Abstract:
An automatic electronic dispenser for dispensing a roll of paper product. A dispenser module drives paper from the roll through a discharge chute at the bottom of the module. A front cover hinged on each side rotates to an open position for loading a paper roll. A back cover enables mounting the electronic dispenser to a vertical surface such as a wall. A paper roll holder is attached to the sides of the dispenser module. A driving roller unrolls the paper from the paper holder in response to a signal from an electronic sensor. A plurality of pressing rollers engaging the driving roller as paper is being dispensed along a path between the pressing and driving rollers to a discharge chute.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/842,343, filed Mar. 15, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,756,992, by the inventor named in the present application. This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of the United States patent application cited above according to the statutes and rules governing continuation patent applications, particularly 35 U.S.C. §§120 and 121 and 37 C.F.R. §1.78(d)(2) and (d)(3). The specification and drawings of the United States patent application referenced above are specifically incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the invention relate generally to tissue dispensing mechanisms and, more particularly, to electronic tissue dispensing systems for perforated flexible sheet material. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The dispensing of paper products has resulted in many different types of dispensing devices for controlling quantities dispensed as well as for determining how efficiently the paper products are dispensed. Primarily, these dispensers use mechanical paper feeding mechanisms, actuated by the user physically touching the dispenser equipment to deliver a fixed length of paper. This bodily contact can raise concerns over hygiene when such dispensers are located in public restroom facilities. 
         [0004]    Commercial dispensing devices for separating a continuous roll of tissue paper typically include a pair of arms for supporting the roll of tissue. Such devices include a driving roller and a pressing roller for pulling the tissue down through the dispenser throat. A cutting blade can cut the toilet paper when the paper is pulled by the user. Dispensing devices for separating a continuous roll of tissue paper with tear lines (i.e., perforations) typically drive the tissue through the dispenser so that the user tears the tissue paper along the tear lines. 
         [0005]    The use of electronic dispensers is becoming more prevalent especially in public restroom facilities where the electronic dispensers can dispense a measured length of towel sheet material upon sensing the presence of a user. In such “hands free” operation, the user does not manually activate or otherwise contact the dispenser in order to initiate a dispense cycle. However, the thinness of tissue sheet material has generally prevented the use of electronic dispensers for either public-use or residential dispensing equipment because the dispensing equipment will stop functioning if the perforated tissue breaks inside the dispenser. 
         [0006]    In addition, conventional electronic dispensers accumulate and discharge static electricity during the dispense cycle. Static charge can be generated by various components or operations such as the movement of sheet material over rollers, interactions between rollers, etc. If the static charge is not dissipated, the user may receive a static shock if he touches the dispenser during use. The static charge can adversely affect the electronic control and sensor circuitry in the dispenser. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In one embodiment, an electronic tissue dispenser is provided for dispensing tissue sheet material. A dispenser housing contains a support mechanism for holding at least one roll of tissue sheet material, and includes a base for mounting to a surface, a cover pivotally mounted to the base, and a discharge chute formed within the housing for discharging the tissue sheet material from the dispenser. A control circuit in the housing can control dispensing of the sheet material from the housing. A dispensing mechanism can drive tissue sheet material from the housing upon receiving a signal from the control circuit. The dispenser can include an adjustable proximity sensor. The dispensing mechanism is operative to be responsive to a signal from the proximity sensor to dispense a sheet of material. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, an automatic electronic dispenser for dispensing a roll of paper product includes a dispenser module for driving paper from the roll through a discharge chute at the bottom of the module. A front cover hinged on each side rotates to an open position for loading a paper roll. A back cover enables mounting the electronic dispenser to a vertical surface such as a wall. The dispenser module includes a paper roll holder attached to the sides of the dispenser module; a driving roller for unrolling the paper from the paper holder in response to a signal from an electronic sensor; and a plurality of pressing rollers, the pressing rollers engaging the driving roller as paper is being dispensed along a path between the pressing and driving rollers to a discharge chute. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, an automatic electronic dispenser for dispensing a roll of perforated tissue paper includes a dispenser module for driving perforated tissue from the roll through a discharge chute at the bottom of the module. The dispenser module has a front portion that is pivotable about a hinge. The dispenser module includes a paper roll holder attached to the sides of the dispenser module; a driving roller for unrolling the perforated tissue from the paper holder in response to a signal from an electronic sensor; and a plurality of pressing rollers, the pressing rollers engaging the driving roller as perforated tissue is being dispensed along a path between the pressing and driving rollers to a discharge chute. A front cover hinged on each side rotates to an open position for loading a roll of perforated tissue paper causing the front portion of the dispenser module to pivot forward. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    These and other advantages and aspects of the embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following detailed description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of components of the electronic residential dispenser with front and back covers removed in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the components of the electronic residential dispenser in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the dual driving roller assembly in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate external isometric front and bottom views of the residential electronic dispenser in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate the electronic residential dispenser module supporting a roll of electronic tissue between a pair of paper holder arms showing the location of a static release inside in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate the electronic residential dispenser module with the paper holder arms removed and an exploded view of the module frame and other components in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate the electronic residential dispenser module with the paper holder arms installed and an exploded view of the module frame and other components in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates the driving roller and dual pressing rollers in physical contact with each other in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates the separate driving roller and dual pressing roller components in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 10A-10B  illustrate front and bottom isometric views of the electronic residential dispenser module in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  illustrates an isometric side view of the electronic residential dispenser module with the cover and paper holder arms removed in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 12A-12B  illustrate an isometric view of the electronic residential dispenser module with the cover closed and with the cover opened in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  illustrates an isometric view of an electronic residential dispenser in an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  illustrates an isometric view of an electronic residential dispenser with the front cover open in an alternate embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  illustrates an exploded view of the dual driving roller assembly in an alternate embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  illustrates a sequence of positions for the components of the electronic residential dispenser as the cover is opened and closed in an alternate embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 17A-17B  illustrate front and side elevation views of the electronic residential dispenser in an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 18A-18B  illustrate isometric front and rear views of the electronic residential dispenser in an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  illustrates a sequence of positions for the components of the electronic residential dispenser module in an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  illustrates the position of the dual pressing rollers inside the electronic residential dispenser with the side cover removed in an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  illustrates the position of the dual pressing rollers inside the electronic residential dispenser with the back and side covers removed in an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  illustrates an exploded view of the individual components of the dual pressing rollers, driving roller, and spring mounts in an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 23  illustrates a block diagram of an intelligent dispensing system in an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still obtaining the beneficial results. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the embodiments described can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the embodiments without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the embodiments described are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the invention and not in limitation thereof, since the scope of the invention is defined by the claims. 
         [0035]    The embodiments described may utilize concepts disclosed in commonly-owned patents U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,782 entitled “Intelligent Dispensing System” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,824 entitled “Intelligent Electronic Paper Dispenser,” both of which are incorporated by reference herein. The embodiments may also utilize concepts disclosed in published patent application US  2008 / 0100982  entitled “System and Method for Dissipating Static Electricity in an Electronic Sheet Material Dispenser” and incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0036]    The dispenser in the disclosed embodiments may also be referred to herein as the electronic residential tissue dispenser (ERTD) although the disclosed embodiments of the dispenser are also suitable for public or commercial uses. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, a tissue dispenser is provided wherein the tissue paper can actually sit on the dispenser arms in a manner similar to that of towel dispensers currently available. When the user pulls tissue paper from the roll (manual operation), the tissue paper is pulled by the large driving roller through the two small pressing rollers. The problem with tissue paper is that it is perforated. With the current design of towel dispensers modified for use as a tissue dispenser, if the user pulls tissue and the perforation breaks above the pressing roller, the paper can no longer feed. The paper will not feed unless the dispenser unit “rolls the roll” as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,782 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,824. However, a more cost-effective design for tissue dispensing is provided by the disclosed embodiments having at least double pressing rollers. If the perforation tears between the two pressing rollers the dispenser will continue to self-feed in both manual and automatic operation (using infrared sensors to trigger tissue dispensing). 
         [0038]    The embodiments disclosed are suitable for both residential and commercial use. The use of double pressing rollers is unique in dispenser mechanisms. Other tissue dispensers function like the commercially available paper towel dispensers. If a perforation is read when paper is being dispensed, the dispenser re-feeds the perforated sheet and then sets the tissue so that it tears on the other side of the pressing roller. 
         [0039]    In the exemplary embodiments, perforations are not read since it does not matter where the perforation is because of the double pressing rollers. Unless the tissue breaks above the top pressing roller, the tissue in the dispenser is always self-feeding. The tissue paper is always re-fed automatically through the driving roller and the dual pressing rollers. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of components of the electronic residential dispenser with front and back covers removed in an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the electronic residential dispenser  10  includes an electronic residential dispenser module  20 , a rear cover  14  that can be mounted to a wall, a front cover  12 , a roll of perforated tissue paper mounted between a pair of paper holder arms  18 , battery compartment lid  22 , and roller assembly  30 . The roller assembly including the driving roller and dual pressing rollers is described in detail herein. Although this embodiment is intended for mounting to a wall in a residential bathroom, other embodiments may use other types of mounts including a pedestal mount. This embodiment can also be installed in a commercial restroom modified to accept alternating current power instead of battery power. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the components of the electronic residential dispenser in an exemplary embodiment. The components shown include driving roller  32 , dual pressing rollers  34 , paper holder arms  18 , battery lid  22 , batteries  24 , and various frame components. The dual pressing rollers  34  are mounted between end mounts  42  and to frame  44  by front mounts  46 . The dual pressing rollers  34 , driving roller  32 , and most components of electronic residential dispenser  10  are made from ABS plastic, although other materials may be used in other embodiments. 
         [0042]    In the prior art, paper dispensers use a single pressing roller. However, with a single pressing roller, the user can tear the paper and the perforation may break inside the rollers. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the two pressing rollers  34  are spring-loaded ABS rollers. The two pressing rollers  34  press against the driving roller  32 . The two pressing rollers are also referred to herein as double or dual pressing rollers. Both pressing rollers  34  press against the driving roller  32  when tissue is being dispensed. This allows the dispenser mechanism to prevent tissue perforations from tearing above the second pressing roller. If the perforation ever breaks between the pressing rollers, the tissue paper will continue to feed. 
         [0043]    In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic tissue paper dispenser has standard arms for holding the roll of tissue paper. The double pressing rollers may also be referred to as double feeding rollers. In contrast to automatic tissue dispensers in the art which include a tear bar or similar mechanism to cut paper towel, the disclosed embodiments do not have or need a tear bar. Instead a flapper bar is located at the bottom of the discharge chute (dispenser throat). The significance of having two rollers pressing on the driving roller is that if the perforations ever break on the upstream side of the second pressing roller, the second pressing roller continues to feed the paper. If the perforation breaks on the discharge side, the paper will continue to feed when requested by the user. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the dual driving roller  34  assembly in an exemplary embodiment. The figure shows the dual pressing rollers  34 , end mounts  42 , front frame part  44 , and a plurality of mounts  46  for securing frame part  44  to the dual pressing rollers  34 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate external isometric front and bottom views of the residential electronic dispenser in an exemplary embodiment. The front isometric view of  FIG. 4A  shows the paper holder arms  18 , the battery compartment lid  22 , the driving roller  32 , and the upper pressing roller  34  of residential electronic dispenser  20 .  FIG. 4B  shows bottom surface  50 , cutting bar  56 , and proximity sensors  52 ,  54  which detect the presence of a user&#39;s hand below the throat  58  of the dispenser  20 . In one embodiment, the proximity sensors may include an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver. A flapper bar  56  is located adjacent the discharge chute (throat)  58  of the dispenser  20  for removing the perforated tissue paper hanging below the discharge chute  58 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate the electronic residential dispenser module supporting a roll of tissue paper between a pair of paper holder arms showing the location of a static release in an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 5A  shows the roll of tissue paper  16  which may be perforated held in place by paper roll holder  18 . Also shown is driving roller  32  contacting pressing roller  34 .  FIG. 5B  shows an interior portion of the electronic residential dispenser module  20  including a static release  60 . Static is released from the bottom of the module  20 . The dual rollers solve the paper break problem inside the dispenser module. The batteries that provide power for operation of the dispenser are loaded in the battery compartment on the back part of the dispenser. The static release is from the bottom of the dispenser module. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate the electronic residential dispenser module with the paper holder arms removed and an exploded view of the module frame and other components in an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 6A  shows the position of battery compartment lid  22  covering the battery compartment of residential dispenser module  20  and the top parts of the driving roller  32  and the upper pressing roller of dual pressing roller  34 . The exploded view of the module frame in  FIG. 6B  also shows battery compartment  62 , batteries  24 , driving roller  32 , dual pressing rollers  34 , end mounts  42 , front frame part  44 , and a plurality of mounts  46  for securing frame part  44  to the dual pressing rollers  34 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate the electronic residential dispenser module with the paper holder arms installed and an exploded view of the module frame and other components in an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 7A  shows the attachment of the paper holder arms to the electronic residential dispenser module  20 . In one embodiment, the paper holder arms  18  may be similar to paper holder arms used to support heavier sheet material such as paper towels. The driving roller  32 , pressing roller  34 , and battery compartment lid  22  of electronic residential dispenser module  20  are also shown in this drawing.  FIG. 7B  shows an exploded view of the module frame in addition to driving roller  32 , battery compartment lid  22 , batteries  24 , and paper holder arms  18 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  illustrates the separate driving roller  32  and dual pressing roller  34  components in an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment shown, both driving roller  32  and pressing rollers  34  include a series of evenly-spaced annular ridges  33 ,  35 , respectively, on the periphery of each roller. As the rollers  32 ,  34  are activated to dispense tissue paper  16  between the rollers, the ridges  33 ,  35  make contact with the tissue paper  16  as the rollers rotate to drive the tissue paper through the discharge chute. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 8-9  illustrate the driving roller  32  and dual pressing rollers  34  in physical contact with each other and separately, respectively, in an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiments shown, both driving roller  32  and pressing rollers  34  include a series of evenly-spaced annular ridges  33 ,  35 , respectively, on the periphery of each roller. As the rollers  32 ,  34  are activated to dispense tissue paper  16  between the rollers, the ridges  33 ,  35  make contact with the tissue paper  16  as the rollers rotate to drive the tissue paper through the discharge chute. In other embodiments, the driving and dual pressing rollers may be fabricated without ridges (i.e., continuous outer surface) on the periphery of each roller. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 10A-10B  illustrate front and bottom isometric views of the electronic residential dispenser module in an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 10A  shows the electronic residential dispenser with the front cover removed. The components depicted include dispenser module  20 , tissue paper roll  16 , paper holder support arm  18 , and rear cover  14 .  FIG. 10B  shows bottom surface  50  and proximity sensors  52 ,  54  which detect the presence of a user&#39;s hand below the throat  58  of the dispenser  20 . In one embodiment, the proximity sensors may include an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver. 
         [0052]      FIG. 11  illustrates an isometric side view of the electronic residential dispenser module with the cover and paper holder arms removed in an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 11  shows driving roller  32 , dual pressing rollers  34 , and battery compartment cover  22 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 12A-12B  illustrate an isometric view of the electronic residential dispenser module with the cover closed and with the cover opened in an exemplary embodiment. As shown in these figures, the electronic residential dispenser module  20  is fixed relative to the frame support. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 13-22  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the electronic tissue dispenser in which electronic residential dispenser module  20  has a swivel portion that opens for weight when the front cover is opened. 
         [0055]      FIG. 13  illustrates an isometric view of an electronic residential dispenser  100  in a closed position in another exemplary embodiment. This embodiment can operate on 3 C-size batteries. Low power light  102  and manual button  104  are on the front cover of the dispenser. 
         [0056]      FIG. 14  illustrates an isometric view of an electronic residential dispenser with the hinged front cover in an open position. Also shown in this figure is a paper length switch  106 , paper roll holder  22 , rear wall mounting plate  114 , paper roll  16 , and electronic tissue dispenser module  120 . The electronic tissue dispenser module  120  has a front portion that swivels (i.e., pivots) forward when the hinged dispenser cover is opened. The pivoting forward of the front portion of the electronic tissue dispenser module  120  reduces the requirement for having tight tolerances between the driving roller and the plurality of pressing rollers. 
         [0057]      FIG. 15  illustrates an exploded view of the dual driving roller assembly in an alternate embodiment. The figure shows the dual pressing rollers  34 , the driving roller  32 , front cover  112 , rear wall mounting plate  114 , paper holders  22 , and parts of the dispenser frame. 
         [0058]      FIG. 16  illustrates a sequence of positions for the components of the electronic residential dispenser as the cover is opened and closed in an alternate embodiment. When front cover  112  opens, the swivel part  122  of electronic tissue dispenser module  120  opens and pivots forward. 
         [0059]    When the cover  112  is closed, the swivel part  122  of electronic tissue dispenser module  120  is pushed close. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 17A-17B  illustrate front and side elevation views of the electronic residential dispenser in an alternate exemplary embodiment.  FIGS. 18A-18B  illustrate isometric front and rear views of the electronic residential dispenser in an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
         [0061]      FIG. 19  illustrates a sequence of positions for the components of the electronic residential dispenser module  120  in an alternate exemplary embodiment, including a swivel or forward pivoting portion  122 . Opening the front cover results in the swivel portion of electronic tissue dispenser module  120  pivoting about a hinge  121  on the module. When the front cover closes it pushes a pair of buttons  124  on the front side of the swivel portion causing the swivel portion  122  of electronic tissue dispenser module  120  to close. 
         [0062]      FIG. 20  illustrates the position of the dual pressing rollers inside the electronic residential module dispenser  120  with the side cover removed.  FIG. 21  illustrates the position of the dual pressing rollers  34  inside the electronic residential dispenser with the back and side covers removed.  FIG. 22  illustrates an exploded view of the individual components of the dual pressing rollers  34 , driving roller  32 , and spring mounts  86  for the pressing rollers  34 , which spring mounts  86  are mounted to front frame part  44 , adjacent end mounts  42  of the frame that support the pressing rollers. As illustrated in  FIGS. 20-22 , the dual pressing rollers  34  are pivotable about a common pivot axis  424  ( FIG. 21 ), extending through pins (not shown) received in mounting flanges  44 A/ 44 B connecting the front frame part  44  and the dual pressing rollers  34  to the swivel portion  122  ( FIG. 20 ) of the electronic residential dispenser module  120 . Such a dual roller configuration allows continuous contact with the paper in two positions to eliminate perforation tears, which could result in dispenser malfunction. If the perforation tears above the top dual roller  34 , the dispenser is not functional. The pivot  121  and the springs  86  enhance the dispensing function reducing the requirement for tight tolerances between the dual rollers  34  and the main roller  32 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 23  shows an intelligent dispensing system  101  with dispensers  102  that each include a microprocessor controller  103  and a transceiver  104 . As further shown in  FIG. 23 , a master network device  106  can be operatively connected with the transceiver  104  of each dispenser  102 . The dispensers  102  and the master network device  106  can communicate with each other using wireless signals, or a wired connection for communication. A local network  108  can be provided to enable a paper product status message to be transmitted from each dispenser  102  to the master network device  106 , such as using a standard data communications protocol. In addition, an automation and control network  110  can be interoperable with the local network  108  for monitoring a status the dispensers  102  ( FIG. 23 ). The automation and control network  110  may use a building automation and control network protocol. The master network device  106  can receive status messages from the transceivers  104  of each dispenser  102 , and can transmit status messages over the automation and control network  110 . The microprocessor controller  103  for each dispenser  102  also can determine an amount of paper remaining on the paper roll holder and transmit a status message signal containing a status of the paper product to the master network device  106 . Handheld devices  112  further can be used for data communications with the master network device  106 , as generally shown in  FIG. 23 . 
         [0064]    In an electronic dispenser, a sensor may be provided to detect an object placed in a detection zone external to the dispenser. This sensor may be a passive sensor that detects changes in ambient conditions, such as ambient light, capacitance changes caused by an object in a detection zone, and so forth. In an alternate embodiment, the sensor may be an active device and include an active transmitter and associated receiver, such as one or more infrared (IR) transmitters and an IR receiver. The transmitter transmits an active signal in a transmission cone corresponding to the detection zone, and the receiver detects a threshold amount of the active signal reflected from an object placed into the detection zone. Control circuitry (not shown) is configured with the sensor for initiating a dispense cycle upon a valid detection signal from the receiver. 
         [0065]    The dispenser control circuitry controls activation of the dispensing mechanism upon valid detection of a user&#39;s hand for dispensing a measured length of the sheet material. Sensors and associated circuitry may be provided for this purpose. Various types of sensors are well known to those skilled in the art, including IR, radio frequency (RF), capacitive sensors, etc. Any one or a combination of such sensing systems can be used. 
         [0066]    The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means plus function elements in any claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the function in combination with other claim elements as specifically claimed. 
         [0067]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications to the exemplary embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is possible to use some of the features of the embodiments disclosed without the corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments is provided for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention, and not in limitation thereof, since the scope of the invention is defined solely by the appended claims.