Abstract
A pull tab system with additional gripping portions. The pull tab system may be implemented with containers such as can to provide a mechanism to open the can. The pull tab includes an underneath concave curvature that increases the free space available below the pull tab to enable users with disabilities and long fingernails to grip the underside of the pull tab from below the pull tab. The pull tab system also may include a cavity implemented in the top surface of the can that extends beneath and under the pull tab to provide additional free space to grip the pull tab from below the pull tab.
Claims
1. A pull tab system for use as a mechanism to open a can, the pull tab system comprising: a pull tab with a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a left side and a right side, the front end including a far-left point and a far-right point, the pull tab including a concave curvature beginning at the far-left point and terminating at the far-right point; wherein when the front end is pulled upward the rear end causes the can to be opened.
2. The pull tab system of claim 1 further comprising a cavity implemented in a top surface of the can with a portion of the cavity extending beneath the front end of the pull tab.
3. The pull tab system of claim 1 wherein the concave curvature begins at the left side of the pull tab and terminates at the right side of the pull tab.
4. The pull tab system of claim 1 wherein the pull tab includes a cutout in an area between the front end and the rear end, the cutout defined by a front cutout edge and a rear cutout edge, the front cutout edge including the concave curvature.
5. The pull tab of claim 4 wherein the rear cutout edge includes the concave curvature.
6. The pull tab system of claim 1 wherein the left side of the pull tab includes a first chamfer comprising a first angled portion that begins at a first point along the left side and that terminates at the far-left point, and/or the right side of the pull tab includes a second chamfer comprising a second angled portion that begins at a second point along the right side and that terminates at the far-right point.
7. The pull tab system of claim 1 wherein the front end of the pull tab extends upward within a single plane that is generally perpendicular to a top surface of the can.
8. The pull tab system of claim 1 wherein the front end of the pull tab extends upward within a single plane that tilts towards the rear end of the pull tab at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to a top of the can.
9. The pull tab system of claim 1 wherein the concave curvature includes a peak, and the peak is about 1 mm to about 7 mm tall.
10. The pull tab system of claim 1 wherein the concave curvature includes a peak, and the peak is about 3 mm to about 5 mm tall.
11. The pull tab system of claim 1 wherein the shape of the pull tab from a perspective from above the pull tab is trapezoidal.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a state-of-the-art pull tab opening mechanism implemented with a can;
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a state-of-the-art pull tab implemented with a can and in isolation;
[0008] FIG. 3 shows a pull tab system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0009] FIGS. 4, 4A, 5, and 6 show aspects of a pull tab according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0010] FIG. 7 shows aspects of a cavity according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and
[0011] FIGS. 8 and 9 show aspects of a pull tab system according to exemplary embodiments hereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In general, and according to exemplary embodiments hereof, a pull tab system 10 including an inventive distal underneath gripping portion is provided. The tab's distal underneath gripping portion increases the space provided for a user to grip and leverage the pull tab system 10 in order to open the associated container.
[0013] For the purposes of this specification, the pull tab system 10 will be described primarily in regard to its use with opening containers such as cans (e.g., soda cans). However, it is understood that the pull tab system 10 may be used with any type of container that may benefit from the pull tab system 10 and that the scope of the pull tab system 10 is not limited in any way by the type(s) of container(s) that it may be implemented with.
[0014] To provide clarity regarding the inventive aspects of the pull tab system 10, the state-of-the-art pull tabs currently implemented with soda cans will first be summarized.
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a state-of-the-art pull tab PT implemented with a state-of-the-art soda can C with the pull tab PT not yet activated, FIG. 2, image (1) shows the pull tab PT activated and the can C thereby opened, and FIG. 2, image (2) shows the pull tab PT isolated from the can C.
[0016] As shown, the pull tab PT includes a first end E1 designed to be gripped and pulled upward, a second end E2 designed to press downward upon the upward movement of the first end E1, and a pivot point P between the first and second ends E1, E2 about which the pull tab PT may pivot. The pivot point P may be implemented by a rivet R connecting the pull tab PT to the top of the can C thereby defining a bending portion B of the pull tab PT that bends to facilitate the downward movement of the tab's second end E2 upon the upward movement of the tab's first end E1. In addition, the top of the can C includes a scored portion S upon which the second end E2 of the pull tab PT may press against when activated. The downward movement of the tab's second end E2 may exert sufficient downward force to the scored portion S to break the score and to thereby open the can C (see FIG. 2, image (1)). When this happens, the broken scored portion S may bend downwards thereby providing an opening O through which a user may drink.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, the pull tab PT rests generally flat against the top of the can C prior to activation. In addition, the pull tab PT itself also is generally flat from its first end E1 to its second end E2. As such, there is not sufficient space between the pull tab's first end E1 and the top of the can C for a user to simply grip the tab's first end E1 to pull it upward. Instead, a user must press the tip of his/her finger against the far end edge E of the pull tab's first end E1 with sufficient force such that the user may simultaneously pull upward on the first end E1 of the pull tab PT to open the can C. For users of ordinary strength and dexterity, this action may be accomplished successfully. However, for user's who lack the strength and dexterity necessary, e.g., elderly user's and/or users with osteoarthritis of the fingers and/or thumb and/or for user's with long fingernails, this action may be physically impossible.
[0018] In an inadequate response to this challenge, some state-of-the-art cans may include a small dimple D directly in front of the pull tab's first end E1 in an attempt to provide additional space for the user to grip the pull tab PT. However, this dimple D is misshaped, too small, not positioned properly, and overall inadequate. The small size and shape of the dimple D may potentially enable user's without physical challenges to grip the front edge of the pull tab PT more easily, but it does not provide access to any underneath area of the pull tab PT since the pull tab PT is designed to be gripped at its front edge and not from below. As such, the dimple D does not provide any benefits to user's with arthritis and/or long fingernails. As such, the small dimple D does not provide a solution for user's with physical limitations as described above.
[0019] The inventive pull tab system 10 will next be described in relation to the drawings.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows the pull tab system 10 implemented with a top of a can C, FIG. 4, image (1) shows the pull tab member 12 isolated from the can C for clarity, and FIG. 4, image (2) shows the pull tab member 12 from the perspective of arrow F in FIG. 4 and flipped over horizontally for clarity.
[0021] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pull tab system 10 includes a pull tab member 12 that may be coupled to the top of a can C and that may be activated to facilitate the opening of the can C. The pull tab member 12 may include a first end 14 (e.g., the upper end or distal end shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, image (1)), a second end 16 (e.g., a lower end or proximal end opposite the upper end), and left and right sides 18, 20, respectively, extending from the first end 14 to the second end 16 on either side. As shown in FIG. 4, images (1) and (2), the pull tab member 12 also includes an underneath side 28 and a top side opposite the underneath side 28.
[0022] While the pull tab member 12 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as having a larger width at its first end 14 compared to its width at its second end 16, it is understood that this is for demonstration and that the pull tab member 12 may include other first end 14 and second end 16 widths. For example, in some embodiments, the width of the second end 16 may generally match or be larger than the width of the first end 14. As such, the overall shape of the pull tab member 12 from above may be trapezoidal, rectangular, other suitable shapes, and/or any combinations thereof.
[0023] In some embodiments, the first end 14 of the pull tab member 12 is designed to be gripped and pulled upward thereby causing the pull tab member's second end 16 to press downward about a pivot point between the first and second ends 14, 16, respectively. The pivot point may be implemented by a rivet 30 connecting the pull tab member 12 to the top of the can C thereby defining a bending portion 32 of the pull tab member 12 that bends to facilitate the downward movement of the tab's second end 16 upon the upward movement of the tab's first end 14.
[0024] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, image (1), the first end 14 of the pull tab member 12 includes a far-left corner 22 and a far-right corner 24 opposite the far-left corner 22. In some embodiments, the pull tab member 12 includes a concave curvature 26 implemented on its underneath side 28 and extending from the far-left corner 22 to the far-right corner 24 and facing the top of the can C (when implemented) as shown. That is, the concave curvature 26 at the first end 14 of the pull tab member 12 includes a starting point at the far-left corner 22 and an ending point at the far-right corner 24, with a peak generally in the middle between the far-left and far-right corners 22, 24. As will be described in other sections, the underneath concave curvature 26 may be implemented continuously from the first end 14 of the pull tab member 12 to the second end 16 of the pull tab member 12 so that the entire pull tab member 12 includes the underneath curvature 26, or the underneath concave curvature 26 may be implemented from the first end 14 of the pull tab member 12 to an intermediate location between the first end 14 and the second end 16 of the pull tab member 12 so that a front portion of the pull tab member 12 (including the front 14) includes the underneath curvature 26, and a portion between the intermediate location and the second end 16 of the pull tab member 12 may not include the underneath concave curvature 26.
[0025] In some embodiments, the concave curvature 26 includes a continuous smooth curve extending from its far-left corner 22 to its far-right corner 24. The continuous smooth curve may be a continuous parabolic, a continuous semi-circular, a continuous semi-oval, and/or formed as other suitable continuous smooth curves. As such, the concave curvature 26 preferably does not include any elements (e.g., steps or crimps) that may alter its continuous concave curvature from the far-left corner 22 to the far-right corner 24.
[0026] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, image (1), the concave curvature 26 exists along the longitudinal axis of the pull tab member 12 (with the longitudinal axis defined by the first end 14 and the second end 16) from the first end 14 (at position A) to the second end 16 (at position E). That is, the concave curvature 26 exists generally along the entire length of the pull tab member 12 from position A to position E.
[0027] The concave curvature 26 provides several inventive benefits. First, the concave curvature 26 at the first end 14 provides an enlarged area of free space below the first end 14 of the pull tab member 12 into which a person may insert the tip of his/her finger to physically contact and thereby grip the underneath side 28 of the pull tab member 12 approaching the underneath side 28 from below the pull tab member 12 (vs. from the front edge as with state-of-the-art pull tabs PT as shown in FIG. 1). As such, when a user is able to grip the pull tab member 12 from below instead from in front, much less force (and therefore much less user strength) may be required to pull the pull tab member 12 upward to open the can C. This is in sharp contrast with state-of-the-art pull tabs PT that do not provide space beneath the pull tab PT large enough to receive a portion of the user's fingertip and to enable the fingertip to make physical contact with the underside of the pull tab PT. That is, the concave curvature 26 enables a user to grip the underneath side 28 of the pull tab member 12 approaching the pull tab member from below the pull tab member 12.
[0028] In addition, the concave curvature 26 provides additional free space beneath the pull tab member 12 that may receive a long fingernail of a user, thereby enabling the user to position his/her fingertip on the underneath side 28 of the pull tab member 12 without obstruction from the fingernail.
[0029] Additionally, the pull tab member's concave curvature 26 also provides strength and rigidity to the pull tab member 12 due to its increased area moment of inertia compared to flat pull members PT.
[0030] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, image (1), the pull tab member 12 may include a cutout 34 between its first end 14 and its bending portion 32 that may reduce the amount of material used to form the pull tab member 12. The cutout 34 (shown as dashed lines because it may be optional) may be generally defined by a front edge 36, a rear edge 38, a left side edge 40, and a right side edge 42. Given this, if the pull tab member 12 includes the cutout 34 (which may reduce the pull tab member's rigidity from its first end 14 to its second end 16), the concave curvature 26 may provide additional rigidity to the pull tab member 12 compensate for the cutout 34.
[0031] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, image (1), the pull tab member 12 is formed with the concave curvature 26 extending from its first end 14 (at position A) to a location between the pull tab member's first end 14 and second end 16. For example, in some embodiments, the pull tab member 12 is formed with the concave curvature 26 extending from position A to position D (e.g., just below the bending portion 32).
[0032] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, image (1), the pull tab member 12 is formed with the concave curvature 26 extending from position A to position C (e.g., at the bending portion 32).
[0033] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, image (1), the pull tab member 12 is formed with the concave curvature 26 extending from position A to position B (e.g., at and including the rear edge 38 of the pull tab cutout 34). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, image (1), the cutout's rear edge 38 includes the concave curvature 26 that may increase the rigidity of the pull tab member 12 in this area.
[0034] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4A, the pull tab member 12 is formed with a concave curvature 26 extending from position A to an intermediate position between position A and position B such that the rear edge 38 of the pull tab cutout 34 may not include the concave curvature 26 and may instead be generally linear as depicted.
[0035] FIG. 5, images (1), (2), and (3), each show a side view of a different embodiment of the pull tab member 12.
[0036] FIG. 5, image (1) shows a side view of the pull tab member 12 embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0037] FIG. 5, image (2) shows a side view of an embodiment of the pull tab member 12 wherein the first end 14 of the pull tab member 12 has been modified by omitting the first end's far-left corner 22 and far-right corner 24. This also is shown in FIG. 6 (top view) wherein the far-left corner 22 has been removed and replaced with an angled edge 50 (e.g., a left side chamfer) that extends from an inner position 52 along the left side 18 of the pull tab member 12 to an upper position 54 along the front end 14 of the pull tab member 12, and the far-right corner 24 also has been removed and replaced with an angled edge 44 (e.g., a right side chamfer) that extends from an inner position 46 along the right side 20 of the pull tab member 12 to an upper position 48 along the front end 14 of the pull tab member 12. The angled edges 50, 44 may each include an angled edge length L1 along the horizontal plane and an angled edge height H1 along the vertical plane. The angled edge 44 also may extend at an offset angle 1 from the inner position 46 to the upper position 48. In some embodiments, it also is contemplated that the left and right angled edges 50, 44 may extend higher up on the front 14 of the pull tab member 12, including all the way to the apex (e.g., the uppermost position) of the concave curvature 26. In this way, the front end 14 of the pull tab member 12 may include additional underneath space at its far-left side and at its far-right side. With this added underneath space, a person with long fingernails may be able to position a lateral portion of his/her fingertip under the pull tab member's front end 14 with his/her fingernail positioned generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pull tab member 12 (e.g., as depicted by the arrow N in FIG. 6) to engage the underneath area provided by the angled edges 44, 50 on the far-left and far-right sides of the front 14 of the pull tab member 12, respectively. In some embodiments, the angle 1 may be about 10to about 80, and preferably about 30to about 60, and more preferably about 40to about 50, and more preferably about 45.
[0038] FIG. 5, image (3) shows a side view of an embodiment of the pull tab member 12 wherein the far front edge of the pull tab's front side 14 of image (1) has been angled backwards. In some embodiments, the front end's far-left corner 22 (blocked from view by the pull tab member 12 in the drawing) and far-right corner 24 may remain generally at the same position and placement, however, the concave curvature 26 extending between the corners 22, 24 may now angle backwards instead of being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pull tab member 12 (as it is in image (1)). The front side 14 may be angled backwards at an angle 2 thereby creating a frontal free space area 56 in front of the pull tab member 12 with a length L2 measured from at the peak of the concave curvature 12 along the horizontal plane to the position of where the front end 14 would be positioned if it had not been angled backwards (e.g., as shown in image (1)). This front free space area 56 may enable a user additional space to place his/her fingertip to grip the underneath side 28 of the front 14 of the pull tab member 12. In some embodiments, the angle 2 may be about 10to about 80, and preferably about 30to about 60, and more preferably about 40to about 50, and more preferably about 45.
[0039] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the pull tab system 10 includes a cavity 58 in the top surface T of the can C. The pull tab member 12 in FIG. 7 has been omitted for clarity and the pull tab member 12 in FIG. 8 is shown as transparent to provide visibility of the cavity 58 beneath it when implemented. The sides of the can C in FIG. 9 also are shown as transparent to provide visibility to the pull tab member 12 and the cavity 58. The cavity 58 provides additional free space (e.g., the space within the cavity 58) into which the user's fingertip may enter to facilitate the gripping of the underside 28 of the front end 14 of the pull tab member 12 from below the pull tab member 12.
[0040] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the cavity 58 extends from a first position 60 in front of the front 14 of the pull tab member 12 to a second position 62 underneath the pull tab member 12 (e.g., underneath the front end 14) and with a cavity depth D. In some embodiments, an underneath length U of the cavity 58 extends directly underneath the front 14 of the pull tab member 12 and terminates at an underneath position 60. In this way, the underneath portion U of the cavity 58 provides additional access to the underneath side 28 of the front 14 of the pull tab member 12. The underneath portion U of the cavity 58 enables a user to use his/her fingertip to approach the pull tab member 12 from below the pull tab member 12 (vs. from the front of the state-of-the-art pull tab PT shown in FIG. 1) and to make physical contact with the underneath side 28 of the pull tab member 12. This is in sharp contrast to the small dimple D provided by the state-of-the-art pull tab systems depicted in FIG. 1 that only exists directly in front of the pull tab's first end E1, and that does not extend to an area underneath the pull tab member PT. In some embodiments, the depth D of the cavity 58 is about 1 mm to about 10 mm, and preferably about 2 mm to about 7 mm, and more preferably about 2 mm to about 6 mm, and more preferably about 2 mm to about 5 mm, and more preferably about 3 mm to about 5 mm, and more preferably about 4 mm to about 5 mm.
[0041] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the far-left point 64 of the cavity 58 is generally aligned with the far-left corner 22 of the front side 14 of the pull tab member 12, and the far-right point 66 of the cavity 58 is generally aligned with the far-right corner 24 of the front side 14 of the pull tab member 12. In this way, the width of the pull tab member 12 at its front side 14 and the width of the cavity 58 at its widest point may be maximized with respect to the available space on the top T of the can C in this area. This may provide the maximum available amount of free space available for the user's fingertip to extend below the pull tab member 12 and to physically grip the underneath side 28 of the pull tab member 12 while approaching the pull tab member 12 from below the pull tab member 12. That is, by aligning the width of the cavity 58 with the width of the pull tab member 12, both the cavity 58 and the pull tab member 12 may be made as wide as possible given the available space.
[0042] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the height H1 of the pull tab member 12 (see FIG. 4, image (2)) is preferably equal to or less than the height H3 of the circumferential rim CR of the can C measured from the top surface T of the can C to the top of the circumferential rim CR. In this way, the pull tab member 12 may not obstruct or otherwise interfere with the stacking of cans C on top of one another. In some embodiments, the height H1 measured to the underneath side 28 of the pull tab member 12 (see FIG. 4, image (2)) is about 1 mm to about 10 mm, and preferably about 2 mm to about 7 mm, and more preferably about 2 mm to about 6 mm, and more preferably about 2 mm to about 5 mm, and more preferably about 3 mm to about 5 mm, and more preferably about 4 mm to about 5 mm.
[0043] While the cavity 58 is depicted as generally triangular in shape with generally rounded corners in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is understood that this is for demonstration and that the cavity 58 may be formed as any suitable shape, for example, without limitation, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, oval, circular, egg-shaped, as any other suitable shape and/or form, and/or as any combinations thereof.
[0044] In addition, while the bottom surface of the cavity 58 that generally defines the depth D of the cavity 58 is shown in FIG. 9 as being a smooth curve and with the depth D being greater towards the cavity's front point 60 compared to the depth D of the cavity 58 towards the cavity's rear point 62, it is understood that this is for demonstration and that the bottom surface of the cavity 58 may be formed as any suitable shape and/or form that may provide an adequate cavity depth D towards the front 60 and towards the rear 62 of the cavity 58.
[0045] It is understood that any details and/or aspects of any embodiments of the pull tab system 10 described herein may be combined with any details and/or aspects of any other embodiments of the pull tab system 10 in any way to form additional embodiment(s) of the pull tab system 10 all of which are within the scope of the pull tab system 10.
[0046] Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).
[0047] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase at least some means one or more, and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase at least some ABCs means one or more ABCs and includes the case of only one ABC.
[0048] As used herein, including in the claims, term at least one should be understood as meaning one or more, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with at least one have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as theand the at least one.
[0049] As used in this description, the term portion means some or all. So, for example, A portion of X may include some of X or all of X. In the context of a conversation, the term portionmeans some or all of the conversation.
[0050] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase using means using at least, and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase using X means using at least X. Unless specifically stated by use of the word only, the phrase using X does not mean using only X.
[0051] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase based on means based in part on or based, at least in part, on, and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase based on factor X means based in part on factor X or based, at least in part, on factor X. Unless specifically stated by use of the word only, the phrase based on X does not mean based only on X.
[0052] In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word only is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.
[0053] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase distinct means at least partially distinct. Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, X is distinct from Y means that X is at least partially distinct from Y, and does not mean that X is fully distinct from Y. Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase X is distinct from Y means that X differs from Y in at least some way.
[0054] It should be appreciated that the words first, second, and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., (A), (B), (C), and so on, or (a), (b), and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., (i), (ii), and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as particular, specific, certain, and given, in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.
[0055] As used herein, including in the claims, the terms multiple and plurality mean two or more, and include the case of two. Thus, e.g., the phrase multiple ABCs, means two or more ABCs, and includes two ABCs. Similarly, e.g., the phrase multiple PQRs, means two or more PQRs, and includes two PQRs.
[0056] The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., about 3 or approximately 3 shall also cover exactly 3 or substantially constant shall also cover exactly constant).
[0057] As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms a, an, and theinclude plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0058] Throughout the description and claims, the terms comprise, including, having, and contain and their variations should be understood as meaning including but not limited to, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.
[0059] It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0060] The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., about 3 shall also cover exactly 3 or substantially constant shall also cover exactly constant).
[0061] Use of exemplary language, such as for instance, such as, for example (e.g.,) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.
[0062] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
