U.S. patent application number 13/503459 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-16 for garment for tubing management.
This patent application is currently assigned to KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.. Invention is credited to Derrick Blake Andrews, Jerome Matula, JR., Anthony Vincent Startare.
Application Number | 20120204311 13/503459 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43465906 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120204311 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matula, JR.; Jerome ; et
al. |
August 16, 2012 |
GARMENT FOR TUBING MANAGEMENT
Abstract
A garment having a tubing management system incorporated therein
is provided. The tubing management system includes at least one
conduit and a coupling system for the conduit. The coupling system
has at least one coupling point, which is located, for example, at
the neck opening of the garment. The coupling system defines a path
for the conduit, i.e., there is more than one attachment point,
therefore the path of the conduit may be controlled. In this
configuration, the conduit moves with the user and, as such, there
is a reduced chance that the user's movements, even while asleep,
will cause the facemask to be pulled from its proper position.
Inventors: |
Matula, JR.; Jerome;
(Apollo, PA) ; Andrews; Derrick Blake; (Markleton,
PA) ; Startare; Anthony Vincent; (Belle Vernon,
PA) |
Assignee: |
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS
N.V.
EINDHOVEN
NL
|
Family ID: |
43465906 |
Appl. No.: |
13/503459 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
September 28, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB10/54370 |
371 Date: |
April 23, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61255585 |
Oct 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/1245 20130101;
A61M 2209/088 20130101; A61M 16/0875 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/00 20060101
A41D001/00 |
Claims
1. A garment (10) comprising: (a) a covering (12) structured to be
disposed over at least a portion of the upper body, wherein the
covering includes an inner side (16), an outer side (18), a neck
opening (20), and a waist portion (22); and (b) a tubing management
system (14) including: (1) a conduit (50) extending from the waist
portion to the neck opening, and (2) a coupling system (30) adapted
to couple the conduit to the covering, and wherein the conduit is
adapted to be coupled to a supply conduit (2) and a facemask
conduit (3).
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a flexible
tube (52) coupled to the inner side or the outer side of the
covering, and wherein the coupling system includes a first loop
coupling (70) coupled to the flexible tube and the covering.
3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the first loop coupling is
disposed proximal to the neck opening (20), and wherein the
coupling system includes a second loop coupling coupled to the
flexible tube and the covering and disposed proximal to the waist
portion.
4. The garment of claim 2, wherein the first loop coupling includes
an elongated loop extending between the neck opening and the waist
portion.
5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the conduit includes a lower
first manifold, a plurality of flexible tubes, and an upper second
manifold, wherein the upper second manifold is structured to be
coupled to the facemask conduit (3), and wherein the first loop
coupling is coupled to the upper second manifold.
6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the conduit includes a flexible
tube having has a lower first end, a medial portion, and an upper
second end, and wherein the coupling system includes a first
magnetic material operatively coupled to a portion of the covering
and a second magnetic material operatively coupled to a portion of
the conduit such that the first magnetic material and the second
magnetic material interact to couple the conduit to the
covering.
7. The garment of claim 6, wherein conduit includes a at least one
slug (122) made from the second magnetic material, wherein the at
least one slug is fixed to the flexible tube.
8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the coupling system includes an
elongated sheet of a first magnetic material adapted to be coupled
to the covering, wherein the conduit includes a lower first
manifold, a plurality of medial flexible tubes, and an upper second
manifold, wherein the upper second manifold is structured to be
coupled to such a facemask conduit, and wherein the coupling system
further includes a sheet of a second magnetic material structured
so as to be coupled to the sheet of a first magnetic material with
the medial tubes disposed therebetween.
9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the covering has at least a
portion with an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner and the
outer layers forming a plenum (136) therebetween, wherein the
plenum has a first lower opening disposed proximate to the waist
portion, and a second upper opening disposed proximate to the neck
opening, and wherein the plenum is the coupling system.
10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the conduit is at least one
flexible tube extending through the plenum.
11. The garment (10) of claim 9, wherein the conduit includes a
lower first manifold, a plurality of medial flexible tubes, and an
upper second manifold, wherein the upper second manifold is adapted
to be coupled to such a facemask conduit, and wherein the plurality
of medial flexible tubes extend through the plenum.
12. The garment of claim 9, wherein the inner layer and the outer
layer include a gas impervious material and the plenum forms a
bladder (150) defining the conduit, and wherein the conduit
includes: a first lower opening having a conduit interface
structured to be coupled to such a supply conduit, and a second
upper opening having a conduit interface structured to be coupled
to such a facemask conduit.
13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the bladder is filled with a
matrix of rigid material.
14. The garment of claim 9, wherein the inner layer and the outer
layer include a gas impervious material and the plenum forms a
plurality of bladders (180) defining the conduit.
15. The garment of claim 1, wherein the covering includes leggings
(24) and the conduit extends through at least a portion of the
leggings.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the priority benefit under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.371 of international patent application no.
PCT/IB2010/054370, filed Sep. 28, 2010, which claims the priority
benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/255,585 filed on Oct. 28, 2009, the contents of
which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for
providing a garment structured to manage one or more tubes, and, in
particular, a garment wherein the tube(s) are restricted to a
longitudinal path along the garment.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] People with breathing disorders, or other medical
conditions, are often required to wear a patient interface device,
such as a facemask, which is typically structured to supply air or
oxygen to the airway of the user. The patient interface device is
coupled to a gas supply conduit, which is further coupled to a gas
source. The conduit, often identified as "tubing" or "patient
circuit", typically extends from the gas source to patient
interface device. As a result, if, for example, the tubing is
located to the user's right and the user turns his/her head to the
left, and if there is insufficient slack in the tubing, the tubing
will not move with the user's head and the facemask may be pulled
out of position. This often happens when the user is asleep as such
system are often worn during sleep for the treatment of sleep
apnea.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides for a garment having a tubing
management system incorporated therein. The tubing management
system includes at least one conduit and a coupling system for the
conduit. The coupling system has at least one coupling point, which
is located at the neck opening of the garment. In an exemplary
embodiment, the coupling system defines a path for the conduit,
i.e., there is more than one attachment point, therefore the path
of the conduit may be controlled. In this configuration, the
conduit moves with the user and, as such, there is a reduced chance
that the user's movements, even while asleep, will cause the
facemask to be pulled from its proper position.
[0007] The coupling system is incorporated into the garment, but
may also be simply coupled to the garment. The garment, which may
be a shirt, a gown, pajamas, a robe, etc. is identified as a
"covering." The coupling system on the covering may be, for
example, one or more loops through which the tubing management
system conduit extends. These loops define the path of the conduit.
Moreover, as the loops are part of the covering, and, as the
covering moves with the user, the conduit also moves with the user.
The coupling system may be in the form of an elongated loop that
extends along the path of the conduit. For example, the elongated
loop may be formed from a flap extending from the covering. The
conduit is disposed between the flap and the covering, and the
distal end of the flap is coupled to the covering. This defines a
pocket through which the conduit extends. Alternately, the covering
may have a first magnetic material incorporated therein. The
conduit may then have a second magnetic material incorporated
therein. When the magnetic materials are placed near each other,
the conduit is magnetically coupled to the covering along a path
defined by the first magnetic material.
[0008] There are a number of variations to these embodiments which
are encompassed by the claimed concept. For example, rather than a
single conduit, which may have a relatively large diameter, the
conduit may be split into a number of smaller conduits. As each
conduit in a plurality is thinner than a single conduit, the
garment may allow for the user to, for example, roll over in their
sleep without feeling the conduits. Further, the covering may
incorporate padding over the conduit/conduits to further reduce the
impact of the conduit on the user.
[0009] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of
the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and
functions of the related elements of structure and the combination
of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent
upon consideration of the following description and the appended
claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which
form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be
expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a user wearing a garment
with a tubing management system;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a user wearing an
alternate embodiment of the garment with a tubing management
system;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a user wearing another
alternate embodiment of the garment with a tubing management
system;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a user wearing another
alternate embodiment of the garment with a tubing management
system;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of a user wearing another
alternate embodiment of the garment with a tubing management
system;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a user wearing another
alternate embodiment of the garment with a tubing management
system;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a user wearing another
alternate embodiment of the garment with a tubing management
system;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of a user wearing another
alternate embodiment of the garment with a tubing management
system;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of a user wearing another
alternate embodiment of the garment with a tubing management
system; and
[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of a user wearing another
alternate embodiment of the garment with a tubing management
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0020] As used herein, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the"
include plural references unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. As used herein, "coupled" means a link between two or
more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a link
occurs. As used herein, "directly coupled" means that two elements
are directly in contact with each other. As used herein, "fixedly
coupled" or "fixed" means that two components are coupled so as to
move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to
each other. As used herein, the word "unitary" means a component is
created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that
includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled
together as a unit is not a "unitary" component or body. As used
herein, a "facemask" includes any type of oral, oral-nasal, or
nasal mask or nose-plug, structured to provide a gas to a user. As
used herein, a "matrix" includes random as well as
symmetric/regular constructs.
[0021] As used herein, a "first magnetic material" and a "second
magnetic material" include a material that is attracted to iron or
steel, e.g., a typical magnet, and material such as iron, steel, or
another magnet to which the first material is attracted. It is
understood that the purpose of the "first magnetic material" and
the "second magnetic material" is to have the materials
magnetically attracted to each other. Thus, two non-magnetized
materials, e.g. two pieces of normal steel, are not a "first
magnetic material" and a "second magnetic material."
[0022] A garment 10 structured to cooperate with a gas supply
system 1 is shown in FIG. 1. As is known, the gas supply system 1
includes a supply conduit 2 and a facemask conduit 3 as well as a
facemask 4. Supply conduit 2 is structured to be coupled to, and in
fluid communication with, a gas supply system 1. Facemask conduit 3
is structured to be coupled to, and in fluid communication with
facemask 4. Typically, the gas exhaled by the user is exhausted to
the atmosphere. If, however, the gas exhaled by the user is to be
collected, or otherwise routed away from the user, facemask 4,
supply conduit 2, facemask conduit 3, facemask 4, and the tubing
management system at least one conduit 50 (discussed below) may
each include one or more exhaust vents (not shown).
[0023] Garment 10 includes a covering 12 and a tubing management
system 14. Covering 12 is, generally, shown in the FIGS. as a
shirt. Covering 12 may, however, be any type of covering such as,
but not limited to, a gown, pajamas, a robe, tank-top, etc., that
is, generally any type of clothing in which a person typically
sleeps. Covering 12 is made from a thin, flexible material, such as
cloth. Covering 12 has an inner side 16 and an outer side 18.
Covering 12 is structured to be disposed over at least the upper
part of a body. Covering 12 further has a neck opening 20 and a
waist portion 22. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, covering 12 may include
leggings 24, which may be separate from, or unitary with, the upper
portion of the covering 12.
[0024] Tubing management system 14 has a coupling system 30 and at
least one conduit 50. Coupling system 30 is structured to couple
the tubing management system at least one conduit 50 to covering 12
at least one coupling point 32. The at least one coupling point 32
is at covering neck opening 20 at the front of the neck opening.
The tubing management system at least one conduit 50 is structured
to extend from at least covering waist portion 22 to covering neck
opening 20. The tubing management system also includes at least one
conduit 50 is structured to be in fluid communication with both
supply conduit 2 and facemask conduit 3. Coupling system 30 is
adapted to operate with the type of tubing management system at
least one conduit 50 that is used.
[0025] For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the tubing management
system at least one conduit 50 is at least one flexible tube 52.
The at least one flexible tube 52 may be a single elongated,
tubular member 53 having a lower, first end 54 and an upper, second
end 56. The at least one flexible tube 52 has a conduit interface
58, i.e., a detachable coupling, at both first and second ends 54,
56. Each conduit interface 58 is structured to be removably coupled
to the supply conduit 2 or the facemask conduit 3. In this manner,
the at least one flexible tube 52 may be detached from either, or
both, the supply conduit 2 or the facemask conduit 3. Thus, a user
may, for example, detach the at least one flexible tube lower,
first end 54 from the supply conduit 2 so that the user may travel
to a restroom.
[0026] Alternatively, the tubing management system conduit at least
one flexible tube 52 may be a plurality of smaller elongated tubes
60, as shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, each conduit interface
58 includes a manifold 62. That is, manifold 62 is a collar-like
body having a larger, single opening 64 and a plurality of smaller
openings 66. At the lower conduit interface 58, manifold larger
opening 64 is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, supply
conduit 2, while each of the manifold plurality of smaller openings
66 is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, one of the
plurality of smaller elongated tubes 60. At the upper conduit
interface 58, each of the manifold plurality of smaller openings 66
is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, one of the
plurality of smaller elongated tubes 60 and manifold larger opening
64 is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, facemask conduit
3.
[0027] For either of these two embodiments, i.e., the at least one
flexible tube 52 being either a single tube 53 or a plurality of
tubes 60, coupling system 30 may be at least one loop coupling 70
coupled to each at least one flexible tube 52, as shown in FIG. 1.
The at least one loop coupling 70 forms a loop 72 about the at
least one flexible tube 52. Loop 72 may be formed entirely separate
from the covering 12, e.g. a metal ring (not shown) coupled to the
covering 12 by a strap, or loop 72 may be formed by a strap 74
coupled at either end to the covering 12. That is, loop 72 is
formed by both the covering 12 and the strap 74. Further, the at
least one loop coupling 70 may be disposed on the covering inner
side 16 or the outer side 18. It is noted that, when the at least
one loop coupling 70 is disposed on the covering inner side 16,
covering 12 may include padding 13 disposed between covering 12 and
the user. Further, it is noted that the at least one loop coupling
70 may include a plurality of relatively thin loops 78 and an
elongated loop 80.
[0028] Thus, the at least one loop coupling 70 may be at least two
thin loop couplings 78, formed by a strap 74 and a coupling device
76, such as but not limited to, buckles 77, hook-and-loop fabric 94
(discussed below), snaps (not shown), or buttons. In an exemplary
embodiment, one loop coupling 78A is disposed at covering neck
opening 20 and one loop coupling 78B is disposed at covering waist
portion 22. However, there are a plurality of loop couplings 78C
disposed between neck opening loop coupling 78A and waist portion
loop coupling 78B.
[0029] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for either of
these two embodiments, i.e., the at least one flexible tube 52
being either a single tube 53 or a plurality of tubes 60, coupling
system 30 may be an elongated loop 80 extending, substantially,
between the neck opening 20 and the waist portion 22. That is, the
at least one flexible tube 52 has a medial portion 55 disposed
between the at least one flexible tube first and second ends 54,
56. The at least one flexible tube medial portion 55 may be
substantially enclosed within an elongated loop 80, which may also
be identified as a pocket, as discussed below. For example, as
shown in FIG. 4, the covering 12 may include a flap 90 of material
extending from the covering neck opening 20 to the covering waist
portion 22. Flap 90 has a distal end 92 with a hook-and-loop fabric
94 coupled thereto. A strip of the corresponding hook-and-loop
fabric 94 is coupled to the covering 12. Thus, the user may dispose
the at least one flexible tube 52 between covering 12 and flap 90,
and couple the flap to the covering using the hook-and-loop fabric
94. This forms a pocket-like elongated loop 80 through which the at
least one flexible tube 52 extends. It is noted that, while FIG. 4
shows the at least one flexible tube 52 as being a single tube 53,
flap 90 may also be used to enclose a plurality of tubes 60. If the
at least one flexible tube 52 is a plurality of tubes 60, flap 90
may have an extended width, so that the plurality of tubes 60 may
be disposed in a generally flat pattern.
[0030] Elongated loop 80 may also be created from a separate
element rather than a flap 90, as shown in FIG. 5. That is, whereas
a flap 90 has one edge that is unitary with the covering 12, the
separate element may be an elongated strip of fabric 100 with two
strips of hook-and-loop fabric 94 disposed on each elongated edge.
Covering 12, has corresponding strips of hook-and-loop fabric 94
extending generally between the covering neck opening 20 to the
covering waist portion 22. Thus, when the elongated strip of fabric
100 is coupled to covering 12 by the strips of hook-and-loop fabric
94, an elongated loop 80, or pocket, is formed. The at least one
flexible tube 52 is disposed with the elongated loop 80.
[0031] In a similar manner, elongated loop 80 may be formed of a
separate element that is a magnetic material, as shown in FIG. 6.
That is, covering 12 may have a first magnetic material 110
incorporated therein. First magnetic material 110 may be limited to
a portion, e.g. the front, of covering 12. In this embodiment,
rather than two strips of hook-and-loop fabric 94, elongated strip
of fabric 100 may have two strips of a second magnetic material 112
disposed on each elongated edge. Thus, when elongated strip of
fabric 100 is coupled to covering 12 by the strips of a second
magnetic material 112, an elongated loop 80, or pocket, is formed.
The at least one flexible tube 52 is disposed with elongated loop
80.
[0032] In either embodiment having an elongated strip of fabric
100, i.e., the embodiment with strips of hook-and-loop fabric 94 or
the embodiment with strips of a second magnetic material 112, the
at least one flexible tube 52 may also be adhered to, or otherwise
coupled to, the strip of fabric 100 and may be disposed outside of
the elongated loop 80. For example, rather than strip of fabric 100
having two strips of a second magnetic material 112 disposed on
each elongated edge, second magnetic material 112 may be in the
form of an elongated, flexible sheet 120 of second magnetic
material 112. Sheet 120 of second magnetic material 112 may be, but
is not limited to, a flexible rubber having the second magnetic
material incorporated therein. The at least one flexible tube
medial portion 55 may be fixed, or otherwise coupled, to the
elongated, flexible sheet 120 of second magnetic material 112.
[0033] In another embodiment utilizing magnets, second magnetic
material 112 may be incorporated into the at least one flexible
tube 52, as shown in FIG. 7. As before, covering 12 may have a
first magnetic material 110 incorporated therein. First magnetic
material 110 may be limited to a portion, e.g. the front, of the
covering 12. In this embodiment, second magnetic material 112 is in
the form of at least one slug 122 fixed to the at least one
flexible tube 52. As with loop couplings 78, discussed above, in an
exemplary embodiment, one slug 122A is disposed at covering neck
opening 20 and one slug 122B is disposed at covering waist portion
22. In a further embodiment, there are a plurality of slugs 122C
disposed between neck opening slug 122A and waist portion slug
122B.
[0034] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, which is similar to
the embodiments having a flap 90 or elongated strip of fabric 100,
i.e., the embodiment with strips of hook-and-loop fabric 94 or the
embodiment with strips of a second magnetic material 112, a pocket
may be incorporated into the covering 12 itself. That is, covering
12 may include at least a portion 130 with an inner layer 132 and
an outer layer 134 of fabric. Inner and outer layers 132, 134 form
at least one plenum 136 therebetween. The at least one plenum 136
has a first, lower opening 138 disposed at the waist portion 22,
and, a second, upper opening 140 disposed at the neck opening 20.
In this embodiment, the plenum 136 is the coupling system 30 with
the at least one flexible tube 52 extending therethrough. As
before, if the at least one flexible tube 52 includes a plurality
of flexible tubes 60, plenum 136 may be made with a greater width
similar to the width shown in FIG. 3.
[0035] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, the tubing
management system at least one conduit 50 may be a bladder 150
rather than at least one flexible tube 52. Similar to the plenum
136 described above, covering 12 may include at least one portion
160 with an inner layer 162 and an outer layer 164 of fabric. The
fabric of the bladder 150, however, is substantially impervious to
gas. Further, bladder 150 includes a first, lower opening 166
having a conduit interface 168 structured to be coupled to the
supply conduit 2, and second, upper opening 170 having a conduit
interface 168 structured to be coupled to the facemask conduit 3.
Thus, bladder 150 is structured to be coupled to, and in fluid
communication with, both the supply conduit 2 and the facemask
conduit 3. Accordingly, a gas may be transferred to/from the
facemask 4 through the covering 12.
[0036] Just as the single elongated, tubular member 53 may be
replaced by a plurality of smaller elongated tubes 60, single
bladder 150 may be replaced either by a plurality of smaller
bladders 180, as shown in FIG. 10. That is, the at least one
portion 160 of the covering 12 with an inner layer 162 and an outer
layer 164 of fabric may include a plurality of portions having the
two layers 162, 164, each portion extending from the first, lower
opening 166 to the second, upper opening 170. It is noted that
bladders 180 may include manifold bladders 182 disposed about
covering neck opening 20 and covering waist portion 22 which act as
manifolds. Manifold bladders 182 are in fluid communication with
each of the smaller bladders 180. Thus, if the user collapses one
of the smaller bladders 180, gas may flow through manifold bladders
182 and pass through the open smaller bladders.
[0037] Further, any of the single bladder 150, smaller bladders 180
or manifold bladders 182 may include a matrix 190 of a rigid
material structured to prevent total restriction of fluid flow
through the bladder 150, 180, 182. Matrix 190 may be, but is not
limited to, a plurality of ridges 192, or tubular members (not
shown) extending through the bladder 150, 180, 182. Alternately,
matrix 190 may be composed of a particulate material, e.g. a
plurality of beads (not shown), so long as the particles have a
sufficient size so as to not block fluid flow through the bladder
150, 180, 182.
[0038] It is noted that in each of the Figures, the path of the
tubing management system at least one conduit 50 is shown as being
centrally located at the front of the garment 10. The path of the
tubing management system at least one conduit 50, however, may
extend along various routes. For example, a person who tends to
sleep on their stomach may prefer that the tubing management system
at least one conduit 50 extend along the back of the garment 10. As
such, the disclosed garment is not limited to an embodiment wherein
the path of the tubing management system at least one conduit 50
extends over the front and center of the garment 10.
[0039] Although the invention has been described in detail for the
purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be
the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the
contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent
arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present
invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more
features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more
features of any other embodiment.
* * * * *