Abstract:
A beverage supply system includes a beverage container having an outlet. A first reservoir is connected to the beverage container outlet to receive beverage from the beverage container under force of gravity. A pump is connected to the first reservoir, and a second reservoir is connected to the pump, the second reservoir defining an expandable beverage chamber. The pump is activated to pump beverage from the first reservoir to the second reservoir only when a first quantity of beverage in the first reservoir is within a first quantity range and a second quantity of beverage in the second reservoir is below a second quantity range. The system also includes a beverage dispenser connected to the second reservoir. A method of supplying beverage from a beverage container to a beverage dispenser includes supplying beverage from a beverage container to a first reservoir under force of gravity. The method also includes pumping the beverage from the first reservoir to an expandable pressurized chamber of a second reservoir when a first quantity of beverage in the first reservoir is within a first quantity range and a second quantity of beverage in the second reservoir is below a second quantity range. The method additionally includes intermittently connecting the pressurized chamber to an outlet of a beverage dispenser to supply beverage from the second reservoir to the beverage dispenser without pumping the beverage from the second reservoir to the beverage dispenser.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of United States Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 10/227,672, filed Aug. 27, 2002. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This application relates generally to bottled beverage supply systems and more particularly to a bottled beverage supply system that pumps beverage to a reservoir, which in turn supplies the beverage to a dispenser.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Due to high levels of impurities found in many domestic water supplies, a substantial number of households and offices prefer not to use their domestic water supplies as a source of drinking water, when making ice, or when making coffee or the like. As a consequence, such households frequently purchase bottled water for such uses. While there are numerous devices for dispensing bottled water and other bottled beverages for drinking purposes, it is considerably more difficult to supply bottled water to the icemaker or chilled water dispenser of a refrigerator. Typically, a water supply line for a refrigerator is connected directly to the domestic water supply, perhaps with a filter installed between them. Thus, if bottled water is to be supplied to a refrigerator, it should be supplied under a pressure comparable to that of the domestic water supply system.  
           [0004]    Prior devices for supplying pressurized bottled water to a refrigerator or other water dispenser have not proven to be commercially viable. For example, some such systems have often required activation of a pump each time water is supplied to the dispenser. Thus, each time a user gets water from a refrigerator or otherwise uses the water supply, the pump is activated. This is both an annoyance to the user and a waste of energy. Other systems have required the use of a dip leg and its attendant inefficiencies, such as wasted water.  
           [0005]    Accordingly there is a need for a reliable and convenient system for supplying water or other beverages from a bottle to a dispenser, such as a refrigerator. The present invention provides a solution to this and other problems, and offers other advantages over the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Against this backdrop the present invention has been developed. An embodiment of the present invention is a beverage supply system. The system includes a beverage container having a bottom outlet. A first reservoir is connected to the beverage container outlet to receive beverage from the beverage container under force of gravity. A pump is connected to the first reservoir, and a second reservoir is connected to the pump, the second reservoir defining an expandable beverage chamber. The pump is activated to pump beverage from the first reservoir to the second reservoir only when a first quantity of beverage in the first reservoir is within a first quantity range and a second quantity of beverage in the second reservoir is below a second quantity range. The system also includes a beverage dispenser connected to the second reservoir.  
           [0007]    Stated another way, an embodiment of the present invention is a beverage supply system that includes a first reservoir adapted to receive beverage from a beverage container under force of gravity within a first quantity range. The system also includes a pump connected to the first reservoir, and a second reservoir connected to the pump. The second reservoir includes a solid barrier adapted to press against a second quantity of beverage within the second reservoir as the second quantity of beverage within the second reservoir displaces the barrier to produce a pressure. The second reservoir is adapted to supply beverage to a beverage dispenser without the pump being operated. The pump is activated to pump beverage from the first reservoir to the second reservoir only when a first quantity of beverage in the first reservoir is within the first quantity range and a second quantity of beverage in the second reservoir is below a second quantity range.  
           [0008]    Stated yet another way, an embodiment of the present invention is a method of supplying beverage from a beverage container to a beverage dispenser. The method includes supplying beverage from a beverage container to a first reservoir. The method also includes pumping the beverage from the first reservoir to an expandable pressurized chamber of a second reservoir when a first quantity of beverage in the first reservoir is within a first quantity range and a second quantity of beverage in the second reservoir is below a second quantity range. The method additionally includes intermittently connecting the pressurized chamber to an outlet of a beverage dispenser to supply beverage from the second reservoir to the beverage dispenser without pumping the beverage from the second reservoir to the beverage dispenser.  
           [0009]    These and various other features as well as advantages which characterize the present invention will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the beverage supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a beverage supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the beverage supply system of FIG. 2 with its access door removed.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a front separate perspective view of the support frame, the second reservoir, and the pump of the beverage supply system of FIG. 2.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of FIG. 2.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a separate sectional view of the second reservoir of the beverage supply system of FIG. 2 with the beverage chamber empty.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is a separate sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but with the beverage chamber being partially filled.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is a separate sectional view similar to FIG. 7, but with the beverage chamber being more full than in FIG. 7.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is vertical sectional view of a beverage supply system in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the alternative beverage supply system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 9.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the alternative beverage supply system of FIG. 9 with its access door removed. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 5 , a bottled beverage supply system  100  generally includes a beverage bottle or container  108 , such as a conventional water bottle, having an outlet  110  that feeds into a first reservoir  112 . A pump  114  pumps beverage from the first reservoir  112  to a pressurized second reservoir  116 . The beverage is then supplied from the second reservoir  116  to a beverage dispenser  118 . Because the second reservoir  116  is pressurized, beverage can be supplied from the second reservoir  116  to the beverage dispenser  118  without operating the pump  114 . The pump  114  only needs to be activated when the quantity of beverage in the second reservoir  116  becomes too low. Thus, the bottled beverage supply system  100  preferably supplies pressurized beverage to the beverage dispenser  118  in an efficient manner without requiring the pump  114  to be constantly operated while beverage is being supplied to the beverage dispenser  118 .  
         [0022]    Referring still to FIGS.  2 - 3  and  5 , and describing the bottled beverage supply system  100  in more detail, a housing  130  has a substantially rectangular front wall  132 , a pair of substantially rectangular side walls  134  extending back from opposite side edges of the front wall  132 , and a substantially rectangular rear wall  136  extending between the rear edges of the side walls  134 . A substantially rectangular door opening  142  in the rear wall  136  provides access to the interior space of the housing  130 . A housing collar  144  extending about the periphery of the door opening  142  protrudes rearward, and a lip  146  extends up from the rear edge of the top of the housing collar  144  to define a channel  148  between the lip  146  and the rear wall  136 . A substantially rectangular door  156  spans the door opening  142 , but includes a cutout  158  from its bottom edge to provide limited access to the interior space of the housing  130  while the door is mounted on the housing  130 . The door  156  also includes a door collar  160  extending forward from the periphery of the door  156  and a lip  162  extending down from the front edge of the top of the door collar  160 . The door collar  160  fits around the housing collar  144 , and the door lip  162  extends down into the channel  148  so that the door lip and the housing lip  146  interlock. The door  156  also includes fastener holes  164  near its bottom edge to facilitate fastening the bottom of the door  156  in place.  
         [0023]    A floor  170  of the housing  130  joins the bottom edges of the front wall  132 , the side walls  134 , and the rear wall  136  to form a bottom closure of the housing  130 . A support frame  172  is securely mounted on the floor  170  within the housing  130 . The support frame  172  includes a horizontal base  174 , a front wall  176  extending up from the front edge of the base  174 , and a reservoir pedestal  178  rising above the base  174 . A pair of reservoir support arms  180  extend up from front and rear sides of the reservoir pedestal  178  on opposite sides of the second reservoir  116 .  
         [0024]    A top wall  182  of the housing  130  joins the top edges of the front wall  132 , the side walls  134 , and the rear wall  136 . A centrally located annular ridge  190  preferably protrudes upwardly from the top wall  182  and supports the body of the beverage bottle  108 . Referring to FIG. 5, the first reservoir  112  includes an annular side wall  210  that depends from the top wall  182  inside the annular ridge  190 . A sloped wall  212  slopes downward and inward from the side wall  210  to an outlet  214 . The outlet  214  preferably empties into a fitting  216 .  
         [0025]    A drain apparatus  220  includes a support structure  222  that extends from the top wall  182  of the housing  130  down and into the first reservoir  112 . The support structure  222  supports a mating surface  224  that preferably abuts the rim of the downwardly facing outlet  110  of the bottle  108 . The support structure  222  is also preferably positioned and oriented to act as a guide to guide the outlet  110  toward the mating surface  224  when the bottle  108  is positioned on the beverage supply system  100 . A drain tube  226  also supported by the support structure  222  preferably extends up into the outlet  110 . The drain tube  226  includes top openings  228  at its upward end and a bottom opening  229  at its lower end. A drain tube flange  230  extends outwardly from the drain tube  226  and preferably seals with the mating surface  224 . Water is thus supplied to the first reservoir  112  through the drain tube  226  until the level of beverage in the first reservoir rises to the bottom opening  229  and prevents air from entering the drain tube  226 .  
         [0026]    The housing  130 , the first reservoir  112 , the support structure  222  are all preferably part of a unitary member. The unitary member is preferably formed of structural polymer material such as a thermoplastic material. The unitary member can be formed by a roto-mold process. Alternatively, the body could be formed as separate members that are joined together. In this case, the body could be formed by a blow mold process.  
         [0027]    A pump supply line  232  extends from the fitting  216  to the pump  114 . The pump  114  is preferably a positively displaced pump that can produce at least about 100 pounds per square inch of pressure. Alternatively, the pump could be some other type of pump in combination with a check valve to prevent backflow through the pump when the pump is not operated. Pump mounts  240  that are preferably arranged to prevent the transmission of vibrations between the pump  114  and the front wall  176  preferably mount the pump to the front wall  176  of the support frame  172 .  
         [0028]    A pump exit line  242  extends from an outlet of the pump  114  to a second reservoir line  244 . The second reservoir line  244  extends to the second reservoir  116 . The second reservoir  116  preferably includes a pressure tank  250  having an inlet and outlet opening  252  attached to the second reservoir line  244 . A solid barrier or diaphragm  254  is preferably a thin flexible member that is secured to the sides of the pressure tank  250  and divides the pressure tank  250  into a beverage chamber  256  that opens into the opening  252 , and a gas chamber  258  that is filled with a pressurized gas such as air.  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 1, a dispenser supply line  260  extends from the second reservoir line  244  to the dispenser  118 . The dispenser  118  preferably includes a dispenser valve  266  attached to the dispenser supply line  260  and a dispenser exit line  268 . The dispenser exit line may be connected to a spigot, an icemaker, or any other device for supplying beverage in liquid or solid form to users.  
         [0030]    The various beverage supply lines may be constructed of any suitable material, but they are preferably standard polyethylene tubing such as is often used in supplying drinking water to refrigerators or other beverage dispensers.  
         [0031]    A power supply  270  preferably supplies alternating current electrical power, such as from a standard 120-volt outlet. A power switch power line  272  and a constant supply power line  273  are both connected to the power supply  270 , with each power line  272 ,  273  at a different voltage. Accordingly, the power supply  270  will supply power to electrical components that are connected to both the power switch power line  272  and the constant supply power line  273 . The power switch power line  272  is connected to a power switch  274 , which switches between one position that connects the power switch power line  272  to a pressure switch power line  275  and another position that connects the power switch power line  272  to an indicator power line  276 .  
         [0032]    The pressure switch power line  275  extends to the pump  114  via a pressure switch  280  that is pneumatically connected to the beverage chamber  256  of the second reservoir  116  via the second reservoir line  244 . The pressure switch  280  preferably closes when the pressure within the beverage chamber  256  drops below a pressure range, and preferably reopens when the pressure within the beverage chamber  256  rises above the pressure range. The pressure range is preferably within the required pressure range for the dispenser  118 . The pressure range preferably has a lower limit of from about thirty-five to about forty-five psi, and an upper limit of from about sixty to about seventy psi. In a preferred embodiment, the lower limit of the pressure range is about forty psi and the upper limit is about sixty-five psi so that the pressure range is from about forty psi to about sixty psi. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the pressure switch  280  closes when the pressure within the beverage chamber  256  drops below forty psi, opens when the pressure within the beverage chamber  256  rises above sixty-five psi, and does not switch when the pressure within the beverage chamber  256  is within the pressure range between forty and sixty-five psi.  
         [0033]    The pump  114  is constantly connected to the constant supply power line  273 . Thus, when the power switch  274  connects the power switch power line  272  to the pressure switch power line  275 , and the pressure switch  280  is closed, then the power supply  270  supplies power to the pump  114  and thereby activates the pump  114  to pump beverage from the first reservoir  112  to the second reservoir  116 .  
         [0034]    The indicator power line  276  extends to an indicator light  282  that is preferably viewable by a user of the beverage supply system  100 . The indicator light  282  is also constantly connected to the constant supply power line  273  so that when the power switch  274  connects the power switch power line  272  to the indicator power line  276 , then the indicator light  282  receives power from the power supply  270  and is illuminated.  
         [0035]    A fluid level switch power line  300  extends from the constant supply power line  273  to a fluid level switch  302 . The fluid level switch  302  is preferably driven by the fluid height of the beverage within the first reservoir  112 . Preferably, if sufficient beverage is within the first reservoir  112  to be pumped into the second reservoir  116 , then the fluid level switch  302  closes. Referring to FIG. 5, the fluid level switch preferably includes an annular float  304  that extends about a sealed cylinder  306  so that the float  304  is able to slide up and down on the sealed cylinder  306  as the beverage level within the first reservoir  112  rises and falls. A follower  308  positioned within the sealed cylinder  306  is magnetically attracted to the float  304  so that the follower  308  moves up and down with the float  304  to actuate the fluid level switch  302 .  
         [0036]    Referring back to FIG. 1, the fluid switch power line  300  extends from the fluid level switch  302  to a relay  310  that actuates the power switch  274 . The relay  310  is preferably constantly connected to the power switch power line  272  so that the relay  310  receives power from the power supply  270  when the fluid level switch  302  is closed. Preferably, if the fluid level switch  302  is closed, indicating the fluid level within the first reservoir  112  is sufficiently high, and then the relay  310  switches the power switch  274  to connect the power switch power line  272  to the pressure switch power line  275 . If the fluid level switch  302  is open, then the relay  310  switches the power switch  274  to connect the power switch power line  272  to the indicator power line  276 , rather than the pressure switch power line  275 .  
         [0037]    Thus, the power supply  270  will begin to supply power to activate the pump  114  if: (1) the pressure switch  280  is closed, indicating the pressure of the beverage within the second reservoir  116  is below the operating pressure range, which in turn indicates that the quantity of beverage within the second reservoir  116  is below an operating range; and (2) the fluid level switch  302  is closed, indicating the first reservoir  112  contains sufficient beverage to be supplied by the pump  114  to the second reservoir  116 . The power supply  270  will cease supplying power to deactivate the pump  114  if either: (1) the pressure switch  280  opens, indicating the pressure of the beverage within the second reservoir  116  is above the operating pressure range; or (2) the fluid level switch  302  opens, indicating that the beverage level within the first reservoir  112  is not sufficiently high to continue supplying beverage to the second reservoir  116 .  
         [0038]    In operation, the bottle  108  is placed in the inverted position shown in FIGS.  2 - 5 . Referring to FIG. 1, at that time, beverage will fill the first reservoir  112 , as discussed above. This filled status is indicated to the relay  310  by the fluid level switch  302  as described above, and the relay will switch the power switch  274  to connect the power switch power line  272  to the pressure switch power line  275 . The second reservoir  116  may initially contain no beverage, so that the gas within the gas chamber  258  presses the barrier  254  against the sides and bottom of the tank so that the beverage chamber  256  has substantially no volume as shown in FIG. 6. In this state where the second reservoir  116  has no beverage or if its beverage level is low then its pressure is also low. This low beverage quantity and pressure status is indicated by the pressure switch  280  closing, and thereby connecting the pump  114  to the power switch power line  272  via the pressure switch power line  275  and the power switch  274 . The pump  114  is thereby operated to pump beverage from the first reservoir  112  to the beverage chamber  256  of the second reservoir  116 . As the pump  114  increases the quantity of beverage in the beverage chamber  256 , the pressure in the beverage chamber  256  also increases. The pressure of the beverage presses against and displaces the barrier  254  so that the beverage chamber  256  expands to accommodate the increasing quantity of beverage as shown in FIGS.  7 - 8 . The pump  114  continues pumping beverage from the first reservoir  112  to the beverage chamber  256  of the second reservoir  116  until the pressure within the beverage chamber rises above the operating pressure range. At that point, the pressure switch  280  opens, thereby disconnecting the pump  114  from the power switch power line  272  and deactivating the pump.  
         [0039]    Because the dispenser  118  is connected to the pressurized beverage chamber  256 , pressurized beverage is supplied to the dispenser  118 . The beverage may be automatically or manually dispensed from the dispenser  118  by opening the dispenser valve  266 . As the beverage is dispensed from the dispenser  118 , the quantity of beverage within the beverage chamber  256  decreases. The pressure within the beverage chamber  256  also decreases and the barrier  254  contracts the beverage chamber  256 . This contraction may continue during several uses of the dispenser  118  without the pump  114  being operated. Thus, users of the dispenser  118  are not annoyed by the constant noise of the pump  114  as they use the dispenser  118 , making use of the dispenser  118  a more pleasant experience.  
         [0040]    When the pressure within the beverage chamber  256  of the second reservoir  116  drops below the operating range, then the pressure switch  280  closes again. This will again operate the pump  114  so long as sufficient beverage remains within the first reservoir  112  as indicated by the fluid level switch  302  being closed. This cycle of beverage being supplied from the expandable beverage chamber  256  and the pump  114  operating periodically to supply beverage to the beverage chamber  256  continues so long as the first reservoir  112  contains sufficient beverage. When the beverage supply system  100  has emptied the bottle  108 , the bottle will, of course, no longer supply beverage to the first reservoir  112 , and the beverage level of the first reservoir  112  will drop until the first reservoir no longer contains sufficient beverage to be pumped to the beverage chamber  256  of the second reservoir. At that time, the float  304  of the fluid level switch  302  will also drop, and the fluid level switch  302  will open. The relay  310  will then switch the power switch  274  from the pressure switch power line  275  to the indicator power line  276 . With the pressure switch power line  275  disconnected from the power switch power line  272 , the pump  114  can no longer be operated, even if the pressure switch  280  is closed. With the indicator power line  276  connected to the power switch power line  272 , the indicator light  282  will remain on so long as the fluid level within the first reservoir  112  remains low. The indicator light  282  thereby indicates that the bottle  108  is empty and needs to be replaced with a new bottle. When the bottle  108  is replaced, then operation of the beverage supply system  100  continues as described above.  
         [0041]    If the beverage supply system  100  needs to be disconnected from the dispenser  118 , the bottle  108  can be removed. The beverage within the system  100  can then be drained by simply opening the dispenser valve  266 . The dispenser  118  can then be disconnected. Alternatively, a valve could be included on the dispenser supply line  260 . This valve could be closed before disconnecting the dispenser  118 .  
         [0042]    An alternative embodiment  400  of the beverage supply system in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and  11 . A schematic diagram is shown in FIG. 10. A sectional view is shown in FIG. 9, and a perspective view of the system  400  is shown in FIG. 11. In this alternative embodiment, the system  400  is designed to accommodate an external source of beverage supply in addition to a bottle supply as in beverage supply system  100 . The components and operation of the system  400  are the same as in system  100  described in detail above except for the addition of a provision for connection of the system to a feed from an external source, such as a reverse osmosis water purification system (not shown) through a port  402  that passes through the wall  132  to a line  404  which connects to a tee fitting  406  in the feed line  232  to the pump  114 , and the provision of a switch contact  412  to bypass the float switch  302  as described below.  
         [0043]    In FIGS. 9, 10, and  11 , the same numbering of components is utilized as in the first embodiment  100  described above except for the additional components added. In particular, a valve  408  is placed between the outlet fitting  216  and the tee  406  in the line  232 . This valve  408  remains open whenever the system  400  is operated as described with reference to system  100 . This valve  408  is preferably a solenoid valve, with a hand switch operator handle  409  on the outside of the cabinet, as is shown in FIG. 11, although it may alternatively be a manual valve as well. In this alternative embodiment  400 , the bottle water source preferably may be utilized only if the external system is unavailable. This might be desirable, for example, in a commercial environment or a home environment where the water needs are greater than can be economically handled with single bottles. In such situations, a reverse osmosis water purification system might be in place. The output of this external system is provided as an input to system  400  via port  402 . Beverage passes through the port  402 , through line  404 , tee  406 , and into the pump  114  as needed. Should the external system be taken off line for any reason, a water bottle  108  would be installed, solenoid valve  408  opened via switch  409 , and the system  400  operated as above described with reference to system  100 . A solenoid stop/check valve  410  in the feed line  404  prevents backflow of bottle water through the port  402  into the external system. In actual operation, the external system may predominate in supplying the beverage to the pump  114 , while a bottle  108  is installed and simply provides either an automatic backup source for the system  400  if valve  408  is chosen appropriately as a solenoid operated stop/check valve, or manual backup source for the system  400  if valve  408  is a hand valve.  
         [0044]    In the case where a bottle  108  is not installed in the first reservoir  112  during normal operation, a circular cap would be installed over the opening into reservoir  112  that engages the annular ridge  190  in the top wall  182 . When it is desired to install a bottle  108 , the cap would simply be removed and stored inside the housing of the system  400 .  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIG. 10, a perspective view is shown. Note that valve  408  has a handle  409  protruding through the cabinet front. This handle is the solenoid operator for valve  408 . In operation, the valve  408  not only closes off the first reservoir  112  while the external system is supplying beverage to the second reservoir through the pump  114 , the control for this valve, the handle  409  on the front of the unit, has a switch contact  412  that bypasses the float switch  302  so that when a bottle  108  is not installed, the pump  114  will continue to operate as previously described to provide beverage through the external supply to the second chamber  256  being maintained within the desired pressure range.  
         [0046]    It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment has been described for purposes of this disclosure, various changes and modifications may be made which are well within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0047]    For example, the second reservoir could operate without a solid barrier by having the second reservoir contain a compressed gas that is further compressed by the beverage itself as the second reservoir is filled. Also, the electrical components could be configured in many different ways. In alternative embodiment  400 , the valve  408  shown in FIG. 10 may be simply replaced with a check valve and a simple switch provided on the side of the enclosure to bypass the float switch  302  when an external source is operational or engage the float switch  302  when a bottle  108  is installed. Alternatively, the switch contact  412  may be omitted if the valve  408  is closed during external source use and a bottle  108  is installed on the first reservoir  112 . The check valves in the system could be replaced with stop/check valves to ensure isolation capability in case of leaks or other malfunctions, as well as support automatic operation of the system  400  with either bottle or external supply. The placement of the port  402  may be other than the wall  132 . It may be located in any location that is convenient for the connection to the reverse osmosis system. The placement of the handle or switch  409  for valve  408  may be other than on the side  132 . This valve actuator may be internal to the enclosure rather than having a handle placed as shown in FIG. 11. Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.