U.S. patent application number 11/162542 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-20 for carton with article opening.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE COCA-COLA COMPANY. Invention is credited to Noel G. Stewart, James J. Wang.
Application Number | 20060081692 11/162542 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35739330 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060081692 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stewart; Noel G. ; et
al. |
April 20, 2006 |
CARTON WITH ARTICLE OPENING
Abstract
A carton for containing a number of articles with each article
having an article diameter. The carton includes a front wall, a
hinged flap positioned on the front wall, and an access flap
positioned on the front wall adjacent to the hinged flap. The
access flap has a height less than the article diameter such that
the articles are retained within the carton by the hinged flap when
the access flap is removed.
Inventors: |
Stewart; Noel G.; (Cumming,
GA) ; Wang; James J.; (Sugar Land, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP
999 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
ATLANTA
GA
30309
US
|
Assignee: |
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
One Coca-Cola Plaza NW
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
35739330 |
Appl. No.: |
11/162542 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60522609 |
Oct 20, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/122.1 ;
229/240; 229/242 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2571/00549
20130101; B65D 2571/00586 20130101; B65D 2571/00728 20130101; B65D
2571/0045 20130101; B65D 71/36 20130101; B65D 2571/00141 20130101;
B65D 2571/0066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/122.1 ;
229/240; 229/242 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/72 20060101
B65D005/72; B65D 17/00 20060101 B65D017/00 |
Claims
1. A carton for containing a number of articles, with each article
having an article diameter, comprising: a front wall; a hinged flap
positioned on the front wall; and an access flap positioned on the
front wall adjacent to the hinged flap; the access flap comprising
a height less than the article diameter such that the number of
articles are retained within the carton by the hinged flap when the
access flap is removed.
2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the hinged flap comprises a tear
line.
3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the tear line comprises a line of
weakening.
4. The carton of claim 2, wherein the hinged flap comprises a pair
of tear lines.
5. The carton of claim 1, wherein the hinged flap comprises a pair
of legs.
6. The carton of claim 1, further comprising a pair of sidewalls
positioned adjacent to the front wall and wherein the access flap
extends into the sidewalls.
7. The carton of claim 6, wherein the access flap along the pair of
sidewalls comprises a height of less than the article diameter.
8. The carton of claim 1, wherein the access flap comprises a thumb
guide positioned therein.
9. The carton of claim 1, further comprising a bottom wall and
wherein the access flap comprises a further tear line adjacent to
the bottom wall.
10. The carton of claim 1, wherein the carton comprises a two
article by six article configuration.
11. A carton for containing a number of articles, with each article
having an article diameter, comprising: a front wall; a top wall;
an access flap formed along the front wall and the top wall; and a
plurality of side tear lines positioned adjacent to the access flap
along the top wall so as to allow the front wall to bend after the
access flap is removed and one of the number of articles is removed
therethrough.
12. The carton of claim 11, wherein the access flap along the top
wall comprises a dimension of about the article diameter.
13. The carton of claim 11, wherein the top wall comprises a pair
of strips, with one of the pair of strips on either side of the
access flap, and wherein the plurality of side tear lines is
positioned within the pair of strips.
14. The carton of claim 11, wherein the plurality of side tear
lines comprises a pair of side tear lines.
15. The carton of claim 11, further comprising a bottom wall and
wherein the access flap comprises a further tear line adjacent to
the bottom wall.
16. The carton of claim 11, wherein each of the articles includes
an article length and wherein the access flap comprises a width of
less than the article length.
17. The carton of claim 11, wherein the carton comprises a two
article by six article configuration.
18. A carton for containing a number of articles, with each article
having an article length, comprising: a front wall; and an access
flap positioned within the front wall; the access flap comprising a
width greater than half of the article length; and the access flap
comprising a thumb flap positioned along the front wall.
19. The carton of claim 18, wherein each article comprises an
article diameter and wherein the access flap comprises a height of
about a multiple of the article diameter.
20. The carton of claim 18, wherein the carton comprises a two
article by six article configuration.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/522,609, filed on Oct. 20,
2004, incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present application relates generally to cartons and
more particularly relates to cartons with a dispenser opening that
provides access to the articles therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various types of cartons are known for enclosing various
types of articles, such as cans, bottles, and other objects. One
recent type of container is known as the "FRIDGE PACK.TM." carton.
Various types of "FRIDGE PACK.TM." cartons are produced for and
sold to bottlers under license with The Coca-Cola Company of
Atlanta, Ga. for the sale of Coca-Cola.RTM. brand products.
[0004] The "FRIDGE PACK.TM." cartons generally have a two by six
(2.times.6) product shape, with two (2) product columns in height
and six (6) product rows in length. One end of the carton generally
is scored so as to permit the removal of a section of the carton
such that a consumer can grasp the products within. The design of
two (2) columns and six (6) rows with the removable end generally
promotes the use of the carton within a standard refrigerator.
Other configurations, however, such as two (2) rows of four (4)
cans each (eight pack) and three (3) rows of four (4) cans each
("three by four twelve pack") also are possible and within the
scope of the present invention.
[0005] One of the shortcomings of known cartons may be difficulty
in opening the carton. For example, some cartons employ perforated
openings along a top corner. It is often difficult to design
perforations that will remain intact when the carton is being
shipped and yet will yield without undue effort when the consumer
desires to open the package. Another problem is preventing
articles, particularly the first article, from falling out of the
carton once it is opened. Still another problem is that consumers
may desire to be able to see inside the carton after it is opened
to take inventory of how many articles remain in the carton. Still
other cartons may employ an opening that pulls up from the bottom.
In this design, the portion of the carton remaining after being
pulled up may be tucked into a slot along the top. Such a design
may fail to satisfy the consumer's desire to pull down and toward
the front to remove the access portion of the carton.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present application thus describes a carton for
containing a number of articles with each article having an article
diameter. The carton includes a front wall, a hinged flap
positioned on the front wall, and an access flap positioned on the
front wall adjacent to the hinged flap. The access flap has a
height less than the article diameter such that the articles are
retained within the carton by the hinged flap when the access flap
is removed.
[0007] The hinged flap may include a tear line or a pair of tear
lines. The tear lines may be a line of weakening. The hinged flap
may include a pair of legs. The carton may include a pair of
sidewalls positioned adjacent to the front wall and the access flap
extends into the sidewalls. The access flap along the sidewalls may
include a height of less than the article diameter. The access flap
may include a thumb guide positioned therein. The carton may
include a bottom wall and the access flap may include a further
tear line adjacent to the bottom wall. The carton may include a two
article by six article configuration.
[0008] The present application further describes carton for
containing a number of articles with each article having an article
diameter. The carton may include a front wall, a top wall, an
access flap formed along the front wall and the top wall, and a
number of side tear lines positioned adjacent to the access flap
along the top wall so as to allow the front wall to bend after the
access flap is removed and one of the articles is removed
therethrough.
[0009] The access flap along the top wall may include a dimension
of about the article diameter. The top wall may include a pair of
strips, with one of the strips on either side of the access flap.
The side tear lines are positioned within the strips. The side tear
lines may be a pair of side tear lines. The carton further may
include a bottom wall and the access flap may include a further
tear line adjacent to the bottom wall. The access flap may include
a width of less than an article length. The carton may include a
two article by six article configuration.
[0010] The present application further describes carton for
containing a number of articles with each article having an article
length. The carton may include a front wall and an access flap
positioned within the front wall. The access flap may include a
width greater than half of the article length and the access flap
may include a thumb flap positioned along the front wall.
[0011] The access flap may include a height of about a multiple of
the article diameter. The carton may include a two article by six
article configuration.
[0012] These and other features of the present invention will
become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of
the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with
the drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank as described herein.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carton erected from the
blank of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 2 with
the dispensing panel removed.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 2 with
the dispensing panel removed.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 2 with
the dispensing panel removed.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative carton as
described herein.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 6 with a
dispensing panel removed.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank of an alternative
embodiment as described herein.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a carton erected from the
blank of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals
indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a
blank 100 that may be used to erect a carton as is described
herein. The blank 100 may be made out of cardboard, paperboard,
corrugated board, or similar types of foldable sheet materials.
Specifically, the blank 100 may be made out of coated unbleached
paperboard. The blank 100 may be die cut from a continuous sheet of
a material or individual sheets.
[0023] Each blank 100 may have a number of fold lines and tear
lines formed therein. The term "fold line" may refer to a weakened
line that facilitates folding of the material along the length of
the line. The fold line may include, but is not limited to, a score
line, a perforation, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a
combination of slits and score lines, and similar arrangements. Any
reference to a fold line or any hinged connection should not be
construed as being limited to a single fold line. Any such fold
line or hinged connection may be formed from one or more fold
lines.
[0024] The term "tear" line may refer to a line of severance or any
other weakened line that facilitates separation along the length of
the weakened line. The tear line may include, but is not limited
to, a perforation, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a
combination of slits and score lines, and similar arrangements.
[0025] It will be recognized that ordering references such as first
and second and directional references, such as top, base, bottom,
side, upper, lower, front, back, inner, outer, etc. do not limit
the structure described herein to such orientations, but merely
serve to distinguish relative structure from one another.
[0026] The blank 100 may have a number of panels and flaps
separated by fold lines. Specifically, the blank 100 may have a top
panel 100, a bottom panel 120, a first side panel 130, and a second
side panel 140. The top panel 110 and the bottom panel 120 may have
a pair of reinforcing flaps positioned adjacent thereto, a first
reinforcing flap 150 and a second reinforcing flap 160. The first
side panel 130 and the second side panel 130 may have a pair of
dispensing flaps positioned adjacent thereto, a first dispensing
flap 170 and a second dispensing flap 180. The first side panel 130
also may have a glue flap 190 positioned adjacent thereto. The
respective panels and flaps may be connected by a number of fold
lines 200.
[0027] One set of the dispensing flaps 170, 180 may have a number
of tear lines positioned therein. Specifically, these dispensing
flaps 170, 180 may have a first tear line 220 that extends from the
fold line 200 with the first and/or second side panel 130, 140 for
a relatively short distance in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the fold line 200. In this example, the first tear
line 220 may be more in the nature of a line of weakening. The
dispensing panels 170, 180 further may have a second tear line 230
that may be positioned below the first tear line 220 and may begin
about where the first tear line 220 stops. The second tear line 230
then may continue for the entire length of the dispensing flap 170,
180. The dispensing flaps 170,180 further may have a third tear
line 240 that again starts at the fold line 200 with the side panel
130, 140 at a position beneath the first tear line 220 and parallel
therewith. The third tear line 240 then may angle upward and may
continue in the direction of the first tear line 220 and parallel
with the second tear line 230.
[0028] Each side panel 130, 140 also may have a tear line therein.
Specifically, a fourth tear line 250. The fourth tear line 250 may
extend from the fold line 200 with the dispensing flaps 170, 180 at
an intersection with the third tear line 240. The fourth tear line
250 then may proceed in concave fashion until it again meets the
fold line 200 with the dispensing flap 170, 180. A fifth tear line
260 also may be present between the first tear line 220 and the
second tear line 230 of the dispensing flaps 170, 180 along the
fold line 200. A sixth tear line 270 may extend between the second
reinforcing flap 160 and the second side panel 140 along the length
of the fold line 200. A seventh tear line 275 may be positioned on
the side panels 130, 140 adjacent to the first tear line 220. The
seventh tear line 275 may be in the shape of an arc or a half
circle. Any number of other tear lines also may be used in any
position or direction.
[0029] The top panel 110 also may have a handle cutout 270
positioned therein. The handle cutout 270 may be formed by a number
of tear lines. The handle cutout 270 may extend into the side panel
130, 140.
[0030] The blank 100 may be used to erect a carton 300 as is
described herein. The carton 300 may have a top wall 310, a bottom
wall 320, a front wall 330, a back wall 340, a first side wall 350,
and a second side wall 360. The carton 300 may be erected by
attaching the glue flap 190 to the bottom panel 120, folding the
reinforcing flaps 150, 160, and attaching the dispensing panels
170, 180 to the reinforcing flaps 150, 160 and/or to each other. A
conventional adhesive or other type of joinder means may be
used.
[0031] A dispenser 400 may be positioned about the front wall 330,
the back wall 340, and/or both. The tear lines described above may
form the dispenser 400. The dispenser 400 may include a dispenser
panel 410. The dispenser panel 410 may extend across the width of
the front wall 330. The third tear line 240 may define the
dispensing panel 410 across the front wall 330. The dispensing
panel 410 also may extend into the first and second sidewall 350,
360 via the fourth tear line 250. The dispensing panel 410 also may
have a thumb guide or finger access 420. The second tear line 230
may define the thumb guide or finger access 420. The first tear
line 220 may define a hinged flap 425 on either side of the front
wall 330.
[0032] To open the carton 300, the dispensing panel 410 may be
removed by pushing in along the thumb guide or finger access 420
such that the second and the third tear lines 230, 240 begin to be
broken. The panel 410 then may be grasped and pulled outward, thus
breaking the fourth 250 tear lines and creating an access aperture
435. The seventh tear lines 275 generally limit the amount of extra
tearing along the sidewalls 350, 360. The dispensing panel 410
either may lie open or the panel 410 may be removed completely by
tearing along the sixth tear line 270.
[0033] Once the dispensing panel 410 is opened and/or removed, one
or more legs are formed along the hinged flap 425 of the front wall
330. Preferably, a first leg 430 and a second leg 440 are
positioned as illustrated, although a single leg of sufficient
length and height may also be employed. When a single leg is
employed, it may be positioned inwardly, i.e., centered relative to
the access aperture 435, providing improved gripping on the ends of
the container 500. The legs 430, 440 of the hinged flap 425
function to retain an article within the carton 300. The first and
fifth tear lines or score lines 220, 260 may be positioned about
the legs 430, 440 to allow the legs 430, 440 to "give" so as to
permit an article 500 to be removed from the carton 300 while
keeping the remaining articles in place.
[0034] For example, beverage containers such as a number of cans
500 may be positioned within the carton 300. The first can 500 may
be removed through the access aperture 435. The legs 430, 440 of
the hinged flap 425 will bend somewhat about the first tear or
score lines 220 and the fifth tear lines 260 as the can 500 is
removed. Once the first can 500 is removed, the one or more legs
430, 440 may spring back and keep the remaining cans 500 in place.
Of course, more than two legs 430, 440 could also be used,
depending on the width of the package. For example, in a "double
wide" carton containing two rows of containers side-by-side, (e.g.,
a "2.times.2.times.6" configuration) it might be advantageous to
include two legs 430, 440 on either end of the access opening and a
third in the middle thereof in order to retain both rows of
containers within the package.
[0035] Although the carton 300 described herein is shown in the
context of a two (2) row by six (6) column format, any size or
shape may be used herein. The nature of the dispensing panel 410
does not depend upon the overall configuration of the carton
300.
[0036] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show an alternative embodiment of carton
600. As described above, the carton 600 may have the top wall 310,
the bottom wall 320, the front wall 330, the back wall 340, the
first sidewall 350, and the second sidewall 360.
[0037] The carton 600 also may have a dispenser 610. The dispenser
610, similar to dispenser 400 described above, may be defined by a
number of fold lines and/or tear lines. For example, the dispenser
610 may include a fold line 620 positioned on the top wall 310. The
fold line 620 may be substantially parallel to the edge between the
top wall 310 and the front wall 330. The fold line 620 may be about
the width of one can 500 away from the top edge of the front wall
330, although other positions may be used. The fold line 620 may
extend for a majority of the width of the top wall 310. For
example, if the top wall 310 has a width of about 7.5 centimeters,
the fold line 620 may extend for about 4.5 centimeters, thereby
leaving about 1.5 centimeters on either side. Any dimensions may be
used, however, and it is within the scope of this invention that
the fold line 620 may extent the entire width of the top wall 310.
The fold line 620 also could be a tear line.
[0038] A pair of top tear lines 630 may extend from the fold line
620 towards the edge between the top wall 310 and the front wall
330. The top tear lines 630 may be largely parallel to, or even
collinear with, the edges between the top wall 310 and the
sidewalls 350, 360. Alternatively, a portion of the top tear lines
630 may be parallel with, collinear with, and/or at an angle
relative to the edges between the top wall 310 and the sidewalls
350, 360. If all or a portion of the tear lines 630 are collinear
with the edges between the top wall 310 and the sidewalls 350, 360,
it may be necessary to angle a front portion of these tear lines
inwardly so as to maintain narrow regions on the top and/or front
walls that provide stability to the top 310 and/or front walls 330
after removal of the dispenser panel 370.
[0039] A pair of front tear line 640 then may continue down part or
all of the length of the front wall 330. The front tear lines 640
may be largely parallel to the edges between the front wall 330 and
the sidewalls 350, 360. A pair of edge tear lines 650 may extend
between the front tear lines 640, one on the edge between the top
wall 310 and the front wall 330 and one along the edge between the
front wall 330 and the bottom wall 620. A thumbhole tear line 660
may extend for part of the distance around the edge tear line 650
about the edge between the top wall 310 and the front wall 330. The
thumbhole tear line 660 may be largely semicircular or oval in
shape. The fold line 620, the top tear lines 630, and the edge tear
line 650 along the edge between the top wall 310 and the front wall
330 thus form a top dispenser panel 670. The front tear lines 640
and the edge tear lines 650 form a front dispenser panel 680.
[0040] The top wall 310 also may have a pair of side-cut tear lines
690 and/or score lines formed therein. The side-cut tear or score
lines 690 may extend from the top tear line 630 towards the edge
between the top wall 310 and the sidewalls 350, 360. The side-cut
tear or score lines 690 may be largely parallel to the edge between
the top wall 310 and the front wall 330. In this example, the
side-cut tear line 690 may be about 2 centimeters in length and
spaced about 1.5 centimeters from the edge between the top wall 310
and the front wall 330. Any dimensions may be used.
[0041] In use, the dispenser 610 may be removed from the carton 600
by pushing in along the thumbhole tear line 660. The user can then
pull up so as to tear the top dispenser panel 670 along the top
tear lines 630 and then bend the top dispenser panel 670 along the
fold line 620. The user then may tear the front dispenser panel 680
downward along the front tear lines 640 and then remove the front
dispenser panel 680 along the bottom edge tear line 650. Removal of
the panels 670, 680 thus forms an access aperture 700. Once the
panels 670, 680 are removed, the cans 500 within the carton 600
remain in place due to the remaining sections of the top wall 310
and the front wall 330. To remove a can 500, the user pulls the top
can through the aperture 700, thereby bending the top wall 310
and/or the front wall 330 along the side-cut tear lines 690. As is
shown in FIG. 7, the can 500 can be easily removed from the carton
600 while the remaining portions of the top wall 310 and the front
wall 330 keep the remaining cans 500 in place.
[0042] Additional top tear lines 630 may extend along the length of
the top wall 310. Likewise, the top dispenser panel 670 may extend
along the length of the top wall 310 such that portions of the
panel 670 may be removed as the cans 500 are removed from the
carton 610.
[0043] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a further alternative embodiment.
Specifically, FIG. 8 shows a blank 750. As above, the blank 750 may
have a number of panels and flaps separated by fold lines. The
blank 750 may have the top panel 100, the bottom panel 120, the
first side panel 130, and a second side panel 140. The top panel
110 and the bottom panel 120 may have the first reinforcing flap
150 and the second reinforcing flap 160. The first side panel 130
and the second side panel 130 may have the first dispensing flap
170 and the second dispensing flap 180. The respective panels and
flaps may be connected by the fold lines 200.
[0044] The panels and flaps may have a number of tear lines
positioned therein. Specifically, the first reinforcing flap 150
may have a thumb guide 760 formed therein by a first reinforcing
flap tear line 770. The first reinforcing flap tear line 770 may be
largely semi-circular in shape. The first reinforcing flap 150
further may have a second reinforcing flap tear line 780 positioned
therein. The second dispensing flap tear line 780 may extend the
length of the first reinforcing flap 150 and may bisect the first
reinforcing flap 150 in an offset position somewhat closer to the
first dispensing flap 170. Further, the first reinforcing flap 150
may have a pair of third reinforcing flap tear lines 790 positioned
therein. The third reinforcing flap tear lines 790 may extend from
the second reinforcing flap tear line 780 to the first reinforcing
flap tear line 770 and the thumb guide 760 and then continue from
the thumb guide 760 to the end of the reinforcing flap 150.
[0045] The second reinforcing flap 160 may have a fourth
reinforcing flap tear line 800 positioned therein. The fourth
reinforcing flap tear line 800 also may bisect the second
reinforcing flap 160 and may align, when erected, with the second
reinforcing flap tear line 780 on the first reinforcing flap 150.
The second reinforcing flap 160 also may have a fifth reinforcing
flap tear line 810. The fifth reinforcing flap tear line 810 may
extend from the fourth reinforcing flap tear line 800 towards the
second dispensing flap 180 along the edge between the bottom panel
120 and the second reinforcing flap 160.
[0046] The second dispensing flap 180 may have a first dispensing
flap tear line 820 positioned therein. The first dispensing flap
tear line 820 may run the width of the second dispensing flap 180
and may be positioned along the edge between the second side panel
140 and the second dispensing flap 180.
[0047] The first dispensing flap 170 also may have a second
dispensing flap tear line 830 positioned therein. The second
dispensing flap tear line 830 may be positioned largely parallel to
the edge between the first side panel 130 and the first dispensing
flap 170. The second dispensing flap tear line 830 may run about
most of the width of the first dispensing flap 170. The second
dispensing flap tear line 830 may be positioned towards the edge of
the first dispensing flap 170 away from the edge with the side
panel 130.
[0048] FIG. 9 shows a carton 850 that may be erected from the blank
750. As described above, the carton 850 may have the top wall 310,
the bottom wall 320, the front wall 330, the back wall 340, the
first sidewall 350, and the second side wall 360. The carton 850
also may have a dispenser 860. The dispenser 860, similar to the
dispensers described above, may be defined by the tear lines
described above. Specifically, dispenser 860 may be defined by each
of the tear lines 770-830 described above.
[0049] In use, the user may open the carton 850 by pushing in along
the thumb guide 760, thus tearing the first reinforcing flap tear
line 770 and the third reinforcing flap tear lines 790 on either
side of the thumb guide 760. The user may then pull down a portion
of the front wall 330, thus ripping the first and second dispensing
flap tear lines 820, 830 as well as the second and fourth
reinforcing flap tear lines 780, 800. Finally, the user may tear
the fifth reinforcing flap tear line 810 thus leaving an aperture
870 exposed. The user then may remove a can 500 through the
aperture 870. Meanwhile, the remaining portion of the front wall
330 keeps the remaining can 500 in place.
[0050] The dispenser 860 may be positioned on either side of the
carton 850. Likewise, the size of the aperture 870 and the
remaining portion of the front wall 330 may vary.
[0051] It should be understood that the foregoing relates only to
the exemplary embodiments of the present invention and that
numerous changes and modifications may be made herein without
departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the following claims and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *