Abstract:
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for efficiently and effectively manipulating spreadable materials. Such apparatus and methods may be incorporated for uses such as applying spreadable materials such as hair color to a surface such as the surface of strands of hair for the purpose of highlighting or otherwise coloring the hair. A variety of applicators including varying edges are disclosed, wherein each edge creates a different affect when used for hair highlighting. Furthermore, a hair colorist may select one or more of the disclosed applicators based upon ease of use for the particular hair colorist, personal preference, and/or the type of hair to be colored and/or highlighted. The applicators disclosed herein may be used to paint color on the hair, however, such applicators retain their rigidity during use, are faster-drying, and easier to clean than highlighting brushes known in the prior art.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to apparatus and methods for efficiently and effectively manipulating spreadable materials. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for applying spreadable materials such as hair color to a surface such as the surface of strands of hair.  
         [0002]     Many systems and methods have been created to apply hair creams and lotions to the hair. Many such systems and methods have been created in the form of an applicator. In its most simplistic form, such systems include a rat-tail handled applicator having a head shaped as a blade. In one such system, the stylist applies hair products such as relaxing creams, setting creams, and lotions via the blade and may use such blade to scrape off any excess hair product. The rat-tail handle allows the stylist to reverse the applicator to use such handle to separate the hair without changing tools.  
         [0003]     Similarly, another applicator is disclosed having a head shaped as a comb and a rat-tail handle. However, one side of the comb end is serrated to allow the applicator to better hold the hair. To use the applicator, the flat side of the comb is aligned against the hair such that the flat blade is perpendicular to the hair. Lotion is then applied above the applicator such that the flat portion of the applicator catches any spilled lotion. The applicator is then rotated such that it is parallel to the hair thereby allowing the excess lotion on the comb to come in contact with the hair.  
         [0004]     In addition, highlighting brushes exist. Such brushes are immersed in a colorant such as a bleaching agent and are then used to paint the colorant on the desired strands of hair. In some scenarios, the hair to which such colorant has been applied is then wrapped in a material such as foil to prevent the colorant from accidentally contacting adjacent hair.  
         [0005]     In a similar but more complex system, a set of tools that includes a palette, a color board, and a color blade is disclosed. In this system, a layer of hair coloring agent is placed on the color palette. A piece of foil such as aluminum foil is then wrapped around the color board such that one side is entirely covered with foil and the other side is partially covered with foil. The color board is placed perpendicular to the scalp directly below the strands of hair to be colored with the completely foiled side facing upward. One side of the color blade is then used to remove the coloring agent from the color palette and to apply it to the hair. The opposing side of the color blade is kept clean to prevent accidental application of the coloring agent to the scalp or adjacent strands of hair. After application of the coloring agent, the foil is wrapped around the hair to allow the color to set. This process is then repeated until all desired portions of the hair have been treated with the coloring agent.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In one aspect of the present invention, disclosed is an apparatus for manipulating a spreadable material including a head including a tip having equally tapered upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces and a handle coupled to said head, wherein said head is manufactured from a semi-rigid material, wherein said equally tapered upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces increases the flexibility of said tip, and wherein said spreadable material may be painted on a surface via said tip.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an apparatus for manipulating spreadable material having serrated teeth in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a top view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 1C  is a side view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an apparatus for manipulating spreadable material having a straight edge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a top view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2C  is a side view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an apparatus for manipulating spreadable material having an angled edge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a top view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an apparatus for manipulating spreadable material having a rounded edge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 4A ; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 4A .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     Referring first to  FIGS. 1A-1C , depicted is a perspective view of an apparatus for manipulating spreadable material having a serrated tip in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, applicator  100  includes head  102 , handle  108 , and indentation  110 .  
         [0021]     In some embodiments of the present invention, head  102  includes a first head end  104  and a second head end  106 . First head end  104  is the portion of applicator  100  used to apply spreadable material such as hair color to a surface such as the surface of a selected set of hair strands. First head end  104  includes a proximal edge having the same width and height as second head end  106 . Although the width remains constant throughout the depth of first head end  104 , the upwardly and downwardly facings surfaces  112  and  114 , respectively, of first end  104  taper inward equally as depicted in the side view of applicator  100  (as depicted in  FIG. 1C ) such that a flexible edge having a relatively small height is formed at the distal end of head  102 . Such tapering allows first head end  104  to flex, thereby allowing applicator  100  to be used as a paintbrush. That is, a spreadable material may be applied to both the upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces  112  and  114 , respectively, of first head end  104  and such material may be applied to a surface via bidirectional brushing or painting motions. Such application allows a greater quantity of the spreadable material to be applied to head  102  in each instance, thereby decreasing the time required to perform a process such as highlighting hair. Furthermore, the ability to apply the spreadable material to both surfaces of head  102  minimizes and/or eliminates the precision required when applying such material to head  102 . That is, a hair colorist does not have to be careful to avoid accidental application of the spreadable material to one of the two surfaces of head  102 . This feature of the present invention facilitates use of any process incorporating applicator  100 . However, such spreadable material may be applied to a single surface of head  102  without departing from the scope hereof.  
         [0022]     In many embodiments of the present invention, bi-directional brushing or painting motions will result in better and/or faster application of the spreadable material to the intended surface. Bi-directional brushing allows the spreadable material on each surface of head  102  to be applied to the same intended surface as compared to a uni-directional application of material in which spreadable material on a single surface of head  102  only may be applied to the intended surface.  
         [0023]     In contrast to use of a brush, applicator  100  is quick and easy to clean. Also, the rigidity of applicator  100  is constant in both a wet and dry state as compared to a brush, which becomes softer and less rigid when wet. As compared to a brush, spreadable materials may be washed from applicator  100  easily via rinsing or wiping. That is, there are no individual bristles that must be individually separated and cleaned. In addition, applicator  100  may be re-used consecutively without waiting for it to dry and without any loss of rigidity. Since applicator  100  has head  102  formed of a solid piece, applicator  100  may be manually dried with a cloth, towel, or the like, as compared to a brush for which a user must wait for the individual bristles to completely dry in order for its rigidity to return. Therefore, a busy hair colorist may use a single applicator  100  to service a plurality of consecutive clients, whereas the same hair colorist would require multiple brush-type applicators to service the same quantity of clients.  
         [0024]     First head end  104  is coupled to handle  108  via second head end  106 . Second head end  106  is provided to add strength to head  102  and to prevent uncontrollable or hard-to-control flexing of first head end  104 . That is, second head end  106  provides greater control to a user of applicator  100  by minimizing the natural flex of first head end  104  (i.e., flex that is not created by a user of applicator  100 ). However, alternate embodiments of the present invention are envisioned in which second head end  106  is omitted (i.e., first head end  104  is coupled directly to handle  106 ) without departing from the scope of the present invention. Or, alternatively, second head end  106  may be formed in a different configuration than that depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1C  without departing from the scope hereof.  
         [0025]     In some embodiments of the present invention, handle  108  includes a proximal end having an equal width and height to second head end  106 . However, handle  108  gradually tapers as it approaches its distal end, which is long and narrow and includes handle point  116  at the far distal end. The proximal end of handle  106  is of sufficient width that a user of applicator  100  may hold it with multiple fingers, thereby providing a better grip closer to head  102 , which typically provides the user with better and more accurate control of head  102 . Handling of applicator  100  may be alternated between the proximal and distal ends of handle  106  as needed and depending on the type of brushing and/or spreading motions desired.  
         [0026]     In one aspect of the present invention, the handle  108  includes indentation  110 . Indentation  110  is recessed below the surface of the proximal end of handle  106  to provide a user of applicator  100  with better control of applicator  100 . For one, the perimeter of indentation  110  is raised to prevent and/or minimize the possibility that a user&#39;s fingers will slip off of applicator  100 . In addition, the recessed nature of indentation  110  allows a user to place his or her forefinger, index finger, and the like closer to his or her thumb, providing a better grip of applicator  100  and potentially better control thereof. That is, the recessed nature of indentation  110  minimizes the space between a user&#39;s forefinger, index finger, and the like, which are typically placed atop the upwardly facing surface of indentation  110 , and a user&#39;s thumb, which is typically placed on the downwardly facing surface of the proximal end of handle  108 .  
         [0027]     Furthermore, inclusion of indentation  110  or the like in apparatus  100  reduces the weight of such apparatus. This lighter weight increases the ease with which applicator  100  may be used by producing less stress for the hair colorist&#39;s hands, potentially preventing stress and/or repetitive stress related ailments such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The lighter weight is also likely to increase the length of time a hair colorist may work continuously prior to fatigue of the hands, wrists, and the like. However, handles without indentations  110  may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof.  
         [0028]     Handle point  116  allows applicator  100  to be reversed when required such that handle point  116  may be used to manipulate and/or reposition strands of hair while removing a minimal amount, if any, of the spreadable material therefrom. However, alternate configurations for handle  108  may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0029]     In some aspects of the present invention, head  102  is manufactured from a semi-rigid soft rubber material such as thermal plastic elastomer and the like. However, other materials (e.g., low density polyethylene) may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. The semi-rigid nature of the material allows head  102  to flex as needed for application of a spreadable material. For ease of manufacturing, handle  108  may also be formed of the same material, however, handle  108  may be formed of alternative materials (e.g., rigid materials) such as polypropylene without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0030]     In one aspect of the present invention, applicator  100  is used to apply color during a hair highlighting process. In such a process, the hair colorist typically separates a set of strands of hair to be highlighted from adjacent hair, which will not be highlighted. In some embodiments, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or the like is placed below the strands to be highlighted and the hair colorist holds the strands of hair held atop the aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or the like with a first hand while applying the color via applicator  100  with the second hand. The color may be contained in a bowl or the like, into which head  102  of applicator  100  is dipped to pickup the color to be applied. Thereafter, the color is brushed onto the hair.  
         [0031]     The equally tapered nature of head  102  allows the hair colorist to apply color close to the scalp, without accidentally applying color to the scalp or to the roots of adjacent strands of hair, which are not to be colored. This close to the scalp application of the color provides a longer lasting highlight that minimizes the frequency of touchups for the person receiving the highlights (the “client”) since the close to the scalp application of color will lengthen the time required for the client to see roots of his or her hair having its natural color. That is, applying color close to the scalp lengthens the time required for the hair to grow to a length at which the hair&#39;s natural color is seen. This lengthening of time saves the client money and time by minimizing his or her visits to the hair salon.  
         [0032]     The ability of the hair colorist to apply color close to the scalp without accidentally applying color to the scalp or to the roots of adjacent strands of hair, which are not to be colored, is also of importance. Although such mistaken application of color may not be immediately noticeable, as the client&#39;s hair grows, mistaken application of color will show itself in the form of one or more large spots of color. Such spots of color are highly undesirable and may cost the hair colorist business. However, the tapered nature of head  102  allows the stylist to apply color close to the scalp without affecting the adjacent areas, since the color may be pinpointed on the hair by the narrow edge of head  102 . In the tapered embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 1A , color may be contained between serrated teeth  118 , thereby resulting in a horizontal application of color (relative to the position of applicator  100 ) rather than a vertical application of color.  
         [0033]     Although applicator  100  may be used alone without the use of any items (e.g., foil, plastic wrap, coloring boards, etc.) other than a coloring agent, it may also be used in conjunction with such items without departing from the scope hereof. In one aspect of the present invention, applicator  100  is used for baliage (i.e., a process in which hair color or hair lightener is handpainted freestyle onto selected strands of hair). However, other uses of applicator  100  are envisioned without departing from the scope hereof.  
         [0034]     Referring next to  FIG. 1B , a top view of applicator  100  including a view of serrated teeth  118  is depicted. The serrated nature of head  102  breaks the straight line of an applicator such as applicator  200  ( FIGS. 2A-2C ), thereby providing a more natural look. In one aspect of the present invention, a weaved, soft, natural look is provided. In the depicted embodiment, the depth d of each serrated tooth  118  is 3/32 inches and the angle of each of the two sides of each tooth is 20 degrees. However, serrated teeth  118  having varying depths (e.g., 1/16 inch, ⅛ inch, etc.) and varying angles (e.g., 30 degrees, 45 degrees, etc.) may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. Varying the depth and/or angle of serrated teeth  118  varies the look of the highlight achieved via use of applicator  100 . Therefore, a hair colorist may be equipped with a plurality of applicators  100  having varying dimensions, as well as applicator  200  ( FIGS. 2A-2C ), applicator  300  ( FIGS. 3A-3C ), and/or applicator  400  ( FIGS. 4A-4C ) such that the appropriate applicator may be selected to achieve the desired highlighting affect.  
         [0035]     Turning now to  FIG. 1C , depicted is a side view of applicator  100  further detailing the equally tapered nature of first head end  104 , as well as the tapered nature of handle  108 . The equally tapered nature of first head end  104  contributes to its brush-like and flexible nature, however, varying tapers may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the tapered nature of handle  108  proves handle point  116  as present in some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , depicted is a perspective view of applicator  200  having a straight edge  220 . The other features of applicator  200  including head  202 , first head end  204 , second head end  206 , handle  208 , indentation  210 , upwardly facing first head end surface  212 , downwardly facing first head end surface  214 , and handle point  216  are similar to head  102 , first head end  104 , second head end  106 , handle  108 , indentation  110 , upwardly facing first head end surface  112 , downwardly facing first head end surface  114 , and handle point  116  as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1C . However, the inclusion of straight edge  220  in lieu of serrated teeth  118  allows a more precise application of a spreadable material to a surface, as a user is not concerned about application of the quantity of spreadable material held within serrated teeth  118 . Rather, a user of applicator  200  may paint the spreadable material such that it begins at a straight (rather than weaved) edge via use of straight edge  220 .  
         [0037]     Referring next to  FIG. 2B , a top view of applicator  200  including a top view of straight edge  220  is depicted. Straight edge  220  allows a more precise application of a spreadable material such as hair color, hair lightener, and the like to be applied to a surface such as the surface of a set of strands of hair as compared to applicator  100 . The straight nature of head  202  provides a straight line of color, thereby providing a stark look. Also, some hair colorists may find applicator  200  easier or tougher to use than one or more of applicators  100 ,  300 , and  400 . Such difficulty may be based upon the individual skills of the hair colorist or may be due to personal preference of the hair colorist. Consequently, provision of multiple embodiments of the applicator of the present invention allows the hair colorist to choose an applicator based upon a plurality of factors such as the applicator that he or she prefers, the applicator that will achieve the desired look, the applicator that will work best for the specific client&#39;s hair type, and the like.  
         [0038]     Turning next to  FIG. 2C , depicted is a side view of applicator  200  further detailing the equally tapered nature of first head end  204 , the height h 1  of straight edge  220 , and the tapered nature of handle  208 . In the depicted embodiment, the height h 1  of straight edge  220  is 1/16 of an inch and the edge is perfectly straight. However, straight edges  220  having varying heights (e.g., 1/32, inch, 3/16 inch, ⅛ inch, etc.) and varying vertical angles (e.g., 30 degrees, 45 degrees, etc.) may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. Varying the height and/or vertical angle of straight edge  220  may vary the look of the highlight achieved via use of applicator  200  and/or its ease of use for a particular hair stylist. Therefore, a hair colorist may be equipped with a plurality of applicators  200  having varying dimensions, as well as applicator  100  ( FIGS. 1A-1C ), applicator  300  ( FIGS. 3A-3C ), and/or applicator  400  ( FIGS. 4A-4C ), such that the appropriate applicator may be selected to achieve the desired highlighting affect. The equally tapered nature of first head end  204  contributes to its brush-like and flexible nature, however, varying tapers may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0039]     Now referencing  FIG. 3A , depicted is a perspective view of applicator  300  having an angled edge  320 . The other features of applicator  300  including head  302 , first head end  304 , second head end  306 , handle  308 , indentation  310 , upwardly facing first head end surface  312 , downwardly facing first head end surface  314 , and handle point  316  are similar to head  102 , first head end  104 , second head end  106 , handle  108 , indentation  110 , upwardly facing first head end surface  112 , downwardly facing first head end surface  114 , and handle point  116  as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1C . However, the inclusion of angled edge  320  in lieu of serrated teeth  118  and/or straight edge  220  allows a different application of spreadable material in that, for example, the line of coloring applied to the hair has an edge that approximates the angle of angled edge  320  rather than a weaved edge or straight edge as formed by serrated teeth  118  ( FIGS. 1A-1C ) and straight edge  220  ( FIGS. 2A-2C ), respectively. That is, the hair color is applied close to the scalp for those portions of the strands of hair that are in contact with the rightmost side of first head end  304  and the hair color is applied progressively farther from the scalp for those portions of the strands of hair that are in contact with the leftmost side of first head end  304 . Such application provides a different look than that achieved by use of the non-angled versions of the applicator of the present invention.  
         [0040]     Referring next to  FIG. 3B , a top view of applicator  300  including a top view of angled edge  320  is depicted. Angled edge  320  allows a more precise application of a spreadable material such as hair color, hair lightener, and the like to be applied to a surface such as the surface of a set of strands of hair as compared to applicator  100 . The angled nature of head  302  provides an angled line of color approximating the angle of head  302 . Also, some hair colorists may find applicator  300  easier or tougher to use than one or more of applicators  100 ,  200 , and  400 . Such difficulty may be based upon the individual skills of the hair colorist or may be due to personal preference of the hair colorist. Consequently, provision of multiple embodiments of the applicator of the present invention allows the hair colorist to choose an applicator based upon a plurality of factors such as the applicator that he or she prefers, the applicator that will achieve the desired look, the applicator that will work best for the specific client&#39;s hair type, and the like.  
         [0041]     Turning next to  FIG. 3C , depicted is a side view of applicator  300  further detailing the equally tapered nature of first head end  304 , the height h 2  of straight edge  320 , and the tapered nature of handle  308 . In the depicted embodiment, the height h 2  of angled edge  320  is 1/16 of an inch and the edge is perfectly straight. However, angled edges  320  having varying heights (e.g., 1/32, inch, 3/16 inch, ⅛ inch, etc.) and varying vertical angles (e.g., 30 degrees, 45 degrees, etc.) may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. Varying the height and/or vertical angle of straight edge  320  may vary the look of the highlight achieved via use of applicator  300  and/or its ease of use for a particular hair stylist. Therefore, a hair colorist may be equipped with a plurality of applicators  300  having varying dimensions, as well as applicator  100  ( FIGS. 1A-1C ), applicator  200  ( FIGS. 2A-2C ), and/or applicator  300  ( FIGS. 3A-3C ), such that the appropriate applicator may be selected to achieve the desired highlighting affect. The equally tapered nature of first head end  304  contributes to its brush-like and flexible nature, however, varying tapers may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0042]     Turning next to  FIG. 4A , depicted is a perspective view of applicator  400  having a rounded edge  420 . The other features of applicator  400  including head  402 , first head end  404 , second head end  406 , handle  408 , indentation  410 , upwardly facing first head end surface  412 , downwardly facing first head end surface  414 , and handle point  416  are similar to head  102 , first head end  104 , second head end  106 , handle  108 , indentation  110 , upwardly facing first head end surface  112 , downwardly facing first head end surface  114 , and handle point  116  as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1C . However, the inclusion of rounded edge  420  in lieu of serrated teeth  118 , straight edge  220 , and/or angled edge  320  allows a different application of spreadable material in that, for example, the line of coloring applied to the hair has an edge that approximates rounded edge  420  rather than a weaved edge, straight edge, or angled edge as formed by serrated teeth  118  ( FIGS. 1A-1C ), straight edge  220  ( FIGS. 2A-2C ), and angled edge  320  ( FIGS. 3A-3C ), respectively. That is, the hair color is applied close to the scalp for those portions of the strands of hair that are in contact with the center of first head end  404  and the hair color is applied progressively farther from the scalp for those portions of the strands of hair that are in contact with the right and left sides of first head end  404 . Such application provides a different look than that achieved by use of the non-rounded versions of the applicator of the present invention.  
         [0043]     Referring next to  FIG. 4B , a top view of applicator  400  including a top view of rounded edge  420  is depicted. Rounded edge  420  allows a more precise application of a spreadable material such as hair color, hair lightener, and the like to be applied to a surface such as the surface of a set of strands of hair as compared to applicator  100 . The rounded nature of head  420  provides a line of color approximating the rounded edge of head  402 . Also, some hair colorists may find applicator  400  easier or tougher to use than one or more of applicators  100 ,  200 , and  300 . Such difficulty may be based upon the individual skills of the hair colorist or may be due to personal preference of the hair colorist. Consequently, provision of multiple embodiments of the applicator of the present invention allows the hair colorist to choose an applicator based upon a plurality of factors such as the applicator that he or she prefers, the applicator that will achieve the desired look, the applicator that will work best for the specific client&#39;s hair type, and the like.  
         [0044]     Turning next to  FIG. 4C , depicted is a side view of applicator  400  further detailing the equally tapered nature of first head end  404 , the height h 3  of rounded edge  420 , and the tapered nature of handle  408 . In the depicted embodiment, the height h 2  of rounded edge  420  is 1/16 of an inch and the edge is perfectly straight. However, rounded edges  420  having varying heights (e.g., 1/32, inch, 3/16 inch, ⅛ inch, etc.) and varying vertical angles (e.g., 30 degrees, 45 degrees, etc.) may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. Varying the height and/or vertical angle of rounded edge  420  may vary the look of the highlight achieved via use of applicator  400  and/or its ease of use for a particular hair stylist. Therefore, a hair colorist may be equipped with a plurality of applicators  400  having varying dimensions, as well as applicator  100  ( FIGS. 1A-1C ), applicator  200  ( FIGS. 2A-2C ), and/or applicator  300  ( FIGS. 3A-3C ), such that the appropriate applicator may be selected to achieve the desired highlighting affect. The equally tapered nature of first head end  404  contributes to its brush-like and flexible nature, however, varying tapers may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0045]     Although  FIGS. 1A-4C  depict four (4) configurations of heads  102  through  402 , varying head configurations having virtually any type of edge may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention including, but not limited to, waved edges, undulated edges, jagged edges, sinusoidal edges, lettered edges, and the like.  
         [0046]     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.