Patent Grant
7771376
This invention relates generally as indicated to a massage device and more particularly to a massage device for use in an unsupervised and unattended setting.
A massage has long been recognized as a pleasant means of treating stress, muscular aches, fatigue and other symptoms associated with an active life. A professional masseuse is typically employed to provide a massage and this professional is trained to provide pressure sensations by squeezing or kneading muscles or muscle groups in a certain way. Also, a professional masseuse will adapt the massaging technique to the person being massaged. For example, the masseuse will vary the time, intensity (i.e., pressure level), the order of pressure sensations and/or the temperature of massage oil to accommodate a person's massage needs on a particular day. Furthermore, the hands of the masseuse are adaptable to fit almost every size person.
A massage applied by a professional masseuse is almost universally considered wonderful. However, the cost of having a professional masseuse constantly on call for periodic massages is outside most people's budgets. For many, a massage by a professional masseuse is only an occasional indulgence although our active lives justify more frequent massages.
In the past, massaging devices have been developed for relaxation and leisure purposes. These massaging devices generally function in a vibratory manner to create a vibrating sensation on various muscles of the body. However, these vibratory devices are generally not as satisfying as a human massage because, among other reasons, they do not provide a comparable amount of pressure, and they often create an undesired tingling sensation on the user's skin.
Also in the past, compression devices have been developed for medical purposes. These prior art compression devices are generally used in a hospital setting where trained medical personnel are available to insure proper functioning of the device and a proper fit of the garments/sleeves on the patient. Such prior art compression devices use very large inflatable bladders which cover large areas of a limb, their control units are large and cumbersome, and they operate to provide a very slow massaging action (for example, on the order of tens of seconds to inflate each bladder) and thus do not provide a dynamic massaging effect. Additionally or alternatively, in such a medical setting, it may be practical to have an inventory of sleeves/garments of different sizes to accommodate a variety of patient sizes. Further, the size and appearance of inflation tubing and/or the complexity of the set-up of such tubing does not present any issues in a medical setting, where a trained medical professional is present or available. As for the inflation assembly, complicated and expensive fluid-providing and/or distributing components are common place in these prior art medical devices.
The inventor of the present invention appreciated that a relatively simple, inexpensive massage device intended for relaxation and other personal, non-medical uses in an unsupervised and unattended setting (such as in-home use) could have many advantages and applications. The inventor further appreciated, however, that many of the features of prior art compression devices which are acceptable in a supervised medical setting, would not be satisfactory in such an unsupervised and unattended setting.
The present invention provides a massage device for massaging a body part of a person in an unsupervised and unattended setting. In a preferred embodiment, the massage device comprises an inflatable garment having a plurality of inflation bladders to apply pressure to the body part, and an inflation assembly for providing pressurized fluid to the bladders, wherein the inflation assembly includes a manifold into which the pressurized fluid flows, and a plurality of inflation valves which control the flow of fluid from the manifold to the bladders. The inflation assembly may also include a manifold valve for controlling the maximum pressure level within the bladders. Furthermore, the inflation assembly may have a predetermined inflation capacity which defines a maximum bladder size as well as a predetermined array in which the bladders are arranged. The massage device may further comprise a connector for connecting tubes from the bladders to the inflation assembly, wherein the connector includes a garment-identifying component for identifying the type of garment connected to the inflation assembly.
Referring now to the drawings, and initially to
Referring to
Each of the sheets 202/204 has lateral edges 206 and 208 and longitudinal edges 210 and 212. The lateral edges 206 and 208, may follow a generally straight or slightly curved path. The longitudinal edge 210 may follow a generally linear path which may further comprise one or more notches 213-215. For example, in a preferred embodiment, there may be a large notch 213 and two smaller notches 214 and 215. In one embodiment, the longitudinal edge 212 may also follow a generally linear path 212a. Alternatively, the longitudinal edge 212 may follow a contoured path 212b having pull handles 222 to assist a user in creating a snug fit. Furthermore, the linear path of the longitudinal edge 212 may have one or more notches 216. In a preferred embodiment, a tubing pocket 220 for concealing the inflation tubing may be located along longitudinal edge 212.
The sheets 202 and 204 may be welded together along outer lateral seams 230 and 232, and along outer longitudinal seams 236 and 240. In addition, the garments may be further welded along a plurality of bladder seams 234 to define a plurality of air chambers or bladders. In a preferred embodiment, the inflation volume of each of the bladders is very small (e.g., 180 cm.sup.3 or less). As explained below, the smaller the inflation volume of the bladders, the less fluid is needed to inflate the bladders. Thus, smaller, more flexible tubing and a smaller, less complex and less expensive air compressor (both discussed below) may be used.
In an embodiment where a tubing pocket 220 is located along, for example, longitudinal edge 212, an internal longitudinal seam 238 may be formed laterally inward from longitudinal seam 236, so as to form the tubing pocket 220. One of the outer lateral seams 230 is positioned along the sheets' top lateral edge 206 and the other outer lateral seam 232 is positioned along the sheets' bottom lateral edge 208. The bladder seams may be positioned along the length of the sheets 202/204 such that the bladder seams 234 are all substantially parallel to each other and to the outer lateral seams 230, 232.
Although not specifically shown in the drawings, reinforcement seams may be provided around the opening-defining edges of the pull handles 222, around the defining edges of a heel opening 224, and/or around the defining edges of the notches 213-216. In addition, a portion 252 of bladders 250E, 250F and/or 250G may be cut out to create a more snug fit when worn by a user.
As previously explained, the outer lateral seams 230, 232, bladder seams 234, and longitudinal seams 236 (or 238) and 240 form a plurality of inflatable bladders 250A-L, such that each bladder is in fluid isolation from its adjacent bladders. For example, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in
As indicated above, the bladders 250A-L are preferably each substantially rectangular in shape. In particular, the bladders 250A-L may be shaped such that they each have approximately equal inflated volumes, thereby equalizing both the inflation time and the inflation amount for the respective bladders. This may be accomplished by, for example, varying the spacing of the bladder seams 234. Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, necking seams 242 may also be provided for inflation-control reasons as explained further below. Specifically, the necking seams 242 may be used to decrease the inflation volume of a bladder. This may be desirable where, for example, some un-necked bladders have a greater volume than other un-necked bladders of a given garment. The bladders 250 having necking seams 242 may have undulating contours such that these bladders are not substantially rectangular in shape. The undulating contours of the necking seams 242 function to decrease the inflation volume of the corresponding bladders 250. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the top eight bladders circumscribing the user's calf 250E-250L may be provided with necking seams 242, while the lower bladders encircling the user's foot 250A-D remain un-necked. By providing substantially equal inflation volumes in each of the respective bladders 250A-L, substantially equal inflation timing, with substantially even applied pressure is provided. Thus, overall smooth massage dynamics may be provided without the need for overly complicated inflation fluid control.
Despite having the effect of changing a bladder's contour and/or inflation volume, the necking seams 242 do not apparently affect the massaging sensation provided by the necked bladders. For example, the necked shape of each of the bladders does not substantially change the original, overall, narrow and elongated shape of the un-necked bladder. Thus, substantially the same massage sensation is delivered as would have been delivered by the un-necked bladder.
As indicated above, a tubing pocket 220 may be provided to house, for example, inflation tubing 310 which, as explained below, supplies pressurized fluid to the bladders during operation of the massage device 100. The longitudinal seams 236 and 238 form the longitudinal sides of the tubing pocket 220, and the lateral seams 230 and 232 close the tubing pocket's top and bottom sides. A series of openings 260 may be created in the tubing pocket 220 so as to provide fluid communication between the compressor 320 and the respective bladders 250A-L.
A V-shaped slit 216 may be provided which interrupts the tubing pocket 220 at, for example, a location substantially aligned with the heel opening 224 of the inflatable garment 200. In a preferred embodiment, the individual tubes 310A-L are small (e.g., on the order of 2 mm in diameter), and thus are light weight and flexible. The small tubing is generally sufficient in a device according to the invention, especially where, as describe above, the inflation volume of each of the bladders is very small (e.g., 180 cm.sup.3 or less). The openings 260 allow the individual inflation tubes 310A-L to communicate with respective bladders 250A-L, and the slots 262 and 264 provide an entry passage for the inflation tubing 310 into the top and bottom portions of the tubing pocket 220. Although not specifically shown in the drawings, the inflation tubing 310 may be connected to the bladders via respective inflation access ports. The inflation access ports may provide, for example, push-on branches to which the individual inflation tubes 310A-L may be attached.
The foot/calf inflatable garment 200 may additionally include complimentary fastening strips 270 and 272 via which the garment may be fastened. For example, the fastening strips 270 and 272, when engaged with each other, may form a hook-and-loop attachment wherein the “loop” fastening strip 270 may be secured to the inner sheet 204 laterally inward from the pull handles 222 and over and laterally beyond the tubing pocket 220, while the “hook” fastening strip 272 is secured to the outer sheet 202 adjacent its longitudinal edge 210. In the alternative, the “hook” fastening strip 270 may be secured to the inner sheet 204 while the “loop” fastening strip 272 is secured to the outer sheet 202.
When using the massage device 100, the inflatable garment 200 is wrapped around a user's body part which, in the example disclosed in
The overall sheet geometry, the positioning of the fastening strips 270 and 272, the lateral extent of the fastening strips and/or other features of the garment 200 may allow for a snug “custom” fit of the inflatable garment 200 to the user. For example, an inflatable garment 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be fit to a wide range of foot widths and leg girths to accommodate users of different sizes. A very broad range of adjustment combinations are possible with the garment 200 instead of simply a single size or a large/medium/small adjustment setting. Thus, the inflatable garment's “one-size-fits-most” adjustable sizing design is beneficial for use of the massage device 100, especially in an unsupervised and unattended setting, such as in-home use where having a supply of multiple different sized garments is impractical. The ability of the inflatable garment 200 to provide a snug “custom” fit to a user may result in improved sensation, quicker inflation dynamics, reduced inflation flow requirements (thereby decreasing pump, valve, and tubing sizing requirements, and minimizing air flow requirements), compacted time lag from a deflated state to a maximum pressure state, and/or increased time at maximum massage pressure.
A snug “custom” fit of the inflatable garment 200 on a limb or body part will reduce the amount of inflation of the bladders 250 necessary to achieve the desired sensation. Furthermore, with a tighter fit and thus less inflation of the bladders 250, the inflatable garment 200 may not distort in size as much, thereby better maintaining the proper fit of the garment throughout the inflation process. This is because by virtue of the snug fit, the bladders 250 do not “balloon” away from the limb or body part in a third dimension during inflation. In this manner, there is little or no longitudinal “shrinking” of the garment (which would likely occur if the garment material had to move outward from the limb during inflation) hence maintaining a proper fit during the entire massage.
The inflatable garment 200 may include other or further features to facilitate comfort and/or massage characteristics. For example, padding may be provided on the inner surface of the tubing pocket 220 as a cushion between the inflation components housed in the tubing pocket 220 and the user's limb or body part being massaged. Additionally, non-slip grip elements may be placed on the outer sheet 202 on one or more portions of the inflatable garment 200. For example, with respect to the illustrated embodiment, non-slip grip elements may be placed on the outer sheet 202 beneath the user's foot, so that the user may walk around with the inflatable garment 200 on without slipping. Further, various sized holes may be incorporated into the inflatable garment 200 so as to allow for ventilation of the limb or body part wearing the garment. Still further, a moisture-wicking lining material may be applied to the surface of the inner sheet 204 for comfort against perspiration.
As previously explained, although the illustrated inflatable garment 200 is designed for use on a person's foot and calf, alternate garments are possible with, and contemplated by, the present invention. Other alternative inflatable garments are illustrated in
Referring now to
Furthermore, bias tape 1284 may be used to form the top and/or bottom lateral edge 1206, 1208, and felt or some other soft material 1286 may be used along the longitudinal edges 1210 and/or along the contour of the central opening 1280 for a more comfortable feel against the user's skin. In addition, the longitudinal edges 1210 and/or the top and/or bottom lateral edges 1206, 1208 may be formed of elastic strips 1288. The bottom lateral edge 1208 may follow a generally straight path ending at extension tabs 1218. The extension tabs 1218, which may be elastic, may be attached to, and/or extend from, each of the lower corners between the bottom lateral edge 1208 and the longitudinal edges 1210.
In a preferred embodiment of the neck/shoulders inflatable garment 1200, the garment 1200 may comprise a pressure plate 1290 to enhance the amount of pressure provided by the massage. The pressure plate 1290 may be desirable in the neck/shoulder inflatable garment 1200 because this garment 1200 (and any other similarly configured garment) generally does not wrap entirely around a limb or body part, and so may not benefit from the mechanical advantage of higher applied massage pressure that wrapping provides. The pressure plate 1290, which may be made of a polyurethane sheet, is generally shaped to contour the upper back/shoulder region, and may be adhered (either bonded or tied down) to either of the opposing sheets which make up the inflation bladders 1250A-J. Additionally, hold-down straps 1292 may be provided to assist in holding the pressure plate 1290 in place. The pressure plate 1290 and straps 1292 may be concealed by an opaque material (e.g., nylon) so as to provide a neat and clean appearance.
Bladder seams 1234 in the neck/shoulder inflatable garment 1200 may form a plurality of inflatable bladders 1250A-1250L which are each roughly rectangular in shape, arranged substantially parallel to each other, and extend roughly from the bottom to the top of the neck/shoulder inflatable garment 1200. In the illustrated embodiment, the four center bladders 1250E-H may be less rectangularly shaped (as shown) than the other bladders so as to better accommodate the neck, the notched areas 1282, and/or the inserts 1216. As with the bladders 250A-L of
The neck/shoulder inflatable garment 1200 may additionally include fastening strips such as, for example, at least one pair of hook-and-loop strips. In one embodiment, a “loop” fastening strip 1270 may be secured to the inner sheet at one of the top corners of the central opening 1280 while a corresponding “hook” fastening strip 1272 is secured to the outer sheet at the other top corner of the central opening 1280. In one embodiment, “hook” fastening strips 1272 may be secured to the outer sheet at both corners of the central opening 1280. In addition, two further “loop” fastening strips 1274 may be attached to the inner side of each of the extension tabs 1218 which may be attached to the “hook” fastening strips 1272 is attached to the outer sheet at each of its two top corners. In an alternative embodiment, the “loop” strips and the “hook” strips may be reversed.
When in use, the neck/shoulder inflatable garment 1200 may be secured by placing the user's neck into the central opening, and engaging the fastening strips 1270 and 1272 under the user's chin. Also, the extension tabs 1218 may be pulled upward toward the user's shoulder and engaged with the appropriate strip such that strips 1274 are engaged with strips 1272. In one embodiment of the invention, extension tabs 1218 may include grip portions 1294 at the distal end of the extension tabs 1218 to make it easier for a user to grip the tabs 1218 and pull them toward strips 1272.
The overall geometry, the positioning of the fastening strips 1270, 1272 and 1274, the elastic longitudinal edges 1210, the inserts 1216, the extension tabs 1218, and/or other features of the neck/shoulder inflatable garment 1200 may provide for a snug “custom” fit of the garment 1200 to the user. For example, the garment 1200 according to an embodiment of the invention may be fit to a wide range of shoulder widths and chest girths to accommodate users of different sizes. A very broad range of adjustment combinations are possible with the neck/shoulder inflatable garment 1200 instead of simply a single size or large/medium/small adjustment setting. Thus, the garment's “one-size-fits-most” adjustable sizing design is beneficial for use of the massage device 100, especially in an unsupervised and unattended setting, such as in-home use where having a supply of multiple different sized garments is impractical. The ability of the inflatable garment 1200 to provide a snug “custom” fit to a user may result in improved sensation, quicker inflation dynamics, reduced inflation flow requirements (thereby decreasing pump, valve, and tubing sizing requirements, and minimizing air flow requirements), compacted time lag from a deflated state to a maximum pressure state, and/or increased time at maximum massage pressure.
Referring now to
As illustrated in
As shown in
The compressor 320, which may be activated upon turning the inflation assembly 200 on, or by pressing a key on the display, provides fluid to the manifold 324 which in turn provides fluid to the bladders. The compressor 320 may preferably be driven by a simple conventional motor (not shown) at constant full speed, and the air filter 322 may also be a simple conventional air filter. The inflation valves 326A-L may be standard solenoid valves which control the flow of fluid into and out of the respective bladders. The pressure relief valve 334 may be included to limit the maximum pressure that can be developed and thus delivered to the inflatable garment 200. To this end, the valve 334 is preferably inaccessible to the user and/or tamper proof In one embodiment, the pressure relief valve 334 stops air from flowing into the manifold 324 once the pressure in the manifold 324 reaches 250 mm of Hg.
The microcontroller 328 is generally the “brains” of the control unit, and may comprise a memory storage unit for storing and recalling user preference settings, for one or more users (discussed further below). The microcontroller 328 may be a standard self-contained chip having program memory and LCD driver capability built-in, such as, for example, a Holtek HT49R50. The power supply 340 is generally a standard 120 V home power line. In addition or alternatively, the power supply 340 may comprise a battery. The audio and/or visual alert 336 may be, for example, a light source (such as a light-emitting diode) and/or an audio tone, and may be employed to alert the user of an event such as, for example, the end of a massage session.
In one embodiment of the present invention, during operation of the massage device 100, the compressor 320 provides a flow of inflation fluid (e.g., air filtered through the filter 322) to the manifold 324. The valve drivers 332 open and close the solenoid valves 326 based on signals from the microcontroller 328, so that the fluid within the manifold flows through the appropriate valve and to the appropriate bladder 250 in the garment 200. The valve drivers 332 may be, for example, a standard discrete design using a NPN/PNP transistor pair driven from the microcontroller 328. In a preferred embodiment, the valves 326 are solenoid valves whereby the drivers 332 activate and deactivate the solenoids.
The compressor 320 of the inflation assembly 300 may be one which provides a substantially constant inflation capacity to each of the bladders. As explained above, a substantially constant velocity and magnitude pressure wave along the inflatable garment 200 may be accomplished by varying the geometry of and/or necking the bladders 250. By providing uniform inflation characteristics of the bladders 250 with a substantially constant inflation capacity, a more uniform, repeatable, predictable, and satisfying massage action may be obtained. Further, due at least in part to the simplicity of such operation, more economical, more compact, and/or more reliable inflation components may be used.
During inflation of the garment bladders 250, inflation fluid flows through the inflation tubing 310 to the appropriate bladders 250A-L via corresponding inflation tubes 31A-L. During deflation of the garment bladders 250, the inflation fluid flows through the inflation tubing 310 in the reverse direction and through exhaust fines 350A-L. In one embodiment, the exhaust lines 350A-L may include a throttling device (such as the illustrated orifice restriction) through which fluid may flow during deflation of bladders, to provide a repeatable and gradual deflation rate for the bladders. If desired, and/or to increase uniformity, the throttling rate (or orifice size in the illustrated embodiment) may be the same for each bladder or may vary between respective bladders.
In a preferred embodiment, the solenoid drivers 332 may be controlled by, for example, the microcontroller 328, based on predetermined data as well as data provided by a user through the user input interface 330. The microcontroller 328 may be programmed to inflate the garment bladders 250 in such a manner that there is smooth transition from one bladder to the next during the massage process. For example, as illustrated in
As shown in
The display panel 360 may additionally include a massage program selector 364, a time selector 366, a power switch 368, an intensity selector (not shown) and/or a speed selector (not shown). The power switch 368 may be selected by a user to activate or deactivate the power supply 340. The massage program selector 364 allows a user to input an intensity setting in a range of the interrelation between speed and pressure. In addition or in the alternative, there may be separate intensity and/or speed selectors which allow the user to select an intensity level independent of selecting a speed level and vice versa. The intensity, speed and/or massage program setting(s) may be provided to the microcontroller 328 which controls the solenoid drivers 332. For example, a selected value of the massage program selector 364 may result in a massage with an inverse relationship between pressure and speed within the massage pressure wave (as illustrated at 364 in
Via the time selector 366, a user may select a length of time for the massage session, and this selection is then provided to the microcontroller 328. The time selector 366 may include an uppermost setting, a lowermost setting, and a number of settings in between at multiples of, for example, 5 minutes (as shown in
In one embodiment of the invention, the speed, intensity and zone(s) settings may provide progressive or programmed massages where, for example, massage speed gradually changes from high speed to low speed and then back to high speed. As another example, the applied pressure may gradually change from low intensity to high intensity and then back to low intensity. As a third example, alternate massage modes may progress through various massage zones during the massage sample. In such a program, the massage may start out massaging the foot for a predetermined period of time, and then switch to the calf for the remainder of the massage session. As a fourth example, an external control source, such as an audio input, may be provided for pressure modulation in response to, for example, music or some other rhythmic or random pattern. As explained previously, these progressive modes may be stored in a memory unit for future recall and use.
In one embodiment of the invention, the display panel 360 or other suitable component of the massage device 100 may include a hold input 380. The hold input 380 may be used to provide continuous pressure (or continuous pulsating pressure) in a selected bladder or bladders upon activation by the user (e.g., pressing the “hold” key once), thereby providing concentrated action on a particular portion of the body. If the user wants to return to the previous or to “normal” operation, the “hold” key may be pressed again to do so. In addition or alternatively, the sequencing may return to the previous or to “normal” operation after a predetermined period of time after activation of the hold input 380.
Referring now to
The garment-identifying openings 306 may receive a certain number of identifier posts 307 on the connector 311 and, depending on the positioning of the posts received, the inflation assembly 300 may automatically identify the particular garment (e.g., hands, arm, neck/shoulder, foot/calf, thigh, etc.) associated with the inserted connector 311. Different identifying patterns are shown in
Although the embodiment illustrated in
As described herein, the same inflation assembly 300 can accommodate different garments without any further modifications made thereto. This compatibility provides manufacturing ease in that only one inflation assembly 300 need be designed for a plurality of different garments. Also, a purchaser can buy the inflation assembly 300 and perhaps one garment and then later purchase other garments for use with the inflation assembly 300.
A modified form of the inflation assembly 300′ is shown in
In addition, the inflation assembly 300′ may include a manifold valve 333 positioned upstream of the bladder valves 326A-326L which is switched (by the microcontroller 328) between an open position and a closed position. In an open position, flow of the inflation fluid from the compressor 320 to the manifold 324 is permitted (as in the inflation assembly 300 without the manifold valve 333) and, in the closed position, flow from the compressor 320 to the manifold 324 is prohibited. In either case, the pressure relief valve 334 limits the maximum pressure that can be developed in the manifold and therefore delivered to the garment 200.
The manifold valve 333 is used to control the maximum massaging pressure level reached in the bladders 250 during the massage process. Without this valve 333, the maximum massaging pressure level reached in the bladders is generally substantially the same (see, e.g.,
The minimum capacity of the compressor 320 is generally defined by the largest individual bladder size that needs to be inflated during the desired massage process. Accordingly, if a garment is designed for use with an existing inflation assembly 300/300′, the garment design may be limited to using individual bladders (or combinations of simultaneously inflated sub-bladders) that do not exceed the capacity of the compressor.
For example, assume that the maximum bladder volume that can be inflated simultaneously is 180 cm3 (e.g., one 180 cm3 bladder, two 90 cm3 sub-bladders, three 60 cm3 sub bladders, four 45 cm3 sub bladders, etc.) and the maximum number of bladders is twelve. With these specifications, standard bladder arrays may be defined such as, for example, the sample arrays illustrated in
As explained above, an inflation assembly 300/300′ may incorporate a “speed of massage control” that controls the rate of movement of the pressure wave through the garment. In a constant flow capacity system, this would generally function as a speed/pressure control where the speed and pressure are related. As is generally true with most human-provided massages, the faster the massaging action, the lower the pressure and the slower the massaging action the higher the pressure. Exemplary settings and corresponding specifications for such a control are set forth below:
The time value represents the inflation interval of the bladders during the massage sequence. Depending on the garment or attachment used with the controller (the size and array of the bladders used) some of these settings will provide a satisfactory massaging action, while others may be too slow or too fast. For example, a foot/calf inflatable garment with all zones enabled may work best in settings 4-10, whereas settings 1-3 may uncomfortably develop pressure quickly in the bladders. When only one or two zones of the same garment are selected then the faster settings may be preferred, while the higher (slower) settings might be too slow or too hard.
More or less settings can be used to accommodate different types of garments. Also, although the exemplary tables reflects a linear relationship between setting and time, other relationships are possible with and contemplated by the present invention. Each control setting can reference a time value that is a better match for that part of the range.
One may further appreciate that although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment, obvious and/or equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes all equivalent alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the following claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/250,841, filed Jul. 8, 2003, now abandoned, which is a national stage application of PCT/US02/00661, filed Jan. 11, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/261,700 under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), filed on Jan. 12, 2001, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. This application is also a continuation-in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/586,307, filed Jun. 2, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,924, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country |
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| 2070031 | May 1996 | CA |
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| 0 392 669 | Oct 1990 | EP |
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| 0 542 383 | May 1993 | EP |
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| 2 371 914 | Jun 1978 | FR |
| 2 511 241 | Feb 1983 | FR |
| 2 583 978 | Jan 1987 | FR |
| 483111 | Apr 1938 | GB |
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| 726154 | Mar 1955 | GB |
| 1 234 238 | Jun 1971 | GB |
| 1 531 268 | Nov 1978 | GB |
| 2 068 737 | Aug 1981 | GB |
| 5-49661 | Mar 1955 | JP |
| 839534 | Jun 1981 | SU |
| 1412784 | Jul 1988 | SU |
| 0193797 | Dec 2001 | WO |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20070088239 A1 | Apr 2007 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60261700 | Jan 2001 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10250841 | US | |
| Child | 11339813 | US | |
| Parent | 11339813 | Jan 2006 | US |
| Child | 11339813 | US | |
| Parent | 09586307 | Jun 2000 | US |
| Child | 11339813 | US |
