U.S. patent application number 12/218139 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-14 for bag suitable for carrying groceries and system comprising same.
Invention is credited to Natalie McIver.
Application Number | 20100008604 12/218139 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41505238 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100008604 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McIver; Natalie |
January 14, 2010 |
Bag suitable for carrying groceries and system comprising same
Abstract
A bag comprises a body including bottom and opposing sidewalls.
The walls are made from a woven fabric material. The sidewalls and
the bottom wall form a grocery receiving cavity having a closed
bottom end portion and an open top end portion. Sewn-in edge
creases each define an edge of the body extending from the closed
bottom end portion to the open top end portion and/or an edge of
the body extending between the bottom wall and the sidewalls. A
sewn-in pleat crease extends within a first pair of the opposing
sidewalls. Skewed legs of the pleat crease extend from opposing
corners of the respective one of the first pair of opposing
sidewalls adjacent the closed bottom end portion and converge to an
upwardly extending leg of the pleat crease. Handle holes are in a
second pair of the opposing sidewalls.
Inventors: |
McIver; Natalie;
(Cincinnati, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Natalie Mclver
769 Elderwood Drive
Cincinnati
OH
45255
US
|
Family ID: |
41505238 |
Appl. No.: |
12/218139 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/107 ;
383/86 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 31/10 20130101;
B65D 31/02 20130101; B65D 33/08 20130101; B65D 33/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/107 ;
383/86 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/00 20060101
B65D030/00; B65D 33/16 20060101 B65D033/16 |
Claims
1. A bag, comprising: a body including a bottom wall and two pair
of opposing sidewalls; wherein said walls are made from at least
one of a fabric material and a polymeric sheet material; wherein
said sidewalls and the bottom wall are interconnected to form a
grocery receiving cavity having a closed bottom end portion and an
open top end portion; wherein generally straight edge creases each
define at least one of an edge of the body extending from the
closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion between
adjacent ones of said sidewalls and an edge of the body extending
between the bottom wall and said sidewalls; wherein a pleat crease
extends from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end
portion within a first pair of said opposing sidewalls such that
skewed legs of the pleat crease extend from opposing corners of the
respective one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls adjacent the
closed bottom end portion and converge to an upwardly extending leg
of the pleat crease; and wherein handle holes are provided in a
second pair of said opposing sidewalls adjacent the open top end
portion.
2. The bag of claim 1 wherein: a first transverse pleat crease
extends laterally across at least one of said opposing sidewalls of
the second pair at a location approximately mid-way between the
closed bottom end portion and the open top end portion; and a
second transverse pleat crease extends laterally across at least
one of said opposing sidewalls of the second pair at a location
approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end portion and the
first transverse pleat crease.
3. The bag of claim 2 wherein said walls are all made from a woven
fabric material.
4. The bag of claim 3 wherein all of said creases are sewn-in
creases.
5. The bag of claim 4, further comprising: a plurality of straps,
wherein a first one of said straps has opposing end portions
thereof attached to a first wall of said second pair of opposing
sidewalls, wherein a second one of said straps has opposing end
portions thereof attached to a second wall of said second pair of
opposing sidewalls, wherein said opposing end portions of each one
of said straps has the handle hole of the respective sidewall
positioned therebetween.
6. The bag of claim 1 wherein all of said creases are sewn-in
creases.
7. The bag of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of straps,
wherein a first one of said straps has opposing end portions
thereof attached to a first wall of said second pair of opposing
sidewalls, wherein a second one of said straps has opposing end
portions thereof attached to a second wall of said second pair of
opposing sidewalls, wherein said opposing end portions of each one
of said straps has the handle hole of the respective sidewall
positioned therebetween.
8. A bag, comprising: a body including a bottom wall and two pair
of opposing sidewalls; wherein said walls are formed from a piece
of woven fabric material; wherein said sidewalls and the bottom
wall are interconnected to form a grocery receiving cavity having a
closed bottom end portion and an open top end portion; wherein
sewn-in generally straight edge creases each define at least one of
an edge of the body extending from the closed bottom end portion to
the open top end portion between adjacent ones of said sidewalls
and an edge of the body extending between the bottom wall and said
sidewalls; wherein a sewn-in pleat crease extends from the closed
bottom end portion to the open top end portion within a first pair
of said opposing sidewalls such that skewed legs of the pleat
crease extend from opposing corners of the respective one of the
first pair of opposing sidewalls adjacent the closed bottom end
portion and converge to an upwardly extending leg of the pleat
crease; and wherein handle holes are provided in a second pair of
said opposing sidewalls adjacent the open top end portion.
9. The bag of claim 8 wherein: a first transverse sewn-in pleat
crease extends laterally across at least one of said opposing
sidewalls of the second pair at a location approximately mid-way
between the closed bottom end portion and the open top end portion;
and a second transverse sewn-in pleat crease extends laterally
across at least one of said opposing sidewalls of the second pair
at a location approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end
portion and the first transverse pleat crease.
10. The bag of claim 9 wherein said walls are all made from a woven
fabric material.
11. The bag of claim 10, further comprising: a plurality of straps,
wherein a first one of said straps has opposing end portions
thereof attached to a first wall of said second pair of opposing
sidewalls, wherein a second one of said straps has opposing end
portions thereof attached to a second wall of said second pair of
opposing sidewalls, wherein said opposing end portions of each one
of said straps has the handle hole of the respective sidewall
positioned therebetween.
12. The bag of claim 8, further comprising: a spaced apart pair of
attachment structures integral with each one of said opposing
sidewalls of the second pair, wherein said pair of attachment
structures of each one of said opposing sidewalls of the second
pair have the handle hole thereof positioned between said pair of
attachment structures; and a strap attached between each pair of
said attachment structures.
13. A bag system, comprising: a plurality of foldable grocery bags
each having a body including a bottom wall and two pair of opposing
sidewalls, wherein said walls are all made from at least one of a
fabric material and a polymeric sheet material, wherein said
sidewalls and the bottom wall of a respective one of said bags are
interconnected to form a grocery receiving cavity having a closed
bottom end portion and an open top end portion, wherein generally
straight edge creases of a respective one of said bags each define
at least one of an edge of the body extending from the closed
bottom end portion to the open top end portion between adjacent
ones of said sidewalls and an edge of the body extending between
the bottom wall and said sidewalls, wherein a pleat crease of a
respective one of said bags extends from the closed bottom end
portion to the open top end portion within a first pair of said
opposing sidewalls such that skewed legs of the pleat crease extend
from opposing corners of the respective one of the first pair of
opposing sidewalls adjacent the closed bottom end portion and
converge to an upwardly extending leg of the pleat crease, and
wherein handle holes are provided in a second pair of said opposing
sidewalls of a respective one of said bags adjacent the open top
end portion thereof; and a tote bag having all of said foldable
grocery bags contained within a cavity thereof, wherein the tote
bag is made from at least one of a fabric material and a polymeric
sheet material and wherein the tote bag includes at least one
manually operable attachment device configured for allowing the
tote bag to be securely attached to a support structure.
14. The bag system of claim 13 wherein: said walls of the tote bag
are all made from a multi-layer material; a first layer of the
multi-layer material is a woven fabric material layer; and a second
layer of the multi-layer material is an insulating material layer
that exhibits substantially greater insulating properties than the
woven fabric material layer.
15. The bag system of claim 14 wherein: a first transverse pleat
crease extends laterally across at least one of said grocery bag
opposing sidewalls of the second pair at a location approximately
mid-way between the closed bottom end portion and the open top end
portion; and a second transverse pleat crease extends laterally
across at least one of said grocery bag opposing sidewalls of the
second pair at a location approximately mid-way between the closed
bottom end portion and the first transverse pleat crease.
16. The bag system of claim 15 wherein all of said creases are
sewn-in creases.
17. The bag system of claim 16 wherein: each one of said foldable
grocery bags includes a plurality of straps; a first one of said
straps has opposing end portions thereof attached to a first wall
of said second pair of opposing sidewalls; a second one of said
straps has opposing end portions thereof attached to a second wall
of said second pair of opposing sidewalls; and said opposing end
portions of each one of said straps has the handle hole of the
respective sidewall positioned therebetween.
18. The bag system of claim 18 wherein: the tote bag includes two
manually operable attachment devices configured for allowing the
tote bag to be securely attached to a support structure; the tote
bag includes a first pair of opposing sidewalls and a second pair
of opposing sidewalls and a bottom wall; a first one of said
attachment devices is attached to a first sidewall of said first
pair of tote bag opposing sidewalls; and a second one of said
attachment devices is attached to a second sidewall of the first
pair of said tote bag opposing walls.
19. The bag system of claim 13 wherein: a first transverse pleat
crease extends laterally across at least one wall of said second
pair of grocery bag opposing sidewalls at a location approximately
mid-way between the closed bottom end portion and the open top end
portion; and a second transverse pleat crease extends laterally
across at least one wall of said second pair of grocery bag
opposing sidewalls at a location approximately mid-way between the
closed bottom end portion and the first transverse pleat
crease.
20. The bag system of claim 19 wherein all of said creases are
sewn-in creases.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The disclosures made herein relate generally to bags that
are suitable for carrying groceries and, more particularly, to
reusable and non-disposable bags that are suitable for carrying
groceries.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Disposable plastic and paper grocery bags are well known.
Even though such paper and plastic bags can conceivably be reused
for a very limited number of uses, these types of bags are
generally seen and used in a manner in which they are disposable
and non-reusable. Due to such plastic and paper grocery bags being
not being intended or generally suitable for multiple instances of
reuse, they often end up in landfills. Obviously, their disposal in
landfills adversely impacts landfill ecology as well as overall
environmental considerations.
[0003] Various types of grocery bags that are configured and
intended for multiple instances of reuse are also well known and
are referred to herein as conventional reusable grocery bags. Such
conventional reusable grocery bags are typically made from fabric,
whereas disposable grocery bags are made from plastic film or paper
sheet material. Unlike disposable plastic and paper grocery bags,
in view of conventional reusable grocery bags being made from a
more durable fabric material, they can stand up to extended reuse
as well as thorough cleaning or washing. Furthermore, conventional
reusable grocery bags have considerably less of an adverse impact
on the environment than do Disposable plastic and paper grocery
bags.
[0004] While conventional reusable grocery bags are environmentally
advantageous with respect to disposable plastic and paper grocery
bags, such conventional reusable grocery bags are not without their
shortcomings. One shortcoming is that a shopper has to find a
convenient and efficient way to carry multiple bags separately,
which is very inconvenient and/or less than desirable. Another
shortcoming is that they are not configured in a manner that makes
their storage efficient and convenient. Still another shortcoming
is that they are not easily folded to allow for transport and/or
storage. Yet another shortcoming is that it can be difficult to
gather and carry such bags if they have carrying straps that are
limp (i.e., not self supporting).
[0005] Therefore, a reusable grocery bag and/or associated system
of bags that overcome drawbacks associated with conventional
reusable grocery bags and disposable plastic and paper grocery bags
would be advantageous, desirable and useful.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention can be in the form of a
reusable grocery bag and/or associated system of reusable grocery
bags that overcome drawbacks associated with conventional reusable
grocery bags and disposable plastic and paper grocery bags.
Reusable grocery bags in accordance with the present invention are
advantageous and desirable because they address problems associated
with plastic grocery bags and paper grocery bags. More
specifically, reusable grocery bags in accordance with the present
invention will reduce the number of plastic and paper grocery bags
that end up in landfills, not to mention pollution and by-product
waste associated with making paper and plastic grocery bags.
[0007] The present invention provides for a reusable grocery bag
system that is much more efficient and convenient than conventional
disposable grocery bags. Such bags and associated systems will
provide shoppers with a means for making a positive difference in
caring for the environment. Furthermore, such bags and associated
systems eliminate the cumbersome effort of bundling up a bunch of
separate conventional reusable grocery bags and finding a place to
put them in their shopping cart, and then deal with a bunch of
cumbersome straps (providing such bags are equipped with straps)
when it is time to load and unload groceries. Accordingly, reusable
grocery bags in accordance with the present invention provide a
practical solution by which shoppers can positively impact the
environment, ease of use, and convenient storage.
[0008] While the present invention is clearly beneficial to grocery
bags, it is also beneficial to similar types of bags used for other
applications. Accordingly, it is disclosed herein that bags in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention are not
limited to use as grocery bags.
[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a bag comprises
a body including a bottom wall and two pair of opposing sidewalls.
The walls are made from at least one of a fabric material and a
polymeric sheet material. The sidewalls and the bottom wall are
interconnected to form a grocery receiving cavity having a closed
bottom end portion and an open top end portion. Generally straight
edge creases each define at least one of an edge of the body
extending from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end
portion between adjacent ones of the sidewalls and an edge of the
body extending between the bottom wall and the sidewalls. A pleat
crease extends from the closed bottom end portion to the open top
end portion within a first pair of the opposing sidewalls such that
skewed legs of the pleat crease extend from opposing corners of the
respective one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls adjacent the
closed bottom end portion and converge to an upwardly extending leg
of the pleat crease. Handle holes are provided in a second pair of
the opposing sidewalls adjacent the open top end.
[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, a bag
comprises a body including a bottom wall and two pair of opposing
sidewalls. The walls are formed from a,common piece of woven fabric
material. The sidewalls and the bottom wall are interconnected to
form a grocery receiving cavity having a closed bottom end portion
and an open top end portion. Sewn-in generally straight edge
creases each define at least one of an edge of the body extending
from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion
between adjacent ones of the sidewalls and an edge of the body
extending between the bottom wall and the sidewalls. A sewn-in
pleat crease extends from the closed bottom end portion to the open
top end portion within a first pair of the opposing sidewalls such
that skewed legs of the pleat crease extend from opposing corners
of the respective one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls
adjacent the closed bottom end portion and converge to an upwardly
extending leg of the pleat crease. Handle holes are provided in a
second pair of the opposing sidewalls adjacent the open top
end.
[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, a bag system
comprises a plurality of foldable grocery bags and a tote bag
having all of the foldable grocery bags contained within a cavity
of the tote bag. Each one of the foldable grocery bags has a body
including a bottom wall and two pair of opposing sidewalls. The
walls are all made from at least one of a fabric material and a
polymeric sheet material. The sidewalls and the bottom wall of a
respective one of the bags are interconnected to form a grocery
receiving cavity having a closed bottom end portion and an open top
end portion. Generally straight edge creases of a respective one of
the bags each define at least one of an edge of the body extending
from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion
between adjacent ones of the sidewalls and an edge of the body
extending between the bottom wall and the sidewalls. A pleat crease
of a respective one of the bags extends from the closed bottom end
portion to the open top end portion within a first pair of the
opposing sidewalls such that skewed legs of the pleat crease extend
from opposing corners of the respective one of the first pair of
opposing sidewalls adjacent the closed bottom end portion and
converge to an upwardly extending leg of the pleat crease. Handle
holes are provided in a second pair of the opposing sidewalls of a
respective one of the bags adjacent the open top end thereof. The
tote bag is made from at least one of a fabric material and a
polymeric sheet material.
[0012] These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or
distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent
upon further review of the following specification, associated
drawings and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a grocery bag system in accordance with the
present invention, which includes a plurality of reusable grocery
bags contained within a reusable tote bag.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustrating an outer wall of
the tote bag of the FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows one of the reusable grocery bag of FIG. 1 in a
fully unfolded configuration.
[0016] FIG. 4 shows one of the reusable grocery bag of FIG. 1 in a
partially collapsed configuration.
[0017] FIG. 5 shows one of the reusable grocery bag of FIG. 1 in a
fully folded configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0018] Generally, a reusable grocery bag system in accordance with
the present invention includes a plurality of reusable grocery bags
contained within a tote bag. The tote bag can be specifically
configured for being attached to a shopping cart. The reusable
grocery bags themselves are preferably, but not necessarily, about
the same dimension as a conventional disposable grocery bag. In
contrast to conventional disposable grocery bags, a reusable
grocery bag in accordance with the present invention is made from a
durable material such as woven fabric or polymeric sheet material,
includes creases that are configured for allowing the bag to be
folding in the same manner as a conventional paper grocery bag, and
includes handle holes in a top of the bag (i.e., as opposed to
cumbersome straps). In one embodiment, the woven fabric or
polymeric sheet material includes a durable and washable/wipeable
polymeric material such as, for example, a material made from
polypropylene, polyester, nylon, poly vinyl chloride or the like.
The handle holes offer a convenient means for grabbing multiple
bags at once, similar to conventional disposable plastic bags,
which makes it easy to load and unload the filled bags. The tote
bag is preferably configured for being securely attached to a
shopping cart for easy access and use by a grocery store bagger.
Furthermore, the tote bag can be specifically configured to serve
as a grocery bag itself such as, for example, heavy items, large
items, frozen items. The entire grocery bag system preferably
conforms to interior and/or exterior dimensions of a grocery cart
so that there are no components of such system that get in the way
while in use or while stored in the tote bag.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a reusable grocery
bag system 100 includes a plurality of reusable grocery bags 102
and a tote bag 104 having all of the reusable grocery bags 102
contained within a cavity 106 thereof. The cavity 106 of the tote
bag 104 is defined by a plurality of integral sidewalls 108 and a
bottom wall 110 of the tote bag 104. A handle hole 112 (one shown)
is provided in each sidewall 108 of a first pair of opposing
sidewalls of the tote bag 104 and a strap 114 is attached between
each sidewall 108 of a second pair of opposing sidewalls of the
tote bag 104. Opposing end portions of the strap 114 can be
configured to be selectively removable from the tote bag 104. It is
disclosed herein that, in at least one embodiment of a grocery bag
in accordance with the present invention, the handle holes 112
and/or the straps 114 can be omitted.
[0020] The tote bag 104 further includes a manually operable
attachment device 116 (one shown) attached to each sidewall of the
second pair of opposing sidewalls of the tote bag 104. The manually
operable attachment device 116 is configured for allowing the tote
bag 104 to be securely attached to a support structure such as, for
example, a grocery shopping cart. The manually operable attachment
device 116 is not limited to a particular type or configuration of
attachment device. Examples of such type or configuration of
suitable attachment devices include, but are not limited to, a
clip, a clasp, a snap, a hook & loop fastener, etc.
[0021] The strap 114 of the tote bag 104 can be detachably attached
to the sidewalls of the tote bag 104 via a metal ring that is
engaged with a reinforced grommet hole in the respective sidewall.
Each metal ring can also have one of the attachment devices 116
attached thereto. In this manner, the strap provides a convenient
means for carrying the tote bag 104 and the attachment device 116
provide a convenient means for allowing the tote bag 104 to be
securely attached to a shopping cart.
[0022] In at least one embodiment, the tote bag 104 is made from a
fabric material and/or a polymeric sheet material. As shown in FIG.
2, in one specific embodiment, the sidewalls 108 and bottom wall
110 of the tote bag 104 are each made from a multi-layer material.
A first layer 118 of the multi-layer material is a woven fabric or
polymeric sheet material layer and a second layer 120 is an
insulating material layer that exhibits substantially greater
insulating properties than the first layer 118. Optionally, the
second layer can be sandwiched between the first layer 118 and a
third layer 122. The third layer can be made from the same material
or a different material as the first layer 118 (e.g., a radiant
heat shielding material). It is disclosed herein that all or a
portion of the walls of the reusable grocery bags 102 can be made
from the same or a different multi-layer material as the tote
bag.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, each reusable grocery bag 102
has a body 124 including a bottom wall 126, a first pair of
opposing sidewalls 128 and a second pair of opposing sidewalls 130.
Preferably, the walls 126, 128, 130 are all made from a fabric
material and/or a polymeric sheet material. The sidewalls 128, 130
are interconnected to form a grocery receiving cavity 132 having a
closed bottom end portion 134 and an open top end portion 136.
Generally straight edge creases 138 each define an edge of the body
124 extending from the closed bottom end portion 134 to the open
top end portion 136 between adjacent one of the sidewalls and/or
define an edge of the body 124 extending between the bottom wall
126 and an attached one of the sidewalls 128, 130.
[0024] As best shown in FIG. 3, a pleat crease 140 extends from the
closed bottom end portion 134 to the open top end portion 136
within the first pair of opposing sidewalls 128 such that skewed
leg portions 142 of the pleat crease 140 extend from opposing
corners of the respective sidewall 128 adjacent the closed bottom
end portion 134 and converge to an upwardly extending leg 144 of
the pleat crease 140. As with a conventional folding paper grocery
bag, the edge creases 138 and the pleat creases 140 allow the bag
to be folded from a fully unfolded configuration (i.e., shown in
FIG. 3) to a fully folded configuration (shown in FIG. 5). As shown
in FIG. 4, the pleat creases 140 provide for controlled collapsing
of the sidewalls 128, which thereby permit such fully folded
configuration to be achieved. To further support such fully folded
configuration to be achieved, a first transverse pleat crease 146
and a second transverse crease 148 can be provided in the body 124.
The first transverse crease 146 extends laterally across at least
one wall of the second pair of opposing sidewalls 130 at a location
approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end portion 134 and
the open top end portion 136. The second transverse pleat crease
148 extends laterally across at least one wall of the second pair
of opposing sidewalls 130 at a location approximately mid-way
between the closed bottom end portion 134 and the first transverse
pleat crease 146.
[0025] All or a portion of the creases 138, 140, 146 and 148 can be
made by any number of different approaches. Examples of such
approaches include, but are not limited to, mechanically-formed
impression, thermal impression, and the like. A preferred approach
by which such creases 138, 140, 146 and 148 can be made is by
sewing in such creases. More specifically, sewn-in creases are
formed by forming a sewn discontinuity that provides a preferential
line about which a fold occurs.
[0026] A handle hole 150 is provided in each sidewall of a second
pair of opposing sidewalls 130 of the reusable grocery bag 102. A
strap 152 is attached between each sidewall 108 of a second pair of
opposing sidewalls 130 of the reusable grocery bag 102. Opposing
end portions of the strap 152 have a respective one of the handle
holes 150 positioned therebetween. It is disclosed herein that, in
at least one embodiment of a grocery bag in accordance with the
present invention, the handle holes 150 and/or the straps 152 can
be omitted.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, each reusable grocery bag 104 is
configured such that it is approximately the same dimensions as a
standard size grocery bag, but it would be about 3 inches shorter
(e.g., 12'' wide.times.7'' deep.times.14'' tall) so that, when
folded, it naturally folds essentially in half (i.e., 7''
segments), making it much more efficiently stored when not in use.
To this end, the creases can be formed to promote folding of the
reusable grocery bag 104 in half. A standard size grocery bag has
measurements of about 12'' wide.times.7'' deep.times.17'' tall,
which result in it not folding essentially in half when folded down
(i.e., one end is sticking out beyond the rest of the folded down
bag).
[0028] It is disclosed herein that the tote bag 104 can have an
open upper end portion that is configured for being selectively
secured in a closed orientation. In such an implementation an
overall height of the tote bag 104 is greater than a corresponding
folded size of the reusable grocery bags intended to be contained
therein. Tote bags in accordance with the present invention are not
limited to any particular means for having an open upper end
portion thereof being selectively secured in a closed orientation.
Examples of such means include, but are not limited to, a zipper,
hook & loop fastener, snaps, button and the like. Optionally
and/or additionally, the tote bag 104 can include a drawstring at
an open top end portion thereof for allowing the open top end
portion of the tote bag 104 to be selectively opened and
closed.
[0029] In the preceding detailed description, reference has been
made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in
which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in
which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments,
and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments
of the present invention. It is to be understood that other
suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical,
chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from
the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid
unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known
to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is,
therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set
forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such
alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *