U.S. patent application number 14/687521 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-15 for tab lock closure for a container.
The applicant listed for this patent is Huhtamaki, Inc.. Invention is credited to Phillip Bell.
Application Number | 20150291304 14/687521 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54264470 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150291304 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bell; Phillip |
October 15, 2015 |
TAB LOCK CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER
Abstract
A container with a tab lock closure is provided. The container
may be constructed from a folded blank of material. The container
can consist of a front panel, rear panel, two opposing side panels,
and first and second ends. The ends include two opposing minor end
flaps and two opposing major end flaps. One major end flap includes
a tab that is cut from the flap and is foldably connected to the
front panel along a common fold line with the major end flap. The
other major end flap includes a corresponding aperture. When the
end is closed, the minor end flaps are folded inwardly, the major
end flap with the tab is folded inwardly while the tab remains
upright, and the other major end flap is then folded inwardly. The
tab is then folded inwardly and inserted into the aperture thereby
locking the container.
Inventors: |
Bell; Phillip; (Overland
Park, KS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Huhtamaki, Inc. |
De Soto |
KS |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54264470 |
Appl. No.: |
14/687521 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61979593 |
Apr 15, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/02 20130101; B65D
5/103 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/02 20060101
B65D005/02 |
Claims
1. A container with a tab lock closure, the container comprising: a
first end flap foldably connected to a first sidewall panel by a
first fold line; a second end flap foldably connected to a second
sidewall panel by a second fold line; a tab cut from the first end
flap, the tab being foldably connected to the first sidewall panel
by a tab fold line and having a distal end, wherein the tab fold
line is generally axially coextensive with the first fold line; and
an aperture defined in the second end flap, the aperture having a
locking edge suitable for engagement by the distal end of the
tab.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein when the container is in a
closed position, the first end flap is folded inward into a folded
orientation and the second end flap is folded inward into a folded
orientation overlying the first end flap.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein when the container is in a
locked position, the tab at least partially overlies the second end
flap and the tab distal end is at least partially underneath the
locking edge of the aperture.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein a first distance is defined
between the tab distal end and the tab fold line and a second
distance is defined between the locking edge of the aperture and
the tab fold line when the container is in the closed position, and
wherein the first distance is slightly greater than the second
distance so that the tab distal end engages and is retained
underneath the locking edge of the aperture when the container in
placed in the locked position from the unlocked position.
5. The container of claim 3, wherein a cut forming the tab extends
beyond the tab fold line and into the first sidewall panel a
distance suitable for allowing the tab to be moved laterally to
disengaged the tab distal end from the locking edge of the aperture
when the container is in the locked position.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the tab is defined completely
within a perimeter of the first end flap.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the tab is located at least
partially within the first sidewall panel and at least partially
within the first major end flap.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein a peripheral shape of the
distal end of the tab substantially corresponds to a peripheral
shape of the locking edge of the aperture.
9. A container with a tab lock closure, the container comprising: a
first end flap connected to a front panel by a first fold line, the
first end flap adapted for folding inwardly to a folded
orientation; a second end flap connected to a rear panel by a
second fold line, the second end flap adapted for folding inwardly
to a folded orientation; a tab at least partially cut out of and at
least partially defined within the first end flap, the tab having a
distal end; and an aperture defined in the second end flap, the
aperture having a locking edge adapted for engaging with and at
least partially overlapping the distal end of the tab; wherein when
both of the first end flap and the second end flap are in their
respective folded orientations, the second end flap substantially
overlaps the first end flap and the container is in a closed
position.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the tab at least partially
overlies a portion of the second end flap and the tab distal end is
at least partially underneath the locking edge of the aperture when
the container is in a locked position.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the tab is connected to the
front panel by a tab fold line.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein a first distance is defined
between the tab distal end and the tab fold line and a second
distance is defined between the locking edge of the aperture and
the tab fold line when the first and second end flaps are in their
respective folded orientations, and wherein the first distance is
slightly greater than the second distance so that the tab distal
end engages and is retained underneath the locking edge of the
aperture when the container is placed in the locked position.
13. The container in claim 11, wherein a cut forming the tab
extends beyond tab fold line a distance suitable for allowing the
tab to be moved laterally to disengage the tab distal end from the
locking edge of the aperture when the container is in the locked
position.
14. The container in claim 11, wherein the tab fold line and the
first fold line are generally axially coextensive with one
another.
15. A foldable blank for forming a container, the blank comprising:
a front panel; a rear panel; a first end flap connected to the
front panel by a first fold line; a second end flap connected to
the rear panel by a second fold line; a tab cut from the first
panel and connected to the front panel by a tab fold line, the tab
having a distal end opposite the tab fold line; and an aperture
defined within the second end flap, the aperture having a locking
edge; wherein when the blank is formed into the container, the
second end flap is adopted to substantially overly the first end
flap when the container is in a closed position, and wherein the
tab fold line and the first fold line form a common fold line.
16. The blank of claim 15, wherein when the blank is formed into
the container, a first distance is defined between the tab distal
end and the tab fold line and a second distance is defined between
the locking edge of the aperture and the tab fold line when the
container is in the closed position, and wherein the first distance
is slightly greater than the second distance so that the tab distal
end may engage the locking edge of the aperture.
17. The blank of claim 15, wherein the first end flap includes a
tab void corresponding to the shape of the tab.
18. The blank of claim 17, wherein the tab void is defined within a
perimeter of the first end flap.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/979,593, filed on Apr. 15, 2014, to Phillip
Bell, entitled "Push Tab Closure for a Container," currently
pending, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Carton and box containers, especially those constructed out
of paperboard or similar materials, often have tab closure
mechanisms for keeping the ends of the carton or container closed.
However, such tab closure mechanisms generally require intricate
and complex end configurations in order to effectively lock the
container end. These complex tab closures use several cuts,
apertures, protrusions, tabs, notches, etc. in order to create a
closure mechanism that effectively locks the container.
Additionally, tab closure mechanisms typically require folding of
components and extreme bending that causes the closure mechanism to
tear and quickly wear out. Containers with tab closure mechanisms
have also failed to allow for economic and efficient use of
material when the container is formed from a pre-cut blank of
material due to the complex formation of the tab closure
mechanisms.
[0003] Accordingly, a need exist for a carton or container,
particularly one made from paperboard or like material, that
includes a simple and durable tab locking means for closing the
carton or container. A need also exists for a carton or container
with a tab locking means that can be economically and efficiently
constructed from a single unitary blank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The objective of the present invention is to provide a
carton or container that includes a tab lock closure for locking an
end of the carton or container. A further objective of the present
invention is to provide a tab lock closure that is durable and
economically efficient. A further object of the present invention
is to provide a durable and efficient tab lock closure that simple
to lock and unlock. Yet a further objective of the present
invention is to provide a carton or container with a durable,
efficient and simple tab lock closure that can be formed from a
single unitary foldable blank.
[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, a container is
constructed from a unitary blank cut from a larger sheet of
material. The container may include a front panel, rear panel, two
side panels, an overlapping glue flap panel, and an end
construction at both ends of the container. The sidewall panels may
be connected by fold lines extending in the longitudinal direction
such that the front panel is adjacent to a side panel that is
adjacent to the rear panel that is adjacent to another side panel.
The overlapping glue flap panel may be connected to the side of one
of the wall panels located at either end of the blank. To form the
container, the blank can be folded along the longitudinal fold
lines and the overlapping glue flap panel can be adhesively bonded
to the opposing exterior wall panel, thereby forming a box-like
structure.
[0006] One or both ends of the container may include a tab lock
closure designed to keep the end closed until it is desired to be
opened by a user. The end construction of the container may include
two opposing minor end flaps, a first major end flap and a second
major end flap. Each minor end flap may be foldably connected to
the end of one of the corresponding side panels. The first major
end flap may be foldably connected to the end of the front panel
while the second major end flap may be foldably connected to the
end of the rear panel.
[0007] The first major end flap includes a tab that may be cut from
the end flap leaving a void space within. The first major end flap
and tab may both be foldably connected to the front panel. In one
embodiment, the fold line connecting the first major end flap to
the front panel and the fold line connecting the tab to the front
panel are along the same axis, forming a common fold line along the
edge of the front panel. The second major end flap can include an
aperture defined within that corresponds to the tab of the opposing
first major end flap.
[0008] In order to close the end construction and use the tab lock
closure, the two opposing minor end flaps are folded inwards
towards the container opening. The first major end flap may then be
folded inwardly towards the container opening. The tab may remain
in a generally upright position when the first major end flap is
being closed. The second major end flap may then be folded inwardly
over the first major end flap. Finally, the tab may then be folded
down and inserted through the aperture to lock the container. The
tab may be slightly bent or bowed in order to allow the tab to snap
underneath the second major end flap to lock the container.
[0009] The aperture includes a locking edge that may be positioned
such that it is a distance from the tab fold line that is slightly
less than the overall length of the tab. As a result, the tab
extends slightly beyond the locking edge of the aperture when all
the end flaps are folded inward into the closed position and the
tab is folded over the aperture. This enables the tab to be snapped
past the locking edge of the aperture, positioned underneath part
of the second major end flap, and remain in place so as to lock the
end construction of the container. In such an embodiment, the tab
locks in the second major end flap, which in turn locks the first
major end flap, which in turn locks the minor end flaps.
[0010] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0011] In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the
specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith in which
like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts
in the various views:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a container with an
integral tab lock closure illustrating one end of the container in
an open position in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1
illustrating one end of the container in a partially closed
position where an inside end flap is in a folded orientation;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1
illustrating one end of the container in a closed position where
both the inside and outside end flaps are in a folded orientation
and the tab lock closure is in an unlocked orientation;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1
illustrating one end of the container in a locked position where
both the inside and outside end flaps are in a folded orientation
and the tab lock closure is in a locked orientation; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a blank used to form a
container having an integral tab lock closure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The invention will now be described with reference to the
drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like
parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the
characteristics of the present invention, proportional
relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained
in the drawing figures.
[0018] The following detailed description of the invention
references specific embodiments in which the invention can be
practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the
invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art
to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and
changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims
and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such
claims are entitled.
[0019] Referring to the figures, one embodiment of the present
invention is directed to a carton or container 10 having an
integral tab lock closure 12 adapted for retaining end flaps of the
container 10 in a closed and releasably locked orientation. It will
be appreciated that the tab lock closure 12 may be suitably
implemented with containers and cartons configured, shaped and
designed differently than the container 10 illustrated in the
figures.
[0020] The container 10 may be constructed of paperboard, laminated
paperboard, cardboard, polymers, thermoplastic materials, molded
pulp fiber, laminated molded pulp fiber or any other suitable
material now known or hereafter developed. The container 10 may be
coated on its interior and/or exterior surfaces with a waterproof
or water-resistant material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or
polyester. The container 10 may also have designs, labels or other
indicia printed or placed thereon.
[0021] As illustrated in the figures, the container 10 may include
four primary panels including a front panel 14, rear panel 16,
first side panel 18 and second side panel 20. The panels 14, 16,
18, and 20 may be foldably connected by score lines or panel fold
lines 22, 24 and 26, as best shown in FIG. 5. A glue flap 28 may
also be foldably connected to one of the panels by a score line or
glue flap fold line 30, such as the rear panel 16 as shown in FIG.
5, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The glue
flap 28 may be suitable for being adhesively joined to an adjacent
panel when the container 10 is formed, such as the first side panel
18 as shown in FIG. 5. Several alternative embodiments are
envisioned for the container 10. For example, rather than glue flap
28 and glue flap fold line 30, the panels 14, 16, 18, and 20 may be
connected to one another through gusset panels that may be folded
to form a box-like container. Several other methods for forming a
container from a unitary blank are known to those skilled in the
art.
[0022] Container 10 may include an end construction 31 at one or
both ends of container 10. End construction 31 may include end
flaps 32, 34, 36, and 38 connected to panels 14, 16, 18, and 20 as
explained in greater detail below. The figures illustrate one
embodiment where container 10 has identical end constructions 31 at
both ends; however, in alternative embodiments, container 10 is
designed with an end construction 31 at one end that is different
from the end construction of the other end.
[0023] End construction 31 may be constructed in the following
manner according to one embodiment of the present invention. An
opposing pair of first and second minor end flaps 32 and 34 may be
connected to the ends of first and second side panels 18 and 20,
respectively, as best shown in FIG. 5. First and second minor flaps
32 and 34 can be connected to side panels 18 and 20 by score lines
or end flap fold lines 40 and 42, respectively. Similarly, and
opposing pair of first and second opposing major end flaps 36 and
38 may be connected to the ends of the front and rear panels 14 and
16, respectively, by score lines or end flap fold lines 44 and 46,
respectively, as best shown in FIG. 5. First major end flap 36
includes a distal edge 52 and two opposing side edges 54 and 56.
According to the embodiment shown in the figures, distal edge 52 is
substantially parallel to end flap fold line 44 and opposing side
edges 54 and 56 are substantially perpendicular to distal edge 52.
However, distal edge 52 need not be parallel to end flap fold line
44, and opposing side edges 54 and 56 need not be perpendicular to
distal edge 52. The distal edge 52 and opposing side edges 54 and
56 define the perimeter of the first major end flap 36 along with
end flap fold line 44. Second major end flap 38 includes a distal
edge 58 and two opposing side edges 60 and 62. Similar to first
major end flap 36, distal edge 58 and opposing side edges 60 and 62
may be constructed with any number of different orientations and
define the perimeter of second major end flap 38 along with end
flap fold line 46.
[0024] Within end construction 31 may be the tab lock closure 12.
Again, it will be understood that the tab lock closure 12 of the
present invention can be implemented with containers and cartons of
designs different from that shown in the example provided in the
figures.
[0025] Tab lock closure 12 may be constructed from at least one tab
48 and at least one corresponding aperture 50. According to the
embodiment shown in the figures, tab lock closure 12 includes one
tab 48 and one aperture 50. However, in alternative embodiments,
tab lock closure 12 can include two or more tabs 48 and two or more
corresponding apertures 50. The tab 48 may be in the form of a tab,
tongue ear, projection or other suitable locking element, while the
aperture 50 may be in the form of an aperture, slot, slit, notch or
other opening suitable for engagement by tab 48.
[0026] Tab 48 may be cut from first major end flap 36 such that
first major end flap 36 includes a tab cut line 64 defining the tab
48, as best shown in FIG. 5. In one embodiment of the present
invention, tab 48 is cut from first major end flap 36 and remains
connected to front panel 14 by a score line or tab fold line 66. In
an alternative embodiment, tab 48 is affixed to major end flap 36
and/or front panel 14 rather than being cut out of first major end
flap 36. Tab fold line 66 and end flap fold line 44 may be located
along a common axis, as best shown in FIG. 5. In such an
embodiment, tab fold line 66 and flap fold line 44 are generally
axially coextensive with one another such that both form part of a
single fold line. In an alternative embodiment, tab fold line 66
may also be offset from end flap fold line 44. The tab cut line 64
may extend slightly past fold line 66 in order to create two tab
extension cuts 72. The tab extension cuts 72 may extend slightly
into panel 14 and take the form of a cut, slit, or notch. The tab
extension cuts 72 facilitate operation of the tab lock closure 12
by allowing slight lateral movement of the tab 48 in a direction
represented by arrow 76, as shown in FIG. 4 and further discussed
below, when it is moved from a locked orientation to an unlocked
orientation.
[0027] Tab 48 may include a distal end 70 on its end opposite tab
fold line 66, as shown in FIG. 2. The distal end 70 may have a
slightly bowed or rounded shape as shown in the figures.
Alternatively, distal end 70 may be in the form of a straight edge.
The distal end 70 may also include a protrusion or other projection
in alternative embodiments of the present invention.
[0028] The second major end flap 38 includes the aperture 50
defined therethrough, corresponding to tab 48 as explained in
greater detail below. Aperture 50 can include first and second
opposing edges 73 and 74, wherein edge 74 may serve as a locking
edge, as described herein. As explained above, aperture 50 may be
in the form of a slot, slit, notch or other similar opening. The
aperture 50 need only be wide enough to partially receive tab 48;
however, aperture 50 may have a width wider than that of tab 48. A
peripheral shape of the locking edge 74 may generally correspond to
a peripheral shape of the distal edge 70 of tab 48 in order to
better facilitate engagement between locking edge 74 and distal
edge 70 when locking the tab closure 12.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, when end construction 31 of container 10
is being closed, the minor flaps 32 and 34 are first folded
inwardly. However, in some embodiments of the present invention,
container 10 in constructed without minor end flaps 32 and 34. As
depicted in FIG. 2, the first major end flap 36 may be folded
inwardly into a folded orientation over the minor end flaps 32 and
34. The tab 48 may remain in a generally upright and unlocked
orientation when first major end flap 36 placed in the folded
orientation. If tab 48 is cut from the first major end flap 36, a
resulting tab void 68 with a void edge 69 is defined in the first
major end flap 36. In an alternative embodiment, where tab 48 is
attached to first major end flap 36 rather than cut out from first
major end flap 36, an overlapping zone with an overlapping zone
edge serves as an equivalent to the void 68 and the void edge
69.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 3, after the minor end flaps 32 and
34 and the first major end flap 36 are all placed in the folded
orientation, the second major end flap 38 can then be folded
inwardly into a folded orientation to a position overlying the
first major end flap 36. After all of the end flaps 32, 34, 36, and
38 have been placed into the folded orientation, the end
construction 31 of container 10 is in a closed orientation. In one
embodiment, second major end flap 38 has a length from its end flap
fold line 46 to its edge 58 that is substantially the same distance
between front panel 14 and rear panel 16. In such an embodiment,
second major end flap 38 substantially overlaps first major end
flap 36 when both are folded inward into their respective folded
orientations. As also illustrated in FIG. 3, the tab 48 may remain
generally upright and in its unlocked orientation when second major
end flap 38 is folded inward and over first major end flap 36.
[0031] As explained above, tab 48 can project from tab fold line 66
and has a distal end 70. As illustrated in FIG. 3, tab 48 has a
length D.sub.1, which is the distance between the tab fold line 66
and distal end 70. The length of tab 48, or D.sub.1, corresponds to
the length of the tab void 68, which is the distance between tab
fold line 66 and void edge 69. When the second major end flap 38 is
folded inwardly into the folded orientation, the aperture 50
defined therein generally overlies the void 68 defined in the first
major end flap 36. The aperture 50 may be of any suitable size and
shape, and in one embodiment, has a size and shape generally
similar to that of the void 68 resulting from tab 48. As
demonstrated in FIG. 3, aperture 50 may be positioned within second
major end flap 38 such that a distance D.sub.2 is defined between
the tab fold line 66 and aperture locking edge 74 when second major
end flap 38 is placed into a folded orientation. Distance D.sub.2
may be slightly less than distance D.sub.1. As a result, the
locking edge 74 of aperture 50 may slightly overlap the void edge
69 when both first major end flap 36 and second major end flap 38
are placed their folded orientations.
[0032] In order to place end construction 31 of the container 10
into a locked position, a user may fold or rotate the tab 48 from
an unlocked orientation downward toward the aperture 50, as
represented by arrow 82 in FIG. 3, and push the tab 48 through the
aperture 50, as shown in FIG. 4, placing the tab 48 into the locked
orientation and the end construction 31 into a locked position. The
distal end 70 of the tab 48 becomes snappingly engaged or tucked
underneath the locking edge 74 of the aperture 50. When the length
D.sub.1 of the tab 48 is slightly greater than the distance D.sub.2
defined between the tab's fold line 66 and the aperture locking
edge 74, engagement between the locking edge 74 and the tab's
distal end 70 occurs. This engagement holds and locks the tab 48
underneath second major end flap 38 and locking edge 74. When the
tab 48 is pushed into the aperture 50 to create a locking
engagement, either one or both of the tab 48 and second major end
panel 38 may become momentarily slightly bowed or deformed inwardly
in order to allow the distal end 70 of the tab 48 to pass by the
locking edge 74 of the aperture 50. Once the user releases pressure
from the tab 48, the tab 48 and second major end panel 38 may
return to their original shape such that the distal end 70 of the
tab 48 is retained underneath the locking edge 74 of the aperture
50. In one embodiment, the tab 48 acts as a strap overlying at
least a portion 84 of the second major end flap 38 to hold the flap
38 in a folded orientation. The second major end flap 38 in turn
holds the first major end flap 36 in a folded orientation, which in
turn holds the minor end flaps 32 and 34 in a folded
orientation.
[0033] When a user desires to open the container 10, the user
disengages the tab 48 from the aperture 50. To do this, the user
may place the pad of a finger or thumb on the tab 48 and slide or
deflect the tab 48 in a direction represented by arrow 76 (see FIG.
4), for example laterally outwardly, in order to disengage the
tab's distal end 70 from the aperture's locking edge 74. As best
depicted in FIG. 5, tab extension cuts 72 of the tab cut line 64
forming the tab 48 may extend beyond the tab's fold line 66 into
the front panel 14 in order to facilitate the tab 48 being slid in
the direction of arrow 76. Alternatively, the user may place a
finger nail, or suitable alternative, under the tab 48 to deflect
the tab 48 away from the second major end flap 38, as represented
by arrow 78 (see FIG. 4), in order to disengage the tab's distal
end 70 from the aperture's locking edge 74.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the carton 10 can be constructed from a
flat blank 80 of material that may be formed of paperboard or other
suitable material as described above. A plurality of blanks 80 may
be cut (e.g., die cut) from a larger sheet or roll of material. The
tab cut line 64 and extension cuts 72 forming the tab 48 and the
cut forming the aperture 50 may be simultaneous made at the time
the blank 80 is cut from the sheet or roll of material.
[0035] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is
one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set
forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which
are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain
features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed
without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is
contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many
possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing
from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all
matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are
to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.
[0036] The constructions described above and illustrated in the
drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended
to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention.
Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a
novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description,
certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the
particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is
therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications,
or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The
terms "having" and "including" and similar terms as used in the
foregoing specification are used in the sense of "optional" or "may
include" and not as "required". Many changes, modifications,
variations and other uses and applications of the present
construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the
art after considering the specification and the accompanying
drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other
uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope
of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is
limited only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *