Abstract:
A hand-held bubble generating apparatus designed to mimic the appearance of a gun or a cannon. A housing may be coupled with a non-spill reservoir, and bubble generating liquid may be stored in the non-spill reservoir. A tube may communicate the bubble generating liquid from the reservoir to a bubble assembly support inside the housing. The bubble assembly support may hold a rotational bubble ring comprising a plurality of individual rings spaced about the outer circumference. When rotated proximate to and across a liquid dispensing section, each individual ring may receive enough bubble generating liquid to form a film across each ring. By rationing the amount of bubble liquid released on each individual ring, the device can incorporate a closed, non-spill reservoir. When air is generated and blown through the film of bubble generating liquid on each of the individual rings of the rotational bubble ring, bubbles are produced.

Description:
PRIORITY TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This utility applications claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/433,940, filed Jan. 18, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/582,761, filed Jan. 3, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a bubble generating apparatus, and more particularly, a bubble generating apparatus having a rotational bubble ring structure and a non-spill reservoir. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are many different types of known bubble generating mechanisms. In one approach, a film of bubble generating liquid is formed across one or more bubble rings and air is directed through the opening in each of the rings by a fan to form bubbles. Such an approach may be embodied in a variety of final products, such a stationary bubble machine or a hand-held apparatus. The final product may include a variety of components depending on various design requirements. Known bubble generating mechanisms generally include a reservoir of solution that allows the one or more bubble rings to be submersed into the bubble generating solution. However, these mechanisms require the solution reservoir to be open to the environment in order to allow the bubble rings to be submersed into the reservoir and form a film across the bubble rings. When the solution reservoir is open to the environment, the bubble generating solution can easily be spilled and wasted, which can cause internal corrosion or mechanical failures in the bubble generating apparatus, shortening the lifetime of the product. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed embodiments may comprise a bubble generating apparatus that may be a hand-held bubble generating apparatus or other type of apparatus. The apparatus may be designed to mimic the appearance of a gun, a cannon, or any other device that may be desired to generate bubbles. A housing may be coupled with a non-spill reservoir, and the bubble generating liquid may be stored in the non-spill reservoir. A tube or other device may communicate the bubble generating liquid from the reservoir to the bubble assembly support inside the housing. The bubble assembly support may hold a rotational bubble ring comprising a plurality of individual rings spaced about the outer circumference of the rotational bubble ring. When rotated proximate to and across a liquid dispensing section, each individual ring may receive only enough of the bubble generating liquid to form a film across each ring required to generate a bubble. By rationing the amount of bubble liquid released on each individual ring instead of submersing the individual rings within a bubble generating liquid reservoir, the device can incorporate a closed, non-spill reservoir. When air is generated and blown through the film of the bubble generating liquid on each of the individual rings of the rotational bubble ring, bubbles are produced. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bubble generating apparatus, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of a bubble generating apparatus of  FIG. 1  with a housing cut away to expose parts of the apparatus and a reservoir connected to the housing, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the bubble generating apparatus of  FIGS. 1-2  with the housing cut away to expose parts of the apparatus, motor covers cut away to expose parts of a bubble generating mechanism, and the reservoir removed to expose parts of a bubble generating mechanism, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the second motor housing of  FIGS. 1-3  cut away to expose parts of the bubble generating apparatus, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the bubble generating apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 7  with dimensions H and L depicted, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the bubble generating apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 7  with dimension W depicted, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of an internal configuration of a bubble generating apparatus, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of a motor housing of  FIG. 7  cut away to expose parts of the bubble generating apparatus, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the motor housing of the bubble generating apparatus of  FIGS. 7-8 , in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the motor housing of the bubble generating apparatus of  FIGS. 7-9 , in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the motor housing of the bubble generating apparatus of  FIG. 7-10 , in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bubble generating apparatus  1  comprising a housing  2 , a trigger  6 , a reservoir  11 , a liquid dispensing section  13 , a rotational ring structure  14 , and a vented protective cover  22 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bubble housing  2  and the reservoir  11  are designed to give the bubble generating apparatus  1  the appearance of a gun, although the bubble generating apparatus  1  may be designed to mimic a cannon or any other device desired to generate bubbles. In an exemplary embodiment of the housing  2 , the housing  2  may comprise a barrel section  2   b  and handle section  2   a  extending therefrom. In an embodiment, the bubble generating apparatus  1  may be designed to be stationary and may not include a handle section. The bubble generating apparatus  1  of  FIG. 1  will be described in more detail in  FIGS. 2-4 . 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the bubble generating apparatus  1  of  FIG. 1  with the housing  2  cut away to expose internal parts of the apparatus  1  and the reservoir  11  removably connected to the housing  2 .  FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the bubble generating apparatus  1  of  FIGS. 1-2  with first and second motor housings  7 ,  12  cut away to expose additional parts of the bubble generating apparatus  1  and the reservoir  11  cut away to expose components of the reservoir  11 , 
     The reservoir  11  may be configured to hold bubble generating liquid (not shown) and may be coupled with the housing  2  by a reservoir connector  10 . The reservoir  11  may be configured in a variety of shapes. For example, the reservoir  11  may be a cylindrical container as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , or may be any other shape as desired. In an embodiment, the reservoir  11  and the reservoir connector  10  may be disposed proximate to an opening  2   c  in the housing  2  and opposite the handle  2   a  of the housing  2 . The reservoir connector  10  may include one or more of a variety of coupling mechanisms for coupling the reservoir  11  to the housing  2 . In an exemplary embodiment, the reservoir connector  10  may include a threaded recessed area for receiving a corresponding threaded top portion of the reservoir  11 . It is to be appreciated that other suitable coupling mechanisms may be used, such as a mechanical latch or an interference fit. The reservoir connector  10  may be either integrally formed with or removably attached to the housing  2 . 
     When the reservoir  11  is coupled to the housing  2  via the reservoir connector  10 , the reservoir connector  10  may provide a cover over the reservoir  11  and cooperate with the reservoir  11  to provide a substantially enclosed space for retaining the bubble generating liquid within the reservoir  11 . The reservoir connector  10  may include one or more small openings (not shown) defined therein to allow for the withdrawal of the bubble generating liquid from the reservoir  11  and the drainage of the bubble generating liquid back into the reservoir  11 . In an embodiment, the small openings are formed discontinuously such that the drainage of the returning liquid into the reservoir  11  via a drain  23  does not interfere with the withdrawal of the liquid from the reservoir  11  via tubing  9 . A first end of the tubing  9  may extend into the reservoir  11  and into the bubble generating liquid (not shown). The tubing  9  may extend through the housing  2  to engage a first plurality of gears  19  located in the first motor housing  7  and may end at a second end of the tubing  9  proximate to the bubble generating dispensing section  13 . 
     The bubble generating dispensing section  13  may include internal conduits for allowing bubble generating liquid from the tubing  9  to pass through and be dispensed onto the rotational ring structure  14  to form bubbles. In an embodiment, the bubble generating dispensing section  13  may be integrally molded with the housing  2 . The bubble generating dispensing section  13  may be positioned near a front portion of the barrel  2   b  of the housing  2 . In another embodiment, the bubble generating dispensing section  13  may be a modular component of and removably attached to the housing  2 . The bubble generating dispensing section  13  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 4 . 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus  100  may include the trigger  6  extending from the handle section  2   a  of the housing  2 . The trigger  6  can be moved by pressure from the grasp of the person operating the apparatus  100  through a spring  6   b . In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  1  encloses the first motor housing  7  and the second motor housing  12 , which may each support an electric motor. The first motor housing  7  may enclose and support a first motor  7   a  and the second motor housing  12  may enclose and support a second motor  16 . In an embodiment, the motors  7   a ,  16  may be powered by a power source. In an embodiment, the power source may be batteries (not shown) housed in a battery compartment  4 , and when the trigger  6  is engaged, an electrode  5  may establish an electrical connection to the batteries to activate the electric motors  7   a ,  16 . 
     The rotational ring structure  14  may be located proximate to the second motor housing  12  at the front of the barrel section  2   b  of the housing  2 . Located within the housing  2 , the web-like vented protective cover  22  may be disposed between the rotational ring structure  14  and the second motor housing  12 , and the vented protective cover  22  may be configured to keep any external debris out of the internal compartments of the housing  2  of the bubble generating apparatus  1 . A fan  18  may be disposed within the second motor housing  12  and may be connected to the second motor  16  at a first end of the motor  16  proximate to the handle  2   a  of the housing  2 . A second plurality of gears  20  may be connected to the second motor  16  at a second end of the motor  16  proximate to the opening  2   c  of the housing  2 . In operation, the second motor  16  may simultaneously rotate the fan  18 , blowing air in an outward direction through the vented protective cover  22  and out of the opening  2   c  of the housing  2 , and rotate the second plurality of gears  20  effectuate a rotation of the rotational ring structure  14 . 
     The rotational ring structure  14  may be coupled to the second plurality of gears  20  at a central pivot  30  through the vented protective cover  22 , and a plurality of arms  32  may extend outwardly from the central pivot  30 . Individual bubble rings  34  may be disposed at the ends of the arms  32  and spaced circumferentially about the rotational ring structure  14  from each other. Each individual bubble ring  34  may be configured to include a plurality of radial ridges  36  operable to help evenly spread the bubble generating liquid across the opening of each ring  34  in order to create a film. In an embodiment, the ridges  36  extending radially from an inner edge of the ring  34  to an outer edge of the ring  34  may be disposed on a front surface of each ring  34  facing away from the interior of the housing  2 . In another embodiment, similar ridges  36  may be disposed on the front surface and a back surface of each ring  34  facing towards the interior of the housing  2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the ridges  36  may extend from a front surface, around an edge surface, and then to a back surface of each ring  34 . 
     It is to be appreciated that the number, size, and orientation of the individual bubble rings  34  may vary depending on the various design considerations of a specific embodiment of the bubble generating apparatus  1 . In one embodiment, the rotational ring structure  14  may comprise six individual bubble rings  34 , although in other embodiments, the rotational ring structure  14  may be configured with fewer or more individual rings  34  to allow for fewer or more bubbles. The size of the rings  34  may be varied to generate bubbles of different sizes. The orientation of the individual rings  34  may be varied depending on the desired directions of the bubble streams. 
     The bubble generating dispensing section  13  may include a plurality of liquid outlets  13   a  aligned along a substantially vertical axis proximate the rotational ring structure  14 . The bubble generating dispensing section  13  may be located at the front of the barrel of the housing  2  and may be operable to dispense bubble generating liquid via the plurality of liquid outlets  13   a  onto each of the individual bubble rings  34 . The rotational ring structure  14  may either be in direct contact with the bubble generating dispensing section  13  or close enough to the bubble generating dispensing section  13  so that the bubble generating liquid can be applied directly from the bubble generating dispensing section  13  via the plurality of liquid outlets  13   a  onto the individual bubble rings  34  on the rotational ring structure  14 . The proximity between the bubble generating dispensing section  13  and the rotational ring structure  14  may be configured to allow for a film of bubble generating liquid to form over the bubble rings  34  with minimized excess. In an embodiment, the plurality of liquid outlets  13   a  may be oriented to create a substantially uniform pressure across the bubble generating dispensing section  13 , which may further improve the control over the thickness of the film of liquid formed over the bubble rings  34  and reduce excess. 
     In an embodiment, the bubble generating dispensing section  13  may be disposed between the rotational ring structure  14  and the second motor housing  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bubble generating dispensing section  13  is disposed in front of the rotational ring structure  14  such that the rotational ring structure  14  is located between the second motor housing  12  and the bubble generating dispensing section  13 . 
       FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the second motor housing  12  of  FIGS. 1-3  cut away to expose internal components of the bubble generating apparatus. As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the second motor housing  12  may house the second motor  16 . The second motor  16  may drive the fan  18  at a first end of the second motor  16  and engage the second plurality of gears  20  at the second end of the second motor  16 . The vented protective cover  22  may be located at an end of the second motor housing  12  proximate the opening of the housing (not shown). The second plurality of gears  20  may be coupled with the rotational ring structure  14  through the vented protective cover  22 , and the rotational ring structure  14  may be located proximate to the liquid dispensing section  13 . The tubing  9  may communicate with the liquid dispensing section  13  and may be configured to dispose bubble generating liquid (not shown) via the plurality of liquid outlets  13   a  onto the individual rings of the rotational ring structure  14 , which results in bubbles  24  when the second motor  16  and the fan  18  are in operation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , in operation, when the trigger  6  is squeezed, the electrode  5  may activate the first motor  7   a  which may engage the first plurality of gears  19 . The first motor  7   a  may be configured to siphon the bubble generating liquid from the reservoir  11  through the tubing  9  and pump the bubble generating liquid through the tubing  9  to the bubble generating dispensing section  13 . 
     The bubble generating liquid may be dispensed through the plurality of liquid outlets  13   a  in the bubble generating dispensing section  13  and may be applied to the individual rings  34  on the rotational ring structure  14 . A predetermined amount of bubble generating liquid may be dispensed through the plurality of liquid outlets  13   a  and onto the individual rings  34  in order to create a film covering the individual rings  34 . In an embodiment, the predetermined amount is determined by the amount that would substantially reduce or prevent excess liquid from dripping off of the individual rings  34 . However, if excess bubble generating liquid is dispensed through the plurality of liquid outlets  13   a , the excess can drain through the drain  23 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , and back into the reservoir  11 . By having the discontinuous openings for the drain  23  and tubing  9  instead of an open top, proper liquid supply and drainage may be achieved while allowing the reservoir  11  to be substantially enclosed, thus preventing spills and mechanical failure. 
     While the first motor  7   a  is pumping the bubble generating liquid and applying the liquid to the individual rings  34 , the second motor  16  may engage the fan  18 , creating an air flow through the second motor housing  12 . The second electric motor  16  may be configured to blow air through the vented protective cover  22  and the rotational ring structure  14 , generating bubbles at the front of the barrel section  2   b  of the housing  2 . In addition, the second motor  16  may rotate the rotational ring structure  14  about the central pivot  30  across the bubble generating dispensing section  13  so that a film may be formed on the each consecutive individual ring  34 . So long as there is sufficient bubble generating liquid in the reservoir  11  and the batteries in the battery compartment  4  are charged and capable of powering the first motor  7   a  and the second motor  16  when the trigger  6  is engaged, a continuous stream of bubbles  24  may be created. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of an internal configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of a bubble generating apparatus  100 .  FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional side view of the bubble generating apparatus  100  of  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the bubble generating apparatus  100  of  FIGS. 7-8 .  FIG. 10  is a first perspective view of the bubble generating apparatus  100  of  FIGS. 7-9 .  FIG. 11  is a second perspective view of the bubble generating apparatus  100  of  FIGS. 7-10 . Although not shown in  FIGS. 7-11 , the bubble generating apparatus  100  may include a housing comprising a handle section, a barrel section, and an opening, and a reservoir, configured as shown in the embodiments in  FIGS. 1-4 . Descriptions of these elements with respect to the bubble generating apparatus  1  is incorporated by reference with respect to the bubble generating apparatus  100  and will not be repeated here. 
     The bubble generating apparatus  100  may comprise a trigger  106 , tubing  109 , and a motor  107   a  that may be surrounded by a motor housing  112 . In an embodiment, a first drive end of the motor  107   a  may be directed towards the rear, handle section (not shown) of the bubble generating apparatus  100  and may be coupled with a first plurality of gears  120  and a worm drive  121 . The first drive end of the motor  107   a  may be configured to turn the first plurality of gears  120  and the worm drive  121 . The worm drive  121  may be coupled with a second plurality of gears  119 . The first plurality of gears  120  and the second plurality of gears  119  may be surrounded by a gear housing  107 . 
     In an embodiment, a second drive end of the motor  107   a  may be directed towards an opening (not shown) in the front of the bubble generating apparatus  100  and may be coupled with a fan  118 . The second drive end of the motor  107   a  may be configured to rotate the fan  118 . A bubble generating dispensing section  113  may be located proximate to the fan  118 . A rotational ring structure  114  may be located proximate to the bubble generating dispensing section  113  and proximate to the opening in the front of the housing. The rotational ring structure  114  may comprise one or more individual bubble rings  134  that are connected to a center hub  133  of the rotational ring structure  114  with one or more connecting arms  132 . The rotational ring structure  114  may further comprise a circumferential gear  130  located about the outer circumference of the rotational ring structure  114 . The rotational ring structure  114  may either be in direct contact with the bubble generating dispensing section  113  or close enough to the bubble generating dispensing section  113  so that bubble generating liquid can be applied directly from the bubble generating dispensing section  113  via an outlet  113   a  onto the one or more individual bubble rings  134  on the rotational ring structure  114 . The proximity between the bubble generating dispensing section  113  and the rotational ring structure  114  may be configured to allow for a film of bubble generating liquid to form over the bubble rings  134  with minimized excess. 
     In an embodiment, it may be desirable to take advantage of the natural gravitational flow of liquid in the application of the bubble generating liquid from the outlet  113   a  onto the one or more individual bubble rings  134 . As such, the motor  107   a  may be configured to rotate the rotational ring structure  114  opposite the directional of the gravitational flow of the bubble generating liquid. For example, as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , when looking at the rotational ring structure  114  head on in the opening of the housing (not shown), the bubble generating dispensing section  113  may be positioned in the lower right hand quadrant of the opening. In this configuration, the motor  107   a  may turn the rotational ring structure  114  in a counter-clockwise direction. If the bubble generating dispensing section  113  were to be positioned in the lower left hand quadrant of the opening, the motor  107   a  may turn the rotational ring structure  114  in a clockwise direction. 
     A rod  126  may be coupled with the first plurality of gears  120  and may run the length of the motor housing  112  to a rotational ring drive gear  128  disposed proximate to the rotational ring structure  114 . The rotational ring drive gear  128  may be configured to mesh with the circumferential gear  130  located around the outer circumference of the rotational ring structure  114 . 
     In operation, when the trigger  106  is squeezed, power delivered through an electrode (not shown) may drive the motor  107   a , engaging the first plurality of gears  120  and the worm drive  121 , and the worm drive may engage the second plurality of gears  119 . The motor  107   a  and the second plurality of gears  119  may be configured to siphon bubble generating liquid from the reservoir (not shown) through the tubing  109  and pump the bubble generating liquid to the bubble generating dispensing section  113 . An amount of bubble generating liquid may be dispensed through the outlet  113   a  and onto the individual rings  134  of the rotational ring structure  114  in order to create a film covering each of the individual rings  134 . If an excess amount of bubble generating liquid were dispensed through the outlet  113   a  or if the bubble generating apparatus  100  were rotated 90 degrees vertically so that the opening (not shown) of the bubble generating apparatus  100  faces upwards, the excess liquid may drain to a trench  135  formed in each arm  132  of the rotational ring structure  114 . These trenches  135  may be designed to prevent excess liquid from spilling into the housing and may be configured to re-direct the excess liquid back to the individual rings  134 . 
     The motor  107   a  and the first plurality of gears  120  may be configured to rotate the rod  126 , which in turn may rotate the rotational ring drive gear  128 . The rotational ring drive gear  128  may be configured to mate with the circumferential gear  130  located about the outer circumference of the rotational ring structure  114  so that when the motor  107   a  runs, the first plurality of gears  120  rotate the rod  126 , which rotates the rotational drive gear  128 , which rotates the circumferential gear  130  and the rotational ring structure  114  in front of the bubble generating dispensing section  113 . When the rotational ring structure  114  is rotated proximate to the bubble generating dispensing section  113 , bubble generating liquid is dispensed through the outlet  113   a  onto each of the individual rings  134  of the rotational ring structure  114 . 
     When the motor  107   a  is pumping the bubble generating liquid with the second plurality of gears  119  to the bubble generating dispensing section  113  and rotating the rotational ring structure  114  with the first plurality of gears  120 , the motor  107   a  may also drive the fan  118 , creating an air flow through the motor housing  112 , from the rear of the bubble generating apparatus  100  to the opening (not shown) in the front of the bubble generating apparatus  100 . The fan  118  may be configured to blow air through the rotational ring structure  114 , generating bubbles at the front of the bubble generating apparatus  100 . 
     The motor  107   a  may have a safety mechanism  127  designed to prevent the motor  107   a  from overheating if the rotational ring structure  114  becomes stuck or otherwise stops rotating. As shown in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the safety mechanism  127  interconnects one of the first plurality of gears  120  and the rod  126  via friction. In the illustrated example, the safety mechanism may be a spring. In the event that the rotational ring structure  114  becomes stuck when the trigger  106  is engaged, the safety mechanism  127  would give away and become mechanically decoupled from the rod  126 . As such, the motor  107   a  may continue to drive rotation of the first plurality of gears  120  without rotating the rod  126  or the rotation ring structure  114 , thereby preventing the motor  107   a  from overheating. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a bubble generating apparatus  200  with dimensions H and L depicted.  FIG. 6  is a top view of the bubble generating apparatus  200  of  FIG. 5  with dimension W depicted, in accordance with the present disclosure. In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , novel dimensions may be shown. 
     In an embodiment, the height H of the bubble generating apparatus  200  may be between approximately 180 cm and 220 cm. More specifically, the height H of the bubble generating apparatus  200  may be between approximately 190 cm and 210 cm. Even more specifically, the height H of the bubble generating apparatus  200  may be approximately 200 cm. 
     In an embodiment, the length L of the bubble generating apparatus  200  may be between approximately 205 cm and 245 cm. More specifically, the length L of the bubble generating apparatus  200  may be between approximately 215 cm and 235 cm. Even more specifically, the length L of the bubble generating apparatus  200  may be approximately 225 cm. 
     In an embodiment, the width W of the bubble generating apparatus  200  may be between approximately 65 cm and 85 cm. More specifically, the width W of the bubble generating apparatus  200  may be between approximately 70 cm and 80 cm. Even more specifically, the width W of the bubble generating apparatus  200  may be approximately 75 cm. 
     The dimensions of the bubble generating apparatus  1  of  FIGS. 1-4  and the bubble generating apparatus  100  of  FIGS. 7-11  may be similar to or equal to the dimensions shown in the novel embodiments of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     While various embodiments in accordance with the disclosed principles have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and are not limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention(s) should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents issuing from this disclosure. Furthermore, the above advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages. 
     Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not to be construed as an admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings herein.