Abstract:
A powered brush is provided comprising a plurality of automated bristles that are driven in order to facilitate application of shave cream to a user&#39;s face while raising hairs off the face and stimulating, exfoliating, lubricating and moisturizing the skin. The powered brush comprises a handle having a top end, a bottom end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. A brush head comprises a plurality of bristles projecting away from the top end in a longitudinal direction is attached to a brush cup which is disposed at the top end of the handle and is movable relative thereto. An internal mechanism couples a motor drive shaft to the brush cup. The internal mechanism translates rotational movement of the motor drive shaft to reciprocating motion of the brush cup causing the brush cup and corresponding brush head attached thereto to oscillate linearly in the longitudinal direction.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to brushes and particularly to brushes used in applying shave cream and more particularly to powered shave brushes used in applying shave cream. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a brushes typically used in applying shave cream. Traditional shaving brushes are typically formed of a barrel-shaped handle with a plurality of bristles protruding from one end of the handle. The handles are typically made of wood, metal or plastic while the bristles of lower quality brushes are made of synthetic materials, such as nylon, and the bristles of higher quality brushes are made of natural materials, such as badger hair. 
         [0003]    Shaving brushes have been used historically to prepare hair and skin ahead of wet shaving, for example with a double edged razor blade or with a wet shaving safety razor. A user would work up soap or gel into a lather either against their face, in a shaving mug/bowl, or in the palm of their wet hand. The user would then apply the lather to their skin with the brush, typically using rapid short strokes, and in the process would agitate hairs lying on the skin and enhance the condition of the skin by providing exfoliation. The benefits felt by a user during and after shaving are generally dependent on the quality of the bristles of the brush and the manner in which the lather is applied to the face. The application of lather is dependent on the motion of the user&#39;s hand which can limit the benefits of using a brush if not performed correctly. 
         [0004]    In pursuit of an improved shaving product, there is a need for a shaving brush capable of effectively stimulating the skin, raising hairs off the face, exfoliating, and lubricating as well as moisturizing the skin that is not solely dependent on the motion of a user&#39;s hand. Thus, there is a need for a powered brush that can produce an automated bristle motion to optimize the effects desired with using a brush. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect, the invention features, in general, a powered brush providing an automated motion to plurality of bristles, thus enhancing the ability to stimulate the skin, raise hairs off the face, exfoliate, and lubricate and moisturize the skin while applying shave cream to a user&#39;s face. The powered brush comprises a handle having a top end, a bottom end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. A brush cup which is movable relative to the handle is disposed at the top end of the handle. A brush head is attached to the brush cup. The brush head comprises a plurality of bristles projecting away from the top end in a longitudinal direction. A motor comprising a drive shaft is mounted inside of the handle. The motor is joined to an internal mechanism coupling the motor drive shaft to the brush cup. The internal mechanism translates rotational movement of the motor drive shaft to reciprocating longitudinal motion of the brush cup such that in use, the brush cup and corresponding brush head attached thereto oscillate linearly in the longitudinal direction. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the internal mechanism comprises a first gear attached to the motor drive shaft and a second gear meshed with the first gear. The second gear includes an elongated cam feature attached thereto. The elongated cam feature interfaces with a cam follower link connected to the brush cup. The elongated cam feature engages a cam slot in the cam follower link and allows complete rotation of the elongated cam feature as the outer surface of the elongated cam feature contacts the cam slot. As the first gear drives the second gear, the elongated cam feature rotates driving the cam follower link in a linear, up and down motion causing the brush cup and corresponding brush head attached thereto to oscillate linearly in the longitudinal direction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1   a  is a front view of the powered brush. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1   b  is a side view of the powered brush showing handle features. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the powered brush showing major components. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an overall sectional side view of the powered brush. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the left inner housing assembly with the brush handle and right inner housing removed highlighting the drive gears of the internal mechanism. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the left inner housing showing the molded insert cylinder. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6   a  is a section view of the powered brush showing the oscillating brush in the ‘in’ position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6   b  is a section view of the powered brush showing the oscillating brush in the ‘out’ position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7   a  is a sectional perspective view through the internal mechanism of the powered brush showing the oscillating brush in the ‘in’ position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7   b  is a sectional perspective view through the internal mechanism of the powered brush showing the oscillating brush in the ‘out’ position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8   a  is a section view through the internal mechanism of the powered brush showing the oscillating brush in the ‘in’ position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8   b  is a section view through the internal mechanism of the powered brush showing the oscillating brush in the ‘out’ position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9   a  is a perspective view of the powered brush showing the battery cap removed. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9   b  is a bottom view of the battery cap. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9   c  is a perspective view of the bottom of the powered brush with the battery cap removed exposing the inner housing assembly. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9   d  is a perspective view of the powered brush showing the battery cap removed and the battery door in the open position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10   a  is a perspective view of the powered brush showing the battery cap removed and battery door open for installation of batteries. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10   b  is a perspective view of the bottom of the powered brush with the battery cap removed and battery door open exposing the battery cavity for installation of batteries. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a section view of the battery compartment showing the electrical path of the installed batteries. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged sectional side view of the powered brush at the power button location. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13   a  is an enlarged front view of the power button with the top plate removed from the handle. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13   b  is a detail view of the push button seal with the sealing frame removed and push button separated from the seal and handle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    The shaving razor according to the present invention will be described with reference to the following figures which illustrate certain embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention which is broadly applicable in the form of variations and equivalents as may be embraced by the claims appended hereto. Furthermore, features described or illustrated as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the scope of the claims extend to all such variations and equivalents. 
         [0031]    The powered brush  10  according to the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b.  The powered brush  10  includes a handle  14  having a top end  16  including the brush head  12  and a bottom end  18  including a battery cap  20 . A longitudinal axis  22  extends between the top end  16  and the bottom end  18 . Power button  24  is disposed in the side of the handle  14  between the top end  16  and the bottom end  18 . 
         [0032]    The handle  14  and battery cap  20  are preferably chrome plated metal for a high quality look and feel; however, plastics and materials can be used.  FIG. 1   b  is a side view of the powered brush  10  and highlights gripping features of the handle  14 . The brush handle  14  has raised line features  26  on both sides of the handle  14  to improve the users grip along with a curved etched section  28 . The curved etched section  28  could alternatively be a machined surface, rubber grip insert, or electroformed plate in order to improve the users&#39; grip of the device. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the powered brush  10  according to the present invention showing the major components. Starting from the top, the powered brush  10  includes brush head  12 , brush cup  30 , attachment pin  32 , diaphragm seal  34 , cam follower link  36 , crown gear  38 , motor gear  40 , gear shaft  42 , gear spacer  44 , motor  46 , motor cushions  48 , left inner housing  50 , insert molded cylinder  116 , right inner housing  54 , button seal  56 , button sealing frame  58 , power button  24 , top plate  60 , spring battery contacts  62 , PCB assembly  64 , battery door torsion spring  66 , battery door shaft  68 , battery plus protector  70 , battery door  72 , cap O-ring  74 , battery cap  20 , battery door plate  76 , battery door conductive piece  78 , and vent membrane  80 . The components and there functions are discussed more fully below. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is an overall sectional side view of the powered brush  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the brush head  12  comprises a plurality of bristles attached to a base. The plurality of bristles can comprise badger hair, boar hair, horse hair, and synthetics bristles such as nylon. The base of the brush head  12  is attached to the brush cup  30  by glue and two brush pins  31  that prevent removal. 
         [0035]    The brush cup  30  is moveable in an axial direction relative to the handle  14 . The bristles extend longitudinally away from the top end  16  of the handle  14  in a longitudinal direction  22 . “Longitudinal direction” is a direction running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle and includes directions within ±45° of the longitudinal direction. The distance the bristles extend longitudinally away from the top end  16  of the handle ranges from about 0.5 inches to about 3.0 inches, preferably from about 1.0 inches to about 2.5 inches. 
         [0036]    The top end  16  of the handle shown in  FIG. 3  includes an opening  132  sized for receiving the brush cup  30 . The handle  14  includes an inner cavity through the center between the top end  16  and the bottom end  18 . An inner housing assembly  82  shown in  FIG. 9   c  is disposed inside the inner cavity. The inner housing  82  includes a left inner housing  50  and a right inner housing  54 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , snap features  92  on either side of the left inner housing  50  fit into a groove on the inner surface of the brush handle  14  and lock the inner housing assembly  82  into position. The inner housing assembly  82  houses a drive mechanism and a battery compartment. The drive mechanism comprises a motor  46  including a drive shaft, and an internal mechanism coupling the drive shaft to the brush cup  30 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the device with the brush handle  14  and right inner housing  54  removed highlighting the drive gears of the internal mechanism. The internal mechanism partially translates rotational movement of the motor drive shaft to reciprocating longitudinal motion of the brush cup  30 . The internal mechanism includes a transmission that comprises a motor gear  40  attached to the motor drive shaft. A crown gear  38  meshes with the motor gear  40 . The gear ratio (number of teeth of the crown gear  38  divided by the number of teeth of the motor gear  40 ) of this embodiment is 2.25. However, different gear ratios could be selected to alter the speed or rate of the in and out motion of the power shave brush  10 . Further, it should be noted that different gear types could be used. For example, the motor gear can comprise a pinion, and bevel gears could replace the motor gear and crown gear. Further still, a different gear combination or gear train could be used to generate the same motion but at a different rate of linear oscillation. 
         [0038]    The crown gear  38  includes a cam  112  shown in  FIG. 3  comprising an outer surface that interfaces with a cam follower link  36 . The cam follower link  36  is attached to the brush cup  30  via an attachment pin  32 . The brush head  12  is glued and pinned into the brush cup  30  after the attachment pin  32  is attached to the cam follower link  36 . The attachment pin  32  has knurled or machined features  33  that prevent removal once the attachment pin  32  is inserted into the cam follower link  36 . 
         [0039]    A diaphragm seal  34  (shown in  FIG. 3  and in more detail  FIG. 6   a ) assembled between the brush cup  30  and internal mechanism prevents water from entering the device. The diaphragm seal  34  has a center hole  35  and circular seal flange  37 . The circular seal flange  37  is under compression between the bottom of the brush cup  30  and the top of the cam follower link  36  after the insertion of the attachment pin  32 . The compression of the seal flange  37  prevents water from entering the device at the center attachment location between the brush cup  30  and the cam follower link  36 . The diaphragm seal  34  also has a center cylindrical hub  39 , which is undersized in order to grip the upper section of the cam follower link  36 . This additional compression further helps to reduce the possibility of water leaking into the device. In addition, the outer perimeter of the diaphragm seal  34  has a wedge rib feature  41  that fits into annular groove  126  of the brush handle  14 . The wedge rib feature  41  is driven into the annular groove  126  by the insertion of inner housing assembly  82 . The top features of the left inner housing  50  and right inner housing  54  supports the bottom of the wedge rib feature  41  of the diaphragm seal  34 . As the wedge rib feature  41  is compressed into the groove  126 , radial compression on the sides of the wedge rib feature  41  further prevents water from entering the device. During oscillation of the cam follower link  36  the flexible diaphragm seal  34  can easily deform due to the thin ligament  43 , which connects the wedge rib feature  41  with the center cylindrical hub  39 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 7   a  and  FIG. 7   b  are sectional views of the powered brush  10  showing the internal mechanism. As shown, the motor  46  is secured between the left inner housing  50  and the right inner housing  54 . In order to stabilize the motor and dampen the noise of the power shave brush  10 , flexible motor cushions  48  are inserted at the upper and lower points of attachment. (The flexible motor cushion  48  for the lower point of attachment is shown in  FIG. 2 .) It is preferred that these motor cushions  48  are soft and flexible and made of a thermoplastic elastomer, silicon, rubber, or similar material. 
         [0041]    Motor gear  40  is attached directly to the motor output shaft. Motor gear  40  drives crown gear  38  which is attached to gear shaft  42 . Crown gear  38  also has an elongated cam feature  112 , which fits into the molded in hole  106  in the left inner housing  50 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the left inner housing  50  with the molded insert cylinder  116 . The molded insert cylinder  116  is preferably a machined metal part, which is inserted directly into the left inner housing  50 . The molded insert cylinder  116  acts as a guide that aids in the axial alignment of the cam follower link  36  thereby limiting axial misalignment of the brush head  12  during oscillation. Alignment of the cam follower link  36  and brush cup  30  are important to ensure that the oscillation of the brush head  12  is axial since the cam feature  112  can impart both a radial and axial force on the slot  114 . The top opening  132  of brush handle  14  also assists in the axial alignment of the brush cup  30  during the linear oscillation. Therefore, cylindrical gaps between the cam follower link  36  and molded insert cylinder  116  and between the brush cup  30  and top opening  132  are minimized in order to reduce any radial motion of the brush head  12  and the cam follower link  36 . 
         [0043]    Hole  106  in the left inner housing  50  shown in  FIG. 5  acts as a bearing surface for the elongated cam feature  112  extending axially from the crown gear  38 . The left inner housing  50  also includes a boss  118  providing a bearing surface where the end of the gear shaft  42  adjacent the cam feature  112  is mounted. Right inner housing  54  includes a second boss  120  shown in  FIG. 7   a  providing a bearing surface for mounting the other the end of the gear shaft  42  adjacent the crown gear  38 . Several additional features of the left inner housing  50  and the right inner housing  54  can be observed like the upper and lower points of the motor attachment, attachment snap features  92 , and the battery door hinge to name a few. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  7   a ,  7   b ,  8   a , and  8   b  demonstrate the basic linear oscillation of the internal mechanism, each showing different views of the brush head  12  in the “in” and “out” state. Cam feature  112  of crown gear  38  engages with the cam slot  114  of the cam follower link  36 . In the “in” or down state shown in  FIGS. 6   a ,  7   a  and  8   a , the cam feature  112  is in contact with the bottom surface of the cam slot  114  which drives the cam follower link  36  downward. As the crown gear  38  continues to be driven by the motor gear  40 , the cam feature  112  rotates about the axis defined by the gear shaft  42 . The slot  114  in the cam follower link  36  allows for the complete rotation of the cam feature  112 . The outer surface of the cam feature  112  drives the cam follower link  36  upward as it rotates at point of contact  134 . At half rotation, the cam follower link  36  is at the maximum extension and the brush head  12 , which is rigidly attached thereto, has moved a fixed distance upward to the “out” state as shown in  FIGS. 6   b ,  7   b , and  8   b . As the cam feature  112  continues to rotate in the same direction, cam follower link  36  is driven downward back toward the “in” state. 
         [0045]    When the push button  24  is pressed to activate the basic function of the power shave brush  10 , the brush head  12  will move in and out a fixed distance  13  governed by the internal mechanism previously described.  FIG. 6   a  is a section view of the device in the “in” state and  FIG. 6   b  is a section view of the device in the “out” state. The fixed distance  13  for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6   a  is 1.5 mm. However, the distance of linear axial travel could be adjusted by changing the internal mechanism. In addition, although linear in and out motion of the brush head  12  is preferred, the brush head  12  could have different motions (rotation, nodding, vibrating, etc.) by changing the internal mechanism. Further, the rate at which the brush head  12  moves in and out can also be adjusted and will vary depending on the force applied to the brush head  12  and status of the power supply. However, the rate is preferably in the range of 100-800 Hz and more preferably in the range of 200-400 Hz. 
         [0046]    In addition to housing the motor  46  and internal mechanism previously described, the inner housing assembly  82  includes a battery compartment  15  near the bottom end of the handle  14  as shown in  FIGS. 9 through 11 .  FIG. 9   a  illustrates the removal of outer battery cap  20  from the handle  14 . The outer battery cap  20  is attached to the handle  14  via screw threads  84 . Cap O-ring  74  is disposed adjacent the screw threads  84  proximate the bottom end of the cap  20  to prevent water from entering around the threads  84 . Although the handle  14  needs to be waterproof to protect the electrical components, motor, and internal mechanism from exposure to water, particularly for shaving cream application, it also needs to allow for venting due to possible internal gas generation from the batteries. For this reason, the battery cap  20  includes a vent hole  21  in the bottom of the outer battery cap  20  as shown in  FIG. 9   b . The vent hole  21  is covered with a vent membrane  80  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  which is porous to allow air to flow into and out of the inner cavity of the powered brush  10  and waterproof to protect the device. Material used for the vent membrane  80  can be purchased from W.L. Gore &amp; Associates, Inc. 
         [0047]      FIG. 9   c  is a view of the bottom of the handle  14  with the outer battery cap  20  removed revealing the bottom of the inner housing assembly  82  which protrudes outward slightly from the bottom of the handle  14 . The battery compartment  15  includes a battery door  72 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9   c  and  9   d , the battery door  72  first slides in the direction indicated by the arrow molded in the bottom of the door  72 . Once a lip  73  on the battery door  72  clears a cavity  90  of the left inner housing  50 , the door  72  can freely swing open about the battery door shaft  68 . 
         [0048]    The battery door  72  houses a metal battery door plate  76 , battery door conductive piece  78 , and battery plus protector  70 . The metal battery door plate  76  has formed hinges that attach to the battery door shaft  68 . The battery door  72  can slide relative to the battery door plate  76  via molded in slots  75  that engage with the plate. The slots  75  can be seen in more detail in  FIG. 11 . This allows the battery door to slide in the direction of the molded in arrow and allows for the opening of the battery door  72 . 
         [0049]    Once the battery door lip  75  clears the cavity  90 , the battery door  72  is forced open by a battery door torsion spring  66 . This allows for the easy insertion of batteries  122 B and  122 A in into the battery compartment  15  as illustrated in  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b . The correct orientation of the batteries is communicated by a molded in minus sign  86  and molded in plus sign  88  on the bottom exposed surface of left inner housing  50  shown in  FIG. 10   b.    
         [0050]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view through the center of the batteries  122 B and  122 A. It demonstrates the electrical path of correctly installed batteries in the device. Spring battery contacts  62  force both batteries downward against the battery door  72  so that contact is made between the batteries and the battery door conductive piece  78 . The battery door conductive piece  78  completes the electrical connection between the batteries to power the device. 
         [0051]    A battery plus protector  70  is also attached to the battery door plate  76  to ensure correct installation of the batteries  122 B and  122 A into the device. The battery plus protector  70  is non-conductive and ensures that only the positive end of the battery can complete the connection due to molded in features. If the battery is installed with the negative end facing down at this location, the end of the battery door conductive piece  78  cannot contact the battery and no connection can be made. 
         [0052]    The powered brush  10  is activated by the push button  24  on the side of the handle  14  shown in  FIG. 1   a.  When the push button  24  is pressed and the powered brush  10  is oscillating, a blue light shines through the push button  24  indicating that the unit is on. When the push button  24  is pressed again, the powered brush  10  stops oscillating and the blue light is off, indicating that the unit is off. Alternatively, the powered brush  10  can include a multi-speed motor capable of driving the brush head  12  at two or more oscillating speeds. For such applications, the motor speed can be controlled by the PCB activated by the push button  24 . For instance, the button  24  can be pushed once to turn the unit on, pushed a second time to increase the oscillating speed and a third time to turn the unit off. 
         [0053]      FIG. 12  and  FIGS. 13   a  and  13   b  illustrate the push button  24  attachment features. The overall sectional side view of the powered brush  10  shown in  FIG. 3  illustrates the orientation of the push button  24  relative to other key components of the device.  FIG. 12  is an enlarged sectional side view at the button location.  FIGS. 13   a  and  13   b  illustrate the basic arrangement of the push button  24 . 
         [0054]    Push button  24  sits on a clear flexible button seal  56 . The flexible button seal  56  is preferably clear silicon. However, alternatives like TPE could also be considered. The push button  24  is held in place by an attached top plate  60 . A flange on the perimeter of the button  24  facilitates the retention. The push button  24  has an extended feature that fits into the button seal  56  and makes contact with a surface mounted switch  98 , which is attached to the main PCB  64 . The main PCB  64  has an indicator LED  100  mounted below the push button  24  and button seal  56 . When the device is activated after the switch  98  is depressed, the LED  100  lights up and shines through the clear flexible button seal  56  indicating that the device is activated. The color of the LED light  100  can be white or colored. For instance, in a preferred embodiment the LED light  100  is blue. The button seal  56  can also incorporate light scattering techniques to disperse the light. Such methods include using a matte finish and/or polymer additive. 
         [0055]    The main PCB  64  is fixed to the left inner housing  50 . In the embodiment shown, the PCB  64  is mounted via two heat stake posts, but other methods of attachment are possible (screws, snap fit, etc.). The location of the PCB  64  and surface mounted switch  98  is fixed when the inner housing assembly  82  is attached to the brush handle  14 . 
         [0056]    For waterproofing, the button seal  56  has a perimeter rib feature  94  that fits into a groove  96  in the brush handle  14 . The seal  56  is compressed and retained by the button sealing frame  58 . The button sealing frame  58  is preferably a stamped metal piece to limit deflection and improve the water tight condition. As the button seal  56  is compressed, the rib feature  94  deflects outward against the side walls of the groove  96 . Therefore, the sealing surfaces include the inside and outside wall perimeter of the groove and the bottom of the groove channel. In addition, adhesive in the bottom of the groove could be used as a sealing back-up. 
         [0057]      FIG. 13   a  is an enlarged front view of the push button  24  with the top plate  60  removed. Glue grooves  102  on the side of the handle  14  are used to attach the top plate  60 . Glue is applied in the grooves to secure the top plate  60  to the handle  14 . Alternative methods for attachment can be used. The button sealing frame  58  is attached to the brush handle  14  using four screws  55 . The screws  55  allow for the button sealing frame  58  to apply pressure to the button seal  56  and prevent water leakage into the power shave brush  10 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 13   b  is a detail view of the push button  24  with the sealing frame  58  removed and push button  24  separated from the seal  56  and handle  14 . It is clear from this view how the shape of the button seal  56  fits into the push button  24 .  FIG. 13   b  also highlights the screw thread locations  104  for screws  55 , which are used to attach the button sealing frame  58 . 
         [0059]    Regarding all numerical ranges disclosed herein, it should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. In addition, every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Further, every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range and will also encompass each individual number within the numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges and individual numbers were all expressly written herein. 
         [0060]    The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.” 
         [0061]    Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
         [0062]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.