Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for an implement retainer comprising a holder having a base and a plurality of flexible pins projecting from the base. The holder is flexible and manufactured of a resilient material. The pins have bulbous, conical, convex tips, and holes may be disposed between the pins to isolate and suspend the pointy tips of implements. The pins also have a frusto-conical convex base which guides and retains the end of an implement. A low bridging wall is provided between each adjacent pin which guides an implement tip into the hole and also retains the end of an implement. In use, implements are inserted between the pins and contact against the bulbous, convex tip of the pins, which are displaced by the implement, then press against the implement, thereby retaining the implement in place.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of: Provisional Application for Patent No. U.S. 60/656,166 Filing Date Feb. 24, 2005 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to storage holders for hand held implements and small objects. More specifically, a resilient multiple pin holder for accessibly retaining hand-held implements and small objects vertically, horizontally or at an angle, has holes to isolate and retain the tip of the implements, retains implements in the orientation in which they are inserted, can accommodate different sized implements, has structure which aids guidance of the implement into the holder, and is easily cleaned. 
   When an implement such as a pen, being of sufficient weight, is placed directly into a storage container, such as a commonly used pencil holder, the ball in the tip of the pen is depressed causing the pen to leak ink. The ink dries in the tip of the pen or on the ball of the pen causing the pen to skip rendering it useless. Ink may also leak from defective pens. Ink collects in the bottom of the pencil holder and mixes with dust contaminating the pencil holder. Implement tips freely move around in the pencil holder and become contaminated with ink and dust. When the need arises, an implement such as a pen or a pencil is removed from the pencil holder. With its tip contaminated with ink and dust, ink blobs are then transferred to the intended work surface thus causing smears and smudges. Presently materials such as paper towel and napkins are placed in the bottom of containers such as cups, cans or specifically manufactured pen and pencil holders to absorb leaking fluids from implements such as pens. This helps but does not eliminate the problems. 
   Another common problem in present implement storage containers is the damaging impact to the tip of implements such as pens and pencils when they are dropped onto hard surfaces such as the inside bottom of the storage containers. 
   The design and physical properties of the present invention prove to be beneficial in such a way that they eliminate the damaging impact that occurs to the tip of an implement such as a pen or a pencil when the implement is dropped onto a hard surface, such as into a storage container manufactured of materials such as hard plastic, metal, glass, ceramic or like. The present invention isolates and suspends the tips of implements by holding and supporting the implements vertically without the use of a storage container, eliminating pressure on pen tips, eliminating pencil tip breakage and eliminating ink build up on pen and pencil tips which can cause ink smudges on writing surfaces or documents and eliminates cross contamination of liquid ink or water thin ink pens. The present invention eliminates the problems described herein and greatly reduces overall costs such as damaged or destroyed documents and damaged expensive pens. 
   Mats having a plurality of vertically projecting pins have been used for many years to store small objects. U.S. Pat. No. 1,931,398 to Smith, Oct. 17, 1933, disclosed a coin mat which was thin and had relatively small pins which made it easier to pick coins off of the mat. The mat was also designed to avoid the mat slipping on a counter. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,504 to Riley, Apr. 11, 2000, disclosed a silicone mat with widely spaced pins on a mesh backing for use with a sterilization tray. U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,561 to Frieze et al., Jun. 16, 1998, disclosed a silicone mat with raised ribs on the bottom surface of the mat and a series of fingers or projections on the top surface, with holes perforating the mat for use in a sterilization tray. The fingers or pins in the Riley and Frieze Patents are small and insubstantial, with a uniform profile, and intended only to support medical instruments in place horizontally during the sterilization process. 
   Pin mats have been used extensively in sterilization trays for supporting surgical tools. U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,648 to Allen, Apr. 18, 1995, disclosed a tray and mat combination for the sterilization of medical instruments having a series of raised ribs and widely spaced pins to retain medical instruments placed on their sides on the mat. A relatively low number of holes compared to pins were formed in the silicone mat to allow the passage of sterilants. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,862 B1 to Acquaviva et al., Mar. 20, 2001, disclosed a pen holder molded in foam having six tapering cavities to engage and hold upright pens and other writing implements. The cavities are spaced a considerable distance apart and the top surface of the holder is reasonably flat providing no guidance for the implement tip into the cavity. The cavities have closed bottoms resulting in difficult cleaning practices and the pooling of ink from the leaking writing implements. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,092,156 to Mathis, Apr. 7, 1914, disclosed a pencil holder having a top perforated surface which pencil tips pass through and a bottom perforated disinfecting tablet or pad through which pencil tips project. A considerable amount of space between the top surface of the holder and the top surface of the pad in conjunction with the spaces between the holes and the reasonably flat top surface of the pad provide no guidance of the pencil tip into a hole. 
   Apparatuses for holding small implements vertically have included empty cups, specific containers and foam blocks. Foam blocks having small holes have been used to retain hand held implements such as screwdrivers, pens and pencils. Conventional cup type holders have the disadvantage of the weight of the pen depressing the ball in the tip causing ink to leak into the holder. Depression of the ball or roller can also cause ink to dry on parts of the ball or roller causing the pen to skip when in use. The tips of pencils are easily broken off in conventional holders. 
   An implement holder is required which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a resilient holder that can support implements in the orientation in which they are inserted, can accommodate different sized implements, has structure which aids guidance of the implement into the holder, has holes to isolate the tip of the implements and is easily cleaned. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a holder for implements that overcomes many disadvantages of the prior art. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an implement holder which provides positive guidance of an implement tip into a disposed hole in the implement holder to prevent damage to the implement tip. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a holder for retaining implements in the orientation in which they are inserted into the holder. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a multiple pin holder for retaining writing implements vertically to avoid pressure on the tips of implements. 
   Other objects of the present invention are to provide an implement retainer which is durable, retains various sized implements; isolates the tips of implements, retains leaking fluids and is easy to clean. 
   In accordance with the present invention an object retainer is disclosed having a base, a plurality of pins projecting upwards from the base, a plurality of holes disposed between the pins in the base and a low bridge between the base of each adjacent pin. 
   Advantageously, the pins may have a wide base, a narrower middle section which widens to a relatively large diameter top section, which finally narrows to a pointed tip such that objects are guided to the central space equidistant from the surrounding pins. 
   Preferably, the pins are arranged in a triangular or staggered grid pattern with one hole in the center of each group of three pins. 
   Other variations of the invention include disposing the pins in concentric circles groups of four pins or an irregular pattern. 
   Advantageously, the holder may be placed on a flat surface, or mounted on a wall or other angled surface. 
   Further advantages of the invention will become apparent when considering the drawings in conjunction with the detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the invention, its principles and its application, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the present invention taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a front view of a pin assembly, a variation of a pin shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of the pin assembly shown in  FIG. 3A  and a sectional view of the lower portion of the pin. 
       FIG. 4A  is a top plan view of the structural plate of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4B  is a front view of the structural plate taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 4A . 
       FIG. 4C  is a sectional view of the structural plate taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4A . 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the present invention taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1  in use with a pen inserted therein. 
       FIG. 6A  is sectional view of a variation of the present invention similar to  FIG. 5   
       FIG. 6B  is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded view of a variation of the present invention, similar to the present invention shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6A  in use with a pen inserted therein. 
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a variation of the present invention similar to the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of the variation of the present invention taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 9 , in use with various sized objects inserted therein. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the present invention described and illustrated herein as an example, a pin or finger implement holder indicated generally at  10  is shown. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the holder  10  comprises a preferably circular base  11 , having a substantially flat top surface perforated by holes  43  and a substantially flat bottom surface having a cavity recessed in its surface and perforated by holes  43 . The holder has a multiplicity of pins  20  protruding vertically from the top surface  12  of the base  11  of the holder  10 , bridges  16  between the pin bases  25  and a hole  43  in the center of each triangular group of three pins  20 . Alternatively the base of the holder may have an irregular top surface and may be of shapes such as oval or rectangular. Optimally, the pins  20  are arranged in a staggered or equilateral triangular grid pattern, with one hole  43  in the centre of each triangular group of three pins, and are substantially close together. Alternatively, the base of the pins may be touching or overlapping each other similar to  FIG. 9 . The pins  20  may be arranged in various patterns such as groups of four or more pins, irregular or concentric circles. 
   The pins  20  comprise of a generally frusto-conical convex base  25  which has a large enough bottom diameter to completely terminate around the top edge of the hole  43 . The pin base gradually decreases in diameter to a smaller diameter cylindrical mid section or stem  24 , which gradually increases in diameter to an enlarged top section  22 , the top section having a convex conical curvature which gradually decreases in diameter terminating in a point  21  at the top of the pin. The convex curvature of the outer surface of the pin base  25  and enlarged top section  22 , and the curvature of the outer surface of the bridge  16  are necessary to effectively deflect implements and provide minimal contact between the implement and the holder  10 . The enlarged pin tops  22 , pin bases  25  and bridges  16  may have a flat outer surface rather than a convex or curved surface and may be smooth or of a texture. The pins  20  may be hollow. The outer edge  23  of the enlarged top  22  of the triangular group of three pins  20  are located slightly closer to each other than the diameter of the implement for which the holder is intended. To be most effective, the implement must displace the top of each adjacent pin to be retained securely. The pin contours are essential to effectively guide implements to the center of the space between groups of three adjacent pins with little resistance and retain the implements. 
   A multiplicity of holes  43  in the base  11  of the holder  10  are also arranged in an equilateral triangular grid pattern, there being one hole  43  in the centre of every triangular group of three pins  20 . 
   A low bridge  16  between each pin  20 , comprising of two sloped or angled surfaces apart at the base of the bridge  16  and adjoined at the top of the bridge  16  forming a peak  17 , protrudes upwards from the top surface  12  of the base  11  of the holder  10  to a substantial point  17 . The ends of the bridge  16  abut the base  25  of each adjacent pin  20 . The wide bottom of the bridge  16  is at least wide enough to completely terminate around the top edge of the hole  43 . Optimally each side or slope of the bridge is slightly bowed outward. The bridges  16  and pin bases  25  thereby define a generally annular ring about the edge of each hole  43 . The holder  10  is generally fabricated of a pliable resilient material such as Dynaflex®, silicone, neoprene, PVC, Santoprene® or polyurethane. Optimally the holder would be fabricated of Dynaflex®. The holder can be processed in a variety of shapes and sizes. The preferred manufacturing process is injection molding making it economical to produce. 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a pin assembly  30 , a variation of pin  20 , comprising of a hollow base  35  and hollow mid section  34  and an attachable enlarged top  32  which may also be hollow. A stem  33  protrudes downwards from the lower portion of the enlarged top  32 . The stem  33  of the enlarged top  32  is inserted into the hollow  37  of the mid section  34  of the pin  30 . Optionally the stem may have barbs. The enlarged top  32  may be fabricated of a much less pliable material or of thermoplastic resins such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene or polystyrene. Preferably the enlarged tops  32  would be fabricated of polyethylene. 
     FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C illustrate a structural plate or insert  40  comprising of a substantially flat bottom surface  44  perforated by holes  43  and  45  and a substantially flat top surface  41  also perforated by holes  43  and  45 . The structural plate is reduced in thickness at the outer edge resulting in a thinner band  41 a around the outer edge of the insert. A multiplicity of structural holes  45  in the structural plate  40  having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the bottom of the pin base  25 , are placed in an equilateral triangular grid pattern. Each hole  45  is centered directly under each pin  20  of the holder  10  allowing the material the holder  10  comprises of to flow through the holes  45  during the injection mold process providing a mechanical bond of the insert  40  to the holder  10 . A multiplicity of holes  43  in the structural plate  40  are placed in an equilateral triangular grid pattern, each hole  43  being centered between every triangular group of three pins  20 . The holes  43  comprise of a frusto-conical section with the face  42  of the conical section having at least one angle starting at the top surface  41  of the insert  40  and tapering down into the insert  40  sufficiently, at which point the smaller diameter of the frusto-conical section conjoins the cylindrical section  43   a . The cylindrical section  43   a  continues through the remainder of the insert  40  terminating at the bottom surface  44 . The cylindrical section  43   a  of each hole  43  is at least small enough to allow only the tip of an implement such as a pen or pencil to pass through. The cylindrical section may be slightly tapered. The degree of the angle or angles of the face  42  of the frusto-conical section will vary depending on the thickness of the insert  40  and length of the cylindrical section  43   a . The face  42  of the frusto-conical section may be convex or concave, smooth or of a texture. The structural plate  40  is over-molded in the base of the holder to provide a structural frame for the holder and a positive stop for the implement tips as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 A and  6 B. The insert  40  is preferably fabricated of a generally rigid material of sufficient mass and physical properties. This would prevent the implement holder from distortion caused by such conditions as heat or the weight of the implements placed therein or thereon. Suitable fabricating materials of the structural plate may include metal, fiberglass or preferably thermoplastic resins such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene. Optimally the structural plate would be fabricated of ABS. The preferred manufacturing process is injection molding making it economical to produce. 
     FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  7  illustrate a swivel plate assembly comprising of a substantially flat upper plate  60  having a central pivot point  63  and antifriction pins  61  protruding from the bottom surface of the upper plate, the antifriction pins  61  are spaced evenly about but slightly in from the outer edge of the upper plate, and a substantially flat lower plate  60   a  having a hole  64  in the center and non-skid pads  62  placed on the bottom surface of the lower plate and are also spaced evenly about but slightly in from the outer edge of the lower plate. The non-skid pads  62  comprise of a pliable material similar to the material the holder  10  is fabricated of such as PVC. Alternatively an anti-skid ring of a pliable material similar to the implement holder material such as PVC would be over-molded around the edge of the lower plate. Optionally the upper plate may have an upstanding wall around the perimeter of the plate, molded as part of the upper plate. This would require the upper plate to be inserted up into the holder base cavity with the rim of the upper plate abutting the underside of the holder base. Suitable fabricating materials of the upper and lower plate may include metal, fiberglass or preferably thermoplastic resins such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene. Optimally the upper and lower plate would be fabricated of ABS. The preferred manufacturing process is injection molding making it economical to produce. The swivel plate assembly may be a commercially available assembly sized for the holder. 
     FIG. 5  shows an implement such as a pen  70   a  with its tip being supported in the structural plate  40  isolating the tip from the holder  10 , while the upper portion of the pen  70   a  is being supported by the largest diameter  23  of the enlarged tops  22  of the pins  20 . 
   In use, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8  as an example, the implement holder  10  is placed in an upright position on a suitable supporting surface such as a desk top (not shown). An implement such as a pen  70  or  70   a  is directed point first towards the implement holder  10  in a substantially vertical downward motion coming in contact with the convex conical curvature portion of the enlarged top  22  of at least one pin  20 . With further downward motion the pen tip is guided to the central position of the triangular group of three pin tops  22 . With the diameter of the pen body being larger than the space between the three adjacent pin tops  22 , the enlarged tops  22  and a portion of the adjoining stems  24  are displaced laterally. The resilient pin  20  material creates pressure against the implement. The pen  70  or  70   a  continues in a downward motion sliding directly into the hole  43  or coming in contact with either the outer curvature of the bridge  16  or the outer curvature of the pin base  25 , freely sliding down either surface to be substantially centered between the three adjacent pin bases  25  and coming in contact with the conical surface  42  of the hole  43  freely sliding down the conical surface  42  being guided into the hole  43 . The pen  70  or  70   a  is released and is retained in the holder in the orientation in which it was inserted. The implement is held securely in the holder as there are two areas of substantial contact, one at the tip of the implement and the other area having multiple points of contact which are the outermost edge  23  of the three adjacent enlarged pin tops  22  on an upper portion of the pen body. An implement having a blunt tip, such as a capped pen, would come to rest against the curvature of the base of the pins or the curvature of the bridges depending on its tip diameter. The outer curvature of the pin bases  25  and bridges  16  is necessary to minimize contact between the implement tip and the holder  10  to provide ease of release. 
   In the event of leakage from an implement such as a pen, ink collects on the top surface of the upper swivel plate  60  which is fitted in the cavity  15  of the holder base  11  preventing leakage onto the surface on which the holder  10  is placed. In a variation of the preferred embodiment, the cover plate  50  performs the function of the upper plate of the swivel plate assembly  60 . In any event, fluid cannot collect on the tips of the implements as the tips are suspended by the upper edge of holes  43 . Ink contaminated implement tips are therefore eliminated. The majority of the implement will remain above the top of the pin tips, and therefore is readily accessible for future withdrawal and use. This configuration prevents unnecessary pressure on the ball or roller of a pen tip and eliminates the impact on pen and pencil tips which can cause damage to the tips. 
     FIGS. 6A and 8  illustrate a cover plate  50  which covers the underside  13  of the holder  10 . The cover plate consists of a rigid material similar to the material used to fabricate the structural plate and swivel plates such as ABS. The underside  13  of the base  11  of the holder  10  is recessed providing a cavity  15  for the implement tips being stored in the holder  10  and to retain fluids. Cavities  14  in the pliable material of the underside  13  of the holder base  11  expose the bottom of the structural plate  40  defining an annular ring about each implement tip hole  43 , each cavity  14  being centered between each triangular group of three pins  20 . This provides clearance between the implement tip and the underside  13  of the holder  10  when the implement is inserted therein. 
     FIG. 6B  is an enlarged view of the implement tip hole  43  in the holder  10  clearly showing the pliable material of the holder  10  terminating at the top edge of the hole  43 . 
     FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate another embodiment  10   a  similar to the preferred embodiment  10  having a multiplicity of pins  20   a  similar to pins  20  protruding from the top surface  12   a  of the holder base Ha placed in a similar equilateral triangular grid pattern as holder  10  having a closer equidistant spacing between pins  20   a , resulting in the bottom of each pin base  25   a  abutting the adjacent pin bases  25   a . The holes  43  and bridges  16  are eliminated. The intended use of this type of implement holder is to retain blunt objects such as drills  80  and  90 , router bits, nut drivers, batteries and implements that must be capped such as markers. 
   In use, an implement such as a drill  80  or  90  having a blunt end is inserted in the same manner as pen  70  or  70   a  and comes to rest against the outer curvature of the pin bases  25   a . The upper portion of the drill is held securely by the outermost edge  23   a  of the enlarged pin tops  22   a.    
   The contour of the flexible pins and their arrangement described herein provide superior guidance of an implement tip into the holder, provide minimal contact between the implement and the holder yet retain the implement sufficiently, provide storage of various sized implements in the same holder, and keep implements organized and easily accessible. 
   The upper and lower portions of the implement tip holes and the bridges described herein also provide superior guidance of an implement tip into a hole, prevent damage to the tips of implements stored, isolate the implement tip from the holder and reduce the need for capping most pens. 
   Implements such as pens, pencils, crayons, markers, router bits, drills, small tools, dental and medical implements may be stored in the holder. 
   The holder may come in any size to accommodate many implements or a few implements, or may be customized to include two or more different arrangements of pins, for example three arrangements, one at each end of the holder and one in the middle. The first arrangement having less equidistant space between the pins than the second arrangement, and the second arrangement having less equidistant space between the pins than the third arrangement. This would enable the user to store for example, “AAA” and “AA” batteries in the first arrangement, “C” batteries in the second arrangement and “D” batteries in the third arrangement increasing the versatility and usefulness of the holder. 
   In additional variations, the pins may project at any oblique angle to the base therefore supporting and retaining implements at any angle. The pins may be elongated and less flexible for heavier objects such as paintbrushes, screwdrivers, punches, wrenches and other tools and implements. 
   In operation the holder is quick and easy to insert objects into and remove objects from and can be used one handed. A pen for instance typically has a cap which requires the user to hold the cap in one hand and the pen in the other snapping them together. The holder replaces the cap function of protecting the tip of the pen providing the advantage of single handed access. 
   The unique design and spacing of the pins permit the storage of different sized implements in the same holder, supporting their tips and maintaining proper support of the upper portion of the implement. For example, with the pins arranged in a specific equilateral triangular grid pattern in the same holder in conjunction with a specific pin sizing, it is possible to store an implement one quarter inch in diameter as well as an implement five eights of an inch in diameter in the same holder. The reason being, with the pins&#39; enlarged tops and a portion of the stems being displaced laterally the widest diameter of the enlarged tops of the pins maintain contact on the implement body while the tip of the implement is retained in the hole or by the curvature of the bridges, curvature of the pin bases or lower portion of the stems. 
   If the implement body diameter is smaller than the space between the enlarged tips of a triangular group of three pins, the implement is retained sufficiently by the upper portion of the tip of the implement being supported by the annular ring defined by the three bridges connecting the bases of the three pins around each hole in conjunction with the point of the implement tip being supported in the hole. 
   The implement tip holes and structural holes in the structural plate may be of other shapes such as square, hexagon or triangular. 
   The fingers or pins protruding from the top surface of the holder base may be of different diameters, lengths and stiffness to hold much larger heavier objects or smaller lighter objects. The overall physical size and properties of the holder may be smaller or larger to suit the type and weight of the objects or implements being stored. 
   The fingers or pins protruding from the top surface of the holder base may be of other cross sectional shapes other than round, such as square, hexagon or triangular. 
   The optimal overall size of the pin, the equidistance between the pins, the diameters and length of the frusto-conical convex pin base, the diameter and length of the pin stem, the diameters and length of the frusto-conical lower section of the enlarged top, the diameter and length of the convex conical top of the enlarged top, the curvature of the enlarged pin top and pin base, the flexibility required, the height, width, length and curvature of the bridges, the thickness, shape and size of the holder base, the angle or angles and diameters of the frusto-conical section of the implement tip hole in the insert, the length and diameter of the cylindrical section in the insert, the thickness, shape and size of the insert, and the materials used for fabricating can vary depending on the application of the holder and the size, type and or weight of the implements being stored in or on the holder. 
   Of the embodiments mentioned, peaks, slopes and curvatures are necessary to provide optimal guidance of the implement tip into the holder and to provide minimal yet sufficient contact on the implement. The holes in the insert are necessary to isolate the tips of the implements being stored. The cylindrical section of each hole is necessary to maintain the specific size of the hole and to minimize implement tip jamming. 
   The pliable materials mentioned are extremely resilient and durable. 
   The embodiments described herein by no means limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed. They have been chosen and described to best explain the principles and practical use of the present invention in it simplest form to enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same. The drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
   As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the following claims.