U.S. patent application number 15/769325 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-25 for wine decanter.
This patent application is currently assigned to BREVILLE PTY LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is BREVILLE PTY LIMITED. Invention is credited to Pierce James Barnard, Duncan Bruce Hellmers, Stephen John McClean.
Application Number | 20180304209 15/769325 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58556492 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180304209 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hellmers; Duncan Bruce ; et
al. |
October 25, 2018 |
Wine Decanter
Abstract
A decanting vessel has an internal pump for recirculating a
beverage such as wine and aerating it within the decanter.
Inventors: |
Hellmers; Duncan Bruce;
(Lane Cove, New South Wales, AU) ; McClean; Stephen
John; (Camden South, New South Wales, AU) ; Barnard;
Pierce James; (Cherrybrook, New South Wales, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BREVILLE PTY LIMITED |
Alexandria, New South Wales |
|
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
BREVILLE PTY LIMITED
Alexandria, New South Wales
AU
|
Family ID: |
58556492 |
Appl. No.: |
15/769325 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
October 19, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2016/050982 |
371 Date: |
April 18, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01F 7/168 20130101;
B01F 15/00389 20130101; B01F 3/04744 20130101; A47G 23/00 20130101;
A47G 23/0241 20130101; B01F 5/108 20130101; B01F 15/00305 20130101;
B01F 2015/061 20130101; B01F 13/0872 20130101; B01F 7/1695
20130101; B01F 15/065 20130101; B01F 2215/0072 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B01F 3/04 20060101
B01F003/04; A47G 23/02 20060101 A47G023/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 19, 2015 |
AU |
2015904277 |
Claims
1. A decanter for a beverage, wherein: the decanter has a floor
above which is located a pump; the pump is adapted to recirculate
the beverage within the decanter; the pump cooperates with a tube
that extends upward from the pump and that terminates within the
decanter; the tube having a spout that directs a flow of beverage
from the pump against an interior sidewall of the decanter.
2. The decanter of claim 1, wherein: the spout comprises a
circumferential gap.
3. The decanter of claim 1, wherein the spout comprises radial
parts.
4. The decanter of claim 1, wherein the spout comprises a vertical
discharge located below a plate.
5. The decanter of claim 4, wherein: the plate is curved.
6. The decanter of claim 1, wherein: the spout discharges to create
a curtain of beverage around the interior sidewall.
7. The decanter of claim 6, wherein: the spout comprises a
circumferential gap.
8. The decanter of claim 7, wherein: the gap is located between an
upper stopper part having a circumferential seal that infringes on
an interior sidewall of the decanter and a lower part that attaches
to the tube.
9. The decanter of claim 8, wherein: the lower part is biased
toward the upper part and the upper part rotates so as to
selectively align cooperating openings that admit air into the
decanter.
10. The decanter of claim 1, wherein: the decanter is transparent
or translucent.
11. A decanter for a beverage, comprising: a vessel having a floor;
a pump located above the floor, the pump being driveable by a motor
external to the vessel; the pump having a body within which is a
rotating impeller; the body supporting a tube through which the
beverage is propelled.
12. The decanter of claim 11, wherein: the body has an upper part
that carries the tube; the upper part being detachable from a lower
part that is carried by the vessel.
13. The decanter of claim 12, wherein: the lower portion is a plug
portion carried in an opening formed in the floor; the lower
portion having a pocket axel around which rotates the impeller, the
impeller being magnetic.
14. The decanter of claim 11, wherein: the body comprises a shroud
and a spacer ring having a floor; an underside of the floor and a
channel in the shroud defining a pump input; the spacer being
manually removably from the shroud and connectable to the tube.
15. The decanter of claim 11, wherein: the pump has a coupling for
rotating it mechanically.
16. The decanter of claim 4, wherein: the plate is curved and the
decanter is transparent or translucent.
17. The decanter of claim 1, wherein: the spout discharges to
create a curtain of beverage around the interior sidewall and the
decanter is transparent or translucent.
18. The decanter of claim 6, wherein: the spout comprises a
circumferential gap and the decanter is transparent or
translucent.
19. The decanter of claim 7, wherein: the gap is located between an
upper stopper part having a circumferential seal that infringes on
an interior sidewall of the decanter and a lower part that attaches
to the tube and the decanter is transparent or translucent.
20. The decanter of claim 8, wherein: the lower part is biased
toward the upper part and the upper part rotates so as to
selectively align cooperating openings that admit air into the
decanter and the decanter is transparent or translucent.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to wine decanting and more
particularly to a pump that may be combined with a decanting vessel
for the purpose of recirculating wine within that vessel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Some wines have a musty reductive character that can be
mitigated with aeration. Similarly, some wines have relatively high
levels of dissolved gasses that have a negative impact on aroma and
pallet. Wines often improved from coming into contact with air. A
glass decanter can be used to increase the surface area of contact
between the wine and the air, improving the aroma and flavour.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a pump adapted
to cause vertical recirculation within a decanting vessel.
[0004] It is yet another object of the invention to reduce the
amount of time required to decant wine.
[0005] It is another object of the invention to provide a decanting
vessel that incorporates a pump and vertical recirculation conduit
within it.
[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a
combination of motorised base, vessel and pumping system within
that vessel for the purpose of aerating wine.
[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the technology to provide a
decanting vessel having within it a pump and vertical conduit that
extends above a fill level for that vessel.
[0008] The technology also provides a motorised base that
cooperates with a removable decanter, the decanter having within it
a pump and vertical conduit that extends above a fill level of the
vessel.
[0009] The technology also provides a decanter having within it a
pumping system and vertical conduit, the conduit terminating in a
distribution head that creates a descending curtain of wine within
the vessel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0010] In order that the invention be better understood, reference
is now made to the following drawing figures in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a wine decanter and
base.
[0012] FIG. 2 is perspective view of a base for a wine
decanter.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the stopper shown
in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the stopper shown in
FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a stopper.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a stopper.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a decanter and pump
housing.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a sealing
arrangement.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a wine decanter, base
and magnetic coupling.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a networked wine
decanter.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a remote,
wireless user interface.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another base for a wine
decanter.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another wine decanter
and base.
[0024] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of another wine decanter and
base.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a base
having a magnetic driving element.
[0026] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view in perspective of an impeller
received on a plug portion
[0027] FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the impeller of
FIG. 16
[0028] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a removal rod for engaging
the impeller of FIGS. 16 and 17.
BEST MODE AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, a decanting apparatus 100 comprises a
vessel such as a transparent or translucent glass wine decanter 101
that cooperates with a base 102. The decanter 101 is preferably
glass. Plastic or stainless steel decanters are also convenient.
The decanter 101 has a generally flat bottom 103 in which is formed
a central or other opening 104. The opening receives a pump 105
assembly. As will be explained, the pump beverage assembly 105 may
be permanently installed into the decanter 101 or removable from
it.
[0030] Even when portions of the assembly are permanently affixed
to the decanter, the pump itself is preferably removable from the
remainder of the assembly for cleaning. The pump is driven by a
motor 106 in the base (external to the vessel). The pump 105 has an
inlet 107 through which any liquid, particularly wine, is drawn
into the pump. The pump has a body within which is a rotating
impeller (or other means) 108 that propels the wine into and up a
vertical conduit 109. The vertical tube or conduit 109 is
preferably centrally located along the vessel's centre line and
extends above a nominal maximum fill level 110 associated with the
decanter. In this example, the conduit 109 terminates in a
distributing head 111 that also functions as an airtight stopper.
The spout discharges the beverage against the interior wall of the
vessel. The spout discharges a pattern that coalesces into a thin,
continuous curtain that descends the interior of the carafe and
promotes aeration of the wine. In the example of FIG. 1, the gap or
spout 122 is above the neck 130 of the decanter. However, the head
111 is accessible from above the rim 131 of the decanter because
the handle or pull ring extends above the rim 131.
[0031] The base 102, apart from the motor 106 may contain batteries
(or transformer or power supply or induction coil) 112 for powering
the motor and other aspects of the base, an optional wireless
communications module 113 and an optional thermionic or other
refrigeration module 114 located just below the upper surface of
the base that supports the decanter. The base has a processor or
printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 115 that regulates the
operation of the base in response to various user inputs.
[0032] The base's motor 106 drives a first coupling component 116
that is located above the upper surface of the base. The first
coupling component 116 drives a second coupling component 117 that
is associated with and attached to the pump 105 in the decanting
vessel 101. In this way the pump 105 can be driven by the motor 106
while maintaining the removability of the decanter 101 and its pump
105 from the base 102.
[0033] As suggested by FIG. 1, and as will be explained, the
distributing head 111 has engageable parts, a stationary upper part
120 and a vertically reciprocating and rotatable lower part 121.
Wine pumped vertically up through the conduit 122 passes between
the upper and lower parts 120, 121. It is thereafter dispensed
through a circumferential gap or spout 122 between the upper and
the lower parts 120, 121. In this example, the gap 122 is directed
or faces downwardly. The gap 122 is in close proximity with the
inner side wall 123 of the vessel. The circumferential gap 122 thus
creates a flow or curtain 124 of wine that descends back into the
body of the vessel. In preferred embodiments, the curtain 124 is
largely or entirely continuous and uninterrupted, thus creating a
large surface area of contact between the curtain 124 as it
descends along the interior side wall 123.
[0034] As suggested by FIG. 1, the base need not have any dedicated
external user interface. This is because it has a Wi-Fi or other
wireless communication module 113 that is adapted to received
signals that may be transmitted by a user from a device such as a
Wi-Fi enabled telephone, computer, or otherwise over a wireless
network.
[0035] However, as suggested by FIG. 2, the base 200 may be
provided with an external user interface 201, in this example, the
interface 201 comprises electromechanical buttons that govern the
operation of the base and therefore the pump 105. As will be
explained, the degree of aeration of the wine in the decanter is
largely dependent on the flow characteristics of the wine as
determined by the operating speed of the pump 105. Accordingly, the
user interface 201 is provided with a user control for increasing
or decreasing the rotational speed of the pumps and impeller 108.
In this example, one button 202 is provided for decreasing the
operational speed of the motor 106 and a second button 203 is
provided for increasing the speed of the motor 106. By way of
example, another user control, when activated, stores a particular
user selected motor speed as a favourite 204. An additional user
control is used to run the pump at its maximum speed so as to
provide the quickest possible aeration 205. The interface 201 is
also provided with a start/cancel control 206 that in this example
is provided with an illuminated ring 207 to indicate the
operational status of the device. An additional user control 208
causes the processor 115 to engage in an auto-clean and/or rinse
routine that may be used in conjunction with an appropriate
cleaning solution at manufacture recommended intervals. The routine
may be for a pre-selected fixed interval.
[0036] In the example of FIG. 2, the first coupling component 116
is located in the centre of a dish-like recess 209 on an upper
surface of the base 200. In this example, the first coupling
component 116 is in the form of a mechanical coupling having male
or vertically extending coupling features 210 that engage and
cooperate with female coupling features located on an underside of
the second coupling component 117.
[0037] The distributing head and stopper 111 depicted in FIG. 1 is
shown in greater details in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the
stationary or upper part 120 comprises a body shaped to conform to
the internal shape of the decanter. In this example, the upper part
120 is round, having a side wall in which is formed a
circumferential groove 300 for receiving a polymeric seal 307. The
top surface 307 of the upper part is provided with an array of
openings. In this example, the array has alternating radial slots
302 that pass through the top surface 307. The slots 302 alternates
with smaller through openings 303. The slots 302 extend radially
inward further than the through openings 303. The upper rotating
part 120 also has a centrally located neck 304. The neck 304 has an
internal bore that receives and seals against the upper extent of
the vertical conduit 109. The upper part of the neck has one or
more discharge ports 400. The neck 304 has threads 306 on its
exterior. The upper surface 301 supports a vertically orientated
pull ring 308 or other grip.
[0038] The lower or reciprocating part 121 has a central hub 310
that supports a flange 311. The flange 311 fits within a recess 401
formed in an underside of the upper part 120. The upper surface of
the flange 311 supports an array of vertically extending posts 312.
Each post 312 is provided with a through opening 313. The upper
surface of each post, radially outward of the through opening 313
comprises a flat stopper portion 314. When rotated into position,
the stopper portion 314 occludes the through openings 303 in the
upper part 120. In another rotational orientation, the through
openings 313 of the lower part align with the slots 302 in the
upper part 120. Thus, the lower part 121 has two principal
rotational orientations with respect to the upper part 120.
[0039] In the first orientation, the through openings 303 admit air
into the gap between the upper and the lower parts 120, 121 and the
through openings 313 cooperate with the slots 302 so that gasses
within the decanter can be vented to the atmosphere.
[0040] In order to facilitate rotation between the upper and lower
parts 120, 121, the lower part is provided with a central bore 320
that is adapted to admit the neck 304 of the upper part for
rotation therewithin. An upper side of the lower part 121 has a
circumferential collar 402 that fits over the outside of a cup 403.
The cup has internal threads 404 that cooperate with the threads
306 on the upper part's neck 304. Together, the collar 402 and cup
403 define a cavity for receiving a compression spring 330. In this
way, the lower part 121 can be manually retracted away from the
upper part for ease of rotation of the lower part 121. The spring
330 biases the lower part 121 upwardly and into engagement with the
underside of the upper part 120. The outside rim of the lower part
may be provided with opposing fins or finger grips 340. The action
of retracting the lower part and rotating it are thereby
facilitated by the finger grips 330 and pull ring 308.
[0041] Accordingly, the distributing head and stopper are user
adjustable so as to act as either an airtight stopper or
curtain-producing spout in accordance with the rotational
orientation of the lower part 121 relative to the upper part 120.
In one orientation, all of the openings 302, 303 in the upper part
are occluded whereby the decanter is sealed from the environment.
In another rotational orientation, air is admitted into the gap
between the upper and lower parts by the through openings 303 and
the interior of the decanter is vented owing to the alignment of
the second through openings 313 with the slots 302.
[0042] It will be appreciated that the particular construction and
features of the distributing head and stopper 111 are only
exemplary of a preferred embodiment. Other means of creating an
effective curtain of wine along the interior walls of the vessel
are depicted by way of example in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0043] In the example of FIG. 5, a stopper for a decanter, carafe
or vessel utilising a pump of the type depicted in FIG. 1 comprises
a solid or unperforated cap 500 having a side wall 501 in which is
formed a circumferential groove for receiving a peripheral seal
502. The cap 500 may be provided with a pull ring or other grip
503. The cap has a centrally located neck 504 for receiving the
vertical conduit 109. Fluid exiting the upper discharge opening 505
of the conduit 109 passes through radial discharge spout openings
506 in the neck 504. The flow of the discharge 507 is directed
downwardly by the shape of the underside 508 of the cap. In
preferred embodiments, the cap 500 is removable from the conduit
109.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the vertical conduit 109 may be provided
with a distribution head provided with either or both of preferably
symmetrical or opposing radial discharge ports or spouts 601 or a
vertical spout discharge 602 located below a flat or curved plate
or obstruction 603. The obstruction 603 is spaced apart from and
supported above the exit opening of the vertical port 602 by one or
more braces 604. Fluid exiting the radial or vertical ports 601,
602 is directed against the interior side walls of the vessel to
create, for example, a descending, symmetrical uniform, curtain of
fluid.
[0045] As suggested by FIG. 7, a decanter or carafe 700 may be
provided with a permanently installed housing 701. The housing 701
may be fabricated from stainless steel. The housing 701 contains
the pump and its coupling component and serves to support and
distribute fluid through the vertical conduit 109. In this example,
the housing 701 has a circumferential flange 702 that fits within
and is sealed against a rebate 703 formed around an opening 704 on
a bottom surface of the decanter 700. In preferred embodiments,
permanent adhesive maintains the flange 702 in the rebate 703.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 8, the decanter 800 may be provided with an
opening 801 on its floor or lower surface 802. A removable seal
retainer 803 forms a peripheral groove 804 for retaining a
polymeric seal 805. In this example, the retainer 803 is formed
from two separable parts, being a lower part 806 and an upper part
807. The two parts are joined in a face-two-face arrangement and
clamped together with one or more fasteners 808. In some
embodiments, through openings in the retainer 803 allow the
fasteners to engage an underside of the pump housing 809. In this
example, the seal 805 is "C" shaped in cross section for receiving
the inside edge of the opening 801 in the decanter. The retainer
803 has a centrally opening 810 for admitting the base's coupling
116.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 9, the mechanical coupling arrangement 116,
117 between the motor 106 and the pump's impellor 108 may be
replaced by a magnetic coupling arrangement 900. Accordingly, the
base's motor 106 is provided with an output shaft that carries a
first magnetic coupling component 901. The first magnetic coupling
component 901 enters a housing 902 that is permanently attached to
or removable from the underside of the decanter 903. Permanent
magnets 904 in the first coupling component 901 magnetically couple
with a second array of permanent magnets 905 that are used either
to drive the pumps and pallor or a rotating stirrer 906 that may be
located within and removable from the interior of the decanter.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 10, the wireless communication module 113
located in a base of the type depicted in FIG. 1, or alternately a
copper wire network connection such as a USB socket 1000 may be
used to receive command signals 1001 over, for example, a USB
network 1002, a blue-tooth network 1003, or a Wi-Fi network 1004.
The command signals 1001 are transmitted over the appropriate
network from a device 1005 such as a network enabled telephone,
tablet, desktop computer or other device. The device 1005 may also
be connected to or transmit its signals 1001 via a proprietary
network 1006 operated by a provider of the aerating decanter
1007.
[0049] As suggested in FIG. 11, the device 1005 may be provided
with a touch screen 1100. The user 1101 can control the operation
of the aerating decanter device 100 by touching graphic symbols
1002 corresponding with device perimeter such as pump speed, time
or fully automated program such as the cleaning program previously
mentioned. On-screen symbols 1103 may be used to graphically
represent operational perimeters or outcomes relating to the input
commands.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 12, a base 1200 (of any type or style) may
be provided with a centrally located shroud 1201. In the example of
FIG. 12, the base has a circular depression 1202 having a tapered
side wall 1203 for receiving a decanter. The features of the
depression and the shroud 1201 are waterproofed to the extent that
they prevent liquids in this area from entering the interior of the
base, preferably being a single part with joins. The shroud 1201
locates a decanter, stabilises it and also provides protection for
the driving element of a magnetically driven pump, as will be
described.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 13, the shroud 1201 is received by a pump
housing 1301 located inside a decanter 1302. A magnetic driving
element 1303 is rotated by an electric motor 1304 located within
the base 1305. The motor may be powered, for example, by
rechargeable batteries 1306 located within the base. The base may
also contain one or more cooling elements such as peltier cells
1307 that may be powered from the battery 1306. The peltier or
other refrigeration element 1307 is preferably located adjacent to
the underside of the upper surface 1308 of the base 1305. The base
may also contain Wi-Fi or other communication hardware 1309 or
means to achieve control over the base with a remote device such as
a phone running an application, a computer or a networked
appliance.
[0052] As shown in more detail in FIG. 14, the decanters' pump
housing comprises a plug portion 1400 having a flange 1401 that is
preferably adhered to an underside 1402 of the carafe. A plug
portion has a first shoulder 1403 for engaging the through opening
1404 in the underside of the carafe and a vertical circular collar
1405 for engaging the lower rim area 1406 of a pump cover 1407. An
opening on the underside of the plug portion 1400 emits the shroud
1201. The plug portion has a central and sealed receiving pocket
1408.
[0053] The pump's impeller 1409 has a central opening 1410 that
fits over the pocket 1408 allowing the impeller 1409 and its pair
of opposed magnets 1411 to spin around the pocket 1408 finding its
own magnetic centre in the vertical direction. The pump cover 1406
has an inlet 1412 adjacent to the upper rim and a discharge opening
1413 located on an upper surface. A circumferential collar 1414
fits over the top of the cover and provides an engagement for the
vertical conduit 1415. In order to facilitate removal of the pump
components, particularly for cleaning, the lower rim 1406 of the
cover makes a frictional and generally sealing engagement with the
interior of the vertical circular collar 1405, the force requiring
to dislodge the lower rim 1406 from the collar 1405 being less than
the force required to dislodge the rim 1414 or the flange 1416 of
the riser. In this way, lifting the vertical conduit, for example
by the pour rim 1308, causes the lower rim 1406 of the housing to
disengage first so that the cover 1407, rim 1414, flange 1416 and
tube 1415 are removable as a single assembly.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 15, the impeller 1409 has regularly
extending blades 1501 and a pair of magnets 1502 that centre on or
are rotated by the magnetic driving element 1303 located within the
shroud. The impeller draws liquids through an inlet opening 1503.
The opening 1503 is formed from a channel 1504 on an upper surface
of the cover 1407 and the underside of the ring-like spacer 1505.
The floor of the spacer has an opening 1506 through which liquid is
discharged into the compartment formed by the spacer below the
vertical tube 1415. In this example, the upright ring that forms a
portion of the spacer 1505 has a gap 1507 (see FIGS. 14 and 15)
that is in registry with the discharge opening 1506, providing for
better fluid flow into the tube 1415.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 16, the removable magnetic impeller 1600 is
received within a cavity 1601 formed in the plug portion 1400.
Although the plug portions' pocket 1603 may be centrally located
with respect to the plug portion, in preferred embodiments, the
pocket 1601 is not symmetrical. In the example FIG. 16, the
interior space of the pocket is reduced at the intake area 1604 and
volumetrically larger at the discharge area 1603. The increased
area allows the pocket to accept additional flow exiting the
impeller at the discharge area 1603 that is in closest proximity to
the discharge opening 1413 in the cover, assisting to maintain
uniform fluid pressure around the impeller resulting in minimized
hydraulic radial thrust around the impeller and thus improved
impeller balance. Note that the sidewall 1606 in the intake area
1604 is thicker than the side wall 1605 in the discharge area.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 17, the impeller's hub 1608 may have a top
covering 1700 or other features that prevent the hub from being
inserted upside down.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 18, removal of the impeller 1800 from the
interior of a carafe may be accomplished with a removal rod 1801.
In this example, the rod 1801 carries a pair of magnets 1802 and a
lower end and has a handle 1803 at an upper end. Instead of
magnets, the lower end may feature a mechanical clip, hook or other
means of engaging or removing the impeller 1800.
[0058] Although the invention has been described with reference to
specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.
[0059] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of the
ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a
common object, merely indicate that different instances of like
objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that
the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either
temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.
[0060] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" or "example" means that a particular feature,
structure or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or
"in an example" in various places throughout this specification are
not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example,
but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or
characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure,
in one or more embodiments.
[0061] Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above
description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various
features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a
single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose
of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of
one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of
disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an
intention that the claimed invention requires more features than
are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following
claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of
a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Any claims following the
Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this
Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a
separate embodiment of this invention.
[0062] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the
following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the
specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing,"
"computing," "calculating," "determining" or the like, refer to the
action and/or processes of a microprocessor, controller or
computing system, or similar electronic computing or signal
processing device, that manipulates and/or transforms data.
[0063] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include
some but not other features included in other embodiments,
combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be
within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments,
as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the
following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any
combination.
[0064] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be
the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the
art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made
thereto without departing from the scope of the invention, and it
is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall
within the scope of the invention.
[0065] While the present invention has been disclosed with
reference to particular details of construction, these should be
understood as having been provided by way of example and not as
limitations to the scope of the invention.
* * * * *