Abstract:
A replacement component for printing operations that includes a recess that is adapted to be engaged by a projection of a replacement component holder associated with a printing apparatus to mount the replacement component to the replacement component holder, the replacement component also including an actuatable release adapted to operatively contact at least one of the projection and the recess to substantially disengage the projection from the recess. The invention also includes a method of manipulating the extraction force associated with a replacement component of an inkjet printer comprising the step of displacing a retainer operative to maintain the relative position of a first printing apparatus component with respect to a second printing apparatus component by selectively contacting a mechanical release therewith to disengage the retainer and thereby allowing the first printing apparatus component to be repositioned with respect to the second printing apparatus component, wherein the mechanical release is associated with one of the first printing apparatus component and the second printing apparatus component.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to engagement and disengagement mechanisms for replaceable components and, more specifically, to engagement and disengagement mechanisms incorporated into printing apparatus components. In addition, the invention relates to improving the customer experience when installing and removing replaceable ink tanks in either an on-carrier or off-carrier system. 
   2. Background of the Invention 
   Inkjet ink reservoirs are usually a separate ink tank or part of a disposable printhead. A removable ink tank should be relatively easy for end users to install and remove when replacement is warranted. The forces associated with removal and insertion of the ink tanks and replacement printheads are commonly referred to as the human factor limits. Forces outside of the human factors limits are considered undesirable from a customer satisfaction perspective correlating to ease of use. 
   Ink tank retention features, electrical connections, and fluidic connections are generally with the printhead, the carrier, or the off-carrier receptacle. Snaps or detents are generally employed as retention features, which can cause difficulty in installing or removing tanks due to substantial insertion and removal forces. Latch forces need to be high enough to counteract any handling, dynamic motion, fluid connection, memory module, or spring assist ejection forces. 
     FIG. 9  shows a prior art depiction of a detent system  100 . During insertion, the detents  102  are forced out of the way by the tank  104 . The insertion ramp  106  and spring geometry help minimize the insertion forces to latch the tank  104  in place. The forces involved in the interface area  108  are not affected by the ramp  106 . The additional forces in this area are due to memory module connections, fluidic connections, and any tank release springs (not shown). These additional forces are important in sizing the amount of force that will be necessary for tank removal. The latch force must be higher than these forces to make sure the tank  104  does not pop out of the tank receptacle  110 . 
     FIG. 10  depicts a prior art graphical representation showing insertion forces/extraction forces versus tank distance. Zero distance denotes the position of the tank being received within the receptacle, which can be part of the printhead, the carrier, or the off-carrier containment system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to engagement and disengagement mechanisms for replaceable components, and more specifically to engagement and disengagement mechanisms incorporated with printing apparatus components. In addition, the invention relates to improving the customer experience when installing and removing replaceable ink tanks in either an on-carrier or off-carrier system. 
   It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a replacement component for printing operations that includes a recess that is adapted to be engaged by a projection of a replacement component holder associated with a printing apparatus to mount the replacement component to the replacement component holder, the replacement component also including an actuatable release adapted to operatively contact at least one of the projection and the recess to substantially disengage the projection from the recess. 
   In a more detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the replacement component comprises at least one of an ink tank and a printhead. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the release is slidably repositionable with respect to the replacement component. In a further detailed embodiment, the release is slidably repositionable between a first position and a second position, the first position is adapted to not substantially disengage the projection from the recess, and the second position is adapted to substantially disengage the projection from the recess. In still a further detailed embodiment, the release is biased to the first position. In a more detailed embodiment, the release includes a handle adapted to be gripped during replacement of the replacement component, where the handle is vertically repositionable and operative to move the release between the first position and the second position. In a more detailed embodiment, one of the recess and the projection is biased toward the other. In another more detailed embodiment, the release is adapted to be repositioned in a first direction and the replacement component is adapted to be removed from the replacement component holder in the first direction. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the release includes a handle adapted to be finger gripped by a user and pulled in the first direction to remove the replacement component from the replacement component holder. In still another more detailed embodiment, the release is pivotally repositionable with respect to the replacement component. 
   In yet another more detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the release is pivotally repositionable between a first position and a second position, the first position is adapted to not substantially disengage the projection from the recess, and the second position is adapted to substantially disengage the projection from the recess. In a further detailed embodiment, the release includes a handle adapted to be gripped during replacement of the replacement component, where the handle is pivotally repositionable and operative to move the release between the first position and the second position. 
   It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a replacement component for printing operations that includes a projection that is adapted to be engaged by a recess of a replacement component holder of a printing apparatus to mount the replacement component to the replacement component holder, the replacement component also including a release adapted to operatively contact at least one of the projection and the recess to substantially disengage the projection from the recess prior to removal of the replacement component from the replacement component holder. 
   In a more detailed embodiment of the second aspect, the replacement component comprises at least one of an ink tank and a printhead. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the release is slidably repositionable with respect to the replacement component. In a further detailed embodiment, the release is slidably repositionable between a first position and a second position, the first position is adapted to not substantially disengage the projection from the recess, and the second position is adapted to substantially disengage the projection from the recess. In still a further detailed embodiment, the release is biased to the first position. In a more detailed embodiment, the release includes a handle adapted to be gripped during replacement of the replacement component, where the handle is vertically repositionable and operative to move the release between the first position and the second position. In a more detailed embodiment, one of the recess and the projection is biased toward the other. In another more detailed embodiment, the release is adapted to be repositioned in a first direction and the replacement component is adapted to be removed from the replacement component holder in the first direction. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the release includes a handle adapted to be finger gripped by a user and pulled in the first direction to remove the replacement component from the replacement component holder. In still another more detailed embodiment, the release is pivotally repositionable with respect to the replacement component. 
   In yet another more detailed embodiment of the second aspect, the release is pivotally repositionable between a first position and a second position, the first position is adapted to not substantially disengage the projection from the recess, and the second position is adapted to substantially disengage the projection from the recess. In still another more detailed embodiment, the release is biased to the first position. In a further detailed embodiment, the release includes a handle adapted to be gripped during replacement of the replacement component, where the handle is pivotally repositionable and operative to move the release between the first position and the second position. 
   It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide an inkjet assembly comprising: (a) an ink reservoir; and (b) an ink reservoir holder of an inkjet printing apparatus, where one of the ink reservoir and the ink reservoir holder includes a projection, while the other of the ink reservoir and the ink reservoir holder includes a recess that is adapted to be engaged by the projection to mount the ink reservoir to the ink reservoir holder, and where one of the ink reservoir and the ink reservoir holder includes a release adapted to operatively contact at least one of the projection and the recess to substantially disengage the projection from the recess prior to removal of the ink reservoir from the ink reservoir holder. 
   In a more detailed embodiment of the third aspect, the ink reservoir is mounted to a printhead. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the release is adapted to be repositioned in a first direction and the ink reservoir is adapted to be removed from the ink reservoir holder in the first direction. In a further detailed embodiment, the release includes a handle adapted to be finger gripped by a user and pulled in the first direction to remove the ink reservoir from the ink reservoir holder. In still a further detailed embodiment, the ink reservoir includes the projection, the ink reservoir holder includes the recess, and the ink reservoir holder includes the release. In a more detailed embodiment, the release is slidably repositionable with respect to the ink reservoir holder. In a more detailed embodiment, the release is slidably repositionable between a first position and a second position, the first position is adapted to not substantially disengage the projection from the recess, and the second position is adapted to substantially disengage the projection from the recess. In another more detailed embodiment, the release is biased to the first position. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the release includes a handle adapted to be gripped during replacement of the ink reservoir, where the handle is repositionable and operative to move the release between the first position and the second position. In still another more detailed embodiment, one of the recess and the projection is biased toward the other. 
   In yet another more detailed embodiment of the third aspect, the release is pivotally repositionable with respect to the ink reservoir holder. In still another more detailed embodiment, the release is pivotally repositionable between a first position and a second position, the first position is adapted to not substantially disengage the projection from the recess, and the second position is adapted to substantially disengage the projection from the recess. In still a further detailed embodiment, the release includes a handle adapted to be gripped during replacement of the ink reservoir, where the handle is pivotally repositionable and operative to move the release between the first position and the second position. In a more detailed embodiment, the ink reservoir includes the recess, the ink reservoir holder includes the projection, and the ink reservoir holder includes the release. In another more detailed embodiment, the release is slidably repositionable with respect to the ink reservoir holder. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the release is slidably repositionable between a first position and a second position, the first position is adapted to not substantially disengage the projection from the recess, and the second position is adapted to substantially disengage the projection from the recess. 
   In yet another more detailed embodiment of the third aspect, the release includes a handle adapted to be gripped during replacement of the ink reservoir, where the handle is repositionable and operative to move the release between the first position and the second position. In a further detailed embodiment, the release is pivotally repositionable with respect to the ink reservoir holder. In still a further detailed embodiment, the release is pivotally repositionable between a first position and a second position, the first position is adapted to not substantially disengage the projection from the recess, and the second position is adapted to substantially disengage the projection from the recess. In a more detailed embodiment, the release includes a handle adapted to be gripped during replacement of the ink reservoir, where the handle is pivotally repositionable and operative to move the release between the first position and the second position. 
   It is a fourth aspect of the present invention to provide a retention and release mechanism for mounting a first constituent of a printing apparatus component to a second constituent of a printing apparatus component comprising: (a) a first printing apparatus coupling component including one of a first constituent and a second constituent; (b) a second printing apparatus coupling component including the other of the first constituent and the second constituent; and (c) a release component associated with at least one of the first coupling component and the second coupling component, where interaction between the first constituent to the second constituent is operative to mount the first printing apparatus coupling component to the second printing apparatus coupling component, and where the release component is adapted to be repositioned to operatively contact at least one of the first constituent and the second constituent to reposition the first constituent with respect to the second constituent, thereby allowing the first constituent to be disengaged from the second constituent and allowing the first printing apparatus coupling component to be disengaged from the second printing apparatus coupling component. 
   In a more detailed embodiment of the fourth aspect, the first printing apparatus coupling component includes an appendage, the second printing apparatus coupling component includes a concavity, the first printing apparatus coupling component includes the first constituent, the second printing apparatus coupling component includes the second constituent, and the release component is associated with the first printing apparatus coupling component. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the first printing apparatus coupling component includes an ink reservoir, and the second printing apparatus coupling component includes an ink reservoir receptacle. In a further detailed embodiment, the first printing apparatus coupling component includes a concavity, the second printing apparatus coupling component includes an appendage, the first printing apparatus coupling component includes the second constituent, the second printing apparatus coupling component includes the first constituent, and the release component is associated with the first printing apparatus coupling component. In still a further detailed embodiment, the first printing apparatus coupling component includes an appendage, the second printing apparatus coupling component includes a concavity, the first printing apparatus coupling component includes the first constituent, the second printing apparatus coupling component includes the second constituent, and the release component is associated with the second printing apparatus coupling component. In a more detailed embodiment, the second printing apparatus coupling component includes an ink reservoir receptacle, and the first printing apparatus coupling component includes an ink reservoir. In a more detailed embodiment, the first printing apparatus coupling component includes a concavity, the second printing apparatus coupling component includes an appendage, the first printing apparatus coupling component includes the second constituent, the second printing apparatus coupling component includes the first constituent, and the release component is associated with the second printing apparatus coupling component. 
   It is a fifth aspect of the present invention to provide a method of manipulating the extraction force associated with a replacement component of an inkjet printing apparatus, the method comprising the step of displacing a retainer operative to maintain the relative position of a first printing apparatus component with respect to a second printing apparatus component by selectively contacting a mechanical release therewith to disengage the retainer and thereby allowing the first printing apparatus component to be repositioned with respect to the second printing apparatus component, where the mechanical release is associated with one of the first printing apparatus component and the second printing apparatus component. 
   In a more detailed embodiment of the fifth aspect, the displacing step includes the step of displacing the retainer in a first direction allowing removal of the first printing apparatus component from the second printing apparatus component. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the retainer includes a handle adapted to be finger gripped by a user and pulled in the first direction to remove the first printing apparatus component from the second printing apparatus component. In a further detailed embodiment, the retainer includes a projection associated with the second printing apparatus component, and the mechanical release is associated with the first printing apparatus component, where the first printing apparatus component includes a recess operative to receive the projection therein. In still a further detailed embodiment, the mechanical release slides with respect to the first printing apparatus component. In a more detailed embodiment, the mechanical release pivots with respect to the first printing apparatus component. In a more detailed embodiment, the first printing apparatus component includes an ink reservoir, and the second printing apparatus component includes an ink reservoir receptacle. In another more detailed embodiment, the mechanical release is associated with the second printing apparatus component, and the retainer includes a projection associated with the second printing apparatus component and a recess associated with the first printing apparatus component operative to receive the projection therein. 
   In yet another more detailed embodiment of the fifth aspect, the mechanical release is associated with the first printing apparatus component, and the retainer includes a projection associated with the first printing apparatus component and a recess associated with the second printing apparatus component operative to receive the projection therein. In a further detailed embodiment, the mechanical release is associated with the second printing apparatus component, and the retainer includes a projection associated with the first printing apparatus component and a recess associated with the second printing apparatus component operative to receive the projection therein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of a first exemplary positive displacement release mechanism embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an isolated cross sectional view of the first exemplary positive displacement release mechanism embodiment in accordance with the present invention showing an ink cartridge being inserted within an ink cartridge carrier; 
       FIG. 3  is an isolated cross sectional view of the first exemplary positive displacement release mechanism embodiment in accordance with the present invention showing an ink cartridge mounted to an ink cartridge carrier; 
       FIG. 4  is an isolated cross sectional view of the first exemplary positive displacement release mechanism embodiment in accordance with the present invention showing an early stage of an ink cartridge being removed from an ink cartridge carrier; 
       FIG. 5  is an isolated cross sectional view of the first exemplary positive displacement release mechanism embodiment in accordance with the present invention showing an intermediate stage of an ink cartridge being removed from an ink cartridge carrier; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a second exemplary positive displacement release mechanism embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an isolated cross sectional view of the second exemplary positive displacement release mechanism embodiment in accordance with the present invention showing an ink cartridge mounted to an ink cartridge carrier; 
       FIG. 8  is an isolated cross sectional view of the second exemplary positive displacement release mechanism embodiment in accordance with the present invention showing an intermediate stage of an ink cartridge being removed from an ink cartridge carrier; 
       FIG. 9  shows a prior art depiction of a detent release mechanism system. 
       FIG. 10  is a graphical depiction of prior art release mechanism systems plotting insertion forces and extraction forces versus tank distance. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass mating systems for mounting a first component to a second component. More specifically, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass mating systems for mounting replacement components utilized to print indicia onto a medium. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the preferred embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional steps and/or features that one of ordinary skill will recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention. 
   Referencing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first exemplary embodiment  10  of the present invention includes an ink cartridge  12  mounted to an ink cartridge carrier  14  using biased tang  16  and recess  18  systems. For the sake of simplicity, operation of the tang  16  and recess  18  systems will be described hereafter in singular fashion. 
   As the cartridge  12  is being mounted to the carrier  14 , a beveled surface  20  of the ink cartridge  12  contacts the tang  16 , thereby pushing the tang  16  out of the line of travel of the cartridge  12  so that the tang  16  rides upon an exterior surface  22  of the cartridge  12  and is substantially positioned within a cavity  24  formed within the carrier  14 . The tang  16  continues to ride upon the exterior surface  22  of the cartridge until reaching the recess  18 . Upon reaching the recess  18 , the tang  16  is biased outward to track the exterior surface  22  thereof and become seated within the recess  18 , thereby mounting the cartridge  12  to the carrier  14 . The cartridge includes a flange  26  that limits the ability of the cartridge  12  to be moved in a particular direction, in this exemplary embodiment upward, that would allow disengagement between the cartridge  12  and the carrier  14 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1–5 , the cartridge  12  includes a repositionable handle  28  that is adapted to selectively contact the tang  16  to displace the tang from the recess  18  and flange  26 . This displacement of the tang  16  allows the cartridge  12  to be disengaged from the carrier  14 . The handle  28  is slidably repositionable and includes a mating surface  30  that facilitates repositioning of the tang  16 . This surface  30  may include a camming surface that includes arcuate or angled regions, so long as movement of the handle  28  is effective to reposition the tang  16 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–5 , the handle  28  is vertically slidable with respect to the body of the cartridge  12  and the ink cartridge carrier  14 . The handle rides within a vertical track (not shown) molded within the exterior of the cartridge  12 . The vertical track includes at least one catch (not shown) that limits the range of movement of the handle  28  with respect to the cartridge  12 . When removal of the cartridge  12  is desired, a user would grasp a projection  32  of the handle and apply an upward force. This upward force would cause a base  34  of the handle  28  to be vertically repositioned with respect to the cartridge  12  and the cartridge carrier  14 . As will be described below, initial lifting of the handle  28  with respect to the cartridge  12  acts to displace the tang  16 ; and further lifting of the handle  28  causes the handle  28  to contact the catch in the vertical track such that further lifting will pull the released cartridge  12  from the cartridge carrier  14 . 
   During removal of the cartridge  12 , the base  34  would move from the position shown in  FIG. 3  to the position shown in  FIG. 4 . In the interim between these two positions, the mating surface  30  of the handle  28  contacts the lower portion of the tang  16 , such that the tang rides upon the surface  30  and transforms the vertical movement of the handle  28  into horizontal inward movement of the tang  16 . The angled surface  30  the handle  28  horizontally continues to displace the tang further and further from the base of the recess  18  as the handle is moved upward. Eventually, the tang  16  approaches a transition area  36  of the surface  30  characterized by a transition into the vertical nature of the cartridge side wall  22 . 
   Referencing  FIGS. 3–5 , as the handle is moved further upward from its position as shown in  FIG. 4 , the transition area  36  contacts the tang  16  and forces the tang horizontally inward from the cartridge to sufficiently clear the flange  26 . Continued upward movement allows the tang  16  to ride upon a lower exterior surface  38  of the handle  28  that is equal to or extends beyond the exterior surface of the cartridge  22 . Therefore, the contour of the handle  28  contacting the tang  16  maintains the tang  16  outside of the flange  26  such that interaction between the tang  16  and the flange  26  does not substantially hinder removal of the cartridge  12  from the carder  14 . At this point, the handle  28  will contact the catch in the vertical track such that further lifting on the handle will pull the released cartridge  12  from the cartridge holder  14 . 
   It is also within the scope and spirit of the present invention to provide a spring biased and/or pivotable tang  16 . Still further, the present invention contemplates various retention mechanisms that may be interchangeable with those discussed in the above exemplary embodiment that include movement of a repositionable handle to disengage the retention mechanisms and enable removal of a replacement or a repositionable component, in exemplary form, discussed above as an inkjet cartridge  12 . 
   Referencing  FIGS. 6–8 , a second exemplary embodiment  40  of the present invention includes an ink cartridge  42  adapted to be mounted to an ink cartridge carrier  44  using a biased tang  46  and notch  48  system. The ink cartridge includes a beveled surface  50  adjacent to the base thereof that transitions into an upright side surface  52  that includes the groove  48  defined in part by a lower shoulder  56 . The cartridge  42  also includes a lever  58 , pivotable upon a hinge  59 . The lever  58  includes a gripping tab  61  and a contacting arm  60  on the same side of the hinge  59 . Therefore, upon lifting of the tab  61 , the lever  58  will pivot the contacting arm  60  outward, which will push the tang  46  inwardly and out of the notch  48 . 
   To mount the cartridge  42  to the carrier, the beveled surface  50  of the ink cartridge  42  contacts the tang  46  such that the tang  46  rides upon the angled surface  50  and transforms the vertical movement of the cartridge  42  into horizontal inward movement of the tang  46 . This results in the tang  46  tracking the exterior surface  52  as the cartridge  42  is moved into its mounted position. As the tang  46  rides upon the exterior surface  52 , it passes over the shoulder  56  and is biased toward the cartridge  42  and received within the notch  48  to mount the cartridge  42  to the carrier  44  as shown in  FIG. 7 . It is intended that the fluid interconnections  49  between the cartridge  42  and the carrier  44  are fluidically sealed as the cartridge  42  is moved to its mounted position. 
   To disengage the cartridge  42  from the carrier  44 , the lever  58  is pivotally repositioned with respect to the body of the cartridge  42 . This movement of the lever  58  repositions the contacting arm  60  with respect to the notch  48  of the cartridge  42 , thereby orienting the contacting arm  60  to touch the tang  46  as shown in  FIG. 8 . As the contacting arm  60  touches the tang  46 , the tang  46  is pushed away from the cartridge  42  and continues to be pushed further toward a recess  54  within the carrier  44  as the contacting arm  60  continues to be pivoted. The tang  46  is eventually driven far enough away from the cartridge  42  by the movement of the contacting arm  60  such that the tang  46  no longer contacts the shoulder  56  or is considered to be seated within the notch  48 . At this point the cartridge  42  may be vertically repositioned and moved upward (i.e., a user may pull upward on the lever), thereby maintaining the contact between the tang  46  and contacting arm  60  until the shoulder  56  passes beyond the end of the tang  46 . Thereafter, the arm  60  is no longer required to be pivoted to push the tang  46  outward and the tang  46  may ride upon the exterior surface  52  while the cartridge  42  is removed, as the tang  46  has nothing to interface or grasp onto to hinder upward movement and removal of the cartridge  42  from the carrier  44 . 
   It is also within the scope and spirit of the present invention to provide a spring biased and/or pivotable tang  46 . Still further, the present invention contemplates various retention mechanisms that may be interchangeable with those discussed in the above exemplary embodiment that include movement of a repositionable handle to disengage the retention mechanisms and enable removal of a replacement or a repositionable component, in exemplary form, discussed above as an inkjet cartridge  42 . 
   It is also within the scope of the invention that the tang  16 ,  46  be rigid and substantially in a static position. In such an exemplary embodiment, the corresponding feature of the recess  18  or notch  48  is biased such that contact with the handle  28  or contacting arm  60  results in displacement of the flange  26  or shoulder  56  from the tang  16 ,  46 . 
   As used herein, the terms recess  18  or notch  48  may include any feature that inhibits linear movement in at least one plane. Therefore, a recess  18  or a notch  48  as used herein does not necessarily require a depression, but includes an area that has a differing topography than an adjacent feature. Such differing topographies may include several points along a planar, sloped segment as well as a basin being circumferentially surrounded by elevated features. 
   The above exemplary embodiments may utilize living hinges or more generally bendable and flexible components integrated with the cartridge  12 ,  42  or cartridge carrier  14 ,  44  to carry out pivoting functions. For example, the tang  16 ,  46  may be integrally molded to the carrier  14 ,  44 , where the tang is able to be bent, deformed, and/or repositioned. Those of ordinary skill are aware of the obvious variations that may be made to the above exemplary embodiments to modify or include resilient materials and designs into the various exemplary components. 
   It is also within the scope and spirit of the present invention to utilize the novel mounting structures for mounting various components of a printing apparatus, such as a printer or multifunction device that is capable of printing operations. For instance, the above described exemplary mounting structures may be used with a laser printer toner cartridge, a replacement inkjet printhead, paper trays for a printing apparatus, and other replacement or frequently removed and reinstalled items. 
   Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to these exemplary embodiments and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.