Abstract:
A display device is provided which comprises a support portion and an integral display portion constructed in such a manner that the portions are relatively movable, through a periscoping action of the display portion, between a planar configuration of the device wherein the display portion is substantially covered by the support portion, and an erected configuration of the device wherein the display portion extends upwardly from a support formed by the support portion. The display portion comprises a first end panel including a tongue which, in the erected configuration, extends through a central slot in the display portion and a base including shoulders disposed on opposite sides of the tongue. The support portion includes two pairs of serially arranged panels which, in the planar configuration, lie flat and overlie respective faces of the first end panel and which, in said erected configuration, form the support for the first end panel. An opposite end panel is secured to the first end panel. In one embodiment, the opposite end panel comprises folded over panels, one of which includes a notch in an edge adjacent to the fold line so that the end panels form a recessed pocket for a planar element such as a credit card.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/555,987, filed on Nov. 15, 1995. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to display devices including novelty items used, e.g., for promotional purposes and/or as items to be collected in sets, and, more particularly, to an erectable display device which provides for a periscoping action of a display portion or panel in erecting of the device from a planar configuration. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although the invention is clearly not limited to such an application, one application thereof is in connection with an erectable baseball card. In an earlier patent, U.S Pat. No. 5,259,133 (Burtch), in which one of the co-inventors here is the patentee, there is described a &#34;pop-up&#34; display device which includes an erectable pop-up display portion that is erectable from a planar configuration, in which the device resembles a baseball card or the like, to a display configuration or state wherein an action figure such as a baseball player &#34;pops up&#34; from the baseball &#34;card&#34; and is displayed. As explained in that patent, baseball cards are very popular in the United States and throughout the world, particularly with younger fans, and many of these fans also collect similar cards involving sports such as football, basketball, hockey and the like. Such sports cards are typically flat, i.e., two dimensional, cards containing a photograph of a particular player together with identifying information on one side and further information, such as the birth date, home town, team or teams played with, and playing records of the player, on the other side. The &#34;pop-up&#34; display device of this earlier patent provides added interest as compared with conventional cards because of the pop-up feature. 
     As indicated above and explained in more detail below, the present invention generally relates to a display device which provides a periscoping action in the transformation thereof from a flat configuration to an erected, display configuration wherein a display portion or panel is supported by an erectable base. Patents of interest with respect to display structures including related base constructions include the following: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,142,826 (Rosello); 3,226,863 (Southard); 2,449,911 (Roth); 2,311,218 (Fandrich); 2,530,950 (Ebert et al); 3,092,051 (Nichols); 2,720,046 (Decker) and U.K. Patent No. 881,755 (Stubbs). The U.K. (Stubbs) patent discloses an erectable display device including a display portion that undergoes a periscoping action when the device is erected from a flat configuration to a display configuration. In general, the other patents disclose display structures including a base in the form of an isosceles triangle in end view and including central upright support elements (e.g., the Rosello and Nichols patents), and/or which define a slot or opening (e.g., the Roth, Decker and Fandrich patents), adapted to support an advertising display member, e.g., a display card or the like (or in the case of the Nichols patent, a calendar pad). In the display device of the Ebert et. al. patent, an upright element defines a &#34;poster&#34; while in the Southard patent an easel-type support is provided which includes an extendable and retractable &#34;tab.&#34; A further patent of general interest is U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,641 (Showers) which relates to a collectible card device including a sliding insert. 
     As discussed below, a further aspect of the invention concerns the provision of a display device which, in addition to serving as a display function, also acts as a package or covering for a substantially flat or planar element to be displayed, such as a compact disc. Representative patents relating to such packages include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,229 (Bernstein); 5,460,265 (Kiolbasa); 4,709,812 (Kosterka); 5,085,318 (Leverick) and 5,101,973 (Martinez). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, a display device is provided which is convertible through a periscoping action between a generally flat or planar configuration wherein the device is in the nature of a card or flat package and can, for example, include the &#34;information&#34; (player photograph, statistics and so on) found on a baseball card, and an erected configuration wherein a display member or panel is supported by a base structure formed by the remainder of the card and presents other &#34;information&#34; or the like which was previously hidden from view. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a display device is provided which comprises a support portion and an integral display portion adjoined to the support portion, the display and support portions being relatively movable between a first, planar configuration wherein the display portion is substantially covered by the support portion, and a second, erected configuration wherein the display portion extends upwardly from a base formed by the support portion, the support portion including first and second pairs of serially arranged panels defined by fold lines and formed integrally with the display portion so that in the planar configuration said pairs of panels lie flat and overlie respective faces of the display portion and so that in the erected configuration the pairs of panels are disposed at an angle to form said base for the display portion, adjacent panels of said pairs of panels being joined along a central fold line having a central opening therein through which the display portion periscopes during said relative movement of the display and support portions from said planar configuration to the erected configuration, non-adjacent panels of the pairs of panels lying flat on a supporting surface in the erected configuration of the device, and the device including retaining means for retaining the device in the erected configuration upon movement thereof to the erected configuration from the planar configuration. 
     Preferably, the display portion comprises a first display panel including a tongue portion and a base portion including shoulders disposed on opposite sides of the tongue portion. In a preferred embodiment, the display portion further includes an end panel joined to one panel of said pairs of panels along a further fold line and secured to the display panel. Advantageously, the end panel is secured to the base portion of the display panel. 
     The retaining means preferably includes a portion of said opening. Advantageously, the opening comprises a slot and the retaining means includes slits of narrower width than the slot formed at opposite ends of the slot. Preferably, the retaining means includes lateral portions of the display portion which engage in said slits. The lateral portions advantageously comprise oppositely extending, laterally projecting web portions formed between the tongue portion and base portion of the display panel. 
     In a preferred embodiment, one or more panels of the support portion of the device include wing portions or &#34;wings&#34; which project laterally of the assembled, erected device. This embodiment provides additional interest and appeal over an embodiment not including such wings. 
     In another implementation which can incorporation either of the embodiments discussed above, i.e., embodiments with and without &#34;wings,&#34; the display portion is used to mount one or more planar objects such as a diskette, credit card, compact disc, and the like so that the element is displayed in the erected configuration of the device and is covered and stored, as in a package, in the collapsed configuration. In one embodiment of this implementation, a retainer band is provided in the display portion while in another embodiment, a display panel and an end panel of the display portion are selectively affixed together to form a pocket for the planar element. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a display device is provided which comprises a support portion and an integral display portion adjoined to the support portion, the display and support portions being relatively movable between a first, planar configuration wherein the display portion is substantially covered by said support portion, and a second, erected configuration wherein the display portion extends upwardly from a base formed by the support portion, the support portion including first and second pairs of serially arranged panels defined by fold lines and formed integrally with the display portion so that in said planar configuration the pairs of panels lie flat and overlie respective faces of the display portion and so that in the erected configuration the pairs of panels are disposed at an angle to form the base for the display portion, adjacent panels of the pairs of panels being joined along a central fold line having a central opening therein through which the display portion periscopes during said relative movement of the display and support portions from the planar configuration to the erected configuration, the display portion comprising a first end panel including a tongue portion which projects upwardly through said opening in the erected configuration of the device and a second end panel joined to one panel of said pairs of panels along a further fold line and secured to said first end panel, said second end panel comprising a pair of further panels folded one over the other along a common fold line and secured together in registration with one another, one panel of said pair of further panels including an opening in a edge thereof adjacent to said common fold line forming a recess, said recess being disposed between the other panel of said pair of further panels and said first end panel so as to receive a planar element to be displayed. 
     In one embodiment wherein, the planar element is circular in shape such as compact disc, the recess preferably has a shape of a sector of a circle. Advantageously, the other panel of said pair of further panels includes an embossed line of a shape of a segment of a circle in registration with the sector-shaped recess. 
     In a preferred embodiment, at least one panel of said pairs of panels includes a projecting wing portion disposed between spaced parts of a respective fold line between the at least one panel and an adjacent panel of the corresponding pair of panels, said wing portion extending laterally from said base in the erected configuration of said device. 
     In accordance with a related aspect of the invention to that described in the immediately preceding paragraphs, a blank is provided for a display device, the blank comprising a first end portion comprising a tongue portion and a base portion extending outwardly on both sides of said tongue portion to form shoulders, first, second, third, fourth and fifth intermediate panels formed integrally with said first end portion and arranged in serial relation, and a second end portion at the opposite end of said blank and formed integrally with said fifth intermediate panel, said intermediate panels being defined by respective fold lines between adjacent panels, said first panel being disposed adjacent said display portion and being separated therefrom by a further fold line, said second and third panels including a common opening therein formed along a fold line between said second and third panels and disposed centrally of said fold line between said third and fourth panels, said second end portion comprising first and second end panels joined together along an end panel fold line, said first end panel comprising a distal end panel and including a further opening therein terminating at said end panel fold line. 
     Preferably, the end panel fold line is discontinuous and includes first and second spaced portions and the opening is disposed centrally between the spaced portions of the end panel fold line. 
     In an embodiment used to assemble a display device for displaying a circular planar element such as a compact disc, the further opening is of a shape of a sector of circle. Preferably, the second end panel includes an embossed line of a shape of a segment of a circle in registration with the further opening. 
     Again, in a preferred embodiment, at least one of said first and fourth panels includes a precut wing portion formed between spaced portions of a discontinuous fold line between the at least one panel and an adjacent panel, the wing portion projecting beyond said discontinuous fold line towards said common opening. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in, or apparent from, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank constructed in accordance with a first, preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing two steps in the assembly of the display device of this embodiment from the blank of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an end elevational view showing the assembled device in the erected configuration, with intermediate configurations being shown in dashed lines; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of the assembled device in the flat or planar configuration; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank constructed in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the assembled display device of this embodiment in the erected configuration thereof, with an intermediate configuration shown in dashed lines; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the assembled display device of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view of the device of FIGS. 7 and 8, in the planar configuration thereof; 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view, similar to FIG. 1, of a display device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views showing two steps in the assembly of the display device from the blank 1 of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of the assembled device of FIGS. 10 to 12 in the erected or display configuration thereof; 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view of the assembled device in the planar or collapsed configuration thereof; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a display device in accordance with a still further embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a plan view of a blank for yet another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 are a side elevational view, an end elevational view, and a partially broken away top plan view, respectively, of a further embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 20 is a plan view of a blank used in constructing a display device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIGS. 21 and 22 are a side elevational view and a partially broken away plan view, respectively, of the assembled device of the embodiment of FIG. 20. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a first preferred embodiment of the display device of the invention is shown. FIG. 1 illustrates the blank 10 from which the display device is made and, as shown, blank 10 includes a display portion or panel 12 including an elongate tongue portion 12a, which is more narrow in width than the remainder of the blank 10, and a base portion 12b which extends the full width of the blank 10 so as to form shoulders 12c on opposite sides of tongue portion 12a. A series of five rectangular panels 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 are formed or defined by respective fold lines 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21, as illustrated. A slot or elongate opening 24 is formed centrally along fold line 17 between panels 16 and 18 and is a width to permit tongue portion 12a to be inserted therethrough. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, two steps in the assembly from blank 10 of the display device of this embodiment are shown. As illustrated, the blank 10 is folded along the various fold lines referred to above and the end opposite to tongue portion 12a, i.e., that formed by panel 22, is brought toward and over tongue portion 12a so that tongue portion 12a can be inserted through slot 24. End panel 22 is then brought into registration with the base portion 12b of display panel 12, and adhered thereto, as shown in FIG. 4, such as by gluing. 
     Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the assembled display device shown in the two operative or end configurations thereof. Although it will be appreciated that the designation of one configuration as the first configuration is arbitrary, in the first or closed configuration shown in FIG. 5, the display device assumes a flat or planar configuration so as to resemble a flat card or the like. In this configuration the display panel 12 including tongue portion 12a is substantially completely covered by the remainder of the device and, in particular, the information carrying side or surface of tongue portion 12a is covered by panels 14 and 16. As shown, the tip of tongue portion 12a extends out of slot 24 above panel 16 and thus enables tongue portion 12a to be gripped by the fingers. 
     Turning now to the second, display configuration, by holding on to the exposed tip of tongue portion 12a and pushing panels 14 and 16 and opposed panels 18 and 20 downwardly as indicated in dashed lines in FIG. 4, the panels are brought into the position or configuration shown in solid lines in FIG. 4. In this configuration, adjoining edges of panels 16 and 18 rest at fold line 17 on the base formed by shoulders 12c of base portion 12b of panel 12 and by the panel 22 secured to base portion 12b. This base thus serves as an end stop for the movement of the panels. It will be appreciated that display panel 12 performs what can be termed a periscoping movement up through slot 24 until tongue portion 12a is fully exposed. It will be appreciated that in this position, i.e., in the erected configuration of FIG. 4, panels 14, 16 and 18, 20 form a stand or support base for display panel 12. 
     It will be understood that the names &#34;display&#34; portion and &#34;support&#34; portion are not meant to exclusively define the functions of the two portions 10 and 12 and that, for example, the support portion also serves as a display function. As shown in FIG. 5, the panels 14 and 16 can both contain &#34;information&#34; which is visible, i.e., is displayed, in the planar configuration of the device, and that the &#34;information&#34; displayed by panel 16 is also visible in the erected configuration of FIG. 4. It will also be understood where the device is used, for example, as a giveaway item to promote a product, that this &#34;information&#34; can take the form of a product name, advertising copy, pictures or photographs of the product (or of the product in use) and so on. Of course, the display device can be used in many other ways, including, for example, as an erectable sports card (e.g., a baseball card) wherein a player would be depicted and relevant statistics set out on the card. The tongue portion 12a could include an action photograph of a player printed thereon or separately affixed thereto and could be cut out or shaped so as to, e.g., follow the outline of the player as depicted in action. 
     Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, a second preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. FIG. 6 illustrates the blank used in this embodiment and because the basic overall blank is similar to that of FIG. 1 corresponding elements have been given the same reference numerals preceded by a &#34;1&#34; so that, e.g., the blank is designated 110 and the display panel is designated 112. The chief difference between the two embodiments is that additional precut portions are provided in the blank 110 of FIG. 6. Specifically, the simple fold lines 15 between panels 14 and 16 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 are replaced in FIG. 6 with a central cut line portion 115a with fold lines 115b on opposite sides thereof. The cut line portion 115a forms a shaped projecting tab or wing 114a which extends or projects from panel 114 into what would be panel 16 in the embodiment of FIG. 1. Further, a gripping notch or recess 116a is provided in panel 116 adjacent the center of tongue 114a. Similarly, panel 120 includes a wing portion 120a formed by a precut line 119a and adjacent panel 118 includes a gripping notch 118a, as illustrated. 
     In addition, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, in place of slot 24 of FIG. 1, two gripping slots 124a and 124b are formed along fold line 117 and the fold line is cut at a section thereof between slots 124a and 124b to form a slit denoted 117a. 
     The method of assembly of the display device of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 9 is essentially the same as discussed above wherein tongue 112a is inserted through the opening provided by slots 124a and 124b and connecting slit 117a, and the end panel 122 is secured, e.g., by an adhesive provided thereon or by gluing, to the base portion 112b of panel 112. 
     The final product is illustrated in its erected configuration in FIGS. 7 and 8 and, as indicated, the salient feature of this embodiment is that tabs or wings 114a or 120a separate from panels 116 and 118 and extend outwardly on opposite sides of the display device in plane of panels 114 and 120 so as to rest on the support surface for the device. This arrangement provides an additional exposed flat areas, viz., the upper facing surfaces of tabs 114a and 120a, on which to provide information of various kinds. The device can, of course, be made to assume the planar configuration shown in FIG. 9 by a &#34;down periscope&#34; action produced by relative movement of the display and support portions, wherein tongue portion 112a is drawn down into the opening provided by slots 124a and 124b and slit 117a. 
     Of course, the applications and variations discussed above relative to FIGS. 1 to 5 also apply to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 9. It will be appreciated that the additional exposed areas provided by laterally extending tabs or wings 114a and 120a provide additional interest as well as additional information space. 
     Referring to FIGS. 10 to 14, a further embodiment of the invention is shown. This embodiment and those described hereinafter are similar to the preceding figures but instead of displaying only the information printed on the periscoping display portion of the device (e.g., on the display panel 12) also display a planar element or elements mounted on or otherwise secured to this display portion. There are, of course, many examples of planar elements that could be so displayed including credit cards, telephone calling cards, compact discs, diskettes of various types, promotional items (including other, smaller &#34;pop-up&#34; devices), samples of flat objects or items, flat packages of a sample product such as a sachet, and the like. 
     The specific implementation illustrated in FIG. 11 to 14 is similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 5, although it will be appreciated that this embodiment could also be implemented in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 9. In FIGS. 10 to 14, end panel 22 is of the same width as the tongue portion 12a of panel 12 and is of a trapezoidal shape including lateral edges 22 and a slanted or inclined distal edge 22b which forms an angle with fold line 21. Panel 22 is glued to panel 12 along both the lateral edges 12a so as to form a pocket, as best seen in FIG. 14, for receiving a planar element such as the credit card, denoted CC, shown in that figure. 
     Slot 24 is, of course, made wide enough to accommodate the combined double thickness of panels 12 and 22. In this embodiment, the opening provided by slot 24 includes slits 24a at opposite ends thereof which engage the sides of display panel 12. Further, in this embodiment, retaining tabs or webs 12d are formed on opposite sides of the tongue member 12a between the base of tongue member 12a and the shoulders 12c of base portion 12b, as perhaps can best be seen in FIG. 10. These tabs 12d engage in slits 24a in the erected configuration of the device shown in solid lines in FIG. 13 so as to retain the device in that configuration. 
     The operation of the device of FIGS. 10 to 14 is basically the same as that described above, with the credit card CC or other planar element being displayed in the erected configuration and being hidden from view in the planar configuration so that the device acts as a package, container or covering arrangement for the credit card CC or other planar element carried thereby. 
     Referring to FIG. 15, a further embodiment of the invention is shown which is similar to that of FIGS. 10 to 14 but in which the distal edge 22b of end panel 22 is straight across rather than slanted or angled. Again, panels 12 and 22 form a pocket in which, in the illustrated example, a compact disc, denoted CD is received. 
     Referring to FIG. 16, a blank for yet another embodiment is illustrated. This embodiment is similar to that of FIG. 15 but includes some differences and one additional feature. In this embodiment, end panel 22 is made longer than display panel 12 (compare with FIG. 10) so that the end panel 22 would serve as the backing for the pocket formed by the two panels 12 and 22. Further, slits 24a are eliminated and slot 24 includes tapered ends which terminate in points for engagement with engagement tabs 12d. In addition, end panel 22 is provided with a tongue portion 22c and a base portion 22d the latter of which registers or mates with the base portion 12b of display panel 12 in the fully assembled device, in a similar manner to the end panel 22 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to 5. An additional feature concerns the provision of semi-circular embossed lines 26 and 28 on panels 12 and 22, respectively, i.e., lines that have been &#34;bumped up&#34; from the plane of the blank in the shape of the pocket to be formed, by an embossing, stamping or like process, so as to provide a space for receiving a planar element such as the compact disc CD. More generally, in each of the embodiments wherein a pocket or the like is formed, one or more of such embossed lines is preferably provided so as to create a space between panels 12 and 22 for receiving the planar element. This permits the element to be inserted into the &#34;package&#34; formed by the device in the planar configuration of the device by simply dropping or otherwise inserting the element down into the package from the top. 
     It will, of course, be understood that each of the embodiments of FIGS. 10 to 14, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are equally applicable to the &#34;butterfly&#34; configuration of FIGS. 6 to 9. Moreover, the latter configuration can provide additional advantages. For example, an evident advantage is the more interesting appearance provided while a less evident feature is the self-locking action or snap-fit provided by the wings, in the planar configuration, particularly where the device is made of a heavy cardboard or a styrofoam laminate which has a memory and thus will provide a tight fit when compressed. When the device is so constructed the wings, when pressed back into place in the planar configuration, provide a tight fit with the remainder of the device and thus firmly hold the device in this planar or collapsed configuration. 
     Referring to FIGS. 17 to 19, yet anther embodiment of the invention is shown which, in this example, is applied to the basic &#34;butterfly&#34; embodiment or implementation of FIG. 6 to 9 (but is also applicable to the embodiment of FIG. 1 to 5). In this embodiment, the basic display device, denoted 110, is formed and assembled in the same way as that of FIGS. 6 to 9, except that a retaining or holding strap or band 126 is created in tongue portion 112a of display panel 112 by two parallel inclined slits 126a and 126b provided in that panel. Retaining strap or band 126 thus enables a planar element, represented here by a credit card CC, to be retained and displayed in the display configuration and to be stored away out of sight, in the package formed by the device, in the planar configuration of the device. 
     Referring to FIGS. 20 to 22, a further embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 20, one of end panels 12 is formed so as to create two separate panels denoted 30 and 32. The outermost panel 32 includes a main portion 32a which terminates in lateral shoulders 32b, and which includes a central opening or notch 32c in the shape of a sector of a circle. The straight side of opening 32c abuts against a fold line 34 between panels 30 and 32. As shown, innermost panel 30 is the mirror image of outermost panel 32 and, in this regard, includes a main portion 30a and lateral shoulders 30b. However, panel 30 does not include an opening therein. Panel 30 does include an embossed line 30c of a circular segment shape similar to that of the curved edge of opening 32c in panel 32. Panel 30 also includes projections or tabs 30d adjacent to shoulders 30b. 
     The remainder of the blank for this embodiment is otherwise similar to those of previous embodiments and in the specific implementation illustrated is of the &#34;butterfly&#34; construction of FIGS. 6 to 9. As shown, the other end panel 22 includes a tongue portion 22a and shoulders 22b. 
     In assembling the device of FIGS. 20 to 22, outer panel 32 is folded over onto panel 30 around fold line 34 so the shoulders 30b and 32b are in registration. As in the embodiments described above, particularly in connection with FIGS. 1 to 5, the combination of panels 30 and 32 is joined to the other end panel 22 after the tongue portion 22a thereof is inserted through opening 17. Panel 32 is folded in a direction such that panel 30 is on the outside thereof as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. As shown in these figures, panels 30, 32 and panel 22 form a pocket, indicated at 36 in FIG. 22, with panels 30 and 22 providing the walls of pocket 36 and the opening 32c creating a space between these walls. Thus, this arrangement permits a compact disc, denoted CD (or another planar element or elements as described above), to be fit into pocket 36 and, in accordance with an important feature thereof, permits the planar element CD to be readily inserted or loaded, by an automatic inserting machine, from the outside. The use of such a machine is critical in a mass production operation, and the extra space or room in pocket 36 provided by opening 32c for receiving the planar element, as opposed to the directly or nearly directly contacting walls of previous embodiments, can be essential to such an operation. 
     Although the present invention has been described relative to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be effected in these exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.