Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
3~J~3
--1--
FILLING SYSTEM FOR CONTANT VOLUME SUPPLY
OF COMPRESSIBLE VISCOUS FLOWABLE MATERIAL
This application is a divisional of Application Serial
No. 444,686, filed January 4, 1984.
TECHN CAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a filling system
for supply constant voiumes of a compressible, viscous, flow-
able material in a consistent and repeated manner. The system
includes means for pumping the compressible material to a meter-
ing device and means to sense the existence of a predetermined
pressure upstream of said metering device. A motor intermittent-
ly drives the metering device for a predetermined time period,
and which is actuated in response to the pressure sensing device
and is stopped after the predetermined time period. The meter-
ing device is a positive displacement, volumetric lobe pump,
which will not permit leakage of the viscous material during
the time the metering device is not being driven and which will
dispense the viscous material at a constant, volumetric rate
during the times the metering device is being driven.
While the invention is described below in terms of
the production of frozen confections, the invention is suitable
for any use where a repeated delivery of a predetermined constant
volume of a compressible, viscous fluid at a constant rate is
desired.
In the technology relating to the production of
quiescently frozen confections, for example such as fruit
flavored pops having sticks projecting therefrom, such as the
products marketed under the trade mark POPSICLES, numerous
apparatuses and methods have been developed through the utiliza-
tion of which such frozen confections can be produced at reason-
ably economical production rates. Generally, apparatuses which
are employed for this purpose provide for a large number of
molds which are conveyed past a filling system in an inverted
(i.e. closed bottom and open top) position, and with a filler
nozzle for the confection material being adapted to dispense
a predetermined or metered quantity of the material into the
mold. The filled moids are then conveyed
1243~)~3
-- 2 --
through a cooling bath wherein, at some predeter-
mined location, suitable sticks may be inserted into
the almost frozen confection, and, thereafter, the
confection is completely frozen, removed from the
05 mold and packaged.
BACKGROUND ART
Among various apparatuses which are designed to
assist in the development of this technology is
Harper et al. U.S. Patent 4,323,336 which discloses
a machine for inserting sticks into frozen confec-
tions wherein the frozen confection has been pre-
viously filled into molds.
Similarly Betschart et al. U.S. Patent 3,763,661
discloses an apparatus for forming frozen confec-
tions wherein a plurality of molds are conveyed
beneath a filling arrangement and adapted to have
the confection material filled into the molds in a
sequential order.
A similar method and machine is disclosed in
Lampman U.S. Patent 3,335,579 wherein a continuous
conveyor system supports a pIurality of molds which `
are filled in the inverted position, and wherein
sticks may than be inserted into the partially-
frozen material contained in the molds.
Furthermore, Betschart U.S. Patent 3,771,322
discloses an apparatus for the filling of molds
wherein a plurality of manifolds may be employed for
supplying confections of different flavors to var-
ious rows of inverted molds.
Other apparatuses and methods for providing forthe filling of inverted molds with product which is
to be frozen into suitable blocks or slabs and which
may have sticks inserted therein can be found in
Hirahara et al. U.S. Patents 3,403,639 and 3,488,976
` ~24;~Q3
-- 3 -
in which a mold filler nozzle arrangement continu-
ously fills molds which are passed therebeneath
while supported on an endless conveyor system wi$h a
confection material of a fluid consistency, with the
05 filled molds then being conducted through a tank for
effecting the freezing of the material in the molds,
and wherein the frozen material is then removed from
the molds and suitably wrapped while the emptied
molds are washed and returned to the filling arrange-
ment.
Additional conveyor and filler systems forproducing frozen confections are disclosed in Cross
et al. U.S. Patent 4,253,560 and Tumey et al. U.S.
Patent 4,209,288, wherein the molds are adapted to
be filled with gelatinous confection material
through suitable filling devices and in which the
molds, and product which has been frozen therein,
are conveyed through suitable processing cycles for
removal of the frozen product from the molds and
effectuating the subsequent wrapping of the frozen
confection product.
Basically, although many of these machines and
methods provide suitable arrangements and systems
for the rapid filling of large numbers of molds with
confectionary products which are to be frozen and
subsequently wrapped and packaged after removal from
the molds, quite frequently the flowable confection
material which has previously been brought into at
least a semi-frozen and gelatinous consistency in a
suitable supply reservoir will not readily flow or
dispense in a sufficiently precisely metered measure
due to the high viscosity of the material. Further,
the prior art machines known to the inventors herein
are not capable of dispensing uniform volumes of a
compressible fluid especially at high line speeds
(e.g. above 25 cycles per minute).
` ~Z~3V~3
- 4 -
Commercial operation is further complicated bythe fact that continuous freezers and aerators are
desirably employed to feed a compressible (i.e.
aerated) semi-frozen fluid to the filling system.
05 The actual filling takes place, however, in a semi-
continuous or intermittent manner. Further, the
viscosity of the fluid can vary significantly with
minor changes in temperature and the density of the
fluid will vary with changes in aeration due to
either operating or ingredient variations. It is of
importance that the material be dispensed into the
molds at a constant volumetric flow rate thereby
ensuring the presence of precisely filled molds at
all times during the operation of the frozen confec-
tion producing apparatuses.
Although different types of metering valves andpumps have been developed for conducting incompres-
sible flowable materials through various devices and
also for filling molds, these have not found ready
utilization in connection with processes directed to
the uniform and constant conveyance of compressible
materials, such as those constituted essentially of
aerated semi-frozen, highly-viscous confection
materials, having essentially an ice cream-like or
gelatinous consistency.
Ricciardi et alp U.S. Patent 4,111,272 dis-
closes a weigh feeding apparatus wherein material is
metered from a refill source through a refill con-
troller into a discharge hopper through the genera-
tion of electronic signals for controlling the rateof the discharge, and in which the signal is gener-
ated in proportion to the weight of the discharge
material and to allow for corrective action to be
taken in response to the weight deviating from a
predetermined value. Although the relatively com-
~2~3L3~3-- 5 --
plex arrangement disclosed in this patent would
provide for accurate weight measurement of any
product which is being dispensed, it does not appear
to be-practically applicable to the conveyance and
05 feed of compressible materials in a semi-frozen
condition, and which is of a viscous, gelatinous or
cr~am-like consistency.
Moule U.S. Patent 3,889,013 discloses a method
for making skinless food products, wherein liquefied
material is conveyed, admixed with other materials
and then transported at a predetermined rate through
various conduits toward a discharge orifice. As in
Ricciardi et al., the apparatus is not adapted for
the conveyance and metered dispensing of compres-
sible confection materials having an ice cream-like
or gelatinous consistency and in which the material
is in a semi-frozen, high viscosity state.
Smith U.S. Patent 3,543,784 discloses a flow
control system wherein a plurality of flow control-
lers regulate a valve downstream of a pump in orderto provide for metered amounts of material flow. In
this instance the flow control is primarily for a
smoothly flowing fluid and is not adapted to provide
for the metered dispensing of an compressible semi-
frozen material hiving an ice cream-like or gelatin-
ous consistency without the formation of voids in
the fed material which conceivably could lead to the
uneven and possibly interrupted filling of a plural-
ity of molds for frozen confections.
Other filling systems and metering for various
types of fluids or the like are disclosed in Becket
et al. U.S. Patent 4,141,287; Anderson et al. U.S.
Patent 2,877,121; Bernard U.S. Patents 4,124,339 and
4,060,998; Holgcker U.S. Patent 2,876,111; and
Billett et al. U.S. Patents 3,30,245 and 4,324,108.
- 6 -
However, none of these prior art patents are adapted
for the consistent metered feeding of an compres-
sible viscous liquid material having an ice cream-
like or gelatinous consistency, and wherein the
05 compressible material is in a semi-frozen state when
supplied to a mold filling system in a continuous
manner from a suitable supply reservoir.
It is a primary object of the present invention
to provide an apparatus for the improved and more
precise filling of molds employed for a frozen
confection through the utilization of an inverted
mold filling arrangement.
A more specific object of the present invention
is to prGvide a novel metering pump arrangement
which will ensure that a constant metered flow of a
semi-frozen confection material is supplied to
filling nozzles employed in the filling of the molds
in order to ensure the uniform filling of the molds
while concurrently precluding the formation of voids
in the material.
Still another object of the present invention
i to provide a novel filling nozzle construction
for the inventive apparatus wherein the nozzles are
adapted to provide for the admixing of two different
types of confection materials in order to provide a
frozen confection of enhanced asthetic appearance
and multiple flavors.
Ye another object of the present invention is
to provide a method for producing a frozen confec-
tion utilizing the apparatus as set forth herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference may now be had to the followingdetailed description of exemplary embodiments of an
apparatus for forming a frozen confection pursuant
2 3~ 3
- 7 - .
to the invention taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings; in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a generally diagrammatic
representation of an apparatus for producing frozen
05 confections pursuant to the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a generally diagrammatic
representation of the filling portion of the appar-
atus of Figure 1, shown in a side elevational view;
Figure 3 is an end view of the apparatus taken
in the direction of line 3-3 in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view
through a first embodiment of a filling nozzle and
metering device arrangement for the apparatus of
Figure l;
Figure 5 is an end view of the nozzle arrange
ment of Figure 4;
Figure 6 illustrates a detail of the dispensing
nozzle of Figure 4, shown partly in section;
Figure 7 is an end view of the dispensing end
of the nozzle of Figure 6;
Figure illustrates a sectional view taken
along line 8-8 in Figure 6;
Figures 9 and 10 illustrate, respectively,
longitudinal views of a modified embodiment of the
filling nozzle for the mixing of two materials;
Figure 11 illustrates an end view of the nozzle
of Figures 9 and 10 viewed from the dispensing end
thereof;
Figure 12 i.llustrates a longitudinal sectional
view through a modified embodiment of the filling
nozzle arrangement;
Figure 13 illustrates a fragmentary detail of
the dispensing end of the filling nozzle; and
Figure 14 illustrates a further fragmentary
detail of the filling nozzle dispensing end.
~Z~3~03
- 8 -
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
_ _
Although this invention is described in terms
of the production of frozen confections, it will be
apparent that the invention is suitable for any
05 instance where a repeated delivery of a predeter-
mined constant volume of a compressible, viscous
fluid at a constant rate is desired. The scope of
this invention is therefore not limited to the
production of frozen confections.
The present invention provides for an apparatus
and for a method of dispensing a compressible, (e.g.
aerated) viscous, flowable confection material
having an ice cream-like or gelatinous consistency
and which is in a semi-frozen state, into a plur-
ality of inverted molds for the formation of frozen
confections, wherein the confection material is
filled into the molds at a constant volume and feed
rate through the interposition of novel filling
nozzles and metering pump devices which will pre-
clude the formation of voids in the dispensed mater-
ial by ensuring the repeated and uninterrupted
supply of metered quantities of the confection
material to the nozzles and molds from the metering
pump devices.
In connection with the foregoing, the inventive
apparatus enables the production of frozen confec-
tions from a supply of a generally semi-frozen,
compressible material having a highly viscous consis-
tency, wherein the material is rapidly and accur-
ately metered into a series of inverted molds whichare sequentially indexed into position below a
filling station, and in which filling nozzles are
inserted into the molds so as to fill the latter
with the material to the desired extent as the
nozzles are raised upwardly out of the molds.
~2'~3~)3
Moreover, the invention contemplates the provision
of novel metering pump means wherein constant mater-
ed volumes of the confection material are repeatedly
supplied to the filler nozzles. According to this
05 invention a positive-displacement metering pump
device communicates with an upstream pump means
which will continuously feed the compressible,
flowable confection material to the metering pump
device. The metering pump device is actuated in
response to a pressure sensing means and is driven
by means of a timed motor, such that at a predeterm-
ined positive pressure created by the flowable
confection material, the metering device will oper-
ate for a predetermined and set period of time
thereby supplying a constant volume of confection
material downstream. The material dispersed from
the metering device will be free of voids and of
constant volume. This invention presents an extrem-
ely accurate apparatus and method for precisely
metering the required amounts of compressible con-
fection material into the molds at speeds in excess
of 25 cycles per minute without the creation of
voids or the possibility of non-uniform filling of
the molds.
According to this invention the metering device
is in the form of a rotary valve and is designed
with sufficiently close tolerences such that when it
is not in operation it will serve as a seal between
the pressure head created by the upstream material
and downstream material which is essentially at
atmospheric pressures. In this manner no leakage is
permitted. When the metering device is set in
operation it will take in and dispense constant
volumes of material in the manner of a volumetric,
positive displacement lobe pump. A piston device
~LZ43~)(J3
- 10 -
would not be able to take in and dispense constant
volumes of a compressible material at a reasonable
rate.
Pursuant to another feature of the invention,
05 the filling nozzles, which are reciprocated down-
wardly into and then raised out of the molds during
the filling sequence may be provided with secondary
infeed sources for incorporating an additional
confection material, such as a colored and/or fla-
vored syrup, to the basic confection material beingadvanced through the nozzles in order to create an
admixture of materials forming attractive decorative
coloring patterns and/or imparting multiple flavors
to the finished frozen confection.
In a specific design of the filling nozzle
construction, the additional confection material may
be introduced, concurrent with the filling of the
molds with the basic confection material, in a
generally helical or swirl pattern by a rotating
tube within the nozzles so as to enhance the asthet-
ic appearance of the finished confection product to
a consumer.
Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is
diagrammatically illustrated an apparatus 10 for
producing frozen confections FC which, in this
instance, may consist of blocks having a so-called
"frozen" configuration with a suitable projecting
gripping stick embedded therein, as is well known in
the art and in commerce. The apparatus 10 generally
includes an endless conveyor system 12 which is
transported in the direction of arrows A. Carried
by the conveyor system 12 are a large number of
molds 14 which have an internal configuration in
conformance with the frozen confection which is to
be produced by the apparatus. The molds 14 may be
~2'~30~)3
spaced not only along the length of the conveyor
system 12, but a plurality of molds may be position-
ed in a side-by-side relationship extending across
the width of the apparatus so as to provide for a
05 number of production lines.
Arranged above the upper run of the conveyor
system 12, as shown towards the left end of the
apparatus 10, is a mold filling arrangement 16
pursuant to the invention, and which is adapted to
fill the molds 14 positioned below the filling
station with a suitable confection material, in this
instance, a semi-frozen, compressible, flowable
material having a high viscosity. The confection
material is pumped from a suitable supply source or
reservoir (not shown), such as a continuous freezer
or refrigeration installation, in which the material
is maintained in a generally semi-frozen condition
adapted to be pumped towards the filling arrangement
16.
The molds 14, subsequent to being filled with
the confection material by the filling arrangement
16, are conveyed into a freezing zone 18 containing
a suitable freezing liquid or brine for freezing the
confection material within the molds 14 into a
solidified frozen condition. Prior to the confec-
tion material being completely frozen, suitable
sticks may be partially immersed into the material
contained in the molds 14 through the intermediary
of a stick inserting mechanism 20, as is well known
in the art. From that location molds 14 containing
the frozen material is conducted to a treatment
station 22 which will facilitate the removal of the
frozen confection from the molds 14, while providing
for the coating of the confection, such as with a
thin layer of ice, and from there transported to a
3~ 3
- 12 -
wrapping station 24 for individually enveloping each
of the frozen confections FC with a suitable over-
wrap. From there the frozen confections may be
conducted onto a suitable conveyor arrangement 26
S for further packaging and shipping, while the empty
molds 14 are conducted by the lower run of the
conveyor system 12, after passing through a washing
installation (not shown), back to the filling arrange-
ment 16.
Referring in greater particularity to the
filling arrangement 16, as shown in Figures 2 and 3
of the drawings, the arrangement includes a station-
ary frame 30 which may include uprights 32 and 34,
and horizontal frame components 36 and 38. The
frame structure 30 supports a metering pump unit 40
having a filler nozzle unit 42 operatively connected
thereto. The filler nozzle unit 42 includes ver-
tïcally displaceable dispensing nozzles 44 adapted
to be reciprocated into and out of the molds 14
along the direction of arrow B.
The vertical reciprocation is imparted to the
dispensing nozzle 44 in that a pivotable actuating
arm 46 is articulated at one end thereof to the
upper end of the dispensing nozzles, with the other
end of the arm being fastened to an actuating unit
48, which may be hydraulically or pneumatically
operated, and wherein reciprocation of the actuating
element of unit 48 may operate a cam 50 which, in
turn, causes the actuating arm 46 to pivot either
upwardly or downwardly. A supply of the semi-frozen
confection material is continuously pumped through
the manifold 52 from a suitable reservoir or supply
source (not shown) into the metering pump 40.
Referring in Aetail to the metering pump 40 and
the filling nozzle unit 42, illustrated in Figures 4
~'~43~ 3
- 13 -
and 5 of the drawings, as mentioned, the metering
pump 40 receives a continuous supply of the pressur-
ized confection material from the manifold 52 through
pump inlet 56. The metering pump 40 consists of a
05 housing 58 which may be designed to supply two
filling nozzles units 42, as shown in Figure 5, by
having two separate sets of annular valve chambers
arranged in side-by- side or tandem relationship.
For purposes of clarity only one set of valve cham-
bers is described herein for supplying a singledispensing nozzle 44 with confection material.
Arranged in the lobe chambers in the housing 58 of
the metering pump 40 are, respectively, two rotat-
able arcuate lobe members 60 and 62 which communi-
cate with each other and contact through inter-
secting annular passageways 64 and 66 and with
passageway 68 leading from the inlet 56. The pass-
ageways 64 and 66 are dimensioned whereby, for each
period of rotation of the respective lobe members 60
and 62, there is advanced, via positive displace-
ment, a metered amount of confection material into
the filling nozzle unit 42. Again as noted previously,
the rotation of the lobes will be driven by a timed
motor and will commence in response to the sensing
Of a predetermined pressure in passageway 68 and the
rotation will cease after a predetermined period of
time has elapsed. As will be apparent, the time
period during which the motor operates will directly
control the amount of material dispensed. As the
material in passageway 64 is advanced into outlet
passageway 70, a similar amount of material is
introduced into the passageway 66 through passageway
68 from the material supply or reservoir through the
manifold 52. Once rotation of the lobe members
ceases flow or leakage through the metering device
~Z43~3Q3
- 14 -
is stopped by the interaction of the lobe membersand the passageways. Thus a consistent supply of
material which is free of any voids is fed to outlet
passageway 70 leading to the filling nozzle unit 42.
S As illustrated, each filling nozzle unit 42 may
consist of a pair of nozzles 44 positioned side-by-
side or in tandem, and with one metering pump 40
attached thereto having a pair of passageways on
both sides thereof adapted to have the lobe members
rotated through the intermediary of a suitable
actuating drive unit positioned on the frame 30.
The filling valve unit 42, in this instance
consisting of two filling nozzles 44~ includes a
housing 72 suitably fastened to the metering pump
40, and has a nozzle stem section 74 slidably arranged
in a stationary guide 76. The stem section 74
includes an elongated longitudinal slot 78 facing
towards the outlet passageway 70 of the metering
pump 40, and is always in communication therewith so
as to allow for the continual flow of confection
material therethrough, with the nozzle and passag-
eway 70 normally being completely filled with mater-
ial. Locked into the bottom end of the stem portion
74, for example, through a bayonet lock, is the
actual filling nozzle 44, as is more closely de-
scribed in connection with Figures 6 through 8, and
which is adapted to be vertically reciprocated into
and out of a mold 14 in the direction of arrow B.
The dispensing nozzle 44 consists of a hollow
tubular portion 80 of generally cylindrical cross-
sec.tional configuration having an anhular flange 82
at one end incorporating a bayonet lock for engaging
the lower end of the stem 74. The lower end of the
nozzle 44 is formed generally flattened slot-like
cross-sectional configuration 84 so as to be readily
~lZ~3~)~3
- 15 -
enabled to move into a mold 14 positioned therebelow
at the filling location of the apparatus 10. Thus,
at the downstroke of the dispensing nozzle unit 42
into a mold 14 which i5 to be filled with confection
05 material contained in the dispensing nozzle unit and
metering pump, the lower end of the section 84
almost contacts the mold bottom interiorly of an
associated mold 14 which is positioned therebelow.
During the upward movement of the filling nozzle 44,
there is concurrently effected rotation of the lobe
members 60 and 62 for a set time cycle so as to
cause a requisite amount of confection material to
be advanced through passageway 70 and the slot 78
interiorly of the dispensing nozzle and out through
the discharge orifice at the lower end of the nozzle
portion 84 into the mold 14. As the nozzle is
raised out of the mold 14 a sufficient amount of
confection material will have been discharged from
the lower end of the nozzle to fill the mold 14,
while, concurrently, the lobe members 60 and 62 are
beeing rotated in the metering pump 40.
When it is desired to form a composite frozen
confection, by incorporating a flow of a second
confection material, such as a colored and/or fla-
vored syrup which is admixed with coated on the baseconfection material, in lieu of the filling nozzle
44 there may be employed a filling nozzle 86 having
a construction as is disclosed in Figures 9 through
11 of the drawings. In this instance, the filling
nozzle 86 which also includes a cylindrical portion
88 and a bayonet-type locking flange or collar 90 at
one end, is provided with a flattened or slot-shaped
lower discharge section 92, similar to the con-
struction of filling nozzle 44. However, in this
instance, along the wall of the flattened nozzle
-
` 4 3~ 3
- 16 -
portion 92 there are provided inlet connections 94
and 96 for conduits or tubes which communicate with
a supply source (not shown) for the syrup adapted to
be applied in a pattern on the base confection
05 material which is advanced downwardly through the
nozzle 86. In order to unsure that the syrup will
not completely dispense into or blend with the
confection material, a longitudinally extending
baffle plate 98 may be provided centrally of the
passageway in the lower conduit portion 92 of the
nozzle 86.
Referring to Figures 12 through 14 of the
drawings, there is illustrated a modified embodiment
of a dispensing nozzle unit 100 which is particular-
ly adapted to apply a second confection material in
the form of a colored syrup in a helical or swirl
type pattern onto the base confection material
advanced through the nozzle from the metering pump
40, in a manner as described hereinbefore.
In this construction, a nozzle stem portion 102
is slidable in the direction of arrow B within astationary guide 104 and is adapted to be articulat-
ed by means of the actuating arm 46 as described
hereinabove. Extending through the valve stem 102
and interiorly of the passageway 106 communicating
with the metering pump 40 is a hollow tube 108 for
the supply of a suitable secondary confection material,
such as a colored syrup, which is introduceable at
the upper end of the hollow tube 108.
As the lower nozzle end 110 is raised out of a
mold with the concurrent discharge of the confection
material from the metering pump into the mold, the
hollow tube 108 may be raised by means of a suitable
valve actuating mechanism (not shown) and concur-
rently rotated through the intermediary of a helix
` ~2~3q3~3
- 17 -
tube 112 fastened Jo a bracket on the support frame
of the apparatus. The sleeve 112 may be adjustable
so as to limit the stroke of the inner tube 108.
Consequently, with the hollow tube 108 being raised
05 upwardly at a different rate of speed relative to
the rising nozzle 110, and concurrently being ro-
tated in a helix, the syrupy material is deposited
in the mold in a generally helical or swirl pattern
providing an attractive decorative effect upon
freezing of the confection.
In order to ensure that the swirling syrup will
be deposited along the outer surfaces of the frozen
confection, for maximum visual effect to a consumer,
suitable deflector plates 114 may be provided proxi-
mate the lower end of the tube, while the tube ismaintained in its central positlon within the nozzle
through the intermediary of a transverse guide plate
116.
Although the apparatus has been described in
connection with the operation of a single nozzle and
metering pump, it is readily apparent to one skilled
in the art that a series of nozzles may be provided
in cooperation with a plurality of metering pumps to
concurrently fill series of molds spaced transverse-
ly across the apparatus, such as twelve or moremolds during any single operative filling sequence.
Subsequent to the filling of a row of molds
with confection material in the manner described
hereinabove, the conveyor of apparatus 10 is indexed
forwardly to position the next row of empty molds
below the filling nozzles, and the entire cycle is
repeated to provide for a continuous, high-speed
filling operation. By means of the apparatus de-
scribed in this invention, filling rates in excess
of 25 cycles per minute, preferably 30 or more, are
possible.
~l2~3V/C~3
- 18 -
From the foregoing it becomes readily apparent
that the novel metering pump and filling nozzle
arrangement allows for the uniform and constant
filling of molds without the creation of voids or
05 non-uniform filling which may be normally encounter-
ed in the conveyance and dispensing of compressible
high viscosity ma.terials.
While there has been described what are con-
sidered to be preferred embodim~n~s of the inven-
tion, it will of course be understood that variousmodifications and changes in form or detail could
readily be made without departing from the spirit of
the invention. It is therefore intended that the
invention be not limited to the exact form and
detail herein shown and described, nor to anything
less than the whole of the invention herein dis-
closed as hereinafter claimed.
