Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LIQUID CONTAINERS
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This invention claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional
Application Serial
No. 61/178,827, entitled "Liquid Container," filed May 15, 2009, the
disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
to [0002] The present embodiments relate generally to liquid containers, and
more particularly
to bottles with improved structural stability desirably configured to be
formed from a fully
recyclable material, such as an organically-based biopolymer. The containers
may be used
for numerous types of liquids, including waters, juices and other types of
beverages, as well
as for non-beverage liquids.
[0003] Recyclable materials are well known in the art, and are commonly used
for both
products (newspapers, for example) and for packaging for products (bottles for
beverages, for
example) (collectively, "products"). Paper, glass, plastics, cardboard and the
like are readily
recycled through refuse collection programs in homes and business.
[0004] Typically, such programs involve the use of designated containers for
recyclable
products. When a recyclable product is ready to be discarded, it is placed in
an appropriately-
labeled container (paper, glass, plastic, etc.) and it is collected by a waste
hauler along with
other, non-recyclable waste.
[0005] Sometimes, consumers of the recyclable products sort the materials
themselves; other
times, recyclable products formed of many different types of recyclable
materials are
consolidated into a single container where they are later sorted by the waste
hauler and/or a
specialized recycling center.
[0006] Prior art recycling systems have met with only marginal success. While
some states
and countries have gone so far as to implement legislation, such as bottle
deposits, designed
to encourage recycling of recyclable products, statistics show that a large
portion of
recyclable products never get recycled.
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[0007] With an ever-increasing focus on the environment, and renewable and
recyclable
materials, products, packaging and systems, conventional recycling systems and
materials are
being revisited.
[0008] For example, many traditional plastic water bottles typically are made
from PET
(polyethylene terephthalate), a petroleum-based plastic. Although PET bottles
are considered
"recyclable," it is estimated that approximately 80% of PET bottles end of up
in landfills and
never get recycled. Additionally, a number of petroleum-based plastics, such
as polystyrene
(#6), are not recyclable at all.
[0009] Not only are PET bottles formed from a non-renewable material
(petroleum), the
production and disposal of petroleum-based plastics can have negative
environmental and
societal effects, such as increased dependence on oil, increased creation of
greenhouse gases,
increased pollution, increased usage of landfills and increased public litter.
Thus, there is a
need for materials that are truly 100% renewable and recyclable, with a
substantially-reduced
environmental impact.
[0010] One such material has been developed by Natureworks LLC under the brand
name
IngeoTM. Such material is an organically-based biopolymer (polylactic acid or
"PLA") that is
derived from 100% annually renewable resources such as plants. Organically-
based
biopolymers are used to make numerous products, everything from packaging and
consumer
goods to fibers for apparel to furnishings. Because organically-based
biopolymers are
derived from renewable resources instead of petroleum, they are substantially
more
environmentally-friendly than traditional petroleum-based plastics.
[0011] For example, while a traditional PET bottle may take an estimated 1000
years (or
more) to degrade in a typical landfill, a similar bottle formed from an
organically-based
biopolymer may degrade in as little as 75-80 days in a commercial compost.
[0012] While organically-based biopolymer products are significantly more
environmentally-
friendly than traditional prior art PET-based products, perhaps their most
important
advantage is that they are 100% recyclable. That is, while perhaps only 5% of
PET regrind
can be recycled into new PET products, 100% of organically-based biopolymer
products can
be recycled to make new products.
[0013] Despite the significant environmental advantages of organically-based
biopolymer
products, the use of organically-based biopolymer materials to manufacture
such products
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faces many challenges. For example, it has been found that products formed
from such
materials are easily susceptible to structural deformation over time.
[0014] In particular, bottles formed of organically-based biopolymer materials
may have a
relatively short "shelf life," on the order of six months or less, before the
structural integrity
of the bottle begins to fail and the bottle undesirably undergoes deformation.
[0015] Such deformation often includes contraction or collapse of the bottle
walls known as
"paneling." Paneling of a bottle creates an unsightly appearance and can cause
label
distortion, stress cracking and spillage or leakage of the bottle contents.
[0016] If bottles formed of organically-based biopolymer materials are to be
accepted and
used on a widespread basis, and if the environment and societal benefits of
fully-recyclable
bottles formed from organically-based biopolymer materials are to be
recognized in a
meaningful way, it is crucial that such bottles be configured to have improved
structural
stability to counteract the inherent characteristics of organically-based
biopolymer materials.
SUMMARY
[0017] The present embodiments provide improved liquid containers having
enhanced
structural integrity. In one embodiment, a liquid container comprises a cap
region, an upper
panel region disposed beneath the cap region, a non-paneled circular region
disposed beneath
the upper panel region, a lower panel region disposed beneath the non-paneled
circular
region, and at least one central panel region disposed between the non-paneled
circular region
and the lower panel region. The upper and lower panel regions each may
comprise a
plurality of discrete generally flat sides disposed about a circumference of
the liquid
container. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of discrete generally flat
sides of the
upper panel region comprises a width that is greater than a height, while each
of the plurality
of discrete generally flat sides of the lower panel region comprises a height
greater than a
width.
[0018] The liquid container may be formed of an organically-based biopolymer
material. In
one example, the organically-based biopolymer material comprises polylactic
acid.
Advantageously, because of various structural features of the bottle, the
structural integrity
may be enhanced. As one example, the plurality of discrete generally flat
sides in the upper
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and lower panel regions may provide horizontal and vertical strength by
reducing the amount
of contiguous flat surface area.
[0019] The liquid container further may comprise various other features to
enhance structural
integrity. For example, the liquid container may comprise a first ribbed
region disposed
between the upper panel region and the non-paneled circular region, wherein
the first ribbed
region extends around a circumference of the liquid container. The liquid
container may
further comprise a second ribbed region disposed between the non-paneled
circular region
and the lower panel region, wherein the second ribbed region extends around a
circumference
of the liquid container. Optionally, at least one central panel region may be
disposed between
the upper panel region and the lower panel region.
[0020] In various embodiments, the liquid container may be tapered such that
an outer
diameter of the upper panel region is greater than an outer diameter of the
lower panel region.
Further, the liquid container may comprise a base region disposed beneath the
lower panel
region, wherein the base region is flared radially outward relative to the
lower panel region.
[0021] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will
be, or will
become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the
following figures and
detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features and
advantages be within the scope of the invention, and be encompassed by the
following
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following
drawings and
description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale,
emphasis instead
being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in
the figures, like
referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different
views.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a side view of the liquid container provided in accordance
with a first
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the liquid container of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the liquid container of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 4 is an additional side view of the liquid container of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a top view of the liquid container of FIG. 1.
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[0028] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the liquid container of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 7 is an additional side view of the liquid container of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 8 is an additional bottom view of the liquid container of FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 9 is an additional side perspective view of the liquid container
of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 10 is an additional bottom perspective view of the liquid
container of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 11 is a side view of two liquid containers, including a smaller
bottle on the left
that is shown further in FIGS. 12-18 below, and a larger bottle on the right
that is shown
further in FIGS. 1-10 above.
[0034] FIG. 12 is a side view of a liquid container according to an
alternative embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the liquid container of FIG. 12.
[0036] FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the liquid container of FIG. 12.
[0037] FIG. 15 is an additional side view of the liquid container of FIG. 12.
[0038] FIG. 16 is an additional side perspective view of the liquid container
of FIG. 12.
[0039] FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the liquid container of FIG.
12.
[0040] FIG. 18 is an additional bottom view of the liquid container of FIG.
12.
[0041] FIG. 19 is a side view of a further alternative embodiment of a liquid
container.
[0042] FIG. 20 is a side view of a yet further alternative embodiment of a
liquid container.
[0043] FIG. 21 is a side view of still a further alternative embodiment of a
liquid container.
[0044] FIG. 22 is a side view of still a further alternative embodiment of a
liquid container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0045] In the various embodiments show herein, a liquid container may be
formed from
organically-based biopolymer materials, and other materials, that may be
subject to
degradation in structural integrity or structural deformation over time. The
embodiments
shown herein are designed to provide enhanced structural integrity for a
liquid container, and
particularly one formed from organically-based biopolymer materials.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 1-18, first and second embodiments of a liquid
container are
shown. In FIGS. 1-10, bottle 1 is shown, while in FIGS. 12-18 bottle 100 is
shown (bottle 1
and bottle 100 are shown side-by-side in FIG. 11).
[0047] In one exemplary embodiment, bottle 1 has a larger capacity than bottle
100. Solely
3o by way of example, and without limitation, bottle 1 may have a 500m1
capacity, while bottle
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100 may have a 330m1 or 350m1 capacity. However, those skilled in the art will
appreciate
that the principles disclosed herein are equally applicable to bottle 1 and
bottle 100, and that
various other sized bottles and liquid containers can embody the principles
disclosed herein.
Those skilled in the art will further understand and appreciate that the
structural features
described herein with respect to bottle 1 will be cross-referenced (in
parentheses) to bottle
100 within the present disclosure.
[0048] Bottle 1 (100) may be used for numerous types of liquids, including
waters, juices and
other types of beverages, as well as for non-beverage liquids. However, bottle
1 (100) is
particularly suitable for use as a bottle for water. Bottle 1 (100) comprises
important
structural features configured to maximize the structural integrity of bottle
1 (100) and to
decrease structural deformation, or paneling, of bottle 1 (100) over extended
periods of time.
[0049] Bottle 1 (100) may comprise multiple regions. In one embodiment, bottle
1
comprises a cap and neck region 2 (102), an upper panel region 3 (103), a non-
paneled
circular region 4 (104), a lower panel region 5 (105), and a base region 6
(106). The overall
geometry of bottle 1 (100) is generally cylindrical with a tapered profile
extending from
upper panel region 3 (103) through lower panel region 5 (105), wherein an
outer diameter of
upper panel region 3 (103) is greater than an outer diameter of lower panel
region 5 (105).
[0050] In one embodiment, bottle 1 (100) is formed entirely of an organically-
based
biopolymer material, such as polylactic acid ("PLA") or polyactide, using
manufacturing
methods well known to those skilled in the art. For example, bottle 1 (100)
may be formed
using a two-step process as is generally known in the art. Namely, PLA resin
is injection
molded to form a preform. The preform then is blowmolded to form bottle 1
(100).
[0051] In the disclosed embodiments, the organically-based biopolymer material
used to
form bottle 1 (100) may be sold by Natureworks LLC of Minnetonka, MN, under
the brand
name IngeoTM. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
structural features of
bottle 1 (100) may be used for liquid containers formed of numerous types of
materials which
may be subject to structural degradation or deformation, and the present
embodiments are not
limited to liquid containers formed of PLA or organically-based biopolymer
materials.
[0052] Cap and neck region 2 (102) comprises cap 7 (107) and neck 8 (108) of
bottle 1 (100),
3o and may be provided in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Upper
panel region 3
(103) comprises a plurality of discrete generally flat sides or upper panels 9
(109) disposed
about the circumference of bottle 1 (100). In the embodiments shown, the upper
panel region
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3 (103) comprises eight such upper panels 9 (109) disposed symmetrically about
the
circumference of bottle 1 (100). However, greater or fewer upper panels 9
(109) may be used
without departing from the spirit of the present embodiments.
[0053] Upper panels 9 (109) are configured to reduce the amount of contiguous
flat surface
area about the circumference of bottle 1 (100). In this manner, horizontal and
vertical
strength is achieved and structural stability is improved over previous
bottles.
[0054] Disposed beneath and adjacent to upper panel region 3 (103) is a first
ribbed region
(110), preferably formed horizontally about the circumference of bottle 1
(100). In some
embodiments of bottle 1 (100), ribbed region 10 (110) is formed as a lip along
the outer
10 surface of bottle 1 (100). In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-18,
ribbed region 10
(110) is formed as a groove along the outer surface of bottle 1 (100). In
either embodiment,
ribbed region 10 (110) serves to provide additional structural stability
across an outer
diameter of bottle 1 (100), thereby reducing the likelihood of paneling and
deformation.
[0055] Disposed beneath and adjacent to the first ribbed region 10 (110) is
non-paneled
circular region 4 (104), which preferably comprises a single contiguous,
circular panel 11
(111) extending about the circumference of bottle 1 (100). The circular region
4 (104)
preferably comprises a generally smooth cylindrical shape. Circular panel 11
(111) desirably
is configured to allow a label or other form of indicia to be applied to
bottle 1 (100) using
traditional techniques, such as adhesives.
[0056] Disposed beneath and adjacent to circular panel 11 (111) and circular
region 4 (104)
is a second ribbed region 12 (112), preferably formed horizontally about the
circumference of
bottle 1 (100). In some embodiments of bottle 1 (100), ribbed region 12 (112)
is formed as a
lip along the outer surface of bottle 1 (100). In other embodiments, as shown
in FIGS. 1-18,
ribbed region 12 (112) is formed as a groove along the outer surface of bottle
1 (100). In
either embodiment, the second ribbed region 12 (112), like the first ribbed
region 10 (110)
discussed above, serves to provide additional structural stability across the
diameter of bottle
1 (100), thereby reducing the likelihood of paneling and deformation.
[0057] Disposed beneath and adjacent to the second ribbed region 12 (112) is
lower panel
region 5 (105). Lower panel region 5 (105) may be generally similar to upper
panel region 3
(103), as discussed above. For example, lower panel region 5 (105) comprises a
plurality of
discrete generally flat sides or lower panels 13 (113) disposed about the
circumference of
bottle 1 (100). In this embodiment, the plurality of lower panels 13 (113)
comprises eight
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such lower panels 13 (113) disposed symmetrically about the circumference of
bottle 1 (100).
However, greater or fewer lower panels 13 (113) may be used.
[0058] Like upper panels 9 (109), lower panels 13 (113) are configured to
reduce the amount
of contiguous flat surface area about the circumference of bottle 1 (100). In
this manner,
horizontal and vertical strength is achieved and structural stability is
improved over previous
bottles.
[0059] In one embodiment, the number of lower panels 13 (113) is equal to the
number of
upper panels 9 (109). Further, the alignment and distribution of lower panels
13 (113) about
the circumference of bottle 1 (100) may be identical to the alignment and
distribution of
upper panels 9 (109) about the circumference of bottle 1 (100). In this
manner, the structural
stability provided by lower panels 13 (113) and upper panels 9 (109) may be
enhanced.
[0060] However, in alternative embodiments, is not required that the number of
lower panels
13 (113) be equal to the number of upper panels 9 (109). Moreover, the
alignment and
distribution of lower panels 13 (113) about the circumference of bottle 1
(100) need not be
identical to the alignment and distribution of upper panels 9 (109) about the
circumference of
bottle 1 (100). All such variations are included with the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0061] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of discrete generally flat
sides 9 (109) of the
upper panel region 3 (103) may comprise a width w that may be greater than a
height hl, as
depicted by the measurements illustrated in FIG. 4. By contrast, each of the
plurality of
discrete generally flat sides 13 of the lower panel region 5 may comprise a
height h2 that may
be greater than a width w, as depicted in FIG. 4. Advantageously, such a
relatively large
height h2 in the lower panel region 5 allows a relatively tall or vertical
orientation of the
generally flat sides 13, which may enhance structural stability of the bottle
1 (100) as noted
above.
[0062] In the embodiments shown herein, the generally flat sides 9 (109) of
the upper panel
region 3 may comprise a reduced height hl, relative to height h2, to
accommodate a higher
positioning of the non-paneled circular region 4 (104) comprising the circular
panel 11 (111),
e.g., to allow for a relatively high label placement. In one embodiment, the
width w of the
generally flat sides 9 (109) of the upper panel region 3 (103) may be
identical to the width of
the generally flat sides 13 (113) of the lower panel region 5 (105). However,
in further
embodiments, the relative sizing of the widths and heights depicted herein may
be modified.
For example, if the vertical positioning of the non-paneled circular region 11
(111)
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comprising the circular panel 11 (111) is altered, then it may affect the
dimensions of the
heights hl and h2-
[00631 Disposed beneath and adjacent to lower panel region 5 (105) is base
region 6 (106).
Base region 6 (106) comprises a base 14 (114) formed at the bottom of bottle 1
(100). In the
disclosed embodiments, base 6 is formed with a flared geometry with the
diameter of base 14
(114) increasing along the length of bottle 1 (100) toward the bottom of
bottle 1 (100). The
flared geometry of base 14 (114) provides additional structural stability and
provides a stable
wide structure upon which bottle 1 (100) may securely rest in a standing
position.
[0064] Base 14 (114), in the disclosed embodiment, further comprises a
plurality of ribs 15
(115) extending radially (in a "star" shape) from the center of base 14 (114)
to an outer
circumference of bottle 1 (100). In one embodiment, ribs 15 (115) are disposed
symmetrically about the circumference of bottle 1 (100) and each rib 15 (115)
is aligned with
an intersection of two lower panels 13 (113). Ribs 15 (115) are formed as
grooves along the
bottom surface of bottle 1 (100).
[0065] Ribs 15 (115) add structural stability to base 14 (114) such that
bottle 1 (100) may
withstand low levels of pressurization (such as during filling of bottle 1
(100)) without
exhibiting significant structural deformation. Ribs 15 (115) also desirably
provide a degree
of stretch to the material that forms base 14 (114) thereby further increasing
the strength of
base 14 (114).
[0066] As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, base 14 (114) of bottle 1 (100) in one
embodiment
further comprises an internal concave region 16 (116). Internal concave region
16 (116) is
disposed in the bottom of base 14 (114) and is formed coaxial with the central
longitudinal
axis of bottle 1 (100). Internal concave region 16 (116) is configured to
further increase
resistance to structural deformity and paneling of bottle 1 (100) by providing
relief to
pressure and vacuum forces during the filling process of bottle 1 (100).
[0067] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the relative dimensions of
cap and neck
region 2 (102), upper panel region 3 (103), non-paneled circular region 4
(104), lower panel
region 5 (105), and base region 6 (106) may be altered without departing from
the scope of
the present disclosure.
[0068] Additionally, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
numerous other
organically-based biopolymer liquid containers could be manufactured within
the scope of
the present embodiments, including by way of example and without limitation,
other types of
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food and beverage packaging as well as packaging for other products and
general consumer
goods.
[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 19-22, various alternative embodiments of liquid
containers
are shown. In FIGS. 19-22, bottles 201, 301, 401 and 401' are generally
similar to the bottles
1 and 101 shown in FIGS. 1-18. For example, the bottles 201, 301, 401 and 401'
each may
be formed entirely of an organically-based biopolymer material, such as PLA.
Further, each
of the bottles 201, 301, 401 and 401' generally comprises an upper panel
region, a lower
panel region, and a non-paneled circular region disposed therebetween, as
explained further
below.
[0070] The bottle 201 of FIG. 19 may have a 500ml capacity, although a greater
or lesser
capacity bottle may be provided with the structural features shown in FIG. 19.
The bottle 201
comprises a cap and neck region 202, an upper panel region 203, a non-paneled
circular
region 204, a lower panel region 205, and a base region 206, each of which are
generally
similar to corresponding parts of the bottle 1 of FIGS. 1-11. However, the
base region 206 of
FIG. 19 comprises a plurality of panels 236 that match the number of panels
209 of the upper
panel region 203. Further, the plurality of panels 236 of the base region 206
may comprise
an overall outer diameter that is substantially identical to an overall outer
diameter of the
upper panel region 203. Advantageously, the bottle 201 may convey better in
production
and/or may ship with reduced movement.
[0071] The bottle 301 of FIG. 20 may have a 350m1 capacity, although a greater
or lesser
capacity bottle may be provided with the structural features shown in FIG. 20.
The bottle 301
comprises a cap and neck region 302, an upper panel region 303, a non-paneled
circular
region 304, a lower panel region 305, and a base region 306, each of which are
generally
similar to corresponding parts of the bottle 101 of FIGS. 12-18. Notably, a
height of the non-
paneled circular region 304 of the bottle 301 of FIG. 20 is less than a height
of the non-
paneled circular region 104 of the bottle 101 of FIGS. 12-18. Accordingly, the
height of the
plurality of panels 313 of the lower panel region 305 may be increased, which
may enhance
the overall structural stability of the bottle 301 and reduce deformation and
paneling.
[0072] Referring now to FIGS. 21-22, the bottles 401 and 401', by way of
example and
without limitation, may have a 1000ml capacity and a 1500m1 capacity,
respectively,
although greater or lesser capacity bottles may be provided with the
structural features shown
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in FIGS. 21-22. The bottles 401 and 401' are structurally similar to one
another, with the
exception of generally proportionally larger features in bottle 401' compared
to bottle 401.
[0073] The bottle 401 (401') comprises a cap and neck region 402 (402'), an
upper panel
region 403 (403'), a non-paneled circular region 404 (404'), a lower panel
region 405 (405'),
and a base region 406 (406'), each of which may be generally similar to
corresponding parts
of the bottle 1 of FIGS. 1-11. However, at least one central panel region 430
(430') is
disposed between the upper panel region 403 (403') and the lower panel region
405 (405').
In the embodiment shown, the central panel region 430 (430') is disposed
between the non-
paneled circular region 404 (404') and the lower panel region 405 (405'). The
central panel
region 430 (430') may comprise a plurality of discrete generally flat sides
439 (439') that
may align with a plurality of discrete generally flat sides 409 (409') of the
upper panel
region, and also may align with a plurality of discrete generally flat sides
413 (413') of the
lower panel region.
[0074] Further, at least three ribbed regions may be provided in the
embodiments of FIGS.
21-22. In particular, a first ribbed region 410 (410') may be disposed between
upper panel
region 403 (403') and non-paneled circular region 404 (404'). A second ribbed
region 425
(425') may be disposed between non-paneled circular region 404 (404') and
central panel
region 430 (430'), while a third ribbed region 426 (426') may be disposed
between central
panel region 430 (430') and lower panel region 405 (405'), as shown in FIGS.
21-22. As
noted above, in some embodiments, such ribbed regions may extend horizontally
around the
circumference of the bottle, and may be formed as a lip along the outer
surface of the bottle,
or alternatively, as a groove along the outer surface of bottle, either of
which serves to
provide additional structural stability across the outer diameter of the
bottle and reduce the
likelihood of paneling and deformation.
[0075] While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the
invention is not
to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
Moreover, the
advantages described herein are not necessarily the only advantages of the
invention and it is
not necessarily expected that every embodiment of the invention will achieve
all of the
advantages described.
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