Patent Publication Number: US-11376616-B2

Title: Recyclable pump assembly with pivoting dip tube

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a non-provisional patent application of, and claims the priority and benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/969,878, filed on Feb. 4, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/979,155, filed Feb. 20, 2020. This non-provisional patent application is also related to patent application Ser. No. 16/243,483, filed on Jan. 9, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,751,740, entitled “ECO PUMP.” The entire contents of said applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application is generally directed to the field of pump assemblies for dispensing containers and more specifically to a pump assembly comprising an pivoting dip tube. The entire assembly including the components of the pivoting dip tube are comprised completely of components made of the same type of recyclable material such that it is easy and also cost-effective to recycle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Pump dispensers generally comprise a pump assembly coupled to a dispensing container and are a common form of packaging for products such as toothpaste, liquid soap, lotion, cleaning supplies, and many other useful products. Such pump dispensers enable the user to carefully control the dispensing of the product from the dispensing container into their hands or onto another surface. However, the pump assemblies currently used in the pump dispensers suffer from inefficiencies which result in wasted product. This is because many of the dispensing containers used have a bottom surface that has on or more raised and subsequently depressed areas. For example, many dispensing containers have a bottom surface that is curved such that it protrudes into the interior of the dispensing container. The curved bottom surface increases the stability and the strength of the dispensing container. The curved nature of the bottom surface creates one or more depressed areas or valley on the bottom surface where the contents or product contained in the dispensing container collects. Due to the position of the dip tube in the current pump assemblies, this product cannot be removed from the depressed areas and it is therefore wasted. Repositioning the dip tube in current pump assemblies requires a reconfiguration of one or more components of the entire assembly. Accordingly, dispensing containers of varying designs and configurations comprising differently curved bases require custom pump assemblies manufactured specifically for each different type of dispensing container. Such custom manufacturing increases manufacturing turnaround time or retooling time when switching between products as well as the overall cost. 
     Current pump assemblies further pose a challenge when used in high-speed assembly systems. Movement of the pump assemblies through these systems causes the free ends of the dip tubes to move such that the dip tubes can become snagged, caught, or bent due to interaction with system components and during installation onto the dispensing container. The damaged dip tubes must then be replaced, which requires a stoppage of the system and a decrease in overall production due to system stoppage. To help mitigate damage to the dip tube, Some systems include a restraining device or mechanism that restricts movement of the dip tube prior to and during installation onto the dispensing container. These extra system components add to the overall cost of the manufacturing process and therefore, the overall cost of the final product. 
     In addition, many of the pump assemblies currently manufactured are used in conjunction with dispenser containers that are recyclable however, one or more of the components that comprise the pump assemblies are manufactured from non-recyclable materials for the sake of durability and cost efficiency. This includes using one or more metal springs or compression members and valves comprised of glass, metal, non-recyclable resins such as Polyoxymethylene (POM). Consequently, in order to recycle these pump assemblies, additional processing is required to separate out any non-recyclable components or components not made of the same type of recyclable material. This additional separation step takes extra time and costs money for the recycling companies, manufacturers, and/or users. In many instances, consumers or recycling companies simply throw away the pump assemblies rather than spend time dismantling the pump assembly for proper recycling. However, producing pump assemblies entirely from recyclable components produces pumping or dispensing inefficiencies due to the low spring force produced from plastic springs and the relatively low density of pump assembly components as compared with the material that is being pumped by or dispensed by the pump assembly. 
     The foregoing background describes some, but not necessarily all, of the problems, disadvantages and shortcomings related to current pump assemblies used in pump dispensers. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of a pump assembly for a pump dispenser comprises a cap comprising a depression surface and a spout extending from the depression surface. A collar is configured to at least partially surround the cap and the depression surface is configured to move relative to the collar. A sleeve is coupled to the collar and comprises a body extending along a body axis and defining an inner space, and a coupling member. The coupling member comprises a shoulder and a coupling joint proximate the shoulder. A dip tube defines a dip tube channel extending from a first end to an opposing second end of the dip tube. The first end of the dip tube is configured to pivotally couple to the coupling joint and fluidly connect the dip tube channel, the coupling member channel, the inner space of the sleeve, and the spout. The fluid connection is maintained when the dip tube is pivoted relative to the coupling joint. 
     In an embodiment, the dip tube channel comprises a first diameter at the first end and second diameter at the second end that is different than the first diameter. In an embodiment. The pump assembly further comprises a valve positioned in a valve chamber defined within the coupling member. In another embodiment, the pump assembly comprises a valve positioned in a valve chamber defined within the dip tube. In a further embodiment, the first end of the dip tube comprises a greater thickness than the second end. In an embodiment, the first end of the dip tube is configured to at least partially fit over the coupling member. In another embodiment, the first end of the dip tube is configured to be at least partially positioned within the coupling member. In still another embodiment, the coupling member further comprises a coupling member channel extending from the shoulder to the coupling joint. In another embodiment, the shoulder is configured to inhibit damage to the first end of the dip tube resulting from over-insertion of the first end onto the coupling joint. 
     Another embodiment of a pump assembly for a pump dispenser comprises a cap comprising a spout and a sleeve in fluid communication with the cap. The sleeve comprises a body extending along a body axis and defining an inner space, and a coupling member. The coupling member defines a coupling member channel. A dip tube defining a dip tube channel extends from a first end to an opposing second end. The first end of the dip tube is configured to pivotally couple to the coupling member and fluidly connect the dip tube channel, the coupling member channel, the inner space of the sleeve, and the spout. The fluid connection is maintained when the dip tube is pivoted relative to the coupling member. 
     Another embodiment of a pump assembly for a pump dispenser comprises a spout and a sleeve in fluid communication with the spout. The sleeve comprises a body extending along a body axis and defining an inner space, and a coupling member defining a coupling member channel. A dip tube defines a dip tube channel extending from a first end to an opposing second end. The first end of the dip tube is configured to pivotally couple to the coupling member and fluidly connect the dip tube channel, the coupling member channel, the inner space of the sleeve, and the spout. The fluid connection is maintained when the dip tube is pivoted relative to the coupling member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the features of the invention can be understood, a detailed description of the invention may be had by reference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of the invention encompasses other equally effective embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the features of certain embodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views. Thus, for further understanding of the invention, reference can be made to the following detailed description, read in connection with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side elevation view of an embodiment of a pump assembly with a prior art dip tube; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a dispensing container; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an pivoting dip tube pivotally coupled to an embodiment of a sleeve of a pump assembly; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a pump assembly with an pivoting dip tube; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a close-up cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an pivoting dip tube and coupling member of a pump assembly; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a side elevation view of an embodiment of a coupling portion of the pump assembly; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the coupling portion of  FIG. 5A  coupled to an embodiment of the dip tube; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the pump assembly; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic depiction of the pump assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the position of the prior art dip tube when the pump assembly is installed onto a dispensing container, and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a schematic depiction of the pump assembly showing the position of the dip tube dip of  FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 , when the pump assembly is installed onto a dispensing container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following discussion relates to various embodiments of a recyclable pump assembly with an pivoting dip tube for use with a dispensing container. It will be understood that the herein described versions are examples that embody certain inventive concepts as detailed herein. To that end, other variations and modifications will be readily apparent to those of sufficient skill. In addition, certain terms are used throughout this discussion in order to provide a suitable frame of reference with regard to the accompanying drawings. These terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “forward”, “rearward”, “interior”, “exterior”, “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “inner”, “outer”, “first”, “second”, and the like are not intended to limit these concepts, except where so specifically indicated. The terms “about” or “approximately” as used herein may refer to a range of 80%-125% of the claimed or disclosed value. With regard to the drawings, their purpose is to depict salient features of the pump assembly with pivoting dip tube and are not specifically provided to scale. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  a pump assembly  10  for a dispenser container  100  ( FIG. 2 ) has a top end  11  and a bottom end  12 , and generally includes a cap  20 , a sleeve  40 , and a dip tube  70  coupled to the sleeve  40 . 
     The cap  20  is generally positioned at a top end  11  of the pump assembly  10  and may comprise a collar  30  that at least partially houses a portion of and/or is coupled to the sleeve  40 . The cap  20  includes an engagement sleeve  28  with a depression surface  22 . A spout  24  extends from the depression surface  22  and defines an opening  25 . As shown, the engagement sleeve  28  may be substantially cylindrical in shape and may define an interior cavity (not shown) configured to house additional components of the pump assembly  10  as are detailed in related U.S. Pat. No. 10,751,740. A lip  26  or other similar feature may protrude in a radial direction from the engagement sleeve  28  and/or the depression surface  22 . In an embodiment, the cap  20  may have one or more engagement features located on a surface  27  of the engagement sleeve  28  that are configured to removably engage with the collar  30  and/or the sleeve  40 . As shown, the cap  20  is capable of moving relative to the collar  30 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the collar  30  has an exterior surface  32  that surrounds at least a portion of the sleeve  40 . The exterior surface  32  may comprise one or more different diameters such that the exterior surface  32  may appear to step inward or curve inward as the exterior surface  32  extends towards the depression surface  22 . In an embodiment, the exterior surface  32  of the collar  30  may be substantially smooth, however in other embodiments, the exterior surface  32  of the collar  30  may comprise a plurality of surface features, such as ridges and/or grooves, or the like. The collar  30  may further comprise a stop member or stop surface  34  configured to contact the lip  26  when the cap  20  is depressed. In an embodiment, the lip  26  and a portion of the spout  24  both contact the stop member  34  when the cap  20  is depressed in a direction towards the bottom end  12  in order to prevent over compression and breakage of the pump assembly  10 . 
     The collar  30  further comprises an interior surface (not shown) that may include one or more surface features configured to engage one or more complimentary surface features  112  ( FIG. 2 ) position on or defined on a surface of the dispenser container  100  ( FIG. 2 ). The one or more surface features may be formed as a single unit with the collar  30 . In a further embodiment, the one or more surface features may comprise a plurality of threads. In another embodiment, the one or more surface features may enable a snap-lit engagement with the dispenser container  100  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     The sleeve  40  generally comprises a top end  41  configured to engage a portion of the cap  20  and/or a portion of the collar  30 , and a bottom end  42  that may removably couple to an end of a dip tube  70 . In an embodiment, the collar  30  and the sleeve  40  may be two separate components, however in other embodiments, the collar  30  and the sleeve  40  are formed as one piece and are a single unitary component. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sleeve  40  extends along a sleeve axis L and may have a tubular shape. The outer surface  44  of the sleeve  40  is substantially smooth, however in other embodiments, the outer surface  44  may not be substantially smooth and instead may have one or more surface features, such as grooves or ridges that may interact with other components of the pump assembly  10  and/or the dispensing container  100  ( FIG. 2 ). The sleeve  40  may surround one or more additional components of the pump assembly  10 , such as one or more resilient members  80  ( FIG. 4A ). The sleeve  40  may include a coupling portion  50  that couples the dip tube  70  to the sleeve  40 . 
     An embodiment of a dispenser container  100  is schematically shown in  FIG. 2 . The dispenser container  100  extends along a dispensing container axis C and has a top  101  end configured to couple to the pump assembly  10 , and a bottom  102 . The dispenser container  100  has in inner space  116  defined by a bottom surface  104  shown in phantom, and a plurality of sides  114 . The plurality of sides  114  may be joined or coupled to the bottom surface  104  at a perimeter surface  105  or perimeter edge. As shown, the dispenser container  100  is tubular or cylindrical in shape, however in other embodiments the dispenser container  100  may have n number of sides and a polygonal cross-section. An opening  110  is defined at the top  101  and one or more complimentary surface features  112  may be formed towards the top  102  and proximate the opening  110 . The one or more complimentary surface features  112  are configured to engage engagement features on the pump assembly  10  to enable coupling if the pump assembly  10  to the dispenser container  100 . 
     The bottom surface  104  may generally be curved in shape with an apex  106  that protrudes into the inner space  116  of the dispenser container  100 . The perimeter surface  105  may define or be comprised of a depression, or reservoir extending around the perimeter of the bottom surface  104 . In other embodiments, the bottom surface  104  may comprise a different configuration of raised and depressed areas as required by the nature of the dispenser container  10 ). The curved nature of the bottom surface  104  increases the strength of the dispenser container  100 , but creates wasted product as pump assemblies currently in use with a fixed dip tube  70  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , have trouble extracting the entire contents  108  of the dispensing container. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-4B , a cross-section of a sleeve  140  with a coupling portion  150  or coupling member is shown. The sleeve  140  incudes a body  146  having a top  141  and extending along a sleeve axis S to a bottom  142 . A coupling edge  144  is formed at the top  141  of the body  146  and is configured to couple to additional components of the pump assembly  10  such as the collar  30  and/or the cap  20 . The body  146  of the sleeve  140  defines a sleeve chamber  145  configured to house additional components of the pump assembly  10 , such as one or more compression members or resilient members  80  ( FIGS. 4A-4B ). A coupling portion  150  is formed at the bottom  142  of the body  146  and is configured to moveably and fluidly couple the dip tube  170  to the body  146  of the sleeve  140 . The coupling portion  150  includes a coupling joint  158  that may generally comprise a ball, spherical, or hemispherical shape. The coupling joint  158  defines a coupling portion channel  154  extending from the sleeve chamber  145 . A stop shoulder  152  may be positioned between the bottom  142  of the sleeve  140  and the coupling joint  158  and inhibits damage to the dip tube  170  resulting from over insertion or over articulation of the dip tube  170  onto the coupling joint  158 . 
     The dip tube  170  comprises a body  176  defining a dip tube channel  175  that extends along a dip tube axis T ( FIG. 3 ) from a first end  171  and a second end  172 . The dip tube channel  175  has a first diameter D 1  at the first end  171  and a second diameter D 2  at the second end  172 . As shown, the first diameter D 1  is greater than the second diameter D 2  to enable the first end  171  to snap onto or slide onto the coupling joint  158  of the coupling portion  150 . The first end  171  of the dip tube  170  may stretch or deform elastically or plastically in order to at least partially surround the coupling portion  150  and provide a friction fit that may be liquid and/or air-tight. In an embodiment, the thickness of the dip tube wall  173  may be greater at the first end  171  than at the second end  172 . Inserting the dip tube  170  over the coupling joint  158  fluidly connects the coupling portion channel  154  with the dip tube channel  175  and further enables the dip tube  170  to be rotated, swiveled, or otherwise pivoted relative to the sleeve  140  and about the coupling joint  158 . The coupling portion channel  154  and the dip tube channel  175  remain fluidly connected during articulation of the dip tube  170 . The dip tube  170  may be pivoted relative to the sleeve  140  about the coupling joint  158  such that the angle α between the sleeve axis L and the dip tube axis T may be from 0° to about 30°. 
     A cross-section of an embodiment of the sleeve  140  is shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B  coupled to a cap  20 . The sleeve  140  includes a valve  190  positioned in a valve chamber  151  between the sleeve chamber  145  and the coupling portion channel  154 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 4A-4B , a second valve  192  is positioned within the cap  20 . In an embodiment, the stop shoulder  152  may surround or otherwise define the valve chamber  151 . The valve  190  may be a ball valve or otherwise comprise a spherical shape with a maximum diameter that is greater than the diameter of the coupling portion channel  154  proximate the valve chamber  151 . The ball valve  192  may be housed in a valve chamber  121  that is similar to the valve chamber  151  of the coupling portion  150 . The ball valves  190 ,  192  are comprised of a material with a specific gravity that is greater than 1, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that has a specific gravity of about 1.3. The high specific gravity ensures that the ball valves  190 ,  192  do not float on the surface of the material being pumped through and dispensed by the pump assembly  10 . The high specific gravity allows the valves  190 ,  192  to quickly sink in order to seal off the valve chambers  21 ,  151  between pump strokes. 
     Since the resilient members  80  of the embodiments of the pump assemblies shown are comprised of a recyclable material, they exhibit a lower spring force than a metal spring. The low spring force makes the pump assembly less able to overcome pumping inefficiencies. Forming the ball valves  190 ,  192  from a recyclable material, such as PET, that has a specific gravity greater than 1 optimized material dispensing and increases the efficiency of each pump stroke of the pump assembly  10  as well as the dispensing accuracy. This is done by minimizing air and/or material from passing through open or improperly sealed valve chambers. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the coupling joint  158  may be held away from the stop shoulder  152  by a neck portion  156 . The coupling joint  158  may comprise sides  159 ,  159 ′ that are of varying thickness and the coupling portion channel  154  may comprise a first diameter d 1  proximate the valve chamber  151  and a second diameter d 2  proximate the dip tube channel  175 . In the embodiment shown, the first diameter d 1  is greater than the second diameter d 2 , however in other embodiments, the first diameter d 1  may be less than or equal to the second diameter d 2 .  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show another embodiment of the coupling portion  150  with a coupling joint  158 ′ comprising an outer surface  155  defining a plurality of recesses  157  and further defining an outlet  160 . The plurality of recesses  157  may be configured to decrease friction between the coupling joint  158 ′ and the dip tube  170  to improve the ease at which the dip tube  170  may be adjusted while coupled to the coupling portion  150  or coupling joint  158 ′. The coupling portion channel  154 ′ may have a first diameter d 1 ′ proximate the valve chamber  151  and a second diameter d 2 ′ proximate the dip tube  170 . As shown, the first diameter d 1 ′ is greater than the second diameter d 2 ′, however in other embodiments the first diameter d 1 ′ may be less than or equal to the second diameter d 2 ′. 
     An alternate embodiment of the pump assembly  200  is shown in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the dip tube  270  may comprise a coupling joint  280  that is configured to engage an end of the coupling portion  250 . As shown, the coupling portion  250  includes a coupling joint receptor  262  that engages and mates with the coupling joint  280  of the dip tube  270 . In an embodiment, the coupling joint receptor  262  may be configured to deform elastically or plastically in order to engage or at least partially fit around the coupling joint  280  in order to create a friction fit between the coupling joint receptor  262  and the coupling joint  280  that is water-tight. In the embodiment shown, the ball valve  290  may be positioned within a valve chamber  277  positioned within the dip tube  270 . In an embodiment, the coupling joint  180  may have one or more recesses or protrusions  279  configured to aid in coupling the coupling joint  180  to the coupling portion  250  and/or the coupling joint receptor  262  and may improve the ease at which the dip tube  270  can be pivoted with respect to the coupling portion  250  or coupling joint  258 . As with previously discussed embodiment, the sleeve  240  and the dip tune  270  remain fluidly connected as the dip tune  270  is pivoted relative to the sleeve  240 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , a schematic depiction of the dispenser container  100  from  FIG. 2  is being used with the prior art pump assembly  10  and dip tube  70  from  FIG. 1 . The pump assembly  10  has been omitted from the figure, however one can see that the dip tube  70  extends into the dispenser container  100  and is held a distance from the bottom surface  104  in order to avoid obstructing the open end  78  of the dip tube  70 . Here, the dip tube  70  is generally positioned in the center of the of the inner space  116  of the dispenser container  100  (i.e., about equidistant from the sides  114 ). Accordingly, the open end  78  of the dip tube  70  is generally positioned above the apex  106  of the bottom surface  104 . Consequently, when the level S of the contents  108  in the dispenser container  100  nears the apex  106 , the open end  78  of the dip tube  70  is exposed and the pump assembly  10  is unable to extract the remaining contents  108  from the dispenser container  100 . The remaining contents  108  further collects in the annular depression  105  or annular valley and is discarded along with the dispenser container  100  and pump assembly  10 . 
     In contrast,  FIG. 8  shows the schematic depiction of the dispenser container  100  from  FIG. 2  being used with the pump assembly  100  of  FIG. 4B  comprising the sleeve  140  and dip tube  170  as shown in  FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 . Like in  FIG. 7 , the pump assembly  100  has been omitted from the figure, but one can see that the dip tube  170  extends into the dispenser container  100  and is held a distance from the bottom surface  104  in order to avoid obstructing the open end  178  of the dip tube  170 . Here, the dip tube  170  extends along the dip tube axis T, which is positioned at an angle β (or intersects at an angle β) relative to the container axis C. The angle β may be greater than 0′, but not more than 30°. Accordingly, the open end  178  of the dip tube  170  is generally positioned in the valley or annular reservoir  105 , below the level of the apex  106  of the bottom surface  104 . When the level S of the contents  108  in the dispenser container  100  nears the apex  106 , the open end  178  of the dip tube  170  remains submerged and the pump assembly  100  is able to continue extracting the contents  108  of the dispenser container  100  even as the level falls below the apex  106 . As a result, more of the contents  108  is made available to the consumer and there is less waste. 
     As shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 3-6, and 8 , the ability of the dip tube  170 ,  270  to swivel, rotate, and pivot (articulate) about the coupling joint  158 ,  258  enables the user and/or the manufacturer to adjust the position of the dip tube  170 ,  270  to accommodate dispenser containers  100  of varying configurations. This means that the same pump assembly  100 ,  200  with sleeve  140 ,  240  and dip tube  170 ,  270  may be used for a variety of different dispensing containers with varying shapes and bottom surfaces, which reduces manufacturing costs and ultimately the final price of the product. Moreover, the friction fit of the dip tube with the coupling portion or sleeve prevents movement of the dip tube when the pump assembly  100 ,  200  is used in a high-speed automated assembly system. Consequently, no additional stabilizing components are required to maintain the position of the dip tube prior to or during installation onto the dispensing container  100 . 
     One or more of the components of the pump assembly  100 ,  200  including the sleeve  140 ,  240  and the dip tube  170 ,  270  may be manufactured using injection molding methods. The components of the pump assembly  100 ,  200  including the sleeve  140 ,  240  and the dip tube  170 ,  270  are manufactured from the same type of recyclable material, for example polyolefin. The same “type” of recyclable material refers to material that is classified under the same recycling code or otherwise classified such that further processing to separate out components of the pump assembly  100 ,  200  is not required during the recycling process. The pump assembly  100 ,  200  as described herein is made of the same type of recyclable material such that it may be recycled while in the assembled state indicated in  FIG. 8 . 
     Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments described above and described in any and all exhibits and other materials submitted herewith, where one or more of its components, functionalities or structures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or more of the components, functionalities or structures of a different embodiment described above. 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. 
     Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claim which follows, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.