Abstract:
An eye shield is provided that may allow for compact storage and ease of assembly and use. The eye shield may include a frame for supporting the eye shield upon a user and a pair of hinges that are arranged upon the frame between a pair of temple portions and an intermediate segment of a forehead portion of the frame. A lens may be mounted to the pair of hinges for pivotal movement from a flat position to a use position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present patent application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/360,031 filed on Jan. 26, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,214,921 which claims priority to application Ser. No. 61/024,533 filed on Jan. 29, 2008 and application Ser. No. 61/115,880 filed on Nov. 18, 2008, all of which are incorporated by reference herein, in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Protective eyewear usually covers the eye area in order to prevent particulates, infectious fluids, or chemicals, or light and other harmful rays such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, lasers, and so on from striking the eyes. Commonly referred to as eye shields, protective eyewear comes in a variety of forms such as goggles, masks, glasses, et cetera and is useful in a number of different activities to protect a user&#39;s eyes from harm. For example, protective eyewear is especially useful for splash protection in health and safety-related environments where the user&#39;s eyes may be exposed to chemicals, blood-borne pathogens or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Protective eyewear may also be used by workers in a construction zone to prevent harmful debris or other particles or materials from striking workers&#39; eyes. Protective eye wear is also important in sports and other outdoor activities like bicycling, running or sunbathing where a user&#39;s eyes may need protection from wind, dust or other air-born debris or from harmful light and ultraviolet (UV) rays. 
     Protective eyewear can be very expensive depending on the application. For example, cyclists use very expensive protective eyewear to protect their eyes from wind, sunlight and from dust and other debris striking a user&#39;s eyes at high speeds. A cyclist&#39;s protective eyewear can become damaged, lost or stolen and often has to be replaced on a regular basis, which can lead to significant expense due to the replacement value of the protective eyewear. Additionally, in certain industries eye shields may become contaminated or otherwise damaged after every use, which can lead to significant expense for eye shields with high replacement value. For example, eye shields used in a laboratory or emergency room environment may become contaminated due to exposure or potential exposure to OPIM. 
     As a result, certain eye shields are designed to be disposable after a single use. Disposable eye shields are useful in these cases since an eye shield may become contaminated or damaged during use and replacing the eye shield can be more cost-effective or practical than sterilizing a contaminated eye shield or repairing a damaged eye shield. In many cases it is safer and more time and cost efficient to simply discard the eye shields after use rather than attempt to disinfect or otherwise decontaminate them. Additionally, regulations may require protective eyewear to be disposable after a single use. For example, in an operating room environment it may be required by government regulations for users to dispose of their protective eyewear following surgery or other medical procedure. 
     Eye shields on the market today are also fairly cumbersome and difficult to store due to having a relatively large profile. These eye shields usually consist of a static, right-angle lens and frame design which can be cumbersome to carry around when not in use and must be stored in specially designed cases that are also quite cumbersome based on their larger profiles. These eye shields may be designed to be folded and stored in a case and require cleaning or wiping to keep the lens area clean. Additionally, packaging and transporting eye shields to the point of sale can be very difficult because of their cumbersome profile in the static, right-angle lens and frame design. For example, eye shields for use in a laboratory or medical-related environments are often packaged and sold in a preassembled configuration so that they may be easily used right out of the package. However, preassembled eye shields are often cumbersome to store and transport because they are packaged and shipped in the preassembled configuration which requires a large amount of space in their storage and/or shipping containers. These containers may only store a limited number of disposable eye shields. In addition these containers may require more space than is practically available at the eye shield&#39;s point-of-use, such as in a medical treatment room. 
     SUMMARY 
     At least certain embodiments describe an apparatus comprising a flip-to-wear eye shield designed for efficient storage and ease of use, the eye shield dispensed in a compact, easy-to-assemble configuration, the eye shield including a protective lens and a frame coupled with the protective lens by one or more hinges, the one or more hinges configured to allow the protective lens to pivot with respect to the frame from a first substantially flat position for compact storage to a second position ready for use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a flip-to-wear eye shield in a substantially flat position designed for easy storage and dispensing according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a frame of a flip-to-wear eye shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a lens for a flip-to-wear eye shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a lens for a flip-to-wear eye shield according to the alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a nipple hole of the lens of the flip-to-wear eye shield according to the alternate embodiment of the invention of  FIG. 3B . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a nipple coupled with a hinge of an exemplary flip-to-wear eye shield according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another angle of the nipple coupled with a hinge of the exemplary flip-to-wear eye shield according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary flip-to-wear eye shield in the substantially flat position according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of the flip-to-wear eye shield in a position readied for use according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of the flip-to-wear eye shield in the position readied for use according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of the flip-to-wear eye shield in the position readied for use according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a flow diagram of a process for deploying a flip-to-wear eye shield from its first substantially flat position into the position readied for use according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11A  illustrates an example of a dispenser box holding packages of flip-to-wear eye shields in the substantially flat position according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11B  illustrates an alternative configuration for the dispenser box holding packages of flip-to-wear eye shields in the substantially flat position according to the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process for dispensing a flip-to-wear eye shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     To maximize convenience for the user, a disposable eye shield should be easy to store and dispense and should require minimal effort to assemble. At least certain embodiments describe a flip-to-wear eye shield designed for efficient storage, convenient dispensing, and ease of assembly and use with minimal user effort. Such an embodiment includes a protective lens to protect the user&#39;s eyes and a frame coupled with the protective lens by one or more hinges to allow the protective lens to pivot with respect to the frame from a substantially flat position for easy storage and into a fully assembled position ready for wearing and use. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a flip-to-wear eye shield in a substantially flat position designed for easy storage and dispensing according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, eye shield  100  includes a frame  102 , a lens (or other eye covering member)  104 , and a pair of hinges  106  that connects the frame  102  to the lens  104  allowing the lens  104  to pivot up and down with respect to the frame  102 . Although a pair of hinges  106  is shown in  FIG. 1 , any number of hinges (including a single hinge) is contemplated within the teachings of this description. Additionally, the hinge may be a separate device, built-into part of the frame, built-into part of the lens, or any combination thereof. For example, the lens may have built-in hooks that engage and fit around respective parts of the frame in a hinge-like configuration allowing the lens to pivot with respect to the frame. Likewise, the frame may have built-in hooks that engage and fit around respective parts of the lens in a hinge-like configuration allowing the frame to pivot with respect to the lens. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of hinges  106  is used preferably where each hinge is directly above the user&#39;s eyes. In one embodiment, the hinges  106  clip onto the frame  102 . 
     In  FIG. 1  the eye shield  100  is shown in a substantially flat position. Eye shield  100  may be pivoted from the substantially flat position to a fully assembled position ready for use by pushing the lens  104  down so that it rotates inside the frame  102 , pivoting the lens  104  with respect to the frame  102  on the hinges  106  until the notches  110  on the lens  104  are locked into position onto the connective mechanisms  108 . In the illustrated embodiment, the connective mechanisms  108  are shown as bends in the frame  102 . However, this is given by way of illustration and not of limitation as any connective mechanism is contemplated within the teachings of this description. 
     In at least certain embodiments, the eye shield  100  may be preassembled with the frame  102 , lens  104 , and hinges  106  in the substantially flat position. The hinges  106  may be fixed to the frame  102  in a pivoting relationship and connected to the lens  104  by a fastening mechanism such as a nipple and hole connection, a press pin, snap or any other fastening mechanism. One example of the hinges  106  are annular shaped hinges holding onto the frame  102  in a pivoting relationship. However, this is given by way of illustration and not of limitation as any other mechanism that provides the function of pivoting on the frame to change the angular position of the lens  104  relative to the frame  102  is contemplated within the teachings of this description. 
     In  FIG. 1  the lens  104  is substantially transparent and flexible, and preferably made of a thin gauge material. Suitable materials may include polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, acetate, cellulosic, or acrylic plastic. The specific material used is not critical although a material which is optical grade, anti-static coated and fog resistant is preferred. A preferred material may include a polycarbonate resin such as commercially available Lexan®, or a thermoplastic carbonate-linked polymer produced by reacting bisphenol-A and phosgene. 
     However, other plastics, as described above, may also be used, and since, in at least certain embodiments, single use, disposable lenses are intended; less expensive plastics may be quite suitable. A preferred plastic may also be relatively thin and commonly available in flexible sheets from which the lens can be readily stamped or cut, without shattering, cracking, and etc. The lens material is also preferably flexible so that it can be bowed to conform to a users face without significant visual distortion. The lens may also be of a certain length such that, when secured in the frame  102 , it extends over the eyes beyond the user&#39;s temples, thereby offering significant protection for the user&#39;s eyes from both the front and side directions with insignificant or virtually no visual distortion in the area of the bend or bow of the frame  102 . Additionally, the lens  104  may be clear, polarized, or it may be treated for UV protection, tinted, smoked, mirrored, or coated for hardness. Lens  104  may also be non-reflective, anti-fogging, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1  the lens  104  extends between a pair of opposite side edges  112  and  114  which are separated at a distance such that the lens  104  extends as far as the users temples when the eye shield is worn. In this embodiment, the upper edge  116  extends along the user&#39;s forehead, usually at or above the eyebrows, with a lower edge  118  extending down as far as the user&#39;s cheeks with notch  120  resting on or extending slightly above the bridge of the user&#39;s nose. There may also be an optional cushion  122  in the form of an elongated piece or strip comprising foam, plastic, rubber, or preferably a lightweight sponge material having an adhesive along one or more surfaces. Cushion  122  may be used to facilitate user comfort while wearing the eye shield  100 , and may be placed along the upper edge  116  of lens  104  so that it offers a pad between the lens  104  and the user&#39;s forehead. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a frame of a flip-to-wear disposable eye shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The frame  202  illustrates one embodiment, comprising a plastic, composite, or metal rod or tube preferably made from a spring-like memory retaining material. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame  200  is bowed along its length to form a u-shaped member extending from an area behind the user&#39;s ears and along the user&#39;s forehead. A forehead portion  224  is shaped to contour to a user&#39;s forehead and to bend around a temple area  266  to fit to the user&#39;s face. Opposite ends  212  are connected to the temple area  266  of the frame  200  with, for example, inward bends  208 . These inward bends  208  are given by way of illustration and not of limitation as any known mechanism may be employed to connect the opposite ends  212  with the temple area  266  of the frame  202 . In this embodiment, inward bends  208  are configured to align with the notches of the lens such as notches  110  of lens  104  shown in  FIG. 1 . The bends  208  align with the notches to provide areas for the notches  110  to be locked into position. Once the notches  110  are locked into the bends  208 , the eye shield is in the fully assembled position ready for wearing and use by a user. This locked position prevents the lens  104  from pivoting or otherwise moving on the hinge  206  relative to the frame  200 . The frame  200  is preferably of a length sufficient so that its two opposite ends  212  extend slightly beyond a user&#39;s ears and rest in the ear saddle when the eye shield is placed on the user&#39;s head. Where, as in the illustrated embodiment, a bowed or u-shaped frame is used, the location of the bends (or other connective mechanisms)  208  may be chosen such that bends  208  align with the notches  110  of the lens  104  and lock into position. 
     Although a rigid frame  200  could be used, the frame  200  is preferably formed of a light-weight, spring-like material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or PVC which retains its memory to a first unsprung position as shown in  FIG. 2 , and which can be sprung to a second position  214  (shown as dashed lines in  FIG. 2 ) when the frame  200  is placed on a user&#39;s head. In this second sprung position, the opposite ends  212  are urged or biased toward the original unsprung position under the influence of the lightweight, spring-like material. Such a feature may assist in securing the frame  200  of eye shield  100  on a user&#39;s head as the bowed frame  200  is biased toward the direction of the unsprung position. 
     Alternatively, the frame  200  may be made of other resilient materials of a similar shape such as metal, or of other suitable plastics having such a feature. The cross-sectional shape of the frame  200  may be varied, such as tubular, solid, flat, oval, or rectangular shape, as long as the aforesaid characteristics and features are present. The second sprung position  214  shown in  FIG. 2  may vary in size and shape, depending on the size of the user&#39;s head. In one embodiment, where the frame  200  is made from a spring-like plastic, a “living” hinge may be incorporated. Such a living hinge is a thin, flexible, skin-like film portion of the plastic which may be repeatedly folded and integrally formed on the plastic itself. This type of living hinge may be formed along each of the side extensions  216  of the frame  200 . Such integrally formed plastic hinges may also be formed on the inside bow of the frame  200  so that they do not interfere with or defeat the biased function of the frame  200  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Such hinges are well known in the art and offer the advantage of allowing the side extensions  216  inwardly toward the inside of and in the plane of the frame  200 . 
     The disclosed eye shield offers several advantages and a variety of uses over previous eye covering devices. Because the eye shield is so light-weight, it is not as easily displaced or dislodged from the user&#39;s head even during exercise or similar activity. The eye shield also provides for easy packaging and storage when in the substantially flat position because of the low-profile the eye shield assumes, and yet it can be easily and readily locked into a position ready to use with minimal effort by a user. For specific applications, the user may choose from a flip-to-wear eye shield with a specific lens, such as clear, tinted, UV protected, polarized, and so on. The eye shield is also easily fitted on the user&#39;s head without the need for a fastener and provides a wrap-around, light-weight, distortion free viewing lens which extends substantially beyond the side of the user&#39;s eyes offering additional protection from fluids, dust, or other OPIM contacting or impinging on the user&#39;s eyes from the side. Such a feature is important, for example, for protecting healthcare professionals and patients from transfer of blood-borne pathogens and OPIM. The eye shield additionally offers protection during recreational use, such as bike riding, running, jogging, as well as in more casual recreational use regardless of the activity of the user. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a lens for a flip-to-wear disposable eye shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, lens  304  includes notch  324  for resting on or extending slightly above the bridge of a user&#39;s nose. The distance from the top edge of the lens  304 A to the top of notch  324  is given by dimension  307 . The distance from the top edge of the lens  304 A to the bottom edge is given by dimension  309 . Lens  304 A further includes notches  310 , and nipple holes  305 A. As discussed above, notches  310  are designed to align with the connective mechanisms (such as bends)  208  of  FIG. 2  so that the notches  310  may be locked into the bends  208  when the eye shields are in the fully assembled position ready for wearing and use. In this embodiment, nipple holes  305 A are used as a mechanism to connect the lens  304 A to the frame, such as frame  102  of  FIG. 1 , using hinges such as hinges  106 . The nipple holes  305 A are round-shaped holes cut through lens  304 A. The round nipple holes  305 A of lens  304 A may be connected with the frame using one or more nipples such as the nipples illustrated in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . Referring momentarily to  FIG. 4 , which illustrates a nipple coupled with a hinge of an exemplary flip-to-wear eye shield according to one embodiment of the invention. It is noted that the hinge  406  includes a nipple  426  and housing  428 . The housing  428  is for connection with the frame of the exemplary eye shield to be discussed below. The nipple  426  is for connection with the lens using the nipple hole  305 A illustrated in  FIG. 3A . In this embodiment, the lens is connected to the hinge  406  by inserting each nipple  426  into the nipple holes  305 A. This may be accomplished using a nipple  426  that is slightly larger than the nipple holes  305 A. In such a case, the nipple  426  may be secured to the lens  304 A by poking each nipple  426  through the nipple holes  305 A. It should be pointed out that this connection mechanism is given by way of example and not of limitation as any number of mechanisms known in the art may be used to couple the lens  304  with the frame using the hinges. For example,  FIG. 38  illustrates a lens for a flip-to-wear eye shield according to the alternate embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 38 , lens  3048  includes notches  310  and nipple holes  3058 . The nipple holes  3058  are duel-sized holes cut through lens  304 A such as those shown in  FIG. 3C , which illustrates a nipple hole of the lens of the flip-to-wear eye shield according to the alternate embodiment of the invention of  FIG. 38 . In  FIG. 3C  nipple hole  3058  is a dual-sized hole having a larger radius  315  and a smaller radius  313 . The nipple hole  3058  is used as an alternate mechanism for connecting the lens  3048  with the hinge of the frame using a nipple such as the nipples illustrated in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the lens is secured to the hinge  406  by inserting the nipple  426  into the nipple hole  3058 . This may be accomplished using the larger radius of the dual-sized nipple hole  3058  for inserting the nipple  426  and then sliding the nipple  426  into the smaller radius of the dual-sized nipple hole  3058  securing the nipple  426  to the lens. Once again, this is given by way of example and not of limitation as any mechanism of securing the hinge  406  to the lens is contemplated within the teachings of this description. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another angle of the nipple coupled with a hinge of the exemplary flip-to-wear eye shield according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In the illustrated embodiment, hinge  506  includes nipple  526  for connection with the nipple holes of the lens of the exemplary eye shield as discussed above and housing  528  for connection with the frame of the exemplary eye shield. The housing  528  is configured in a semi-circular shape to facilitate attachment of the hinge  506  to the frame of the eye shield and to allow the hinge  506  to pivot up and down while attached to the frame. (Note that the hinge is wider on one side than on the other so that the range of motion of the hinge may be stopped when the lens is in the correct position). This is further shown in  FIG. 6  which illustrates an exemplary flip-to-wear eye shield in the substantially flat position according to one embodiment of the invention. Eye shield  600  includes hinges  606  that are attachable to the frame  602  and the lens  604  in a pivoting relationship. In one embodiment, the body of the hinges  606  may be attached to the frame  602  and the nipple of the hinges  606  may be attached to the lens  604  as described above. The hinges  606  may be fixed, or detachable and replaceable. In  FIG. 6  the eye shield  600  is shown in the substantially flat position. Eye shield  600  may be readied for use by pivoting the eye shield from the substantially flat position to a fully assembled position readied for use by pushing the lens  604  down so that it rotates inside the frame  602 , pivoting the lens  604  with respect to the frame  602  on the hinges  606  until the notches  610  on the lens  604  are locked into position onto the connective mechanisms  608 . This process is described in conjunction with  FIG. 10  which illustrates a flow diagram of a process for deploying the flip-to-wear eye shield into the position readied for use according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Process  1000  begins at operation  1001  where the eye shield is retrieved from a container in the substantially flat position. Method  1000  proceeds with operation  1002  where the eye shield is readied for use. This is accomplished by pivoting the lens  604  on hinges  606  down inside the frame  602  until the hinges  606  stop rotating on the frame  602  and the notches  610  on the lens  604  are engaged with and locked into position into the connective mechanisms  608  on frame  602 . The eye shield is then placed on a user&#39;s face for use at operation  1003 . This completes exemplary process  1000 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of the flip-to-wear eye shield in a position readied for use according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this side view the length of the exemplary eye shield is shown as dimension  731  with an angle  733  between the lens and the frame when eye shield is in the fully assembled position ready for use. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of the flip-to-wear eye shield in the position readied for use according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this front view the width of the exemplary eye shield is shown as dimension  835  and the height of the exemplary eye shield is shown as dimension  837 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of the flip-to-wear eye shield in the position readied for use according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this top view the distance between the hinges, such as hinges  106  of  FIG. 1 , is given by dimension  941 . This distance corresponds to the approximate distance so that each hinge is located directly above the eyes of the average user. In addition, the distance between areas  966  of the frame of the exemplary eye shield is shown as dimension  943  designed to extend beyond the area of the temples of the average user. The distance between the opposite ends, such as opposite ends  212  of  FIG. 2 , is given by dimension  945 . 
       FIG. 11A  illustrates an example of a dispenser box holding packages of flip-to-wear eye shields in the substantially flat position according to one embodiment of the invention. The eye shields may be stored in and dispensed from a dispenser box such as dispenser box  1100  in the figure. In one embodiment, the dispenser box  1100  is a narrow, thin square box with a top flap which opens to dispense the exemplary eye shields. In this case, the exemplary eye shields are efficiently and inexpensively stored in the substantially flat position. In an alternative embodiment, the exemplary eye shields may be stored as shown at the bottom of  FIG. 11A . In this case, a tap  1102  may be attached to a package containing each exemplary eye shield in a wrap in order to aid a user in pulling the package out of the dispenser box  1100 . A top view of the package  1104  shows the attached tap  1106  on top. A top view of the dispenser box  1108  shows a group of packages  1124  contained inside the dispenser box  1108 , which has an opening  1120  for taps  1106  and another opening  1122  for the package to be pulled out on the tap  1120 . In one embodiment, the openings  1120  and  1122  may be detachable using perforated lines on a paper dispenser box  1108  for initial use. (Not going this route with the box.) 
       FIG. 11B  illustrates an alternative configuration for the dispenser box holding packages of flip-to-wear eye shields in the substantially flat position according to the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 11A . In this case, the eye shields may be stored in and dispensed from a dispenser box such as dispenser box  1101  with a shape that follows the shape of the exemplary flip-to-wear eye shield. This dispenser box  1101  may also include a tap  1102  attached to each package in a wrap to aid a user in pulling the package out of the dispenser box  1101 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process for dispensing a flip-to-wear eye shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In process  1202  each preassembled flip-to-wear eye shield is individually packaged. In the process  1203  the packages containing the flip-to-wear eye shields are placed in a dispenser box. In the process  1206  one eye shield at a time is dispensed by pulling out the flat package from the dispenser box. In one embodiment, the package has a tap attached to wrap around the package that can be used when the package is pulled out. The tap and wrap is arranged in such a way that when one package is pulled out by the tap, the next package tap and wrap moves to a position to be pulled out next time, thus saving a user the effort to find and drag the next tap attached to the next package to a position aligned to the opening of the disperser box to pull out the package. Other embodiments do not include a tap as described above. 
     Throughout the foregoing specification, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. When a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to bring about such a feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Various changes may be made in the structure and embodiments shown herein without departing from the principles of the invention. Further, features of the embodiments shown in various figures may be employed in combination with embodiments shown in other figures. 
     In the description as set forth above and claims, the terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended to be synonymous with each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” is used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. Throughout the foregoing description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. 
     Accordingly, the scope and spirit of the invention should be judged in terms of the claims which follow as well as the legal equivalents thereof.