Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Combination Spill Prevention Valve Actuator Device
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a spill prevention valve actuator device for use in
storage tanks that
store oil, water or other fluids to prevent the accidental discharge of the
stored material
during fluid transfer as well as minimize theft of said fluid by an
unauthorized user and
minimize injury to the user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The transfer of large volumes of fluids, particularly petroleum products, from
larger storage
containers to smaller, mobile containers often requires the use of a number of
fittings and
hoses with couplers and valves. Prior art couplers use locking cams that
attach the transfer
hoses to stationary valves attached to storage tanks. However, these locking
cams are tricky
to use, requiring manual manipulation of the cams by the worker attempting to
connect the
hose and transfer the fluid. Current locking cam arms are of a lever and/or
ratchet design that
wear easily and become sloppy, causing them to disengage unexpectedly and
cause physical
injury to the worker, i.e. severing of fingers. Current systems involve the
use of external
equipment such as ratchets, wrenches and the like requiring the worker to use
two hands or at
times requiring two or more workers to connect the couplers. In addition, the
absence of an
interlock feature between the couplers and the valve means that there is
always a risk during
fluid transfer that the couplers can disengage while the valve remains open,
which can result
in a fluid spill, environmental damage and costly clean up.
There remains a long-felt need for a spill prevention device that is
efficient, compact, and of a
straightforward one motion design that allows ease of use and reduces risk of
personal injury
and environmental damage.
There remains a long-felt need for a spill prevention device that will only
allow flow of fluid
when the connection is secure.
There remains a need for a device that also minimizes access and transfer of
fluid by an
unauthorized user.
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There remains a need for a device that may fit onto existing valves structures
to minimize
spills and/or accidents during transferring of fluids and minimize
unauthorized access to
fluids.
There remains a need for a device that will allow for a disconnection which
results in little to
no fluid spillage.
There remains a need for a device which locks down and secures the connection
with the
hose before the valve is actuated and opened in one fluid motion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a spill prevention device
for use when
transferring a fluid from a first location to a second location, said device
comprising:
At least one valve actuator for connecting to at least one valve; preferably
said at
least one valve actuator further comprises a handle, at least one arm
extending
from said handle for connecting to a second location; more preferably said at
least
one arm is substantially arcuate; more preferably at least two arms extending
from
said handle; said device further comprises at least one handle lock;
preferably
proximate said handle; wherein when said at least one valve actuator is at a
first
position, said at least one valve actuator closes said at least one valve and
disconnects said first location from said second location; and when said at
least
one valve actuator is at a second position, said at least one valve actuator
opens
said at least one valve and securely connects said first location to said
second
location via said at least one arm; preferably said at least one handle lock
provides
for said at least one um to be at a first lock position when said at least one
valve
actuator is at a first position and more preferably said at least one lock
provides
for said at least one arm to be at a second lock position when said at least
one
valve actuator is at a second position; preferably said at least one lock
further
comprises a lock actuator; proximate said handle; to actuate said at least one
lock
from a first locked position to an intermediary position and to a second
position;
preferably allowing for said valve actuator to move from said first position
to said
second position; preferably said at least one lock comprises a spring ball
plunger
and ball receiver, wherein when said at least one valve actuator is at a first
position, said spring urges said ball to said ball receiver and wherein said
ball is
urged away from said ball receiver when said at least one valve actuator is
moved
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to a second position. Preferably said second location further comprising at
least
one second location connector, for engagement with said at least one arm of
said
at least one valve actuator; more preferably said second location further
comprises
a seal for sealing the connection between said first location with said second
location when connected; allowing for transferring of fluid from said first
location
to said second location; more preferably said device further comprises at
least one
key proximate said at least one valve and said second location further
comprises at
least one key receiver for receiving said at least one key; in another
embodiment,
said at least one key is situated at said second location and said at least
one key
receiver is proximate said at least one valve. Preferably said at least one
key is
part of a flange proximate said valve and said at least one key receiver is
part of a
nozzle of said second location. Preferably said at least one key is a detent,
preferably a detent, more preferably a peg, receivable in said at least one
key
receiver. Preferably said at least one key receiver comprises at least one
elongated
slot, preferably a tortuous elongated slot In one embodiment, said at least
one
elongated slot comprises a first substantially straight section connected by a
connector to a second substantially straight section. Preferably said first
substantially straight section and said substantially second straight section
are
substantially parallel to each other but spaced apart from each other by said
connector, wherein said connector is preferably substantially normal to each
of
said first and second sections. Preferably said key and key receiver provide
connection of the valve actuator with a mating nozzle and minimizes incorrect
connections. More preferably said key and key receiver provides a vacuum
release when disconnecting said nozzle from said valve actuator, resulting in
a
substantially clean disconnection reducing spillage of fluid during the
disconnection process.
In one embodiment, the at least one valve actuator when at a first position
simultaneously
closes said at least one valve and allows for disconnection of said first
location from said
second location; and when said at least one valve actuator is at a second
position, said at least
one valve actuator securely connects said first location to said second
location and preferably
simultaneously opens said at least one valve.
In another embodiment, the at least one valve actuator further comprises a
handle. In a
preferred embodiment, the actuator may be operated by a single operator using
one hand via
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said handle, preferably manually operated. In a preferred embodiment, the
actuator further
comprises a pair of cams, preferably connected to said handle.
In another embodiment, said valve actuator further comprises a delay mechanism
for
delaying the opening of said valve until said valve actuator is securely
attached to said
nozzle.
In another embodiment, the at least one valve, is preferably a ball valve.
However, other
types of valvesknown to those skilled in the art may be used herein.
In another embodiment, the spill prevention device is fabricated from a
material that is
substantially inert to the fluid to be transferred. Preferably the material is
selected from
stainless steel or a metal alloy.
In another embodiment, the fluid to be transferred is any material that is
flowable.
Preferably, the fluid is selected from the group consisting of oil, diesel
fuel, heating oil,
gasoline, water, aqueous solutions, edible liquids, medical grade liquids and
flowable bulk
solids. More preferably the fluid is oil or healing oil. Most preferably the
fluid is oil.
In another embodiment, the first location is a tank and the second location is
a tanker. Most
preferably the tank is an oil tank and the tanker is an oil tanker. Although
the first location
may be one that may receive or provide the fluid and the second location may
be one that
may provide or receive the fluid.
In another embodiment, the first location comprises a valve comprising a valve
actuator, at
least one cam, preferably a plurality of cams, more preferably a pair of cams
and a first
coupler. In another embodiment, the second location comprises a hose and a
second coupler.
In a preferred embodiment, the second coupler comprises at least one locking
tab for
engagement with said at least one cam, preferably a plurality of locking tabs
for engagement
with said plurality of cams, most preferably a pair of locking tabs for
engagement with said
cams, when the valve actuator is moved from a first position to a second
position. Preferably,
said second coupler further comprises a key receiver and said first coupler
further comprises
a key for engagement with said key receiver.
In yet another embodiment, the spill prevention device further comprises an
indicator for
indicating when said first location is connected to said second location. In a
preferred
embodiment, said indicator also indicates when fluid is being transferred from
said first
location to said second location. Said indicator may be one known to a person
skilled in the
art.
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In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of transferring
a fluid
comprising the steps of:
a) providing at a first location a valve comprising a first coupler and a
valve actuator
in a first position;
b) providing at a second location a second coupler;
c) coupling said first coupler and said second coupler;
d) moving said valve actuator from said first position to a second position to
open said
valve and connect said first location to said second location; preferably
sequentially, more
preferably simultaneously; and
e) transferring said fluid.
In one embodiment, the valve actuator further comprises a handle. In a
preferred
embodiment, the valve actuator is moved from a first position to a second
position using one
hand. In another embodiment, the handle is spring loaded to lock at a pivot
point
In another embodiment, the second coupler comprises a pair of locking tabs. In
yet another
embodiment, the actuator further comprises a pair of cams. In a preferred
embodiment, the
pair of cams engages the pair of locking tabs to provide the secure connection
between the
first location and the second location.
In a preferred embodiment, said first location is an oil tank, said second
location is an oil
tanker and said fluid is oil.
In another embodiment, the handle further comprises a multi-locking ratchet
mechanism.
In another embodiment, the valve actuator allows locking the second coupler in
place via the
handle on the valve actuator, preferably the valve actuator being directly
connected to an oil
tank.
In another embodiment, there is provided a spill prevention device for use
when transferring
a fluid from a first location to a second location, said device comprising:
i) At least one valve;
At least one valve actuator connected to said at least one valve; said at
least one
valve and vale actuator being at a first location;
wherein when said at least one valve actuator is at a first position, said at
least one
valve is closed and said at least one valve actuator disconnects said first
location
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from said second location; and when said at least one valve actuator is at a
second
position, said at least one valve actuator securely connects said first
location to
said second location and opens said at least one valve; preferably
sequentially,
more preferably simultaneously, allowing for transferring of fluid from said
first
location to said second location; preferably said at least one actuator when
at a
first position closes said at least one valve and disconnects said first
location from
said second location; and when said at least one valve actuator is at a second
position, said at least one valve actuator securely connects said first
location to
said second location and opens said at least one valve.
Preferably said device further comprises a delay component proximate said
actuator for
delaying opening of said valve until said first location and second location
are securely
connected.
Preferably said device further comprising a handle rotatably connected to said
actuator.
Preferably said device further comprises an indicator for indicating when said
first location is
connected to said second location. Preferably said indicator further indicates
when said fluid
is being transferred from said first location to said second location.
According to another aspect, there is provided a method of transferring a
fluid while
minimizing spilling said fluid comprising the steps of:
a) providing at a first location a valve comprising a first coupler and a
valve actuator;
b) providing at a second location a second coupler;
c) coupling said first coupler and said second coupler;
d) moving said valve actuator from a first position to a second position to
securely
connect said first location and said second location and open said valve and;
and
e) transferring said fluid.
Preferably said first location is an oil tank and said second location is an
oil tanker and said
fluid is oil.
According to yet another aspect there is provided the use of the device
described herein for
transferring fluids from a first location to a second location.
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According to yet another aspect, there is provided a spill prevention device
for use when
transferring a fluid from a first location to a second location, said device
comprising:
at least one valve actuator for connecting to at least one valve; a handle
rotatably connected
to said at least one valve actuator for rotating from a first position to a
second position; at
least one arm extending from said handle for connecting to a second location;
preferably two
arms; preferably substantially arcuate in shape; said device further
comprising at least one
lock proximate said handle; wherein when said at least one valve actuator is
at a first
position, said at least one valve is closed and said at least one valve
actuator disconnects said
first location from said second location; and when said at least one valve
actuator is at a
second position, said device connects said first location to said second
location via said at
least one arm and said at least one valve actuator opens said at least one
valve; said at least
one lock proximate said handle securing said handle at said first position;
said second
location further comprising at least one second location connector, for
engagement with said
at least one arm of said at least one valve actuator; said device further
comprises at least one
key proximate said at least one valve and said second location further
comprises at least one
key receiver for matingly receiving said at least one key.
Preferably said at least one lock further comprises a ball and spring plunger
and said handle
further comprises at least one ball receiver for receiving said ball of said
ball and spring
plunger when the handle is in said first position.
Preferably said at least one ball receiver is a bevelled edged hole on said
handle.
Preferably said lock is on a lock support proximate said handle.
Preferably said second location further comprises at least one second location
connector, for
engagement with said at least one arm of said at least one valve actuator.
Preferably said at least one key is situated at said second location and said
at least one key
receiver is proximate said at least one valve.
More preferably said at least one key is part of a flange proximate said valve
and said at least
one key receiver is part of a nozzle of said second location.
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More preferably said at least one key receiver comprises a slot and said at
least one key is
configured to be received into said slot, preferably said at least one key is
a peg.
Preferably said slot comprises at least a first elongated portion and at least
a second elongated
portion, preferably said first and second elongated portion being
substantially parallel to each
other and connected to each other by an elongated connector portion.
Preferably said elongated connector portion runs substantially normal to said
first and second
elongated portions.
In another embodiment said slot comprises a tortuous path.
In yet another embodiment, said device further comprises a lag component for
lagging
(delaying) opening of said valve until said handle is fully rotated to said
second position and
said first location is securely connected to said second position.
According to yet another embodiment, there is provided a method of
transferring a fluid
while minimizing spilling said fluid comprising the use of the device
described herein.
Further and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to the
person of skill
in the art
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Figure 1 shows a front view of the valve actuator in an embodiment of the
present invention.
Figure 2 shows a front view of the valve actuator in a second (open) position.
Figure 3 shows a side view of the valve actuator in a first (closed) position.
Figure 4A shows a side view of the valve actuator between a first position and
second
position.
Figure 4B shows aside view of the valve actuator is a second (open) position.
Figure 5 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
showing the valve
actuator in a second position.
Figure 6 is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
showing the
valve actuator in a second position.
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Figure 7 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
showing the valve
actuator in a second position.
Figure 8 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
showing the valve
actuator in a first position.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention showing
the valve actuator in a first position.
Figure 10 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
showing the valve
actuator in a first position.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention showing
the device coming in to contact with the second location.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention showing
the device engaged with the second location and the valve in an open position.
Figure 13 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in
the closed
position.
Figure 14 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 15 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the handle and
arms of the
present invention.
Figure 16 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the key and slot
of the present
invention.
Figure 17 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the slack or lag
component of
the present invention.
Figure 18 is a see through view of a preferred embodiment of the ball and
spring plunger of
the present invention with the handle in the locked position.
Figure 19 is a see through view of a preferred embodiment of the ball and
spring plunger of
the present invention with the handle in the unlocked position.
Figure 20 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention prior to
connection to the nozzle.
Figure 21 is an overhead view of a preferred embodiment of the invention
during the
disconnection process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the Figures, the spill prevention device 10 comprises a
valve actuator 20
comprising a handle 25, locking cams 30 and 35 integral with the actuator 20,
a butterfly
=
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valve 40 controlled by the valve actuator handle 25. With the valve actuator
20 in a first
(closed) position (Figures 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10), when the handle 25 is moved in
an upright
position, the butterfly valve 40 closes and the cams 30 and 35 disengage from
the locking
tabs 60 and 65 to allow the second coupler 70 to be released from the first
coupler 80. In this
way, because the butterfly valve 40 is closed before the second coupler 70 is
disengaged,
spillage of any fluid is eliminated.
With reference to Figures 2 and 4B ¨ 7, when the actuator 20 is moved to a
second position,
the handle 25 has been moved downward and the butterfly valve 40 has opened
and cams 30
and 35 have engaged with the locking tabs 60 and 65 to secure the second
coupler 70 to the
first coupler 80 to allow fluid, such as oil, to flow through the valve from a
first location,
such as an oil tank (not shown), to a second location, such as a truck-mounted
oil tanker (not
shown). Further, cams 30 and 35 have engaged with coupler seal (not shown) for
sealing the
connection between the first coupler 80 and second coupler 70. The coupler
seal may be a
stock rubber ring commonly used in many sealing applications. In this way, the
second
coupler 70 cannot inadvertently detach from the first coupler 80 when the
butterfly valve 40
is open resulting in no fluid being spilled during fluid transference. Figure
4B shows the
actuator in between an open and closed position.
The cams 30 and 35 are arcuate in shape in this embodiment allowing for
engagement and
disengement with the locking tabs 60 and 65 with minimal effort.
The valve 40, valve body 100 and couplers 70 and 80 are fabricated from
material that is
resistant to degradation from the fluid that contacts them. In certain
embodiments, the valve,
valve body and couplers are fabricated from stainless steel. The sizing of the
valve, valve
body and couplers is typically four inches inner diameter. The coupler seal
may be made
from any material known in the art for seals. The handle 20 is made from the
same material
as the valve, valve body and couplers or a different material. For ease of
fabrication the cams
and 35 are made from the same material as the handle 20.
The spill prevention device 10 operates as follows: a first location is
provided which has the
device 10 connected thereto, the device 10 comprising a valve body 100
comprising a valve
30 actuator handle 20, a butterfly valve 40 controlled by the handle 25,
locking cams 30 and 35
integrally connected to the handle 25 and a first coupler 80; a second
location is provided
which has a second coupler 70 with locking tabs 60 and 65 connected to said
second location;
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the first coupler 80 and the second coupler 70 are loosely connected and the
valve actuator
handle 25 is pulled in a downward direction from a first position to a second
position to
simultaneously engage locking cams 30 and 35 with locking tabs 60 and 65 to
lock the
couplers 70 and 80 together and open butterfly valve 40; and the fluid to be
transferred flows
from the first location to the second location. Once the fluid transfer has
been completed, the
valve actuator handle 25 is pushed in an upward direction from the second
position to the first
position to simultaneously close the butterfly valve 40 and disengage the
locking cams 30 and
35 from the locking tabs 60 and 65 to release the couplers.
The valve actuator may be connected to an existing fluid tank valve without
any further
modification. The device may be fireproof and meet API specifications as
required. The
device is comprised of minimal parts, a first coupler comprising the handle
and valve, and a
second coupler comprising a nipple for a hose.
Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, there is provided a further embodiment of
the present
invention. In particular, there is provided a device 120 that may be mounted
onto an existing
valve 140 allowing for retrofitling thereof. The device 120 consists of a
valve actuator 150
having a first valve actuator handle 160 and a pair of actuator arms 170,
170'. In this
embodiment, each actuating arm 170, 170', is arcuate in shape, allowing for
the secure
engagement of the engagement tabs 180, 180' of the nozzle 190 when the first
valve actuator
handle 160 is moved towards the nozzle 190 once the nozzle 190 is initially
engaged with the
valve flange 200. The valve flange 200 serves to provide a seal with the
nozzle 190. The
valve flange 200 has a key, in this embodiment a substantially elongated
rectangular portion
210. The valve flange key 210 may be received in the valve flange key receiver
191 of the
nozzle 190. In this embodiment, an elongated slot running parallel to the axis
of the nozzle
190. In this manner, only a valve flange 200 with a key 210 with a male
configuration may
be securely engaged with a nozzle 190 having a corresponding flange key
receiver 191 with a
female configuration corresponding to the male configuration. This security
feature may
avoid theft of fluid by an unauthorized user and may also avoid the transfer
of a fluid not
meant for transfer to a second location. In another embodiment, the valve
flange has a female
configuration and the nozzle has a male configuration. In yet another
embodiment, the valve
flange and nozzle have a combination male/female configuration allowing for
secure
engagement when the actuating arms 170, 170' are engaged with the engagement
tabs 180,
180'. In order to secure the nozzle to the valve flange, the user engages the
nozzle 190 to the
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valve flange 200, aligning the key 210 with the key receiver 191 moving the
handle 160
towards the nozzle allowing the actuator arms 170, 170' to move and engage
with the
engagement tabs 180, 180' of the nozzle 190 and engaging the key 210 with key
receiver
191. This safety feature may avoid accidents when transferring fluids. As best
seen in
Figures 16, 20 and 21, another embodiment of the key and key receiver is
depicted. In this
embodiment the key receiver is an elongated slot comprising a first
substantially straight
section 192 connected by a connector 193 to a second substantially straight
section 194 and
the key is peg shaped 211. In this embodiment, the first substantially
straight section 192 and
said substantially second straight section 194 are substantially parallel to
each other but
spaced apart from each other by a connector 193 , wherein said connector 193
is substantially
normal to each of said first and second sections 192 and 194 respectively. In
this
embodiment, when the nozzle 190 is to be disconnected from the valve flange
200, the user
must pull the nozzle 190 away from the key 211 and along the second section
194 towards
the connector 193, turn the nozzle 190 in order to move the key (detent) 211
along the
connector Section 193, and continue pulling the nozzle 190 along the first
section 192 and
away from the key 211. This turning action of the nozzle 190 provides for a
vacuum release
allowing any fluid in the nozzle 190 to enter the second location (eg. truck)
and reduce any
unwanted spillage of fluid during the disconnection process. In yet another
embodiment, as
best seen in Figures 18 and 19, the device 120 further comprises a handle
lock, in this
embodiment a ball 220 and spring plunger 230 proximate said handle 160 urging
said handle
160 to the locked position (i.e. a closed valve) reducing unwanted opening of
the valve. As
best seen in Figure 18, the handle 160 is in the closed position, and the ball
220 of the ball
and spring plunger 230 is urged against the hole 240 in the handle to receive
the ball 220.
The ball 220 and spring plunger 230 are secured on the device by a ball and
spring plunger
plate 250 proximate the handle 160. When the user rotates the handle towards
the nozzle, the
ball is retracted from the hole allowing the handle to continue rotating
towards the nozzle.
When the user is ready to close the valve, the user returns the handle towards
the first
position and knows the valve is closed when the ball is received in the hole.
In one
embodiment, the tension on the ball and spring plunger may be adjusted as
needed. The
device 120 may be fitted over an existing valve stem, as best seen in Figures
11-15. In this
embodiment, handle arms 161 and 162 engage valve stems 161' and 162'
respectively of
valve 140. Particularly, each handle arm 161 and 162 are flexible to allow
valve stem 161'
and 162' to engage with valve stem receivers 163 and 164 respectively. In this
embodiment,
valve stem 161' is substantially cylindrical in shape and valve stem receiver
163 is a
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substantially cylindrical void complementing valve stem 161'. In one
embodiment, valve
stem receiver 163 (As best seen in Figures 18-20) includes a bearing common to
a person of
ordinary skill in the art, to facilitate rotation and reduce uneven wear and
uneven opening of
the valve. Valve stem 162' is cylindrical in shape and valve stem receiver 164
is
substantially void complementing valve stem 162'. In this embodiment valve
stem receiver
164 includes a resilient bushing 165, which provides for slack technology
ensuring the valve
arms 170 and 170' are engaged with the engagement tabs 180, 180' before the
valve is
opened. Due to the resilient bushing 165 and the gap 164' formed between the
bushing 165
and receiver 164 (as best seen in Figures 12 and 17), the valve stem 161' and
162' lag behind
the handle 160 movement (in one embodiment, by several degrees) ensuring the
valve 140 is
not opened until the valve arms 170 and 170' are fully engaged with the
engagement tabs 180
and 180' respectively. In one embodiment the slack technology further
minimizes small
leaks and spillage by ensuring that the valve is not opened even marginally
until the hose
fitting is securely locked into place. In one embodiment, bushing 165 is made
of a casted
alloy, which is resilient.
Referring now to Figure 13, there is provided a back view of the device when
the valve is in
the closed position.
Referring now to Figure 14, there is provided an exploded view of the handle
and nozzle.
As many changes can be made to the preferred embodiment of the invention
without
departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained
herein be considered
illustrative of the invention and not in a limiting sense.
