Patent Publication Number: US-2004040571-A1

Title: Combined toothbrush and flossing device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
     [0001] This application is based upon and claims priority from prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/408,134, filed Sep. 4, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] The present invention generally relates to the field of dental hygiene, and more particularly relates to combination toothbrush and dental flossing devices.  
       [0004] 2. Description of Related Art  
       [0005] Dental hygiene is an important part of everyday life. Proper dental hygiene requires regular and frequent care. Proper dental hygiene is also best performed by using a variety of tools. For example, more complete dental hygiene is achieved by using dental floss in combination with brushing of the teeth. A problem results from having to use various tools to perform better dental hygiene because the person has to keep track of all of the tools that are needed. If only one tool, such as a toothbrush or dental floss is readily available, a person is likely to use only that tool and not look for the other tools that are needed. This results in the person not performing the complete dental hygiene regimen that provides the best dental hygiene.  
       [0006] Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an integrated toothbrush and flossing device has a toothbrush that has a body. The body of the toothbrush has a fore-end from which bristles depend and a butt end. The integrated toothbrush and flossing device further has a flossing device attached to the toothbrush. The flossing device has a floss holder for holding a portion of floss for use in cleaning teeth. The floss holder is moveably secured to the body and is able to be at least partially retracted into the body. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0008] The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and also the advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the left-most digit of a reference number in the drawings identifies the drawing in which an element with that reference number first appears.  
     [0009]FIG. 1 is a diagram of an integrated toothbrush and flossing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0010]FIG. 2 is a diagram of an extended floss holder view of the integrated toothbrush and flossing device  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0011]FIG. 3 is a diagram of an opposite-end flossing device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0012]FIG. 4 is a diagram of a platform finger engagement means integrated toothbrush and flossing device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0013]FIG. 5 is a diagram a pivot-able floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0014]FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams of a detachable floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0015]FIG. 7 is a diagram of a powered flossing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0016]FIG. 8 is a top-down cross-sectional view of a floss holder dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 9 is a top view of a floss holder slide mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 10 is a side view of a floss holder slide mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0019]FIG. 11 is a longitudinal view of a floss holder slide mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0020]FIG. 12 is a diagram of a powered toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0021]FIG. 13 is a diagram of a simulated animal integrated toothbrush and flossing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0022]FIG. 14 is a diagram of a simulated animal integrated toothbrush and flossing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0023] It is important to note that these embodiments are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural and visa versa with no loss of generality.  
     [0024] Embodiments of the present invention provide a device that facilitates good dental hygiene by combining a toothbrush and a flossing device into a single product. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “toothbrush” is includes both manual and powered type toothbrushes. In an exemplary embodiment, the toothbrush effectively acts as a handle for the flossing device, thereby making it easier to floss difficult to reach teeth in the rear of the mouth. The invention also includes a stand-alone flossing-device-handle that is not in the form of the toothbrush. Therefore the term “toothbrush” can be applied to the toothbrush handle standing alone without toothbrush bristles depending therefrom.  
     [0025] The flossing device, which is able to stand alone or be incorporated within a combination toothbrush and flossing device, includes a means of storing floss, a means of dispensing floss, and a means of holding dispensed floss in a position that allows a section of the dispensed floss to be easily introduced into the user&#39;s mouth for flossing.  
     [0026] One aspect of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is a flossing device incorporated into a toothbrush in a way that allows the flossing device to be enclosed within the body of the toothbrush while the flossing device is not in use, and then reversibly extended from the body of the toothbrush when the user desires to floss his or her teeth.  
     [0027] Another aspect of exemplary embodiments of the invention is that the flossing device may be entirely integrated with the toothbrush, or, alternatively, some or all of the flossing device may be provided separately and attached to the toothbrush through a means that allows the flossing device to be retracted into the body of the toothbrush when the flossing device is not in use.  
     [0028] Another aspect of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is a combination of a retractable flossing device, as described above, and a means of storing floss within the body of the toothbrush.  
     [0029] The inventive concepts and novel features of the invention are herein described with reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention. The exemplary embodiments described herein are representative of the many possible embodiments that incorporate in the inventive concepts of the present invention. For instance, while the embodiment described herein relates to a toothbrush employed as a handle for a flossing device, it is to be understood that the invention further includes the broader concept of a flossing-device handle that is not in the specific form of a toothbrush. In the accompanying figures the same numbers are used where possible to indicate analogous parts in various views.  
     [0030] Turning now to the figures, an integrated toothbrush and flossing device  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The integrated toothbrush  100  has a body  101  with a fore-end  120  from which a plurality of bristles  102  depends. Floss is stored on a spool  103  that is held in a spool chamber  104  that is integral to body  101 . The spool  103  rotates freely within the chamber  104  when the floss is pulled therefrom.  
     [0031] An extended floss holder view  200  of the integrated toothbrush and flossing device  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. A sliding floss holder  205  is integral to the body  101  of the integrated toothbrush and flossing device  100  and is shown in its extended state in the extended floss holder view  200 . The sliding floss holder  205  includes a pair of arms  206 , each of which has a means for securely holding floss  208 . The two arms  206  are separated by a space  202  such that when a section of floss  208  is secured tautly between the arms  206 , the section of floss  208  that is between the arms  206  can be used to floss teeth. It will be appreciated that in this configuration, the toothbrush becomes a handle for the floss holder, thereby making it much easier for the user to reach the back teeth, i.e. the molars.  
     [0032] The sliding floss holder can be slidably extended and retracted from the body  101  of the toothbrush such that the floss holder  205  and arms  206  move in and out of the body  101  through a first slot  107  in the fore-end  120  of the toothbrush body  101 . In the retracted position shown in FIG. 1, the sliding floss holder  205  is enclosed within the body  101  of the integrated toothbrush and flossing device  100  so that the sliding floss holder  205  does not interfere with tooth-brushing. In the extended position, as is shown in FIG. 2, the two arms  206  of the sliding floss holder  205  are extended past the body  101  of the integrated toothbrush and flossing device, and thereby hold the floss away from the body  101  of the integrated toothbrush and flossing device  100  and in position for easily reaching into the mouth.  
     [0033] During the process of moving the sliding floss holder  205  from its retracted position to its extended position, floss  208  is pulled from the spool  103  with the floss  208  being guided from the spool  103  to the extended arms  206  by means of a channel  108  in the body  101  of the integrated toothbrush and flossing device  100 . The channel  108  in this exemplary embodiment is formed by a groove in the side of the body  101  of the integrated toothbrush and flossing device  100 . Alternative embodiments use a tunnel that is formed wholly within the body  101  of the integrated toothbrush and flossing device  100 .  
     [0034] This exemplary embodiment of the present invention incorporates the flossing-device into the fore-end  120  of the toothbrush, i.e., the end with the toothbrush bristles  102 . An opposite-end flossing device  300  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. The opposite-end flossing device  300  shows an embodiment of the invention in which the flossing-device is incorporated into the butt-end  122  of the body  101  of the integrated toothbrush and flossing device  100 . The butt-end  122  of the body  101  is the end that is opposite the fore-end  120  of the body  101 . It is therefore clear that the invention is not limited as to the portion of the body  101  from which the floss holder extends.  
     Alternative Finger-Engagement Means for Extending the Floss Holding Mechanism  
     [0035] The exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 3  include a finger-engagement means  109  for engaging the sliding floss holder  205  that communicates with the floss holding mechanism  205  and extends through a second slot  110  in the body  101  so that the sliding floss holder  205  can be extended and retracted by applying pressure forward and aft, respectively, upon the finger-engagement means  109 . The finger-engagement means  109  is able to have many forms. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 3  use a small knob for the finger engagement means  109 . However, as should be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present discussion, any mechanism that imparts sliding movement to the floss holding mechanism  205  may be used.  
     [0036] A platform finger engagement means integrated toothbrush and flossing device  400  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. The platform finger engagement means integrated toothbrush and flossing device  400  includes a finger engagement means  109   a  that consists of a platform  109   a  with ridges that are slightly raised above the surface of the body  101 . The platform  109   a  of this alternative embodiment fits in recess  402  within body  101 .  
     Location of the Finger-Engagement Means on the Body  
     [0037] The exemplary embodiment of the integrated toothbrush and flossing device  100  uses a finger-engagement means  109  that is on the fore-end  120  of the integrated toothbrush and flossing device  100 , i.e., above the bristles  102 . Alternative embodiments position the finger-engagement means  109  on the side of the fore-end  120  of the body  101 , i.e., adjacent to the bristles  102 . Yet other embodiments place the finger engagement means  109  sufficiently far back on the body  101  so that the finger-engagement means  109  does not enter the mouth when the user is brushing or flossing his or her teeth. The opposite-end flossing device  300  further illustrated the slider floss holder  205 , which includes the finger-engagement means  109 , as incorporated into the butt-end  122  of the body  101  instead of into the fore-end  120 . It is clear that the invention is not limited as to what portion of the toothbrush the finger-engagement means protrudes from.  
     Securing the floss to the arms  
     [0038] Embodiments of the present invention use various means for securing a portion of floss to the arms  206  of the sliding floss holder  205 . Embodiments provide grooves (not shown) in the ends of the arms  206 , the grooves having walls that are spaced sufficiently close together such that the floss, when pressed into the grooves, is held securely by the frictional forces between the floss and the walls of the grooves.  
     Design elements that provide additional function  
     [0039] Embodiments of the present invention are designed to make the integrated toothbrush and flossing device, as well as the chore of flossing teeth, more attractive to children. Some of these embodiments take advantage of the analogy between the extension/retraction movement of the sliding floss holder  205  and the extension/retraction movement of an animal&#39;s tongue. The opposite-end flossing device  300  includes features such as the simulated eyes  312 , or other anatomical features, to enhance the functionality of the invention by making the flossing experience more fun for children. Variations of characters and/or simulated animal designs for integrated toothbrush and flossing devices are illustrated, according to alternative embodiments of the present invention, in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, respectively. It is to be noted that the alternative embodiments illustrated in FIGS.  13  and  14  have the flossing device attached to the butt end  122  of the body  101  of those embodiments.  
     Pivot-able floss-holder  
     [0040] In addition to the embodiments described above that include a sliding floss holder  205 , other embodiments utilize different means for extending and retracting a floss holder from the body  101 . These different means should be obvious to those to whom the inventive concept has been disclosed as discussed herein. For instance, a pivot-able floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device  500  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. The pivot-able floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device  500  uses a pivot-able floss holder  502  in place of the sliding floss holder  205  of the above embodiments. The pivot-able floss holder  502  of this alternative embodiment is attached to the body  101  of the pivot-able floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device  500  at a pivot point and secured by a pivot pin  513 . The pivot-able floss holder  502  can then be placed in an extended or folded configuration by swinging the pivot-able floss holder  502  much like opening and closing a pocket-knife. Although the pivot-able floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device  500  shows the pivot point and pivot pin  513  placed at or near the middle of the body  101 , alternative embodiments place the pivot point and pivot in at the very fore-end  120 , thus allowing the pivot-able floss holder  502  to pivot out from the front of the pivot-able floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device  500 .  
     [0041] In the folded configuration, the pivot-able floss holder  502  is mostly enclosed within the body  101 . The pivot-able floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device  500  of this alternative embodiment allows the edge of the pivot-able floss holder  502  to extend sufficiently far enough outside the body  101  so as to allow the user to grab and extend the pivot-able floss holder  502  and rotate it into its operating position.  
     [0042] As with the sliding floss holder  205 , when the pivot-able floss holder  502  is moved from the retracted position to the extended position, floss is pulled from the spool  103 . Embodiments guide the floss from the spool  103  to the arms  106  by means of a channel  108  in the body  101 .  
     Replaceable Floss Holder  
     [0043] The embodiments discussed above, and their variations, describe a floss holder that is preferably permanently incorporated into the integrated toothbrush and flossing device. However, the floss holder also anticipates a removable/replaceable (or detachable/ replaceable) floss holder. Alternative embodiments of the present invention utilize floss holders that are physically detachable from the sliding mechanism. Such a floss holder may, for example, be a commonly available flossing device called a “floss pick”. A floss pick has a floss holder at one end of a small rod, with a section of floss permanently attached to the floss holder. The other end of the rod is pointed so that it can be used as a toothpick. The rod itself typically has a cross-section of a flattened oval, with the long diameter being about 2 mm. Such floss picks are typically on the order of only 8 cm long, which makes it difficult to use them to reach the rear-most teeth.  
     [0044] A detachable floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device  600  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. A detachable floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device  650  (in a retracted floss holder position) is illustrated in FIG. 6A, and the detachable floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device  660  (in an extended floss holder position) is illustrated in FIG. 6B. The detachable floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device  600  of this embodiment dispenses with the floss holder, the floss storage means, and the floss dispensing means that were integrated into the body of the above discussed embodiments. In place of those components, a sliding element  604  is provided in the body  101  that can removably receive a floss holder  602 , such as a floss pick.  
     [0045] The floss holder  602  includes two arms  606  to hold a portion of floss  608 . The floss holder  602  is inserted with its pointed end  612  first into a first slot  614  of the body  101  and pushed into a hole  616  in the sliding element  604 . The hole  616  has a flattened oval cross-section to accommodate the floss holder  602  and thereby holds it securely. The floss pick  602  thus becomes analogous to the sliding floss holder  205  described above. When retracted within the body  101 , as shown for the retracted floss holder detachable floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device  650 , the floss holder  602  is out of the way when brushing teeth. When the floss holder  602  is extended, as shown for the extended floss holder detachable floss holder integrated toothbrush and flossing device  660 , it can easily be used to reach the rear-most teeth. When the floss  608  wears out, the floss holder  602  can be quickly removed and replaced.  
     Powered Floss Holder  
     [0046] A powered flossing device  700  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. The powered flossing device  700  is able to be incorporated into a stand-alone device or to be incorporated into an integrated toothbrush and flossing device. This embodiment shows a replaceable floss holder  602  that is substantially similar to the replaceable floss holder  602  described above. The base  730  of the removable floss holder  602  is attached to a floss holder drive  728  at the drive junction  724 . The floss holder drive  728  drives the floss holder  602  in a vertical up and down motion to facilitate flossing of the user&#39;s teeth. The floss holder  602  used in this embodiment includes a ridge  706  to is engaged upon the downward movement of ejector  704  to cause the floss holder  602  to separate from the floss holder drive  728  at the holder junction  726  and result in the ejection of the floss holder  602 .  
     [0047] Floss holder drive  728  is held into position in this embodiment by drive bracket  726 . Drive bracket  726  allows the floss holder drive  728  to wiggle in a vertical direction to cause similar movement of the floss holder  602 . The driven end  732  of the floss holder drive  728  includes a slot  722  into which a drive pin  720  is inserted. Drive pin  720  is attached to a second drive gear  716  at an off-center location to cause the driven end  732  of the floss holder drive  728  to move in a vertical motion as the second drive gear  716  rotates. Slot  722  allows the floss holder drive  728  to move in a vertical manner without horizontal movement as the second drive gear  716  turns. The Second drive gear  716  is driven by a first drive gear  714  in this embodiment. The first drive gear  714  is driven by a motor  712 . Motor  712  is held in place by motor bracket  718  and is powered by one or more “AA” batteries  710 . Power to the motor  712  is controlled by the floss drive switch  708 . The powered flossing device  700  of the exemplary embodiment moves the floss  608  in an up and down manner relative to the body  122   a.    
     Floss Holder Dispenser  
     [0048] A floss holder dispenser  800  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with a top-down view in FIG. 8. The floss holder dispenser  800  is a magazine of floss holders  852 , such as floss picks, that allows a floss holder  852  to be extended through magazine opening  830  for use, removed and discarded, and then allows a new floss holder  852  to be readied for use.  
     [0049] The magazine floss holders  852  are similar to the removable floss holder  602  described above. The magazine floss holders  852  of this embodiment further contain two (2) engagement holes  804  to allow engagement and movement of the magazine floss holders as is described below.  
     [0050] Floss holder dispenser  800  has a number of floss holders  852 . The exemplary floss holder dispenser  800  is shown to contain five (5) floss holders  852 , and other embodiments are able to hold a different number of floss holders  852 . The floss holders  852  are positioned side-by-side to allow the next floss holder  860 , which is simply the magazine floss holder  852  that is to be next used, to slide into position as a previously used floss holder  852  is removed.  
     [0051] Floss holder dispenser  800  has a floss holder slide mechanism  812  that moves the next floss holder  860  into either a retracted position for storage or into an extended position for use in flossing the user&#39;s teeth. The floss holder slide mechanism  812  is has a knob  814  that extends through a case slot  810 . The case slot is cut into dispenser case  828  to allow access to and control the movement of the floss holder slid mechanism  812 . The floss holder slide mechanism  812  is shown to be in it&#39;s mid-point position which places the next magazine floss holder  860  into a retracted position. Sliding the floss holder mechanism  812  to its rightmost position places the next magazine floss holder  852  into an extended position and ready for use. Once the next magazine floss holder  860  is extended, the user is able to grab it and disengage it from the floss holder slide mechanism. Once the next magazine floss holder  860  is removed, the user is able to move the floss holder slide mechanism  812  to its leftmost position, which is a reload position. When the floss holder slide mechanism  812  is in its leftmost position, the holder engagement pins  818  on the floss holder slide mechanism  812  will engage the engagement holes  804  of the magazine floss holder  852  that is on the top of the stack of magazine floss holders  852 . That magazine floss holder  852  will then become the next magazine floss holder  860  and further sliding of the floss holder slide mechanism will position it as discussed above.  
     [0052] The magazine floss holders  852  are held into position against the floss holder slide mechanism  812  by springs  808 , which press against block  806 . This keeps a variable number of magazine floss holders  852  in position against the floss holder slide mechanism  812  and ready for use. The next floss holder  860  is more securely held into position during use by stabilizers  820  that are placed near magazine opening  830 .  
     [0053] Embodiments of the present invention mount a floss holder dispenser  800  within the handle of a toothbrush. These embodiments allow the floss holder dispenser  800  to be removed and replaced by various means that attach the floss holder dispenser  800  to the toothbrush. An example is the use of an access door that secures the floss holder dispenser  800  when the door is closed, but that allows the floss holder dispenser to be removed and replaced when the door is opened.  
     [0054] Embodiments of the present invention incorporate a floss holder dispenser  800  into a device that provides a powered floss holder, similar to the power floss holder  700  discussed above. An example of such an embodiment includes a magazine floss holder drive connector  824  that extends to a floss holder drive  728 , which is similar to the floss holder drive  728  discussed above. The operation of the floss holder drive  728  is also similar to that discussed above. In this embodiment, the floss holder drive  728  drives the floss holder slide mechanism  812 , which, in turn, drives the next magazine floss holder  860 .  
     [0055] A holder slider top view  900  of the floss holder slide mechanism  812  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 9. The floss holder slide mechanism  812  has a knob  814  that fits through case slot  810 . Knob  814  is shown to have a width of dimension ‘N’ which is chosen to fit into case slot  810 . The floss holder slide mechanism  812  has a total width of ‘L’ that is larger than ‘N.’ This ensures that the floss holder slide mechanism  812  is retained within the dispenser case  828 . The holder engagement pins  818  are shown to depend from the bottom of the floss holder slide mechanism  812 .  
     [0056] A floss holder slide mechanism side view  1000  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 10. The features of the floss holder slide mechanism  812  are highlighted, especially the knob  814  and the holder engagement pins  818 . The knob  814  is shown to be a height ‘R,’ which is selected to extend a small amount above the dispenser case  828  to allow a user&#39;s finger to engage the knob  814  and slide the floss holder slide mechanism  812  to operate the magazine floss holders  852  as described above.  
     [0057] A floss holder slide mechanism longitudinal view  1100  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 11. The features of the floss holder slide mechanism  812  are highlighted, especially the knob  814  and the holder engagement pins  818 . The knob  814  is shown to be a width ‘N,’ as discussed above. The holder engagement pins  818  are shown to be a width ‘M’ that is chosen to allow the holder engagement pins  818  to fit into the holder engagement holes  804 .  
     Powered Toothbrush and Tongue Scraper  
     [0058] A powered toothbrush  1200  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 12. The powered toothbrush  1200  can be integrated with a tooth flossing device, such as the tooth flossing devices described above, to form an integrated toothbrush and flossing device. It is clear that other powered toothbrush designs can equally be integrated with a tooth flossing device to provide an integrated toothbrush and flossing device. The powered toothbrush  1200  of this embodiment includes one or more ‘AA’ sized batteries  1208 , a motor  1210  and a toothbrush power switch  1206  to control power flow to the motor  1210 . The motor  1210  drives a motor shaft  1212  that turns first gear  1214 . First gear  1214  drives a gear box that includes second gear  1216  and outputs power to drive gear  1218 . Drive gear  1218  has a drive shaft  1220  that is mounted at an off-center location on the face of drive gear  1218 . Drive shaft  1220  engages a slot (not shown) on output shaft  1230  so as to move output shaft  1202  in a lateral left-right and right to left motion to provide power tooth cleaning. The output shaft  1230  has a shaft interface  1204  that allows a removable toothbrush head  1202  to be removably attached and detached to the output shaft  1230  and used by the powered toothbrush  1200 . The powered toothbrush  1200  of this embodiment also allows a tongue scraper attachment  1228  to be used by the powered toothbrush  1200 . The tongue scraper attachment  1228  has a scraper area  1224 , a shaft  1222  and a mounting interface  1226  that is used to removably attach the tongue scraper attachment  1228  to the shaft interface  1204  for use as a powered tongue scraper.  
     [0059] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.