BUILDING THE SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention refers to domestic equipment for kitchens, more in particular it refers to a modular stove for solid fuels and a method for building the same. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Humanities feeding activity, since the discovery of fire, has revolved around the capacity to cook foods to facilitate their consumption as well as to improve their flavor, and even its properties to the point of making foods, which cannot be consumed by human beings in their natural state due to their adverse effect, edible.

For this, various cultures have developed primarily utensils which could be placed on fires to contain and manipulate the foodstuffs, but the fires also evolved to become structures and equipment such as ovens and stoves or kitchens which exist and have been developed from diverse materials and structures throughout the ages, until they became sophisticated equipment even today, with electronic controls and very diverse heat sources, mainly electrical and liquid and gaseous fuels.

However, in communities which are hard to get to, especially in rural environments in developing countries, people don’t have access to natural gas nor the infrastructure required for its delivery, and in order to cook their food, they still use solid fuels, such as wood, which they gather from their surroundings, and which they use to build fires inside their houses, usually on adobe or concrete slabs, on which they place the cooking utensils directly over the fuel. These fires often serve the same multiple purposes that fire has as a utility for people, besides from its cooking function, of heating houses when it’s cold.

This custom however, can lead to serious accidents which take place inside the houses, ranging from blazes due to mismanagement of the fire due to the solid fuels being directly exposed, to asphyxiation or intoxication problems due to the combustion gases which accumulate inside people’s homes. The foregoing is in addition to the obvious inefficiency of the combustion due to the heat loss to the surroundings.

Although there are, practically, various ways to build safer stoves with bricks or refractory materials, even these stoves require complex skills and knowledge, materials not available to the communities, or designs which are not attractive to local culinary culture.

Even though all the stoves or kitchens have elements in common such as a place where combustion takes place, sections adapted to place utensils or vessels to heat or cook the food, as well as various conduits to guide either fuel or combustion gases, currently the assembly of the stoves typically requires techniques and materials not available to people in rural or hard to reach environments.

A specific example of the proposed solutions in the previous art for solid fuel stoves is described in document W02009001249, which refers to a kitchen stove comprising a cavity for solid fuel, a flue for the elimination of the flue gases created by the combustion of the solid fuel and a channel placed to connect the cavity and the flue. However, the components of this previous art stove require a significant area for its installation due to the way that the chimney is located with respect to the combustion chamber and the cooking area. Furthermore, despite the suggestion in said document that the stove’s construction could be modular, no way is described in which said modules could be configured or provided in order to have an adequate functionality and much less how they could be molded in situ in order to build the stove with the described characteristics. Another example of the state of the art documents is described in document BR200504554, which refers to a modular firewood stove with an assembly system and external cover, where a hollow rectangular base holds the base of the grill, the grill, two lateral stove walls and a chimney. Nevertheless, firewood stoves are used in rural communities and this stove has the disadvantage that its elements are pre-made, which make it difficult to transport all the elements in order to form the stove to hard to access communities.

On the other hand, document DE 19642941 refers to a stove that comprises a body made of material that stores the heat, the body is assembled from one or more elements that can be molded or pressed. The mix for making said molded elements includes steel fibers. However, in rural communities, it could be difficult to get steel fibers to make the mix for the molded elements.

Therefore, it has been sought to suppress the inconveniences that the stoves or kitchens which are used in rural or hard to access environments exhibit currently, by developing a modular stove for solid fuels that can be built from readily available materials around the place where it will be installed, as well as to permit the use of locally accessible solid fuels such as firewood, allows for the safe operation of the stove, and the placement of cooking utensils typically used by the local culture of where it will be installed, and the efficient use of heat.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

In light of the previous art’s defects, is an object of the present invention to provide a safe and efficient solid fuels modular stove, built from modules made from easily accessible materials with respect to where it will be installed, and that is safe and efficient to install, particularly in rural or hard to reach environments.

It is another object of the invention to provide a toolkit for the construction of modular solid fuel stoves that makes it possible to obtain the necessary modules for the construction of safe and efficient modular stoves from easily available materials.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for the construction of a solid fuel modular stove from molds and modules made from easily available materials in the place where it will be installed.

These and other objects are achieved by a solid fuel modular stove and the molds and methods to obtain it, according to the principles of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have invented a stove that comprises at least a solid fuel combustion module made of pre-formed material, which comprises a chamber to house solid fuel inside it and to confine the combustion gases produced by the same in use, and to direct its flow, which comprises a layer of refractory material in the contact surfaces of the solid fuel or the combustion gases and a body reinforced with cement metallic mesh with a compatible additive which forms the rest of the combustion module; at least one food heating module made of preformed material with at least a burner to place cooking utensil to be heated by the heat that emanates from the combustion gases which come from the combustion module, which comprises a coat of refractory material in the contact surfaces with the combustion gases, a burner that allows for the placement of a cooking utensil and the direct contact of the combustion gases with it, and a cement body with an additive reinforced with metallic mesh which forms the rest of the food heating module; and at least a combustion gases exit module made of preformed material and which receives the combustion gases which come from the food heating module and directs them to an exit opening for their release, which comprises a layer of refractory material in the surfaces which contact the combustion gases and a body reinforced with cement metallic mesh with an additive which forms the rest of the combustion gases exit module; wherein the combustion module connects by its top part with the food heating module, which itself is connected by its top part with the combustion gases exit module.

We have also invented a toolkit which comprises at least one molding surface with a predetermined design for the curing of each of the modules which form the stove of the present invention of flexible polymeric material and compatible with refractory materials which can be formed and hardened over said surface, and which allows for the unmolding of the same when the modules are molded in situ, wherein said tools can be complemented with other materials to form additional smooth surfaces and to complete the body of each module.

We have also invented a method for constructing solid fuel modular stoves which comprises the stages of:

a) providing at least one mold to form a solid fuel combustion module, at least one mold to form at least one food heating module, and at least one mold to form a combustion gas exit module, wherein the molds comprise at least a molding surface with a predetermined design made from flexible polymeric material compatible with refracting materials which can be formed and hardened on said surface;

b) preparing a mix that can be molded from hardened refracting material; c) covering the molded surface, which has a predetermined design, of each mold with a layer of refracting material which can be hardened, and to force it to harden;

d) preparing a mix that can be molded from cement with an additive that can be hardened;

e) providing a metallic reinforcing mesh inside the mold;

f) filling the rest of the mold with the cement mix that can be molded with a hardenable additive to complement the form of every module according with the mold and to provoke its hardening; g) obtaining at least one solid fuel combustion module, at least one food heating module and at least one combustion gases outlet module by removing them from their corresponding mold; and

h) assembling the modules obtained to form a modular stove for solid fuel using refractory material to join every module.

These and other objects are fulfilled by a solid fuel modular stove and molds and a method for building said stove, according to the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel aspects that are considered characteristic of the present invention will be established in their particulars in the accompanying claims. However, some embodiments, characteristics and some objects and advantages of the same, will be better understood in the detailed description, when they are read in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top right perspective view of a specific embodiment of the modular solid fuel stove according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of a specific embodiment of the modular solid fuel stove according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a back elevational view of a specific embodiment of the modular solid fuel stove according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a right side elevational perspective view of a specific embodiment of the modular solid fuel stove according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a left side elevational perspective view of a specific embodiment of the modular solid fuel stove according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 6 is a top plan view of a specific embodiment of the modular solid fuel stove according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of a specific embodiment of the modular solid fuel stove according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a front left perspective view of the solid fuel combustion module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 9 is an exploded view from the left frontal perspective of the solid fuel combustion module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a front left perspective view of the first food heating combustion module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 11 is an exploded view from the left frontal perspective of the first food heating combustion module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a front left perspective view of the second food heating combustion module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 13 is an exploded view from the left frontal perspective of the second food heating combustion module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 14 is a front left perspective view of the combustion gases exit module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 15 is an exploded view from the left frontal perspective of the combustion gases exit module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 16 is a front left perspective view of the molding surface of the left side of the combustion module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a front right perspective view of the molding surface of the right side of the combustion module according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 18 is a back right perspective view of the molding surface of the bottom side of the first food heating module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 19 is a left front perspective view of the molding surface of the top side of the first food heating module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 20 is a left front perspective view of the molding surface of the bottom side of the second food heating module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 21 is a left front perspective view of the molding surface of the top side of the second food heating module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 22 is a front left perspective view of the molding surface of the bottom side of the combustion gases exit module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 23 is a front left perspective view of the molding surface of the top side of the combustion gases exit module according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 24 shows the application of refractory material over one of the molding surfaces according to principles of the present invention.

Figure 25 shows the complete mold that corresponds to a part of a module of the present invention and which has been filled with a mix of cement and an additive. PET ATT ED DE SCRIPTT ON OF THE INVENTION

It has been found that the objects of the invention can be met with a modular solid fuel stove built from modules made from easily accessible materials in the place where it is installed and which can be installed safely and efficiently, particularly in rural or hard to reach environments, which can be achieved from a tool kit for the construction of said stoves if it’s built according to the method of the present invention.

So, in an aspect of the invention, a stove that comprises at least a solid fuel combustion module made of pre-formed material, which comprises a chamber to house solid fuel inside it and to confine the combustion gases produced by the same in use, and to direct its flow, which comprises a layer of refractory material in the contact surfaces of the solid fuel or the combustion gases and a body reinforced with cement metallic mesh with a compatible additive which forms the rest of the combustion module; at least one food heating module made of preformed material with at least a burner to place cooking utensil to be heated by the heat that emanates from the combustion gases which come from the combustion module, which comprises a coat of refractory material in the contact surfaces with the combustion gases, a burner that allows for the placement of a cooking utensil and the direct contact of the combustion gases with it, and a cement body with an additive reinforced with metallic mesh which forms the rest of the food heating module; and at least a combustion gases exit module made of preformed material and which receives the combustion gases which come from the food heating module and directs them to an exit opening for their release, which comprises a layer of refractory material in the surfaces which contact the combustion gases and a body reinforced with cement metallic mesh with an additive which forms the rest of the combustion gases exit module; wherein the combustion module connects by its top part with the food heating module, which itself is connected by its top part with the combustion gases exit module.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the modules are formed from two molded pieces which are joined to complete each module, complementing one piece with the other, preferably joined to each other by refractory material and in such a way that the combustion gases remain confined when the cooking utensils are in the cooking utensils placement element. The refractory material, in an embodiment of the invention, is selected from materials which can be hardened and are obtained from high aluminum-silicates content, of the type that hardens when it is mixed with water, preferably which are capable of handling temperatures of at least 800 °C and more preferably up to 1650 °C.

In another embodiment of the invention, the layer of refractory material has a thickness of around 1 cm to 3 cm, preferably around 1 cm to 1.5 cm.

Therefore it's important to point out that, because the parts are molded without machinery, it is possible that the width of the refractory and isolating materials does not turn out homogeneously over the entire surface so that, for the purposes of the present invention, the measurements should be interpreted as being reasonably within the margin of error that can occur when molding a material that is hardened manually, this being also understood with the use of the phrase “approximately".

The additive that is mixed with the cement to form the bodies of the various modules according to the principles of the present invention, is preferably selected from between inorganic additives which are heat-resistant in high-volume bulk, it’s preferably selected from perlite, tepezil (a type of sandy rock) or powdered materials available locally in the region where the stove will be installed.

Likewise, the term“cooking utensil” refers to any heating vessel or surface to cook food, including but not limited to pots, pans, griddle or skillets, among others.

In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the stove comprises two food heating modules, preferably each one with different burners. In a still more specific embodiment of the present invention, the stove comprises a first food heating module with a burner of adequate shape and size to accommodate a griddle and another burner of adequate shape and size to house a pot; and, a second food heating module with a burner to house a pot of a first size and another burner to house a pot of a second size. In the specific embodiment of the present invention where two food heating modules are used, both modules are connected via a sole combustion module and a sole combustion gases exit module.

Another aspect of the present invention comprises a toolkit which comprises at least one molding surface with a predetermined design for the curing of each of the modules which form the stove of the present invention of flexible polymeric material and compatible with refractory materials which can be formed and hardened over said surface, and which allows for the unmolding of the same when the modules are molded in situ, wherein said tools can be complemented with other materials to form additional smooth surfaces and to complete the body of each module.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the molding surfaces with a predetermined design are made from an elastomeric copolymer, preferably an acrilonitril-butadien-estiren (ABS) copolymer.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the tool kit comprises the following tools: a molding surface for the left side of the combustion module, a molding surface for the right side of the combustion module; a molding surface for the lower part of the food heating module; at least one molding surface for upper part of the food heating module; at least one molding surface for the lower part of the combustion gases outlet module; a molding surface for the upper part of the combustion gases outlet module; refractory material in a predetermined amount sufficient for all the molding surfaces that require it; at least one metal mesh for each molding surface according to the size of the corresponding surfaces and, a mixture of cement with aggregate in an amount sufficient to form all the modules of the stove.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the tool kit comprises a plurality of wooden boards with predetermined shapes to be placed perpendicularly to the molding surfaces and to form a complete mold for at least a part of a module of the stove. In another further embodiment of the present invention, the kit comprises templates with predetermined shapes for locally obtaining surfaces, preferably made of wood, which can be placed perpendicular to the molding surfaces to form a complete mold for at least a portion of a stove module.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the kit does not comprise molding surfaces but only the materials necessary for the reuse of already existing molding surfaces with which another stove had been previously manufactured.

Alternatively, the kit of the present invention may comprise additional tools for the molding of the stove, such as spatulas, hammers, nails and other tools, which facilitate the building and filling of the molds.

Another aspect of the present invention consists of a method for constructing solid fuel modular stoves which comprises the stages of:

a) providing at least one mold for forming a combustion module, at least one mold for shaping at least one food heating module and at least one mold for forming a combustion gases outlet module, wherein the molds comprise at least one molding surface with predetermined design made of flexible polymeric material compatible with refractory materials that can be shaped and hardened on said surface;

b) preparing a mix that can be molded from hardened refracting material; c) covering the molded surface, which has a predetermined design, of each mold with a layer of refracting material which can be hardened, and to force it to harden;

d) preparing a moldable mixture of hardenable insulating material; e) covering the surface of the refractory material of the combustion module with a layer of hardenable refractory material and causing it to harden;

f) preparing a moldable cement mixture with perlite which can be hardened;

g) providing a metallic reinforcing mesh inside the mold; h) filling the rest of the mold with the moldable cement mixture with perlite which can be hardened to complete the shape of each module according to the mold and causing it to harden;

i) obtaining at least one solid fuel combustion module, at least one food heating module and at least one combustion gases outlet module by removing them from their corresponding mold; and

j) assembling the modules obtained to form a modular stove for solid fuel using refractory material and / or cement with perlite which can be hardened.

It’s evident that the principles of the present invention can be used to obtain various stove designs. Nevertheless, below, the invention will be described with reference to the appended figures, which shall be considered illustrative for the implementation of the invention, but not limiting with respect to the essential principles of the same.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a particular embodiment of the solid fuel modular stove (1000) of the present invention, in which the solid fuel combustion module (1100) made from preformed material can be clearly identified; two food heating modules (1200 y 1300) made of preformed material; and the combustion gases exit module (1400) made of preformed material.

As can be also observed in Figures 2-7, which correspond to various visits of the specific embodiment of Figure 1, the combustion module (1100) comprises a solid fuel entry (1110), and the combustion gases exit module (1400) comprises at least a combustion gases exit opening (1410). Optionally, any support medium (not shown in the Figures) can be used to support the weight of the food heating modules (1200 and 1300) and of the combustion gases exit module (1400).

The food heating modules (1200 and 1300) in the above described embodiment are formed by a first food heating module (1200) and a second food heating module (1300), which in turn respectively comprise two burners (1230, 1240, 1330 and 1340) for the placement of heating utensils and their warning due to direct contact with the combustion gases.

The assembly and working of the stove of the present invention will be better understood by describing separately each of the modules which form it.

Thus, Figures 8 and 9 show how the solid fuel combustion module

(1100) is formed. In a specific illustrated embodiment, the module comprises two molded parts, a left part of the combustion module (1120) and a right part of the combustion module (1130), each of which comprises itself an interior surfaces (1121 and 1131) which, when abutting one on the other as shown in Figure 9 will form the solid fuel combustion chamber (1140) and a combustion gases conduit (1150) shown in the same Figure 9, where each conduit will direct the combustion gases towards the food heating modules (1200 and 1300, see Figure 1).

Interior surfaces (1121 and 1131) of the left and right (1120 and 1130) parts of the combustion module (1100) have been molded from the refractory material according to the principles of the present invention. Preferably, the left and right parts of the combustion chamber (1120 and 1130) are joined with each other utilizing refractory material according to the principles of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 10 and 11, they show a specific embodiment in which the first food heating module (1200) can be observed, wherein a top part and a bottom part of said module are illustrated, wherein a first burner (1230) is configured to house a cooking utensil while he second burner (1240) is configured to house another cooking utensil. The embodiment illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 is configured to house in the burners (1230 and 1240) cooking pots. In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the burners (1230 and 1240) can be the same size or different to receive a variety of cooking utensils.

As can be seen from said Figures, the first food heating module (1200) comprises itself a bottom part (1210) and a top part (1220), which themselves are configured to, once they’ve been assembled as illustrated in Figure 11, allow the entry of combustion gases from the combustion module (1100, see Figure 1) and their passage through the first food heating module (1200), wherein they are directed towards the back part of the same, when cooking utensils are placed, wherein the back part is where the food heating module (1200) is connected to the combustion gases exit module (1400).

As stated previously, Figures 10 and 11 show a specific embodiment in which the first food heating module (1200) can be observed, wherein a top part (1210) and a bottom part (1220) of said module are illustrated, wherein a first burner (1230) is configured to house a first pot or cooking utensil while he second burner (1240) is configured to house another pot or similar utensil ln an additional embodiment of the present invention, the burners (1230 and 1240) can be the same size or different. The burners allow the direct contact of the cooking utensils with the combustion gases, and at the same time, they allow that, when the cooking utensil us placed on the corresponding burner, the combustion gases don’t escape the stove due to being confined by the lower surface of the utensil which contacts the burner. To this end, in the specific embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, each burner comprises a seal (1231 and 1241) made from refractory material which allows for the coupling of the cooking utensil with the burner in order to minimize the combustion gases escape.

At the same time, Figures 10 and 11 it’s possible to observe that the top (1210) and bottom (1220) parts of the first food heating module (1200) themselves comprise, respectively, a layer of refractory material (1211 and 1221) in the surfaces that will be in contact with the combustion gases, and a body (1212 and 1222) made of cement with an additive.

Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, they show the second food heating module (1300) of the specific embodiment described in Figure 1, wherein a top part and a bottom part of said module can be observed, wherein a first burner (1330) is configured to house a cooking utensil while he second burner (1340) is configured to house another cooking utensil. As previously stated, the burner can be configured in various forms in order to house various cooking utensils ln the embodiment of Figures 12 and 13, a burner (1330) allows for the housing of a big griddle or heating skillet, while the other burner (1340) is suitable to house a pot or similar utensil.

As in the case of the first food heating module, the second food heating module (1300) comprises itself a top part (1310) and a bottom part (1320), which themselves are configured to, once they’ve been assembled as illustrated in Figure 12, allow the entry of combustion gases from the combustion module (1100, see Figure 1) and their passage through the second food heating module (1300), wherein they are directed towards the back part of the same, when cooking utensils are placed, wherein the back part is where the food heating module (1300) is connected to the combustion gases exit module (1400).

As stated previously, Figures 12 and 13 show a specific embodiment in which the second food heating module (1300) can be observed, wherein a top part and a bottom part of said module are illustrated, wherein a first burner (1330) is configured to house preferably a big griddle, a heating skillet or a similar cooking utensil while he second burner (1340) is configured to house another pot or similar utensil. In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the burners (1330 and 1340) can be the same size or different. The burners allow the direct contact of the cooking utensils with the combustion gases, and at the same time, they allow that, when the cooking utensil us placed on the corresponding burner, the combustion gases don’t escape the stove due to being confined by the lower surface of the utensil which contacts the burner. To this end, in the specific embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the burner comprises a seal (1341) made from refractory material which allows for the coupling of the cooking utensil with the burner in order to minimize the combustion gases escape. The griddle, by occupying all the space, fulfills this function of not letting the gases escape precisely.

At the same time, Figures 12 and 13 it’s possible to observe that the top (1310) and bottom (1320) parts of the second food heating module (1300) themselves comprise, respectively, a layer of refractory material (1311 and 1321) in the surfaces that will be in contact with the combustion gases, and a body (1312 and 1322) made of cement with an additive.

As can be easily observe, in the Figures we have illustrated two specific embodiments built according to the principles of the present invention, but it will be evident to a skilled technician that multiple configurations of burners are possible, insofar as their quantity and size, and that the number of heating module can also vary according to specific conditions in the installation location according to its space.

Regarding the combustion gases exit module (1400), Figures 14 and 15 show a specific embodiment of the same, where an bottom part (1410) and a top part (1420) can be observed which, when joined with each other form combustion gases entries (1430) which originate from the food heating modules located in the front side of the module, as well as a combustion gases exit (1449) with a form compatible with metallic combustion gases exit conduits (not illustrated in the Figures), preferably circular. The exit conduits will allow the combustion gases to be led outside of the room or place where the stove of the present invention is installed, in order to avoid the intoxication of their occupants.

Based on the specific embodiment of the Figures described so far, a skilled technician will fully understand the invention, and it will be specially apparent that multiple variations of the same are possible without therefore being outside the scope of the present invention, such as a great variety of refractory and isolating materials, configurations of the size and number of the burners in the food heating modules. And multiple locations and geometries of the openings which direct the combustion gases from the combustion chamber to the outside.

Figures 16-23 illustrate perspective views of another aspect of the present invention consistent with the tool kit that comprises at least a molding surface with predetermined design. The Figures illustrate, respectively, the preferred molding surfaces with a predetermined design, in order to obtain the modules illustrated in Figures 1-15, i. e.: a molding surface for the left side of the combustion module (2100); a molding surface for the right side of the combustion module (2200); a molding surface for the bottom part of the first food heating module (2300); a molding surface for the top part of the first food heating module (2400); a molding surface for the bottom part of the second food heating module (2500); a molding surface for the top part of the second food heating module (2600); a molding surface of the bottom part of the combustion gases exit module (2700); and a molding surface of the top part of the combustion gases exit module (2800).

Finally, to illustrate the process of the present invention, Figure 24 shows the application of refractory material above the molding surface for the left part of the combustion module (2100) of the present invention, wherein other surfaces used to form the body of the corresponding module can be identified. Turning to Figure 25, it shows the complete mold that corresponds to the combustion module of the present invention and which has been filled with a mix of cement and an additive.

According to what has been described above, it can be observed that the solid fuel modular stove and the kit and the process for its construction, have been foreseen to utilize materials that are low cost and readily accessible in rural areas, providing better safety for their users by maintaining a confinement of the combustion gases while the stove is in use and facilitating its construction by providing tools and processes for its construction, and it will be evidence to the skilled technician that the embodiments of the invention as described in the above and illustrated in the appended drawings are only exemplary and not limitative of the present invention, as various changes regarding their configuration are possible without straying from the scope of the invention. For example, it’s possible to use various burner designs, module forms or materials as the additive or types of refractory material without straying from the principles of the present invention.

Therefore, the present invention should not be considered as restricted except by what the previous art dictates and by the reach of the appended claims.