Patent Application
20200345160
The invention relates generally to methods of pest repellent and more particularly to a sleeping bag constructed from a protective material which can protect a user from small invertebrates or other pests without the use of harmful chemicals.
Many people may expose themselves daily to a number of diseases, such as Zika, rabies, malaria, and so on, via the vectors of such diseases, which may include small animals and invertebrates. The risk of exposure to diseases transmitted by insects or other vectors can be high in areas with warm to hot climates. Thus, many people who spend time outside and/or enjoy outdoor activities can be at a high risk of contracting such diseases. Some people may need to sleep outdoors for recreation, work, or other similar reasons, and may be exposed to disease-carrying pests during the night. While sleeping, these people may be unable to detect and ward off the pests.
Harsh chemical repellents currently on the market for repelling disease-carrying animals and insects can pose several problems, such as specifically targeting a certain type of pest and thus being unable to repel all types of pests. Chemical repellents can become expensive because they can decrease in efficacy after a period of time after initial application and must be reapplied. This can require a user to frequently repurchase the repellent, which can be a strain on finances, as well as resources used to manufacture the product. Additionally, a user may not be aware that the effectiveness of a chemical repellent has diminished or disappeared, during which time a pest could bite and infect the user with a disease. Chemical repellents may not be effective underwater or against small animals. Chemical repellents can be an irritant or an allergen to some people, rendering them unusable for such people, or may have adverse side effects or health risks on some users. Additionally, physical barrier repellents as known in the art may also pose several problems. As an example, a physical barrier can be in the form of netting or mesh worn around the face or placed around a bed at night. However, thick netting may be heavy and inconvenient to transport to the outdoor regions where the protection from pets is needed. Thicker netting may also cause air flow problems to a user, which can be particularly dangerous for a user who is sleeping. Thinner, more breathable netting may also pose problems because they may not provide sufficient protection from pests. Thinner nets can be torn or damaged easily, or, a net that is too thin may not provide a barrier between a user and a pest, which could still reach a user's skin through the holes or mesh of a net barrier. Thus, there is a need for a solution to these problems.
The aspects or the problems and the associated solutions presented in this section could be or could have been pursued; they are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches presented in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their presence in this section of the application.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In an aspect, a protective, repellent sleeping bag is provided, the repellent sleeping bag being constructed from a layered protective material. The layered protective material may have three layers, which may be a three-dimensional mesh layer in between two mesh netting layers. The three-dimensional mesh layer may raise one of the mesh net layers to a height above the user's skin when the sleeping bag is worn around a user. The internal-facing mesh net layer may provide comfort and protection to the user such that the user's skin does not come into contact with the three-dimensional mesh layer. Thus, an advantage is that the protective material can help to minimize or reduce the risk of diseases transmitted by small animals, invertebrates, and other pests by providing a physical barrier between the user and the harmful pests. Another advantage is that the protective, repellent sleeping bag may cover all parts of user's body while the user is sleeping, such that exposure to pests or other harmful materials such as irritants or harmful plants can be reduced. Another advantage is that the elasticity of the protective material may provide a degree of shock absorbance, thus reducing harm or discomfort to the user, particularly when the bag is placed on uneven terrain. Another advantage may be that the thickness of the mesh layer may help to prevent any pests, plants, irritants, or other harmful objects from physically reaching the skin of the user. Another advantage may be that the first net layer may provide the repellent suit with the appearance of typical or standard fabric as known in the art, which may improve the ease of use of the repellent sleeping bag to the user. Another advantage may be that the breathable properties of the protective material may ensure that the user does not become too warm while inside of the repellent sleeping bag. Another advantage may be that the panel may provide additional breathability and visibility to the user inside of the repellent sleeping bag.
In another aspect, a repellent sleeping bag constructed from a first protective material and a second protective material is provided, the repellent sleeping bag comprising: a main body having: a front surface; a rear surface; a left side; a right side; a top end having a rounded shape; a bottom end having a flat shape; and a sleeping bag outer edge having a closure; wherein the main body defines an interior space; a panel within the front surface at the top end; a plurality of seams connecting the front surface to the rear surface, the sleeping bag outer edge to the closure, and the panel to the front surface; bias tape at the plurality of seams; and thread sewing the bias tape to the plurality of seams; wherein the main body is constructed from the first protective material, and the panel is constructed from the second protective material; the first protective material comprising: a plurality of layers; and a plurality of outer edges; the plurality of layers being breathable, and being joined together via the bias tape along the plurality of outer edges, and the plurality of layers comprising: a first net layer; a second net layer; and a three-dimensional mesh layer between the first net layer and the second net layer, the three-dimensional mesh layer comprising a first mesh sheet and a second mesh sheet raised to a first height above the first mesh sheet; wherein the first mesh sheet and the second mesh sheet are associated together via a plurality of compressible elements such that a force exerted on the second mesh sheet causes the second mesh sheet to be pressed towards the first mesh sheet at a second height smaller than the first height; the second protective material comprising: the first net layer; and a plurality of second protective material outer edges; wherein the plurality of seams occur on biases of each layer of the first protective material and the second protective material; wherein the bias tape provided at each seam of the plurality of seams is sewn onto the first protective material or the second protective material, such that the bias tape is bound to each layer of the plurality of layers or the first net layer via the thread passing through the bias tape and each layer of the plurality of layers of the first protective material or the first net layer of the second protective material, and such that the bias tape joins a first portion of an outer edge of the plurality of outer edges to a second portion of an outer edge of the plurality of outer edges; and such that the bias tape joins the plurality of second protective material outer edges to the front surface. Thus, again, an advantage is that the protective material can help to minimize or reduce the risk of diseases transmitted by small animals, invertebrates, and other pests by providing a physical barrier between the user and the harmful pests. Another advantage is that the protective, repellent sleeping bag may cover all parts of user's body while the user is sleeping, such that exposure to pests or other harmful materials such as irritants or harmful plants can be reduced. Another advantage is that the elasticity of the protective material may provide a degree of shock absorbance, thus reducing harm or discomfort to the user, particularly when the bag is placed on uneven terrain. Another advantage may be that the thickness of the mesh layer may help to prevent any pests, plants, irritants, or other harmful objects from physically reaching the skin of the user. Another advantage may be that the first net layer may provide the repellent suit with the appearance of typical or standard fabric as known in the art, which may improve the ease of use of the repellent sleeping bag to the user. Another advantage may be that the breathable properties of the protective material may ensure that the user does not become too warm while inside of the repellent sleeping bag. Another advantage may be that the panel may provide additional breathability and visibility to the user inside of the repellent sleeping bag.
In another aspect, a repellent sleeping bag constructed from a protective material is provided, the repellent sleeping bag comprising: a main body having: a front surface; a rear surface; a left side; a right side; a top end; a bottom end having a flat shape; and a sleeping bag outer edge having a closure; wherein the main body defines an interior space; a plurality of seams connecting the front surface to the rear surface, and the sleeping bag outer edge to the closure; bias tape at the plurality of seams; and thread sewing the bias tape to the plurality of seams; wherein the main body is constructed from the protective material; the protective material comprising: a plurality of layers; and a plurality of outer edges; the plurality of layers being breathable, and being joined together via the bias tape along the plurality of outer edges, and the plurality of layers comprising: a first net layer; a second net layer; and a three-dimensional mesh layer between the first net layer and the second net layer, the three-dimensional mesh layer comprising a first mesh sheet and a second mesh sheet raised to a first height above the first mesh sheet; wherein the first mesh sheet and the second mesh sheet are associated together via a plurality of compressible elements such that a force exerted on the second mesh sheet causes the second mesh sheet to be pressed towards the first mesh sheet at a second height smaller than the first height; wherein the bias tape provided at each seam of the plurality of seams is sewn onto the protective material, such that the bias tape is bound to each layer of the plurality of layers via the thread passing through the bias tape and each layer of the plurality of layers, and such that the bias tape joins a first portion of an outer edge of the plurality of outer edges to a second portion of an outer edge of the plurality of outer edges. Thus, again, an advantage is that the protective material can help to minimize or reduce the risk of diseases transmitted by small animals, invertebrates, and other pests by providing a physical barrier between the user and the harmful pests. Another advantage is that the protective, repellent sleeping bag may cover all parts of user's body while the user is sleeping, such that exposure to pests or other harmful materials such as irritants or harmful plants can be reduced. Another advantage is that the elasticity of the protective material may provide a degree of shock absorbance, thus reducing harm or discomfort to the user, particularly when the bag is placed on uneven terrain. Another advantage may be that the thickness of the mesh layer may help to prevent any pests, plants, irritants, or other harmful objects from physically reaching the skin of the user. Another advantage may be that the first net layer may provide the repellent suit with the appearance of typical or standard fabric as known in the art, which may improve the ease of use of the repellent sleeping bag to the user. Another advantage may be that the breathable properties of the protective material may ensure that the user does not become too warm while inside of the repellent sleeping bag. Another advantage may be that the panel may provide additional breathability and visibility to the user inside of the repellent sleeping bag.
In another aspect, a method of making a repellent sleeping bag constructed from a protective material is provided, the repellent sleeping bag comprising: a main body having: a front surface; a rear surface; a left side; a right side; a top end; a bottom end having a flat shape; and a sleeping bag outer edge having a closure; wherein the main body defines an interior space; a plurality of seams connecting the front surface to the rear surface, and the sleeping bag outer edge to the closure; bias tape at the plurality of seams; and thread sewing the bias tape to the plurality of seams; wherein the main body is constructed from the protective material; the protective material comprising: a plurality of layers; and a plurality of outer edges; the plurality of layers being breathable, and being joined together via the bias tape along the plurality of outer edges, and the plurality of layers comprising: a first net layer; a second net layer; and a three-dimensional mesh layer between the first net layer and the second net layer, the three-dimensional mesh layer comprising a first mesh sheet and a second mesh sheet raised to a first height above the first mesh sheet; wherein the first mesh sheet and the second mesh sheet are associated together via a plurality of compressible elements such that a force exerted on the second mesh sheet causes the second mesh sheet to be pressed towards the first mesh sheet at a second height smaller than the first height; wherein the bias tape provided at each seam of the plurality of seams is sewn onto the protective material, such that the bias tape is bound to each layer of the plurality of layers via the thread passing through the bias tape and each layer of the plurality of layers, and such that the bias tape joins a first portion of an outer edge of the plurality of outer edges to a second portion of an outer edge of the plurality of outer edges; the method comprising the steps of: providing a pattern for construction of the repellent sleeping bag; providing the first net layer, the second net layer, and the three-dimensional mesh layer; stacking the three-dimensional mesh layer in between the first net layer and the second net layer; cutting the protective material into the pattern; aligning the first portion of the outer edge of the plurality of outer edges with the second portion of the outer edge of the plurality of outer edges; overlapping the bias tape with the first portion of the outer edge of the plurality of outer edges and with the second portion of the outer edge of the plurality of outer edges to create an overlapped layer section; seaming together the plurality of layers to the bias tape by inserting the thread into the bias tape and each layer of the plurality of layers along the overlapped layer section. Thus, again, an advantage is that the protective material can help to minimize or reduce the risk of diseases transmitted by small animals, invertebrates, and other pests by providing a physical barrier between the user and the harmful pests. Another advantage is that the protective, repellent sleeping bag may cover all parts of user's body while the user is sleeping, such that exposure to pests or other harmful materials such as irritants or harmful plants can be reduced. Another advantage is that the elasticity of the protective material may provide a degree of shock absorbance, thus reducing harm or discomfort to the user, particularly when the bag is placed on uneven terrain. Another advantage may be that the thickness of the mesh layer may help to prevent any pests, plants, irritants, or other harmful objects from physically reaching the skin of the user. Another advantage may be that the first net layer may provide the repellent suit with the appearance of typical or standard fabric as known in the art, which may improve the ease of use of the repellent sleeping bag to the user. Another advantage may be that the breathable properties of the protective material may ensure that the user does not become too warm while inside of the repellent sleeping bag. Another advantage may be that the panel may provide additional breathability and visibility to the user inside of the repellent sleeping bag.
The above aspects or examples and advantages, as well as other aspects or examples and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.
For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes, aspects, embodiments or examples of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
What follows is a description of various aspects, embodiments and/or examples in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The aspects, embodiments and/or examples described herein are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents.
It should be understood that, for clarity of the drawings and of the specification, some or all details about some structural components or steps that are known in the art are not shown or described if they are not necessary for the invention to be understood by one of ordinary skills in the art.
For the following description, it can be assumed that most correspondingly labeled elements across the figures (e.g., 101 and 401, etc.) possess the same characteristics and are subject to the same structure and function. If there is a difference between correspondingly labeled elements that is not pointed out, and this difference results in a non-corresponding structure or function of an element for a particular embodiment, example or aspect, then the conflicting description given for that particular embodiment, example or aspect shall govern.
The repellent sleeping bag 100 may be constructed to completely enclose a user within its interior. The protective material that may make up the main body 155 of the repellent sleeping bag may be breathable (as will be discussed in further detail when referring to
As shown as an example in
The bias tape 101 may be used for both seaming the plurality of layers together, and for stitching or seaming the protective material into the desired shape and size of the sleeping bag. It should be understood that any suitable pattern for a sleeping bag may be provided and used for the construction of the sleeping bag 100, and the protective material may be cut into any suitable pattern for the making of the sleeping bag 100.
The protective or repellent material used for the construction of the repellent sleeping bag 100 may be seamed together using bias tape 101 (as will be further discussed when referring to
The protective or repellent material may provide a physical barrier between the user and insects, small animals, or other pests. Thus, the repellent sleeping bag constructed from the protective material may be used to protect a user while they are asleep outdoors from hazards and health risks such as small animal bites, stings, and also may help prevent the user's body from making contact with parts of an animal or insect that could be an irritant, an allergen, or otherwise toxic or dangerous, such as the proboscis, hair, and so on. The repellent sleeping bag 100 may also prevent the user from making contact with harmful portions of plants that could be nearby, such as thorns or pointy branches, or poisonous leaves. The protective material may also provide some flame resistance to the user, which may be advantageous for users who sleep or rest in the repellent sleeping bag 100 during camping or other similar activities Thus, the protective suit 100 may also protect the user from minor injuries such as scratches, abrasions, and burns in addition to providing a physical barrier between the user and disease-carrying pests.
The protective material may also help the repellent sleeping bag 100 to be elastic, resilient, durable, and breathable. Thus, the protective material may be resistant to tears or other similar damage. The sleeping bag 100 may, for example, withstand damage without breaking when placed and used on top of uneven, rocky, or otherwise harsh terrain. Another advantage may be that the sleeping bag 100 may be constructed to be lightweight and thus easy for a user to pack, carry, and wash.
It should be understood that any repellent sleeping bag 100 constructed using the protective material may be tailored or customized to fit users of a variety of shapes and sizes, and may also be provided in a variety of colors or patterns. The repellent sleeping bag 100 may be provided in large sizes such that a user may sleep within the repellent sleeping bag 100 with or without an additional sleeping bag or covering or isolating material, such as a standard sleeping bag as known in the art, for example. An advantage may be that the user may be provided with additional warmth or comfort as needed. It should be understood that the repellent sleeping bag 100 may also be provided with other accessories or pieces such as pockets or other gear, as may be required by a user's profession, hobby, or activity. The protective material may also be provided with the appearance of any suitable standard fabric, for example. As an example, the repellent sleeping bag 100 may be provided with a camouflage pattern which may be advantageous for users sleeping outdoors for military or other similar purposes. As another example, the repellent sleeping bag 100 may be provided with any other suitable colors or patterns, which may be advantageous to allow users to choose any appearance of the sleeping bag 100 to suit their needs or activities.
The repellent sleeping bag 100 constructed as disclosed may allow a user to avoid harsh chemical repellents by providing the user with an alternative to such harsh chemical repellents. Additionally, because the repellent sleeping bag 100 may work by physically repelling small invertebrates without relying on chemical repellents, the repellent sleeping bag 100 may continue to function for the duration of the time the user is sleeping or resting, which may be advantageous over a chemical repellent that may decrease in efficacy or wear off over time.
The three layers of the protective material 230 may be a net layer (“net layer,” “first net layer,” or “external net layer,”) 231, a three-dimensional (“3D”) mesh layer (“3D mesh layer,” “3D air mesh,” “3D knitted mesh,” or “mesh layer”) 232, and a comfort fabric layer (“comfort fabric layer,” “second net layer,” “inner fabric layer,” “internal fabric layer,” or “fabric layer”) 233. Again, it should be understood that the mesh or netting shown as an examples for the first net layer 231 and the second net layer 233 is enlarged for visual clarity, and it should be understood that the protective material layers may be provided with a fine mesh or netting having holes small enough to prevent insects from passing through. It should be understood that the 3D mesh layer 232 may also be fine enough to prevent most types of insects and other pests from passing through.
Again, the three layers of the protective material 230 may be joined, sewn, or seamed together in any suitable fashion, such as in the example depicted in
The net layer (“first net layer” or “external net layer”) 231 may be the outermost layer when the protective material is used to construct the repellent sleeping bag or any other similar item. The net layer 231 may be thin, flexible, and impermeable to small animals and invertebrates, and thus, insects and other pests may be prevented from passing through the net layer 231. The net layer 231 may be constructed from any suitable elastic net material. The provided holes in the net layer 231 may be approximately 0.08 mm-1 mm, which may be sufficiently large enough to provide air ventilation to a user while being small enough to prevent pests from crawling through and reaching the skin of the user.
The 3D mesh layer 232 may be the middle layer of the three layers of the protective material 230. The 3D mesh layer may provide an additional level of protection against insects and other pests, such that they do not come into contact with the user's skin, by providing a physical distance between the user and the exterior of the protective material 230. The mesh layer 232 can provide a secondary defense against pests, but may also serve as a first line of defense should any damage occur to the net layer 231, for example. As shown in the detailed enlargement 234 of a portion of the 3D mesh layer 232, the mesh layer 232 may be raised and have a rounded or substantially three-dimensional shape and thickness created, such that the mesh layer 232 is substantially not flat, by, again, having two wire mesh sheets 232a and 232b connected by wire fibers or any other suitable plurality of compressible elements 232c to interweave the two mesh sheets, as is known in the art. Thus, when the protective material 230 is worn by or placed around a user by, for example, being constructed into a repellent sleeping bag (shown by 100 in
The thickness of the 3D mesh layer 232, which may be determined by the first height of the first mesh sheet 232a raised above the second mesh sheet 232b, may be provided such that any insect resting on top of the mesh layer is raised too high above the user to be able to reach the skin of the user. Thus, the thickness and shape of the mesh layer 232 may help to prevent insect bites. The thickness of the mesh layer 232 can also improve breathability of the protective material 230, by raising the distance between the layers of the protective material and promoting air circulation. The plurality of compressible elements 232c between each mesh sheet may provide flexibility, elasticity, resiliency, and shock absorbing properties to the protective suit, for example.
Each component of the mesh layer 232 may also be constructed to be elastic and flexible, which may also help to provide shock absorbent properties to the protective material 230. The elasticity and resilience of the mesh layer 232 may help the mesh layer 232 to maintain its shape. The mesh layer 232 may as an example show the Poisson effect, by collapsing when compressed, and may recover to its natural state, shape or form after the compression is removed. As an example, the 3D mesh 232 may be constructed from polyethylene, or any other suitable materials.
Finally, the innermost layer may be a comfort fabric layer (“comfort fabric layer,” or “second net layer”) 233, for example. The second net layer 233 may provide comfort to the user. prevent a wearer's skin from becoming irritated from continuously rubbing against the mesh layer 232. It should be understood that the comfort fabric layer 233 may be constructed from the same material as the net layer 231 and thus may be a second net layer 233.
Thus, a three-layered protective material 230 may provide a user with multiple layers of protection against harmful infections, poisoning, and/or diseases transmitted via small invertebrates and against small cuts and/or abrasions caused by plants or rocks. Additionally, the three-layer construction disclosed above may have the additional benefit of more easily circulating air than a single thicker layer while providing protection to the user by creating a distance between the user's body and the exterior of the protective material 230. Thus, a repellent sleeping bag (shown by 100 in
The panel 251 may be constructed from a single layer, which may be, for example, the first net layer 231. The material used to construct the panel 251 may be the same or similar material as the material used for the first net layer 231 and the second net layer 233. To more clearly indicate the presence of the panel 251 and to distinguish the panel 251 within the bag 200, the main body 255 in
Again, it should be understood that the mesh netting used for the first net layer 231 and the mesh layer 232 may be small in order to prevent insects and other pests from passing through, and is shown in
When the repellent sleeping bag 200 is folded, the 3D mesh layer 232 and second net layer 233 may be visible through the panel 251 (not shown through the panel 251 in
Additionally, the assembly method disclosed hereinabove (loose stitch and thread method) may be used at the seams of the suit. In other words, a loose stitch may be used to attach the different components of sleeping bag with bias tape at the seams. Thus, the suit may be flexible and allow a user a larger range of motion.
It should be understood that the three layers of the protective material 330 may be joined, sewn or seamed together only on the bias of the fabric. An advantage is that, should the fabrics be joined in another manner, the protective material 330 may become compressed, which may cause the repellent properties of the material to be reduced; thus, joining on the bias preserves the repellent properties of the material 330. Another advantage is that flexibility of the three layers is also preserved to help prevent damage to the user such as from scratches from branches or other hazards, and so on, by only joining the fabrics on the bias. It should also be understood that any suitable method of sewing or seaming may be used to attach pockets, straps, buckles, or other similar gear or additions to the suit.
It should be understood that portions of the outer edge 436a and 436b may be seamed with the bias tape 401, or all outer edges of the protective material 430 may be seamed with the bias tape 401. Again as an example, all outer edges of the protective material 430 may be seamed up using the bias tape 401 such that the mesh layer 432 is enclosed by the first net layer 431, the second net layer 433, and the bias tape 401 and 401b. In order to seam the outer edges of the protective material, the bias tape 401 may overlap all of the outer edges that are to be seamed together, such as the portions of the outer edge represented by 436a and 436b. This may create overlapped layer sections, as can be seen in
It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.
Further, as used in this application, “plurality” means two or more. A “set” of items may include one or more of such items. Whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of,” respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims.
If present, use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. These terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used in this application, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items.
Throughout this description, the aspects, embodiments or examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus or procedures disclosed or claimed. Although some of the examples may involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives.
Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one aspect, embodiment or example are not intended to be excluded from a similar role(s) in other aspects, embodiments or examples.
Aspects, embodiments or examples of the invention may be described as processes, which are usually depicted using a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may depict the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. With regard to flowcharts, it should be understood that additional and fewer steps may be taken, and the steps as shown may be combined or further refined to achieve the described methods.
If means-plus-function limitations are recited in the claims, the means are not intended to be limited to the means disclosed in this application for performing the recited function, but are intended to cover in scope any equivalent means, known now or later developed, for performing the recited function.
If any presented, the claims directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Although aspects, embodiments and/or examples have been illustrated and described herein, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily detect alternate of the same and/or equivalent variations, which may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be substituted for the aspects, embodiments and/or examples illustrated and described herein, without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover such alternate aspects, embodiments and/or examples. Hence, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. Further, each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification.
