U.S. patent application number 11/459406 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-01 for resealable container lid and method.
Invention is credited to PEKKA VAHAVIHU.
Application Number | 20070023433 11/459406 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37693170 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070023433 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VAHAVIHU; PEKKA |
February 1, 2007 |
RESEALABLE CONTAINER LID AND METHOD
Abstract
A container construction is provided and includes a lid and
receptacle. The lid is attachable to the receptacle in an area
between lips extending from outer perimeters of the lid and
receptacle using a bonding element that is permanently attached to
one of the lips and heat sealed to the other of the lips. The lid
includes a plug that fits within a mouth allowing resealing of the
receptacle. Only one lid element is required to seal the
receptacle.
Inventors: |
VAHAVIHU; PEKKA;
(Hameelinna, FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLACKWELL SANDERS PEPER MARTIN LLP
4801 Main Street
Suite 1000
KANSAS CITY
MO
64112
US
|
Family ID: |
37693170 |
Appl. No.: |
11/459406 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60595716 |
Jul 29, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.7 ;
220/359.2; 220/791 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/208
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.7 ;
220/359.2; 220/791 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18; B65D 17/34 20060101 B65D017/34; B65D 39/00 20060101
B65D039/00 |
Claims
1. A method of making a container said method including: forming a
receptacle with a product storage chamber and a mouth portion, the
receptacle also having a generally outwardly extending peripheral
first lop with a first surface; forming a lid having a generally
outwardly extending second lip with a second surface and having a
plug portion sized and shaped to be received within the mouth
portion; depositing product into the chamber in a first time
period; mounting the lid to the receptacle after the depositing,
with said plug being positioned within the mouth portion and the
first and second surfaces facing one another; and bonding a portion
of the first lip to a portion of the second lip in a second time
period and thereby sealing the product in the container, said first
lip being severable from the second lip for opening the lid, the
second time period being less than about 1 second.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1 including forming a rib as
part of one of the first and second lips and having a free edge
engageable with the other of the first and second lips.
3. The method as set forth in claim 2 including bonding the free
edge of the rib to the other of the first and second lips by heat
sealing.
4. The method as set forth in claim 3 including forming a tab on
the second lip.
5. The method as set forth in claim 4 including forming an unbonded
area between the first and second lips extending inwardly from an
outer perimeter of the lips to the heat seal at least adjacent the
tab.
6. The method as set forth in claim 5 including forming
cooperatively interengageable elements on the receptacle and lid in
a mouth region of the receptacle.
7. The method as set forth in claim 6 including forming the second
lip with a bonding element to engage the free edge of the rib for
heat sealing thereto, said second time period being less than about
0.7 seconds.
8. A resealable container comprising: a receptacle defining a
product storage chamber and having a sidewall portion with a free
end portion defining an opening providing access to the chamber and
having a generally outwardly extending peripheral first lip with a
generally upwardly facing first surface, said sidewall having a
mouth portion adjacent the free end portion and first lip; a lid
having a generally outwardly extending peripheral second lip with a
generally downwardly facing second surface overlying a portion of
the first surface at least one of the first and second surfaces
having a rib projecting therefrom and secured to a portion of the
other of the first and second surfaces, said lid having a plug
portion depending from the second lip and positioned in the mouth
portion and having a hinge member extending across a portion of the
plug portion and separating said lid into first and second lid
portions with said first lid portion being selectively movable
about a portion of the hinge member relative to the second lid
portion, said lid being secured to the receptacle at the first and
second lips.
9. A resealable container as set forth in claim 8 at least one of
the first and second lips including a bonding element securing the
lid to the receptacle in an area between the first and second lips
at said bonding element said rib being bonded to at least one of
said receptacle and lid.
10. The resealable container as set forth in claim 9 wherein said
bonding element including a ply laminated to a lip portion of one
of the lid and receptacle.
11. The resealable container as set forth in claim 8 including a
tab member associated with the second lip.
12. The resealable container as set forth in claim 11 wherein at
least a portion of the first and second lips each having an outer
edge, at least a portion of the first and second lips being
unbonded in an area therebetween and extending inwardly of the
outer edges.
13. The resealable container as set forth in claim 12 wherein the
unbonded area being at least adjacent said tab.
14. The resealable container of claim 13 including cooperatively
interengagable elements associated with the lid and the receptacle
to permit selectively maintaining the lid in a closed condition
after the lid has been moved to an open position.
15. The resealable container of claim 13 wherein the plug portion
including a sidewall with a discontinuity at each end of the hinge
member permitting flexing of a living hinge portion of the hinge
member.
16. The resealable container of claim 8 wherein the plug portion
including a sidewall with a discontinuity at each end of the hinge
member permitting flexing of a living hinge portion of the hinge
member.
17. The resealable container of claim 16 wherein the hinge member
including a pair of walls extending from a bottom wall of the plug
portion and having the living hinge portion therebetween.
18. The resealable container of claim 17 wherein the pair of walls
defining a groove therebetween.
19. The resealable container of claim 18 wherein the groove opening
into said chamber.
20. The resealable container of claim 8 including cooperatively
interengagable elements associated with the lid and an upper
portion of the receptacle to permit selectively maintaining the lid
in a closed condition after the lid has been moved to an open
position.
21. The resealable container of claim 20 wherein at least one of
the interengagable elements including a rib.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority on previously filed
provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/595,716, filed Jul. 29,
2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Containers are commonly used for packaging items and in
particular food items. Many types and forms of containers have been
used each providing advantages and disadvantages, usually
simultaneously. A common type of food package involves a container
bottom or receptacle forming a storage chamber with an opening. A
lip or flange extends outwardly from the opening and provides a
surface for securing a membrane type closure to cover, close and
seal the opening. Typically, the membrane is a laminate having a
metallic foil layer and a polymeric layer. The membrane is secured
to the receptacle, as for example, by forming an adhesive bond or a
seal through induction bonding. One problem with such membrane
closures is that during the opening process, they often delaminate
even though they are not intended to, leaving residue of the
membrane on the receptacle or often tear requiring multiple steps
to remove the membrane and fully open the container. Additionally,
the container cannot be resealed using the removed membrane.
[0003] To solve the resealing problem, an overcap or lid was
provided which generally includes a generally planar wall member
with a depending skirt with a portion of the depending skirt and a
portion of the peripheral lip interengaging in some manner to
retain the lid on the container. Such a multiple closure container
though requires additional equipment on the processing line and
hence processing time to complete a filled and sealed container.
The time to fill and seal the container, herein referred to as
packaging time, can take up to two seconds adversely affecting line
efficiency. Additionally, a multiple component closure system adds
costs to the final product and in particular to the container where
margins tend to be low.
[0004] Thus, there is a need for an improved lid and combination
lid and receptacle and method of filling and container
operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a lid and container
construction utilizing a lid and receptacle wherein the lid
provides both peelable removal and mechanical resealability. The
construction permits the assembly and sealing of the container
using existing online equipment that can effect the joining of the
lid and receptacle in a quick and efficient manner.
[0006] A method of manufacturing the container is provided wherein
a lid and receptacle are formed and at least one is provided with a
bonding element that is permanently adhered to a lip and can be
semi-permanently attached to another lip, as by heating, to effect
fusion of the bonding element. The bonding element, when it is
desired to remove the lid, breaks while still remaining at least
substantially permanently attached at its original area of
permanent attachment to a lip. The lid may then be moved exposing
the contents of the container. The lid includes a plug that can be
inserted into the mouth of the receptacle and by use of
cooperatively interengageable elements, the lid is removably
mounted to the receptacle for resealing the receptacle. Optionally,
the lid may be only partially separated from the receptacle for
exposing the contents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container comprising the
present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the container
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the container taken along line
3-3 FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a
portion of the container shown in FIG. 3.
[0011] Like numbers throughout the various Figures designate like
or similar parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The reference 1 designates generally a container including a
container bottom or receptacle 3 and lid 4. The receptacle 3 has a
sidewall 6, bottom wall 7 and a product access opening 8. The
sidewall 6 and the bottom wall 7 define a storage chamber 10. The
lid 4 is secured to the receptacle 3 in an area 5 between
overlapping lips or flanges 12, 13 respectively. Securement of the
lid 4 to the receptacle 3 can be effected by a bonding element 15,
FIG. 4. The bonding element 15 is part of one of the lips 12, 13
and overlies at least a portion of the other of the lips 12,
13.
[0013] The receptacle 3 is in the form of an upwardly opening cup
having a mouth portion 18 adjacent the opening 8 and top 9. The
mouth portion 18 is at least partially defined by the sidewall 6
and terminates in the chamber 10 at a shoulder 19. As shown, the
mouth 18 is generally cylindrical. The sidewall 6 may be any
suitable shape or size and is preferably generally circular in
transverse cross section and may be in the form of a straight wall
or a tapered wall. If the sidewall 6 is tapered, it is usually
frusto-conically shaped and if straight walled, it may be generally
cylindrical. Both shapes of sidewalls are shown in FIG. 3 with the
straight sidewall being shown in phantom. A tapered sidewall can be
shaped to provide for nesting of receptacles 3. Preferably, the
bottom wall 7 has at least a substantial portion that is generally
planar. The receptacle 3, if polymeric, can be suitably molded such
as thermoformed, vacuum formed or injection molded from suitable
materials as is known in the art. The receptacle 3 may also be
formed of other suitable materials for example, polymeric coated
paperboard or the like. The construction and material for the
receptacle 3 will usually be determined by the product to be stored
therein, processing conditions of the contents, e.g., retorting,
and cost. The product 20, FIG. 3, may be any suitable product and
in a preferred embodiment, the container 1 is particularly useful
with food products particularly those with a high liquid or
semi-liquid content, such as water and/or lipids, for example,
yogurt, pudding, fruit, dairy products, high fat (lipid) items such
as margarine, butter or the like. The materials forming the
receptacle 3 and lid 4 would be impermeable to the product 20 or
components of the product 20. The material comprising the
receptacle 3 may be a single layer of material, a multiply layer of
material, a coated material or a blend of materials, as for
example, a mixture of polymers. Suitable polymers can include
polyethylene (low or high density), polypropylene, polystyrene and
the like and mixtures or laminates thereof. The material may need
to meet regulatory requirements such as FDA requirements. Suitable
colorants such as dyes or pigments may be incorporated or applied
and the exterior surface 21 may have printing and/or graphics
applied thereto either by direct printing or by providing an add on
label. Receptacles 3 of the general type or form as described above
are well known in the art as are their methods of manufacture and
also the materials used to comprise the same. The lip 13 has a
generally upwardly facing surface 23 while the lip 12 has a
generally downwardly facing surface 24. The lip 13 extends
generally radially outwardly of and peripherally (or
circumferentially) about the sidewall 6 and hence the receptacle 3
and the lip 12 extends generally radially outwardly of and
peripherally (or circumferentially) about the lid 4. The mouth
portion 18 is adjacent the lip 13 and includes the opening 8. One
of the lips 12, 13 may be provided with a peripherally (or
circumferentially) extending rib 25 for assisting in fastening the
lid 4 and receptacle 3 together particularly when joining the two
together by sonic welding. As shown, the rib 25 projects from the
surface 23 and is an integral part of the lip 13 and has a distal
or free edge 25E to (later described) contact the lip 12.
[0014] The lid 4 comprises the lip 12 extending outwardly from a
plug portion 27. The plug portion 27 includes a bottom wall 28
which is integral with and extends across the bottom end 29 of a
sidewall 30 preferably forming an upwardly opening recessed pocket
31. The wall 28 is positioned adjacent the shoulder 19 and may rest
thereupon. The sidewall 30 connects the lip 12 to the wall 28. The
transverse shape of the sidewall 30 is similar to the shape and
size of the mouth 18 and is receivable therein. The receptacle 3
and lid 4 have cooperatively interengageable elements usable to
help releasably secure at least a portion the lid 4 to the
receptacle 3 after the container 1 is opened to effect resealing of
the chamber 10. In the illustrated structure, the cooperatively
interengageable elements includes a pair of peripherally (or
circumferentially) extending ribs 32, 33 with the rib 32 being a
portion of the sidewall 30 and projecting radially outwardly
therefrom and the rib 33 being a portion of sidewall 6 and
projecting radially inwardly therefrom. The rib 33 is positioned at
an elevation higher than the rib 32 when the lid 4 is attached to
the receptacle 3 providing an interference fit and a snap lock
connection between the lid 4 and receptacle 3. The rib 32 and lip
12 form a recess therebetween. The ribs 32, 33 may be substituted
with frictional engagement between the sidewall 30 and the sidewall
6 or one of the sidewall 6 and sidewall 30 may be provided with a
groove and the other of the sidewalls 6 and 30 be provided with a
rib to provide the cooperatively interengageable elements.
[0015] As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the lid 4 may be provided with
a hinge device 35 which allows flexing of one lid portion 36
relative to a lid portion 37. In the illustrated structure, the
sidewall 30 has interruptions or discontinuities 39 forming notches
in the sidewall 30 at opposite ends of a groove or channel 40. The
groove 40 is defined by a pair of walls 41, 42 joined together at
an apex 43 and to the wall 28 as at 44, 45 (FIG. 3). The apex 43 is
at a level or height adjacent to the lip 12. By providing the
interruptions 39 in the sidewall 30, the portion 36 may hinge about
the apex 43 and relative to the lid portion 37. A living hinge is
thus provided between walls 41, 42 and between lid portions 36, 37.
Further details of the operation and construction of the container
are provided below.
[0016] The bonding element 15 is positioned between portions of the
lips 12, 13 and is permanently attached to one of the lips 12, 13
to become part of the lip and is attached to the other of the lips.
The bonding element 15 is best seen in FIG. 4. In a preferred
embodiment, the lid 4 is a laminate structure having a first
laminate ply or layer 44 and a second laminate ply or layer 45.
Preferably, both plies 44, 45 at least substantially completely
cover their respective side of the lid 4. The formation of such a
laminate structure is well known in the art and can be made such as
by co-molding, e.g., co-extrusion. The ply 45 is adjacent to the
receptacle 3. The ply 45 has a portion thereof forming the bonding
element 15 and is readily heat sealable to a portion of the surface
23 and hence the lip 13 at peripherally (or circumferentially)
extending rib 25 at its free edge 25E. As shown, the rib 25 and
lips 12, 13 are annular. The details of the bonding area are
enlarged and not to scale in FIG. 4 to better show detail. The heat
sealing temperature and thus the melting point of the ply 45 and
bonding member 15 is preferably in the range between about
120.degree. C. (248.degree. F.) and about 145.degree. C.
(293.degree. F.) and the material of the lip 13 and its rib 25 is
fusible with the bonding element 15. This temperature range is
particularly useful when the receptacle 3 is made out of
polypropylene. It is to be understood that the bonding element 15
may be a portion of the receptacle 3 and, may be a ply similar to
the ply 45 wherein the receptacle 3 could also be a laminate
structure. It is also to be understood, that the bonding element 15
can be applied in a selected area and made part of on one or the
other of the lips 12, 13 and not cover the entirety of either the
receptacle 3 or lid 4. Optionally, the rib 25 may be eliminated but
has been found to be beneficial when the heat bonding of the lid 4
to the receptacle 3 is by sonic welding. The bonding element 15 has
a break strength, which may be a combination of both tensile and
shear, as more fully discussed below, less than the strength of the
permanent attachment of the bonding element as at 47 to the ply 44.
Thus, when the lid 4 is removed from the receptacle 3, the bonding
element 15 breaks but stays joined to at least a substantial
portion and preferably completely attached to lip 12 at its area of
permanent bonding to ply 44. The break may also occur partially or
completely at the heat bond 5 between the rib 25 and bonding
element 15 to separate the two components. The bond 5 formed
between the lid 4 and receptacle 3 can be characterized by an
absence of cut or score lines used in the prior art to assist in
separating the lid 4 from the receptacle 3. It may be useful to
provide un-joined margins between at least of portion of the lips
12, 13 particularly at a pull tab 48. As seen, in FIG. 4, the bond
5 does not extend to the outer edges and inner edges of the lips
12, 13 providing gaps or un-joined margins between the outer and
inner edge portions of the lips 12, 13.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, at least the lip 12 is
resiliently deformable, i.e., can be bent at least about 90.degree.
and return under its own resilience or elastic deformability
substantially to its original position. Preferably all components
of the lid 4 and receptacle 3 are resiliently deformable and in
particular, the lips 12, 13.
[0018] The pull tab 48 preferably is an integral part of the lip 12
and is formed when the lid 4 is formed as for example by die
cutting. The tab 48 provides a gripping element for use by a
consumer to effect opening of the container 1. To open the
container 1, the user will typically bend the tab 48 upwardly and
then into a reverse bend to start a fracture (see FIG. 3 where the
bent tab 48 is shown in phantom) in the bonding element 15 and then
by pulling the tab 48 across the opening 8 of the container will
break the bonding element 15 without substantial and preferably no
delamination between the plies 44, 45. Preferably, the bonding
element 15 breaks within itself and /or the bond 5 formed between
the bonding element 15 and the rib 49 of the lip 13. By utilizing
the above described construction, the membrane that is typically
used on such containers can be eliminated. Preferably the lip 13 is
more resistant to bending during opening than the lip 12. This can
be accomplished by a combination of material properties and
relative thicknesses of the lips.
[0019] To manufacture a container 1, a receptacle 3 is suitably
formed as for example by thermoforming, vacuum forming or injection
molding. In the illustrated structure, wherein the lid 4 is
multi-plied, a laminate is first formed which can then be suitably
formed into a lid 4 for example by thermoforming or vacuum forming.
The outer edge of the lid 4 can be die cut depending upon the
forming method of the lid 4. Likewise, and in certain molding
methods, the outer edge of the receptacle 3 may also be die cut.
Typically, such containers are formed offsite from the filling
plant. Thus, the lids 4 and receptacle 3 would be packaged and
forwarded to a processing plant. The receptacles 3 and lids 4 are
transferred to a processing line and the receptacles 3 are
positioned in an upwardly opening direction. As described herein,
the positional references to the container construction are those
when the container is in its normally upwardly opening condition
and the lid is in its normal position for attachment to or attached
to the receptacle 3. The receptacle 3 is conveyed through a filling
line which has a depositor which will deposit a predetermined
amount of product 20 into the chamber 10. It is preferred to
prevent product from dripping or trailing onto the lip 13 which
might interfere with heat bonding. The thus filled receptacle 3 is
transferred to a lid depositing station where a lid 4 is deposited
on the receptacle 3. The plug portion 27 is inserted into the mouth
18 wherein the lips 12, 13 are in overlapping orientation.
Additionally, the cooperatively interengaging elements, for example
the ribs 32, 33 are positioned relative to one another to hold the
lid 4 in place during its transfer to a sealing station. A heat
seal device 55, including a heated element 55A and a support 55B,
which are shown in phantom in FIG. 4, will then apply heat and
pressure to the lip 12 to effect a heat seal bond of the bonding
element 15 to one of the lips 12, 13. Heat may be applied in my
suitable manner, e.g., conduction, radiation convection (e.g., hot
air) or may be generated at the bonding area (e.g., sonic welding).
In the illustrated construction, the bonding element 15 is heat
bonded to the lip 13 at the bond area 5 which is illustrated as an
annular area extending around the entirety of the lips 12, 13.
Optionally, the sealing force applied and the heat for bonding may
be provided separately and by separate devices if desired. The
applied bonding force and hence pressure is adequate to reach a so
called hard stop, i.e., enough to effect good bonding but
preferably not enough to force excessive flow of heated bonding
element 15 or adjacent material. One or more gaps 57A, 57B may be
provided on one or both of opposite sides of rib 49 between the
lips 12, 13 that are not bonded which gaps extends inwardly and
outwardly from the rib 49 and preferably at least substantially
completely around the perimeters of the lips 12, 13. The gaps 57A
or 57B may also be provided on opposite sides of the bond area 5 if
a rib 49 is not utilized. The gap 57A extends inwardly from the
outer perimeter of the lips 12, 13 a distance of at least about
0.03 inches at least adjacent the tab 48 and preferably at least
about 0.06 inches. The rib 49 has a free end 49E engageable with
the lip 12 that has downwardly inclined portions, for example, the
end 49E may be transversely radiused. The rib 49 and gaps 57A, B
are useful when sonic welding are used to effect heat bonding.
However, in another embodiment, the gap can be only in the vicinity
of the pull tab 48. In still another embodiment, no gaps 57A, B are
formed when other than sonic welding is sued to effect heat
bonding. By pulling the tab 48 across the top of the receptacle 3,
the bonding element 15 breaks and does not substantially separate
from the lip to which it is permanently adhered which in the
illustrated structure is lip 12. The lip 12 and preferably the
remainder of the lid 4 is relatively rigid and has a thickness in
the range of between about 0.008 and about 0.016 inches with a
thickness of about 0.012 inches having been found workable. It is
preferred that the lip 13 have a thickness in the range of between
0.025 and about 0.045 inches with a thickness of about 0.035 inches
being workable. Preferably the lip 13 is more rigid than the lip
12. The remainder of the receptacle 3 has a thickness in the range
of between about 0.01 and about 0.025 inches with a thickness of
about 0.015 inches having been found workable. The thickness
described may vary across the particular part depending on the
method of part manufacture. For example, in vacuum forming,
material is stretched resulting in thinned areas depending on the
amount and location of stretch. Membrane closures of the prior art
of food containers have a thickness in the range of between 0.002
and about 0.005 inches. The rib 5 has a height in the range of
between about 0.01 and about 0.03 inches with a height of about
0.02 inches having been found workable. The filled container 1 with
the lid 4 bonded to the receptacle 3, after exiting the filling
line, can be stored. After storage and distribution, a consumer can
easily open the container I (separating the lid 4 from receptacle 3
as by breaking the bonding element 15 most conveniently by pulling
the tab 48 across the opening 8. The separation of the lid 4 from
the receptacle 3 does not need to be completely around the
perimeter of the opening 8 but the lid 4 can be left attached in
the area A (FIG. 1) on one side of the apex 43 allowing the lid 4
to remain partially attached to the receptacle 3. Differential
bonding of the lid 4 to the receptacle 3 can be used between the
lips 12, 13 in the zones A, B to assist in facilitating opening and
retaining the lid partially attached. The lid portion in area B
(FIG. 1) on the other side of the apex 43 can be bent at the apex
43 allowing access to the chamber 10 and product 20 while still
being partially attached to the receptacle 3. The lid 4 can be
completely separated from the receptacle 3 as well. To reseal the
container 1, the lid 4 is placed back into the mouth 18 whereby the
cooperatively interengaging elements, for example the ribs 32, 33
releasably retain the lid 4 mounted to the receptacle 3.
[0020] A typical filling line requires just a matter of seconds to
fill and effect attachment of a membrane lid and overcap lid to a
container bottom. There may be some time lag during the transfer of
a filled receptacle 3 to a capping station and to place a lid 4
into a receptacle prior to bonding. Bonding of a lid has taken
about 2 seconds while filling takes less time. The use of the
present invention has reduced the 2 second package completion time
to a time period on the order of about 0.5 seconds to 1.0 seconds
to effect lid to receptacle bonding as by heat sealing with success
being had at effecting lid bonding after filling in a time period
of about 0.7 seconds or less. The present invention may be used on
existing production lines with little or no modifications to the
lines.
[0021] Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments
of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description,
certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the
particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is
therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications,
or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The
terms "having" and "including" and similar terms as used in the
foregoing specification are used in the sense of "optional" or "may
include" and not as "required". Many changes, modifications,
variations and other uses and applications of the present
construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the
art after considering the specification and the accompanying
drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other
uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope
of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is
limited only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *