gistfile1.txt

        List<Span> spanList = Arrays.asList(spans);
        
        for (int i = 0; i < spanList.size(); i++) {
            
            Span a = spanList.get(i);
            
            for (int c = i + 1; c < spanList.size(); c++) {
                Span b = spanList.get(c);    
                
                if (a.contains(b)) {
                    spanList.remove(c);
                }
            }                        
        }