VENTING CLOSURE

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/968,313, filed on May 1, 2018, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/646,077, filed on May 1, 2018, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a closure having a plug seal configuration that allows the closure to interchangeably be fluidly sealed to container neck finishes while providing pressure-relieving plugs. A common problem is a container being under more pressure than the container is designed to safely hold. One solution is to provide vents or plugs at the interface between the container and a closure for the container. This disclosure describes a closure with multiple venting plugs between the closure and container.

[0003] In one embodiment a closure is centered about a vertical axis. The closure comprises a generally circular top panel having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer periphery. A skirt extends generally perpendicularly downward from the outer periphery of the top panel. A thread is formed about an inner surface of the skirt.

[0004] Three generally annular plugs are attached to and extend downwards from the lower surface of the top panel. The first plug is located radially inwards relative to the outer periphery of the top panel, the second plug is located radially between the first plug and the outer periphery of the top panel, and the third plug is located radially between the second plug and the outer periphery.

[0005] In one embodiment, when the closure is coupled to the container inlet each of the three plugs interfaces against a surface of a container inlet. The first plug interfaces against an inner surface near the top of the container inlet, the second plug interfaces against an upper surface of the container inlet, and the third plug interfaces against an outer surface near the top of the container inlet.

[0006] The top panel includes an interior portion that is located radially inwards relative to the third plug. The interior portion of the top panel has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the remaining exterior portion of the top panel. As a result, the interior portion of the top panel requires less pressure to deform than the exterior portion of the top panel. The closure engagement with the container and the closure itself is configured to bear, and in some situations to relieve, pressure exerted by the container's contents. When the container's contents exert a sufficiently high pressure, the interior portion of the top panel deforms upward and away from the container's contents.

[0007] In the process of the interior portion of the top panel being deformed, the first plug is correspondingly biased inward towards the central axis of the top panel. As a result, the first plug and the inner surface of the container inlet have a looser seal between each other. As the container's contents exert additional pressure, the interior of the top panel deforms further, and the first plug biases further away from the container inlet, until the container's contents (e.g., the gas at the top of the container) are able to force through the interface between the first plug and the closure.

[0008] As content (e.g., gas, liquid) forces its way past the first plug, the pressure in the area between the first and second plugs keeps increasing until content forces its way through the interface between the second plug and the container. Similarly, as content forces its way past the second plug, the pressure in the area between the second and third plugs keeps increasing until content forces its way through the interface between the third plug and the container. Gas that has transited past the third plug has escaped the container and closure into the atmosphere. In various embodiments the second and third plugs have arcs of alternating thickness/width.

[0009] In one embodiment, a closure is centered about a vertical axis. The closure includes a generally circular top panel having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer periphery. A skirt extends generally perpendicularly downward from the outer periphery of the top panel. On the interior surface of the skirt is a thread to engage with a container inlet. The thread has several vertical channel interrupts to permit more direct fluid communication between the top of the thread and the bottom of the thread.

[0010] The closure includes three generally annular plugs extending downwards from the lower surface of the top panel. From the center axis to the outer periphery of the top skirt are the first plug, the second plug, and the third plug, in that order. The first plug extends downward the furthest, then the third plug, then the second plug. When in use, the first plug interfaces with the inner surface of the container inlet, the second plug interfaces with the top surface of the container inlet, and the third plug interfaces with the outer surface of the container inlet.

[0011] The second and third plugs each have alternating widths. For example, in one embodiment the second and third plugs each have three arcs of thinner widths that correspond to the following locations on a clock (11:30-12:30, 3:30-4:30, and 7:30-8:30). In that embodiment, the top panel includes two internal ribs at 3:00 and 9:00 on the same clock. The internal ribs extend inwardly and upwardly from the interior surface of the first plug. The internal ribs provide structure support for the top panel, the first plug, and the second and third plugs when the container contents are under sufficient pressure to deform the closure.

[0012] In one or more other embodiments, the closure includes a tamper band that decouples from the sidewall after frangible connections are broken. The tamper band includes a J-band that extends upwardly and radially inwardly from the tamper band. The J-band comprises one or more drain hole apertures positioned at the intersection between the J-band and the tamper band. The J-band comprises a lower end that extends from the tamper band and an upper end opposite the attachment point. The J-band is wider at the upper end than the middle of the J-band.

[0013] In various embodiments the J-band does not expand in width until the middle of the J-band. In various alternate embodiments, the J-band expands in width linearly from the beginning end of the J-band to the upper end.

[0028] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0029] Described herein are one or more closure embodiments that provide three seals to relieve pressure from a container. The three seals are arranged in serial such that pressure needs to escape each of the three seals in turn. The closure also includes one or more internal ribs to provide a non-symmetrical deformation of the closure when under pressure. The second and third seals include alternating arcs of thinner and thicker widths, that, in combination with the internal ribs, provide the opportunity for a steady and controlled release of pressure from closure when the container is under pressure.

[0030] Turning to FIG. 1, a closure 10 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Closure 10 includes an end wall or top portion, shown as a top panel 12. Top panel 12 is generally circular in shape and is generally planar (i.e., the outer surface of top panel 12 is flat and positioned substantially in a single plane). Closure 10 includes a sidewall, shown as skirt 14, and a transition section, shown as a corner section 16. Corner section 16 extends outwardly and downwardly from the outer, peripheral edge of top panel 12, and skirt 14 extends downwardly from the outer, peripheral edge of corner section 16.

[0031] Skirt 14 is generally annular in cross-section and is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by top panel 12. As shown in FIG. 1, closure 10 may also optionally include a plurality of raised ribs 18 extending radially outward from an outer surface of skirt 14. As shown in FIG. 1, ribs 18 may extend vertically along at least a portion of the vertical length of the outer surface of skirt 14 to provide a textured or gripping surface that may facilitate opening of the closure 10.

[0032] Located along the inner surface of the skirt 14 is a container engagement structure configured to interact with a corresponding closure engagement structure located on the neck of the container to which the closure 10 is to be sealingly applied. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in one embodiment the container engagement structure may comprise threading 50 that extends inwardly from the inner surface of skirt 14. Threading 50 is configured to engage corresponding threading present on the container to which closure 10 is attached. In various other embodiments, closure 10 may include any other number of types of engagement structures, such as but not limited to snap beads, lugs, etc.

[0033] In some embodiments, closure 10 may further include a tamper evidencing structure configured to provide indication to a user that the initial sealing engagement between the closure 10 and container has been disrupted as a result of the closure 10 being partially or entirely removed from the container. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in one embodiment the tamper evidencing structure comprises a tamper band 24 coupled to a lower end of skirt 14 by series of frangible connections 30. Upon application of twisting force to closure 10 to remove closure 10 from a container, frangible connections 30 are configured to break, separating tamper band 24 from skirt 14.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, tamper band 24 may include a plurality of pleats 230 and/or a plurality of curved band sections 28. In general, pleats 230 engage cooperating structures on the neck of the container to prevent closure 10 from being removed from the container without frangible connections 30 breaking. Further, pleats 230 also facilitate application of closure 10 on to the container by allowing tamper band 24 to expand without breaking frangible connections 30.

[0035] A sealing ring, or plug 40, extends generally downward from the lower surface 15 of top panel 12. In various embodiments, plug 40 is formed as an annular, uninterrupted, continuous ring or wall extending 360 degrees about the lower surface 15 of the top panel 12. In other embodiments, the plug 40 is defined by a generally circumferentially extending structure formed of two or more wall segments. In such embodiments, each wall segment may be spaced apart from an adjacent wall segment by a portion of the lower surface of the top panel 12 to which no wall segments are attached.

[0036] A second ring, or second plug 70, extends generally downward from the lower surface of top panel 12. Plug 70 is located radially inwards relative to the outer periphery of top panel 12, and radially outwards relative to plug 40. In various embodiments, plug 70 is formed as an annular, uninterrupted, continuous ring or wall extending 360 degrees about the lower surface of the top panel 12. In other embodiments, plug 70 is defined by a generally circumferentially extending structure formed of two or more wall segments. In such embodiments, each wall segment may be spaced apart from an adjacent wall segment by a portion of the lower surface of the top panel 12 to which no wall segments are attached.

[0037] A third ring, or third plug 80, extends generally downward from the lower surface of top panel 12. Plug 80 is located radially inwards relative to the outer periphery of top panel 12, and radially outwards relative to plug 40 and second plug 70. In various embodiments, plug 80 is formed as an annular, uninterrupted, continuous ring or wall extending 360 degrees about the lower surface of the top panel 12. In other embodiments, plug 80 is defined by a generally circumferentially extending structure formed of two or more wall segments. In such embodiments, each wall segment may be spaced apart from an adjacent wall segment by a portion of the lower surface of the top panel 12 to which no wall segments are attached.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, second plug 70 and third plug 80 include alternating arcs of thicker sections 90 and thinner sections 92 in one or more arcs around plug 10. Thinner sections 92 include first thinner section 93, second thinner section 94 and third thinner section 95. Second plug 70 and third plug 80 are wider in thicker sections 90 than in thinner sections 92 (“wider” as measured along radii extending from the center axis 13 of closure 10). As a result of the varying width of second plug 70 and third plug 80, second plug 70 and third plug 80, when under pressure from contents of container 60, tend to deform in thinner sections 92 before thicker sections 90.

[0039] Each thinner section 92 has a center 98, and each center 98 has a distance from the nearest internal rib 46. In the embodiment in FIG. 2, the shortest circumferential distance to first thinner plug 93 from the nearest internal rib 46 is 90 degrees of arc of closure 10. The shortest circumferential distance for the second thinner section 94 and the third thinner section 95 to the nearest internal rib 46, on the other hand, are each 30 degrees of arc of closure 10. In various embodiments the shortest distance from center 98 of thinner section 92 are different distances from an internal rib (e.g., 120 degrees, 90 degrees, 60 degrees, 45 degrees, 30 degrees, etc.).

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3 and the detailed view of closure 10 of FIGS. 4-5, in order to reduce the weight of the closure 10, a central portion 12a of the top panel 12, such as located radially inwards relative to the plug 40, may be formed having a thickness that is less than the thickness of an outer portion 12b of the top panel 12 located radially outwards relative to the plug 40. In general, the thickened end outer portion 12b of the top panel 12 provides a reinforced area that limits or prevents distortion of the top panel 12 as the plug 40 engages with a container neck during the application of the closure 10 to a container.

[0041] In some embodiments, the thickness of central portion 12a of the top panel 12 may be between approximately 0.012 inches and approximately 0.032 inches, more specifically between approximately 0.019 inches and approximately 0.025 inches, and even more specifically approximately 0.022 inches.

[0042] In some embodiments, the thickness of the outer portion 12b of the top panel 12 may be between approximately 0.025 inches and approximately 0.045 inches, more specifically between approximately 0.032 inches and approximately 0.038 inches, and even more specifically approximately 0.035 inches.

[0043] In some embodiments, the thickness of the wall of the skirt 14 may be between approximately 0.022 inches and approximately 0.042 inches, more specifically between approximately 0.029 inches and approximately 0.035 inches, and even more specifically approximately 0.032 inches.

[0044] Referring back to FIG. 2, note that thinner sections 92 are arranged at different positions with respect to internal ribs 46. As a result, when top panel 12 deforming asymmetrically, the fluid seals at second plug 70 and third plug 80 may leak at one or more of thinner sections 92, such as first thinner section 93.

[0045] As will be understood with reference to FIGS. 3-5, the design of the outer surface 41 of the plug 40 is configured to allow closure 10 to be interchangeably engaged to any number of types of container neck finishes to form a seal that prevents fluid communication with the contents of the container when the closure 10 is applied to a container. The closure 10 may be used to seal these and other types of container neck finishes regardless of the material (e.g. PET, HDPE, etc.) from which the container neck is formed.

[0046] As can be seen in FIG. 3-5, closure 10 includes both thicker sections 90 and thinner sections 92. FIG. 4 is a detailed view of third thinner section 95 in the upper-right portion of FIG. 3 (as identified in the cross-sectional identifying plane in FIG. 2). FIG. 5 is a detailed view of thicker section 90 in the upper-left portion of FIG. 3 (as identified in the cross-sectional identifying plane in FIG. 2).

[0047] As indicated in FIG. 4, first plug 40 extends lower than third plug 80, and both first plug 40 and third plug 80 extend lower than second plug 70. In particular, second plug 70 includes inner surface 72, bottom surface 74, and outer surface 76. Bottom 42 of first plug 40 extends height H4 further than bottom surface 74 of second plug 70. Third plug 80 includes inner surface 82, bottom surface 87 (of thinner section 92), and outer surface 86. Bottom 42 of first plug 40 extends height H7 further than bottom surface 87 of third plug 80, and bottom surface 87 of third plug 80 extends height H8 further than bottom surface 74 of second plug 70.

[0048] As indicated in FIG. 5, first plug 40 extends lower than third plug 80, and both first plug 40 and third plug 80 extend lower than second plug 70. In particular, second plug 70 includes inner surface 72, bottom surface 74, and outer surface 76. Bottom 42 of first plug 40 extends height H4 further than bottom surface 74 of second plug 70. Third plug 80 includes inner surface 82, bottom surface 84 (of thicker section 90), and outer surface 86. Bottom 42 of first plug 40 extends height H5 further than bottom surface 84 of third plug 80, and bottom surface 84 of third plug 80 extends height H6 further than bottom surface 74 of second plug 70. Third plug 80 also includes bottom surface 87 of thinner section 92.

[0049] As will be noted, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-5 third plug 80 extends further in thicker sections 90 than in thinner sections 92. In various other embodiments, third plug 80 extends a similar distance in both thicker sections 90 and thinner sections 92.

[0050] Turning to FIG. 6A and 6B, first plug 40 is supported by two internal ribs 46 (also illustrated in FIG. 2). Internal ribs 46 extend radially inward from first plug 40, and upward to top panel 12. In various embodiments, internal ribs 46 are co-molded with first plug 40 (best shown in FIG. 6A). Internal ribs 46 support first plug 40 from deformation when top panel 12 of closure 10 is under pressure from contents of container 60. As a result, in various embodiments top panel 12 tends to deform further away from internal ribs 46 (e.g., at first thinner section 93 rather than second thinner section 94 or third thinner section 95). As indicated in FIG. 2, FIG. 6A is a cross-section taken along a plane that includes two thicker sections 90 of second plug 70 and third plug 80. FIG. 6B illustrates the coupling between internal rib 46 and first plug 40.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, plug 40 is configured such that the outer surface 41 of the plug 40 engages the generally vertically extending annular inner surface 62 of a PET neck finish 60 to provide a fluid-tight seal when the closure 10 is attached to a container having such a PET neck finish 60. FIG. 7 includes thinner second plug 70 and thinner third plug 80 in the upper-left portion, and as shown in detailed FIG. 9. FIG. 7 also includes thicker second plug 70 and thicker third plug 80 in the upper-right portion, and as shown in detailed FIG. 8.

[0052] When closure 10 is coupled to the container, such as when closure 10 is tightly coupled to the container, the container inlet interfaces against first plug 40, second plug 70, and third plug 80. In particular, when closure 10 is sufficiently tightly coupled to the container, the inner surface 62 of the container inlet interfaces against outer surface 41 of plug 40 creating first fluid seal 48, the upper surface 64 of the container inlet interfaces against bottom surface 74 of plug 70 creating second fluid seal 78, and the outer surface 66 of the container inlet interfaces against inner surface 82 of plug 80 creating third fluid seal 88.

[0053] Internal chamber 110 refers to the interior volume of the container and closure 10, as fluidly sealed by the interface between outer surface 41 and the inner surface 62 of the container inlet. First chamber 112 refers to a first volume enclosed by closure 10 and the top 64 of the container inlet. First chamber 112 is fluidly sealed by first fluid seal 48 and second fluid seal 78. Second chamber 114 refers to another volume enclosed by closure 10 and the top 64 of the container inlet. Second chamber 114 is fluidly sealed by second fluid seal 78 and third fluid seal 88.

[0054] Upper threading chamber 116 is in fluid communication with lower threading chamber 118, such as via thread gaps 52 (best shown in FIG. 10). As a result, both upper threading chamber 116 and lower threading chamber 118 are in fluid communication with an exterior of the container, such as the atmosphere A outside the container.

[0055] In some situations the contents of the container may exert increased pressure on the container and closure 10. As will be understand, pressure from the contents of the container in chamber 110 will be exerted laterally against the surfaces constraining the pressure. Thus, content pressure will be exerted upwards against central portion 12a of top panel 12. When the amount of pressure exerted against central portion 12a reaches a threshold amount, central portion 12a biases upwards. As a result of central portion 12a biasing upwards, plug 40 biases radially inwards towards the center axis 13 of closure 10.

[0056] As will be understood, plug 40 biasing radially inwards may comprise plug 40 physically moving radially inwards towards the center axis 13 of closure 10. Alternatively, plug 40 biasing radially inwards may not involve any physical movement of plug 40 and/or de minimis movement of plug 40, and instead involves a decrease in the compressive force between outer surface 41 and container inlet's inner surface 62. As a result of that force being reduced, fluid seal 48 becomes correspondingly weaker.

[0057] When the pressure of container's contents further increases to a second threshold, fluid seal 48 becomes too weak to prevent contents (e.g., fluid, gas) escaping from internal chamber 110 to first chamber 112.

[0058] As a result of the escaping contents, the internal pressure in chamber 110 is reduced, thus strengthening fluid seal 48 for at least two reasons. First, a lower pressure for contents in chamber 110 means that there is a lower pressure from contents to escape past fluid seal 48. Second, lower pressure in chamber 110 means that central portion 12a of top panel 12 is less deformed, meaning that plug 40 is less biased towards central axis 13.

[0059] As contents escape past fluid seal 48 to chamber 112, the pressure in chamber 112 correspondingly increases. When the pressure of chamber 112 sufficiently increases to a third threshold, second fluid seal 78 is too weak to prevent contents (e.g., fluid, gas) escaping from first chamber 112 to second chamber 114. In various embodiments, second fluid seal 78 will leak at thinner sections 92 before leaking at thicker sections 90.

[0060] As contents escape past fluid seal 78 to chamber 114, the pressure in chamber 114 correspondingly increases. When the pressure of chamber 114 sufficiently increases to a fourth threshold, third fluid seal 88 is too weak to prevent contents (e.g., fluid, gas) escaping from second chamber 114 to upper threading chamber 116. In various embodiments, second fluid seal 78 will leak at thinner sections 92 before leaking at thicker sections 90. As observed above, both upper threading chamber 116 and lower threading chamber 118 are in fluid communication with an exterior of the container, such as the atmosphere A outside the container.

[0061] By these three fluid seals 48, 78 and 88, closure 10 provides a mechanism of multiple fluid seals, arranged in series, to provide a safe method for pressure in the container to be relieved. Therefore, the chances of a container experiencing a structural catastrophe (e.g., explosion) are correspondingly reduced.

[0062] In various embodiments, thread 50 is interrupted by vertical channels 52 transiting inner surface of skirt 14. Channels 52 provide a more direct fluid communication between third fluid seal 88 and atmosphere A, because the fluid communication can transit channels 52 rather than helically transiting along thread 50.

[0063] Turning to FIG. 12, illustrated therein is a cross-sectional perspective view near a transition 91 from thinner section 92 to thicker section 90. As indicated in FIG. 2, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of first thinner section 93 transitioning to thicker section 90. At the transition 91 from thicker section 90 to first thinner section 83, thicker section 90 includes a planar side surface that is aligned with center axis 13 of closure 10. In various other embodiments, rather than a planar transition from thicker section 90 to thinner section 92, or vice versa, other transitions are contemplated (e.g., a curve such as a wave-form similar to a sine wave).

[0064] Although the embodiments described herein describe closures 10 with two internal ribs 46, it is contemplated herein that closures 10 may have any number of internal ribs, including a single internal rib 46. Similarly, although the embodiments described herein describe closures 10 with three thicker sections 90 and three thinner sections 92, it is contemplated herein that closures 10 may have any number of thicker sections 90 and thinner sections 92 (e.g., 1-5 each).

[0065] Although at least one of the embodiments described includes three fluid seals between the internal chamber of the container and the exterior of the container, it will be understood that other configurations of seals may be utilized and still practice the spirit and scope of this disclosure. For example, in various embodiments closure 10 comprises, for example, for first fluid seal 48 and second fluid seal 78 but not third fluid seal 88, first fluid seal 48 and third fluid seal 88 but not second fluid seal 78, second fluid seal 78 and third fluid seal 88 but not first fluid seal 48, only first fluid seal 48, only second fluid seal 78, and only third fluid seal 88.

[0066] In various embodiments, the closures 10 discussed herein may be of various sizes intended to seal containers of various sizes and having various contents. In some exemplary embodiments, the closures 10 are configured to seal containers such as metal, glass or plastic containers or bottles for holding liquids, granular materials, food, etc. In various embodiments, the plug 40 of the closures 10 discussed herein are suitable for maintaining a hermetic seal with the container neck finish to which the closure 10 is attached.

[0067] Turning to FIGS. 10 and 11, closure 10 includes an improved J-band 200. In this embodiment, J-band extends from tamper band 24 of closure 10. J-band 200 extends inwards and upwards from tamper band 24.

[0068] As J-band 200 extends from tamper band 24, the width of J-band is wider at the top 202 of J-band 200 than it is at the bottom 210 of J-band 200. In one embodiment, the width of J-band steadily and linearly increases along the length of J-band 200. Thus, the difference between the width 204 at the top 202 of J-band 200 and the width 208 at the middle 206 of J-band 200, is the same as the difference between the width 208 at the middle 206 of J-band 200 and the width 208 at the bottom 210 of J-band 200.

[0069] In various other embodiments, J-band 200 maintains a constant width between bottom 210 and middle 206, and instead the width of J-band steadily and linearly increases starting at middle 206 (best shown in FIG. 3).

[0070] Pleats 230 are arranged periodically around J-band 200. Pleats 230 include protrusions 232 extending upwards and radially outwards from interior surface 214 of J-band 200. Pleats 230 partially define cavity 234 on the exterior surface 216 of pleat 230. In one embodiment, the width at various points of pleats 230 corresponds to the widths of various points of J-band 200 at similar distances from tamper band 24. Thus, the width of pleat 230 at the furthest point from tamper band 24 is similarly wide as the width of J-band at top 202. Further, the width of pleat 230 at middle of pleat 234 is similarly wide to the width of middle 206 of J-band 200.

[0071] J-band 200 further includes drain holes 240, which are arranged periodically around the circumference of J-band 200. Drain holes 240 have width 242, which may be increased by virtue of the varying width of J-band 200 relative to drain holes in closures having J-bands with constant widths.

[0072] In various embodiments, closure 10 is configured to seal a container configured to hold consumable or edible products (e.g., beverages, water, food, etc.). In various embodiments, closure 10 is configured to seal a container that is a molded (e.g., blow-molded) thermoplastic beverage container configured to hermetically hold a beverage (e.g., water, juice, fortified or nutrient water, tea, sports drink, energy drink, milk, milk-based beverages, etc.). In other embodiments, closure 10 can be used to seal a wide variety of containers including pouches, jars, metal bottles, paper board cartons, etc.

[0073] In various embodiments, the closures 10 discussed herein may be formed from a plastic or polymer material. In various embodiments, the closures 10 may be formed by injection molding or by compression molding. For example, the closures 10 may be injection molded from a polypropylene homopolymer resin. In specific embodiments, the closures 10 may be made from a clear (e.g., translucent or transparent) polypropylene homopolymer resin, or they may be made from a clear random copolymer polypropylene. In various embodiments, the clear material of the closure 10 is such that the engagement structure (e.g., threading 50) is visible from the outside of the closure 10 through skirt 14.

[0074] In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0075] It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0076] Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.