Abstract:
A garbage disposal plunger is provided that is designed to push refuse into a standard kitchen sink garbage disposal unit. The plunger apparatus includes four major sections: a knob portion, handle portion, stopper portion, and plunger portion. The knob portion is used to prevent the human hand of the user from slipping while gripping the device; the handle portion acts as a shank between the gripable knob and the plunger and, in conjunction with the knob portion, is designed to aid the human user of the device for maximum gripping capabilities and comfort. The stopper portion manifests a larger diameter which prevents the plunger portion of the device from contacting the blades of the garbage disposal, and prevents the human hand of the user from entering the garbage disposal. The plunger apparatus contains a liquid which can be dispensed through a spout which has a lid.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based in part upon a U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Serial No. 60/250,544, filed Dec. 1, 2000. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to kitchen utensils, and is particularly directed to a kitchen utensil of the type which both contains liquid (such as soap) and pushes refuse into a kitchen sink garbage disposal. The invention is specifically disclosed as a garbage disposal “plunger” that is placed into the opening of a garbage disposal up to a predetermined distance, but is prevented from being inserted past that predetermined distance by a stopper member, and which exhibits a removable lid to dispense a liquid contained therewithin. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Kitchen utensils, used to push refuse into a kitchen sink garbage disposal, are fairly well known in the art as disclosed by way of example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,427,636 to Seifert, U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,275 to Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,080 to Lindley, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,642 to Shands. For instance, the Shands device merely provides a spherical knob for the user to grip while using the device, which does not, however, allow a user&#39;s hand to be in a position to employ a substantial gripping posture. Similarly, the Seifert device provides a handle only for the user to hold, and does not provide a knob portion to prevent the user&#39;s hand from slipping off the device. The Lindley device does not include a structure which specifically prevents the fingers of the user from entering the garbage disposal. 
     The conventional devices that push refuse into a kitchen sink garbage disposal could easily be improved to eliminate some of their disadvantages. It would, therefore, be advantageous to provide a garbage disposal plunger that manifests improved gripping characteristics and is convenient and safe to use around working garbage disposals. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide a garbage disposal waste removing apparatus having a handle portion in conjunction with a knob portion which allows the user to employ a tactile posture that provides better gripping capabilities for convenience of use and added safety. 
     It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a garbage disposal waste removing apparatus having a stopper portion that is large enough to prevent a user&#39;s hand from entering a sink garbage disposal unit to add a further safety feature to a handle portion and a knob portion which allow the user to employ a tactile posture that provides better gripping capabilities. 
     It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a garbage disposal waste removing apparatus having a handle portion in conjunction with a knob portion which allows the user to employ a tactile posture that provides better gripping capabilities for convenience of use and added safety, and further includes a plunger portion with a cylindrical shape exhibiting a substantially constant diameter that is long enough to push refuse into the sink garbage disposal, yet is mated to a stopper portion that limits the effective length of the plunger portion so as to not contact the blades of the garbage disposal unit. 
     It is yet a further advantage of the present invention to provide a garbage disposal waste removing apparatus having a handle portion in conjunction with a knob portion which allows the user to employ a tactile posture that provides better gripping capabilities for convenience of use and added safety, and in which the knob portion also contains a lid that provides access to an interior chamber containing a liquid, which thereby allows the user to dispense the liquid (e.g., a dishwasher detergent) from the interior chamber. 
     It is still another advantage of the present invention to provide a garbage disposal waste removing apparatus having a stopper portion that is large enough to prevent a user&#39;s hand from entering a sink garbage disposal unit to add a further safety feature to a handle portion and a knob portion which allow the user to employ a tactile posture that provides better gripping capabilities, and in which the knob portion also contains a lid that provides access to an interior chamber containing a liquid, which thereby allows the user to dispense the liquid (e.g., a dishwasher detergent) from the interior chamber. 
     It is still a further advantage of the present invention to provide a garbage disposal waste removing apparatus having a handle portion in conjunction with a knob portion that also contains a lid that provides access to an interior chamber containing a liquid, which thereby allows the user to dispense the liquid (e.g., a dishwasher detergent) from the interior chamber, and further includes a plunger portion with a cylindrical shape exhibiting a substantially constant diameter that is long enough to push refuse into the sink garbage disposal, yet is mated to a stopper portion that limits the effective length of the plunger portion so as to not contact the blades of the garbage disposal unit. 
     Additional advantages and other novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. 
     To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, and in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an improved garbage disposal plunger device is provided that, in a preferred embodiment, is constructed of molded plastic so as to be lightweight yet of sturdy construction. The plunger device is designed to push refuse into a standard kitchen sink garbage disposal unit that grinds waste and sends it down the drain pipe. The device includes four major sections: a knob portion or member, a handle portion or member, a stopper portion or member, and a plunger portion or member. 
     The knob portion/member has an overall rounded appearance and is used to prevent the human hand of a human user from slipping while gripping the plunger device. The handle portion/member acts as a shank between the gripable knob and the plunger, and has an outline that exhibits a mildly curved convex shape. The gradually shaped convex surface of the handle, in conjunction with the knob portion, is designed to enhance the gripping capabilities of the human user while also providing a surface shape that aids comfort when gripped by the user&#39;s hand. 
     The knob portion exhibits an outer contour shape that exhibits a maximum cross-section near the end of the plunger apparatus that is proximal to the human user (and distal from the garbage disposal unit), yet smoothly changes to a minimum cross-section at the very proximal end portion of the plunger apparatus. In addition, the knob&#39;s maximum cross-section smoothly changes to a smaller cross-section at a location where it meets said handle member in their adjacent relationship. This smaller cross-section of the knob as it meets the handle portion provides a contoured surface area that is easily gripped by the fingers of a human hand. Moreover, the maximum cross-section in combination with the smoothly changing minimum cross-section at the very end of the knob provide a different contoured surface area that mates well to the palm of a human hand. This shape enhances the “gripability” of the plunger apparatus by the user&#39;s hand. 
     The stopper portion/member is located approximately at the mid-portion of the plunger device. The stopper portion manifests a larger diameter as compared to both the handle portion and the plunger portion, and is used as a “stopper” to prevent the plunger portion of the device from contacting the blades of the garbage disposal. Also, the stopper portion prevents the human hand of the user from entering the garbage disposal. 
     The plunger portion/member is used to push the refuse into the garbage disposal unit. The plunger portion is mainly cylindrical in shape, having a substantially constant diameter. In the preferred embodiment, the main diameter of the plunger portion is sized to fit into the standard kitchen garbage disposal unit opening, with a small amount of clearance for an easy insertion fit. 
     In an alternative preferred embodiment, the garbage disposal plunger device has a lid at its top portion (i.e., at the handle&#39;s knob) that can be removed to allow access to an interior volume which contains a liquid. This interior volume can run essentially throughout the entire inner surfaces that make up the molded walls of the device, and the liquid contained therewithin could be a dishwasher detergent, for example, or some other liquid that is useful in the kitchen. Other useful liquids could include hand soap or a sink cleanser, for example. The lid could be a snap-on/snap-off cap that is hinged, or that literally snaps completely off, or it could be a threaded design that twists on and off, which is the embodiment illustrated below. 
     Still other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description and drawings wherein there is described and shown a preferred embodiment of this invention in one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description and claims serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the front and the side of a garbage disposal plunger built according to the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG. 1 showing the apparatus from a view that is further along its side. 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG. 1 from its right side (as viewed in FIG.  1 ). 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG. 1 from its left side (as viewed in FIG.  1 ). 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view from the front and the side of a second preferred embodiment of a garbage disposal plunger built according to the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG. 9 showing the apparatus from a view that is further along its side. 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG. 9 from its right side (as viewed in FIG.  9 ). 
     FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG. 9 from its left side (as viewed in FIG.  9 ). 
     FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 17 is front elevational view in partial cross-section of the garbage disposal plunger of FIG.  9 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals indicate the same elements throughout the views. 
     Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a garbage disposal plunger device generally designated by the reference numeral  10  that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The device could be made of any durable material including plastics, metal or wood. In a preferred embodiment, the device  10  would be made of molded plastic, but any suitable material could be used without departing from the principles of the present invention. The plunger device  10  includes four major sections: a handle portion  40 , a knob portion  50 , a stopper portion  20  and a plunger portion  30 . 
     The handle portion  40  preferably exhibits a contoured surface having a gradual convex shape, as seen at  42 , with a maximum outer diameter  44  at a distance that is approximately halfway between a top minimum outer diameter at  46  and a bottom minimum outer diameter at  48 . This configuration gives the handle portion  40  an overall curved shape. The gradually shaped convex surface  42  is designed to aid a human user of the device  10  for maximum gripping capabilities and comfort. 
     The handle portion  40  also includes a through hole  60  located in an area near the boundary between the handle portion  40  and the knob portion  50 . A string (not shown in FIG. 1) can be inserted through the through hole  60  to enable the device  10  to be hung on a hook in a household pantry or any other convenient location as desired by the human user. Such a through hole  60  could be located at other locations of the device  10  without departing from the principles of the present invention, or optionally the through hole could be omitted entirely. 
     The knob portion  50  tends to prevent the human hand from slipping while gripping the handle portion  40 . The knob portion  50  preferably exhibits a rounded contour surface at  56 , having a maximum outer diameter seen at  54 . This configuration also gives the knob portion  50  an overall rounded appearance. 
     The plunger portion  30  preferably exhibits a cylindrical surface  36  of substantially constant diameter, having a planar surface  32 , at the distal end of the device  10 . A rounded edge at  34  changes the diameter between the planar surface  32  at the distal end of the device  10  and the cylindrical surface  36  of the plunger portion  30 . It will be understood that the overall outer dimensions of plunger portion  30  are not constrained to be an exact cylinder with a perfectly straight contour, but instead could exhibit a mildly curved or tapered shape without departing from the principles of the present invention. 
     The stopper portion  20  is used to protect the hand of the human user from accidentally entering the garbage disposal, and to prevent the distal end surface at  32  from contacting the moving blades of a garbage disposal in use while the device  10  is being placed into the bottom area of a sink. The stopper portion exhibits a maximum outer diameter at  22  which is also the maximum outer diameter of the entire device  10 . FIG. 1 shows a portion at  26  along the bottom area of the stopper portion  20 , which exhibits a change in diameter  26  between the maximum diameter at  22  of the stopper portion  20  and the cylindrical surface  36  of the plunger portion  30 . A substantially symmetrical change in diameter is also exhibited along the top area at  24  of the stopper portion  20 , which is not shown in FIG.  1 . Thus the stopper portion exhibits rounded, substantially smoothly outer edges due to its outer contoured shape at  22 ,  24 , and  26  (see FIG.  3 ). 
     FIG. 2 shows a second perspective view from further along the side of the plunger device  10 . FIG. 2 shows a string  62  or similar flexible object which is placed through the hole  60 . String  62  is used for hanging the device  10 , as noted above. As can be seen in this view, the plunger device  10  is substantially of the same shape as viewed in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a front elevational view of the plunger device  10 . In FIG. 3, the proximal end surface at  52  of the device  10  can be viewed, as well as the most proximal point or peak of the knob at  58 . Additionally, the rounded top surface  24  of the stopper portion  20  can be seen in this view. FIG. 3 more clearly shows the planar shape of the distal surface  32  of the device  10 , and the rounded change in diameter at  34  of the plunger portion  30 . 
     The knob portion  50  exhibits an outer contour shape that exhibits a maximum cross-section at  54  near the end of the plunger apparatus, and smoothly changes to a minimum cross-section at  58  that form the very proximal end portion of the plunger apparatus (at the point or peak  58 ). This smoothly changing cross-sectional area is due to the rapidly decreasing diameter of the knob portion, as viewed at  52 , between the peak  58  and the maximum diameter at  54 . 
     In addition, the knob&#39;s maximum cross-section at  54  smoothly changes to a smaller cross-section at a location where it meets said handle member (i.e., at  46 ) in their adjacent relationship. This smaller cross-section of the knob at  46  as it meets the handle portion provides a contoured surface area at  56  that is easily gripped by the fingers of a human hand. Moreover, the maximum cross-section at  54  in combination with the smoothly changing minimum cross-section at the very end of the knob (i.e., and the peak  58 ) provide a different contoured surface area that mates well to the palm of a human hand. This shape enhances the “gripability” of the plunger apparatus by the user&#39;s hand. 
     FIG. 4 shows a rear elevational view of the plunger device  10 . FIG. 4 indicates a constant diameter “D” of the plunger portion  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the diameter D is sized to easily fit into a standard kitchen sink drain hole. Additionally, the plunger portion  30  has a length, “L”, which in the preferred embodiment is short enough not to touch the blades of the garbage disposal yet long enough to effectively push all the garbage into the disposal. 
     FIG.  5  and FIG. 6 are a right side elevational view and a left side elevational view of the plunger device  10 , respectively. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the same general features as seen in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is a top planar view of the plunger device IC. FIG. 7 shows the rounded outer shape of the stopper portion  20  with its maximum outer diameter at  22 , the knob portion  50  with its maximum outer diameter  54 , and a peak or most proximal point  58  in the knob portion  50 . 
     FIG. 8 is a bottom planar view of the plunger device  10 . FIG. 8 shows the rounded outer shape of the stopper portion  20  with its maximum outer diameter  22 . FIG. 8 also shows the rounded outer shape of the cylindrical plunger portion  30  having a distal end surface  32  which is preferably planar, and which has its circular outer diameter (in this view) at  36 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of a garbage disposal plunger device is generally designated by the reference numeral  110 , and is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The plunger device  110  is generally designed to be constructed of plastic, preferably using a plastic blow molding process. This plunger device  110  could be made of an alternative material, however, this alternative embodiment preferably includes an interior chamber to hold a liquid material, and is therefore essentially hollow in construction. Plunger device  110  includes four major sections: a handle portion  140 , a knob portion  150 , a stopper portion  120  and a plunger portion  130 . 
     The knob portion  150  includes a removable lid  170 , and a lid gap at  190  is illustrated as the separation line between the upper and lower members of the knob portion  150 . The upper member of the knob portion  150  includes the surfaces  152  and  154 , which are described below in greater detail. The lower member of the knob portion  150  includes the surfaces  146  and  156 , which are described below in greater detail. Finally, the details of the lid  170  construction are discussed below with regard to the discussion of FIG.  17 . 
     The handle portion  140  preferably exhibits a contoured surface having a gradual convex shape, as seen at  142 , with a maximum outer diameter  144  at a distance that is approximately halfway between a top minimum outer diameter at  146  and a bottom minimum outer diameter at  148 . This configuration gives the handle portion  140  an overall curved shape. The gradually shaped convex surface  142  is designed to aid a human user of the device  110  for maximum gripping capabilities and comfort. 
     The handle portion  140  also includes a through hole  160  located in an area near the boundary between the handle portion  140  and the knob portion  150 . A string (not shown in FIG. 9) can be inserted through the through hole  160  to enable the plunger device  110  to be hung on a hook in a household pantry or any other convenient location as desired by the human user. Such a through hole  160  could be located at other locations of the device  110  without departing from the principles of the present invention, or optionally the through hole could be omitted entirely. 
     The knob portion  150  tends to prevent the human hand from slipping while gripping the handle portion  140 . The knob portion  150  preferably exhibits a rounded contour surface at  156 , having a maximum outer diameter seen at  154 . This configuration also gives the knob portion  150  an overall rounded appearance. 
     The plunger portion  130  preferably exhibits a cylindrical surface  136  of substantially constant diameter, having a planar surface  132 , at the distal end of the device  110 . A rounded edge at  134  changes the diameter between the planar surface  132  at the distal end of the device  110  and the cylindrical surface  136  of the plunger portion  130 . It will be understood that the overall outer dimensions of plunger portion  130  are not constrained to be an exact cylinder with a perfectly straight contour, but instead could exhibit a mildly curved or tapered shape without departing from the principles of the present invention. 
     The stopper portion  120  is used to protect the hand of the human user from accidentally entering the garbage disposal, and to prevent the distal end surface at  132  from contacting the moving blades of a garbage disposal in use while the device  110  is being placed into the bottom area of a sink. The stopper portion exhibits a maximum outer diameter at  122  which is also the maximum outer diameter of the entire device  110 . FIG. 9 shows a portion at  126  along the bottom area of the stopper portion  120 , which exhibits a change in diameter  126  between the maximum diameter at  122  of the stopper portion  120  and the cylindrical surface  136  of the plunger portion  130 . A substantially symmetrical change in diameter is also exhibited along the top area at  124  of the stopper portion  120 , which is not shown in FIG.  9 . Thus the stopper portion exhibits rounded, substantially smoothly outer edges due to its outer contoured shape at  122 ,  124 , and  126  (see FIG.  11 ). 
     FIG. 10 shows a second perspective view from further along the side of the plunger device  110 . FIG. 10 shows a string  162  or similar flexible object which is placed through the hole  160 . String  162  is used for hanging the device  110 , as noted above. As can be seen in this view, the plunger device  110  is substantially of the same shape as viewed in FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 shows a front elevational view of the plunger device  110 . In FIG. 11, the proximal end surface at  152  of the device  110  can be viewed, as well as the most proximal point or peak of the knob at  158 . Additionally, the rounded top surface  124  of the stopper portion  120  can be seen in this view. FIG. 11 more clearly shows the planar shape of the distal surface  132  of the device  110 , and the rounded change in diameter at  134  of the plunger portion  130 . 
     The knob portion  150  exhibits an outer contour shape that exhibits a maximum cross-section at  154  near the end of the plunger apparatus, and smoothly changes to a minimum cross-section at  158  that form the very proximal end portion of the plunger apparatus (at the point or peak  158 ). This smoothly changing cross-sectional area is due to the rapidly decreasing diameter of the knob portion, as viewed at  152 , between the peak  158  and the maximum diameter at  154 . 
     In addition, the knob&#39;s maximum cross-section at  154  smoothly changes to a smaller cross-section at a location where it meets said handle member (i.e., at  146 ) in their adjacent relationship. This smaller cross-section of the knob at  146  as it meets the handle portion provides a contoured surface area at  156  that is easily gripped by the fingers of a human hand. Moreover, the maximum cross-section at  154  in combination with the smoothly changing minimum cross-section at the very end of the knob (i.e., and the peak  158 ) provide a different contoured surface area that mates well to the palm of a human hand. This shape enhances the “gripability” of the plunger apparatus by the user&#39;s hand. 
     FIG. 12 shows a rear elevational view of the plunger device  110 . FIG. 12 indicates a constant diameter “D” of the plunger portion  130 . In the preferred embodiment, the diameter D is sized to easily fit into a standard kitchen sink drain hole. Additionally, the plunger portion  130  has a length, “L”, which in the preferred embodiment is short enough not to touch the blades of the garbage disposal yet long enough to effectively push all the garbage into the disposal. 
     FIG.  13  and FIG. 14 are a right side elevational view and a left side elevational view of the plunger device  110 , respectively. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the same general features as seen in FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 15 is a top planar view of the plunger device  110 . FIG. 15 shows the rounded outer shape of the stopper portion  120  with its maximum outer diameter at  122 , the knob portion  150  with its maximum outer diameter  154 , and a peak or most proximal point  158  in the knob portion  150 . 
     FIG. 16 is a bottom planar view of the plunger device  110 . FIG. 16 shows the rounded outer shape of the stopper portion  120  with its maximum outer diameter  122 . FIG. 16 also shows the rounded outer shape of the cylindrical plunger portion  130  having a distal end surface  132  which is preferably planar, and which has its circular outer diameter (in this view) at  136 . 
     FIG. 17 shows some of the interior details of the knob portion  150 , especially of the construction of the lid  170 . The end surface  152 , with its uppermost point at  158 , and the maximum outer diameter  154  of the rounded contour surface make up the outer surface of the lid  170 , while an interior threaded wall  172  comprises the member of lid  170  that mates to the remaining members of the plunger device  110 . 
     The “bottom” member (as seen in FIG. 17) includes areas of the knob portions  150 , including the rounded contour surface  156  and the top minimum outer diameter at  146 , which make up the external surfaces of this area of the knob portion, as well as the through hole  160 . The interior of the bottom member of knob portion  150  includes a threaded spout  180 , and a planar upper surface at  184 . The spout  180  essentially comprises a hollow cylinder that is threaded along the outer surface of its vertical (as seen in FIG. 17) wall  182 . These external threads are designed to mate with the internal threads of the wall  172  of the lid  170 . It is preferred that the threaded walls  172  and  182 , when engaged, provide a largely liquid-tight seal, while at the same time it is preferred that the threaded engagement can be broken by a simple twisting motion of the lid by a human hand. 
     The interior volume or “chamber” of plunger device  110  will preferably include all interior spaces that are not needed to maintain structural integrity of the entire device, so that a maximum quantity of liquid can be placed therewithin. Some of the interior volume is visible on FIG. 17, including a space  192  that is nearest the lid gap  190  and above (as seen in FIG. 17) the through hole  160 , and including a space  194  that is below (as seen in FIG. 17) the through hole  160 . 
     By making the plunger device  110  into a liquid-containing “bottle,” the present invention can thereby readily perform two functions: (1) that of holding and dispensing a liquid (such as a hand soap or a dish washing detergent) through the spout  180 , and (2) acting as a garbage disposal plunger that is placed into the opening of a garbage disposal up to a predetermined distance, but is prevented from being inserted past that predetermined distance by the stopper member  22 . 
     It will be understood that the precise construction of the plunger device  110  (or  10 ) can be modified to various degrees without departing from the principles of the present invention. For example, the threaded lid  170  could be eliminated by using a hinged lid structure, so that the lid would be “snapped” closed and “unsnapped” open by the human user. Certainly other forms of lid structures are envisioned by the inventors, including a lid that slides “up” to be in an “open” position, and then slides “down” to be in a “closed” position. Moreover, the lid could exhibit child-proof characteristics. 
     The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.