U.S. patent application number 13/810880 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-29 for storage containers including negative thermal expansion coefficient materials.
This patent application is currently assigned to EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Empire Technology Development LLC. Invention is credited to William Brenden Carlson, Scott Andrew Needham.
Application Number | 20140144911 13/810880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50477743 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140144911 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carlson; William Brenden ;
et al. |
May 29, 2014 |
STORAGE CONTAINERS INCLUDING NEGATIVE THERMAL EXPANSION COEFFICIENT
MATERIALS
Abstract
A container may have a first component configured to contain one
or more articles, and a second component configured to confine the
one or more articles contained in the first component where at
least one of the first component and the second component have at
least a portion made from a material having a negative thermal
expansion coefficient.
Inventors: |
Carlson; William Brenden;
(Seattle, GA) ; Needham; Scott Andrew; (Mangerton,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Empire Technology Development LLC |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
LLC
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
50477743 |
Appl. No.: |
13/810880 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
October 12, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US12/60000 |
371 Date: |
January 17, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/201 ; 53/467;
53/485 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/0442 20130101;
B65B 7/2842 20130101; B65D 53/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/201 ; 53/467;
53/485 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/26 20060101
B65D043/26; B65B 7/28 20060101 B65B007/28 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a first component configured to contain
one or more articles; and a second component configured to confine
the one or more articles contained in the first component; wherein
at least one of the first component and the second component have
at least a portion made from a material having a negative thermal
expansion coefficient.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first component is
configured to contain food, beverages, medicine, hazardous
chemicals, air-reactive materials, sublimating materials,
hygroscopic materials, aromatics, or any combination thereof.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the material having a negative
thermal expansion coefficient is one or more of cubic zirconium
tungstate, zirconium vanadate, cubic scandium trifluoride,
poly(acrylamide), siliceous faujasite, poly(diacetylene), lead
titanate, Kevlar, or silica-titania.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the material having a negative
thermal expansion coefficient has a negative thermal expansion
coefficient from a temperature of about -20.degree. C. to about
120.degree. C.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein one of the first component and
the second component comprises a gasket.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein the gasket is made from the
material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the second component is
configured to be affixed to the first component by screwing on to
the first component, snap-fitting on to the first component,
friction fitting on to the first component, or plugging into the
first component.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the
second component overlaps with at least a portion of the first
component.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the overlapping portion of the
first component, the second component, or both the first component
and the second component is made from the material having a
negative thermal expansion coefficient.
10. The container of claim 8, wherein the overlapping portion of
the first component is made from a first material having negative
thermal expansion coefficient and the overlapping portion of the
second component is made from a second material having negative
thermal expansion coefficient that is different from the first
material having negative thermal expansion coefficient.
11. A method of containing one or more articles, the method
comprising: confining the one or more articles in the first
component using the second component. placing the one or more
articles in a first component of a container comprising the first
component configured to contain one or more articles, and a second
component configured to confine the one or more articles contained
in the first component, wherein at least one of the first component
and the second component have at least a portion made from a
material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient; and
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the article is food, beverages,
medicine, hazardous chemicals, air-reactive materials, sublimating
materials, hygroscopic materials, aromatics, or any combination
thereof.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising affixing the second
component to the first component by screwing on to the first
component, snap-fitting on to the first component, friction fitting
on to the first component, or plugging into the first
component.
14. A method of sealing a container, the method comprising:
affixing a second component configured to confine one or more
articles contained in a first component to the first component
configured to contain the one or more articles, wherein at least
one of the first component and the second component have at least a
portion made from a material having a negative thermal expansion
coefficient; and reducing a temperature of the container, such that
the component made from a material having a negative thermal
expansion coefficient expands to create the seal.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein one of the first component and
the second component comprises a gasket.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein affixing the second component
to the first component comprises screwing the second component on
to the first component, snap-fitting the second component on to the
first component, or plugging the second component into the first
component.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein reducing the temperature of the
container comprises cooling the container to a temperature of about
10.degree. C. to about -20.degree. C.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein reducing the temperature of the
container comprises cooling the container by about 5.degree. C. to
about 140.degree. C.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein the container is configured to
contain food, beverages, medicine, hazardous chemicals,
air-reactive materials, sublimating materials, hygroscopic
materials, aromatics, or any combination thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Many consumer goods including food and beverages are
packaged for protection and preservation during storage and
transport. In general, a tighter sealing container may provide
better preservation. However, a tightly sealed container may be
more difficult to break open (or release) to access the contents of
the container. As such, there is a need for containers that may
seal tightly, yet may be released with relative ease.
SUMMARY
[0002] In an embodiment, a container may have a first component
configured to contain one or more articles and a second component
configured to confine the one or more articles contained in the
first component where at least one of the first and the second
component have at least a portion made from a material having a
negative thermal expansion coefficient.
[0003] In an embodiment, a method of containing one or more
articles may include placing the one or more articles in a first
component of a container having the first component configured to
contain one or more articles and a second component configured to
confine the one or more articles contained in the first component
where at least one of the first and the second component have at
least a portion made from a material having a negative thermal
expansion coefficient, and confining the one or more articles in
the first component using the second component.
[0004] In an embodiment, a method of sealing a container may
include affixing a second component configured to confine one or
more articles contained in a first component to the first component
configured to contain the one or more articles, where at least one
of the first component and the second component have at least a
portion made from a material having a negative thermal expansion
coefficient, and reducing the temperature of the container such
that the component made from a material having a negative thermal
expansion coefficient expands to create the seal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0005] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative container lid having a
negative thermal expansion coefficient material according to an
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0006] This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems,
devices and methods described, as these may vary. The terminology
used in the description is for the purpose of describing the
particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to
limit the scope.
[0007] As used in this document, the singular forms "a," "an," and
"the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific
terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by
one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to
be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this
disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue
of prior invention. As used in this document, the term "comprising"
means "including, but not limited to."
[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to
containers. The containers can have any configuration. FIG. 1
depicts an illustrative container lid having a negative thermal
expansion coefficient material according to an embodiment. In some
embodiments, a container may include a first component 101
configured to contain one or more articles 105, and a second
component 102 configured to confine the one or more articles 105 in
the first component 101, where at least one of the first component
101 and the second component 102 have at least a portion 110 made
from a material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient. As
used herein, the term "thermal expansion coefficient" refers to a
numerical measure of the fractional change in size of a material
per unit change in temperature at a constant pressure. A material
having a negative thermal expansion coefficient expands when cooled
and contracts when heated. In some cases, a material may exhibit a
negative thermal expansion coefficient over a certain range of
temperatures and may exhibit a positive thermal expansion
coefficient (material expands on heating and contracts on cooling)
at other temperatures.
[0009] The container may have any shape, and may be used to confine
any articles. In some embodiments, the articles may be food or
beverages such as, for example, salt, sugar, milk or dairy
products, liquid or whole eggs, fish, meats, fruits, vegetables,
soups, pre-cooked meals or snacks, ready-to-cook meals or snacks,
ready-to-eat meals or snacks, chips, pickles, condiments, dips,
spices, grains, lentils, nuts, flour, bread, coffee beans, tea
leaves, coffee, tea, cola, alcoholic beverages, desserts, or the
like. In some embodiments, the articles may be materials that may
have to be stored in inert conditions such as, for example,
medicine, hazardous chemicals, detergents, dyes, inks, air reactive
materials, hygroscopic materials, sublimating materials, or the
like. In some embodiments, the articles may be such that it is
desirable to store them in inert conditions to preserve their value
such as, for example, aromatic materials, herbs, spices, essential
oils, incense, fragrances, perfumes, air fresheners, or the
like.
[0010] Any material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient
may be used for the at least a portion 110 of at least the first
component 101 and the second component 102. In certain embodiments,
the material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient may
be, for example, cubic zirconium tungstate, zirconium vanadate,
cubic scandium trifluoride, poly(acrylamide), siliceous faujasite,
poly(diacetylene), lead titanate, Kevlar, silica-titania, any
combination thereof, and the like.
[0011] In general, storage temperatures for food and/or beverages
are typically about -20.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C. In some
instances, temperatures up to about 120.degree. C. may be used
temporarily during processing and/or use of food and/or beverages.
It may, therefore, be desirable, in some embodiments, for the
material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient to have a
negative thermal expansion coefficient at least temperatures of
about -20.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C. (including the end
points). Examples of temperature ranges for the negative thermal
expansion coefficient include, but are not limited to, about
-20.degree. C. to about 0.degree. C., about -20.degree. C. to about
20.degree. C., about -20.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C., about
-20.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C., about -20.degree. C. to
about 80.degree. C., about -20.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.,
about -20.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C., about 0.degree. C. to
about 20.degree. C., about 0.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C.,
about 0.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C., about 0.degree. C. to
about 80.degree. C., about 0.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.,
about 0.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C., about 20.degree. C. to
about 40.degree. C., about 20.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C.,
about 20.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C., about 20.degree. C. to
about 100.degree. C., about 20.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C.,
or any values or ranges between any two of these ranges (including
the end points).
[0012] Within the temperature range where a material has a negative
thermal expansion coefficient, the material expands when cooled and
contracts when heated. Thus, a container may be designed such that
at least a portion 110 of the first component 101 or the second
component 102 may be made from a material having a negative thermal
expansion coefficient. In some embodiments, the entire first
component 101 may be made from a material having a negative thermal
expansion coefficient. Likewise, in certain embodiments, the entire
second component 102 may be made from a material having a negative
thermal expansion coefficient. In particular embodiments, one of
the first component 101 and the second component 102 may have, for
example, a gasket (or a similar structure such as an o-ring, or an
inner lining). In some embodiments, the portion 110 made from a
material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient may be a
gasket. In such embodiments, the gasket expands 110A when the
temperature is decreased so as to form a tight seal between the
first and the second components, and contracts 110B when the
temperature is increased so as to easily release the second
component from the first component.
[0013] In certain instances, the second component 102 may be
equivalent to, for example, a lid, a stopper, a cork, a bottle cap,
a screw cap, a crown cap, a plug seal, any combination thereof, or
the like. In some embodiments, the second component 102 may be
configured to be affixed to the first component by, for example,
screwing on to the first component, snap-fitting on to the first
component, friction fitting on to the first component, plugging
into the first component, any combination thereof, or the like.
[0014] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second
component 102 may be overlapping with at least a portion of the
first component 101. In certain embodiments, the overlapping
portion of the first component 101 is made from the material having
a negative thermal expansion coefficient. In other embodiments, the
overlapping portion of the second component 102 is made from the
material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient, and in
yet other embodiments, the overlapping portions of the first
component 101 and the second component 102 are made from a material
having a negative thermal expansion coefficient. In particular
embodiments, the overlapping portion of the first component 101 is
made from a material having a negative thermal expansion
coefficient and the overlapping portion of the second component 102
is made from a material having a negative thermal expansion
coefficient that is different from the material having a negative
thermal expansion coefficient used for in the first component
101.
[0015] In some aspects, a method of containing one or more articles
is described. In some embodiments, the method may include placing
the one or more articles in a first component of a container having
the first component configured to contain one or more articles, and
a second component configured to confine the one or more articles
contained in the first component, where at least one of the first
component and the second component have at least a portion made a
material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient, and
confining the one or more articles in the first component using the
second component.
[0016] The method may be used for containing any article. In some
embodiments, the article may be, for example, a food or a beverage.
In certain embodiments, the article may be, for example, materials
that may have to be stored in inert conditions for safety or for
preserving their value. Examples of articles that may be stored
using the method include, but are not limited to, salt, sugar, milk
or dairy products, liquid or whole eggs, fish, meats, fruits,
vegetables, soups, pre-cooked meals or snacks, ready-to-cook meals
or snacks, ready-to-eat meals or snacks, chips, pickles,
condiments, dips, spices, grains, lentils, nuts, flour, bread,
coffee beans, tea leaves, coffee, tea, cola, alcoholic beverages,
desserts, or the like, medicine, hazardous chemicals, detergents,
dyes, inks, air reactive materials, hygroscopic materials,
sublimating materials, or the like, aromatic materials, herbs,
spices, essential oils, incense, fragrances, perfumes, air
fresheners, or the like.
[0017] In particular embodiments, the method may further include
affixing the second component to the first component by screwing on
to the first component, snap-fitting on to the first component,
friction fitting on to the first component, plugging into the first
component, any combination thereof, or the like.
[0018] In some aspects, a method of sealing a container is
described. In some embodiments, the method may include affixing a
second component configured to confine one or more articles
contained in a first component to the first component configured to
contain one or more articles, where at least one of the first
component and the second component have at least a portion made
from a material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient,
and reducing a temperature of the container such that the component
made from a material having a negative thermal expansion
coefficient expands to create the seal.
[0019] The method may be used for sealing any articles. For
example, in some embodiments, the method may be used to seal
articles such as food, beverages, medicine, hazardous chemicals,
air-reactive materials, sublimating materials, hygroscopic
materials, aromatics, or any combination thereof.
[0020] In various embodiments, any portion of the first or the
second component may be made from a material having a negative
thermal expansion coefficient. In some embodiments, either or both
of the first component and the second component may have, for
example, a gasket, or a similar structure such as an o-ring, or an
inner lining, that is made from a material having a negative
thermal expansion coefficient.
[0021] The second component can be affixed to the first component
by any method. In certain embodiments, affixing the second
component to the first component may include, for example, screwing
on to the first component, snap-fitting on to the first component,
friction fitting on to the first component, plugging into the first
component, any combination thereof, or the like.
[0022] The temperature at which the articles are stored will also
depend on the particular articles being contained. For example,
food and/or beverages may be stored at temperature of about
-20.degree. C., to about 4.degree. C. In embodiments wherein food
and/or beverages are contained in the container, reducing the
temperature of the container may include reducing the temperature
to about -20.degree. C., about -18.degree. C., about -16.degree.
C., about -14.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about -10.degree.
C., about -8.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about -4.degree. C.,
about -2.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about 2.degree. C., about
4.degree. C., about 6.degree. C., about 8.degree. C., about
10.degree. C., or any value between any two of these values. One of
skill in the art will appreciate that the temperature range in
which the effective sealing may be achieved will depend on the
specific material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient
used in various embodiments. In certain embodiments, it may be
desirable to process the articles at a higher temperature. For
example, milk may be processed at about 100.degree. C. while
pasteurizing, or some food items may be processed at temperatures
of about 120.degree. C. A skilled artisan will envision other
instances of processing of articles at higher temperatures. In such
embodiments, reducing the temperature of the container may include
cooling the temperature of the container by about 5.degree. C.,
about 10.degree. C., about 15.degree. C., about 20.degree. C.,
about 25.degree. C., about 30.degree. C., about 35.degree. C.,
about 40.degree. C., about 45.degree. C., about 50.degree. C.,
about 55.degree. C., about 60.degree. C., about 65.degree. C.,
about 70.degree. C., about 75.degree. C., about 80.degree. C.,
about 85.degree. C., about 90.degree. C., about 95.degree. C.,
about 100.degree. C., about 105.degree. C., about 110.degree. C.,
about 115.degree. C., about 120.degree. C., about 125.degree. C.,
about 130.degree. C., about 135.degree. C., about 140.degree. C.,
or any value between any two of these values.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Gasket Having Negative Thermal Expansion Coefficient
[0023] Zirconium tungstate (ZrW.sub.2O.sub.8) powders are surface
derivatized with (3-aminopropyl) siloxy linker molecules. The
surface derivatized zirconium tungstate powder is dispersed in
3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic
dianhydride-4,4'-oxydianiline (BTDA-ODA) polyamic acid resins to
form a thick paste. The coefficient of thermal expansion can be
controlled by varying the ZrW.sub.2O.sub.8 content in the
composite.
[0024] A gasket is formed by injection molding the thick paste, or
thermally curing the paste after inserting into a mold.
Example 2
Container Lid Having a Negative Thermal Expansion Coefficient
[0025] The thick paste of Example 1 is injection molded in the
shape of a screw-on or a snap-fit lid to form a lid having a
negative thermal expansion coefficient.
Example 3
Jar with a Screw-on Lid Having a Negative Thermal Expansion
Coefficient
[0026] A gasket of Example 1 is lined (or attached using an
adhesive) along the inner wall of a screw-on lid for a glass or
plastic jar. Alternatively, the thick paste of Example 1 is applied
on the inner side wall of the lid in shape of a ring prior to
thermally curing the lid to form a sealable lid.
[0027] The gasket or the ring is sized such that at room
temperature, the lid can be easily screwed on to the jar.
Alternatively, the lid of Example 2 is used to close for the jar.
When the jar is cooled down to about 4.degree. C. or lower, the
gasket (or the ring, or the lid) expands and creates a tight
seal.
Example 4
Method for Preserving Condiments
[0028] Condiments such as, pickles, relish, and so forth are stored
in the container of Example 3. When refrigerated, gasket expands
and the condiments are tightly sealed in the container. When the
container is brought up to room temperature, the gasket contracts
allowing the lid to be easily screwed off for accessing the
condiments contained in the jar.
Example 5
Method for Storing Medicine
[0029] Medicines that are required be stored at low temperatures
(at about 4.degree. C. or lower) are stored in the container of
Example 3. When refrigerated, the gasket expands and the medicines
are tightly sealed in the container. When the container is brought
up to room temperature, the gasket contracts allowing the lid to be
easily screwed off for accessing the medicines contained in the
jar.
Example 6
Method for Sealing a Jar Containing Hot-Processed Food
[0030] A gasket of Example 1 is lined along the outer wall of a
glass jar. A lid is snap-fitted on the jar immediately following
introduction of a hot food item (e.g. milk) in the jar. As the jar
cools, the gasket expands to seal the jar. When the jar is to be
opened, the lid is warmed (e.g. with hot water) to shrink the
gasket so as to break the seal.
[0031] In the above detailed description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,
similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless
context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described
in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to
be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may
be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject
matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the
aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein,
and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted,
combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated
herein.
[0032] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the
particular embodiments described in this application, which are
intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications
and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and
scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of
the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing
descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to
fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present
disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended
claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such
claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is
not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds,
compositions or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. It
is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for
the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not
intended to be limiting.
[0033] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or
singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate
from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the
plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The
various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth
herein for sake of clarity.
[0034] It will be understood by those within the art that, in
general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims
(e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as
"open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as
"including but not limited to," the term "having" should be
interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be
interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an
intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence
of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an
aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain
usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more"
to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim
recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same
claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least
one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or
"an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or
more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used
to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited,
those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should
be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare
recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at
least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in
those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A,
B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended
in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the
convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C"
would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B
alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances
where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc."
is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense
one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g.,
"a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not
be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B
together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C
together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the
art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting
two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims,
or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities
of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms.
For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the
possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
[0035] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are
described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will
recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of
any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush
group.
[0036] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and
all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description,
all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible
subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range
can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling
the same range being broken down into at least equal halves,
thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example,
each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower
third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be
understood by one skilled in the art all language such as "up to,"
"at least," and the like include the number recited and refer to
ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as
discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in
the art, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for
example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or
3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups
having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.
[0037] Various of the above-disclosed and other features and
functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other
different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the
disclosed embodiments.
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