Patent Document

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/835,025, entitled Optical Disc Mailcard and filed Aug. 2, 2006. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention provides packaging or mailing apparatus suitable for a variety of uses, such as in the postal system for the purpose of mailing, mass mailing, or self-mailing of optical discs or other optical and non-optical cards, displaying such discs or cards at a point of purchase locations, and/or carrying them in one&#39;s wallet or pocket. Such packaging comprises mailcards, such as standard postcards or greeting cards; card-sized gift packaging; or protective packaging of various sizes, where such packaging houses optical discs or cards that may or may not be visible through the packaging. 
         [0004]    Packaging in accordance with the invention may comprise one or more layers of stock paper, and in various embodiments also may comprise one or more layers made from a variety of materials such as cloth or film, including especially clear or colored translucent films such as PVC or other forms of plastic that may form a protective layer. In various embodiments such films also may be used to hold optical discs or cards in place on the packaging, such as through heat molding to an optical disc&#39;s hub. In various embodiments such film layers are provided with tapered or beveled edges in order to facilitate the passage of packaging through transit handling such as the various postal systems without the packaging being torn or damaged in the process. 
         [0005]    Alternatively, optical discs may be held in place by an interference-fit retainer, for example a flexible hub attached to a carrier and adapted for engagement of a drive opening in the center of a disc. Such retainers may be attached to any portion of the carrier, and may engage any suitable portion of the disc. For example, a hub according to such embodiments may be either convex or concave. Alternatively, a separate hub need not be attached to the carrier and optical discs may be held in place on a carrier by brads or other means that secure the optical disc to the carrier via the disc&#39;s hub. 
         [0006]    Packaging according to the invention may comprise a single carrier housing an optical disc or card or may comprise a plurality of foldable parts and/or inserts that allow for varied and flexible uses of the packaging and that enhance the appearance of the packaging. 
         [0007]    Packaging and mailable apparatus according to the invention may be used with particular advantage in the transfer of optical discs that have non-round shapes and are approximately wallet-sized, such as credit card- or business card-shaped optical discs. 
         [0008]    Optical discs suitable for use with aspects of the invention may have multimedia or other digital content recorded thereon. 
         [0009]    Embodiments of this invention are further discussed herein below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts, and in which: 
           [0011]      FIGS. 1-7  are schematic perspective diagrams of embodiments of packaging in accordance with the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a cross section of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a side view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 10-12  are schematic perspective diagrams of embodiments of packaging in accordance with the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 13  is a cross section of an embodiment of the invention comprising a concave disc retention hub. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 14-20  are schematic plan and perspective diagrams of embodiments of packaging in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a packaging  10  according to the invention. Packaging  10  comprises carrier  16 , means  20  for removable attachment of disc  18  to carrier  16 , and foldable or removable portion  12  of carrier  16  in the form of a reply card  12  that is removable from the remainder of carrier  16 , preferably using a frangible connections such as perforations  14 . Carrier  16 , which may be a standard sized postcard piece, houses or otherwise supports the optical disc  18 . In the embodiment shown, portion  32  of carrier  16  comprises cut-out  34 , which may be rectangular or of any other shape suitable for accommodating support, viewing, and any other desirable functions with regard to disc  18 , and which may be die cut or provided by any other suitable means consistent with the purposes described herein. 
         [0018]    In the embodiment shown, cut-out  34  is located substantially in the middle of support portion  32  of carrier  16  and is provided with a translucent covering  30  such as plastic film, or blister packaging, which may be vacu-formed and/or applied to portion  32  and/or other portion(s) of carrier  16  using adhesive or other attachment means or device. Translucent covering  30  restrains or holds optical disc  18  in place on carrier  16  and is one of many suitable means that may be employed in removably attaching optical disc  18  to carrier  16 . 
         [0019]    Any type of translucent film or other covering  30  consistent with the purposes suggested herein is suitable for use in implementing the invention. For example, translucent films may be provided using ultra-thin polymer sheets of 0.02 mm thickness or less. A wide variety of such films and other coverings, including a wide variety of blister packs, are now available commercially; doubtless others will hereafter be developed. 
         [0020]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , foldable reply portion  12  of carrier  16  further comprises indicia  42  printed or otherwise provided thereon. Indicia  42  can comprise pre-addressed delivery information suitable for, for example, facilitating early return of reply portion  12 . For example, indicia  42  can comprise suitably-adapted delivery and return address fields, locators for affixing postage, pre-paid postage markings, etc. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , carrier  16  can comprise a foldable tab  22 , for providing viewing access to or means for removal of optical disc  18  from packaging  10 . Tab  22  can for example be provided with frangible means of preventing it from deployment until desired. As will be clear to those skilled in the relevant arts, access to optical disc  18  can be provided in other ways. For example, optical disc  18  may be accessed by ripping a plastic layering or other covering  30  holding such disc in place. While less convenient for the user, this option can in some cases be more economical from the standpoint of production costs. In order to ensure that the weight of packaging  10  is sufficiently low to qualify for postcard mailing rates, carrier  16  can be composed of two layers of light stock paper and one layer of ultra-thin plastic covering; and reply portion  12  can comprises a single layer of light stock paper. A wide variety of construction variations are suitable for use in implementing the invention, and will occur immediately to those skilled in the relevant arts once they have been made familiar with this disclosure. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 3-4  show another embodiment of a packaging  10  according to the invention. In the embodiment shown, packaging  10  comprises a carrier  16  adapted to support optical disc  18  by housing it inside translucent cover  30  in the form of a blister pack or vacu-formed plastic seal. Carrier  16  comprises one solid side made of stock paper and one side comprising a blister pack  30  front, preferably made of a plastic or other light, strong, translucent material, which can have substantially the same dimensions as carrier  16 , and therefore cover all or a large portion of one side of carrier  16 . Blister pack  30  houses optical disc  18 , and restrains or holds it in place and is one means for removably attaching optical disc  18  to carrier  16 . The back of carrier  16  can comprise a perforation, of any size or shape that allows for safe passage through the post system without snagging or damaging packaging  10 , for access to and/or removal of optical disc  18 . Access to optical disc  18  need not be solely through a perforation. For example, optical disc  18  may be accessed by ripping the plastic layering holding such disc in place. While less convenient for the user, this option can be more economical from the standpoint of production costs. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 5-9  show another embodiment of a packaging  10  according to the invention. Packaging  10  comprises a carrier  16  which houses or otherwise supports an optical disc  18 . Carrier  16  comprises one side that may be substantially solid and one side with a rectangular cutout  34 , preferably in the middle, said rectangle housing a plastic layer covering  30 , preferably a vacu-form plastic. As shown in  FIG. 8 , such plastic layer comprises an integrally-formed interference-fit retainer in the form of hub  20 . Layer  30  holds optical disc  18  in place. As shown in  FIG. 9 , when both sides  32 ,  12  of carrier  16  are closed or sealed, by any means known in the art, there is a taper or bevel from the edges of postcard piece  16  to the edges of optical disc  18 , such that the front side  32  of packaging  10  has tapered edges. Such tapering helps packaging  10  to pass through the post system without being snagged or damaged during handling. The back of carrier  16  can comprise a perforation or tear strip  52  (see e.g.,  FIG. 17 ) or other frangible device of any size, shape, or configuration that allows for safe passage through the post system without snagging or damaging packaging  10  and access to optical disc  18 . Optionally, optical disc  18  may be accessed by simply ripping the plastic layering  30  holding optical disc  18  in place. Optionally, a reply card  12  may be removably attached, for example as a flap or other folded portion via a perforation, to the back of carrier  16 . Packaging  10  according to such embodiments can comprise two layers of light stock paper and one layer of a plastic material. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 10-13  show another embodiment of a packaging  10  according to the invention. Packaging  10  comprises a standard-sized postcard carrier piece  16  which houses or otherwise supports an optical disc  18 . Carrier  16  comprises one side  12  that may be substantially solid and one side  32  with a cutout  34  having a size slightly smaller than optical disc  18 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the at least substantially solid side  32  of carrier  16  comprises attached thereto an interference-fit retaining device such as concave hub  40 . Optical disc  18  is held in place, or restrained, on carrier  16  by concave hub  40 . Although concave hub  40  is shown as restraining optical disc  18 , other means for removably attaching optical disc  18  to carrier  16  are contemplated, as disclosed, for example, herein, in connection with other embodiments of the invention. The two sides of carrier  16  may adhered or otherwise fastened together using any suitable adhesive or fastener, such as for example, any type of glue, staple, or other fastener consistent with the purposes for which the disc  18  is to be packaged. The back of carrier  16  can comprise a perforation or other frangible device  52 , of any size or shape that allows for safe passage through the post system without snagging or damaging packaging  10 , for access to optical disc  18 . Other means of accessing optical disc  18  will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Packaging  10  according to this embodiment comprises, in addition to concave hub  40 , two layers of light stock paper. 
         [0025]      FIG. 14  shows a plan view of an embodiment of a packaging  10  according to the invention, comprising a carrier  16  having a plurality (at least two) of tabs  50  and an optional protective layer  52 ,  30 , wherein such layer may be made of plastic or any other suitable opaque or translucent material. Tabs  50  on carrier  16  may be attached to plastic layer  52  or may be attached directly to carrier  16 . Tabs  50  are preferably frangible, and may be made of any suitable material, and preferably are flexibly rigid to allow deformation under adequate force. Optionally, tabs  50  may be rigid and substantially inflexible prior to fracture. Tabs  50  may be attached at any location(s) along a cutout  34  provided in carrier  16 . Tabs  50  provide a means of removably attaching optical disc  18  to carrier  16 ; and may be frangible or may restrain optical disc  18  by, for example, folding over a portion of optical disc  18  or by being suitably sized to frictionally engage optical disc  18  or engage it by interference. Optical disc  18  may be removed from carrier  16  by, for example, being snapped off from the restraints of tabs  50 . Protective layer  52  may be a clear or colored translucent plastic layer that allows a user to see through carrier  16 , or may be opaque. Such plastic layer may be a blister pack or it may be vacu-sealed to carrier  16 . Alternatively, the packaging shown in  FIG. 14  may not have a protective layer  52 .  FIG. 14A  shows optical disc  18  removed from packaging  10  and  FIG. 14B  shows optical disc  18  secured within packaging  10  and protected by a clear plastic protective layer  52 . 
         [0026]    In another embodiment of packaging  10  according to the invention, optical disc  18  may be removably attached to carrier  16  by brads or other deformable fasteners that are attached to, or project through, carrier  16  and project through the hub  20  of optical disc  18  to restrain it on carrier  16 . 
         [0027]    In different embodiments, removable attachment can be provided, for example, by one or more of a brad, hub, vacu-form, blister pack, a pocket, any other attachment means known in the art, or a combination thereof. In embodiments with vacu-form or blister pack, removable attachment can be provided by the breaking of one or more sections of a packaging. 
         [0028]      FIG. 15  shows an embodiment of a packaging  10  according to the invention, wherein such packaging is particularly suitable to housing an optical or non-optical transaction card such as a loyalty, gift, or redemption card. Referring to  FIG. 15A , packaging  10  comprises a carrier  16  having foldably-connected front side  32  and back side  12 , and sealing/opening portion  52 . The front side  32  of carrier  16  comprises concave hub  20 , as described with respect to  FIGS. 1 ,  5 - 9 , for holding optical disc  18 . Although concave hub  20  is shown, any other embodiments of means for removably attaching optical disc  18  to carrier  16  may be used separately or in combination, such as for example using brads, tabs, suitable glue, vacu-form, blister pack, or just a plastic window. 
         [0029]    The foldable connections of this and various other embodiments can be achieved by any means known in the art, such as for example perforations  14 , folds, and/or scored lines in the carrier stock. Such connection means may be frangible but preferably are sufficiently rigid to allow for movement while remaining attached. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 15B , when packaging  10  is fully assembled, third foldable portion  52  may be removably or permanently adhered, attached or otherwise secured to foldable portion  12 , or alternatively to other portion(s) of carrier  16 , by any means known in the art, such as via tape, glue or the like, or via mechanical means such as a tab and groove (not shown) or magnetic means (not shown). Other means for closing packaging  10  will be apparent to those of skill in the art. The specific shape and size of third foldable portion  52  allows for many variations to be selected while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 15C , packaging  10  may be assembled by folding foldable portion  12  on top of the front side of carrier  16  (and optical disc  18  housed therein) as well as attached foldable portion  32 , and then folding foldable portion  52  over the back side of carrier  16  and attaching first foldable portion  12  such that third foldable portion  52  is secured to foldable portion  12  or alternatively to the back side of carrier  16 . The orientation of third portion  52  with respect to the other foldable portions in order to fold or unfold packaging  10 , as well as the sequence in which packaging  10  may be folded, may be varied as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0032]    Further referring to  FIG. 15C , when packaging  10  is open, foldable portion  17  may be folded back such that a portion of optical disc  18  is exposed. The exposed portion of disc  18  can be used on a transactional basis. Thus, whereas packaging  10  shown in  FIG. 15  may be suitable for a variety of uses, it is particularly suitable to house optical disc  18  having a bar code, a magnetic stripe, a smart chip, an RFID, or any other means of storing value or information thereon, such that disc  18  may be used with a compatible device/reader, such as by swiping through a magnetic reader or passed by an RFID reader or ready by other suitable means without any need to remove such disc from packaging  10 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of an embodiment of a postcard-type packaging  10  according to the invention. Referring to  FIG. 16A , Packaging  10  comprises carrier  16  which comprises foldable portion  17 . Preferably, the size of carrier  16  is substantially the same as that of a postcard (although many other shapes and sizes are within the scope of this invention) and preferably carrier  16  has postage and address indicia commonly found on post cards. Carrier  16  comprises die cut rectangle (or a rectangle or other opening shaped to accommodate optical disc  18 , whether made by means of a die cut or by any other means known in the art), which houses optical disc  18  and which is preferably located in the right or left hand side of carrier  16 . Optical disc  18  may be secured within such housing by any means known in the art, such as for example, brads, suitable glue, a hub, or tabs, or it may be secured by means of a vacu-form layer or a blister pack. Foldable portion  17  is connected to carrier  16  by any means known in the art, such as for example perforations  14 , folds, or scored lines. Such connection means may be frangible but preferably are sufficiently rigid to allow for movement while remaining attached. Foldable portion  17  comprises a translucent window  19 ,  30  having a size and shape suitable to accommodate optical disc  18 , wherein window  19  preferably is slightly larger than the housing located on carrier  16 . Optionally and preferably window  19  comprises a protective layer, such as clear or colored plastic or any other suitable material. Preferably, such material is transparent so that one may see optical disc  18  through packaging  10 . Alternatively, such material may be non-transparent, such as cloth, and may be used as a special touch for marketing or promotional activities. 
         [0034]    Foldable portion  17  preferably is connected adjacent to the side of carrier  16  that is closest to the housing and is appropriately sized to fold over carrier  16  such that window  19 ,  30  overlaps at least a portion of the housing and covers at least a portion, but preferably all, of optical disc  18 , for example as shown in  FIG. 16B . Foldable portion  17  may comprise means  58  to adhere to carrier  16 , or the means may be a separate member. Such means may be via tape, glue or other adhesive, or may be mechanical such as a tab and groove (not shown) or magnetic means (not shown) or via a vacu-form or blister pack. Additionally, such means  58  may perimetrically adhere to reply card  12 , not simply along one edge as shown. In an alternative embodiment, foldable portion  17  may not have a window  19 ,  30  and may be made of a non-transparent material, such that optical disc  18  will not be seen once foldable portion  17  is secured to carrier  16 . In an alternative embodiment (not shown), foldable portion  17  instead may be made entirely or substantially of transparent material that allows one to see optical disc  18  after foldable portion  17  is secured to carrier  16 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 17-19  are plan views of embodiments of envelope-type packaging according to the invention. Each of the embodiments may be of any size, and are preferably the size of optical disc  18 , optical disc  18  preferably being the size of a regular credit card. As with all embodiments disclosed herein, such packaging may be postcard-sized. As will be further described below, with reference to specific figures, packaging envelopes may have a clear portion, optionally made of plastic, that allows optical disc  18  to be visible through the packaging when located therein. As with all embodiments disclosed herein, any of the envelope-type packaging embodiments may further comprise means for removably attaching optical disc  18 , such as concave hub  20 ,  40 , an adhesive, brads, suitable glue, vacu-form, or blister packs. As with all embodiments disclosed herein, envelope-type packaging embodiments can be folded, preferably along perforated, scored or otherwise marked lines  14  that ease or guide folding. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 17A , packaging  10  comprises carrier  16  having a front side and a back side. Optical disc  18  is housed on the front side of carrier  16  and may be secured to carrier  16  by any means known in the art, including those disclosed herein. Carrier  16  optionally may comprise a protective layer, such as a clear plastic layer, that at least partially, and preferably completely, covers optical disc  18 . Packaging  10  further comprises first foldable portions  61  and  62  and second foldable portions  63  and  64 . Portion  63  comprises an opening, such as a slot, and portion  64  comprises a tab, both of a size and shape sufficiently compatible to allow closure. Preferably, packaging  10  is assembled by folding portions  61  and  62  onto the back side of carrier  16  and then folding portions  63  and  64  over portions  61  and  62  such that the tab of portion  64  is engaged in the slot of portion  63 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other closure mechanisms are within the scope of this invention.  FIG. 17B  shows the front view of an embodiment of assembled packaging, with optical disc  18  seen through such packaging. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 18A , packaging  10  comprises carrier  16  having a front side and a back side. Optical disc  18  is housed on the back side of carrier  16  and may be secured to carrier  16  by any means known in the art, including those disclosed herein. Carrier  16  optionally may comprise a protective layer, such as a clear plastic layer, that at least partially, and preferably completely, covers optical disc  18 . Packaging  10  further comprises foldable portions  71  and  72  and portion  73 . Portion  73  comprises a window  19 ,  30  having a size and shape suitable to accommodate optical disc  18 . Foldable portion  71  comprises an opening means  52 , such as a ripping seam that allows a user to open packaging  10  after it has been closed using an adhesive or other means for closing such packaging. It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that any other securing means known in the art, such as adhesive or mechanical means, are within the scope of this invention. Preferably, packaging  10  is assembled by folding the back side of carrier  16  (together with optical disc  18  housed therein) onto portion  73  such that optical disc  18  may be lined up with window  19  to be at least partially visible through it. Foldable portion  71  may then be folded onto the front side of carrier  16 , and foldable portion  72  may be folded on top of foldable portion  71 . The securing means comprised in foldable portion  72  allow closure of packaging  10 . It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that many possible variations to the folding sequence disclosed herein are within the scope of this invention.  FIG. 18B  shows the back view of an embodiment of assembled packaging and  FIG. 18C  shows the front view of such packaging with optical disc  18  seen through such packaging. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 19A , packaging  10  comprises carrier  16  having a front side and a back side. Optical disc  18  is housed on the front side of carrier  16  and may be secured to carrier  16  by any means known in the art, including those disclosed herein. Carrier  16  optionally may comprise a protective layer, such as a clear plastic layer, that at least partially, and preferably completely, covers optical disc  18 . Packaging  10  further comprises foldable portions  81 ,  82 ,  83 ,  84 ,  85 , and  86 . Foldable portion  82  comprises a front side and a back side and an opening, such as a slot, on the front side thereof and foldable portion  86  comprises a tab, wherein the opening and the tab are of a size and shape sufficiently compatible to allow closure. Preferably, packaging  10  is assembled by folding the back side of carrier  16  (and optical disc  18  housed therein) onto foldable portion  81 , which is then folded onto foldable portion  82  such that the back side of carrier  16  is at least partially touching the back side of foldable portion  82 . As shown in  FIG. 19B , foldable portions  83  and  84  are then folded over the front side of carrier  16 , foldable portion  85  is folded over foldable portions  83  and  84 , and foldable portion  86  is folded over the front side of foldable portion  82  such that the tab of portion  86  engages in the slot  67  of portion  82  thereby closing packaging  10  as shown in  FIG. 19C . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other folding sequences and closing mechanisms are encompassed within the scope of this invention. 
         [0039]    In various embodiments packaging  10  according to the invention may be provided with one or more extra foldable portions allowing for additional advertising or marketing or other informational material to be included in package  10 . It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that alternative embodiments of the present invention may comprise a plurality of additional foldable or insertable sections providing for increased potential to include advertising, educational, or other material with or as part of packaging  10 . Although the folding sequence may change with each additional foldable or insertable section, such sequences will be apparent to one of skill in the art. 
         [0040]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a packaging according to the invention, wherein the packaging is particularly suitable to charitable causes and other applications. Packaging  10  comprises a carrier  16  housing optical disc  18  by any means disclosed herein, a reply card  12  having a front side and a back side, wherein the front side has address and postage indicia  42  such as those found on a return envelope for example. Reply card  12  further comprises a flap  91 . Reply card  12  may be removably attached to carrier  16  via, for example a perforation  14  such as shown for example in  FIG. 1 . Packaging  10  further comprises a pocket  90  such as, for example, a concertina flap, wherein pocket  90  may be affixed to the back side of reply card  12 . Packaging  10  may be closed by folding flap  91  of reply card  12  over pocket  90  and securing flap  91  by any means known in the art, such as for example a resealable tab, or any adhesive, mechanical or other suitable means. 
         [0041]    Pocket  90  may, as will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts, be used for delivery and/or return of objects such as cards  18 , currency, and other documents or items. For example, the packaging shown in  FIG. 20  enables a recipient of the packaging to detach carrier  16 , with optical disc  18  therein, insert a donation into pocket  90 , secure flap  91  and send such donation to the addressee named on reply card  12 . Such packaging allows an attractive option for soliciting donations, where optical disc  18  may offer interactive materials regarding the charity and its causes. Such packaging also offers an easy means for the recipient of a donation request to mail such donation back to the charity. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that in addition to money or other financial instruments for making a donation, pocket  90  may contain many other materials, such as marketing materials, business cards, additional optical discs, etc, and that packaging illustrated by  FIG. 20  may be used for a variety of different uses that are within the scope of this invention. 
         [0042]    Packaging  10  according to the invention can be produced automatically, such as for example on an assembly line. Packaging  10  also can be produced by hand and can be a self-mailer, wherein a consumer places an optical disc  18  into packaging  10  and seals such packaging. 
         [0043]    Packaging  10  according to the invention may come in many different sizes, including those of a postcard and is suitable for both optical and non-optical objects, such as for example cards. 
         [0044]    This scope of this invention encompasses a great variety of means for attaching an optical disc to packaging, including for example, brads, tabs, suitable glue, vacu-form, blister pack, or using a plastic window to cover an optical disc such that the disc moves freely within the window. 
         [0045]    It will be understood that the specification is illustrative of the present invention and that other embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. 
         [0046]    While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts, once they have been made familiar with this disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention in the appended claims. The invention is therefore not to be limited to the exact components or details of methodology or construction set forth above. Except to the extent necessary or inherent in the processes themselves, no particular order to steps or stages of methods or processes described in this disclosure, including the Figures, is intended or implied. In many cases the order of process steps may be varied without changing the purpose, effect, or import of the methods described.

Technology Category: b