U.S. patent application number 09/752310 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for sportsball and manufacturing method thereof.
Invention is credited to Ou, Tsung Ming.
Application Number | 20020086749 09/752310 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25025757 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020086749 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ou, Tsung Ming |
July 4, 2002 |
Sportsball and manufacturing method thereof
Abstract
A sportsball includes a ball cover, a bladder disposed in the
ball cover, and a stress absorbing layer provided between the ball
cover and the bladder. The ball cover has a valve hole provided
thereon and consists of a plurality of panels each having a
predetermined shape connected edge to edge to form a roundness
shape. The bladder includes a rubber bladder ball, an exterior web
layer integrally adhered on an outer surface of the bladder ball,
and a valve stem which is mounted on the bladder ball and is
outwardly extended through the valve hole of the ball cover for air
inflation. The stress absorbing layer consists of a plurality of
sheets each has a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of
the panel and each sheet is attached to an inner surface of the
panel of the ball cover to provide a uniform thickness of the ball
cover. Therefore, the stress absorbing layer is adapted for not
only increasing a contact area between the bladder and the ball
cover but also evenly distributing and absorbing an impact force
and a stress applied on the sportsball.
Inventors: |
Ou, Tsung Ming; (Kaohsiung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Raymond Yat Chiu Chan
1050 Oakdale Ave.
Arcadia
CA
91006
US
|
Family ID: |
25025757 |
Appl. No.: |
09/752310 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/604 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 41/08 20130101;
A63B 41/00 20130101; A63B 2208/12 20130101; A63B 2243/0025
20130101; A63B 2041/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/604 |
International
Class: |
A63B 041/00; A63B
041/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sportsball, comprising: a ball cover having a valve hole
provided thereon and a plurality of panels each having a
predetermined shape connected edge to edge to form a roundness
shape; a bladder which is disposed inside said ball cover
comprising a bladder ball, an exterior web layer integrally
attached on a predetermined area of an outer surface of the bladder
ball, and a valve stem which is mounted on said bladder ball and is
outwardly extended to an exterior of said ball cover through said
valve hole for air inflation, wherein said web layer comprises at
least an elongated strengthened thread evenly wound around said
outer surface of said bladder ball in such a manner that said
strengthened thread is overlapped to form said web layer to
entirely embrace said bladder ball for supporting said ball and
resisting a stress and impact force applied to said sportsball; and
a stress absorbing layer comprising a plurality of absorbing pad
having a flexibility ability fittedly attached to said panels
respectively for filling up a gap between said ball cover and said
bladder, so as to increase a contact area therebetween and
reinforce said roundness shape of said sportsball.
2. A sportsball, as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said
absorbing pad having a predetermined shape corresponding to said
panel of said ball cover is attached to an inner surface of said
panel for providing a uniform thickness of said ball cover.
3. A sportsball, as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said panel
of said ball cover made of synthetic leather has an outer coating
layer, an inner lining layer, and an intermediate layer which is
integrally formed between said outer coating layer and said inner
lining layer and is strengthened and supported by said inner lining
layer.
4. A sportsball, as recited in claim 2, wherein each of said panels
of said ball cover made of synthetic leather has an outer coating
layer, an inner lining layer, and an intermediate layer which is
integrally formed between said outer coating layer and said inner
lining layer and is strengthened and supported by said inner lining
layer.
5. A sportsball, as recited in claim 1, wherein said panels of said
ball cover is made of thin leather.
6. A sportsball, as recited in claim 2, wherein said panels of said
ball cover is made of thin leather.
7. A sportsball, as recited in claim 2, wherein said bladder ball
with said strengthened thread thereon are cured together by heating
in a mold, so that said adhering strengthened thread is hardened to
form said web layer which is permanently united with said outer
surface of said bladder ball integrally.
8. A sportsball, as recited in claim 4, wherein said bladder ball
with said strengthened thread thereon are cured together by heating
in a mold, so that said adhering strengthened thread is hardened to
form said web layer which is permanently united with said outer
surface of said bladder ball integrally.
9. A sportsball, as recited in claim 6, wherein said bladder ball
with said strengthened thread thereon are cured together by heating
in a mold, so that said adhering strengthened thread is hardened to
form said web layer which is permanently united with said outer
surface of said bladder ball integrally.
10. A sportsball, as recited in claim 4, wherein said strengthened
thread is a nylon thread.
11. A sportsball, as recited in claim 6, wherein said strengthened
thread is a nylon thread.
12. A sportsball, as recited in claim 9, wherein said strengthened
thread is a nylon thread.
13. A manufacturing method of a sportsball, comprising the steps
of: (a) inflating a bladder ball which has a valve stem provided
thereon; (b) coating at least an elongated strengthened thread with
glue; (c) winding said strengthened thread evenly around an outer
surface of said bladder ball until said bladder ball is embraced by
a web layer of said strengthened thread to form a strengthened
bladder, wherein said overlapped strengthened thread is adhered
with each other and to said outer surface of said bladder ball; (d)
heating said bladder in a mold until said strengthened thread
hardened to form said web layer which is permanently and rigidly
united with said outer surface of said bladder ball; (e) cutting a
ball cover material into a predetermined number of panels in
predetermined shape; (f) sewing said panels edge to edge together
by a sewing machine to form a ball cover which has a valve hole
provided thereon, wherein a section of said panels is remained
unsewn to form an inlet opening; (g) cut a stress absorbing layer
into a predetermined number of absorbing pads each having a
predetermined shape corresponding to said panel of said ball cover;
(h) attaching said absorbing pads of said stress absorbing layer to
said panels of said ball cover respectively, wherein one of said
absorbing pads has a valve through hole provided thereon, which is
aligned with said valve hole of said ball cover; (i) heating said
ball cover and turn said ball cover right side out; (j). inserting
said strengthened bladder into said ball cover through said inlet
opening; (k) aligning and gluing said valve stem of said bladder
with said valve hole of said ball cover; (l) semi-inflating said
bladder to ensure that said inflated bladder is adapted for
propping against said ball cover; (m) hand sewing said inlet
opening of said ball cover together to form said sportsball; and
(n) fully inflating said sportsball to more than a standard
pressure within a shaping mold to ensure a permanent structure and
shape of said bladder and said ball cover.
14. A manufacturing method of a sportsball, as recited in claim 13,
wherein each of said absorbing pad having a predetermined shape
corresponding to said panel of said ball cover is attached to an
inner surface of said panel for providing a uniform thickness of
said ball cover.
15. A manufacturing method of a sportsball, as recited in claim 14,
wherein each of said panel of said ball cover made of synthetic
leather has an outer coating layer, an inner lining layer, and an
intermediate layer which is integrally formed between said outer
coating layer and said inner lining layer and is strengthened and
supported by said inner lining layer.
16. A manufacturing method of a sportsball, as recited in claim 14,
wherein said panels of said ball cover is made of thin leather.
17. A manufacturing method of a sportsball, as recited in claim 15,
wherein said strengthened thread is a nylon thread.
18. A manufacturing method of a sportsball, as recited in claim 16,
wherein said strengthened thread is a nylon thread.
19. A manufacturing method of a sportsball, as recited in claim 13,
after step (c), further comprising an additional step of adhering a
rubber pad having a same weight of said valve stem integrally to an
end, which is opposite to said valve stem of said bladder in order
to symmetrically balance said bladder.
20. A manufacturing method of a sportsball, as recited in claim 14,
after step (c), further comprising an additional step of adhering a
rubber pad having a same weight of said valve stem integrally to an
end, which is opposite to said valve stem of said bladder in order
to symmetrically balance said bladder.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is an improvement of a utility application,
Pat. No. 5,772,545, patented Jun. 30, 1998 by the inventor of this
application.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to sportsballs, and more
particularly to a durable sportsball adapted for mass production,
wherein the sportsball can retain its spherical shape and
distribute an impacting stress throughout the ball.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Arts
[0005] Sportsball such as soccer ball and volleyball generally
comprises a ball cover and a bladder disposed inside the ball
cover. The ball cover, which is preferably made of leather or
synthetic leather, has a valve hole provided thereon and consists
of a plurality of panels connected edge to edge by machine sewing
to form a roundness shape wherein the ball cover is composed of an
outer coating, an intermediate layer, and an inner lining layer to
strengthen and support the intermediate layer.
[0006] Accordingly, the sportsball further comprises an exterior
web layer integrally adhered on an outer surface of the bladder
wherein the web layer has at least an elongating strengthened
thread evenly wound around and around the outer surface of the
bladder. So, the strengthened thread is overlapped with each other
to form the web layer to entirely embrace the bladder for
supporting the ball cover and resisting the stress and impact force
of the sportsball.
[0007] Since the panels are edge to edge connected together, the
ball cover cannot be formed as a prefect spherical interior such
that when the bladder is received in the ball cover, the inflated
bladder will not fit into the ball cover in full contact,
especially at the edges of the panels of the ball cover. Thus, the
edges of the ball cover will affect the roundness of the
sportsball.
[0008] Furthermore, the leather or the thickness and hardened
synthetic leather ball cover may make the players feels hurt and
pain while contacting the sportsball, especially to children and
those training players.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0009] A main object of the present invention is to provide a
sportsball which comprises a ball cover well supported by a
strengthened bladder. Therefore, no additional lining is required
to adhere onto the ball cover, so as to lower the material and
manufacturing cost of the sportsball.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
sportsball which has a stress absorbing layer to reduce the painful
during contact, especially suitable for children and training
players.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
sportsball wherein the bladder has a better flexibility and impact
resisting ability.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
sportsball wherein the stress absorbing is adapted for fittedly
filling a gap between the ball cover and the bladder so as to
provide a better roundness of the sportsball.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is provide a
sportsball wherein since the stress is distributed on the stress
absorbing layer and the bladder but not the ball cover, the
expensive leather panels of the ball cover can be thinner to lessen
the cost.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
manufacturing method of a sportsball which enables the ball cover
to be sewn by sewing machine, and thus it is suitable for mass
production.
[0015] Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the
present invention provides a sportsball, comprising:
[0016] a ball cover having a valve hole provided thereon and a
plurality of panels connected edge to edge to form a roundness
shape, wherein each of the panels having a predetermined shape has
an outer coating layer, an inner lining layer, and an intermediate
layer which is integrally formed between the outer coating layer
and the inner lining layer and is strengthened and supported by the
inner lining layer;
[0017] a bladder which is disposed inside the ball cover comprising
a bladder ball, an exterior web layer integrally attached on a
predetermined area of an outer surface of the bladder ball, and a
valve stem which is mounted on the bladder ball and is outwardly
extended to an exterior of the ball cover through the valve hole
for air inflation, wherein the web layer comprises at least an
elongated strengthened thread evenly wound around the outer surface
of the bladder ball in such a manner that the strengthened thread
is overlapped to form the web layer to entirely embrace the bladder
ball for supporting the ball and resisting the stress and impact
force applied to the sportsball; and
[0018] a stress absorbing layer comprising a plurality of absorbing
pad having a flexibility ability fittedly attached to the panels
respectively for filling up a gap between the ball cover and the
bladder, so as to increase the contact area therebetween and
reinforce the roundness shape of the sportsball.
[0019] Thus, the present invention also provides a specific
manufacturing method for producing the sportsball, which comprises
the steps of:
[0020] (1). Inflate a bladder ball which has a valve stem provided
thereon.
[0021] (2). Coat at least an elongated strengthened thread such as
nylon threads with glue.
[0022] (3). Wind the strengthened thread evenly around an outer
surface of the bladder ball until the bladder ball is embraced by a
web layer of the strengthened thread to form a strengthened
bladder.
[0023] (4). Heat the bladder in a mold until the web layer is
permanently and rigidly united with the outer surface of the
bladder ball.
[0024] (5). Cut a ball cover material, such as leather or synthetic
leather made of foaming PU or PVC sponge material, into a
predetermined number of panels in predetermined shape. For soccer
ball, 12 pieces of pentagonal panels and 20 pieces of hexagonal
panels are cut. For volleyball, 18 pieces of panels in two kinds of
rectangular shape are cut.
[0025] (6). Sew the panels edge to edge together by sewing machine
to form a ball cover which has a valve hole provided thereon,
wherein a section of panels is remained unsewn to form an inlet
opening.
[0026] (7). Cut a stress absorbing layer into a predetermined
number of absorbing pads and shapes corresponding to the panels of
the ball cover.
[0027] (8). Attach the absorbing pads of the stress absorbing layer
to the panels of the ball cover.
[0028] (9). Heat the ball cover and turn the ball cover right side
out.
[0029] (10). Insert the strengthened bladder into the ball cover
through the inlet opening.
[0030] (11). Align and glue the valve stem of the bladder with the
valve hole of the ball cover.
[0031] (12). Semi-inflate the bladder to ensure that the inflated
bladder is adapted for propping against the ball cover.
[0032] (13). Sew the inlet opening of the ball cover together by
hand.
[0033] (14). Fully inflate the sportsball to more than a standard
pressure within a shaping mold to ensure a permanent structure and
shape of the bladder and the ball cover.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a sectional perspective view of a sportsball
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view a ball cover
of a conventional sportsball.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the ball
cover of the sportsball according to the above preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a manufacturing method of the sportsball
according to the above preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a sportsball according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
The sportsball, such as a soccer ball or a volleyball, comprises a
ball cover 20 and a strengthened bladder 30 disposed in the ball
cover 20. The ball cover 20 is made of leather or synthetic leather
such as polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The
synthetic leather is composed of an outer coating layer 21, an
intermediate layer 22, and an inner lining layer 23 to strengthen
and support the intermediate layer 22, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0039] The leather or synthetic leather is cut into a plurality of
panels 24 with predetermined shape. For soccer ball, the most
common shape of the panel 24 is pentagon and hexagon. In other
words, the ball cover 20 of a soccer ball is made of 12 pieces of
pentagonal panel and 20 pieces of hexagonal panel sewn edge to edge
by sewing threads 25. The spherical ball cover 20 of a volleyball
consists of 18 pieces of rectangular panel sewn edge to edge with
sewing threads 25. The ball cover has a valve hole 26 provided
thereon.
[0040] The inflatable bladder 30, which is disposed inside the ball
cover 20, comprises a rubber made bladder 31 and a valve stem 32
mounted thereon and outwardly extended through the valve hole 26 of
the ball cover 20 to connect thereto for air inflation. In
accordance with the present invention, bladder 30 further comprises
an exterior web layer 33 integrally attached on an outer surface of
the bladder ball 31. As shown in FIG. 1, the bladder ball 31 is
entirely embraced by the web layer 33. The web layer 33 comprises
at least an elongated strengthened thread 331 (usually a plurality
of strengthened thread 331 being applied), such as nylon threads,
evenly wound around and around the outer surface of the bladder
ball 31. Therefore, the strengthened thread 331 is overlapped with
each other to form the web layer 33.
[0041] In order to enable the strengthened thread 331 being
permanently affixed on the outer surface of the bladder ball 31,
before winding onto the bladder ball 31, the strengthened thread
331 are coated with glue for adhering to the outer surface of the
bladder ball 31 and each other. Moreover, the bladder ball 31 with
the adhering strengthened thread 331 thereon are together cured by
heating in a mold so that the adhering strengthened thread 331 will
be hardened to form the web layer 33 which is permanently united
with the rubber bladder ball 31 integrally.
[0042] Like the fishing net structure or the spider web structure,
web structure is one of the most strengthened and rigid
construction that can support high stress and resist high impact
force. Thus, the web layer 33 highly reinforces the soft and weak
rubber bladder ball 31. In other words, the bladder 30 of the
present invention is strengthened by the web layer 33 and has a
better flexibility and impact resisting ability.
[0043] Due to the presence of the valve stem 32 on the bladder 30,
the sportsball may lose balance when it is flowing in air, i.e.,
the sportsball would fall down with the valve stem 32 always
directing downwards. In order to ensure a better balance for the
sportsball, a rubber pad 34 having the same weight of the valve
stem 32 is further integrally adhered to an end, which is opposite
to the valve stem 32 of the bladder 30 in order to symmetrically
balance the weight of the bladder 30.
[0044] The sportsball further comprises a stress absorbing layer 40
provided between the ball cover 20 and the bladder 30 wherein the
stress absorbing layer 40 is made of soft, flexible and stress
absorbing material such as EVA or foaming PU or PVC. The stress
absorbing layer 40 is cut into a plurality of absorbing pads 41
each having a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the
panel 24 of the ball cover 20. Each absorbing pad 41 of the stress
absorbing layer 40 is attached to an inner surface of the
respective panel 24 of the ball cover 20 preferably by glue. The
stress absorbing layer 40 provides various remarkable features as
follows.
[0045] When an impact force is applied on the ball cover 20, the
major stress is absorbed by the stress absorbing layer 40, which
can reduce the stress directly on the ball cover 20 and the bladder
30. Therefore, the sportsball is more durable and has a longer life
span. Thus, the stress absorbing layer 40 provides a cushion effect
that can reduce the painful while contacting the sportsball, such
as heading for soccer players or spiking for volleyball players,
especially suitable for the children and training players.
[0046] Moreover, each absorbing pad 41 of the stress absorbing
layer 40 has a predetermined height in such a manner that the ball
cover 20 is adapted for forming a prefect spherical interior to
fittedly receive the inflated bladder 30. Since the panels 24 are
sewn edge to edge together wherein the edges of the panels 24 are
inwardly protruded from the ball cover 20, the interior of the ball
cover 20 is not a prefect spherical shape. When air is pumped into
the bladder 30 through the valve stem 32 in order to prop up the
ball cover 20, the edges of the panels 24 will bias against the
outer surface of the bladder ball 31 so as to affect the roundness
shape of the sportsball. As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional
method of connecting the panels 24A of the ball cover 20A
illustrates that the interior of the ball cover 20A is not a
prefect spherical shape. A gap is formed between the ball cover 20A
and the bladder 31A since the edges of the panels 24A are inwardly
extended from the ball cover 20A such that the bladder 31A is not
in a round shape when it is inflated.
[0047] So, when the absorbing pads 41 of the stress absorbing layer
40 are attached on the ball cover 20, the ball cover 20 has a
uniform thickness to provide a prefect spherical interior of the
ball cover 20 for fittedly receiving the bladder 30 therein. In
other words, when the bladder 30 is inflated, a gap is formed
between the bladder ball 31 and the ball cover 20. So, the stress
absorbing layer 40 is attached to the ball cover 20 to fittedly
fill the gap to increase the contact area between the bladder ball
31 and the ball cover 20, so as to reinforce the roundness shape of
the sportsball, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0048] Additional supporting linings of the conventional ball cover
can be eliminated. The synthetic leather of each panel 24 of the
ball cover 20 doest not need to adhere those additional linings to
increase its strength. So, the thickness and the hardness of the
synthetic leather made ball cover 20 can also be reduced, which
enable to utilize thinner sewing threads 25 to sew the panels 24
together. The manufacturing cost and time can be greatly
reduced.
[0049] For leather made ball cover 20, as shown in FIG. 3, since
the major stress and impact force is absorbed by the stress
absorbing layer 40, the expensive leather panels 24 of the ball
cover 20 can be thinner to lessen the cost. Thus, the stress
absorbing layer 40 can soften and reinforce the leather ball cover
20.
[0050] It is worth to mention that one of the absorbing pads 41 of
the stress absorbing layer 40 has a valve through hole 42 provided
thereon, which is aligned with the valve hole 26 of the panel 24,
such that the stem valve 32 is adapted for extending outwardly
through the valve through hole 42.
[0051] A specific manufacturing method is used to produce the
sportsball of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4,
which comprises the following steps:
[0052] (1). Inflate a bladder ball 31 which has a valve stem 32
provided thereon.
[0053] (2). Coat at least an elongated strengthened thread 331 such
as nylon threads with glue.
[0054] (3). Wind the strengthened thread 331 evenly around an outer
surface of the bladder ball 31 until the bladder ball 31 is
embraced by a web layer 33 of the strengthened thread 331 to form a
strengthened bladder 30.
[0055] (4). Heat the bladder 30 in a mold M until the web layer 33
is permanently and rigidly united with the outer surface of the
bladder ball 31.
[0056] (5). Cut a ball cover material, such as leather or synthetic
leather made of foaming PU or PVC sponge material, into a
predetermined number of panels 24 in predetermined shape. For
soccer ball, 12 pieces of pentagonal panels and 20 pieces of
hexagonal panels are cut. For volleyball, 18 pieces of panels in
two kinds of rectangular shape are cut.
[0057] (6). Sew the panels 24 edge to edge together by sewing
machine to form a ball cover 20 which has a valve hole 26 provided
thereon, wherein a section of panels is remained unsewn to form an
inlet opening 28.
[0058] (7). Cut a stress absorbing layer 40 into a predetermined
number of absorbing pads 41 and shapes corresponding to the panels
24 of the ball cover 20.
[0059] (8). Attach the absorbing pads 41 of the stress absorbing
layer 40 to the panels 24 of the ball cover 20.
[0060] (9). Heat the ball cover 20 and turn the ball cover 20 right
side out.
[0061] (10). Insert the strengthened bladder 30 into the ball cover
20 through the inlet opening 28.
[0062] (11). Align and glue the valve stem 32 of the bladder 30
with the valve hole 26 of the ball cover 20.
[0063] (12). Semi-inflate the bladder 30 to ensure that the
inflated bladder 30 is adapted for propping against the ball cover
20.
[0064] (13). Sew the inlet opening 28 of the ball cover 20 together
by hand.
[0065] (14). Fully inflate the sportsball to more than a standard
pressure within a shaping mold M' to ensure a permanent structure
and shape of the bladder 30 and ball cover 20.
[0066] In step (8), when the panels 24 are sewn together, the
absorbing pads 41 are fittedly attached to the panels 24 wherein
each absorbing pad 41 is encircling with the sewn edges of the
panels 24 so as to form a prefect spherical shape of the interior
of the ball cover 20. It is worth to mention that the thickness of
the absorbing pad 41 is the equal to the sewn edge of the panel 24
and the absorbing pad 41 can be further trimmed in order to form a
uniform thickness of the ball cover 20.
[0067] As specified above, the valve stem 32 on the bladder 30 may
cause the sportsball losing balance when it is flowing in air, i.e.
the sportsball fall down with the valve stem 32 always directing
downwards. The following step can be applied after the above step
(3) in order to ensure a better balance for the sportsball:
[0068] (a). Adhere a rubber pad 34 having the same weight of the
valve stem 32 integrally to an end, which is opposite to the valve
stem 32 of the bladder 30 in order to symmetrically balance the
weight of the bladder 30.
[0069] According to the improved structure of the sportsball of the
present invention, the ball cover 20 can be sewn by the sewing
machine and thus it is suitable for mass production. Thus, the
strengthened bladder 30 can support and retain the ball cover 20 in
the desire roundness even though the bladder 30 is over-inflated up
to 15-20% more than the standard pressure of the sportsball.
Moreover, the supporting force of the bladder 30 applied to the
ball cover 20 through the stress absorbing layer 40 is evenly
distributed so that the sportsball can has an even roundness to
fulfill most players' desire.
[0070] While the foregoing description and diagram describe the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be
appreciated that certain obvious modifications, variations, and
substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention. The process steps need not be
preformed exactly in the order as outlined above nor are all the
process steps delineated above necessary for practicing the present
invention.
* * * * *