Patent Document

[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/142,846, filed Jul. 7, 1999 entitled “Retracting Tape Guide Mechanism For Tape Dispensers”, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/142,847, filed Jul. 7, 1999, entitled “Blade Lifting Mechanism For Tape Dispensers.” 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to rolled material dispensers generally and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a sealing tape dispenser and method of use having a novel blade lifting mechanism and a novel retracting tape guide mechanism for such dispensers.  
         BACKGROUND ART  
         [0003]    Mechanical and electronically controlled sealing tape dispensers are widely used for measuring a selected length of tape, cutting the tape, and also moistening the tape when required. The type of tape used with such machines can be paper, cloth, plastic, reinforced, or combinations of these, for example. Previously known tape dispensers have certain limitations. For one, tape dispensers usually dispense tape from a roll. The diameter of the roll may vary according to the length of tape contained in the roll. Of course it is usually more convenient for an operator to use a larger roll as this reduces the loss productivity due to loss time for removing an expended roll and reloading the tape dispenser with a fresh roll. Tape machines prior to this invention could only accept small rolls of tape due to fixed position idler rollers placed in the tape dispenser at various locations. Such a limitation causes the operator to use smaller tape rolls or engage in disassembly of the machine to remove the fixed position idler rolls.  
           [0004]    A prior art tape dispenser as described in PCT/US00/01294 filed on Jan. 19, 2000, entitled “Electronically Controlled Sealing Tape Dispenser And Method”, and having a priority date of Jan. 19, 1999 from a US Provisional Application entitled “Electronically Controlled Sealing Tape Dispenser”, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/116,275, is hereby fully incorporated by reference.  
           [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art electronically controlled tape dispenser of the type in which the present invention may be employed, the tape dispenser being generally indicated by the reference numeral  20 .  
           [0006]    Tape dispenser  20  includes a housing  30  having an external keypad  32  that includes a plurality of push buttons, as at  34 . Push buttons  34  are used to select tape length to be dispensed from tape dispenser  20  and to perform other functions, as is described more fully below. Tape dispenser  20  further includes a water supply bottle  40 , a water heater control  42 , a slot  44  through which the tape (not shown) is dispensed, and a water applicator  46  for use when the tape is to be moistened. Electronic control circuitry is disposed within portion  50  of housing  30 . The elements of tape dispenser  20  described above are common both to conventional tape dispensers and to a tape dispenser in which the present invention may be employed.  
           [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art control system, the control system being indicated generally by the reference numeral  100 . Control system  100  includes a tape dispensing/cutting mechanism  102  which includes a drive motor  104 , discussed above, and a solenoid  106  that operates a blade to cut the tape. Control system  100  also includes a tape machine controller board  120  that has a microcontroller  122  with memories  124  and  126 . Microcontroller  122  is connected to tape dispensing/cutting mechanism  102  through motor control  130  and solenoid control  132 . Microcontroller  122  is also connected to an optical tape sensor  140  through a tape sensor interface  142 , the optical tape sensor being provided to sense the presence or absence of tape near its exit from the tape machine. Microcontroller  122  is further connected to tape length encoder  80 ′/ 82 ′ (FIG. 3) through a length encoder interface  150 , to keyboard, or keypad,  32  through a keyboard interface  152 , and to a foot switch interface  154  that permits the tape machine to dispense tape when a foot switch (not shown) is depressed. A power supply  156  provides electrical power to the various components of control system  100 .  
           [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 illustrates control system  100  operatively connected to a remote host computer, or controller,  200 . Host computer may actually provide control inputs for one or more of the functions of tape dispenser  20  and/or it may simply provide bookkeeping functions, such as tracking accumulated lengths of tape dispensed, the numbers of pieces of tape dispensed, the rate of use of the tape dispenser or other items relating to the use of the tape dispenser. This information can be used, for example, to determine when the roll of tape in tape dispenser  20  requires replacement.  
           [0009]    It will be understood that RS-232 driver/receiver transmission protocol may be used when host computer  200  is operatively connected only to tape dispenser  20  and that RS-485 driver/receiver transmission protocol may be used when more than one tape dispenser is operatively connected to the host computer. Transmission may be over hard wired lines or it may be via RF communication means.  
           [0010]    To clear a tape jam on prior art models of tape dispensers, the water bottle and tank have to be removed. Then the blade mechanism is lifted by hand from below against the force of the return spring. This exposes the fingers to mechanical hazards and possible injury should the tape dispenser accidentally operate during jam clearance. For safety reasons, access to the blade mechanism has been denied with the installation of a fixed steel baffle plate, thus requiring another means of lifting the blade mechanism.  
           [0011]    A limitation of these prior art tape dispensers is that they cannot accept large rolls of tape, for example a 1000′ roll, without disassembly.  
           [0012]    Another limitation is that, although tape dispensers typically have means to cut the tape, such cutters do not have a safe or easy method to clear tape jams.  
           [0013]    All of these limitations require additional time and effort on the part of the operator, thus creating unnecessary cost and/or waste.  
           [0014]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide means and method to allow larger size tape rolls to be easily loaded into the tape dispenser.  
           [0015]    It is a further object of the invention to provide means and method to safely and easily gain access to the blade cutter to clear tape jams.  
           [0016]    It is another object of the invention to provide such means and method that are economically employed.  
           [0017]    Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0018]    The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment, a sealing tape dispenser, having a housing including a top multi-part cover with a retractable guide roller assembly which retracts with the rear cover as the rear cover is opened to allow large tape rolls to be easily loaded into the tape machine. A second preferred embodiment achieves the above objects, among others, by providing a safety cutting blade lever which through manual rotation activates a cam to raise the cutting blade to allow an operator safe access to the cutting area for clearing tape jams. The safety lever also provides a mechanical interlock such that the machine may not be operated until the lever is rotated back to an operable position. Thus, the present invention is a mechanism which provides a retractable guide roller for a tape dispenser, articulated with the rear cover of the dispenser to allow for access and clearance for a 1000-foot roll of tape, while providing an operating position that correctly controls the tape during dispensing, and further by providing a mechanism for lifting the blade of a tape dispenser to allow for the safe clearance of tape jams without having to remove any components from the tape dispenser or expose the operator or the tape dispenser to possible injury. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    Understanding of the present invention and the various aspects thereof will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawing figures, submitted for purposes of illustration only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, on which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a prior art tape dispenser;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a prior art control system;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control system of FIG. 2 operatively connected to a remote host computer;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a first embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable guide roller;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a first embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable guide roller with the multi-part covers in a closed position;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6A is a fragmentary perspective view of a first embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable guide roller with a top cover in an open position and a rear cover in a closed position;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6B is a fragmentary perspective view of a first embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable guide roller with a top cover in an open position and a rear cover in a closed position;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a first embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable guide roller with a top cover in an open position and a rear cover in a closed position;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a first embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable guide roller with a top and rear covers in their open position;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a first embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable guide roller with a top and rear covers in their open position and showing a roll of tape inserted and threaded through the tape dispenser;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a first embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable guide roller with a top and rear covers in their open position and showing a roll of tape inserted and structural side members;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a first embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable guide roller with a top cover in an open position and a rear cover in a closed position and showing a roll of tape inserted and structural side members;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a first embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable guide roller with a top and rear covers in their open position showing a roll of tape inserted and threaded through the tape dispenser;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a first embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable guide roller with a top cover in an open position and a rear cover in a closed position showing a roll of tape inserted and threaded through the tape dispenser;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable cutting blade mechanism in an operable position;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable cutting blade mechanism in an inoperable position;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable cutting blade mechanism in an inoperable position and showing a roll of tape inserted and threaded through the tape dispenser;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable cutting blade mechanism in an inoperable position and showing a roll of tape inserted and threaded through the tape dispenser;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 18 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a second embodiment of a tape dispenser having a retractable cutting blade mechanism in a operable position and showing a roll of tape inserted in the tape dispenser;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 19 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a second embodiment a tape dispenser having a retractable cutting blade mechanism in an inoperable position and showing a roll of tape inserted in the tape dispenser; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]    Reference should now be made to the drawing figures, on which similar or identical elements are given consistent identifying numerals throughout the various figures thereof, and on which parenthetical references to figure numbers direct the reader to the view(s) on which the element(s) being described is (are) best seen, although the element(s) may be seen also on other views.  
         [0041]    First Preferred Embodiment  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4 illustrates a tape of the type in which the present invention may be employed, the tape dispenser being generally indicated by the reference numeral  20 .  
         [0043]    Tape dispenser  20  includes a housing (see FIG. 1) and a multi-part cover  22  having a rear portion  24  and a top portion  26 . The multi-part cover  22  opens by pivoting about two hinges. The first hinge  28  allows the entire multi-part cover  22  to rotate to the rear of the tape dispenser  20 . The second hinge  29  allows the top portion  26  to rotate relative to the rear portion  24  so that the top portion  26  folds onto the rear portion  24  as shown in FIG. 4. This combined movement of the top  26  and rear cover  24  portions relative to the tape dispenser  20  exposes the entire top internal workings of the tape dispenser  20 .  
         [0044]    In this view a fresh roll of tape  10  has been loaded into the machine and threaded for use as will be described in detail below. Typically a tape dispenser is sized to accommodate tape rolls of a maximum width and maximum circumference. These dimensions are usually dictated by the internal dimensions of the tape dispenser  20 . In this FIG. 4, a tape roll  10  of maximum width and circumference is shown.  
         [0045]    A fresh tape roll  10 ′ is loaded into the tape dispenser from the top of the machine  20  and comes to rest as shown by tape roll  10  along loading path L. The maximum diameter tape roll which can be loaded is determined by the clearance between retracting tape guide  2  and roller  4 .  
         [0046]    In this view the tape dispenser  20  is ready to dispense tape. The tape roll  10  has been threaded along tape path P n  (where n is 1-7). This path begins at the tape roll rear and travels upwards so as to pass over and in contact with idler roller. The tape path then continues forward passing over roller B and onto the dispensing tray  300 . In the dispensing tray  300 , a drive wheel  302  frictionally urges tape forward through an aperture in a cutting blade  200  and finally onto the exit tray  304 .  
         [0047]    A new and improved retracting tape guide  2  has been mounted to the tape dispenser  20  in a novel manner so as to allow the easy loading of large tape rolls. The retractable tape guide  2  is rotatably supported by a rod  5  where each end of the rod is fixed mounted into a pair of A-frame support arms  6 . The horizontal portions of the A-frame extend beyond the A-legs to a short arm and a long arm. Each short arm  6  of the pair of A-frames  6  is slidably mounted into a essentially horizontal slot  7  cut into a respective pair of side frames  22  &amp;  23 .  
         [0048]    The second arm  8  of the A-frame is rotatably mounted to the rear portion  24  of the multipart cover  22  at hinge  13 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 5 shows the tape dispenser  20  with the multi-part cover  22  in a closed position. Rear cover  24  has rotated forward about hinge  25  and top cover  26  has rotated forward and downwards about hinge  29  to the fully closed position as shown. The covers  24 , 26  are also shown in a closed position in FIG. 1.  
         [0050]    Retractable tape guide  2  has now moved forward as the A-frame pair was driven forward by their hinge points  13  and further restrained by slots  7 . The retractable tape guide  2  is now located over the tape roll  10  so as to guide the tape along its dispensing tape path D n . (where n=1-3). In this closed position, the retractable tape guide maintains the desired tape path D 1  through D 3 . The retractable tape guide  2  assists in making sure tape is pulled in an upwards manner from the tape roll regardless of the tape roll circumference. It is well known that the tape roll diameter TD continually decreases as tape is dispensed from the roll. Maintaining an upward pull along tape path D 1  from the tape roll  10  prevents the tape roll from climbing up and forward out of it&#39;s proper place as shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0051]    As the rear cover  24  transitions from a closed position as shown in FIG. 5 to an open position as shown in FIG. 4, the rear cover  24 , through the fixed hinge located at  13 , pulls the A-frame leg  8  towards the rear of the tape dispenser  20 . This causes the short leg  6  to follow while constrained by the horizontal slot  7 . As the A-frame translates towards the rear of the tape dispenser  20  and rotates in a CW manner, the retractable guide roller  2  is caused to move from the closed position in FIG. 5 to the open position in FIG. 4.  
         [0052]    In the open position as shown in FIG. 4, it can be seen that the ability for the tape dispenser to accept larger tape rolls without disassembly is clear as the distance between the retractable guide roller  2  and idler roller  4  has increased by approximately the length of the horizontal slot  7 .  
         [0053]    A spring  350  (FIG. 7) is attached to the end of the A-frame leg  8  to provide both a cover closing force and a cover stay open force depending upon the relative position of the rear cover to the spring attachment point.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 6 shows the rear cover  24  closed and the top cover  26  open. The near side panel has been removed while the far side panel remains intact. With the top cover  26  in the open position as shown, the tape dispenser  20  remains inoperable as the top cover  26  disables a magnetic interlock (not shown) when the top cover  26  is raised.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 7 shows a left side elevation view of the tape dispenser  20 . In this view a helical spring  350  attaches to one end of the A-frame long arm and to chassis base  352  by means of curved hook  354 . These two attachment points define a spring line SL which is important for reasons discussed below. Due to the geometry of the rear cover hinge  28  relative to the spring line SL, the following occurs. When the hinge point  28  is to the left of the spring line SL, as shown in FIG. 7, the spring urges the rear cover  24 , through its attachment to the A-frame long arm  8  to move towards its closed position as shown in FIG. 7, and assists the cover in remaining in that position.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 8 shows the rear cover  24  in an open or almost fully open position. It can be seen, from a geometry point of view, that spring line SL is very close to intercepting hinge point  28 . When spring line SL does in fact intersect hinge point  28 , the spring forces transmitted to the rear cover become neutral with respect to causing any rotation of the rear cover about hinge point  28 . When the rear cover  24  rotates even further in a counter clock wise manner, spring line SL will pass hinge point  28  so that the hinge point  28  now lies to the right of the spring line SL, again from geometrical point of view. In this fully open position, the spring  350  urges the cover  24  to remain in an open position. The curve hooked  354  is shaped so as to assist the spring in traveling to the left beyond the hinge point  28  without any mechanical interference.  
         [0057]    It should be noted that with respect to the covers being in an open position, the mass of the rear cover, top cover, spring assembly, and A-frame assembly will present a rotational force on the rear cover  24  itself to stay open. Therefore the spring line SL, depending upon the mass of the covets and spring assembly itself; will not have to pass entirely to the left of the hinge point  28  to maintain the covers in an open position. In fact the spring line SL may remain to the right of the hinge point  28 , and sufficient force from the above mentioned masses will keep the cover  24  open.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 9 shows the tape path after a fresh tape roll has been loaded into the tape dispenser  20 . Tape tangent lines T L1  and T L2  are shown where the tape dispensing from a large roll makes contact with the roll itself until the roll has decreased in size due to use. It should be noted that this contact causes very little concern as both the dispensing tape and the tape roll which are in contact with each other are actually moving in the same direction with very little difference in absolute velocities.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 10 shows both side frames,  12  &amp;  13  into each of which are cut the slots  7 ,  8  (not shown) which guide the A-frame short arm  6  during its transition from an open position to a closed position.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 11 shows both side panels  12 , 13  (in phantom) with the tape roll resting on lower idler roller.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 12 shows the rear and top covers  24 ,  26  in their fully open positions with the retractable tape guide in a fully retracted position which maximizes the distance between the retractable tape guide  2  and the upper idler roller  4 .  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 13 shows the rear cover fully closed however with the top cover fully open. The tape has been threaded as shown by tape path D 1  through D 3 . The machine remains inoperable however due to the magnetic interlock  98 ,  99  being in an open configuration.  
         [0063]    positions with the retractable tape guide in a fully retracted position which maximizes the distance between the retractable tape guide and the upper idler roller.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0064]    Reference should now be made to the drawing figures, on which similar or identical elements are given consistent identifying numerals throughout the various figures thereof, and on which parenthetical references to figure numbers direct the reader to the view(s) on which the element(s) being described is (are) best seen, although the element(s) may be seen also on other views.  
         [0065]    Referring to all figures together, there is illustrated a tape dispenser employing the present invention, the tape dispenser being generally indicated by the reference numeral  10 .  
         [0066]    Tape dispenser  10  includes a housing having two side members  12  joined together by conventional means. An inverted L-shaped rear cover  20  is rotatingly attached to side members by hinges  22  (only one shown). The proximal ends of two roller support plates  30  are hingedly attached by two hinges  32  (only one shown) to the sides of rear cover  20  about in the middle of the front edges of the rear cover, while the proximal ends of the roller support plates ride in two horizontal slots  34  defined in side members  12 . Roller support plates  30  support a lift roller  40  over which lift roller passes tape from roll of tape  42  (FIG. 3).  
         [0067]    The geometry is arranged such that, in the closed cover position (FIG. 2), lift roller  40  causes the tape to somewhat lift the roll of tape  42  in a generally vertical direction during dispensing, thus reducing friction against the basket (not specifically shown) on which the roll of tape rests. When dispensing is finished, roll of tape  42  drops and is braked by the basket. In the cover open position (FIGS. 1 and 3), rear cover  20  pull, roller support plates  30  backwards along horizontal slots  34 , carrying lift roller  40  back also away from roll of tape  42 . This greatly facilitates “drop-in” loaning of roll of tape  42  from the preferred position which is above tape dispenser  10 .  
         [0068]    A spring  50  holds the rear cover assembly with the support plates closed in the operating position and holds it open in the loading position.  
         [0069]    Second Preferred Embodiment  
         [0070]    Referring to FIGS.  14 - 19  together, there is illustrated a tape dispenser employing the present invention, the tape dispenser being indicated generally by the reference numeral  20 .  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 14 shows a view illustrating the cutting blade lift mechanism. The cutting blade  200  is normally in the position shown, a down position. When an operator requests the machine to dispense tape, the cutting blade  200  is raised by a mechanical linkage activated by a solenoid  202 . The solenoid  202  pulls down on a linkage arm  204  which causes the cutting blade actuator arm  206  to rotate about the arm shaft  208 . When the actuator arm  206  rotates clockwise, the cutting blade frame  210  moves upward to raise the cutting blade  200  and provide a clear and unobstructed path for tape to flow out of the machine. Once the requested length of tape has been dispensed, the solenoid relaxes and a return spring  212  (FIG. 18) forcefully powers the cutting blade  200  in a downward path, severing the tape which has just been dispensed.  
         [0072]    To clear a tape jam, the cutting blade  200  must be raised so as to gain access to the tape path near and around the cutting blade  200 . A lever  240  rotatably disposed adjacent one of side members (see FIG. 20) is connected through a linkage assembly  242  to a cam  244  located under blade assembly  250 . When lever  240  is in its nearly horizontal closed position as shown in FIG. 14, blade assembly  250  is in its normal cutting position. However, when lever  240  is moved to its nearly vertical open position (FIG. 15), blade assembly  250  is raised and held up for hands free access for jam clearing. With lever  240  in its open position, the top cover (not shown) of tape dispenser  20  is prevented from returning to its home or operating position, further increasing operator safety.  
         [0073]    Tape dispenser  20  includes two side members  12  joined together in a conventional manner. Tape dispenser  20  includes therein a roll of tape  20 . Although not shown on any of the figures, but in accordance with conventional construction of tape machines, tape from roll of tape  20  would be led through a blade assembly  250  at the front of tape dispenser  20  for dispensing in selected lengths by means of the blade assembly cutting the tape in the selected lengths.  
         [0074]    Lever  240  is also used to adjust the idler wheel. Tooling holes in lever  240  and side member  12  position the blade for optimum height, while the wheel position is adjusted for optimum drive force. Again, service provider safety is considered, as hands are all located outside of the mechanism of tape dispenser  20 . Both hands are free to provide service and the adjustment is made more consistently.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 15 shows the lever  240  raised into its upward position for raising the cutting blade  200 . As the lever  240  rotated m a counter-clockwise manner, lever arm  252  rotated similarly raising the linkage arm  254 . The upward movement of the linkage arm  254  caused cam arm  256  to rotate in a clock-wise direction. The cam arm  256  caused the cam  244  to similarly rotate and present the cam lobes  258  against the lower surface of the actuator arm  206 . The actuator arm  206  thereby rotated in a clock-wise manner lifting the blade assembly  250  causing the cutting blade  200  to raise up. Thus the initial rotational movement of the lever  240  causes the cutting blade  200  to move to its upward position and provide a clear and obstructed access to the tape path near and around the cutting blade  200 .  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 16 shows the lever  240  operated into its upward position which has raised the cutting blade  200 . The tape path is shown from the tape roll over the retractable guide roller (not shown), onto the tape tray, under the drive wheel, and through the cutting blade aperture.  
         [0077]    [0077]FIG. 17 shows a lower view of the assembly with the cutting blade in a raised position. It should be understood that the top cover cannot be lowered into an operating position with the lever  240  in its raised position. Therefore the magnetic interlock is open because the top cover is raised and the tape dispenser will not operate in this configuration.  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 18 shows the return spring  212  which powers the cutting blade in a downward movement after the solenoid  202  relaxes.  
         [0079]    [0079]FIG. 19 shows the lever  240  in a raised position with the cam lobes  244  rising up against the actuator arm  206 .  
         [0080]    In the embodiments of the present invention described above, it will be recognized that individual elements and/or features thereof arc not necessarily limited to a particular embodiment but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in any selected embodiment even though such may not be specifically shown. Terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, and the like, when used herein, refer to the positions of the respective elements shown on the accompanying drawing figures and the present invention is not necessarily limited to such positions. It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those elucidated in, or made apparent from, the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction and/or method without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown on the accompanying drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.  
         [0081]    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 therebetween.

Technology Category: y