U.S. patent application number 14/950284 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-25 for stand-alone ice making appliances.
The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to William Everette Gardner, Joel Erik Hitzelberger, Charles Benjamin Miller, Ronald Scott Tarr, Jarvis Ward.
Application Number | 20170146279 14/950284 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58719510 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170146279 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gardner; William Everette ;
et al. |
May 25, 2017 |
Stand-Alone Ice Making Appliances
Abstract
Stand-alone ice making appliances are provided. An appliance
includes a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of
ice, a water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of
water, and a pump in fluid communication with the second storage
volume. The appliance further includes a reservoir defining a third
storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication
with the pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the
water tank. The appliance further includes an ice maker which is in
fluid communication with the third storage volume for receiving
water from the reservoir, the ice maker including a sealed
refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing. The
appliance further includes a chute extending between the ice maker
and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker
towards the first storage volume.
Inventors: |
Gardner; William Everette;
(Louisville, KY) ; Tarr; Ronald Scott;
(Louisville, KY) ; Hitzelberger; Joel Erik;
(Louisville, KY) ; Ward; Jarvis; (Louisville,
KY) ; Miller; Charles Benjamin; (Louisville,
KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58719510 |
Appl. No.: |
14/950284 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 1/25 20180101; F25C
2600/04 20130101; F25C 5/24 20180101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/00 20060101
F25D023/00; F25C 5/18 20060101 F25C005/18; F25C 1/00 20060101
F25C001/00 |
Claims
1. A stand-alone ice making appliance, comprising: a container
defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice; a water tank,
the water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of
water; a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume
for actively flowing water from the water tank; a reservoir
defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid
communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively
flowed from the water tank; an ice maker, the ice maker comprising
an auger at least partially surrounded by a casing, the casing in
fluid communication with the third storage volume for receiving
water from the reservoir, the ice maker further comprising a sealed
refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing; and
a chute extending between the ice maker and the container for
directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first storage
volume.
2. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the
water tank is disposed below the container along a vertical
direction.
3. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the
container comprises a side wall and a base wall which define the
first storage volume, the base wall defining a drain aperture.
4. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the
container comprises a side wall, a base wall, and a bulkhead, the
sidewall and the bulkhead defining the first storage volume, and
wherein an auxiliary storage volume is defined by the sidewall, the
bulkhead and the base wall.
5. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 4, wherein the
auxiliary storage volume is disposed below the first storage volume
along a vertical direction.
6. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 4, wherein the
bulkhead defines a drain aperture.
7. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 4, further
comprising an auxiliary pump in fluid communication with the
auxiliary storage volume for actively flowing water from the
container, and wherein the third storage volume is further in fluid
communication with the auxiliary pump for receiving water that is
actively flowed from the container.
8. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 7, further
comprising a controller in operative communication with the pump
and the auxiliary pump, the controller configured to activate the
pump and the auxiliary pump.
9. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 8, wherein the
controller is configured to activate the auxiliary pump before the
pump when water is flowable through the auxiliary pump.
10. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the
ice maker further comprises an extruder.
11. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the
sealed refrigeration system comprises a compressor, a condenser, a
throttling device, and an evaporator, and wherein the evaporator at
least partially surrounds the casing.
12. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the
container is removable.
13. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein ice
within the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature
greater than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.
14. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein ice
within the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature
greater than forty degrees Fahrenheit.
15. A stand-alone ice making appliance, comprising: a removable
container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice; a
water tank, the water tank defining a second storage volume for
receipt of water and disposed below the container along a vertical
direction; a pump in fluid communication with the second storage
volume for actively flowing water from the water tank; a reservoir
defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid
communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively
flowed from the water tank; an ice maker, the ice maker comprising
a sealed refrigeration system; and a chute extending between the
ice maker and the container for directing ice produced by the ice
maker towards the first storage volume, wherein ice within the
first storage volume is maintained at a temperature greater than
thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.
16. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 15, wherein the
container comprises a side wall and a base wall which define the
first storage volume, the base wall defining a drain aperture.
17. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 15, wherein the
container comprises a side wall, a base wall, and a bulkhead, the
sidewall and the bulkhead defining the first storage volume, and
wherein an auxiliary storage volume is defined by the sidewall, the
bulkhead and the base wall.
18. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 17, wherein the
bulkhead defines a drain aperture.
19. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 17, further
comprising an auxiliary pump in fluid communication with the
auxiliary storage volume for actively flowing water from the
container, and wherein the third storage volume is further in fluid
communication with the auxiliary pump for receiving water that is
actively flowed from the container.
20. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 15, wherein the
ice maker further comprises an auger at least partially surrounded
by a casing, the casing in fluid communication with the third
storage volume for receiving water from the reservoir.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to stand-alone
ice making appliances, and in exemplary embodiments to stand-alone
ice making appliances which produce nugget ice.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ice makers generally produce ice for the use of consumers,
such as in drinks being consumed, for cooling foods or drinks to be
consumed and/or for other various purposes. Certain refrigerator
appliances include ice makers for producing ice. The ice maker can
be positioned within the appliances' freezer chamber and direct ice
into an ice bucket where it can be stored within the freezer
chamber. Such refrigerator appliances can also include a dispensing
system for assisting a user with accessing ice produced by the
refrigerator appliances' ice maker. However, the incorporation of
ice makers into refrigerator appliance can have drawbacks, such as
limits on the amount of ice that can be produced and the reliance
on the refrigeration system of the refrigerator appliance to form
the ice.
[0003] Recently, stand-alone ice makers have been developed. These
ice makers are separate from refrigerator appliances and provide
independent ice supplies. However, many stand-alone ice makers
require a connection to the plumbing of the dwelling where the ice
maker resides, in order to have access to a water supply.
Additionally, many stand-alone ice makers do not allow for removal
of the ice bucket, instead requiring that ice be scooped from the
bucket for use. Further, typical stand-alone ice makers are
expensive, to the point of being cost-prohibitive to the typical
consumer.
[0004] Accordingly, improved stand-alone ice makers are desired in
the art. In particular, cost-effective stand-alone ice makers which
address various of the above issues would be advantageous.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in
part in the following description, or may be apparent from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0006] In accordance with one embodiment, a stand-alone ice making
appliance is provided. The appliance includes a container defining
a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank, the water
tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water, and a
pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume for
actively flowing water from the water tank. The appliance further
includes a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third
storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving
water that is actively flowed from the water tank. The appliance
further includes an ice maker, the ice maker including an auger at
least partially surrounded by a casing, the casing in fluid
communication with the third storage volume for receiving water
from the reservoir, the ice maker further including a sealed
refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing. The
appliance further includes a chute extending between the ice maker
and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker
towards the first storage volume.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment, a stand-alone ice
making appliance is provided. The appliance includes a removable
container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a
water tank, the water tank defining a second storage volume for
receipt of water and disposed below the container along a vertical
direction, and a pump in fluid communication with the second
storage volume for actively flowing water from the water tank. The
appliance further includes a reservoir defining a third storage
volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication with the
pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the water
tank. The appliance further includes an ice maker, the ice maker
including a sealed refrigeration system. The appliance further
includes a chute extending between the ice maker and the container
for directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first
storage volume. Ice within the first storage volume is maintained
at a temperature greater than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stand-alone ice making
appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of a stand-alone ice
making appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view (with a casing removed) of
a stand-alone ice making appliance in accordance with one
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a rear sectional view of a stand-alone ice making
appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a stand-alone ice making
appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a stand-alone ice making
appliance in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a stand-alone ice
making appliance 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is
illustrated. As shown, appliance 10 includes an outer casing 12
which generally at least partially houses various other components
of the appliance therein 10. A container 14 is also illustrated.
Container 14 defines a first storage volume 16 for the receipt and
storage of ice 18 therein. A user of the appliance 10 may access
ice 18 within the container 14 for consumption or other uses.
Container 14 may include one or more sidewalls 20 and a base wall
22 (see FIG. 2), which may together define the first storage volume
16. In exemplary embodiments, at least one sidewall 20 may be
formed from a clear, see-through (i.e. transparent or translucent)
material, such as a clear glass or plastic, such that a user can
see into the first storage volume 16 and thus view ice 18 therein.
Further, in exemplary embodiments, container 14 may be removable,
such as from the outer casing 12, by a user. This facilitates easy
access by the user to ice within the container 14 and further, for
example, may provide access to a water tank 24 (see FIG. 2) of the
appliance 10.
[0018] Appliances 10 in accordance with the present disclosure are
advantageously stand-alone appliances, and thus are not connected
to refrigerators or other appliances. Additionally, in exemplary
embodiments, such appliances are not connected to plumbing or
another water source that is external to the appliance 10, such as
a refrigerator water source. Rather, in exemplary embodiments,
water is initially supplied to the appliance 10 manually by a user,
such as by pouring water into water tank 24.
[0019] Notably, appliances 10 as discussed herein include various
features which allow the appliances 10 to be affordable and
desirable to typical consumers. For example, the stand-alone
feature reduces the cost associated with the appliance 10 and
allows the consumer to position the appliance 10 at any suitable
desired location, with the only requirement in some embodiments
being access to an electrical source. The removable container 14
allows easy access to ice and allows the container 14 to be moved
to a different position from the remainder of the appliance 10 for
ice usage purposes. Additionally, in exemplary embodiments as
discussed herein, appliance 10 is configured to make nugget ice (as
discussed herein) which is becoming increasingly popular with
consumers.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 6, various other components of
appliances 10 in accordance with the present disclosure are
illustrated. For example, as mentioned, appliance 10 includes a
water tank 24. The water tank 24 defines a second storage volume 26
for the receipt and holding of water. Water tank 24 may include one
or more sidewalls 28 and a base wall 30 which may together define
the second storage volume 26. In exemplary embodiments, the water
tank 24 may be disposed below the container 14 along a vertical
direction V defined for the appliance 10, as shown.
[0021] As discussed, in exemplary embodiments, water is provided to
the water tank 24 for use in forming ice. Accordingly, appliance 10
may further include a pump 32. Pump 32 may be in fluid
communication with the second storage volume 26. For example, water
may be flowable from the second storage volume 26 through an
opening 31 defined in the water tank 24, such as in a sidewall 28
thereof, and may flow through a conduit to and through pump 32.
Pump 32 may, when activated, actively flow water from the second
storage volume 26 therethrough and from the pump 32.
[0022] Water actively flowed from the pump 32 may be flowed (for
example through a suitable conduit) to a reservoir 34. For example,
reservoir 34 may define a third storage volume 36, which may be
defined by one or more sidewalls 38 and a base wall 40. Third
storage volume 36 may, for example, be in fluid communication with
the pump 32 and may thus receive water that is actively flowed from
the water tank 24, such as through the pump 32. For example, water
may be flowed into the third storage volume 36 through an opening
42 defined in the reservoir 34.
[0023] Reservoir 34 and third storage volume 36 thereof may receive
and contain water to be provided to an ice maker 50 for the
production of ice. Accordingly, third storage volume 36 may be in
fluid communication with ice maker 50. For example, water may be
flowed, such as through opening 44 and through suitable conduits,
from third storage volume 36 to ice maker 50.
[0024] Ice maker 50 generally receives water, such as from
reservoir, and freezes the water to form ice 18. While any suitable
style of ice maker is within the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure, in exemplary embodiments, ice maker 50 is a nugget ice
maker, and in particular is an auger-style ice maker. As shown, ice
maker 50 may include a casing 52 into which water from third
storage volume 36 is flowed. Casing 52 is thus in fluid
communication with third storage volume 36. For example, casing 52
may include one or more sidewalls 54 which may define an interior
volume 56, and an opening 58 may be defined in a sidewall 54. Water
may be flowed from third storage volume 36 through the opening 58
(such as via a suitable conduit) into the interior volume 56.
[0025] As illustrated, an auger 60 may be disposed at least
partially within the casing 52. During operation, the auger 60 may
rotate. Water within the casing 52 may at least partially freeze
due to heat exchange, such as with a refrigeration system as
discussed herein. The at least partially frozen water may be lifted
by the auger 60 from casing 52. Further, in exemplary embodiments,
the at least partially frozen water may be directed by auger 60 to
and through an extruder 62. The extruder 62 may extrude the at
least partially frozen water to form ice, such as nuggets of ice
18.
[0026] Formed ice 18 may be provided by the ice maker 50 to
container 14, and may be received in the first storage volume 16
thereof. For example, ice 18 formed by auger 60 and/or extruder 62
may be provide to the container 14. In exemplary embodiments,
appliance 10 may include a chute 70 for directing ice 18 produced
by the ice maker 50 towards the first storage volume 16. For
example, as shown, chute 70 is generally positioned above container
14 along the vertical direction V. Thus, ice can slide off of chute
70 and drop into storage volume 16 of container 14. Chute 70 may,
as shown, extend between ice maker 50 and container 14, and may
include a body 72 which defines a passage 74 therethrough. Ice 18
may be directed from the ice maker 50 (such as from the auger 60
and/or extruder 62) through the passage 74 to the container 14. In
some embodiments, for example, a sweep 64, which may for example be
connected to and rotate with the auger, may contact the ice
emerging through the extruder 62 from the auger 60 and direct the
ice through the passage 74 to the container 14.
[0027] As discussed, water within the casing 52 may at least
partially freeze due to heat exchange, such as with a refrigeration
system. In exemplary embodiments, ice maker 50 may include a sealed
refrigeration system 80. The sealed refrigeration system 80 may be
in thermal communication with the casing 52 to remove heat from the
casing 52 and interior volume 56 thereof, thus facilitating
freezing of water therein to form ice. Sealed refrigeration system
80 may, for example, include a compressor 82, a condenser 84, a
throttling device 86 and an evaporator 88. Evaporator 88 may, for
example, be in thermal communication with the casing 52 in order to
remove heat from the interior volume 56 and water therein during
operation of sealed system 80. For example, evaporator 88 may at
least partially surround the casing 52. In particular, evaporator
88 may be a conduit coiled around and in contact with casing 52,
such as the sidewall(s) 54 thereof. During operation of sealed
system 80, refrigerant exits evaporator 88 as a fluid in the form
of a superheated vapor and/or vapor mixture. Upon exiting
evaporator 88, the refrigerant enters compressor 82 wherein the
pressure and temperature of the refrigerant are increased such that
the refrigerant becomes a superheated vapor. The superheated vapor
from compressor 82 enters condenser 84 wherein energy is
transferred therefrom and condenses into a saturated liquid and/or
liquid vapor mixture. This fluid exits condenser 84 and travels
through throttling device 86 that is configured for regulating a
flow rate of refrigerant therethrough. Upon exiting throttling
device 86, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant drop at
which time the refrigerant enters evaporator 88 and the cycle
repeats itself. In certain exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in
FIGS. 5 through 6, throttling device 86 may be a capillary tube.
Notably, in some embodiments, sealed system 80 may additionally
include fans (not shown) for facilitating heat transfer to/from the
condenser 84 and evaporator 88.
[0028] As discussed, in exemplary embodiments, ice 18 may be nugget
ice. Nugget ice is ice that that is maintained or stored (i.e. in
first storage volume 16 of container 14) at a temperature greater
than the melting point of water or greater than about thirty-two
degrees Fahrenheit. Accordingly, the ambient temperature of the
environment surrounding the container 14 may be at a temperature
greater than the melting point of water or greater than about
thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, such
temperature may be greater than forty degrees Fahrenheit, greater
than fifty degrees Fahrenheit, or greater than 60 degrees
Fahrenheit.
[0029] Ice 18 held within the first storage volume 16 may gradually
melt. The melting speed is increased for nugget ice due to the
increased maintenance/storage temperature. Accordingly, drain
features may advantageously be provided in the container for
draining such melt water. Additionally, and advantageously, the
melt water may in exemplary embodiments be reused by appliance 10
to form ice.
[0030] For example, in some embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 5, a
drain aperture 90 may be defined in the base wall 22. Drain
aperture 90 may allow water to flow from the first storage volume
16 and container 14 generally. Further, in exemplary embodiments,
water flowing from the first storage volume 16 and container 14
may, due to gravity and the vertical alignment of the container 14
of water tank 24, flow into the second storage volume 26.
[0031] Alternatively, in some embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 6,
container 14 may further include a bulkhead 92. Bulkhead 92 may for
example, be generally perpendicular to base wall 22, and may be
positioned above base wall 22 along the vertical direction V. In
these embodiments, the sidewall(s) 20 and the bulkhead 92 may
define the first storage volume 16. Further, an auxiliary storage
volume 94 may be defined in the container 14, such as by the
sidewall(s) 20, the base wall 22 and the bulkhead 92. The auxiliary
storage volume 94 may, for example, be disposed below the first
storage volume 16 along the vertical direction V. A drain aperture
96 may be defined in the bulkhead 92. Drain aperture 96 may allow
water to flow from the first storage volume 16. Further, in
exemplary embodiments, water flowing from the first storage volume
16 and container 14 may, due to gravity and the vertical alignment
of the first storage volume 16 and auxiliary storage volume 94,
flow into the auxiliary storage volume 94.
[0032] In these embodiments, water disposed within the auxiliary
storage volume 94 may advantageously be supplied to ice maker 50
for use in making ice 18. For example, appliance 10 may further
include an auxiliary pump 100. Auxiliary pump 100 may be in fluid
communication with the auxiliary storage volume 94. For example,
water may be flowable from the auxiliary storage volume 94 through
an opening 98 defined in the container 14, such as in a sidewall 20
thereof, and may flow through a conduit to and through pump 100.
Pump 100 may, when activated, actively flow water from the
container 14 (and auxiliary storage volume 94 thereof) therethrough
and from the pump 100. Water actively flowed from the pump 100 may
be flowed (for example through a suitable conduit) to reservoir 34
and third storage volume 36 thereof. Accordingly, third storage
volume 36 may additionally be in fluid communication with the
auxiliary pump 100 for receiving water that is actively flowed from
the container 14.
[0033] In exemplary embodiments, appliance 10 may further include a
controller 110. Controller 110 may for example, be configured to
operate the appliance 10 based on, for example, user inputs to the
appliance 10 (such as to a user interface thereof), inputs from
various sensors disposed within the appliance 10, and/or other
suitable inputs. Controller 110 may for example include one or more
memory devices and one or more microprocessors, such as general or
special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming
instructions or micro-control code associated with appliance 10
operation. The memory may represent random access memory such as
DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment,
the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory.
The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be
included onboard within the processor.
[0034] In exemplary embodiments, controller 110 may be in operative
communication with the pump 32. Further, in exemplary embodiments,
the controller 110 may additionally be in operative communication
with the auxiliary pump 100. Such operative communication may be
via a wired or wireless connection, and may facilitate the
transmittal and/or receipt of signals by the controller 110 and
pump(s) 32, 100. Controller 110 may be configured to activate the
pump 32, and may further be configured to activate the auxiliary
pump 100, to actively flow water. For example, controller 110 may
activate the pump 32 or auxiliary pump 100 to actively flow water
therethrough when, for example, reservoir 34 requires water. A
suitable sensor(s), for example, may be provided in the third
storage volume 36. The sensor(s) may be in operative communication
with the controller 110 may be transmit signals to the controller
110 which indicate whether or not additional water is desired in
the reservoir 34. When controller 110 receives a signal that water
is desired, controller 110 may send a signal to pump 32 or pump 100
to activate that pump.
[0035] Further, in some embodiments, controller 110 may be
configured to activate the auxiliary pump 100 before the pump 32
when water is flowable through the auxiliary pump 100. For example,
controller 110 may initially determine whether water is available
for flowing through pump 100, and from auxiliary storage volume 94,
when water is desired. If water is available, controller 110 may
activate pump 100, such as until water is no longer available for
flowing through pump 100. Controller 110 may then activate pump 32
if further water is desired. Suitable sensor(s) may be provided in
the auxiliary storage volume 94 or auxiliary pump 100 for sending
water availability signals to controller 110, such as when
requested by controller 110. These sensors may, for example,
monitor the water level in the auxiliary storage volume 94 or the
auxiliary pump 100 and provide signals to the controller 110 on
this basis.
[0036] It should additionally be noted that, in exemplary
embodiments, controller 110 may be in operative communication with
the sealed system 80, such as with the compressor 82 thereof, and
may activate the sealed system 80 as desired or required for ice
making purposes.
[0037] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *