CONJOINT LIP CARE CASE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0173306, filed on Nov. 28, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lip-care case, and more particularly, to a conjoint lip-care case in which different types of cases are detachably coupled with each other.

2. Discussion of Related Art

For conventional lipstick cases, only external design or patterns on surfaces have been changed in various ways to enhance aesthetics, while efforts to improve user's convenience by varying functional aspects have been insufficient. There have been inconveniences caused by carrying myriad different types of cosmetic products, and there is demand for simplifying the carrying possession, especially when going out and traveling.

As a related art for addressing the above problems, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0242047 has proposed a multipurpose lipstick case, on which a lighter and a convex mirror are further mounted with a lipstick.

However, since the multipurpose lipstick case is not coupled with another cosmetic products—such as a concealer, a blush, an eye shadow or foundation that could be used together with a lipstick for the purpose of makeup—the problem of carrying various makeups is still existing and needs to be solved.

The above-mentioned technical configuration is to provide the background in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention; it is not necessarily related to the technical field of which the present invention pertains.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

(Patent Document 1) Korean Unexamined Patent Application: Publication No. 10-2023-0076293 (Date of Publication: May 31, 2023)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to provide a conjoint lip-care case that has a feature of a case enabling two or more products to be coupled, thereby allowing two or more different products to be configured as one product set instead of being separately possessed. People use not only one, but also numerous cosmetic products, as cosmetic or makeup products deliver different kinds of moisture level, texture and color, depending on the state of matter—whether it is liquid, solid or aerosol—of the products.

According to the present invention, a conjoint lip-care case enables at least two or more lip-care products to be coupled. The conjoint lip-care case includes a case containing the solid type of cosmetics (hereinafter referred to as “solid type case”) which is coupled with a case containing the liquid type of cosmetics (hereinafter referred to as “liquid type case”). The protruding part of the liquid type case fits into the dent of the solid type case. The end of both cases is composed of a cap or a cap with a stick which enables users to apply both solid and liquid type cosmetics. The solid type case is rotatable, which allows the solid type cosmetics to be exposed for use and to be retraced back for storage; the liquid type case has a stick dipped in the liquid type cosmetics, which enables users to apply on a face or lips.

In addition, the solid type case has a space unit which contains solid type cosmetics, and the space unit is connected to a lifting/lowering function unit (hereinafter referred to as a “shaft unit”). The shaft is connected to the rotating unit (hereinafter referred to as a “dial unit”), which enables the solid cosmetics to be appeared for use and disappeared for storage from the shaft; the solid cosmetics appears and disappears from the opening/cap of the solid type case by rotating the dial unit.

Furthermore, the dial unit has a concave dent at the end and center of solid type case, which fits into the protrude part of the liquid type case. In other words, a coupling groove formed to be concave toward a center of the solid type case unit may be formed in the dial part, and the protruding part of liquid type case unit may be coupled to the coupling groove.

The liquid type case has one end with a lid which opens to form an entry/exit part of the liquid cosmetics, and the other end is formed with the protruding part. The liquid type case has a space unit which enables to contain liquid cosmetics (hereinafter referred to as a “body part”) with a lid. A stick composed with soft end is connected to the lid (hereinafter referred to as a “stick part”), and the stick part allows users to dip into the body part so that the stick is coated with cosmetic products for application on face or lips. The lid united with the stick part functions as not only applicator, but also the closure of the liquid type case for storage, since the lid interlocks with the body part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing exemplary embodiments thereof in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating coupling of a liquid type case to a solid type case, in order to form a conjoint lip-care case as one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention for describing coupling process between two different conjoint lip-care cases as one embodiment and details of case compartments;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention for describing an internal structure of the solid type case of the conjoint lip-care case;

FIG. 4 is a first modification of the present invention for describing coupling of a protruding part with small cushioning protrusions with elasticity to a dent of the solid type case to form a conjoint lip-care case;

FIG. 5 is a second modification of the present invention for describing coupling of a fitting circular protrusion to a fitting slide shaped groove to form a conjoint lip-care case;

FIG. 6 is a third modification of the present invention for describing a two vertical semi-circle hybrid case with a half of liquid type case and a half of solid type case; the liquid type case has softer stick end while the solid type case has harder stick end;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the third modification of the present invention for describing detachment between the liquid stick part and a solid stick part in the conjoint lip-care case;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the third modification of the present invention for describing an accommodating part in the conjoint lip-care case; and

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the third modification of the present invention for describing coupling between an upper rotating member and a lower rotating member that is for allowing the cover part and an opening/closing member to interlock with each other in the conjoint lip-care case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving the present invention will be more articulated stated with embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented and transformed into various different forms. The present embodiments are only provided to deliver the disclosure of the present invention more complete, and to fully inform those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains of the scope of the invention. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims.

In addition, in describing the present invention, when a related known technology or the like is determined as having the possibility of obscuring a gist of the present invention, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The present invention relates to a conjoint lip-care case, and the conjoint lip-care case of the present invention may mainly include a solid type case unit 100 and a liquid type case unit 300.

The conjoint lip-care case of the present invention is provided to enable at least two or more of a plurality of lip-care products to be coupled and may be configured to include the solid type case unit 100—in which one end is open, a solid type product 105 is coupled to an inner portion, and the one end is rotatable to allow the solid cosmetic product 105 to be exposed—and the liquid type case unit 300—that is provided to be couplable to the solid type case unit 100 and has an inner portion to which a liquid cosmetic product 305 and a stick part 350 that is able to be dipped in the liquid type product 305 to apply.

Detailed description will be given with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating coupling of the liquid type case unit 300 to the solid type case unit 100 in the conjoint lip-care case according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed view for describing coupling between different conjoint lip-care cases according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a view for describing an internal structure of the solid type case unit 100 in the conjoint lip-care case according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated, the liquid type case unit 300 is coupled to the solid type case unit 100 in the conjoint lip-care case of the present invention.

First, in the solid type case unit 100, a body part 110 formed in a cylindrical shape may be included; a lifting/lowering space 130 in which the solid type product 105 is accommodated may be formed inside the body part 110; and an opening may be formed at one end to allow the solid type product 105 to be exposed to the outside for usage.

In addition, a shaft part 150 may be inserted into the solid type product 105 to allow the solid type product 105 to be fixed to an inner portion of the lifting/lowering space 130, and the shaft part 150 may be coupled to a dial part 170 that is rotatably provided on a lower end of the body part of the solid type case unit 100.

In more detail, one end of the shaft part 150 may be coupled to the dial part 170, an application member may be coupled to the other end of the shaft part 150, and the application member may be formed in a shape or of a material that allows the solid type product to be scooped or applied.

The dial part 170 may have a cylindrical shape identical to that of the body part 110 and may be formed to have a diameter equal to a diameter of the body part 110.

Accordingly, as the dial part 170 rotates in one direction, the solid type product 105 fixed to the shaft part 150 moves upward along an inner circumference of the body part 110.

At this time, a screw thread member 114 in the form of a screw thread may be formed on the inner circumference of the body part 110.

In addition, the solid type product 105 fixed in the solid type case unit 100 may be a lip tint or a lip balm.

With such a configuration, the solid type product 105 can be exposed to the outside by rotating the dial part 170 and directly applied on the lips.

Meanwhile, a coupling groove 172 formed to be concave toward a center of the solid type case unit 100 may be formed in the dial part 170, and the liquid type case unit 300 may be coupled to the coupling groove 172.

The coupling groove 172 is concave toward the center of the solid type case unit 100, and the liquid type case unit 300 may include a protruding member 314 that has a shape corresponding to the coupling groove 172.

The liquid type case unit 300 including the protruding member 314 may have one end open to form an entry/exit part—not denoted by a reference numeral—may include a body part 310 forming an accommodation space 330 in which the liquid type product 305 and the stick part 350 that is able to be dipped in the liquid type product 305 are accommodated through the entry/exit part, and may include a lid part 390 provided at one end of the stick part 350 to be coupled to the body part 310 and close the opening.

With such a configuration, the stick part 350 integrally formed with the lid part 390 can be dipped in the liquid type product 305 present in the accommodation space 330 for usage.

The liquid type case unit 300 may further include a dipping member 352 attached with the stick part 350, which is located inside the liquid type case unit 300 to apply the liquid type product 305 at the edge of the stick.

The dipping member 352 may be formed of a material that can absorb the liquid type product 305.

The body part 310 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be formed in a cylindrical shape, may be longitudinally formed to have a predetermined length in one direction, and may have the entry/exit part formed at one end. The lid part 390 may be coupled to the body part 310 so that the lid part 390 opens and closes the entry/exit part, and the protruding member 314 may be formed at the other end of the body part 310.

The protruding member 314 may have a circular shape, may be formed to have a diameter relatively smaller than the diameter of the body part 310, and may be inserted into the coupling groove 172.

Since the diameter of the body part 310 and the diameter of the dial part 170 are formed to be equal, the diameter of the protruding member 314 may correspond to the diameter of the coupling groove 172 and may be formed to be smaller than the diameter of the body part 310 to allow the protruding member 314 to be inserted into the coupling groove 172 of the dial part 170.

In addition, the liquid type product 305 may be a lip tint, a lip gloss, a lip oil or any other liquid matter cosmetics.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the conjoint lip-care case, which the liquid type case unit 300 is coupled to the solid type case unit 100, suggests that the body part 110 and the body part 310 may be formed with a transparent material to allow colors of the solid type product 105 and the liquid type product 305 to be apparent; the transparent material allows users to catch a gist of the mixture of the colors of the products 105 and 305 accommodated inside of the cases with bare eyes when the solid type case unit 100 and the liquid type case unit 300 are coupled.

Meanwhile, the conjoint lip-care case according to the present invention may have a structure which the protruding member 314 is forcibly fitted into the coupling groove 172 to allow the solid type case unit 100 and the liquid type case unit 300 to be firmly coupled.

FIG. 4 is a view for describing coupling of the protruding member 314 with the groove 172 of the solid type case unit 100 in a conjoint lip-care case according to the first modification of the present invention.

The conjoint lip-care case according to the first modification of the present invention may have a form which the coupling groove 172 is formed inside the dial part 170. The protruding member 314 is coupled to the coupling groove, and one or more fitting protrusions 316 may be formed on portions or along the circumference of the protruding member 314. And, as the protruding member 314 may be inserted into the coupling groove 172, the protruding member 314 is fitted with slight force to the coupling groove 172 through the fitting protrusions 316.

The protrusions 316 may be formed of an elastic or cushioning material, may have a shape that protrudes to be convex from the protruding member 314 toward the outside, and may be formed in a circular or semicircular shape.

In this way, the maximum diameter of the protruding member 314 including the fitting protrusions 316 may be formed to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the dial part 170.

In addition, grooves into which the fitting protrusions 316 are inserted may be formed in portions of a side of the coupling groove 172 to correspond to positions where the fitting protrusions 316 are formed on the protruding member 314.

The grooves may be formed to be concave toward the side surface in portions adjacent to the center of the solid type case unit 100 in the height direction of the coupling groove 172.

Accordingly, when inserted into the coupling groove 172, the fitting protrusions 316 may be altered or deformed and then completely coupled together by reaching the positions of the grooves.

Specifically, since the fitting protrusions 316 have elasticity, the fitting protrusions 316 may be deformed to be flat when the protruding member 314 is inserted into the coupling groove 172 and then restored back to the original shape upon reaching the grooves; in this way, a bonding force between the solid type case unit 100 and the liquid type case unit 300 can be increased.

At this time, boundary portions between the coupling groove 172 and the grooves may be formed to be inclined in a direction in which the grooves protrude in the height direction of the coupling groove 172 to facilitate detachment when the protruding member 314 is separated from the coupling groove 172.

Meanwhile, in another modified embodiment of the present invention, the coupling groove 172 may have a bent shape, and a path along which the protruding member 314 is inserted may be provided.

This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a view for describing coupling of a fitting protrusion 316 to a fitting groove 174 in a conjoint lip-care case according to a second modification of the present invention.

In the second modified embodiment of the present invention, the fitting groove 174 may have a path that is bent sideward where the protruding member 314 can be inserted.

In addition, one or more fitting protrusions 316 may be formed along the circumference of the protruding member 314, and the solid type case unit 100 and the liquid type case unit 300 may be firmly coupled.

Specifically, the conjoint lip-care case may further include the fitting groove 174 formed to pass through a portion of the dial part 170 along the circumference thereof, and the fitting groove 174 may be formed to interconnect with the coupling groove 172.

In addition, at least any one of the solid type case unit 100 and the liquid type case unit 300 may be rotated to adjust a direction thereof so that the fitting protrusion 316 is inserted into the fitting groove 174 as the protruding member 314 is inserted into the coupling groove 172.

After the fitting protrusion 316 is inserted into the fitting groove 174, the liquid type case unit 300 may be rotated toward one side to correspond to the shape of the fitting groove 174.

The fitting groove 174 may further include a coupling protrusion 176 that protrudes a predetermined length from the dial part 170 toward the fitting groove 174.

The coupling protrusion 176 may be formed to be convex to a predetermined extent and may improve a coupling force when the fitting protrusion 316 is coupled to the fitting groove 174.

Here, the fitting protrusion 316 and the protruding member 314 may be formed of an elastic material, and the protruding member 314 may have a circle or rhombic shape that has corners formed on upper, lower, left, and right sides in an up-down direction in which the fitting protrusion 316 is inserted into the fitting groove 174.

In this way, the protruding member 314 may be tightly inserted into and fixed to the coupling groove 172.

The fitting groove 174 serves as a path along which the fitting protrusion 316 moves, and the coupling protrusion 176 may be formed on at least one of both ends of the dial part 170 that constitutes the fitting groove.

From the present embodiment, it can be seen that the coupling protrusion 176 is formed only on one side on a portion where the fitting groove 174 is formed in the up-down direction, and coupling protrusions 176 are formed to vertically correspond to each other on a portion where the fitting groove 174 is formed in a lateral direction.

While increasing the coupling force between the solid type case unit 100 and the liquid type case unit 300 as in the second modified embodiment of the present invention, the users can easily grip a large surface area of the conjoint lip-care case. The conjoint lip-care case can be easily assembled and disassembled when the dial part 170 rotates, as the liquid type case unit 300 rotates along with the dial part 170,

Moreover, the bonding of the liquid type case unit 300 and the solid type case unit 100 provides an advantage that the product can be safely carried and that users can use two or more products interchangeably for extra and different types of moisture.

In addition, a circumference or diameter at which the protruding member 314 lumps may be equal to a length of the fitting groove 174 in the up-down direction.

The fitting groove 174 has a ninety-degree rotated L-shape dent and has a section that is longitudinally formed in vertical direction of the solid type case unit 100, and the length of this section may be less than or equal to a height at which the protruding member 314 protrudes from the body part 310.

Meanwhile, according to another modification of the present invention, the conjoint lip-care case may further include a hybrid case unit 500.

The hybrid case unit 500 may include an accommodating part 580 which a space is formed to simultaneously accommodate the liquid type product 305 and the solid type product 105. The conjoint lip-care case whose only one end is open has a partition 582, which divides the space of the lip-care case, and a cover part 510, which opens and closes the cap of the accommodating part 580 and may be separable.

Details will be described with reference from FIG. 6 to FIG. 9.

FIG. 6 is a view for describing a cover part 190 and a liquid stick part 520 of the hybrid case unit 500 in a conjoint lip-care case according to a third modification of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a view for describing separation between the liquid stick part 520 and a solid stick part 540 in the conjoint lip-care case according to the third modification of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a view for describing the accommodating part 580 in the conjoint lip-care case according to the third modification of the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a view for describing coupling between an upper rotating member 514 and a lower rotating member 584 that is for allowing the cover part 190 and an opening/closing member 586 to interlock with each other in the conjoint lip-care case according to the third modification of the present invention.

The cover part 510 may include the liquid stick part 520 and the solid stick part 540 that are longitudinally formed toward the accommodating part 580.

Here, the liquid stick part 520 may be used to apply the liquid type product 305, and the solid stick part 540 may be used to apply the solid type product.

To this end, the liquid stick part 520 and the solid stick part 540 may have the following configurations. The liquid stick part 520 may include a third member 522 that is longitudinally formed and has the other end coupled to the liquid stick part 520 and a fourth member 524 that is coupled to the third member 522 in a form that surrounds a portion of the third member 522 and allows the third member 522 to be inserted and withdrawn, and an elastic part 560 having elasticity may be disposed between the third member 522 and the fourth member 524 in a direction in which the third member 522 and the fourth member 524 are coupled and may provide a repulsive force that allows the third member 522 and the fourth member 524 to return to their initial positions when the third member 522 and the fourth member 524 reach a contraction position where they are contracted due to an external force from the initial position where they are maximally stretched.

Like the liquid stick part 520, the solid stick part 540 may include a first member 542 that corresponds to the third member 522, a second member 543 that corresponds to the fourth member 524, and the elastic part 560 that provides a repulsive force between the first member 542 and the second member 543.

Specifically, the first member 542 and the second member 543 may be provided to be length-adjustable by elasticity of the elastic part 560, and the third member 522 and the fourth member 524 may also be length-adjustable by the elastic part 560.

With such a structure, the lengths of the liquid stick part 520 and the solid stick part 540 may be extended to be adjacent to a bottom surface of the accommodating part 580; thus, the lengths of the liquid stick part 520 and the solid stick part 540 may be extended according to the remaining amounts of the liquid type product 305 and the solid type product 105 after use.

For example, when the length of the solid type product 105 shortens as the solid type product 105 is used, the solid stick part 540 may be inserted deeper into the accommodating part 580, and the elastic part 560 may allow the first member 542 and the second member 543 to be contracted to mitigate an impact applied to the solid type product 105 so that the solid type product 105 is not damaged due to a force with which the solid stick part 540 is inserted.

According to another derived embodiment, the first member 542 may be screw-coupled to the second member 543.

The first member 542 may be stretched away from the second member 543, and the length of the first member 542 may be increased by rotating the first member 542.

In yet another embodiment, the first member 542 may be provided to be stretched in a telescopic form.

Here, the lengths of the first member 542 and the third member 522 may be adjusted in various ways other than those described in the above embodiments, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

Meanwhile, since the liquid stick part 520 and the solid stick part 540 have the similar structures, the liquid end part 521 for applying the liquid type product 305 may be formed at one end of the fourth member 524, and a solid end part 541 for applying the solid type product 105 may be formed at one end of the second member.

In the meantime, the liquid stick part 520 and the solid stick part 540 according to the present invention may be separable and detachable from each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the liquid stick part 520 may be separated from the solid stick part 540.

The liquid stick part 520 and the solid stick part 540 are coupled with each other with a rail member 512 therebetween and thus can be separated from each other by sliding. As illustrated, when the liquid stick part 520 is separated downward from the solid stick part 540, the liquid stick part 520 may be dipped in the liquid type product 305 inside the accommodating part 580.

This—the cap divided into half can be detachable from each other—is possible as the opening/closing member 586 of the accommodating part 580 holds the liquid stick part 520, which limits the liquid stick part 520 to be detached from the accommodating part 580.

The accommodating part 580 has an open top and may include the opening/closing member 586 that is coupled to the accommodating part 580 to open or close at least a portion of the accommodating part 580.

The opening/closing member 586 may have the shape of a panel and may have a semicircular shape that corresponds to half of the cylindrical shape of the accommodating part 580.

In addition, a groove—not illustrated—having the same shape as an arc of the semicircular shape may be formed at the center of the opening/closing member 586.

Since the third member 522 or the first member 542 is forcibly fitted to the groove, the liquid stick part 520 is prevented from being detached when the groove of the opening/closing member 586 is coupled to the third member 522, and the solid stick part 540 is prevented from being detached when the groove is coupled to the first member 542.

In this way, a user may take only one of the liquid stick part 520 and the solid stick part 540 out of the accommodating part 580 by lifting the cover part 510.

In addition, the opening/closing member 586 may be rotatably coupled to an inner portion of the accommodating part 580.

Specifically, since the opening/closing member 586 is coupled to the partition 582 while having a rotating shaft, the opening/closing member 586 may be rotatable in the accommodating part 580.

In this way, the opening/closing member 586 may close or open an upper portion of the liquid type product 305 or an upper portion of the solid type product 105 based on the partition 582 at an upper portion of the accommodating part 580.

Specifically, as in FIG. 8, the lower rotating member 584 may be formed to vertically pass through the partition 582 in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating part 580 at the upper portion of the accommodating part 580, and at least one side of the accommodating part 580 may be closed or opened as the lower rotating member 584 rotates.

In FIG. 8, the left drawing shows a state in which the liquid type product 305 is open and the solid type product 105 is closed, and the right drawing shows the opposite state in which the solid type product 105 is open and the liquid type product 305 is closed.

Meanwhile, the lower rotating member 584 that rotates may protrude downward from the cover part 510 and may be coupled to the upper rotating member 514.

The upper rotating member 514 may be longitudinally formed from the cover part 510 and may have an end coupled to the lower rotating member 584.

In this way, the position of the opening/closing member 586 may be adjusted by turning the upper rotating member 514 or the lower rotating member 584.

Since the opening/closing member 586 is rotatably coupled to an upper end of the accommodating part 580 as described above, when the user turns an arrow at an upper end of the upper rotating member 514, the lower rotating member 584 may rotate together, and the opening/closing member 586 may rotate in the accommodating part 580.

Since the opening/closing member 586 is provided to close half of the accommodating part 580, and the liquid stick part 520 or the solid stick part 540 is gripped at the closed position as described above, the user can take only one side of the cover part 510 out of the accommodating part 580.

In addition, an indicating member—not denoted by a reference numeral—that is bent sideward may be formed on the upper end of the upper rotating member 514 located at the center of the cover part 510; for example, as illustrated, an arrow may be formed as the indicating member, which allows the user to recognize that the liquid stick part 520 or the solid stick part 540 which corresponds to a direction indicated by the arrow is fixed to the accommodating part 580.

According to yet another embodiment, gear teeth may be formed to be exposed to the cover part 510.

Specifically, a gear that allows the upper rotating member 514 to turn may be provided on an inner portion of the cover part 510 for the user to adjust the position of the opening/closing member 586; specifically, a gear tooth of the gear that rotates on the inner portion of the cover part 510 may be formed in the circumferential direction of the cover part 510, and a slot may be formed in a portion of the cover part 510 for the gear to be exposed so that the user can manipulate the gear.

In addition, a portion of the gear tooth of the gear may be marked with a color, arrows or scales which may be printed on both ends of the slot to allow the opening/closing member 586 to be rotated to an accurate position, and the opening/closing member 586 may close any one of the liquid type product 305 and the solid type product 105 when the user rotates the color-marked portion of the gear to a position corresponding to a scale.

The present invention has the advantage that a solid type product and a liquid type product can be assembled and possessed together according to desired types and colors of lip-care products.

Specific embodiments of the conjoint lip-care case according to the present invention have been described above, but it is apparent that various modifications are possible within the scope which does not depart from the conceptual scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be defined as being limited to the embodiments described above and should be defined by not only the scope of the claims below, but also their equivalents.

That is, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative, instead of limiting, in all aspects, the scope of the present invention is shown by the claims below rather than by the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meanings and scope of the claims and concepts equivalent thereto should be construed as falling within the scope of the present invention.