Patent Publication Number: US-7900816-B2

Title: Collapsible cooler pack with barrier film

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/751,363, filed Dec. 16, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     It is well known to use ice to cool, for example, beverages. Traditional coolers having insulated sidewalls and an insulated lid are typically shipped and sold in a fully-assembled configuration. Generally, the insulated sidewalls of a standard cooler are semi-rigid and cannot be collapsed to place the cooler in a flattened configuration for shipping or handling. Although some soft-sided coolers have been manufactured, they too have disadvantages. Existing soft-sided coolers do not pack as flat as may be desired, and they are relatively expensive. Thus, it remains desirable to have a relatively inexpensive, collapsible cooler. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a collapsible cooler pack carton includes a barrier film in the cooler pack interior. The barrier film is formed into a vessel that is capable of retaining liquid, such as runoff from melting ice, etc., within the cooler pack. The cooler pack can be formed from a collapsed or substantially flat cooler pack article that can be assembled prior to use, and disassembled or collapsed after use. 
     Other aspects, features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from reading the following description and from reviewing the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a first blank from which a collapsible cooler pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention may be assembled. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the blank from  FIG. 1  with a barrier film attached thereto. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a partially assembled cooler pack article formed from the blank and barrier film combination of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIGS. 4-9  illustrate a method for forming the partially assembled cooler pack article illustrated in  FIG. 3  into the cooler pack according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the cooler pack according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a blank from which a collapsible cooler pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention may be assembled. 
         FIGS. 12-14  illustrate a method for forming the cooler pack according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates the cooler pack according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present embodiments are addressed to reusable, collapsible cooler packs  10 ,  10 ′ (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 10 and 15 , respectively) having a barrier film  122  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2-5 ) mounted to their interior surfaces. The barrier films  122  retain fluid resulting from, for example, melting ice, e.g., that may be used to cool beverage containers, food items, or other items stored in the cooler packs. According to one aspect of the present invention, the barrier film  122  is attached to the interior surface of a blank  12 ,  12 ′. The barrier film  122  is then sealed (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ), creating, in effect, a liquid-tight vessel, such as a “bag,” within the folded and glued blank  12 ,  12 ′. After the liquid-tight vessel is formed and while the film/blank combination is still collapsed and generally flat, the cooler pack article may be shipped to a location for distribution to a consumer or retailer, etc. The consumer later forms or erects the cooler pack article into a substantially parallelepipedal cooler pack. When the cooler pack is no longer needed, the consumer may partially disassemble or collapse the cooler pack into an easily stored and transported generally flat configuration. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a first blank  12  used to construct a cooler pack  10  ( FIG. 10 ) according to a first embodiment of the invention. The overall perimeter of the first blank  12  is defined by a first side panel free edge  14 , a blank lower edge  16 , a glue seam free edge  18 , and a blank upper edge  20 . An upper fold line  22  extends substantially perpendicularly between the first side panel free edge  14  and the edge of the blank adjacent to an upper edge  24  of a glue seam  26 . A lower fold line  28  similarly extends substantially perpendicularly between the first side panel free edge  14  and a lower edge  30  of the glue seam  26 . 
     The blank  12  includes a first side panel  32 , a front panel  34 , a second side panel  36 , and a rear panel  38 . The first side panel  32  is bisected by a first false score fold line  40 , and the second side panel  36  is bisected by a second false score fold line  42 . A first front panel fold line  44  separates the first side panel  32  from the front panel  34 , and a second front panel fold line  46  separates the front panel  34  from the second side panel  36 . Similarly, a first rear panel fold line  48  separates the second side panel  36  from the rear panel  38 , and a second rear panel fold line  50  separates the rear panel  38  from the glue seam  26 . The fold lines  22 ,  28  extend longitudinally along a length of the blank  12 , and the lines  40 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  extend transversely across a width of the blank  12 . 
     Four panels are formed in a first or upper marginal area of the blank  12 , between the upper fold line  22  and the blank upper edge  20 , including a first side panel top flap  52 , a front panel top flap  54 , a second side panel top flap  56 , and a rear panel top flap  58 . The top panels  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  together comprise a tuck-top closure  60  for the top of the assembled cooler pack  10  as discussed further below. A first transverse score line  62  is present between the first side panel top flap  52  and the front panel top flap  54 . A second transverse score line  64  is present between the front panel top flap  54  and the second side panel top flap  56 . A third transverse score line  66  is present between the second side panel top flap  56  and the rear panel top flap  58 . In order to facilitate easy opening and closing of the top end of the formed cooler pack  10  ( FIG. 10 ), a closing tab  68  extends from the rear panel top flap  58  and a corresponding closing tab slot  70  is formed in the front panel top flap  54 . 
     Four panels are formed in a second or lower marginal area of the blank  12 , between the lower fold line  28  and the blank lower edge  16 , including a first side panel bottom flap  72 , a main bottom flap  74 , a second side panel bottom flap  76 , and a bottom locking flap  78 . The panels  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  together comprise a snap-lock bottom  80 , which is also known as a Houghton bottom or a 1-2-3 bottom. The main bottom flap  74  includes a retention notch  82  defined by a pair of retention notch sidewalls  84   a ,  84   b  and a retention notch bottom wall  86 . The bottom locking flap  78  includes a pair of locking tabs  88   a ,  88   b , each of which defines a shoulder  90   a ,  90   b  that helps hold the bottom  80  closed as described further below. A locking tab fold line  92   a ,  92   b  may also be present on the bottom locking flap  78 . 
     The upper longitudinal fold line  22  comprises four primary segments: a first side panel top flap hinge line  94 , a front panel top flap hinge line  96 , a second side panel top flap hinge line  98 , and a rear panel top flap hinge line  100 . Similarly, the lower fold line  28  also comprises four primary segments: a first side panel bottom flap hinge line  102 , a main bottom flap hinge line  104 , a second side panel bottom flap hinge line  106 , and a bottom locking flap hinge line  108 . 
     In order to facilitate carrying of the cooler pack  10  that may be erected from the blank  12 , one or more handles may also be formed in the blank  12 . For example, the blank  12  includes a first fold-in handle panel  110  defined by a handle panel hinge line  112  and a first handle panel score line  114 . A second fold-in handle panel  116  is defined in the second side panel  36  by a second handle panel hinge line  118  and a second handle panel score line  120 . Once the cooler pack  10  is assembled as described further below, pressure is applied to the handle panels  110 ,  116  causing the handle panel score lines  114 ,  120 , respectively, to be breached and the handle panels  110 ,  116  to fold about the handle panel hinge lines  112 ,  118 , respectively. The handle panels  110 ,  116  may provide some cushioning for a consumer&#39;s hands as they carry the cooler pack  10 . 
     An exemplary method of forming a partially-formed or assembled cooler pack article  11  from the blank  10  is discussed in detail below with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a liquid-impervious barrier film  122  is affixed to a surface  124  of the blank  12  that will become an interior surface of the formed cooler pack  10 . The barrier film  122  can be secured to the surface  124  by, for example, glue, other adhesives, and by other means. The barrier film  122  can be formed from, for example, a liquid-impervious material. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the barrier film  122  may be positioned on the surface  124  with its upper edge  126  below the first and second handle panels  110 ,  116  so that it does not interfere with their usage. The barrier film  122  includes a first free edge  128  that extends beyond the first side panel free edge  14  of the blank  12 , and a second free edge  130  that extends beyond the glue seam free edge  18  of the blank  12 . The barrier film  122  also includes a lower edge  132  which extends beyond the blank lower edge  16  creating an overhanging portion  134  of barrier film  122 . 
     After forming the intermediate blank/barrier film configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the glue seam  26  is glued to the interior surface  124  of the first side panel  32  adjacent to the first side panel free edge  14 , creating an open-ended outer sleeve. Simultaneously or subsequently, the first free edge  128  of the barrier film  122  is attached to the second free edge  130  of the barrier film  122 , creating an open-ended inner sleeve of the barrier film  122  within the open-ended outer sleeve created by the blank  12 . The illustrated configuration may be formed using, for example, straight-line-gluing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , after forming the open-ended outer sleeve with its open-ended barrier film sleeve, the barrier film  122  and blank  12  assembly is folded along the first false score fold line  40  and along the second false score fold line  42 , placing the front panel  34  on top of the rear panel  38  with only two layers of barrier film separating them. While the blank and barrier film assembly is held in this flattened configuration, the lower edge  132  of the barrier film  122  is sealed upon itself. The lower edge  132  can be sealed using, for example, hot air or a band sealer, creating a sealed end  136  and thereby forming what is essentially a barrier film vessel or bag within the folded and glued blank  12 . The vessel may be least tacked by adhesive to the interior surface  124  of the folded blank  12 , but need not be. If a very pliable material is used for the barrier film  122 , the first and second false score fold lines  40 ,  42  may be unnecessary. 
     The resulting partially assembled cooler pack article  11  illustrated in  FIG. 3  comprises the blank  12  collapsed on its first and second fold lines  40 ,  42  and the barrier film  122  sealed along its lower edge  132 . In the flattened configuration, the article  11  occupies minimal space in a shipping or storage container, on a display shelf, or in a potential end user&#39;s possession. In the partially assembled configuration, the article  11  may be, for example, displayed for purchase by a consumer in a convenience store, a grocery store, a gas station, or any other location where a consumer may be interested in purchasing such a product. 
     An exemplary method of forming the cooler pack  10  from the article  11  is discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 3-10 . 
     When it is time to use or display or otherwise utilize the cooler pack  10  in a fully assembled configuration, the bottom  80  and top  60  of the cooler pack  10  may be constructed. Referring to  FIG. 3 , pressure is applied inwardly in the direction of arrows  138 ,  140  along the first and second false score fold lines  40 ,  42 , respectively, resulting in the open-ended, generally tubular configuration of  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the barrier film  122  is then pushed into the interior of the partially formed cooler pack, allowing the first side panel bottom flap  72  and the second side panel bottom flap  76  to be folded inwardly in the direction of the arrows  142 ,  144 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the main bottom flap  74  may then be folded in the direction of the arrow  146 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the bottom locking flap  78  may be folded in the direction of the arrow  148 , and the locking tabs  88   a ,  88   b  inserted behind the main bottom flap  74  between the sidewalls  84   a ,  84   b . When the bottom locking flap  78  is engaged with the retention notch  82  on the main bottom flap  74 , each shoulder  90   a ,  90   b  of the bottom locking flap  78  rides in one of the corners formed at the intersection of the retention notch bottom wall  86  and one of the retention notch side walls  84   a ,  84   b . The cooler pack is then placed on its closed bottom  80  so that product (e.g., beverages) that the user wants to cool or store can be placed into the open top end of the partially assembled cooler pack. 
       FIGS. 8-10  illustrate closing of the top end of the cooler pack. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the first side panel top flap  52  and the second side panel top flap  56  are folded inwardly in the direction of the arrows  150 ,  152 , respectively. The first side panel top flap  52  folds along the first side panel top flap hinge line  94 , and the second side panel top flap  56  folds along the second side panel top flap hinge line  98 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the front panel top flap  54  is folded along the front panel top flap hinge line  96  over the first and second side panel top flaps  52 ,  56 , respectively, in the direction of the arrow  154 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the rear panel top flap  58  is folded along the rear panel top flap hinge line  100  in the direction of the arrow  156 . To help ensure that the cooler pack  10  remains closed when desired, the closing tab  68  may be, for example, inserted into the closing tab slot  70  at the top of the cooler pack. With the top of the cooler pack  10  closed, the cooler pack  10  has a generally parallelepipedal shape. 
     In use, the cooler pack  10  may be filled with food items, beverage bottles, cans, or other containers. The top of the cooler pack  10  is reclosably closed so that items may be loaded into and out of the cooler pack  10  when desired. Ice, for example, may be placed in the cooler pack  10  along with beverage containers. The ice cools the beverage containers, and after the beverages have been consumed, the user can empty remaining ice and water runoff from the ice from the vessel. The bottom and top of the cooler pack  10  can be opened by disengaging the bottom and top flaps. The cooler pack  10  can then be collapsed into the substantially flat cooler pack article  11  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a blank  12 ′ that may be used to form a cooler pack  10 ′ (illustrated in  FIG. 15 ) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second blank  12 ′ is similar in construction to the blank  12  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and like or similar reference numbers in  FIGS. 1 and 11  indicate like or similar elements. 
     The blank  12 ′ has a snap-lock bottom  80  similar to the blank  10 . The top, however, includes a webbed-top closure  158  rather than a tuck-top closure  60  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The webbed-top closure  158  comprises a continuous panel located in a first or upper marginal area of the blank  12 ′, between the upper longitudinal fold line  22 ′ and the blank upper edge  20 ′. The continuous panel comprises a first side panel tuckable flap  160 , a front panel top flap  162 , a second side panel tuckable flap  164 , and a rear panel top flap  166 . The second blank  12 ′ also includes a longer glue seam  26 ′ than the glue seam  26  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The longer glue seam  26 ′ extends partially along one edge of the rear panel top flap  166  along a first upper hinge line  168  as well as along the rear panel  38 . The glue seam  26 ′ also includes a relief cutout  170 , which makes it easier to close the top of the assembled cooler pack  10 ′. A second upper hinge line  172  extends between the first side panel tuckable flap  160  and the front panel top flap  162 . A third upper hinge line  174  extends between the front panel top flap  162  and the second side panel tuckable flap  164 . A fourth upper hinge line  176  extends between the second side panel tuckable flap  164  and the rear panel top flap  166 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the front panel top flap  162  has a first fold-in handle panel  110 ′ defined by a handle panel hinge line  112 ′ and a first handle panel score line  114 ′. Similarly, the rear panel top flap  166  has a second fold-in handle panel  116 ′ defined by a second handle panel hinge line  118 ′ and a second handle panel score line  120 ′. 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 11 , a first plurality of fold lines are formed in the first side panel tuckable flap  160  to facilitate closing of and reclosable locking of the otherwise open top of the cooler pack  10 ′. The first plurality of fold lines includes a first oblique fold line  178 , a second oblique fold line  180 , a first tuck-assist fold line  182 , a second tuck-assist fold line  184 , and a third tuck-assist fold line  186 . The first oblique fold line  178  extends from a corner of the first side panel tuckable flap  160  to the midpoint of the upper edge of the first side panel tuckable flap  160 . The second oblique fold line  180  extends from a different corner of the first side panel tuckable flap  160  to the same location along the midpoint of the upper edge of the first side panel tuckable flap  160 . The third tuck-assist fold line  186  perpendicularly intersects and joins the first tuck-assist fold line  182  and the second tuck-assist fold line  184 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     The second side panel tuckable flap  164  similarly includes a second plurality of fold lines that facilitate closure and reclosable locking of the top of the cooler pack  10 ′. The second plurality of fold lines includes a third oblique fold line  188 , a fourth oblique fold line  190 , a fourth tuck-assist fold line  192 , a fifth tuck-assist fold line  194 , and a sixth tuck-assist fold line  196 . The third oblique fold line  188  extends from a corner of the second side panel tuckable flap  164  to the midpoint of the upper edge of the second side panel tuckable flap  164 . The fourth oblique fold line  190  extends from a different corner of the second side panel tuckable flap  164  to the same midpoint position along the upper edge of the second side panel tuckable flap  164 . The fourth tuck-assist fold line  192  extends substantially parallel to the fifth tuck-assist fold line  194 , and the fourth and fifth tuck-assist fold lines  192 ,  194  are substantially the same length. The sixth tuck-assist fold line  196  perpendicularly intersects and joins the fourth tuck-assist fold line  192  to the fifth tuck-assist fold line  194 . 
     The first side panel  32 ′ of the blank  12 ′ includes a first side panel slot  198  from which the blank material has been completely removed. Similarly, the second side panel  36 ′ includes a second side panel slot  200  from which the blank material has been completely removed. As an alternative to cutout section slots  198 ,  200  in the blank  12 ′, slits or perforations etc. forming knockout sections, for example, can be formed in the panels  32 ,  38 . 
     A liquid-impervious barrier film (an exemplary barrier film  122  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) may be affixed to an interior surface of the blank  12 ′ that will become an interior surface of the formed cooler pack  10 ′. The barrier film can be secured to the surface by, for example, glue, other adhesives, and by other means, in a manner similar to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The barrier film can be formed from, for example, a liquid-tight material. The blank  12 ′ and barrier film can be formed into a partially assembled cooler pack article having a fluid-impervious vessel, similar to the partially assembled cooler pack article  11  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The bottom  80  of the cooler pack article may be closed, for example, using the exemplary method illustrated in  FIGS. 4-7 . 
       FIGS. 12-15  illustrate an exemplary method of closing of the webbed-top closure  158  of the cooler pack  10 ′ formed using the second blank  12 ′. Referring to  FIG. 12 , the bottom  80  of the cooler pack has already been closed (e.g., following the steps illustrated in  FIGS. 4-7 ). Referring also to  FIG. 13 , the upper edge  202  (see also  FIG. 11 ) of the relief cutout  170  extends along the first oblique fold line  178  when the glue seam  26 ′ is affixed to the inner surface of the first side panel  32 ′ adjacent to the first side panel free edge  14 . To close the top of the cooler pack, the front panel top flap  162  is folded downwardly in the direction of the arrow  204  while the first side panel tuckable flap  160  is folded along the second oblique fold line  180  in the direction of the arrow  208 . This fold causes folding along the second upper hinge line  172 , while the second side panel tuckable flap  164  is folded along the third oblique fold line  188  in the direction of the arrow  210 , which in turn causes folding along the third upper hinge line  174 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , corresponding folds are then made along the rear panel top flap hinge line  212  in the direction of arrow  214 , the first upper hinge line  168 , the fourth upper hinge line  176 , the first oblique fold line  178  in the direction of arrow  216 , and the fourth oblique fold line  190  in the direction of arrow  218 . When these five folds are complete, the cooler pack has the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , to complete closing and reclosable locking of the top, the second side panel tuckable flap  164 , which now has a triangular configuration, is folded back in the direction of arrow  220  along the third upper hinge line  174 , the fourth upper hinge line  176 , and a second tuckable flap lower hinge line  224 , a tip  226  of the second side panel tuckable flap  164  may be inserted into the second side panel slot  200  as shown in  FIG. 15 . Similarly, the now triangular-shaped first side panel tuckable flap  160  is folded in the direction of arrow  228  until a tip  230  of the first side panel tuckable flap  160  is folded toward the first side panel  32 ′ along the first upper hinge line  168 , the second upper hinge line  172 , and a first tuckable flap lower hinge line  232  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) so that the tip  230  of the first side panel tuckable flap  160  may be inserted into the first side panel slot  198  (shown in  FIG. 11 ). Insertion of the tip  230  of the first side panel tuckable flap  160  into the first side panel slot  19  is not visible in  FIG. 15 . With the top of the cooler pack  10 ′ closed, the cooler pack  10 ′ has a generally parallelepipedal shape. 
     In order to facilitate insertion of the tips  230 ,  226  of the first and second side panel tuckable flaps  160 ,  164  into the first and second side panel slots  198 ,  200 , respectively, the tuck-assist fold lines are implicated. For example, in order to insert the tip  226  of the second side panel tuckable flap  164  into the second side panel slot  200 , as shown in  FIG. 15 , the triangularly-shaped (see  FIGS. 14 and 15 ) second side panel tuckable flap  164  may be folded slightly along the fourth, fifth, and sixth tuck-assist fold lines  192 ,  194 ,  196 . When the second side panel tuckable flap  164  is in the configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the sixth tuck-assist fold line  196  is directly on top of the fourth and fifth tuck-assist fold lines  192 ,  194 . This makes it easier to initiate insertion of the tip  226  of the second side panel tuckable flap  164  into the second side panel slot  200 . Similarly, the first side panel tuckable flap  160  includes a first tuck-assist fold line  182 , a second tuck-assist fold line  184 , and a third tuck-assist fold line  186  so that the tip  230  of the first side panel tuckable flap  160  may be more easily inserted into the first side panel slot  198 . When the first side panel tuckable flap  160  is in the configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the third tuck-assist fold line  186  is directly on top of the first and second tuck-assist fold lines  182 ,  184 . 
     With the cooler pack  10 ′ in the fully-closed configuration illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the first and second fold-in handle panels  110 ′,  116 ′ may be pressed inwardly to allow the consumer to carry the fully assembled and closed cooler pack  10 ′ by its top. 
     The liquid-impervious material used to form the barrier films discussed in this specification can be formed from, for example, ComposiGard® or Integra Pak®, both of which are available from Graphic Packaging Corporation of Golden, Colo. Other suitable materials include ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene (PET), and polyvinyl dichlorides (e.g., SARAN®). Other materials could also be used for the barrier film  122 . 
     All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention. 
     In the exemplary embodiments discussed above, the blanks may be formed from, for example, paperboard, clay coated newsprint (CCN), solid unbleached sulfate board (SUS. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the cooler pack to function at least generally as described above. 
     The blanks according to the present invention can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections. 
     The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure paperboard carton panels in place. 
     The term “line” as used herein includes not only straight lines, but also other types of lines such as curved, curvilinear or angularly displaced lines. 
     In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line or hinge line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present invention, fold lines include: score lines, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; cuts that extend partially into a material along a desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. 
     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while the present invention has been discussed above with reference to preferred embodiments, various additions, modifications, and variations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.