Abstract
A container includes a base and a lid configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position. A storage volume of the container is defined by and between the base and the lid in the closed position. The container also includes a first flange extending from the base and a second flange extending from the lid, with a hinge that defines a hinge axis. The first flange and the second flange are joined by the hinge, such that the base and the lid are retained in the closed position by the hinge, the first flange, and the second flange. The container also includes a line of reduced strength defined in one of the first flange and the second flange.
Claims
1. A container defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the container comprising: a base extending along the vertical direction between a floor approximately at a bottom of the base and an opening approximately at a top of the base; a lid, the lid and the base configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position, wherein a storage volume of the container is defined by and between the base and the lid in the closed position; a first flange integrally joined to the base; a second flange integrally joined to the lid; a hinge defining a hinge axis, the first flange and the second flange joined by the hinge, whereby the base and the lid are retained in the closed position by the hinge, the first flange, and the second flange; and a line of reduced strength defined in one of the first flange and the second flange, the line of reduced strength oriented generally parallel to the hinge axis.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the line of reduced strength is defined in the second flange, further comprising a visual tamper indicia on the first flange.
3. The container of claim 1, further comprising a first tab on the base proximate the first flange and a second tab on the lid proximate the second flange.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein the first tab is positioned at a corner of the base and the second tab is positioned at a corner of the lid.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a W-fold hinge.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the first flange and the second flange are spaced apart along the vertical direction when the lid and the base are in the closed position.
7. The container of claim 1, further comprising a perimeter seal defined around a perimeter of the container when the lid and the base are in the closed position.
8. The container of claim 7, further comprising a ridge outward of the perimeter seal, wherein the ridge obstructs access to the perimeter seal.
9. The container of claim 7, wherein the base further comprises a post inward of the perimeter seal, wherein the post interfaces with the lid to constrain movement of the lid generally within a lateral-transverse plane defined by the lateral direction and the transverse direction.
10. A container, comprising: a base; a lid, the lid and the base configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position, wherein a storage volume of the container is defined by and between the base and the lid in the closed position; a first flange extending from the base; a second flange extending from the lid; a hinge defining a hinge axis, the first flange and the second flange joined by the hinge, whereby the base and the lid are retained in the closed position by the hinge, the first flange, and the second flange; and a line of reduced strength defined in one of the first flange and the second flange, whereby the base and the lid are configured to be released from the closed position by separating the one of the first flange and the second flange in which the line of reduced strength is formed along the line of reduced strength.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the line of reduced strength is defined in the second flange, further comprising a visual tamper indicia on the first flange.
12. The container of claim 10, further comprising a first tab on the base proximate the first flange and a second tab on the lid proximate the second flange.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein the first tab is positioned at a corner of the base and the second tab is positioned at a corner of the lid.
14. The container of claim 10, wherein hinge is a W-fold hinge.
15. The container of claim 10, wherein the first flange and the second flange are spaced apart when the lid and the base are in the closed position.
16. The container of claim 10, further comprising a perimeter seal defined around a perimeter of the container when the lid and the base are in the closed position.
17. The container of claim 16, further comprising a ridge outward of the perimeter seal, wherein the ridge obstructs access to the perimeter seal.
18. The container of claim 16, wherein the base further comprises a post inward of the perimeter seal, wherein the post interfaces with the lid to constrain movement of the lid within a plane generally parallel to a floor of the base.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
[0012] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an exemplary container in an initial open position according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.
[0013] FIG. 2 provides a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in an initial closed position.
[0015] FIG. 4 provides a top view of the container of FIG. 1 in the initial closed position.
[0016] FIG. 5 provides a section view of the container of FIG. 4 taken along line A-A.
[0017] FIG. 6 provides an enlarged view of a portion of the container of FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 7 provides an enlarged view of another portion of the container of FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 8 provides a section view of the container of FIG. 4 taken along line B-B.
[0020] FIG. 9 provides a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 during opening from the initial closed position.
[0021] FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in a subsequent closed position.
[0022] FIG. 11 provides another perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in the subsequent closed position.
[0023] FIG. 12 provides a top view of the container of FIG. 1 in the subsequent closed position.
[0024] FIG. 13 provides a perspective view of another exemplary container in an initial open position according to one or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.
[0025] FIG. 14 provides a perspective view of the container of FIG. 13 in an initial closed position.
[0026] FIG. 15 provides a perspective view of the container of FIG. 13 during opening from the initial closed position.
[0027] FIG. 16 provides a perspective view of the container of FIG. 13 in a subsequent closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0029] As used herein, the terms first, second, and third may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms includes and including are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising. Similarly, the term or is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., A or B is intended to mean A or B or both). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0030] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as generally, about, approximately, and substantially, are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., generally vertical includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.
[0031] The word exemplary is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. In addition, references to an embodiment or one embodiment does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or an embodiment is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention.
[0032] Referring now to the figures, exemplary containers will be described in accordance with exemplary aspects of the present subject matter. FIGS. 1, 3, and 9-11 provide perspective views of one embodiment of an exemplary container 100 and FIGS. 13-16 provide perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of the container 100. As illustrated, container 100 generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined.
[0033] The container 100 may be repeatedly opened and closed multiple times, and may include features to indicate that the container 100 has been opened (such as opened after items such as food items have been placed therein) and then reclosed. Specifically, FIGS. 1, 2, and 13 illustrate the container 100 in an initial open position, such as an as-manufactured condition. Thus, items to be stored, such as food items, may be loaded into the container 100 while the container 100 is in the initial open position as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 13. From the initial open position of FIGS. 1, 2, and 13, the container 100 may move to an initial closed position, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 3-8 and 14. For example, the container 100 may be moved to the initial closed position by rotating the lid 104 into engagement the base 102, such as after loading the container 100 with the items to be stored. The lid 104 may rotate about a hinge 114, such as about a hinge axis 115 defined by the hinge 114. For example, the hinge 114 may provide a single-action lid closure process, such as may promote ease of automation and/or manual closing of the lid 104 from the initial open position. In some embodiments, the lid 104 and the base 102 may be sealed together when closed, e.g., by a perimeter seal 126 which will be described in more detail below, and the interlocking of features on the lid 104 and base 102 which form the seal may provide an audible indication of full closure, e.g., a snap, when the container 100 is moved to a closed position.
[0034] In the initial closed position, the container 100 may be sealed shut. Once closed for the first time, e.g., after moving from the initial open position (e.g., FIGS. 1 and 13) to the initial closed position (e.g., FIGS. 3 and 14), the container 100 may not be opened again without altering the structure of the container 100, and such alteration may be visually apparent, e.g., in order to indicate that the container 100 may have been tampered with and/or items stored therein may have been accessed. In particular, FIGS. 9 and 15 illustrate the container 100 during opening, e.g., moving the container 100 from the initial closed position to a subsequent open position.
[0035] FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 16 illustrate the container 100 in the subsequent closed position, e.g., a position in which the container 100 has been reclosed after having been previously closed (e.g., previously closed from the initial open position, such as after loading with items) and then opened. The container 100 may include a first flange 116 and a second flange 118, which will be described further below. In the subsequent closed position, a portion of the second flange 118 may be deflected and the hinge 114 may be in an open position (e.g., the hinge 114 may be broken open along the line of reduced strength 132) in order to provide a readily ascertainable visual indication that the container 100 has been previously opened (the previous opening other than and after the initial open position), e.g., such as the separation of the second flange 118 and open position of the hinge 114 may indicate previous opening, and may also expose a visual tamper indicia 160 to view, as will be described further below.
[0036] Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2, and 13, the container 100 may include a base 102 and a lid 104. In some embodiments, the base 102 and the lid 104 may be integrally joined, such as integrally joined by hinge 114. The lid 104 and the base 102 may be configured to selectively move between an open position in which the interior (e.g., internal storage volume 140) of the container 100 is accessible and a closed position in which the lid 104 is releasably coupled to the base 102. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, the lid 104 and the base 102 may move between an open position (e.g., initial or subsequent open position) and a closed position (e.g., initial or subsequent closed position) by rotating about the hinge 114. The lid 104 and the base 102 may be releasably coupled at the opening 108 of the base 102 when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position, such as releasable by breaking the material of the container 100 along the line of reduced strength 132 when in the initial closed position, or releasable by pulling the lid 104 and the base 102 apart generally along the vertical direction V when in a subsequent closed position.
[0037] The base 102 may extend along the vertical direction V from a floor 106 (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 13), e.g., approximately at the bottom of the base 102, to an opening 108 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 13). The opening 108 may be defined at or approximately at the top of the base 102. The lid 104 may include a trim edge 112, and the trim edge 112 may be positioned approximately at the bottom of the lid 104 when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position. The trim edge 112 of the lid 104 may be received in the opening 108 of the base 102. As will be described in more detail below (e.g., in the context of FIGS. 5, 7, and 8), the trim edge 112 may be received between a lip 110 of the base 102 and one or more inner posts 120 of the base 102, such that the lid 104 is retained in the closed position and tampering is prevented or obstructed.
[0038] In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, the base 102 is relatively deep and the lid 104 is relatively shallow, e.g., a distance from the floor 106 to the opening 108 is much greater than, such as several times greater than, a vertical dimension, e.g., height, of the lid 104. Accordingly, the internal storage volume 140 is predominantly provided in the base 102 in the exemplary container 100 embodiments illustrated in the accompanying FIGS. In other embodiments, however, the proportions of the base 102 and the lid 104 may vary, such as may be approximately equal, or the base 102 may be relatively shallow while the lid 104 is relatively deep.
[0039] As mentioned above, the container 100 may also include a first flange 116 and a second flange 118. The first flange 116 may be positioned on the base 102 such as the first flange 116 may extend from the base 102 approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction V, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In some embodiments, the first flange 116 may be integrally joined to the base 102 and the second flange 118 may be integrally joined to the lid 104. For example, the base 102, first flange 116, lid 104, second flange 118, and hinge 114 may be formed from a single continuous piece of material, such as a plastic material, e.g., polyethylene.
[0040] The container 100 may include a first tab 150 adjacent to or proximate to the first flange 116 on the base 102 and a second tab 152 on the lid 104 adjacent to or proximate to the second flange 118. As may best be seen in FIG. 2, the base 102 and the lid 104 may be joined to the hinge 114 at opposite sides of the hinge 114 by each respective flange 116, 118.
[0041] Also as may be seen, e.g., in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the container 100 may include a line of reduced strength 132 which extends across one of the flanges 116, 118, such as across the second flange 118. The line of reduced strength 132 has reduced strength, e.g., as compared to remainder of the second flange 118. The line of reduced strength 132 may be or may include a line that is perforated or otherwise partially cut, reduced in thickness, and/or otherwise reduced material strength through the second flange 118. In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the line of reduced strength 132 may be formed by a linear series of perforations through the thickness (e.g., vertical dimension) of the second flange 118. For example, the line of reduced strength 132 may extend fully across the second flange 118, such as the line of reduced strength 132 may begin at one external edge of the second flange 118 and extend to another external edge of the second flange 118. In some embodiments, the line of reduced strength 132 may be parallel to the hinge axis 115 and may extend longitudinally through the second flange 118. In additional embodiments, the line of reduced strength may be a curved line, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. In such embodiments, the line of reduced strength may be at least partially parallel to the hinge axis 115, such as a tangent line to the curved line of reduced strength 132 at a midpoint of the curved line of reduced strength 132 may be generally parallel (e.g., within up to ten degrees of parallel) to the hinge axis 115 (see, e.g., FIG, 2 for the hinge axis 115 generally and FIGS. 15 and 16 where the hinge axis 115 is labelled and illustrated in combination with an exemplary curved line of reduced strength in a post-separation configuration).
[0042] As seen throughout the FIGS., when the container 100 is in the initial open position (FIGS. 1, 2, and 13) or the initial closed position (FIGS. 3 and 14), the second flange 118 is intact and connected to both the lid 104 and the hinge 114, e.g., across the line of reduced strength 132, such as at the connected portions between each perforation in the illustrated exemplary embodiments. Once the container 100 has been re-opened, e.g., opened after the initial closed position, the second flange 118 may still be connected to the lid 104, but only partially connected, such as a portion of the second flange 118 on one side of the line of reduced strength 132 may remain connected to the lid 104, while the other portion of the second flange 118 on the opposite side of the line of reduced strength 132 is only connected to the hinge 114, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 15, and 16. Thus, the second flange 118 may at least partially open and fold away from the lid 104, thereby exposing the visual tamper indicia 160 on the first flange 116 (which was previously obscured below the intact second flange 118) to view when the container 100 is in a subsequent open position, e.g., after having been initially loaded and closed.
[0043] FIG. 4 provides a top view of the container 100 in an initial (e.g., untampered) closed position. FIG. 5 provides a transverse section view of the container 100, e.g., along line A-A in FIG. 4, which is generally parallel to the transverse direction T. FIGS. 6 and 7 provide enlarged views of portions of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 provides a longitudinal section view of the container 100, e.g., along line B-B in FIG. 4.
[0044] As may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 6, when the second flange 118 is intact and the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position, e.g., when the container 100 is in the initial closed position, the hinge 114 may extend vertically between the second flange 118 and the first flange 116. Thus, the base 102 and the lid 104 may be joined at the respective flanges 116, 118 by the hinge 114, and may thereby be held together, e.g., retained in the closed position. In some embodiments, the hinge 114 may be a W-fold hinge, e.g., as may be best seen in FIG. 6. The first flange 116 and the second flange 118 may be generally parallel in the initial closed position.
[0045] As may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 7, in some embodiments, a perimeter seal 126 may be formed around the opening 108, e.g., the perimeter seal 126 may be cooperatively formed by the interaction of the base 102 and the lid 104 in the closed position. For example, the perimeter seal 126 may include a convex curved portion on one of the base 102 and the lid 104 and a corresponding concave curved portion on the other of the base 102 and the lid 104, such that when the base 102 and the lid 104 are in a closed position the curved portions may interlock with each other and may be located proximate to and around the opening 108 to collectively define the perimeter seal 126 around the entire opening 108. A storage volume 140 (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 8) of the container 100 may be defined by and between the base 102 and the lid 104 when in the closed position. The storage volume 140 may thus be fully enclosed and sealed between the base 102 and the lid 104, such as sealed by the perimeter seal 126, when the container 100 is in a closed position (e.g., initial or subsequent closed position).
[0046] The container 100 may further include a ledge 122 around the perimeter of the base 102 with a ridge 124 which extends from the ledge 122, e.g., upward along the vertical direction V. In additional embodiments, the ridge 124 may be positioned on the lid 104 and may, for example, extend downward along the vertical direction V when the lid 104 is coupled to the base 102 in the closed position. The ridge 124 may be positioned outward of the perimeter seal 126, e.g., where outward refers to farther from the geometric center of the container 100. Thus, as may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 7, the ridge 124 may prevent or limit access to the perimeter seal 126, such as to prevent opening of the container 100 or other breaching of the perimeter seal 126. The container 100 may also include one or more inner posts 120, such as between four and twelve inner posts 120, such as eight inner posts, formed in one or more sidewalls of the base 102 and/or at corners where sidewalls of the base 102 adjoin each other. As may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 7, the inner posts 120 may help to hold the lid 104 in place in the closed position, e.g., in the initial or subsequent closed position, by preventing shifting of the lid 104 along the lateral direction L and/or transverse direction T from the closed position.
[0047] As may be seen in FIGS. 9 and 15, the container 100 may be opened by separating the lid 104 from the base 102 at one of the flanges 116, 118, e.g., at the second flange 118, such as by bifurcating or otherwise breaking the second flange 118 along the line of reduced strength 132. For example, such separation of the base 102 and the lid 104 may be promoted by the first tab 150 on the base 102 and the second tab 152 on the lid 104, e.g., a user may grasp tabs 150, 152 in order to separate the lid 104 from the base 102, e.g., by holding the first tab 150 on the base 102 while pulling and/or lifting the second tab 152 (and the second flange 118 therewith) away from the first tab 150 and the first flange 116. Thus, the second flange 118 may include a frangible portion, e.g., which may be defined by the line of reduced strength 132, such that the base 102 and the lid 104 are joined at the hinge 114 and flanges 116, 118 in the initial closed position and the base 102 and lid 104 are separated by breaking the second flange 118 along the line of reduced strength 132 in order to open the container 100 from the initial closed position. Thus, the opening of the container 100 may be evidenced by the detachment or separation of the portions of the second flange 118. In some embodiments, a visual tamper indicia 160, e.g., a warning symbol or icon, e.g., a caution symbol, and/or a written indicia such as tampered or caution or the like, may also be provided to further indicate that the container 100 has been opened from the initial closed position. In various embodiments, the visual tamper indicia may be, e.g., embossed or engraved on the first flange 116.
[0048] The shape of the tabs 150, 152 may vary in one or more embodiments, such as one or both tabs 150 may be wider or narrower than in the illustrated embodiments. In general, the shape of one or both tabs 150, 152 may be provided to promote ergonomics and ease of handling the tabs, such as when gripping one or both of the tabs 150, 152 between a user's fingers and/or thumb. As mentioned, the first tab 150 may be adjacent to or proximate to the first flange 116 on the base 102 and the second tab 152 on the lid 104 adjacent to or proximate to the second flange 118, such as the first tab 150 may be positioned at a corner of the base 102 and the second tab 152 may be positioned at a corner of the lid 104. The tabs may be positioned at the corners in that each tab 150, 152 may encompass all or a portion of the respective corner of the base 102 or lid 104, and/or each tab 150, 152 may be positioned at least partially at the respective corner, e.g., a portion of one or both of the tabs 150, 152 may extend beyond the respective corner of the base 102 or the lid 104. In some embodiments, a fillet may be formed at the transition between each tab 150, 152 and the respective flange 116, 118, e.g., as illustrated. In additional embodiments, one or both of the tabs 150, 152 may be spaced apart from the respective flange 116, 118 along the perimeter of the base 102 or lid 104, such that there is no direct transition from the tab 150 or 152 to the flange 116 or 118.
[0049] The simplified construction of the container 100 may promote ease of opening the container 100. For example, the line of reduced strength 132 may be a single line, e.g., a single straight line or a single curved line, and as such may permit opening of the container 100 from the initial closed position with a single direction of movement and/or force, e.g., along the single line of the line of reduced strength 132. As another example, the line of reduced strength 132 parallel to the hinge axis 115 (see, e.g., FIG. 1) may permit the container 100 to be opened from the initial closed position using only a single set of tabs (e.g., tabs 150, 152) on one side of the hinge 114, such as the tabs may be positioned at one end or the other of the hinge 114, and may be oriented to tear along the line of reduced strength 132 in line with (e.g., parallel to) the hinge 114. Thus, for example, the container 100 may be opened from the initial closed position with a single motion, e.g., lifting the lid tab (e.g., tab 152) and tearing the line of reduced strength 132 in a single motion.
[0050] In various embodiments, the line of reduced strength may be a single line or may be a composite of two or more line segments. In some embodiments, the line of reduced strength may be a straight line, e.g., as discussed above. In additional embodiments, the line of reduced strength may be a single curved line with a constant and continuous degree of curvature across the entire line. In additional embodiments, the line of reduced strength may include a mixture of straight and curved segments. In such embodiments, e.g., where the line of reduced strength is a composite line including straight segments and curved segments, the line of reduced strength may extend along a single direction from end-to-end, such as to promote ease of opening as described above. In still further example embodiments, the line of reduced strength may include multiple straight segments at differing angles (e.g., a zig zag or other line with only straight segments) or multiple curved segments in different directions and/or degrees of curvature (e.g., wavy lines or other line with only curved segments).
[0051] In some embodiments, the flanges 116 and 118 may be generally parallel to each other (see, e.g., FIG. 6). For example, the flanges 116 and 118 may be generally horizontal such as the flanges 116 and 118 may extend predominantly in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction V, e.g., a lateral-transverse plane defined by the lateral direction L and the transverse direction T, in that the largest dimensions of the flanges 116 and 118 may lie in the horizontal plane, whereas the third dimension, e.g., vertical dimension or height, of the flanges 116 and 118 is much smaller than either of the other two dimensions. The line of reduced strength, e.g., perforation, 132 may be oriented such that one of the flanges 116 and 118, e.g., the second flange 118, is vertically removable, e.g., removable by pulling in a direction towards the lid 104 relative to base 102, whereby the flange separates along a line, e.g., a single straight line, a single curved line, or a compound line, etc. For example, the line of reduced strength 132 may define such line, to break the tamper evident feature and open the container 100 from the initial closed position.
[0052] As may be seen in FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 16, when the container 100 is reclosed, e.g., is in a subsequent closed position after the subsequent open position, the visual tamper indicia 160 may be exposed due to the breaking of the line of reduced strength 132 and separation of the second flange 118, which may thus provide a consistent and easily detected indication of potential tampering or theft.
[0053] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
