U.S. patent application number 10/345287 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-05 for image forming apparatus for sorting and discharging printed sheets into mail bins.
This patent application is currently assigned to Minolta Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Morimoto, Tsuyoshi, Onishi, Takashi, Tamai, Yoshiyuki.
Application Number | 20030102619 10/345287 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 16942833 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030102619 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tamai, Yoshiyuki ; et
al. |
June 5, 2003 |
Image forming apparatus for sorting and discharging printed sheets
into mail bins
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a printer section for
printing an image on a sheet and a finisher having a plurality of
mail bins. The image forming apparatus discharges print, which is
addressed to a specified user and outputted from the printer
section, onto the mail bin assigned to the user among the plurality
of mail bins, facilitating mail bin assignment to allow labor of
network management to be saved. There is provided a card reading
device for reading an ID card for identifying a user. There is also
provided assigning means that identifies the user from information
read by the card reading device when the ID card is inserted into
the card reading device and that assigns a mail bin to the user
when no mail bin has been assigned to the user.
Inventors: |
Tamai, Yoshiyuki;
(Toyokawa-shi, JP) ; Onishi, Takashi;
(Toyohashi-shi, JP) ; Morimoto, Tsuyoshi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Barry E. Bretschneider
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Suite 300
1650 Tysons Boulevard
McLean
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
Minolta Co., Ltd.
Osaka-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
16942833 |
Appl. No.: |
10/345287 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10345287 |
Jan 16, 2003 |
|
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|
09635894 |
Aug 11, 2000 |
|
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6539279 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
270/58.18 ;
271/298 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2511/412 20130101;
G03G 15/5016 20130101; G03G 15/5087 20130101; G03G 2215/00109
20130101; B65H 31/24 20130101; G03G 15/5066 20130101; G03G
2215/00092 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
270/58.18 ;
271/298 |
International
Class: |
B65H 033/04; B65H
039/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 19, 1999 |
JP |
11-232662 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming section
for forming an image on a sheet; a plurality of bins; a card
reading device for reading information from an ID card; assigning
means for assigning a bin to a user corresponding to the
information read by the card reading device; and discharging means
for discharging the sheet on which the image is formed by the image
forming section into the bin assigned by the assigning means.
2. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
assigning means determines whether or not a bin has already been
assigned to the user corresponding to the information read by the
card reading device.
3. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
assigning means selects a bin which is assigned to a smallest
number of users from among the plurality of bins when no bin has
yet been assigned to the user corresponding to the information read
by the card reading device, so as to assign the bin to the
user.
4. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
assigning means selects a bin that first reaches the smallest
number of users when there are a plurality of bins which each are
assigned to the smallest number of users, so as to assign the bin
to the user.
5. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
assigning means selects a bin containing a smallest number of
sheets discharged per unit time, so as to assign the bin to the
user.
6. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising: canceling means for canceling assignment of a certain
bin to a specified user when a print job from the specified user to
whom the certain bin has been assigned is not received for a fixed
time.
7. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising: canceling means for canceling assignment of all bins to
all users at an appointed time.
8. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising: canceling means for canceling assignment of the bin to
the user when the ID card of the user is pulled out of the card
reading device.
9. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
assigning means selects an empty bin that has not yet been assigned
so as to assign the empty bin to the user.
10. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
assigning means selects a specified sheet container when no empty
bin exists and assigns the specified sheet to the user.
11. A sheet container unit that sorts inputted sheets into a
plurality of bins and contains the inputted sheets, comprising: a
card reading device for reading information from an ID card;
assigning means for assigning a bin to a user corresponding to the
information read by the card reading device; and discharging means
for discharging an inputted sheet into the bin assigned by the
assigning means.
12. A sheet container unit as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
assigning means determines whether or not a bin has already been
assigned to the user corresponding to the information read by the
card reading device.
13. A sheet container unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
assigning means selects a bin which is assigned to a smallest
number of users from among the plurality of bins when no bin has
yet been assigned to the user corresponding to the information read
by the card reading device, so as to assign the bin to the
user.
14. A sheet container unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
assigning means selects a bin that first reaches the smallest
number of users when there are a plurality of bins which each are
assigned to the smallest number of users, so as to assign the bin
to the user.
15. A sheet container unit as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
assigning means selects a bin containing a smallest number of
sheets discharged per unit time, so as to assign the bin to the
user.
16. A sheet container unit as claimed in claim 11, further
comprising: canceling means for canceling assignment of a certain
bin to a specified user when a print job from the specified user to
whom the certain bin has been assigned is not received for a fixed
time.
17. A sheet container unit as claimed in claim 11, further
comprising: canceling means for canceling assignment of all bins to
all users at an appointed time.
18. A sheet container unit as claimed in claim 11, further
comprising: canceling means for canceling assignment of the bin to
the user when the ID of the user card is pulled out of the card
reading device.
19. A sheet container unit as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
assigning means selects an empty bin so as to assign the empty bin
to the user.
20. A sheet container unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
assigning means selects a specified sheet container when no empty
bin exists so as to assign the specified sheet container to the
user.
21. A sheet containing method for containing a sheet in a bin
assigned to each user, comprising the steps of: reading information
from an ID card by means of a card reading device; assigning a bin
to a user corresponding to the information read by the card reading
device; and discharging an inputted sheet into the bin assigned by
assigning means.
22. A sheet containing method as claimed in claim 21, wherein it is
determined whether or not a bin has already been assigned to the
user corresponding to the information read by the card reading
device.
23. A sheet containing method as claimed in claim 22, wherein a bin
which, is assigned to a smallest number of users is selected from
among a plurality of bins when no bin has yet been assigned to the
user corresponding to the information read by the card reading
device, so as to assign the bin to the user.
24. A sheet containing method as claimed in claim 23, wherein a bin
that first reaches the smallest number of users is selected when
there are a plurality of bins which each are assigned to the
smallest number of users, so as to assign the bin to the user.
25. A sheet containing method as claimed in claim 21, wherein a bin
containing a smallest number of sheets discharged per unit time is
selected so as to assign the bin to the user.
26. A sheet containing method as claimed in claim 21, further
comprising the step of: canceling assignment of a certain bin to a
specified user when a print job from the specified user to whom the
certain bin has been assigned is not received for a fixed time.
27. A sheet containing method as claimed in claim 21, further
comprising the step of: canceling assignment of all bins to all
users at an appointed time.
28. A sheet containing method as claimed in claim 21, further
comprising the step of: canceling assignment of the bin to the user
when the ID of the user card is pulled out of the card reading
device.
29. A sheet containing method as claimed in claim 21, wherein an
empty bin is selected so as to assign the empty bin to the
user.
30. A sheet containing method as claimed in claim 29, wherein a
specified sheet container is selected when no empty bin exists so
as to assign the specified sheet container to the user.
Description
[0001] This application is based on application No. H11-232662
filed in Japan, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus,
and in particular, to an image forming apparatus that has a printer
section for printing an image on a sheet and a finisher having a
plurality of mail bins and that sorts and discharges printed sheets
into the mail bins.
[0003] In general, according to this type of image forming
apparatus, each mail bin is preparatorily assigned to each user by
operating an operation panel mounted on a main body of the image
forming apparatus or by operating a utility at a terminal on a
network. Upon receiving a print job from a specified user through
the network, the image is printed on a sheet in the printer
section, and the printed sheet is discharged onto the mail bin
assigned to the user among a plurality of mail bins.
[0004] However, in the case that the image forming apparatus is
used in an office or the like, then the mail bin assignment is to
be redone by operating the operation panel mounted on the image
forming apparatus main body or by operating the utility at the
network terminal when organizational changes or personnel changes
occur in the relevant office or the like. This leads to an
disadvantage that management of the network becomes
troublesome.
[0005] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to
provide an image forming apparatus capable of saving a labor of
network management by facilitating mail bin assignment. It is a
further object to provide an image forming apparatus that allows a
greater number of users to smoothly use mail bins of the image
forming apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the present
invention provides an image forming apparatus that includes a
printer section for printing an image on a sheet and a finisher
having a plurality of- mail bins and that discharges print, which
are addressed to a specified user and outputted from the printer
section, onto the mail bin assigned to the user among the plurality
of mail bins. The image forming apparatus further includes a card
reading device for reading an ID from an ID card for identifying
the user and assigning means for assigning a mail bin to the user
who is identified from ID information read by the card reading
device.
[0007] In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the
assigning means identifies the user from the ID information read by
the card reading device and assigns a mail bin to the user. As a
result, print that is outputted from the printer section and
addressed to the user is discharged onto the mail bin assigned to
the user. This arrangement obviates need for redoing the mail bin
assignment by operating an operation panel mounted on a main body
of the image forming apparatus or by operating a utility at a
network terminal when organizational changes or personnel changes
occur in an office or the like where this image forming apparatus
is used. As a result, labor of network management can be saved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are
not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a
printer according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the above printer;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a chart showing an example of a mail bin assigning
process flow in the above printer;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a chart showing a print job processing flow in the
above printer;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a chart showing an example of an assigning process
flow in assigning each mail bin to a plurality of users in the
above printer;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a chart showing another assigning process flow in
assigning each mail bin to a plurality of users in the above
printer;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a chart showing a mail bin assigning process flow
on the assumption that an mail bin assignment is compulsorily
canceled in the above printer;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a chart showing a mail bin assignment canceling
process flow in the above printer; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a chart showing a print job processing flow on the
assumption that the mail bin assignment is compulsorily canceled in
the above printer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The present invention will be described in detail below on
the basis of embodiments shown in the drawings.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows an external appearance of a printer 1 according
to one embodiment of the present invention, the printer 1 being
connected to a network 10. This printer 1 includes a main body 3
and a finisher 106. The main body 3 has a built-in print engine for
outputting print on sheets and a standard sheet discharge tray 110
formed in its upper portion. The finisher 106 has a plurality of
mail bins 109A, 109B, . . . , 109E that protrude above the standard
sheet discharge tray 110. The finisher 106 sorts and discharges the
printed sheets onto the standard sheet discharge tray 110 or the
mail bins 109A, 109B, . . . , 109E. A card reading device 120 is
mounted on a side surface of the finisher 106 so as to read an ID
card for identifying a user.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the printer 1. This printer
1 is constructed of a print processing section 104, a print engine
105, a sheet supply cassette 107, the above-mentioned finisher 106,
a network processing section 101, a storage section 103 and a
response processing section 102. The print processing section 104
executes a control process of the whole printer. The print engine
105 outputs print on sheets. The sheet supply cassette 107 contains
sheets having a specified size. The network processing section 101
executes control of data transfer between the network 10 and the
printer 1. The storage section 103 stores information of the
presence or absence and the size of a sheet contained in the sheet
supply cassette 107, data processing resolution, manageable
page-description language and so on. The response processing
section 102 transmits information, which is stored in the storage
section 103 according to an inquiry request from a terminal such as
personal computer (not shown) connected to the network 10, to the
terminal.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the mail bins 109A, 109B, . . . , 109E
are respectively assigned to users by the print processing section
104 that operates as assigning means. Specifically, the print
processing section 104 first determines whether or not an ID card
is inserted in the card reading device 120 (S1) and identifies a
user of the ID card from the information read by the card reading
device 120 when the ID card is inserted in the card reading device
120 (S2). Then, it is determined whether or not the user is a new
user, i.e., whether or not a mail bin has already been assigned to
the user (S3). If the user is a new user, it is determined whether
or not there is a mail bin that has not yet been assigned (this bin
being referred to as an "empty mail bin" hereinafter) among the
mail bins 109A, 19B, . . . , 109E (S4). If there is an empty mail
bin, then the empty mail bin is assigned to the user (S5). In this
example, if the user is not a new user, then another mail bin is
not assigned to the new user. Even if there is no empty mail bin, a
plurality of users do not use one mail bin in common.
[0022] When a user dispatches a print job to the printer 1 from a
terminal (not shown) connected to the network 10 so as to output
print on sheets and discharge the sheets onto a mail bin assigned
to the user, then a process as shown in FIG. 4 is executed. First,
the print processing section 104 determines whether or not there is
data received through the network 10, i.e., whether or not the
network processing section 101 has received a print job (S11). If
the network processing section 101 has received the print job, then
the network processing section 101 obtains information of a sender
included in the received data i.e. information of a new user who
dispatches a print job to the printer 1 from the terminal (S12).
Subsequently, the sender is compared with the users to whom the
mail bins have already been assigned (S13), and it is determined
whether or not there is a mail bin to be assigned to the sender
(S14). If there is the mail bin to be assigned to the sender, the
print processing section 104 sends the finisher 106 instructions of
selecting the mail bin to be assigned to the sender. On the other
hand, the print engine 105 takes out sheets one by one from the
sheet supply cassette 107, outputs print on each sheet and feeds
the printed sheets into the finisher 106. The finisher 106
discharges the printed sheets onto the mail bin assigned to the
sender according to the above instructions from the print
processing section 104 (S15). If there is no mail bin assigned to
the sender (S14), the printed sheets are discharged onto the
standard sheet discharge tray 110 (S16).
[0023] In the case of the above arrangement, even when a
organizational change or a personnel change occurs in an office or
the like, it is not necessary to redo the mail bin assignment by
operating an operation panel on the main body 3 of the image
forming apparatus or by operating the utility at the terminal of
the network 10, facilitating mail bin assignment. As a result, the
labor of network management can be saved. If the number of users is
greater than the number of mail bins and there is no empty mail
bin, then sharing of the mail bins is required to be permitted.
FIG. 5 shows an example of a flow of assigning each mail bin to a
plurality of users in the above-mentioned case. It is assumed that
the print processing section 104 is consistently monitoring the
frequency in use of the mail bins 109A, 109B, . . . , 109E. First,
the print processing section 104 determines whether or not an ID
card is inserted into the card reading device 120 (S21) and
identifies a user of the ID card from the information read by the
card reading device 120 when an ID card is inserted into the card
reading device 120 (S22). Then, it is determined whether or not the
user is a new user, i.e., whether or not a mail bin has already
been assigned to the user (S23). If the user is a new user, then a
mail bin which is assigned to the smallest number of users is
retrieved from among the plurality of mail bins 109A, 109B, . . . ,
109E (S24). If there are a plurality of mail bins which each are
assigned to the smallest number of users (S25), then the mail bin
that was first assigned to the smallest number of users is
retrieved (S26) to be selected and assigned to the above-mentioned
user (S27). Further, the date and time of assignment is updated
(S28).
[0024] When a mail bin which was first assigned to the smallest
number of users is selected and assigned to a new user as stated
above, the number of users in a specified mail bin is does not
excessively increase, consequently averaging the number of users in
each mail bin. Therefore, a greater number of users can smoothly
use the mail bins. Furthermore, if there are a plurality of mail
bins which each are assigned to the smallest number of users, then
the mail bin that first reached the smallest number of users is
selected. Therefore, the number of users in a certain mail bin does
not rapidly increase, and this can avoid confusion ascribed to the
increase in the number of users in each mail bin.
[0025] FIG. 6 shows an example of another flow of assigning each
mail bin to a plurality of users. It is assumed that the print
processing section 104 is consistently monitoring the frequency in
use of the mail bins 109A, 109B, . . . , 109E, in the same manner
as the above-mentioned example. First, the print processing section
104 determines whether or not an ID card is inserted into the card
reading device 120 (S31) and identifies a user of the ID card from
the information read by the card reading device 120 when the ID
card is inserted into the card reading device 120 (S32). Then, it
is determined whether or not the user is a new user, i.e., whether
or not a mail bin has already been assigned to the user (S33). If
the user is a new user, a mail bin of the smallest number of print
sheets discharged per unit time is retrieved from among the
plurality of mail bins 109A, 109B, . . . , 109E (S34), and the mail
bin is selected and assigned to the above-mentioned user (S35).
[0026] If the mail bin having the smallest number of print sheets
discharged per unit time is thus selected, then, with relation to
the mail bins used with a comparatively high frequency, the
increase in the number of users is restricted, and this can avoid
confusion ascribed to the increase in the number of users in the
mail bins.
[0027] If the number of users is greater than the number of mail
bins and therefore each mail bin is assigned to a plurality of
users, then in addition to the above method there can be considered
a method for carrying out assignment of each mail bin to users so
as not to overlap his printout time zones with the other ones, by
comparing a printout time zone in which the user who is about to
undergo mail bin assignment principally puts printout into practice
with a printout time zone in which users who have already undergone
mail bin assignment put printout into practice.
[0028] FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show flows including a process for
compulsorily canceling the mail bin assignment in order to avoid
confusion in assignment when the number of users is greater than
the number of mail bins. It is assumed that the print processing
section 104 operating as canceling means has a built-in assignment
canceling timer in which a count time of 30 minutes has been
preparatorily set in correspondence with each mail bin in order to
compulsorily cancel the mail bin assignment.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 7, in the mail bin assignment stage, the
print processing section 104 first determines whether or not an ID
card is inserted into the card reading device 120 (S41), and
identifies a user of the ID card from the information read by the
card reading device 120 when an ID card is inserted into the card
reading device 120 (S42). Then, it is determined whether or not the
user is a new user, i.e., whether or not a mail bin has already
been assigned to the user (S43). If the user is a new user, then it
is determined whether or not there is an empty mail bin among the
mail bins 109A, 109B, . . . , 109E (S44). If there is an empty mail
bin, then the empty mail bin is assigned to the new user (S45).
Then, at the instant when the mail bin is assigned, the built-in
assignment canceling timer that belongs to the print processing
section 104 and used for the mail bin starts countdown (S46). In
this example, if the user is not a new user, then no other mail bin
is assigned to the user. Also, even if there is no empty mail bin,
one mail bin is not assigned to a plurality of users.
[0030] When the user dispatches a print job to the printer 1 from a
terminal (not shown) connected to the network 10 so as to output
print to the mail bin assigned to the user himself or herself
during the countdown of this built-in assignment canceling timer, a
process as shown in FIG. 9 is executed. First, the print processing
section 104 determines whether or not there is received data
through the network 10, i.e., whether or not the network processing
section 101 has received a print job (S61). If the network
processing section 101 has received a print job, then information
representing the sender included in the received data is obtained
(S62). Subsequently, the sender is compared with the users to whom
the mail bins have already been assigned (S63), and it is
determined whether or not there is a mail bin assigned to the
sender (S64). If there is a mail bin assigned to the sender, then
the print processing section 104 sends to the finisher 106 an
instruction to select the mail bin assigned to the sender. On the
other hand, the print engine 105 takes out sheets one by one from
the sheet supply cassette 107, outputs print on each sheet and
feeds the printed sheet into the finisher 106. The finisher 106
discharges the printed sheet onto the mail bin assigned to the
sender according to the above instruction from the print processing
section 104 (S65). Then, the countdown of the assignment canceling
timer of the mail bin is restarted (S66). If there is no mail bin
assigned to the sender (S64), then the printed sheets are
discharged onto the standard sheet discharge tray 110 (S66).
[0031] From the instant when a mail bin is assigned to a user or
from the instant when reception of a final print job from the user
is completed, as shown in FIG. 8, the assignment canceling timer of
each mail bin is counted down (S51). Then, it is determined whether
or not there is a mail bin of which the timer value becomes zero
(S52). If there is a mail bin of which the timer value becomes
zero, then the assignment of the mail bin is canceled (S53). That
is, if no print job is received from a specified user to whom a
certain mail bin has been assigned for a specified period (30
minutes in this example), then the assignment of the mail bin to
the user is canceled. By this operation, only the user who actually
uses the mail bin can maintain the assignment of the mail bin,
while the assignment of the mail bin is canceled for the user who
does not use the assigned mail bin for a specified period.
Therefore, in the case where the number of the users is greater
than the number of the mail bins or in a similar case, a greater
number of users can smoothly use the mail bins. Time of the
assignment canceling timer is set to 30 minutes because it is
highly possible that the user who once obtains print would correct
the contents through visual check and put print output into
practice again, the time necessary for the correcting work being
empirically presumed to be 30 minutes. Also, it is highly possible
that the user would not subsequently use the printer for a
time.
[0032] Next, the print processing section 104 obtains the current
time referring to a built-in clock (S54), and after
[0033] 10 p.m. every day (S55), it cancels the assignment of all
the mail bins (S56). Therefore, the mail bin assignment set during
normal working hours of the day is infallibly canceled. Therefore,
in the case where the number of users is greater than the number of
mail bins, a greater number of users can smoothly use the mail
bins.
[0034] This kind of canceling process can also be applied to the
case where each mail bin is assigned to a plurality of users.
[0035] It is acceptable to cancel a mail bin assignment to a user
when an ID card of the user is pulled out of the card reading
device 120. In the above case, a mail bin is assigned to the user
only when the user inserts the ID card into the card reading device
120, i.e., only when the user actually needs the mail bin. After
the ID card is pulled out, the mail bin is regarded as unnecessary
and the assignment of the mail bin is canceled. Further, it is also
acceptable to cancel the assignment of a mail bin to a user when
the user inserts again an ID card of the user into the card reading
device 120 after the completion of a print job instead of the time
when the ID card is pulled out of the card reading device 120.
[0036] Although the user dispatches a print job to the printer 1
from the terminal connected to the network 10 so as to output print
to the mail bin assigned to the user himself or herself in the
present embodiment, the present invention is of course not limited
to this. Another sender may dispatch a print job to the printer 1
from a terminal connected to the network 10 so as to output print
to the mail bin assigned to a certain user.
[0037] The present invention can be broadly applied to not only the
so-called printer but also apparatuses such as a copying machine
and a facsimile apparatus, which sort and discharge printed sheets
into a plurality of mail bins.
[0038] As is apparent from the above, according to the image
forming apparatus of the present invention, the assigning means
identifies the user from the ID information read by the card
reading device and assigns a mail bin to the user. As a result, the
print that is outputted from the printer section and addressed to
the user is discharged onto the mail bin assigned to the user. This
facilitates the mail bin assignment and allows the saving of labor
of network management.
[0039] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *