Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING ARTICLES
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for dispensing
cylindrical articles.
BACKGROUND
Various dispensing devices are used to display and to dispense cylindrical
articles, such as beverage cans or bottles. However, such dispensing devices
are generally formed from rigid plastics, which are costly.
SUMMARY
Supporting devices described below are configured to support cartons
from which cylindrical articles (e.g., cans, bottles, tolled web like items).
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a supporting device
includes opposed ends, a top panel slanted downwardly towards one of the
opposed ends, a bottom panel, and a pair of first and second opposed side
panels disposed between the top and bottom panels to form a tubular structure.
At least one of the first and second side panels is hingedly connected to the
top
panel, and the at least one of the first and second side panels comprises at
least
one guide that extends above the top panel.
In one embodiment, the at least one guide may be formed from part of the
top panel.
Dispensing devices described below are configured to receive cylindrical
articles (e.g., cans, bottles, rolled web-like items), either in a packaged or
discrete
condition, on a backward slanted upper deck. The backward-slanted upper deck
directs the cylindrical articles toward a back end of the dispensing device
onto a
forward-slanted lower deck of the dispensing device. The forward slanted lower
deck directs the cylindrical articles toward a front end of the dispensing
device
where the cylindrical articles may be removed one at a time. As the forward
most
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cylindrical article is removed, the remaining articles are gravity fed
backward
along the backward-slanted upper deck and forward on the forward-slanted lower
deck until another article is in position to be removed.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a dispensing device includes an
insert and an outer shell formed from two separate blanks respectively. The
insert includes an upper deck slanted downwardly towards a back end and a
lower deck slanted downwardly towards a front end.
The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of
the present disclosure, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of
various potential applications. Other beneficial results can be obtained by
applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining
various
aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more
comprehensive understanding may be obtained by referring to the detailed
description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope defined by the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an insert blank.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an outer shell blank.
FIG. 3 is a cut-away perspective view of an insert/supporting device
formed from the insert blank of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing device and a
carton, the dispensing device including the insert of FIG. 3 and an outer
shell
formed from the outer shell blank of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the dispensing device of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the dispensing device of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the dispensing device and carton of FIG. 4.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. It must be understood that
the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of various and alternative
forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used
expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens,
models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some
features
may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In
other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have
not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present
disclosure.
Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art.
A dispensing device described herein is formed from two or more blanks.
Each blank useful to form the device is a sheet of substrate. As used herein,
the
term "substrate" includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as
paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, and the like.
A supporting device described herein may be formed from one blank. The
blank useful to form the supporting device is a sheet of substrate such
corrugated
board. The dispensing may be used alone to display a carton or cartons
supported thereon or may be used along with an outer shell to provide a
dispensing device described herein.
Exemplary embodiments of dispensing devices described herein are
configured to dispense cans from a carton. However, dispensing devices can be
configured to dispense cans or other cylindrical articles such as bottles,
rolled
web-like articles or the like, either in a packaged or discrete condition. The
term
"discrete condition" used herein refers to the condition wherein the
cylindrical
articles are not packaged in a carton or other container, or otherwise not
bundled
or clustered into a single unit.
Exemplary embodiments of supporting devices described herein each is
configured to support one carton. However, supporting devices can be
configured to support two or more cartons each containing multiple cylindrical
articles such as cans, bottles, rolled web-like articles or the like.
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As used herein, the term "fold line" refers to all manner of lines that define
hinge features in a substrate of sheet material, for facilitating folding
portions of
the substrate with respect to one another, or otherwise for indicating optimal
folding locations in the substrate. For example, a fold line should not be
construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: indeed a fold
line can
be formed from one or more parallel weakened lines. A fold line may be, but
not
limited to, a single score line, a single half cut, a line of perforations, a
line of
short slits (i.e., an interrupted slit), a line of half-cuts, a line of cuts
(i.e., an
interrupted cut line), a series of short score lines (i.e., an interrupted
score line),
any combination thereof or the like. For ease of distinguishing, fold lines
are
shown as dashed lines in illustrations of blanks.
As used herein, the term "severance line" refers to all manner of lines
formed in a substrate of sheet material, that facilitate separating portions
of the
substrate from one another, or otherwise indicate optimal separation locations
on
the substrate. For example, a severance line in a substrate of sheet material
is
predisposed to allow a tear to propagate there-along. A severance line may be
a
weakened line which includes, but not limited to, a single cut, a single slit,
a
single half cut, a line of perforations, a line of short slits (i.e., an
interrupted slit), a
line of half-cuts, a line of cuts (i.e., an interrupted cut line), a series of
short score
lines (i.e., an interrupted score line), any combination thereof or the like.
The
elements of a fold line or severance line (such as cuts, scores and half cuts)
may
be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality.
The elements of each fold line or each severance line, such as
perforations, short slits, half-cuts, slits and scores, can be dimensioned and
arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a line of
perforations
can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line
and/or a severance line. The line of perforations can be designed to
facilitate
folding and resist breaking to provide a fold line, to facilitate folding and
facilitate
breaking with more effort to provide a severable or frangible fold line, or to
facilitate breaking with little effort to provide a severance line.
The words "aligned" and "alignment" as used herein each refers to alignment
of two or more elements in an erected device, such as an aperture formed in a
first
of two overlapping panels and a second aperture formed in a second of two
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overlapping panels. Those elements aligned or in alignment with each other may
be aligned with each other in the direction of the thickness of the
overlapping
panels, the direction along a plane of a panel or simply either vertically or
horizontally aligned. For example, when an aperture in a first panel is
"aligned
with" or "in alignment with" a second aperture in a second panel that is
placed in
an overlapping arrangement with the first panel, an edge of the aperture may
extend along at least a portion of an edge of the second aperture and may be
aligned, in the direction of the thickness of the first and second panels,
with the
second aperture.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like
elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the
various aspects of exemplary embodiments of a dispensing device that is
configured to dispense articles from a carton that is supported on the
dispensing
device.
Referring to FIGs. 1-7, an insert blank (or bank of a supporting device) 100
(see FIG. 1) is formed from corrugated board. The blank 100 is configured to
be
folded and secured to form an insert 102 (see FIGs. 3 and 4) of a tubular
structure. An outer shell blank 104 (see FIG. 2) is formed also from
corrugated
board. The blank 104 is separate from the blank 102. The blank 104 is
configured to be folded and secured to form an outer shell 106 (see FIG. 4) of
a
tubular structure. The insert 102 and the outer shell 106 are combined to form
a
dispensing device 108 (see FIGs. 4 and 7).
INSERT BLANK FIG. 1
Continuing with FIG. 1, the insert blank 100 includes a first side panel 110,
a top panel 112, a second side panel 114, a bottom panel 116, and an edge
panel 118. The panels are hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines.
First side panel 110 is hingedly connected to the top panel 112 along a fold
line
120, the top panel 112 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 114
along
a fold line 122, the second side panel 114 is hingedly connected to the bottom
panel 116 along a fold line 124, and the bottom panel 116 is hingedly
connected
to the edge panel 118 along a fold line 126.
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A back guide panel 130 is hingedly connected to a back edge of the
bottom panel 116 along a fold line 132.
The fold line 120 is interrupted by a curved severance line 140, a curved
severance line 142, and an angled severance line 144. The fold line 122 is
interrupted by a curved severance line 150, a curved severance line 152, and
an
angled severance line 154. The fold line 124 is interrupted by a curved
severance line 160, a curved severance line 162, and a severance line 164. The
fold line 126 is interrupted by a circular severance line 170, a circular
severance
line 172, a circular severance line 174, and a severance line 176.
A bottom edge of the first side panel 110 includes a circular cutout 180, a
circular cutout 182, and a circular cutout 184. The first side panel 110
includes a
wing portion 190 and the second side panel 114 includes a wing portion 192.
The wing portion 190 and the wing portion 192 are separated from one another
by a severance line 194. The wing portion 190 and the wing portion 192 are
separated from the top panel 112 by an aperture 196.
The first side panel 110 includes a curved front edge 200. The top panel
112 includes a curved front edge 202. The second side panel 114 includes a
curved front edge 206. The curved front edge 202 includes a medial cutout 204.
The bottom panel 116 includes a slot 208.
OUTER SHELL BLANK FIG. 2
Referring to FIG. 2, the outer shell blank 104 includes an edge panel 210,
a top panel 212, a first side panel 214, a bottom panel 216, and a second side
panel 218. The edge panel 210 is hingedly connected to the top panel 212 along
a fold line 220. The top panel 212 is hingedly connected to the first side
panel
214 along a double fold line 222. The first side panel 214 is hingedly
connected
to the bottom panel 216 along a fold line 224. The bottom panel 216 is
hingedly
connected to the second side panel 218 along a double fold line 226.
The outer shell blank 104 includes a back panel 232, a first back flap 234,
and a second back flap 238 that are configured to form a back wall of the
outer
shell 106. The back panel 232 is hingedly connected to the top panel 212 along
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a fold line 242. The first back flap 234 is hingedly connected to the first
side
panel 214 along a fold line 244. The second back flap 238 is hingedly
connected
to the second side panel 218 along a fold line 248. A securing tab 250 is
hingedly connected to the back panel 232 along a fold line 252 at a bottom
edge
of the back panel 232.
The outer shell blank 104 includes features for forming a front stopping
wall of the dispensing device 108. The outer shell blank 104 includes a first
front
flap 254, a front wall panel 256, and a second front flap 258. The first front
flap
254 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 214 along a fold line 264.
The
front wall panel 256 is hingedly connected to the bottom panel 216 along a
fold
line 266. The second front flap 258 is hingedly connected to the second side
panel 218 along a fold line 268.
The front wall panel 256 includes an inner panel 270 and an outer panel
272. The inner panel 270 is hingedly connected to the outer panel 272 along a
double fold line 274. The fold line 274 is substantially parallel to the fold
line 266
along which the outer front panel 272 is hingedly connected to the bottom
panel
216. The inner panel 270 is distal from the fold line 266 and the outer panel
272
is proximal to the fold line 266.
The bottom panel 216 includes a slot 276 that is adjacent the fold line 266.
The inner panel 270 includes a locking tab 278. The locking tab 278 is
positioned
at the distal end of the front wall panel 256 and is configured to be received
in the
slot 276.
The top panel 212 includes a curved front edge 280, the first side panel
214 includes a curved front edge 282, and the second side panel 218 includes a
curved front edge 284. The first side panel 214 includes a cutout 286 adjacent
the fold line 264. The second side panel 218 includes a cutout 288 adjacent
the
fold line 268.
FORMING DISPENSING DEVICE
The insert/supporting device 102, the outer shell 106, and the dispensing
device 108 can be erected from the insert blank 100 and the outer shell blank
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104 with folding and securing operations described below. The order of the
steps
can be altered according to manufacturing requirements, steps may be added or
omitted, and the means for securing components to one another may vary. For
example, the surfaces of sheet material may be secured together by means for
securing including tape, staples, interlocking folds, hook and loop fasteners,
glue
or other adhesives, combinations thereof, and the like.
FORMING INSERT OR SUPPORTING DEVICE
Referring to FIGs. 1,3, and 4, an exemplary method of folding and
securing the blank 100 to form the insert/supporting device 102 is now
described.
The outside surface of the insert blank 100 is shown in FIG. 1. The edge panel
118 is folded along fold line 126 toward the outside surface of the bottom
panel
116 to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel 116. The first side
panel
110, the top panel 112, and the second side panel 114 are folded toward the
inside surface of the bottom panel 116 along the fold line 120, the fold line
122,
and the fold line 124.
The circular cutout 180, the circular cutout 182, and the circular cutout 184
are positioned to receive engaging tabs 370, 372, 374 (Figure 3) that are
defined
by the circular severance lines 170, 172, 174 respectively. The engaging tabs
370, 372, 374 are received in the circular cutouts 180, 182, 184 to be
coplanar
with the first side panel 110. The tab and cutout locking mechanism that
connects the bottom panel 116 and the first side panel 110 does not protrude
into
the insert/supporting device 102 and thereby provides a clear pathway for an
article moving through the insert/supporting device 102.
The tab and cutout locking mechanism restricts movement of the first side
panel 110 in the plane defined by the first side panel 110 (e.g., longitudinal
and
vertical movement). The insert/supporting device 102 is further supported by
the
outer shell 106 as described in further detail below to restrict movement
perpendicular to the plane defined by the first side panel 110 (e.g.,
horizontal
movement).
The first side panel 110, the top panel 112, the second side panel 114,
and the bottom panel 116 provide a tubular structure and define the walls of
the
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insert/supporting device 102. The first side panel 110 defines a first side
wall 310,
the top panel 112 defines a top wall 312, the second side panel 114 defines a
second side wall 314, and the bottom panel 116 defines a bottom wall 316.
The curved severance line 140 defines a carton guide 340, the curved
severance line 142 defines a carton guide 342, the curved severance line 150
defines a carton guide 350, and the curved severance line 152 defines a carton
guide 352. The carton guides extend above the top wall 312 along the length of
the top wall 312 to position and keep a carton straight as it is inserted into
the
dispensing device 108 and moves across the top wall 312.
Similarly, the wing portion 190 defines a wing 390 and the wing portion
192 defines a wing 392. The wing 390 and the wing 392 position and secure a
carton toward a back end of the first side wall 310 and the second side wall
314
adjacent a top opening 396. The top opening 396 is adjacent a back edge 398 of
the top wall 312. The wings 390, 392 extend farther up the side wall of a
carton
than the carton guides 340, 342, 350, 352 and thereby provide more support.
Additional support at the back end of a carton keeps the carton square to
facilitate movement of articles out of the carton and through the top opening
396
as described in further detail below.
The curved severance line 160 defines a foot 360 and the curved
severance line 162 defines a foot 362. The edge panel 118 defines a foot 318.
The foot 360, the foot 362, and the foot 318 are tapered and angle the bottom
wall 316. A plane of the bottom wall 316 is at an angle with respect to a
plane
that includes (e.g., is defined by) the coplanar bottom edges of the foot 360,
the
foot 362, and the foot 318. The bottom wall 316 slants downwardly from a back
end of the insert/supporting device 102 towards a front end of the
insert/supporting device 102.
A plane of the top wall 312, for example as defined by the fold line 120 and
the fold line 122, is at an angle with respect to a plane defined by the
coplanar
bottom edge of the foot 360, the foot 362, and the foot 318. The top wall 312
slants downwardly from the front end of the insert/supporting device 102
towards
the back in of the insert/supporting device 102.
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The back guide panel 130 is folded toward the back edge 398 of the top
wall 312 along the fold line 132 to provide a back guide 330. The back guide
330
is positioned below the top opening 396 to facilitate the movement of articles
from
the top wall 312 to the bottom wall 316.
The curved front edge 200, the curved front edge 202, and the curved
front edge 206 define a front end opening 334 that facilitates removing an
article
from the dispensing device 108. The front end opening 334 extends along the
side walls 310, 314 to allow a hand to grasp the ends of an article.
The insert/supporting device 102 thus constructed may be used alone to
display a carton which may be placed on the top wall 312. To use the
supporting
device 102 alone without combining it with an outer shell, the supporting
device
102 may be placed on a store shelf with the back guide 330 facing a store isle
or
consumers. A carton containing multiple cylindrical articles may be placed on
the
top wall with a dispensing feature (or otherwise access opening) of the carton
facing the store isle or the consumers. The size of the supporting device may
be
enlarged or modified to support two or more cartons on the top wall.
FORMING OUTER SHELL
Referring to FIGs. 2 and 4, an exemplary method of folding and securing
the outer shell blank 104 to form the outer shell 106 is now described. The
inside
surface of the outer shell blank 104 is shown in FIG. 2. The top panel 212 is
folded toward the first side panel 214 along the fold line 222 such that the
inside
surface of the top panel 212 is in contact with the inside surface of the
first side
panel 214 and the inside surface of the edge panel 210 is in contact with the
inside surface of the first side panel 214.
Glue or other adhesive is applied to the outside surface of the edge panel
210. The second side panel 218 is folded toward the inside surface of the
bottom
panel 216 and toward the inside surface of the first side panel 214. The
inside
surface of the second side panel 218 overlaps the inside surface of the bottom
panel 216, the inside surface of the first side panel 214, and the outside
surface
of the edge panel 210. The inside surface of the second side panel 218 is
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secured to the outside surface of the edge panel 210 and the second side panel
218 is thereby hingedly connected to the top panel 212 along the fold line
220.
The top panel 212, the first side panel 214, the bottom panel 216, and the
second side panel 218 provide a collapsed tubular structure. The collapsed
tubular structure is erected by folding along the fold line 220, the fold line
222, the
fold line 224, and the fold line 226 until the top panel 212 is substantially
perpendicular to the first side panel 214 in the second side panel 218 and the
bottom panel 216 is substantially perpendicular to the first side panel 214
and the
second side panel 218. The top panel 212 defines a top wall 412, the first
side
panel 214 defines a first side wall 414, the bottom panel 216 defines a bottom
wall 416, and the second side panel 218 defines a second side wall 418. The
erected tubular structure includes a front open end 434 and a back open end.
The curved front edge 280, the curved front edge 282, the curved front
edge 284, the cutout 286, and the cutout 288 define the front open end 434.
The
curved front edges 280, 282, 284 together provide a recessed upper area of the
front open end 434, which facilitates displaying, inserting, and removing a
carton.
The cutouts 286, 299 extend along the side walls 414, 418 to allow a hand to
grasp the ends of an article.
The first back flap 234 and the second back flap 238 are folded inwardly
along the fold line 244 and the fold line 248 toward the back open end until
they
are substantially coplanar. The back panel 232 is folded inwardly toward the
back open end and overlaps the outside surfaces of the first back flap 234 and
the second back flap 238. The tab 250 is folded along the fold line 252 and
tucked under a lower edge the first back flap 234 and a lower edge of the
second
back flap 238 with the outside surface of the tab 250 in contact with the
bottom
wall 416. The tab 250 includes hooked ends and secures the back panel 232 in
place. The back panel defines a back wall 432 of the outer shell 106.
COMBINING INSERT AND OUTER SHELL
Referring to FIG. 4, the dispensing device 108 is further formed by
inserting the insert 102 into the outer shell 106. The back end of the insert
102 is
inserted through the front open end 434 of the outer shell 106 until the back
edge
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of the insert 102 is against the back wall 432. The foot 318, the foot 360,
and the
foot 362 rest on the bottom wall 416. The slot 208 aligns with the slot 276.
The
curved front edges 200, 206 align with the cutouts 286, 288. A distal edge of
the
back guide 330 is in contact with the back wall 432.
The first side wall 310 is supported by the first side wall 414 and the tabs
370, 372, 374 are supported in the circular cutouts 180, 182, 184 by the first
side
wall 414. For example, the first side wall 414 restricts the horizontal or
lateral
movement of the first side wall 310 or the tabs 370, 372, 374.
Referring to FIGs. 4-6, a front stopping wall of the dispensing device 108 is
formed and the front end of the insert 102 is thereby secured in place in the
outer
shell 106. The first front flap 254 and the second front flap 258 are folded
inwardly towards the front open end 434 of the outer shell 106 along the fold
line
264 and the fold line 268 to be substantially coplanar with one another. The
front
wall panel 256 is folded along the fold line 266 and the fold line 274 over
the first
front flap 254 and the second front flap 258. The inside surface of the outer
panel 272 is in flat face contact with the outer surfaces of the first and
second
front flaps 254, 258. The inside surface of the inner panel 270 is in flat
face
contact with the inside surfaces of the first and second front flaps 254, 258.
The
locking tab 278 is inserted into the aligned slots 208 276 to lock the inner
and
outer front panels 270, 272 in place and thereby to form a front wall 456.
DISPENSING DEVICE
The dispensing device 108 is thereafter formed as shown in FIG. 7. The
dispensing device 108 includes a first side wall 510, a top wall 512, a second
side
wall 514, a bottom wall 516, a front wall 518, a back wall 520, a forward
slanted
lower deck 530, and a backward slanted upper deck 532. The first side wall 310
and the first side wall 414 define the first side wall 510; the top wall 412
defines
the top wall 512; the second side wall 314 and the second side wall 418 define
the second side wall 514; the bottom wall 416 defines the bottom wall 516; the
front wall 456 defines the front wall 518; the back wall 432 defines the back
wall
520; the bottom wall 316 defines the forward slanted lower deck 530; and the
top
wall 312 defines the backward slanted upper deck 532.
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The dispensing device includes a carton opening 540 for receiving a
carton on the backward slanted upper deck 532 and includes a dispensing
opening 542 through which articles 602 can be removed. The carton opening
540 is defined by an upper portion of the front open end 434 and the backward
slanted upper deck 532. The dispensing opening 542 is defined by a lower
portion of the front open end 434, the front end opening 334, and the front
wall
518. The front wall 518 obstructs the movement of articles at the lower end of
the forward slanted lower deck 530 to position articles to be removed through
the
dispensing opening 542. The dispensing opening 542 extends along the first
side wall 510 and the second side wall 514 to allow a hand to engage ends of a
forwardmost article 602.
CARTON
The carton 600 illustrated in FIG. 4 is packaging for a plurality of
cylindrical
articles 602. The carton 600 includes a first side wall 610, a top wall 612, a
second side wall 614, a bottom wall 616, a front wall 618, and a back wall
620.
When inserted into the carton opening 540, the bottom wall 616 of the carton
600
rests on the backward slanted upper deck 532 of the dispensing device 108, the
first side wall 610 is supported by the first side wall 510, the top wall 612
is
supported by the top wall 512, the second side wall 614 is supported by the
second side wall 514, and the back wall 620 is supported by the back wall 520.
The curved front edge 202 of the backward slanted upper deck 532 is offset or
not parallel to the lower edge of the front wall 618 to prevent wear or other
damage to the curved front edge 202.
The bottom wall 616 of the carton 600 includes a bottom opening 630.
The bottom opening 630 is formed toward the back wall 620 such that, when the
carton 600 is received in the dispensing device 108, the bottom opening 630
aligns with the top opening 396 and articles 602 are allowed to move through
both the bottom opening 630 and the top opening 396.
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DISPENSING METHOD
The carton 600 is inserted into the carton opening 540 and slides across
the backward slanted upper deck 532 until it reaches the back wall 520. As the
carton 600 rests on the backward slanted upper deck 532, articles 602 in the
carton 600 are biased or directed toward a back end of the dispensing device
108
(e.g., back wall 520) where the articles 602 can move through the aligned
openings 396, 630, and onto the forward slanted lower deck 530.
To prevent bridging, the back guide 330 is configured to push an article
that moves through the aligned openings 396, 630 forward towards the front end
of the dispensing device 108 (e.g., away from back wall 520). The back guide
330 is angled with respect to the back wall 520.
The forward slanted lower deck 530 biases or directs the articles 602
toward a front end of the dispensing device 108 (e.g., the front wall 518).
The
front wall 518 stops an article 602 and positions the article 602 next to the
dispensing opening 542 where the article 602 can be dispensed from the
dispensing device 108 through the dispensing opening 542.
The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of
implementations set forth for a clear understanding of principles. Variations,
modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such
variations,
modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this
disclosure and the following claims.
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