Abstract:
One or more disposable funnels are provided as integral and detachable portions of the walls of a carton in which cans or bottles of a pourable product such as oil are enclosed. In this manner, the funnels are can be conveniently marketed along with the product, and are handy, disposable, and economical and they are constructed by perforating preexisting carton walls. Each funnel is defined by a substantially continuous severance line that distinguishes the periphery of the funnel from the remainder of the carton wall. The funnel is detached from the carton wall by breaking the severance line. Then, the funnel is configured for use by folding or otherwise reshaping the funnel to include a channel for controlling the flow of the product as it is poured from a container, and a handle for holding the funnel in position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. application No. 60/657,025, filed Feb. 28, 2005, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to packaging and materials handling, and more particularly, to a carton having an integral funnel that can be detached and configured to channel the flow of a pourable substance.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Adding or changing engine oil can be a messy job, particularly when the oil is poured from its original container into the engine via the relatively small oil inlet opening that is typically located on the engine valve cover. Many different versions of channeling devices such as funnels and pour spouts have been developed to reduce the likelihood that oil will spill onto the engine and the ground below. Such channeling devices usually have a relatively wider end that provides a larger aperture into which to pour the oil, as well as a relatively narrower end that channels the oil into the oil fill hole.  
         [0004]     Typical funnels and pour spouts are made from a sturdy reusable material such as plastic or metal. The difficulty with such devices arises when one is needed and cannot be found, or when a used channeling device has to be stored. The former problem commonly afflicts those having cluttered garages and those have vehicles that require oil at inconvenient times, such as when the operator of the vehicle is away from home. The latter difficulty is common to all who employ reusable funnels—the device must be cleaned before it can be stored or oil will contaminate the storage location. The cost of reusable devices generally discourages disposing of oily channeling devices after every use. Further, users frequently do not clean the funnels between use, which allows dirt and grit to collect on the oily interior surface. This problem introduces impurities into the engine that may cause damage.  
         [0005]     What is needed is a funnel or other channeling device that is conveniently provided with the oil or other pourable substance, is inexpensive, and is easily disposable after a single use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The various embodiments of the present invention overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a disposable channeling device that is integral to and detachable from at least one of the walls of a carton that encloses containers filled with the liquid that is to be poured. The channeling device is preferably a funnel that is defined and distinguished from the remainder of the carton wall by a perforated line. A user can detach the funnel by breaking the perforations and separating the funnel from the carton wall. The funnel can then be configured into a usable shape by furling, folding, creasing, bending, or otherwise creating a configuration that can be used to control and direct the flow of a pourable substance that is poured through the funnel.  
         [0007]     Generally described with reference to the various exemplary embodiments, the funnel is integral to a carton for enclosing one or more containers, such as cans or bottles, each containing a pourable substance such as engine oil. The user detaches the funnel, folds the funnel into its usable configuration, and positions the funnel so as to channel the pourable substance as it is poured from one of the containers. While pouring the substance, the funnel is preferably but not necessarily positioned in close relation to the container or to the inlet opening of the receptacle into which the pourable substance is poured.  
         [0008]     The funnel is preferably provided as part of a package, carrier, or other means for enclosing a convenient number of singly or multiply-packed containers. For instance, for the consumer&#39;s convenience, oil can be provided in packages enclosing several cans or bottles having an aggregate volume that is sufficient to change the engine oil in an automobile. Such a package is commonly referred to as a case or a multi-pack. More than one funnel may be provided as an integral part of a single package. That is, a case of engine oil may include several detachable funnels that are identical, or that have varying types sizes, or configurations  
         [0009]     For the purpose of clarity and not of limitation, in the exemplary embodiments, the means for enclosing the containers is a rectangular carton having six enclosed walls, although one or more of the walls may be at least partially open or missing altogether.  
         [0010]     In certain embodiments, each of the walls is formed from a foldable sheet material that enables each wall to hingedly connect to at least one other wall. Examples of suitable sheet materials include paperboard, corrugated board, plastic, or the like. The carton is preferably formed from a unitary blank. In certain other embodiments, one or more of the carton walls is formed from a more rigid material than the other carton walls, such as to provide a relatively stronger base. The material, its thickness, its burst and tensile strengths, and other associated characteristics are design choices that can be determined by considering the weight of the containers enclosed, the shape and size of the carton, and the manner and degree of handling that the package must withstand.  
         [0011]     According to one aspect of the invention, at least one carton wall includes a detachable funnel integrally formed therefrom. The funnel is defined by a severance line that is preferably weakened to facilitate breaking the severance line to remove the funnel from the carton wall. It is contemplated that the severance line is weakened by any suitable means, such as but not limited to, perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half cuts, a single half cut, any combination of perforations, slits, and half cuts, short score lines, or the equivalent. To easily initiate tearing of the severance line, the severance line may include a tear initiation means such as a more extensively weakened portion or a pull tab.  
         [0012]     The detachable funnel functions as means for channeling the pourable substance as it is poured from one of the containers. After being detached, the detachable funnel is configurable to form a channel that may be connected to a handle. The handle provides a means for preferably single-handed holding of the funnel and supports the channel. Alternatively, the funnel may be supported by the inlet opening, where the relatively narrower end of the funnel is seated inside the inlet opening of the receptacle, and the inlet opening holds the funnel in place while the substance is poured into the inlet opening and through the funnel.  
         [0013]     The channel is foldable into a usable shape, such as a cone, trough, or a furrow, for directing the flow of the pourable substance. That is, with some manipulation by the consumer, at least the channel portion of the originally flattened funnel is folded, curled, bent, spooled, or otherwise configured to assume a configuration that is conducive to channeling a liquid or other pourable substance. It should be noted that folding the channel into the usable shape does not necessarily entail creasing any portion of the channel, which may be only curved instead of permanently or temporarily creased along a fold line.  
         [0014]     The funnel preferably includes fold lines disposed along the length of the configured channel, such that one end of each fold line extends toward the end from which the pourable substance exits the channel. The fold lines facilitate configuring the channel by indicating where the channel should be folded, curled, or otherwise reshaped. Each fold line may be defined by any suitable means for facilitating controlled folding, including but not limited to scores, half cuts, perforations, and the like. Alternatively, the fold lines simply may consist of printed lines that indicate where a fold should be made or that illustrate the direction of flow of the pourable substance.  
         [0015]     When configured for pouring, the channel preferably narrows along the direction of flow. In other words, the channel can be wider at the end into which the substance is poured, and relatively narrower at the end from which the substance exits the channel.  
         [0016]     In certain embodiments, single-handed use of the funnel is facilitated by securing the channel in its configured condition using a catch. The catch can include a tab that is inserted into a recessed notch. Alternatively or additionally, the catch may include any combination of securing means, such as tabs, notches, temporary adhesives, permanent adhesives, semi-permanent adhesives, or hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO®.  
         [0017]     The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by modifying the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a carton including a detachable channeling device that is integral to one of the carton walls, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a carton including a detachable channeling device that is integral to and extends at least partially across two of the carton walls, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of an exemplary channeling device, according to one of the various embodiments of the invention, wherein the channeling device is unconfigured.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the channeling device of  FIG. 2 , the channeling device having been configured to channel a pourable substance.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary channeling device, the channeling device being unconfigured.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the channeling device of  FIG. 4 , the channeling device having been configured to channel a pourable substance.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of an exemplary channeling device, the channeling device being unconfigured.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the channeling device of  FIG. 6 , the channeling device having been configured to channel a pourable substance.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of yet another alternative embodiment of an exemplary channeling device, the channeling device being unconfigured.  
         [0027]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the channeling device of  FIG. 8  operatively associated with a container, the channeling device having been configured to channel a pourable substance from the container.  
         [0028]      FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the channeling device of  FIG. 8  operatively associated with an alternate type of container, the channeling device having been configured to channel a pourable substance from the alternate container. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0029]     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples to illustrate aspects of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.  
         [0030]     Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments of a channeling device that is provided as an integral and detachable portion of a carton. In the exemplary embodiments, the channeling device is a funnel, although it is contemplated that the channeling device may be a pour spout, wicking device, or any other device for directing the flow of a pourable substance using the principles and teachings of the invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an exemplary package that includes a carton  100  that preferably contains several containers (not shown), each container containing a pourable substance, which in the exemplary embodiments is engine oil. It should be noted that the principles of the invention are equally applicable to cartons containing a single container, and to containers that contain any pourable substance, which may include liquids, granules, and any other material that has a tendency to flow.  
         [0032]     The exemplary carton  100  is a simple rectangular box preferably formed from a single piece of foldable sheet material, although the shape, size, components, or configuration of the carton are design choices that are dictated by any number of practical or marketing considerations. The carton  100  includes six walls, each hingedly connected to at least one and preferably all adjacent walls. For example, the carton  100  includes top wall  102 , which is hingedly connected to side walls  104  and  106  and to front wall  108  and rear wall  110 . Similarly, bottom wall  112  is also hingedly connected to side walls  104  and  106  and to front wall  108  and rear wall  110 . The front wall  108  is hingedly connected to side walls  104  and  106 , as is rear wall  110 . All of the hinged connections are along fold lines, such as fold line  114  that connects front wall  108  to side wall  104 , fold line  116  that connects front wall  108  to side wall  106 , fold line  118  that connects top wall  102  to side wall  106 , fold line  120  that connects side wall  104  to rear wall  110 , fold line  122  that connects side wall  104  to bottom wall  112 , fold line  124  that connects top wall  102  to rear wall  110 , and fold line  126  that connects top wall  102  to front wall  108 . Additional fold lines are similarly situated but obscured in the figure, although the locations thereof can be readily anticipated.  
         [0033]     The carton  100  includes a channeling device D that is integral to and detachable from one of the carton walls—in this example, front wall  108 . The periphery of the channeling device D is preferably defined by a perforated or otherwise weakened line to facilitate detachment. The channeling device D may also include additional fold lines (best shown in  FIGS. 2, 4 ,  6 , and  8 ) that facilitate configuring the channeling device D for use. By way of example and not limitation, as shown in  FIG. 1B , one or more of the fold lines on the channeling device D can coincide with a fold line  114  at one of the corners of the carton  100 , such as when the channeling device D extends across more than one carton wall  108 ,  104 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the outside surface of a first embodiment of an exemplary channeling device D that is in a flattened, unconfigured condition still attached to one or more carton walls a portion of which is shown as wall W. In this embodiment, channeling device D can be configured (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) to be a funnel  200 , the outer periphery of which is defined by severance line  202 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that any of the severance lines described herein can include perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half cuts, a single half cut, any combination of perforations, slits, and half cuts, short score lines or any equivalent means for weakening a material for controlled tearing. Severance line  202  is substantially continuous, consisting of severance line segments  202   a ,  202   b ,  202   c , and  202   d.    
         [0035]     Severance line  202  is intersected or approached by four fold lines  204 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 , each of which radiates from severance line  203 . The funnel  200  includes several sections that cooperate when the funnel  200  is configured for use. Section  214  is somewhat semicircular, and is hingedly connected to section  216  along fold line  204 . Section  216 , the lower portion of which is somewhat triangular, is hingedly connected along fold line  208  to section  224 . Sections  224  and  230  are also somewhat triangular in shape, each of the somewhat triangular sections having notches  226 ,  228  removed from one side, and having one point of the triangle concavely rounded off by severance line  232 . Section  224  is hingedly connected along fold line  210  to section  230 , which is hingedly connected along fold line  212  to section  214 . Thus, section  214  is defined by severance line segment  202   a  and by fold line  204 , severance line  203  and fold line  212 . Section  216  is defined by fold lines  204  and  208 , as well as by severance line  203  and severance line segment  202   b . Section  216  includes a partially detachable tab  218  that is defined by severance lines  220  and  222  and fold line  206 . Section  224  is defined by severance line  203 , severance line segment  202   c , and fold lines  208  and  210 .  
         [0036]     A recess  226  in section  224  relates to the shape of tab  218 , which has a neck portion  219  that is hingedly connected along fold line  206  to the substantially triangular lower portion of section  216 . Tab  218  also has winged edges  234 ,  236  disposed on either side and slightly above neck portion  219 . A similarly shaped and sized recess  228  is formed in section  230 , which is defined by severance line  203 , severance line segment  202   d  and fold lines  210  and  212 . Removable section  232  is defined by severance line  203 . The width of the neck portion  219 , as defined by the distance D 1  between severance lines  220  and  222 , is less than or substantially equal to the width of either of the recesses  226  or  228 . The height of the neck is at least as great as the sum of the thickness of the material comprising section  224  and the thickness of the material comprising section  230 .  
         [0037]     To detach-the funnel  200  from the carton  100 , severance line  202  is broken and funnel  200  is torn away from the carton  100 . Alternatively, the severance line  202  may serve to indicate where the user should cut the carton  100  to remove the funnel  200 .  
         [0038]     When the funnel  200  is configured for channeling a pourable substance, section  214  of the funnel  200  forms a channel, and sections  216 ,  224 , and  230  forms a catch for maintaining the configuration of the funnel  200  by locking those sections in place. To configure the funnel, severance lines  220  and  222  are broken, thereby partially detaching tab  218 . Severance line  203  is broken, and section  232  is removed and may be discarded. Sections  216  and  224  are folded toward one another along fold line  208  such that the outside surfaces thereof are brought into a face-contacting relationship, and sections  224  and  230  are folded toward one another along fold line  210  such that the inside surfaces thereof are brought into a face-contacting relationship. In this manner, the lowest point of each recess  226  and  228  is substantially aligned with fold line  206 . Tab  218  is pressed through recess  226  and  228 , its winged edges  234  and  236  being secured by respective projections  238  and  240 . The inside surfaces of sections  214  and  216  may also be folded at least slightly toward one another along fold line  204 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 3  illustrates the fully configured funnel  200 , which is configured to receive and channel the flow of a pourable substance. Funnel  200  can be held by grasping tab  218 , which serves as a handle H. Sections  216 ,  224 , and  230  form composite wall  216 / 224 / 230 , which along with section  214 , defines a channel C having a relatively wide upper opening  302  into which the pourable substance is poured, and a relatively narrower lower opening  304  from which the pourable substance is directed into the desired receptacle (not shown). When configured, the shape of the channel C is somewhat conical, the cone-like portion including a flat side comprising the composite wall  216 / 224 / 230 . The conical portion of channel C tapers toward the lower opening  304 , the circumference of which is designed to funnel the pourable substance into the receptacle without spilling.  
         [0040]     An alternative embodiment of an exemplary channeling device D is shown in  FIG. 4  as funnel  400 . Like funnel  200  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ), funnel  400  is provided as an integral portion of one or more carton walls, a portion of which is shown as wall W. Funnel  400  is defined by severance line  402 , which includes subsections  402   a ,  402   b ,  402   c ,  402   d ,  402   e , and  402   f . Funnel  400  is subdivided into three major sections  424 ,  426 ,  428  that are each defined by one or more fold lines  404 ,  406 , each extending at least partially across funnel  400 . The fold lines  404 ,  406  indicate the converging direction of flow and facilitate configuring funnel  400  for use.  
         [0041]     Section  424  is defined by severance line  408 , severance line segments  402   c ,  402   e , and fold lines  410  and  404 . Section  426  is hingedly connected to section  424  by fold line  404 , and is defined by fold lines  404  and  406 , and by severance line segments  402   b  and  402   e . Section  428  is hingedly connected to section  426  by fold line  406 . Section  428  is defined by severance line  412 , severance line sections  402   a ,  402   e  and by fold lines  406  and  414 . Sections  424  and  428  are each hingedly connected to respective tabs  416  and  418  by respective fold lines  410  and  414 . Tab  418  includes a notch  420  that is defined by severance line segment  402   f . Thus, tab  418  is defined by fold line  414 , severance line  412  and severance line segment  402   f . Tab  416  includes a slit  422  for matingly engaging notch  420 . Tab  416  is further defined by fold line  410 , severance line  408 , and severance line segment  402   d.    
         [0042]     To configure funnel  400  for use, as is depicted in  FIG. 5 , funnel  400  is detached from the carton by breaking all segments of severance line  402  and removing funnel  400 . Severance lines  408  and  412  are broken, thereby partially detaching tabs  416  and  418  from funnel  400 . Sections  424  and  428  are folded toward one another along fold lines  404  and  406 , thereby creating a channel with a direction of flow from severance line segment  402   b  of the funnel  400 , the floor of the channel being approximated by section  426  and the walls of the channel being approximated by sections  424  and  428 .  
         [0043]     To maintain this configuration, tabs  416  and  418  are folded toward one another along respective fold lines  410  and  414  until notch  420  and slit  422  are in close proximity, at which time the end  430  of tab  416  is passed through notch  420  and is pressed downward so that slit  422  matingly engages notch  420 . In this manner, tabs  416  and  418  cooperate to form a catch.  
         [0044]      FIG. 6  is another alternative embodiment of an exemplary channeling device D, hereinafter referred to as funnel  600 , which is shown in its unconfigured state, still attached at least a portion of wall W. Funnel  600  is defined by severance line  602 , which facilitates detachment of funnel  600  from the carton  100 . Two fold lines  604  and  606  extend longitudinally at least partially across funnel  600  and converge toward one another. A first section  608  of funnel  600  is defined by fold line  604  and by severance line segment  602   a , and is hingedly connected along fold line  604  to a second section  610 . Section  610  is defined by severance line segments  602   b  and  602   f , as well as by fold lines  604  and  606 . Section  610  is hingedly connected along fold line  606  to a third section  616 . A flap  618  is hingedly connected to section  616  along fold line  614 , the flap  618  being partially detachable from section  616  by means of severance line  612 . Thus, section  616  is defined by fold lines  606  and  614 , as well as by severance line  612  and severance line segments  602   c  and  602   e . Flap  618  is defined by fold line  614 , severance line  612  and severance line segment  602   d . Flap  618  also includes a notch  620  and an optional fold line  622 .  
         [0045]     To configure the funnel  600 , sections  608  and  616  are folded toward one another along respective fold lines  604  and  606 , thereby forming a channel C. Severance line  624  in section  608  is broken so as to remove section  626 , thereby creating an aperture. Flap  618  is partially detached from section  616  along severance line  612 , and tab  628  is preferably folded along optional fold line  622  at least some extent, and preferably up to 180 degrees. Flap  618  is folded along fold line  614  to place a relatively narrow end portion  630  of flap  618  in alignment with the aperture. With tab  628  folded, end portion  630  is passed through the aperture and notch  620  is secured against an edge of the aperture. Tab  628  can then be folded along fold line  622  substantially to its original position, thereby creating a catch that secures the flap in association with section  608  and maintains funnel  600  in its configured condition, as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 8  is yet another alternative embodiment of an exemplary channeling device D, shown in its unconfigured state as funnel  800 , which is an integral portion of at least one carton wall W. Funnel  800  is defined by a substantially continuous severance line  802 , comprising severance line segments  802   a ,  802   b ,  802   c ,  802   d ,  802   e , and  802   f . Three optional fold lines  804 ,  806 , and  808  extend longitudinally at least partially across funnel  800 , and do not necessarily converge. Rather, the fold lines  804 ,  806 , and  808  simply facilitate conforming funnel  800  to a container, which may be provided in any suitable shape. Preferably, the position and orientation of the fold lines  804 ,  806 , and  808  is determined as a design choice according to the shape of the particular container marketed along with the funnel  800 .  
         [0047]     Funnel  800  includes four sections. Section  810  is hingedly connected along fold line  804  to section  812 , which is hingedly connected along fold line  806  to section  814 , which is hingedly connected along fold line  808  to section  816 . Section  810  is defined by severance line segment  802   d  and by fold line  804 . Section  812  is defined by severance line segments  802   e  and  802   c , as well as by fold lines  804  and  806 . Section  814  is defined by severance line segments  802   f  and  802   b , as well as by fold lines  806  and  808 . Section  816  is defined by severance line segment  802   a  and by fold line  808 .  
         [0048]     To configure funnel  800  to channel a pourable substance from a container  900  (such as the bottle shown in  FIG. 9A ) having an off-center pour spout S, sections  810  and  816  are folded or curved toward one another around the periphery of the container  900 . The container  900  is preferably oriented so that sections  812  and  814  are placed in relatively close proximity to the pour spout S. Fold lines  804 ,  806 , and  808  may be creased to encourage the funnel  800  to conform to the container  900 , and to maintain its configured state. Those skilled in the art will recognize that oil and other pourable substances is provided in various sizes and shapes of containers, including the can  902  shown in  FIG. 9B , and that the funnel  800  is flexible so as to be held against the outside of any such container to act as a channel for directing the flow of the contents.  
         [0049]     Unlike the previous embodiments, funnel  800  does not require a catch to be held in its configured state, shown in  FIG. 9 . Rather, funnel  800  is held against the container  900  while the pourable substance is poured from the container  900 .  
         [0050]     In use, funnels  200 ,  400 ,  600 , and  800  can be held at one end, shown generally as handle H, while a pourable substance is poured through the channel C. The handle H may be held in the user&#39;s hand during pouring, or may be held against the container from which the pourable substance is poured. Alternatively, and particularly but not only in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3, 5  and  7 , the funnels  200 ,  400 , and  600  need not be held by the user during pouring. Rather, the relatively narrower end of the channel may be inserted inside the inlet opening of the receptacle into which the substance is poured, with the tension between the inlet opening and the narrow end of the channel holding the funnel in place, the narrow end of the channel being removably seated in the inlet opening of the receptacle.  
         [0051]     The present invention has been illustrated in relation to a particular embodiment which is intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is capable of many modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “base”, “bottom”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper”, “middle”, “lower”, “front” and “rear” do not limit the respective walls of the carton to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these walls from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a junction including a single hinge only; indeed, it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more potentially disparate means for hingedly connecting materials.  
         [0052]     Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the package described represents only one example of the various packaging types and configurations that will be suitable for implementation of the various embodiments of the invention. In addition, any suitable material or device may be used as a catch, including magnets, non-permanent adhesives, or hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO®, which is a trademark registered to Velcro Industries B.V. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is described by the claims appended hereto and supported by the foregoing.