Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02939899 2016-08-23
UNIVERSAL HEIGHT ABSORBING TOILET SEAL
TECHNICAL FIELD
[01] The present disclosure relates generally to a seal for connecting
conduits,
such as plumbing fixtures, to waste drain conduits, such as waste drainpipes.
More
particularly, the present disclosure is related to a universal height
absorbing toilet seal
that provides a sealed interconnection between a toilet and a toilet flange.
Related
methods for interconnecting conduits are also described.
BACKGROUND
[02] Water closets, also called toilets, are waste disposal devices
commonly
installed in most bathrooms. These kinds of plumbing appliances generally
include a
water-storing receptacle called a water tank that is attached to a siphon seat-
shaped
bowl called a toilet bowl. Periodically, waste is removed from the toilet bowl
by
flushing, thereby allowing water to drain from the water tank through the
toilet bowl
and into a waste drainpipe. In order to work, however, the toilet must be
connected to
the waste drainpipe by fluid carrying conduits. Typically, the toilet bowl
will sit flat on
a finished flooring surface and will interface with a toilet flange that is
connected to the
waste drainpipe.
[03] However, there are many variables associated with the toilet
installation
process that may or may not lead to a proper seal between the toilet and the
toilet
flange. The toilet flange may interconnect with the waste drainpipe by either
fitting
inside or outside the waste drainpipe, and the toilet flange may have a
variety of
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diameters, such as a diameter of 3 inches or 4 inches. Thus, there are four,
or more,
different types of toilet flanges that may be used, each of which requires its
own
installation considerations.
[04] In addition to the four different types of toilet flanges, there
are
additional installation variables related to height differences between the
surface of the
toilet flange and the finished flooring surface. The toilet flange may rest on
top of the
finished flooring surface, may be flush with the finished flooring surface, or
may sit
below the finished flooring surface. Each toilet bowl may also have a
different toilet lip
height that may require different installation techniques to create a
desirable seal
between the toilet and the toilet flange.
105] As a result, because of the different heights of toilet flanges,
floor levels,
and toilet lips, wax seals and/or modification of the waste drainpipes are
typically
needed to create a desirable seal between the toilet and the toilet flange.
The wax seals
are typically a uniform thickness and proper sealing often requires multiple
wax seals in
order to create a seal between the toilet and the toilet flange. However, the
wax seals do
not provide sufficient feedback to an installer during installation and once
the toilet is
placed over the toilet flange, the installer cannot see if a proper seal has
been formed
and is forced to rely only on tactile feel to determine if there is a proper
seal. Without
compression of the wax seals, it can be difficult to determine if a proper
seal has been
created. These wax seals are also not reliable because the seal connection is
not strong
enough to prevent leakage and associated odors, and oftentimes they can be
expensive
and inefficient due to delays in the installation process. Further, once the
wax seals are
set, they may not be able to be reset in a new position.
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[06] Therefore, an improved sealing system for addressing the above-
described problems are desired. Related methods for installing a seal between
the toilet
and the toilet flange are also desired,
BRIEF SUMMARY
[071 Disclosed herein is an exemplary embodiment of a universal height
absorbing toilet seal flange system for providing a desirable seal between a
toilet and a
toilet flange as well as a conduit between a plumbing fixture discharge and a
waste
drainpipe outlet. The system may comprise a flexible sleeve, a compression
member,
one or more compressible spacers, and/or one or more spacers.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[08] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a toilet seal according to
one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[09] Figure 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the toilet seal of
Figure
1.
[10] Figure 3 illustrates a compressible member for use with the toilet
seal of
Figure 1.
[11] Figure 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the toilet seal of
Figure
1 with the compressible member.
[12] Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the toilet seal of Figure 4.
[13] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a spacer for use with the
toilet
seal of Figures 1 and 4.
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[14] Figure 7 illustrates a top perspective view of another embodiment of a
spacer for use with the toilet seal of Figures 1 and 4.
[15] Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a compressible member for
use
with the toilet seal of Figures 1 and 4.
[16] Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of a compressible member with
spacer for use with the toilet seal of Figures 1 and 4.
[17] Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of the toilet seal of Figure
4
having a spacer and compressible member.
[18] Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of the toilet seal of Figure
4
having an alternative embodiment of a spacer and compressible member.
[19] Figure 12 illustrates a sectional view of the toilet seal of Figure
10.
[20] Figure 13 illustrates a sectional view of the toilet seal of Figure 4
disposed between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet.
[21] Figure 14 illustrates a sectional view of the toilet seal of Figure 4
with a
plumbing fixture discharge disposed against the toilet seal.
[22] Figure 15 illustrates a sectional view of the toilet seal of Figure 4
having
a spacer and disposed between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste
drainpipe
outlet.
[23] Figure 16 illustrates a sectional view of the toilet seal of Figure 4
having
a spacer and a compressible member and disposed between a plumbing fixture
discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet.
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[24] Figure 17 illustrates a sectional view of the toilet seal of Figure
4 having
a spacer and a compressible member with a plumbing fixture discharge disposed
against
the toilet seal.
1251 Figure 18 illustrates a sectional view of the toilet seal of Figure
4 having
a compressible member according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[26] Figure 19A illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of a
toilet seal according to the present disclosure.
[27] Figure 19B illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of a
toilet seal according to the present disclosure.
[28] Figure 20A illustrates a top perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of a toilet seal according to the present disclosure.
[29] Figure 20B illustrates a bottom perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of a toilet seal according to the present disclosure.
[30] Figure 21 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of
a
toilet seal according to the present disclosure.
[31] Figure 22 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of
a
toilet seal according to the present disclosure.
[32] Figure 23 illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of a
spacer
for use with the toilet seals of the present disclosure.
[33] Figure 24 illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of a
spacer
for use with the toilet seals of the present disclosure.
[34] Figure 25 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of
a compressible member for use with the toilet seals of the present disclosure.
CA 02939899 2016-08-23
[35] Figure 26 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of
a
toilet seal and a toilet flange of the present disclosure
[36] Figure 27A illustrates a sectional view of an alternative embodiment
of a
toilet seal according to the present disclosure.
[37] Figure 27B illustrates a sectional view of an alternative embodiment
of a
toilet seal according to the present disclosure.
[38] Figure 28 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a
toilet
seal.
[39] Figures 29A, 29B, 29C and 29D are partial sectional views of an
alternative embodiment of a toilet seal.
[40] Figures 30A, 30B, 30C and 30D are partial sectional views of an
alternative embodiment of a toilet seal.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[41] Various aspects of a universal height absorbing toilet seal and
related
methods for installing a universal height absorbing toilet seal between a
toilet = and a
toilet flange according to the present disclosure are described. It is to be
understood,
however, that the following explanation is merely exemplary in describing the
devices
and methods of the present disclosure. Accordingly, any number of reasonable
and
foreseeable modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are contemplated
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[42] Referring to Figures 1-5, a universal height absorbing toilet seal 10
according to the present disclosure includes a flexible sleeve 12 depending
downwardly
from a flange member 14, and a compressible member 16 disposed underneath the
flange member. As shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments, the flexible sleeve
12
may have a cylindrical shape. However, in other embodiments, such as the
embodiment
depicted in Figure 19A, the flexible sleeve 12 may taper from an upper portion
of the
flexible sleeve to a lower portion of the flexible sleeve such that the upper
end of the
sleeve has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the lower end of the
sleeve. In
this latter embodiment, the tapered or conical shape of the flexible sleeve 12
facilitates
insertion of the flexible sleeve into a waste drainpipe outlet. The tapered
shape of the
flexible sleeve 12 in Figure 19A further permits stacking of two or more
toilet seals 10,
which saves space, as shown in Figure 19B. One or more compressible spacers
and/or
one or more spacers may optionally be provided with the seal 10 as will be
described.
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In some embodiments, the height absorbing seal 10 is made from a flexible
material,
such as rubber, foam or polyvinyl chloride (commonly referred to as "PVC").
[43] The flange member 14 includes an upper surface 22 that may comprise
one or more seals 24 and an inwardly extending flexible lip 26 that surrounds
an
aperture 28 defined through the seal 10. In embodiments where multiple seals
24 are
disposed along the upper surface 22 of the seal 10, the seals may be disposed
concentrically relative to one another. The concentric seals 24 may comprise
ring-
shaped ridges that extend from the upper surface 22 of the seal 10. The one or
more
concentric seals 24 are operable to create a seal against a bottom surface of
the toilet
when the toilet is installed over the universal height absorbing toilet seal
10. In one
embodiment, the universal height absorbing toilet seal 10 may comprise three
concentric seals 24. Of course, the seals 24 may be provided in any number of
ways.
Figure 28 illustrates an example where the seals 24 have a geometric pattern.
The seals
24 may also have a flared outermost rib (Figs. 29A, 30A), triangular ribs
(Figs. 29B,
30B), dome shaped ribs (Figs. 29C, 30C), or square/rectangular ribs (Figs.
29D, 30D),
with (Figs. 29A, 29B, 29C and 29D) or without (Figs. 30A, 308, 30C and 30D)
bosses
(discussed in more detail below),In some embodiments, the flared outermost rib
(Figs.
29A, 30A) may have a greater height relative to the other ribs.
[44] The height absorbing seal 10 may further comprise one or more optional
tabs 30 extending from the upper surface 22 that include setting holes 32
defined
therethrough. The setting holes 32 may receive fasteners for securing the
universal
height absorbing toilet seal between the toilet and the toilet flange and
waste drainpipe
outlet. In one embodiment, two tabs may be provided that are spaced 180 apart
from
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each other about an outer circumference of the height absorbing seal 10. Also,
as
depicted in the embodiment of Figures 20A and 20B, bosses 33 may be formed
around
the setting holes 32 to facilitate holding the fasteners in a generally
vertical position to
aid alignment of the fasteners with holes of the fixture. Figure 26
illustrates the setting
holes 32 facilitating the vertical orientation of the fasteners 35, which
extend upwardly
from the toilet flange 50. With reference to Figures 27A and 27B, setting
holes 32 may
also be tapered (e.g., an inner diameter taper) respectively in an upward or
downward
direction to facilitate insertion and/or retention of the fasteners.
1451 The flexible sleeve 12 may accommodate varying diameters of waste
drainpipe outlets and/or toilet flanges. In one embodiment, a diameter of the
inner
aperture 28 at the upper surface 22 may be substantially equal to or slightly
larger than a
diameter of the flexible sleeve, thus defining a conduit for waste to flow
from the
plumbing fixture discharge, through the universal height absorbing toilet seal
10 and
toilet flange, and into the waste drainpipe outlet.
[46] Referring to Figure 2, the height absorbing seal 10 includes a
lower
surface 40, which is defined opposite the upper surface 22. The upper surface
22
terminates at an outer circumference of the height absorbing seal 10. The
height
absorbing seal 10 further includes a downwardly depending annular portion 42,
which
is substantially orthogonal to the upper surface 22. However, in some
embodiments
such as that depicted in Figure 21, the annular portion 42 may be flared
outward to
allow flexure or bending outwards when the toilet seal 10 is compressed. This
ensures
the sealing surface of the compressible member 16 is not compromised. Also,
while
depicted as being substantially coextensive with the compressible member 16 in
Figures
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4-5, in some embodiments such as that depicted in Figure 22, the annular
portion 42
may be shorter in length than the compressible member 16 such that the annular
portion
42 flexes outward when the toilet seal 10 is compressed, thus accomplishing a
similar
function to that of the embodiment in Figure 21. In still further embodiments,
the seal
may not have a downwardly depending annular portion. The height absorbing seal
10 further includes a radiused wall 44, which extends from the lower surface
40 to the
flexible sleeve 12. The diameter of the wall 44 is radiused from a larger
diameter
proximate to the lower surface 40 to a smaller diameter proximate to the
flexible sleeve
12. The lower surface 40, annular portion 42 and radiused wall 44 cooperate to
define a
cavity 46. The cavity 46 may receive the compressible member 16 (Figures 3-4).
In
embodiments with no annular portion, the lower surface 40 and radiused wall 44
cooperate to define the cavity 46.
[471 Referring
to Figs. 3-5, the universal height absorbing toilet seal 10 may
further comprise the compressible member 16. The compressible member 16 may
comprise an internal aperture 48 defined therethrough operable to receive the
flexible
sleeve 12 and may be sized and shaped to be received within the cavity 46
defined in
height absorbing seal 10. The compressible member 16 may be made from foam or
a
similar material and may be permanently affixed to the lower surface 40 of the
seal 10
within the cavity 46 or may be removably connected to the seal 10. The
compressible
member 16 may be operable to be compressed between the height absorbing seal
10 and
a top surface of a toilet flange 50 inserted into a waste drainpipe 51 (see,
e.g., Figure
13).
CA 02939899 2016-08-23
[481 Referring to Fig. 6, the universal height absorbing toilet seal 10
may
further comprise one or more modular spacers 52. In some embodiments, the
spacers
52 are rigid and may be modified to include a pair of tabs 54 defining setting
holes 56
(Fig. 7) for receiving securing fasteners (not shown). In such embodiments,
the tabs 54
may be situated 180 from each other about an outer circumference of the
spacer 52 and
may be operable to align with the one or more tabs 30 of the height absorbing
seal 10.
The spacer 52 may be formed of a variety of materials, such as rigid plastic
or metal.
However, in some embodiments, the spacer 52 may be formed of a pliable or
flexible
material.
[49] The one or more spacers 52 may be used to raise the upper surface 22
of
the height absorbing seal 10 relative to the toilet flange 50 and is operable
to interact
with and create a seal with the compressible member 16. In some embodiments,
the
spacer(s) 52 may be disposed above the seal 10 to itself accommodate a
difference in
height between the seal and the toilet flange 50. Like the compressible member
16, the
one or more spacers 52 may include an inner aperture defined therethrough for
receiving the flexible sleeve 12. In one embodiment, the spacer 52 may
comprise one
or more concentric seals 58 that may take the form of ring-shaped ridges that
extend
from an upper surface of the spacer 52 and may be located proximate to and
centered
about the inner aperture. The concentric seals 58 are operable to create a
seal against a
bottom surface of the compressible member 16. In one embodiment, the spacer 52
may
comprise three concentric seals 58.
[50] In some embodiments, in addition to the concentric seals 58 formed on
the upper surface of the spacer 52, the spacer may further comprise concentric
seals
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formed on a lower surface of the spacer such as depicted in Figure 23. In
still further
embodiments such as that depicted in Figure 24, the spacer may only have
concentric
seals 58 formed on a lower surface thereof. The compressible member 16 may
also
have concentric ridges 59 formed in an upper and/or lower surface thereof as
shown in
Figure 25. While the concentric seals 58, 59 disclosed herein are radiused in
profile,
alternative ridge profiles are contemplated to fall within the scope of the
present
disclosure. See, for example, Figures 28-30.
[51] The universal height absorbing toilet seal 10 may further comprise one
or more modular compressible spacers 60 that are positionable above or below
the
spacer 52. Similar to the one or more spacers 52, the one or more compressible
spacers
60 may also be used to raise the upper surface 22 of the height absorbing
toilet seal 10
relative to the toilet flange 50. In some embodiments, the modular
compressible
spacers 60 are of similar construct (e.g., made of foam) to the compressible
member 16
disposed within the cavity 46. Each modular compressible spacer 60 may be
operable
to interact with and create a seal with the rigid spacer 52, the toilet flange
50, and/or
another compressible spacer. Each compressible spacer may similarly comprise
an
inner aperture 62 defined therethrough for receiving the flexible sleeve 12.
[52] The compressible spacer 60 may further comprise one or more tabs 64
with optional setting holes 66 that are operable to receive securing fasteners
(not
shown). In one embodiment, the compressible spacer 60 may include two tabs
situated
180 from each other about an outer circumference of the compressible spacer
and may
be operable to align with the two tabs 30 of the height absorbing toilet seal
10 and the
two tabs 54 of the rigid spacer 52.
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[53] Referring to Fig. 9, one spacer 52 may be affixed to one modular
compressible spacer 60 in order to create a modular spacer 70, which may be
used to
raise the upper surface 22 of the height absorbing toilet seal 10 relative to
the toilet
flange 50. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 9, the spacer 52 may not have
tabs while
the compressible spacer 60 may have tabs 64; however various combinations of
tabs on
the rigid spacer and the compressible spacer are contemplated.
[54] Accordingly, in some embodiments, and with reference to Figures 10-12,
the height absorbing toilet seal 10 may include the flexible sleeve 12, the
flange
member 14 and the compressible member 16 in combination with the spacer 52
ancUor
the modular compressible spacer 60. The embodiment of Figure 10 illustrates
the
compressible member 60 having tabs 64, while the embodiment of Figure 11
illustrates
the spacer having tabs 54. Of course, other embodiments are contemplated in
which
each of the spacer 52 and compressible member 60 have tabs and in which no
tabs are
provided. Also, additional spacers 52 and compressible members 60 may be
provided
depending on the height adjustment desired.
[55] Referring to Figures 13-17, in operation, the toilet flange 50 may be
inserted into the waste drainpipe outlet 51 in such an arrangement where an
upper
portion 80 of the toilet flange may be higher than, level with, or lower than
a finished
flooring surface 82. Typically, the waste drainpipe outlet 51 does not extend
above a
subflooring region 84. Accordingly, the height absorbing toilet seal 10 may be
used to
create a sealed conduit in conjunction with the waste drainpipe outlet 51 and
thus a
desirable seal between a toilet 86 and the toilet flange 50.
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[56] In some embodiments, such as the one depicted in Figures 13-14, the
height absorbing seal 10 may be used without rigid or modular spacers 52, 60.
For
example, in some scenarios, the toilet flange 50 will be disposed above the
finished
flooring surface 82. The height absorbing seal 10 may be disposed into the
toilet flange
50 such that the flexible sleeve 12 extends in a downward direction into the
toilet
flange. The flange member 14 and compressible member 16 of the height
absorbing
toilet seal 10 may thus rest on an upper surface of the toilet flange 50.
During
installation, a horn section 92 of the toilet 86 may then be inserted into the
height
absorbing seal 10 such that it comes into contact with the inwardly extending
flexible
lip 26. As a result, the flexible lip 26 flexes downward when it comes in
engagement
with the toilet horn 92 and the flange member 14 and compressible member 16
are
compressed in engagement with the toilet flange 50, thus providing a desirable
seal.
Further, the concentric seals 24 disposed along the upper surface 22 of the
flange
member 14 of the height absorbing seal 10 come into sealed engagement with a
lower
surface of the toilet 86.
[57] Referring to Figure 15, the height absorbing seal 10 may be modified
to
include a rigid spacer 52 to accommodate for an increased height between the
lower
surface of toilet 86 and the toilet flange 50. This increased height may be
due to a toilet
having an increased size along a lower portion thereof, the toilet flange
being disposed
flush with the finished flooring or combinations of such factors. In practice,
the horn
section 92 of the toilet 86 may be inserted into the height absorbing seal 10
such that it
comes into contact with the inwardly extending flexible lip 26. As a result,
the flexible
lip 26 flexes downward when it comes in engagement with the toilet horn 92 and
the
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flange member 14 and compressible member 16 are compressed in engagement with
the
rigid spacer 52, which is disposed between the compressible member 16 and the
toilet
flange 50, thus providing a desirable seal. Further, the concentric seals 24
disposed
along the upper surface 22 of the flange member 14 of the height absorbing
seal 10
come into sealed engagement with a lower surface of the toilet 86. The
concentric seals
58 of the rigid spacer 52 also seal into the compressible member 16 further
strengthening the seal.
[58] In further embodiments, and with reference to Figures 16-17, the
height
absorbing seal 10 may be further modified to include both a rigid spacer 52
and a
modular compressible member 60 to accommodate for situations where there is an
increased distance between the lower surface of the toilet 86 and the toilet
flange 50.
For example, the toilet flange 50 may be disposed against the subflooring
region 84,
while the toilet 86 rests against the finished flooring surface 82. In such
arrangements,
the height absorbing toilet seal may be modified to include both a rigid
spacer 52 and a
modular compressible member 60 to accommodate for the increased height between
the
lower surface of toilet 86 and the toilet flange 50. In some embodiments, the
rigid
spacer 52 may be coupled to the modular compressible member 60 to form a
unitary
rigid spacer/modular compressible member combination.
[59] In practice, the horn section 92 of the toilet 86 may be inserted into
the
height absorbing seal 10 such that it comes into contact with the inwardly
extending
flexible lip 26. As a result, the flexible lip 26 flexes downward when it
comes in
engagement with the toilet horn 92 and the flange member 14 and compressible
member 16 are compressed in engagement with the rigid spacer 52 and the
modular
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compressible member 60. The modular compressible member 60 is also compressed
against the upper surface of the toilet flange, thus providing a desirable
seal. Further,
the concentric seals 24 disposed along the upper surface 22 of the flange
member 14 of
the height absorbing seal 10 come into sealed engagement with a lower surface
of the
toilet 86. The concentric seals 58 of the rigid spacer 52 also seal into the
compressible
member 16 further strengthening the seal.
[60] Referring to Figure 18, in yet another embodiment, the height
absorbing
seal 10 may be modified to exclude the rigid spacer 52, yet include a modular
compressible member 60. The height absorbing seal 10 of Figure 18 thus
provides a
desired seal by sealing the concentric seals 24 against the lower surface of
the toilet 86
and via compression of the compressible members 16, 60 against the upper
surface of
the toilet flange 50.
[61] It is to be appreciated that installations involving taller toilets,
toilet
flanges sunk below the finished flooring surface, or taller finished flooring
surfaces, one
or more rigid spacers 52 and/or modular compressible spacers 60 may be added
as
needed to raise the level of the universal height absorbing toilet seal 10
relative to the
toilet flange 50.
[62] Advantageously, the universal height absorbing toilet seal 10 creates
a
desirable seal between the toilet 86 and the toilet flange 50 without the need
for one or
more wax rings. The universal height absorbing toilet seal 10 may be used with
any
type of toilet flange, all brands and models of toilets regardless of the
height of the
toilet, and works with toilet flanges sitting flush, above, or below the
finished flooring
surface. Further, during installation, the universal height absorbing toilet
seal 10 can be
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moved to ensure a desirable seal and can be used more than once. In addition,
the
compressible nature of the universal height absorbing toilet seal 10 provides
tactile
feedback to the installer, ensuring that a proper seal has been created even
when the
toilet has been installed over the universal height absorbing toilet seal and
the seal
cannot be seen. The universal height absorbing toilet seal 10 also maintains
sufficient
support below the surface of the flexible sleeve 12 regardless of the number
of rigid
spacers 52 and/or modular compressible spacers 60 used.
[63] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited
by
any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only
in
accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. For example, in
some
embodiments, the height of the seals disclosed herein may be adjusted by
providing an
additional seal and stacking the additional seal on top of the original seal.
In such
embodiments, the additional seal may be of similar construct to the original
seal. Also,
in some embodiments, the downwardly depending annular portion 42 of the seal
10 may
be removed, and thus the compressible member 16 is disposed adjacent to the
lower
surface 40 of the flange member 14. Moreover, the above advantages and
features are
provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit the application of the
claims to
processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages.
[64] Additionally, the section headings herein are provided as
organizational
cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out
in any
claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of
example,
although the headings refer to a "Technical Field," the claims should not be
limited by
the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called technical
field.
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Further, a description of a technology in the "Background" is not to be
construed as an
admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure.
Neither is
the "Brief Summary" to be considered as a characterization of the invention(s)
set forth
in the claims found herein. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to
"invention"
in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point
of novelty
claimed in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to
the
limitations of the multiple claims associated with this disclosure, and the
claims
accordingly define the invention(s), that are protected thereby. In all
instances, the
scope of the claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of the
specification,
but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.
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