Patent Publication Number: US-11027893-B2

Title: Package

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/639,595, filed Mar. 7, 2018, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a container, and more specifically to a container for storing perishables that has features for resisting undesired opening. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is often desirable to provide a container for storing items, which may include perishable items, that also has features that prevent or inhibit undesired opening. 
     SUMMARY 
     Certain embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a package with one or more selectively openable and/or closable lid portions. 
     In one aspect, for example, a package is provided with a container having a floor and a side wall that cooperate to form a product storage region. The package also includes a lid having a cover that is movable between a closed position in which the cover is at least partially blocking access to the product storage region, and an open position in which the cover is at least partially moved away from the closed position such that the product storage region is accessible by a user. The container includes at least one pair of opposed depressible tabs that in a relaxed state are configured to retain the lid in a locked state, and in a compressed state are configured to allow the lid to move from the closed position to the open position. The lid includes a pair of opposed apertures configured to align with the at least one pair of opposed tabs in the closed state and allow disengagement of the tabs when the tabs are in the compressed state such that the tabs disengage the pair of opposed apertures and allow movement of the lid from the closed position to the open position. 
     In another aspect, a package is provided having a container having a first product storage region and a second product storage region separated by a divider wall. The package also includes a first cover selectively covering the first product storage region and a second cover selectively covering the second product storage region. The container has a first pair of opposed locking tabs and a second pair of opposed locking tabs. The first cover is movable between a closed position in which the first cover at least partially blocks access to the first product storage region, and an open position in which the first cover is at least partially moved away from the closed position such that the first product storage region is accessible by a user. The second cover is movable between a closed position in which the second cover at least partially blocks access to the second product storage region, and an open position in which the second cover is at least partially moved away from the closed position such that the second product storage region is accessible by a user. The first pair of opposed locking tabs are depressible and configured to be movable from a relaxed state in which the first pair of opposed locking tabs are configured to retain the first cover in a locked state, to a compressed state in which the first pair of opposed locking tabs are configured to allow the first cover to move from the closed position to the open position. The second pair of opposed locking tabs are depressible and configured to be movable from a relaxed state in which the second pair of opposed locking tabs are configured to retain the second cover in a locked state, to a compressed state in which the second pair of opposed locking tabs are configured to allow the second cover to move from the closed position to the open position. The first cover includes a first pair of opposed apertures configured to align with the first pair of opposed tabs in the closed state and allow disengagement of the first pair of opposed tabs when the tabs are in the compressed state such that the first pair of opposed tabs disengage the first pair of opposed apertures and allow movement of the first cover from the closed position to the open position. The second cover includes a second pair of opposed apertures configured to align with the second pair of opposed tabs in the closed state and allow disengagement of the second pair of opposed tabs when the tabs are in the compressed state such that the second pair of opposed tabs disengage the second pair of opposed apertures and allow movement of the second cover from the closed position to the open position. 
     In yet another aspect, a package assembly is provided including a container having a floor and a side wall that cooperate to form a product storage region, a tray that is configured to be attachable to the container side wall, and a lid that is configured to be attachable to the tray. The lid includes a cover that is movable between a closed position in which the cover at least partially blocks access to the product storage region, and an open position in which the cover is at least partially moved away from the closed position such that the product storage region is accessible by a user. The container includes at least one pair of opposed depressible tabs that in a relaxed state are configured to retain the cover in a locked state, and in a compressed state are configured to allow the cover to move from the closed position to the open position. The cover includes a pair of opposed apertures configured to align with the at least one pair of opposed tabs in the closed state and allow disengagement of the tabs when the tabs are in the compressed state such that the tabs disengage the pair of opposed apertures and allow movement of the cover from the closed position to the open position. 
     In some embodiments, the container, the tray, and the lid are independently injection molded of plastics materials and attached together to form the package. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments may be shown. Indeed, embodiments may be illustrated or described in many different forms and the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a package in a closed position; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 1  in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of the package of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another side perspective view of the package of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a container and tray without the lid shown; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of the tray of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a package in an open position; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a package, shown in a closed position; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 10  shown in an open position; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a container and tray without the lid shown; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an exploded assembly view of an embodiment of a lid, tray, and container of a package; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an exploded assembly view of another embodiment of a lid, tray, and container of a package; 
         FIG. 17 a    illustrates operation of an embodiment of child resistant tabs of a package; 
         FIG. 17 b    illustrates opening of the lid of the package of  FIG. 17 a    after operating the child resistant tabs; 
         FIG. 17 c    illustrates the package of  FIG. 17 c    in an open position; 
         FIG. 18 a    illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a tray of a package; 
         FIG. 18 b    illustrates a top view of another embodiment of a tray of a package; and 
         FIG. 18 c    illustrates a top view of yet another embodiment of a tray of a package. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments may be shown. Indeed, embodiments may take many different forms and the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     The terms “substantial” or “substantially” may encompass the whole as specified, according to certain embodiments, or largely but not the whole specified according to other embodiments. 
     Some embodiments of a package  5  may include a container  10  and/or a lid  20 , such as shown in  FIG. 1  in an example of a closed position. Lid  20  may include one or more openable portions or sections, such as first cover  21  and/or second cover  22 . Package  5  may be provided with one or more tabs  15 , which may prevent or inhibit opening of either or both of first and second covers  21 ,  22 . First and second covers  21 ,  22  may pivot and/or rotate open, for example, about one or more hinges or hinge lines, such as first hinge  27   a  and second hinge  27   b , provided in lid  20 . Lid  20  may also be provided with one or more finger tabs  26 , for example, on each cover  21 ,  22  of lid  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . A user may selectively open lid  20  and/or either cover  21 ,  22  by inwardly depressing or pushing opposing tabs  15 , which may be attached and/or coupled to container  10 , so that they will not engage a corresponding slot(s)  25  in lid  20 , allowing respective covers  21 ,  22  to open about respective hinge lines  27   a ,  27   b . Lid  20  may include a central attachment portion  23  that may be attached to, coupled to, affixed to, and/or integral with container  10  directly or indirectly. For example, lid  20  may include an attachment mechanism such as one or more protrusions or posts  28  configured to couple or attach to, for example snap into or plug fit, a corresponding attachment mechanism of container  10  such as corresponding post apertures  35 , shown for example, in  FIG. 5 . Lid  20  may include an area for printing, affixing, and/or attaching one or more labels to the top surface, for example, that bounded by one or more bumpers  29 . Such a label, if included, may cover more or more top surface features of lid  20 , such as attachment posts  28 , either or both hinge  27   a ,  27   b , and/or other surface area or features of lid  20 . 
     Lid  20  may be opened at either or both of first cover  21  and second cover  22 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Container  10  may include one or more compartments, such as first compartment  16  and second compartment  17 , for any of a variety of reasons, including but not limited to for storing products or contents therein. In  FIG. 2 , first cover  21  is shown in an open position allowing access to first compartment  16 , and second cover  22  is shown in an open position allowing access to second compartment  17 . It is understood that, if more than one compartment is included, any or all compartments and/or lids or lid sections may be operated, opened, and/or closed independently of each other. For example, a user may open cover  22  to allow access to second compartment  17  while first cover  21  is in a closed position in relation to first compartment  16 , or vice versa. As shown in  FIG. 2 , lid central attachment portion  23  may remain in a relatively fixed position relative to container  10  while either or both of covers  21 ,  22  are opened about respective hinges  27   a ,  27   b.    
     A tray  30  is partially shown in  FIG. 2 , for example having a grater or grinder surface  33  with apertures  31  and opening  32 , and may be included with package  5 . Tray  30  may be an integral piece of container  10  or may be a separate component attachable to container  10 . An embodiment of a separate tray  30  that is attachable to container  10  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . If a separate piece from container  10 , tray  30  may be interposed between container  10  and lid  20 . It is understood that container  10  as used herein may include tray  30  either as an integral component thereof or as a separate piece such as is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Tray  30 , if included, may include any of a variety of features, such as grater surface  33  adjacent either or both of first compartment  16  and second compartment  17 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , grater surface  33  is adjacent first compartment  16 , while second compartment  17  is substantially open when second cover  22  is in an open position. In this embodiment, a user may access a product, item, or other contents of second compartment  17 , and if desired may use grater surface  33  to grate the item into smaller pieces, which may then fall into first compartment  16  through grater apertures  31  and/or a surface opening  32 . Surface opening  32 , if included, may facilitate the passage of contents from first compartment  16  below tray  30  (e.g., contents that have already been grated or ground with grater surface  33 ) out of first compartment  16 . Surface opening  32  may facilitate access to and/or removal of contents out of first compartment  16 . Surface opening  32  being larger than any or all of grater apertures  31  may facilitate passage of contents from above grater surface  33  to at least partially within first compartment  16 , if so desired. 
     Tray  30  may include a side wall  14  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Side wall  14  may have one or more sections or portions, for example, at either end, which substantially define openings into first compartment  16  and/or second compartment  17 . Side wall  14  and/or either or both covers  21 ,  22  may be configured to cooperate to engage a relatively secure attachment and/or a sealing interface. For example, either or both cover  21 ,  22  may have a downwardly depending skirt or side wall as shown in  FIG. 2 , which may snap fit, friction fit, and/or form a plug seal with side wall  14 . Container  10  may include side wall  12  that may, together with floor  11 , define one or more compartments such as first compartment  16  and/or second compartment  17 . 
     Tabs  15  may be provided, such as those shown in  FIG. 2 , for any of a variety of reasons, including but not limited to providing a locking mechanism and/or a child resistant opening feature. For example, any or all of tabs  15  may extend upwardly from an adjacent portion of tray  30  and/or container  10  to form a deflectable cantilever-type member. Tab  15  may include an outwardly protruding portion to engage with slot  25  of lid  20 . Tab  15  and/or the outwardly protruding portion may configured to engage slot  25  and lock lid  20 , first cover  21 , and/or second cover  22  in a closed position by preventing slot  25  from raising above tab  15  until tab  15  is inwardly deflected, pushed, and/or depressed. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate four tabs  15  configured in two pairs, a first pair of opposing locking tabs  15   a  and a second pair of opposing locking tabs  15   b , with each pair  15   a ,  15   b  oppositely disposed a respective cover  21  or  22 . A user may grasp either respective pair  15   a ,  15   b  of tabs  15 , pulling or pushing them inwardly for example toward the interior of respective cover  21 ,  22  and/or compartment  16 ,  17 . In this way, a user may selectively disengage tabs  15  from slots  25 , removing the locking mechanism and/or allowing covers  21 ,  22  to be opened. For example, either or both cover  21 ,  22  may be opened upwardly, rotating about respective hinges  27   a ,  27   b , when tabs  15  are disengaged or unlocked. First pair of opposing locking tabs  15   a  may be aligned with one another along a line  15   a ′ (see, e.g.,  FIG. 8 ), and a user may depress or compress first pair of opposing locking tabs  15   a  toward one another along that line to disengage tabs  15  from slots  25  and/or release first lid  21  so that it may open. The line between opposing pair of locking tabs  15   a  may be substantially parallel to a hinge line of hinge  27   a . Second pair of opposing locking tabs  15   b  may be aligned with one another along a line  15   b ′, and a user may depress or compress second pair of opposing locking tabs  15   b  toward one another along that line to disengage tabs  15  from slots  25  and/or release second lid  22  so that it may open. The line between second pair of opposing locking tabs  15   b  may be substantially parallel to a hinge line of hinge  27   b.    
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show the respective ends of package  5  in more detail.  FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of package  5  looking at components at or near cover  21  and/or first compartment  16 . In this embodiment, grater surface  33  is located at this end of package  5 . Apertures  31  and opening  32  are shown in more detail, looking into first compartment  16 .  FIG. 4  shows components at or near cover  22  and/or second compartment  17  in more detail. In this embodiment, tray  30  is substantially open at this end, allowing essentially unimpeded access to second compartment  17 . This may allow for access and/or easier ingress or egress of relatively large items or objects. 
       FIG. 5  shows package  5  with lid  20  removed to show more detail of tray  30  and container  10 . It can be seen that tray  30  may include a coupling or attachment mechanism or a portion thereof for attachment to lid  20 , such as via attachment apertures  35 . Attachment apertures  35  may, for example, allow posts or other structure of lid  20  to couple or attach to tray  30  either directly or indirectly. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of container  10  shown with lid  20  and tray  30  removed. In  FIG. 6  a partition or divider wall  18  is shown, which, if included, may separate container  10  into one or more compartments, such as first compartment  16  and second compartment  17 . It is understood that more than one or two compartments may be included. Moreover, compartments may be sized, shaped, configured, oriented, and/or arranged in any of a variety of ways, and may be done so with or without relation to any or all of the other compartments if more than one compartment is included. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrated tray  30  without lid  20  or container  10  shown to show the features of tray  30  in more detail. Although tabs  15  are shown as being a component of tray  30 , it is understood that, in some embodiments, tabs  15  may be a part of container  10  instead of or in addition to being a part of tray  30  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Tray  30  may include a skirt  36 . If included, skirt  36  may be configured to attach and/or couple to container  10 . For example, skirt  36  may be configured to form a friction fit and/or snap together container  10  or a portion thereof. It is understood that any of a variety of attachment mechanisms may be used to connect, couple, and/or attach tray  30  and container  10 , and/or tray  30  and container  10  may be substantially integrally formed.  FIG. 9  illustrates another perspective view of an embodiment of a package  5  according to the description herein. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate an alternative embodiment, showing package  50  having a single compartment  160 . This embodiment illustrates that it is not necessary to have more than one compartment. A lid  200  may be coupled to a tray  140  and/or directly to a container  100 , for example, to open about a hinge or hinge line  270 . Container  100  may include a floor  110  and/or a side wall  120 . Tabs  150  may be employed substantially as described elsewhere herein or otherwise, for example, to engage lid slots  250  until a user selectively operates tabs  150  to disengage them from slots  250  and/or allow opening of a cover  210 . A pair of opposing locking tabs  150   a  may be aligned with one another along a line  150   a , and a user may depress or compress first pair of opposing locking tabs  150   a  toward one another along that line to disengage tabs  150  from slots  250  and/or release cover  210  so that it may open. The line between opposing pair of locking tabs  150   a  may be substantially parallel to a hinge line of hinge  270 . A lid attachment portion  230  may be included and, if so, may couple and/or attach to tray  140  and/or container  100 . For example, lid  200  may include an attachment mechanism such as one or more protrusions or posts  280  configured to couple or attach to, for example snap into or plug fit, a corresponding attachment mechanism of container  100  such as corresponding post apertures  350 , shown for example, in  FIG. 14  (see also,  FIG. 17 c    showing post  280  engaging aperture  350 ). Lid  200  may include an area for printing, affixing, and/or attaching one or more labels to the top surface, for example, that bounded by one or more bumpers  290 . Such a label, if included, may cover more or more top surface features of lid  200 , such as attachment posts  280 , hinge  270 , and/or other surface area or features of lid  200 . 
       FIG. 12  shows package  50  with lid  200  removed to show more detail of tray  140  and/or container  100 . Tray  140  may be an integral component of container  100  or may be a separate pieces that may be coupled to container  100 . It can be seen that tray  140  may include a coupling or attachment mechanism or a portion thereof for attachment to lid  200 , such as via attachment apertures  350 . Attachment apertures  350  may, for example, allow posts  280  or other structure of lid  200  to couple or attach to tray  140  either directly or indirectly. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment of container  100  shown with lid  200  and tray  140  removed. In  FIG. 13  a partition or divider wall is not shown, though, if included, may separate container  100  into one or more compartments. It is understood that more than one or two compartments may be included. Moreover, any included compartments may be sized, shaped, configured, oriented, and/or arranged in any of a variety of ways, and may be done so with or without relation to any or all of the other compartments if more than one compartment is included. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates tray  140  without lid  200  or container  100  to show the features of tray  140  in more detail. Although tabs  150  are shown here as being a component of tray  140 , it is understood that, in some embodiments, tabs  150  may be a part of container  100  instead of or in addition to being a part of tray  140  as shown in  FIG. 14 . Tray  140  may include a skirt  360 . If included, skirt  360  may be configured to attach and/or couple to container  100 . For example, skirt  360  may be configured to form a friction fit and/or snap together container  100  or a portion thereof. It is understood that any of a variety of attachment mechanisms may be used to connect, couple, and/or attach tray  140  and container  100 , and/or tray  140  and container  100  may be substantially integrally formed. 
     Referring again to the embodiment of package  5  shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1-3 ,  FIG. 15  illustrates an embodiment of an exploded assembly view of components of package  5 , such as lid  20 , tray  30 , and container  10 . Lid  20  may couple and/or attach to tray  30  and/or to container  10  in any of a variety of ways. The components may friction fit, snap fit, thread, bond, adhere, use fasteners such as pegs, slots, spikes, screws, hook and loop fasteners, or any combination thereof to couple and/or attach together, or may be integrally formed. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates package  50  by way of an exploded assembly view of components of package  50 , such as lid  200 , tray  140 , and container  100 . Lid  200  may couple and/or attach to tray  140  and/or to container  100  in any of a variety of ways. The components may friction fit, snap fit, thread, bond, adhere, use fasteners such as pegs, slots, spikes, screws, hook and loop fasteners, or any combination thereof to couple and/or attach together, or may be integrally formed 
       FIGS. 17 a - c    illustrate operation of the locking and/or child resistant opening mechanisms described above, to allow moving the lid  200  from the closed position shown in  FIG. 17 a    to the open position shown in  FIG. 17 b    and in cross section in  FIG. 17 c   . For example, a user may selectively press the tabs  150  inwardly toward one another and may lift the lid end  260  from the closed position to the open position. If more than one cover  210  is included, it is understood that there may be a variety of open positions. 
       FIGS. 18 a  and 18 b    illustrate alternative embodiments of tray  30 . Tray  30  may include one open end and one end with a grater surface substantially as described above or, alternatively, tray  30  may include two open ends, as shown in  FIGS. 18 a  and 18 b   . It is understood that any of a variety of end features may be included with tray  30  and/or at either end, including but not limited to an open end and a grater surface. It is further understood that each end may include a grater surface or other feature and that the features may be provided independent of each other. Further still, it is understood that some embodiments of package  5  may be provided without tray  30  and/or associated components. 
       FIG. 18 c    illustrates a top view of an embodiment of tray  140 . Tray  140  may include any of a variety of features, including but not limited to, a grater surface, openings, and/or virtually any other features. It is understood that each end may include a grater surface or other feature and that the features may be provided independent of each other. It is further understood that some embodiments of package  50  may be provided without tray  140  and/or associated components. 
     It is understood that package  5  and/or package  50 , container  10  and/or container  100 , lid  20  and/or lid  200 , and/or tray  30  and/or tray  300 , and/or any component thereof, may be made of any of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, any of a variety of suitable plastics material, any other material, or any combination thereof. Suitable plastics material may include, but is not limited to, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), crystallized polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), mixtures and combinations thereof, or any other plastics material or any mixtures and combinations thereof. It is understood that multiple layers of material may be used for any of a variety of reasons, including to improve barrier properties, or to provide known functions related to multiple layer structures. The multiple layers, if included, may be of various materials, including but not limited to those recited herein. 
     It is further understood that package  5  and/or package  50 , container  10  and/or container  100 , lid  20  and/or lid  200 , and/or tray  30  and/or tray  300 , and/or any component thereof, may be substantially rigid, substantially flexible, a hybrid of rigid and flexible, or any combination of rigid, flexible, and/or hybrid, such as having some areas be flexible and some rigid. It is understood that these examples are merely illustrative, are not limiting, and are provided to illustrate the versatility of options available in various embodiments of package  5  and/or package  50 , container  10  and/or container  100 , lid  20  and/or lid  200 , and/or tray  30  and/or tray  300 , and/or any component thereof. 
     It is further understood that any of a variety of processes or combination thereof may be used to form package  5  and/or package  50 , container  10  and/or container  100 , lid  20  and/or lid  200 , and/or tray  30  and/or tray  300 , and/or any component thereof, or any layer or substrate used therein. For example, any component, layer, or substrate, or combination thereof, may be thermoformed, injection molded, injection stretch blow molded, blow molded, extrusion blow molded, coextruded, subjected to any other suitable process, or subjected to any combination thereof. In some embodiments, package  5  and/or package  50 , container  10  and/or container  100 , lid  20  and/or lid  200 , and/or tray  30  and/or tray  300 , and/or any component thereof may be formed substantially of injection molded and/or thermoformed suitable plastics material, although other materials and forming processes may be used instead of or in addition to injection molding and thermoforming, respectively. Various materials and/or processes may be used to form package  5  and/or package  50 , container  10  and/or container  100 , lid  20  and/or lid  200 , and/or tray  30  and/or tray  300 , and/or any component thereof, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, container  10  and/or container  100 , lid  20  and/or lid  200 , and/or tray  30  and/or tray  300 , and/or any component thereof, may be substantially a one-piece design and/or substantially formed as an integral or unitary structure. 
     It is understood that, while some directional terms are used herein, such as top, bottom, upper, lower, inward, outward, upward, downward, etc., these terms are not intended to be limiting but rather to relate to one or more exemplary orientations, positions, and/or configurations of package  5  and/or package  50 , container  10  and/or container  100 , lid  20  and/or lid  200 , and/or tray  30  and/or tray  300 , and/or any component thereof. It is understood that container  10  and/or container  100 , lid  20  and/or lid  200 , and/or tray  30  and/or tray  300 , and/or any component of package  5  and/or package  50 , may be oriented differently than shown in the various figures so that, for example, a different portion of container  10  or container  100 , other than floor  11  or floor  110 , is in contact with an underlying surface. 
     These and other modifications and variations may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and it is not intended to limit the scope of that which is described in the claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the exemplary description of the versions contained herein.