Abstract:
A testing device is provided which can provide a testing force to smoking articles of various types, in order to determine if ash breakage is appropriate or if the heating element of a heat not burn smoking article becomes loose under normal working conditions.

Description:
CLAIM TO PRIORITY 
       [0001]    None. 
       BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    Present embodiments relate to a testing stand for smoking articles. More specifically, present embodiments relate to a testing stand with a thumping device for testing smoking articles including, but not limited to, heat not burn type smoking articles. 
         [0003]    During smoking, one habit of smokers is to tap the cigarette on a surface, edge or within an ashtray or other edge or surface to cause the burned ash to fall off. This happens so often that the act nearly becomes an unconscious act. 
         [0004]    A more recent development in smoking article technology is referred to as the heat not burn cigarette. Heat not burn articles use a heating element, such as carbon based element, to heat but not burn tobacco. Even with smoking these articles, and despite the lack of an ash on the end of the smoking article, smokers still tend to tap the article during use to simulate the act of breaking a long ash. 
         [0005]    However, this act has been found to be detrimental in some instances, as it can cause the heating element of the heat not burn article to loosen and potentially fall from the article. 
         [0006]    It would be desirable to create a device, apparatus or mechanism which can test the ash breakage of a normal cigarette or other tobacco burning article to determine if ash breakage is occurring normally during the smoking process. Further, it would be desirable to test heat not burn smoking articles to ensure that heating elements are not loosening during tapping which may also occur during the use of the heat not burn smoking article. Still further, it would be desirable to provide a test stand which may also be used to test air draw through a smoking article. 
         [0007]    The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of the invention is to be bound. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    According to some embodiments, a testing device is provided which can provide a testing force to smoking articles of various types, in order to determine if ash breakage is appropriate or if the heating element of a heat not burn smoking article becomes loose under normal working conditions. 
         [0009]    A smoking article testing assembly comprises a frame, at least one smoking article holder which holds one or more cigarettes, at least one valve which is in vacuum communication with said smoking article holder, an actuator to thump a smoking article and, a thumper bar operably connected to the actuator, the thumper bar movable to tap the one or more smoking articles in the at least one smoking article holder. 
         [0010]    Optionally, the actuator being a linear actuator or may be a rotary actuator which produces linear motion. The actuator being a single acting actuator or may be a dual acting actuator. The thumper may move at an angle of between 45 degrees and 135 degrees to the smoking articles. The actuator may be disposed adjacent to the at least one holder. The smoking article testing assembly may further comprise a seat for the smoking article, the seat having a spring for the one or more smoking articles. The frame may have an actuator support and the actuator support may be disposed adjacent to the smoking article holder. The actuator may be disposed on the actuator support. The thumper bar may move with movement of the actuator. The one or more smoking articles may be heat not burn tobacco or may be cigarettes. 
         [0011]    According to further embodiments, a smoking article testing assembly comprises a frame formed of at least one frame element, a thumper assembly including a mount and an actuator disposed adjacent to a smoking article holder, a first flow circuit in flow communication with the smoking article holder for placing a vacuum on a smoking article, and, at least one second flow circuit which powers said actuator to thump said smoking article, the cigarette holder being movable toward or away from an igniter. 
         [0012]    Optionally, the smoking article testing assembly may further comprise a second actuator to move the cigarette holder. Further, a floor may move with the second actuator. The smoking article testing assembly may further comprise a seat for the smoking article disposed on the floor wherein actuation of the second actuator moves the seat and the cigarette holder. 
         [0013]    According to some embodiments, a smoking article testing assembly comprises a frame having at least one frame element, a first actuator which moves at least a cigarette holder, a second actuator which is connected to a thumper bar and thumps a smoking article when actuated, the cigarette holder applying a vacuum to the smoking article, the at least one frame element guiding movement of the cigarette holder when the first actuator actuates. All of the above outlined features are to be understood as exemplary only and many more features and objectives of a testing stand with thumping device may be gleaned from the disclosure herein. Therefore, no limiting interpretation of this summary is to be understood without further reading of the entire specification, claims and drawings, included herewith. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    In order that the embodiments may be better understood, embodiments of the testing stand with thumping assembly will now be described by way of examples. These embodiments are not to limit the scope of the claims as other embodiments of the testing stand with thumping assembly will become apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the instant description. Non-limiting examples of the present embodiments are shown in figures wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a testing stand with thumping assembly for smoking articles; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the components and subassemblies of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a first perspective view of a thumper device in operation in a first position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a second perspective view of a thumper device in operation in a second position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the test stand with thumper assembly; and, 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart depicting the process or method of using the test stand with thumper assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    It is to be understood that the testing stand with thumping assembly is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-8 , various embodiments of a testing assembly are provided which provide for testing of smoking articles, both tobacco burning and tobacco heating. The testing assembly simulates smoking of the article by drawing air through the smoking article. Further, the assembly applies a thumping force similar to the tapping that occurs when trying to break an ash of a burning smoking article or when as generally may occur with a heat not burn smoking article, out of habit. The testing assembly may therefore test the smoking article to simulate smoking and to simulate thumping, for example to ensure that the heat element does not loosen during the thumping application of force. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a testing stand with thumping assembly  10  for a smoking article is provided. The testing stand  10  functions to test tobacco burning smoking article or heat not burn smoking article by retaining the smoking article and igniting the smoking article or heating element, and drawing air through the smoking article as would normally be done by a user. Further, however, the testing stand  10  provides a thumper assembly which provides a force on the smoking article which corresponds to a normal finger tapping during an ash-tapping bump that a user would perform on the cigarette. 
         [0026]    The term smoking article refers to various types of smokable articles, including but not limited to tobacco burning cigarettes and cigars, including heat not burn type smoking articles which heat the tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapor-type smoking devices, pipes and may include other smoking articles of various natures. 
         [0027]    As shown in the  FIG. 1 , there is shown a testing stand with thumper assembly  10  wherein one or more smoking articles  42  may be positioned for testing. The testing stand with thumper assembly  10  includes a frame  12  which may be fully or partially surrounded by a housing  14 . The frame  12  may be formed of one or more structural elements  16  to provide support for various components of the testing assembly  10 . The frame  12 , with or without the housing  14 , may also allow the assembly  10  to be self-supporting. As shown in the depicted embodiment, the frame structural elements  16  define a plurality of slide channels wherein positions of components of the testing stand with thumper assembly  10  may be adjustably moved. As opposed to channels, the structural elements may be formed of ribs or protuberances, continuous or discontinuous, which guide sliding motion. 
         [0028]    The testing stand with thumper assembly  10  provides several functions. First, the testing stand with thumper assembly  10  retains the one or more smoking articles in position for testing. Second, the testing stand with thumper assembly  10  provides a negative pressure or vacuum to simulate draw on the article during smoking. Third, the testing stand with thumper assembly  10  may ignite the smoking article or heating element, for example carbon within the smoking article, if necessary and depending on the type of article being tested. Finally, the testing stand with thumper assembly  10  applies a force or testing acceleration on the smoking article to simulate the tapping which occurs when a user taps the smoking article during normal use. 
         [0029]    With reference now to both  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which shows a side view of the testing assembly  10 , near one end of the testing assembly  10  are portions of a draw assembly  20 . As indicated previously, one function of the assembly  10  is to place a draw or vacuum on the smoking articles to test the air flow through the article during simulated smoking. Near the upper end of the frame  12  is a manifold  22  which is in negative flow communication with a plurality of valves  24 . There may be one or more valves  24  corresponding to the number of smoking articles capable of being tested at one time, according to some exemplary embodiments. However, valves  24  may alternatively be plumbed in such a manner that one valve may place a draw one or more smoking articles. The manifold  22  and valves  24  are in flow communication with smoking article holders  32  and a vacuum generator to define a first flow circuit which draws air through the smoking articles  42 . 
         [0030]    The valves  24  are in flow communication with tube connectors  26  by flow tubes  28  ( FIG. 2 ). The tubes  28 , which are shown schematically, may be ¼″ inner diameter Tygon® tube in some embodiments which is commercially available from Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics. Other sizes and types of materials may be utilized depending on flow volumes and/or other characteristics. The tube connectors  26  are in flow communication with a plate  30  providing a position for seating of each of the tube connectors  26 . The tubes  28  may be longer than the distances between connectors  26  and valves  24  to accommodate movement between the parts, described further herein. 
         [0031]    Disposed between the manifold  22  and the plate  30  is an actuator  40 . The actuator  40  is provided to move the plate  30  along the frame  12 . As previously mentioned, the frame  12  includes structural elements  16  which allow for slidable movement of components of the test stand  10 . In this embodiment, the frame  12  has a front  13  and rear  15 . The frame  12  includes at least one structural element  16  extending from near the front to near the rear. In the instant embodiment, two structural elements  16  extending between the front and rear of the testing stand  10 . The structural elements  16  define at least one guide  18  to direct movement of a component. In the instant embodiment, the at least one guide  18  may extend in the front to rear direction and may be on the top surface of the structural element  16  or may be on a bottom or side surface. The guide  18  may be male or female and may be continuous or discontinuous. 
         [0032]    Referring again to the actuator  40 , the actuator  40  may be fixed on the test stand  10  and may actuate the smoking article  42  toward or away from an igniter  44 . In other embodiments, a cigarette holder  32  may be actuated toward or away from the smoking article  42  to draw air or stop the draw of air. The igniter  44  may be fueled by a fuel source, for example butane, and cause ignition of the smoking article  42 . 
         [0033]    The actuator  40  may be powered by compressed air for example or other fluid powered actuator. In the instant embodiment, the actuator  40  may be a linear actuator  40  to move the plate  30  from the position shown closer to the igniters  44 . The fluid power may be started or stopped by, for example, an electric solenoid to open or close the air lines in communication with the actuator  40 . On the upper surface of the actuator are valves which provide connections for fluid flow through the actuator  40 . 
         [0034]    The actuator  40  may be fluid powered for movement in two directions or may be normally biased to a first position and fluid powered to move to a second position. For example, double acting, single acting or other linear actuators may be utilized. Further, for example, rotary actuators may be utilized to produce a linear motion if desirable. 
         [0035]    Mounted to the plate  30  are a plurality of cigarette holders  32 . For example, the exemplary holders  32  may be Cambridge cigarette holders which allow air draw and include an internal filter which may be analyzed for testing of filtered material. Each cigarette holder  32  is in fluid communication with the connectors  26  and conduit  28  so that a vacuum is pulled though the cigarette holders  32 . The vacuum or draw is then transmitted through the smoking article  42 . 
         [0036]    The amount of air flow through the smoking article may vary. However, according to some embodiments, the draw of air may be three (3) seconds with a volume of 20 cc/second for a total of 60 cc/3 seconds. The valves  24  may be adjustable to restrict the flow therethrough or alternatively stated, control the amount of flow through the draw assembly  20 . 
         [0037]    Extending from the housing  14  and disposed above the cigarettes  42  is a thumper assembly  50 . The thumper assembly  50  includes at least one mount  52 . A thumper actuator  54  is disposed on the mount  52  to move a thumper bar  72  up and down relative to the smoking articles  42 . The thumper bar  72  engages the smoking articles  42  to simulate a tapping which would occur during normal use. At least a second flow circuit is defined by the fluid flow through one of both of the actuators  40 ,  54  to control movement of the actuators and connected parts, as desired. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a side view of the test stand with thumper assembly  10  is shown. In this view the housing  14  is shown and the frame  12  is shown in broken line. The frame  12  is formed of a plurality of structural elements  16 . The structural elements  16  may comprise a number of slide rails, channels or guides  18 . These structures may be male or female and guide movement of one or more components mounted on the frame  12 . 
         [0039]    At the right hand side of the figure, the manifold  22  is disposed on the frame  12  and a valve  24  is connected to the manifold  22 . A single valve  24  is shown but the draw assembly  20  may include a plurality of valves. The manifold  22  and the one or more valves  24  are in flow communication with a vacuum generator (not shown) which draws air though the cigarette holder  32 . The vacuum generator may be in flow communication with the manifold  22 , one or more valves  24  and the one or more holders  32 . 
         [0040]    Also shown in this view is a seat  60  for the smoking articles  42 . The lead line for the seat  60  is shown in broken line since the seat is disposed behind the thumper mount  52  in the depicted embodiment. 
         [0041]    Disposed above the smoking articles  42  is a thumper actuator  70 . The actuator  70  may also be in flow communication with a fluid source, as described with actuator  40 . For example the actuator  40  may include first and second valves allowing, for example, compressed air to move therethrough. A thumper bar  72  is also disposed above the smoking article and connected to the thumper actuator  70 . The thumper bar  72  moves up and down engages the smoking article  42  below. The seat  60  may include a spring  62  or other structure which absorbs some of the load that the thumper bar  72  creates. The spring  62  may also provide upward force on the smoking article  42  to return the smoking article  42  to a pre-thump location, better positioning the smoking article  42  for improved engagement with the thumper bar  72 . 
         [0042]    At the left hand end of the test stand  10  is an igniter  44 . The igniter  44  is adjacent to the smoking articles  42  so that a flame created by the igniters  44  can either ignite the tobacco of a cigarette or, in the instance of a heat not burn smoking article, the igniter may ignite carbon or other such heating element so that the heating element can heat but not burn the tobacco. 
         [0043]    Beneath the igniter  44  is a transmission conduit  46  which transmits butane or other flammable fluid to the igniter  44 . The transmission conduit  46  may also include valves and other fittings as needed for regulating and safely transmitting the flammable fluid to the igniter  44 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the test stand with thumper assembly  10  is shown in exploded perspective view. The test stand  10  includes the frame  12  which may comprise a plurality of structural elements  16 . The frame  12  is connected to the housing  14  which may disposed on one or more sides of the test stand with thumper assembly  10 . It is also within the scope of the invention that the stand  10  be formed only of a housing structure or only of the frame  12 , which may be one or more frame elements  16 . 
         [0045]    The thumper assembly  50  may include one or more mounts  52  which connect the thumper assembly to the frame  12  or housing  14 . The mount  52  may be a one-piece structure or formed of multiple structures which are connected or otherwise joined together. As shown in the instant view, the mount  52  is formed of multiple bars, such as flat stock in form, and joined in the form of a U-shaped structure which extends above the seats  60  and holders  32  wherein the smoking articles  42  are positioned. 
         [0046]    The mount  52  includes a cross-member  56  which extends above the seats  60  and which supports the thumper actuator  54 . A piston or arm  55  extends from the thumper actuator  54  and may move to extend or retract. The arm  55  is connected to the thumper bar  72  to apply a force or acceleration on the smoking article  42 . In some embodiments, the thumper bar  72  may be integrally formed on the bar  55 . 
         [0047]    In the instant embodiment, and with brief additional reference to  FIG. 2 , the thumper bar  72  has an L-shaped cross section wherein one leg of the L is connected to the arm  55  and the other leg of the L thumps or taps the smoking articles  42 . The thumper bar  72  may be formed in other cross-sectional shapes and is not limited to the embodiment shown. 
         [0048]    The actuator  54  is shown above the holder  32  and seat  60  but may tap from below or from a side. Further, the actuator  54  may also move in a direction perpendicular to the smoking article  42  or at an angle to the axis of the smoking article. For example, the actuator  54  may move at an angle of between about 45 degrees and 135 degrees relative to an axis of the smoking article  42 . 
         [0049]    Still further, and with reference again to  FIGS. 1-3 , the actuator  40  includes an arm  41  which extends from the actuator  40  and is connected thereto. The arm  41  may be connected to the plate  30  to move the cigarette holder  32  and may or may not be connected to the seats  60  to move the seats  60  if connected. For example, the seat  60  may move if the smoking article moves with the holder  32 . Alternatively, if the seat  60  is not connected, the holder  32  may move to engage the smoking article  42  to puff or draw air through the smoking article  42  or move away from the seat  60  to preclude puffing or drawing of air through the smoking article  42 . In the instant embodiment, the seat  60  is positioned on a floor  45  which moves with the arm  41 . Accordingly in the instant embodiment, the plate  30 , the floor  45 , the seat  60  and the holder  32  may all move with actuation of the arm  41 . 
         [0050]    With reference now to  FIGS. 3-4 , beneath the frame  12  is a fuel supply plumbing arrangement  46 . The structure is exemplary and may include various valves, piping and fittings in order to supply a fuel supply, such as butane, to the igniters  44 . 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the testing stand with thumper assembly  10  is shown. In this embodiment, the thumper actuator  54  is shown in a retracted position. The piston  55  is retracted and the thumper bar  72  is spaced from the smoking articles  42  below. In this position, for example, the testing stand  10  may draw air through the smoking articles  42 . 
         [0052]    With comparison now to  FIG. 6 , the thumper actuator  54  is shown in an extended position to engage the smoking articles  42 . The piston  55  is extended and the thumper bar  72  is shown tapping or thumping the smoking articles  42  for purpose of testing the loosening of a carbon heating element or the breakage of ash. This may occur before or after a preselected volume of air is drawn through the smoking article  42 . 
         [0053]    As in the previously described actuator embodiment, the actuator  54  may be fluid powered, such as by compressed air or the like. The fluid powered actuator  54  may also be started or stopped by electric solenoid to open or close fluid supply valves. 
         [0054]    Due to the movement of actuator  40 , the testing stand  10  can have alternate uses other than testing secureness of a heating element or ash breakage. For example, since the smoking article  42  may be moved toward or away from the igniters  44  in some embodiments, the structure may be used to test the lightability of a smoking article. In testing lightability, it is desirable to know how long of a puff or draw is needed to light the tobacco or to light the heat element of a heat not burn smoking article. Alternatively, or additionally, it may be desirable to know how many puffs are required to light such smoking article. The testing stand  10 , with the ability to move toward the smoking article or away from the igniters, can be used to determine such. 
         [0055]    With reference now to  FIG. 7 , a schematic view of the testing stand with thumping assembly  10  is depicted. The assembly  10  includes a fuel supply  43  in fluid communication with the igniters  42 . The igniters  42  ignite the tobacco or a heating element during the testing process. Additionally, a compressed air source is shown as exemplary for fluid power to actuate the actuators  54 ,  40 . The actuators  54 ,  40  may be of various types as previously indicated. Still further, a vacuum generator is shown. The vacuum generator is in fluid communication with valves  24  and the smoking article holder  32  to place a draw or puff on the one or more smoking articles  42  as part of the testing process. 
         [0056]    With reference now to  FIG. 8 , a flow chart is shown depicting the operation  300  of the test stand with thumper assembly  10 . In operation, the vacuum is created at step  302  with a vacuum generator that is not shown but which may be connected to the valves  24  ( FIG. 1 ). With the vacuum air moving through the valves  24 , a compressed air source may be started at step  304 . Next the fuel source is provided to the igniters  44  ( FIG. 1 ) and the igniters are ignited at step  306 . 
         [0057]    After the igniters  44  are ignited, the actuator  40  is actuated at step  308  to either move the smoking article  42  to the igniter  44  or to move the plate  30  toward the smoking article  42 . In some embodiments, the smoking article  42  may be engaged by the holder  32  and move with the holder  32  and the seat  60 , or alternatively seated in the seat  60 , which may be stationary, so that movement of the holder  32  results in engagement with the smoking article. 
         [0058]    Next, air is drawn through the holder  32  to puff the smoking article at step  310 . This may occur one or more times until the desired volume of air has flowed through the smoking article  42 . 
         [0059]    Next, at step  312 , the thumper actuator  54  taps the smoking article  42  and the smoking article  42  may be checked for loose heating element or proper ash breakage at step  314 . 
         [0060]    While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the invent of embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teaching(s) is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0061]    All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. 
         [0062]    Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. 
         [0063]    As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. 
         [0064]    As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. 
         [0065]    It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited. 
         [0066]    In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03. 
         [0067]    The foregoing description of several methods and an embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.