INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/411,888, which was filed on Sep. 30, 2022, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure generally relates to cartons, containers, trays, and/or other constructs for holding food products and/or other types of articles and/or products. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers/trays with dividing features.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In general, one aspect of the disclosure is generally directed to a container for holding one or more products. The container can comprise a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the container. The plurality of panels can comprise at least a bottom panel. The container further can comprise one or more integrated dividers extending at least upwardly from the bottom panel to at least partially form a plurality of receiving spaces in the interior of the container.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a container for holding one or more products. The blank can comprise a plurality of panels comprising at least a bottom panel. Further, the blank can comprise a divider panel configured for forming an integrated divider extending at least upwardly from the bottom panel when the container is formed from the blank.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a container for holding one or more products. The method can comprise obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels and a divider panel. The plurality of panels can comprise at least a bottom panel. The method further can comprise positioning the panels of the plurality of panels to extend at least partially around an interior of the container and forming an integrated divider by positioning the divider panel to extend upwardly from the bottom panel in the interior of the container. The integrated divider can at least partially form a plurality of receiving spaces in the interior of the container.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 1 is an exterior plan view of a blank used to form a construct or tray according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a construct formed from the blank of FIG. 1 according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the formation of a tray from the construct of FIG. 2 according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tray formed from the blank of FIG. 1 and the construct of FIG. 2 according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 5 is an exterior plan view of a blank used to form a construct or tray according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the formation of a tray from the blank of FIG. 5 according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tray formed from the blank of FIG. 5 according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 8 is an exterior plan view of a blank used to form a construct or tray according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the formation of a tray from the blank of FIG. 8 according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tray formed from the blank of FIG. 8 according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.
Detailed Description of the Exemplary Embodiments
The tray of the present disclosure can be useful in containing one or more products (e.g., a food product) or other articles such as any suitable type of product that can be stored, transported, cooled, frozen, heated, and/or cooked (e.g., in a microwave oven). Some suitable products could comprise cookies, crackers, chips, sandwiches, hot dogs, French fries, nachos, fruits, vegetables, popcorn, cuts of meat, or any other suitable food product or other article. In some embodiments, the tray of the present disclosure can be used for heating, cooking, browning, crisping, etc. the food product by use of a heating or cooking device such as a microwave oven. It is understood that food products (or non-food products) other than the food products listed herein may be contained in the package. Further, products contained in this package may be generally rectangular, triangular, round, square, irregular, or any other shape. In this specification, the terms “inner,” “interior,” “outer,” “exterior,” “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” “forward,” “back,” “rear,” and “rearward” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright packages. As described herein, containers can be formed from blanks by being glued or otherwise secured with multiple panels, portions, tabs, and/or flaps, which may be designated herein in terms relative to one another, e.g., “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in sequential or nonsequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank, generally indicated at 103, used to form a container or tray 105 (FIG. 4) of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The tray 105 can include integrated dividers or partitions 107 (e.g., one or more dividers or a plurality of dividers) extending in an interior 109 of the tray 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 103 can have an interior surface 101 (FIG. 2) and an exterior surface 102 (FIG. 1). The construct 105 is used to hold and/or support a food product (not shown), such as cookies, crackers, French bread pizzas, sandwiches, hot dogs, turnovers, burritos, meats, French fries, and/or any other food product, such as during storing, displaying, selling, serving, cooking, etc. of the food product. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the construct 105 may have an element (not shown) for use in cooking, heating, browning, and/or shielding (e.g., a microwave energy interactive element, such as, but not limited to, a susceptor) mounted thereto. In some embodiments, a microwave energy interactive element can be omitted from the construct 105. In an alternative embodiment, the construct 105 can hold and/or support a non-food item or article.
The blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. The blank 103 includes a bottom panel 110 foldably connected to a first side panel 112 at a first longitudinal fold line 114. A second side panel 116 is foldably connected to the central panel 110 along a second longitudinal fold line 118. A back panel or first end panel 120 is foldably connected to the central panel 110 along a first lateral fold line 122 at one longitudinal end of the central panel 110, and a front panel or second end panel 124 is foldably connected to the central panel 110 along a second lateral fold line 126 at another longitudinal end of the central panel 110. Either or both of the end panels 120, 124 could be referred to as side panels along with the first and second side panels 112, 116. As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 103 can include apertures 128 (e.g., four apertures or any suitable number of apertures) for receiving fingers or pins (not shown) of a packaging machine (not shown) to facilitate erection of the tray from the blank 103 as described in more detail below.
In the illustrated embodiments, the blank 103 includes end flaps 130, 132 foldably connected at respective ends of the back panel 120 along respective fold lines 134, 136. End flaps 138, 140 are respectively foldably connected at respective ends of the front panel 124 along the respective fold lines 142, 144. In embodiments, the bottom panel 110, the side panels 112, 116, the back panel 120, the front panel 124, and the end flaps 130, 132, 138, 140 can cooperate to form a tray portion 148 of the blank 103. The tray portion 148, including any of the bottom panel 110, the side panels 112, 116, the back and front panels 120, 124, and/or the end flaps 130, 132, 138, 140 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, the end flaps 130, 138, 132, 140 could be foldably connected to the respective side panels 112, 116.
As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 103 further can include a divider piece or inner structure 150 foldably connected to the tray portion 148 of the blank 103 along a lateral fold line 152. In embodiments, the divider structure 150 can be foldably connected to the back panel 120 along the lateral fold line 152 or could be foldably connected to any other suitable panel of the remainder of the blank 103. In the illustrated embodiments, the inner structure 150 can include a central panel 154, a first divider panel 156 and a second divider panel 158 respectively foldably connected to the central panel 154 along respective fold lines 162, 164. In embodiments, the inner structure 150 further can include a first inner end panel 166 connected to the divider panels 156, 158 by webbed corners or gusset panels 170 and a second inner end panel 172 connected to the divider panels 156, 158 by webbed corners or gusset panels 174. As shown in FIG. 1, the gusset panels 170 can be foldably connected to the first inner end panel 166 along respective oblique fold lines 176 and can be foldably connected to the respective divider panels 156, 158 along respective lateral fold lines 178, and the gusset panels 174 can be foldably connected to the second inner end panel 172 along respective oblique fold lines 180 and can be foldably connected to the respective divider panels 156, 158 along respective lateral fold lines 182. In the illustrated embodiments, the first inner end panel 166 can be foldably connected to the first end panel 120 along the lateral fold line 152. In embodiments, cutouts 184 can be included in the inner structure 150 (e.g., so that at least the central panel 154 and the respective inner end panels 166, 172 extend along each cutout 184). In the illustrated embodiments, the fold lines 152, 162, 164, 176, 178, 180, 182 can be cut lines interrupted by nicks. Alternatively, the fold lines 152, 162, 164, 176, 178, 180, 182 could be any suitable line of weakening. The divider structure 150, including any of the central panel 154, the divider panels 156, 158, the inner end panels 166, 172, the gusset panels 170, 174, and/or the cutouts 184 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
The blank 103 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, different portions of the inner structure 150 could be foldably connected to different panels of the tray portion 148 or the inner structure 150 could be provided as a separate blank from the remainder of the blank 103.
As shown in FIG. 2, the blank 103 can be formed into a flattened construct 190 (e.g., a partially formed tray) by folding the inner structure 150 along the lateral fold line 152 over the tray portion 148. In embodiments, the central panel 154 and the divider panels 156, 158 can overlap the bottom panel 110, the first inner end panel 166 and the gusset panels 170 can overlap the first outer end panel 120, and the second inner end panel 172 and the gusset panels 174 can overlap the second outer end panel 124. As schematically shown in FIG. 1, glue G can be applied to the central panel 154 and the inner end panels 166, 172 on the inner surface 101 of the blank 103 (the glue G being shown in hidden lines in the exterior view of the blank 103 of FIG. 1). In embodiments, the glue can be used to adhere the inner surface 101 of the central panel 154 to the inner surface 101 of the bottom panel 110 and the inner surfaces 101 of the inner end panels 166, 172 to the inner surfaces 101 of the respective outer end panels 120, 124. In embodiments, glue can be applied to any of the panels 110, 120, 124, 154, 166, and/or 172 for adhering the inner structure 150 to the remainder of the blank. In the illustrated embodiment, the divider panels 156, 158 and the gusset panels 170, 174 are not glued to the bottom panel 110 or the outer end panels 120, 124 so that the divider panels 156, 158 and the gusset panels 170, 174 remain free to pivot with respect to a remainder of the construct 190. In embodiments, the divider panels 156, 158 can be aligned with the apertures 128 in the bottom panel 110 (e.g., the divider panels 156, 158 can overlap the portions of the bottom panel 110 that include the apertures 128 and the divider panels 156, 158 can extend over the apertures 128). In exemplary embodiments, the construct 190 can be a pre-glued, non-erected construct that can be stored and/or delivered to forming equipment (not shown) in a flat configuration. The construct 190 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the construct 190 can be folded to form the tray 105 with the dividers 107 extending in the interior 109 of the tray 105. For example, the side panels 112, 116 and the outer end panels 120, 124 can be folded upwardly with respect to the bottom panel 110 so that the side panels 112, 116 and the outer end panels 120, 124 extend at least upwardly (e.g., extend vertically or substantially vertically) from the bottom panel 110. In the illustrated embodiments, at least the bottom panel 110, the side panels 112, 116, and the end panels 120, 124 can extend at least partially around the interior 109 of the tray 105 (FIG. 4). In embodiments, as the outer end panels 120, 124 are folded upwardly, the end flaps 130, 138, 132, 140 can be folded over the respective side panels 112, 116 (e.g., in face-to-face contact with the interior or the exterior surfaces of the side panels) and can be glued or otherwise secured to the side panels 112, 116 to at least partially secure the tray 105 in its erected form (FIG. 4). In exemplary embodiments, the side panels 112, 116, the end panels 120, 124, and the end flaps 130, 138, 132, 140 can at least partially define a sidewall 194 extending around a perimeter of the bottom panel 110.
In the illustrated embodiment, as the outer end panels 120, 124 are folded upwardly relative to the bottom panel, the inner end panels 166, 172 are folded upwardly relative to the central panel 154 causing the gussets 170, 174 to fold inwardly toward the respective inner end panels 166, 172 (e.g., so that the gussets 170, 174 are proximate to and/or in face-to-face contact with the respective inner end panel 166, 172. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inward folding of the gussets 170, 172 can cause the divider panels 156, 158 to fold upwardly relative to the central panel 154 and away from the bottom panel 110 so that the divider panels 156, 158 extend at least upwardly (e.g., extend vertically or substantially vertically) with respect to the bottom panel 110 and the central panel 154 to form the dividers 107 (FIG. 4).
In exemplary embodiments, the folding of the divider panels 156, 158 and the gusset panels 170, 174 can be initiated and/or directed by fingers or pins (e.g., of a packaging machine or forming equipment; not shown) that can at least partially extend through the apertures 128 to engage the divider panels 156, 158 and push the divider panels 156, 158 upwardly away from the bottom panel 110. In exemplary embodiments, the divider panels 156, 158 can be folded to extend vertically (e.g., perpendicular to the bottom panel 110).
As shown in FIG. 4, the dividers 107 can at least partially form three receiving spaces 192 in the interior 109 of the tray 105. In embodiments, each of the receiving spaces 192 can receive one or more food products, one or more sleeves, bags, or other suitable containers of food products, and/or other suitable products and/or articles. For example, a row or stack of cookies or crackers could be arranged in each of the receiving spaces 192. After loading products or articles into the receiving spaces 192, the tray 105 can be enclosed and/or sealed (e.g., by a film, a bag, an outer carton, etc.). The dividers 107 and/or the receiving spaces 192 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, the tray could have any suitable number of dividers 107, such as by increasing or decreasing the size of the blank 103 and/or increasing or decreasing the number of dividers 107. Further, the tray 105 could be otherwise formed without departing from the disclosure.
FIG. 5 shows a blank 303 for forming a container or tray 305 (FIG. 7) according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. The second embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment, except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical features of the embodiments have been given like or similar reference numbers. In the second embodiment, the blank 303 includes a central bottom panel 310 and outer bottom panels 310a, 310b that cooperate to form a bottom wall 396 (FIG. 7) in the tray 305. As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom panel 310 is foldably connected to a first divider panel 356 and to a second divider panel 358 along respective longitudinal fold lines 362, 364, and the divider panels 356, 358 are foldably connected to the respective bottom panels 310a, 310b along respective longitudinal fold lines 363, 365. In the illustrated embodiments, a first side panel 312 can be foldably connected to the outer bottom panel 310a along a lateral fold line 314, and a second side panel 316 can be foldably connected to the outer bottom panel 310b along a lateral fold line 318.
As shown in FIG. 5, the divider panel 356 can include divider sections 356a, 356b that are foldably connected to one another along a lateral fold line 357. Similarly, the divider panel 358 can include divider sections 358a, 358b that are foldably connected to one another along a lateral fold line 359. In the illustrated embodiment, the central bottom panel 310 is foldably connected to central end panels 320, 324 along respective lateral fold lines 322, 326. In addition, the bottom panels 310a, 310b can be foldably connected to the respective end panels 320a, 324a, 320b, 324b along the respective lateral fold lines 322, 326.
As shown in FIG. 5, the central end panel 320 can be connected to the outer end panels 320a, 320b by gussets or folding panels 370 (e.g., webbed panels), which can be foldably connected to the central end panel 320 along respective lateral fold lines 376 and can be foldably connected to the respective outer end panels 320a, 320b along respective lateral fold lines 378. Similarly, the central end panel 324 can be connected to the outer end panels 324a, 324b by gussets or folding panels 374 (e.g., webbed panels), which can be foldably connected to the central end panel 324 along respective lateral fold lines 380 and can be foldably connected to the respective outer end panels 324a, 324b along respective lateral fold lines 382. In the illustrated embodiment, a cutout 384 can extend at each end of each of the divider panels 356, 358, between the central bottom panel 310 and the respective outer bottom panels 310a, 310b. As shown in FIG. 5, the cutouts 384 can extend along edges of the respective central end panels 320, 324 and the respective folding panels 370, 374. In exemplary embodiments, the cutouts 384 can be strategically placed for allowing or helping to allow the divider panels 356, 358 to be erected to form the integrated dividers 307 (FIG. 7). The apertures 384 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
In the illustrated embodiment, the end flaps 330, 332, 338, 340 can be foldably connected to the respective outer end panels 320a, 320b, 324a, 324b along respective lateral fold lines 134, 136, 142, 144. As shown in FIG. 5, the end flaps 330, 332, 338, 340 can include locking features 402 (e.g., a projection 402a and a recess 402b) that can engage respective slots 404 extending in the side panels 312, 316 (e.g., the projections 402a can be inserted into the respective slots 404 so that the recesses 402b engage the side panels 312, 316 at the slots) when the tray 305 is formed (FIG. 7). For example, the locking features 402 can be in the form of Kliklok tabs or other suitable locking features. As shown in FIG. 5, the blank 303 further can include locking flaps 406 foldably connected to the outer end panels 320a, 324a, 320b, 324b along respective lateral fold lines 408 and can include locking tabs 410 (e.g., Walker lock flaps or other suitable locking features) for engaging respective slots 412 interrupting the respective lateral fold lines 322, 326 (e.g., so that the outer end panels 320a, 324a, 320b, 324b are at least partially separable from the respective outer bottom panels 310a, 310b along the cuts/slots 412) when the tray 305 is formed (FIG. 7).
The blank 303 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the tray 305 can be formed from the blank 303 by folding the divider panels 356, 358 upwardly along the respective fold lines 357, 362, 363 and 359, 364, 365 so that the divider sections 356a, 356b and 358a, 358b extend upwardly from the bottom panels 310, 310a, 310b to the respective fold lines 357, 359. As the divider panels 356, 358 are folded, the outer bottom panels 310a, 310b are brought closer to the central bottom panel 310 and the folding panels 370, 374 are folded over the respective outer end panels 320a, 320b, 324a, 324b. In embodiments, the bottom panels 310, 310a, 310b can cooperate to form a bottom wall 420 of the tray 305 (FIG. 7).
In the illustrated embodiments, the tray 305 further can be formed by folding the side panels 312, 316 and the end panels 320, 320a, 320b, 324, 324a, 324b upwardly relative to the bottom wall 420 and engaging the locking features 402 of the end flaps 330, 332, 338, 340 with the respective slots 404 in the side panels 312, 316. For example, the end flaps 330, 338 and 332, 340 can be folded to at least partially overlap the respective side panels 312, 316 and the protrusions 402a can be inserted into the respective slots 404 so that the recesses 402b engage the respective side panels 312, 316 at the respective slots 404. The locking flaps 406 can be folded downwardly along the respective lateral fold lines 408 to at least partially overlap the respective end panels 320, 320a, 320b, 324, 324a, 324b with the folding panels 370, 374 positioned between the respective end panels. In embodiments, when the tabs 410 are engaged with the respective cuts 412, the locking flaps 406 can help retain the end panels 320, 320a, 320b, 324, 324a, 324b and the folding panels 370, 374 in respective end walls 422, 424 (FIG. 7). Accordingly, in embodiments, the tray 305 can be assembled and/or retained in its erected configuration without glue. In exemplary embodiments, the tray 305 can be formed from the blank 303 manually and/or by forming equipment (not shown) and can be delivered to the forming equipment in a flat configuration (e.g., the blank 303). In embodiments, the forming equipment can include fingers or pins (not shown) that can engage the divider panels 356, 358 and push the divider panels upwardly to at least partially form the dividers 307 (FIG. 7).
As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom wall 420, the side panels 312, 316, and the end walls 422, 424 can at least partially extend around the interior 309 of the tray 305. In exemplary embodiments, at least the side panels 312, 316 and the end walls 422, 424 can at least partially define a sidewall 394 extending around a perimeter of the bottom wall 420. In the illustrated embodiments, the dividers 307 can extend in the interior 309 of the tray and can at least partially form three receiving spaces 392 in the interior 309 of the tray 305. After loading products or articles into the receiving spaces 392, the tray 305 can be enclosed and/or sealed (e.g., by a film, a bag, an outer carton, etc.).
The dividers 307 and/or the receiving spaces 392 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, the tray 305 could have any suitable number of dividers 307, such as by increasing or decreasing the size of the blank 303 and/or increasing or decreasing the number of dividers 307. Further, the tray 305 could be otherwise formed without departing from the disclosure. For example, glue can be used to further secure features of the tray 305.
FIG. 8 shows a blank 503 for forming a container or tray 505 (FIG. 10) according to a third embodiment of the disclosure. The third embodiment is generally similar to the prior embodiments, except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical features of the embodiments have been given like or similar reference numbers. In the third embodiment, the blank 503 is similar to the blank 303 of the second embodiment, except that the end flaps 330, 338, 332, 340 are replaced by end flaps 530, 538, 532, 540, which are foldably connected to respective ends of the respective side panels 512, 516 along lateral fold lines 534, 542, 536, 544. In addition, the locking features 402 and slots 404 of the blank 303 are not included in the blank 503.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the tray 505 is formed from the blank 503, the end flaps 530, 532, 538, 540 are folded to extend between the respective outer end panels 320a, 320b, 324a, 324b and the respective locking flaps 406. Accordingly, when the end walls 622, 624 of the tray 505 are formed and the tabs 410 of the locking flaps 406 are engaged with the respective cuts 412, the end flaps 530, 532, 538, 540 can be at least partially retained by the locking flaps 406 to help hold the tray 505 in its erected configuration (FIG. 10). Accordingly, in embodiments, the tray 505 can be assembled without glue. In exemplary embodiments, at least the side panels 512, 516 and the end walls 622, 624 can at least partially define a sidewall 594 extending around a perimeter of the bottom wall 420. The tray 505 could be otherwise formed without departing from the disclosure. For example, glue can be used to further secure features of the tray 505.
The trays of the present disclosure can provide advantages over containers, such as molded plastic containers while still providing the containment and/or separation of product placed in the trays. For example, the trays of the present application can be made from renewable materials (e.g., paperboard and/or other suitable materials) rather than molded plastic.
Any of the features of the various embodiments of the disclosure can be combined with, replaced by, or otherwise configured with other features of other embodiments of the disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In addition, the panels, flaps, and other features shown and described in conjunction with the blanks 103, 303, 503 and the trays 105, 305, 505 are included by way of example.
In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described above. The blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blank may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blank may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blank can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.
The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.
The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.
Patent Application
20240109683
