Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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EPO DG 2
1 9. 07. 2013
FLEXIBLE PACKAGE CONTAINER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/533,534,
filed on September 12, 2011. The disclosure of the above application is
incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to flexible packaging
containers, and
specifically to flexible packaging containers having a reinforcement structure
that assists in
preventing deformation of the flexible packaging containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Flexible packaging containers are commonly used for handling, storage,
transportation and display of dispensable products. It is typically
undesirable or not possible
to completely fill a flexible packaging container. Thus, these flexible
packaging containers
tend to bulge or create variable shaped forms due to the formation of the
dispensable product
contained therein and the particular orientation at which the flexible
packaging container is
maintained. This bulging typically results in the flexible packaging container
having rounded
corners and sides which are not straight, which in turn results in the
flexible packaging
containers being more difficult to handle, store and display. Moreover, the
bulging and/or
deformation of such flexible packaging containers makes it difficult to stack
these flexible
packaging containers in stores for retail display and/or shipping.
[0004] Thus, there is a need for a flexible packaging container that is easy
to manufacture
and yet incorporates an efficient support system for assisting in maintaining
the shape of the
container, even during stacking. Furthermore, there is a desire for a flexible
packaging
container that has an easy pour system. Additionally, there is a desire for a
flexible
packaging container that can be positioned up-right on a display shelf so that
the main surface
of the container having product indicia faces towards the consumer.
DE8800133 describes a bulk container which is formed from a flexible material
in the form
of a sheet or a hose and which is substantially cuboidal in the filled state
and has at least five
faces, namely four side walls and a base.
GB1544625 describes a bag which is provided over at least a part of its
erected, filled height
with an internal reinforcement of stellate configuration in plan view.
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DE202004018800 relates to a carrier bag with a front wall, a rear wall, with
side walls
connecting the front wall and the rear wall, and with a base and with an upper
edge which is
opposite the base and in the vicinity of which handles are attached, and with
compartments
formed by partition walls.
DE202005010674 relates to a carrier bag of a thermoplastic material with
carrying handles
arranged on an upper edge of a filling opening and with a filling opening
capable of being closed
by means of a closure device.
FR2843585 describes a bag with multiple compartments intended for handling
various objects,
in particular bottles.
DE202009016721 relates to a bag of plastics material film.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a flexible packaging
container that is easy
to handle, has a compact design and is simple to remove its contents. Other
embodiments of the
present invention provide a flexible packaging container that has a logo that
is in a readable
orientation during carrying/display and does not collapse. Advantageously,
such flexible
packaging containers provide improved brand recognition and a flexible
packaging container that
can be efficiently packed for storage, transportation and/or display.
[0006] In one embodiment, the invention can be a flexible packaging container
comprising: a
container formed of a first flexible film, the container comprising a cavity
for receiving a
dispensable product, a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first
sidewall; and at least
one strap formed of a second flexible film, the strap located within the
cavity and having a first
end connected to the first sidewall and a second end connected to the second
sidewall.
[0007] In another embodiment, the invention can be a flexible packaging
container comprising: a
flexible container comprising: a cavity for receiving a dispensable product; a
first sidewall
having a first central region; and a second sidewall having a second central
region opposite the
first sidewall; at least one flexible strap located within the cavity and
having a first end
connected to the first central region of the first sidewall and a second end
connected to the
second central region of the second sidewall; and a first product indicia on
an outer surface of the
container in at least one of the first and second central regions.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, the invention can be a flexible packaging
container
comprising: a flexible container, the flexible container comprising a cavity
for receiving a
dispensable product, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall opposite the
first sidewall; at least
one flexible strap located within the cavity and having a first end connected
to the first sidewall
and a second end connected to the second sidewall; wherein the flexible
container has a block
shape having a container length Lc, a container height Hc and a container
depth Dc, a ratio of the
container length Lc to the container height Hc being greater than or equal to
1.2:1 and a ratio of
the container length Lc to the container depth Dc being greater than or equal
to 1.5:1; and
wherein the first and second sidewalls extend the container length Lc and the
container height
Hc.
[0009] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become
apparent from the
detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the
detailed description
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and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended
for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will become more fully understood from the
detailed description
and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flexible packaging container in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] Figure 2 is a front view of the flexible packaging container of FIG. 1;
[0013] Figure 3 is a top view of the flexible packaging container of FIG. 1;
[0014] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the flexible packaging container of FIG.
1;
[0015] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the flexible packaging container of
FIG. 1 with a portion
removed to illustrate a strap located within a cavity of the container; and
[0016] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely
exemplary in nature
and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
[0018] The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of
the present
invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings,
which are to be
considered part of the entire written description. In the description of
embodiments of the
invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is
merely intended for
convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope
of the present
invention. Relative terms such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal," "vertical,"
"above," "below,"
"up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as well as derivative thereof (e.g.,
"horizontally,"
"downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the
orientation as then described
or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for
convenience of
description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or
operated in a particular
orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as "attached,"
"affixed,"
"connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar refer to a relationship
wherein structures
are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through
intervening structures,
as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless
expressly described
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otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are
illustrated by reference to the
exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be
limited to such
exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of
features that
may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the
invention being defined by
the claims appended hereto.
[0019] Referring first to FIGS. 1-4 concurrently, a flexible packaging
container 1000 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The
flexible
packaging container 1000 generally comprises a container 100 and a strap 200
(FIGS. 5 and 6).
The container 100 comprises a first sidewall 101, a second sidewall 102, a
third sidewall 103, a
fourth sidewall 104, a bottom wall 105 and a top wall 106. The first, second,
third and fourth
sidewalls 101-104, the bottom wall 105 and the top wall 106 collectively
define the structure of
the container 100 and an internal cavity 110 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The first
and second sidewalls
101, 102 are positioned opposite one another relative to the cavity 110 and
the third and fourth
sidewalls 103, 104 are positioned opposite one another relative to the cavity
110. The bottom
wall 105 forms a floor of the container 100 and the top wall 106 forms a roof
of the container
100. The container 100 comprises a longitudinal axis A-A extending along its
length.
[0020] The first sidewall 101 transitions into the third sidewall 103 at an
edge 111, into the
bottom wall 105 at an edge 112 and into the top wall 106 at an edge 114. The
third sidewall 103
transitions into the second sidewall 102 at an edge 113, into the bottom wall
105 at an edge 115
and into the top wall 106 at an edge 116. The second sidewall 102 transitions
into the fourth
sidewall 104 at an edge 117, into the bottom wall 105 at an edge 118 and into
the top wall 106 at
an edge 119. The fourth sidewall 104 transitions into the bottom wall 105 at
an edge 120, into
the top wall 106 at an edge 121 and into the first sidewall 101 at an edge
122.
[0021] In some embodiments, the entire container 100 is formed from a single
unitary sheet and
connected at only one of the edges. In such an embodiment, each of the edges
111-122 is merely
a crease line or transition point between each of the sidewalls, top wall and
bottom wall 101-106.
However, in certain other embodiments each of the sidewalls, top wall and
bottom wall 101-106
are separately formed and connected during a later stage of the manufacturing
process. In such
an embodiment, the edges 111-121 are the location at which the sidewalls, top
wall and bottom
wall 101-106 are connected. Regardless of how the container 100 is formed, in
certain
embodiments it forms an ashlars' block shape.
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[0022] The container 100 is able to be positioned in an upright manner such
that the container
100 can maintain its structure and shape with the bottom wall or floor 105
positioned adjacent to
a flat surface. Thus, the container 100 can be displayed in a retail store
such that at least one of
its sidewalls 101-104 faces outward towards a consumer. This can be
advantageous when one of
the sidewalls 101-104 comprises a product indicia that is desired to be
viewable by the consumer
as will be described in more detail below. Furthermore, as will be understood
from the
description below, the container 100 comprises a relatively small depth
(relative to the height
and length) thus allowing several of the containers 100 to be displayed
upright and aligned on a
shelf in a back-to-front manner.
[0023] The container 100 is suitable for containing any type of dispensable
product therein. In
certain embodiments, the dispensable product is a granular product such as a
dry cat or dog food.
Thus, in some embodiments the invention described herein is a combination of
the flexible
packaging container 1000 and a granular or dry dog or cat food contained
therein. However,
where not explicitly recited in the claims, the invention is not to be so
limited and the container
100 can contain any type of dispensable or flowable product therein.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 6 concurrently, the top wall 106 of the
container 100
comprises a closure mechanism 130 that is movable between a closed position
whereby access to
the cavity 110 through the top wall 106 is prohibited and an open position
(not illustrated)
whereby a re-sealable opening 136 is formed in the top wall 106 that provides
a passageway into
the cavity 110. Thus, the container 100 comprises the re-sealable opening 136
for dispensing the
dispensable product from the cavity 110 when the closure mechanism 130 is in
the open position.
[0025] In the exemplified embodiment, the closure mechanism 130 is illustrated
as a slider 131.
Thus, the top wall 106 includes two strips 132a, 132b extending upwardly
therefrom that are
interlocked together in the direction of the longitudinal axis A-A when the
closure mechanism
130 is in the closed state. The strips 132a, 132b comprise connecting lugs
(not illustrated) made
of a plastic material. When the slider 131 is slid along the strips 132a, 132b
in a first
longitudinal direction the connecting lugs of the strips 132 become
interlocked to one another,
thereby sealing the strips 132a, 132b together and prohibiting access to the
cavity 110. When the
slider 131 is slid along the strips 132a, 132b in a second longitudinal
direction opposite the first
longitudinal direction, the connecting lugs of the strips 132a, 132b become
unlocked thereby
permitting access into the cavity 110 through the re-sealable opening 136 in
the top wall 106. Of
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course, the invention is not limited to the particular closure mechanism 130
exemplified and in
other embodiments the closure mechanism may be achieved by adhesion, hook-and-
loop, snaps,
fasteners, buttons or the like. The closure mechanism 130 is able to be opened
completely or
partially as may be desired for scooping the product from the container 100 or
pouring the
product from the container 100, respectively.
[0026] Referring again to FIGS. 1-4 concurrently, the container 100 also
comprises a first handle
134 extending from the edge 113 between the first sidewall 101 and the top
wall 106 and a
second handle 135 extending from the edge 119 between the second sidewall 102
and the top
wall 106. The edge 113 can be considered the first top edge of the first
sidewall 101 and the
edge 119 may be considered the second top edge of the second sidewall 102.
[0027] In the exemplified embodiment the first and second handles 134, 135 are
transversely
aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis A-A for easy gripping of
both handles 134,
135 simultaneously. Specifically, in the exemplified embodiment, the first and
second handles
134, 135 are transversely aligned at a central region along the longitudinal
axis A-A such that
each of the handles 134, 135 is equally spaced from the third and fourth
sidewalls 103, 104.
[0028] The first handle 134 comprises an aperture 136 and the second handle
135 comprises an
aperture 137. The apertures 136, 137 enable a user to easily hold and carry
the container 100 by
gripping the handles 134, 135 via insertion of their hand and/or fingers into
the apertures 136,
147. Of course, the invention is not to be limited by the particular location
of the handles 134,
135 and they may extend from edges other than those particularly described
above or be
unaligned in other embodiments. Furthermore, in still other embodiments the
container 100 may
only comprise a single handle connected to and extending between the edges
116, 121 or the
edges 113, 119 or the handle may be completely omitted.
[0029] When it is desired for a user to pour out the dispensable product from
the cavity 110 of
the container 100, the user need only grip the handles 134, 135 and expose a
portion of the re-
sealable opening 136 by moving the slider 131 in the first longitudinal
direction. Once partially
opened, the user can tilt the container 100 and the dispensable product will
be dispensed from the
cavity 110 and through the re-sealable opening 136. Alternatively, the re-
sealable opening 136
can be fully opened and the dispensable product scooped out of the cavity 110.
The structure of
the container 100 significantly simplifies the dispensing relative to
conventional containers,
particularly dog and cat food packaging containers.
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[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 only, the container 100 will be described in
more detail. The
first sidewall 101 comprises a first central region 140 and the second
sidewall 102 comprises a
second central region (not illustrated). Although the second central region is
not illustrated, it
should be understood that it occupies the same spatial region of the second
sidewall 102 as the
first central region 140 occupies on the first sidewall 101. Thus, the first
central region 140 is
transversely aligned with the second central region. The first central region
140 is a region on
the first sidewall 101 that is equidistant from the edges 112, 113 and
equidistant from the edges
111, 122. However, the exact dimensions of the first central region 140 are
not limiting of the
present invention and thus the central region 140 can be larger or smaller
than exemplified and
depicted herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that in certain other
embodiments the first
central region 140 may be slightly offset from center and thus the exact
location of the central
region 140 is not limiting of the present invention.
[0031] In the exemplified embodiment, the first central region 140 comprises
product indicia
141 on an outer surface 142 of the container 100, and more particularly on the
outer surface 142
of the first sidewall 101. In the exemplified embodiment, the product indicia
141 is a logo, such
as the logo of a manufacturer of the container 100 and the dispensable product
contained therein.
However, the invention is not to be so limited and the product indicia 141 can
be any other type
of information desired to be displayed on the outer surface 142 of the
container 100, such as, for
example without limitation, product information, bar codes, product directions
or instructions
and the like.
[0032] In certain embodiments, only one of the first central region 140 and
the second central
region will comprise the product indicia 141 thereon. However, in other
embodiments both of
the first central region 140 and the second central region will comprise the
product indicia 141,
143 (see FIG. 6).
[0033] Referring again to FIGS. 1-4 concurrently, the dimensions of an
exemplified embodiment
of the container 100 will be described. As described above, in the exemplified
embodiment the
container 100 comprises a block shape. In one specific embodiment, the
container 100 is an
ashlar's block shape. Thus, the container 100 has a length Lc, a height Hc and
a depth Dc. The
first and second sidewalls 101, 102 extend along and define the container
length Lc and the
container height Hc whereas the third and fourth sidewalls 103, 104 extend
along and define the
container depth Dc and the container height Hc. In one specific embodiment,
the length Lc is in
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a range of between 250mm and 500mm, the height Hc is in a range of between
200mm and
400mm, and the depth Dc is in a range of between 90mm and 300mm. In certain
embodiments,
a ratio of the length Lc to the height Hc is greater than or equal to 1.2:1,
more preferably in a
range of 1.2:1 to 2.5:1, and even more preferably in a range of 1.2:1 to
1.7:1. Furthermore, in
certain embodiments a ratio of the length Lc to the depth Dc is greater than
or equal to 1.5:1,
more preferably in a range of 1.5:1 to 3.0:1, and even more preferably in a
range of 1.7:1 to
2.8:1.
[00341 Exemplary length Lc, height Hc and depth Dc measurements of various
preferred
containers configured to contain varying weights of the dispensable product
are provided in
Table 1 below. Moreover, Table 1 also provides the relevant length Lc to
height Hc ratios and
length Lc to depth Dc ratios for the containers.
Weight of Dispensable Length Height Depth Length:
Product (Kg) (mm) (mm) (mm) Height
Length : Depth_
3.5 300 240 110 1.2 2.7
5 300 240 130 1.2 2.3
5 300 240 150 1.2 2.0
7.5 400 240 160 1.7 2.5
10 400 240 180 1.7 2.2
10 400 240 230 1.7 1.7
12 400 290 220 1.4 1.8
16 490 290 250 1.7 2.0
Table 1
[00351 Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the details of the cavity 110 of the
container 100 and the
materials that form the flexible packaging container 1000 will be described.
The flexible
packaging container 1000 comprises the strap 200 located within the cavity
110. In certain
embodiments, the strap 200 may be a flexible strap such that it is formed of a
flexible material as
will be described in more detail below. More specifically, the strap 200 has a
first end 201
affixed or connected to the first sidewall 101 and a second end 202 affixed or
connected to the
second sidewall 102. In the exemplified embodiment, the first end 201 of the
strap 200 is
connected to the first sidewall 101 in the first central region 140 and the
second end 202 of the
strap 200 is connected to the second sidewall 102 in the second central
region. Thus, when there
is product indicia 141 in the first central region and product indicia 143 in
the second central
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region, the strap 200 is connected to the first and second sidewalls 101, 102
in a region that
contains the product indicia 141, 143. It should be noted that in certain
alternate embodiments of
the invention, a plurality of the straps 200 can be incorporated into the
container 100 as
described herein. In one such embodiment, the plurality of straps 200 can be
arranged in a
substantially parallel alignment. In another embodiment, the plurality of
straps 200 can be
arranged in a diverging alignment and/or crisscross alignment
[0036] The strap 200 is an elongated strip of material having a width Ws. In
some embodiment's,
the strap 200 may be 12mm to 105 mm in width and may be formed by an 8-25
micron polyester
laminated to a 50-190 micron polyethylene. By virtue of its attachment to the
first and second
sidewalls 101, 102, the strap 200 maintains the flexible packaging container
1000 in a particular
structural formation such that bulging and deformation of the flexible
packaging container 1000
is prevented. Specifically, the strap 200 maintains the first and second
sidewalls 101, 102 spaced
from one another at a predetermined distance D between 70mm to 360mm, thereby
preventing
such bulging and/or deformation. In one embodiment, a ratio of the strap width
Ws to the
distance D is greater than 1:2. More specifically, a ratio of the strap width
Ws to the distance D
is in a range of 1:2 to 1:30, and more preferably in a range of 1:4 to 1:10.
[0037] In other words, the strap 200 prevents the first and second sidewalls
101, 102 from
bulging such that the predetermined distance D will not increase. Thus, if the
flexible packaging
container 1000 without the strap is filled with a dispensing product and an
object having a weight
is placed on top of the flexible packaging container 1000, the dispensing
product will push
against the first and second sidewalls 101, 102, thereby creating a bulge.
However, the strap 200
prevents such a bulge by maintaining the predetermined distance D between the
first and second
sidewalls 101, 102. The strap 200 is particularly useful in embodiments that
have the product
indicia 141, 143. Specifically, in embodiments that have the product indicia
141, 143, bulging of
the first and second sidewalls 101, 102 will result in a visual distortion of
the product indicia
141, 143. However, because the strap 200 prevents such bulging of the first
and second
sidewalls 101, 102, the product indicia 141, 143 are prevented from
distortion. This enhances a
consumer's ability to recognize the flexible packaging container 1000 based on
the product
indicia 141, 143. This consumer recognition is further enhanced by the
flexible packaging
container 1000 being positioned for display in the manner described above such
that the first and
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second sidewalls 101, 102 having the product indicia 141, 143 thereon are
faced towards the
consumer.
[0038] In the exemplified embodiment, the container 100 of the flexible
packaging container
1000 is formed of a first flexible film 160 and the strap 200 of the flexible
packaging container
1000 is formed of a second flexible film 260. In certain embodiments, the
first flexible film 160
is a first plastic film and the second flexible film 260 is a second plastic
film.
[0039] In certain embodiments, the first and second flexible films 160, 260
are multi-layer films.
In such embodiments, the first flexible film 160 comprises an inner layer 161
and an outer layer
162. The inner layer 161 is affixed to the outer layer 162 such that there is
no spacing or gaps
between the inner and outer layers 161, 162. In certain embodiments, the inner
layer 161 is a
heat-weldable thermoplastic 161, such as polyethylene. Furthermore, in certain
embodiments the
outer layer 162 is formed of polyester. Of course, the inner and outer layers
161, 162 can be
formed of other materials in alternative embodiments.
[0040] Similarly, the second flexible film 260 comprises an inner layer 261
and an outer layer
262. The inner layer 261 is affixed to the outer layer 262 such that there is
no spacing or gaps
between the inner and outer layers 261, 262. In certain embodiments, the inner
layer 261 is a
heat-weldable thermoplastic, such as polyethylene. Furthermore, in certain
embodiments the
outer layer 262 is formed of polyester. Of course, the inner and outer layers
161, 162 can be
formed of other materials in alternative embodiments.
100411 In embodiments where the inner layer 161 of the first flexible film 160
and the inner
layer 261 of the second flexible film are formed of a heat-weldable
thermoplastic, the first end
201 of the strap 200 is heat welded to the first sidewall 101 and the second
end 202 of the strap
200 is heat welded to the second sidewall 102. The inner layer of heat-
weldable thermoplastic
161 of the first flexible film 160 is in contact with the inner layer of heat-
weldable thermoplastic
261 of the second flexible film, thereby enhancing the connection between the
first and second
walls 101, 102 and the strap 200.
100421 As can be seen in FIG. 6, the product indicia 141 is affixed to and/or
extends outwardly
from the outer layer 162 of the first flexible film 160. In some embodiments,
the product indicia
141 can be a print layer that is adhered or otherwise affixed to the outer
layer 162 of the first
flexible film 160. Alternatively, the product indicia 141 can be a print that
is integrally formed
onto or into the outer layer 162 of the first flexible film 160 rather than
being a separate layer. In
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such an embodiment, the product indicia 141 is merely imprinted directly into
the outer layer 162
of the first flexible film 160. In other embodiments, the product indicia 141
can be an embossing
or debossing in or extending from the outer layer 162 of the first flexible
film 160.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the handles 134, 135 are
integrally formed with
the outer layer 162 of the first flexible material 160. However, the invention
is not to be so
limited and in other embodiments, particularly where the outer layer 162 is
formed of polyester,
the handles 134, 135 may be glued onto the container 100 by an adhesive.
Furthermore, in still
other embodiments the handles 134, 135 can be formed of a heat-weldable
thermoplastic so that
the handles 134, 135 can be heat-welded to the container 100 in a similar
manner to that
described above with regard to the strap 200.
[0044] The invention is not limited to the container 100 and strap 200 being
formed of the
materials described herein in all embodiments. In certain other embodiments,
the container 100
and the strap 200 can be formed of materials other than polyester and
polyethylene.
Furthermore, the first flexible film 160 of the container 100 and the second
flexible film 260 of
the strap 200 can be a multi-layer film having more than the two layers
exemplified, or they can
each be a single layer film. In other embodiments, one of the first and second
flexible films 160,
260 can be a single layer film while the other is a multi-layer film. In other
words, the first and
second flexible films 160, 260 are not to be particularly limited and they can
be materials other
than those described herein. Thus, the first and second films 160, 260 may
consist of different
layers of plastic and/or metal materials in order to meet different
requirements in terms of
resistance to humidity, water vapour resistance, aroma density, tensile
strength and the like.
[0045] While in the exemplified embodiment, only one strap 200 is connected to
the container
100 as described above, in alternate embodiments, a plurality of the straps
200 can be connected
to and extend between the first and second sidewalls 101, 102 as described
above. In one such
alternate embodiment, the plurality of straps 200 may extend between the first
and second
sidewalls 101, 102 in a spaced-apart arrangement wherein the plurality of
straps 200 are either
parallel and/or angled relative to one another.
[0046] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each
and every value
that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the
terminus of the range.
In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced
in their entireties.
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In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that
of a cited reference, the
present disclosure controls.
[0047] While the foregoing description and drawings represent the exemplary
embodiments of
the present invention, it will be understood that various additions,
modifications and substitutions
may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as
defined in the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those
skilled in the art that
the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures,
arrangements,
proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components,
without departing from
the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will
appreciate that the
invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement,
proportions, sizes,
materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the
invention, which are
particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements
without departing from
the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments
are therefore to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of
the invention being
defined by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description
or embodiments.
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