Combination coffee and tea brewer

A beverage brewing device that can be used to make either hot coffee or iced tea has a retractable decanter support platform which is capable of translation between an extended position and a retracted position. When the support platform is in the extended position, it can accept and support a small decanter for use in receiving the brewed beverage. The support platform has a warming plate which maintains the temperature of the beverage. When the support platform is in the retracted position, the platform is positioned to enable a large decanter to be placed on the base of the device. The beverage brewing device also has an electric circuit capable of causing the beverage brewing device to brew coffee when the decanter support platform is in the extended position, and causing the beverage brewing device to brew tea when the decanter support platform is in the retracted position.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to an innovative addition to, and 
structure of a beverage brewing device, and particularly to a combination 
coffee and tea brewing device. These brewing devices are quite common, and 
are used almost exclusively in producing brewed beverages. The popularity 
of these beverage brewing devices is due to their ability to make a 
freshly brewed beverage directly from brewing material, such as coffee 
grounds, tea leaves, and the like, instead of producing such a beverage 
from an instant, dehydrated concentrate. Due to the disfavor that the 
consuming public has with instant beverages, this ability is a highly 
desirable advantage. 
However, these beverage brewing devices do have certain disadvantages. Many 
of these devices are designed with a particular configuration and size of 
server or decanter in mind. This means that the brewing device can be used 
to make, at the maximum, an amount of beverage limited by the size of the 
decanter. In the commercial setting, the demand for freshly brewed 
beverages varies with time. There are certain peak periods during which a 
large amount of brewed beverage is required, and certain non-peak periods 
during which a small amount of brewed beverage is required. This periodic 
shift in brewed beverage demand can be met effectively by having a large 
supply of decanters, by having a plurality of beverage brewing devices, or 
by having one set of brewing devices designed for use with small 
decanters, employed during the non-peak periods, and one set of brewing 
devices designed for use with large decanters, employed during the peak 
periods. 
Another consideration is the quality of the beverage brewed, and the 
tidiness of the brewing process. If the brewed beverage must travel a 
significant distance before entering a decanter, then the beverage has a 
longer time for reacting with the surrounding atmosphere. It is believed 
that this reaction lessens the quality of the beverage. Also, the greater 
the distance between the brewing funnel and the decanter, the chance that 
the beverage will splatter, or become misdirected increases, usually 
resulting in an unkempt appearance of the area surrounding the brewing 
apparatus. 
Given these considerations, the commercial user would like to have one 
beverage brewing device to fulfill the employment of two, with the 
distance between the brewing funnel and the decanter being as small as 
possible, no matter what size of decanter is used. Specifically, a 
beverage brewing device which can be used with a large decanter, and a 
small decanter, with the distance between the brewing funnel, and the 
decanter being as small as possible, is desired. In this manner, the 
commercial user will have to purchase only one brewing device, thereby 
saving money. Also, because the maximum output of the brewing device is 
variable, the commercial user can save money further by not over-producing 
brewed beverages, which will have to be discarded after a certain time 
period. Further, the quality of the beverage will not be compromised by 
prolonged exposure to the surrounding atmosphere, and the area around the 
brewing device will not be subject to excessive beverage splattering. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A general object of the invention is to provide a beverage brewing device 
that can be employed for use with decanters of various sizes. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a beverage brewing device 
that has a retractable decanter support platform that has a warming plate. 
An additional object of the invention is to provide a beverage brewing 
device that maintains the distance between the brewing funnel and the 
decanter constant, so as to minimize the chance of the beverage from 
reacting with the atmosphere. A further object of the invention is to 
provide a beverage brewing device that can produce either a hot or cold 
freshly brewed beverage. 
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a beverage 
brewing device that can be use to produce either hot coffee or iced tea. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a beverage brewing device 
having a retractable decanter support platform and another decanter 
support platform, so that the brewing device can support at least two 
decanters at any given moment. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage brewing 
device having an electric circuit which controls the operation of the 
beverage brewing device according to the position of the decanter support 
platform. 
The beverage brewing device of the present invention is unique in that it 
has a retractable decanter support platform disposed about the trunk of 
the device at a location so as to position a small decanter in proper 
placement below a brewing funnel to accept a brewed beverage. The decanter 
support platform has a warming plate disposed on it. The decanter support 
platform is retractable into the trunk of the device so that the device 
may accept a substantially larger decanter in the proper position below a 
brewing funnel for accepting a brewed beverage. This beverage brewing 
device can be employed effectively to produce either hot coffee or iced 
tea. The beverage brewing device also has an electric circuit capable of 
allowing the beverage brewing device to brew coffee when the decanter 
support platform is in the extended position, and allowing the beverage 
brewing device to brew tea when the decanter support platform is in the 
retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, 
there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, a 
specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is 
to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, 
and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and 
described herein. 
Referring generally to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a beverage brewing device 10, 
useful for brewing either hot coffee or iced tea, is disclosed. The 
superstructure of the beverage brewing device 10 is comprised of a base 
portion 12, having a first support, or a top panel 14, a trunk portion 16 
having a front panel 18, disposed on, and substantially perpendicular to 
the base portion 12, and an overhanging or cantilevered portion 20 having 
a slot 22, disposed on, and being substantially perpendicular to the trunk 
portion 16, and being substantially parallel to the base portion 12. The 
trunk portion 16 connects the base portion 12 to the cantilevered portion 
20. The trunk portion 16 is substantially vertical in nature, whereas the 
base portion 12, and the cantilevered portion 20 are substantially 
horizontal in nature. 
The top panel 14 of the base portion 12 is substantially horizontal, and 
flat, and comprises means capable of accepting and supporting a large 
decanter 24, as shown in FIG. 2. The slot 22 is disposed on the side of 
the cantilevered portion 20 opposing the base portion 12. The slot 22 is 
of such a form that the slot 22 can accept readily and support brewing 
funnel 26 beneath the cantilevered portion 20 of the brewing device 10. 
The brewing funnel 26 is of known construction, and is similar to the 
funnel disclosed in the patent of Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 3,374,897, which 
is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Also disposed about 
the cantilevered portion 20 is a hot water outlet, not shown, but similar 
in construction to the spray head disclosed in the patent of Martin, et 
al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,626,839, which is assigned to the assignee of the 
present invention. The hot water outlet delivers hot water to the interior 
of the brewing funnel 26 to commence the brewing process, which is well 
known in the field. 
A discharge point, or opening 28 is disposed on the bottom of the brewing 
funnel 26, and it is through this opening 28 that, in the case of brewing 
hot coffee, the freshly brewed coffee flows, or, in the case of brewing 
iced tea, the hot, freshly brewed tea concentrate flows. In the case of 
brewing iced tea, a source of cold, diluting water is needed to decrease 
the temperature of the hot, freshly brewed tea concentrate, and to dilute 
that concentrate to desired levels. To fulfill this need, a diluting water 
outlet 30 is disposed, below the cantilevered portion 20 and the brewing 
funnel 26, about and through the front panel 18 of the trunk portion 16. 
The diluting water outlet 30 is disposed between the opening 28 of the 
brewing funnel 26, and a upper inlet opening 34 of the large decanter 24 
so that diluting water may be added to the beverage concentrate, as the 
concentrate enters the large decanter 24. 
Disposed in the trunk portion 16, and through the front panel 18 of the 
trunk 16 of the brewing device 10 between the diluting water outlet 30, 
and the top panel 14 of the base portion 12, is a second support, or a 
retractable decanter support platform 38 which is capable of supporting 
the small decanter 32, as shown in FIG. 1. The decanter support platform 
38 is located in the trunk 16 at a specified distance from the 
cantilevered portion 20 so that the decanter support platform 38 can 
accept a small decanter 32, and maintain the small decanter 32 in a proper 
position below the brewing funnel 26, so as to allow the brewing device 10 
to produce both hot coffee or other beverage, and to deliver those 
beverages to the small decanter 32. The decanter support platform 38 is 
capable of translation between an extended position, as shown in FIG. 1, 
and a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 2. 
The particular construction of the decanter support platform 38 will become 
evident in the following discussion. Referring initially to FIG. 7, and 
FIG. 8, the decanter support platform 38 is comprised of a number of 
parts, namely, a warming plate 40, a retainer 42, a base 44, a sliding 
portion 46, a retracting portion 48, and a mounting portion 50. The 
mounting portion 50 is disposed, in its entirety, inside the trunk 16 of 
the brewing device 10. The mounting portion 50 is fixed securely to the 
interior of the trunk 16 by means of a plurality of bolts 52, so that the 
mounting portion 50 is immovable, and is capable of supporting the entire 
weight of the decanter support platform 38, especially while the decanter 
support platform 38 is in the extended position with a small decanter 32, 
full of beverage, disposed upon the decanter support platform 38. 
The retracting portion 48 is mounted translatably above and upon the 
mounting portion 50 so that the retracting portion 48 can translate freely 
between the extended, and the retracted positions. The retracting portion 
48 has a plurality of screw apertures 54 disposed through it. The screw 
apertures 54 are of sufficient diameter to accept screws 56 having nuts 58 
which assure that the screws 56 will remain firmly inside the screw 
apertures 54. By means of these screws 56 and nuts 58, the sliding portion 
46 is mounted to the retracting portion 48. 
The sliding portion 46 is mounted translatably above and upon the 
retracting portion 48 so that the sliding portion 46 can translate freely 
between the extended, and the retracted positions. To accomplish this 
translation, the sliding portion 46 has a plurality of slots 60 disposed 
through it. The slots 60 are of sufficient width to accept the threaded 
portions of the screws 56, but that width is small enough so as not to 
allow the head of the screws 56 to pass through the slots 60. The sliding 
portion 46 also has an aperture 62 disposed about the rear of the sliding 
portion 46, as shown in FIG. 5. This aperture 62 is of sufficient size, 
and is disposed in a particular location so as to accommodate any wiring 
or plumbing that may be disposed within the interior of the trunk portion 
16 of the brewing device 10, when the decanter support platform is in the 
retracted position. 
The screws 56 are disposed with the screw heads located above the upper 
surface of the sliding portion 46, the threaded portions of the screws 56 
extending through the slots 60 of the sliding portion 46, the screw 
apertures 54 of the retracting portion 48, and secured by the nuts 58. The 
nuts 58 are threaded upon the screws 56 a sufficient number of turns so as 
to apply a force to the sliding portion 46 and the retracting portion 48. 
The force is of sufficient magnitude so as to bind the sliding portion 46 
to the retracting portion 48, and to support the decanter support platform 
38 effectively, while at the same time, the force is small enough to allow 
the sliding portion 46 to translate freely above the retracting portion 48 
between the extended and retracted positions. 
A front panel 64 is mounted on the front of the sliding portion 26. The 
front panel 64 of the decanter support platform 38 is constructed of 
materials similar to that of the front panel 18 of the trunk portion 16 of 
the brewing device 10. The front panel 64 of the support platform 38 is of 
sufficient size to cover entirely one end of the support platform 38. This 
allows the front panel 18 of the trunk portion 16 to appear continuous 
when the support platform 38 is in the retracted position. 
There is translation means, such as a handle 66, and an indicator light 68 
disposed on the front panel 64 of the support platform 38. The handle 66 
is of such disposition and construction so as to facilitate the 
application of a force to the support platform 38, so as to allow free 
translation of the decanter support platform 38 between the extended and 
the retracted position. Also, the handle 66 is constructed so as not to 
interfere with or obstruct the disposition of the large decanter 24 when 
the support platform 38 is in the retracted position. The indicator light 
68 is also constructed so as not to interfere with or obstruct the 
disposition of the large decanter 24. The indicator light 68, which is lit 
if the warming plate 40 is energized, is connected electrically to a 
warming plate 40, and an electric circuit 90, shown schematically in FIG. 
12, which controls the operation of the warming plate 40. The construction 
and operation of the electric circuit 90 will be discussed herein. 
Disposed upon the sliding portion 46 is the base 44. The base 44 is fixed 
in position upon the sliding portion 46. The base 44 supports a retainer 
42, the warming plate 40, and the small decanter 32. The warming plate 40 
is disposed on top of the base 44, and is of known construction. The 
warming plate 40 employs electricity to produce heat, in order to keep the 
small decanter 32, and the beverage disposed therein warm. The operation 
of the warming plate 40 is governed by the electric circuit 90. The 
warming plate 40 has a depression of such a size so as to accept the 
bottom of the small decanter 32. This particular construction assures that 
the small decanter 32 will be maintained in a proper position on the 
brewing device 10 for brewing beverages, and storing those beverages, and 
also allows for heat to be applied to the sides of the small decanter 32 
so as to keep the brewed beverage disposed therein warm. 
The retainer 42 is mounted on opposing sides of the base 44. The retainer 
42 extends upward perpendicularly to the plane of the decanter support 
platform 38, and assists in maintaining the small decanter 32 in the 
proper position. Furthermore, the retainer 42 is of such a construction so 
as to protect the small decanter 32 from damage, and to contain, to a 
degree, any spills of brewed beverage from the small decanter 32. 
The construction of the electric circuit 90 will become more apparent in 
the following paragraphs. Generally, the electric circuit 90 comprises a 
plurality of beverage brew timers, namely a coffee brew timer 92, a tea 
brew timer 94, a plurality of switch means or switches 96, 98, 100, and 
102, and indicator lights 68 and 104. The coffee brew timer 92 is of known 
construction, and controls the duration of the coffee brewing cycle. The 
coffee brew timer 92 must be energized in order to brew coffee. The tea 
brew timer 94 is constructed similar to the coffee brew timer 92, and 
functions similarly with respect to the tea brewing cycle as the coffee 
brew timer functions with respect to the coffee brewing cycle. The 
electric circuit 90 prevents coterminous energizing of the coffee and tea 
brew timers 92 and 94. Coffee nor tea can be brewed unless the coffee brew 
timer 92 or the tea brew timer 94, respectively, is energized. 
A first switch 96 is a spring loaded, momentary contact start switch which 
energizes either the coffee brew timer 92 or the tea brew timer 94, 
depending on the position of the decanter support platform 38. A second 
switch 98 and a third switch 100 are spring loaded switches mounted on the 
beverage brewing device 10 in positions where they can be actuated by the 
decanter support platform 38. A fourth switch 102 is connected 
electrically to and controls the indicator lights 104. The second switch 
98 is connected electrically to the tea brew timer 94, and to the 
indicator lights 104 through the fourth switch 102. The third switch 100 
is connected electrically to the warming plate 40, the indicator light 68, 
and the indicator lights 104 through the fourth switch 102. 
The second and third switches 98 and 100 control the operation of the 
beverage brewing device 10 according to the position of the decanter 
support platform 38. Specifically, when the decanter support platform 38 
is in the extended position, the second switch 98 is open and the third 
switch 100 is closed, due to contact, or lack thereof, with the decanter 
support platform 38. With the second switch 98 being open, the tea brew 
timer 94 is dormant, and tea cannot be brewed. However, the coffee brew 
timer 92 is energized, thereby allowing the beverage brewing device 10 to 
brew coffee, which is shown by the indicator lights 104, which now are lit 
in a certain configuration due to the fourth switch 102. Simultaneously, 
with the third switch 100 being closed, the warming plate 40 is energized, 
thereby allowing the warming plate 40 to maintain the temperature of the 
beverage in the small decanter 32. When the third switch 100 is closed, 
the indicator light 68 associated with the warming plate 40 is lit. 
When the decanter support platform 38 is in the retracted position, the 
second switch 98 is closed and the third switch 100 is open, due to 
contact, or lack thereof, with the decanter support platform 38. With the 
second switch 98 being closed, the tea brew timer 94 is energized, and the 
coffee brew timer 92 is dormant. Thus, tea, but not coffee, can be brewed 
by the beverage brewing device 10. Also, because the third switch 100 is 
open, the warming plate 40 and the indicator light 68 are dormant. The 
fourth switch 102 lights the indicator lights 104 in a certain 
configuration representing the current status and operability of the 
beverage brewing device 10. 
The operation of the decanter support platform 38 will become more clear in 
the following discussion. Beginning with the support platform 38 in the 
retracted position, as shown in FIG. 3, the beverage brewing device 10 is 
ready to brew iced tea, and deposit the freshly brewed beverage in the 
large decanter 24. The decanter support platform 38 is in the retracted 
position, thereby closing the second switch 98 and opening the third 
switch 100. With the large decanter 24 in place, as shown in FIG. 2, 
brewing can begin, and continue until the large decanter 24 is full. The 
large decanter 24 need not be removed from the brewing device 10 in order 
to serve brewed beverages. The large decanter 24 has a spigot 70 which 
allows for the free flow of brewed beverage from the interior of the 
decanter 24 into any other container. 
When it is desired to brew coffee, an operator removes the large decanter 
24 from the position shown in FIG. 2, and then applies a pulling force to 
the handle 66, which causes the decanter support platform 38 to translate 
from the retracted position to the extended position, as shown in FIG. 1, 
and FIG. 4. More specifically, the pulling force applied to the handle 66 
causes the sliding portion 46 to translate forwardly out of the trunk 
portion 16 of the brewing device 10. This translation is governed by the 
length of the slots 60, which allow the sliding portion 46 to translate 
forwardly only a certain distance. When an end of the slots 60 engages a 
screw 56, further translation of the sliding portion 46 in the slots 60 is 
prohibited. When this engagement occurs, the pulling force then acts on 
the retracting portion 48. 
Under the influence of the pulling force, the retracting portion 48 
translates forwardly out of the trunk portion 16 of the brewing device 10. 
The retracting portion 48 translates slidably while in constant contact 
with the mounting portion 50, which remains stationary inside the trunk 
16. With the base 44 in the properly extended position, the retainer 42, 
and the warming plate 40 are disposed so as to hold the small decanter 32 
in the proper position underneath the opening 28 of the brewing funnel 26. 
The second switch 98 is opened, and the third switch 100 is closed, and 
the warming plate 40 is actuated by the electric circuit 90 so as to 
maintain the beverage at the appropriate temperature. The first switch 96 
is momentarily closed to energize the coffee brew timer 92. To use the 
large decanter 24 again, all that is necessary is to reverse the 
above-disclosed process. 
Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 9 through 
11. This other embodiment retains many of the above-described benefits and 
elements. Like elements will be indicated by like reference numerals 
having the suffix "A." A beverage brewing device 10A can also be used with 
either a large decanter 24A of a small decanter 32A. The overall general 
construction of the beverage brewing device 10A is substantially similar 
to that of the beverage brewing device 10, except for the differences that 
will be detailed in the following discussion. 
The base portion 12A of the beverage brewing device 10A has a base warming 
plate 72A disposed thereon. The base warming plate 72A is similar in 
construction and operation to the warming plate 40 disposed on the 
decanter support platform 38. The base warming plate 72A is designed to 
maintain the temperature of a beverage contained within the small decanter 
32A, but may also maintain the temperature of the large decanter 24A. 
There are large decanter positioners 74A disposed about the base portion 
12A. The large decanter positioners 74A serve as guides for proper 
placement of the large decanter 24A upon the base portion 12A, and help to 
support the large decanter 24A in proper disposition. 
The decanter support platform 38A of the beverage brewing device 10A 
differs substantially from that of the beverage brewing device 10 in 
construction and operation. Instead of the decanter support platform 38A 
being retractable into the trunk portion 16A of the beverage brewing 
device 10A, the decanter support platform 38A is constructed so as to 
pivot about a pivot stud 75A between an extended and a retracted position. 
In the extended position, the decanter support platform 38A is capable of 
supporting a small decanter 32A in a disposition appropriate for accepting 
a brewed beverage; in the retracted position, however, the decanter 
support platform 38A lies flush against and in confrontation with the 
trunk portion 16A, as is shown clearly in FIG. 9. With the decanter 
support platform 38A in the retracted position, the beverage brewing 
device 10A is capable of accepting a large decanter 24A. 
A rod guide 76A confronts the overhanging portion 20A along one edge 
thereof, and is disposed directly beneath the overhanging portion 20A. The 
rod guide 76A extends substantially perpendicularly downward from the 
overhanging portion 20A, and confronts the trunk portion 16A along another 
edge thereof. The rod guide 76A has a substantially longitudinal channel 
78A therein, which terminates at one end thereof in a latch 80A. 
Preferably, a rod guide 76A is disposed on each side of the trunk portion 
16A. The construction and operation of the channel 78A and the latch 80A 
will become more clear herein. 
The rod guide 76A only extends a certain distance downward from the 
overhanging portion 20A. A decanter support platform mount 82A is disposed 
below the rod guide 76A, and also confronts the trunk portion 16A. The 
pivot stud 75A is located at an end of the mount 82A opposite to an end 
thereof which confronts the rod guide 76A. The pivot stud 75A pivotally 
attaches the decanter support platform 38A, at one end thereof, to the 
mount 82A. In this manner, the decanter support platform 38A is capable of 
pivotal rotation between the retracted and extended positions about the 
pivot stud 75A. As shown in FIG. 9, when the decanter support platform 38A 
is in the retracted position, the entire surface of the trunk portion 16A, 
from the overhanging portion 20A to the base portion 12A, is confronted by 
the rod guide 76A, the mount 82A, and the decanter support platform 38A. 
The channel 78A and the latch 80A are of sufficient size to accept a 
decanter support platform support member or rod 84A. The rod 84A is 
substantially U-shaped, and extends through the channels 78A in each of 
the rod guides 76A, downward on each side of the beverage brewing device 
10A to pivot points 86A disposed on the decanter support platform 38A. The 
rod 84A is pivotally mounted to the decanter support platform 38A at the 
pivot points 86A. The rod 84A is capable of free translation within the 
channel 78A, and is capable of locking in place in the latch 80A under the 
influence of gravitational forces. In order to facilitate pivoting of the 
decanter support platform 38A, translation means or handles 88A are 
disposed on the rod 84A. 
The method of pivoting the decanter support platform 38A will become clear 
in the following discussion. Beginning with the decanter support platform 
38A in the retracted position, as in FIG. 9, all decanters are removed 
from the beverage brewing device 10A. This is advised because there must 
be sufficient space available in front of the trunk portion 16A to allow 
for the pivoting of the decanter support platform 38A. An operator then 
grips the handles 88A and applies an upwardly directed force thereto. This 
force causes the rod 84A to translate upwardly, towards the overhanging 
portion 20A, within the channel 78A. As the rod 84A translates upwardly, 
the distance between the rod 84A and the overhanging portion 20A is 
decreased. 
As the distance between the overhanging portion 20A and the rod 84A 
decreases, the force causes the decanter support platform 38A to pivot 
with respect to the rod 84A about the pivot points 86A, and with respect 
to the mount 82A about the pivot stud 75A. As the decanter support 
platform 38A so pivots, the platform 38A sweeps out an angle with respect 
to the trunk portion 16A. As the rod 84A reaches the end of the channel 
78A proximate to the overhanging portion 20A, the angle approaches 90 
degrees in arc. The rod 84A is forced into the latch 80A, and settles 
there. When the rod 84A has settled in the latch 80A, then angle is 
substantially right, as shown in FIG. 10 and 11, and the decanter support 
platform 38A is held in that disposition by gravitational forces pulling 
downwards on the platform 38A. 
In order to reverse the process, and return the decanter support platform 
38A to the retracted position, an operator again grasps the handles 88A 
and applies an upwardly directed force. This force translates the rod 84A 
upward and out of the latch 80A. Now the rod 84A is free to translate 
through the channel 78A towards an end thereof proximate to the mount 82A. 
Once the rod 84A reaches that end, the decanter support platform 38A 
confronts the trunk portion 16A and the angle measures zero degrees. The 
beverage brewing device 10A also has an electric circuit 90A which 
functions similarly to the electric circuit 90, depending on the position 
of the decanter support platform 38A. 
The employment of the combined coffee and tea brewer of the present 
invention presents numerous advantages to the commercial user. A single 
beverage brewing device 10 fulfills the employment of two brewing devices 
in that the brewing device 10 can be used with both a small decanter 32, 
and a large decanter 24. Also, the distance between the opening 28 of the 
brewing funnel 26, and either the opening 34 or 36 of the large or small 
decanters 24 or 32, respectively, is kept constant, as shown in FIG. 4, so 
as to minimize the chance of beverage splattering, or of beverage reaction 
with the atmosphere. 
While a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and 
described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise 
various modifications of the present invention without departing from the 
spirit and scope of the appended claims. The invention is not intended to 
be limited by the foregoing disclosure, but only by the following appended 
claims.