Abstract:
Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to the transportation of loads. A strong and flexible platform has a plurality of ball casters attached to its underside to carry a load by dragging the platform along the ground. The plurality of ball casters on the bottom allow it roll while the flexible platform allows it to match the contour of the ground surface. The platform is outfitted with a removable rigid frame, handles, and grommets. A wagon attachment can be attached on top of the platform to transport loose loads such as leaves and other yard waste, and a rigid tub can be inserted into the wagon attachment for denser loads such as soil and sand. The platform can be pulled by hand, animal or vehicle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to load transportation. More specifically, the present invention relates to the transportation of various sized and shaped loads. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     In many industries, there are times when large amounts of goods, equipment and waste need to be transported. For larger loads and distances, trucks and/or trailers pulled by trucks are used. For smaller projects, for instance transporting leaves, shrubs, and weeds, plastic lawn and leaf bags may be used. However, these common methods have their disadvantages. For example, such bags may not be able to handle larger loads, and may even tear or rupture during lifting or transport. They further do not have the ability to transport loads of varying sizes. They also must be carried by hand and cannot be towed by a vehicle or pulled by hand when needed without risking rupture of the bag. 
     In many industries, such as logging and landscaping, there is a great amount of logs, trees, leaves, shrubs, weeds, and equipment that need to be constantly transported. Depending on the size of the project, loads may be transported many times in one day, and over significant distance. For larger projects, yielding larger loads, trailers pulled by trucks are often used. This is a solid and sturdy form of transportation for the load, having a wooden or metal bed atop at least two wheels. However, these trailers can be large and heavy themselves, often adding to the burden of positioning such trailers in areas with sensitive ground or limited space. For smaller projects, landscapers often use plastic lawn and leaf bags. This is a smaller form of container commonly used for loads of yard waste. However, the opening of the bag can be hard to keep open, especially when it is first being filled. These bags are typically disposable, one-time use, and are prone to rips and tears from sharp yard waste even during routine use. Large stores and factories use relatively large plastic or metal wheeled carts to move products in bulk. Because of limited storage, there is a limited number of these carts available to workers. 
     In the home, furniture, appliances, and other large household items can be difficult to move-in or relocate. Typically these items have to be picked up and carried. Some heavier appliances and furniture require extra equipment to relocate. A dolly can be used to cart in furniture or appliances on wheels, but it requires careful balancing during relocation and is prone to tipping over which can damage the load or hurt the mover. Straps can be used to secure a load to a dolly, but if the dolly is allowed to tip over fast enough the load may become damaged upon impact. A dolly usually only holds one item, or in some cases a single column of stackable of items. Most dollies do not have a collapsible form and can be inconvenient when it comes to storage. The dollies that can collapse still have the two wheels either side, and these wheels can be large depending on the application. When moving into a new place there can be a lot of furniture and appliances to move inside, requiring either multiple dollies and workers, or a large time commitment. 
     Tarpaulins, or tarps, have been in use for many years now, and still have a variety of uses today. Originating as tarred canvas palls used by sailors to cover ships, tarps have evolved into many different shapes, sizes, strengths, and qualities. While still being used to cover ships, the canvas is usually coated in polyethylene, latex, or some other water resistant coating. Some tarps are made out of woven polyethylene making them completely waterproof. Tarps are used for shelter in the military and while camping, or to protect a vehicle from the elements. Large scale tarps are used to keep baseball and other fields dry during rain. Tarps can be used to pull a load across the ground, but usually this leads to ripping and tearing of the tarp over time. Even lightweight loads can damage a tarp when drug across a rugged surface. 
     Though tarps come in a variety of shapes, most are rectangular. The corners and sides of a tarp contain grommets for rope to pass through which can be used as tie points. Tarps made from woven polyethylene are completely waterproof. Tarps made from canvas or polyester can be fire retardant, but not quite fire proof. A latex or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating on the canvas and polyester tarps increases its fire resistance. Another type of tarp, called perforated tarp, is a tarp with a series of small holes in it, giving it a more net-like quality. These perforated tarps are used for large scale billboard advertisements and to protect scaffolding while allowing air and water to pass through. 
     Although there is common use of tarps in a variety of different fields, there are still significant drawbacks in their use. Thus, there is a need in the art for a technique and device for transportation for loads of varying sizes and shapes. Such device should be able to be pulled by hand or by vehicle that is strong and tough enough to contain larger loads, yet lightweight for smaller loads pulled by hand. Further, such device should be lightweight, easy to use and easy to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides for a technique and device that can be used to pull or push a variety of different types of loads easily and effectively without suffering from the drawbacks of the conventional techniques in use today. Such novel device may be a strong collapsible tarp with a plurality of ball casters on the bottom. The ball casters allow the tarp to be pulled across a ground surface while transporting a heavy load on the top. The tarp is light in weight and easy to use. The tarp is made of flexible material so that it can be folded or rolled up for compact storage when not in use. Once loaded, the tarp can be pulled by hand or by vehicle for larger loads. 
     Furthermore the present invention has a plurality of uses. In logging one may lay the tarp on the ground while logs are carried, thrown, or even rolled onto the tarp. The tarp is made of a strong material that is resistant to tearing even with heavy loads atop it. The tarp may also include grooves, guides, or rivets for adding attachments. For instance, a flexible open box can be attached to the top of the tarpaulin to hold leaves and other yard waste. A plastic tub can be inserted into the box for greater stability. For larger loads, multiples of the present invention can be fastened together creating a much larger surface upon which to place the load. A flap at the bottom of a first tarpaulin is inserted through a hole at the top of a second tarpaulin. The flap attaches to a designated spot on the second tarpaulin which holds the two together as they are pulled. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a tarpaulin. The tarpaulin includes strong and durable material suitable for logging, landscaping, construction, or other industrial applications. The tarpaulin can be waterproof or have a waterproof coating. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a tarpaulin. The tarpaulin includes fire resistant material, or a fire resistant coating suitable for use in firefighting. A fireman can rescue a subject or subjects by laying or rolling them onto the tarp, then pulling it by hand out of a fiery environment. The fireman will most likely have a mask and/or oxygen, but the subject may not. Using the present invention the subject will stay low to the ground during transportation, minimizing exposure to excess smoke and heat. A variation of this embodiment will also work for medics on the battlefield, keeping the wounded soldiers low to the ground to avoid enemy fire. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-B  shows a tarpaulin platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A-C  shows a connection of two platforms according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A-C  shows a large ball caster according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a rope lattice platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a collapsible panel platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6-7  show a small ball caster according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows a straight roller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a flanged straight roller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 10A-B  show a wagon attachment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  shows a rigid tub attachment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a netting attachment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  shows an industrial tarpaulin platform according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention presents a novel solution to the problem of transporting objects of various sizes, shapes and weights. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a strong collapsible platform with a plurality of ball casters on the bottom surface that allow the platform to be pulled across a ground surface while transporting a heavy load on the top surface. While loaded, the present invention can be pulled by hand, by animal or by vehicle. The platform itself can be made from a variety of heavy duty materials including but not limited to: polyethylene, vinyl, plastic, or canvas for a fire retardant platform. A polyethylene coating can be added to a platform made of any of these materials to make it waterproof. A matrix of ball casters is placed underneath the platform. The matrix may consist of an even and plentiful distribution of ball casters. This distributes the pressure of a load across many ball casters, thus allowing the platform to transport even heavy loads. When not in use, the present invention collapses either by rolling or folding it into a compact size. 
     For purposes of the disclosure, a “tarpaulin” or “tarp” refers to any strong collapsible platform made from any synthetic or natural material. A “load” refers to the mass that needs transportation. This mass may comprise a wide variety of natural or artificial objects and substances including but not limited to humans, animals, lumber, leaves, yard waste, and equipment. Other objects and substances, not specifically disclosed but within the scope of one having ordinary skill in the art, are also within the scope of the mass described herein. A “ground surface” refers to a surface across which a load is to be transported. This includes, but is not limited to, smooth, rough and uneven surfaces. Examples of a “ground surface” include but are not limited to a forest floor, a grassy hill, an asphalt street, or even a rocky walkway. A “ball caster” refers to any caster that can move in any direction. This includes casters having a ball to contact the surface or a wheel connected to a swivel such as on the bottom of desk chairs. A “straight roller” refers to a caster that features a wheel for movement in a single direction, or forwards and backwards along the same line. A “vehicle” refers to any mobile structure whether it be self-propelled or manually propelled. Examples of a vehicle include an automobile, a boat, a wagon, a train, or even a dogsled. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , features a tarpaulin platform divided into two portions. In both figures, hitch  102  comprises the top triangular portion of the platform, and bed  104  comprises the part of the platform below hitch  102 .  FIG. 1A  shows the top surface of the platform, where a load is to be received, while  FIG. 1B  shows the bottom surface of the platform, where the ball casters are affixed. In  FIG. 1A , bed  104  encompasses the majority of the upper surface of the platform with the exception of hitch  102 . A matrix of ball casters  110  is arranged mostly under bed  104  with some ball casters also present under hitch  102 . The ball casters have a density of about one-and-a-half to two ball casters per square foot of platform area. In addition to the ball casters  110 , there are a few straight rollers  112 . The straight rollers  112  allow travel in one direction. There are six straight rollers underneath the platform distributed as shown in  FIG. 1 . The straight rollers help to steer the platform by giving it stability. For instance, on uneven or sloping terrain, straight rollers would prevent the platform from sliding in an unfavorable direction. 
     Four rigid rods  114  can be placed inside sleeves around the perimeter of bed  104 . These rods  114  stretch the bed out for maximum surface area when placed in the sleeves. Rods  114  may be made from fiberglass, plastic, wood, or any other rigid lightweight material. A plurality of holes  116  is located around the perimeter of bed  104 , just inside rods  114 . Holes  116  are reinforced with grommets of metal or plastic and serve as points to tie rope onto or fix bungee cords. Near the edges of bed  104  there are four elongate rectangular cutouts  118 . These cutouts serve as handles  118 , and are placed near the rods  114  so that when pulled by these handles the rods  114  take the stress off of the platform. Handles  118  are reinforced with metal, plastic, or any other method in the art. 
     In this embodiment, a thick elongate slab  120  is placed at the rear of the bed, shown as the bottom in  FIG. 1 . This is used as a brake  120 . The brake, while not used very often, can be stepped on to stop the platform if undesired motion occurs. The weight upon the brake applies a frictional force on the ground surface making it difficult for the platform to slide. Alternately, the platform may be equipped with a deployable anchor to stop movement of the platform by temporarily latching onto the ground surface. This could be used if the user needs to rest or unload part of the load. One or more of the straight rollers may be equipped with a brake. A row of teeth  122  is placed on either side of bed  104 , each running substantially lengthwise on the tarpaulin. These rows of teeth  122  are of the type to combine with a complimentary row of teeth which combine to form a zipper to close or compact the tarpaulin. 
     A large opening is cut out of the middle of hitch  102  and is lined with padding  106  to form the receiving member  130 . A tow rope can connect to receiving member  130 , allowing the platform to be pulled manually by a human or animal, by a vehicle, or to chain multiple platforms together for larger loads. Straps, bungee type cords, or other rope can also be used to connect receiving member  130  to the vehicle, human, animal, etc. A harness apparent to one skilled in the art can be utilized for an animal or even a human who wishes to have free hands while pulling the platform. Vehicles can use motorized winch to reel in the platform and pull it. A tongue  132  is placed near the center of the bottom of bed  104  to be received by receiving member  130  when connecting multiple platforms in a chain. Four snaps hold a pair of platforms together once tongue  132  has been received by receiving member  130 . Three male snaps  124  surround the tongue while tongue  132  has one female snap  126  on it. Three female snaps  126  surround receiving member  130  while a single male snap  124  lies below it. These snaps may be used to connect multiple tarpaulins together or fold up a single tarpaulin. 
     The arrangement of two platforms is shown in  FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  shows two platforms aligned head-to-toe, with tongue  232  received by receiving member  230 .  FIG. 2B  shows a close-up view of a complete snap  234  formed when male snap  224  mates with female snap  226 .  FIG. 2C  shows the side view of a complete snap  234 . Male snap  224  has a metal base from which two metal loops rise out at about a thirty degree angle in opposite directions as shown in  FIG. 2C . Female snap  226  is a metal loop slightly smaller than the area covered by the two metal loops of male snap  224 . To form a complete snap  234 , female snap  226  is placed directly over male snap  224  and firmly pressed against male snap  224 . Female snap  226  will pop over the metal loops of male snap  224 . To disconnect, female snap  226  is pulled up, directly away from male snap  224 , until female snap  226  pops back over the metal loops of male snap  224 . With respect to  FIG. 2C , the force to snap and unsnap is applied vertically. However, while connected, the force applied to complete snap  234  is horizontal with respect to  FIG. 2C , and any horizontal forces are substantially secured by the arrangement. Complete snap  234  should not come apart accidentally during use. 
     The present invention does not limit the fastening mechanism to the one described above. Other fastening mechanisms should be apparent to one skilled in the art and are within the scope of the present invention. The arrangement of platforms should not be limited to the vertical arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 . Other arrangements, such as side-by-side, should be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 3  shows a detailed view of a ball caster  310 A according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3A  shows a cross section of a side view of ball caster  310 A.  FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of the top of ball caster  310 B while  FIG. 3C  shows a perspective view of the bottom of ball caster  310 C. Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3C , ball caster  310 A has a housing  350 , which resides on top of platform  304 , and has a cutout for the ball  358 . Housing  350  is made of solid plastic, or other strong and lightweight material. Ball  358  should be made from steel or other strong plastic, composite, metal or alloy. Bearings  352  are positioned inside the cutout in between housing  350  and ball  358  to ensure the ball rotates smoothly in any direction. Ball  358  is held inside housing  350  by plate  356 . Plate  356  resides on the bottom of platform  304  and has an opening just smaller than the largest diameter of ball  358  in order to hold ball  358  in place. Plate  356  and housing  350  are held together on either side of platform  304  by fasteners  354 . Fasteners  354  can be screws, nails, bolts, brads, staples, or any other conventional fastener. Plate  356  and fasteners  354  should also be made of steel or other strong metal, plastic or composite, preferably stainless steel for water and weather resistance. A flange  359  inside the inner opening of plate  356  protects bearings  352  from dust, dirt, moisture and other debris. Flange  359  can be a thick arrangement of plastic bristles, a rubber seal, or any other material that is relatively impermeable to dust, dirt, and debris. 
       FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view where housing  350  can be seen in detail. Housing  350  is flat on top, with four rigid flanges  351  sloping down from the top to the base near the platform  304 . Each rigid flange  351  receives a fastener  354 .  FIG. 3C  shows the bottom view where fasteners  354  can be seen holding plate  356  to the housing and platform  304 . Plate  356  holds ball  358  in position while allowing it to rotate freely in any direction. 
     In another exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the present invention features a platform made of a lattice, net, or web of interwoven rope or fabric metal or composite  405 . Ball casters  410  are arranged at several major intersections of interwoven rope  405 . This rope platform  400 A is made of thick nylon rope or other rope of comparable strength. A receiving member  430  is placed at both ends of this embodiment to give a user a choice from which end to pull. Each ball caster  410  may consist of a housing  450 , three balls  458  protruding out of the bottom of housing  450 , and four side balls  457  protruding out of the side of housing  450 . The interwoven rope platform yields less stability for the ball casters  410 , but is lighter in weight overall. The decreased stability can lead to a rotation of housing  450  during use. To compensate, ball casters  410  have a total of seven balls arranged around the bottom of housing  450 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , one ball is in the center of the bottom while the other balls surround the center ball so that no matter how housing  450  rotates, at least one ball will remain in between the ground surface and the platform while in use. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIG. 5 , the present invention features a platform of a plurality of long, flat panels  507 . Each panel  507  is the width of the platform, and is hinged to the two adjacent panels using conventional techniques. When in use, panels  507  lay flat or in contour with the ground surface. When in storage, the panels collapse together, like an accordion or fan, into a smaller package. The panel platform can conform to differences in height of the ground surface in a vertical direction as it is shown in  500 B, but not to differences in height of the ground surface in a horizontal direction as it is shown in  500 B. For this reason fewer ball casters are required to hold the platform above the ground surface. In this embodiment, ball casters  510  are arranged in a vertical line on either side as shown in  500 B, with two more lines of ball casters  510  towards the middle of the panels for support. A hitch  502  is attached to the front of the platform where a receiving member  530  is cut out. The hitch in this embodiment can be made of the same material as the panels  507 , or any of the materials used to make the tarpaulin platform. 
     In another embodiment of the ball casters, shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , ball caster  610  features a dual housing and a smaller ball. The housing is split into an upper housing  650 , which is placed above the platform, and a lower housing  651 , which is placed underneath the platform. Ball  658  is smaller than in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , and is contained in lower housing  651 . Plate  656  is embedded in lower housing  651 . Though ball  658  is smaller, lower housing  651  contours out in four flanges as shown in  FIG. 7 . Designed this way, lower housing  751  prevents accidental rotation of the ball caster, and also prevents the platform from getting caught underneath a caster during use. However, because ball  758  is smaller, this embodiment of the ball caster may be better suitable in applications requiring lighter loads. 
     An embodiment of the straight roller, shown as  112  in  FIG. 1 , is shown in more detail in  FIG. 8 . Like ball caster  610 , straight roller  812  features an upper housing  850  and a lower housing  851  on either side of platform  804 . Fasteners  854  hold upper housing  850  and lower housing  851  together around platform  804 . Plate  856  is embedded in lower housing  851 . Lower housing  851  also contains flanges  860 , which protrude out of the bottom of lower housing  851 . Cylinder  862  is placed in between flanges  860  and a pin  864  holds it there. Pin  864  runs through flanges  860  and through the center of cylinder  862  allowing cylinder  862  to rotate. Two balls  858  are placed on either side of cylinder  862  and are held in lower housing  851  in a freely rotating manner as in the other embodiments, so that cylinder  862  is always in contact with the ground surface. 
     Another embodiment of the straight roller, shown in  FIG. 9 , features more reinforcements for heavier load applications. More fasteners  954  are used to attach upper housing  950  to lower housing  951 . On either side of cylinder  962  are two vertical walls  966 , each with a series of flanges connecting the wall to lower housing  951 . These guards  966  help to keep cylinder  962  in place as well as block dirt, dust, and debris from getting in between cylinder  962 , flanges  960 , and lower housing  951 . 
     To help with the transportation of certain loads, a wagon attachment  1040 , shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , can be attached to the top of the tarpaulin. The rows of teeth  1022 , shown as  122  in  FIG. 1 , lock together with complementing rows of teeth  1022  on the bottom of the sides of wagon attachment  1040 , like a zipper. The walls of wagon attachment  1040  can be made of any of the materials used to make the tarpaulin platform. The walls are held up and in place by rods  1042 , which are made from a rigid plastic, wood, fiberglass, or any other material of comparable strength and weight. A zippered door  1044  is featured on wagon attachment  1040  which can be opened for access while wagon attachment  1040  is carrying a load. Zippered door  1044  is shown on the rear of the platform, but wagon attachment  1040  can also be oriented so that zippered door faces the front of the platform. Rows of teeth  1022  are identical on either side making the reverse orientation of wagon attachment  1040  possible and simple. Handles  1046  are placed toward the top of the front and rear sides of wagon attachment  1040 . When wagon attachment  1040  is holding a load, it can be unzipped at rows of teeth  1022  and lifted manually by these handles  1046 . This can be useful when the load is leaves, grass, mulch, or yard waste. 
     For denser loads such as soil and sand, a rigid tub  1170 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , can be inserted into wagon attachment  1140 . Rigid tub  1170  is made from a rigid plastic, wood, fiberglass, composite, or any other material of comparable strength and weight. For more industrial application rigid tub  1170  can be made of metal. The length and width of rigid tub  1170  complements that of wagon attachment  1140  so that it fits just inside. The depth of rigid tub  1170  is shown at about half the depth of wagon attachment  1170 , but this may vary depending on the specific application. 
     To keep the contents of the load intact during transportation, a net  1280  can be pulled over the load, and attached around the perimeter of the platform, as shown in  FIG. 12 . Net  1280  is made of a strong and preferably elastic material. At its smallest, net  1280  should be able to keep intact the smallest of loads, but net  1280  can expand to cover loads that take up the entirety of wagon attachment  1240 . Net  1280  attaches to the perimeter of the platform via hook and loop, snaps, tying through the holes (shown as  116  in  FIG. 1 ), or any other fastening technique in the art. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in  FIG. 13 , features an industrial tarpaulin platform including two forklift guides  1390  and hooks  1392 . Forklift guides  1390  comprise rigid sheaths, with openings on both ends, designed to accommodate a standard forklift as will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. The pair of forklift guides  1390  are located centrally on the bed of the platform. As shown in  FIG. 13 , forklift guides  1390  are oriented parallel to brake  1320 , but other orientations are within the scope of this invention including an orientation perpendicular to brake  1320 . Forklift guides  1390  are preferably made from a strong metal such as steel. Hooks  1392  are arranged in an even distribution around the perimeter of the platform in this embodiment. These hooks  1392  serve as additional contact points for rope, bungee type cords, straps, or a net such as net  1280  in  FIG. 12 . Hooks  1392  are preferably made of thick gauge metal wire such as steel. The typical wood pallet, as can be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, can be placed on top of this embodiment so that it could be picked up by a standard forklift. The load, such as a wooden pallet with a mass of products, can be held in place by rope, bungee type cords, straps, or a net attached to hooks  1392  located around the perimeter of the platform. This can also help to unload large trucks. With the platform raised by a forklift to the level of a truck bed, large heavy loads can be transferred from the truck to the platform. The forklift can then lower the platform or move it to another location. If the truck bed is level to the ground, as in many loading/unloading bays, large heavy loads can be pushed or pulled on the platform to arrange inside the truck bed and unload without the use of a forklift. Due to the industrial application of this embodiment, all elements are preferably made from strong and durable materials. 
     The foregoing disclosure of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. For example, the exact size, number and dimensions of various elements in this application are presented for illustrative purposes only and the present invention is not limited to the exact size, number and dimensions presented in such examples. Variations may be made to account for different uses of the invention in different environments, including but not limited to yard, home, office, industrial, military, etc. Such variations are numerous and are not each presented here for sake of simplicity, but are all within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents. 
     Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.