Abstract:
This invention relates to automated systems and methods for hanging live poultry for further processing. The system has an alignment conveyor, an alignment stunner, a hanging box, and a shackle. The alignment conveyor conveys poultry from an input point to the alignment stunner. The alignment stunner urges the poultry to move to a desired position on the alignment conveyor and stuns the poultry. The hanging box grasps the stunned poultry and places the poultry into the shackle for further processing. A computer and at least one sensor control operation of the system so that human intervention is minimized.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/502,934 filed on Jun. 30, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to systems and methods for hanging live poultry. More particularly, this invention relates to automated systems and methods for hanging live poultry for processing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Poultry processing plants have become automated to a large extent. Due to Federal regulations, it is necessary to kill the birds while they are in an inverted configuration, so that the blood is pumped from the birds&#39; body via their own heart. Typically, birds are processed in an inverted position with their hocks suspended by shackles pivotally mounted to an overhead conveyor line. This orientation places the tail region roughly midway down the bird body while the pivotal mounting enables the birds to be manipulated along the process line. It is common practice to electrically stun the birds prior to processing them while they are inverted and shackled. In this manner, the birds, while alive, remain relatively motionless for processing. 
         [0004]    Conventionally, suspending the bird from the shackles is a manual process. For example, depending on the speed to the overhead conveyor line, several employees can be required to restrain the bird, orient the bird correctly relative to the shackles of the conveyor, and place the bird into the shackles. Because the birds are alive, manually loading the birds into the shackles can be a cumbersome and unsanitary task. Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a system or apparatus to automatically hang live poultry for processing. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as describe herein. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The application relates to systems and methods for automatically hanging live poultry, such as a chicken, quail, turkey, duck and the like. In one aspect, the system for hanging live poultry can comprise at least one of an alignment conveyor, an alignment stunner, a rain stunner, a hanging box, and a shackle. The alignment conveyor can convey poultry from an input point in the processing facility to the alignment stunner. In another aspect, the alignment stunner can urge the poultry to move to a desired position on the alignment conveyor. In still another aspect, the alignment and/or the rain stunner can stun the poultry while the poultry is in the desired position. In another aspect, the hanging box can grasp the stunned poultry and place the poultry into the shackle for further processing. In one aspect, it is contemplated that a computer can be configured to control operation of the system so that human intervention is minimized. The system can also comprise at least one sensor that is operatively coupled to the computer. 
         [0006]    Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
     
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]    These and other features of the preferred embodiments of the invention will become more apparent in the detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an automated system for hanging live poultry, according to one aspect. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view a portion of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of a hanging box of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the hanging box of  FIG. 3 , showing a bird being grasped by the hanging box. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a shackle of the system of  FIG. 1 , showing a bird hanging from the shackle. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a shackle, according to one aspect. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the hanging box of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and their previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. 
         [0016]    The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known embodiment. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the invention described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof. 
         [0017]    As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a hanging box” can include two or more such hanging boxes unless the context indicates otherwise. 
         [0018]    Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. 
         [0019]    As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. 
         [0020]    The application relates to systems and methods for automatically hanging live poultry, such as a chicken, quail, turkey, duck and the like. In one aspect, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the system  10  for hanging live poultry can comprise at least one of an alignment conveyor  12 , an alignment stunner  14 , a hanging box  16 , and a shackle  18 . As will be described more fully below, the alignment conveyor and/or the alignment stunner can urge the birds to face a predetermined direction. The hanging box can then grasp the bird and place it in the shackle for further processing. 
         [0021]    In one aspect, the alignment conveyor  12  can be an endless conveyor that can be conventionally trained around a plurality of conveyor rollers. It is contemplated that the endless conveyor can comprise a conventional design. In one non-limiting example, at least one of the conveyor rollers can be driven by a motor or drive, which causes the alignment conveyor to rotate about the conveyor rollers at a desired and selectable alignment conveyor speed in an alignment conveyor direction. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in another aspect, during at least a portion of the course of the endless conveyor path, at least a portion of the alignment conveyor  12  direction can be substantially linear along an alignment conveyor axis. In yet another aspect, during at least a portion of the course of the endless conveyor path, an upper surface  20  of the alignment conveyor can be positioned in a conveyor plane that is substantially parallel to a floor on which the alignment conveyor is placed. Optionally, during at least a portion of the course of the endless conveyor path, the conveyor plane can be positioned at an acute angle relative to the floor on which the alignment conveyor  12  is placed. For example, a first side  22  of the alignment conveyor can be higher than a second side  24  relative to the floor. 
         [0022]    Still with reference to  FIG. 2 , the alignment conveyor  12  can comprise at least one alignment box  26  comprising a first portion  28  and a separate second portion  30 . In one aspect, the first portion and the second portion of the alignment box can be fixedly attached to and/or formed on portions of the upper surface  20  of the alignment conveyor such that the first and second portions  28 ,  30  of the alignment box extend upwardly away from the conveyor plane of the alignment conveyor. In another aspect, when the first and second portions of the alignment box  26  are on the upper surface  20  of the alignment conveyor  12 , the first and second portions can form an enclosure  32  defining a side opening. As can be appreciated, it is contemplated that respective portions of the alignment box  26  can be formed from separate pieces so that the portions of the alignment box can separate or otherwise segment apart as respective portions of the upper surface of the alignment conveyor move relative to each other during the course of the movement of the alignment conveyor around the conveyor rollers. In still another aspect, and without limitation, the enclosure formed by the first and second portions  28 ,  30  of the alignment box can be substantially square or rectangular in cross-sectional shape. For example, the area formed by the enclosure can be approximately 12 inches by 12 inches, though other size and shape enclosures are of course contemplated. 
         [0023]    In one aspect, the downstream alignment stunner  14  can define at least one opening and/or comprise at least nozzle  34  in fluid communication with a fluid source that is configured to direct a first stream of fluid in a desired direction. For example, the alignment stunner can be a poultry (“rain”) stunner as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,740,527, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In another aspect and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the alignment stunner comprises at least one first opening and/or nozzle  34  that is configured to direct a first stream of fluid into at least a portion of the alignment box  26  and/or the upper surface  20  of the alignment conveyor  12 . As can be appreciated, there can be a plurality of openings and/or nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid source that are configured to direct at least a first stream of fluid into at least a portion of the of the alignment box and/or the upper surface of the alignment conveyor. The first opening and/or nozzle  34  can be coupled directly to the fluid source, or they can be connected to several distinct fluid sources. It is also contemplated that the alignment stunner  14  can comprise a manifold or at least one spray bar  36 , which is coupled to the fluid source and feeds the plurality of first openings and/or nozzles defined in the spray bar. In one aspect, the plurality of openings and/or nozzles  34  of the spray bar  36  can be configured to allow fluid to exit the spray bar in a desired direction and flowrate. In another aspect, the openings and/or nozzles of the spray bar can be evenly spaced along the length of the spray bar such that a plurality of streams  37  of fluid exit the spray bar  36  in the desired direction and flowrate. 
         [0024]    In one aspect, the alignment stunner can further comprise a screen or slotted cover  25  configured to allow the fluid to pass through the cover, while forcing the poultry to position its head below the cover. For example, the cover  25  can define a plurality of slots, each slot aligned with an opening or nozzle  34  of the alignment stunner such that fluid directed from each nozzle passes through the slot before contacting the poultry. 
         [0025]    In one aspect, the spray bar  36  can be an oscillating spray bar, capable of rotation about and between a first spray bar position, in which fluid exits the spray bar in a first desired direction relative to the conveyor plane of the alignment conveyor  12 , and a second spray bar position, in which fluid exits the spray bar in a second desired direction (different from the first desired direction) relative to the conveyor plane of the alignment conveyor. In the first desired direction, the plurality of streams  37  of fluid contact the alignment conveyor  12  generally about the second side  24  of the alignment conveyor and, in the second desired direction, the plurality of streams  37  of fluid contact the alignment conveyor  12  generally away from the second side of the alignment conveyor. Thus, in operation, when the spray bar rotates from the first spray bar position to the second spray bar position, the plurality of streams  37  of fluid contacting the alignment conveyor  12  moves from the second side  24  of the alignment conveyor  12  and towards the first side  22  of the alignment conveyor. 
         [0026]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , when viewed from above, the spray bar  36  of the alignment stunner  14  can be positioned at an acute angle relative to the alignment conveyor axis. In this aspect, the flow of fluid from the alignment stunner can progressively urge the bird from the alignment conveyor  12  toward the articulated hanging box  16 . Alternatively, the spray bar of the alignment stunner can be positioned substantially parallel to the alignment conveyor axis. 
         [0027]    Optionally, in one aspect and as shown in  FIG. 1 , the alignment stunner  14  can comprise a plurality of spray bars  36 . In this aspect, a first spray bar of the plurality of spray bars can be positioned at an acute angle relative to the alignment conveyor axis and a second spray bar of the plurality of spray bars can be positioned substantially parallel to the axis of the alignment conveyor  12 . It is of course contemplated that any number of spray bars can be positioned substantially parallel to the alignment conveyor axis or at an acute angle relative to the alignment conveyor axis. It is also contemplated that at least one spray bar can be a conventional spray bar for spraying a fluid, and at least one spray bar can be a spray bar electrically coupled to a power source as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,740,527. In another aspect, at least one spray bar can comprise a constant current power supply configured to regulate the amount of electrical current directed to each bird at a predetermined current level. 
         [0028]    The hanging box  16  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  7 . In one aspect, the hanging box can comprise a lower surface  38 , a pair of opposed sides  40 , a means for immobilizing  42  the bird  44 , and a rear wall  46  defining a rear wall aperture  48 . In another aspect, the pair of opposed sides can be movable sides extending away from the lower surface. In still another aspect, the pair of opposed sides can be movable about and between a first side position, in which the pair of opposed sides are spaced from each other a first predetermined distance, and a second side position in which the pair of opposed sides are spaced from each other a second predetermined distance that is less than the first predetermined distance. Thus, in this aspect, the distance between the opposed sides  40  can vary. For example, the distance between the opposed sides can be greater than 12 inches, about 12 inches, 11 inches, 10 inches, 9 inches, 8 inches, 7 inches, 6 inches, 5 inches, 4 inches, 3 inches, 2 inches, 1 inch, less than 1 inch, or any distance in between as desired. In another aspect, the lower surface  38  can be sized so that the legs  52  of the bird extend beyond the lower surface  38  when the bird is grasped by the hanging box, as shown in  FIG. 4  and described more fully below. 
         [0029]    The means for immobilizing  42  the bird  44  can be comprise a means for immobilizing the legs  52  of the bird. In one aspect, the means for immobilizing the bird can comprise a pair of locking arms  50 . Optionally, each locking arm of the pair of locking arms can be substantially L-shaped, substantially J-shaped, triangularly-shaped and the like. In one aspect, the locking arms can be movable about and between a first arm position, in which at least a portion of each locking arm is positioned below the lower surface  38  of the hanging box  16 , and a second arm position in which at least a portion of each locking arm is positioned above the lower surface. In the second arm position, a notch and/or portion of the locking arm  50  can at least partially surround the leg  52  of the bird  44 , thereby holding the bird in place on the lower surface of the hanging box. 
         [0030]    In one aspect, the hanging box  16  can be an articulated hanging box, capable of rotating about and between a first box position, in which the lower surface  38  of the hanging box is substantially parallel to the plane of the alignment conveyor  12 , and a second box position, in which the lower surface of the hanging box  16  is at an acute angle relative to the plane of the alignment conveyor. In another aspect, the lower surface of the hanging box can be movable from a first surface position in which the lower surface of the hanging box is substantially parallel to the floor of the processing facility and a second surface position in which the lower surface  38  is at an acute angle relative to the floor of the processing facility. In this aspect, in the first surface position, a portion of the lower surface can extend beyond the edge of the opposed sides  40  of the hanging box, illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In the second surface position, a portion of the lower surface  38  can be moved so that the lower surface  38  does not extend beyond the edge of the opposed sides of the hanging box  16 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0031]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the hanging box  16  can be guided through the processing facility with at least one rail and/or chain  54 . In one aspect, at least a portion of the at least one rail and/or chain can be positioned substantially parallel to the alignment conveyor  12 , and at least a portion of the at least one rail and/or chain can be positioned adjacent to a conventional picking line  56  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) configured to move the plurality of shackles  18  through the processing facility. In another aspect, when the hanging box is positioned substantially parallel to the alignment conveyor  12 , at least a portion of the lower surface  38  of the hanging box  16  can at least partially overlie the upper surface  20  of the alignment conveyor. As can be appreciated, conventional gears, motors, cams, and the like can be utilized to urge movement of the hanging box  16  as desired. In another aspect, the hanging box can move at a hanging box speed that is substantially the same as the alignment conveyor speed. 
         [0032]    The shackle  18  is illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , according to various aspects. In one aspect, the shackle can comprise a central member  58  and an outer perimeter member  60 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a proximal end of the central member  58  can be attached to the outer perimeter member  60 , and a distal end of the central member can extend away from the perimeter member and can be configured for attachment to a picking line. Two inner members  62  can be spaced from the outer perimeter member and can cooperate with the outer perimeter member  60  to create a pair of slots  67 . In another aspect, at least a portion of the inner members can taper towards the outer perimeter member. In still another aspect, at least a portion of the inner members can be spaced from the outer perimeter member a predetermined distance so that the slots are sized to receive the legs of the bird. In one aspect, a central cavity  63  can be defined by a portion of the outer perimeter member, the central cavity being configured to allow the legs of the bird to be inserted into the shackle  18 . In another aspect, the shackle can further comprise a roller and/or a slide  65 . The roller and/or slide can be configured to matingly engage a groove defined in the hanging box  16  to improve alignment of the shackle  18  and the hanging box. 
         [0033]    In one aspect, the system  10  can further comprise at least one scale and/or load cell configured to weigh each bird. For example, each shackle  18  could be coupled to a scale. In another aspect, the system can further comprise a control system such as a computer and/or processor coupled to at least one sensor and/or the at least one scale. In this aspect, the at least one sensor can be configured to sense the presence and/or position of a bird. Thus, for example, the sensor can sense the presence of a bird in an alignment box  26  and the computer can speed up or slow down the speed of the alignment conveyor  12 , the hanging box  16  and/or the speed at which the shackle  18  is moving based at least in part upon the presence of the poultry. In other aspects, the at least one sensor can sense the location and/or position of the alignment conveyor, the alignment stunner, the hanging box, the shackle, and their respective components. The computer can be programmed to take predetermined actions based upon the readings received from the at least one sensor. 
         [0034]    The system  10  for hanging live poultry can be formed from conventional materials, such as for example and without limitation, polymeric materials and/or stainless steel. 
         [0035]    In order to use the system  10  for hanging live poultry, it is contemplated that the birds can be fed to the alignment conveyor  12  by conventional means. For example and without limitation, the birds can be loaded from delivery trucks into a hopper or other storage device. The hopper can, for example and referring again to  FIG. 1 , feed or otherwise urge the birds to a filing conveyor  64  which can move the birds to the alignment conveyor. Optionally, it is contemplated that the birds can be fed directly to the alignment conveyor  12  without the need for a hopper and/or the filing conveyor. 
         [0036]    As the birds are urged onto the alignment conveyor  12 , the first portion  28  of the alignment box  26  can extend upwards from the alignment conveyor preventing the bird from walking on the alignment conveyor past the first portion. The alignment conveyor can have a predetermined speed that can be adjusted manually and/or automatically based on factors such as the number of poultry to be processed, the size of the poultry and the like. As the alignment conveyor travels in the alignment conveyor direction towards the alignment stunner  14 , the second portion  30  of the alignment box can rotate to a position behind the bird, thereby enclosing the bird in the enclosure  32  having a side opening. 
         [0037]    In one aspect, a hanging box  16  can have a predetermined speed and can be positioned so that the pair of opposed sides  40  of the hanging box are adjacent the enclosure  32  of the alignment box  26  and are substantially aligned with the first and second portions  28 ,  30  of the alignment box as the alignment box travels in the alignment conveyor direction. For example and with reference to  FIG. 1 , a hanging box axis A H  can be substantially coaxially aligned with an alignment box axis A A  for a predetermined amount of time and/or a predetermined distance as the alignment box travels in the alignment conveyor direction. The hanging box speed and direction can be substantially the same as the alignment conveyor speed and direction so that the alignment box and the hanging box are positioned adjacent each other for a predetermined amount of time. Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the opposed sides  40  of the hanging box and the first and second portions  28 ,  30  of the alignment box can cooperate to form a substantially enclosed area  66  for the bird, except for the rear wall aperture  48  defined in the rear wall  46  of the hanging box  16 . 
         [0038]    The substantially enclosed area  66  can then travel toward the alignment stunner  14  with the bird  44  enclosed therein. Because poultry by nature do not like to be sprayed with a fluid, such as water, birds will turn away from a fluid source and can attempt to walk away from the fluid source. If the fluid is electrified or if the fluid is cold, the birds can attempt to walk away from the fluid source more quickly. As the substantially enclosed area  66  travels under the spray bar  36  of the alignment stunner  14 , the angle of the spray bar relative to the alignment conveyor direction and/or the oscillation of the spray bar can cause the bird to walk or be urged towards the first side  22  of the alignment conveyor  12  and into the hanging box  16 . In a further attempt to avoid the water, the bird can insert his head into the rear wall aperture  48 . Birds that are not alive when conveyed to the alignment stunner will not be able to move towards the first side of the conveyor, and thus will not be able to move into the hanging box. These dead birds can remain on the alignment conveyor until reaching the end on the alignment conveyor where they can be dropped off the conveyor into a container for disposal. 
         [0039]    In one aspect, the opposed sides  40  of the hanging box  16  can move from the first side position, in which the opposed sides are substantially aligned with the first and second portions  28 ,  30  of the alignment box  26 , to the second side position having a smaller distance between the opposed sides than the first position. In another aspect, the opposed sides of the hanging box can move from the first side position to the second side position as the bird is under the spray bar  36  of the alignment stunner, though it is contemplated that the opposed sides of the hanging box can move after the bird has passed under the spray bar. In one aspect, the second side position can be sized so that in the second side position, each of the opposed sides of the hanging box  16  contacts the body of the bird  44 . For example, in the second side position, the opposed sides  40  can be about 6 inches apart from each other. Thus, the bird can be contacted by the opposed sides of the hanging box with at least a portion of the head of the bird extending through the rear wall aperture  48 . 
         [0040]    The bird can then be conveyed to a spray bar  36  configured to stun the bird. For example, the spray bar can be electrically coupled to a power source so that the spray directed towards the bird is electrified. In another example, the spray bar can spray cold or chilled fluid towards the bird in order to stun the bird. After the bird has been stunned, the means for immobilizing  42  the legs of the bird, such as the locking arms  50 , can be moved from the first arm position to the second arm position, thereby holding the legs of the bird in place. The hanging box  16  can then articulate from the first box position to the second box position, in which the lower surface  38  of the hanging box  16  is at an acute angle relative to the plane of the alignment conveyor. After the bird has been immobilized, the lower surface of the hanging box  16  can rotate to the second surface position, wherein the legs of the bird can extend beyond edge of the sides  40  of the hanging box while the lower surface  38  does not extend beyond the edge of the opposed sides of the hanging box  16 . 
         [0041]    As can be appreciated, after the bird has been grasped by the hanging box, the hanging box can travel away from the alignment conveyor  12 . As can also be appreciated, the steps to grasp the bird can be accomplished in other order than described above. For example, the means for immobilizing  42  the legs of the bird can move to the second arm position prior to stunning the bird. In another example, the hanging box  16  can articulate to the second box position prior to locking the legs of the bird. 
         [0042]    The hanging box  16  with the bird grasped therein can be brought adjacent to the picking line  56 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in one aspect, the picking line and the hanging box can be brought adjacent to each other in an area where the at least one rail and/or chain  54  is curved. For example, an inner radius of the at least one rail and/or chain can be aligned with an outer radius of the picking line so that the hanging box  16  can be aligned with a shackle  18 . By placing the picking line and the hanging box adjacent to each other in a curved area, different spacing between each hanging box and each shackle can be achieved. For example, the shackles can be spaced about 6 inches apart on the picking line, while the hanging boxes can be spaced about 12 inches apart. 
         [0043]    Because the hanging box is in the second box position, the legs of the bird can be in a plane above the two inner members  62  of the shackle. Upon alignment of the hanging box  16  and the shackle  18 , the hanging box can articulate towards the first box position, thereby lowering the legs of the bird into the central cavity  63  of the shackle. As the hanging box continues to articulate towards the first box position, each leg of the bird can be lowered into a respective slot  67  formed between the inner members  62  and the outer perimeter member  60  of the shackle  18 . The opposed sides  40  of the hanging box can rotate toward the first side position and the means for immobilizing  42  the legs of the bird can be moved from the second arm position to the first arm position, thereby releasing the hanging box&#39;s grasp on the bird and hanging the bird in the shackle. The picking line can then transport the bird through the processing facility for conventional processing. 
         [0044]    Although several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed hereinabove, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention, nor the claims which follow.