Absorbent Material and Litter From Ground Cellulose

So that the manner in which the above-recited features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others which will be better understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the detailed description of certain preferred embodiments thereof, and the materials which are illustrated in the appended photographs which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended photographs illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equivalent and equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a piece of corrugated flaked material according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of a piece of currugated flaked material according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows schematically a method according to the present invention.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are top views of material according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view in cross-section of a injection system according to the present invention.

In one preferred embodiment of a process according to the present invention for producing absorbent pellets, cellulose in sheet or board form, preferably Kraft paper, cardboard, or newsprint, with newsprint most preferred, is ground up. The newsprint is fed into a commercially available first stage mill that reduces the paper to pieces in the range of about one inch to about one and a half inches. These pieces are then fed to a finishing mill where they are further reduced to pieces in the range of about one-eighth inch to one-fourth inch in size (largest dimension). These pieces of newsprint are then conditioned with a water spray. [For liquid absorption pellets, it is preferred that the moisture content be in the range of about 12% to about 14% weight, with 13% preferred. For flaked material (crimped and compressed pellets) to be used as litter, it is preferred that the water content be between about 12% to about 20% by weight (with about 15% to about 18% preferred).]

The conditioned newsprint material is then fed into a special pelletizing machine (commercially available model machine 26-300 made by Sprout Bauer Company), that extrudes the material through a die to form pellets. The conditioned newsprint at about four to about seven pounds per cubic foot is fed to the pelletizing machine to produce pellets which are in the preferred density range of about 37 to 47 pounds per cubic foot. The size of the pellets produced by the machine varies. In one embodiment a preferred pellet is generally cylindrical and has a diameter in the preferred range of about one-eighth inch to about one-fourth inch and a length in the preferred range of about one-eighth inch to about three-fourths inch long; the preferred density for this pellet is about 42 pounds of cellulose material per cubic foot. It is preferred that these pellets be dried and the preferred range of moisture content after drying is from about 8% moisture by weight to about 10% moisture by weight. These dried pellets are then further processed; two preferred embodiments resulting from further processing are flaked material (described below) and pellets (described below).

In one embodiment the conditioned newsprint material is heated in the pelletizing machine sufficiently to kill undesirable living organisms, e.g. mold and bacteria. The dried cellulose pellets, in this embodiment, range preferably between about one-eighth inch to about three-quarters inch in length with a length of about one-half inch preferred. These pellets are then fed to a roller mill (e.g., Model FRC 936, Roskamp Co.) wherein they are compressed and flattened between dual opposed rollers which increase the material's surface area, preferably by at least 35% and produce a flaked material. It is preferred that the density of the flaked material range between about 15 to about 22 pounds per cubic foot, with about 20 pounds per cubic foot preferred. It is preferred that the flaked material be about one-eighth to about five-sixteenth of an inch in size. Fungicides such as borax or sodium bicarbonate may be added to these flakes. This flaked material may be used as an animal litter or bedding material. In a preferred embodiment the flakes are dried to a moisture content between about 8% to about 12% by weight. With this size or pieces of flaked material it is possible and it is preferred to impart a regular corrugated shape to the material with the roller mill to increase the surface area, strength and integrity of the pieces. This shape is illustrated by the piece of material 10 (FIG. 1) according to this invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention flaked material as described above (or any cellulose material, pellet or flake) that has been used as animal litter is collected and introduced into a pelletizing machine with or without the addition of cellulose fiber conditioned as described above in which the materials are heated sufficiently to kill undesirable living organisms, preferably substantially all of them. It is preferred that an amount of cellulose equal by weight to about 20% to about 35% of the weight of cellulose in the used litter be added. The pellets thus produced may serve: as food for ruminant animals; litter or as mulch or fertilizer. When used as food, the pellets may have additives added to them such as minerals, vitamins and medicines to make a more complete feed. These pellets are, preferably, between about one-quarter inch and three-quarters of an inch in diameter and between about one inch and three inches in length.

When the material described above is used as an animal litter then collected and re-pelletized to form "re-pellets", the re-pellets may be used as an effective fertilizer. The re-pellets themselves may be broadcast on soil around plants or trees or inserted into the soil or mixed with water or other liquids in a container to be applied to plants or trees. Plant nutrients, fungicides, minerals, insecticides and/or herbicides may be added to the re-pellets when they are to be used as fertilizer.

The flaked material according to this invention is biodegradable, even after use as an animal litter. The flaked material prior to use as an animal litter, or thereafter, is an excellent mulch material.

Table IV presents an analysis of flaked material according to this invention which was used as poultry litter and contained typical turkey urine and manure. The table shows the various food and mineral values contained therein. TEST: 1 ABSORPTION OF OIL/WATER BY A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H & I PELL DATE: 5-3-89 & 5-4-89. TIME STARTED: 2:00 P.M., TEMPERATURE OF OIL/WATER = 23 DEGREES C., pH OF WATER = 7.83; WEIGHT OF SAE 90 OIL = 5.15 GRAMS; WEIGHT OF VISCOUS OIL = 4.23 GRAM; AREA OF OIL SPREAD = 4.91 INCH.sup.1 : 140 C.C. WATER USED. ABSORBING OIL/WATER TIME & DATE TYPE OF OIL A B C D E F G H* I** 2:30 P.M. SAE 90 90% 85% 100.0% 95% 100% 100% 99% 100% 100% 05-03-89 ABSOR BED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED 0.0% SANK 0.0% SANK 5% SANK 0.0% 10% SANK 0.0% SANK 0.0% SANK 70% SANK 85% SANK ABSORBED VISCOUS OIL 90% 80% 97% 97% 97% 97% 97% 93% 96% ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED 10% SANK 0.0% SANK 10% SANK 5% SANK 20% SANK 10% SANK 10% SANK 90% SANK 96% SANK 3:15 P.M. SAE 90 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 05-03-89 ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED 10% SANK 5% SANK 40% SANK 5% SANK 40% SANK 0.0% SANK 5% SANK 85% SANK 100% SANK VISCOUS OIL 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABS RBED ABSORBED ABSORBED ABSORBED 20% SANK 10% SANK 30% SANK 15% SANK 50% SANK 30% SANK 75% SANK 96% SANK 100% SANK 3:45 P.M. SAE 90 20% SANK 10% SANK 55% SANK 10% SANK 60% SANK 0.0% SANK 10% SANK 90% SANK 100% SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS OIL 60% SANK 15% SANK 45% SANK 20% SANK 65% SANK 40% SANK 80% SANK 96% SANK 100% SANK 4:25 P.M. SAE 90 25% SANK 15% SANK 80% SANK 13% SANK 65% SANK 0.0% SANK 12% SANK 90% SANK 100% SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS OIL 65% SANK 20% SANK 50% SANK 35% SANK 70% SANK 40% SANK 80% SANK 96% SANK 100% SANK 4:55 P.M. SAE 90 30% SANK 20% SANK 60% SANK 15% SANK 70% SANK 0.0% SANK 15% SANK 90% SANK 100% SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS OIL 75% SANK 40% SANK 55% SANK 80% SANK 75% SANK 55% SANK 85% SANK 96% SANK 100% SANK 5:25 P.M. SAE 90 35% SANK 25% SANK 65% SANK 15% SANK 75% SANK 0.0% SANK 17% SANK 90% SANK 100% SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS OIL 80% SANK 50% SANK 55% SANK 50% SANK 78% SANK 60% SANK 85% SANK 96% SANK 100% SANK 5:55 P.M. SAE 90 35% SANK 25% SANK 65% SANK 17% SANK 75% SANK 0.0% SANK 20% SANK 90% SANK 100% SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS OIL 85% SANK 65% SANK 55% SANK 55% SANK 80% SANK 65% SANK 90% SANK 96% SANK 100% SANK 8:00 A.M. SAE 90 35% SANK 25% SANK 65% SANK 20% SANK 75% SANK 10% SANK 20% SANK 90% SANK 100% SANK 05-04-89 VISCOUS OIL 87% SANK 75% SANK 55% SANK 60% SANK 80% SANK 90% SANK 90% SANK 96% SANK 100% SANK *BUCKERFIELDS ABSORB MORE WATER THAN OIL FASTER AND SINK TO BOTTOM WITHIN 10 MINUTES. (SO 5-8% OIL REMAINS ALONG THE EDGE OF THE STYROFOAM CUP.) **THESE LOW DENSITY, FLAT CHIPS ABSORBS, ALSO, WATER MORE THAN OIL AND SINKS FASTER IN 15 MINUTES BELOW THE SURFACE.

In another embodiment the dried cellulose pellets are fed to a roller mill for sizing and shaping (commercially available model FRC 936 made by The Roskamp Company). The action of the roller mill produces an irregularly shaped pellet along with dust and particles of undesired size. By using a shaker screen, the undesired materials can be separated. In one preferred embodiment, the best density for a cellulose pellet for absorbing oil is in the density range of about 20 pounds of cellulose material per cubic foot to about 30 pounds per cubic foot. The irregularity of shape of this preferred embodiment is a somewhat flattened shape with more surface area than the shape of generally cylindrical non-flattened material of the prior art. Although the type and degree of irregularity as compared to a smooth cylindrical shape has not been quantified, applicants' pellets maintain their position in a first liquid to be absorbed which is floating on a second liquid; the pellets of desired density maintain their position while they are absorbing the first liquid and, in one embodiment, sink in and through the first liquid after absorbing some of the first liquid. The pellets need not become completely saturated with the first liquid; however, they should not be of such a configuration or of such a light density that they float on top of the first liquid without absorbing it or absorbing only an insignificant amount of it. Applicant's pellets cover the spectrum up to, but not including, pellets that sink immediately and, at the other end of the spectrum up to, but not including, pellets that float on the first liquid as described above. Of course sinking and floating can occur with different pellets on different first liquids. The preferred pellets (A,C,E) described above work well with a first liquid which is oil (e.g., crude oil or SAE 90 oil) floating on salt water. Configuration, size, and density can be varied depending on the nature of the first and second liquids.

To present the characteristics and qualities of certain preferred embodiments of pellets and methods according to the present invention, a study was conducted as reflected in Tables I, II, and III. Columns A through G represent data for cellulose pellets according to embodiments of the present invention. Column H presents data for Buckerfield material which is made from cellulose material and commercially available as Kitty Litter (.TM.). Column I presents data for low-density relatively flat pieces made from cellulose material and commercially available as Kitty Flush (.TM.). Column K presents data for grey fiber which is made from cellulose and is commercially available as insulation material.

Styrofoam cups were used as containers for salt water onto whose surface was introduced either SAE 90 grade oil or crude.

Each type of pellet was introduced into and onto each type of oil floating on 140 cc's of salty water in a cup which could hold about 200 cc's of liquid. One teaspoon of oil was poured slowly over the water in each cup.

(One teaspoon of SAE 90 grade oil weighed about 5.15 grams; one teaspoon of the viscous crude oil weighed about 4.23 grams). The surface area of the created oil films or slicks in the cups was about 4.91 square inches.

8 grams of each type of absorbent material were spread over the oil in each cup so that each type of absorbent material was used with each type of oil. At regular intervals of time, observations were made regarding the amount of oil absorbed and the amount of absorbent material which had sunk or was still on or in the oil.

Table I presents data for a testing situation in which the water/oil combination was at a temperature of 23 degrees Centigrade and the pH of the water was 7.68. After about 18 hours some of the materials were still floating on the surface of the water/oil combination; but a slight vibration of the cups caused the sinking of virtually all these floating materials.

Table II presents data for a testing situation in which the temperature of the water/oil combination was about 9 degrees Centigrade and the water pH was 8.02. After 20 hours the temperature had risen to 24 degrees Centigrade and some of the materials were still floating; again, a slight vibration caused them to sink.

Table III presents data on the densities of the various materials.

After two hours of such testing as reported in Tables I-III, it was discovered that under these conditions, absorption was faster and pellets sank faster in the warmer water at the lower pH with the lower density oil. After 18 to 20 hours of such testing, it became apparent that pellets sank more with the more viscous crude oil than in the SAE 90 oil. The Buckerfield material (type H) absorbed oil/water faster than the other materials and sunk to the bottom so relatively quickly (in about 10 minutes) that unabsorbed oil remained on the water's surface (about 8% to about 10% of the SAE 90 oil remained; about 15% to about 20% of the viscous oil remained). The flat pieces (type I) absorbed a significant amount of water and sank in about 20 minutes leaving behind about 10% of the SAE 90 oil and about 30% of the viscous oil.

The type C,F, and G pellets (Table I; Table II) of relatively high density (about 29 pounds of cellulose per cubic foot of pellets) were found to absorb oil faster than the other pellets. These pellets sank more in viscous oil than in SAE 90 oil.

Although the type A and B pellets had the same density (about 21.5 pounds of cellulose per cubic foot of pellets), the B pellets were smaller in size and surface area as compared to the A pellets. The B pellets absorbed oil and water more slowly than the A pellets and less of the B pellets sank than the A pellets.

All pellets can absorb both oil and water; but they can be preconditioned to absorb only oil or mostly oil by pretreating them with oil; e.g., spraying them with No. 2 diesel oil. Pellets treated in this way may not readily absorb water thus making them float on top of a first liquid, e.g., oil more readily so that a less dense pellet can be used (e.g., a pellet less dense than certain preferred pellets, a pellet less dense than 20 pounds of cellulose per cubic foot). It is preferred that pretreatment occur during the pellet manufacturing process, preferably prior to the final pelletizing step.

The type E,A, and C pellets performed better than the type B,D, and J (Cincinnati Fiber material) in SAE 90 oil-they absorbed more oil more quickly. Pellets of types A through G absorb the SAE 90 almost completely leaving little or no oil on the surface and about 1% of the oil around the edge of the cups, leaving the water looking clean. With the viscous oil, these pellets left about 2% to 3% of the oil behind around the edge of the cup. The grey fiber (type K) did not sink. These fibers were generally so light that they formed an agglomeration of fibers and floated on the surface. Fibers remaining above the agglomerated fibers did not absorb oil, even after about 18 to 20 hours. The fibers at the bottom of the agglomeration absorbed only about half of the oil.

The commercially available prior art Buckerfield's flushable cat litter (type H) is biodegradable and can absorb up to 150% of its own weight and it is described as useful for spilled oil.

The use of the word "pellet" herein regarding absorbing oil or other liquids floating on a second liquid includes a piece of material which functions as described to produce the desired results and is made by compressing cellulose material or its equivalent. Preferred pellets are irregular and have enough surface area to break the surface tension of a first liquid, e.g., oil, floating on a second liquid, e.g., water. In one embodiment the pellets can be pretreated with oil which makes them repel water so that a less dense pellet can be used for those applications in which sinking is not desired, i.e., in those applications in which the pellets after absorbing the first liquid are to be removed from the surface of the first liquid.

In various preferred embodiments of this invention, pellets are provided which can absorb liquid and from which the absorbed liquid can be recovered and subsequently disposed of or treated further or refined. For example, from pellets which have absorbed spilled crude oil, the crude oil can be extracted or squeezed out. Of course, the pellets can be recovered by any suitable manual or mechanical means from the surface, from beneath the surface, or from the bottom of the reservoir, bay, ocean, or container of the liquid. Recovered pellets can be disposed of without removing the absorbed liquid. Pellets which have absorbed a combustible material according to any of the previously described methods can be used as fuel or can be incinerated to dispose of them. Also, pellets in place on a first liquid floating on a second liquid can be set on fire to burn absorbed combustible material and to assist in the burning of liquid in which they are floating. It is also within the scope of this invention to provide agitation or vibration to a first liquid/second liquid combination to enhance either pellet absorption or sinking or both.

Regarding certain preferred embodiments in which the pellets sink after absorbing a material like oil, if the pellets and the oil will be biodegradable by natural causes, there may be no need to recover them.

In one preferred embodiment of a method according to this invention the use of a surfactant can decrease the amount of time for the pellets (which have absorbed a first liquid, such as oil) to sink. Using cups containing salty water with a heavy crude oil top film and cups containing salty water with a SAE 90 oil top film, pellets of types B through G (Table I) were sprinkled on the oil, one type of pellet per cup, a total, of 10 cups. After 10 minutes, the bulk of the oil has been absorbed in each cup and about 2% to 5% of the pellets had sunk to the bottom of the cups. Then a 0.1% solution of a surfactant (commercially available Witconate AOS (.TM.) surfactant) was misted onto the top of the still-floating pellets. Immediately almost all of the remaining pellets combined with oil and fell to the bottom of the containers.

The relative absorption rates of different amounts of pellets, pellets of types A,C,E,F, and G according to the present invention were demonstrated, again using the previously described styrofoam cups as reservoirs and using four cups of each type of pellet, placing 2,4,6, and 8 grams of each type of pellet on the oil film (5.15 grams of SAE 90 oil) in each cup. Pellets A,C,E were 20-22 pounds per cubic foot; types E and F, 29 to 30 pounds per cubic foot.

Pellets of types G and F are generally heavier and more uniformly round than pellets of types A,C, and E, and pellets of types E and F were more round than types A,C,E. At 20 minutes after sprinkling the pellets on the liquid, the cups with 4 and 6 grams of pellets of types A,C, and E exhibited the best oil absorption with E being the best. The cups with 8 grams of pellets of types A,C,E, and F showed generally good oil absorption. The type G pellets did not perform as well as the other types at any given weight. Also, after the pellets of type G in the cup with 4 grams of pellets had sunk, stirring the pellets caused release of some of the absorbed oil, and it floated up to the surface. Less absorbed oil was released by pellets of type E in the cup with 4 grams of pellets. Such stirring did not result in the release of oil from the pellets in cups with 6 or 8 grams of pellets. All the cups with only 2 grams of pellets had free unabsorbed oil at 20 minutes after sprinkling the pellets. Slight agitation of the cups containing 2 grams of pellets resulted in almost no pellets sinking. Spraying surfactant on the pellets still floating after about 25 minutes resulted in the sinking of almost all the pellets in the cups with 4,6, or 8 grams of pellets.

In testing the liquid retention of various types of cellulose fibers including Champions Mulch #1; Champions Mulch #2; Conwed Wood; Newsprint; Cardboard, 75% Newsprint/25% Cardboard; and 50% Newsprint/50% Cardboard; it was determined that 100% Newsprint was most absorbent and the mulches were the least absorbent. Regarding water absorption, tests revealed that the most absorbent material was Newsprint.

Mulch fiber was shown to be heavier compared to other fibers and it absorbed less water. Newsprint (100%) retained more water. Mulch retained the least.

By compressing cellulose material into pellets according to this invention, relatively more mass (higher density) is utilized in a smaller space to provide relatively more absorbability for a given volume and provide more control of a first liquid (e.g., spilled oil). floating on or in a second liquid (e.g., ocean water). However, in some embodiments, a density which results in premature pellet sinking is undesirable. Compressed pellets fashioned to provide control of an oil spill without sinking will facilitate recovery from the surface. Various biodegrading microorganisms that attack and degrade oil and other materials may be included in compressed pellets of this invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention the reduced pieces of paper (preferably ranging in size between about one inch to about two and a half inches) are fed to a second stage finishing mill to produce pieces ranging preferably in size (largest dimension) between about one-eighth of an inch to about seven-sixteenths of an inch. These pieces are exhausted from the mill in its exhaust air stream and are directed into an injection system 20 as shown in FIG. 7. The system 20 has a central conduit or pipe 22 and one or more pressurized - air-driven spray nozzles 24 which, preferably, spray a water/surface active agent mixture 28 in a direction parallel to and in the same direction as the flow of the cellulose pieces 26 (typically at an spray nozzle air pressure of about 30 p.s.i. for good atomization of the liquid). It is preferred that the pieces be conditioned by the spray to a water content between about 10% to about 22% by weight, with about 18% most preferred. It is preferred that the sprayed pieces have about 1/2% to about 3% surface active agent by weight therein and/or thereon, with about 11/2% most preferred. It is preferred that the sprayed pieces be substantially coated with the water/surfactant mixture. Although it is preferred that the pieces be conditioned by spraying, they may be conditioned by immersion in a container of the mixture or the mixture may be poured onto the pieces, but these methods are not equivalent. The sprayed pieces may be used as they exit the injection system as absorbent material or they may be dried to a lower moisture content as desired, e.g. as low as 5% moisture by weight. Alternately, the sprayed pieces may be fed to a pelletizer to produce pellets as previously described herein. The pellets may be flaked and be used as litter as previously described herein. The surface active agent (such agents sometimes hereinafter referred to as "SAA") increases the material's rate of absorbency and its absorbent capacity. This occurs by reducing the surface tension of liquids and the interfacial tension between two liquids. This reduces waste and processing time (e.g., less screening of product is needed), results in a more consistent product, and reduces the amount of unwanted fine particles and dust.

In one specific preferred embodiment according to this invention pieces of newsprint with a largest dimension of about one inch to about two and a half inches were fed to a second stage finishing mill and reduced in size to about one-fourth of an inch. These pieces were exhausted from the mill in its air exhaust stream (typically at about 160 to 190 feet per second) and were directed into an injection system as shown in FIG. 7 in which a commercially available agent (e.g. Emcol 4500 or Witconate 1238) was applied evenly over substantially all the pieces substantially covering them and producing a product which was about 1 1/2 weight percent SAA (e.g. about 33 pounds of surface active agent mixed with about 415 pounds of water was sprayed onto about 2100 pounds of cellulose pieces resulting in a surface active agent content by weight of the pieces of about 1.57%). The product was then pelletized and flaked (as previously described herein) to a bulk density of about 9 to about 18 pounds per cubic foot. An odor identifier (e.g. oil of wintergreen) is added to the SAA to facilitate identification of SAA -treated product. For this embodiment it is preferred that flaking be accomplished with a crimper having dual opposed rollers rotating toward each other, one at 450 r.p.m. and the other at 1100 r.p.m. The surface active agent aids in producing a pellet and/or flake of desired hardness, density, temperature, heat holding capacity, and expansion rate by increasing water absorption rate and by more thoroughly wetting the pieces of cellulose.

The following table compares the absorbency of various substances by absorbent material according to this invention with and without SAA.

(e.g. 50 grams of material #1 without SAA absorbed 68 grams of 30 wt. oil and 50 grams of material #1 with SAA absorbed 139 grams of 30 wt. oil). Material #1 was pelletized, flaked, absorbent material made as previously described. The absorption capacity by weight for, e.g., water of the material with SAA was about 4.4, i.e. 50 grams of the material absorbed about 4.48 times its own weight of water; for oil it is about 2.7. It is preferred that absorption capacity of water for flaked material with SAA be at least 4 and for oil be at least 2.4

Material #2 was absorbent material as produced from the injection system as previously described without further processing (no pelletizing, no flaking). It is preferred that absorption capacity for absorbent material with SAA for water be at least 10 and for oil be at least 9.

In another embodiment of the present invention about ten grams of flaked material (density about 15 lbs./cubic foot) according to the present invention as previously described was used to absorb an oil/water mixture (80 grams 10W-30 motor oil, 60 grams water). The material absorbed 1.7 times its own weight of the mixture. Additional amounts of about ten grams of the material were treated to 1% by weight with the following commercially available hydrophobic agents and exhibited the listed absorption capacities:

Upon adding a surface active agent Desonic 1.5N at 1.5% by weight to materials similar to materials 1,2, and 3 above, the following absorption capacities were noted:

Upon adding a different surface active agent (1.5% by weight Desonic 4N) to about-ten-gram amounts of the absorbent material treated with the hydrophobic agents as with materials 1,2, and 3 above, the following absorption capacities were noted:

These data show that adding a surface active agent to this material according to this invention treated with a hydrophobic agent increases absorption by weight.

Thus it is seen that the products and methods of the present invention readily achieve the ends and advantages mentioned as well as other inherent therein. While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated for the purposes of disclosure, it will be clear to one of skill in this art who has the benefits of this invention's creative teachings that changes in the preferred products and steps may be made within the scope of the appended claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is realized that changes in the products or methods are possible and it is intended that each element or step recited in any of the following claims and each combination of elements or steps is to be understood as referring to all equivalent elements, steps, or combinations for accomplishing equivalent results in equivalent manner. These claims are intended to cover the invention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it is utilized.