Abstract:
An air-injected dehydration apparatus for dehydrating a food product. The apparatus includes a dehydration chamber having a plurality of controllable heating elements extending therethrough and a device for moving the food product within the chamber. An air injection system providing air to the chamber and an exhaust is provided for exhausting air from the chamber. The air injection system includes an air compressor for supplying pressurized air to the chamber, a pressure conduit to channel the pressurized air from the compressor to the chamber and a device for dispersing the air within the chamber. The air provided to the chamber should preferably be sterilized by a decontamination system. The decontamination system includes an air intake assembly for supplying a flow of air and an air purification chamber comprising an air inlet functionally connected to the air intake assembly, a device for purifying the air as it passes through said chamber, and an air outlet. The air purification chamber includes a nozzle positioned on a top side thereof for spraying a purifying substance in a constant curtain across the chamber in a direction transverse to the flow of air therethrough to remove contaminants from the air flowing below the nozzle. A filter is provided at the inlet to the chamber and a decontamination tank is positioned below the nozzle for receiving the purifying substance and contaminants sprayed by the nozzle. The contaminants are removed from the purifying substance and returned to the nozzle for spraying therethrough.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to food dehydrators and, more specifically, to a food dehydrating facility utilizing temperature controlled purified wind currents to produce dehydrated food products which retain their natural nutrients and coloring. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous types of dehydrators have been provided in the prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to food dehydrators and, more specifically, to a food dehydrating facility utilizing temperature controlled purified wind currents to produce dehydrated food products which retain their natural nutrients and coloring. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a food dehydrator that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method for dehydrating a food product which is able to retain the natural nutrients and coloring of the food product. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a food dehydration facility able to dehydrate food using specific combinations of air and heat whereby the food will maintain its nutritional value. 
     A further object of the present invention to provide a food dehydration facility able to dehydrate food while maintaining the original color of the food without the use of artificial colorings. 
     A still further object of the present invention to provide a food dehydration facility able to dehydrate food to produce a dehydrated food product that may be readily reconstituted. 
     A yet further object of the present invention to provide a food dehydration facility able to produce dehydrated food in a safe, effective manner wherein large quantities of foodstuffs may be treated in a relatively short period of time. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a food dehydration facility that is simple and easy to use. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a food dehydration facility able to produce dehydrated food products in an economical manner. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     An air-injected dehydration apparatus for dehydrating a food product is disclosed by the present invention. The apparatus includes a dehydration chamber having a plurality of controllable heating elements extending therethrough and a device for moving the food product within the chamber. An air injection system providing air to the chamber and an exhaust is provided for exhausting air from the chamber. The air injection system includes an air compressor for supplying pressurized air to the chamber, a pressure conduit to channel the pressurized air from the compressor to the chamber and a device for dispersing the air within the chamber. The air provided to the chamber should preferably be sterilized by a decontamination system. The decontamination system includes an air intake assembly for supplying a flow of air and an air purification chamber comprising an air inlet functionally connected to the air intake assembly, a device for purifying the air as it passes through said chamber, and an air outlet. The air purification chamber includes a nozzle positioned on a top side thereof for spraying a purifying substance in a constant curtain across the chamber in a direction transverse to the flow of air therethrough to remove contaminants from the air flowing below the nozzle. A filter is provided at the inlet to the chamber and a decontamination tank is positioned below the nozzle for receiving the purifying substance and contaminants sprayed by the nozzle. The contaminants are removed from the purifying substance and returned to the nozzle for spraying therethrough. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
     The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features will become apparent from the following description of certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. 
     The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction which are illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the food dehydration facility of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken along the line 2—2 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the decontamination chamber of the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken from within the circle labeled 3 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the air intake funnel assembly of the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken from within the circle labeled 4 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken in the direction of the arrow labeled 5 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention illustrating the general configuration of the exhaust ducts where each individual chamber empties into a common exhaust vent; 
     FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention showing the general configuration of the exhaust ducts from each chamber; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of one drying chamber of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention illustrating one of a number of air intake pipes, each air intake pipe having a valve and leading into the drying chamber wherein it is split; 
     FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken along the line 10—10 of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 11 is a rear cross-sectional view of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken along the line 11—11 of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of one of the chambers of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken from within the circle labeled 12 of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of one chamber of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken from within the circle labeled 13 of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a rotary dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 16 is a side view of the rotary dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the food dehydration facility of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures. 
       10  food dehydration facility of the present invention 
       12  structure housing facility 
       14  lower back roof portion 
       16  front upper roof portion 
       18  ventilation wall 
       20  air receiving device 
       22  air intake port 
       24  air conduit 
       25  wind propelled air intake fan 
       26  air intake funnel 
       27  electrical air entraining fan 
       28  wind vane 
       30  rotational joint 
       32  enlarged open side of air intake funnel 
       34  closed end of air intake funnel 
       36  hermetically sealed dehydration area 
       38  storage area 
       40  wall dividing storage area from hermetically sealed dehydration area 
       42  arrow indicating rotation of air intake port 
       44  arrow indicating air flowing into air intake funnel 
       46  decontamination chamber 
       48  air inlet 
       50  solid air filter 
       52  spray nozzle 
       54  water spray 
       56  contaminated water 
       58  pool 
       60  air outlet 
       62  arrows indicating air exiting decontamination chamber 
       64  air injection dehydration unit 
       66  plurality of chambers 
       68  cylinder formed by plurality of chambers 
       70  conveyor belt 
       72  recess in side wall chamber at end of cylinder 
       74  side wall of chamber at end of cylinder 
       76  air compressor 
       78  air conduit 
       80  plurality of air injectors 
       82  valve on each of plurality of air injectors 
       84  plurality of first exhaust ducts 
       86  plurality of connector pipes 
       88  main exhaust duct 
       90  second exhaust duct 
       92  first arm of injector inlet channel 
       94  second arm of injector inlet channel 
       96  plurality of air injectors 
       98  heating elements 
       100  wall separating adjacent chambers 
       102  door in wall separating adjacent chambers 
       104  recess in each chamber providing passage for air out of chamber 
       106  second embodiment of dehydration chamber 
       108  cylindrical chamber 
       110  front wall of cylindrical chamber 
       112  back wall of cylindrical chamber 
       114  recess in front wall of cylindrical chamber 
       116  recess in back wall of cylindrical chamber 
       118  air inlet pipe 
       120  bearings connecting air inlet pipe to cylindrical chamber 
       122  rotary driver motor and guide 
       124  heating elements 
       126  mixing arms 
       128  open end of mixing arms 
       130  air inlet for exhaust pipe 
       132  air outlet 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 16 illustrate the food dehydration facility of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral  10 . 
     The perspective view of the outside of the food dehydration facility  10  is shown in FIG. 1 as a structure  12  having a back roof portion  14  and a front roof portion  16 . The back roof portion  14  is positioned at a height below and separated from the front roof portion  16 . A ventilation wall  18  extends between the back roof portion  14  and the front roof portion  16 . 
     A plurality of air receiving devices  20  extend along a wall of the structure  12  and through the front roof portion  16 . Each of the air receiving devices  20  includes an air intake port  22  and an air conduit  24 . The air intake port  22  is positioned atop the front roof portion  16  and includes an intake funnel  26 , a wind vane  28  and a rotational joint  30 . The air intake funnel  26  includes an enlarged open side  32  for receiving air therein and a closed end  34 . The wind vane  28  extends from the closed end  34  facing in a direction opposite the enlarged open side  32 . When wind blows against the wind vane  28 , the rotational joint  30  allows the air intake funnel  26  to turn with the wind vane  28  until the wind vane  28  extends parallel to the direction of the wind and the air intake funnel  26  faces the wind. The rotational joint  30  connects the air receiving device  20  to the air conduit  24  and allows the air intake port  22  to rotate throughout 360° thus allowing the air intake funnel  26  to face in any direction. This allows the air receiving device  20  to receive a maximum amount of air. The air received by the air intake funnel  26  is provided to the air conduit  24  for delivery to the inside of the structure  12 . 
     An enlarged view of the air receiving device  20  is illustrated in FIG.  4 . As can be seen from this view, a wind propelled air intake fan  25  is provided at the air intake funnel  26  for aiding in drawing air into the funnel  26 . An electrical air entraining fan  27  is also provided in the air conduit  24  below the rotational joint  30  for drawing the air received by the funnel  26  down the air conduit  24 . 
     A cross-sectional view of the structure  12  is illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the elements housed within the structure  12 . As can be seen from this figure, the structure  12  is divided into a dehydration area  36  and a storage area  38  by a dividing wall  40 . The dehydration area  36  is hermetically sealed and is the portion of the structure  12  in which the food products are dehydrated. Food products which have been dehydrated can be stored in the storage area  38 . The dividing wall  40  extends from a floor to the back roof portion  14 . Positioned between the top of the dividing wall  40  and the front roof portion  16  is the ventilation wall  18  which ventilates the dehydration area  36  allowing air to exit therefrom. 
     The air receiving device  20  extends along a side wall of the structure  12  and through the front roof portion  16 . The air receiving device  20  includes the air intake port  22  and the air conduit  24 . The rotational joint  30  connecting the air receiving port  22  and the air conduit  24  allows the air intake port  22  to rotate about a top end of the air conduit  24  as indicated by the arrow labeled with the numeral  42 . A force applied by blowing wind to the wind vane  28  causes the air intake port  22  to rotate to a point at which the wind vane  28  extends in a direction parallel to the blowing wind. In this position the air intake funnel  26  faces into the wind indicated by the numeral  44  and thus is able to receive a maximum amount of air. The air conduit  24  of the air receiving device  20  extends through a side wall of the structure  12  and into the dehydration area  36 . The air conduit  24  connects to a decontamination chamber  46  positioned within the dehydration area  36 . An enlarged view of the decontamination chamber  46  can be seen from FIG.  3 . 
     Positioned at an inlet  48  to the decontamination chamber  46  is an air filter  50 . The air filter  50  is preferably an air-permeable particle-extraction filter and provides a first filtration and purification of the air entering the dehydration area  36 . Once the air passes through the air filter  50  it enters the decontamination chamber  46  and passes under a spray nozzle  52 . The spray nozzle  52  sprays a purifying substance  54 , preferably water, downward across the width of the decontamination chamber  24  forming a steady curtain running in a direction transverse to the flow of air through the chamber  24 . Contaminants are removed from the air as it passes through the spray  54  and are retained by the water. The contaminated water  56  is received by a pool  58  formed in a base of the chamber  24 . The contaminated water  56  within the pool  58  is sanitized and recycled back to the spray nozzle  52 . The contaminated water  56  may be sanitized by any one or a combination of an ultraviolet light, an ozonator, and a media filter (e.g. sand, a cartridge, diatomaceous earth, etc.). After passing through the purification spray  54 , the sanitized air flows through an air outlet  60  and into the dehydration area  36  as indicated by the arrows labeled with the numeral  62 . 
     Illustrated in FIGS. 5-13 is a first embodiment of a dehydration unit  64 . The dehydration unit  64  shown in these figures is an air injection dehydration unit and is positioned within the dehydration area  36 . A perspective view of the air injection dehydration unit  64  is illustrated in FIG. 5. A right side view of the air injection dehydration unit  64  is shown in FIG. 7 and a left side view of the air injection dehydration unit  64  is shown in FIG.  8 . The dehydration unit  64  includes a plurality of chambers  66  in alignment to form a cylinder  68 . Extending through the cylinder  68  is a conveyor belt  70  for carrying food products to be dehydrated through the chambers  66 . The chambers  66  at the end of the cylinder  68  include a recess  72  extending through an end wall  74  thereof allowing the conveyor belt  70  to pass therethrough. An air injection system including an air compressor  76  is connected to the cylinder  68  through a conduit  78  which branches off into a series of injector inlet channels  80 . Each of the injector inlet channels  80  includes a valve  82  for regulating the amount and pressure of the air entering the chambers  66 . The injector inlet channels  80  are connected to provide air to the chambers  66  forming the cylinder  68 . The air compressor  76  draws air in from the environment surrounding the cylinder  68  or directly from the decontamination unit  46 . 
     An exhaust duct  84  is connected to each chamber  66  for removing used air from the chambers  66 . A preferred embodiment for exhausting used air from within the cylinder  68  is illustrated in the figures. The exhaust duct  84  extending from adjacent chambers  66  are connected together by first connection pipes  86 . The first connection pipes  86  are connected to a main exhaust pipe  88  via a second exhaust duct  90 . The main exhaust duct  88  releases the used air into the dehydration area wherein it is removed through the ventilation duct  18 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a right side view of the air injection dehydration duct  64 . The conveyor belt  70  is illustrated in this figure passing through the plurality of chambers  66  forming the cylinder  68 . A plurality of injector inlet channels  80  are connected to each chamber  66  for providing air to the chambers  66 . Each injector inlet channel  80  also includes a valve  82  for regulating the pressure and amount of air flowing therethrough and into the chambers  66 . 
     A cross-sectional view of the air injection dehydration duct  64  is shown in FIG.  9 . As can be seen from this view, upon entering a respective one of the chambers  66 , the injector inlet channel  80  splits to form a first arm  92  extending above the conveyor belt  70  passing through the chamber  66  and a second arm  94  passing below the conveyor belt  70 . The first and second arms  92  and  94  each include a plurality of air injectors  96 . The air injectors  96  direct a flow of air towards the conveyor belt  70  and thus towards any food products traveling on the conveyor belt  70 . A plurality of heating elements  98  are also provided within each of the plurality of chambers  66  for heating the inside of the chambers  66  and any air delivered to the chambers  66  through the air injectors  96 . The heating elements  98  heat the air delivered to the chambers  66  to a desired temperature for dehydrating the food products passing through the chambers  66  on the conveyor belt  70 . A thermostat may be provided for regulating the temperature of the heating elements  98  and thus the air provided through the air injectors  96  to an optimal temperature for dehydration of the food products. The first air exhaust duct  84  is shown extending from the chambers  66  for removing air therefrom. As explained previously the air is removed through the series of ducts and deposited into the dehydration area  36 . The air is then removed from the dehydration area  36  through the ventilation duct  18 . 
     A cross-sectional view taken along the line  10 — 10  of FIG.  7  and looking from the right side of the air injection dehydration duct  64  is illustrated in FIG. 10. A cross-sectional view taken along the line  11 — 11  of FIG.  7  and looking from the left side of the air injection dehydration duct  64  is illustrated in FIG.  11 . As can be seen from FIGS. 10 and 11, each chamber  66  is separated by a wall  100 . Each wall  100  includes a pivoting door  102  through which the conveyor belt  70  extends. Extending on either side of the conveyor belt  70  are the first and second arms  92  and  94  of the injector inlet channels  80 . A recess  106  is also provided within each chamber  66  for connection to a respective one of the plurality of first exhaust ducts  84  providing a passageway for air to be removed from the chambers  66 . An enlarged view of a single chamber is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The chamber shown in FIG. 12 is taken from within the circle labeled 12 of FIG.  10 . The chamber shown in FIG. 13 is taken from within the circle labeled 13 of FIG.  11 . 
     A second embodiment of the dehydration chamber  106  is illustrated in FIGS. 14-16. A cross-sectional view of the dehydration chamber  106  is shown in FIG.  14 . The dehydration chamber  106  includes a cylindrical chamber  108  including a front wall  110  and a back wall  112 . A first recess  114  is provided in the front wall  110  and a second recess  116  is provided in the back wall  112  through which an air inlet pipe  118  extends. A pair of bearings  120  are provided on both the front wall  110  and the back wall  112  for connecting the cylindrical chamber  108  to the air inlet pipe  118 . The bearings  120  allow the cylindrical chamber  108  to rotate about the air inlet pipe  118 . A rotary driver motor and guide  122  are connected to rotate the cylindrical chamber  108 . Heating elements  124  are also provided within the cylindrical chamber  108  for heating the air provided to the chamber  108  through the air pipe  118 . 
     Extending from the air pipe  118  are a plurality of mixing arms  126  as can be clearly seen in FIGS. 15 and 16. Each mixing arm  126  includes an open end  128  for providing air therethrough leading into the cylindrical chamber  108 . Air is thus provided to the inside of the cylindrical chamber  108  through the open end  128  of each mixing arm  126 . The mixing arms  126  are provided in groups, the groups preferably extending along a portion of the length of the air inlet pipe  118 . Each group preferably includes one mixing arm extending vertically from the air inlet pipe  118  towards a base of the cylindrical chamber  108  and one mixing arm on either side thereof extending at an angle of from 45°-60° from the vertically extending arm as can be clearly seen in FIG.  15 . Positioned on the air intake pipe  118  and between the groups of mixing arms  126  and the back wall  112  of the cylindrical chamber  108  is an inlet  130  for the air exhaust pipe  84 . The air inlet pipe  118  extends out through the recess  116  in the back wall  112  and includes an air outlet  132  for air remaining in the air inlet pipe. 
     The operation of the food dehydration facility  10  will now be described with reference to the figures. In operation, food to be dehydrated by the food dehydration facility  10  is placed within the facility  10  on either the conveyor belt  70  or in the cylindrical chamber  108 . When the facility  10  is placed in operation wind blowing outside of the facility will be received within the air intake funnel  26  of the air intake port  22 . The air intake funnel  26  is able to rotate to receive a maximum amount of air by the rotational joint  30  and is powered to rotate by the wind vane  28 . The wind vane  28  extends from the air intake port  22  in a direction opposite the air intake funnel  26  and as air blows and applies a force against the wind vane  28 , the air intake port  22  is caused to rotate so that the air intake funnel  26  faces into the wind and is able to receive a maximum amount of air therein. A wind propelled air intake fan  25  aids the air intake funnel  26  in drawing air into the air intake funnel  26 . The air received by the air intake funnel  26  is drawn down the air conduit  24  by an air entraining fan  27  and provided to the inside of the facility. 
     Upon entering the facility  10 , the air is provided to a decontamination chamber  46  within the dehydration area  36  of the facility  10 . The decontamination chamber  46  includes a solid air filter  48  at its input for removing large particles from the air and upon passing through the air filter  48  the air is passed through a shower of decontamination material. The shower will cause any particles in the air to fall into a pool  58  of contaminated water  56  and thus be removed from the air. The air will now pass through an outlet  60  of the decontamination chamber  46  and into the dehydration area  36 . 
     Upon entering the dehydration area the air will be provided to the plurality of air injectors  80  and to the chambers of the dehydration unit  64 . The pressure and amount of air supplied is regulated by a valve  82  connected to each of the air injectors. Within the chambers the air injectors divide into two arms, one arm extending on either side of the conveyor belt  70  passing therethrough. The air is directed through air injectors on each arm to the chambers  66  and fill the chambers  66 . Also provided within the chambers  66  are heating elements  98  which heat the air to a desired or optimal temperature for dehydrating the food products traveling with the conveyor belt  70  through the chambers  66 . The temperature of the air may be regulated by controlling the heating elements with a thermostat. The thermostat will maintain the heating elements  98  at a desired temperature and thus also maintain the air temperature at an optimal temperature for dehydrating the food products. 
     Alternatively, the rotational dehydration chamber  106  may be provided within the dehydration area  36 . The dehydration chamber  106  includes a cylindrical chamber  108  which is connected to rotate about the air intake pipe  118  on a pair of bearings  120 . A rotational motor is connected to provide a rotational drive force to rotate the chamber  108 . The food to be dehydrated is placed within the cylindrical chamber  108  and caused to rotate with the chamber  108 . Air is received by the dehydration chamber  106  through the air inlet pipe  118 . The air inlet pipe  118  includes a plurality of mixing arms  126  having open ends for providing the air to the inside of the chamber  108 . Heating elements  124  are also provided within the chamber for heating the air delivered through the mixing arms. The air is heated by the heating elements  124  to an optimal temperature for dehydrating the food products placed therein. The temperature of the heating elements  124  and thus the temperature to which the air is heated may be controlled by a thermostat. As the chamber rotates the food products also rotate and are dehydrated by the heated air. The heated air is removed from within the chamber  108  via an air inlet  130  leading to exhaust ducts and an air outlet pipe  132 . 
     The air removed from the chamber  64  or  108  are then removed from the dehydration area through a ventilation duct  18 . Once dehydrated the food products can be removed from the chamber  108  or taken off of the conveyor belt  70  and stored in the storage area  38  of the facility  10 . Alternatively, the food products may be eaten or at a later time may be reconstituted by simply placing the food products in water. 
     From the above description it can be seen that the food dehydration facility of the present invention is able to overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices by providing a food dehydration facility which is able to dehydrate food using specific combinations of air and heat whereby the food will maintain its nutritional value while also maintaining the original color of the food without the use of artificial colorings. The food dehydration facility is also able to dehydrate food to produce a dehydrated food product that may be readily reconstituted in a safe, effective manner wherein large quantities of foodstuffs may be treated in a relatively short period of time. Furthermore, the food dehydration facility of the present invention is simple and easy to use and economical in cost to manufacture. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.