Patent Publication Number: US-8974134-B2

Title: Package for applying a personal care product

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/US11/24719, filed Feb. 14, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/304,424, filed Feb. 13, 2010. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an improved package for applying a liquid personal care product to the skin of a user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Liquid personal care products are available in a wide variety of packages, including bottles, jars, tubes, and cans. Few liquid personal care products on the market have built-in applicators wherein the product flows through the applicator. Some products on the market, such as certain deodorants, employ a roller-ball applicator technique to deliver product. However, other personal care products such as cosmetics foundations and lotions are traditionally dispensed out of a container into the hand or onto a sponge, and then applied to the skin. This application method however can be unsanitary, wasteful, and messy, and may lead to undesirable post-application hand washing. 
     Conventional applicators are typically not suitable for desirably applying cosmetic foundations or lotions to the entire face. For example, at least some conventional applicators are ergonomically designed to apply product onto larger areas of the face such as the cheeks and forehead, but not onto smaller skin areas such as the area between the lips and nose. But ergonomic packages may not provide intuitive applicator positioning commonly associated with cylindrical containers and/or applicators. On the other hand, cylinder-shaped applicators may not provide a suitable means to apply product to the smaller areas of the face. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an intuitive package with skin-friendly dispensing that can apply a suitable amount of product directly onto the skin. It would also be desirable to configure such a package to better fit into a user&#39;s hand. It would further be desirable to provide an applicator that delivers a suitable amount of product to the skin with each movement of the applicator. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to provide a solution to the aforementioned problems, a package for applying a personal care product to the skin of a user is disclosed herein. The package comprises a body for storing and dispensing the personal care product. The body has a first cross-sectional shape and is graspable by the user&#39;s hand. The package also comprises an applicator joined to the body. The applicator includes a cylinder-shaped skin-contacting portion. The skin-contacting portion has a second cross-sectional shape and a surface pattern. Each of the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape has a major dimension oriented along a first axis and a minor dimension oriented along a second axis. The major dimensions are greater than the minor dimensions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a package. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bottom portion of the package shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3   a  is a front elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3   b  is a side elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3   c  is a front elevation view of an embodiment of a package. 
         FIGS. 4   a - g  are examples of cross-sectional shapes. 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of the bottom portion of the package shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of an embodiment of a package. 
         FIGS. 7A-R  are examples of patterns suitable for the skin-contacting portion. 
         FIGS. 8   a - d  are examples of patterns and zones on the skin-contacting portion 
         FIGS. 9   a - d  are further exemplary embodiments of a package for use herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The improved package disclosed herein may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative and preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that the scope of the claims is not limited to the specific ingredients, methods, conditions, devices, or parameters described herein, and that the terminology used herein is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification, including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     All percentages and ratios used herein are by weight of the total composition, and all measurements made are at 25° C., unless otherwise designated. 
     Packages suitable for use herein include a body portion with personal care product disposed therein. In certain embodiments, the personal care product is in the form a liquid or liquid-like substance. Flexible, resilient packages are known in the art and are typically deformable by applying pressure to the body of the package (e.g., by squeezing), which urges a volume of personal care product to an applicator or skin-contacting portion. In certain embodiments, the package may include a one-way valve to enable a user to control the flow of the personal care product. It is to be appreciated that the packages herein may include additional or alternative mechanisms for dispensing the personal care product. Nonlimiting examples of known dispensing mechanisms include electronic pumps; manual pumps; screw-driven pistons or rods; pressurized gasses such aerosols and the like; and trigger pumps. 
     In certain embodiments, the package may include an applicator for receiving personal care product dispensed from the body of the package and applying it to the skin of a user. All or a portion of the applicator may be fixed or movable (e.g., pivotable, rotatable, detachable, and/or reattachable). The applicator includes a skin-contacting portion for desirably transferring the personal care product to the skin of a user. The skin-contacting portion may be fixed or movable depending on the desired use. The skin-contacting portion is configured to apply the personal care product onto the skin in a desirable manner (e.g., evenly, smoothly, and/or natural looking). In an exemplary embodiment, the skin-contacting portion of the applicator may include a roller, which applies the personal care product while rotating about an axis. In this example, the skin-contacting portion receives the personal care product on its surface (e.g., passively via a discrete reservoir which is positioned in close proximity to the roller such that the personal care composition comes into contact with the surface of the roller as the roller rotates; through apertures in the surface of the roller fed by a channel in liquid communication with the body; and/or by actively urging the personal care composition directly onto the surface of the roller from the body) and, by rotation, deposits the personal care product onto the skin. In another exemplary embodiment, the applicator may include a dosing system wherein the personal care product is dosed through the center of a fixed skin-contacting portion and exits apertures (whether through a porous foam or sponge skin-contacting portion, or via a solid skin-contacting portion with holes fed through an axle). 
     The skin-contacting portion may includes a surface with a pattern thereon. The pattern may be formed by one or more of the same or different surface features. The surface features may be the same or different size, type (e.g., protrusion versus recess versus aperture), or shape (e.g., elliptical, circular, diamond, square). The surface features may be selected to configured to facilitate the transfer and/or application of the personal care product onto the skin of a user. Particularly suitable examples of surface features for use herein are described in more detail below. 
     The package may be configured for dual-ended or single-ended dispensing. Dual-ended dispensing applicators may be suitable for circumstances in which a small skin-contacting portion on one end and a larger skin-contacting portion on the other end is desired. Dual-ended dispens, it may be desirable to provide packages that include two or more personal-care products (e.g., a cosmetic primer and a foundation or a skin cleaner and a skin moisturizer) which can be dispensed through dual-ended dispensing applicators. In certain embodiments, the body of the package may include a first end and a second end opposed thereto. The first end may include an applicator and associated skin-contacting portion, while the opposing second end includes a blending tool joined thereto. The blending tool may be used to blend, distribute, or spread the personal care product over the skin. 
       FIGS. 1-4  show an exemplary embodiment of a package  100  suitable for use herein. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the package  100  includes a body  102  for receiving, storing and/or dispensing a personal care product  180  (e.g., skin care composition, cosmetic composition such as primer or foundation, and/or a combination of these). The body  102  of the package  100  includes a reservoir or similar storage space storing the personal care product. The body  102  of the package  100  is configured to facilitate grasping with a user&#39;s hand, for example, by having an ergonomic shape. The body  102  of the package  100  has a cross-sectional shape  104  defined at least in part by a major dimension  106  oriented along a first axis and a co-planar minor dimension  108  oriented along a second axis. While the shape of the cross-section of the body  102  shown in  FIG. 1  appears substantially elliptical, it is to be understood that any suitable cross-section shape may be used as long as it is readily graspable by a user&#39;s hand. The body  102  of the package  100  may be formed from a suitable natural or synthetic material such as, for example, high density polyethylene (“HDPE”), low density polyethylene (“LDPE”), polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), polypropylene (“PP”), polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, nylon, and fluorinated ethylene propylene. In certain embodiments, it may be desirable for form the body  102  from a flexible or pliable material. The body  102  may be made via a number of processes known in the art, such as blow molding, injection molding, and the like. The body  102  may be transparent, translucent, or opaque, as desired. Alternatively or additionally, the body  102  may be formed from a combination of such materials. For example, the body  102  may include a transparent portion to display a particular feature of the personal care product stored therein. In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to display a particular color, texture, and/or pattern of the personal care product  180  to provide a nonverbal cue to a potential consumer that the product has certain desirable features (e.g., white color to indicate sensitivity or swirl pattern to indicate multiple benefits). 
     The package  100  may include an applicator  124  and a blending tool  154 . The applicator  124  may be attached to body  102  by any suitable means known in the art (e.g., with screw-threads, a snap-fit collar, or the like). In certain embodiments, the applicator  124  may be integral with body  102  (i.e., the applicator is assembled with the body during manufacturing and is not intended to be removed by a consumer during the product lifetime). In certain embodiments, the applicator  124  may be removably attached to body  102 , (i.e., the applicator may or may not be assembled with the body during manufacturing and is intended to be removable by a consumer during the product lifetime without causing damage to the package which would impair its intended function), e.g., for cleaning or replacement with another applicator  124 . In certain embodiments, the applicator  124  may be removed to enable user to dispense bulk product directly from body  102 . The applicator  124  may be fixed or pivotable, relative to body  102 . If in a fixed position, the package  100  desirably includes a suitable opening and closing mechanism (e.g., lever, switch, or valve) to start and stop product dispensing. If the position of the applicator  124  is not fixed, then the position of the applicator  124  may be changed to permit a user to start and stop the dispensing of product. For example, the applicator  124  may be configured to pivot in a plane parallel to the plane of the cross-section  104  such that when the applicator  124  is pivoted a particular amount (e.g., between 1 and 360 degrees or between 1 and 180 degrees), an opening is provided through which the personal care product  180  may be dispensed. When the applicator is pivoted back to the previous position and/or when the applicator is pivoted further (e.g., another 1 to 180 degrees) the opening is closed. Additionally or alternatively, the applicator may be configured to pivot to other positions to change the size and/or shape of the opening, thereby controlling the rate at which the personal care product is dispensed. 
     The package may include a one-way valve made from rubber or similar material, which is substantially impermeable to the personal care composition  180 . The one-way valve may be positioned, for example, between the storage space in the body  102  and the skin contacting portion of the applicator  124 . The one-way valve may be configured to be opened by squeezing the body  102  of the package  100 , thereby permitting the personal care product  180  to flow through one-way valve, and closed when the squeezing pressure is removed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the applicator  124  includes a skin-contacting portion  126  having a cross-sectional shape  128 . The cross-sectional shape  128  of the skin-contacting portion is at least partially defined by a major dimension  130  oriented along a first axis and a co-planar minor dimension  132  oriented along a second axis. The applicator  124  may be configured to control the amount and spacing of applied product. For example, at least a portion of the skin-contacting portion  126  may be designed to fit between a user&#39;s nose and upper lip. As such, the minor dimension  132  of the skin-contacting portion  126  may be less than or equal to 1.9 cm or even 1.25 cm. Alternatively or additionally, the major dimension  130  of skin-contacting portion  126  may be less than or equal to 3.8 cm. The skin-contacting portion  126  may be in the shape of a cylinder, sphere, or other suitable shape, as desired. Suitable materials for the skin-contacting portion  126  include rubber, sponge, felt, cloth, wicking fibers, flocking, and combinations thereof. For example, the skin-contacting portion may be configured as a cylindrical roller formed from a soft, pliable material such as a commonly known thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”). 
     The package  100  may optionally include a blending tool  154  for manipulating the personal care composition after it has been applied to the skin (e.g., smoothing, spreading, and/or blending the personal care composition with the same or different personal care composition). The blending tool  154  may be attached to body  102  opposite the applicator  124  by any suitable means known in the art, such as with screw-threads, a snap-fit collar, or the like. The blending tool  154  may be removably attached to body  102  so that a user can remove the blending tool  154  to clean it or replace it with a new or different blending tool  154 . In certain embodiments, the blending tool  154  may be removed to permit bulk dispensing of the personal care product from the package  100 . The blending tool  154  may include a plurality of bristles, a paintbrush, a sponge, a loofah, a shower puff, a massager, or other like utensil suitable for blending, distributing, or spreading a liquid personal care product. For example, the blending tool  154  may be made from flexible and/or soft materials such as rubber, TPE, sponge, combinations thereof and the like. It may be desirable to form the blending tool from a material that is rinsable with a suitable solvent such as water, isopropyl alcohol, or acetone. 
       FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show the major dimension  106  and minor dimension  108  of the body  102  substantially aligned with the respective major dimension  130  and minor dimension  132  of the skin-contacting portion  126 . But in certain embodiments, such as shown in  FIG. 3   c , the major dimension  106  of the body  102  substantially aligns with the minor dimension  132  of the skin-contacting portion  126 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict the cross-sectional shape  104  of the body  102  and the cross-sectional shape  128  of the skin-contacting portion  126  aligned vertically, but it is to be appreciated that the cross-sectional shapes  104  and  128  need not necessarily be in vertical alignment. For example, the skin-contacting portion  126  may be offset from the body  102  such that the skin-contacting portion  126  is not positioned vertically above the body  102 , but rather extends outwardly from the side of the body  102 . The skin-contacting portion  126  may be fixed at a particular angle relative to the longitudinal dimension of the body or it may be adjustable. The cross-sectional shapes  104  and/or  128  of the body  102  and/or the applicator  124 , respectively, may take a variety of different shapes, as shown in  FIGS. 4   a - g . The shapes  104  and  128  may be substantially the same or different. For example, the cross-sectional shape  104  of the body  102  may resemble an oval shape while the cross-sectional shape  128  of skin-contacting portion may be more of a teardrop shape. In certain embodiments, the package  100  may include more than two distinct cross-sectional shapes. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of an applicator  124 . As shown, the skin-contacting portion  126  includes a first portion spaced away from the applicator base  138  by a first distance  134 , and a second portion spaced away from the applicator base  138  by a second distance  136 . It may be desirable to configure the first distance  134  to be greater than the second distance  136  or vice versa. In certain embodiments, the skin-contacting portion  126  may include three or more portions in various zones spaced away from the applicator base  138  by three different distances. The applicator  124  may include two or more arms  140 , which extend downwardly from the body  102  of the package  100 . The arms  140  may be configured to house skin-contacting portion  126  therebetween, and join the skin-contacting portion  126  to other portions of the package  100  (e.g., the body  102 ). The arms  140  may be rounded to form a divot as shown in  FIG. 5 , or may be flush with body  102 , as shown in  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c . The skin-contacting portion  126  may be joined to one or both of the arms  140  via an axle, one or more pins, or any other known means suitable for joining a roller to two or more arms. The arms  140  and, optionally, the axle or other joining means, may include a channel or the like to place the body  102  in liquid communication with the skin-contacting portion  126 . 
     The skin-contacting portion  126  includes a pattern  144  on its surface. The pattern  144  may be in the form of discontinuous dots, lines, and/or shapes; a continuous matrix; and/or a combination of these. The pattern on the skin-contacting portion  126  produces a corresponding pattern on skin when the personal care product  180  is applied thereto. The pattern  144  may be configured to deliver a discontinuous film of product to the skin, resulting in natural looking coverage. The pattern  144  may be formed by providing apertures that extend through the surface of the skin-contacting portion  126 . Alternatively or additionally, the pattern  144  may be formed from recessed and/or raised portions disposed on the surface of the skin-contacting portion  126 . In certain embodiments, the personal care product  180  disposed in the package  100  may flow through apertures of the pattern  144  onto the surface of the skin-contacting portion  126  during dispensing and application. In certain embodiments, (e.g., if the pattern  144  includes raised portions on the surface of the skin-contacting portion  126 ), the raised areas may be configured to pick up the personal care product  180  from, e.g., a trough or tray positioned in close proximity to the surface of the skin-contacting portion. In certain embodiments, the pattern  144  includes the raised portions and the personal care product  180  is applied only to the raised portions of the skin-contacting portion  125 . In embodiments where the skin-contacting surface includes recessed portions disposed on its surface, the personal care product  180  may be deposited in the recessed portions and subsequently transferred to the skin of a user. 
     Exemplary surface patterns  144  for use on the skin-contacting portion  126  are illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-R  and  8   a - d . The shapes of the surface features on the skin-contacting portion  126  that form the pattern  144  may be selected from any suitable shape known in the art. For example, the surface features may include donut-shaped dimples (i.e., recessed portions) which are shallow in the center and deeper around the outer circumference. Other exemplary shapes include star-shaped, square, etc. The skin-contacting portion  126  may configured to include two or more zones that include the same or different patterns and/or are formed from the same or different materials. Each zone may be further subdivided into two or more different sections based on the pattern and/or the material used to form the section. For example, the skin-contacting portion  126  may include a first zone formed from a relatively soft, pliable material with a discontinuous dot pattern on the surface, and a second zone formed from a relatively soft, absorptive material with no pattern on the surface. In another example, the entire skin-contacting portion  126  may be formed from the same material, but have a first zone with recessed and/or protruding surface features and a second zone with apertures. In still another example, the skin-contacting portion  126  may include a first zone with two differently shaped apertures spaced away from one another by a first distance, and a second zone with the same shaped apertures as the first zone but spaced apart by a second distance, which is greater than the first distance. In this example, the distance between two apertures is the shortest straight line distance between the centers of the two adjacent apertures. 
       FIG. 6  shows an exemplary embodiment of a package  100  that includes one or more caps  176  and  178 . The caps  176  and/or  178  may be provided to cover the applicator  124  and/or the blending tool  154 . The caps  176 ,  178  may prevent damage or disfigurement to the applicator  124  and/or blending tool  154 ; reduce the likelihood of contacting and/or contaminating surfaces other than those intended to receive the personal care product  180 ; and/or help prevent moisture loss from the personal care product  180 . In certain embodiments, the caps  176 ,  178  may be provided as temporary covers, which are intended to be removed and discarded by the consumer after purchase. Alternatively, the caps  176  and/or  178  may be reattachable such that they can be reused over the intended life of the personal care product  180  and/or package  100 . 
     The personal care products suitable for use herein may be provided in a variety of product forms including brushable gels and creams, non-foaming liquids, mechanically pumpable liquids, non-aerosol gels, aerosol gels, aerosol foams, pastes, serums, and sprays. 
     Example I 
     A Multichromatic, Liquid Foundation is Prepared as Follows 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 Wt % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Colored crosslinked gel 
                 40.00 
               
               
                   
                 network* 1   
               
               
                   
                 Dimethicone copolyol 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                 crosspolymer (KSG21) 
               
               
                   
                 Cyclomethicone 
                 19.35 
               
               
                   
                 (DC245) 
               
               
                   
                 Propylparabens 
                 0.10 
               
               
                   
                 Ethylparabens 
                 0.20 
               
               
                   
                 Water 
                 15.00 
               
               
                   
                 Titanium dioxide 
                 8.25 
               
               
                   
                 Iron oxides 
                 1.75 
               
               
                   
                 Glycerin 
                 10.00 
               
               
                   
                 Benzyl alcohol 
                 0.25 
               
               
                   
                 Methylparabens 
                 0.10 
               
               
                   
                 Ammonium polyacrylate 
                 0.12 
               
               
                   
                 (Darvan 821A* 2   
               
               
                   
                 Disodium EDTA 
                 0.10 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 * 1 Colored gel comprising 10% pigments (titanium dioxide and iron oxides) having a 60 micron average particle size, approximately 12% polymer, and 78% cyclomethicone fluid. 
               
               
                   
                 * 2 Supplied by Vanderbilt. 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In a suitable vessel, the water, glycerine, disodium EDTA and benzyl alcohol are added and mixed using conventional technology until a clear water phase is achieved. When the water phase is clear add methylparabens and mix again until clear. Then add the ammonium polyacrylate, titanium dioxide and iron oxides and mix to disperse. Mix the resultant phase with a Silverson SL2T or similar equipment on high speed (8,000 rpm, standard head) to fully deagglomerate the pigments. In a separate vessel, add the KSG21, hydrophobic titanium dioxide and iron oxides, DC245 and the parabens. This mixture is milled using a Silverson on high speed until homogeneous. Next, the colored water phase and the colored, silicone phase are combined and milled using a Silverson on high speed until the water is fully incorporated and an emulsion is formed. Finally, a colored gel is then chosen so as to be significantly different in colour to the blend of titanium dioxide and iron oxides. This is then added and the product is mixed again using a Silverson on high speed. The resulting multichromatic, finished product is then incorporated into the appropriate package. 
     Example II 
     A Skin-Care Composition is Prepared as Follows 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 Wt % 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 Phase A 
                   
               
               
                 Water 
                 QS (~20% total water) 
               
               
                 Glycerin 
                 10.0000 
               
               
                 Allantoin 
                 0.1000 
               
               
                 Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate 
                 0.10000 
               
               
                   Vitis Vinifera  (Grapeseed) Extract 
                 0.02000 
               
               
                 Green Tea Extract 
                 0.1 
               
               
                 Propylene Glycol 
                 1.0000 
               
               
                 Butylene Glycol 
                 1.03950 
               
               
                 Benzyl Alcohol 
                 0.4000 
               
               
                 Matrixyl* 1   
                 3.0 
               
               
                 Glycolic Acid 
                 3.9900 
               
               
                 Triethanolamine 
                 1.0000 
               
               
                 Sodium Hydroxide 
                 1.1250 
               
               
                 Phase B 
               
               
                 Water 
                 QS (~80% total water) 
               
               
                 d-Panthenol 
                 0.5000 
               
               
                 Hydroxyethylcellulose 
                 1.00000 
               
               
                 Ultrez 21* 2   
                 — 
               
               
                 Sepigel 305* 3   
                 — 
               
               
                 Simulgel I-NS 100* 4   
                 — 
               
               
                 Simulgel EG* 5   
                 — 
               
               
                 Sepiplus 600* 6   
                 — 
               
               
                 AxCel CDG-PX* 7   
                 0.10000 
               
               
                 After Mixing Phase A into Phase B, add: 
               
               
                 Colorona Aborigne Amber* 8   
                 0.02000 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 * 1 Anti-aging peptide solution from Sederma, Inc., Edison, NJ. 
               
               
                 * 2 Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer from Noveon Consumer Specialties, Cleveland, OH. 
               
               
                 * 3 Polyacrylamide and C13-14 Isoparaffin and Laureth-7 from SEPPIC, Inc., Fairfield, NJ. 
               
               
                 * 4 Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer and isohexadecane and polysorbate 60 from SEPPIC, Inc., Fairfield, NJ. 
               
               
                 * 5 Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer and isohexadecane and polysorbate 80 from SEPPIC, Inc., Fairfield, NJ. 
               
               
                 * 6 Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer and isohexadecane and polysorbate 60 from SEPPIC, Inc., Fairfield, NJ. 
               
               
                 * 7 Mixture of microfibrous cellulose, xanthan gum, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose from CP Kelco, San Diego, CA. 
               
               
                 * 8 Mica coated with iron oxide, iron oxide black, and titanium dioxide from EMD Chemicals, Inc., Gibbstown, NJ. 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Phase A materials are blended in a container. Phase B materials are blended in a separate container. Phase B is blended into Phase A. The platelet particulates are added after combining Phase A and Phase B. 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm” 
     Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.