U.S. patent application number 11/032105 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for pet sheet.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNICHARM PETCARE CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Ikegami, Takeshi, Kaneko, Shinya.
Application Number | 20050166856 11/032105 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34616915 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050166856 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaneko, Shinya ; et
al. |
August 4, 2005 |
Pet sheet
Abstract
Disclosed is a pet sheet including a backsheet, a
liquid-permeable topsheet and a liquid absorbent layer which is
smaller than the backsheet and disposed between the backsheet and
the topsheet. The backsheet extends beyond the liquid absorbent
layer to provide side regions outside the liquid absorbent layer. A
hydrophilic sheet is provided above the backsheet in the side
regions.
Inventors: |
Kaneko, Shinya; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Ikegami, Takeshi; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Peter J. Davis
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Suite 300
1650 Tysons Boulevard
McLean
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
UNICHARM PETCARE
CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
34616915 |
Appl. No.: |
11/032105 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
119/169 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 1/0107 20130101;
A01K 1/0157 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/169 |
International
Class: |
A01K 001/015 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 16, 2004 |
JP |
2004-009537 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pet sheet comprising a backsheet, a liquid-permeable topsheet
and a liquid absorbent layer which is smaller than the backsheet
and disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet, wherein the
backsheet extends beyond the liquid absorbent layer to provide side
regions outside the liquid absorbent layer and a hydrophilic sheet
is provided above the backsheet in the side regions.
2. A pet sheet according to claim 1, wherein both the backsheet and
the liquid absorbent layer are rectangular and the side regions are
provided along all four sides of the liquid absorbent layer.
3. A pet sheet according to claim 1, wherein in the side regions,
the hydrophilic sheet is laid on the backsheet.
4. A pet sheet according to claim 3, wherein the topsheet extends
beyond the liquid absorbent layer to cover the hydrophilic sheet in
the side regions.
5. A pet sheet according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic sheet
extends between the liquid absorbent layer and the topsheet and
beyond the liquid absorbent layer into the side regions.
6. A pet sheet according to claim 1, wherein in the side regions,
the topsheet is located between the backsheet and the hydrophilic
sheet.
7. A pet sheet according to claim 1, wherein the topsheet is an
apertured resin film, the liquid absorbent layer is an absorbent
core covered with a tissue paper, and the hydrophilic sheet is a
nonwoven fabric that is greater in both thickness and basis weight
than the tissue paper.
8. A pet sheet according to claim 7, wherein the nonwoven fabric is
in contact with the liquid absorbent layer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a pet sheet intended to
absorb liquid such as urine discharged from pets such as dogs or
cats.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Pet sheets (absorbent sheets for pets) have been used for
absorbing liquid such as urine discharged from household pets such
as dogs or cats. Typically, the pet sheets employ a structure as
shown in FIG. 13.
[0005] FIG. 13 shows a pet sheet 1 comprising a liquid-impermeable
backsheet 2, a liquid absorbent layer 3 formed of absorbent
materials such as pulp and laid on the backsheet 2, and a
liquid-permeable topsheet 4 covering the upper side of the liquid
absorbent layer 3. Along an end 1A of the pet sheet 1, the
backsheet 2 is folded back to have its edge 2a on the upper side of
the liquid absorbent layer 3, covering an end 3a of the liquid
absorbent layer 3. Accordingly, urine applied to the upper side of
the pet sheet 1 in a side region of a width (i) cannot readily
migrate to the liquid absorbent layer 3 due to the presence of the
liquid-impermeable backsheet 2. Thus, urine is liable to puddle in
the side region or flow down the side region to reach a floor
surface outside the pet sheet 1. For example, Japanese Unexamined
Patent Publication No. 2001-218535 discloses a pet sheet of this
construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been developed in view of the
shortcomings in the prior art set forth above. It is therefore an
object of the present invention to provide a pet sheet with side
regions having improved ability to absorb liquid.
[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a pet
sheet comprising a backsheet, a liquid-permeable topsheet and a
liquid absorbent layer which is smaller than the backsheet and
disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet, wherein
[0008] the backsheet extends beyond the liquid absorbent layer to
provide side regions outside the liquid absorbent layer and a
hydrophilic sheet is provided above the backsheet in the side
regions.
[0009] In the pet sheet of the present invention, urine applied to
the side regions can be absorbed in the hydrophilic sheet so as not
to leave a puddle in the side regions. Moreover, urine thus
absorbed can readily migrate to the liquid absorbent layer via the
hydrophilic sheet.
[0010] Preferably, both the backsheet and the liquid absorbent
layer are rectangular and the side regions are provided along all
four sides of the liquid absorbent layer.
[0011] In the side regions, the hydrophilic sheet may be laid on
the backsheet. Here, the topsheet may extend beyond the liquid
absorbent layer to cover the hydrophilic sheet in the side
regions.
[0012] The hydrophilic sheet may extend between the liquid
absorbent layer and the topsheet and beyond the liquid absorbent
layer into the side regions. The hydrophilic sheet thus provided
facilitates migration of urine from the side regions to the liquid
absorbent layer.
[0013] According to an alternative embodiment, the topsheet may be
located between the backsheet and the hydrophilic sheet in the side
regions.
[0014] Preferably, the topsheet is an apertured resin film, the
liquid absorbent layer is an absorbent core covered with a tissue
paper, and the hydrophilic sheet is a nonwoven fabric that is
greater in both thickness and basis weight than the tissue paper.
The nonwoven fabric may be in contact with the liquid absorbent
layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The present invention will be understood more fully from the
detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying
drawings of the preferred embodiments of the present invention,
which, however, should not be taken to limit to the invention, but
are for explanation and understanding only.
[0016] In the drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pet sheet according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing individual
components of the pet sheet of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a topsheet, a
hydrophilic sheet and a liquid absorbent layer;
[0022] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing individual
components of a pet sheet according to a second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and
showing the pet sheet of the second embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 and
showing the pet sheet of the second embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a modification of the
first embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another modification
of the first embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and
showing a modification of the second embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and
showing another modification of the second embodiment; and
[0029] FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a conventional pet
sheet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] The present invention will be discussed hereinafter in
detail in terms of the preferred embodiments according to the
present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In
the following description, numerous specific details are set forth
in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art
that the present invention may be practiced without these specific
details. In other instances, well-known structures are not shown in
detail in order not to obscure the features of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pet sheet 21
according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is
an exploded perspective view showing individual components of the
pet sheet 21; FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III
of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of
FIG. 1; and FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a
topsheet, a hydrophilic sheet and a liquid absorbent layer.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, the pet sheet 21 is generally
rectangular. The pet sheet 21 has a center region 22 of a length L1
and a width W1. Laterally outside the center region 22, long side
regions 23 of a width W2 are provided along long sides 21a of the
pet sheet 21. Longitudinally outside the center region 22, short
side regions 24 of a width L2 are provided along short sides 21b of
the pet sheet 21.
[0033] The center region 22 refers to a region where a liquid
absorbent layer 25 is present (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the long
side regions 23 are defined between long sides 25a of the liquid
absorbent layer 25 and the long sides 21a of the pet sheet 21; the
short side regions 24 are defined between short sides 25b of the
liquid absorbent layer 25 and the short sides 21b of the pet sheet
21.
[0034] The length L1 and width W1 of the center region 22 may vary
depending on the pet's length. For example, the length L1 may be
set within the range of 400 to 900 mm and the width W1 within the
range of 250 to 600 mm.
[0035] The width W2 of the side region 23 and the width L2 of the
side region 24 are preferably equal to or greater than 10 mm. Their
upper limit is about 70 mm. The width W2 of the side region 23 and
the width L2 of the side region 24 may be equal to or different
from each other.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the pet sheet 21 comprises a
liquid-impermeable backsheet 31, the liquid absorbent layer 25
disposed on the upper side of the backsheet 31, a hydrophilic sheet
32 covering the upper side of the liquid absorbent layer 25 and a
liquid-permeable topsheet 33 disposed on the upper side of the
hydrophilic sheet 32.
[0037] The backsheet 31 and the hydrophilic sheet 32 are
coextensive with the pet sheet 21, so that their length is
represented by L1+2.multidot.L2 and their width is by
W1+2.multidot.W2. The liquid absorbent layer 25 is coextensive with
the center region 22, so that its length is represented by L1 and
its width is by W1. The topsheet 33 is coextensive longitudinally
with the pet sheet 21 but laterally with the center region 22, so
that its length is represented by L1+2.multidot.L2 and its width is
by W1.
[0038] In the center region 22, the backsheet 31, the liquid
absorbent layer 25, the hydrophilic sheet 32 and the topsheet 33
are stacked as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0039] In FIG. 3, the backsheet 31 and the hydrophilic sheet 32
extend beyond the long sides 25a of the liquid absorbent layer 25
to provide the long side regions 23 where the hydrophilic sheet 32
is laid on the backsheet 31.
[0040] In FIG. 4, on the other hand, the backsheet 31, the
hydrophilic sheet 32 and the topsheet 33 extend beyond the short
sides 25b of the liquid absorbent layer 25 to provide the short
side regions 24 where the hydrophilic sheet 32 is laid on the
backsheet 31 and the topsheet 33 is on the hydrophilic sheet
32.
[0041] In the center region 22, the liquid absorbent layer 25 is
bonded to the backsheet 31 through a hot-melt type adhesive. A
similar adhesive is used for bonding the liquid absorbent layer 25
to the hydrophilic sheet 32 and bonding the topsheet 33 to the
hydrophilic sheet 32. However, the adhesive used for bonding the
liquid absorbent layer 25 to the hydrophilic sheet 32 and bonding
the topsheet 33 to the hydrophilic sheet 32 is applied in a spiral,
dot or striped pattern in such an amount as not to interfere with
liquid migration (e.g., within the range of 0.5 to 10
g/m.sup.2).
[0042] In both the long side regions 23 and the short side regions
24, the hydrophilic sheet 32 is bonded to the backsheet 31 through
a hot-melt type adhesive. In the short side regions 24,
furthermore, the topsheet 33 is bonded to the hydrophilic sheet 32
through a similar adhesive that is applied in a spiral, dot or
striped pattern in such an amount as not to interfere with liquid
migration.
[0043] The backsheet 31 is a liquid-impermeable sheet such as a
resin film of polyethylene (PE) or a water-repellent or hydrophobic
nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric may be a meltblown, a
spunbonded, or a laminated material thereof (e.g., a
spunbonded-meltblown laminate).
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid absorbent layer 25
includes an absorbent core 26 in the form of a rectangular sheet.
The upper side of the absorbent core 26 is covered with a colored
hydrophilic sheet 27. The colored sheet 27 is almost coextensive
with the absorbent core 26. The lower side of the absorbent core 26
is covered with a hydrophilic sheet 28. Along the long sides 25a of
the liquid absorbent layer 25, the sheet 28 is folded back against
the upper side of the absorbent core 26 to cover side portions 26a
of the absorbent core 26. Thus, side edges 28a of the sheet 28 are
located on the colored sheet 27 to provide the liquid absorbent
layer 25 with border areas 25c of a width Wa. In the border areas
25c, the sheet 28 extends over the colored sheet 27.
[0045] The colored sheet 27 is a hydrophilic tissue paper colored
blue, green or red, while the sheet 28 is a white hydrophilic
tissue paper.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the absorbent core 26 is composed of a
fluff pulp (crushed pulp) layer 41, containing first superabsorbent
polymer (first SAP) 42, and second superabsorbent polymer (second
SAP) 43 located between the fluff pulp layer 41 and the colored
sheet 27.
[0047] In the present embodiment, the first SAP 42 has a faster
liquid absorption rate than the second SAP 43. The first SAP 42 and
the second SAP 43 are polymers such as polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl
alcohol or maleic anhydride. In order to make the liquid absorption
rate of the first SAP 42 faster than that of the second SAP 43, for
example, particulate polymer whose surface is cross-linked may be
used for the second SAP 43 and particulate polymer whose surface is
not cross-linked at all or weakly cross-linked may be used for the
first SAP 42. In order to make the liquid absorption rate of the
first SAP 42 faster than that of the second SAP 43, alternatively,
the particle size of the first SAP 42 may be made smaller than that
of the second SAP 43.
[0048] The hydrophilic sheet 32 may be a hydrophilic nonwoven
fabric such as a spunlaced nonwoven fabric formed of cellulosic
fibers (e.g., pulp and rayon) alone or a combination of cellulosic
fibers and synthetic resin fibers treated to be hydrophilic, a
through-air bonded nonwoven fabric formed of heat-fusible synthetic
resin fibers treated to be hydrophilic, or a point-bonded nonwoven
fabric formed of heat-fusible synthetic resin fibers treated to be
hydrophilic. Alternatively, there may be used a spunbonded nonwoven
fabric treated to be hydrophilic or a laminated material
manufactured by laminating microfibers to a spunbonded nonwoven
fabric (e.g., meltblown-spunbonded-meltblown laminate).
[0049] In both thickness and basis weight, the hydrophilic sheet 32
is greater than (preferably at least 1.2 times, more preferably at
least 1.5 times) the tissue papers used for the colored sheet 27
and the sheet 28.
[0050] The topsheet 33 may be an apertured resin film (e.g.,
apertured PE film) formed with a large number of apertures 33a for
allowing liquid passage. Preferably, a whitening agent such as
titanium oxide is added to the resin film. More specifically, the
topsheet 33 is a so-called perforated film in which the apertures
33a are formed by softening a resin film on a net-like or apertured
base and then sucking the resin film from the underside of the
net-like or apertured base.
[0051] In this perforated film, as shown in FIG. 5 on an enlarged
scale, the individual apertures 33a are through-holes extending in
the thickness direction of the film and tapered toward the liquid
absorbent layer 25. The area ratio of the apertures 33a to the
topsheet 33 is in the range of 10 to 60%. The perforated film may
be treated to be hydrophilic such as by applying a surfactant to
the film surface or kneading the resin with a surfactant.
[0052] From above the pet sheet 21, the color of the colored sheet
27 can be seen through the topsheet 33 and the hydrophilic sheet 32
in the center region 22. When the colored sheet 27 is blue, the
center region 22 takes on a white-blue (or bluish white) color.
However, since the white sheet 28 is laid on the colored sheet 27
in the border areas 25c of the liquid absorbent layer 25, the
center region 22 is more white (or less bluish) in the border areas
25c than in an intermediate area between the border areas 25c.
[0053] In the pet sheet 21 of FIG. 1, furthermore, the side regions
23, 24 outside the generally white-blue center region 22 are
substantially white.
[0054] Alternatively, the topsheet 33 may be a hydrophilic nonwoven
fabric, an apertured nonwoven fabric, or a laminated material of an
apertured resin film and a nonwoven fabric. Also in this case, the
color of the colored sheet 27 need be seen through the topsheet
33.
[0055] Urine applied to the center region 22 can be absorbed and
retained in the liquid absorbent layer 25 via the hydrophilic sheet
32 after passing through the apertures 33a of the topsheet 33.
Since the second SAP 43 having a slow liquid absorption rate is
located beneath the colored sheet 27 and the first SAP 42 having a
faster liquid absorption rate than the second SAP 43 is dispersed
in the fluff pulp layer 41, the liquid absorbent layer 25 can
retain much water as a whole. At the same time time, the second SAP
43, which is located between the fluff pulp layer 41 and the
colored sheet 27 and which has a slow liquid absorption rate,
hardly interferes with liquid migration, allowing rapid permeation
into the fluff pulp layer 41.
[0056] Since the first SAP 42 having a fast liquid absorption rate
is dispersed in the fluff pulp layer 41, urine introduced into the
fluff pulp layer 41 can be quickly absorbed by the first SAP 42,
which inhibits diffusion of urine inside the fluff pulp layer 41.
Therefore, even when the pet sheet 21 is used for a long time,
urine will not leave a noticeable stain on the pet sheet 21. Thus,
the pet sheet 21 is suitable for long time use.
[0057] In the topsheet 33, moreover, the individual apertures 33a
are tapered toward the liquid absorbent layer 25, as shown in FIG.
5. Therefore, urine absorbed in the liquid absorbent layer 25 is
inhibited from oozing out to the surface of the topsheet 33.
[0058] On the other hand, urine applied to the side regions 23, 24
may be absorbed and retained in the hydrophilic sheet 32 outside
the center region 22 or migrate to the center region 22 via the
hydrophilic sheet 32 for absorption and retention in the liquid
absorbent layer 25. Thus, urine applied to the side regions 23, 24
can also be retained so as not to flow out of the pet sheet 21.
Since the hydrophilic sheet 32 is in contact with the liquid
absorbent layer 25, urine applied to the side regions 23, 24 can be
readily drawn into the liquid absorbent layer 25 via the
hydrophilic sheet 32. In addition, since the hydrophilic sheet 32
is greater in thickness and basis weight than the tissue papers
used for the colored sheet 27 and the sheet 28, it is effective in
preventing urine from flowing along or puddling in the side regions
23, 24.
[0059] Pets such as dogs or cats are trained to micturate or
defecate on the pet sheet 21 with their feet on the center region
22. This can be accomplished without difficulty because the center
region 22 takes on a color different from that of the side regions
23, 24 due to the presence of the colored sheet 27. Even in this
case, urine may sometimes be applied to the side regions 23, 24
outside the center region 22, but urine applied to the side regions
23, 24 can be readily absorbed in the liquid absorbent layer 25 via
the hydrophilic sheet 32 as described hereinabove.
[0060] FIGS. 6 to 8 show a pet sheet 121 according to a second
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded
perspective view showing individual components of the pet sheet
121; FIG. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3; and FIG. 8
is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4. Hereinbelow the
detailed description of the portions having the same construction
as those of the first embodiment will be omitted by designating
them by the common reference numerals.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 6, the pet sheet 121 has the backsheet 31,
the liquid absorbent layer 25 and the topsheet 33 as in the pet
sheet 21 of the first embodiment.
[0062] For the pet sheet 121, however, a pair of strip-shaped
long-side hydrophilic sheets 132a and a pair of strip-shaped
short-side hydrophilic sheets 132b are used in place of the
hydrophilic sheet 32 of the first embodiment. The hydrophilic
sheets 132a, 132b are of the same material as the hydrophilic sheet
32.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, the long-side hydrophilic sheets 132a
are disposed along long sides 121a of the pet sheet 121 to provide
the long side regions 23 where the long-side hydrophilic sheets
132a are laid on and bonded to the upper side of the backsheet 31.
Of the long-side hydrophilic sheet 132a, one edge 132a1 coincides
with the long side 121a, while another edge 132a2 is located on the
liquid absorbent layer 25 so that the long-side hydrophilic sheet
132a overlaps with the liquid absorbent layer 25.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 8, the short-side hydrophilic sheets 132b
are disposed along short sides 121b of the pet sheet 121 to provide
the short side regions 24 where the short-side hydrophilic sheets
132b are located between the backsheet 31 and the topsheet 33. Of
the short-side hydrophilic sheet 132b, one edge 132b1 coincides
with the short side 121b, while another edge 132b2 is located on
the liquid absorbent layer 25 so that the short-side hydrophilic
sheet 132b overlaps with the liquid absorbent layer 25.
[0065] In the pet sheet 121, the liquid absorbent layer 25 is
located immediately beneath the topsheet 33 centrally of the center
region 22. Therefore, urine applied to the center region 22 can be
absorbed in the liquid absorbent layer 25 immediately after passing
through the apertures 33a of the topsheet 33, without being
diffused through the hydrophilic sheet 32.
[0066] Also in the second embodiment, since the hydrophilic sheets
132a, 132b overlap with the liquid absorbent layer 25, urine
applied to the side regions 23, 24 can be readily drawn into the
liquid absorbent layer 25 via the hydrophilic sheets 132a,
132b.
[0067] FIGS. 9 and 10 show modifications of the pet sheet 21. Of
course, the pet sheet 121 according to the second embodiment may be
likewise modified.
[0068] FIG. 9 shows a pet sheet 21A in which the topsheet 33 is
made smaller than in the pet sheet 21 so as to be coextensive with
the center region 22. That is, the topsheet 33 is located
exclusively above the liquid absorbent layer 25, so that the
hydrophilic sheet 32 is exposed externally in both the side regions
23, 24. In this case, urine applied to the side regions 23, 24 can
be immediately absorbed in the hydrophilic sheet 32.
[0069] FIG. 10 shows a pet sheet 21B in which the topsheet 33 is
made coextensive with the backsheet 31 and the hydrophilic sheet
32. That is, not only the center region 22 and the short side
regions 24 but also the long side regions 23 are covered with the
topsheet 33. In this case, the color of urine applied to the side
regions 23, 24 and absorbed in the hydrophilic sheet 32 can be
concealed by the topsheet 33.
[0070] FIGS. 11 and 12 show modifications of the pet sheet 121.
FIGS. 11 and 12 are sectional views corresponding to FIG. 7.
[0071] FIG. 11 shows a pet sheet 121A in which the long-side
hydrophilic sheets 132a and the short-side hydrophilic sheets 132b
(not shown) are fixed on the topsheet 33 in the center region
22.
[0072] FIG. 12 shows a pet sheet 121B in which the topsheet 33
extends into both the side regions 23, 24 (not shown). In the side
regions 23, 24, the extensions of the topsheet 33 are fixed on the
backsheet 31. Thus, the long-side hydrophilic sheets 132a and the
short-side hydrophilic sheets 132b (not shown) are fixed on the
topsheet 33 not only in the center region 22 but also in the side
regions 23, 24.
[0073] Accordingly, urine applied to the side regions 23, 24 may be
absorbed and retained in the hydrophilic sheet 132a, 132b or
migrate to the center region 22 via the hydrophilic sheets 132a,
132b and pass through the apertures 33a of the topsheet 33 for
absorption and retention in the underlying liquid absorbent layer
25.
[0074] Although the present invention has been illustrated and
described with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should
be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and
various other changes, omission and additions may be made therein
and thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be
understood as limited to the specific embodiments set out above but
to include all possible embodiments which can be embodied within a
scope encompassed and equivalent thereof with respect to the
features set out in the appended claims.
* * * * *