Abstract:
A fluid safety dispenser system for use with fluid storage. The dispenser system includes a dispensing valve positionable in the opening of the container, the dispensing valve having a directional chamber capable of rotation between an open position to allow fluid passage through the opening of the container and a closed position to eliminate fluid passage through the opening of the container. A fluid dispenser which assimilates a syringe is releasably securable to the dispensing valve for use in drawing fluid from the container when the fluid dispenser is in the open position. The fluid dispenser has indicia to provide for exact measurement and a locking mechanism to assure the container is closed when the fluid dispenser is detached from the container.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This invention claims the priority date of Nov. 28, 2010 based upon Provisional Patent Application No. 61/407,775 entitled Fluid Safety Dispenser System, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to fluid safety dispensers and in particular to a child resistant container having a dispensing valve that is operated by an independent fluid dispenser. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The packaging for liquid medications used for children, adults, geriatrics and animals has always been vague and included a wide range of dosing. The problem is especially pronounced in pediatric elixirs wherein the dosing recommendations are by age, which can lead to improper dosing for children. Although there currently exists weight-specific dosage calculations presented on charts and pinwheels, they are not readily available to the general public. Even if available, the charts could present a confusing array of dosages that may not be understood by the general consumer. The Physician&#39;s Desk Reference may be used for the calculation, but such a reference book is not typically purchased or understood by the average consumer. It should be noted that just because an individual reaches maturity, dosing levels should still be of concern. Adults are of all sizes, and the elderly can be just as susceptible to overdosing as can a child. 
         [0004]    While the instant invention is specifically applicable to liquid medications for children, adults, geriatrics and animals, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the disclosed system can be utilized with any liquid dispenser. However, for ease of explanation, this disclosure will exemplify pediatric elixirs as an example of use. 
         [0005]    Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,276,533 and 6,581,773 recognized the need for a weight based dosing regimen for pediatric elixirs and disclosed a container mounted apparatus to accomplish the proper dosing, the contents of the patents are incorporated herein by reference. These disclosures address the dosing recommendations on containers that are based on the child&#39;s age; unfortunately the significant variations of weights of children of the same age makes dosage determination based on age not only inaccurate but most dangerous. For instance, when a child&#39;s physician instructs a child&#39;s guardian to deliver a certain amount of elixir to a child on a certain date. Should the guardian continue to give the child the same amount of medication months later, the dosage may not be correct if the child&#39;s weight has changed. A child&#39;s weight can change quickly and if the guardian does not inform the physician of the weight change, the dosage will be improper. Continual adjustments in dosing, necessitated by the child&#39;s rapidly changing body weight, are important to ensure maximum therapeutic response to a medication. 
         [0006]    Thus, while the aforementioned address proper dosing, a problem remains in that a child may access the medication or fails to measure the proper dosing amount. While known child resistant containers exist, they are only as secure as the closure top is installed properly. For instance, if the closure top is not properly engaged after opening, the safety aspect of the closure top is defeated and a child can easily access the medication. Further, once the cap is removed there is nothing to prevent the entire contents of the container from being poured out and ingested, e.g., by children who may not comprehend the threat of serious injury from improper use. 
         [0007]    Even if the medication is in the hands of a guardian, the guardian may not have a measuring cup or understand liquid conversions. For instance, if a guardian is instructed to provide 20 ml of medication but has misplaced or was not provided with a measuring cup, the guardian may assume 1 ounce (over dosing) or 1 tablespoon (under dosing) is acceptable. Similarly, a guardian only conversant in the English system may receive instructions in ml and attempt to estimate the equivalent in teaspoons. Another example would be if a guardian is instructed to provide one two teaspoons but employs a tablespoon. It is not uncommon for someone to believe one tablespoon equals two teaspoons (under dosing). Further, the use of a teaspoon or tablespoon used for eating is not accurate as there is no required standard in the industry. Conventional eating spoons are shaped for looks, not for medical dosing. 
         [0008]    Some medication containers rely upon the use of the container cap as a measuring cup, again the medication is estimated as it is not possible to end with full caps unless the dosing is rounded upward or downward. Medication containers may include a measurement container, however, they can be displaced or intermixed with other measuring containers, again risking improper dosing. 
         [0009]    The criticality of dosing is compounded by the readily available liquid medications which are marketed for treating, management or mitigation of most any ailment. For instance, novel pharmaceutical compositions such as Coricidin®, Coricidin D®, Comtrex®, Dristan®, Daycare®, Cotylenol®, Sinubid® and the like are now well known OTC products. These formulations generally contain aspirin, ibuprofen, salicylamide or acetaminophen, one or more conventional antihistaminics, decongestants, cough suppressants, antitussives and expectorants, and are designed to address cough, cold, cold/like and/or flu symptoms, discomfort, pain, headache, fever or any number of aliments and the general malaise associated therewith. When used properly, these medications are very predictable and beneficial. When improper dosing occurs, it is not uncommon to hear a guardian inquire as to why their child&#39;s fever has not gone down despite the use of medication prescribed (typically underdosing). Or more critically, why a child&#39;s fever increased shortly after receiving a dose of acetaminophen (typically overdosing). Combinations of such compositions are commonly recommended under a physician&#39;s supervision; the combination only heightens the need for proper dosing. Well known measures are milliliters, ounces, teaspoons, tablespoons, capfuls, drops, cc&#39;s, all of which are simply poured or otherwise dispensed from the medicine container which compound the inaccuracies. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,240,373 discloses a container with a side type dispenser wherein a release lock tab prevents opening of the slide unless first released. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,160,301 discloses a container which uses a key and slot wherein the key is attached to an outer cap with a resilient, flexible strap. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,501,041 discloses a bottle cap having an inner cap member is enclosed by a sleeve member, and connecting means carried by the members provides for relative rotational and axial movement therebetween. Engagement of a separable locking means with the cap and sleeve members locks the members against relative rotational movement and thus permits threaded engagement or disengagement of the cap from the bottle. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,115 discloses a safety container having a skirt with internal screw threads to form a conventional screw cap closure, and an overcap completely covering the threaded closure member and being freely rotatable in relationship thereto. The overcap has on its top a projecting stud and a similar shaped opening which serves as a key for unscrewing the inner closure member of another closure of similar construction. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,585 discloses an inner cap member adapted for being threaded onto the neck of a bottle for closing the opening therein. An outer cap member interlocks with the inner cap member when it is turned in a direction to apply the inner cap member to the bottle. When turned in the opposite direction, the outer cap member normally does not interlock with the inner cap member. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,058 discloses a safety closure for a container to prevent inadvertent opening of the container. The closure includes an inner cap having an internal threaded portion to be attached to the threads on the neck of the container and an outer cap overlying the inner cap. The top of the inner cap has a raised plate or ledge which is tapered and is provided with notches extending inwardly of the outer rim and a spring centrally located on the top of the inner cap. The underside of the top of the outer cap has tracks to form a guideway and a stop. A slide is disposed on the guideway between the inner and outer cap and engages the stop to prevent lateral movement of the slide. When normally assembled, the outer cap will freely rotate around the inner cap without moving the inner cap. When the slide is depressed by pressure exerted through the aperture against the action of the spring, the slide is moved to disengage the slot from the stop and partially out of the guideway. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,771 discloses a child-resistant cap closure with incorporated means for over-ride of conventional normally disengaged torque couplings which includes a hole formed in the top surface of the outer cap, a formed plug having a locking protuberance and removal ring, and a plurality of spaced stop lugs formed annularly on the top surface of the inner cap. The free and separate movement of the outer cap is prevented in either direction of rotation by the plug&#39;s insertion into the hole of the outer cap as to place the base of the plug in the space between the stop lugs of the inner cap, rendering the cap non-child-resistant at the time of consumer purchase. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,459 discloses a container having a cylindrical neck at the top and threads molded about the exterior of the neck, as well as an inner cap and outer cap. The inner cap has a top and cylindrical side wall with threads molded on the inside of the side wall so as to mate with the threads of the container. The top or side of the inner cap has ratchet type segments on its outside and the outer cap has ratchet type segments on the inside of its top or side. The outer cap has a cylindrical side wall and is usually freely rotatable about the inner cap so as to be childproof. When in the childproof configuration as described, downward pressure is required by the user so as to engage the two ratchet type segments and thereby engage the two caps to permit opening. 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,928 discloses a child-resistant closure and shell. The shell mounts a latching key and the closure provides a complementary latch. An alignment structure provides for aligning the latch and key for movement of the latching key from a mode in which the key is inactive to a mode in which it engages the latch to inactivate the child-resistant function of the closure. In that position the shell and closure are movable in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. Spring fingers may be provided to elevate the shell relative to the closure to provide an additional child-resistant function. The latching key may be hingedly or slideably secured to the shell. 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,070 discloses a container having a syringe tip connector for coupling to a container, the device directed to aspirating medication into a syringe for oral administration to children, adults or animals. 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,746 discloses a child resistant closure having a pair of nested inner and outer caps. The inner cap is coaxially positioned and nested within the outer cap such that a row of angular abutments on the inner cap engage a row of angular abutments on the outer cap when engaged to allow rotation of the cap. 
         [0021]    While the prior art is directed to assuring that the consumer is knowledgeable of the proper amount of medication and the need for child resistant closures to the medication, no known prior art exists for keying a dosing container to a medication container. Thus, what is needed is a dosing syringe that is used to draw an exact amount of fluid needed to medicate an individual while assuring that only the proper dosing syringe will operate with the medication container. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    The present invention provides a method and package, which inhibit inadvertent access to quantities of potentially dangerous products such as medicines by requiring the user to repeat one or more deliberate steps before such fluid can be extracted from the container. 
         [0023]    The fluid safety dispenser system of the instant invention includes a container for storage of fluids, an opening in the container for passageway for the fluids stored therein, a dispensing valve positionable in the opening having a directional chamber capable of rotation between an open position to allow fluid passage and a closed position to eliminate fluid passage, and a keyed fluid dispenser releasably securable to the dispensing valve for use in drawing fluid from the container. 
         [0024]    An objective of the instant invention is to disclose a dispensing valve having a rotatable valve body forming a flow through chamber when rotated to an open position, the dispensing valve forming a child resistant protector for use with a container and eliminating the possibility of a container left open. 
         [0025]    Another objective of the instant invention is to disclose the use of a keying receptacle positioned on a fluid dispenser for attaching to a matched dispensing valve. 
         [0026]    Another objective of the instant invention is to disclose the use of a keying receptacle positioned on a fluid dispenser wherein the fluid dispenser must be attached to a container and rotated into an open position before fluid can be drawn from the container, and the fluid dispenser must be rotated into a closed position before the fluid dispenser can be removed, wherein the fluid container is maintained in a closed position when the fluid dispenser is detached. 
         [0027]    Still another objective of the instant invention is to disclose the use of a geometrically keyed syringe dispenser and fluid container. 
         [0028]    Yet another objective of the instant invention is to eliminate the need for a sealing cap. 
         [0029]    Yet still another objective of the instant invention is to disclose the use of a keyed syringe dispenser having alignment indicia to indicate proper attachment to a container. 
         [0030]    Yet still another objective of the instant invention is to disclose the use of a keyed syringe dispenser having measurement indicia for use in measuring the amount of fluid drawn from a container. 
         [0031]    Another objective of the invention is to provide a container that is economical to manufacture and easy to use. 
         [0032]    Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the container and fluid dispenser of the instant invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the container and fluid dispenser engaged; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the dispenser valve with the syringe disengaged; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the dispenser valve with the syringe inserted; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the dispenser valve with the syringe inserted and rotated to open a passageway; 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view with the dispenser valve; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 7  is a pictorial view of a capped container. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0040]    Now referring to the Figures in general and  FIG. 1  specifically, set forth is a container  10  defined by a bottom  12 , a continuous sidewall  14 , and an upper section  16 . The container may contain most any fluid, but for purposes of illustration, this specification will be directed to medicated fluids for consumption by children. The upper section  16  of the container resembles a conventional bottle top having a mouth  18  with threads  20  for receipt of a threaded container cap  21 . A dispenser valve assembly  22  is inserted into an opening of the mouth for use in combination with fluid dispenser  24 . The fluid dispenser is defined by a handle  26 , shaft  28  coupling the handle to a draw plunger  30  for drawing fluid into the chamber  32 . The end of the fluid dispenser includes a receptacle insert  34 , the fluid dispenser and receptacle insert assimilating a conventional syringe type device. 
         [0041]    The dispenser valve assembly  22  is accessed through a top aperture  31  which receives the receptacle insert  34 . As shown in  FIG. 3-6 , the aperture includes an upper chamber  58  containing protrusions  42  which operate as a locking mechanism when keyed alike for receipt of the receptacle lock  44  which is notched into the receptacle insert  34 . The aperture  31  and protrusions  42  are constructed and geometrically arranged for use in combination with a fluid dispenser having a mating receptacle lock  44  for use in alignment and rotation of a dispenser valve. Although simple protrusions are depicted, it will be recognized to those skilled in the art that the protrusions can be of any shape, size, position, or combination thereof so as to provide a keyed locking mechanism unique to a fluid dispenser for either a particular manufacturer, line of products, or type of product. Keyed fluid dispenser  24  permits the guardian of a child to insure that the entrustment of medication dosing to another can be performed without displacing all medication held in a cabinet or refrigerator. If all medication containers are keyed, only the proper fluid dispenser need be provided, thereby assuring that only the particular medication is utilized and the proper measuring amount indicia is used. If the medication is for a child in the care of a babysitter, the parent need not remove all the medication from the cabinets but rather provide only the appropriate keyed fluid dispenser. This has particular benefit for medication that must be refrigerated, as it would be inappropriate to attempt to remove such medication for placement in a medicine cabinet. The fluid dispenser is made of recyclable plastic materials, is not affected by temperature, and can left on a counter to provide a visual reminder of medication due. The fluid dispenser would have no other use, so it is preferably discarded and recycled after use. 
         [0042]    The upper channel  58  forms a passageway into the inner valve body  50 . The aperture  40  and upper channel  58  are notched so that the receptacle insert  34  can only be inserted when the inner valve body is aligned in a closed position. The inner valve body  50  is rotatable for directional positioning of a lower channel  60 . The inner body  50  can be rotated only when the receptacle insert  34  is properly positioned, and the receptacle insert  34  cannot be removed while the valve body  50  is rotated from the closed position. The lower channel  60  is defined by an upper wall  62 , an end wall  64 , and a bottom wall  66 . The upper and lower passageway are fluidly connected, the lower passage way formed perpendicular to the upper passage way. For ease of manufacturing the channel walls can be continuous and in the form of a round shaped passageway. While the inner valve body is in a closed position, the fluid storage area  100  of the container is not accessible. 
         [0043]    An outer valve body  52  sealingly engages the inner valve body  50  along inner sidewall  53 . The inner sidewall includes a strategically placed alignment chamber  57  which extends from the lower edge  59  of the outer valve body to a point equal to the upper wall  62  of the lower channel  60 . When the inner valve body is in an open position, the lower channel is rotated to be open to the alignment chamber  57 . The outer sidewall  55  seals the outer valve body against the inner side wall of the container opening. The inner and outer valve body are encapsulated as an assembly for ease of insert by use of a bottom holder  54  and a top  56 . The bottom holder  54  is defined by a bottom wall  70  having a passageway  80  which is aligned with one end of the alignment chamber  57 . The bottom wall  70  extends substantially across the width of the container mouth and is formed integral to side wall  72  which is perpendicular to the bottom wall and extends a length upward around the outer valve body. The upper end of side wall  72  includes a taper engagement lock  74  that allows for ease of outer valve body insertion. Upon insertion of the outer valve body, the engagement lock  74  fits into a receptacle  76  formed along the outer surface  55  of the outer valve body  52 , wherein the bottom holder  54  operates as a base for both the inner and the outer valve body. 
         [0044]    The top  56  is formed from a disk sized to cover the width of the container opening and preferably the lip  71  of the mouth. The top  56  has a lower surface  81  that may be attached to the upper surface  83  of the outer valve body  52 . Attachment of the top  56  to the outer valve body is preferably by heat weldment, but may also be by adhesive. The outer edge of the top  56  is sized to engage the lip  71  of the container. 11. The dispensing valve may include alignment indicia to the proper indicate protrusion receptacle insertion position. 
         [0045]    The bottom holder  54  is secured to the outer valve body  52  with engagement lock  74  snapping into the receptacle  76 . The inner valve body  50  is then inserted into the outer valve body  52  with the top used to encapsulate the valve bodies by adhering the top  56  to the outer valve body. The assembly  22  may then be inserted into a container wherein the engagement lock  74  further operates to seal the assembly to the inner surface of the container mouth. The assembly is inserted into the container mouth until the edge of the lower surface  81  of top  56  engages the lip  71 . While the assembly could be permanently secured to the mouth, it is respectfully submitted that the engagement lock  74  has sufficient bias to prohibit removal of the assembly without the need for adhesive or other fastener. 
         [0046]    The fluid dispenser  24  includes a plunger  30  that is used to draw fluid from the container in a conventional manner by drawing the handle  26 , creating a collection area for fluid beneath the plunger. The exact amount of fluid drawn can be checked against measuring indicia  48 . As the fluid dispenser is keyed to the container, any type of indicia can be employed. For example, indicia may be graduated numbers, letters, colors or anything else that provides a measurement level in correspondence with the required dosing level. 
         [0047]    When the fluid dispenser is placed within the aperture  40 , the locking lock base  44  is aligned with protrusions  42 . Rotation of fluid dispenser  24  causes rotation of the inner valve body  50  to a position wherein lower channel  60  allows for a fluid passageway with the storage area of the container  100 , allowing fluid to be drawn through the bottom aperture  80 , into the lower channel  60 , through the upper channel  58  and into the fluid dispenser  24 . Inverting of the container during the filling of the fluid dispenser allows for ease of operation. 
         [0048]    Protrusions  42  can be keyed to a particular manufacture or individual products. The protrusions  42  and/or the top  56  can be configured to prevent removal of the fluid dispenser if the inner valve body  50  is moved from a closed passageway. This would prevent the passageway from being open when the fluid dispenser is not attached. In this manner, the cap  21  can be eliminated; however, for aesthetic purposes the cap allows the container to appear conventional. 
         [0049]    Alternatively, the fluid dispenser and container need not be locked together, wherein the fluid dispenser could allow the container to remain open when the fluid dispenser is removed. Although this is not the preferred embodiment for use with children&#39;s bottles, as previously mentioned this invention is not limited to child resistance embodiments and could be used for other application. For instance, the container may be used in a laboratory for dispensing of chemicals or the like. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the bottom holder  54  has a bottom wall  70  with a passageway  80  which is aligned with one end of the alignment chamber  57  of the outer valve body  52 . The bottom wall  70  extends across the width of the container mouth with side wall  72  formed perpendicular thereto. The upper end of side wall  72  includes a tapered engagement lock  74  that allows for ease of outer valve body insertion wherein the outer valve body  52  snaps into the holder with engagement lock  74  constructed and arranged to engage receptacle  76 . 
         [0051]    The outer valve body  52  is defined by an outer sidewall  55  that has an upper portion constructed and arranged to seal the outer valve body against the inner side wall of the container opening, and a lower portion for engaging the side wall of the bottom holder. While the outer valve body is shown as round, as explained below the outer surface of the outer valve body can be square or any other shape and maintain a round aperture so as to accomplish the same results. 
         [0052]    The inner valve body includes an upper channel  58  that forms a passageway from the aperture  31  of the top  56 . The upper channel  58  is notched for receipt of the receptacle insert. The inner valve body  50  is rotatable for directional positioning of a lower channel  60  only when the fluid dispenser is properly positioned. The upper channel  58  and the lower channel  60  are fluidly connected, the lower passage way formed perpendicular to the upper passage way. 
         [0053]    The top  56  is used to position the assembly at the top of the container, and is preferably oversized so that the assembly cannot be pushed into the container. The top  56  is disk shaped but, as a cap is not necessary, could be made in a square shape, together with the outer valve, to accommodate a square shaped container. The disk covers the width of the container opening having a lower surface  81  that may be attached to the upper surface  83  of the outer valve body  52 . Attachment of the top  56  to the outer valve body is preferably by heat weldment but may also be by adhesive. 
         [0054]    The inner and outer valve body is encapsulated as an assembly between the bottom holder  54  and the top  56 . Upon insertion of the outer valve body into the bottom holder, the engagement lock  74  fits into a receptacle  76  formed along the outer surface  55  of the outer valve body  52 , wherein the bottom holder  54  operates as a base for both the outer valve body and the inner valve body. The inner valve body  50  is then inserted into the outer valve body  52  and the top  56  used to encapsulate the valve bodies by adhering the top  56  to the outer valve body. The assembly  22  may then be inserted into a container until the edge of the lower surface  81  of top  56  engages the lip  71  of the container top to assure proper positioning. 
         [0055]    A means for venting of the fluid container is made possible by placing a vent  89  through the outer valve body  52 . The vent  89  extends from the upper surface of the outer body  83  to the alignment chamber  57 . A flapper valve  87  is secured to the alignment chamber and is biased to prevent fluid from entering the vent  89 . When fluid is drawn from the container, air is drawn through the vent  89  having aperture opening  91  placed through top  56 . The flapper valve operates as a one way opening to allow air into the container but preventing fluid from exiting. The vent is primarily applicable when the fluid dispenser  24  is locked to the container which prevents the fluid dispenser  24  from being removed unless the passageway is sealed. In such an embodiment, displacement of fluid with air can be accomplished by use of a flapper  87  to cover a vent. Alternatively, a capillary tube or valve can be used in place of a flapper valve. The flapper valve  87  can be formed from a flexible material such as EDPM or the like. 
         [0056]    Similarly, a self sealing component that operates on the surface tension of fluid can be used. The self sealing component, not shown, consists of a flexible material having an orifice that allows air flow when the interior of the container creates a vacuum but prevents fluid from passing due to the surface tension of fluid versus air. 
         [0057]    The two embodiments disclose the use of a multi component dispensing valve that, which will be obvious to one skilled in the art, can be made from various manufacturing techniques to lessen the amount of components used. The valve assembly and fluid dispenser provide a lock and key type arrangement for the control of fluids from a container. The use of a fluid dispenser verifies that the amount of fluid drawn is exact with the calibration provided by the manufacturer. For instance, if the fluid drawn is measured in ml than the indicia on the measuring indicia will be marked appropriately. This provides further assurance that the fluid dispenser can only be used in combination with the container to which fluid is to be drawn and the fluid dispenser would have no other useful purpose. The use of all plastic materials allows the container and fluid dispenser to be recycled. 
         [0058]    While detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0059]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.