Abstract:
Trays for securing an article of manufacture within a container include a recess for receiving at least a portion of the article of manufacture therein. The trays also may include one or more sidewalls extending from an edge of the tray towards a container-bearing surface of the tray. At least a portion of the sidewalls may comprise a plurality of generally curved regions defining a plurality of steps leading from the edge of the tray towards the container-bearing surface of the tray. Methods of packaging an article of manufacture include providing such a tray into a container, causing a surface of the tray to abut against a corner or edge of the container, and inserting the article of manufacture into the recess in the tray. Packages for shipping and/or storing such articles of manufacture may include one or more of such trays disposed within a container.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to packaging articles of manufacture for storage and/or shipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to insert trays that can be provided within an outer container and used to secure and protect an article of manufacture therein against damage, to packages including one or more such trays, and to methods of packaging an article of manufacture using one or more such trays. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   During shipment, packages are often subjected to significant impact forces and vibrations. Various containers and methods for protectively packaging fragile articles of manufacture (such as, for example, glassware (e.g., bottles), electronic devices, etc.) have been presented in the art. 
   For example, it is known in the art to provide an article of manufacture in a container, such as a cardboard box, and to fill the voids or spaces within the container around the article of manufacture with loose particulate material. Such loose particulate material may include, for example, particles of expanded polystyrene or another polymer material, which are often referred to in the art as “loosefill peanuts.” Cardboard inserts also may be used within the container to minimize or prevent migration (e.g., settlement) of the loose particulate material during shipment. For example, corrugated cardboard inserts may be provided between articles of manufacture within a container prior to filling the container with loose particulate material. 
   It is also known in the art to wrap articles of manufacture in plastic sheeting comprising encapsulated pockets of air, which is often referred to in the art as “bubble-pack,” prior to positioning the articles of manufacture within a container for shipment. The encapsulated pockets of air in the plastic sheeting provide a cushion that protects the article of manufacture wrapped in the plastic sheeting against impact shock and vibrations. It is also known to wrap an article of manufacture in the previously described plastic sheeting comprising encapsulated pockets of air, insert the wrapped article of manufacture in a container, and then fill any voids or spaces within the container around the article of manufacture with the previously described loose particulate material. 
   Additional containers and methods for packing articles of manufacture for shipment are described in the prior art, a few of which are briefly described below. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,897 to Avery describes a shipping package for barrels. A tray having a plurality of raised abutments projecting from its interior surface is attached to a pallet. The raised abutments are configured to engage the vertical outside surfaces of the barrels, thereby maintaining the barrels in a substantially fixed position relative to the pallet. An extra tray may be inverted and used as a cap over the top of the barrels positioned in the first tray to further protect the barrels. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,508 to Beckerman describes a shock absorbent cap that can be used within a container for shipping a product. The shock absorbent cap has a base and a plurality of product positioning structures that arise out of and around the edges of the base and define a product cavity. The shock absorbent cap also includes a plurality of resilient spring walls that are connected to the product positioning structures and extend downwardly and outwardly therefrom. The spring walls connect each other at the corners. To ship a product, the product is placed in the product cavity of the cap, and the cap is placed in a rigid container. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,080 to Carstersen et al. describes molded holding members that can be used to ship disc drives. The holding members have a plurality of receptacles recessed in a face of each holding member for fixably maintaining and protecting a plurality of disc drives in a container. The holding members each have four sides with a centrally located T-shaped cushion pad having smooth sides for conforming to the interior of the container. The union of each side is formed by a pair of inverted L-shaped cushion pads joined at the top and whose junction is chamfered for ease of insertion and removal from the container. The holding members each have an end that includes a plurality of tapered conical cushion pads for providing shock protection for the disc drive devices enclosed within the holding members. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,334 to Smith discloses a product cushioning structure for supporting a product and co-packaged accessories in an outer container. The product cushioning structure is formed of a moldable resilient plastic material and provides shock absorption protection and impact protection to the product from the co-packaged accessories during shock loading conditions. A product-supporting region of the cushioning structure is defined by walls and a product-supporting platform. The product-supporting region is surrounded by flexible shock-absorbing spring transition sections arranged inwardly of outer container contacting walls. A void is formed beneath the platform, which is ribbed to further protect the product from impact or contact from any co-packaged accessory. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,241 to Smith discloses a protective packaging device for a product being shipped or stored in an outer container. The packaging device has a cavity for receiving the product therein. A base portion located below the cavity has two pairs of deflection elements extending diagonally away from the corners of the cavity towards external outer packaging container contacting corners. The base portion also includes outer packaging container contacting lips at the bottom of the base portion. The distances between adjacent pairs of outer packaging container contacting corners are substantially equal to the internal distances between adjacent pairs of corners of the outer packaging container. The deflection elements are adapted to flex away one from another under shock loading conditions. The bottom outer packaging container contacting lips are adapted to spread away from one another under shock loading conditions. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,743 to Hurley et al. discloses a shipping tray for bottles or the like. The shipping tray includes bottle receiving cradles and has top and bottom stop members to prevent the bottle from sliding out of the tray. Shock-absorbing members are provided about the perimeter of the tray. Indentations are provided at spaced locations on the tray perimeter and function as shock-absorbing spring members. The indentations further can be used as grips to enable easy removal of the tray from within a container. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one embodiment, the present invention includes a tray for at least partially securing an article of manufacture within a container. The tray includes at least one recess defined in an article-supporting wall member that is configured to receive at least a portion of an article of manufacture therein. The tray may also include at least one sidewall that extends from an edge of the tray generally towards a container-bearing surface of the tray. At least a portion of the sidewall may comprises a plurality of generally curved regions defining a plurality of steps leading from the edge of the tray towards the container-bearing surface of the tray. 
   In another embodiment, the present invention includes a package for containing at least one article of manufacture therein. The package includes an outer container and at least one inner tray disposed within the outer container. The tray includes at least one recess defined in an article-supporting wall member that is configured to receive at least a portion of an article of manufacture therein. The tray may also include at least one sidewall that extends from an edge of the tray generally towards a container-bearing surface of the tray. At least a portion of the sidewall may comprise a plurality of generally curved regions defining a plurality of steps leading from the edge of the tray towards the container-bearing surface of the tray. 
   In yet another embodiment, the present invention includes a method of packaging an article of manufacture. The method includes providing a tray comprising at least one sidewall extending from an edge of the tray towards a container-bearing surface of the tray and comprising a plurality of generally curved regions, which may define a plurality of steps leading from the edge of the tray towards the container-bearing surface of the tray. The tray is inserted into an outer container and the container-bearing surface of the tray is caused to abut against an interior edge or corner of the container. At least a portion of the article of manufacture may be inserted into at least one recess defined by at least a portion of the article-supporting wall member of the tray. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, the advantages of this invention can be more readily ascertained from the following description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a partially exploded view of one example of a package that embodies teachings of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one example of an insert tray that embodies teachings of the present invention and that can be used in the package shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a size view of the insert tray shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a lower or bottom corner of the package shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another insert tray that embodies teachings of the present invention and that can be used in the package shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of the insert tray shown in  FIG. 5 ; and 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the insert tray shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The illustrations presented herein should not be interpreted in a limiting sense as actual views of any particular apparatus or system, but are merely idealized representations which are employed to describe the present invention. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation. 
   A package  10  providing one example of a package that embodies teachings of the present invention is shown in a partially exploded view in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the package  10  may include an outer container  12 , a first inner tray  14 , and a second inner tray  16 . In additional embodiments of the present invention, the package  10  may include only one inner tray or more than two inner trays. 
   By way of example only and not limitation, the package  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  configured for carrying four (4) bottles  20 , such as typical wine or other beverage bottles. Packages that embody teachings of the present invention, however, are not limited to packages configured to carry bottles and may be configured to carry any article of manufacture. Furthermore, packages that embody teachings of the present invention may be configured to carry any number (one or more) of articles of manufacture therein. For example, in additional embodiments, the package  10  may be configured to carry one (1), two (2), three (3), or more than four (4) bottles therein. 
   The outer container  12 , bottles  20 , first inner tray  14 , and a second inner tray  16  of the package  10  may be configured such that the bottles  20  are substantially equally spaced from one another within the package  10 , and such that a center of mass of the package is substantially laterally centered along a vertical axis within the package  10 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the outer container  12  of the package  10  may include, for example, a corrugated cardboard box. In some embodiments, the outer container  12  may have a box shape as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the container  12  includes four (4) lateral side panels  22  and two end panels  24 . The two end panels  24  may each include (or be defined by) one or more (e.g., four) subpanels  26 . 
   In additional embodiments, the outer container  12  may have any other shape. For example, the outer container  12  may have one (1) generally cylindrical lateral side panel and two end panels. As additional examples, the outer container  12  may have any polygonal shape, and may have two (2), three (3), five (5), six (6), or any number of lateral side panels and two end panels. 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the first inner tray  14  of the package  10  may be configured to receive a first side or end of the bottles  20  therein (e.g., the bottom end of the bottles  20 ), and the second inner tray  16  of the package  10  may be configured to receive a second side or end of the bottles  20  therein (e.g., the top end of the bottles  20 ). In this configuration, the first inner tray  14  may be positioned at the bottom or lower end (in  FIG. 1 ) of the outer container  12  of the package  10 . The lower ends or bottoms of the bottles  20  may be placed in or on the first inner tray  14 , and the second outer tray  16  may be positioned on or over the upper ends or tops of the bottles  20 . The outer container  12  of the package  10  then may be closed. In this configuration, the bottles  20  may be shipped and/or stored in the package  10 . 
   The first inner tray  14  and the second inner tray  16  may be configured and used to protect the bottles  20  within the outer container  12  during shipment and/or storage of the package  10 , as discussed in further detail below. 
   An enlarged perspective view of the first inner tray  14  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The first inner tray  14  may include an article-supporting wall member  30 . The first inner tray  14  also may include one or more recesses  32 , each of which may be configured to receive at least a portion of the lower end or bottom of one bottle  20  therein. The recesses  32  each may be defined by a portion of the article-supporting wall member  30 , and may conform to and confine at least the portion of the bottle  20  received therein. The first inner tray  14  also may include a flange member  34 . The flange member  34  may be configured such that the lower surface of the flange member  34  abuts against the lower or bottom end panel  24  of the outer container  12  ( FIG. 1 ) and the lateral side surface of the flange member  34  abuts against the lateral side panels  22  of the container  12  when the first inner tray  14  is positioned within the outer container  12 . 
   Each of the recesses  32  of the first inner tray  14  may include a bottom panel  36 . In some embodiments, at least a portion of the bottom panel  36  of each of the recesses  32  may be substantially coplanar with the flange member  34 , and may be configured to abut against the lower end panel  24  of the outer container  12  when the first inner tray  14  is disposed within the outer container  12 . At least one central platform member  38  may be provided in each of the recesses  32 . The central platform members  38  may be configured to support the bottles  20  ( FIG. 1 ) off from the bottom panel  36  within the recesses  32 . One or more peripheral platform members  40  also may be provided in each of the recesses  32 , and the peripheral platform members  40  also may be configured to support the bottles  20  ( FIG. 1 ) away from the bottom panel  36  within the recesses  32 . The central platform members  38  and the peripheral platform members  40  may enhance the ability of the first inner tray  14  to absorb shock or impact forces and protect the bottles  20  against damage. 
   In some embodiments, the first inner tray  14  also may include one or more container-bearing structures  44  defined by a portion of the article-supporting wall member  30 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the first inner tray  14  includes one container-bearing structure  44  defined by a portion of the article-supporting wall member  30 . Similar to the previously described recesses  32 , the one or more container-bearing structures  44  also may include a bottom panel  46 , at least a portion of which may be substantially coplanar with the flange member  34  and configured to abut against the lower end panel  24  of the outer container  12  when the first inner tray  14  is disposed within the outer container  12 . The container-bearing structures  44  also may enhance the ability of the first inner tray  14  to absorb shock or impact forces and protect the bottles  20  against damage. 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the first inner tray  14  also may include four (4) energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50  configured to disperse energy through the first inner tray  14  when an impact force is applied to the flange member  34  (such as, for example, when the package  10  is dropped such that a corner or edge of the outer container  12  experiences the initial contact between the outer container  12  and the ground or other surface), which can protect the bottles  20  therein against damage. The first inner tray  14  also may include four (4) additional lateral sidewalls  60  that are generally planar. In this configuration, the first inner tray  14  may be generally rectangular. Each of the energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50  may be disposed proximate a corner of the rectangular first inner tray  14 , and the generally planar additional lateral sidewalls  60  may be disposed along the major sides of the rectangular first inner tray  14 . Each energy-dispersive lateral sidewall  50  may be coextensive with the two generally planar additional lateral sidewalls  60  adjacent thereto. 
   Each of the energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50  may have a relatively complex three-dimensional shape. For example, as can be seen with reference to  FIG. 3 , each of the energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50  may have a generally partial conical shape. In other words, each of the energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50  may have a shape similar to a portion of a cone. Furthermore, each of the energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50  may comprise a plurality of generally curved regions  52 . The curved regions  52  may define a plurality of steps or stepped regions that lead from an edge  54  of the first inner tray  14  (which may be radiused or chamfered) generally towards a container-bearing surface of the first inner tray  14 , such as a surface of the flange member  34 . The edges  54  of the first inner tray  14  may be defined by the intersections between the article-supporting wall member  30  and each of the respective energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each of the generally curved regions  52  may extend in a generally lateral direction in a plane that is generally parallel to a plane in which the flange member  34  is disposed (e.g., in a plane that is generally parallel to a plane in which the end panels  24  of the outer container  12  ( FIG. 1 ) are disposed). 
   As can be seen with reference to  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments of the present invention, at least a portion of the article-supporting wall member  30  (e.g., the uppermost surface of the article-supporting wall member  30 ) may be substantially planar, and the generally planar additional lateral sidewalls  60  may extend away from the article-supporting wall member  30  in a direction substantially perpendicular to that planar portion of the article-supporting wall member  30 . The lateral sidewalls  60  may also extend away from the article supporting wall member in a direction substantially horizontal and away from the center of the inner tray  14 . 
     FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a lower or bottom corner of the package  10  ( FIG. 1 ) taken through a vertical plane-oriented diagonally through the package  10  and extending through an edge  23  defined by the intersection between two lateral side panels  22  of the outer container  12 . A portion of an energy-dispersive lateral sidewall  50  of the first inner tray  14  is shown within the container  12  in  FIG. 4 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments of the present invention, each of the energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50  may have a substantially uniform wall thickness. Furthermore, the generally curved regions  52  may comprise a plurality of substantially adjacent, alternating convex and concave sections, which may define a plurality of undulating steps, waves, ripples, etc. between the flange member  34  and the edge  54 . For example, each of the generally curved regions  52  may have a cross-sectional shape that is arcuate. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, each of the generally curved regions may be free of sharp edges. In other words, each of the generally curved regions may have an average radius of curvature that is greater than about 2.54 millimeters (about 0.1 inch). In this configuration, at least a portion of each of the energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50  may have a generally sinusoidal cross-sectional shape. By eliminating or reducing the number of sharp edges in the energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50  and the other features of elements of the first inner tray  14  (as well as the subsequently described second inner tray  16 ), the ability of the package  10  to protect the bottles  20  from damage may be enhanced. 
   As also shown in  FIG. 4 , each of the energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50  may be generally oriented at an acute angle  56  relative to an end panel  24  of the outer container  12 , and/or at an acute angle  58  relative to a lateral side panel  22  of the outer container  12  when the first inner tray  14  is disposed therein. 
   In the configuration described above, each of the energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50  may resist crushing and spread any shock or impact forces along the adjacent generally planar additional lateral sidewalls  60  when an impact force is applied to the outer container  12  at a location proximate the respective energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50 , such as when the package  10  is dropped and a lower corner of the outer container  12  experiences initial contact with the ground or other surface. 
     FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the second inner tray  16 . The second inner tray  16  may be generally similar to the first inner tray  14 , and may include an article-supporting wall member  30 . The second inner tray  16  also may include one or more recesses  64 , each of which may be configured to receive at least a portion of the upper end or top of one bottle  20  ( FIG. 1 ) therein. The recesses  64  each may be defined by a portion of the article-supporting wall member  30  of the second inner tray  16 , and may conform to and confine at least the portion of the bottle  20  received therein. Recesses  32  ( FIG. 2 ) and recesses  64  ( FIG. 5 ) may or may not be the same sizes and/or shapes. The second inner tray  16  also may include a flange member  34 , which may be configured such that the lower surface of the flange member  34  (i.e., lower from the perspective of  FIG. 5 ) abuts against the upper or top end panel  24  of the outer container  12  ( FIG. 1 ) and the lateral side surface of the flange member  34  abuts against the lateral side panels  22  of the container  12  when the second inner tray  16  is positioned over the bottles  20  within the outer container  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     FIG. 6  is a plan view of the second inner tray  16  shown in  FIG. 5 , illustrating the side of the second inner tray  16  configured to face the bottles  20  ( FIG. 1 ) when the second inner tray  16  is disposed within the outer container  12 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , each of the recesses  64  of the second inner tray  16  may include a bottom panel  66  (i.e., bottom from the perspective of  FIG. 6 ). At least a portion of the bottom panel  66  of each of the recesses  64  may be substantially coplanar with the flange member  34  of the second inner tray  16 , and may be configured to abut against the top end panel  24  of the outer container  12  when the second inner tray  16  is positioned within the outer container  12 . One or more platform members  68  may be provided in each of the recesses  64 . The platform members  68  may comprise, for example, convex domes or dimples configured to support the bottles  20  ( FIG. 1 ) off from the bottom panel  66  within the recesses  64 . The platform members  68  may enhance the ability of the second inner tray  16  to absorb shock or impact forces and protect the bottles  20  against damage. 
   The second inner tray  16  also may include at least one container-bearing structure  70 . The at least one container-bearing structure  70  also may be defined by a portion of the article-supporting wall member  30  of the second inner tray  16 , and may include a bottom panel  72 . At least a portion of the bottom panel  72  of the container-bearing structure  70  may be substantially coplanar with the flange member  34  of the second inner tray  16 , and may be configured to abut against the upper end panel  24  of the outer container  12  ( FIG. 1 ) when the second inner tray  16  is disposed within the outer container  12 . A convex dome or dimple  74  also may be provided in the bottom panel  72  of the container-bearing structure  70 , as necessary or desired. The container-bearing structures  70  and the convex dome or dimples  74  also may enhance the ability of the second inner tray  16  to absorb shock or impact forces and protect the bottles  20  against damage. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , vertically oriented rib members  78  may be provided in the sidewalls of the container-bearing structure  70 . Such vertically oriented rib members  78  may provide added strength and rigidity to the container-bearing structure  70  so as to increase the ability of the container-bearing structure  70  to resist being crushed or to collapse due to an impact force applied to the top end panel  24  of the container  12  ( FIG. 1 ). Vertically oriented rib members  78  also may be provided in the sidewalls of each of the recesses  64 , as also shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Although not shown in the figures, vertically oriented rib members  78  also may be provided in the sidewalls of the container-bearing structure  44  and/or the sidewalls of the recesses  32  of the first inner tray  14  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the second inner tray  16  also may include four (4) energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50 , like those previously described in relation to the first inner tray  14 , each of which may be disposed or located proximate one of the four (4) corners of the generally rectangular second inner tray  16 . 
   The second inner tray  16  also may include one or more laterally oriented rib members  80 . For example, a laterally oriented rib member defined by a portion of the article-supporting wall member  30  of the second inner tray  16  may extend laterally between one or more of the recesses  64 . Such laterally oriented rib members  80  may provide added rigidity to the second inner tray  16 , which may enhance resistance to torsion and/or bending stresses, which may further enhance the ability of the second inner tray  16  to protect the bottles  20  ( FIG. 1 ) against damage. 
     FIG. 7  is a side view of the second inner tray  16  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . As shown therein, in some embodiments of the present invention, at least a portion of the article-supporting wall member  30  (e.g., the uppermost surface of the article-supporting wall member  30 ) of the second inner tray  16  may be substantially planar, and the generally planar additional lateral sidewalls  60  of the second inner tray  16  may extend away from the article-supporting wall member  30  in a direction substantially perpendicular to that planar portion of the article-supporting wall member  30 . The lateral sidewalls  60  may also extend away from the article supporting wall member in a direction substantially horizontal and away from the center of the inner tray  16 . 
   Each of the first inner tray  14  and the second inner tray  16  of the package  10  may comprise a polymer material such as, for example, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyurethane. Such trays  14 ,  16  may be formed using, for example, a molding process (e.g., injection molding, compression molding, transfer molding, etc.) or using a thermoforming process (e.g., beating above a glass transition temperature of the plastic material and stamping or pressing the sheet of material in a die or mold) to shape a generally planar sheet of polymer material into the form of the trays  14 ,  16 . In additional embodiments, each of the first inner tray  14  and the second inner tray  16  of the package  10  may comprise a metal material. Such trays also may be formed using a forming or stamping operation to shape a sheet of metal material into the form of the trays  14 ,  16 . Each of the first inner tray  14  and the second inner tray  16  of the package  10  may be substantially non-porous. 
   In additional embodiments, the first inner tray  14  and the second inner tray  16  may not be generally rectangular, as shown in the figures. For example, in additional embodiments, the first inner tray  14  and the second inner tray  16  each may be generally circular. In such embodiments, the article-supporting wall member  30  of both the first inner tray  14  and the second inner tray  16  may be generally circular. A single, substantially continuous energy-dispersive sidewall  50  may extend from the peripheral edge of the article-supporting wall member  30  of both of both the first inner tray  14  and the second inner tray  16 . More particularly, the energy-dispersive sidewall  50  may extend from an edge defined by the intersection between the article-supporting wall member  30  and the energy-dispersive sidewall  50  towards an edge of a generally cylindrical outer container (e.g., a circular edge defined by the intersection between a generally cylindrical lateral side panel and a generally circular end panel). Such energy-dispersive lateral sidewalls  50  may comprise a plurality of generally curved regions  52 , as previously described, and the curved regions  52  may define a plurality of steps or stepped regions that lead from the edge defined by the intersection between the article-supporting wall member  30  and the energy-dispersive sidewall  50  towards the outer container. Such a generally cylindrical package may be used, for example, to ship a single bottle or other article of manufacture therein. 
   While the present invention has been described herein with respect to certain preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that it is not so limited. Rather, many additions, deletions and modifications to the preferred embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. In addition, features from one embodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment while still being encompassed within the scope of the invention as contemplated by the inventors.