Abstract: A machine for dispensing an aerosol precursor composition for use with aerosol delivery devices. The machine may include a plurality of sources of dispensable, liquid aerosol precursor components. The plurality of sources may differ in the liquid aerosol precursor components being dispensable therefrom. The machine may include a user interface configured to allow a user to select an amount of the liquid aerosol precursor components for dispensing. The machine may also include a dispenser for dispensing the aerosol precursor components in response to the selection made on the user interface.

Abstract: A unit for mixing and dispensing an aerosol precursor composition, and containers to be dispensed therefrom. The unit includes a plurality of bulk material filling stations, the plurality of bulk material filling stations have at least one first filling station with aerosol former and at least one second filling station with a flavor material for creating the aerosol precursor. The unit also includes a bulk consumable pack staging a plurality of containers configured to receive the aerosol precursor, and a robot configured to retrieve a container from the bulk consumable pack and move the container through at least two dimensions to stop at at least two of the plurality of bulk material filling stations.

Abstract: A method for filling a liquid into a liquid-filled rubber, the method includes a deaerating step of deaerating a liquid under normal temperature, a cooling step of cooling the deaerated liquid, a pouring step of pouring the cooled liquid into a liquid chamber of a rubber member and a sealing step of sealing the liquid chamber in an atmosphere under reduced pressure to seal the liquid in the liquid chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for systems and methods to dynamically filling inoculations in proper quantities. Embodiments are directed towards a multi-dose prefilled reconstituted device (MPRD) that is configured to automatically prepare a plurality of vials for inoculations quickly and accurately, wherein the MPRD is a transportable device that may be moved from a laboratory environment to a field environment and/or a clinical environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for passing a medium into a container, for example a flexible pouch, with a rotatable carousel and one or more treatment stations with a movable lance that can be inserted into the container, and a receptacle for a container, characterized in that an indirect magnetic drive means for moving the lance is provided, wherein a first part (lance part) of the magnetic drive means is joined with the lance and a second part (drive part) of the magnetic drive means is indirectly magnetically coupled with the lance part.

Abstract: A system for painting objects having a plurality of ring lines extending along a painting booth, each ring line conducting an operating medium required for operating an application device provided in the painting booth. The ring lines are divided into at least two regions. A connection device connects at least some of the ring lines to the application device and has a terminal module. The terminal module includes at least as many ring line sections as there are ring lines. The ring line sections have terminals at the ends to connect to the ring line regions. A branch line branches off from each of the ring line sections, the branch line leading to a terminal device. The terminal device has an inner flow path via which at least some of the branch lines can be connected to an outlet terminal. At least one tube or a line connects the outlet terminal to the application device.

Abstract: A vending machine comprising multiple subsystems typically including container receiving, container cleaning, container storage, container filling, container vending, a computer system, and a user interface. A vending machine for dispensing, receiving, cleaning and/or filling containers comprising container receiving means for receiving a first container, container cleaning means for cleaning the first container, container dispensing means for dispensing the first container, and container filling means for filling the first container or a second container.

Abstract: A process and system for sterilization of a product pathway of a blow-fill-seal machine. The process comprises steps of: (1) isolating a holding tank from the product pathway; (2) supplying a sterilizing agent to the product pathway of the BFS machine when the holding tank is isolated; (3) stopping the supply of sterilizing agent to the product pathway when a threshold is reached; and (4) supplying filtered compressed air to the product pathway when the supply of sterilizing agent is stopped. The process is preferably executed automatically without human intervention once initiated. Also described is a system for carrying out the process including a processor, valves and temperature and/or pressure sensors which provide information to the processor to determine when to open and close the valves to supply sterilizing agent and/or compressed air to the product pathway or holding tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling containers having stoppers that are penetrable for filling the containers with a substance, and thermally resealable for thermally sealing the resulting hole. A container support supports at least one such container in a substantially fixed position during filling and resealing. A manifold drivingly mounted over the container support comprises (1) a cartridge including a filling needle for penetrating the resealable stopper and introducing a substance therethrough into the container, a mount for mounting the cartridge on the manifold, and a removable cover releasably coupled to the mount for covering the filling needle during transportation, installation and/or removal of the cartridge from the manifold. The manifold includes a thermal source for heating a penetrated region of the stopper and, sealing the hole.

Abstract: A conveying device for a mixture of free-flowing finely divided solid materials, in particular for powdered and/or granular (mixed) material, especially polymer granules with a liquid includes a telescopic pipe which is vertically arranged and can be flexibly fitted for conveying a mixture of preferably polymer granules with a liquid, for example for flushing a contaminated conveying device.

Abstract: A conveying device for free-flowing fine-particle solids, in particular for powdery and/or granular (mixed) material, especially plastic granulate, includes a vertically arranged and flexibly mountable telescopic pipe for the conveyance of, preferably, polymer granulates, for example in a plant for the filling of polymer granulates.

Abstract: A container and method are provided for storing fat containing liquid products. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber for receiving the product, and a container closure. A first material portion forms at least most of the surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein. Neither the body nor the first material portion leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the product or undesirably alter a taste profile thereof. A needle penetrable and thermally resealable second material portion either (i) overlies the first material portion and cannot contact any product within the storage chamber, or (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein in comparison to the first material portion. A sealing portion is engageable with the body to form a substantially dry hermetic seal between the container closure and body.

Abstract: A machine for filling containers, including a plurality of filling spouts, and a cleaning device comprising a plurality of individual tubular collecting elements rigidly mounted on a collection tube, and a device for moving the collection tube between a retracted position and a service position in which the collecting elements are in contact, via the upstream ends thereof, with the filling spouts. The collection tube laterally supports the collecting elements, such that, in the retracted position, the collecting elements are arranged between the filling spouts. The moving device capable of moving the collection tube from the retracted position thereof to the service position thereof by at least one downward vertical translational movement, followed by a horizontal movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for filling or packing contents, particularly beverages, food, medications, or the like, into containers. As the containers pass through the device from an inlet to an outlet side, the containers passing through the working chamber have a sterile fluid, particularly sterile air, applied thereto for preventing germ growth. In order to reduce the cleaning effort for lines for the sterile fluid, the invention proposes that a cleaning medium having an internal line is inserted into the line for applying the sterile fluid. The line no longer needs to be disassembled in order to load the sterile fluid. In order to distribute the sterile fluid uniformly throughout the containers in a working chamber, the sterile fluid is distributed in two stages, first by means of the pipe extending into the working chamber, as described above and then through a profile extending over the containers and below the pipe, having openings for passing the sterile fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filling element for a filling system or for a filling machine for filling containers with a liquid filling material. The filling element has at least one liquid channel designed in a filling element housing, which channel forms at least one discharge opening for the liquid filling material and can be connected to a source for providing the liquid filling material or a component of said filling material, at least one liquid valve in the at least one liquid channel for the controlled discharge of the filling material or the component at the discharge opening, and a gas barrier, which, when the liquid valve is closed, prevents the filling material from continuing to flow or drip, and for that purpose forms at least one flow channel having a reduced cross-section.

Abstract: A filler element for filling containers with liquid includes a housing, a housing opening area, a protective space, a channel formed therein, a liquid valve in the channel, a dispensing opening downstream from the valve, and a fill-level-determining element comprising first and second ends. The fill-level-determining element is routed through the housing and extends by the first end into the dispensing opening during filling and is routed out of the housing by the second end at a housing opening area in a sealed manner with a protective space directly adjacent to it. The protective space holds a length of the fill-level-determining element that corresponds to an axial adjustment lift. The protective space opens by an axial opening lift of the fill-level-determining element that differs from its axial adjustment lift. The protective space opens by the axial opening lift of the fill-level-determining element into a space formed in the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers, has an entrance through which open containers can be introduced into the apparatus, including at least one transport device which conveys the containers along a predefined transport path, and an exit via which the containers can be discharged from the apparatus. The speed at which the transport device conveys the containers is variable, and the apparatus comprises at least one filling device which fills the containers at least partially with a liquid medium on the transport path between the entrance and the exit. The apparatus includes a housing, and arranged in the interior of the housing is at least one sterilization device in the form of a ?-radiation unit which sterilizes components of the apparatus.

Abstract: Fluid transfer systems are disclosed that can be configured to transfer precise amounts of fluid from a source container to a target container. The fluid transfer system can have multiple fluid transfer stations for transferring fluids into multiple target containers or for combining different types of fluids into a single target container to form a mixture. The fluid transfer system can include a pump and a destination sensor, such as a weight sensor. The fluid transfer system can be configured to flush remaining fluid out of a connector to reduce waste, using air or a flushing fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers with a liquid and, in particular, with a beverage, with a plurality of filling elements which in each case have an outlet in order to pour the beverage into the containers, as well as a valve device in order to control the supply of the liquid into the containers, with a conveying device which conveys the containers along a pre-set conveying path at least for a time during the filling thereof with the liquid, and with a cleaning device which acts with a cleaning medium upon at least one region contacted by the liquid to be filled. At least one filling element is designed in such a way that the cleaning medium is freely discharged out of this filling element during a cleaning operation.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid medication dispensing machine that can remove a liquid medication from one end of a supply pipe with higher reliability. The liquid medication dispensing machine includes a plurality of supply nozzles located at equal intervals through which liquid medications flow from a plurality of liquid medication bottles containing the liquid medications, respectively, to a prescription bottle. The plurality of supply nozzles are moved sequentially to a supply position where a supply nozzle faces an upper opening of the prescription bottle. The liquid medication dispensing machine further includes a cleaning unit that removes the liquid medication adhering to the supply nozzle. The supply nozzles are moved sequentially to a cleaning position where the cleaning unit removes the liquid medication from the supply nozzle. The cleaning position is provided at a position away from the supply position by a distance smaller than a spacing between the supply nozzles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for treating containers relating especially to cleaning plastic bottles (1) preferably in the inverted position. Each container is thereby subjected to a treatment medium (16) applied and/or introduced thereto. Electrically charged ions introduced into the treatment medium (16) serve to balance the charge of each container. According to the invention, the treatment medium (16) is tested for the presence of ions.

Abstract: A container filling arrangement and a method of operating a container filling arrangement, which container filling arrangement comprises a filling element, a closure element, a supply of cleaning and/or sterilization medium, and a control element. During a cleaning and/or sterilizing operation of the filling element, cleaning and/or sterilization medium is conducted from the supply of cleaning and/or sterilization medium to the filling element. The control element is operatively connected to the closure element and is actuatable, by fluid pressure of the cleaning and/or sterilization medium in the filling element, to increase the force of engagement of the closure element during the cleaning and/or sterilizing operation.

Abstract: A device for bottling liquids into containers with at least one filling member for filling liquids into the containers includes a covering device, which covers the filling member at least temporarily in order to prevent egress of liquid from the filling member. The covering device is both pivotable about a pre-set pivot axis (X) and is displaceable about a pre-set displacement direction (S), and has at least one driving device for producing movements of the covering device. The driving device serves to produce both the pivoting movement and the displacement movement of the covering device, and is designed in such a way that the pivoting movement and the displacement movement take place in an at least partially staggered manner time-wise with respect to each other.

Abstract: An assembly for purging a canister into a tank and for rinsing the canister, the canister having a floor, the assembly including a “A” configured lance having a plurality of legs and a bar, each leg among the plurality of legs forming a blade having an upper end and an outer edge, the blades' upper ends and outer edges being sharpened for, upon upward impingement against the canisters' floor, dividing the floor into a plurality of sections, each section among the plurality of sections being configured as a flexible leaf, the bar member forming and functioning both as a leaf deflecting mandrel, and as a rotatable sprinkler head, the “A” configured lance and associated sprinkler head configured mandrel being mountable within the tank by suspension hooks.

Abstract: A drain system for a food preparation machine includes a preparation area drain tray; a rinsing station including a water source; a water collection tray disposed below the rinsing station so as to collect water supplied from the water source; and, a passage from the rinsing station to the preparation area drain tray directing water to flush the preparation area drain tray with water supplied from the water source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary valve and rotary disk fluid dispensing system that sanitizes valve ports using UV radiation during non-use. Steam and ozinated water can also be used for stripping and disinfecting portions of the dispenser that can be accessed by the public. The system also uses detectors including hall detectors and a camera to inspect for blockage of valve ports, tampering or improper operation of the rotary valve disc.

Abstract: An article storage facility includes a controller for controlling operations of flow rate adjusting devices of inactive gas feeding sections and a specified feeding section selecting section for selecting one or some or all of a plurality of inactive gas feeding sections as specified feeding sections. For the inactive gas feeding sections of the storage sections storing the transport containers therein, the controller causes the flow rate adjusting devices to be operated according to a container storage mode in which mode the inactive gas is fed to the transport container in a predetermined feed manner. For the specified feeding sections selected by the specified feeding section selecting section, the controller causes the flow rate adjusting devices to be operated according to a specified feeding section feed mode in which mode the inactive gas is fed through the discharge openings thereof in a specified feeding section feed manner.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a gassing manifold includes providing a gassing module and a complementary clean in place module for coupling to the gassing module. Cleaning solution is pumped from the clean in place module to the gassing module above a minimum flow rate and velocity for effective cleaning.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterile filling of beverage containers has a first module and a second module. The first module rinses and sterilizes empty containers and delivers the sterilized containers to the second module. The second module fills and caps the containers with beverage product at ambient temperature in an active sterilization zone utilizing an e-beam sterilization unit.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of pharmaceutical products according to which a diluent is fed into a container containing a lyophilized or powdered pharmaceutical through a needle, which is then extracted from the container, inserted in its protective cap, and rinsed by feeding the diluent through the needle and into the protective cap itself.

Abstract: A device for preparing drinks, in particular, cooled drinks. Also disclosed is a multi-way coupling for use in a device for cooling drinks and a method for cleaning a device for preparing drinks.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a flavored beverage wherein the flavor is added in a separate step to a combination of the base ingredients after the base liquid has been pasteurized by, for example, thermal heating. The flavor can be added to a continuous stream of the base liquid after a thermally processed hot-fill beverage base liquid is made up. A return loop conduit of the hot-fill beverage base liquid portion of the system is capable of diverting the heated hot-fill beverage base liquid in a stable state, that is, at the desired temperatures ready for continued beverage production, while the flavor may be switched over in a downstream flavor dosing portion of the system. The system may be used to produce a desired batch of flavored beverage by producing a first flavor, cleaning only that portion of the system to remove the first flavor and then changing over the flavor additive component to a desired second flavor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products and implementing techniques for mixing liquid components. Quantities of two or more liquid components are transferred from pressurized source reservoirs to one or more destination locations by means of a fluid outlet that includes a dispense valve, and the two or more liquid components are mixed in the destination locations to create a plurality of fluid mixtures. Two or more dispensing technologies can be combined to provide for increased efficiency in the dispensing of high volume liquid components. The amounts of liquid components being dispensed can be monitored during the dispensing to provide feedback control of the dispensing.

Abstract: A container filling machine includes at least one filling spout, and a cleaning device including a stationary collecting member with a passage opening, a sealing member that can be displaced between a retracted position and a service position in which said sealing member is capable of tightly sealing the passage opening, and displacement means for displacing said sealing member between the retracted position and the service position thereof. The sealing member includes an elastically deformable membrane mounted on a holder and forming therewith a tight deformation chamber capable of receiving a pressurized fluid in order to deform the deformable membrane for sealing the passage opening when said holder is displaced into the service position by the displacement means.

Abstract: A metering pump for feeding out viscous materials, which pump comprises a housing having an inlet connectable to a viscous material source, an outlet; and a valve body of cylindrical basic shape, which is rotatable into at least two positions by means of a drive unit including a first position allowing a flow of the material from the inlet to the housing and a second position allowing a flow of the material from the housing to the outlet. The pump also comprises a cylinder device connected to the housing, having a controllable piston intended to achieve the flow of material, and at least one device for cleaning the metering pump. The cleaning device comprises at least one nozzle for cleaning agent, disposed in a valve-body-facing part of the piston. Also, a method for cleaning such a metering pump.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning device for a receptacle filling machine comprising a plurality of filling spouts, and a corresponding machine. In an embodiment, the cleaning device comprises a plurality of cleaning agent recovery tubes, each recovery tube being movable between a service position in which the tube is able to recover a cleaning agent delivered by a spout, and a retracted position in which the tube is at a distance from the spout, collection apparatus to which the tubes are connected, displacement apparatus for moving the tubes between their service position and their retracted position, and sealing apparatus comprising tubular adaptors designed to fit between the spouts and the upper ends of the tubes in their service position, and to reduce axially in length, in an elastic manner, to absorb the height differences between the spouts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container filling machine including at least one filling spout, and a cleaning device including a stationary collecting member with a passage opening, a sealing member that can be displaced between a retracted position and a service position in which said sealing member is capable of tightly sealing the passage opening of the collecting member for carrying out cleaning operations, and displacement means capable of displacing the sealing member from the retracted position to the service position thereof through at least one downward vertical translation displacement parallely to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout, followed by a horizontal displacement, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout, such that the sealing member is substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the filling spout.

Abstract: A dust control system for efficiently collecting dust laden air within and around a mining area. The dust control system generally includes a support structure, a duct assembly supported by the support structure, wherein the duct assembly includes an inlet for receiving dust laden air, an outlet for discharging a dust slurry, and a passageway connecting the inlet with the outlet and an injection pipe assembly directed within the passageway for injecting a mixture of a compressed air and a liquid within the passageway to mix with the dust laden air. The outlet of the injection pipe assembly is positioned forward the inlet of the duct assembly relative travel of the dust laden air through the passageway for generating a suction to force the dust laden air within the inlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterile filling of beverage containers has a first module and a second module. The first module rinses and sterilizes empty containers and delivers the sterilized containers to the second module. The second module fills and caps the containers with beverage product at ambient temperature in an active sterilization zone utilizing an e-beam sterilization unit.

Abstract: A container and method are provided for storing fat containing liquid products. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber for receiving the product, and a container closure. A first material portion forms at least most of the surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein. Neither the body nor the first material portion leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the product or undesirably alter a taste profile thereof. A needle penetrable and thermally resealable second material portion either (i) overlies the first material portion and cannot contact any product within the storage chamber, or (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein in comparison to the first material portion. A sealing portion is engageable with the body to form a substantially dry hermetic seal between the container closure and body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage container tapping apparatus, with: a transporting device for transporting beverage containers from an introducing position to a first and a second position, a disinfecting device for disinfecting a beverage container fitting, said disinfecting device being assigned to the first position, a tap head device with a tap head and a unit for attaching the tap head to the fitting of a beverage container, wherein the tap head device is assigned to the second position, and a device for transporting a beverage container out of the second position into an empties region.

Abstract: Isobaric rotary filling machine for filling containers, has a rotating table supporting a pressurized tank and valve units. Each valve unit has a filling duct for supplying the liquid from the tank to the containers, regulated by a faucet, and an air return pipe associated with a shut-off valve for controlling the pressure balance between the container and the tank. A flushing station, operationally associated with but fixed relative to the rotating table, has a receiving tray connected to a flushing circuit and operable to move between a non-operative position situated outside the travel path of the valve units, and an operative position situated underneath the travel path. The faucets and the shut-off valves open each filling duct and each pipe when the receiving tray is in the operative position and the flushing circuit is connected to the supply line of the tank.

Abstract: A coating material supply device is disclosed, such as for a paint facility. An exemplary coating material supply device may include a coating material reservoir and a coating material meter. During application of coating material, the coating material reservoir may be at ground potential and may be located upstream from the coating material meter, which may be at a high-voltage potential. The reservoir may be connected via an insulating path to the coating material meter. The coating material meter may be at ground potential when the coating material reservoir supplies coating material to the coating material meter. Before the coating material meter is returned to a high-voltage potential for continued application of coating material, the insulating path may be emptied to insulate the coating material meter from the coating material reservoir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 30 are provided for cleaning of bottle filling equipment 10 that has a plurality of elevated valves 18, each valve being in flow communication with filling liquid supply means 14. The method includes storing a manifold 32 that has a plurality of cleaning openings 42 in a configuration resembling that of the valves, in a position that allows clear visibility and access to the operation of the valves. The manifold 32 is lowered relative to the valves 18, so that it is below the valves and is positioned underneath the valves, with each cleaning opening 42 in flow communication with a valve. The valves 18 are rinsed with liquid flowing through the filling liquid supply 14, the valves and the manifold 32. Afterwards, the manifold 32 is removed from the valves 18 and returned to its stored position.

Abstract: A container and method are provided for storing fat containing liquid products. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber for receiving the product, and a container closure. A first material portion forms at least most of the surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein. Neither the body nor the first material portion leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the product or undesirably alter a taste profile thereof. A needle penetrable and thermally resealable second material portion either (i) overlies the first material portion and cannot contact any product within the storage chamber, or (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein in comparison to the first material portion. A sealing portion is engageable with the body to form a substantially dry hermetic seal between the container closure and body.

Abstract: A clean in place gassing manifold comprises a gassing module comprising a hub, the gassing module and the hub being formed as a unitary device; and a complimentary clean in place module for coupling the gassing module, the complimentary clean in place module comprising a head that inserts into the hub of the gassing module. The gassing module coupled with the complimentary clean in place module allow a cleaning solution to be pumped through the coupled modules at and above a minimum flow rate and a minimum velocity for effective cleaning.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supplying a paint application device with paint, whereby a determined amount of paint is transported between two scrapers through a scraper line, from a first scraper station which can be connected to a paint supply source, to a second scraper station which can be connected to the paint application device. Said scraper line is cleaned on the return path from the second scraper station to the first scraper station, by a cleaning product which is also transported between the two scrapers. In this way, the scraper line can be cleaned in a reliable manner, with a simple embodiment of the scraper, thus rendering the inventive method especially useful when a color change is carried out.

Abstract: A device is disclosed which acts to contain the contaminated effluent of an operation such as a hydro-blasting operation. The device has flexible bag for containing the effluent. The bag has an opening interfacing with a vessel being fluid blasted, into which opening the blasting effluent is received. A drain port is positioned on the containment bag to gravity empty the effluent from the interior of the bag, and a vent appropriately located on the containment bag to relieve pressure in the interior space during use and emptying. A flange strap disposed secures the bag opening to the vessel, and a support means is arranged to suspend the containment bag in proper relationship with the vessel. An expansion mechanism can be used to hold the containment bag in an expanded condition to facilitate use of the bag to properly contain the effluent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for washing, sterilizing, dispensing metered doses of water and infant formula into, and closing baby bottles. A baby bottle includes a bottle body (124), a nipple (123), a nipple cap (122) and a bottle cap (121). The device is capable of automatically washing the baby bottle, nipple, nipple cap and bottle cap. The device also automatically sterilizes the bottle and its components, assembles the nipple, nipple cap and the bottle cap and dispenses water and metered doses of infant formula in the bottle. The device also automatically closes the baby bottle with the preassembled components, after filling it with the required amount of water and formula at the required temperature.

Abstract: A method of treating a beverage bottle filling machine in a beverage bottling plant, method of cleaning a container filling machine in a container filling plant, and arrangements therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.