U.S. patent application number 12/536011 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-10 for package with dispensing opening.
Invention is credited to Michael Edward Carrier, Kevin Mitchell Wiwi.
Application Number | 20110031263 12/536011 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42813122 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110031263 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carrier; Michael Edward ; et
al. |
February 10, 2011 |
PACKAGE WITH DISPENSING OPENING
Abstract
Packages, and more particularly packages having a dispensing
opening through which articles, such as sanitary tissue products,
may be dispensed are provided.
Inventors: |
Carrier; Michael Edward;
(Green Township, OH) ; Wiwi; Kevin Mitchell; (West
Chester, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;Global Legal Department - IP
Sycamore Building - 4th Floor, 299 East Sixth Street
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
42813122 |
Appl. No.: |
12/536011 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/45 ;
221/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/5894 20130101;
B65D 83/0894 20130101; B65D 75/5838 20130101; B65D 83/0805
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/45 ;
221/282 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/08 20060101
B65D083/08; B65D 83/00 20060101 B65D083/00 |
Claims
1. A package comprising a dispensing opening, wherein the package
comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the
dispensing opening comprises a major dimension and a minor
dimension, wherein the dispensing opening is oriented in the
package such that an angle of greater than 50.degree. is formed by
the major dimension of the dispensing opening and the major
dimension of the package.
2. The package according to claim 1 wherein the package further
comprises a closure capable of closing the dispensing opening.
3. The package according to claim 2 wherein the closure comprises a
resealable closure.
4. The package according to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of
the package is greater in value than the minor dimension of the
package.
5. The package according to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of
the package is greater than 60 mm.
6. The package according to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of
the package is greater than 90 mm.
7. The package according to claim 1 wherein the minor dimension of
the package is greater than 10 mm.
8. The package according to claim 1 wherein the minor dimension of
the package is greater than 15 mm.
9. The package according to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of
the dispensing opening is greater in value than the minor dimension
of the dispensing opening.
10. The package according to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of
the dispensing opening is greater than 40 mm.
11. The package according to claim 10 wherein the major dimension
of the dispensing opening is greater than 55 mm.
12. The package according to claim 1 wherein the minor dimension of
the dispensing opening is greater than 10 mm.
13. The package according to claim 12 wherein the minor dimension
of the dispensing opening is greater than 15 mm.
14. A package comprising at least one sanitary tissue product, the
sanitary tissue product comprising a major dimension and a minor
dimension, the package further comprising a dispensing opening
through which the sanitary tissue product may be dispensed by a
user, the dispensing opening comprising a major dimension and a
minor dimension, wherein the sanitary tissue product is oriented
within the package such that an angle of greater than 50.degree. is
formed by the major dimension of the dispensing opening and the
major dimension of the sanitary tissue product.
15. The package according to claim 14 wherein the package comprises
a plurality of sanitary tissue products.
16. The package according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of
sanitary tissue products comprises a stack of interleaved sanitary
tissue products.
17. The package according to claim 14 wherein the package further
comprises a closure capable of closing the opening to inhibit
dispensing of the sanitary tissue products.
18. The package according to claim 17 wherein the closure comprises
a resealable closure.
19. The package according to claim 14 wherein the sanitary tissue
product comprises a wipe.
20. The package according to claim 14 wherein the major dimension
of the dispensing opening is greater than 40 mm.
21. The package according to claim 14 wherein the minor dimension
of the dispensing opening is greater than 10 mm.
22. The package according to claim 14 wherein the major dimension
of the dispensing opening is less than or equal to the minor
dimension of the sanitary tissue product.
23. The package according to claim 14 wherein the minor dimension
of the dispensing opening is less than or equal to the major
dimension of the sanitary tissue product.
24. A package comprising 20 or more interleaved sanitary tissue
products, wherein the package exhibits a Dispensing Chaining Event
of less than 2 per 20 sanitary tissue products as measured by the
Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method.
25. A package comprising 40 or more interleaved sanitary tissue
products, wherein the package exhibits a Dispensing Chaining Event
of less than 2 per 40 sanitary tissue products as measured by the
Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to packages, and more
particularly to packages comprising a dispensing opening through
which articles, such as sanitary tissue products, may be
dispensed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Packages with dispensing openings are known in the art.
However, such packages suffer from negatives associated with the
shape and/or orientation of the dispensing openings in the
packages. For example, some packages comprise a circle shaped
dispensing opening and others comprise an elliptical shaped opening
wherein its major dimension forms an angle with a major dimension
of the package that is less than 10.degree. or in other words is
substantially parallel to the major dimension of the package. Such
packages tend to create issues with dispensing of articles through
the openings. Such issues include a number of chaining events where
more than one article is dispensed at a time, which is a consumer
negative.
[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for a package comprising a
dispensing opening that overcomes the negatives associated packages
known in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention fulfills the need described above by
providing a package comprising a dispensing opening wherein the
negatives associated with known packages with dispensing openings,
especially packages comprising sanitary tissue products, are
overcome.
[0005] In one example of the present invention, a package
comprising a dispensing opening, wherein the package comprises a
major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the dispensing
opening comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein
the dispensing opening is oriented in the package such that an
angle of greater than 50.degree. is formed by the major dimension
of the dispensing opening and the major dimension of the package,
is provided.
[0006] In another example of the present invention, a package
comprising at least one sanitary tissue product, the sanitary
tissue product comprising a major dimension and a minor dimension,
the package further comprising a dispensing opening through which
the sanitary tissue product may be dispensed by a user, the
dispensing opening comprising a major dimension and a minor
dimension, wherein the sanitary tissue product is oriented within
the package such that an angle of greater than 50.degree. is formed
by the major dimension of the dispensing opening and the major
dimension of the sanitary tissue product, is provided.
[0007] In yet another example of the present invention, a package
comprising a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products, such as
10 or greater and/or 20 or greater and/or 30 or greater and/or 40
or greater sanitary tissue products, and a dispensing opening,
wherein the package comprises a major dimension and a minor
dimension, wherein the dispensing opening comprises a major
dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the dispensing opening is
oriented in the package such that an angle of greater than
50.degree. is formed by the major dimension of the dispensing
opening and the major dimension of the package, is provided.
[0008] In still another example of the present invention, a package
comprising a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products, such as
10 or greater and/or 20 or greater and/or 30 or greater and/or 40
or greater sanitary tissue products, and a dispensing opening, is
provided.
[0009] In even still another example of the present invention, a
package comprising a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products,
such as 20 or greater and/or 30 or greater and/or 40 or greater,
wherein the package exhibits a Dispensing Chaining Event of less
than 2 and/or less than 1 per 20 and/or per 40 sanitary tissue
products as measured by the Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method
described herein, is provided.
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention provides a package
comprising a dispensing opening that overcomes negatives associated
with known packages, for example known packages suitable for
dispensing articles, such as sanitary tissue products.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package according to the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line
2-2;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a package according to the
present invention showing a sanitary tissue product partially
dispensed from the package;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line
4-4;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view of a package according to
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a package according to the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the package of FIG. 6;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sanitary tissue product in
a folded state; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a package according
to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Definitions
[0020] "Fibrous structure" as used herein means a structure that
comprises one or more fibrous elements. In one example, a fibrous
structure according to the present invention means an association
of fibrous elements that together form a structure, such as a
unitary structure, capable of performing a function. Non-limiting
examples of fibrous structures of the present invention include
paper, fabrics (including woven, knitted, and non-woven), and
absorbent pads (for example for diapers or feminine hygiene
products).
[0021] The fibrous structures of the present invention may be
homogeneous or may be layered. If layered, the fibrous structures
may comprise at least two and/or at least three and/or at least
four and/or at least five layers.
[0022] The fibrous structures of the present invention may be
co-formed fibrous structures.
[0023] In one example, the fibrous structures of the present
invention are disposable. For example, the fibrous structures of
the present invention are non-textile fibrous structures.
[0024] Non-limiting examples of processes for making fibrous
structures include known wet-laid papermaking processes and
air-laid papermaking processes. Such processes typically include
the steps of preparing a fibrous element composition, such as a
fiber composition, in the form of a suspension in a medium, either
wet, more specifically an aqueous medium, i.e., water, or dry, more
specifically a gaseous medium, i.e. air. The suspension of fibers
within an aqueous medium is oftentimes referred to as a fiber
slurry. The fibrous suspension is then used to deposit a plurality
of fibers onto a forming wire or belt such that an embryonic
fibrous structure is formed, after which drying and/or bonding the
fibers together results in the association of the fibers into a
fibrous structure. Further processing the fibrous structure may be
carried out such that a finished fibrous structure is formed. For
example, in typical papermaking processes, the finished fibrous
structure is the fibrous structure that is wound on the reel at the
end of papermaking. The finished fibrous structure may subsequently
be converted into a finished product, e.g. a sanitary tissue
product.
[0025] "Sanitary tissue product" as used herein means a fibrous
structure useful as a wiping implement for post-urinary and
post-bowel movement cleaning (toilet tissue), for
otorhinolaryngological discharges (facial tissue), wipes and
multi-functional absorbent and cleaning uses (absorbent towels).
The sanitary tissue product may be convolutedly wound upon itself
about a core or without a core to form a sanitary tissue product
roll. The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may be
in the form of sanitary tissue product rolls. Such sanitary tissue
product rolls may comprise a plurality of connected, but perforated
sheets of fibrous structure, that are separably dispensable from
adjacent sheets.
[0026] In one example, the sanitary tissue product may comprise a
stack of individual sanitary tissue products.
[0027] In one example, the sanitary tissue product of the present
invention comprises one or more fibrous structures according to the
present invention.
[0028] The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may
comprises additives such as softening agents, temporary wet
strength agents, permanent wet strength agents, bulk softening
agents, lotions, silicones, wetting agents, latexes, patterned
latexes and other types of additives suitable for inclusion in
and/or on sanitary tissue products.
[0029] "Basis Weight" as used herein is the weight per unit area of
a sample reported in lbs/3000 ft.sup.2 or g/m.sup.2.
[0030] "Ply" or "Plies" as used herein means an individual fibrous
structure optionally to be disposed in a substantially contiguous,
face-to-face relationship with other plies, forming a multiple ply
fibrous structure. It is also contemplated that a single fibrous
structure can effectively form two "plies" or multiple "plies", for
example, by being folded on itself.
[0031] "Major dimension" as used herein means the maximum distance
between one edge of an object, such as the dispensing opening
and/or the package, and another edge of the object. With respect to
a sanitary tissue product, the major dimension means the maximum
distance between one edge of a unit of the sanitary tissue product
to another edge of the unit of the sanitary tissue product. In
other words, if the sanitary tissue product is in a folded state to
form a unit, then the major dimension is determined by measuring
the footprint of the sanitary tissue product in its folded state
not in its unfolded state.
[0032] "Minor dimension" as used herein means the distance between
one edge of an object, such as the dispensing opening and/or the
package, and another edge of the object as measured perpendicular
to the major dimension. With respect to a sanitary tissue product
in a folded state, the minor dimension means the distance between
one edge of the sanitary tissue product in its folded state to
another edge of the of the sanitary tissue product in its folded
state as measured perpendicular to the major dimension.
[0033] As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" when used herein,
for example, "an anionic surfactant" or "a fiber" is understood to
mean one or more of the material that is claimed or described.
[0034] All percentages and ratios are calculated by weight unless
otherwise indicated. All percentages and ratios are calculated
based on the total composition unless otherwise indicated.
[0035] Unless otherwise noted, all component or composition levels
are in reference to the active level of that component or
composition, and are exclusive of impurities, for example, residual
solvents or by-products, which may be present in commercially
available sources.
Package
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a package 10 of the present invention
comprises a dispensing opening 12 through which one or more
sanitary tissue products 14 may be dispensed by a user. The package
10 comprises at least one sanitary tissue product 14.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the dispensing opening 12 comprises a
major dimension D1 and a minor dimension D2. The major dimension D1
is greater in value than the minor dimension D2. In one example,
the major dimension D1 is greater than 40 mm and/or greater than 50
mm and/or greater than 55 mm to about 100 mm and/or to about 90 mm
and/or to about 70 mm and/or to about 65 mm. The minor dimension D2
may be greater than 10 mm and/or greater than 15 mm and/or greater
than 20 mm to about 80 mm and/or to about 70 mm and/or to about 50
mm.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, the package 10 comprises a major
dimension D3 and a minor dimension D4. The major dimension D3 is
greater in value than the minor dimension D4. In one example, the
major dimension D3 is greater than 60 mm and/or greater than 90 mm
and/or greater than 120 mm to about 300 mm and/or to about 280 mm
and/or to about 200 mm and/or to about 150 mm. The minor dimension
D4 may be greater than 10 mm and/or greater than 15 mm and/or
greater than 20 mm to about 80 mm and/or to about 70 mm and/or to
about 50 mm.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, in one example, the dispensing opening
12 is oriented in the package 10 such that the major dimension D1
of the dispensing opening 12 forms an angle .alpha. that is greater
than 50.degree. and/or greater than 65.degree. and/or greater than
75.degree. and/or greater than 85.degree. with the major dimension
D3 of the package 10. In one example, the dispensing opening 12 is
oriented in the package 10 such that the major dimension D1 of the
dispensing opening 12 forms an angle that is about 90.degree. with
the major dimension D3 of the package 10.
[0040] In one example, the major dimension D1 of the dispensing
opening 12 is less than or equal to the minor dimension D4 of the
package 10.
[0041] In one example of the present invention, the minor dimension
D2 of the dispensing opening 12 is less than or equal to the major
dimension D3 of the package 10.
[0042] The package 10 may comprise a plurality of sanitary tissue
products 14. The sanitary tissue products 14 may comprise a stack
16 of interleaved sanitary tissue products 14.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the package 10 may further comprise a
closure 18 capable of closing the dispensing opening 12. The
closure 18 may be a resealable closure. The closure 18 is intended
to inhibit dispensing of sanitary tissue products 14 when the
dispensing opening 12 is closed with the closure 18.
[0044] The package 10 may comprise any suitable material known
those skilled in the art. Non-limiting examples include paper,
plastic, polypropylene/polyethylene films and mixtures thereof.
[0045] The dispensing opening 12 may be made by any suitable
process such as die cutting.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 8, the sanitary tissue product 14 exhibits
a major dimension D5 and a minor dimension D6. The major dimension
D5 of the sanitary tissue product 14 is greater in value than the
minor dimension D6 of the sanitary tissue product 14. In one
example, the major dimension D5 is greater than 60 mm and/or
greater than 90 mm and/or greater than 120 mm to about 300 mm
and/or to about 280 mm and/or to about 200 mm and/or to about 150
mm. The minor dimension D6 may be greater than 10 mm and/or greater
than 15 mm and/or greater than 20 mm to about 80 mm and/or to about
70 mm and/or to about 50 mm.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 9, in one example, the dispensing opening
12 is oriented in the package 10 such that the major dimension D1
of the dispensing opening 12 forms an angle .beta. that is greater
than 50.degree. and/or greater than 65.degree. and/or greater than
75.degree. and/or greater than 85.degree. with the major dimension
D5 of the sanitary tissue product 14. In one example, the
dispensing opening 12 is oriented in the package 10 such that the
major dimension D1 of the dispensing opening 12 forms an angle that
is about 90.degree. with the major dimension D5 of the sanitary
tissue product 14.
[0048] The dispensing opening 12 is present in a surface 20 of the
package 10.
[0049] In one example, a package according to the present invention
comprising a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products exhibits
a Dispensing Chaining Event of less than 6 and/or less than 5
and/or less than 4 and/or less than 3 and/or less than 2 and/or
less than 1 per 40 sanitary tissue products as measured according
to the Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method described herein.
[0050] In another example, a package according to the present
invention comprising a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue
products exhibits a Dispensing Chaining Event of less than 4 and/or
less than 3 and/or less than 2 and/or less than 1 per 20 sanitary
tissue products as measured according to the Dispensing Chaining
Event Test Method described herein.
Sanitary Tissue Products
[0051] The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may be
wipes. Commonly known consumer wipes, such as dry or pre-moistened
wipes may be disposable and/or dispersible and/or flushable.
[0052] The sanitary tissue products may comprise man-made fibers,
natural fibers and combinations thereof, and may or may not be
biodegradable. Non-limiting examples of man-made fibers include:
rayon, which in turn includes but is not limited to viscose,
lyocell and mixtures thereof; polyhydroxyalkanoates; polylactic
acid; polyester; and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of
natural fibers include: pulp, cotton, wool, silk, jute, linen,
ramie, hemp, flax, camel hair, kenaf, and mixtures thereof.
Non-thermoplastic fibers that are of use in the present invention
are selected from the group consisting of: rayon, which in turn
includes but is not limited to viscose, lyocell and mixtures
thereof; pulp; cotton; wool; silk; jute; linen; ramie; hemp; flax;
camel hair; kenaf; and mixtures thereof.
[0053] In one example, the sanitary tissue products may comprise
from about 20% to about 80% rayon fibers and from about 80% to
about 20% of pulp fibers. In another embodiment, the nonwoven webs
may comprise from about 30% to about 70% rayon fibers and from
about 70% to about 30% pulp fibers. In another embodiment, the
nonwoven webs may comprise from about 40% to about 60% rayon fibers
and from about 60% to about 40% pulp fibers. In yet another
embodiment, the nonwoven webs may comprise about 60% rayon fibers
and about 40% pulp fibers.
[0054] The sanitary tissue products may have basis weights ranging
from about 5 to about 200 grams per square meter (gsm), from about
10 to about 175 gsm, from about 30 to about 150 gsm, from about 20
to about 100 gsm, from about 30 to about 70 gsm, or even from about
40 to about 60 gsm.
[0055] The sanitary tissue products, especially wipes, may be
adapted for a variety of uses and may be pre-moistened or moistened
with a liquid composition. The liquid composition may comprise an
aqueous solution and may further comprise surfactant,
co-surfactant, foam building agent, emulsifier, non-cellulosic
water soluble organic polymer and mixtures thereof.
[0056] The sanitary tissue products may be wet wipes.
[0057] The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may be
suitable for use in cleaning babies, and may also find use in
cleaning tasks related to persons of all ages. Such wipes may also
include articles used for application of substances to the body,
including but not limited to application of make-up, skin
conditioners, ointments, medications and mixtures thereof. Such
wipes may also include articles used for the cleaning or grooming
of pets, and articles used for the general cleansing of surfaces
and objects, such as household kitchen and bathroom surfaces,
eyeglasses, exercise and athletic equipment, automotive surfaces
and the like. Such sanitary tissue products may also be used in the
hospital or clinical environment to clean up bodily fluids and the
like.
[0058] The sanitary tissue products may be folded and stacked in a
common container such as a tub. The sanitary tissue products of the
present invention may be folded in any of various known folding
patterns, such as C-folding and Z-folding. Use of a Z-fold pattern
may enable a folded stack of sanitary tissue products to be
interleaved with overlapping portions.
[0059] The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may
further comprise a surface comprising a design, such as a surface
pattern and/or prints, which may provide aesthetic appeal.
Non-limiting examples of prints include figures, patterns, letters,
pictures and combinations thereof. Further, the sanitary tissue
products may comprise emboss patterns and/or texture.
[0060] The sanitary tissue products may be put into the common
containers as loose sanitary tissue products or as packaged
sanitary tissue products, such as packaged in a film wrap
package.
Test Methods
[0061] Unless otherwise specified, all tests described herein
including those described under the Definitions section and the
following test methods are conducted on samples that have been
conditioned in a conditioned room at a temperature of 73.degree.
F..+-.4.degree. F. (about 23.degree. C..+-.2.2.degree. C.) and a
relative humidity of 50%.+-.10% for 2 hours prior to the test. All
plastic and paper board packaging materials must be carefully
removed from the paper samples prior to testing. Discard any
damaged product. All tests are conducted in such conditioned
room.
Basis Weight Test Method
[0062] Basis weight of a fibrous structure sample is measured by
selecting twelve (12) usable units (also referred to as sheets) of
the fibrous structure and making two stacks of six (6) usable units
each. Perforation must be aligned on the same side when stacking
the usable units. A precision cutter is used to cut each stack into
exactly 8.89 cm.times.8.89 cm (3.5 in..times.3.5 in.) squares. The
two stacks of cut squares are combined to make a basis weight pad
of twelve (12) squares thick. The basis weight pad is then weighed
on a top loading balance with a minimum resolution of 0.01 g. The
top loading balance must be protected from air drafts and other
disturbances using a draft shield. Weights are recorded when the
readings on the top loading balance become constant. The Basis
Weight is calculated as follows:
Basis Weight ( lbs / 3000 ft 2 ) = Weight of basis weight pad ( g )
.times. 3000 ft 2 453.6 g / lbs .times. 12 ( usable units ) .times.
[ 12.25 in 2 ( Area of basis weight pad ) / 144 in 2 ] ##EQU00001##
Basis Weight ( g / m 2 ) = Weight of basis weight pad ( g ) .times.
10 , 000 cm 2 / m 2 79.0321 cm 2 ( Area of basis weight pad )
.times. 2 ( usable units ) ##EQU00001.2##
Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method
[0063] The dispensing chaining events of a package of 20 or more
interleaved sanitary tissue products is measured as follows.
[0064] Open the dispensing opening in the package of interleaved
sanitary tissue products. The package may be a tub and/or a film
wrap about the sanitary tissue products. If the package is a refill
package of sanitary tissue products and the package does not have a
dispensing opening, then open the package and place in its
associated tub. If the refill package does have a dispensing
opening, then open the dispensing opening in the refill package,
place in its associated tub and open the dispensing opening of the
tub such that access to the sanitary tissue products through the
tub's dispensing opening and the refill package's dispensing
opening is provided.
[0065] If the package is not a refill package, then open the
dispensing opening of the package and proceed with the test
procedure set forth below.
[0066] Take the top wing of the first sanitary tissue product and
thread it through the dispensing opening(s).
[0067] Place the package onto a clean, flat surface such that a
test operator can dispense the sanitary tissue product without
reaching across the body to pull the sanitary tissue products from
the package.
[0068] Pull the sanitary tissue products out of the package with
one hand in a perpendicular direction to the dispensing opening.
Pull with a slow, continuous motion, without acceleration
(approximately -0.75 to 1.00 m/s). Do not touch the package with
the second hand during dispensing unless the package begins to lift
off the flat surface.
[0069] Assess each wipe visually after being dispensed. If two or
more wipes are dispensed at one time from the pulling, then it is
classified as a Dispensing Chaining Event.
[0070] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0071] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise
limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it
is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed
herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other
reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such
invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of
a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of
the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning
or definition assigned to that term in this document shall
govern.
[0072] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *