Abstract:
An elastic material or other stretch material formed as a layer or cylinder and capable of holding hot or cold temperature and radiating such temperature through contact and an elastic fabric adhered to the elastic material capable of providing a protective cover and a fabric liner between a user&#39;s skin and the elastic material and, thus, functions to conform to user&#39;s body providing evenly distributed encompassing cold or hot temperature application, a fabric liner between user&#39;s skin and the hot or cold therapy, even application of compression therapy without the need for clips or buckles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    To the full extent permitted by law, the present United States Non-provisional patent application hereby claims priority to and the full benefit of, United States Provisional Application entitled “A combined cryotherapy and compression sleeve free from all fastening devices and removeable gel-packs to treat sore muscles and/or joints,” having assigned Ser. No. 62/199,623, filed on Jul. 31, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    None 
       PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    None 
       REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0004]    None 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0005]    The disclosure generally relates to a limb or body part cover. More specifically, the instant disclosure relates to a cold and compression therapy apparatus with a combined cryotherapy and compression for treatment of a sprained, strained, or bruised body part. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0006]    Muscle and joint injuries are common in life, sports, and exercise. As soon as possible after an injury, such as an elbow, knee or ankle sprain, you can relieve the pain and swelling and promote healing with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Specifically, ice will reduce pain and swelling, and compression or wrapping the injured or sore area with an elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap), will help decrease swelling. 
         [0007]    Inflammation is a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury. One approach is the concept of icing or application of ice (cryotherapy) to the skin above an area of a ligament sprain, muscle strain, bruise or the like. Ice is also often helpful with chronic overuse or tissue fatigue injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, supraspinatus tendinitis, iliotibial band syndrome, patellofemoral pain syndrome, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, or tendinitis, especially joints healing from repetitive injury. One disadvantage with this approach is ice is wet and slippery especially once it begins to melt making it difficult to hold in place on the area of the injury. Moreover, ice is rigid, non-conforming, and fluctuates in temperature being too cold at first and then not cold enough once the ice partially melts leaving insulating water between the injury and the ice. Furthermore, ice should not be applied directly to the skin rather a towel or other fabric liner should be placed between the skin and the ice. 
         [0008]    Another approach is the concept of compression therapy or application of compression to an injured area such as, one of the injuries listed above. Compression is a simple and efficient mechanical principle, the application of an elastic band, around the area of a ligament sprain, muscle strain, bruise or the like to stabilize the injury and decrease swelling. One disadvantage with this approach is wrapping the elastic band too tightly resulting in more swelling in the injured area. Moreover, this approach requires external fasteners, such as clips or buckles to hold the elastic band in place. Furthermore, this approach of wrapping an elastic band around a joint, such as an elbow, knee, ankle or shoulder, loosens its grip during joint use or movement. 
         [0009]    Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a recognized unmet need for a cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use that designed to address at least some aspects of the problems discussed above. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0010]    Briefly described, in example embodiment, the present apparatus overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantage, and meets the recognized need for a cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use including, in general, an elastic material or other stretch material formed as a layer or cylinder and capable of holding hot or cold temperature and radiating such temperature through contact and an elastic fabric adhered to the elastic material capable of providing a protective cover and a fabric liner between a user&#39;s skin and the elastic material and, thus, functions to conform to user&#39;s body providing evenly distributed encompassing cold or hot temperature application, a fabric liner between user&#39;s skin and the hot or cold therapy, even application of compression therapy without the need for clips or buckles. 
         [0011]    In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for wrapping a body part, the apparatus including an elastic material formed as a layer and having a first surface and a second surface, the elastic material configured for hot or cold temperature transfer and compression thereof the body part, and an elastic fabric adhered to the first surface and the second surface of the elastic material, the elastic fabric configured to provide a protective cover for the first surface and a liner for the second surface. 
         [0012]    In still a further exemplary embodiment of a method of utilizing a hot or cold temperature transfer and compression sleeve to wrap a user&#39;s body part therein, the method including the steps of forming an elastic material in a mold and having a first surface and a second surface, the elastic material configured for hot or cold temperature transfer and compression thereof the body part, positioning the elastic material thereon an elastic fabric having a first elastic fabric and a second elastic fabric, the first elastic fabric adhered to the first surface and the second elastic fabric adhered to the second surface of the elastic material, the elastic fabric configured to provide a protective cover for the first surface and a liner for the second surface, pressing the elastic fabric thereto the elastic material, sealing first elastic fabric thereto the second elastic fabric to hold the elastic material therein, affixing a first fabric edge of the first elastic fabric thereto a second fabric edge of the second elastic fabric to form an open ended tub. 
         [0013]    Accordingly, a feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is the ability to utilize elastic material or other compatible hot/cold multi-directional stretch material formed as a layer, cylinder, or other shape and configured to encompass a body part or section of a limb, such as an ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, or other body part. 
         [0014]    Another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is the ability to utilize elastic fabric or other compatible multi-directional stretch fabric and configured to provide an outer protective cover for the elastic material and an internal fabric liner for the elastic material to act as a transition barrier between a user&#39;s skin and the elastic material. 
         [0015]    Still another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is its ability to be formed cylindrically or tube shaped, or with or without a tapper from one end to the other and having openings on each end. 
         [0016]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is its ability to fully encompass or surround the targeted area, such as a body part or section of a limb, such as an ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, or other body part, and maintain its fit and placement. 
         [0017]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is its ability to enable one hand installation thereon a user&#39;s targeted area, such as a body part or section of a limb, such as an ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, or other body part without the use of pins, fasteners, ties, wraps, clasps, or other fasteners. 
         [0018]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is its ability to store in a flat configuration and may be stacked, rolled, or folded taking up a small space, especially when cooling in a freezer. 
         [0019]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is its ability to maintain its soft and flexible form at all times whether hot, warm, cool or cold. 
         [0020]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is its ability to be heated and cooled without losing its shape. 
         [0021]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is to provide an elastic material completely encapsulated by the elastic fabric. 
         [0022]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is to provide an integral elastic material encapsulated by the elastic fabric enabling the sleeve to be heated or cooled together. 
         [0023]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is to provide an integral elastic material encapsulated by the elastic fabric having an integral fabric liner positioned between the skin and the cold source. 
         [0024]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is it provides a non-condensation forming integral elastic material encapsulated by the elastic fabric sleeve different from ice, ice packs, or gel packs making it difficult to hold ice, ice packs, or gel packs in place on the area of the injury. 
         [0025]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is it provides a flexible conforming integral elastic material encapsulated by the elastic fabric sleeve. 
         [0026]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is it provides a more constant temperature apparatus formed of elastic material verses large fluctuations in temperature being too cold at first and then not cold enough once the ice or ice packs begin to melt. 
         [0027]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is it provides a flexible conforming integral elastic material encapsulated by the elastic fabric sleeve in various sizes to prevent an overly tight fit resulting in more swelling in the injured area. 
         [0028]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is it provides a flexible conforming integral elastic material encapsulated by the elastic fabric sleeve that requires no external fasteners, such as clips or buckles to hold the elastic band in place. 
         [0029]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is it provides a flexible conforming integral elastic material encapsulated by the elastic fabric sleeve that does not loosen around a joint, such as an elbow, knee, ankle or shoulder, nor loosens its grip during joint use or movement. 
         [0030]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is its safe, simple, inexpensive, and easy to self-apply. 
         [0031]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is it enables both cold and compression with quick and easy application after activity to reduce pain, muscle spasm, inflammation, and blood flow or swelling to the affected area. 
         [0032]    Yet another feature of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use is it enables both cold and compression to reduce the release of chemicals that cause pain and inflammation. 
         [0033]    These and other features of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods of use will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following Detailed Description of the Embodiments and Claims when read in light of the accompanying drawing Figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    The present cryotherapy and compression sleeve and methods will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve; 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of cryotherapy and compression sleeve shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a user shown with a plurality of wearable positions of the exemplary embodiment of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a mold tray utilized to form the elastic material of an exemplary embodiment of the cryotherapy and compression sleeve shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the elastic material being affixed to the elastic fabric of cryotherapy and compression sleeve shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of the steps to form the integral elastic material being affixed to the elastic fabric of cryotherapy and compression sleeve shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0041]    It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    In describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6  specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The present disclosure, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed to be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples, and are merely examples among other possible examples. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . Cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10  may include sleeve body  20  wherein sleeve body  20  may be configured or shaped in the form of a tube or cylindrical shaped or open ended tubular sleeve. It is contemplated herein that sleeve body  20  may be shaped in the form of a tube or cylinder or formed in a planar shape and rolled into a tube or cylinder. Moreover, sleeve body  20  may include one or more openings or apertures, such as first sleeve opening  21  and second sleeve opening  22 . It is further contemplated herein that sleeve body  20  may be tapered between first sleeve opening  21  and second sleeve opening  22 . As such first sleeve opening  21  may be configured having a larger radius (greater than) or sleeve opening diameter  30 , such as first sleeve opening diameter  31  is greater than and tapper thereto (in diameter) second sleeve opening diameter  32 , or vice-a-versa. Furthermore, cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10  or sleeve body  20  may include one or more edges, such as first sleeve edge  28  and second sleeve edge  29 , which run or traverse the circumference of first sleeve opening  21  and second sleeve opening  22  of sleeve body  20  and/or first sleeve linear edge  26 . 1  and second sleeve linear edge  26 . 2 , which run or traverse the length of sleeve body  20 . Either of first sleeve edge  28  and second sleeve edge  29  may include folded sleeve edge  27  or seamed sleeve edge  24 . First sleeve linear edge  26 . 1 , second sleeve linear edge  26 . 2 , and/or first sleeve edge  28  may be sealed (seal), affixed, such as by sewn together via single or multiple stitch, hemmed, glued, ties, braids, heated, heat pressed, stapled, snapped, hook and loop, taped, or otherwise attached to configure or shape cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10  or sleeve body  20  in the form of a tube or cylinder. 
         [0044]    In use, for example, when sliding a user&#39;s hand through first sleeve opening  21  and second sleeve opening  22 , and pulling or sliding cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10  up to the user&#39;s bicep muscle to position sleeve body  20  around the user&#39;s elbow, then larger opening first sleeve opening  21  grips user&#39;s bicep and smaller opening second sleeve opening  22  grips user&#39;s forearm. Similar uses are recognized for user&#39;s wrist, forearm, knee, ankle and other body parts. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of a cross sectional view of a common section of cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . Cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10  or sleeve body  20  may include flexible hot or cold transfer material or gel, such as elastic material  40 , or other stretchable material capable of being shaped as a layer, tube, cylinder, bent, or otherwise and capable of holding hot or cold temperature and radiating such temperature change or transfer through contact. It is contemplated herein that elastic material  40  may be shaped in the form of a tube or cylinder or bent as in a 90 degrees or any other acute angle, or formed in a planar shape and rolled into a tube or cylinder having diameter  30 . In one embodiment, elastic material  40  may be formed in a planar shape having perimeter edge  43  or one or more material sides, such as first material side  41  and second material side  42 . Moreover, elastic material  40  may be configured having one or more surfaces  45 , such as first material surface  44  and second material surface  46 . 
         [0046]    Elastic material  40  is preferably formed from a hot/cold absorption and transfer capability material (heat transfer) and/or multi-directional stretch elastic material or constructed of other suitable materials such as polymer, gel or the like, that can be utilized, provided such material has sufficient hot/cold absorption and transfer capability and/or multi-directional stretch elastic material capable of being formed as a layer, cylinder, or other shape to encompass a body part or section of a limb, such as an ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, or other body part, and with durability as would meet the purpose described herein. 
         [0047]    Furthermore, cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10  or sleeve body  20  may include stretchable fabric or liner, such as elastic fabric  50  configured to provide a protective cover around elastic material  40  or fabric liner or insulation between a user&#39;s skin and elastic material  40 . It is contemplated herein that elastic fabric  50  may be adhered (adhesion) or affixed to one or more surfaces  45 , such as first material surface  45  and second material surface  46  wherein elastic fabric  50  may include a protective outer cover, such as first elastic fabric  51  affixed or adhered thereto first material surface  45  and a protective inner or insulating cover, such as second elastic fabric  52  affixed or adhered thereto second material surface  46 . 
         [0048]    Still furthermore, first material side  41  may include first elastic fabric  51  and second elastic fabric  52  extending therefrom first material side  41  to form first fabric edge  61 , wherein first fabric edge  61  may be sealed, affixed, such as sewn  71  together via single or multiple stitch, hemmed, glued, ties, braids, heated, heat pressed, stapled, snapped, hook and loop, taped, or otherwise attached to hold elastic material  40  therein elastic fabric  50 . Likewise, second material side  42  may include first elastic fabric  51  and second elastic fabric  52  extending therefrom second material side  42  to form second fabric layer edge  62 , wherein second fabric layer edge  62  may be sealed, affixed, such as sewn  72  together via single or multiple stitch, hemmed, glued, ties, braids, heated, heat pressed, stapled, snapped, hook and loop, taped, or otherwise attached to hold elastic material  40  therein elastic fabric  50 . 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, first fabric edge  61  and second fabric edge  62  may be sealed, affixed, such as sewn  73  together via single or multiple stitch, hemmed, glued, ties, braids, heated, heat pressed, stapled, snapped, hook and loop, taped, or otherwise attached to form multi-directional stretch elastic fabric  50  in combination or integral thereto elastic material  40  as a cylinder, sleeve shaped, or tube, tubular shaped, or open ended tube having diameter  30 , or other shape to encompass a body part or section of a limb, such as an ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, or other body part. 
         [0050]    Elastic fabric  50  is preferably formed from multi-directional stretch material or compression fabric or other suitable materials such as nylon, synthetic fiber, polymer, Spandex, or the like, that can be utilized, provided such material has sufficient hot/cold absorption and transfer capability and/or multi-directional stretch elastic material capable of being formed as a layer, cylinder, or other shape to encompass a body part or section of a limb, such as an ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, or other body part, and with durability or antimicrobial as would meet the purpose described herein. 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIG. 3  there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of one or more cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10  positioned thereon a user U. In use, cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . 1  may be fitted or positioned over user U left or right hand H as a hand sleeve, cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . 2  may be fitted or positioned over user U left or right forearm F (hand H, wrist W, and/or forearm F) as an arm sleeve, cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . 3  may be fitted or positioned over user U left or right elbow E as an elbow sleeve, cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . 4  may be fitted or positioned over user U left or right shoulder S as a shoulder sleeve, cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . 5  may be fitted or positioned over user U left or right foot Ft as a foot sleeve, cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . 6  may be fitted or positioned over user U left or right ankle A as an ankle sleeve, cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . 7  may be fitted or positioned over user U left or right shin Sh, cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . 8  may be fitted or positioned over user U left or right knee K as a knee sleeve, cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . 9  may be fitted or positioned over user U left or right thigh T as a thigh sleeve, or fitted or positioned over any other combination of user U body parts or section of a limb, or other body part. To position cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10  thereon user U body parts or section of a limb, or other body part user U must position a hand H or foot Ft therein first sleeve opening  21  and pull first sleeve edge  28  and insert user U body parts or section of a limb therein sleeve body  20  to position sleeve body  20  thereon user U body parts or section of a limb, or other body part user U, and held in place by size of diameter  30  relative to user U and elastic fabric  50  in combination or integral thereto elastic material  40  without use of any attachments, clasps or the like. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of a mold tray utilized to form elastic material  40 . Pre elastic material  40  solution or mixture may be poured into a mold or form, such as tray  48  to cure a planar section of one or more elastic material  40 . Once cured or predominantly cured may be removed from tray  48  for assembly as cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of assembly of cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . Cured, partially, or predominantly cured elastic material  40  may be positioned thereon first section of elastic fabric  50 , and more specifically first material surface  44  may be positioned thereon first elastic fabric  51 . Next, second section (or folded section shown) of elastic fabric  50  may be positioned thereon elastic material  40 , and more specifically second elastic fabric  52  may be positioned thereon second material surface  46 . Next, pressure P is applied to compress together second elastic fabric  52 , elastic material  40 , and first elastic fabric  51  to form the base components of cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . Preferably, elastic fabric  52 , elastic material  40 , and first elastic fabric  51  bond, affix, or attach together due to the sticky, tacky, or tackiness of uncured or partially uncured elastic material  40 . It is contemplated herein that elastic fabric  52 , elastic material  40 , and first elastic fabric  51  may bond, affix, or attach together via single or multiple stitch, hemmed, glued, ties, braids, heated, heat pressed, stapled, snapped, hook and loop, taped, or otherwise be attached to configure or shape cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10  or sleeve body  20  in the form of a flat two dimension plane, tube or cylinder. Next first elastic fabric  51  and second elastic fabric  52  may be sewn  71  around perimeter edge  70  via single or multiple stitch, hemmed, glued, ties, braids, heated, heat pressed, stapled, snapped, hook and loop, taped, or otherwise be attached to hold elastic material  40  therein elastic fabric  50 . Next first elastic fabric  51  and second elastic fabric  52  may be sewn  72  around perimeter edge  70  via single or multiple stitch, hemmed, glued, ties, braids, heated, heat pressed, stapled, snapped, hook and loop, taped, or otherwise be attached to hold elastic material  40  therein elastic fabric  50 . Next first elastic fabric  51  and second elastic fabric  52  may be sewn  74  around perimeter edge  70  via single or multiple stitch, hemmed, glued, ties, braids, heated, heat pressed, stapled, snapped, hook and loop, taped, or otherwise be attached to hold elastic material  40  therein elastic fabric  50 . It is contemplated herein that first elastic fabric  51  and second elastic fabric  52  may be sewn or otherwise attached on one or more or all sides to hold elastic material  40  therein elastic fabric  50 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 6  there is illustrated a flow diagram  600  of a method of making and using cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10  having primary elements of elastic fabric  50  in combination or integral thereto elastic material  40  shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . In block or step  610 , forming a planar or tubular or cylindrical section of one or more elastic material  40  in a mold or form, such as tray  48 . In block or step  615 A, positioning elastic material  40  thereon elastic fabric  50 , and more specifically first material surface  44  may be positioned thereon or affixed thereto first elastic fabric  51 . In block or step  615 B, positioning elastic fabric  50  thereon or folding thereover elastic material  40  and more specifically first material surface  44  may be positioned thereon or affixed thereto second elastic fabric  52 . In block or step  620 , pressing P or affixing second elastic fabric  52 , elastic material  40 , and first elastic fabric  51  together to form the base components of cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . In block or step  625 , affixing or sealing first elastic fabric  51  and second elastic fabric  52  around perimeter edge  70  to hold elastic material  40  therein. In block or step  630 , affixing first fabric edge  61  and second fabric edge  62  to form multi-directional stretch elastic fabric  50  in combination or integral thereto elastic material  40  as a cylinder, sleeve shaped, or tube, tubular shape, or open ended tube having diameter  30 , or other shape (or cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 ) to encompass user&#39;s U body part or section of a limb, such as an ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, or other body part. In block or step  635  exposing cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10  to a cold or hot temperature environment, such as freezer or microwave for a duration necessary to bring cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10  to the cold or hot temperature. In block or step  640 , positioning or fitting user U body part or section of a limb, or other body part therethrough first sleeve opening  21  and second sleeve opening  22  of cryotherapy and compression sleeve  10 . In block or step  645 , transferring the hot or cold temperature thereto encompass user&#39;s U body part or section of a limb and combination compression of user&#39;s U body part or section of a limb. 
         [0055]    The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should be noted by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Moreover, the present invention has been described in detail; it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.