U.S. patent application number 17/668994 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-26 for article of footwear with dispensed components.
The applicant listed for this patent is Reebok International Limited. Invention is credited to Matthew BOUDREAU, Brian CHRISTENSEN, Matthew COSTA, Dennis GABORIAULT.
Application Number | 20220160075 17/668994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220160075 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BOUDREAU; Matthew ; et
al. |
May 26, 2022 |
ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR WITH DISPENSED COMPONENTS
Abstract
A sole for an article of footwear includes a continuous
dispensed component forming a first layer and a second layer. The
first layer is disposed directly on top of the second layer. The
continuous dispensed component forms a medial sidewall and a
lateral sidewall. The first layer includes a starting point where
the continuous dispensed component is first dispensed. The
continuous dispensed component continuously transitions from the
first layer to the second layer at the starting point.
Inventors: |
BOUDREAU; Matthew; (North
Attleboro, MA) ; CHRISTENSEN; Brian; (Centerville,
MA) ; COSTA; Matthew; (Mattapoisett, MA) ;
GABORIAULT; Dennis; (Millbury, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Reebok International Limited |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/668994 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16156681 |
Oct 10, 2018 |
11278081 |
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17668994 |
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International
Class: |
A43B 13/02 20060101
A43B013/02; A43B 9/00 20060101 A43B009/00; A43B 13/04 20060101
A43B013/04; A43B 13/12 20060101 A43B013/12; A43B 23/02 20060101
A43B023/02 |
Claims
1. A method of making a sole for an article of footwear, the method
comprising: continuously dispensing a component to form a first
layer of a medial sidewall and a lateral sidewall, the first layer
beginning at a location and ending at the location; continuously
dispensing the component to form a step up region at the location;
and continuously dispensing the component to form a second layer of
the medial sidewall and the lateral sidewall, the second layer
disposed on top of the first layer and beginning and ending at the
location, wherein the second layer is continuous with the step up
region and the first layer.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising continuously
dispensing additional layers of the medial sidewall and the lateral
sidewall.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first layer is continuously
dispensed onto an upper of the article of footwear.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first layer is continuously
dispensed onto a circular knit material disposed around a last.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first layer is continuously
dispensed onto another component of the sole.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the location is disposed at a
medial edge of the sole.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/156,681, filed Oct. 10, 2018, which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to
articles of footwear; and more specifically to articles of footwear
with dispensed components.
Background
[0003] Articles of footwear serve both functional purposes (e.g.,
protecting and cushioning the wearer's feet) and aesthetic purposes
(e.g., for style). In addition to providing shoes that fulfill
these purposes, shoe manufacturers seek to improve manufacturing
efficiency. Thus, articles of footwear that can be made efficiently
while still achieving the wearer's functional and aesthetic needs
are desirable.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] Articles of footwear with dispensed components are
disclosed. The components may be formed via an automated dispensing
process that is done robotically. In some embodiments, a sole for
an article of footwear includes a continuous dispensed component
forming a first layer and a second layer. In some embodiments, the
first layer is disposed directly on top of the second layer. In
some embodiments, the continuous dispensed component forms a medial
sidewall and a lateral sidewall. In some embodiments, the first
layer includes a starting point where the continuous dispensed
component is first dispensed. In some embodiments, the continuous
dispensed component continuously transitions from the first layer
to the second layer at the starting point.
[0005] In some embodiments, the continuous dispensed component
forms additional layers. In some embodiments, the second layer is
disposed directly on top of the additional layers.
[0006] In some embodiments, the starting point is disposed at a
midfoot of the sole.
[0007] In some embodiments, the continuous dispensed component
forms a perimeter of the sole.
[0008] In some embodiments, the sole also includes an additional
dispensed component disposed within the perimeter of the sole. In
some embodiments, the sole also includes a non-dispensed component
disposed within the perimeter of the sole.
[0009] In some embodiments, an article of footwear includes an
upper and a sole coupled to the upper. In some embodiments, the
sole includes a continuous dispensed component that forms a first
layer and a second layer. In some embodiments, the first layer is
aligned with the second layer. In some embodiments, the continuous
dispensed component forms a medial sidewall and a lateral sidewall.
In some embodiments, the first layer includes a starting point
where the continuous dispensed component is first dispensed. In
some embodiments, the continuous dispensed component continuously
transitions from the first layer to the second layer at the
starting point.
[0010] In some embodiments, the continuous dispensed component
extends around a perimeter of the article of footwear. In some
embodiments, the upper includes a dispensed component. In some
embodiments, the continuous dispensed component is directly coupled
to the upper. In some embodiments, the sole includes a substrate
disposed between the upper and the continuous dispensed component.
In some embodiments, the upper includes a circular knit material.
In some embodiments, the continuous dispensed component forms
additional layers.
[0011] In some embodiments, a method of making a sole for an
article of footwear includes continuously dispensing a component to
form a first layer of a medial sidewall and a lateral sidewall. In
some embodiments, the first layer begins at a location and ends at
the location. In some embodiments, the method also includes
continuously dispensing the component to form a step up region at
the location and continuously dispensing the component to form a
second layer of the medial sidewall and the lateral sidewall. In
some embodiments, the second layer is disposed on top of the first
layer and begins and ends at the location. In some embodiments, the
second layer is continuous with the step up region and the first
layer.
[0012] In some embodiments, the method also includes continuously
dispensing additional layers of the medial sidewall and the lateral
sidewall. In some embodiments, the first layer is continuously
dispensed onto an upper of the article of footwear. In some
embodiments, the first layer is continuously dispensed onto a
circular knit material disposed around a last. In some embodiments,
the first layer is continuously dispensed onto another component of
the sole. In some embodiments, the location is disposed at a medial
edge of the sole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention
and, together with the description, further serve to explain the
principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the
pertinent art to make and use the invention.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a medial perspective view of an article of
footwear according to some embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a medial side view of a sole for an article of
footwear according to some embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a lateral side view of a sole for an article of
footwear according to some embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of a sole for an article of
footwear according to some embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a continuous dispensed component
forming a first layer of a sole for an article of footwear
according to some embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a continuous dispensed component
forming a step up region of a sole for an article of footwear
according to some embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a continuous dispensed component
forming a second layer of a sole for an article of footwear
according to some embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 8 shows a top view of a sole for an article of footwear
according to some embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 9 shows a lateral side view of an article of footwear
according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to indicate
identical or functionally similar elements. References to "one
embodiment", "an embodiment", "an example embodiment", etc.,
indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not
necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or
characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily
referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection
with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge
of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or
characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not
explicitly described.
[0024] The term "invention" or "present invention" as used herein
is a non-limiting term and is not intended to refer to any single
embodiment of the particular invention but encompasses all possible
embodiments as described in the application.
[0025] The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting,
of the present invention. Other suitable modifications and
adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally
encountered in the field, and which would be apparent to those
skilled in the art, are within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0026] Embodiments of the present invention provide articles of
footwear having one or more dispensed components created by an
automated dispensing process. It is understood that while the term
"dispensed" is generally used herein to refer to certain materials,
these materials may also be "extruded." Thus, the term "dispensed
component" includes components that are dispensed and components
that are extruded. These dispensed components may be dispensed from
a mechanical device. In some embodiments, the dispensed components
are 3-D printed. In some embodiments, the dispensed components are
not 3-D printed.
[0027] In some embodiments, an upper and/or a sole of the article
of footwear may have one or more dispensed components. In some
embodiments, an upper and/or a sole, or portions thereof, can be
formed from one or more dispensed components. In some embodiments,
the dispensed component can be a single, continuous piece of solid
material. A dispensed footwear component can have advantages over
traditionally-formed components, such as those made by casting,
pouring, injection molding, screen-printing, or thermo-plastically
forming. For example, a dispensed component can be customized
without having to machine a new, expensive mold. The use of
dispensed components can also allow for the use of shapes and
geometries that are difficult to achieve using conventional upper
or bottom molding techniques. Moreover, the data and knowledge to
make a dispensed component can be quickly deployed to any location
that houses equipment and material suitable for processing.
[0028] Various physical properties of the dispensed component can
be manipulated, adjusted, altered, and/or modified. For example, in
some embodiments, the width, length, shape, wall thickness, color,
density, elasticity, material, viscosity, hardness, number of
layers, etc. of the dispensed component can vary along the
dispensed component or between a first and second dispensed
component. As an example, a dispensed component on an upper may be
less viscous than a dispensed component on a sole, which can help
the dispensed component on the upper lay flat. As another example,
a dispensed upper component may be rigid in a first portion,
flexible in a second portion that is continuous with the first
portion, and rigid in a third portion that is continuous with the
second portion. The dispensed upper component may similarly vary in
other characteristics, such as color or in the number of
layers.
[0029] In some embodiments, the dispensed component can be made of
rubber, foam (e.g., dispensed polyurethane foam), silicone, plastic
including thermoplastic (e.g., polyurethane (such as TPU), nylon,
or polypropylene), or any other suitable material. In some
embodiments, the dispensed component can be made of a composite
material. In some embodiments, the cross-section of the dispensed
component can be substantially circular, oval, rectangular,
triangular, square, or any other suitable shape or design (e.g.,
star-shaped). In some embodiments, the cross-section of the
dispensed component can be relatively flat (i.e., low profile).
Moreover, the cross-section of the dispensed component may be
adjusted dynamically and may vary throughout the automated
dispensing process. In some embodiments, the dispensed component
can be dispensed directly onto the article of footwear, such as
directly onto the sole (e.g., insole, midsole, and/or outsole) or
the upper. For example, the dispensed component can be dispensed
directly onto a formed upper on a last (e.g., a flat knit upper, a
circular knit upper, a formed three-dimensional knit, a sock, a
fully-finished traditionally-lasted upper, etc.). The upper may be
made of a textile fabric, leather, synthetic, or film product. In
some embodiments, the dispensing or extruding is done automatically
(i.e., robotically). In some embodiments, a scanner may scan the
upper and then robotically dispense the dispensed component onto
the upper based on the scan.
[0030] In some embodiments, the dispensed component may bond (e.g.,
by thermal fusion, chemical adhesion, or mechanical locking) to a
portion of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, the
dispensed component may form a portion of the sole of the article
of footwear. In some embodiments, one or more dispensed components
may form the entire sole of the article of footwear. In some
embodiments, a single, continuous dispensed component forms a
medial sidewall and a lateral sidewall. In some embodiments, the
sidewalls each have multiple layers (all formed from the single,
continuous dispensed component). In some embodiments, the layers
are disposed directly on top of each other so that they are aligned
with each other. In some embodiments, the continuous dispensed
component has a starting point (i.e., where it is first dispensed).
In some embodiments, each layer begins and ends at the starting
point and the continuous dispensed component continuously dispenses
to form a step up region from one layer to the next. Forming the
sole with a dispensed component may provide flexibility and speed
in development and manufacturing of the sole, while still meeting
the functional and aesthetic purposes of the sole.
[0031] In some embodiments, the article of footwear may include or
utilize any of the extruded/dispensed components or other features
disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/455,650, filed Aug. 8,
2014, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/945,077, filed Nov. 18, 2015,
U.S. application Ser. No. 15/644,463, filed Jul. 7, 2017, and/or
U.S. application Ser. No. 15/831,851, filed Dec. 5, 2017, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by
reference thereto.
[0032] In some embodiments, dispensed components may be utilized in
an article of footwear 10, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. In
some embodiments, article of footwear 10 comprises an upper 20 and
a sole 30. In some embodiments, upper 20 and sole 30 are coupled
together. In some embodiments, upper 20 comprises one or more
dispensed components 22. In some embodiments, sole 30 comprises one
or more dispensed components 32. In some embodiments, article of
footwear 10 comprises both upper dispensed component(s) 22 and sole
dispensed component(s) 32 (see FIG. 1). However, in some
embodiments, article of footwear 10 may include either sole
dispensed component(s) 32 or upper dispensed component(s) 22, and
not both.
[0033] In some embodiments, dispensed components 22, 32 may be
dispensed onto a surface so as to provide a dispensed component
that extends above the surface at a certain width and height
profile. In some embodiments, the height, width, or geometry or
physical appearance/characteristic of the dispensed components may
be dynamically changed as the components are dispensed onto article
of footwear 10, such as onto upper 20, sole 30, or another surface
(e.g., another layer of a dispensed component). In some
embodiments, the geometry or physical appearance/characteristics of
the dispensed components may be changed by dynamically changing the
height of the nozzle (relative to the dispensing surface or
substrate) from which the material, used to form the component, is
dispensed. In some embodiments, the geometry or physical
appearance/characteristics of the dispensed components may be
changed by dynamically changing the speed at which the nozzle is
moving as the material is dispensed and the component is formed. In
some embodiments, the geometry or physical
appearance/characteristics of the dispensed components may be
changed by dynamically changing the flow rate of the material that
is dispensed. Other parameters may be changed to dynamically change
the height, width, or other characteristic of the dispensed
components. In some embodiments, the density or viscosity of the
dispensed components may be changed.
[0034] Upper 20 may be made of a variety of materials (e.g., a
textile fabric, woven or knit goods, leather, synthetic, a film
product, etc.). For example, upper 20 may be a circular knit
material. In some embodiments, upper 20 may be made of a
combination of these materials.
[0035] At least a portion of sole 30 may be made with dispensed
component 32. Dispensed component 32 may provide a sole 30 that
fulfills both functional and aesthetic purposes and can be
manufactured efficiently. In some embodiments, sole 30 is made
entirely of one or more dispensed components 32.
[0036] In some embodiments, dispensed component 32 forms a medial
sidewall 36 (see FIGS. 1-2). In some embodiments, dispensed
component 32 forms a lateral sidewall 38 (see FIG. 3). In some
embodiments, dispensed component 32 forms a perimeter 18 of sole
30. In some embodiments, perimeter 18 extends around the entire
perimeter of article of footwear 10. In some embodiments, perimeter
18 (including medial sidewall 36 and lateral sidewall 38) is formed
by a single, continuous dispensed component 32.
[0037] In some embodiments, continuous dispensed component 32 forms
a plurality of layers 40, 42, 44, 46 to form medial sidewall 36 and
lateral sidewall 38. In some embodiments, first layer 40 of
continuous dispensed component 32 is dispensed directly onto a
bottom surface of the upper 20 to form at least a portion of sole
30 (see FIGS. 1 and 5). In some embodiments, first layer 40 of
continuous dispensed component 32 is dispensed onto a substrate 28
(see FIG. 9). In some embodiments, subsequent layers are dispensed
directly onto the previous layer. Thus, in the completed sole 30,
first layer 40 may be disposed directly on top of second layer 42,
second layer 42 may be disposed directly on top third layer 44, and
third layer 44 may be disposed directly on top of fourth layer 46.
In some embodiments, each of layers 40, 42, 44, 46 are aligned with
each other.
[0038] In some embodiments, first layer 40 comprises a starting
point at location 50 where continuous dispensed component 32 is
first dispensed. In some embodiments, location 50 is disposed at a
medial edge of sole 30. In some embodiments, location 50 is
disposed at a lateral edge of sole 30. In some embodiments,
location 50 is disposed in a midfoot 14 of sole 30, as shown, for
example, in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, location 50 is disposed in
a heel 12 or a forefoot 16 of sole 30.
[0039] In some embodiments, first layer 40 extends from location 50
around perimeter 18 of sole 30 until it again reaches location 50.
Thus, first layer 40 may begin and end at location 50. In some
embodiments, continuous dispensed component 32 continues to be
dispensed onto first layer 40, thus forming second layer 42. Second
layer 42 may follow first layer 40 around perimeter 18 of sole 30
until it reaches location 50. For example, second layer 42 may be
aligned with first layer 40. Thus, second layer 42 may begin and
end at location 50. In some embodiments, second layer 42 is
dispensed onto first layer 40 so that first layer 40 is disposed
directly on top of second layer 42.
[0040] Additional layers, such as third layer 44 and fourth layer
46, may be formed using the same dispensing process. This
dispensing process forms a step up region 52 disposed at location
50. At step up region 52, continuous dispensed component 32 steps
up from one layer to the next. Thus, multiple layers (for example,
each of layers 40, 42, 44, 46) may be formed from a single
continuous dispensed component 32. The combined layers 40, 42, 44,
46 may form both medial sidewall 36 (as shown in FIG. 2) and
lateral sidewall 38 (as shown in FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the
continuous dispensed component 32 forms a perimeter of sole 30. In
some embodiments, the continuous dispensed component 32 extends
around a perimeter of article of footwear 10.
[0041] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate an example dispensing process to form
sole 30 with continuous dispensed component 32. In some
embodiments, continuous dispensed component 32 is dispensed
directly onto upper 20 to form sole 30. For example, in some
embodiments, upper 20 is disposed on a last 26. In some
embodiments, upper 20 may be a knit material, such as a circular
knit material 24 (see FIGS. 5-7). Other types of materials may also
be used for upper 20 with the dispensing process.
[0042] In some embodiments, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 5-7,
the component is dispensed from a nozzle 54. In some embodiments,
the relative position of nozzle 54 and upper 20 is adjustable. In
some embodiments, nozzle 54 is movable. In some embodiments, last
26 is movable. In some embodiments, both nozzle 54 and last 26 are
movable. Nozzle 54 may be disposed at location 50 when it begins
dispensing. In some embodiments, nozzle 54, last 26, or both begins
to move when nozzle 54 starts dispensing. As the relative position
of nozzle 54 and upper 20 changes, nozzle 54 continuously dispenses
first layer 40, as shown in FIG. 5. Any pattern may be used for
first layer 40. In some embodiments, the pattern of first layer 40
goes around the perimeter of upper 20 to form perimeter 18 of sole
30.
[0043] In some embodiments, nozzle 54 returns again to location 50,
as shown, for example, in FIG. 6. As nozzle 54 passes over location
50, nozzle 54 continues to dispense a continuous component, thus
forming step up region 52 where continuous dispensed component 32
steps up from first layer 40 to second layer 42. Thus, the
transition from first layer 40 to second layer 42 may be a smooth
transition without discontinuity. In some embodiments, second layer
42 is continuous with step up region 52 and first layer 40. In some
embodiments, continuous dispensed component 32 continuously
transitions from first layer 40 to second layer 42 at the starting
point or location 50.
[0044] In some embodiments, nozzle 54 continues to dispense
component 32 to form second layer 42, as shown, for example, in
FIG. 7. As discussed above, second layer 42 may be aligned with
first layer 40. Thus, when article of footwear 10 is in use, first
layer 40 is disposed directly on top of second layer 42. Additional
layers (e.g., third layer 44 and fourth layer 46) may be formed by
continuing this same dispensing process. Each transition between
layers is located at step up region 52, which is at location
50.
[0045] A similar dispensing process may be used even when
continuous dispensed component 32 is not dispensed directly onto
upper 20. For example, sole 30 may include a substrate 28 (see FIG.
9) and continuous dispensed component 32 may be dispensed onto
substrate 28 in a similar manner as the process described with
respect to FIGS. 5-7. As shown in FIG. 9, in some embodiments,
substrate 28 is disposed between upper 20 and continuous dispensed
component 32.
[0046] This dispensing process forms an aesthetically pleasing
sole. Other than step up region 52, each layer 40, 42, 44, 46
appears to be a distinct layer separate from other layers, giving
sole 30 a clean look, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. Even at
step up region 52, because each layer steps up together, sole 30
maintains a clean look, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2.
[0047] In some embodiments, sole 30 comprises one or more
additional components 34 in addition to dispensed component 32, as
shown, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 8. In some embodiments,
additional components 34 may be disposed within perimeter 18 (e.g.,
between medial sidewall 36 and lateral sidewall 38), as shown, for
example, in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, additional component 34 is
a non-dispensed component. In some embodiments, as in FIG. 4,
additional component 34 is a dispensed component. In some
embodiments, sole 30 includes an additional component 34 that is
formed with a dispensed component in a similar manner as described
above with respect to continuous dispensed component 32, but is
dispensed within continuous dispensed component 32, as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 8. For example, sole 30 in FIGS. 4 and 8 includes
additional component 34 that follows along an interior side of
continuous dispensed component 32, thus forming a smaller version
of medial sidewall 36 and lateral sidewall 38 within perimeter 18.
In some embodiments, additional component 34 may be dispensed with
a different pattern than continuous dispensed component 32. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, sole 30 may include an
additional component 34 disposed in forefoot 16. Although
additional component 34 may have a different pattern, the formation
of layers may be the same as continuous dispensed component 32.
Additional components 34 may function to provide additional support
for the wearer.
[0048] In some embodiments, sole 30 comprises an outsole 48. In
some embodiments, outsole 48 comprises a non-dispensed component.
In some embodiments outsole 48 comprises a dispensed component 32.
In some embodiments, outsole 48 may be formed with the same
continuous dispensed component 32 that forms layers 40, 42, 44, 46.
In some embodiments, even where outsole 48 is the same continuous
dispensed component 32 that forms layers 40, 42, 44, 46, at least
one characteristic of dispensed component is different for outsole
48 than for the other layers 40, 42, 44, 46. For example, outsole
48 may be a different color, viscosity, density, thickness, etc.,
or a combination of these characteristics. In some embodiments,
outsole 48 is disposed on continuous dispensed component 32 and
additional components 34 (see FIG. 4). In some embodiments, outsole
48 includes multiple, distinct pieces. For example, outsole 48 may
include a first piece that is disposed on continuous dispensed
component 32 and an additional component 34 and a second piece that
is disposed only on a different additional component 34. In some
embodiments, outsole 48 includes only a single piece.
[0049] Various embodiments described herein provide an article of
footwear that protects and cushions the wearer's foot, while also
fulfilling aesthetic purposes. Moreover, manufacturing this article
of footwear is efficient. Further variations of the embodiments
described above may also be provided.
[0050] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will
so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others
can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily
modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific
embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from
the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such
adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning
and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the
teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that
the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of
description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or
phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by
the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.
[0051] The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be
limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but
should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and
their equivalents.
* * * * *