U.S. patent application number 15/038159 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-29 for container with detachable compartments.
The applicant listed for this patent is CASCADES CANADA ULC. Invention is credited to Ron KAMINSKI, Philippe MARCOUX, Tony POWER, Mathieu ROBERGE.
Application Number | 20160280413 15/038159 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53178752 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160280413 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KAMINSKI; Ron ; et
al. |
September 29, 2016 |
CONTAINER WITH DETACHABLE COMPARTMENTS
Abstract
A container with at least two compartments, at least one
connecting section connecting two adjacent ones of the at least two
compartments and extending along a connecting section axis and at
least one strengthening structure in each one of the at least one
connection section and extending between the at least two adjacent
compartments. Each one of the at least one connecting section
comprises a separation strip extending along the connecting section
axis and defining a weakened section thereof along which the at
least two adjacent compartments can be separated from one another.
The at least one strengthening structure extends substantially
perpendicular to the connecting section axis of the corresponding
connecting section.
Inventors: |
KAMINSKI; Ron; (O'Fallon,
MO) ; POWER; Tony; (Laddonia, MO) ; MARCOUX;
Philippe; (Drummondville, CA) ; ROBERGE; Mathieu;
(Danville, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CASCADES CANADA ULC |
Montreal |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
53178752 |
Appl. No.: |
15/038159 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
November 19, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA2014/051105 |
371 Date: |
May 20, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61906558 |
Nov 20, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/30 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/30 20060101
B65D001/30 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: at least two compartments; at least one
connecting section connecting two adjacent ones of the at least two
compartments and extending along a connecting section axis, each
one of the at least one connecting section comprising a separation
strip extending along the connecting section axis and defining a
weakened section thereof along which the at least two adjacent
compartments can be separated from one another; and at least one
strengthening structure in each one of the at least one connection
section and extending between the at least two adjacent
compartments, the at least one strengthening structure extending
substantially perpendicular to the connecting section axis of the
corresponding connecting section.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein each one of the at least two
compartments comprises a bottom wall and a peripheral wall
extending upwardly from the bottom wall, at a periphery thereof,
and comprising an upper edge spaced apart from the bottom wall and
wherein each one of the at least one connecting section extends
from the upper edge of the peripheral wall of each one of the two
adjacent ones of the at least two compartments.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one strengthening
structure comprises a series of depressions defined in the
corresponding connecting section.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein each one of the series of
depressions extends downwardly from an upper surface thereof.
5. The container of claim 3, or wherein the separation strip
comprises a series of longitudinally aligned perforations.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein at least one of the
perforations is provided within at least one of the depressions of
the series of depressions.
7. The container of claim 3, wherein the depressions are
spaced-apart from one another.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein the series of depressions
comprises at least three regularly spaced-apart half-cylindrical
depressions.
9. The container of claim 3, wherein each depression of the series
of depressions is a channel shaped depression opened at opposed
ends thereof in the two adjacent ones of the at least two
compartments connected by the connecting section.
10. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises
expanded polystyrene.
11. A container comprising: at least two compartments, each one of
the at least two compartments comprising a bottom wall and a
peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, at a
periphery thereof, and comprising an upper edge spaced apart from
the bottom wall; at least one connecting section connecting two of
the at least two compartments and extending along a connecting
section axis, each one of the at least one connecting section
extending outwardly from the upper edge of the peripheral wall of
each one of the two of the at least two compartments and comprising
a weakened section allowing separation of the two compartments from
one another; and at least one strengthening structure defined in
each one of the at least one connecting section and extending
substantially perpendicular to the connecting section axis of each
one of the at least one connecting section, the at least one
strengthening structure spanning a width of a corresponding
connecting section, between the peripheral walls of the two of the
at least two compartments.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein the at least one
strengthening structure comprises a series of depressions defined
in the corresponding connecting section.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein each one of the series of
depressions extends downwardly from an upper surface thereof.
14. The container of claim 13, wherein each depression of the
series of depressions is a channel shaped depression, opened in the
two of the at least two compartments, at opposed ends of the
channel shaped depression, each channel shaped depression defining
a recess in the corresponding lateral wall of each one of two of
the at least two compartments.
15. The container of claim 12, wherein the weakened section of each
one of the at least one connecting section comprises a separation
strip including a series of longitudinally aligned
perforations.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein at least one of the
perforations is provided within at least one of the depressions of
the series of depressions.
17. The container of claim 12, wherein the depressions are
spaced-apart from one another.
18. The container of claim 17, wherein the series of depressions
comprises at least three regularly spaced-apart half-cylindrical
depressions.
19. The container of claim 11, wherein the container comprises
expanded polystyrene.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/906,558
which was filed on Nov. 20, 2013. The entirety of the
aforementioned application is herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of containers.
More particularly, it relates to multi-compartment containers with
detachable compartments.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Containers (or food trays) of many types, sizes and forms
are known in the art for receiving food to be temporarily stored
therein. In many cases, these containers are multi-compartment
containers where the multiple compartments allow the division of an
assortment of food items or of several portions of a single variety
of a food product.
[0004] Such multi-compartment containers are often designed such
that the compartments are easily detachable from one another, for
example and without being limitative, in order to allow the
compartments to be initially packaged together as a single
container, and subsequently be separated from each other by a user.
For instance, it is known to connect the compartments of
multi-compartment containers using connecting sections which
include a weakened portion in order to allow the easy detachment of
the compartments from one another.
[0005] Containers such as described above however tend to suffer
from several drawbacks. For instance, the inclusion of a weakened
portion in the connecting section often results in a substantially
low structural rigidity of the connecting section which can, for
example and without being limitative, lead to involuntary
separation of the compartments when the container is supported only
by a subset of the compartments, for example, when the container is
held or manipulated by a user.
[0006] In view of the above, there is a need for an improved
container which would be able to overcome or at least minimize some
of the above-discussed prior art concerns.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a first general aspect, there is provided a
container. The container comprises at least two compartments, at
least one connecting section connecting two adjacent ones of the at
least two compartments and extending along a connecting section
axis and at least one strengthening structure in each one of the at
least one connection section and extending between the at least two
adjacent compartments. Each one of the at least one connecting
section comprises a separation strip extending along the connecting
section axis and defining a weakened section thereof along which
the at least two adjacent compartments can be separated from one
another. The at least one strengthening structure extends
substantially perpendicular to the connecting section axis of the
corresponding connecting section.
[0008] In an embodiment, each one of the at least two compartments
comprises a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upwardly
from the bottom wall, at a periphery thereof, and comprises an
upper edge spaced apart from the bottom wall. Each one of the at
least one connecting section extends from the upper edge of the
peripheral wall of each one of the two adjacent ones of the at
least two compartments.
[0009] In an embodiment, the at least one strengthening structure
comprises a series of depressions defined in the corresponding
connecting section.
[0010] In an embodiment, each one of the series of depressions
extends downwardly from an upper surface thereof.
[0011] In an embodiment, the separation strip comprises a series of
longitudinally aligned perforations.
[0012] In an embodiment, at least one of the perforations is
provided within at least one of the depressions of the series of
depressions.
[0013] In an embodiment, the depressions are spaced-apart from one
another.
[0014] In an embodiment, the series of depressions comprises at
least three regularly spaced-apart half-cylindrical
depressions.
[0015] In an embodiment, each depression of the series of
depressions is a channel shaped depression opened at opposed ends
thereof in the two adjacent ones of the at least two compartments
connected by the connecting section.
[0016] In an embodiment, the container comprises expanded
polystyrene.
[0017] According to another general aspect, there is also provided
a container which comprises at least two compartments, at least one
connecting section connecting two of the at least two compartments
and extending along a connecting section axis. Each one of the at
least two compartments comprising a bottom wall and a peripheral
wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, at a periphery
thereof, and comprising an upper edge spaced apart from the bottom
wall at least one strengthening structure defined in each one of
the at least one connecting section and extending substantially
perpendicular to the connecting section axis of each one of the at
least one connecting section. Each one of the at least one
connecting section extends outwardly from the upper edge of the
peripheral wall of each one of the two of the at least two
compartments and comprises a weakened section allowing separation
of the two compartments from one another. The at least one
strengthening structure spans a width of a corresponding connecting
section, between the peripheral walls of the two of the at least
two compartments.
[0018] In an embodiment, the at least one strengthening structure
comprises a series of depressions defined in the corresponding
connecting section.
[0019] In an embodiment, each one of the series of depressions
extends downwardly from an upper surface thereof.
[0020] In an embodiment, each depression of the series of
depressions is a channel shaped depression, opened in the two of
the at least two compartments, at opposed ends of the channel
shaped depression. Each channel shaped depression defining a recess
in the corresponding lateral wall of each one of two of the at
least two compartments.
[0021] In an embodiment, the weakened section of each one of the at
least one connecting section comprises a separation strip including
a series of longitudinally aligned perforations.
[0022] In an embodiment, at least one of the perforations is
provided within at least one of the depressions of the series of
depressions.
[0023] In an embodiment, the depressions are spaced-apart from one
another.
[0024] In an embodiment, the series of depressions comprises at
least three regularly spaced-apart half-cylindrical
depressions.
[0025] In an embodiment, the container comprises expanded
polystyrene.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Other objects, advantages and features will become more
apparent upon reading the following non-restrictive description of
embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a multi-compartment
container, according to an embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the multi-compartment
container of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the multi-compartment container
of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the multi-compartment
container, taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the multi-compartment
container of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the multi-compartment
container of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a multi-compartment
container, according to an embodiment, wherein three compartments
are configured in an inline configuration.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a multi-compartment
container, according to an embodiment, wherein four compartments
are configured in a compact configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] In the following description, the same numerical references
refer to similar elements. The embodiments, geometrical
configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the
figures or described in the present description are embodiments
only, given solely for exemplification purposes.
[0036] Moreover, although the embodiments of the multi-compartment
container and corresponding parts thereof consist of certain
geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not
all of these components and geometries are essential and thus
should not be taken in their restrictive sense. It is to be
understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that
other suitable components and cooperation thereinbetween, as well
as other suitable geometrical configurations, may be used for the
multi-compartment container, as will be briefly explained herein
and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the
art. Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions
such as "above", "below", "left", "right" and the like should,
unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures
and should not be considered limiting.
[0037] In general terms, the present description concerns a
multi-compartment container or food tray designed such that the
compartments are detachable from one another while the structural
rigidity of connecting sections provided between the compartments
is sufficient to substantially prevent involuntary separation of
the compartments from one another when only a subset of the
compartments are supported.
[0038] Referring generally to FIGS. 1 to 6, in accordance with an
embodiment, there is provided a multi-compartment container 20,
i.e. a container having at least two compartments 22. Each
compartment 22 includes a bottom wall 31 and a peripheral wall 30
extending upwardly along a periphery of the bottom wall 31. The
bottom wall 31 and the peripheral wall 30 together define a
compartment cavity 23. In the embodiment, shown, each compartment
22 includes an upper rim 35 extending outwardly from a periphery of
an upper edge 33 of the peripheral wall 30 and spaced-apart from
the bottom wall 31. One skilled in the art will understand that, in
an embodiment, the upper rim 35 can cover only a section of the
upper edge 33 of the peripheral wall 30, the other section of the
upper edge 33 of the peripheral wall 30 being free of upper rim
35.
[0039] The compartments 22 are connected to one another by a
connecting section 24 defined between two adjacent sections of the
peripheral walls 30 of adjacent compartments 22, at the upper edge
33 thereof. In the embodiment shown, the connecting section 24 is
defined by a common section of the upper rim 35 of adjacent
compartments 22. The connecting section 24 extends along a
connecting section axis 25 extending substantially parallel to the
two adjacent sections of the peripheral walls 30 of the adjacent
compartments 22 connected by the connecting section 24.
[0040] In the embodiment shown, the container 20 includes two
adjacent compartments 22 of a substantially rectangular shape and
detachably connected together along one of the longer edges of the
peripheral wall 30, by the connecting section 24 extending between
both compartments 22. One skilled in the art will however
understand that, in an alternative embodiment, the container 20 can
include more than two compartments 22 and that the compartments 22
can connect along a different edge (or edge section) of the
peripheral wall 30. Moreover, in an alternative embodiment, the
shape and size of the compartments 22 can differ from the one shown
in the appended figures. For example and without being limitative,
the compartments 22 can be of another polygonal shape, of a rounded
shape, such as a circular shape, or the like. Moreover, it will be
understood that, even though in the embodiment shown, the shape and
size of the two compartments are substantially similar, in an
alternative embodiment, the compartments 22 can present different
size and/or shape with respect to one another.
[0041] Each connecting section 24, provided between adjacent
compartments 22, includes a series of longitudinally aligned
perforations 26 extending along the connecting section axis 25 and
defining a separation strip 27. In the embodiment shown, the
perforations 26 extends through the container 20, from the top
surface to the bottom surface, and are visible in the top views
(FIGS. 1 and 3) and in a bottom plan view (FIG. 6). In the
embodiment shown, the perforations 26 present an elongated profile,
are evenly distributed along the connecting section 24 and extend
through the material of the connecting section 24.
[0042] One skilled in the art will however understand that, in
alternative embodiments, the perforations 26 can be of different
forms and sizes and can be evenly distributed or can follow diverse
perforation patterns. The density of the perforations 26 can also
vary from the embodiment shown. Moreover, only a subset of the
perforations 26 can extend through the material of the connecting
section 24 or the perforations 26 can only extend into the material
of the connecting section 24, without extending therethrough.
[0043] The separation strip 27 defines a weakened section 34 which
allows substantially easy separation of the compartments 22 from
one another therealong, by lowering the integrity of the connecting
section 24, along a section thereof. Therefore, when a user wishes
to separate the compartments 22 from one another, the container 20
can, for instance, be folded along the separation strip 27 to
easily break the connection formed by the connecting section 24,
along the separation strip 27.
[0044] One skilled in the art will understand that, in an
alternative embodiment, other weakening assemblies than a series of
perforations 26 defining the separation strip 27 can be used to
define the weakened section 34. For example and without being
limitative, in an alternative embodiment, the weakened section 34
can be defined by a separation strip 27 provided by a continuous
thinner strip of material formed in the connecting section 24.
[0045] It will be understood that by lowering the integrity of the
connecting section 24, the weakened section 34 leads to a lower
structural rigidity of the connecting section 24, which, as
previously mentioned, can be undesirable. Hence, in order to
increase the overall structural rigidity of the connecting section
24, and thereby counterbalance the effects of the weakened section
34 defined by the separation strip 27, the connecting section 24
further includes at least one strengthening structure 32 defined in
the connection section 24 and extending between the adjacent
compartments 22 of the container 20. The strengthening structure(s)
32 extend substantially perpendicular to the connecting section
axis 25 and is/are meant to help maintaining the compartments 22
connected together even when only a subset of the compartments 22
(for instance a single compartment 22) is supported.
[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one
strengthening structure 32 includes a series of spaced-apart
depressions 28 defined in the connecting section 24, and extending
downwardly from an upper surface thereof, as better seen in FIGS.
1, 3 and 4. As can be easily understood, lower sections of the
series of spaced-apart depressions 28 form a series of protrusions
29, protruding downwardly from the connecting section 24, when seen
from the bottom side of the container 20 (See FIGS. 2, 5 and 6).
Each one of the depressions 28 spans the width of the connecting
section 24 and extends between the peripheral walls 30 of the
adjacent compartments 22. In the embodiment shown, each depression
28 is a channel shaped depression open in the respective
compartment 22 at opposed ends thereof. The opening of each one of
the depressions 28 in the respective compartment 22, at the opposed
ends of the depression 28, creates a recess in the peripheral wall
30 of each one of the corresponding compartment 22. As previously
mentioned, the depressions 28 extend substantially perpendicularly
to the connecting section axis 25 in order to produce an effective
increase in the rigidity of the connecting section 24.
[0047] The term "substantially perpendicular" is used to refer to
the fact that a longitudinal axis of the depressions 28 extends
generally perpendicular to the connecting section axis 25, but need
not be perfectly perpendicular therewith. In other words, in an
alternative embodiment, the depressions 28 can be slightly angled
with respect to a perfect perpendicular configuration between the
depressions 28 and the connecting section axis 25.
[0048] One skilled in the art will understand that, in an
alternative embodiment, the at least one strengthening structure 32
can differ from the series of spaced-apart depressions 28 defined
in the connecting section 24, from the upper surface thereof. For
example and without being imitative, in an embodiment, a single
depression 28 can be provided or the plurality depressions 28 can
be consecutive rather than spaced-apart from one another. Moreover,
in an alternative embodiment, the strengthening structure 32 can
include a series of spaced-apart depressions defined in the
connecting section 24, from the lower face thereof, and thereby
forming a series of protrusions protruding from the upper surface
of the connecting section 24. In another alternative embodiment,
the strengthening structure 32 can include a combination of
protrusions and depressions (as seen from the upper surface of the
connecting section 24), or can include any structures or
combination of structure which result in the desired increase in
the structural rigidity of the container, between the compartments
22.
[0049] Still referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, in the embodiment shown,
three regularly spaced-apart half-cylindrical depressions 28 are
provided. One skilled in the art will however understand that, in
an alternative embodiment, the connecting section 24 can include
more or less than three depressions 28, with variable distances
therebetween, and that the shape of the depressions 28 can differ
from the one shown in the appended figures. For example and without
being limitative, the depressions 28 can present a hyperbolic
configuration, a triangular configuration, a half square
configuration, or the like.
[0050] It will be understood that the amount of depressions 28 and
the distance between each depression 28 is determined based on the
desired rigidity of the connecting section 24. Numerous closely
spaced depressions 28 can be provided when a higher rigidity is
required, while fewer depressions 28 with a greater space
therebetween can be provided when a lower rigidity is required. In
an embodiment, the desired rigidity is determined based on the
rigidity of the connecting section 24 required for the compartments
22 to remain connected when a food product is received in the
compartments 22 and a single compartment 22 is supported. One
skilled in the art will also understand that, similarly to the
amount of depressions 28 and the distance therebetween, the depth
of the depressions 28 can vary from the embodiment shown.
[0051] In the embodiment shown, perforations 26 are provided within
the depressions 28. The presence of perforations 26 within the
depressions 28 facilitates the separation of the compartments 22
when such a separation is required. One skilled in the art will
however understand that, in an alternative embodiment, all of the
depressions 28, or a subset thereof, can be free of perforation
26.
[0052] In an embodiment, the above described container 20 is an
expanded polystyrene container. Once again, one skilled in the art
will understand that in an alternative embodiment, other materials
can be used to form the container 20. These materials include other
foamable polymers such as polystyrene and polylactide (PLA),
thermoformed polymers, non-foamed thermoformed plastics such as
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), high-impact
polystyrene (HIPS) and oriented polystyrene (OPS) and the like.
[0053] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, alternative embodiments
where like features are numbered with similar reference numbers in
the 100 series (FIG. 7) and the 200 series (FIG. 8) are shown. In
the embodiments shown, the container 120, 220 includes more than
two compartments 122, 222, with the compartments 122, 222 arranged
according to different patterns, i.e. adjacent compartments 122,
222 are connected to one another according to different possible
configurations, with a connecting section 124, 224 provided between
each pair of compartments 122, 222. One skilled in the art will
understand that, in alternative embodiments, more than two
compartments 122, 222 can also be arranged according to different
patterns than the embodiments shown.
[0054] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a container 120 where the
compartments 122 are arranged according to an inline configuration.
In such an embodiment, the compartments 122 are aligned and
connected in cascade, i.e. along opposite sections of the upper
edges 133 of the peripheral walls 130 of the compartments 122, such
as longitudinal edges (or edge sections) thereof. A first
compartment 122a is connected to a second compartment 122b by a
first connecting section 124a extending along a first connection
axis 125a and the second compartment 122b is connected to a third
compartment 122c by a second connecting section 124b extending
along a second connection axis 125b. The first connecting section
124a and the second connecting section 124b extend from opposite
sections of the upper edge 133 of the second compartment 122b with
the first connection axis 125a and the second connection axis 125b,
being substantially parallel to one another. Each one of the first
connecting section 124a and the second connecting section 124b
includes a separation strip 127 defining a weakened section 134 and
at least one strengthening structure 132 embodied by the series of
spaced-apart depressions defined in the corresponding connecting
section 124a, 124b, from the upper surface thereof (as represented
by the series of spaced-apart protrusions 129 in FIG. 7, where the
bottom surface of the container 120 is shown), and extending
between the compartments 122a, 122b, 122c.
[0055] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a container 220 where the
compartments 222 are connected according to a compact
configuration. In such an embodiment, adjacent compartments 222 are
regrouped and connected along adjacent sections of the upper edges
233 of the peripheral walls 230 of the compartments 222. In the
embodiment shown, four rectangular compartments 222a, 222b, 222c,
222d are provided and configured in a compact rectangular
configuration. A first compartment 222a is connected to a second
compartment 222b by a first connecting section 224a extending along
a first connection axis 225a, the second compartment 222b is
connected to a third compartment 222c by a second connecting
section 224b extending along a second connection axis 225b, the
third compartment 222c is connected to a fourth compartment 222d by
a third connecting section 224c extending along the first
connection axis 225a and the fourth compartment 222d is connected
to the first compartment 222a by a fourth connecting section 224d
extending along the second connection axis 225b, with the first
connection axis 225a and the second connection axis 225b, being
substantially perpendicular to one another. The first connecting
section 224a and the third connecting section 224c extend between
one of the longitudinal sections of the upper edge 233 edges of the
peripheral walls 230 of the first and second compartments 222a,
222b and third and fourth compartments 222c, 222d respectively. The
second connecting section 224b and the fourth connecting section
224d extend between one of the lateral sections of the upper edge
233 of the peripheral walls 230 of the second and third
compartments 222b, 222c and first and fourth compartments 222a,
222d respectively. Once again, each connecting section 224a, 224b,
224c, 224d includes a separation strip 227 defining a weakened
section 234 and at least one strengthening structure 232 embodied
by the series of spaced-apart depressions 228 defined in the
corresponding connecting section 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d, from the
upper surface thereof (as represented by the series of spaced-apart
protrusions 229 in FIG. 8, where the bottom surface of the
container 220 is shown), and extending between the compartments
222a, 222b, 222c, 222d.
[0056] Several alternative embodiments and examples have been
described and illustrated herein. The embodiments described above
are intended to be exemplary only. One skilled in the art would
appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the
possible combinations and variations of the components. A person
skilled in the art would further appreciate that any of the
embodiments can be provided in any combination with the other
embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention
may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the
central characteristics thereof. The present examples and
embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be
limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while specific
embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous
modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the
scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *