Electric shaver

Abstract

The invention refers to an electric shaver with a first cutter element and a second cutter element which are movable relative to each other in an oscillating manner along a first horizontal cutter oscillation axis. Each cutter unit is mounted in the cartridge pivotably about a second horizontal tilting axis and axially displaceably parallel to a vertical axis. The first horizontal cutter oscillation axis is perpendicular to the vertical axis and perpendicular to the second horizontal tilting axis.

Claims

1. An electric shaver comprising a shaver housing, a shaver head attached to the housing and at least one cartridge provided in or on said shaver head, wherein the cartridge comprises at least one cutter unit with a first upper cutter element and a second lower cutter element at least one of which is movable relative to the other in an oscillating manner along a first horizontal cutter oscillation axis, wherein each of the cutter unit's first upper cutter element is mounted in the at least one cartridge pivotably about a second horizontal tilting axis relative to the shaver head and axially displaceably parallel to a vertical axis relative to the shaver head, with the first horizontal cutter oscillation axis being perpendicular to the vertical axis and perpendicular to the second horizontal tilting axis, wherein the at least one cartridge is supported pivotably relative to the shaver head about the first horizontal cutter oscillation axis or a third horizontal axis parallel to the first horizontal cutter oscillation axis.

2. The electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cartridge is supported pivotably about the second horizontal tilting axis relative to the shaver head.

3. The electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cartridge comprises at least two cutter units which are coupled with each other such that pivoting about the second horizontal tilting axis and/or displacement parallel to the vertical axis of a first cutter unit mounted in said cartridge causes pivoting about the second horizontal tilting axis and/or displacement parallel to the vertical axis of a further cutter unit mounted in said cartridge.

4. The electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is divided into at least two portions, which are provided to be independently movable with respect to each other, wherein each portion comprises at least one cutter unit.

5. The electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge fully or partly envelopes the shaver head or the shaver head fully or partly envelopes the cartridge.

6. The electric shaver according to claim 5, wherein the shaver head is mounted in or on said shaver housing pivotably about the first horizontal cutter oscillation axis relative to the shaver housing.

7. The electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein the first cutter element is a foil type cutter element and that the second lower cutter element is a blade type cutter element.

8. The electric shaver according to claim 1, further comprising a drive unit located at least in part within the shaver housing, said drive unit being mounted at the shaver housing and stationary relative to said shaver head.

9. The electric shaver according to claim 8, wherein the drive unit is coupled to the second lower cutter element by means of a coupling, the coupling comprising a transmitter, the second lower cutter element and a coupling part, wherein the coupling part comprises a seat for receiving the transmitter, and wherein the transmitter, the cutter element and the coupling part are arranged and formed such that the transmitter is constrained to the cutter element in a direction parallel to the first horizontal cutter oscillation axis while having a degree of freedom in at least two rotational directions and in at least one translational direction parallel to the vertical axis.

10. The electric shaver according to claim 9, wherein the transmitter is rotatable relative to the coupling part around the vertical axis and that the coupling part is rotationally constrained to the second lower cutter element in the rotational direction around the vertical axis, wherein the coupling part comprises an at least in part spherical or cylindrical outer surface and the second lower cutter element comprises a corresponding at least in part spherical or cylindrical inner surface.

11. The electric shaver according to claim 9, wherein the coupling part comprises a bearing shell receiving the free end of the transmitter, wherein the bearing shell is mounted to the second lower cutter element via a con-rod which is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the first horizontal cutter oscillation axis and perpendicular to the vertical axis.

12. The electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cutter unit is gimbal-mounted on the shaver housing and/or shaver head.

13. The electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cutter unit is mounted to the shaver housing and/or shaver head by elastically deformable connecting elements.

14. The electric shaver according to claim 1, further comprising at least one elastically deformable biasing element, wherein the elastically deformable biasing element biases the second lower cutter element at least in a direction parallel to the vertical axis into a home position, and/or biases the cartridge into a neutral rest position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective partial view of an electric shaver;

(2) FIG. 2a, b are perspective partial views of an electric shaver according to a first embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 3a, b are perspective partial views of an electric shaver according to a second embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 4a-c are partial views of an electric shaver according to a third embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 5a, 5b are views of an electric shaver according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 6a, b are sectional views of a detail of a shaver head according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 7a is a perspective view of a coupling part of a shaver head according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

(8) FIG. 7b is a side view of a detail of a shaver head with the coupler part of FIG. 7a;

(9) FIG. 8a is a perspective partial view of a shaver head according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;

(10) FIG. 8b is a perspective view of the coupling part of the shaver head of FIG. 8a;

(11) FIG. 8c is a perspective view an alternative coupling part of the shaver head of FIG. 8a;

(12) FIG. 8d is a perspective view an alternative coupling part of the shaver head of FIG. 8a;

(13) FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a shaver head according to an eighth embodiment of the invention;

(14) FIG. 10a is a sectional view of a shaver head according to a ninth embodiment of the invention; and

(15) FIG. 10b is a perspective partial view of a detail of the shaver head of FIG. 10a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(16) FIG. 1 depicts the upper portion of an electrical shaver 1 with a shaver housing 2 forming a handle for holding the shaver 1 and a shaver head 3 detachably mounted on the housing 2. The shaver housing 2 may have different shapes such as a substantially cylindrical shape or box shape or bone shape allowing for ergonomically grabbing and holding the shaver. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the shaver head 3 comprises three cutter units, namely two outer shearing foil cutter units 4 and a central shearing blade cutter unit 5. Other embodiments may comprise different types of cutter units, different numbers of cutter units and/or a different arrangement of the cutter units.

(17) FIG. 1 further shows three axes which are each arranged perpendicular to each other, namely a vertical axis I, a first horizontal axis II (also referred to as cutter oscillation axis in the following) and a further horizontal axis III (also referred to as tilting axis in the following). The six degrees of freedom of a body are referred to in the following with reference to these axes as: vertical translation, i.e. parallel to the vertical axis I, lateral horizontal translation, i.e. parallel to the cutter oscillation axis II, forward horizontal translation, i.e. parallel to the tilting axis III, gyration, i.e. a rotation about an axis parallel to the vertical axis I, swiveling, i.e. a rotation about an axis parallel to the cutter oscillation axis II, tilting, i.e. a rotation about an axis parallel to the tilting axis III,

(18) If not defined otherwise in the following, any of these movements are to be understood as movements relative to the housing 2 as a stationary basis.

(19) FIGS. 2a and 2b depict the upper portion of an electric shaver 1 having the shaver head 3 pivotably mounted on the shaver housing 2 by means of a joint permitting pivoting about the horizontal tilting axis III. The shaver head 3 comprises a further joint in which a cartridge 10 is mounted pivotably about the cutter oscillation axis II. Two shearing foil cutter units 4 and a central shearing blade cutter unit 5 are provided within the cartridge. At least the shearing foil cutter units 4 are mounted moveable with respect to cartridge 10 permitting pivoting about the tilting axis III with respect to the cartridge and permitting a vertical translation with respect to cartridge parallel to the vertical axis I.

(20) The embodiment of FIGS. 2a and 2b shows the cartridge 10 as a unit which is pivotable with respect to the shaver end as a single component part. In addition, the cutter units are coupled to each other by the cartridge 10 such that they move together with the cartridge.

(21) FIGS. 3a and 3b show a similar embodiment regarding the arrangement of the shaver head 3 which is pivotable about the tilting axis III with respect to the housing 2. In this second embodiment the cartridge is split into two cartridge portions 10a, 10b which are pivotably mounted in shaver head 3 to allow swiveling about the cutter oscillation axis II. The cartridge may either be designed such that each cartridge portion 10a, 10b is pivotably independent of the other cartridge portion or such that pivoting of one cartridge portion causes pivoting of the other cartridge portion in the opposite direction. In addition, FIG. 3b shows that pivoting of the cutter units 4 about the tilting axis III is permitted in opposite directions by individually mounting the cutter units within the cartridge portions 10a, 10b.

(22) In the embodiment of FIGS. 4a to 4c the shaver head 3 is pivotable about the cutter oscillation axis II with respect to the housing 2. Further, the cartridge portions 10a, 10b are pivotable about an axis parallel to the cutter oscillation axis II as indicated by the arrows. In addition, the cutter units 4 may be moved with respect to the cartridge 10 and/or the shaver head 3 as mentioned above, i.e. permitting pivoting of the cutter units 4 about the second horizontal tilting axis III relative to the shaver head 3 and permitting axial displacement parallel to the vertical axis I relative to the shaver head 3. The rotational movement of the cutter units 4 relative to the shaver head 3 may be an individual movement of each cutter unit 4 and/or of each cartridge portion 10a, 10b. As an alternative, the cutter units 4 and/or the cartridge portions 10a, 10b may be coupled to each other such that a movement of one cutter element 4 causes an identical or different, e.g. opposite, movement of the other cutter element 4.

(23) FIGS. 5a and 5b show a cutter unit 4 gimbal-mounted within the shaver by means of a cardan joint. In more detail, shaver head 3 may be mounted on housing 2 of the shaver 1 by means of a gimbal element 31. The gimbal element 31 is pivotably mounted on arms 32 fixed to the housing 2 and the head 3 is in turn pivotably mounted by means of a frame 33 on the gimbal element 31. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5a and 5b, the gimbal element 31 is rotatable about horizontal cutter oscillation axis II with respect to arms 32 of the housing 2. Further, the head 3 and its frame 33 are rotatable about horizontal tilting axis III with respect to gimbal element 31. In this embodiment, the rotation axes are implemented on the same part creating a very compact design. The implementation of this cardan joint in between the shaving foils allows at the same time to have the rotation axis close to the contact surface to the skin and therefore obtain the ergonomic benefits. In addition, this compact design minimizes the size of the shaver head 3. As an alternative to the configuration with the cardan joint a cutter unit may be mounted using soft components interposed between stiffer component parts to allow a degree of flexibility.

(24) In the following, exemplary embodiments of the interface between the drive unit of the electric shaver and the cutter element are shown.

(25) The general principle of transmitting a force or motion to the cutter units 4 can be understood from FIGS. 6a and 6b. Each cutter unit 4 comprises a blade type lower cutter element 6 with a series of arched blades 7 (FIGS. 8a, 9) mounted on a common base 8 and a foil type upper cutter element 9 which is mounted in cartridge 10. The cartridge 10 further guides the lower cutter element 6 allowing relative lateral horizontal translation of the lower cutter element 6 with respect to the stationary upper cutter element 9 parallel to the swiveling axis II while constraining the lower cutter element 6 in a defined position with respect to the upper cutter element 9 in a direction parallel to the vertical axis I and in a direction parallel to the tilting axis III. This reciprocating relative movement of the two cutter elements shears off hairs entering the openings in the foil type upper cutter element 9.

(26) The cartridge 10 is guided in the shaver head 3 by means of two pins 11 (FIG. 9) allowing vertical translation and tilting of the cartridge 10 with respect to the shaver head 3. The housing 2 encases a drive unit (not shown) which may comprise an electric motor with an eccentric driving an oscillating bridge (not shown) carrying at least one transmitter 12 which performs a reciprocating lateral horizontal translation. The transmitter 12 may have the form of a pin extending parallel to the vertical axis I as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b.

(27) Further, FIGS. 6a and 6b depict a first embodiment of a coupling between the transmitter pin 12 and the lower cutter element 6. The coupling comprises the transmitter pin 12 and the lower cutter element 6 and in addition a coupling part 13 which is interposed between the transmitter pin 12 and the lower cutter element 6. The coupling part 13 has an at least partially spherical upper portion which is guided in a corresponding hemispherical portion of the base 8 of the lower cutter element 6. The lower portion of the coupling part 13 has a flange-like configuration and is adapted to receive a compression spring (not shown) for pushing the coupling part 13 upwards.

(28) Further, the coupling part 13 comprises a seat for receiving the transmitter pin 12 which has the form of a slotted hole 14. The dimensions of the slotted hole 14 are adapted to the dimension of the transmitter pin 12 such that the width of the slotted hole 14 substantially corresponds to the width of the transmitter pin 12 in a direction parallel to the horizontal cutter oscillation axis II whereas the width of the slotted hole 14 exceeds the width of the transmitter pin 12 in the perpendicular direction parallel to the horizontal tilting axis III. The fit between the transmitter pin 12 and the slotted hole 14 in the direction parallel to the horizontal cutter oscillation axis II is preferably chosen such that the transmitter pin 12 is able to slide within the slotted hole 14 in a direction parallel to the vertical axis I but has substantially no play to provide for transmission of a force or motion in the direction parallel to the horizontal cutter oscillation axis II for driving the lower cutter element 6 upon actuation of the transmitter pin 12. On the other hand, the increased width of the slotted hole 14 in the direction parallel to the horizontal tilting axis III allows pivoting of the coupling part 13 with respect to the transmitter pin 12, in particular if the cutter unit 4 performs a swiveling motion relative to the transmitter pin 12.

(29) The above features of transmitting a force or motion in a direction parallel to the horizontal cutter oscillation axis II while allowing a swiveling of the cutter unit with respect to the transmitter pin 12 requires that the coupling part 13 is held in a predefined orientation with respect to the transmitter pin and/or the lower cutter element 6. This is achieved by providing two lateral guiding elements in the form of pins 15 on the spherical portion of coupling part 13. The guide pins 15 are received in a corresponding structure in base 8 of the lower cutter element 6 to prevent gyration of the coupling part 13 with respect to the base 8. In other words, the orientation of the slotted hole 14 with respect to the base 8 of the lower cutter element 6 is maintained by the guide pins 15 and the corresponding structure in the base 8.

(30) The coupling between transmitter pin 12 and lower cutter element 6 by means of coupling part 13 has the effect that a reciprocating force or motion of the transmitter pin 12 for driving the lower cutter element 6 is directly transmitted from the transmitter pin 12 via the slotted hole 14 of the coupling part 13 and via the spherical outer surface of coupling part 13 into the corresponding hemispherical surface of base 8 of the lower cutter element 6. In addition, the lower cutter element 6 may perform a relative movement parallel to the vertical axis I with respect to transmitter pin 12 by transmitter pin 12 sliding within slotted hole 14 of coupling part 13. The structure of the spherical outer surface of coupling part 13 and the corresponding hemispherical surface of base 8 allow a tilting of the lower cutter element 6 with respect to the transmitter pin 12. The design of the slotted hole 14 further allows swiveling of the lower cutter element 6 with respect to transmitter pin 12. Further, a gyration of the lower cutter element 6 with respect to the transmitter pin 12 is allowed. In addition, the design and orientation of the slotted hole 14 allows a relative movement of the lower cutter element 6 with respect to transmitter pin 12 parallel to the horizontal tilting axis III. The latter two relative movements of the lower cutter element 6 with respect to the transmitter pin 12 may be prevented by the cartridge 10 being guided on pins 11 of the shaver head 3.

(31) A further embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 7a and 7b. The general composition and function of the respective component parts is identical to the above described first embodiment. However, the design of the coupling part 16 and the respective counter surface in base 8 of the lower cutter element 6 differs from the design of the coupling part 13 of the previous embodiment and the respective counter surface in the base 8. As can be seen in FIG. 7a coupling part 16 is substantially cylindrical with a middle portion in the form of a cuboid with rounded edges. The lateral cylindrical portions 17 of coupling part 16 are received and guided in a corresponding surface of base 8 of the lower cutter element 6. As can be seen from FIG. 7b this corresponding surface may have the form of a cylindrical half shell such that tilting of the lower cutter element 6 with respect to transmitter pin 12 is allowed. In addition, the lateral cylindrical portions 17 of coupling part 16 fulfill the function of the guide pins 15 of coupling part 13 of the first embodiment, i.e. preventing gyration of the coupling part 16 with respect to the lower cutter element 6.

(32) The coupling part 16 further comprises a slotted hole 14 which has a configuration and orientation as mentioned above with respect to the first embodiment. The transmitter pin 12 is guided within the slotted hole 14 of coupling part 16 such that a driving force or motion in a direction parallel to the horizontal cutter oscillation axis II is transmitted, while relative movement in the direction of the perpendicular horizontal tilting axis III or a relative swiveling movement are permitted by the design of the slotted hole 14.

(33) The design and arrangement of the coupling between transmitter 12 and lower cutter element 6 by means of coupling part 16 is such that only one degree of freedom is constrained, namely the lateral horizontal translation parallel to the cutter oscillation axis II, while the five other relative movements, namely the vertical translation, the forward horizontal translation, the gyration, the swiveling and the tilting, are permitted. Due to the interface between shaver head 3 and cartridge 10 with pins 11 engaging a fixed bearing 18 and a floating bearing 19 gyration and forward horizontal translation between the cutter unit 4 and the transmitter pin 12 are prevented. However, the design of the second embodiment may be amended to allow gyration and/or forward horizontal translation if desired.

(34) A still further embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 8a and 8b. Again, the general composition and function of the shaver head is as described above with respect to the previous embodiments. The coupling between transmitter pin 12 and the lower cutter element 6 comprises a coupling part 20 with a spherical upper portion which may have flattened lateral sides as shown in FIG. 8b. This upper portion of coupling part 20 is received in a corresponding structure of the base 8 of the lower cutter element 6 having the form of a cylindrical half shell in the depicted embodiment. The half shell extends with its longitudinal axis parallel to the horizontal tilting axis III. As an alternative to the depicted embodiment a hemispherical configuration of the corresponding structure of the base 8 of the lower cutter element 6 may be possible.

(35) The coupling part 20 comprises a circular hole 21 receiving the transmitter pin 12. The inner diameter of the circular hole 21 substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of transmitter pin 12 to allow direct transmission of a driving force or motion from the transmitter pin 12 to the coupling part 20 and further to the lower cutter element 6 while allowing a sliding vertical translation of coupling part 20 with respect to transmitter pin 12. As an alternative to the circular design of transmitter pin 12 and hole 21 any other design may be possible which allows transmission of a lateral horizontal translation.

(36) The lower portion of coupling part 20 has a flange-like configuration with two legs 22 extending away from the spherical upper portion. As shown in FIG. 8a a compression spring 23 may be received in the flange-like portion between legs 22 and surrounding transmitter pin 12. With the shaver head 3 attached to the housing 2 of an electric shaver legs 22 preferably engage hocks (not shown) which may be provided on an oscillating bridge surrounding transmitter pin such that a relative vertical translation of coupling part 20 with respect to the hocks is allowed while preventing gyration of coupling part 20.

(37) Again, the design and arrangement of the coupling of the third embodiment is such that a relative lateral horizontal translation between transmitter pin 12 and lower cutter element 6 is prevented, while a relative vertical translation, a forward horizontal translation, a gyration, a swiveling and a tilting is allowed. As mentioned above, the forward horizontal translation and the gyration may be prevented by means of the interface between cartridge 10 and shaver head 3.

(38) Alternative designs of the coupling part 20 are depicted in FIGS. 8c and 8d. The embodiment of 8c shows an amended design of the interface between the coupling part 20 and the cutter element 6. In more detail, the coupling part 20 comprises a neck portion 34 which may be cylindrical as shown in FIG. 8c. The upper end (as seen in FIG. 8c) of the neck portion 34 is provided with two laterally extending protrusions 35 in the form of arcs each forming a cylinder segment. The cutter element 6 (not shown) may be provided with a corresponding guidance chamber having two opposite arced portions forming corresponding cylinder segments. As can be seen in FIG. 8c, the hole 21 in the coupling part 20 receiving the transmitter 12 may have a polygonal shape instead of a circular shape as shown in FIG. 8b.

(39) The embodiment of FIG. 8d differs only slightly from the embodiment of FIG. 8b regarding the design of the interface between the coupling part 20 and the cutter element 6 (not shown). In FIG. 8d the neck portion 34 of the coupling part 20 is provided with an end in the form of a ball segment 36, which may be received in a corresponding guidance chamber having two opposite arced portions forming corresponding cylinder segments.

(40) A further embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 9 which differs from the above mentioned embodiments in that a coupling part 24 is not a separate component part but an integral portion of the base 8 of the lower cutter element 6.

(41) The coupling part 24 is defined by two apposed side surfaces 25 which are arranged on opposite sides as seen in the direction of the horizontal cutter oscillation axis II. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 the side surfaces 25 are roof-shaped with two portions which are inclined with respect to the vertical axis I and which form an obtuse angle with respect to each other. As an alternative, the side surfaces 25 may have a bent configuration or may be formed by portions forming an acute angle. Such a design of the side surfaces results in the coupling part 24 defining a slotted hole for receiving the transmitter pin 12. As can be seen in FIGS. 6a and 6b the arrangement of the side surfaces 25 is such that a middle portion of the slotted hole 26 has a width substantially corresponding to the width of the transmitter pin 12 in the direction of the horizontal cutter oscillation axis II, while the width of the slotted hole 26 exceeds the width of the transmitter pin 12 in an upper portion and in a lower portion. Further, the width of the slotted hole 26 exceeds the width of the transmitter pin 12 in a direction parallel to the tilting axis III. The transmitter pin 12 is guided in the slotted hole 26 to allow vertical translation and forward horizontal translation of base 8 with respect to transmitter pin 12 while blocking relative lateral horizontal translation. In addition, gyration, swiveling and tilting of base 8 with respect to transmitter pin 12 is allowed by due to the design and arrangement of the side surfaces 25.

(42) A further embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 10a and 10b. While the general composition and function of the component parts of the shaver head 3 is identical to the above described embodiments, the coupling between the transmitter pin 12 and the lower cutter element 6 differs in the provision of a coupling part in the form of a con-rod 27 having a bearing shell 28 at one end. The con-rod 27 is attached to the base 8 of the lower cutter element 6 with its opposite end by means of a pivot bearing 29. A leg spring 30 engages the con-rod 27 and the base 8 of the lower cutter element 6, thereby biasing the bearing shell 28 away from the lower cutter element 6.

(43) In the depicted embodiment the bearing shell 28 has the form of a hemisphere passing into a truncated cone. The bearing shell 28 receives the upper end of transmitter pin 12 which may have a rounded tip. The transmitter pin 12 is guided within bearing shell 28 such that a lateral horizontal translation is transmitted from the transmitter pin 12 via the con-rod 27 to the base 8 of lower cutter element 6. However, gyration, swiveling and tilting of the transmitter pin 12 with respect to bearing shell 28 is permitted. In addition, a vertical translation of the lower cutter element 6 with respect to the transmitter pin 12 is permitted by pivoting con-rod 27 against the bias of leg spring 30.

(44) In the exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures, the coupling between the transmitter pin 12 and the lower cutter element 6 is identical for both cutter units 4. However, different interfaces between the transmitter pin 12 and a cutter unit 4 may be provided if desired to allow differing relative movements between the cutter unit and the transmitter pin. Cutter unit 5 may be driven together with one of the cutter units 4 by a common transmitter pin 12.

(45) It is a common feature of the above described embodiments that the coupling is designed to allow relative vertical translation, relative forward horizontal translation, relative gyration, relative swiveling and/or relative tilting of a cutter unit with respect to a transmitter pin on a macroscopic level, i.e. based on a movement of the whole shaver head 3 with respect to the housing 2, and/or on a microscopic level, i.e. based on a movement of a cutter unit 4, 5 relative to the shaver head 3. This permits a perfect adaption of the position of each individual cutter unit 4, 5 with respect to the contour of the skin to be shaved.

(46) The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as 40 mm is intended to mean about 40 mm.

(47) Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

(48) While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.