Patent Publication Number: US-2018049534-A1

Title: Compact cosmetic containe

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to a cosmetic container. More particularly, the present invention relates to a compact cosmetic container that is configured such that a sifter can be reliably hermetically coupled to an inner container in which powder cosmetic is accommodated, and that can be conveniently carried for use. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In general, a wet power cosmetic is a compact form of powder to which moisture and other functional ingredients are added. Thus, airtightness is required in order to prevent moisture from vaporizing or the cosmetic from deteriorating during use. 
     In this regard, in the related art, wet powder is accommodated within a compact cosmetic container. However, it is difficult to obtain hermetic reliability in terms of the structure of the container. 
     Referring to, for example, Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-165402, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2009-070306, and Korean Patent No. 10-1063477 disclosing a container structure in which a cover on the upper portion of a body is opened and closed in the top-bottom direction, airtightness is obtained using a structure of simply bringing a packing into close contact with the cover in the operation of closing the cover. However, the hermetic structure simply using the packing has a limited ability to provide reliable hermetic force to wet powder cosmetic containing moisture. 
     In order to address this problem, “POWDER CONTAINER FOR MAKEUP” was proposed in Korean Patent No. 10-1073436, developed by the applicant. This approach is configured such that the cover is opened and closed with respect to the container body through screw engagement. A hermetic member closing a discharge-hole of a sifter is disposed integrally within the cover. Thus, it is easy to hermetically seal the sifter. However, a cosmetic-applying tool, such as a puff or a makeup brush, for applying powder accommodated within the container to the face of a user is provided separately, thus it is rather inconvenient to apply a cosmetic using the related-art container. 
     RELATED ART DOCUMENTS 
     
         
         (Patent Document 1) Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-165402 
         (Patent Document 2) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2009-070306 
         (Patent Document 3) Korean Patent No. 10-1063477 
         (Patent Document 4) Korean Patent No. 10-1073436 
       
    
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and the present invention is intended to propose a compact cosmetic container that is configured such that a sifter can be reliably hermetically coupled to an inner container in which powder cosmetic is accommodated, and that the convenience in use of a product is significantly improved since a cosmetic-applying tool is integrally accommodated. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a compact cosmetic container may include: an outer container; an outer cover coupled to the outer container by means of a hinge to be opened and closed; an inner container coupled within the outer container, with a cosmetic being accommodated therein; a sifter coupled to an upper portion of the inner container, the sifter having a discharge-hole through which the cosmetic is discharged, the discharge-hole being covered with a mesh; and a lid coupled to the inner container by means of a hinge to be opened and closed in order to hermetically close the discharge-hole of the sifter, the lid including a soft hermetic packing on a lower surface of a bottom thereof and a tool receptacle formed integrally therewith, wherein a cosmetic-applying tool is accommodated in the tool receptacle. The sifter coupled within the inner container includes a frame, an outer wall surface of which is inclined downward, such that the sifter is reliably coupled to the inner container, a hermetic ring is disposed on the outer wall surface, an engagement recess is formed in the frame, a hermetic locking protrusion is formed on a support wall of the inner container to correspond to the engagement recess, such that the engagement recess is elastically engaged with the hermetic locking protrusion, whereby the sifter is hermetically coupled to the support wall of the inner container. An anti-push protrusion is formed on the outer wall surface of the frame of the sifter to prevent the outer wall surface from being pushed outwards by compressive close-contact force of the lid closing the discharge-hole of the sifter, whereby hermetic force of the hermetic packing of the lid with respect to the discharge-hole is not lost. 
     An inner circumferential surface of the discharge-hole formed in the frame of the sifter may be an inclined surface narrowing in a downward direction, with at least one contact protrusion being formed on the inclined surface. The hermetic packing of the lid coming into close contact with the discharge-hole may have an inclined surface conforming to the inclined surface of the discharge-hole in order to provide a hermetic seal between the hermetic packing and the discharge-hole. The contact protrusion is partially in linear contact. 
     The hermetic packing of the lid may include a ring-shaped protrusion coming into close contact with an upper surface of the bottom of the sifter in order to provide reliable contact force with respect to the sifter. 
     The anti-push protrusion formed on the outer wall surface of the frame of the sifter may include one or more anti-push protrusions divided from each other. 
     The hermetic packing disposed on the lid may be formed of elastomer. 
     The mesh, closing the discharge-hole of the sifter, may be fixed by convex-concave engaging portions formed on corresponding portions of a lower portion of the frame of the sifter and an upper portion of the mesh-fixing ring and fixing pins formed on the convex-concave engaging portions such that the mesh is pulled and tensioned. Locking protrusions formed on the convex-concave engaging portions in positions corresponding to locking recesses formed in an inner circumferential surface of the frame outward of the convex-concave engaging portions may be elastically engaged with the locking recesses and are integrally and fixedly supported on the locking recesses by ultrasonic fusion. 
     The convex-concave engaging portions of the mesh-fixing ring may further include auxiliary fixing pins to fixedly hold the mesh such that the mesh is more tightly pulled. 
     An inclined surface may be formed in a predetermined range of an inner circumferential surface of an upper end of the inner container in order to prevent pressure within the inner container from being lowered due to a leakage when the sifter is coupled to the inner container. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present invention having the above-described characteristics, the sifter having the mesh allowing cosmetic to be discharged therethrough can be rapidly and easily coupled to the inner container in which a variety of types of cosmetics is accommodated. This can consequently provide reliable hermetic force to the inner container, such that the quality of cosmetic can be maintained for a prolonged period of time. In addition, since the cosmetic-applying tool is integrally provided, the convenience of use of the portable cosmetic container can be significantly improved. Since the mesh is reliably fixed to the sifter, the mesh can remained in the tensioned position, thereby being prevented from excessively sagging. In addition, cosmetic can be properly discharged, thereby further improving the quality of a product. 
     In addition, according to the present invention, the inclined surface is formed in the predetermined range of the inner circumference of the upper end of the inner container. Even if dry powder cosmetic is accommodated in the inner container, it is possible to reduce pressure within the inner container and overcome the problem of cosmetic scattering through the mesh. It is also possible to prevent the label attached to the upper portion of the mesh from being damaged, thereby further improving comfort and reliability in the use of a product. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an assembled perspective view illustrating a compact cosmetic container according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a disassembled perspective view illustrating the compact cosmetic container according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an extracted view of part “C” in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an extracted view of part “D” in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating the sifter of the compact cosmetic container according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an assembled cross-sectional view of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the sifter of the compact cosmetic container according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a fragmentary extracted cross-sectional view of the sifter of the compact cosmetic container according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is an assembled extracted cross-sectional view of the sifter of the compact cosmetic container according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a usage of the compact cosmetic container according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 13  is an extracted cross-sectional view illustrating a modified structure of the sifter of the compact cosmetic container according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 11 , a compact cosmetic container  100  according to the present invention includes an outer container  110  and an outer cover  120  injection-molded from an injection molding material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin. The outer container  110  and the outer cover  120  are assembled to and opened in the direction of each other. 
     The outer container and the outer cover are coupled to each other by means of a hinge  102  disposed on one side of each of the outer container  110  and the outer cover  120 . Specifically, a hinge bracket  102   a  is disposed on the outer container to be opened outward, a hinge support piece  102   b  is disposed on the outer cover to extend downward and is fitted into the hinge bracket  102   a , pin holes  102   c  extend coaxially through the hinge bracket  102   a  and the hinge support piece  102   b , and a pin  102   d  is engaged with the pin holes  102   c , whereby the outer cover pivots with respect to the outer container in the range of a predetermined angle. However, the hinge  102  is not limited thereto and may have various designs of structures as required. 
     In addition, the outer container  110  and the outer cover  120  are configured to be opened and closed by means of an opening/closing unit  104  disposed on the other side of each of the outer container  110  and the outer cover  120 . Specifically, the outer container  110  and the outer cover  120  are configured to be opened and closed by engaging and disengaging operations of locking protrusions  104   a  and  104   b  extending from the portions on the other sides of the outer container  110  and the outer cover  120  opposite the hinge  102 . However, the opening/closing unit  104  may also have various designs of structures as required. 
     The outer cover  120  has a mirror  122  attached to the inner circumference thereof, the mirror  122  allowing a user to apply cosmetics while viewing his or her face. 
     An inner container  130  is disposed within and is fixedly engaged with the outer container  110 . A wet powder cosmetic  170  containing moisture is accommodated in the inner container  130 . Although it is most preferable that the cosmetic is a wet powder type, the cosmetic is not limited thereto and may be of a variety of types. That is, the cosmetic may be dry powder, a liquid cosmetic material having a predetermined degree of viscosity, or a porous pad of, for example, sponge into which a cosmetic material is infiltrated. 
     The wet powder material may be produced by adding moisture or a functional material to dry powder and then compressing the powder mixture at a predetermined pressure. Alternatively, the wet powder material may be a liquid material having a predetermined degree of viscosity or a cream material. In particular, the wet powder, liquid or cream cosmetic containing moisture gives a moist and cool sensation compared to simple dry powder cosmetics, and thus is currently gaining popularity among users. 
     The outer container  110  and the inner container  130  accommodated within the outer container  110  are coupled to each other through elastic engagement of at least one locking recess  112  and at least one locking protrusion  131  formed on the corresponding portions of the inner wall of the outer container and the outer wall of the inner container. 
     A sifter  140  is separably and hermetically coupled to the upper part of the inner container  130 . When the sifter  140  and the inner container  130  are coupled to each other, an engagement recess  142  formed on the outer circumference of a frame  141  of the sifter  140  to be opened downward is fitted around a support wall  132  extending upward from the inner circumference of the inner container, and at the same time, hermetic locking protrusions  132   a  and  142   a  formed on the corresponding portions of the support wall  132  and the engagement recess  142  are engaged with each other. In this manner, the sifter  140  and the inner container  130  are elastically and hermetically coupled to each other. 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the sifter  140  coupled to the inner container  130  is configured such that the outer wall surface  143  of the frame  141  fitted into the interior of the inner container is inclined at a predetermined angle E to be narrower downward, whereby the sifter can be rapidly and easily fitted into the inner container. 
     Since the outer wall surface  143  of the frame  141  is inclined to be narrower downward, the sifter is coupled to the inner container such that the outer wall surface  143  of the frame  141  is separated from the inner circumferential wall surface of the inner container  130  by a minute gap. This consequently allows the sifter to be coupled to the inner container softly and rapidly. 
     In addition, a hermetic ring  143   a  protrudes from the entirety of the outer circumference of the upper portion of the outer wall surface  143  of the frame  141  of the sifter  140 . One or more anti-push protrusions  143   b  are formed below the hermetic ring  143   a  and are evenly divided. When the sifter  140  is coupled to the inner container  130 , the anti-push protrusions  143   b  partially abut the inner wall surface of the inner container in order to facilitate a fitting operation while preventing being pushed. 
     In order to help the sifter  140  to be rapidly and easily coupled to the inner container  130 , the anti-push protrusions  143   b  are engaged with the inner container such that the outer wall surface  143  of the frame  141  inclined at the angle E does not directly abut the inner wall surface. Consequently, the anti-push protrusions  143   b  can constantly maintain a reliably-coupled position without being pushed outwards by a pushing pressure occurring during an operation of closing a lid  150 , which will be described later. 
     The central portion of the bottom of the frame  141  of the sifter  140  has a discharge-hole  144  formed therein, through which a cosmetic material is to be discharged. A mesh-fixing ring  145  elastically fixes and supports a mesh  146  disposed below the discharge-hole. The mesh  146  allows the cosmetic material to be uniformly and evenly taken out without conglomerating on a cosmetic-applying tool  160 . 
     The inner circumferential surface of the discharge-hole  144  is an inclined surface narrowing from the upper surface to the lower surface. One or more contact protrusions  144   a  protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the discharge-hole  144 . 
     Although it is preferable that the mesh  146  is manufactured from a material having fine elasticity, such as nylon, the material is not specifically limited as long as the material is elastic. 
     It is preferable that the mesh  146  constantly remains in a tensioned position without being elongated from the frame  141  of the sifter  140  when the cosmetic material is taken out, such that the cosmetic can be discharged in a suitable amount. 
     Considering this concept, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 to 9 , convex-concave engaging portions  141   a  and  145   a  are formed on the corresponding portions of the lower surface of the frame  141  of the sifter  140  and the upper surface of the mesh-fixing ring  145 . The convex-concave engaging portions  141   a  and  145   a  have fixing pins  141   a - 1  and  145   a - 1 , respectively, sharply protruding in the shape of a triangular projection in order to tightly fix the mesh by uniformly pulling and tensioning the peripheries of the mesh disposed between the convex-concave engaging portions  141   a  and  145   a.    
     In addition, the convex-concave engaging portions  145   a  further have auxiliary fixing pins  145   a - 2  alternating with the fixing pins  141   a - 1  and  145   a - 1 . Due to the auxiliary fixing pins  145   a - 2 , the portions of the mesh other that the portion of the mesh positioned above the discharge-hole  144  of the frame  141 , for example, the peripheral portions of the mesh, are generally fixed while being pulled and further tensioned. Consequently, when the fixing force of the fixing pins  141   a - 1  and  145   a - 1  is reduced, a tightly-pulled position can be maintained constantly. 
     In addition, in the mesh-fixing ring  145  having the convex-concave engaging portions  145   a  engaged with the convex-concave engaging portions  141   a  formed on the lower portion of the frame  141  in a corresponding manner, locking protrusions  145   b  formed on the convex-concave engaging portions  145   a  in positions corresponding to locking recesses  141   b  formed in the inner circumference of the frame  141  outward of the convex-concave engaging portions  141   a  are, at first, elastically engaged with the locking recesses  141   b , and are secondarily supported on and fixed to frame  141  by ultrasonic fusion carried out on the lower surface of the mesh-fixing ring  145 . 
     The mesh  146  situated between the convex-concave engaging portions  141   a  and  145   a  through the engagement of the mesh-fixing ring  145  as described above can remain in a reliably-coupled position without being separated. 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the lid  150  is disposed above the sifter  140  to hermetically close the discharge-hole  144  of the sifter  140 . The lid  150  has a concave tool receptacle  151 , in which the cosmetic-applying tool  160 , such as a puff or a cosmetic brush, is accommodated. The lid  150  is configured to be opened and closed in one direction by means of a hinge  106  disposed on one side thereof. 
     According to the structure of the hinge  106 , hinge brackets  106   a  are erected upward from one side of the outer container, a hinge support piece  106   b  extending outward from the lid in one direction is situated between the hinge brackets  106   a , and a pin  106   d  is engaged with pin holes  106   c  extending coaxially through the hinge brackets  106   a  and the hinge support piece  106   b . Due to this assembly structure, the lid  150  can pivot with respect to the sifter in the range of a predetermined angle. However, the hinge  106  is not limited thereto and may have various designs of structures as required. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , an opening/closing unit  108  is disposed on the other side of the hinge  106 . The opening/closing unit  108  includes: an opening/closing operation piece  108   a  extending outward from the upper end of the lid; an elastic support piece  108   b  extending downward from the opening/closing operation piece; and a locking protrusion  108   c  formed on the elastic support piece  108   b  such that the locking protrusion  108   c  is elastically locked to and unlocked from a locking protrusion  108   d  protruding from the corresponding position of the inner container  130 . However, the opening/closing unit is not limited thereto and may have various designs of structures as required. 
     Thus, the lid  150  can be opened and closed by pivoting above the sifter  140  by means of the hinge  106  and the opening/closing unit  108 . In particular, locking coupling force can be reliably maintained due to the operation of closing the lid. 
     The hinge  106  for pivoting the lid  150  is oriented perpendicular to the hinge  102  disposed to pivot the outer cover  120 , such that the hinges do not interfere with each other during the opening and closing operations. 
     A hermetic packing  152  formed of a soft material is disposed on the lower surface of the bottom of the lid  150  to hermetically close the discharge-hole  144  of the sifter  140 . It is preferable that the side surface of the hermetic packing  152  abutting the discharge-hole  144  of the sifter is formed of a contact surface identical to the discharge-hole. 
     It is preferable that the hermetic packing  152  is formed integrally with the lower surface of the bottom of the lid  150  by double injection. A variety of soft materials, such as acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), silicon rubber, and elastomer, may be used in order to provide reliable hermetic force. However, any hermetically-sealing materials may be used without being specifically restricted. 
     It is preferable that the hermetic packing  152  is formed of elastomer considering conditions, such as injection workability and hermetical reliability. 
     In addition, it is preferable that the hermetic packing  152  has a ring-shaped protrusion  153  that provides a seal by partially coming into close contact with the upper surface of the bottom of the frame  141  of the sifter in order to more effectively seal the sifter  140 . 
     According to the present invention, the inner container  130 , the frame  141  of the sifter  140 , and the lid  150  are also injection-molded using a synthetic resin, and preferably, are injection-molded using polypropylene having superior thermal and chemical resistance as well as superior tensile strength, impact strength, and mechanical properties. 
     In the compact cosmetic container  100  having the above-described configuration according to the present invention, the lid  150  has the tool receptacle  151 , allowing the cosmetic-applying tool  160 , such as a puff, to be accommodated and used. Compared to the related art in which a cosmetic-applying tool is separately provided, high convenience is realized due to the portability of the product. 
     When the sifter  140  is assembled to the inner container  130 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the hermetic locking protrusions  142   a  and the hermetic ring  143  formed on the engagement recess  142  and the outer wall surface  143  of the sifter are closely engaged with the hermetic locking protrusions and the inner wall surface of the support wall  132 , such that the inner container and the sifter are reliably coupled to each other. In addition, the cosmetic material or moisture is prevented from leaking or vaporizing through the connecting portions between the sifter and the inner container. 
     In addition, in the operation of closing the sifter  140  with the lid  150 , the hermetic packing  152  formed on the lower surface of the bottom of the lid closes the discharge-hole  144  of the sifter. Even if the outer wall surface  143  inclined to be narrower in the downward direction in order to ensure that the sifter  140  is reliably coupled to the inner container  130  by compressive contact force of the lid is pushed outwards, the anti-push protrusions  143   b  formed on the outer wall surface  143  remain in close contact with the inner wall surface of the inner container, such that the hermetic packing  152  of the lid remains in hermetic contact with the discharge-hole  144  of the sifter while maintaining hermetic force when the lid  150  is operated to be closed. 
     In addition, the hermetic packing  152  of the lid  150  coming into contact with the inner circumference of the discharge-hole  144  of the sifter  140  in order to close the discharge-hole has a symmetrically-inclined surface. This configuration constantly provides reliable close-contact force in the operation of closing the lid. In addition, the hermetic packing  152  forms a partial linear contact with the contact protrusions  144   a  formed on the inner circumference of the discharge-hole of the lid, such that more hermetic force is realized as pressing force is applied to the lid. 
     Thus, since the present invention uses the structure causing the sifter  140  to be reliably coupled to the inner container while further improving hermetic force for the discharge-hole  144  of the sifter, it is possible to maintain high quality of the cosmetic  170  accommodated in the inner container. 
     Referring to the operation of making up with the cosmetic  170  accommodated in the inner container  130  using the compact cosmetic container  100  according to the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the outer cover  120  is opened in one direction with respect to the outer container  110  via the hinge  102 , the cosmetic-applying tool  160  is taken out of the tool receptacle  151  of the lid  150 , and then the lid  150  is opened in one direction with respect to the inner container  140  via the hinge  106 . 
     Then, due to the operation of opening the lid  150 , the discharge-hole  144  of the sifter  140  is exposed externally. In addition, in response to the mesh  146  being pushed through the discharge-hole  144  using the cosmetic-applying tool  160 , an amount of the cosmetic material in the inner container  130  is attached to the cosmetic-applying tool while being discharged through the mesh, such that makeup application is performed using the cosmetic material attached to the cosmetic-applying tool. In addition, the mesh  146  that has been forcibly pressed by the cosmetic-applying tool returns to the original shape due to the tensioning force thereof as the pressing force of the cosmetic-applying tool is removed. 
     Since the mesh  146  is constantly pulled and tensioned with respect to the frame  141  of the sifter  140  by the mesh-fixing ring  145 , use of the cosmetic material can be reliably and constantly carried out. In addition, the cosmetic material can be prevented from being excessively pressed and excessively sagging. 
     When the makeup application is completed, the lid  150  is covered, the cosmetic-applying tool  160  is put into the tool receptacle  151 , and then the outer cover  120  is closed, thereby completing the operation of closing the lid and the outer cover. The lid and the outer cover remain in the closed positions due to the locking force of the opening/closing units  104  and  108 . The discharge-hole  144  of the sifter  140  is hermetically closed by the hermetic packing  152  of the lid  150 . 
     Thus, due to the reliable hermetic coupling force between the sifter  140  and the lid  150 , the cosmetic material accommodated in the inner container  130  or the moisture thereof is prevented from leaking externally, such that the cosmetic material can be used sanitarily while maintaining the quality thereof for an extended period. Consequently, the portability of the cosmetic container in which the cosmetic material is accommodated can be improved. 
     According to the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , it is preferable that an inclined surface  132   b  having a predetermined angle of inclination F is formed in a predetermined range of the inner circumference of the upper end of the inner container  130  in which the cosmetic material  170  is accommodated in order to promote the reliable coupling of the sifter  140  depending on type of cosmetic accommodated in the inner container. 
     For example, when the cosmetic material  170  accommodated in the inner container  130  is dry powder instead of wet powder, a label L is generally attached to the upper surface of the mesh  146  of the sifter  130  after a dry powder cosmetic is disposed in the inner container in order to prevent powder from scattering externally due to engagement of the sifter  140  or being attached to the lower surface of the lid  150 , which would otherwise stain the lid  150 . In addition, the label L provides an image of a new product to consumers when the product is displayed for purchase. 
     In this regard, according to the present invention, the inclined surface  132   b  on the inner circumference of the upper end of the inner container  130  is formed to extend from the upper end to the portions abutting the anti-push protrusions  143   b . When the sifter  140  is engaged with the inner container, the engaging process of the sifter is performed such that the anti-push protrusions  143   b  and the hermetic ring  143   a  are fitted into the inner container at distances from the inclined surface  132   b  formed on the inner circumference of the upper end of the inner container  130 , before complement engagement of the anti-push protrusions  143   b  and the hermetic ring  143   a  positioned thereabove. This configuration causes an amount of pressure in the inner container caused by the sifter being coupled thereto to leak from the inner container through the gaps in order to prevent dry powder container from scattering externally through the mesh  146  while preventing the label L attached to the upper portion of the mesh  146  from being damaged. 
     According to the present invention as described above, the inclined surface  132   b  is formed in a predetermined range of the inner circumference of the upper end of the inner container  130 . This configuration consequently removes the pressure within the inner container when the sifter  140  is coupled to the inner container with dry powder cosmetic being accommodated therein, thereby preventing the problem in that dry powder cosmetic scatters through the mesh  146 . In addition, this configuration does not damage the label L attached to the upper portion of the mesh  146 . It is therefore possible to further improve comfort and reliability in the use of a product. 
     Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is by no means limited thereto. Various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.