Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in logistics systems, and to apparatus and methods used in the manufacture and/or movement of goods from one location to another. It has particular, although not exclusive application to apparatus and equipment used in the manufacture or movement of commercial goods such as packaged food products (such as cases containing bottles or cans of soft drinks, by way of example). The background to the invention will therefore be described by way of example with specific reference to this application of the invention, to which its use is particularly suited.

Background to the Invention

In modern manufacturing processes, it is usually necessary to move an item of goods from one location to another. For example, when a can of soft drink is manufactured, the can must be made, then the can must be filled with the quantity of the desired beverage content, and then the can is sealed and labeled as desired. In order to achieve these various manufacturing processes, it is invariably necessary to move the can from one place where a given phase of the manufacturing process is performed to another (and typically, to more than one location), before the finished can may be aggregated into an array of a larger number of cans and packaged in readiness for dispatch. One or more of the movements required to present the can eventually to the dispatch point could of course be carried out manually, but in the modern mass production of fast moving consumer goods (such as canned or bottled soft drinks), moving the goods manually would of course be hopelessly inefficient and uneconomic in most instances. In order to provide suitably efficient manufacturing and dispatch processes, machines are therefore used in order to generate efficient throughput.

Cans or bottles of a soft drink beverage are not usually dispensed from a manufacturing plant individually for delivery to commercial customers. Rather, they are typically aggregated into packages that contain two or more units of the can (or bottle, as the case might be, in the case of bottled soft drinks). It is commonplace in modern manufacture for cans or bottles of a soft drink product to be aggregated into packages that - for example - contain one or two dozen units of the product. The cans or bottles that are so aggregated are typically packaged in cardboard boxes or through the use of plastic wrapping materials (such as plastic shrink-wrapping). Once the cans/bottles are so aggregated (in what are often variously referred to as cases or cartons of the cans/bottles), the cases/cartons must then be moved and presented to a dispatch point in the logistics system concerned, so that they may then be transported onwards to the desired locations (ie, to customers and/or distributors/re-sellers of the goods). Even at this stage in the manufacturing or logistical process, achieving efficient throughput for mass-produced goods is essential in modern business.

At the dispatch point, it is very important that cases, cartons or other containers that contain aggregates of units of the goods, can be moved efficiently to their desired location (for example, so as to present them to or for loading on a dispatch vehicle used to transport the goods to customers). For this purpose, it is frequently necessary to move the goods from one vertical height to another (ie, either to raise or lower the package from one height to another), so that - for example - goods that are located on a conveyor belt at a particular height are then moved onto a different conveyor belt that is located at a different height. There are various known forms of equipment that are used for these purposes. The known forms of equipment suffer, however, from certain shortcomings.

In general, a key problem of the known forms of equipment is that they occupy a great deal of floor space. In one form, the equipment may take the form of an inclined ramp that gradually raises or lowers the object by gradually elevating it via an inclined ramp so as to convey the object from one location to another. An example of this type of apparatus is depicted in the following YouT ube video clip (where it is called a “Horizontal and inclined belt conveyor"): https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=DFgc3Vy8Wpo.

In an attempt to reduce the amount of floorspace that ramp-based conveyor systems require, an alternative design that has been used for such a conveyor is a spiral-ramp. An example of such a spiral ramp conveyor is the RadiForz Dual Spiral Conveyor, provide by RadiForz Automation Pvt Ltd from India, an example of which is viewable in the YouTube video clip that may be seen at the address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9W2B8J3_CU. The company’s web site (at the address https://www.radiforz.com/spiral-conveyor) provides additional details of its spiral conveyor designs. However, like other known conveyor systems, this approach also requires a not inconsiderable amount of floor space.

In a yet further and alternative attempt to provide a solution, the approach generally takes the form of a rotatable belt when viewed in side elevation. This approach is generally referred to in the art as a “vertical belt conveyor system”). The “belt” component additionally contains a plurality of platforms that are mounted on and spaced apart around the belt, each of which projects outwardly from the belt. This arrangement effectively defines a carousel (containing multiple platforms on which goods may temporarily be loaded) that is designed to be rotated around an axis located within the loop defined by the belt. In this type of arrangement, each of the platforms is configured so that in use of the apparatus, during such time as a given platform is disposed in a generally horizontal orientation relative to the ground while the belt rotates around the axis, the platform is capable of receiving and carrying an object (such as a package containing cans or bottles of soft drink).

In this type of apparatus, when a goods item (such as, for example, a package containing an aggregated quantity of soft drink cans or bottles) is desired to be moved from one height to another, it is placed or loaded on one of the platforms at such a time when the platform is disposed horizontally and located at a starting (or “input feed”) vertical height. In order to move the package from that starting vertical height to another height (ie, either higher or lower [an “output” vertical height]), the belt is rotated by a motor that cooperates with a shaft which in turn rotates the belt around the axis defined by the shaft. Such movement of the belt achieves vertical movement, in turn, of the platforms located on the belt, around the axis. So, when the belt is rotated in this fashion, the platform on which the package was placed at the input feed height, will move either up or down from that height, depending on the direction in which the belt is rotated. In this way, by rotating the belt, the platform on which the package was loaded can be moved up or down to another height (ie, to the output height), at which point, the package can - as desired - be removed from the platform and processed further according to subsequent logistics steps as might be desired in a given instance. As the belt rotates, further platforms will eventually be moved to the desired starting position, and when located in that position, second and subsequent packages can be loaded sequentially onto the platforms, and eventually unloaded as and when desired.

An example of this type of system is the Qimarox™ Prorunner Vertical Conveyor mk5 system (see: www.qimarox.com and a video clip that demonstrates the operation of the Qimarox product, the clip being available on YouTube at the following address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1 uvFjKUZzO.

By using an apparatus configured in this way, the movement of multiple units of packages can be achieved in given periods of time, and the system can in principle be operated continuously over extended periods of time. However, despite the apparent simplicity and allure of this type of apparatus, in practice, its design suffers from certain problems, such as the following.

First, and as noted earlier, in logistics operations, achieving efficiency is invariably a major objective. The Qimarox apparatus has a relatively large spatial “footprint”, in terms of the ground space area that it occupies. Manufacturing plants, warehouses and distributions facilities are by their very nature, spatially finite, where floor space is often at a premium, due to the number and array of logistics equipment and componentry that must be located within them. And of course, ground floor space of necessity finds expression in the cost of the land on which any item is built or housed. The greater the floor space that a given unit of logistics equipment occupies, the greater the overhead cost of the unit to the owner or operator of the facility concerned. And to the extent that a vertical overhead belt conveyor occupies more rather than less ground floor space, its footprint will of necessity impact on what other equipment and facilities can be located in the remaining space.

Secondly, vertical conveyor systems of the type described present challenges not only in terms of the footprint that they occupy, but also in terms of the vertical space they require. Again, noting that manufacturing plants, warehouses and distributions facilities are enclosures that of necessity occupy a finite space, not only is the horizontal area that facilities occupy a key consideration to cost efficiency, but also the vertical height. In general, the greater the height of a facility, the greater the cost of constructing it. Thus, to the extent that a vertical conveyor system of the kind previously described occupies more rather than less vertical height, it imposes greater overheads on the owner/operator of the equipment. In those situations where it becomes necessary to construct a facility so as to accommodate an increased vertical height requirement, then the increased height will often be reflected in higher construction costs for the facility, which could be substantial.

Third, in those instances where a facility already exists and it is desired to install a vertical belt conveyor system within it, retrofitting the equipment concerned can present some practical and serious challenges. In some such situations, it will simply not be possible or economically viable to increase the vertical height of the facility. Where either of these constraints applies, the only option is to excavate the ground floor space inside the facility so as to permit the installation of a vertical belt conveyor system with sufficient room overhead. Evidently, excavating within a building is not a preferred option in many such cases, even if it is considered an option at all. It is by no means a trivial or inexpensive exercise. And the mere requirement to excavate the floor so as to create a recessed space below the existing floor level will have other economic and practical consequences. For example, where the operator of the facility wishes to excavate within the building enclosure, if the operator has leased the premises from a third party land owner, then the operator would ordinarily need the landlord to provide its consent to such a major modification. Such a consent would not ordinarily be given out lightly, if it is given at all. And even in those instances where it is given, it would ordinarily be made subject to onerous conditions. For example, a typical condition would be that upon the lease coming to an end, the operator of the facility (ie, the tenant) would have to “make good” (ie, it would have to restore the premises to their original condition, before the excavations). This is a typical requirement of many commercial leases, and is by no means a trivial obligation for any tenant to have to meet.

Even where problems such as these do not pertain, the Applicant has found that there are often practical limitations to the number of platforms that can be mounted to a vertical belt conveyor system. Case elevators that incorporate a rotatable belt drive mechanism to move platforms either up or down typically use a chain that contains multiple links as part of the mechanism in order to rotate the belt (and thus, to rotate adjacent platforms on the rotatable belt). The height difference between adjacent platforms on the belt drive mechanism is of necessity defined by the dimensions of the individual links (and on the space that the links occupy when coupled to one another). The spatial dimensions of the individual links and of their linkage couplings in turn, of necessity, define the spacing between adjoining platforms on the belt assembly, and thus, consequently impact on (a) the vertical height of objects that can be loaded onto a given platform in the assembly, and (b) the total vertical height of the rotatable belt assembly (and as to how many platforms the belt can contain). These dimensional issues can impose limitations on the practical utility of a rotatable belt driven system in at least a number of applications.

It is problems such as these that have brought about the present invention, which aims to alleviate at least one of these problems of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention generally provides an apparatus for moving an object from a first vertical position to a second vertical position, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a generally upright support means:

(b) a first platform member located on or associated with the generally upright support means at a first vertical position, for receiving the object at or in the first vertical position; and

(c) a second platform member located on or associated with the generally upright support means generally at or in the first vertical position, where each of the first platform member and the second platform member comprises or defines a generally planar upper surface, and where the generally upright support means support or locate:

(i) the first platform member and the second platform member at the first vertical position; and

(ii) the second platform member at the second vertical position; and where, in use of the apparatus, together, the first platform member and the second platform member cooperate to define a generally horizontal planar surface located at the first vertical position and extending between the first and the second platform members, along which, in use of the apparatus, an object received on the first platform member may be moved horizontally between the first platform member and the second platform member by horizontal movement means; and where the second platform member is additionally configured to move from the first to the second vertical position.

In broad preferred embodiments of the present invention, the generally upright support means would take the form of a three-dimensional frame element or like structure. In the preferred embodiments described subsequently in particular detail, the generally upright support means will be described with specific (although non-limiting) reference to this particular broad embodiment of the invention.

In alternative general preferred embodiments however, the upright support means could comprise one or more walls or like upstanding structures of a building or a like structure (or structures, where applicable) that support or locate:

(i) the first platform member and the second platform member at the first vertical position; and

(ii) the second platform member at the second vertical position.

By way of example of this alternative general embodiment, the generally upright support means could, for example, take the form of two opposed upright walls of a building spaced in parallel to one another, and the first and second platform members could be mounted horizontally at the first vertical position so as to be supported between those two walls. Such an arrangement would define a generally upright three-dimensional open enclosure for supporting and locating the first and the second platform members as apprehended by the apparatus aspects of the invention, and for carrying out the methods or process aspects of the invention.

The arrangement of the features in such an embodiment would also provide means for the vertical movement of the second platform member to the second (and any subsequent) vertical position in accordance with the invention (such as, for example, a vertical lifting or pulley means for raising or lowering the second platform member). In addition, in such an exemplary embodiment, the arrangement could also provide means for the object to be placed on the first platform member, and for the object to be removed from or to exit the apparatus once it has been moved to the second (or a subsequent desired) vertical position.

In a yet further broad example of this alternative embodiment of the invention, the generally upright support means could comprise one upright wall of a building or like structure, in combination with a partial frame element that cooperates with the wall so as to define an otherwise open enclosure which supports or locates:

(i) the first platform member and the second platform member at the first vertical position; and

(ii) the second platform member at the second vertical position.

By way of example of such an embodiment, the generally upright support means could comprise a single wall, which supports a three-sided frame element, so that between them, the wall and the three-sided frame element define a generally upright three-dimensional open enclosure, on which the first and second platform members are in turn located and supported for use so as to carry out the methods or process aspects of the invention.

The alternative broad embodiments described above to the use of a four-sided or general frame element as the upright support means (namely, either using (1 ) two opposed walls or (2) a single wall in combination with a partial frame element) would provide considerable flexibility in implementing the use of the invention in circumstances where a four-sided frame element might not be the preferred option. In addition, in instances where either of these alternative forms of the upright support means is utilised, the ability to configure the inventive apparatus in such an alternative manner provides considerable flexibility. It provides a number of alternative options by which the installation or construction of an apparatus according to the invention could be achieved in specific circumstances.

The specific embodiments of the invention that will be described in detail later in this specification will discuss the use of a conventional three- dimensional frame element as the generally upright support means. Persons of skill in the field of the invention will readily appreciate however that the use of a four-sided frame element is merely an example of the broader concept of a generally upright support means for the purpose of the invention, and that it is not to be taken as being the sole embodiment of this feature.

In alternate general embodiments of the present invention: (1 ) the first vertical position is a position which is lower in vertical height relative to the second vertical position (in which case, in use of the apparatus of the present invention, when the object is moved from the first vertical position to the second vertical position, the object is elevated to a higher vertical position than the first vertical position); or

(2) the first vertical position is at a greater vertical height relative to the second vertical position (in which case, in use of the apparatus, when the object is moved from the first vertical position to the second vertical position, the object is moved to a lower vertical position than the first vertical position).

In either of embodiments (1 ) or (2), the generally upright support means may take the form of or comprises a generally rectilinear three dimensional structure on which each of the first and the second platform members is located (or with which either of or both the first and/or the second platform members is otherwise associated). In certain particularly preferred embodiments, the generally upright support structure takes the form of a generally open enclosure structure, such as a frame element. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the frame element takes the form of an upright structure that comprises four sides. As explained earlier however, in other broad embodiments, the generally upright support means may take alternative forms to that of such a frame.

In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the second platform member is located on, or is associated with the generally upright support means in such a way that it (and thereby, an object loaded upon the second platform member) may be moved from the first vertical position to the second vertical position (or vice-versa, where applicable). In certain alternate embodiments of the invention, the arrangement might be that the first platform member is also configured for such vertical movement, in addition to the configuration of the second platform member to undergo such movement.

Preferably, each of the first and the second platform members comprises a structure that generally defines an upper horizontally disposed planar surface on which the object to be moved may be received, temporarily stored, and then moved in accordance with the movement means discussed hereafter.

Each of the first and the second platform members comprises means (also called “horizontal movement means”) for moving the object horizontally as between the first and the second platform members. For this purpose, in some preferred embodiments of the invention, the horizontal movement means may comprise providing either or both of the first and the second platform members with one or more rollers upon which the object may be received (and after being received on either platform member, then subsequently moved horizontally along the general planar surface of that platform member). In such embodiments, the arrangement of the one or more rollers in the first and/or the second platform members could be such that when actuated to roll by suitable actuation means, the roller (or each of the rollers, where more than one roller is used in a given embodiment) would rotate about an axis within or generally parallel to the plane of the horizontally disposed planar surface, in such a way as to move the object horizontally from an initial location (being a location on the first platform member) to a subsequent location (being a location on the second platform member). In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, each of the first and the second platform members would comprise two or more rollers which, so that acting in cooperation within a given such platform member, the two or more rollers would define the horizontally disposed planar surface on the platform member concerned (and in turn, the upper surface of the general plane extending between the two members when they act in cooperation to define that general plane). In such embodiments, where, when actuated to do so by suitable actuation means, each of the two or more rollers within a given platform member would rotate so as by cooperative action between them, to roll (and in so doing, thereby) move the object horizontally between the first and the second platform members in the direction desired.

In alternate embodiments of the invention, the upper surface of either the first or the second platform members could be static, and different horizontal movement means could be deployed for moving the object as between the first and the second platform members. For example, in such embodiments, the horizontal movement means could take the form of or could comprise any of the following:

(a) means that would physically come into contact with the object (such as a rod or slider bar that moves in a generally horizontal direction) so as to push or slide the object horizontally from the initial to the subsequent location (or vice versa, where desired); or

(b) means by which a jet of gas (such as air) would be applied to the object, so as to move it horizontally from the initial to the subsequent location (or vice versa); or

(c) combinations of (a) and (b).

Such alternative horizontal movement means could - optionally - also be deployed in addition to the roller means discussed previously, as might be desired in individual embodiments. The choice of which means should be deployed in a given embodiment in order to move the object horizontally between the initial and the subsequent location would be a matter which the Applicant envisages that ordinary persons of skill in the art would be able to apprehend and determine.

Once the apparatus moves the object horizontally to the subsequent location, it must then be moved from the first vertical position to a second vertical position. In order to achieve this, the apparatus additionally comprises means for elevating or lowering the second platform member to the second vertical position, after the object has been moved from the first platform member. The Applicant envisages that the nature of suitable means for elevating or lowering the second platform member as desired in a given application or embodiment would readily be apparent to ordinary persons of skill in the art. However, and without limiting the nature of such means as would be suitable to attain the desired vertical movement, they would ordinarily include conventional mechanical (and also electro-mechanical, as well as electromagnetic) means for raising or lowering a platform member that is located upon and which is movable within or on a broader frame element or other generally upright support means on which the platform member is located (or which is otherwise associated with the support means/frame element).

In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the means for raising or lowering the second platform member vertically could optionally also comprise sensor means for detecting when the object has been moved from the first platform member to the second platform member at the first vertical position (and thus, such sensor means could be used to determine when the object is ready to be moved vertically to the second position). Such means could - optionally - be coupled with, or would cooperate with, means for actuating the movement of the second platform member from the first to the second vertical position, once the sensor means detect the arrival of the object at the second platform member (or at a predetermined or designated location at the first vertical position) after the object has been moved from the first platform member. Again, the Applicant envisages that the nature of suitable detection means for this general purpose would be apparent to those of skill in the art.

In further and particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the apparatus would be configured such that once the second platform member is moved to the second vertical position:

(i) a third platform member is also located at that second vertical position, such that when the second platform member arrives at the second vertical position, the second and the third platform members would generally be aligned at the second vertical position so as to define a general horizontal platform extending between them; and

(ii) the second platform member would additionally be configured so as to be able to move the object horizontally in the second vertical position, to the third platform member.

In such embodiments, movement of the object in the second vertical position from the second to the third platform member could be achieved in any of the ways (discussed previously) by which horizontal movement of the object as between the first platform member to the second platform member is achieved at the first vertical position. And preferably further, once the apparatus moves the object horizontally to the third platform member, the third platform member (or an adjoining platform member) could optionally be configured so as to be elevated or lowered to a yet further (or “third”) vertical position. At such a third vertical position:

(a) the apparatus could comprise a “further” (or “fourth”) platform member also located at that third vertical position, such that when the third platform member (or an adjoining platform member) arrives at the third vertical position, the third (or adjoining) and the further platform members would generally be aligned at the third vertical position so as to define a general horizontal platform extending between them; and

(b) the third (or adjoining) platform member would additionally be configured so as to be able to move the object horizontally in the third vertical position, to the further platform member.

In further embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises:

(1 ) an initial platform member located at a given (starting) vertical position;

(2) means for moving the object horizontally across the initial platform member to a secondary platform member located at the starting vertical position (and where the secondary platform member is additionally adapted for movement in a vertical dimension relative to or within the frame structure); and

(3) means for moving the secondary platform member to a subsequent vertical position, where the combination of features (1), (2) and (3) is repeated as many times as desired, so that the number of repetitions defines an apparatus comprising as many platform levels as contemplated within a given embodiment.

By configuring the apparatus in accordance with this general set of features, the invention generally allows an apparatus to be created having as many vertically located platforms as are desired in a given application, so that objects may be moved from one vertical position to another, as desired. This schema thus allows the invention to be used to customise the movement of objects in vertical dimensions either up or down, with considerably greater design flexibility than has previously been possible. In principle, the number of platforms that an apparatus in accordance with the invention may comprise is not constrained by the limitations of the belt- or chain- driven mechanisms (previously described) that until now, have had to be used.

Desirably, an apparatus constructed in accordance with these features of the invention would be capable of continuous or repeated operation, under either manual, partially automated or completely automated control, so that in any given period of time, multiple (and indeed, ideally, many) objects could be moved as desired in given applications of the invention. Preferably, the operation of such an apparatus would be controlled by suitable control means. In the context of modern technologies that operate or control logistics systems, such means would invariably comprise appropriate computer hardware and software elements and/or appropriate servomechanisms. The Applicant believes that the nature of such control mechanisms would be apparent to ordinary persons of skill in the field of the invention.

Further, as appropriate, additional monitoring and control means could also be used in association with the invention, Such additional monitoring and control means would include, by way of example, monitoring and detection systems to provide feedback to either a human being or team, or to a computer-controller system, on predetermined facets of the performance of the apparatus or system.

For the purposes of the present invention, an “object” is generally any physical object of the kind that is desired to be moved from one location to another. In typical applications of the invention, an object for this purpose may be either a finished, an unfinished or a partially finished goods item (such as, by way of example of a partially finished object, a pre-manufactured component for use in the manufacture of an electrical or electronic product, where the component is desired to be moved from one location to another within a manufacturing facility). Alternatively, the object may be either a filled or an empty container for another item. By way of example of this embodiment, the object could be either an empty can or bottle intended to be filled with a beverage, a foodstuff, a pharmaceutical composition or a chemical substance (or alternatively again, the object could be a container already filled with any such material) that is desired to be moved from one location to another as part of a manufacturing facility or logistics system. In yet further embodiments of the invention, the object could be a package that contains one or more containers filled with a foodstuff, a beverage, a pharmaceutical composition or a chemical substance. In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, an apparatus in accordance with the invention could, for example, be used to move packages or cartons filled with manufactured bottles of a beverage item, such as an alcoholic beverage or a non-alcoholic beverage (such as cartons containing bottles of soft drink).

The object may be initially received on the apparatus by appropriate means. Examples of means that could be suitable for use in accordance with the invention include manually placing the object(s) on the first platform member at the first vertical position, or by using mechanised means for presenting the object, or (as would be more typical in modern manufacturing and logistics processes) multiple objects to the first or initial platform member at the first vertical position. In many embodiments of the invention, the objects would be presented sequentially to the first or initial platform member at the first vertical position by using a conveyor means or by similar means.

When the object(s) reach(es) a predetermined or final vertical position within the apparatus, suitable means could be provided so that the object(s) may exit the apparatus and progress to its/their desired next location. By way of example, suitable means for this purpose could include chutes, conveyor means or claw means for picking up the object(s) and placing it/them on or onto a desired output means (such as a conveyor belt, a pallet forming apparatus or system, or - in some instances - even directly onto a delivery vehicle for transporting the object(s) elsewhere). In this regard, the Applicant believes that the nature of suitable means for use in removing the object(s) from the apparatus for onward processing would, in any given embodiment, be evident to ordinary persons of skill in the field of the invention. In a second aspect, the present invention generally provides a method or process for moving an object from a first vertical position to a second vertical position, the method comprising the following steps: providing an apparatus that comprises:

(1 ) a generally upright support means or structure, along a vertical dimension of which, two or more vertical positions are or may be defined;

(2) where at any vertical position on the generally upright support means, two platform members, each of which comprises a generally horizontal planar upper surface, are mounted or otherwise associated with the generally upright support means, and where:

(A) the platform members are adapted to co-operate with one another so as to define a generally horizontal planar surface extending between them at a given vertical position, on which an object may be received and across which it may be moved;

(B) one of the platform members (the initial platform member) comprises means for receiving the object at an initial location on its planar surface;

(C) the initial platform member comprises means for moving the object to a subsequent location at that vertical position, where the subsequent location is one at the second (or a secondary) platform member at that vertical position; and

(D) the secondary platform member comprises means for moving the object to a subsequent vertical position (where the subsequent vertical position is either higher or lower than the first vertical position); and

(E) at the subsequent vertical position, a further platform member is provided, which cooperates with the secondary platform member when the second platform member is at the second vertical position, in order to repeat the sequence of steps set out in paragraphs (A) to (D) of this sequence.

In a third aspect, the present invention generally provides a method or process for moving an object from a first vertical position to second vertical position in an apparatus of the kind previously described, the method or process comprising the following steps:

(a) placing the object on the initial platform member at the first vertical position;

(b) moving the object from the first platform member to the secondary platform member at the first vertical position; and then

(c) moving the secondary platform member to the second vertical position.

In these second and third aspects of the invention, preferred features of the method or process correspond with those described earlier in relation to the apparatus aspect of the invention. In particular, in each of the second and third aspects of the invention, the generally upright support means may take the form of a frame element or any of the other forms that this feature may take, as described earlier. Further, in each of the second and the third aspects of the invention, the method or process may be used so as to move the object (or two or more, and preferably, many objects) not only to a second vertical position, but also to third and subsequent vertical positions. And it is also preferred in the method or process aspects of the invention, that the method or process may be capable of being performed repeatedly or even continuously, so as to enable the movement of many objects during a given unit of time.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a system for moving an object from a first to second or subsequent vertical position, in an apparatus of the kind previously described. In this general aspect, the system comprises an apparatus that includes: (1 ) a generally upright support means, along a vertical dimension of which, two or more vertical positions are or may be defined;

(2) where at any vertical position on the generally upright support means, two platform members, each of which comprises a generally horizontal planar upper surface, are mounted or otherwise associated with the generally upright support means, and where:

(A) the platform members co-operate with one another so as to define a generally horizontal planar surface extending between them at a given vertical position, on which an object may be received and across which it may be moved;

(B) one of the platform members (the initial platform member) comprises means for receiving the object at an initial location on its planar surface;

(C) the first platform member comprises means for moving the object to a subsequent location at that vertical position, where the subsequent location is one at the second (secondary) platform member at that vertical position;

(D) the secondary platform member comprises means for moving the object to a subsequent vertical position (where the subsequent vertical position is either higher or lower than the first vertical position); and

(E) at the subsequent vertical position, a further platform member is provided, which cooperates with the secondary platform member when the secondary platform member is at the second vertical position, in order to repeat the sequence of steps set out in paragraphs (A) to (D) of this sequence.

In such a system, preferred features of the system are as described earlier in relation to the apparatus and method/process aspects of the invention. In particular, in this fourth aspect of the invention, the generally upright support means may take the form of a frame element or any of the other forms that this feature may take, as described earlier.

Brief description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the Invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the Invention

Referring now to the drawings, Fig 1 depicts an apparatus (generally denoted as (1 ) in the accompanying drawings), for moving an object (denoted 3) from a first vertical position to a second vertical position. As will be seen in Fig 1 , apparatus (1 ) comprises a generally upright three-dimensional support structure in the exemplary form of a frame element (5), and several horizontal platforms (denoted (7), (9), (11 ) and (13), respectively). Views of the apparatus in various different orientations are depicted in Fig 2, and the view in each orientation depicted is identified in Fig 2. As Figs 1 and 2 depict, the upright frame element (5) has a generally rectilinear three-dimensional frame portion (6), defined by each of four upright post elements (8), and cross-braced by horizontal members (generally denoted as (10)). In the illustrated frame (5), at the base of each upright post (8), there is a foot (15) provided to engage an underlying floor or ground surface (37). The configuration of the posts (8) and cross-braces (10) is such as generally to define a rectilinear and upright three-dimensional open enclosure (denoted 17) within the boundaries of frame element (5).

As Figs 1 and 2 show, within the confines of the open enclosure (17), the frame element (5) is associated with several platforms (denoted (7), (9), (11 ) and (13) respectively in the accompanying drawings). As shown in Figs 1 and 10, the first (and lowermost) platform (7) comprises two separate platform members (denoted (27) and (29) respectively in the accompanying drawings). And as Figs 10 and 11 show in more detail, each of the platform members (27) and (29) defines a generally flat upper surface (31), bounded on two opposed sides (denoted (28) and (30) respectively) by a pair of oblong polygonal flanges (each denoted (33)) spaced in parallel to one another, such that the flat upper surface (31 ) is rectilinear in shape when viewed in plan. And as Fig 11 shows in particular, in the illustrated embodiment of the apparatus, on each of the platform members (27) and (29), the generally flat upper surface (31 ) is defined by the prevailing upper facing surfaces (32) of a series of spaced rollers (34) arranged in parallel between the spaced pair of side boundary flanges (33). The arrangement of these partial platforms (27) and (29) is generally so as to define a flat upper surface (31 ) constituted by the rollers (34), which rotate in the direction shown by the arrow 47A, so as, in use of apparatus (1 ), effectively to achieve horizontal movement of an object (3) placed on the flat upper surface (31 ), in the direction shown by the arrow (58).

As shown particularly in Figs 1 , 2 and 11 , each of the platform members (27) and (29) is associated with the frame element (5) and located at a first vertical position (35). From Fig 1 , it will be seen that the first platform member (27) is associated with the frame element (5) by being secured to two upright posts ((8A) and (8B)) of the fame element (5). As Figs 3 and 4 show, the second platform member (29) is, in contrast, associated with the frame element (5) by being secured to a sub-frame (77) as part of a sub-frame assembly (which, in the embodiment shown, comprises the sub-frame (77) and the second platform member (29) and the corresponding partial platform members (101 ) and (105) that lie immediately above it). The sub-frame assembly (77) is configured so as to move up or down in the manner depicted in Figs 3, 4, 5 and 6 within the confines (17) of the open enclosure of the frame element (5). As will further be seen in Fig 3, 4, 5 & 6, the sub-frame assembly (77) also has several further platform members (denoted (101 ) and (105) in Figs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings) secured to it. These platform members each correspond in their physical shape, configuration and appearance to the second platform member (29), however, they are secured to the sub-frame (77) and disposed vertically above the second platform member (29) in the spaced arrangement shown in Fig 5.

From viewing Figs 1 , 2 and 10, it will be seen that the first platform member (27) is arranged within the confines (17) of the open enclosure defined by frame (5), in such a way that the plane (31 ) defined by its upper surface is parallel with and generally horizontal relative to the ground or floor (37) on which the apparatus (1 ) rests, and disposed at one side (38) of the open enclosure (17), such that the leading edge (39) of the first platform member (27) faces inwardly within the enclosure (17). And as Figs 1 , 2 and 10 further show, the second platform member (29) is located horizontally within the open enclosure at the first vertical position (35) in much the same manner as for the first platform member (27), except that its leading edge (41) faces inwardly towards the leading edge (39) of the first platform member (27). Between them, (and as shown more particularly in Fig 11 , the first platform member (27) and the second platform member (29) therefore cooperate so as to define a generally horizontal planar surface (43 [also 31]) located at the first vertical position and extending between the first and the second platform members, on which an object may be received, and upon which it may be stored at least temporarily. To that extent then, each of the first (27) and the second (29) platform members defines a “partial” generally horizontal platform at the first vertical position (35), and between them, when both the “partial” platform members (27) and (29) are arranged in parallel at the first vertical position (35), they cooperate to define a generally horizontal planar surface (43) (ie, the first platform (7)) located at the first vertical position (35) and extending between the first (27) and the second (29) platform members.

As Figs 1 and 18 show, in use of the apparatus (1 ), an object (3) (such as the package or container depicted) is received at the first vertical position (35) on the upper surface (31 ) of first platform member (27). The object (3) may be presented to that location by any number of suitable means. For this purpose, means suitable for presenting an object to the first platform member at the first vertical position (35) would typically take the form of a conveyor feed, although as ordinary persons of skill in the field of the invention would readily understand, many alternative ways of presenting the object to the first platform member (27) are available (examples being manually placing the object there, or using a mechanised claw or gripping apparatus to collect and then place the object there).

As Fig 1 , 7 and 11 also show, once an object is presented to the first platform member at the first vertical position, it is presented to the upper surface (31) of that member. In the illustrated embodiment of apparatus (1 ), the rollers (34) are powered by a means (denoted 57, although not shown) that rotate a midline roller (47) [which is generally positioned at a point (49) intermediate the outlying members (53) in the series of rollers (34)] so as to rotate in the direction shown (57) around an internal spindle or axis (50), in the manner shown in Fig 11 . As Fig 11 further shows, the arrangement is that the interposed rollers (51 ) in the series (being those that are immediately next in the series to the outlying rollers (53)) are disposed so that the rollers (52) that are immediately adjacent an on each side of the midline roller (47) are sufficiently in contact with the midline roller (47), such that when the midline roller (47) is rotated, the adjacent rollers on that platform (which in the embodiment shown are passive but configured to rotate when moved by extrinsic rotation forces, such as by the rotation of midline roller (47)) are also caused, in turn, to rotate in the same direction. And in turn, the outlying rollers (53) (which are each configured so as to be sufficiently in contact with at least one adjacent roller (52)), are also caused to rotate in unison when the midline roller (47) undergoes rotation, as described above. And as the sequence of drawings in Fig 11 shows, this synchronous movement of the rollers (34) causes the object (3) to move in the direction shown, namely, towards the second platform member (29).

Rotation of the midline roller (47) (and thus, the consequent rotation of the other rollers associated with it) could be achieved by any number of suitable means, the nature of which would readily be evident to ordinary persons of skill in the art. In some embodiments of the invention, rotation of the midline roller (47) could be initiated once the presence of an object on the upper surface (31 ) of the first platform member is detected by a detection means (not shown). (And conversely, during such times in which an object is not detected as being present on the first platform members, the rollers (34) would essentially be configured not to rotate or would be stationary, as desired). The nature of suitable detection means for this purpose would - again - be readily understood by ordinary persons of skill in the art. However, by way of example, suitable detection means would include optical/visual detection means (which would scan for the visual presence of an object presented to the first platform member) and force/pressure sensors (which would detect when an object has physically come into contact with the first platform member (27), once the means detect that a sufficient threshold force has been applied by the object to the upper surface of that platform member). In some embodiments, combinations of two or more of these (and/or other suitable) means could be used in order to optimise the accuracy of detection. Once again, ordinary persons of skill in the field of the invention would readily understand these issues, and would know how to configure and apply the means concerned in given embodiments.

In yet further embodiments of the invention, the object could be placed on the first platform member by means which position it there, by (for example) applying a horizontal force to the object. Examples of such means would include a rod, bar or the like that is capable of moving horizontally within or into the interior enclosure (17) of the frame element (5) at the first vertical position (35), so as to move the object in a direction towards the second platform member by pushing it into position. Such means could be used to present the object onto the first platform member, and - as desired - also to move it to the second platform member. And in yet other embodiments, the means for moving the object horizontally (a) onto the first platform member, and/or (b) from the first platform member onto the second platform member, could take the form of or comprise the application of a jet of air or another gas so as to apply a force which moves the object as desired. These are but illustrations of the many forms which the horizontal movement means for moving the object onto the first platform member and/or to the second platform member, could potentially take, in specific embodiments of the invention. These horizontal movement means could equally be applied so as to achieve horizontal movement of an object between adjacent platform members at the second and any further vertical positions. And again, ordinary persons of skill in the field of the invention would readily be able to identify and implement options such as these or others, without departing from the inventive concept.

In the embodiments of the invention depicted in Figs 1 to 7 and 10 to 13, the first platform member (27) is shown as comprising a series of rollers (34) that define the generally flat upper surface (31 ) on which the object is received. In Fig 8, an alternative construction for the first platform member (27) is shown in which the series of rollers (34) is replaced by a unitary rotatable belt structure (12), which in use would rotate about a spindle or axis (the spindle is not expressly depicted, although it is notionally denoted 47A in Fig 8, and the direction of rotation of the belt is notionally denoted by the arrow 57A), and thereby achieve an equivalent horizontal movement function as that of the platform member (34) shown in Figs 1 to 7 and 10 to 13, in the direction shown by the arrow 58. (The platform member depicted in those drawings being called a “multi-roller platen” in the remainder of this description). Ordinary persons of skill in the art would readily appreciate that in some embodiments of the invention, this alternative configuration of the first platform member could be used:

(a) as and for the design of the first platform member, in place of a multi-roller platen version;

(b) as and for the design of the second platform member; (c) within the one apparatus, in some instances, in place of the multi-roller platen design; or

(d) within the one apparatus, as and for the design of both the first and the second platform members (this embodiment (d) is depicted in Fig 14).

A yet further design of these “partial” platform members as used in the invention is shown in Fig 9. As will be seen there, the platform member depicted comprises a generally flat surface (31 B), which does not rotate about any axis, but which instead is a fixed and stationary structure that does not move appreciably in any horizontal direction. As in the case of the platen/platform design discussed in the previous paragraph, this yet further version of the design of a partial platform or platen could be used in an apparatus according to the invention either in place of all the platform members, or for some of them. Where this design is used for the platen/platform, the horizontal movement means for moving the object as between adjacent partial platforms would generally comprise extrinsic means such as a rod, bar or slider to move the object horizontally as desired at any given vertical position (or by using a jet of air or gas in order to achieve such movement).

Ordinary persons of skill in the art would readily be able to discern which of these platen designs (or suitable alternatives to them) should be used in a given embodiment of the inventive apparatus. The choice in any given instance may, as such persons would readily understand, be influenced - at least in part - by the nature or characteristics of the object to be moved. For example, if the object comprises any physical attributes which could get caught in amidst the rollers of a multi-roller platen, then either a single rotating belt design or a stationary shelf design for the partial platform might be preferable in such a case.

In any event, once the object (3) reaches the second platform member (29) (or a like platform member at a different vertical position), further horizontal movement of the object may be undesirable, bearing in mind the subsequent movements of the object contemplated by the apparatus and processes of the present invention. And apart from anything else, horizontal movement of the object beyond the second platform member (29) would ordinarily result in or risk it being ejected and expelled from the apparatus (1 ), without undergoing the subsequent vertical movement(s) apprehended by the invention.

For these purposes, in some embodiments of the invention, the second platform member (and indeed, any “receiving” platform member) could be configured in such a way that once the object has moved sufficiently in a horizontal direction from the first (or “initial”) platform member to the second (or any “receiving”) platform member further horizontal movement of the object is discouraged or prevented. The same outcome could be ordained once the object has moved horizontally from the first or initial platform member to a predetermined location on the second or receiving platform member, Such an outcome could be achieved in any of a number of different ways. For example, sensor means could be provided on or for use in association with the second/receiving platform member, in order to detect once a sufficient or predetermined horizontal movement of the object has taken place at the first (or other) vertical position, such that further such horizontal movement is no longer desired. Such sensor means could also be configured to cooperate with means that prevent such further horizontal movement of the object, such as - for example - by providing a detent means on or to cooperate with the second platform member, so as to inhibit or prevent further movement of the object.

The various exemplary forms of horizontal movement means described above serve to move the object from the first platform member to the second platform member at the first vertical position. Once the object reaches the second platform member, further movement of the object is required, however the next significant movement step performed by the apparatus is to move the object from the first vertical position to a second vertical position. In this context, as explained earlier, the second vertical position may be located either above or below that of the first vertical position. In the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, the second vertical position (61 ) is in each instance shown as being above (that is, vertically higher than) the first vertical position. However, it will be appreciated that in embodiments other than those specifically depicted in the accompanying drawings, the movement from the first to the second vertical position (or from an earlier to a subsequent vertical position) may instead be downwards relative to the first (or earlier) vertical position.

As shown in Fig 19, after the object (3) has been moved to the second platform member (29) at the first vertical position (35), the apparatus (1 ) then moves it to the second vertical position (61 ), which (as indicated in the last paragraph) is - in the illustrated embodiment - a position higher than the first vertical position. And, as explained earlier, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the second platform member (29) is secured to a sub-frame assembly (77). The sub-frame assembly (77) is in turn mounted on the frame element (5) in such a way as enables it to move upwards (and downwardly) relative to the frame, as desired in a given phase of operation of the apparatus (1 ). In order to achieve such vertical movement, the sub-frame (77) could be mounted within the interior enclosure (17) of the frame element (5), so as - for example - to be able to slide vertically up and down within the frame element, as desired. As Figs 15 to 17 show, this could be achieved by - for instance - providing each of the two posts (53) of the sub-frame (77) with a coupling sleeve (55) which engages both the post of the sub-frame (77), and a track (58A) associated with the adjacent post (8) of the frame element (5). As Fig 17 shows, the interior portion (59) of coupling sleeve (55) comprises a spaced pair of channels (59A) in which ball bearings (60) are fitted, which bear against the rail/track (58A) so that the sub-frame is able to slide vertically up and down relative to the posts (8) onto which the sub-frame is mounted. Vertical sliding movement of the sub-frame (77) relative to the frame (5) is therefore enabled by an arrangement such as this. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the sub-frame assembly (77) is mounted for vertical sliding movement by reference to a rail or track (58A) that comprises ball bearings, persons of skill in the field of the invention would readily appreciate that this is but one example of a mechanism for achieving movement of the sub-frame (77) relative to the frame element (5). In other embodiments, the track (58) could - for example - comprise internal wheels. In yet other embodiments, there might be no need for a rail or track at all in order to achieve such relative movement of the sub-frame.

The exemplary apparatus in any event additionally comprises means (not shown) for raising or lowering the sub-frame assembly. Such means could, by way of example, be or comprise a pneumatic or hydraulic lifting or lowering system, a pulley system, or an alternative mechanical or electromechanical means for raising or lowering the sub frame as desired for the intended use of the apparatus in a given instance. In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the apparatus would also comprise detent or other means - as desired in a given application or embodiment - for holding the second platform (29) when it is in the second vertical position (or in any other predetermined or desired vertical position, for that matter). The Applicant believes that the nature of suitable means for achieving any of these objectives would readily be apparent to ordinary persons of skill in the art.

Irrespective of which means are used in order to move the sub-frame up or down, in the method aspect of the invention, in general overview, the exemplary apparatus (1 ):

(a) first receives the object (3) at the first platform member (27) at the first vertical position (35) (as shown in Figs 1 , 7 and 18);

(b) then moves the object to the second platform member (29) (See Fig 19);

(c) then moves the object to the second vertical position (61 ) (See Fig 20).

In a simple embodiment of the invention, once the object reaches the second vertical position, the process is complete. In most practical incarnations of the invention however, it may be desirable for the apparatus to have the potential to move the object through to third or even subsequent vertical positions. An embodiment of an apparatus that embodies the concept of the invention, and which is configured to move an object through more than two vertical positions is depicted in Figs 18 through to 29 of the accompanying drawings. As shown in Fig 18, in the first stage of the exemplary apparatus (and the associated process or method aspect) of the invention, an object (3) is presented by a presentation means (not shown, but which could, for example, be a conveyor belt or any of the other presentation means previously described) to the first platform member (27) at the first vertical position (35). As Fig 18 shows, at the first vertical position (35), each of the first platform member (27) and the second platform member are provided with multiple rollers, which are actuated by extrinsic means (not shown) to roll and thereby move the object horizontally from the first platform member (27) to the second platform member (29) as shown in Figs 18 and 19. As Figs 19 and 20 show, the apparatus then moves the object to the second vertical position (61 ). In doing so, since the second platform member (29) is associated with sub-frame (77), the overlying platform levels (9) and (11 ) (which are also associated with the sub-frame (77), and which correspond, respectively to platform members (103) and (107)) are moved vertically in unison (as shown in Fig 20). At the second vertical position, the second platform member (29) is at substantially the same vertical position as a third platform member (101 ), which is configured in essentially the same way as the first platform member (27). At the second vertical position, the second platform member (29) is configured to move the object (3) horizontally towards the third platform member (101 ). The horizontal movement means required for this purpose may comprise any of the means previously discussed as being suitable “horizontal movement means” for the purposes of the invention.

As Figs 20 and 21 show, once the horizontal movement means move the object to the third platform member, the next step in the process is that the sub-frame (77) moves downwards so as to return the second platform member (29) to the first vertical position (35). Once that happens, as Figs 22 and 23 depict, a fourth platform member (103) is by the same movement, brought into horizontal alignment with the third platform member (101) at the second vertical position (61 ). And as shown in Fig 23, in the next step, the object (3) is then moved horizontally by the apparatus onto the fourth platform member (103) by horizontal movement means of the kind previously described. At that point, as Fig 24 depicts, the sub-frame is again moved upwards, so that the fourth platform member is brought into horizontal alignment at a third vertical position (111) with a fifth platform member (105). At the third vertical position (111 ), the object (3) is then moved via essentially the same process performed at the second vertical position, so that, sequentially:

(a) the object (3) is moved horizontally by horizontal movement means operating at the third vertical position (111 ) onto a fifth platform member (105) (See Fig 25); and

(b) the sub-frame (77) is then lowered so that the fourth platform member (103) is returned to the second vertical position (See Fig 26).

As Fig 27 shows, at the third vertical position, the apparatus next moves the object (3) horizontally from the fifth to a sixth platform member (107).

The upward movement of the sub-frame is next again repeated, so that at the next stage of the process:

(a) The sub-frame (77) brings the sixth platform member (107) to a further (fourth) vertical position (115); and

(b) At the fourth vertical position (115), the object (3) is moved horizontally by horizontal movement means (of the kind previously described) from the sixth platform member (107) to a seventh platform member (109).

As can be seen from Fig 29, at the fourth vertical position (115), the seventh platform member (109) also comprises a laterally disposed exit ramp extension (119), so that by virtue of horizontal movement means, when the object (3) arrives at the fourth vertical position (115), the object may - as desired - exit the apparatus (1 ) to undergo whatever further processing step or steps may be contemplated (for example, for to be transported by a conveyor belt (not shown) that receives the output from the exit ramp extension (119) and thereby moves the object to another part of a manufacturing, processing, distribution or other logistics system of which the apparatus (1 ) forms part. Although the apparatus described above and as depicted in the accompanying drawings specifically features four vertical levels or positions, ordinary persons of skill in the field of the invention would readily appreciate that in concept, there is no limit to the number of vertical levels or positions that such an apparatus or system could have. The number of such vertical levels or positions as might be deployed in a given instance would be determined by such artisans in accordance with the needs of the application concerned.

The materials from which the components of an apparatus or system according to the invention might be made would, the Applicant believes, be readily appreciated by persons of skill in the field of the invention. By way of non-limiting example however, the basic infrastructure components, such as the frame (where one is used), and the various platforms, would generally be made from metallic materials, and would - as required - typically also comprise the use of suitable plastics, rubber and other like materials typically used in such apparatus and systems.

And as indicated previously, an apparatus or system according to the invention would, in many instances, be capable of automated or substantially automated operation. Desirably, such an apparatus/system would also be capable of moving multiple (and indeed, many) objects (of whatever desired nature) during a given unit of time, so as to be commercially and operationally efficient. Accurate coordination of the alternating movements of the apparatus when performing the process aspects of the invention would therefore ordinarily be considered essential in most commercial applications. For this purpose, ordinary persons of skill in the field of the invention would appreciate that in any addition to meeting any specific hardware requirements (such as requirements for cabling, the provision of electrical or other power, and/or the provision of sensors and other equipment or componentry) that such an apparatus would have or require for a given application, the apparatus would additionally be controlled by the use of suitable coordination software. The Applicant believes that the nature of such software (and the associated hardware requirements for operating a logistics system constructed in accordance with the present invention) would be understood by ordinary persons of skill in the field of the invention (who, for this purpose could include software engineers or technicians skilled in the design and/or use of such software).

An apparatus or system in accordance with the invention could be installed de novo in a desired facility, or alternatively could be retro-fitted to an existing facility (and, where applicable, to replace existing equipment or systems). Hence, the applications of the invention are not limited either to new installations or retro-fitted facilities, but extends to both.

And desirably for this purpose, an apparatus or system of the invention would also be configured in practice so as to be capable of cooperating inter- operably with not only hardware infrastructure for the intended application(s) for which it would be used, but also with software and information technology systems that are used in modern manufacturing, distribution or logistics practice. Without limiting the nature of such technologies with which the present invention could be used, the technical use of the invention would desirably be configured in practice to interact cooperatively with, for example, software that monitors the number of units of a given object that are moved or processed by the apparatus/system (or associated systems) in unit time, and inventory control or manufacturing process control technologies. Such functionality would therefore allow the use of the invention in cooperation with other modern logistics systems or technologies, to optimise the benefits of using the invention, such as those previously described.

A further example of an embodiment of an apparatus, system and process according to the present invention is provided by the operation of the apparatus featured in a YouTube video clip at the following address on the World Wide Web portion of the Internet: https://youtu.be/VCaHtwDVK18.

The disclosure of the exemplary embodiment of the invention as featured in the YouTube video clip linked above is expressly incorporated into this specification by reference. Interpretation of this specification

It will therefore be understood that the invention could take many forms and be put to many different uses. All such forms and uses are embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is to be understood as not being limited to the particular constructional details of the embodiments discussed above, but which extends to each novel feature and combination of features disclosed in or evident from this specification (which includes the disclosure of the accompanying drawings and claims). All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

It will also be understood that the term “comprises” (or its grammatical variants), as used in this specification, is equivalent in meaning to the term “includes” and should not be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features. Further, wherever used in this specification, the term “includes” is not a term of limitation, and is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features.

It is further to be understood that any discussion in this specification of background or prior art documents, devices, acts, information, knowledge or use (‘Background Information’) is included solely to explain the context of the invention. Any discussions of such Background Information is not to be taken as an admission in any jurisdiction that any such Background Information constitutes prior art, part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the field of the invention on or before the earliest priority date or any priority date which the present application claims.