 440 can be of
any known type, including a molded pin on upstanding wall 403
fitting within a hole in the cylindrical portion 441 of sealing
finger 404. Thought the mounting described above, since it is part
of the mounting cap 417, wall 403 is mounted to container portion
402. This arrangement allows the sealing finger 404 to be
detachably connected to the wall 403, which remains fixed to
container portion 402. Cylindrical portion 441 of sealing finger
404 fits within a semi-circular recess 442 in actuator 6. The fit
between cylindrical portion 441 and recess 442 ensures that
actuator 6 may not be rotated such that spray nozzle 9 is not
aligned with spray opening 425 in upstanding wall 403. Sealing
finger 404 also includes a tapered projection 446. Actuator 6 has a
matching recess 448.
[0023] Sealing finger 404, when it is desired to dispense fluid, in
the form of spray, from container portion 402, is pivoted away from
the spray nozzle 9, to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.
Thereafter, the actuator is depressed, and spray exits the spray
nozzle 9 through spray opening 425. After dispensing, the sealing
finger 404 is pivoted towards spray nozzle 9, so that a projection
in the form of an annular sealing rim 445 engages in an opening
adjacent the spray nozzle 9. This engagement seals the nozzle 9
from the encroachment of air or other debris into spray nozzle 9,
thereby preventing clogging of the nozzle 9 between dispensing
strokes. In the closed position, shown in FIG. 3, the sealing
finger 404 completely covers spray opening 425. In this closed
position the engagement of projection 446 with recess 448 acts to
prevent the actuator 6 from being depressed, thereby locking the
actuator 6 against accidental discharge. In this embodiment the
hinge rotates about an axis parallel to the direction of
actuation.
[0024] FIGS. 5-9 show the features of a second embodiment of a
nozzle closure with a spray orifice sealing device of the present
invention. Upstanding wall portion 3 of a mounting cap or integral
container has mounted thereon, on opposite sides of the spray
opening 25, a bearing in the form of lugs 905. Lugs 905 have a
front opening 906 through which the sealing finger 904 lower end
may be inserted. Sealing finger 904 includes a hinge 907 mounted on
a front surface 908 of sealing finger 904. This arrangement allows
the sealing finger 904 to be detachably connected to the wall 3.
Hinge 907 includes a flattened surface 909, and other than
flattened surface 909, is cylindrical in shape. Lugs 905 define an
opening which is cylindrical in shape, except for a flattened
section 910. Hinge 907 therefore rotates in the opening in lugs
905, but snap-locks into the position shown as 904 when the
flattened surface 909 interacts with flattened section 910. In this
embodiment the hinge rotates about an axis perpendicular to the
direction of actuation. Sealing finger 904 includes a closure
projection 911 which is shaped so as to sealingly fit within the
opening surrounding the spray orifice on the actuator. Accordingly,
in the position shown as 904 in FIG. 5, the closure portion 911
projects into, and seals, the opening around the spray orifice,
preventing air from entering the spray orifice and drying out the
liquid in the dispenser. This sealing prevents any potential
clogging of the spray orifice. In the position shown as 904' in
FIG. 5, the sealing finger 904 is snapped into a position away from
the spray orifice, where the sealing finger 904 will not interfere
with the spray from the spray orifice. At the same time the
engagement of a projection 915 with a recess 917 acts to prevent
the actuator 6 from being depressed, thereby locking the actuator 6
against accidental discharge.
[0025] Sealing finger 904 is designed so that front surface 908
lies flush with the outer surface of upstanding wall 3. In
addition, sealing finger 904 is easily inserted into lugs 905,
thereby allowing easy interchangeability of sealing finger 904 onto
upstanding wall 3, so that sealing fingers 904 having different
colors, different closure portion 911 sizes and shapes, etc., may
be placed on upstanding wall 3. Furthermore, sealing finger 904
completely fills the spray opening 25 when closure portion 911 is
engaged with the spray orifice opening on the actuator so that
dirt, sand, or lint does not clog spray opening 25. As with the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the embodiment of FIGS. 5-9, as noted
above, also locks the actuator 6 against accidental discharge, upon
insertion of projection 915 into recess 917.
[0026] FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views of a third embodiment
which is a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 5-9. Upstanding
wall portion 103 of a mounting cap 117 includes a spray opening
125. This mounting cap 117 may be mounted on a container as shown
in FIG. 1. Alternatively, mounting cap 117 may be a screw-on cap as
shown in FIG. 12. As illustrated the inside portion of the cap 117
may contain threads 151 for screwing onto a container having a
threaded neck.
[0027] Sealing finger 104 includes a horizontal hinge 107 disposed
at the base of a slots 199 formed in wall portion 103 at opposing
sides of opening 125. A bump 197, past which hinge 47 must be
pressed prevent the hinge from coming out of the slot once it is
pushed into place. Hinge 107 therefore allows sealing finger 104 to
rotate relative to wall portion 103 from an open position (FIG. 10)
to a closed position (FIG. 11). Sealing finger 104 includes a
projection in the form of an annular sealing rim 145 which is
shaped so as to sealingly fit within the opening 147 surrounding
the spray orifice 109 on the actuator 6. Sealing finger 104 also
includes a tapered projection 146 which is shaped so as to tightly
fit within an opening 148 on the actuator 6 to positively prevent
accidental discharge when the sealing finger 104 is in the closed
position.
[0028] Accordingly, in the position shown in FIG. 11, the annular
sealing rim 145 projects into, and seals, the opening around the
spray orifice 109, preventing air from entering the spray orifice
109 and drying out the liquid in the dispenser. This sealing
prevents any potential clogging of the spray orifice 109. At the
same time, in the position shown in FIGS. 10, the sealing finger
104 is moved to a position away from the spray orifice 109, where
the sealing finger 104 will not interfere with the spray from the
spray orifice and does not block the spray opening 125.
[0029] Sealing finger 104 is designed so that front surface 108
lies flush with the outer surface of upstanding wall 103. As a
result of the insertion of the hinge of the sealing finger into
slots, sealing finger 104 is easily inserted into, and removed
from, the mounting cap or cap 117, thereby allowing easy
interchangeability of sealing finger 104, so that sealing fingers
104 having different colors, different annular sealing rim 145
sizes and shapes, etc., may be placed on the mounting cap 117. This
arrangement allows the sealing finger 104 to be detachably
connected to the wall 103. Furthermore, sealing finger 104
completely fills the spray opening 125 when annular sealing rim 145
is engaged with the spray orifice 109 opening on the actuator 6 so
that dirt, sand, or lint does not clog spray opening 125.
[0030] As noted above, the embodiment of FIGS. 10-12 also includes
a feature for positively locking the actuator 6 against accidental
discharge. Sealing finger 104 includes a locking projection 146
which fits in a recess 148 of actuator 6 when the sealing finger
104 is in the closed position (FIG. 11). The locking projection 146
in this position therefore prevents the actuator 6 from being
depressed downwardly, thereby preventing accidental discharge from
the spray orifice 109. In the open positions shown in FIGS. 10, the
locking projection 146 moves away from the actuator 6, thereby
allowing depression of the actuator 6 and spray dispensing through
the spray orifice 109.
[0031] The embodiment of FIG. 1 is directed to a pump. However, the
actuators with spray nozzles described herein may also be used with
aerosol valves. A specific example of an embodiment of the present
invention used with an aerosol valve is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
FIGS. 13 and 14 show an aerosol container 502 with a mounting cap
517 which includes an embodiment of the nozzle closure of the
present invention of the general nature shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
The mounting cap 517 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 includes a
cylindrical skirt 519 which engages a beaded rim 523 of a mounting
cup 521, at the top of the aerosol container 502, with a press fit
attaching mounting cap 517, and with it wall 503, to container 502.
Container 502 includes, at its upper end, a beaded rim 523
extending around its entire circumference. In conventional fashion,
this is part of mounting cup 521. Mounting cup 521 contains an
aerosol valve 525 and has as its purpose mounting the aerosol valve
525 to the top of container 502.
[0032] The construction and operation of sealing finger 504 with
its sealing rim 545 and its tapered projection 546 is as described
in connection with FIGS. 10 and 11. Sealing finger 504 is shown in
the open position in FIG. 13 and in the closed position in FIG.
14.
[0033] The slots 599 in wall 503 by means of which the hinge of the
sealing finger 504 is retained are visible, as is the recess 548
into which projection 546 is inserted when the sealing finger 504
is closed. The manner in which sealing rim 545 fits into the recess
547 surrounding the nozzle is shown in FIG. 14. In this embodiment,
with an aerosol valve, accidental actuation is more of a danger and
the positive locking effect of projection 546 fitting into matching
recess 548 is even more important.
[0034] Of course, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art
that a variety of variations may be made in the construction of the
above invention without departing from the claims. As such, the
scope of the above invention is be limited only by the claims
appended hereto.
* * * * *