U.S. patent application number 17/837493 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-22 for system and method for simultaneously moving objects between multiple locations.
The applicant listed for this patent is CreateMe Technologies LLC. Invention is credited to Nicholas CHOPE, Lai Chyan CHOW, David MATTEN.
Application Number | 20220297455 17/837493 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006391240 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220297455 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHOW; Lai Chyan ; et
al. |
September 22, 2022 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY MOVING OBJECTS BETWEEN
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Abstract
Embodiments provide for a conveying system to move multiple
articles from one location to another. The conveying system may use
a transport device to grasp each article from an initial location,
rotate the articles away from the initial locations, move the
articles linearly, and rotate the articles to destination
locations. Rather than moving each article one-by-one, in the
embodiments described herein, the conveying system can move
multiple articles simultaneously to various locations where each
location may contain a different process to perform on the article.
Moving multiple articles simultaneously shortens the time required
to process the articles.
Inventors: |
CHOW; Lai Chyan; (Daly City,
CA) ; MATTEN; David; (San Francisco, CA) ;
CHOPE; Nicholas; (Portland, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CreateMe Technologies LLC |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006391240 |
Appl. No.: |
17/837493 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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17491419 |
Sep 30, 2021 |
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17837493 |
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17364694 |
Jun 30, 2021 |
11254154 |
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17491419 |
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17232089 |
Apr 15, 2021 |
11161353 |
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17364694 |
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63111591 |
Nov 9, 2020 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 29/38 20130101;
B65G 47/8869 20130101; B65G 47/8853 20130101; B65G 47/8838
20130101; B65G 1/1375 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B41J 29/38 20060101
B41J029/38; B65G 1/137 20060101 B65G001/137; B65G 47/88 20060101
B65G047/88 |
Claims
1. A conveying system, comprising: a plurality of linear actuators;
a plurality of carriers, wherein: each carrier of the plurality of
carriers is attached to a linear actuator of the plurality of
linear actuators; and each carrier of the plurality of carriers is
positioned at a fixed angle from other carriers of the plurality of
carriers in relation to a shared axis of rotation; and a rotary
actuator configured to rotate the plurality of carriers about the
shared axis of rotation.
2. The conveying system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
carriers comprises only two carriers positioned about 180 degrees
apart in relation to the shared axis of rotation.
3. The conveying system of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of
carriers comprises at least three carriers; and each carrier of the
at least three carriers is positioned less than about 180 degrees
apart from other carriers of the three carriers in relation to the
shared axis of rotation.
4. The conveying system of claim 1, wherein each linear actuator of
the plurality of linear actuators is configured to actuate each
carrier of the plurality of carriers independently of other
carriers of the plurality of carriers.
5. The conveying system of claim 1, wherein each carrier of the
plurality of carriers is connected to a shaft.
6. The conveying system of claim 1, wherein each carrier of the
plurality of carriers is configured to grasp an article.
7. The conveying system of claim 1, further comprising a support
structure, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of
processing spaces and a plurality of transition spaces.
8. The conveying system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality
of processing modules, wherein: each processing space of the
plurality of processing spaces comprises a processing module of the
plurality of processing modules; and the conveying system is
configured to move a plurality of articles from a plurality of
initial modules of the plurality of processing modules to a
plurality of destination modules of the plurality of processing
modules.
9. The conveying system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of
processing modules comprises different stages of a garment
processing system.
10. The conveying system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of
transition spaces is used to as a throughway to move a plurality of
articles between the plurality of processing modules.
11. The conveying system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of
articles comprises a platen or garment.
12. The conveying system of claim 8, further comprising: a
different plurality of linear actuators; a different plurality of
carriers, wherein each carrier of the different plurality of
carriers is attached to a linear actuator of the different
plurality of linear actuators; and a different rotary actuator
configured to rotate the different plurality of carriers about a
different shared axis of rotation, wherein the carriers of the
plurality of carriers and the carriers of the different plurality
of carriers may each access at least one shared processing module
of the plurality of processing modules.
13. The conveying system of claim 12, wherein each carrier of the
different plurality of carriers is positioned at a fixed angle from
other carriers of the different plurality of carriers in relation
to the different shared axis of rotation.
14. The conveying system of claim 7, further comprising a
translation system configured to move the plurality of carriers
along a track of the support structure.
15. A conveying system, comprising: a plurality of linear actuators
attached a shaft; a plurality of carriers attached to the shaft and
respective ones of the plurality of linear actuators, wherein each
carrier of the plurality of carriers is positioned at a fixed angle
from other carriers of the plurality of carriers in relation to an
axis of the shaft; and a rotary actuator configured to rotate the
shaft along with the plurality of carriers.
16. The conveying system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of
carriers comprises only two carriers positioned about 180 degrees
apart in relation to the axis of the shaft.
17. The conveying system of claim 15, wherein: the plurality of
carriers comprises at least three carriers; and each carrier of the
at least three carriers is positioned less than about 180 degrees
apart from other carriers of the three carriers in relation to the
axis of the shaft.
18. The conveying system of claim 15, wherein each linear actuator
of the plurality of linear actuators is configured to actuate each
carrier of the plurality of carriers independently of other
carriers of the plurality of carriers.
19. The conveying system of claim 15, wherein each carrier of the
plurality of carriers is configured to grasp an article.
20. The conveying system of claim 15, further comprising a support
structure, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of
processing spaces and a plurality of transition spaces.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 17/491,419, filed Sep. 30, 2021 entitled
"SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY MOVING OBJECTS BETWEEN
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS", which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/364,694, filed Jun. 30, 2021
entitled "GARMENT PERSONALIZATION WITH AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS" and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 17/232,089, filed Apr. 15, 2021 and
entitled "PERSONALIZATION VENDING KIOSK", each of which is
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Movement of articles, such as parts and platens, is an
important part of production and assembly processes. Conventional
systems and methods for moving articles are limited in their
capability or may not be suitable for certain production
environments such as ones with limited space. Keeping with this
example, articles may be moved using manual or automated handling.
Manual handling includes moving the materials with an operator or
operators, which is a repetitive process in which limited articles
may be moved at a time. Automated handling includes robotic systems
such as a robot arm or vehicle to move items from point A to point
B. Robotic arms are complex, having multiple joints, and require
specialty programming. Robotic vehicles are also complex and
limited by terrain. The challenge of moving articles is further
complicated when transporting objects between different
compartments or chambers located at different heights.
[0003] In one such example, personalization of garments through
embroidery and various methods of printing art on the garment,
including screen printing, dye sublimation and Direct To Garment
(DTG) printing accessories requires moving an article between
multiple process stages. Large-scale DTG printing operations can
include multiple processing stages, such as loading, pretreatment,
drying, and quality control that are performed serially. Each stage
may require a different amount of time to complete and be located
in a different location. Because of this, time is lost waiting for
longer stages in the serialized chain or when transporting the
garment between stages.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system for
moving articles, such as garments, that can simultaneously move
multiple articles between different locations.
SUMMARY
[0005] Certain embodiments provide a conveying system. The
conveying system includes a plurality of linear actuators; a
plurality of carriers, wherein each carrier of the plurality of
carriers is attached to a linear actuator of the plurality of
linear actuators; and a rotary actuator configured to rotate the
plurality of carriers about a shared axis of rotation.
[0006] Other aspects provide a conveying system. The conveying
system includes a plurality of linear actuators attached a shaft; a
plurality of carriers attached to the shaft and respective ones of
the plurality of linear actuators; and a rotary actuator configured
to rotate the shaft along with the plurality of carriers.
[0007] Other aspects provide a method for moving a plurality of
articles simultaneously. The method includes grasping each article
of the plurality of articles from a module of a plurality of
initial modules; rotating simultaneously the plurality of articles
a first angle in a first direction; moving at least one article of
the plurality of articles linearly; rotating simultaneously the
plurality of articles a second angle in a second direction; and
placing each article of the plurality of articles in a module of a
plurality of destination modules.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] So that the manner in which the above recited aspects are
attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular
description of embodiments described herein, briefly summarized
above, may be had by reference to the appended drawings.
[0009] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings
illustrate typical embodiments and are therefore not to be
considered limiting; other equally effective embodiments are
contemplated.
[0010] FIG. 1A is a transport device of a conveying system,
according to one embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the conveying system
from FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 1C is a conveying system, according to one
embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of a digital printing environment,
according to one embodiment.
[0014] FIGS. 3A and 3B are side and top views, respectively, of a
digital printing environment, according to one embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 3C is a top view of a digital printing environment,
according to one embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of a digital printing environment,
according to one embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a direct-to-garment printing
environment, according to one embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 5B illustrates disposing direct-to-garment processing
stages above one another, according to one embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a kiosk containing a digital printing environment,
according to one embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for moving a plurality of articles
simultaneously, according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Embodiments herein describe a system and method for
simultaneously moving multiple articles between different locations
at different heights, such as compartments or chambers.
[0022] Embodiments herein describe a conveying system to move
multiple articles from one location to another. The conveying
system may use a transport device to grasp each article from an
initial location, rotate the articles away from the initial
locations, move the articles linearly, and rotate the articles to
destination locations. Rather than moving each article one-by-one,
in the embodiments described herein, the conveying system can move
multiple articles simultaneously to various locations where each
location may contain a different process to perform on the article.
Moving multiple articles simultaneously shortens the time required
to process the articles.
[0023] Each location may include a process module to perform a
different stage of a process on the article or an object placed on
the article, e.g., a garment disposed on a platen as part of a
digital printing process. The process modules may be vertically
stacked on top of one another to reduce the distance between them,
which beneficially results in a compact digital printing
environment when compared to, for example, conventional Direct To
Garment (DTG) printing operations. Doing so decreases time for the
conveying system to transport the articles between stages. In the
embodiments herein, a conveying system can move the garments to any
available stage amongst the process modules. This may reduce the
overall cost of the system, reduce the footprint of the, e.g.,
digital printing environment, and improve the throughput (e.g.,
reduce the time needed for a garment to complete the digital
printing process).
[0024] The stackable, modular design of the processing modules and
the conveying system further allows scalability because additional
modules may be added or removed as needed. For example, additional
modules may be stacked on top of the existing modules while keeping
the existing footprint of the processing environment.
[0025] The embodiments herein specifically discuss the conveyor
system in a digital printing environment as one example, but the
conveyor system can be applied to fulfill any storage and retrieval
needs such as moving boxes in a warehouse, storing items that can
later be retrieved to fulfill customer orders, packaging items, and
the like. The embodiments herein may also be applied to moving
other articles such as platens, trays, jigs, fixtures, containers,
materials to be processed, boxes, and crates and the like.
Examples Conveying Systems in a Digital Printing Environment
[0026] FIG. 1A is a transport device 100 of a conveying system,
according to one embodiment. In particular, the transport device
100 may be used to move multiple articles 114 between different
locations at different heights.
[0027] The transport device 100 comprises a plurality of linear
actuators 102 (e.g., 102A and 102B), a plurality of carriers 104,
and a rotary actuator 106. Each carrier of the plurality of
carriers 104 (e.g., 104A and 104B) is attached to a linear actuator
of the plurality of linear actuators 102. For example, a first
carrier 104A and a second carrier 104B each connect to a linear
actuator 102 as discussed in relation to FIG. 1B. The carriers 104A
and 104B are each configured to grasp and move an article 114. When
moving the article 114, each carrier 104A and 104B may be actuated
independently of other carriers 104. For example, the linear
actuator 102A may be configured to move the carrier 104A at
different velocities or accelerations and to different destinations
than the linear actuator 1026 attached to the carrier 1046. The
carrier 104A may also be actuated while the carrier 104B remains
stationary and vice versa.
[0028] In the depicted embodiment, the linear actuators 102 are
disposed inside a shaft 110 and the carriers 104 are connected to
the shaft 110. Each carrier 104A and 1046 may move vertically on a
track 112 (one of which is shown) of the shaft 110 when actuated.
The rotary actuator 106 rotates the carriers 104 about a shared
axis of rotation 108. In the depicted embodiment, the rotary
actuator 106 rotates the shaft 110, which in turn rotates the
carriers 104. Each carrier 104A and 1046 may be rotated the same
angle about the axis of rotation 108 and in the same direction.
Thus, the carriers 104 may move the articles 114 linearly and
rotatably. In some embodiments, the carriers 104 may be configured
to grasp or pick up the articles 114, rotate a first angle about
the shared axis of rotation 108, move the articles 114 vertically,
and rotate a second angle about the shared axis of rotation 108 to
position each article 114. In some embodiments, the first and
second angles may be equal. In some embodiments, the first and
second angles may be 90 degrees apart or remain 90 degrees apart
while the transport device 100 moves the articles 114.
[0029] The rotary actuator 106 attaches to a mount plate 116
configured to connect the transport device 100 to a support
structure as discussed in relation to FIG. 1C. The mount plate 116
fixes the rotary actuator 106 while the shaft 110 rotates. The
shaft 110 may further comprise a rotation pin 118 (see FIG. 1A)
disposed on the shared axis of rotation 108 at an end opposite the
rotary actuator 106. The rotation pin 118 may interface with a
corresponding collar (not shown) to form a pin joint configured to
assist rotation as discussed in relation to FIG. 1C.
[0030] In the depicted embodiment, each carrier 104A and 104B is
positioned at a fixed angle from other carriers in relation to the
shared axis of rotation 108. For example, the carriers 104 may
comprise only two carriers 104A and 104B positioned an angle
.theta. apart, such as 180 degrees, in relation to the shared axis
of rotation 108. As shown, the two carriers 104A and 104B are
disposed on opposite sides of the shaft 110.
[0031] The carriers 104 may grasp the articles 114 through
different means and may include a gripper or claw. As shown in FIG.
1A, the carriers 104 comprise arms 105A having grips 105B
configured to grip the article 114. For example, the grips 105B may
be made of a slip-resistant or anti-slip material. The arms 105A
attach to a body 105C, which may contain an opening actuator (not
shown) configured to open and close the arms 105A of the carriers
104. For example, the arms 105A may rotate outward from the article
114 when releasing and toward the article 114 when grasping. In
some embodiments, other means of grasping may be used. The arms
105A may use self-centering springs, electromagnetism, or
electrostatic adhesion to grasp the article 114. In some
embodiments, the opening actuator may be a mechanical, an
electromechanical, a hydraulic, a pneumatic, or a piezoelectric
actuator. In some embodiments, the carriers 104 may be soft
grippers that include an outer skin made of rubber or similar
material. In one embodiment, the gripper fingers may include
surface features that enhance the ability for the grippers to grab
the article 114. In some embodiments, the carriers 104 may be a
conveyor belt that items can be loaded onto and ejected from. In
some embodiments, the carriers 104 and/or the articles 114 may
comprise a self-leveling apparatus to ensure the articles 114 are
level as described in FIG. 5B.
[0032] In some embodiments, the carriers 104 may be actuated and
rotated at the same time. For example, the rotary actuator 106 (see
FIG. 1C) may rotate the carriers 104 while the linear actuators 102
move the carriers 104 vertically.
[0033] In some embodiments, the transport device 100 does not have
a rotation pin 118. For example, the rotary actuator 106 may rotate
the shaft 110 as the shaft 110 is suspended in space. In some
embodiments, a ball-and-socket joint or connection comprising
bearings may be used to assist rotation.
[0034] In some embodiments, the fixed angle .theta. between the
carrier 104A and 104B may be more or less than 180 degrees. For
example, the carriers 104 may be positioned 120 degrees or 90
degrees apart. In some embodiments, such as discussed in relation
to FIG. 4, the fixed angle .theta. may be based on the number of
carriers 104.
[0035] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the transport device
100 from FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment. In particular, FIG.
1B shows one embodiment of the linear actuators 102 as a belt-drive
actuator. The articles 114 are omitted for illustrative
purposes.
[0036] In the depicted embodiment, each linear actuator 102
comprises an actuator 120 connected to a drive pulley 122. The
actuator 120 and drive pulley 122 are disposed at a first end 111A
of the shaft 110. A guide pulley 124 is disposed at a second end
111B of the shaft 110 opposite the first end 111A. A belt 126 (or
chain) wraps around and connects the pulleys 122 and 124. Each
carrier 104A and 104B connects to the belt 126 of a respective
linear actuator 102 through a carrier connector 128. In some
embodiments, the carrier connector 128 is part of the carrier 104.
In some embodiments, the carrier connector 128 is a separate part
configured to secure the carrier 104 to the belt 126.
[0037] The actuator 120 moves each carrier 104A and 104B vertically
by rotating the drive pulley 122 and moving the belt 126. The belt
126 moves the carrier 104 and the track 112 guides the carrier 104
as it moves. As shown, each linear actuator 102 is parallel to
other linear actuators 102.
[0038] In some embodiments, the linear actuators 102 may be
configured differently. For example, the drive pulley 122 may
comprise a textured or pattern surface where the drive pulley 122
engages the belt 126. The belt 126 may comprise a textured or
pattern surface to engage the drive pulley 122 (e.g. a chain and
sprocket system). In some embodiments, the linear actuators 102 may
be a different type of mechanical or electromechanical actuator
such as a ball screw, roller screw, or lead screw designs driven
actuator. In some embodiments, the linear actuators 102 may be
hydraulic, pneumatic, or piezoelectric actuators.
[0039] FIG. 1C is a conveying system 101, according to one
embodiment. In the depicted embodiment, the conveying system 101
comprises the transport device 100. The conveying system 101
further comprises a support structure 140. A right side of the
support structure 140 (as shown on the page) is omitted for
illustrative purposes but mirrors the left side such as shown in
FIG. 2.
[0040] The transport device 100 may attach to the support structure
140 through the mount plate 116, which engages the support
structure 140 to constrain the rotary actuator 106 and transfer
rotation to the shaft 110. The transport device 100 may further
rotatably couple to the support structure 140 through a collar 148,
which engages the rotation pin 118 of the shaft discussed in
relation to FIG. 1A.
[0041] The conveying system 101 comprises a plurality of processing
modules (e.g., processing modules 260), which are further discussed
in relation to FIG. 2. The support structure 140 comprises a
plurality of processing spaces 142 and a plurality of transition
spaces 144. Each processing space 142A-F of the processing spaces
142 contains a processing module of the processing modules 260. The
transition spaces 144 are positioned in between the processing
spaces 142 on a left and right side of the support structure 140
(as shown on the paper). The transport device 100 is disposed in
the transition spaces 144 and configured to move the articles 114
between processing spaces 142, through the support structure 140,
and to the processing modules. For example, the carriers 104 may
grasp the articles 114 from the processing spaces 142 as shown in
FIG. 1C. The carriers 104 may rotate the articles 114 about the
shared axis of rotation 108, for example, 90 degrees into the
transition spaces 144 and move the articles 114 vertically through
the transition spaces 144. The carriers 104 may further rotate 90
degrees to place the articles 114 into different processing spaces
142.
[0042] The rotary actuator 106 may rotate the shaft 110 clockwise
or counter-clockwise. For example, the rotary actuator 106 may
rotate the shaft 110 clockwise until the carriers 104 are in the
transition spaces 144 and then clockwise again to move the carriers
104 into respective processing spaces 142, or counter-clockwise
until the carriers 104 are in the transition spaces 144 and then
counter-clockwise again to move the carriers 104 into respective
processing spaces 142 such that the article 114 may start on the
left side and be moved to the right side. The rotary actuator 106
may rotate the shaft 110 clockwise and then counter-clockwise such
that the article 114 starts and remains on the same side. Thus, the
direction of rotation may be determined based upon initial and
destination processing spaces 142.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 1C, the support structure 140 includes a
module shelf 146 on top of the highest processing space 142. The
module shelf 146 may be used as a staging area for holding an
article 114 or presenting an article 114 for inspection. In some
embodiments, the module shelf 146 may be used to hold or locate a
process module.
[0044] FIG. 2 is a side view of a digital printing environment 200,
according to one embodiment. The digital printing environment 200
comprises a conveying system 201 similar to the conveying system
101 of FIG. 1C, except a module shelf 146 is not shown in the
depicted embodiment.
[0045] The conveying system 201 includes the support structure 240
(a portion of which was illustrated by the support structure 140 in
FIG. 1C) and a transport device 100. In particular, FIG. 2 shows a
plurality of processing modules 260 disposed in a support structure
240. The support structure 240 includes a plurality of processing
spaces 242 (e.g. 242A-C) and transition spaces 244 (e.g. 244A-C)
similar to the support structure 140. The processing modules 260
are disposed within the processing spaces 242 and may contain
different processes to be performed on the plurality of articles
114 or items on the articles 114. For example, a processing module
260A is disposed within the processing space 242A. A processing
module 260B is disposed within the processing space 242B, and so
forth. The processing modules 260 may contain different stages of a
garment processing system such as at least one of a retrieval,
pretreatment, printing, embroider, curing, drying, or holding
module.
[0046] The conveying system 201 is configured to move the articles
114 from a plurality of initial modules of the processing modules
260 to a plurality of destination modules of the processing modules
260. In some embodiments, each article (e.g., an article 114A and
an article 114B) of the articles 114 may be in a separate initial
module and be moved to a separate destination module. In the
depicted embodiment, a processing space 242F is an entry module
260F configured to accept the article 114B placed by a user. The
article 114B may contain a garment 266B, such as a shirt, to be
customized through printing operations and may be moved to
different processing modules 260 by the conveying system 201. For
example, the carrier 1046 may move the article 114B to a
preprocessing module contained in the processing module 260B. As
further depicted, the article 114A contains a garment 266A and is
in a processing module 260C, which may contain a printing stage.
The carrier 104A is shown positioned above the article 114A and may
have just released the article 114A, may be about to grasp the
article 114A, or may be waiting while the garment 266A is finished
being processed. The carrier 104A may grasp the article 114A and
move it to another processing module 260 such as a processing
module 260D, which may contain a drying stage. Thus, as shown, the
processing modules 260C and 260F are initial modules and the
processing modules 260D and 260B are destination modules.
[0047] In some embodiments, each processing module 260 may include
a bottom surface that forms a closed box when the article 114 or
the carrier 104 and the article 114 is in place. In some
embodiments, each processing space 242 may be open with no doors or
bottom plate. For example, the processing spaces 242 may contain
different stages of a garment processing system.
[0048] The conveying system 201 may use the rotary actuator 106 to
rotate the shaft 110 and the carriers 104 about a shared axis of
rotation 108 after grasping the articles 114 from the initial
modules 260C and 260F. For example, the carriers 104A and 1046 may
each be rotated 90 degrees clockwise into transitional spaces 244C
and 244A, respectively. The carriers 104 may be moved vertically
along the shaft 110 to a location adjacent to the destination
modules 260B and 260D. The rotary actuator 106 may rotate the shaft
110 and the carriers 104 about the shared axis of rotation 108 to
place the articles 114 in the destination modules 260C and 260F.
For example, the carriers 104A and 1046 may each be rotated 90
degrees clockwise into transitional spaces 244C and 244A,
respectively. Thus, the transition spaces 244 are used to as a
throughway to move the articles 114 between the processing modules
260.
[0049] In another example, the article 114A may be undergoing the
printing process when the article 1146 is moved. The carrier 104A
may be rotated without the article 114A when the carrier 104B is
rotated, and the carrier 104A may be moved to a different
processing module 260 to move a different article (not shown) while
the article 114A is processed. In another example, during
processing, the carrier 104 may move the articles 114 by different
amounts. For example, the carrier 104A may move vertically one
module and the carrier 1046 may move vertically three modules.
[0050] A controller 264 is configured to control the rotation of
the rotary actuator 106 and the actuation of the carriers 104. The
controller 264 may accept information from a user interface (not
shown), such as information on how the garments 266A and 266B are
to be processed, to determine what processing modules 260 are used
and to determine how to move the corresponding article 114.
[0051] In some embodiments, the carriers 104 may include an
actuator configured to push or pull the articles 114 off or on the
carriers 104 and into the processing spaces 142 or processing
modules 260. For example, the actuator may push the article 114A
off the carrier 104A in a plane that is roughly parallel to the
carrier 104 and place the article in the processing module 260C. In
some embodiments, the processing modules 260 may include an
actuator to push or pull the articles 114 on or off the carriers
104. For example, the processing module 260C may include the
actuator to pull the article 114A off the carrier 104A in a plane
that is roughly parallel to the carrier 104. In some embodiments,
the carriers 104 and the processing modules 260 may have an
actuator to push platens off their respective area. For example,
the carrier 104A may have an actuator to push the article 114A into
the processing module 260C for processing. The processing module
260C may have an actuator to push the article 114A onto a carrier
104 (e.g., 104A) after processing the article 114A.
[0052] In some embodiments, the articles 114 comprise at least one
of a platen, a tray, a jig, a fixture, a material to be processed,
a container, or a package. In some embodiments, the process modules
260 may be holding modules and the articles 114 may be objects to
be stored (e.g., if the conveying system 201 is used as a shipping
warehouse). The conveying system 201 may be used to store and
retrieve the stored objects.
[0053] In some embodiments, the article 114B may be placed in the
entry module 260F (see FIG. 3A) by a robot or some other automated
means, such as discussed in relation to FIGS. 5A and 5B.
[0054] Although three vertical layers are shown, other embodiments
of the digital printing environment 200 may use more or less
layers. For example, the support structure 240 may include another
processing space 242 above the processing spaces 242C and 242D and
a height of the transport device 100 would increase accordingly.
Thus, the digital printing environment 200 is scalable and modular
such that the amount of process modules 260 stacked on top of
another in the conveying system 201 may be increased or decreased.
The scalability beneficially allows the digital printing
environment 200 to be customized to accommodate different
processing modules 260 and/or different amounts of articles 114 to
be processed in the conveying system 201.
[0055] In some embodiments, the processing modules 260 may be
customized upon setup of the conveying system 201. In some
embodiments, the processing modules 260 may be changed or
reconfigured to different processes. Thus, the processing modules
260 are modular and may be changed to meet requirements of the
digital printing environment 200.
Example Agglomerated Conveying Systems
[0056] FIGS. 3A and 3B are side and top views, respectively, of a
digital printing environment 300, according to one embodiment. The
digital printing environment 300 is a scaled-up version of the
digital printing environment 200.
[0057] The digital printing environment 300 comprises an
agglomerated system 301, which comprises a support structure 340, a
plurality of conveying systems 303, and a plurality of transport
devices 100. The conveying systems 303 may be used to move a
plurality of articles 114 simultaneously. In the depicted
embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B, each conveying system 303A-D
comprises a transport device 100A-D. The conveying systems 303
further comprise a plurality of processing modules 260.
[0058] In the depicted environment, each respective conveying
system 303A-D of the conveying systems 303 is connected to another
conveying system 303A-D of the conveying systems 303 via an
interface 370 between the respective conveying system and the
another conveying system. The conveying system 303A is connected to
the conveying system 303B through the interface 370. The interface
370 may comprise at least one processing module 260 shared between
the respective conveying system 303A and the another conveying
system 303B. For example, the processing modules 260D-F may be
shared between the conveying systems 303A and 303B. The carriers
104A and 104B of the respective conveying system 303A and the
carriers 104C and 104D of the another conveying system 303B may
each access at least one processing module 260D-F shared between
the respective conveying system 303A and the another conveying
system 303B. As shown in the depicted embodiment, a processing
module 260F is an entry module shared between the conveying systems
303A and 303B.
[0059] In some embodiments, the shared processing modules 260D-F
allow the transport devices 100 to use common processing modules
260, which may reduce a footprint of the digital printing
environment 300. In some embodiments, the shared processing modules
260D-F allow the transport devices 100 to move an article 114
between the conveying systems 303. For example, a processing module
260E may be a holding module and a carrier 104C may place an
article 114C in the holding module 260E for a carrier 1046 to
retrieve.
[0060] The agglomerated system 301 may further include a controller
364 configured to control movement of the articles 114, similar to
the controller 264. The controller 364 may further coordinate
movement of the articles 114 through the processing modules 260. In
some embodiments, the process modules 260 may contain more than one
of each process. For example, printing may take more time than
other modules and the processing modules 260C, 260D, and 260I may
each be a printing module to allow more bandwidth for printing. The
controller 364 may coordinate processing through the multiple
printing modules 260C, 260D, and 260I to beneficially prevent a
stoppage of processing of the articles 114 during processing.
[0061] FIG. 3C is a top view of a digital printing environment 380,
according to one embodiment. The digital printing environment 380
is similar to the digital printing environment 300, except as
noted.
[0062] The digital printing environment 380 comprises an
agglomerated system 381, which comprises a support structure 382, a
plurality of conveying systems 383, and a plurality of transport
devices 100. The support structure 382 includes a plurality of
processing spaces 384, a plurality of transition spaces 386, and a
plurality of tracks 388. The conveying systems 383 may be used to
move a plurality of articles 114 simultaneously.
[0063] In the depicted embodiment, each conveying system 383A and
383B comprises a transport device 100A or 1006, respectively. The
rotary actuator 106 attaches to a mount plate 390 configured to
connect each transport device 100A and 1006 to the tracks 388 of
the support structure 382. A translation system 392 attaches to the
mount plate 390 and moves the transport devices 100 along the
tracks 388. The translation system 392 may be a linear actuator
similar to the linear actuator 102. In some embodiments, the
translation system 392 may be a belt and pulley system or a chain
and sprocket system, or a combination of one or more translation
systems configured to pull the transport devices 100 along the
tracks 388. In some embodiments, the translation system 392 may be
an actuator mounted to the mount plate 390 or the transport devices
100 that engages the tracks 388 to move the transport devices 100.
For example, the tracks 388 may comprise a rack and the translation
system 392 may comprise a pinion.
[0064] The agglomerated system 381 further comprises a plurality of
processing modules 260 disposed in the processing spaces 384 of the
support structure 382. The processing modules 260 are stacked on
top of one another inside the support structure 382 as previously
described in relation to the support structure 340. Thus, the
processing modules 260 are grouped in vertical stacks (only the top
processing modules 260 of the vertical stack are shown). The
transport devices 100 may travel between the vertical stacks, where
the carriers 104 may grasp or place an article 114 in one of the
processing modules 260.
[0065] At least one processing module 260 may be shared between the
conveying systems 383A and 383B. For example, the carriers 104A and
104B of the conveying system 383A and the carriers 104C and 104D of
the conveying system 383B may each access the processing modules
260D and 2600. The shared processing modules 260 allow the carriers
104 to move the articles 114 to any of the processing modules 260.
Thus, the translation system 392 allows each individual transport
device 100 of the agglomerated system 381 to access more processing
modules 260 than each individual transport device 100 of the
agglomerated system 301. The access to more processing modules 260
beneficially reduces the amount of transport devices 100
needed.
[0066] Although the depicted embodiment shows only two rows or
vertical stacks, other embodiments of the agglomerated system 381
may be scaled to have more rows. The translation system 392 may be
scaled accordingly to move the transport devices 100 travel to the
additional rows of vertical stacks, which beneficially avoids the
need to add transport devices 100.
Example Conveying System with More than Two Carriers
[0067] FIG. 4 is a top view of a digital printing environment 400,
according to one embodiment. In particular, the digital printing
environment 400 includes a conveying system 401 having a support
structure 440 and a transport device 403 having a shaft 410 and
three carriers 404. Each carrier 404A, 404B, and 404C of the three
carriers 404 is positioned less than 180 degrees apart from other
carriers of the three carriers 404 in relation to a shared axis of
rotation 408. In the depicted embodiment, the carrier 404A is
positioned about 120 degrees from the carriers 404B and 404C and
the carrier 404B is positioned about 120 degrees from the carrier
404C.
[0068] The conveying system 401 functions similarly to the
conveying system 201 discussed in relation to FIG. 2. For example,
the carriers 404 may grasp and move articles (not shown) between
the processing modules 460. The carriers 404 may move vertically
(in and out of the page) through transition spaces 444 of the
support structure 440 to reach different levels of the conveying
system 401. A rotary actuator 406 may rotate the transport device
403 clockwise, counter-clockwise, or both, to move the articles in
and out of the processing modules 460 and in and out of the
transition spaces 444. For example, the rotary actuator 406 may
rotate the shaft 410 about 60 degrees, 180 degrees, or 300 degrees
to position the carriers 404 in the processing modules 460 or the
transition spaces 444.
[0069] The conveying system may require a lesser footprint per
total processing modules 460 than the conveying system 201
discussed in relation to FIG. 2. For example, the shape of the
support structure 440 accommodates more processing modules 460 per
level than the conveying system 201. Thus, the conveying system 401
may be useful where a higher density of processing modules 460 is
desired.
[0070] In some embodiments, the angles between the carriers 404 may
be unequal. In some embodiments, there may be more than three
carriers 404. In some embodiments, an angle between a first and
second carrier 404 may be 90 degrees and an angle between a second
and third carrier 404 may be 90 degrees.
[0071] The concepts and systems discussed in relation to FIGS. 1-4
are not meant to be limiting. The printing environments discussed
herein may use conveying systems that are configured differently
than previously described. For example, the design and shape of the
support structures and the process modules may differ to
accommodate different processing requirements. Accordingly, the
transport devices may vary. Different carrier designs and different
actuation mechanisms may be used, and the amount of carriers may
vary per the concepts described herein.
Example Implementation of a Conveying System in a Digital Printing
Environment
[0072] FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a direct-to-garment (DTG)
printing system 500, according to one embodiment. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 17/364,694, filed Jun. 30, 2021 entitled
"GARMENT PERSONALIZATION WITH AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS" (referred to as
"the '694 application") describes a digital printing environment,
such as a DTG printing system 500, that uses automation and
parallel operation to process garments between processing stages as
described herein and is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. However, in some embodiments, the transport device 100
discussed in relation to FIG. 1A can also be used to move the
garments 520 between some stations, or between different locations
in the same station. For example, the DTG printing system 500 may
comprise the agglomerated system 301 having multiple transport
devices as discussed in relation to FIGS. 3A-3C. Thus, the
discussion on operation of the robots 515 may also relate to the
transport device 100.
[0073] The DTG printing system 500 includes a primary controller
564 and a secondary controller 565 for controlling the movement of
the robots 515 through the environment. In some embodiments, the
controllers may be either one or combination of the controllers 264
or 364 discussed in relation to FIGS. 2 and 3A. The stations
include garment retrieval stations 530, pretreatment stations 532,
DTG printing stations 534, drying stations 536, and packaging
stations 538. The garment retrieval station 530 includes a
retrieval apparatus 540 that can mount the garment 520 onto a
respective robot 515. In some embodiments, the retrieval apparatus
540 may be an actuator configured to push or pull the garment 520
off or on the robots 515, similar to the actuator discussed in
relation to FIG. 2.
[0074] The pretreatment station 532 may include a pretreatment
apparatus 542 for applying a pretreatment solution to the garment
520. The pretreatment apparatus 542 includes a lift 544 for raising
and leveling the garment 520. In some embodiments, the lift 544 may
comprise the transport device 100. The DTG printing stations 534
includes DTG printers 546 to print images on the garments 520. The
DTG printers 546 can include respective lifts 544 for aligning the
garments 520 carried by the robots 515 with the printhead of the
DTG printers 546. The drying stations 536 comprise dryers 548 to
help cure the wet-on-wet DTG printing process. At the packaging
stations 538, the garments 520 are removed from the robot 515,
folded, and placed in containers (e.g., boxes or padded envelopes)
to be shipped.
[0075] Although the DTG printing system 500 is described as moving
garments 520, in some embodiments, the DTG printing system 500 may
move articles, such as the articles 114 described in relation to
FIGS. 2-3. In some embodiments, the garments 520 may be the
garments 266.
[0076] FIG. 5B illustrates disposing DTG processing stages above
one another, according to one embodiment. In particular, FIG. 5B
illustrates an embodiment of the DTG printing system 590 comprising
a conveying system, similar to the conveying system 201 discussed
in relation to FIG. 2.
[0077] The DTG printing system 590 includes multiple DTG processing
stages 510 located on different floors of a warehouse, which may be
referred to as a vertical stack 560. In some embodiments, each
processing stage 510 may comprise one of the stations 530, 532,
534, 536, and 538 or other components discussed in relation to FIG.
5A. As shown, the DTG processing stages 510A are located on Floor
1, the DTG processing stages 510B are located on Floor 2, and the
DTG processing stages 510C are located on Floor N. In one
embodiment, the types of DTG processing stages 510 on a particular
floor may all be the same. For example, the DTG processing stages
510A may be pretreatment apparatuses (e.g., the pretreatment
apparatus 542), while the DTG processing stages 510B are DTG
printers (e.g., the DTG printer 546) and the DTG processing stages
510C are dryers (e.g., dryers 548). Alternatively, the floors may
have multiple types of DTG processing stages. For example, the DTG
processing stages 510 may include garment retrieval apparatuses
(e.g., the retrieval apparatus 540) while the DTG processing stages
510B include pretreatment apparatuses, DTG printers, and dryers,
and the DTG processing stages 510C include folding and packaging
apparatuses.
[0078] The DTG printing system 590 includes an elevator 505,
similar to any of the previously described transport devices, for
moving a robot 515 holding the garment between the various floors.
For example, each carrier 104 of the transport device 100 may grasp
the robot 515. By separating the DTG processing stages onto
different floors, the overall footprint of the warehouse containing
the DTG printing system 590 can be reduced.
[0079] The elevator 505 can move the garment between the processing
stages 510. However, instead of moving the robot 515, the elevator
505 may move articles 570 holding the garment, similar to the
articles 114 in FIG. 2. That is, the elevator 505 may have a
machine that removes the articles 570 from the robot 515 and moves
the articles 570 between the different DTG processing stages 510.
Thus, the term elevator can include an apparatus that lifts only a
platen as well as an apparatus that lifts both the platen and the
robot 515 together. The processing stages 510 may have conveyor
belts or tracks for removing the articles 570 from the elevator
505. Once the garment is processed, the processing stages 510 move
each article 570 back into the elevator 505 so the garment can be
moved to the next processing stage 510 in the vertical stack 560.
Once the garment is processed through all the stages 510, the
elevator can move the articles 570 back onto the robot 515 using a
lifting apparatus.
[0080] In some embodiments, such as embodiments where the elevator
505 is the transport device 100, the carriers 104 (see FIG. 2) may
include a self-leveling apparatus. The self-leveling apparatus can
level the article 114 (see FIG. 2), thereby compensating for
unevenness in the floor or manufacturing tolerances of the
transport device 100. The leveling apparatus beneficially ensures
the article 114 is level while the article 114 is processed. The
self-leveling apparatus may use guides, arms, supporting features
and V-blocks as described in FIGS. 6A-6F of the '694 application.
In some embodiments, the self-leveling apparatus may comprise the
carrier 104 and the article 114. In some embodiments, the
self-leveling apparatus may comprise the processing space 142 or
the processing module 260 and the carrier 104.
[0081] In addition to the vertical stack 560, the DTG printing
system 590 may include other processing stages that are not
arranged in a vertical stack 560. For example, the garment
retrieval stations and the packaging stations may not be in
vertical stack 560 with other DTG processing stages.
[0082] In some embodiments, the DTG processing stages 510 of the
vertical stack 560 are arranged on the same floor, rather than
different floors. For example, the DTG processing stage 510A may be
a pretreatment apparatus while the DTG processing stage 5106 is a
DTG printer and the DTG processing stage 510C is a dryer. Any kind
of support structure can be used to form the vertical stack of the
processing stages 510.
Example Kiosk Containing a Conveying System of a Digital Printing
Environment
[0083] FIG. 6 is a kiosk 600 containing a digital printing
environment, according to one embodiment. U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 17/232,089, filed Apr. 15, 2021 and entitled
"PERSONALIZATION VENDING KIOSK" describes a kiosk system for
personalizing articles as described herein and is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
[0084] In the depicted embodiment, the kiosk 600 is a
personalization kiosk 600. The kiosk 600 may comprise a window 602
into the housing. In response to receiving a personalization order,
a control system, such as the controller 264 discussed in relation
to FIG. 2, may cause the conveying system 201 to transfer an
article 604 from within the kiosk 600 to the window 602 for a user
to receive. The window 602 may provide an entryway for the entry
module 260F (not shown) of the conveying system 201.
[0085] Although the kiosk 600 is discussed as including the
conveying system 201, other embodiments may include a different
conveying system, such as at least one of the conveying systems
101, 301, or 401.
[0086] In some embodiments, the user may place the article 604
within the window 602 and the conveying system 201 of the
personalization kiosk 600 may transfer the article within the kiosk
to be personalized according to the personalization order.
[0087] In some embodiments, the kiosk 600 may be a storage kiosk
used to store and retrieve articles 604. The conveying system 201
of the storage kiosk may move the articles 604 in a similar manner
to the kiosk 600.
Example Method for Moving a Plurality of Articles
Simultaneously
[0088] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method 700 for moving a plurality
of articles simultaneously, according to one embodiment. The method
700 begins at block 702, where carriers (e.g., the carriers 104 in
FIG. 1) grasp each article of the plurality of articles from a
module of a plurality of initial modules as discussed in relation
to FIGS. 1-4.
[0089] At block 704, a rotary actuator, a shaft, and the carriers
(e.g., the rotary actuator 106 and the shaft 110 in FIG. 1) rotate
simultaneously the plurality of articles a first angle in a first
direction as discussed in relation to FIGS. 1-4.
[0090] At block 706, linear actuators (e.g., the linear actuators
102 in FIG. 1) move at least one article of the plurality of
articles linearly as discussed in relation to FIGS. 1-4.
[0091] At block 708, the rotary actuator, the shaft, and the
carriers rotate simultaneously the plurality of articles a second
angle in a second direction as discussed in relation to FIGS.
1-4.
[0092] At block 710, the carriers place each article of the
plurality of articles in a module of a plurality of destination
modules as discussed in relation to FIGS. 1-4.
[0093] In some embodiments, the second direction is opposite the
first direction as discussed in relation to FIGS. 1-4.
[0094] In some embodiments, the moving at least one article of the
plurality of articles comprises a plurality of linear actuators
that move each article of the plurality of articles in a vertical
direction as discussed in relation to FIGS. 1-5. The plurality of
linear actuators are connected to a shaft having a central axis. In
some embodiments, the rotating the plurality of articles comprises
a plurality of carriers as discussed in relation to FIGS. 1-5. Each
carrier of the plurality of carriers is attached to a linear
actuator of the plurality of linear actuators, each carrier of the
plurality of carriers grasps each article of the plurality of
articles, and a rotary actuator rotates the shaft about the central
axis.
[0095] In some embodiments, the plurality of initial modules and
the plurality of destination modules are processing modules
comprising at least one of a pretreatment, printing, curing,
drying, or holding module as discussed in relation to FIGS.
2-3.
[0096] In some embodiments, the plurality of articles comprises at
least one of a platen, a tray, a jig, a fixture, a material to be
processed, a container, or a package as discussed in relation to
FIG. 2.
[0097] In the current disclosure, reference is made to various
embodiments. However, it should be understood that the present
disclosure is not limited to specific described embodiments.
Instead, any combination of the following features and elements,
whether related to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to
implement and practice the teachings provided herein. Additionally,
when elements of the embodiments are described in the form of "at
least one of A and B," it will be understood that embodiments
including element A exclusively, including element B exclusively,
and including element A and B are each contemplated. Furthermore,
although some embodiments may achieve advantages over other
possible solutions or over the prior art, whether or not a
particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not
limiting of the present disclosure. Thus, the aspects, features,
embodiments and advantages disclosed herein are merely illustrative
and are not considered elements or limitations of the appended
claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s). Likewise, any
reference to "the invention" shall not be construed as a
generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and
shall not be considered to be an element or limitation of the
appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s).
[0098] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art,
embodiments described herein may be embodied as a system, method or
computer program product. Accordingly, embodiments may take the
form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software
embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code,
etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that
may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or
"system." Furthermore, embodiments described herein may take the
form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer
readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied
thereon.
[0099] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be
transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited
to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any
suitable combination of the foregoing.
[0100] Computer program code for carrying out operations for
embodiments of the present disclosure may be written in any
combination of one or more programming languages, including an
object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++
or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such
as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages.
The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer,
partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package,
partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or
entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,
the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through
any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide
area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider).
[0101] Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations or block diagrams of methods,
apparatuses (systems), and computer program products according to
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be understood that
each block of the flowchart illustrations or block diagrams, and
combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations or block
diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions.
These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor
of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other
programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such
that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the
computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create
means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block(s)
of the flowchart illustrations or block diagrams.
[0102] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other
programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to function
in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the
computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture
including instructions which implement the function/act specified
in the block(s) of the flowchart illustrations or block
diagrams.
[0103] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other
device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on
the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to
produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions
which execute on the computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device provide processes for implementing the
functions/acts specified in the block(s) of the flowchart
illustrations or block diagrams.
[0104] The flowchart illustrations and block diagrams in the
Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation
of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer
program products according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart
illustrations or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or
portion of code, which comprises one or more executable
instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It
should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in
the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in
fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order or out of order,
depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted
that each block of the block diagrams or flowchart illustrations,
and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams or flowchart
illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based
systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or
combinations of special purpose hardware and computer
instructions.
[0105] As used herein, the term "about" may refer to a +/-10%
variation from the nominal value. It is to be understood that such
a variation can be included in any value provided herein.
[0106] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the
present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure
may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and
the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
* * * * *