Abstract:
An adjustable spray nozzle adapted to fit a pressurized aerosol can. The nozzle includes a body, a fluid passage defined within the nozzle body, and an adjustable needle valve with a tip disposed within a portion of the fluid passage. The needle valve regulates flow within the fluid passage. The tip of the needle valve has a contoured surface to define a predetermined flow path in the fluid passage to prevent resonance of the tip in the flow path and to facilitate passage of semi-solids in the flow path. In one embodiment, the contoured surface of the tip includes at least one longitudinally oriented flat surface segment defined in the surface of the tip. In another embodiment, the contoured surface of the tip includes at least one longitudinally oriented concave surface segment defined into the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Technology 
         [0002]    The disclosure relates to the field of needle valves, in particular to needle valves for use in an adjustable spray nozzle. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Aerosol paint is commonly used for small painting tasks. Various paint types and container sizes are used to meet a variety of needs. The paint is generally contained in a pressurized can, and a simple nozzle resides on a stem extending from the top of the can. The stem is extends from an underlying valve which is activated or opened by pressing downwardly on the stem. The nozzles typically are removable to clean or replace if necessary. 
         [0005]    While aerosol paint cans provide ease of use, they are not very versatile. In contrast, common air brushes allow adjustment of a spray pattern, and thus allow for much more detailed or controlled painting. Unfortunately, air brushes also have added cost and require a separate compressed air source. As a result, aerosol cans with nozzles are much more common than air brushes, and adjustable nozzles have been developed for such aerosol cans to overcome some of the deficiencies of non-adjustable nozzles. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, spray nozzles designed for standard paint are inadequate for texture based paints. Texture based paint, also known as “orange peel” or “mud,” is paint that has been premixed with particulate matter so that when applied to a surface such as a wall or ceiling, a textured or relief surface is created. Textured paint will often be used in place of wallpaper and is becoming increasingly popular as a home decor option. Because textured paint comprises particulate matter which may clog or otherwise block the internal pathways of a standard aerosol can spray nozzle, it must be applied by high powered and large air guns which are dedicated for applying textured paints only. In some cases, textured paint may only be applied with a brush or paint roller, thus dramatically increasing the length of time required for application. 
         [0007]    Adjustable nozzles for use with common aerosol spray cans are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,932 for “Valve Button With Aspirator Passageway,” and U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,756 for “Adjustable-Spray Mechanism.” The adjustable nozzles described in the &#39;932 patent and the &#39;756 patent include cylindrical adjusters cooperating with valving portions of fluid passages, thereby allowing adjustment of a fluid flow through the fluid passage. The fluid passages are in fluid cooperation with the stem extending from a spray car and include a vertical portion, and then a horizontal portion including the valving portion. Unfortunately, because the valving portion is not aligned with the vertical portion, the valves are difficult to clean, and therefore clog easily. The nozzles described in the &#39;932 patent and the &#39;756 patent further do not provide means to adjust a spray pattern from the nozzles. 
         [0008]    Additional spray nozzles for common use are described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,833,983 for “Valve,” and U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,550 for “Automatic Intermittent Spray Valve for Pressurized Packaging.” The nozzles described in patents &#39;983 and &#39;550 do comprise a vertical portion that is in line with the valving portion, however neither one would be capable of dispensing textured paint since the needle valves which are disclosed therein do not comprise means for avoiding clogging or providing a regulated fluid flow. 
         [0009]    What is needed therefore is an adjustable needle valve that may be fitted within a standard spray nozzle for an aerosol can which allows for the adjustable application of a fluid flow for a textured paint. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The current invention is an adjustable spray nozzle adapted to fit a pressurized aerosol can. The nozzle includes a nozzle body adapted to couple onto the pressurized aerosol can, a nozzle defined in the nozzle body, a fluid passage defined within the nozzle body and communicating with the nozzle, and an adjustable needle valve disposed in the nozzle body wherein the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip disposed within a portion of the fluid passage. The needle valve is adjusted to regulate flow within the fluid passage and the tip of the needle valve has a contoured surface to define a predetermined flow path between the contoured surface of the tip of the needle valve and an adjacent portion of the fluid passage to prevent resonance of the tip in the flow path and to facilitate passage of semi-solids in the flow path. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the tip has a longitudinal axis and the contoured surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve includes a tip with a conical surface and with a longitudinally oriented flat surface segment defined in the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the tip has a longitudinal axis and the contoured surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip with a conical surface and a plurality of longitudinally oriented flat surfaces segments defined in the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve. The plurality of longitudinally oriented flat surfaces segments are defined in the conical surface of the tip symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the tip of the adjustable needle valve. 
         [0013]    In yet another embodiment, the tip has a longitudinal axis and the contoured surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip with a conical surface and a longitudinally oriented concave surface segment defined into the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve. 
         [0014]    In still another embodiment, the tip has a longitudinal axis and the contoured surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip with a conical surface and a plurality of longitudinally oriented concave surface segments defined into the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve. The plurality of longitudinally oriented concave surface segments are preferably defined symmetrically into the conical surface about the longitudinal axis of the tip of the adjustable needle valve. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, the fluid passage of the spray nozzle includes a valving portion and an orifice portion fluidicly communicated to the valving portion of the fluid passage, where the contoured surface of the adjustable needle valve is disposed between the valving portion and the orifice portion of the fluid passage. The orifice portion of the fluid passage is preferably oriented at an acute angle with respect to the valving portion of the fluid passage. 
         [0016]    In still another embodiment, the adjustable needle valve of the spray nozzle comprises a plurality of threads for advancing and retreating the tip of the adjustable needle valve within the fluid passage. 
         [0017]    The spray nozzle may also include an orifice body that is removably coupled to the orifice portion of the fluid passage in a separate embodiment. 
         [0018]    The invention further includes an adjustable spray nozzle for a pressurized aerosol spray can having a top stem valve. The spray nozzle includes a nozzle body adapted to couple and seal with the top stem valve, a fluid passage defined within the nozzle body in communication with the stem valve, and a adjustable needle valve coupled to the nozzle body. The adjustable needle valve also includes a plastic tip disposed within a portion of the fluid passage. The plastic tip has a contoured surface to define a predetermined flow path between the contoured surface of the tip of the needle valve and an adjacent portion of the fluid passage in order to prevent resonance of the tip in the flow path and to facilitate passage of semi-solids in the flow path. 
         [0019]    In one particular embodiment, the contoured surface of the tip of the spray nozzle includes at least one flat surface defined into the surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve. 
         [0020]    In a related embodiment, the contoured surface of the tip includes at least one scalloped surface defined into the surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve. 
         [0021]    In another preferred embodiment the fluid passage includes an orifice portion and a valving portion. The adjustable needle valve also includes a plurality of threads for advancing and retreating the means to regulate a flow within the fluid passage between the orifice portion of the fluid passage and the valving portion of the fluid passage. The contoured surface further includes means for preventing vibration of the tip of the adjustable needle valve caused by flow of fluid in the fluid passage. 
         [0022]    The invention also includes a method for adjusting a fluid flow through a pressurized spray nozzle for an aerosol can. The method includes advancing a tip of a needle valve into a fluid pathway defined in the spray nozzle coupled to the aerosol can, exposing a defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve to the flow of fluid through the fluid pathway, and then adjusting the disposition of the defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve within the flow of fluid to prevent vibration of the tip of the needle valve. The defined relief surface also helps determine a predetermined flow path between the defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve and an adjacent portion of the fluid passage to prevent resonance of the tip in the flow path and to facilitate passage of semi-solids in the flow path. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the method step of exposing the defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve to the flow of fluid includes exposing at least one scalloped surface defined on the tip of the needle valve to the flow of fluid, or alternatively, exposing at least one flat surface defined on the tip of the needle valve to the flow of fluid. 
         [0024]    In yet another embodiment, advancing the tip of the needle valve into the fluid pathway comprises advancing the needle valve by rotation of the needle valve in a threaded coupling defined between the needle valve and the spray nozzle. 
         [0025]    Finally, in another embodiment, the method step of adjusting the disposition of the defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve within the flow of fluid to prevent vibration of the tip of the needle valve includes rotating the needle valve in a threaded coupling defined between the needle valve and the spray nozzle. 
         [0026]    While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The disclosure can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1A  is a spray can and an adjustable nozzle according to the present invention, the adjustable nozzle is detached from the spray can. 
           [0028]      FIG. 1B  is the spray can with the adjustable nozzle attached to the spray can. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the adjustable nozzle. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable nozzle taken along line 3-3 of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of an adjuster comprising a needle valve with a flat surface. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4B  is a rotated side view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0034]      FIG. 4D  is a bottom view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0035]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an adjuster comprising a needle valve with a scalloped surface. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5B  is a rotated side view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0037]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0038]      FIG. 5D  is a bottom view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0039]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an adjuster comprising a needle valve with two scalloped surfaces. 
           [0040]      FIG. 6B  is a rotated side view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in  FIG. 6A . 
           [0041]      FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in  FIG. 6A . 
           [0042]      FIG. 6D  is a bottom view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in  FIG. 6A . 
           [0043]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an adjuster comprising a needle valve with three flat surfaces. 
           [0044]      FIG. 7B  is a rotated side view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in  FIG. 7A . 
           [0045]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in  FIG. 7A . 
           [0046]      FIG. 7D  is a bottom view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in  FIG. 7A . 
           [0047]      FIG. 8A  is a front view of a first orifice body according to the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 8B  is a side view of the first orifice body according to the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 9A  is a cross-sectional view of the first orifice body taken along line 9A-9A of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0050]      FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional view of the first orifice body taken along line 9B-9B of  FIG. 9A . 
       
    
    
       [0051]    The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0052]    A spray can  12  and an adjustable nozzle  10  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1A  with the adjustable nozzle  10  detached from the spray can  12 . A stem  14  extends vertically from the spray can  12 , which stem  14  provides a fluid flow to the adjustable nozzle  10  when the stem  14  is depressed. The spray can  12  with the adjustable nozzle  10  attached to the spray can  12  is shown in  FIG. 1B . The adjustable nozzle  10  includes a nozzle body  16 , an adjuster  18 , and an orifice  20 . 
         [0053]    A front view of the adjustable nozzle  10  is shown in  FIG. 2 . A cross-sectional view of the adjustable nozzle  10  taken along line 3-3 of  FIG. 2  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The adjustable nozzle  10  includes a fluid passage  26  running vertically through the nozzle body  16  and then diagonally to the orifice  20 . A coupling portion  22  of the fluid passage  26  extends downward from the nozzle body  16 . The coupling portion  22  is adapted to mechanically cooperate with the stem  14  to allow the stem  14  to be depressed by pressing downward on the nozzle body  16 , thereby causing fluid to be expelled through the stem  14  into the fluid passage  26 . Such stem  14  is common in aerosol cans  12 . 
         [0054]    A valving portion  24  of the fluid passage  26  resides above the coupling portion  22  and is in fluid communication with the coupling portion  22 . The adjuster  18  extends into the valving portion  24 , and cooperates with the valving portion to vary a fluid flow through the fluid passage  26 . The valving portion  24  is substantially coaxial with the coupling portion  22 , thereby allowing easy cleaning of the fluid passage  26  when the adjuster  18  is removed from the nozzle body  16 . 
         [0055]    An orifice body  20   a  resides in an orifice portion  21  of the fluid passage  26 , and the orifice body  20   a  includes the orifice  20 . The orifice portion  21  is preferably inclined approximately 7.5 degrees from the horizontal, upwards away from the fluid passage  26 . 
         [0056]    One particular embodiment of the adjuster  18  is denoted with reference numeral  18 A in  FIGS. 4A-4D . The adjuster  18 A comprises a knob  28  and a plurality of adjuster threads  30 . The knob  28  allows easy adjustment of the adjuster  18 A. The adjuster threads  30  threadably cooperate with nozzle body  16  whereby the adjuster  18   a  may be advanced into the valving portion  24  or retreated from the valving portion  24  by turning the knob  28 . The adjuster threads  30  preferably comprise ¼ by 28 threads. Disposed between the adjuster threads  30  and the adjuster tip  32  is a cylindrically shaped body portion  54  of the adjuster  18 A. The adjuster tip  32  cooperates with the valving portion  24  to control a flow through the nozzle  10 , and is preferably conical. The valving portion  24  preferably approximately matches the shape of the tip  32 . In this particular embodiment, the adjuster  18 A comprises a flat surface  52  on the tip  32 . As best seen in  FIGS. 4B and 4C , the flat surface  52  is substantially “spade” shaped, specifically the flat surface  52  is wider at the top of the tip  32 , and tapers down to a narrower width at the distal part of the tip  32 . The flat surface  52  begins at the very distal part of the tip  32 , extends the height of the tip  32 , and ends with a rounded portion that extends into the body portion  54  of the adjuster  18 A. The remaining surface area of the tip  32  is conical in shape, preferably defining an approximately thirty (total) degree cone. 
         [0057]    The flat surface  52  of the adjuster  18 A alters the fluid characteristics of the textured based paint traveling through the nozzle  10 . Specifically, as the textured based paint traverses up the valving portion  24  of the fluid passage  26  and transitions to the orifice portion  21 , it makes contact with the tip  32  of the valving portion  24  at a high rate of speed. Normally, with a tip that is completely conical, a fluid moving at a high velocity which strikes the tip will typically cause the tip of the adjuster to vibrate or flutter, thus leading to a inconsistent flow of fluid through the nozzle  10 . But because a flat surface  52  is defined within the tip  32  of the adjuster  18 A of the current invention, the fluid dynamics around the tip  32  are significantly altered from that of the prior art. Fast traveling fluid still strikes the tip  32  as it did before, however the flat surface  52  provides the fluid significantly more leeway in maneuvering through the valving portion  24  of the fluid passage  26 . This is particularly true with fluids like textured based paint which comprises larger particulate matter than regular paint and therefore requires more volume to operate in. Because the flat surface  52  prevents any vibrating or resonance of the tip  32 , a more even and regulated output of the textured based paint from the orifice  20  is achieved. 
         [0058]    A second embodiment of the adjuster  18  may be seen in  FIGS. 5A-5D  and is denoted with reference numeral  18 B. In this particular embodiment, the adjuster  18 B comprises a scalloped surface  56  on the tip  32 . As best seen in  FIGS. 4B and 4C , the scalloped surface  56  is substantially “spade” shaped, specifically the scalloped surface  56  is wider at the top of the tip  32 , and tapers down to a narrower width at the distal part of the tip  32 . The scalloped surface  56  begins at the very distal part of the tip  32 , extends the longitudinal height of the tip  32 , and ends with a rounded portion that extends into the body portion  54  of the adjuster  18 B. The remaining surface area of the tip  32  is conical in shape, preferably defining an approximately thirty (total) degree cone. Furthermore, the scalloped surface  56  comprises a radius of curvature defined into the surfaces of the tip  32  and body  54  of the adjuster  18 B. In other words, the scalloped surface  56  is a concave surface, forming a recess within the tip  32  and body  54  portions of the adjuster  18 B. 
         [0059]    Similarly, as discussed above with regard to the flat surface  52 , the scalloped surface  56  of the adjuster  18 B dramatically alters the fluid characteristics of the fluid traveling through the nozzle  10 . Specifically, as the fluid traverses up the valving portion  24  of the fluid passage  26  and transitions to the orifice portion  21 , it makes contact with the tip  32  of the valving portion  24  at a high rate of speed. The scalloped surface  56  provides the fluid significantly more leeway and surface area in maneuvering through the valving portion  24  of the fluid passage  26 . This is particularly true with fluids like textured based paint which comprises larger particulate matter than regular paint and therefore requires more volume to operate in. Because the scalloped surface  56  prevents any vibrating or resonance of the tip  32 , a more even and regulated output of the textured based paint from the orifice  20  is achieved. 
         [0060]    In another embodiment seen in  FIGS. 6A-6D , the adjuster  18  is denoted with reference numeral  18 C. In this particular embodiment, the adjuster  18 C comprises a plurality scalloped surfaces  56  on the tip  32 . As best seen in  FIGS. 6B and 6C , each scalloped surface  56  is substantially “spade” shaped, specifically the scalloped surface  56  is wider at the top of the tip  32 , and tapers down to a narrower width at the distal part of the tip  32 . Each scalloped surface  56  begins at the very distal part of the tip  32 , extends the height of the tip  32 , and ends with a rounded portion that extends into the longitudinal body portion  54  of the adjuster  18 C. The remaining surface area of the tip  32  is conical in shape, preferably defining an approximately thirty (total) degree cone. Furthermore, each of the scalloped surfaces  56  comprise a radius of curvature defined into the surfaces of the tip  32  and body  54  of the adjuster  18 C. In other words, the scalloped surface  56  is a concave surface, forming a recess within the tip  32  and body  54  portions of the adjuster  18 C. As best seen in  FIG. 6D , the plurality of scalloped surfaces  56  may be defined as diametrically opposed to one another. That is to say, each scalloped surface  56  is defined on opposite sides of the tip  32 . However it is to be expressly understood that other configurations or locations of the scalloped surfaces  56  around the tip  32  not seen here may also be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the invention. For example, scalloped surfaces  56  may be disposed side by side around the tip  32 . 
         [0061]    Similarly, as discussed above with regard to the flat surface  52 , the plurality of scalloped surfaces  56  of the adjuster  18 C dramatically alter the fluid characteristics of the fluid traveling through the nozzle  10 . Specifically, as the fluid traverses up the valving portion  24  of the fluid passage  26  and transitions to the orifice portion  21 , it makes contact with the tip  32  of the valving portion  24  at a high rate of speed. The scalloped surfaces  56  provide the fluid significantly more leeway and surface area in maneuvering through the valving portion  24  of the fluid passage  26 . This is particularly true with fluids like textured based paint which comprises larger particulate matter than regular paint and therefore requires more volume to operate in. Because the scalloped surfaces  56  prevent any vibrating or resonance of the tip  32 , a more even and regulated output of the textured based paint from the orifice  20  is achieved. 
         [0062]    In another embodiment seen in  FIGS. 7A-7D , the adjuster  18  is denoted with reference numeral  18 D. In this particular embodiment, the adjuster  18 D comprises a plurality flat surfaces  52  on the tip  32 . As best seen in  FIGS. 7B and 7C , each flat surface  52  is substantially “spade” shaped, specifically the flat surface  52  is wider at the top of the tip  32 , and tapers down to a narrower width at the distal part of the tip  32 . Each flat surface  52  begins at the very distal part of the tip  32 , extends the height of the tip  32 , and ends with a rounded portion that extends into the body portion  54  of the adjuster  18 D. The remaining surface area of the tip  32  is conical in shape, preferably defining an approximately thirty (total) degree cone. As best seen in  FIG. 7D , the plurality of flat surfaces  52  may be defined symmetrically to one another. That is to say, each flat surface  52  is defined on opposing sides of the tip  32 . However it is to be expressly understood that other configurations or locations of the flat surfaces  52  around the tip  32  not seen here may also be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the invention. For example, flat surfaces  52  may be disposed side by side around the tip  32 . 
         [0063]    Similarly, as discussed above with regard to the flat surface  52 , the plurality of flat surfaces  52  of the adjuster  18 D dramatically alter the fluid characteristics of the fluid traveling through the nozzle  10 . Specifically, as the fluid traverses up the valving portion  24  of the fluid passage  26  and transitions to the orifice portion  21 , it makes contact with the tip  32  of the valving portion  24  at a high rate of speed. The flat surfaces  52  provide the semi-solid fluid significantly more leeway and surface area in maneuvering through the valving portion  24  of the fluid passage  26 . This is particularly true with fluids like textured based paint which comprises larger particulate matter than regular paint and therefore requires more volume to operate in. Because the scalloped surfaces  56  prevent any vibrating or resonance of the tip  32 , a more even and regulated output of the textured based paint from the orifice  20  is achieved. 
         [0064]    A front view of a first orifice body  20   a  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 8A , and a side view of the first orifice body  20   a  is shown in  FIG. 8B . The first orifice body  20   a  is substantially cylindrical and is retained in the orifice passage  21  by a snap fit or a friction fit. The orifice body  20   a  includes a mouth  34  on an exposed end of the orifice  20 . The mouth  34  has a height H when in a horizontal position, which height H is preferably approximately 0.03 inches. 
         [0065]    A cross-sectional view of the first orifice body  20   a  taken along line 9A-9A of  FIG. 8A  is shown in  FIG. 9A , and a cross-sectional view of the first orifice body  20   a  taken along line 9B-9B of  FIG. 9A  is shown in  FIG. 9B . The mouth  34  has a width W when in a horizontal position, which width W is preferable approximately 0.09 inches. 
         [0066]    Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following embodiments and its various embodiments. 
         [0067]    Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodiments is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments. 
         [0068]    The words used in this specification to describe the various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself. 
         [0069]    The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
         [0070]    Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
         [0071]    The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments.