Abstract
A washing machine and/or a fluid flow structure for a washing machine wash tank is provided. The wash tank is generally rectangular and includes a bottom wall, two side walls and two end walls extending upward from said bottom wall. The wash tank further includes at least one flow directional opening in at least one of the walls. In a preferred embodiment, the wash tank includes plurality of flow directional openings positioned along one of the side walls of the wash tank. A fluid flow structure is located within said wash tank, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for said guide surface. The guide surface includes an expansion structure that is designed to counteract expansion of the guide surface that occurs during operation of the washing machine. In one embodiment the expansion structure is an expansion slot that engages a portion of the guide surface. As the guide surface expands the expansion slot is pressed against the portion of the guide surface, causing the expansion slot to expand into a relief area associated with the expansion slot at a location generally opposite of the portion of the guide surface.
Claims
1. A fluid flow structure for a washing machine wash tank the fluid flow structure comprising: a removable fluid flow guide surface, said guide surface being capable of alternatively being inserted into and removed entirely from the washing machine wash tank, said guide surface including at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank; and a support for said guide surface, wherein said support creates a gap between said guide surface and an interior surface of at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank; wherein said guide surface includes an expansion structure engaged with a portion of said support, said expansion structure being configured to expand in a first direction as said guide surface expands in a second direction, thereby providing an indication of whether the guide surface has reached a predetermined expansion value.
2. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said expansion structure forms an expansion slot that is configured to engage a finger of said support.
3. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said expansion structure is associated with a relief area within said fluid flow guide surface.
4. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said expansion structure is configured to expand into said relief area as said fluid flow guide surface expands in the second direction, thereby causing said expansion structure to press against said portion of said support such that said expansion structure is caused to expand in the first direction.
5. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 4 wherein said relief area includes a bottom surface that correlates with the predetermined expansion value of the guide surface.
6. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said relief area comprises a primary relief area and a secondary relief area.
7. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein a circulating wash action is created in the washing machine wash tank whether said guide surface is inserted into or removed from the washing machine wash tank.
8. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said guide surface and/or said support are capable of flexible motion independent of the walls of the washing machine wash tank.
9. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said flexible motion at least partially isolates impacts, noise or other vibrations acting on said guide surface from acting on the walls of the washing machine wash tank.
10. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 9 wherein said impacts, noise or other vibrations acting on said guide surface causes said guide surface to expand.
11. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said guide surface is capable of alternatively being inserted into and removed entirely from the washing machine wash tank without the use of any tools.
12. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support is removably positioned within the washing machine wash tank.
13. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank is generally curved.
14. The fluid flow structure as claimed in 1 wherein said fluid flow guide surface is generally flexible.
15. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support comprises a plurality of interconnected ribs.
16. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid flow guide surface defines a washing area within said wash tank, said washing area being generally opposite said gap with respect to said fluid flow guide surface.
17. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid flow guide surface and said support comprise a plurality of fluid flow guide surfaces and/or supports within the wash tank.
18. The fluid flow structure as claimed in claim 17 further comprising a divider member at least primarily held in place between two adjacent sets of said plurality of fluid flow guide surfaces and/or supports.
19. A washing machine comprising: a generally rectangular wash tank including a bottom wall, two side walls and two end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said side walls being longer than said end walls; at least one flow directional opening in at least one of said walls; a fluid flow structure within said wash tank, the structure comprising: a fluid flow guide surface, said guide surface including at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank; and a support for said guide surface, wherein said support creates a gap between said guide surface and at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank; wherein said guide surface includes an expansion structure engaged with a portion of said support, said expansion structure being configured to expand in a first direction as said guide surface expands in a second direction, thereby providing an indication of whether the guide surface has reached a predetermined expansion value.
20. A fluid flow guide surface for a fluid flow structure for a washing machine wash tank the fluid flow guide surface comprising: a generally planar sheet that is capable of alternatively being inserted into and removed entirely from a support for said guide surface, wherein the support creates a gap between said guide surface and an interior surface of at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank; wherein said guide surface includes an expansion structure engaged with a portion of the support, said expansion structure being configured to expand in a first direction as said guide surface expands in a second direction, thereby providing an indication of whether the guide surface has reached a predetermined expansion value.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative the best mode in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
(2) FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a pot and pan washing machine of the prior art and in which embodiments of the instant invention may be incorporated.
(3) FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view from above of another pot and pan washing machine including a generally linear intake manifold, in which embodiments of the instant invention may be incorporated.
(4) FIG. 3 is a side perspective partial sectional view of several fluid-flow plate insert structures of an embodiment of the instant invention positioned within the wash tank of a pot and pan washing machine of FIG. 2 and including a divider member between two adjacent sections of insert structures.
(5) FIGS. 4, 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are various views of an insert structure of the type shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a top side perspective view of the fluid-flow plate insert structure. FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the fluid-flow plate insert structure of FIG. 4. FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the fluid-flow plate insert structure of FIG. 4. FIG. 4C is a rear elevation view of the fluid-flow plate insert structure of FIG. 4. FIG. 4D is a frontal bottom perspective view of the fluid-flow plate insert structure of FIG. 4.
(6) FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the divider shown in FIG. 3.
(7) FIG. 6 include perspective views and detailed, sectional views illustrating the assembly of an embodiment of a front support structure of the insert structure of FIG. 4.
(8) FIG. 7 includes two top plan views of a fluid flow guide surface of an embodiment of the instant invention. FIG. 7a and Detail A show a nominal sheet before an expansion slot has been expanded into a relief area of the fluid flow guide surface. FIG. 7b and Detail B show an expanded sheet after the expansion slot has expanded into a relief area and bottomed out in the relief area.
(9) FIG. 8 is a partial top plan view of an alternative embodiment of an expansion slot of the instant invention similar to that shown in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(10) As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the principles of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
(11) Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the wash tank of the instant invention is shown. The generally rectangular wash tank/basin of the instant invention is constructed in essentially the same manner as the wash tanks of the prior art. Wash tank 110 includes left end wall 112, right end wall 114, rear side long wall 116, front side long wall 118 and bottom wall 119 constructed in the same or similar manner, and of the same or similar materials as the wash tank of the prior art. Pump 150 is attached to left end wall 112 of the embodiment shown. Nevertheless, pump 150 can be attached to either left end wall 112 or right end wall 114 of wash tank 110. In addition it is understood that pump 150 could be attached to any other wall of the wash tank, or otherwise located separate from the wash tank and connected to the interior of the wash tank via a hose or other piping. Flush mounted jet nozzles 120 are mounted along rear wall 116 equally spaced apart from one another. Intake manifold 130 is mounted within wash tank 110 along the bottom portion of rear wall 116, below nozzles 120. Intake manifold 130 includes an upper portion 132 extending outwardly from rear wall 116 toward front wall 118, and lower portion 134 extending from the front end of upper portion 132. In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion of intake manifold 130 is angled downward from rear wall 116. The downward angle of the upper portion of intake manifold 130 corresponds to the downward angle of jet nozzle 120 which directs a fluid path toward the front portion of bottom wall 119, creating a circulating wash action in the wash tank about a generally horizontal axis of the wash tank. Portions of the intake manifold are perforated to allow fluid to be drawn into manifold 130 by the pump.
(12) Referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the instant invention is shown utilizing an embodiment of the wash tank insert shown in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/765,838 that includes three sections (200a, 200b and 200c) of fluid-flow plate insert structures (illustrated generally in FIGS. 4, 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D that are removably insertable within wash tank 110. Divider member 300 (shown generally in FIG. 5) is positioned in a void or slot between adjacent sections 200b and 200c. The fluid-flow plate insert structures shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are generally horizontally orientated within wash tank 110 to aid in or create a circulating wash action about a generally horizontal axis of the wash tank.
(13) FIG. 4 is a top side perspective view of a fluid-flow plate insert structure 200 generally of the type shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the fluid-flow plate insert structure of FIG. 4. FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the fluid-flow plate insert structure of FIG. 4. FIG. 4C is a rear elevation view of the fluid-flow plate insert structure of FIG. 4. FIG. 4D is a frontal bottom perspective view of the fluid-flow plate insert structure of FIG. 4.
(14) As is discussed in more detail below, the fluid-flow plate insert structure(s) shown in FIG. 3 (200a, 200b and 200c) and 4 (200) includes two separate support structures, front support 220 and rear support 230 that are each made up of a plurality of ribs 228, and a curved plate (fluid flow guide surface) 210 that rests on top of the support structures. In one embodiment the ribs are connected together by a plurality of inch diameter rods that run through holes bored in each rib. A cylindrical spacer is positioned on the rod between each rib and the ribs are held together by bolts on each end of the rod. In another embodiment, as is shown in FIG. 6, the ribs are connected together by a plurality of inch diameter rods 222 that run through holes 226 bored in each rib 228. The rods 222 include annular grooves 224 at spaced intervals along the rods' surface. The diameter of the holes in the ribs through which the rod runs are slightly smaller than be diameter of the inch rod. The material of the ribs is slightly flexible and/or malleable to allow the rib to be slid onto the rod until the rib snaps or engages into the grove and is held tightly in place. In such an embodiment, the spacers and bolts are not needed to connect the ribs together. It will be appreciated that alternative method of connecting ribs of a section may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention. In some embodiments, the ribs include separate front and rear structures as are discussed above. In other embodiments, the front and rear structures are integral with one another. Other embodiments will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
(15) As is discussed above, the fluid-flow plate 200 of FIG. 4 includes a plurality of ribs 228 (including front and rear structures 720 and 230). The ribs are spaced at regular intervals from one another and are fixedly attached to the next adjacent rib. As shown in FIG. 4A, the ribs are arranged such that the fluid-flow plate is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from the top. The fluid-flow plate sections of FIG. 3 (200a, 200b and 200c) are combined together to extend in length from one end wall to the opposite end wall of the wash tank (i.e. 112 to 114). The fluid-flow plate sections of FIG. 3 (200a, 200b and 200c), when viewed from the top, also are combined together to extend from the front to the back of the wash tank. Notwithstanding, it will be appreciated that fluid-flow plate structures that do not extend from end to end and/or from front to back of the wash tank are within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. For example, in one preferred embodiment, only sections 200a and 200b are included in wash tank 100 shown in FIG. 3, leaving the area in which 200c is located to merely include the generally rectangular shape of wash tank 110. This allows items such as a rack of sheet pans to be located in the area for cleaning without the use of insert section 200c, such that the maximum area of the rectangular wash tank may be utilized.
(16) As shown in FIG. 4B, when viewed from the side, each rib includes a curve along the top of the rib such that the rib is much higher at the front (220) of the tank than at the back/rear (230) of the tank. Furthermore, the lowest point of the curve is generally at the middle of the tank, rather than at the front or back. Arranged with a plurality of ribs in parallel, each rib with substantially similar or identical curves, the fluid-flow guide surface 210 positioned on the ribs directs a portion of the fluid along the curve of the combined insert structure 200. The fluid is directed downward along the curve along the lower back portion of the wash tank. Once the fluid reaches the lowest point of the curve of the structure, the fluid is directed upward at the front portion of the wash tank. Some fluid also flows between the ribs in addition to along the curve of the tops of the structure. Thus, the fluid-flow plate provides a more efficient and quieter rolling action within the wash tank and helps to prevent pans and other objects from sticking to and/or striking the bottom of the wash tank.
(17) The fluid-flow plate 200 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be made of any material. In some embodiments, the ribs of the fluid-flow plate and/or guide surface are comprised of a stainless steel or other non-corrosive metal. Preferably, the ribs and guide surface include a material that partially is flexible and absorbs the impact of the pans and/or other objects being washed, such that blemishes (dings) and noise are reduced. As discussed above, a vibration damping material, such as QUIET STEEL (available from Material Sciences Corporation), nylon, plastic, rubber coating, laminate, or other suitable material may be used. In some embodiments the curved plate and/or the ribs are flexible, in other embodiments the curved plate and/or ribs are rigid.
(18) The fluid-flow plate insert 200 shown in FIG. 4 may be used with any size wash tank. As discussed above, multiple sections of inserts may be combined together to span the entire length of the wash tank, if desired. In addition, varying widths (from front to back) of the fluid flow guide surface 210 may be positioned within supports 220 and 230 to accommodate varying widths of wash tanks. In such manner, front support 220 and rear support 230 will be spaced further apart from one another for larger widths, and closer together to one another for smaller widths.
(19) As is discussed above, the fluid-flow plate 200 includes a curved plate (fluid flow guide surface) 210 that rests on tops of the two support structures. Each rib in each support structure includes a tab at the high end to receive an edge of the curved plate and maintain its position with respect to the support structure. When viewed from a side, such as shown in FIG. 4B, the curved plate is much higher at the front of the tank and curves downward toward the bottom of the tank at a location between the front and back of the tank. The curved plate curves upward again toward the rear of the tank, as shown in FIG. 4B. The curve is mostly vertical at the front of the tank and between vertical and horizontal at the back of the tank, as shown in FIG. 4B.
(20) The curved plate includes a plurality of apertures toward the front and rear of the tank, as shown in e.g. FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the apertures are large enough, and spaced appropriately, such that a user can insert one or more finger to aid in the adjustment or removal of the curved plate within the tank. In other embodiments, the holes also help to accommodate surge in the wash level during operation of the machine. In still other embodiments, holes in the curved plate allow the fluid flow from the flow directional openings to be directed through the curved plate either into the wash area defined by the plate or into the gap created between the curved plate 210 and the walls of the wash tank by the support structure. In some embodiments, the rear apertures are sized and shaped to allow fluid to flow from the wash area through the apertures and into an intake manifold, in another embodiment, the pattern of apertures toward the rear portion of the curved plate are identical to that toward the front of the plate. In this manner, the insert of the instant invention may be easily assembled in either direction with no change in performance, in one such embodiment, the pattern includes both smaller apertures and larger apertures as are discussed above.
(21) The fluid-flow plate 200 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a modular unit to accommodate different sized wash tanks. In the case of a wash tank with a longer length, front to back, the same support structures may be used by replacing the curved plate with a curved plate of longer length (front to back). In the case of a wash tank with a longer width, side end to side end, multiple support structures and curved plates are used side by side. In this manner, the fluid-flow plate as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can accommodate a large variety of wash tank sizes and configurations. The fluid-flow plate may be removed entirely from the wash tank and thus is compatible with other pot and pan washing systems.
(22) In a preferred embodiment, the fluid-flow plate 200 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is inserted into the wash tank of a pot and pan washing machine by first placing the front support structure 220 in the bottom of the wash tank along the front wall of the wash tank and the back support structure 230 in the bottom of the wash tank along the rear wall of the wash tank. The curved plate 210, which originally is made of a generally flat material (such as a piece of sheet metal or plastic) is then inserted into the tabs at the high ends of the front and back support structures and curved to conform to the shape along the top surfaces of the support structures. The tension created by the curving of the plate causes the front and back support structures to be urged away from one another such that the front edge of the front support structure is pressed against the front wall of the wash tank and the rear edge of the rear support structure is pressed against the rear wall of the wash tank. This tension holds the fluid-flow plate in position within the wash tank. In alternative embodiments, the curved plate 210 is inserted into the support structures (220 and 230) prior to insertion of the fluid flow plate structure 200 into the wash tank.
(23) In some embodiments the ribs of the front support structure are designed to be able to overlap the ribs of the back support structure when installed in a wash tank. This occurs when the combined width (i.e. front to rear of a wash tank and/or fluid-flow plate) of the front and back support structures is greater than the width of the wash tank. In such embodiments, the ribs of the front support structure must be slightly offset from the ribs of the back support structure to account for the overlap. In use, the larger the width of the tank, the wider the curved plate. The wider curved plate causes the opposing ends of the front and back support structures to be urged further apart from one another thereby accommodating a wider wash tank. In a preferred embodiment the front and back/rear support structures are identical to each other. The only difference is the width of the curved plate that is inserted. The larger the width of the tank, the wider the curved plate. The wider curved plate causes the opposing ends of the front and back support structures to be urged further apart from one another thereby accommodating a wider wash tank.
(24) As is shown in FIG. 4B, the ribs of both the front and back support structures each include scallops along the edges of the ribs that are placed in contact with the bottom wall of the wash tank. In alternative embodiments, scallops may be included in other surfaces (i.e. along the bottom edge of both ribs and/or along the front edge of the front rib and/or along the rear edge of the rear rib). In addition, both ribs include a number of holes or voids through the ribs. The scallops and holes/voids all act to cushion impacts from pots and pans and to reduce noise transmission. In a preferred embodiment, in which the fluid flow plate insert structure is utilized in connection with the wash tank 10 embodiment shown in FIG. 1, which includes an intake on the end wall of the wash tank, the holes/voids in the support structure allow fluid to flow freely through/around the ribs. In such embodiment, the holes/voids act as an intake manifold for the pumping system.
(25) As is discussed above, the fluid flow plate structure 200 is a modular unit to accommodate different sized wash tanks. In the case of a wash tank with a longer width, front to back the same support structures may be used by replacing the curved plate with a curved plate of longer length (front to back) as is discussed above. In the case of a wash tank with a longer length, side end to side end, multiple support structures and curved plates are used side by side. In this manner, the fluid-flow plate structure 200 can accommodate a large variety of wash tank sizes and configurations. The fluid-flow plate may be removed entirely from the wash tank and thus is compatible with other pot and pan washing systems.
(26) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, three separate fluid-flow plate insert structures (200a, 200b and 200c) are utilized in a single wash tank. The three insert structures are placed side by side in the bottom of the wash tank in the manner described above. The combined length of the curved plates of the three insert structures is slightly less than the length (side end to side end) of the wash tank of the washing machine. This creates a slot or gap between the ends of adjoining insert structures and/or between an end of the insert structure(s) and the end wall of the wash tank. The dimension of the slot/gap/void is sized to accommodate a divider member, such as a metal or plastic member similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,523,757 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The location of the slot/gap may be changed by the operator of the machine by changing the location of the three insert structures within the wash tank. In some embodiments, two of the insert structures are of equal length side to side as each other and are substantially longer than the third insert structure. This allows for a variety of different arrangements of the insert structures and the divider member within the wash tank to create a variety of isolated portions or areas within the wash tank. When not in use, the divider and gap can be positioned to be abutted against one of the end walls of the wash tank in the slot between the left end wall and the three insert structures. This results in a generally open wash tank arrangement (i.e. no isolated portions of the wash tank) and provides a convenient storage location for the divider member. It will be appreciated that the locations of the three inserts may be manipulated in a variety of different ways in addition to those shown and discussed here (for example, the shorter insert structure may be located in the middle of the two longer insert structures). In addition, it will be appreciated that the number of insert structures may either be increased or decreased to provide a variety of different arrangements within the wash tank. Further, it will be appreciated that the combined length of the curved plates of the insert structures may be manipulated to allow for multiple divider members within a single wash tank.
(27) Referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment of the fluid flow guide surface 200 of the instant invention is shown in detail. FIG. 7a shows a nominal sheet of the fluid flow guides surface 200 when it is first manufactured, with an expansion slot 710 of the instant invention and relief area (window, cutout, or other area in which material is removed) 720 shown in Detail A. As is shown in Detail A, the expansion slot includes side walls 712 and bottom wall 714, which are designed to engage with a retention finger at the end of either support structure 220 or 230 to hold the fluid flow guide surface 200 within the support structures 220 and 230 within the wash tank. As the fluid flow guide surface 200 expands (as is shown in FIG. 7b), the force of the expansion against the retention fingers causes side walls 712 (shown in Details A and B with hatch marks) to stretch or expand into the relief area 714. As is shown in Detail B, the side walls 712 of expansion slot 710 will continue to stretch until the bottom wall 714 of the expansion slot bottoms out (i.e. contacts/engages) the bottom wall 724 of the relief area. As is seen in Detail B, when the expansion slot 710 is bottomed out in the relief area, the relief area 720 is no longer visible as the expansion slot is now located within the relief area. The closing or elimination of the relief area functions as a positive indicator to a user that the fluid flow guide surface 200 should be replaced.
(28) FIG. 8 shows a partial plan view of another embodiment of the instant invention similar to that of FIG. 7. In FIG. 8, the expansion slot 710 is similar to that of FIG. 7, but additional secondary relief areas 730 are provided generally adjacent to the primary relief area 720. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, as the fluid flow guide surface 200 expands, the expansion slot 710 first expands into and bottoms out in relief area 720 in the manner discussed above. After expansion slot 710 bottoms out in relief area 720, the expansion slot continues to expand into relief areas 730. In this manner the primary relief area controls the material in the z-axis through the expansion process. It will be appreciated that the primary relief area 720 may be considerably smaller than that shown in FIG. 7, such that expansion slot 710 will bottom out in relief area 720 with only minimal expansion to maximize the z-axis control provides. In some embodiments, the amount of expansion allowed by the combination of the primary relief area 720 with the secondary relief areas 730 is equal to that provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. It will be appreciated that other machine profiles that control the material in the z axis during the expansion process may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.
(29) In one embodiment, the fluid-flow plate(s), discussed above is (are) made from stainless steel. In another embodiment, the fluid-flow plate and/or other components of the wash tank are made from a vibration damping material, such as QUIET STEEL (available from Material Sciences Corporation), plastic, or other suitable material. In still another embodiment, the fluid-flow guide surface of the wash tank insert is made of UHMW. As objects are washed and turned in the rolling motion of the wash tank, they frequently collide with the front and bottom. Such collisions can cause elevated decibel levels. A wash tank made of ordinary stainless steel combined with a fluid-flow plate made from a vibration damping material will keep noise levels within more tolerable limits as the pots and pans or other items will strike the fluid-flow plate rather than the bottom of the wash tank. Moreover, the pivotal connection or oscillating/flexible motion of the fluid-flow plate itself dampens the impact between pots and pans and the fluid-flow plate.
(30) In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the inventions is by way of example, and the scope of the inventions is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
(31) Although the foregoing detailed description of the present invention has been described by reference to an exemplary embodiment, and the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that certain changes, modification or variations may be made in embodying the above invention, and in the construction thereof, other than those specifically set forth herein, may be achieved by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that such changes, modification or variations are to be considered as being within the overall scope of the present invention. Therefore it is contemplated to cover the present invention and any and all changes, modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall with in the true spirit and scope of the underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein (or in subsequent applications claiming priority to this application). Consequently, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by any attached or subsequently provided claims, all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
