To Latex Balloon Neck Lengths

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to balloons, and particularly latex balloons. In specific embodiments, the present invention relates to balloons finding particular use in the creation of balloon displays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It was early in the 20^th century that common latex balloons (also known of rubber balloons) gained in popularity, and they are now a staple of celebrations of all kinds. “Latex balloons” are well known in the art, and the general shape of the most popular latex balloon—the “round balloon”—is shown in FIG. 1, wherein a balloon 10 has a body 12 and a neck 14. The body 12 is the portion that is to be inflated. The neck 14 provides the fluid connection between the interior of the body 12 and an inflation opening 16. There is a body-neck transition 18 where the curvature of the body 12 transitions or turns toward the neck 14, and this transition can take different forms in the current art, some providing a sharper transition and some a gentler transition. The top 20 is where the “drip point” is located on those balloons manufactured in a manner that produces such a drip point. The inflation opening 16 is often defined by a lip or bead 22, often called a “ring-roll.”

A balloon is considered in a “inflated state” when it is inflated to a pressure just before the inflation gas begins to stretch the rubber at the neck. In a round balloon, the body 12 is generally intended to be round, thus the name “round balloon,” but, most current round balloons are not a true spherical round shape but more oblong and even sometimes extremely pear shaped. This results in part from the shape of the body-neck transition 18, and the degree to which the balloon is inflated—many users overinflate balloons beyond the point described above and thus inflate and stretch the rubber of the neck, tying the knot below the body-neck transition 18. There is a need in the art to frustrate the tendency of individuals, and particularly lay purchasers of round balloons, to stretch the neck through over-inflation, as such stretching causes a less round and more oblong or pear bulb shape when the balloon is tied.

It is appreciated herein that the balloon is to be tied at the base of the body, proximate the body-neck transition, but is many times tied partway down the neck because of this over-inflation problem. There is a need in the art for a round balloon that more readily presents a truer round body appearance upon inflation. There is also a need for a latex balloon that frustrates the over-inflation of the neck.

Additionally, latex balloons are becoming more popular for use in the creation of balloon displays or balloon clusters, where many latex balloons are secured together or otherwise associated with other balloons and/or other structures to create a large multi-balloon display. Latex balloons may be tied into trellises, arches, bouquets, columns, and centerpieces, just to name a few. It has been discovered that the prior art latex balloons are inadequate for such purposes, and there is a need in the art for latex balloons more suited to the needs of individuals (for example balloon décor artists and deco-twisters, but of course also a common everyday purchaser of latex balloons) that build such latex balloon displays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon comprising a body defining an inflatable interior and having a top, the body having an inflated state and an uninflated state and, when in the inflated state, having a largest transverse dimension of approximately 16 inches or less, a neck providing fluid communication from an inflation opening of the neck to the inflatable interior, and a body-neck transition where the body transitions to the neck, wherein in the uninflated state, the height of the neck is greater than the height of the body, the height of the neck being measured as the vertical distance from the inflation opening to the body-neck transition, and the height of the body being measured as the vertical distance from the body-neck transition to the top of the body, and in the inflated state, and when the neck is tied in a knot proximate the body-neck transition thereby defining a remaining neck portion, the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 7 inches.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the latex balloon is a round balloon.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the body has a largest transverse dimension selected from the group consisting of approximately 16 inches or less, approximately 14 inches or less, approximately 12 inches or less, approximately 11 inches or less, approximately 10 inches or less, approximately 9 inches or less, approximately 8 inches or less, approximately 7 inches or less, and approximately 6 inches or less.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the body has a largest transverse dimension of approximately 12 inches or less.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the body has a largest transverse dimension of approximately 7 inches or less.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein, in the uninflated state, the height of the neck is selected from the group consisting of at least 1.1 times, at least 1.175 times, at least 1.2 times, at least 1.225 times, at least 1.25 times, at least 1.3 times, at least 1.4 times, at least 1.45 times, at least 1.5 times, at least 1.55, at least 1.6 times, at least 1.65 times, and at least 1.7 times greater than the height of the body.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein, in the uninflated state, the height of the neck is at least 1.2 times greater than the height of the body.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein, in the uninflated state, the height of the neck is at least 1.5 times greater than the height of the body.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein, in the inflated state, and when the neck is tied in a knot proximate the body-neck transition thereby defining a remaining neck portion, the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is selected from the group consisting of at least 7.25 inches, at least 7.5 inches, at least 7.75 inches, at least 8 inches, at least 8.25 inches, at least 8.5 inches, at least 8.75 inches, and at least 9 inches.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein, in the inflated state, and when the neck is tied in a knot proximate the body-neck transition thereby defining a remaining neck portion, the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 9 inches.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the latex balloon is selected from the group consisting of Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the latex balloon is a 5-inch round balloon wherein the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 1.5 inches and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 7 inches.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the latex balloon is an 11-inch round balloon wherein the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 2.3 inches, and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 8 inches.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon comprising a body defining an inflatable interior and having a top, the body having an inflated state and an uninflated state and, when in the inflated state, having a largest transverse dimension of approximately 16 inches or less, a neck providing fluid communication from an inflation opening of the neck to the inflatable interior, and a body-neck transition where the body transitions to the neck, wherein in the uninflated state, the height of the neck is greater than the height of the body, the height of the neck being measured as the vertical distance from the inflation opening to the body-neck transition, and the height of the body being measured as the vertical distance from the body-neck transition to the top of the body.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the latex balloon is a round balloon.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the body has a largest transverse dimension selected from the group consisting of approximately 16 inches or less, approximately 14 inches or less, approximately 12 inches or less, approximately 11 inches or less, approximately 10 inches or less, approximately 9 inches or less, approximately 8 inches or less, approximately 7 inches or less, and approximately 6 inches or less.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the body has a largest transverse dimension of approximately 12 inches or less.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the body has a largest transverse dimension of approximately 7 inches or less.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein, in the uninflated state, the height of the neck is selected from the group consisting of at least 1.1 times, at least 1.175 times, at least 1.2 times, at least 1.225 times, at least 1.25 times, at least 1.3 times, at least 1.4 times, at least 1.45 times, at least 1.5 times, at least 1.55, at least 1.6 times, at least 1.65 times, and at least 1.7 times greater than the height of the body.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein, in the uninflated state, the height of the neck is at least 1.2 times greater than the height of the body.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein, in the uninflated state, the height of the neck is at least 1.5 times greater than the height of the body.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the latex balloon is a 5-inch round balloon wherein the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 1.5 inches.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the latex balloon is an 11-inch round balloon wherein the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 2.3 inches.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon comprising a body defining an inflatable interior and having a top, the body having an inflated state and an uninflated state and, when in the inflated state, having a largest transverse dimension of approximately 16 inches or less, a neck providing fluid communication from an inflation opening of the neck to the inflatable interior, and a body-neck transition where the body transitions to the neck, wherein in the inflated state, and when the neck is tied in a knot proximate the body-neck transition thereby defining a remaining neck portion, the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 7 inches.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the latex balloon is a round balloon.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the body has a largest transverse dimension selected from the group consisting of approximately 14 inches or less, approximately 12 inches or less, approximately 11 inches or less, approximately 10 inches or less, approximately 9 inches or less, approximately 8 inches or less, approximately 7 inches or less, and approximately 6 inches or less.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the body has a largest transverse dimension of approximately 12 inches or less.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the body has a largest transverse dimension of approximately 7 inches or less.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein, in the inflated state, and when the neck is tied in a knot proximate the body-neck transition thereby defining a remaining neck portion, the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is selected from the group consisting of at least 7.25 inches, at least 7.5 inches, at least 7.75 inches, at least 8 inches, at least 8.25 inches, at least 8.5 inches, at least 8.75 inches, and at least 9 inches.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 7.5 inches.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 8 inches.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the latex balloon is a 5-inch round balloon.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon as in any embodiment above, wherein the latex balloon is an 11-inch round balloon, and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 8 inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view of a common prior art round balloon.

FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view of an embodiment of a latex balloon according to this invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 together show front elevation views of another embodiment of a latex balloon according to this invention, shown uninflated in FIG. 3 and shown inflated and with the neck tied at the base of the body and the neck fully stretched showing significant length in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Currently, latex balloons are either tied into a latex balloon display using the paltry length of neck that remains after the tying of the knot to seal the latex balloon or, if that length is insufficient, as it very often is in modern latex balloon displays, tied into the display with string or thread or twist ties or really anything suitable as extra material. Balloon décor artists and deco-twisters that are highly skilled in this art form have developed the practice of using uninflated common modelling balloons or “twister” balloons (the long skinny balloons employed by “balloon twisters” to make dogs and hats and swords and other fun objects) to tie other inflated latex balloons into their displays. This is wasteful and time consuming and difficult requiring the artist to manipulate a new latex balloon being added to the display, the remainder of the balloon display, and the separate and distinct uninflated modelling balloon in order to join the new balloon to the whole. The present invention revolutionizes the current latex balloon offerings by providing latex balloons with significant neck lengths, leading to significant extra lengths of neck after the knot is tied at the body-neck transition. This extra length is suitable for stretching significantly to facilitate tying the latex balloon into a balloon display. This extra length is most notably novel and paradigm-shifting in the offer of smaller latex balloons.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an improvement in a latex balloon is shown by the numeral 110, with like parts having like numerals though increase by 100 as compared to the prior art latex balloon exemplified in the background of this disclosure. Thus, the latex balloon 110, has a body 112 defining an inflatable interior 113 and having a top 120 (with or without a drip point depending on manufacturing). The body 112 has an inflated state and an uninflated state.

While the invention finds particular application in the most popular of balloons—the common round balloon—the invention is novel for other common latex balloons taking other shapes. So, in addition to round balloons, in some embodiments, the latex balloons are selected from those having shaped body portions other than round, such as heart-shaped balloons, animal-shaped balloons, and character-shaped balloons (mouse ear type balloons are an example). The extra length at the neck, as compared to the current practice in the art, is most strikingly different and novel in the offer of smaller latex balloons, and certain embodiments focus thereon.

For round balloons the sizing is based on a target diameter of the inflated body transverse to the direction of the axis of the neck. For latex balloons of other shapes, the balloons cannot be easily characterized by a target diameter as described for round balloons, so more broadly, the sizing of latex balloons, including round balloons, will be addressed by referencing a “largest transverse dimension”, which will be understood to be the largest width of the latex balloon in a direction transverse (perpendicular) to the axis of the neck. In a round balloon this is the aforementioned diameter perpendicular to the neck.

In some embodiments, the latex balloon has a largest transverse dimension of about 18 inches or less in the inflated state; in some embodiments, about 16 inches or less; in some embodiments, about 14 inches or less; in some embodiments, about 12 inches or less; in some embodiments, about 11 inches or less; in some embodiments, about 10 inches or less; in some embodiments about 9 inches or less; in some embodiments, about 8 inches or less; in some embodiments, about 7 inches or less; and, in some embodiments, about 6 inches or less.

In some embodiments, the latex balloon is a round balloon about 16 inches or less in the inflated state, in some embodiments, about 14 inches or less; in some embodiments, about 12 inches or less; in some embodiments, about 11 inches or less; in some embodiments, about 10 inches or less; in some embodiments, about 9 inches or less; in some embodiments, about 8 inches or less; in some embodiments, about 7 inches or less; and, in some embodiments, about 6 inches or less.

Those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that balloon sizes are to some extent an approximation given that consumers blow balloons to differing pressures and can under and overinflate them. However, there are ways to size a balloon and indeed many manufacturers provide a target dimension for proper inflation, with round balloons being sized by the target diameter in a direction transverse to the axis of the neck. In some embodiments, the size of a balloon is to be based on the dimensions just before the inflation gas begins to stretch the neck. Diameters of 18 inches, 12 inches, 11 inches, 10 inches, and 5 inches are quite common and those around 10-12 inches seem to be the most popular for common consumers. Deco artists will use all sizes and will find the longer neck of the small sizes taught herein to be a significant improvement, providing a neck stretch after tying that is simply not present in the art and provides a way to incorporate the balloon into a balloon display without some additional tie-down (like a twister balloon).

A neck 114 provides fluid communication from an inflation opening 116 of the neck 114 to the inflatable interior 113. The body 112 transitions to the neck 114 at a body-neck transition 118. In some embodiments, the improvement includes structuring the latex balloon 110 such that, in the uninflated state, the height of the neck 114 is greater than the height of the body 112, wherein the height of the neck is measured as the vertical distance from the inflation opening to the body-neck transition, and the height of the body is measured as the vertical distance from the body-neck transition to the top of the body.

In some embodiments, the neck 114 is at least 1.1 times the height of the body 112, in other embodiments, at least 1.15 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.175 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.2 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.225 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.25 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.3 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.4 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.45 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.5 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.55, in other embodiments, at least 1.6 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.65 times, and, in other embodiments, at least 1.7 times the height of the body. It will be appreciated that these neck lengths, especially as they get larger, are in stark contrast to the lengths of necks employed in the more than 100 years of history of latex balloons and latex round balloons.

In some embodiments, the latex balloon is a round balloon, and, in some such embodiments, the round balloon, in the inflated state, is a 5-inch round balloon wherein the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 1.5 inches. In some such embodiments, the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 1.6 inches; in some embodiments, at least 1.7 inches; in some embodiments, at least 1.8 inches; and, in some embodiments, at least 1.9 inches. In a particular embodiment, a 5-inch round balloon has a neck height of at least 1.95 inches.

In other embodiments, the round balloon is, in the inflated state, an 11-inch round balloon wherein the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 2.3 inches. In some such embodiments, the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 2.4 inches; in some embodiments, at least 2.5 inches. In a particular embodiment, an 11-inch round balloon has a neck height of at least 2.55 inches.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an embodiment of the present invention provides a latex balloon 210 having a body 212 defining an inflatable interior and having a top 220 (with or without a drip point depending on manufacturing). The body 212 has an inflated state and an uninflated state. The latex balloon may be a common latex balloon or a round balloon with dimensions as described above for different embodiments.

A neck 214 provides fluid communication from an inflation opening 216 of the neck 214 to the inflatable interior. The body 212 transitions to the neck 214 at a body-neck transition 218. In some embodiments, the improvement includes structuring the latex balloon 210 such that, in the inflated state, and when the neck is tied in a knot 219 proximate the body-neck transition thereby defining a remaining neck portion 215, the remaining neck portion 215 from the inflation opening 216 to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 7 inches.

In some embodiments, the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 7.25 inches; in other embodiments, at least 7.5 inches in other embodiments, at least 7.75 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8.25 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8.5 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8.75 inches; and, in other embodiments, at least 9 inches. It will be appreciated that, particularly as the stretch gets longer and the balloon gets small, this is in stark contrast to the stretch lengths of necks employed in the more than 100 years of history of latex balloons and latex round balloons.

In some embodiments, the latex balloon is a round balloon, and, in some such embodiments, the round balloon, in the inflated state, is a 5-inch round balloon wherein the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 7 inches. In other such embodiments, the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 7.25 inches; in other embodiments, at least 7.5 inches in other embodiments, at least 7.75 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8.25 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8.5 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8.75 inches; and, in other embodiments, at least 9 inches.

In other embodiments, the round balloon is, in the inflated state, an 11-inch round balloon wherein the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 7 inches. In other such embodiments, the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 7.25 inches; in other embodiments, at least 7.5 inches in other embodiments, at least 7.75 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8.25 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8.5 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8.75 inches; and, in other embodiments, at least 9 inches.

It will be appreciated that the above concepts for the balloons of FIGS. 2-4 are, in some embodiments, combined to provide an improvement in a latex balloon having: a body defining an inflatable interior and having a top, the body having an inflated state and an uninflated state and, when in the inflated state, having a largest transverse dimension of about 18 inches or less; a neck providing fluid communication from an inflation opening of the neck to the inflatable interior, the neck having an axis; and a body-neck transition where the body transitions to the neck, the improvement comprising: in the uninflated state, the height of the neck is greater than the height of the body, wherein the height of the neck is measured as the vertical distance from the inflation opening to the body-neck transition, and the height of the body is measured as the vertical distance from the body-neck transition to the top of the body; and, in the inflated state, and when the neck is tied in a knot proximate the body-neck transition thereby defining a remaining neck portion, the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 7 inches.

In some such embodiments, the neck is at least 1.1 times the height of the body, in other embodiments, at least 1.15 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.175 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.2 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.225 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.25 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.3 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.4 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.45 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.5 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.55, in other embodiments, at least 1.6 times, in other embodiments, at least 1.65 times, and, in other embodiments, at least 1.7 times the height of the body. In some such embodiments, the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least at least 7.25 inches; in other embodiments, at least 7.5 inches in other embodiments, at least 7.75 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8.25 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8.5 inches; in other embodiments, at least 8.75 inches; and, in other embodiments, at least 9 inches.

In some embodiments, the latex balloon is a round balloon, and, in some such embodiments, the round balloon, in the inflated state, is a 5-inch round balloon wherein the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 1.5 inches and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 7 inches. In other such embodiments, the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 1.7 inches, and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 8 inches. In other such embodiments, the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 1.8 inches, and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 8.5 inches. In yet other such embodiments, the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 1.9 inches, and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 9 inches. In other such embodiments, the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 1.95 inches and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 9 inches. In a particular embodiment, a 5-inch round balloon has a neck height of at least 1.95 inches and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 9.5 inches.

In other embodiments, the round balloon is an 11-inch round balloon wherein the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 2.3 inches, and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 8 inches. In other such embodiments, the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 2.4 inches, and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 8.5 inches. In other such embodiments, the height of the neck in the uninflated state is at least 2.5 inches, and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 9 inches. In a particular embodiment, an 11-inch round balloon has a neck height of at least 2.55 inches, and the remaining neck portion from the inflation opening to the knot in a fully stretched state is at least 9.5 inches.

In implementing the invention herein, it is noticed that the round shape, and the ability to achieve it in a round balloon, seems to be enhanced by the longer necks. The longer neck provides more surface area/volume (of the neck) that needs to be acted upon when blowing up the body in order to cause the neck to stretch. This extra area/volume delays the point at which over-inflation provides a local pressure near the body-neck transition big enough to start the “pearing” of the balloon. Additionally, the dipping process for forming balloons results in a thicker and more consistent thickness at the neck of a balloon, so the longer neck taught herein, which is naturally thicker/consistent due to the dipping process, is again a bit harder to inflate, and thus over-inflation is a bit harder to reach. This encourages proper inflation to a rounder shape. And, of course, balloon décor artists and deco-twisters are provided with a neck that stretches to a significant length to ensure that, after tying, the balloons can be secured into a balloon display using the remaining neck portion. This will result in a significant time and cost savings over using modelling balloons to secure additional balloons to a display.

In light of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the present invention significantly advances the art by providing structurally and functionally improved latex balloons. While particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby inasmuch as variations on the invention herein will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention shall be appreciated from the claims that follow.