Patent Publication Number: US-2006010577-A1

Title: Breast complement clothing adhesive pocket systems

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      The present invention relates to adhesive pocket systems in garments used to complement or perhaps even supplement female breasts. Specifically, the present invention focuses upon techniques and pocket systems for women to attach to a garment where a prosthesis or breast enhancement element may be worn.  
      In the case of mastectomy surgery, there may be a great psychological impact upon a woman involved and there may be a great discomfort as a result the physical changes and mental anxiety. Women who have undergone these mastectomies can wear a prosthetic device or the like to maintain a normal body shape. Similarly, there may be natural occurrences of underdevelopment or simply the desire for breast enhancement. As a result, some women may use padded brassieres for enhancement of their breasts. Since brassieres may be uncomfortable and may not be worn with all types of garments, and surgery for breast enhancement may be costly, painful and may even pose health risks, there is a need to provide for shape, enhancement and support for the bust area of women. More specifically, there is a need for breast enhancement systems that can quickly and inconspicuously attach directly to a garment.  
      It has been suggested, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,241 to Dodds, to insert breast-form prostheses and the like into permanently attached interior pockets of lounge wear. As discussed in Dodds, a pocket may be sewn into the inside of a garment. However, such pockets may be noticeable and may not be readily removable from garments to which they are attached. Further, these pre-attached pockets may not allow a user to position them for best appearance.  
      Other attempts have provided a removable pad for breast enhancement, yet they may have required some sort of alteration to a garment prior to the attachment of a pad. This alteration may include sewing or otherwise attaching a first attachment means into a garment. This may be time consuming and may even provide changes to the appearance of a garment, such as the sight of threading on an outside of a garment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,621 to Ettipio provides an artificial breast or mastectomy prosthesis in a breast-shaped pad having a hook type fastening means about the periphery of a pad. A pad may be fastened to a nightgown with a mating pile attachment means having been previously attached on the inside of a bosom area of a nightgown. As another example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,278 to Greenblatt, complimentary fastening material may be attached to the inside of a garment and an inner breast cup insert assembly may be fastened to a garment with a fastening material such as hook and loop type fasteners.  
      In addition to hook and loop type fasteners for the attachment of pockets for enhancement elements, such as prostheses, one may also utilize ties, buttons, snaps and even zippers as mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,241 to Dodds. This may result in uncomfortable protrusions that may irritate a user and may provide unnecessary alteration to a garment.  
      In other efforts, shelf bras have been used, such as those discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,174 to Cordova. A shelf bra may consist of a piece of fabric attached at the neckline and side seams of a garment that may hang somewhat loosely at the bust. Shelf bras may have been intended to provide support and shape to the breast, yet since they are not properly sized to the individual wearer, they may fail to do a satisfactory job.  
      A device or system may be attached to a brassier or even a prosthetic brassier. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,092 to Weber-Unger, a body member having three body sections may be securable to a cup of a prosthetic bra. In addition, others describe mastectomy brassieres such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,867 to Fanelli and U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,945 to Stephens.  
      Other efforts in this regard include attaching an adhesive element to a user&#39;s skin to provide breast enhancement. These may be disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,313 to Le Jeune, U.S. Design Pat. No. D485,965 to Slimak, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,074 to Diaz.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention includes a variety of aspects which may be selected in different combinations based upon the particular application or needs to be addressed. In one basic form, the invention discloses the use of a pocket that can be attached to an inside of a garment and can contain any of various types of breast enhancement inserts. A pocket system may be self-attaching to a garment in that possibly no prior steps need to be taken before the pocket can be attached. For example, it may not be necessary to pre-sew a hook to a garment in order to attach a pocket system.  
      It is a general object of this invention to provide systems for garments so that women can comfortably and concealingly wear breast enhancements to complete or even enhance a female body in the area of the bosom or breasts.  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide an adhesive pocket that can be placed in the inside of a garment for the retainment of breast enhancement items.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-attaching adhesive pocket to be placed in the inside of a garment.  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide an pocket system having an adhesive suitable for the attachment to a garment to hold a breast enhancement insert to satisfactorily shape the garment and give it the appearance of covering a natural breast.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide pocket systems that can prevent permanent alteration to a garment.  
      It is yet another object of the present invention to have an adherable pocket that can be removable from a garment to facilitate washing to allow a user to employ the enhancement insert or not, as desired, with a particular garment.  
      Still yet further objects of the invention will be apparent from this specification, including the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a front view of an embodiment of a pocket, generally, of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a two-piece pocket of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a front view of an embodiment of a placement of a pocket into a garment.  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective back view of a placement of a pocket into an inside of a backless garment in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a two-piece pocket having an adhesive.  
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a pocket with a breast enhancement element having an adhesive representatively showing how it may attach to a garment in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a front view of an embodiment of a pocket having an adhesive shown attached to a pocket.  
       FIG. 8  is a partial view of an embodiment of the present invention showing elastic on a pocket.  
       FIG. 9  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a pocket attached to a shelf bra of a garment.  
       FIG. 10  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention which represents a generic breast enhancement element or insert.  
       FIG. 11  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention which represents a pocket having a breast enhancement element and a support element.  
       FIG. 12  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing an alternative shape of an adhesive pocket.  
       FIG. 13  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing an alternative shape of an adhesive pocket.  
       FIG. 14  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing an alternative shape of an adhesive pocket. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      As mentioned earlier, the present invention includes a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the present invention. These elements are listed with initial embodiments, however it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the present invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.  
      In embodiments, the present invention may provide systems for complementing female breasts. In  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of an adherable breast pocket ( 1 ) is shown. An adherable breast pocket may be one piece of material ( 17 ) that can adherably attach to the inside of a garment. A compartment may be formed by attaching the one-piece of material ( 17 ) to the material of an inside of a garment. In other embodiments, an adherable breast pocket may include two pieces of material ( 19 ) as shown in  FIG. 2 . Two similarly shaped pieces of material may be at least partially connected to form a pocket. Of course, each piece of material does not need to be similarly shaped and any size or shape of a material may be used. A partial connection ( 25 ) between an edge of each of the two pieces of material may include stitching, adhesive, glue, and the like adhesives. Accordingly, one of the two pieces of material forming a pocket may be attached to an inside of a garment. This may provide a stronger attachment between a pocket and a garment.  
      The present invention may provide, in embodiments, an adherable pocket having at least a first planar surface. A first planar surface may be used in attaching a pocket to an inside of garment. A first planar surface, in embodiments, may be a surface of a one-piece pocket or, in yet other embodiments, a first planar surface may be a surface of a two-piece pocket.  
      To attach an adherable breast pocket to a garment, it may be desirable to determine a location on a front upper body area ( 6 ) of a garment where an adherable breast pocket may be attached. As can be understood in  FIG. 4 , an adherable breast pocket ( 1 ) may be attached to a front upper body area ( 6 ) of a garment, such as a backless garment ( 15 ). A backless garment ( 15 ) is merely shown as an example and is not meant to be limiting.  
      An adherable breast pocket, in embodiments, may self-attach to an inside of a front upper body area of an unaltered garment. By self-attaching, an adherable pocket may attach to a garment itself and perhaps even without any pre-attachment steps. For example, a self-attachment element may allow a pocket to attach to a garment without having to first install (possibly by sewing or the like) a mating piece of a snap, zipper, and the like, one side of Velcro®, a loop to which a hook can be attached or a hook to which a loop can be attached, a button, a button hole and the like. In embodiments, a self-attachment element may be an adhesive as will be discussed herein.  
      In other embodiments, the present invention may provide for one-step attachment of a pocket to a garment. This may also include the conveniency of preventing pre-attachment steps as described above. A pocket and attachment element may be placed into the inside of a garment and an adhesive step may be performed. An adhesive step may be ironing, applying heat, applying force, applying a chemical solution, applying water, and the like to an adherable breast pocket and garment so as to allow an adherable breast pocket to attach to the garment. In some embodiments, the present invention may provide for preattaching an attachment element, such as an adhesive as herein described, to an adherable breast pocket. In yet other embodiments, an attachment element may be individually attached to a pocket and even a garment. For example, a user may place an adherable breast pocket and an individual attachment element on a desired location of an inside of a garment. Then, a user may attach a pocket to a garment with an adhesive step. In yet other embodiments, an adherable breast pocket may be preattached to a garment.  
      A breast enhancement element or insert may be placed or even inserted into an adherable breast pocket ( 1 ) through an opening ( 8 ). In embodiments, an opening ( 8 ) may be on a side ( 24 ) of a pocket. This may include a periphery of a pocket at a top portion of a pocket, a vertical portion of a pocket, a bottom portion of a pocket, or perhaps even any combination of these. In other embodiments an opening may be located in a center, off-center or the like locations—other than at a periphery of a pocket. It may be desirable, in embodiments, to provide a closure ( 9 ) on, near or even within a pocket to ensure that a breast enhancement insert can remain securely placed in a pocket. In embodiments, a closure may include a partially elastic pocket. Elastic ( 23 ), as represented in  FIG. 8 , may be a flexible element that can return to its original state after being expanded or deformed. Elastic may include webbing such as rubber and the like. Other types of closures may include a drawstring, snaps, zippers, buttons, fastening tape, Velcro®, adhesive and the like. Of course, in some embodiments, an adherable breast pocket may not have a closure or perhaps even elastic.  
      Accordingly, in embodiments, a method of using an adherable pocket system may be to attach an adherable pocket to a garment, opening an adherable breast pocket and inserting a breast enhancement element through the opening. An insert may comfortably remain situated in a pocket, or it may be desirable to close an adherable breast pocket with a closure.  
      A breast enhancement element ( 7 ) or insert is generally shown in  FIG. 10  and may include any type of enhancing features, such as but not limited to, padding, prosthetic breasts, prosthetic nipples and the like. Padding may include tissue, pre-formed foam, cotton and the like. Prosthetic breasts and nipples may be preformed or may even be custom made and may be made of a material such as but certainly not limited to, rubber, silicon, foam, fiber-filled matting, plastic, and the like. A breast enhancement element or insert may be reusable or alternatively, may be disposable. It may be desirable to be able to reuse a breast enhancement element, such as an expensive prosthetic breast, in different garments. Of course, alternatively, it may be desirable to dispose of a breast enhancement element such as after use. In yet other embodiments, the present invention may provide for a washable breast enhancement insert. In embodiments, a breast enhancement insert may be removable from a pocket and alternatively, may be pre-inserted into a pocket.  
      As represented in  FIG. 3 , an adherable breast pocket ( 1 ) may have a first planar surface ( 2 ) attached to an inside of a garment ( 5 ). In embodiments, the present invention may provide a planar surface attachment element. A planar surface may include any part of a pocket to which an attachment element may be placed. In embodiments, a planar surface may not include an exterior to a pocket such as outside a corner or extruding outside a perimeter of a pocket. By planar surface, it may be understood that a surface may be flat or level, and may also include a surface with some flexibility e.g., stretchable material and the like, may not be substantially planar, and yet may have some shape to it. For example, fabric that may be loosely presented so as to hang or even fabric having some rigidity to maintain a certain shape (e.g., with wires, starch and the like) and can be filled with a breast or insert or the like may still be a planar surface. In embodiments, a planar surface attachment element may include a planar surface adhesive.  
      As generally represented in  FIG. 3 , a garment ( 5 ) may be any article of clothing, such as but not limited to, shirts, dresses, blouses, backless garments, backless dresses, swim suits, sporting wear, tube tops, strapless garments, and the like. In embodiments, a garment ( 5 ) may be an unaltered garment in that it may not be necessary to perform any pre-attachment steps, as previously discussed. For example, it may not be necessary to preattach hooks or loops, mating pieces of snaps, zippers, and the like, into a garment prior to attaching a pocket. These may cause alterations or even permanent alterations to a garment and may even damage a garment. It may be desirable to keep a garment in an unaltered fashion so as to prevent unwanted stitching and the like. Accordingly, an unaltered garment may be a garment that does not have any alterations, modification and the like in preparation for the attachment of an adherable breast pocket. Of course, other embodiments, may include an altered garment.  
       FIG. 6  shows an adherable breast pocket ( 1 ) from a side view in which a breast enhancement element or insert ( 7 ) may be located in a pocket. As can be understood from this figure, a self-attachment element ( 11 ) such as an adhesive, may be attached to a first planar surface ( 2 ) of a pocket which therein may be attached to an inside ( 18 ) of a garment, representatively shown.  
      In other embodiments the present invention may include a shaped coordinated self-attachment element. This may include an attachment element, such as an adhesive, that is formed into a desired shape. In embodiments, this may include a full pocket shaped attachment element ( 12 ) as shown by the shading in  FIG. 7 . An adhesive may cover up to an entire surface of a pocket to attach a pocket to a garment. This may be appropriate for a two-piece pocket. In other embodiments, a U-shaped attachment element ( 14 ) may be used for attaching a pocket to a garment. A U-shaped attachment element ( 14 ) may be an adhesive that is coordinated to fit at least along the outer edge of part of a pocket as can be seen in  FIG. 5 .  
      Therefore, some independent aspects of the invention may include:  
      A method of complementing female breasts comprising the steps: 
          providing an adherable breast pocket;     providing an unaltered garment;     determining a location on a front upper body area of said garment for said adherable breast pocket;     attaching said adherable washable breast pocket with a shaped coordinated attachment element to an inside of said front upper body area of said unaltered garment;     opening said adherable washable breast pocket; and     inserting a breast enhancement element through said opening of said adherable washable breast pocket.        

      A breast complement for clothing comprising: 
          an adherable breast pocket having at least a first planar surface; and     a shape coordinated attachment element to attach said adherable breast pocket to an inside of a garment.        

      In yet other embodiments, the present invention may provide for permanently attaching an adherable breast pocket to a garment. A permanent garment attachment may attach a pocket to a garment for an indefinite amount of time. Alternatively, the present invention may provide for removably attaching an adherable breast pocket to a garment with a removable attachment.  
      In embodiments, an attachment element, such as an adhesive, may be any type of adhesive that can adhere two pieces of material together. For example, an adhesive may include glue, tape, heat activated glue, adhesive gel, adhesive paper, and the like adhesives. In some embodiments, an attachment element may include a doubled sided adhesive paper, or even a disposable double sided adhesive paper which may be, in embodiments, partially conformed to a shape of a surface of a pocket. Any of the various attachment elements as described herein may be preattached to a pocket so that an individual may then self-attach a pocket to a garment. In other embodiments, any of the various attachment elements described herein may be sold separately or as an individual component to a system in which an attachment element may need to be attached to a pocket, or even a surface of a pocket.  
      It may be desirable to reuse a pocket system in different clothing and the like, where a pocket may be reused and, in some embodiments, an attachment element may be disposable. For example, a user may use a pocket system and adhere it to a favorite garment. The user may want to subsequently reuse the pocket into another garment. A user may detach the pocket from the original garment and reattach it to the second garment with a new attachment element. It may be desirable for the detached pocket from the first garment to leave little or even no residue or markings from attachment element. As such, in embodiments, it may be desirable to provide a removable adhesive or even a garment preservation attachment element. A disintegratable adhesive may allow an attachment element residue to disintegrate over time. Other ways to detach or even remove an attachment element such as an adhesive from a garment or even a pocket may be to use chemical solutions, washing the pocket and/or garment, pulling or even peeling an attachment element off with force, using heat or even an iron, and the like removal systems. Any removal can be done without damaging a garment and/or pocket. Of course, in other embodiments, a pocket and an attachment element may be reusable.  
       FIG. 9  shows an adherable breast pocket ( 1 ) attached to a shelf bra ( 16 ). A shelf bra may consist of a piece of fabric attached at or near a neckline and at or near side seams of a garment that may hang somewhat loosely at the bust. Many women&#39;s clothing can be bought with a shelf bra preattached to the garment.  
      It may be desirable to provide, in embodiments, a support element ( 20 ) in an adherable breast pocket, as shown in  FIG. 11 . A support element ( 20 ) may be a wire, underwire, plastic, or the like that can provide support to an adherable pocket ( 1 ), a breast enhancement element ( 7 ), or possibly user&#39;s breast. A support element ( 20 ) may be attached to a pocket and may be sewn in, glued, or otherwise attached to a pocket.  
      Of course a shape of an adherable breast pocket may vary and all shapes are meant to be included in this disclosure. As an example, an adherable breast pocket may be shaped as shown in  FIGS. 12, 13  and  14 . In other embodiments, a shaped adherable pocket may be almond, eye, oval, circular, rectangular, any combination of these or the like shapes. An adherable breast pocket may be sized to fit an A-cup, B-cup, C-cup, D-cup and the like. A shaped adherable breast pocket ( 21 ,  22 ,  26 ) may have an adhesive ( 4 ) attached. Of course, and as previously discussed, an adhesive may be different shapes and sizes and the like.  
      The present invention may provide, in embodiments, a designed adherable breast pocket. A designed pocket may include a material or even a fabric that is colored, solid colored, patterned and the like. As previously discussed, an adherable breast pocket may be reused in embodiments, or alternatively may be disposable. It may be desirable to provide a washable breast pocket so that a pocket can remain attached to a garment during washing and cleaning without having to perform any additional cleaning procedures.  
      In embodiments, the present invention may include a pocket that has a skin compatible material so that a user does not get irritated from use with a pocket. Such skin compatible materials may include but is not limited to, cotton, silk, nylon, rayon, silk satin, satin, suede, ultrasuede, linen and the like materials. In embodiments, a pocket may also be adherable to a user&#39;s skin with skin adhesive material.  
      In alternative embodiments, an adherable breast pocket may be attached to the inside of garments having pre-formed or stitched pair of cups or may even be attached to brassieres, sports brasseries and the like. In other embodiments, an adherable breast pocket may be at least partially rigid, or even convex, so as to form with a breast enhancement element or insert.  
      As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both garment pocket techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate pocket. In this application, the garment pocket techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.  
      The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the device described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the functions the invention and each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims herein presented or included in any subsequent patent application.  
      It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing both the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon for disclosure of the claims for any subsequent patent application. It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date or in the event the applicant subsequently seeks a patent filing based on this filing. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patent application that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the applicant&#39;s right and may be designed to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the invention both independently and as an overall system.  
      Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a “an attachment element” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “attaching”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “attaching”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of an “attachment element” and even a “means for attaching.” Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.  
      Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster&#39;s Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in the list of References or other information statement filed with the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/these invention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).  
      Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the pocket devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, and xii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented.  
      With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid great expansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any time present only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with only initial dependencies. Support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but not limited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative embodiments.  
      Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.  
      Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.