Abstract:
A bottle holder for various size bottles that is designed to keep the bottle and liquid cool, enable the user to pour from the bottle while the bottle is in the holder, and protect the bottle from breaking in case of accident. The bottle holder includes a body, comprised of an outer shell and an inner shell, as well as a lid that may be attached to the body such as by screwing it on or by friction. The outer shell preferably has one or more features that enable the user to maintain a better grip. The inner shell and lid have different features to hold the bottle securely. Advantageously, the body and lid provides thermal protection.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/009,624, filed Jun. 9, 2014, which is relied upon and incorporated fully herein by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a container that holds a bottle, provides thermal retention properties, better grip, and ease of use. 
         [0003]    While wine drinkers have a myriad of options to maintain the temperature of their bottles while in use, they all have problems. Ice buckets make the bottles very slippery often causing users to drop the bottles, require new ice and cleaning for each use, as well as drip water over the users and the table when filling glasses. Stone and ceramic coolers are fragile, require space in a user&#39;s refrigerator or freezer prior to use, allow condensation to make bottles very slippery, and exhibit significant thermal loss. While beer drinkers have an even larger variety of vessels to hold their bottles, all of them are designed for the traditional 11.2 or 12 oz size. The craft beer boom and increased importation of premium European beers has created a larger market of 650 ml to 750 ml bottles that was almost non-existent a few years ago. 
         [0004]    It would be helpful to have an inexpensive item that would securely accommodate a variety of bottle sizes while keeping the bottles and their liquids cool. Further, it would be advantageous if such a device could be used for promotions or advertising for various businesses. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Aspects of this invention provide a bottle holder for various size bottles that is designed to keep the bottle and liquid cool, enable the user to pour from the bottle while the bottle is in the holder, and protect the bottle from breaking in case of accident. The bottle holder includes a body, comprised of an outer shell and an inner shell, as well as a lid that may be attached to the body such as by screwing it on or by friction. The outer shell preferably has one or more features that enable the user to maintain a better grip. The inner shell and lid have different features to hold the bottle securely. Advantageously, the body and lid provides thermal protection. 
         [0006]    Further in accordance with the concepts described herein, a method is provided for holding a variety of shaped bottles with a range of diameters so that the user may pour the liquid from the bottle while the bottle is still in the bottle holder. The method includes inserting a bottle into the body of the holder. For example, smaller diameter bottles may rest in a depression of the inner shell and larger diameter bottles may rest on the rim of the depression. Alternately, a pliable ring insert may compress to hold larger diameter bottles while maintaining a friction surface with smaller diameter bottles. Next, the method involves attaching the lid to the body by first inserting the neck of the bottle through a pliable ring gasket in the aperture in the lid until the lid is in position to be removably attached to the body (such as by inner threads of the lid engaging outer threads of the body). The pliable ring gasket will deflect around the bottle neck to prevent it from moving relative to the lid and the lid being firmly attached to the body will, with the other features in the body, enable the user to pour a liquid from a bottle that is inside the holder from inverted and even upside down positions without the bottle shifting inside the bottle holder and without the bottle holder slipping from the user&#39;s grasp. In other embodiments, a resilient seal may extend about the opening in the lid. 
         [0007]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly certain features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purpose of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For a more complete understanding of embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exterior isometric view of an embodiment of a bottle holder according to concepts described herein holding a bottle. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the bottle holder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section showing one embodiment of the bottle holder with a depression in the inner shell. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section showing one embodiment of the bottle holder with a pliable (e.g., foam) ring insert in the inner shell. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a vertical section showing an embodiment of a bottle holder wherein a cylindrical compression foam structure is affixed to the inside of the inner shell. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a vertical section showing an embodiment of a bottle holder wherein vertical longitudinal extrusions are located on the inside of the inner shell. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an axonometric section showing an embodiment of a bottle holder having a post tensioned insert. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a vertical section showing an embodiment of a bottle holder with a removable sleeve. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a vertical section showing an embodiment of a bottle holder in which the removable sleeve has external threads by which it is retained. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section showing an embodiment of a bottle holder with a pliable ring gasket in one form near the top. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section showing an embodiment of a bottle holder with a flange gasket insert near the top thereof. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through the bottle holder showing the manner in which the flange gasket of  FIG. 12  deflects around a bottle. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a vertical section of a lid with a pliable gasket insert. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a vertical section of a lid with affixed compression foam. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a vertical section of a bottle holder lid showing a gasket with prongs engaging a bottle. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a vertical section showing an embodiment of a bottle holder wherein the lid has an extended side. 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is an axonometric view of the exterior shell in accordance with an alternative embodiment that has a detachable base. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18A  is an elevational view of a bottle holder in accordance with an alternative embodiment having a first size bottle therein. 
           [0027]      FIG. 18B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  18 B- 18 B of  FIG. 18A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 19A  is an elevational view of the bottle holder of  FIG. 18A  having a second size bottle therein. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  19 B- 19 B of  FIG. 19A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view showing components of the embodiment of  FIG. 18A . 
           [0031]      FIG. 21A  is a bottom elevational view of the lid of the bottle holder of  FIG. 18A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 21B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  21 B- 21 B of  FIG. 21A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 22A  is a top elevational view of the seal of the bottle holder of  FIG. 18A . 
           [0034]      FIG. 22B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  22 B- 22 B of  FIG. 22A . 
           [0035]      FIGS. 23A and 23B  are enlarged fragmentary views of the seal of the embodiment of  FIG. 18A  engaging a smaller neck bottle without substantial deflection and engaging a larger neck bottle with deflection, respectively. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are embodiment in the exemplary constructions. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a bottle holder according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As described above, it has become popular for craft brewers to sell specialty and higher specific gravity beers in larger bottle sizes than the traditional 12 ounce bottle, typically 22 oz (650.618 ml) or 750 ml bottle sizes. As these bottles (like similarly sized wine bottles) are intended to be shared, there is a need to be able to keep them cool while the beverage is being consumed. None of the plethora of solutions for keeping the standard 12 oz bottle cool and condensation free has transferred effectively to the resurgent bottle size and none of the solutions targeted towards wine bottles addresses all of these concerns. The present invention provides a bottle holder that can be used to effectively hold a variety of larger size bottles firmly while keeping them cool and negating the effects of condensation. 
         [0038]    Bottle holder  20  is an embodiment of a device to firmly hold various larger diameter bottles as well as providing a non-slip surface and maintaining the temperature of the bottle. Bottle  21  is held firmly in the bottle holder  20  by placing the bottle  21  into the body  22  of the bottle holder  20  and attaching the lid  23  and permitting the bottle  21  to extend through the aperture  26  so that the beverage inside the bottle  21  may be poured from the bottle  21  when it is inside the bottle holder  20 . The bottle  21  is preferably held firmly in place by one or more of a variety of features described below. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows the major components of the bottle holder  20 . In this embodiment, The body  22  of bottle holder  20  comprises two primary components, an inner shell  24  that is received in an outer shell  25 . The inner  24  and outer  25  shells are joined at a seam  28  to form an air tight seal. For example, the inner shell  24  and outer shell  25  may be secured at this location using any suitable technique, such as adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or the like. A special insulative material may be located in the interstitial space between inner shell  24  and outer shell  25 , although preferred embodiments employ trapped air as the insulator. The outer surface of outer shell  25  may be textured or have other features to enhance gripping by a user. In this embodiment, the lid  23  is attached to the body  22  at the location defined by a flange  27  of inner shell  24 , such as by friction or by threads that engage so the lid  23  can be screwed on. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-4 , potential embodiments of the body  22  of the bottle holder  20  are described in greater detail. As described above, bottle holder  20  has an inner  24  and outer  25  shell. At the base of the inner shell  24 , there may be a depression  30  that will allow bottles  21  of a smaller diameter to rest firmly at the base  31  of the inner shell  24  and vertical wall  32  of the depression  30  while bottles  21  of a larger diameter would rest on an annular ridge  33  at the top of the depression  30  of the inner shell  24 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , another potential embodiment of bottle holder  20  has a foam or silicone ring  34  (or similarly functioning material) affixed on the base  35  of the inner shell  24 . The internal diameter of the foam ring  34  is wide enough that it allows narrower diameter bottles  21  to rest on the base  35  and contact the inner edge  36  of the foam ring  34  which helps hold smaller diameter bottles  21  firmly in place. The internal diameter of the foam ring  34  is narrow enough that it allows larger diameter bottles  21  to rest on the top  37  of the foam ring  34 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-9 , additional potential embodiments of the body  22  of the bottle holder  20  are described in greater detail. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the inner shell  24  may have a compressible foam sleeve  41  (or similar functioning material) affixed, either chemically or mechanically, to its interior surface  40  which will provide narrower diameter bottles  21  with a high enough coefficient of friction to prevent movement during use. Larger diameter bottles will compress the sleeve  41  when inserted. Preferably, sleeve  41  will have a low enough coefficient of friction under compression from a larger diameter bottle  21  that the user may easily remove the bottle  21 . The desired coefficient of may preferably be achieved by using a material that inherently possesses the coefficient or through means of a coating or similar such alteration to the surface. The compressible foam  41  may also have runnels or ridges  42  which would permit air to travel around the bottle  21  when inserting or removing it from the body  22 . 
         [0042]    In another potential embodiment of the bottle holder  22 , shown in  FIG. 6 , the interior surface  40  of the inner shell  24  has permanently affixed, either chemically or mechanically, a number of extrusions  43  of silicone (or similar functioning material) along the vertical axis of the bottle holder  20 . The extrusions  43  will preferably be numerous enough to create a high enough coefficient of friction to prevent movement during use with a narrow diameter bottle  21  as well a low enough coefficient of friction under compression from a larger diameter bottle  21  that the user may easily remove the bottle  21 . The desired coefficient of friction will preferably be achieved by using a material that inherently possesses the coefficient or through means of a coating or similar such alteration to the surface. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , in another potential embodiment of the bottle holder  22 , an insert  44  of plastic (or similar functioning material) is permanently affixed, either chemically or mechanically, to the interior surface  40  of the inner shell  24 . The insert  44  has a series of solids  45  and voids that when compressed vertically and affixed under compression to the inner shell  24  becomes post tensioned and with a convex arc. When a bottle  21  is placed in the body  22 , the solids  45  deflect to allow the bottle to enter. The solids  45  when deflecting against the side of a bottle  21 , have a high enough coefficient of friction to hold the bottle in place during use, but a low enough coeffiecient of friction that the user may easily remove the bottle  21 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  shows another potential embodiment of the bottle holder  20  in which a user removable sleeve  46  of plastic or neoprene (or similar functioning material) is inserted into the body  22  of the bottle holder  20  when the user wants to use the bottle holder  20  with a smaller diameter bottle  21 . Just as the interior surface  40  of the inner shell  24  provides a surface against which a larger diameter bottle  21  may firmly rest, the interior surface  47  of the removable sleeve  46  provides a similar surface for smaller diameter bottles. The removable sleeve  46  may also have ridges or runnels  48  which would permit air to travel around the bottle  21  when inserting or removing it from the body  22 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , another potential embodiment of the body  22  utilizes a removable sleeve  46  having screw threads  49  which screw into threads  50  on the interior of the inner shell  24 . This feature enables the user to firmly affix the removable sleeve  46  to the body  22  for use with a smaller diameter bottle  21 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 10-12 , embodiments of the bottle holder  20  may have a pliable ring insert  51  ( FIG. 10 ) that is firmly affixed either chemically or mechanically to inner shell  24 . For example, insert  51  may be seated in a grove  52  circumscribing the inner surface of shell  24 . The pliable ring insert  51  is preferably firm enough to hold standard narrower bottles  21  but pliable enough to be compressed to allow larger diameter bottles  21  to pass by the pliable ring insert  51 . In another potential embodiment, a flange gasket insert  53  ( FIG. 11 ) is affixed either chemically or mechanically to inner shell  24 . The pliable ring gasket insert  53 , when mechanically affixed, for example, may have a shaped edge  54  which will be securely affixed in the groove  52  in the inner shell  24 . A significant aspect of the pliable ring gasket insert  53  is the flexible inner portion  55  which can deflect to varying degrees to firmly hold the bottle  21  (as shown in  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , a potential embodiment of the lid  23  has a pliable ring gasket insert  60  that is either chemically or mechanically attached. If mechanically attached, the pliable ring gasket insert  60  preferably has a shaped edge  61  which will be securely affixed into a groove  63  in the lid  23 . A significant aspect of the pliable ring gasket insert  60  will be the flexible inner portion  62  which can deflect by varying amounts to firmly hold the neck  64  of a bottle  21  when the lid  23  is affixed to the body  22 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , a potential embodiment of the bottle holder  20  may have a compressible foam ring  65  (or similar functioning material) attached to the inner surface  66  of the lid  23 . Another potential embodiment of the lid  23 , shown in  FIG. 15 , has prongs  67  which are affixed to the inner surface  66  either chemically or mechanically. The prongs  67  can deflect to varying degrees to firmly hold the neck  64  of the bottle  21 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , a potential embodiment of the invention has a lid  23  with an extended side  68  that extends over the outer surface  90  of the outer shell  25 . Preferably, the inside surface  69  of the extended side  68  firmly affixes to the outer surface  90  of body  22  by friction. Since the lid  23  with an extended side  68  can slide to varying extents on the outer surface  90  of the outer shell  25 , the lid  23  can be lowered on the outer shell  25  so that the bottle  21  is firmly held in place by the aperture  26  in the lid  23 . Bottles of different heights and other dimensions can thus be easily accommodated. 
         [0050]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , certain embodiments of the bottle holder  20  provide space on the exterior  90  and interior  91  of the outer shell  25  as well as exterior  92  of the inner shell  23  and exterior  93  of the lid  23  for promotional or advertising material. For example, graphics may be printed at various locations on the body  22 . In the graphics are printed on the outer surface of inner shell  24 , or inner surface of outer shell  25 , the graphics will be protected during use. A piece of sheet-like material (e.g., paper) can also be inserted into the interstitial space at the time body  22  is manufactured. 
         [0051]    In some cases, however, it may be desirable to allow the promotional material to be changed, such as in situations where the bottle holder is provided for customer use by a restaurant while the customer is dining. Referring now to  FIG. 17 , an embodiment of the bottle holder  20  is shown in which the body  22  has a removable base  80  that can be attached to the outer shell  25 . For example, base  80  may be secured via threads  82  which engage threads  81  on the outer shell  25 . This would permit the user to insert their own promotional or informative materials into the bottle holder  20  and change the material whenever desired. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIGS. 18A through 19B , a bottle holder  120  constructed with an additional embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In FIGS.  18 A- 18 B, bottle holder  120  being used with a bottle  121   a  of a first size. A bottle  121   b  of a second size is shown in  FIGS. 19A-19B . Bottle holder  120  is constructed so that both size bottles are securely maintained without relative movement with respect to bottle holder  120 . Like the previous embodiment, bottle holder  120  has insulative properties that tend to maintain the initial temperature of the bottle as the contents of the bottle are consumed. 
         [0053]    Referring now also to  FIG. 20 , the major components of bottle holder  120  can be seen. An inner shell  124  is received in an outer shell  125  to form a main body  122 . As can be seen, inner shell  125  has an upper portion defining an annular flange  127  which serves as a stop when the components are assembled. Inner shell  124  and outer shell  125  can be secured together, preferably in an air tight manner, via any suitable technique, such as adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or the like. As can be most clearly seen in  FIGS. 18B and 19B , an interstitial space  171  is defined between inner shell  124  and outer shell  125 . The air or other gas trapped in space  171  serves to further insulate the interior cavity of bottle holder  120  from ambient. 
         [0054]    The exterior surface of body  122  may have features that facilitate gripping as a user holds it for pouring. In this embodiment, for example, a pair of vertical gripping channels (such as channel  172 ) are formed at diametrically opposite locations on outer shell  125 . In alternative embodiments, surface texture may be provided on body  122  in addition to or in lieu of channels  172 . 
         [0055]    Adjacent flange  127 , inner shell  124  further comprises an attachment portion  173  at which lid  123  is secured. In this embodiment, attachment portion  173  includes outer threads which are engaged by inner threads  174  of lid  123  ( FIG. 21B ). One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that other suitable attachment mechanisms may be employed in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0056]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 18B and 19B , bottle holder  120  further comprises a seal  165  that engages the neck of bottle  121  near the aperture  126  of lid  123 . In this regard, seal  165  is adapted to accommodate bottle necks of various diameters in a manner that inhibits relative movement between bottle holder  120  and the bottle  121 . As will be explained more fully below, smaller diameter bottle necks are engaged frictionally by an engaging portion of seal  165 . The lid itself serves a stop preventing axial movement of the bottle relative to the bottle holder as the contents of the bottle are poured. In the case of larger diameter bottles, seal  165  will be displaced somewhat as it engages the bottle neck which also securely maintains the bottle in position. 
         [0057]    Inner shell  124 , outer shell  125 , and lid  123  are preferably formed of any suitable rigid material. For example, in many embodiments, it may be desirable to use a BPA-free clear plastic (e.g., polypropylene) as the material from which these components are formed. Clear plastic has the advantage is allowing the bottle  121  to be seen when it is contained in bottle holder  120 , as well as facilitating interior graphics or advertising placards that may be provided in the interstitial space. 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIGS. 21A-22B , seal  165  is preferably formed of a suitable resilient material such as silicone. In this embodiment, seal  165  is advantageously attached to the underside of lid  123  in a removable manner by a press-fit arrangement. Specifically, seal  165  is held in place in the illustrated embodiment by a friction force on four surfaces. In this regard, seal  165  has an attachment portion that defines a pair of concentric circular slots  174   a  and  174   b  ( FIGS. 22A and 22B ) that respectively correspond to concentric circle ridges (or rings)  175   a  and  175   b  in the lid  123  ( FIGS. 21A and 21B ). Preferably, the slots  174   a  and  174   b  in the seal are slightly smaller than the corresponding ridge  175   b  and  175   b  in the lid. Additionally, the separation or spacing between the two concentric slots  174   a  and  174   b  in the seal is slightly larger than the space between the corresponding ridges  175   a  and  175   b  in the lid. When the seal is placed onto the lid, the non-matching dimensions force the seal to compress between two concentric ridges as well as causing the inner and outer sections of the seal that touch the vertical sections of the ridges to deflect around the ridges. The compressive and elastic properties of the seal material create a lateral force against the ridges on all of the ridge&#39;s vertical surfaces. The lateral force is such that normal use will not create enough downward force on the seal to overcome the increased friction force against the ridges but still enable the user to easily remove the seal by hand for cleaning. 
         [0059]    As can be most clearly seen in  FIG. 22B , seal  165  has an engaging portion  176  integrally connected to the attachment portion via a reduced-width web portion  177 . The inner edge of engaging portion  176 , which comes into contact with the neck of the bottle, is designed for two specific functions. First, as shown in  FIG. 23A , the lower half  176   a  of the surface is shaped so that with smaller bottles that will not be displacing the seal, the maximum amount of surface area will be in contact with the bottle. This creates a higher friction force that must be overcome for the bottle to shift when the product with a full bottle inside is being tilted during use. The friction force is high enough that the weight of the bottle and liquid does not cause the bottle so shift during use which results in spills. Note that the upper half  176   b  of the engaging portion  176  itself engages the underside of lid  123  which limits its movement as the bottle holder is lifted and turned while the bottle contents are poured. 
         [0060]    Second, as shown in  FIG. 23B , the upper half  176   b  of the engaging portion  176  is shaped to allow slight deflection towards the ridges when placing the lid with seal onto a bottle to allow wider collars of bottles as well as cages and foils that are commonly found on sparkling wine. When removing the lid with seal, the shape allows the seal to slightly deflect in towards the bottle in case a collar or cage catches on the seal, but not be pulled from the lid. The curvature outward at the top of the seal minimizes the amount inwards towards the bottle that the seal will deflect. In the event that a bottle collar or cage does catch seal and begin to remove the seal from the lid, the seal is designed to deflect and almost become a hinge with the point of rotation slightly inward from the innermost ridge (i.e., at web portion  177 ). The deflection caused by the downward movement creates an even stronger force against the outside of the innermost ridge which overcomes any loss of friction caused by deflection by the inside edge of the inner most ridge (the contact between the seal and lid around the outer ridge is not noticeably impacted), thus keeping the seal attached to the lid in extreme use. 
         [0061]    Given the wide variety of large format bottles in common trade, the seal accommodates their varying dimensions by a combination of compressing and deflecting for the larger bottles, but remaining rigid enough to not deflect or compress under the weight of smaller bottles. When a larger diameter neck or shoulder of a bottle comes into contact with seal  165 , the seal displaces to accommodate the bottle by two mechanisms. The inner portion of the seal deflects into the air gap at web portion  177 . The seal utilizes the elastic nature of the material to stretch at the bottom inner corner of the edge of the seal, deflecting the solid portion into the gap. When the displacement is not enough for large bottles, the seal relies on the compressive ability to compact in space. The combination of deflection and compression allow the seal to hold large necked and shouldered bottles in place while remaining rigid enough to enable maximum surface contact of the inner edge of the seal with smaller bottles to maintain enough friction force to keep smaller bottles in place. 
         [0062]    Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.