U.S. patent application number 17/496336 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-14 for ceramic vape assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jupiter Research, LLC. Invention is credited to San Li, Mark Scatterday.
Application Number | 20220110364 17/496336 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220110364 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Li; San ; et al. |
April 14, 2022 |
CERAMIC VAPE ASSEMBLY
Abstract
Systems and apparatus for a vaporizer device according to
various aspects of the present technology may comprise a vaporizer
assembly and a battery. The vaporizer assembly may comprise a
tubular body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface
defining a receptacle cavity in the tubular body. The vaporizer
assembly may also comprise an atomizer at least partially disposed
within the tubular body, wherein the inner surface and the atomizer
define an inner volume in the tubular body. The vaporizer assembly
may further comprise a seal configured to contain a vaporizable
material inside the inner volume and a heating element coupled to
the atomizer. The battery may be connected to the heating
element.
Inventors: |
Li; San; (Chandler, AZ)
; Scatterday; Mark; (Scottsdale, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jupiter Research, LLC |
Phoenix |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/496336 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63089161 |
Oct 8, 2020 |
|
|
|
International
Class: |
A24F 40/42 20060101
A24F040/42; A24F 40/46 20060101 A24F040/46; A24F 7/02 20060101
A24F007/02 |
Claims
1. A vaporizer assembly, comprising: a tubular body comprising an
outer surface and an inner surface defining a receptacle cavity in
the tubular body; an atomizer at least partially disposed within
the tubular body, wherein the inner surface and the atomizer define
an inner volume in the tubular body; a seal configured to contain a
vaporizable material inside the inner volume; and a heating element
coupled to the atomizer.
2. The vaporizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular body
further comprises an open first end terminating in a first
peripheral annular edge and an open second end opposite the open
first end and terminating in a second peripheral annular edge, and
wherein the seal is coupled to the open first end.
3. The vaporizer assembly of claim 2, wherein the atomizer
comprises a base and a cylindrical-shaped body coupled to the base,
and wherein: the cylindrical-shaped body comprises a circular outer
edge; and the circular outer edge is flush with the inner surface
of the tubular body and the base abuts the second peripheral
annular edge of the tubular body when receivably engaged with the
tubular body.
4. The vaporizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal is
removable.
5. The vaporizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the atomizer is
comprised of ceramic.
6. The vaporizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal and tubular
body are each comprised of a material selected from silicone or
wax.
7. The vaporizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular body is
comprised of a material selected from silicone or wax.
8. A vaporizer system, comprising: a vaporizer assembly,
comprising: a tubular body comprising an outer surface and an inner
surface defining a receptacle cavity in the tubular body; an
atomizer at least partially disposed within the tubular body,
wherein the inner surface and the atomizer define an inner volume
in the tubular body; a seal configured to contain a vaporizable
material inside the inner volume; a heating element coupled to the
atomizer; and a battery connected to the heating element.
9. The vaporizer system of claim 8, wherein the tubular body
further comprises an open first end terminating in a first
peripheral annular edge and an open second end opposite the open
first end and terminating in a second peripheral annular edge, and
wherein the seal is coupled to the open first end.
10. The vaporizer system of claim 9, wherein the atomizer comprises
a base and a cylindrical-shaped body coupled to the base, and
wherein: the cylindrical-shaped body comprises a circular outer
edge; and the circular outer edge is flush with the inner surface
of the tubular body and the base abuts the second peripheral
annular edge of the tubular body when receivably engaged with the
tubular body.
11. The vaporizer system of claim 8, further comprising a
mouthpiece configured to puncture the seal when receivably engaged
with the vaporizer assembly.
12. The vaporizer system of claim 8, wherein the seal is
removable.
13. The vaporizer system of claim 8, wherein the atomizer is
comprised of ceramic.
14. The vaporizer system of claim 8, wherein the seal and tubular
body are each comprised of a material selected from silicone or
wax.
15. The vaporizer system of claim 8, further comprising a locking
component configured to constrain a movement of the vaporizer
assembly with respect to the battery.
16. The vaporizer system of claim 15, wherein the locking component
is further configured to disengage the vaporizer assembly from the
battery.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 63/089,161, filed on Oct. 8, 2020, and
incorporates the disclosure of the application in its entirety by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
State of the Art
[0002] Vaporizer devices present an alternative to smoking and work
by vaporizing a consumable flower or oil, such as cannabis,
tobacco, etc. by heating the flower or oil at a lower temperature
than an open flame so that a user can inhale the flower or oil in
vapor form, rather than smoke.
[0003] A conventional vaporizer device typically has a chamber for
holding oil, a small, heated coil in contact with the chamber, and
one or more openings to allow a user to draw vapor toward the mouth
of the user. A current is typically passed through the coil,
thereby heating the chamber which in turn heats the oil. However, a
conventional vaporizer device is configured in a manner that does
not allow the oil to feely flow to the heated coil. Accordingly, a
conventional vaporizer device is prone to leaving an oily residue
in the chamber after repeated use, which may result in unpleasant
flavors and aromas.
[0004] Accordingly, what is needed is an apparatus and system to
reduce the number of components of the vaporizer device and provide
the user with a high-quality vapor and improved flavor over the
lifetime of the consumable flower or oil.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Systems and apparatus for a vaporizer device according to
various aspects of the present technology may comprise a vaporizer
assembly and a battery. The vaporizer assembly may comprise a
tubular body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface
defining a receptacle cavity in the tubular body. The vaporizer
assembly may also comprise an atomizer at least partially disposed
within the tubular body, wherein the inner surface and the atomizer
define an inner volume in the tubular body. The vaporizer assembly
may further comprise a seal configured to contain a vaporizable
material inside the inner volume and a heating element coupled to
the atomizer. The battery may be connected to the heating
element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] A more complete understanding of the present technology may
be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered
in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the
following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements
and steps throughout the figures.
[0007] FIG. 1A is a side view of a vaporizer device in accordance
with an embodiment of the present technology;
[0008] FIG. 1B is a section view of the vaporizer device shown in
FIG. 1A taken along line 1B-1B;
[0009] FIG. 1C is an enlarged section view of a portion of the
vaporizer device shown in FIG. 1B taken along circle 1C;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a tubular body in accordance with an embodiment of
the present technology;
[0011] FIG. 3A is a side view of a vaporizer assembly in accordance
with an embodiment of the present technology;
[0012] FIG. 3B is a section view of the vaporizer assembly shown in
FIG. 3A taken along line 3B-3B;
[0013] FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the vaporizer assembly shown in
FIG. 3A;
[0014] FIG. 3D is a top view of the vaporizer assembly shown in
FIG. 3A;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a side view of a vaporizer device in accordance
with an embodiment of the present technology;
[0016] FIG. 4B is a section view of the vaporizer device shown in
FIG. 4A taken along line 4B-4B;
[0017] FIG. 4C is an enlarged section view of a portion of the
vaporizer device shown in FIG. 4B taken along circle 4C;
[0018] FIG. 5A is a side view of a vaporizer assembly in accordance
with an embodiment of the present technology;
[0019] FIG. 5B is a section view of the vaporizer assembly shown in
FIG. 5A taken along line 5B-5B;
[0020] FIG. 5C is a bottom view of the vaporizer assembly shown in
FIG. 5A;
[0021] FIG. 5D is a top view of the vaporizer assembly shown in
FIG. 5A;
[0022] FIG. 6A is a side view of a vaporizer device in accordance
with an embodiment of the present technology;
[0023] FIG. 6B is a section view of the vaporizer device shown in
FIG. 6A taken along line 5B-5B;
[0024] FIG. 6C is an enlarged section view of a portion of the
vaporizer device shown in FIG. 6B taken along circle 6C;
[0025] FIG. 7A is a side view of a mouthpiece assembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;
[0026] FIG. 7B is a section view of the mouthpiece assembly shown
in FIG. 7A taken along line 7B-7B;
[0027] FIG. 7C is a bottom view of the mouthpiece assembly shown in
FIG. 7A; and
[0028] FIG. 7D is a perspective view of the mouthpiece assembly
shown in FIG. 7A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The present technology may be described in terms of
functional block components. Such functional blocks may be realized
by any number of components configured to perform the specified
functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present
technology may employ various atomizers, batteries, airflow
channels, circuitry, coils, heating elements, housings, inlets,
locking components, positioning elements, mouthpieces, mouthpiece
assemblies, outlets, power supplies, plugs, power terminals, seals,
tubular bodies, vaporizer devices, wires, and the like, which may
carry out a variety of functions. In addition, the present
technology may be practiced in conjunction with any one of various
vaporizer systems, and the vaporizer assembly described herein is
merely one exemplary application for the technology.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, in various embodiments, a vaporizer
system 100 may comprise a vaporizer assembly 105 adapted to be
inserted into a housing 110 of a vaporizer device 115. The
vaporizer assembly 105 may comprise a tubular body 120, an atomizer
125, a heating element 130, and a seal 135. In addition, the
vaporizer system 100 may comprise a battery 140 for supplying power
to various components of the vaporizer system 100.
[0031] The tubular body 120 may comprise any suitable size and
shape so long as the tubular body 120 may be fitted into the
housing 110 of the vaporizer device 115. In one embodiment, the
tubular body 120 may comprise an outer surface 122 and an inner
surface 124 defining a receptacle cavity 126 in the tubular body
120, such as shown in FIG. 2. The inner surface 124 may be
configured to receivably engage the atomizer 125. In addition, the
tubular body 120 may comprise an open first end 132 terminating in
a first peripheral annular edge 134 and a second open end 136
opposite the open first end 132 and terminating in a second
peripheral annular edge 138. The tubular body 120 may be
constructed from any suitable food-grade material that is capable
of withstanding maximum atomizer heating temperatures, such as
silicone, wax, or the like.
[0032] In some embodiments, the tubular body 120 may comprise a
substrate 121 formed on the outer surface 122 of the tubular body
120, such as shown in FIG. 3A. The substrate 121 may comprise a
layer of protective material to provide structural support. In
other embodiments, the substrate 121 may be formed on an exterior
surface (not shown) of the atomizer 125. The substrate 121 may
comprise any suitable material capable of withstanding maximum dry
atomizer heating temperatures, such as silicone, wax, or the
like.
[0033] The atomizer 125 may operate in conjunction with the heating
element 130 to absorb and heat the vaporizable material to a
temperature sufficient to vaporize the vaporizable material. It
will be appreciated that the atomizer 125 may be constructed from a
variety of suitable thermally conductive materials, such as metal,
ceramic, silicone, glass, or any other combination of thermally
conductive materials. In on embodiment, the atomizer 125 may be at
least partially disposed within the tubular body 120, such as shown
in FIGS. 4B-C, 5A-D, and 6A-C. Accordingly, the inner surface 124
of the tubular body 120 and the atomizer 125 may define an inner
volume 148 in the tubular body 120 for holding the vaporizable
material.
[0034] In on embodiment, the atomizer 125 may comprise a base 142
and a cylindrical-shaped body 144 coupled to the base 142. The
cylindrical-shaped body 144 may comprise a circular outer edge 146,
where the circular outer edge 146 may be flush with the inner
surface 124 of the tubular body 120 and the base 142 may abut the
second peripheral annular edge 138 of the tubular body 120 when
receivably engaged with the tubular body 120, such as shown in
FIGS. 4B-C, 5B-D, and 6B-C.
[0035] It will be appreciated that the inner volume 148 may
comprise any suitable size and shape so long as the inner volume
148 is capable of holding a sufficient amount of vaporizable
material to provide the user with a high-quality vapor and improved
flavor over the lifetime of the material. For example, in one
embodiment, the inner volume 148 may comprise a volume of
approximately 0.05 to 2 cubic centimeters. In this regard, the
inner volume 148 may be capable of holding approximately 0.05 to 2
grams of oil, concentrate, or flower.
[0036] In various embodiments, the seal 135 may be configured to
contain the vaporizable material inside the inner volume 148.
Specifically, the seal 135 may be coupled to the open first end 132
of the tubular body 120 to hold the vaporizable material in the
inner volume 148. The seal 135 may be removable, meaning the user
may disconnect or disengage the seal 135 from the open first end
132 before using the vaporizer device 115. Thus, the inner volume
148 may be filled with the vaporizable material via the open first
end 132 when the seal 135 is removed, and the vaporizable material
may be prevented from falling or leaking out of the inner volume
148 when the seal 135 is coupled to the open first end 132. The
seal 135 may be constructed from any suitable food-grade material,
such as silicone, wax, or the like.
[0037] It will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the
seal 135 without departing from the scope of the invention. For
example, instead of the seal 135, a plug (not shown) may be
inserted into the tubular body 120. Specifically, the plug (not
shown) may comprise a circular outer edge (not shown), where the
circular outer edge (not shown) may be flush with the inner surface
124 of the tubular body 120 immediately adjacent the first
peripheral annular edge 134 of the tubular body 120 when receivably
engaged with the tubular body 120. In this regard, the plug (not
shown) may be configured to contain the vaporizable material inside
the inner volume 148. The plug (not shown) may be constructed from
any suitable food-grade material, such as silicone, wax, or the
like. In some embodiments, the plug (not shown) may be removable,
meaning the plug (not shown) may be removed by the user before
using the vaporizer device 115. In other embodiments, the plug (not
shown) may also function as a mouthpiece.
[0038] The heating element 130 may comprise any suitable resistive
element, such as a coil, strip of wire, wire mesh, film, or the
like, that dissipates heat when an electric current flows through
it. The resistive element may comprise any suitable resistance so
long as the resistive element may dissipate enough heat to heat the
vaporizable material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the
vaporizable material. As an example, in the case where the
vaporizable material is oil or concentrate, the oil or concentrate
within the inner volume 148 may be heated to a temperature of
approximately 365 to 428.degree. F. to create an aerosolized vapor
therefrom. In the case where the vaporizable material is cannabis
flower, the flower within the inner volume 148 may be heated to a
temperature of approximately 215 to 480.degree. F. to create an
aerosolized vapor therefrom.
[0039] The heating element 130 may also comprise one or more wires
(not shown) coupled to the heating element 130 for connecting the
heating element 130 to various components of the vaporizer system
100, such as the battery 140. The heating element 130 may be in
contact with the atomizer 125 and may heat the vaporizable material
to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the vaporizable material.
In one embodiment, the heating element 130 may be embedded within
the atomizer 125, such as shown in FIGS. 1B-C and 3B-D. In another
embodiment, the heating element 130 may be coupled to the base 142
of the atomizer 125, such as shown in FIGS. 4B-C, 5A-D, and 6B-C.
In yet another embodiment, the heating element 130 may be printed
on the base 142 of the atomizer 125. The heating element 130 may,
however, be coupled to the atomizer 125 in any suitably manner.
[0040] The battery 140 may be connected to various components of
the vaporizer system 100, such as the heating element 130, and may
be suitably configured to supply power to the components. For
example, in one embodiment, the battery 140 may be coupled to the
heating element 130 via a power terminal 149, such as shown in
FIGS. 1C, 4C, and 6C. In another embodiment, the battery 140 may be
coupled to the heating element 130 via one or more wires (not
shown) coupled to the heating element 130. The battery 140 may
comprise any suitable disposable, replaceable, or rechargeable
battery, such as an alkaline battery, a lead acid battery, a nickel
cadmium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a lithium-ion
battery, and the like. It will be appreciated that modifications
may be made to the battery 140 without departing from the scope of
the invention. For example, instead of the battery 140, alternative
energy sources, such as inductive, solar, and chemical energy
sources, may be used to power various components of the vaporizer
assembly 105, e.g., the heating element 130.
[0041] The vaporizer system 100 may further comprise a locking
component 150 configured to constrain a movement of the vaporizer
assembly 105 with respect to the battery 140. In addition, the
locking component 150 may be configured to guide a movement of the
vaporizer assembly 105 with respect to the housing 110 of the
vaporizer device 115. The locking component 150 may comprise any
suitable device or system for locking and/or guiding the vaporizer
assembly 105 to the battery 140. In addition, the locking component
150 may be further configured to disengage the vaporizer assembly
105 from the battery 140. For example, in one embodiment, the
locking component 150 may be pivotal between a locked position
wherein a movement of the vaporizer assembly 105 with respect to
the battery 140 and the housing 110 of the vaporizer device 115 may
be constrained, and an unlocked position wherein the vaporizer
assembly 105 may be disengaged from the housing 110 of the
vaporizer device 115.
[0042] In an alternative embodiment, the locking component 150 may
be configured to couple the vaporizer assembly 105 to the housing
110 of the vaporizer device 115 in a locked position by pressing
the vaporizer assembly 105 towards the housing 110 of the vaporizer
device 115 to lock into position. Similarly, the locking component
150 may decouple the vaporizer assembly 105 from the housing 110 in
an unlocked position, whereby the vaporizer assembly 105 is pushed
into the unlocked position to disengage. For example, the locking
component 150 may be received in a notch (not shown) formed in the
tubular body 120 so that the vaporizer assembly 105 may be coupled
to the battery 140 and the housing 110 of the vaporizer device
115.
[0043] The vaporizer assembly 105 may further comprise a mouthpiece
155. The mouthpiece 155 may be inserted into the housing 110 of the
vaporizer device 115 and may be coupled to the vaporizer assembly
105 when receivably engaged with the housing 110 of the vaporizer
device 115, such as shown in FIGS. 1A-C and 4A-C. In addition, the
mouthpiece 155 may be suitably configured to puncture the seal 135
when receivably engaged with the housing 110 of the vaporizer
device 115 to allow the generated vapor to be mixed with air drawn
into the mouthpiece 155. For example, the mouthpiece 155 may
comprise an airflow channel 156 configured to puncture the seal
135. In one embodiment, air may be drawn through a gap 180 disposed
between the atomizer 125 and the housing 110 of the vaporizer
device 115 and into the atomizer 125 through a gap between the
mouthpiece 155 and an inner surface (not shown) of the atomizer
125. Accordingly, the resulting aerosol (combination of vapor and
airflow) may travel as an aerosol stream along airflow path A where
it may be expelled via an outlet (not shown) of the mouthpiece 155
and then inhaled by the user, such as shown in FIG. 1C. The
mouthpiece 155 may be constructed from any suitable food-grade
material, such as silicone, wax, or the like. Further, the
mouthpiece 155 may be capable of withstanding maximum atomizer
heating temperatures.
[0044] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 155 and the vaporizer
assembly 105 may be separate components of the vaporizer system
100, such as shown in FIGS. 1A-C and 4A-C. In an alternative
embodiment, the vaporizer assembly 105 may be integrated with the
mouthpiece 155 in the form of a mouthpiece assembly 157, such as
shown in FIGS. 6A-C and 7A-D. As an example, the mouthpiece
assembly 157 may comprise a cylindrical-shaped body 160, where the
cylindrical-shaped body 160 may comprise an exterior surface 162
and an interior surface 164. The interior surface 164 may be
configured to receivably engage the atomizer 125. In this regard,
the atomizer 125 may be at least partially disposed within the
mouthpiece assembly 157. The mouthpiece assembly 157 may further
comprise a reservoir 165 positioned in the center of the
cylindrical-shaped body 160 for holding the vaporizable material.
The reservoir 165 may comprise an open bottom end 167 and a closed
top end 169. The open bottom end 167 may be positioned against the
atomizer 125 to form a fluid-tight seal in order to prevent the
vaporizable material from falling or leaking out of the reservoir
165.
[0045] The mouthpiece assembly 157 may further comprise one or more
inlets 170 positioned along the exterior surface 162 of the
cylindrical-shaped body 160. Each inlet 170 may be in communication
with a respective one of a plurality of channels 172 extending
along a longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece assembly 157. Further,
each channel 172 may be in communication with a respective one of a
plurality of outlets 174, such as shown in FIG. 7D. In this regard,
air may be drawn into the mouthpiece assembly 157 through the
plurality of inlets 170 where it may may mix with the vapor
generated by the atomizer 125. The resulting aerosol (vapor and
airflow) may then travel as an aerosol stream through the plurality
of channels 172 where it may be expelled via the plurality of
outlets 174 and inhaled through the mouthpiece assembly 157.
[0046] In operation, a user may fill the inner volume 148 of the
vaporizer assembly 105 with the vaporizable material. Once the
inner volume 148 has been filled with the vaporizable material, the
user may attach the seal 135 to the second open end 136 of the
tubular body 120 in in order to prevent the vaporizable material
from falling or leaking out of the inner volume 148. Alternatively,
instead of the seal 135, the user may insert a plug (not shown)
into the tubular body 120 of the vaporizer assembly 105 in order to
prevent the vaporizable material from falling or leaking out of the
inner volume 148. At this point, the user may insert the vaporizer
assembly 105 into the housing 110 of the vaporizer device 115 using
the locking component 150, such as described in paragraphs [0039]
and [0040] of this application. Further, in the case where the seal
135 is used, the user may then insert the mouthpiece 155 into the
housing 110 of the vaporizer device 115 to couple the mouthpiece
155 to the vaporizer assembly 105. Because the seal 135 may be
positioned between the inner volume 148 and the mouthpiece 155, the
airflow channel 156 of the mouthpiece 155 may puncture the seal 135
when the mouthpiece 155 is receivably engaged with the housing 110
of the vaporizer device 115.
[0047] Once the vaporizer assembly 105 has been inserted into the
housing 110 of the vaporizer device 115 and the mouthpiece 155 is
coupled to the vaporizer assembly 105, the vaporizer system 100 may
be turned on by a sensor (not shown), which may be an airflow or
other type of trigger sensor, or by pressing a button or switch.
For example, in the case where the vaporizer device 115 is
"draw-activated", a user may turn on the vaporizer device 115 by
drawing air into the vaporizer device 115 by inhaling through the
mouthpiece 155. When the user inhales, a negative pressure may be
induced inside the vaporizer device 115. The negative pressure
induced inside the vaporizer device 115 may cause the sensor (not
shown) to close a pressure switch (not shown), thereby closing the
circuit between the battery 140 and the various components of the
vaporizer system 100. Once the pressure switch (not shown) is
closed, the battery 140 may supply power to the various components
of the vaporizer system 100, including the heating element 130.
Accordingly, the battery 140 may supply a current to the heating
element 130. Because the heating element 130 may comprise a
resistive element, the heating element 130 may dissipate heat when
the current flows through it. Further, because the heating element
130 may be in contact or embedded within the atomizer 125, the
resulting heat may be transferred to the inner volume 148. In this
regard, the heating element 130 may vaporize a portion of the
vaporizable material by heating the inner volume 148 to a
temperature sufficient to generate the vapor. Once the vapor is
produced, it may mix with the air drawn into the atomizer 125, and
the resulting aerosol (vapor and airflow) may travel as an aerosol
stream along the airflow path A where it may be expelled via an
outlet (not shown) and inhaled through the mouthpiece 155.
[0048] The particular implementations shown and described are
illustrative of the technology and its best mode and are not
intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present technology in
any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional
manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other functional
aspects of the apparatus may not be described in detail.
Furthermore, the connections and points of contact shown in the
various figures are intended to represent exemplary physical
relationships between the various elements. Many alternative or
additional functional relationships or physical connections may be
present in a practical system.
[0049] In the foregoing description, the technology has been
described with reference to specific embodiments. Various
modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing
from the scope of the present technology as set forth. The
description and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative
manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such modifications
are intended to be included within the scope of the present
technology. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be
determined by the generic embodiments described and their legal
equivalents rather than by merely the specific examples described
above. For example, the components and/or elements recited in any
apparatus embodiment may be combined in a variety of permutations
to produce substantially the same result as the present technology
and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration
recited in the specific examples.
[0050] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described above with regard to particular embodiments. Any
benefit, advantage, solution to problems or any element that may
cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to
become more pronounced, however, is not to be construed as a
critical, required, or essential feature or component.
[0051] The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any variation
thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such
that a process, method, article, composition, or apparatus that
comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements
recited but may also include other elements not expressly listed or
inherent to such process, method, article, composition, or
apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the
above-described structures, arrangements, applications,
proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the
practice of the present technology, in addition to those not
specifically recited, may be varied, or otherwise particularly
adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications,
design parameters or other operating requirements without departing
from the general principles of the same.
[0052] The present technology has been described above with
reference to an embodiment. However, changes and modifications may
be made to the embodiment without departing from the scope of the
present technology. These and other changes or modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of the present
technology.
* * * * *