DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SLICING FILM MATERIAL

Abstract

The present invention relates to wrapping palletised items and loads. A method, system and apparatus is disclosed for stretch wrapping which provides a device adapted to provide strips of material of various widths, the device comprising: one or more blades for slitting a film of material to form two or more strips, a primary guide for guiding the two or more strips, a secondary guide, over which the strips pass, and two or more shaped recesses operatively associated with one of the primary guide or the secondary guide, each recess guiding a strip, wherein the width of the strips can be varied by altering the relative positions of the primary guide and secondary guide.

Claims

1. A device adapted to provide strips of material of various widths, the device comprising: one or more blades for slitting a film of material to form two or more strips, a primary guide for guiding the two or more strips, a secondary guide, over which the strips pass, and two or more shaped recesses operatively associated with one of the primary guide or the secondary guide, each recess guiding a strip, wherein the width of the strips can be varied by altering the relative positions of the primary guide and secondary guide.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the primary guide comprises the two or more shaped recesses.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the relative positions of the primary and secondary guides are varied in a direction which is substantially in a direction of flow of the strips.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the blades are retractable for protection of operators.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the blades are guarded for protection of the blades.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the device further comprises a casing, which upon opening for access to component parts of the device causes the blades to be retracted and/or guarded.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the two or more shaped recesses are tapered in cross section.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the two or more shaped recesses provide one or a combination of roping and edging of the strips.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the two or more shaped recesses are V-shaped recesses.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the secondary guide comprises a roller.

11. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the film of material comprises stretch wrapping material.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device is adapted for being either removably or permanently attached to a stretch wrapping machine of one of a selection of machine formats or models.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the selection of machine formats or models comprises one of: PS; EM.

14. A system for wrapping palletised goods using strips of stretch film wrap, the system comprising; a pallet wrapping machine adapted to be loaded with stretch film wrap for wrapping around a pallet loaded with goods, a modular device associated with the pallet wrapping machine, the device including: one or more blades for slitting stretch film wrap emanating from the pallet wrapping machine to form two or more strips, a primary guide for guiding the two or more strips, a secondary guide, over which the strips pass, and two or more shaped recesses operatively associated with one of the primary guide or the secondary guide, each recess guiding a strip wherein the width of the strips can be varied by altering the relative positions of the primary guide and the secondary guide.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the two or more shaped recesses are tapered in cross section.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the two or more shaped recesses provide one or a combination of roping and edging of the strips.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the two or more shaped recesses are on the primary guide and are V-shaped and/or form a saw tooth shaped leading edge of the primary guide.

18. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the secondary guide comprises a roller.

19. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the modular device is adapted for altering the relative positions of the primary and secondary guides in a direction which is substantially in a direction of flow of the strips.

20. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the blades are retractable for protection of operators.

21. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the blades are guarded for protection of the blades.

22. A system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the modular device further comprises a casing, which upon opening for access to component parts of the modular device causes the blades to be retracted and/or guarded.

23. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the primary guide is intermediate the blades and the secondary guide.

24. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the modular device is adapted to variably change the relative positions of the primary and the secondary guides as the strips pass across the guides to provide strips of variable width.

25. A method of cutting film material into strips of various width, the method comprising; providing a flow of film material, passing the film material across one or more blades to form two or more strips, passing each strip through a tapered recess in a primary guide, passing each strip over a secondary guide, altering the relative positions of the primary guide and the secondary guide to vary the width of the strips.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the relative positions of the primary and secondary guides are varied in a direction which is substantially in a direction of flow of the strips.

27. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the step of passing each strip through a tapered recess in a primary guide comprises one or a combination of: roping, and; edging.

28.-29. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which:

[0079] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the device (1) of the present invention.

[0080] FIG. 2 illustrates a device (1) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the outer casing opened up so that three blades (3) can be seen.

[0081] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the device (1) of the present invention with the outer casing opened up so that two blades (3) can be seen.

[0082] FIG. 4 illustrates the device (1) of FIG. 2 in plan view from the side to show the primary guide (7) and the secondary guide (9).

[0083] FIG. 5 illustrates the device (1) of FIG. 4 in plan view from the front showing the secondary guide (9).

[0084] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional top plan view of the device (1) of FIG. 4 showing the position of one of the blades (3) together with the primary guide (7) and the secondary guide (9) in relation to the frame (2) of the device (1).

[0085] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate one embodiment of a method of adjusting the relative positions of the primary guide (7) and secondary guide (9).

[0086] FIGS. 10 to 15 illustrate a method for replacement of blades in the device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment.

[0087] FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 illustrate in top plan view, two types of pallet wrapping machines (PS FIG. 16; EM FIG. 17) cooperating with a device (1) according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0088] FIG. 18 illustrates strips of material (20) emerging from a device (1) according to preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0089] FIG. 19 illustrates the device of FIG. 3 in exploded view to show components in detail.

[0090] FIG. 20 illustrates, in perspective view, the device of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 installed on a first type of pre-stretching carriage of a pallet wrapping machine.

[0091] FIG. 21 illustrates, in perspective view, the device of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 installed on a second type of pre-stretching carriage of a pallet wrapping machine.

[0092] FIG. 22 illustrates, in perspective view, the device of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 installed on an EM carriage of a pallet wrapping machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

List of Parts Shown in the Figures

[0093]

TABLE-US-00001 1 (Modular) Device/Adaptor 2 Frame 3 Blades 4 Idle rollers 5 Casing door 6 Casing wall 7 Primary guide 8 V-Shaped recesses 9 Secondary guide 10 Adjustment screw 11 Bracket 12 Casing door hinge 13 Blade unit screw 14 Frame locks 15 Blade holder screw 16 Blade holder 17 Blade unit 18 Blade screws 19 Roll of film material 20 Strips of material 21 Pre-stretching carriage 22 Pre-stretching carriage (known prior art model No. (known prior art model No. C1HG0172) C1HG0145) 23 EM Carriage

[0094] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a device (1) in accordance with the present invention in a modular form, suitable for permanent or removable connection to an existing wrapping machine such as a pallet wrapping machine. The preferred device is a removable adaptor component for use with stretch wrapping machines. In this preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a commercially viable option for ventilation of wrapped pallets in cool rooms to reduce refrigeration energy cost.

[0095] FIG. 2 illustrates a device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention with the outer casing (6) of the adaptor component open with the casing door (5) opened so that three blades (3) can be seen. The blades (3) are the parts of the component that cut or slice the wrapping film. The frame (2), inclusive of the casing wall (6) and door (5), is comprised of a load-bearing structure made from steel panels and profiles to create a strong support. Idle rollers (4) ensure that the film material (not shown) is dispensed correctly and passed onto or across the three blades (3). Idle rollers (4) guide film material (not shown) onto the three blades (3). The three blades (3) slit the film material into four strips or bands, each strip passing through a V-shaped recess (8) in the primary guide (7). In the embodiment shown, the primary guide (7) may be in the form of an adjustment plate. The adjustment plate (7) can be varied in its configuration depending on the strips to be obtained and its relative position determines the width of the film strip. The V-shaped recesses of the adjustment plate (7) may provide one or a combination of the functions of edging and/or roping the film as it passes through. The position of each strip in the V-shaped recess (8) and the concomitant strip width is dependent on the position of the second guide (9), which in this embodiment is another idle roller. In the embodiment shown, the film once slit by the blades (3) passes through the primary guide (7) with its shaped recesses then onto the secondary guide (9). In alternate embodiments, not shown, the slit film strips may pass through an initial or primary guide and then onto a secondary guide that has the shaped recesses for providing one or a combination of the functions of edging and/or roping the film as it passes through.

[0096] The three-blade device of FIG. 2 can be readily converted into the two-blade device of FIG. 3 or, converted into a device having any convenient number of blades. The blades (3) comprise part of a single adaptor (1) that can be removed and replaced with an adaptor having a different number of blades.

[0097] FIG. 3 illustrates a device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention with the outer casing (6) opened up so that the frame (2) and two blades (3) can be seen. The frame (2) consists of a load-bearing structure made from steel panels and profiles to create a strong support. Idle rollers (4) ensure that the film material (not shown) is dispensed correctly and passed onto the two blades (3). The blades (3) slit the film material into three strips, each strip passing through a V-shaped recess (8) in the primary guide (7). The position of each strip in the V-shaped recess (8) and the concomitant strip width is dependent on the position of second guide (9), which in this embodiment is another idle roller. Again, in the embodiment shown, the primary guide (7) may be in the form of an adjustment plate. The adjustment plate (7) can be varied in its configuration depending on the strips to be obtained and its relative position determines the width of the film strip.

[0098] FIG. 4 illustrates the device (1) of FIG. 2 in plan view from the side to show the primary guide (7) and the secondary guide (9).

[0099] FIG. 5 illustrates the device (1) of FIG. 4 in plan view from the front showing the secondary guide (9).

[0100] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional top plan view of the device (1) of FIG. 4 showing the position of one of the blades (3).

[0101] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate one embodiment of the method of adjusting the relative positions of the primary guide (7) and secondary guide (9). In this embodiment, the secondary guide (9) has an adjustment screw (10) at either end. The screw (10) resides in a guide slot in a bracket (11) that is integral with or connected to the primary guide (7). The screw can be loosened (FIG. 7), moved, and the screw subsequently tightened to secure the secondary guide (9) in place (FIG. 9). In this manner, the secondary guide (9) can be moved left or right (the two directions being indicated by the double headed arrow of FIG. 8). Moving secondary guide (9) to the right causes the resultant strip(s) to be narrower. Moving secondary guide (9) to the left causes the resultant strip(s) to be wider. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the relative adjustment and movement of the primary guide (7) and the secondary guide (9) may be automated such that the relative positioning of the guides can be altered by an operator of the stretch wrapping machine in situ or during operation of the wrapping machine. To achieve this end, it is envisaged that one or both guides may be installed with mechanical or motorised actuation for displacement with respect to the frame (2) of the adaptor (1). As would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art, there are a number of mechanical or motorised means available that can be fitted in connection with the primary and/or secondary guides, for example, at attachment points such as the bracket (11) in operative association with the primary guide (7).

[0102] In other embodiments of the present invention, the position of the primary guide (7) can be changed relative to the secondary guide (9). In yet another embodiment, the position of both the primary guide (7) and the secondary guide (9) can be changed. As indicated above, the altering of the positions of the primary guide (7) and/or the secondary guide (9) can be manual, or automated, or a combination of both.

[0103] FIGS. 10 to 15 illustrate installation and replacement of blades. As mentioned previously, the blades (3) comprise part of a single adaptor unit that can readily be replaced by another adaptor unit with a different number of blades (3). Furthermore, individual blades (3) in an adaptor can readily be replaced if they wear or become blunt. This is illustrated with reference to the three-blade device (1) shown in FIG. 2. As a first step the device (1) is opened up by releasing the frame locks (14) so the primary guide (7) and secondary guide (9) can be swung out of the way (FIG. 10). Screws (15) holding the blade holder (16) to the adaptor can then be unscrewed (FIGS. 11 & 12). The blade holder (16) acts as a guard for protection of the blade (3). In this example the middle blade is removed. Screws (18) holding the blade (3) in the blade holder (16) are then unscrewed (FIG. 12). The blade (3) can then be snapped out of its holder and replaced with a new blade (FIG. 13). A similar process can be carried out for the other two blades (3) (FIG. 14). The components are then replaced and the relevant screws tightened. As a final step the device (1) is closed by swinging the primary guide (7) and secondary guide (9) back into place and re-engaging the frame locks (14) (FIG. 15). Preferably all screws (or alternatively bolts or lock nuts and the like) of every adjustable mechanical element are tightened following normal tightening values, without using any levers or spanners.

[0104] In preferred embodiments, the blades (3) may be disposed on the blade holder (16) in a retractable manner for protection of operators accessing the device. The retractable mechanism of the blades (3) may be facilitated by suitable biasing means holding the blades (3) in place. Alternatively, the blades may be manually slid into a retracted position for access and maintenance of the device. In normal operating conditions, when the door (5) is opened, the blades (3) are protected by a moving slide or guard that prevents operators from reaching them. In the embodiments illustrated, the blade holder (16) itself acts as the moving slide or guard.

[0105] The device of embodiments of the present invention may be used to slit a roll of film material emanating from a roll within a packaging machine, such as a pallet wrapping machine. As such, a device of a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be applicable as an operative adaptor to stretch wrapping machines for producing ventilated film in situ using standard non-ventilated stretch wrapping material. Preferably the device of a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be installed on packaging machine carriages with mechanical/electromechanical (EM) film regulation or carriages with motor-driven pre-stretching (PS). FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 illustrate, in top plan view, two types of pallet wrapping machines cooperating with a device (1) according to the present invention. FIG. 16 shows the device installed on a PS carriage of a pallet wrapping machine. FIG. 17 shows the device installed on an EM carriage of a pallet wrapping machine. A roll of film material (19), and the path taken by the film material through the wrapping machines and the device (1) can be clearly seen. In the example of FIG. 16 the device may be installed in a lateral adjacent fashion to the film outlet of the machine carriage. In the example of FIG. 17 the device may be installed in a series or longitudinal adjacent fashion to the film outlet of the machine carriage. Therefore, by virtue of the modular box component design of the device of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it can be fitted as an adaptor to a number of wrapping machine models. As a modular adaptor for fitment to a range of stretch wrapping machines, by way of example, the device of the present invention may be fitted to a range of stretch wrapping machines sold and distributed by the present applicant, namely the range of Omni™ Stretch Wrapping Machines, which machines may also be distributed in markets under the brand C-One™. It is envisaged that the modular device of the present invention may also be fitted to stretch wrapping machines currently sold and distributed in the market under the brand names of other proprietors. For respective fitment to individual wrapping machines currently on the market, some minor modification to the fastening/fasteners and joining components will be applicable as would be understood by the person skilled in the art.

[0106] FIG. 18 illustrates strips of material (20) cut from the roll of film material (19), passing through the V-shaped recesses (8) of the primary guide (7) and across the secondary guide (9).

[0107] FIG. 19 illustrates the device of FIG. 2 in exploded view to show the component parts in detail.

[0108] The device of embodiments of the present invention may be permanently or removably attached to a packaging machine, such as a pallet wrapping machine, by any convenient method. In one preferred embodiment the device can be located where the film material exits the pallet wrapping machine, such as at the pre-stretching carriage. The device of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 may, for example, be installed on a pre-stretching carriage as shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 or on an EM carriage of a pallet wrapping machine as shown in FIG. 22.

[0109] Typically, the device would be fastened to brackets, or pre-drilled holes located on the carriage of the machine. The fasteners could include conventional bolts, nuts, screws and washers.

[0110] For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “interior,” “exterior,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the present specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, it is to be understood that discussion of a particular feature of component extending in or along a given direction or the like does not mean that the feature or component follows a straight line or axis in such a direction or that it only extends in such direction or on such a plane without other directional components or deviations, unless otherwise specified.

[0111] While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

[0112] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

[0113] Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

[0114] The following sections I-VII provide a guide to interpreting the present specification.

I. Terms

[0115] The term “product” means any machine, manufacture and/or composition of matter, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0116] The term “process” means any process, algorithm, method or the like, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0117] Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise) inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a “step” or “steps” of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in the mere recitation of the term ‘process’ or a like term. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a ‘step’ or ‘steps’ of a process has sufficient antecedent basis.

[0118] The term “invention” and the like mean “the one or more inventions disclosed in this specification”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0119] The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “another embodiment” and the like mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the disclosed invention(s)”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0120] The term “variation” of an invention means an embodiment of the invention, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0121] A reference to “another embodiment” in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0122] The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0123] The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0124] The term “plurality” means “two or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0125] The term “herein” means “in the present specification, including anything which may be incorporated by reference”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0126] The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifies a plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things), means any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the phrase “at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel” means either (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car and a wheel. The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifies a plurality of things, does not mean “one of each of” the plurality of things.

[0127] Numerical terms such as “one”, “two”, etc. when used as cardinal numbers to indicate quantity of something (e.g., one widget, two widgets), mean the quantity indicated by that numerical term, but do not mean at least the quantity indicated by that numerical term. For example, the phrase “one widget” does not mean “at least one widget”, and therefore the phrase “one widget” does not cover, e.g., two widgets.

[0128] The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on”, unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” describes both “based only on” and “based at least on”. The phrase “based at least on” is equivalent to the phrase “based at least in part on”.

[0129] The term “represent” and like terms are not exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the term “represents” do not mean “represents only”, unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “the data represents a credit card number” describes both “the data represents only a credit card number” and “the data represents a credit card number and the data also represents something else”.

[0130] The term “whereby” is used herein only to precede a clause or other set of words that express only the intended result, objective or consequence of something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when the term “whereby” is used in a claim, the clause or other words that the term “whereby” modifies do not establish specific further limitations of the claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.

[0131] The term “e.g.” and like terms mean “for example”, and thus does not limit the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “the computer sends data (e.g., instructions, a data structure) over the Internet”, the term “e.g.” explains that “instructions” are an example of “data” that the computer may send over the Internet, and also explains that “a data structure” is an example of “data” that the computer may send over the Internet. However, both “instructions” and “a data structure” are merely examples of “data”, and other things besides “instructions” and “a data structure” can be “data”.

[0132] The term “i.e.” and like terms mean “that is”, and thus limits the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “the computer sends data (i.e., instructions) over the Internet”, the term “i.e.” explains that “instructions” are the “data” that the computer sends over the Internet.

[0133] Any given numerical range shall include whole and fractions of numbers within the range. For example, the range “1 to 10” shall be interpreted to specifically include whole numbers between 1 and 10 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, . . . 9) and non-whole numbers (e.g., 1.1, 1.2, . . . 1.9).

II. Determining

[0134] The term “determining” and grammatical variants thereof (e.g., to determine a price, determining a value, determine an object which meets a certain criterion) is used in an extremely broad sense. The term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and therefore “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

[0135] The term “determining” does not imply certainty or absolute precision, and therefore “determining” can include estimating, extrapolating, predicting, guessing and the like.

[0136] The term “determining” does not imply that mathematical processing must be performed, and does not imply that numerical methods must be used, and does not imply that an algorithm or process is used.

[0137] The term “determining” does not imply that any particular device must be used. For example, a computer need not necessarily perform the determining.

III. Indication

[0138] The term “indication” is used in an extremely broad sense. The term “indication” may, among other things, encompass a sign, symptom, or token of something else.

[0139] The term “indication” may be used to refer to any indicia and/or other information indicative of or associated with a subject, item, entity, and/or other object and/or idea.

[0140] As used herein, the phrases “information indicative of” and “indicia” may be used to refer to any information that represents, describes, and/or is otherwise associated with a related entity, subject, or object.

[0141] Indicia of information may include, for example, a symbol, a code, a reference, a link, a signal, an identifier, and/or any combination thereof and/or any other informative representation associated with the information.

[0142] In some embodiments, indicia of information (or indicative of the information) may be or include the information itself and/or any portion or component of the information. In some embodiments, an indication may include a request, a solicitation, a broadcast, and/or any other form of information gathering and/or dissemination.

IV. Forms of Sentences

[0143] Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as well as more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as “at least one widget” covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where in a second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses a definite article “the” to refer to the limitation (e.g., “the widget”), this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature, and this does not imply that the second claim covers only one of the feature (e.g., “the widget” can cover both one widget and more than one widget).

[0144] When an ordinal number (such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature that is described by the same term or by a similar term. For example, a “first widget” may be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a “second widget”. Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate any other relationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate any other characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or after any other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widget occurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as in importance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of ordinal numbers does not define a numerical limit to the features identified with the ordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate that there must be no more than two widgets.

[0145] When a single device or article is described herein, more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may alternatively be used in place of the single device/article that is described. Accordingly, the functionality that is described as being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate).

[0146] Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), a single device/article may alternatively be used in place of the more than one device or article that is described. For example, a plurality of computer-based devices may be substituted with a single computer-based device. Accordingly, the various functionality that is described as being possessed by more than one device or article may alternatively be possessed by a single device/article.

[0147] The functionality and/or the features of a single device that is described may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are described but are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments need not include the described device itself, but rather can include the one or more other devices which would, in those other embodiments, have such functionality/features.

V. Disclosed Examples and Terminology are not Limiting

[0148] Neither the Title nor the Abstract in this specification is intended to be taken as limiting in any way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s). The title and headings of sections provided in the specification are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

[0149] Numerous embodiments are described in the present application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognise that the disclosed invention(s) may be practised with various modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical, software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0150] The present disclosure is not a literal description of all embodiments of the invention(s). Also, the present disclosure is not a listing of features of the invention(s) which must be present in all embodiments.

[0151] Devices that are described as in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to each other as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine in communication with another machine via the Internet may not transmit data to the other machine for long period of time (e.g. weeks at a time). In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

[0152] A description of an embodiment with several components or features does not imply that all or even any of such components/features are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention(s). Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no component/feature is essential or required.

[0153] Although process steps, operations, algorithms or the like may be described in a particular sequential order, such processes may be configured to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to the invention(s), and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.

[0154] Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps, that does not imply that all or any of the steps are preferred, essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other processes that omit some or all of the described steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step is essential or required.

[0155] Although a process may be described singly or without reference to other products or methods, in an embodiment the process may interact with other products or methods. For example, such interaction may include linking one business model to another business model. Such interaction may be provided to enhance the flexibility or desirability of the process.

[0156] Although a product may be described as including a plurality of components, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, that does not indicate that any or all of the plurality are preferred, essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other products that omit some or all of the described plurality.

[0157] An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the enumerated list “a computer, a laptop, a PDA” does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are mutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are comprehensive of any category.

[0158] An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are equivalent to each other or readily substituted for each other.

[0159] All embodiments are illustrative, and do not imply that the invention or any embodiments were made or performed, as the case may be.

[0160] “Comprises/comprising” and “includes/including” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’ and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.