Patent Grant
7178531
This invention relates to hair styling devices, particularly to a hair styling device capable of using a non-volatile styling active in combination with heat and tension to produce a smooth and straight appearance to the hair.
The use of steam for setting or styling hair is well known and many attempts have been made to provide devices such as hair rollers, curling irons and flat irons with structures to emit steam to improve the results obtained in curling, straightening, and setting hair with the aid of heat.
Attempts in the past have included using some type of active which is volatile in a hair styling device. However, the result of using an active which is a volatile ingredient is that it results in delivering a very limited and not long-lasting through the day hair style.
It has now surprisingly been found that the delivery of non-volatile actives from a hair styling device can allow for better and more even coverage on the hair. This approach allows for the delivery of a thin layer of active on the hair and results in a long-lasting hair style throughout the day. This approach also eliminates the problems associated with the use of styling product forms such as mousses, gels and sprays which results in large clumps of active (localized deposition) and less even coverage. It has also surprisingly been found that the use of moisture delivered in combination with the styling active and heat will improve the benefit of reshaping and restyling of the hair. Further, the use of water may aid to ease hair shaping and aid in even distribution of a styling active.
The present invention is directed to a hair styling device for smoothing and straightening hair strands on a scalp region, comprising, in combination: two hingedly attached, movably opposed arms each of said arms comprising a hair strand gripping means; heating means incorporated into the gripping means for providing heat to the hair strands; a reservoir in fluid communication with a means of delivery of the gripping means which delivers a nonvolatile styling active delivered as droplets having a Dv(90) of less than about 30 microns.
The present invention is further directed to the use of water to ease hair shaping and aid in even distribution of a styling active. The present invention is further directed to a method for straightening hair strands on a scalp regions wherein hair to be straightened is passed under tension between a gripping means, wherein the gripping means provides a heating means, and a styling active comprising nonvolatile compounds, wherein the styling active is delivered as droplets having a Dv(90) of less than about 30 microns.
While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements and wherein:
All documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.
All ratios are weight ratios unless specifically stated otherwise.
Except as otherwise noted, all amounts including quantities, percentages, portions, and proportions, are understood to be modified by the word “about”, and amounts are not intended to indicate significant digits.
Except as otherwise noted, the articles “a”, “an”, and “the” mean “one or more” The present invention can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the invention described herein, as well any of the additional or optional ingredients, components, or limitations described herein.
All percentages, parts and ratios are based upon the total weight of the compositions of the present invention, unless otherwise specified. All such weights as they pertain to listed ingredients are based on the active level and, therefore, do not include carriers or by-products that may be included in commercially available materials. Herein, “molecular weight” means weight average molecular weight, unless specifically stated otherwise.
The components, including those, which may optionally be added, of the methods of the present invention, as well as methods for preparation, and methods for use, are described in detail below.
Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which simply illustrates various modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
Reference will now be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments of the invention, several of which are also illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals indicated the same elements throughout the views.
A heating means (2) supplies heat to hair that is compressed by the gripping means (1). The heating means (2) may be heated to a temperature range of 90° C. to about 210° C. A reservoir (6) stores a styling active making it readily available to a means of delivery (3) or a means of transport (4). The means of transport (4) carries a styling active from the reservoir (6) to the means of delivery (3). Therefore, the means of transport (4) allows the styling active in the reservoir (6) to be available to the means of delivery (3). The means of delivery (3) delivers the styling active to hair that is compressed by the gripping means (1). The means of delivery (3) changes the styling active to small droplets that are a more suitable form to be delivered to hair than what may result from delivering a styling active from current styling product forms (e.g. mousses, gels) or from larger droplets, as those resulting from conventional spray products. The styling active in such a state is attached more uniformly to hair as very thin layers and lowers the styling active levels required to deliver a benefit.
The means of delivery (3) controls the quantity of delivered styling active. The means of delivery (3) is in direct contact or close proximity with the means of transport (4).
The length of the heating plate (21) in parallel with the orientation of gripping means (1) is able to cover the width of a partition of hair that is compressed by gripping means (1). The length of the heating plate (21) in parallel with the orientation of gripping means (1) is longer than the length of the heating plate (21) in perpendicular to the orientation of the gripping means (1). Each of the heating plates (21) in each arm comes together, when the two halves are closed. In the side of the gripping means in contact with hair, heating plates (21) have 2 rows of holes where the steam comes through the rows of holes.
A steam pass (35) comprises 2 rows of holes. The orientation of the rows of holes is arranged in parallel with the orientation of the gripping means (1), so it is effective to apply a styling active to a partition of hair. A reservoir (6) stores a styling active making it readily available to a means of transport (4) then to the vaporization plate (32) and then to the heating chamber (31) as a part of means of delivery (3) (
In a further non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a means of transport (4) comprises a felt which carries a styling active from a reservoir (6) to a means of vaporization (5). A felt is in fluid communication with a reservoir (6). A felt can be any porous material capable of wicking a composition. The vaporizing plate (32) is at the opposite side of a heating plate (21). The felt absorbs a styling active by the effect of capillary action. In the means of vaporization (5), a styling active is carried by a means of transport (4) and is vaporized by a vaporizing plate (32). The felt may have a contact area of about 10 to about 4000 mm2 with the heating plate (21).
In order to provide the proper amount of vaporized styling active, it is necessary to extend the contact area that a vaporizing plate (32) contacts with a felt. If it is necessary to heat the styling active in order to change the styling active to small droplets, a means of vaporization (5) and heating chamber (31) are present as a part of the means of delivery (3). The styling active also needs to be present with a volatile component in which it is soluble or dispersible. An electronics (7) supplies electrical power to a heating plate (21) and vaporizing plate (32).
Hair that is pressed by a heating plate (21) is gotten wet in the steam pass (35) and is dried by the heating plate (21) that is outside of the steam pass (35). A pair of electrode plates (25) and insulation plates (26) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the heating element (23). A press plate (27) presses a heating element (23) and an electrode plate (25) and an insulation plate (26) toward the inside-wall of a heater case (22) for decreasing thermal resistance in a boundary area of each element. An electrode plate (25) supplies electrical power to a heating element (23). An insulation plate (26) insulates electrically an electrode plate (25) and a heating element (23) from the heater case (22). A heater frame (24) sets a heating element (23) at the center of a heater (20). A heating element (23) heats a heating plate (21) and vaporizing plate (32) and steam pass (35) and other elements of the heater (20).
In a state of link, as shown in
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the one or more of the reservoir (6) resides in the arms of the gripping means (1). In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir (6) comprises a removable pre-filled cartridge. In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir (6) is refillable through a first exclusive joint (65).
Styling Active
The components, including those which may optionally be added, of the actives and compositions used in the present invention, as well as methods for preparation, and methods for use, are described in detail below.
The styling actives of the present invention may be any known or otherwise effective hair styling agents that are liquids or semisolids under ambient conditions and that can remain a liquid or semisolid after the composition has been applied and allowed to dry on dry hair. The styling actives of the present invention do not readily penetrate into the hair and can remain on the hair fibers to provide the improved hair styling benefits. Such styling actives can provide for a fluid film to be left on the hair which can be characterized as a reformable weld that allows the hair fibers to be separated by forces such as wind, and then re-adhere using styling techniques such as combing, brushing, or running your fingers through the hair.
The styling active component of the present invention may include any of the following materials mentioned and described in below, either alone or in combination.
I. Polyalkylene Glycols
In the present invention the preferred styling agents suitable for use include those polyalkylene glycols, which conform to the formula:
wherein R is selected from the group consisting of H, C1–C4 alkyl, such as methyl, and mixtures thereof. When R is H, these materials are polymers of ethylene oxide, which are also known as polyethylene oxides, polyoxyethylenes, and polyethylene glycols. When R is methyl, these materials are polymers of propylene oxide, which are also known as polypropylene oxides, polyoxypropylenes, and polypropylene glycols. When R is methyl, it is also understood that various positional isomers of the resulting polymers can exist.
Preferred are those water-soluble polyalkylene glycols which have a number average molecular weight of from about 190 to about 1500, preferably from about 300 to about 1200, more preferably from about 400 to about 1000; and from about 5 to about 35, preferably from about 5 to about 30, more preferably from about 5 to about 20, repeating alkylene oxide radicals wherein each of the repeating alkylene oxide radicals has from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.
Specific examples of the most preferred polyalkylene glycols include, but are not limited to, PPG-4 wherein R equals methyl and n has an average value of about 4; PEG-8 wherein R equals H and n has an average value of about 8 (PEG-8 is also known as Carbowax 400, which is available from Union Carbide); PEG-12 wherein R equals H and n has an average value of about 12 (PEG-12 is also known as Carbowax 600, which is available from Union Carbide); and PEG-20 wherein R equals H and n h Carbowax 900, which is available from Union Carbide).
II. Polyethylene/Polypropylene Glycol Copolymers
Styling agents suitable for use herein include those polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene block copolymers such as Poloxamer 123 (Pluronic 1-43) by BASF; Poloxamer 184 (Pluronic L-64) by BASF; Poloxamer 331 (Pluronic L-101) by BASF; Polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene copolymers such as Pluronic 25R4, Pluronic 25R1 by BASF, Polyoxyethelene/polyoxypropyleneblock polymers of ethylene diamine: such as Poloxamine 504 (Tetronic 702) by BASF; Poloxamine 1101 (Tetronic 1101) by BASF; Tetronic 90R4 by BASF and combinations thereof.
III. Alkoxy Polyethylene Glycol
Other styling agents suitable for use herein include Methoxy PEG 10 (Carbowax MPEG 550) by Union Carbide; alkoxy (including methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, and pentoxy) polypropylene glycol; alkoxy (including methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, and pentoxy) polyethylene/polypropylene glycol copolymers and combinations thereof.
IV. Polyalkylene Glyceryl Ether and its Derivatives (Also Known as Polyoxyalkylene Ethers of Glycerin)
Especially preferred are the polyoxyethylene glyceryl ethers: Glycereth-7 (Liponic EG-7 from Lipo), Glycereth-12 (Unipeg-ETG-12 from UPI), and Glycereth-20 (Carbowax TPEG 990 from Union Carbide) and combinations thereof.
V. Polyalkylene Glycol Esters of Fatty Acid
Other styling agents suitable for use herein include polyalkylene glycol esters of fatty acids, including monoesters and diesters. Such styling include PEG-10 Oleate (Ethofat 0/20) by Akzo; PEG-8 Dioleate (Pegosperse 400 DO) by Lonza; PEG-12 Laurate (Lipogel 6-L) by Lipo; PEG-8 Cocoate (Waglinol 488) by Industrial Quimica; PEG-8 Dicocoate (ROL DL40) by Fabriquimica; PEG-8 Diisostearate (PEG 400 Diisostearate) by Scher; PEG-12 Dilaurate (Kessco PEG600 Dilaurate) by Stepan and combinations thereof.
VI. Polyalkylene Glycol Ether of Aliphatic Alcohols
Other styling agents suitable for use herein include Oleth-5 (Volpo-5) by Croda; Oleth-10 (Volpo-10) by Croda; Laureth-7 (Rhodasurf L-7-90) by Rhone-Poulenc; Laureth-12 (Ethosperse LA-12) by Lonza and combinations thereof.
VII. Polyalkylene Glyceryl Ester of Fatty Acids
Still other styling agents suitable for use herein includes polyalkylene glyceryl ester of fatty acids (including monoesters, diesters, and trimesters) Glycereth-5 Lactate (Pelemol G45L) by Phoenix; Glycereth-7 Triacetate (Dermol GL-7A) by Alzo; PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate (Tegosoft GC) by Goldsmith; PEG-12 Glyceryl Laurate (Unibiovit B-332 WS); PEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate (Emalex GWIS-305) by Nihon and combinations thereof.
VIII. Glyceryl Alkylate
Still other styling agents suitable for use herein includes glyceryl alkylates (ester of glycerin and fatty acid, glyceride including monoester, diester, and triesters) Glyceryl Adipate (Trioxene A) by Vevy; Glyceryl Dilaurate (Lexemul GDL) by Inolex; Glyceryl Laurate (Protachem MLD) by Protameen; Lauric/Palmitic/Oleic Tryglyceride and combinations thereof.
IX. Glycol Alkylate
Still other styling agents suitable for use herein includes glycol alkylate (esters of alkylene glycol and fatty acid including monoesters, diesters). Prefered are esters of ethylene glycol and fatty acids, Glycol Dilaurate (Kemester EGDL) by Witco; Glycol Oleate; Lauryl Glycol (Mexanyl GU) by Chimex and combinations thereof.
X. Polyglycerol (Ether of Glycerol with Itself; Polyglycerins)
Still other styling agents suitable for use herein includes hexaglycerol; decaglycerol; triglycerin and mixtures thereof, and/or their derivatives, and combinations thereof.
XI. Polyglycerol Ester
Still other styling agents suitable for use herein includes polyglycerol esters ( including monoesters, diesters, and triesters), decaglycerol monostearate; decaglycerol hexaoleate; triglycerol monolinoleate; triglycerol trilinoleate and combinations thereof.
XII. Soluble/Dispersible Nonvolatile Silicone Copolyols
Suitable for use herein includes soluble/dispersible nonvolatile silicone copolyols wherein the level of ethylene and/or propylene oxide is sufficient to allow solubility in the composition.
Included in the present invention as additional useful styling active materials can be polyalkylene glyceryl ether of aliphatic alcohols, glyceryl alkyl ether including ether of glycerin and aliphatic alcohol and mixtures thereof.
All of the fatty acids as described herein for can be saturated or unsaturated; linear, branched, or cyclic. Likewise, all of the Aliphatic alcohols as described herein can be saturated or unsaturated; linear, branched or cyclic.
The styling active of the present invention may comprise from about 0.1% to about 90%, preferably from about 1% to about 30%, more preferably from about 2% to about 15%, by weight of the composition. When vaporization is used, a volatile carrier is required in which the styling active will be soluble or dispersible. The carrier is needed with the heat from the vaporizing plate (32) to create small droplets that will carry the styling active to hair. A preferred carrier of the present invention is water. If water is a volatile carrier, one reservoir may be enough per side. If water isn't the preferred carrier used, 2 reservoirs per side may be needed in which one reservoir will comprise a styling active and another reservoir will comprise water (steam).
The water that may be delivered by the present invention may comprise from about 0.01–2 grams per minute per side of the styling device which would be equal to about 0.02 to about 4 grams per minute for the total of 2 sides of the styling device delivering, preferably from about 0.1 to about 1 gram per minute per side which would be equal to from about 0.2 to about 2 grams per minute for the total of 2 sides of the styling device delivering, more preferably from about 0.15 to about 0.4 grams per minute per side, which would be equal to from about 0.3 to about 0.8 grams per minute for the total of 2 sides of the styling device delivering.
The droplet size of the styling active for the present invention is measured according to a Dv(90) value wherein 90% of the volume is formed by droplets of a designated micron size or less. For the present invention, the Dv(90) may be less than about 30 microns, preferably less than about 20 microns, and more preferably less than about 12 microns. Droplet size values have been measured according to an Insitec Measurement System.
The delivery rate of styling composition, wherein in one embodiment the styling composition is comprised of a styling active in combination with a carrier, according to the present invention may comprise from about 0.05 to about 2 grams per minute per side of the styling active which would be equal to about 0.1 to about 4 grams per minute for the total of 2 sides of the styling device delivering, preferably from about 0.1 to about 1 grams per minute per side of the styling active which would be equal to about 0.2 to about 2 grams per minute for the total of 2 sides of the styling device delivering, more preferably from about 0.15 to about 0.4 grams per minute per side of the styling active which would be equal to about 0.3 to about 0.8 grams per minute for the total of 2 sides of the styling device delivering.
Volatile Carriers
In the present invention, a liquid carrier may help to solubilize or disperse the styling actives described hereinbefore. The liquid carrier can comprise one or more liquid carriers provided that the selected styling active is sufficiently miscible/dispersible in the selected liquid carrier.
The total concentration of the liquid carrier in the composition will vary with the type of liquid carrier selected, the type of styling active used in combination with the liquid carrier, and the solubility of the selected styling active in the selected liquid carrier, and so forth. Preferred total concentration of the liquid carrier ranges from about 10% to about 99.9%, preferably from about 70% to about 99%, more preferably from about 85% to about 98%, by weight of the composition.
Suitable liquid carriers for use in the compositions of the present invention are volatile liquid carrier materials. In this context, the term “volatile” refers to materials which have a boiling point of less than about 260° C., preferably from about 50° C. to about 260° C., more preferably from about 60° C. to about 150° C. (at about one atmosphere of pressure).
Nonlimiting examples of volatile liquid carriers include water, organic solvents such as C1–C6 alkanols, and combinations thereof. Specific examples of suitable C1–C6 alkanols include, but are not limited to, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, amyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. Preferred C1–C6 alkanols include C2–C4 monohydric alcohols such as ethanol, isopropanol, and mixtures thereof. Water is the preferred volatile liquid carrier.
Hydrophobic solvents are also suitable for use in the present compositions include, but are not limited to volatile silicones, branched chain hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof. Hydrophobic branched chain hydrocarbons useful as the volatile, hydrophobic solvent herein include, but are not limited to, those containing from about 7 to about 14, more preferably from about 10 to about 13, and most preferably from about 11 to about 12 carbon atoms. Saturated hydrocarbons are preferred, although it is not intended to exclude unsaturated hydrocarbons. Examples of such preferred branched chain hydrocarbons include isoparaffins of the above chain sizes. Specific examples of isoparaffins include Isopar E (C8–C9 isoparaffins), Isopar H and K (C11–C12 isoparaffins), and Isopar L (C11–C13 isoparaffins) or mixtures thereof (all commercially available form Exxon Chemical Co.) Other suitable branched chain hydrocarbons are isododecane and isohexadecane. Isododecane is preferred and is commercially available from Presperse, Inc. as Permethyl™ 99A.
Preferred silicones useful as the volatile hydrophobic solvent include, but are not limited to, volatile siloxanes such as phenyl pentamethyl disiloxane, phenylethylpentamethyl disiloxane, hexamethyl disiloxane, methoxy propylheptamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane, chloropropyl pentamethyl disiloxane, hydroxypropyl pentamethyl disiloxane, octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane, decamethyl cylcopentasiloxane, and mixtures thereof. More preferred among the volatile silicones are hexamethyldisiloxane and cyclomethicones, examples of which include octamethyl cyclo tetrasiloxane and decamethyl cyclopentasiloxane, which are commonly referred to as D4 and D5 cyclomethicone, respectively.
Additional examples of preferred volatile silicones, include, but are not limited to, cyclopentasiloxane (commercially available from General Electric Co. as SF1202), hexylmethicone (commercially available from Archimica as Silcare 41M10), caprylil methicone (commercially available from Archimica as Silcare 41M15), stearoxytrimethylsilane and mixtures thereof.
Optional Components
In addition to the components described above, the compositions (active agent+carrier) of the present invention may further comprise one or more optional components known or otherwise effective for use in hair care or personal care products, provided that the optional components are physically and chemically compatible with the components described above, or do not otherwise unduly impair product stability, aesthetics or performance. Nonlimiting examples of such optional components are disclosed in International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, Fifth Edition, 1993, and CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Second Edition, 1992, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
The compositions of the invention can contain adjuvants that are common in the cosmetics field, such as emulsifiers; surfactants; conditioning actives (moisturizers; emollients); sunscreens; anti-free-radical agents; sequestering agents; antioxidants; preserving agents; acidifying or basifying agents; fragrances; dyestuffs; modified or non-modified, non-volatile silicones; reducing agents. The amounts of these various adjuvants are those used conventionally in the fields considered.
The present invention may, in some embodiments, further comprise additional optional components known or otherwise effective for use in hair care or personal care products. The concentration of such optional ingredients generally ranges from zero to about 25%, more typically from about 0.05% to about 25%, even more typically from about 0.1% to about 15%, by weight of the composition. Such optional components should also be physically and chemically compatible with the essential components described herein, and should not otherwise unduly impair product stability, aesthetics or performance.
The compositions of the present invention may be prepared by any known or otherwise effective technique, suitable for providing a composition provided that the resulting composition provides the excellent styling benefits described herein. Methods for preparing the embodiments of the present invention include conventional formulation and mixing techniques.
The hair styling device of the present invention may be prepared by any known or otherwise effective technique, suitable for providing a device that provides the excellent styling benefits described herein. Methods for preparing the embodiments of the present invention include conventional manufacture techniques. As a further embodiment of the present invention, materials which may be used in the manufacturing process of the hair styling device include, but are not limited to: PET: heat-resistant plastic, PET may be used for example in an external housing; PC: heat-resistant plastic and transparent plastic, PC may be used for example in a reservoir case; PPS: heat-resistant plastic and chemical-resistant plastic, PPS may be used for example in a chamber case; and ABS: shock-resistant plastic, ABS may be used for example in external parts of a device. As may be known in the art, with regard to heat-resistance, PPS has the highest heat resistance for plastic and the subsequent order would be PPS>PET>PC>ABS. The embodiments of the present invention may use the appropriate and suitable plastic as needed.
Non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the hair styling device of the present invention may comprise a hair styling device that may be from about 200–300 mm in length and from about 10–40 mm in height per gripping means and about 45–75 mm in width.
The present invention comprises a method for straightening hair wherein hair to be straightened is passed under tension between a gripping means, wherein the gripping means provides a heating means, and a styling active comprising nonvolatile compounds, wherein the styling active is delivered as droplets. In an further embodiment, the present invention may comprise a method for straightening hair strands on a user's scalp region comprising, in the presence of heat and a nonvolatile styling active delivered as droplets having a Dv(90) of less than about 30 microns slidably gripping the hair strands between the gripping means of the hair styling device of the present invention, placing the hair strands under tension by drawing the device along the strands in a direction away from the scalp region; releasing the hair strands and optionally repeating steps (a) and (b).
The following examples further describe and demonstrate embodiments within the scope of the present invention. The examples are given solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All exemplified concentrations are weight percents, unless otherwise specified.
The following Examples I–VIII describe compositions of the present invention. Each of the exemplified compositions are prepared by combining all of the listed components and mixing the combination until homogeneous. The resultant liquid mixture is then filled into the reservoir container, and loaded into the device. Each of the exemplified hair compositions provides improved smooth and straight benefits that last longer.
1Carbowax 400 available from Union Carbide
2Carbowax 600 available from Union Carbide
3Carbowax 900 available from Union Carbide
4SF96-350 available from General Electric
5Silwet L-77 available from Witco
6Unipeg ETG-12 from UPI
7Pluronic L-64 from BASF
8Lipogel 6-L from Lipo
9Isopar L from Exxon Mobil
10Volpo-5 from Croda
11Unicol P-2000 from UPI
12Ultrasil SW-12 from Noveon
13Ethofat 0/20 from Akzo
14PEG 400 Diisostearate from Scher
Examples I–VII can work with either 1 or two reservoirs per side of styling device.
Example VIII may require two reservoirs per side of styling device.
The compositions illustrated in Examples I to VII illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention, but are not intended to be limiting thereof.
All exemplified compositions can be prepared by conventional formulation and mixing techniques. Component amounts are listed as weight percents and exclude minor materials such as diluents, filler, and so forth. The listed formulations, therefore, comprise the listed components and any minor materials associated with such components.
Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the present invention as described herein can be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of these potential modifications and alternatives have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while exemplary embodiments of the inventive system have been discussed for illustrative purposes, it should be understood that the elements described may be constantly updated and improved by technological advances. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure, operation or process steps as shown and described in the specification and drawings.
All documents cited in the Detailed Description of The Invention are, are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
The application is a continuation of International application PCT/US02/20127 (Case 8982F&) filed on Jun. 26, 2002.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20040000319 A1 | Jan 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US02/20127 | Jun 2002 | US |
| Child | 10603977 | US |
