Abstract:
An improved tattooing needle assembly and support assembly for the needle assembly are provided. The needle assembly includes a needle component extending through a main case into an aperture assembly. The needle component is configured to reciprocate between a stowed configuration, in which a tip of the needle component is positioned within the aperture assembly, and a deployed configuration, in which the tip extends beyond the aperture assembly. A tattooing machine causes the needle component to move to the deployed configuration while opposed magnets bias the needle component back towards the stowed configuration. Using a needle protection sleeve, the needle assembly can be removed from and/or installed onto a tattooing machine without requiring a user to come into direct contact with the needle assembly. By securing the needle protection sleeve to a support assembly, the removal and/or installation of the needle assembly becomes a one-hand operation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Chinese utility model patent numbers 201520396152.8, filed Jun. 10, 2015, and 201520395864.8, filed Jun. 10, 2015, and Chinese design patent number 201530180483.3, filed Jun. 5, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The inventive concept relates to an appliance for tattooing or applying permanent makeup. In particular, the inventive concept relates to a tattooing needle assembly and a device for rapidly changing tattooing needles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A common tattooing device of the prior art consists of a tattooing machine, a tattooing machine handle, an aperture assembly, and a tattooing needle. A user needs to assemble the components before use. More specifically, the tattooing machine handle is connected to the tattooing machine with the first end of the tattooing needle penetrating through a center hole of the handle. The second end of the tattooing needle (opposite the first end) is coupled to a reciprocating part of the tattooing machine such that the tattooing machine is capable of reciprocating the tattooing needle while a user is holding the handle. The aperture assembly, which is connected to the handle or is integrally manufactured with the handle, serves as support and guiding piece for the tattooing needle while the tattooing machine drives the tattooing needle to reciprocate. For the sake of safety, the tattooing needle is disposable and disposable aperture assemblies and handles are also commonly used. 
         [0004]    In the existing tattooing device, the tattooing needle and the aperture assembly are arranged in a separable manner. When an operator replaces the tattooing needle, the components need to be re-assembled. Especially while the tattooing needle is being inserted into the aperture assembly, the operator needs to be very careful so as to prevent damage to the tip end of the tattooing needle, such as occurs when the tip end of the tattooing needle is allowed to scratch the inner wall of the aperture assembly. In addition, in the tattooing process, the operator needs to repetitively replace the tattooing needle of different specifications and select matched aperture assemblies of the corresponding specifications according to the complex situation of tattoo patterns. As a result, the existing separable design of the tattooing needle and the aperture assembly obviously causes the assembling operation to be comparatively time-consuming. 
         [0005]    Chinese Patent Application No. CN200410062070.6, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a disposable assembly that is detachably arranged on a handle, wherein one end of a tattooing needle is retained in a needle shaft and is supported so as to move in a needle guiding piece formed in the disposable assembly, the other end of the tattooing needle extends through a needle-shaped spray nozzle opening to discharge pigment, a driving mechanism consists of a plurality of components and is connected to the needle shaft to enable the tattooing needle to reciprocate, the plurality of components of the driving mechanism comprise a driver and a connecting device, and the connecting device connects a driving device to the needle shaft. At least one portion of the connecting device is arranged in the disposable assembly and can be detached together with the disposable assembly from the handle. Unfortunately, the disposable assembly has too many parts and the installation is not convenient. Furthermore, the existing tattooing needle assemblies do not facilitate the replacement of the tattooing needle assemblies in actual use. Furthermore still, the disposable assemblies are traditional spring-back devices that utilize tension glue or a spring. Tension glue and transitional springs cause shaking and vibration, thereby creating noise and decreasing service life. Consequently, it would be beneficial to have a needle assembly that utilizes fewer components, that is easier to use, that facilitates replacement, that reduces noise, that increases reliability, and that relieves strain. 
         [0006]    Furthermore still, commercially available tattooing needle assemblies of the prior art are sealed and packaged in disposable blister packages. When a tattooist changes a needle during working, the used tattooing needle assemblies are discarded. These used tattooing needle assemblies, which carry blood of tattooed people, are unsanitary. As a result, the discarded tattooing needle assemblies must be handled with appropriate care. Furthermore yet, removal and re-attachment of the needle assemblies requires two hands, one positioned on the tattooing machine and the other positioned on the needle assembly itself, further increasing risks associated with the unsanitary needle assemblies. Consequently, it would be beneficial to reduce risks associated with unsanitary needle assemblies by providing a mechanism for holding the needle assemblies so that they are not discarded in an unsanitary manner and so that the tattooist is not required to make direct contact with the needle assembly during removal and/or re-attachment of the needle assembly to the tattooing machine. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present inventive concept includes a tattooing needle assembly with a simplified structure. (Throughout this disclosure, reference to tattooing needle assembly is not limited to the narrow definition of tattooing and explicitly includes any needle assembly used for applying permanent makeup, as well.) The number of parts are reduced and the assembling and disassembling are more simple and convenient to perform. In some embodiments, the novel structure design realizes the stable reciprocating motion of the tattooing needle, thereby reducing noise thus satisfying the technical requirements of facilitating the replacement of the tattooing needle and relieving hand strain. In some embodiments, the present inventive concept also includes a support assembly for holding needle assemblies when they are not in use, the support assembly being configured to assist users in quickly and safely changing needle assemblies. 
         [0008]    The tattooing needle assembly includes a main case with a proximal end and a distal end opposite one another. The proximal end of the main case includes an end cover with a through hole and the distal end of the main case is selectively coupled to the aperture assembly. A tattooing needle component is positioned partially within the main case, a first end of the needle component extending out the through hole of the end cover and a second end of the needle component extending into the aperture assembly. The proximal end of the main case of the needle assembly is configured to selectively connect with a tattooing machine so as to enable the tattooing machine to move the tattooing needle component from a stowed configuration, in which a tip of the needle component is positioned within the aperture assembly, to a deployed configuration, in which the tip of the needle component extends from the aperture assembly. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the needle assembly further includes an upper magnetic ring coupled to the needle component and a lower magnetic ring coupled to the main case such that the magnetic rings are configured to bias the needle component towards the stowed configuration. In this way, the magnetic rings and the tattooing machine work together to cause the needle component to reciprocate between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the support assembly is sized and shaped to interconnect with one or more needle assembly so as to accommodate a user rapidly changing tattooing needles. More specifically, the support assembly is moveable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, one or more needle protection sleeve can be loaded into (or removed from) the support assembly. In the locked configuration, the one or more needle protection sleeve is secured to the support assembly and is prevented from rotating relative to the support assembly. Each needle protection sleeve includes clamp grooves that are configured to receive clamps of the needle assembly so as to prevent the needle assembly from rotating relative to the needle protection sleeve, thereby preventing the needle assembly from rotating relative to the support assembly. In this way, the support assembly and needle protection sleeve assist a user in connecting a needle assembly to and/or disconnecting the needle assembly from a tattooing machine. 
         [0011]    The foregoing and other objects are intended to be illustrative of the general inventive concept and are not meant in a limiting sense. Many possible embodiments of the general inventive concept may be made and will be readily evident upon a study of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. Furthermore, various features and subcombinations of general inventive concept may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Other objects and advantages of the general inventive concept will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Embodiments of the general inventive concept are set forth herein and are shown in the following drawings: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a needle assembly of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a aperture assembly of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a main case of the needle assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side sectional view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a needle protection sleeve of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a needle assembly being supported by a support assembly via a needle protection sleeve, the support assembly shown in a locked configuration; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the needle assembly, support assembly, and needle protection sleeve of  FIG. 6  shown from a slightly different angle from  FIG. 6 , the support assembly shown in an unlocked configuration; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the support assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the support assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a side sectional view of the needle protection sleeve of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the needle protection sleeve of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the needle protection sleeve of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    The following detailed description references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the general inventive concept can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the general inventive concept in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , a tattooing needle assembly  100  comprises a main case  101 , a tattooing needle component  102  positioned at least partially within the main case  101 , and an aperture assembly  103  selectively coupled to a distal end  105  of the main case  101 . An opposed proximal end  106  of the main case  101  includes an end cover  104  that includes a through hole and the aperture assembly  103  includes a tattooing needle guiding wall such that one end of the tattooing needle component  102  is capable of extending from the proximal end  106  of the main case  101  through the through hole while an opposed other end of the tattooing needle component  102  extends from the distal end  105  of the main case  101  into the aperture assembly  103 , in close contact with the tattooing needle guiding wall. A proximal end  109  of the aperture assembly  103  is configured to selectively couple to the distal end  105  of the main case  101  and the proximal end  106  of the main case  101  is configured to selectively couple to a tattooing machine so as to enable the tattooing machine to selectively drive a tip of the needle component out of a distal end of the aperture assembly  103 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, an outer circumferential surface of the main case  101  includes a plurality of clamps  107  at or near the distal end  105  of the main case  101 . In some such embodiments, the main case  101  includes six clamps  107 , each being uniformly spaced along a circumferential direction. In other such embodiments, the aperture assembly  103  includes a plurality of clamp grooves  108  at or near the proximal end  109  of the aperture assembly  103 , each clamp groove  108  of the aperture assembly  103  being configured to receive a clamp  107  of the main case  101  so as to secure the aperture assembly  103  to the main case  101 . In some such embodiments, each clamp groove  108  corresponds, one-to-one, with a single clamp  107 . In still other embodiments, the proximal end  109  of the aperture assembly  103  defines a positioning groove  110  and the distal end  105  of the main case  101  includes a positioning block that is configured to be received by the positioning groove  110  of the aperture assembly  103  so as to align the aperture assembly  103  with the main case  101  and/or so as to prevent the aperture assembly  103  from rotating relative to the main case  101   
         [0028]    In some embodiments, an outer side of a hollow cylinder of the proximal end  106  of the main case  101  includes a pair of fasteners  111  for selectively securing the tattooing needle assembly  100  to the tattooing machine. In some such embodiments, the cross section of the fasteners  111  form a rotationally symmetrical shape about a longitudinal axis of the hollow cylinder, the rotationally symmetrical shape includes of two semi-crescent shapes, each having an intersection point between a large end portion of the semi-crescent shape and a circle formed by a cross section of the hollow cylinder. In other such embodiments, the fasteners  111  on the tattooing needle assembly  100  are connected with matched clips and/or other fastening features on the tattooing machine, and thereby the tattooing needle assembly  100  can be fixedly connected onto the tattooing machine with a 20 degree clockwise rotation and separated from the tattooing machine with a  20  degree counter-clockwise rotation. 
         [0029]    The tattooing needle component  102  comprises a tattooing needle and a connecting device for connecting the tattooing needle with the main case  101  in such a way so as to allow the tattooing needle to reciprocate within the through hole of the end cover  104 . Throughout this disclosure, reference to a tattooing needle is not limited to needles specifically used for tattooing and explicitly includes any needle used for applying permanent makeup. As the tattooing needle reciprocates, it moves between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the stowed configuration, a tip of the tattooing needle is positioned within the aperture assembly  103 . In the deployed configuration, a tip of the tattooing needle extends out of the aperture assembly  103  so as to allow the tip of the tattooing needle to puncture skin. In some embodiments, the connecting device comprises an upper magnetic ring  114  and a lower magnetic ring  115 . In some such embodiments, a middle portion of an inner chamber of the main case  101  includes an integrally molded support plate  116  that is configured to support and/or restrain the lower magnetic ring  115  relative to the main case  101 . The support plate  116  includes a through hole that is generally coaxial with the inner chamber of the main case and/or the through hole of the end cover  104  so as to allow a rod portion of the tattooing needle component  102  to freely pass through the through hole of the support plate  116  while the needle component is reciprocating. In other such embodiments, a middle portion of the tattooing needle component  102  includes a plunger  117  that is configured to support and/or restrain the upper magnetic ring  114  relative to the tattooing needle component  102 . In some embodiments, the plunger  117  is positioned between the upper magnetic ring  114  and the end cover  104  and the lower magnetic ring  115  is positioned between the upper magnetic ring and the and the support plate  116  such that the upper magnetic ring  114  is allowed to reciprocate relative to the lower magnetic ring  115 . In some such embodiments, the lower end of the upper magnetic ring  114  and the upper end of the lower magnetic ring  115  are magnetic poles with the same polarity so as to bias the needle component  102  towards the stowed configuration. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, utilizing the mutual repulsive force of the two magnetic rings to facilitate reciprocating the tattooing needle reduces noises and other issues associated with prior art systems for and method of reciprocating tattooing needles. In some such embodiments, this is accomplished by reducing wear on the inner wall of the main case. In other embodiments, such as during long work periods, lines of magnetic force from the magnetic rings permeate the user&#39;s hand, thereby performing magneto therapy to the hand. In some embodiments, the magnetic rings are made of high intensity permanent magnets that are capable of creating magnetic fields of 4800 gauss. In other embodiments, the magnetic fields are capable of permeating the human body by 6-9 cm and/or by a depth that is equivalent to the depth of traditional acupuncture. 
         [0031]    As well known, Magneto Therapy, i.e., so-called magnetic field therapy is called as a collective name of methods for treating diseases by using magnetic forces or magnetic fields, a part which needs to be treated is placed in a variable magnetic field to attempt to exert an influence by magnetism produced by the magnetic field on human body tissues and bones so as to achieve a non-invasive treatment goal. Magneto Therapy can realize the following functions: particularly remarkable pain alleviation and anti-inflammation effects, and especially obvious treatment effects to chronic diseases especially such as arthritis and strain. As a result, in some such embodiments, the use of magnets to reciprocate the needle component reduces hand strain associated the operator tightly holding the tattooing needle assembly while the needle component is reciprocating. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the tattooing needle assembly  100  is selectively coupled to a needle protection sleeve  112 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , when the needle assembly  100  is not in use. In some such embodiments, the needle protection sleeve  112  includes a plurality of sleeve clamp grooves  113  that are configured to receive the clamps  107  of the main case  101 . 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the reduction of cost and/or ease of use is facilitated by simplifying the structure of the tattooing needle assembly  100 . In some such embodiments, this is accomplished, at least in part, by providing the positioning groove  110  of the aperture assembly  103  and the positioning block of the main case  101 . In other embodiments, the clamps  107  of the main case  101  and the clamp grooves  108  of the aperture assembly  103  enable the connection between the aperture assembly  103  and the main case  101  to be quickly realized. In still other embodiments, the clamps  107  on the main case  101  prevent the tattooing needle assembly  100  from slipping from the hand when the tattooing needle assembly is manually replaced, thereby allowing the tattooing needle assembly to be quickly held for replacement. In yet other embodiments, the clamps  107  cooperate with other devices to fix or otherwise secure the tattooing needle assembly relative to other devices, such as a needle protection sleeve  112 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, automation is realized by securing the needle assembly  100  to a needle protection sleeve  112 . In some such embodiments, the needle of the tattooing needle component  102  is effectively protected by fixedly clamping and/or otherwise securing the needle assembly  100  with the needle protection sleeve  112 . In other such embodiments, securing the needle protection sleeve  112  to the needle assembly  100  facilitates easier, quicker, and safer operations of connecting the needle assembly  100  to the tattooing machine and/or removing the needle assembly  100  from the tattooing machine. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the upper magnetic ring  114  and/or the lower magnetic ring  115  are magnetic rings of medical and healthcare grades, so as to have a natural force coming from the nature. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIGS. 5-12 , a system for rapidly changing tattooing needle assemblies  100  comprises a support assembly  201  having a push-pull, or laterally-sliding, locking plate  204  positioned between upper  202  and lower  203  plates. The locking plate  204  is moveable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. When the locking plate  204  is in the unlocked configuration, the support assembly  201  is configured to receive at least one needle protection sleeve  112 . When the locking plate  204  is in the locked configuration, the support assembly  201  is capable of supporting and/or otherwise restraining the needle protection sleeve  112  while a tattooing needle assembly  100  positioned within the needle protection sleeve  112  is being connected to and/or disconnected from a tattooing machine. 
         [0037]    In a preferred embodiment, the upper plate  202  includes a plurality of clearance apertures  207  positioned in rows and the locking plate  204  includes a plurality of corresponding locking apertures  208 . In some such embodiments, each locking aperture  208  includes a first portion that aligns with its respective first aperture  207  when the locking plate  204  is in the unlocked configuration and a second portion that aligns with its respective first aperture  207  when the locking plate  204  is in the locked configuration. In some such embodiments, each first portion of each locking aperture  208  is approximately the same size and shape as its respective first aperture  207 . In other such embodiments, each second portion of each locking aperture  208  has a generally rectangular shape with a width that is smaller than the diameter of its respective first aperture  207 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, each needle protection sleeve  112  comprises a body  209  and a base  210  extending from a bottom portion of the body  209 . The base  210  includes a first portion having a smaller diameter than the bottom portion of the body  209  and a second portion having a larger diameter than the first portion. In this way, the base  210  and the body  209  form a spacing groove  211  between the bottom portion of the body  209  and the second portion of the base  210 . In some embodiments, the locking plate  204  is configured to allow a second portion of a base  210  of a needle protection sleeve  112  to pass through a first portion of a locking aperture  208  of the locking plate  204  when the locking plate  204  is in the unlocked configuration. In other embodiments, a portion of the locking plate  204  is configured to be received by a spacing groove  211  of a needle protection sleeve  112  when the locking plate  204  is in the locked configuration. In this way, the locking plate  204  is capable of selectively securing the needle protection sleeve  112  to the support assembly  201 . 
         [0039]    In some embodiments when the locking plate  204  is moved from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration, a space formed by each locking aperture  208  and its corresponding clearance aperture  207  becomes smaller and spacing surfaces of the locking aperture  208  tightly abut against the spacing groove  211  of the needle protection sleeve  112 . 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the support assembly  201  includes a plurality of legs  212 , each leg positioned at one of four corners of the support assembly  201  In some such embodiments, the legs  212  include magnets or suction disks such that the support assembly  201  can be firmly fixed on a working table with the magnets or suction disks. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, the upper plate  202  defines three rows of clearance apertures  207  with each row having 3-4 clearance apertures  207 . In some embodiments, each clearance aperture  207  is round. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the body  209  of the needle protection sleeve  112  includes a plurality of ribs  213 . In some such embodiments, the ribs  213  are uniformly spaced along a circumferential direction. In a preferred embodiment, an outer surface of the ribs  213  contact an inner surface of a corresponding clearance aperture  207 . 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, the cross section of the base  210  of the needle protection sleeve  112  generally defines a circle with one side having a flat notch  214 . In some such embodiments, the lower plate  203  includes a fixing feature, such as a flat surface, that corresponds with the flat notch  214  of the base  210  of the needle protection sleeve  112  such that the fixing feature of the lower plate  203  prevents the needle protection sleeve  112  from rotating relative to the support assembly  201  when the flat notch  214  of the base  210  of the needle protection sleeve  112  interfaces with the fixing feature of the lower plate  203  of the support assembly  201  and/or by otherwise interfacing the base  210  of the needle protection sleeve  112  with a fixing feature of the lower plate  203 . 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, the needle protection sleeves  112  are placed through the plurality of rows of clearance apertures  207  arranged on the support assembly  201  such that the clamping and extraction of the needle protection sleeves  112  on and from the support assembly  201  is accomplished by moving the locking plate  204  between locked and unlocked configurations. In some such embodiments, rotation of the needle protection sleeves  112  is limited by the fixing features of the lower plate  203 . In some embodiments, the action of changing the tattooing needle assemblies  100  is completed by rotating the tattooing machine for a certain angle. In some such embodiments, the ribs  213  on the outer sides of the needle protection sleeves  112  are matched with the clearance apertures  207  so as to improve the stability of the needle protection sleeves  112  on the support assembly  201 , thereby preventing large shaking during the process of changing the tattooing needle assemblies  100 . 
         [0045]    The present invention is prospective, hygienic, practical and very innovative. For example, before making a work, the tattooist can select 10 types of different tattooing needle assemblies  100  which will be used and place the tattooing needle assemblies  100  each with corresponding needle protection sleeves in the support assembly  201 , and the legs  212 , such as the suction disks or magnets, of the support assembly  201  can be firmly fixed on a glass table or an metal table. As a result, the tattooist only needs to stretch a single hand holding the tattooing machine to the exposed tail end of the favored type of needle (within a needle assembly) and then slightly clockwise twist the needle for 20 degrees, then the needle assembly together with the tattooing machine can be extracted from the needle protection sleeve within less than 5 seconds in a non-contact manner. Later, when another type of needle is needed, the original tattooing needle assembly is restored to the original extracted needle protection sleeve, and slightly anticlockwise rotated for 20 degrees, then the needle assembly can be left in the needle protection sleeve in a non-contact manner and is separated from the tattooing machine. 
         [0046]    In this description, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. 
         [0047]    While the present general inventive concept has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use. 
         [0048]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between. Hence, the proper scope of the present general inventive concept should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification. It should also be understood that multiple combinations of dependent claims are also cumulatively and independently disclosed. By way of example: The limitations of claim  2  are disclosed in combination with claims  3 - 10 ; the limitations of claim  3  are disclosed in combination with claims  4 - 10 ; the limitations of claim  4  are disclosed in combination with claims  5 - 10 ; the limitations of claim  5  are disclosed in combination with claims  6 - 10 ; the limitations of claim  6  are disclosed in combination with claims  7 - 10 ; the limitations of claim  7  are disclosed in combination with claims  8 - 10 ; the limitations of claim  8  are disclosed in combination with claim  9 ; the limitations of claim  9  are disclosed in combination with claim  10 ; and the limitations of claim  11  are disclosed in combination with claims  12 - 16 . Independent claims  17  and  19  are also disclosed in combination with each other and their respective dependent claims. 
         [0049]    Finally, it will be appreciated that the purpose of the annexed Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Accordingly, the Abstract is neither intended to define the invention or the application, which only is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.