U.S. patent application number 15/017108 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-27 for biological containment and transport carriers and methods thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Rex Grindstaff. Invention is credited to Rex Grindstaff.
Application Number | 20160310226 15/017108 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57147176 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160310226 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grindstaff; Rex |
October 27, 2016 |
BIOLOGICAL CONTAINMENT AND TRANSPORT CARRIERS AND METHODS
THEREOF
Abstract
A biological containment and transport carrier apparatus which
includes a base layer having an inner surface and an opposing outer
surface, a top layer having an inner surface and an opposing outer
surface, a perimeter of the top layer is coupled to a perimeter of
the base layer to form a sealed bag, and a zipper formed within the
top layer configured to open and close an insertion flap to provide
access to a cavity formed between the base layer and the top layer,
wherein a portion of the top layer around the zipper is configured
to fold inside out around a table to secure the base layer to the
table.
Inventors: |
Grindstaff; Rex; (Knoxville,
TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Grindstaff; Rex |
Knoxville |
TN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57147176 |
Appl. No.: |
15/017108 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62150739 |
Apr 21, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 50/36 20160201;
A61B 2050/316 20160201; A61B 50/31 20160201; A61B 50/15 20160201;
A61B 2050/3007 20160201; A61B 2050/0088 20160201; A61B 50/33
20160201; A61B 2050/314 20160201; A61B 46/00 20160201 |
International
Class: |
A61B 50/36 20060101
A61B050/36; B65B 7/02 20060101 B65B007/02 |
Claims
1. A biological containment and transport carrier apparatus for use
with a table in an operating room to store surgical equipment,
comprising: a base layer having an inner surface and an opposing
outer surface; a top layer having an inner surface and an opposing
outer surface, a perimeter of the top layer being coupled to a
perimeter of the base layer to form a sealed bag; and a zipper
formed within the top layer configured to open and close an
insertion flap to provide access to a cavity formed between the
base layer and the top layer such that when the zipper is open, a
portion of the top layer extending around the zipper is configured
to fold inside out over a top surface of the table and to extend
below the top surface to secure the base layer to the top surface
of the table.
2. The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of
claim 1, wherein the base layer and the top layer include a length
and a width defined by a length and width of the top surface of the
table.
3. The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of
claim 2, wherein the inside out folded portion of the top layer
forms a sterile drape portion extending below a bottom surface of
the table.
4. The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of
claim 3, wherein the sterile drape portion extends at least two
inches below the bottom surface of the table.
5. The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of
claim 1, wherein the base layer and the top layer are constructed
from a material having a thickness between about 0.2 millimeters
and 10 millimeters.
6. The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of
claim 1, wherein the base layer and the top layer are constructed
from a material configured to be an antimicrobial barrier from the
table.
7. The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of
claim 1, wherein the cavity formed between the base layer and the
top layer is sealed off from an external environment when the
zipper is closed.
8. The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of
claim 1, wherein the cavity formed between the base layer and the
top layer is open to an external environment when the zipper is
open.
9. The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of
claim 1, wherein the sealed bag formed between the base layer and
the top layer is leak proof when the zipper is closed.
10. The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of
claim 1, wherein the base layer and the top layer are constructed
from a puncture resistant material.
11. The biological containment and transport carrier apparatus of
claim 1, wherein the base layer and the top layer are constructed
from a leak resistant material.
12. A method of containing and transporting bio-contaminated
instruments when storing surgical instruments on a table in an
operating room, comprising obtaining a biological containment and
transport carrier comprising: a base layer having an inner surface
and an outer surface; a top layer having an inner surface and an
outer surface, the top layer coupled to the base layer; and a
zipper formed in a central portion of the top layer, the zipper
being configured to open and close an insertion flap formed by the
top layer when the zipper is open and closed, respectively, wherein
the inner surface of the base layer is configured to lie flat on a
surface of a table and wherein portions of the top layer around the
zipper are configured to fold inside out to secure the base layer
to the surface of the table; placing the outer surface of the base
layer on the surface of the table; opening the insertion flap by
opening the zipper; folding the portions of the top layer that
extend around the zipper inside out to secure the base layer to the
surface of the table; placing bio-contaminated instruments within
an opening of the top layer defined by the insertion flap;
unfolding the inside out portions of the top layer around the
zipper; and closing the insertion flap by closing the zipper to
contain the bio-contaminated instruments between the base layer and
the top layer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/150,739 filed on Apr. 21, 2015, the disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present general inventive concept relates generally to
biological transport carriers, and more particularly to biological
containment and transport carriers for use with setup tables in
operating rooms, and methods for using the same.
BACKGROUND
[0003] During many medical procedures, numerous amounts of
instruments and tools are used by health care workers to perform
various invasive surgical procedures. Instruments and tools that
are opened in a surgical suite, whether used during the procedure
or not, must be thoroughly decontaminated prior to disinfection
and/or sterilization.
[0004] The decontamination procedure, which is time consuming and
costly, typically begins during the surgical procedure by using a
sterile water-moistened sponge to remove blood and other debris
from the instruments and to prevent biological material from drying
on the instruments.
[0005] Typically, a setup table, also referred to herein as a back
table setup 10, is used to assist health care workers in separating
and sorting the contaminated instruments 14 at the point of use
(e.g., the surgical suite). (See FIG. 1) The health care workers
may load trays 12 filled with the contaminated instruments 14 on
upper and lower shelves 16 and 18 of the back table setup 10.
However, since the back table setups 10 require the health care
workers to frequently bend down and reach in between the
contaminated instruments 14 and also provide limited visibility to
load and unload instruments 14, these back table set-ups 10 often
put a considerable amount of burden, stress, and risk of infection
on the health care workers.
[0006] The contaminated instruments 14 and back table setup 10 must
then be transported to specific decontamination areas ("SPD")
within a facility to be decontaminated prior to re-use. The
contaminated equipment may be transported on the back table setup
10 or may be transferred onto specifically designed transport
carts. However, due to the costs associated with obtaining,
decontaminating, and maintaining back table setups 10 and these
transport carts, many medical facilities maintain a limited number
of back table setups 10 and transport carts which are repeatedly
decontaminated and re-used.
[0007] Consequently, there is a need for a disposable bio
containment apparatus and method for containing contaminated
instruments at a point of use which reduces cross-contamination
during transport, reduces risk of infection exposure to health care
workers, and also reduces costs for medical facilities.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0008] Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept
provide a biological containment and transport carrier apparatus
including for use with a table in an operating room to store
surgical equipment, including a base layer having an inner surface
and an opposing outer surface, a top layer having an inner surface
and an opposing outer surface, a perimeter of the top layer being
coupled to a perimeter of the base layer to form a sealed bag, and
a zipper formed within the top layer configured to open and close
an insertion flap to provide access to a cavity formed between the
base layer and the top layer such that when the zipper is open, a
portion of the top layer extending around the zipper is configured
to fold inside out over a top surface of the table and to extend
below the top surface to secure the base layer to the top surface
of the table.
[0009] The base layer and the top layer can include a length and a
width defined by a length and width of the top surface of the
table.
[0010] The inside out folded portion of the top layer can be
configured to form a sterile drape portion extending below a bottom
surface of the table.
[0011] The sterile drape portion can extend at least two inches
below the bottom surface of the table.
[0012] The base layer and the top layer may be constructed from a
puncture resistant material.
[0013] The base layer and the top layer may be constructed from a
leak resistant material.
[0014] The base layer and the top layer may be constructed from a
material having a thickness between about 0.2 millimeters to 10
millimeters.
[0015] The base layer and the top layer may be constructed from a
material configured to be an antimicrobial barrier from the
table.
[0016] The cavity formed between the base layer and the top layer
may be sealed off from an external environment when the zipper is
closed.
[0017] The cavity formed between the base layer and the top layer
may be open to an external environment when the insertion flap is
in an open state.
[0018] The sealed bag formed between the base layer and the top
layer may be leak proof when the zipper is closed.
[0019] Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept
can also provide a method of containing and transporting
bio-contaminated instruments when storing surgical instruments on a
table in an operating room, including obtaining a biological
containment and transport carrier including a base layer having an
inner surface and an outer surface, a top layer having an inner
surface and an outer surface, the top layer coupled to the base
layer, and a zipper formed in a central portion of the top layer,
the zipper can be configured to open and close an insertion flap
formed by the top layer when the zipper is open and closed,
respectively, wherein the inner surface of the base layer is
configured to lie flat on a surface of a table and wherein end and
corner portions of the top layer are configured to fold inside out
to secure the base layer to the surface of the table, placing the
outer surface of the base layer on the surface of the table,
opening the insertion flap by using the zipper, folding the
portions of the top layer around the zipper inside out to secure
the base layer to the surface of the table, placing
bio-contaminated instruments within an opening of the top layer
defined by the insertion flap, unfolding the inside out portions of
the top layer around the zipper, and closing the insertion flap by
using the zipper to contain the bio-contaminated instruments
between the base layer and the top layer.
[0020] Additional features and embodiments of the present general
inventive concept will be apparent from the following detailed
description, drawings, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0021] The following example embodiments are representative of
example techniques and structures designed to carry out the objects
of the present general inventive concept, but the present general
inventive concept is not limited to these example embodiments. In
the accompanying drawings and illustrations, the sizes and relative
sizes, shapes, and qualities of lines, entities, and regions may be
exaggerated for clarity. A wide variety of additional embodiments
will be more readily understood and appreciated through the
following detailed description of the example embodiments, with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a conventional back
table setup cart;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a biological
containment and transport carrier according to an example
embodiment of the present general inventive concept, wherein an
insertion flap is in a partially open state;
[0024] FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective assembly view of the
biological containment and transport carrier illustrated in FIG. 2
and a back table setup;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the biological
containment and transport carrier illustrated in FIG. 3 secured to
the back table setup, wherein the insertion flap is in a fully open
state.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the biological
containment and transport carrier illustrated in FIG. 3 filled with
contaminated instruments;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a biological
containment and transport carrier according to another example
embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and
[0028] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a biological
containment and transport carrier according to another example
embodiment of the present general inventive concept.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Reference will now be made to the example embodiments of the
present general inventive concept, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings and illustrations. The
example embodiments are described herein in order to explain the
present general inventive concept by referring to the figures.
[0030] The following detailed description is provided to assist the
reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the structures
and fabrication techniques described herein. Accordingly, various
changes, modification, and equivalents of the structures and
fabrication techniques described herein will be suggested to those
of ordinary skill in the art. The progression of fabrication
operations described are merely examples, however, and the sequence
type of operations is not limited to that set forth herein and may
be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of operations
necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, description of
well-known functions and constructions may be simplified and/or
omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.
[0031] Numerous variations, modifications, and additional
embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations,
modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within
the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. For
example, regardless of the content of any portion of this
application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, there is no
requirement for the inclusion in any claim herein or of any
application claiming priority hereto of any particular described or
illustrated activity or element, any particular sequence of such
activities, or any particular interrelationship of such elements.
Moreover, any activity can be repeated, any activity can be
performed by multiple entities, and/or any element can be
duplicated.
[0032] It is noted that the simplified diagrams and drawings
included in the present application do not illustrate all the
various connections and assemblies of the various components,
however, those skilled in the art will understand how to implement
such connections and assemblies, based on the illustrated
components, figures, and descriptions provided herein. Numerous
variations, modification, and additional embodiments are possible,
and, accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and
embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope
of the present general inventive concept.
[0033] The present general inventive concept provides a disposable
bio-containment instrument transport bag which reduces
cross-contamination and controls bio-burden exposure when
transporting instruments used or exposed during medical procedures
from a point of use (e.g., a surgical suite) to a decontamination
area (e.g. a sterile processing department). The bio-containment
instrument transport bag may be constructed from a heavy duty
puncture and leak resistant material that further acts as an
anti-microbial barrier between a table and the contaminated medical
instruments. The bio-containment instrument transport bag may
further control exposure of bio-aerosols from the contaminated
medical instruments stored therein when being transported from the
surgical suite to a decontamination area through various semi
sterile areas within the facility.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a biological
containment and transport carrier 100 according to an example
embodiment of the present general inventive concept, wherein an
insertion flap is in a partially open state. Referring to FIG. 2,
the biological containment and transport carrier 100 may include a
base layer 110 having an inner surface 112 and an opposing outer
surface 114, a top layer 120 having an inner surface 122 and an
opposing outer surface 124, and a zipper 130 formed which can be
formed in a u-shape along edges (e.g., along three sides) and
corners of the top layer 120.
[0035] In the present example embodiment, a perimeter 116 of the
base layer 110 may be coupled and sealed to a perimeter 126 of the
top layer 120 to form a sealed bag. However, the present general
inventive concept is not limited thereto. That is, in alternative
example embodiments, a portion of the perimeter 116 of the base
layer 110 may be coupled and sealed to a portion of the perimeter
126 of the top layer 120 to form the sealed bag.
[0036] In the present example embodiment, the zipper 130 may be
configured in a u-shape to open and close an insertion flap 132 to
provide access to a cavity 134 formed in between the base layer 110
and the top layer 120. That is, the zipper 130 may include a
movable zipper member 130a which opens the insertion flap 132 when
moved along a first direction D1 and closes the insertion flap 132
when moved along a second direction D2.
[0037] FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective assembly view of the
biological containment and transport carrier 100 illustrated 100 in
FIG. 2 and a back table setup 10. Referring to FIG. 3, the base
layer 110 may be coupled to the top layer 120 in such a manner so
as to create an inner seam 102 within the cavity 134 formed between
the base layer 110 and the top layer 120. The inner seam 102 may be
formed around the perimeter 116 of the base layer 110 and may be
sized and shaped so as to correspond or match a size and shape of
the back table setup 10.
[0038] In the present example embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 2
and 3, a portion 120a of the top layer 120 surrounding the zipper
130 may be designed and/or configured to fold inside out to thereby
secure the base layer 110 to the back table setup 10.
[0039] In alternative example embodiments, the base layer 110 and
the top layer 120 may be custom designed to include a width
dimension (e.g., 44 inches) and a length dimension (e.g., 36 or 68
inches) to correspond or match width and length dimensions of a
surface 10a of a certain back table 10. That is, the inner seam 102
formed within the cavity 134 may include a width dimension which
corresponds to and matches a width dimension of the surface 10a of
the back table 10 and a length dimension which corresponds to and
matches a length dimension of the surface 10a of the back table 10.
As such, by folding the portion 120a of the top layer 120 inside
out around the table 10, the inner surface 112 of the base layer
110 may thereby be securely affixed so that the base layer 110 is
parallel and/or flat with respect to the surface 10a of the back
table 10.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the biological
containment and transport carrier illustrated 100 in FIG. 3 secured
to the back table setup 10, wherein the insertion flap 132 is in a
fully open state.
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 4, in the present example
embodiment, a user (e.g., a health care worker) may place the
transport carrier 100 onto the surface 10a of the back table 10 so
that the outer surface 114 of the base layer 110 faces and contacts
the surface 10a of the table 10, and the top layer 120 faces an
upward direction.
[0042] The user may then slide or move the zipper member 130a along
the first direction D1 to open the insertion flap 132. In the
present example embodiment, the cavity 134 formed between the base
layer 110 and the top layer 120 may be sealed off from the external
environment E when the insertion flap 132 is in a closed state and
may be exposed to the external environment E when in an open state.
The user may then fold open the insertion flap 132 over a side 10b
(e.g., a back side) of the back table 10 to expose the cavity 134
formed in between the base layer 110 and top layer 120 to the
external environment E.
[0043] The user may then fold the portion 120a of the top layer 120
around the zipper 130 inside out over and around all the sides 10b,
10c, 10d, and 10e of the back table 10 to thereby secure the
transport carrier 100 to the surface 10a of the back table 10. In
addition, the portion 120b of the top layer 110 may be configured
and/or designed to secure the insertion flap 132 to the side of the
back table 10 when folded inside out.
[0044] In the present example embodiment, the inside out folded
portion 120b of the top layer 110 may form a sterile drape portion,
or margin border, extending around all sides 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e
of the table. The sterile drape portion may extend to a distance W1
below the surface 10a of the back table 10, for example a distance
of about 2 inches. However, the present general inventive concept
is not limited to any particular distance W1 for the sterile margin
created by the inside out folded portion. The inside out folded out
portion of the top layer is constructed and designed to create the
sterile drape portion when the zipper is open. The structure is
dimensioned to substantially match the dimensions of the table such
that the when the device is situated on the top surface of the
table, the edge and/or corner portions are designed to wrap around
one or more outer edges of the table and extend a predetermined
distance below the bottom surface of the table to secure the base
layer to the table and to provide a sterile margin, or drape
portion, around the table, and to provide a custom fit for the
table to allow for sterile use in procedure of setup packs with
reduced exposure of contaminated surfaces.
[0045] For example, during and/or after a medical procedure, users
(e.g., health care workers) may easily load medical trays 12 filled
with contaminated instruments 14 onto a flat inner surface 112 of
the base layer 110, which has been detachably secured to the back
table 10.
[0046] The biological containment and transport carrier 100
according to the present inventive concept provides complete
visibility of the entire surface 10a of the back table 10, thereby
reducing the health care workers exposure risk for infection when
loading and/or unloading the contaminated instruments 14 into and
out of the transport carrier 100. In addition, the transport
carrier 100 may further provide a microbacterial barrier between
the contaminated instruments 14 and the surface 10a of the back
table 10 to reduce a risk of cross-contamination and to allow for
sterile use in procedure setup packs. The carrier is designed to
specifically meet specifications for surgical instrument
transport.
[0047] Once the health care workers finish loading the inner
surface 112 of the base layer 110 with contaminated instruments 14,
the folded portion 120b may then be unfolded from the table 10 to
thereby release the base layer 110 from the surface 10a of the
table 10.
[0048] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the biological
containment and transport carrier 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 filled
with contaminated instruments 14. Referring to FIG. 5, the health
care worker may then fold the insertion flap 132 back over the
contaminated instruments 14 and close the insertion flap 132 to
contain and/or seal off the contaminated instruments 14 from the
external environment E. In the open state, the configuration of the
zipper which is designed to extend around at least one side of the
length and both end width portions of the carrier permits the top
layer to be lifted up and away from a top front edge of the table
such a person standing in front of the table can visualize contents
of the container or place additional instruments into the
container. The zipper can then be closed to seal the contaminated
instruments therein, without requiring squatting or bending of the
person. In the present example embodiment, the sealed bag formed
between the base layer 110 and the top layer 120 is leak proof when
the insertion flap 132 is in the closed state. The bag may be
provided and packaged for use in an unsterile form, or it may be
added to sterile procedure packs for use as a table cover that
converts to a transport bag.
[0049] In alternative example embodiments, the zipper 130 may
include an elastic portion (not illustrated) to further assist in
securing the base layer 110 to the table 10 when folded inside out
around the edges of the back table 10.
[0050] In alternative example embodiments, the base layer 110 and
the top layer 120 may be constructed from a heavy duty puncture
resistant and/or leak resistant material. The material may have a
thickness between about 0.2 millimeters to 10 millimeters, which
has been found to provide sufficient leak and/or puncture
resistance properties in view of the specific types of instruments
that may be stored therein, and may include antimicrobial
properties so as to create a microbacterial barrier between the
surface 10a of the table 10 and objects placed on the base layer
110. This addresses sharp instrument protocols and guidelines for
sharp instruments. However, the present general inventive concept
is not limited to any particular thickness or material. For
example, in some example embodiments, the base layer 110 and the
top layer 120 may be constructed from a variety of single or
multi-layered barrier fabrics including non-woven polypropylene
and/or various other polymeric materials.
[0051] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a biological
containment and transport carrier 200 according to another example
embodiment of the present general inventive concept. Referring to
FIG. 6, the biological containment and transport carrier 200
according to the present example embodiment includes the elements
and/or features as described in the previous example embodiments.
That is, the biological containment and transport carrier 200 may
include a base layer 210 having an inner surface 212 and an
opposing outer surface 214, a top layer 220 having an inner surface
222 and an opposing outer surface 224, and a u-shaped zipper 230
formed along edges (e.g., along three sides) of the top layer 220.
In addition, the biological containment and transport carrier 200
according to the present example embodiment may further include a
vacuum port 240 formed through the top layer 220 which may be used
to vacuum seal the transport carrier 200. A vacuuming device (not
illustrated) may be detachably coupled to the vacuum port 240 to
safely remove air, bio-burden, and/or bio-aerosols within the
cavity 234 formed between the base layer 210 and the top layer 220,
when the insertion flap 232 is in a closed state. In the present
example embodiment, the vacuum port 240 allows the health care
workers to vacuum seal the biological containment and transport
carrier 200 to reduce a risk of cross-contamination when
transporting the transport carrier 200 from the point of use to a
specific decontamination area.
[0052] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a biological
containment and transport carrier 300 according to another example
embodiment of the present general inventive concept. Referring to
FIG. 7, the biological containment and transport carrier 300
according to the present example embodiment may include the
features and/or elements as described in the previous example
embodiments. The biological containment and transport carrier 300
may include a base layer 310 having an inner surface 312 and an
opposing outer surface 314, a top layer 320 having an inner surface
322 and an opposing outer surface 324, and a zipper 330 formed
along central portion of the top layer 320.
[0053] The biological containment and transport carrier according
to the present general inventive concept provides a disposable
bio-containment instrument transport bag which reduces
cross-contamination and controls bio-burden exposure when
transporting contaminated instruments from a point of use (e.g., a
surgical suite) to a decontamination area (e.g. a sterile
processing department). The biological containment and transport
carrier provides a barrier between the contaminated instruments and
reduces cross contamination and controls bio-burden and bio-aersols
during post-operative transport of the contaminated instruments
through semi sterile areas from the point of use to the specific
decontamination areas.
[0054] The biological containment and transport carrier provides an
airtight and/or water proof cavity in which the contaminated
instruments are kept moist for ease of cleaning even hours after
the medical procedures. The biological containment and transport
carrier may further be constructed of a disposable material which
allows health care workers to easily load, transport, and unload
contaminated instruments after medical procedures and then dispose
the biological containment and transport carrier to reduce costs
associated with maintaining and cleaning and decontaminating wash
cycles of conventional back table setups. Embodiments of the
present general inventive concept reduce expenses and labor
associated with cart maintenance and cart washing cycles and
expedite sterile instrument reprocessing. Operating room turnover
time is reduced.
[0055] While the present general inventive concept has been
illustrated by description of several example embodiments, and
while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail,
it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way
limit the scope of the general inventive concept to such
descriptions and illustrations. Instead, the descriptions,
drawings, and claims herein are to be regarded as illustrative in
nature, and not as restrictive, and additional embodiments will
readily appear to those skilled in the art upon reading the above
description and drawings. Additional modifications will readily
appear to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, departures may be
made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope
of applicant's general inventive concept.
* * * * *